Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Locked On Penguins 12/3-Special Guest Cam joins to talk some Penguins

Episode Date: December 4, 2019

In this episode of Locked On Penguins, one of Hunter's best friends joins the podcast to talk about the Penguins season so far. We go into Matt Murray's struggles, some trade talk, injuries, Phil Kessel, and much more! 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 and welcome to this edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I have, of course, your host, Hunter Hodes. Follow my Twitter at Hunter Hodes, follow the show's Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. Going into today, I didn't really know what to do too much, since there really isn't too many updates, unless you want more injury in updates, which is bad news. That Patronquist is out long-term. It sounds like it's a knee injury from what I read.

And then Zach Aston-Reece might miss the game tomorrow because of an illness. So now that Penguins are just. starting to get sick and getting injured, which is just absolutely ridiculous this point. So with that said, I wanted to bring on one of my very best friends, a longtime Penguins fan, Cameron Easton. Cam, how you doing today, buddy? Pretty good. Glad to be on here.

Yeah, it's great that I finally got you on here. You're glad that you have time. So, Cam, what is your assessment so far of the Penguins through about, I think, the third of the season so far? You know, dealing with all the injuries, I'm kind of relieved to see they're kind of, of fighting through it. You know what I mean? It's not a team that's giving up. You know, having traded Phil Kessel, you know, who had the Iron Man streak,

you're kind of missing that lack of production in the lineup. But you're seeing these guys from Wilkesbury coming up and really making a name for themselves. Yeah, yeah. They're definitely missing Phil Kessel in a lot of ways. I talked about in the last episode that it was. Of course, he's coming back this Friday on some of my favorite moments that he had. And I guess, yeah, definitely one of them right now is that he was healthy for every game, every season.

He never missed a game, even though he went through a bunch of injuries. Yeah, you're right. Some of the kids that have come up from Wilkesbury have been just outstanding, including Sam Lafferty. He's been a very pleasant surprise. I wouldn't be surprised if he is pushing, making that case to be that 12th forward if the Penguins ever decide to get healthy here. You know, I'd love to have him in the bottom six. he kind of fits that role of a perfect fourth liner. You know, hey, maybe you'll find connection with Malkner,

Crosby later down the line, but right now I think he fits that role. Yeah, he's going to definitely stay in the lineup until the penguins get healthy, which I'm not really sure that they'll ever do. Penguins have players getting injured in practice, just falling down. Patrick Hornquist the other day fell down and practice, got hurt. Brian Rust did the same thing. He's still day-to-day.

So, yeah, I can't. I just, I can't wrap my head around. all these injuries and it looks like it's like 2013-14 again with the lineup that they're icing right now oh i know and you know i got to give credit to players like jared mccann and even brandon tanniv who are really stepping up to the plate and uh making the production for that kind of loss of players you know tannive i i had criticism of that signing but you know maybe later down the line of that contract it's it's not going to be good with the cap situation but right now i think that was a great signing by Jim Rutherford.

Yeah, he's fit everything that they wanted out of him. He doesn't really score a lot, but he's got the kind of player that, you know, he plays a really good defensive game. He kind of reminds me a lot of Carl Haglund in a way that he's really fast and he draws a lot of penalties. I can play on the PK. I've been really impressed with him. And, yeah, Jared McCann has come out in a monster way this season, just putting up great

numbers. I think he's definitely going to be in line this coming off season where he's an RFA. He's going to get a lot of money, I would think. Yeah, he reminds me of, Pascal DePuy when they made that trade for Marion Hosa, he was kind of just the throw-in to that deal with the Bukstad trade. Nobody really thought about McCann, but he really is stepping up to the plate.

And it's, you know, I really loved seeing him that last stretch, the regular season last season. When he had that monster game in Dallas, he just tore it up. And he's having those moments this season. So it's really great to see. Yeah, that I remember that I think that was that shorthand-gole. Yeah, that spinorama. That was pretty nice.

