Good morning, and welcome to Part 2 of the July mailbag.

I’m sensing some summer angst among many members of the fan base. Lots to discuss.

Hope everyone’s summer is going well. Away we go …

Note: Submitted questions have been edited for clarity and length. 

So it’s obvious that the Big Three are holding this team back from truly rebuilding and the trio will never win the Cup in Pittsburgh again. When will Kyle Dubas tire of this? They desperately need elite young talent, but can’t get that unless they draft high. —@Darksithlord17

I don’t like to lump the Big Three all together when it comes to questions like this. Sidney Crosby, while not the dominant force he was a decade ago, remains a better-than-point-per-game player and will remain an elite center for a handful of seasons.

Evgeni Malkin has declined physically, especially in goal scoring, but remains a viable top-six option and was quite good on the wing last season.

Kris Letang? OK, you got me there.

I think Dubas knew this was going to take a long time when he took the job but was surprised by how good the Penguins were last season. I think he might be too good at his job to let the Penguins bottom out. And, yes, I think that might be a problem.

They can get young talent without a top-five pick, but it’s a lot harder that way. It’s the biggest problem facing the Penguins right now.

The Caps and Flyers are being extremely aggressive, one with youth, one for a last shot for Ovi. I understand Dubas had a weak free agent class, and his assets aren’t in great demand, but he could have offer-sheeted someone or done a sign-and-trade. Why nothing but mushy middle? — @VinceLaboon

I suspect that Dubas feels like the Penguins aren’t in a position to part with two, three or four first-round draft picks because they’re still in the process of building their system.

Also, let’s be clear about Washington: The Capitals aren’t building a team for Alex Ovechkin to make one last run. They literally traded John Carlson a few months ago, who is still quite good and a very close friend of Ovechkin’s. They’re looking to get younger and better, with or without Ovechkin. I don’t think, from a team-construction standpoint, the Capitals cared if he came back or not. They’d be just as good without him.

The Flyers and Capitals have more young talent than the Penguins. They’re a couple of years ahead of them. When you’re in the position the Capitals and Flyers are, it’s a lot easier to be aggressive.

Mind you, Dubas wanted to be aggressive this summer very badly. I found his comments following the first round of the draft to be fascinating. It was as vulnerable as we’ve seen him. Dubas admitted he tried taking big swings, but the market simply wouldn’t cooperate and, to make big swings, he’d have been forced to damage what he’s beginning to build.

Do you think what Dubas has done and has been rumored to do this summer was influenced by the aging core advocating for urgency, Dubas valuing the success of last year and wanting to amplify the transition quicker or a mix of both? — @Coltoncorby_

A good question with no simple answer. I think Dubas respects the Big Three immensely. His ability to add Egor Chinakhov, Elmer Soderblom, Ben Kindel and some other young players last season made the Penguins better, perhaps better than he expected.

My take is, Dubas is going to show the Big Three respect until the very end. He appreciates what they mean to Pittsburgh and isn’t going to shove them out the door. In Crosby’s case, specifically, Dubas will always want him to keep playing. But I also think there is a part of Dubas that feels very restricted because he probably would love to orchestrate a total rebuild. Instead, he’s tasked with the extremely difficult and dangerous job of rebuilding while simultaneously overseeing a nostalgia shop. So far, he’s doing well. But the hardest part is coming soon, that being the job of finding a young superstar to build around moving forward.

What are your thoughts on the Pens walking the line of the short-term wins vs achieving long-term success? This, while keeping the fan base attentive and engaged. Can both be achieved? What is your over/uunder of five years for the Penguins being a contender? — @PeteKadar

It’s almost impossible to pull it all off. But I think they’ll be a contender in less than five years. Maybe three or four. The thing is, I think Dubas and his staff are exceptionally good. Also, they’re going to have preposterous amounts of money to spend in coming summers, and given the rising cap figures around the league, more players are going to start opting for hitting the market than staying put. They’ll have more money to spend than just about anyone. Something to keep in mind.

What do you believe is Ben Kindel’s ceiling and how soon can he reach it? Once reached, where do you see his goals and points per season averaging? Lastly, could he take over 2C duties this year? — @Nastella24

He could be the second-line center this season. If not this season, it will happen soon enough.

