Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - A couple of fun and chaotic trade options for the Penguins...

Episode Date: May 28, 2022

Mike Vellucci is rumored to be taking head coaching interviews...what does this mean for the Penguins? Hunter starts the show off with that topic after it was reported that the Flyers decided to interview him this past week as they look to find their new head coach. Hunter looks at how it wouldn't be that big of a deal if the Penguins lost him, considering how the PK played in the playoffs during this series. After that, he goes into who he would look to replace him with if he got a head-coaching gig, plus how this would be one of the rare times that Mike Sullivan would actually get to hand-pick his staff (thanks Jim Rutherford!) After that, Hunter reviews Jake Guentzel's season and goes into just how special it was. He slams the people who gave up on him after he no-showed for a couple of years in the playoffs and looks at the stats that led to that happening. He then looks at what realistic expectations should be for Guentzel heading into another season where he's in his prime. Finally, Hunter ends the show by going over a couple of trade options for a top defender that a few fans sent in if Kris Letang walks. Hint: They're both from the Western Conference. Would the Penguins be able to make it work? Should they be interested if one is made available? What would they have to give up? All that, plus much more on this episode of Locked On Penguins.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.BetOnlineBetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts!Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.Athletic GreensAthletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/NHLNETWORK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello, happy Memorial Day weekend. As always, plenty of talk about for today's episode. We're going to go into Jake Gensel's season review and why he was just a absolute menace, yet again, what to expect from him next season. Some rumors around Mike Belucci. He could potentially be out the door. Who could Mike Sullivan look for a place?

I'm going to get into that. And since it's a little bit of silly season, just a couple potential trade targets on the defensive market that a couple people pointed out to me that the Penguins you know, maybe they'll have interest in. Probably not, but again, it is silly season. I am going to talk about this. So that's what's coming up for today's show.

Of course, those two players, one of those two players will be to replace Chris LaTang if he were to walk. Of course, that's not what I want to happen. But that's all coming up, plus a little bit more for today's episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast. You're Locked on Penguins.

Your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team every day. Hello and welcome back to another episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Connor Hodes. I'm going to follow me on Twitter at Connor Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at L.O.S. for Penguins. Of course, thank you all so much for making a Lockdown Penguins podcast.

Your first listen, every day we're free and available, whatever you get your podcast. So first is a little bit of a newsy topic for today's show. So I was listening to Elliot Freeman's 32 thoughts. Always a must listen. And if you are a hockey fan and you are not listening to that show as well as mine, of course, you're not doing it right. Him and Jeff Merrick, they produce a hell of a show together. They're just such a great dynamic duo. So we talk about the Philadelphia Flyers coaching church, and obviously, you know, no one that listens this podcast is a Flyers fan.

But it sounds like Barry Trots, Jerry Torto, which would be hilarious. But Freeman also said they had an interview with Mike Volucci, Penguin's assistant coach. he's been here for the last few seasons. And that struck me as surprised because you wouldn't really think that he would have a lot of interest around the league and apparently Friedman said this could be the first of several head coaching interviews

for Volucci during the all season. I mean, I know he's been an American League head coach down in the H.L. I think he's been a general manager for an HL team as well. He's been working front offices for NHL teams. has a wide range of experience coaching both at the NHL and the AHL level. I don't think he's ever been an NHL head coach, though. But it's interesting that he's been getting a lot of interviews

and not some of these other coaches or other assistant coaches that he's out there. You know, if the Penguins were to lose him, you know, maybe they would go down a little bit with the penalty kill. But I also, I didn't really like the job that he did with the unit in the first year that he was the head coach. And I didn't really like what he did on with the penalty kill in the playoffs because whatever they were doing in the regular season, they just stopped doing once they played the Rangers.

They were actually playing aggressive on the PK in the regular season, but for some reason they decided to not have that happened. They wanted to play passive, which is, you know, look what Carolina has been doing in their power play. It has not been as effective as it was against the penguins. So I honestly wouldn't be too upset. Another reason why I wouldn't think it's the end of the world here, If you all remember, when the Penguins made some changes after the return to play,

they fired the assistant coaches. Gond Char was gone. Mark Recky was gone. And then, of course, Jacques Martan. He was also relieved of his duties, too. And it was not Mike Sullivan that made the next hires. It was Jim Rutherford. He brought on Tar Weirden.

