Can Penguins' Jason Zucker work with Sidney Crosby long term? Or will he fit with Evgeni Malkin?

Friday may be “French Language Night” at PPG Paints Arena, but TribLIVE Penguins beat writer Seth Rorabaugh and I made the executive decision to do our weekly hockey podcast in English, anyway.

Or, “en anglais,” s’il vous plaît?

Sorry to disappoint. But if we tried to do it in French, it probably would have lasted only about 20 seconds.

But since we are actually speaking in our native tongue, Seth and I are able to dive a little more deeply into lots of topics.

Yes, we do get into the game Friday against the Montreal Canadiens. But the trade for Jason Zucker is still very much top of mind.

We debate whether Zucker staying on Sidney Crosby’s wing is a long-term goal. Or is it a short-term experiment, as so often proves to be the case with newly acquired wingers intended to play with Crosby?

Seth and I kick around why it seems that playing with Evgeni Malkin often is much easier for new wingers than it is when they are matched with Crosby.

We also investigate what will become of Patric Hornqvist after this trade and what the configuration of the power play will be.

Plus, there is the off-ice angle to the deal. Will Zucker be bogged down by his personal ties to Minnesota to the degree that it affects him in the same way many felt Malkin was hampered last year?

The play of Jared McCann and the health of Dominik Kahun will go a long way toward figuring out how lines will be arranged. So we dissect that angle, too.

And we talk about a blast from the past when it comes to a favorite former Penguin who will be part of the in-game entertainment Friday against the Canadiens.

LISTEN: Will Jason Zucker work with Sidney Crosby in the long run?