1 00:00:00,520 --> 00:00:03,760 Speaker 1: But the way Gino's playing, it's more likely that it's 2 00:00:03,760 --> 00:00:06,920 Speaker 1: a last gasp and not a new beginning. So what do 3 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:10,039 Speaker 1: you think? Eight three to three four one two WXDX 4 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:14,200 Speaker 1: number to call? Is Carlson, the Penguins MVP. To this point, 5 00:00:14,480 --> 00:00:17,720 Speaker 1: should they bring Geno back for another season? And I 6 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:20,000 Speaker 1: know that Geno maniacs among you think that that should 7 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 1: be automatic, and I'd do it, But there's reasons to 8 00:00:24,440 --> 00:00:28,479 Speaker 1: not a one year deal at five mil. He was 9 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 1: making six mil this year. Give him six mili again, 10 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 1: even if he does hit a wall next year, Paying 11 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 1: that for one year to that guy ain't a disaster, 12 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 1: especially because the Penguins are going to have around fifty 13 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:48,199 Speaker 1: mil in salary cap space available this offseason. With him 14 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:51,560 Speaker 1: at wing, he's not blocking Kindle except on the power play. 15 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:57,440 Speaker 1: The power plays become very veterany. It also ranks top 16 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:00,120 Speaker 1: three in the league, so I shouldn't aught to complain. 17 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 1: Pengwins are the playoff spot right now, but keep in 18 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:09,319 Speaker 1: mind they're still rebuilding. There may be arriving early, but 19 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 1: they're not a championship contender as is again to say 20 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 1: it with conviction again, at some point you got to 21 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 1: turn the page. The locker room can't turn into a museum. 22 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:27,080 Speaker 1: I know Sid wants Gino to keep playing, and too 23 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:32,120 Speaker 1: many people think Gino is equitable to Sid. Never has 24 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:36,880 Speaker 1: been the case, and especially not now. Gino's playing real good. 25 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:40,280 Speaker 1: Sid's still a top five forward in the league. It's 26 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:45,279 Speaker 1: not the same thing. Sid's slowing minimally. 27 00:01:46,319 --> 00:01:47,559 Speaker 2: Gino. He's playing good. 28 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:51,880 Speaker 1: He's kind of a point collector and you need points. 29 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 1: But he's not nearly as dynamic as he was, or 30 00:01:54,680 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 1: as Sid still iss. I've heard that Gino wants a 31 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 1: two year can't do it. You got to tell him 32 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:03,680 Speaker 1: to get lost if he wants a two year deal. 33 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 1: Sid has one year left on his deal. You can't 34 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 1: give Gino term beyond Sid, especially given that you're keeping 35 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 1: Gino to some degree to play kate Sid to keep 36 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:19,000 Speaker 1: him happy. And the minute Sid leaves or retires, don't 37 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:20,359 Speaker 1: worry about turning the page. 38 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:22,960 Speaker 2: The page at that point turns itself. 39 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:28,640 Speaker 1: So I'd give Gino one year or nothing, and I 40 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:34,800 Speaker 1: probably would do it, but maybe I wouldn't, And Dubas 41 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:39,240 Speaker 1: probably will do it, except maybe he won't. 42 00:02:41,440 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 2: Here's a situation that compares. 43 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:46,320 Speaker 1: I talked about this with Tom earlier, a couple of 44 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:50,320 Speaker 1: years back, Steven stampcos Tampa Bay just scored forty goals. 45 00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 1: He is a lightning legend, just like Gino is a 46 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 1: Penguin's legend. One two Stanley Cups scored what was it, 47 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:03,640 Speaker 1: five to fifty five career goals for Tampa. But he 48 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:08,360 Speaker 1: was thirty three, not thirty nine like Gino, but thirty three, 49 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:10,960 Speaker 1: and Tampa let them walk, you know what they did? 50 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:16,600 Speaker 1: Instead they signed Jay Genseil, which is an upgrade. Genseil 51 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:19,480 Speaker 1: scored forty one goals last year. He's got twenty six 52 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 1: so far this season. Just won Olympic goal with the US. 53 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 1: Tampa's on top of the Atlantic. They moved on and 54 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:31,440 Speaker 1: it worked. It made the team better. It kept the 55 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 1: organization going in a proper direction instead of indulging nostalgia 56 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 1: and what fans want. You gotta do what fans want 57 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:44,080 Speaker 1: because they're the ticket buyers. But you can't go overboard 58 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 1: with that and not forever now as we know, Gino 59 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 1: talked about it after the loss at the Garden on Saturday. 60 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 2: He kind of had the booboo face. 61 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 1: It was initially reported to Dubas and Malkins representatives won't 62 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:00,960 Speaker 1: speak till after the season, And now there's talk that 63 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 1: Dubas and Malkin will speak face to face, which, as 64 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 1: I can't emphasize enough, Kyle, if you're listening, do not 65 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 1: do it. 66 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:09,240 Speaker 2: It can only go bad. 67 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 1: Talk to JP Barry, talk to Gino's agent, because JP 68 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 1: Barry won't take anything you say personal. Malkin might unless 69 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:21,760 Speaker 1: that's what Kyle wants to do, and I'm not one 70 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:26,159 Speaker 1: thousand percent ruling that out. And if Gino wants to 71 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 1: decide now, tell them, well the decisions. No, if you 72 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:32,160 Speaker 1: really want to decide now, there is no harm at 73 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:35,960 Speaker 1: all in waiting till season's end to decide, and there's 74 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:40,040 Speaker 1: no upside to Malkin and the Penguins indulging public discourse 75 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:43,599 Speaker 1: about this, And it certainly won't help Malkin's cause. In fact, 76 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 1: it would put an end to what he wants if 77 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: he gets the booboo face and stops