Mark Madden's Hot Take: Evan Rodrigues deserves to stay on Penguins' top line

Pascal Dupuis was a nondescript talent before playing on a line with Sidney Crosby. Skating with Crosby made him a legit top-six winger.

Chris Kunitz was average before playing on a line with Crosby. Skating with Crosby turned Kunitz into a first-team NHL All-Star and Olympic gold medalist.

Crosby can’t turn excrement into caviar. But if you have a modicum of talent and play as he prefers, Crosby can elevate.

Evan Rodrigues isn’t the next Kunitz. His upside isn’t that high.

But he might be the new Dupuis.

Injuries to Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust have pressed others into service on Crosby’s flanks.

Kasperi Kapanen isn’t it. He floats too much. He plays on the perimeter too much. He does have speed. But when attacking off the rush ends, so does Kapanen’s meaningful participation.

Rodrigues fits.

Rodrigues is fast. He can play in small areas and do Crosby’s signature give-and-gos.

It’s only mid-December, and Rodrigues has a career-high 10 goals. Most aren’t garbage. Rodrigues is netting goal-scorer’s goals. He has 12 points in his last 12 games. He’s not afraid to shoot. His confidence is through the roof.

If Rodrigues stays with Crosby when everybody is healthy, the lines fall together easily:

• Guentzel-Crosby-Rodrigues

• Danton Heinen-Evgeni Malkin-Kapanen

• Jason Zucker-Jeff Carter-Rust

• Zach Aston-Reese-Teddy Blueger-Brock McGinn

Those are great third and fourth lines. Coach Mike Sullivan loves balance. There it is.

Flip Heinen and Zucker if you like.

Crosby might want to flip Rodrigues and Rust. But Rodrigues shouldn’t be taken off Crosby’s line until he proves he can’t do it.

So far, Rodrigues is proving he can.

Rodrigues must be down for the post-shift iPad study. Otherwise, he’d be long gone already.