Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Valtteri Puustinen has to do more to separate himself from the pack at Penguins training camp. Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan has talked a lot this training camp about guys being flexible and able to play multiple positions. No one has been versatile for the Penguins over the last couple of seasons than forward Rickard Rakell, and that just might continue into the 2023-24 season. With Jake Guentzel still absent from the lineup and not expected to return until a few games into the regular season, someone needs to fill the hole left open on the first line. Sullivan has given a look to Vinnie Hinostroza, but the Penguins continue to weigh their options, and that is where Rakell steps in. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/rickard-rakell-reps-pittsburgh-penguins-first-line] Rakell took reps on the first line with Sidney Crosby, which is something he’s used to, but he played on his off wing while Bryan Rust played his normal spot. According to Sullivan, Rakell is familiar with playing on his off wing and is comfortable in that position. “We’ve obviously got to figure out some combinations here over the next couple of weeks that we’re going to open up with,” Sullivan said. “We thought we’d try Raks there. Obviously, with Jake not being a part of it, it forces us to have to make some adjustments.” Sullivan noted that when Guentzel returns he will slot right back on Crosby’s left side, but the Penguins want to find a winning combination in his absence. Rakell also stated that he has played on his off wing before and will be comfortable wherever he is needed in the lineup. “For me whenever I get the puck through the neutral zone just try and be a threat,” Rakell said. “Hopefully I can open up some space for Rusty and Sid.” Flying up and down the lineup is nothing new for Rakell either; he started this year’s training camp playing on a makeshift third line with Lars Eller and Drew O’Connor and he looked right at home. Rakell notes stated that he’s always playing with different people but always finds a way to adapt his game for the situation. “It’s going to be a little bit different if I play with Geno,” Rakell said. “It’s going to be a little bit different if I play with Sid. Just for me to find a way to play at a high level.” The Penguins have seen success with Rakell wherever he has played in the lineup and they hope that will continue, especially if he steps in to replace Guentzel at the start of the season. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more. Penguins Top Prospect Assigned To Junior Team [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-prospect-brayden-yager-assigned-junior] Penguins To Dress Stars in Preseason Game Against Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-dress-stars-preseason-buffalo-sabres] Radim Zohorna Making Strong Case for Penguins Roster [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/radim-zohorna-strong-case-pittsburgh-penguins-roster] Penguins Start To Build Top Power Play Unit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-start-build-top-power-play-unit] Young Penguins Could Force Kyle Dubas' Hand [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/young-pittsburgh-penguins-force-kyle-dubas-hand] * undefined * undefined Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTkwMDEyNjI0OTM4MzYw/img_6014.jpg]
