DEMOTE DESPRES

The most intriguing battle for a position on the Penguins’ roster is for the final defensive spot – the No. 6 defenseman.

The best choice, right now, is Simon Despres, the Pens’ first-round draft pick in 2009. Of those competing for the job, he’s the only one who has put together an impressive camp. All others have disappointed.

But it’s not an easy decision. Despres still has Jr. ‘A’ eligibility. He can’t go to the American Hockey League, so it’s NHL or bust for the 6-foot-4, 205 pounder. If Despres plays 10 or more NHL games, a year of his contract gets burned.

The Penguins need Despres to be a dominant defenseman in the long run. What currently serves as a better means to that end: Skating 8-10 minutes as a No. 6 at the NHL level, or getting lots of minutes, and in every conceivable situation, at the Jr. ‘A’ level?