Much has taken place since we last met for a mailbag.
The Penguins made an incredible surge, only to fall just short of the playoffs. Sidney Crosby kept doing Sidney Crosby things. Tristan Jarry never saw another start. And now, the postseason is in full swing.
Let’s talk about all of the above, and much more. Away we go.
Was the hot streak at the end of the year a fluke or is it a real foundation that will lead to a promising 2024-25 season? — @MatthewJudy1
This is a perfectly reasonable question, and I hate riding the fence here, but you know how it goes. The truth is usually in the middle. I think the late-season streak showcased that, when Crosby and Evgeni Malkin get hot, the Penguins can still do great things. I also think we learned that when young players are incorporated into this lineup, good things can happen. Hello, Jack St. Ivany.
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However, the prudent approach is to acknowledge that, while that streak late in the season was fun, it probably doesn’t represent who these Penguins are. President/general manager Kyle Dubas essentially said as much at his season-ending news conference. It’s not like the Penguins’ flaws had been repaired during that streak. Rather, Crosby, Malkin and Erik Karlsson were simply brilliant on many nights, which triggered a great run. They still didn’t get bottom-six scoring. They still stunk defensively. They still were horrible situationally. Until those items are corrected, I can’t say this is a good team.
What are the chances Dubas is successful with a mini rebuild ala Kings and Rangers — @ejonesoh1
I’m actually a pretty big believer in Dubas. Sure, he made some mistakes in his first season guiding the Penguins, namely the Ryan Graves deal, which looks terrible at the moment.
But I think he’s really good. It’s important to acknowledge that he walked into a horrible spot. The Penguins had aged out, they had little money to spend and holes everywhere on their roster. Dubas isn’t a miracle worker, and his vision will take some time to implement.
Still, I think he was the correct hire and I do believe he will push the Penguins into a more favorable direction.
Thoughts on spending all of that cap space on strictly building the best 3rd line in the NHL — @6_Lombardis
How about even an average one? The bottom six is a massive problem for the Penguins. The top six is still really good. The blue line is all over the place, but at least there is talent. The bottom six? It’s something of a disaster.
If the goal is to get better immediately, the bottom six must be fixed.
Who do you think Dubas will try to dump this offseason? — @MikePatanski
I would expect that he will attempt to move forward Reilly Smith, who never really fit in. Many will wonder about Jarry, myself included. But I still think the odds are that he’ll remain in Pittsburgh.
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There is no doubt in my mind that Dubas would move Rickard Rakell if there were any takers, but given his contract, that one might be tough. Smith seems pretty likely to go.
Assuming Mike Sullivan makes it through the summer, how short of a leash will he be on next season? — @jukeboxhero59
He’s making it through the summer. I’m not sure about his staff. That seems up in the air at the moment. But Sullivan isn’t going anywhere.
Next season? I’d be shocked if Sullivan were fired at any point in the next 12 months. Dubas loves him. Fenway Sports Group loves him. Crosby, Malkin and Kris Letang love him. That gives him a lot of power.
If the Penguins plummet next season, I suppose that could change things. But I think Sullivan is more firmly entrenched than people realize. I know many of you believe I’m too pro-Sullivan. I get it. Coaches get fired and it often produces wonderful short-term results. Sullivan is not without his flaws, but he’s a great coach, and I don’t think eliminating him would make any of the Penguins’ problems disappear.
Where does Malkin rank all time in your mind? There’s a lot of discussion around Crosby, but Malkin’s place in NHL lore isn’t talked about as much — @scrambledcrags
Mr. 101 is a lot higher on my personal rankings. Ha.
Malkin is tricky to rank historically because he did have the advantage of Crosby as his teammate, which meant that Malkin didn’t typically have to face No. 1 pairings. But then again, Malkin’s points per game are higher when Crosby is out of the lineup.
While Malkin has always been great, he had a relatively short prime. If you look at the numbers and consider the eye test, his true prime was 2006-2012.
All things considered, I believe Malkin to be one of the 50 greatest players of all time. I also think, when he was at his best, he was a better player than Alex Ovechkin and a more physically impressive player than Crosby.
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Are there any teams you want to do well this postseason? I always go for Canadian teams, because it matters more up there. — @itspelledgraig
Just because I’m a paid professional doesn’t mean I don’t wish to see certain teams or people succeed.
I’d love to see Vancouver make a run, though it might be difficult with Thatcher Demko’s latest injury. The Penguins-Canucks connections run deep: Jim Rutherford, Rick Tocchet, Ian Cole, Sergei Gonchar, Patrik Allvin, Sam Lafferty, Teddy Blueger and Casey DeSmith. All great people to deal with. Mark Friedman was always entertaining. So, yeah, I’m cheering for the Canucks. Plus, the fans there deserve a little bit of joy, you know?
