December 12, 2025 • 28 mins
Mark is joined by Tim Benz to talk Steelers and Dolphins. Rutger McGroarty of the Penguins calls in to talk about his season so far.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Double.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
I'm on the extra joining me now from the trip
Tim Ben's. By the way, the last segment bucked was
by Danny's Peacher and Hogies on Route eighty eight in
Bethel Park. Tim, we'll talk mostly Steelers, but what's your
take on the Jari deal. I'm not surprised that happened.
It happened a little sooner than I suspected.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
But then again, maybe it's just the right time, right
after what we saw last night. There were a lot
of very typical Jari red flags.
Speaker 4 (00:26):
That were out there.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
You know, I'm not sure what exactly it was that
caused the oilers to come off of the no retention thing.
Speaker 4 (00:36):
Maybe it was getting pulling in the deal.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Is that official that the Penguins didn't retain any salary?
Speaker 4 (00:41):
I saw it on Twitter a couple of times. I
don't know. Maybe that's been refuted since, but no, it's.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Not been refuted so but but I've kind of heard
that too.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Yeah, So I don't know what it was. Maybe they
just got desperate enough. Maybe they thought that puling was
enough to make that worthwhile to pay it all.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
I did like the one remark I can't remember who.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Had it out there, that said basically was Skinner for
Skinner East and also a more expensive Skinner, so that could.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Be a way to look at it.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
People are panting it from Edmonton's point of view because
it's just more expensive version of the same.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yeah, but they needed to take a gamble. The other
guy proved he couldn't do it. I do think Jari's
more talented than Skinner, so I understand why they'd done
what they'd done. I think Kulak might fit in and
you know, be better than one of the left side
of d they got, although we were debating who should
sit if Qulac goes right to the lineup. And by
the way, Dubas said a couple moments ago, he's not
(01:38):
sure if Skinner at Qulak will be available for tomorrow's
home game against San Jose because of immigration reasons. That's
it's just tough to get through when you're coming in
to work. But yeah, maybe Qulec goes in for Watherspoon.
I think he struggled recently, and Graves has been a
pleasantly average.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Pleasantly average is a great way to describe I is
this all gonna be so well? Jarry has no such
issues because he was because he is Canadian, right, so
he can go right back over and then I don't know.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
I would think there would be the case and no,
maybe he should just stay until Epanton Blazer.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
I can't help but.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Think that the president should get involved. Trump would straighten
this crap out, Yes, right, exactly.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
I don't it's taking him so long to weigh in
on this burning topic. But yeah, he should just hang
out here and play against the Penguins to close out
the homestead.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Oh you know what's gonna happen Tuesday, Tim Jarry is
gonna be here with Edmonton and beat the Penguins in
a shootout, beat Hilloffs in the shootout. You know, we've
been debating if you're the coaches, do you play Jarry
versus Skinner. That's a direct comparison of the two guys
in the trade. But if the Penguins would play Showoffs,
that's a direct comparison of the two guys who were
the tandem just a week before.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Oh, for sure, it's more of a I think a
risk in that regard for the Pens, because you're right,
the narrative can be spun either way.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
And you would say Skinner would be motivated play Edmonton.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
I mean, he did get him to the two finals,
but I think the feeling was that was despite him
and I tend to agree.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
I just want to see Murrishaw take the reins as
fast as possible. But if it's all too fast for them,
I guess I understand.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
But I really do think Mark that the timing is
right on Jari.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
You know, Tim, you had to trade him whenever you
could dump the contract. The important thing was to get
rid of the next two years at five point three
seven to five MILI when the best he could hope
for was to be Morrischof's backup.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
It doesn't really matter who gets the better goaltender by April.
What matters is this goaltender coming here is at half
the price.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
I'm amplifying your point absolutely.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
And and it's contracts up. He's a rental and he's gone.
And then you then you have Morischoff and Shiloffs, or
more Schoff and Bloomquist. They're more Schoff and whoever, because
Morrischof's the guy Tim moving on to the Steelers. Here's
kind of a broad question that I brought up. Has
having Aaron Rodgers been worth it. Seriously, He's only seven
(04:02):
and six, his stats are men, and he's only played
a couple of good games.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
My definitive, blunt, without a doubt answer is I guess.
I think the cliche bark is what nothing ventured, nothing gained?
Speaker 4 (04:19):
Well, they haven't.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
No, I'm not being blanket critical of it, but I
think that probably like six and seven with Rudolph, and
not that Rudolph's the guy in the future, but every
year you spend bringing in this old, you know, homeless
looking guy, whether it's Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers, is
a year wasted, a year treading sludge.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
I think Russell Wilson is a much better looking homeless
guy than Rogers, but Rogers might be the better homeless
guy at quarterback. Yes, and I don't even know how
to make Trubisky fit part of that, but he's basically.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
The same version they're of, only less talented.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Well, Rogers looks like a pow. Trubisky held all of
us prisoner.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
We were all hostages, not volunteers.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
As Tomlin lakes to say, there you go. Yeah, so no, dear,
I mean I wasn't trying to do the same thing either.
Speaker 4 (05:04):
I was not trying to make a blanket statement there,
But the theory of nothing ventured, nothing gain is.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Very prudent to attach to this because they didn't venture anything.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
There's no risk associated with this.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
Right, he's cheap, he can go at the end of
the year.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
They're not putting themselves out and what else were they
going to get?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Because that is part of the equation too, is it
wasn't really Rogers or somebody else who was better because
they're never going to pay for Donald.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
It could have Donald, but they weren't going to pay
for him.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Well, see this, this will sound ridiculous, especially given how
he's played for New York, but I would have gone
with Justin Fields just on the off chance he can
prove himself to be worthy moving forward. And if he doesn't,
you're in the same spot you are now having used Rogers,
you know, still trying to find your guy.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
I think Fields. You know. The problem with Fields, though,
is they still would.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
Have had something on the back end, whether it's dead
money or him here at a high hit.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
They order to draft a quarterback next year.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
They could have used him as the backup, I guess,
But how would that dynamic have been it's just cleaner
moving on from Rogers after this year, if they have
their quarterback at the draft, or if they have a
quarterback that they can acquire. That's not the latest version
of one and done. But you know you've been on
the internet mark for the last forty eight hours. I'm
(06:28):
sure too, looking at various sites and tweets.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
Oh, it's all.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
It's a done deal before the Bengals gladly and willingly
trade Joe Burrow to the Pittsburgh Steelers because he's unhappy there.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
That's the newest one that I'm seeing.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Well, yeah, why would Joe Burrow want to come to Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
I mean, he got Jamar and t there if nothing else,
He'll get stats there, and if he had been healthy
all year, probably roughly the same amount of wins and
maybe even win the division. We're talking to Tim Benz
here on the X. Tim, if the Steelers are gonna
win this game against Mynai, how are they gonna do it?
