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Matt Vensel's Penguins chat: 06.20.19
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Matt Vensel
1:38
Good afternoon, folks. My kids just passed out for naps, so I plan to get this going a little early today. If you have a question or two, go ahead and submit them now so they get into the cue. Hopefully, we can get a decent amount of draft chatting going today.
First things first, it's humid as hell, so I'm going to grab a freeze pop.
MA
1:40
Any word on if Chris Kunitz or Matt Cullen will be retiring ?
Matt Vensel
1:40
I have not heard one way or another yet on Matt. I'm guessing that decision will be made soon, if it hasn't been already. Not sure about Kunitz. I have not been keeping tabs on him. Sorry.
Guest
1:40
How’d did you like the NHL awards last night?
Matt Vensel
1:41
I was pecking away on my laptop for work stuff, so I turned over the remote to my wife and followed the night on Twitter. I did hear on the radio today the bit Crosby did. That was actually pretty funny.
Randy B
1:42
Hello Matthew. Any truth behind these LeBrun rumors that Rutherford is listening to offers for Letang? And if so, what do you think Rutherford is looking for in a return?
Matt Vensel
1:45
Randy, it's not exactly news that Rutherford wouldn't hang up the phone if someone called. He pretty much admitted as much on the radio the other day. Kris is a proud guy, and I can't imagine the GM declining to say he is untouchable will sit well with him. But unless Kris demands to be traded or something like that, it's hard to imagine a deal getting done because the Penguins would presumably only want to deal Malkin or Letang if it was a slam-dunk trade that made them better right now. I'm not sure that trade exists out there.
pozone
1:45
I believe Kessell goes by Ju;y 1 what say you? I also believe Letang goes by July 1 to Vancouver? What say you?
Matt Vensel
1:46
As for Kessel, if I had to bet, I still think it's likely he gets traded this summer, whether the Penguins strike a deal with one of the eight teams on his list or if he gives in to going to the Wild.
Danno
1:46
Saw in your mock you have Spencer Knight going at 12. Inside information? Personally I thought he would fall to a team with 2 first round picks.
Matt Vensel
1:47
He'll go to a team that wants a really good goalie prospect, though, to your point (I think) not many goalies go in the first round nowadays.
Danno
1:47
I don't think Podkolzin will fall to 21 but if he's there do the Pens take him or are they in a too win now attitude to wait?
Matt Vensel
1:48
I've got to say, I'm a little puzzled as to why teams would be that scared off by Podkolzin, who has two years left on his KHL deal. Most of the players picked outside of the top 5 or so need a couple of years to develop. Why does it matter if it's in the OHL or the KHL? Perhaps teams are worried he won't ever come over, but I believe he has said playing in the NHL is his dream. If you're the Pens, why not take him?
Dan Mucy
1:48
Hello my friend!  Glad to talk in a chat....so do you have any gut feelings on any possible trades other than Kessel?   I can't believe that dealing Maatta and even Kessel will all of a sudden "fix" this team's problems.   Thanks Matt!  Talk again soon!  Dan
Matt Vensel
1:51
Kessel remains one to watch, as does Jack Johnson, despite the GM saying that the plan was either to trade Jack or Olli Maatta. I think Tristan Jarry is someone to watch considering his contract situation going forward. And I wonder if something will happen with Letang or Justin Schultz given that Schultz will be a free agent next offseason. Do the Penguins feel they can only afford one of those guys going forward? And is that something they feel the need to tackle now?
66fan
1:51
I would never trade Malkin personally— he should retire a Penguin— but IF Toronto would trade Mitch Marner negotiating rights (and Pens thought they could work out a deal) I think you would have to consider it.  Toronto would get a premier player for less than what Marner wants and stay a contender.  Pens would get younger and also stay a contender.  Malkin and JJohnson for Marner and a late pick
Matt Vensel
1:52
No offense, but why would Toronto do that? They already have two All-Star centers and Marner is one of the top young forwards in hockey. Why would trade Marner for an aging Malkin, who is coming off a rough season, let alone take Jack and give up a pick to do it?
John_N
1:53
Hello.. Couldn't the Pens Mgmt play hardball with Phil Kessel after his rejecting th trad.. telling him privately that he would sit for 50% of the games if he stays thereby eroding his next contract value and eliminating his consecutive games played streak.  For his eroding five on five play and refusal to shoot on the power play, I would play a rotating set of right wings and make him sit and stew.  That would make him entertain the thought of accepting the trade (to anywhere).
Matt Vensel
1:54
I mean, I suppose they could tell him that privately, but I'm guessing he would call their bluff. Anyway, I don't think things are THAT bad with Phil here. Would they like to move him? Obviously. But I really think they will just try to make it work if they can't find a deal this summer and maybe look to move him before the deadline if the situation (and his lackadaisical play) didn't get any better.
