Hello ladies and gents, and welcome to the latest edition of Big Dave's Pens Pregame show. Today, our Penguins look to bounce back after a horrendous loss to the Bruins by hosting the newly re-signed Dustin Byfuglien and the Winnipeg Jets.
It's another matinee start for the Penguins, as puck drops on the action at CEC at 3:00pm. The Pregame, however, begins right now...
Today's "Big Dave's Gameday Jam" comes from one of the greatest bands of all time. They were part of the British Invasion of the late 1960s, but they were far more dark than the likes of the Beatles, Monkeys or Rolling Stones. No, these guys were the Princes of Darkness, and created some of the most iconic early metal music of all time. I am talking about Black Sabbath, and this is their song "War Pigs." Enjoy!
The State of the Penguins
While the Baby Penguins, the likes of Scott Wilson, Tom Kuhnhackl and Conor Sheary, have played outstanding hockey over the past week or so, the big guys have been relatively invisible over the past few games. Sidney Crosby has three points over his past five games, but besides a big game v. Detroit a week ago, has looked rather pedestrian out there. Similarly, Kris Letang had a standout gave v. Buffalo last Sunday, posting three assists, but was atrocious v. Tampa a day before and didn't look good Wednesday either. Chris Kunitz has disappeared again, flubbing passes, shots and not even playing his typical physical style of play. Carl Hagelin, despite his defense and speed, has failed to produce a goal in all but one of his sixteen games in Pittsburgh. Finally, Phil Kessel has posted three goals over the last five games, but he has done little else to standout.
What is worrying about all this is not just that these guys aren't producing, but that they almost look disinterested. The Penguins are not in a position to coast into the playoffs as some of the veterans are used to. Every single game is huge down the stretch, and these guys need to start acting like it. No one is going to get out of their way, they need to come out and fight.
The good news is, especially for the top six and the power play, is that Evgeni Malkin is slated to return to the lineup today. Malkin has missed 10 games due to a lower-body injury. In that time, the scoring of the second line has significantly dropped and the power play went from rolling to a dead standstill overnight. Malkin's return will be huge, especially for the likes of his linemates Kessel and Hagelin, but also for Sidney Crosby.
Evgeni Malkin won't be the only reinforcement for Pittsburgh today. Center Nick Bonino, who hasn't played since mid-January with a broken hand, is also slated to return today. Bonino has greatly underwhelmed this year, producing just 10 points in forty games played thus far. While he has been good defensively and on the PK, he needs to start producing more offensively. It is imperative that head coach Mike Sullivan find a combination of wingers that work with Bonino and keep them together. Otherwise, Bonino will simply continue to be a waste of space.
The bad news about the return of Malkin and Bonino is that several members of the Baby Pens will be heading back to Wilkes-Barre. It is unfortunate, considering they have played outstanding hockey over the previous few games. Oskar Sundqvist was the odd-man out in this situation, which is no surprise. While the young Swede impressed in his 10-game stint, his position worked against him, as both Malkin and Bonino play center. Don't forget his name though, I think he will be a major part of this team in years to come.
The Penguins need to get a huge win today. They have the Jets in town this afternoon, before welcoming the middle-of-the-pack Coyotes Monday night. Both are games the Penguins need to win, especially since they'll play in Washington on Tuesday night. The task won't be easy, but with the reinforcements and a chip on their shoulder from Wednesday, I think the Penguins could have a big day today against Winnipeg.
Clearance Sale: THe Winnipeg Jets
Just weeks ago, the Jets were trying to re-sign their captain Andrew Ladd and their start defenseman Dustin Byfuglien. Byfuglien was re-signed to a multi-year extension, Andrew Ladd was traded out of town Thursday night.
The Jets are one of the few sellers this deadline. They currently sit in last place in the tough Central Division with 60 points. They are expected to move a couple pieces by Monday to continue their build toward the future. Andrew Ladd was the first piece Thursday. The former Captain was having a solid year, and he will greatly help the Blackhawks, whom he returned to after being traded to Winnipeg in the summer of 2010. The Hawks sent back Marko Dano, a 2016 1st round pick and a conditional 2018 draft pick. If the Hawks repeat this summer, the Jets will get a third rounder.
