Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - Yes, we're talking about Kyle Dubas AGAIN for a Penguins job...

Episode Date: May 19, 2023

It has been a CRAZY 24 hours around the NHL and that continued on Friday when the Toronto Maple Leafs fired Kyle Dubas. Hunter dives into why that press conference was SO awkward and why it looks like Dubas got shafted by Brendan Shanahan. He then discusses what this means for the Pittsburgh Penguins and if they will at least try to call him for a job (President of Hockey Operations, perhaps?) Hunter then ponders if he will take some time off after what he said on Monday about how he was absolutely gassed this season. After that, Hunter analyzes that amazing Game 1 on Thursday night between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers. He loved how great the game was even when players were obviously tiring and especially loved how the game-winning goal was purely skilled and not just an ugly goal that's a lucky bounce. Finally, he analyzes Brian Dumoulin's season and why it's highly unlikely that he comes back for another season.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!BirddogsGo to birddogs.com/lockedonnhl and when you enter promo code, LOCKEDONNHL, they’ll throw in a free custom birddogs Yeti-style tumbler with every order.Athletic GreensTo make it easy, Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/NHLNETWORKGametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase.eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit is only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.FanDuelMake Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go to FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) 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.

crazy, crazy stories around the NHL over the last 24 hours with Kyle Dubus being fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with the Hurricanes Panthers game going to four overtimes. There are no shortage of topics to discuss. We're going to get into the Kyle Dubas situation first. Does it mean anything for the penguins in their search for new hockey operation staff? That's coming up right after this drop. You're locked on penguins.

Your daily podcast on the Pittsburgh Penguins. part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello and welcome back to another episode of the Locked-on Penguins podcast. I am, of course, your host, Hunter Hodes. Then I order to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes. Follow the shows Twitter at Enworsar Penguins. And, of course, thank you all so much for making this your first list in the day.

We are free and available on all platforms. Today's episode is brought to you by Bird Dogs. Go to Birddogs.com slash Lockdown NHL. and when you enter promo code locked on NHL, they'll throw in a free custom bird dog's Yeti-style tumbler with every order. So, a lot of news to discuss. Some of the PING related, some not, some not,

but it's also NHL-related as a whole, which is why I'm going to talk about it on the show. But the big news of the day on Friday, no, Penguins have not hired their general manager's last pleasure in hockey operations yet. More on that way later on for this episode. But we did see the Mayble Leafs and Kyle Dube, Dubis part ways late Friday morning into Friday afternoon came out of nowhere. It seemed like for a while

that Dubus was going to stay in Toronto. And then I watched the press conference. And I don't know if any of you guys were watching it, but that just turned into a complete and utter disaster. I did not major in public relations in college, even though that major was really close to what I majored. And I majored in journalism of the Com department at Virginia Tech. But, But it doesn't take a genius to see that there was some really bad PR there. Kyle Shanahan, I don't know, Kyle Shanahan. Brendan Shanahan was just detailing everything that happened, just telling the world honestly about his entire relationship with Dubus,

about how, you know, for this past season, at least, and how he loved his work in the offseason, loved work at the trade deadline, liked how the season went. Even after the season ended, he wanted him back. Kyle also expressed an interest. come back, he put him in touch, put Shanahan in touch with his agent. And then it kind of seemed to all go south because Shanahan basically said during the press conference, after Dubus spoke to the media earlier this week on Monday,

apparently Brandon said he really started to change his outlook on Dubus being the general manager. He said he honestly felt like he had to start searching or going in another direction. And then it got even weirder when apparently Dubis sent an email or text to Shanahan on Thursday saying, I would like to still be the GM. Brendan got it, he said. He got a call from his agent. He said it was a short conversation. Must have not liked the contract offer.

And then today, they just decided to fire him. Really, really bizarre situation. And then he goes along in the press conference saying that the Maple Leafs want, I guess more of an experienced general manager. I can't wait to see how that train wreck goes. If I have the guess, I think Brad Treloving is going to be their general manager whenever if the Flames also want to grant them permission to interview him because the Penguins asked him to interview Treloving and the Flames said no. No, but there's not a lot of good experience GMs out there right now.

I will fit that. And there's also going to show why the Penguins should probably, you know, finish us up sooner rather than later with how there's now another GM opening. But in terms of what this means for the Penguins, I know everyone's going to discuss. Well, Hunter, what's going on with Kyle Dubus? Is he going to come to Pittsburgh? Look.

