The headquarters building at the Pirate City minor-league complex in Bradenton. — 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. 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 off we go …
Doug Molhoek: What player are you most interested in seeing how he performs this spring training?
DK: From a pure performance standpoint, it’s impossible, I’d think, to not be tantalized by Jung-Ho Kang, given all that he’s accomplished in Korea and the fact that he’s blazing a trail for countrymen. Each pitch, each at-bat will be worth watching closely.
Isolating on pitchers, I’d say Radhames Liz. I’ve been telling readers for months on this site that the Pirates are uncommonly excited about him, to the point they won’t even rule out that he could start at some point in 2015. Crazy stuff, considering he’s been out of North American baseball for five years, but he’s apparently equipped.
And looking solely at intangibles, setting aside the obvious in Pedro Alvarez, I’ll be interested to check the pulse of both Andrew Lambo and John Holdzkom, for different reasons. Lambo needs to bury his failings of last spring, and Holdzkom just might need to come down from the meteoric highs of 2015.
Colin: Although he usually performs well in the regular season, Marc-Andre Fleury is stepping up and having one of the better seasons in his career in my opinion. Do you think the contract extension took a load off of his mentality and allowed him to play more loose?
DK: I was with Fleury in Winnipeg on the day he signed his contract and wrote about his immediate reaction in detail with a full column. And yes, as you’ll see in there, it brought him all kinds of positives, not least of which was not wanting to leave Pittsburgh.
But I’ll continue to robustly disagree with any position that suggests Fleury is performing markedly better now than last season, or that he had anything other than a strong playoff last spring. It just isn’t the case. It follows the most familiar narrative, but it’s got no legs. His current goals-against average is 2.19. Last season, it was 2.37. In the playoffs, it was 2.40. He has a franchise-record eight shutouts now. He had five last season, two more in the playoffs. His save percentage is .924 now. Last season, it was .915. Same figure in the playoffs.
Is he better?
Sure, but markedly better to the point of sustaining the narrative?
Not at all.
punjabiterp: If the instrumental senior members of the Steelers’ defense retire or are let go, who do you see taking over the main leadership role? Also, it seems like we haven’t had the James Farrior type of leader on defense since he left. Do you agree?
DK: Like Farrior?
I could agree with that, although I’d do so with all due respect to Brett Keisel. Troy Polamalu was a first-year captain, and you could see why it took him so long to get that designation. He very much led in his own way with his own group, but he was anything but the blood-curdling screamer you see so regularly now on NFL Films bites. Ike Taylor led in his own way, as well, but he wasn’t that, either. And absolutely nothing about James Harrison suggested leadership beyond his exemplary workout habits leading by example.
So I’m not sure the Steelers need to replace what wasn’t there, if you follow.
The emerging leader on this defense is, unquestionably, Cam Heyward. This is going to be his defense, and I think it will be that beginning in 2015. He has every attribute you’d want. He’s a true Steeler, on and off the field, and I say that in the best possible context.
I brought this up with Cam, actually, in a mid-December interview …
wing: It seems the Penguins have soured on guys like Beau Bennett and Steve Downie even though both brings something to the team that the team needs. Whereas guys like Brandon Sutter, Craig Adams and Zach Sill have underperformed too (and with little to no upside with the latter. Is this just about motivating Bennett and Downie to be more productive or are the Pens ready to replace/trade them?
DK: I hear a lot of comparison points from readers regarding forwards whose jobs have next to nothing in common. When Bennett and/or Downie is scratched, it’s got almost nothing to do with with Adams, Sill and the like. I don’t see much from the latter two, either, but that’s still got to be kept in the fair context. They’re asked to do different things on the ice. Bennett, Downie and Sutter are all expected to produce points, to varying degrees. So what the coaching staff wants to see from them is going to be different than what they want from those other guys.
Hate to state the obvious like that, but it’s been surprising how many are doing these straight-up comparisons of forwards. That’s unfair.
We’ve been over Bennett exhaustively in recent weeks, but Downie, again, is a different case and one worth monitoring. He needs to be tough but measured, especially in avoiding minor penalties. He also needs, to some extent, to score. He’s got the talent to do both. That’s a strange line for a forward to straddle, but that’s what he brings, so it’s fair to set the bar there.
Josh: DK, the last couple seasons we have seen at least one player emerge for the Pirates throughout the season. Francisco Liriano two years ago, Josh Harrison last year. What one player should we really expect to see flourish and carry them a bit this year?
DK: A breakout candidate?
