UPDATED: Bryan Rust Teases Return, but One Forward Missing

ELMONT, NY — The Pittsburgh Penguins inched closer to getting winger Bryan Rust back in the lineup. Wednesday at practice at the UBS Arena, where the Penguins blew a 3-1 third-period lead the night before, Rust participated in practice without a non-contact sweater.

He’s on the injured reserve list and has been out week-to-week since leaving the game in the second period against the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 26.

This season, Rust has three goals and one assist in eight games played.

However, with one addition to practice, there was a subtraction. Forward Kevin Hayes was absent from practice. He left the game in the final minutes Tuesday night and did not return.

Hayes has shuffled around the lineup in practice and games, playing everywhere from second-line center to fourth-line winger. He has four points (1-3-4) in 14 games played.

UPDATE: Rust was coy if he’ll play in either of the two remaining games on the road trip, “We’ll have to wait and see,“ he said with a big smile.

Coach Mike Sullivan also didn’t know if Rust would play In Carolina or Washington but indicated he suspected Rust would.

regarding Hayes, Sullivan said the forward was officially a maintenance day, but was being evaluated by doctors today for an upper body injury.