Pair at the Point: A Pittsburgh Penguins Podcast

The Long Shots

Mike LangeRetirementRehash Hextall/Burke HiresDiscussion of Rutherford Exit
Hextall history in Philly/LA
Burke history in Toronto/Calgary
Has playing it safe closed the window?
Zach Aston-Reese Signing1 year x $1.725M
Good deal, but uncertainty added
More offense, could get paid
LinesFor Pittsburgh Post-CampDivision Standings PredictionDo the Pens make the playoffs?
Who falls off? Rangers, Devils, Flyers improvement?

So Long, Sheriff

Expansion Draft, RFA LossesTanevHow will his absence affect the team next year?
No qualifying offer for Millitec, Jankowski, Lindgren, Larmi
2. Draft Picks(R2-#58)Tristan Broz6’0 C, University of Minnesota (NCAA)
90 points in 108 games (USHL)
(R5-#154)Isaac Belliveau6’2 D, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
17 points in 37 games
(R7-#194)Ryan McCleary6’0 D (only 154 lbs), Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
7 points in 18 games
(R7-#215)Daniel Laatsch6’5 D, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)
(R7-#218)Kirill Tankov6’1 C/RW, captain of bad MHL (Russian Junior) team SKA Varyagi
19 y/o overager, 43 pts in 52 games
3. SigningsMcGinn 
Heinen
Rodrigues
Simon
Chaput
Fedun
Lindberg

The Penguins Did What?

News around the leagueInteresting trades
UFAs not yet signed
Players surprisingly unprotected/protected
GMs gone wild
2. Jared McCannTraded to Toronto - how does this affect the team moving forward?
Thoughts and commentary on this trade
3. Penguins Protection List and Expansion Draft Predictions Penguins Protected ListSidney Crosby
Evgeni Malkin
Jake Guentzal 
Bryan Rust
Kasperi Kapanen
Jeff Carter (ugh)
Teddy Blueger
Kris Letang
Brian Dumoulin
Mike Matheson
Tristan Jarry
What the team may look like in 2021-22
Best and worst case scenario for the expansion draft with our unprotected players
4. Preseason game schedule announced

NHL Draft: Our Top NHL Prospect Picks

JESS’ PICKS1. William Eklund(C) - Sabres2. Matthew Beniers(C) -  Kraken3. Owen Power (D) - Ducks4. Luke Hughes(D) - Devils5. Simon Edvinsson (D) - Blue Jackets6. Jesper Wallstedt(G) - Wings7. Dylan Guenther(LW) - Sharks8. Brandt Clarke(D) - Kings9. Mason McTavish(C) - Canucks10. Fabian Lysell(LW/RW)  - SenatorsSETH’S PICKS1. Eklund2. Power3. Beniers4. Wallstedt5. Lysell6. Hughes7. Guenther8. Clarke9. McTavish10. Solvidson

Free Agent Hunting

The Finals - final thoughtsHow did our predictions pan out?
Will Montreal take it to 6 or 7?
How does home ice affect the series moving forward?
Penguins UFAs - will we try to resign?Colton Sceviour, Evan Rodrigues, Freddy Gaudreau, Cody Ceci
Who do we need?
Who will cost too much and sign elsewhere?
UFAs around the leaguePenguins linked to Grubauer - can we afford him? What would this mean for Jarry?
Goalies: Grubauer, Rask, Raanta, Mrazek, Driedger, M. Smith, Reimer, Ullmark, Rinne 
Forwards: Ovechkin, Landeskog, Hyman, Saad, B. Ryan, Hoffman, Coleman, Hall, Armia, Sheahan
Defense (RHD): Hamilton, Savard, Stone, L. Schenn, Montour, Gudbranson, Hamonic, Bogosian, Hakanpaa, Barrie, Larsson
How do we get bigger? Do we try or leave it alone?

League Observations, What Ifs, and Penguins RFAs

The Finals - news and thoughtsFinals & Conn Smythe - thoughts and predictions
Wrap up of playoffs overall
Reffing discussion
2. Penguins what if?Could they have beaten the Lightning? What about the Canadiens?
Future of the league
3. Penguins RFAsMain: Blueger and ZAR
Qualification rules
Must be qualified by July 22 - after expansion draft before draft
Seattle
Others: Jankowski, Zohorna, Militec, Bjorkqvist, Lindgren, Larmi
Roster spots

End of Season: Analyzing the Top Line

1. Rust Identity - What was the team’s identity this season? What is it moving forward?
League at large - Rust says the league hasn’t fundamentally changed since 16-17, is that so?
Physicality - Bigger teams that can skate are winning in recent years; Is there a quick fix to add size
2. GuentzelHigh quality chances were created consistently; luck was poor, which is bound to happen with a small sample size
What is his future with the Pens? Discuss rumors of potential trade this summer.
Wants to score goals, has shooter mentality; his mentality changes when he can’t bury
Crosby v Malkin - should Guentzel be switched to play on line 2 occasionally
3. CrosbyDifferent problems ended the Penguins' season in the past few years. Does there need to be another major tweak?
Discuss each individual loss
Keys to win in the playoffs next year
What was wrong with Sid? Potential injury to hand?

Expansion Draft: Part 2

With the expansion draft looming, we dive into who we think the Pittsburgh Penguins will protect. Although the picks for protecting Defense and Goalie seem straightforward, there are some lingering questions with salary cap and performance. Listen in to see who we think will be protected and exposed when the expansion draft takes place on July 21, 2021.
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/pair-at-the-point/support

Expansion Draft: Part 1

With the expansion draft looming, we dive into who we think the Pittsburgh Penguins will protect. The forward core is deep and a lot of players will be left exposed. Listen in to see who we think will be protected and exposed when the expansion draft takes place on July 21, 2021. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/pair-at-the-point/support

Q&A: Get To Know Seth & Jess

Get to know us more as we dive into some of our all time favorite Penguins players, teams, and more!
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/pair-at-the-point/support