Penguins' Positional Battle Tiers: Center

Training camp is fast-approaching for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and that means positional battles are, too. 

And, no, these won't be the positional battles of training camps past for the Penguins. This time around, the organization has prospects who are legitimately on the verge of full-time NHL minutes, and they also have a collection of players who, even if they were on an NHL roster last season, are not guaranteed a spot this season. 

The forward front will certainly be the most interesting for the Penguins, as they have 15 forwards currently listed on their roster per Puckpedia, and that's not even accounting for prospects who are sure to push and make legitimate cases for roster spots. After covering the battles on both wings, we shift our focus to the middle of the ice. 

In these battle tiers, there are a few more guarantees than at the other positions. The Penguins do have legitimate center depth, and there are four players who are locks to be on the roster. Even if that's the case, though, that doesn't mean that other centers have no shot. 

So, how will the positional battle at center come together? Here are the guarantees, the maybes, and the long shots. 

There is no explanation required for this one. Onto the next. 

Kindel took the organization by storm last season when he broke camp as an 18-year-old, impressed with his advanced two-way ability at such a young age, and ended up staying the entire season as the team's default third-line center.

There is zero question that Kindel will be on this team. The thing to wonder is where he'll ultimately be positioned in the lineup, especially with the sheer number of centers the Penguins now employ. Now, it's only up for Kindel, who recorded 17 goals and 35 points in 77 games last season and figures to be a top-six center in due time.

Like he did last season, he will play an important role for the Penguins in their push for the playoffs now and for the long-term future. 

It was a bit surprising when the Penguins announced over the summer that they had extended Novak for three more years beyond 2026-27, but they clearly like him enough to keep him around. Novak found some chemistry centering Egor Chinakhov and Evgeni Malkin on the second line last season, and that's where he will likely begin this season. 

His versatility is a nice asset for the Penguins. If Kindel pushes for the top-six, Novak can easily slide down to center the third line or shift to the wing. In any case, he was brought back for a reason, and he will be on this team to start the season. 

Lizotte, 28, is a valuable player to the Penguins, and that was on full display for the Penguins last season. They rewarded him with a three-year contract extension with a $2.25 average annual value midseason.

Lizotte may not amount to anything more than a fourth-line center with the Penguins - even if he showed some tiny flashes as a third-line center two seasons ago - but he is one of the best in the NHL for the role he is in. The Penguins are a better team with him in the lineup, and they have one of the better fourth lines in the league with him on it.

He'll be on the roster, no doubt.

The "maybes" for this particular positional battle are a bit tough because there are, pretty much, four guarantees for NHL roster spots at center, which doesn't leave room for much else.

Lapierre was acquired from the Washington Capitals this summer for a pair of picks, and because Dubas spent assets to acquire him, it's hard to imagine he might not make the team. But given the crowded pool at forward, his roster spot is certainly no guarantee, and he will have to earn a spot over others. He hasn't quite hit his offensive potential at the highest level yet, as the former first-round pick (22nd overall in 2020) had just four goals and 16 points in 74 games. 

The risk in Lapierre not making the roster is waivers, as he's someone who would likely be scooped up by another team. His job may be a bit more secure than others in this tier, but if the others outplay him in camp, it could make things interesting. 

One year ago, Broz, 23, put together an outstanding training camp for the Penguins. HIs camp was impressive to the point that many were convinced he was going to crack the NHL roster.

Instead, that spot went to Ben Kindel, who wasn't AHL-eligible and only had the WHL to go back to. Kindel ended up staying the season, Broz was injured at unfortunate times last season when the Penguins could have used him for center depth, and he was still the best two-way forward for the WBS Penguins in the AHL last season with 16 goals and 39 points in 47 games. 

He did end up playing in one NHL game last season, but it can be argued that Broz was the one player who was, to a degree, robbed of a roster spot out of camp largely due to his waivers exemption. Even if he doesn't make the team out of camp, Broz will see NHL ice next season.

But he's one to keep an eye on. With as strong a camp as he had last season - and, perhaps, stronger - he may just force the Penguins' hand.

Don't forget about Hallander, either. 

The 26-year-old Swedish center registered a goal and four points in 14 NHL games last season before a blood clot kept him out for the rest of it. Hallander has made progress in his recovery, and assuming he is ready to go for training camp, he will be vying for a spot on the roster.

Hallander is a smart, effective 200-foot player, and he showed some flashes of maturity and utility in that short sample last season. He may not quite have the intrigue that Broz has, but he has the capacity to be an effective middle-six forward, whether that's at center or on the wing. 

The Penguins would more likely keep Hallander as a 13th or 14th forward than they would the younger Broz, so he might actually have a shot at securing one of those spots, even if he's not a lineup regular to begin with. 

Given the volume of moves made by Dubas this summer, it's easy to forget about Gustafsson, who was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets on Jun. 29 in exchange for defenseman Jack St. Ivany. 

He may be a longshot in terms of making the NHL roster out of camp. But that doesn't mean he won't get his shot at some point. 

Gustafsson has limited offensive NHL upside, as he has just six goals and 20 points in 149 NHL games. However, he is a solid defensive center, and if the Penguins see an injury in their bottom-six or need help on the penalty kill, Gustafsson is a good option to have.

He is a longshot to make the roster but not necessarily a longshot to see NHL minutes next season.

We said Calvert would be included on this list, and here he is. 

Look, the same logic from the right wing argument can be applied here: There are players ahead of Calvert on the depth chart that he'll have to discernibly outplay in order to make a case for himself, but that doesn't mean it won't happen.

The undrafted 22-year-old forward had 16 goals and 38 points in 70 AHL games last season and signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins this summer. He has been an important player for WBS, and the Penguins are hoping he can eventually translate some of that to the NHL level. 

For now, he is a longshot. But look for him to be a riser throughout the season.

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