With Ladd gone and Byfuglien locked up, the Jets will look to the future. They still have a good, young core of players on this team, one that now includes Marko Dano. Blake Wheeler, who is always part of the rumor mill this time of year, now is the bonafide leader of the Winnipeg offense. His 56 points in 60 games leads the team. Next is Bryan Little, who had 42 points on the year before suffering a season ending vertebrae break against Tampa the other night. He is expected to recover, but will not play again this season. Mark Scheifele has regressed a little this season, but he is still a big piece of the Winnipeg future. He has 34 points in 49 games. Finally, Nikolaj Ehlers has solidified his spot on the top line and should create a formidable line with Scheifele and Wheeler for the foreseeable future.
The area where the Jets are still lacking is on the blue line and in the cage. Byfuglien is a solid player, but he is not a great defenseman. Tyler Myers is solid, but he is probably a bottom pair defenseman for a good team more than a top-4 in the long run. Jacob Trouba and Toby Enstrom are both very good, young defensemen, but they really are the only solidified pair Winnipeg possess. Then there is the goal. Ondrej Pavalec is the big money goalie on the roster, but he is not very good. Michael Hutchinson and Connor Hellebuyck show promise, with 20 wins between the two of them, but only time will tell if they will develop into a legitimate NHL goaltender.
The Jets are a lowly team, playing sub-par hockey right now. The Penguins need to take advantage of them trading their captain away and take this game in a convincing fashion.
The Lowdown on the Peg:
- 26-30-4 on the season
- 56 points currently has them last in the Central Division
- Winnipeg is 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, but won their matchup Thursday night v. Dallas.
- The Jets are 13-16-1 on the road this season.
Scoring Leaders:
- RW Blake Wheeler - 56pts (17G-39A)
- C Bryan Little - 42pts (17G-25A)
- D Dustin Byfuglien - 38pts (15G-23A)
- C Mathieu Perreault - 34pts (9G-25A)
- C Mark Scheifele - 34pts (15G-19A)
Injury Report:
- C Bryan Little (upper-body) is OUT tonight and the remainder of the season. Little suffered a compression fracture of his vertebrae after being hit by Tampa's Anton Stralman earlier in the week.
- D Mark Stuart (upper-body) is OUT tonight. Stuart was placed on IR retroactive to Feb. 13 on Thursday, but he will not play for the next month or so with an undisclosed upper-body issue.
Projected Lines:
- Nikolaj Ehlers - Mark Scheifele - Blake Wheeler
- Alex Burmistrov - Mathieu Perreault - Drew Stafford
- Chris Thorburn - Adam Lowry - Joel Armia
- Anthony Peluso - Andrew Copp - Matt Halischuk
Projected Pairs:
- Tobias Enstrom - Dustin Byfuglien
- Ben Chiarot - Tyler Myers
- Adam Pardy - Jacob Trouba
Ondrej Pavelec is likely to start in net tonight for Winnipeg.
News & Notes From Around the Penguins
- C Evgeni Malkin (lower-body) will play today. Malkin has missed 10 games due to an unspecified ailment.
- C Nick Bonino (hand) will play today. Bonino has been out since mid-January with a broken right hand.
- LW Tom Kuhnhackl (lower-body) is a game-time decision today. The young German missed practice yesterday and will possibly sit out today as well.
- No updates on Ben Lovejoy, Eric Fehr or Beau Bennett
Roster Moves:
- F Oskar Sundqvist and D Steve Oleksy were re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre on Thursday to make way for Malkin and Bonino's return. Sundqvist scored one point (1A v. Boston) in 10 games. Oleksy was called up Wednesday to serve as seventh defenseman.
Pens/Jets Matchup Notes:
- The second and final regular season matchup between the Jets and Penguins.
- Winnipeg won the first leg at home 1-0 on December 27th on a Bryan Little penalty shot.
- The Penguins were shutout in that game, with Jeff Zatkoff in net.
- The Pens enter today with a 14-game win streak at home against the Jets/Thrashers franchise.
- The Pens are 5-0 at home against Winnipeg since their relocation from Atlanta.
- Sidney Crosby has a 6-game point streak against Winnipeg at home.
Miscellaneous Notes:
- The Penguins are 6-2-1 this season in their "Pittsburgh Gold" jerseys.
