Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - You're telling me the Penguins are in on...Luke Schenn?!?!

Episode Date: February 23, 2023

It's another off day for the Pittsburgh Penguins but there are always lots of things to discuss when it comes to this team. Hunter starts the show off by previewing Thursday night's tilt against the Edmonton Oilers and how these are now playoff games. He looks at how the Penguins have been bullied in their last 3-4 games against the Oilers and details what they need to do to stop the bleeding against them. He then pivots to a new rumor that popped up WHILE he was recording and that is the Penguins being a finalist for Luke Schenn. Hunter analyzes Schenn as a player and looks at how he would fit if the Penguins were to acquire him before giving his overall thoughts about it. He digs into the numbers to find that they already have multiple defensemen who do what he does on a nightly basis, plus analyzes the likely return that the Canucks would want. Finally, Hunter ends the show by analyzing just how awful the third line has been this season and why Mike Sullivan needs to stop this madness with it before it is too late. All that, plus much more on this episode of Locked On Penguins.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!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.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/NHLNETWORKFanDuelMake Every Moment More. Place your first FIVE DOLLAR bet to get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in Free Bets – win or lose! Visit Fanduel.com/LockedOn today to get startedFANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires 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.

Happy Wednesday, Penguins fans. Lots to discuss on this one. We're going to preview the game against Edmonton Oilers, how the Penguins can overcome their amazing offensive attack, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Drys Idol. We are also going to get into just how bad that third line is. We're going to dive into all of the stats and look at a few trade rumors that have been circling around the Penguins today. It's all coming up right after this job for the Lockdown Penguins podcast.

You're Locked on Penguin. 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'm, of course, your host, Hunter Hodes, and I'll follow me on Twitter at Humberthos,

follow the shows, Twitter, at NLORS4P Penguins, and of course, thank you all so much for making this your first listen of the day. And, of course, today's episode is brought to you by Fandall's worksbook, the official sportsbook of Locked On, make every moment more you can visit Fandoaddo.com slash locked on today. To get started. So let's jump right into this.

Let's preview this game against the Edmonton Oilers, that is the Penguins. Next game is they try to snap this three game losing streak. They've lost all three games in regulation. Two metropolitan division teams, two of the Islanders, one of the devils. They are 0 and 6 and 3 in their last nine to the Metropolitan Division. Never seen them struggle like this against a division. It's probably the worst I've ever seen them play.

against divisional teams. The only teams I think they've beaten in the division this year. Be the Rangers, funny enough. Washington, Philadelphia, Columbus. And I'm pretty positive. That is it. Did not be that devil. They have not beat the Devils, Islanders are the Hurricanes.

So four of the teams, they have beaten in the division. That's it. It's embarrassing. But things will get one of their last Western conference games. Out of the way on Thursday, and they will take on Connor McDavid, Leon Drysaddle, Emington Oilers, the Penguins have played very well against the Oilers. Dating back to 2007, they actually have points in 19 of their last 22 games against them.

They are 15 and 3 and 4 in their last 22 games against the Oilers. They have also points in 9 of their last 10 games against the Oilers, 7 and 1 and 2, dating back to 2008. That, it was 7 in 0 and 2 before last year when the Oilers won in overtime, excuse me, in regulation. and they blitz the penguins in that game. And that was the way, I believe that was the game at the end of the season where it was looking like the penguins were really cooked. That oilers speed and skill gave them fits throughout

McDavid, Leon Drysid, Elie Bander, Kane were just way too much for the penguins. They looked way too slow against the Oilers. And they're going to have to, you know, not look so that looked that slow again because, you know, in the first matchup this season, remember the penguin jumped out to that 2-0 lead, played a really good first period. after that, it was a complete and utter nose dive. So they're going to have to play way more than 20 minutes

if they want to win this game. They got blown out. And the rest of that game, I will say that. And there is a rumor going around with the penguins potentially being in on Luke Shen. Again, I'm going to get to that. A second, I apologize. It has nothing to do with what I'm talking about.

