Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - One more day...

Episode Date: October 11, 2021

The weather is colder, the days got shorter and yes that means hockey is on its way! Hunter breaks down the line combinations you will expect to see for Pittsburgh's opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning and if they all make sense. Was Radim Zohorna being sent down the right move? Is the Brian Boyle contract going to be a bit of a waste in a couple of weeks? Hunter also touches on his top performers from camp and the preseason, plus if they could make a serious impact on the team this season. Plus: When is Sid, Jake, and ZAR expected to make their debuts? What's the best path to victory for tomorrow's matchup?Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!BetOnline AGThere is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus.Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. 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.

Your Locked-on Penguins. Your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Part of the Locked-on Podcast Network. Your team every day. Hey, everyone, welcome to this Monday afternoon episode of the Locked-on Penguins Podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow this shows Twitter at L.O.

Underscore Penguins. And, of course, thank you all so much for making the Locked-on Penguins podcast your first to listen of the day. We have so much to get into. We are just a day away from your Pittsburgh Penguins being back in action for their regular season debut against the two-time defending come champions, Tampa Bay Lightning. We've got to talk about the lines combinations today, Sydney Crosby News, Jake Gensel News, Zach Aston-Reece news, Ryan Boyle.

But we're going to go back a little bit, just go back in time a couple days to the last preseason game, which was against the Columbus Woojacket's a 4-3, a little thrilling overtime winner against the Little Brothers in Columbus that are just a few hours away from Pittsburgh. My priority during that night, I will say, was watching the Virginia Tech Notre Dame game. For anyone that knows me that has listened to this podcast

for a while, that is where I went to school. I have been a Hokie fan since I was about five or six years old. So that obviously held more priority than this Penguins preseason give. I was still keeping up with it. I saw the live tweets from a lot of the media members and the Penguins' Twitter account. As for the goals that were scored, great wrist shot from Chad Ruedle to beat Elvis Mersickland. Just came down on the left far circle, just wrist it right in. I don't think Elvis had any shot there.

So I honestly think that's when Chad won the number six spot. if you saw the line combinations of the defensive pairings, it looks like he will get the first crack at being the number six defensemen. Mark Friedman got himself kicked out of that preseason game for spearing one of the Blue Jackets players. I really don't understand what the heck Mark Friedman was doing there. It was just a really stupid play,

and I think he got fined almost $2,000 for it. So that's plays we can't have in the game of hockey. I don't care if someone on the Penguins did it. I don't care if someone on the Capitals did it. You know, I don't care if someone on the Seattle Cracken do it. You can't spear someone for the sake of spearing them and they're not going to get away from it. That's probably right there why he lost the number six job to Ru-Ru-Ru-Del.

But this is still, I think, going to be a fierce competition throughout the season. But it's good that they are giving Ru-Ru-Ru-Reedle a fair shot at it. I think he has the better underlying numbers. Even if you don't look at the numbers, though, eye-test-wise, he's better in the defensive zone than Friedman. And with a shot like that in that preseason game, that will go a long way. with having him stay in the lineup on an every night basis on Pittsburgh, you know, down 3 to 1 in the third period,

you know, but that's when they started to play, you know, with about 10 minutes left, Brian Russ, has like a little mini breakaway. Well, I really wouldn't call it a breakaway. It was just a nice interception of the puck, comes down, goes backhand, forehand, five hole on Elvis makes it 3 to 2. Russ is going to score a lot of goals this season. I know I haven't probably highlighted him a lot on the podcast lately, but, you know, We all know how good this player is. He's going to be good for about 25 to 30 goals.

The big question, though, what is going to happen with him after this season? I don't think he's going to be traded by the deadline unless the team is so far out of a playoff spot that there's really no hope. I don't see that happening, but, you know, stranger things have happened. But this is going to be a player. If he continues to play like that, he's going to be asking for well over $5.5 million, and I'm not sure that's a price of the penguins are going to want to pay. I think $6 million for him

Might be a bit too rich Especially with Evgeny Malkin Have to be re-signed Chris Lattang Kisperi Kappanin's contract is up I believe Jeff Carter's contract is up There's going to be a lot of tough decisions After the season

But we're going to table that discussion For another time Just a really nice goal I thought there From Rustin It just honestly looked like it was Mid-season form Teddy Blugher Was able to tie the game

On a long-range goal It looked like it deflected at first but I guess Elvis didn't see it with all these bodies in front of them. That's probably a goal that is not scored 9 out of 10 times, but you obviously take it in the one time you go in. Blue jackets were called for too many men on the ice penalty, 34 seconds into overtime. And then Jason Zucker was able to score the winner.

