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Dan Muse Provides Andrei Kuzmenko Update Ahead of Penguins' Road Trip
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- Dan Muse Provides Andrei Kuzmenko Update Ahead of Penguins' Road Trip
Dan Muse Provides Andrei Kuzmenko Update Ahead of Penguins' Road Trip originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh . Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Newly-acquired Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko has been on a leave of absence following the death of his father, Alexander, in a fishing accident on Sept. 22.
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In his latest comments in the media, Penguins head coach Dan Muse said that he isn't putting any pressure on his new pupil to return to the ice.
Alexander, a highly-regarded hockey coach in Russia, was killed by a bear while fishing in Siberia.
Kuzmenko returned to the United States to link up with his team last week. Muse told reporters that the team wants him to take his time before bringing him back into the first-team fold.
Here's what you need to know.
Dan Muse Provides Andrei Kuzmenko Update Ahead of Penguins' Road Trip
Muse told reporters that Kuzmenko was granted non-roster status ahead of Pittsburgh's road trip. He rejoined the team late last week after returning to Russia to grieve with his family.
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"I think with him, it's extremely commendable, everything that he did back home to be with his family, and then coming back and wanting to be with the group right away," Muse said, per Pens Inside Scoop . "I said it before, just heartbroken for him, and just a tragic situation."
Muse explained that Kuzmenko will use this time to get his legs back under him. He anticipates that Kuzmenko will participate in skating work as he builds towards making his regular-season debut. He won't take the ice any sooner than the Penguins' next home match — an Oct. 10 duel against the Stars.
Pittsburgh's boss vowed to help support his grieving player as he attempts to pick up the pieces following his father's sudden passing.
"For us right now, it's just helping him," Muse said. "Number one, being there for him as a human being, which is always the priority, and it absolutely is right now.
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"Then also, just working with him on just getting back up to speed after some time off and being there for his family in an absolutely tragic situation."
Kuzmenko's father was 62 years old.
