Penguins rookie Ricky out six to eight weeks with hand injury

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ forward group will be a key contributor for nearly the next two months.

Winger Rickard Rickle underwent surgery on his left hand and will be out for six to eight weeks, the team announced on Sunday. Ruckel dropped Saturday’s loss to Columbus early in the third period after taking a backhand shot.

The 32-year-old is off to a strong start for a Penguins squad that has struggled early on. Through nine games, he has three goals and five assists while averaging nearly 18 minutes a night.

Rickel enjoyed a career-best season last year, posting highs in goals (35) and points (70), while closing in on his previous best in assists (35).

With the loss of Rickell, Pittsburgh recalled forward Val Koivonen from the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Koivunen appeared in two games with the big club this season, failing to record a point. The 22-year-old made his NHL debut with the club in 2024-25, registering seven assists in eight games.

This season in the AHL, the 2021 second-round pick posted 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in just six games.