Because I can tell you how Miami might. But that's
because they have an identity and the Steelers still don't.
Speaker 5 (07:10):
Correct.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
The easier way to talk about the winner would simply
be to say, well, Miami's gonna win because they're great
at running the ball.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
And the Steelers suck.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
It's stopping the run that's and it's happened before this year,
it's happened two weeks and will happen against Buffalo, and
there was enough run game shopped up by the Ravens
that they could have won through that part of their
offense alone. But you know, if you're trying to come
up with a way for the Steelers to win the game,
it's likely going to be they stopped the run enough
(07:40):
like they did against Indy and against Chicago, and they
turned the ball over on short fields that they accrue
enough points to beat Miami in a twenty something too
high teams kind of game, like a twenty five to
nineteen game, that that's probably.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
The formula for the Steelers to do it.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
And I will say this mark like when they when
they've done a good job against good running teams this year,
namely the Bears and Colts, it's because they essentially said,
we don't care what the quarterback does.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
They let Danny Dimes try to beat him. He couldn't.
They stopped Taylor. They threw everything at Taylor.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
They got ninety nine yards against them, but one of those.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Is a run from the wide receiver and scramble yards. Williams.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
They really did a good job slowing down the Chicago
run game, Williams.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
I guess did enough to beat them because their coverage
was horrible in the secondary.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
But you know, if they are really committed to stopping
the opposing run, not caring what the other quarterback does
to them, then they can be proficient there and maybe
Toua will throw them the ball.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
All right, that's not a bad plan with Tua.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
If you want me to even go more basic, they
gonna lead somehow fluky or not, and then Miami has
to rely on Tua, right, and then.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Is doing less every week, by the way.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
And that's probably part of the reason why they're in
it and still alive, and you know, a threat to
beat them is because they're leaning into what they do best,
which is run the football with a fast running back,
good run blocking offensive lineman in a good run.
Speaker 4 (09:15):
Game scheme like they have now.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
It is a real thing that they've talked about a
couple times this week, so at least they're cognizant over
on the South side about this as to how good
that Miami offensive line is particularly at the center position,
getting out, getting on the inside linebackers, getting to the
second level and creating those run seams for Chen to exploit.
(09:39):
So they know what those guys do well, you know.
Then again, we heard the same thing about stopping Cook
even perhaps before stopping Allen, and look how that turned out.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
What's not gonna play? I'm not sure that's a big deal.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I don't think Herbig's played enough, and I think both
Herbig and Heismith have out performed a lot this year.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Frustration for me how they've handled the outside linebacker rotation.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
I wanted to see more looks with three of them
on the field.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
At the same time, I thought that was a way
to force her Big onto the field, especially in passing situations.
As the year goes along, they just get more and
more settled and more and more into their conventions, and
that includes using Watt and Highsmith almost all the time.
I understand that those are two run based defense offenses
(10:29):
that they just played last two weeks against Buffalo and
the Ravens, but there were plenty of pass opportunities for
Herbig to be in there more often, and he never
got to forty percent of the snaps, and that means
less of a chance in my opinion, to create negativity
on pass plays and get them off of their run comfort.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
That never happened. And we kept hearing Mark, you.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Know, in August, September, October, especially when Herbig was playing
well and really becoming a splash player. Well, he can
make plays on pass downs because he's playing better on rundowns.
They kept telling us so much better he was against
the run, and then when the chips are really on
the table in that regard, they're kind of hiding him.
And same thing with Sawyer, who was brought here to
(11:12):
be sort of a hybrid version of a defensive end
and a linebacker who could pass rush but also be
stout against the run, and he's had eleven total snatch
the last two weeks.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
I'm disappointed in that.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Tim.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
One thing I find hilarious the Steelers have an old
depth chart and they find a way to make an
order with mvs and thling, and it's obvious Rogers has
bullied their way onto the field at the expense of Roman,
Wilson and Calvanos. In third, Rodgers has very quietly taken
over very passive, aggressive but he's in charge and I
can't help. But wonder if that's why Firemouth and John
(11:43):
who've been minimized because he likes the fat kid out there.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
And he also likes receivers.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Remember Mark, we talked about this way back when in
August even I would say, going back to right when
the Johnny Smith trade happened, and everything's sort of coalesced
with the roster finally being completed after the deal and
Rogers being signed.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
That Rogers has had good tight ends in Green Bay,
good but nobody great. And maybe that was part of
the reason.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
Why is is he always preferred throwing to wide receivers
and it was a weird fit, just like it was
a weird fit trying to force four guys onto the
field to tight end. And how strange it's been that
a teacher's pet and John news Smith comes here.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
It is barely used.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
But like I said, that's Rogers. Rogers has taken over.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
And I think the way he talked about having those
guys out there, and even if I'm not throwing them
the ball, the fact that they're running the routes in
the right place and pulling the coverage away so I
can get the ball to DK that was like an
earworm for me, Like Okay, that's it, Like that's that's
(12:53):
gonna be the talking point for the next four weeks.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Here Tim, great stuff as always enjoyed the game. We'll
talk next to way you got it.
Speaker 6 (13:01):
Mark.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Thanks, that's Tim Bens right now for calls on the fifteens.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Do you think having Aaron Rodgers has been worth it
for the Steelers this year? And I want your take
on the Jari deal as well. I'm Mark Madden one
oh five to nine.
Speaker 7 (13:16):
It's The Woody Show weekday mornings at six well.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
New Leus no matter what we do, so we might
as well have a good time.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Toe go hoe, gut txe.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
We got Rotter McGroarty the Penguins at the bottom of
the hour if you're just tuning in. Jarry got traded
to Edmonton along with Sam Pulin, goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenseman
RTT Kulak, and a second round pick in twenty twenty
nine coming to Pittsburgh. Edmonton fans are reacting unfavorably. Not
(13:53):
that they were big fans of Skinner, who lost in
the last two Stanley Cup finals with them, but they
don't think Jarry is good enough. Well, he's probably not,
but are you gonna go out there and get who's available.
There's only like ten good goalies in the league, and
nobody's trading them. By the way, this kid debuted for
(14:13):
Montreal last nink Gold Jacob Foler first NHL game made
thirty six saves A couple of neat things about that,
even though I would prefer to have seen the Penguins win.
