Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Penguins forward Ben Kindel released from the hospital, returns to Pittsburgh

Starting point is 00:00:00 Kyle Dubus provided us with an update on the status and condition of forward Ben Kindle on Thursday morning. Let's break down what he had to say right now. You're Locked on Penguins, your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome in to the Thursday edition of the Locked On Penguins podcast. I am your host, Patrick Damp, holding down the fort. today as Hunter Hodes is preparing for his wedding. Today's episode is brought to you by Navy Federal Credit Union. See if you're eligible to become a member of Navy Federal Credit Union by visiting

Starting point is 00:00:49 Navy Federal.org. On today's show, we take a look at the Florida Panthers game tonight at PPG Paints Arena, as well as give some keys to victory. However, before we get to any of that, we have to talk about the latest. news about forward Ben Kindle. On Thursday morning, Kyle Dubus at the UPMC, LeVue Sports Complex, provided an update

Starting point is 00:01:14 to the media about what happened with Ben Kindle. The team and the medical staff have classified it as what they are calling a vaso-vigal episode. For those of you, like myself, who are not medical professionals, according to the Mayo Clinic, a vasovagal episode, is a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a sudden drop in heart rate and drop in blood pressure.

Starting point is 00:01:42 Dubus did say that it happened very early into the flight and that he was quickly attended to by the team's medical staff, given oxygen, and then taken to the hospital. Since then, he has been discharged and he is back in Pittsburgh. The Penguins also have said that Kindle will undergo further testing, and the hope is that to get him back training in the next few days and possibly get him back to practice in the next week pending the results of the further testing he is expected to undergo. Overall, I will say this does feel like the best case scenario, all things considered. It wasn't a more serious medical incident or issue that we know of to this point. Obviously, it does not mean that Ben Kindle is out of the woods yet. He still does have to go get further tests.

Starting point is 00:02:45 He has to go undergo further testing and become cleared. That all has to come back in his favor. But when you consider the gravity of what happened, the plane having to turn around, Kindle having to be rushed and admitted to a hospital, including an incident that needed an emergency landing. This could have been so, so much worse. But as Hunter and I said on yesterday's episode, at the end of the day,

Starting point is 00:03:13 the only thing that really matters is Ben Kindle's overall health and well-being. We will obviously have a lot more to talk about with the hockey side of it when we get to that point. But we are not at that point right now, as the team said, he still has to go under further testing. He still has to get cleared, get back to training, and then hopefully get back to practice. But I again will reiterate my thought that considering the way this was described at first, a medical episode, the fact that the plane had to turn around and he had to be rushed to the hospital,

Starting point is 00:03:53 this does feel like we definitely seem to have avoided some of the worst case scenarios and it does look like hopefully Ben can have a full recovery. Now, just like we did yesterday, there's no real easy way to transition here, but we do have to talk about the impact this has on the roster and the hockey team. It goes without saying, as I'm sure you know by now, Ben Kindle has been moved to injured reserve and so has forward Brian Rust. According to Dan Mews and the team, Rust will be out for at a minimum the next six weeks with a lower body injury.

Starting point is 00:04:36 If you remember, he did leave the game against Utah and did not return. Mews said that Rust will be reevaluated in six weeks, so the penguins will be without him for the foreseeable future. As a result, the penguins have called. called up Rutger Magrorty and defenseman Chase Pitella. We'll get into the game later tonight and what some of these call-ups do mean. But I do want to take this opportunity here in the first segment to talk about something that has been a big topic of conversation among the Penguins fan base and even some of the

Starting point is 00:05:17 Penguins media, including us here on this show about the forwards, the logjam, the young players, and the plan that the Penguins organization has at this time. First and foremost, and if you follow me on social media, I'm sure you saw me say this today. The penguins always, always, always have injuries. Yes, you can certainly make the argument, and I would make the argument myself that The penguins probably did in the penguins meeting Kyle Dubus and the hockey op staff signed too many forwards this past off season leading to some of the young guys getting blocked and having to go back to the baby penguins. But again, there are always injuries and spots will open up as we see right now with

