Muse Says Kindel ‘Doing Better,’ Could Travel Home Soon

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Ben Kindel is improving and could travel back to Pittsburgh as soon as Wednesday, coach Dan Muse said.

Kindel, 19, had a medical episode shortly after the team charter plane took off from Salt Lake City on Tuesday. The plane turned around and returned to Salt Lake City, and Kindel was taken by a waiting ambulance to a hospital for evaluation.

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Muse took a couple of minutes to address Kindel's situation Wednesday during his radio coach's show on the Penguins flagship station, 105.9 the X.

"He's doing better," Muse said. "We're hopeful that he'll be traveling back to Pittsburgh today."

He has two goals, four points in nine games this season. He played Monday against the Mammoth in what was the Penguins' fourth loss in four games on a road trip. He had no points and played 18:53, but had a strong scoring chance that could have tied the game late in the third period.

The Penguins often travel late at night after games but opted this time to come home the next day in this instance.

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"Obviously, it was a scary moment," Muse said of Kindel's episode on the plane. He did not describe the scene.

After the delay, the team returned to Pittsburgh later Tuesday but canceled its practice scheduled for Wednesday.

Penguins president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas is expected to address Kindel's status further when he meets with reporters Thursday morning. Muse deferred to Dubas in terms of any other details about Kindel's prognosis and situation.

Muse also said he did not have an update on veteran winger Bryan Rust, who left Monday's game after going awkwardly into the boards. He has a lower-body injury.