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King Jemison's Penguins chat: 04.02.26
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King Jemison
11:59
Good morning/afternoon! Let's get this started so everyone can head down to the North Shore and start looking for parking for tomorrow's Pirates home opener. You might already be too late. Thank y'all for joining!
Matt from Davidson NC
11:59
Do you think Penguins have soured on #41 & #2?
King Jemison
12:00
First of all, congrats on winning the first question award. Early bird gets the worm.
12:01
Second of all, on Ville and Rutger ... I think "soured" is too strong a term, but it's fair to call both of their seasons a bit disappointing, particularly at the NHL level. That said, the amount of time they've spent in the AHL has more to do with the Pens' shocking forward depth. I'm still quite high on Rutger, liked what we've seen from him in recent games.
Bob
12:01
Geno has been good this year but Letang really needs to retire, any chance that is happening after the season?
King Jemison
12:03
Certainly don't think so, doubt he's turning down 2 more years at $6.1 million per unless his body truly can't take it anymore. It's definitely been a rough season for Letang. The turnovers are killer. But he's been much better the past two games, so perhaps he's rounding into form ahead of the playoffs. Or perhaps he'll revert right back to prior form.
jwheaney
12:03
Compete with any team...just imagine If they were able to capture half the points they lost in shoot outs...keep up the great work!!!
King Jemison
12:05
Thank you very much! It's been an awesome ride, wider PG news notwithstanding. To your point on shootouts/OT: The Hurricanes lead the Pens by 8 points for top of the Metro (and Eastern Conference). Canes are 13-6 in OT/shootouts. Pens are 7-16. If they were both .500, it'd be quite a race!
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:05
If and when the Pens make the playoffs, does Muse go to Skinner as a traditional number 1 goalie and have him play the majority of the games?
King Jemison
12:07
This is probably the biggest question down the stretch of this season, outside of whether they can stay healthy and not blow it against bad teams. I'm very curious who will start today in Tampa. If it's Skinner, that's a sign Muse is already trending this way. Regardless, he certainly should. Shaky is an understatement for Silovs' last few games, while Skinner has played quite well two of the past three starts.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:07
What would you think of the Pens going back to the Malkin, Mantha and Brazeau line that kicked butt earlier in the season?
King Jemison
12:09
Another good question: They seem very hesitant to put Malkin back at center. Dubas talked in January about how it was difficult for him to take faceoffs with his shoulder at that point. I doubt that's the issue now. I think (but don't know this for sure) that Muse just likes Malkin at wing better, probably for defensive reasons more than anything. Based on the lines at the morning skate I'm not at in Tampa (probably last game I won't be at this season), Malkin will be with Novak and Kindel today.
GHPens23
12:09
Do we know anything more about Rust in terms of his availability? Could a case be made that he is the most underrated player in the NHL?
King Jemison
12:10
Rust was at the Pens' morning skate, so looks like he should be good to go tonight. As for the second part of this question: he's definitely up there. He should have been given a more thorough look for Team USA. He really picked up the scoring slack without Crosby/Malkin, and he does so many other things well.
Ryan
12:11
what do you think about the play of Bryan Rust i think he has looked good and will do good tonight especially against lighting
King Jemison
12:12
I think he's looked fantastic recently. He's clearly been a bit banged up. My guess is that it stems from the play late in Ottawa where he briefly went down the tunnel before returning. If the night off Tuesday helped him out, I'd expect to see a solid performance from Rust tonight.
Michael
12:12
What happens to Skinner after the season is over?  Has he done enough to be a legit #1 goalie for someone?  Would he return to the Pens and split time with Murashov?
King Jemison
12:14
This is a great question. Someone actually asked him about his contract on Tuesday, and he didn't really say anything. He clearly loves it in Pittsburgh. Ryan Shea talked about how the Pens saw his smile rejuvenate after the trade. But he's played well enough to get a solid payday, and so I'm not sure Dubas will want to jump into another Jarry-like long-term, expensive contract with a goalie. Perhaps he would take a short deal and show Murashov the ropes. He doesn't strike me as someone who would be too prideful for that.
GHPens23
12:15
Barring an injury to either of our two current netminders, Is there absolutely zero chance of seeing Murashov again before next season?
King Jemison
12:16
I don't think he's coming back up, though I wonder if they might consider it with one more poor Silovs start. Or perhaps if they have virtually clinched a playoff spot and they can bring up Murashov without risking running out of AHL recalls. That said, I think a true AHL playoff run will be fantastic for Murashov's development.
Cdub
12:16
What's the difference between Karlsons first two years here and this one?  Did he not listen to Sully, listen to Sully too much, scheme problem, trust in the coach, other?  He looks like a totally different player.
