Simon Despres sat Tuesday's game as a healthy scratch, along with Robert Bortuzzo. The Penguins have eight healthy defensemen on their roster, so there will be different pairings on most nights. Pittsburgh owns a 15-4 record when Despres suits up this season and a mark of 4-4 when he doesn't play.

With the return to action of Mark Eaton, the Penguins have eight healthy defenseman making it more diffuclt for rookies Simon Despres and Robert Bortuzzo to get into the lineup on a regular basis. That said, the Pens are happy with the progress and contributions of Despres. "Simon has shown some very good games and some very good things, and he's shown them lately," coach DanBylsma said. "The consistency in his game is, really, where he needs to improve. But he didn't come out of the lineup because of inconsistent play over the last two [in which he appeared]." It's obviously a numbers game in Pittsburgh and they don't appear in Despres and Bortuzzo's favour.

Simon Despres recorded an assist and a plus-1 rating in Pittsburgh's wild 7-6 overtime win over Montreal Saturday. Coach Dan Bylsma was impressed with the rookie defender's game, calling it "maybe his best game" during Sunday's practice. Despres returned the lineup that night after being made a healthy scratch for the team's previous two contests. He's expected to remain in the lineup for Monday's match versus Tampa Bay.

Defenseman Simon Despres was back in the Pittsburgh lineup against the Panthers Friday. He has been a healthy scratch in favour of either Deryk Engelland and Robert Bortuzzo against the more physical NHL teams. Despres has offensive talent but it may be a while before he can get a consistent opportunity to show it.

Simon Despres will be a healthy scratch Sunday on the road against the Buffalo Sabres. Despres had a terrible game in Winnipeg a couple of days ago. Robert Bortuzzo will be replacing him for Sunday's contest and should add some needed grit and physicality to the Pens' lineup in Buffalo.

The play of Simon Despres and Robert Bortuzzo led the Penguins to deal blueliner Ben Lovejoy on Wednesday night. "Both of them continue to make strides and go through growth," said assistant Todd Reirden, who oversees the defense. "They've both had a real positive impact on our defense." Despres has been paired with Kris Letang while Matt Niskanen has been hurt and Bortuzzo recently got into the lineup over Lovejoy on the third pairing alongside Deryk Engelland.

Simon Despres was paired with Kris Letang on Tuesday night. Despres is filling for injured blueliner Matt Niskanen, but he is familiar with Letang after the two of them played together for most of Pittsburgh's shortened training camp. Letang has provided Despres with leadership and guidance, which should help him in the future.

Simon Despres will be a healthy scratch on Friday. Penguins coach Dan Bylsma is looking for "more consistency in his play and his demeanor." Despres has an assist and four points in three games this season.

Simon Despres isn't expected to start the regular season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team will likely keep Ben Lovejoy and Deryk Engelland as their third pairing, while Robert Bortuzzo and Brian Strait are likely to stay with the club as extras. Despres doesn't have to clear waivers to be sent down and the others do. He has seven points in 27 games with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this campaign and at just 21 years of age he could use the additional time to develop. Even if he does end up back in the minors, it won't be long before he is patrolling the blueline in the NHL.

Simon Despres had a goal and an assist in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' 2-1 win over the Toronto Marlies. Despres has two goals and five points in 17 AHL games this season. He had four points in 18 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2011-12.