Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - The Penguins are starting to do some GM interviews!

Episode Date: May 6, 2023

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Hunter starts the show off by getting into the latest on the GM search from multiple outlets and how the Penguins seem to be starting some interviews. He looks at how Steve Greeley has reportedly been interviewed and how many people the team plans to interview during the first round of interviews. Is the team waiting for anyone's season to end? Hunter also looks at that part since there are only eight teams left and some feature some people that are likely high up on their list. When is the timeframe for this? Hunter gives his best shot at answering that since it's already been three weeks since Chris Pryor, Ron Hextall, and Brian Burke were relieved of their duties. After that, it's time for Danton Heinen's season in review! He discusses why Heinen regressed this season and why he was in Mike Sullivan's doghouse after a career year in 2021-22. He also gives his thoughts on whether the team should re-sign him or go in a different direction before ending the show with more playoff talk.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase.eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit is only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.Athletic GreensTo make it easy, Athletic 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/NHLNETWORKFanDuelMake Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go to FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) 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, everyone. Happy Friday. Happy Cinco de Mayo to everyone out there. We have another fresh episode, Block on Pankham's podcast coming up your way right now. We have Dayton-Hinen season review. That is next on the list of bottom six wingers. And we also do have a couple small GM search updates. Not much, but more than what we've got in the last week or two. We're going to touch on that to start the show. Then we'll get to Heinem's review. And then we'll end the show with some playoff talk and why. You know, you might be rooting for a couple of teams to lose if you want to see the new GM here. That's all coming up right after this drop. Your 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 Lockdown Penguins podcast. I am your host, Honor Hoides. Remember follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at El Orson for Penguins. And of course, thank you so much for making this your first list.

And today we're free and available on all platforms. Remember, this is your team every day. And, you know, I apologize for this being a little bit of a later upload. First time in a while had a little bit of a tough mishap with, well, I shouldn't say mishap, just a bump along the road just with my anxiety for today. First time I'll watch actually about five, six, seven weeks. But, you know, got through it. You know, I'm better than I've ever been, just dealing with it.

I'm able to record today and I feel refreshed. So don't worry. I am okay to say the least. But let's jump right into it. So a couple little bit of updates about the GM search. It was first yesterday we saw from Elliot Friedman. He went on NHL Network. Someone sent me this clip.

I won't be able to play it on my PC because it's just, you know, I don't know, my PC's audio is just weird as crap. And Freeman basically said that the payments have already interviewed a couple of people, including Steve Greeley, but he thinks they're also waiting for Kyle Dubus. He did throw out Bowman and Version and maybe Doug Wilson. You know, I don't really buy that that much just because, you know, those three have been out of the game for so long that I think it's just the agents wanting reporters to put their names out there. People who are probably wondering, you know, who Steve Greeley is. So Greeley, he was hired as, so he works right now for the Dallas.

starts. Before that, he was on the assistant general manager. Geez, I'm not being able to type on my PC. And right now, his job is the director of hockey strategy slash scouting, and he's the director of hockey of development in Dallas. Again, he was an assistant general manager in Buffalo from 2017 to 2020. Also has worked at the New York Rangers, Boston University, Los Angeles, Kings, and the U.S. national team development program. So he's working analytics. he's also worked with scouting he's kind of like the mini version of eric tolsky young guy right feature i think would be a pretty solid hire but in terms of if you know how far up on my list i probably wouldn't have in my top three but maybe you know top five top six something like

that no he would he would be a fine hire i just think that the penguins could do better um if if there are some of their top candidates are out there available to them but don't worry like I think he will be a much better higher than Ron Hextall. It's glad to, I'm glad to hear that they potentially interviewed him. You know, that was the first bit of news that we saw on when it comes to the GM search on Thursday. Then I read D.K.'s Friday Insider this morning. And D.K. even said the process is well underway. There have been multiple interviews from what I've heard.

And he also said that a search firm has been involved. He said he doesn't know which or to what extent, but that one is involved. He also said no decision has been made. on the number of individuals would be involved in the front office, whether that's, you know, president of hockey operations in a GM or just a GM or a GM and a senior advisor and maybe a president of hockey operations, who knows. But he did say here, the emphasis is on analytics for those hired. That's no scoop.