I’d prefer to cover some spring training before picking that, as it usually results in a full column that’s accompanied by heavy consultation. I’ll give a shot at an outline, I guess. Going for the full J-Hay is dangerous, obviously, as his case is exceedingly rare. But as you illustrate, breakouts can take all forms, whether a comeback or an outright explosion onto the scene. For the former, Alvarez is the clearest candidate, as he could bounce back to the 2013 version and render 2014 moot. For the latter, it’s hard not to look at Gerrit Cole. His ceiling remains so high, given his arm and competitive nature, and he’s yet to come close to it aside from glimpses. Imagine if he does.
DariusM11: Out of current subscribers, what is the breakdown between monthly, annual and Lunatic? Have you ever considered a promotion like ‘Retro Lunatic’, where annual subscribers could go Lunatic for just the initial incremental cost?
DK: At last look, the breakdown was 38 percent Lunatic or three-year level, 45 percent one-year, 17 percent one-month. That was in early January. And it’s funny, but I keep expecting the Lunatic percentage to fade, if only because it involves the greater immediate financial commitment, but it keeps holding its own. Which is wonderful for the site and for the customer, since the Lunatic also is the cheapest level per month at $1.50.
I didn’t quite understand your second question, but I’ll let everyone know here that anyone can upgrade their subscription at any time. There’s never a need to wait. Just email us at [email protected]
mkoller1813: DK, Lunatic here, and I am bound and determined for you to answer one of my questions these days. Evgeni Malkin needs to be on the No. 1 power play, and it needs to run through him. When the PP clicked, Malkin was the main shooter and he set everything up with Kris Letang on the point. The man is hot, and the puck needs to be on his stick. The No. 1 unit has to be 71, 58 and David Perron up top, and Sidney Crosby and Patric Hornqvist down low. If Derrick Pouliot plays, get him on the ice to give Malkin the puck. Power-play success has always gone through Malkin in this era. (Aside from winning the faceoffs.)
DK: Well, my good friend, looks like you’ll have to keep trying. There’s nothing remotely resembling a question up there.
DormontyDawson: Given the Pens’ near chronic power play troubles, is Rick Tochett’s status as power-play guru in jeopardy?
DK: It isn’t yet, but it surely should be before long. Unlike other areas of NHL coaching, the power play and the special teams in general are almost a direct reflection of personnel and/or strategic choices. It’s nearly impossible to suggest the Penguins don’t have the personnel to be not just successful but outright prolific with the power play, so one would have to look at strategy. That’s partly on Mike Johnston, largely on Tocchet.
Bring the heat, absolutely.
John H: DK, in your opinion, what is the solution for the Pens’ power play? I understand the “logic” behind splitting Sid and Geno, but by definition aren’t you taking one of your two best power-play guys and ensuring that they miss half the power-play time?
DK: I understand the Penguins’ explanation, but no, no, no and more no to any logic involved. The decision to take Malkin off the top power-play unit Sunday in Chicago was a punt, nothing more. It was a tacit, open admission that they’d run out of strategic solutions. And to my mind, it was a low point for this staff, which has otherwise been very smart as a whole.
This was the solution I offered to radio listeners yesterday while hosting on 105.9 the X, and it met with strong approval from callers: Put Paul Martin and Christian Ehrhoff on the points, one QB type and a pure gunner. Put Patric Hornqvist in front. He’s good enough to handle that alone, to an extent. Leave Crosby where he is, but with the hard edict that, when the puck goes through the lower slow, so does he. This almost never happens, and it’s been a real killer to this power play. And here’s the key: Malkin would go on the left boards, partly to work with Martin on distribution but much more so to occasionally drift into the high slot — an area the Penguins’ power play has barely explored since James Neal’s departure — to show the goaltender and opponent’s box a different look.
I cited this example from a Winnipeg game over the weekend but couldn’t show it on radio, obviously. Here’s the full highlight. Watch Andrew Ladd the whole time …
That’s using your high slot. Tell me when was the last time the Penguins even generated a power-play shot from that vital part of the rink.
a.beeler: Hey, DK, just wanted to say nice job taking over in the Mark Madden show. But how was your experience yesterday? Would you ever consider getting into radio?
DK: I appreciate the kind words, from you and from anyone anytime I’m on the radio. But no, it’s not at all a goal. I enjoy it. It’s fun. And I think that part of the reason it might come across as good radio to some — not everyone, of course — is exactly that: I feel no pressure doing it. I have no intention whatsoever of making a career of it. Or even part-time.
