Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - The Pittsburgh Penguins are about to be tested...

Episode Date: March 3, 2022

The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to be back in action on Thursday as they have a date with the defending champs! Hunter previews that matchup a bit later in the show and first starts out the show with some prospect talk! Where will Frasca and Gauthier play for the rest of the season? Do they have a chance to be on the team at some point next season? Hunter also explains why it's great that the Penguins can get prospects for free because you never truly know what can happen. He then goes over some practice notes and looks at Teddy Blueger's impending return. Is he likely to play on Thursday? If not Thursday, will he go Friday? How important is he for this forward group? Hunter answers all of those questions before previewing Thursday's matchup against the Lightning and then going into some trade options from the Sabres! The Penguins sent two scouts to look at their game against the Leafs on Wednesday. Is Tage Thompson an option? What about Olofsson? Jeff Skinner? 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. 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 Wednesday. Welcome back to the Locked on Penguins podcast. Again, I apologize about no episode on Tuesday. Had to travel back home, had a couple of appointments for this morning. But, you know, we are back for a Wednesday evening episode. We're going to preview the game against Tampa Bay. It'll be the third and final meeting on Thursday night in the first half of a back-to-back for the Penguins then go to Carolina. I'll preview that game during the game recap episode on Thursday.

We're also going to get in some practice notes. Looks like Teddy Bluger may be. be returning on Thursday. Not official yet, but it looks like it's going that way. I'm going to get into that and why this return means a lot more than what some people think it does. And, you know, there's also, you know, 19 days to the Antichael Trade Deadmind. The Penguins are scouting one particular game tonight.

They have two scouts there. We're going to get into that and, you know, who the Penguins could be scouting. So look for that 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 Hodes.

Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the shows Twitter, L-Oarns Square Penguins. And of course, thank you all so much for making this your first listen of the day. So a lot of stuff to get into for today's show. I do want to start out. I obviously did not have an episode on Tuesday. As I said in my intro, did want to say to the Penguins. they did sign two prospects on Tuesday.

And, you know, whenever you can get, you know, one, heck, even two prospects for free, I mean, you do it. I mean, this is a team that obviously does not have a very deep farm system, you know, rightfully so. They've given up their first round pick basically every year that they've been in a contender. But, you know, Taylor Gauthier, the goaltender, he has an entry-level contract. and then Jordan Frasca, he will also have an entry-level deal. I would assume that Frasca will probably report to Wilkesbury. The goaltender, Gauthier of course, I think he'll probably go to Wheeling. That's just, you know, my personal opinion, after this season, of course.

Remember, they're going to finish out. There were seasons with their junior hockey clubs, and then the NHL deals will begin next season and run through the 2024-2020-5 seasons. So again, after the season, I would assume that, you know, one or both will go to Wheeling or Wilkesbury. You know, Frasca's been pretty good. Has 65 points this year. I don't really look at plus minus as a lot, but plus 29, that's 13 power play goals. His 32 goals actually, you know, they lead his team and it's fifth in the entire OHL.

Honestly, if he probably didn't have those point totals, he was not going to get this kind of deal. I mean, you know, he's been that good for a reason. I think a lot of teams have been looking at him. Now, do I think he's going to reach the NHL? Probably not. I'd say his chances are, I shouldn't say slim to none, but maybe 70, 30 that he doesn't. The goaltender may be a bit more below that.

But again, anytime you can get prospects for free for not giving up anything, you do this in a heartbeat. There's really no risk for the penguins to do this, or there's no reason for people to be mad about it. So I'm totally fine with it. We'll see how they can do. and some of the teams below the Penguins. And, of course, you know, going into training camp for next season.

I want to see how they impress with that as well. So those are my thoughts on the Penguins couple of entry-level contract signings from Tuesday. Also, we officially did get, as I teased early on. So Teddy Bluger, he has started taking full contact. He was full contact again on Wednesday. So he wasn't doing regular line rushes. He was rotating in, but he was doing regular penalty kill rushes with Brock. him again. So what that I think kind of tells me he may do line rushes at the morning skate and then

Sullivan will do his annual game time decision. He's practicing with the team obviously for a week now. As I said, full contact the last couple of days. I think he will play on Thursday. And, you know, it's going to be such a welcome return for the Penguins. The penalty kill has really struggled as of late. I just don't think people realize, you know, how much ice he takes up on that unit and how well he's to read plays just on a consistent basis. You know, he is, he is the glue to that, you know, I know the unit still ranks, you know, number two, number three in the NHL. It was number one for a long, for most of the season.

