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Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 07.01.19
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EVLINC
10:27
how many times do people in the media have to tell you that they like Jack Johnson??? hoping he gets traded doesn't make it so
Matt Vensel
10:27
I'm not sure what you're referring to.
Stinkpot
10:28
I don't think GMJR's done trading. Which Penguins players do you see as potential trade candidates?
Matthew
10:28
Do you think Letang and Malkin are officially no longer a Trade possibility?
Matt Vensel
10:30
He might not be. I don't think Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are going anywhere at this point (I didn't really think Malkin was going anywhere at any point). If they do make another change, it would presumably be one of their second-tier or third-tier players.
Mick Shrimpton
10:31
This will be Galchenyuk’s 3rd team in 3 years...shouldn’t  this alarm anyone in Penguins management?
Matt Vensel
10:33
I think alarm is a strong word. Like I said, Galchenyuk has been a bit of a disappointment given he was a No. 3 overall pick. But he has hit 30 goals in the NHL before and will be a free agent after the season, so he might be a worthwhile gamble. Again, given Phil's ability to limit their trade market, this was about as good as they can get.
Dawn
10:34
Responding to your reply about Galchenyuk and only having two lines clicking, do you feel like at times Sullivan was out coached (more noticeable IMO with last change) and that's why lines weren't clicking or was it more of a personality class with some of the players? At times it seemed like Sullivan had reverse Byslma syndrome where he'd shake up the lines too much?
Matt Vensel
10:37
I think you're onto something with Sullivan shuffling his lines way too much. Sometimes, it's needed when your lineup is not clicking on all cylinders, which rarely happened last season. But sometimes, when something is working like the Crosby-McCann-Guentzel line in March, just stick with it. I also think it was a mistake shaking up the lineup before the playoffs with some lines we had rarely seen. And then it took him three playoff losses to go back to the lineup that had shown promise down the stretch. I do think he can be more patient.
Lord of carson
10:37
How do u see the lines being filled out potentially now Matt?
Matt Vensel
10:39
Apologies, but it's a little early for this still. I think Galchenyuk will start camp off on one of the top two lines. I'm guessing with Malkin. Kahun is going to slot in somewhere into the top three lines but he could be a guy who moves up and down the lineup, similar to Bryan Rust. I'm curious to see what the Penguins plan for Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann. The Penguins have a lot to figure out there, but Mike Sullivan will have options, especially if they can add a feisty free agent.
JB
10:39
I kind of hate asking hypothetical trade questions, but every once in a while one is interesting.  Last year, the Pens had to give up Sheary in order to shed the Hunwick contract.  If the cost of shedding the Johnson contract this year would turn out to be Rust, would you do it?  More to the point...would the Pens?  While I hate the notion of giving up Rust's (comparative) youth, speed and versatility to fix a mistake, I personally think you'd have to at least give it serious consideration, particularly if you could get a competent and not overly expensive LHD either as part of the trade or as a free agent with the cap savings from the trade...
Matt Vensel
10:41
JB, this is kind of what I was alluding to earlier. They probably would have needed to do that to clear space had they not traded Maatta. At this point, I think they're comfortable going into the season with Jack in their third pairing. But if there is a free agent they really want and there is mutual interest, maybe they would do something like that (or throw in a pick instead of a guy like Rust) to make the money work.
Doug
10:41
Appears as though the jinx of the Pens & Paws calendar has struck again.  Maatta, Hagelin, Kessel and Sheahan already gone, along with Sprong and Oleksiak on the inside back cover.  Rust, Hronqvist and Johson mentioned as trade possibilities are featured in various months.  As superstitious as athletes are they aware of the jinx or is it just viewed as a coincidence and part of the business side of the game?
Matt Vensel
10:41
Ha. But to be fair, Doug, they have traded about half of their team since it was shot. So I don't think the correlation is strong.
Kenny Bania
10:42
What did you think of the "other" Matt Murray during development camp last week?  What are the odds the Pens might have a Murray-Murray tandem someday?