producing. Penguin's gonna 78 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:54,000 Speaker 1: play this just right, but a lot of that is 79 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:56,960 Speaker 1: in Geno's court. Gonna be tough enough to make the 80 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:01,040 Speaker 1: playoffs with Crosby missing a month, three weeks more, or 81 00:05:01,400 --> 00:05:04,840 Speaker 1: whatever it turns out to be. So you tell me 82 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:07,320 Speaker 1: what you think, I know what you think you're gonna say. 83 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 2: Geno, gotta keep Geno. 84 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 1: I got a Gino jersey, Gino Gino, Gino Gino, and 85 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:19,400 Speaker 1: I would keep him if you put me to a 86 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:22,400 Speaker 1: decision right now. But I don't have to make a 87 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 1: decision right now, and nor does Kyle Dubis. Going into 88 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 1: the season, I can tell you for sure the Penguins 89 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:31,840 Speaker 1: weren't at all planning to bring Geno back next year, 90 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:34,320 Speaker 1: weren't planning at all to have him beyond this year. 91 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:40,839 Speaker 1: Gino's performance may have changed that, or maybe not, so 92 00:05:41,480 --> 00:05:44,880 Speaker 1: I want your thoughts on that. A three three four 93 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:48,720 Speaker 1: one two WXDX, or we can talk about the Steelers. 94 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:49,680 Speaker 2: I'm kidding. 95 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: My shows this week and last, well today and last 96 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 1: I love them because I'm talking about stuff I like 97 00:05:57,320 --> 00:05:59,920 Speaker 1: and not just fieling time trying to play kate u 98 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:03,279 Speaker 1: with what you like. Except you should like this because 99 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:06,279 Speaker 1: they're playing hockey right now, and mark my words, And 100 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:10,159 Speaker 1: I can't stress this strongly enough. All this Steeler off 101 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 1: season talk, all the things they're doing, all the things 102 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 1: that are being discussed about the Black and Gold, it 103 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:20,599 Speaker 1: will wind up in exactly the same place at the 104 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 1: end of next season, and all that will happen between 105 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:27,719 Speaker 1: here and now I mean now and then is you 106 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:30,680 Speaker 1: will be bored af would be too stupid to realize it. 107 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:33,560 Speaker 1: And if that's me showing contempt for the audience, that's correct. 108 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:34,320 Speaker 2: I don't like you. 109 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: Eight three three four one two WXDX is the number 110 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:39,480 Speaker 1: to call if you'd like to participate and talk to 111 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:43,000 Speaker 1: one of your betters. A three three four one two wxdx. 112 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,880 Speaker 1: Now here's that high school basketball thing which I find 113 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:47,240 Speaker 1: very intriguing. 114 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 2: Oh, first off, a shout out. 115 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:55,760 Speaker 1: Aliquippa basketball won the WHIPIL and they won football this 116 00:06:55,800 --> 00:07:00,760 Speaker 1: past fall. Aliquipp has won football in basketball in the 117 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:05,320 Speaker 1: same year six times in their school's history. No other 118 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:08,680 Speaker 1: WHIPIL school has done that more than once, and the 119 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:12,280 Speaker 1: Equips have done it six times. It's only happened fifteen 120 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 1: other times besides Aliquippa six and those are the. 121 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 2: Two sports that cop most for sure. So congratulates to Aliquippa. 122 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 1: The PIAA and WHIPILL try to FM every chance they 123 00:07:22,920 --> 00:07:28,200 Speaker 1: get by pushing them up classifications, and they just keep winning. 124 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 1: So a way to stick it to the man and 125 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:35,080 Speaker 1: the controversy is Siwickly Academy. Al Equippa won three a 126 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 1: basketball I think Siwickly won two A Swickley Academy, private school, 127 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:42,880 Speaker 1: and they brought in a bunch of ringers, bought and 128 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:48,280 Speaker 1: paid for, no question, and they won. But that's the system. 129 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:51,560 Speaker 1: You can do that when you mix public and private. 130 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:54,520 Speaker 1: The private schools can do that. Unless you're going to 131 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 1: separate public and private. That's what's going to happen. But 132 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:01,240 Speaker 1: the Janet kids there were it's like an altercation in 133 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 1: the handshake line, and the Jeanette kids and their coach 134 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 1: bitched about it being unfair that Siwickly had these paid 135 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:12,720 Speaker 1: four ringers. Maybe it is unfair, but you were seated 136 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:16,800 Speaker 1: number one, Jeanette. You were supposed to win the game. Jeanette, 137 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:21,160 Speaker 1: you lost. Take your medicine. Be classier than that. If 138 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 1: you want to bitch about the system, that's the wrong 139 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:26,720 Speaker 1: context to do it because you try to take away 140 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 1: Sirwickly's moment. 141 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 2: But you didn't because they kicked your ass. Not to 142 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 2: be critical, no, I. 143 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 1: Know that's kind of bashing high school kids, but at 144 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 1: some point high school kids have to turn into adults. 145 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 1: And the Ganet kids didn't given a big opportunity to 146 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:45,080 Speaker 1: do so, Then again, what do you expect? 147 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 2: Their role model growing up? Was Terrell Pryor. 148 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:51,679 Speaker 1: Eight three three four one two wxdx the number to call, 149 00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:54,439 Speaker 1: get your calls in. Now it's The Mark Man Show 150 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:55,559 Speaker 1: one oh five to ninety. 151 00:08:55,440 --> 00:09:01,559 Speaker 3: X Tomorrow nights You're Home of the Pens one x 152 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:06,440 Speaker 3: from It's true, It's damn true. 153 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:07,000 Speaker 4: Mark. 154 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:07,839 Speaker 5: I love the show. 155 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:09,480 Speaker 2: Thank you for making my day. 156 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:18,080 Speaker 1: Yeah the X at one O five nine? 157 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 2: What would you do with the Guinny Malkin? 