I just really like the puck movement here. Krista Tang just basically shoots it to the net. Jeff Carter goes between his legs with a pass, and then Zooker is able to fire at Gloveside. past Ellis and the Penguins go home with that victory in the preseason finale. I liked what I saw there from Zooker. He's being more proactive and is actually wanting to shoot the puck more. I know I went into Jesse Marshall's mentions and I said, you know, he's going to score 25 this season.

And I know some people probably laughed in me, but you know what, whatever. That's one of my bold predictions for this season. I think you will see a completely different Jason Zucker, especially if he does continue to make plays like that. all and all, probably not the best ever for the first 50 minutes, but the Penguins were able to turn it on towards the late stages and come out with that 4-3 victory against Columbus. It definitely is weird again to be playing the Blue Jackets.

It's just because Pittsburgh did not play them at all last season, but with things getting more normal, I think the weirdness will go away pretty quickly. That's for sure. Overall, though, my final thoughts on training camp in the preseason before we get to our next segment, where we talk about providing combinations and everything, going into tomorrow night's game against Tampa Bay.

The players that I think really stood out to me, again, Drew O'Connor really was awesome. I mean, I will eat all the crow on him if he continues to kill it in the regular season. Obviously, that is a different beast than the preseason and training camp, but what, he scored two to three, almost four goals in the preseason, was forechecking with a purpose. I don't think I've ever seen him forechecked like that for,

as long as I've watched him, and yes, I understand it's only been a year, but that is one of the biggest differences that I noticed in his game this training camp in preseason compared to the regular season was that he actually looked like he was forechecking a lot more and not just skating around hoping that the puck was going to come to his stick, because last season he kind of looked like he belonged in the ECHL, not even the HL, you know, a step below that. His skating obviously has improved as well. I think he deserves a crack at being in every-night player, and I think you will see him on the official 23-man roster when that gets announced in the next couple of hours. Again, Dominic Simone really impressed me as well. I know some people in the fan base are not

fans of Dominic Simone just because he doesn't score. He always has the worst shooting luck. Hits a lot of posts, but there is a reason why this is the second consecutive management staff has liked him because there are other people in the organization who give their opinions on a player like Simone and then they can go watch him and be like, oh, okay, you were right. And then obviously Mike Sullivan is a huge fan of him as well. And we saw that on display in the preseason as he was, his playmaking ability was back to where it normally is with Pittsburgh. He was even scoring, which, you know, if he continues that in the regular season,

I don't think anyone will be able to nitpick a part about Simone's game. That's for sure. He can play up and down the lineup. He's very versatile. Sid loves playing with him as well. He will be on the opening night roster, and I'd be stunned if he didn't play against Tampa Bay as well. Outside of those two, I mean, training camp was what I thought.

It would be, I'm a little surprised that Redeems the Hornet is being sent down to Wilkesbury. I'm going to get to that a little bit more coming up in the next segment. But those were really the two players that I thought stood out to me a lot. And I'm really excited to see them in the lineup on an every game basis, just so that they can continue, excuse me, to prove a lot of people wrong, including myself, especially with Drew O'Connor, as I just said. As for the goal-tending from that last pre-season game, Chris and Jari, I mean, again,

I'm not going to really make too many judgments, hot takes about them, just because it is the preseason, though, if he does struggle out of the gate, you know, I will call it how it is. That's how I've always been with this team for as long as I've been doing this podcast or that I've been running about them as I try to be as objective as I can.

And I think before that, I don't really get to touch on the preseason game against the Detroit Red Wrens with the Penguins lost. I do know that that's when Dominic Simone scored his last preseason goal. And it was a pretty sweet one as well. So go back and watch that if you haven't already. But training camp in the preseason are over. The first regular season practice was today.

We're going to get to all of that information coming up in the next segment. But first, does this sound familiar? You've got one device that lets you catch the game live, another that lets you stream your favorite shows. You're watching your sports highlights on your phone, and you've got your neighbor's best friends logging for the good stuff. Well, I want to tell you about a simple way to get all the entertainment you love without the hassle and a great way to finally get your TV together. It is called DirecTV Stream and it brings your live TV and on-demand favorites together like Number 4 so you can watch your favorite shows, movies, and sports all in one place. That means no more juggling remotes and no need to buy another device ever again. And the best part, there's no annual contract.

