1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:04,840 Speaker 1: I find the Rabel and Rusini thing absolutely fascinating, not 2 00:00:04,960 --> 00:00:10,879 Speaker 1: because they're banging, but because of all the lion Somebody 3 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:13,200 Speaker 1: on ESPN said, if it had been a male reporter 4 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:15,760 Speaker 1: with Rabel, nobody would have said anything. Well, if they 5 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: were the gay Resort, they would have. I mean, this 6 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 1: is about romance. It's it's it's it's it's not about 7 00:00:21,880 --> 00:00:26,400 Speaker 1: hey buddy, hey chum, let's all hang out again. Russini 8 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: and Vrabel were holding hands and dancing and in a 9 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:36,200 Speaker 1: hut tup. This is the Mark Maddon Show A three 10 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 1: three four one two w xdx. The number to call 11 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:43,360 Speaker 1: eight three three four one two w xdx. I want 12 00:00:43,360 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: to talk a lot more today and tomorrow about the 13 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:50,360 Speaker 1: possibility that this weekend's games between the Penguins and Capitals 14 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:53,479 Speaker 1: is the last time Crosby and Ovechkin will play against 15 00:00:53,479 --> 00:00:54,560 Speaker 1: each other competitively. 16 00:00:55,720 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 2: Ovi said he's not going. 17 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:00,720 Speaker 1: To decide about whether or not to retire until after 18 00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:04,000 Speaker 1: the season. So Saturday and Sunday, the home and home 19 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:07,240 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh and Washington, that could be the last meetings of 20 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:10,560 Speaker 1: Sid and Ov, one of the number one mono e 21 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 1: mono rivalries in hockey history. 22 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 2: Heck and sports history. And don't take that for granted. 23 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:20,960 Speaker 1: Sid and Ovi came into the NHL at the same 24 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:26,960 Speaker 1: time Ov got Rookie of the Year. Sid is the playmaker, 25 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:29,680 Speaker 1: the two hundred foot player. Ovi's the goal scorer the 26 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:35,400 Speaker 1: most in NHL history. Of course, Sid's the clean cut metrosexual. 27 00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:39,960 Speaker 1: Ov's the scruffy Russian bond villain. All those great playoff 28 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:43,880 Speaker 1: series hat tricks in the same playoff game. SID won 29 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:48,760 Speaker 1: three playoff series and OV won one. And every time 30 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 1: the Caps and Penguins played in the playoffs, every time 31 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 1: Sid and Ov played in the playoffs, the winner of 32 00:01:56,120 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 1: that series won the Stanley Cup all four times. It's 33 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 1: like it was scripted that rival. We did so much 34 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:08,640 Speaker 1: for the NHL. And at first, Pittsburgh, you guys, we 35 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:12,919 Speaker 1: hated Ov, but he won us over as a worthy 36 00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:16,440 Speaker 1: foe had to head. Sid won forty three games, Ov 37 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:20,919 Speaker 1: won thirty one. That's regular season. SID was thirteen and 38 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 1: twelve against Ov in the playoffs, a razor thin margin, 39 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:33,360 Speaker 1: uh seventy seven points excuse me, ninety seven points for Sid, 40 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:36,560 Speaker 1: seventy for Ov, and the goals head to head were 41 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 1: oddly close, thirty eight to thirty five in favor of Ovechkin. 42 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:44,120 Speaker 1: So it's been awesome, and Saturday and Sunday could be 43 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:48,359 Speaker 1: the last times. And like I keep telling you, come 44 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 1: watch Sunday's game with me at the school host Tavern 45 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:55,080 Speaker 1: and Clarage that's out near Murraysville Way, three pm. Puck drop, beer, 46 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 1: food and hockey. The last chapter maybe of two all 47 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 1: time rates and dynamic Players. Big rivalry more than stats, 48 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:10,680 Speaker 1: about the people as much as the numbers. Like I said, 49 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 1: the number to call eight three three four one two 50 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:20,919 Speaker 1: w XDX. I get people telling me that I shouldn't 51 00:03:20,919 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 1: talk about Rabel and Rassini, that it's their business. No, 52 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 1: it's our business when a football reporter is banging a 53 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:32,480 Speaker 1: football coach or appears to be doing so, maybe they're 54 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 1: not banging. Maybe Rabel can't get it up all those 55 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:38,280 Speaker 1: years of being big if you get well, no, I don't. 56 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:43,600 Speaker 1: I see now I'm dragging myself into crap. Eight three 57 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 1: three four one two w xdx. I gotta laugh a 58 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 1: little bit more. On people saying that Connor Griffin is 59 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:58,480 Speaker 1: gonna be the next Sidney Crosby. I also saw somebody say, 60 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 1: like after his first hit, he's gonna be the next 61 00:04:00,560 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 1: Derek Jeter. You know what, he is a better chance 62 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:05,560 Speaker 1: to be the next Derek Jeter than the next City Crosby, 63 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:07,760 Speaker 1: and he ain't got much of a chance at either bit. 64 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:10,720 Speaker 1: But sid is one of the best five hockey players ever. 65 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:17,279 Speaker 1: For Griffin to be that, it'd have to be in 66 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 1: a category with Willie Mays. 67 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 2: And while I think Griffin's gonna be real good, I 68 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 2: don't know. I don't know about that. 69 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:29,599 Speaker 1: We'll have more with the Buco