Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Starting the season reviews with the obvious...

Episode Date: June 10, 2021

The season reviews are here! Hunter starts you off right with a review of Sidney Crosby's season and how he continues to tear it up. He goes into the numbers from Natural Stat Trick and hockeyviz to show what he did this year, as well as the playoffs. What's the expectation for Sid next season? Will he be a point-per-game player again? Could he crack 40 goals? Hunter ponders on both, but not before he goes into the NHL Awards and his thoughts on the finalists so far. Did Victor Hedman really deserve to be a finalist for the Norris? Who should win the Selke? Is it Vasilevskiy for the Vezina over Flower? After that, Hunter answers some mailbag questions, including one of the favorite moments for this Pens season!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.WealthfrontTo get your first $5,000 managed for FREE, for life, go to wealthfront.com/LockedOnNHL.StatHeroStatHero, the FIRST Ever Daily Fantasy Sportsbook that gives the PLAYER the ADVANTAGE. Go to StatHero.com/LockedOn for 300% back on your first play. Lucy.CoGo to Lucy.co and use Promo Code LOCKEDONNHL to get20% off all products on your first order, including gum or lozenges 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. Everyone, welcome to this Wednesday evening episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. Excuse me. I'm your host, Hunter Hoddes.

I'm going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. Also happy 6-9 day, everyone. Yes, I had to slip that in there. Today's episode is brought to you as always by locker room. Download the app and join me this week. I'm going to try to do something this weekend in the evening if one of the Stanley Cuff Semi-Final matches is set.

Lockroom changing the way we talk sports. We also might just do something on a weekday just because we've been doing a lot of food take debates in the Locked-on podcast, NHL group chat on Twitter. So we have really just been spoon up hot take, so I honestly think I might do something around those lines, but also, of course, talk about hockey on my next locker room. But apologies from not getting out on an episode yesterday.

I've been doing some job interview stuff. I've actually gotten to the final stage for a job with a company that I'm hoping to find out within the next couple of weeks. I have to do a writing and editing exercise that'll be due by Monday. But I'm crossing my fingers at least. I'm not going to say anything else until I potentially get it and with what company it is. But I'm definitely hopeful at this point. That's for sure. But for today's episode, we're going to talk about a little bit about the NHTS Awards and, you know,

for the finalists that have come out so far and get my thoughts on those. We're also going to do our season review for the Penguins players. Today will be Sidney Crosby because, of course, you have to start with the captain with how great he was. So I'll do that in a second segment. And then for the third segment, we will do a mailbag where I'll answer a few questions and then we will call it a show. But, okay, so let's get into some of the NHL awards. There were, so today the Norris came out. And two of the players on there definitely deserved a Cal McCar, which he was probably going to be the best defenseman in the league.

the next year or two. Adam Fox, he was incredible. I think he is my Norris pick at this point. And then the other finalist is Victor Hedman. How he is a finalist over Charlie McAvoy is just insane to me. It really just goes to show that the PHWA, you know, the Pro Rockie Writers Association, a lot of those people really don't watch the games. I mean, that's just, I think, the main takeaway that I have. It's like, okay, you obviously didn't watch the games this year, and you're just basing it off of his reputation with what he did last season. And let's be real. Victor Hedman was the best defenseman in the league last season. I mean, he won the Norris.

He was insane in the playoffs. I think he had almost tied our record for Paul Coffey for most points by a defenseman. I'm pretty sure he also won the Khan-Smith as well for the Tampa Bay Lightning. But with that being said, Hedman was not that player this year. He was really banged up. His point totals or his county stance, as I like to call them, didn't come close to where they were last season. His underlying numbers this season were much worse. and he's still getting a Norris vote,

even when he missed games and someone like Charlie McAvoy really didn't and he had better numbers than him. I'm sorry, that's just ridiculous. I mean, that this year Charlie McAvoy had a much larger impact at 5E5 than Victor Hedman didn't seem. It goes with Adam Fox and Cal McCarar, even though McCar did miss some time. But this just goes to show you that hockey culture still stinks

and that a lot of these writers that cover the teams, they just don't watch a lot of these games. Or if they do, you know, their eye test are just not that good. I wish that people would have, you know, they use maybe more stats when they look at these ballots and when they're thinking about who they want to put on their balance. Because how you don't have Charlie McAvoy in your top three is just a joke. I mean, honestly, for me, it should be McAvoy or Fox for the Norris. Right now I would have Adam Fox, Cal McCar, then Victor Headman of those three. But if you were to give me a list, I would still probably go Fox, McAvoy, McCar. You could not go wrong with either one of the. players, but I still think Fox should get it. His underlying numbers at 5E5 were elite this year.

