Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Should Jason Zucker be back next season?

Episode Date: May 31, 2022

Happy Memorial Day! Hunter starts today's show off by going into Jason Zucker's season review and yes, he was able to play in 41 games. He goes into the underlying numbers and how they've still remained strong, plus how his finishing was this year. He then looks at how those numbers cratered in the playoffs, but doesn't blame him for those due to playing with Jeff Carter for most of those minutes. He also touches on which line he should play on next year (assuming he's on the team) and if he should get a bigger role on some special teams units. Finally, he gives his take on what the team SHOULD do with Zucker and why he understands the other side of the debate. In the second segment, Hunter brings up "the future young players" and if anyone can come up from Wilkes Barre next season to make a difference. Is it POJ's time to shine? Can Drew O'Connor rediscover his early-season magic? Could Alex Nylander keep up his momentum? What about Puutstinen? All that, plus much more on this episode of Locked On Penguins.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!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.BetOnlineBetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts!Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.Athletic GreensAthletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/NHLNETWORK.#NHL #PittsburghPenguins #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 there. Happy Monday. We are back for another episode of this podcast. For those our YouTube, yes, I finally shaved the playoff. You are a little too late. For those that probably think I look a little tan. Yes, I've been going to our pool here in the community for the last two days. I don't know why my lips look like I've gotten lip injections. I would never go to something like that. But definitely, well, I guess weird vibes from the webcam, at least. Have a pack show for you all today. I'm going to get into some players from Wilkesbury and who I think, you know, could be the next young wave to really make an impact on this team next year. Plus, we're going to get to Jason Zulker's season review and what I expect the team to do with him

in the off season. You know, will he be back? Will he be traded? You know, what should the team do? And a couple other tidbits for you all as well. That's all coming up right after this drop. You're Locked on Penguins. Your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Part of the Locked on Podcast Network. Your team every day Hello and welcome back to another episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hoodies. You want to follow me on Twitter. Hunter Hodes follow this show is Twitter at L.O.Nsport Penguins. This episode is bought to you by Bet Online.

Van Line has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. That is, Bet Online, where the game starts. Also, of course, happy Memorial Day. Thank you to, you know, all the heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for you. this country, of course, the United States. So I just want to wish all of you a happy, very happy Memorial Day. You know, I know the Penguins haven't been doing much lately,

but, you know, there's always still stuff to talk about when it comes to this team. I always say that they are never boring to say the least. And so, you know, let's jump right into it here. Let's start with Jason Zucker. So, you know, I keep getting asked this question, you know, from people, not just like the people that listen to the show, but you know some of my friends you know you know hunter like what were they going to do with them he makes 5.5 million you know should they trade him you know should they bring him back he plays his tail off yada yada yada and so let's first dive into the underlying numbers from how he was this year so played in 41 games and yes i i i kind of looked at that number a few times i had to make sure that

it was real because i do not remember him playing half a season um for this team he was out numerous times with multiple injuries again what i was told in the playoffs from so on um that that's close to him was that it's a torn groin um i i don't think it's been confirmed by yoia rossi but you know that's just that that's what i was told um maybe it'll come out at some point maybe it won't you know the penguins are usually very secretive with that kind of stuff i mean the guy had to literally sit on a stool um during games and for those that maybe that are a bit weird that they're not seeing my glasses for the YouTube page if I put them on here. They got even more crooked.

So my beautiful puppy over here decided to not only step on them, but they also almost crumbled them. My girlfriend was able to get them as straight as they can be. But again, if I put them on, I just, I look like a dark here. So I'm not really going to wear them for this. But getting back to Zulcher here, so even strength, when he was on ice, the penguins at 50.6 of the shot attempts for goals for right around 50% on expected goals of 53.8% of those scoring chances, 52.3% high danger chances about 55% the penguins had when he was on the ice.

