For the first time in four years, the Pittsburgh Penguins will not be drafting either 1 or 2 this weekend, so that means it is highly unlikely that they'll be drafting an impact player who will be able to step into the lineup next season.  As has been widely speculated, the Pens are not very likely to commit big money to long term deals when Crosby & Fluery become RFAs after next season, and then Malkin & Staal after the 2008-09 season.

The reality of the 2006-07 season was that the Penguins' biggest lineup holes were a right handed power forward (specifically a winger who can score consistently to put on Crosby's line) and a right handed, physical defenseman (to compensate for Sergei Gonchar's putrid defensive efforts).  Unfortunately, there are no prospects on the farm to fill those two voids.

Here's a look at the current lineup for next season, with Restricted Free Agents still unsigned marked by (R):

LW                                         C                                           RW
Ryan Malone                      Sydney Crosby                                   (TBA)
     Jordan Staal                       Evgeny Malkin                     Michel Ouellet (R)
         (TBA)                                 Erik Christensen (R)        Colby Armstrong (R)
       Jarkko Ruutu                   Maxime Talbot (R)                Georges Laraque

Defense Pairings
Sergei Gonchar  --  (TBA) 
Ryan Whitney (R)  --  Brooks Orpik
Mark Eaton  --  (TBA)

Based on the contracts, these are how the lines appear to shape up to me.  he pens have four holes to fill this offseason.  The good news is that two of them can be filled by prospects.  23-year-old Johnathan Filewich, 6-2, 205 (30-26-56 in 80 GP with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre of the AHL last season) or 22-year-old Ryan Stone,  6-2, 200 (7-26-33 and 86 PIM in 40 games with the Pens AHL affiliate last season) should fill the third line LW spot that is open. 

The last remaining big ticket prospect in the Pens system is 20-year-old defenseman Kristopher Letang, 5-11, 190 (12-19-31 in 40 games with Val-d'or of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League).  Letang was captain of the Canadian World Junior Championship team that went undefeated capturing the gold this year.  He projects as a power play point man, and will learn the job at the NHL level quarterbacking the Pens' second unit this season.  He most likely will be teamed with defense-minded veteran Mark Eaton in his rookie season.

Due to the fact that they have 6 RFAs to resign, the Pens will have only about $6-8 million to spend if they max out against the cap.  That's unlikely, so they may only look at second tier free agents or trade possibilities.  Regardless of how it is accomplished, the Pens have to find a power forward to play on Crosby's line of they expect to take the next step and contend in the playoffs.  Ryan Malone failed in his opportunity last year, only netting 16 goals while spending most of the season on Sid's line.  while he might be best cast on a 3rd line, his physical play and potential merit a second chance to step up.  Regardless of all the talk about Recchi (39-years-old) and Roberts, 41, neither would provide the production at this point in their careers to merit teaming with Crosby next season.

There has been a lot of talk of resigning Roberts and/or Recchi for next season.  I just want to go out on a limb and state that I think that bringing either back would be a step in the wrong direction for this franchise.  Roberts hasn't cracked 50 points in a season since the 2000-01.  While his physical play and leadership was valued by the team last year, really, how much did they get from it when they were clearly outclassed by Ottawa in 5 quick games.  Recchi has been far more productive offensively, but is no longer fit for a top line role.  Both Recchi and Roberts, at this point in their careers, would fill a 3rd line spot.  if there is one area the Pens do not have a shortage is energy players for the 3rd line.  Locking up $2-3 million on Recchi & Roberts could keep them from filling their main void, a top tier defenseman.

Scott Hartnell of the Predators would be a great fit with Crosby.  He's young (25), physical (96 PIM last year) and has notched 20 goals in each of the past 2 years playing 3rd line minutes.  GM Ray Shero is familiar with Hartnell from his days with the Predators organization, so maybe that would help with negotiations.

Another possibility for the RW role on Sid's line would be Scott Walker of the Hurricanes.  At 34, Walker is a bit older but he has made the most of his experience.  He notched 20+ goals in his last 2 healthy seasons while playing a physical, power forward role. 

As for signing someone to fill the role partner for gonchar on the first pairing, Ken Klee, Cory Sarich, or Brent Sopel (maybe out of the Pens price range) are all right handers who could cover for Gonchar in the defensive zone.

In a perfect world, I'd love to see the Pens max out the cap and sign a Bill Guerin, Viktor Kozlov or Jason Blake as well as Brian Rafalski or Teppo Numminen.  Hoewver, with the economics of the salary cap, moves like these will not be possible with out dealing away salries first.