King Jemison's Penguins chat: 07.09.26
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King Jemison
12:01
Hello everybody! Love seeing all these questions already. I'll start going through the ones folks have dropped in here and will also mix in questions added live, so keep them coming.
I'll be here until 1 p.m. Here we go...
vinny macaroni
12:02
Rank the following Erik Karlsson scenarios from most to least likely: summer trade, deadline trade, walks as free agent, contract extension.
King Jemison
12:06
Huge question for the season, and all those options seem plausible. I'll add one more: a new contract next summer. If the season is going poorly, a deadline trade becomes the most likely option. If he starts the year on the team and they're playing well, that becomes much harder. This is just a guess, but I'd go:
  1. Walks as free agent
  2. Deadline trade
  3. New contract next summer
  4. Summer trade
  5. Contract extension this summer
And as soon as I say that, he'll sign an extension this week. But I have a hard time seeing the Penguins doing that this summer, at least not until they see if he can keep up last year's form.
Jim
12:06
Do you think the Robertson saga is holding up other possible deals?
King Jemison
12:10
Good question, and it would make sense to me.  I wondered if part of the reason they accumulated all these bottom-six forwards and right-shot defensemen is that they were thinking they might have to ship out some in a Robertson trade or another blockbuster. They could spare some of their prospect depth — players like Rutger McGroarty and Avery Hayes — now that they have cheap bottom-six replacements. Their moves so far would also make it easier to send out Erik Karlsson or Harrison Brunicke as a major part of a trade package.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:10
The Pens kind of petered out against the Flyers as they showed that the Pens were a step slow and not aging gracefully. Is the team thinking they will let more of the youngsters make the team and maybe take a step back this year or are they going all in to win a playoff series by trying get Robertson out of Dallas or trying to make a splashy trade to upgrade? As of right now, I have the team forecasted to be in the mushy middle and barely making the playoffs at best.
King Jemison
12:13
First of all, I hope you're hanging in with that Florida sun. I'm visiting my family in Tennessee this week, and that's already hot enough. As for the question, I think that would be a reasonable strategy. They obviously still have a ways to go in the rebuild. But it does seem like they are making some win-now moves, or at least not getting much younger. I also have the team forecast in the mushy middle, which is why their remaining moves will be so interesting. If they add difference-makers and go for it next season, great. If they trade away some of their veterans to collect prospects and picks, great. But so far, they haven't really planted the flag either way this summer.
Scott via Louisville
12:13
Could more be written about different strategies used in hockey similar to plays in football. After many years I still feel like a nub when it comes to watching hockey.
King Jemison
12:15
I like that idea, Scott. I would certainly learn something through that, too!

On a related note: I don't know about you, but I've felt so lost watching soccer this summer. I enjoy it, but I have no idea what's happening most of the time other than "One team has the ball more."
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:15
Other than Robertson, are there any other free agents or players that they can get in a trade that would bolster the team immediately or will it be that they wait it out until the end of summer to see what is left in the market?
King Jemison
12:19
Yes, I think there are several more options. Not so much through free agency — Anthony Mantha is pretty clearly the best remaining FA, and it sure doesn't seem like the Penguins are going down that road again — but via trades. Those trades could come later in the summer, too. At this point, we've exited the busy part of the offseason, so teams can be more patient. I think Elias Pettersson would help the Penguins if the cost is low and he agrees to a trade. I'd be very interested in a Shane Wright deal. He might not make them better immediately but would certainly help the future. And there are plenty more dominoes to fall.
Scott via Louisville
12:19
Do you expect a bounce back year for Letang?  He is a beast in the gym so I’d think when healthy we could see a better version of himself than we did last year.
King Jemison
12:21
I probably wouldn't bet on it. He was struggling mightily early in the season, and I don't think that was an injury issue. It's certainly not a work ethic issue for 58. But I'm just not sure he has the legs to play the aggressive game he wants to play anymore. Of course, Letang has overcome a ton in his career. He's perfectly capble of proving me (and many others) wrong.
