Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - The Penguins contract extensions have begun!

Episode Date: January 27, 2022

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced their first new contract and no it's not Kris Letang or Evgeni Malkin. Jeff Carter has been signed for two more years and Hunter gives his thought on the move as he starts by saying it makes a lot of sense in multiple ways. He goes into how this shows that the Penguins are not planning on rebuilding anytime soon, plus how Geno and Letang are still in good shape. Hunter also brings up the point where the team doesn't have to continually waste assets to replace Nick Bonino. He then gets into some of the listener's reactions and answers some questions, plus does a full game preview for Thursday against Seattle and also looks ahead to Detroit on Friday.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. 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. Hello, welcome to this Wednesday edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Honore Hodes. You know to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow this show's Twitter at L.O.R.S. where penguins.

So big news, of course, we're going to start just the big news of the day. Very unexpected as well. I'm just going to jump right in. it. Penguins have extended big, and yes, that is big, Jeff Carter, two-year extension, about 3.1 million per. I got to say, definitely pretty surprised by it, to say the least. I thought that would be the extension that they would do, you know, maybe third or fourth, just because obviously there's still Cindy Cross, not Cindy Crossby, they're still getting Malcon and Crystal Tang to figure out. I don't know why said and Sidde there. He's still as many

years left on his contract. But it makes sense in a way. When I first saw it, I didn't like some of it just because the no movement clause. But then, you know, when I kind of just looked at the contract overall and what it could mean for the big picture, I started to like it a little bit more. You know, number one, it's only two more years. He has close to 30 goals in basically not even a year. I want the thing was remember, you know, he was acquired, what, last April, basically from the Los Angeles King. So it's only been, you know, nine months, a little over nine months, I think, at this point. And he's, you know, he's fit in just perfectly.

Obviously, he is going to maybe regress a little bit. He'll be 39 by the time that contract expires. This is also probably the last contract he's going to get for his NHL career, at least in my opinion. So what better way for him to just, you know, end it here, especially, you know, he played with Philadelphia for many years. You know, he also played with the Kings for some of the years and now he can end his career, hopefully in Pittsburgh. But I also think about it like this.

How many assets did Jim Rutherford burn through to replace Nick Benino? Remember, Derek Brousard, good trade at the time, but he wasn't a good player, right? Riley Shan, that wasn't going to work either. I mean, Derek Grant, Greg McKegg was even being floated around for a little while. He even played, I think, a few games at third line. No one that they got after Benino left did his job. He was a great defensive center, great scoring center, especially in the playoffs. Jeff Carter is that guy times, you know, two or three.

And, you know, even in the playoffs last year, Carter was pretty good. You know, he sure he didn't have the impact that Benino had in 2016. I mean, they also went on a massive cup run that year. But this is still a player that, you know, he has a lot last. in the tank. And it's weird saying that because he's 37 years old. You should be like, oh, he doesn't have a lot left. But he's been playing the best hockey we've seen him play in the last few years. You know, he fits Mike Sullivan's system. He's in a role where it's easy, I think, for him to succeed. He's also around some good bymates. You can put Jason Zoker down there if you

want, Danton Hine and Evan Rodriguez. He's playing with much better players this year than he did last year with Los Angeles, where, you know, it was kind of just a bunch of garbage. Obviously, the Kings, you know, went out and retreat a little bit this year. He probably he would have better line mates had he stuck around but you know he's in just i guess a better situation here and you're seeing that payoff um a whole lot and you know overall i think this should also send a message to the rest of the fan base that they're in it to win it not just for this season but for next year in the year after this team is not going to blow it up and do a retool rebuild because i remember you know all those takes are being flown around well you know Ron Hextall's kind of a

builder. He doesn't like to, you know, go all in with this kind of stuff. But I also think, you know, again, the signing, you know, it indicates to me that they're going to try to bring back as much of this band together as they can. And yes, that includes, Gennie Malkin, includes Crystal Tang, probably not Casperi Capitan. And I'm sure they're going to try like hell to bring back Brian Ross. I did see some takes out there, just a whole bunch of places saying that, you know, the sign doesn't make much sense. There's a good free agent class next year. I mean, I don't really care about that that much. I mean, sure, there's a good free agent class, but in my opinion, that's where I think the biggest mistakes are made. You know,

