Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Locked On Penguins-3/31/20- Let's go around the horn!

Episode Date: April 1, 2020

In this episode of Locked on Penguins, Hunter takes everyone around the horn for all sorts of Penguins content! 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, welcome to this Tuesday evening episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. Follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at L-O- underscore Penguins. In case you guys missed the announcement during yesterday's episode. So you're locked on, you know, obviously with a lot of the sports being on hiatus, you know, it's going to be hard moving forward to be doing five shows a week because, I mean, you know, there's just not enough content to go around for five days.

You know, I know I basically made it work last week with the bracket. You know, I'm going to try to do at least three shows a week for you guys. You know, that's what the mandate has been sent down from the higher ups to all of us here for locked on NHL and for all the hosts, honestly for all the hosts of the MLB channel, the NBA. Just everyone except the NFL, which is basically giving up for the NFL draft. So they still have to do their five shows a week. But, yeah, expect at least three shows a week. I'm going to try to do four.

Five, I'm just not sure if that's going to happen. I guess there's just not enough content to go around. I was honestly struggling to figure out stuff, talk about today. We'll get to the Mike Sullivan interview today. He finally broke his silence after a few weeks of, you know, being quarantined in his house. We'll have thoughts on what he said. You know, I'll give you guys the info what he said if you guys missed it on the Penguin social media and whatnot.

There was also an update from Darren Dregor today with the NHL pushing back. It's quarantine date to April 15th where all the players and coaches have to self-quarantine till. So, yeah, but basically it's been put. push back another two weeks. It was originally supposed to be, what, March 27th? And I think it was pushed back a week. And now it's been pushed back another full two weeks. So yeah, folks, this season is not getting started for a while. We know that. And I'm sure, honestly, I'm probably sure that the self-quaranty period is going to be pushed back maybe even until May because like I've just said so many times, I think this is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

You know, this may peak in probably the next couple weeks. So, yeah, like I said, yeah, look for another announcement for the self-quarantine campaign. period probably being pushed back in the next week or so for probably another two weeks. Also, I just wanted to clarify something. Apparently, so people were freaking out. Apparently, you know, the Sydney, Toronto banned all public events until June 30, if it ever was like, oh my God, you know, this might mean stuff for NHL, but apparently I'm David Pagnata.

I actually pull up this report here real quick as I type in his name. Oh my, geez. Apparently, so Toronto's ban is exclusively for city-led events. This does not affect NHL and NBA stuff. apparently he said a city executive of the mayor's office told him via email he was just speaking for city permitted events like parades and festivals so does not affect sports which is good news but still wouldn't really expect the NHL back before June at the earliest with the way this is heading and you know don't need to freak out all about that you know it's just festivities

and all that but you know everyone did because of course Toronto is in the playoff hunt and they will be most likely be making the playoffs if the NHL season does resume but any case you know We'll move on now to some penguins-related content because, of course, it's a penguin show. Mike Sullivan, as I said in introducing this episode, he finally spoke out today to, I think it was on a Zoom call to a group of Penguin reporters. We had a really good recap up on The Athletic, if you want to read that. The Penguin's official Twitter account also had some good quotes. I'll just read some here on what he had to say. He did speak an update on Jake Gensel.

He basically echoed what Jim Rutherford said. He said here in the quote that, you know, we'd be thrilled to have him. Jake is a difference maker. I'm stating the obvious when I say that the opportunity to get him in our lineup gives us a more complete lineup and makes us a whole lot more difficult to play again. He also said that it's reasonable to think we would get him back. We're excited about that potential opportunity knowing Jake the way I know him. He's a competitive kid. He's a tough kid.

We're excited about that potential opportunity. So, yeah, basically just echoing the same sentiments that Jim Rutherford said about a week ago with the fact that Jake Enceler, well could be returning to the Penguins when the season or if the season ever starts back up. Mike Sullivan also had something very interesting to say that if they were to resume, he thinks that they, I think they would need about like a two-week training camp to basically get right back up to speed. As you know, they've already been off the ice for three weeks. You know, they're only really doing workouts at home.

