Robert Bortuzzo and the Canucks’ Zack Kassian fight Saturday in Vancouver. — GETTY
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
Welcome to Tuesday 12 Qs, our chat that takes place each week at 9 a.m. and offers you a chance to carry the conversation. (Which undoubtedly is a great idea given how sensationally I’m recovering from seven flights in six days!)
Use the comments below to submit an entry. No more than one per person, please. Submit early if you prefer, and I’ll pick from that batch to get rolling, then monitor new entries once we go live.
UPDATE 9 a.m.: And away we go …
turk482: Everyone seems focused on a top-six winger, but watching the Pens in some recent struggles, it seems that they miss the physical presence of a Brooks Orpik-like defenseman more than another winger. Neither Robert Bortuzzo, Scott Harrington or Rob Scuderi seem to fill that need. Should this be their trade deadline focus?
I’ll disagree with you strongly about Bortuzzo not being physical, and not just because of the exceptional Getty pic above from Saturday night in Vancouver. He’s been solid in that area, bordering on nasty. I like Bortuzzo’s game a lot of late, in large part because — as we discussed twice on the trip in detail — he’s taking aggressive risks to work toward his strengths as opposed to sitting back and waiting for the play to develop. Not everyone can or should do the latter.
Does that mean Bortuzzo should be more than a 6 or 7 in the playoffs?
He’ll have to show that down the stretch.
But in general, the loss of Olli Maatta and now maybe Christian Ehrhoff for a while certainly mandates that another defensemen is needed. And if I have to pick a mold, I’m going for mobile and puck-moving over punishing, given what’s already in the fold and what’s been lost.
Michael Dojcak: I keep hearing buzz about the Steelers needing help at NT. Is this the elephant on the room or is that just Daniel McCullers? Seriously, wouldn’t he be the best talent to focus on?
DK: McCullers absolutely is the talent at hand, and not just for his Herculean size that offers run-stopping simply by existing. On top of that, the defense seemed to get a pretty nice thing going down the stretch when McCullers was spelling Steve McLendon, and the two would split the 48 percent of snaps in which a nose tackle was even used.
Candidly, I’ve not heard buzz about nose tackle. I have heard about defensive line, though that all by itself could be addressed — apologies for repeating this endlessly — if the Steelers ever recognized and utilized McLendon’s natural pass-rushing ability rather than constantly trying to recreate Casey Hampton and make him something he’s not. It blows my mind McLendon hasn’t had this chance. Maybe that will change with Keith Butler at coordinator. We’ll see.
My own listing of the Steelers’ draft priorities:
1. Corner
2. Corner
3. Corner
I’ll even wear a Mel Kiper wig when saying so.
Nice to talk a little Steelers. They really, really go dark once the season ends.
YouMeAndDupuis: The advanced stats community illustrates that Brandon Sutter is the worst third-line center in the league in nearly every category. What does management see in him besides his last name and the super rare wrist shot goal down the right slot? He’s first on my list in terms of what we need to upgrade. What say you?
DK: First, I say that if hockey has an “advanced stats community,” it’s still more of a village than a town. Baseball has advanced stats because it has means to accrue real data. Football is getting there. Hockey, by comparison, is a square, wooden wheel still waiting on real data beyond simple shots on goal. I eagerly await that day, but it sure isn’t here now.
That said, Sutter has slowed considerably after a very strong start. I’m as confounded by this as anyone. He isn’t hurt. I’m convinced of that now after this trip. He also isn’t down or discouraged. We talked after the Vancouver game, and his head absolutely seemed to be in the right place. Actually, I really liked what I heard from him.
But there’s no question he needs to perform better, even as there’s no question that once and for all the coaches need to give him a couple of quality linemates and leave him alone. For some odd reason, the line of Sutter between Bennett and Steve Downie looked really good in the early going. I don’t know why. I really don’t. But it did. And all three are available to be reconnected.
dchurchill993: Seems like every time the Penguins lose, it’s a pretty brutal loss. They don’t consistently have 2-1 or 3-2 defeats. They either win big or lose big What is making this team so Jekyll and Hyde and what needs to happen for them to get back to their winning ways?
DK: Are we really still talking about Vancouver?
Back-to-back nights against a fresh opponent, not to mention the third game in four nights, not to mention playing on the wrong end of the continent?
Man, it’s time to let that one go. Actually, that was with the final horn. Nothing to glean.
jamesdauray: During all the Evander Kane talk last week in Winnipeg, I heard that he showed up to a team meeting in a track suit, violating team rules. This led to a confrontation with his teammates, including Dustin Byfuglien tossing his track suit in the shower.
My question — if there were a similar situation with the Penguins, which player would throw the offending track suit in the shower?
DK: Awesome question!
My money is on one Robert Scuderi.
chetthejet: Dejan, at one time I believed you posited the view that the Pens are or would be the No. 2 team in Pittsburgh in popularity. Now that the Buccos have turned things around, do you still feel that will happen?
DK: To clarify, I’ve written several times — definitively — that the Penguins have been and remain the No. 2 team in town, well ahead of the Pirates. And it still isn’t close. What’s more, I didn’t posit as much as I offered hard data and insight from local sports execs from all three of our major-league teams. This isn’t guesswork. It’s based on intense branding studies done by all three teams, TV ratings, as well as more obvious factors.
And I’ll repeat: It isn’t close.
Now, when Pirates fans read that, there’s a naturally defensive reaction, as if they’ve been attacked. Nothing could be further from the truth, on my end. The fact is, one, this is verifiable fact and, two, it speaks much more to the Penguins’ freakish popularity than it does to the Pirates before or since they’ve been competitive again.
One of these days, I’ll revisit this with a full column that contains the latest hard data. But suffice it to say for now that, especially in the areas of younger demographics, the Penguins are a phenomenon. And at that age group, depending on your breakdown, they either challenge or supersede even the untouchable Steelers at the local level. (Not nationally or internationally, of course.)
jbucey: What stock do you put into the idea that the Pirates traded Travis Snider to help boost Gregory Polanco’s confidence? He can just go play and not be looking over his shoulder. With the talent on this team, the reward is much greater than the risk. They traded a good ball layer with half a good season and, bottom line, ended up with good value for Brad Lincoln.
DK: I’ll presume that when you say “idea,” you mean a concept you’re putting forth. Which is fine, but I just want to point out this isn’t something I’ve heard elsewhere.
