The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that centre Nick Bjugstad is sidelined for at least eight weeks after having core muscle surgery. The team also announced, per Head Coach Mike Sullivan, that defenceman Justin Schultz will be out long term with a lower-body injury.
Nick Bjugstad had surgery on a core muscle. His return is expected to be at least 8 weeks.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 21, 2019
Coach Sullivan: “Justin Schultz is out longer term with a lower-body injury.”
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 21, 2019
Nick Bjugstad and Justin Schultz Out Long Term
On Bjugstad
Since Nov. 15th, Nick Bjugstad has been considered out “long-term” with a lower-body injury. In the second period during a game against New Jersey Devils, Bjugstad was tripped up and fell awkwardly into the boards. He left the game and did not return. This is not the first time Bjustad has been dealing with injuries this season. He also missed ten games at the beginning of the season with a lower-body injury.
So far this season, Bjugstad has scored one goal in 10 games. He has also registered eight penalty minutes. His possession numbers were 54 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of -5.6.
Over his eight-year NHL career, Bjugstad has played for the Florida Panthers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has 97 goals and 109 assists for 206 career points in 436 career games. He was originally drafted by the Florida Panthers in the first round, 19th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
On Schultz
Justin Schultz left practice early Wednesday and earlier today was deemed out “long-term” by the Penguins head coach. There are no further reports on whether the injury was suffered during practice or if it has been ongoing.
So far this season, Schultz has scored two goals and six assists for eight points in 21 games. His possession numbers were 52.9 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of -1.
Over his eight-year NHL career, Schultz has played for the Edmonton Oilers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has 49 goals and 161 assists for 210 career points in 457 career games. He was originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round, 43rd overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
What This Means for the Future
On the brighter side of things, the Penguins have activated forward Patric Hornqvist from the injured reserve. He will be in action tonight against the New York Islanders. Unfortuntlaey, they are still without captain Sidney Crosby and defenceman Kris Letang for the foreseeable future. With injuries plaguing this team since the start of the season, they have still managed to stay afloat. The Penguins currently hold the first wild-card position in the Eastern Conference.
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