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Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 06.20.24
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Matt Vensel
12:00
Good afternoon, Penguins fans. Excited to talk hockey this afternoon. Let's get going. Plan to chat for about a half hour.
Joe
12:00
Hi Matt. Enjoyed your article on Laine. There’s really no point, though, in discussing that type of player with Sullivan still employed. He’d be benched when he doesn’t forecheck or at the slightest mistake. They need to get another top six forward who plays more like Bunting. Goes to the net, bangs down low as they were playing at the end of last season. While our finishing stinks, a pure scorer will never be put in a position to succeed under Sullivan. Thoughts?
Matt Vensel
12:04
Joe, glad you enjoyed the piece on Patrik Laine. Obviously, he is a flawed player, or there wouldn't be talk about the Blue Jackets dumping his contract. It would definitely be a gamble. But Mike Sullivan found a way to make it work with Phil Kessel for a few years, plus Evgeni Malkin isn't easy to coach sometimes. The Penguins need scorers and help on the power play to get back to the playoffs, so I think there could be a fit there. But I wouldn't do it if I were them if they had to give up a good prospect or a pick. Just pivot to free agency instead.
Guest
12:05
Willpensmakeabig trade
Matt Vensel
12:08
Odds are the Penguins will make a trade or two here in the next couple of weeks, but I don't expect a blockbuster like we saw last summer with the Erik Karlsson deal. They don't want to give up premium future assets for short-term fixes. And most of their veterans either have no-trade clauses or diminished value after down years. I'm sure Kyle Dubas wants to improve the roster but I think it's more likely they plug holes through free agency.
epiballo
12:09
How realistic is it that the Penguins could find a trading partner for Jarry? His contract makes it near impossible, in my view. Did he really lose being the number one goalie at the end of last season, or was that just Sullivan playing the hot hand?
Matt Vensel
12:12
Tristan Jarry would be one of those players who has diminished value after another down seasons in 2023-24. I still think they could find a trade for him if they wanted to, but they certainly aren't getting the kind of return New Jersey just gave up for Jacob Markstrom. Jarry is one to watch here the next couple of weeks, but my hunch is they bring him back and hope he rediscovers his game.
Dan N
12:13
Hey Matt do you think the Penguins would approach Malkin about a move to wing ? Possibly creating room for a free agent or trade for a second line center ?
Matt Vensel
12:16
Dan, I don't believe they are there yet, but if Malkin continues his decline that could be something they explore at some point this upcoming season. They obviously will need a better alternative to do that. I could see them targeting a middle-six forward who can capable play both center and the wing in case they have to go that route.
Guest
12:16
How does a 3rd line to start next season of DOC-Eller-Puustinen sound ?
Matt Vensel
12:18
Underwhelming, especially after watching some of the third lines in these playoffs, but we certainly could see that combination. Maybe Drew O'Connor and Valtteri Puustinen will take more strides this season and become more consistent. Drew was awesome down the stretch last season, no doubt.
epiballo
12:19
Is it a sure thing that Sid will sign a new contract with the Penguins? I remember some speculation a while back that he would want to sign with a Canadian team to finish out his career.
Matt Vensel
12:20
Nothing is final until he puts pen to paper, but it would be very surprising if he did not re-sign. The question for me is how long he will sign for, and what amount. But he's not going to demand a contract that limits the team's ability to try to build a winner around him.
66fan
12:21
thanks for the chats Matt! i think goalie success— with a few exceptions like Hasek, Roy for example— is largely hand in hand with defensive structure, clearing bodies and rebounds in front of the net. the Pens have been poor in this area for some time. agree or disagree?
Matt Vensel
12:22
Defense is a huge part of it, yeah. Great defense can make average goalies look good. Last season, the Penguins left a lot to be desired in the areas you mentioned. But too often they also did not get the saves they needed when things broke down.
Hey Bwent
12:23
Over/Under on the Pens ultimately retiring Flowers #29 to the rafters of PPG?  Best goalie for them ever.
Matt Vensel
12:24
This is a tough one since they have been so selective about retiring jerseys. If they continue to limit that to the very cream of the crop, I would say probably not, despite his immense popularity.
Ryan
12:25
Good afternoon Matt what do you think about the Hire of David quinn i think he will be a Good Coach
Matt Vensel
12:26
Hey, Ryan. I get the hire. Quinn is a respected coach and has a pretty strong resume, plus he has a long history with Mike Sullivan.
epiballo
12:26
Put on your coach's hat and break down last season's power play. How, with the talent they had on that unit, was it so ineffective? That is what cost the Penguins a playoff-berth.
Matt Vensel
12:28
Agreed on the PP costing the Penguins a playoff spot. We can rant about the power play structure or whom should have been out there, sure. But to me, it comes down to a lack of urgency.
Seven
12:29
Matt, what is your impression of the job that FSG is going as owners of the Pens? It seems like it can't make a decision about what it wants going forward. It milks the fans with a mostly old-timer's lineup while team seems to be falling farther and farther behind the elite NHL teams.
Matt Vensel
12:34
Seven, I think Fenway Sports Group has been fine. They spend money on the team, including management and resources for players. And they brought in Kyle Dubas to oversee hockey ops. I have been critical about some of his moves but I believe it will prove to be a good hire. I think we just need to be realistic here about where the Penguins are in their life cycle. It's incredibly difficult to win the Cup, let alone when your top players are in the mid-30s. I understand that some fans wish they would have moved on from, say, Malkin a couple of years ago and tried to sign somebody younger. But I think keeping the Core Three together was totally defensible.
Hey Bwent
12:34
Any outside chance the Pens can convince Guentz to sign w them?
Matt Vensel
12:34
Sorry, but I don't see that happening.
Guest
12:34
Matt,  what 3 moves would you make as GM to get the Pens back to a playoff team,  i think contender is just a dream
Matt Vensel
12:39
I'll answer this while operating under the assumption that win-now splashes are off the table. They need a couple of scorers, which is why I pitched the Laine idea yesterday. They need to do better with the bottom six, including giving opportunities to young players who could provide them with needed speed and energy. And they need to get their goaltending and Ryan Graves straightened out. The Metro is tough, but that would give them a chance without giving up future assets to overhaul the roster again.
That's going to do it for today's chat. Sorry I was unable to get to everyone's questions. Feel free to email me at mvensel@post-gazette.com and I'd be happy to answer any questions that way.
12:40
Have a great weekend. Things are going to heat up here very soon.
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