On the day Snider was traded, Neal Huntington took pains to stress that the Pirates have no plan to put Polanco on an island. They aim to have a support system in place, including a backup. At least that’s what the GM said. So if that was any part of his thinking, what you lay out up there, he didn’t show that at all.
My own thinking remains a whole lot simpler: They cleared a roster spot for Andrew Lambo, a player Huntington feels is due another chance. And in doing so, they fortified not one but two positions in the process, since Lambo can play right field and first base if Pedro Alvarez gets traded.
deklewa185: Of all the other NHL arenas you’ve been to, which one(s) would you consider to be your favorite?
DK: Oooh, a fun one. OK, here goes, but split into categories first …
Best exterior: Columbus. Just beautiful. A real jewel.
Coolest: San Jose’s big tin box. And with all those young techies as season-ticket holders filling the rugged interior, it only adds to it.
Glorious ice: I just wrote about it from Edmonton. The players look like they’re floating above the surface. It’s fantastic to see in person.
Neatest gimmick: Nashville playing the country tune, “I Like It, I Love It, I Want Some More Of It,” each time the Predators score. Great reminder of where you are.
Old-school feel: Long Island, at least for a little while. Detroit, Calgary and Edmonton are old, too, but the Islanders’ place has the flat, low roof that really makes it feel like walking into a barn from the 1950s.
Interior sightlines, concourses: Minnesota made a masterpiece, and the Penguins knew it, which is why they tried to replicate it for Consol. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, the lower bowl is too flat and the upper bowl is too steep. That left the lower bowl tough for fans to see unless they’re tall, and it left the upper bowl with concourses far too narrow. The Wild’s place nailed both.
Best press box cheese: Montreal rules with the fromage.
And finally, the best overall place to see an NHL game: Oh, you know …
Nothing like it. No experience anywhere. Amazing place, amazing atmosphere. And just wait until that team makes the playoffs this year for the first time since 1996. With how low that roof is, they might literally blow that thing off.
Zico: Is there more to the Beau Bennett benchings through western Canada than the coaching staff wanting to motivate him? Or are they protecting an oft-injured player prior to the deadline in hopes of moving him in a package for outside help?
DK: What I reported from Calgary last week was the full extent of it. That’s it. Nothing else. I know the mere mention of trades or possible trades gets everyone excited, but that isn’t what this is about. If it were, if you think about it, nothing could be dumber than for a team to scratch and devalue a guy if he were being showcased.
Madison: Do you agree with Greg Lloyd’s comments on Jarvis Jones? “I could take a guy off of the golf course I play at, and I can have him do the exact same thing.” Seemed a little harsh.
DK: That tone sure did, but the full context of Lloyd’s remarks on Bleacher Report Radio earlier this week are much more revealing and much less harsh. I’d give it a listen. There’s a lot more there, including genuine mutual admiration between Lloyd and Jones.
Readers of this site got to see an impassioned Jones in an exclusive interview just after the season, discussing his shortcomings, his coming offseason and expectations for 2015. Not everyone was sold after watching it, but I’ve believed in him from Day 1, at least from the determination standpoint. More must be seen of the talent, but you’ll hear from Lloyd in that clip up there that he sees the talent, too. He just wants, like everyone else, to see a whole lot more of it applied properly.
Gary Esworthy: Given that the opening 2015 Pirates roster is pretty much set, I can’t make up my mind if I think it is a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand, having a full, healthy roster is always welcome. On the other hand, a little competition never hurt anyone.
What types of things should the fans be watching this year during spring training?
DK: If you mean battles, Gary, not much. Other than the bottom spot or two in the bullpen and any other issues that arise as the result of injury.
But there will be all kinds of fodder independent of the roster: How does Francisco Cervelli work with the pitchers and begin to make up for the biggest loss of the offseason? How does Pedro Alvarez look at first? How do Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer replicate their 2014 showings in the earliest phases? What will happen with Neil Walker? What about Jung-Ho Kang seeing his first North American pitching?
Those are all items on my own checklist while down there.
I agree with you, in principle, about competition. But not so much spring competition. Nobody needs to be pushed to get through six weeks of that process, and it doesn’t mean that much — good or bad — once they do. That’s been proven time and again. I’ve covered spring trainings where tons of jobs were open and the team lost 105 games because the talent was terrible. I’m sure that a camp like this promises much more.
Josh: DK, who have been some of the Pittsburgh coaches/office/media that you’ve built the most solid friendships with during your career so far? Or maybe a time when you had to pinch yourself and say, “Wow, I love my job.”
DK: I’ve been doing this 25 years, and I can swear to you that the number of friends I’ve made among people I cover is close to zero. One for sure. But that’s it.
If you get into this line of work — whether as a beat writer or especially as a columnist in giving opinion — and one of your objectives is to make friends, you’ll fail so miserably you won’t get past Day 1. That has absolutely, positively nothing to do with this job. When there is a good mutual connection, you find before long that something comes along — a situation where I have to write something they wouldn’t want me to — that blows it up in a hurry. So, no, friendship never really makes it.
I’ll take it further: The next time I go out for a meal or a meeting or even a leisurely get-together with someone I cover will be the first. Full disclosure: I once shared a cab with Salomon Torres of the Pirates in St. Louis. I once walked to the team hotel in Columbus with Johan Hedberg of the Penguins. And I once walked across Denver with the late, great Herb Brooks. That’s it for social interaction.
Now, does that mean you don’t enjoy being around some people, or vice versa?
Of course not. I’ve had owners, execs, coaches, players, staff, people I love being around on a daily basis. Great humans. Uplifting personalities. And there’s also a trust factor that develops, especially over time. People give you info knowing you won’t burn them. (Just had a bunch of that in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.) That’s meaningful.
But all of that comes within the confines of being professional. I’m there at these events and covering these teams for the sole purpose of doing a job.
And to go to your final point up there, yes, I often say, “Wow, I love my job,” but it’s on those occasions where I feel it’s a job well done.
Andy Chomos: With Jamel Artis emerging as one of the better players in the ACC, Sheldon Jeter demonstrating some scoring ability and Jamie Dixon regaining his coaching skills … do you see Pitt taking a serious run at the Big Dance?
