Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Will Sidney Crosby make history tonight? | The Baby Pens are in the AHL Playoffs!

Starting point is 00:00:00 Today on Locked-on Penguins, they are back in action against the Buffalo Sabres. The baby penguins have made the Calder Cup playoffs, and we now know what NHL attendance looked like this season. All that and more on this edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. Your Locked-on Penguins, your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome back to another edition of the Locked on. on Penguins podcast. I'm one of your host, Patrick Damp. You can follow me across all social media platforms at synonym for wet. Join as always by the one and only Hunter Hodes. You can follow him on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. You can give our show's Twitter account a follow at L0 underscore

Starting point is 00:00:52 Penguins. And of course, we appreciate you making us part of your daily routine. Don't forget that we are free and available wherever you get your podcast as well as YouTube plus the Roku channel. And if you follow us on YouTube, don't forget to hit the notification button. That way, you can be among the first to know when we drop our daily Monday through Friday episodes. The penguins are back at it tonight after a disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning two nights ago. Tonight, they will take on one of the NHL's worst teams, but looking at the standings, we probably shouldn't throw too many stones because they're only a few points behind the penguins, and that is the Buffalo Sabres and fun fact, Hunter, two games

Starting point is 00:01:38 in a row that I can say this, they are playing a team that they scored a goalie goal against. So just like Tampa, they did score a goalie goal against the Sabres in the last meeting between these two teams when Alex Nadalkovich became the first goal in NHL history to score both a goalie goal and record and assist and become the first goalie to score at all three levels. of North American professional hockey, the ECHL, the AHL, and the NHL. But enough of the novelty statistics, if you are the penguins with as well as they have been playing over the past couple of weeks, excluding obviously the most recent game against Tampa Bay, this feels like a game that they need to win.

Starting point is 00:02:24 I know you were looking into these stats before we got started, so I will let you take the ball and run with it on that. But at the end of the day for the Buffalo Sabres, for their myriad of issues as an organization, being unable to get off the ground on these rebuilds, it kind of feels like the story of the Buffalo Sabers this season has been sometimes they can score goals, but all of the time, they cannot prevent goals. Yeah, they're 26 in the league in goals against per 60 at 5 on 5 this year, though they are third in the league pat in goals for per 60. So the one thing they do well, they can create offense. It's just that, A, their goaltending this year has not been very good. And B, they cannot play a lick of defense in their own zone. So they get a lot of offense, but they give it right back in their own zone.

Starting point is 00:03:15 And you look at this lineup, and I feel bad for Buffalo fans because they've been going through this for what, Pat, over a decade now at this point. They had a rebuild. That didn't work. and now they're doing this rebuild from their past rebuild. It really is crazy how the Sabres just can't get out of their own way year after year. I mean, there was a season a couple years ago where it looked like they were getting close. Like they were honestly in the playoff race at the end of the season. But they couldn't build on that, Pat.

Starting point is 00:03:47 You saw what happened last year. And then you're seeing what happened this year. They're going to get a top four pick in this year's draft, in my opinion. But you look at this lineup, Tage Thompson. He leads the way one of the best goals. scores in the league, 35 goals, 61 points, and 64 games. It was a travesty that he was not included on the team USA Four Nations face-off roster. If he is not on the Olympic team next year, something is wrong because he is so good,

Starting point is 00:04:13 great sniper, also really underrated playmaker. And Pat, he's been a penguin killer in the past. It feels like every time these two teams play, Paige Thompson is on the score sheet, scoring against them. So he's priority number one, J.J. Patraca, 22 goals. 55 points and 65 games. But Turka is someone who has really come into his own these last couple of seasons. I am still curious to see what the plan is with him during this off season.

Starting point is 00:04:39 There have been trade rumors surrounding him. And a couple of people were asking me around the deadline, like would you trade assets to go get this player, including potentially the Rangers pick if the Penguins get it? And I said, yes, like that is someone I would trade that pick for if the Rangers give the Penguins that first round pick this year and they don't defer it to next year. I think he is everything they would need for both the short term and the long term,

Starting point is 00:05:02 and I think he could really grow into a really good player for this team. But you always have to watch out for him. Rasmus Dahlene, 13 goals, 55 points this year. He's been great. Alex Tuck, also another really underrated player that people don't recognize enough. He's almost a 30 goal score this year. I know he was really good in Vegas, but he's been awesome since coming to Buffalo. Jason Zucker, Ryan McCr.