roundup in just a second, 70 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 1: but I want to point out Travis Sauchek, He's been 71 00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 1: on the show. He's this mega baseball metrics geek. He 72 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 1: used to work for the Post Gazette, and he points 73 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 1: out that in twenty twelve, Washington had a nineteen year 74 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:48,600 Speaker 1: old phenom in Bryce Harper and a twenty three year 75 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 1: old pitching as in Steven Strasburg, and that eras Washington 76 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:56,440 Speaker 1: Nationals made the playoffs five out of eight years and 77 00:04:56,480 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 1: won a World Series in twenty nineteen. Now, that was 78 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 1: the year after Harpurn moved on, but they had Soto 79 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:06,720 Speaker 1: by then, and as Travis Satchik points out, if you 80 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 1: look at Griffin and Skiings on the same team, almost 81 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:16,240 Speaker 1: identical circumstance almost identical ages, and yeah, it could happen 82 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 1: this year. I'm sticking to my prediction of seventy seven wins, 83 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:23,279 Speaker 1: but the Pirates are closer, I think, to eighty two 84 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 1: wins than seventy two. If it goes in a different 85 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:30,600 Speaker 1: direction than seventy seven wins, I think it's a lot 86 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 1: more likely to go up, especially if Griffin does turn 87 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:38,919 Speaker 1: out to be the next Sidney Crosby or Willie Mays 88 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:43,599 Speaker 1: or Derek Jeter or Tiger Woods minus the Xanax or 89 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 1: I don't know, Messi Ronaldo. 90 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:47,359 Speaker 2: A lot of directions we can go in. 91 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,160 Speaker 1: Eight three three four to one two w XDX is 92 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:53,000 Speaker 1: the number to call. 93 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 2: Penguin fans. 94 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:57,280 Speaker 1: What's your take on the rivalry between Sid and Ovi, 95 00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 1: which may see its last chapter Saturday and Sunday and 96 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 1: at Home and Home series? Would you leave with kellych Center, 97 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:08,080 Speaker 1: would you leave Chinnikov at Sid's flank on the wing? 98 00:06:08,839 --> 00:06:11,120 Speaker 1: Your thoughts on any or all of that? Eight three 99 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 1: three four one two wxdx. But up next it is 100 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:19,480 Speaker 1: the Buco round up. Somebody in Pittsburgh, say, somebody getting. 101 00:06:19,160 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 2: Fired up from the worst world, unless. 102 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:25,440 Speaker 1: Of course they're good enough to make the NFL. 103 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:26,920 Speaker 2: The exit one nine. 104 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:38,480 Speaker 1: We got Joey tucking hockey at the bottom of the hour. 105 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:42,440 Speaker 1: Right now, it's time for the Bucko round up. We 106 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 1: got a lot to round up. Even though the Pirates 107 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 1: are off today, they're at Wrigley Field at Chicago Cubs. Tomorrow, 108 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 1: Lozinski goes for the Bucks and he's been very solid 109 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:55,440 Speaker 1: in his two starts to date. 110 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 2: The Griffin signing leaves me kind of weird still. 111 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 1: It's perceived as this great victory, as this historic day, 112 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 1: but you got to win. 113 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 2: It has to pay off. And uh. 114 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 1: It's also reflected in the reality that Skeens is going 115 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 1: to leave and you wonder when, and you wonder how 116 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:22,040 Speaker 1: it all winds up. Skeen's when talking about the Griffin contract, 117 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 1: said he's going to be the face of the Pirates 118 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:27,559 Speaker 1: for many years to come, and a lot of people 119 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: are reading too much into that, saying that it's as 120 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:33,840 Speaker 1: if Skeen said, well, I won't be I won't be here, 121 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:39,560 Speaker 1: and you know what, I can see a little of 122 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:44,120 Speaker 1: that in what he said. A lot of the Pirates 123 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:46,920 Speaker 1: new guys are doing good, but Ozuna is two for 124 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 1: thirty one. I don't know what you do there. O'Hearn 125 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:55,200 Speaker 1: might be the best player they got one point seven four. Ops, 126 00:07:55,240 --> 00:07:59,000 Speaker 1: I mean best guy period, Well, not better than Skeens, 127 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:02,480 Speaker 1: but you I mean at one point seven four. And 128 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:05,160 Speaker 1: as I keep saying, you watch a Hern at the plate. 129 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 1: He's a pro technically proficient. He is good at bat 130 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:12,400 Speaker 1: after good at bat. You know who he reminds me 131 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 1: of a bit in that regard is Sean Casey. Sean 132 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 1: Casey was an accomplished technical hitter, really taught himself how 133 00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:23,040 Speaker 1: to maximize with the bat and never went up there 134 00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 1: and had bad at bats. Just knew how to hit. 135 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:30,240 Speaker 1: And so does Ryan O'Hearn. I don't trust crews, but 136 00:08:30,280 --> 00:08:31,200 Speaker 1: he's certainly. 