He brought in Mike Volucci from. from, I think it was Carolina's AHL team at the time. Those were not Mike Sullivan higher. So he really did not have the final say on his coaching staff. And, you know, we honestly really haven't seen Sullivan have the ability to build his own coaching staff.

Even in 2015-16, when he came in, you know, Rick Tocke, he was already there. I mean, Gary Agnew, but, you know, he ended up being fired. Anyway, Jacques Martin, he was already there too. same for 2016, 17, 17, 18. You know, M.A. Excuse me, they, um, Rick Tocke, I think ended up being relieved of his duties.

Mark Recky comes in. I think Sullivan made that higher, but that's really the only higher that he's made. And then, of course, Recky's relieved of his duties by Jim Rutherford. And, of course, you know, already touched on by how Rutherford made the final call with the other two coaches. So, you know, Sullivan has really not had the final say with those. So I would be curious to see if Volucci does get a head coaching job here during the offseason, you know, does Mike Sullivan have the ability to have that final say with whoever is going to be one of his assistant coaches?

I would have to assume so. I mean, just considering how much Ron Hechdahl and Brian Burke looked up to him, and they both have said he's one of the five best coaches in hockey. I mean, I've also said he's one of the five best coaches in hockey. He should have the ability to go out and get, you know, whatever great assistant coach that he could get. I mean, if he does leave, I mean, honestly, I'd come in and bring in Rick Tocke. Haman's hard, Reardon, doing the assistant coaching duties, I think would be pretty, like, smooth.

I know Tuckett usually is the power play guy. Maybe you can have Tarr Reardon give the power play stuff back to Tocket, and maybe you could, you know, have Reardon do the PK, though. sure how much experience he has doing that you know mike sullivan he could also run that um if he wants to as well as obviously doing all the in-game management stuff um i i personally do think talk it is worth a callback um you know that's maybe not a popular take among some fans he's obviously going to get a head coaching opportunities when he wants to i think he's going to be interviewing in philadelphia i think detroit with steve i may interview him but the red wings are really not tipping their hands on anything

Steve I was tremendous. Basically Lou Amarillo at light, he does not say word if it comes to that stuff. So, you know, again, if Volucci does end up leaving the first person I am personally calling his birth talk. I think he did a tremendous job with a power play. He has a lot of respect around the league from players, especially, you know, from the Penguins organization he played here for many years. And he obviously knows Mike Sullivan in his system really well.

He's always complimentary on TNT during games. So he would definitely be one of my time. top targets if Volucci does go. But again, you know, definitely surprised that his name is being brought up. I think his name was brought up a little bit. I think he had an interviewer, too, with one or two teams. I can't remember what team interviewed him, at least for sure. And, of course, my poor, poor little fron over here is just looking at me.

I don't know. Maybe he has to go out. Maybe he doesn't. But, you know, he just laid down. So thankfully, one of these days I am going to bring him right on my lap so everyone can see him. And hopefully he'll have a Penguins collar on at that time. But anyways, that was the big newsy stuff of the day. I thought I would talk about that and give my thoughts on that situation.

Other teams that he of Volucci could have interest from, you know, maybe Detroit. I don't know if Iserman has his eye on him or not Dallas, because Rick Bonas retired. but I think Tuckett might be all over that one potentially too. You know, maybe Florida, you know, Andrew Burnett, it's not fully known if Brunette is coming back next year. I mean, everyone assumed that, but I don't think Bill Zito said after the season that he was 100% the head coach for next season

after taking over after Joe Quinville resigned for the whole Kyle Beach stuff. So, you know, there's quite a bit of openings right now around the NHL. So I had to get my thoughts on that. give a potential replacement at least. I think, again, I think Talk gets a slam dunk. I personally don't think he should have been fired. But that's just that that's how I see it. Coming up to the next segment,

we're going to get to Jake Gensel's season review and just how good he was during the regular season in the playoffs and what to expect from him for the 22 to 23 season. His contract is also up pretty soon, guys. So he's going to have to get paid sooner rather than later. but before we get to that, our next partner has a product that I use literally every single day. I started taking athletic greens because, you know, I wanted better gut health. I wanted more energy in the morning just because I feel like I'm so tired when I wake up.