I mean, he basically was the Rangers offense at the Boulin, despite missing the playoffs. He was everything they had hoped him to be in more. And he's going to be getting a fat raise when his contract expires pretty soon. I mean, that's probably going to be over $8 million per, that's for sure. He is worth every penny, and he's going to be one of the five best offenses in this league for many more years to come. So kudos to him. Kudos to Kelmar car.

and like I said, you know, had to do a little mini-ran on Victorheading because I think it's just ludicrous that he is a finalist. Go over to the Selkie. Patrice Bergeron is again a finalist for, what, the 10th year in a row. He should win this award. I think Sasha Barkov is another finalist and Mark Stone is as well. My thoughts, Patrice Bergeron should win this again. I mean, he's the best defensive center in the league. He's been that way for the last decade.

I would have Sasha Barkov at number two, and then I'd have Mark Stone and three. You know, Stone is one of the better two-way players in hockey, and he's been that way for a while. I know a lot of people are going to ask me, you know, well, why isn't Cindy Crosby there? Hey, you know, I think I would have replaced Stone with Crosby, but, you know, you're still probably going to see Cade finish in the top five in voting. I mean, I think he was fourth last year, if I'm not mistaken. I have to double-check that, but I'm pretty sure he was fourth as early as last year. He's had a couple top ten finishes in the last few years, so he's starting to get a lot more national recognition for how he's, his two-way game has evolved.

In my opinion, I think I would have done Barkoff, Bergeron, and Crosby with how Sid's two-way game was this year. But, you know, you also can't go wrong with Mark Stone, who's also one of the best two-way players in the game. But again, I expect Bergeron to win that. For the Ted Lindsay, we did see Matthews, McDavid, and Crosby. So congrats to Sidney Crosby for being named a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award, which is, you know, the players vote on who they think is the best player in the league. I expect McDavid to win that. I think Sid will probably come in third. It wouldn't surprise me if it's second,

but I still think you see him finish third among those finals. We still have not had the Hart Trophy finalists yet. In my opinion, it will probably be McDavid, Matthews, and Sid. I think you'll see Sid there as well. Again, everyone, I talked about this a couple weeks ago. Anyone suggesting that Sidney Crosby should win the Hart Trophy, you probably should get your pulse check because that is not going to happen, nor it should not happen either just because of what Connor McDavid did,

having over 100 points in a 56 game season, which is what, like 140 point place in over an 82 game season, is nothing short of absurd. Yes, I understand the Oilers bowed out early in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but this is a regular season award. He deserves to win it based on what he did

in the regular season. He literally carried the Oilers to the playoffs along with Leon Drysidal, who, you know, I mean, if this were a 82 game season, he also could have had a claim to be named a Hartchopee finalist again. So I fully expected me, David, to win it, and rightfully so. We also did see the Masterton Trophy finalist.

Oscar Lindbaum is obviously the clear-cut winner here. If he does not win that, just disbanded the award overall, though it should have been disbanded a long time ago, when Yarmor Yager won it for basically being old, and then Devin Dubnick won it for just remembering how to play hockey again on just a better team. And they won it in different years when, you know, Pascal Dupuy was a finalist for overcoming a blood clot, how he didn't win him was absurd. and then Chris LaTang was a finalist for one of the other years for literally overcoming a freaking stroke. And the fact that he didn't win that, just goes to show how stupid this award is. I think Patrick Marlow is another one of the finalists.

