Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - WE'RE BACK BABY!

Episode Date: July 11, 2020

Hockey is officially back and Hunter brings on Cam again to discuss the big news that came out of today. They discuss the ratified CBA, what the game schedule will look like during the play-in, plus they do a short preview of the series for the Penguins against the Montreal Canadiens. The two of them also discuss some potential upsets that could happen with the other play-in series', and how this is going to be a potential March Madness situation with all the games on during each day. 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, welcome to this Friday, well, late Friday evening of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. Follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at L-O-U- underscore Penguins. Very big day today around the NHL as it looks like, well, before we say that, because I have something special planned. Cameron Easton is back on this episode of Locked-on Penguins because, well, he's always on this podcast, and I like having him on, and it's a perfect time for him to come on, especially with the big news that is today. So, Cam, how are you? It's glad that we got to do this again.

I think we're almost back to the once-a-week thing. But how are you doing, sir? I'm, like, the most excited. It's been the most exciting, like, moment, you know, in the past couple months for me. I can't wait. When's August 1st? Like, come on. I know.

Three more weeks. So with that, I am going to play this short 22nd clip. If you guys are listening to this at high volume, please lower it because this is probably will be pretty, pretty loud. So this is just going to lead us into the big topic. So here it goes. So yes, there I had to play the Jam Siren Cam from the late 90s. Well, the late 90s, good Lord, the early 90s when the Penguins were winning their first

back-to-back tops. One of my favorite things that they still play at times during the game to get the crowd revved up. When I hear that, I think of Penguins playoff hockey. So it's official, man. The league is back. Three more weeks. I'm slowly but surely getting pretty amped for it.

I've been kind of, what's the word I'm working for? I haven't really been too excited, but now with this news, it's starting to settle in Cam that I think they may, they hopefully are able to pull this off, and this is a long day coming. I even tweeted, it's, I think we have a long way to go as a country to handle this pandemic a lot better, and we have a lot of work to do, and it's been a while, but it still feels damn good that we're getting sports back in three weeks. Yeah, for sure. And going back to the whole goal siren thing,

nothing was more like chilling than in the 2013 playoffs. They were playing Warpigs by Black Sabbath. And that just gave chills just down my spine. When you're in the arena and they were playing that and the towels were torn around. But yeah. But yeah, I think this is a great opportunity for the NHL because a lot of sports aren't back yet.

and I think that this is all eyes are going to be on the NHL and probably the MLB as well but I think the way that the NHL is setting this up I think a lot of leagues might take almost precautions like the NHL has done with the hotels and things like that the NBA is also starting up at the same time I'm not sure really sure what there are plans are for the games during the day but can let's just get right to that there's going to be five or six games every day for the qualifying rounds. It's going to be basically like March Madness, except it's in August.

There's going to be a game starting at noon, 2 o'clock at Eastern Time for Edmonton time, 4 o'clock, 6.30, 8 o'clock and 1030, almost every single day. So, Cam, can I just, I think we should just call off work basically that whole week and just, well, I mean, I'm going to be in North Carolina for socially distanced to the beach with my immediate family.

So that's where I'm going to be watching the play-in series for the penguins and a bunch of others. So I basically already have all for that. But that's going to be a lot of fun. I will watch the shit out of that, as I think a lot of people will. Like you said, it's a great moment for the NHL that they're going to have a lot of the games on. They're going to command a lot of the TV interest from people during the day. I know the NBA will too because it's the NBA, but still, this is shaping up to be a really cool qualifying round situation.

Yeah, my boss is probably not going to be happy at work because I'm going to be watching some games on my phone. But, yeah, I mean, it's really exciting because especially, I think the most interesting part is how much of a toll it's going to be on the players. Yeah. It's just rapid. I mean, this isn't even like the normal Stanley Cup playoffs, which is already grueling as it is. So I'd like to see how these players come off this break. and then just go right into it and probably going to see some upsets here just based off of the, you know. It's the end of Joe.

