This week’s hockey podcast goes in all sorts of directions with Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer.

We begin with Kris Letang’s recent play. Is it just a bad patch or is he sliding away from Mike Sullivan’s commitment to structure?

Many Penguins fans are hoping that a trade is looming to cushion the blow of Jake Guentzel’s injury. Jim Rutherford makes it sound like he has a plan in place. Brian tells us if he thinks it makes sense.

I get what the general manager is thinking. But I think he can step up the time frame. Given the brutal upcoming schedule for the Penguins, I say get someone in here quickly if a deal is likely to be made.

Metzer seem much higher on New York’s Chris Kreider as a potential trade target than Mark Madden was during Monday’s podcast. He tells us why.

Speaking of the schedule, it’s a bear. The team plays Tuesday in Las Vegas. Friday, the Pens visit Colorado. Sunday, they face off in Arizona. The Golden Knights, Avalanche and Coyotes are all currently in playoff position in the Western Conference.

Then Mike Sullivan’s team comes back and has to squeeze in five more games before their nine-day break starting on Jan. 22. Metzer and I discuss if the Pens are already too fatigued to handle that load.

The silver lining is that Sidney Crosby may come back at some point on the swing. And his return can’t come soon enough.

The schedule is so condensed, it’s going to make Metz miss “Dimebash,” which honors Pantera’s late, guitar god Dimebag Darrell Abbott.

Metz is unhappy about that and any metal fan can understand why. Thankfully, he perseveres long enough to get through this podcast.

Listen: Tim Benz and Brian Metzer discuss possible moves the Penguins could make, Kris Letang’s play, Sidney Crosby’s return

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