Justin Brazeau wore black on Thursday.
But he wasn’t in mourning. Or even on a Johnny Cash kick with Spotify.
He was promoted.
During the Pittsburgh Penguins morning skate in Cranberry, the burly power forward donned a black practice jersey, signaling he was operating in a top-six capacity. In contrast, he had typically sported a yellow jersey given his duties among the bottom-six forwards in recent weeks.
But with a yellow-clad Bryan Rust suspended three games for an illegal check to the head of Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser on Sunday, Brazeau was elevated from the third line to the top line, assuming Rust’s station on the right wing entering Thursday’s contest against the Chicago Blackhawks at PPG Paints Arena.
It’s a highly desirable assignment considering Sidney Crosby is the line’s center.
“Obviously, it’s a good opportunity,” Brazeau said. “Anytime that you get to play with a player like Sid, it’s pretty cool. Just kind of looking to do the same thing that I’ve been doing, play my game, and hopefully it works out.”
Brazeau’s game is fairly meat-and-potatoes considering his dimensions (6-foot-6, 232 pounds). That’s to say he uses his robust frame near the net and on the boards. At the same time, he has displayed a fair amount of elegant skill, which has manifested itself in the form of career-highs in goals (14) and points (25) over 37 games entering Thursday.
wow.
Puck movement doesn't get ANY better than this ????
(via: ESPN) pic.twitter.com/YgGxjdmnO2
— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) January 16, 2026
How can his style mesh with the demanding, frenetic pace Crosby operates at (along with left winger Rickard Rakell)?
“I’m just going to try to make his life as easy as possible, making sure that I’m working hard and doing the right things,” Brazeau said. “Obviously, he’s a highly skilled player, both of them are. I know that they’re going to try to make a lot of plays, so I’m going to make sure that I’m going to have enough space and time to do it.”
Rakell agreed with the premise.
“He’s a great net presence and good around the net, winning puck battles,” Rakell said. “Just making any kinds of plays out there. Definitely try to get some more pucks towards the net because you know he’s going to be there.”
Solovyov expected to debut
Rookie defenseman Ilya Solovyov is expected to make his Penguins debut on Thursday.
Acquired in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 20, he was a healthy scratch in three consecutive games entering Thursday.
“I can’t wait to step on the ice with this group of guys,” Solovyov said. “It’s unbelievable. I haven’t played in (more than) a week. You’ve got to expect that it’s going to be a little bit harder for me (the) first few minutes. But I’ve got to be dialed in and bring everything on the board.”
A left-handed shot, Solovyov (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) operated on the left side of the third pairing during the morning skate. On the right side was Ryan Shea, also a left-hander with ample experience playing on his off side.
“It looks like he has a very active stick,” Shea said. “He’s a big guy, so I’m guessing he’s going to be a pretty physical (player). He has an absolute bomb of a shot. So, that’s nice to see, whether it’s a one-timer or just a snap shot.
“It’s hard to base it off practice but when you get a bigger guy like that and it looks like he’s going to be physical and move guys in the corner, guys like me like that so we can come in and scoop the puck and get moving.”
A 25-year-old native of Belarus, Solovyov has limited experience in the NHL. Over parts of three seasons, he has appeared in 31 games and scored seven points (one goal, two assists).
So, stepping into a dressing room with a handful of luminaries such as Crosby is profound to him.
“Crosby, (Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang), Erik Karlsson, legends,” Solovyov gushed. “Talking to them, it’s a real honor, honestly. They try to help me a lot, especially involving me in the locker room. A new guy who doesn’t speak English a lot, it’s a little bit harder but they did a good job. That’s why they are leaders here.”
Solovyov admitted he may need some time to adjust to his new team. But ultimately, the expectations are basic.
“Like the coach said, ‘You’re hockey players, play hockey,’” Solovyov said. “That’s it. That’s how I feel right now. I’m a hockey player. They give me instructions. I just have to play.”
McGroarty returns
With Rust unavailable and defenseman Jack St. Ivany officially designated to injured reserve due to a left hand ailment, the Penguins recalled rookie forward Rutger McGroarty from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL) Thursday morning.
Sent to Northeast Pennsylvania on Jan. 18, he posted five assists in four AHL games while primarily skating on the left wing of the top line before being summoned back to the NHL roster.
Koivy from the circle!! pic.twitter.com/VsbRr4K8J7
— Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (@WBSPenguins) January 24, 2026
He skated on the left side of the third line during Thursday’s morning skate.
Before being sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, McGroarty had missed six games with then NHL club due to a concussion.
“It was good just to get a lot of reps (with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton),” McGroarty said. “We didn’t have as many practices. I think we played four games in seven days, something like that. It’s good to get a lot of in-game reps, and at the end of the day, it was good to get back on special teams and get some reps at that as well, and just continue to try and grow my game.”