Forwards Bryan Rust, Jesse Puljujarvi rejoin Penguins practice

Bryan Rust looked different Friday.

The Pittsburgh Penguins forward was wearing a neck guard.

In the aftermath of former Penguins forward Adam Johnson’s death as a result of a skate cut to his neck while playing in the United Kingdom on Oct. 28, there were countless calls for players at all levels of hockey to don protective gear for that vital part of their anatomy.

Either through limited supply or personal choice, only a handful of the Penguins have adopted that equipment.

Rust is giving it a test run.

“Trying it out,” Rust said. “Figure I’ve got some time here. Might as well try it out and see if it’s something that I can get used to. Obviously, anytime you can add some more safety measures, it’s never a bad thing.”

Rust’s free time as of late has come through an undisclosed injury that has sidelined him for the past eight games. Currently designated to long-term injured reserve, Rust is not eligible to rejoin the active roster until Tuesday.

Not that any ailment is convenient, but Rust’s malady has disrupted what has been a highly productive 2023-24 season as well as a considerable rebound from an inconsistent 2022-23 season.

Which is more frustrating? Getting injured while producing or being healthy and offering limited offense (as was the case last season)?

“Six of one, half a dozen of the other,” Rust said. “It doesn’t matter. Either or isn’t ideal.”

Despite so much downtime, Rust is still fourth on the team with 10 goals to go along with 20 points in 22 games this season.

That success has come despite his current convalescence as well as a three-game respite he dealt with in late November for a different undisclosed ailment.

“This isn’t my first injury,” Rust said. “This isn’t my first go around. This something that I wouldn’t say I’ve gotten used to, but it’s something that I’ve been able to learn from and try to put myself in the best situation.”

Puljujarvi practices, too

Tryout invitee Jesse Puljujarvi (yellow) is participating in practice today.

I believe this is his first practice session since Dec. 10. pic.twitter.com/DOQuz5sOHi

— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) December 29, 2023

Also joining the team for practice was forward Jesse Puljujarvi, a free agent who has linked up with the team on a tryout basis.

This marked his first practice with the Penguins since he took to the ice after agreeing to his tryout Dec. 10. Since then, he has largely been restricted to workouts off the ice as he tries to recover from surgery to both hips this past offseason. He operated served as a reserve during drills.

The fourth overall selection of the 2016 NHL Draft who enjoyed limited success with the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes, the 25-year-old Puljujarvi (6-foot-4, 201 pounds) remains an intriguing entity as Penguins management surveys where he is physically after such a significant injury.

“He’s only skated with us twice,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “I don’t think it’s fair to try to draw any sort of assessment at this point. He’s obviously trying to work his way back from surgery. We’re trying to help him through that process. I do think he is a guy that could potentially fit into our group and help us. He has good size. He’s a guy that could potentially play up and down the lineup. We’ll just have to see where it goes.”

Zohorna held out

AP

Forward Radim Zohorna was withheld from practice due to an undisclosed illness. No status beyond that was provided. Additionally, forward Matt Nieto, sidelined for the past 11 games with an undisclosed injury, continued to work out off the ice. He is currently designated to regular injured reserve.

As a result of Zohorna’s absence, Rust skated in his place on the left wing of the third line in practice.

The team’s lines and pairs were:

59 Jake Guentzel – 87 Sidney Crosby – 67 Rickard Rakell

19 Reilly Smith – 71 Evgeni Malkin – 10 Drew O’Connor/13 Vinnie Hinostroza

17 Bryan Rust – 20 Lars Eller – 48 Valtteri Puustinen

43 Jansen Harkins – 55 Noel Acciari – 77 Jeff Carter

28 Marcus Pettersson – 58 Kris Letang

27 Ryan Graves – 65 Erik Karlsson

7 John Ludvig – 2 Chad Ruhwedel/73 P.O Joseph

The top power-play group included Crosby, Guentzel, Karlsson, Malkin and Rakell. The second power-play group involved some combination of Carter, Eller, Letang, Puustinen, Rust and Smith.