But, you know, ever since he's went out, you know, their efficiency has gone down. You know, it's not going to be anything like last years or anything like that. That was the bottom third of the week. But, you know, the PK needs him healthy so, you know, so that they can just, you know, continue to get back to where they were at the start of this season where, you know, no power play could score on him. You know, obviously, even strength-wise, the team badly misses him. He's a good offensive player.

He's also great defensively. He can match up against really any line in the league. You know, him with McGinn and Aston Reese is one of the best fourth lines in hockey. You know, before Bluger got hurt, you know, they had a lot of ice time together. And, you know, their underlying numbers were trumping. what the Tanneth Luger Astroese line did last year. It's pretty easy to think about because I remember when Mike Sullivan would throw that line out against any line and they would do pretty good, but then he did the same thing

with this one and the results were even better. So I cannot wait for Teddy to be back. I'm really hoping that it is on Thursday against the lightning. As for who comes out, see, I am not really too sure. I want to say it's going to be Dominic Simone. I think Brian Boyle has been playing pretty fine lately. You know, he's, you know, he's been doing the thing that he's done all year. You know, he continues to impress.

You know, he's not going to value, you know, in a lot of instances, you know, even though he's halfway to double-digit goals this year. But I think he's probably the 13th forward at this point, you know, more so than Dominic Simone. So that's who I think would come out of the lineup, the latter that is, Simone. For Bluger, though there obviously is a chance that it could be boil. But again, I do think Petetti Bluger comes back on Thursday. If he does not, then there's a chance that it's Friday against Carolina. And then if somehow that's not the case either, which again, I think is unlikely.

You know, I've obviously been wrong before. He'll definitely be back on Sunday at home and the Penguins take on. I'm making sure that it is the Panthers and not the Golden Knights because I don't want to get those yet. So actually, no. Excuse me, it is not on Sunday. I thought they've been playing on Sunday so much lately that I am, you know, I've just, I think every time now they play on that day. So my apologies, it is Tuesday they play the Panthers.

I got the opponent right. Just didn't memorize the day for some reason, even though I normally do. So if he does not play these next two games, definitely will play on Tuesday. Other injury updates, Jason Zulker has continued to rehab off the ice. He has not started skating. Louis Domingo has been skating quite. a bit before practices. So it looks like he's, you know, progressing from his rehab. Mike Sullivan has still not named a starting goaltender for the game against Tampa Bay.

Again, if I had to guess, this is, you know, I have a 50-50 shot. I think he's going to go to Smith against Tampa, Jari against Carolina. Now, could he easily do the opposite? 100%. And honestly, with my luck lately, I think he probably will. I'm just going to clown myself with that. But I think Mike Sullivan is going to do the whole, well, you know, it's a divisional game. And I want my starting goaltender to play a divisional team

because the Penguins still have a chance to catch the hurricanes. Remember, Carolina actually lost on Tuesday in overtime to Detroit. So the Penguins are only five points behind them. And if the Penguins are able to win that game on Friday, you know, they'll be able to close the gap, you know, even more. So, you know, we'll have to see it. the penguins can send them now sweep this back to back. I'm making sure, I know Carolina does not play on Wednesday night,

but I'm wondering if they have a back-to-back. Yes. So they play Washington on Thursday. Capitals have stung lately. But if the capitals can beat them in regulation, then the penguins can beat Tampa Bay overall, penguins will be three points back of the hurricanes. Then if the penguins can obviously win on Friday,

there'll be one point back. I know the hurricanes will have a couple of games in hand, but then it's a bit more of a race. I know the hurricanes have pulled ahead a little bit. I get it. They have games in hand too. So it's going to be that much tougher for the penguins to get first place. I still think right now they're probably going to play the Rangers in the first round. But the opportunity is there with this back to back, especially if Carolina loses in Washington. I know it's probably unlikely, but, you know, any given day is what I like to say.

So these are two massive matchups. And I will say before I get to the commercial break, when I will preview the game, well, before I get to the commercial. right, you know, we'll preview the Tampa Bay game after that. I want to say this, you know, with the Penguin's schedule coming up, they are going to play a lot of really freaking good teams. They have Carolina twice. They have Florida. They have Tampa Bay.

They have Vegas. They have Nashville twice. They still have to play Colorado twice. You know, they still have to go to St. Louis. They have the Rangers three more times. They have Carolina another time later on in the year. You know, I know. I know they're going to have to run the gauntlet,

but I think people need to temper their takes if they lose a couple of these games. Hell, everyone, the Penguins are probably going to lose half of those games. But you know what? Does that make them a bad team? No. It just means that, you know, they're splitting with the best teams. And that is usually what happens.