you don't want to turn in, you know, Jim Benning over here, and you're giving out five times six to Louis Erickson and a bunch of garbage like that. I mean, obviously, there's a lot better players than Louis Erickson that are available for this next offseason. But also, for people that don't understand. The Penguins, sure, they're going to have maybe some cap space next year, but they don't really go out and spend a lot of money in free agency. You know, Jim Rutherford, he did a lot of his work through trades. I mean, yes, Jack Johnson, yes, Matt Hunwick,

but if you look at the team right now, obviously of the core guys, Jake Gensel, he was drafted, Brian Rust, he was drafted. He was traded for, Danton Hinen, that's like a cheap little signing. are the kind of signings that Ron Hextall will probably make. You know, he's not going to go out, I don't think, and sign a big fish or anything like that. It's just, that's not his MO as a general manager. So I think people that are, you know, clamoring for the Penguins to not have not done this signing and go out a replacement free agency and give another, you know, player a whole big contract,

something like that. I just think that's a little, you know, short-sighted. And it's just not realistic, at least in my opinion. So I don't really understand that. But, you know, the cap hit, I think that's fine, too. Three million for what he's done, a third line center money. You're not going to be giving this guy four, four and a half million per. I mean, Nick Menino, remember when he left in Nashville, he got what, four million a year?

And the only reason the Penguins can do that is just because they were so far up against the cap. I mean, 3.1 for Carter. And again, you know, he's been better in the regular season than what Nick Benito was. That's just a steal, at least in my opinion. So I really don't have any bad qualms with this. I think it's totally fine. Again, I know maybe it sounds weird that there's a full no movement clause, but they're just saying to him, hey, we're not going to trade you.

We're not going to really ask to probably have you waive your no move clause unless the team really stinks. So you will more than likely finish your career in Pittsburgh. Again, this is probably his last contract. And, you know, for the next few years, they can roll Crosby, Malkin, assuming he get signs, I'd probably say that's 95%. Carter and Lugar. There's not many teams in the league that can roll

four lines of just four really good centers on them. So I'm all for it. And again, just going back to my overall point, you know, which is, you know, how this team is usually constructed. Like I said, you know, Gensel, Rush. I know Capitan was traded for. Hinen, Rodriguez, he was signed, but it was

a cheap little deal. Those are the kind of moves, you know, that really make your team a contestant. or, you know, sure, going out and getting a big fish helps on the trade market as well. That's fine. You know, the penguins go all in every year, so I don't really care what they trade at this point, just because they've already won three Stanley Cups. The team is going to stink after all these guys retire anyway.

But, you know, this is fine. For those that are worried about the Chris Letang signing or Evgeny Malkin, don't. You know, this is just the first order of business. You know, I don't think Ron Hextall would have done this. had he not figured out, oh, I'm also going to extend Malkin and Lantang. You know, maybe it's a bit weird that he hasn't started full extensions hocks with those two and that he decided to do it with Carter first. But, you know, at the end of the day, I'm okay with it.

He's a good player. He's been really great this year overall. And just, you know, for his entire tenure here in Pittsburgh. And, you know, we can have more memes for the next couple years as well. And again, this team will be contending for the next couple years as well. This is not going to be a major rebuild or anything like that, at least in my opinion. So that wraps up this first segment. Coming up in the next segment, I'm going to get to the listener takeaways.

Just from this signing, I just want to hear what you all have to say. You know, just see if we can get some good talking points from that. Obviously, we will just because I love hearing what you all have to say. And then the final segment, we are going to get a full game preview for the game against Seattle on Thursday. And then maybe go into the game against Detroit on Friday as well. Before we do that, though, it is a new year, so that means New Year's resolutions. If yours is about getting fit or eating healthier, make sure you include BiltBarr in your plan. Bill Bair makes it easier to stick to your resolution because it tastes so good you'll want to eat it.

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Also follow this show's Twitter at L.O. underscore Penguins. So getting to some of the listener reactions from the sign, and we got a whole lot tonight, which makes me very happy when I tweet these out. So starting us off, Jackson Hollister, this makes me a little bit worried. I like the deal of when they protect Big Jeff Carter from the expansion. They knew they would be without Malkin for the beginning of the season.

Are they signing Carter because they don't think they'll be able to sign Malkin? I don't think so, Jackson. I know they've always seen Gino. as just one of the cornerstones of this franchise. You know, I think, again, as I said in the first segment, it's kind of the opposite. You know, I think this signing indicates that they're going to go all in next year and do whatever it takes to continue to win in the Sid and Gino era. And, you know, we all saw what Gino said at his press conference.

