Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - A Kris Letang extension is imminent, plus the Penguins schedule is out!

Episode Date: July 7, 2022

It's a busy period for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Hunter has all of the news right here on a fresh episode! He starts it by discussing Ron Hextall's comments to the media and why a Kris Letang deal is expected to be announced at any time. He again goes into what it'll likely look like before switching gears to Evgeni Malkin. Is there anything new on that front? He then goes to a new report from Rob Rossi of The Athletic where he shares the Penguins' last offer to Malkin before the two sides met again. Are the Penguins willing to give him more term? Will Geno accept less money to get more term? Hunter speculates about that after Rossi reported it and looks at how that should be an easy decision for multiple reasons. In the second segment, Hunter goes over the Penguins' schedule for next season and highlights some critical matchups, road trips, and all that jazz. He also circles some unusual things about the schedule that looks to be happening for the first time, plus gives the game that he'll 100% be in attendance for next season. Finally, Hunter reveals the full draft board that he and Jason of Pens Twitter made together.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. 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, they're happy Wednesday or draft Eve, whatever you want to call this, until draft starts on Thursday. For today's show, we're going to get into Ron Hextall, speaking to the media, updating the statuses of Evgeny Malkin and Kristaang, which has been basically a daily tradition on this podcast for the last month or two. Don't worry, we got about a week until this is going to be all done, hopefully less. And then I can stop talking about that for the rest of the off season. I'm also going to get into Rob Rossi's report on the athletic and what the penguins have reportedly offered Malkin and what he could be potentially swayed to do if he keeps, if the penguins keep that Aav where is we're also going to get into the penguin's schedule.

That was least. I'll give my early thoughts on that. And then if there is time, I'm going to go into the full draft board that Jason and I have. I've given some teases, some different categories. But for today, I'm going to go into all the categories that we have with all the players that. we have there. So without further ado, let's get right on into it. 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, Hunter Hoadies. You're going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. and also follow the shows, Twitter at Eleanor's where paying Lindsay. And, of course, thank you all so much for making this your first listen of the day.

So let's get right on into the first topic of the day. Ron Hextall speaking his pre-draft press conference with the media today. And the first order of business, he touched on Chris LaTang. And he basically confirmed DK's report of DK Pittsburgh Sports. And he said he believes he is close to getting a deal done with Chris LaTang. He actually says he would be surprised. If he does not get an extension done with Letang, he's hoping to have it finalized over the next day or two.

I think he said there are after a few more details to iron out. But basically says there's a really good chance that they get this done before they leave the draft on Friday and Saturday. So that's great news. The fact that he's very likely going to be locked up with the foreseeable future, it means so much. There's just, again, I'll say for the 100th time on this podcast, there's no one on the free agent market or the trade market.

that is going to come in here and play the minutes that Chris Lentang does and play them as well, as Chris Lank does. So very good news there from Ron Hextall also spoke about Evgeny Malkin. He said they're not as close with him, but he did meet with J.P. Berry, the agent for a Gennie Malkin on Tuesday night. He expects that to continue on through the week here, I'm sure into the weekend if there's no deal and all that stuff. That's just basically par for the course. Now, Rob Rossi of the Athletic, he did come out with another story today about Evaginian Malkin and Chris saying, if I can load it up here.

And, you know, he spoke to some sources both league-wide and team-wide. And he said about, well, first off about Latang, Latang obviously is going to get a raise. He thinks it's going to be closer to the $8 million range when it is all said and done. He also said, Hextall has warmed up to the. idea of Latang's ass of a contract for four to five years. So, you know, I know DK is saying it's probably going to be three. You know, Rossi's saying, you know, it could be four to five. We're just going to have to see on that. Either way, I think the term is going to be right around

eight, if not a little more. Now, this was the big kicker with Malkin and Rossi. He said, Gino would like to be in that salary range, but the penguins want to retain Malkin and Lattang at around 14 million combined annually so they can leave enough room under the cap to make other roster moves. Penguins currently have 21.4 million in projected cap space. Okay, I understand that mentality.

