May 12, 2026 • 28 mins
Mark continues to talk about Dubas and Geno, the Rodgers debacle, and welcomes King Jemison to the show to talk about the Dubas presser
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
You got three time slots on Sunday and occasionally a
fourth if a game is in Europe the UK over there.
You got Monday Night football, you got Thursday Night football.
You got holiday games, You've got Holiday Eve games. I
think this year it's Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving and Black Friday
(00:25):
at the Thanksgiving holiday, and Christmas and Christmas Eve at
the Christmas holiday, and now more and more Saturday games.
And the schedule seventeen games. It's gonna be eighteen games
and then twenty games.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
You watch.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
More and more and more. All the NFL ever wants
is more. You know what I want is the World Cup.
It starts in the month. I can't wait. I'm gonna
go to Scotland and Morocco in Foxboro. I'm gonna be
sitting in Rod Stewart's box Scotland.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
No, I won't be bit.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
It'd be great if I ran into him. Liverpool's Andy
Robertson captain Scotland.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
The week before.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
I'm gonna see most solid play for Egypt against Brazil
friendly at Cleveland. I'm psyched for the World Cup. The
Aaron Rodgers thing not so much. And you know what
some argue about waiting for Rogers that the Steelers should
do it indefinitely. Is that the players want him back. Well, right,
let's heed that, because this group of players really knows
(01:30):
what it takes to win, he said sarcastically, as in
not winning a playoff game in nine years. And you
also hear Rogers doesn't need to be here now. Yeah, okay,
but every other team in the NFL knows one hundred
percent who its quarterback is. The Steelers have a seven
million dollar kicker, but they don't know who their quarterback is,
not for sure. And you're not waiting for Josh Allen.
(01:53):
You're not waiting for Aaron Rodgers in his prime. You're
waiting for washed up Grandpa game in a journey is
washed up.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
You watch all you guys who know ball.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Rogers will get hurt before the season's midway point and
not finish the season. Or he'll get hurt quote unquote
before the season's midway point and not finished the season. Now,
the date we're hearing for Rogers is he'll sign by
May eighteenth, OTAs blah blah blah. If he sucks, I
(02:26):
hope the crowd at Acresser turns on Rogers. I hope
the talk show callers turn on Rogers. I hope the
city turns on Rogers. That would be more glorious than
d Day.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
We might replay those sound bites from Kyle Dubas. Everybody
who heard him talk thinks Malkin's definitely in because he
said they'd love to keep Geno. They want to keep Geno.
They would have announced it today if they knew that
for sure. They already signed do or they already signed
solely off. Why would they have Gino wrapped up? Dubas
set house sid is unique, which means Geno's not. Dubus
(03:03):
used the word nostalgia to refer to the core Ie.
Dupa said he took the job prepared to be the
bad guy at some point. I know what he said
at the beginning, that they'd love to have Geno back.
He has to say that.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
I think Geno is more out than in, but we'll see.
And as I've said repeatedly, in a vacuum, I wouldn't
bring him back. This ain't a vacuum. The locker room
will hate it, the fans will hate it, the new
owners will look bad. I don't see any way to
not bring Geno back. Uh, nobody's seen Aaron Rodgers yet.
(03:38):
But the guys who got work to got burned with
the story, say he was here. He was here, Yeah,
but you said he was here to meet and sign
and now you just say he was here what to
go to Primanny's to golf and Neville would I mean,
why was he here? He wasn't here? Schefter said he
wasn't here. Yo, I've been burnt, and I know that
(04:00):
those guys aren't journalists.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
I am.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
I've been burned when it's happened. I've owned it. You
don't just keep propagating that you were wrong. I mean,
Sean Casey hasn't seen Aaron Rodgers. You heard him say that.
I asked Dubas he said he hadn't seen Aaron Rodgers.
I'm lying about that. Diana Russini hasn't seen Aaron Rodgers
because there would be photographs of it. Diana Russini was
(04:28):
photographed kissing her husband. Now that is shocking. The Rogers thing.
The idea was here but not to meet with the Steelers.
Why would he come here but not to meet with
the Steelers. And if he was here, somebody would have
seen it. Somebody would have photographed it. There would have
been first person evidence, and there's not. He never came here.
(04:49):
Like I said, those guys didn't lie. They got burned,
but they should just live with that. Let's go to
Harry and Westview. Harry, you're on with Mark Mark to
the World Cup.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Don't you get your hair cut like Rod Stewart? I mean,
you know a lot of hair. You have nice hair,
You've got in center.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Isn't my hair now kind of cut? I think my
hair now is kind of cut like Rod Stewart. I
just don't tease it like he does.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Maybe it's subliminal. You don't even know you're getting a
cut like it.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
No, No, I know how I get my hair cut.
I don't go in there like in a trance or
anything like that. My buddy Danny Muckle, he takes care
of me, but no, I I'm a big Rod guy.
It would be well, like I said on my bucket
list of people I'd love to have on the show,
he's right at the top.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
But it will never happen. That's why when I quit,
I give you a call.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
When I quit, I won't do a retirement tour because
I would be so disappointed by who they couldn't get
to come on the show during that tour. One day,
I'm just gonna say today's the last day by and
that's it, and then somebody will pay me way too
much money to do a podcast. Get your calls in
now A three three, four one two WSDX. We got
(05:59):
kN Jamison from the Post Gazette. He covers the Penguins.
He'll join me at the bottom of the hour. I'm
Mark Madden one O five to nine.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
The left lean blocked Crosstown Boulevard boy.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Idiots are off and happy, but they have no real
impact in this world, unless, of course, they're good enough to.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Make the NFL the exit one nine.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
I want to congratulate Brian Batco now X the Post Gazette.
