Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Who could surprise people at training camp?

Episode Date: December 28, 2020

Locked On Penguins is back this week and there's so much to talk about. The Penguins finally released their training camp roster on Monday and Hunter goes through each player, including a couple he had no idea they even signed. What is Radim Zohorna's ceiling and could he get a deal in the AHL after camp? Could one of Cam Lee or Josh Maniscalo make the team out of camp? Who's in contention for the 13th and 14th forwards? Hunter answers all those questions before analyzing the Penguins schedule. What's the easiest month during it? What's also the worst stretch for the team? Finally, during the last segment, Hunter goes over Zach Aston-Reeses' season for the Penguins and just how good he is defensively? Is he the player that no one is talking about heading into the season? All that, plus much more on this latest episode.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 “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order.BuiltGoVisit BuiltGO.com and use promo code “LOCKED,” and you’ll get 20% 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.

You're Locked-on Penguins, your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome to this latest episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. Follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodies. Follow the show's Twitter at L-O-O-Square Penguins. Today's episode is brought to you by BillPard. You can go to Bilpar.com, and he's promo code locked on, and you'll get 20% off your next order. what a weekend it was for Pittsburgh sports.

I mean, you know, you're the Pirates trading, Josh Bell, you know, to my Washington Nationals. That's a lot of fun, you know. Get to see the Pirates just roll over in their graves. That's the normal reason why I'll never be a Pirates, man. It's just because Bob Nutting stinks. The Steelers, they're crazy come back. Go follow Locked On Steelers.

Also, please go follow Locked on Pirates. You know, even though the team stinks. Those guys do a great job over there. But in Penguin Land, a lot to touch on. The schedule, of course, came out. We're going to touch on that. and just basically, you know, what are the easiest parts of the schedule for the Penguins? Where are the hardest parts of the schedule?

We're going to touch that on that in the second segment. In the first segment, the Training Camp Rosters were released today for the Penguins or the Training Camp roster, I should say. So we're going to go over who all, well, all the players that made the training camp roster, there are some surprises, you know, some players on there that maybe you've never heard of. We'll touch on that. And then the third segment, we're almost done with these players season reviews. Today it will be Zach Aston Reese. And then this week we'll also do Brandon Tannett.

Well, we already did Brandon Tandum, I'm being stupid. We'll do Zach Aston Reese, and then we'll also finish up with Teddy Blue Green. I think that basically concludes all the season reviews because the players that were on the team last season that I would be doing. They are no longer here. So let's get into this. The training camp rosters are set for the Penguins at Forward. Colon Severe, of course, Evan Rodriguez. Drew O'Connor makes a team.

I think he was a college-free agent that the Penguins brought in. I mean, I think this past season, if I'm not mistaken, or is the season before that? Frederick Goodro. I mean, everyone knows him from the Nashville, Pittsburgh Stanley Cup final from 2017. I actually think he scored a goal in the Stanley Cup final, if I'm not mistaken. He gets a training camp in Vin-Bite. He's not going to make the team, though, guys. I mean, unless there's like a boltload of injuries, he'll probably start in Wilkesbury.

Zach Ashton Reese, he does have a dash next to his name just because I think he's expected to be back in mid-February, though. He has been skating in the informal workout, so we'll have to see if he is on the ice for training camp when it begins this weekend. Brandon Tanev, Mark Jankowski, Jordan Nolan is getting a professional tryout. We talked on that last week. I touched on that on the podcast. I really don't understand why Jim Rutherford invited Jordan Nolan. We all know what he is for his career. He's kind of a plug.

I mean, I think his best season is like 15, 16 points in a bottom six role. He was decent for a time with the Los Angeles Kings. But, I mean, those days are long past. Guys like 30, 32 years old, something like that. A career minor leaguer, I think, at this point. Didn't really get a lot of NHAC action last year anyway. way again really don't understand the need to bring him in he just does not fit what the team is looking for the speed and scale um if he does somehow make the team um he will probably be assigned

to wilkesbury but i easily could see them just cutting him at the end of training camp and i think that's what they will do i do not think he is going to be on the penguins roster or the baby penguins roster um after training camp uh jason zucker obviously yeah that guy will make the team brian russ same thing sam lafferty it is it is to be different to seeing a number 18 for sam laffady I forgot that he changed his number. I think he was 37 for a while, but don't quote me on that. I do not believe he was number 18 last season for the Penguins. Jared McCann, obviously he'll make the team.