You want to, you know, lock them up for, I guess, as little as you can because, you know, you want to make changes to the other to the outer edges of your roster, but also, I guess, not, you know, giving up players from your team in order

to do that. But, you know, if you want to just give Malkin a little bit more money and a little more term, the penguins can still do that. I mean, certain people I think in the Pittsburgh hockey community have brainwashed fans into thinking that that can't be done with only 21 million in cap space. You can literally open up four to five million and have 25, 26 million to pay those two players and you will still have money left over to make changes to the other parts of the roster, whether it's bringing in another defenseman if you trade one

of Marcus Pedersen or Brian Dewan, whether it's, you know, bringing in another forward to replace Casperi Capman or if you trade Brock McGinn or, you know, say Dayton Hinen doesn't come back. You know, they will have that cap space. So people are saying that they're not going to have enough room, that is a myth. They are more than capable of opening up significant cap room to fit both of these players under the salary cap. They've been doing this for 16 years. So there's no reason to think that they can't still do it.

Rossi also says he would like to, oh, Gina would like this to be his final NHL contract he plans on playing more than just a couple of seasons. He says the Penguins offered to Malkin before they talked on Tuesday was two years at $6 million per. So the two years part, that was confirmed, I think, by, it was another independent ally. I'm forgetting it right now. Oh, yeah, that was, it was, yeah, sorry,

Pierre LeBron of the Athletic. He was the one that said originally it was two years. We didn't have the AAB amount. Rossi was able to come up with the AAB. You know, $6 million, I get why they're doing the two-year six million per stuff. They're concerned with the injuries. Who knows if he's going to, I guess, fall off after a year two? You know, they're being cautious.

I get that side of it, you know, overall, though, you should still bump that up, I think at least a little bit. But, Ross, this is the big kicker here. Malkin could be willing to take such a drastic salary reduction of 3.4. million, but only if the penguin signed him for four years, a league source and team source said to him. Okay. Where is the problem here?

A steal of a contract, four years times six million per? I mean, if he, if Malkin is going to do that, and that is true from Rossi, why has a deal not been agreed to yet? that does not make any sense to me. I don't want to sit here and continue to say that Hextel is playing hardball with him. He probably is in some capacity, but this should be a very easy negotiation. I mean, if he is willing to take that drastic of a pay cut but still get the term that he wants so he can go out with Cindy Crosby and Chris LaTang together, why has a deal not been reached? Yeah, you can point to him not being as durable as he used to be.

Sure, you can point to him not being as good as he used to be at 5B5. But the team is going to flat out stink when that contract is up, when the Crystal Teng contract is up, when Siddy Crosby's contract is up. Who gives a crap about term in these situations? I keep seeing that sentiment from some people in the penguin's name base. Well, you know, that term has to make sense for the penguins and all this stuff. And it's like, no, it really does not. sure, does the money need to make sense?

Yeah, I can listen to that argument. But the term really doesn't. I mean, I mean, four to five years, the team is going to stink at that point, no matter what. Even if you bring in, say, Vincent Trochequer, or whoever else that's a UFA in Malkin' Walks, the team is still not going to be good when Cindy Crosby and Chrysletang's contracts are up when hopefully Crystal Teng does sign that contract. So I don't really know where that weird take is coming from. It's a pointless argument, I think, at least to me.

The report goes on to say some other stuff that Malkin feels the Penguins have not shown him respect, deserving of a legacy player. I don't really know if I buy that, to be honest. I mean, it's fine if the Penguins are prioritizing Chris LaTang over everyone else. I mean, it comes to players at their respective. positions, and I've said this a lot this week and last week, you know, no disrespect to McGee Malcon, you know, Chris LaTang is more elite at his position right now than of Guine Malkin is at his position. But, you know, a big compromise for Gino's contract,

just do three times six point five. That honestly could work. He goes out with Sid. He potentially goes out with Letang. They're both basically 40. They're all all basically 40 at that point anyway. you know, sure, does he take a $3 million pay cut? Yeah, but at least you bump his salary up a little bit and you give him an extra year. That's not two years if he's not, you know, already getting an extra year offer. And hopefully that works for both parties. Again, these should be very easy negotiations. It should not have to take, it should not be taking this long to redo a contract for one or both players.