158 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:23,440 Speaker 1: And do you understand that it shouldn't be automatic to 159 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:26,240 Speaker 1: keep him next year? That there's more factors besides you 160 00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 1: liking him and him being a team legend, which he 161 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: undoubtedly is a three three four one two WXDX. Another 162 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:36,960 Speaker 1: question that I find intriguing about the Penguins is is 163 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 1: Eric Carlson the team's MVP at this point, which I 164 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:44,160 Speaker 1: can't believe I'm even suggesting, after how disappointing had been 165 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:46,800 Speaker 1: his first two seasons here in Pittsburgh. 166 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 2: But he's been everything. 167 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:52,440 Speaker 1: He's supposed to be this season, which I did not 168 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:55,760 Speaker 1: see coming, just like I did not see the Penguins 169 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:01,600 Speaker 1: murdering Vegas yesterday five nil second game of a back 170 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:04,280 Speaker 1: to back for the Penguins in not Vegas. They were 171 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 1: in Pittsburgh waiting while the Penguins were playing a Madison 172 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:12,959 Speaker 1: Square garden on Saturday. And after Vegas dominated for I 173 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:17,120 Speaker 1: don't know, maybe eight minutes, the Penguins really cranked into gear. 174 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 1: And that's five points out of six with Dodd sid 175 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:26,200 Speaker 1: and that's not bad. And we keep talking about the numbers, 176 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 1: here's another number that speaks to Dan Muse and how 177 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:34,520 Speaker 1: prepared he has the Penguins every game. The Penguins have 178 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:39,640 Speaker 1: scored the first goal of the game thirty seven times 179 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:42,760 Speaker 1: in fifty nine games. That's the second best market in 180 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:45,400 Speaker 1: the league. And we've been talking about the special teams. 181 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:48,679 Speaker 1: The PK rank second and then eighty four percent. The 182 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:54,040 Speaker 1: power play ranks third at twenty six percent. So much 183 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 1: is going right for the Penguins. We got Brian Metzer 184 00:10:59,559 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 1: of the Penguin his radio network. He joins me at 185 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 1: the bottom of the hour to keep talking hockey. Let's 186 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:06,319 Speaker 1: go to Mike and Dallas. Mike your own double. 187 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:10,120 Speaker 6: M Hey, double m I don't think I'm following the 188 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:11,640 Speaker 6: Stevens Stamcos analogy. 189 00:11:13,080 --> 00:11:14,040 Speaker 5: Stamcos signed a. 190 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 2: Four year deal. What are you talking about. 191 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 6: Well, when Stamkos left Tampa Bay, but they still let 192 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:21,920 Speaker 6: them walk. 193 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:25,240 Speaker 1: They still let him walk. Absolutely, he was he was 194 00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 1: thirty three years old. He just scored forty goals and 195 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:29,640 Speaker 1: they let him walk. And you know, he got a 196 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:32,640 Speaker 1: four year deal with Nashville. True, but Denzil got long 197 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:34,960 Speaker 1: term with Tampa. So yeah, the analogy applies. 198 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:41,080 Speaker 6: I can see that I'm still not following one hundred percent. 199 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:42,760 Speaker 6: That's okay, I got I mean, you're not. 200 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 1: As intellectual as I am. You're not gifted, you know, 201 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:48,240 Speaker 1: with IQ of one sixty six. So I understand that 202 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:50,800 Speaker 1: the bottom line is, it's easy if you make it simple. 203 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:51,080 Speaker 2: Brov. 204 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:55,200 Speaker 1: They let their club legend walk when he was six 205 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 1: years younger. Yeah, the multi year thing figures in. But 206 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 1: but Malkin's third thirty three. 207 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:04,800 Speaker 6: I see Malcolm next year as the Mantha replacement. Actually 208 00:12:04,960 --> 00:12:07,280 Speaker 6: one year cheap deal. Mantha's getting three and a half 209 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:10,480 Speaker 6: million dollars this year plus up to two million in else. 210 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:12,679 Speaker 2: And I see your point. And they're not going to 211 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 2: bring Mantha back. 212 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:16,079 Speaker 1: That you hope McGroarty can grow into that, although honestly 213 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:19,680 Speaker 1: he's been a bit disappointing to date, as has coyven In. 214 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:22,440 Speaker 1: But they're young guys and they'll figure it out, at 215 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:24,880 Speaker 1: least you hope that most of them do, or some 216 00:12:24,960 --> 00:12:25,320 Speaker 1: of them do. 217 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:27,760 Speaker 6: I just don't think this is the summer Kyle Dubas 218 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:29,480 Speaker 6: is going to make a huge splash on the free 219 00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:30,120 Speaker 6: agent market. 220 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 3: I do. 221 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 5: Maybe he'll try to trade for one. 222 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:35,800 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, I think put it this way, whether it's 223 00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:38,839 Speaker 1: by trade or via free agent signing, I think Kyle 224 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:41,920 Speaker 1: will make a big splash. 225 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:43,760 Speaker 5: I hope, so, I hope so hey. 226 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:48,960 Speaker 6: Unrelated question, but uh, Chinnikov and Malkin greatest Russian duo 227 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:51,200 Speaker 6: since the call offs are not quite. 228 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 1: They're not Nikita and Uncle Ivan. No, and plus don't 229 00:12:56,880 --> 00:12:58,559 Speaker 1: forget they had Crusher Khrushchev two. 230 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:02,320 Speaker 6: You know there's no third Russian. Good point, say, thanks, 231 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 6: double Do we have a third Russian? 