Latest Penguins Buzz: Two bigger needs emerging for Penguins than a scoring winger

Are people out of touch who feel the Penguins biggest need is a scoring winger for Evgeni Malkin?

"Scoring is not the issue with that hockey club," an NHL scout said.

I polled six evaluators on Thursday and Friday of what the Penguins biggest needs are leading up to the April 3rd trade deadline with the question ranging from a third line forward with size/grit to make the Penguins tougher to play against, top-4 defenseman or a scoring winger.

Three said a third line forward, two said a top-4 defenseman and one said a scoring winger.

The Penguins needing to be tougher to play against is becoming an increasing concern for this team. From the players to the coaching staff, the Penguins are built on quick transition and pushing the play the other way. What they lack is that big imposing line that can wear teams down. "That's where losing {Jordan} Staal hurts them," an NHL source said. "The Sutter kid is a good player, {but} he doesn't make it tough on the opposition. Jordan was a force out there that made them such a matchup problem for rest of the league {in the past}."

The problem is whether the Penguins feel they aren't tough enough to play against. The same goes for a defenseman who can be an imposing player in defending the front of the net, something that's really lacked with this team since Hal Gill left, but the Penguins haven't felt it's been an area of concern as they are infatuated with defensemen that can move the puck.

Finding an ideal third line forward that has size and grit, in addition to fitting the Penguins system of being able to skate is going to be difficult.