At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Robert Bortuzzo is the largest player on the roster and arguably the Penguins' most physical defenseman. In 2013-14, he had the second-most penalty minutes on the team (74).

Bortuzzo also is expected to be out of action for approximately two to four weeks with an undisclosed injury that happened in a 3-2 overtime preseason win at home Sept. 25 against the Minnesota Wild.

With Bortuzzo out, the Penguins appear to have a lack of muscle on defense, especially around their own net.

In a 4-1 road loss Sept. 29, Minnesota's first two goals were scored in part to having forwards near the cage.

Although the majority of the remaining defensemen are more renowned for their skills and skating rather than their size or strength, management doesn't appear to be concerned over any void being created by Bortuzzo's injury.

"Our skill guys, [Christian] Ehrhoff, [Kris] Letang, they bring a certain grit level to their game as well," said assistant general manager Bill Guerin.

"You're not going to intimidate anybody anymore. That very seldom happens. We just feel our skill guys bring the right amount of grit at the right time.

"When [Bortuzzo] comes back and he brings his element, that's a great thing to have as well.

Ehrhoff doesn't see a need for the other defensemen to alter their games to compensate for Bortuzzo's absence.

"For the other guys, you can't ask them to change their game," Ehrhoff said. "Everybody has to stick to what they do well and play their game. For some guys, it's playing a bit more physical. For other guys, it's just not the way they play. When you miss a guy in the lineup, you shouldn't change your game."

One defenseman who appears more than capable of picking up the slack in Bortuzzo's absence is his defensive partner, Simon Despres.

In the preseason, Despres (6-foot-4, 214 pounds) engaged in several scrums and got into one fight.

"Last year, in the [American Hockey League's Eastern Conference final], Simon had multiple big hits and two fights against some of their better players," Guerin said. "He had a fight in the preseason here. He's played physical in every game he's in. He's a big body that can skate and defend well. The more that he brings that edge to his game, it's a great combination. Skill and edge, everybody's looking for that."

Tip-ins

NHL teams must have their regular-season rosters finalized by 5 p.m. today. ... The Penguins had a scheduled day off Monday, but will practice today.

Seth Rorabaugh: srorabaugh@post-gazette.com and Twitter @emptynetters.

First Published: October 7, 2014, 4:00 a.m.