Penguins Update: Lack of Toughness Still a Concern

Evander Kane, Zack Kassian, Darnell Nurse. Ryan Reaves, Jacob Trouba, Barclay Goodrow. Corey Perry, Pat Maroon, Zach Bogosian. Josh Manson.

Wanna take a stab at what these guys have in common?

If you said they’re all physical players, you’re correct. If you said they’re all playing in the Conference Finals, you get a gold star.

Yes, if you haven’t guessed by now, it’s time for my biannual (bimonthly?) rant about the Penguins’ lack of physicality.

Again, to make a distinction, it isn’t that our guys lack grit or courage. And it isn’t that they don’t compete in the dirty areas. To the contrary, we compete as hard as anyone. In a perfect world where hockey is played strictly by the rule book and…