2024-25 Penguins’ Lineup Project: First line, right wing

Breaking down the Penguins options to skate on Crosby’s right side this season.

Yesterday, we launched our new series attempting to build out the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup for the 2024-25 season by laying out options for each open position one at a time and letting you the readers vote on which player you believe is most likely to fill that role come opening night.

First up with the left wing position on the first line with Sidney Crosby penciled in as the center. Of all the options laid out, Drew O’Connor was the overwhelming favorite among readers to be the LW1 when the season starts, the same position he held at the end of last season.

Drew O’Connor - Sidney Crosby - RW1
LW2 - Evgeni Malkin - RW2
LW3 - C3 - RW3
LW4 - C4 - RW4
Depth forward

LD1 / Erik Karlsson
LD2 / Kris Letang
LD3 / RD3
Depth defender

Goalie1
Goalie2

Now we turn our attention to the right side of the Crosby line, where Bryan Rust has set up shop and has put this role on lockdown over the past few seasons. In just 62 games last season, Rust posted a career high 28 goals and came close to setting a new career high in points. Rust has to be given the “when healthy” designation since there have been a handful of years where he has missed a substantial amount of games, but when he’s on the ice with Crosby, there is no denying the success they put together over the years.

In all reality, this spot belongs to Rust, but if the need arises and this spot needs to be filled by another player, there are a few other options on the roster that could take his place.

The most obvious choice is Rickard Rakell who can play both left or right wing but is listed as a RW on the roster and has spent plenty of time in that role and has taken shifts on the top line with Crosby in the past. Last season did not treat Rakell well, suffering a big drop off in production but was battling an injury from December on and never found his game.

Next up in the pecking order is Jesse Puljujarvi, the winger who joined the Penguins midseason in 2023-24 after recovering from offseason hip surgery and earning a two-year contract following a successful PTO stint. Puljujarvi is a former top five pick of the Edmonton Oilers but never reached his potential for his draft position. He played just 22 games for the Penguins last season but figures to play a bigger role this coming season.

Last up of the options currently on the roster was 2023-24 breakout star Valtteri Puustinen who tallied 52 games last season, amassing 20 points. Most of his time time came in the bottom-six, but he did have stints up the lineup when injuries beckoned replacements to step up. His offensive upside was apparent when you watched and he added a boost to the Penguins depth which was badly needed.