DK: I don’t, Andy, though the Panthers obviously moved a step closer since I wrote that column from the Pete a few days ago that said they can’t. The hill is just too steep, and that begins — continues, really — with a ridiculous run now of Louisville, North Carolina and Virginia, all in the top 12. That’s ominous, to put it generously.
If there is a reason to have faith, you mentioned him: Artis. I don’t know if this is just a hot streak, but I’m inclined to think not when seeing how rounded his game is becoming. The jumpers have always been there, but he’s now getting to the hoop, distributing … heck, he’s even guarding better. That all-around game is … eh, I’ll stop here. Let’s just say Pitt hasn’t had one of these this year, and it looked like it was going to be a long time until the next Lamar Patterson would come along. Artis looks seriously dangerous in his own way.
But let’s see how he handles being keyed. Which he will in these next three.
Mike Guttman: Your insight into what’s really going on with the teams is always so impressive. You must be one of very people who have such genuine access to the coaches/players. While this is great for your readers, do you think it has been (or could be) beneficial to our team’s opponents, especially for example during a playoff series?
DK: I suppose that’s possible, especially as it relates to either injuries or Xs and Os. But I’ll be blunt here, and some might not like it: That’s not my concern and is never part of the thought process. My focus in reporting and writing is solely to serve the readership. I work for you, plain and simple.
Now more than ever, come to think of it.
Thanks so much to everyone for the fun session. A site announcement is coming, probably later today, that’s pretty cool. I’ll be back out on the actual beats tomorrow.
Bennett has very little trade value on the open market. What GM is going to give the Pens anything remotely equivalent in return? He is most valuable ataying out though he doesn't fit in right now.
bpn8pitt
2-10-2015, 9:43 am
Speaking of hockey metrics, I dont understand Jagr Watch.
Guy very much plays like 43 year old with his best goal scoring days well behind him, April in beyond. Hockey reference completely supports this.
Madison
2-10-2015, 12:11 am
Do you agree with Greg Lloyd's comments on Jarvis Jones? "I could pick a guy up off of my golf course to do what he's done" Seemed a little harsh.
If positive vibes aren't enough and Kunitz needs to take a step back, which players are the coaching staff most likely to take a look at first playing with Crosby and Perron on the top line?
Zero. He had one good game. He's eminently guardable with no playmaking ability to speak of. That we're even talking about speaks to how far the Pens have fallen. Amazing.
Mark Scumaci
2-10-2015, 12:16 am
I still think the pens are a better team next year. I can't remember the last time 87 and 71 were both going strong at the same time and if they can't both be hot to carry the load .....Ouch. They do get some cap space next year as both Martin and Ehrloff are UFA and 1 or both go
Everyone seems focused on a top 6 winger but watching the Pens in some recent struggles, it seems that they miss the physical presence of a Brooks Orpik like defenseman more than another winger. Neither Bortuzzo, Harrington or Scuderi seem to fill that need. Should this be their trade deadline focus?
Hopefully you got some rest after all those fights, DK. Which of the pens players likely to be involved in a trade would bring back truly equal or better value?
What stock do you put into the idea that Snider was traded to help boost Polanco's confidence? He can just go play and not be looking over his shoulder. With the talent on this team, the reward is much greater than the risk. They traded a good ball player with half a good season and bottom line ended up with good value for Brad Lincoln.
Seems like every time the Penguins lose, it's a pretty brutal loss. They don't consistently have 2-1 or 3-2 defeats. They either win big or lose big What is making this team so Jekyll and Hyde and what needs to happen for them to get back to their winning ways?
I thought this was a good question, even if it got a plank in the eye answer. Pens lost to Nashville, Washington, and Vancouver by a score of 0-13. Then beat the Flames, Oiler, Jets, and Devils 13-4. Next stretch of games should be interesting.
joshmoyer123
2-10-2015, 12:27 am
Matt Murray has been outstanding in the AHL; do you see him ever being an impact goalie in the NHL? If so, when do you feel he'll be ready to be a regular NHL goalie?
Your insight into what's really going on with the teams is always so impressive. You must be one of very people who have such genuine access to the coaches/players. While this is great for your readers, do you think it has been (or could be) beneficial to our team's opponents, especially for example during a playoff series?
DK who have been some of the Pittsburgh coaches/office/media that you've built the most solid friendships with during your career so far? Or maybe a time when you had to pinch yourself and say "Wow I love my job".
Is there more to the Beau Bennett benchings through western Canada than the coaching staff wanting to motivate him? Or are they protecting an oft-injured player prior to the deadline in hopes of moving him in a package for outside help?
The advanced stats community illustrates that Brandon Sutter is the worst 3rd line center in the league in nearly every category. What does management see in him besides his last name and the super rare wrist shot goal down the right slot? He's first on my list in terms of what we need to upgrade. What say you?
I say he needs one ENTIRE summer at the Gary Roberts School of Off-Season Conditioning.
alan.smodic
2-10-2015, 1:05 am
DK, a bit off topic, but here goes -- Marvel just dropped a bomb of an announcement that it reached a deal with Sony to bring Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I know you're a DC guy, but which superhero movie (and there are many to choose from) are you most excited for in these coming years?
You mean like having Spider-Man with the X-Men and Avengers? Ugh. He should always go it alone. I even hated when he teamed up in the books.
ajbeam7
2-10-2015, 1:15 am
Sorry, I just don't give a damn about another trade. All I care about is the two best hockey players on the planet perpetually playing at peak level. In the same vein, that also goes for their supporting cast. What has to happen for this to be a reality? Does the team just need a chance to click with players trickling back from injury, or does Johnston need to kick it to the next gear?
I would say that a lot has to go right for this staff to be productive enough to have the Pirates in contention when it matters most. Relying on Burnett to be the third starter behind Cole and Liriano is a gamble. I guess 15 wins is the best case scenario with him but I think they need another legit arm and surprised they didn't at least look at a pitcher like Shields.
bpn8pitt
2-10-2015, 10:32 am
Jayson, you dont like Burnetts move from Citizens to PNC?
AJ gives the Pirates 200 IP im happy. They got plenty of options available later on in Morton, Kingham, and Taillon.
Id like to see what Benedict and Searage can do with Clayton Richard and Chris Volstad. Might be able to get some starts out of them like Worley.
jimmy streich
2-10-2015, 2:13 am
If the Pirates can get a better TV deal as it seems theirs is one of the worst in baseball. Will it be enough for them to keep McCutchen when he becomes a free agent. And if they will be trading him before free agency do you really want Huntington doing it with his trade record?