137 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 2: On a roll. 138 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 1: Did you get what I meant yesterday? With the powers 139 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:40,600 Speaker 1: that they gotta make good decisions. The Pirates won't make 140 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: the playoffs organically on talent. They won't, you know, get 141 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 1: a Wild Carter win the NL Central based on who 142 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:51,599 Speaker 1: they got. Like, these guys should make it, period. Nah, 143 00:08:51,720 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 1: you got to solve their base. You got to solve 144 00:08:55,840 --> 00:08:58,440 Speaker 1: the bullpen. I think the components are there. You just 145 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 1: gotta figure out how the bullpen best fits together. And 146 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:07,120 Speaker 1: I would really consider cruise at DH against righty's and 147 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 1: Benchozuna and get some defense in the outfield with Mangum 148 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 1: on those days, cruises the DH against righty's, cruise in 149 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 1: center field against lefties. Because it's about more than Griffin 150 00:09:23,840 --> 00:09:29,000 Speaker 1: signing a piece of paper. And that is the Bucko 151 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 1: roundup for Thursday. And I keep coming back to do 152 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 1: you believe Bob Nutting when he says he wants to win? 153 00:09:41,559 --> 00:09:44,680 Speaker 1: Because if you do, then then how stupid are you? 154 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:47,680 Speaker 2: I used. 155 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:50,280 Speaker 1: I did my mock draft, my only mock draft of 156 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:52,480 Speaker 1: the year to start the show. I'm ashamed of myself 157 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:56,640 Speaker 1: for doing it. But my first round pick number twenty 158 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,600 Speaker 1: one overall for the Steelers, which is the only pick 159 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 1: I made in the mock draft. One pick and one 160 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:06,680 Speaker 1: pick only because otherwise who cares. I would take Yoana 161 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:10,680 Speaker 1: the guard from Penn State six four three twenty, a 162 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 1: trade up a bit to get him if I had to, 163 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: Maybe he drops, but probably not. If you don't get Yoanna, 164 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 1: then I take a receiver. And there's certainly five or 165 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:27,920 Speaker 1: six first round talents available at receiver in the first round, 166 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 1: and most of them will be there when the Steelers pick. 167 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:32,679 Speaker 2: I think. 168 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:36,320 Speaker 1: That guy at the very top, what's his name, Tate, 169 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:39,719 Speaker 1: he won't be there. Lemon from SOCl probably won't be 170 00:10:39,760 --> 00:10:42,199 Speaker 1: there either, But the rest of the guys there's a shot. 171 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:47,120 Speaker 1: But you know what's an interesting debate with the Steelers 172 00:10:47,120 --> 00:10:52,040 Speaker 1: that's relevant. Now, what do you do with Nick Herbig, 173 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 1: who's coming up in the last year of his contract. 174 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:01,839 Speaker 1: I see people say give him big money, long term. 175 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 2: I don't do that. 176 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:09,160 Speaker 1: I see him as a real good back up at edge, 177 00:11:09,200 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 1: a real good number three edge rusher. And that's as 178 00:11:13,760 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 1: far as I'll go, because he's a bit small, hurt 179 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:23,679 Speaker 1: a lot. Again, I repeat, a good number three and 180 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:27,280 Speaker 1: that's it. And I hear some people want to give him, 181 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:30,360 Speaker 1: like I said, big money, big term, but I would not. 182 00:11:30,480 --> 00:11:32,320 Speaker 1: He's a number three and that's what he is, and 183 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:34,960 Speaker 1: that's no shame. But the Steelers already have two edge 184 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:37,840 Speaker 1: guys who make too much. Do you need him this 185 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:40,720 Speaker 1: year for depth because Watt's getting older and creaky ear 186 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:42,360 Speaker 1: and high Smith has. 187 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:43,319 Speaker 2: His share of injuries as well. 188 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:45,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, you need him now, I just don't give that 189 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:47,520 Speaker 1: guy the long term big money. 190 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,320 Speaker 2: Let's talk to Sam Samuel with double. 191 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:58,079 Speaker 3: M A quick question pirates, how long. Realistically, do we 192 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 3: think Paul Skins actually sticks around on in Pittsburgh And 193 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:03,800 Speaker 3: you don't even caught the Griffins for that matter, I'll 194 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:04,520 Speaker 3: line up and listen. 195 00:12:04,559 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 1: Well, thank you, March, thank you. Well, Griffin's going to 196 00:12:06,880 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 1: stay here. I mean, he signed a nine year deal. 197 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:13,960 Speaker 1: You would like to think that that that's who who, 198 00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:17,320 Speaker 1: that's how long he stays. But you know he's going 199 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:19,560 Speaker 1: to be here for at least six seven years at 200 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:23,880 Speaker 1: the very least. Skeens, I think you can keep him 201 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:26,120 Speaker 1: this year and his first two years of arbitration, then 202 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:29,080 Speaker 1: he probably gets traded. You've got a three year window. 203 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 1: I would guess when you have both Skiens and Griffin 204 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:38,680 Speaker 1: and they need to make the most of it, spend more, 205 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:41,360 Speaker 1: go all in and then if if at the end 206 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:44,440 Speaker 1: of that when Skeens leaves, burn it down, that's how 207 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 1: they should approach it. If you burn it down, at 208 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:49,920 Speaker 1: that point, Griffin should be established enough to sell tickets, 209 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:51,520 Speaker 1: sell merch, be the face of your team. 210 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:53,679 Speaker 2: But for the next three years you need to go 211 00:12:53,840 --> 00:12:54,319 Speaker 2: all in. 212 00:12:56,480 --> 00:13:02,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, all these receivers Lemon Tate, Tyson, could Boston Cooper, 213 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:04,800 Speaker 1: they're all gonna be first round picks. 