Starting point is 00:05:27 cloud 19 and 17 goals respectively you look at this team man there's a good amount of young talent you just can't put it all together for whatever reason and i'm curious to see what happens with their front office as kevin adams get another season there general manager does lindy ruff get another season as head coach they have a lot of major decisions to make but in terms of again this game tonight it's all about slowing down cage thompson and j j j puterkerker for me they're it's funny you look at their lines you know thompson and peturka are are separated. Thompson's on the first line, but Turk is on their second line, which is good. Like, it's awesome that the Sabres are able to do that, but still, the Penguins are going to have

Starting point is 00:06:04 to be on high alert for both those lines. Zach Benson is on the top line for the Sabers, who came, oh, so close to falling to the Penguins people, one pick away. If he was available at the same time that Brayne Yeager was, I think Zach Benson was going to be the pick. And I'd like to see where Benson would be on this Penguins team today, because I was so high on him, on that in that draft a couple of years ago. He was my dream selection. When I did my big board pet, he was like at the top.

Starting point is 00:06:33 The dream would be Zach Benson if he was available to the penguins, literally inches away from getting him there. But as I said, their top six is pretty potent. Their bottom six, they do have Peyton Crabs, Jason Zucker, Alex Stock.

Starting point is 00:06:46 I actually really like that third line, by the way. Rasmus Don Lee leading the top pair. Owen Power leading the second peer. Two absolute studs on their back end. Bowen Byram, I didn't even get to yet. They have three studs, but I still think they could use another player to play on the right side. And then goaltending-wise, it looks like Pat, it'll be James Reimer starting for the Sabres tonight.

Starting point is 00:07:08 It'll make his third straight start. You look at the goalies this year, Oka-Pekulukin, he has played in 51 games, 88-sableness. James Reimer, he's at 907. So Pekeleukin, it hasn't been that good. Same with Reimer. They have a team Sabres advantage of 889. It has been a struggle fest for them. and defensively. So the penguins, they'll get their chances tonight. I have no doubt about that.

Starting point is 00:07:31 If they show up like they have in these last few weeks, not the game against Tampa, obviously, but the trick will be, can you slow down some of their potent offensive talent in their own zone with how the penguins are playing defensively? That's going to be the kicker for me tonight. That really is the biggest question. You also look at it this way. This is another game where the penguins, and you would love to see it happen this weekend rather than tonight at home. but the penguins in Sidney Crosby, he is still one point away from history. A point tonight clinches his 20th consecutive point per game season. And when you look at his time in the NHL playing up against the Buffalo Sabres,

Starting point is 00:08:16 he has been a menace against them, constantly puts up points. Because for the majority of Sydney Crosby's career, this is where Buffalo has been. So be on the lookout for that tonight. but back to Buffalo really quick. You're right. This is a team that you go up and down their lineup. There is a lot of young talent here, but for whatever reason,

Starting point is 00:08:36 they just can't seem to bring it together. And it's the defense that really stands out to me. You look at their defensive core. You look at the daily face-off pairings right now. And it's a little confusing. You have Mattia Samuelson, not half bad. Obviously, Rasmus, Dahlene, very good.

Starting point is 00:08:58 Owen Power, also very good. But then Jacob Bernard Docker, Bowen Byram, who's solid, but, you know, that's pretty much where he belongs, third pair, second pair in a pinch. And then Connor Clifton, you have three defensemen,

Starting point is 00:09:15 two of which who are very good in Power in Dahlene, Samuelson, who looks like that could be somebody worth holding on to. But then the rest of it is just very, And until they figure that out, and until they can really find a way to supplement guys like Benson, like Thompson, like Petirka, and even Jack Quinn to an extent, this is going to be their struggle. And you brought up their third line, Zucker Krebs Tuck. That's a pretty solid line.