I've had that take all off season. I'm going to stand by it now, especially stand by it. If one of them walks, probably if one does walk, it's going to be a Gennie Malkin. But, you know, I'm just, I'm tired of, you know, just doing this dance, I think, every day. You know, hopefully the Lattang extension will be announced either Thursday or Friday, and then hopefully in a Malkin extension will be announced shortly after that. So that wraps up this first segment of today's episode. Coming up in the second segment, we're going to get into the Penguins schedule.

some interesting findings that when I dove a little deeper into it, I was able to find some just some cool stuff about the painless schedule overall. I'm just losing my words for some reason. I guess it's just because it's late at night. But before I get to that, banaline.net is your number one source to all your bed and needs and sports info. You can find all the latest sports developments, league reviews and news, including this year's NHL playoffs and major league baseball.

Well, the NHL playoffs are over, but still, especially major. League Baseball. Benline, it should continue source for all of your sports ways of your information, including live betting, e-sports, and scores. And the site remains the best spot for all of your sports scores, podcasts, and news. The season, Benelined.com. It's the fastest and easiest way to check in on all of our favorite sports and

events, including MMA, boxing, and golf. That is Ben Online, where the game starts. All right, I'm back here on this episode of the Locktime Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hode. You're going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hode. You can also follow the show's Twitter. L.O. underscore penguins. So let's get into the Pittsburgh Penguins 2020-2020 schedule that was announced officially today. First off, I will let you all know in case you all, if any of all wondering if I'm

going to come up to a game or to this coming season, yes, the plan right now, I'm trying to come up for November 15th, which is my birthday. They're playing the Toronto Maple Leafs at PPG-Pain Serena. once tickets go on sale, I am going to purchase one. And I think I'm definitely going to be that. I think I'll be the first game that I'll be in attendance for since I started doing this podcast. And if a lot of you go, I can't wait to hopefully meet some of you all, chat with you all. I think that would be just absolutely awesome if I got to meet some of the listeners that obviously listen to me speak a bunch of nonsense about this team. but wanted to put that out there before I really dive into this.

But Penguins, they officially opened their season Thursday, October 13th, against the Arizona Coyotes. They will then play the 10th Day Lightning on the 15th. Then they have Montreal, Los Angeles, and then they have a whole lot of road games. In fact, 14 of the Penguins' first 21 games are on the road. That's something you don't usually see for a team starting the season. I don't know why the schedule makers made it that way.

I don't know if PPG Paints Arena has a bunch of concerts during the final week of October. I have no idea. But they have Columbus, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle, basically the entire Western Canada boat trip. I had some people that were asking me, why do this start the same, say all 7 o'clock, 6 o'clock, all this stuff. For the Western Canada games, it says 6 p.m. on the road because that's when it starts. you know, Pacific time and mountain time and stuff. So for Edmonton, that'll start at 9 o'clock, Eastern, Calgary, 10 o'clock,

Vancouver, 10 o'clock, Seattle, 10 o'clock, and all that stuff. The California trip, that doesn't take place until about mid-February, when they go to Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, then they finish it with a trip to Long Island to play the Islanders. They also have a lot more back-to-backs this year. 15 of them. remember the Penguins this past season were one of the league leaders in the least amount of

back-to-back games. I think they only had, I think it was like five to seven, something like that. This next season, they're tied for some of the most back-to-backs in the league. The schedule is going to be pretty crazy for the Penguins. It also is weird. They play some of their rival teams only three times. If I can pull up this tweet here from Josh Oe, they only play the Philadelphia Flyers three times next year, only one trip to Philadelphia. So the Penguins can only hear Cindy Crosby get moved once in Philadelphia unless the two teams play in the playoffs series.

And that's probably not going to happen at this point. But that's really sad. There's also only three matchups against the Washington Capitals. I just almost lost my voice there. Yeah. So I believe it's only one. time in Pittsburgh for Penguins Capitals. The other two take place in Washington, D.C.

