2 Chad Ruhwedel D

Ruhwedel failed to write his name on the scoresheet against the Kings on Wednesday, bringing his pointless streak to 17 games.

Ruhwedel's goal drought goes back even further to Dec. 20 versus Edmonton, a streak of 27 contests without finding the back of the net. If Pittsburgh's blue line can get healthy, Ruhwedel figures to find himself relegated to the press box alongside Juuso Riikola.

Ruhwedel (undisclosed) has returned to Friday's game against the Flyers, Seth Rorabaugh of TribLive.com reports.

Ruhwedel was a bit slow to get back on the bench to start the third period, but he's evidently feeling well enough to continue. He remains in a third-pairing role for the Penguins.

Ruhwedel went to the locker room in the second period of Friday's game against the Flyers, Seth Rorabaugh of TribLive.com reports.

Ruhwedel didn't return to the bench at the start of the third period. The Penguins will likely have to finish Friday's game with five defensemen. Ruhwedel will aim to be healthy in time for Sunday's contest against the Capitals.

Ruhwedel registered two blocks, one hit and one shot in 15:09 of ice time versus Vegas on Tuesday.

Ruhwedel remains stuck in a six-game pointless streak, which should come as no surprise considering his minimal ice time and absence from either power-play unit. Once Justin Schultz (lower body) and Brian Dumoulin (ankle) return to the lineup, Ruhwedel will find himself back up in the press box with Juuso Riikola.

Ruhwedel scored his a goal and posted a plus-1 rating in a 5-2 victory over the Oilers on Friday.

The 29-year-old opened the scoring Friday night with a shot from the point that sneaked through a screen and beat Mike Smith. It was Ruhwedel's second goal of 2019-20, which ties a career high with still half a season to go. Ruhwedel has plenty of time to score his third goal, but his scoring pace should decrease because his 10.5 shooting percentage is unsustainable. Overall, he has two goals and four points with an even rating in 12 games this season.

Ruhwedel (illness) is back to full health ahead of Tuesday's game against the Canadiens, Dave Molinari of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Although Ruhwedel is feeling better, there's no guarantee he gears up in this contest, as he's been a healthy scratch in 23 of 30 games this year. However, Ruhwedel has played in the last four games, posting a goal, two assists and 19 hits.

Ruhwedel is under the weather and missed Monday's practice session, Michelle Crechiolo of Pens Inside Scoop reports.

Ruhwedel has played in seven of the Pens' last nine games after starting the year as a healthy scratch in 21 consecutive contests. If his illness lingers into Tuesday's matchup with Montreal, it will be Juuso Riikola who jumps into the third pairing with Ruhwedel unavailable.

Ruhwedel scored his first goal of the season against Detroit on Saturday and also added an assist.

Ruhwedel has struggled to crack the lineup this year, but with Brian Dumoulin (ankle) unavailable, the 29-year-old has been able to earn his way into a bigger role. Despite the multipoint performance, the San Diego native will have to compete with Juuso Riikola for regular minutes, though both guys figure to wind up in the press box once Dumoulin is healthy.

Ruhwedel has been stuck in the press box for all 21 of Pittsburgh's games this season.

Ruhwedel was once again watching Tuesday's matchup with the Islanders and continues to wait for his opportunity to play. Juuso Riikola logged a mere 14:50 of ice time versus New York which could be an indication Ruhwedel is going to get a look soon. A potential injury to Justin Schultz (undisclosed) may also serve as a way for the 29-year-old Ruhwedel to see some ice.

Ruhwedel has yet to play in a game for the Penguins this season.

Ruhwedel is one of nine defensemen currently on the 23-man roster and the only one who hasn't gotten into at least one game. The emergence of John Marino has further complicated the situation, combined with the fact that Ruhwedel or Juuso Riikola would need to be placed on waivers to move down to the minors. At some point, the Penguins figure to try to move a blueliner, which could open the door for Ruhwedel to get some minutes.

Ruhwedel (upper body) will be in the lineup against Buffalo on Monday.