Starting point is 00:09:47 And the biggest thing that they have more than anything in Alex Tuck. And this is kind of something that I wrote about a few weeks ago when I was fighting the tanking wars was part of the part of the thing that helped them with Alex Tucker is he wanted to be there. He is a buffalo native. He has a lot of love for the sabers. And this is a team he wanted to be in. They have to start identifying guys who want to be part of the solution rather than, hey, I'm going to sign a one year deal with Buffalo. I'm going to light up the score sheet because I'll be a big fish in a little pond. and then they'll trade me off to wherever else,

Starting point is 00:10:25 and then I can sign my next big deal. So they really have to start finding guys who want to be part of the solution. But that is going to do it for our first segment. When we come back, it is official. The baby penguins will be in the Calder Cup playoffs. They clinched their spot last night. We will talk about that game and some more about the baby penguins. But before we do that, we've got to tell you,

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Starting point is 00:12:21 joined alongside the one and only Hunter Hodes. And thanks to the overtime hero last night against the Hartford Wolf Pack, Avery Hayes clenches a spot for the baby penguins in the Calder Cup playoffs. He scores with just 11 seconds left in overtime to get the penguin, the baby penguins, excuse me, into the Calder Cup playoffs. And not only did Avery Hayes, a player who has been a little bit of a. surprise for this organization, someone that we didn't really have our eyes on, but has continued to rise and looking like someone that maybe could be an option here over the next few years to

Starting point is 00:13:03 play for the big penguins. But his goal assisted by someone we have had our eyes on all season long, Vasily Ponamerev, he wins a board battle, is able to get the puck to haze to spring him on a breakaway. He makes no mistake. He wins the game. And with the victory, Sergei Murashov has tied John Curry for the longest winning streak in Wilkesbury Scranton Penguin's history with 11. So Hunter, the boys down on the farm, they're going to start playing some meaningful hockey here in just a couple of weeks. Something special is brewing down there, my friend.

Starting point is 00:13:41 I've had a few people come in my social media mentions these last few days to a few weeks telling me, like, you know, we're Wilkesbury season ticket holders. And we haven't seen a team this good here. in a long time. And, you know, they can feel the height. They can feel the excitement. And you can see it even when you're watching the games on your television, your laptop, your PC, wherever you're watching it. The crowd there is fantastic. The players are having so much fun. And that goal by Avery Hayes last night was sexy. Like that's the word for it, man. It was such a sexy move. Did it at the very tail end of overtime. And he's had a really strong season for Wilkeshire this year. Pat, I know we haven't

Starting point is 00:14:21 talked about him enough on this show. You know, we were really focusing on Rucker McGrady because he's going to be ready, we think, for next season. Billy Coivinan, we think is going to be ready for next season. Ponomerov might be ready on a full-time basis for next season. Outside shot of Tristan Bros. But we should include Avery Hayes, man. In 50 games this year, he has 21 goals, 39 points in 50 games.

Starting point is 00:14:44 He has many goals as Emil Benstrom does, same with Goivnan, and the same with Boris Kach. So he is playing lights out hockey for Wilkesbury this year. And in my opinion, if he keeps this up and then comes to training camp in September and has a really good camp, I think he will be a dark horse candidate to make this team out of camp and the preseason next year. His development has been really fun to watch. He also plays like a rat, if I'm being honest. He is not afraid to get his nose dirty.

Starting point is 00:15:15 He likes going to the net, likes getting involved in those little skirmishes. it's fun watching him play. And I'm curious to see how his season ends here if he can keep staying hot because that was one heck of a goal. Billy Coyvenin had a great game last night. He was all over the ice. Once again, Dalitra Pustin, I also thought had a really good game as well. But Sergei Muroshoff, man, now 11-0.

Starting point is 00:15:38 You said, you look at his full stats for this season, Pat. 2.60 goals against average 9.16%. I said it earlier this week. I will say it again. he has to get the net in game one of the Calder Cup playoffs. I know they have Blumquist down there too. I know they have Philip Larson who has also been fantastic for Wilkesbury this year. But what the way Murashav is going right now and how dominant he is playing,

Starting point is 00:16:02 you have to see what he is made of in those high stakes games in the Calder Cup playoffs. He has to start game one for me. But congratulations to Wilkeshury, very well deserved. This team is going to be a very tough out. when the playoffs come around. For sure. And a couple things I want to address on what you were saying there. One, we have said this about Hayes.

Starting point is 00:16:24 You know, we haven't talked about him enough on the show. But when we have, you brought it up again. He is kind of in that ever emerging mold of new players in the NHL to where he's got offensive talent. He's got some foot speed. But he's not afraid to mix it up. He's not afraid to be a little bit of a rat to try to get under the opponent's skin to play physical. And the penguins for all intents and purposes outside of the few, I don't want to say a few months, let's say around a season-ish, they had Michael Bunting.

