1 00:00:04,040 --> 00:00:06,120 Speaker 1: I mentioned a little bit ago that David Codd, who 2 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:08,320 Speaker 1: used to work in radio and does no baseball. 3 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:09,559 Speaker 2: He's a good follow on Twitter. 4 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:14,800 Speaker 1: He appeared compared Connor Griffin upon his arrival tomorrow to 5 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:19,119 Speaker 1: the Pirates, and MLB compared Griffin to Mike Trott in 6 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: terms of skill set and physique. I mean, Griffin looks 7 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:28,320 Speaker 1: to part six four two twenty. He got power, he 8 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 1: got speed, he got all the tools, and I think 9 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 1: he has a toolbox, which has always been the problem 10 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 1: with O'Neil Cruz. 11 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 2: As is David. 12 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:45,560 Speaker 1: Acknowledged talking about Connor Griffin that comparisons unfair. But everything 13 00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:48,479 Speaker 1: about calling Griffin up as a nineteen year old is unfair. 14 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:53,000 Speaker 1: People are talking about a new era of Bucko baseball. 15 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 1: I see that everywhere, a new era of Buco baseball. 16 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:59,040 Speaker 1: Upon the arrival of a nineteen year old kid who's 17 00:00:59,040 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: never had one at that in the major leagues, he's 18 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 1: expected to be honest, Wagner and the Pirates are now 19 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 1: even more so, expected to win after so long knots. 20 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:14,360 Speaker 1: But if Griffin can come through in the whirlwind of 21 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 1: all that, let alone right away, then you know Connor 22 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:25,280 Speaker 1: Griffin is something special. At that point you could hoist 23 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:29,480 Speaker 1: the cone. This is the Mark Madden Show. You like it, 24 00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:31,880 Speaker 1: you love it, you want more of it? Eight three 25 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:35,520 Speaker 1: three four one two w XDX the number to call, 26 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 1: or you can do what the cool kids do and 27 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:43,040 Speaker 1: follow me on Twitter at Mark Madden x. Uh. Your 28 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:46,679 Speaker 1: expectations for Griffin, Your expectation for the Pirates now that 29 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 1: they have Griffin? What do you think? I still don't 30 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 1: think they're a playoff team. I'm still not even sure 31 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:57,160 Speaker 1: they're a five hundred team. A lot of ifs have 32 00:01:57,240 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 1: to be fulfilled for the Pirates to get to where 33 00:01:59,880 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 1: you want and expect them to go. But now at 34 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:07,200 Speaker 1: least it could happened. There's nothing wrong with the word if. 35 00:02:09,600 --> 00:02:14,160 Speaker 1: If the possibilities aren't legit, and now they seem to be. 36 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:16,639 Speaker 2: And I think. 37 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:21,400 Speaker 1: We're going to find out that Griffin being promoted was 38 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:25,520 Speaker 1: tied in to him agreeing to this long term contract, 39 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:28,640 Speaker 1: which everybody seems to expect to be signed before the 40 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 1: game tomorrow. I was skeptical about it, but if they 41 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:34,760 Speaker 1: get it done, that's a good thing. But if Griffin 42 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:36,239 Speaker 1: was the best shortstop, he should have been here on 43 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:39,400 Speaker 1: an opening day regardless of the contract. But let's not 44 00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 1: forget this is still the Pirates. You think they've changed, 45 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 1: I tell you they haven't. They're still as petty and 46 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 1: cheap as ever. And the main reason they're signing Griffin 47 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:50,560 Speaker 1: to this deal is because over the long haul, if 48 00:02:50,639 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 1: Griffin turns out, it does save money. And that's why 49 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:57,240 Speaker 1: the Pirates are doing this deal. I mean, the pr 50 00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:01,400 Speaker 1: the talent that all figures in, but Thrift figures in 51 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:06,400 Speaker 1: as well. But now the Pirates, yeah, they could make 52 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 1: the playoffs. I'm not sure they will, but they could. 53 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:10,160 Speaker 3: So. 54 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 1: Have you adjusted your expectations for the Pirates and regarding 55 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:20,040 Speaker 1: the hockey team, have you adjusted your expectation for the Penguins. Yo, 56 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:24,520 Speaker 1: I'm a Penguins guy. You know that I never thought 57 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:27,920 Speaker 1: they'd make the playoffs this season, and I'm still trying 58 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 1: not to assume they will. 59 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 2: To not jinx it. I think you make it. 60 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 1: Maybe you win a series, that'd be nice, but I 61 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:43,160 Speaker 1: emphasize the process still involves a lot more transition. Like Mantha, 62 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:45,920 Speaker 1: he's got thirty goals, But you can't give that guy 63 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:50,880 Speaker 1: what it'll take because well you just don't. If you 64 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:55,080 Speaker 1: were close to a cup then yeah, but he's thirty 65 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:58,800 Speaker 1: one had major knee surgery last year. Gonna get five 66 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 1: years at least six million per year, at least. 67 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 2: You just don't Mantha is a now player. 68 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:13,040 Speaker 1: This team is still about then and about this time, 69 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 1: a million people say you gotta give Sin and Gino 70 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 1: and tang Are another chance to win. No, you hope 71 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:21,279 Speaker 1: to give them another chance to win by letting it 72 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:25,120 Speaker 1: happen organically. But you can't disrupt the plan for an 73 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:29,040 Speaker 1: artificial time table. And you know, regarding this season, it 74 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:35,039 Speaker 1: became anything but a developmental season. Kindle's success duly noted 75 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 1: at eighteen and Chetahkoff's arrival and success at twenty five 76 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:43,680 Speaker 1: also duly noted. But it's disappointed that like McGroarty and 77 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:47,160 Speaker 1: Brunick and Cooyvenen didn't make bigger impact. But you hope 78 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:50,880 Speaker 1: they yet will. And you got guys like Hork Coffins 79 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 1: on in the pipeline. I'm not sure making the playoffs 80 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 1: this year. 81 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 2: This is my point. 82 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:00,520 Speaker 1: I'm not sure making the playoffs this year excel rates 83 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:04,720 Speaker 1: the timeline. I gotta tell you, I can't put my 84 00:05:04,760 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 1: finger on what Muse has done as the coach except 85 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 1: not be Mike Sullivan. And it's very clear. His message 86 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:14,960 Speaker 1: was lost, and probably his message even lost to the 87 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: players who wanted. 