Hinostroza and Ludvig both practicing today. Which is interesting because if Ludvig is activated, Hinostroza has to be sent down. Although they could just LTIR POJ at this point since he's missed seven games, but sounds like he's close too. Back to 12 forwards soon?

Edit- Ruhwedel, Rackell, Nieto, Ruhwedel all missing so maybe it sorts itself out again. Ruhwedel did leave the game so that's probably something. Have to imagine Ludvig is back in if Ruhwedel can't go since he already played 2 games this weekend in WBS.
- Tojo.

Looking forward to seeing more of Ludvig, aka Grinder's future favorite player.

POJ was put on IR already, so LTIR might be an option.

He may or may not have said it but definitely points towards getting out of position to make a big hit. I'm for the big hit as long as it separates man from the puck, but if you are gonna go out of position it better be a big (frank)ing hit. That's one of the reasons JJ sucked, out of position all day.
- 668710

Orpik did that at times but that shift he was actually hitting the puck carrier all the time and stayed in the play. (Yes I just watched to make sure I remembered right). Unpopular opinion but I used to love Orpik in his prime in the playoffs because guaranteed someone on the other team disappeared each series because he got tired of getting hit. But prime Orpik had the skating to do that.

I dont ever recall this....which obviously doesn't mean its not true...but I have zero recollection of this ever being a thing...
- MattStrat

There was comments in a blog about it not being so great because if you’re able to complete a hit your team doesn’t have the puck or some hockey woke bullpoop by a guy that considers Phish actual music. (frank)ing Phish.

I definitely want to see more of Ludvig. Hopefully getting his bell rung doesn't make him tone it down.
- MattStrat

Ludvig practiced at RD with Shea today.

Also Rust left early. Lots of absences for Sully to explain today.

He may or may not have said it but definitely points towards getting out of position to make a big hit. I'm for the big hit as long as it separates man from the puck, but if you are gonna go out of position it better be a big (frank)ing hit. That's one of the reasons JJ sucked, out of position all day.
- 668710

There's the psychological element that matters too. If your team is sleepwalking through a home game, throwing a big hit can wake up the crowd and your team can feed off of that energy. The game is played by men, so it's not just X's and O's.

Of course, it's a double-edged sword, you want players smart enough to know when not to wake up the other team with a big hit or a fight (i.e. not Carcillo).

There was comments in a blog about it not being so great because if you’re able to complete a hit your team doesn’t have the puck or some hockey woke bullpoop by a guy that considers Phish actual music. (frank)ing Phish.
- Grinder47

Wait a second aren’t you a phish fan too?

Ludvig!! Ludviiiiiiig! Dummkopf!

Ludvig practiced at RD with Shea today.

Also Rust left early. Lots of absences for Sully to explain today.
- Tojo.

Yeah....

"Pens Inside Scoop

@PensInsideScoop
Injury updates from Mike Sullivan:
- Rickard Rakell is longer-term with an upper-body injury.
- Bryan Rust is being evaluated for a lower-body injury.
- Chad Ruhwedel is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
- Matt Nieto is a maintenance day."

Yeah....

"Pens Inside Scoop

@PensInsideScoop
Injury updates from Mike Sullivan:
- Rickard Rakell is longer-term with an upper-body injury.
- Bryan Rust is being evaluated for a lower-body injury.
- Chad Ruhwedel is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
- Matt Nieto is a maintenance day."
- MattStrat

Just saw this. Only thing to add is Sully said Hinostroza, Harkins, and Nylander were obvious possibilities for the top 6. That... is not encouraging, especially if Rust is out too. Interesting Z not mentioned.

This is what I needed to see about this Pens team: how can they handle injuries. Hopefully Rust is ok though. Rackell I'd imagine to LTIR so they can ice a 23 man roster, because they'll want to at minimum recall a forward and a d.

Wait a second aren’t you a phish fan too?
- Victoro311

Fish maybe.

Just saw this. Only thing to add is Sully said Hinostroza, Harkins, and Nylander were obvious possibilities for the top 6. That... is not encouraging, especially if Rust is out too. Interesting Z not mentioned.

This is what I needed to see about this Pens team: how can they handle injuries. Hopefully Rust is ok though. Rackell I'd imagine to LTIR so they can ice a 23 man roster, because they'll want to at minimum recall a forward and a d.
- Tojo.

Rust is a massive loss right now. He's been dogging every shift he's on the ice this season. Battle level 100%. The 2nd line has kinda gone to sh!t since Geno got sick and Rak hasnt been doing much at all this season, though to my eyes he's mostly looked good besides not burying pucks...except for the last week, or so. Like I said the whole 2nd line has left a lot to be desired as of lately. Illness/nagging injuries could be the factor here. So, it will definitely be interesting to see what happens with top 6 now...Harkins is 1 point off the scoring lead and Nylaner is 2 points off, both having played 11 games while the scoring leader Pitlick has played 15 games. We're going to see some of these guys tomorrow for sure.

Orpik did that at times but that shift he was actually hitting the puck carrier all the time and stayed in the play. (Yes I just watched to make sure I remembered right). Unpopular opinion but I used to love Orpik in his prime in the playoffs because guaranteed someone on the other team disappeared each series because he got tired of getting hit. But prime Orpik had the skating to do that.
- Tojo.

Oh for sure prime Orpik was the man, he would time most of hits correctly. Then he became Dumo where he was too slow on his decision making and ended up out of position.

There's the psychological element that matters too. If your team is sleepwalking through a home game, throwing a big hit can wake up the crowd and your team can feed off of that energy. The game is played by men, so it's not just X's and O's.

Of course, it's a double-edged sword, you want players smart enough to know when not to wake up the other team with a big hit or a fight (i.e. not Carcillo).
- MickV

Oh I agree, I'm not against going after big hits. There's just a time and place. If you're protecting a one goal lead, you don't want to be getting on a position for a big ass hit. Or if it's a lame night or the team is down it's cool, I'm all for something to change momentum.

Just saw this. Only thing to add is Sully said Hinostroza, Harkins, and Nylander were obvious possibilities for the top 6. That... is not encouraging, especially if Rust is out too. Interesting Z not mentioned.

This is what I needed to see about this Pens team: how can they handle injuries. Hopefully Rust is ok though. Rackell I'd imagine to LTIR so they can ice a 23 man roster, because they'll want to at minimum recall a forward and a d.
- Tojo.

Yea Rak isn't as big a loss right now(but I'd rather have him in the lineup) hopefully Rust is good to go.