As promised, right here is a component 2 of the month-to-month Pittsburgh Penguins mailbag.
There are many subjects to debate which, given the time of 12 months, isn’t all that shocking.
Completely happy hockey season, everybody. Away we go.
GO DEEPER
Penguins mailbag: McGroarty, Crosby’s linemates and may’t-miss video games
Be aware: Submitted questions could also be edited for readability and elegance.
Lots of people don’t have the Penguins making the playoffs. I do. I really suppose they appear loads more durable to play in opposition to this 12 months. What say you? —@lowkeyfiretweet
I respect your optimism and I respect the query.
You’re proper. Most publications will predict the Penguins to overlook the postseason for a 3rd consecutive season. They didn’t get a lot better on paper through the summer time, the large guys are one other 12 months older, and the organizational trajectory doesn’t seem good.
However for those who’re searching for optimism, there stay loads of causes to suppose the Penguins can compete for a playoff spot. Let’s mud off the bullet factors from a summer time slumber:
• Sidney Crosby could be very a lot getting old like fantastic wine.
• The legal guidelines of physics, historical past and customary sense all say the ability play can’t be any worse, which implies it figures to be higher.
• I really feel like Erik Karlsson is about to showcase a wholly completely different gear.
• I don’t know the way good the underside six is, however I do know Mike Sullivan has by no means had extra amount at his providing.
• Positive, there are goaltending questions, however the Penguins do have a few gifted folks in Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic, to say nothing of the younger gamers behind them.
• Rutger McGroarty possesses the potential to make a right away affect.
• Do the Crimson Wings, Islanders, Capitals, Flyers, Blue Jackets, Sabres, Canadiens or Senators scare you? For the Penguins to overlook the playoffs, no less than a type of groups should qualify.
Positive, the chances are in all probability in opposition to the Penguins making the postseason. I wouldn’t guess on it. However I may actually see a path there, ought to the goaltending type itself out and the large names keep moderately wholesome.
Any likelihood Sid ever will get requested to be commissioner after Gary steps down? Who would higher signify the game? —@LetangCult
Effectively, you’re proper while you say no person higher represents the game. However I promise you he wouldn’t be keen on that form of place.
That mentioned, seeing Commissioner Crosby award the Stanley Cup to a random Western Convention staff on Philadelphia ice could be hilarious.
Do you suppose Sid goes into possession sometime like Mario Lemieux, front-office work like Steve Yzerman or retires off to Nova Scotia to educate youth hockey? —@CGibson724
I feel any of the three is totally attainable.
He as soon as steered to me that he would by no means be keen on teaching. I ponder, although, if he is likely to be keen on being a normal supervisor sometime. I may see it.
Do you suppose Sid would have been extra apt to depart the Pens looking for extra Cups for his legacy had he not received these two in ’16 and ’17 and solely had the ’09 Cup to his identify? —@slapmesillysid
Nice query. The extra I give it some thought, although, I feel he would have been even much less more likely to go away if that have been the case. I simply don’t see him as the kind who would ever chase a Stanley Cup in that method.
His legacy is so secure and he’s received so many championships that I think about, hypothetically, he’d be extra open to the thought of leaving sometime. Nonetheless, that’s simply not going to occur. I can’t emphasize that sufficient. He’s simply by no means going wherever else.
Is MAF essentially the most overrated Pittsburgh athlete of all time? —@_JeffBebe
No, hardly. I feel most Pittsburghers acknowledge Marc-Andre Fleury for what he was whereas with the Penguins. He was remarkably sturdy; among the finest regular-season goalies ever. He guided the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Remaining in 2008 and made one of many best saves in NHL historical past to finish the 2009 championship. He performed an unforgettable position within the 2017 championship run. He received his identify on the Cup in 2016. And, sure, he completely bombed within the 2010, 2012 and 2013 postseasons.
That’s all a part of his legacy. You didn’t all the time belief him. His physique language may very well be so susceptible that you just felt such as you have been watching your little one on the market, not a millionaire athlete. However in reflection, he was good throughout his time in Pittsburgh and can rightfully assume his place within the Hockey Corridor of Fame in a couple of years. Even all-time nice goalies have a couple of playoff meltdowns.
One factor we don’t point out sufficient: He’s an actual star. Goalies aren’t often entertaining. The Flower is a throwback in that regard. He retains you entertained all sport.
Marc-Andre Fleury celebrates his 2017 Stanley Cup win with the Penguins. (Frederick Breedon / Getty Photos)
I noticed a youthful Pittsburgher who’s a colleague of yours say that so far as Pittsburgh rookies go in her life who have been elite instantly, it’s Skenes and 87. She wasn’t alive for 66. Who would YOU add to this? 71? 66, in fact. Bonds wasn’t Bonds till 90. Ben? —@itsspelledgraig
Paul Skenes is certainly distinctive in that he was one of the best pitcher in baseball the very second he stepped onto the mound at PNC Park in Could. He’s a treasure.
