The Pittsburgh Penguins open their season Tuesday night, but they'll do it without two talented forwards.
Kevin Hayes and Bryan Rust are both on injured reserve to begin the 2025-26 campaign.
They'll both be missing when the Penguins take on the New York Rangers in their first game of the season.
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How long is Kevin Hayes out?
Hayes was hurt on the very first day of training camp, Sept. 18. He's got an upper-body injury, and the expectation is he'll be re-evaluated in mid-October.
He's one of many veteran presences on the Penguins. At 33 years old, Hayes has played 777 NHL games.
In his career, he has 181 goals and 257 assists for a total of 438 points.
Last season was his first with the Penguins. He had 13 goals and 10 assists in 64 games.
How long is Bryan Rust out?
Bryan Rust sustained a lower-body injury last week and is expected to miss at least two weeks.
Rust, another veteran, is also 33.
The two-time Stanley Cup champion has spent all 11 of his NHL seasons with the Penguins
Last season, he put up 31 goals and 34 assists. He's got a career total of 437 points (203 goals, 234 assists) in 638 games.
The Penguins will be quite shorthanded on the wings without Hayes and Rust in the early going.
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