Penguins notes: Forward Bryan Rust goes on injured reserve

The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward Bryan Rust on injured reserve retroactive to Thursday with an undisclosed ailment.

During a 5-4 overtime road loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday, Rust was injured 13 seconds into the third period on a check from Panthers defenseman MacKenzie Weegar.

Coach Mike Sullivan did not provide any specifics as to Rust’s status Saturday morning other than to say he continued to be evaluated.

Rust was replaced on the top line by forward Danton Heinen to open Saturday’s home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks at PPG Paints Arena.

In two games this season, Rust has one assist.

Rust entered Saturday as the team’s “iron man” with a team-best consecutive games streak of 104, including playoffs. With Rust absent, defenseman Kris Letang assumed that designation by appearing in his 54th consecutive contest.

Aston-Reese returns

Forward Zach Aston-Reese was activated from the NHL’s list for covid-19 protocol and made his season debut Saturday.

The team announced Aston-Reese had tested positive for covid-19 on Sept. 27. Following a 10-day isolation period, he resumed skating with his teammates Oct. 9 but did not play in either of the team’s first two games of the season as he reestablished his conditioning.

To open Saturday’s contest, Aston-Reese skated on the left wing of the team’s third line along with Teddy Blueger at center and Brock McGinn at right wing.

Last season, Aston-Reese appeared in 45 games and scored 15 points (nine goals, six assists).

Rodrigues gets power-play time

Taking Rust’s spot on the top power-play unit was forward Evan Rodrigues. During Saturday’s morning skate, Rodrigues primarily worked in the left circle in a group that included forwards Jeff Carter, Jake Guentzel, Kasperi Kapanen and defenseman Kris Letang.

“He has good offensive instincts,” Sullivan said of Rodrigues. “It’s one of the strengths of his games. Given the situation that we have with some of the injuries that we have, we’re looking for someone that can jump into that first power-play (unit) and help it continue to have success. We think Evan is one of those guys. He’s versatile, he can play multiple positions. The bottom line is he has real good offensive instincts, he sees the ice well, he distributes the puck well, he makes good decisions, he can one-time the puck, he can play multiple positions on that power play. His versatility has a lot to do with it, as well.”

Crosby, Matheson remain sidelined

Forward Sidney Crosby remains sidelined as he recovers from offseason surgery on his left wrist.

The Penguins’ captain skated Friday — an off-day for the team — as well as Saturday before the team’s morning skate. He remains on the NHL’s non-roster injured list.

Defenseman Mike Matheson also remains sidelined. He participated in the morning skate but in a reserve role on the “fourth” pairing along with prospect P.O Joseph. He has yet to play a game this season because of an undisclosed injury he suffered during the preseason.

Matheson was officially scratched because of his injury Saturday. Joseph and forward Sam Lafferty were healthy scratches.

Leaders named for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins named defenseman Taylor Fedun as that franchise’s 19th captain. The 33-year-old Fedun is entering his first year with the organization. Additionally, defensemen Matt Bartkowski (a native of Mt. Lebanon), Chris Bigras and forward Jordy Bellerive were appointed as alternate captains.

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