With the Pittsburgh Penguins struggling so much, I’ve turned to monthly mailbags, which are more fun to write than covering the same old games.
You can read Part 1 here. Thanks, as always, for the questions.
Away we go.
Thoughts on Jake coming back as a free agent in July? — @pghyinzerr
You know, a few weeks ago, I would have said it was next to impossible. I’m not sure I feel that way now.
From everything I’ve heard, Jake is happy in Raleigh and excited about a potential Stanley Cup run. But he’s not planning on signing a contract anytime soon. I think he wants to head to July 1 as a free agent. Who could blame him?
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I have long assumed the Penguins wouldn’t bring him back simply because they had a year to sign him to an extension and never seemed particularly eager to do so. However, team sources have told me in recent days not to be surprised if he signs with the Penguins again this summer.
Do I think he will? No. But I think it’s in play, especially if his asking price is more in the $8 million range annually rather than the $10 million range. It’s clear Sidney Crosby will be back on a new deal, and it’s clear the captain wasn’t happy about losing Guentzel. So, whether signing Guentzel is the right move — and really, the term and numbers will dictate that — I suspect it will at least be revisited this summer. I still think it’s unlikely, but I think it’s more likely than I thought it was a month ago. If that makes sense.
Why didn’t anyone else go at the deadline? — @chubs_kgun
My understanding is that it has everything to do with the salary cap. Teams will be more likely to take on someone like Reilly Smith or Lars Eller next season, when the salary cap is significantly higher. So, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Penguins swing multiple deals this summer.
I don’t think many teams were willing to take on large contracts during the season, but this summer could get interesting.
This is the first time in my life that I will watch a losing Penguins team in the years going forward. As someone who’s been absolutely spoiled, what will keep me excited to watch the Pens in the next few years? How do you keep from being a totally dejected fan? — @USignItChugIt
Well, you still get to watch Sidney Crosby play hockey every night. Perhaps that’s all you’ve ever known, but it’s still special. Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will hit big milestones early next season (Crosby’s 600th goal, Malkin’s 500th goal) and, hey, maybe they’ll exceed expectations. It’s sports. You never know.
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I’m old enough to remember the Penguins almost leaving town on an occasion or two. Don’t take them for granted.
Also, use my philosophy with the Pirates. I call it N.E.A. — no emotional attachment.
That way, you never really get your heart broken as a fan.
Is there a consensus No. 1 pick for the 2024 NHL Draft? If the Pens win the lottery, of course. — @cgibson724
Why yes, there is. His name is Macklin Celebrini. He’s not going to get the hoopla of Crosby, Connor McDavid, Alex Ovechkin or Auston Matthews, but he’s the no-doubt No. 1 pick. He projects to be a big-time center.
What is the lowest you can reasonably see the Penguins falling in the standings? — @npv708
They currently have the eighth-worst record in the league. While I don’t expect them to win more than a handful of games, I don’t think they’ll drop lower than that because the teams below them are equally as horrible or, in some cases, even worse. So eighth-worst sounds about right to me.
Do you think the Penguins would ever let their stars start their summers early, especially given their ages? If they truly want to try and run it back next season, would it help or hurt the veterans to have an extended summer? —@AuthorJCybulski
I’m sure the Penguins would let them do it. If Sid or Geno approached Penguins brass and said, “Let’s just bag it for the season. See you in September.” … I don’t think anyone would tell them what to do. They have all the power. But they’re such competitors, it will never happen in a million years.
What are the chances of Mike Sullivan still being the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins for Game 1 of the 2024-25 season? —@themattman311
Sullivan is likely to return as coach next season. He has the full support of general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas and team owners Fenway Sports Group. I know: Many of you think Sullivan is the problem, and many of you get irritated with me because I disagree. Maybe he’s no longer the right person for the job. That’s conceivable. But in my opinion, the flawed roster is a far bigger problem.