That is how FSGS operated, especially with John Henry over the years. But, you know, he has said the emphasis is on analytics. That right there should rule out Stan Bowman, especially, you know, for non-hockey. not even non-hockey-related reasons, but offer all this baggage, I should say. And when you don't even factor that in, he's just not a good young manager. That's a Rob Mark Burchman. And Willisn because they never really used much analytical insight when they were running the Canadians and the sharks, respectively. I think that honestly rules out a lot of retreads in this process, Bradshaw living included.

I don't really know how much the flames had in terms of an analytical structure. But, you know, this just schemes to me that they're going younger and more innovative. D.K also said, you know, there are multiple candidates still working for the eight teams, still alive in the Stenica playoffs, and that might be a bigger factor than anyone wants to admit. Among those, Kyle Dubus, Eric Tolski, Jason Botryl, and Steve Greeley, but again, Elliot Freeman that said they've already had an interview with him. He said, you know, he wishes he had more, but, you know, he doesn't think there's any raging hurry at hand.

It's been three weeks. Not a lot of leaks out there, Rob Ross, he said, today in his story. as well that he's really not hearing too too much, but they have started to, you know, putting a list together. Pierre LeBron echoed that report said there's going to be about 10 to 12 interviews for the first round, then they're going to cut back down to a list of finalists

and then bring the finalists in to Pittsburgh and then make a decision. If I had to guess the ends, you're probably looking at early June for a higher, maybe end of May. You know, I know they said they want to do this as soon as possible without feeling rushed, but with how teams have people on it that are still playing,

I think they want to weigh this out a little bit younger. They're definitely paying attention to Toronto right now. They're down 02 to the Florida Panthers. If Toronto bows out quickly here, I do think you could see this process really ramp up if they do want to interview Kyle Dubus. And I do think they do. I'm just speculating on that part,

but in terms of where the search has been, they're keeping it really quiet, would not be surprising the slightest if they do have Dubis on their sites. So we'll have to see when it comes to that. Same with there in Tolski. Carolina has won nothing in their sights. series right now.

Last I checked, it was scoreless in this game against the Devils, but that is going to change again by the time you all listen to this episode of the podcast. So, you know, Jason Botterl, I'm sure they'll want to talk to. I didn't really think he was that good of a GM in Buffalo. Yes, he did lay in Lange-Thompson for them in the O'Reilly trade outside of that. I don't really think he did too too much, right? But it's understandable that they would want to talk to him because he has familiarity with the franchise.

But, you know, three weeks in, not a lot of leaks. I think that's by design. They want to keep this very quiet. But you're starting to see, you know, some potential interviews being done, the first round at least, from trying to speak to as many candidates as they can. I'll keep saying it for people. I do not want to retread. I want someone who is new, fresh, has innovate, is more innovated and just analytically inclined.

You know, someone who is ready for this, even though they haven't been a full-time GM before. I am just not interested in their retread options out there. for multiple reasons, whoever it is. So those are the latest updates on the GM search. We'll have to see, you know, what the list actually looks at. I'm sure it'll be reported at some point,

whether it's, you know, DK, Rossi, Perman, you know, if I hear a scoop that I trust from someone that I know, I will obviously deliver it to you all if I'm allowed to. I haven't heard anything on my end. I don't, again, I don't hear too much as it is anyway. But if you're going to put that out there,

but again, you know, three more, three weeks, been three weeks. I think you're probably looking at at least three more until they make this hire a member of the Penguins. When they fired Ray Sherwood on, I believe it was mid-May

in 2014, they hired June 4th. It was about a few weeks for the draft. They will have a GM well before the draft. The draft this year about, I think it's, what,

June 28th, if I'm not mistaken, some around there, I believe. I just brought up a poor free agency. No, Obviously, the one that took the shore amount of time was replacing Jim Rutherford. Ron Haxall was hired in two weeks, but that was because it was during the season. They rushed into that, I think.

And I believe the one when Shero was hired after Craig Patrick's calendar was not renewed, that one lasted a full month. So again, you're probably looking at at least another few weeks here, would not be surprised. Yins, if this search, excuse me, last almost, last almost two months. So they got to get this right. You have to hire the cream of the crop executives here to make sure they can put a quality team on the ice to get the final great hockey out of Sidney Crosby, of getting Molkin and Crystal Tang. That is all that matters. They're in win now mode.

