Penguins Notebook: Kindel Injury Worse than Thought; Prospect Evaluations

Crucial center Ben Kindel will miss an undisclosed amount of time for the Pittsburgh Penguins due to an injury that has exceeded initial projections, according to minor league operations manager Amanda Kessel. Kindel hurt himself during the first period of the Penguins' preseason opener, replacing Bryan Rust and Andrei Kuzmenko on the lineup. Last season, Kindel had made waves as a rookie, playing 77 games and netting 17 goals with 35 points.

Kessel's travel between the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre and their new ECHL home in Fort Myers, Florida has been streamlined since relocating, but the Penguins may need to carry additional players to replace those unable to make the five-hour trip. Goalkeepers Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist are slated to serve as starters, but the Penguins have yet to finalize their emergency plan for such situations.

The Penguins' minor league system under general manager Kyle Dubas has grown significantly over the past few years, with a focus on developing competitive teams. Kessel has been instrumental in rebuilding the minor league system, and the WBS roster is expected to feature several high-ceiling prospects and NHL-ready players this year. Kessel emphasized the importance of consistency for younger players and challenged them to perform against stronger competition, as evident from the roster changes and the new lineup.