You always do see some upsets. There's always that team cast. I think it's a little, it's increased, though, with the whole situation of COVID and the players, you know, not being on the ice for all that time. It's, it's, yeah. It's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's interesting to say, the least. Games four and five, if they're necessary for all the series, I think they'll be back-to-back games. So, yippee, for back-to-back playoff games, that's going to be a joy to see if some of those series go to game five. Also, Cam, the Penguins will be scheduled to play on

8-7, August 7th. I think you know what day that is if the series gets to that day. It's certain someone's birthday. He wears the jersey, and if the Penguins do play on that day, I think I'll lock him in for getting a hat-track. Oh, for sure. It's going to be a multi-point game. He's, from the videos they've been showing on social media, I mean, he has looked like on top of his game. And I'm really excited.

Someone else, I'm not going to say their name, because we always mention it. Yeah, I think everyone knows who we're talking about number 87. His birthday is on August 7th. No, I'm talking about the, who Crosby was dangling in the video. I'm clueless. We'll keep that on the podcast. I was talking about his birthday.

But, oh, was he dangling a certain someone that I've said too much on this podcast, JJ? Yeah, possibly. Yeah, I'm sure he was. It was the between the legs pass, right? That looked gorgeous. I can't. But, yeah, but also going back to the original point, if you don't know whose birthday that is, I think you just, you should probably find it.

up because, yeah, I already said it. But, Cambe also, they ratified the CBA today. The players were also going back to the Olympics in 2022 and 26. Real quick, before we continue with the return of the league, what are your thoughts on that situation? Because, I mean, I'm all stoked for that. I'm really excited. And, you know, when I was in high school here in Virginia, hockey isn't like that big.

And I just remember being in my English class. And when T.J. O'Shee was in Sochi and doing the shootout, the unreal shootout against Russia. And I had my English teacher talking about it. And everybody in the class was talking about the game. I'm like, since when did you all start watching hockey? So I think, you know, the Olympics is a big talking point for a lot of people. And to have hockey back in there, I think it's great. Yeah, I agree.

I said this yesterday on the episode. You know, I was talking to my mom, and she's like, well, no, I think the amateurs should play. I said, I'm going to stop you right there, mom, because I don't really think a lot of people watched the last 2018 Olympics. Well, men's-wise, I mean, everyone, I think, watched the women's side because all the professionals were playing, and they were just absolutely outstanding. Those games were so much fun to watch. People need to watch more of women's hockey because there are some outstanding players that play on USA and Canada. But going back to like the men's side, like I don't really think a lot of people really watch that because it wasn't the professionals playing. And just to see like a stacked team USA, I mean, stacked USA-wise, going up against a very stacked team Canada-wise, there's a big difference.

And, you know, you have the Canada-Russia rivalry. It's just going to be so much fun. And we were robbed of it in 2018. I remember in 2014 I was, I think I was a sophomore junior in high school. And remember my English teacher, she put on the, because we finished our stuff with this, she put on the USA Canada. I think it was the round robin game. And everyone in there, of course, was, I was cheering for the United States. And every time, you know, Sidney Crosby's face would come on, you know, all the other Caps fans in there would just look at me and just like give me the look with Cindy Crosby.

I'm like, hey, for once, I'm actually rooting against him because, well, for obvious reasons, Cam, you know, I'm not going to root for Canada to be my home country. But whenever I think of the last Olympics, I mean, I do think of that because I got to watch Canada and the U.S. go out in high school and I really didn't think my English teacher would put it on. But still, very exciting. And, you know, as I said yesterday, I said it many times too. It took a freaking pandemic to get the players back to the Olympics. And it took a pandemic for the NHLP and the HL to come to a four-year extension for the CBA until 2026. Yeah, and going back to when you were talking about the amateurs, I mean, the Olympics is about. bringing together the world's best athletes.

Yes. And as great as it was to see the amateurs get a shot and play, you really want to see each country at full strength and the best in each country. And to have that on full display, I mean, it's fun to watch. And these players, the players love playing for their countries, too. I mean, it's a passion that you see, you know, with the anthems, after games and all that. And it's just, it's really fun to watch.

And, you know, I hope to see something, not the same outcome, but Canada versus USA, how could we forget with Crosby scoring the overtime goal? Yeah. To win gold, the golden goal. A lot of, I still cringe when I see it, even though it's my favorite player, but it's actually just had to happen against, you know, our home country. But, yeah, I'm just very, very, very, excited for it.