214 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:05,400 Speaker 2: At why Dott. 215 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:08,439 Speaker 1: They all can step into the lineup of most teams 216 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 1: can start, not least the Steelers. I mean, be a 217 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:13,480 Speaker 1: number three to start the season. Like Tom said earlier 218 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:17,480 Speaker 1: in the show, pass up a Pittman or Metcalf on 219 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:18,840 Speaker 1: the depth chart by season's end. 220 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:22,120 Speaker 2: But I would still take a guard first. 221 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:24,640 Speaker 1: I would still take the Penn State kid at twenty one, 222 00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:27,000 Speaker 1: if indeed he does drop a little bit. 223 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:28,960 Speaker 2: Yowe up next one oh five to nine. 224 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:35,720 Speaker 4: Tonight the Pens take on the Devils. Game time is seven. 225 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:39,040 Speaker 4: Our coverage starts at six here every game and the 226 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 4: best coverage right here on your home of the Pens 227 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:43,360 Speaker 4: one five nine d X. 228 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:48,240 Speaker 2: This is Doug Gottlin. Here's what's trending from the Iheartsports 229 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:49,640 Speaker 2: Network presented by Lowis. 230 00:13:49,880 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 5: Golf's first Major of the year is underway now at 231 00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:55,120 Speaker 5: Augusta National. With Rory McElroy looking at the vent his 232 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:57,880 Speaker 5: crown at the mass hearts over to Hockey b The 233 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:00,920 Speaker 5: Penguins continue their playoff push tonight, head to New Jersey. 234 00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:03,920 Speaker 5: Pittsburgh leaves Billy by four points for a second place 235 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:07,520 Speaker 5: in the Metro and Steelers great Jerome Bettis told Fox 236 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:10,560 Speaker 5: News that Aaron Rodgers deserves a little more latitude than 237 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:11,280 Speaker 5: other players. 238 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 6: See Mauls's future. I'm Scott, David said, pros. If something 239 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:17,280 Speaker 6: runs out on the job, order it on the Loew's app. 240 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:20,000 Speaker 6: Mind Low's Pro Rewards members get free same day delivery 241 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 6: on eligible orders over twenty five dollars. 242 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:22,880 Speaker 2: What do you want? 243 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 3: Damn it? The exit one oh five nine. 244 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:29,520 Speaker 1: Penguins at New Jersey tonight. Hear all the action right 245 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:31,480 Speaker 1: here on the X, joining me now to talk about it. 246 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 1: He covers the Penguins for the Athletic. He is Josh Shoey, 247 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 1: Josh up. We got home and home with Washington on 248 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:41,520 Speaker 1: the weekend, and that could be the last time sit 249 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: an Ov matchup. Is that one of hockey's greatest individual 250 00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:48,520 Speaker 1: rivalries ever and perhaps even number one ever? 251 00:14:50,640 --> 00:14:50,840 Speaker 4: Yeah? 252 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 3: I really think it is mark. 253 00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:55,680 Speaker 7: Because when you think about, you know, some of the 254 00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:58,320 Speaker 7: great players in the history of the sport, but they 255 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:00,440 Speaker 7: didn't really play each other that often in a lot 256 00:15:00,440 --> 00:15:03,920 Speaker 7: of cases. Mario and Gretzky is the obvious example. I 257 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 7: actually talked with Sid about this yesterday. In fact, sheep plug, 258 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:09,640 Speaker 7: I have an article coming on this very topic in 259 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:12,880 Speaker 7: the Athletic tomorrow. I sat down with Sid yesterday after 260 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:18,120 Speaker 7: practice to talk about Ovi, and it's very clear to 261 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 7: me that Sid doesn't even know what Ovi's going to do, 262 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:24,480 Speaker 7: and he hopes he sticks around because he's always measured 263 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:28,720 Speaker 7: himself against him and Mark. I remember an interview I 264 00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:30,880 Speaker 7: saw with Larry Bird one time. He said after Magic 265 00:15:30,920 --> 00:15:33,400 Speaker 7: had to retire, he said, I didn't enjoy the game 266 00:15:33,440 --> 00:15:34,920 Speaker 7: as much anymore because I had no one else to 267 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 7: check up on in the box scores. And I think 268 00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:38,320 Speaker 7: it'll be like that for Sid a little bit. I 269 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:40,640 Speaker 7: think they've always kind of had one eye on the 270 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:43,360 Speaker 7: other guy. But yeah, I think it's absolutely one of 271 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:45,400 Speaker 7: the greatest rivalries in the history of the sport, and 272 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 7: they played some of their greatest hockey against one another. 273 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:51,600 Speaker 7: Even when the Penguins always beat the Capitals, Mark Ovi 274 00:15:51,760 --> 00:15:54,080 Speaker 7: was getting six or seven goals in all of those series. 275 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 3: They never lost because of him. 276 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:58,480 Speaker 1: And it's amazing that every time they played in the playoffs, 277 00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:01,240 Speaker 1: whoever won that series one up winning the Stanley Cup 278 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:04,480 Speaker 1: with the Penguins doing at three times in Washington the 279 00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:05,040 Speaker 1: one time. 280 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:07,880 Speaker 2: And what often gets overlooked, Josh, is that. 281 00:16:08,440 --> 00:16:10,880 Speaker 1: Ovi and Sid did so much for the League, coming 282 00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:13,360 Speaker 1: out of the lockot that lost season that led to 283 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 1: the salary cap. They were both rookies, they both had 284 00:16:16,640 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 1: incredible hype, especially sid and both guys lived up to 285 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:22,960 Speaker 1: the hype, not only then but ever since. 