But father played for the Youngstown Fantoms right down the
road in the North American Junior Hockey League, and it
reminded me of seeing Ken Dryden make his first ever
(14:36):
start for the Canadians, first ever NHL start here in Pittsburgh,
So that was kind of cool. Despite the Penguin's loss,
a couple other Penguins moves because they're coming thick and fast.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Matt Dumba got waived. No word on if he's.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Cleared yet, and Harrison Brunick, as expected, has been loaned
to Team Canada for the World Junior Championships, but not
Ben Kendall, as a bunch of dopes up north had
tried to wish into existence time for calls on the fifteens.
Let's go to Brad, Brad, you're talking to.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
Mark Hey, Mark.
Speaker 5 (15:08):
In regards with it worth bringing Aaron Rodgers in for
the price, it would be hard to argue not. But
for what you got out of DK Metcalf and John
Us Smith. Their production to have dropped.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
It's like, I don't care what you're getting on to them, Bro,
they're seven and six. You didn't bring Aaron Rodgers into
go seven and six and stumble into a playoff berth narrowly,
although the division. If it wasn't for the division, that'd
be dead in the water. But the division is so bad.
Speaker 5 (15:42):
But no, I don't think if you couldn't get the
average numbers for both of those players out of Rogers, no,
it was not worth bringing him in.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Let's go to Nick. Nick. You're on with Mark.
Speaker 6 (15:54):
Hey, Mark, I'm so excited to be part of the
fetch movement.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
That is so fetch.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
So I have actually two things.
Speaker 7 (16:03):
One is, when you're talking about beating Miami, you know,
I think Tim is right when he alluded to the
only way you're gonna beat them stop the run and
let to a beat you, which the Steelers can do
because they can do a single objective stop the run.
They can't do both, so I think that's their best
option of being able to win is simply just by
(16:26):
stopping the run and hopefully things can push forward. But
it does scare me a little because you look at
the first game of the season, taking five turnovers away
from New England and still almost.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Finding a way to lose. I'm definitely not confident.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Well, yeah, were you referring to the Jets game as well?
Because the Jets ran all over them and they, you know,
beat I think, the worst team in the league by
only a couple points.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
So yeah, the Steelers are vulnerable every game.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
I think your notion of stopping the run concienting on
one thing, because they can do one thing on defense,
not always, they don't always even do the one thing
on defense, but that.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Yeah, is their best bet.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Jay, Real quick, Jay, which part of real quick didn't
you get?
Speaker 6 (17:15):
Yes, sir, listen, just two things real quick. I agree
with the trade Jori to Edmonton. Great trade. I think
that was a good move to get a couple of
guys in. But this is okay, we'll see what happens
with that. But also, the Steelers are no better than
last year, No way, no way, and they should have
never made that trade the Dallas for a wide receiver.
I just disagree with that.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
Well, no, they wouldn't have found a way to get
Pickings involved with this offense. If they can't even make
proper use of DK, why would they make proper use
of a second receiver. I just don't think bringing in
Rodgers is worth it because you're only seven and six
and probably won't win a playoff game.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Thank you for the call up.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Next, I'm gonna talk to Rutger mc groarty the Penguins.
He w on the Home of Depends one oh five
to nine. Listen to the X everywhere you go, nowhere everywhere.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Tell your sport device Alexa play one oh five point
ninety X on.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
iHeartRadio, Ho Ho Ho, and now the super genius Mark Madden.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
Mark, you struck my last ner.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
You say that like you think I would remotely give
a dump. But do go on t exit one oh
five nine.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Peg was a lot of exciting young town on the
ice this year. Joining me now is one of those players.
He is rookie winger. Rutger McGroarty Rotker big trade today,
a switch of goalies.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
I know you've not been in the NHL very long.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
But how does that shake up the dressing room?
Speaker 8 (18:38):
I would just say, uh, we're we're super excited for
jars Uh to go to Edmonton and hopefully have a
lot of success, and then we're really looking forward to
get sir Skinner and and Kulak and it'll it'll be
great meeting those guys and having them help us win.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
Now you're only twenty one, but people forget already that
you got traded from Winnipeg to Pittsburgh. That's a weird experience,
especially when you're that young, isn't it.
Speaker 8 (19:05):
Yeah, it's definitely a little different. You grow up, You
grow up watching the NHL and all the trades, so
so it's it's a weird feeling being a part of one,
for sure.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Now you had some good chances last night, Rodger, you
hit the post, you had some other good looks. You
gotta feel like you and your line are coming close.
Speaker 8 (19:23):
Yeah, it's coming for sure. We've got to stick to
the process though. It's all process oriented, and then it
can't be production oriented because I feel once you get
to that, then you start pressing and you start gripping
the stick.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
A little tighter.
Speaker 8 (19:36):
So we're just we're just sticking to the process right now.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
Now, when you say the process, where do you feel
you guys are adding the process? What has to get
a little better for the results to reflect it.
Speaker 8 (19:47):
I just think it's a comfortability factor. I think comfortability
of playing with each other, comfortability of being this league,
and then not deferring. I feel like we just got
to take the bowl by the horns and and just
shove a puck in the nut if it comes to that.
So I think I think we've been really close. I
think we're we're playing really well together.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Well, let's stick with that, Rutger.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Because you're on the line with two other young guys,
it's a lot of fun to watch you Ben Kindled
and Billy Cloyvenan. What's that like with the energy and
to kind of grow together as a kid.
Speaker 8 (20:16):
Line, Yeah, it's super exciting. I think we're going through
it together. So it's so it's super easy to talk
to them, just kind of asking them what they're seeing,
how they're feeling, kind of just go through it together.
I feel like it's been a lot of fun and
we've continue to get better and better. So I'm just
looking forward to keep going.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
Now, you're twenty one, the Kindle's eighteen. Does he make
you feel old at all?
Speaker 5 (20:39):
Hey?
Speaker 8 (20:39):
Yeah, I feel like the old man. I think it's
crazy seeing what he can do in the in the
league at such a young age. He's he's got a
really bright future and he's got a good, good head
on his shoulders. So I'm super excited to see see
what he does in the future.
Speaker 1 (20:53):
Yeah, eighteen, that that's pretty amazing.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Now, Dan mue said last night after the game that
you guys maybe to get to the chances quicker.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Do you know what he means by that? How would
you define what he said?
Speaker 4 (21:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (21:06):
I just think being more efficient with with the opportunities.