Given the history of how Pirates have handled extensions, does the Neil Walker lack of extension talk bear any weight on the others? Polanco, Cole, etc.
It seems that almost every Pirate hitter could hit somewhere in the lineup except Cutch who will be 3rd. What is your lineup against right handed pitchers who they will see more of?
Still a long road to go, but it is my belief that once again Jamie Dixon is illustrating why he is one of the best teachers in the coaching fraternity. (Could his recruiting improve? Always. ) But the steady improvement and the battle that this team has shown despite certain limitations (walk on center being called into duty prior to injury) is very rewarding. Add to it the rapid improvement of Jamel Artis and his first team ACC stats and the future does not look so bleak.
John Altoona Pa; DK- tremendous job on the site- am I being paranoid about Fleury's workload ? Lots of back to back games remaining- I think it is important that Greiss plays a lot more games than he has in this last quarter of the season so Flower will be fresh for the playoffs- your thoughts?
John, click your username on the main site to change it! Thanks!
jlhorn33
2-10-2015, 5:44 am
Assuming that 1) the Pens make it deep enough into the playoffs for Duper to come back this season and 2) he can come back this season, where do you see him fitting in the lineup?
Same question applies for next season as well. (I know there are a ton of variables here...)
Does Olli Maatta have enough offensive skill to be converted to a forward? Or is that why he is a defenseman? Please explain. Question from a casual fan with limited knowledge of hockey.
Le 'Veon Bell just had one of the greatest seasons in Steeler RB history. No doubt he is line for a big extension soon, that will make him the highest paid tailback in the NFL.
Now, considering the Patriots won the Super Bowl with Shane Vereen and two guys they picked up off the street, do you have any hesitation at all about committing a chunk of the cap to a running back?
I think it's fair to say his missed 4 games to injury in his career and is likely out for 1-2 next year with a suspension...I compare it to an average baseball team giving a closer a big contract, when they have a myriad of issues elsewhere.
If the retort is "well, the cap goes up soon" my response is Ben, Heyward, Beechum, and DeCastro and their agents know that as well.
I would resign Bell. But I have no doubt it would affect their 53 man depth overall, something that's been a big issue the last 3 years.
Steelkings
2-10-2015, 9:03 am
If you retort yourself, does that make you retorted?
bpn8pitt
2-10-2015, 9:50 am
Nope...but thing Jaff Decker makes the Pirates roster does.
NMR
2-10-2015, 4:13 pm
Ha!
ryan.franciscus
2-10-2015, 6:42 am
Robert Bortuzzo, what do you do with him? Re-sign him at the end of this year, throw him in a package deal for a trade, or just let him go? He's cheap, but with the defensive pipeline being as good as it is, is there even room for him on this team?
Everyone is still pushing for a trade (or trades) before the deadline. However, we're pretty much flush against the cap. You've stated that the Pens plan on keeping Martin, so who would be most likely to go to bring someone else in? Bennett certainly seems like a candidate, but his salary is pretty low. Is Erhoff a possibility to go? Is Kunitz still being considered even though it would create another top 6 hole?
We keep hearing the trade rumors, and sure it would be nice to have this or that guy, but I am the only one that thinks this team if healthy and if Sid plays like himself is already talented enough to make a cup run? Two big 'if's' mind you but hockey does have a salary cap.
Just watched 30/30 on the Russian hockey program. Was not aware of Tarasov. I don't know a great deal about Badger Bob Johnson, but that is who came to mind when they were chronicling Tarasov. Is that a good comparison?
FWIW....much not to like about Tikhoniv, but not ready to pile on about pulling Tretiak. Seems to me they had given up 3-4 goals on other occasions. They lost because they could only get 3 past Jim Craig
mike
2-10-2015, 6:58 am
If the Pens organization is so full of great defensive prospects, and Niskanen couldn't be afforded after holding down the fort for half a season, why aren't they here and we signed Ehrhoff and are still looking for a defenseman?
We all know that Dupuis is around the team and even going on some road trips. What about Olli Maatta? Is he in Pittsburgh and around the guys or in Finland? Any word how he is Dwight?
Which are your favorite team uniforms in each of the four major sports. Random, I know, but as someone who wore an old school Jets jersey to the sports roundtable, I figured you must have an affinity for certain teams. (Also feel free to skip over the NBA if you must.)
The way the pens are supposed to play in this system requires a certain type of winger in order to truly be effective. Knowing how good he was with Malkin before injury, if he doesn't produce, how long do you see Comeau on the second line, and how happy are you that we didn't sign Kulemin in the offseason?
Dejan, both Brandon Sutter and Max Lapierre's usage adjusted corsi % are below replacement level. Sutter's possession numbers are just awful. Is Sutter a possibility to get traded in the summer? And you do think the Pens will make a deal for a bottom 6 forward? Their certainly is a lack of secondary scoring right now. Thanks!
Is the New England area getting record breaking snow God's commentary on the Patriots winning the NFL title? And if not, with a little distance, what should our take be on this years' win and how it should be seen in combination with their others?
Don't troll Dejan. When there's news on this topic he'll tell ya.
Abdulmaliksteelerfan
2-10-2015, 7:22 am
After the recent Super Bowl victory, many media members started anointing Tom Brady the best ever big-game quarterback. What the heck about Terry as in Terry Bradshaw? He never lost a Super Bowl. He has BIG-GAME stats including the highest average yardage in TD tosses. That's not even close. Not even mentioning he played in an era when Dbs and Lbs were mauling his intended targets game in and game out. AND pass-ruishers were intent to bury Qbs into stadium turf if possible on every play. What do you think of this?
I maybe biased but I am not blind.
The Pens crushed the Devils earlier in the season by using speed to get past the trap. Other (better) teams are having far more success using the 1-2-2 against the Pens. What are the differences between the successful trap and the 1-2-2? Is it a strategy change that breaks through, or just properly directed effort?
It appears that this Penguins core has issues keeping their emotions under control. If it's not Crosby or Malkin then Letang loses it. They always seem to take foolish retaliatory penalties when they get frustrated as evidenced in past playoffs. Do you agree?
With Ryan Tannehill, possibly, about to be making some big money, and Joe Flacco, who, I think is the most overpaid player in NFL history, what do you think the Steelers will have to give Ben for him to even consider?