I mean, I guess he's a finalist for being old. I mean, I think that's the big thing here. And just continuing to play hockey. And then Matt Dumba is also a finalist as well. Well, deserved for him. He won the King Clancy Trophy last season. So I understand where they're coming from with his finalist for this award, though, I don't think he's a finalist. he will win at North Sydney.

This is Oster Lindblum, and then basically everyone else. As for the Besna, Andre Vasselowski, I think should win with Mark Andre Fleury a close second, and then Philip Grubauer a distant third. I disagreed that Grubauer was on this ballot. I think it should have been Connor Hellebuck, in my opinion, with how he dragged a Winnipeg Jets corpses again to the playoffs, and then, of course, they swept the Edmonton orders. He tried his best in the series against Montreal, but he was under siege that entire series.

I definitely think this is Andre Vasselowski's award. Again, he's the best goaltender in hockey and will be one of the best goaltenders of this generation when it's all sudden done. I also will say, kudos to Mark Andre Fleury for the season that he had in any other year. He will be the clear-cut Vesna winner. I just don't think he's going to win it, even though this is the first time he's been nominated. I think this award will go to Andre Vasselowski and rightfully so. We also did see the Carter Memorial Trophy, Kapril Kaprisov, Alex and Delkevich of Karek, Carolina and Jason Robertson.

That's a clear-cut winner for me, everyone. Capri Sov wins that, I think, with Robertson and the second and Adelkevich as third. As for the King Clancy, Pecorané, P.K. Suban, and Curtis Gabriel. I honestly might have to go to Pecorané for what he did with National, with his leadership and stuff like that. You know, especially, you know, when UC Soros took over.

I mean, he's been a trooper. And, you know, all three of these players also do great things off the ice, which is really what this award is all about anyway. I would probably have Suban as second and then Curtis Gabriel as third, but there's no wrong winner, I don't think, there. The Lady Bing Trophy, Austin Matthews, which is hilarious considering what's happened to him in his past for the most gentlemanly player. Jacob Slavin and then Jared Spurgeon, one of Slavin or Spurgeon did win that award.

I guess I'm probably going to go with Slavin with that. Already have the Norris. Like I said, Hart Memorial Trophy gets announced tomorrow, and then the Jack Adams Award is announced on Friday if Mike Sullivan is not a finalist for the Jack Adams. I might just throw the PHWA in the sync, to be honest with you. But those are my thoughts on the NHO Awards, as we're just about done with announcing the finalists and who I think should win basically all of these awards. So we still have a little more to get to.

In this podcast, of course, we're going to start our season reviews in the next segment with Sidney Patrick Crosby, who of course has a birthday coming up in just a couple of months now. But before we do get to that, it's time to talk about a couple of things. one of them that I talked about at the beginning of the episode and that it is Lockroom. It's the perfect place to start or join conversations around the week. You'll find fans just like you are in Lockroom for watch parties, debates, post-game breakdowns, and, of course, reacting to big news or rumors.

You'll have a chance to chat with me. It might even have a chance, have a chance, excuse me, to be featured on the Locked on Penguin's podcast through our locker room conversations. Be sure to join me this week. I'll be hosting a room. Hopefully there'll be a Game 7 for Vegas, Colorado, or Boston versus New York. Then I may do something there, and then maybe we'll have some food takes on one as well.

Go download the free Lockroom app now, currently available on all iOS devices. Be sure to create a profile, link your Twitter, and join the NHL group for the latest league updates. Follow me at Hunter Hotties to be notified when my room goes live. I know you won't want to miss it. I can't wait to see everyone's thoughts on the Penguins. See you there.

Lockroom changing the way we talk sports. We also cannot forget about everyone's favorite bar, which is, of course, the Bell Bar. Did you know that they had nine delicious flavors plus the occasional limited time one? When you talk to a Bill Bar fan, they're definitely passionate about their favorites. If you don't know the flavors well, you are missing out.