And even when the self-quarantining period is ever lifted, you know, they'll only be allowed to skate in small groups. They're not going to be like full contact, full practices for about, you know, 40 to 50 minutes. to be light work. So yeah, just getting those legs back and everything. Yeah, I could definitely see why Mike Sullivan would say that. He also said, you know, he talked about the losing street for the penguins at the time when they were, of course, struggling even before the win against New Jersey. You know, he said there are a lot of circumstances surrounding the bit of adversity the team went through before the suspension of play. You know, a number of returning players,

trade deadline with new players. Some players were over text due to injuries. Though he also said he liked the direction the team was going with bringing in the new. guys in the returning players. He did point to the win against New Jersey as a side of building traction and building confidence before the NHL had their hiatus. So, yeah, I'm glad he actually got some hockey related questions about how he thought the team was playing and all that. I know, of course, he was going to get a lot of questions about, you know, what he's been

up to, which I'll get to in a second, you know, what he thinks the league should do. But I'm glad he actually got questions about, you know, how he thought the team was playing and all that. But what struck out to me, he had a really, really. really good quote on Marino and Dumlin because, of course, they were just coming off their major big injuries. He said, you know, if there is any positive that can be taken out of the suspension of the play this season, it's that guys that are injured coming off injury, have more time to recover. So, yeah, I mean, John Marino, of course, with the facial injury, he's basically,

he's probably getting close to 100% at this point. He's had off for three more weeks. And besides, it was, I think, three to six weeks at the time of the announcement of his surgery, he came back after three weeks. So, yeah, it's basically been all six weeks. So he should be good to go. Brian Dumlin, yep, three more weeks at least. I mean, it's going to be a lot more to get that ankle back in shape. You know, Zach Aston Reese, you know, I'm sure he's probably 100% at this point. Really don't know about Dominic Simone. The last that we did know is that he was week to week.

It's been, I'm going to keep repeating it. It's been three weeks. He's probably okay at this point. And then, you know, today marks three total months now since Jake Gensel had his surgery. So only one or three more months now for Jake Gensel, as we talked about it. but still really good updates from Mike Sullivan. Basically, what he's been doing to pass the time. You know, apparently he's been able to pool table in their house.

He's been playing pool. Great game. I have not touched a pool table in a long time. I'm also really bad at it. I remember when I was a younger kid, I would always hit the 8-ball in. And apparently he's also been learning how to play pickleball. I actually really have no idea what the game pickleball entails.

I've never heard of it. I would love to know what it is. I'm probably going to Google this. Google the game right after I finish recording this to figure out what the heck that game is. Also really, really funny quote at the end. Apparently, some of the media members asked him who his starting goaltender is going to be in the next game, if there is a next game when the NHL comes back, because that's the media's favorite question, of course, with Tristan Jari and Matt Murray, usually going back and forth.

And he said, yeah, you all know, you all will know, and I'll let you know, as I always do, on a game day. Because it's so funny When you watch those press conferences He just whenever someone asks that He's just like oh Like do I have to keep answering this And now when someone asks him like kind of jokingly

It's good that he's kind of like You know Raising a chuckle at it But yeah really good stuff for Mike Sullivan It's good to hear that He's so quarantining He's keeping himself busy I said I agree with him with the two weeks

I think it's probably You're probably gonna need at least a two week Little mini camp You don't need like a month of a training camp to get the players back I'm in shape. But yeah, I definitely think two weeks is what definitely needs to happen. I wouldn't be surprised honestly if it's three weeks. But he said he's also been in constant communication with the league, you know,

