All of Zucker’s underlying numbers are as bad or worse than Malkin’s without the production. Zucker isn’t as important to the team’s success as Malkin so it doesn’t matter as much, but it is notable he’s having a worse season. Is Zucker that much of a passenger that he has no individual positive affect on a line? If that’s the case then that’s a problem in and of itself and we still need a better winger anyway even if Malkin regains form.

Personally I do think Zucker is a good player who’s not a passenger and the root of the issue is that he and Malkin are not fits for each other. Their ineffectiveness together dates all the way back to last season when Geno was playing at MVP caliber, so the problem here goes far beyond Malkin having a bad season to date, just like Malkin’s problems this season go far beyond Zucker. Separating them isn’t a silver bullet to fix Malkin. In fact, I think separating them has a bigger chance of turning Zucker’s season around than Malkin’s. But I can only seee upside in separating them.
- Victoro311

I'm definitely for separating them. I, along with other here, wanted Zucker with Sid to start the season. I'm just saying I don't think Zucker or anyone else will prevent Malkin from regaining form. But yes, give him Jake, please.

I also think Zucker is not a passenger and his issues now would be solved by getting him with Sid. Geno doesn't work well with players like him.

Wow Panarin..... Taking a leave of absence from NYR... from apparently beating up an 18 year old girl in russia in 2011... this should be interesting

Wow Panarin..... Taking a leave of absence from NYR... from apparently beating up an 18 year old girl in russia in 2011... this should be interesting
- pens4life-66

Alleged. Obviously taking a leave of absence is not a good sign though. This is pretty crazy.

Wow Panarin..... Taking a leave of absence from NYR... from apparently beating up an 18 year old girl in russia in 2011... this should be interesting
- pens4life-66

Over in the Rangers blog they're convinced this all has to do with him speaking out against Putin a few weeks back... Which to me isn't that far fetched at all... In saying that, him being a piece of sh!t women beater isn't far fetched either. Lots of that garbage around.

This team's real tough to get a read on. Compared to last year, the effort level and the fight is there. And we still have high end talent and our blue line is leagues better, but there just isn't enough talent in our forward depth to compete. If we had even a normal amount of tradable assets, this team would be pretty easy to fix, IMO, but unfortunately we have like a grand total of three pieces to work with. Can we fix up this roster into a contender with what we have? I don't really know. We're going nowhere if we sit on our hands, but will our ceiling be adequately high enough to gas the last remaining assets in our cupboard? Don't know the answer to that.
- Victoro311

I agree with all that. To me, this team is showing some qualities I really like that they've been kinda void of for a few seasons. One or two moves could take them to another level... But like you and many have touched on, not a lot of assets to make it happen. It's possible though. I know Burkie isn't the GM but he does have some of the wild west gunslinger in him like O'le Jim. Could see him pushing for someone(s).

I haven't heard them say all in. Sounded to me like they just said they aren't going to blow it up.

The only way they pick up a rental is if it's cheap and is someone they would possibly want to keep around. Granlund maybe?

My belief is that they will clear out some cap and contracts by trading for nearly ready prospects.

I could totally see any of our prospects getting traded. Hextall has spent a lot of time focused on the drafts for Philly and LA. He might not like the guys we have and do a prospect swap. I heard Fabbro was available for some reason and he would be nice to have as a next up RD.
- MacPatty

Well Forsberg or Arvidsson are not rentals. I'd love to snag Forsberg.

I really like him, but what does he cost and how does he slot in? Very similar in style to Kap and Rust but would his game mesh with Geno? Does that matter?

Only hesitation would be using up assets on a guy that doesn't address the biggest need, a left side right handed sniper for the PP.
- MacPatty

Forsberg haha. Honestly with him I don't know how that wouldn't extend the pens window for this season and next.

Over in the Rangers blog they're convinced this all has to do with him speaking out against Putin a few weeks back... Which to me isn't that far fetched at all... In saying that, him being a peace of sh!t women beater isn't far fetched either. Lots of that garbage around.
- MattStrat

Could very well go either way. Crazy it's just coming out now, 10 years later.

Zucker-Sid-Forsberg
Guentz-Geno-Rust
ZAR-Blue-Tanev
??-McCann-Kap

I'd love it. But won't happen.

The fourth period, which is neither here nor there to me, is reporting the Pens (amongst other teams) have interest in Granlund and Haula.

https://www.thefourthperi...ille#.YDPIM8U6z1w.twitter

IMO Haula is the way to go if they grab anyone from NSH. Granlund would be solid, but I don't think he's worth the pricetag he'll probably command in trade.
- Rinosaur

I read about interest on granlund and haula maybe a week back. I think this is more of media started speculation, but if it was true I just don’t know what we would offer Nashville. Defence is their strength. Picks and prospects arent ours lol.

I’m so glad JR is gone. If he wasn’t so gung-ho there’s no reason, aside from haula not wanting to, that we couldn’t of signed him in the offseason. And same with Kap’s overpay. Even if it was just the 1st rounder. Why through in hallander. Maybe he could be our 4th line C. I’d not he could still be a trade chip elsewhere.

I agree with all that. To me, this team is showing some qualities I really like that they've been kinda void of for a few seasons. One or two moves could take them to another level... But like you and many have touched on, not a lot of assets to make it happen. It's possible though. I know Burkie isn't the GM but he does have some of the wild west gunslinger in him like O'le Jim. Could see him pushing for someone(s).
- MattStrat

Burke does like bringing in star talent for sure. Will it happen here? Who knows.