286 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 7: They are two of the most hyped players in the 287 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 7: history of the sport, without question, and they lived up 288 00:16:29,720 --> 00:16:33,480 Speaker 7: to everything they were supposed to be. Crosby the greatest 289 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 7: winner of his era, one of the five best players ever, 290 00:16:36,520 --> 00:16:39,360 Speaker 7: Ovi scored more goals than anybody else and finally got 291 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 7: his cup. That they both did exactly what they were 292 00:16:42,080 --> 00:16:44,480 Speaker 7: supposed to do, and it's so true. In two thousand 293 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:47,400 Speaker 7: and five, the NHL was in a terrible place. They 294 00:16:47,560 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 7: just you know, lost an entire season. The game was 295 00:16:50,200 --> 00:16:54,000 Speaker 7: low scoring and boring. TV ratings were down, attendance was down. 296 00:16:54,760 --> 00:16:59,480 Speaker 7: Those two guys came along and the impact they made 297 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 7: starting to in the fall of two thousand and five, 298 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:05,479 Speaker 7: it can't be overstated. It was an extraordinary thing that 299 00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:07,480 Speaker 7: they are. You always talked about this on your show. 300 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:07,640 Speaker 3: Mark. 301 00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:10,960 Speaker 7: There's only a handful of players who truly sold tickets 302 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:13,200 Speaker 7: and those are absolutely two of them. And the fact 303 00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:15,800 Speaker 7: that they came along at the same time, and they 304 00:17:15,840 --> 00:17:18,680 Speaker 7: became rivals and gave us all those incredible playoff series. 305 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:19,920 Speaker 7: It's a pretty incredible thing. 306 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:24,200 Speaker 1: And what's great about the rivalry is there's such different players. 307 00:17:24,359 --> 00:17:26,680 Speaker 1: You know, you got the playmaker and the goal score 308 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:29,320 Speaker 1: and different people too. Never a hair out of place 309 00:17:29,359 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 1: with Sid and Ovi's a Russian James Bond villain. It's 310 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 1: just perfect. You couldn't script it. 311 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:38,960 Speaker 7: Better Central Casting. I remember when they were very young, 312 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:42,359 Speaker 7: Michael Farber wrote an article and Sports Illustrated and it 313 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:45,240 Speaker 7: was a great quote from Ovechkin, who didn't speak great 314 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:48,440 Speaker 7: English at the time, and he was asked about Crosby 315 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:51,399 Speaker 7: and Ovechkin said, he is he and I am I, 316 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:54,879 Speaker 7: and that's just that, that's absolutely They are so different. 317 00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:58,920 Speaker 7: Ovechkin is kind of an overgrown frat boy, but everybody 318 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:01,360 Speaker 7: loves him, you know, much of a lession in Washington, 319 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 7: d C. Driving one hundred and twenty miles an hour 320 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:07,440 Speaker 7: around d C, and you know, just kind of living 321 00:18:07,480 --> 00:18:10,600 Speaker 7: the life. And Sid, as we know, is probably the 322 00:18:10,680 --> 00:18:11,679 Speaker 7: closest thing we'll. 323 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 3: Ever see to a perfect human being. And he really is. 324 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:18,199 Speaker 3: There's nothing phony about it. That's just who he is. 325 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:21,040 Speaker 7: They are so different, and yet I have found in 326 00:18:21,080 --> 00:18:24,399 Speaker 7: recent years, their relationship has really thawed. But there was 327 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:26,520 Speaker 7: a time when I really don't think they liked each other. 328 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 2: And it's hard when at the very beginning. 329 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:33,199 Speaker 7: Yes they didn't and they'll admit it, and I mean, 330 00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:34,760 Speaker 7: you're always compared with one another. 331 00:18:34,840 --> 00:18:39,480 Speaker 3: That's tough. But they have really grown to not only. 332 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 7: Appreciate one another as hockey players, but I think they 333 00:18:41,960 --> 00:18:44,320 Speaker 7: actually kind of like each other now. And when I 334 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:46,560 Speaker 7: talk about, you know, talk with Sid about Ov, he 335 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:49,479 Speaker 7: just more relaxed than he used to be on this topic. 336 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:51,440 Speaker 7: And you can tell he doesn't want Ovi to go. 337 00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 7: He said, you know, he said, it really won't be 338 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:58,199 Speaker 7: the same if he's not around anymore. I wouldn't, you know, 339 00:18:58,359 --> 00:19:00,560 Speaker 7: it wouldn't feel the same planing against Water Washington. I'm 340 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:03,440 Speaker 7: so used to seeing him four times a year. So 341 00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:07,680 Speaker 7: we'll see what happens. But yes, it's I always say this, Mark, 342 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:10,440 Speaker 7: I really believe that there's something different in the air 343 00:19:10,840 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 7: when those two were on the ice at the same time. 344 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:15,919 Speaker 7: Every game between the Penguins and Capital just has a 345 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 7: particular energy, and it's because of those two. 346 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:20,240 Speaker 2: I bet Ovi comes back. 347 00:19:20,359 --> 00:19:20,600 Speaker 3: Josh. 348 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:24,000 Speaker 1: He scored thirty goals this year, but I will say 349 00:19:24,520 --> 00:19:26,679 Speaker 1: he does look beat up. He's kind of creaky, not 350 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:29,160 Speaker 1: so much when he's playing, but like to and from 351 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:29,600 Speaker 1: the bench. 