Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Are the Penguins teasing a Marc-Andre Fleury announcement?

Starting point is 00:00:00 were one day away from getting set to watch the Penguins Prospects in the Prospects challenge. Which lines are you going to see? Well, Pat and I are going to discuss that right after this. 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'm one of your host, Hunter Hodes.

Starting point is 00:00:31 You can follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes, joined by my host, Patrick Damby can follow him on all social media platforms at Send him for Wet. You can follow this show's Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. And you can follow the show's Instagram at Lockdown underscore Penguins. Of course, thank you all so much for making this, your first listen slash watch today. We are free and available on all platforms. And finally, today's episode is brought to you by Fandul, down the Fandul app right now, by visiting Fandle.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins.

Starting point is 00:01:03 Pat, we are literally little less than 24 hours away from at least watching a little bit of hockey. It's glorified exhibition tournament, but I still want to see how the top Penguins prospects do because the Penguins will kick off the Prospects Challenge on Friday, 3.30 p.m. start time against the Boston Bruins prospects, and then they'll play the Columbus Blue Jadgets prospects on September 14th, which is Sunday at the same time, 3.30. So if you want to catch that at the end of the Steelers, Seahawks game, go ahead and watch that. And then they will finish it up by hosting the Sabres, or not hosting the Sabers, by playing the Sabers,

Starting point is 00:01:39 who are hosting the tournament, I should say, on Monday at noon. All three games will be streamed on the Penguins website. Free of charge, you don't have to go to Stream East, rest and beast of that website, by the way. You can watch all the games on the Penguins official website. And Pat, courtesy of Taylor Haas, great reporter for D.K. Pittsburgh Sports.

Starting point is 00:01:59 Shout out to her. She put some of the line combinations that, some of the Penguins prospects were practicing on during the practice session today in Cranberry before all the prospects head up to Buffalo for the prospects challenge. And there's some pretty intriguing lines here. There's one in particular that I want to start with because I kind of hinted at it in my column today for the hockey news. I wrote this before these lines were made. And it was the possibility of Kale Dock playing with Ben Kendall because they are going to be teammates this year in the WHL for the Calgary Hitman.

Starting point is 00:02:30 Kale Doc was really good in the BCHL last year. He's playing this year in the WHL. Then, of course, he's going to go to Penn State. And I wrote that. I want to see if we get some of that because I think they're going to play together in the WHL this year. They should. I think those are obviously, Kendall is the best player on his team,

Starting point is 00:02:44 my opinion. But I think Doc has the potential to be also really good. And it looks like, hopefully we are going to get that. They were on the same line today. Doc, Kendall, and Avery Hayes. So really excited about that. You also saw a line of Tristan Brose and Billy Coivineninan. we talked about Covenin a bit yesterday, why we want to see him dominate this, even though

Starting point is 00:03:04 he probably shouldn't be here. But again, Pat, the one thing I want to start with is Doc and Kindle. I really want to see if they have some chemistry here, because if they do, could be a special duo in the WHO this year where maybe they could even light up the lead together. No time like now to start working on that chemistry. And it works twofold, like you said, they have a chance to light up the WHL together. and you know that they're not going to get to practices in the WHL at least for another, about a month or so just because of how NHL training camps work.

Starting point is 00:03:40 A lot of guys are going to be getting their first taste of NHL training camp action before junior leagues open back up and those guys get sent back. So you don't expect to see them, at least I don't, very long in training camp. in a couple of weeks. They might get a day or two to get familiarized with the Lemieux complex and PPG paints arena and have some meetings with hockey operations and development staff. And then they'll be sent on their merry way back to their junior teams. But it's a good place for them to start to get a little familiarized with one another's

Starting point is 00:04:20 tendencies, the way they play. And then you can see what they do in game action together against better competition because you're going up against top prospects for a couple of different organizations. So it's a good jump start for them. I look at the Hayes-Bros Coivinen line. And I see that as a we're watching you kind of line for the organization. Obviously, we know Covenin is more than likely NHL ready and is probably going to be on

Starting point is 00:04:48 the team out of camp. Bros is going to be somebody I think they keep an eye on throughout the season. They see how he's doing in the HL. And if they want to give him an opportunity to play in the NHL this year, they're kind of looking at that line and going, let's see what you got here. And if you put together a nice little performance at the Prospects Challenge and have a good camp,

Starting point is 00:05:11 you might be one of the first players we bring up from the AHL this year. So that to me is very interesting. There's a, this isn't a forward line. This defense me pairing that I saw today. and I'm trying real hard, Hunter. I'm trying real hard not to put the cart ahead of the horse here. I know which one you're going to say, so just say it. Neil Pian and Emmy and Harrison Brunich on one pairing together.

