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    Nicholas Belsky
    Nicholas Belsky
    May 23, 2024, 17:30

    Several options are available for the Pittsburgh Penguins to upgrade at center.

    Several options are available for the Pittsburgh Penguins to upgrade at center.

    The NHL offseason is at its infant stages, and the Pittsburgh Penguins would benefit from upgrades at several positions. While adding another top winger and solidifying their left defense may be top priorities, adding a new center should not be far behind.

    Lars Eller fit well as third line center in his first season with the Penguins. He scored 31 points (15G-16A) and provided stellar defensive production at 5v5 and on the penalty kill. However, the Penguins may still look to upgrade at that position this summer.

    A handful of the players hitting the open market on July 1st could fit what the Penguins are looking for.

    Max Domi will hit free agency for the third straight summer following a successful season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Domi's antagonistic style of play would provide the Penguins a needed dimension to their bottom-six.

    He showcased his positional flexibility this season, playing up and down the Leaf's lineup. That flexibility could be pivotal in Pittsburgh as the Penguins look to get Sam Poulin an opportunity next season.

    Chandler Stephenson may be the latest Vegas Golden Knight to leave town due to their trade deadline spending. Stephenson is coming off a four-year contract where he severely outplayed his $2.75 million salary, scoring 77 goals and 215 points in 286 games.

    Stephenson's success with the Golden Knights may make him too expensive for the Penguins this summer. But bringing in a center with his offensive pedigree would go a long way toward closing the scoring gap between the top six and bottom six in Pittsburgh.

    Center is not the most prominent position of need for the Penguins this summer, but adding one of these two would be a tremendous upgrade for an underwhelming bottom-six the past few seasons.

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