He doesn't really give a crap about money at this point. He even called himself rich, which he absolutely is. He has more money than I'll ever make in my life. And I'm sure anyone that's listening to this podcast or, for most people, honestly, in the world as well. But I don't think, you know, again, money is not really going to be the issue for him. It's just going to be how many years on his contract does he want? Does he want three?

Does he want four, five? This will be the contract that finishes his career in Pittsburgh before. He goes back to Russia, maybe he plays a year in the KHL, and then officially retires Smokky. So honestly, Jackson, again, I feel like it's the opposite. They'll be able to sign him. They will have the cap space. I know Jason Zoker, I think, has a year left on his contract after this year, but I'm sure potentially someone would take him in the off season

and help the Penguins unload that cap hit. Gisbury Caponins, his contract is up. Brian Russfer, as much as I love Brian, and he's just been so great since being called up in 2015-16, I would not be the team that would pay him five years times six million. He's 30 years old. You know, those kind of players, they fall off. little quicker than some others.

I just, I would not be a big fan of that, at least in my opinion. So to answer your question again, Jackson, I disagree a bit. I think it's, I think it can only help for Malkin's extensions, Ox. Tom says, you know, it's a good move. We can keep our center depth for the next couple of years. We do need to look out moving some cap space. Zulker would be good cap to have back. Matheson is playing too well to justify a move at this stage, but might need to net a good return to me all season with his current play.

Yeah, I do agree, Tom, with the Zucker statement. If he comes back and he struggles again after his hernia, I have to think Ron will definitely shop him over the off season. And, you know, this is a player that, you know, he's been a 20-go score multiple times in his NHL career. There will be teams that will be lining up to trade for him. This is not going to be a Jack Johnson situation. Now, will the penguins maybe have to eat money?

Sure. I mean, five and a half million. That's a steep price for how he's played for the last year, year and a half. but I still think that penguins will be able to get some cap room from that. I agree with your take on Matheson. I think right now he's outplaying a trade. I don't think they're really going to cut him loose just yet, though they need to figure out what's the plan with POJ, right?

Is he going to stay in Wilkesbury his whole career? When is he going to be called up? You know, is the NHL ready? I mean, by all indications, he's basically ready, if not a little below that. So that's going to be an interesting conversation. for the offseason. Maybe they would move Pedersen, but I mean, if I had to pick, I'd move Matheson, even though he's having probably the best season of his career right now.

He has five game-winning goals this year for the Penguins, which is just ridiculous. And as you say, Tom, yeah, this means no real build anytime soon. Yeah, they're extending the wind now window for the next couple years. Ron has seen enough, I think. The team has won 17 of their last 19 games. That's one of the best stretches league-wide. This is a really good team, and I think he knows he's going to have a really good team next year. they're going to try to bring as much of the band back as they can,

maybe minus Brian Rust and Kaspari Kappen and maybe another player too. But those players can be replaced in free agency or maybe up from some of the farm systems or something like that. Dominic says, I think it is a good deal. I get that they could attempt to chase more talented options, but honestly, Jeff Carter fits that Pittsburgh mold has shown that he can play multiple rules as well. He doesn't always show up on the scorestie, but when he does, it's often a big one, playoff game or two. Yes.

100%, man, and I'm glad that you said they could chase some more talented options because they absolutely can. I mean, you know, I think Jake Decker, he had a good tweet tonight that what's really showcased just how many free agents there are out there. If I can just find this here real quickly. I'm going to, I'm going to try to find this, but I'm going to keep talking as well. But yeah, I 100% agree with you. You know, he has that Pittsburgh mold. He shows up in the playoffs. I mean, he honestly was one of their best players in the playoffs.

I would say last year, I mean, he had a. a couple of goals. So I'm perfectly fine with it. Now if I can find this week here. Okay, yeah. So Nitchewski, Ricard, Raquel, Ryan Stroh, Nassim Kodry, Vincent Trocheck, Andre Beirokowski, Riley Smith, Nino Nieder writer, Max Domi, Andre Pallat, Johnny Hockey, Thomas Hurtle, and Philip Forsberg. Yes, I understand those are a lot of big free agents, but I mean, how many of those are going to sign back with their team versus how many are actually going to get to the open market. I think that's the big question we all should be asking. at least in my opinion.