Starting point is 00:05:39 And Brunich talked to Haas today, and that's a motivated man. I will tell you this kid, and I know a lot of people will say that and go, what else do you expect him to say? But a lot of confidence and a lot of motivation for him. And given the state of the penguins defense, he puts up a good camp. He could force him to stay. And he's got to have a five-star camp. But the way the kid's talking, the way he played last year,

Starting point is 00:06:06 I'm curious to see what he does in the tournament and then what he does at camp. I mean, he had a five-star camp last year. So maybe he can do it again and then force the management, the coaching staff to really have some tough calls to maybe even just give him a trial, even though, again, still right now, the right side is crowded to, say the least. I did also read that article. Not going to spoil the whole thing. I want everyone to go check it out for Taylor just because she did a great job getting those quotes and everything like that. And I agree. He's very motivated heading into this year. He wants to stay in the NHL for

Starting point is 00:06:37 the full year. Still, TBD on what happens with the CHL-AHL agreement. The CHL is still doesn't look like they're budging. As of right now, I don't think it's going to kick in this year, but we still have a few more weeks, but you know, TBD on that. But that's still a pair. I mean, to be watching because with P&M, me as well, he's going to be in Wilkesbury this year. We talked about it on Wednesday. I could also see him potentially being, you know, a call up at some point during the year.

Starting point is 00:07:04 It may not be like the first one on the left side defensively, but maybe a little bit further down in the pecking order, if there's some injuries or maybe if he's just lighting up Wilkesbury, for example, I could see being like, hey, we're going to reward you just as you keep developing. And maybe we can give you a brief stint in the NHL. This type of tournament is a much better way to evaluate these type of prospects. Like even during development camp, a lot of those are just glorified practices, even the scrimmages. I don't think everyone is going super hard.

Starting point is 00:07:31 It's funny. Like still recap it like, oh, this player made a cool play. Like, but like during these games, you're going to see these players, I think, oh, 100%. Like that's how we can get it. It's, it's better for analysis for a couple of reasons. One, we talked it to death during developmental camp. That is quite literally them putting them on a track for development. It has no real value other than this is what we want to see you guys do,

Starting point is 00:07:56 both individually and as a collective. But then you get to this, they're turning the scoreboard on. They are playing real hockey. It's full contact. It's full speed. It's a competitive environment. And you're going to see both how these guys fit into a system and into a team environment. We're probably going to get a little bit of an early look at what Dan Mews might

Starting point is 00:08:21 want to do this year. Don't take too much away from it because obviously the majority of the guys that you're going to see in this tournament, you're not going to see at the NHL level this year. But we know how NHL teams operate now. Everything is connected in your organization. You're running, if not the exact same, a very similar system in the AHL, a very similar system in the ECHL. That way it's all uniform.

Starting point is 00:08:50 when you get to the NHL, you know what your role is and what is expected of you. So you get a better chance to evaluate both how these guys fit into the system and what they're going to do within a team environment and how they're going to work in that environment over the course of a season or wherever they end up. So like you said, development camp, it's basically just workout sessions with a little bit of hockey sprinkled in. We're getting a lot closer to the real thing when you get to the prospect. challenge. Yeah, I mean, these are like legit games. Like you're going to see the players go 100%.

Starting point is 00:09:24 Like during development camp when I was there like, yeah, it was cool taking some videos of, you know, Harrison Brunuch doing his things. You know, I didn't get this on video, but you know, Caldok had a nasty between the legs pass for a really good scoring chance. And yeah, that's cool. But now we get to see these players, you know, go zero to 100 during games here. And then you're going to carry that over in the training camp, Pat, where everyone is going to be trying during that as well. You could really start making some statements like, oh, like this player is developing nicely or, you know, they might be something here or another player where haven't seen enough during camp yet. So these two things coming up, especially the prospect challenge here and then training

