Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Are the Penguins going to scratch Kasperi Kapanen?

Episode Date: March 11, 2022

Kasperi Kapanen might have reached the point of no return for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He looks to be scratched for tomorrow's game against Las Vegas and Hunter discusses whether this is the right thing to do. Could a trade be coming? Hunter also weighs that possibility while also looking at the Penguins' recent callup. That's right, Valtteri Puustinen was called up by the Penguins today in a move that shocked some people, including Hunter. Could he be replacing Kapanen in the lineup? Where should the team slot him in if he does get some ice time? Could this be the final thing the team does before making a trade? Hunter then previews Friday's game against the Golden Knights and how they match up against the Penguins, plus some keys to how the Penguins win. He then closes the show with some updates on Kris Letang's contract talks as there may hopefully be a deal done soon.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, everyone, happy Thursday. And of course, we have a lot to get to for this episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. There's always something to talk about with the Penguins. We're going to preview the game against Vegas on Friday. While Robin Leonard is probably not going to play, so the Penguins are probably going to get either their backup or the backup to the backup. We're also going to get to some Mike Matheson talk. It looks like he might be available.

Come tomorrow night, Penguins signed another college tree agent today. Going to get into some of his numbers. Get my thoughts on that. And Valteri Pusinen, he was called up today. and a move that definitely surprised me because the team is relatively fully healthy right now of all of that, plus much more, especially Crystal Tanks contract status coming up for today's episode. You're Locked-on Penguins, your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day.

Well, welcome back to another episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. We're going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter. Hodes, follow this show's Twitter at L.O. and Swingland's End, of course, thank you all so much for listening. Well, making this your first listening season. It's been a while since I screwed that up. Again, I'm wearing another Virginia Tech shirt.

They got another win at the ACC tournament tonight against Notre Dame. Hopefully that's enough to send them into the dance, but who knows at this point with the NCAA committee. The bubble is a very annoying place to be, to say, at least. But enough of that, let's get into the hockey talk. We'll sort out today with some news from practice. Mike Matheson, as I teased, he was back in a full contact capacity. This was his first time back fully practicing with the team. He wasn't taking his usual line rushes.

He was kind of on, I think the bottom hearing of P.O. Joseph. But I'm not really going to read too much into that. Sullivan did say after practice that they're going to see how he responds tomorrow and then make a decision from there. So he was not ruled out of the game on Friday, though. I'm wondering if they are going to play it a little safe for him and then maybe he'll come back on Sunday against Carolina. it is good news because especially, you know, he was week to week at the start of the injury, but I believe he's only going to miss, what, two weeks. If that, you know, honestly it might be a week and a half.

Yeah, I believe it's close to two weeks. So it could have been a lot worse. Matheson said to the media today that he had been playing with this injury for about three to four games before it really just got worse and then he had to come out and he had to get treatment on it. But to have him come back, that's going to be a big deal. I know Mark Freeman is probably going to come out of the lineup. He's been really good.

But, you know, Matheson has just been that much better this year. And, you know, it makes the penguins that much healthier, disabledly. So really excited about that. Now, there was something else that happened to practice today. And in case any of you all did not see it on social media, you come here for the news, the penguins decided to have Kasperi captain out of line rushes. He was kind of mixing it a little bit on the fourth line. But Brian Boyle was kind of taking his spot.

Dominic Simone was in there as well. I think it was Evan Rodriguez. That was on the second line with Danny Malkin. And, you know, with Valteri Pusinen's call up today, I think Caponin is getting scratched tomorrow. I think Mike Sullivan has had it. I think the organization is fed up. I know what Brian Burke said to Josh Yoey of the athletic a couple days ago

when he said, yeah, you know, he's just, he's having a rough ear. I mean, he didn't really crush him. But I think he let everyone know that, you know, the management is not happy with how he's playing. I understand the guys in a slump, but this is a results-oriented business. If you're not playing well and you're not getting the results out of a player that, you know,

eats up three and a half million against your cap, when the trade deadline is in almost a week and a half now, it's got to be some tough decisions. And I don't know if this is going to be the thing that clicks for him. Now that he's out of the lineup or something, this has got to be one of the first times he's been scratched since he became an initial regular. But, you know, it is something now that, you know, Selly's really much thinking about scratching happening.