232 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:04,360 Speaker 1: No? 233 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 2: I don't think we do. Magnum day, Magnum. 234 00:13:09,520 --> 00:13:16,000 Speaker 1: Da eight three three four one two w xdx A 235 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:20,079 Speaker 1: three three four one two wxdx. Yeah, it's just gone 236 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 1: so well for the Penguins. Uh, you got to sloop 237 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:29,080 Speaker 1: Brian Russ too. Got goal number twenty on the air yesterday. 238 00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:32,800 Speaker 1: That's seven years in a row with twenty goals or more, 239 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:36,480 Speaker 1: and this year there's what like twenty three games left. 240 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 1: He's got an outside shot at at thirty. Like RUSSI 241 00:13:41,480 --> 00:13:43,840 Speaker 1: said when he was on the show last week, he 242 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:46,719 Speaker 1: didn't come up from Wilkes back when thought of as 243 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:49,559 Speaker 1: a goal scorer, but he figured it out. He hit 244 00:13:49,559 --> 00:13:54,000 Speaker 1: the linemate lottery and he's become a really smart poacher 245 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 1: type goal scorer who can put her in the net 246 00:13:57,040 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 1: out of nowhere, like he posted on that rebound on 247 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:03,560 Speaker 1: the power play. Ryan Russ is a guy who makes 248 00:14:03,600 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 1: the most of his talent. But one disappointing thing this 249 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:12,600 Speaker 1: year is so far he can't score on that move 250 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:14,720 Speaker 1: he does cutting him from the left wing. 251 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 2: Don't let him. 252 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:18,920 Speaker 1: Pull that move on your Rastafari. That's the move I 253 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 1: tried to warn you over the season on that. But 254 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:25,040 Speaker 1: still twenty goals and yes I yelled that in the 255 00:14:25,040 --> 00:14:28,000 Speaker 1: press box every time he sets up that move. Brian 256 00:14:28,040 --> 00:14:29,960 Speaker 1: Metrup next one oh five to nine. 257 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:32,720 Speaker 2: Every weekday at ten am. 258 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 4: The Kid's Travis starting your day commercial free. 259 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:44,320 Speaker 2: This is former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. Here's what's 260 00:14:44,320 --> 00:14:47,800 Speaker 2: trending from the iHeart Sports Network presented by Austin Penguin. 261 00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:50,080 Speaker 4: Center of Getty Mawkins says he's focused on ending the 262 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:53,120 Speaker 4: team's playoff route and talks on a new contract will 263 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:56,480 Speaker 4: start after the season. Over to baseball, where Pirates prospect 264 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:59,400 Speaker 4: Connor Griffin has three homers in spring training, as the 265 00:14:59,440 --> 00:15:02,000 Speaker 4: most by IT teenager in an exhibition season and at 266 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 4: least twenty years and speed is. 267 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 2: Suspected as a factor. 268 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:07,600 Speaker 4: And a crash that killed twenty three year old Colorado 269 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:09,960 Speaker 4: quarterback Dominic Ponder happened yesterday. 270 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 2: I'm Scott David. 271 00:15:11,120 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 5: Said, I wish you could save on home insurance with 272 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:15,400 Speaker 5: my last night. 273 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:17,800 Speaker 1: You say that like you think I would remotely give 274 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:20,440 Speaker 1: a dump And to go on t X at one 275 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:23,720 Speaker 1: five nine, it's time to keep talking hockey with the 276 00:15:23,760 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 1: Penguins on a roll play at Boston tomorrow night. Here 277 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:29,760 Speaker 1: all the action right here on the X. Joining me 278 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:33,200 Speaker 1: now from the Penguins radio network, It's Brian Metzer. Mets 279 00:15:33,320 --> 00:15:36,880 Speaker 1: are the Penguins for real because they shellacked Vegas yesterday 280 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:40,240 Speaker 1: and without sid and on the second leg of a 281 00:15:40,280 --> 00:15:42,000 Speaker 1: back to back when Vegas. 282 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:45,360 Speaker 5: Didn't You know what, Mads, When you get to the 283 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:47,800 Speaker 5: point where you're close to sixty games in, it's kind 284 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:50,080 Speaker 5: of hard to not think of them as being what 285 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 5: they are right now, which is one of the better 286 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:54,320 Speaker 5: teams in the Eastern Conference. So you know, we all 287 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 5: keep waiting for the bottom to fall out, and I 288 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 5: don't think it's going to happen, I mean, at least 289 00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:01,200 Speaker 5: at this late stage. And they've even been able to 290 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:03,800 Speaker 5: overcome these games without Sidney Crosby, which was a bit 291 00:16:03,800 --> 00:16:05,960 Speaker 5: of a shock. I know, when they lost Geno and 292 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:08,280 Speaker 5: a couple other guys earlier this year at derailed them 293 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:11,000 Speaker 5: for that bad stretch that they had, But that aside 294 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:15,320 Speaker 5: every other situation minus those eight games, eight games plus, 295 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:17,440 Speaker 5: actually they've been in a really good spot. So I 296 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:19,480 Speaker 5: think that they are a pretty good team, at least 297 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:21,600 Speaker 5: better than we would have ever dreamed coming into the year. 298 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:26,360 Speaker 1: Has the goaltending been a deceptively good factor. Sheilovs was 299 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 1: excellent yesterday, and I feel like he's really stepped up 300 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 1: his last I don't know, four or five starts. 