I’d also love to see Carolina make a run. I like Jake Guentzel a lot. Great guy. And Jordan Staal is one of my all-time favorites. It would be so cool to see him win the Cup, as captain, 15 years after his virtuoso performance for the Penguins in Game 7 against the Red Wings.
I also root for Colorado because I have some family members who love the Avs, and, let’s be honest, a Stanley Cup run in Winnipeg would be awesome, so I can’t imagine many would be against the Jets making a run.
Best playoff OT you have seen in person that WASN’T Game 7 vs Ottawa? — @CDatres24
That actually wasn’t the best game or overtime game I’ve witnessed. It was the most relevant because it was for the right to play in the Stanley Cup Final, but both teams played so nervously that I wouldn’t say it was great hockey.
The triple overtime Louis Domingue classic that Malkin ended at Madison Square Garden two years ago was great theater. But honestly, the first game that popped into my mind was Game 6 between the Penguins and Capitals in 2016, ended by Nick Bonino. That game was just different. Incredible drama. Crosby’s Penguins and Ovi’s Capitals at their very best, clearly the NHL’s two best teams, going at it. Amazing stuff.
When will Sidney Crosby sign his extension and when can we shut up the “Sid’s gonna leave Pittsburgh” crowd? — @cgibson724
I have to assume the odds on favorite date is Aug. 7, 2024. The “Sid’s gonna leave Pittsburgh” crowd is generally Canadian, with a dash of Denver.
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The whole one-team-only legacy means a lot to him.
You’ve been with the Athletic for a while. I’ve followed you since your “newspaper” days. How has the work as a sports reporter changed, better and worse over the past 10ish years? — @pscutti
First of all, thanks for sticking around after all of these years.
It has changed a ton, in good ways and bad. I started covering the Penguins in 2009, and social media wasn’t really a dominant presence at that point. It was getting there, but obviously not like it is now. Social media can be outrageously annoying, but it’s also really helped my career.
As far as the actual work, players are different now. Much more reserved, much more distrusting of the media. The players I feel like I have the best relationship with these days are the older guys, perhaps because I’ve known them forever, but also because they came from a time when the media wasn’t viewed as out to get them. Don’t get me wrong, the young guys on the Penguins roster are totally fine. Not a jerk in the bunch. But my favorite guys to deal with are Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Bryan Rust, Rakell, Erik Karlsson, Lars Eller and Marcus Pettersson (who is the only guy under 30 on this list).
Who on the Pens ’23-’24 roster would be best behind a bench post playing career? — @DHunt_
Eller would be a great coach. He’s so smart. His dad is a coach. Great communicator. He possesses a unique understand of the X’s and O’s. He’d be my top my choice.
I bet Pettersson would be a good coach, too.
What is your favorite Millie’s Ice Cream flavor? — @BastardBeardDan
It’s the best ice cream place in Pittsburgh, so you can’t go wrong with any of them. But probably cookie dough.
Favorite way to decompress? Personally mine is a deck beer in nice weather. Well, any weather that is not winter, basically. — @J_Raddy
Oh, I’m good at decompressing. But it depends. If I’m in a really bad mood, I’ll walk around South Hills Village for about an hour. I’ll walk to Barnes & Noble and lose myself in a book for about an hour.
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Then, I’ll stop at Dairy Queen on my way home. Suddenly, I’m more knowledgeable, fatter, but still got my steps in at the mall … and I feel more decompressed.
Ironically enough, my legitimate, favorite spot to decompress is at PNC Park. I’ll go to a game by myself and just lose myself in the game. This always works until the Pirates piss me off. I may write about hockey, but baseball is actually my favorite sport. I enjoy just going to one of those afternoon weekday games — like the one yesterday — and just sitting by myself, enjoying a ballgame. (Seeing a movie is good for this, too, and won’t figure to annoy you the way watching the Pirates run the bases might.)
Josh, do you use shampoo and conditioner or a 2-in-1 shampoo conditioner? — @PensChronicles
I never use the shampoo and conditioner all-in-one brands. Why? Well, I always feel like you can’t possibly be getting the best of both worlds if you’re using those. I want 100 percent shampoo when I use it and 100 percent conditioner when I use it. I use both but typically binge on conditioner when I’m in hotels. It serves as a reminder that conditioner is good for your hair. Clearly I’m weird.
Thank you for checking in on my hair health.
We have a ton of coverage coming your way on the Penguins’ offseason, which doesn’t figure to be boring. Hope you’re all well.
(Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
