Injured Again: Mark Pysyk Out Longer Term; Sullivan Calls Injury ‘Unfortunate’

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ battle for a blue-line spot was reduced by one. Monday, the Penguins put PTO defenseman Mark Pysyk on the injured list as part of 11 transactions to reduce their training camp roster.

Tuesday, Sullivan was still unclear of the full scope but said Pysyk’s injury will keep him out long term. Sullivan deferred to president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas on the next steps.

“(I don’t have an update), not right now. He’s out longer term with a lower-body injury,” Sullivan said. “I’m not sure where that’s going to go. I haven’t had a discussion with Kyle.”

Pysyk missed last season with an Achilles injury suffered just one week after signing a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings. He suffered a setback in January that cost him the remainder of the season.

Last week, Pysyk told PHN that he was healthy enough for hockey but joked that he wouldn’t be running or jumping too often. He was competing for the third-pairing right side and looked good in training camp. Pysyk, 31, was perhaps the favorite to win the position over Chad Ruhwedel and Ty Smith.

Before signing with the Penguins, he played 521 NHL games over 10 seasons split between Buffalo, Florida, and Dallas.

“It’s unfortunate because we were really looking forward to watching Mark throughout the course of the exhibition season, getting him in some games and where he might potentially fit with our team.”