Pens Injury Buzz: Kobasew out 3-4 weeks; Latest on Neal

The Penguins have been hit hard by injuries through the first month of the season and that trend is continuing. A day after learning Rob Scuderi needs surgery on a broken ankle, the team announced today that winger Chuck Kobasew is out 3-4 weeks due to an unspecified injury. Kobasew was hurt in Monday’s game after taking a hard hit from Tim Gleason.

Kobasew started off the season strong with goals in the Penguins first two games but Kobasew has gone 10 games without point. Kobasew has 2 goals and a +3 rating in 12 games played. The injury to Kobasew gives the Penguins a very good opportunity to get an extended look at Jayson Megna who shined in Monday’s win. That’s not a bad thing.

— Brandon Sutter missed practice today in what head coach Dan Bylsma called a maintenance day. Sutter who has no goals on the season, appeared to have suffered a wrist injury in yesterday’s game.

— Beau Bennett continues to skate on his own and could return to practice later in the week.

–Here’s the latest on James Neal.

The Penguins continue to call him week to week but sources say his injury is closer to six to eight weeks than four to six weeks. Neal has been sidelined since October 4th and is nearing the 4th week of his injury. All indications are he’s to miss at least a couple more weeks of action but should return to the lineup in a 2-4 week period.