Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Locked On Penguins Episode 5

Episode Date: October 8, 2019

Hunter dives into the big news about the Evgeni Malkin and Nick Bjugstad injuries since they're out longer-term and also goes into a preview of the game against the Winnipeg Jets for this latest episode of Locked On Penguins. 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 late-night edition of the Locked on Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. And yeah, I know this one's a pretty late night one. I had a pretty busy day. Watch the Washington Nationals. My baseball team tie the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Go Nationals. Hopefully they win the game five and make me happy and hopefully they win their first playoff series.

But in any case, the podcast is up now on Apple. Please follow and subscribe to it if you can. It's also up on Spotify, if I'm not mistaken. Follow my Twitter at Hunter Hodes, follow the show Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. And we have a pretty busy show today. Excuse me. It's going to be our first live ad read about a subject that is going to be interesting to talk about. A nice little ad read.

We're going to have that. We're going to talk about the injuries, obviously, to have Gennie Malkin and Nick Bukestad, which came out earlier today. And I'll preview a little bit of the Winnipeg Jets matchup with the Penguins, which comes tomorrow night when the Penguins open their third straight game. at home to open the season. I don't think I've ever really seen the Penguins open three or four straight games at home to open up season since as long as I've been a fan, which is, what, 2005 or something?

Maybe before that. Sorry. But yeah, let's just drive right into it. So I said in the last podcast, where everyone around Penguins' Van Gogh knows, Nick Bukstad and Evgeny Malkin exited with injuries against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Malkins was a awkward collision with Chris Lattang as Lattang was going off the ice. and Malkin was coming on, kind of, or going for a pot. Actually, I think he was kind of going for the puck.

Yeah, yeah, he was. Malkin collided with Latang's skate, fell awkwardly, and then rammed into the boards. But I don't think it was the boards that caused the injury. It was his collision with Latang. Head coach Mike Solomon said it was a longer-term injury, which means, you know, three weeks a month. And then Darren came out today.

He reported that Malkin suffered some sort of tissue injury in his leg, if I can find it right here. Yes, right here. He suffered a soft tissue injury to his leg. He's expected to be at least a month. So, I mean, obviously, you never want to see of Guinea-Malk and hurt, especially after he was saying how this was going to be his best season yet. He was going to put it maybe close to 100 points maybe, right around there.

Just he wanted to feel fresh. He wanted to do really good this season. I kind of feel bad for him. He has to miss at least a month now start the season. and Epis the Penguins in a pretty big hole. Jared McCann's going to probably have to move to center. The Penguins are going to be asking a lot of him now. I mean, Teddy Bluger is going to have to do third-line duties with him out,

with Bukestat out, and Malkin out. And he's going to have to play with Hornquist and all then. And then the Penguins also had some recalls today. They required two, they requalled two players, some Wilkesbury Scranton. And those two are Sam Lapparty and Andrew. I goes, Agu Zeno, I hope I pronounce that right. And they're going to get their first taste.

I do not believe both of those players have ever played in an NHL game. I know Sam has not. Sorry, my voice tonight is just all over the place. I have no idea why. But anyways, yeah, I believe these two players will be making their NHL debuts for the Penguins against the Winnipeg Jets. And what a way to make a debut? One of them is going to be playing fourth line center. Um, another one could be playing, uh, the wing because, um, both centers, uh, in Bukestan and Malken are out,

but of course that McCam can slide to center if they want to. Teddy Blue, as I said, we'll slide up to 3C. So one will play center. One will probably play wing. Um, and yeah, um, but, you know, I saw a lot of people on Twitter saying today, oh, well, you know, the penguin's going trouble, uh, you know, I mean, Evgeny Malkin gets hurt so, like, very often. Um, he usually misses about a month every season. He hasn't had a fully healthy season since 2009 where I think he, yeah, he played all 82 games that year, if I'm not mistaken, yeah. And this is what he, he goes through an injury every season, but then he comes back, he usually plays well. And then he's fine, but like, that's the thing. Like, it's good, I think, I mean, if there is to be an injury, obviously, you never want there

to be an injury for him. But if there is going to be one, it's good to get out of the way at the beginning of the season, the penguins really don't turn it on during the season until January. I mean, as evidence over the past three, like four years, where they've kind of been flirting with mediocrity at times during the regular season, and then they just skyrocket the standings January, February, March, and then they're into early April, and then they make the playoffs with these. I mean, last season, they didn't really make it with these, but that's when they still hit their stride.