I think that it's a fast league, and so defensemen
are are really quick, quick to close on gas and
get a stick in the lane. So if that's getting
a release off quicker, making a play a split second quicker,
it's just being more efficient with those opportunities.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Now, you played for coach muse with the US developmental
program Rutger, has that made your adjustment this year easier?
Do you know what he expects? Maybe more than you might.
Speaker 8 (21:36):
Yeah, I think it's it's definitely Ah, it's comfortable for me.
I feel like i've I know what to expect from him.
I think that he he respects hard work and UH
and our team loves working hard. So I think that
it's very fun for me to be be coached by
him again and it's been cool.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
What do you feel he wants from you? Specifically?
Speaker 2 (21:58):
If you had to describe what is expectations are for you,
what would they be?
Speaker 8 (22:04):
I would just say I kind of like what I
was saying about working hard, driving poks down low, creating
opportunities from from below the dots. I think that I
like to play heavy game b B F one on
the four check, you the first guy in there, create turnovers,
and then responsible in my D zone. I think that
I like to play two hundred foot games, so responsible
(22:25):
in my D zone and then uh, just hunting pucks
in the ozone and creating opportunities.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Now, you talked about being F one on the four check,
and I think you've done that really well.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
And for my UH.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
Observation, you've improved your skate in quite a bit during
your time as a pro. What's that process been like,
what what's the work like?
Speaker 6 (22:44):
Yeah, it's a lot of work.
Speaker 8 (22:45):
I mean a lot of people don't see what goes
on behind the scenes, but I think that are The
development staff that we have here, from top to bottom
is incredible. So it's it's a lot of a lot
of stuff in the in the gym and then a
lot of stuff on the ice. So Jeff Murray, he's
our head skating guy here. He's He's been incredible for
me and I can't thank him enough.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
Now, you miss training camp in the start of the
year with an upper body injury, Rodker, what's it been
like catching up and you feel like right now you're
at one hundred percent.
Speaker 8 (23:16):
Yeah, I think I'm definitely still growing. I feel like
missing camp with an injury definitely sucks. I had a
huge summer and I was really looking forward to coming
into camp and making it make an impact from day one.
But obviously that's going to happen, so I just kept
kept my head in it statementally locked in and now
I uh. I went down to Wilkes for for five
(23:38):
games there. I really liked my game there, and then
since I've been in the NHL, I'm just getting more comfortable.
I feel like I'm creating more opportunities. I'm starting to
find my game at this level, and uh, it's only
up from here. I think I'm just going to continue
to get better and better.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
I agree, and I think defense is a big part
of that for you. You have pretty solid defensive acumen
for a younger player who drilled that India, because that
had to have started a long time ago.
Speaker 8 (24:04):
Yeah, my dad's always been a coach, so I've always
been around the game, and I think that you can't
take care of things on the offensive side as if
you're not taking care of him on the defensive side.
I think a lot of offenses generated from the D zone,
and so managing that end of the ice leads to
better opportunities on the offensive side. So I would say
(24:24):
my father really really drilled that into me just from
being in the ranks since I was three days old.
I think that he's he's really instilled that in me.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
What's the Sydney Crosby experience been like being on his
team and him being your captain. I always joke with
Sid that he's in a dressing room full of people
who were his biggest fans.
Speaker 8 (24:44):
Yeah, it's cool. I think I think Sid is a
really really good human. I think that he leads by
example every single day, and he drags us into the fight.
So I think that him being able to do that
night in night out is really cool. And then also
you've seen what he's done throughout his career and what
he does on a nightly basis, So it's been really
(25:06):
cool to be a part of.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
And uh yeah, Well, one thing I've noticed is, you know,
Sid stays out on the ice for extra worker lot
the Penguins veterans doing. You young guys, you stay out
there with him every chance you get, don't you.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (25:20):
I think anytime you can learn from guys like that,
if it's Sid, Gino, Uh Tanger, Carlson, Rusty, I think
that you can pick up on little things that they're
doing and and little things that they see. So anything
that we can.
Speaker 6 (25:34):
Pick up from them is a plus.
Speaker 8 (25:36):
So I think that being able to play with those
guys in practice with them and getting to pick their
brains has been great and really cool. So we we
definitely take every opportunity that we can to to get
to talk to them.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
Now, you guys have had a couple of tough losses
at home.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
After a pretty good road trip back at home tomorrow,
Gainst San Jose, how do you guys get back on track?
Speaker 8 (25:56):
Yeah, I think the I think the Dallas game and
I think the Anaheim game. I think we got some
really good opportunities. I think that just bearing down last
night wasn't wasn't a great start, and I think that
we definitely have better.
Speaker 4 (26:10):
I think it.
Speaker 8 (26:11):
Starts with starts with our work ethic and starts with
our execution. So I think that going in tomorrow's game
basement just has to be hard work. I think everybody
has to be working hard and and uh and driving
the play and then just executing the small details like
little passes, stopping in our spots, getting pucks out on
the wall. The little details add up to the big things.
(26:33):
So take care of the small things and uh and
eventually and we'll hopefully we get two points from that.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
Finally, R Kurt, I always ask all the young guys this,
because you're just twenty one, This is a lot of fun,
isn't it. This NHL is then it's got to be
the time of your life.
Speaker 8 (26:50):
Yeah, it's pretty cool. I mean, you you grow up
always dreaming of this opportunity, and now that you're here,
you just you just want to stay so I think
that I haven't really thought about it in that winning
of just like this is awesome. I've just more than
trying to come in and help the team win in
any way possible and try to play my game and
(27:11):
try and make an impact in every game. So obviously
it's very cool, but I also I want to be
here and do my thing and try and help the
team win.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Rodger, great stuff out there, Thank you for taking a time,
good input, and I'll see at the rink tomorrow.
Speaker 8 (27:29):
Perfect sound good.
Speaker 6 (27:30):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
That's Rutger mcgrorty. He can talk, he can play too.
Penguins hosting San Jose tomorrow. Hopefully get off the snide
with these two losses in a row at home. If
you're just tuning in, Big trade Jari to Edmonton along
with Sam Poulin for goalie Stewart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulack
and a second round pick in twenty twenty nine, and
(27:52):
I really will be dead in twenty twenty nine. Another
news item I want to touch on. I'ld that Terry Pigola,
the owner of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabers and
a huge Penn State alum. You know he built the
ice rink up there. He's the guy who wanted Franklin
fired and paid his nine million dollar buyout out of
his pocket. That's how bad he wanted him gone. Is
(28:14):
it good or bad that that guy can make that decision?
I don't know, And also I want some calls. Has
it been worth it the Steelers bringing Rogers in this year?