I see that Alvarez is now being labeled by national media as a "corner infielder". Is the team satisfied with average defense and, obviously, a better bat; is that the goal? He has a history of over-thinking, so let's say the bat doesn't improve from last year and his 20+ errors are now at 1st base. What next?
With Artis emerging as one of the better players in the ACC, Jeter demonstrating some scoring ability and Jamie Dixon regaining his Coaching skills :) - Do you see PITT taking a serious run at the big dance ?
During all the Evander Kane talk last week, I heard that he showed up to a team meeting in a track suit, violating team rules. This led to a confrontation with his teammates, including Dustin Byfuglien tossing his track suit in the shower.
My question -- if there were a similar situation with the Penguins, which player would throw the offending track suit in the shower?
During all the Evander Kane talk last week, I heard that he showed up to a team meeting in a track suit, violating team rules. This led to a confrontation with his teammates, including Dustin Byfuglien tossing his track suit in the shower.
My question -- if there were a similar situation with the Penguins, which player would throw the offending track suit in the shower?
Understood that you do not opine on trade rumors, but do you know if GMJR and HCMJ will include in any offer to Jagr a contractually obligated return of The Mullet? Assuming not, I honestly think the leadership of this group needs to be called into question. Specifically in light of Saturday's (Feb 7 that is) poor performance. I question this group's character given 3 games in 4 nights on the tail end of a western CA road trip - I mean seriously. Full disclosure I forget what happened against the Flames. Anyway, no mullet and I'm thinking this coach is one and done. And the media needs to call 66 to the mat on this too - what has THAT guy ever done for this city??? For the record I blame Tomlin ... For everything basically.
Dejan at one time I believed you positioned the view that the Pens are or would be the number two team in Pittsburgh in popularity. Now that the Buccos have turned things around, do you still feel that will happen.
I don't follow college recruiting because I generally figure is it is mostly pointless...but with all the buzz from Narduzzi's work the past couple weeks it seems like we are seeing a shift in the right direction for Pitt. Thoughts?
Hi Dejan...you mentioned a couple of weeks ago that the rotation/bullpen are pretty much set for this season. Do you think there's a chance for Nick Kingham to supplant Jeff Locke in the rotation, or is he AAA fodder/trade bait at this point?
Hiya DK. As a loyal reader of yours for, um, let's just say a long time, some of us would like a little personal insight. That being said, if you could re-live any single sporting event you've ever witnessed, which one would you choose and why? Also list some "runners up" if you don't mind.
DK, I read that AP's Dave Goldberg passed away...41 years of writing about football. Got me thinking. Who are your mentors, your models in sports journalism?
DK, thinking of going to the Pens game in St. Louis later this month. How is the city and venue. Also other then the arch, anything else you recommend?
Dejan what if any effect on the next collective bargaining agreement do you think having Bob Nutting on the committee will have. He is well known to not be a huge union fan. we he push hard for some kind of cap in baseball or is he like all the others and just happy to making money and feels there is nothing wrong being the only major sport without a cap
I keep hearing buzz about the Steelers needing help at NT. Is this the elephant on the room or is that just Daniel Mccullers? Seriously, wouldn't he be the best talent to focus on?
The Pens have shown a lot of improvement recently in their play, but why do they seem to either play outstanding or get shut out? Is there a correlation of game plans between the teams that have blanked the Pens recently? How do the Pens move forward and address this?
Brandon Sutter has shown flashes of offensive talent since he's been a Penguin - some of the goals he has scored have been sniper-esque. Has his offense been limited by the number of wingers he's played with (some with limited offensive capability), his 3rd-line-center checking role or is he just a hot and cold type of offensive player? I know when the Pens got him, they projected him to score 20 goals/season.
With Artis finally emerging as the player making "the leap" this year under Jamie Dixon, how do you rate Pitt's chances of making a run to the NCAA tournament?
Assuming an 12 man Pitching staff and 8 regular defensive starters, along with the only real Left handed bench bat options being Lambo and Decker ( No offense to Pedro Floriman) along with the need to keep Snyder. That leaves 2 spots on the 25 man. Of Hart, Kang, and Rodriquez, Who goes?
His roster leaves only one left handed bench bat when facing a righty starter. Which is the majority. They will have to include Decker or they will need to go get a lefty bat.
TonyF-central-NY
2-10-2015, 9:10 am
DK! Curious as to if you read this article (Brandon Prust on "Why We Fight") and your thoughts. I believe you are of the thought that hockey with no fighting would look like playoff hockey. I'm inclined to agree, but this is obviously a different take on it.
Hey. Love this site. Why does the NHL have so many back to back games then a 4 day break. The Penguins started off the season with just a few games over a couple week stretch and now have a ton of back to backs. Seems to be another example of great sport, bad league
Are you satisfied with the Pirates pitching going into spring training?? We lose Volquez and replace him with Burnett. Lose Wilson for Bastardo. Do you consider these upgrades or did we take a step back??
While talking a little Stillers and specifically the d-line... what do you think is the prognosis on the Army vet, Vilenueva? His is such a great story and he's obviously due all respect. Do you think that he has a chance to eventually play any meaningful minutes?
If Pitt goes 0-3 against Louisville, UNC, and Virginia, yet gets to 20 wins by winning 4 of the remaining 5 against Syracuse Wake Forest, and Florida State, Boston College and Miami, do they make the NCAA tournament? What if they upset one of the ranked teams, but only get to 19 wins?
If Pitt goes 0-3 against Louisville, UNC, and Virginia, yet gets to 20 wins by winning 4 of the remaining 5 against Syracuse Wake Forest, and Florida State, Boston College and Miami, do they make the NCAA tournament? What if they upset one of the ranked teams, but only get to 19 wins?
If Pitt goes 0-3 against Louisville, UNC, and Virginia, yet gets to 20 wins by winning 4 of the remaining 5 against Syracuse Wake Forest, and Florida State, Boston College and Miami, do they make the NCAA tournament? What if they upset one of the ranked teams, but only get to 19 wins?
With a staggering 8 shutouts just past midway through the season. Should Fleury be in contention for the Vezina trophy or has his season been too up and down to attract the attention of the voters. I'm a Fleury fan for life and am still irritable that Pittsburgh fans seem to pile on him during hard times. Though I've seen less of that during this streaky mid season.
