Overview
- Ben Kindel, activated Saturday, is expected to make his 2026-27 season debut after missing the opener while recovering from a preseason lower-body injury.
- The 19-year-old Kindel was Pittsburgh’s 11th overall pick in 2025 and delivered 17 goals and 35 points in 77 games as a rookie, making his return meaningful for the club’s forward group.
- David Gustafsson was designated non-roster and placed on waivers to open a 23-man spot, and teams have until the waiver deadline to claim him.
- If Gustafsson is unclaimed he is expected to be assigned to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins because he is on a one-year, two-way contract.
- Andrei Kuzmenko is also slated to return from personal leave, a second roster restoration that further eases short-term forward depth concerns for Pittsburgh.