Jim Rutherford, David Moore House, the ownership group. So also very good news as well. But yeah, good to see that Mike Sullivan is doing very well. And that, yeah, he's just been, apparently, I also really like, you know, he said he's been in constant contact with the coaches, you know, trying to, you know, just be a better coach. even in this time, you know, you never stop working. They're just, they're coming up with new ways, I guess,

you know, pass the time and talk about what they want to do with the team if they eventually come back from this hiatus. So I really, really liked that as well. Just want to say, in honor of April Fool's Day being tomorrow, if you guys ever come across some really cool pranks that you pull on people, you know, send them to me. I'm always looking to pull pranks on my family, especially my 19-year-old sister,

who basically will leave anything I tell her at this point. and of course just my friends too So if you guys come across those Please send them to me at Hunter Hodes on Twitter And at LO underscore Penguins I can't wait to see what people Pull up tomorrow I know there's totally going to be someone

Like a reporter or something That's going to pull a prank Such as oh my God sources The NHL is expected to come back soon Or the NBA is supposed to come back soon I just I feel like someone is going to do that As like a sick joke And I'm going to be there for the ratios

Because Yeah, it's just going to be really, really funny. But for our next thing, it's actually a video that I'm going to play for you guys. Chris LaTang, the Penguins actually put out a message that Chris LaTang put on his Instagram towards everyone, and we will play that right now for you all. Hey, guys, this is Chris LaTang from the Pittsburgh Penguins. I've been quarantined since March 12th here in Pittsburgh. I'm staying with my wife, Catherine, my son, Alex.

my daughter, Victoria and also my dog Buddha. We've been isolating for quite a while. Everybody is doing well. We've been enjoying tons of family time. We go outside, play in the backyard, try to get some fresh air once in a while. And we also try to do tons of things as a family, play board games, try to enjoy all the time

we got all together because it's pretty rare during a season. And obviously, I'm missing the game. I'm missing a bunch of my teammates, especially the guys eyeing out the most, like Sid. We spend tons of time on the road, going to restaurants. But we obviously miss the game. We miss what we love to do. So I can't wait to see these guys back. Not sure about Brendan Tanev.

Might have too much energy for me. He's bouncing out the wall everywhere. He's quite the character, but I still love him. So I hope you guys are safe out there. You're healthy. I hope you guys are following the rules and the guidelines of social distancing. So I pray for everybody and keep it up. All right.

So perfectly well said from Chris La Tang there. you know, if he's saying stuff like that, you know, you better well listen, but did find it interesting, though, I did not realize that he was still in Pittsburgh. I know he has, I've seen that house on social media before, that he has that off-season home in Montreal. I honestly figured he would go up there during this, but I guess he's not one of the players that Jim Rutherford alluded to that went back for their off-season homes. I'm sure a bunch of other ones that, you know, whimsomers-Irifice did.

But, you know, Chris Othang is quarantining in Pittsburgh. I love the subtle little roast that he put on Brandon Tanev. Brandon Tanniv just seems like a dude that. Yeah, definitely has full of energy. I love the jab kind of at Sidney Crosby, though. Cindy Crosby did say last week that if he would be quarantined with anyone, it would be Chris Lattang because Chris Lattang is always in the know and is always hearing things.

So the little bromance that they have is just absolutely awesome. There's also a pretty funny video. Patrick Marlowe's wife, Christina Marlowe, posted a video on her Twitter today, apparently of him, of Patrick Marlowe basically rollerblading in the house, and the tweet was no ice, no problem. At least someone here knows the rules. And, of course, that was referencing her son,

who was basically like, Dad, you can't rollerblade in the house, but, you know, Patrick Marlow really didn't care, you know. So I'm glad that the players are finding stuff to do that, you know, will pass the time, such as that with Patrick Marlowe. There's also a really good article on the Penguins official website with Michelle Krakiolo,

one of the appends inside school people, I wrote an article about how Zach Astornees has actually quarantined with Brian Rust. A lot of really, really cool nuggets in there. Apparently, Zach Astin Reese has a beautiful new puppy in there. So if you guys would love puppy pictures, please go check out that article. I believe the Penguins tweeted out earlier today. Just a lot of really good content in there. I guess I'll just, you know, I'm not going to spoil the whole thing.