But also, you know, Cam, this was, I saw today after they ratified the CBA. Apparently, Cam, so free agent frenzy will be October 9th. So basically, we're seven days following the Stanley Cup final as late as October 11th. So, Cam, we could have free agent frenzy on the same day as the first round of the NHL entry draft. I'm on pretty team chaos for that one. What do you think? I think you're going to be a little busy on the podcast.

There's going to be a lot of news. week but um just keep in mind though everything is tentative you know with you know covid's still going on and um there's still a lot of cases here in the u.s um but i'm i'm really excited to see the future of the league going forward with with the new cba extension and it's it's it's it's really for the first time in a couple months i'm feeling really excited for the nchel yeah exactly i agree you know i've started like i said i'm slowly becoming more and more excited. I loved how the Penguins, Twitter, changed their bio.

We're back. Did you miss us? We missed you. That is incredible. In case you guys did not see the schedule for the Penguins, they will have game one on August 1st, which is a Saturday. I believe all their games will be 8 o'clock games. It looks like they're, when you look at the graphic that the NHL put out, they're on the far right side of the time. But, I mean, they're not going to release the times in the broadcast schedule.

I believe it's Monday. they'll release those. But everything that it looks like is going to happen. I think the Penguins will get the 8 o'clock game. That works perfect for me. I can have every beach day I want. I'm not going to be at the beach at 8 o'clock. I will be at the beach at 12 o'clock.

So I really would not want to go back during the beach and watch a game at 12 o'clock because that's just not up my alley. So game 2, Monday, August 3, game 3, Wednesday, August 5th. And then if necessary, on Cindy Crosby's birthday, August 7th would be game 4. and then August 8th would be game 5. And then the official, the 16th, the official first round, I believe, would start August 11th. And then that would take up 13, 14 days. And then, you know, you'll have, you know, late August you'll get second round.

You know, September, you'll get the conference finals, Stanley Cup final, right after that going into early October. And Cam, it looks like the conference finals and the Stanley Cup final apparently will both be held in Edmonton. It was rumored that yesterday that that was going to happen is now official. They will not be held in Toronto. So, Conor McDavid, it's likely that you probably will not be able to see the Stanley Cup final in Edmonton this year. I just got to put that out there. I'm sorry, Conner.

But we love you, man. We just we hope you can win at some point. But, yeah, those are the dates. Hey, I mean, it's going to be the first time the Cups being raised in Canada in how many years? Yeah, that sounds like a good one. The Oilers have not had a Stanley Cup final game in Edmont. since I won a, what was it, they won at, 2000, they, well, they haven't,

they didn't win it that year, but I think they know. It was 2006 against Carolina, if I'm not mistaken, correct? Yep, yeah, that's right. Yeah, they lost, of course, to Carolina because Cam Ward was just a utter monster, but still, that is, so that'll be interesting for, for Edmonton to say the least. Camp, you got, you got anything for me? I'm like, I got to go through my Twitter to find more.

Well, no, I love the memes going on social media about them announcing the hotels for the team. Oh, yeah, yeah. And, yeah, because the Penguins were the only qualifying round team with all the other teams, like Boston, Tampa. All their top four rivals. Did you see the meme that had the two guys giving each other the finger? I love the office, the office meme where they're all pointing the gun. Yeah, that one's good. The one in the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie after the boat comes up where they all point their pistols at each other.

That's for you, too. The old, old commercial of Ovechkin and Crosby in the hotel. Someone put that meme up there with Alex Jones, who we're not going to play on this podcast because he has some very interesting takes. But that is, whoever made that, that meme was just incredible. But also, I did find this. So all the playing games will be officially counted as Stanley Cup playoff games. So the Penguins officially have extended their playoff streak to 14 consecutive years. So that's a big W right there.

