Tuesday 12 Qs: Fleury, Liz, Lemon, Pat, Pats

Dejan,

In year's past Jamie Dixon's name has been linked to a number of job openings especially out here on the West Coast. Any indication that Jamie starts to change his interest based on how tough it is to recruit outside talent to Pitt and the lack of in-region talent?

Give us a compelling reason why Pouliot should NOT get first 5 games out of break to man #1 PP unit . . . in late January / early February.

Dk,
What do you really think of the Penguins new coaching staff thus far? If they continue to stay the course currently taken do you think they have a chance to make a cup run? They seem to be too stubborn with satisfying everyone. I would obviously love to keep the hope, but if they don't raise their compete level I think the pens will be lucky to make it past the first two rounds.

In past years, Pitt fans have pleaded for the return of the Pitt script. Now that the football team has started to use it, are there future plans to implement it into the other sports? Can we expect new uniforms for next years football/basketball teams? New color combinations for helmets and uniforms is a big recruiting point and would be widely accepted by the fan base. @FreeTheScript has some great ideas. Any info on this? Thanks Dejan!

I know that the All-Star festivities aren't exactly strenuous, but if anyone needed a rest, wasn't it Marc-Andr

The Penguins are built to win on speed, puck possession, and skill. No matter how we feel about the awful league policing of the game, its a part of the game. Are the Penguins tough enough to win playoff hockey?

DK,
What do you know regarding Pascal Dupuis? I know he's been skating recently--does that mean no more blood thinners? If the clot has indeed cleared up, is he allowed to come back for the playoffs being that there's no cap then?

Do you think the Pens have the cap to gp after Mike Richards? If they do, should they? It seems, to me, like a worthwhile opportunity to add depth and playoff experience to a team with constant injury issues.

I think Harrington has been fairly good in his early work and the signs are there that the players and coaches like him. At this point I see him being a better option than Pouliot for these playoffs if one of them should be needed at some point. You've indicated you don't think he's been that good, what exactly haven't you liked?

DK, do you think Pitt hoops can get back to national prominence soon? They had quite a run for over a decade and despite tournament failure, were more consistent than any program. Is this just a bump in the recruiting road or something more serious?

Last couple years seems the Penguins have been hit hard with injuries, is it bad luck, lack of conditioning or other teams taking liberties with our players?

DK, a hypothesis: The Pats signing LeGarrette Blount is directly related to InflateGate.

Reasoning: The code of ethics that lets you sign (or, worse, conspire to sign) a guy like Blount leads to trouble when you get caught deflating footballs by 15% based on the same (lack of) code.

Yinzer Summary: The Pats' "legacy" was already tainted when they signed Blount (well, and when they taped other teams' practices). BallGhazi is just more of the same.

Thoughts?

What are your thoughts on this idea by the new MLB commissioner Manfred about restricting defensive shifts? Hearing that, it almost makes me wish that Bud would have stayed around for a few more years. It reminds me of my late wife telling me stories about playing women's basketball back in the 60's, only 3 of 5 players were allowed to cross past the center line.
Let me say, I think your thoughts on not allowing hockey players to dive in front of shots is a great idea both from a safety aspect as well as improving the game. But nonsensical thoughts like this as well as the ruling on the Des Bryant non-catch ( and I do not like the Cowboys), they just blow away what little mind I have left. Is management and all of these rules ruining the true games?

Dejan, do you have any information on what, if anything, Pedro Alvarez is doing with his offseason? I'm hoping he's working with a Scott Boras sanctioned first base guru, psychologist, and a swing doctor. If he's doing nothing, is there any precedent of a player completely shutting off and getting away from the game subsequently succeeding?

What happens with the lines when (if) all of the forwards are healthy? Will we see Kunitz down to the third line if Comeau and Hornqvist return to their November form and Bennett continues to pair so well with Malkin?

HCMJ has been refreshingly candid and informative for a "major sport" head coach. Do you think this will continue?

DK, picture this it is early to mid March and the NFL has decided that the Brady, Belicheat and the Patriots are not culpable in the deflate gate mess. No punishment. Are you surprised?

When Robert Kraft plays the indignant card. How come come no one ever says, Hey wait a minute, you guys are previous, punished, admitted cheaters. Maybe that's why we don't believe you. You've lost the right to be indignant.

DK,
I enjoyed reading your explanation about what went "wrong" with the Pens under Bylsma over the past few years that ultimately led to a change this summer. Can you explain what went "right" in those first 3 months when they won the cup, and why that couldn't carry over to future playoff success?

In a league obsessed with offense, if there's a deflated level of air pressure where it's easier to throw, catch and retain possession of a football, why isn't that pressure the standard?