301 00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 5: I would agree with you there. He's looking like he's 302 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:37,320 Speaker 5: nosing ahead in a competition for being a number one 303 00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:40,280 Speaker 5: goaltender here. And that's not any knock on Stuart Skinner 304 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:43,400 Speaker 5: who really did a nice job after arriving, and you know, 305 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:45,440 Speaker 5: he was kind of in harm's way because he got 306 00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:48,360 Speaker 5: here during that bad losing stretch. But I would say 307 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:50,760 Speaker 5: Sheilo's to your point, has been really good for them 308 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 5: lately and has making, you know, made some big saves 309 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 5: for them. I'm wondering if the Olympics was good for 310 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 5: him too, because while their team didn't have a lot 311 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 5: of success, he's been you know, he was really good. 312 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 5: He made a number of saves, even though he brought 313 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:06,320 Speaker 5: the first shot first goal thing with him there, Mads 314 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:08,080 Speaker 5: because the one game he led up two on the 315 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 5: first two shots that he faced. And I hate even 316 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:12,600 Speaker 5: bringing it up because that's something that we thought we 317 00:17:12,640 --> 00:17:16,440 Speaker 5: shed after last season. However, I do think that it's 318 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:19,760 Speaker 5: not been as big a factor as it was last 319 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:22,800 Speaker 5: year in terms of sometimes goaltending or not even last 320 00:17:22,840 --> 00:17:25,199 Speaker 5: year a couple of years prior, where goalies made the 321 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:27,760 Speaker 5: Penguins look better than they were because they were giving 322 00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:29,880 Speaker 5: up still a lot of odd man rushes and things 323 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:33,480 Speaker 5: like that. This season, while there's still Grade eight chances 324 00:17:33,520 --> 00:17:36,200 Speaker 5: going towards the goaltenders, they've done such a great job 325 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:38,240 Speaker 5: of limiting shots in a lot of these games. I 326 00:17:38,280 --> 00:17:40,879 Speaker 5: mean the fact that there was what twenty two against yesterday, 327 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 5: they limited the Rangers to just seven shots through thirty 328 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:47,399 Speaker 5: minutes on Saturday, and some of Skinner's starts when he 329 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:50,560 Speaker 5: was looking pretty good, he was facing you know, fifteen shots, 330 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:53,600 Speaker 5: seventeen shots, that kind of thing. So while they've still 331 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:55,600 Speaker 5: had to make some big saves, I don't think that 332 00:17:56,040 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 5: they've made the Penguins appear better than they are this year. 333 00:17:59,119 --> 00:18:01,480 Speaker 1: I totally agree. That's kind of where Dan Muse, the 334 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:04,720 Speaker 1: first year head coach, comes in. I think they're a 335 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:07,679 Speaker 1: lot more buttoned up with him. I think the F 336 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:10,679 Speaker 1: three is the best example to high forward. I think 337 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:13,080 Speaker 1: the F three is always in position when the puck 338 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:17,359 Speaker 1: turns over. And because of that, yesterday, for example, Vegas's 339 00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:20,280 Speaker 1: attack just died in the neutral zone all the time, 340 00:18:20,320 --> 00:18:22,919 Speaker 1: and especially after the first eight or ten minutes. 341 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 5: Yeah, I would agree with you and the Penguins for 342 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:29,360 Speaker 5: whatever reason, and I'm sure you've seen this too. They 343 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:31,919 Speaker 5: seem to rise to the occasion against some of the 344 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:34,639 Speaker 5: better teams in the league and lays and eggs against 345 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:37,159 Speaker 5: teams that you think they should blow away. So to 346 00:18:37,200 --> 00:18:40,440 Speaker 5: see them shut Vegas down take away the neutral zone, 347 00:18:40,440 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 5: as you just pointed to. I think that really is 348 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:46,840 Speaker 5: damn muse implementing his system, so to speak. He has 349 00:18:46,880 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 5: everybody really locked into a more defensive structure. The defensemen 350 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:54,040 Speaker 5: are still very involved, I would say, offensively, but you 351 00:18:54,080 --> 00:18:56,040 Speaker 5: don't see them activating the way that they did under 352 00:18:56,040 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 5: Mike Sullivan. They don't take as many risky chances they're 353 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:02,440 Speaker 5: they're usually in good position to be back and break 354 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:04,240 Speaker 5: things up. And to your point about the F three, 355 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:07,480 Speaker 5: I would agree to the forwards all to a man, 356 00:19:08,119 --> 00:19:11,000 Speaker 5: tend to be defensively sound right now, even the ones 357 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:12,960 Speaker 5: that aren't known for it, they still get back and 358 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:16,119 Speaker 5: try and get on the backcheck and break up some plays. 359 00:19:16,119 --> 00:19:18,840 Speaker 5: So overall, he's got them all playing a better brand 360 00:19:18,840 --> 00:19:23,000 Speaker 5: of overall hockey, which has kind of manifested itself. And 361 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:24,639 Speaker 5: where they are in the standings, and then when you 362 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:26,680 Speaker 5: start in the fact that their special teams have been 363 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:29,600 Speaker 5: good and they can score, they're a very dangerous team. 364 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:32,199 Speaker 1: Well yeah, I think News is a front runner for 365 00:19:32,359 --> 00:19:34,880 Speaker 1: NHL Coach the Year, although they're loath to give that 366 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:38,639 Speaker 1: to a first year guy because well, the NHL is 367 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:41,000 Speaker 1: still so much buddy system but let's stay with that 368 00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:43,880 Speaker 1: PK in power play for a second, because it has 369 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:46,720 Speaker 1: been much better. And I feel like Eric Carlson is 370 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:48,960 Speaker 1: a big factor in both. We never knew he was 371 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:52,080 Speaker 1: good on the PK and he's finally become the power 372 00:19:52,119 --> 00:19:55,679 Speaker 1: play technician running the unit that we expected when they 373 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:56,920 Speaker 1: got him a couple of years back. 374 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:01,119 Speaker 5: Yeah, he's been a factor MADS both special teams. And 375 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:03,480 Speaker 5: I remember a quote from news I think it was 376 00:20:03,640 --> 00:20:06,840 Speaker 5: ahead of the first Columbus Bluejackets game this season, and 377 00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:09,199 Speaker 5: he talked about it because he was asked the question 378 00:20:09,400 --> 00:20:12,800 Speaker 5: about using Carlson on the on the PK and he said, look, 379 00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:16,400 Speaker 5: I feel like every defenseman should be able to kill 380 00:20:16,440 --> 00:20:18,760 Speaker 5: penalties for you. And I think that kind of thing 381 00:20:18,800 --> 00:20:21,280 Speaker 5: went a long way with somebody like Eric Carlson, because 382 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:23,800 Speaker 5: you know, we all saw it. I don't know if 383 00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:26,240 Speaker 5: it was just because he wasn't necessarily the type of 384 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:29,480 Speaker 5: player that somebody like Mike Sullivan was going to really embrace, 385 00:20:30,240 --> 00:20:31,919 Speaker 5: you know, in a defensive role, and then when you 386 00:20:31,960 --> 00:20:34,560 Speaker 5: mix in the mistakes he was making in this situation, 387 00:20:34,720 --> 00:20:37,920 Speaker 5: MWS from the earliest moments has given him responsibility above 388 00:20:37,920 --> 00:20:40,240 Speaker 5: and beyond what he is known for and that went 389 00:20:40,280 --> 00:20:42,480 Speaker 5: a long way with him. I think he just looks 390 00:20:42,480 --> 00:20:45,040 Speaker 5: like a new man. He's very confident. He looks like 391 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:47,560 Speaker 5: the Eric Carlson of old with the way he moves 392 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:50,160 Speaker 5: the puck and the way that he jumps in offensively. 