They gained a lot more of their points. That's what they're going to do again. I still think they're fine. Sidney Crosby is going to have to obviously stay healthy, but he's done a very good job of that. the past few, the past handful of seasons. He's never really hurt. And, you know, it's just, like, people are saying, well, you know, they could miss,

they could miss the playoffs now, the next month. I still think they'll be fine. Matt Murray has been very, very good for Pittsburgh. I think he's going to continue to do that. As I said, Sidney Crosby, staying healthy. Jake Gensel, I think, will heat up, I think, sooner rather than later. And then there's Jared McCann. He had a great game against Columbus after Malkin.

Well, during Malkin, when, before. Malkin went down and after Malkin went down actually. He had two goals flying up the ice. His shot looked great. And he's going to have to, it's going to be interesting to see how, especially Alex Gailchenyuk, goes next to McCann.

This is, I think, a spot where you would really miss Phil Kessel. I mean, because when Gino would go out, Phil Kessel would still be putting up points with a different center because he was just that good. So it would be interesting how Gau Chenyuk's play goes into this next month and then switching over to Nick Bukstad um this is unfortunate for him i thought he was turning the corner at the late part of last season with the penguins um it's unfortunate that he had to get hurt i didn't really see the injury though which made him get hurt someone said i mean

bob area on the on the broadcast was saying that he like finished his ship that he was wincing on the bench i didn't see a um a replay of the injury or even like like a uh a I had a video of it because I don't think someone clipped it or I mean it wasn't on penguin's Twitter that's for sure so that one's a little more um what's the word I'm looking for it's not really too much no but I mean if every Malkins only expected to be out of mud I'd expect Bukstad maybe three weeks that's not the worst case scenario for the penguins I think they can survive the next three weeks to a month they're not going to tank you know I saw a little bit of talk about that on Twitter today um yeah guys the penguins do not

tank, especially when you have Cindy Crosby still. I know he's over 30, but he had 100 points last season. He still arguably the best player in the world. They're not going to tank and they're not going to lose so many games with him in the lineup, just because of how good he still is and how they still have a good group of forwards.

It's just, the defense is going to have to obviously be better without Malkin in the lineup. Matt Murray's going to have to continue his play. It's just, it's unfortunate that it came so early, but, you know, this is the penguins in their injuries, and this happens almost every season when they get so many injuries or to their star players or to their debt players, no matter what the injury bug with the Penguins comes up every season. It's a miracle that in 2016,

they had everyone healthy. And then 2017, of course, they won without Chris LaTang, but still, otherwise they were fully healthy, but still, it's kind of a miracle that they were healthy for those playoff runs. And then, of course, last year and then the year before with their playoff runs. So here's still hoping they all get healthy, but definitely not an ideal Definitely not an easy situation right now for the penguins. I'll tell you also what is not easy. Talking about erectile dysfunction, usually we just brush it off or blame ourselves saying things like,

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Now with that interesting ad lib out of the way, you know, it was funny to read, but let's just dive into a preview about the tomorrow night's matchup. It'll come against the Winnipeg Jets. The Winnipeg Jets through two games. had an insane comeback against the New Jersey Devils. They were down 4-0-0. One in a shoot-out, actually. But they've split their first two games this season.

One overtime win, one shoot-out win. The overtime win came against the Wild 5-4 in their first game of the season. They lost 6-4 to the Rangers before beating the Devils 5-4 in the shoot-out in that crazy comeback. And then the Islanders beat them 4-1. So 2-2 on the season for the Jets. but the biggest story for them is their defense. They are hurting and they are just hurting badly back there.

I know Dustin Bufrin is not hurt. He's still taking time away from the team. He's pondering his NHL future. No one really knows if he's going to even play this season, actually. You know, it sucks to see him, you know, just go going, I guess like just going through that, you know, just pondering his future. of the best players at his position. He's such a fun player to watch. I may sound like a dinosaur here, but man, he's some of his hits. I know, like, he can bring it. But also, like, not just that. Like, his offensive game is so good. He's good defensively as well in his own zone. He can move

the puck. I'm going to miss watching him play tomorrow night. He's just one of a kind at his position. And even in his, like, his prime years, I know he's not technically in his prime right now, but when his prime years, there were not many defensemen that were better than him. And hopefully he decides to come back. I would hate to see him retire. But if he does, all the best to him, really fun watching his career. And yeah, his absence will definitely be missed tomorrow. They're also, of course, without Jacob Truba, traded to the New York Rangers,

signed with the New York Rangers on a long-term deal. That's two of their best defensemen out from last season. And also Josh Morrissey is also out. That's three of their best defensemen from him. last season are now out for tomorrow's game. Josh Morrissey's injury is he's day-to-day. I think he was held out against the Islanders as a precaution. So I'm not really sure if he's expected to play tomorrow.