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and pick up the ultimate daily nutritional insurance. All right, we're back here on this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hummer Hodes. You know, follow me on Twitter. Hunter Hodes. Follow this show's Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. So actually just looking at the conference on final schedule. Looks like they're both starting May 30.

and June 1st, they will go through June 14th and June 15th, respectively. So I think they're hoping to have the stand like a final wrapped up by July 1. Right. I think Game 7 would have to be, oh, man, Thron just makes the funniest noises. I think game set would have to be somewhere, like right around the 4th of July, I think. So I just wanted to touch on that before I get into Jake Gensel here. and what a season. This player had 76 games, had 25 goals at even strength,

his second 40-goal season in the NHL, outside of Evgeny Malkin and Crystal Tent. Krzheny Malkin and Sidney Crosby. He is the only other player in the era to have multiple 40-goal seasons. That is how good this player is. All right. Anyways, back to Jake Gensel's overall season. If there's a little bit of a cut in the video or the audio, my dog did have to go out.

So I did let him out for five minutes. We're back here. Let's get into Jake's underlying numbers. So played almost 1,200 minutes at 5E5. This season, when the who was on nice, the Penguins had 53% of the shot attempts. 57% of the actual goals for, 60% of the expected goals this season. 55% of the scoring chances, that's his best rate since 2019-20, 54% of the high danger chances.

35 high danger goals for, 28 high danger chances against. Shot at his career average again, right around 9%. He shot 9% last year. 9% to get before that. 9.8% in 2019. His best year, obviously, 56.7%. Actually, no, it's 56.

Geez, almost 11% in 2016 and 17. He was looking at the wrong number there. If we go to the playoffs, of course, playoff Jake was back in full force. When he was on ice, the pigments at 58% of the show, shot attempts. They also had 62% of the actual goals, 74% of the expected goals, 70% of the scoring chances, 82% of the high danger chances. He was only on the ice for 12 high danger chances against. That is how good Jake Gensel was this year, people, especially in the playoffs, seven high danger

goals for, one high danger goals for against, shot 9.9% in the playoffs. You want to know what he shot the last three years, this is where all those weirdos were saying, man, Jake Gensel soft. He can't play in the playoffs. Trade him for Matthew Cucucuc or so on that can actually score. Look at this. Going back to 2018-19, after he shot 11% in 2017 and 21% in 2018, 3.2% in 2018. 19, comes back with a return to play, 6.2%. Last year, 2.2%. 0.9% shooting percentage. And people were seriously, in my mentions, in my mentions on social media,

telling me that Jake Gensel should be dealt after shooting not even 3% in the playoffs against the New York Islanders. Like, what are we doing? Comes back with a vengeance this year, scores eight goals in seven games. Again, other than Alex Ovechkin and Braden point, since Gensel came into the league,

No one else has more power play goal. No one else has more playoff goals than this player. He is one of the most clutch players of this era, honestly, right now. And I'm glad that a full national stage got to see how good this player is. I think it's mainly just Pittsburgh. Just because I think we've been used to him putting up this kind of production for so long. But even like, you know, Rangers fans that I follow that are actually respectful, they were like, you know, good Lord, I'm tired of Jake.

So at this point, just what a player he is. You can stick him on any line and it works. I expect him to score 40 again next year if he's fully healthy. He was at, I believe, right around 80 points on the season. If I'm getting that correct here, just making sure, just making sure. Of course, yeah, 84 points in 76 games, well over a point per game. I think there's the potential that he could push 90. next year. I think that's, I think that's one of my bold predictions right now. I think he's

going to have 90 to 95 points next season. I mean, he's, he's well in his peak years right now. And the best part about this, people, he's making $6 million per year. Six million per to put up 84 points in 76 games and to put up those kind of numbers in the playoffs. When, so when is his contract up? Well, so he has two more years left on this deal. So next season and the season after that, then he will be a UFA. That's going to be a lot of cash.

I'm just putting it out there right now. He is going to make a lot of money on that next deal, and I sincerely hope that it is with the Penguins. He's actually going to be a free agent, right, the season before said it is. So I would have to assume that they're going to lock him up, especially because, you know, to keep Sid playing for at least another year or two, maybe three more years. I think he would probably ask for that just considering how good Gensel is.

But again, you know, another tremendous season from him. The goals that he were scoring in the playoffs, just, you know, going to the front of the net and getting that, even that smallest time of space, boom, you're gone. Back of the net, you know, it's over. that is how good Jake is at scoring goals in this league. You give him the smallest time of day. Snap of the finger just like that. And yes, I am someone who does not even know how to snap their fingers.