When a team is a contender, they're not just going to blow past the teams that are right there with them or even a little below them. They're going to all be really good games. Are they going to lose some? Yes. Are they going to win some? Yes.

There's no need for all the hot takes on the internet or wherever else you see them. You know, it's just that is what is going to happen. Now, could the penguins go on a long winning streak here? Sure. You know, nothing would surprise me. That said, what's more likely to happen is that they're going to win a few of them. They're also going to lose some. And the penguins are going to be perfectly fine at the end of the day.

They're going to be big tests. I understand that. playoff warmups, but I'm so excited to see how they do against some of the best teams in the lead. You know, it's time for the penguins, I think, to prove themselves, you know, to the best and the best. But before we get to our next segment, where we're going to preview the game against Tampa Bay, this is the time of year that I pretty much given up on all of my New Year's resolutions, but not this year. I'm sticking back to my resolution to eat right thanks to Bill Bart.

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There's high protein, low calorie, high fiber, and low carb. Most Bilt Bars contain 130 calories, 4 grams of sugar. four grams of net carbs and 17 grams of protein. If you compare that to a candy bar, which usually has around 240 calories, 30 grams of sugar and dozens of net carbs. Go to belt.com. Use promo code locked 15 and get 15% off your order.

That's promo code locked 15 for 15% off at built.com. All right, we're back here on this episode of the Locktime Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. I'm going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at L.O.N.S. opinions before I forget. I am wearing, first off, for those on YouTube, I'll stand up a little bit.

My big Jeff Carter shirt, Skorgold's Crush Beer. It is absolutely beautiful. And, of course, this bad boy just came today. For those that are watching, I will just say it here. I have my, how about that effing save shirt that Pittsburgh Clothing Company need with Tristan Jari at the full front of that. Just absolutely beautiful. Shout to Pittsburgh Clothing Company.

they absolutely killed that shirt. It's probably their best one yet, at least in my opinion. Now, to preview the game against Tampa Bay. So the Penguins, if you all remember, I'm sure everyone that listened to this podcast remembers what happened during the year. Penguins, first game in the season, the Lightning are raising their two-time stand-linked a banner. Penguins go in there, absolutely blitz them.

John Cooper basically said, you know, we stunk and credit to Mike Sullivan. The Lightning then came to Pittsburgh. I thought the Penguins played well in that game. Remember, I believe the Penguins only scored one goal. I think it was like a three, four one final. It was just Andre Vasilevsky was that good. And remember, that was at the time where the Penguins were just really short-handed. Sid was not back yet.

Gina was not back yet. They were having a huge COVID outbreak as well. They were playing players from the HL team. It was just, it was not a lineup that's going to beat the Lightning two times in row. But, you know, for this one, Penguins are. are almost fully healthy. Lightning almost all are as well. This could be an Eastern Conference final preview. I know a lot of people are looking at Carolina versus Tampa maybe, and, you know,

rightfully so that that would be a hell of an Eastern Conference final. But again, I'll say this, you know, don't rule out the Penguins. But, you know, we all know how good the Lightning are, you know, in goal they are led by Andre Vasselvesky. He has been ridiculous this year. 19 goals saved above expected. That's third in the NHL. 21, say percentage 2.27 goes against average.

Until someone can beat that guy four out of seven times, I got a side with the lightning potentially going into the playoffs. I mean, and I get it. You know, they're probably going to be gassed in some regard. I will say this. They have not had to play nearly as much hockey as the Penguins did when they won in 2016 and 2017 because of the pauses, because of the shortened season. So they are going to be more rested,

which means they have a better shot of doing a three-peat than the Penguins did. I'm not trying to make excuses of why the penguins lost to Washington. I'm well aware that Washington went on to win the Stanley Cup and, you know, kudos and congrats to them. But I also will say that the penguins were pretty gassed during that run. You know, anyone that could watch that series against the caps could see it. You know, the penguins did not have their legs. You know, they weren't skating that well.

They weren't forechecking as hard. Now, it was a great series, and Washington deserved to win. But I think if the penguins had not, had they not been as gassed, I think they potentially win that series on that's for sure. But, you know, Tampa Bay, again, you know, Vasilevsky, he's one of the five best players on the planet. But in any position, if you're not, if you don't think, Andre Vasilevsky is a top five player in the NHL right now, really don't know what we're doing here. He is just, he lights it up year after year after year.

I know goal tending is very volatile. It's very hard to analyze numbers and eye tests and all that. but there is one guy that I will always count on being good. And it is Andre Frickin Basilevsky. He will get the start on Thursday, I believe, rightfully so. He's a hell of a goaltender. And, you know, seeing him and Tristan Jari go at it from the beginning of the season until now with how good they've been, that's going to be a great goaltending matchup.