40, about 50, 50 split for high danger goals for high danger goals against. And then he shot this season 7.84, which is right around where he's been on the last couple of years with the penguins. on ice 8 percentage for him was 909. Last year was only 895. So for the regular season, he put up good numbers. Again, he's always had pretty strong underlying numbers. You go back to the last couple of seasons, he's going with the Penguins. You know, he came over from Minnesota during the 2019-20 season,

had 54% of the shot attempts when he was on the ice. Fiat number went down to 51.4% during the 2020-2020 season. Actual goals four was in the 40%. Swoon chances was right around 50%. high danger wise it was around 42 to 40 percent i kind of blame that on jack johnson and justin shultz being there for most of that time to be honest with you because remember excuse me you know during that time you know that that was when johnson and shultz were eating up those minutes when when zucker was playing with abgeny malkin and then this year

you know you finally don't have johnson i know they didn't have them last year but you know the defensive corps the defensive core excuse me um that they were better this year. They didn't really have any dead weight on that unit. So you're able to see his numbers be a bit better, both team-wise and individual-wise. Excuse me, sorry about that. I didn't meet myself to cough real quick. But, you know, this is still a player that can help you win games. And, you know, we go to the, let's, excuse me, let's go to the playoffs here. I think the numbers were not as good in the playoffs.

Played in five games. He was a bit banged up. only on the ice for 37.2% of the shot attempts, 33% of the actual goals, 38% of the scoring chances, 48% of the high danger chances. That is mainly, I think, due in part to Jeff Carter being really bad this season. And I try not to harp on Carter a lot because I understand he's a bit older. But, you know, when you get that to your extension before one of those three big contracts,

Brian Russ, I'm getting him all and Chris is saying, you better make sure that you perform. And he has not done that. I mean, sure, he almost had 20 goals this year, outside of that, was not good on the PK, not good on the power play. Playmaking-wise, he wasn't really that good. He was getting caved in on a nightly basis in that series. So I think that's the main reason why his numbers were not that good.

You know, when I test-wise, I think kind of trumps this in this regard, because he was playing his tail off every shift. He was getting quality schooling chance after ultra-quality scoring chance, before checking really aggressively in the offensive zone against the Rangers. He was leaving it all on the line. This was a player that was easily not even probably 50%. And he was gutting through an injury. And if there was someone that really deserved a goal or two in that series against

the Rangers, it's Zucker in my opinion. Just what a player he was for them in the playoffs. And obviously, you know, the big question remains for the Penguins. What do they do with this player? 5.5 million for the next season, you know, in a perfect role, you can maybe eat some of that contract on the deal. I know, I've read some people that say, and some articles that cover the team, well, you know, the contract is unmovable. And I don't necessarily think that's the case. I mean, bad contracts get moved all the freaking time. GMs are always waiting to help you.

And I am sure, you know, remember, this team just a couple of summers. ago, I believe it was maybe a summer and a half ago, they dumped Nick Bukestad to Minnesota. And sure, he played well in Minnesota, but they had to eat some of his cap. But a team still wanted that player. I would have to assume that someone would want Jason Zalker at like half his cap hit, which would be like 2.7-5. I mean, especially with how good he is when he's healthy. I mean, that's a deal. I think a lot of teams make every day of the week, in my opinion. And so I do think they are going to look to shop him around to open up more cap space. But I also would not be surprised if he is back on the team next year.

And honestly, I may get some heat for this. I really wouldn't mind it. That's how I feel. I think he's a great foretrucker. I think when healthy, he can chip in off offense. I think he's a good defensively. You can put him on the second power play unit. I honestly want to see more of him on the PK just because of how he sacrifices his body

and how he's really good at getting to lose pucks in the defensive zone. And also, you know, when he's clearing the puck where they have short-handed opportunities, he can go down into the opposition's defensive zone and kill time. I would love to see him, you know, get time on the PK. Who knows if Mike Volucci, if he's still here and doesn't take a head coaching job, you know, if he puts them on there, gets some more minutes there. But, you know, I think he could definitely be used more than just as a 5E5 player, can play on either of the three lines.

