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Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 02.07.25
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Matt Vensel
11:00
Good morning, hockey fans. Looking forward to chatting with you again today. We will get started at noon. In the meantime, fire away!
12:08
OK, let's get started. I plan on going until around 12:45 or so.
Yankee Doodle
12:10
Any word on Crosby? Will he or should he play in the tournament or rest?
Matt Vensel
12:11
Here is the latest on Sidney Crosby. He will not play tonight against the Rangers. But he skated again this morning in New York. We will see if his status changes by tomorrow's game in Philly. These are two massive games for the Penguins. As for his participation for Team Canada, that is still TBD. I would say the fact that Crosby has skated the last two games suggests that the 4 Nations Face-Off is still on the table.
Yankee Doodle
12:13
With Rakell being added to Sweden's 4th line, do they possibly have the best top to bottom roster in the tourney!?
Matt Vensel
12:13
Not in my eyes, no. The two clear favorites to me at the U.S. and Canada. But anything can happen in a short, four-team tournament.
Tom
12:14
Malkin says he want to play next year, but do you think he may reevaluate that or maybe be urged to reevaluate it? With another sort of below average year for him compounded with an injury, seems now may be the time to hang them up. I personally would like to see him go out with a nice farewell tour.
Matt Vensel
12:15
I cannot speak for Evgeni Malkin. All I have heard is that at minimum he wants to finish out his contract, which expires after next season. And you guys all know that he is a very proud guy. Don't you think he is the type of person who will want to end his career on a high note?
That guy
12:15
I really like Hayes on the third line getting more minutes. What say you?
Matt Vensel
12:18
At this point, with both Crosby and Malkin out, Kevin Hayes is the best option, sure. His pace is a problem some nights but he has typically been OK, and his advanced stats aren't bad. But would he be a regular for a good NHL team at this point? I do not believe so. My two cents is that if/when the Penguins get 87 and 71 back, they need to give Cody Glass an extended look as the 3C to see if he is capable of thriving in that role going forward, or if he should continue to be a swing piece.
AnglinJ
12:19
Matt, is the team's current situation one where they still should wait up until the trade deadline to decide whether they are major sellers or not? Time is very short to go on a run that gets them back in the playoff picture, which seems unlikely.  It feels like everyone outside the organization recognizes the chances are very slim.  I assume they feel the same, deep down.  Thoughts?
Matt Vensel
12:21
I am not sure what your definition of "major seller" is. There is a good chance we have already seen the team's biggest pre-deadline trade, with Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor fetching the Penguins a first-round pick and a decent prospect. I do not anticipate Crosby, Malkin, Kris Letang or Bryan Rust being traded before the deadline, if that's what you are asking.
Guest
12:21
With 2 potential first round picks, what players should the Pens be looking at. I’m assuming Misa and Haggans won’t be available.
Matt Vensel
12:21
Impossible to answer this question without knowing where they'd pick.
Commissioner
12:22
What other players do you think the Penguins are considering trading and is their preference to acquire draft picks or some younger players who are more NHL ready? And if they get draft picks, do you expect them to flip those picks for current NHL players who can help them compete now? Thank you
Matt Vensel
12:24
The Penguins have indicated they are open for business with their secondary players. But unless they want to move Rickard Rakell or Michael Bunting, I don't know that they have a player capable of bringing back good value. As for what they want, Kyle Dubas continues to state both publicly and privately that he wants young NHL players or prospects, first and foremost. And if he does gets picks, he is open to trading some of them for the right young players.
Kris Peterinelli
12:25
Matt, long time no question.  If you are Brian Rust and someone such as Detroit for example wants to trade for him now, do you waive the no-trade clause or do you not do it now and risk going to some other less desirable place when you have no protection this summer?
Matt Vensel
12:29
This is a great question, Kris. What Kris is referring to is that Bryan Rust will lose his no-trade protection after the season. So the Penguins can trade him anywhere if they want. Kyle Dubas has said he would not approach players with NTCs about waving them to facilitate a trade. But I wonder if Dubas would make an exception for a unique situation like this, which would send Rust back home to Michigan. I don't know the answer to that, but good thinking here from Kris to ask about that possibility given that Rust's situation will change after the season.
Jerry
12:29
With all the draft picks over the next few years and trade assets how quickly, if done correctly, can Dubus get the Penguins back into contention?
Matt Vensel
12:30
Pick and trade for the right players, obviously. Kyle has done well to add all these picks but player evaluation will determine whether the Penguins will get back to being true Cup contenders under his watch.
Dan N
12:31
Matt Kyle Dubas has hinted a couple of times of using the extra first round pick at obtaining a  young nhl player… Do you see a RFA signing in the future like St Louis did this off season?
Matt Vensel
12:32
Dubas has and will continue to explore all avenues to add young talent.
Tom
12:32
Crosby and Malkin injuries sort of show a sneak peak of the future. With O'Connor traded as well, our Center position looks pretty dismal. Was it really a good decision to swap out Yager for just an equilavelent player?
Matt Vensel
12:34
The ultimate determinant of success of trading Brayden Yager or Rutger McGroarty will come down to who becomes the best NHL player. If they turn out to be comparable players then, yeah, sure, you'd prefer to have a center instead of a winger.
TS
12:37
Matt, with all due respect to Mike Sullivan, the Penguins are regularly one of the worst defensive teams i.e. goal differential, boxing out, etc. Does Sullivan’s defensive scheme / philosophy involve more than just “playing in the offensive zone?”  And if so what is his defensive philosophy? Thanks.
Matt Vensel
12:38
When we last saw the Pens in the playoffs, they were there because they were one of the NHL's better defensive teams. Obviously, they have not defended well the last couple of years and there are a bunch of reasons for that, including the personnel he's been handed.
Guest
12:38
Could we see Ponmarev or McGroarty up after the 4 nations break. With the way the schedule is, it would be a great opportunity to see the young guys play.
Matt Vensel
12:40
I do expect we will see some youngsters get looks. First on the list should probably be Ville Koivunen. But the Penguins believe it is important that they be a part of a Calder Cup chase with WBS, and I have no argument against that. That experience can be valuable.
Crafton Bill
12:42
don't we have 1 player at WB that can play center if Sid's injury causes him to miss the next 2 games.
Matt Vensel
12:42
Last I checked the AHL club does deploy a few players at center.
Tom
12:43
The Pens sound like they have 3 solid goaltender prospects. Blomqvist showed well, but wasn't a game changer. Do any have the chance to be a true difference maker in the future?
Matt Vensel
12:44
Tom, not many young goalies step into the NHL and are "game-changers" right away. Blomqvist has been really good as a rookie, IMO. If he a future NHL starter? That is to be determined. The Penguins are really excited about Sergei Murashov, too.
Kris Peterinelli
12:45
So for 25-26 first line of Geno-Sid and Rakell/Rust (whichever one isn't traded)  Plus 1LD-Letang 1RD- Karlsson.  First line memory tour, then lines 2 -4 all kids all the time.  What do you think?
Matt Vensel
12:47
Kris, I could see Malkin playing on the wing more next season if they add a quality center in free agency. When Sid and Geno played together earlier this season, the results were quite good. As for the thought that we will see a bunch of youngsters to start next season, all I will say is that I think we have learned this season that Dubas does not want to rush prospects here until they are ready... or perhaps even overprepared. So maybe only 3-4 youngsters for Game 1. Obviously, there is a lot to be determined over the next six months. So we shall see.
12:49
That will do it for today's chat. Thank you for joining me and stick taps to those of you who submitted questions. Have a great weekend, everyone.
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