Absolutely, give Blugs a shot there. Problem is that basically makes ZAR irrelevant because he's plays like crap in the bottom 6. It's like he changes his mentality instead of just playing.
- 668710

I think ZAR can succeed on different lines although he won't put up the same offensive numbers.

The biggest issue the Pens currently face 5v5 is getting Malkin-Kessel back to being a dominant unit. Whoever works best with them should play there, then figure out who plays with Guentzel-Crosby and Bjugstad-Hornqvist. Those seem to be the three pairs to build around. McCann and Rust should have top nine spots. The last can go to whomever of Blueger, ZAR, or Simon fits best.

I just think it depends on if you can alter your expectations with him. I thought he has played well with Geno and Phil but dropping down I can understand why his production will drop too but I don’t see Bjugstad and Horny doing much damage with ZAR either. They don’t really have a finisher on that line.
- j.boyd919

They remind me a little of the Staal line without the finish, though Bjugstad-Hornqvist both have decent hands. Been trying to think what player unlocks offense while keeping the cycling game. Maybe Rust if he's not in the top six since he's a lot like Kennedy in that he zips around and shoots from anywhere which isn't a bad idea when you usually have traffic in front.

They remind me a little of the Staal line without the finish, though Bjugstad-Hornqvist both have decent hands. Been trying to think what player unlocks offense while keeping the cycling game. Maybe Rust if he's not in the top six since he's a lot like Kennedy in that he zips around and shoots from anywhere which isn't a bad idea when you usually have traffic in front.
- Tojo.

I’m cool with...
Guentzel-Sid-McCann
ZAR-Geno-Phil
Rust-Bjugstad-Horny
Simon-Cullen-Blueger
Wilson

I’m cool with...
Guentzel-Sid-McCann
ZAR-Geno-Phil
Rust-Bjugstad-Horny
Simon-Cullen-Blueger
Wilson
- j.boyd919

I have a weird feeling it will be:
Jake Sid Rust
McCann Malkin Phil
Simon Bjugs Horny
Blueger Cullen ZAR

McCann has that super aggressive forecheck like Kunitz had that really fits well on every line

I’m cool with...
Guentzel-Sid-McCann
ZAR-Geno-Phil
Rust-Bjugstad-Horny
Simon-Cullen-Blueger
Wilson
- j.boyd919

I still want to experiment with some other guys on the second line, but those might be the best 1st and 3rd combos and ZAR has been fine in that role so I can roll with that.

It’s sad that so many Yinzers go to Madden for hockey insight. The dude provides nothing in terms of analysis and his opinions are a joke.
- j.boyd919

I mean the dude is the embodiment of Yinzer sports mentality so I’m not shocked.

I'm just trying to enjoy what I'm seeing from Gudbranson because I feel like it has to come to an end soon lol Yes, he's riding a 103 PDO, so something he will regress a bit, but how much?
- Rinosaur

PDO has no bearing on all of the other metrics, which are pristine. IDK what’s going on but I’m incredibly here for it.

I have a weird feeling it will be:
Jake Sid Rust
McCann Malkin Phil
Simon Bjugs Horny
Blueger Cullen ZAR

McCann has that super aggressive forecheck like Kunitz had that really fits well on every line
- burgh4life87

I'd be curious to see McCann there. I sort of feel like it may be Rust on the 2nd eventually because they've had success with him there.

Simon in the 3rd helps them cycle forever and dominate possession. The question with him as always is the offense. ZAR there would be too much of the same player.

Nah I think he plays the same way he’s just not playing with good hockey players when he’s playing with Cullen and Wilson. Those dudes are trash, especially compared to Geno and Kessel.
- j.boyd919

Passenger pigeons gonna passenger pigeon. Rust coming back will push talent down to the 4th line so I don’t think we should rule out 4th line ZAR outright if a guy like Simon gets pushed down and adds talent there.

I'd love Blugs on the 2nd but will resign to the fact he won't stay because like others have said Simon doesn't fit anywhere else...I just hope/pray/plead for Sully to keep McCann on the 1st...dude is electric up there!
- iworkatinitech

Simon fits on literally every line.

Simon fits on literally every line.
- Victoro311

Yeah in the AHL

I'd be curious to see McCann there. I sort of feel like it may be Rust on the 2nd eventually because they've had success with him there.

Simon in the 3rd helps them cycle forever and dominate possession. The question with him as always is the offense. ZAR there would be too much of the same player.
- Tojo.