And my first thought when Pustin was called up, I was like, okay, is there maybe a trade coming? Because they have 13 forwards. I know Jason Zucker is the only one that's not healthy. It was just a bit weird because, you know, why would you be calling up a forward, you know, when you're mostly healthy? But I personally think he could be playing on Friday. I know Brian Boyle has really impressed a lot of people this year. I know he was taking part in line rushes.

But I still want to see what this kid can do at the initial level. He's been Wilkesbury's best player this year. He's close, I think, to a point for game. If I remember correctly, leads the team in goals as well. He's really lit it up down there. And he's probably their best forward prospect on that team right now. And, you know, I think it's about time he does deserve a shot. You know, maybe he'll play in the bottom six to start.

I don't think they're going to start him off on him. I'm getting Malkins wing, that might be a little too much. because, you know, he's barely even played in the NHL, of course. But, you know, it makes sense. You know, with how, again, Emalcon's line, there's just been so much turnover there. And he hasn't had consistent linemates all year, you know, I guess, I guess what the hell not?

Though I know I just said a couple of seconds ago, I wouldn't expect it. But if he were to somehow be on that second line, I also wouldn't mind it at the same time just because, you know, they've tried so much already this year. I guess. But, you know, again, I know Boyle's played well. I know Simone's been fine.

But it's about time this team starts getting more depth scoring. If he can provide that, that would be huge. You know, I know Brian Burke has said as well, you know, maybe our best options are internal. Well, they're obviously trying this right now. You know, I don't know how aggressive run Hextel wants to be at the deadline. You know, I know Josh Ewing a couple other reporters, you know, myself included on the podcast, we want the team to, you know,

go all-a-all-exha. in and be aggressive. I know the team is all in, but you got to go out to make a move or something like that. But, you know, this is probably one of the options that they have. And if this doesn't work and he doesn't score for the next few games, if he does play these next few games, and I think Ron and Brian are going to say, okay, you know, maybe we will have to go outside the organization and look for some help,

you know, if they're still on, I guess, the edge about it. So definitely was a bit surprised by the call-up, but, you know, I guess looking at it as well, you know, it definitely has its pros if he does play because he was caught up earlier this season i made a big deal out of it on one of my episodes and he didn't end up playing now when the team has 13 fully healthy fords jason zuckers probably a couple weeks down the line he's being called up something something's got to be coming um at least with a healthy scratch with capstan and and you know i i hope that pusen in does come in because you know how he has played in wilkesbury um it does

make a lot of sense. So those are the two big things to come out of practice today. We'll see what Mike Matheson's status will be tomorrow. I would assume he'll be a game time decision, though I also could see Mike Sullivan saying, you know what, I'm going to keep him out for a game, have him do another full contact practice, see how he responds to that,

and then, you know, potentially play him on Sunday against Carolina. But Matheson's return is very imminent. And again, this team will only be one injured player away from being fully healthy. I'm just going to knock on wood for you all there. So again, those were the full practice updates today. Now, there was another decently sized news, I guess, from the Penguins. It's not the crystal tank stuff.

I'm going to get to that a little later on in the episode. But they agreed to terms, if I can find the beautiful tweet here. Yes, here it is. College Free Agent Forward. Corey, I do not want to screw up his name because I screwed up Louis Deming's name at the earlier part of the season,

and I'm not going to do this here. So Corey Andovsky, I was very free and painless. I get very nervous if I'm going to screw up names on the show. It is a two-year entry-level contract. Contract's going to begin during the 2020-2020-season. He's going to report to Wilkesbury on an amateur tryout contract. Again, as I said about a week or two ago, any time a team that's in contention get a prospect for free,

you do it. You don't have to give up anything to get a player like this. I mean, he's not going to, you know, count for anything against the cap unless you bring in a lot. It's a two-year deal. So, again, I'm totally fine with this. You know, it looks like he's had a pretty decent year as well. I believe he was his college's leading score this year.

