Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - With trade CHAOS in the NHL, the Penguins' patience could pay off

Starting point is 00:00:00 We are just about two days away from the NHL draft. And as we record this episode, the penguins are still picking at 22nd overall in the first round. So we're going to take a look at a versatile Swedish forward that very much could be on the penguins radar. You're locked on penguins, your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins, part of the locked on podcast network, your team every day. I'm in to the Wednesday edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I am one of your hosts, Patrick Damp. You can find me across most social media platforms at Synonym 4 Wet. Joined as always by the man himself, Hunter Hodes.

Starting point is 00:00:49 You can find him on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Before we start today's show, this episode is brought to you by Odu. Great organizations win because operations matter. is why you should be using Odu. Try for free today at Odu.com slash locked on. That's O'D OO slash locked on NHL. Today we are going to preach the virtues of patience amid all of this chaos that has happened over the past few days in the national hockey league and how it relates to our Pittsburgh Penguins. We will also talk about how the Pittsburgh Penguins officially are under new ownership.

Starting point is 00:01:35 But before any of that, with just about two days to go until the NHL draft and the Penguins, still sitting at 22nd overall in the first round, we've got another draft profile to get to. And we begin this profile with Elton Hermanson, a versatile winger out of Sweden. He had some success this season with Modu, both playing for their U20 program

Starting point is 00:02:01 and their top. professional team. Hunter, you just profiled him for the hockey news. And while he looks like he could be a very enticing pick, before we talk about the stats, his game, and everything else, I want to begin it with this question. With the penguins sitting at 22nd overall as we record, should they pick him at 22 or could they wait and get him later on in the draft? Yeah, that's going to be the question. It really comes down to how the board really shakes out and also if they want to potentially move up for a player that they really like.

Starting point is 00:02:42 I don't think you're going to have to move up for Hermanson. I think he's potentially going to be there at 22 unless he goes a few picks prior. But I don't think he's also someone that you really need to trade up for it. He's there at 22, and he's your best option. Okay, go with him. I have him a tier below some of my other top players, but again, like a few other players that I've talked about in the second tier, I'd be fine with him as the pick because he is a dual threat winger,

Starting point is 00:03:10 really good shooter, and also has excellent vision on the ice as a playmaker. And you talked about it for this past season. Started the year with a U-20 team for Modu. Three goals, nine points, and 13 games was, quickly too good for that league. And then he earned a call up to the professional team, got 11 goals, 21 points, and 38 games. And then didn't really do too much in the playoffs, but still, this regular season, overall fairly solid.

Starting point is 00:03:35 And then he also played in the UA teens was well over a point per game, almost at two points per game, four goals, 12 points in seven games. This is a player who, as I said, has great vision, the way that he was able to thread the needle with some passes going through multiple sticks in lanes was through the roof. I was seeing that a lot throughout the season when I put on the tape. Also, his release from the left circle, especially his one-timer, the puck explodes off his stick. And even when he loads up his wrist shot, which I also think is underrated, the way that he's also patient with it, the way that he disguises it, it's also really nice to see as well. So not only is he a good score, he's also a really good playmaker as well.

Starting point is 00:04:16 I do think his two-way game needs a little bit of work. And I do think his compete level also needs to be a bit more consistent. that's another thing pat where he'd kind of go through the motions a little bit so i want to see him work on that going into next season because he's going to still be with moto in sweden on the adult team for next season but you know when this player's on i think he's one of the more talented players in this first round i think it would personally be nuts if he fell to the second round because i do think this is a first round talent but you know we've seen crazy things happen in the NHL draft before.

Starting point is 00:04:50 So again, I like him. I would be totally fine if he was the pick at 22. I just have him in a tier below. So of my other favorites like, you know, J.P. Herbert, Tommy Belial, Nikita Klepov, etc. The compete level concern is there for me as well. And not so much in the fact that I'm looking at him and thinking,

Starting point is 00:05:12 you know, I don't like this guy because he doesn't really have the effort and all the hockeyman cliches that. people like to use. But I say it because I do still think there is that train of thought among a lot of NHL teams to this day, to the point where they will look at a talented player such as this one and think, eh, you know what? I don't like the way he competes. I don't like the effort, XYZ.

Starting point is 00:05:41 And then they'll pass on them leaving a smarter general manager with the opportunity to take him later on. So I do think that could work out in the penguin's favor. But I will also say the knock that I have on it is less about him and more about where he plays. Even though that is a still pretty damn good league over in Sweden, the HL, it's not the KHL, it's not the NHL, it's not the NHL. It's a bit of a tier below. So he is a bit of a big fish in a small pond.