88 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 2: Him to stay and they didn't realize it. 89 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:21,040 Speaker 1: But coaching has been a big factor with the uptick 90 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 1: of this team depth. Obviously, Dubis took a team with 91 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: very little depth and yanked it out his backside. I mean, 92 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:33,920 Speaker 1: the names Manton we talk about all the time, Shay Watherspoon, Brazo, 93 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:38,480 Speaker 1: he got chiinakof kindall came in and the organization knew 94 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 1: Kindall could be what he's turned out to be the 95 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 1: minute they drafted him. So dubas the personnel department, they're 96 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:50,880 Speaker 1: miracle workers. That Chinakoff trade is like a Ron Francis 97 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:55,719 Speaker 1: level type of GIT almost and maybe it can even 98 00:05:55,800 --> 00:06:01,080 Speaker 1: equal out as time goes on. Eight three three four 99 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:03,280 Speaker 1: one two w xdx the number to call eight three 100 00:06:03,320 --> 00:06:05,120 Speaker 1: three four one two w xdx. 101 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:07,440 Speaker 2: This is kind of amusing. 102 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:11,640 Speaker 1: Uh, Jason Kelsey is gonna be at the Masters for ESPN, 103 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 1: which makes no sense to me. You know, bro culture 104 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:19,679 Speaker 1: at Augusta. I mean, are they gonna let him dress 105 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:22,120 Speaker 1: like he prefers the dresser? Is he gonna you know, 106 00:06:22,240 --> 00:06:25,320 Speaker 1: tone down his wardrobe and somehow smart en up his vocabulary. 107 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:28,200 Speaker 1: I just don't see Jason Kelsey as any kind of 108 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:32,000 Speaker 1: fit with Augusta. But Pat mccabee said now he wanted 109 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 1: to broadcast at the Masters for this in the prior 110 00:06:35,839 --> 00:06:40,680 Speaker 1: two years, but Augusta won't let him. Maybe that's why 111 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:44,039 Speaker 1: Jason Kelsey was able to get the gig at Augusta. Uh, 112 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:47,360 Speaker 1: Jason Kelsey looks good to them compared to Pat. 113 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 2: And I'm not knocking Pat. Everybody thinks I hate Pat. 114 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:51,960 Speaker 1: I don't like the way Pat does his show and 115 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 1: if it's too odd, I'm too old. Maybe I'm not 116 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:57,000 Speaker 1: supposed to get it. But I don't get Kelsey at 117 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:59,360 Speaker 1: the Masters even a little bit. And that's one where 118 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:03,120 Speaker 1: I don't think I should. We talked about the Penguins 119 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:08,840 Speaker 1: lines with King Jamison. I am a bit surprised that 120 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 1: Sid's staying with Chinakoff. I'm surprised Sid wants that because 121 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 1: china Koff is a Rod Strokes type of player, whereas 122 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:19,640 Speaker 1: like rustin Raquel, they both knew how to play in 123 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 1: tight That given go game with Sid that said, I'm 124 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 1: for it. 125 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 2: I want to find out about it. 126 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:28,360 Speaker 1: You put your best playmaker with your best shooter, and 127 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:30,280 Speaker 1: I don't see what bad could happen, And make no. 128 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:32,640 Speaker 2: Mistake, Chinakoff is their best shooter. 129 00:07:33,160 --> 00:07:37,720 Speaker 1: I know Mantha has more goals, but if Chinakov had 130 00:07:37,760 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 1: been here all year, playing in the capacity the roles 131 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: he's been put in, which is to say, a position 132 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 1: to succeed, I think he'd have thirty goals by now 133 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 1: two and we'll we'll have thirty goals for this team 134 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 1: at some point, probably several times in the future. And uh, 135 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 1: I still can't believe that Columbus trated Cheinakoff. 136 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 2: But here's where I give Mews credit a lot of credit. 137 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 1: If Sullivan had got Cheenahkouff, I don't know for sure, 138 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 1: but I suspect he would have been a third or 139 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 1: fourth line guy getting third or fourth line minutes, whereas 140 00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:14,920 Speaker 1: MWS put Cheenahkoff out there with Malkin right away. And 141 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:17,640 Speaker 1: I know there's the Russian thing going there, But like 142 00:08:17,680 --> 00:08:19,400 Speaker 1: I said, I'm not sure Sally would have done it, 143 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:25,240 Speaker 1: and Cheetahkoff was getting good minutes, good chances, good results 144 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 1: because he got put in a good position to succeed 145 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:30,160 Speaker 1: by Mews right away. 146 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:32,920 Speaker 2: Full credit to Dan Muse for that. 147 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:36,560 Speaker 1: I'm not sure I see were Kel last to get centered, 148 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:39,200 Speaker 1: but he's done better there than he initially. 149 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 2: He was a disaster center. 150 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 1: I don't care what nobody says, and he got moved 151 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 1: back to wing for a while because of it, but 152 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 1: I know they're done on Novak. He was centering Malkin 153 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:49,920 Speaker 1: and Chinacouff for a while. He's not played good lately, 154 00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 1: but I wouldn't give up on that threesome. And I'm 155 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:56,080 Speaker 1: not sure about kindle between Novak and Malkin, maybe because 156 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:59,040 Speaker 1: I'd like to kindle so much between the twin Towers, 157 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 1: which is where rare Kell is now. And I like 158 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:05,959 Speaker 1: Solder Bloom. I said that earlier. I don't know how 159 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:07,480 Speaker 1: to play against the guy who's six foot eight. I 160 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:10,319 Speaker 1: don't think anybody does. And while you're gonna put Lazat 161 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:13,920 Speaker 1: back in there and should, I'm disappointed that when Lazak 162 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:15,959 Speaker 1: gets healthy, you take Solder Bloom out of the lineup. 163 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:18,679 Speaker 1: And I got a feeling the decision to do that, 164 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:21,960 Speaker 1: will you be even more difficult then that it is 165 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 1: now in theory, And somebody said to me, would you 166 00:09:25,840 --> 00:09:29,200 Speaker 1: take Novak out of the lineup at that point if 167 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:32,440 Speaker 1: he's still playing bad? Here's the problem with that, you 168 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:36,960 Speaker 1: would have then four fourth liners with Lizzan solderbloom Door 169 00:09:36,960 --> 00:09:39,480 Speaker 1: and a chari and none of them can bump up 170 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 1: the top nine. None of them play that style. None 171 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:45,720 Speaker 1: of them could bump up the top nine. All right, 172 00:09:45,760 --> 00:09:48,080 Speaker 1: get your calls in, But up next it's gonna be exciting, 173 00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 1: especially now with Griffin on the way. The Bucko round 174 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:57,800 Speaker 1: up just around the corner at one oh five to nine. 175 00:09:58,440 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 2: It's time for the Buco round up. 176 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:07,679 Speaker 1: Still unsponsored, Skins lowered a Zra yesterday by about fifty 177 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 1: eight runs. 178 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:10,640 Speaker 2: That's pretty dramatic. 179 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:15,920 Speaker 1: The big talk today, obviously, is the. 180 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:17,000 Speaker 2: Summoning of Connor Griffin from Triple A. 181 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 1: It is rumored he'll sign a long term deal tomorrow 182 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 1: in a certainty that he'll start at shortstop. You wouldn't 183 00:10:23,800 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 1: call him up to not start him in the home opener. 