It was insane. Yeah. He's kind of made Bukstad expendable a little bit. I actually would not be surprised if Bukstad is gone by the deadline if the penguins, like I said, the penguins ever get healthy. But a lot of people really didn't think too much of him because everyone thought that Bukstad was going to be their third line center. But it looks like I've just read a while lately that they see McCann now as their long-term third-line center. And that's really, that's really good news. It kind of gives me a little bit of, dare I say, Jordan Stahl vibes out of it.

No, for real. I do agree with that. And it's interesting what we're going to have to see these next two months because Jim Rutherford likes to make his trades earlier before the trade deadline. So I think he's going to evaluate the roster he has right now, even with the injuries. And, you know, they're still being competitive, which is surprising with, you know, not having Crosby and all these players just dropping like flies. So it's going to be interesting to see what Jim Rutherford has up his sleeve. Yeah, the more they keep playing like this and they stay in the hunt, and the more they just have all these injuries, the more I think that I think Jim is, he's going to go big game hunting this trade deadline, try to get another cut for Crosby and Malkin.

And I mean, I really wouldn't be surprised. I don't think they have it in them to do it. I just wouldn't be surprised if they try to inquire a little bit on Taylor Hall out of New Jersey because he really needs to get the hell out of there. You know, I have seen from other, you know, media outlets that Taylor Hall's name has been in the rumblings with the penguins as well. But it's, it's, you know, we're running out of assets. And it's players of the caliber of, you know, Bukstad, maybe even a, you know, Tristanjory. Those are the players you're going to have to give up to get a player like Taylor Hall.

And, you know, some fans might not like that. That's the kind of the price you have to pay. Yeah, and, yeah, especially because, you know, Ray Shiro knows the penguin's prospect system, probably down to a T. And he's done really well with his trades over the years. I know he doesn't have the best team on the ice right now, considering they fired John Hines Day. They've just been a complete disaster. And I kind of felt bad reading Taylor Hall's comments last night. He just, he looks so defeated up there.

And he just, he needs to go to a winning team. And, of course, I get texted while I'm doing this because I look. love when people like to hit me up while I'm recording my podcast, so that's great. But yeah, yeah, I mean, it's just him in the top six, him on the top line. It would be pretty believable, but like you said, it would probably acquire a first-round pick. Top prospects, someone like maybe pool in, P.O. Joseph, who they just got for the Philcastle trade, and then at least another four or two. And that's just my guess, at least.

I think for sure I was going to want a massive haul. Yeah, personally, I really don't see Jim Rutherford actually pulling the trade. on Taylor Hall just based off of the prior trades that he's made. He's not giving up those first rounders as of late, and he needs to develop that system of prospects again, because when you trade for players like Phil Kessel, you know, and you make other major moves, you're getting low on assets.

And, you know, Tristan Jarre's name is the biggest out of them all that we have right now. And with the goalie struggles as of late, You know, do you really want to do that? Maybe down the line, Matt Murray can have an injury. You know, where's that put the penguins at later in the season? Yeah, I mean, I think, yeah, if they don't really try to go after tail haul,

I think for, I think their defense is definitely going to need an upgrade, especially towards the end of the season. Justin Schultz is, I think, is definitely going to walk next offseason. That's, I think, again, at this point, you can't, you can't give him $6 million per anything that he wants. That's just, he's not the player that he has been, and that's definitely concerning. I think they see a second pairing in the future of Pedersen and John Marino, who has just burst on in the scene.

I think he's definitely made Schultz expendable, to say the least. You know, Schultz held his own, and he really helped the Penguins when they really needed it. And, you know, for only, I believe it was a third-round pick to Edmonton, you know, that trade was just remarkable. And, you know, his production is kind of, it has dropped it a little bit. But when you look at the rest of the defense, it's, you kind of, you deal with that because there's the likes of Jack Johnson, you know, and you just kind of shake your head at Jack Johnson sometimes.

