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Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 06.06.24
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Matt Vensel
10:27
Hello, Penguins fans. Look forward to talking hockey today. We will get started at 1 p.m. You can submit questions beforehand if you prefer. Please be patient today. I'm chatting through a wrist injury.
12:56
Let's get started. I plan to go for a while today, mostly because I can only type at about four words per minute at the moment.
Jim j
12:56
Matt, to me. Florida is the template for what a great hockey team should be. Big,fast, good, at times great goaltending, good coaching. In your opinion, what should the Penguins do to accomplish these goals?
Matt Vensel
1:00
Pray? Not saying it is impossible, but I have a hard time seeing the Penguins get to that level in the next two years. Florida is deep, skilled, physical, intense. They can beat you a number of different ways. They have a clear identity and their management and pro scouting staff deserves credit for acquiring a bunch of players who fit it. The Penguins will be hard pressed to reshape the roster into something like that within the near future.
Cosmo K
1:00
Why is a shot off the post not considered a shot on goal?
Matt Vensel
1:04
The logic: If it doesn't go into the net without a goalie getting a piece of it, then it's a shot attempt, not a shot on goal. I get that it's a little confusing. And as a former beer league goalie, I want credit for the save. But that's the thought process from the league.
Guest
1:04
Matt,  Besides Smith, who is the one player you think the Penguins could and should look to move out this offseason?
Matt Vensel
1:08
Reilly Smith is indeed the likeliest to be dealt. I would also keep an eye on Rickard Rakell and Tristan Jarry. Due to the term on their contracts, I don't think either will be easy to move. But I believe the Penguins would be receptive to inquiries on those players. One wild card I wrote about recently: Marcus Pettersson. He has one year left on his deal and would fetch a good return if the Penguins decide they cannot re-sign him to a price they like.
Sliceberg
1:12
At what point do the Penguins sit down with Malkin and have a serious conversation about parting company? His skills have been eroding for the last few years and his best trade value was easily 2/3 years ago. Why not buy him out(go against your policy of not buying out players) and move on. Will it be hard to find a 2C? Yes, but rather start that process now than watching father time win.
Matt Vensel
1:17
This question is my biggest pet peeve. Fans should have to put a dollar into a donation jar every time they ask this. Malkin has a full no-movement clause so he cannot be traded without his permission. And because he was over 35 when he signed his four-year deal, there is zero financial benefit to buying him out. Same thing if he retires. So Malkin isn't going anywhere. Ideally, they find another quality center so he can shift into a slightly reduced role, but that is easier said than done. That theoretical player, at least for 2024-25, is not in the organization.
Clark from Virginia
1:18
Mike Sullivan’s first Cup year came with a group of Wilkes Barre players who brought enthusiasm and low salaries.  It looks like out of necessity this will be happening again this year.  How optimistic should we be?
Matt Vensel
1:23
Hey, Clark. I just think fans should reset expectations for this team. The odds of them winning another Cup while Crosby is still here are slim. The Penguins are still going to try, as they should, without sacrificing much of their future. But watching the last two rounds of the playoffs, I think it's clear the Penguins are still a long way from that. But that doesn't mean fans can't enjoy watching the final few seasons of the Crosby era and seeing him shepherd in some interesting young players, starting this season. And if the Penguins surprise you with one more deep run, even better. That's how I would look at it as a fan, but it's up to each individual fan to decide what they value. I don't begrudge anyone who still wants to hold them to the Cup-or-bust standard. To each their own.
Clark from Virginia
1:24
Please tell me you hurt your wrist working out with Crosby.  We need another work out article this year.
Matt Vensel
1:26
Unfortunately, I foolishly blocked a slap shot during a pickup game last weekend and have my wrist in a brace. Looking LTIR for me.
Kevin k
1:26
do you think it’s possible that Rust scores 40 this year?
Matt Vensel
1:28
Kevin, I think he can get to 30 if he stays healthy. He's scored at that pace in a few seasons now but hasn't been able to play enough games due to his injuries or COVID shortening two seasons. 40? Probably too ambitious. But Rust is a heck of a player.
Dan N
1:28
Tristan Jarry to the Devils for 10th overall …what say you ?
Matt Vensel
1:30
Hey, Dan. I would say that I'll have what you're having. Haha. The Devils want a goalie but no way they're giving up that pick for Tristan Jarry. Juuse Saros or Jacob Markstrom? Maybe.