Coconut, coconut almond, cherry, raspberry, mint brownie, and of course my favorite, the peanut butter brownie. If you have not tried all the flavors, you can get a mixed box where you'll get two of each of the nine flavors. Most of the flavors have 17 grams of protein, only 130 calories, only 4 grams of sugar and only 4 grams of nut carbs. A couple have 18 grams of protein, just 180 calories, 6 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of net carbs. Nine amazing flavors, all tasty, and they all are healthy. You can go to Billbar.com and he's promo code locked 15, and you'll get 15% off your first order. That's promo code locked 15 for 15% off that order at Billbar.com. All right, so we're back here on this episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast.

I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. Somebody to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes, follow the show, Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. So let's get into Sidney Crosby season. And yes, everyone, it was another great season for him. We'll just start with his playoff numbers because he was still good in the playoffs. you just obviously didn't get the production from him because Ilius Hirokin was really good was on the ice for 62% of the shot attempts at 5B5

so his demise had been greatly exaggerated I mean if you go back to last season in the four games against Montreal in the bubble only was on the ice for 54% of the shot attempts the year before that against the founders 57% so he had not been at 62 above 60% actually in the playoffs since 2014 when he was playing on a bummed wrist

I know he was on the ice for more goals against than goals for but you know a lot of that does have to do with Tristan Jari, just really being a joke, to be honest with you all. His scoring chances for a percentage, 62.6%. That's the high it has been since 2014. He was on the ice for 27 high danger chances for 19 high danger chances, again, for a total percentage of 58%. His expected goals percentage was 59.6%.

He was not on the ice for any high danger goals, but again, a lot of that has to do with Ilya Seroquen. So he was a menace again in the play. playoffs. If you go to the regular season now and look at his numbers, let's go down here. So he was on ice, 52% of all shot attempts. He was on the ice for 56% of the actual goals. A stark contrast from last season where he was on the ice for 50%. He's usually hovering well over 55, 56%. The season before that in 2019, he was on ice for 65% of the actual goals for. His expected goals percentage was 51.1% basically what he did

last season. Scoring chances for, 53% of them at 5E5 for high danger, 51.2% this year, and for actual high danger goals for on the ice, 24 to 19. If you go to his counting stats, he obviously was another point

per game player. Again, 62 points in 55 games. That is now, what, the 15th, 16th straight season, that he has been a point per game or better in the league, which is basically almost a record at this point. I think he's now tied wing, Gretzky, for the most. of all time.

So that just goes to show you. He gets older, but he continues to be the same old Sydney Grosby that we have all come to love. Just another really strong season. He put the team on his back plenty of times I thought throughout the season, especially when Evgeny Malkin was trying to get right in the early parts of the season. No, Sid would just show up every night and would really shoulder the load on the top line playing next to Jake Ensel and Brian Russ, even though at times they were putting Evan Rodriguez on there because at the start of the season, they were putting Rust with a

Genie Malkin, then I think, believe, after what, 10 to 12 games, they finally put Rust up with Sid and Gensel, and then it was just curtains after that. As for next season with Sid, I expect him to be another point-per game player. I don't know if you're going to see the same crazy production that you usually see from him in a full 82-game season where he can put up 100 points in 79 games, like you saw in 2019 when he was 31. But I do think you can definitely see him get over 85 to 90 points. I just don't know if you're going to see him clips 100.

I think those days might be over, but am I one to doubt Sidney Crosby? Absolutely not. I mean, he's going to be a heart trophy finalist this season. He's already a finalist for the Ted Lindsay trophy. This is the second greatest player in the franchise's history, and he just continues to make unreal plays night in and night out. He was not the reason why this team bailed out in the first round. I thought he played his ass off in the first round.

The numbers that I threw out to you all from Static confirmed that with how he was on ice for all the shot attempts and scoring chances and all that. If you go to Micah's site and with this isolated 5 to 5 impact, that's hockey viz, plus 9.2 expected goals for defensive impact, you know, minus 0.4 expected goals allowed not a lot of red on there. So his defensive impact was just so much better this year, even in a comparison to last year.