So get rid of the clutter and the confusion and get your TV together with DirecTV stream. You can learn more at directTV.com. That is directtv.com. compatible device required content varies by package. All right, welcome back to this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. You know how to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins.

So as I teased going into the second segment of today's episode, Penguins had their first regular season practice day. Almost everyone was there except for Deems a Horn. who I touched on a few minutes ago that he was sent down to Wilkesbury as one of the final cuts. We still do not know a couple of the other cuts, but those will be made official in the next couple of hours. Sydney Crosby, Jake Gensel, and Zach National Reese were all full participants in this practice, but they will not play Tuesday in Tampa Bay per Mike Sullivan. Sid is probably not going to play in Sunrise against the Panthers either.

If I had to speculate or guess when we all will see Sidney Crosby's debut, It will probably believe this weekend for the home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks. Pittsburgh plays them. Saturday, October 16th at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. That will be actually a game that I will unfortunately have to miss because I will be with my girlfriend at Hollow Scream in Richmond because she is a huge Halloween nerd. Anyways, that's a topic for another day on this podcast. But they all practice today. They did not take line rushes, but it's great to see Gensel and Asson-Race.

Basically out of COVID protocol. I think they're just not playing on Tuesday because they just want to get them more up to speak, get their conditioning back, have them in for another practice. And then maybe they'll be full go for Thursday's game against the Panthers and Sunrise. There's your update on that. And it's also great news that there's likely not going to be a COVID outbreak with the Penguins. I like Tom Mike Sullivan was mandating that, you know, the team needs to have everyday testing, you know, wearing masks more often. I really liked that leadership that we saw there from Sully. Now, as for the Penguins' lines that you will probably see for tomorrow,

Danton Hinen with Jeff Carter and Brian Rust on the top line. Jason Zulker with Evan Rodriguez and Kasperi Kappen on the second line. Brock McGinn with Teddy Bluger and Dominic Simone on the third line. So yes, Simone will be in the lineup on Tuesday against Tampa Bay Bering, some sort of setback. And then Drew O'Connor with Brian Boyle and Sam Lafferty, in case anyone did not see Brian Boyle is going to be signing a one-year deal

worth 750K. I'm going to get to that just after these lines. For the defense, Dumlin and the Tang, no surprise there. Matheson Marino, they're going to give that a go. I mean, you know, you have time to figure out which pairings work best. Obviously, I talked about it at length on this show.

I'm going to touch on it as well with Jesse Marshall when I have him on for Tuesday's episode. about the numbers from last season with Matheson-Marino, and if those can be corrected this season, maybe they can figure out what was going on wrong and try to rectify that so that this pairing is a lot better. Because I think it can work. It just, it has to be carefully put out there, is the word choice.

And then Pedersen with Ru-Ru-R-R-R-Edle. So Riegel has won that number six job. It looks like Mark Freeman will start the season as the number seven defensemen. Now, getting to the Brian Boyle, stuff. Rob Rossi reported it this morning. Then it was Frank Sarvelli that confirmed it. One year, 750K, he will be accompanying the Penguins on their flight to Tampa Bay. And, you know, I am happy for him. He did not play last season, played for Team USA at the World Championships, worked his way back to the NHL on the PTO. I'm not going to take away anything that he's been through just because it is such a

great story. But I really feel like this contract is going to be a waste by the time the weekend comes around because both, actually I shouldn't say both, all three of Aston Rees, Gensel, and Crosby will likely be back by then. And then at that point, who is coming out of the lineup? So of the lines that I just touched on, Sam Lafferty is definitely coming out for one of them. I think Evan Rodriguez will probably come out as well. But who's the other one? I mean, it has to be Brian Boyle, right? You're not going to take Danton Hine and out. You're not going to take Brian Rust out. You're not taking Jason Zoker, Kappen, Teddy Bluger, Brock McGinn out. You're not going to take Drew O'Connor or Dominic Simone out, especially with how they played in the preseason.

It has to be Rodriguez, Boyle, and Lafferty. And then it gets even tougher because when if Gany Malkin comes back, which one of Simone or O'Connor is going to stay in the lineup. I mean, that's obviously, you know, that's a problem that's two to three months away, so we don't even have to worry about that right now. But I think those are the three players that will probably come out when Sid, Jake, and Zach come back as early as this weekend. And then you're just having Boyle sit in the press box, making $750,000 for the full season, and then inserting him into the lineup when another huge stretch of injuries and then really hits this team just because the Penguins are always one of the most injured teams throughout the regular season. But having him in the press box when the team gets healthy is not the worst idea.

