mbpensfan: Good afternoono Shelly, does the NHL plan on having an All-Star Game this season, considering the break in the schedule due to the Olympics?

Shelly Anderson: No, as long as the NHL participates in the Olympics, there is no All-Star Game in those Olympic years. It's really about scheduling, since the league already has a somewhat condensed schedule and a long Olympic break in February. There is a storm brewing, though, on the NHL's future participation in the Winter Games. There is no agreement in place beyond next year's Olympics in Vancouver.

holly_h: I think the play of the Wilkes-Barre defensemen and Matin Skolula will make it difficult for Letang to ask for anything over 1 million, he even becomes expendable and thats all good for getting under the salary cap. What do you think?

Shelly Anderson: Just looking around the league, and even at the Penguins' roster, there is no way Kris Letang will sign for anything even close to as little as $1 million per season. It's still early this season -- and in the career of Letang -- but he's certainly more proven than any of the prospects who have spent time filling in for injured defensemen this season (not to say those players haven't played well). As for Martin Skoula, despite his two-goal outburst the last game, he is not the type of offensive defenseman who can replace Letang on a regular basis.

723pens: Is there any update on Kris Letang -- I know he has been playing with a red jersey, so it seems he should be cleared for contact soon.

Shelly Anderson: It could be any day that Kris Letang is cleared for contact, and that would mean he's close to coming back from the right shoulder contusion that has him sidelined. The next in line to return to the lineup, though, would seem to be winger Tyler Kennedy, who is skating hard and out of the non-contact red jersey. The Penguins Plus blog report from Dave Molinari in Florida today, though, indicate it could be at least Friday before Kennedy is back.

SprJudd: Do you expect the Pens to take off once healthy -- like they began the season?

Shelly Anderson: They are getting healthier, and it wouldn't be at all surprising to see the Penguins go through another strong stretch like they had in October. Whether that coincides directly with getting another injured player or three back remains to be seen, but I do see some good stretches coming for the club.

SprJudd: If (and I know this is a big if) the salary cap was wiped out in the next CBA, do you think Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle would be happy about it or worried about it? I know a salary cap is often credited for having a part in saving the Pens (and other franchises), but average player salaries are higher now than before the lockout and the "cost certainty" of a salary cap doesn't seem to be helping a lot of teams. Besides, I think they'd breathe easier with some of the talent they have knowing there's no longer a cap.

Shelly Anderson: You would have to think that any owner or ownership group would be concerned if the salary cap disappeared. No matter how well things are going with a particular franchise, no one stays at the top forever, and the Penguins' revenues could level off once they get into the new Consol Energy Center. A salary cap will always benefit management rather than a players union, and just because Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle has very deep pockets, it does not mean the Penguins would -- or should -- ever become the Yankees of the NHL in terms of payroll.

SprJudd: If/when the Pens get healthy again, who watches games in a suit? I know Martin Skoula was brought in as a 7th defenseman, but he's done nothing to warrant a benching. As far as forwards, I assume Chris Bourque and Eric Godard will split time depending on the opponent. What are your thoughts?

Shelly Anderson: I agree on your assessment of the forwards when winger Tyler Kennedy returns, that Chris Bourque and Eric Godard seem like good bets to sit depending on the opponent. Since the injuries began, forward Max Talbot has begun playing after offseason shoulder surgery, so when Chris Kunitz comes back from an undisclosed injury, a second forward currently playing will have to sit -- assuming there are no other injuries. That will be intriguing. Looking back to the playoffs, Pascal Dupuis would seem to be a candidate, but he is playing much better this season, so it could be a dilemma. As for defensemen, if the Penguins ever get all six regulars from the start of the season back, it's likely Martin Skoula will resume his role as seventh defensemanm, unless the Penguins think he has passed Jay McKee. I don't see Skoula displacing anyone else. At least, the Penguins found out they have a reliable seventh defenseman.

SprJudd: I'm a huge fan of Sergei Gonchar (and wanted the Pens to pick him up back when he was with the Caps) and would like him to stick around, but does the performance of Alex Goligoski make Gonchar expendable after this season?

Shelly Anderson: In an ideal world, the Penguins will re-sign Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang, and those two along with Alex Goligoski will make up a heck of a half of the defensive corps. Gonchar means a lot in so many ways -- on the power play, at both ends of the ice, in ice time and in his calming effect as a leader. Goligoski was playing incredibly well before he got hurt and has the age advantage. Maybe the salary cap won't go down next season. Or maybe Penguins general manager Ray Shero will have to make some tough decisions. Better him than me.

SprJudd: What do you think it'll take to re-sign Kris Letang? Will it be Goligoski money ($1.83M per year) or do you think it'll take more?

Shelly Anderson: Alex Goligoski, who is in the first season of a three-year, $5.5 million contract, is looking like a steal based on his play. In late November and with Letang being hurt, we don't have enough information to say exactly what Letang will command, but it's likely to be at least what Goligoski is making since there are a lot of teams who could use Letang's talent and might make an offer if he becomes a restricted free agent next summer.

SprJudd: When can we expect Kunitz to return?

Shelly Anderson: Winger Chris Kunitz was pulled from the lineup a little over a week ago so he could let a nagging, undisclosed injury heal. Coach Dan Bylsma said at the time it would be two weeks. Considering Kunitz isn't practicing yet, it might be longer than two weeks. In any case, it's highly doubtful he would be back before the upcoming weekend.

pbfaninny: Are they looking to Chris Bourque as a future top six forward, or is he just a cheap 13th guy who they won't think of much in the offseason?

Shelly Anderson: That's up to Chris Bourque and the handful of prospects still in Wilkes-Barre. I don't think the Penguins picked up Bourque on waivers just before the season and immediately pigeon-holed him. He's got some good competition in the organization, though, with the likes of Eric Tangradi, Luca Caputi, etc., who seem like potential top-six forwards. Bourque has some speed and has played pretty well. He has come very close to getting his first goal several times. He needs to start putting those in before his roster spot dries up.

723pens: Is there a friendly competition between Letang and Goligoski? Even though Letang is 2 years younger than Goligoski, they are both young and talented.

Shelly Anderson: That's a fair way to describe it. The two certainly seem friendly in the locker room.

Shelly Anderson: Thanks, everyone. Until next week

Penguins Plus, a blog by Dave Molinari and Shelly Anderson, is featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.