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Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 08.08.19
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Matt Vensel
10:46
Good morning, Penguins fans, and thanks for joining us today. I'm going to start a little early this morning, so if you've got a question for me, go ahead and send it over now. I'll try to get to all of them!
RandomHockeyGuy
10:47
Matt, do you think, similar to the 3C situation a few years ago, that Rutherford has painted himself into a corner in regards to opening up cap space for Pettersson?  Taking a look around the league, 1/3 of the teams couldn't afford to take on the contracts of Johnson, Rust, or Bjugstad (3 most common rumored names).  Another 1/3 of the league already has a full 23 or more players on their rosters, and there are still a bunch of big name RFAs (Laine, Connor, Marner, McAvoy, etc) that don't have new deals yet.  Opening up cap space doesn't appear to be that easy.
Matt Vensel
10:50
I'm sorry. I'm not sure exactly what you are referring to when it comes to the third center situation a few years ago. As a Pittsburgher, I was following the team from a far at that point but was not on the beat. But you do make a good point about the trade options being limited potentially at this point in the offseason. I'm sure if the Penguins have to deal one of those guys, they would like to get fair value in return. But that might not be realistic at that point. Last week, Pettersson's agent told my new colleague, Mike DeFabo, that a deal couldn't get done until after the Penguins trade someone. So it certainly is an interesting situation. Don't rule out Marcus playing on the qualifying offer and getting something done in-season.
Bill
10:51
what are they thinking about doing with jack Johnson
Matt Vensel
10:52
Ah, our first Jack Johnson question! Bill, as of now, he is one of a few candidates to be deal, though the Penguins would presumably have to throw in a pick or a prospect to get someone to take his contract. The Penguins say they have no issue if Jack is back this year, though. Jim Rutherford continues to stand up for Jack publicly.
JB
10:53
I understand the team's and some of the fanbase's desire to be super optimistic about Jared McCann; he does have youth, speed and a nice shot.  But is it really justifiable to the extent that we're seeing it in some places?  I mean...yes, he scored over half of his goals in 30-some games with the Pens, but of the 11 he got here, only 4 were scored 5v5 (4 were empty net goals and 3 were shorthanded).  At this point at least, it strikes me that it's probably much more fair to regard him as another Bryan Rust-like player, rather than as a major steal/huge sleeper in the Brassard trade, no?  Not that being Rust-like is a bad thing...
Matt Vensel
10:54
JB, I think that is a very fair and reasonable way to look at it. Yeah, McCann is fast, hard-working and has some skill and a good shot. He has some potential, no doubt. But you can't just assume he is going to become a perennial 30-goal scorer. He has to go out and do it. Right now, his floor appears to be a Bryan Rust type with hope of being a more consistent offensive contributor if his game keeps growing.
Clark from Virginia
10:55
Don’t you think that the addition of Johnson and Gudbranson last year helped keep the Pens from being manhandled like they were in the past?  They may not be in the running for the Norris Trophy, but they did what was asked of them, especially Johnson who often played on the top line due to injuries.  While I liked Maata, trading him was preferable to trading Johnson because of Johnson’s physicality.
Matt Vensel
10:57
It had something to do with that, sure. Jack isn't going to light up too many people, but he does finish a lot of checks. I believe he was the first Penguin since Brooks Orpik to top 200 in a season. As for Erik Gudbranson, his size and toughness and willingness to throw his fists appealed to the Penguins, no doubt. But they also saw a former top draft pick who had yet to blossom during his first two NHL stops.
Guest
10:59
Hi Matt.  Hockey season can’t start soon enough !  Do you think any rookies /wbs players have a shot to make the team in camp ?
Matt Vensel
11:03
Given what's already on the roster, it's going to be hard for others to make the team, and it's not like anyone who was in Wilkes-Barre last season was pounding on the door. Adam Johnson, if you include him in this, fared OK in his stint with the NHL club and will have a chance to leap-frog some of the younger veterans on the depth chart. As for a complete newcomer, keep an eye on Kasper Bjorkqvist. He grew at lot in his three seasons at Providence and could make a push, though I expect he will start the season in WBS. I don't think any of their top prospects -- Calen Addison, Samuel Poulin, Filip Hallander -- will be ready to make the jump this season, but you never know.
Guest
11:03
I haven’t had a chance to listen to sids interview from yesterday yet but did you learn anything new or interesting ?
Matt Vensel
11:05
I have not had a chance to listen to Sid's appearance on the "Spittin' Chicklets" podcast yet. I actually plan to do that on my way to hockey after we get done chatting today. I did see some of the highlights and there were definitely a couple of interesting tidbits in there. My PG colleague Adam Bittner covered that here: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2019/08/07/sidney-crosby-...