Starting point is 00:10:02 camp, that's what you're really going to be looking at for a lot of these young prospects. But that would do it for this first segment. Coming up in the second segment, a former Penguins head coach has officially announced his retirement. And Pat and I are going to disqualify. that right after this. But before we get to that, we have to tell you all about our first sponsor, and that is Monarch Money. Most people can't even name all their financial accounts or even what they're worth, whether it's 401Ks, properties, or investments. And when you don't have the full picture, you can end up leaving money on the table. That's why there is Monarch money. It is an all-in-one personal finance tool that brings your entire financial life together in one clean, easy-to-use

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Starting point is 00:11:28 I'm one of your host, Hunter Hodes, joined by my co-st, Patrick Damon and Pat. It's an end of an era. Michelle Tyrion, former Penguins head coach, has officially announced his retirement. He hasn't coached in the NHL in a little bit, Pat, but he officially called it quits. And I know when you think of Michelle Terian, I think a lot of people think of his amazing rant, his post-game rant, where calls all the players, has the thing about Max Talbot calling him five foot eight and just going like or and I've quoted this on the show before. You know, am I going to be happy to play eight minutes?

Starting point is 00:12:01 No, I'm not going to be happy to play eight minutes. It's a rant for the ages. I try to watch it at least once a year, maybe more. It's incredible. But even outside of that rant, he really like, as far as coaches go, he like started the foundation of success for this hockey team. It carried over into Dan Bilesma. and then once Mike Sullivan was hired to carry over into him, and then the rest was history,

Starting point is 00:12:25 back-to-back Stanley Cubs, Dan Bilesma obviously won in 2009. But the job that Michelle Tarian did, taking that team to the final in 2008, taking that Red Wings team to six games where they probably didn't deserve to go six games against that Red Wings team, because I think that's the best team.

Starting point is 00:12:41 One of the, I think they are the best team of the cap era. They're one of the best teams I've ever seen of my lifetime. He did a great job that year. And again, he was really, he was like the starting piece for the foundation of the penguins would end up being during the crosbie mulk in letang years and you know i wish him the very best of his retirement hunter i really think you try to be the worst defensive podcaster on the locked on network and you're doing a great job at being the worst defensive podcaster on the locked on network

Starting point is 00:13:13 no but i dude i am i am right there with you and i bring it up all the time because I'm such a nerd, but the Penguin's 50th anniversary doc, they talked to a lot of people about that. I don't think, if my memory serves, they don't talk to him directly about the rant, but Tom McMillan basically came out because he was doing communications still with the team at the time, and he basically said, that was not an accident.

Starting point is 00:13:42 That was not on the spot. It was an improv. He didn't get heated after a game and just blow, his top. He knew he was going to do this. It was a, it was a, people think it's a madman rant. No, it was, it was a planned thing to call his team out because they were struggling. And even though they weren't quite the Crosby era penguins just yet at that moment, you could see the potential on that team and they were not playing up to it. They were struggling. And that was Tarian kind of pushing that last button of, okay, if you guys aren't going to listen to me, if you're not

Starting point is 00:14:24 going to listen to yourselves, if you're not going to take the message from these losses, I'm going to embarrass you. And the thing about Tarian is he was a notoriously hard coach, he was notoriously strict, but he wasn't unfair. And he wasn't, I know this is going to sound contradictory. He wasn't mean. He wasn't the guy who was going to embarrass you. or put you out in front and call you out,

Starting point is 00:14:52 unless he knew it served a purpose and it rarely ever happened. That rant was the moment for it to be the rare moment when he could do it. Because essentially, he was like, all right, I know these guys are going to figure it out. This is how I'm going to do it. The other thing, like you said, he set the foundation and it flies under the radar because of how successful the penguins have been for the last 30.

Starting point is 00:15:18 some odd years. He's the fourth most winning, winningest coach in the penguins history. 135, 105, and 32 from 06 to 09. He really did begin this era. All the love in the world to Eddie O. He was in over his head. And it was a different era of the penguins where they just were trying anything and see what would stick.

Starting point is 00:15:44 And then Tarian comes in. He gives this young, talented. potential-filled team, more structure, teaches them how to play a professional game. And like you said, yeah, they flew through the 2008 Eastern Conference playoffs, but they were not ready to be champions yet. They leaned a lot on their own talent in the Eastern Conference field. They were just better than the three teams that they played. The Red Wings, however, that was where he showed them.