You have to get this right. And hopefully Fenway Sports Group will get it right. But that is it for the updates on the GM search. Again, Steve really would be a good hire, just not on my top three candidates wise, but still, I will. would be very much in favor of it. But again, that wraps up this first segment. Coming up after this commercial break, we are going to discuss

Stanton-Hyman's season review. Will he be back next season since he's a UFC and all that stuff? But before we get into that, for a championship team, it's all about making sure every player is a perfect fit. It's the same when it comes to your vehicle.

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eBay guaranteed fit only available to U.S. customers, eligible items only, exclusions apply. I'm back in this episode of the Locked-on Payments podcast. I am your host, Honored Hodey. I'm going to follow me on Twitter, Hunter Hodes, follow the show, Twitter, I'm on the show, Penguins.

And of course, thank you all so much for making this your first list in the day. We have free and available on all platforms. So let's jump right into it with Dayton Hinen's season.

And remember the Penguins brought him back for basically a million coming into this season, look like a steal. And then he had a really down season. Eight goals, 22 points in 65. this came after he had 18 goals in 33 points in 76 games a year before.

15 of those 18 goals, right even strength, seven of his eight goals this season were at five on five. He shot 13% last season, which is the second highest of his career. This season, 8.3% average time on ice, 10 minutes, 45 seconds last year, 12 minutes, 43. So about a two-minute decrease to this year, but still, he was not the same player. and it showed, you know, he had stone hands, I felt like, for a lot of the season. You know, played in 65 games was a healthy scratch, honestly. But he was on Ice, the Penguins still had 51% of the shot attempts,

25 goals for, 29 goals against, for 46.3% of the actual goals. Expected goals here when he was on Ice, the Penguins, I had 53% of that. So that's good. 51.7% of the scoring chances, 52% of the high danger chances, and then pure 50% of our terms to high danger goals for. So decent underlines, but, you know, Not nearly as good as last year when he had 54% of the shot attempts. You know, 54% of the actual goals for, 56% I expect the goal share,

57% scoring chances and 58% high danger chances. It was night and day. And I think part of that does have to do with him playing on a line with Jeff Carter for a lot of the season because Carter has been washed for the last year at least. So that definitely, I think, tanked his value a little bit. But also, I said this going into the year, it was going to be very hard for him to replicate that success. 18 goals, same what you want.

Good, very good. But it's a little fluky. This was a career high for him. The last time he scored even close to that against 2017, 18 of the Bruins. 16 goals, 47 points. He had 11 in Boston in the next season. The next season after that had 10 total, had 7 the year before. In Anaheim, I figured he was going to do good in Pittsburgh that first year.

was here, but I didn't think he was going to be 18 goals. I said easy 10 goals. I made that bet with my buddy Jeff. I said, yeah, he's easily going to score 10. Did not think he would almost score 20. It would be one of their top, bottom, six scores on the team. So eight goals in 65 games, that's just not good enough. Yes, I understand he was a healthy scratch for a little bit of the season, but, you know,

it was kind of deserted at the time because he really wasn't putting the puck in the back in that. He started up a season, playing well, had a couple. goals against the Blue Jackets. They got a goal before that as well. You know, it was actually playing all to start the season, but then he hit a really bad slump,

came out of the lineup when he came back in, still was slumping, scored a couple times, came back out of the lineup. He just never properly had his footing. But still, you know, you were always going to see a little bit of decrease in production because I don't think you can expect a bottom six player

to score, you know, 15 to 18 every year unless, you know, you're actually pretty good. And I like Heinem's game. I think he has a nice to accept him shot. I think his passing ability is good. His foretang ability is not bad. But, you know, he was in line for a little bit of regression this season. I still thought he would score maybe 10 to 12.

You know, he would come down, obviously, from 18. But I didn't think he would score, you know, the eight that he did. He should only seven at five on five. I just thought that was. I didn't think his goal production would come down by 10. So, you know, his PK ability was okay to say, at least he never really got the time. on the second power play, which, I mean, come on.