Anyways, but you all get my drift. Their speed and the skill has really caused, you know, the Penguins fits. They've won three games in a row, I will say, against the Penguins, which is, again, very rare because the Penguins usually play very well against Connor McDavid and the Oilers. After this game, the Penguins will play four of their next five games on the road. So it is imperative to win this game, not just for that, but just because you guys,

snap the Susan Street, Penguins are also 15 and 9 against Western Conference opponents this season, which also includes a 9-and-3 record at home. So outside of those stats, you go to MoneyPup, not MoneyPub, Daly Facehawk, you look at their lines. Zach Heim and Connor McDavid, Leon Driesidal, you all know where it starts. Connor McDavid is the best player in the world. If you disagree, I would love to hear who you think is the best player in hockey, because he's already hit 100 points.

He's a one-man wrecking crew. He's the fastest guy alive, I feel like he has a ridiculous shot. His playmaking ability is second to none. He is disgusting. He makes anyone on. any given night look foolish. He is literally a clone of a younger version of Cindy Cosby. That is who he is.

Honestly, by the time his career is over, wouldn't be surprised if he is close to the numbers. You know, because since right now, you know, he's what? Over 1,500 points, right? Would not be surprised. I think David is there by the end of his career, if not a little higher. Leon Drysadle, you know what you're going to get with him.

Beautiful shot as well. Great playmaking ability. They can, they have the luxury of putting him either with McDavid or without him. He is with McDavid right now, so that makes the lineup a little more top-heavy, but if he is on the second line and maybe they put Yamaoto up there, which I'll talk about in just a second, you know, it does make them a little bit deeper,

deeper, excuse me. Ryan Nijon Hopkins, Yamoto, and then Desjarnet are on the second line. Ryan McLeod, Warren Fogel, Matzius Yanmarb for their third run, Gassie, Poole, Darryan, and Devin Shore to round up their foregroup. But, you know, you know what you're going to get with our top guys of Drys Haddon McDavid, Hyman and Nugent Hopkins.

Those are the guys who look out for right now. Vander Cain is day-to-day. Not really sure, but he's going to play in this one. Obviously, there's still without Oscar Clefbaum. I don't think he's ever going to play again. Ryan Murray's hurt. Kim, Klim Klausstein is hurt defensively. Darnel Nurse, Cody Cic,

Tyson, Barry, Brett Kulak, Philip Roberg, and then Evan Bouchard. Nurse is the top defenseman on their team. He can do it all offensively, defensively. Cody Cici, it is funny that he's getting top pair of minutes, but he has still been pretty decent. Everton's moving on from the Penguins just a couple of seasons ago. Kulak is a player.

I really do like. He's more known for his defense. Camarro to his offense and a second line, a second pairing role. I like that quite a bit. Tyson Berry, he's the more offensive player on that pairing. He mainly runs, I think,

their top power player right now, nurses on their second unit. And then Evan Bouchard, he's still a good player, but, you know, he's getting sheltered a little bit right now. You know, if the Penguins, if they can somehow neutralize the top two lines of the Oilers, they should be able to come out of this with a win.

But there are still players in the orders, bottom six that can hurt you as well. Jan Mark, sneaking underrated player, pull Yarvey. He's not having the best year, but he can also strike at any time. Warden Fogel, aka McLeaven, for those that have watched Superbad. He's also not a bad depth piece, Derek Ryan, Ryan McLeod.

So they have players that can hurt you. And I should throw Yamoto in there. He just came back from injury, another very solid player. In terms of keys, you all know what I'm going to say. Gotts out, Connor McDavid. I know, I know. You're probably asking, how do you do that? Well, give him a healthy dosage of Crystal Tang and give him a healthy dosage of Sydney

Crosby. I think if you can match his line out against the McDavid line, and you can let the Afghani-Malkin line go out against the Oil or second line, which is not as good as the Zuckermanalkin-Rekyll line. I think the Penguins will be able to win that matchup. And despite how bad the third line is, if that can just be a little bit of a wash and they can outplay the Oilers' bottom six, and especially the Penguins' fourth line with O'Connor there,

I think they can definitely, hopefully create more scoring chances compared to the Oilers. But, you know, that's always big. Shutting down the Oilers' power play, they have one of the best units in the league. And again, it is not hard to see why. Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Leon drives out of Connor McDavid-Ty,

and Barry. Good freaking luck stopping that unit. World-class talent on their, world-class finishers. I'm having had a good game against the Penguins last time. I believe you had two goals in that one. McDavid, I think, also had one. It's always, you know, appointment television when McDavid and Crosby go up against each other because it doesn't really happen that often. But, you know, it really does come down, you know, to it being as simple as this.