He got uh the job, essentially replacing Dale Ali God
blessed Dale.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
I miss him.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
Brian's gonna write for Steelers dot Com and that does
my heart a lot of good because he's not a stooge,
a guy who got it who wasn't a stooge. I'm
sure all the stooge has had uh hope in that regard,
but Brian God, and I'm happy about that. The fable
is not a stoge either, nor is Dulac. The fable
(06:50):
is my go to guy for Steelers stuff. He wrote
about Aller reinventing his footwork at rookie camp. At least
the groundwork of that being laid star the process of it.
I'm telling you McCarthy can do it with Aler. Tom
Onin Knews zilch Abot Offense New zilch Abot quarterbacks.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
This is different. I'm telling you.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Everybody out there says, why can't you have any optimism
for the Steelers, Well here it is. It's not the
optimism you want because you guys want Aler to fail.
But I have optimism. This is different. Tom Onin was
a CEO. Mike McCarthy is an actual coach. I'm more
worried about how the O line reconfigures. I bet he
(07:31):
on a tour doesn't start week one. He might later
in the season. I bet he doesn't start week one.
I bet he's at least a bit of a project.
Although McCarthy said he was plugged in play and McCarthy
doesn't bs. He doesn't tell you what you want to hear.
He doesn't tell you what you're supposed to say.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
He just talks.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Uh, me, I'd go with the Onnitur at right tackle,
Fatano at left tackle. If you're gonna move him, move
him decisively, keep him. There are no plan b uh
Dunker at left guard, McCormick att right guard, Fraser at center.
But they're not writing off Jones at left tackle because
(08:13):
to do so would make the Steelers look bad after
trading up.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
To get him and just mangling his career.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
And I bet Dylan Cook is a starter somewhere to
start the season. But what I'm talking about Ian Aitre Wright,
Fatanu left, dunker and McCormick at the guards and Fraser center.
That's how I would want to arrange the offensive line
for the long run. Can't wait to watch the NHL
(08:38):
tonight Buffalo at Montreal game four tonight. That is a
ringa ding dong dandy of a series. I'd love to
see Canada get get pumped for Montreal and then lose.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
But I like the Canadians.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
Like I said, Canada doesn't really consider Montreal Quebec to
be Canada only when like like Mario had a great
line about that. I just can't say. Uh, Caroline is
like like Pierre brought up a good point earlier where
them being this off this long, like it could be
(09:14):
a two weeks before they play again. They could go
on a cruise with all this time off, and that'll
hurt them at the beginning, certainly of the next series.
Anaheim in Vegas Game five tonight on the strip, that's
tied two two. Gonna be great hockey to watch tonight, NBI.
I don't pay much attention, but I talked yesterday about
that big elbow when byana Through didn't get suspended, got ejected,
(09:39):
not suspended. And I get it, he's a star and
it's the playoffs, but did you see that elbow?
Speaker 2 (09:45):
It was almost bionic?
Speaker 1 (09:46):
If you know what I'm saying to your daddy, Lebron's
out and he's still the only topic.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
In the NBA.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Will he play? Go away Lebron please? Like somebody said,
he may want to spend more time with his family.
Well that's the problem. His kids on the team and
don't deserve to be the middle Lebron retires. If I'm
the Lakers, I cut Bronnie. Let's go to Steve in Newcastle. Steve,
what's up?
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Hey? Mark?
Speaker 3 (10:13):
So my question here is when did this become a
thing waiting on a quarterback to sign. I don't know.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
It never it never has been a thing, Bruv. It
was never a thing anywhere till last year. The quarterback
is supposed to be at work. The quarterback is supposed
to bring the team together. The quarterback is supposed to
develop communication with the receivers, with everybody. The quarterback is
supposed to lead and be there. And Rogers doesn't give
a frig about anybody but himself.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
So do you do you believe that the Steelers actually
think he's going to resign? Or do they let the
dollar pick them moving on? Or no?
Speaker 1 (10:49):
No, no, I do think they think he is going
to come back. I think they put all their eggs
in that basket. I think if he does come back,
you know, I think the first part of the season,
Howard would be the backup because he's well, no, maybe not.
I was gonna say more familiar, but this is a
new system with McCarthy.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
I think Rudolph might get cut. It's not what I
would do, but that's what might happen. Thank you for
the call, Steve. Yeah, Rogers don't care. Oh some guy
the stuff that gets made up or exaggerated about this
Rogers thing, like people saying he was here when he
wasn't here. There was also a guy who's like this
(11:30):
very marginal football media guy who said that McCarthy and
Rogers hated each other at the end of Green Bay.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Well that was then, this is now.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
I don't think it's true, but you gotta make something
up about Rogers, I guess, especially when you said he
was there but he wasn't here, but he wasn't all right.
We got King Jamison next talking about the Dubas presser.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
On one oh five nine. It's the Footy Show weeked
mornings at six oh I Like It.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
On one oh five nine The X.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
This is Doug gottib Here's what's from the Iheartsports Network,
presented by iHeart Advertising dot Com.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
Wakerstar Lebron James says he's unsure if last night's playoff
lost at the Thunder was the last game he's played
in the NBA the baseball where.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
The Pirates are back on the diamond. Tonight they'll host Colorado.
That's the first of a three game series.
Speaker 4 (12:16):
Paul Skeen starts on the mound for the buck Odes
and ESPN confirmed on Monday. The absence of Aaron Rodgers
from the Steelers facilities over the weekend table kickoff OTAs
next Monday.
Speaker 5 (12:26):
I'm Scott Davidson, run a business and not thinking about radio.
Think again, because people are listening to radio more today
than they did twenty years ago. And only iHeartRadio connects
with more Americans than impact in this.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
World, unless, of course, they're quick enough to make the
nfl VX a one oh five nine way.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
The coun Dubas season ending press conference today joining me
now he covers the Penguins for the Post Gazette.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
He is King, Jamison King.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Based on what Dubas said, is it Guinea malcolmore in
or out? How did you interpret what Duba said?
Speaker 6 (13:00):
Well, Mark, first of all, thanks for having me. And
you know, I saw your tweet with your lineup for
today and I saw that you said that you thought
he was more out than in and that was interesting
to me because he did say they would love to
have him back, which was by far the most definitive
statement that he's made.
