Third-line center, if Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal play on the same line. Top-line winger to replace Bill Guerin. Fourth-line utilityman.

The list of where Mike Comrie could end up playing with the Penguins is nearly endless -- perhaps anywhere but center on the top two lines, where Sidney Crosby and Malkin and/or Staal figure to hold tight.

And it matches the list of forward spots Comrie is willing to fill.

"For me, to be able to come in and try to complement the players the Penguins have, to fit in and be a guy that can make plays and play on different lines and give them different looks on a team that can make a playoff run, that's something I'm excited about," Comrie said Friday after signing a one-year contract with the Penguins for $500,000.

"If you get your stick open, there's some world-class guys who can get the puck on my stick."

Comrie, a journeyman who turns 30 next Saturday, could add some scoring punch and maybe a finishing touch from wherever he plays. He has been mostly a right winger in recent seasons but was primarily a center earlier and can play on the left side.

"Versatility," general manager Ray Shero said, "is what really interested us.

"We have no preconceived notions about who he's going to play with or where he's going to play, but he's a competitive guy. He's got quick hands in tight. He's a good, talented offensive player. Maybe on our second power-play unit he could be a guy on the half-wall, a position we've had some trouble filling."

Comrie, 5 feet 10 and 185 pounds, has 167 goals, 359 points in 568 NHL games with Edmonton (twice), Philadelphia, Phoenix, Ottawa (twice) and the New York Islanders. He has scored at least 20 goals five times, at least 30 goals twice. He had 13 goals in 43 games with Edmonton last season, which was cut short by a bout of mononucleosis.

The Oilers reportedly were interested in re-signing him after he became an unrestricted free agent, but Comrie took a big cut from the $1.25 million he made last season to join the Penguins.

He and Shero toyed with the idea of Comrie coming to training camp on a tryout basis, but, when Comrie offered to sign for the NHL minimum salary, the Penguins jumped.

"For me, it was a hockey decision," Comrie said. "I wanted to go to a team that I thought had a good chance to compete every night. It wasn't about how much money I was going to make; it was about how I could help the team.

"You've got to earn your opportunity to help a good team on the ice, but I'm thrilled about this opportunity."

It's pretty easy to see why Comrie wanted to hook up with a team that could be expected to reach the postseason and be a contender on a regular basis,

The Penguins have made the playoffs each of the past four seasons, reaching the final twice and winning the Stanley Cup in 2009. Comrie played for Ottawa when the Senators ousted the Penguins in five games in the first round of 2007 playoffs and marched to the final before losing to Anaheim.

That was the last time Comrie has appeared in the playoffs, and he was part of an Edmonton club that last season finished last in the NHL.

He also brings two interesting side stories with him.

Last month, he married actress and recording artist Hilary Duff. In 1973, an uncle, Fred Comrie, was drafted by the Penguins in the eighth round, although he never reached the NHL.

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NOTE -- About 2,000 single-game tickets for each Penguins home date for the first season at Consol Energy Center will go on sale at 10 a.m. next Friday at www.ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000, Ticketmaster locations and the Consol Center box office.

Penguins Plus, a blog by Dave Molinari and Shelly Anderson, is featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.