King Jemison
12:18
Karlsson has hinted at the coaching difference. I think that Sullivan wanted Karlsson to fit into a box that didn't allow Karlsson to be himself on the ice. Multiple players have talked about how Muse lets them play through mistakes. I think that helps a risk-taker like Karlsson. He was absolutely unbelievable in March, probably the best defenseman in the world and one of the best players.
epiballo
12:18
All Pittsburgh sports teams are trending up, but the biggest story has to be the Pens if they make the playoffs (unless the recently called up Konner Griffin hits 60 HRs!). If the Pens make it, do you see them making any noise? And who would be their first round opponent, if the playoffs started today?
King Jemison
12:19
What a month in Pittsburgh sports, right? Decent Pirates start, and now Griffin comes up for the home opener. Not sure about the Steelers' overall direction, but at least they're hosting the draft. And the Pens are extremely likely to get back to the playoffs in Year 20 for the Crosby, Malkin and Letang trio. (cont.)
12:21
I would pick the Pens in a first-round series against the Blue Jackets or Islanders, their two most likely opponents. If it started today, it would be the Islanders. They're scary because of Sorokin and the Pens' history with NYI. But they are not a great team otherwise. I don't think the Pens would beat the Hurricanes, assuming that's who they would play in the second round. Carolina's forecheck has terrorized them this season. But a Pens upset would be possible.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:21
If and when Lizotte comes back for the playoffs, who would take a seat to make room?
King Jemison
12:23
I've been wondering this myself. It's a great problem to have, though as soon as you start talking about a fully healthy roster, someone else gets injured. If Soderblom keeps playing like this, I don't think you could take him out. But he was streaky with Detroit, so we'll see if he can maintain. My pick right now would be Novak. I like him, and he's been a helpful player this year. But he's gone absolutely silent recently.
Jimmy Pantera
12:23
Will the Penguins go 0-9 in goaltender interference calls tonight ?   ANSWER….. WE DONT CARE.    Let’s get OUR two points and call it a night !!!!   Lol
King Jemison
12:24
That's the right attitude, Jimmy. But I hate to break it to you ... they're already 0-9. Muse is gunning for double digits! At some point, the league just has to give them one to kill the narrative ... right?
Michael
12:24
Who are the two goalies we’ll see in Oct?  Will it be another 50/50 split or a more traditional rotation?
King Jemison
12:26
This might be the question of the offseason if it weren't for Malkin's situation. I think a Murashov/Skinner tandem would be the best-case scenario, starting with a 50/50 split that becomes more one-sided depending on who plays better. But Silovs is an RFA, while Skinner is a UFA. That team control and the lower cost might compel them to bring back Silovs and let Murashov take over for No. 1 role, assuming he plays well enough to earn it.
Michael
12:26
What are your odds they’ll extend Malikin?  Has the decision already been made by Dubais or is he still considering both sides?
King Jemison
12:28
And now the Malkin question ... Malkin sounded much more optimistic about it the last time we spoke to him. Dubas has given nothing away. I don't know if he's already made the decision, but I doubt it. He'd want to gather all the facts first ... can Malkin stay healthy down the stretch and for the playoffs? How does he look in the postseason, assuming he gets there? And then of course, would he accept a 1-year deal? Because I think that's the only way it makes sense for the Pens to bring him back.
Mark Premo
12:28
What's your take on why Muse has been so successful coaching this season?  Certainly new, hungry players has a lot to do with it, but coaching seems to be more of an art than command to me.
King Jemison
12:30
I agree with that take, Mark, and I think it sums up why Muse has been successful. He's not a drill sergeant. He wants his players to be confident. He lets them play through mistakes. He puts them in roles that allow them to do what they do best and nothing more. The players also seem to just really like him and trust him.
GHPens23
12:30
Could somebody else besides Sid and Lizotte please win a faceoff once in awhile? I know it's hard to get meaningful practice at faceoffs during a season, but we are getting crushed in almost every game. Does Muse talk about this and/or does he have any strategy to improve the situation?
King Jemison
12:32
It's gotten pretty grim, at times, though I have to give credit to Rakell for improving at it so much, so fast. I asked Muse about this after they were murdered on draws in Boston in early March. He said they needed to win them by committee, to essentially ugly it up. After the puck is dropped, everyone gets in there and tries to dig it out. I think they've been a little better at it since then, though they've lost some consequential ones.
epiballo
12:32
Does Malkin get another contract? I think by his play, he has earned it. And he is one of the all-time greats. The Pens don't need a McCutchen-type PR mess.
King Jemison
12:33
I agree that he's earned it. But only a 1-year deal. It seems unlikely that he'd be able to keep this up next year, though he can probably still be a helpful player.
Dan N
12:33
Hey King…when Dubas was GM at Toronto he was known for making a big splash signing..He’s already done that here with Karlsson.. Do you think he does something special this summer..I E Robert Thomas Elias Pettersson..Austin Matthew’s ?
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