It’s Thursday, which means it’s my turn on the five questions cycle. As a reminder, I know most of you associate me with hockey — and I’m cool with that — but feel free to ask any questions about anything pertaining to Pittsburgh sports. I received all kinds of great questions this week. I picked a few of the best. And away we go …
Dave in Ross Twp: Josh, who is the GM of the Pens in three years?
JY: I don’t even know what I’m having for dinner, Dave. But I appreciate the question. The best answer I can muster right now? Um, how about Jim Rutherford?
I realize when Rutherford was named GM last summer that he famously said he’d be around for “two or three years.” Well, I’m here to tell you that Rutherford wouldn’t mind being the GM in Pittsburgh for more than two or three years. We’re already in Year 2 of his run, and I don’t sense from him that he’s going to step down in the near future.
Rutherford had a heck of a summer.
The Phil Kessel trade and the moves last week were indisputably impressive. Sure, he’s 66. But, you know, 66 isn’t 86. Also, and this is important, Rutherford has the full support of the Penguins’ front office, especially David Morehouse. Even if Mario Lemieux sells soon and is out, those remaining in the front office really like Rutherford on a professional and personal level.
It’s a performance based job, of course. Should the Penguins stumble this season, could Rutherford be out sooner rather than later? Of course. But he made their lineup stronger and I think his job is safe for a while.
I know you’re looking for the most likely candidate among everyone else in the organization. Who’s the man most likely to replace Rutherford? I might go with Billy Guerin, and I’ll tell you why.
Jason Botterill is the best candidate right now. He probably should have replaced Ray Shero, in fairness. He was ready. He’s terrific. But he won’t stick around forever. I see him being a GM elsewhere around the league in less than a year.
Guerin is a good soldier. He loves the organization, has a magnificent way of dealing with players and the public, and is a smart hockey man. Don’t be shocked if he’s the GM someday.
____________________
Rik: Josh, why don’t pitchers throw at other pitchers? I bet the beaning would stop quickly.
JY: Because pitchers stick together, Rik. If you’re a pitcher, and you’re sensing some hostility, you might think it’s a good idea to plunk another pitcher.
This is understandable.
But if you’re pitching in the National League – and let’s be honest, they don’t play real baseball in the American League – you’re going to have to stand in the batter’s box eventually.
And you know what’s coming.
Pitchers do get thrown at on occasion. But I believe there is an unwritten rule that pitchers take care of one another. For whatever reason, it seems to make for a bigger statement when a team’s best player – ahem, Andrew McCutchen – is targeted.
What happened in Cincinnati last week was kind of silly for many different reasons. But I can’t blame the Pirates for being sensitive to Cutch being hit.
Here’s a quick hockey story that goes well with this. In the 1992-93 season, the Rangers were targeting Mario Lemieux with great frequency. One year earlier, Adam Graves broke Mario’s hand with a slash, you’ll recall. So, after a cheap shot against Mario in a game in the following season, Rick Tocchet calmly skated up to Rangers captain Mark Messier and said, “Mark, if you guys touch Mario, I’m coming after you. Just so you know.”
The Rangers left Mario alone from that point on. Probably not a coincidence.
____________________
Petrel: Josh, What is Pedro Alvarez like in the clubhouse? It seems everyone is fed up with him. The team tried to trade him. Has anyone spoken to Alvarez lately?
JY: I’ve found Alvarez to be a very interesting person. He clearly isn’t comfortable in terms of dealing with the media, or just doesn’t like us. And honestly, I’m OK with that. Some people are shy by nature. Doesn’t make him a bad guy.
I will say this about Pedro: His teammates absolutely love him. It was suggested earlier this season to A.J. Burnett that Pedro’s defense is becoming a problem for the Pirates. Burnett very quickly responded, “That guy’s working his butt off to get better every day over there. I respect that.”
So, the players love him unconditionally. And I don’t think Pedro is a bad guy at all. In fact, a part of me feels sorry for him. He’s being asked to play a position that simply isn’t natural. It isn’t a comfortable situation for him, all eyes are on him all the time, and he knows it.
Capturing his inner thoughts isn’t really possible. He’s an extremely reserved person who doesn’t seem particularly interested in letting outsiders get to know him.
____________________
Skip: Rutherford has strengthened the forwards but the blue line is looking like a disaster waiting to happen. Can the Pens fit in another quality defenseman without removing someone from the roster? Sergei Gonchar? Christian Ehrhoff? Cody Franson? Tim Gleason?
JY: The blue line, as you see it now, will almost certainly be the one that starts the season, Skip. The Penguins have very little money to play with, so even if they would get another defenseman, it wouldn’t be an impactful player. The blue line isn’t Stanley Cup caliber right now. Not even close. Kris Letang and Olli Maatta could be a special tandem. They’ll be fun to watch. After that, there are many questions.
Is Ian Cole a top-four guy?
Is Derrick Pouliot as good as everyone is assuming?