Two reasons for that, in ascending order:
2. Radio doesn’t pay. Contrary to popular myth, I might add. There’s just so, so little money in the business that, in all candor, I really respect those who love working in it the way they do. It’s a real passion for them.
1. I’m a writer. I’ve always been that first and foremost. Always will be. And for whatever other media I do, all of it is aimed squarely at strengthening this site and allowing me to continue to write for a living.
I do a few guest appearances a week on radio, as you can see from the podcasts here, as well as regular TV on KDKA, but I’m a writer doing those.
jsberger25: The Pirates’ lineup seems to be rather formidable, with the only question mark in my mind is Francisco Cervelli replacing Russell Martin. But the staff … beyond Cole and Liriano (and, hopefully, Ground Chuck Charlie Morton), I’m a bit frightened. Pitching is kind of important for a bona fide contender. How do you feel about the staff on the eve of spring training?
DK: Wait, you see the lineup as formidable?
Hm. I see more question marks in the lineup than in the rotation, which is what I assume you meant when you cited the pitching staff since you only named starters. Cole, Liriano and A.J. Burnett give you a solid and, depending on Cole breaking out or not, possibly better 1-2-3 than this past season. Vance Worley, Jeff Locke and Morton round it out, but there are exactly 30 teams in Major League Baseball feeling uncertain about their Nos. 4-5 guys. That’s just how it is. It isn’t limited to Pittsburgh. I’ll take this group, plus a healthy Jameson Taillon once he’s ready, possibly Nick Kingham.
It’s not a great rotation, but it’s hardly a shortcoming.
I’ve got a lot more to say about Cervelli and Martin, too, but I’m going to hold off on that until I get to Bradenton. Feels like it would make a better column than a hasty 12 Qs answer.
steeldad: With the talent at inside linebacker, is there any talk that Ryan Shazier could convert to safety like Carnell Lake did back in the day giving us a Kam Chancellor-like presence?
DK: The topic comes up at times in terms of questioning, but it’s always rebuffed. And aggressively, I might add. The Steelers have no use for the subject, and they haven’t since Shazier was drafted. They see him as a superlative complement to Lawrence Timmons, and that’s their entire focus. Back when Mike Tomlin was still glowing about Shazier, he gushed in particular about Shazier’s speed being ‘rare air’ for a guy in that spot. That’s what they see. I wouldn’t expect that to change, certainly not because of positional needs elsewhere, which would always be a bad reason to move a first-round pick.
ftkatz: Pitt sure doesn’t look like a tournament team. Hoos owned them. NIT maybe, or one of the alphabet soup tourneys for Pitt?
DK: You’re ready to boot them because they lost to that Virginia team?
Wow, that’s rough. The Cavaliers defend as well as any outfit the NCAA has seen in quite some time, and that applies even without Justin Anderson. What they did to Pitt in the first half — 15 points, barely any looks — is what they’ve done to nearly everyone in the best basketball conference in the country. It’s hugely impressive, and it’s to Tony Bennett’s credit that he’s gotten that level of buy-in.
Bury Pitt, if you will, but do it over the losses to Virginia Tech and the like. Those never should have happened, not at any point in any group’s developmental stage, and there’s no doubt the committee will consider those.
The Panthers have Syracuse, Boston College, Wake Forest, Miami and Florida State left, hardly a stroll through the park. I think they’ve got to win four of those five, then at least two in the ACC Tournament to put themselves in solid position. Less than that, and we’re talking serious bubble territory, if that. It’ll be tough, but Jamel Artis and Sheldon Jeter are looking more and more like grownups by the day.
Chase054: As a West Virginia fan, I would love to see a renewal of the Backyard Brawl in some capacity. I understand the constraints of football scheduling but basketball should be a no-brainer. There are obvious benefits for both sides. Do you see any hope of a WVU-Pitt tipoff or kickoff in the near future?
DK: I don’t. And I say this even in the context of a new AD coming in at Pitt. Or, for that matter, a new man, Shane Lyons, in that role at WVU. Because the hard truths are these: Steve Pederson wanted nothing to do with renewing the rivalry and, even though he’s out, it’s safe to assume that stance was approved by people over and around him who might not have included the previous chancellor, Mark Nordenberg. I’d have to think it was more widely held. And I know for a fact that one of them holding that stance was Jamie Dixon, who was all too happy to phase out WVU at the first opportunity and who always will hold more sway over Pitt’s basketball scheduling than any AD.