Speaker 7 (13:16):
I mean, throughout the year, he's.
Speaker 6 (13:18):
Praised Malkin several times, but he's been very vague about
plans and this was the first time that he really
said anything remotely that clear that said, I don't fully
disagree with you. While I think he's more out than
excuse me, while I think he's more in and out,
I will say that, you know, some of his comments
about where the team is at long term makes it
(13:40):
clear that you know he's not afraid to make big
changes and knows they need him. But you know, I
would say that I'll take him at his word that
they would love to have him back. And I think
another interesting part of that answer was that he said
they don't really have any young players that Malkin is blocking,
and so it's not for entirely positive reasons that he
thinks that Gino will probably be coming back.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
And make no mistake, just to avoid the locker room
being upset and the fans being upset and making new
ownership look bad, I would bring him back. But just
and I'm reading way between the lines here, when he
said he'd love to have him back, he has to
say that he wasn't going to tell him today that
it was all over, okay. Dubas called sid unique on
a few occasions, which means nobody else is. Dubus used
(14:22):
the word nostalgia in reference to the Core three, which
didn't ring real good. He said he took the job
knowing it'd have to be the bad guy eventually, and
he's already signed duer and solely off. So really, if
he's gonna keep Geno, it's not that complicated, is it.
Speaker 7 (14:39):
No, I see what you're saying.
Speaker 6 (14:41):
I think that, you know, the nostalgia comment was very
very interesting, and the comments about Sid.
Speaker 7 (14:47):
Being in a different category.
Speaker 6 (14:49):
But I do think that, you know, this was the
first time that he's ever really been willing to comment
on what he would like to do right with Malkin,
and that certainly was the news of the day and
not something I was really expecting. I thought he would
have given a very vague answer again and left himself
open to all possibilities, but you know, he decided to
(15:12):
be a little more clear.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
They should have let me ask the question. Seth Rhorerbos
too nice a guy.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
I would have said, hey, Malkett, interrupt, but they gave
it to Seth. Maybe that wasn't by accident. Dubas also
used phrases like a long way away king when describing
where the team's at. Does that fit the Core threes? Timetable.
That made me kind of kind of give second thought too.
Speaker 6 (15:35):
Yeah, I definitely think that was the underlying message of
the press conference, was that we're happy with the progress
we made this year, but we are very far away.
And I thought it was really interesting what he talked
about with you know, a few days after the Pins
were eliminated, watching Game seven of the Montreal Tampa Bay
series in game one of the Colorado Minnesota Series on
(15:56):
the same day, and just thinking, you know, they were
so far away from those teams.
Speaker 7 (16:01):
And I don't disagree.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
If you've watched the continued playoff action, the Pins do
not look like they could compete.
Speaker 7 (16:07):
At this level.
Speaker 6 (16:08):
So as far as where that lined up with the timeline,
I think you're right. It does not seem like he
thinks that they are just a piece or two away
and that they can get the Big three back. But also,
you know, outside of the decision with Malkin, which is
probably a one year thing, what more.
Speaker 7 (16:26):
Option does he really have to do with the Big three?
Speaker 6 (16:28):
So I mean, he's kind of in this position where
they're maybe not as close to contention as he would like,
but there's not exactly you know, some dramatic overhaul, because
there's still going to be a pretty decent team in
the meantime as long as they have number eighty seven
on the roster. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
The problem with that is a lot of teams like
the Rangers, Devils, Florida Toronto that should have been better
this year. If they all are next year, that could
spell trouble. I will say, King, and I'm sure you agree.
One thing I like about is about the press conference today.
He's very frank like, like you just mentioned, when he
said the Penguins don't compare to Carolina, Buffalo, Montreal, et cetera.
(17:09):
He was correct. And you don't normally hear a lot
of GMS say that. They normally say, well, we're not
far away, but he knows they're far away.
Speaker 6 (17:19):
Yeah, he does that said, I did find one of
his comments very interesting. I don't think that his overall
tenor sounded like a GM who's looking to plunge further
into a rebuild. And one of the things that he
noted was the potential for a big trade, and it
was asked it was asked about sort of how he
intended to go about improving the team, you know, whether
(17:41):
it was more about developing young players or adding outside pieces,
and you know, he said some of it has to
be some of both, and he's obviously right. But then
near the end of that, he said that if they're
gonna take a big step forward, it's gonna be through
using that cap space and the assets they've acquired from
draft picks to prospects to go out and get someone
in the trade.
Speaker 7 (18:02):
And he said he's not sure if that's.
Speaker 6 (18:03):
Possible, but his words were there, we are going to
find out if it is. And so I thought that
was notable that he's pretty much openly saying they are
seeking a big trade if one is on the market.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
Yeah, those are easier said than made, although his track
record like with the Chinacough trade and to my mind
the Solderblom trade with the Chinnakov being a big one,
the solder Blomb being a useful one. But it is
easier said than done. In the free agency, King like
he acknowledges so many words, it's all old men available
and unrestricted. And he didn't touch on this, but the
(18:39):
compensation to sign an offer sheet with somebody restrict that
is pretty dear.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (18:45):
I think he said very clearly that it may not
be the July everybody is hoping for. So if you
are looking for the Penguins to get involved in the
big free agent market, sounds like Dubus is not keen
to do so. And when you look at who's going
to be available, it's hard to argue with that that.
You know, if you if you try to spend big
money on an unrestricted free agent, you're probably gonna end
(19:07):
up regretting that contract in two or three years. And
as we said, they're not one piece away from being
a contender, so they need to have clean books over
the coming years, not just next one.
Speaker 7 (19:19):
So yeah, I think.
Speaker 6 (19:20):
That that was another one of his more frank moments,
is that he is clearly not trying to be a
big spender in free agency. That's not to say that
he's not going to use that cap space in other ways.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Well yeah, and.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
People expect you to spend the cap, but like he said,
if you do that, you might be sorry the way
you spend it, because it's not there to spend anymore
because you don't sign these guys the one year deals.
