Newest Penguin practices at center on the second line

As the Penguins took the ice on Wednesday for their first practice since the trade deadline, they offered the initial look at how Jeff Carter might reshape the lineup.

The newest Penguin skated at center on the second line, with Jared McCann on his left wing and Jason Zucker flipping over to play his off side on the right. Carter also took reps on the penalty kill and with the second power play unit.

“There’s a lot of speed on that line, which I think is going to be really good,” Zucker said. “I thought [Carter] was really good in the middle. I thought he did a really good job today at lugging the puck up through the middle and keeping the defensemen inside.

“It’s really tough for defensemen to try to honor that speed from the middle. Then when he’s able to kick the puck outside to [McCann] or myself, it definitely makes it hard for defensemen to try to play those pucks.”

While the 36-year-old, twotime Stanley Cup champion played predominantly right wing the past two seasons, he’s a natural center. Given the fact that Evgeni Malkin and Freddy Gaudreau are both sidelined, it is logical to use the versatile Carter at the position he has played the majority of his career.

But what does that decision mean for the other linemates?

Zucker said he feels comfortable enough playing his off side, something he did frequently in Minnesota. He expects it won’t take more than a few shifts to remember the nuances of the other side.

Penguins notebook

The decision to bump McCann from center to wing is a bit more interesting, at least at first glance. The metrics with McCann in the middle can go in both directions.

Since March 17, when injuries to Blueger and Malkin thrust McCann into a spot at center, the Penguins have produced 51.55% of the expected goals with McCann at center during 5-on-5 situations. That’s exactly what Sidney Crosby’sline produced during the same stretch.

However, McCann’s five power play goals since midMarch might be distracting from his total body of work. Since he stepped into this new role, McCann has recorded just two points (both assists) as a center during 5-on-5 play. And over the past five games, he’s a minus-7.

During 5-on-5 play, opponents have produced the majority (52%) of the high-danger chances. And he has won just 43.9% of his faceoffs.

This isn’t meant to be an indictment of McCann’s ability to play center. General manager Ron Hextall has repeatedly praised McCann by name. Sullivan, too. Plus, he is probably the single biggest factor the power play is suddenly scoring at the NHL’s best rate since March. 25.

But when you look at some of these 5-on-5 numbers, it might begin to explain why the Penguins felt comfortable bumping one of their moreproductive players over to the wing. And don’t be surprised if these combinations evolve.

“This is going to be a little bit of an exploration process here until we figure out what we think is the best combination and where people fit to make us the most competitive,” Sullivan said.

Jankowski back

The decision to play Carter at center had a ripple effect that reached the fourth line. Mark Jankowski, a healthy scratch for Sunday’s win in New Jersey, was back at his familiar spot as the bottomline center.

It’s funny how hockey works. Due to a rash of injuries, Gaudreau earned an opportunity and made the most of it, eventually leapfrogging Jankowski. Now, Gaudreau is the one injured, presenting Jankowski with his chance to reestablish himself.

“If we choose to put him back in the lineup, I think he has a great opportunity,” Sullivan said. “When Mark’s at his best, I think he’s a guy who is reliable defensively. He’s a guy that can help us on the penalty kill. I think he’s a guy who can win faceoffs. He can help us gain momentum in the offensive zone with the forecheck.”

It’s worth noting that Jankowski has put together his most-productive stretch: six points in his past four games.

New job

Former Penguins assistant general manager Jason Karmanos, who was let go by the club in this offseason, has a new home.

The Buffalo Sabres announced Wednesday they’ve hired Karmanos as the associate general manager. Karmanos will serve as the general manager of the AHL’s Rochester Americans and will oversee the Sabres’ scouting, player development and analytics departments.