I hate putting a ceiling on him simply because he’s so young, but if I had to guess, I think he’ll be a 25-goal, 50-assist and 75-point player who excels on the penalty kill. In other words, he’ll be a perfect second-line center for a long time, like Vincent Trocheck but with less edge and perhaps a higher upside. He’s a very capable power play and penalty kill guy. And again, he’s only 19. Sky’s the limit, still.

How do GM’s discuss trades, etc? Is there a big GM group chat or do GM’s text/call specific GM’s of other teams when they want to deal? — @FF_PNut

I love this question. I asked Jim Rutherford one time. He basically said that it depends on the relationship. That said, my sense is most of them speak on the phone more than put things in writing. I think it’s a case-by-case situation, though.

Is the length of the Egor Chinakov deal a little surprising? If he likes it so much here and the Pens like him as much as they say, why wasn’t it longer, especially if he’s the profile of player Dubas is always looking for? — @BColish5

Not at all. He earned more than a two-year deal last season. In case he was a flash in the pan, it’s not a deal that will cripple the Penguins long term. If he’s a star, he’ll still be young enough (28) to sign a massive deal in 2029. Yet he’s still set for life now.

It works for everyone.

Are you ever concerned that the Penguins might be putting all their eggs in the Sergei Murashov basket? Also, which of the three rivers would you assign to each of the Big Three and why? — @EricWall283961

Not at all. The Penguins have plenty of other promising goaltending prospects. But they think very, very highly of him.

Hm. OK:

Ohio River: Sidney Crosby — It’s the biggest, the most impressive and is formed when rivers merge. He’s the captain and has a wonderful handle on how to bring everyone together. (Also, he rules Ohio’s team, the Blue Jackets, with a particular ruthlessness.)

Allegheny River: Kris Letang — It flows from the north, and Letang and his flowing hair come from north of us in Quebec. The Allegheny is famous for its wondrous views on PNC Park, and Letang is a very handsome man.

Monongahela River: Evgeni Malkin — The Mon Valley is a blue-collar area, and Geno comes from blue-collar Magnitogorsk. It’s the most Pittsburgh of the rivers, if you will, given its down-to-earth toughness. Geno has a connection with Pittsburgh unlike any other.

Will the Hoffmann Family be interested in buying other teams in Pittsburgh? — @briancl45882531

I see what you’re getting at. I wish they’d buy the baseball team, but I doubt it will happen.

Was blessed to live in Denver for all of those Red Wings-Avs playoff matchups. Moved to PGH in 2006 and was at several of the Wings-Pens games and saw the Cup in ’08 and in ’09 in Detroit. Where have these types of rivalries gone and why aren’t they happening now? — @KilgoreTodd

Wow, you saw some good stuff.

Players switch teams far more regularly nowadays. The game is less violent. Some players just don’t care as much because they have eight figures in the bank.

I think it’s a combination of those things.

What’s the best concert you’ve seen? — @waywaylarge

First concert: Bob Dylan

Best concert: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, 2000, Mellon Arena

Artist I’ve seen most in concert: Neil Young

Did you ever think you would see a day where there was more faith in the front office of the Pens than the front office of the Steelers? — @Ohiopensfan

I was born in 1980. In my lifetime, the Penguins have won five championships. The Steelers have won two. I’ve had more faith in the Penguins’ front office to churn out a winner, for the most part, for most of my life.

How many ballparks, current and former, have you been to? Aside from PNC, what has been your favorite? — @kobyalex17

I’ve been to MLB games in:

Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago (Wrigley), Milwaukee, St. Louis, Colorado, Arizona, Washington, Atlanta (Turner Field), Toronto, Cleveland, Boston and Detroit. My rankings:

1. PNC Park
2. Fenway Park
3. Wrigley Field

Those were clearly the three best. After that, I really enjoy the ballparks in Colorado, Cleveland and Detroit. St. Louis, Arizona and Toronto were fine. Wasn’t a huge fan of Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Atlanta or Washington.

Really need to do the California baseball swing. I’ve always wanted to see Dodger Stadium and I’ve never heard a bad word about the baseball experience in San Francisco or San Diego.

Three Rivers Stadium wasn’t good for baseball, but I loved those $5 general admission outfield seats when I was a teenager.

Favorite menu item at Als Cafe? —@Calicoreese

Chicken Romano, pasta, Caesar salad. And one must start with the bread.

Thanks for reading, everyone. My annual travel guide and plenty of other articles are coming soon. Stay tuned.