If you could get a guy for a one year
deal like they did with Manta, and I'm sure they
hope they get somebody like that for one year to
have that kind of season. Again, that that's one thing.
But but but the guys that would really help have
(19:54):
the best potential. Because Manta was a shock king, we
know that are are going to be more expensive and
one more term than that. Another good point that Kyle
made was you look at all the guys who had
career ears for the Penguins. It's got to make free
agents want to play for Dan Mues. You know, if
you can get the one year guys who figured they
(20:14):
can relaunch their career, Pittsburgh's the place to go.
Speaker 6 (20:19):
Yeah, and he was openly recruiting players in their mid
to late twenties to come to Pittsburgh. That's what he
said several times, not just today. That they need is
that he feels like they have good prospects. Obviously, we
know they got a lot of people in their thirties
and nearing their forties, but they're missing those key pieces.
Speaker 7 (20:36):
In their mid to late twenties.
Speaker 6 (20:38):
And you know, it's pretty clear at this point that
if you are struggling in your current situation and want
a change of scenery, that's Urge a pretty good option
for that. And again, I think in that answer, it
was another indication that he's not looking to tear this
thing down. And I mean he also just re signed
two players who were going to be free agents, and
(20:58):
Connor Doer and Ilios along last week. He's not looking
to blow it all up again. He thinks that this
team can continue to improve next season, but while acknowledging
that it's going to take more than just a move
or two.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
Well that said solely off Is twenty five and Doers
twenty six. So the two he's the two unrestricteds he
signed the or the young.
Speaker 6 (21:20):
Guys, and I thought both of those signings made a
lot of sense, and he explained them well today.
Speaker 7 (21:26):
I mean, Connor Due, I think most of us probably
thought should be back.
Speaker 6 (21:30):
He was way more valuable than your average fourth line winger.
Played a little higher in the lineup a couple times
throughout the season, but he can score, incredible on the
penalty kill just a really versatile, strong defensive forward. Then
Solovyov showed a lot in very few games. I don't
think he's going to be in your top two pairs,
(21:50):
but if he is a consistent member of the third
pair next year, I wouldn't be surprised, and he signed
at the minimum, so no damage done to your cap
sheet there.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
He didn't come right out and say which of his
younger players he expected to next make an impact, but
he signed really high on Billson and didn't.
Speaker 6 (22:07):
He Oh my gosh, I love the story he told
about bills On. IM Not sure you've already have you
already mentioned that on the show today?
Speaker 7 (22:14):
No?
Speaker 2 (22:14):
No, go ahead?
Speaker 6 (22:16):
Okay, So he said that Bill's on and arrived in
Wilkes Barrey for on his amateur.
Speaker 7 (22:20):
Tryout agreement last week.
Speaker 6 (22:22):
And you know, they're expecting they'd have to teach him
the systems, and well they didn't because he'd been watching
every game studying them and already knew the systems. So
that says a lot about bills On and I think
I've heard multiple times that they are very, very excited
about him. I mean, he sounds like he's not going
to be a foreshore top six guy, but he sounds
(22:44):
like he can be a very impactful player in the
bottom six. You know, plays a gritty game, does all
the small things. And I think that story shows his
work ethic, that he's he's excited to be a part
of the Penguin's organization, even as he was in a
playoff chase with his junior team.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
I kind of see him as a real impactful third
line center. I'm not ruling on better, but that's kind
of how I see him.
Speaker 6 (23:08):
What say you, Yeah, I think that's what it sounds like,
and I want to watch him more. I'm excited to
see him tonight, potentially with Wilkesberry Scranton as the Kirk
McDonald said he's gonna make his debut at some point
in the playoffs. I think that he has that potential,
and you know, you never know where a guy who
works that hard, maybe he's able to move up even
(23:29):
higher in the lineup. But we know the organization needs
help down the middle. That that's one of the areas
of weakness moving forward, and I think he's gonna be
a big part of filling them.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
What was your take on what Kyle said about the goaltending.
I understand he wasn't gonna anoint more Shoff because you
just don't do that, even if it's true. But he
talked blump Quist up more than I thought. It sounds
like blump Quist does some degree is still in the conversation.
Maybe that's for the sake of promoting competition.
Speaker 6 (23:59):
Yeah, maybe for sake of promoting competition, and maybe for
the sake of increasing trade interest. That's something I've thought
about with Blanquist, Like he's a pretty exciting goalie prospect,
even though he didn't play great at the NHL level
last season and they have a glut of goalie prospects,
it doesn't really look like there's a clear path for him,
like could he be a part of a trade package maybe,
(24:21):
And talking him up like that is I guess minorly
helpful in that regard, But I thought it sounded pretty
clear to me Mark that they want to roll with
she Lovs. He went out of Dubas, went out of
his way to praise she Loves multiple times, and then
he said that Blanquist and Mishov.
Speaker 7 (24:38):
Are going to compete for a roster spot.
Speaker 6 (24:40):
If you look at the playoffs so far, Mushov started
every game for Wilke Spray Scranton, so it's pretty clear
he's a head in that regard. So I think it's
shaping up towards a goalie rotation of Artur she Loves
and Sergei Mushov.
Speaker 7 (24:54):
It's obviously very young. Definitely some risk there, but I
do think that the group would have a lot of potential.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
Yeah, he was high on shilloffs and shilloffs. He had
an up and down here. I love the way he
played in the playoffs, but I just take him in shootouts.
I hope they'll never do what they should, which is
sub him out for the shootouts. But but I do
think he had a good playoff And I have no
problem with morishoff and shilloffs.
Speaker 6 (25:18):
No, particularly since she loves is a restrictive free agent,
it shouldn't be as hard to bring him back. As
you know, it's pretty thin free agent goalie market as well.