Actually, I will now have someone actually on Ken Webb of the Athletic. Jets v. reporter actually said that Morrissey is good to go and he will be in the lineup for the penguins. after suffering an upper body injury during the warm-up against the Islanders. Still, is he 100%? We don't know. I mean, he will be in the lineup. I apologize to me for getting a little too ahead of myself here, obviously. But he will be in the lineup.

That's obviously big for Winnipeg. But also, there's no Dmitry Kulikov. Kulikov is not really that good, though. He doesn't really get a lot of playing time as well. He's just, I mean, that's not too big of a loss. But to get more C-back is good, but still. their defense is not the same. They're really banged up back there, obviously, without Truba and Bufflin.

And, yeah, I'm interested to see how well Morrissey is moving to her after suffering that injury in warm up to see if he is truly 100%. But the Jets, they still have some outstanding forwards up front. Obviously, it starts with Patrick Lone. One of the best pure goal scores in the league, honestly. I thought at one time he was going to make a run for Ovechkins. Rocket Rashard. I mean, obviously, Obechkin is not in a hurry to give that up, and he probably won't until he retires.

But he had 30 goals last season, 50 points in 82 games, a big drop-off from his first two seasons where he put up 36 goals and 44 goals, respectively, play at a full season. But then he still had three goals in the playoffs last season, but still not as good of a season for Lone last season. his production dropped kind of as the season went on, honestly, if I remember correctly. But still, he's a sniper you got to watch out for.

And Blake Wheeler, he's outstanding. You got to always be on a watch for him. He already has two goals to start the season in the first three games. He had 91 points last season for the Winnipeg. He actually had 91 points in season before that, too. He's had 68 assists in 2018, 71 assists last season. I think he's their, I'd say he's probably their best player. I know he's 33, he's outside his prime years, but he's still, he's still chugging along.

And Wheeler, he's, he's awesome. They also have, of course, they have, I'm trying to make, remembering their goaltender. And the fact that I can't remember who their goaltender is is kind of pathetic to me off the top of my head. Of course, I didn't write it down. But, yeah, I mean, Blake, Blake Little is still there. They have, oh, yeah, Conor Helibok. Oh, geez. I can't believe.

It's late at night, people. I mean, I'm trying, I'm trying my best here. Played in one game, lost it. I gave up. Gave up, wow, yeah, five goals on 31, yeah, on 31 shots allowed. Yeah, big yikes there for Conor Elba. It looked like he was turning a corner. During his career, actually, he was 924 in 2017-18, fell down a little bit last year to 9-13,

still, which is not bad, but still 9-24 in 2018. It looked like he was going to be a long-term starter, but then just fell off. It'll be just to see to track him this season. He's 26. He's still in his prime. The Penguins should be able to pepper him with shots. Obviously, Winnipeg's defense is not as good. Winnipeg, of course, Mark Shifley.

He's still awesome. He's their top line center. He's falling off to a little bit, but still very good. Nikolai Eelers, he's, he's awesome. He's, they're, it's not, they're blessed with just how good that he is. He can put the puck in the net. He can dish it. Everything that he does is just awesome.

Kyle Connor, fresh off his big, his extension for Winnipeg this offseason. Great left winger. Their top six is pretty nice. Like I said, Lonnie Schifler, Wheeler. Jesus. Eelers. Andrew Copp is their second line center. He's, eh,

doesn't really move the needle much. Kyle Connor. Adam Lowry, Matthew Perrault. I've always thought Matthew Perrault was underrated. He like does all these little things like so good. And like I've always thought, like, I've always thought, even going back to like his Washington Capitol days, that he's just, he's always been such this underrated player.

But like, but, but yeah, I mean, Yeah, I mean, and then, of course, on their defense for tomorrow, they will have Neil Pionk, Pionk, Sammy Niku, Vili, Heinala, Tucker Pullman, and Carl Dahlstrom. So not a good defense, of course, they have to say at least. Their best defenseman going into tomorrow night is Josh Morrissey. Penguins should be able to pepper them with a bunch of shots, like I said. This is a winnable game for the Penguins, and I would not be surprised if they light them up like they did with Kalamets,

considering Hallibuck has not been too good. start the season. I guess for the others next time, and we'll talk about the two newcomers for the penguins that they'd be called Aga Zeno and Lafferty. I do want to point out, I did make a mistake with Ago Zeno. He has played in the NHL, 21 games played.

I thought he actually had never played. I was wrong. Stupid me, Hunter, I'm an idiot sometimes. But he actually played a couple of seasons with the avalanche. Not too much in his experience in 2015. He had one assist in one game. Nine games played the next season, had two assists.