Joe
1:31
Matt, Pens issues in order of importance to get back to contending team:(1) not enough youth playing important roles in the top six forwards and top four defense; (2) the bottom six needs an infusion of youth and energy; (3) goaltending has been below average when it counts; (4) coaching?
Matt Vensel
1:34
Joe, I think those are all factors, especially the first three. Too much of the burden has been placed on the team's very top players. Kyle Dubas putting all his eggs in the Erik Karlsson basket contributed to that last season. They were extremely top heavy. The Penguins must get meaningfully deeper to get back to the playoffs and win a round for the first time since 2018.
Peter Kadar
1:34
After watching the Final four teams in the NHL semi finals what changes do you feel Dubas sould make in order to match the teams that are trending toward the new NHL model of successful teams.  Would you add a goalie and trade Jarry for another goalie, would you add size toughness grit, keep Graves PO and Karlsson? Who are the Penguins untouchables besides Crosby Tanger and Pettersson.
Matt Vensel
1:38
Hey, Peter. I'll put it this way: They are several moves away from being a potential conference finalist. Need a third line. Need young difference-makers. Need saves when it matters. Need more intensity and urgency, and physicality would be nice, too. The list goes on. Can Dubas have a run of transactions that rivals GMJR's first two years on the job? It will take something like that.
Kevin k
1:38
I truly believe the Penguins are going to have an extremely successful bounce back year, but I’m just not quite sure which goalie is going to do that job. Where do you see that landing?
Matt Vensel
1:41
I would say the goalie situation is fluid. I believe the Penguins will consider all options short of trading prime future assets for an elite goalie. It's not out of the question both Tristan and Alex Nedeljkovic will be back (with Joel Blomqvist starting the season in the AHL).
Seven
1:42
No need to apologize for the slow typing speed. I text at the speed of sludge. How many "major" moves to you expect Dubas to make, with major moves being trades or free agent acquisitions of starting caliber players?
Matt Vensel
1:46
Hey, Seven. I could end up being very wrong (Kyle keeps his plans close to the vest), but I have a feeling it will be a quieter offseason than what we had the previous few years. We might see a significant move or two but I doubt anything as seismic as the Karlsson trade. I do believe Dubas is sincere about wanting to pivot into a youth movement.
Seven
1:46
Hi Matt, thanks for "chatting hurt"! At this point in the offseason, where do you think Dubas is as far as knowing what his retooling plan will be come free agency and the draft?
Matt Vensel
1:48
I think things are going to pick up every soon. The draft is already in three weeks then free agency is soon after that. The Penguins should have a broad offseason plan in place at this point.
Seven
1:48
Watching the playoffs it is pretty obvious that the Pens don't have enough talent to reach deep into the playoffs, if in fact that can finally return to the playoffs. What is the most realistic hope for the Pens at this stage of their - what? - slow turnaround?
Matt Vensel
1:53
I touched on this earlier in terms of resetting expectations. But ideally they shuffle a few things this offseason, finally give real opportunities to young players and benefit from that energy and depth during the season. Playoffs or not, it can serve as a transition year with the hope of one last deep playoff run with the Big Three in 2025-26. That would be an optimistic outlook on the near future.
Richy
1:54
Matt, If there was only one position the Pens could upgrade what position would be your recommendation?
Matt Vensel
1:56
All of the above? Generally speaking, if you could only upgrade one position then I would pick forward. The Penguins are not making the playoffs if they remain a one-line or two-line team.
Peter Kadar
1:56
Good Afternoon Matt -- Thanks for being such a decent kind and professional journalist here in Pittsburgh.  Isn't this a great sports city?  What are your plans for the summer.   Will you be taking much time off?
Matt Vensel
1:59
Thanks for the kind words. When I'm not writing about the offseason moves, I will be spending a lot of time with my family. We've got our annual Cape May trip and plan to go to Disney while the kids are still relatively young. I was skating 2-3 days a week before my wrist injury. Now that I'm sidelined, I will probably put on 20 pounds due to backyard burgers and beers. Haha
Cosmo K
1:59
Darren says hello and thanks for the chats. I think I've seen an in season (Pens) chat here and there, am I correct? We would enjoy a regular in season version for sure...
Matt Vensel
2:00
I do plan to get a regular weekly Penguins chat on the books next season. I enjoy answering your questions (except for the Malkin trade/buyout ones... haha) and will find a set time every week.
2:03
That will do it for this week's chat. Let's plan on doing this again on Thursday, June 20. In the meantime, you can send any questions you have to mvensel@post-gazette.com. Have a great weekend.
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