You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. Let’s gooooooo …
Zach Hanczar, @zach_hanczar27: Will the Pens reach the conference final?
Starkey: Why not, at this point? When you’re coming off a 7-2 shellacking of the Avalanche in Colorado, and you’re proving you can win without Sidney Crosby (who is about ready to return), anything seems possible, Dr. Z., and the East appears to be wide open.
I’m not necessarily predicting that, mind you, but at this point the Penguins have proven they are a really good all-around team. Good goaltending. Good offense. Good defense. Good special teams.
The biggest problem, if you know Penguins history, might be getting past the New York Islanders in the first round, should it come to that.
You still have to get to the playoffs, of course, and things remain tight in the conference, but here’s another reason for optimism: Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have unintentionally received some late-season rest and should be primed for a playoff run.
Malkin got the Olympic break and the Dahlin break. Crosby has been out for weeks. This could actually help both of them, given their age.
Burke O’Toole, @BurkeMan513: Dr. Starkey, who has been the biggest surprise performer in Pirates Spring Training thus far?
Starkey: There have been several, Dr. 513, but my personal favorite might be the password himself: Jhostynxon Garcia, who is 15 for 32 with OPS that is bigger than Mullsy’s cranium at 1.215.
I’m glad to see Endy Rodriguez flourishing, as well, hitting .308 with a .977 OPS. Carmen Mlodzinski also having an excellent spring.
Justin Belback, @AKAFloyd: Do you go with a goalie rotation if the Pens make the playoffs? It’s not conventional, but it’s working.
Starkey: That’s a very interesting question, Dr. Belback, and I commend you for asking it. I spoke with a hockey person whose opinion I greatly respect, and he believes this is the way to go. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
I disagree. This might be the way to go in the regular season — clearly, it has been — but if, say, Silovs tosses a 37-save shutout in Game 1 against the Islanders, I gotta go with him in Game 2.
Then again … I admit I am thinking about this.
Ed Helinski, @MrEd315: Might it be time for the Pens to say goodbye after the season to Geno Malkin and Sidney Crosby? Or is this idea too drastic for the franchise and one returns?
Starkey: Have you gone nuts, Mr. Ed? They’re both still playing great!
Matt Choate, @mattchoate: Dr Starkey. Penguins dropped seven tonight on the record-wise best team in the NHL. The question we’re all asking is should a local restaurant bring back the chili goal? Seems like a win-win for business and the Pens fans.
Starkey: Was it Wendy’s who had that promotion, Dr. C? I think so. And yes, I like the way you think. Ron Hextall sure enjoyed the chili chants, because as I recall, there was a night where those replaced the “Fire Hextall!” chants.
Fanalyst, @BuStA607: Would Derek Carr be a plan B for the Steelers?
Starkey: He would be plan Z for me, Dr. 607. That would be a shocker.
Travis, @Travis_J011: Greetings Joe, if you could be a beat writer for one professional or college sports team for five years, who would it be and why? Respectfully, Travis
Starkey: I have always secretly dreamed of covering the Golden State Warriors, Dr. T, although they suddenly stink, so the dream is fading.
Johnny Utah, @RobHarm90005351: Who has a more legendary schnoz, Tyler Kennedy or Colby Armstrong?
Starkey: Both are indeed legendary, Dr. Utah, but Colby wins in a schnoz-out.
Ron Edward, @RonaldEdward24: How much do you think it hurt Pitt basketball that the Big East broke up and they moved to the ACC? I miss the old Big East, especially the conference tournament.
Starkey: The record speaks for itself, Dr. E. After making the NCAA Tournament 11 times in its final 12 years in the Big East, Pitt has made it three times in 13 years in the ACC.
Pitt entered an unfamiliar land when it entered the ACC. It had basically mastered the Big East landscape. It still has not adjusted to the ACC and maybe never will now that NIL has become such a big part of the equation.
DarrenIronLion, @DJSBurgh: Hey Joe! Could you hit the island green on No. 17 at the TPC?
Starkey: Absolutely not, Dr. Lion. Not in a million tries. Could you?
Kerby Zozula, @KerbyZoz: Hey Joe! I recently heard Brian Batko on Steeler Nation Radio. Will he still be on Pomp & Joe? Really enjoyed you & Brian after the Coach Tomlin press conferences on Tuesdays. Thanks!
Starkey: Sadly, I believe the Batkonian Mongoose is finished at the Fan for the time being because he does have a new gig. In the meantime, I wish him great luck. He’s very good at what he does.
Frank Cavelli, @fcave00: If they didn’t run into the Chicago Bulls in the mid 90’s, how many championships do the Utah Jazz have?
Starkey: Two. And thank you for asking.
Gooseheimer2023, @gooseheime83054: Greetings Doctor Starkey. If they make a film about your life who plays you? Who plays City Limits?
Starkey: A younger Tom Hanks plays me (it was said I looked like him in my earlier life). A younger Jim Carrey — think Ace Ventura — plays Limits.
Taylor, @Taylor72815844: Joe, what is the current state of sports journalism? With local newspapers closing how can professional sports teams be covered with full objectivity? Also, most memorable Game 7 you’ve ever watched? P.S.: I think Mullsy’s head would make for a great battering ram!
Starkey: That’s a lot, Dr. 72815844. Hard to refute your Mullsy point. And yes, when newspapers close or reduce staff, the coverage of teams becomes less objective because it then becomes more of city hall covering city hall. The team websites do an excellent job, mind you, but fans do not get the full picture.
Most memorable Game 7? Man, in person it had to be Penguins and superstar Max Talbot beating the Red Wings in Detroit.
MarcoRolo, @MarcoRolo153505: Did the Pirates get taken in the Bednar trade???
Starkey: Way too early to tell, Dr. Rolo, although early returns are not great. The Pirates got three prospects — catchers Rafael Flores and Edgleen Perez and outfielder Brian Sanchez.
Admittedly, Flores hitting .091 in spring training doesn’t inspire much confidence.
Thank you for asking.