184 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 1: So for once, the hype, while a bit overblown, is real. 185 00:10:34,520 --> 00:10:40,480 Speaker 1: The optimism while a bit a bit far flung. I mean, 186 00:10:40,559 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 1: I think about the ceiling for this team. I think 187 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:46,680 Speaker 1: it's no better than a playoff berth. But I think 188 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:50,480 Speaker 1: that now is a realistic ceiling. So as the home 189 00:10:50,520 --> 00:10:53,880 Speaker 1: opener looms, you gotta say and Griffin will help with this. 190 00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:58,840 Speaker 1: For a team based on pitching, the Pirates are off 191 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:03,120 Speaker 1: to a good beginning. But for team based on pitching, 192 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:09,480 Speaker 1: the defense ain't great. Usually with the pitching team, the 193 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:13,480 Speaker 1: defense get gets short up more than the Pirates have 194 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 1: because you got to back the strength of your team 195 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:19,440 Speaker 1: the pitching. But I don't know Griffin at short and 196 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 1: Triollo at third does that. I think I still hate 197 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 1: Triolo's back, but it became apparent in him at short 198 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 1: and Gonzalez at third wasn't going to work in every 199 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:33,240 Speaker 1: way that cannot work, and I think Gonzalez is a 200 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:36,800 Speaker 1: utility guy playing occasionally is more than fine. So there's 201 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:41,559 Speaker 1: such a positive trickle down from this Griffin call up, 202 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:43,600 Speaker 1: and not just because they're bringing up such a great 203 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:47,280 Speaker 1: nineteen year old talent, but getting back to the pitching. 204 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:49,679 Speaker 1: The only bad start was by Skeins in the opener, 205 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:52,040 Speaker 1: and that was a fluke because of Cruz being a. 206 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 2: Butcher and center field. 207 00:11:53,960 --> 00:11:56,400 Speaker 1: Right now, the Pirates are thirteenth and the Era is 208 00:11:56,440 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 1: a team, and that's okay. And and those runs in 209 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:04,000 Speaker 1: that first inning at New York, well let's not go 210 00:12:04,080 --> 00:12:07,600 Speaker 1: over that. That's a week ago now. But they should 211 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:09,240 Speaker 1: have been earned and those should have been airs. But 212 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:14,160 Speaker 1: that is kind of a flaw in baseball scoring the method. 213 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:18,480 Speaker 1: But besides that thirteenth in the ra which, like I said, 214 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:23,480 Speaker 1: it's okay. The pier's got the fourth most walks in baseball. 215 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:25,920 Speaker 1: I mean, Chandler was six the other day in just 216 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:29,400 Speaker 1: four and a third and that can't continue. Not by 217 00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 1: Chandler and not by the staff. But mostly all the 218 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 1: starters have had good stuff and looked the part. And 219 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 1: right now the bats are tied for number two in 220 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 1: home runs in MLB. That is a big upticke. It 221 00:12:42,679 --> 00:12:44,559 Speaker 1: won't last, but if they're in the middle of the pack, 222 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:48,920 Speaker 1: that would be amazing and again help them reach what 223 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:54,920 Speaker 1: I think is their ceiling, namely making the playoffs. I 224 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:57,720 Speaker 1: love Opening Day. I'm not going I love the idea 225 00:12:57,720 --> 00:13:00,600 Speaker 1: of opening Day. I love my memories of Opening Day. 226 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:04,080 Speaker 1: I used to ditch school and go to Opening Day 227 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 1: all the time as a kid at Three Rivers. 228 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 2: Never at forbes Field. 229 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:10,959 Speaker 1: I was too young to ditch school and go by 230 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:13,880 Speaker 1: myself or with my friends to an opening game at 231 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:14,600 Speaker 1: forbes Field. 232 00:13:14,960 --> 00:13:16,480 Speaker 2: Forestfield closed when I was. 233 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:18,960 Speaker 1: Point when I was nine, but I still have vivid 234 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:23,880 Speaker 1: memories of it because people talk about panc Park being 235 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:27,360 Speaker 1: the best ballpark in baseball. You know, I'm old and 236 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:31,480 Speaker 1: this makes me sound ancient. But forbes Field, now there 237 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:35,360 Speaker 1: was a friggin ballpark. Opening day is such a fresh 238 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:39,480 Speaker 1: beginning if we're to believe the Pirates can contend, I 239 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:42,640 Speaker 1: mean really believe, and not just lip service. 240 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 2: It's all about first impressions. 241 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 1: So win the home opener, you win the home opener, 242 00:13:49,679 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 1: and Griffin signs that long term deal as rumored, And yeah, 243 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: I was skeptical, but here we go, and it's a 244 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:58,560 Speaker 1: good thing. If the Pirates win the home opener and 245 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:01,719 Speaker 1: Griffin signs that extension, let's say he gets a big 246 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:06,080 Speaker 1: hit something like that, it would indeed be a historic 247 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:09,600 Speaker 1: day in Pirates baseball. And I know we pretend they've 248 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:11,360 Speaker 1: had a lot of those, but not really and not 249 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:15,160 Speaker 1: for a long time. Uh eight three three four one 250 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:18,079 Speaker 1: two WSDX. That is the Bucko round up for Thursday. 251 00:14:18,160 --> 00:14:20,680 Speaker 1: Let's go to Timothy. Timothy, thank you for being patient. 252 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:24,720 Speaker 2: You're on the air. Good day, Mark, I said, good day. 253 00:14:26,880 --> 00:14:28,960 Speaker 3: Are you jumping on the Pirates Dan wagon? 254 00:14:29,160 --> 00:14:29,760 Speaker 2: No, not at all. 255 00:14:29,800 --> 00:14:31,760 Speaker 1: I think they're a seventy seven win team, even with 256 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:35,080 Speaker 1: Connor Griffin. But I'm just saying that now there are possibilities. 257 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:38,720 Speaker 1: I'm a professional in sports media, not a fanboy. 258 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:41,080 Speaker 2: You can be a fanboy. That's that's your job, although 259 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:42,280 Speaker 2: it's not really a job, is it. 260 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 3: Uh No, it's not much job. But you also said 261 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:50,400 Speaker 3: schemes and Griffin would not ye. 262 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:51,920 Speaker 2: I know, I did. I address that earlier. 263 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:53,760 Speaker 1: I thought they'd never play on the Pirates together, and 264 00:14:53,800 --> 00:14:56,720 Speaker 1: that was an indictment of the Pirates organization. And when 265 00:14:56,760 --> 00:14:59,520 Speaker 1: I'm surprised they didn't prove me correct on because I 266 00:14:59,560 --> 00:15:03,800 Speaker 1: thought they a cheapot on skemes before they wanted to 267 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:06,360 Speaker 1: call Griffin up by way of service clock, and I 268 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:09,000 Speaker 1: know that would separate, you know, the timetable by years. 269 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:10,920 Speaker 1: But look at what the Pirates have done, how they've 270 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:14,240 Speaker 1: cheated the fans, how they've been cheap, how they've been thrifty, 271 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:17,200 Speaker 1: how they've been greedy, and I was reasonable to think that. Now, 272 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:19,560 Speaker 1: if you want to laugh because I'm wrong, you can go. 273 00:15:19,520 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 2: Ahead and do that. 274 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:22,320 Speaker 1: I prefer to laugh because they haven't won a playoff 275 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 1: series since nineteen seventy nine, and you still act like 276 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:26,600 Speaker 1: greatness is imminent. 277 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:30,920 Speaker 2: Anything else Uh no, those are facts for sure. 278 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 1: Those are off fas one hundred million dollars. 