That is the longest active streak in the NHL. I believe right after that, I think there's a couple teams that are tied with six or eight years. I have to double check. But still, 14 straight years. Cherish that. That does not come along very, very often. 14 years ago. I was around

8 or 9, basically 8 years old when they first started making the playoffs. Now I'm already, I'll be 23 this year. So, yeah, like I said,

this does not come along very often. Cherish this. This will not happen forever. They'll probably keep making the playoffs, at least for a few more years, until Cindy Crosby gets into his mid to late 30s, but still,

it's always an accomplishment to extend that streak. Yeah, that's why I'll say about that. And to go off. of that, me and you being the same age, we grew up with the Red Wings having that just unbelievable streak. And, you know, when the Penguins faced the Red Wings, they were the Powerhouse, and, you know, they lost in 2008, but 1 in 2009, you know, now later on present day, it's like seeing the Penguins, they really are one of the powerhouses in the NHL. And not many teams get to say that or I've ever gotten to say that. So you really do have to cherish it.

Yep. I 100% agree with you on that. Also, what are you most looking forward to for this team as they come back? You know, is it Jake Gensel's return? Is it the top six? Just what are you really looking forward to with the comeback in three weeks for this team? I am really excited to see how Jake Gensel comes back from his injury and how, you know, how he fits in the lineup. And I think the biggest question mark for me is probably going to be the defense and how the lines will be played out and, you know, will Marino still be? I think he will be, but, you know, he's a rookie. So will he still be at his same level? So, you know, yeah, and I think the goalie situation is going to be an interesting question mark going into this tournament. That's the one I think is bigger for me.

I think Matt Murray, of course, is going to start, but how long is his leash going to be? I think it's going to be pretty short. You know, he has a bad game. I think he might get yanked, especially, you know, if he gives up somehow, gives up four to five goals to a bad Montreal Canadiens team. I really do not think Montreal is that good. I think the Penguins should wipe the floor with them, but, you know, the NHL is chaos. I think the one big thing I also want to ask you is, how upset would you be if the Penguins lost to Montreal, knowing also that they have a 12.5% chance at the number one over.

overall pick, which the second lottery will be held on August 10th, the day after the qualifying round is all done. I'll give the floor to you. You know, I think we've waited this long for hockey and to see the Penguins play. I've been thinking about it a lot. There's a part of me that's like, oh, wow, you know, there's the chance of the number one pick. You know, don't sweat it. But we're, these are the, you know, we're coming up on the last years at Crosby and Malk, and I've said it before.

And you need to take every opportunity you get, even if we've made it 14 years in a row, you take any opportunity you get in the playoffs and you make the best of it. Yeah. And the ultimate goal is to win the cup. It's not to get the first overall pick. You get first overall picks to get to, you know, to build, to get to the cup, you know. I think they have the pieces, you know, but it wouldn't hurt to get the first overall. It wouldn't hurt. It's almost like a win-win situation, but, you know, as quoting for Moneyball, you know, I hate losing more than I love to win.

So I would prefer to win the series and then go play maybe Philadelphia in the first round, maybe wax them up a bit, or, you know, maybe you play Washington. I mean, be curious to see how those round robin games are to see who gets the number one seed. I kind of feel bad for a team like Boston because if they go like one and two, they're not going to get the number one seat that they desperately deserved, which is just absolutely that.

That's the really one that just makes no sense to me is that the Boston Romans are potentially not going to get the number one seed after just wiping the floor with every team during the regular season. They were hands down the best team in the league. Yeah. I mean, it's, you know. They were walking out of the president's trophy. And that's, and to go off the Canadians,

it's like they really, shouldn't be in the tournament, but with the numbers, they qualify, you know, but this should be an easy series for the penguins going in. It's just, there's a lot of question marks. As long as Carrie Price somehow doesn't turn into a god, the penguins should be able to strap down the Max Domi line with the Zach Aston-Rees, Brandon Tanev, and Teddy Blueger line. That is their glue line. You can play them as their third line. You can play them as their fourth line. They are so good defensively. That's the matchup, I think, that Mike Sullivan is going to go after to try to strap down the domy line.

Yeah, just make sure Carrie Price doesn't turn into a demigod or just a full-on god, like Zeus or whatever, for Greek mythology. And I think the penguins should be pretty okay here. But before I let you go, Camp, I wanted to ask you about, like, the qualifying series as a whole. Who do you think should be on the highest upset alert, like maybe Edmonton, Carolina, going out west, maybe Minnesota, Vancouver? Who do you think should be on the highest upside alert that's, like, one of the higher seeds or whatever. I think Edmonton's always going to be on the radar just with how their

history has been the past couple years and with McDavid and their playoff success. So yeah, I'd probably go with Edmonton, to be quite honest with you. But I really do think any series really is up for grabs. I mean, it's the NHL. You know, we saw the whole, we saw Tampa get swept, you know, swept last year. Which nobody thought was going to happen, especially against Columbus. So anything can happen. It's the NHL. Yeah, it's chaos.