Starting point is 00:06:16 because you saw when he went to the U-18s, he played really well. And he was one of the better players for Sweden. So you can see when the talent level increases around him, so does his game. But because it was such a small sample size, I can see some general managers backing away. But you look at the raw talent, you look at the vision especially. there is a lot of potential in this kid if you can get him to better his two-way game. And I don't want to say better his work ethic, but hope that he understands when you get to this next level,

Starting point is 00:06:59 you do have to up your compete level. Again, much like you were saying, when I look at a lot of the prospects we've talked about on this show, the ones we talked about with Jesse, he's maybe in a second or something. third tier. I wouldn't be upset at them taking him, but I look at him as a player where if you like him, I would roll the dice and wait to see if you could get him in the second round on Saturday. Yeah, TBD on that, we'll just have to see if he makes out of the first round. Again, I think it would be kind of nuts if he did, considering there's a lot of first round grades on him, but I've also seen places where they have more second round rates on him,

Starting point is 00:07:39 which again, I disagree with one area of this game that I didn't really get to at first path that is also really strong. His dangling ability, excuse me. He's just very silky with the puck sometimes. One example that I keep coming back to, it was during the Sweden game against Chequia. And literally, game tied less than minutes ago and overtime, teammate passes him the puck on the left side of the offensive zone,

Starting point is 00:08:02 skates up to the point for a brief second. He then makes his move. He makes one player miss, goes around another player. He's all of a sudden in one-on-one with the goaltender, makes a really nice move to his forehand. The goal he saves it. but then his teammates able to get the puck and score the goal just literally a couple seconds later. It's plays like that where you see the skill and it's like, man, again,

Starting point is 00:08:22 if he just gets that compete level a little bit more consistent, I think it would definitely be a surefire that he goes in the first round of this draft. So again, the dangling ability, awesome, the playmaking, the shooting, also great. Again, there's very few players that I would be legitimately upset with if the Penguins took him 22, Hermanson is not one of those players. So, you know, I'm definitely a fan. I just, I'm curious what he is in the NHL once he potentially gets there. That's the thing for me.

Starting point is 00:08:54 But overall, I'm a fan of him. That right there for me is the rub. And I want to put that in a little bit of context. If a lot of the players that we have highlighted over the past couple of weeks are off the board by the time it gets to the penguins and the penguins have not moved up and he is still available, I'll be totally copacetic with that pick. I'm not going to be upset if that's who they take if a lot of the players we've discussed are gone by that point and the penguins haven't moved up. But if there are a couple of the players that we have talked about are still available and they

Starting point is 00:09:32 go with him, I'm going to have some questions because the reason be, is that question mark of what can he become at a higher level? And I know I spent the last time talking about how it does seem like he increases his compete when it gets better. But that is still a bit of a question because, again, it was the U-18s. It's a small sample size. And there were quite a few examples of him with Modo just kind of going through the motions. and when that is your main spot, that does concern me a little bit because let's be honest, whether it's the ECHL, the AHL, and yes, the NHL, there are the dog days of the calendar

Starting point is 00:10:20 where it's a mid-December game, you're right in the middle of the season, it's against a team that isn't a rival, it's a Wednesday night. I said Wednesday night, RIP Wednesday night rivalry. But I'll say this too. You know, I just don't know if he's the type of player that they'll take over someone like Kleppov or Herbert or Blyle if they're there. Like those three to me are more in the line of Kyle Dubus, West Clark picks. Hermanson, to a lesser degree, again, I'd be totally fine if he was the pick. I just think those three that I specifically mentioned are more in the line of the types of players that they've usually picked in the past.

Starting point is 00:11:06 is a better way of saying it. For sure. And again, I don't think he would be a bad pick, but it just has to be in the context of a lot of the players that we've highlighted are gone. And he's still there and the penguins haven't moved up. But overall, we've said it every time we've done a profile at this point. When you're picking it 22, you just go BPA.

Starting point is 00:11:27 Yeah. You don't try to galaxy brain it. And unless the penguins move up, that is pretty much going to be the mentality of the penguins in this upcoming draft, especially since they're picking at 22 for the time being. But that will do it for our opening segment. When we come back, Kyle, where are the trades? Maybe if you've tweeted that, we're going to ask you to hold off for a little bit. And we will tell you why when we come back right after this.

