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Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 03.18.21
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Matt Vensel
12:30
Good afternoon, Penguins fans. Been a while since we've done this. Looking forward to talking hockey with you. I'm going to get started around 12:45. You can submit your questions at any time.
12:48
Before we get going, just wanted to give you the scoop from Mike Sullivan today. They are still evaluating Evgeni Malkin's injury, which is a little worrisome. Hopefully they have something for us tomorrow. Jared McCann is also out tonight. Looks like John Marino could play.
Alright. Let's do this. I plan to chat until 1:30 or so today.
Tom
12:49
Maybe they are not the favorites, but why don't the Pens have just as good of a chance as most at the cup this year? I say Let's go Pens.
Matt Vensel
12:50
I do think the Penguins have a chance. It may be slim. But there's a chance. And given the strangeness of this pandemic season, there could be a wacky postseason full of upsets and other surprises.
Joe
12:51
Doesn’t sound good for Geno. Please tell me our front office has plans to trade for a middle six forward because this team has a chance in the playoffs.
Matt Vensel
12:53
The new front office is in an interesting position. They continue to signal that they want to evaluate the team, hang onto future assets and not do anything drastic until this offseason. But the team has picked up steam and now there's a definite need at center with Evgeni Malkin and Teddy Blueger out. I have no idea of any of those things change their minds about dealing from what little future assets they have to try to plug a hole. I'm guessing they tinker a little but nothing major unless the Pens keep on rolling here.
Guest
12:54
Do you see any big trades coming for some toughness and size.  If so who would you identify as their target
Matt Vensel
12:56
Size is something that Brian Burke has coveted over the years. The Philly team Ron Hextall built isn't exactly massive but I'm sure those two have a common idea of what they want this team to look like. I do think they will eventually look to get at least a little bigger. But I don't know that they can do much this season. This Penguins team is built on speed and skill while forsaking size. A deadline deal or two wouldn't do much to change that. It would take time.
66fan
12:57
with Blueger injured will the Penguins *finally* utilize Kapanen on the PK? considering it’s futility this season it’s hard to understand why he hasn’t been used already considering his proficiency at it
Matt Vensel
12:59
I did expect them to sub Kasperi Kapanen in for Bryan Rust on the penalty kill as to not overwork Rust. But so far this season we've seen Rust used in all three phases. I would like to see them mix Kapanen in some but more pressing right now is their need for another PK center to alternate with Mark Janowski. Maybe it's Evan Rodrigues?
Jeremy
12:59
NHL refs look like good athletes.  Who’s the fastest ref? Do they have ref olympics?
Matt Vensel
1:00
Jeremy is definitely an NHL referee, isn't he? Why else would he ask this? Joking. But Jeremy is right. The zebras do have to be excellent skaters and in excellent shape to keep up with the play and stay out of the way. The league tries to get retired players to join their ranks of on-ice officials as the veteran officials start to age out.
Bro?
1:02
Watched several WBS Pens games this year. Zohorna does stand out, beyond just his size. With all the center injuries, where does he fit on the depth chart/how close is he to seeing the ice for the big squad?
Matt Vensel
1:04
Bro! Radim Zohorna got called up to the NHL club today, which presumably prompted this question. Saw him a little bit in camp. He's a big boy but he's more of a skill player. Definitely an interesting guy. Still getting used to the North American game but has produced at the AHL level so far. It does not look like he will suit up tonight, though. Freddy Gaudreau will likely be the fourth-line center.
66fan
1:05
any updates on Zucker? despite being fast, and “coveted” by the team, he’s been a pretty average fit at best. either he needs to play on the 3rd line (Sully will never ever consider splitting Crosby and Jake and he was a terrible fit with Malkin) or should he be packaged with Petterson in a trade? or does his injury mean they’d be trading from a position of weakness?
Matt Vensel
1:06
When Ron Hextall spoke with my partner, Mike DeFabo, last week he wouldn't commit to Jason Zucker being back before the end of the regular season. So I don't think we need to worry about this any time soon. But I do think Zucker may need to move down into the bottom six. I like him as a player but Geno and he never got into the same page and Geno's surge coincided with Zucker exiting the lineup.
TPHunter
1:07
Crosby was diplomatic about Tanev's ejection for the bogus boarding call on Tuesday and he made a good point about inconsistency in those calls. Tom Wilson never plays another game if Tanev's hit is the standard for a major penalty, does he?