I would love to see him play more with Sidney Crosby at some point. I obviously know what his line did with Jake Gensel and Brian Rust in the playoffs. I mean, that needs no introduction with how good they were. But, you know, Zucker and Crosby have always had really solid numbers. I think it was Danny Shiree that did a piece. I think when he was still running for the Penns blog, when he was advocating for the Penguins to put Zocker with Crosby because, you know, scoring chances,

it was right below, I think, 60% shot attempts for per 60 was well above 50% high danger-wise, expected goals. They are two players that feed off each other. And if you do see that Gensel-Crosby, Rusty, Rush, line, struggle next season. I don't think Mike Sullivan would hesitate putting Jason Zucker up there. So, again, I could see it going either way. I do think, see, it's tough. What I think they should do, I think, I think,

they should create cap space in other ways. I still am a believer in this player. Now, will I be upset if he does get dealt? No, I will not be because I will understand the rationale behind it. You're clearing some cap space. You're getting a draft pick or a prospect or maybe even an NHL player back that can help you win now. And Zucker is getting a fresh start that he potentially needs just because he's been so

banged up ever since he got to Pittsburgh. If it were up to me, I would keep him, though, and I would look to move other players, such as a Brian Dumlin, such as a Jeff Carter, if you can do that, even though he still has two full years left on his deal. Maybe you look to move McGinn, though I would maybe give him another chance just because he was not the same player coming off of his injury this past season. You know, Kesperi Kappen, if he doesn't come back, that's potentially $3 million. off the books right there. Again, I already said Brian Dumlin. So, you know, there's ways for this team

to create cap space, even if Jason Zucker stays. And again, I'm leaning towards Zucker staying, but for those that want him, that want to trade him for the cap space, I understand that thinking to a T. I see both sides to do this, at least to my opinion. But, again, you know, I would love to see him, maybe with Sid next year. We'd love to see him with Gino, especially too. I didn't think we got enough of that when he came back in the playoffs. They kind of just stuck him down with Jeff Carter. And basically, I think, let him rot down there. Coming over the next segment, we're going to get to some of that potential next

way for the penguins going into next season if they decide not to go out into free agency and be aggressive. Before I get to that, though, our partners have been online continue to be the number one source for all of your betting needs and sports info. You can find all the latest odds news and sports developments, including this year's basketball playoffs, major league baseball scores, fights, and even next season's NFL Futures. Bet Online is your continued source for all of your sports wagering information from live

betting to playoffs, e-sports, and more. You can head to the website today or to use your phone to learn more about the trends and action that is Benin Online where the game starts. All right, I'm back here on this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the shows Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. And of course, right as I come back from the segment, looks like out of

Fox has scored for the Rangers to make it 1-0. I'm recording this right now. Maybe this turns out to be bad. I would kind of be stunned if the hurricanes win this game. There are special teams, Carolinas, have been absolutely dreadful in this series. I'm just, you know, Auntie Ranta has not been good. I'm not going to say it's a Louis-Douin level, but no, he has not been good, to say the least. But now, I've been getting this asked a lot to you.

by both listeners and some people, some friends, you know, you know, who's, who's the next Connor Sherry, who's the next Brian Russ, the next Tom Cunacle, next Jake Gensel to come up? Who are the players that are going to make a difference next season from Wilkesbury? And, you know, there are a few players down here who I think are, you know, itching to get up. And, you know, Alex Neelander had 22 goals and 42 points in 67 games. I got to think he's going to have a shot of going into training camp to have a roster spot. He was a different player ever since they traded Sam Lafferty to Chicago for

Nealander. They took a chance on him, put him down in Wilkesbury. And, you know, he ended up leading a tide for the team lead in points. Valteri Pustin, 20 goals, 42 points in 73 games. He will also, and I think deservedly so, get a look at the team next year. I thought he played really well in the very small sample size that he had during this past season. I think he only played in a game or two. I liked what I saw.

his skating is very smooth. He plays the puck well on his stick defensively. I didn't really see any warts there in his game. I do think, honestly, of the forwards down there that have a chance to make an impact, he is at the top of my list. Again, just a really silky player, has a good shot, has a really nice first pass. His skating is very fluid defensively.