Starting point is 00:17:03 They didn't really have a ton of players like that. And we have seen it with a lot of the really good teams over the past few years. they have that kind of player who is going to get under your skin. And whether you like it or don't like it, the Kachuk brothers have kind of reset the landscape in the National Hockey League. They have shown that you don't have to be just a one-dimensional, offensively gifted player because both of the Kachuk brothers are. They both are good offensive talents,

Starting point is 00:17:33 but they're going to go to the greasy areas. They're going to throw hits. They're going to be agitators, and it's going to be a huge asset for your team. And I'm not comparing Hayes to them. Obviously, he's not at that level. But if you can have a player like that, in your middle six, bottom six, regardless of where,

Starting point is 00:17:55 that has value because eventually they're going to knock a couple players off their game. They're going to be too focused on getting their revenge. And just like last night, when Wilkes Bear clenches their spot, who's there to win the game? Avery Hayes. As for Murshov, it's really the logical next step in his development. He's on an 11-game win streak. He's 11-0 in the AHA.

Starting point is 00:18:20 Last night was a career best for him in the HL, making 35 saves. And now you have seen that this kid can deliver. 11 games, 11 wins. It's not really a small sample size anymore. It's not him going on a two-week heater where he wins four or five games or wins four or five loses another but looks good in the loss. He has looked like he is just taking that starting job and said, get out of my way.

Starting point is 00:18:50 This is my job. I'm the starting goalie now. And when they get to the postseason, it should be his net. Yeah, 100%. And you don't, I don't want to say you give him a long leash because the next step in this entire organization's development is that you want this group to go on a long run. You want them to win a couple of rounds, maybe make it all the way to the Calder Cup final, ideally win the Calder Cup.

Starting point is 00:19:21 You want them to make that run. So you don't give him an extremely long leash, but you find yourself down in a series. You know you've got Larson. You know you've got Blumquist. So not only can you give him the net to start, You know you've got safety nets there if he stumbles a little bit. You're not pushing all your chips into the middle on Sergey Murshov, but I'm right there with you.

Starting point is 00:19:47 He has more than earned the starting job for the baby penguins once the Colorado Cup playoffs come around. So a lot of good things happening down on the farm right now. Yeah, 100%. And you're right. I don't think it should be a super, super long lease. He struggles in game one, for example, or even game two, you might go to Larson.

Starting point is 00:20:06 in that scenario because he's also been really good. But this is the next step. It's seeing what he can do in more high-stakes games to keep furthering his development. And if he passes this with ease, that can only mean greater things, hopefully, to come over the summer going in the camp. Because if he also has a great camp, that would be the next phase, Pat, having a great camp in the preseason and maybe forcing the organization's hands to keep him in the NHL to start next season. I still think as of right now, he's probably going to start next season in the AHL, because I think he could use a little bit more seasoning. Again, people, 11-no, that's great.

Starting point is 00:20:46 He's putting up amazing numbers, but you still want to take your time with developing a goalie like this. You never want to rush this type of prospect. So that's why I think he's going to start next season in the AHL. However, if he gets to a point where the organization can't say no with how he's playing, then, you know, we'll have to have a conversation about him potentially being on the opening the night roster nation. Also, Pat, just to end this, I hope I didn't butcher Boris Kachuk or Kachuk's last name from Wilkesbury. I apologize if I did. I think it's one of those two. So

Starting point is 00:21:20 again, I completely apologize. Yeah, I don't really. I'm not in a position to correct you on that because I'm not entirely sure on what his pronunciation is. But overall, I mean, I want to build on that ever so slightly is this is also something that I want to caution our listeners and caution the fan base for. I know that for almost 20 years, the penguins have been in go for it mode. We want our toys. We want to open them right now. Forget Christmas morning.

Starting point is 00:21:56 We're going to open these toys right now. We can see them under the tree and we want them, so we're going to open them now. But this is not where the organization is right now. I know that everybody is going to, if they're not already, clamoring to have Sergei Murashov as the Penguins goalie going into next season. But we have to keep in mind, it's his first season in North America. Yeah. Didn't play as many games in Russia as he would over here.

