King Jemison's Penguins chat: 11.06.26
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King Jemison
12:44
Good question, Tom. I've also seen some anger at Muse recently. While I don't agree with the decision to continue playing Carlile, and the team as whole absolutely looks less organized than last season, you can't pin this start on him. His value as a coach will be shown in whether he can help the young guys take off once they get an opportunity. He worked in the USHL, college hockey, and with the U.S. national team development program. He's used to coaching young players. He's probably gonna get that chance this season.
Jason in Tampa
12:44
I Am wondering why the Pens don’t go for any big body D men? I know speed is a big part of the game but it’s not the whole game.
King Jemison
12:46
Well, Dubas certainly leans towards small and skilled players, including on the blue line. But it's not easy to find big-bodied D-men. They got one in Korczak this summer. This is where Pickering's inability to break through is really hurting them. He was supposed to be the big blue-liner of the future. It's not clear whether he's going to become an NHL player at all, though I certainly wouldn't rule it out.
Dj
12:46
At what point do the flood gates open and Dubas starts unloading veterans? Who do you think is likely to be traded (return they will yield) and is anyone untouchable other than Crosby? Also, does he typically wait this long to get an extension done or is he contemplating retirement/new team etc.
King Jemison
12:48
Hey DJ, thanks for the question. I've talked about most of these, but I'll address the Crosby one because it's an important point we haven't gotten to. He doesn't typically wait this long. Two years ago, he signed shortly before training camp began. The Penguins will obviously bring him back if he wants to return (or keep playing at all). So it'll be his decision. I don't know for sure, but it seems that he's monitoring how he feels and perhaps also the team situation before making a decision.
Epiballo
12:48
Hey KJ! Thanks for the chats! Watch the game with Boston announcers and they were critical of Karlsons’ play. He seemed a bit lacksideical. A trend or just one bad game?
King Jemison
12:49
Definitely a rough game for Karlsson. He's had a few of them recently. He's still an elite offensive engine. But the defensive lapses have been much more common again this year.
Epiballo
12:49
Talk us off the edge - the whole team seems to be unraveling in all phases. Is anything going right that the Pens can build on to end their downward spiral?
King Jemison
12:49
I'm afraid I can't — but I think a downward spiral might be what the team needed to finally get pointed in the right direction.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:49
Did Dubas think the additions and subtractions from last year's team would make the Pens better this year? Quite the opposite. Especially on defense where they let go of Wotherspoon and picked up Carlile. When is the time to punt on the season and what is the strategy? Is it to trade the aging core guys for prospects or do they look for draft picks?
King Jemison
12:52
That's a good question. On the one hand, Shea,  Wotherspoon and Mantha may never have a season like they did last year again. On the other hand, they were some of the Penguins' most important players. If they'd let those guys go and leaned more into their prospects, it would make more sense. But since they also signed a 30-year-old in Kuzmenko and a 35-year-old in van Riemsdyk to fairly significant deals, it's really hard to say what Dubas' direction was this summer.
John Miller
12:52
Hi King. Well said this morning. Hapless is the best description of this team. GMKD can't stand by and watch the team implode.  What is his next move?
King Jemison
12:53
Thanks, John. No, he can't. As an organization, you can't let a game like last night happen without repercussions. I would think they should bring Hayes and/or McGroarty on the road trip to start. But we've seen no indication that that's happening.
Gonna be wrapping up at 1 p.m. As always, feel free to email me at kjemison@post-gazette if you want to continue the conversation.
Jeff M.
12:53
How would you explain Dubas's off-season, incompetence or sabotage?
King Jemison
12:54
This one made me laugh. Somewhere in between, perhaps? Really the only good thing you can say about the offseason as a whole is that the Penguins aren't in the mushy middle anymore. They are firmly at the bottom. Whether or not that was intentional, I really don't know.
GHPens23
12:54
My attitude about a rebuild/retool or whatever they want to call it has improved from the simple fact that we have far more viable young players that I think can actually play well in the NHL. It was hard for me to see Filip Hallander out the door, for instance. I think a fan base can rally around a young group that plays fast and shows consistent effort.
King Jemison
12:56
I think the fact that we haven't seen more of that — that Kindel, Chinakhov and Koivunen aren't exactly taking off and there hasn't been a youth movement springing up from WBS — is what makes the start to the season particularly frustrating. If the young guys start to drive the bus, the season can end up in a good place regardless of their record.
Epiballo
12:56
Is this the year Sid’s point-per-game streak ends?
King Jemison
12:57
He's at 10 points through 16 games so far. That's tied with Kaedan Korczak, by the way. The streak is definitely in jeopardy, though I wouldn't be surprised if he rattled off 10 points in the next five games or something. He was clearly upset after last night.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:57
I watched the replay of the Pens Sharks game from 2018 and wow did the Pens look and play differently. They moved the puck well, played great defense and had great goaltending. Looked like Crosby had an extra gear as he was speeding all over the ice. What a difference 8 years makes!
King Jemison
12:58
I was watching that game last night too! At least, whatever game was on SNP late last night. It was pretty jarring to watch after the debacle at PPG Paints Arena last night.
GHPens23
12:59
Definitely with you on Brunicke, King. The blueline is a major black hole right now. I think we still have  good enough talent up front to put four good lines on the ice.
King Jemison
1:00
Good point. Overall, the forward group is in a much healthier place organizationally. The problem for Brunicke is that the left side of the blue line is where the team needs immediate help. It's hard to see how Brunicke fits in on the right side unless Karlsson gets traded or he, Korczak or Letang gets injured.
1:01
Alright, that's gonna do it, folks. Thanks so much for the lively chat. Some great questions. Wish I had more hopeful answers to share. But at least this team is giving us plenty to talk about. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
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