And it's good to see Nathan Legerry and Sam Cullen getting a training camp roster spot with the penguins. They're probably not going to make the team. I know I've been saying it for a while, guys, that I did think Sam Coulin was going to make the team. I've kind of changed my tune a little bit. I mean, it still could happen, but I really just don't see it, I think, at this point. You know, if he does impress a training camp, you know, I could still see the Penguins, you know, giving him a shot in the lineup, but we'll see. Josh Curry, I think he was signed out of college as well. Actually, you know, he was signed in October by the Penguins.

He's only had 21 career games for his ancestral career. Two goals, five points in those 21 games. So, I mean, he's also 28 years old. So I really do not expect him to make the team. I mean, if he does do okay in training camp, I'm guessing he'll be assigned to Wilkes-Berry. is my guess on that. Gisbury Cappan, he'll make the team, Teddy Bluger. And, oh, great.

And this guy, I always mispronounce this guy's last name. I'm so sorry if I do it again here. Sam Miletic, I think that's his name. He's, of course, on the baby penguins for, I think basically his whole career. He was signed to a one-year deal in October, it sounds like, you know, this was his second, I was reading it right now, his second season with Wilkesbury, nine goals, 32 points in the 62 games. He's not going to make the team at a training camp.

He'll be going back to Wilkesbury. Anthony Angelo, you know, a total Mark Donk name, as everyone likes to say. He may make the team as a 14th, 13th, 13th ward. We'll have to see on that. Jake Gensel, that guy's pretty good. Evagany Malkin, Sydney Crosby. Yeah, those guys, they may make the team. And then this guy, Radim Zohorna, I have no idea who that guy is.

I think it's actually the first time I've even heard of him. I'm not really sure when they signed him. I'm actually going to do some research on that right now, as I'm just looking at the rosters because I just, I've never, I didn't even know the Penguins signed this guy. That's the thing. Oh, here's a tweet from Jesse Marshall. Apparently, signed him as a UFA in April, was the second leading score on BK. Malada, Bolslav in the Czech Republic.

Apparently, in 21 games the season, according to Danny Shiree Irving of the Penns blog, 12 goals, 22 points in 21 games, 24 years old. So that's interesting, you know, I like that they're dipping their toes into Europe and getting some European players on tryouts, basically. I mean, if he doesn't impress too much at camp, you can cut him, but if he does impress you a bit, you can put him in Wilkesbury and see how he does down with the baby pens, because, I mean, he's probably not going to make the team.

But still, you know, basically a point-for-game player out in Europe and the Czech Republic, that's good, and he's still only 24. So he's young enough where, you know, you could see some production, though. I'm not really sure about that. For the defense, got the usual names, Chad Ruehdle, Cody C, Mike Matheson, John Marino, Brian Dumlin, Josh Minascallo, remember they signed him to an entry-level deal. Don't think he's going to.

to make the team, but, you know, I think Jim Rutherford has talked very highly of him, just how excited they are about him. Kevin Kusman, I mean, that's a career Wilkesbury player. Marcus Pedersen. Camley is the same as Manascalo, I think. They signed him to an entry-level deal. Uso-Ricla, again, I have no idea how and why Yusurikla is still on this team, because he's probably not going to be playing at all this season, unless there's injuries.

I mean, there probably will be injuries, so he probably will play at least a little bit, but again, I have absolutely no idea why he decided to sign back with the Penguins when he's just not going to be playing a lot. Zach Trotman, again, another career minor league. I've never been impressed with Zach Trondman with the Penguins. You know, he's been called up a lot, you know, to play in place with Krista Tang or Brian Dumlin. You know, of course, we saw John Marino got hurt last year.

And just, he's, none of his game impresses me. He's not good at moving the puck up the ice. He has a terrible shot. Just his first pass is not good. And defensively in his own zone, he's just a tire fire. I just, I really don't like it. I mean, I think they were playing him on his offside over Chad Ruehdle. last year. I believe they were doing that for a few games and it was like, Mike Sullivan, do you just

not trust Chad Rueodle all to, and you're just going to play Zach Trotman on his offside, even though he's just utterly terrible? That was always a weird just decision by Mike Sullivan and I just, I've never liked him as a player. So, I mean, obviously he's going to get a invite to training camp and he honestly may make the team as the number eight defense. Well, actually, I shouldn't say that. They're not going to keep nine defenseman. What the hell am I talking about? He'll be assigned back to Wilkes-Ber because Chabar-Reedle may not even be in the lineup and many of you've used to regalus. So you probably already have your eight defensemen.