He's not really going to hurt you. He's been developing really nicely these last couple of years down there. And if the penguins do decide not to go out and make a big splash in free agency, I definitely think he could be one of the top candidates to steal a roster spot coming out of training camp. Sam Puan didn't start out the season that well, but played good down the stretch. Finish was 16 goals, 37 points, and 72 games. He was second on the team in scoring behind Nylander, Boost and Drew Typer first. Felix Robert had 16 goals and 34 points.

I don't really think he's going to get that much of a look next year. had a good year in Wilkesbury, but there's still plenty of players that I think are above him. Michael Sheput, 12 goals, 33 points. But, you know, P.OJ, outside of Pustin, I think he has the best shot of actually making the NHL roster next year. It all comes down to, you know, can Ron Hextall make a move for one of these defensemen on the left side? You know, he said it during his end of the season press conference, it takes two to tango. that's that that's the big thing you know it sounds like he's open to making a move if it makes sense for the penguins but you know how you know can you find a team that's willing to take that doom one's contract on and you know what do you think is fair value for someone like that

or a marcus peterson or mike matheson i would i wouldn't trade either of those two i thought patterson and matheson had really good seasons matheson just had a really unlucky series against the rangers where every puck was going in off his skate. And it also doesn't help matters that he's playing on the top pairing with Chris LaTang because Doom 1 is out with that MCL injury. But I do think it has to be Dumlin. That is the Auduban out. And you can maybe slide up another player to play with Chris LaTang.

Maybe you do POJ Latang, but based on the results we saw last season when the two had to play together, I'm not really sure he's ready for that just yet. But, you know, Joseph, a really good first pass coming out of his own zone. He's a zone entry from machine from what I watched down on Wilkesbury. I thought he was ready to play with the penguins last year, in my opinion. I did not like the idea. Or I did not like the move where he got sent down, but I understood it just because of how crowded the blue line is. He needs to have the kind of training camp in preseason where the penguins have no choice but to keep him on the main.

roster similar to what happened with John Rowan. Remember, you know, the kid comes in, you know, no one really knows who he is that much. Like, oh, you know, you got him from Edmondson for like a six or seven-round pick. You know, maybe he plays well in Wilkesbury. You take a flyer on and whatever comes in absolutely destroys the competition and training camp and the preseason. Penguins end up moving Eric Goodbranes and out to Anaheim to make room for him. So if there is not a trade at that point, you know, maybe POJ, you know, does make the Penguins thing twice to put him in the lineup because, you know, when Rutherford, you know, spoke about Marino at the time when he was here. He even said, you know, he left us no choice

but to make this move because of how he played in training camp and the preseason. So he is, P.OJ is definitely a player that I am looking at a lot going into next season. You know, this is, it's now or never, I think for him. He had a good year with Wilkesbury, average about a half a point per game with them. this needs to be his time to really come up. Philip Hollander, 14 goals, 28 points in 61 games, came up a little bit at times this year. I'm still not really sure what the team has in him.

I mean, I know he has talent, but is he anything more than just a third or probably a fourth liner for the penguins? I think that's the big question. And then Drew O'Connor, someone that took the penguins by storm at the beginning of the season. finished with 32 points in 33 games. It was about a point per game player, 12 of those were goals.

