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Mike DeFabo's Penguins chat: 04.15.22
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Chris M
10:12
Mike, it’s obvious that making the playoffs for 16 straight seasons is very impressive. However, do you think it’s the kind of record that sometimes falls by the wayside with fans, due to yearly sky-high expectations?
Mike DeFabo
10:14
I do. For a long of Penguins fans, anything short of a Stanely Cup is seen as a shortcoming. That's a tribute to how high Sid and co. have pushed the bar in Pittsburgh. Even inside the dressing room, they expect more than just qualifying for the playoffs. Kris Letang put it well last night when he said it was "expected" and the players had a "duty" to make sure the Penguins got into the dance.
10:16
I feel two ways about this, as someone who grew up in Pittsburgh. On one hand, we should appreciate these postseason appearances more. I'm 32. I've never seen the Pirates even win a postseason series and for most of my life, they've been borderline unwatchable. This postseaon streak proves the Penguins are perennial contenders. At the same time, I'm not going to criticize a fan who wants more. If that Penguins flame out in the first round, that's a disappointment. So I guess there's a balance between appreciating this run before it's gone while also hoping the Penguins can make the most of a Crosby window with at least one more run.
ppozone6031@gmail.com
10:16
I see change this Summer in Penguin Land. I think you only get to keep two of Malkin, Letang, Rust, and Rakell for cap reasons. I think Petterson and Doumalin are on the exit ramp. What say you?
Mike DeFabo
10:19
For Malkin and Letang to stay, they need to accept 2-3 year deals and pay cuts. I see Malkin being the one most likely to accept those terms.... With Rust, I wonder if the sides are too far apart to make a deal. If he really wanted to based on his production, I feel he could get as much as $6 or $7 mil a year on a long 5-6 year contract. The Penguins are very reluctant to lock themselves into another long, expensive contract like that. I think 5 x 5.5 would get the deal done, and would be more than the front office would like to pay. I'm sure Rust is willing to sacrifice some to play with Sid and Jake. But how knowing he has a young family and this is his last chance to get a big deal, how much of a sacrifice?
10:21
For that reason, i wonder if the chemistry you're seeing between Sid and Rakell could extend beyond his season. From a negotiating standpoint, Rakell is coming off two of the worst years of his career. Rust is coming off three of his best. Rust's game is predicated upon speed. How does that contract age? Rakell has size and great hands. That doesn't go away with age. I'm very intrigued to see how this unfolds this offseason.
Headed back to DC
10:22
Are the Pens going to practice today? Have to head back to DC today and trying to decide whether a trip out to Cranberry is worth it.
Mike DeFabo
10:22
They're scheduled to skate in Cranberry at noon. Sometimes that's as quick as 15-20 minutes.
Tom
10:23
Will Sullivan ever stop juggling his lines before the playoffs? For the past 3 years especially we were a better team but played teams that were set with who they were while we were still loke a team coming out of camp, figuring out who we were. Same this year?
Mike DeFabo
10:25
I'd say the lineup is coming into focus. The biggest question for me is where does Rakell play? The best Crosby line probably features Bryan Rust. Those two have well-established chemistry and Rust's speed/ puck pursuit/ forechecking/ defensive responsibility really complements the other two forwards. BUT, maybe the best top-six has the balance of Rust alongside Malkin, especially now that Geno robbed himself of four games to build chemistry with Rakell. If I were Mike Sullivan, I'd play Rakell with Sid the entirety of Geno's suspension to see what you have there. Then, play Rakell with Malkin 2-3 games and make a call
here's how I imagine the lineup shaking out
Guentzel - Crosby - Rakell
Zucker - Malkin - Rust
10:26
Rodrigues – Carter - Kapanen
Boyle - Blueger - McGinn
JCHESQ
10:27
Earlier in the season - a few weeks ago - I liked the pairing of KL and MM.  With the way BD has been playing (poorly by his standards) and the way the KL and MM pairing looked last night, I think that combination gives them a better first pairing.  Also, I'd stick with MF over MP on the 3rd pairing at this point too.  Curious to hear your thoughts and if you have any insight as what the coaches are thinking re the D pairings going forward.
Mike DeFabo
10:28
The defensive pairs are an interesting subject. For like 30-plus games, the Penguins stuck with the same combos: Dumoulin-Letang; Pettersson - Marino; Matheson - Ruhwedel
All of those are complementary. You've got one puck-mover/ offensive catalyst (Letang, Matheson, Marino) and one stay-at-home, steady guy (Dumoulin, Ruhwedel, Pettersson).
10:29
Three things have happened to change that conversation: 1. Dumoulin is puzzlingly struggling lately. He's supposed to be the one covering up Letang's mistakes but he's made too many himself lately... 2. Mark Friedman is proving he deserves playing time. 3. Marcus Pettersson has fallen into a slump after steadying his play for most of the season
10:30
I don't know why but I feel like Dumoulin is going to get his game back on track and jump back into the top pair. Matheson is such a fun player. But I just don't know if pairing him with another free-wheeling risk taker like Letang is the right move in a sport that miscues are exploited more than positive plays are celebrated
10:31
My gut tells me the Penguins revert back to those early-season pairs for Game 1. (Dumoulin-Letang; Pettersson - Marino; Matheson - Ruhwedel). Then, when someone makes a mistake, that could spark change in the middle of a series. The good news is the Penguins do have options
Bill in Va.