I really don't see them keeping nine. So again, I have no idea what the hell I'm talking about. Just disregard what I said there. Chris La Teng. P.O. Joseph, again, Jim Rutherford has talked very highly of him. His time could be coming soon, but, you know, with the Mike Matheson contract there for six more years, don't really know when he's going to crack the lineup.

But, you know, if he does have a great training camp, I could see the penguins, you know, giving him the keys to just make the team. But again, it's much more likely they, he's probably assigned back to Wilkesbury. Goaltenders, you know, we have Tristan Jari, Casey de Smith, Alex de Oreo, and, oh boy, I'm going to mispronounce this guy's last name too. Maxime Legasee, Legacy, I don't know. Well, that's an epic fail for me.

I honestly don't even really know who that guy is. I think he plays in Wheeling. Emil Larmy was supposed to be on the training camp roster, but I think he's stuck in Europe right now the last time I read, so he may be a late arrive to training camp. But that is your Pittsburgh Penguins training camp roster. As for any surprises, I mean, there's really not too many, I don't think. I mean, I guess the Redeems-Zorna guy is a bit of a surprise because I had no idea that the team even signed him in April. Drew O'Connor, Frederick Goodro, Jordan.

I mean, I guess I'm a little surprised that they did sign Jordan Nolan to a PTO. There's just no need for him with a forward debt that this team already has. And he's just probably not going to make the team as I touched on just a few minutes ago. so I just really don't know why they decided to do that. You know, great that Poulin and Legerri, like I said, are coming on. Josh Curry, just basically a warm body at camp. I mean, he's not going to make the team at all. But that's basically it for that.

You know, who do I think could surprise at training camp? I really think we could see a lot out of Menascallo and Cam Lee. You know, I would not be surprised if those two really impress Mike Sullivan and Jim Rutherford. Like I said, GMJR has really talked both of them up as potentially being close to NHL ready. You know, the same goes for Drew O'Connor, the forward. So, you know, if those three impressed, you know, they could be looking at some interesting decisions going into the season or potentially during the season, especially when, not if injuries come to the penguins. Because don't worry, there will be a lot of injuries that come to the penguins. It happens every single year.

And then, you know, as for who's actually going to make the team, I mean, I basically already said it. I mean, they're going to run eight defensemen. More than likely, Manascallo, Coosman, Trotman, P.O. Joseph. They're all going to be sent down. I mean, I think the redeems the Hornet guy he'll probably be sent down to Oreo and the guy see obviously sent down. Jordan Nolan, I think, will be cut. Legarian Pooan

will be sent down. Josh Curry will be sent down. Sam Miloseek, I can honestly see them potentially keeping him as a 13th, 14th forward. I think he might be a bit better than Anthony Angel. I could see them sending him down. And I do think Goodrow and Drew Andrew O'Connor will get sent down as well. So, I mean, everyone else on the team.

Sam Lafferty is going to make the team. I know some people are not that high on Sam Lafferty. I'm personally not either, but, you know, the coaching staff likes him. I guess they like his defensive capabilities, and I guess they like that he can just carry the puck into the offensive zone and not just dump and chase it. But, you know, I think he's a little too inconsistent.

I really don't think he deserves an everyday spot in the lineup. But, you know, that's just my opinion on that. But that basically wraps up the training camp segment here. Let me know your guys' thoughts. You know, were you guys surprised at any of these names? Do you guys think any of these, you know, HAL players or some trial players could make the team? Just tweet out me at Hunter Hodes,

the show's Twitter at L0 underscore Penguins as. well. But before we get to the next segment, we're going to talk about the schedule and you know what the easiest and hardest parts are of it. It is time to talk about Dill Bar. There's 18 amazing flavors, six of them new. Caramel Brownie, Cherry Barkia, cookies and cream, carrot cake, apple, almond, crisper, a few of them. We sold the 12 original flavors, mint, brownie, banana bread, peanut butter, German chocolate, double chocolate, etc, etc. The bars are covered in 100% chocolate. They are soft and easy to chew. You can lose or maintain weight while indulging a delicious treat. The bars are low calorie, low sugar, high protein.

high fiber. One of my favorite flavors is still bill cookies and cream, 17 grams of protein, 130 calories, 4 grams of sugar, 4 grams of net carbs. You can go to billbar.com and use promo code locked on and you'll get 20% off your next order. That is promo code locked on for 20% off at bill bar.com. All, welcome back to this episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. So the Penguins schedule is here and it is quite a doozy. So in case any of you did not see, they open up the season January 13th, at Philadelphia. So the games are in two blocks this year.