But apparently he's been staying with Brian Russ and his family for actually the past two, three weeks. I'm looking to see what breed this dog. is, but it is probably no more than three pounds. He even made an Instagram for it called Carl the Iggy. So I'm going to be sure, actually, to follow that.

Apparently, they've been playing a lot of street hockey. One of the quotes, Russ said, you know, we've actually playing a lot of some street hockey. We ordered some stuff online from Dick Sporting Goods and we got around the street

and played a whole bunch of street hockey. He said, the really funny thing from that story is what honestly I'll connect with a lot. sure a lot of you guys too you know you know when you guys were playing shoot hockey as a little kid and you have your little hockey ball it's like or whatever color you had and a car bone come by you'd be like car car and then you know they just they just they drive pass and then you just have to stop playing and like bring the nets up into the grass apparently he's like yeah he's had to

relive some of those moments but most of the people that are driving by are basically just delivery drivers from postmates or door dash so um he said that that's been really funny but yeah I relate to that a lot. I remember doing that when I was like 13 or 14 years old. I don't know. We would have, it would be in one of our cul-de-sacs in my neighborhood. Two nets from about 50 feet apart, I would say. It was not really a long cul-de-sac, basically.

But whenever our car would come down and circle around or go into a driveway, you know, we'd just put the nets up into the grass, stop the game. And then once it went past and every time it kept happening, you know, we would just go back to what we were doing. So I'm glad to see that he's reliving one of the first. my child or a lot of my childhood experience and probably a lot of your guys as childhood experience if you guys played the game for street hockey with your friend. Apparently at 10 a.m. every morning they all sit down and play a game of Settlers of Katon. I have no idea what that game is.

I'm actually going to look up that game is right now when I'm recording this episode. I'm going to see what in the world this game is about. Oh, good thing Wikipedia is one of my best friends. Players take on the role of settlers, each attempting to build and develop holdings while trading and acquiring resources. Yes, folks, it has come to the point on this podcast of Logged on Penguins, and I am talking and reading the definition of what Sepulers of Catan is, because I have no idea what this game was. But, okay, this actually sounds pretty interesting. So players gain points as their settlements grow. The first to reach a set number of points, which is usually 10 wins. So it was basically, when was this, when was this game a step?

Oh, apparently the publication was in 1995. So yeah, basically, yeah, 25 years ago to the day. So that's actually pretty interesting. I'm going to have to check out this game and see how much fun it is. Hell, I need to start playing some more games anyway. I have a massive box of Cards Against Humanity up in my room somewhere, which is honestly, it might feel like the best game you can play. it's a great game to play with your drunk fans.

It's just a gate game to play at any point, whether it's the morning, the afternoon, or night, even when you're not drunk, even with your family, which is that's a fun game to play with with your family. But there's also a lot of other cool stuff in there that I'm not going to get to where Zach Ashpery's talks about who he feels like is the funniest player. I'm sure you guys could guess it.

I think he's been named one of the funniest players on the Penguins a lot of the times. So, yeah, in my next segment, you know, we're kind of going to wing it, but I think I have a couple of ideas up my sleep for what we're going to talk about coming up next. So for this last segment for this episode, right I said, I'm probably not going to have another episode

until Thursday or Friday, but we're going to bring back the goal of the day segment and, you know, a big goal in penguin history, you know, modern penguin history for, you know, this last decade. It could be old. This is going to be from 2009. I'm sure they're going to show, the penguins are going to show this on 18th E-Sports Network

as they continue their coverage of the 09 Red Wings, Penguin series. This is from Game 6. Of course, don't remember if you guys are listening to this from the Pittsburgh area, they will be showing Game 4 of that series tomorrow night on 18th E Sports Network. I'm still mad online.

That they will not be streaming this to other people that are not in Pittsburgh. And yeah, that absolutely sucks because for whatever reason, there's no stream for it. And my cable provider is not in Pittsburgh. You know, I'm based on in order of Virginia. So that absolutely sucks.

