Dan Muse Provides Andrei Kuzmenko Update Ahead of Penguins' Road Trip

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse said he isn’t putting pressure on newly acquired forward Andrei Kuzmenko to return to the ice immediately as the team heads out on a road trip. Kuzmenko has been on leave of absence after the Sept. 22 death of his father, Alexander, who died in a fishing accident in Siberia after being killed by a bear. Muse said Kuzmenko was granted non-roster status and rejoined the team late last week after returning to Russia to grieve with family. The coach expects him to work his way back to fitness and participate in skating drills, with the earliest regular-season game targeted for Pittsburgh’s next home match on Oct. 10 versus the Stars. Muse said support remains the priority.