Ruhwedel (lower body) has been placed on injured reserve Tuesday, per the NHL media site.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel's designation for injured reserve shouldn't come as a surprise considering he was labeled week-to-week by coach Mike Sullivan. By putting the veteran defenseman on IR, the Penguins will be able to either activate John Ludvig (concussion) or call up a blueliner from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Even when healthy, Ruhwedel is far from a lock for the lineup and could find himself serving as a healthy scratch periodically.

Ruhwedel (lower body) is considered week-to-week according to coach Mike Sullivan, Pens Inside Scoop reports Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel's injury comes at a bad time for the Penguins as Pierre-Olivier Joseph (lower body) is already on injured reserve. Unless John Ludvig (concussion) is ready to play against the Rangers on Wednesday, Pittsburgh will need to call up a player from the minors to fill out the third pairing. Ty Smith would likely have the inside track though both Taylor Fedun and Xavier Ouellet have NHL experience.

Ruhwedel left Sunday's game against Vegas with a lower-body injury and did not return.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel logged 10:46 of ice time and two hits before exiting the contest. Head coach Mike Sullivan did not have an update ready on the veteran blueliner after the game. Ruhwedel has one assist in 15 games this season.

Ruhwedel netted a goal in a 4-3 victory over Washington on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel's marker came midway through the second period to put Pittsburgh ahead 2-0. It was his first goal and fifth point in 42 contests this season. Ruhwedel was held off the scoresheet over his previous seven outings. The 32-year-old defenseman hasn't recorded more than 13 points in a single campaign, so he's never been a significant offensive contributor.

Ruhwedel logged an assist, two blocked shots and two PIM in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

With injuries piling up on the Penguins' blue line, Ruhwedel has appeared in three straight games. His helper was his first point in his last six contests. The 32-year-old defenseman has five assists, 34 shots on net, 77 hits, 41 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating through 40 appearances. Even when he's in the lineup, he rarely sees more than bottom-four minutes.

Ruhwedel recorded two assists in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran defenseman was in and out of the lineup due to injury and went 27 games without getting onto the scoresheet from mid-November through the All-Star break, but he's suddenly produced three helpers in his last three games. Ruhwedel has never had more than 13 points in an NHL season, however, and 2022-23 doesn't figure to break that pattern given his lack of power-play time and bottom-pairing role.

Ruhwedel notched an assist, two shots on goal, two hits and a plus-3 rating in Friday's 6-3 win over the Ducks.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel has been a scratch on occasion this season, but he's played in every game in 2023. He snapped a 27-game point drought with a secondary helper on Bryan Rust's third-period tally. Ruhwedel has just two assists through 32 contests overall while logging a small role on the Penguins' third pairing. While he's added 61 hits and 32 blocked shots, the 32-year-old is a non-factor in most fantasy formats.

Ruhwedel hasn't recorded a point since Nov. 11 versus Toronto, which is his only point this season.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel has never been an offensive force and frequently serves as the seventh defenseman on the depth chart. Once Jan Rutta (upper body) is cleared to play, Ruhwedel will almost certainly find himself watching from the press box as a healthy scratch.

Ruhwedel (upper body) had a minus-1 rating in a 2-1 loss to Boston in Monday's Winter Classic.

EDGE Analysis

Ruhwedel also recorded two hits and a blocked shot in 11:13 of ice time. He had been held out of Pittsburgh's previous two games because of the injury. Ruhwedel has an assist, 23 hits and 16 blocks in 18 games this season. He hasn't registered a point in his last seven contests, but the 32-year-old has been credited with 10 hits and nine blocks over that span.

Ruhwedel (upper body) will be back in the lineup Monday against Boston.

EDGE Analysis

Pittsburgh will dress seven defensemen in the Winter Classic with Ruhwedel back in the fold. Ryan Poehling and Drew O'Connor are listed as scratches for the contest. Ruhwedel, who had been out since Dec. 27, has one assist, 10 shots on goal, 15 blocks and 21 hits in 17 games this season.