No One Is Lock To Make Penguins Bottom Six

There will be plenty of battle at Pittsburgh Penguins training camp over who slots into the bottom six.

When training camps open across the NHL, the Pittsburgh Penguins are sure to have one of the busiest groups with well over 20 players fighting for open roster spots.

It’ll be hard to predict what the Penguins lineup will look like this far out from the season, but one thing is almost certain: there are no true locks within the bottom six forward group.

With six spots to fill, Kyle Dubas has brought in about 10 players who have a legitimate chance at cracking the bottom six.

Those 10 players, however, are added to the handful that were already within the Penguins organization.

With that much competition for just six, maybe seven spots on the NHL roster, it’s fair to say the Penguins have a completely open fight for each position.

The closest a player might be to a ‘lock’ in the bottom six and his role is Lars Eller who should file in as the third line center.

Beyond him, however, it’s every man for himself; Matt Nieto and Noel Acciari will likely make the NHL roster, but in what spots?

Does Acciari claim the fourth line center role? Or will he move to the wing in favor of the multiple center options like Rem Pitlick, Jeff Carter, or even PTO signing Colin White.

Speaking of PTO signings, will any of them earn a full contract? White and Austin Wagner are the two forwards, but both have legit chances at a roster spot.

What about the prospects? Could it be time for someone like Sam Poulin or Valterri Puustinen to step up and take a full time role?

As the Penguins near training camp, it is becoming pretty clear that no one is a true lock in the bottom six.

Everyone will have their own opportunity to crack the Penguins roster, it’ll just be a tough fight with numerous other competitors.

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