You stop their top six. especially the top line, you win the game. The Oilers have been struggling coming into this game. They did just beat the Flyers. Believe it, it was on Tuesday night, a 4-2 final. But before then, this is a team that was losing to, you know, some pretty bad teams. They've lost six of their last 10 games.

They're currently fourth in the Pacific. They blew a two-goal lead to the Avalanche. They lost in the Rangers. They lost in the Red Wings. They lost the Canadians. Before this game against the Flyers, this was an Oilers team that had lost four in a row. again, one of those losses was a 6-2 loss to the Canadians.

They lost to the Flyers a little bit before that and a shootout. So, you know, this team is kind of hurting right now. They also lost to Columbus about a month ago in Edmonton. So they lost to some bad teams. This is definitely a beatable team if you are, you know, if you are obviously a big fan of the Penguins, you're listening to the show. But they can contain McDavid and Drysidal,

limit Hyman a little bit, you know, get their defense off their game. I really do think Penguins can come out of this one. victorious, goaltending-wise for the Oilers. Would expect Stuart Skinner in this one, Jack Campbell is not playing that well this season. His contract is aging like milk. Well below, you know, I believe he's in the negatives in terms of goals.

Sainville they've expected. Stuart Skinner has assumed that starting job would expect him to start in this one. So throw a lot of pucks at him. Power play has to be better as well, you know, especially because the Oilers, even though the Penguins penalty kill has been good, this season, going up against the orders, it's so tough. You have to be able to match them on your power plate.

The first unit needs to be better. I mean, two for 19, two for 20 slump going to this game, not good enough in the slightest, just not. So that's one really looking forward, this one, and they need to bank these points. You've been getting help. The capitals lost on Tuesday night. The Sabres got blown out.

I know the Red Wings are kind of surging a little bit, but, you know, the Islanders are winning also. But, you know, the Penguins, they have games in hand on these teams. You have games in hand on the Panthers. I still play the Panthers one more time, and you've gotten all four points against them. These games in hand are not going to mean anything, though, if you don't win them. So it has to start tomorrow. These are all playoff games down the stretch.

Gotta win them starting with this one. Going to be tough. So we'll see what happens with that. Coming up in the second setting, we're going to get into some trade discussion for today, getting a couple rumors that I saw. and all that good stuff. I'm going to tell you why. It is very weird

that the penguins appear to be in on Luke Shed. Hold that. I'm going to hold that thought, though. Before we get into that, we are going to have to talk about Fandil, which is, of course,

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Follow this show's Twitter at L0 underscore Penguin. So let's get into a rumor that I actually just saw right before recording this. And Elliot Freeman was talking about Luke Shen, because it sounds like that there's talks that heated up with Luke Shen. And apparently Elliot Freeman that says he's named the Bruins and the Penguins, as the two teams still in on Jen mentioned. There's some other teams as well, but those are the two teams he's hearing consistently. Why?

that's that is my main question when I really think about this um why why are we why are they going after Luke Shen is it just because of toughness hello last I checked I don't really think they need to get a I'm not even pretty frank here I don't think they need to get a 33-year-old third-paring defenseman on this roster. They already have plenty of those at this point. And, oh, yeah. I also, you know, don't want to be giving up a second-round pick for him. Because that's the asking price I have seen mentioned by Elliott-Freeman and a couple other insiders.

If you want to pay a second-round pick for that, doesn't really make much sense to me. and, you know, he's not an offensive defense, and he's kind of a stay-at-home type, someone who's going to play decent defense for you. So he's basically just another version of Yarn Ruta, and it's also hilarious that the Penguins, this is, like, the only player that's, like, really been connected to them so far throughout this trade process,

which I think is hilarious. And again, if they were to trade for Luke Shen here, this would literally be almost, like, I feel like a fireball offense. you look, okay, let's look at Jayfresh's stuff here. And, you know, he uses data from top-down hockey, natural statric, also contracted as well. So third-bearing defenseman cap hit 900K for the rest of the year.

