Rakell, Ruhwedel to IR; Penguins recall Nylander, Harkins

The latest batch of injuries led to several moves by the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday evening.

Winger Rickard Rakell and defenseman Chad Ruhwedel have been placed on injured reserve. Forwards Alex Nylander and Jansen Hawkins have been recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. And defenseman John Ludvig has officially been recalled from his conditioning assignment with Wilkes-Barre.

Those moves follow the signing earlier Tuesday of defenseman Dmitri Samorukov.

Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan offered updates on injured players after practice Tuesday. He said Rakell is out “longer term” because an upper-body injury; Ruhwedel is out “week to week” because of a lower-body injury; winger Bryan Rust is being evaluated for a lower-body injury. In addition, winger Matt Nieto did not practice because of a maintenance day for the second time in recent days.

That is in addition to defenseman P.O Joseph, who already was on IR.

Nylander, 25, played nine games with the Penguins last season, with one goal and one assist. He has five goals, eight points in 11 games with Wilkes-Barre this season.

Harkins, a journeyman with 158 NHL games on his resume, was claimed off waivers from Winnipeg in early October. He played four games with the Penguins, with no points, before he was sent to Wilkes-Barre, where he has four goals, nine points in 11 games.

Ludvig got a concussion in his NHL debut Oct. 24. He has been practicing and is eligible to come off IR.

How all these moves will translate into the lineup the Penguins use Wednesday against the visiting New York Rangers remains to be seen.