NHL: Does Lovejoy fit into the Penguins plans for No. 6 spot?

Through four preseason games, the battle for the No. 6 and No. 7 defensemen spots will continue into game No. 5 and likely game No. 6.

Defenseman Ben Lovejoy has not established himself above the rest and there have been whispers over the past couple days that he might not fit into what the Penguins are looking for out of their No. 6 defenseman.

If Lovejoy doesn't win the No. 6 spot, being sent to Wilkes Barre can't be ruled out. Lovejoy is in the first year of a three year deal but the first year of the deal is a two-way contract. If he's also unable to win a regular spot, his future with the team beyond this season could be in jeopardy as top prospects Robert Bortuzzo, Simon Despres and Brian Strait are inching closer to being NHL ready and appear prime candidates to push for a roster spot next season.

Is Lovejoy in trouble?

There has been a lot of positive vibes about Andrew Hutchinson who is coming on of late and Deryk Engelland's toughness could catapult him into the No. 6 spot.

Head coach Dan Bylsma spoke highly of Engelland on Tuesday and made some very interesting comments on what he's looking for from his No. 6 defenseman.

"If you look at the top five guys i think you can expect them to play a significant amount more than the 6th guy, whoever the 6th guy is, " head coach Dan Bylsma said.

"Probably be a fight for minutes for the first 5 guys because there all good players and can play different situations. I think the 6th guy is going to have to bring some kind of element to the table whether its the penalty kill.....he's gotta be hasn't counted on to play defensively, maybe it's an edge in grit.....think it's easy to pick out the top 5 guys and that 6th guy is going to have to bring an element."