What's Next for Jeff Carter and the Penguins? Unveiling Their End Game!
Jeff Carter's performance for the Pittsburgh Penguins has been on a steady decline.
After starting the season with 14 points in 24 games, Carter has only managed six points in his last 26 games, with just one point in his last 14 games. His assists have dried up, as he struggles to control the puck and spends most of his time playing defense in his own end.
The Penguins gave Carter a full no-movement and no-trade clause, limiting their options. They could keep playing him and hope for the best, but this is not a long-term solution.
They could trade for a better third-line center or move Carter to the wing, but these options are imperfect.
The last resort is to pull the plug and take him out of the lineup. Though he can't be waived or traded, the Penguins can still use other players on the fourth line and salvage the third line with trade additions.
The Penguins are currently at the first option, but they shouldn't remain there forever. They need to make major steps to limit and replace Jeff Carter from their lineup, and the sooner they do it, the better off they will be. Though it may take some time to push out a respected veteran, it's necessary in the cut-throat world of the NHL. The data, including the good old-fashioned eye test, is all saying the same thing. The Penguins need to take action to address the problem and improve their performance.
| POLL | ||
Should the Penguins trade Jeff Carter? | ||
| Yes | 227 | 70.1 % |
| No | 97 | 29.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