Stuart Skinner's probably gonna get some attention there. Yeah, it
was pretty notable to me that Dubis really didn't mention Stewart.
Speaker 7 (25:35):
Skinner at all in the presser. But I think she
loves Is.
Speaker 6 (25:40):
He is a got to find a way to translate
his performance in big games to the regular season. And
I asked him like, kind of how do you do
that at the end of season locker clean out stuff
a couple of weeks ago, and he's basically like, you know,
the regular season is a marathon.
Speaker 7 (25:58):
It's a grind.
Speaker 6 (26:00):
So it sounds like he's kind of working through how
to figure out his focus in those games. If he
can bring that playoff performance consistently, he can be a
really really good goalie.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
Guys like McGroarty, coyven In, you know, the name's Bras,
the guys you know, Avery Hayes.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
Do they have to play this coming season again?
Speaker 1 (26:20):
I know you can't anoint them, but I feel like
you've got to find out.
Speaker 6 (26:25):
Well, Mark, You've you've seen a lot more prospects come
through than me. I mean, I think there's definitely something too.
If you get to a certain point and you haven't
made the NHL, which is sort of where at least
at consistent level Rutger McGroarty or oh In Pickering or
getting to sort of ville A coyven In, that your
chances of sticking there go way way down long term.
(26:49):
I would say that in mcgroarty's case, you know, he
had an injury riddled year. If he doesn't make it
next year, this year, you can you can kind of
pass it off to injuries. If he does make it
next year, you start to get pretty worried about his future.
I really didn't love what I saw from coiven and
in the NHL level, then he goes back down to
(27:09):
the AHL.
Speaker 7 (27:10):
He keeps lighting it up there.
Speaker 6 (27:12):
I think for him similar vote that if he's not
up right away, it's gonna be pretty disappointing. He's also
restricted for agent this summer too. But you know, Dubus
sounded pretty optimistic about both of them, said that they've
improved the areas they need to improve. I think they're
just gonna both have to show up much more ready
at the beginning of the year than they did this year.
(27:35):
In mcrorthy's case, that wasn't his fault.
Speaker 7 (27:37):
It was just injury.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
Everything you say rings true, King, But but my point
would be, and I think coyven might be.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
A four A player to be honest.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
Yeah, but but I also think that until you see
him play forty games in a row in a role
suited for him, you don't know. And that's where this
past year, after the eight two and two start developmental
on the NHL level got shut down, it was more
important to make the playoffs, and I get that, but
that's what happened.
Speaker 6 (28:05):
Yeah, but I would say that Coyvenon got a pretty
good run. Like he played thirty nine NHL games this year,
I believe, and he was.
Speaker 7 (28:14):
It was. It was not pretty, you know.
Speaker 6 (28:16):
I think his his net rating was the worst on
the team. His advanced stats were good, but that just
kind of made me question advanced stats. He would do
positive things, but for a player whose games should be
built on skill, right, he sure wasn't producing a whole lot.
Speaker 7 (28:31):
So yeah, I agree with you.
Speaker 6 (28:33):
I'm definitely lower on his long term potential than Rutger McGroarty,
who I think is going to carve out a bottom
six roll next year.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
Ken great wrap up, Great stuff for the Post Gazette.
We'll talk again soon, I hope.
Speaker 7 (28:45):
Thank you, Mark, I hope too as well.
Speaker 1 (28:47):
That's King Jamison covers the panas with the Post Gazette,
does a real good job.
You got three time slots on Sunday and occasionally a
fourth if a game is in Europe the UK over there.
You got Monday Night football, you got Thursday Night football.
You got holiday games, You've got Holiday Eve games. I
think this year it's Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving and Black Friday
(00:25):
at the Thanksgiving holiday, and Christmas and Christmas Eve at
the Christmas holiday, and now more and more Saturday games.
And the schedule seventeen games. It's gonna be eighteen games
and then twenty games.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
You watch.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
More and more and more. All the NFL ever wants
is more. You know what I want is the World Cup.
It starts in the month. I can't wait. I'm gonna
go to Scotland and Morocco in Foxboro. I'm gonna be
sitting in Rod Stewart's box Scotland.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
No, I won't be bit.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
It'd be great if I ran into him. Liverpool's Andy
Robertson captain Scotland.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
The week before.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
I'm gonna see most solid play for Egypt against Brazil
friendly at Cleveland. I'm psyched for the World Cup. The
Aaron Rodgers thing not so much. And you know what
some argue about waiting for Rogers that the Steelers should
do it indefinitely. Is that the players want him back. Well, right,
let's heed that, because this group of players really knows
(01:30):
what it takes to win, he said sarcastically, as in
not winning a playoff game in nine years. And you
also hear Rogers doesn't need to be here now. Yeah, okay,
but every other team in the NFL knows one hundred
percent who its quarterback is. The Steelers have a seven
million dollar kicker, but they don't know who their quarterback is,
not for sure. And you're not waiting for Josh Allen.
(01:53):
You're not waiting for Aaron Rodgers in his prime. You're
waiting for washed up Grandpa game in a journey is
washed up.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
You watch all you guys who know ball.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Rogers will get hurt before the season's midway point and
not finish the season. Or he'll get hurt quote unquote
before the season's midway point and not finished the season. Now,
the date we're hearing for Rogers is he'll sign by
May eighteenth, OTAs blah blah blah. If he sucks, I
(02:26):
hope the crowd at Acresser turns on Rogers. I hope
the talk show callers turn on Rogers. I hope the
city turns on Rogers. That would be more glorious than
d Day.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
We might replay those sound bites from Kyle Dubas. Everybody
who heard him talk thinks Malkin's definitely in because he
said they'd love to keep Geno. They want to keep Geno.
They would have announced it today if they knew that
for sure. They already signed do or they already signed
solely off. Why would they have Gino wrapped up? Dubas
set house sid is unique, which means Geno's not. Dubus
(03:03):
used the word nostalgia to refer to the core Ie.
