PITTSBURGH — Andrei Kuzmenko was a full participant at Penguins practice Monday, a strong sign he is close to returning from non-roster status as Pittsburgh continues sorting through a crowded forward group.
The timing matters because the Penguins have been dealing with an overstocked lineup since training camp began. Dan Muse has already had to make difficult decisions, and Kuzmenko’s return would create another one.
A crowded forward group leaves little margin
At the moment, the Penguins have 14 forwards and seven defensemen in the mix. While Kuzmenko is still designated as non-roster, only one of Elmer Soderblom, Ville Koivunen and Hendrix Lapierre is being scratched, which shows how tight the competition has become.
Muse has made it clear that these situations will keep coming up as players return. He said that when guys come back in, decisions have to be made, because someone has to come out from game to game. He also said he wants players to make his job even harder and, if they are in the conversation, to work to remove themselves from it.
That applies even more now. Kuzmenko took regular reps with the second power play unit Monday, another indication that he is being worked back into the team’s plans rather than simply observing on the side.
Trevor van Riemsdyk injury opens another path
The Penguins also placed Trevor van Riemsdyk on injured reserve Monday, which could allow them to carry seven defensemen for a longer stretch. That gives Pittsburgh a little more flexibility on the blue line, but it does not solve the forward congestion.
That is why Kuzmenko’s status is such an important part of the immediate roster picture. If he is activated soon, the Penguins will almost certainly need another lineup adjustment, and the current group already shows how few easy answers there are.
The Penguins earned a conservative victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday, and the next roster move may be just as important as the result itself. For now, Kuzmenko’s full practice participation is the clearest sign that a return is nearing, and the lineup conversation is only getting more complicated.