Starting point is 00:06:09 the injury to Brian Rust in the situation with Ben Kindle. The other part of that that I do think is getting more attention, but the conversation isn't going in the direction that I believe it should. And it's that a lot of people are still calling for Kyle Dubus to trade the likes of Brian Rust and Ricard Raquel. Count me among them because I do think that eventually you've got to move on from these players. the problem there is you have to take a look at the trade market in the last six to eight months. Rust and Raquel likely do not have the trade value that we wish that they did, and their last best chance to move them, pending them getting back to a certain level this season, was probably last year, and that went out the window because the team was unexpectedly good.

Starting point is 00:07:10 I have said this in writing. I have said this on the show. I understand the compulsion and even the, what I like to call the EANHL mentality of just evaluating trade value bars and running numbers and just sending players to other teams, but that removes the human element out of the game. And you have the human element in the game in real life. when the team is unexpectedly good in making a run to the Stanley Cup playoffs,

Starting point is 00:07:43 the general manager can't just say, hey, great effort out there. You've done a good job so far this season. Too bad it's all got to come to an end because we're going to rebuild now. The Penguins last season remained pretty much in a playoff spot for the majority of the season, and then we're fighting for home ice advantage. if Dubus is to start jettison and jettison like Brian Rust, Rickel, Eric Carlson, and at the time Anthony Mantha, Parker Watherspoon, etc., etc., he's going to lose the trust of his locker room, and it's going to impact his ability to build trust with future locker rooms.

Starting point is 00:08:24 So I understand the compulsion of wanting to start a rebuild and really kick it into high gear by moving these veterans. but last season it would not have been the correct move when you consider the human element of the game. Then the other part of it that I mentioned a little bit ago about the trade market. You look at a lot of the players in the moves that have been made over the past six to eight months, and it's players who are in their mid to late 20s, still in their primes, have team control. And that does not describe some of the players that the penguins currently do.

Starting point is 00:09:07 You can't force and create fake trade value for players. You can't just get GMs to take the players you no longer want. That's usually, and I say usually, not how it works. So I do think to put a fine point on this, yes, we can have the conversation. that the Penguins likely signed probably too many forwards this offseason. But it was part of the same plan that they had going into last season where you take on reclamation projects, you take on veterans. And if the team doesn't perform, you will eventually flip them for assets.

Starting point is 00:09:48 The problem was last year. The plan went too well. The players performed too well. And it ended up with those players needing to stay. because the team was pushing to the playoffs. So far, 10 games in, that plan that they had last year is starting to look a little bit more like it might happen the way they wanted it to last year. But again, it's 10 games. We will see what happens.

Starting point is 00:10:14 And game 11 is tonight against the Florida Panthers. It is time for us to preview that game. And we will do that when we come back right after this. You may know Navy Federal Credit Union, but do you know. know who can join Navy Federal Credit Union. It's probably more people than you think, and it might even include you. My father-in-law, Jim was a Navy veteran. He served in the Vietnam War, and while he served, he joined Navy Federal Credit Union. He had three daughters in a son. One of his daughters was my wife, Karen, who joined Navy Federal Credit Union as the daughter

Starting point is 00:10:50 of a member. And my father, Ed, was an Army veteran. He served in the Korean War. He was eligible to join Navy Federal Credit Union. And even though I never served as the son of a veteran and as the spouse of a member, I'm eligible to join Navy Federal Credit Union as well. So once again, all active duty service members of all branches of the military can join, all veterans of all branches of the military can join, and the families of active duty service members and veterans can also join. A lot more people can join Navy Federal Credit Union than you think. And if you're one of them, you can find out more at Navyfederal.org.

