Mark Madden's Hot Take: Mike Sullivan needs to compromise on Penguins' system

Since he took over as Pittsburgh Penguins coach in 2015, Mike Sullivan’s system has emphasized speed and skill with zero compromise.

It’s time for compromise. Plan B is needed.

With Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin hurt to start the season, it’s all but impossible for the Penguins to execute what Sullivan wants. Not with 36-year-old Jeff Carter as the No. 1 center. This isn’t Philadelphia. It’s not 2009. He’s not peak-era Jordan Staal, either. (There’s never been a time or place when Evan Rodrigues or Teddy Blueger would be an acceptable No. 2 center.)

The Penguins need to slow it down and trap. At least until Crosby returns.

Every hockey player knows how to trap. It’s simple. It’s the most basic system there is.

This isn’t a matter of “next man up.” The Penguins will play at least the season’s first four games — and probably several more — minus the duo that has carried them offensively for 15 years. (Malkin won’t be back for at least the first two months.)

Winger Jake Guentzel is the current top threat. But he almost never has skated without Crosby or Malkin at center. (No, Guentzel shouldn’t be moved to center. Leave him in his comfort zone.)

Where will the goals come from? Radim Zohorna? (He’s 6-foot-6. Perhaps he could post up with his back to the basket.)

Wingers Jason Zucker and Kasperi Kapanen could produce more. But that’s unlikely given the situation at center. Anyway, Zucker and Kapanen look like solid, fast all-around players whose stats won’t often live up to their talent. They’re not finishers.

The power play could score more. But it finished fourth in the NHL last season with a conversion rate of 23.7%. How much more can it do, especially minus Crosby and Malkin?

Speed and skill are on injured reserve along with the star centers.

The best bet is to play tight. Try to eke out low-scoring wins.

That approach also serves the cause of goaltender Tristan Jarry, whose playoff collapse doesn’t exactly have everybody brimming with confidence.

But, despite those absent, Sullivan will remain beholden to his style. Is he right or wrong?

The Penguins open the season Oct. 12 at two-time defending Stanley Cup champ Tampa Bay. Evidence will pile up early and quickly.

Carter and Guentzel vs. Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point up front. Jarry vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal.

Go ahead and trade rushes. Try to outskate and outshoot the Lightning. See what happens.