Pens have limited options as they add assistant coach Mark Recchi to lineup in practice

The injuries are piling up in Pittsburgh, so much that the Penguins are running out of options when it comes to putting together a strong lineup for games to come. 

Without talking about captain Sidney Crosby missing from action with a core injury, Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist is now expected to be sidelined “longer term” with an undisclosed injury according to coach Mike Sullivan.

Hornqvist left practice in Cranberry on Monday after falling and slamming into the boards with his back midway through the session. He was absent from Tuesday’s practice.

And he wasn’t the only one missing from action on Tuesday: forward Zach Aston-Reese missed Tuesday’s practice because of an illness and was kept away from the rest of the team as a precaution. Nick Bjugstad is on injured reserve with core muscle ailments.

Forward Bryan Rust has been sidelined the past two games with an undisclosed ailment and skated prior to Tuesday’s practice.

Defenseman Brian Dumoulin will be sidelined until at least late January following ankle surgery on Sunday. Fellow blue liner was on the ice sure, but wore a gray non-contact jersey.

Therefore, options are limited for the Penguins, who had to improvise during practice on Tuesday. That’s why assistant coach Mark Recchi worked as the left wing of the fourth line along Joseph Blandisi and Sam Lafferty. 

We wonder if Recchi could make a return for the Penguins’ next game against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night.