Starting point is 00:11:27 And we've got one more sponsor to get to in this break. And support for today's episode comes from Indeed sponsored jobs. When workplace chaos hits and you need the right hire, Indeed sponsored jobs helps connect employers with candidates who match specific needs like skills, certifications and location. So less time gets spent searching and more time gets spent finding the right fit. People are finding quality hires on Indeed right now. In the time I have been talking to you, companies like yours have made 27 hires on Indeed, according to their worldwide data. Whether it's deadlines piling up too much on one person's plate or trying to scale something quickly,

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Starting point is 00:12:55 Indeed.com slash podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire. It's a job for Indeed sponsored jobs. Back here on the Thursday edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast, Patrick Damp here with you. Hunter will be out for the next two days as he is getting married. So congratulations to him and congratulations to Ashley. Before we continue, don't forget to give me a follow.

Starting point is 00:13:26 you can find me on most social media platforms at Synonym 4Wet. And be sure to follow the show on social media. You can find us on Twitter at LO underscore Penguins, Instagram at Lockedon underscore Penguins, and TikTok at Locked on Penguins. The penguins are back in action tonight, and they're getting something of a little bit of a break when they get back to action. They will welcome the Florida Panthers to PPG Paints Arena, but the good news is hockey fans, the Panthers are on the second half of a back-to-back with travel after losing to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night in the Brady-Kichuk game,

Starting point is 00:14:11 return game, I should say, five to one. They also will be facing a goalie who is making his NHL debut in Cooper Black. Now, I can already hear and see and envision the eye rolls, goaltender making his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins. So you are very much getting ready for the Cooper Black Vesna game because that is always what seems to happen when these young goalies make their debuts against Pittsburgh. Now, a little bit of background on Cooper Black. He spent the last few seasons in the American League with the Charlotte Check.

Starting point is 00:14:50 Checkers last season played 42 games, had a shutout, a 903 save percentage, only played in three quarter cup playoff games and had an 892 save percentage. But when it comes to goaltending, it has not been a very good start to the season for the Florida Panthers. They have an overall team save percentage of 878, which is below the league average of 892. In four starts, Akira Shmede, who played last night against the senators, has an 867, and Jacob Markstrom, who is on IR right now, has an 897. Right now, when you look at the Florida Panthers, if there is a weakness to this team, it is probably a net. Not that big of a shock when you let a goaltender like Sergei Brofsky walk to free agency. outside of that though once again the Florida Panthers are pretty damn good the kichucks they lead

Starting point is 00:15:59 the way in 10 games Matthew has 15 points three goals 12 assists Brady is right behind him with seven goals and four assists for 11 points they are coming into Pittsburgh winning three of their last five they have beaten the blue jackets seven to three the Canucks three to 2 and overtime in the Crackin 8 to 3. They do have some injuries, though, as I've already mentioned, with Jacob Markstrom being on IR. Sasha Barkov once again is hurt, unfortunately. I know everybody has the Panthers as the main villain these days,

Starting point is 00:16:38 but Barkov is still one of the best players in the league, and you hate to see a player like him on the shelf once again. He's expected to miss six to eight weeks with a lower body injury. and the same can be said for Brad Marchand. He is also expected to miss six to eight weeks. But all of that said, this is still a very deeply talented Panthers team. They can roll three lines and then punish you with a third or a fourth physical line on their fourth line. The top line of the Kachucks, who we went over, they're rolling to start the year.

Starting point is 00:17:15 They've got Sam Bennett at center. That line always going to be dang. for Hagee, Reinhart, and our old pal Lars Eller is a productive second line. And then their third line of Luster Reinan, Lundell, Villamonis, one of the more underrated and productive third lines in the league. And then there's that fourth line, Boko O'Ma, Kohlshwind, and Garnet Hathaway. That is a line that will not only piss you off and get under your skin. They will also beat you up.

