Pair at the Point: A Pittsburgh Penguins Podcast

A Wild Deadline Lands Rakell

1. The Penguins have acquired Rickard Rakell from the Ducks for Aston-Reese, Simon, a 2022 2nd Rounder, and Calle Clang.Scorer in, defensive forward out2. Trades around the leagueFleury
Giroux
Chiarot
Giordano 
3. Metropolitan DivisionContinues to get better
Challenging path ahead for all teams in the Metro, East
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Boeser or Bust

1. Secondary scoring2. Trade Deadline rumors3. Mark Friedman v. Marcus Petterson 4. WBS call-ups and what that means for players like Kapanen and SimonFollow us on Twitter: @PairAtThePointPair at the Point Website: pairatthepoint.transistor.fm/Follow The FHN: @theFHNThe FHN Website: thefhn.net

The Captain Gets 500

Crosby's 500th Goal
Play of the Penguins top line
Secondary scoring troubles and trade deadline rumors
Follow us on Twitter: @PairAtThePointPair at the Point Website: pairatthepoint.transistor.fm/Follow The FHN: @theFHNThe FHN Website: thefhn.net

A Tale of Two Teams

1. Jake Guentzel turns it around2. Marcus Petterson's play3. Scoring needs from Kapanen and Zucker4. Jarry/DeSmith play so farFollow us on Twitter: @PairAtThePointPair at the Point Website: pairatthepoint.transistor.fm/Follow The FHN: @theFHNThe FHN Website: thefhn.net

Next Man Up

1. Analysis from the last four games.Panthers
Blackhawks
Stars
Maple Leafs
2. Standouts3. Players who have more to give.Follow us on Twitter: @PairAtThePointPair at the Point Website: pairatthepoint.transistor.fm/Follow The FHN: @theFHNThe FHN Website: thefhn.net

Welcome to Pittsburgh, Danton Heinen

Pre-season Wrapped UpDrew O'Connor not making the 23 man roster.
Brian Boyle contract
First Game TakeawaysNo Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, ZAR
Defensive play
Heinen's debut

Penguins Training Camp Debrief

Training Camp cuts
PracticeDrills
Dump-in, puck retrieval, two-on-ones
Interesting Practice CombosZAR-Blueger-McGinn
Letang-Joseph
Interesting playersDrozg
ScrimmageTeam Black vs. Team White
LinesZucker-Zohorna-Kapanen
Zucker-Rodrigues-Kapanen
Guentzal-Carter-Heinen
Boyle practicing with Rust
DefenseMarino
Matheson 
Other players to mentionPoulin
Legare
Riikola
Lindberg
Bjorkqvist
Preseason Game 1 - September 27 - Columbus Roster Released

All Things Development Camp

1. Development Camp RosterOffenseJustin Almeida (LW)
Raivis Ansons (LW)
Shaw Boomhower (LW)
Jonathan Gruden (C) 
Filip Hallander (LW)
Sam Houde (C) 
Nathan Legare (RW)
Kyle Olson (RW)
Sam Poulin (LW)
Valtteri Puustinen (RW)
Felix Robert (LW)
Lukas Svejkovsky (RW)
Josh Williams (RW)
DefenseNiclas Almari
Isaac Belliveau
Cam Lee
Dylan MacPherson
Josh Maniscalco
Chris Merisier-Ortiz
Ryan McCleary
Will Reilly
GoaltendersBrett Brochu
Alex D'Orio
Filip Lindberg
Tommy Nappier
2. Pre-Camp ThoughtsCenter depth is lacking
Excitement for Poulin and Legare development
Filip Lindberg should light it up at camp
Filip Hallander - excited see how he’s developed and changed since getting traded
3. Post-Mortem of Development Camp - 9/18/21Stand Outs
Need More Time

Bang Bang Kris Letang

PLAY STYLEFast, agile, and surprisingly physical
Aggressive pinches and cross-ice passing decisions
Limited shooting ability.
PAST TO PRESENTCareer overview, improvements defensively in last few seasons
Performance trajectory for next season?
Beyond?
EXPECTATIONSPairing stability with Dumoulin
Injury factor
Point projections? Defensive performance?

A Deep Dive: Jason Zucker

Season Statistics - Then and Now2017-18: 64 points in 82 games played - .78 points per game
2018-19: 42 points in 81 games played - .52 points per game
2019-20: 41 points in 60 games played - .68 points per game
2020-21: 18 points in 38 games played - .47 points per game
Playoff Performances2017-18: 0 points in 5 games played - 0 points per game
2018-19: No playoffs
2019-20: 2 points in 4 games played - .5 points per game
2020-21: 3 points in 6 games played - .5 points per game
Heavy price to pay for Zucker in returnCalen Addison - Iowa Wild 2020-21: 22 points in 31 games
1st round draft pick - Carson Lambos, D from WHL
5.5M through 2023
Can he turn it around?What line should he be on?
Can he get the point production of 2017-18?
What else can he bring to the team if it isn’t point production?
Biggest wild card on the roster.
Can possibly make or break a playoff spot this year.
Need a big performance (especially while Geno is out).