I'd scratch Carter at this point. Maybe thatd make him waive a trade

You can’t. He’s still elite at winning FO. And the only RH stick the Pens have to take FO. For the all important dots on the right side of the ice. For that reason alone you can’t sit him and he holds value.

I agree but man that contract is not good and outside of the faceoff circle he hasnt been great

https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask/nhl-face-off-win-percentage-leaders-2022-2023-over-75-face-offs-taken-top-500

“Not good” is being nice too. Yes, I agree. He’s been awful in a lot of places; like the PP. But being that good at FO holds a lot of value.

Edit- and being “good” at FO isn’t being accurate either. Elite at FO is more like it. If it was just being “good” or really good at FO, I’d say sit him in the press box. Being Elite is a different story.

Carter should be on the bench. Definitely not 3C at the very least. He's good at faceoffs, but that's about it. Not worth it when he's actively hurting the team in other areas

Being “good” at FO isn’t being accurate. Elite at FO is more like it. If it was just being “good” or even “really good” at FO, I’d say sit him in the press box. Being Elite is a different story.

And yes, I agree. He’s been awful in a lot of places; like the PP. But being that elite at FO holds a lot of value.



He should 100% be moved off the 2nd PP unit. And be given somewhat sheltered minutes unless he regains some offensive urgency. Two younger/faster/offensive wings like OConnor and Kappy should help.

McGinn isn’t that guy. He’s a great 4L, shutdown d wing that can provide enough scoring on that 4L. I really believe McGinn being on Carter’s wing has hurt Carter offensively. That’s not his game.

Irrelevant…this team needs a trade(s)

The issue for the 3rd line is deployment. You can give Carter offensive wingers but Sully will put them out for 20% ozone starts and then they just get embarrassed in the possession numbers and exposed in their own zone. That's basically what has happened this season.