Is Ben Lovejoy better than the guy we saw last season?
Is Brian Dumoulin ready for the NHL on a full time basis?
Can Rob Scuderi play at all at the NHL level?
Yikes. Scary questions. But the Penguins need to let the young guys play now. Pouliot should be in the top-four. Dumoulin should play every night. The time to find out about these guys is now.
When the trade deadline comes, you had best believe that Rutherford will be looking for a defenseman. And that’s fine. That’s how it works. But the young guys need to play.
____________________
Will Brogan: What’s the toughest thing “the boss” has asked of you so far in your time at DKOPS?
JY: You’ll be happy to know that DK isn’t a terribly demanding boss. You know what the toughest thing for me has been? Being myself.
When you’re a slave to the newspaper business — and I worked as a sportswriter part or full time since 1999 — you almost develop a voice that isn’t your own. You become robotic. And if you dare not be robotic, an editor will turn you back into robot mode in a hurry.
It’s the way that business works, and it wasn’t an easy thing to break. I’m still getting there, in fact.
But, I hope you’re all enjoying my work and, over time, I hope my personality will come out in my articles without overshadowing the topic of my article, because that’s always the most important thing.
Writing in a more conversational style is totally me, and that’s something our website does in a big way. I’m still telling myself to be myself when I write, because I think it’s what people prefer to read. Still, it’s a process.
(Haven’t been sent on a Starbucks run once yet, so there’s that. Ha.)
____________________
E: Josh, what is your favorite sports venue (not necessarily Pittsburgh) as a fan? As a writer?
JY: (Bonus answer: It’s my first week doing this, so I’ll answer a sixth. Matt received this question yesterday, and I’ll answer it as well. Too fun to pass up.)
I’ve been lucky enough to attend sporting events at many, many venues as a fan as a reporter.
As a fan, my favorite place was probably Lambeau Field. I saw the Steelers play there in 2005 and I’ll never forget it. I think I had goose bumps the whole time I was there. Just an incredible experience.
As a reporter, my favorite place is the Bell Centre in Montreal. I never had the chance to see a game at the Montreal Forum, so I can only imagine what that was like. But there’s just something special about Montreal. When the Habs take the ice and the crowd rises as one, you just feel like you’re watching something that’s bigger than the game. I’ve been to every NHL venue and I like most of them. But this place is the best.
Will Jason Botterill someday replace Jim Rutherford as Penguins general manager? -- GETTY
August 6, 2015
Five Qs at 5: GMJR, beanballs, Pedro, venues
by Josh Yohe • Five Qs at 5 • Penguins, Pirates
It’s Thursday, which means it’s my turn on the five questions cycle. As a reminder, I know most of you associate me with hockey — and I’m cool with that — but feel free to ask any questions about anything pertaining to Pittsburgh sports. I received all kinds of great questions this week. I picked a few of the best. And away we go …
Dave in Ross Twp: Josh, who is the GM of the Pens in three years?
JY: I don’t even know what I’m having for dinner, Dave. But I appreciate the question. The best answer I can muster right now? Um, how about Jim Rutherford?
I realize when Rutherford was named GM last summer that he famously said he’d be around for “two or three years.” Well, I’m here to tell you that Rutherford wouldn’t mind being the GM in Pittsburgh for more than two or three years. We’re already in Year 2 of his run, and I don’t sense from him that he’s going to step down in the near future.
Rutherford had a heck of a summer.
The Phil Kessel trade and the moves last week were indisputably impressive. Sure, he’s 66. But, you know, 66 isn’t 86. Also, and this is important, Rutherford has the full support of the Penguins’ front office, especially David Morehouse. Even if Mario Lemieux sells soon and is out, those remaining in the front office really like Rutherford on a professional and personal level.
It’s a performance based job, of course. Should the Penguins stumble this season, could Rutherford be out sooner rather than later? Of course. But he made their lineup stronger and I think his job is safe for a while.
I know you’re looking for the most likely candidate among everyone else in the organization. Who’s the man most likely to replace Rutherford? I might go with Billy Guerin, and I’ll tell you why.
Jason Botterill is the best candidate right now. He probably should have replaced Ray Shero, in fairness. He was ready. He’s terrific. But he won’t stick around forever. I see him being a GM elsewhere around the league in less than a year.
Guerin is a good soldier. He loves the organization, has a magnificent way of dealing with players and the public, and is a smart hockey man. Don’t be shocked if he’s the GM someday.
____________________
Rik: Josh, why don’t pitchers throw at other pitchers? I bet the beaning would stop quickly.
JY: Because pitchers stick together, Rik. If you’re a pitcher, and you’re sensing some hostility, you might think it’s a good idea to plunk another pitcher.
This is understandable.
But if you’re pitching in the National League – and let’s be honest, they don’t play real baseball in the American League – you’re going to have to stand in the batter’s box eventually.
And you know what’s coming.