352 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:31,639 Speaker 2: If you could read something into that. 353 00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:36,040 Speaker 7: The games when he doesn't score, he doesn't look good. 354 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:39,560 Speaker 7: He looks old, he looks slow, and I think it's 355 00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:41,919 Speaker 7: a credit to his greatness that he still has thirty 356 00:19:41,920 --> 00:19:42,960 Speaker 7: goals like that. 357 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:44,680 Speaker 3: That's actually an incredible. 358 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:47,440 Speaker 1: They're different goals though, only only five on the power 359 00:19:47,440 --> 00:19:50,080 Speaker 1: play this year, and I've never seen Ovi go to 360 00:19:50,119 --> 00:19:51,359 Speaker 1: the net more to get goals. 361 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:53,439 Speaker 2: That's not a criticism, but it's what we're seeing. 362 00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:57,679 Speaker 7: Yeah, he's flowing down. You really notice it in person 363 00:19:57,720 --> 00:20:00,760 Speaker 7: with him. He just doesn't move to he once did. 364 00:20:00,800 --> 00:20:03,359 Speaker 7: I don't know what he weighs. He's definitely not on 365 00:20:03,440 --> 00:20:06,560 Speaker 7: awake in win eighty right now, you can tell he's 366 00:20:06,600 --> 00:20:09,159 Speaker 7: not in the physical condition that he once was. 367 00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 3: But he's still a factor. And especially that. 368 00:20:13,720 --> 00:20:16,879 Speaker 7: Game Sunday in DC, I mean, just in case that 369 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:19,080 Speaker 7: is his last game, he might have twenty shots on goal. 370 00:20:19,119 --> 00:20:20,159 Speaker 3: I'm only half kidding. 371 00:20:20,600 --> 00:20:23,240 Speaker 7: And by the way, I don't I have no intel 372 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:25,760 Speaker 7: on this at all. I hope the Penguins make some 373 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:29,240 Speaker 7: kind of acknowledgment to Aveshkin during the home game on Saturday. 374 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:31,679 Speaker 7: He had a stand in probation in Pittsburgh. He got 375 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:33,800 Speaker 7: a standing oh in Pittsburgh last year, he just broken 376 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:36,199 Speaker 7: the gold record. That was one of the coolest moments 377 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:37,919 Speaker 7: I've ever seen in that building. 378 00:20:38,080 --> 00:20:38,880 Speaker 3: Just to see Pittsburgh. 379 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:41,520 Speaker 7: Because Pittsburgh fans might not all like him, but they 380 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 7: respect greatness. With all the great players we've had in Pittsburgh, 381 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:46,439 Speaker 7: they'll give him a standing ovation and that would be 382 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:47,280 Speaker 7: a really cool moment. 383 00:20:48,560 --> 00:20:50,840 Speaker 2: How come McDavid or whoever? 384 00:20:52,359 --> 00:20:54,840 Speaker 1: Since then, the players who've come never caught on like 385 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:58,439 Speaker 1: those two, because Sin and Ovi are still arguably the 386 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:01,120 Speaker 1: faces of the league. 387 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:03,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think you can make the argument that they are. 388 00:21:04,359 --> 00:21:08,040 Speaker 7: And as great as McDavid is, as great as McKinnon 389 00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:11,680 Speaker 7: and mccarr are, for one thing, they don't have Ovechkin's 390 00:21:11,720 --> 00:21:13,840 Speaker 7: natural charisma, I mean. 391 00:21:13,720 --> 00:21:14,639 Speaker 3: And McDavid's cat. 392 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:16,720 Speaker 7: Don't think McDavid's a bad guy at all, but he's 393 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:17,800 Speaker 7: kind of a curmudgeon. 394 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:25,040 Speaker 3: He is he is he is, and I like that, 395 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:27,080 Speaker 3: but yeah, he absolutely is. 396 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:30,240 Speaker 7: I think part of it is because of the rivalry, 397 00:21:30,359 --> 00:21:33,480 Speaker 7: like Crosby and mc you know, Crosby and Oveshan came 398 00:21:33,480 --> 00:21:36,000 Speaker 7: into the league at the same time, and I think 399 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:38,520 Speaker 7: that was part of it. They were the NHL was 400 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:40,560 Speaker 7: smart enough to put them on national TV a lot, 401 00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:42,439 Speaker 7: and then two thousand and nine they play this epic 402 00:21:42,440 --> 00:21:43,360 Speaker 7: playoff series. 403 00:21:43,880 --> 00:21:46,000 Speaker 3: I think that was probably part of it. 404 00:21:46,600 --> 00:21:49,720 Speaker 7: But it's a shame because McDavid and McKinnon in particular, 405 00:21:50,359 --> 00:21:53,320 Speaker 7: like they are so much just from the hockey standpoint, 406 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 7: they're so fun to watch and that they're electrifying to 407 00:21:57,359 --> 00:22:01,760 Speaker 7: see in person, especially, but I think their personalities play 408 00:22:01,800 --> 00:22:04,639 Speaker 7: a role. I just don't think people are attracted to 409 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:05,439 Speaker 7: them in that way. 410 00:22:06,320 --> 00:22:08,640 Speaker 1: We're talking to Josh Owey of the Athletic here on 411 00:22:08,760 --> 00:22:13,040 Speaker 1: the Mark Madden Show. Josh, it's gonna be skinnering goal tonight. 412 00:22:13,160 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 1: Morishoff got sent down, did strike he was on. Morishoff 413 00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:18,480 Speaker 1: came up, and I know it was because Skinner was 414 00:22:19,040 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 1: Hardy got dinged in the eye on the bench and 415 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:23,480 Speaker 1: it was precautionary. But I thought he'd play a game 416 00:22:23,480 --> 00:22:24,400 Speaker 1: as long as he was here. 417 00:22:26,440 --> 00:22:29,719 Speaker 7: I thought maybe too, but after hearing Dan mwse talk yesterday, 418 00:22:29,840 --> 00:22:32,879 Speaker 7: was pretty clear that he wouldn't. I do think they 419 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:35,439 Speaker 7: wanted to make sure Skinner was okay. Eye injuries can 420 00:22:35,480 --> 00:22:38,280 Speaker 7: be kind of a funny thing. I also wonder Mark, 421 00:22:38,760 --> 00:22:42,320 Speaker 7: you know, Sergey wasn't town for a couple of practices. 422 00:22:42,840 --> 00:22:45,600 Speaker 7: Maybe the NHL coaches just wanted to see him up close, 423 00:22:46,160 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 7: just see what kind of progress he's made in the 424 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:50,360 Speaker 7: last few months since he last has been in Pittsburgh. 425 00:22:50,720 --> 00:22:52,840 Speaker 7: Just watching him in practice, Maybe they thought it would 426 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:54,359 Speaker 7: be good for him. 427 00:22:54,560 --> 00:22:55,120 Speaker 3: I don't know. 428 00:22:55,480 --> 00:22:59,080 Speaker 7: I know everybody is clamoring to see him play, and 429 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:03,399 Speaker 7: I see why because even watching him in practice, the 430 00:23:03,440 --> 00:23:06,920 Speaker 7: way he moves, his athleticism, he's just different than most colies. 