Starting point is 00:17:48 So the penguins do have to be aware of that. But that said, for all the focus in the talk about the Panthers turning every game into a street fight, they are still a deeply talented team that is equipped to beat you pretty much any way you want. You want to play an open track meet. They've got the ability to score. You want to play a lockdown defense game. They can do that as well. Though they, like I said, they do have some goaltending issues,

Starting point is 00:18:16 but they've got a solid defensive core. However, if there is one other quote unquote weakness on this Florida team, and it's one that I would like to see the Penguins in Dan Mews exploit and work to their advantage with the last change, is their third defensive pairing. You look at their top four of Foresling and Ekblad, Mikala and Jones, two very good pairings, two very solid pairings. But their third pair of Dimitri Kulikov and Radco Gudis, not a lot of speed there, not a lot of puck handling there.

Starting point is 00:18:51 If there was a game when you're at home with last change to exploit a bottom pair, this would be the one. Speaking of that, let's talk about the Penguins lines from Morning Skate. It does appear that the goaltending rotation has been broken. Archer Shilovs was the first goalie off, meaning that he likely will get the start tonight against the Panthers. and here is how the lines set up with the absence of Ben Kindle and Brian Rust. First line, Tommy Novak, Sidney Crosby, Ricard Raquel.

Starting point is 00:19:25 Second line, Velae Covenin, Hendrix LaPierre, Evgeny Malkin. Third line, Andre Kuzmenko, Blake Lazot, Igor Chinikov. Fourth line, Elmer Soderblam, Connor Doer, and Nick Robertson. Defense, no real changes from the last game. Stassney is with Carlson. Carlisle and Korzak are together in Sloviov and Latang on the third pairing. However, one thing to keep in mind about this lineup, Mews said before the Utah game to not read too much into the lineup at morning skate and then something similar was used

Starting point is 00:20:04 in that morning skate. So this is subject change. All in all, given what the penguins have at their disposal right now, given all the injuries and everything else. Should the lines look this way, I do think there isn't much you can do until you make more roster moves and other changes. I do wish that McRourty was in the lineup. I have a feeling we'll see that closer to this weekend since he just got up here from Wilkes-Bair and there's a whole bunch of new CBA changes about paper transactions and everything like that. So harder to get him to Pittsburgh sooner rather than later. We'll say

Starting point is 00:20:44 I don't love second line Hendrix La Pierre, but I have liked Coivinen's game over the past few games. And if he can get the puck to Malkin and Coivinen and be smart defensively as a band-aid for a game, it's okay. But I don't want to see that long term. I still don't believe La Piers is a top six player, but this is what they've got to work with for now. Although would not be shocked to see some things shaken up like Novak returning. to center and Chinikov getting another look with Sidney Crosby. I do know that there did seem to be a little bit of a lack of chemistry there, but both of them had solid games in Utah.

Starting point is 00:21:25 So wouldn't be surprised to see Muse go back to that well. We will talk more about the lineup as well as get to some keys to victory when we come back right after this. But we got one more sponsor to get to, and it's our pals at game time. Some of the best nights happen when you almost don't go. Maybe you're tired, your schedule's packed, or you think getting tickets just isn't worth the hassle. But then you get the group of friends together, find tickets, and suddenly you're walking into an NHL game with some of your best friends, and it turns into one of those nights you're talking about

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Starting point is 00:22:53 first purchase. Terms apply, that's code locked on for $20 off NHL tickets on game time. Download the app today. Closing out the Thursday edition of the Locked on Penguins podcast, Patrick Damp here, flying solo as our boy Hunter is about to get married. Penguins versus Panthers tonight at PPG Paints Arena at 7 o'clock. If you were in Pittsburgh, you can catch the game on Sportsnet, Pittsburgh, ESPN Plus, if you are out of market. And as always, you can open the Penguins mobile app and listen to Joe Brand's call on the radio.

Starting point is 00:23:35 Like Dan Mews said, we probably shouldn't be reading too much into the morning skate lineup. So with that in mind, here are a couple things I would like to see. if things aren't going well or if things are looking like they're going south, I really want to see Robertson get another shot with Sid. The chemistry was there. Robertson has continued to be one of the penguins better forwards throughout the last couple of weeks. And I do think he has spent enough time in the doghouse, even if that fourth line has been solid.

