JotCast | Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 06.01.21

Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 06.01.21

Matt Vensel

11:53

Hello, Pens fans. Excited to talk hockey with you all today. We'll get going at noon. Feel free to submit your questions now. Thanks!

Joe

11:57

Matt, I’m very troubled with the news Sullivan is staying on. He has not made adjustments and personnel changes in the playoffs the last few seasons to put the Pens in the best position to win. He lets Sid’s line stay together despite being dominated all series against the Isles, doesn’t use matchups to full advantage and with the season on the line and Jarry failing, didn’t at least give Legace a shot. He couldn’t have been worse with everything on the line. I really don’t understand management wanting to give this guy another chance when a new voice would do wonders, especially if the Pens still profess a desire to get beyond the first round in the playoffs for revenue generating purposes. He’s a good coach for sure but a new focus/direction is needed

Matt Vensel

12:01

Joe, I'm not sure I've seen a report that firmly stated that Mike Sullivan will 100% be back. However, that is definitely the expectation at this point. Would be very surprised if they let a two-time Cup-winning coach twist in the wind for a week before firing him. All that said, I do think the front office will push him to make some changes in terms of the playing style and personnel utilization in the hopes they will be a more formidable team in the postseason. Interested to see how that plays out this summer.

Bernard

12:01

I'm not a huge hockey fan, just the Pens. Assuming Sullivan embraces de-emphasizing speed and their current style to get bigger and more physical, is it fair to assume he'll be a good coach teaching a different system? Is it that easy or would it make more sense to bring in a coach that has a successful history with that style of play?

Matt Vensel

12:04

Sullivan is an excellent NHL coach. It's fair to quibble with the Xs and Os, especially given the Pens have won just three of their last 16 games. But he is a bright guy who knows how to foster a winning culture and motivate players both young and old. They put up a fight in Game 6 even though it was clear Tristan Jarry had torpedoed their chances. If he is willing to be open-minded about the scheme and personnel, I think the Pens should give him another opportunity to take this team on a Cup run.

Yankton Ern

12:04

Is it me or has Crosby shriveled the last three post seasons? Where he used to shine, he is very average to below average.

Matt Vensel

12:05

The numbers speak for themselves. Six total points the last three postseasons and a 3-11 record for the Penguins.

kevin in Punxsy

12:05

Hi Matt. How much change do you anticipate? 2-3 non core players changing? 2-3 non and 1-2 core?

Matt Vensel

12:08

I'm not sure how you define "core," Kevin, but I do think we will see a couple more players from the Cup teams move on. I don't have a good read on what will happen with Malkin and Letang because honestly there's a lot of dynamics at play there, including what they are looking for in their next contracts. I doubt both would be traded. Maybe neither will be. But I do think we will see some fan favorites moved in attempt to clear the LHD logjam and add more physicality up front. Something's going to give with the personnel for sure.

Joe

12:08

I really don’t see the calls to trade Malkin and Letang, who were two of the Pens best players in the playoffs this year. Also can’t see great returns there either. They should look to trade Rust, a very good players on a great contract now who will be looking to get paid after next season. I think they could get a first and good prospect for him. Thoughts?

Matt Vensel

12:11

Letang had a very good year and stayed healthy. And even though he has one year left on his deal, he has a very affordable salary. He would have strong trade value, especially if he expressed a willingness to sign an extension with his new team. Malkin is another story. Hall-of-Fame player but he's also 34 and has battled injuries while having two subpar seasons the last three years. As for Rust, he's 29 and heading into a contract year. So asking for a first and a good prospect might be a bit much. But you never know.

Guest

12:11

Matt, the Islanders are one of the beefiest teams in the league yet the smallish Pens outplayed them in many respects during the regular season and playoffs. Do you agree with a lot of the fans and the front office that the Pens need to get bigger?

Matt Vensel

12:13

I do think Mike Sullivan was correct in stating that the Pens did not lose to the Isles this year because they weren't big enough. They lost due to goaltending. Plain and simple. But if you zoom out and look at the last few postseasons, it is reasonable to think they can't win playing that style anymore, not with the league catching up and also their core players slowing down over time.

Gary M.

12:13

Who do pens protect in expansion draft this summer and expect to lose to Seattle?

Joe

12:13

Thoughts on the expansion draft exposure list? Mine are that the Pens should expose the “bad” contracts even if you like the player. For the forwards, those are Zucker and Tanev who are both going to be 30, have multiple years left and are paid too much for their role on the team. Likewise, Matheson and Pettersson on D. Also expose Jarry if you don’t think moving forward he’s your number one goalie. Not saying these players would be taken by Seattle

Matt Vensel

12:15

Couple of expansion draft questions here. And Joe makes some good points. As it stands now, the Pens would protect seven forwards and three D. The locks up front are Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, Rust and probably Carter after what he did here this spring. They will definitely protect Letang and Dumoulin. John Marino is exempt so he's safe.

12:17

So on the blue line, you can protect one of Matheson, Pettersson and Ceci (a pending FA). There's more of a personal preference thing. Up front, they could keep two of Tanev, Zucker, McCann, Blueger and Kapanen. I would give much consideration to keeping Blueger, allowing the Pens to roll four quality centers next season. And I think Blueger can be a NHL third-line center.