I want to see it, too, especially in football, even though that obviously would take much longer since those schedules are set up eons in advance. I find it borderline insane that a Pitt team that struggles to build enthusiasm and attendance for home games would bypass the one slam-dunk showstopper it could schedule annually. Really, it’s nuts. But until that new AD is installed in Oakland and this question can be asked, the default answer just has to be no.
ImblumAJ1: Did you watch any of the SNL 40th Anniversary Special on Sunday night? If so, what was your favorite moment/sketch?
DK: Easy one …
mholtz612:Derrick Pouliot looked strong on the top power play Sunday in Chicago. Does he get a chance to show he doesn’t belong on the top PP? Do you see the Pens giving him a chance with Ehrhoff when he comes back? I personally think he will play much better, not having to drag Robert Bortuzzo around.
DK: I don’t believe Pouliot will stay in the NHL once Ehrhoff is back, and I’m told that’s coming very, very soon. So, no, I don’t see Pouliot being a factor on this season’s power play barring injury to someone else.
Pouliot has shown all the expected offensive instincts and talents, so that part has to be uplifting for the Penguins as far as his potential. But his defense, in particular his lack of urgency, has been a real turnoff for me. He has all the skill, and I think the smarts and awareness, to make the right play with the puck in his own end. That he doesn’t almost always is due to just taking too long or not feeling someone breathing down his neck. You’d like to think that will come with time, but that’s impossible to project. He just needs to do it.
That’s all our allotment for the week, actually a little beyond. I’ll cover Penguins-Capitals with a full column tonight, then it’s off to Bradenton in the morning for pitchers and catchers. Busy, busy week ahead, but zero complaints in tow.
Out of current subscribers, what is the breakdown between monthly, annual and lunatic? Have you ever considered a promotion like 'Retro Lunatic', where annual subscribers could go lunatic for just the initial incremental cost?
The downside to that for DK is that sponsors like to see those multi-year committments. While we say we'll renew, its easier to bump those sponorship dollars if you know you have X amount of eyes on your ad for at least 3 years banked.
I realize that the subject of this inquiry may render this a "trick question", but in YOUR opinion, is there any specific indicator you are looking for in Bradenton that will hint at Pedro Alvarez having a successful season?
What do you believe is the right path to take with Derrick Pouliot this season? When Ehrhoff comes back, that leaves him as the team's 6th or 7th option (barring a trade). It's tough to imagine management keeping him up if he's going to sit, right?
I don't see how they could be even close to the 3rd best team. I don't see what everyone else is with this team. I think they are going to be a .500 team of they are lucky.
Just in the NL, the Cardinals are better, as are the Nationals. The Dodgers look better to me as do the Giants as WS champs. At the very very most, they're the 3rd best team in the NL, but I don't see that either. The Padres & Marlins have both improved their rosters, so it's getting crowded at the top.
Cardinals added one man, Heyward. Or at least, one major piece. They have questions in the rotation (Wainwright older, Wacha's health, Kelly is gone, Miller is gone). I'm failing to understand where they got better outside of Heyward. And the Giants are the same. They added no SP to help Bumgarner (he of 260 IP last season), and lost Sandoval. Pirates are fairly deserved to be considered top 3 of NL. MLB might be a stretch though.
Who did they poll? " Of 100 top western Pennsylvanian fisherman polled, we found the Pittsburgh Pirates to be the third best team in baseball. These same men also had the Pirates 2nd in the NFL and NHL behind the Steelers and Penguins respectively. Strangely though the fisherman had the Pirates no#1 in the USL ahead of the hometown Riverhounds."
The Pirates swapper-out Volquez for Burnett - a push at best & downgraded at catcher as Russell Martin hit the lottery. The Pirates are about the same as in 2014 with no major upgrades. There's no reason to say they're better than the Cardinals or Nationals. So at best they're 3rd in the NL, let alone all MLB.
Is there any talk Pascal Dupuis wants to come back to team this yr if all tests after 6 months come back clean? (Pascal's long term health supersedes career in long run)
Although he usually performs well in the regular season Fluery is stepping up and having one of the better seasons in his career in my opinion. Do you think the contract extension took a load off of his mentality and allowed him to play more loose?
Yes Fleury is having a career year and it isn't a narrative just a simple face, his goals against %, is 88, (league average is 100), the only other time it has been below 94 it was 87 in 06-07 for 37 games. Expect regression.