Zucker-Sid-Forsberg
Guentz-Geno-Rust
ZAR-Blue-Tanev
??-McCann-Kap

I'd love it. But won't happen.
- 668710

Forsberg prefers LW. Either way I’d love it too.

Pens Inside Scoop @PensInsideScoop · 8m
Here is the Pens' workflow...

Guentzel-Crosby-Kapanen
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
Aston-Reese--Blueger-Tanev
Sceviour-Jankowski-Lafferty

Joseph-Letang
Matheson-Marino
Pettersson-Ceci
Riikola-Ruhwedel

You're getting Zucker with Malkin and you're going to like it.

Pens Inside Scoop @PensInsideScoop · 8m
Here is the Pens' workflow...

Guentzel-Crosby-Kapanen
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
Aston-Reese--Blueger-Tanev
Sceviour-Jankowski-Lafferty

Joseph-Letang
Matheson-Marino
Pettersson-Ceci
Riikola-Ruhwedel

You're getting Zucker with Malkin and you're going to like it.
- Thunderbolt

Jesus lord lol.

Forsberg prefers LW. Either way I’d love it too.
- 10inchTerror

So then:
Guentz-Sid-Kap
Forsberg-Geno-Rust
Zuck-McCann-Scevior?(someone else maybe?)
ZAR-Blue-Tanev

Pens Inside Scoop @PensInsideScoop · 8m
Here is the Pens' workflow...

Guentzel-Crosby-Kapanen
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
Aston-Reese--Blueger-Tanev
Sceviour-Jankowski-Lafferty

Joseph-Letang
Matheson-Marino
Pettersson-Ceci
Riikola-Ruhwedel

You're getting Zucker with Malkin and you're going to like it.
- Thunderbolt

(frank)ing mind boggling.

(frank)ing mind boggling.
- j.boyd919

It's ridiculous.

Forsberg haha. Honestly with him I don't know how that wouldn't extend the pens window for this season and next.
- 668710

Hey, that is one of the few options out there that makes sense going in heavy on. I'm all for going after him if they can. Perfect fit.

All of Zucker’s underlying numbers are as bad or worse than Malkin’s without the production. Zucker isn’t as important to the team’s success as Malkin so it doesn’t matter as much, but it is notable he’s having a worse season. Is Zucker that much of a passenger that he has no individual positive affect on a line? If that’s the case then that’s a problem in and of itself and we still need a better winger anyway even if Malkin regains form.

Personally I do think Zucker is a good player who’s not a passenger and the root of the issue is that he and Malkin are not fits for each other. Their ineffectiveness together dates all the way back to last season when Geno was playing at MVP caliber, so the problem here goes far beyond Malkin having a bad season to date, just like Malkin’s problems this season go far beyond Zucker. Separating them isn’t a silver bullet to fix Malkin. In fact, I think separating them has a bigger chance of turning Zucker’s season around than Malkin’s. But I can only seee upside in separating them.
- Victoro311

Zucker has always been a play driver and ES scorer, so I agree he's not just a passenger. We saw that in the brief time we had him last regular season.They just have no chemistry.

Pens Inside Scoop @PensInsideScoop · 8m
Here is the Pens' workflow...

Guentzel-Crosby-Kapanen
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
Aston-Reese--Blueger-Tanev
Sceviour-Jankowski-Lafferty

Joseph-Letang
Matheson-Marino
Pettersson-Ceci
Riikola-Ruhwedel

You're getting Zucker with Malkin and you're going to like it.
- Thunderbolt

Kapanen and POJ back in their spots at the top of the lineup.

Pens Inside Scoop @PensInsideScoop · 8m
Here is the Pens' workflow...

Guentzel-Crosby-Kapanen
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
Aston-Reese--Blueger-Tanev
Sceviour-Jankowski-Lafferty

Joseph-Letang
Matheson-Marino
Pettersson-Ceci
Riikola-Ruhwedel

You're getting Zucker with Malkin and you're going to like it.
- Thunderbolt

I like it. The Pens have won 4 of 5 games on the back of the top line. Why break them up? Malkin and Zucker need to figure their poop out.

There is no reason that line shouldn't dominate talent wise. We were all talking about how great Boston is... are they breaking up their top line because the second line guys aren't clicking? Not a chance.

I like it. The Pens have won 4 of 5 games on the back of the top line. Why break them up? Malkin and Zucker need to figure their poop out.

There is no reason that line shouldn't dominate talent wise. We were all talking about how great Boston is... are they breaking up their top line because the second line guys aren't clicking? Not a chance.
- MacPatty

During that 5 game stretch the pens were a 41.88 xGF% at 5v5 and a HDCF% of 33.33 so they shouldn’t change anything imo.

Lmao why is everyone on cap friendly doing Tatar to the penguins trades?

During that 5 game stretch the pens were a 41.88 xGF% at 5v5 and a HDCF% of 33.33 so they shouldn’t change anything imo.
- Feds91Stammer

But they scored more goals than the other teams 4 out of 5 times. If the team is doing that poorly overall, you definitely don't want to separate the two guys who are clicking and leading the way scoring.

But they scored more goals than the other teams 4 out of 5 times. If the team is doing that poorly overall, you definitely don't want to separate the two guys who are clicking and leading the way scoring.
- MacPatty

Its not a recipe for sustained success is what he's probably gettin at. I'm curious how much the Caps stinker effects that overall average.