But, you know, this is the goal here where it's just, this is where I'm trying to come up with, like, the proper thing to say here. When this goal was scored, I had a really, really good feeling that things would be different. So here goes. Players are there. Lits from tangled up with Fettitanko. It's laid along the town. It's chopped by Erickson. Fed behind for Kennedy tries to get Friday.

Seeing Chris Osgood's so mad that. that just makes my heart melt. But yeah, because before that, you know, it's one-nothing. You know, there's still a lot of time left in the third period. You know, you're probably, I know at the time I was thinking when I was 11, like, oh my God, the Red Wing stole plenty of time to tie it or take the lead. You know, there could be a lot of heartbreak just like what happened in the last year's game six where the Red Wings held off a very, very late Penguins charge and it just wasn't enough

but for the Penguins. But you have that feeling in your head. Like, is history going to repeat itself? But, you know, when Tyler Kennedy, one of the most unsung heroes of that entire playoff run, scored that goal. And I was just like, yep, they may actually win it this year. And then, you know, they go on, of course, to win that game with a frantic scramble at the end. I still can't believe the puck did not cross the goal line with Rob Skidari, basically playing goal as Mark Andreth Lurie was so far out of his net. But, yeah, that goal was just so huge.

just a great play by Kennedy to get a pass Osgood. And like I said, you know, seeing all these goals go past Chris Osgood, it's just, like I said, it warms my heart. I think Chris Osgood is probably one of the more overrated goaltenders of that era. I know why people would say if he won that cup, you know, he'd probably be a lock for a hall fame because I think he would have, what, four Stanley Cups? Yeah, that is right, yeah, because he did win in 96, 97-99.

Yeah, that's when the Red Wings went back. to back. Yeah, so kind of weird that they went back to back in the year I was born and the year after I was born. So that's actually pretty interesting. But still, for his career, he's a 9-16 NHL goalie. I'm sorry, but people like to think that Chris Osgu is one of the best goaltenders of all time.

Oh, my God, you know, for Stanley Cubs, he could be a lock for the hall of fame. Even with three Stanley Cubs, he's not even a lock for the hall of fame, in my opinion, with those numbers. Well, so I know his goals against average is, you know, a little over two. but I mean, so he's 10 years with the Red Wings, 918, say percentage. I mean, that's, I don't know. To me, you know, that kind of just screams average to me. You know, maybe I'm an idiot, but, you know, I've always over, I've always overrated

Chris Oz good. And like I said, you know, seeing him play that Max Talbot goal in Game 7, the way he did, well, the way he looked so small, how he looked like a 1980s goaltender, even though he started his playing career in 93, 94. war um just just absolutely hilarious and you know he was he was he was just so mad that entire series always just throw his stick up top of the net when the penguins would uh score um yeah he had that on one thing that i will say about chris oz is that he had that really really cool throwback mask um that was probably honestly the best part um about his game but yeah without

that goal um i'm not sure what happens because of course the red wings were able to make it two to one um in that game so yeah that was of course the game to signing goal you know Tyler Kennedy you know always always one of those unsung heroes for the Penguins in that run you know that Matt Cook Jordan Stahl Tyler Kennedy line was just absolutely splendid that whole playoff Ron and it was a treasure to watch them in the years after that too um of course before Jordan Stahl got traded but um I think that might do it for this episode of locked on penguins um we'll have more stuff coming this week I'll hope you're some more content talk about because you know it's uh I'm not to keep getting creative and coming up with more

stuff but you know what that's the uh that's the thrill of it so i'm thank you guys so much for listening if i'm getting boring you know with stuff you know but just please let me know you know just send me a send me a dm tell me if you're bored or whatever you know i i i it's fine you know i'm not gonna take offense to it or anything but um yeah we'll have another episode coming at some point this week like i said thursday or friday and um yeah follow me on twitter at hunter hodes follow the show's twitter at l0 underscore penguins for some good content and um you Yeah, we will talk to you guys soon.