And then for offensive-wise, that plus 9.2% expected goals for was actually a bit of a downgrade from his plus 11.2. but there's a whole C of Red right in front of the net, as it's basically been that way for his entire career. You know, he drives offense from the high danger areas at will. Basically, every shift. And if you go to his isolated impact for even-strike the offense, you know, plus 0.23% expected goals score, plus 9% in parentheses,

and a whole lot of red again in the high-danger areas and in between the hash marks, and then a lot from the top blue line as well. And then also on the power play plus 0.69 expected goals score with a lot of a big brown blob in the front of the net, which is what you want when you look at these charts. For anyone that doesn't know what these means, the more red on the map,

especially in the big scoring areas, the better you are at impacting your team at even strength. So just wanted to put that out there for you all. But yeah, just another splendid season from Sid, we're going to continue to do these season reviews throughout the off season. Again, I expect it around the 85 to 90 point range next season. And I do think 40 of those will be goals. I think you see Sid go back to being a 40 goal score next year.

That's my one big bowl prediction for him next season. Cindy Crosby will score 40 goals. He's not going to win the rocket. That's Alex Oveckin's trophy to lose usually. But I do think you will see him score 40 goals next season. And I think the R.Ross will go to McDavid, but I think Sid will be right behind him. I think he'll still finish top five in scoring, in my opinion, at least. But okay, that wraps up this segment with Cindy Crosby's season review.

Coming up in the next one, we will touch on a few mailbag questions. But before we do the get to that, it's time to talk about that online, the fastest and easiest way to bet on all your sports action. Baseball season isn't full-sweening, and you can track all the action at Ben Online. Get all the latest newsons and info for all your sporting needs, including MLB, NBA, NHL, and all your UFC action. Before the next pitch, head over to Bed Online on your laptop or phone

and check out all the great story news, sign-up bonuses and contest information. Don't sit on the sidelines anymore, as this is your chance to get into the game. As teams prep for the runs through the playoffs, head to the website your user phone to sign up today and receive a 50% off welcome bonus on your first deposit that's been online.

Your online sportsbook experts with a promo code, locked on. We also cannot forget about wealth front stonks, memes, rocket ships, day trading can be a lot of fun, but if you want to grow your long-term wealth and make it to the moon, you should open up a wealthfront investment account today. Investing can be complicated, but whether you're beginner or you've been investing for years, wealthfront makes it easy. They can create a portfolio of globally diversified, low-cost index funds personalized just for you in minutes. They're trusted with over $20 billion of assets, and you can get your first $5,000 managed for free by going to Wealthfront.com

slash Lockdown NHL. All you need is $500 to get started, everyone. Grow your wealth at easy way and let Wealthfront do all the work for you. To get your first $5,000 managed for free for life, go to wealthfront.com slash lockdown NHL. That's Wealthfront.com to start doing your savings.

One more time, Wealthfront.com slash Lockdowne NHL and get started today. All right, so we're right here on this episode of the Lockdown Penguins Podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. Always remember, follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes for all your takes and a Locked on Penguins, Twitter, L.O. underscore, Penguins, for all takes there as well. All right, let's get into a few of the questions here.

There's about four of them. I figured I would ask some. Let's start with Nolan, who is one of the hosts of Locked on Red Wings. After what you saw from the Pins this season, how many more years do you think they have left of going all in and winning the Cup? All right, so I guess we're going to go there after what happened against the Islanders again. I think you see one more year, Nolan. I think next year is the last big year for Pittsburgh. Obviously, they might be a little bit in Windnow mode after that,

but I think you're going to see more of a retool after next year, especially with all the contracts that are up. I mean, I definitely think Crystal Tang and of Guinea-Malkin are going to be signed back, and they're going to retire as Penguins. I've never not had that doubt. But you also have Brian Russ who's up after next year. Are you really going to be the team that gives him his next contract? In my opinion, that's absolutely not.

I mean, he's going to want five to five and a half million per. I've been talking about that a lot on my recent episodes. You just can't pay him that, especially now that he is 30 years old. And he would probably be looking for a five to six years term. You do not want to pay someone like that, five to six million per when he's going to be 30 to 35. That's a huge no-no. And then same for Kaspari Kaepinaninan. I mean, he's also up after next season.

