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Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 01.28.22
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Matt Vensel
11:55
Happy Friday, Pens fans. Excited to chat with you today. A lot to talk about. Injuries, free agents, trade deadline. And actual hockey. Get your questions in now and we'll get going here in a few. Thanks.
12:01
Oh boy, seeing a lot of questions about Geno and turnovers. So I'll tweet out this link to my Friday column now: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2022/01/28/Evgeni-Malkin-...
I will get to those but could use some non-Geno questions, too.
Kordell
12:01
It seems the Penguin's collective hockey IQ has taken somewhat of a downturn in the last few weeks.  High-risk, cross-ice passes at both blue lines, an increased reluctance to make simple plays, and careless puck management.  It seems the 'cool' play is being subbed for the smart play.  Fair?
Read your article after I sent my question ... you pretty much answered it there so you can disregard my question here ... great work, and very timely article.
Matt Vensel
12:05
Thanks for the question, Kordell, and thanks for reading. There's definitely nuance to this discussion. So in case you haven't got a chance to click the above link, I explored the question about whether the Pens are playing differently since Malkin returned. I took a numbers-based approach to that. And what I found was that largely the Pens are tracking about the same, if not better, in areas such as turnovers, dump-in rates and odd-man rushes allowed. However, what the numbers don't necessarily capture is how blatant some of the recent screw-ups have been. For example, not all odd-man rushes are created the same. A breakaway is much, much worse than a 3-on-2. Anyway, I hope you'll check that piece out like Kordell has and I'd be happy to hear your thoughts.
surly in sheraden
12:06
Malkin has been justifiably criticized for a couple of really bad turnovers late in the game last night, but Letang also had 2-3 glaring turnovers late in the game and overtime.  Letang has been better in this regard for this season as a whole, but is it fair to criticize Malkin for his bad turnovers and not Letang?
Matt Vensel
12:09
With Malkin, it hasn't necessarily been the sheer number of giveaways he has committed. He actually has about twice as many takeaways as he has giveaways since returning. But when he does give up the puck, he sure does make it count. As for Letang, it's the same deal as Geno. You live with some of the mistakes if the reward outweighs them. And as far as Letang is concerned, he's been excellent the last two months. Over the last 20 games, he has four goals, 21 assists and a plus-19 rating, all while logging over 25 minutes per game. I'm not going to be too hard on him with numbers like that.
John
12:10
I will say this about Malkin. Since he came back, he is not taking dumb penalties esp at the end of periods like he used to do.  ~Knock on wood~
Matt Vensel
12:10
Oh, no, John. Now you've jinxed him. Definitely taking one tonight.
kevin in Punxsy
12:11
My brother and I have a running joke, relative to what happens to the team's tight defenses when Malkins comes back.  We both joked two weeks ago about how the team would be playing "Malkin loose" within in 10 days, and it came to pass.
Matt Vensel
12:12
The numbers haven't really said that, though. Malkin is one thing. He's had a few brutal turnovers and a couple of them were costly. But beyond him the team is not playing drastically different. Also, it was probably unreasonable to think that they were going to play at such a high level defensively all season. Regression has hit.
John
12:13
Geno Malkin for Mark Andre Fleury. Straight up  ---"Fairytales Can Come True" plays in background. Hey, it keeps Crapitals from getting MAF. What ya think?
Matt Vensel
12:14
I would think Malkin and his no-trade clause would have something to say about that.
jwheaney
12:15
Given flat cap constaints, you have the financial resources to sign two of the three big name UFA....Malkin, Letang, and Bryan Rust....As GM, Who do you sign and why? Thanks!!!
Matt Vensel
12:17
I'd definitely prioritize Letang. He is playing very well and right-handed blue-liners like him don't grow on trees. From there, it comes down to money and term. Rust will not command as much as Geno. But all things equal, I think you keep Malkin if your focus is winning in the short-term. Finding a better second center is easier said than done. And it pains me to say that since I'm a big Bryan Rust fan. Anyway, keeping all three will be tough.
kevin in Punxsy
12:18
Hi Matt.  I found it curious that GM Hextall made comments about players, such as Malkin and whether or not he would be back, when last year after coming aboard, GM Hextall made a comment that he never negotiated in the media. Your thoughts on this, Matt?
Matt Vensel
12:21
The only thing that Hextall said yesterday that raised an eyebrow was his comment about if guys want full market value, it might not happen here. But that was just him saying the quiet part out loud.
Amy
12:22
Was at last night's game and noticed we didn't see much of Evan Rodrigues in the third.  Do you know anything?
Matt Vensel
12:24
Amy, Evan did play less in the third period. But I suspect that had to do with there being a good amount of special teams in that period. The Pens took two penalties and the Kraken one. But his role is definitely one to monitor. I'd give him a shot with Malkin and Kapanen but that's me.
Dean
12:24
Isnt there someone in the Pens organization that is bigger and plays just as good or better then Dominic Simon on retrieving the puck and not getting pushed around when puck control is established.
Matt Vensel
12:25
Probably, Dean, but I'm guessing the coaching staff feels there is more to playing hockey than just that.
12:26
And keep in mind that Simon is only in the lineup because Blueger, Zucker and Drew O'Connor are all hurt. I'm fine with him being an extremely cheap 13th or 14th forward.
burghatheart
12:27
How close do we believe the Pens are in pulling the trigger on a plan B with regards to back up net minder.
Matt Vensel
12:27
Knowing how patient Hextall is and how well the Pens are playing, I'm guessing they will give Casey DeSmith more time to get on track. But something's got to give there for sure. We'll see what Casey has tonight.
Emily
12:28
Thanks for all your reporting! I would be interested in a story about how players who have inflicted serious injuries on others have dealt with the aftermath both immediate and long term. Do they apologize? What's the relationship between both players afterward?
Matt Vensel
12:29
Emily, that's a great question, one definitely worth exploring more. But my guess is that it would vary on a case-by-case basis depending on the personalities of the players involved and whether the play was accidental.
Guest
12:30
Did the Pens have a harder schedule earlier in the year and easier one over the past ~20 games? It seems like they are playing low-ranked teams frequently as of late. And it seems they would still need to play teams like Carolina and NYR multiple times (not sure they have played NYR at all yet). Haven't seen good stats on this.
Matt Vensel
12:32
The schedule has definitely eased up here lately. But you're right that it's about to get a lot tougher. They're about to hit the meat of their Metro schedule and they have yet to play the Hurricanes and the Rangers, teams that are off to great starts. Can't wait to see how they match up with the Canes, my preseason pick to win the division.
John
12:33
I understand the importance of Letang despite the high risk game he plays.  I think the next contract for all should be about the future and not rewarding the past given their ages.  If I am GM, I offer Rust $30MM over 4 years, Letang, $15MM over 3 years and Malkin $10MM over 2 years.
Matt Vensel
12:37
John, respectfully, if you say you're paying guys based on the future, how are you giving Rust, who is about to turn 30, such a big salary? But you give Letang, still one of the league's best defensemen, only $5 million a year? That doesn't add up to me. But your general point remains about not paying for past performance. And I think the front office will be wary of that for sure.
Matt Vensel
12:39
All right, that's going to do it for today's chat. Sorry I was unable to get to all your questions but I've got two little ones home on a snow day and they're trying to drag me out the door. We will do this again soon. So please try again next time. Have a great weekend!
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