I don't know why the league is doing it like that. I mean, it's also the same for Flam's Oilers. They only play three times. Rangers Islanders is only three times. And, you know, I get it as Josh says. Seattle's in the league now. You got to account for them too. But, you know, this is painfully dumb.

I mean, Penn's Caps, one of the best rivalries in the league. Penn's Flyers, usually one of the best rivalries in the league. why are you only having those two teams play each other three times? I get it if it's something like Pittsburgh, Carolina, where that's not really that big of a rivalry, but the fact that you're screwing up big rivalry matchups to have the Penguins play a few other teams one more time that they're not really as big of rivals with,

definitely a bit weird to say the least. There's also a stretch in March where, you know, this could be the big stretch here when there will be maximum takes for the penguins. Well, there's going to be two. So if you are someone who likes to see how the fan base reacts to like certain stretches of the schedule and stuff. So obviously circle November 25th on your calendar. That's when I believe it ends when the Penguins have played their first, close to their first, like, 20, 21 games of the season. That'll be, again, 14 of their first 21 on the road.

So circle around the end of November, early December for when the hot take artists are going to come out. And also the second to third week of March. Actually, I should say the entire of the first three weeks of March. So March 2nd, they go to Tampa Bay, the fourth they go to Florida. Then they come home to play Columbus, the Islanders, then the Flyers, then the Rangers, then the Canadians, then the Rangers, and then the Rangers again. This is probably the weirdest thing about the schedule. I've been watching this sport for basically 20 years of my life at this point. I have never seen a team play another team three times in the same week

during a full 82 game regular season like this that I have right now with the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. They will play them one time at home on March 12th. Then again, they will play that game against Montreal. March 16th, they will play the Rangers at MSG. March 18th, they will play the Rangers again. and MSC, three games in the span of six nights. And it's not a playoff series.

I do not know what the schedule makers are doing there. Maybe you'll see more of that in the seasons to come. But that was definitely a bit weird to say the least when I stumbled upon that. But, you know, overall, I think this is a fine schedule. They have a ton of home games in the second half of the regular season. You know, their April schedule is fine. Boston, Philadelphia. Jersey, Minnesota, at Detroit, Chicago, Columbus.

They don't play the Rangers for the first time until December 20th. So close to about the halfway point, I should say, of the regular season. They don't play the Capitals until November 9th, if I got that right. Yes, I did. In terms of the other rivalry games, the other teams in the Metro, they play, they play Columbus at the fifth game of the regular season, looking at other ones. first time they play Philadelphia, Black Friday, November 25th at the Wells Fargo Center. That's a 5 p.m. start time at Lake Carolina for the first time, November 29.

So it's not going to be like this regular season where the penguins don't see the hurricanes until basically game 50 to 55 or saying with the Rangers at that point. They're going to play the Islanders until almost 2023. They play them for the first time on December 27th. they don't play the devils until December 30th just look in here to make sure I got every other I think I got all the big ones that I wanted to hit so yeah it's definitely going to be a very busy schedule up until Black Friday against the Flyers but after that

they come home for a five game home scene actually after that going into December 12th they will have seven of their next eight I'm at home. So, you know, if they can just tread water on the road at that point, they can come home and, you know, they usually play it very well at PPGP and Serena under Mike Sullivan. So I would have to think that they'll be able to win, I think, most of those games at home. So that wraps up the second segment of the podcast, looking at the pending schedule for next season. Coming up in the final segment, we're going to get into the full draft board and, you know, just who we, who we placed in the different.

categories for this year's draft of course you know the first round is tomorrow and you know bearing something unforeseen I think the penguins are going to take a player at pick number 21 so that's all coming up right after this commercial break all right I'm back here on this episode of the lockdown penguins podcast I am your host honore hodes we're going to follow me on Twitter at hundred hoddies you can also follow the show's Twitter at illoreswerpengen so let's get into the full draft board that jason and I have. So I've already touched on a few of these players. We have them in the hope they fall category. Daniela Yorov, Jesse Marshall, has been high on his train on Wednesday. I talked about him

either yesterday or a couple days ago. We compare him to Nikita Kutrov and Troy Terry. In my opinion, he's that top 10 talent in this draft. The Russian factor is definitely going to, I think, have him fall, especially with what's going on right now with Kourio Kuprisov and that Flyers' goaltending prospect, who I think was sent off to a Russian fighting facility or something like that. That's a really, both of these are really scary situations. But you're off, excuse me, you know, has a motor elite scale. You can finish, you know, same thing with Ivan Miro Seneca.