As a WVU fan i would love to see a renewal of the backyard brawl in some capacity. I understand the constraints of football scheduling but basketball should be a no-brainer. There are obvious benefits for both sides. Do you see any hope of a WVU-Pitt tip-off or kickoff in the near future?
do you see any of pittsburgh's 3 major sports teams having enough talent or having what it takes to win their respective championships in their next upcoming season or the season they're currently in?
The Cleveland Indians are going to introduce 6:10 start times for games this season, do you see this catching on with the Pirates and MLB? As someone living in Westmoreland county who attends games I would not mind a earlier start time so to get home at a decent hour.
1) Pouliot looked strong on the top PP Sunday. Does he get a chance to show he doesn't belong on the top PP?
2) Do you see the Pens giving him a chance with Ehrhoff when he comes back? I personally think he will play much better, not having to drag Bortuzzo around.
The Pirates' lineup seems to be rather formidable, with the only question mark in my mind is Cervelli replacing Martin. But the staff... beyond Cole and Liriano (and hopefully Ground Chuck), I'm a bit frightened. Pitching is kinda important for a bona fide contender. How do you feel about the staff on the eve of spring training?
Dk,
What do you make of the rest of the Penguin's season up to March second? What strategy do you believe they will take as far as testing out players to keep and sell, if there is any strategy at all? Who's on the chopping block and who should we be keeping an eye on to possibly wear the black and off-yellow sweater in a few weeks?
Now that some time has passed, what are your thoughts on the insanely complicated and layered Penguins management structure? Has Botterill been active/instrumental in roster moves? Is Karmanos doing anything useful with analytics? What exactly is Jaques Martin doing? Is Guerin just playing xbox with the players? How is Pierre McGuire secretly involved?
DK, Lunatic here and I am bound and determined for you to answer on of my questions these days. Malkin needs to be on the #1 PP and it needs to run through him. When the PP clicked, Malkin was the main shooter and he set everything up with Letang on the points. The man is hot and the puck needs to be on his stick. the #1 PP has to be 71, 39 and 58 up top and 87 and 72 down low. If Pouliot plays, get him on the ice to give Malkin the puck. Powerplay success has always gone through Malkin in this era. (Aside from winning the faceoffs.)
Should the Pens now push for a D at the trade deadline and give up on depth forwards like Winnik for the price of draft picks? At what point do you threaten replenishing the organizations depth by going "all in" at the deadline?
If the instrumental senior members of the Steelers defense retire or are let go, who do you see taking over the main leadership role? Also, it seems like we haven't had the James Farrior type of leader on defense since he left. Do you agree?
Hey DK just wanted to say nice job taking over in the mark madden show. But how was your experience yesterday?Would you ever consider getting into radio?
Dejan, do you get the sense that the pens are going to make more than just one move at the deadline? Do you think they are looking more towards a defenseman or another depth forward?
February 17, 2015
Tuesday 12 Qs: Kang, Kam, Cam, Christian
by Dejan Kovacevic • Five Qs at 5 • Penguins, Pirates, Pitt, Steelers, West Virginia
The headquarters building at the Pirate City minor-league complex in Bradenton. — 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. 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 off we go …
Doug Molhoek: What player are you most interested in seeing how he performs this spring training?
DK: From a pure performance standpoint, it’s impossible, I’d think, to not be tantalized by Jung-Ho Kang, given all that he’s accomplished in Korea and the fact that he’s blazing a trail for countrymen. Each pitch, each at-bat will be worth watching closely.
Isolating on pitchers, I’d say Radhames Liz. I’ve been telling readers for months on this site that the Pirates are uncommonly excited about him, to the point they won’t even rule out that he could start at some point in 2015. Crazy stuff, considering he’s been out of North American baseball for five years, but he’s apparently equipped.
And looking solely at intangibles, setting aside the obvious in Pedro Alvarez, I’ll be interested to check the pulse of both Andrew Lambo and John Holdzkom, for different reasons. Lambo needs to bury his failings of last spring, and Holdzkom just might need to come down from the meteoric highs of 2015.
Colin: Although he usually performs well in the regular season, Marc-Andre Fleury is stepping up and having one of the better seasons in his career in my opinion. Do you think the contract extension took a load off of his mentality and allowed him to play more loose?
DK: I was with Fleury in Winnipeg on the day he signed his contract and wrote about his immediate reaction in detail with a full column. And yes, as you’ll see in there, it brought him all kinds of positives, not least of which was not wanting to leave Pittsburgh.
