Welcome to Part 2 of the August Pittsburgh Penguins mailbag. And by the way, thanks for all the questions on Twitter. They are amazing, as always.
Part 1 can be found here.
We are far away.
What is the single biggest obstacle standing between this team and a Cup right now? — @drewsamuto
I can make a list if you want.
- The Eastern Conference is as good as it’s ever been.
- Can Crosby and Malkin stay healthy again? And can they avoid fatigue? They were both tired at the end of last season.
- Can Tristan Jarry lead a team to a deep playoff run?
- Is the bottom six enough?
- Is there depth on the blue line after the top four?
I think the Penguins are better this season. As long as Jarry is healthy and effective, I think they are a playoff team for sure. They may also have the potential to become something more. But there are many obstacles or questions.
As a non-Penguin fan I’m just confused. Karlsson is 33, has four years left at $11.5 million (the Penguins paid $10 million), and is unlikely to repeat what happened last year. Is this really the missing piece to get Crosby another championship? — @RumpoPlays
Well, sure, it’s something of a gamble when you’re paying someone that much money. And true. Karlsson is not a child.
But he’s a Hall of Famer, and those guys aren’t easy to land. What he did last season may not be easy to repeat, but then, he will be surrounded by more talent this season. The Penguins need a shake-up, and he’s going to give it to them. Now they have Karlsson or Kris Letang on the ice almost all the time. For a team built to win by scoring, that’s no small detail.
They are more of a threat with Karlsson than without him. So, this is a great trade, especially considering all the dead weight that Kyle Dubas is shipping.
Considering the last 20 years of Penguin hockey, what do you think the next 20 years of Penguin hockey will be like? — @GSnyder5
Well, matching the last 20 years would be quite a feat. So, I wouldn’t bet on it.
That said, I think Dubas will do great, great things in Pittsburgh. And Fenway Sports Group is going to spend a lot of money. In previous seasons of Penguin hockey, when things weren’t going so well, money was always an issue. I don’t think so now. I found it to be a very competitive organization for a long time.
Hearing Letang and Karlson on the PP at the same time, but wouldn’t it make more sense to put Geno at the point with Karlson and have Letang sub for Karlson at times and run the 2nd unit? Is there a chance Letang will accept? — @DunnTahnPGH
Karlsson will run the power play. Of this, I have no doubt. Since Jake Guentzel will miss the first few games of the season, I think you’ll see Karlsson, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Rickard Rakell and Letang on the top power play at the start of camp. Who is playing where? I’m not sure.
Eat’n park grilled stickies vs. King’s frownie brownie — @MikeJdiVittorio
I really enjoyed both, but I couldn’t resist the grilled stickies. I’ve always found Eat ‘n Park to be far superior to King’s in general, even though King’s has great ice cream.
• Where does Jaromir Jagr rank on the all-time list of greatest NHL players?
• FAV Patrick Swayze movie?
• What is your FAV ice cream?
• Underrated road team city to visit?
— @JChergi
If the person asking the question grew up in your neighborhood, they can ask four questions. New rule.
• Jagr is easily in the top 10. I’m behind Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Crosby. After that? It’s either him or Alex Ovechkin at No. 5. You can go either way, but prime Jagr is the better player. And remember, prime Jagr — 1997 to 2000 — didn’t have Lemieux and really didn’t have much talent to play with.
• I love “Point Break.” But maybe I should go to “Road House.” Both are in my personal top 10. “Road House” is just a different hit. This is a movie that just got me.
• Chocolate chip cookie dough.
• Raleigh. Big city. It shows all the good things about the south without any of the bad things about the south.
Thanks to five Stanley Cups and a series of generational, Hall of Fame players, a good chunk of Penguins history is widely celebrated. Is there a forgotten or underappreciated era of Penguin hockey? — @achappazzi_
Absolutely not. The Penguins had some decent teams in the ’70s and we never talked about them. It was before my time and I didn’t think any of them were legitimate Cup contenders, although I knew someone would go to those games who would disagree with me.
I will say, the Jagr generation of the late ’90s was fun. That team has no money and no defenses. And yet, they won the division in 1998 and won a playoff series in 1999 and 2000. This is peak Jagr, which is reason enough to watch.
If you were the commissioner of the NHL, what would you do to promote the game better in the US? Which players will you promote? What changes would you make? — @NikkySyxx
Always a good question, Tiff. Many, including myself, like to mock the NHL for not promoting the game and its stars better. And yet, I don’t know how many good ideas we have about it.
Continuing to promote offense is a good thing. I thought Colorado would be a godsend for the league when it won the Cup in 2022 because it was a beautiful team to watch. Speed. Violation. That’s what the fans want.
That said, one problem remains. A great game of hockey is truly appreciated by watching the games in person. And the ticket prices are outrageous. People don’t love hockey until they see it in person. This is a real problem for the league.
Hope the travel question is OK with your travel guide. Last year you recommended the amazing La Dolce Vita when going to Ft Lauderdale. This year we’re going to Vegas (baby). I know it’s Vegas and all, but what’s a place that has the Yohe seal of approval? — @RobRob024
Yes. Hit the Golden Steer Steakhouse. It’s just on the strip. There is nothing nice about it, but it is absolutely terrifying. To be clear, Sinatra always eats there, so that should tell you something. I ate there with Mark Madden. Mr. Friday afternoon, Glen Gilbernetti. Age 29. When I’m with a girl friend, this is the place to go. Trust me and thank me later.
What is your favorite movie genre? Have a favorite director? In honor of Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan did not miss!! Cheers, always appreciate your work. — @DonnyD43
This may sound lame, but I really like sports movies. Even the bad ones. It doesn’t matter. If they are, I’ll look. I just watched “For Love of the Game” the other day. There was nothing redeeming about any of the characters in that movie, and yet I watched every second. Of my top 25 favorite movies, at least 10 are about different sports, with “Slap Shot” leading the way.
What is your hobby that no one can guess? 1000 piece puzzle guy? Call of Duty? mountain biker? Make custom furniture? — @PenguinJesus
You know, this question brings to light the real truth that I need a hobby that is something fierce. If anyone has any ideas, please pass them on. I mean, I love to travel, but I do most of that for work. I love video games but I’m too old to actually play them all the time. I like fantasy football and sports gambling, but those are more vices than hobbies. Asking for help, please.
AFC north predictions and the Steelers offensive MVP – @FF_PNut
- Bengal: 13-4
- Steelers: 11-6
- Ravens: 11-6
- Coffees: 7-10
I have mixed feelings on the Steelers. Honestly, I think they’re really good and they’re very under the radar. Also, their schedule is very slow. Other than CB and ILB potential, they don’t have many weaknesses, as long as Kenny Pickett doesn’t stink. They have some serious offensive weapons and, if TJ Watt stays healthy, history says they will win more than they lose.
That being said, the hot streak they had late last season was against some seriously bad teams. So, it’s a bit difficult for me to feel them. I say 10 or 11 wins, but we are optimistic and go with 11 and a wild-card place. The Steelers at the Jaguars in the wild-card round felt right.
Hope everyone has a great summer. I’m taking a few weeks of downtime (unless Dubas trades for another Hall of Famer or something), but you’ll hear from me before Labor Day.
Stay safe out there. And remember, it’s only 36 days until training camp and 55 days until the puck drops between Sid and Connor Bedard.
(Photo by Tristan Jarry: Jamie Squire / Getty Images)