Mark Madden: Penguins captain Sidney Crosby's return requires prudent lineup shuffling

Who should play with Sid?

That ought to be a game show. Josh Getzoff could host. He’s got the look, and the rap.

With Sidney Crosby’s return to action seemingly imminent, the Penguins lineup must be shuffled to accommodate. But not too much. The Penguins have the most points in the NHL since Nov. 9, the day Crosby got hurt.

Make no mistake, Crosby’s return is nothing but good news of the highest caliber. But you don’t want to rearrange a lot. For example, no components of the Teddy Blueger-Brandon Tanev-Zach Aston-Reese line should be poached for Crosby’s line. That unit is just too effective to chop and change.

Crosby has input on his linemates, if not final say. The Penguins traded for Jarome Iginla in 2013 specifically to skate with Crosby. But, in an interview, Crosby said he was comfortable playing with Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis. Coach Dan Bylsma took that as a papal bull, which made Iginla a left wing (for the only time ever) or a third-liner.

So, let’s consider the candidates:

Dominik Simon: Simon has played in each of the Penguins’ 45 games. He averages over 14 minutes of ice time, often with good linemates. But he’s got just four goals and 12 assists. His greatest talent may be mangling good chances.

None of that matters. Simon is the best bet to play on Crosby’s line. Crosby likes how Simon operates, and putting Simon with Crosby disrupts close to nothing.

Jared McCann: McCann is having a solid year, with 13 goals and 13 assists in 43 games. He certainly has the speed to play with Crosby but not quite the finishing ability. Then again, nor did Dupuis until Crosby helped him score a lot.

But McCann is a better center than he is a wing. He’s an ideal third-line center. Nick Bjugstad is also thought to be returning soon. Moving McCann to Crosby’s line is dependent on how much faith you have in Bjugstad. Mine is not overwhelming.

Patric Hornqvist: Hornqvist has 11 goals in 28 games, scoring twice on the Penguins’ just-completed three-game road trip. Hornqvist doesn’t have the speed through the neutral zone that Crosby prefers. But he works great down low. That makes Crosby work more down low while also relieving Crosby of some of the physical burden. Crosby may be hockey’s best ever below the hash marks, so that’s not bad.

But speed through the neutral zone is paramount to Crosby. Yet, because it keeps disruption to a minimum, Hornqvist will be considered.

Bryan Rust: Rust has morphed into Mike Bossy, netting 18 goals in 31 games. He has blazing speed and has often skated with Crosby in the past.

But Rust’s success has intertwined with a stretch of amazing play by his current center, Evgeni Malkin. Each has boosted the other. It would be folly to separate Rust and Malkin, at least right now. In a vacuum, however, Rust is the best winger for Crosby.

Coach Mike Sullivan seems highly likely to make the right call, because he’s just dripping with hockey IQ these days.

But if it’s up to me, Crosby plays with Simon and Hornqvist upon his return. Eventually, though, I get Rust back with Crosby. Malkin has also meshed with Dominik Kahun. Their games seem similar. Malkin would still have Kahun.

Malkin and Rust are hot together now. Crosby and Rust are tried and true. Crosby is also the team’s No. 1 center. That merits him the best wingers.

The other option is to trade for a winger. But, as previously mentioned in this space, none available are worth the price that will be demanded. No Marian Hossas are up for sale. Chris Kreider, Tyler Toffoli, Mike Hoffman, etc. aren’t worth a first-round pick.

General manager Jim Rutherford doesn’t need to get a winger specifically for Crosby. If a winger who’s a decent fit for Malkin becomes available, get him. Then put Rust with Crosby. Malkin is less persnickety about linemates than Crosby. Crosby craves familiarity. (You also have to be willing to look at the iPad after just about every shift.)

Crosby coming back is obviously the furthest thing from a problem. But making the most of it requires careful thought.