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Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 10.18.24
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Matt Vensel
10:37
Happy Friday, Penguins fans. Still trying to get your heart rate down after that wild win Wednesday? We'll chat at noon In the meantime, start sending in your questions. I will go about a half hour today.
11:57
OK, folks. I'm posted up at Brother Andre's next to the arena with a cup of coffee and a giant cookie. Time to talk some hockey.
Tom
11:57
Obvious question for the day...How do you play/assign Blomqvist, Nedeljkovic, Jarry?
Matt Vensel
12:00
Tom, very relevant question! So the latest with the goalie situation is that Joel Blomqvist will start tonight in Carolina, Tristan Jarry will back him up and Alex Nedeljkovic will presumably get a start Friday night while on a conditioning assignment in the AHL. I expect Nedeljkovic to join the team on the Western Canada trip at some point, perhaps even at the onset of it. There are a lot of moving parts here. But my hunch is that they will carry all three goalies for a few days here and see how things play out. Obviously, that is not sustainable, so they will have to make a difficult decision if Blomqvist continues to play so well. I don't think they would pull a Ville Husso with Jarry, because goalies typically do not rebound after an AHL assignment. But I suppose that possibility should not be ruled out, assuming the Penguins are serious about attempting to win games this season.
Guest
12:02
With Tristan Jarry struggling, and Ned working his way back through the AHL process, and given the the rookie netminder Blomqvist has held his end, do you a scenario in which (a) the Pens carry through goaltenders and/or (b) move Jarry or Ned to clear a path for the rookie.  Clearly, a three game sample ain't enough to say it, but I feel like I have seen this Jarry movie before.
Matt Vensel
12:06
We do see teams occasionally do this for long stretches. Often that's because they don't want to expose one of their goalies on waivers. But it usually is problematic for everyone involved because there are only so many starts and practice reps to go around. In Blomqvist's case, he is not subject to a waiver claim. So they won't lose him if they do decide to send him to the AHL. They planned for him to start the season there, by the way, but Ned got hurt and then Blomqvist seized the opportunity. As I said in my last answer, I could see the Penguins carrying three on this upcoming five-game road trip. But I don't think it makes sense for the long haul. Whether it's in the NHL or the AHL, Blomqvist needs to play, not be stuck in a three-way timeshare.
Steeler Joe
12:06
What options do the Pens have with Jarry, realistically?
Matt Vensel
12:08
Jarry's contract is virtually untradeable, so scratch that off the list. That leaves them with the option to either keep him on the NHL roster and try to get him back on track, or to send him to the minor leagues. I would be stunned if someone claimed him on waivers, so he would head to the AHL to try to get his game in order. I think that is the nuclear option, and if that happens you would think an offseason buyout would be a real possibility. Kyle Dubas would be loath to do it, but it might be his only option with the Penguins rebuilding.
The guy in the stands with nachos
12:09
Clearly Karlsson's offensive talents are no longer making up for his "play no defense" attitude. Should, or better yet, will the coaches step in and tell him to be defensive responsible first or possibly roll back his playing time?
Matt Vensel
12:11
Erik Karlsson's play Wednesday was truly embarrassing, and I know there is at least one hockey operations VIP who would agree. There were a few occasions when he refused to skate, creating potential breakaways for the Sabres. And obviously, the Sabres got a goal on his lazy play where he misread a bounce of the boards. Perhaps the injury that sidelined him at the start of training camp is still hampering him. Either way, though, if he is on the ice, he has to skate.
Tom
12:11
It is nice that the Pens are getting scoring from their 3rd and 4th lines, but how long can they go without having a winger for Crosby?
Matt Vensel
12:13
The bottom-six scoring has been a pleasant surprise. The Penguins have gotten six goals from their third and fourth lines through five games, not including Drew O'Connor's short-handed goal on Wednesday. I do think it's somewhat sustainable given Jesse Puljujarvi's emergence and a few of the offseason additions, though I don't know if they can bank on a goal every night. As for the top line, a marque trade addition isn't walking through that door. Scoring will have to come from within, starting with Bryan Rust, who looks to be finding his stride after missing the first couple of games due to injury.
