2024-25 Penguins’ Lineup Project: Third pairing, left defenseman

Who earns a spot on the third defense pairing?

The 2024-25 PensBurgh lineup project continues with a look at the third defense pairing.

For those who may not be up to speed, here is the latest lineup projection as voted by the PensBurgh readers.

Drew O’Connor - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust
Michael Bunting - Evgeni Malkin - Rickard Rakell
Anthony Beauvillier - Kevin Hayes - Valtteri Puustinen
Blake Lizotte - Lars Eller - Noel Acciari
Jesse Puljujarvi

Marcus Pettersson / Erik Karlsson
Matt Grzelcyk / Kris Letang
LD3 / RD3

Goalie 1
Goalie 2

Which players take the final two spots on defense?

Ryan Graves spent about a third of the 2023-24 season skating alongside Kris Letang at even strength, according to Natural Stat Trick, but the readers have spoken and Grzelcyk is their man.

Given Graves’ contract and size, unless he is traded, I see no scenario where Graves is scratched in favor of John Ludvig, Ryan Shea or Sebastian Aho.

Perhaps a more sheltered role for Graves could be more beneficial for all parties, but with a cap hit of $4,500,000 until 2028-29, the optics of such a lineup decision don’t look great!

Other lefthanders on the Pittsburgh Penguins roster include the aforementioned Ludvig, Shea, and Aho, but in an ideal setting, these three defenders are No. 7 defensemen.

Twenty-year-old 2022 first-rounder Owen Pickering could be a wildcard in the quest to complete the roster, but the Manitoba native only has eight career AHL games under his belt, and management may want him to get more seasoning in the American League.