Look, the Penguins are already very far along in their search for a new GM. It has been five weeks, five weeks from today when they fired Brian Burke, Chris Prior, and Ron Hextall. I don't think they are just going to magically interview Kyle Dubus for their GM spot when. It's wildly been reported. that they have at least three main finalists, if not another one in the mix. Matthew Darsh, Dan McKin, and Eric Tolstke are the three main ones we know. There's a chance Steve Grealier or Jason Kormonos are in there. John Chica, we don't know if he's there for president hockey officer GM,

but those are the names that have been really thrown around a lot as of late in terms of the second interview for this team. The only way I see Dubis even considering coming to Pittsburgh and slim chance of that is if he's the president of hockey operations. I understand what he said earlier in the week, where he said if he's not the gym in Toronto next year, he does not want to work anywhere and be a GM anywhere. He said he would take time to spend time with his wife, his family,

just to kind of take a year off. And I actually heard that from someone earlier today after the news came out, someone who is close up with the Maple Leafs in Toronto, who kind of covers them. He told me that he spoke to someone who said that he thinks Kyle is going to take a year off. And if he does come back to watch the Ottawa setters. So that was interesting. And that's also the widely reported by others.

So I'm not surprised that this person also found that out today too. But again, I'm sure Fenway will give him a call. Hey, Kyle. You know, I know you're out of your job. How does this sound for president hockey officer? It will give you a nice contract or something. we'll see if he would take it again money does talk but also with how kyle sounded during that press conference earlier in the week he sounded gassed to be honest just sounded like he really does

need time off and i'm not saying you know he's lying or anything i don't think he would do that maybe maybe you could say i'm taking him too much at face value and it was maybe just an um a public negotiating tactic, I don't know, but I do think it's more unlikely than it is likely that Dubus comes here in any sort of capacity. I don't think you'll be for the GM spot. I think if he does come here and again, it is a very slim chance. It would be for president of hockey operations and some of they would hire someone to be the general manager, whether that's Tolski-McKinnon, Darsh, or if there's like a mystery can it goes, you know, there's potential for that as well. get into that a little later on for this episode. But no, it would make sense. You know, Fenway,

that's the position where they could hire more experience. You know, that's why I think John Chica is still involved. Debus would make sense there. He could kind of, I guess, run the show in a way while also having a first-time general manager really involved with the decision-making process. I think maybe the final say could come down to the GM while Kyle could still be, you know, just running the hockey operation side. He wouldn't have, I guess, the final say, but he would still be just running the department as all. I think that would be kind of intriguing for him.

But again, I personally don't see it right now. I think they're going to, if the penguins do hire both jobs, it's going to be someone else at president. And it's going to be, I think, a younger GM who's never really done it before. I made my prediction on my Thursday episode. I'm going to stick by it. There's just, I don't see it. I don't see it right now.

I do think Jubis probably has some hard feelings towards the leaves after how this all went down. It's probably very hurt. But I also do think he's going to take some time away here. And, you know, just, I wouldn't say, I wouldn't say just, you know, take a year off or anything like that. But, you know, just take a little bit of time. I just don't see the penguins getting him.

I would love to be wrong. If he's the president of hockey operations, I'll eat all the crow. But right now, Yen's, I personally do not see it. So that was the big news of the day. day. And then, you know, we also saw Frank Starvalli, speaking of the GM speak, the GM talk, excuse me, or on Thursday, I post my episode. There was some stuff that came out from Elliot Freeman on the Jeff Merrick show where Elliot said, you know,

he's heard it's downed about three to five people. He continued to mention Darsh, McKinnon, and Tolski as the finalists. You really can't go wrong with any of those people. I think the pros heavily outweigh the cons for any of them. McKinnon knows the organization. Darsh is ready for a full-time GM job. Tolski is also ready for a full-time GM job. You cannot go wrong.

Obviously, there could be someone that comes in from the shadows. Remember, I mean, I was back in high school when this happened, 2014 when Jim Rutherford was hired, came out of the shadows. Remember, it was down to Pierre McGuire and what, Julian Brisball, who's the current Tampa Lightning General Manager. He was very much in that search. The Penguins interviewed him multiple times after excuse me

Ray Shiro was fired and Rutherford came in out of nowhere I think he was also final so it was those three at the end and they gave it to about the Ferdin they made the right choice they kind of got lucky

that Jim found a pot of gold late 2015 into 2016 to 2016 before it all went south a little after that with some of his decisions but it worked out

we'll have to see if someone else emerges from the shadows or if these finalists if one of these finalists does indeed get to be gay. And Frank Sorvalli did report on the daily face-off rundown on his podcast with Jason Greger that, and I quote, he said, I would be surprised if the Penguins and Flames do not have general managers by next Thursday the time they're recording.