I honestly just never learned it as a kid. So there's a fun fact about me. That's probably pretty embarrassing to say the least. But I just, I can't say enough of the season. Again, I'm expecting 40 goals, 50, 50 plus assists next year. Maybe that's a little too much. but, you know, I think the best is really yet to come with this player. You know, for all those, those people that told me he should be traded after last year

for a player that plays the heavy style of playoff hockey, I hope you're feeling good about yourselves right now after he just scored eight goals in seven games. He was one of the best players in the first round of the playoffs. I'm honestly at the Penguins, we're going to go on a deep run. You know, he, you know, him or Sid for the Khan Smyth, in my opinion. So, great season from him defensively. He's going to rock. I shouldn't say Iraq.

Defensively, he's fine, but offensively, you know, that's where he does the most damage. Great on the power play. You know, I think, you know, just his ability to stand in front of the net and get solid deflections, even when he's not the biggest player, you know, he's not a prime Patrick Cornquist over here or something like that. But this is still a player that is not afraid of going to the dirty areas and, you know, getting some greasy deflections.

He takes a lot of punishment there. Players go after him, like Jacob Truba. I had to do that. I've been having a lot of thought on my social media. Apparently, like just pissing off some New York fans. I don't really know why. I'm just posting content for just funny stuff. But, you know, that was obviously a clever joke to what happened in game five.

But, you know, just, again, overall, tremendous stuff from Jake. I expect a lot from him next year. You know, Gansel Crosby Rust, they're going to run it back. And rightfully so, to say to leave. So coming up in the final segment of this podcast, I'm going to get into just those two trade options from this one team. If Crystal Teng does walk, that a couple people brought up to me and asked me if, you know, they're good. I'm going to get to those players right after this. But before, get to that, our partners that bet online continue to be the number one source for all of your betting needs and sports info.

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We're not following you on Twitter. Hunter Hodes, follow the show sort of at hello, honors square penguins. All right, it's silly season. We're at the end of May here. Let's just, I have until July. to talk about this stuff. But at the end of the day, we're still going to start right here. So a couple people hit me up in my DMs.

A couple of my friends of mine were also approaching this for a potential podcast topic. And they said, you know, there were rumors that potentially Eric Carlson and Brenn's, one of the two are going to want out of San Jose. Or apparently, I think that they may decide to trade one of them just because they're making almost $20 million against their cap and asked me know if that would be a good idea. So I looked into it a little bit. And, you know, Burns makes $8 million, but he's also $37, $3,000.

more years on his contract, has a modified no trade clause. I'm pretty sure he has three teams that he can be traded to without blocking it. And I'm not really sure if the Penguins are on one of those three teams. Carlson has a full no move clause. He'll have to be asked to waive it. He makes 11.5 for the next five years and did a little bit of digging on natural statrick. And These people ask me, like, you know, would one of these two players be able to replace Chris Lattang for the next few to four years? And, you know, you look at Brent Burns' minutes this year. I played almost 1,600 minutes at even strength, all a two games. Just was not, he was really not himself in some areas.

The Sharks only had 45% of the shot attempts at even strength when he was on there. 51% of the actual goals, so, you know, at least that's good. expected goals for 47.2%. That's not where he used to be to say the least. Only 47% of the scoring chances at 5E5 and 50% of the high danger chances.

So, you know, a lot of bad, a little bit of meh, but, you know, I'm just, I don't know, I'm just, I'm not really fully sold on it to say the least. And, you know, for actual high danger goals were 54.8% of those. But, you know, I think he's a player that's well past his prime the penguins will obviously have to eat i mean the sharks i think would have to eat a decent amount of that cap hit you know if you can get them to retain half of that eight million

so the penguins only paying him four million they could easily get that to work or you know if you can get them at least to retain like 25 percent which is i don't know probably like six some six point two six point three i don't have the math in front of me here um but i still think this is a player that's you know well past his good years i personally would not think it's worth to give up prime assets for that kind of player when he's basically on his way to being 40 years old. He used to be a top three defensemen in this league. Don't get me wrong. I love watching him play. He's still a really good shot volume player. I'm usually good at moving the puck up the ice. But his defensive capabilities have really

catered over the last couple of years. I would not go after him to say the least. Now, I'll turn my attention to Eric Carlson, who, of course, makes five more years on this contract at 11.5 million. The Penguins would have to really, even like half of that is like, what, 5.5. I don't know, 5.7, 5.8. Somewhere, yeah, I believe it's like 5.75. So, you know, the Penguins could get it to work that way, but, you know, are the Sharks really willing to eat that much of their, that much of the cap hit? you know, that's my biggest question there. But, you know, Carlson played 50 games this year, 890 total minutes. When he was on the Issa Sharks, had 49.5% of the shot attempts, 51% of the actual goals.

