Yeah, that's probably what it should look like for the forwards.

Probably should keep Marino with Pettersson and Ceci with Matheson though. Ceci and Matheson are statistically one of the best pairings in the league this year (no idea why it's working) and Marino with Matheson was an absolute disaster.

This lineup looks a lot better if they could add a 2nd line LW or a third line C.

I agree. I think that a third-line center would bring the team up a notch. And at first, I was against the idea of getting Zadorov from Chicago, but after looking at his avg goals against per 60 min compared to Pettersson, I think the trade could be beneficial.

Matheson/Ceci. Skates/Stays home
Matheson/Marino Skates/Skates

It's not hard to figure out why one works and the other doesn't.
Both guys need someone who is willing to stay back while they jump up. If both guys jump up....bad **** happens.

I don't see Rodrigues as the RW.
I think if they make a move that's where it should be at this point.
Zucker will play with Malkin. I know people imagine he's going to a 3rd line but he's not.
They will keep Blueger with ZAR and Tanev.
What you are looking at is a 4th line of McCann/Gaudreau/?????????
They might get 8-10 minutes a night.
I think they should put a larger body and a checker there.
That isn't EROD.
They need that line to be an energy line. Bring some life into the game. A fast physical guy can do that. Doesn't have to be a huge goal scorer, but someone capable of getting the puck and letting McCann and Gaudreau figure out what to do with it.

Do you think Austin Wagner would work there, if they trade for him? or even Nick Merkley for free?

This is why I think that a Zadorov for Pettersson trade would make sense. Zadorov has excellent xGA/60 stats (one of the best in the league, third I think while paired with Murphy) and even though he is God awfully slow, he could stay back as a big body and defend in order to let Marino do his thing.

Zadorov is a statue who has no business in the penguins uniform.
They are going to move a defenseman out for cap reasons. Not because one needs to be replaced. The last thing they need in moving Pettersson is another 4mil defenseman back.
I for the life of me can't figure out why people can't figure this out. They don't need 3 4mil LD. This is some idea that CHI fans came up with because they are salty we gave them statue Maatta.



5'10 Nick Merkley.... that guy. You might as well play ERod at that rate.
I really don't see the point in trading for either. They aren't significantly better than what the team already has. Giving up assets for them isn't the wisest long term move as this team could very well have an abundance of RW next year if they are willing to play the youth in Poulin and Legare who are more talented than both of those two.

If they bring someone it has to be at a good cost and be a significant upgrade. The problem is that's harder to find.
There really aren't great choices. It would be different if this team was built differently. If the 3rd line had a larger role than what it does. But it doesn't. The "4th" line simply takes up too much ice time because they play well. Leaving the 3rd line lacking in minutes and hence value. So who is gonna spend big on a guy who might play 8-10 minutes a night. And what kind of guy are you going to find to play that role and have an impact greater than what you have for what you are willing to pay for it.
This is why guys like Bennett and Virtanen are good matches, if they come in cheap. They might play above their line grade, provide a huge impact, but fir the role of being that bottom line guy currently.