11:07
We are sadly short on questions this morning. Everyone must be focused on the Steelers this week. So fire away, people.
11:08
I can put my football hat back on and answer Steelers questions, too.
Adam
11:09
Matt, there was an interesting article in The Athletic about Malkin getting tired of being the middle man between coaching staff and Kessel. Is that the feeling you got? From the outside it always appeared to be Malkin and Kessel vs. coaching staff, but this article made it sound like Malkin was impartial and is glad it’s over. Can you add anything more to that narrative?
Matt Vensel
11:13
I'm sure there's some truth to it. But I'm not buying that it had much of an impact on Malkin's season. I can understand why Mike Sullivan wanted to split those two up after their hot start to the season cooled off and then were too often non-factors at 5-on-5. And obviously Phil wanted to play with Geno whether or not the feeling was mutual. But Malkin needs to get back to being an elite player for the Penguins to be serious contenders again. And that is probably going to require him changing his game as he gets older and slower. You don't worry about Sidney Crosby being able to evolve as he gets older. But you do with Malkin, who was said to be resistant to change last season.
Guest
11:13
Vegas and national media are not giving the pens much love .  Do you think the pens still make the playoffs ?  Nj and rangers made big moves and can bump us out
Matt Vensel
11:15
I still think the Penguins are definitely better than those two teams, in addition to Philadelphia and Columbus. So I do believe they will make the playoffs. But do I think it's a lock? No, not if they keep trending in the wrong direction. The Penguins are betting on improvement through improved structure and culture. We'll see if it works.
Guest
11:16
When they mention locker room issues were an issue last year , do you think that all goes away withheld Kessel being gone ?  I still find it hard to believe a locker room with sid and Cullen in it would have been an issue
Matt Vensel
11:19
A lot has been said about the "culture" needing to be changed. But I believe it has more to do with the team collectively becoming complacent and not rallying together to pull themselves out of a funk. That's why the Penguins brought in younger and hopefully hungrier guys and a big-time pain-in-the-butt in Brandon Tanev. I don't think the Penguins had a locker room like the Steelers did last year. It wasn't dramatic like that. If anything, it was too business-like. Guys simply didn't come together like the recent Cup-winning teams.
Guest
11:20
Are the pens worried about Billy G possibly getting the Minnesota gig?
Matt Vensel
11:25
Hey, speaking of character guys who kept it light in the locker room, a question about Bill Guerin. I mean, obviously the Penguins value him or they wouldn't keep him around. But they aren't going to stand in his way of getting a job like that and on a personal level are probably pulling for him. It is interesting that Guerin opted to interview with the Wild again given the apparent dysfunction there. But there are only so many GM jobs available at the NHL level and I'm sure he feels it would be different if he got the job. A lot of candidates, though....
JB
11:25
Speaking of Brandon Tanev...and ignoring for the moment the amount and term of his contract, which both are questionable...isn't it concerning that the two things that people mention most about him (he hits and he blocks shots) are both things that you generally don't do in abundance when you have possession of the puck?  Being one of the leaders among forwards on your team in hits is one thing...but this guy was 3rd in the entire league.
Matt Vensel
11:25
JB, you've got to do that kind of stuff to get the puck back, right?
MA
11:25
Do you see Galchenyak fitting in with this group of pens? There have been a lot of whispers of behavioral issues over the years
Matt Vensel
11:29
I'm not sure to be honest. I'll have a better answer for you after they start skating. But Alex Galchenyuk has been a disappointment in the NHL after going third overall in 2012. He was unable to stick at center due to defenses lapses and he didn't hit 20 goals in any of the last three seasons. One assumes his point total will go up playing with Evgeni Malkin (whom he will likely begin camp with) and Crosby. But will he consistently make a positive impact? I have no idea. I'm sure the Penguins don't either, which is why they are content to let him play out this season with one year left on his contract and see how it all worked out before considering to re-sign him next offseason.
Guest
11:29
Do you think Rutherford’s constant trading , 24 players since the last cup, has had a negative effect on the players ?  That can’t be a comfortable environment to work in
Matt Vensel
11:30
I would imagine so, especially when popular and still effective players were dealt. That Carl Hagelin trade last fall comes to mind.
Guest
11:30
Tanev, Blueger, Simon, ZAR. Pretty crowded fourth line. Who sits?
Matt Vensel
11:31
Too early to say, though if Tanev is sitting after the Penguins gave him that eyebrow-raising contract, that's going to be a problem. And I'll add that Teddy Blueger is definitely playing. He's the fourth center.
11:32
OK, folks. That's it for today. Thank you to those who submitted questions. Some good ones this week. We'll do this again sometime soon, especially with players starting to trickle back into town. I can't believe hockey season is already right around the corner.
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