If we look at their overall underlying numbers, they have 53% of the expected goals, 56% of the actual goals, plus 28 goal differential. the lightning have 51.1% of the shot attempts at 5E5. If I go, if I actually go across here on MoneyPuck, excuse me, just making sure I have all this. Yeah, 2.77 goals for Per 60 defensively, they're even better. Their actual goals against Per 60 is 2.1. Their expected goals against per 60 is 2.29. So they're outperforming their expected goals against, you know, by a decent margin.

should say that. And there are line combos. Obviously, the team is very disgusting. I'm loading it up right here on left wing lock. I mean, a lot with point in Kutra. That's one of the best top lines in hockey. I mean, if we're not talking about that line being probably one of the top five lines in hockey, then I don't really know what we're doing here. Matt, I'm trying to find actually their underlying numbers on MoneyPuck, if I can see it up here real quick. Well, You know, I guess I cannot for whatever reason. But Kutrov, you know, he's been banged up a little bit this year, but he's still one of the best players in hockey.

Braden Point, he's fantastic. Palat. He's always been underrated for so long. Obviously, it does not stop there with Stephen Stamcoast having a heck of the year. Alex Goulorne, Matthew Joseph, the brother of P.O. Joseph. Ross Golden and Anthony Sorrelli on the third line. Patrick Maroon. Corey Perry, because of course, the guy is already up to double-digit goals,

and he is just playing his tail off when he's almost 100 at this point. I did not see that coming, but it's funny that the lightning can basically lose their entire third line from last year, and Barclay Goodrow, and Blake Coleman, and of course, I am from, yeah, almost forgot the other one, and Yanni Gord, and they can still be up there as arguably the best team in hockey. I mean, it really is something to behold that they're just able to replace those three guys in the snap and finger. I mean, it's ridiculous, if you ask me. Going to some of their, obviously, their defensive pairings. Victor Hedman, he's been one of the three best defensemen in the league this year.

Mikhail Surgachev, Eric Chernak, Ryan McDonough, John Ruda, Andre Suster. So, you know, it's a pretty solid defense support. Oops. Well, I just screwed up saying, I just screwed up saying that. You know, their defense is pretty solid. I don't know why I keep screwing that up, but. you know, I'm done to whatever. You know, we're going to probably edit that out, at least on the audio, the video, this is just going to have to stay.

But, you know, again, this is a team that I do not think enough people are talking about. And I get it. They just won two in a row. Colorado's been awesome this year. Florida has been great. You know, obviously, Carolina's awesome. The Rangers, the penguins. But at the end of the day, this team just won two in a row.

and last I checked, they have basically their entire core intact. You still, someone still has to go out and beat Andre Vasilevsky four out of seven times. It does not happen often. So chew on that, Penguins fans. The Penguins, that would be, I think, a very tough series for them to win if they were to play them in the Eastern Conference final. I will say that.

But coming up here in the next segment, I'm going to go into a couple of trade rumors that I've seen from Wednesday night. I'm going to go into so who the Penguins might be scouting from one of these games that I saw they have two scouts that. So look for that coming up right after this commercial break. All right, we're back here on this episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes. You're going to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes.

Follow the show at L.O. I want to score Penguins. So tonight, David Pagnata of the fourth period, he said 10 teams have reps for the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs game. Dallas, Columbus, Ottawa, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Seattle, Florida, St. Louis, Carolina, and the Penguins. But the Penguins are the only team that has two scouts at that game. So it's interesting. I don't really know who the Penguins could be looking at. Toronto, I don't really think they would be because I don't think they're going to make a trade with them by the Devon. The Buffalo, they're basically out of it. But one player that does come to mind. And it basically, is a dream scenario is Tage Thompson. He has been electric this season for Buffalo. I don't think it's realistic just because he has 22 goals, 40 points. He's only 24 years old.

His contract next year is $1.4 million against the cap. It makes so much sense. But, I mean, what is that price tag? Has to be three to four pieces, if not more. Definitely a first round pick. definitely a top top prospect and probably an NHL player or another NHL or another top prospect to go along with that. I just,

I don't know if the penguins have that kind of package that they can offer the sabers for Tage Thompson. Again, does it make a ton of sense for Pittsburgh? I'm so freaking Lou. I mean, he has over 20 goals on the freaking buffalo savers for God say. I mean, this is one of the worst teams in the league. I mean, you know, he's a center slash right way.