I'd rather have him in there than someone like redeems O'Hourna because that would make absolutely no sense to have him in there, right? I mean, he's a young player. He needs to be getting reps and continuing to become an everyday NHL player. Why would you waste a roster spot on him if he's just going to be in the press box on an every night basis? And, you know, his contract is also a two-way contract. So that allows him to be sent to Wilkesbury without having to go through waivers. And that's exactly what happened today as the, hanguins have reassigned him.

So I really don't think it's anything worth getting jammed about with regards to the Boyle contract, that is. But I do think in about a week's time, maybe a week and a half, it's definitely going to look a little bit like a waste just because he's hardly going to be playing. I guess as a fourth line center until Gany Malcon comes back, it's probably not the worst idea in the role. But I also don't think he brings a lot to this team. When I was watching him in the preseason and seeing highlights throughout training camp,

He always just looked way too slow, was kind of skating in mud, didn't have a lot of playmaking ability, didn't score either, and just defensively. He's not near the player he once was, but again, you know, he's just mainly going to be, I think, a 13th forward throughout the season, and that's fine with me. I mean, if he can just be better than frickin Mark Jankowski, I think it's a win in my book. Now, I did see Sam Lafferty. It looks like he's going to be in the lineup on Tuesday. I would rather have Redeem Zahorna in there over Lafrey. just because, you know, Holidaysburg Sam does not really bring too much to the line. But the reason why I call him Hollidaysburg, Sam, is because he's from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.

So there's a fun fact for you all on this Monday afternoon. He just, he's always been that training camp hero, but he wasn't even good in this camp, and he's still going to be getting a spot. It looks like for Tuesdays game against the lightning. So that one really doesn't make sense to me, but I assume, you know, once the three players who are about to come back make their debut, he will be out of the lineup in either sent to Wilkesbury or just, you know, on the team as a 14th board or something like that. And yes, of course, Tristan Jari will be starting in net against the lighting.

That has not been officially confirmed yet, but I would be flat out stunned if Sullivan did not start him in that game. And this is going to be a challenge for the Penguins to win. I don't think Tampa's going to blow this team out, but I kind of see this as a three-to-one lightning win, you know, maybe two-nothing. I think the Penguins are going to play some sound defensive hockey. That's usually their M-O. when they're short a lot of their best players.

They try to basically bore the game down as much as they can. Not to the degree that the islanders or the devils used to do it, but they're going to try to play as passive as possible, and then when the opportunity presents itself, then they're going to strike. That's usually how they do it when they're dealing with a lot of injuries. In this case, it's their two best players. So I think it could be a little bit of a trap game for the lightning

just because I think they could be annoyed playing against, you know, the penguin system and the forecheck, especially if Pittsburgh is forechecking really well. So, again, I'm not expecting the penguins to win this game or honestly against the Panthers, but it would not surprise me at all if they did, just because that's their MO under Mike Sullivan. When the stances are all but slim to none for the penguins, that's usually when they play their best hockey, even without some of their high-end talent. So we will see, I can't wait to watch that one. It will be on ESPN with Sean McDonough calling the game

with Ray Ferraro and Emily Kaplan inside the glass. Coming up in my next segment, I'm going to give you my full NHL season predictions. I've been thinking on these for a while. I have all my playoff teams ready to go, and you will hear where I have them in each division coming up in this next segment. Before we do that, though,

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at built dot com all right welcome back to this episode of the locked on penguins podcast i'm your host hunter hoodies murder follow me on twitter at hunter hoodies follow the shows twitter at l0 underscore penguins so here we go my n-h-h-hiel season predictions for you all who gets into the playoffs let's start with the metropolitan division at number one i have the new york islanders i think this is the year they win the metro i know they've struggled with division play and just you know being a team that's always a three or four seed but with how talented they are and how well coached they are they will win the metro this season um at number two i'm i'm i'm gonna say i have your pittsburgh penguins at number two um i really think that they're going to

blow away a lot of people's expectations of them and especially when if Gending Malkin comes back this team is going to be a tough out once the playoffs arrives and I think they will get at least average goal 10 to finish top two in the metro number three I have Carolina this is a very stacked team I mean you know you got Svetnikov Ahoh Tara Vinen Slaven Nieder rider Jordan Saul Martin Nekas or Nettius excuse me and obviously you have Rod Rindamore who's a fantastic coach. Their biggest question, I think at least to me, is their goaltending. You know, what's going to happen with Freddie Anderson down there? I think he's kind of washed