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Starting point is 00:13:39 And that's true in sports, just like it is in business. Despite the playoffs not going our way in losing to the Flyers, the Penguins did decide to make some changes as the series progressed. They changed the way they played. They were able to extend the series. And it was all because the team was on the same page from head coach Dan Mews all the way down to the players on the ice. Great organizations win because operations matter.

Starting point is 00:14:05 and that is why you should be using Odu. Try for free today at Odu.com slash locked on. That's ODOO dot com slash locked on. Keeping it rolling here on the Wednesday edition of the Locked on Penguins podcast, Patrick Damp with you alongside Hunter Hodes. Before we move in to our second segment here, get your daily locked on penguins fix completely ad free by joining the everydayer club today.

Starting point is 00:14:38 Start your seven-day free trial right now and get closer to the team without all of the interruptions. Click the link in our show notes or head to locked on podcast.com slash everyday air club. Find our show and start that free trial. Hunter, the last few days in the NHL have been Bedlam. Brady Kachuk trade. Bo Byram goes to Chicago. Top 10 picks are getting moved around. It's the off season that we have been promised for decades

Starting point is 00:15:11 that this is going to be the one. It's going to be crazy. Everybody's making moves. And of course, us Penguins fans, we're sitting here pounding the table, demanding Kyle Dubus get in on the action. And of course, us podcasts hosts and content creators. We would love to have some juicy content at our disposal

Starting point is 00:15:31 so we could talk about it. But here's the thing I want to say when we get to this segment. I don't think the penguins right now can get in on this action as much as everybody wants them to. Because think about what I said to start the segment. Top 10 picks are getting moved. Penguins don't have one of those. Really good players in their mid-20s. Penguins really don't have any of those.

Starting point is 00:15:57 And we want them to get involved. But when you see what they have, Brian Rust, Ricard Raquel, Eric Carlson, they've been the three most discussed. And while they all have value, they're not in the same lane of what is getting moved right now. And yes, Dubas should keep working the phones, trying to make those moves, trying to find fits. But when you look at what's being moved right now, the only players that come to mind for the penguins are Ben Kindle and Igor Chinikov. And if I'm Dubus, you better offer me the sun and the moon for one or both of them. Well, he's not moving either of them to begin with. So we can just take that out of here.

Starting point is 00:16:38 Kindle's staying here for a while and they're about to extend Igor and rightfully so speaking of Chinikov, you know, you saw the Kyru trade yesterday with Washington. Honestly, Pat, a similar Penguins package is probably what their first, Vili Coivinen in trying to think of the comparison to Connor McMichael. I guess Igor Chinokov, if you want to say that. I've seen other players thrown around. I'll put Chinikov there as the comparable. I'm not making that move.

Starting point is 00:17:03 if I'm Kyle Dubas, especially with the way Igor Chinikov played on the second line. I like Jordan Cairo quite a bit. And I think he's going to be a very good fit in Washington, a very annoying fit in Washington. I think he's going to have a good bounce back year for them and then going forward. But I'm not making that type of trade because I think the blues actually got pretty good value for him there. I'm a big fan of McMichael. I think, you know, comparable again, I would say here is Igor Chinatom. And the thing just are not moving him.

Starting point is 00:17:27 They're going to sign him to an extension, whether it's a bridge deal or maybe something longer term. You look at some of these other moves. That Bowen Byron trade might be one of the dumbest trades I think I've seen in several years. I don't know what Chicago is doing there. If I am every GM in the league that's smart, I am having Kyle Davidson's number on speed dial because he's just not very good at this. The thing I will say about that deal, though, and this isn't a defense of the deal.

Starting point is 00:17:53 It was a bad deal. So putting that flag in the ground, now they have to do something around it. They have to go out and get more. aggressive and find something to go with Bedard. I don't hate the idea of Bo Byram being their number one because they are in desperate need of that. But they didn't do enough.

Starting point is 00:18:13 They've still got the rest of the off season, but that trade on its face is awful. Yeah, it's not very good. Bo and Byron for the fourth overall pick is absolute lunacy. You know, we saw reports of the Penguins were in on him. Yeah. You're not beating that price. from Chicago to say the least. And I'm glad the Penguins did not even try because, as I said,

Starting point is 00:18:37 Bo Byram is going to get an extension that I don't think he personally is going to deserve. And then you see Washington today, they're doing a sign and trade with Alex Tuck, eight years, 10.5 million. Don't think that contract is going to age very well, which that move is kind of surprising for Washington because they usually have one of the best front offices in the league. I didn't think they would be signing him to that extension. But, you know, they're probably going all in at least for one more season with OV.