279 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 2: I completely agree with you. 280 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 1: Mark, Well, they finally spent and probably still didn't spend enough. 281 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:43,000 Speaker 2: Am I right about that too? Who else would they 282 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:45,800 Speaker 2: have spent on? I don't know. You tell me. 283 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 1: There's always bats to get. Maybe they could have got more, 284 00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 1: Maybe they could have got better, Maybe they could have 285 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 1: got somebody better than Ozuna, who doesn't look so good 286 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:56,960 Speaker 1: so far. But it's an awful small sample. See, I 287 00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 1: think I think the Pirates are still a really lame 288 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:03,160 Speaker 1: organized with the same GM that fed up for years. 289 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:05,800 Speaker 1: And I like Donnie Kelly, but he couldn't get it. Well, 290 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:07,920 Speaker 1: I was gonna say he couldn't get a job managing 291 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:11,200 Speaker 1: anywhere else. But look at Shelty going right to Minnesota. 292 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:13,040 Speaker 1: It's still the same Pirates organization. 293 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 2: Bro. 294 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 1: They made a couple of real good draft picks, but 295 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:18,120 Speaker 1: that's about it. That's the that's the big change that 296 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:20,120 Speaker 1: I see, and really not much else. And I believe 297 00:16:20,400 --> 00:16:22,600 Speaker 1: I'll be proven right even if I was wrong about 298 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:24,160 Speaker 1: the Griffin and Skians overlap. 299 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 3: What draft picks did they make? 300 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:29,280 Speaker 2: There were two good ones, Griffin Skiens who do you. 301 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 3: Think did Charrington make those. 302 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:35,880 Speaker 2: I think he did. 303 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 1: Actually, yeah, I mean I'm not sure what your point is. 304 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:40,600 Speaker 1: What's your point? 305 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 3: Yeah? 306 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:46,920 Speaker 2: No, I don't think the I don't think you know baseball. 307 00:16:46,960 --> 00:16:49,880 Speaker 1: I think you're a generation whatever who just wants his 308 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:52,560 Speaker 1: team to be good and ignores the results. I don't 309 00:16:52,600 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 1: think you know anything, my man, but thank you for calling. Yeah, 310 00:16:56,440 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 1: the generation what XZ whatever the frig they are. The 311 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:02,600 Speaker 1: results don't matter. My team's good. I don't know baseball, 312 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:06,040 Speaker 1: believe me. The problem for you with me. 313 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 2: Is I do know baseball. 314 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:09,639 Speaker 1: Well, you think Ben Sherrington's a good GM all of 315 00:17:09,680 --> 00:17:13,439 Speaker 1: a sudden, you really think that. Okay, well, we'll see, 316 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:15,320 Speaker 1: and you know what the big test is going to be. 317 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:18,040 Speaker 1: The really big test is going to be when we 318 00:17:18,080 --> 00:17:20,199 Speaker 1: get to the trade deadline and we see what they 319 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:23,440 Speaker 1: do then, because if they're in it and probably will 320 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:27,000 Speaker 1: be the hunt for the playoffs, then you need to 321 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:30,119 Speaker 1: spend an AD. We'll see if they do that, and 322 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 1: then if they do spend an AD, we'll see how 323 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 1: smart Ben Sherrington really is. But I guarantee dufus that 324 00:17:35,359 --> 00:17:38,440 Speaker 1: just called wanted to run Sherrington out a ton until recently. 325 00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 1: Peng was that Tampa tonight, joining me on to discuss. 326 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:44,280 Speaker 1: He covers the team for the Athletic. He is Josh 327 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:49,000 Speaker 1: Shoey Josh. The Penguins have seven games left, They're six 328 00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:52,320 Speaker 1: points safe in the playoff berth, they have a reasonable schedule. 329 00:17:52,840 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 2: How say far are they? 330 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:58,320 Speaker 1: How comfortable are you that they're gonna make the postseason? Oh? 331 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:02,520 Speaker 3: I think it's pretty much one hundred percent mark. If 332 00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:05,760 Speaker 3: we want to look at it from a mathematical spot 333 00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:08,520 Speaker 3: at the Athletic, we have, you know, a thing that 334 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:11,520 Speaker 3: projects the team's points in that thing and that kind 335 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:12,959 Speaker 3: of thing, and that has the Penguins I think at 336 00:18:13,040 --> 00:18:16,320 Speaker 3: ninety seven percent likelihood to make the playoffs. So I 337 00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:18,800 Speaker 3: will take those os and honestly, just being around this 338 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:21,399 Speaker 3: team and you know it too, that there's just a 339 00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:26,520 Speaker 3: confidence about this team right now. I don't think they're 340 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:29,080 Speaker 3: going to fade at this point. I just I think 341 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:31,960 Speaker 3: this is a special group that just far, far, far 342 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:33,440 Speaker 3: exceeded our expectations. 343 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:36,840 Speaker 1: Is Skinner the number one goalie? Now he's getting a 344 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:40,159 Speaker 1: second straight start tonight. That's four of the last five. 345 00:18:40,600 --> 00:18:42,000 Speaker 1: Has Dan Muse decided. 346 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 3: Muse won't say it publicly but I think it's pretty 347 00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:51,119 Speaker 3: clear you she loves has been fine this season, but 348 00:18:51,160 --> 00:18:56,040 Speaker 3: the last few games have not been impressive. Skinner conversely, 349 00:18:56,840 --> 00:18:59,840 Speaker 3: you listen, he hasn't been great, but I think he's 350 00:18:59,840 --> 00:19:03,120 Speaker 3: been pretty steady. I think he's your best bet. And 351 00:19:03,280 --> 00:19:06,080 Speaker 3: the fact that they are playing him again in this 352 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:09,640 Speaker 3: game when he played the other night, that just tells 353 00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:11,480 Speaker 3: you all you need to know. I'm sure they'll both 354 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:14,000 Speaker 3: play this weekend with back to back games, but this 355 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 3: is clearly lining up to me like Stuart Skinner is 356 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:19,760 Speaker 3: going to be the number one guy when the playoffs again, 357 00:19:19,840 --> 00:19:22,639 Speaker 3: and I think he's probably their best bet right now. 358 00:19:23,080 --> 00:19:24,960 Speaker 1: Well, he's their best bet in light of they just 359 00:19:25,080 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 1: were never going to call out more shot but been 360 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:31,000 Speaker 1: sticking with what is, don't. I don't see him winning 361 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:33,440 Speaker 1: playoff series for the Penguins, but he won a whole 362 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:34,320 Speaker 1: bunch for Edmonton. 363 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:36,440 Speaker 2: Then again, the Penguins aren't Edmonton. 364 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:40,680 Speaker 3: Well for better or worse, but in some ways they're 365 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:42,720 Speaker 3: kind of similar to Edmonton. If you want to break 366 00:19:42,760 --> 00:19:45,320 Speaker 3: down the playoff teams, they're actually one of the best 367 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 3: offensive teams in the playoffs going in and one of 368 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:50,480 Speaker 3: the worst defensive, So they have some things in common 369 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:53,000 Speaker 3: with the Oilers. I suppose he might not be the 370 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:55,880 Speaker 3: reason they lose the series. I think the biggest knock 371 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:58,280 Speaker 3: on Skinner though, and you're alluding to it. He's not 372 00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:00,880 Speaker 3: going to steal you a game or a that. That's 373 00:20:00,960 --> 00:20:06,040 Speaker 3: just not the kind of goaltender he is. We all 374 00:20:06,040 --> 00:20:08,439 Speaker 3: know Mirashov is the most talented goaltender they have at 375 00:20:08,440 --> 00:20:12,160 Speaker 3: their disposal. They just haven't I don't think they've ever 376 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:14,320 Speaker 3: been in a position where they felt like their playoff 377 00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:17,399 Speaker 3: chances were threatened enough that they had to use that card. 378 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:21,480 Speaker 3: And Skinner's obviously functioning at a higher level than she 379 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:22,600 Speaker 3: loves Right now. 380 00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:26,920 Speaker 1: Uh, they're leaving Cosby with China Kough tonight, and they're 381 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:29,400 Speaker 1: they're putting Raquel, leaving Raquel rather at center. 