Hornqvist and Bjugs are volume shooters, so adding ZAR just doesnt make sense, like you said just too many of the same player.
I could also see Rust on the 2nd line, he does well playing the off wing.

I’m cool with...
Guentzel-Sid-McCann
ZAR-Geno-Phil
Rust-Bjugstad-Horny
Simon-Cullen-Blueger
Wilson
- j.boyd919

I’d swap Rust and McCann. Puts both on their natural side and McCann is more of a finisher than Rust and I think the third line could use that demension more than another grinder where as the first line already has two 40 goal scorers.

If Wilson gets dressed over anyone when we’re healthy I’ll flip out.

Simon fits on literally every line.
- Victoro311

And hes been firing the puck like crazy the last few games. Hes got that pushback again. And as always, he is really strong in puck possession

I think ZAR can succeed on different lines although he won't put up the same offensive numbers.
- Tojo.

No, he can’t and that’s my frustration with him. I swear when he’s on the fourth line he skates slower, shoots like a toddler and just looks disinterested.

He only seems to come to life in the top six.

Simon was the reason for the Pens first goal. He fought to keep that puck in the zone as it was in its way out and get it Hornqvist.

I'd be curious to see McCann there. I sort of feel like it may be Rust on the 2nd eventually because they've had success with him there.

Simon in the 3rd helps them cycle forever and dominate possession. The question with him as always is the offense. ZAR there would be too much of the same player.
- Tojo.

Rust is basically a right handed version of Hags.

No, he can’t and that’s my frustration with him. I swear when he’s on the fourth line he skates slower, shoots like a toddler and just looks disinterested.

He only seems to come to life in the top six.
- Rinosaur

He plays a different game with say Cullen and Wilson (just focused on grind and cycle).

Maybe it's just me, but I see a different guy then earlier in the year with more confidence in his game. I'm not even sure where the better skating is coming from, that's never been his strong point.

He plays a different game with say Cullen and Wilson (just focused on grind and cycle).

Maybe it's just me, but I see a different guy then earlier in the year with more confidence in his game. I'm not even sure where the better skating is coming from, that's never been his strong point.
- Tojo.

Me too. Rino has always had a hate on for him. I always wanted him in the bottom 6 but then he looked good with Geno so I'm totally fine with him staying there, if he stays there it means that other skill trickles down into bottom 6 ie Rust, McCann or Simon

Me too. Rino has always had a hate on for him. I always wanted him in the bottom 6 but then he looked good with Geno so I'm totally fine with him staying there, if he stays there it means that other skill trickles down into bottom 6 ie Rust, McCann or Simon
- MattStrat

I’m more curious to what happens on the backend when/if everyone gets healthy. What happens with the 2nd and 3rd pair.

I’m more curious to what happens on the backend when/if everyone gets healthy. What happens with the 2nd and 3rd pair.
- j.boyd919

Pettersson seems to really be in the good graces of staff and management per Yohe/Mackey, and that Petbrandson pairing is playing at a level that it really shouldn't be separated right now. I really think its gonna come down to whether or not Martin is willing to scratch Johnson for Maatta and I think it could either way.

Pettersson seems to really be in the good graces of staff and management per Yohe/Mackey, and that Petbrandson pairing is playing at a level that it really shouldn't be separated right now. I really think its gonna come down to whether or not Martin is willing to scratch Johnson for Maatta and I think it could either way.
- Victoro311

But when people ask the brass about trading Maatta they laugh... sooo... are they gonna scratch the dude they’re unwilling to trade?

But when people ask the brass about trading Maatta they laugh... sooo... are they gonna scratch the dude they’re unwilling to trade?
- j.boyd919

And when people ask the brass about whether or not Johnson has been disappointing they laugh. They’ve put themselves in a position where they have 7 defensemen they’re all in on and an 8th (Riikola) that they really like moving forward so it’s really tough to figure out which out of the 7 defensemen they’re less all in on. All I know is that it’s not Letang, Dumoulin, or Schultz.

And when people ask the brass about whether or not Johnson has been disappointing they laugh. They’ve put themselves in a position where they have 7 defensemen they’re all in on and an 8th (Riikola) that they really like moving forward so it’s really tough to figure out which out of the 7 defensemen they’re less all in on. All I know is that it’s not Letang, Dumoulin, or Schultz.
- Victoro311

Something tells me that Schultz, given his cap hit and contract term (one more year) he could be a trade guy. Right shot D bring in huge value too.

Something tells me that Schultz, given his cap hit and contract term (one more year) he could be a trade guy. Right shot D bring in huge value too.
- burgh4life87

This seems like such a bad idea to me.