- The Penguins had the 8th ranked PP in the NHL when Malkin was in the lineup, having a 20.5% success rate. With Malkin OUT of the lineup, the Pens have the worst PP in the NHL with a success rate of 4.2%.
Big Dave's Ramblings
The Penguins announced Friday morning that they have signed defenseman Olli Maatta to a six-year contract extension. The deal is worth 4.083 million dollars annually and includes a limited no trade clause in the final two years.
This is an outstanding deal for both sides. Jim Rutherford certainly got this one right. The Penguins lock down one of their cornerstone defenseman for the foreseeable future in Maatta. He is truly a special talent. Through just 151 games, he has 16 goals and 54 points for his career. I doubt he will ever be a Nicky Lindstrom type player, but I honestly see a lot of Sergei Gonchar in the young Finn, and with Gonchar in the organization, I only see that comparison getting used more and more down the road. I think Maatta could easily post 30-40 points a season from the blueline, maybe even 50 in a couple years. And though some think he has been down this year, just remember, he is coming off two shoulder surgeries, a removal of a cancerous tumor and had two offseasons of little training. Give him this summer to train and Maatta will be worth every penny of that new deal, guaranteed.
As for Maatta himself, this is a great deal. He gets a generous contract for a guy with only 151 career NHL games played, but it isn't too ridiculous that it will kill this team moving forward. The other key to this is that at just 21 years old right now, he will just be entering his prime when this extension is up. Kris Letang will also be a free agent when this deal is up so the Penguins could make a decision on who to pay the big money to at that point in time. I would pay Maatta to be completely honest.
Great deal for both sides. Well done by Jim Rutherford to lock him up and good for Maatta to earn this contract.
On Sergei Plotnikov and His Status:
GMJR told 93.7 "The Fan" Friday that the Pens #PressBoxHero at some point reportedly asked to return to Russia, which irked new head coach Mike Sullivan. Here is the quote, via a tweet: "GMJR on Plotnikov: 'Feeling his way, pretty good run 5 weeks, then suggested he wanted to go back to Russia, that didn't go too well with the coach.'" This is part of the reason that the 25-year-old Russian hasn't seen the ice since December.
I find the whole Plotnikov situation ridiculous to begin with, but this takes the cake. Plotnikov was never trusted by either coaching staff and never really given any opportunity. He averaged just 7 minutes a night under Johnston and hasn't played since Sullivan's first week with the team. He plays a puck-possession game and is one of the few guys on the team that likes to run guys into the boards. He should at least have been given a few starts here and there. And frankly, had the organization utilized him properly, he could very well have been a legitimate top-9 winger that could really help this team. Instead, they have made him a goat and glued his rear end to the press box. To add to it, late last night it was made public by PPG Seth Rorabaugh that the Pens are actively shopping the winger. Can you really blame him for wanting to return to the KHL after the way the organization has treated him? I sure as hell wouldn't.
On Penguins Needs at the Deadline:
A big topic of discussion the last week and until Monday's 3:00pm deadline will be what the Penguins need and what deals they can make and what deals they should make. Some argue the Penguins should be buyers and try to make a big splash, others say, don't mortgage the future and make only sensible moves. Some say the Penguins should be sellers at the deadline and restock for the future.
Look, the Penguins are not going to sell at the draft. They are currently on the cusp of a playoff spot, with two of the best players in the world in their prime and with Mario Lemieux in a "win now" mindframe as the owner. The Penguins will not be sellers, nor should they be.
That being said, the Penguins shouldn't be all in at the deadline either. This team, currently composed, will not win a Stanley Cup this year. They just aren't good enough in a lot of areas. At this point, they are a marginal playoff team that would likely get bounced in the first round by either the Capitals or Rangers. The Penguins should not go trading a Derrick Pouliot or Matt Murray for some rental player in a deal that will not change the fate of this team. By the way, multiple sources have reported that Rutherford explicitly told them that he WILL NOT trade Matt Murray, in any deal. So there is that.
If the Penguins want to make a move, it should be a minor one. I'd like to see them add to the defense and maybe trade Ian Cole in any deal for one. I would also like to see them move Beau Bennett and Jeff Zatkoff for whatever they can get, because neither will be much of a help to us down the stretch. Calgary's Kris Russell is a name I'd like to see them go after if the price is right. Mike Weber, who was traded to Washington earlier in the week, would have been another solid choice. If the Pens can get Russell on the cheap, great! Otherwise, I'd rather see the Penguins stand pat, hold on to their two second round picks and ride out the year with what they got.