So over the next six days, he thinks the Penguins will make a decision. Makes sense. Memorial Day weekend is next weekend. The next Friday is what the 26th of May, right? and actual draft is in a month basically at that point, you've got to get someone in here sooner rather than later. That's the thing. It's been already been five weeks,

and you're running a robust process, and it makes sense. You want to get this right. Got to take your time. But also you have to think about, you'll have four weeks to prep for the draft, four and a half until free agency. Some are a phased to sign,

some UFAs to figure out, Jason Zilker especially. You need to figure this out. And without that I already have finalists, I don't think this is going to drag on too much longer. If I'm guessing right now as well, I do think you'll see a decision next week. So that does it for this first segment of the Lockdown Penguins podcast.

Coming up in the second segment, we are going to discuss that freaking wild. And I mean that wild game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers last night. If you were up until 2 a.m. watching it, or even just listening to it on the radio, you all are the real MEPs. I loved watching it just because, A, I'm a night owl,

and B, I didn't have work today for my full-time game. So that was perfect for me. But that's coming up after this commercial break. But before we get into that, we do have to discuss bird dogs. Are you tired of sacrificing comfort for style when it comes to your active wear? Well, we're introducing bird dogs,

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Remember to follow me on Twitter at Hunter Hodes for all the shows, Twitter, Elrower for Penguins. And of course, thank you so much for making this your first listen slash watch of the day. We're freeing available on all platforms. What a crazy game between the hurricanes and the Panthers on Thursday night. Again, I had off work today so I could stay up as late as I wanted to. I wanted these two teams to play all night. And they basically did it in a way.

I almost got to five overtimes. And of course, they all had to remind everyone of the Keith Pimo game of the five overtime game between the Penguins and the Flyers in 2000 when I was two and a half years old. I actually, this is a funny story. I called my mom today. And again, she's the person that really got me into the hockey, one of the biggest penguins you ever meet. And actually, I told her about it because she doesn't follow it as much as she used to anymore, but she still keeps up with it a little bit, right? And I asked her, I said, do you remember where you were for that game? She goes, oh, I absolutely remember where I was.

And she goes, you know, you were in bed. We were living in Philadelphia. And I was downstairs with your dad watching it. And she says, I was very lucky. I didn't wake you up because I screamed so loud when they lost. I feel like, she's like, I feel like the neighbors heard me down the street. And I was like, oh, well, no, I know. I was a little too young for it.

I did obviously go back and watch the game and felt the pain that all of you older Penguins fans had. when you all were watching it. But I figured I would just be a little funny story to share for this, for this episode. And yes, I was born in Philly, for those that do not know. But I think I made the right choice for which team to root for. But just an awesome game.

And these two teams, they didn't look like they were out of gas. Not at all. Like, they were actually legitimately skating, getting as good scoring chances, the goal tending at both sides was tremendous. Heck, we even saw power. plays in overtime, which is frowned upon when you come as to playoff officiating, the only time they'll call a penalty if it's just a really terrible hit or if it's a puck out of out of play. I saw they called a hooking penalty. They called a holding penalty. I was like,

wow, I'm like, NHL officials actually doing their jobs. I just couldn't believe it. But, you know, I'm glad that Kachuk got the goal when he did. I'm glad that the goal was actually a skillful one. So I see so many people on social media saying, oh, I want this goal to be so ugly off someone's butt or something. And I'm like, I don't want a team to lose, especially when they've been playing for six freaking hours almost off of someone's butt or leg or foot or arm, whatever body part you want to use for this. That would just be such a crappy way to lose. I would feel, I would feel way more sick to my stomach off that rather than just, you know, see. seeing what could chop him, which is a really nice shot.

Well, I was sorry, past Frederick Anderson. And of course, it had to be him because he's been their MVP, the Panthers of that is all season. And I loved how he just, he scored the goal celebrating a little bit. He's like, I'm out. I'm dipping. He jolted right to the locker room. He's probably like, I'm going to go order a pizza or something like that.