10:31
Love your coverage Mike. It is a mystery to me why Drew O'Connor is not  even up with Penguins. Can he be any less effective than 42 or 9? Is there an injury or something we do not know about?
Mike DeFabo
10:34
Thanks, Bill. I agreed with you. To refresh everyone's memory, O'Connor reportedly sustained a collapsed lung in mid-January. But he's been back for a while and has been lighting it up in Wilkes. Right now, the Penguins simply do not have any salary cap space to make a move. They are just $11,000 under the cap, which is less than you win at the 50-50 at PPG Paints Arena. But earlier? I'm not sure why he wasn't the one recalled when Angello, Zohorna, etc. were getting chances. My one guess is that they wanted O'Connor to get some more regular minutes in prominent roles to build his confidence ahead of a late-season recall. I also know they wanted him to focus specifically on the PK. I'd bet if the Penguins need a player in the postseason, he'd be the guy
Tom
10:35
Are you suprised the PO Joseph didn't play up in bigs this year? Not good or just to much depth?
Mike DeFabo
10:36
I'm mostly surprised they didn't have a million injuries or COVID illnesses to give P.O more of a chance. Remember last year when they had all four lefties from the Game 1 roster out with injury? I think P.O will get an extended look at some point next season. He's a polarizing prospect and I'm not sure the Penguins organization even agrees on what his is and what he could become
Sunner in Orlando
10:37
Jarry seems to be a bit off in the past 3 weeks. I've seen a bunch of soft goals. I am very concerned for the playoffs. Are you concerned?
Mike DeFabo
10:38
Jarry was the biggest question entering this season. He's going to continue to be one until he redeems himself in the postseason. I felt he was an All-Star goalie for a reason. His first half was exceptional. I expected him to bounce back. I did not expect him to play like one of the league's best.... That said, he's not been as good of late. Part of that is the play in front of him. The Penguins have too often left both of their netminders out to dry.
10:39
To answer your question, no I'm not concerned. More than anything, Jarry proved to me this season that he's a mentally tough goal. When things don't go his way, he's showing more fire, sometimes visibly like when he swings a stick or barks back at Marchand. Last year, I think the moment overwhelmed him. This year, I'd expect a better response to a bad goal or rough period
Nick D
10:40
How have the rangers shut down the penguins so far this year? They are not a team like the Canadians or Islanders of the past who play that slow down style. How will the pens be able to beat them in a first round series if they do happen to play them?
Mike DeFabo
10:41
Two things: 1. Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers goalie is the leading candidate for the Vezina for a reason. The Penguins know how good he is and have been trying to make the perfect play. I think sometimes they just need to get a puck on net and then hunt for rebounds.
10:42
2 The Penguins have been frustrated by the Rangers forecheck and have been turning the puck over way too much to feed the NYR transition game. You can't score if you don't have the puck or if you're stuck in your own zone. Too often that's the case
kevin in Punxsy
10:43
Mike, I read, earlier this morning that Detroit is going to throw the vault at Rust, as he was born in nearby Troy MI.  What have you heard?
Mike DeFabo
10:44
Detroit would be a very logical fit if Rust indeed moves on from Pittsburgh. I'm admittedly not connected to the Detroit Red Wings front office. But check above where I laid out what I'm hearing about those negotiations from the Penguins standpoint
Chief Powhatan
10:44
Great coverage of the Pens, Mike, but are you a fan of the TV coverage of hockey by ESPN and TNT?
Mike DeFabo
10:45
The one thing that bugs me about ESPN is there is no shot counter. I also feel like they could be doing a better job of promoting the game at SportsCenter... TNT? I actually really like what they've done with the intermission show. It's fun, lighthearted and also informative. Watching sports should make you laugh and give you entertainment. I think TNT gets it
Lonnie in Nashville
10:45
We’ve all seen the Penguins struggle when the postseason whistles are put away and uncalled infractions are allowed to snuff out more talented teams. The years they’ve won it all have been the ones where they keep their composure. Do you think that Malkin’s suspension brought any kind of lesson for players needing to keep their composure in the postseason?
Mike DeFabo
10:47
It should have been a good lesson for Malkin. He hurt the team. There's no doubt about it. They need to sort out line combinations and hold of the Capitals for third place in the Metro to avoid playing the Florida Panthers in the first round. I'd hope that sitting out watching this unfold is another reminder to Malkin that he needs to play on the right side
10:48
That said, it is a unique balance for Geno. He is an emotional guy and an emotional player. That's what makes him who his is. Sullivan often talks about how he WANTS Malkin to play with some fire but not let it overwhelm him. There's a line there. It's even more critical in the playoffs
Guest
10:50
Assuming  pens get back to full strength (big if), can you see Kappy as the healthy scratch ?  It’s a shame things haven’t worked out for him.
Mike DeFabo
10:50
I think Heinen is the healthy scratch *IF* they ever get healthy. We'll see.
Joe
10:50
Would you rather the Pens play the Rangers, Carolina or the Panthers in round one?
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