He's not going to wow you with end to end rushes but his "hockey sense" stands out and he makes a lot of little plays that sometimes go unnoticed. He's good along the boards and makes smart and accurate passes.Probably a couple of years away though.
- sjfpp

Feels like Poulin is going to be a good 3rd wheel for a scoring line, but not enough skill to be a big scoring threat.

Per Taylor Haase:
Penguins' morning skate lines:

Rust - Simon - Aston-Reese
Legare - Agozzino - Poulin
Lafferty - Blueger - A.Johnson
Haggerty - Palve - Miletic

Simon at 4C?

Per Taylor Haase:
Penguins' morning skate lines:

Rust - Simon - Aston-Reese
Legare - Agozzino - Poulin
Lafferty - Blueger - A.Johnson
Haggerty - Palve - Miletic

Simon at 4C?
- Tojo.

I wouldn’t look at it like that.

Per Taylor Haase:
Penguins' morning skate lines:

Rust - Simon - Aston-Reese
Legare - Agozzino - Poulin
Lafferty - Blueger - A.Johnson
Haggerty - Palve - Miletic

Simon at 4C?
- Tojo.

Well, it would alleviate the conundrum of not being a finisher as a winger, but he still drives play as a good center should and is defensively responsible. What then of Blueger? I have a hunch they would rather Bjug play winger and I also have doubts that McCann would work at center. I didn't see this coming but it makes a lot of sense.

I wouldn’t look at it like that.
- Rinosaur

Really, that looks like a 4th line. Simon at C is really intriguing to me all of a sudden.

Really, that looks like a 4th line. Simon at C is really intriguing to me all of a sudden.
- Tojo.

Yeah, me too. I could even see him at 3C, Blueger at 4C, and Bjug at winger. I think that might play to all of their strengths.

Really, that looks like a 4th line. Simon at C is really intriguing to me all of a sudden.
- Tojo.

I think it’s more of a necessity thing with this lineup. I have to think the 4C is going to Blueger.

I think it’s more of a necessity thing with this lineup. I have to think the 4C is going to Blueger.
- Rinosaur

Not necessarily mutually exclusive. But has Simon played center at a high level? Does anyone who follows WBS know the answer to this question?

Not necessarily mutually exclusive. But has Simon played center at a high level? Does anyone who follows WBS know the answer to this question?
- Hockey66

I believe he played C in wbs.

I believe he played C in wbs.
- Rinosaur

Well, if Blueger isn't ready and Simon can handle center duties, this solves the center position and even gets ZAR into the lineup on a regular basis. Or maybe ZAR and Blueger split time until things sort themselves out (or until the first injury happens). As it is now, if Blueger is the full-time 4C, ZAR is the 13th forward and I don't see him supplanting any of the other wingers.

Well, if Blueger isn't ready and Simon can handle center duties, this solves the center position and even gets ZAR into the lineup on a regular basis. Or maybe ZAR and Blueger split time until things sort themselves out (or until the first injury happens). As it is now, if Blueger is the full-time 4C, ZAR is the 13th forward and I don't see him supplanting any of the other wingers.
- Hockey66

I really hope ZAR is not in the lineup regularly. Simon and Blueger > ZAR

I really hope ZAR is not in the lineup regularly. Simon and Blueger > ZAR
- Rinosaur

You could be right. Fun fact: All 3 were born within a week of each other.

I really hope ZAR is not in the lineup regularly. Simon and Blueger > ZAR
- Rinosaur

...continuing themes and story lines hahah

I hope ZAR stands out as better than both those players by the time preseason is clued up. It would mean the team as a whole is stronger.

...continuing themes and story lines hahah

I hope ZAR stands out as better than both those players by the time preseason is clued up. It would mean the team as a whole is stronger.
- MattStrat

Well yeah, I obviously would want everyone to do well. Hell, I’d be ecstatic if JJ figured it out lol

I think it’s more of a necessity thing with this lineup. I have to think the 4C is going to Blueger.
- Rinosaur

Blueger is in today's line-up though. And the two guys he's playing with can both play center and are IMO, the first 2 guys called up right now: Johnson and Lafferty.

It certainly looks like they're at least giving Simon a chance at C, which would be great because I like him more than Blueger and think he has a better chance to move up the line up.

I disagree on Blueger>ZAR, but no need for us to go there. You're lower on ZAR than most anyone here. I'm more skeptical with Blueger than most as I see him as just a fringe player.

Not necessarily mutually exclusive. But has Simon played center at a high level? Does anyone who follows WBS know the answer to this question?
- Hockey66

Simon is playing C for the Czech National Team as well. He did very well there and could be a nice fit for the 4th line.

Simon is playing C for the Czech National Team as well. He did very well there and could be a nice fit for the 4th line.
- Barnaby36

Sully just mentioned that too. Said it's something they want to experiment with during exhibition.

Simon is playing C for the Czech National Team as well. He did very well there and could be a nice fit for the 4th line.
- Barnaby36

When we drafted him in round 5 (2015) i really thought we got a steal... last WC he scored 4g 8a 12pts in 10g, and he can play all forward positions and is a nice mover up and down the lineup.

I’d rather have Simon in the top 9, but center depth is always good. If Simon can play 3C that would open up some interesting possibilities for both lineups and trades.

I’d rather have Simon in the top 9, but center depth is always good. If Simon can play 3C that would open up some interesting possibilities for both lineups and trades.
- Victoro311

I'm sure he'll get his chance. Spending some time at 4C wouldn't be a waste if it prepared him to take over at 3C. Could be more valuable there than on the wing.

Board is dead today. We have a potential Simon debate, labor peace for the next 3 seasons, and Pens unveiled they are considering just rotating 7 players through the top PP to give it multiple looks, yet nothing.

Board is dead today. We have a potential Simon debate, labor peace for the next 3 seasons, and Pens unveiled they are considering just rotating 7 players through the top PP to give it multiple looks, yet nothing.
- Tojo.

Honestly, I was hoping the union took the "opt-out" route. Would be nice to utilize a compliance buyout or two.

Board is dead today. We have a potential Simon debate, labor peace for the next 3 seasons, and Pens unveiled they are considering just rotating 7 players through the top PP to give it multiple looks, yet nothing.
- Tojo.

It better be Sid and Geno and the other 3 can rotate in and out around them.

Blueger is in today's line-up though. And the two guys he's playing with can both play center and are IMO, the first 2 guys called up right now: Johnson and Lafferty.

It certainly looks like they're at least giving Simon a chance at C, which would be great because I like him more than Blueger and think he has a better chance to move up the line up.

I disagree on Blueger>ZAR, but no need for us to go there. You're lower on ZAR than most anyone here. I'm more skeptical with Blueger than most as I see him as just a fringe player.
- Tojo.

Sample sizes for both are so small but I will say if ZAR can get to, or surpass, the level he's played at right before going down with the last two injuries, I believe him to be better than Bluey too. It just seems to set him back so much. I can't recall another player looking so bad for so long after returning from injuries.

Number of teams have more than 6 preseason games and I think the Pens should too. Game action is the best way to shake rust off and get back to game speed. Some new faces as well to figure out and tinker with lines, extra game or two before the real deal starts helps with that.