Honestly, man, if I was in a game like that, I'd be screaming at the locker room. Can we order a pizza down here? And I actually saw that from Dayon Kobachrae because of D.K. reports he said when he was covering that game the penguins flyers a five over time game in 2000 when they lost he said yeah apparently the penguins did order a pizza during one of the intermissions and i'm like all power too yeah i order a cookout tray because since you're down in raleigh those who don't know what cookout is it's like the best late night drunk food like brothers

milkshakes onion rings like cush puppies all that stuff it's so good i would be starving Those bars probably aren't enough. But it was still a great game to watch. Both teams gave it all. Pampers go up 1-0 in the series. Just a instant classic, the sixth longest game in NHL history. Again, I was having the time of my life. Other things that really stood out, get Wayne Gretzky.

Put him to bed during a game like that. He was so tired of it. He looked like he was just fighting to stay. awake. He honestly just looked like, for those watching YouTube, he's just like, okay, I'm awake, guys. I'm going to talk now. If this looked like he was just coming in and out of his sleep, it was just so funny to watch. But this is going to be a long series. I picked Carolina in seven. I'm going to stick with it. But Panthers, man,

they have that team of destiny like feel. Sergei Babroski saved over five goals above expected in that game. he has been a rock for the Panthers in these playoffs. Now, I think the Chuck continues to do what he's doing. Carter Verhegey scores every playoff game. It looks like this is also the seventh straight playoff road game that the Panthers have won during the playoffs. They're playing, this reminds me a lot of the 2012 L.A. Kings.

The goal-tending, the star power, the depth, the good coaching. I don't really like Paul Maurice that much, but he's doing a really good job these playoffs. Panthers are playing some excellent hockey. And they look like they were prepared for Carolina with how, because Carolina, they like to play along the boards a lot. They also like to shoot a lot from the point and look for those deflections.

The Panthers are really doing a nice job, winning the board battles, and also getting their sticks and their bodies into shooting lanes. Because that's where a lot of Carolina's offense comes from. You know, they don't, they generate a lot of those chances from the point with those deflections. They can still get to the high danger areas. even though they don't have a lot of that superstar height and talent,

but a lot of their offense depends on those point shots. I think the panthers are a really nice job shutting nose down. Just a really fun game overall. And no, I just, I have the time. It's just, it's something you had to be there to just watch it. And once you're watching it, you can't turn it off. I'm sorry, you have no choice in the matter. And last night was one of the main reasons,

why I felt love with this sport when I was such a young kid. I always love this sport. It's why I do this show. I'm such a huge fan of this game, and we saw two of the best teams in the league go out. I don't think they're the two best teams left standing, because I think the Dallas stars, on the other hand, on the other side of things, I think they are the best team left, but these two right here based on how they're playing

by far the two best teams in the conference I don't care that Boston one of those games in the regular season that doesn't mean crap these two teams with how they're playing they are the best two teams in the conference and it's not even close and remember I will say even if the hurricanes

how don't I'll say this if the penguins do decide to hire Eric Tolski he can leave during this If I recall correctly, and I was a bit younger at the time, didn't Chuck Fletcher leave the Penguins during their Stanley Cup run in 2009 to take the job in Minnesota? I don't know I was a bit younger,

but I swear I have that in my memory that he left the Penguins during their cup run to be their GM. So Caroline has already banned them permission. Tolski can leave if the Penguins make their decision and he accepts the job. Obviously, you know, it would probably hurt to see. I think the hurricanes would be hurt just because, you know, if they win the cup, he's maybe not fully there for it.

But if I recall correctly, and I'm very confident in this, he can leave before their cup run is up or is done. If they do this in the cup final. So just want to throw that out there for you all. lot of fun to watch that one. That wraps up this second segment coming up to M-H-Show where it can continue our season reviews with the one, the only Brian Dumlin, what I liked, what I didn't like, and should the Penguins re-sign him. That's coming up right after this commercial break. I'm back in this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I am your host, Hunter Hodes.

I'm going to follow me on Twitter, Hunter Hodes, follow the shows Twitter at Endersaw Penguins. And of course, thank you all so much for making this your first listen to the day. We're at freely available on all platforms. Brian Dumont, this is the fourth defenseman that we've done for our season reviews. We still have Yon Ruta, P.L. Joseph, Chowardot and Mark Freeman to do. Those are the main names, of course. So Dumont, this season, played all 82 games. One goal, 25 points in those games.

A career high in points. The first time he's at over 20 points in the season since 2018-19, when he played 76 games, at three goals, 23 points in that season. only the second time in his career that he's had over 20 points in a season. It's funny, the season where he still looks bad defensively, he puts up the best offensive numbers of his career. Again, I will never truly understand that. But again, play all 82 games.