Yeah, Princeton, 10 goals, 22 points in 31 games. I know Princeton is not usually, you know, good at hockey, but, you know, the fact that he's averaging almost a point per game on a pretty bad team, that shows something at least to me. I'll be curious to see how it does on a trial with Wilkesbury. But again, any time you can add to your prospect pool for free when you don't have a lot of prospects, you do it. You know, I know some people are making a big deal out of this well.

You know, Ron's adding a lot of prospects. You know, maybe he's sending some out. you know, I don't know if that's truly going to be the case. I think he just sees the opportunity to add to a pretty barren pool. You know, you take those anytime you can, at least in my opinion. Now, coming up in the next segment, we're going to do a full preview for the Vegas Golden Knights. Jack Iko will be in the lineup on Friday.

Mark Stone will not go into the results lately and why this team has definitely not been the same Golden Knights team as old. But before we do that, it's that time of year again as college basketball's tournament. Yes, March Madness is finally upon us from all the latest odds, contests, and player props. Betelmine.com is the number one source for all of your sports betting needs and info. Benaline remains the best spot for all of your sports scores, podcasts, and news this season. And it's also not just basketball. Ben online is your continued source for all of your sports wagering information needs,

including live betting and your favorite Vegas casino games. Head to the website today or to use a mobile device to learn more about the trends and action. bed online where the game starts. All right, we're back here on this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. We're going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes all of the shows, Twitter, at L.O. underscore Penguins. So Penguins on Friday, remember the Penguins raised a three-gold deficit

when they played Vegas earlier this year in Las Vegas. And that's usually a building that it's very hard to win in. But the Penguins were able to really turn it up on Vegas. Those last 40 minutes, they outplayed them. very badly and got rewarded as such with a win. So tonight, Vegas is actually playing Buffalo right now. It's funny enough, it is Jack Eichols' return to Buffalo. If I can find you a Buffalo, as of right now, they're up one to nothing on Vegas.

Obviously, Buffalo is booing Eichol. I don't really know why. I kind of think that's just a bit of BS. But for Vegas this year, you know, Robin Lennar's obviously. been the starter, but, you know, he's been, you know, he hasn't been as good as he normally is. I mean, he's sure he saved almost eight goals above expected, but only a 909, say, percentage, 2.77 goals against average. He will not be in the lineup, though, for Vegas. He was actually sent back home for further evaluation for his injury. So it's either going to be

Lauren Bursua in net, or they're going to start a guy that has not even five games of an initial experience. And I can already see it now. That guy is going to Stonewall the penguins and make 44 out of 45 days in a 2-1 Las Vegas Golden Knights win. Hopefully not, but that's just happened too many times in the Penguins over the years, and I just, I do not need to see it happen again. Overall, underlying numbers-wise with the Vegas Golden Knights, if I can find them here on Money Park. 52% of the expected goals, 52% of the actual goals, pretty decent, you know, plus 12 goal differential. We've been on the ice for 52% in the shot attempts at even strength. So, you know, not bad numbers.

Goals, I'm just looking, they're shooting, I'm looking at their shooting percentage. It's not really that high, only shooting 8% on shots on goal. That's, you know, there's definitely, you know, been, I think, some unlucky stuff with Vegas. Say a percentage on shots on goal. 9.15 overall goaltening. So, I mean, that's right around me, average. That's, you know, pretty decent, I guess, at least. I know if Leonard was having a better year, that would probably be up to 920, 921 or something like that. Goals 4.62.62.2.2.7. This is still a team that's pretty decent defensively.