And I mean, Edmonton, I honestly think should wipe Chicago. Chicago's defensively. They're just so gross. And, you know, they might be getting back. Brent Sebrook, who's just really, really bad now at this point in his career. And, I mean, I know they have Patrick Kane and they have Alastor Burdenk, they have Jonathan tapes. You know, they have two guys who have won, three cups.

They know what it takes. But you'll take a look at the rest of that team. And it's just like... No, I agree. But Edmonton, it's going to take a bad penalty from Zach Cassie. or something just to mess it all up, you know? Yeah, or Chris Russell just lays his ass down and just deflects a blocked shot in because that's what Chris Russell does.

But that's a good one. Honestly, I think that Carolina Ranger series is going to be a lot of fun. I think the Carolina should be on upset alert for that. I don't know what the Rangers are going to do in goal. They have three really great options. I don't think they're going to start Henrik. I think they're going to go with one of the younger guys. But Artemie Paneran should win the heart.

I think he's going to do really, really good in that series. Mika Zabanajet has really come into his own since that trade coming over from Ottawa. Oh, for sure. Good Lord. I mean, Derek Brasar was a good player, but Mika Zabanajet has just been an utter monster. But, yeah, that series is going to be good. Out in the West, I mean, that Vancouver series, I'm curious to see Vancouver. You know, there's some smoke today about potentially them trading Brock Bester

because they don't want him to make $6 million against the cap. and it's like, well, you know, I wonder why you're having these discussions when you pay Brandon Sutter, Antoine Roussel, who all these players that I'm missing? I had like a tweet and now I'm just completely forgetting it. All right, I'm trying to remember. Oh, okay. I think I finally remembered. Okay. I mean, they're paying, you know, Jay Beagle so much money.

Remember the Louis Erickson contract? That was a guy. Like I said, Antoine Rousel, old friend Brandon Sutter's making too much money. You know, you wouldn't have these dumb contracts. conversations about paying Brock Bester $6 million who's one of your best players if you weren't so up against the cap. But you know what? That's Jim Benning, but still, I'm getting off topic here, but still that series with Vancouver should be interesting. It's been a few years since the Canucks. They've been in the playoffs. Elias Peterson is just awesome. Quinn Hughes. I love watching Quinn Hughes play.

He has a very strong case to be the call to win the quarter. I still have Cal McCar winning it. But if Quinn Hughes won, I really wouldn't, to be honest. I think that that's going to be fun series. I think they're going up against Minnesota, right, Cam? It should be Minnesota. Yes. That is correct. Oh my God, I almost screwed that up. So yeah, that should be fun. Get the Wild back in the playoffs.

You know what's interesting. You know what's interesting? I think out of all the best of five series games, I really think the Columbus, Toronto. That's going to be fun. That's going to be fun to watch. I think that's, you know, I'm going to watch the Penguins, obviously, but I think of all of them, I think that's the one I'm going to keep tabs on. Because, you know, with Columbus's departures last offseason, they really did, I mean, TORTS did a good job of keeping that team together.

Their goaltending was through the roof. Elvis, man. Elvis, yeah, Elvis has not left the building for Columbus. That's for sure. He was on a whole one. Tororella, yeah. Yeah, go ahead. I was going to say imagine if somehow the penguins play Columbus and then, you know, Elvis gets just shut out and you can only imagine the sayings. That that little brother finally beats Big Brother in the playoffs.

You know, you've got to let Little Brother win sometimes. That series is going to be fun. I think people with Toronto fans are going to be up in arms if they don't get past them. You know, this is what year? It's this year, what is this year two of Tavares there? I think, I think so. Yeah. Yeah, I do believe, so it hasn't been long.

