Now and later. It’s not just an abhorrent candy but the predominant theme underpinning most of the questions submitted in the latest PHN+ Pittsburgh Penguins Q&A.
To give our subscribers a little cookie for suffering through a difficult transition from our previous subscription platform to one that can grow with us and provide you with the exclusive plus content from all of our websites, we limited the questions to only PHN+ members.
The topics were interesting and indicative of the split personality of the season. Months ago, it was billed as the first step toward the next era, but instead, those answers from the great beyond have arrived in the form of players for the present.
And it is fair to say that Penguins fans still aren’t quite sure of how they feel or how to react. Winning is fun, hope is nice, but hopes of a high lottery pick this year for Gavin McKenna or Keaton Verhoff have been replaced with success.
Yet through the early season success as the Penguins, there isn’t yet optimism for playoff success. It’s quite a dichotomy that will be decided by the public largely in hindsight. If the Penguins crash out and get a bad pick, everyone will have known it was a bad idea to sign so many players instead of inserting the prospects, but if they win a playoff series or two, everyone will have been on board.
My feeling is that the only player for whom a spot should have been reserved is Rutger McGroarty. Koivunen has a spot. So, too, did Owen Pickering if he claimed it.
Ben Kindel took Tristan Broz’s spot. Can’t help that one.
In this case, there’s no shame in feeling the conflict of now vs. later. General manager Kyle Dubas is off the beaten path with his rebuild strategy, and it is unique.
Before we begin, let me just apologize for the rough transition of PHN+. As some of you know, I merged with a larger company over the summer (I didn’t sell out, and I certainly didn’t pad my bank account), but I’m no longer in control of everything. The new folks have some new ideas, and they’re making big changes to grow the site and ultimately what you get for your money.
It’s been a rough transition on a lot of fronts, but thank you for seeing this through, and every bit of feedback is read, considered, and appreciated.
I had to redo the submissions, and most of you ignored the request to email the questions. But you deserve to do things as you choose!
Penguins Q&A
RJ: QUESTION: Dumba is tearing it up at WBS with something like 9 points in his last 4 games, including a hat trick. Why hasn’t he been called up? Seems like he would be better than playing Shea on his off side . . . or is Dumba’s D too much of a liability?
Thanks, RJ. It’s a good question, and I will be in Wilkes-Barre this weekend for a much closer look (You guys are my Valentines, eh?).
So, before I put my eyeballs on the situation and hopefully have a chat with Dumba, I must confess I’m torn on his situation. I was very impressed in camp and preseason. Then, I was unimpressed once the season began.
Taking you behind the curtain just a bit, during camp, Dumba and I had a couple of pleasant, friendly chats. When I approached him between the end of camp and the start of the season, I encountered a much different person. He was already a bit sour as he realized his situation.
Hey, I’ve been in very similar professional situations before. I didn’t handle them well. So, I have a lot of empathy for an athlete who is affected by it. It seems he has righted the ship, and I think Dumba has to be a strong consideration for two reasons:
First, to help the team. Shea-Dumba and Kulak-Clifton are probably better than Kulak-Shea and Solovyov-Clifton. Second, a trade showcase. If Dumba can show well, RHDs are in high demand.
Darren: In the off-season, I thought it was a great idea to sign Anthony Mantha with the hopes he would find his game and be flipped for a prospect or some picks. With the trade deadline approaching, would it be wise to keep him and even possibly extend him? It doesn’t seem like any of the prospects from the AHL are ready to replace his production if they deal him. What do you think?
Yep. I am on board with keeping him as their own trade deadline rental, and I’d advocate for a short contract extension. Mantha’s career arc has seen big years and very disappointing years. If he’s willing to talk about a two-year deal, it makes sense. If he wants a longer term, the team can easily give that spot to Rutger McGroarty and Avery Hayes, and maybe Ville Koivunen.
David: If Sidney Crosby is so superstitious, why does he continue to go 2nd in the shootout order? You would think that if the Pens lost, he would want to change up the order. Or do you believe this to be a Dan Muse decision? You would think Sid would at least express his desire for change.