Starting point is 00:22:25 And this is a grind. It is a massive grind, especially in the ECHL and the AHL. I don't want to pretend like it's quote unquote easy to play in the NHL because it's not. But in the NHL, you get first class everything. You're flying in and out of cities. You are getting good hotel accommodations. You've got, at least in the Penguins organization, top-notch facilities. HL and ECHL, you're riding the bus,

Starting point is 00:22:58 you're living in apartments, you're going, there's some trips where you don't even get to stay in a hotel. You take the bus to the venue, you play the game, you jump on the bus, you get some crappy takeout food from a local restaurant, you jump right back on the bus,

Starting point is 00:23:15 and you're driving back to Oaks Bear wheeling. So he is going to have to adapt to the grind of the season. And with that in mind, eventually there will be a struggle for him. He will go through a dip at some point. He's going to have a week, two week stretch, three, four game stretch, where suddenly he doesn't look like what he's looked up to this point. But this is where we are right now when it comes to development. You want him to continue to play these meaningful games.

Starting point is 00:23:47 You want him to get used to the grind of a North American professional season. and if he continues to pass with flying colors like he has over the past few months, then you start having the conversation of, do we bring him up to the NHL? It's going to happen. Right now you look at his trajectory. You look at everybody who's watched him and who has scouted him. He is going to more than likely be an NHL goal.

Starting point is 00:24:10 But it's not more than likely not going to be next season. It'll probably be the season after. And I'm just stressing a little bit of patience. Little bit of patience. It will pay off. You got to make sure he's ready. Because I'll even say this real quickly. Trust the process.

Starting point is 00:24:30 I will say this too before I wrap up this segment. Look at Matt Murray. Look at Tristan Jari. They probably came up a year or too early. They probably got rushed into the NHL a little too early. And I know there's other flaws and other issues with their game that came up, but that kind of comes back. to it. Once they were ready, or they were perceived to be ready, Penguins brought them up,

Starting point is 00:24:57 they got hot for a little bit, and then fell off. You don't want to repeat the same mistake. I will say Matt Murray got the Penguins two Stanley Cups or helped them win two Stanley Cups, Pat. I know everything that happened after wasn't as good, but I'll still never say a bad word, considering how he played in 16, and especially in 17 when he came in for relief of Flores. but I understand your point. Just wanted to end with that. Yeah, yeah, I'm not saying that it was a complete disaster. Obviously, you went to Stanley Cups.

Starting point is 00:25:27 You didn't do something right. But I think you could say that their long-term trajectories in everything that happened post-then, they probably maybe were a tad early on their development in they ultimately suffered from it. But that'll do it for our second segment. When we come back, the athletic released a story this morning about NHL attendance numbers. we're going to take a look at those, specifically the penguins, and have a little bit of a quick discussion about tickets and attendance in the national hockey league. So stick with us.

Starting point is 00:25:59 We're going to have that conversation to end the show. But before we do that, we got to tell you about today's last sponsor, and that is Indeed. You just realized you needed to hire somebody yesterday. So how can you find amazing candidates fast? That's easy. Just use Indeed. When it comes to hiring, Indeed is all you need. Stop struggling to get your job post seen on other sites.

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Starting point is 00:27:13 And Athletic released a article this morning about NHL attendance in the 24, 25 season. and as we get close to the end of the year, the league is seeing gains pretty much across the board, with the exception of a couple of teams, including the Penguins. According to their article, one of the biggest declines in the league this year was the Penguins. They saw a 6.6% decrease in attendance.

Starting point is 00:27:44 And I can see some eyes rolling. I can see some people shaking a little bit because there's some new ownership, and new-ish ownership in town, excuse me. But realistically, the drop that they saw on average, not that bad. It's one, because of course this is the number, 1,187 fans less per game. Of course it ends with 87 because why wouldn't it? But I don't think it's really that big of a concern right now.

Starting point is 00:28:15 You saw pretty much a decade plus of sellouts. This team was constantly near the top of the league. They had two of the biggest draws, if not more of the biggest draws in the NHL. And it's been a struggling couple of seasons as we know. But the other conversation, and I have this conversation with people constantly when it comes to sports in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh's not that large of a city. And there are limited entertainment dollars.

Starting point is 00:28:47 If you look at whether it's the penguins, you can't include the Steelers in this because that is a generational thing. That team is going to forever have great attendance, season ticket waiting list. It's a cultural thing more than it is a sports thing. But you look at the penguins, you look at the pirates. When you look at their television ratings, they are always near the top. Pittsburgh is a city where there are, like I said, limited entertainment dollars. It's a town where we're always going to support our teams in one way or another,

Starting point is 00:29:19 no matter how good or bad that they are. But when you don't have a large base of entertainment dollars to pull from, it's a lot easier for people to say, you know what? I'm going to watch at home on my TV. I'm going to go to a bar or a restaurant. I'm going to go to a friend's house and I'm going to watch it there because rather than spend $60, $70 plus on a ticket, more for parking, more for food and beverage.