I don't know if the Penguins are going to be able to afford him. Their cap-friendly situation, excuse me, I don't know why I keep sounding weird at times. but their cap-friendly gets a bit interesting after next season. I'm just pulling this up right now as we speak. Yes, I know this is totally bad radio, but this is what we're running with if my laptop wants to comply here. So after the 2020 season, I already touched on the big ones, but also Jared McCann is an RFA.

Actually, Kappan is an RFA. I actually never knew that. I thought he was a UFA. So they might still bring him back, but I'm also not sure at the same time because he's going to ask for probably a huge raise. Jared McCann, he's up after next season. They're going to have to make a big decision there.

I would sign him to an extension, maybe give him around $4 million per. There's also, Jeff Carter is the UFA after that next season. I think he'll probably walk. I've ever touched on Crystal Tang. And, you know, other than that, I mean, a lot of your players are still signed long-term. But, like I said, that being said,

I mean, it's just, that's still going to be a big off season. I mean, Casey DeSmith is also a UFA after next season. Tristan Jari goes until 2024. So you still have a couple more years left on that deal. So, I mean, even this year, you know, you look at their UFAs. Colton's here. He's going to walk. Freddie Goodrow, you've got to find a way to bring him back.

He's only making 700K. He'll probably come back for not that much. Evan Rodriguez, I think he will walk in free agency. Cody C.C., I think he's going to be too pricey to bring back, in my opinion. Yanuk Weber, I mean, he signed in Switzerland, so that's not going to happen. But yeah, I mean, there's just, there's going to be a lot of changes after this coming season. So I think this is the last mean one for this group. And, you know, like I said, they're going to bring the big core pieces back.

But I think for this team overall, next season is their last best shot to really try and get a fourth Stanley Cup in the Sid and Gino era. So thank you for asking that. Gilbert asked, what are your thoughts on Poulin and Ligari? I personally think Poulin should be given a shot in a lineup next. season. Yeah, great question, Gilbert. Thank you for that. Poulin, I definitely think he should be given a shot to make the team next season. I definitely think he will have a really good shot at making the team. If not, he'll start his season in Wilkesbury. He's one of those, of course, one of their best prospects in the system. I thought you were going to potentially see him make the

team out of camp this year, but you know, with how deep they were at forward. I am kind of glad that they're just, you know, they're slowing his development a bit, excuse me. But he's going to be given every opportunity, I think, to definitely make this team out of camp and maybe be, you know, put on the third line, or, you know, if you want to have him as your 13th 4. Well, honestly, you probably shouldn't even have a measure 134 because then what's the point of just bringing a year of your ELC? For Legeri, I think it's the same way. He's going to be given every chance to make the team. I think the chances of Poulan making the team are better than Ligari. But again, I definitely think that both of them should be given a shot to make the team next year. But, you know, with how many

forwards are likely to return for them? the Penguins next season. I wouldn't be surprised if they do start their season in Wilkesbury. But also, Gilbert, you have to remember with how the Penguins injury bug is every season. They're probably going to be called up at some point anyway. So that's my answer on that. Alan Coder asks, if it's not too late, what are you way too early predictions for next season? I think they're a play on team a bit lower in the standings.

Maybe they'll get past round one. Yeah, so my way too early predictions, I definitely think they will make the playoffs. They'll continue that streak for the longest active streak in sports. I think they're a top three team in the actual division next year if they do go back to the regular realignment. I don't think Washington is that good. Obviously, the Rangers are going to be tougher to deal with. I don't think Philadelphia is that good.

Of course, the Islanders are going to be a handful. Columbus, though, will be back in the division. They're probably going to start rebuilding. New Jersey is not that good. So you definitely have some of the bottom feeders, but I think when you look at this division overall, I mean, well, I will say this also. You know, Carolina will probably be back there in the division.