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Has it turned out like it like you hoped? One
oh five ninety x
Double.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
I'm on the extra joining me now from the trip
Tim Ben's. By the way, the last segment bucked was
by Danny's Peacher and Hogies on Route eighty eight in
Bethel Park. Tim, we'll talk mostly Steelers, but what's your
take on the Jari deal. I'm not surprised that happened.
It happened a little sooner than I suspected.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
But then again, maybe it's just the right time, right
after what we saw last night. There were a lot
of very typical Jari red flags.
Speaker 4 (00:26):
That were out there.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
You know, I'm not sure what exactly it was that
caused the oilers to come off of the no retention thing.
Speaker 4 (00:36):
Maybe it was getting pulling in the deal.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Is that official that the Penguins didn't retain any salary?
Speaker 4 (00:41):
I saw it on Twitter a couple of times. I
don't know. Maybe that's been refuted since, but no, it's.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Not been refuted so but but I've kind of heard
that too.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Yeah, So I don't know what it was. Maybe they
just got desperate enough. Maybe they thought that puling was
enough to make that worthwhile to pay it all.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
I did like the one remark I can't remember who.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Had it out there, that said basically was Skinner for
Skinner East and also a more expensive Skinner, so that could.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Be a way to look at it.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
People are panting it from Edmonton's point of view because
it's just more expensive version of the same.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yeah, but they needed to take a gamble. The other
guy proved he couldn't do it. I do think Jari's
more talented than Skinner, so I understand why they'd done
what they'd done. I think Kulak might fit in and
you know, be better than one of the left side
of d they got, although we were debating who should
sit if Qulac goes right to the lineup. And by
the way, Dubas said a couple moments ago, he's not
(01:38):
sure if Skinner at Qulak will be available for tomorrow's
home game against San Jose because of immigration reasons. That's
it's just tough to get through when you're coming in
to work. But yeah, maybe Qulec goes in for Watherspoon.
I think he struggled recently, and Graves has been a
pleasantly average.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Pleasantly average is a great way to describe I is
this all gonna be so well? Jarry has no such
issues because he was because he is Canadian, right, so
he can go right back over and then I don't know.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
I would think there would be the case and no,
maybe he should just stay until Epanton Blazer.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
I can't help but.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Think that the president should get involved. Trump would straighten
this crap out, Yes, right, exactly.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
I don't it's taking him so long to weigh in
on this burning topic. But yeah, he should just hang
out here and play against the Penguins to close out
the homestead.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Oh you know what's gonna happen Tuesday, Tim Jarry is
gonna be here with Edmonton and beat the Penguins in
a shootout, beat Hilloffs in the shootout. You know, we've
been debating if you're the coaches, do you play Jarry
versus Skinner. That's a direct comparison of the two guys
in the trade. But if the Penguins would play Showoffs,
that's a direct comparison of the two guys who were
the tandem just a week before.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Oh, for sure, it's more of a I think a
risk in that regard for the Pens, because you're right,
the narrative can be spun either way.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
And you would say Skinner would be motivated play Edmonton.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
I mean, he did get him to the two finals,
but I think the feeling was that was despite him
and I tend to agree.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
I just want to see Murrishaw take the reins as
fast as possible. But if it's all too fast for them,
I guess I understand.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
But I really do think Mark that the timing is
right on Jari.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
You know, Tim, you had to trade him whenever you
could dump the contract. The important thing was to get
rid of the next two years at five point three
seven to five MILI when the best he could hope
for was to be Morrischof's backup.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
It doesn't really matter who gets the better goaltender by April.
What matters is this goaltender coming here is at half
the price.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
I'm amplifying your point absolutely.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
And and it's contracts up. He's a rental and he's gone.
And then you then you have Morischoff and Shiloffs, or
more Schoff and Bloomquist. They're more Schoff and whoever, because
Morrischof's the guy Tim moving on to the Steelers. Here's
kind of a broad question that I brought up. Has
having Aaron Rodgers been worth it. Seriously, He's only seven
(04:02):
and six, his stats are men, and he's only played
a couple of good games.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
My definitive, blunt, without a doubt answer is I guess.
I think the cliche bark is what nothing ventured, nothing gained?
Speaker 4 (04:19):
Well, they haven't.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
No, I'm not being blanket critical of it, but I
think that probably like six and seven with Rudolph, and
not that Rudolph's the guy in the future, but every
year you spend bringing in this old, you know, homeless
looking guy, whether it's Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers, is
a year wasted, a year treading sludge.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
I think Russell Wilson is a much better looking homeless
guy than Rogers, but Rogers might be the better homeless
guy at quarterback. Yes, and I don't even know how
to make Trubisky fit part of that, but he's basically.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
The same version they're of, only less talented.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Well, Rogers looks like a pow. Trubisky held all of
us prisoner.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
We were all hostages, not volunteers.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
As Tomlin lakes to say, there you go. Yeah, so no, dear,
I mean I wasn't trying to do the same thing either.
Speaker 4 (05:04):
I was not trying to make a blanket statement there,
But the theory of nothing ventured, nothing gain is.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Very prudent to attach to this because they didn't venture anything.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
There's no risk associated with this.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
Right, he's cheap, he can go at the end of
the year.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
They're not putting themselves out and what else were they
going to get?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Because that is part of the equation too, is it
wasn't really Rogers or somebody else who was better because
they're never going to pay for Donald.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
It could have Donald, but they weren't going to pay
for him.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Well, see this, this will sound ridiculous, especially given how
he's played for New York, but I would have gone
with Justin Fields just on the off chance he can
prove himself to be worthy moving forward. And if he doesn't,
you're in the same spot you are now having used Rogers,
you know, still trying to find your guy.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
I think Fields. You know. The problem with Fields, though,
is they still would.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
Have had something on the back end, whether it's dead
money or him here at a high hit.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
They order to draft a quarterback next year.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
They could have used him as the backup, I guess,
But how would that dynamic have been it's just cleaner
moving on from Rogers after this year, if they have
their quarterback at the draft, or if they have a
quarterback that they can acquire. That's not the latest version
of one and done. But you know you've been on
the internet mark for the last forty eight hours. I'm
(06:28):
sure too, looking at various sites and tweets.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
Oh, it's all.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
It's a done deal before the Bengals gladly and willingly
trade Joe Burrow to the Pittsburgh Steelers because he's unhappy there.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
That's the newest one that I'm seeing.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Well, yeah, why would Joe Burrow want to come to Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
I mean, he got Jamar and t there if nothing else,
He'll get stats there, and if he had been healthy
all year, probably roughly the same amount of wins and
maybe even win the division. We're talking to Tim Benz
here on the X. Tim, if the Steelers are gonna
win this game against Mynai, how are they gonna do it?
