Penguins Downgrade Benjamin Kindel To Week-To-Week

The Pittsburgh Penguins have downgraded center Benjamin Kindel to week-to-week following a lower-body injury suffered during a preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres. Director of minor league operations Amanda Kessel confirmed the updated status to the media. The injury leaves Kindel's availability in jeopardy with the Penguins' 2026-27 regular season scheduled to begin in six days.

Kindel established himself during the 2025-26 season by scoring 17 goals and 35 points in a middle-six role at age 18. With the 19-year-old sidelined, Thomas Novak is expected to step into Pittsburgh's second-line center position, while Connor Dewar and Hendrix Lapierre provide additional depth down the middle.