Johnny C
12:14
Is it hard for hockey players to “switch” positions like we sometimes see in the NFL (Woodson CB-safety)? As I watch the Pens, would Letang be a good candidate to move to a wing as he continues to age?
Matt Vensel
12:17
It is extremely rare to see it, and in the case of Kris Letang, it would be a ridiculous suggestion. I get that he's been up and down so far, but he is still a good NHL defenseman. If you are just asking about position changes generally, it would be very difficult. Not only have these players been doing skill development for a specific position for years, they are also used to seeing the ice from a certain vantage point. For a defenseman who would be leading the breakout from behind the net or running the point, it would basically be like asking a quarterback to go play linebacker or something. Completely different position. Heck, it's hard enough for a longtime center to convert to wing.
Guest
12:18
How have our defensive pairings looked to you so far?
Matt Vensel
12:21
Not great. Team defense, and more specifically things like odd-man rushes, comes down to all five players and even the decisions that are made when the Penguins do have the puck. But if you isolate how the pairings have played, they have all been up and down. I already discussed Karlsson. His partner, Marcus Pettersson, has not been as steady as he was last season. Letang has been erratic at times. I actually think his partner, Matt Grzelcyk, has been OK. The third pair has been fine. Kudos to Ryan Graves for a solid start to the year. Anyway, I don't see it as something where you need to put the pairs in the blender. The Penguins just need individuals, especially their two highest-paid defensemen, to settle in and perform better.
Guest
12:21
How do you think the third defensive line of Graves/St.Ivany are doing so far ?
Matt Vensel
12:24
They have hardly been a shutdown pair, but they also have not been a liability, which is a good start. The numbers, with it admittedly being a very small sample size, suggest that the third pair was better in the one game that Ryan Shea played in place of Jack St. Ivany. I would stick with St. Ivany because I feel like he has a little more upside than Shea going forward. But I wouldn't be surprised or outraged if we see Shea get some games on this road trip. Nothing wrong with keeping all of your depth players engaged. As for Graves, I want to see this continue before I write a big redemption piece. But I do think he looks better. He is defending harder, holding up against the rush and has even showed a slight uptick in physicality. It's encouraging.
Are the Pens irrelevant
12:25
Went to two bars over the weekend and one on Monday and the game wasn't on at two and was switched off in the middle at the other (eventually begrudgingly returned upon request). Last season, Girls Hoops was on 6 screens with full audio while the Pens were on one screen - in the corner - during the final playoff push. That was at a bar Mario, Stevens, Jags and crew haunted in the 90's. What happened?
Matt Vensel
12:26
I don't think you can answer that question based on what's on TV at your favorite bars. Check the attendance. That will tell you something, I'm sure. But beyond the 'Burgh, there is no doubt the Penguins are still relevant. Four of their first five games were on ESPN, Amazon, TNT or Hockey Night in Canada. There's the Sid factor right there.
Jason
12:27
Hey Matt! Hi from what’s left of Clearwater Fl. This is more of an opinion than a question but I think fans need to take a step back and enjoy the team win or lose. Odds are low they will win a cup this year but they are fun to watch regardless. I think as Pens fans we have been spoiled over the years. I get tired of so many complaining and calling for trades and firing coaches. People need to relax and enjoy the game of hockey for what it is, one of the best in person sporting events ever. LETS GO PENS!
Matt Vensel
12:30
Jason, first off, sorry to hear that you were in the path of that hurricane and hope that the damage wasn't that bad. My family vacations in North Captiva Island and we were worried that tiny island was going to get hammered again. As for your thoughts on the team, I think it's a great perspective to have. I'm not going to begrudge any fan who still has Stanley Cup aspirations. But the way I would look at it is that you will get to see Sidney Crosby finish his career in Pittsburgh, and how sweet would it be if this group or one in the future defies expectations and goes on one more deep playoff run? Even if they fall short of the Cup, it would still be one heck of a ride. As for this year's team, I still see them as being on the playoff bubble. And there have been causes for concern already. But I like what I have seen from some of the new guys and youngsters like Blomqvist should give fans hope. So I like that you want to just enjoy the ride and see how this season plays out.
12:32
That will do it for today's chat. Apologies if I did not get to your question today. Feel free to shoot me an email and I can give you my thoughts there. Enjoy the game tonight and have a great weekend!
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