1,400 minutes at 5 on 5 when he was on the ice, the Penguins had 51% of the shot attempts, but it gets ugly real quickly here. when he was on ice the penguins, 52 goals for, 70 goals against. Part of it has to do with Mike Sullivan's deployment. Another part of it has to do with Dumlin just not having anymore. I'm sorry, he's just, he's not the same player.

Ever since that ankle surgery that he had a few years ago, his skating has just gone downhill. Not able to win those foot races. Not able to defend as well in the defensive zone. I'm not able to push the puck up the ice zone entry-wise. He hasn't been there. And I really do think that ankle injury was the beginning of the end for him just a few years ago when he missed quite a few games.

It was that it was the, I'm trying to remember. It was the 2019-season. Yeah, he only played 28 games that year. I know that was a shortened season, but still only played 28 games. after that played 41 games. He missed a bunch of time. He's been a little healthier these last couple of seasons, but before that, he missed a good chunk of time with some injuries

and has not been the same since. About the goals here, 51.4%. Squaring chance-wise, the Penguins had 51.4% of those. High danger chances is 51.7, but high-danger goals for, 32 goals for, 43 high-danger goals against. He was always in the wrong position. at the wrong time in the defensive zone,

it seemed like he just stopped reading plays. And you saw him get scored on way too much. I mean, it was a running joke during the season. Oh, the Peng was good. They got scored on. Who's on the ice? Jeff Card, Brian Newman. Good chance.

I think Brian, I think Dumlin played way too much with Crystal Tang. I think that was a big mistake from Mike Sullivan this season, was by pairing those two together. And I understand what LaTang said after the season to the media where he's most comfortable next to Duman.

I get it. I 100% do. But I'm sorry, Chris. Their partner doesn't have it anymore. And that's why you saw Marcus Peders and get a good chunk of time with Lettang. And the numbers were pretty decent.

Above 50% in shot of TEM, scoring chances, you name it. That pairing with Duma and Tanger just did not work this season. You saw Mike Sullivan put him on the bottom pair at times of season just because he was getting scored on virtually every shift he was out there. And he just doesn't have it anymore.

I don't think he should be re-signed, nor will he. I think someone will pick him up. I mean, he has a Stanley Capederegris. He's still decently young enough. He's 31 years old. I don't think he's going to get this, like, massive contract for five years, five million per anything like that. I don't think so.

But I do that he's going to get a multi-year contract for at least a decent amount of money just because of this bad at green lives and being a Stanley Cup champion. I just think the Penguins need to move on in another direction. Thank him for his services. The Penguins do not win those Stanley Cups in 2016, in 2017 without him. No questions asked. he was an absolute rock for them in 2016, 2017. Great in 2018, 2019 pretty decent.

After that, though, when the injuries came in, when he came back, wasn't the same player, and you especially saw it this season. Not good enough in this light as. So I would be very much looking to upgrade over Dumlin. I would give his season C-minus D. I'm not going to give him a total F just because I think it would be unfair because he doesn't have it anymore. But I would say I think a D.

And maybe that's being a little generous, but I don't know more care at this point. He can't come back. Not good enough from him. And, you know, when he does come back to the arena, assuming he does walk, and, again, very good chance he will. I do hope everyone gives him a standing ovation because, again, they do not win those cups without him. And he was a booming presence in that locker room for the penguins, did a lot, everything right on and off ice. just a great person. And again, that pair with him and LaTang

when both were in their primes, there were not five better top pairings in the league than that one. And I will die on that hill. So this is the end for buying new one. Thank you so much. Did a lot of great stuff in this city. But I guess time to move on

and whoever the new regime is that comes in, I think they will notice that, especially if they are for thinking innovative and analytically inclined. So that would do it for this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. Let me know what you all think. Down in the comments, you also send me a DM and all that good jazz. I think next week we're going to find out who gets hired for the new hockey operations department, whether it's just a GM and some other people, whether it's a GM and a president of hockey ops.

We will have to see. But I think overall, we're at the end of this process. I think there's only, I'm just guessing here, three to four people left for the GM. job. It's up to FSG to decide who do they like the best. Is it Eratolski? Is it Dan McKinnon? Is it Matthew Darsh? Is it Steve Gros? Is it John Chigar? Is it someone else? It's coming out from the shadow. Is it Jason Botry still involved? Who knows? Mystery candidate? I don't know. But we'll see. We'll find out, I think, next week. So again, thank you all so much for listening to class watching. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

We'll talk again on Monday.