382 00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:32,280 Speaker 2: Does that surprise you a little bit? 383 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:36,640 Speaker 3: Although I will say, you know, before the season, they 384 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:39,679 Speaker 3: experimented a lot with Raquel and training camp at Center. 385 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:43,479 Speaker 3: They really like that idea, which is interesting. I'm not 386 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:45,760 Speaker 3: saying it's a good thing or a bad thing. I 387 00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:48,800 Speaker 3: just think it's interesting. It's not his natural position. He 388 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 3: obviously can handle it, and I also think they're intrigued 389 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:55,800 Speaker 3: by the idea of china Kov playing with Crosby, I 390 00:20:56,040 --> 00:20:58,679 Speaker 3: just have no idea what lines he's going to go with. 391 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:01,400 Speaker 3: When the playoffs started, I never thought he would break 392 00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:04,919 Speaker 3: up the Malkin Braso Manta line, but he did and 393 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:07,320 Speaker 3: it worked out. And I never thought he'd break up 394 00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:11,080 Speaker 3: the Chinacov Novak Malkin line, and he did. And then 395 00:21:11,119 --> 00:21:13,840 Speaker 3: I never thought he'd break up Crosby, Raquel and Rush. 396 00:21:13,920 --> 00:21:17,360 Speaker 3: It seems like every time Dan Muse makes a move 397 00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:19,440 Speaker 3: with his lines that you're not expecting and the kind 398 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:22,680 Speaker 3: of question, it always seems to work. So I'm gonna 399 00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:24,960 Speaker 3: I'm gonna let it play out. They have a lot 400 00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:28,160 Speaker 3: of options at their disposal, given the depth at forward 401 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:31,560 Speaker 3: that they have right now. But yeah, using Raquel at 402 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:34,880 Speaker 3: center still seems a little strange. It's amazing that they're 403 00:21:34,880 --> 00:21:38,160 Speaker 3: pretty much a healthy Rochster except for Lozatte, and yet 404 00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:42,400 Speaker 3: Raquel and Malkin to natural or Malkin and Natural center 405 00:21:42,440 --> 00:21:44,280 Speaker 3: is still at wing, and Raquel the natural wing is 406 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:47,280 Speaker 3: still at center. It's very curious what they're trying, but 407 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:50,680 Speaker 3: I can't deny with the results of an exceptional. 408 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:52,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, I agree. 409 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:54,679 Speaker 1: I mean, there's certain elements of tonight I don't like, 410 00:21:54,720 --> 00:22:01,320 Speaker 1: for example, Kindall centering Malkin and Novak, but Kindlen Novak 411 00:22:01,359 --> 00:22:04,359 Speaker 1: did okay together earlier this year. I think Novak is 412 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:07,399 Speaker 1: the guy that's been in decline among the forwards, and 413 00:22:07,480 --> 00:22:09,840 Speaker 1: part of me wonders, Josh if he's definite to get 414 00:22:09,840 --> 00:22:13,400 Speaker 1: a jersey in the playoffs when everybody's healthy. But then again, 415 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:15,879 Speaker 1: there's no fourth line type you could elevate into the 416 00:22:15,880 --> 00:22:16,600 Speaker 1: top nine. 417 00:22:17,560 --> 00:22:19,240 Speaker 3: It's funny. I've had a lot of people ask me 418 00:22:19,320 --> 00:22:23,879 Speaker 3: recently if I think Elmer will stay in the lineup 419 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:27,080 Speaker 3: when the playoffs start, and is Oda bloom. He has 420 00:22:27,119 --> 00:22:29,800 Speaker 3: been impressive last few games, Mark, and then I go 421 00:22:29,880 --> 00:22:32,479 Speaker 3: through their roster, it's like, well, who comes out? And 422 00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:34,760 Speaker 3: Novak was the only guy that I would even consider 423 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:36,640 Speaker 3: because he's not playing well at all. He's been really 424 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:39,800 Speaker 3: bad the last ten games. But I will say this, 425 00:22:39,920 --> 00:22:43,760 Speaker 3: the coaching staff all season long has liked Novak better 426 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:47,160 Speaker 3: than I have. And Novak from about games twenty through 427 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:50,720 Speaker 3: sixty was really good. I didn't like his October and 428 00:22:50,760 --> 00:22:53,840 Speaker 3: I didn't like his March, but the coaching staff seems 429 00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:56,800 Speaker 3: pretty loyal to him. They see things in his game. 430 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:59,200 Speaker 3: I guess that I don't. I'm not saying he's been bad. 431 00:22:59,320 --> 00:23:01,440 Speaker 2: No no, no, me too. I feel the same way 432 00:23:01,480 --> 00:23:01,679 Speaker 2: you do. 433 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:04,439 Speaker 1: But my point would be if you look at solder Bloom, 434 00:23:04,880 --> 00:23:08,240 Speaker 1: doer Atcharie and Lazotte, none of them can move up 435 00:23:08,280 --> 00:23:08,920 Speaker 1: the top nine. 436 00:23:08,960 --> 00:23:10,080 Speaker 2: None of them is good enough. 437 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:14,879 Speaker 3: Frankly, that's probably fair, and like solder Bloom's really intriguing, 438 00:23:15,440 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 3: but you know, this isn't the time to go with 439 00:23:17,320 --> 00:23:19,199 Speaker 3: guys if you're still not sure about how good they 440 00:23:19,240 --> 00:23:22,000 Speaker 3: are when you're talking about a playoffs series and you 441 00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:24,720 Speaker 3: know how this, somebody's gonna get hurt and it won't matter, probably, 442 00:23:25,240 --> 00:23:27,920 Speaker 3: But think about the depth that the Penguins like could 443 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:31,080 Speaker 3: have if they're healthy when the playoffs start, like soder Bloom, 444 00:23:31,440 --> 00:23:35,400 Speaker 3: Rutger mcgrorty, Avery Hayes and these are pretty good players, 445 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:37,399 Speaker 3: then they'll probably be sitting with us in the press 446 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:40,000 Speaker 3: box like they haven't had this kind of depth at 447 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:41,520 Speaker 3: forward in a really long time. 448 00:23:43,960 --> 00:23:46,399 Speaker 1: We're talking to Josh Joey of the Athletic here on 449 00:23:46,480 --> 00:23:50,600 Speaker 1: the Mark Madden Show. Obviously, to me, the biggest change 450 00:23:50,600 --> 00:23:52,760 Speaker 1: with the Penguins is their depth. They have ten guys, 451 00:23:52,840 --> 00:23:55,960 Speaker 1: excuse me, twelve guys with ten or more goals, and 452 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:57,920 Speaker 1: they still have the star power, but now they don't 453 00:23:57,920 --> 00:24:00,800 Speaker 1: have to count on the star power as much. They 454 00:24:00,840 --> 00:24:04,840 Speaker 1: don't go as the stars go, not every night. And boy, 455 00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:06,240 Speaker 1: that's a big change, isn't it. 456 00:24:08,280 --> 00:24:10,960 Speaker 3: Well biggest reason I think they are where they are 457 00:24:11,160 --> 00:24:13,760 Speaker 3: in the standings. Like, they're still not that great defensively, 458 00:24:13,760 --> 00:24:17,520 Speaker 3: their goaltending is still not that great, but they can score. 459 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:19,040 Speaker 3: I think they are the fourth most goals in the 460 00:24:19,119 --> 00:24:22,440 Speaker 3: league right now. And you're right, it's not just sid 461 00:24:22,560 --> 00:24:24,639 Speaker 3: is still going to put up his point per game season. 