Because I can tell you how Miami might. But that's
because they have an identity and the Steelers still don't.
Speaker 5 (07:10):
Correct.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
The easier way to talk about the winner would simply
be to say, well, Miami's gonna win because they're great
at running the ball.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
And the Steelers suck.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
It's stopping the run that's and it's happened before this year,
it's happened two weeks and will happen against Buffalo, and
there was enough run game shopped up by the Ravens
that they could have won through that part of their
offense alone. But you know, if you're trying to come
up with a way for the Steelers to win the game,
it's likely going to be they stopped the run enough
(07:40):
like they did against Indy and against Chicago, and they
turned the ball over on short fields that they accrue
enough points to beat Miami in a twenty something too
high teams kind of game, like a twenty five to
nineteen game, that that's probably.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
The formula for the Steelers to do it.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
And I will say this mark like when they when
they've done a good job against good running teams this year,
namely the Bears and Colts, it's because they essentially said,
we don't care what the quarterback does.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
They let Danny Dimes try to beat him. He couldn't.
They stopped Taylor. They threw everything at Taylor.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
They got ninety nine yards against them, but one of those.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Is a run from the wide receiver and scramble yards. Williams.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
They really did a good job slowing down the Chicago
run game, Williams.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
I guess did enough to beat them because their coverage
was horrible in the secondary.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
But you know, if they are really committed to stopping
the opposing run, not caring what the other quarterback does
to them, then they can be proficient there and maybe
Toua will throw them the ball.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
All right, that's not a bad plan with Tua.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
If you want me to even go more basic, they
gonna lead somehow fluky or not, and then Miami has
to rely on Tua, right, and then.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Is doing less every week, by the way.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
And that's probably part of the reason why they're in
it and still alive, and you know, a threat to
beat them is because they're leaning into what they do best,
which is run the football with a fast running back,
good run blocking offensive lineman in a good run.
Speaker 4 (09:15):
Game scheme like they have now.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
It is a real thing that they've talked about a
couple times this week, so at least they're cognizant over
on the South side about this as to how good
that Miami offensive line is particularly at the center position,
getting out, getting on the inside linebackers, getting to the
second level and creating those run seams for Chen to exploit.
(09:39):
So they know what those guys do well, you know.
Then again, we heard the same thing about stopping Cook
even perhaps before stopping Allen, and look how that turned out.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
What's not gonna play? I'm not sure that's a big deal.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I don't think Herbig's played enough, and I think both
Herbig and Heismith have out performed a lot this year.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Frustration for me how they've handled the outside linebacker rotation.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
I wanted to see more looks with three of them
on the field.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
At the same time, I thought that was a way
to force her Big onto the field, especially in passing situations.
As the year goes along, they just get more and
more settled and more and more into their conventions, and
that includes using Watt and Highsmith almost all the time.
I understand that those are two run based defense offenses
(10:29):
that they just played last two weeks against Buffalo and
the Ravens, but there were plenty of pass opportunities for
Herbig to be in there more often, and he never
got to forty percent of the snaps, and that means
less of a chance in my opinion, to create negativity
on pass plays and get them off of their run comfort.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
That never happened. And we kept hearing Mark, you.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Know, in August, September, October, especially when Herbig was playing
well and really becoming a splash player. Well, he can
make plays on pass downs because he's playing better on rundowns.
They kept telling us so much better he was against
the run, and then when the chips are really on
the table in that regard, they're kind of hiding him.
And same thing with Sawyer, who was brought here to
(11:12):
be sort of a hybrid version of a defensive end
and a linebacker who could pass rush but also be
stout against the run, and he's had eleven total snatch
the last two weeks.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
I'm disappointed in that.
Speaker 1 (11:22):
Tim.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
One thing I find hilarious the Steelers have an old
depth chart and they find a way to make an
order with mvs and thling, and it's obvious Rogers has
bullied their way onto the field at the expense of Roman,
Wilson and Calvanos. In third, Rodgers has very quietly taken
over very passive, aggressive but he's in charge and I
can't help. But wonder if that's why Firemouth and John
(11:43):
who've been minimized because he likes the fat kid out there.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
And he also likes receivers.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Remember Mark, we talked about this way back when in
August even I would say, going back to right when
the Johnny Smith trade happened, and everything's sort of coalesced
with the roster finally being completed after the deal and
Rogers being signed.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
That Rogers has had good tight ends in Green Bay,
good but nobody great. And maybe that was part of
the reason.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
Why is is he always preferred throwing to wide receivers
and it was a weird fit, just like it was
a weird fit trying to force four guys onto the
field to tight end. And how strange it's been that
a teacher's pet and John news Smith comes here.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
It is barely used.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
But like I said, that's Rogers. Rogers has taken over.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
And I think the way he talked about having those
guys out there, and even if I'm not throwing them
the ball, the fact that they're running the routes in
the right place and pulling the coverage away so I
can get the ball to DK that was like an
earworm for me, Like Okay, that's it, Like that's that's
(12:53):
gonna be the talking point for the next four weeks.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Here Tim, great stuff as always enjoyed the game. We'll
talk next to way you got it.
Speaker 6 (13:01):
Mark.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
Thanks, that's Tim Bens right now for calls on the fifteens.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Do you think having Aaron Rodgers has been worth it
for the Steelers this year? And I want your take
on the Jari deal as well. I'm Mark Madden one
oh five to nine.
Speaker 7 (13:16):
It's The Woody Show weekday mornings at six well.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
New Leus no matter what we do, so we might
as well have a good time.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Toe go hoe, gut txe.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
We got Rotter McGroarty the Penguins at the bottom of
the hour if you're just tuning in. Jarry got traded
to Edmonton along with Sam Pulin, goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenseman
RTT Kulak, and a second round pick in twenty twenty
nine coming to Pittsburgh. Edmonton fans are reacting unfavorably. Not
(13:53):
that they were big fans of Skinner, who lost in
the last two Stanley Cup finals with them, but they
don't think Jarry is good enough. Well, he's probably not,
but are you gonna go out there and get who's available.
There's only like ten good goalies in the league, and
nobody's trading them. By the way, this kid debuted for
(14:13):
Montreal last nink Gold Jacob Foler first NHL game made
thirty six saves A couple of neat things about that,
even though I would prefer to have seen the Penguins win.
