Penguins Line Combo Projections

Chris Nichols of sportsnet.ca gives his line combo projections for the Atlantic Division teams in an article posted yesterday. His combos for Pittsburgh are interesting to say the least.

1st Line - Pesonen / Crosby / Satan

2nd Line - Staal / Malkin / Sykora

3rd Line - Fedotenko / Talbot / Dupuis

I was wondering whether or not Pesonen would even earn a spot on the roster and Nichols is already placing him in the big show on the first line with Crosby. Although, I can't say I'm against auditioning anyone for that position - you never know who will end up fitting well with Sid, so all options are worth a try (I was just talking to my husband about this today and he felt that Pesonen isn't likely to be on that line and said it would be Satan). With taking Pesonen out of the picture, it still leaves a space open on the top line - I really don't even have a good guess.

I completely agree that Malkin and Sykora should stay together on the same line and I always thought Staal played well with Malkin - it was as though it elevated Staal's game, so I completely agree with this line. Malkin feeds off of these two and these two feed off of Malkin -- particularly the chemistry Sykora and Malkin have is unlike any other. Just the way each of them know where the other will be or seemingly know what the other is thinking is truly amazing and makes for great plays. But yet again my husband feels that Staal will end up as the Center on the 3rd line and I would think that's the way Staal would want it as well. He prefers playing center.