And what I mean by that? So it's basically like a mini-series in baseball. It's not a three or four-game series, but, you know, they're basically, they're two-game series against each team. It's also to minimize travel. It makes sense, you know, especially with the pandemic going on.

So the 13th and the 15th of January, they started against Philadelphia. Then they come home for four games, Washington for two, the Rangers for two. Then they go to Boston for two games. The Rangers for two games come home and play the Devils, you know, Islanders. Yeah, the whole big New York, New York,

Jersey trip should be interesting. I think the worst stretch for the penguins this season honestly comes, I think it's honestly to begin the season. Two against Philadelphia, two against Washington, then you get the Rangers, then you get the Bruins, then you get the Rangers again. I know it would be nice to get

three against the Devils out of the way. They're not good, but then you get the Islanders to start February, the Caps again, then you get the Islanders again, then the Capitals again, the following week, then the Islanders again the following week. And then you get Philadelphia, it is just, their first few months are just totally brutal. I mean, even, you know, the end of season, it's nice, they get Buffalo for two games at home.

You know, they finish up with Washington and Philly also on the road. I mean, I think their April is honestly better. I mean, I know they get Boston, but you get New York for two. You get New Jersey, Philly for a couple of games. Buffalo, you get New Jersey again. I know you get Boston for a couple of games, but I would rather have that schedule in April, which I think is the easiest, then the beginning where, you know, they're going to Philly to Washington to Boston, you know, to playing the Islanders, I mean, six times before the end of February.

I mean, they will only have two matchups left with the Islanders after February. That's just absolutely crazy to me. Their longest homestand, I think, is only four games. I think their longest road trip is, if I'm making this, I think it's a five, five games is the longest road trip. Yeah, it's in April, from April 1st to April 11th, there's their longest one. for two, the Rangers for two. I don't know why I keep saying New York because there's two New York teams and then they go to New Jersey.

So, I mean, that's honestly not too bad. You know, you have three teams in there that I don't think you're going to make the playoffs. And of course, you have Boston. You know, playing Boston eight times is not going to be fun. Playing the capitals eight times is not going to be fun. And playing the Philadelphia Flyers is not going to be fun eight times. You know, everyone freaks out when they play them four to five times in the season. Now we get to see them play eight times in the season.

So this is truly going to be a bloodbath. I still have the Penguins making the playoffs. I understand why people are a bit more skeptical with this team, but I still have them making it. I think I have them getting third in this division as currently constructed. But yeah, man, I mean, I think the schedule gets easier for the Penguins as the season goes on. Starting out, it's just going to be rough. You know, you get the four big rivalry games right off the bat,

and you get Boston right off the bat, and you get the Rangers right off the bat too. And, like I said, six times in February against the New York Islanders. I mean, four of them on the road. So that is going to be a pain. The last time they'll play the Islanders after February, March 29th, March 30th. A big thing about this schedule for the Penguins in case you do not know, they are tied for the least amount of back-to-backs for the season. I think it's only six, if I'm not mistaken.

So that's pretty big. It's six or seven. I'll double-check which either one it was. And after just scanning at the schedule, yeah, so it's six. So, yeah, they're tied for the least amount. You know, you're not going to hear any sympathy for me. You're not going to hear any sympathy from other penguins. fans, you know, they've led to league in back-to-back

for like two out of the last four years. So the people that are mad at it, the penguins are not getting a lot of back-to-backs. Tough shit, you golf and cry and I'll taste your tears and whatever like that. So that's really what I have to say about that. But overall, guys, it's going to be a grind. I'm really excited to just get back and talking about this team every single day. We are going to have basically four to five episodes this week. And then next week, I mean, full-time, we will be going to five for the rest of the season

because the training camp starts on January 3rd. for the penguins. But let me know what you guys' thoughts are on the schedule. Do you guys think that league should do this full time? You know, my take on that, I can see them doing it, you know, especially, you know, with these block schedules. I think that's just for divisional games and like a Western Conference and, well, Western Conference, the California Road Trip and the Western Canada Road Trip, I should say.

I mean, I think they could totally schedule a lot of those games back to back. And then for the divisional games, just make them in blocks to minimize travel. I think that would be cool. It would be something different. And boy, let me tell you, the league needs something. different and you know the playoff format i've already touched on that on this podcast before so i don't really need to go into it um it's going to be a grind you know i have to play a couple teams 15 times for the season but you know what that's what the players have signed up for you know there's also been no

opt-outs according to darren drugger so that's good news as well but coming up in the next segment we will be touching on zachston reese's season in review and what we can expect from him moving forward next season but before we do get into that it is time to get into best Betonline.ag. There's only one place that has you covered and one place to retrust. That is betonline.ag. You can actually sign up today for a free account

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Bet online, your online sports book experts. All right, welcome back to this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I'm your host, Hunter Hodes. Follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the show's Twitter at L-O-Nerscore Penguins. So let's touch on Zach Aston-Rise's season in review. We all know how good he is defensively.