And, you know, even without Mark Stone, this is still a deep team. Their top line of Max Petruetti, Jack Eichol, and Jonathan Marge. So that means no introduction. Those three players are three of the best players in the NHL. I'll say that right now. I mean, I love watching Jack Eichol play. I'm happy that he's back. healthy. Max Pachretti is always underrated. Jonathan Marcoso has been great since coming over Vegas. Their second line has a Venni Dadov and William Carlson. It is always interesting to see, you know, the Carlson with Margeau line a little split up, but also, you know, Riley Smith has been banged up a lot this season, so he has not been able to play much. Chamler-Stevon anchors, the third line with William Carrier, and then the fourth line has a bunch of players

that I've honestly never heard of it. It is not often that I can look at a team just because of how much I follow the league and say, okay, I've never heard of some of these guys. Well, Vegas's fourth line has three players that I'm pretty sure are HL callups. Defensively, it is awesome that they can roll out, Alex Petrangelo and Shea Theodore. They are that good. Both number one defensemen.

They can play them on their own pairings too, which is I'm glad they're doing that. If you would pair them together, it doesn't make their defense, I think, as formidable. You know, there's obviously Zach White Clouds up there. You know, Hutton is still there. But, you know, I'm pretty sure that

they've also been missing Martinez this year for a little bit. You know, this has been a Vegas team that's been decimated by injuries. And obviously a lot of Penguins fans can, you know, sympathize for that. But I just, it is pretty crazy that, you know, they're missing quite a few pretty good players this year. But overall, you know, for the Penguins to win this game, you know,

they got to start out better. You know, they can't have a bad 20 minutes like they did against Florida. It's just, you know, that's the bottom line there. They've been starting out a lot of games pretty badly at home. And I remember, excuse me, you know, going back to the Alec Martinez thing a little bit. Yeah, he's been banged out for the last three months, actually. He had a facial assertation on November 11. Then he tested positive.

he's been practicing but you know he he still honestly has not been playing i mean this was at least um i think a couple of weeks ago um that i saw but you know he he still remains out i mean he was he was not in the lineup um if i can recall um yeah tonight at least you know he was he was not playing anyways going back to the keys of the penguins you know got to start off better got a four check hard the vibe check has to be there they can't afford to go you know down two or three goals again. I know they did it one time against Vegas, but you know, this is a team that can make you pay in transition as well. The Penguins team defense has to be there. Tristan Jari has to be a bit better than he was on Tuesday against Florida. This is a big

game for the Penguins. You know, they're almost to this, they're towards the end of this stretch against some of the best teams in the league. But, you know, the Rangers, they're getting blown out tonight. Last I checked it was six to one against St. Louis Blues. This is what's just dark in a net. So the opportunity is there. for the Penguins tonight, not tonight, tomorrow night to go two points up on the Rangers. The capitals are also starting to close the door a little bit. They're five points back right now. This team needs, they need to continue to bank points.

You know, with how Vegas has played lately. And, you know, you take a look at the standings. It's pretty crazy that they've been, they were in first place for a lot of this year. But right now, they're only in third or seven points behind the Calgary Flames. Heck, the Edmonton Oilers are only two points behind them for third place. The Knights are only two points out also being out of a playoff spot. That's how crazy it's been in Vegas this year. So very one-moving game for Pittsburgh.