462 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:28,120 Speaker 3: It's it's not Gino, even though he's been surprisingly good 463 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:31,520 Speaker 3: this season at his age. You said it. They have 464 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:35,080 Speaker 3: all these these depth players. Now they've got a chance 465 00:24:35,119 --> 00:24:36,880 Speaker 3: to have six players still have a chance to get 466 00:24:36,880 --> 00:24:39,480 Speaker 3: twenty goals for them. I think if they have eight 467 00:24:39,560 --> 00:24:42,440 Speaker 3: or nine guys of fifteen goals now, and that's how 468 00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:44,920 Speaker 3: you win in the playoffs. I mean, listen, it helps 469 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:47,800 Speaker 3: to have the game breaker, it helps to have Sidney Crosby, 470 00:24:47,840 --> 00:24:49,439 Speaker 3: who can win a playoff game on his own, but 471 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:52,800 Speaker 3: more times than not, those third and fourth line guys 472 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:55,000 Speaker 3: scoring in the playoffs makes all the difference. And the 473 00:24:55,040 --> 00:24:57,480 Speaker 3: Penguins have that, and even if a couple of guys 474 00:24:57,520 --> 00:25:00,800 Speaker 3: get hurt, they're still going to have that. It all 475 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:03,320 Speaker 3: goes back to the job that Kyle Dubas did last 476 00:25:03,320 --> 00:25:05,520 Speaker 3: summer and really for the last twelve to eighteen months. 477 00:25:06,080 --> 00:25:08,480 Speaker 3: The job he's done with this roster has been nothing 478 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:12,639 Speaker 3: short of extraordinary in my opinion, and in particular the 479 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:15,119 Speaker 3: forwards that he's brought in, most of whom will be 480 00:25:15,160 --> 00:25:18,200 Speaker 3: back next season when other talents and forwards might also 481 00:25:18,320 --> 00:25:21,040 Speaker 3: be ready to help the Penguins. Man, you gotta feel 482 00:25:21,040 --> 00:25:23,879 Speaker 3: good about the president and the future, give it with 483 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:27,480 Speaker 3: the situation forward, even with the ages of Crosby and Malkin. 484 00:25:27,600 --> 00:25:29,720 Speaker 3: Even so, you don't feel good about where they are. 485 00:25:30,359 --> 00:25:32,680 Speaker 1: Everybody's gonna want to bring Manta back because he's gonna 486 00:25:32,680 --> 00:25:35,919 Speaker 1: wind up well, obviously with at least thirty goals, but 487 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:36,760 Speaker 1: he's gonna. 488 00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:39,560 Speaker 2: Cost too much one too long of term. 489 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:43,800 Speaker 1: And even though Manta's done great, I think it shouldn't 490 00:25:43,800 --> 00:25:45,800 Speaker 1: be ignored it among the new guys, it's Kendall and 491 00:25:45,880 --> 00:25:47,480 Speaker 1: chinakof that are driving the bus. 492 00:25:49,320 --> 00:25:52,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, and this is a tough one because you don't 493 00:25:52,760 --> 00:25:54,879 Speaker 3: want to lose Mantas brings. 494 00:25:54,920 --> 00:25:58,120 Speaker 1: No, I'm not suggesting you dump him and you know, 495 00:25:58,400 --> 00:26:00,800 Speaker 1: laugh at him on his way out of you know, 496 00:26:00,840 --> 00:26:03,960 Speaker 1: but it just you can't give him five year starty million. 497 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:07,920 Speaker 1: You cannot at thirty one with knee surgery when this 498 00:26:08,280 --> 00:26:10,359 Speaker 1: year is very probably an outlier. 499 00:26:11,640 --> 00:26:14,200 Speaker 3: Yeah. The problem with him, well, there's a couple of things. 500 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:16,680 Speaker 3: Number One, he'll be thirty two next season. Number Two, 501 00:26:17,000 --> 00:26:19,359 Speaker 3: he has a history of being kind of an up 502 00:26:19,359 --> 00:26:22,320 Speaker 3: and down player throughout his career. This is the guy 503 00:26:22,359 --> 00:26:25,000 Speaker 3: who was projected to be a star a decade ago, 504 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:27,600 Speaker 3: and he never became one. He had some good seasons, 505 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:31,520 Speaker 3: he never really would put it all together. That's reality 506 00:26:31,560 --> 00:26:34,359 Speaker 3: and another problem for the Penguins. It is an absolutely 507 00:26:34,440 --> 00:26:37,439 Speaker 3: awful free agency market this summer. He might be the 508 00:26:37,520 --> 00:26:41,160 Speaker 3: number one name, which means there might be a team 509 00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:44,600 Speaker 3: out there that will ridiculously overpay for him. If you're 510 00:26:44,640 --> 00:26:46,880 Speaker 3: the Penguins, you don't want to do that. I'd offer 511 00:26:46,880 --> 00:26:50,880 Speaker 3: from three years and a lot of money. I sure 512 00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:53,159 Speaker 3: as he going offer him five years, Like I know 513 00:26:53,320 --> 00:26:56,080 Speaker 3: is being discussed out there that that's no way should 514 00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:58,600 Speaker 3: the Penguins do that. You find someone else. If that's 515 00:26:58,640 --> 00:27:00,760 Speaker 3: the case, you'd love to keep them. Maybe he'll give 516 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:04,639 Speaker 3: you a discountess because he's obviously comfortable with Pittsburgh. But 517 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:08,320 Speaker 3: I wouldn't pay ridiculously for somebody at his thirties. They've 518 00:27:08,359 --> 00:27:10,080 Speaker 3: been doing that too much in the last few years, 519 00:27:10,119 --> 00:27:10,400 Speaker 3: as we. 520 00:27:10,400 --> 00:27:14,879 Speaker 1: Know who figured this with Kendall. But I think the 521 00:27:14,920 --> 00:27:17,400 Speaker 1: Penguins did like from the day they drafted him. 522 00:27:19,080 --> 00:27:22,439 Speaker 3: I mean, I know Wes Clark absolutely thought the world 523 00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:25,640 Speaker 3: of him. I have been pulled, and remember the Penguins 524 00:27:25,640 --> 00:27:28,000 Speaker 3: took all kinds of crap for drafting him at eleven. 525 00:27:28,840 --> 00:27:31,720 Speaker 3: All the draft experts had him around twenty. And that's 526 00:27:31,760 --> 00:27:35,159 Speaker 3: because his physical skills don't necessarily jump off the page 527 00:27:35,200 --> 00:27:38,360 Speaker 3: at you. I have been told Mark that the Penguins 528 00:27:38,400 --> 00:27:41,040 Speaker 3: had him ranked number four in the entire draft. They 529 00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:43,879 Speaker 3: were always going to take him, and it's because of 530 00:27:43,920 --> 00:27:47,040 Speaker 3: his brain. I've talked with scouts who have said that, 531 00:27:47,119 --> 00:27:49,920 Speaker 3: you know, Wes Clark and the Penguins had said, Ben 532 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:53,399 Speaker 3: Kindle's the smartest junior hockey player they've ever seen. He 533 00:27:53,560 --> 00:27:55,840 Speaker 3: always makes the right decisions with the puck, and well, 534 00:27:56,040 --> 00:27:59,600 Speaker 3: watch him play. He literally always makes the right decisions 535 00:27:59,600 --> 00:28:02,240 Speaker 3: with the You can't teach that. You don't see it 536 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:04,639 Speaker 3: in the draft. Very often, and I think the Penguins 537 00:28:04,880 --> 00:28:07,560 Speaker 3: were aware enough to realize how that could translate to 538 00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:11,000 Speaker 3: the National Hockey League. And he's just going to keep 539 00:28:11,040 --> 00:28:14,120 Speaker 3: getting better. Wait until five years from now when he's 540 00:28:14,160 --> 00:28:16,800 Speaker 3: stronger and hen't even better skater and has more experience 541 00:28:16,920 --> 00:28:19,639 Speaker 3: under his belt. I am. I'm telling you this is 542 00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:21,920 Speaker 3: a special player and I don't see any signs of 543 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:24,720 Speaker 3: him slowing down. Despite the wearing tearror in the first 544 00:28:24,840 --> 00:28:27,560 Speaker 3: NHL season on his body, he has been something else. 545 00:28:27,960 --> 00:28:30,720 Speaker 1: One weakness for the Penguins lately, even when they've played well, 546 00:28:30,760 --> 00:28:32,920 Speaker 1: has been the pair of Latang and Gerard. I think 547 00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:37,199 Speaker 1: Gerard has played very poorly mostly since coming from Colorado, 548 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:40,640 Speaker 1: especially in light of how well Kulak had been playing 549 00:28:40,640 --> 00:28:43,200 Speaker 1: and how well he partnered with Tang. That said, these 550 00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:46,000 Speaker 1: last two games, that pair's done okay, hasn't it. 551 00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:49,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, I've seen progress. I thought Latang was great the 552 00:28:49,520 --> 00:28:52,680 Speaker 3: last two games. And he's not having a good season. 553 00:28:52,680 --> 00:28:54,720 Speaker 3: I think we can all acknowledge that he's starting to 554 00:28:54,720 --> 00:28:58,959 Speaker 3: show his age, but he's been much better and Latang. 555 00:28:59,080 --> 00:29:01,920 Speaker 3: One thing I've really liked about Chris's game in recent 556 00:29:02,920 --> 00:29:05,880 Speaker 3: not seven or eight games, He's been so physical, like 557 00:29:05,920 --> 00:29:09,080 Speaker 3: he's playing a nasty, abrasive game. I think he's he's 558 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:10,640 Speaker 3: trying to get back to that, and I think it's 559 00:29:10,680 --> 00:29:14,440 Speaker 3: helped him. I like the progress I've seen in his game, 560 00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:16,760 Speaker 3: and I thought Gerard was really good against the Red Wings. 561 00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:18,720 Speaker 3: That was his best game with the Penguins by far. 562 00:29:19,320 --> 00:29:22,280 Speaker 3: I don't think they're a great fit. I think stylistically 563 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:25,959 Speaker 3: they're probably just too similar. I think Gerard is at 564 00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:28,000 Speaker 3: his best when he has more of a safe, stay 565 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:30,520 Speaker 3: at home guy with him, and we can probably say 566 00:29:30,560 --> 00:29:31,320 Speaker 3: the same of Chris. 567 00:29:31,320 --> 00:29:33,800 Speaker 1: But yeah, but I don't think what Tanger wants. Tanger 568 00:29:33,840 --> 00:29:37,160 Speaker 1: wants the puck mover. I think Gerard's miscast is the 569 00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:39,760 Speaker 1: Tank's partner. But that's what fifty eight prefers. 