Stacey says, I'm confused. That's my first thought. They have way too many people to extend. Yeah, I mean, I understand that sentiment for some of the fans. And I know Stacey, you know, you are probably one of the biggest Crystal Tang fans out there. I'm right there with you. I love his play disease and he's been incredible. I still think he's going to be back next year.

Once they announce his signing, I am adding you on Twitter. You'll be the first person I will ask. But I know they have other players to extend. I totally get that. It's very solid reasoning, but they're going to get to those at some point. Maybe it'll be by the end of the season. Maybe it'll be after the playoffs. Who knows?

But they're probably going to start extension talks here really soon. Alan Cioter says, I like it. I think I'm just surprised to see that. Just curious to see how that impacts some of these other guys like Latang and Genome Rust. Yeah, again, back, you know, just what I said just about 30 seconds ago, it can only be good things. for those players, except Brian Ross, I just don't think they're going to have the cap room to do it. Gilport the Goat says, I'm fine with it. If the Penguins can move some contracts next year, you know, he's an agreement over a couple of the other listeners. Yeah, Zuckar, Mathes and

Petersoner said, hopefully this means Malk and Latang are willing to take a pay cut. I'd be more willing to say that Gino is going to take a pay cut over Latang. That's just my opinion, though. So, thank you all so much for sending those in. I love talking Jeff Carter and just, you know what this means for the team moving forward. I'm just glad that, you know, this topic has provided at least 19 minutes of podcasting time because, you know, outside of like just previews and, you know, other stuff, you know, what was it going to? I think I was like just losing my train of thought there.

Whatever. But, you know, there wasn't going to be too much, like, newsy stuff today just because, you know, they practice and all that. So I'm glad that the team was able to sign Jeff Carter. So, you know, I didn't have to pick my brain too much. I'm not going to openly say on here that there's nothing to talk about when there's always something to talk about with this team. They're never boring. But, you know, the carer signing makes my job a lot easier. That's for sure. But coming up in the next day, we're going to do a full preview for the game against Seattle on Thursday. Plus, you can maybe look to head to the Detroit game on Friday.

Before we do that, though, Bedline, I'd like to wish you a happy new betting years. We continue our march to the playoffs and beyond. Benel line remains the number one spot for all the sports wagering action for 2022. It is a new year, and that means a new updated desktop and mobile web. site to set up today and receive your 50% off local bonus on your first deposit. Just use the promo code locked on to get started from football, basketball, hockey, boxing, and UFC, write your favorite Vegas casino games. Don't wait to take advantage of all the amazing offers available for 2022.

That is bet online where the game starts. All right, welcome back here on this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hoey. He's going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hotey, follow the show on Twitter at LNRS for Penguins. So getting into the preview against Seattle, this team has just been down bad this year. One of the worst teams in hockey. Philip Grubauer has given them some horrendous goaltending.

Top line wise, Jordan Eberley, Penguin Killer, he scored in the earlier matchup. Old Penguin, Jared McCann will make his return. I'm sure maybe he'll get a little, nice little tribute video. And Marcus Johansson, Calli Yon Kirk with Yonnie Gord and Mason Appleton on the second line. Jonas Donkoy, Alexander Wedberg, and Ryan Donato on the third line. Riley Shan on the floor of flying, you know, with Colin Blackwell and Kulman, and then, you know, Giordano with Larson, Vince Dunn on the second pairing, and then Luzon with Hayden Flurry. You know, this team has just, this is how an expansion team, I should say, is supposed to look in their first year.

And they only have 41% of the actual goals, this year on 47% of the expected goals. That is horrendous. 49% of the shot at 105. They have a minus 33 goal differential. is one of the worst marks in the league. They are just, it's been a really bad time for Seattle this year. Same percentage wise. Same percentage on shots on goal, their goaltenders only have an 887 combined

same percentages here. If you want to look at really how bad Seattle is, that's the reason why. And they just gave Philip Grubauer that massive contract. Yikes. Yeah. Maybe they should have just. not have done that because, yeah, he's been downright horrendous this year. You know, that's a team that they're probably going to be selling some spare parts of the deadline.