12:18

By all means, tell me who you guys would protect this summer.

Rahn

12:18

Expansion draft thought: I have a goaltending strategy: Find a team like Vegas or Florida or Columbus that have multiple goalies to protect in the expansion draft and swing a deal for someone like the underachieving Zucker or the invisible McCann. Then protect that goalie, leaving Jarry and DeSmith unprotected. Seattle is likely to take a forward (Blueger or one of the aforementioned) so depth is built or if Jarry is taken, salary is cleared. Thoughts?

Matt Vensel

12:19

Interesting idea here from Rahn. And after what happened in the playoffs, I wonder if they will leave Tristan Jarry unprotected.

12:20

We've got breaking news in the chat, people. Mike Sullivan's back. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2021/06/01/pittsburgh-pen...

Nathan

12:20

Hey Matt, am I crazy or should the Pens move on from Malkin? 1) he seems to be made of glass; 2) he takes a ton of stupid penalties; 3) it looks as though he’s just casually passing by on the ice. I feel like they play better without him anyway, especially in the postseason, and that he’s taking up a roster spot based solely on what he’s done in the past which could be used by a hungrier player. I know he has basically full control of any trade involving him, so do you think the Pens would move on, especially if he didn’t have the control he does?

Matt Vensel

12:21

Nathan, you make logical points but there are other dynamics at play here, such as his close relationship with Sid and his sentimental value to the city, the franchise and ownership.

Guest

12:22

Matt, Wasn't it only abou4 years ago when the Pens decided to go to speed and won 2 stanley cups. Then the league when fast again, then back to heavy players. Can you explain why people continue to say Sullivan is wrong by going with speed when it has PROVEN to be successful multiple times in the past?

Matt Vensel

12:24

Believe it or not, but 2016 and 2017 was a long, long time ago as far as the league and the Penguins are concerned. Other teams got faster and have been able to mesh both speed and physicality. And the core in Pittsburgh is slowing down. That's not to say the window is closed or anything. But I don't think you can say "It worked five years ago!" as an argument that it will work now.

guest

12:24

Malkin has had multiple issues with his knee.... is he going to have surgery this summer? is a retirement closer than we’re hoping it would be?

Matt Vensel

12:25

Not sure about that one.

Baz Bastien

12:25

Re Sid's playoff performance-is it because other teams are eg overloading on him, focusing on puck denial and the other two just can't take advantage of that on the ice?

Matt Vensel

12:26

Sid has always been the primary focus of other teams, Baz. But to your point, if Jake or Rust scored some goals in the playoffs, Sid's stat line would have looked better. Sid had his chances, too.

Rahn

12:26

Also, if Samuel Poulin is ready to challenge for a spot at some point next season at left wing, McCann and Zucker should be assets that are moved. Hextall intimated that the draft pick basket would be filled as well, when he was hired. These seem like ways to do so. And FWIW, protected list should be: Crosby-Malkin-Rust-Guentzel-Carter-Tanev (no one else on the roster does what he does) and Blueger (no center depth in the org); Dumoulin, Letang, Pettersen and goalie acquired via trade. and put the big contracts of Zucker, Matheson, Jarry and McCann (also tempting as a future RFA) as bait that could clear salary, as well.

Matt Vensel

12:28

I don't know that Samuel Poulin or Nathan Legare will be ready for the NHL next season. I know they've torn it up in the QMJHL playoffs. And Poulin in particular is jacked for his age. But they may need some AHL seasoning before becoming NHL regulars.

Ryan

12:28

Good afternoon Matt what changes do you see coming this offseason i think they need to find another goalie to back up jarry even though we have Casey

Yinzer in Boston

12:28

Matt, how can the Penguins acquire a quality goaltender likely to lead us through the playoffs next year?

Guest

12:28

Do you think they try to trade jarry? I don’t know how they can bring him back . No matter what the players said in the year end calls I find it hard to believe they trust him

Matt Vensel

12:31

Lot of Jarry questions today, which is totally understandable. They're in a tough spot if they want to totally move on from him given he has two more years left on his contract at an annual salary of $3.5 million. But it's not impossible. As I mentioned earlier, another option is leaving him unprotected in the expansion draft and hoping that Seattle takes him. Or they can bring in an affordable veteran to push him. But given their cap situation, I don't know how much money they will have to spend on the goalie position. Another situation with a lot of things for the Pens to consider.

Jason

12:32

Do you see the Pens using a first round pic on a goalie or sign a free agent or have DeSmith take over full time starter? Or sit by and do nothing and let Jarry keep his starting job?

Matt Vensel

12:32

Jason, they just used their top two picks last year on European goalies and don't have a first-round pick this year.

Guest

12:32

Is hextal planning to have a year end call ? I don’t recall hearing from him ?

Matt Vensel

12:32

The plan is for him to talk later this week.

rain

12:33

how hard is Sid taking this third straight first round exit? His exit interview was one of the most dejected I’ve ever seen him.