Shelly Anderson's Penguins chat transcript: 3.26.12

Monday, 26 March 2012 17:00

Written by Shelly Anderson

Kipa: What do you think of the idea of seeding the top four teams in a conference via points yet keeping the division winners in the top four? If a second-place team has more points than a division leader, they'd be seeded higher, but the division leader still gets home-ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs at least. Winning the division should mean something, but if the champ seems to be inferior to a second-place team, that should be reflected, I think.

Shelly Anderson: You've put some thought into this, but you have to remember that there's going to be realignment, almost assuredly for the 2013-14 season after the new CBA is hacked out. The NHL already has a plan (shot down by the NHLPA for now) that eliminates divisions and goes with four conferences. Under that type of format, you wouldn't see teams with fewer points seeded above better teams, which I think is your sticking point. If you rooted for a team that won its division but had fewer points than a different non-division team, you might feel differently about your team being rewarded for that division title.

Guest: With all the talk about deciding where Crosby will end up playing, I'm curious about something. Before Crosby was injured, when he played occasionally on the same line with Malkin (5 on 5), which one played center?

Shelly Anderson: Sidney Crosby usually played center in that scenario, but when he's played a little wing lately with Jordan Staal.

Kipa: Might we soon see the end of four forwards on the Pens' power play, or have the last couple games of giving up a few shorthanded chances just a fluke?

Shelly Anderson: You're talking theory over substance. You have to decide whether you are more concerned about maybe giving up an extra shorthanded chance or two now and then, or about having the best combination of players to get you power-play goals. The team is in a 3-for-39 funk on the power play over the past 13 games (some of those without Sidney Crosby and/or Kris Letang and/or Steve Sullivan), but they have moved the puck and set up chances well. But, going beyond theory over forwards and defensemen, here's the big dilemma: Just which forward are you going to take off? Sidney Crosby, perhaps the best player in the world who is at the point and bringing the puck up ice but rotates around and is strong pretty much everywhere? Evgeni Malkin, also perhaps the best player in the world and very strong on the half-wall? James Neal, perhaps the team's best pure sniper? Chris Kunitz, perhaps the best on the team at manning the front of the net and throwing his body around to get to the puck?

scapper: Which Eastern team do you think provides the most formidable challenge to the Pens once the playoffs start?

Shelly Anderson: As long as Ilya Bryzgalov keeps playing strong in goal, that would be Philadelphia. The Flyers are a good team, although there is some inexperience there. Another thing to watch for with so many possibilities is the strong play lately of Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller. The Penguins have had good success against him in traditionally low-scoring games, but he's playing like a goalie ready to lead his team on a run in the playoffs.

Kipa: Is Dan Bylsma channeling his inner Michel Therrien with this recent trend of ever-changing line combinations, or does he have some master plan in mind?

Shelly Anderson: Dan Bylsma has always been one to make adjustments or even overhauls at any given time, even within games. That's been the trend across the NHL. Coaches have so much information about matchups and trends and stats to go with their gut feeling that they can make those adjustments on the fly. The Penguins' top line of Chris Kunitz, Evgeni Malkin and James Neal is an exception, and for good reason. I don't see revolving line combinations as a problem so much as it's just the way things are now.

TM: I was at the game last night. It seems that the last few games Kris Letang has taken a big enough hit that we have to hold our breath that he is ok and comes back in.This year he missed significant time due to injuy. Last year he played all 82 games, this year, he seems to be taking a beating. Is he somehow changing his game by putting himself in vulnerable positions, or are teams targeting him more?

Shelly Anderson: Kris Letang is a strong, tough bugger. Sometimes I think people overlook how physical he can be because of the emphasis on his offense. Have you seen the videos of some of his offseason workouts? I have noticed for a few years -- not just this season -- how often he takes a big hit and gets right back up. He's 24. Will that eventually wear him down? Who knows? But other than the concussion this year and a shoulder injury once, he has been really resilient.

john22: How do you sense Niskanen contract negotiations will work out?

Shelly Anderson: Defenseman Matt Niskanen is eligible for restricted free agency this summer. That gives the Penguins a whole lot of leverage. Plus, Niskanen was foundering in Dallas after a great rookie season and has regained his confidence with the Penguins and become a top-six regular. You never know, but I don't foresee a big problem.

kmkamins: shelly, never thought i'd be yearnin' for brent johnson back (given the way he played this year) but the ottowa game has me concerned that we're always one shot away from quick playoff exit if MAF goes down with an injury. what brent's status... and why the "undisclosed".. should we be concerned that he won't be ready by playoffs? your thoughts... thanks for the great articles!