Dupa said he took the job prepared to be the
bad guy at some point. I know what he said
at the beginning, that they'd love to have Geno back.
He has to say that.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
I think Geno is more out than in, but we'll see.
And as I've said repeatedly, in a vacuum, I wouldn't
bring him back. This ain't a vacuum. The locker room
will hate it, the fans will hate it, the new
owners will look bad. I don't see any way to
not bring Geno back. Uh, nobody's seen Aaron Rodgers yet.
(03:38):
But the guys who got work to got burned with
the story, say he was here. He was here, Yeah,
but you said he was here to meet and sign
and now you just say he was here what to
go to Primanny's to golf and Neville would I mean,
why was he here? He wasn't here? Schefter said he
wasn't here. Yo, I've been burnt, and I know that
(04:00):
those guys aren't journalists.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
I am.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
I've been burned when it's happened. I've owned it. You
don't just keep propagating that you were wrong. I mean,
Sean Casey hasn't seen Aaron Rodgers. You heard him say that.
I asked Dubas he said he hadn't seen Aaron Rodgers.
I'm lying about that. Diana Russini hasn't seen Aaron Rodgers
because there would be photographs of it. Diana Russini was
(04:28):
photographed kissing her husband. Now that is shocking. The Rogers thing.
The idea was here but not to meet with the Steelers.
Why would he come here but not to meet with
the Steelers. And if he was here, somebody would have
seen it. Somebody would have photographed it. There would have
been first person evidence, and there's not. He never came here.
(04:49):
Like I said, those guys didn't lie. They got burned,
but they should just live with that. Let's go to
Harry and Westview. Harry, you're on with Mark Mark to
the World Cup.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Don't you get your hair cut like Rod Stewart? I mean,
you know a lot of hair. You have nice hair,
You've got in center.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Isn't my hair now kind of cut? I think my
hair now is kind of cut like Rod Stewart. I
just don't tease it like he does.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Maybe it's subliminal. You don't even know you're getting a
cut like it.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
No, No, I know how I get my hair cut.
I don't go in there like in a trance or
anything like that. My buddy Danny Muckle, he takes care
of me, but no, I I'm a big Rod guy.
It would be well, like I said on my bucket
list of people I'd love to have on the show,
he's right at the top.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
But it will never happen. That's why when I quit,
I give you a call.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
When I quit, I won't do a retirement tour because
I would be so disappointed by who they couldn't get
to come on the show during that tour. One day,
I'm just gonna say today's the last day by and
that's it, and then somebody will pay me way too
much money to do a podcast. Get your calls in
now A three three, four one two WSDX. We got
(05:59):
kN Jamison from the Post Gazette. He covers the Penguins.
He'll join me at the bottom of the hour. I'm
Mark Madden one O five to nine.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
The left lean blocked Crosstown Boulevard boy.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Idiots are off and happy, but they have no real
impact in this world, unless, of course, they're good enough to.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Make the NFL the exit one nine.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
I want to congratulate Brian Batco now X the Post Gazette.
He got uh the job, essentially replacing Dale Ali God
blessed Dale.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
I miss him.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
Brian's gonna write for Steelers dot Com and that does
my heart a lot of good because he's not a stooge,
a guy who got it who wasn't a stooge. I'm
sure all the stooge has had uh hope in that regard,
but Brian God, and I'm happy about that. The fable
is not a stoge either, nor is Dulac. The fable
(06:50):
is my go to guy for Steelers stuff. He wrote
about Aller reinventing his footwork at rookie camp. At least
the groundwork of that being laid star the process of it.
I'm telling you McCarthy can do it with Aler. Tom
Onin Knews zilch Abot Offense New zilch Abot quarterbacks.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
This is different. I'm telling you.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Everybody out there says, why can't you have any optimism
for the Steelers, Well here it is. It's not the
optimism you want because you guys want Aler to fail.
But I have optimism. This is different. Tom Onin was
a CEO. Mike McCarthy is an actual coach. I'm more
worried about how the O line reconfigures. I bet he
(07:31):
on a tour doesn't start week one. He might later
in the season. I bet he doesn't start week one.
I bet he's at least a bit of a project.
Although McCarthy said he was plugged in play and McCarthy
doesn't bs. He doesn't tell you what you want to hear.
He doesn't tell you what you're supposed to say.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
He just talks.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Uh, me, I'd go with the Onnitur at right tackle,
Fatano at left tackle. If you're gonna move him, move
him decisively, keep him. There are no plan b uh
Dunker at left guard, McCormick att right guard, Fraser at center.
But they're not writing off Jones at left tackle because
(08:13):
to do so would make the Steelers look bad after
trading up.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
To get him and just mangling his career.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
And I bet Dylan Cook is a starter somewhere to
start the season. But what I'm talking about Ian Aitre Wright,
Fatanu left, dunker and McCormick at the guards and Fraser center.
That's how I would want to arrange the offensive line
for the long run. Can't wait to watch the NHL
(08:38):
tonight Buffalo at Montreal game four tonight. That is a
ringa ding dong dandy of a series. I'd love to
see Canada get get pumped for Montreal and then lose.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
But I like the Canadians.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
Like I said, Canada doesn't really consider Montreal Quebec to
be Canada only when like like Mario had a great
line about that. I just can't say. Uh, Caroline is
like like Pierre brought up a good point earlier where
them being this off this long, like it could be
(09:14):
a two weeks before they play again. They could go
on a cruise with all this time off, and that'll
hurt them at the beginning, certainly of the next series.
Anaheim in Vegas Game five tonight on the strip, that's
tied two two. Gonna be great hockey to watch tonight, NBI.
I don't pay much attention, but I talked yesterday about
that big elbow when byana Through didn't get suspended, got ejected,
(09:39):
not suspended. And I get it, he's a star and
it's the playoffs, but did you see that elbow?
Speaker 2 (09:45):
It was almost bionic?