Garrett
12:21
Do the Penguins want the Flyers to get Leo Carlsson? They would forfeit their next four 1st round picks(they're an injury or 2 from forfeiting a Top 10 pick). They would hamper their cap situation; they could not build depth, and they wouldn't have cheap players coming up the pipeline on entry-level deals to fill the void. If I thought they were 1 top line center from being true Cup contenders, I wouldn't be asking this question, but they'd have the #1 paid player on their payroll for only 5 more years, at which point, they'd have to re-up him at probably an even higher number to keep him on board. Thoughts?
King Jemison
12:25
Answering this one now because news just broke that Anaheim matched the Leo Carlsson offer sheet, so he won't be a Philadelphia Flyer. But this is still a fascinating hypothetical that I've pondered, too. Carlsson would have made the Flyers definitively better than the Penguins in the short term but would short-circuit their rebuild in the long-term. I still think it's a good thing for the Pens that he's not in Philly. He could end up as a Top 5 player in the league for a decade, and that's just not something you want in your division. That said, Philly now keeps those assets and clearly will be looking to add a different star.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:25
Who is the best goalie long term for the Pens, Silovs or Murashov? Will they alternate games like last year or will their philosophy change this year?
King Jemison
12:27
I would say Murashov long-term. I think he might even be better next season. I have no idea about the rotation. Perhaps the playoffs taught Muse that there's value in riding the hot hand, but I also think he viewed the alternating schedule as keeping both guys ready for when they were needed in the postseason. My opinion: if the Penguins think Murashov is their goalie of the future, he should be playing at least half the games. It does his development no favors to sit on the bench for multiple games in a row.
Jim
12:27
Which Penguins players do you think Dubas considers untouchable in any trade?
King Jemison
12:30
The safest answer is just Sidney Crosby. I'm sure he'd also be extremely hesitant to deal Ben Kindel, Sergei Murashov and Egor Chinakhov, among others. Of course, another thing to keep in mind in hockey is the no-move clauses. For example, Dubas would probably be willing to trade Erik Karlsson for the right package. But Karlsson would have to approve any deal.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:31
Do you agree with the trade of Wotherspoon? I thought he was our most reliable defenseman and came at a reasonable cap hit. I would much rather have Wotherspoon over Girard who I thought was very disappointing last year after the trade for Kulak. In fact, I thought the trade for Girard really hurt our defensive cohesion last year.
King Jemison
12:34
Thanks for keeping up the questions, Sunner. When I first saw the Wotherspoon trade, I was floored. I thought he was excellent in his role last season and brought the best out of Karlsson. But when I looked more into Kaedan Korczak, it started to make sense. The Penguins are selling high on a player who, if he plays remotely as well as last season, will require a big contract next summer. The Golden Knights are getting a cheap contributor, something they desperately needed. And the Penguins are getting a young defenseman with high upside who can also play right away.

As for Girard, he was not good in Pittsburgh last season. Jason Spezza said he was dealing with an injury, so maybe he will be better next season. But the Penguins weren't going to get much value out of trading Girard this summer.
Garrett
12:34
If the Penguins are treading water and significantly out of the playoff race in Jan/Feb. How many of these 3 players are shipped out for future draft capital: Rust, Rakell, Karlsson?
King Jemison
12:35
I'd bet 2 out of 3, at least. Rust has no trade protection. Rakell only has an 8-team trade list. If the Penguins are really struggling and both those guys are still playing well enough to maintain value, it would seem like a no-brainer to deal them. Karlsson would have to approve a move. But I bet he would jump at the chance to leave for a contender if things aren't going well in Pittsburgh.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:36
Now that new ownership is coming in, do the Pens reach out to Mario for his input? I think they should offer him a position with the team as a consultant at the very minimum as they have missed his input the last few years IMO.
King Jemison
12:36
The Hoffmanns have said they will involve Mario as much as he wants to be involved. Not establishing a better relationship with 66 might have been FSG's biggest mistake. It seems the Hoffmanns are determined to avoid repeating it.
Garrett
12:37
Who won the Chinakov/Dubas contract negotiation? Dubas, who gets a 3-year trial run on a player who caught fire in the 2nd half of the season? Or Chinakov, who gets a hefty pay raise at $6.25AAV and another crack at UFA at age 28?
King Jemison
12:38
I'd call that a win-win! When you look at some of the other deals this summer, Chinakhov's contract seems like a bargain for the Penguins. At the same time, that was way more than it looked like he would make at this point last year.