Starting point is 00:18:59 I think this probably makes it is one of two things. Either A, he's definitely coming back, Pat, or they know that he's not coming back and they're getting some more scoring help that he will retire. But we'll find out for sure over probably the next week or two. But how this relates to the Penguins, and I tweeted this this morning, because I have stayed pretty silent about the lack of Penguins trade so far

Starting point is 00:19:20 because a lot of people you're seeing, okay, Kyle, what's going on? When are you going to get in on this? And my thing is, what do you expect? when you see prices like these. A lot of these are ridiculous. There's just no way they're making any of those deals. Hell, you saw the Simone Nemich trade.

Starting point is 00:19:40 I'm not making that trade. I think Nemich is fine. I think he is the ability to be a better defenseman. I don't think he is as bad as some people say. I don't think he is worth everything that Calgary gave up there. I think that was a little bit rich in my opinion. Again, you have the Brady Kachuk trade. Three first round picks.

Starting point is 00:19:56 I think Brady Kachuk is a very good player. I don't think he is worth me first round picks. I think Brady Kachuk's perceived value is higher than his actual value. That it's not bad. He is not bad. But what people think he is is a lot more than what he actually is. I am with you on that. I don't think he is worth me first.

Starting point is 00:20:16 So again, when you combine all these moves that you have seen and there have been others as well, there's just really not much Kyle Dubus can do here, but stay patient. and stay stealthy. There is a reason why hardly anything has leaked out of the penguins as of late. Because that's the way Kyle Dubus likes it. He does not let anything get out of that room. There have not been many rumors at all. He comes from the school of Lou Lamarillo.

Starting point is 00:20:43 Not really a lot is going to get out. So I think for me, patience is the name of the game. Is it going to make moves over the next week or two? A hundred percent. Hell, it could happen even right after we finished recording this podcast. It actually would be peak locked on penguins if he makes a big move right after we post this episode. He has done it before. But I just don't think there's any use in getting mad over the lack of activity when you have seen some of these prices.

Starting point is 00:21:11 And for me, this is less about scolding people who are mad about wanting trades because we love trades. We love them. It's one of the most fun parts of being a sports fan. Yeah. But I look at it from this perspective. I want to meld what I said in the open with what I'm going to say now. You look at the assets that have been moved over the past few days. The penguins don't check any of those boxes.

Starting point is 00:21:37 They don't have the young player in their mid-20s who wants out and needs a change of scenery. They're looking to get those players. But on the other side of that, what those players are getting in return, the penguins also don't have that. So if you're Kyle Dubis, what you do. do right now is your focus is if I can find a way to move up on Friday, that's what I'm focused on. I'm not focused on taking my big roster swing yet because a lot of these teams that have better assets to move are going to move them. And then you're going to see a bunch of teams miss out on stuff like this.

Starting point is 00:22:20 And there will be general managers, ownerships, fan bases that demand moves. That is when you come in because there are going to be teams now that thought they were going to take a run at Alex Tuck on the free agency market. Well, he's off the market. There are a couple other players who have been moved that people expected either to be available around July 1, whether it's UFA or trade. They're no longer available. So eventually that market is going to soften for Kyle Dubas and he will be able to maybe swing a record Raquel trade. maybe a Brian Rush trade, maybe a Carlson trade. The thing right now is a bunch of people are spending like drunken pirates.

Starting point is 00:23:07 And if you're Kyle Dubus, you let them all make their moves. And when they're a bunch of teams desperate because they're plan A and plan B didn't work, you're there with the assets. That and also you don't want to just make a trade for the sake of making a trade. Yeah. Everyone loves trades. You and I especially, we love it especially. for content purposes. It's great. But you don't want to just do something for the sake of doing it.

Starting point is 00:23:31 You want to do something where, yeah, you're taking a swing, but you're really improving the team while doing it. And it's on your terms, especially. Yeah. Over a third of the league has been involved in a trade over the last what, Pat, four or five-ish days now, because it's been insane. Like, this is the initial offseason that we have kind of been promised for the last couple of off seasons. Remember, we always joke about the insiders. Oh, yeah, this is the offseason where everything is going to happen, then nothing happens. Well, it's finally coming true this year. And thank God, because the NHL has needed something like this. A lot of their prior off seasons have just been too quiet. You see some of these trades in the NBA, for example, the Janus one

Starting point is 00:24:12 was ridiculous. I don't think you're ever going to get to that point. But the trades that you're seeing recently, you know, this is good for the league. It's good for getting in new fans as well. But again, from a penguin's perspective, have to stay patient, keep trusting the management staff. They know what they're doing. They've been doing a very good job for the last year, year and a half, and they're not going to do something for the sake of it. I'm sure he is making calls every single day. I am sure he is in on a lot of discussions. We just don't know much about them because they play their cards very close to the best and not much leaks out of their office up in Cranberry. So maybe we get something today, maybe tomorrow, maybe Friday, maybe next week.