431 00:23:07,280 --> 00:23:10,760 Speaker 7: His talent really jumps out at you. So I know 432 00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:14,199 Speaker 7: why everybody was excited. I think there's very little question. 433 00:23:14,880 --> 00:23:17,360 Speaker 7: That's two. Skinner's going to be the guy in Game 434 00:23:17,440 --> 00:23:20,600 Speaker 7: one of the playoffs. The real question is it Falters. 435 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:24,000 Speaker 7: They do they turn things over to Sheilvs, who's looked 436 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:27,280 Speaker 7: awful the last few weeks, or do they promote mirrorshop. 437 00:23:27,320 --> 00:23:29,440 Speaker 7: I wouldn't be shocked if Mirshov got to call at 438 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:31,879 Speaker 7: that point. I think they're a little down on she Lobs, 439 00:23:31,880 --> 00:23:33,639 Speaker 7: but there's not much doubt Skinner is going to be 440 00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:34,560 Speaker 7: given the first chance. 441 00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:37,080 Speaker 1: Do you think Sid's gonna stay on the line with 442 00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:40,439 Speaker 1: china Kov because that's different for Sid. I think it's good, 443 00:23:41,119 --> 00:23:43,480 Speaker 1: but it's different a lot more attacking off the rush 444 00:23:43,520 --> 00:23:46,200 Speaker 1: than Sid off and does well. 445 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:50,160 Speaker 7: You're gonna see it tonight, that's for sure, because we've 446 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:52,520 Speaker 7: only seen in practice this week Sid still with Brian 447 00:23:52,600 --> 00:23:53,760 Speaker 7: Rust and Chinikov. 448 00:23:55,600 --> 00:23:58,439 Speaker 3: It surprised me a little bit. I can't figure out 449 00:23:58,440 --> 00:23:59,840 Speaker 3: what Dan Muse is doing with the lines. 450 00:23:59,840 --> 00:24:03,159 Speaker 7: I think there is some experimental work being done right 451 00:24:03,160 --> 00:24:05,720 Speaker 7: now before the playoffs to see what combinations look good 452 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:08,880 Speaker 7: with others. I had thought for quite some time Mark 453 00:24:08,960 --> 00:24:11,560 Speaker 7: that you would ultimately see Chinakov back with Novak and 454 00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:13,680 Speaker 7: malk and that line was so good for a stretch. 455 00:24:14,760 --> 00:24:18,119 Speaker 7: But if they're playing, you know, Crosby with Chinakob this 456 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:20,600 Speaker 7: close to the playoffs, that tells you they're thinking about it. 457 00:24:21,119 --> 00:24:23,240 Speaker 7: I don't think Sid's against it. I think he's really 458 00:24:23,280 --> 00:24:25,760 Speaker 7: intrigued by playing with him. But you're right, you're not 459 00:24:25,800 --> 00:24:28,920 Speaker 7: going to see as much work down low, where Sid 460 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:31,560 Speaker 7: has become more accustomed in recent years. You're absolutely going 461 00:24:31,560 --> 00:24:33,600 Speaker 7: to have to see him attack more on the rush 462 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:36,520 Speaker 7: because this kid is absolutely electrifying on the rush. 463 00:24:38,119 --> 00:24:39,840 Speaker 2: Uh, where's that leave Quel? 464 00:24:39,920 --> 00:24:42,720 Speaker 1: Well, he stay at center then, because I don't see 465 00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:44,760 Speaker 1: him as a center. He's done very well there and 466 00:24:44,800 --> 00:24:47,439 Speaker 1: he's red hot hotest guy in the league really right now, 467 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:48,240 Speaker 1: I've got first star. 468 00:24:49,520 --> 00:24:52,240 Speaker 7: They love him at center. Yeah, and I will take 469 00:24:52,280 --> 00:24:55,159 Speaker 7: you back to training camp. Dan Muse had him playing 470 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:58,240 Speaker 7: at center in training camp. That's clearly something. And I've 471 00:24:58,240 --> 00:25:00,480 Speaker 7: heard news and Kyle Dubis and some other sat down 472 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:03,120 Speaker 7: before training camp and they wanted to experiment with Keell 473 00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:06,080 Speaker 7: at center. He did it when he was a young 474 00:25:06,119 --> 00:25:09,159 Speaker 7: player long ago. For whatever reason, they thought it was 475 00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:12,360 Speaker 7: an intriguing thing to try. And they also certainly don't 476 00:25:12,359 --> 00:25:14,440 Speaker 7: want up getting Malkin at center. At this point. They've 477 00:25:14,440 --> 00:25:17,760 Speaker 7: made it pretty clear. And ta Gino's credit, he's adapted 478 00:25:17,800 --> 00:25:20,760 Speaker 7: to the wing much better than I necessarily thought he would. 479 00:25:21,359 --> 00:25:24,280 Speaker 7: He's played quite well there. So yeah, I think there's 480 00:25:24,280 --> 00:25:26,280 Speaker 7: a really good chance they leave Reckell at center. He's 481 00:25:26,359 --> 00:25:29,080 Speaker 7: terrible on face offs. That that's one issue where you 482 00:25:29,080 --> 00:25:31,240 Speaker 7: know you'd like to see the Penguins improve a little bit. 483 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:34,440 Speaker 7: I don't think his presence there will help. But everything 484 00:25:34,520 --> 00:25:36,280 Speaker 7: I've been told right now, yeah, I think he is 485 00:25:36,320 --> 00:25:37,200 Speaker 7: going to stay at center. 486 00:25:38,320 --> 00:25:40,480 Speaker 1: One of the pros and cons you mentioned the face offs. 487 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:43,560 Speaker 1: I think he's done creditable defensively. I think he's still 488 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:47,119 Speaker 1: getting scoring opportunities. He doesn't participate as much on the 489 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:49,119 Speaker 1: foe check, he's very often the F three. I'm not 490 00:25:49,160 --> 00:25:52,560 Speaker 1: sure that matters. I'm just surprised. I'm surprised he's decent 491 00:25:52,600 --> 00:25:55,879 Speaker 1: at it. I'm surprised they've stuck with it so am I. 492 00:25:56,119 --> 00:25:58,200 Speaker 3: And one thing about him, like he doesn't. 493 00:25:57,920 --> 00:26:00,000 Speaker 7: Really score on the rush that much to begin with, 494 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:03,959 Speaker 7: but that's not his game, and so sometimes it's easier 495 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:06,359 Speaker 7: to score that way when you're playing wing. But I 496 00:26:06,359 --> 00:26:08,879 Speaker 7: don't think you're losing anything by playing him at center. 497 00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:12,280 Speaker 7: He just has a I think a higher hockey IQ 498 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:16,280 Speaker 7: than people realize, so he can flip over naturally. And 499 00:26:16,359 --> 00:26:19,880 Speaker 7: you mentioned the defensive work. He's actually much better defensively 500 00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:21,720 Speaker 7: as a center than I would have thought. I actually 501 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:23,440 Speaker 7: think he's been pretty good in that regard. I don't 502 00:26:23,440 --> 00:26:24,960 Speaker 7: know if I mentioned this on the show last week, 503 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:28,000 Speaker 7: but just covering the game of Long Island about ten 504 00:26:28,040 --> 00:26:30,879 Speaker 7: days ago, I happened to run into the Swedish Olympic coach, 505 00:26:31,480 --> 00:26:33,600 Speaker 7: and I was talking with him in the media lounge 506 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:36,600 Speaker 7: before the game about Roquel and Carlson, and he said 507 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:39,000 Speaker 7: about ro Kell, he said, I've been watching Pittsburgh every game. 508 00:26:39,320 --> 00:26:41,000 Speaker 3: He said, that guy's really good defensively. 