Ron J
12:38
I can’t understand the Parker Witherspoon trade? Being he was the best left defenseman
King Jemison
12:39
Thanks for the question, Ron, and I'll point you to the longer answer above to Sunner's question. But long story short: I get what you're saying, and I do think the Penguins have work to do on the left side of the defense. If they roll into training camp with this lineup, they're not going to be very good there. But the Wotherspoon trade in a vacuum makes sense to me because Korczak could be really good.
GreenfieldGorillas
12:40
Will the Penguins ever let Letang and Karllson play together in the power play? Every time they bench Kris Letang from power play unit one I cringe. They need to move Malkin off the point and down to center. I hate the convention of forcing a forward at the point in the power play. I don’t recall Lemieux or Jagr manning the point on the power play. You have two Of the greatest offensive defenseman in history and the Penguins, whether it’s Dan Muse or going back to Mike Sullivan, won’t let the two play together, even on the power-play!  They are benching Letang taking him away from his teammates of 20 years and diluting their own power-play. I’d love to see those four all together work magic together on the blue line , but we never do.
King Jemison
12:43
First of all, I'd love to hear more about the Greenfield Gorillas. As for your question (and I think I've seen you comment this before on a story), it's a really interesting idea. It would certainly be unconventional in today's NHL. But Malkin was a problem at the point last season. His lack of speed and defensive awareness is a big reason they gave up so many shorties. And Letang and Karlsson are at their best on the PP. That said, I think Kindel and Chinakhov should both get PP1 opportunities, so I'm not sure how that would work with 58 and 65 out there as well.
FirstTimeLongTime
12:44
KJ - We have a logjam... well everywhere except LHD.  people will go crazy but if a big fish is the target then you're going to see KB VK or RG moved in a deal. Accept it now Pens fans, this is why Dubas acquired UFA's to fill roster. Rakell, Rutger, (2)1st and a 3rd going to Dallas for Robertson. Then snagging a 3 team trade with carolina involving Nikishin and Kotkaniemi for Novak (3rd team) Pickering, Brazeu and VK (back to carolina) and 2 2nds (another additional pick going to carolina via Novak).  While we're at it, we're tossing a 2nd,Broz and Kotkaniemi (retain salary) to Seattle and bringing back Shane Wright.  My work here is done.
King Jemison
12:48
Somebody's been working the trade machine! This would certainly make the next two months more interesting for me at work — and I don't disagree with the idea that adding cheap UFA depth makes prospects expendable. The Robertson package you laid out is conceivable, although I'd bet they want another prospect as well or a more exciting player than McGroarty. I don't think that's the type of deal Carolina is seeking for Nikishin. I could see them wanting Erik Karlsson after they tried to get his homophone doppelganger, John Carlson. And I think Seattle would want a more established NHLer in a Shane Wright trade, too. But I love these ideas and if Dubas somehow pulled them off, the Penguins could be really good next season!
Garrett
12:48
If you had to project, who ends up having the better NHL career when it's all said and done: Zonnon or Horcoff?
King Jemison
12:49
Great question. Zonnon is more of a sure thing. Horcoff has higher upside, at least as a scorer. I'll go with Zonnon. The Penguins seem to love him, and I can see why. He will be a fan favorite once he reaches the NHL because he plays so hard.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:49
What if any do you believe Sid is being consulted for any off season moves? I know he is the most important Pen, but you would think he has an opinion about how he would like the roster to be developed and the Pens would be wise to consider any of his input. Agree?
King Jemison
12:50
I'm really not sure. I think the Penguins consider how Crosby will feel about their moves, but I'm not sure how directly he's involved with them or wants to be. He's one of the smartest hockey minds on the planet, but as a player, he's still going to default to loyalty to his teammates.
Garrett
12:51
Crosby is eligible for an extension this summer. Do you foresee him signing another 1 year deal before the drop of the puck in the Fall?
King Jemison
12:52
Going a little faster here at the end so I can get to everything by about 1 p.m... I think Crosby will still be a Penguin in 2027-28. So I would predict he'll sign an extension this summer, but it's hard to say what a player at that stage in his career is thinking.
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