With Kahun in the mix now, I really hope the Phil for Zucker trade can happen after all. Kahun seems like an ideal third wheel on pretty much any line - I don't know how much higher his offensive ceiling is than what he showed this year as a rookie, but it doesn't need to be higher than the 40-45 point range for him to be a really useful piece given what else he seems to bring. If you add Zucker to that lineup in Kessel's place, even if it's an offensive downgrade, all of a sudden we have a ton of speed and much better two-way play.
So let's go a little crazier here: let's say we can also move Hornqvist. I like Hornqvist, but his contract, age, and declining production are all worries, so let's say we move him for a bag of pucks. We can probably get someone like Dzingel for similar money or a bit more in FA. That, in this scenario, gives us something like this:
Guentzel-Crosby-Kahun
Zucker-Malkin-Dzingel
McCann-Bjugstad-Rust
Simon-Bluegers-ZAR
It might not be the most dynamic offense in history, but it doesn't need to be; what it does have is speed, depth, and two-way play in spades, and complementary players for both Crosby and Malkin. That in turn takes a lot of pressure off our defense. It doesn't absolve us of the need to improve there, but it means they won't be left out to dry as often. It also gets us back to the kind of team identity that works best for Sullivan's system.
It might not be The Answer, but it might be crazy enough to work.
