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Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 02.28.25
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Matt Vensel
9:34
Good morning, Penguins fans. Last night's game was a wild one, wasn't it? We will start today's chat at 11 a.m. Lots to talk about ahead of the trade deadline. You can submit questions at any time.
Z
11:03
Hey Matt thanks for the chat.  Would the Dubas consider attaching Graves to Rackell in any potential deal for less return?  I know cap will be an issue for any team but he's been creative in the past.
Matt Vensel
11:06
Hey, Z. Thanks for the question. I understand the sentiment but I really don't see the logic in giving up good value in a trade just get rid of the contract of someone like Ryan Graves or Tristan Jarry. The Penguins are in a rebuild, so the top priority is getting premium draft picks and prospects. So what if they have a bad contract or two on the books? And it's not like the Graves contract is crippling. At $4.5 million per season, it's about 5% of the cap. I believe Kyle Dubas sees this the same way.
Guest
11:06
I hope the Penguins don’t make a move with Bryan Rust.
Matt Vensel
11:08
I do not expect Bryan Rust to be traded before the deadline. Rust has a full no-trade clause for the rest of the season and has signaled that he wants to stay in Pittsburgh. Dubas has also said on the record that he does not plan to approach any of these bigger-named vets about waiving their NTCs. Now, Rust's no-trade protection will go away this summer. So perhaps things change. But it is worth noting that the Penguins greatly value Rust for his production, energy and leadership. He will not be a player they are desperately trying to sell off.
Burghfan007
11:10
Hi Matt, Do you think the Penguins would consider talking to Sid, Geno and Rust and explain they want them to always be Penguins and offer them the #1 line and then do the more complete youth overhaul the next 2 years. It's one way to keep them and sell the teardown as well, thoughts?
Matt Vensel
11:11
The contract extensions, and the no-trade clauses, they gave Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin told them all they need to know.
Sam
11:12
Hi Matt,  How do you see the goaltending situation in the future.  When the Jarry extension failed, it left the team in a tough spot: either the unrealistic expectation that Ned would somehow turn into a number 1 guys, or the Blomqvist would have to accelerate his readiness.  I don't think the whole goaltending picture can get solved by the start of next year, so what can they realistically do?
Matt Vensel
11:15
Sam, I think how they handle the goaltending situation in the next few months all depends on whether the Penguins want to seriously push for a playoff spot in 2025-26 or if they want to spend another year accumulating assets. I do not know which direction they want to take at this point. Perhaps they don't know yet either. If they hope to get back to the playoffs, they obviously have to find an upgrade between the pipes. But if they are content with a more patient approach, I think they keep Alex Nedeljkovic around as a mentor and platoon partner for young Joel Blomqvist next season. I don't believe Tristan Jarry will be part of their plans either way.
Sam
11:16
With the Capitals regrouping back into contention a lot faster than the Penguins, let's say they win the Cup the same season that Alex Ovechkin breaks Gretzky's all-time goals record.  How would this move the needle on the Crosby-Ovechkin era debate?
Matt Vensel
11:18
We are quibbling about two of the top seven or eight players ever here. Ovechkin getting another Cup in addition to the inevitable scoring record would make it a more legitimate debate. I still think most would side with Sid, especially given his international accomplishments.
Joe
11:19
So it’s looking like Dubas is not going to trade anyone, Matt. What a waste. Rackell’s value is falling by the minute as he shows that his “good season” is merely a byproduct of wanting to play for Team Sweden in the 4 Nations tournament. He hasn’t been particularly good since.  No one else looks even good enough to even be worth trading and Dubas refuses to approach Rust to waive his NMC and likely won’t even trade him when it expires. What the point? This team needs a top 4 pick in this draft desperately and needs to be selecting McKenna 1OA next season to have a chance to compete again
Matt Vensel
11:20
Is there an actual question in here somewhere, Joe? Or just venting?
Z
11:20
Matt - what is on Dubas' mind at this deadline in terms of the guys who are more than expiring contracts (not the bid dollar guys).  Would he be looking to move them or stand pat as he has to field a roster next year. Personally I'd keep anyone who is an above average skater for next season.
Matt Vensel
11:21
A couple of weeks ago, I put every player on the Penguins roster into trade buckets depending on their situation. Everything still holds up.

Link: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2025/02/16/nhl-trade-dead...
11:24
Zooming out, I think it's quite possible that Dubas has already made his biggest in-season trade. That would be the deal he made with Vancouver a few weeks ago. Rakell is one bigger-named player to watch, obviously. But as you note, the Penguins don't want to completely strip every good player off the roster. I think we will see another move or two, even if it is just Dubas trading someone like Anthony Beauvillier for a fourth-round pick. But I don't know if there will be anything that moves the needle for fans.
11:26
Does anyone have another question for me? I'll give you guys a couple more minutes to send them in before I wrap up the chat.
11:30
OK, calling it. Thanks for the questions. We'll do it again soon, though maybe not next week because it will be deadline day. In the meantime, you can reach me at mvensel@post-gazette.com. Have a great weekend!
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