So he's kind of, you know, he's a rental. Has the name quality. He's the brother of Braden Shen. He ranks in the seventh percentile and wins above replacement. Not good. He ranks on the 30th percentile and even-strength offense. He ranks in the 47th percentile and even strike defense. 7th percentile in penalty killing efficiency,

third percentile in drawing penalties. He is decent in primary assist per 60, 91st percentile, so that's not bad. Finishing above water, 58 percent, teammate's 64th percentile. But a lot of that stuff, it's garbage. It's rough. So again, can someone please tell me why they are in on the defenseman,

the defensive market here? other than toughness, what is there to like about Luke Shen's game? By looking at those numbers and looking at Jayfresh's card for him, because I just logged on for my stuff and my account and looked at it. He's basically just a lesser version of Jan Ruda.

What are we doing, Ron? Serious question. What are we doing here? Like, I get it. You know, Luke Shen. Oh, yeah, you know him from your, you know, your Philly days and all and all this other stuff. But it's like, really?

Like, I'm going to go to Natural Statrick here to also show his numbers for the season if Natural Statrick also wants to load. But again, when this team is fully healthy and they have all the defensemen there, they don't need another one. In fact, they could probably use lesser defensemen, unless the defenseman, excuse me, on this roster guy, and I'm getting so fired up about it that I'm just misspeaking my words. But I understand the Canucks have been a mess this season,

but in 55 games, he's played 830 minutes at 5 at 5. When he's on the ice, the Canucks only have 45% of the shot attempts, about 50% in terms of actual goals for, 45% of terms of scoring chances, 44% in terms of high danger chances, 32% of expected goals, 53% in terms of high danger, actual goals for. So that's not bad, but most of his number, are well below great water here.

There is no reason for this at all. I'm sorry. If there are a couple areas of this roster that you want to upgrade on, it is the third line, which I'm going to get to coming up after this commercial rate. And it's a goalie.

Anthony Stolars. Elliot Freeman mentioned him in his 32 thoughts blog on Wednesday morning. He would make a lot of sense. He has similar numbers of Smith, but he's playing on about Anaheim Teens still putting up those kind of numbers, what could he do here on a better team in the penguins? Cam Talbot's name is out there.

That also makes sense. But outside of that and upgrading to the third line, there are really no other upgrades to be had here for this team. I am sorry. Other than maybe Jacob Trickren, Jake McKay, but that's not going to be, I think, too high of an asking price for the penguins. There is no need to trade for a defenseman like Luchamp. It makes no sense. His numbers stink. you know, he's, they already have plenty of his kind of caliber on the team.

I mean, Brian Newman, Marcus Pedersen, Yon Ruda, and they're all better than him. So any team I think that trades for him and gives up a second round pick, it's just foolish if you ask me. People, you all can disagree with me if you want. If you think Luke Shen will be a good fit for this team, let me know in the comments. I'm more than happy to hear what you all have to say. In my opinion, though, I think it makes no sense. his numbers are bad, he is not what this team means right now. It just, I think it would just be a really,

um, foolish acquisition, if you're asking me. But that does it for the second segment. Coming up in the final segment, we're going to go into the hard, ugly truth of just how bad the Penguins' third line has been this season, because it has been brutal. That's all coming up right after this commercial break.

All right, I'm back in this episode of the Lockdown Penguins podcast. I'm your host. Hunter Hodes, are going to follow me on Twitter. I'm on our Hodes, follow this show, Twitter, at Arnold's where

Penguins, and, of course, thank you all so much for making this your first listen of the day. So, let's just jump right in there. The third line,

we all know, it is the line that is killing this team. They had it again in practice today. Alan Walsh, what is the definition of doing insanity? What is the definition

of insanity, excuse me? Yes. Doing the same thing and expecting different results. I had to quote the Alan Walsh tweet after he put that out last week and tweeted out the Calgary Flames because Jonathan Heberdow was there and they've had a really let's just say that they've struggled this season. But in terms of how bad this third line has been, oh, we have some data for you. In terms of per money pump, in minimalize

time, 150 minutes, they out of 90 forward lines that have been to for 150 minutes. The McGinn-Carter-Captain line ranks 87th with a 38.7% expected goals rate. Expected goals 4 rate, it gets even worse. 5.5. Expected goals for per 60 minutes, it's 2. Expecting goals against for 60, it is 3. Accepted goals against total, though, it is, if I can get that right, 8.7. garbage. It is, again, when people say that it is arguably, if not the worst line in hockey, it is backed up by statistics. There are only three lines behind them right now in terms of being worse than expected goals, shot attempts, scoring chances, all that stuff. And for some reason,