But I’ll continue to robustly disagree with any position that suggests Fleury is performing markedly better now than last season, or that he had anything other than a strong playoff last spring. It just isn’t the case. It follows the most familiar narrative, but it’s got no legs. His current goals-against average is 2.19. Last season, it was 2.37. In the playoffs, it was 2.40. He has a franchise-record eight shutouts now. He had five last season, two more in the playoffs. His save percentage is .924 now. Last season, it was .915. Same figure in the playoffs.
Is he better?
Sure, but markedly better to the point of sustaining the narrative?
Not at all.
punjabiterp: If the instrumental senior members of the Steelers’ defense retire or are let go, who do you see taking over the main leadership role? Also, it seems like we haven’t had the James Farrior type of leader on defense since he left. Do you agree?
DK: Like Farrior?
I could agree with that, although I’d do so with all due respect to Brett Keisel. Troy Polamalu was a first-year captain, and you could see why it took him so long to get that designation. He very much led in his own way with his own group, but he was anything but the blood-curdling screamer you see so regularly now on NFL Films bites. Ike Taylor led in his own way, as well, but he wasn’t that, either. And absolutely nothing about James Harrison suggested leadership beyond his exemplary workout habits leading by example.
So I’m not sure the Steelers need to replace what wasn’t there, if you follow.
The emerging leader on this defense is, unquestionably, Cam Heyward. This is going to be his defense, and I think it will be that beginning in 2015. He has every attribute you’d want. He’s a true Steeler, on and off the field, and I say that in the best possible context.
I brought this up with Cam, actually, in a mid-December interview …
wing: It seems the Penguins have soured on guys like Beau Bennett and Steve Downie even though both brings something to the team that the team needs. Whereas guys like Brandon Sutter, Craig Adams and Zach Sill have underperformed too (and with little to no upside with the latter. Is this just about motivating Bennett and Downie to be more productive or are the Pens ready to replace/trade them?
DK: I hear a lot of comparison points from readers regarding forwards whose jobs have next to nothing in common. When Bennett and/or Downie is scratched, it’s got almost nothing to do with with Adams, Sill and the like. I don’t see much from the latter two, either, but that’s still got to be kept in the fair context. They’re asked to do different things on the ice. Bennett, Downie and Sutter are all expected to produce points, to varying degrees. So what the coaching staff wants to see from them is going to be different than what they want from those other guys.
Hate to state the obvious like that, but it’s been surprising how many are doing these straight-up comparisons of forwards. That’s unfair.
We’ve been over Bennett exhaustively in recent weeks, but Downie, again, is a different case and one worth monitoring. He needs to be tough but measured, especially in avoiding minor penalties. He also needs, to some extent, to score. He’s got the talent to do both. That’s a strange line for a forward to straddle, but that’s what he brings, so it’s fair to set the bar there.
Josh: DK, the last couple seasons we have seen at least one player emerge for the Pirates throughout the season. Francisco Liriano two years ago, Josh Harrison last year. What one player should we really expect to see flourish and carry them a bit this year?
DK: A breakout candidate?
I’d prefer to cover some spring training before picking that, as it usually results in a full column that’s accompanied by heavy consultation. I’ll give a shot at an outline, I guess. Going for the full J-Hay is dangerous, obviously, as his case is exceedingly rare. But as you illustrate, breakouts can take all forms, whether a comeback or an outright explosion onto the scene. For the former, Alvarez is the clearest candidate, as he could bounce back to the 2013 version and render 2014 moot. For the latter, it’s hard not to look at Gerrit Cole. His ceiling remains so high, given his arm and competitive nature, and he’s yet to come close to it aside from glimpses. Imagine if he does.
DariusM11: Out of current subscribers, what is the breakdown between monthly, annual and Lunatic? Have you ever considered a promotion like ‘Retro Lunatic’, where annual subscribers could go Lunatic for just the initial incremental cost?
DK: At last look, the breakdown was 38 percent Lunatic or three-year level, 45 percent one-year, 17 percent one-month. That was in early January. And it’s funny, but I keep expecting the Lunatic percentage to fade, if only because it involves the greater immediate financial commitment, but it keeps holding its own. Which is wonderful for the site and for the customer, since the Lunatic also is the cheapest level per month at $1.50.
I didn’t quite understand your second question, but I’ll let everyone know here that anyone can upgrade their subscription at any time. There’s never a need to wait. Just email us at [email protected]
mkoller1813: DK, Lunatic here, and I am bound and determined for you to answer one of my questions these days. Evgeni Malkin needs to be on the No. 1 power play, and it needs to run through him. When the PP clicked, Malkin was the main shooter and he set everything up with Kris Letang on the point. The man is hot, and the puck needs to be on his stick. The No. 1 unit has to be 71, 58 and David Perron up top, and Sidney Crosby and Patric Hornqvist down low. If Derrick Pouliot plays, get him on the ice to give Malkin the puck. Power-play success has always gone through Malkin in this era. (Aside from winning the faceoffs.)