393 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:53,640 Speaker 5: And then the defensive game, specifically on that penalty kill. 394 00:20:53,880 --> 00:20:56,840 Speaker 5: He's not a liability. He's back making plays. He uses 395 00:20:56,880 --> 00:21:00,159 Speaker 5: his skating very effectively, and I love his work on 396 00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 5: the power play. Was shooting for stix, looking for those 397 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:05,720 Speaker 5: tips and deflections from forwards in front. And he's still 398 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:08,399 Speaker 5: very capable of putting an effective shot on goal, be 399 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:10,800 Speaker 5: it a you know, a slapper, a half slap, or 400 00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:13,240 Speaker 5: even his wrist shot, which is very dangerous. We all 401 00:21:13,240 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 5: know what he was able to do when he was 402 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:17,080 Speaker 5: coming down the wing, off the rush, picking that short 403 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:19,480 Speaker 5: side on goaltenders. That's one thing he always thrived with 404 00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:21,800 Speaker 5: since arriving in Pittsburgh. 405 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:24,240 Speaker 1: We're talking to Brian metch of the Penguins Radio Network 406 00:21:24,280 --> 00:21:28,680 Speaker 1: here on one oh five ninety X. Metz is marketing 407 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:33,000 Speaker 1: Night in China. Koff or has Chinakoff reignited Malkin. I 408 00:21:33,119 --> 00:21:34,800 Speaker 1: used to give all the credit to Gino and he's 409 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:38,280 Speaker 1: certainly playing very well. But I figured China koff that 410 00:21:38,359 --> 00:21:41,000 Speaker 1: youth and that Russian thing figures in greatly. 411 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:45,640 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think that they are working well for each other. 412 00:21:46,040 --> 00:21:48,080 Speaker 5: And I know you guys talked about that a little 413 00:21:48,080 --> 00:21:50,440 Speaker 5: bit earlier in your show today. But when you see 414 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:52,760 Speaker 5: the way that cause Gina was already playing pretty well 415 00:21:52,760 --> 00:21:54,919 Speaker 5: this year, he was off to this crazy season that 416 00:21:54,960 --> 00:21:58,479 Speaker 5: nobody anticipated. But now since coming back from his injury, 417 00:21:58,480 --> 00:22:01,399 Speaker 5: getting on the wing, having China cuf available, they I 418 00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:04,359 Speaker 5: don't think he's ever played with a countryman. That's something 419 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:07,240 Speaker 5: that's new for him, and he has kind of embraced 420 00:22:07,240 --> 00:22:09,919 Speaker 5: that role of being graybeard with some of those younger 421 00:22:09,960 --> 00:22:13,640 Speaker 5: Russian players on the team. I know, you know, the defenseman. 422 00:22:13,680 --> 00:22:16,199 Speaker 5: When he arrived here in town. He was talking about 423 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:18,639 Speaker 5: Geno being a dad to them at times when they 424 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:20,600 Speaker 5: were on the road trip. So I think that's working 425 00:22:20,640 --> 00:22:23,639 Speaker 5: well for Chinikov, just having an older Russian player to 426 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:26,640 Speaker 5: bounce things off of, maybe talk the native language too 427 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:28,800 Speaker 5: and everything. But they have been magical on the ice, 428 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:31,960 Speaker 5: and I would say that having the other available to 429 00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:35,199 Speaker 5: the other player is something that's unlocked them even more so. 430 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:39,280 Speaker 5: But Chinikov has certainly helped Geno maintain what he was 431 00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:42,320 Speaker 5: doing earlier this year, and specifically helping him thrive in 432 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:45,200 Speaker 5: his role on the wing Mads because they throw pucks 433 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 5: into areas and it just seems that the other is 434 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:50,640 Speaker 5: always just there. Chinikov knows where to be to get 435 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:53,480 Speaker 5: that stick into a shooting area, Gino finds him, and 436 00:22:53,520 --> 00:22:56,760 Speaker 5: even Tommy Novak has been unlocked, even more so because 437 00:22:56,800 --> 00:22:59,200 Speaker 5: he was doing pretty decent work for the Penguins prior 438 00:22:59,240 --> 00:23:02,359 Speaker 5: to his arrival. That trio. It puts me in mind 439 00:23:02,359 --> 00:23:05,440 Speaker 5: of how Gil and Rob SKADERI when they were better 440 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:07,960 Speaker 5: together than they were a part. That trio is that 441 00:23:08,160 --> 00:23:10,320 Speaker 5: right now for this team, and they're just they're doing 442 00:23:10,320 --> 00:23:13,879 Speaker 5: great things. But I think you're onto something saying Chinakov 443 00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 5: has been good for Gino, but I still think he's 444 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:17,160 Speaker 5: good for the youngster as well. 445 00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:18,919 Speaker 1: Yeah, the whole is greater than the sum of the 446 00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:22,080 Speaker 1: parts with all three of them, Guys, would you bring 447 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:24,560 Speaker 1: Gino back? That's the big debate. I guess he's going 448 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:27,199 Speaker 1: to talk to Duba's face to face. I'd let the 449 00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:29,600 Speaker 1: agent handle that, But how do you think that works out? 450 00:23:31,920 --> 00:23:34,679 Speaker 5: It's certainly more of a conversation today than it was 451 00:23:34,760 --> 00:23:37,359 Speaker 5: back in October. That's for sure, based on how he's played. 