Starting point is 00:24:10 I would like to see him get an elevated role and see what he can do with it for an extended period of time. He has shown he's got the work ethic. There was chemistry with Sid. We know what's going on with Ricard Raquel, despite scoring against the mammoth. I do want to see Robertson get another look, especially because this leads into something else. If that chemistry isn't there with Sidney Crosby and Igor Chinikov, you should probably just reunite Malkin and Chinikov. They have continued to have chemistry. They've continued to work well together.

Starting point is 00:24:45 I know there's injuries. I know there's other things going on, but I don't see a need to fix what isn't broken. And then the last part, as for the defense, until Sam Gerard gets back, you just got to hope it holds. And who would have thought we would be saying that about Sam Gerard? But here we are. Now, let's get to some keys to victory. First and foremost, as you might expect, the Panthers are the most penalized team in the NHL

Starting point is 00:25:20 with 159 penalty minutes, an average of nearly 16 penalty minutes per game. Of those penalty minutes, 49 of those penalties have been minors, which is the most in the league up to this point. Florida's penalty kill is 12th in the league at 81.4. While that is still an okay PK, it means you still are going to get chances.

Starting point is 00:25:46 And against the team like Florida, you have to take advantage of those chances. To that same end, you know what the Florida Panthers are going to do all night long. They are going to poke. They are going to prod. They are going to throw cheap shots. It doesn't matter if it's between the whistles,

Starting point is 00:26:08 after the whistles, whenever. they are going to work to get under your skin all game long. I know the satisfaction for fans and for players would be to punch them in the nose, get your revenge. It feels great in the moment. But right now, given the rut that the penguins are in, you need these two points. You need two points more than you need to get your revenge on one of the many agitators

Starting point is 00:26:38 that the Florida Panthers have. It is satisfying in the moment. It's a great little rush of adrenaline, but you don't want to fall behind the eight ball against a team like the Florida Panthers. Don't let them take that advantage away from you. Get your power play in order. Get your opportunities and put the puck in the back of the net.

Starting point is 00:27:01 Speaking of the back of the net, rookie goaltender making his NHL debut, shoot the damn puck. Shoot it from everywhere. every chance you get. Do not let him settle in. Do not let him get comfortable. Get in his kitchen and make it a hostile welcome to the NHL.

Starting point is 00:27:21 I know it's a simple thing. I know I sound like a broken record, the amount of times that I have said that on this show. But when you've got a rookie goalie making his NHL debut more so than just in a rookie goalie, you've got to make it a hostile environment for him. you have to live in front of his paint, you have to get in his face, and you got to make them work. As I have said about plenty of goalies, if you throw 35 to 40 shots at them and they beat you, you tip your cap and you move on, but you have to make that effort against a rookie goaltender.

Starting point is 00:27:57 Lastly, but certainly not leastly, play for Ben Kindle. Yes, the prognosis looks to be good. it does appear that we have avoided the worst case scenario, but moments like this can galvanize a team. It can bring a group together. You know that you have been back in the building. You know that you guys all went through this together on the plane. Go out there and get a win for your teammate

Starting point is 00:28:26 and start helping lift the spirits of the team. And especially if you can do that against the team like the Florida Panthers, it is something they can put some wind behind your sails and can really start you getting moving in a positive direction with two points tonight against the Florida Panthers. Once again, Penguins Panthers at PPG Paints Arena. That game is at 7 o'clock. I will be back with a brand new episode recapping this game,

Starting point is 00:28:58 giving out stars and or shames, depending upon how this game goes on the Friday edition. recording that episode right after the game later tonight. It will be published early on Friday morning. Also, make sure to check out my social media accounts as well as our YouTube channel. There are prompts for Fan Take Friday. I will obviously end the week with Fan Take Friday before I go and see our boy Hunter Hodes get married. But for now, for Hunter Hodes, the soon to be wed. I am Patrick Damp. Thank you as always for tuning in. and we will be back with a brand new episode on Friday.

Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Penguins forward Ben Kindel released from the hospital, returns to Pittsburgh

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