Well..he doesn’t ALWAYS go second. However, if he knew that when he went second, he didn’t score, but scored when he went first or third, both he and coach Dan Muse would probably change.
For my two cents, I don’t care about the shootouts. Can’t really practice them. Can’t really improve. Either your team is good at them or not. The Penguins just aren’t built for the skills competition anymore, and they thankfully don’t have those stupid things in the playoffs.
Jeff: Goalie questions… do you see either Skinner (UFA) or Silovs (RFA) being moved at the deadline? Should Kyle extend one or both? Is it time to make room for either Blomqvist or Murashov to get some NHL playing time? The Pens seem to have excess goaltending at a time when many teams are goaltender-hungry.
I think it’s an underrated feature of Dubas’s GM tenure: Wait and see.
If Skinner continues to play well, he’s a good bet to re-sign. He’s only 27, and he’s really a glue guy on the inside. But if he regresses, then all bets are off. I wish I could give you a more definitive answer.
The playoffs and who rises to the occasion could decide this one for us. If Skinner becomes the No. 1 and wins, he comes back. If Silovs does, then he, too, will be back. The other … probably not.
Right now, what would Skinner or Silovs net on the trade market? Probably not enough to make Dubas want to make the trade.
And don’t forget, Sergei Murashov has a sub .900 save percentage in the NHL this season. In the past, Dubas has not been shy about holding three goalies until forced–by situation or trade offer–to pare his stable. That could happen here, too.
Joel Blomqvist is fourth in line. It’s awkward, for sure. Goaltending has been a bane of Dubas’s GM life, and it seems he’s hoarding goalies. From Josh Ho-Sang (bet a Ho-Sang reference wasn’t on your bingo card today) to any player being held back, I genuinely feel for them. We get one go-round on this planet, and I don’t like to see guys have their careers blocked.
Ilja: Thrilled by the surprise this year, but my question is about legacy. If Sid stays healthy, does your spider sense tingle about a possible extension following next season when his contract ends? I’d love for the man to reach 2,000 points. And think of the mentorship for what looks to be some very good young talent.
Yes. Full stop.
isrdude: OK Dan. Once again….(I feel your pain!), what RFAs and FAs, currently on the roster should Pens retain next year? Also, are there any potential FAs and RFAs on other rosters that the Pens should try to sign in the offseason?
Evgeni Malkin. Ryan Shea. Connor Dewar. Brett Kulak.
If or when the Penguins are ready to move forward with Owen Pickering, Shea or Kulak would be easily tradeable. But I think it’s more likely that Pickering is traded than either of those two.
I think Dubas had no plans to re-sign Malkin for another year, but the galloping Russian has forced his hand.
Connor Dewar: Too good with Blake Lizotte to let walk and will be very affordable.
TBD: Ilya Solovyov.
Kaleb: I know he’s not even through his first full season, but has your opinion on Ben Kindel’s potential changed as a 2/3C type? If your opinion hasn’t changed, how do you think Dubas will be looking to acquire the next foundational player now that the team is performing so much better than expected?
I think a solid second-line center is a good projection for Kindel. His growth through this year and the number of little things that he does well project quite well.
Of course, Jordan Staal could have been more than a 3C, too. Sometimes, situations dictate placement.
Unknown: Compare Dan Muse to Badger Bob Johnson
I could see the question in the abyss of the first attempt at this Q&A, but not who it was from. But I loved the question. Thank you!
I think it’s unfair to compare anyone to Badger Bob, who, by all accounts, was a force of nature. He was beloved and one of the sharpest hockey minds behind the bench.
There are some similarities between the two. To Muse’s credit, he has created an open locker room that is pushing each other for success rather than fearing failure.
Encouragement. Optimism. Detailed support. They’re all very obviously present, and there is an enthusiasm, even on off-days during bad stretches.
Cmon, Sidney Crosby and Kindel have to be dragged off the ice sometimes (Bryan Rust, Kris Letang, and others also join in their post-practice games).
It’s a good environment, and it’s not about Dan Muse–he’s there for them, and that’s what also reminds me of Bob Johnson.
Tags: Pittsburgh Penguins
Categorized:PHN+