570 00:29:40,640 --> 00:29:42,800 Speaker 3: I would agree with that. And here's the thing, though, 571 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:45,240 Speaker 3: I don't think we're going to see any changes because 572 00:29:45,320 --> 00:29:47,960 Speaker 3: we know the top pairing with Waterspoon and Carlson's really 573 00:29:47,960 --> 00:29:51,760 Speaker 3: good and very quietly the last few games, the third 574 00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:55,080 Speaker 3: pairing of Shay and Clifton has been excellent. I think 575 00:29:55,120 --> 00:29:58,080 Speaker 3: the Penguins are really comfortable with those guys in that slot. 576 00:29:58,640 --> 00:30:01,160 Speaker 3: So I think the thinking is we really hope Chris 577 00:30:01,160 --> 00:30:03,240 Speaker 3: and Sam figure it out because we like the rest 578 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:06,840 Speaker 3: of our blue line right now, we'll see I don't 579 00:30:06,920 --> 00:30:09,560 Speaker 3: like what I've seen in general. I do like what 580 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:11,680 Speaker 3: I've seen the last couple of games, and tonight will 581 00:30:11,720 --> 00:30:13,760 Speaker 3: be one hell of a test mark because this Tampa 582 00:30:13,760 --> 00:30:17,680 Speaker 3: team is scary talented up front, so we'll probably get 583 00:30:17,680 --> 00:30:20,280 Speaker 3: a good gage for where Chris and Sam are just 584 00:30:20,280 --> 00:30:21,560 Speaker 3: playing against these guys tonight. 585 00:30:21,720 --> 00:30:25,160 Speaker 1: Well, tonight is also Vasilevsky versus Skinner, which on paper 586 00:30:25,240 --> 00:30:28,080 Speaker 1: is a mismatch, and and it makes me wonder about 587 00:30:28,200 --> 00:30:32,400 Speaker 1: Skinner against say Sorocan in the playoffs. Despite Sarokan imploding 588 00:30:32,760 --> 00:30:35,160 Speaker 1: Monday night when the Penguins put seven by him. 589 00:30:35,880 --> 00:30:38,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean it's a concern. There's no doubt the 590 00:30:38,880 --> 00:30:42,080 Speaker 3: Penguins aren't going to have the goaltending advantage in many series. 591 00:30:42,120 --> 00:30:44,720 Speaker 3: I think we know that going in. You know what's 592 00:30:44,720 --> 00:30:48,000 Speaker 3: funny about Skinner too, We think of him as well. 593 00:30:48,040 --> 00:30:51,000 Speaker 3: He's solid, he's kind of a steadying presence because he's 594 00:30:51,040 --> 00:30:52,880 Speaker 3: been in all these big games. And that's all true, 595 00:30:53,240 --> 00:30:55,720 Speaker 3: and I think his personality plays a role in that 596 00:30:55,800 --> 00:30:57,960 Speaker 3: as well. He's just such a laid back, likable guy. 597 00:30:58,440 --> 00:31:01,320 Speaker 3: But if you look at his history. He's actually an 598 00:31:01,320 --> 00:31:04,560 Speaker 3: incredibly streaky goaltender, like he had that stretch in the 599 00:31:04,560 --> 00:31:07,160 Speaker 3: Western Canada trip when he was phenomenal, and he's had 600 00:31:07,200 --> 00:31:09,320 Speaker 3: some really nice surgis. But then he'll have three games 601 00:31:09,360 --> 00:31:10,960 Speaker 3: in a row where he gives up five goals each. 602 00:31:11,280 --> 00:31:13,360 Speaker 3: I don't want to compare him to Jari in that regard. 603 00:31:13,400 --> 00:31:17,479 Speaker 3: He's not that volatile. But maybe if you catch Skinner 604 00:31:17,480 --> 00:31:20,400 Speaker 3: in a good streak in the playoffs, you might have something. 605 00:31:20,680 --> 00:31:22,600 Speaker 3: I mean, I guess he could give you that option, 606 00:31:23,080 --> 00:31:25,600 Speaker 3: but he's just not that talented. And when you're probably 607 00:31:25,960 --> 00:31:29,320 Speaker 3: got Soroka or Vassilevski like those guys, you know those 608 00:31:29,320 --> 00:31:32,240 Speaker 3: are Hall of Fame talents, so Skinner clearly is not. 609 00:31:33,560 --> 00:31:36,480 Speaker 3: So the Penguins don't match up poorly, for instance against 610 00:31:36,520 --> 00:31:38,880 Speaker 3: the Islanders. In general, I think they match up pretty well, 611 00:31:39,120 --> 00:31:41,480 Speaker 3: but Skinner's probably gonna have to play a little over 612 00:31:41,520 --> 00:31:44,160 Speaker 3: his head for them to make any kind of a run. 613 00:31:44,200 --> 00:31:45,040 Speaker 3: I think that's clear. 614 00:31:45,800 --> 00:31:48,640 Speaker 1: Tell me, would you think Mus's biggest impact has been 615 00:31:48,680 --> 00:31:51,440 Speaker 1: to fix this team? 616 00:31:51,640 --> 00:31:55,760 Speaker 3: Oh man, I've been trying to figure that out all season, 617 00:31:56,760 --> 00:32:02,480 Speaker 3: because I don't see anything tactically all that different. I 618 00:32:02,560 --> 00:32:05,680 Speaker 3: know they like him. They certainly play hard for him. 619 00:32:05,720 --> 00:32:08,800 Speaker 3: He's a players coach. Maybe just having a new voice 620 00:32:09,000 --> 00:32:14,760 Speaker 3: was that important, you know, tactically anybody. I've heard people 621 00:32:14,760 --> 00:32:16,960 Speaker 3: say that I had the handcuffs on Eric Carlson and 622 00:32:17,080 --> 00:32:19,560 Speaker 3: as ally did and now music letting him be Eric Carlson. 623 00:32:19,600 --> 00:32:23,640 Speaker 3: That's not true. Like Carlson was pinching more the last 624 00:32:23,640 --> 00:32:27,200 Speaker 3: two years when Sullivan was his coach. In my opinion, well, no, 625 00:32:27,240 --> 00:32:27,880 Speaker 3: I don't think. 626 00:32:27,720 --> 00:32:30,040 Speaker 2: You had to cover up. That was Carl's complaint. 627 00:32:30,200 --> 00:32:32,720 Speaker 1: Like when a guy he was partnered with who should 628 00:32:32,720 --> 00:32:35,360 Speaker 1: never pinch got beat on the pinch, he had to 629 00:32:35,360 --> 00:32:36,920 Speaker 1: cover up, and that decidedly is. 630 00:32:36,880 --> 00:32:40,040 Speaker 3: Not his game, no question, And that's a fair point. 631 00:32:40,680 --> 00:32:42,520 Speaker 3: I think News is a really good coach, Don't get 632 00:32:42,520 --> 00:32:45,800 Speaker 3: me wrong. I think he's done everything well. I always 633 00:32:45,840 --> 00:32:49,120 Speaker 3: think half the battle when you're an NHL coaches, you 634 00:32:49,160 --> 00:32:50,959 Speaker 3: know the team likes you and plays hard for you. 635 00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:53,160 Speaker 3: I think I don't think that can be overstated. And 636 00:32:53,640 --> 00:32:56,040 Speaker 3: I think that's why we see coaches get fired all 637 00:32:56,080 --> 00:33:00,360 Speaker 3: the time and their successors always have immediate success. I mean, 638 00:33:00,440 --> 00:33:03,080 Speaker 3: that's just the way it is. So I think they 639 00:33:03,280 --> 00:33:06,280 Speaker 3: like him. I think He's done everything well, and I 640 00:33:06,320 --> 00:33:08,320 Speaker 3: think his general manager gave him a heck of a 641 00:33:08,360 --> 00:33:11,360 Speaker 3: lot better of a roster than anybody could have expected. 642 00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:15,760 Speaker 1: Who would they most prefer to play in the playoffs 643 00:33:16,880 --> 00:33:17,360 Speaker 1: first run? 644 00:33:18,880 --> 00:33:21,640 Speaker 3: Well, I think the most important thing for them is 645 00:33:21,680 --> 00:33:24,520 Speaker 3: to avoid the wild card spot and to get into 646 00:33:24,520 --> 00:33:26,800 Speaker 3: two three in the metro, which they're certainly in position 647 00:33:26,840 --> 00:33:31,360 Speaker 3: to do. I think the Islanders are still probably the 648 00:33:31,400 --> 00:33:33,640 Speaker 3: best matchup for them now. I realize they don't have 649 00:33:33,640 --> 00:33:36,080 Speaker 3: the goaltending advantage there, and I know they don't have 650 00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:38,560 Speaker 3: history on their side in that matchup. Boy, if you've 651 00:33:38,600 --> 00:33:40,719 Speaker 3: watched the three games they've played against them, they've been 652 00:33:40,760 --> 00:33:43,720 Speaker 3: the better team decidedly in all three games. The Islanders 653 00:33:43,760 --> 00:33:46,520 Speaker 3: are not good defensively. I think the Penguins would score 654 00:33:46,520 --> 00:33:48,920 Speaker 3: a ton against them, and honestly, I kind of like 655 00:33:48,960 --> 00:33:52,320 Speaker 3: their chances against Columbus two. The Bluejackets have really slowed down. 656 00:33:52,440 --> 00:33:54,320 Speaker 3: They've lost four in a row. They're not all that 657 00:33:54,360 --> 00:33:58,080 Speaker 3: great defensively either. I think those matchups are both fine. 658 00:33:58,080 --> 00:34:00,640 Speaker 3: I think the important thing is to avoid the wild 659 00:34:00,680 --> 00:34:03,280 Speaker 3: card round, where you'd have to play Tampa or Buffalo 660 00:34:03,480 --> 00:34:05,840 Speaker 3: or Carolina. In the first round, you don't want to 661 00:34:05,840 --> 00:34:07,920 Speaker 3: play those teams in the first round. That would be tough. 662 00:34:08,880 --> 00:34:12,080 Speaker 3: Columbus or the Islanders. Boy, the way things stand right now, Mark, 663 00:34:12,120 --> 00:34:13,680 Speaker 3: I kind of like their chances in both. 664 00:34:15,120 --> 00:34:17,640 Speaker 1: If the Penguins don't get home ice in the first round, 665 00:34:18,440 --> 00:34:20,440 Speaker 1: there's a good chance their home games. In fact, it's 666 00:34:20,480 --> 00:34:22,520 Speaker 1: a certainty their home games will be the same time 667 00:34:22,560 --> 00:34:25,920 Speaker 1: as the draft in Pittsburgh. I am told the NHL 668 00:34:26,040 --> 00:34:29,600 Speaker 1: will not adjust. How can you not? I think it's 669 00:34:29,600 --> 00:34:31,279 Speaker 1: impossible to do logistically. 670 00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:35,680 Speaker 3: I have heard the exact same thing. It's going to 671 00:34:35,760 --> 00:34:38,959 Speaker 3: be a nightmare in Pittsburgh, as we all know, even 672 00:34:38,960 --> 00:34:41,960 Speaker 3: if there aren't Penguins home games that week, and I've 673 00:34:41,960 --> 00:34:45,799 Speaker 3: heard the NHL basically doesn't care. I'm not shocked by 674 00:34:45,840 --> 00:34:48,120 Speaker 3: that because they're not always run by the most intelligent 675 00:34:48,120 --> 00:34:51,319 Speaker 3: of people. But there are so many logistical questions, the 676 00:34:51,360 --> 00:34:54,200 Speaker 3: two biggest being number one, how are fans going to 677 00:34:54,239 --> 00:34:57,239 Speaker 3: get to the game? And number two where are the 678 00:34:57,320 --> 00:35:00,560 Speaker 3: visiting team players going to stay? I don't think there 679 00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:03,759 Speaker 3: are any hotel rooms available in Pittsburgh that week, I 680 00:35:04,080 --> 00:35:04,960 Speaker 3: really don't. I don't. 681 00:35:04,960 --> 00:35:07,040 Speaker 2: That's the last run, Sharon station Square. 