452 00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:40,159 Speaker 5: And I know he'll be a year older, it'll be 453 00:23:40,240 --> 00:23:43,760 Speaker 5: forty going into next season, and that's definitely consideration. But 454 00:23:44,080 --> 00:23:46,560 Speaker 5: based on what we've seen, if he can be a healthy, 455 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:49,399 Speaker 5: lower bodied player, because Gino's so much better when his 456 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:52,119 Speaker 5: legs are healthy and he can skate and kind of 457 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:54,760 Speaker 5: you know, gallop around the ice as we know he's 458 00:23:54,800 --> 00:23:56,959 Speaker 5: wont to do. If he's healthy enough to do that, 459 00:23:57,000 --> 00:23:59,240 Speaker 5: which we would hope he'd be able to maintain with 460 00:23:59,280 --> 00:24:02,440 Speaker 5: his conditioning, I would say a one year deal, uh, 461 00:24:02,520 --> 00:24:04,560 Speaker 5: you know, for cheaper money than he's making right now, 462 00:24:04,640 --> 00:24:07,639 Speaker 5: makes a lot of sense for them simply because he is, 463 00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:10,560 Speaker 5: you know, a franchise player. I think he keeps some 464 00:24:10,640 --> 00:24:13,240 Speaker 5: of your other main guys. 465 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:20,120 Speaker 2: Can we lose Mets? Okay, well we lost Mets. 466 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:23,000 Speaker 1: We'll try to get him back A three three four 467 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:26,200 Speaker 1: one two wxdx the number to call, uh again, the 468 00:24:26,280 --> 00:24:29,440 Speaker 1: Geno thing, and i'd like your input on it by 469 00:24:29,480 --> 00:24:32,120 Speaker 1: dialing the number I just said, I mean, I'd bring 470 00:24:32,200 --> 00:24:34,720 Speaker 1: him back. I just don't think it's does that okay? 471 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:37,000 Speaker 1: Match you were saying, Yeah. 472 00:24:36,800 --> 00:24:38,960 Speaker 5: I'm sorry about that mad Yeah for me, though it 473 00:24:38,960 --> 00:24:41,080 Speaker 5: would have to be on the Penguins terms. You get 474 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:43,520 Speaker 5: it done in terms of one year deal. Let Gino 475 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:44,840 Speaker 5: know what his role is going to be, though, and 476 00:24:44,880 --> 00:24:46,679 Speaker 5: I think maybe that's what this face to face is 477 00:24:46,680 --> 00:24:49,879 Speaker 5: good for. If it happens you, you explain things up front, 478 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:52,640 Speaker 5: just because he's probably earned that based on his tenure here, 479 00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:54,560 Speaker 5: and say, look, Gino, we want to wait till the 480 00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:56,840 Speaker 5: end of the year to make a true decision on this. 481 00:24:56,840 --> 00:24:59,040 Speaker 5: This is what we have in mind if things work out, 482 00:24:59,280 --> 00:25:01,200 Speaker 5: but we're not going to really put pen to paper 483 00:25:01,240 --> 00:25:02,800 Speaker 5: till the end of the year. And there's no. 484 00:25:02,880 --> 00:25:05,680 Speaker 1: Reason to get it done now because too much can 485 00:25:05,720 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 1: happen between now and then. I just told Gino if 486 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:10,920 Speaker 1: it doesn't go the way he wants, or if Kyle 487 00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:13,879 Speaker 1: says something Geno takes personally that he doesn't get the 488 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:15,200 Speaker 1: booboo face and receipt. 489 00:25:16,359 --> 00:25:19,280 Speaker 5: Yeah, and that's definitely a consideration. But I think if 490 00:25:19,800 --> 00:25:21,679 Speaker 5: if he at least knows where he stands. I mean, 491 00:25:21,720 --> 00:25:23,720 Speaker 5: I've managed people for a long time in my non 492 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:27,000 Speaker 5: hockey world, and if you're straight with people and tell 493 00:25:27,040 --> 00:25:28,800 Speaker 5: them where they stand, yeah, there might be a little 494 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:31,960 Speaker 5: booboo lip in the moment. But I think Gino going 495 00:25:32,119 --> 00:25:33,760 Speaker 5: from where he was the other day saying like he 496 00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:35,400 Speaker 5: had no clue what was going on, and it would 497 00:25:35,400 --> 00:25:38,560 Speaker 5: be discussed postseason. If you have the conversation and say, look, 498 00:25:38,640 --> 00:25:41,359 Speaker 5: we're thrilled with what you're doing. It's trending in a 499 00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:43,760 Speaker 5: direction where maybe we'll consider bringing you back where we 500 00:25:43,760 --> 00:25:46,720 Speaker 5: weren't doing that maybe three four months ago. I think 501 00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:48,560 Speaker 5: he would say, Okay, look, I've got to come down 502 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:51,120 Speaker 5: the stretch showing them that I do deserve this one 503 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:53,119 Speaker 5: more year. And he'd go out there and earn it. 504 00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:54,679 Speaker 5: He's already played with a chip on his shower. 505 00:25:54,720 --> 00:25:56,120 Speaker 2: I've got to be honest. That's I think. 506 00:25:56,119 --> 00:25:58,119 Speaker 1: If he doesn't get what he wants in this meeting, 507 00:25:58,200 --> 00:26:00,919 Speaker 1: he's gonna just get the booboo face. I think he 508 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:02,720 Speaker 1: wants what he wants, and he wants it now, and 509 00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:03,800 Speaker 1: he thinks he deserves it. 510 00:26:04,920 --> 00:26:08,280 Speaker 5: Yeah. I mean, and that's the thing with these players. 511 00:26:08,280 --> 00:26:10,199 Speaker 5: You never know what direction that's going to go. But 512 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:13,040 Speaker 5: I think you at least have to be you know, 513 00:26:13,119 --> 00:26:15,639 Speaker 5: have the conversation to be straight or avoid it all together. 514 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:18,359 Speaker 5: Like you said, that's what I would conversation. Yeah, it 515 00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:20,560 Speaker 5: just have the agent handle everything, and it sounded like 516 00:26:20,640 --> 00:26:23,160 Speaker 5: JP Barry was doing that based on what Gino said 517 00:26:23,160 --> 00:26:25,520 Speaker 5: the other day, and then to have this meeting pop up. 518 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:28,080 Speaker 5: The fact that the meeting popped up in general almost 519 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:32,000 Speaker 5: leads me to believe that maybe there's a conversation about 520 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:34,120 Speaker 5: doing it sooner than either of us suspect. 521 00:26:35,640 --> 00:26:38,119 Speaker 1: Yeah, I look at what Tampa did with Stamcos let 522 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:42,840 Speaker 1: him go, brought Gunsalin instead, And this situation isn't exactly parallel, 523 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:46,119 Speaker 1: but it goes to show you can survive if the 524 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:49,520 Speaker 1: franchise legend leaves. What would you do with the trade 525 00:26:49,560 --> 00:26:53,720 Speaker 1: deadline METS, which is Friday. I don't expect the big deal, 526 00:26:53,760 --> 00:26:57,480 Speaker 1: But what do you think they need most Well. 527 00:26:57,480 --> 00:27:00,800 Speaker 5: I've liked your thinking about finding somebody to score a 528 00:27:00,840 --> 00:27:03,240 Speaker 5: goal on the shootout because, more than even the goalies, 529 00:27:03,600 --> 00:27:06,200 Speaker 5: the fact that they can't score on the shootouts very troubling. 530 00:27:06,240 --> 00:27:08,480 Speaker 5: I mean, they have they have talented offensive players who 531 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:10,760 Speaker 5: can't get it done, and even they're stars don't seem 532 00:27:10,840 --> 00:27:13,240 Speaker 5: to score. So Chinikov has been good in that role, 533 00:27:13,280 --> 00:27:16,040 Speaker 5: but they probably need somebody who could get you know, 534 00:27:16,480 --> 00:27:19,240 Speaker 5: a goal or two in that capacity. But there's really 535 00:27:19,560 --> 00:27:21,199 Speaker 5: not a guy that pops to mind, and I'll have 536 00:27:21,240 --> 00:27:22,919 Speaker 5: to research it, and if I do, I'll send you 537 00:27:22,960 --> 00:27:25,359 Speaker 5: a name. But I still think looking for. 538 00:27:25,440 --> 00:27:29,480 Speaker 1: Me, I researched that nobody jumps off because all the 539 00:27:29,520 --> 00:27:34,639 Speaker 1: top shootout conversion guys are stars that their teams wouldn't trade. Yeah, 540 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:39,000 Speaker 1: and there's no fourth line Kristensen or Jokadin guy. 541 00:27:40,080 --> 00:27:42,359 Speaker 5: Yeah, and those that's why those you know, joking in 542 00:27:42,520 --> 00:27:45,720 Speaker 5: was essentially brought in for his chameleon likability to jump 543 00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:47,840 Speaker 5: up and down the lineup and score on the shootouts. 