Ben Kindel sidelined week-to-week with lower-body injury for Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are preparing to be without one of their key young forwards for an extended stretch. Centre Ben Kindel has been classified as week-to-week with a lower-body injury suffered during pre-season play, the team told reporters on Thursday.

Amanda Kessel, the Penguins’ director of minor-league operations and assistant general manager of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton affiliate, said the outlook on Kindel’s status has changed in recent days. "It’s looking more week-to-week at this point," she noted, adding that the club is still waiting on further test results before having a clearer timeline.

Kindel had initially been listed as day-to-day on the team’s injury report, but the updated assessment indicates he will likely miss more time than first hoped. The Penguins did not provide additional specifics on the nature of the lower-body issue or a target date for his return.

Injury occurred in pre-season game vs. Sabres

The injury occurred in Monday’s pre-season matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. Kindel was ruled out of the game during the first intermission and did not come back for the remaining periods. It remains unclear exactly when or how he was hurt during the contest.

The setback comes as Pittsburgh finalizes its roster ahead of the regular season, with Kindel expected to be in the mix for a significant role down the middle. His absence will force the coaching staff to adjust its centre depth while he recovers.

Promising sophomore coming off strong rookie year

Kindel, from Coquitlam, B.C., is entering his second NHL season after breaking into the league at 18 last year. He appeared in 77 regular-season games in his rookie campaign, registering 17 goals and 35 points, which tied him for eighth in league rookie scoring.

The Penguins drafted Kindel 11th overall in 2025 after he developed in major junior with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. His rapid progression from junior standout to full-time NHLer has made him a central piece of Pittsburgh’s youth movement.

With Kindel now out on a week-to-week basis, the Penguins will await the results of additional medical testing before determining the next steps in his rehabilitation and any adjustments needed to their forward group to start the season.