Starting point is 00:24:56 All I know is that they're going to do something and make multiple moves at some point. We just got to stay patient. That's all. And we'll end it here. This isn't the Jim Rutherford front office. I love Jim for everything he did. Oh, you mean they're not telling everyone in the fans about his plans for the summer? Man. Yeah. Yeah. If Kyle plays, if this is a, poker game, you never know what Kyle Dubus is holding. If Jim Rutherford's sitting at the table, he might as well have flipped his cards over and said, this is the hand that I have. Everybody look.

Starting point is 00:25:31 But at the end of the day, I'll add this as well. This isn't saying that Kyle Dubus and the front officer above criticism, because if they go mostly inactive and you see some deals that they could have made, we will criticize them for that. Yeah. The other thing that I'll add to end this, I know we'll probably get some comments about what the capitals are doing. Just keep this in mind. The caps are about two and a half, three years ahead of where the penguins are right now.

Starting point is 00:26:03 So some of the moves you see the caps doing right now, it's going to look that way most likely for the penguins in the next couple of years, especially if some of these Wilkes-Bair guys do develop, become valuable, become more talented, and then they have more of a demand on the trade market, and then you can go big game hunting with them. But for now, the name of the game for the Pittsburgh Penguins is patience, let everybody else spend themselves into oblivion, and when they need a lifeline, you pick up that phone. But that is going to do it for this middle segment.

Starting point is 00:26:38 When we return, the Hoffman family of companies officially adds the Pittsburgh Penguins to their portfolio. We will talk about that when we come back right after this. But we've got one more sponsor to get to before we do that, and that is Hymns. ED is way more common than most guys think, and millions of men deal with it at some point. Hems offers a simple, convenient way to take care of your health by connecting you with licensed health care providers online and giving you access to personalized treatment from the comfort of your own home. No awkward appointments, no pharmacy lines, just a straightforward process designed to make getting care easier.

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Starting point is 00:28:16 Viagra. Viagra is a registered trademark of Vietris Specialty LLC. Hymns is not affiliated with or endorsed by Vietris. We're finishing up the Wednesday edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I'm Patrick Damp. That's Hunter Hodes. And yesterday, not long after we concluded our Tuesday edition of the show, the NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the Pittsburgh Penguins from Fenway Sports Group, to the Hoffman family of companies. While the financial terms were not officially disclosed,

Starting point is 00:28:55 Bettman did say to reporters afterwards that it was in the ballpark of $1.75 billion, almost twice what Fenway Sports Group paid to acquire the Penguins in 2021. So I want to kind of go over this real quick, because we are running a little long today. I do think Fenway Sports Group got a little unfairly vilified by the fan base, partially because it's in the name, Fenway Sports Group. We all know where Fenway Park is. That's Boston.

Starting point is 00:29:30 But I do think their main problem, more than anything, yes, part of it was the Maryo Lemieux part. I get that. We'll discuss it. But I think the problem was, for the most part, since Lemieux took over the Penguins in 1999. Hilariously, almost 27 years to the day that he officially agreed to buy the Penguins, Hoffman takes over. But in the near 20-some-odd years that Mary O'Mew had control of the Penguins,

Starting point is 00:30:02 it was a family atmosphere more than anything. Fenway Sports Group, for better or for worse, they are a sports-owning conglomerate. They're not a family business. And that just didn't jive with Penguins fans. But I think overall, they did a fine enough job with the Pittsburgh Penguins. They were fine. I think some fans take the FSG hate a little too far. I've talked about that a bit on the show before.

Starting point is 00:30:28 I probably don't need to repeat myself too much. I just felt it was a little too far. Their biggest gift, obviously, Pat was getting Kyle Dubis, getting out of the Hextall era, and also just giving Dubis the keys to run the entire thing. And they spent a lot of money. on the organization, the arena upgrades, et cetera, they were fine to me. Were they really bad? No, were they really good?

Starting point is 00:30:53 Also, no. They were kind of just right down the middle, regular fine owners. But I will say, preferably, I do like more of a family atmosphere with the Hoffman family taking over. And I know it was just a regular PR statement they released yesterday, Pat. I like what it had to say. They are really excited about buying this organization. getting involved in the Pittsburgh community.