Mike Sullivan wants to run them out there again. Why? I have no freaking idea. But they are killing them every time they sit out there. Brock McGinn has no points in 23 games. I don't don't even know how that's possible. I'm sorry, I don't. Like, outside of Jeff Carter being an abomination on that line, how do you not have a point in 23 games? When you seem like you've been fully healthy, you went on that shooting bender, even when Carter was stinking up the joint on that line, what the heck happened? Like, that's just not a point, not even a, not even a secondary assist. Like, what are we doing here? And, you know, Kisbury Kappin,

he's not doing anything either. Jeff Carter, we all know how bad he's been, but hey, you know, they have great leadership and all this blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I don't really give a damn. Break up that line. Put one of them in the press box. Would, would Danton Heinen really be worse

than one of those three players? You're telling me that? No chance. No chance. You put Dan Hine in there over Brock McGinn. He probably scores in that first game, knowing that's how the Penguins luck goes. He is such a better option at this point. And he hasn't even been that good this season. It's not even funny, man. It's even, you know, and I understand that they're trying something new. They put O'Connor up there, right? Shot attempts, they got it against that, that was the, against the devil's. Out attempted 12 to 1 in 5 on 5.

out chance, I think it was 10 to 1, out high danger of like 6-1, something like that. And I get it. You know, they demote a Drew after that, whatever. But it wasn't Drew's fault. At least he was looking okay in that game. It's the other two players' fault who also stinking Carter and Capitin

because they bumped him again down. Until you make actual roster changes and you make a trade here, I am sorry. This third line is only going to continue to screw you if you keep icing it. It makes no sense. I know Mike Sullivan is smarter than this.

He has to be. Is he doing it out of spite? Probably not, but I don't know. Does he maybe think he has no other options? Sure. But you gotta change something up with it. It's not good enough. The numbers don't lie.

The eye test. You know, the I test stacks up to it. That line sucks. S-U-C-K-S. It sucks. There is nothing doing when it comes on the ice. Offensively or defensively. Especially defensively.

They are just getting pinned in their own zone. They cannot carry the puck up the ice to save their lives. And because of that, they're never getting any scoring changes. You need to have a productive third line if you are going to win a Stanley Cup or be a contender for the Stanley Cup in this league. I saw this today and I'm going to say it here with the money that those three players take up 3.2 to Capitan

2.75 to McGinn 3.1 something like that for Carter wouldn't it what imagine what imagine what a Denton Heinen Evan Rodriguez

and Jared McCann third line would look like right now yep imagine that Rodriguez is only making what, two? McCann's making five. You're at seven right there. Heinz's making one.

Eight million. Imagine what that would be looking like. Yep. They probably would be top three in the Metro right now, to be honest. I'm telling you this. They are not going to go anywhere if they continue to ice the third line. And the worst part is, all three players right now are signed until after next season. It's going to get worse. They don't move on from one or hopefully all of them.

It's just a joke. Like, I was sitting here like, try not to smirk and try not to laugh about it, but it's so bad. Like, you know, I think there's all that's kind of silly, but I also kind of understand at the same time. Would Valerie Puson and from Wilkesbury be worse than this? No. He's probably their best player down there. Would Dan Hine be worse than this? No. you know, Sam Poulan was with the team right now, but he's not. He's not even with Wilkesbury because he's dealing with some stuff going on. Would he be worse than this?

Probably not. Got to make a move there. I would like two-thirds of a new third line, but that's how I see it. It's just not good enough and needs to change Ace out. GM needs to come out of his cave and help out his team here. That's all I'm going to say. But that does it for this episode of Locked on Pinkland's podcast.

I appreciate every one of you listening to this one. I'll have a full game recap episode coming up tomorrow evening for the Pensor Oilers game, and then we'll preview the weekends later of games for my Friday episodes. So again, thank you all so much for listening. Hope you all enjoyed it. I'll talk with you all on Thursday.