at this point. He's battled so many injuries these last couple of years. They're definitely taking a big gamble with that one. And also, you know, the same can be said with Ansi Ranta. They signed him as well to kind of, you know, be a 1A, 1B stopgap with Freddie. Ront has also battled some injury problems, but he just hasn't been as good as he used to as well. So that's my big question mark with them. But I still think their forward depth and their defense will carry them into the playoffs. Number four, I do have the Washington Capitals. As long as Obetkin and Baxter are there, I'm not going to bet against them to get into the playoffs.

I don't think they're going to do too much damage just because there are better teams in the east than them. But they will still get in, you know, as long as they have the greatest goal score to ever live. And one of the best passers in the league, they will get in the playoffs. John Carlson's awesome. T.J. O'Shee. still playing really well. Anthony Mantha, I think, is going to be awesome for them, too.

Those are the four teams I have from the Metro getting into the playoffs. I do have the Rangers and the Flyers missing, though it's going to be close for the Atlantic. Tampa Bay at number one, that should not be a surprise. They are probably the deepest team in the conference and arguably the best team

in the league as they go for a three-peat. Number two, I do have the Florida Panthers. They just signed Sasha Barkov to an eight-year contract. He is really developed into one of the premier players in this sport. Jonathan Huberto, he doesn't get his credit either. One of the most underrated players in the league.

He's coming off a ridiculous season from last year had 61 points in 55 games, which is what, almost an 85 to 90-point pace. The season before that in 2020 had 78 points in 69 games, the season before that in a full 82-game season, 92 points, 82 games. He does not get the recognition that he deserves. is a freaking freak. Patrick Hornquist is still there. Owen Tippett is going to be awesome. Ann Ekbog, McKenzie Weger. Their question mark is in goal, but if Spencer Knight can be as good as a lot of people are expecting him to, this is going to be a really scary team, not just for this year,

but for many years to come. I have them at number two. I have Toronto at three in the Atlantic, and then Boston at four will start with Toronto, though. Their forward depth is good. No, this is, they got to start winning, though. That's the biggest thing. They're a meme for a reason until they actually win a freaking playoff round. Let's see if they can do that this year. Then, you know, their goaltending situation is interesting too. You know, they have Jack Campbell and they have Peter Morazek up there. So what's going to happen with that?

Who's going to get the bulk of the starts? They need one of those goaltenders to be the guy. But I do think Toronto gets in. I mean, Matthews, Marner, Neelander, Tavaris. They're all incredible. And, you know, don't lose sight of the fact that Jason Spets is. still continuing to kick ass when he's basically 40 years old. Boston number four, I think this team is very vulnerable,

especially without two harassed for most of this season. But, you know, Marshawn, Bergeron, Posternog, a full season of Taylor Hall. Charlie Coyle stepping in for David Craycheek should be, I guess a little fun, but also a bit scary just because Craycheek is so good. Jake DeBrus needs to bounce back. Charlie McAvoy is one of the best defensemen in the league. But, you know, they have Linus Allmark and Jeremy Swayman there. Take on the heavy burden.

Obviously, as I just said, Tula Rass is going to be out for most of the season. But I think Boston is too good to miss the playoffs. I think everyone else, though, in the East, misses going on to the West. Number one in the Pacific, Vegas, I mean, they're stacked. Even with Robin Leonard and without Mark Andre Fleury, this is the best team in the Pacific Division. Mark Stone, I will always say, is a bona fide top 10 player in this league. They have two number one defensive in Alex Petrangelo and Shea Theodore. Max Petcheretti is awesome. Alex Tuck is turning into a great player.

They still have that really good second line of Jonathan Marcheseau, Riley Smith, and William Carlson. So they're going to be a tough out for whoever they play. Number two, I have the Oilers. This division is such a joke. So the fact that Edmonton is number two here just says it all, I think. But, you know, as long as they have two of the five best players in hockey, they will be getting into the playoffs unless one or both of them get hurt. McDavid is the best player in the role. and had a ridiculous 150 point pace over an 82-game season last year.

He'll try to continue that this season. I already touched on Drysidal. They have Nugent Hopkins, Yamoto, Jesse Poo, Yardv. I mean, their defense is bad. I mean, let's just say that. I mean, Duncan, Keith, and Cody Sisi on a pairing is Recipe for Disaster. Darno Nurse and Tyson-Berry on another is your top pair. Definitely not the greatest, I would say that.