Mario and Sid instantly come to thoughts and, in fact, they have been 18, which may’t be ignored. Evgeni Malkin at 20 was a sensation, scoring a objective in every of his first six video games and by no means trying again. Ben Roethlisberger was Ben from the very starting, no query. And sure, Bonds wanted a handful of years to develop into a famous person. Similar with Jaromir Jagr.
It’s just one 12 months, however that we’re placing Skenes in that form of firm tells you the way particular he’s.
Of my lifetime, I’d say for prime rookies I’ve witnessed (I’m excluding Mario as a result of I used to be 4 when he was a rookie and, thus, not very adept at analyzing sports activities simply but):
1. Sid
2. Skenes
3. Ben
4. Geno
Do you’ve a favourite reminiscence of Johnny Gaudreau? —@akconley
I solely interviewed him twice and located him to be extraordinarily pleasant and beneficiant together with his time on each events. My greatest reminiscence isn’t from a chat with him, however a chat about him.
I used to be speaking with Matt Murray after a loss to Gaudreau’s Calgary Flames.
“That rattling Gaudreau all the time goes brief facet,” Murray mentioned. “He’s so good. You suppose I’d keep in mind by now. You suppose you’ve him found out, and he’ll idiot you each time.”
What issues is that two younger folks tragically misplaced their lives. However secondarily, the world misplaced a really entertaining hockey participant.
When’s coaching camp begin? And when’s it open to the general public? Wish to take my child there. —@jeffh6730
It begins on Wednesday on the Lemieux Sports activities Advanced and runs each morning beginning at 9 a.m. It often concludes round 1 p.m. Practices are all the time open to the general public. If you happen to’re hungry whereas there, the meals is admittedly good, by the best way. (Rooster Caesar wrap is my go-to. They’ve received peanut butter and jelly for the child, t00. And sure, someplace a Canadian learn this in horror as a result of you may’t get peanut butter and jelly wherever publicly in Canada. They’re far more strict about peanut allergic reactions.)
Have you ever ever had a second like when Derek Shelton snapped again on the reporter who requested a legit query about why he has a primary baseman pitching a lot? Would you’ve doubled down and pressed the coach some extra? —@tankk25
Yeah, not a superb search for Shelton in any respect. I’ve been snapped on many occasions by gamers, although I don’t recall a coach ever responding like that. The worst factor about these moments is realizing a digital camera is on and that it will likely be immortalized.
You possibly can simply conclude when Mike Sullivan is indignant with a query as a result of he’ll reply with a one-word reply or say “I’m afraid I don’t perceive your query.”
However he’s an aesthetic man and doesn’t exit of his option to embarrass folks.
I don’t suppose I’ve seen you point out something about upcoming concert events. What’s your favourite present that you just’ve seen throughout the previous 12 months or two? —@realJasonstru
It’s been too lengthy. Haven’t been to at least one in months. Noticed Third Eye Blind and The Killers final 12 months. They have been each actually good. Noticed the Stones in 2021, they usually have been large.
Josh – what sports activities did you play as a child (and place), and was there a sport that you just look again on and suppose you might have excelled in however you by no means gave it an opportunity? — @kobyalex17
I ought to have performed soccer. I’m constructed similar to a fullback. However I did play baseball and was fairly good. Performed numerous third base.
I attempted taking part in hockey and I may skate ahead very quick. To today, skating backward stays an unimaginable thriller to me. No concept the way it’s accomplished.
Josh, I’ll be a first-time dad come Groundhog’s Day. Any recommendation? —@patdoc38
Thanks for not asking for marriage recommendation, which isn’t my specialty.
Do all of the work through the first few months. Critically. Don’t let mother do something however sleep and take care of the newborn, as a result of she’s going to be exhausted. I wasn’t adequate about this and it makes a distinction.
In any other case, use widespread sense. And let the child develop as much as be who she or he desires to be. In any other case, resentment is inevitable. My 12-year-old desires nothing to do with hockey, and what? That’s his alternative. And he’s good. My 10-year-old is obsessive about hockey and a extremely good participant. And what? That’s his alternative. And he’s good.
Thanks for studying, everybody. Tons of coaching camp protection from Rob Rossi, myself and the remainder of The Athletic crew is on the best way. Let the video games start.
(Prime picture of Tristan Jarry and Sidney Crosby: Charles LeClaire / USA In the present day)