Is anyone expect him to with all that talent the penguins have, especially on the first unit, then on the second unit they can put Zucker there, Ross, Jeff Petrie, you know, whoever they want. I mean, well, you know, you couldn't honestly make a small argument to have hiding there. I think he was on the second power play unit last year,

but that was when it was deserved because, you know, he was one of their best goals scores in the bottom six. You know, him and Evan Rodriguez, wow. You know, combined last year, 38 goals. yep and if you take that out this year only eight goals from hindin this year penguins lost 30 goals from last year's team to this year's team everyone's gone and then hindin at ten go away and only at eight this year the penguins did not replace 30 goals of production that they got last season i know one player stayed and one player left still that's not good enough and that

you know that's also on rent hextall for not you know replacing those 38 goals because I said at the time, you know, it's going to be hard to replace that many goals in your bottom six. And, you know, luckily I got that right. But you can see that he was in Mike Sullivan's doghouse for a bit this season. I think he is going to sign a cheap contract somewhere. I just don't think it's going to be here in Pittsburgh. You know, you can get him definitely for a cheap deal one year, one million again, maybe even less. But in terms of with the new GM, you know, he's not going to have any loyalty to him. I think the new GM, whoever he or she is will want to bring in more adequate depth that can score a bit better.

I think that's why you're going to see Hinen not be back next season. And that's going to be the theme for a couple other players in the bottom six, who I will get to a little later on next week when I continue the season reviews. But I would probably let Hinen walk. You know, we get a little bit of cap space from that. And I think you can replace him and get more than eight goals somewhere else, especially on the same kind of contract. Or if you want to pay a little bit more for a bottom six player,

not like a Brock McGinn kind of deal, but something a little less, a little less term, someone that can give you 10 to 12, 13, 14, 14 goals, something like that. I think the Penguins can definitely do that. So, you know, that really wraps up Dan and Hine in season review.

Just not good enough from him. I'm sure he knows that he'll try to probably get a deal somewhere else. And maybe he'll have another season like he did in 2022 for the Benguins, where he was actually pretty decent, to say the least. But again, that does it for this segment. Coming up to end the show, we're going to discuss some more playoff-belated matters. So stick around for that coming up right after this commercial break. All right, I'm back in this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast.

I am your host, Hunter Hodes. I'm going to follow me on Twitter. Hunter Hodes, follow this show's Twitter at LNorkeman's. And of course, thank you all so much for making this your first list in the day. And I'm looking out right now. So Devils and Hurricanes tied it. going into the second period. Must win here for New Jersey.

Isn't a must win since they came down from O2? I would say so because I think the hurricanes are better than the Rangers. No, the hurricanes have been, they've struggled a little bit on the road. But they did win two road playoff games against the Islanders. That's a tough. UBS Arena, I don't care that they're not playing in the dump that they call the Nassau Colossia. It's still a tough arena to play in. Islanders fans are known for being, you know, rabid crazy.

So they went two and one in their opening round. You don't want to fall behind O2 ever. Usually the team that goes up O2 wins the series over 80% of the time. You don't want to do that here. Last night, the games were pretty good. Gotta say, though, troubles ruin in Toronto. And yes, those Kyle Dubus rumors are going to heat up if they continue to lose. If they lose this series to the Panthers,

and it's looking that way because the Panthers had that team of destiny-like feel, you are going to hear about Dubis. why do you think, you know, I know there's not been a lot of leaks with this search. Why do you think it's taking this long? One of the reasons at least. Yeah. Speculating here, I know.

I kind of think they want to interview Dubus. If they lose, honestly, right when that final whistle blows, I would not be stunned if Fenway Sports Group gives him a call 10 minutes after. Hey, leave a message. Hey, you know, I know your season just ended, but give us a call to that. We like to speak with you. Maybe it's a bit soon, blah, blah, blah, blah.