Kennywood
1:54
I don't understand why the team signs a player to a big contract, only for the talk next year to be about how to get out from under it.
Matt Vensel
1:55
I give a GM credit for recognizing that a move was bad and proactively trying to undo it. Heck, Bill Belichick is that way in some regards. But that doesn't mean we should praise the GM for unloading a bad contract that he shouldn't have handed out in the first place.
Eddie Shack
1:56
So much angst over what the Pens could get for Phil.  Bottom line we ended up sending Kasperi Kappanen to Toronto (a nice player but imminently replaceable) and we ended up with 2 stanley cups of which Phil was instrumental - he should have been MVP in '16.  If we can move Phil for a few drat picks and not retain salary that alone is a win since the brass and coach clearly do not not want Phil here.  If you really love Zucker flip a pick or two for him from the Phil trade.  The whole Minnesota deal didn't make a ton of sense, yes you would also move Jack Johnson, but by taking Victor Rask - who may be more of a liability - it was zero sum.
Matt Vensel
1:57
I think this is a reasonable take, especially in giving Phil his proper due for his contributions to Cup teams. I've honestly been surprised by some of the fans who have turned on Phil because he wants to be here. Aren't we supposed to be mad when they want to leave?
1:58
I'm going to head to the fridge to snag another freeze pop. In the meantime, send over a question if something is on your mind. This will be a brief chat if I have to start taking questions from my dog.
Normie
2:02
Good Afternoon.  Is there anyone in the draft who at #21 maybe able to provide immediate help coming out of this weekends draft?  I recall someone at age 20 from one of your articles?
Matt Vensel
2:05
Normie, you're thinking of Brett Leason, who was eligible to be drafted in the previous two drafts but no one called his name. Then he had a monster season this last year and played for Canada at the WJC. He is ready to go pro this season, whether that's the NHL or the AHL. But if you're using the pick instead of trading it for veteran help, I think you need to worry about upside, not the time of arrival.
As for what the Penguins can expect to get from a typical 21st overall pick, check out this thing I did for the website the other day: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2019/06/19/pittsburgh-pen...
section 234
2:05
im marveling at the fire Sully peeps. this man is an NHL coach and will be for years, here or elsewhere. 58 is overrated and undisciplined , needs to go not MS.
Matt Vensel
2:07
I think it's fair to worry that some of the team's top players tuned out the coach at times, but you don't just fire a two-time Cup-winning coach without giving him a chance to turn things around. Sullivan is a good coach and should have a long leash given his track record.
Eddie Shack
2:07
Matt one name we haven't heard in any "rumours" is Bjugstad….again nice player, but let's face it McCann is the star of that deal.
Matt Vensel
2:08
I don't see them actively looking to move Bjugstad. He's just entering his prime years and did some good things after coming over from Florida. He's the kind of guy they should be looking to add, not subtract. I do wonder where he ends up playing this season. Will he be the third-line center? Or will he become a top-six winger if they do indeed move on from Mr. Kessel?
Guest
2:08
What it will take to trade Jack Johnson? Sending a player or draft pick with him, or could we trade him without a sweetener, and if so, why hasn’t it been done yet?
Matt Vensel
2:11
Rutherword said this week that it came down to trading Jack Johnson or Olli Maatta in order to get cap relief. They found a taker and decent return for Maatta, so I don't expect them to give up an asset to unload his contract. The hope is they don't have to lean on Jack as much as they did last season, but he wasn't THAT bad down the stretch.
Guest
2:11
Where do the pens go from here? Surely the Maatta trade can’t be all.
Matt Vensel
2:12
They're not done. There will be activity the next 2-3 weeks.
66fan
2:12
why wouldn’t the Pens offer sheet some of the bridge-deal type players from the RFA pool?  Leafs still need to sign Marner so Johnsson and Kapanen could be ripe for the picking; or with SJ shelling out massive money for Karlsson maybe take a run at Timo Meier?  anything less than $4.2mil/season only costs a second round pick.  thoughts?
Matt Vensel
2:12
They can make an offer, sure, but the other team can still match.
Dan Mucy
2:13
Hahahaha...for one, I'd be glad to know your dog's thoughts!   Matt...any chance JR deals the #1 pick?   I think after watching Boston nearly win a Cup with geezers...maybe the embarrassment of the Islander series could be some degree of extra incentive next year?
Matt Vensel
2:15
My dog wants to know why I'm typing and not throwing him a tennis ball. As for whether Rutherford trades the pick, sure, it's possible. He told me last week that he could be open to trading down and adding another pick depending on how the first round unfolds. I'm sure that given his history he would dangle it in the right player trade.
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