On Andrew Ladd to Chicago:
News broke Thursday night that veteran winger Andrew Ladd would be a scratch for the Winnipeg Jets. An impending UFA at the end of the year, the two-time Stanley Cup champion was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks along with a couple prospects for Marko Dano, a 1st round pick and a conditional draft pick. Winnipeg also retained 36% of Ladd's remaining salary.
It is not surprising that Ladd was moved, but Chicago was a surprising landing place. The Hawks are one of the most financially strapped teams in the NHL at the moment. The fact that they were able to add Ladd is rather impressive, though it did cost them a hefty price in Dano, a 1st rounder and another pick.
The Hawks can afford such moves because of their recent success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It is a steep price, but if it brings Chicago their fourth cup in seven years, no one will really care. For Winnipeg, it gets a quality young player who can step right into the lineup and two picks to add to the future of the franchise.
Andrew Ladd will be a huge piece for Chicago. He won one of his Cups there in 2010, so he will step right back into a team, coach and organization he is familiar with. There will be little transition period for him, so he should make an instant impact. I can see him skating alongside Jonathan Toews on the top line, especially with Marian Hossa now out a few weeks and on both special team units.
As for the Penguins, they never really had a shot on Ladd. They didn't have the first round pick, and likely would have had to give up Matt Murray in the deal. DK on Pittsburgh Sports' Josh Yohe reported minutes before the deal the Penguins were never in on him.
On Other Names and Rumors:
It is an hysterical time of the season not only for NHL executives, but the players and fans as well. The one little move of something and everyone goes into a frenzy. Just look at Thursday night. Ladd got scratched and everyone went nuts! Jiri Hudler, who we will discuss more in a second, left warmups early and social media lost its mind! Ahhhhh, what a wonderful time of year indeed.
So let's take a look at some of the names being talked about most and where they are likely to land...
Loui Eriksson (Boston): There is a lot of discussion between Eriksson and the Bruins brass about a contract extension. According to multiple reports, the two sides are more stuck on term than on the money. Darren Dreger reported that the Bruins have offered three and four year deals, but Eriksson would want more. This seems to be the only hold up. The rumors also seem to point to the direction of Eriksson staying, regardless of if he is signed by Monday at 3:00pm. If the Bruins cannot resign him, they will simply treat him as a rental they gave nothing up for this deadline. If I were a betting man, I'd say this deal gets done soon.
Teddy Purcell, Justin Schultz and Nail Yakupov (Edmonton): The Alberta fire sale should be off and running at any moment. Purcell was scratched on Thursday night to protect him with multiple teams having interest in the winger. Purcell will be a UFA at season's end and the Oilers are hoping to get a decent return for him, especially if they can add defenseman Justin Schultz into the mix as well. Elliotte Friedman noted last night that the LA Kings are the "favorites" at the moment for Purcell, but that the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars also have interest. The Bruins are also believed to have interest in Schultz, as are the Penguins. TSN's Ryan Rishaug tweeted yesterday the Pens are keeping tabs on Schultz. As for Yakupov, he is being floated around by the Oilers and I wouldn't be surprised to see the oft-controversial winger sold by Monday. It would honestly be in both sides interest at this point.
Jiri Hudler, Kris Russel, David Jones (Calgary): Here are two names the Penguins have reportedly been linked too and likely will be dealt by Monday at 3:00pm. Hudler, 32, would be a good pick up for any team in the hunt, even the Penguins. He can play wing, but is more comfortable at center, and with the way things have gone this year, he wouldn't be a bad fit for the Penguins either as third line center or a top-six wing. Kris Russell would be an even better fit in my opinion, because he fills a hole on the Penguins blueline. DK on Pittsburgh Sports "Friday Insider" column yesterday mentioned the Penguins think Lovejoy could be out until late-March. If the Penguins don't fill that hole more sufficiently than Ian Cole or a WBS defenseman, they could be out of the playoff picture by the time Ben is ready to play again. Enter Russell, who would be a perfect fit on the bottom pair alongside Derrick Pouliot and would be a cheaper acquisition than Hudler. I'd love to see the Pens try and get him. As for David Jones, his name has been rumored, but I think that will be a quiet deal when it is eventually made.
