Mark Madden: Whether from outside or within, Penguins need a change before trade deadline

The NHL trade deadline is March 3. This space and others like it are debating what the Penguins should do between now and then.

Honestly, I don’t know what the Penguins should do. Or can do.

But I know they can’t do nothing.

GM Ron Hextall has to determine a course of action, emphasis on the word “action.” Doing too little, not changing enough and letting staleness multiply has given the Penguins the stench of death.

Hextall has been in charge for two years. The team is neither contending nor rebuilding. Hextall was unfairly given a mandate to do both. But he’s done neither.

If the Penguins fade between now and March 3, perhaps the Penguins should be a seller. Trade players who are going to be free agents. Get badly needed draft picks.

Jason Zucker would bring decent return. Brian Dumoulin has a credible past as a winner.

If Tristan Jarry ever gets healthy, perhaps he gets dealt. Jarry has been hurt four times in nine months. He has talent. But can you count on a goaltender that’s injured so often to be your bulwark of the future? Do you pay Jarry what he wants, likely $36 million over six years? If not, then look to swap him.

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The Penguins are going to be a non-playoff team for several years. Somebody else can play goal. Maybe Vincent Tremblay.

If the Penguins start winning, Hextall doesn’t do that. But everything should be considered.

The Penguins can change from within, too.

Summon defenseman Ty Smith back from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Tell forward Filip Hallander to jump in the car with him. Give them lineup spots and ample minutes.

Change, youth and energy should be sought any place it can be found. These were such valuable weapons in 2016 and ’17.

It won’t be hard finding players to demote or scratch. Waive, say, Danton Heinen. When he’s unclaimed, send him to the minors.

If salary cap problems prevent moves, solve them. That’s the GM’s job. Hextall created the cap problems. What would be better to have right now: Kasperi Kapanen and Jan Rutta, or $6 million worth of cap space?

Tactically, the Penguins should trap and counterattack. Be more conservative. Put the reins on defensemen pinching and activating. Less speed, more think.

Don’t trap cynically like New Jersey did with Martin Brodeur in net. Trap like Montreal in the ’70s when the Canadiens set scoring records. When the puck turns over, send numbers the other way. Just pick your spots.

Coach Mike Sullivan won’t do that. The players won’t want that. The Penguins pride themselves on speed and attacking. On playing a certain way.

But that way isn’t working. The Penguins are no longer fast enough to play that way. That was then, this is now.

I didn’t say “too slow.” I said, “not fast enough.” Too many opponents leave the Penguins in the dust. Wait till Edmonton visits Feb. 23.

Don’t say it’s too late in the season to learn a different system. The ’92 Penguins switched to a trap in the middle of their first-round playoff series with Washington, reversing a three-games-to-one series deficit to advance.

It was Mario Lemieux’s idea, so pride didn’t precede a fall. Hockey players learn to trap when they’re kids.

Have different lines play different systems if you prefer. Legendary coach Scotty Bowman often orchestrated that. One size doesn’t necessarily fit all.

Just do something. Because right now, the Penguins seem determined to ride the same old, same old straight into the mouth of oblivion.

OK, so that’s a bit dramatic. But I have the Penguins at less than 50/50 to make the playoffs, with no chance of winning a playoff series.