But father played for the Youngstown Fantoms right down the
road in the North American Junior Hockey League, and it
reminded me of seeing Ken Dryden make his first ever
(14:36):
start for the Canadians, first ever NHL start here in Pittsburgh,
So that was kind of cool. Despite the Penguin's loss,
a couple other Penguins moves because they're coming thick and fast.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Matt Dumba got waived. No word on if he's.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Cleared yet, and Harrison Brunick, as expected, has been loaned
to Team Canada for the World Junior Championships, but not
Ben Kendall, as a bunch of dopes up north had
tried to wish into existence time for calls on the fifteens.
Let's go to Brad, Brad, you're talking to.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
Mark Hey, Mark.
Speaker 5 (15:08):
In regards with it worth bringing Aaron Rodgers in for
the price, it would be hard to argue not. But
for what you got out of DK Metcalf and John
Us Smith. Their production to have dropped.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
It's like, I don't care what you're getting on to them, Bro,
they're seven and six. You didn't bring Aaron Rodgers into
go seven and six and stumble into a playoff berth narrowly,
although the division. If it wasn't for the division, that'd
be dead in the water. But the division is so bad.
Speaker 5 (15:42):
But no, I don't think if you couldn't get the
average numbers for both of those players out of Rogers, no,
it was not worth bringing him in.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Let's go to Nick. Nick. You're on with Mark.
Speaker 6 (15:54):
Hey, Mark, I'm so excited to be part of the
fetch movement.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
That is so fetch.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
So I have actually two things.
Speaker 7 (16:03):
One is, when you're talking about beating Miami, you know,
I think Tim is right when he alluded to the
only way you're gonna beat them stop the run and
let to a beat you, which the Steelers can do
because they can do a single objective stop the run.
They can't do both, so I think that's their best
option of being able to win is simply just by
(16:26):
stopping the run and hopefully things can push forward. But
it does scare me a little because you look at
the first game of the season, taking five turnovers away
from New England and still almost.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Finding a way to lose. I'm definitely not confident.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
Well, yeah, were you referring to the Jets game as well?
Because the Jets ran all over them and they, you know,
beat I think, the worst team in the league by
only a couple points.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
So yeah, the Steelers are vulnerable every game.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
I think your notion of stopping the run concienting on
one thing, because they can do one thing on defense,
not always, they don't always even do the one thing
on defense, but that.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Yeah, is their best bet.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Jay, Real quick, Jay, which part of real quick didn't
you get?
Speaker 6 (17:15):
Yes, sir, listen, just two things real quick. I agree
with the trade Jori to Edmonton. Great trade. I think
that was a good move to get a couple of
guys in. But this is okay, we'll see what happens
with that. But also, the Steelers are no better than
last year, No way, no way, and they should have
never made that trade the Dallas for a wide receiver.
I just disagree with that.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
Well, no, they wouldn't have found a way to get
Pickings involved with this offense. If they can't even make
proper use of DK, why would they make proper use
of a second receiver. I just don't think bringing in
Rodgers is worth it because you're only seven and six
and probably won't win a playoff game.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Thank you for the call up.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Next, I'm gonna talk to Rutger mc groarty the Penguins.
He w on the Home of Depends one oh five
to nine. Listen to the X everywhere you go, nowhere everywhere.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Tell your sport device Alexa play one oh five point
ninety X on.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
iHeartRadio, Ho Ho Ho, and now the super genius Mark Madden.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
Mark, you struck my last ner.
Speaker 1 (18:14):
You say that like you think I would remotely give
a dump. But do go on t exit one oh
five nine.
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Peg was a lot of exciting young town on the
ice this year. Joining me now is one of those players.
He is rookie winger. Rutger McGroarty Rotker big trade today,
a switch of goalies.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
I know you've not been in the NHL very long.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
But how does that shake up the dressing room?
Speaker 8 (18:38):
I would just say, uh, we're we're super excited for
jars Uh to go to Edmonton and hopefully have a
lot of success, and then we're really looking forward to
get sir Skinner and and Kulak and it'll it'll be
great meeting those guys and having them help us win.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
Now you're only twenty one, but people forget already that
you got traded from Winnipeg to Pittsburgh. That's a weird experience,
especially when you're that young, isn't it.
Speaker 8 (19:05):
Yeah, it's definitely a little different. You grow up, You
grow up watching the NHL and all the trades, so
so it's it's a weird feeling being a part of one,
for sure.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Now you had some good chances last night, Rodger, you
hit the post, you had some other good looks. You
gotta feel like you and your line are coming close.
Speaker 8 (19:23):
Yeah, it's coming for sure. We've got to stick to
the process though. It's all process oriented, and then it
can't be production oriented because I feel once you get
to that, then you start pressing and you start gripping
the stick.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
A little tighter.
Speaker 8 (19:36):
So we're just we're just sticking to the process right now.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
Now, when you say the process, where do you feel
you guys are adding the process? What has to get
a little better for the results to reflect it.
Speaker 8 (19:47):
I just think it's a comfortability factor. I think comfortability
of playing with each other, comfortability of being this league,
and then not deferring. I feel like we just got
to take the bowl by the horns and and just
shove a puck in the nut if it comes to that.
So I think I think we've been really close. I
think we're we're playing really well together.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Well, let's stick with that, Rutger.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Because you're on the line with two other young guys,
it's a lot of fun to watch you Ben Kindled
and Billy Cloyvenan. What's that like with the energy and
to kind of grow together as a kid.
Speaker 8 (20:16):
Line, Yeah, it's super exciting. I think we're going through
it together. So it's so it's super easy to talk
to them, just kind of asking them what they're seeing,
how they're feeling, kind of just go through it together.
I feel like it's been a lot of fun and
we've continue to get better and better. So I'm just
looking forward to keep going.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
Now, you're twenty one, the Kindle's eighteen. Does he make
you feel old at all?
Speaker 5 (20:39):
Hey?
Speaker 8 (20:39):
Yeah, I feel like the old man. I think it's
crazy seeing what he can do in the in the
league at such a young age. He's he's got a
really bright future and he's got a good, good head
on his shoulders. So I'm super excited to see see
what he does in the future.
Speaker 1 (20:53):
Yeah, eighteen, that that's pretty amazing.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Now, Dan mue said last night after the game that
you guys maybe to get to the chances quicker.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
Do you know what he means by that? How would
you define what he said?
Speaker 4 (21:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 8 (21:06):
I just think being more efficient with with the opportunities.
I think that it's a fast league, and so defensemen
are are really quick, quick to close on gas and
get a stick in the lane. So if that's getting
a release off quicker, making a play a split second quicker,
it's just being more efficient with those opportunities.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
Now, you played for coach muse with the US developmental
program Rutger, has that made your adjustment this year easier?