682 00:35:08,000 --> 00:35:10,440 Speaker 3: I think you did like Roger Goodell isn't going to 683 00:35:10,440 --> 00:35:13,360 Speaker 3: be staying at the holiday in Monroeville. I assure you 684 00:35:13,400 --> 00:35:16,160 Speaker 3: the NFL has the Fairmount Book, like I don't know 685 00:35:16,719 --> 00:35:20,560 Speaker 3: what they're going to do. I'm sure the Penguins are 686 00:35:20,560 --> 00:35:22,200 Speaker 3: hoping for a lot of reasons that they get home 687 00:35:22,280 --> 00:35:24,399 Speaker 3: iice advantage, and I assure you that's one of them, 688 00:35:24,880 --> 00:35:27,920 Speaker 3: because it's going to be the all time logistical nightmare 689 00:35:28,160 --> 00:35:29,879 Speaker 3: if they have to be home games three and four. 690 00:35:30,040 --> 00:35:32,400 Speaker 1: Here's the other thing too, with the draft here, and 691 00:35:32,640 --> 00:35:34,799 Speaker 1: I hate to say it, but that is by far 692 00:35:34,960 --> 00:35:37,960 Speaker 1: a bigger priority for Pittsburgh sports fans than the Penguins. 693 00:35:38,440 --> 00:35:40,360 Speaker 1: What are the chances that Arena is not full, like 694 00:35:40,440 --> 00:35:42,640 Speaker 1: maybe even half empty. 695 00:35:43,360 --> 00:35:46,399 Speaker 3: I don't think that'll be a problem, Mark. I think 696 00:35:46,480 --> 00:35:49,040 Speaker 3: the good loyal Penguins fans out there don't care about 697 00:35:49,040 --> 00:35:52,160 Speaker 3: the NFL draft. Maybe a lot of the people in 698 00:35:52,239 --> 00:35:54,680 Speaker 3: the middle lean toward the NFL. I realized how huge 699 00:35:54,680 --> 00:35:57,360 Speaker 3: the Steelers Stan base is, But I know there's a 700 00:35:57,440 --> 00:36:00,600 Speaker 3: lot of hockey fans that are thirstying for play off hockey. 701 00:36:00,640 --> 00:36:03,120 Speaker 3: They haven't seen it in four years. I don't think 702 00:36:03,160 --> 00:36:05,480 Speaker 3: that'll be a concern. I just worry about them showing 703 00:36:05,560 --> 00:36:08,600 Speaker 3: up on time. I myself live on the trolley line 704 00:36:08,600 --> 00:36:10,359 Speaker 3: in the South Hills. I might just have to take 705 00:36:10,360 --> 00:36:12,560 Speaker 3: the trolley to the game. It might be the safest 706 00:36:12,560 --> 00:36:16,160 Speaker 3: bet because it's just gonna be a disaster. Downtown should have. 707 00:36:16,080 --> 00:36:18,920 Speaker 2: Gone to Liverpool. Josh, that was my first instinct. Great stuff. 708 00:36:18,960 --> 00:36:20,280 Speaker 2: We'll see it at the rink this weekend. 709 00:36:21,080 --> 00:36:21,919 Speaker 3: All right to Mark. 710 00:36:22,120 --> 00:36:28,640 Speaker 1: That's Josh Showey from the Athletic Up Next, we're gonna 711 00:36:28,719 --> 00:36:32,520 Speaker 1: keep talking about Connor Griffin being called up. Interesting take 712 00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:38,000 Speaker 1: by Bob Pompienni on Twitter regarding his expectations for Griffin's 713 00:36:38,400 --> 00:36:39,120 Speaker 1: first season. 714 00:36:39,960 --> 00:36:45,240 Speaker 2: I'm Mark man one oh five nine. Tonight the Penns 715 00:36:45,320 --> 00:36:51,319 Speaker 2: face the Lightning multiple David Todd with another funny quote. 716 00:36:51,360 --> 00:36:53,600 Speaker 2: He said, I've heard Connor Griffin compared. 717 00:36:53,640 --> 00:36:56,800 Speaker 1: To Cutch Bonds, A Rod Trout, and Sidney Crosby. 718 00:36:57,280 --> 00:36:58,239 Speaker 2: Seems reasonable. 719 00:37:00,360 --> 00:37:04,440 Speaker 1: Uh boy, could it be Sidney Crosby like a franchise 720 00:37:04,560 --> 00:37:05,280 Speaker 1: changing talent. 721 00:37:06,080 --> 00:37:06,520 Speaker 2: I don't know. 722 00:37:07,080 --> 00:37:08,560 Speaker 1: I'll have to see that to believe it. But I 723 00:37:08,600 --> 00:37:11,920 Speaker 1: saw Sidney Crosby and it didn't take long to believe it. 724 00:37:16,160 --> 00:37:21,719 Speaker 1: Here's that Pompiani tweet from before he projected Griffin this 725 00:37:21,840 --> 00:37:27,680 Speaker 1: year to have thirteen home runs, forty eight ribbies, twenty 726 00:37:27,680 --> 00:37:31,160 Speaker 1: five steals to sixty two average eight sixty five ops. 727 00:37:31,160 --> 00:37:33,120 Speaker 2: That's Pompiyanny from Channel two. 728 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:38,120 Speaker 1: Thirteen home runs, fourteen ribbyes, twenty five stolen bases, average 729 00:37:38,120 --> 00:37:42,200 Speaker 1: at two sixty two eight sixty five ops. If Griffin 730 00:37:42,239 --> 00:37:44,880 Speaker 1: does that as a nineteen year old, nobody should have 731 00:37:44,920 --> 00:37:49,319 Speaker 1: any complaints. I don't think it gets them in the playoffs. 732 00:37:49,680 --> 00:37:53,840 Speaker 1: I don't think it's the upgrade they need offensively to 733 00:37:53,880 --> 00:37:54,760 Speaker 1: get them in the playoffs. 734 00:37:54,800 --> 00:37:55,680 Speaker 2: I'm not knocking them. 735 00:37:56,200 --> 00:37:59,560 Speaker 1: I'm just saying how big the expectations are and how 736 00:37:59,600 --> 00:38:03,080 Speaker 1: he has to fulfill those expectations. More so than that, 737 00:38:03,160 --> 00:38:08,040 Speaker 1: I believe to get the Pirates in the playoffs. Staying 738 00:38:08,080 --> 00:38:10,640 Speaker 1: with the Connor Griffin theme, here's Mark Deroza on the 739 00:38:10,719 --> 00:38:16,000 Speaker 1: MLB Network talking about Griffith's potential and about him when 740 00:38:16,000 --> 00:38:18,640 Speaker 1: he went into the MLB draft. That's when he got 741 00:38:18,680 --> 00:38:19,160 Speaker 1: picked night. 742 00:38:20,520 --> 00:38:24,200 Speaker 4: It was ridiculous. I had never seen an athlete look 743 00:38:24,360 --> 00:38:26,640 Speaker 4: like this is in the big age. And then there 744 00:38:26,719 --> 00:38:29,160 Speaker 4: was talk going into the draft. I thought he should 745 00:38:29,160 --> 00:38:32,600 Speaker 4: have been the first pick. He fell to ninth overall 746 00:38:32,680 --> 00:38:34,880 Speaker 4: because of some swing and miss. You've got to understand 747 00:38:34,880 --> 00:38:38,520 Speaker 4: what these young kids are facing on the showcase circuit 748 00:38:38,600 --> 00:38:42,320 Speaker 4: going into the draft. Everyone's throwing ninety five to ninety seven. 749 00:38:42,360 --> 00:38:44,719 Speaker 4: So there's gonna be some swing and miss with some 750 00:38:44,760 --> 00:38:45,840 Speaker 4: of these high school kids. 751 00:38:46,200 --> 00:38:48,799 Speaker 5: But you bet on the character and you bet on 752 00:38:48,880 --> 00:38:52,480 Speaker 5: the tool set. And there's like two people in the 753 00:38:52,560 --> 00:38:56,560 Speaker 5: league that have these tools. It's crazy. Better make up. 754 00:38:57,680 --> 00:38:59,399 Speaker 5: He changes what they're about. 755 00:39:00,680 --> 00:39:04,919 Speaker 1: Wow, like two people in the league that have those 756 00:39:04,960 --> 00:39:11,399 Speaker 1: tools unquote Wow. I'll offer one quiet disclaimer. If all 757 00:39:11,440 --> 00:39:16,319 Speaker 1: that's true, how come Griffin didn't get picked till ninth Yeah, 758 00:39:16,400 --> 00:39:19,359 Speaker 1: swing and miss? I heard you, But yeah, Griffin has 759 00:39:19,360 --> 00:39:23,200 Speaker 1: the potential. Nobody disagrees with that. Now he's just gonna 760 00:39:23,239 --> 00:39:29,200 Speaker 1: realize it like O'Neil Cruz mostly has it. It can't 761 00:39:29,239 --> 00:39:31,240 Speaker 1: be sporadic, it can't be small. 762 00:39:31,280 --> 00:39:31,680 Speaker 2: Sample. 763 00:39:32,480 --> 00:39:36,200 Speaker 1: Here's Joel Sherman also on the MLB Network talking about 764 00:39:36,200 --> 00:39:36,879 Speaker 1: the Griffin call. 765 00:39:37,480 --> 00:39:40,080 Speaker 6: And then he struggled, like those last two weeks where 766 00:39:40,080 --> 00:39:42,680 Speaker 6: he was really grinding at bats and they said let's 767 00:39:42,680 --> 00:39:46,080 Speaker 6: put him down there. Well, it's only five games. He 768 00:39:46,160 --> 00:39:49,960 Speaker 6: hit three doubles, he went six for seventeen. Firstly, mainly 769 00:39:50,000 --> 00:39:54,520 Speaker 6: with Jared Triolo at short stop. Their short stop numbers 770 00:39:54,520 --> 00:39:57,040 Speaker 6: six games two eight with a five to six OPS. 771 00:39:57,080 --> 00:39:58,040 Speaker 3: And I saw the. 772 00:39:57,960 --> 00:40:00,640 Speaker 6: First series against the NETSPF. They weren't our team. And 773 00:40:00,680 --> 00:40:02,759 Speaker 6: you know what, the Pirates got to kind of win 774 00:40:02,840 --> 00:40:05,640 Speaker 6: this year, like they added to payroll. They haven't been 775 00:40:05,640 --> 00:40:08,960 Speaker 6: to the playoffs since twenty fifteen. The clock is running 776 00:40:08,960 --> 00:40:11,800 Speaker 6: on Paul Skins and how long you might have him, 777 00:40:12,200 --> 00:40:15,359 Speaker 6: and I think they decided in this week. You know what, 778 00:40:15,600 --> 00:40:18,440 Speaker 6: he'll probably have some struggles in the major leagues, but 779 00:40:18,600 --> 00:40:22,080 Speaker 6: while he does, we will greatly improve our defense at shortstop. 780 00:40:23,360 --> 00:40:26,279 Speaker 1: I think it's more about what he improves at the 781 00:40:26,280 --> 00:40:30,439 Speaker 1: plate with the bat in the lineup. But what Joel 782 00:40:30,520 --> 00:40:35,239 Speaker 1: Sherman said was about one hundred percent true. Sherman talked 783 00:40:35,280 --> 00:40:37,440 Speaker 1: about what I often talk about. Then that's the limited 784 00:40:37,520 --> 00:40:41,239 Speaker 1: overlap on the Pirates with Skins and Griffin, and you 785 00:40:41,320 --> 00:40:46,120 Speaker 1: got to maximize that time. I feel like the timing 786 00:40:46,160 --> 00:40:48,080 Speaker 1: of his call up is due to the imminent deal, 787 00:40:48,880 --> 00:40:52,359 Speaker 1: the long term deal with Griffin, and because, like Sherman said, 788 00:40:53,120 --> 00:40:57,960 Speaker 1: Tirollo at short just isn't gonna cut it. This segment 789 00:40:57,960 --> 00:41:00,000 Speaker 1: brought us by the Steelers Pro Shop and it direc 790 00:41:00,160 --> 00:41:02,080 Speaker 1: from the team at shop dot Steelers dot. 791 00:41:01,840 --> 00:41:03,600 Speaker 2: Com just around the corner. 792 00:41:03,719 --> 00:41:06,960 Speaker 1: More Griffin talk with Kevin Gorman of the trip one 793 00:41:07,000 --> 00:41:07,880 Speaker 1: oh five nine The X