Speaker 1 (09:46):
If you know what I'm saying to your daddy, Lebron's
out and he's still the only topic.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
In the NBA.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Will he play? Go away Lebron please? Like somebody said,
he may want to spend more time with his family.
Well that's the problem. His kids on the team and
don't deserve to be the middle Lebron retires. If I'm
the Lakers, I cut Bronnie. Let's go to Steve in Newcastle. Steve,
what's up?
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Hey? Mark?
Speaker 3 (10:13):
So my question here is when did this become a
thing waiting on a quarterback to sign. I don't know.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
It never it never has been a thing, Bruv. It
was never a thing anywhere till last year. The quarterback
is supposed to be at work. The quarterback is supposed
to bring the team together. The quarterback is supposed to
develop communication with the receivers, with everybody. The quarterback is
supposed to lead and be there. And Rogers doesn't give
a frig about anybody but himself.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
So do you do you believe that the Steelers actually
think he's going to resign? Or do they let the
dollar pick them moving on? Or no?
Speaker 1 (10:49):
No, no, I do think they think he is going
to come back. I think they put all their eggs
in that basket. I think if he does come back,
you know, I think the first part of the season,
Howard would be the backup because he's well, no, maybe not.
I was gonna say more familiar, but this is a
new system with McCarthy.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
I think Rudolph might get cut. It's not what I
would do, but that's what might happen. Thank you for
the call, Steve. Yeah, Rogers don't care. Oh some guy
the stuff that gets made up or exaggerated about this
Rogers thing, like people saying he was here when he
wasn't here. There was also a guy who's like this
(11:30):
very marginal football media guy who said that McCarthy and
Rogers hated each other at the end of Green Bay.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Well that was then, this is now.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
I don't think it's true, but you gotta make something
up about Rogers, I guess, especially when you said he
was there but he wasn't here, but he wasn't all right.
We got King Jamison next talking about the Dubas presser.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
On one oh five nine. It's the Footy Show weeked
mornings at six oh I Like It.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
On one oh five nine The X.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
This is Doug gottib Here's what's from the Iheartsports Network,
presented by iHeart Advertising dot Com.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
Wakerstar Lebron James says he's unsure if last night's playoff
lost at the Thunder was the last game he's played
in the NBA the baseball where.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
The Pirates are back on the diamond. Tonight they'll host Colorado.
That's the first of a three game series.
Speaker 4 (12:16):
Paul Skeen starts on the mound for the buck Odes
and ESPN confirmed on Monday. The absence of Aaron Rodgers
from the Steelers facilities over the weekend table kickoff OTAs
next Monday.
Speaker 5 (12:26):
I'm Scott Davidson, run a business and not thinking about radio.
Think again, because people are listening to radio more today
than they did twenty years ago. And only iHeartRadio connects
with more Americans than impact in this.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
World, unless, of course, they're quick enough to make the
nfl VX a one oh five nine way.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
The coun Dubas season ending press conference today joining me
now he covers the Penguins for the Post Gazette.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
He is King, Jamison King.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
Based on what Dubas said, is it Guinea malcolmore in
or out? How did you interpret what Duba said?
Speaker 6 (13:00):
Well, Mark, first of all, thanks for having me. And
you know, I saw your tweet with your lineup for
today and I saw that you said that you thought
he was more out than in and that was interesting
to me because he did say they would love to
have him back, which was by far the most definitive
statement that he's made.
Speaker 7 (13:16):
I mean, throughout the year, he's.
Speaker 6 (13:18):
Praised Malkin several times, but he's been very vague about
plans and this was the first time that he really
said anything remotely that clear that said, I don't fully
disagree with you. While I think he's more out than
excuse me, while I think he's more in and out,
I will say that, you know, some of his comments
about where the team is at long term makes it
(13:40):
clear that you know he's not afraid to make big
changes and knows they need him. But you know, I
would say that I'll take him at his word that
they would love to have him back. And I think
another interesting part of that answer was that he said
they don't really have any young players that Malkin is blocking,
and so it's not for entirely positive reasons that he
thinks that Gino will probably be coming back.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
And make no mistake, just to avoid the locker room
being upset and the fans being upset and making new
ownership look bad, I would bring him back. But just
and I'm reading way between the lines here, when he
said he'd love to have him back, he has to
say that he wasn't going to tell him today that
it was all over, okay. Dubas called sid unique on
a few occasions, which means nobody else is. Dubus used
(14:22):
the word nostalgia in reference to the Core three, which
didn't ring real good. He said he took the job
knowing it'd have to be the bad guy eventually, and
he's already signed duer and solely off. So really, if
he's gonna keep Geno, it's not that complicated, is it.
Speaker 7 (14:39):
No, I see what you're saying.
Speaker 6 (14:41):
I think that, you know, the nostalgia comment was very
very interesting, and the comments about Sid.
Speaker 7 (14:47):
Being in a different category.
Speaker 6 (14:49):
But I do think that, you know, this was the
first time that he's ever really been willing to comment
on what he would like to do right with Malkin,
and that certainly was the news of the day and
not something I was really expecting. I thought he would
have given a very vague answer again and left himself
open to all possibilities, but you know, he decided to
(15:12):
be a little more clear.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
They should have let me ask the question. Seth Rhorerbos
too nice a guy.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
I would have said, hey, Malkett, interrupt, but they gave
it to Seth. Maybe that wasn't by accident. Dubas also
used phrases like a long way away king when describing
where the team's at. Does that fit the Core threes? Timetable.
That made me kind of kind of give second thought too.
Speaker 6 (15:35):
Yeah, I definitely think that was the underlying message of
the press conference, was that we're happy with the progress
we made this year, but we are very far away.
And I thought it was really interesting what he talked
about with you know, a few days after the Pins
were eliminated, watching Game seven of the Montreal Tampa Bay
series in game one of the Colorado Minnesota Series on
(15:56):
the same day, and just thinking, you know, they were
so far away from those teams.
Speaker 7 (16:01):
And I don't disagree.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
If you've watched the continued playoff action, the Pins do
not look like they could compete.