Do you know what he expects? Maybe more than you might.
Speaker 8 (21:36):
Yeah, I think it's it's definitely Ah, it's comfortable for me.
I feel like i've I know what to expect from him.
I think that he he respects hard work and UH
and our team loves working hard. So I think that
it's very fun for me to be be coached by
him again and it's been cool.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
What do you feel he wants from you? Specifically?
Speaker 2 (21:58):
If you had to describe what is expectations are for you,
what would they be?
Speaker 8 (22:04):
I would just say I kind of like what I
was saying about working hard, driving poks down low, creating
opportunities from from below the dots. I think that I
like to play heavy game b B F one on
the four check, you the first guy in there, create turnovers,
and then responsible in my D zone. I think that
I like to play two hundred foot games, so responsible
(22:25):
in my D zone and then uh, just hunting pucks
in the ozone and creating opportunities.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Now, you talked about being F one on the four check,
and I think you've done that really well.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
And for my UH.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
Observation, you've improved your skate in quite a bit during
your time as a pro. What's that process been like,
what what's the work like?
Speaker 6 (22:44):
Yeah, it's a lot of work.
Speaker 8 (22:45):
I mean a lot of people don't see what goes
on behind the scenes, but I think that are The
development staff that we have here, from top to bottom
is incredible. So it's it's a lot of a lot
of stuff in the in the gym and then a
lot of stuff on the ice. So Jeff Murray, he's
our head skating guy here. He's He's been incredible for
me and I can't thank him enough.
Speaker 2 (23:07):
Now, you miss training camp in the start of the
year with an upper body injury, Rodker, what's it been
like catching up and you feel like right now you're
at one hundred percent.
Speaker 8 (23:16):
Yeah, I think I'm definitely still growing. I feel like
missing camp with an injury definitely sucks. I had a
huge summer and I was really looking forward to coming
into camp and making it make an impact from day one.
But obviously that's going to happen, so I just kept
kept my head in it statementally locked in and now
I uh. I went down to Wilkes for for five
(23:38):
games there. I really liked my game there, and then
since I've been in the NHL, I'm just getting more comfortable.
I feel like I'm creating more opportunities. I'm starting to
find my game at this level, and uh, it's only
up from here. I think I'm just going to continue
to get better and better.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
I agree, and I think defense is a big part
of that for you. You have pretty solid defensive acumen
for a younger player who drilled that India, because that
had to have started a long time ago.
Speaker 8 (24:04):
Yeah, my dad's always been a coach, so I've always
been around the game, and I think that you can't
take care of things on the offensive side as if
you're not taking care of him on the defensive side.
I think a lot of offenses generated from the D zone,
and so managing that end of the ice leads to
better opportunities on the offensive side. So I would say
(24:24):
my father really really drilled that into me just from
being in the ranks since I was three days old.
I think that he's he's really instilled that in me.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
What's the Sydney Crosby experience been like being on his
team and him being your captain. I always joke with
Sid that he's in a dressing room full of people
who were his biggest fans.
Speaker 8 (24:44):
Yeah, it's cool. I think I think Sid is a
really really good human. I think that he leads by
example every single day, and he drags us into the fight.
So I think that him being able to do that
night in night out is really cool. And then also
you've seen what he's done throughout his career and what
he does on a nightly basis, So it's been really
(25:06):
cool to be a part of.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
And uh yeah, Well, one thing I've noticed is, you know,
Sid stays out on the ice for extra worker lot
the Penguins veterans doing. You young guys, you stay out
there with him every chance you get, don't you.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (25:20):
I think anytime you can learn from guys like that,
if it's Sid, Gino, Uh Tanger, Carlson, Rusty, I think
that you can pick up on little things that they're
doing and and little things that they see. So anything
that we can.
Speaker 6 (25:34):
Pick up from them is a plus.
Speaker 8 (25:36):
So I think that being able to play with those
guys in practice with them and getting to pick their
brains has been great and really cool. So we we
definitely take every opportunity that we can to to get
to talk to them.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
Now, you guys have had a couple of tough losses
at home.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
After a pretty good road trip back at home tomorrow,
Gainst San Jose, how do you guys get back on track?
Speaker 8 (25:56):
Yeah, I think the I think the Dallas game and
I think the Anaheim game. I think we got some
really good opportunities. I think that just bearing down last
night wasn't wasn't a great start, and I think that
we definitely have better.
Speaker 4 (26:10):
I think it.
Speaker 8 (26:11):
Starts with starts with our work ethic and starts with
our execution. So I think that going in tomorrow's game
basement just has to be hard work. I think everybody
has to be working hard and and uh and driving
the play and then just executing the small details like
little passes, stopping in our spots, getting pucks out on
the wall. The little details add up to the big things.
(26:33):
So take care of the small things and uh and
eventually and we'll hopefully we get two points from that.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
Finally, R Kurt, I always ask all the young guys this,
because you're just twenty one, This is a lot of fun,
isn't it. This NHL is then it's got to be
the time of your life.
Speaker 8 (26:50):
Yeah, it's pretty cool. I mean, you you grow up
always dreaming of this opportunity, and now that you're here,
you just you just want to stay so I think
that I haven't really thought about it in that winning
of just like this is awesome. I've just more than
trying to come in and help the team win in
any way possible and try to play my game and
(27:11):
try and make an impact in every game. So obviously
it's very cool, but I also I want to be
here and do my thing and try and help the
team win.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Rodger, great stuff out there, Thank you for taking a time,
good input, and I'll see at the rink tomorrow.
Speaker 8 (27:29):
Perfect sound good.
Speaker 6 (27:30):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
That's Rutger mcgrorty. He can talk, he can play too.
Penguins hosting San Jose tomorrow. Hopefully get off the snide
with these two losses in a row at home. If
you're just tuning in, Big trade Jari to Edmonton along
with Sam Poulin for goalie Stewart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulack
and a second round pick in twenty twenty nine, and
(27:52):
I really will be dead in twenty twenty nine. Another
news item I want to touch on. I'ld that Terry Pigola,
the owner of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabers and
a huge Penn State alum. You know he built the
ice rink up there. He's the guy who wanted Franklin
fired and paid his nine million dollar buyout out of
his pocket. That's how bad he wanted him gone. Is
(28:14):
it good or bad that that guy can make that decision?
I don't know, And also I want some calls. Has
it been worth it the Steelers bringing Rogers in this year?
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Has it turned out like it like you hoped? One
oh five ninety x
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