Welcome to my first June mailbag. The next few weeks are about to get busy with the NHL Draft, free agency, the schedule release and all kinds of other news. So, let’s roll with a couple of mailbags this week.Here’s Part 1, which begins with an impossible question. But that’s part of the fun.Away we go.What is your best guess as to the opening night lineup, leaving blank spots for FA/trade acquisitions? — @EvVog33It would be so much easier to answer this question a month from now, but I suppose that’s why you’re challenging me.Left wingCenterRight wingFA/TradeSidney CrosbyBryan RustEgor ChinakhovTommy NovakEvgeni Malkin
Rutger McGroartyBen KindelFA/Trade
Connor DewarBlake LizotteAvery HayesExtras: Elmer Söderblom, Justin Brazeau So, a couple of things about these forward looks. My prediction is that a veteran will be traded, and I’ll guess it’s Rickard Rakell. Dubas could bring back all the veterans, but I’m going to guess there will be plenty of trades this summer and someone will likely go. You can’t keep all of the 30-somethings forever. I think the Penguins would ultimately prefer to keep Rust more than Rakell, though I could envision either being dealt.I also wouldn’t be shocked if Tommy Novak is traded. The Penguins really like him, but let’s be honest: If the Penguins want to be better next year, they could probably find themselves an upgrade at second-line center.Söderblom will probably find his way into the lineup, though I’m not sure the way he produced last season is an indication of things to come. Maybe it is, but I still need to see more. I think Hayes and McGroarty are good bets to make the team in September.The Penguins aren’t going to spend a ton of money on July 1, but they might get a good player. Mason Marchment would be a great fit, and we know Dubas is a fan.One thing is certain: The Penguins’ bottom-six forwards will be extremely deep.Here’s the defense:Left defenseRight defenseParker WotherspoonErik KarlssonSam GirardKris LetangRyan SheaHarrison BrunickeExtra: Ilya Solovyov How boring of me!Brunicke is still young, and seasoning in Wilkes-Barre next fall wouldn’t be the worst thing for him. But I think, from what I saw recently, there’s a very good chance he’ll make the team out of camp. His talent is real. I doubt Karlsson will be traded, and I don’t see a scenario where Letang doesn’t return.Wotherspoon isn’t going anywhere. I think they’ll bring back Shea. Girard certainly is a candidate to be flipped in a trade because he never completely fit in last spring, but odds are he still returns.And finally, the netminders:GoaltenderSergei MurashovArtūrs ŠilovsI’d be quite surprised if the Penguins don’t go with a Murashov/Šilovs tandem to start the season.What’s the more likely scenario – Kyle Dubas trades up in the draft or trades for an impact player? — @DrNickNYCWell, both are in play, for sure. But I feel like there’s a really good chance he trades up in the draft. So, I’ll say that’s more likely. But both are conceivable.There is some serious talent in the top 12 or so of this draft, and Dubas would surely love to get his hands on one of those players. The problem with that, of course, is that everyone else would like to do the same.Is there more pressure than ever on Dubas to do at least 2-3 huge trades with the amount of cap space we have, the stocked prospect cupboard and the massive amount of picks we have to use this off-season? — @Jeffs_PenguinsSo, I know what you mean and why you’re asking the question. Dubas regularly talks about wanting to add impactful players in their 20s, and because he has said that, there is pressure to make it happen.