Shelly Anderson: Thanks for the compliment. Brent Johnson has been cleared for practice since Friday, so he could be close to getting the OK to play. That said, If Marc-Andre Fleury is out for any length of time, the Penguins can't count on winning a playoff series. He's that valuable – as most team's No. 1 goalies are, if they are lucky or smart enough to have a good or great No. 1. It's the rare team that has a backup goaltender capable of winning a Stanley Cup or making a long playoff run. St. Louis might be an exception with Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott (you guys remember Halak, right?) Brent Johnson has struggled this season, and we don't know how well he will play if he comes back from his current injury before the end of the regular season. Rookie Brad Thiessen has played well at times, and like a rookie at times. The Penguins want the best they can get behind Fleury, but they can't afford to lose him because, essentially, you really don't want your backup goalie to get a sniff in the playoffs.

dave: What is it about the Senators that has been giving the Pens so much trouble?

Shelly Anderson: The short answer is, the Penguins themselves. They just haven't played well against Ottawa, and there's nothing glaring that I see that the Senators are doing. Maybe they got some good info and are throwing the Penguins off with some well-timed, well-researched trash talk. (that's a joke)

Pburgh Transplant in BigD: First of all - LETS GO PENS... As a lifelong pens fan and pretty avid hockey fan as well, i need to start this off by saying i love our team, i love our big 3 centers and i am so happy Sid has come back and seems to be feeling no ill effects from his injuries. With that said, i have to say, it really bothers me in general how everyone seems to cast Malkin into the scrap heap once Sid returns. Do you think it has a negative effect on Malkins psyche - it doesnt seem to be effecting him this year as much as it has in the past. I just cant imagine it not hurting his feelings a bit... Much like Jagr when Lemieux returned from his hiatus , hes cast aside and its like well thanks but our real hero is back. Do you get this sense too, or am i reading into things too much

Shelly Anderson: You're a little bit of a fan, I see. I don't sense a problem at all. Evgeni Malkin has a healthy drive to play well. He has no resentment or inferiority complex or any such problems where Sidney Crosby is concerned. There's a ton of mutual respect there and both are glad to be on the same team. Rest easy.

Chris: What's the deal with Brent Johnson? When does the team expect him to be playing again?

Shelly Anderson: As mentioned earlier, Johnson seems close to being cleared to play. He came back to practice a little too early a couple of weeks ago and had to step back and stop skating for a while. As of Friday, when he got full clearance for practice, he said he was a lot better but not 100 percent. But, again, the backup goaltender (like a backup quarterback) is hardly a make-or-break issue for the Penguins. Even if whoever spells Fleury for another game or two in the regular season loses those games, the worst that probably will happen is the Penguins finish fourth rather than first in the East, but they will sill make the playoffs with high hopes and the knowledge that riding Fleury and hearing little to nothing from any backup goalie is thier plan.

Chris: Is Malkin's wrist/hand okay from last night? He seemed to be in a lot of pain and continued to baby it throughout the rest of the game.

Shelly Anderson: Evgeni Malkin got hit in the right hand area by a Zbynek Michalek shot in the game against New Jersey. You're right -- he seemed to be in pain on the bench. But he remained in the game and seemed to be stickhandling fine. There was a rumor after the game that he had had X-rays, but coach Dan Bylsma didn't answer that part of my question after the game. He did say that he had no indication that Malkin -- or Kris Letang -- would have any lingering effects. The team was off today, so there were no updates, but it was a day for the players to do a little resting and healing.

TM: Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang both got banged up last night but continued to play the whole game. Do you have any reason to believe they may still have lingering injuries sustained through that game?

Shelly Anderson: Seems as if you and I were typing at the same time. See the above answer.

Shelly Anderson: We've got time for one or two more questions, folks.

JST: Who decides which players are made available to the media on a given day? Just curious.

Shelly Anderson: Essentially, the reporters and the players. We can walk up to any player in the locker room -- or request one who has left the locker room. Of course, they have the right to say no if they choose. Occasionally, they already are on a training table and we often don't have time because of deadlines to wait. And now and then the team steps in and says a player won't be made available, but that's rare, and it usually involves someone who is injured. This is pro sports, not college where reporters are spoonfed interview subjects.

Guest: How has the ice at CEC been given the warmer temperatures over the past week or so?

Shelly Anderson: I thought it was interesting that recently James Neal completely dodged that question when he was asked about the ice after a game during the recent hot spell in Pittsburgh. All indications I've gotten are that the ice is much better this season and in the arena's inaugural year, but some players have told me that with rare exceptions where the ice is always good (Edmonton), it's just a fact of life that these are multipurpose buildings and sometimes the ice isn't going to be so great after the circus or monster trucks or a pop concert.

Shelly Anderson: OK, folks. Thanks for joining and for the wide range of topics. Come back again next Monday.