Their goal is going to be tough as well. So I really think you might see five playoff teams come out of that division. Pittsburgh, Carolina, the Rangers, the Islanders, and the capitals. I mean, this is, and of course, yeah, Philadelphia, which I'm not that high on them, but they're definitely going to be in contention for next season. So this is going to be a very tough division. I still think the penguins are in good shape going into next season, division-wise, because, like I said, you know who the bottom feeders are, and I'm also not that sold on Philadelphia.

and I also think Washington takes us another step back again next season. But I really do like the Penguins' chances in the division next year. And yes, I will go on record right now. Come back to this for next season with old takes of clothes. I do think the Penguins will get past the first round next season because I also think the playoff format will be different. I'm really hoping that they're just going to go back to 1 to 8. I think that's one of the two options that they're discussing right now, according to Elliott Friedman, at least.

But I do like their chances. I think they'll clips over 100 points. I think they'll get close to 110. and this team will be back in the playoffs. Again, I think you see Sidney Crosby to 85 to 90 points. I think you see Evgeny Malk going to be a point for game player coming back from the knee injury. I think you see Chris Latang continue to kill it. I think Tristan Jari bounces back a little bit.

I also think they bring in a goaltender who will share the load of it with him. And I think you continue to see Jared McCann break out as well. And oh, one more for you. If Jason Zulker is on this team next season, I think you see him have a much better season overall. So those are some of my way too early predictions for next season. for this team. I'm going to have more of those coming up later in the off season when we get closer to the next season.

And finally, Thomas Nevitt asked, what was your favorite Penguins moment from this season? Personally, mine was Redeems the Horn's debut in it, and itchal gold. Did you expect anything else from a European who shouted his name from the rooftops when he signed for Pittsburgh? Thomas, that's great that you added that. I'm sure you did, and I'm sure everyone

in Europe that is a Penguins fan and the United States did the exact same. But my favorite Penguins moment, that's tough. That's definitely in my top five, I think. But overall, my best favorite moment, even though they didn't win the series, it was just that comeback in game three,

just with how wild that was against the Alenders. That was the most fired up I've been after a win in probably four years, you know, when they went with the back-to-back Stanley Cubs. That was just my favorite moment, just because it showed for at least a bit that this team was so different than the one that got swept in 2019

and the heart and the character and just how they didn't, they weren't phased by what the Alenders were doing. That just showed a lot for me. in terms of the regular season, my favorite moment was, I think the comeback on Long Island when Malkin tied the game with about 12 seconds left, and that really showed that Gino was back until he got hurt again. And then I think that was also the game when Chris LaTang won it in overtime, if I'm not mistaken.

It was either that one or Sidney Crosby won the game in a shootout. And yes, to confirm yes, that that was Sidney Crosby's winner in the shootout. I got confused that it was Crystal Tang's overtime winner. I'm excusing me on that. But I think that was my favorite moment of the season because they looked down and out and it looked like the outlers were going to take two crucial points for them and then if Gany Malkin fired a slap shot or a Gino bomb, as I like to call it, and they were able to tie the game and then Sid was able to do his magic on Barlamoff in the shootout.

So I think that was my favorite moment from the regular season at least, but also, you know, the comeback against the Rangers where they won in a shootout, and I also think, you know, when Gensel won the game with about a minute and a half left in the third period. Also, you know, when they clinched the put-out forth against Washington, they weren't phased when Tom Wilson tied it with only 15 seconds left. against it was able to win the game in overtime off of a great John Marino feed. There are just so many great moments that I thought with this regular season. You know, obviously winning in Boston for the first time in seven years is up there as well.

But my favorite was definitely the game against the owners on February 12th when Gino tied it and then Sid won it in the shootout as the two-headed monster reigns supreme forever. And again, you know, happy 6-9 day, everyone. You know, five years ago today, Pittsburgh was ready to explode as game five of the Stanley Cuff final between the sharks and the Penguins was played. I know Pittsburgh lost that game, and it didn't matter in the end, but just seeing how wild Pittsburgh was that night and how ready I was. I mean, I remember that second goals was score.

I ran around my house, which is crazy as an 18-year-old kid, basically. So it's been wild as a Penguins fan. I appreciate you all listening to this one, and let's do another one of these tomorrow as we continue our season reviews and a couple other things. So I'll talk to you all then. Go watch the Islanders Bruins game. Hopefully the Bruins can send this to 70 games,

so I don't have to see another 70 game series between the Islanders and the Lightning. But again, talk to you all tomorrow.