Starting point is 00:16:18 you have to be willing to play 200-foot hockey against the truly great teams, or you're going to get run over. He started the process of getting that team to learn how to win again. I think that's the best way I can put it. And then Dan Bilesman was able to finish it off when he took over. And then they won the Stanley Cup in 2009. And then, you know, obviously after that, they won the other two with Mike Sullivan. But I really do feel like he kind of, Terry, and that is he started the process of getting that team to learn

Starting point is 00:16:48 what it takes to win. Remember during the 0-607 season, they get to the playoffs. Everyone is stoked. You go up against a damn good senators team and they just bully the penguins right out of the building. Like, oh, you made the playoffs. We're going to show you what playoff hockey is all about. Penguins took that wound. You know, they kind of festered inside them and they come out the next season and they just run through the Eastern Conference. But they still weren't ready to be crowned champions that because they went up against a true championship team next year i know terrian gets fired for dam bozma but they go up against that redwigs team and you know again i've said it before you know game four it felt like at that point like they were ready like and it was

Starting point is 00:17:30 a process over multiple years where i really think he instilled in them or started to like this is what it's going to take to win in this league and i will always give him credit for that like that's I want to do. And that's really, I don't mean this in a negative way because it has such value, especially in the NHL. Michelle Tarian is a setup coach. He's rarely going to be the guy, if ever, that's going to win you a Stanley Cup behind the bench. But he is the guy who is going to be before the guy. He's the guy who is going to come in, create a structure, teach a team what it takes to win, And again, I know that sounds contradictory because I just said he's not the guy that wins for you, but he's the guy that takes a team that has all this potential, all this raw talent,

Starting point is 00:18:23 but doesn't have structure and puts it in place. Because let's be honest here, when you look at the way those penguins teams played, they were kind of boring because he is a defensive coach. he's a coach that teaches you how to play responsible hockey. And Crosby's rookie year, the Penguins were exciting, and they played an exciting brand of hockey, but they stunk defensively. They were genuinely bad defensively.

Starting point is 00:18:56 We think it's bad now defensively. It was worse when Crosby first got into the league. That team, they thought they could go out, they could outscore everybody seven to six, in 8 to 7, whatever you want to call it. And they got a reality check as a young group that you can't play that way in the NHL. It's fun from time to time, but eventually it catches up with you. They bring in Tarian.

Starting point is 00:19:23 Tarian puts that structure in place, teaches them that mentality. And then in 2009, Dan Bilesma comes in. And at the time, it was the perfect middle ground of, we're not going to totally sacrifice defensive play, but we're going to take the shackles off a little bit, and we're going to play good, solid, fast hockey, but not at the expense of defense. And what do you know?

Starting point is 00:19:51 It worked. They won the Stanley Cup. They beat the Red Wings in seven games, and the rest was history. So, again, thank you, Michelle Tarian. Wish you the best in retirement. And I think that'll do it for the second segment of today's episode. coming up to end the show, Pat, there is a very cryptic tweet put out by the Penguins this morning about Mark Andre Fleury.

Starting point is 00:20:12 What could that mean? Well, we're going to have some fun with that coming up right after this. But before we get that, we have to tell you all about our final sponsor, and that is Fandall. The NFL season is here, and Fandle is making sure you're ready for kicked off with a can't miss offer. Right now, new customers can bet just $5, and if your bet wins, you will get $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. I love using Fandul because it fits however you like to bet, player props, building a same game parlay, or even just jumping in live as the action unfolds.

Starting point is 00:20:46 It makes every game more exciting, whether you're watching your team or just keeping it high on your fantasy lineup. It's also quick, easy, and the best way to add a little more energy to Sundays. So are you ready to play? If you are, download Fandall app right now by visiting Fandle.com to get started. That's Fandle.com to place your first $5 bet. All right, we're back here in this episode. of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I'm one of your host, Hunter Hodes,

Starting point is 00:21:14 joined by my co-host, Pat Trampe and Pat. Very cryptic tweet put out by the Penguins this morning, tweeting, starting our day with a balanced breakfast, aka the Flurry Flakes and a fleury bobblehead next to there with some orange juice as well. Looks like a couple coffee mugs as well, a little bit of milk too. Pat, what could this mean? You also have Alan Walsh, his agent, his longtime agent,

Starting point is 00:21:39 tweeting, as Bruce brings to him, saying there is something happening somewhere, I just know that there is. Hmm. I wonder what this could be about. Are you retiring as number, signing a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins? Those are just the main two things that come to mind. But I don't believe the Penguins put that out by accident.

