The Pittsburgh Penguins might utilize some NHL debuts to see what they have in defensive depth.

It may be early in the season, but it might be time for the Pittsburgh Penguins to make a few certain changes to their lineup.

Nothing major like going out and making a splash trade, but the Penguins have carried a pair of defenseman who could be closing in on NHL debuts.

Ryan Shea was singed over the offseason and put up a solid training camp and preseason; John Ludvig was a late addition via the waiver wire, but he is being held on the NHL roster.

Both Shea and Ludvig are left-shot defenseman, but the Penguins could use some help on their third pairing; or they should at least be interested in experimenting with their options.

Chad Ruhwedel struggled against the Detroit Red Wings, and was on for three goals against despite on accumulating just a hair under nine minutes of ice time.

The third pairing defender did miss a significant chunk of the game trying to fight off an injury, but he didn’t look great in the time he was on the ice.

For the Penguins, at least for a couple of games, it might be smart to give Ruhwedel as rest and see what Shea or Ludvig can bring at the NHL level.

Ruhwedel has always been a player who can leave the lineup for numerous games and come back like nothing happened, so pulling him wouldn’t be abnormal.

Shea might have to play on his off wing, but the Penguins experimented heavily with defensemen and forwards playing on their off side during camp.

Ludvig hasn’t been around the Penguins enough to really get a read on him as a player, but he is ready for whatever challenge he gets.

This change doesn’t need to be full-time, if Shea or Ludvig aren’t any better it’ll be easy to slot Ruhwedel right back in with no harm.

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