Rutta (lower body) will play Thursday versus the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

Rutta will return from a 10-game absence. He's set to play alongside Mark Friedman on the Penguins' third pairing, with Chad Ruhwedel exiting the lineup to accommodate Rutta's return.

Rutta (lower body) will be a game-time decision versus Minnesota on Thursday, Penguins radio play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rutta has missed 10 straight games and the Penguins have suffered, going 4-6-0. He has three goals and nine points in 53 games with 68 hits and blocked shots this season.

Rutta (lower body) was on the ice with the Penguins on Tuesday but is not expected to play versus the Devils, Penguins radio play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rutta has been skating with the team for a few days now but has yet to be cleared to get back into the lineup. Tuesday will mark the 32-year-old defenseman's 10th consecutive absence due to his lower-body problem. Once cleared to play, Rutta figures to knock either Mark Friedman or Chad Ruhwedel from the lineup.

Rutta (lower body) won't play Sunday versus the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

Rutta will miss his ninth consecutive contest. He has picked up three goals, nine points, 62 shots on goal, 68 blocked shots and 68 hits in 53 games this season. Mark Friedman is expected to play again Sunday.

Rutta (lower body) won't play Saturday against Boston.

EDGE Analysis

Rutta, who will miss his eighth straight game, has supplied nine points, 62 shots on goal, 68 blocked shots and 68 hits in 53 contests this campaign. Mark Friedman has been playing during Rutta's absence.

Rutta (lower body) skated prior to Thursday's matchup with Nashville but didn't participate in line rushes and won't be in the lineup, Seth Rorabaugh of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rutta will be out of action for his seventh consecutive contest due to his lingering lower-body issue. While the fact that he has begun skating is a step in the right direction, the Czech native should probably be considered questionable, at best, heading into a back-to-back versus the Bruins and Flyers on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Rutta (lower body) did not travel for Tuesday's clash with the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Rutta will be out of action for his sixth straight contest due to his lingering lower-body problem. Prior to getting hurt, the veteran blueliner was stuck in a 33-game goal drought dating back to Nov. 23 versus Calgary. During that stretch, the Czech native notched just four assists and shouldn't be expected to offer much in the way of offensive upside even once cleared to play.

Rutta was labeled week-to-week Monday due to his lower-body problem.

EDGE Analysis

Rutta's absence, combined with that of Marcus Pettersson (lower body) and Jeff Petry (upper body) will stretch the Penguins' blue-line depth. Even when healthy, Rutta isn't exactly an offensive force considering he has just one point in his previous 11 outings. For now, Mark Friedman and Taylor Fedun will make up the bottom pairing.

Rutta (undisclosed) is not on the ice for pregame warmups and isn't expected to play Saturday against the Rangers, Penguins radio play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rutta has contributed nine points, 62 shots on goal, 68 blocks and 68 hits in 53 contests this campaign. He will be replaced in the lineup by Mark Friedman, who is up with the big club on an emergency basis.

Rutta (undisclosed) will be available for Thursday night's game versus the Rangers, Rob Rossi of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Look for Rutta to slot into his usual bottom-pairing role versus New York. The 32-year-old defender has collected just one helper through his last 10 contests.