But it's like year four of Austin Matthews. Dude, this pandemic has made me just lose track of all the times, like of all the years that Austin Matthews has been there. But still, you know, the expectations are very high for a Toronto team. When you're that stock, they should beat Columbus. But Tororella coaches the Blue Jackets very good. Lastly, Cam, I think that Winnipeg series, that's going to be cool because Conner Hellebuck has a chance to be named League MVP

with the way he carried that sack of shit, Winnipeg team to the playoffs. And he was, I want to see if he can carry them into the round of 16. Connor Hellebuck was a monster this season. Hey, history shows good goal attending always serves well in the playoffs. And that's, you know, we talked about that for the penguins. I think having the goalie situation that the penguins do have right now actually serves them well. because, I mean, you looked in 2017 with Flory and Murray.

You know, if one of them were off their game, you know, Sullivan was easily just going to switch them out. Oh, yeah. And Florey carried him through the Capitol series, you know? Yes, sir, he did. I forgot. I forgot the Winnipeg played with their playing Calgary. That's right, yeah. So, yeah, Calgary could get, their goaltending was kind of bad in the season anyway.

And I know they love to make fun of Mike Smith up there because who doesn't like what to make fun of Mike Smith. The other series in the West, Arizona and Nashville, get to see Taylor Hall back in the playoffs. That's a guy of you right there. Yeah, that's the only benefit of that series, right, for Arizona? Nashville, glad they got in. They've had a lot of problems, though, this season.

I'm going to be curious to see what John Hines can do with that team. And then lastly, I think the one series we did not say, the Islanders and the Panthers. The Panthers get back in the playoffs for the first time. Of course, the last time they were in the playoffs, they played the Islanders, and Trocheck was tripped. I don't care how many times Islanders fans would not want to hear it. Trochec was chipped, and the Panthers got robbed of going to a game seven.

I will die on that hill for the rest of my life. So that's a nice little revenge series for the Panthers there if they can take the Islanders out. Yeah, that's an upset I'd watch for. Oh, you got a playoff Sergei Bavrovsky too. Right. You know, you got a, I mean, he was good last year with Columbus. I will say that, but for most of his playoff time, he was just not that good.

Cam, you got anything else before we sign off here? No, and I know we take focus on what just happened in the regular season a couple months ago, but I really do think this is a clean slate for all these teams. And they're in the, I mean, it's a tournament, but this is the playoffs. and when you're in the playoffs, you play for the cup and for these teams like Montreal and Florida,

as much as they have the opportunity to get the first overall pick, they're going to be playing their hearts out. They got nothing to lose. They have almost basically nothing to lose. They weren't going to be here, so you know what? They're going to be like, you know what?

Let's go out and try to do it. If not, we have a great backup plan. Our fans would love it if we lose. I honestly think a team like Montreal, I think they're fans would be like, okay, we lost. Let's just go get the number one overall pay. because we honestly need it more than a lot of the play-in teams to be alone.

And I think that attitude of just having fun and just going with the flow, that's going to benefit one of these teams in this whole tournament. And it'll take them far. So it's just the question is who. Yeah, I absolutely agree with that statement. Yeah, I think Cam this might do it for this episode of Lockdown Penguins. This was a longer one, but still, we finally got hockey back. Three more weeks.

It can't come soon enough. camps open on Monday. They'll be traveling to the Hub Cities about almost 11 days after that. So, also folks, guys not see my tweet today. The everyday episodes will be coming back next week as we fully ramp up to the season. You'll be getting a lot more Penguins content.

We'll be previewing the series. I'm going to try to have more people on. You know, maybe Josh and Chad will come back. We'll also probably do a crossover episode with the Lockdown Canadians, I believe Scott and Laura. They do an absolutely great job for Locked on Canadians. We'll try to do a crossover with them to preview the series at some point, but still, a lot of good Penguins content content, I just cannot speak

guys. It's too late at night. A lot of Penguins content coming your guys' way. It's a great time, you know, to just, you know, we're getting sports back. That's the big thing. So, thank you guys so much for listening. Cam, give your Twitter name a shout out because everyone, I love hearing your Twitter name. It's not that fair, and you spell Fair F-E-H-R on the hockey player. And it's canned not canned. That's right. It's canned now because people like to pronounce your first name. So that'll do it. Thank you guys so much for listening to this episode and we'll be back with daily episodes starting on Monday. Talk to you guys that.