Projected Lines & Pairs
- Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Patric Hornqvist
- Carl Hagelin - Evgeni Malkin - Phil Kessel
- Scott Wilson - Nick Bonino - Conor Sheary
- Kevin Porter - Matt Cullen - Bryan Rust
Pairs:
- Kris Letang - Olli Maatta
- Brian Dumoulin - Trevor Daley
- Ian Cole - Derrick Pouliot
Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to start in net today.
My 3 Keys to the Game
2. Power Play: Malkin is back in the lineup, so the power play has no more excuses. 1-for-25 is ridiculous, even without Malkin, because of the personnel. Now, Malkin's in, the unit needs to take off. Lets see it happen today.
3. Chemistry: I think it could take a few shifts for the returning guys to get back in the swing of things, which means that top line needs to be big early and Malkin needs to rediscover that chemistry with Kessl and Hagelin fast. In the bottom six, I want to see Bonino find some comfort with the WBS kids and Cullen should fit right back into the fourth line with Rust and likely Porter.
My 3 Penguins to watch
2. Nick Bonino: Bones is back for the first time since mid-January and lets face it, his first 40 games were a complete disappointment. I'd love to see him come out and start over, start being the dynamic player he is capable of and the one we thought we were getting. He will instantly add to the defense and the PK, but I want to see him score. Today's the day to start.
3. Sidney Crosby: Crosby will likely benefit the most from Malkin's return. He won't be the primary target anymore of the opposing team's defense and he will have a little more open ice on the power play with Geno back. Sid has no points in three of his last five, I doubt that continues with Geno back. Expect a good day from the Captain.
What to know For Attending/Watching/Listening
- Puck drop is at 3:00 with doors to CEC opening at 2:00pm.
- The Penguins will wear their "Pittsburgh Gold" jerseys today.
- The Pens Gear Gameday Special is all items at PensGear stores at CONSOL Energy Center are 50% off during Thursday’s game and all remaining home games during the month of February!
- Make it Hockey then Hoops Saturday afternoon! Following the Penguins 3:00 pm game versus the Winnipeg Jets, support the neighboring Duquesne (15-12) Men’s basketball team as they face Richmond (14-12) in a 6:00 pm tip-off. Penguins game attendees that show their February 27 hockey ticket at the A.J. Palumbo Center Box Office will receive a complimentary reserved ticket to the basketball game. Doors open at 5:00 pm. Saturday’s basketball game will be televised on ASN (American Sports Network/WPNT locally).
- Be sure to visit the Highmark Wall of Champions behind Section 110 Saturday afternoon to view displays celebrating Pittsburgh Black History. Items from the Heinz History Center, the Carnegie Museum of Art, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum and more will be on exhibit until the end of the second intermission.
- “The Bulliest Dozer,” co-written by Penguins center Eric Fehr, is now available for sale at the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation’s silent auction stand outside of the First Niagara Club. This children’s book about why bullying doesn’t pay is signed by Fehr for just $20. You can also purchase the book by using the Foundation’s mobile bidding app at bidpal.net/pens.
Here is what you need to know for WATCHING tonight:
- ROOT Sports has the coverage tonight. Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey with the call beginning at 3:00pm. Dan Potash will have the interviews.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage beginning at 2:30pm.
- Penguins Post Game will follow the game action.
- The latest edition of "In The Room" is available on the Penguins website at the link here: https://www.nhl.com/penguins/video/c-41378403
Here is what you need to know if you're LISTENING to tonight's game:
- 105.9 The X, the Penguins app, the Penguins website and iHeart Radio app are all places you can pick up the game tonight.
- Mike Lange and Phil Bourque will have the game call beginning at 3:00pm.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage at 2:00pm. Josh Getzoff will host.
- Penguins Hot Line will follow the game action.
Pens Points:
- Game Attendance: 50pts
- Concession Purchase: 10pts
- Merchandise Purchase: 10pts
- ROOT Sports Pregame Keyword: 5pts
- ROOT Sports Post Game Keyword: 5pts
- Pens Radio Keyword: 5pts