Penguins forward Rickard Rakell is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with a left hand injury he suffered in the team's 5-4 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 25.

Rakell exited the game early after taking a shot to the back of the hand.

The 32-year old had been playing nearly 18 minutes a game and was slotted in next to Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust on the first line.  He was off to a strong start with three goals and five assists in nine games, but expect Justin Brazeau to see an uptick in minutes during Rackell's absence.

In a corresponding move, the Penguins recalled Ville Koivunen from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.