But, you know, he's a great guy, though, Cam. He's a great guy. Oh, he's a great guy. He's a great guy. But, no, you know, you can't be. With your cap struggles already, you can't be given that money to Justin Schultz. You need to be putting that money elsewhere. Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, I definitely agree. So, guys, just remember, you know, treat yourself to the meal that you deserve, have your favorite restaurants come to you with DoorDash right now. You guys can need $5 off your first order of $15 or more when you download the DoorDash app and enter the promo code LockedOn. If you can't visit DoorDash right now, you can find this in all your other offers from Lockdown sponsors at Lockdownpodcast.com. slash offers.

So, Cam, I think another thing I wanted to ask you is, what do you think has been going on with Matt Murray this month? He started out the season, so strong, 923 save percentage in the month of October. It was really carrying over his great play from December last year to April this year. And then this month, he's gone down a hill. Now his save percentage is below 900. It was well below 900 this month. He only had two games where he was above 920 in the month of November,

just three games total of above 900. I don't know what's going on with him. You know, we had that small sample size at the beginning of his career where we were like, oh, my God, this guy is, he's our next franchise as goalie. And, you know, I think we were quick to judge that. He's still a remarkable goalie, but he has his streaks. He's a very streaky goalie I've noticed over his past. few years as a penguin.

You know, there's a lot of criticism out there from penguin fans and in media with his glove hand. And I really don't think that's a huge issue, but it's one of those things that's been pointed out. But, you know, there's been times, especially, you know, having the defense, you know, there's been injuries with, you know, let's hang out and all that. and now Doom 1, you're kind of leaving your goal

and hanging back there. And he can only do so much. Yeah, and I just, some of the goals that he's given up lately have not been, they've just been kind of howlers, I'd say, and usually he stops them. I don't think he's hurt.

He keeps coming to practice. Usually when he's hurt, he just, after these bad stretches, he just stops coming to practice. And then it's like, oh, yeah, he's day to day, he's week to week with an injury. But I just think, you know,

he's lost a little bit of his confidence and saying going into a contract year where he's going to be a, stop texting me please. He's going to be a UFA after this season. He's going to want, I mean, is it a U. I think he's an RFA actually, but he's still, he's going to be a free agent. You know, he's going to try to command, what,

$7 million per year. I don't really, I don't really see him getting that, to be honest. No, I don't, I don't see the penguins making that move, especially with the goalie prospects they have in the system. You know, it's going to be very interesting offseason for the Penguins. Yeah, I mean, I wouldn't personally give him seven. You'd be hard-pressed to probably give him six right now,

but I do think he's going to turn around. I think he's too talented of a goalie to not turn around, in my opinion. But we'll see how this December goes for Murray. I think the best way I need to get his comments back is, I don't think you'd start him against the Blues. The Coyotes, I still don't think you start him. I think you start them against the Red Wings on Saturday. They're one of the worst teams in the league.

I talked about this yesterday on the episode. They're one of the worst teams, not just in these, but in the league. And if you can't put up good numbers against them, I think there's something seriously deeper with what's going on. I agree. But, you know, I think you need to go with a hot hand, and that hot hand right now is Trishon Jari. You know, this Penguins team is always a team that shows up in the second half of the season.

I wouldn't be quick to judge. on Murray, because I do see this is just a little downstreet, cold streak form right now. But if this is going to continue on into the second half of the season, it really is going to be a worry, and especially with it being a contract year. Yeah, and it's fine to give Jari more charts. He's earned it. I know it's a relatively very small sample, but he's been over 915, 920s, well over league average goaltending in most of his charts so far this season.

And so, yeah, just keep riding jarring. I mean, eventually, you know, he may regress down a little bit, but then hopefully Matt Murray will be good enough to go back in and give you at least average to above average goal tank, especially last year when he was, he finished top 10 in the league save percentage, top three in save percentage from December all the way until the rest of the season. But even with, what's his name, Casey DeSmith down in Wilkesbury,

I mean, I think he's so underrated. He's had some criticism, but. Just to be a backup, that's all his role should be, and he fits that role perfectly. And he went above the line at call duty, you know, last season when there was that injury, Murray, I believe. Yeah, he went in for that stretch, and he played lights out. Yeah, him and Jari filled in pretty admirably. They gave the Penguins at least average go-tending, and they were able to just salvage and bank some points out of it.

