Penguins forward Drew O'Connor placed on long-term injured reserve

Pittsburgh Penguins rookie forward Drew O’Connor has been placed on long-term injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 15. The team announced his status on Monday evening.

Speaking with media in Las Vegas after a morning skate on Monday, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan indicated O’Connor would receive further evaluation upon the team’s return to Pittsburgh.

The specific nature of O’Connor’s ailment was not revealed.

A second-year professional, O’Connor, 23, has appeared in 22 NHL games this season and has five points (two goals, three assists) while averaging 10:17 of ice time per contest. In five American Hockey League (AHL) games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he has five points (three goals, two assists).

Notes:

• Sullivan labeled forwards Bryan Rust and Jason Zucker as “game-time decisions” for Monday’s road contest against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Rust has missed the past four games while in the NHL’s protocols for covid-19. In 15 games this season, Rust has 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) and an average of 18:17 of ice time per contest. He was formally returned to the active roster on Monday.

After missing the past seven games because of an undisclosed ailment, Zucker was activated from long-term injured reserve. In 30 games this season, he has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) as well as an average of 15:34 of ice time per contest.

• Rookie forwards Kasper Bjorkqvist and Radim Zohorna were removed from the active roster and assigned to the taxi squad.

Bjorkqvist has appeared in six NHL games this season and has one goal as well as an average of 8:22 of ice time per contest. Additionally, he has played in 17 AHL games and has three points (two goals, one assist).

In four NHL games, Zohorna has two points (one goal, one assist) and an average of 11:33 of ice time per contest. Zohorna also has appeared in 23 AHL games and has scored 10 points (five goals, five assists).

• Defenseman Juuso Riikola was assigned from the taxi squad to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In five NHL games this season, Riikola has one assist and has averaged 13:23 of ice time per contest. Additionally, he has played in 10 AHL games and tallied six assists.

• Goaltender Tristan Jarry is expected to start for the Penguins. In 29 games this season, Jarry has an 18-7-4 record along with a 2.05 goals-against average, a .929 save percentage and three shutouts.

• The Golden Knights are expected to start goaltender Robin Lehner. In 27 games this season, Lehner has a 15-10-1 record along with a 2.91 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage.

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