Pitchers do get thrown at on occasion. But I believe there is an unwritten rule that pitchers take care of one another. For whatever reason, it seems to make for a bigger statement when a team’s best player – ahem, Andrew McCutchen – is targeted.
What happened in Cincinnati last week was kind of silly for many different reasons. But I can’t blame the Pirates for being sensitive to Cutch being hit.
Here’s a quick hockey story that goes well with this. In the 1992-93 season, the Rangers were targeting Mario Lemieux with great frequency. One year earlier, Adam Graves broke Mario’s hand with a slash, you’ll recall. So, after a cheap shot against Mario in a game in the following season, Rick Tocchet calmly skated up to Rangers captain Mark Messier and said, “Mark, if you guys touch Mario, I’m coming after you. Just so you know.”
The Rangers left Mario alone from that point on. Probably not a coincidence.
____________________
Petrel: Josh, What is Pedro Alvarez like in the clubhouse? It seems everyone is fed up with him. The team tried to trade him. Has anyone spoken to Alvarez lately?
JY: I’ve found Alvarez to be a very interesting person. He clearly isn’t comfortable in terms of dealing with the media, or just doesn’t like us. And honestly, I’m OK with that. Some people are shy by nature. Doesn’t make him a bad guy.
I will say this about Pedro: His teammates absolutely love him. It was suggested earlier this season to A.J. Burnett that Pedro’s defense is becoming a problem for the Pirates. Burnett very quickly responded, “That guy’s working his butt off to get better every day over there. I respect that.”
So, the players love him unconditionally. And I don’t think Pedro is a bad guy at all. In fact, a part of me feels sorry for him. He’s being asked to play a position that simply isn’t natural. It isn’t a comfortable situation for him, all eyes are on him all the time, and he knows it.
Capturing his inner thoughts isn’t really possible. He’s an extremely reserved person who doesn’t seem particularly interested in letting outsiders get to know him.
____________________
Skip: Rutherford has strengthened the forwards but the blue line is looking like a disaster waiting to happen. Can the Pens fit in another quality defenseman without removing someone from the roster? Sergei Gonchar? Christian Ehrhoff? Cody Franson? Tim Gleason?
JY: The blue line, as you see it now, will almost certainly be the one that starts the season, Skip. The Penguins have very little money to play with, so even if they would get another defenseman, it wouldn’t be an impactful player. The blue line isn’t Stanley Cup caliber right now. Not even close. Kris Letang and Olli Maatta could be a special tandem. They’ll be fun to watch. After that, there are many questions.
Is Ian Cole a top-four guy?
Is Derrick Pouliot as good as everyone is assuming?
Is Ben Lovejoy better than the guy we saw last season?
Is Brian Dumoulin ready for the NHL on a full time basis?
Can Rob Scuderi play at all at the NHL level?
Yikes. Scary questions. But the Penguins need to let the young guys play now. Pouliot should be in the top-four. Dumoulin should play every night. The time to find out about these guys is now.
When the trade deadline comes, you had best believe that Rutherford will be looking for a defenseman. And that’s fine. That’s how it works. But the young guys need to play.
____________________
Will Brogan: What’s the toughest thing “the boss” has asked of you so far in your time at DKOPS?
JY: You’ll be happy to know that DK isn’t a terribly demanding boss. You know what the toughest thing for me has been? Being myself.
When you’re a slave to the newspaper business — and I worked as a sportswriter part or full time since 1999 — you almost develop a voice that isn’t your own. You become robotic. And if you dare not be robotic, an editor will turn you back into robot mode in a hurry.
It’s the way that business works, and it wasn’t an easy thing to break. I’m still getting there, in fact.
But, I hope you’re all enjoying my work and, over time, I hope my personality will come out in my articles without overshadowing the topic of my article, because that’s always the most important thing.
Writing in a more conversational style is totally me, and that’s something our website does in a big way. I’m still telling myself to be myself when I write, because I think it’s what people prefer to read. Still, it’s a process.
(Haven’t been sent on a Starbucks run once yet, so there’s that. Ha.)
____________________
E: Josh, what is your favorite sports venue (not necessarily Pittsburgh) as a fan? As a writer?
JY: (Bonus answer: It’s my first week doing this, so I’ll answer a sixth. Matt received this question yesterday, and I’ll answer it as well. Too fun to pass up.)
I’ve been lucky enough to attend sporting events at many, many venues as a fan as a reporter.
As a fan, my favorite place was probably Lambeau Field. I saw the Steelers play there in 2005 and I’ll never forget it. I think I had goose bumps the whole time I was there. Just an incredible experience.
As a reporter, my favorite place is the Bell Centre in Montreal. I never had the chance to see a game at the Montreal Forum, so I can only imagine what that was like. But there’s just something special about Montreal. When the Habs take the ice and the crowd rises as one, you just feel like you’re watching something that’s bigger than the game. I’ve been to every NHL venue and I like most of them. But this place is the best.