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King Jemison's Penguins chat: 04.02.26
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King Jemison
12:35
Hi Dan, I'm sure that he's always looking. I'm not sure about an older player (and I really don't think they want Elias Pettersson's contract). But they still need that No. 1 guy for the post-Crosby era. The Blues have played well since the deadline, so perhaps Thomas is no longer available. But they should at least try there. And I'm sure the Jason Robertson rumors will ramp back up depending on what Dallas decides to do about their cap situation.
SteelCityKid
12:36
Hey there! I know I’m oversimplifying things too much but I’m not sure why folks are so surprised about the success of this team? I’ve said for the past three years that IF ONLY their results on special teams were commensurate to the talent on the roster, they would’ve been in the playoffs these past few years. And while I have tremendous respect for Sully, I also thought he was holding them back. Combine improvements in those two areas and we’re seeing what can happen. Thoughts?
King Jemison
12:37
If you're into betting, I hope you took the Pens' over, then! Would have been quite profitable. Special teams is a big part of the story. Muse's influence, particularly on Karlsson, Kindel and some of the other new faces, is also huge. So have the in-season additions. I don't think the Pens would still be sitting where they are without Skinner replacing Jarry and Chinakhov entering the lineup. I still think we're witnessing something pretty shocking, even if the talent has been there recently.
epiballo
12:38
I know you were not born yet, but what year did the Penguins adopt the black and gold uniforms? It's icing on the cake that Boston was pretty upset by it.
King Jemison
12:39
Good question, and thankfully there was an easy answer on Google. This is from the Penguins' website: "On 01.30.80, the Penguins wore black and gold for the first time. With the Steelers winning the Super Bowl and the Pirates capturing the World Series title in the same year, the struggling Penguins hoped to gain fan support by aligning their colors with the other teams in the "City of Champions."
My wife has an idea that every city's pro sports teams should all have to wear the same colors. It's completely impossible but would be awesome in theory. Pittsburgh would clearly lay claim to black and gold in that scenario.
Will
12:41
Are there any stats on the winning percentage of teams on the second leg of back to back games? I think it's an unfair advantage for the opponent.
King Jemison
12:43
I believe there are, Will. A quick Google search revealed that some teams actually play better on the second night of a back-to-back, though other teams' point percentages drop dramatically. Based on what I'm seeing, and this could be totally wrong: The Pens average 1.227 points per game generally (that part is correct). This website says they average 1.143 on the second night of a back-to-back, so slightly down but still solid.
TVC15
12:43
I know if it's not broke don't fix it but .... what would Chinakhov   look like playing on Crosby's line?
King Jemison
12:45
A timely question because based on lines at the morning skate in Tampa today, that's exactly what we're going to see. Chinakhov-Crosby-Rust. Rakell would center the third line between Mantha and Brazeau. When Chinakhov has played with Crosby so far, it's been awesome. I would expect to see more of the same.
12:46
For any folks left ... Who would you rather see the Pens play in the first round? Blue Jackets or Islanders?
Jeff
12:48
Islanders. You?
King Jemison
12:49
I would go Jackets, although it might be dumb given CBJ has been one of the best teams in the league in 2026. Just don't think the Pens want to see Sorokin in a playoff series. And they'd have to exorcise their Islanders' playoff demons. Perhaps it's my travel bias showing. Columbus would be a much easier trip than Long Island.
GHPens23
12:53
Columbus. The new coach magic has run its course. They seem less likely to do something special in a series, compared to what Barzel  and the rookie of the year could muster.
King Jemison
12:54
That's well said. They've definitely run out of steam recently. Just Schaefer wasn't very good Monday ... but he could be a huge problem in the playoffs.
TVC15
12:54
If Sullivan were still head coach would Kindel be in the minors?
King Jemison
12:56
I didn't cover Sullivan, so I can't really say. I know he seemed much more reluctant to play young guys than Muse, but how many young guys did he have that are at Kindel's level? My hunch is that Kindel's brilliance in training camp/preseason would have made it hard for any coaching staff not to keep him on the NHL roster. Because their other option, given the CHL rules, was to send him back to juniors. Wilkes-Barre wasn't an option, for Kindel as an 18-year-old, though I think next year, it would have been with the new rules.
12:58
Actually, as an 18-year-old, don't think Kindel would have been eligible for the AHL under the new CBA rules. Brunicke would have been. Again, not 100% on that.
GHPens23
12:58
Thanks for doing this--back to work for me...GH
King Jemison
12:58
Thank you for joining and asking great questions!
JimS
12:58
On the question of who the Pens would play in the first round of the playoffs, you are right that it would probably be the Islanders or Blue Jackets. If they won that round they will play Buffalo if the Sabres win their first round and Carolina won theirs> I like that matchup better than against the Hurricanes. Agree?
King Jemison
1:00
I think they would still have to play Carolina because of the division format. But if it were a choice between the Sabres and Hurricanes, I would definitely choose the Sabres.
Going to be wrapping up here in a couple of minutes.
TVC15
1:00
Muse seems to be a very good coach, Were any other teams considering hiring him before the Penguins did?
King Jemison
1:01
He certainly came out of nowhere in the Penguins' coaching search. I'm honestly not sure how much interest he was drawing elsewhere.
Eric Witt
1:01
How many years do we have left with Sid?
King Jemison
1:03
He looks like he could keep playing for several more years. He's set to be a UFA in 2027, though he got a contract extension in 2024, a year before he was to hit free agency on that contract. I don't see him playing anywhere else, though Habs fans will tell you otherwise.
JK in Jax
1:03
Who's your team MVP at this moment?
King Jemison
1:04
Thanks, JK. This'll be the last question, and it's a good one. Prior to the Olympic break, it would have been Crosby. And he might have even been an outside Hart Trophy contender. But with Crosby's injury and Karlsson's brilliance since, I think it's EK65.
1:05
Thanks so much to everyone for chiming in! This was fun! We'll make sure to do it again.
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