Cullen is expected to serve as a center for Pittsburgh's second line with Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin on Friday and Saturday due to Evgeni Malkin's (lower body) absence, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cullen has excelled as a bottom-six center but did skate for several games with Sidney Crosby earlier in the season. While the 39-year-old has just two points in his last 10 games, he scored Tuesday and has registered 10 shots on goal over the last two games.

Cullen is expected to center a third line with Kevin Porter and Eric Fehr on Saturday in Montreal.

EDGE Analysis

It appears the experiment putting Cullen on Evgeni Malkin's line is pretty much over. The 39-year-old will continue killing penalties but he doesn't belong in a top-six role at this stage of his career. Cullen has scored four goals and 12 points in 40 games.

Cullen netted a shorthanded goal and added an assist Saturday against the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

He's played surprisingly well in a top-six role as a winger for Evgeni Malkin. Cullen makes for an interesting waiver-wire pickup while he's hot.

Cullen will skate left wing on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel to open Thursday's game in Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

The Pens are experimenting with their lines after scoring twice against Toronto on Wednesday. Coach Mike Sullivan has made in-game changes often, so there's a good chance Cullen will return to his bottom-six role in the near future.

As expected, Cullen will play Wednesday against the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

The 39-year-old forward was simply given a maintenance day Tuesday, and was never in serious danger of missing Wednesday's tilt. The former second-round pick is expected to center Eric Fehr and Kevin Porter on the Pens' fourth line in Wednesday's matchup with Toronto.

Cullen missed Tuesday's practice with a maintenance day, according to coach Mike Sullivan.

EDGE Analysis

Sullivan downplayed Sullivan's injury, making it entirely possible that he plays Wednesday. The 39-year-old has scored three goals and 10 points in 35 games as a fourth-line centerman.

Cullen deflected a shot from the point into the net in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

Cullen was on an extended cold streak, recording just one point in 12 contests. December has seen the veteran center get back on the scoresheet with two goals in four games. More of a grinder than a prolific scorer, Cullen has managed to get at least 25 points in each of his 11 NHL seasons.

Cullen scored a goal and added an assist in Saturday's 4-0 win over Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

The old man can still play. Cullen turns 39 on Monday and is clearly in the sunset of his career. But he has four points in 11 games and is holding his own, although he probably won't afford fantasy owners with much value, even in deep leagues.

Cullen will start the season as Pittsburgh's fourth-line center and serve as a penalty killer.

EDGE Analysis

The 37-year-old is expected to give the Pens a hint of offensive ability on a fourth line which had very little scoring prowess in 2014-15. Cullen netted seven goals and 25 points in 62 games for Nashville last year and has a long relationship with GM Jim Rutherford via their stints with Carolina. Cullen had a decent camp and could serve as an in-season waiver-wire pickup when injuries strike.

Free-agent center Matt Cullen signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, according to the team's official website. Cullen had 25 points in 62 games with the Nashville Predators last season and is expected to assume a bottom-six role with the Penguins.