That fourth line with him, Tanev and Blugur, was one of the best fourth lines in the league, especially at, you know, just suppressing shots. I know it was not as good in the playoffs against Montreal. I honestly attribute that to more of just Johnson and Schultz, just shitting the bed for the Penguins and a lot of the players just honestly flat out not showing up for the team. But, you know, getting into his underlying numbers, I mean, they're not bad at all.

So he played 685 minutes on the ice at 5E5 in 57 games. His possession, basically 51%. Goals for, goals against on the ice, 21 to 18. And the season before that, in 43 games, 22 to 14. His goals for percentage, 53.8%. That comes off a career high of 61.1% in 2019. His scoring chances for 259 scoring chances against 204. I mean, that just goes to show how elite he was defensively in his own zone.

The year before that, in contrast, guys, 195 to 191. His scoring chances for percentage blasted his career high away at 50.5%. This year was 56%. His high danger chances for 104 high danger chances against 77. I'm the year before that, 93 to 77. So, I mean, he, it was stayed the same for high danger chances against, but high danger chances four went up by 11. His line was just buzzing in the offensive zone.

every time they went in. 57.4% for his high danger possession-wise. High-anger goals for 12 to 11. It was 9 to 8 before. His goals 4 percentage, 52%. So, I mean, these are really good underlying numbers. And the people that think that Zach Aston-Reece does not make, you know, a big impact or he's just not a good player.

I mean, these people, I think are sadly mistaken. I think he's one of the most underappreciated players on this Penguins roster. I know he doesn't put up some bottom six numbers that you want to see offensively, but he makes up for it in an elite way defensively as he just suppress his shots so well. And him and his line, they just don't allow a lot of high danger chances and a lot of high danger goals when they're on the ice

just because of how great they are in their defensive zone, especially Aston Rees. He only had six goals, 13 points in 57 games, but, you know, points are just part of the story. You know, it's not the end-all be-all. I know some people like to think, oh, my God, you know, that's the end-all-be-all if he's not producing offense, you know, like it's such a great level.

The player stinks. but no, he is a very serviceable player, and I do think we will see an uptick in his offense for this season, especially when he comes back. I'm hoping that he's going to be ready for the start of the regular season on January 13th against Philadelphia. Could be pushed back in a bit. Remember Jim Rutherford said it looked like he was going to be towards February,

but he is at the informal skates right now. I would expect him to be at training camp, though he may arrive a bit late because of the injury. We'll see if they clear him for training camp and clear him for contact and all that. You know, maybe he's ahead of the schedule for all we know, but still. You know, this is a very underappreciated player. One of the most underrated players, I think, on the team. Yeah, I just went there.

I think he's one of those underrated players on the Penguins. Not enough people appreciate him. And I'm just really excited for when he comes back because the Penguins as a team will be better defensively when he's on the ice playing 12 to 13 minutes a night with TANF and with Bluger on that line because that is one of the best fourth lines in the lead. So I'm just really excited for his return

and just, you know, hopefully we can see an uptick in his offense because, you know, overall, you do want your bottom six lines to be more offensive than defensive, but you also want players in the bottom six that are really good at defense as well. You know, that's exactly what Aston Wyss is. We just need to get him, you know, to have some more offensive production, you know, to complement his defensive capabilities for this team. But, you know, that will be it. I think for this episode of the Locked on Penguins podcast.

I hope you all had a very safe and Merry Christmas. I hope you all got some goodies, you know, whether it's a Penguins jersey, whether it's a Penguins mug, whether it's Panthers podcast. whether it's penguins signed puck, you know, a sign jersey, you know, a sweatshirt, whatever. You know, hope you guys got that. And honestly, hope you got whatever you guys got that it was awesome. So I hope you all had a very safe holiday. We're getting closer to the end of this year.

We're getting closer to some hockey happening. We're almost two weeks away from the season getting underway. So it's a lot of fun times around here. I'll be back tomorrow with another episode for you guys with some more content. We're also going to be getting on, I think, some more guests before the season to preview the season for the penguins as well. So stay tuned for that. Hope you all have a great rest of your day, and I will talk to you all on Tuesday.