But expected goals for 51.4% is not bad there. 52.3% of the scoring chances. 53.4% of the high danger chances. So honestly, he had a bit of a balance back year. Last year, he was really bad. But, you know, this was the level that I'm used to usually seeing of Eric Carlson. Is he what it used to be? No.

Can the Penguins potentially revive his career? Yes. But again, you know, I'm not expecting the Penguins to trade for any of these players, you know, but I figured it'll be a good podcast topic because, you know, again, it's silly season. And, you know, it's fun to think about this kind of stuff. If I had to pick one of the two, even with a 50% salary retained, I would go with Carlson. I think, you know, at this point, he has more upside. Right now he is up 31.

So, you know, you can, you probably can still have a lot of, you know, at least good years with him. The biggest thing with Carlson, though, is his injury history. You know, he's banged up a lot. I mean, the guy was playing with, like, a really bad, I think, ankle injury in the 2016-17 play. I thought was probably some of the best hockey I've ever seen from a defenseman. It looked, you know, honestly, for a lot of the years, you know, he looked. like the next coming of Paul coffee, to say the least. He was always one of my favorite players to watch that was not on the Penguins.

But, no, again, I would probably go with Carlson. If the Penguins were looking at one of these two players, again, do I expect it? No. That's just, that's my preference. You can have it retained, even at 5.75. That's probably a bargain. I like Carlson at that number better than Burns at $4 million. That's for sure.

I think Burns is just totally washed. At this point now, for trade package, you'll probably have to give up a decent amount. You know, I'd probably say a high pick, decent prospect, probably a roster player. The Sharks, they're probably going to want to contend next year, which is, you know, probably a bad idea. I don't think the Sharks are anywhere close to contending. You know, you look at their roster right now. You know, Tomas Hurtle, he's a good player.

Logan, sure, he's 33, making $8 million. Tim O'Meier was really good, but, you know, he has one more year left on his deal. Nick Benino's not bad Matt Nietto I mean a lot of these other players I mean it's a really young team James Reimer signed for another year you know that they still have that Mark

Edward Vlasic contract on there Jesus I forgot that contract still goes for four more years he is horrendous The Sharks need a lot more high-end talent if they actually want to do something next year they're undergoing a GM search I could definitely see the Sharks trading one of these two players

to say the least and again you know if i had my pick uh it would be carlson so um and trade package for him i would if if it were me and the penguins you know were closing on getting him i would hope it's you know it may be a decent prospect not that good you know maybe like a a bottom six-winger and you know maybe like a high pick or something like that you know remember when er carlson was originally traded i mean he did not get a lot of recurred i was up and that's what happens when you trade star players it is very hard to get fair value. So what the sharks are going to get in that return, it ain't going to even be what Ottawa

got, which is honestly, you know, not even that good, to say the least. So that wraps up this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. Thank you all so much for listening. I will be back from another episode on Monday, even though it is Memorial Day. The content never sleeps on this show. Thank you also for making the month of May the best month listener-wise and the history of this show right now over 27,000 monthly downloads. It is ridiculous that this show is probably going to have 30,000 downloads at the

end of the month. I know that I may not have those kind of numbers until, you know, next season just because that's the all season now, but I can't thank all of you enough for, you know, making this your first list in the day and just continuing to listen to me, blabro about this team, even though they've been eliminated for almost two weeks now. But a lot more content coming up on the show. I hope you, you know, keep it right here on Locked on Penguins. I hope you all have a tremendous holiday weekend.

If you're going to the beach, stay safe. Go in the ocean, have some fun. But, you know, most importantly, stay safe just because of everything that's going on in the United States right now. It's so hard to even talk about sports with everything what's going on in the last few days. But again, thank you all so much for listening. And I will be back with another episode on Monday.