Starting point is 00:31:17 By all accounts, they really want to win. Obviously, you've seen it now with the Florida Everblades, Pat. They just won the Kelly Cup again. And I talked about it a little bit this week. It appears that the Everblades are probably going to be the new ECHL affiliate of the Penguins now, just because it probably just makes the most sense with them owning the Everblades and now owning the Penguins.

Starting point is 00:31:38 And I know you've seen the rumors that it looks like Mario Lemieux may come back in a more prominent capacity. that also makes all the sense in the world. Everyone knows why that makes sense. I don't think I need to explain all the reasons for that, Pat. Everyone knows why that makes so much sense. You brought Ron Francis back, of course, and now roll. Yarmu Yager might come back and roll at some point.

Starting point is 00:31:58 You're getting the band back together a little bit in a way, and I just feel like it's just going to be more of a good family atmosphere. I like it when families like these own sports teams, and it's not just a huge conglomerant company owning them. At least that's how I feel, man. The best way I've heard it described is that they are going to be different than FSG. Their pockets aren't as deep as FSG, but the pockets that they do have are going to be deeply dedicated to the Pittsburgh Penguins. And I do think that works out in a better capacity because the penguins ain't the Boston Red Sox.

Starting point is 00:32:39 They ain't Liverpool. So in that regard, I understand why FSG was like, hey, we'll do right by the penguins, but they're not going to be our main focus. That's no disrespect to our penguins, but let's call it what it is. They are not those two teams. They just aren't. So at the end of the day, I get it. The other thing I will say in defense of FSG is what you said, the arena upgrades.

Starting point is 00:33:07 PPG is great right now, genuinely great. And it's getting to a point where that arena could have gotten very stale. And they did a good job of upgrading it. They did a good job of getting a lot of shows and a lot of acts outside of the penguins to PPG. And not to mention, it's opening up pretty soon right across the street from PPG. They had a huge hand in bringing citizens live at the Wiley to Pittsburgh. So I think the parking situation needs to resolve itself. It's still really bad down there as you.

Starting point is 00:33:40 But as a long time in Pittsburgh native, the complaint about the city for a long time was you either had Mellon Arena, three rivers, Heinz, PNC, and that was it for musical acts. And if they didn't go there, you had to go all the way out to Burgets Town at Star Lake for a concert. Now, I know, I know FSG didn't have to do with this, but you've got stage A.E on the North Shore. and now you've got citizens live. So you now have another viable concert venue in the city, and they had a huge role to bring that there because not every act is going to want to go to one of the three stadiums. Some acts are going to be a little bit too big for stage A.E.,

Starting point is 00:34:24 but not big enough for the stadiums. Now you've got that middle of ground in the city. So I think they did a solid job, but I am really excited to see what the Hoffman family does with the Penguins. By the way, Pat, that's just Roxy and Arracier right there from in McKee's rocks. I love the Roxian, man. It's a great venue, but are you really going to tell me that, you know, a bunch of acts and you know, we should go to the Roxy. No, no, I know.

Starting point is 00:34:49 I'm just saying in general, don't forget about that place. It is fun to see a concert there. I've seen Still Panther there like three times. It's okay. But overall, I do agree with you. And I'm excited for the future. You know, I'm excited to see their ideas for the organization. They made Kyle Dubas as an alternate governor, by the way.

Starting point is 00:35:07 So congratulations to him on that. And they kind of just outlined. One's the governor, a bunch of alternate governors. Again, a lot of the same was PR speak. But overall, excited. We'll see how it goes. Another title for Kyle Dubus, president of hockey operations, general manager, alternate governor, mayor of Pittsburgh.

Starting point is 00:35:28 If I've still only seen him and Corey O'Connor in the same room only once. So I'm still not convinced. But yeah, this is going to be. exciting for the future of the penguins. And we will keep an eye on what they do and bring you any updates on this show. And that's going to do it for the Wednesday edition of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. For the rest of the week, we're going to have another draft profile for you tomorrow, as well as cover any news that might happen between now and then.

Starting point is 00:35:56 On Friday, we're going to give our rankings of who we think the penguins should take it 22. And then on Monday and next week, we will be your home for the full draft recap and then we get ready for free agency on July 1. But for now, that's going to do it for the Wednesday edition. I am Patrick Damp. That is Hunter Hodes. Thank you as always for tuning in and we will be back on Thursday.

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