We have him come to like Timo Meyer, Vladimir Teresenko. He could be ready to go in 2023. Has a heck of a shot last summer. You know, he was probably a top five player going into this class, but his production dipped a little bit. before he was forced to stop playing. But, you know, his cancer prognosis is good, and he is cleared to return to training. So, yeah, in case you did not know that, he was diagnosed with cancer, but, you know,

he was able to beat it. He's cleared to return to play. And barring something, barring some complications, it looks like he's going to be ready to go. So I would love to have either one of these two players at 21, Frank Nazar, the same thing. but also a player that a couple players that we really didn't get to yet. Pavel Mint Nuukov, who is a defenseman 6-1-197 pounds or a left shot. We have a couple of comps, John Carlson, Morgan Riley. He was probably one of the best offensive defensemen in this draft.

He has the full toolkit to succeed in the offensive zone. He's also not going to get lost in his own zone. You know, his zone exits are very, very good. he plays an attacking style at all times when he's going into the offensive zone. Again, has a heck of a shot at the point. I think he could also quarterback the power play as well. For those that are concerned about him being important from Russia, don't be.

He plays in the CHL, so he should be able to come to the Pits for Penguins or Wilkesbury anytime. And then finally, Lee and Bishol, excuse me, so we have him come to Kandre, Milder, and Eric Chernak, He's six foot five, so I'm sure Brian Burke and Ron Hextall would love someone like that. Very good skater, plays with an edge. There's offensive upside not as much right now, but I think with the right coaching down in Wilkesbury and down in some other junior leagues and potentially up with the penguins, I think he could potentially grow there.

I think he could be a steady second-paring guy. I don't think he's ever going to be a top-paring defenseman, but I do think he can be at least a second-perry guy like a King Andrene Miller. Now, for the players that are in range at 21, the players that we put in this category, Owen Pickering, who I did talk about yesterday, Isaac Howard, left-winger, a couple of comps for him,

Braden pointed Matt Zuccarello. He's very dynamic, has beautiful hands, just put on the highlight clip. The saw surpasses that he'll dish up are just absolutely gorgeous. Very strong skater. I think he can improve there as well. Obviously, he's not that big, only 5-2, 182.

But I think he definitely, I think, has room to grow a little bit there. Can put on some weight and all that. Denton, Maya Chuck, defenseman, 511, 188. A couple comps for him, Adam Fox and Devon Taves. Very great puck mover. He can skate. Elite in transition, always makes great decisions with a puck on his stick. Also has a great shot at the point.

Maybe can quarterback the power play. He hasn't really done that. in a lot of his games that I've seen at least. But, you know, again, he's also not that big of a defenseman either. You know, how much is his, you know, lack of size going to impact his ceiling? But, you know, great hockey sense. And, again, great skating, booming shot. He can do it all for you as a defenseman.

So, you know, I think any one of these players will be really good for the penguins. At 21, Liam Ogrin will throw in there. there as well. Yager Furcus, we compare him to Jake Ensel and Kevin Vialla. He also has a heck of a shot. A little bit of a smaller frame, but he gets to the dirty areas a la a patch of Hornquist. So if I were to throw another comp in there, I would kind of compare him to Hornquist a little bit.

I guess a hornquist with a much better release, to say, at least, and someone who you can put not just in front of the net, but he can be a trigger man on one of the circles. He can beat defenders one-on-one. And, you know, his playmaking ability is also very good. You know, when we were watching him, though, looked very similar at times to Phil Kessel with how he was able to dish the puck across the offensive zone.