And then the rest of the season he actually played in 11 games, had a goal and an assist two points. So one goal of five points in 21 initial games played. Obviously, not a big sample. He's a left winger. That's why I figured that he'll be for the Penguins, again, for the next maybe month or so. I think they have only still,

I think the Penguins only have 12 forwards going into that game. Yeah, yeah. Because in the second game, they only had 12 forwards with, Gauchena coming back, yeah, for the first game too. So, yeah, they're still going 12 forwards and nine defensemen. So they didn't recall an extra forward just in case one of them gets hurt. He's going to be playing every night, and this is going to be interesting to see how the newcomer does. My opinion, I think he's probably mostly going to get bottom of six minutes,

unless more injuries happen. He'll be pushed up there, but he's not that young. He's 28, so still he's not over 30, but still he has a little bit of interest. He's played a bunch in the HL, if I'm not mistaken. And then there's also Sam Apparty. He's 24. He's been in the Penguins system for a long time.

He had his first season in Wilkesbury, just last season, played 70 games. 13 goals, 49 points. He will be making his debut for Pittsburgh tomorrow night against the Winnipeg Jets. and he'll be the fourth-line center for the team as Teddy Bluger, of course, and Jerry McCann move up. Played one game for Wilkesbury this season, no goals, no points, no anything like that. But yeah, I'm curious to watch these two kids play. I shouldn't really shouldn't say kids when Aguizino's 28, but Lafferty. I'm excited to watch these, really just these two players play,

how they perform on the NHL level, going up against NHL players every night for the next. month because that's obviously that's how long that they're probably going to be up here because of the injuries. Beeksted, well, if I had a guess, like I said, three weeks. One of them may be sent down before then. Or honestly, I think they're going to, they may keep an extra forward in case the penguins do decide to do a trade. But also, of course, you have Brian Rust.

No one really still knows how long he's going to be out for. I think it's, yeah, I've said it. It's like a broken record of how many times I've said I think it's a broken hand. because he blocked a shot with his hand. So when he comes back, I expect one of them to maybe be sent down. But yeah, Laverty, 2014, fourth round pick in the draft, 113th overall, NHL debut, and he's got to be really excited.

He's played at Deerfield, Brown University. He actually, he played a little bit in Wilkesbury during the season before, after Brown University ended their season, eight goals, 22 points and 31 games for Brown before going, Wilkesbury for a nine-game stint. One goal, two-assist, three points in nine games. But last season, like I said, his big breakout season, 49 points in 70 games.

That was the second-most goals that he's had. Actually, you know, third-most goals. He had 2011, he had played for his high school, put up 34 goals, but I mean, high school. So, no one really, I mean, I wouldn't really count that. So for his collegiate career and AHA career, that's the second-most, tied for second-most goals that he's had behind playing for Deofield,

had 21 goals and 55 points in that. And I think will that wrap up this edition of All Locked-on Penguins? I believe it will. Like I said, first game with Al Malkin and Bukstad, tomorrow night against the Winnipeg Jets. Then the Anaheim Ducks come to town. Let's just bring up their schedule here real quick to see the road ahead for the Penguins. I will have a preview of the Ducks game. Should be Wednesday or Thursday, if I'm not mistaken.

Yeah, yeah, if they play the Ducks on Thursday. I'll have a preview one of those days. I mean, I just has to, I'll just decide what I want to do. Play the ducks on Thursday, the road ahead. They have their first road trip of the season this weekend. It's actually a back-to-back for the Penguins. They go to Minnesota to play the Wild. They actually play the Jets on Sunday.

So two pretty quick games against the Jets to open the season. That's probably the only two times that those teams will play the season unless they both go to the Stanley Cup final, hardly unlikely. And then the Penguins actually have a few days off. I just figured I'd go into next weekend. They play the Avalanche at home, the Dallas Stars at home, and the Golden Knights at home. So to start the season,

season, the Penguins will have played I'm just, yeah, I'm just, bad math here. The Penguins will have played four, six of their first, seven of their first nine games at home. Yeah, I'm sorry, guys. I'm not a math major here. You can shun me all you want. But seven of the first nine, I cannot recall, like I said, them doing that

for as long as I can remember. But, like I said, this wraps up the edition of the Locked on Penguins podcast. Please subscribe on Apple to the podcast. If you greatly appreciate it, it goes up a little bit after the show. Follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. I'm going to get through these stutters that I keep doing, but you know what? Just a work in progress sometimes with the first week. And yeah, I also follow the show at L.O. underscore Penguins.

And we'll be back tomorrow with another episode of Locked on Penguins. All right, guys, take care.