Matt Vensel
1:09
This is just a guess, but I suspect Sidney Crosby was thinking about a similar hit that Zach Aston-Reese threw up in Buffalo that injured Dylan Cozens. That hit seemed a little worse than what did Brandon Tanev did and ZAR received a two-minute minor. Then Tanev threw what appeared to be a pretty clean hit and he somehow got booted, which didn't make much sense Tuesday and makes even less now. Anyway, the Pens aren't alone in their puzzlement about how the league and its officials have policed the game this season.
TPHunter
1:11
All of these games being compressed into a short time frame seems to be a recipe for fatigue and injuries, especially with so many forwards out. Can HCMS do much about that?
Matt Vensel
1:13
Good question. Mike Sullivan mentioned this after Tuesday's loss when talking about the loss of Malkin and Tanev in that one. He has to balance workloads with winning, and the lack of forward depth makes that a difficult balance. The team's sports science folks give him guidance, I'm sure, but I'm guessing it comes down to a gut feel on the bench. Coaching is a lot harder than just throwing your best guys out there every other shift, especially with a veteran core.
Guest
1:14
Since you get to be in the arena, do you think having the fans in the arena now is noticeable to the players and makes a difference ?  On tv the arena still looks so empty .
Matt Vensel
1:14
Absolutely. That is something the players have mentioned and it doesn't seem like they are just trying to suck up to the fan base.
Bro...
1:14
Love the chats! I know Burke likes "long pants hockey" but when we tried to incorporate those types in the past (Reaves) they didn't really fit for Sully. What players are out there that would provide the muscle but also be able to play Pens style hockey? I'll hang up and listen.
Matt Vensel
1:18
I alluded to this earlier, about it being difficult to drastically change the identity of this team in-season. I don't think a trade or two can accomplish that. So I think Brian Burke and Ron Hextall are wise to take a wait-and-see approach with this team the rest of the season before rolling up their sleeves this summer. And that will include sitting down with Mike Sullivan and trying to agree on a shared vision for the next couple of years of Pens hockey. If they can't find middle ground, maybe we see a coaching change. But I think all three of those men, who all have their names on the Stanley Cup, are smart dudes who understand that you have to work with the talent you have instead of getting rid of that talent for lesser players who better fit a certain style. Anyway, it should be a fascinating offseason.
Guest
1:19
can sports do anything to make officiating more consistent?  Or given human nature of officials do players and fans just need to learn to live with inconsistency ?
Matt Vensel
1:19
Until Bettman rolls out robot referees, we've just gotta live with it.
kkamins
1:20
matt, good to see the penguins pp get a few "markers" over the last game or two...  is todd reirden still in charge there .... or has it become more coaching by committee with everyone offering up advice?
Matt Vensel
1:22
Todd Reirden is still running the Pittsburgh power play. All that player movement that has created open passing lanes and good shooting opportunities is what he's been preaching all along. Understandably, it took a little bit of time for it to take hold with the players, who do have some input with Reirden. Now that it has, look out.
Guest
1:23
Big assumption , but if the pens ever get a healthy line up, do you think it makes sense to leave McCann on second line and move zucker to a third line?  McCann seems to play better in top 6 and was doing well there .
Matt Vensel
1:24
That is a big assumption. As I mentioned earlier, the Pens have declined to say Jason Zucker will be back before the end of the regular season. Jared McCann is also a wild card himself. If he can find the form he had in the five games before his most recent injury, then absolutely he could slot into the top six. But if he reverts to the guy who went through a year-long scoring drought, obviously that probably won't work. Anyway, let's see what happens with Malkin. McCann might have to be the second-line center for a while if Geno's injury is significant. Mike Sullivan may have an update Friday.
KJ
1:26
Of the other East Division playoffs hopefuls, which do you consider the best matchup (if the Pens make it in, themselves), and why?
Matt Vensel
1:29
KJ, a lot can and probably will change over the next two months, but I'd like their chances against the Flyers or Capitals (or Rangers if they somehow rally to make the playoffs). The Bruins and Islanders would be tougher tests but even so the Pens have performed pretty well against those two teams in February and March. And sign me up for a Penguins-Bruins series. That would be great theater. We talked about that on the North Shore Drive podcast this week. Hope you guys have been listening to the Post-Gazette's sports podcast.
1:31
That's it for today, folks. Lots of great questions. Thanks to everyone who submitted one or more. We'll do this again soon!
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