544 00:27:47,920 --> 00:27:50,800 Speaker 5: So uh, unless he can manifest today, I don't think 545 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:52,520 Speaker 5: that's gonna happen. But for me, I would look for 546 00:27:52,560 --> 00:27:54,600 Speaker 5: a center of some type. It doesn't have to be 547 00:27:54,640 --> 00:27:56,960 Speaker 5: a star. But the face offs, I know you guys 548 00:27:57,000 --> 00:28:00,000 Speaker 5: talked about that as well. It was wretched over the weekend. 549 00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:02,280 Speaker 5: I don't like Raquel at center. But the problem is 550 00:28:02,359 --> 00:28:04,800 Speaker 5: right now, there's not really another guy. I mean, you 551 00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:06,960 Speaker 5: have Kevin Hayes available at this point, and you have 552 00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:09,560 Speaker 5: Tristan Bros. Down in the miners who can do you know, 553 00:28:09,640 --> 00:28:11,679 Speaker 5: do work at center, And it doesn't seem as if 554 00:28:11,720 --> 00:28:13,720 Speaker 5: they want to go that direction, right now, so you 555 00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:15,520 Speaker 5: got to find somebody that can come in and kind 556 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:19,200 Speaker 5: of solidify your roll down the middle until Sid gets back. 557 00:28:19,280 --> 00:28:21,240 Speaker 5: I know they've upset him well, but you're not going 558 00:28:21,320 --> 00:28:23,280 Speaker 5: to do that all the time when in twenty three 559 00:28:23,320 --> 00:28:25,360 Speaker 5: percent of your face offs like they did on Saturday, 560 00:28:25,400 --> 00:28:28,200 Speaker 5: that was terrible. It got a little bit better yesterday. 561 00:28:28,280 --> 00:28:30,879 Speaker 5: Raquel actually won a few yesterday after going zero for 562 00:28:31,000 --> 00:28:33,640 Speaker 5: ten on Saturday. But that would be something I would 563 00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:35,920 Speaker 5: at least consider. Find somebody that can come in and 564 00:28:36,000 --> 00:28:38,840 Speaker 5: win a face off for you, specifically, you know, in 565 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:41,320 Speaker 5: a defensive zone, because you can't lose all of those 566 00:28:41,320 --> 00:28:43,840 Speaker 5: ones and let the other team have complete puck possession 567 00:28:44,040 --> 00:28:44,840 Speaker 5: right off the draw. 568 00:28:45,320 --> 00:28:47,840 Speaker 1: I'm not knocking Raquel, but he can't play center. He's 569 00:28:47,840 --> 00:28:51,200 Speaker 1: shown me that in two games losing draws. He's thinking 570 00:28:51,280 --> 00:28:54,400 Speaker 1: too much about neutral zone and defense, not getting involved 571 00:28:54,640 --> 00:28:58,000 Speaker 1: in the offense. And right now, for short term fix, 572 00:28:58,080 --> 00:29:00,120 Speaker 1: and even if you don't get that center mets that 573 00:29:00,160 --> 00:29:02,840 Speaker 1: we're talking about, I would move Kindle up between rare 574 00:29:02,880 --> 00:29:06,200 Speaker 1: Kell and Ross. It's not ideal, but I'd put Lazatte 575 00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:09,000 Speaker 1: on the third line between the twin towers. I'd have 576 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:11,560 Speaker 1: a chari center of fourth line. I just can't be 577 00:29:11,640 --> 00:29:14,120 Speaker 1: married to that fourth line like some people. You know, 578 00:29:14,160 --> 00:29:16,720 Speaker 1: they love it and it's a good fourth line, but 579 00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:20,840 Speaker 1: you can't adjust the top lines to service the fourth line. 580 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 2: To maintain that fourth line. 581 00:29:23,280 --> 00:29:25,960 Speaker 5: Yeah, you got to build your top six in a 582 00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:27,520 Speaker 5: way that it's going to lead the charge. And I 583 00:29:27,520 --> 00:29:30,120 Speaker 5: know Muse likes to play all of his guys equally 584 00:29:30,680 --> 00:29:33,720 Speaker 5: almost every game. Everyone has double digit, you know, minutes 585 00:29:33,760 --> 00:29:36,320 Speaker 5: on ice, But those big guys are going to be 586 00:29:36,320 --> 00:29:38,160 Speaker 5: the ones that need to play the most. And right now, 587 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:40,520 Speaker 5: I don't have faith with Raquel at center. So I 588 00:29:40,680 --> 00:29:43,440 Speaker 5: like your idea there of giving Kinda a chance because 589 00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:45,800 Speaker 5: he has been lights out lately ever since he got 590 00:29:45,800 --> 00:29:48,360 Speaker 5: going against Vancouver, and he wasn't playing bad before that, 591 00:29:48,400 --> 00:29:51,200 Speaker 5: the goals just weren't there for that stretch of play. 592 00:29:51,240 --> 00:29:54,600 Speaker 5: But him producing offensively right now at eighteen years old 593 00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:57,120 Speaker 5: has just been dynamite to watch, and I'd love to 594 00:29:57,120 --> 00:29:59,320 Speaker 5: see what he can do with more talented players on 595 00:29:59,360 --> 00:30:02,680 Speaker 5: a regular base. I just the bad thing for them is, 596 00:30:02,760 --> 00:30:04,719 Speaker 5: even if you build it the way you said, you 597 00:30:04,760 --> 00:30:07,120 Speaker 5: are still looking at somebody like Kevin Hayes coming in, 598 00:30:07,160 --> 00:30:11,000 Speaker 5: which kind of disrupts what they're doing in terms of 599 00:30:11,040 --> 00:30:14,280 Speaker 5: skating and playing a fast game, because he looks slower 600 00:30:14,320 --> 00:30:16,280 Speaker 5: than the group when he's out there, and he was 601 00:30:16,480 --> 00:30:18,400 Speaker 5: so good last year at contributing, and I don't know 602 00:30:18,440 --> 00:30:21,200 Speaker 5: he can do that right now. So that's that's something 603 00:30:21,200 --> 00:30:22,880 Speaker 5: I worry about, and that's why I think he might 604 00:30:22,920 --> 00:30:25,000 Speaker 5: look for somebody to bring from the outside, even. 605 00:30:24,880 --> 00:30:29,040 Speaker 1: If he does move kindlewop Matt's I agree with you. 606 00:30:29,200 --> 00:30:31,560 Speaker 1: I don't think they're going to collapse. I think it worse. 607 00:30:31,640 --> 00:30:34,120 Speaker 1: They're in a battle at the end, but I think 608 00:30:34,120 --> 00:30:36,400 Speaker 1: they're in the driver's seat for a playoff spot, and 609 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:39,640 Speaker 1: convincingly so. Right now they're nine points clear of Washington. 610 00:30:41,000 --> 00:30:43,440 Speaker 5: Yeah, with games in hand too. That's very important in 611 00:30:43,480 --> 00:30:46,800 Speaker 5: this situation. And they just they just don't they seem 612 00:30:46,840 --> 00:30:49,040 Speaker 5: to go out and find ways to earn points. Even 613 00:30:49,080 --> 00:30:51,080 Speaker 5: when they have the shootout loes and all of that, 614 00:30:51,320 --> 00:30:53,320 Speaker 5: they managed to get themselves a point out of it, 615 00:30:53,520 --> 00:30:55,440 Speaker 5: which yet at the end of the year we might say, damn, 616 00:30:55,440 --> 00:30:57,640 Speaker 5: they could have had two there. But but for me, 617 00:30:57,760 --> 00:31:00,000 Speaker 5: they just they find ways to win these hockey games 618 00:31:00,080 --> 00:31:02,520 Speaker 5: that they were letting slip away in years past. Over 619 00:31:02,560 --> 00:31:05,040 Speaker 5: these three years that they've missed the playoffs, so I 620 00:31:05,080 --> 00:31:07,840 Speaker 5: agree with you. I think that they're likely to make 621 00:31:07,880 --> 00:31:10,400 Speaker 5: the playoffs, and then from there, who knows what happens. 622 00:31:10,440 --> 00:31:12,360 Speaker 5: And I guess the trade deadline will play into that 623 00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:14,640 Speaker 5: a little bit. I saw some of the national pundits 624 00:31:14,680 --> 00:31:17,360 Speaker 5: already talking today. They're trying to say the Penguins are 625 00:31:17,360 --> 00:31:20,080 Speaker 5: still considering a manth A deal and all this other stuff. 626 00:31:20,560 --> 00:31:22,640 Speaker 5: I think that they're content to kind of let the 627 00:31:22,640 --> 00:31:25,680 Speaker 5: team roll towards the offseason right now and maybe add 628 00:31:25,720 --> 00:31:27,320 Speaker 5: a little bit here or there and see what they 629 00:31:27,360 --> 00:31:27,720 Speaker 5: can do. 630 00:31:28,840 --> 00:31:32,040 Speaker 1: Matt's is always great stuff. Fantastic hockey insight. We'll talk 631 00:31:32,080 --> 00:31:32,640 Speaker 1: again soon. 632 00:31:33,840 --> 00:31:35,320 Speaker 5: Sounds good, Matt, thanks for having me. 633 00:31:35,440 --> 00:31:37,400 Speaker 2: That's Brian Match with the Penguins Radio Network.