509 00:26:41,040 --> 00:26:42,760 Speaker 7: You're going to see how good of a defensive player 510 00:26:42,800 --> 00:26:44,320 Speaker 7: he is when he really puts his mind to it. 511 00:26:44,359 --> 00:26:46,080 Speaker 7: And I think when you play center, you have to 512 00:26:46,680 --> 00:26:49,640 Speaker 7: you have to be aware of it. So maybe Dan 513 00:26:49,760 --> 00:26:52,280 Speaker 7: Mues was onto something back in September, because it's not 514 00:26:52,320 --> 00:26:53,959 Speaker 7: like it's hurting his offensive production. 515 00:26:54,040 --> 00:26:56,560 Speaker 3: The guy's got eleven goals in his last ten games. 516 00:26:57,880 --> 00:27:00,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, eleven goals in ten games, the goal in each 517 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:03,080 Speaker 1: of his last five games. Quite an amazing run for 518 00:27:03,200 --> 00:27:07,399 Speaker 1: Ricky rax Am I seeing things where is Gerard playing better, 519 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:10,800 Speaker 1: not just him, but also with Tang on that same. 520 00:27:10,680 --> 00:27:15,199 Speaker 3: Pair, much better? Yes, let me start with Chris. 521 00:27:15,680 --> 00:27:18,560 Speaker 7: Chris has been really good the last two or three weeks. 522 00:27:18,840 --> 00:27:20,520 Speaker 7: I thought he had a rough game in Ottawa a 523 00:27:20,520 --> 00:27:23,560 Speaker 7: few weeks ago, and since then his decision making has 524 00:27:23,640 --> 00:27:26,080 Speaker 7: just been so much better. He had a run there 525 00:27:26,119 --> 00:27:28,000 Speaker 7: where it seemed like every game he was just doing 526 00:27:28,040 --> 00:27:31,040 Speaker 7: something that was going to drive you crazy. But he 527 00:27:31,119 --> 00:27:34,560 Speaker 7: has really started to settle down, making good decisions, and 528 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:38,240 Speaker 7: suddenly he and Gerard are starting to click. I can't 529 00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:40,440 Speaker 7: say they've been great, but they've been pretty durn good, 530 00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:42,800 Speaker 7: and that's a big step from where they were a 531 00:27:42,800 --> 00:27:46,800 Speaker 7: few weeks ago. Maybe Girard just needed to get comfortable 532 00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:51,560 Speaker 7: in Pittsburgh. We have seen that with defensemen, especially You're 533 00:27:51,560 --> 00:27:53,520 Speaker 7: coming to a new system and all of a sudden, 534 00:27:53,960 --> 00:27:56,240 Speaker 7: you know, the game just is going too fast for you, 535 00:27:56,280 --> 00:27:59,199 Speaker 7: and you're making bad decisions. Colorado did run a lot 536 00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:01,680 Speaker 7: of the man on man offensive schemes the Penguins don't. 537 00:28:02,119 --> 00:28:04,560 Speaker 7: He said that did require an adjustment, And we'll Tang 538 00:28:04,960 --> 00:28:06,919 Speaker 7: for a little. Tang is a great all time player. 539 00:28:06,920 --> 00:28:09,400 Speaker 7: He's not always easy to play with. I'm not only 540 00:28:09,440 --> 00:28:11,960 Speaker 7: the guards all that easy to play with either, But boy, 541 00:28:12,080 --> 00:28:15,720 Speaker 7: I've seen a lot of progress. Even the game in 542 00:28:15,800 --> 00:28:18,040 Speaker 7: Tampa last week mark when the Penguins really had a 543 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:21,400 Speaker 7: bad game, that duo was good. It was really good 544 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:25,080 Speaker 7: against a great offensive team. So it's worth keeping an 545 00:28:25,080 --> 00:28:27,439 Speaker 7: eye on those two. But I've seen a lot of 546 00:28:27,920 --> 00:28:30,040 Speaker 7: you know as well as I that in the playoffs, 547 00:28:30,800 --> 00:28:34,160 Speaker 7: if you have a defensive pair and that's struggling, Boy, 548 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:36,919 Speaker 7: teams will attack that immediately, and you know that you 549 00:28:36,960 --> 00:28:39,360 Speaker 7: can't have a big weakness like that. And it's a 550 00:28:39,440 --> 00:28:41,719 Speaker 7: very encouraging sign that those two appear to be figuring 551 00:28:41,760 --> 00:28:42,280 Speaker 7: it out. 552 00:28:42,960 --> 00:28:45,360 Speaker 1: What's important to do for the Penguins the rest of 553 00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:45,960 Speaker 1: the season. 554 00:28:46,240 --> 00:28:48,640 Speaker 2: It seems like come ice and that's it. I mean 555 00:28:48,680 --> 00:28:52,480 Speaker 2: there would be preferred opponents. I mean Columbus first. 556 00:28:52,920 --> 00:28:56,160 Speaker 1: I would say Islander second, Philadelphia third, But I don't 557 00:28:56,160 --> 00:28:59,600 Speaker 1: think any of those is particularly imposing enough to, you know, 558 00:28:59,640 --> 00:29:02,480 Speaker 1: fin the standings for No. 559 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:06,040 Speaker 7: I mean, getting home ice is important. I think not 560 00:29:06,120 --> 00:29:08,320 Speaker 7: so much for a Game seven, but just to way 561 00:29:08,400 --> 00:29:09,720 Speaker 7: you start the series, just. 562 00:29:09,680 --> 00:29:12,920 Speaker 1: To avoid games in Pittsburgh during the freaking NFL draft. 563 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:15,680 Speaker 7: Oh boy, you aren't kidding, and getting home ice will 564 00:29:15,720 --> 00:29:16,920 Speaker 7: certainly help in that regard. 565 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:18,200 Speaker 3: I don't know. 566 00:29:18,240 --> 00:29:21,320 Speaker 7: When I look at the possible matchups, like I tend 567 00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:23,520 Speaker 7: to agree with you, but I don't think they're afraid 568 00:29:23,520 --> 00:29:25,680 Speaker 7: of Philadelphia. That the Flyers just happen to be the 569 00:29:25,720 --> 00:29:28,680 Speaker 7: proverbial hot team right now. I still think the Penguins 570 00:29:28,680 --> 00:29:30,920 Speaker 7: are better than them on paper. Frankly, I'll tell you 571 00:29:30,920 --> 00:29:33,520 Speaker 7: one thing the Penguins can work on, and it's been 572 00:29:33,560 --> 00:29:36,520 Speaker 7: a strength all season and it's not right now. 573 00:29:36,560 --> 00:29:38,840 Speaker 3: They're special teams to me, are a real problem. 574 00:29:39,160 --> 00:29:41,640 Speaker 7: The penalty kill has been bad for about three weeks now, 575 00:29:42,080 --> 00:29:44,400 Speaker 7: and the power play just the way they're giving up 576 00:29:44,440 --> 00:29:47,840 Speaker 7: shorthanded chances almost every power play. They've got to figure 577 00:29:47,880 --> 00:29:51,440 Speaker 7: that out because listen, nobody knows their power play better 578 00:29:51,480 --> 00:29:54,080 Speaker 7: than Rick Tocket, the guy who coaches the Flyers. Don't 579 00:29:54,080 --> 00:29:57,120 Speaker 7: think for a second he won't have his penalty killers 580 00:29:57,160 --> 00:30:00,320 Speaker 7: being uber aggressive against the Pengans' power play. The way 581 00:30:00,320 --> 00:30:03,000 Speaker 7: it's performing right now, it's really something they need to 582 00:30:03,000 --> 00:30:04,520 Speaker 7: clean up, and maybe they can work on that in 583 00:30:04,560 --> 00:30:05,520 Speaker 7: these next few games. 584 00:30:06,240 --> 00:30:08,280 Speaker 2: Josh is always great stuff. We'll see at the rink 585 00:30:08,320 --> 00:30:08,880 Speaker 2: this weekend. 586 00:30:09,760 --> 00:30:10,840 Speaker 3: Alright, March is Saturday. 587 00:30:11,120 --> 00:30:14,560 Speaker 2: That's Josh Showy from the Athletic. Come Mark Madden, Boom 588 00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:15,520 Speaker 2: and Aby Chrisner.