You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Post-Gazette Penguins chat: 12.12.19
powered byJotCast
Penguins Insider
12:42
Good afternoon, Penguins fans, and thanks for joining the chat. We'll get started at 1 p.m. but go ahead and submit your questions now so they'll be in the queue. Hope to chat for 30-45 minutes today.
12:43
That said, if we're getting a lot of good questions, we'll keep going.
1:01
OK, who's ready to chat? I've got a Diet Coke and I'm ready to party.
Tom in Dallas
1:01
If you compare Geno's numbers to when Sid is out and Sid is playing, just my impression, but I would guess his numbers are slightly higher when Sid is out.  Any thoughts or numbers to confirm?
Penguins Insider
1:02
Tom, I say this in the politest way possible: Read our website! We wrote about this very topic Saturday. So the numbers obviously don't include Tuesday's loss, when Geno had an assist. But they definitely confirm your guess that he steps it up: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2019/12/07/penguins-Evgen...
Chicago_pens_fan
1:03
I understand that sully prioritizes righty-lefty combinations on defense, but at some point, doesn’t it make more sense to get Riikola on the ice? Seems like there is more potential and upside than the others for 6th defenseman currently....
Penguins Insider
1:05
There is a vocal section of the fan base who loves Riikola and I just don't get it. Yeah, every once in a while he rips a slap shot or throws a hip check and you get excited about it. But the consistency is not there from him. Trust me, if they felt he was a better option or a slightly lesser player than Ruhwedel, he'd be in the lineup over Ruhwedel. Remember, Riikola is the lefty. Mike Sullivan is actually eschewing having three lefties and three righties because he clearly can't trust Riikola. And not to pile on Riikola, but he's hardly a prospect. He's 26. I don't know how much more upside he has.
Jimmie
1:05
Is Galchenyuk  a bust or not?  Can Crosby make a difference for him when the great one returns?
Penguins Insider
1:08
Jimmie, I typically try to be late rather than early on calling someone a bust because as we have seen with Dominik Kahun it takes some longer than others to get comfortable. That said, I would be very surprised if Galchenyuk turns it around to, say, finish with 20 goals. I wasn't super high on him when the Penguins acquired him and I was not impressed with him during training camp and the preseason. Now, we know in hindsight that he was dealing with an injury. But here we are in December and he's essentially a fourth-liner. And given that Galchenyuk doesn't hit, avoids scrums and isn't a good defender, it's hard to imagine him being a match with Sidney Crosby, let alone being given those kinds of minutes. He's a lot like Daniel Sprong. We'll see if he can turn that around. If not, it would not be surprising to see him dealt at the deadline, assuming someone will take him. If not, he is a free agent after the season.
Bobby
1:09
Has Crosby been skating or been seen at the facilities? What will line combos look like when Crosby comes back around Christmas? Will Jake n bake get the hook from Malkin line?
Penguins Insider
1:12
Bobby, as far as we know, Crosby has not resumed skating. Mike Sullivan was asked about him a couple of days ago and he did not mention that. He typically tells the media, when asked, if a player is back on the ice. But yes, he's around. We see him occasionally at the arena or the practice facility. I've seen him twice in the last week. As for combinations, I'm not going to go there because a lot can change in a few weeks, especially with all the injuries. I will say that I am curious to see if Sullivan keeps Malkin and Guentzel together if those two are still on a roll. They've been awesome: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2019/12/08/Evgeni-Malkin-...
1:13
Man, that's it for the questions? C'mon, fire away, Pens fans!
Are we too busy thinking about that Duck dude and the Steelers?
casual fan
1:15
Tell me why I get upset with Malkin so easily for what seems to be stupid, obvious penalties...
Penguins Insider
1:16
I dunno. Sounds like a question for your therapist. I will say that Malkin, despite taking one of them against Montreal, has been pretty disciplined this season. He's taken four minutes in 20 games.
Fish
1:16
Why was Blandisi called up Any rumours yet
Penguins Insider
1:17
Not sure about that one, Fish. All 12 of their forwards finished practice yesterday and the team did not announce anything. The flu has been going around the locker room. That could be the reason. We might not know what's up until Mike Sullivan talks at 5 p.m.
scott
1:17
Is Jarry something to build upon or possible asset to get rid of AG/JJ contracts?  or do you see a minor CD trade?
Penguins Insider
1:19
Scott, you really think they should deal Jarry now? He's been awesome and Murray has struggled. I'm sure both of them will regress toward the middle. But even if you think the Penguins should deal Jarry while his value is high, they can't afford to lose games now. As for the two players you mentioned, Alex Galchenyuk is in the final year of his deal, so I don't see the logic in giving up Jarry just to save a few bucks the rest of the year. And Jack Johnson has been better this season and is one of only two healthy lefties in the lineup. Like it or not, he's not going anywhere anytime soon.
Doley
1:21
How does the org thread the needle with Murray's contract? Surely he can't be expecting a Price or Vasilevskiy type deal now.
Penguins Insider
1:23
Doley, appreciate the question. It's really too soon to say. This could be a one-month blip for him like last season and he finishes the year with a .920 save percentage and leads him on a deep playoff run. Or maybe he continues to struggle and Jarry runs away with the job. It makes sense for both Murray and the Pens to wait and see how all of this plays out. But, to your point, Murray has done nothing in the first two months of the season to change the narrative that he is a good playoff goalie but far from elite over the long 82-game season. It's going to be fascinating to see how his situation plays out.
Ron J
1:23
Did anybody check out the ice at Cranberry ?  I think there must be something wrong . players getting hurt in practice ?
Penguins Insider
1:24
As someone who skates there regularly, I can assure you that the ice is kept in excellent condition. It's fair to wonder if the Penguins are doing something that is a common thread among some of these injuries, but I don't think the ice is it, especially since a few of these injuries have happened in games or practices in other cities.
1:25
Any more questions? Or are we heading for our pregame naps?
1:28
OK, looks like that's it for today. Please check out our story from this morning, if you haven't already, about how the Penguins are doing a better job of picking their blue-line this season: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2019/12/11/penguins-offen...
1:29
Have a great afternoon, Pens fans. We'll do it again sometime soon.
Connecting…