Drew O'Connor may not put up numbers, but he's earned a role in the Pittsburgh Penguins top six.

Through 21 games of the 2023-24 season, it’s pretty clear that the Pittsburgh Penguins have a good bit of faith and belief in Drew O’Connor.

It’s that belief in O’Connor that forced Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan to place O’Connor on the top line when Bryan Rust went down with a lower-body injury.

O’Connor is yet to miss any time this season, playing in 21 games and recording a goal and four assists.

Those numbers don’t necessarily scream ‘first line player,’ but it’s everything else O’Connor does that has given him such a large push from the coaching staff.

Sullivan sees that O’Connor is hard on pucks and isn’t afraid to utilize his frame to create space; that’s a perfect linemate for guys like Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel who excel in open ice.

When Rust returned from his lower-body injury, the Penguins obviously put him back in his normal spot on the first line, but didn’t drop O’Connor back to where he started the season.

Rather, Sullivan decided to keep O’Connor in the top six and hope his space creation could give a lagging second line a jolt.

Evgeni Malkin and Reilly Smith still have their chemistry, but their finishing ability has dwindled substantially in the month of November.

With Rickard Rakell also out of the lineup with an injury, Alex Nylander filled in at first, but he was sent back to the AHL while O’Connor stepped into that spot.

The line of Malkin, Smith, and O’Connor did record the first goal for the Penguins against the Nashville Predators; O’Connor wasn’t credited with a point, but he seemed to provide something to the group.

In reality, O’Connor isn’t a full-time fix for the second line; he doesn’t have outstanding finishing ability and that’s something they need.

Keeping O’Connor on the top unit may have been a better solution, but it’ll be a hard decision to break up the first line.

Regardless, O’Connor has been an underrated vital piece for the Penguins this season and can contribute to their rebound in a huge way.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.

Rookie Defenseman Earning Regular Spot With Penguins

Penguins vs. Lightning: Time for Tampa

New Face Given Chance on Penguins Power Play

Penguins' Will Butcher Clears Waivers

Penguins Believe Power Play Is Close To Catching Fire

• undefined
• undefined