But, you know, Mike Smith had a renaissance season last year, if I've ever seen I think he was around 925. Their forward depth is a bit better. They have Kyle Turs. They have Warren Fogle now, I'm pretty sure. Derek Ryan, I think, is there too. So I think it's a better team, but how far will they go is the big question. But now these will be a couple of bold predictions, I guess.

I have Los Angeles in Vancouver getting in with number three and number four. And then I have Calgary and the rest of those teams missing. I am really high on Los Angeles this season, especially after they got Philip Dano. I know Quentin Byfield is going to be out for the first eight weeks, but this team, it's a lot better on paper than some people are giving credit for. You know, Copartar still drives play at an elite level. Dustin Brown is still not bad. I follow is good. I just touched on Dino.

They got Victor Arvinson from Nashville if his shooting percentage comes back to where it normally is. He's going to be good. I know Drew Doughty is not the best defenseman in the least. league anymore, but if he can continue to be at least serviceable for them, that'll go a long way. And then Cal Peterson in goal. This has the makings of a sneaky good team this season, and I think they will sneak in to the playoffs. And then, Vancouver, I love their high-end talent with Elias Peterson, J.T. Miller, Bo Horvatt, Brock Besser, Quinn Hughes, Thatcher Demko, and Net.

They have the core to get in. It's just a matter of can their depth outside of those guys? step up and help them get into the playoffs. They have Connor Garland there as well. So I'm thinking Vancouver definitely takes a big step this season. On to the Central before we end this episode of Locked on Penguins. I have Colorado winning it. That shouldn't come as no surprise. I think they are the best team in hockey and as of right now. They are my Stanley Cup pick over the Tampa Bay Lightning. I think Tampa will get back to the final just because they're that good, but I think Colorado will take it from them and stop their efforts of a three-peat. Number two,

Minnesota. I love Carrillo Caprizov. Matt Zuccarello is still there. Joel Erickson-Eck, I think, is another player that not many people seem to talk about. He's a bona fide Selkie trophy contender, and his offense also came out in a big way last season as well. Their defense, they're always stingy, Jared's Virgin. Matt Dumbah, just to name a couple back there. And if Cam Talbot can play as good as he did last season for Minnesota, they'll be that much more of a threat to give Colorado a good fight. The rest of this division is going to be interesting.

I have seen Lewis at number three, even though I'm not too comfortable with that. I think they're good enough to get in the playoffs, but I don't think they can win around, at least in my opinion. Number four, I went back and forth on this, but I think I am going to go with the Dallas Stars to get in over the Chicago Blackhawks and the National Predators or the Winnipeg Jets. I just think the Stars, they battled so much adversity last season, you know, with COVID, so many injuries, but they're basically fully healthy now outside of

you know, Ben Bishop, you know, their goaltending situation is a bit murky, but, you know, Jamie Ben, Alex Radulov, Tyler Sagan, Mero Heiskin, John Klingberg, Anton Kudobin, if he is a lot better this year than he was last year, Esselandale is always underrated, but they also

have YOL Kivirontah, Dennis Yoriana, Rupa Hintz, who really came into his own this past year. They signed Ryan Suter in the offseason to bolster the defense even more. Joe Pavelski really turned back to high in last season. There is a lot to like with this team, and I do think they will get in. So there are all of my playoff teams for this year.

Let me know what you all think. You can tell me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes or for all the shows, Twitter, L.O. underscore Penguins, or you can just leave a review, you know, with something like that. But thank you all so much for listening to this episode. We are just, again, one more day from regular season, Pittsburgh Penguins hockey. I can't wait to bring you the best coverage out of any Penguins podcast.

That's out there. And don't forget, we will have Jesse Marshall on for Tuesday to preview the full penguin season and a whole lot more. So look for that coming tomorrow. And as for the rest of the week, I'll have a recap episode on Wednesday looking at how the Penguins did. And then Thursday, I will have a recap episode after the game against the Panthers. And then Friday, we will preview the Penguins home opener.

against the Chicago Blackhawks. I wanted to give you all a little bit of a schedule for when you can expect the locked-on pen was episodes to hit for the rest of the week. The Jesse Marshall preview episode will be up tomorrow. I'll be actually recording that on Monday evening, so in a few hours here. But thank you all so much for listening to this one,

and we'll be back with another episode tomorrow.