The Pittsburgh Penguins will have a few new faces in their lineup Saturday night.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are four games into the 2023-24 season, and they're already making lineup changes. They've gotten off to a 2-2-0 start this season, thanks primarily to their top six and two all-world defensemen. 

Depth has been the Penguins kryptonite the past few seasons, which forced Penguins President of Hockey Ops and General Manager Kyle Dubas to overall the bottom of the lineup this offseason. To start the season, four of the bottom six forwards were new to the organization.

Included in that was Jansen Harkins, a last-minute waiver claim by Dubas to add more speed and forechecking to the bottom six mix. Harkins impressed in his two preseason appearances, earning himself a spot on the opening roster. 

However, since the regular season began, he's struggled to keep up with the pace of play and has made a few egregious turnovers. As a result, Harkins was forced through waivers and sent to the AHL earlier today. Taking his place will be forward Radim Zohorna. Zohorna had an impressive camp and seemingly had the inside track on the final roster spot before the Harkins move.

Zohorna will likely make his 2023-24 season debut tomorrow night against the St. Louis Blues.

The Penguins may also have a new face making a debut on the blue line tomorrow night. Ryan Shea spent today's practice next to Chad Ruhwedel on the third pairing. P.O. Joseph fell to the bonus pairing alongside John Ludvig.

Joseph and Ruhwedel are coming off a rough game against the Detroit Red Wings, where both players were on the ice for three Red Wings goals. Shea has spent the past three seasons playing for the Texas Stars of the AHL and will hope to make his NHL debut tomorrow night in St. Louis.

It's the first time we've seen Dubas and head coach Mike Sullivan make adjustments on the fly this season, but it likely won't be the last. The Penguins stocked up on NHL talent at the AHL level and have plenty of options if Zohorna and Shea aren't up for the task.

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