He can play either position. But, you know, you can put him in a Gennie Malkins line. Imagine a Heinen, Malkin, Tage Thompson, second line with Gensel, Crosby, Russ. Then you can be brought up Zoker with Carter and Rodriguez. And then Ashton Reese, Bluger McGinn. That is a sexy forward lineup if I've ever seen. Obviously, that doesn't include Kisbury Kappen. You know, maybe he would be scratched or.

you know, maybe he'd be set in the trade as well. I'm also going to get to Kisbury in a couple of minutes here. But that that would be a very, and I mean a very deep forward group. Outside of that, I don't really know who else the Penguins would be looking at from the Sabres. They just, I'm going to go to their left wing lock here as well. Just to see if I can find a couple other players here real quickly. So Jeff Skinner, no, I don't think that. He has too much on his contra.

Alex Tuck, there's no chance Buffalo is trading him. Kyle Oposo, doubt it. Dylan Cousins. They're not going to trade him. Casey Middlestat, I honestly don't think Casey Minnestat is that good. I think he was a bit overhyped coming into the NHL and he really hasn't done much to prove me wrong. In that regard, Peyton Crabbs, I don't think Buffalo is going to trade him.

Victor O'Lawson, he would make sense, but my problem with him is that he's a powerplay specialist. He does basically next to nothing at eating strength. If I go to hockey reference here last year, almost all of his goals were on the power play. And this year, so seven goals, 24 points in 44 games. Overall, this year, you know, he actually, he's been better at even strength this year. Six of his seven goals were at even strength. Last year, though, seven of his 13 goals came on the power play.

the year before that, I will say this, 11 of his 20 goals in 2019-20 were on the power play. So this is really the first year that he's not, you know, scoring a lot on the powerplay, though I kind of think that's more of an outlier than it is, you know, just, you all know, what I'm saying. So I don't really think I would go after him. Cody Eakin, outpass, Aspland, I mean, Eh, no, Bjork, I don't, there's, there's just not a lot. I mean, defensively, I don't think the Penguins would go after any of these guys.

I don't know, say the least. You know, you want to go get Rasmas Dalin? Good luck, Buffalo. We'll ask a King's ransom for him. But, you know, again, outside, I think of Tage Thompson, there's really not much else there for the Penguins to look at. That, again, that would honestly, I didn't think of him until now, but that would be another slam dunk scenario for the Penguins.

He's actually playing top line minutes for Buffalo this season, as their first line center, but he does have experience playing the right way. So that would be awesome if the penguins were somehow able to get him. Now, Frank Sarabelli did put in his trade bait today, Caspera Kappanin, for the first time. And, you know, it makes sense. The coaching staff, I think, is definitely starting to get sick of him, rightfully so. I mean, he just has not produced this year at all, comes into the zone. And I've said about a thousand times just comes in, stops, looks for a pass.

and then the puck is going the other way. He's not using his speed to his advantage for whatever reason. So I'm surprised, honestly, it took until 19 days until the deadline for him to appear on Frank Sarevelli's list. So I think it's, you know, maybe I think it's 70, 30 that he stays. But I think that 30% can definitely go up if we start to hear a little more noise concerning Kaepinan. But I think that will do it for this. episode though as i'm finishing recording i actually did just get a

um damn and you know what jackson hollister shout out to you um thank you for throwing out the name tage thompson and your question would you like him on the penguins well i'm hopefully just answered that for you i would absolutely love him on the team you're right has a hell of a shot um i know his speed is definitely not um his game you know he's definitely a bit on the slower side but i think if you stick him with of Gennie Malkin's line and how he's been a pure finisher this year, it's a slam punk. So thank you for asking that as I got the notification as I'm wrapping up the show. Shout out to you.

Really, really appreciate that. So that'll do it for this episode of the Locktime Penguins podcast. I am back tomorrow night. I will say this. I am seeing the Batman on opening night. So I'm probably going to miss some of the game against Tampa Bay. But, you know, I'm obviously going to come back, watch the rest of it, you know, watch some of the highlights and stuff.

And then, of course, do a full game recap episode. Look at Natural Stat Trek, you know, see if the numbers, you know, backed up my eye test and all that stuff. So that's all coming for you all on Thursday. And then Friday, the Penguins play in Carolina. Going to be a hell of the game, hopefully another game that looks like a playoff preview. The Penguins, I thought, played decently well against Carolina

last time they played. But, you know, we'll see if they can, you know, clean up some defensive errors that I saw. The vibe check for these two games are going to be so critical. So let's see what happens. Penguins' bolts on Thursday. Penguins canes on Friday. I'll full game recap for that one on Friday after that as well.

So that'll do it for this episode. Thank you all so much for listening. And I'll be back on Thursday evening for you all. Hope you all have a great rest of your Wednesday.