It's the topic that has been beaten to death and pounded in our minds for months now.  However, it seems that every time there is a consensus on which lines would look best, General Manager Jim Rutherford or Head Coach Mike Johnston throw a wrench into the plan.  Now, with the roster all but secured (hopefully), I'll take my stab at how I would like the lines to look come October.

This was a tough one, honestly.  Personally, I'd love David Perron and Patric Hornqvist to stay on the top line, however, I feel that Chris Kunitz is due to have a bounce-back year and he has undeniable chemistry with Sidney Crosby.  Phil Kessel, while I believe is better suited to play alongside Evgeni Malkin, will be able to adjust to Crosby and his skill set.  With that being said, Crosby is the greatest player in the world, there's very little to argue about with that.  Crosby should be able to make adjustments in his game to gel with Kessel and become one of the most dangerous one-two combinations in the National Hockey League.

Evgeni Malkin reprising his role as second line center was no surprise.  Keeping Patric Hornqvist in the top six was again, a no brainer.  It was the left wing spot that gave me a bit of a dilemma.  KHL superstar Sergei Plotnikov will be making his NHL debut this season with the Penguins and provides them a bit of an enigma in terms of what he can offer.  I think with Malkin's tutoring along with the determined playing style of Hornqvist, Plotnikov may be able to find a niche on the second line.  Plus, rumor has it Malkin loved playing with Hornqvist and would like to continue their combination.

With this line, everyone is playing their natural position.  Nick Bonino, acquired from the Brandon Sutter trade last month, is a proven third line center and one could even argue, a second line center.  He brings speed, puck possession, and the ability to win key faceoffs that will be crucial for success on any given night.  David Perron is a sharpshooter with grit and tenacity who I believe will be more comfortable this season and provide solid production.  Beau Bennett, I'm still up in the air with him.  I think that he has the talent to become something, but he needs to stay healthy.  Hopefully he will.  

This is the line that will draw the ire of Pens fans, I'm assuming.  I promise, this was not intentional; hear me out.  I have a good feeling about Tom Sestito, who is currently signed to a PTO.  He's a big body who is looking to prove something to the NHL and its teams.  He brings something the Penguins do not have on their roster and that could help him secure a spot.  Matt Cullen going in ahead of Eric Fehr is simply for Fehr to have the necessary time to recover fully.  I don't expect the 18-year veteran to suit up every game, but from October to December, he should see his fair share while Fehr recovers from elbow surgery.  The last player to address is Pittsburgh fan favorite, Pascal Dupuis.  Could Dupuis find time on the second or third line?  Of course.  But should he right away?  I don't believe so.  Battling a potentially life threatening condition with blood clots found in his lungs, I find it safer for Dupuis to play less minutes even strength, while still being able to contribute short-handed.  

Looking at the lines, I don't expect them to stay in tact for all 82 games.  I understand that changes are made and needs are addressed when a team is struggling.  These lines that I've assembled I believe bring balance of speed, skill, and finish, be it with a goal or big hit.  I find that the Penguins have more than their fair share of talented forwards this season and are arguably interchangeable.  The only two absolute positives are that Crosby and Malkin are the one-two centers on this team.  

Where everyone else will play, what wing, what line(s), how many minutes and what special units they'll be on still remains to be seen.  I mean we haven't even started training camp, so everything is pure speculation.

But, I believe I speak for us all #PensNation when I ask, "Is it October yet?"

A look at the defense will be posted later this week.

All photos courtesy of penguins.nhl.com and nhl.com  

A couple bits of news regarding the Penguins this past week:

• Daniel Sprong Signed to Three-Year, Entry-Level Deal
• Tom Sestito Looking to Earn Job from PTO
• Sergei Plotnikov Arrives in Pittsburgh

Thoughts regarding all of these topics:

1. Sprong should have a solid outing at the Penguins training camp, however, with just one, maybe two roster spots available, it is nearly impossible that he makes the team.  Unless he has one of the most amazing training camps of all-time, Sprong will most likely play in Wheeling or with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.  As someone from the NEPA area, I'd love to see the Netherlands native suit up for a few games.  Similar to Kasperi Kapanen, we fans are hopeful that Sprong can be a top tier prospect that they have lacked for years, especially at the forward position.  
2. First Sergei Gonchar and now Tom Sestito.  Two players who will look to make the Penguins off of their PTO's (Professional Tryout).  Personally, I'd be fine with Sestito making the team.  He's a big body who will add grit and toughness.  With that being said, if General Manager Jim Rutherford is looking for scoring on all four lines, Sestito may not be the best candidate to fill the role.  It's really a coin-toss.  I'm always pulling for people to get work and hopefully Sestito can impress.  Also, for my two cents on Gonchar, I hope he makes the team, too.  I don't believe he's as much of a liability as some think him to be.  Call me a sap and hoping for people to get jobs, but hey, Oprah can give people what they want, why not Rutherford?  "You get a job!  And you get a job!" (tosses out contracts).
3. Close to two months after officially signing with the Penguins, Sergei Plotnikov has finally arrived in Pittsburgh and is warming to the city and team quite quickly.  Learning of the lay of the land from everyone's favorite Russian, Evgeni Malkin, and gelling well with the team on the ice, Plotnikov's level of comfort before the season is imperative.  The more he feels welcomed and stress free, the more one would have to believe his confidence will show on the ice.  A bit of an enigma in terms of where he'll play and what role he will have, it will be a captivating story to follow for the year Plotnikov is in the 'Burgh.  As in point number two, I'm hopeful that Plotnikov will turn out to be a brilliant risk taken by Rutherford, earning him a longer termed deal in the future.  The KHL star has all of the intangibles to be a success in Pittsburgh and be a contributor; hopefully it's enough to earn another contract, or at least a Stanley Cup.  Either way, I'll be content.

Really not too much more to add to the previous three points.

Like most, if not all of you, I'm dying for October to start.  I'm getting antsy and it's killing me to know we still have another month and change until we see Phil Kessel on the ice.  We get to see the debuting Plotnikov.  How about the additions of Nick Bonino and Eric Fehr, both of whom have been very under the radar signings.  Will Jeff Zatkoff be a solid back-up and will Marc-Andre Fleury continue from last year's career year?  What about the defense; will the youngsters be able to keep the Pens in games.?

There are so many questions that need answers.  I only wish that today was September 30, 2015 so we could start getting some answers next week, instead.

Stay tuned for some announcements coming up in the next couple of weeks.  Wanting to get more in-depth with my Penguins coverage and going to play around with some ideas.  Will update once I confirm and commit.

Like always Pens fans, is it October yet?