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Penguins' Chad Ruhwedel: Re-signs with Pittsburgh

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.

Penguins' Chad Ruhwedel: Remains unavailable

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.

Penguins' Chad Ruhwedel: Set to miss Game 3

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.

Penguins' Chad Ruhwedel: Joins optional 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.

Penguins' Chad Ruhwedel: Stays home for road clash

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.