Will the Pittsburgh Penguins Benefit from Line Changes?

General Manager Ray Shero entered the offseason with two pressing issues to solve: Fill in the holes on defense and strengthen the wing position.

Thus far, Shero has addressed the former with the additions of Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek. As for the ailing wing position, no signings have been made, save the release of both Ruslan Fedotenko and Alexei Ponikarovsky, moves that may have helped the Pens more than hurt them.

Because of the two losses on the wing and the possibility that veteran Bill Guerin may follow suit, it was only logical that Shero nab some wingers during free agency. However, the long-term investments in Martin and Michalek make it difficult for any signings to take place.

So what does Shero do?

He looks to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, of course, the only solution to a strained cap situation.

There is a good possibility that three players may be called up to the big boys league: Two on offense and one on defense. I anticipate both forwards will take their places as wingers, despite some shifts of centers to wing.

Many sources have made it clear that Jordan Staal will move up to the second line where he and Evgeni Malkin will exchange opportunities at centering the line while the other remains on the wing.

Analysts jump on the idea with questions of who should join Malkin and Staal on the second line, who will get their shot next to Sidney Crosby on the first line, and who will take Staal's place on the third line.

An often overlooked question is what will become of the Cooke-Staal-Kennedy energy line—the solid, defensive-minded unit that was regarded as one of the fiercest third lines in the NHL.

Coach Dan Bylsma is certainly in a predicament with Staal having such a successful season and Malkin showing once again that he has his kryptonite.

The answer, I believe, lies in Malkin.

Will the creative and lithe Geno show up to play or will the sloppy and lazy Evgeni take the ice? Yes, even Malkin plays his own Jekyll and Hyde.

Some of the damage done by separating the third line, affectionately known as the Sesame Street line, can be negated if some magic can brew in the second line.

Unfortunately, I don't know if any line will be able to fully duplicate the chemistry that was present when Cooke, Staal, and Kennedy skated as a unit.

High expectations will rest on the AHL boys who will make their full NHL debuts in October.

So far, top prospect Eric Tangradi sounds like a favorite to make the opening night roster despite many questions concerning his maturity levels.

Tangradi could very well find himself on the first line with Crosby, as he did in the preseason last fall, or he may be the missing piece on the second line, adding a physical punch to complement the skill demonstrated by Malkin and Staal.

Another lingering question is who will replace Staal on the third line.

I can only foresee two options: Max Talbot or Mark Letestu.

Talbot had a tumultuous season after a lengthy shoulder surgery rehab left him in the press box until the end of November. To no one's surprise, it took him some time to reacclimate himself, but he was quickly back on the bench with a groin injury.

Talbot has a lot to prove this season, his main goal being good health.

On the flip-side, Letestu found some success in his call-ups and acted as Staal's replacement as the third line center when Staal was injured by an uncontrolled P.K. Subban skate in the second round of the playoffs.

With both players in mind, I see Talbot answering the call, at least at the start of the season.

As for the remaining lines on opening night, I see the following finding the most success:

Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis

Tangradi-Staal-Malkin

Cooke-Talbot-Kennedy

Letestu/Adams-Adams/Letestu-Rupp

Godard

Of course, if Letestu is not the third line center, he could be interchanged with other Baby Penguin teammates such as Nick Johnson or Chris Conner.

As of now, the only line I feel most certain of is the first. No explanation necessary regarding Crosby's placement, but Kunitz has become a great complement to Crosby's game, especially when the two were matched with Bill Guerin.

Dupuis earned his spot on the top line after giving possibly his best NHL performance during the final third of the season.

For Tangradi to find himself at the top line, he would have to put on a pretty remarkable performance in training camp. Even then, I still think Bylsma would give the nod to Dupuis because he has earned his spot.

I look at the second line and the first thing I think of is the towering sizes. Tangradi is 6'4" 221 lbs., Malkin is 6'3" and 195 lbs. (hopefully he puts on some weight in the offseason), and Staal is 6'4" 220 lbs.

This is nothing short—no pun intended—of a monster line.

Next up is the third line that claims the team's energy players in Talbot and Kennedy with Cooke constantly stirring up trouble as the team agitator.

I worry about Talbot's abilities centering that line, but he seems to know how to turn his game on when the team needs him.

Lastly is the checking line, my favorite because of the awesomeness that is Craig Adams and Mike Rupp.

Eric Godard will occasionally find a spot on the line, especially against teams like Philadelphia, but I do anticipate the regular winger to come from Wilkes-Barre.

Whoever Bylsma decides will depend on training camp, of course.

Bylsma and assistant coaches Tony Granato and newly-hired Todd Reirden have a true juggling act ahead of them in the following weeks, but the talent the organization claims will certainly make this anything but a painful trial-and-error experiment.