Remember, you know, he had what, almost, I think, like five goals at the Penguins when he was up here. It was looking like a sure bet to be the bottom six for the entire season. Then has that really bad injury where he's out for a while, you know, is sent down to Wilkesbury. We discover some of that magic again, but, you know, was still never really brought up until the playoffs. He had a couple of strong games, hit the post, I think, in one of the playoff games against the Rangers. Forward-wise, he is definitely one of the top players that I think can make an impact on this team. So again, it's definitely, you know, it's definitely O'Connor,

Delcherie Pustinen, Poulan, if he has a good camp, Alex Neelander, if he starts to put it all together, some more, P.O.J. Hollander. Otherwise, you know, I don't really think there's too much here that can make an impact. Next season, I would like to see more from the, their goaltending prospect that they signed last year. I believe it was, no, it was not Blumquist. I'm trying to find, no, it was not the Oreo. I believe it was Lingren.

No, no, no, not Lingren. I almost thought of Ryan Lindgren for a second. Philip Lindberg, he only got to play in seven games this year due to just a bunch of injuries. You know, this was a player that was really good coming out of college. I'm just a really smooth goaltender. I want to see what he can do for a full season with Brooksbury. I don't think he's going to be the backup in Pittsburgh or anything like that. But that wraps up this segment for what just the big youth movement that could be coming for the Penguins next season

if they don't really want to go out and spend money in free agency to fill their holes. Just because, you know, I know their prospect pool is not that good. But I do think there are players down here that are there and that they're ready to come up. and contribute right now. So, so have a little more to get to for this episode coming up in the final segment, including a big day in Penguins history on this Monday. So stick around for that coming up right after this. All right, we're back here on this episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast.

I am your host, Hunter Hoadies. You're going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes, follow this shows, Twitter, at L.O. underscore Penguins. So, wow. And now I check Twitter. And it is, they're now down two to nothing. Yeah, I think Carolina is, Carolina's done. This is now looking at their, I mean, this is now two power play goals that they have given up.

This is, I mean, I don't usually tweet on the show, but I am going to do this here. But, you know, did this day in Penguins history, Bonito, Bonino, Bonino, game one against the shark. It's a three to two final to go up one nothing in the Stanley Cup final. Just an incredible game. I mean, the penguins had that game for a while, especially going in to the third period. The sharks were able to claw back, credit to them. And then Benino with the goal hurt around the world, and the Penguins were able to hold on to win that one, take a one-nothing seriously before Connor Sherry had his magic.

I mean, Benino just took the whole Penguins fandom by storm during that run. I mean, the Haglin-Binino-Cessel line was a chef's kiss, to say the least. it was so much fun to watch. And, you know, this was a player that really didn't do anything during the 2016 regular season, barely even had over double-digit goals. Started to play a bit better down the stretch. But I think for a long time, a lot of us were like, okay, like, you know, like, what's going on here? And then the playoffs come in, he just transforms into like a prime Sydney Crosby almost.

And he's just producing goal after goal, assist, after assist, just a completely different player. And then does it again in 2017. And I still kind of miss him a little bit to this day just because of how good he was in those two runs. But, you know, what a goal that was. And I remember when Chris Lettang just absolutely bodyed Brent Burns in the corner there, which before that passed, you know, Burns didn't really have a stick at the time. But Latang is able to have the puck somehow get the pass around his skate. And then poor Paul Martin, former penguin, could not get to it.

And then Benino was able to bury that. Always a fun moment and a great historic moment. in the Penguins franchise history. And, you know, that team was just so much fun in general. In terms of, you know, how much hockey, obviously, I've watched in my lifetime, that's probably the best Penguins team I've ever seen and probably the best Penguins team will I've ever see for, at least for a long time, to say at least.

So that'll do it for this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast, a little bit on the shorter end today, but still a solid 23 to 24 minutes. I'll be back with another episode on Tuesday. we're going to continue our season reviews, plus some other topics I've been planning for a little bit. So again, thank you all so much for listening, and I will talk to you all on Tuesday.