Matt Vensel
10:42
All I know is that I'll be rooting for him with this backstory: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2019/06/28/pittsburgh-pen...
Dave
10:43
Can they sign a FA now that puts them over the cap
Matt Vensel
10:43
They can be over the cap salary ceiling now, I believe, but will need to get back under before the start of the season.
From Left Field
10:43
When people bring up Rust and Bjugstad as trade bait - I don't get it. Don't they play exactly how Sully wants the team to play - energy, down low, possession?
Matt Vensel
10:45
I like both players and think they are the kind of guys you try to get for your top-nine. I know Rust didn't quite live up to his new contract, in part because he was pressing to live up to it, but he would have topped 20 goals last season had he not gotten injured, is a good PK guy and can play left or right wing on all four lines. Keeper, IMO.
Lord of carson
10:45
Back to Cullen, I don’t think he was terrible last year. I also don’t think he brought much above what a younger player would, that line overall wasn’t good, and why take away the minutes from a younger developing player. If u still need more leadership with the core of Cup winners, that’s an issue
Matt Vensel
10:45
Fair points. And the Penguins are obviously worried about the leadership part. GMJR has mentioned that a few times now.
HB
10:45
According to Micheal Russo of the Athletic the wild are going to give big money to Mats Zucerello with the wilds need to clear some space do you think that the penguins could get Zucker even with out Phil since the wild will be desperate for cap relief?
Matt Vensel
10:49
Takes two to tango. If the Wild wanted something else for Zucker that the Penguins were willing to give up, it would have happened, no?
Luke
10:49
In perusing out of town/national coverage of the Kessel trade, several writers seemed to think Sullivan is now on the proverbial hot-seat. Do you agree? Why/why not?
Matt Vensel
10:50
Not right now, no. But it's hockey and teams churn through coaches in this league more than any other. So if they have another season in 2019-20 like last season, then he could be feeling some heat.
PENSFANINBVA
10:50
What about Simmonds??? What’s the status on that
Matt Vensel
10:51
I don't think he'll be in your price range unless the market is cold on him and he doesn't get big $$ or a longer term.
CJ
10:51
Your thoughts on bringing Ron Hainsey back if he’s affordable? Thanks
Matt Vensel
10:51
Didn't he just land with Ottawa? I thought I saw that a little bit ago.
ChrisA
10:51
With Larmi now in the system and seemingly one too many young goalies, why not unload Jack Johnson to a team that wants Jarry? Jarry is the centerpiece of the trade and JJ is the add-on to shed salary.
Matt Vensel
10:52
Jarry is not a high-level prospect. He projects as an NHL backup or maybe a platoon guy. You never know with goalies. They can take longer to develop. But he's not seen as this great goaltending prospect that he is sometimes made out to be.
10:53
So, I don't know that any team is going to be so eager to add Tristan that they'll take on Jack's $3.25 million hit for another four years.
Rahn
10:53
Wild one here and I don't think this makes sense for where they are now but: Add Ben Lovejoy as a right-shot and deal Schultz who has value and contract will expire next season. Calen Addison is still too far away for Lovejoy to be a bridge, but figured I'd jazz things up a bit for you, Matt.
Matt Vensel
10:54
But that makes the Penguins worse this season, perhaps significantly. The Penguins won't want to do that, unless they are getting something really good in return for Schultz.
Normie
10:54
Good morning Matt.  Are there any solidly reliable middle lower 3 (4,5,6) depth defensmen available via free agency that the Penguins can afford.  I'm suspecting a top 3 d-man would be two expensive.
Matt Vensel
10:55
I really don't see them adding a defenseman of note. As I mentioned earlier, they already have four NHL types on the left side (including Riikola) and four NHL types on the right side. This is probably the group that they will go into the season with.
10:56
That's it for today, folks. Thanks for joining us and thanks to those of you who submitted questions. Apologies if I didn't get to yours before I had to duck out of this chat. I expect these next few days to be pretty quiet for the Pens. But with GMJR here, you never know!
10:57
Have a great day everyone and a happy Fourth of July, too.
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