not surprise you at all? No. So if you are someone that wants Kyle Dubas here, you can root for the Leafs to lose. I know some people don't want him here. You know, my thoughts, I've made my thoughts clear. I think he's a very bright hockey mind. He does use analytics,

but he is also prone to sometimes of being like a hockey man or bringing in some sandpaper and some players who are not that good. So yeah, we'll have that to be able to. I would be fine with the hire, personally. I don't know if I'd have in my top three, but he'd definitely be up there,

like with Steve Greeley. and stuff, but, you know, I still think he would be a pretty solid hire if the penguins were to bring him in. So you've actually looked forward to the Panthers. Wow. They stole that one. Sergei Mabrovsky is just turning back time. I think the Leafs just need to see, I think the leaves need to put Penguins letters on. So Sergei Barbarovsky just gets the crickets or just, you know, I know, it's just, you know, it gets the jibbers. Like, oh my God, I see, I see black and gold. I'm just going to give up five goals a game, right? So leaves in a world of trouble.

Stars beat the Cracken tied series in that. Really nice game by the Stars. They get the Cracken down pretty good. They deserve to win meter. I think was that like 98%. Cracken had no business being in that game. But really nice job with the Stars to pull even theirs too clearly. He works with the Stars, of course.

Cracken, I think the Penguins are a way in the interview with someone there like Jason Botterl and other people in that front office would not be surprised if they take a handful of people from that front office to interview once they finalize some request permission. You know, the fact that Peerlerlerlerland said that, you know, they're in the process of requesting permission, you know, there are people, I'm sure, on teams and playing that they have to do that for it. And remember, there is no specific rule that, you know, you can't interview someone while a team is playing. It's not the NFL. You can request permission and someone can interview during the playoffs. It's a bit weird, yes, but you can still do it. And, you know, we'll see.

with what Elliot Freeman said about Steve Gurley, they've already done that. I'm sure they're in the process of probably trying to talk to Eric Tolski. They're waiting for Kyle Dubus because, you know, he's actually the full-time GM. His contract is not fully up yet. That's a different one, I think, than Tolski, because he's the assistant.

But in terms of Dubus, they're actually going to wait for him. You know, if they get their wish, and he's eliminated in the next couple of days, they'll actually wait because you don't believe Sprintoshanian. It's going to say no if they asked to interview him. once there's these and ends and these are officially out of a contract and they can just go to in.

But that was a fun game to watch. Dallas is such a tough out. Really fun to watch. The old guys can beat you. The young guys can beat you. Their defense is mobile. They're active. Same thing.

They're nasty. They got a star goaltender. That's a fun team to watch. Vegas, Edmonton, not playing tonight, but Vegas, I won nothing. In that series, the Oilers watched for the first time in regulation over a month in that game in Vegas.

And we actually saw it back. to back games of four plus goals. I want to correct myself. I said it was, I said it was Yol Keevon to the head last time of four goals. I had the right team, wrong player. He had a hatchick in that game. It was Dennis Gurionov in the 2020 run that had four last to play that had four goals before Joe Bevelski, before Leon Driesol.

Again, the last player that had five was Mario. So we'll see if anyone joins him. I know if you select others at some point, maybe during this run or during a run down the road. But man, dry sidle's just been unreal. Yeah, I know Connor McDavid is the best player in hockey, but Drysadle is putting up like Crosby-like numbers in the playoffs when he was a kid.

It is something to be holding. You know, I'm pretty sure I saw a stat somewhere where Drysaddle's like one point off from like the point leader of Lashers playoffs through four rounds. We just started round two. He's that good people. He is drag, him and McDavid are just dragging the rest of that roster. At home, Skinner's not been that good. But, you know, it's mainly just been those.

do they're just dragging them but you know that's going to be a fun game um i believe game two is saturday at the fortress but we'll have to see all this game against new jersey uh goes with carolina if carolina wins they'll be up too low and you know the er kolskiers might have to you know maybe still wait a little bit but again the penguins can't ask permission during this but you know off to see what don wadale would say he's the current um full-time gm there but again that will do it for this episode of the lockdown penguins podcast thank you all so much for listening slash watching episode for you all on Monday. I very much appreciate you all tuning in. Hope you all the wonderful weekend. Enjoy watching the playoff hockey. We'll have to see if anything comes with the Penguins' Jam

search. If there's any updates, probably not. Probably have to wait until next week. But again, until next time, I'm on Rode's. You can follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. The show is Twitter, Ellen Show, Penguins, and I'll talk with you all on Wednesday. On Wednesday, on Monday.