All though I see HCMJ reasoning in scratching Bennett, I can't help but think that Beau is on his way to becoming the next Alexie Morozov. He has the talent and capabilities to play in the league but is being misused, especially if he is viewed as a big part of the team. Yes, he has been invisible lately, but he has looked his best when he has been a RW and been allowed to use is skill on a line with 16 and 23. Making him into something he is not is just gonna hurt the kid and its a classic case we have all seen in Pittsburgh far too often.
It seems to me that a lot is made of hockey teams playing games on back to back days, especially when playing against a team that didn't have a game the previous day. Could you compare this to another sport for some perspective? Is playing back to back days equivalent to a baseball doubleheader? Playing football Sunday and then again on Tuesday? Thoughts?
The Pens have recalled Scott Harrington a number of times recently, but it feels like it's been a while since we've seen them recall Brian Dumoulin. Any insight as to the seeming preference for Harrington right now over Dumoulin?
If Pedro Alvarez rebounds this season to any significant degree, would you expect the Pirates to hold on to him for the postseason push or try to sell high on him in order to cash out while they can (and sort out the 1B situation on the fly)?
Can you provide insight into the Pens cap situation? Are they able to bring in free agent to be rentals? Is there dead money tying up the cap or is the money simply going to the guys they feel are the core of the team. How does next year look cap-wise?
The top two Cbs taken last year, Darquez Dennard and Justin Gilbert had tough rookie seasons. Then you look at Richard Sherman (5th Rd) and Brandon Browner (undrafted FA, CFL) playing in the Super Bowl.
Most of the draft heads say this is a terrible year for 1st Rd CB anyway.
You still reaching at 22, Dejan? They can wait till rounds 2 or 3 in my opinion and end up with virtually the same talent.
DK,
I love your writing but this is my favorite part of your product, has been since the 'Trib'. Thank you for spending the time and keeping this going. My question is about the Steelers recent pickup from the CFL, Shawn Lemon. How big of an adjustment is going from the CFL to the NFL? Is it comparable to the AHL to NHL? Is it reasonable to hope that Shawn will add substance to the Steelers' pass rush?
If we can assume the Penguins just don't have the right mix to win a cup this year (mainly die to salary cap preventing any flexibility), what do you think the plan will be to get them there in 2-3 years (keeping inside the Crosby/Malkin prime window)? Considering the trading of draft picks that has continued under JR, and his plan to step down after 2-3 years, will they still mortgage future to win within 2 years? Or will there be an effort the 'let the kids play' and focus on the next decade of Pouliot/Maata/Kapanen?
DK will revisit the Pens significant lead in popularity over the Pirates. I understanding the Pens success translating that into gaining more following. I do suggest the Pirates have made big strides in the family and younger crowd the last few years. The NL playoff against the Reds was IMHO more electric than the Pens playoffs the last couple of years. I have to believe the trendline is with the Pirates at this point.
Pastor Taint
2-10-2015, 11:41 am
In response to Robert Bortuzzo being the player who would throw a track suit in the shower, that represents a problem to me. Bortuzzo is a barely-in-the-lineup player. Not suggesting any of the top players need a talking to, but if they did, he surely wouldn't survive that confrontation with a job. I think that is why players get the "C" (or "A")
Great column, as usual. Thought you were a bit dismissive of the question about blowout losses. I was at the Caps game in DC -- no Geno -- and the Pens clearly gave up when they fell behind.
It's officially abundantly clear that DK is going to live in fantasy world relating to the Pens until we get dispatched in the first round. This has to be one of the most astonishing things I have ever seen. The delusion is palpable.
If there is a team out there, which is relying on DK's columns to get them the information that they need to win a playoff series, then they probably aren't in a position to actually make the playoffs. That's not a slam on the columns, which are excellent, it's more of an observation as to how much other teams study the oppposition.
DK, my man, Nassau Coliseum?! "Old school" doesn't have to mean complete dump! Johnstown War Memorial, pre-renovation, was a nicer barn than Nassau. ;)
Nice job, DK and yes I saw the Jones interview, but when a guy--who most observers, including now Greg Lloyd, see as not strong enough--admits he hates working out and lifting weights, what does that say about the player (besides he's slow and weak) and management which doesn't insist he work on his athletic shortcomings?
The Pens have been blanked more than just Vancouver. They can't score on Washington and have a really hard time scoring on both teams from NewYork too. I know those teams are good but so are the Pens. Why can't we score on these teams?
I agree with dchurchill993 when the pens lose lots of their loses are big loses and they seem to give up half way though. Seem to doesn't mean they actually give up they obviously try, but when they lose it's either a close fought game or a bad bad game.
February 10, 2015
Tuesday 12 Qs: Borts, Big Mac, Brandon, baseball
by Dejan Kovacevic • Five Qs at 5 • Penguins, Pirates, Pitt, Steelers
Robert Bortuzzo and the Canucks’ Zack Kassian fight Saturday in Vancouver. — GETTY
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
Welcome to Tuesday 12 Qs, our chat that takes place each week at 9 a.m. and offers you a chance to carry the conversation. (Which undoubtedly is a great idea given how sensationally I’m recovering from seven flights in six days!)
Use the comments below to submit an entry. No more than one per person, please. Submit early if you prefer, and I’ll pick from that batch to get rolling, then monitor new entries once we go live.
UPDATE 9 a.m.: And away we go …
turk482: Everyone seems focused on a top-six winger, but watching the Pens in some recent struggles, it seems that they miss the physical presence of a Brooks Orpik-like defenseman more than another winger. Neither Robert Bortuzzo, Scott Harrington or Rob Scuderi seem to fill that need. Should this be their trade deadline focus?
DK: It is, actually, as I reported from Western Canada. And yes, it absolutely should be.
I’ll disagree with you strongly about Bortuzzo not being physical, and not just because of the exceptional Getty pic above from Saturday night in Vancouver. He’s been solid in that area, bordering on nasty. I like Bortuzzo’s game a lot of late, in large part because — as we discussed twice on the trip in detail — he’s taking aggressive risks to work toward his strengths as opposed to sitting back and waiting for the play to develop. Not everyone can or should do the latter.
Does that mean Bortuzzo should be more than a 6 or 7 in the playoffs?
He’ll have to show that down the stretch.