And, you know, the Penguins, they're going to need to get every point that they can right now, especially with all their injuries. Eventually, players are going to get healthy. I think Cindy Crawley is going to be back by Christmas. I mean, that's obviously going to help a big deal. They should, like you said, they're a second-half team. Usually they don't heat up until around Christmas time. It's January, February, and then they hit their stride basically the rest of the way.

But, I think another player I wanted to ask you about is just how good has John Marino been to you? What a steal he's been from Edmonton. I think he's going to be here for a very long time. Every time he, like, touches the puck, I just, I get like, What did Edmonton miss in this kid? I just don't get it. It's been very remarkable. And it's like, it goes to Jim Rutherford again.

It's like he's finding these diamonds in the rough. And, you know, like we said before with, you know, just Justin Schultz contract being up, it's like, you'd rather give that money to a player like John Marino. And you're going to pay cheaper for John Marino. And, you know, he's just, he is the type of defenseman that they've been lacking. and especially with the injuries, it's something they've needed. Yeah, I definitely agree. He's the kind of player that I think that the penguins need to target more often in trades, especially with their salary cap situation.

I've talked about this so many times because obviously you have Cindy Crosby, of Guinea-Malk and Crystal Tang, Jake Ansel, potentially Matt Murray. You have the core players, Bachelor was locked up to these long-term deals. And to keep the run going and to keep your window going, You got to have these, like, cheap players like John Marino on your cap and not make too much money, but they're also really, really good players, too. I know. And he's averaging 19 minutes per game, almost.

And that's just, for a 22-year-old, that's really good. Yeah, I'd almost just put him on the top herring without Brian Doolin, who's, of course, sidelined for two months after an ankle surgery. I'd almost just put him on the top herring until then and just be like, you know what, ride the win with Chris LaTang who's back healthy, but it looks like I agree. It's like, you know, and Sullivan's always been very picky with his lines, but, you know, when you have all these injuries, it's kind of almost like, why not? And, you know, why not pair this guy with this guy?

Just see what happens because, you know, that St. Louis game they played, it was rough. And, you know, maybe you just need a little spark like putting Marino with Latang. Stuff like that is like, you know, what the Penguins kind of need, those spark, little sparks. Yeah, it's, it's, I don't, yeah, I mean, exactly. But you know what? It looks like they want to put Jack Johnson on the top here, which is going to go very poorly for about a game or two until hopefully Mike Sullivan sees it and puts him back on the bottom pairing, which, you know, he's not been, I mean, half bad, I guess, down there. But, you mean, that's not, that's nothing worth talking about either, considering he's just not good anyway. With him, it's not the fact that he's not a bad player.

It's the fact that you're paying $4 million for a guy who's aging, slow, and he's not the bottom of the defensive bearings. That money can be well-suited somewhere else in the lineup. And, you know, I will give credit to Jack Johnson for improving from last season, but there's still parts of his game that are just lacking, and it's kind of hurting the penguins. Yeah, yeah, well, it proved a little bit. bit, but, you know, yeah, like I said, it's not like too, too much to talk about them.

All right. So, Cam, with the, I guess I wanted to talk about this a little bit with you. Obviously, the Arizona coyotes come back, come to town for the first time and the only time this season on Friday, which means Phil Kessel returns to BPG P. and Serena for the first time since being traded for Alex Calchenio, P.O. Joseph. Cam, I know you were at that Penguin's Rainer. Rangers playoff series which game was it again

game two game five it was game two yep and that was an unbelievable even though they lost that game that was an unbelievable game that was really a fun time I think that's got to be come down as one of your favorite Phil Kessel moments right just that goal to make it one nothing yeah it was daily to Benito back to daily

and then it was to Phil Kessel I believe and it was literally right in front of me at glass seats and it was you knew something special was going to happen that playoff run um and not just from that game but just from prior games to that and it was like this team this team is is legit yeah no absolutely and um yeah i just wanted to get your thoughts on you know like what do you what do you think your favorite phil kessel moments were as his time with the penguin

it can be anything from of course the cops to him being funny whatever one underrated thing i think with phil kessel was that Tampa series um i believe it was game six when they were in Tampa And he had that clutch goal to tie the game. I don't know if you remember that, but that was, it was like, oh, my goodness, this trade was worth it. You know what I mean? Up to that point, we were like, oh, this is a great trade, but it was like, it was for the, we made that trade for moments like that. I think it was after, I think the goal was after that offside review from the, I think it was, yeah, the druid. Yeah, and then I think he, I think it was actually, he made it one nothing.

