The Penguins have both veteran and rookie options available to take on this fourth-line role. Who should they go with in October?
Our mission to craft the best possible lineup heading into the 2024-25 season continues with readers’ first look at the fourth line.
Now that Valtteri Puustinen has been decided as the consensus favorite to slot in on the right side of the third line, here’s the reader-voted lineup so far.
Drew O’Connor - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust
Michael Bunting - Evgeni Malkin - Rickard Rakell
Anthony Beauvillier - Kevin Hayes - Valtteri Puustinen
LW4 - C4 - RW4
Depth forward
LD1 / Erik Karlsson
LD2 / Kris Letang
LD3 / RD3
Depth defender
Goalie 1
Goalie 2
Now that the Penguins’ top nine forwards have been set, let’s take a look at the wingers who will be vying for minutes on the fourth line this fall.
When healthy, Matt Nieto slotted into this spot last season, but the 31-year-old winger is once again a roster question mark heading into 2024-25 after undergoing MCL surgery on his left knee on May 2 (following his right knee surgery in January.) The second surgery comes with an anticipated recovery time of six to seven months, putting his return in November at the earliest, so he is likely to begin the campaign on the injured reserve and isn’t a viable option for the October season-opener.
The Penguins have a center-heavy lineup. Readers already made trade acquisition Kevin Hayes the third-line anchor, but Pittsburgh could still consider moving Blake Lizotte to the left side. Lizotte has most of his career down the middle of the Kings lineup, but moved to wing for parts of last season. He could add some consistent defense to the bottom six.
The same goes for Lars Eller, who mostly played center for the Penguins last season but has experience on the wing with the Capitals if the Pens decide to go with Lizotte as the fourth-line center.
Pittsburgh has a few depth forwards within the organization who could grab a role on the fourth line next season, among them Emil Bemstrom, who brings with him a powerful shot but so far not a lot of evidence of finishing, and Jonathan Gruden, who could bring what WBSPenguins.com’s Nick Hart described as “doggedness” to the bottom six.
The Penguins also have Sam Poulin, who has arguably earned a shot at a roster spot, and Ville Koivunen, part of the return in the Jake Guentzel trade on whom Kyle Dubas is reportedly high. Both would need to make the transition from left to right wing to grab the spot, however.
Now it’s time for you to weigh in. Which player do you think deserves a shot at the left side of the fourth line this fall?