But in general, the loss of Olli Maatta and now maybe Christian Ehrhoff for a while certainly mandates that another defensemen is needed. And if I have to pick a mold, I’m going for mobile and puck-moving over punishing, given what’s already in the fold and what’s been lost.
Michael Dojcak: I keep hearing buzz about the Steelers needing help at NT. Is this the elephant on the room or is that just Daniel McCullers? Seriously, wouldn’t he be the best talent to focus on?
DK: McCullers absolutely is the talent at hand, and not just for his Herculean size that offers run-stopping simply by existing. On top of that, the defense seemed to get a pretty nice thing going down the stretch when McCullers was spelling Steve McLendon, and the two would split the 48 percent of snaps in which a nose tackle was even used.
Candidly, I’ve not heard buzz about nose tackle. I have heard about defensive line, though that all by itself could be addressed — apologies for repeating this endlessly — if the Steelers ever recognized and utilized McLendon’s natural pass-rushing ability rather than constantly trying to recreate Casey Hampton and make him something he’s not. It blows my mind McLendon hasn’t had this chance. Maybe that will change with Keith Butler at coordinator. We’ll see.
My own listing of the Steelers’ draft priorities:
1. Corner
2. Corner
3. Corner
I’ll even wear a Mel Kiper wig when saying so.
Nice to talk a little Steelers. They really, really go dark once the season ends.
YouMeAndDupuis: The advanced stats community illustrates that Brandon Sutter is the worst third-line center in the league in nearly every category. What does management see in him besides his last name and the super rare wrist shot goal down the right slot? He’s first on my list in terms of what we need to upgrade. What say you?
DK: First, I say that if hockey has an “advanced stats community,” it’s still more of a village than a town. Baseball has advanced stats because it has means to accrue real data. Football is getting there. Hockey, by comparison, is a square, wooden wheel still waiting on real data beyond simple shots on goal. I eagerly await that day, but it sure isn’t here now.
That said, Sutter has slowed considerably after a very strong start. I’m as confounded by this as anyone. He isn’t hurt. I’m convinced of that now after this trip. He also isn’t down or discouraged. We talked after the Vancouver game, and his head absolutely seemed to be in the right place. Actually, I really liked what I heard from him.
But there’s no question he needs to perform better, even as there’s no question that once and for all the coaches need to give him a couple of quality linemates and leave him alone. For some odd reason, the line of Sutter between Bennett and Steve Downie looked really good in the early going. I don’t know why. I really don’t. But it did. And all three are available to be reconnected.
dchurchill993: Seems like every time the Penguins lose, it’s a pretty brutal loss. They don’t consistently have 2-1 or 3-2 defeats. They either win big or lose big What is making this team so Jekyll and Hyde and what needs to happen for them to get back to their winning ways?
DK: Are we really still talking about Vancouver?
Back-to-back nights against a fresh opponent, not to mention the third game in four nights, not to mention playing on the wrong end of the continent?
Man, it’s time to let that one go. Actually, that was with the final horn. Nothing to glean.
jamesdauray: During all the Evander Kane talk last week in Winnipeg, I heard that he showed up to a team meeting in a track suit, violating team rules. This led to a confrontation with his teammates, including Dustin Byfuglien tossing his track suit in the shower.
My question — if there were a similar situation with the Penguins, which player would throw the offending track suit in the shower?
DK: Awesome question!
My money is on one Robert Scuderi.
chetthejet: Dejan, at one time I believed you posited the view that the Pens are or would be the No. 2 team in Pittsburgh in popularity. Now that the Buccos have turned things around, do you still feel that will happen?
DK: To clarify, I’ve written several times — definitively — that the Penguins have been and remain the No. 2 team in town, well ahead of the Pirates. And it still isn’t close. What’s more, I didn’t posit as much as I offered hard data and insight from local sports execs from all three of our major-league teams. This isn’t guesswork. It’s based on intense branding studies done by all three teams, TV ratings, as well as more obvious factors.
And I’ll repeat: It isn’t close.
Now, when Pirates fans read that, there’s a naturally defensive reaction, as if they’ve been attacked. Nothing could be further from the truth, on my end. The fact is, one, this is verifiable fact and, two, it speaks much more to the Penguins’ freakish popularity than it does to the Pirates before or since they’ve been competitive again.
One of these days, I’ll revisit this with a full column that contains the latest hard data. But suffice it to say for now that, especially in the areas of younger demographics, the Penguins are a phenomenon. And at that age group, depending on your breakdown, they either challenge or supersede even the untouchable Steelers at the local level. (Not nationally or internationally, of course.)
jbucey: What stock do you put into the idea that the Pirates traded Travis Snider to help boost Gregory Polanco’s confidence? He can just go play and not be looking over his shoulder. With the talent on this team, the reward is much greater than the risk. They traded a good ball layer with half a good season and, bottom line, ended up with good value for Brad Lincoln.
DK: I’ll presume that when you say “idea,” you mean a concept you’re putting forth. Which is fine, but I just want to point out this isn’t something I’ve heard elsewhere.
On the day Snider was traded, Neal Huntington took pains to stress that the Pirates have no plan to put Polanco on an island. They aim to have a support system in place, including a backup. At least that’s what the GM said. So if that was any part of his thinking, what you lay out up there, he didn’t show that at all.
My own thinking remains a whole lot simpler: They cleared a roster spot for Andrew Lambo, a player Huntington feels is due another chance. And in doing so, they fortified not one but two positions in the process, since Lambo can play right field and first base if Pedro Alvarez gets traded.
deklewa185: Of all the other NHL arenas you’ve been to, which one(s) would you consider to be your favorite?
DK: Oooh, a fun one. OK, here goes, but split into categories first …
Best exterior: Columbus. Just beautiful. A real jewel.
Coolest: San Jose’s big tin box. And with all those young techies as season-ticket holders filling the rugged interior, it only adds to it.
Glorious ice: I just wrote about it from Edmonton. The players look like they’re floating above the surface. It’s fantastic to see in person.
Neatest gimmick: Nashville playing the country tune, “I Like It, I Love It, I Want Some More Of It,” each time the Predators score. Great reminder of where you are.
Old-school feel: Long Island, at least for a little while. Detroit, Calgary and Edmonton are old, too, but the Islanders’ place has the flat, low roof that really makes it feel like walking into a barn from the 1950s.