Starting point is 00:29:48 I can save some money and watch them at home with a friend at a bar. And once this team builds its way back up to where we want them to be, I think you're going to see that increase again. I like the point that you made there. And I do want to say this. I know some of the crowds this year hadn't been what we normally expect from PBG Paints Arena crowds, but the crowds that have come in for games have been nothing short of outstanding.

Starting point is 00:30:16 I was at the game against the Flyers on February 27, the Penguins won that game five to four. And even though the Penguins were basically out of the playoff race at that point, you wouldn't know it by the way the crowd was reacting in that game. So like all the diehards were out. And they're still out even in the month of March. I was at a game a couple weeks ago. And the crowd was fantastic.

Starting point is 00:30:37 Like it's been great all year. Just because not every seat in the house is taken. And sure, I've noticed that. But just because not every seat in the house has taken, doesn't mean the penguins aren't getting really good fans in the arena. The fans have been nothing short of great from what I've noticed. Like, yeah, they know that this team is not making the playoffs, but they're still going out there.

Starting point is 00:31:02 They're cheering their asses off every game. And that's what I want. Like, sure, I've had conversations with some friends as well. They've asked me like, hey, like, which games would you go to? And I would tell them which games to go to? They're like, wow, look at these ticket. prices. And it's like, on one hand, I don't blame the penguins for asking for a bit more money against rival teams, for example, like the Rangers, the capitals and all that. But on the other

Starting point is 00:31:23 hand, I don't blame some of my friends who are being like, you know what, I'm just going to go to a bar or stay at home and watch it because you have to pay for tickets. Parking is sometimes, you know, 40 to 50 bucks if you're right around the arena. The food and the beer, if you drink beer, it's also a bit pricey inside the arena as well. So I get it. I really do. However, am I concerned about the attendance going forward? No, because the fans for the most part are still coming out. Again, I know that there are empty seats in the arena every time I go, but it's not as many as some may think. So the arena is going to be fine. They're going to keep getting some really good crowds in. And once this team gets back to being a contender, you'll see another sellout

Starting point is 00:32:03 the streak start. So I'm not concerned in the slightest man. Yeah. And it's it's an encouraging sign for the league because when you look at what the athletic tracked here, there are only two, teams right now, according to their research, that are under 90% capacity when it comes to attendance. And that's two teams you would expect, the Buffalo Sabres and the San Jose sharks. And the thing with the sharks is, they can see the hope. They can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And fans are starting to come back. That number is starting to climb, to climb, excuse me. And then you look at Buffalo, it's a little bit of a different story. They have been stuck in this darkness.

Starting point is 00:32:42 They're seeing a decline because fans are starting to get frustrated. So all in all, I don't want to act like I'm being a shill for the National Hockey League here. But when you see this happening, it's good news for the league because they'll be able to do more innovative things. They'll be able to further the league because they're getting good attendance. They're going to be able to get better TV deals. They're going to be able to do other things outside of the game to help grow it. So they're in a good spot, especially now that we're really getting out of the malaise of the pandemic. They're starting to get, they're starting to figure things out.

Starting point is 00:33:20 They're starting to recover for it. We see it with the salary cap. We saw it with TV deal with ESPN. So good things are happening for the league. But to put a bow on it, like you said, and like I said, there's no need to really worry too much about it. The penguins are at 91% capacity. I know that that's, after we're so,

Starting point is 00:33:40 used to how long they sold out. It's a little bit jarring, but the fact that this is a team that's been declining and struggling and they're still getting that kind of attendance, it shows that people still care about the team. They still support the team. And once they turn the corner, we should be in a good spot. But that is going to do it for the Thursday edition of Locked-on Penguins. Hunter and I will be back with a brand new episode for you on Friday to recap tonight's

Starting point is 00:34:07 game against the Sabres as well as get you set. for Sunday afternoon's game against the Ottawa Senators at PPG Paints Arena, and of course talk about anything else that might happen between now and then. But for Hunter Hodes, I'm Patrick Damp. Thank you, as always for tuning in. We will be back on Friday.

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