Starting point is 00:22:01 I think there is definitely something that's going to be announced regarding Flurry at some point in the near future. I don't know what, but I don't think they just did that for the sake. of doing it. I didn't know about the Alan Walsh post. So that's new to me. Yep. And we know Pittsburgh might love Mark Andre Fleury. And we do. But we don't love him more than Alan Walsh does. Yeah. And I don't mean that as an insult to Pittsburgh. Alan Walsh, man, he rides and dies with Mark Andre Flurry. We all remember the sword tweet. Yes, you. do. But I think about it this way. I don't think his number is getting retired, at least not yet.

Starting point is 00:22:49 I don't want to say it's too soon because we know he's retired. He has emphatically said he's done. Right. There's going to be no, oh, I took a year off and then I decided I missed it. He is, he's done. and I do think you want to wait a little bit before you put that number in the rafters. I'm of the, I'm of the mindset, and we've said it on the pod before. All of the big four should be retired at some point, 87, 71, 58, 29. They were all part of the most successful era of Penguins hockey until the next one. And even I don't know if there will be a next one that was this good. So I look at it that way.

Starting point is 00:23:34 I also think they're probably not going to put him in the Penguins Hall of Fame yet. I think they'll wait three, four years to get this first class out of the way. That way they don't take any shine off of the first three classes with Mark Andre Fleury. So if I have to guess, it might be a one-day contract to retire as a penguin. Sorry, Chicago, Vegas, Minnesota, but he's always going to be affiliated with the penguins, no matter what he did in his career. He was the first overall pick here. People to this day, and I mean this in no hyperbole, people still say this to me.

Starting point is 00:24:17 People are still mad. They picked Murray over him. And we're not going to have the debate. I'm just saying it's still a thing that happens. So it wouldn't shock me if they do a one-day contract. He says, I'm retiring as a Pittsburgh company. penguin. I always love this place, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And we all cry happy tears because we love Mark Andre Flahery. That's probably the most likely scenario. I think they would wait to do

Starting point is 00:24:41 a Jersey retirement until if they do it until after 87, 71, and 58. I think those three should take, you know, about most importance just because they've been here for 20 years now. So it's like, come on now. That's obvious. Sid will go first. And I think we'll go, Gino, then I think we'll go let's hang in. You know, I don't want to get into the whole thing as well. I personally don't think Flory should have this jersey retired, but that's also just me. But if you want to do a one-day contract and eventually put them in the ring of honor, which I think they are going to do after they do these first three classes, I think that's going to happen.

Starting point is 00:25:16 Now, Pat, do you have an idea you're cooking here or what's going on? One hour ago from the agent provocateur himself, Alan Walsh, a picture of Mark Andre Fleury in his yellow pads in the current Penguins jersey with the caption, Who misses this flower emoji? Could be, could be the one day contract. Again, I think of the options we have discussed, that's probably the most likely. Anything else would probably be a little bit of a surprise. But I'd be all for that.

Starting point is 00:25:58 like i think having him retire as a member of the penguins that feels right considering how long he was here how close he still is with crosbie malkin and with tang i think that part would feel just right and you also saw the ovation that he got at pbg this past season when he played his final game there and they'll probably stream the press conference if they have a one-day contract thing and that might break youtube honestly it would be a lot of fun but if i had to move over new heights and Taylor Swift, the Mark Andre Flurry contract signings coming for you. That would be nice if they broke all those records. But hey, no more new heights talk for you on this show.

Starting point is 00:26:38 I can't do it. I just, I refuse to watch any part of that show because I just don't care. That's, that's the, that's the bottom line. But we want to spend a few minutes on that. Let us know what you think that post could be about down the comments. Let us know who you're excited to watch in the Prospects Challenge and all that. But that I would do it for today's episode of the locked on, England's podcast. Thank you all so much for taking the time to listen to slash watch this one.

Starting point is 00:27:01 Pat and I will be back with a fresh episode for you guys on Friday. A little bit of fan take. So send us your take, send us your questions. And we'll probably recap a little bit of that first Prospects challenge game as well. And that's why the episode might come out a little bit later tomorrow. Pat and I will talk about it. But for Patrick Dam, I am Hunter Hodes. Thank you guys so much for tuning in. We appreciate it. We'll be back on Friday.

Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Are the Penguins teasing a Marc-Andre Fleury announcement?

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