I would not be surprised if Mark Giordano is on the move. Adam Larson as well, they only have 2.13 goals for per 60 this year. Their goals against is 3.1 almost. And that's not a good market. All they're expected goals for is 2.1 as well. This is just a bad hockey team. They haven't just gotten consistent, you know, playmaking from their forwards. You know, their goaltending has been bad.

I mean, obviously having Dave Haxstall, he's not a good coach. Let's just be real. I don't know why Ron Francis decided to hire him, but he did. And, you know, he's paying the price for it right now. I also kind of think he bungled the expansion job. I know I touched on the first Seattle matchup. But for some reason, why would you not take a flyer on Vladimir Terraceenko? go. I mean, he's fully healthy and you knew he was. And now he's basically a point

for game player with the Blues. Why would you not do that? It just, you know, it doesn't really make any sense. Always he had the Cary Price situation. I mean, I think that the same thing would have happened had he been picked by Seattle out of Montreal. I hope he gets back ASAP with what he's doing with. But I just think, you know, he didn't pick the most talent, I think for his team and it's costing him big time this year. This team is really bad. They're going to sell the deadline

and rightfully so as well. Penguins will also get the Red Wings on Friday. Again, a team that they're kind of in pre-fall. Excuse me, tonight. They, okay, so it's 4-3. Now, Chicago was just up for nothing as I was recording this. And now it is 4-3. So don't really know what's going to happen there.

The Sharks just took down. the capitals, that's huge. But for Detroit, you know, they, I think, exceeded expectations this year. They're 18 and 18 and 6. But the biggest thing is they don't have enough high-end talent just yet to compete for a playoffs ball. I think that's really the big thing here with Detroit. You know, I think the Jacob Verona injury is really hurting them. But, you know, Didelkevich, that was a really shrewd move from Steve Eiserman.

I think the Penguins are probably going to see him on Friday, rightfully. So he's been pretty good this year, I should say, for Detroit. But I'm just excited to see them. You know, Dylan Larkin, he's also really good. I mean, they got a lot of kids on that blue line where it's like, that team, I think the best way to say it is that they're going to be good in a few years because Steve Eisenman is not going to let them be bad. I don't think for very long.

And, of course, my text thing goes off right at the end of this. But, you know, defensively, you know, cider on the top pairing. one of the best young defensemen, I think, in the sport. I know they have Nick Letty and Mark Stahl. Probably not too good options, considering they're at the end of their career. But, you know, Pius Suter, he has 10 goals this year. Mason Raymond's been awesome. The Mestikov is there.

Tyler Bertuzi, Robbie Fabry, Phillips-Zedina might get a change of scenery, I think. Adam Ernie. I'm looking actually who scored for Detroit tonight as well. I can just look to see you that. Good word here. Yeah, Fabri's score. Bertuzi is having a great year. One of their leading scores, 20 goals.

I know that there's their obvious joke right there. He's the only player that's not vaccinated. I'm not going to fully get into that. We're not going to go there to, just say the least. But, no, this is still, I think, going to be a good game. And the hanglins have a really big opportunity here to continue to bank points. They are 17 points up on Detroit Red Writings right now. They're in the number nine spot in the east.

So Pittsburgh basically has a spot lined up. It's all about, you know, what seed are they going to get? There's still only a point behind the Rangers right now. Washington lost night to the sharks. That's huge. The Penguins still have one game in hand on them. So if the Penguins win tomorrow, they could potentially be six points up on the Capitals with two games in hand. That's huge.

So the Penguins potentially can start to build a little bit of a cushion on Washington to make sure that they finish in the top three. in the metro. There's obviously a big head-to-head matchup coming up next week in Pittsburgh when these two teams play. So I'm looking forward to that. But that'll do it for this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. Thank you all so much for listening. I really do appreciate it. We're back tomorrow night for a full game recap episode of the game against Seattle. Obviously, of course, no brain in Tana, so he's not going to be able to get maybe a small tribute, even though he was only in Pittsburgh for two seasons. I'm wishing him the best in his recovery from a torn ACL. But, you know, well, obviously the Penguins can get their winning

streak to seven and see if Sid also gets closed or two scoring goal number 500. As for the goalies as well, one more thing. I would expect to sniff on Thursday, jarring on Friday. But knowing Mike Sullivan, it's going to be the opposite. But that is where I stand on that and what I would do. I were Mike Sullivan. But again, that would do it. Thank you all so much for listening to this episode.

And I'm back on Thursday with another episode for this podcast. I'll talk to you all then.