Matt Vensel: Good afternoon, Penguins fans. Thanks for joining me, as always. We'll get going in a couple minutes. Submit your questions now.
Kent: It seems that Zach Aston Reese does not have any type of scoring touch. Misses wide open nets with great regularity. I admire his tenacity(if he isn't always getting hurt). I know a team needs grinders but it seems like someone who could score once in a while might be a better fit for the Pens.
Matt Vensel: Kent, ZAR is not on the team to score goals, but your point is well taken, especially considering that Zach's had a few costly screw-ups this season. The Penguins want him to bring physicality, energy and the occasional goal. But he's hurt them with turnovers and a penalty, albeit a questionable one, in the Vegas game. He has to be better or he may find himself in the press box when the injured guys return.
tonysufak@aol.com: do you think the Penguins would score more if they took more chances?
Matt Vensel: Um, probably. But what's the trade-off? Mike Sullivan does like goals. I promise you that. But it's all about picking your spots.
Doug: What's up with Kahun? 11 Games 0G 2A. Was not more production expected of him? Any nagging injuries? He doesn't look a quick as Lafferty for instance. I realize Geno is out but do we have to wait for 71s return to see some steady production?
Matt Vensel: Doug, he's been close to invisible. Maybe once a game I notice him about to do something with the puck but he never does. I haven't heard of any injury with him. Perhaps he's having a hard time in a new city, new system and new role. But he's been very disappointing and is another one who could be in danger of losing his spot in the lineup. At least Kahun, acquired for Olli Maatta, works cheap.
burt reynolds: What happened to A. Johnson last night?
Also I saw J. Johnson got nearly 25 minutes of ice time last night. Why so much?
Matt Vensel: I'm not sure what's up with Adam Johnson. Mike DeFabo is with the team in Florida and will provide any updates if there is one. Carrying nine D hurt the Penguins again. As for Jack Johnson, the Bolts spent some time on the power play. So that's why he played more.
surfer62: Has Gudbranson actually fought as a Penguin?
Matt Vensel: He has not, per HockeyFights.com, an awesome resource. He's more of a deterrent than a brawler. Trust me. You would not want to fight this man. He looks like a freaking Transformer in his gear.
surfer62: Thoughts?
Matt Vensel: That's Jason Mackey's thing.
Sam: Hi Matt...been seeing mentions of Murray's impending contract situation in a lot of pieces lately. I've seen some mention of 8 figures, meaning $10+ million....Do you really think he gets that? I kind of view goalies a little like RBs in football...there's just a number that you shouldn't go over budget-wise and it's probably somewhere in the $6.5 million range....Once you get out of the top 3 guys in the league (which I don't consider Murray) goalies are so similar, how can you justify crippling that much of the cap space to that position. Last year the difference between #4 and #16 save pct was exactly 1%. The difference between #1 and #16 GAA was .68. I just worry that's way too much to pay a guy who on any given year could be maybe ranked anywhere from 4th-15th in some of these stats. Thanks!
Matt Vensel: Sam, it's certainly going to be fascinating to watch because there really is no good comparable for Murray, who has two Cups at such a young age but who has yet to show he can stay healthy and remain consistent over 60 or so regular-season games. He's got to get at least $7 million, right, assuming this season doesn't end in disaster? As to your point about goals and running backs, the counter would be that you can win a Super Bowl without a top running back. That happens all the time. But can you win a Stanley Cup without a capable goalie? It's not impossible but history suggests that you should probably have one. That's why I would be very surprised if Murray, a restricted free agent this summer, isn't re-signed.
Matt Vensel: Some good questions this week! Keep them coming please.
Joanne: Hi Matt. How much longer do you see Sullivan leaving Simon on the 1st line ??? Everyone is ripping on ZAR.....when Simon is not putting the puck in the net either and he is playing with the best player in the world.
Matt Vensel: Joanne, a few thoughts here. One, what's the alternative right now? Hornqvist? They don't have many established forwards in the lineup right now and Hornqvist is one guy who has provided scoring down the lineup lately. Two, Simon doesn't need to be the one to put the puck into the net to positively impact the line. Until the last few games, that was one of the hottest lines in hockey. Was Simon the main reason? Of course not. But he wasn't slowing them down. Third, I don't really understand all the disdain for Simon. He's a solid two-way forward who doesn't make much money. And if he's on the top line and Sid and Jake are still lighting the lamp, that means you can put another forward who more obviously impacts winning on another line. Now, if the line remains stalled, sure, shake it up.
Guest: What’s your opinion on using McCann at center verse wing ? The second line has probably been the worst line during this brief run
Matt Vensel: Yeah, it hasn't been pretty, though you wonder if his injuries have had something to do with that. I was curious to see how he handled that role because if he showed something at center then maybe they would move Bjugstad to the wing or, well, another city. But as of yet he has not shown that he is a better option as the third-line center. Bjugstad, by the way, should be back sometime in the next week.
Guest: Hi Matt ... loved your article on Marino! Those behind the scenes articles are always so great
Matt Vensel: Thank you! I really enjoyed writing that story. They seem like a great family and the circumstances that got Marino on the ice are pretty wild. Here's a link if any of you missed it: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2019/10/21/pittsburgh-pen...
Guest: On behalf of all female pens fans , can you ask tanev to not wear a shirt during all interviews 😀. #washboardabs
Matt Vensel: Haha. I will run that by him.
Flo-Rida: Every year Pens are in top 3 or 5 teams with most man games missed from injury. I have a theory that ever since they messed up the Crosby diagnosis this team management/doctors has been petrified and are WAY too overly cautious with injuries. Across the NHL lots of players continue to play and produce with similar injuries that our players miss weeks from. Either that or the roster is peppered with extremely soft players. What gives? This is the NHL and every point matters. Maybe I just yearn for the days when hockey players wouldn't miss a game unless something was broken.
Matt Vensel: I don't really have a good answer for that. I do think during the regular season the Penguins are probably cautious when it comes to injuries because they know they are going to be in the playoffs. So why rush guys back when you don't need to? I'm not prepared to call anyone soft. Now excuse me while I get off your lawn.
Krundle: Jarry 9.39 save percentage ranked #7th in goalie with 3 or more starts. Murray 9.09 save percentage ranked #31st. Could Jarry be seeing more starts? and... if this trend keeps up how will it effect contract talks?
Matt Vensel: Tristan has been really sharp, but let's not get too carried away about three starts. Consistency has been a question with him, too. As for Murray, he's had two shaky games that mess with his numbers a bit. Other than that, he's been big when they needed him to be.
Guest: Do you know if the pens home sell out streak in jeopardy ? I had read with all those October home games they were worried about it and it does seem like there are a lot of tickets available online .
Guest: Do you know if the players had any input into picking the new goal song ? You know how superstitious they are .
Matt Vensel: Sorry, but I don't readily have an answer for either of these.
Matt Vensel: OK, is that all we got today? Last call for questions, folks...
Guest: You think rust plays Saturday ?
Matt Vensel: I do. He is eligible to return from long-term injured reserve Saturday and all indications are that he is ready. He's on the trip.
Matt Vensel: Alright, folks. Thank you for joining me today and thanks for the questions. Some good ones in there. We'll do this again soon.
First Published: October 24, 2019, 3:31 p.m.
Updated: October 24, 2019, 5:35 p.m.