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And, to answer your question, he’s not getting fired. Now, could we have a situation where he no longer wants to coach this team? That’s up to him, and only he knows the answer. I won’t speak for him. I haven’t sensed it to be the case, though.
Why was Mikael Granlund so atrocious in Pittsburgh, yet has 40-some points in San Jose? — @Nrz226
If Granlund were on the Penguins this year and Crosby and Malkin were not, he’d have 40-plus points here. Someone still has to score some goals on bad teams.
In the Penguins multiverse, which of these would have led to the Penguins winning another Cup? 1. Not trading Marcus Naslund. 2. Keeping Fleury over Murray. — @talisker66
Ha, good question. The mid-’90s Penguins weren’t going to win the Cup again, regardless of Naslund. Their blue line stunk. Their goaltending was average. Maybe they would’ve given Colorado a series in 1996, but I doubt they’d have won it.
So, the correct answer is Marc-Andre Fleury. Namely the 2018 season. Matt Murray wasn’t bad against the Capitals in 2018, but Fleury loved playing against Washington and very well may have won that series, especially when considering the form he was in during that time.
Has there been a discussion on what Jagr’s involvement moving forward with the team will be? — @NateHart13
The Penguins want Jagr to be an employee moving forward. I’m not sure what role. I think they’ll take what they can get — the more of Jagr’s presence and hockey mind that he’s willing to share, the better.
Are you a Dubas sympathizer? — @ziviens
No, not at all. He’s made some mistakes already and has much to prove. But I also think his current situation is next to impossible and that a significant portion of the fan base will complain regardless of what he does. He inherited a terrible mess.
What sort of role would you play in a movie? The main star hero, villain, comic relief goofy guy, or something else? — @patdoc38
I’d probably be a villain. It would be the most enjoyable part to play, right?
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Speaking of villains …
Why do you hate Pitt so much? — @MrPittsburgh7
I’ve become a villain in Oakland, it seems. First of all, I don’t hate Pitt at all. I’ve actually always been a huge Pitt basketball supporter and a lukewarm Pitt football supporter.
In recent months, I’ve expressed that I think Kenny Pickett is a bad NFL starting quarterback. Looks like the Steelers agreed with me. I also have suggested that Pitt football coach Pat Narduzzi’s ego is massive and that Pitt’s 3-9 season was less than impressive. Again, you won’t find many people who objectively disagree with those statements.
I also poked fun at Pitt’s decision to forego playing in the NIT. It later came out that some family issues had popped up with players on the team, which I obviously wasn’t aware of. That’s too bad. They’re kids. I get it. They deserve grace, and I could have chosen my words more carefully.
I also don’t think they would have dropped out of the NCAA tournament if they had been selected. Nothing I said was directed toward the players, but all toward the university’s decision.
But the idea that I hate Pitt is absolutely hilarious to me. Lots of vile people have taken umbrage with it.
What sauce do you get on your wings? Drums or flats? — @JHoff22
Older I get, the more I much prefer flats. I’m so boring with sauces. The Big Sexy sauce at Big Shot Bob’s is great. Otherwise usually garlic parm.
Favorite city in Florida and why? — @ryanevansz
Tampa, for sure. It’s great. Beautiful beaches nearby, more midwestern feel because many people from Pittsburgh and Chicago are there. The New York/Boston/Philadelphia influence in Fort Lauderdale is real, making for less friendly interactions.
The Tampa restaurant scene is good, the nightlife is great, and it’s a good hockey town. Good airport, too. Tampa for the win.
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Any summer plans, Josh? — @mikeloft_
It’s about time to figure this out, in fact. I plan on taking my kids to the beach this summer, for sure. I’ll enjoy Pittsburgh Pirates baseball (just remember, N.E.A.). The NHL Draft is in Vegas, so it will be a chore to stay focused on my job, but by God, I will.
It’s not like the Penguins won’t give me stuff to write about, too.
Be well, everyone. Thanks for the questions. Best of luck to your brackets.
(Photo of Jake Guentzel: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