And his release, well, it's not Kessels to say the least. I don't think anyone has a release quite like that. It's still pretty good. Now, to some players who we have as hexy guys, and we have that as players that profile to, you know, past Ron Hextalls and prior selections and Brian Burke's, truculence and all that, you know, again, this does not mean they're bad selections, just guys who fit, who, what they might be looking for.

So Ryan Chesley, a defenseman, six foot, 195 pounds. He's all situations who has good skating. He's decent in transition, though he's not, doesn't have bring a lot of offense just yet. We have him, I got Brian Duman, Ryan Lindgren, comp, and there's nothing wrong. but that kind of player. You know, Dumlin was very good for this team for many years. And Ryan Lingren, I think is on his way to being a very good defenseman for the Rangers. But, you know, I don't think you're going to get a lot of offense out of him.

Maverick Lamarou, another defenseman, 6-7, 200 pounds. That is a perfect Brian Burke, Truculins pick right there. Nathan Gotchier, Center, 6-3, 207 pounds, right-hand shot. We got him compared to Kevin Hayes at him. I've already talked on him a little bit on a prior episode, classic big body center. But, you know, he's not really elite anything. He's kind of elite riser, but he's probably only going to be a bottom six center if he does make the NHL, in my opinion.

And yes, the player that people were talking on a penguin Twitter today, Rukder McGority, right winger, 6-1, 200 pounds. He is highly skilled, though, has a very nice shot. Nice vision on the ice. He's great. In front of the net, I mean, you've got to say, he weighs a ton. But he also has, again, a nice shot from the outside of the net. His skating, I do think, could use a bit of an improvement.

But, you know, if it doesn't, you know, I think that's definitely going to impact his ceiling. You know, the comps we have for him, Chris Crider and Tyler Toffoli. you know, we all saw just what Chris Kreider just did this year. And then lastly, Jimmy Snuger Rudd, right winger, 6-1, 186 pounds. Another comp to Chris Kreider. He's probably not to be ready until 2025. He's dangerous with the puck. Very good one-on-one skill.

Great vision. Elite shot from honestly anywhere on the ice. He can win puck battles for you along the boards. Again, skating's a little bit of a question mark there. There could be his downfall. But, you know, I think there's. also potential work to be had there. And then for the lottery tickets,

already touched on Brad Lambert, Lane Hudson, Jack Hughes, the other Jack Hughes, and Noah Warren. So the players, you know, I've already said my top two, that if they're available at 21, I would take, Daniel O'Uerov, or Lane Hudson. You know, Hudson, if he pans out, you know, he's going to be a very good defenseman for years to come. Miro Saneco, I think I would take him if he were there as well.

Frank Zanar, Nazare, excuse me, if he falls, I'll be more than happy to get him. But, you know, if you want to go out there and get a Brad Lambert who, you know, he could succeed. Trust me. It's kind of 50-50 when it comes to me. You know, I personally am leaning on the side of caution.

I don't see it, but, you know, these are prospects and anything can really happen. but this spot that the Penguins are in, a lot of times it's a crapshoot. I mean, more times than not, you're probably not going to get a true impact player at the 20 or 21 pick. You know, a lot of times you're just going to get someone who can play in your bottom six or something like that. You know, for every, you know, I guess Jake Gensel you find in the initial draft, even below the first round or something like that, you know,

there's a whole bunch of Casperi Capitans out there. waiting to find their way onto an actual roster. So that concludes this episode for the Lock on Penguins podcast. Let me know what you all think about Jason and I's big board. Did you like it? Who do you have higher on your boards? Not just let me know in the YouTube comments. You can send me a DM on Twitter and all that.

I haven't set up to message requests, but I still check them when I'm DMing people. So let me know who do you want the Penguins to take tomorrow night in the first round if they do pick and who else are you looking at them taking in the next few rounds after that. So again, thank you all so much for listening. I really appreciate everyone that listens to this podcast

and we will do another one of these on Thursday. I'm either going to be doing a live stream on the YouTube channel after the Penguins make their pick or I'm going to do something a little bit before that I will let you all know either way, whether it's on my Twitter account for the show or my personal Twitter account. again thank you so much for listening and i'll be back on thursday