Who's on the Penguins roster part 3

We're down to 1 preseason game left which means roster cuts are coming soon. Earlier in the preseason, I gave you my thoughts on the roster and broke down some of the bubble guys. It's time to re-evaluate.

First off, we are going to assume Crosby, Asham, and Orpik are all going to be ready to go and Staal will start the season on IR. We are also going to assume the Pens will start out using a full compliment of 23 players including 8 defensemen, 13 forwards, and 2 goalies. Of course, only 20 can dress on a given night but we're looking at the whole opening day roster.

Of course we know who the 2 goalies will be:

Marc Andre Fleury
Brent Johnson

The Penguins currently have 10 defensemen on the roster. I believe this will be whittled down to 8 to start the season. I believe Despres WILL make the opening day roster only to be sent back to juniors after 9 games. This of coarse will give him some experience in the big leagues while not using up any years on his free agency clock. With that said, here are my predictions to fill out the defense:

Martin
Letang
Goligoski
Michalek
Engelland
Lovejoy
Despres
Orpik

Gone on defense:
Hutchinson
Grant


The Penguins currently have 18 forwards on the roster. This includes Jordan Staal. With Staal going on IR to start the season, that leaves 17 forwards and 13 spots. 4 Players gotta go. First we'll take a look at who is guaranteed:

Comrie
Malkin
Dupuis
Kunitz
Rupp
Adams
Godard
Cooke
Talbot
Crosby
Asham

Thats 11 players pretty much locked in. 2 spots are open. Here are the candidates:

Ryan Craig-hurt most of preseason..2 GP..2G..0A...+2
Dustin Jeffrey- 4GP..1G..2A..+1
Tyler Kennedy- 3GP..0G..2A..+1
Mark Letestu- 4GP..1G..4A..+2
Casey Pierro Zabotel-broken finger
Erik Tangradi- 4GP..0G..2A..+1

Although Zobotel is still officially on the roster, you can scratch him off the list. Ryan Craig is still injured and can be taken off the list. That now leaves 4 players competing for 2 spots.
I think it is pretty much a foregone conclusion Letestu is going to make it. He has impressed in camp and appears to be capable.
So, who gets the last spot and who are the odd men out?? Tangradi, Jeffrey, or Kennedy???

With Staal out, I believe the Pens are liking having a big guy on the opposite side of Malkin. With Comrie centering Tangradi and Malkin, it gives the Penguins a line with a ton of skill, size, and speed. At least until Staal comes back, I look for Tangradi to be given a chance. His time has come!