But again, got to start better, got to be better in transition. Team defense, goal-tending. Special teams, of course, Vegas can put out a very good five-man unit. You know, I know a lot of these are just regular old cliches. but you know this is this is a big game i think for pittsburgh and you know hopefully to snap this little home skin that they're on as well so there's a little bit of a preview for what to expect on um friday against the baseball nights looking at their underlying numbers um goaltending wise and the penguins obviously will have a huge advantage with that um but you know definitely

excited to see what happens um there with that game coming up in the next segment we're going to go into some chrysal tan contract talks and why i think you know we hopefully could be getting closer to a resolution than some others may think. So look for that coming up here in the next segment. All right, we're back here on this episode of the locked on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Honour Hodes. We're going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow this shows Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. So Frank Silvervelli, daily face off, went on icebreakers today. And he provided an update on where contract talks stand with the Penguins' best offenseman. And he said that he has heard that Chris Lattang's agent is asking for five years

and a number that starts with seven. Okay. If that is the ask, I understand that the team doesn't want to do five years because he is 35, and that would take him to when he is 40, potentially turning 41. But at the end of the day,

do those last two years even matter? No, right? I mean, I think for all you that listen to the show, I think you would agree with me that those two years, I don't think anyone really cares. The team is probably going to be out of contention at that point. They're going to start to have to really rebuild. But for as long as you have these three playing at an elite level,

you owe it to them, the organization, and the fans to go all in with this core group. I know they have given everything to this team, especially Chris LaTang. But at the end of the day, that is really not a bad ass guy. Sarah Lill also is reporting that the Penguins, they want to do a lower turn,

maybe two to three years, but a higher AAD. So I put out on Twitter today, maybe, hey, three years times eight, I would be curious to see if Tanger would take that. I know it's a bit shorter on the term, but that still takes him to when he's 38, turning 39. I'm not sure if Latang is going to want to play after that anyway.

but that's still a pretty good deal for both sides for the penguins I think they get the shorter term for Latang he gets a nice raise on his contract and rightfully so he definitely I think deserves one but if also if they were to do you know five times 7.5 or you know five times seven eight

five times eight even I don't really think I would be that upset because you know what Tang has just been rock solid this year he was also great last year as well and you know the team I think is still going to be contending for at least three of those five years, in my opinion. At least that's what I think Ron Hextel and Brian Burke should do. I understand the cores, you know, they're only getting

older. But, you know, this has still been a really competitive team this year in a season where, you know, I think a lot of fans didn't really know what to expect, you know, with the Penguins to say the least. So I do think that that, how do I want to say this? For several that when he's reporting, it's not as bad as I originally thought it was going to be. I thought Latang would be asking for like 8.5 to maybe even more. But the fact that it's five years and the number that starts at seven, I definitely think Ron Hechtzalkin more coming out with that. You know, Serrville also said there haven't been too many talks yet.

There's still, you know, a lot of the season to go. The playoffs, obviously, I'm sure the talks are going to heat up maybe during that time or a little bit after the playoffs. But at the end of the day, that's not a bad ask. and I'm really hoping the organization can make something work because if they're going to be cheap and let him walk because they won't go an extra year when you know who really gives a damn

at the end of that contract anyway you know I just the last thing I want again the organization to be is cheap you know I just you know that's not how the penguins have been I know there's been a new ownership group and all that stuff coming in but this is a player that they have to keep around at all costs you do not have a replacement ready for him

in the house. I know there's just some free agents available in the off season, but I also don't trust that they can play at the level that Crystal Tang has these last couple of years. That's for sure. So I wanted to end the show on that note, give my thoughts on that because I really do think that there's a deal to be made here. If they have to do five times seven something, five times eight, or you know, my suggestion of maybe a shorter term three times eight, you know, I see those as wins for the penguins, at least in my opinion. Again, I know the five years is probably a bit too long. But if you can get him for a salary, that's seven, and even if the final two years are not the greatest at the end of the day,

and who really cares, in my opinion. But that'll do it for this episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast. I appreciate all of you listening to this one. I'll be back on Friday for a full game recap episode for the Penguins versus the nights. And we'll also look ahead to Sunday's massive matchup against the Carolina hurricane. So thank you all for listening. I hope you'll have a wonderful Thursday. I'm sure you all will be listening this on Friday since I'm recording this a little later at night. And I'll be back with you in just a few hours on Friday evening.