Interior sightlines, concourses: Minnesota made a masterpiece, and the Penguins knew it, which is why they tried to replicate it for Consol. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, the lower bowl is too flat and the upper bowl is too steep. That left the lower bowl tough for fans to see unless they’re tall, and it left the upper bowl with concourses far too narrow. The Wild’s place nailed both.
Best press box cheese: Montreal rules with the fromage.
And finally, the best overall place to see an NHL game: Oh, you know …
Nothing like it. No experience anywhere. Amazing place, amazing atmosphere. And just wait until that team makes the playoffs this year for the first time since 1996. With how low that roof is, they might literally blow that thing off.
Zico: Is there more to the Beau Bennett benchings through western Canada than the coaching staff wanting to motivate him? Or are they protecting an oft-injured player prior to the deadline in hopes of moving him in a package for outside help?
DK: What I reported from Calgary last week was the full extent of it. That’s it. Nothing else. I know the mere mention of trades or possible trades gets everyone excited, but that isn’t what this is about. If it were, if you think about it, nothing could be dumber than for a team to scratch and devalue a guy if he were being showcased.
Madison: Do you agree with Greg Lloyd’s comments on Jarvis Jones? “I could take a guy off of the golf course I play at, and I can have him do the exact same thing.” Seemed a little harsh.
DK: That tone sure did, but the full context of Lloyd’s remarks on Bleacher Report Radio earlier this week are much more revealing and much less harsh. I’d give it a listen. There’s a lot more there, including genuine mutual admiration between Lloyd and Jones.
Readers of this site got to see an impassioned Jones in an exclusive interview just after the season, discussing his shortcomings, his coming offseason and expectations for 2015. Not everyone was sold after watching it, but I’ve believed in him from Day 1, at least from the determination standpoint. More must be seen of the talent, but you’ll hear from Lloyd in that clip up there that he sees the talent, too. He just wants, like everyone else, to see a whole lot more of it applied properly.
Gary Esworthy: Given that the opening 2015 Pirates roster is pretty much set, I can’t make up my mind if I think it is a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand, having a full, healthy roster is always welcome. On the other hand, a little competition never hurt anyone.
What types of things should the fans be watching this year during spring training?
DK: If you mean battles, Gary, not much. Other than the bottom spot or two in the bullpen and any other issues that arise as the result of injury.
But there will be all kinds of fodder independent of the roster: How does Francisco Cervelli work with the pitchers and begin to make up for the biggest loss of the offseason? How does Pedro Alvarez look at first? How do Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer replicate their 2014 showings in the earliest phases? What will happen with Neil Walker? What about Jung-Ho Kang seeing his first North American pitching?
Those are all items on my own checklist while down there.
I agree with you, in principle, about competition. But not so much spring competition. Nobody needs to be pushed to get through six weeks of that process, and it doesn’t mean that much — good or bad — once they do. That’s been proven time and again. I’ve covered spring trainings where tons of jobs were open and the team lost 105 games because the talent was terrible. I’m sure that a camp like this promises much more.
Josh: DK, who have been some of the Pittsburgh coaches/office/media that you’ve built the most solid friendships with during your career so far? Or maybe a time when you had to pinch yourself and say, “Wow, I love my job.”
DK: I’ve been doing this 25 years, and I can swear to you that the number of friends I’ve made among people I cover is close to zero. One for sure. But that’s it.
If you get into this line of work — whether as a beat writer or especially as a columnist in giving opinion — and one of your objectives is to make friends, you’ll fail so miserably you won’t get past Day 1. That has absolutely, positively nothing to do with this job. When there is a good mutual connection, you find before long that something comes along — a situation where I have to write something they wouldn’t want me to — that blows it up in a hurry. So, no, friendship never really makes it.
I’ll take it further: The next time I go out for a meal or a meeting or even a leisurely get-together with someone I cover will be the first. Full disclosure: I once shared a cab with Salomon Torres of the Pirates in St. Louis. I once walked to the team hotel in Columbus with Johan Hedberg of the Penguins. And I once walked across Denver with the late, great Herb Brooks. That’s it for social interaction.
Now, does that mean you don’t enjoy being around some people, or vice versa?
Of course not. I’ve had owners, execs, coaches, players, staff, people I love being around on a daily basis. Great humans. Uplifting personalities. And there’s also a trust factor that develops, especially over time. People give you info knowing you won’t burn them. (Just had a bunch of that in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.) That’s meaningful.
But all of that comes within the confines of being professional. I’m there at these events and covering these teams for the sole purpose of doing a job.
And to go to your final point up there, yes, I often say, “Wow, I love my job,” but it’s on those occasions where I feel it’s a job well done.
Andy Chomos: With Jamel Artis emerging as one of the better players in the ACC, Sheldon Jeter demonstrating some scoring ability and Jamie Dixon regaining his coaching skills
… do you see Pitt taking a serious run at the Big Dance?
DK: I don’t, Andy, though the Panthers obviously moved a step closer since I wrote that column from the Pete a few days ago that said they can’t. The hill is just too steep, and that begins — continues, really — with a ridiculous run now of Louisville, North Carolina and Virginia, all in the top 12. That’s ominous, to put it generously.
If there is a reason to have faith, you mentioned him: Artis. I don’t know if this is just a hot streak, but I’m inclined to think not when seeing how rounded his game is becoming. The jumpers have always been there, but he’s now getting to the hoop, distributing … heck, he’s even guarding better. That all-around game is … eh, I’ll stop here. Let’s just say Pitt hasn’t had one of these this year, and it looked like it was going to be a long time until the next Lamar Patterson would come along. Artis looks seriously dangerous in his own way.
But let’s see how he handles being keyed. Which he will in these next three.
Mike Guttman: Your insight into what’s really going on with the teams is always so impressive. You must be one of very people who have such genuine access to the coaches/players. While this is great for your readers, do you think it has been (or could be) beneficial to our team’s opponents, especially for example during a playoff series?
DK: I suppose that’s possible, especially as it relates to either injuries or Xs and Os. But I’ll be blunt here, and some might not like it: That’s not my concern and is never part of the thought process. My focus in reporting and writing is solely to serve the readership. I work for you, plain and simple.
Now more than ever, come to think of it.
Thanks so much to everyone for the fun session. A site announcement is coming, probably later today, that’s pretty cool. I’ll be back out on the actual beats tomorrow.