DK: Well, my good friend, looks like you’ll have to keep trying. There’s nothing remotely resembling a question up there.
DormontyDawson: Given the Pens’ near chronic power play troubles, is Rick Tochett’s status as power-play guru in jeopardy?
DK: It isn’t yet, but it surely should be before long. Unlike other areas of NHL coaching, the power play and the special teams in general are almost a direct reflection of personnel and/or strategic choices. It’s nearly impossible to suggest the Penguins don’t have the personnel to be not just successful but outright prolific with the power play, so one would have to look at strategy. That’s partly on Mike Johnston, largely on Tocchet.
Bring the heat, absolutely.
John H: DK, in your opinion, what is the solution for the Pens’ power play? I understand the “logic” behind splitting Sid and Geno, but by definition aren’t you taking one of your two best power-play guys and ensuring that they miss half the power-play time?
DK: I understand the Penguins’ explanation, but no, no, no and more no to any logic involved. The decision to take Malkin off the top power-play unit Sunday in Chicago was a punt, nothing more. It was a tacit, open admission that they’d run out of strategic solutions. And to my mind, it was a low point for this staff, which has otherwise been very smart as a whole.
This was the solution I offered to radio listeners yesterday while hosting on 105.9 the X, and it met with strong approval from callers: Put Paul Martin and Christian Ehrhoff on the points, one QB type and a pure gunner. Put Patric Hornqvist in front. He’s good enough to handle that alone, to an extent. Leave Crosby where he is, but with the hard edict that, when the puck goes through the lower slow, so does he. This almost never happens, and it’s been a real killer to this power play. And here’s the key: Malkin would go on the left boards, partly to work with Martin on distribution but much more so to occasionally drift into the high slot — an area the Penguins’ power play has barely explored since James Neal’s departure — to show the goaltender and opponent’s box a different look.
I cited this example from a Winnipeg game over the weekend but couldn’t show it on radio, obviously. Here’s the full highlight. Watch Andrew Ladd the whole time …
That’s using your high slot. Tell me when was the last time the Penguins even generated a power-play shot from that vital part of the rink.
a.beeler: Hey, DK, just wanted to say nice job taking over in the Mark Madden show. But how was your experience yesterday? Would you ever consider getting into radio?
DK: I appreciate the kind words, from you and from anyone anytime I’m on the radio. But no, it’s not at all a goal. I enjoy it. It’s fun. And I think that part of the reason it might come across as good radio to some — not everyone, of course — is exactly that: I feel no pressure doing it. I have no intention whatsoever of making a career of it. Or even part-time.
Two reasons for that, in ascending order:
2. Radio doesn’t pay. Contrary to popular myth, I might add. There’s just so, so little money in the business that, in all candor, I really respect those who love working in it the way they do. It’s a real passion for them.
1. I’m a writer. I’ve always been that first and foremost. Always will be. And for whatever other media I do, all of it is aimed squarely at strengthening this site and allowing me to continue to write for a living.
I do a few guest appearances a week on radio, as you can see from the podcasts here, as well as regular TV on KDKA, but I’m a writer doing those.
jsberger25: The Pirates’ lineup seems to be rather formidable, with the only question mark in my mind is Francisco Cervelli replacing Russell Martin. But the staff … beyond Cole and Liriano (and, hopefully, Ground Chuck Charlie Morton), I’m a bit frightened. Pitching is kind of important for a bona fide contender. How do you feel about the staff on the eve of spring training?
DK: Wait, you see the lineup as formidable?
Hm. I see more question marks in the lineup than in the rotation, which is what I assume you meant when you cited the pitching staff since you only named starters. Cole, Liriano and A.J. Burnett give you a solid and, depending on Cole breaking out or not, possibly better 1-2-3 than this past season. Vance Worley, Jeff Locke and Morton round it out, but there are exactly 30 teams in Major League Baseball feeling uncertain about their Nos. 4-5 guys. That’s just how it is. It isn’t limited to Pittsburgh. I’ll take this group, plus a healthy Jameson Taillon once he’s ready, possibly Nick Kingham.
It’s not a great rotation, but it’s hardly a shortcoming.