And then the penguins, that's right. They blew them off the doors, that. It's amazing. It was, was it three years ago now, almost? That's like, or a little over that, but it's like, you know, his time here was, it was remarkable for just that small sample size and nothing but respect for Phil Castle. Yeah, time flies. I hope everyone that goes to the game, I said this on the episode yesterday, I hope everyone that goes, when he gets his video tribute, and it's going to be a long one, I would think, considering how much he did here, just stand up, you know, give him his, like, his, gave a standing ovation for him because he just he did so much here and man he was just what a treat to watch that that shot that he has man it's just and there's not many players in the league that have that kind of shot no and i do want to touch on this a player to watch that game

Alex Galchaniuk, you know, he's been quiet this whole season. He finally got his first goal as a penguin, but I think he would like a little retribution against his former team. Yeah, I'm hoping so. That trade, right, he's just looking, he just looks lost out there. It looks like every game. And I don't know what it is. It might be, I don't know, just fitting in with Mike Sullivan system.

He plays with the Genni and Alkin basically on a nightly basis, and he's been rocking up assist, but he just can't score. He looks lost, I think, out there a lot of times. and he's just, I don't know what it has been with him. He's definitely been a weird player, I would say. I agree. And, you know, you kind of saw that training with him and Malkin in the off season, and here we are thinking, oh, my goodness, this could be better than Phil Kessel.

He's younger, you know, he's faster. You know, he has more upside possibly with the fact that he's younger. There was a lot of hype behind that, but there was also a lot of, so say, you know, sadness with Phil leaving. Again, another expiring contract that Penguins are going to have a big decision on. He could heat up in the final stretch, but who knows? Yeah, well, it's an easy decision right now that you probably don't keep him. You could probably make a case that you could put him in a deal for an impact defenseman

and afford it if you want to try to see if a team would take a flyer on him. But I will say it's a little different than Derek Brousard and how that trade and how he played out in Pittsburgh. I'm seeing flashes from Alex Galchano. You see him out there, and he has his presence, unlike when Derek Brassard was with the Penguins. He was kind of, Brassard was making those plays where he was just like, really, you know, and, but Galchangioch is starting to, you know, it's early on in the season, but, you know,

you need to start shooting that puck more. Absolutely, yeah, and I'll always die on the hill that I thought the Bersart trade was good at the time, in theory. I still always will think that. It just didn't work. He just did not fit what they wanted to do. Yeah, I mean, I hope that Al-Jan interns around. He's been a good player throughout his career.

It's just not worked so far, I guess. But, Cam, thank you so much for coming on this episode, man. This was definitely a lot of fun, and we definitely got to do this again sometime. Yeah, I had a great time. You know, definitely got to do this in the future. Might if I give a quick shout out real quick? Sir Cam. I just want to shout out Regent University

hockey down here in Virginia Beach. Their season actually got canceled due to the lack of roster players, but there's a lot of remarkable people working behind the scenes trying to get that team together and get it going. Hockey in Virginia is slowly growing and you're starting to see that across the country. So it's kind of good to see teams you know, like the Washington Capitals,

even though there are arrivals, they're helping the game of hockey grow in places like Virginia. Yeah, absolutely, yeah. That's really good to say. I'll probably have another episode tomorrow. It'll either be after the game or I'll just preview the game.

I'll probably just be after the game. We've already talked about the Blues on Monday and what they bring and just how good they are is the defending champ. So it'll probably be after the game. But thank you guys so much for listening and we'll have another episode tomorrow.