Ruhwedel is stick in the logjam of blueliner's on one-way deals for the Pens and will need to show the coaching staff something during preseason to avoid ending up on waivers. If the 28-year-old does earn a spot on the 23-man roster for Opening Night, he will almost certainly find himself watching from the press box as a healthy scratch.

Ruhwedel (upper body) signed a two-year, $1.4 million contract with the Penguins on Thursday.

Ruhwedel has only totaled 17 points in 96 contests over the past three seasons with Pittsburgh, but his new contract suggests he may be expected to take on a slightly larger role in 2019-20. Either way, the Penguins currently have a logjam at defense, so they'll almost certainly be looking to trade at least one of their blueliners away this offseason. Ruhwedel missed the final 23 games of the 2018-19 campaign due to an upper-body injury, so now that he's been re-signed, he can shift his focus to getting back to 100 percent in time for training camp.

Ruhwedel (upper body) was never able to get back into the lineup before the Pens were bounced from the playoffs.

Ruhwedel missed the final 23 games of the season due to his upper-body issue. Set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, the blueliner's time in Pittsburgh may have come to an end, especially with the trade acquisitions of Marcus Pettersson and Erik Gudbranson, combined with the emergence of Juuso Riikola. In his three years in the Black & Gold, the 28-year-old Ruhwedel has tallied five goals, 12 assists and 134 shots and will forever have his name etched on Lord Stanley's chalice.

Ruhwedel (upper body) is set to miss Game 4 versus the Islanders on Tuesday, Brian Compton of NHL.com reports.

While coach Mike Sullivan certainly would like to have the option of playing Chad Ruhwedel, the defenseman's continued absence isn't going to affect the team or fantasy owners considering he has little chance of breaking into the lineup once given the green light to play.

Ruhwedel (upper body) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Islanders, per the NHL's official media site.

Ruhwedel just got back to skating Friday, and was considered a longshot to play in Sunday's contest. Even if the defenseman was healthy enough to play, he won't be breaking into the lineup anytime soon over the likes of Jack Johnson, Marcus Pettersson or Erik Gudbranson.

Ruhwedel (upper body) took the ice for Friday's optional game-day skate.

The fact that Ruhwedel has just gotten back to skating means he likely won't be in the lineup versus the Islanders on Friday. Even if the defenseman was healthy enough to play, he won't be breaking into the lineup anytime soon over the likes of Jack Johnson, Marcus Pettersson or Erik Gudbranson.

Ruhwedel (upper body) didn't travel with the team for Tuesday's matchup with Detroit, Josh Getzoff of PensTV reports.

Ruhwedel wasn't able to get on the ice back in Pittsburgh, which is an indication he is still a ways off from returning to action. At this point, fantasy owners should probably consider the blueliner out for the final two games of the regular season as well. Even once cleared to play, the San Diego native will be hard pressed to crack the Pens' lineup over Zach Trotman or Marcus Pettersson.

Ruhwedel (upper body) will not play Sunday against Carolina.

The 28-year-old has just two points in 18 games this season, so his absence won't hurt many fantasy owners. Ruhwedel hasn't suited up in March and could still be a healthy scratch once the injury passes.

Ruhwedel (upper body) skated ahead of Friday's practice session, but he will miss the evening's clash with Nashville, Josh Getzoff of PensTV reports.

Ruhwedel has been sidelined since Feb. 26 versus Columbus due to his upper-body problem. Even once cleared to play, the San Diego native doesn't have much of a shot at a spot in the lineup and will be forced to continue watching from the press box.

Ruhwedel (upper body) took a twirl on the ice ahead of Tuesday's practice session, Michelle Crechiolo of Pens Inside Scoop reports.

Ruhwedel is progressing according to coach Mike Sullivan, but the fact that he is not yet practicing with the team likely means he remains week-to-week. Still, Pittsburgh has a few days off before Friday's clash with Nashville, which should give the San Diego native time to work with the team if he is cleared to return to practice. Even once given the green light to play, the blueliner is unlikely to break into the lineup and figures to continue watching from the press box.