I’ve got a lot more to say about Cervelli and Martin, too, but I’m going to hold off on that until I get to Bradenton. Feels like it would make a better column than a hasty 12 Qs answer.
steeldad: With the talent at inside linebacker, is there any talk that Ryan Shazier could convert to safety like Carnell Lake did back in the day giving us a Kam Chancellor-like presence?
DK: The topic comes up at times in terms of questioning, but it’s always rebuffed. And aggressively, I might add. The Steelers have no use for the subject, and they haven’t since Shazier was drafted. They see him as a superlative complement to Lawrence Timmons, and that’s their entire focus. Back when Mike Tomlin was still glowing about Shazier, he gushed in particular about Shazier’s speed being ‘rare air’ for a guy in that spot. That’s what they see. I wouldn’t expect that to change, certainly not because of positional needs elsewhere, which would always be a bad reason to move a first-round pick.
ftkatz: Pitt sure doesn’t look like a tournament team. Hoos owned them. NIT maybe, or one of the alphabet soup tourneys for Pitt?
DK: You’re ready to boot them because they lost to that Virginia team?
Wow, that’s rough. The Cavaliers defend as well as any outfit the NCAA has seen in quite some time, and that applies even without Justin Anderson. What they did to Pitt in the first half — 15 points, barely any looks — is what they’ve done to nearly everyone in the best basketball conference in the country. It’s hugely impressive, and it’s to Tony Bennett’s credit that he’s gotten that level of buy-in.
Bury Pitt, if you will, but do it over the losses to Virginia Tech and the like. Those never should have happened, not at any point in any group’s developmental stage, and there’s no doubt the committee will consider those.
The Panthers have Syracuse, Boston College, Wake Forest, Miami and Florida State left, hardly a stroll through the park. I think they’ve got to win four of those five, then at least two in the ACC Tournament to put themselves in solid position. Less than that, and we’re talking serious bubble territory, if that. It’ll be tough, but Jamel Artis and Sheldon Jeter are looking more and more like grownups by the day.
Chase054: As a West Virginia fan, I would love to see a renewal of the Backyard Brawl in some capacity. I understand the constraints of football scheduling but basketball should be a no-brainer. There are obvious benefits for both sides. Do you see any hope of a WVU-Pitt tipoff or kickoff in the near future?
DK: I don’t. And I say this even in the context of a new AD coming in at Pitt. Or, for that matter, a new man, Shane Lyons, in that role at WVU. Because the hard truths are these: Steve Pederson wanted nothing to do with renewing the rivalry and, even though he’s out, it’s safe to assume that stance was approved by people over and around him who might not have included the previous chancellor, Mark Nordenberg. I’d have to think it was more widely held. And I know for a fact that one of them holding that stance was Jamie Dixon, who was all too happy to phase out WVU at the first opportunity and who always will hold more sway over Pitt’s basketball scheduling than any AD.
I want to see it, too, especially in football, even though that obviously would take much longer since those schedules are set up eons in advance. I find it borderline insane that a Pitt team that struggles to build enthusiasm and attendance for home games would bypass the one slam-dunk showstopper it could schedule annually. Really, it’s nuts. But until that new AD is installed in Oakland and this question can be asked, the default answer just has to be no.
ImblumAJ1: Did you watch any of the SNL 40th Anniversary Special on Sunday night? If so, what was your favorite moment/sketch?
DK: Easy one …
mholtz612: Derrick Pouliot looked strong on the top power play Sunday in Chicago. Does he get a chance to show he doesn’t belong on the top PP? Do you see the Pens giving him a chance with Ehrhoff when he comes back? I personally think he will play much better, not having to drag Robert Bortuzzo around.
DK: I don’t believe Pouliot will stay in the NHL once Ehrhoff is back, and I’m told that’s coming very, very soon. So, no, I don’t see Pouliot being a factor on this season’s power play barring injury to someone else.
Pouliot has shown all the expected offensive instincts and talents, so that part has to be uplifting for the Penguins as far as his potential. But his defense, in particular his lack of urgency, has been a real turnoff for me. He has all the skill, and I think the smarts and awareness, to make the right play with the puck in his own end. That he doesn’t almost always is due to just taking too long or not feeling someone breathing down his neck. You’d like to think that will come with time, but that’s impossible to project. He just needs to do it.
That’s all our allotment for the week, actually a little beyond. I’ll cover Penguins-Capitals with a full column tonight, then it’s off to Bradenton in the morning for pitchers and catchers. Busy, busy week ahead, but zero complaints in tow.
Thanks for participating!