Speaker 7 (16:07):
At this level.
Speaker 6 (16:08):
So as far as where that lined up with the timeline,
I think you're right. It does not seem like he
thinks that they are just a piece or two away
and that they can get the Big three back. But also,
you know, outside of the decision with Malkin, which is
probably a one year thing, what more.
Speaker 7 (16:26):
Option does he really have to do with the Big three?
Speaker 6 (16:28):
So I mean, he's kind of in this position where
they're maybe not as close to contention as he would like,
but there's not exactly you know, some dramatic overhaul, because
there's still going to be a pretty decent team in
the meantime as long as they have number eighty seven
on the roster. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
The problem with that is a lot of teams like
the Rangers, Devils, Florida Toronto that should have been better
this year. If they all are next year, that could
spell trouble. I will say, King, and I'm sure you agree.
One thing I like about is about the press conference today.
He's very frank like, like you just mentioned, when he
said the Penguins don't compare to Carolina, Buffalo, Montreal, et cetera.
(17:09):
He was correct. And you don't normally hear a lot
of GMS say that. They normally say, well, we're not
far away, but he knows they're far away.
Speaker 6 (17:19):
Yeah, he does that said, I did find one of
his comments very interesting. I don't think that his overall
tenor sounded like a GM who's looking to plunge further
into a rebuild. And one of the things that he
noted was the potential for a big trade, and it
was asked it was asked about sort of how he
intended to go about improving the team, you know, whether
(17:41):
it was more about developing young players or adding outside pieces,
and you know, he said some of it has to
be some of both, and he's obviously right. But then
near the end of that, he said that if they're
gonna take a big step forward, it's gonna be through
using that cap space and the assets they've acquired from
draft picks to prospects to go out and get someone
in the trade.
Speaker 7 (18:02):
And he said he's not sure if that's.
Speaker 6 (18:03):
Possible, but his words were there, we are going to
find out if it is. And so I thought that
was notable that he's pretty much openly saying they are
seeking a big trade if one is on the market.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
Yeah, those are easier said than made, although his track
record like with the Chinacough trade and to my mind
the Solderblom trade with the Chinnakov being a big one,
the solder Blomb being a useful one. But it is
easier said than done. In the free agency, King like
he acknowledges so many words, it's all old men available
and unrestricted. And he didn't touch on this, but the
(18:39):
compensation to sign an offer sheet with somebody restrict that
is pretty dear.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (18:45):
I think he said very clearly that it may not
be the July everybody is hoping for. So if you
are looking for the Penguins to get involved in the
big free agent market, sounds like Dubus is not keen
to do so. And when you look at who's going
to be available, it's hard to argue with that that.
You know, if you if you try to spend big
money on an unrestricted free agent, you're probably gonna end
(19:07):
up regretting that contract in two or three years. And
as we said, they're not one piece away from being
a contender, so they need to have clean books over
the coming years, not just next one.
Speaker 7 (19:19):
So yeah, I think.
Speaker 6 (19:20):
That that was another one of his more frank moments,
is that he is clearly not trying to be a
big spender in free agency. That's not to say that
he's not going to use that cap space in other ways.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Well yeah, and.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
People expect you to spend the cap, but like he said,
if you do that, you might be sorry the way
you spend it, because it's not there to spend anymore
because you don't sign these guys the one year deals.
If you could get a guy for a one year
deal like they did with Manta, and I'm sure they
hope they get somebody like that for one year to
have that kind of season. Again, that that's one thing.
But but but the guys that would really help have
(19:54):
the best potential. Because Manta was a shock king, we
know that are are going to be more expensive and
one more term than that. Another good point that Kyle
made was you look at all the guys who had
career ears for the Penguins. It's got to make free
agents want to play for Dan Mues. You know, if
you can get the one year guys who figured they
(20:14):
can relaunch their career, Pittsburgh's the place to go.
Speaker 6 (20:19):
Yeah, and he was openly recruiting players in their mid
to late twenties to come to Pittsburgh. That's what he
said several times, not just today. That they need is
that he feels like they have good prospects. Obviously, we
know they got a lot of people in their thirties
and nearing their forties, but they're missing those key pieces.
Speaker 7 (20:36):
In their mid to late twenties.
Speaker 6 (20:38):
And you know, it's pretty clear at this point that
if you are struggling in your current situation and want
a change of scenery, that's Urge a pretty good option
for that. And again, I think in that answer, it
was another indication that he's not looking to tear this
thing down. And I mean he also just re signed
two players who were going to be free agents, and
(20:58):
Connor Doer and Ilios along last week. He's not looking
to blow it all up again. He thinks that this
team can continue to improve next season, but while acknowledging
that it's going to take more than just a move
or two.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
Well that said solely off Is twenty five and Doers
twenty six. So the two he's the two unrestricteds he
signed the or the young.
Speaker 6 (21:20):
Guys, and I thought both of those signings made a
lot of sense, and he explained them well today.
Speaker 7 (21:26):
I mean, Connor Due, I think most of us probably
thought should be back.
Speaker 6 (21:30):
He was way more valuable than your average fourth line winger.
Played a little higher in the lineup a couple times
throughout the season, but he can score, incredible on the
penalty kill just a really versatile, strong defensive forward. Then
Solovyov showed a lot in very few games. I don't
think he's going to be in your top two pairs,
(21:50):
but if he is a consistent member of the third
pair next year, I wouldn't be surprised, and he signed
at the minimum, so no damage done to your cap
sheet there.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
He didn't come right out and say which of his
younger players he expected to next make an impact, but
he signed really high on Billson and didn't.
Speaker 6 (22:07):
He Oh my gosh, I love the story he told
about bills On. IM Not sure you've already have you
already mentioned that on the show today?
Speaker 7 (22:14):
No?
Speaker 2 (22:14):
No, go ahead?
Speaker 6 (22:16):
Okay, So he said that Bill's on and arrived in
Wilkes Barrey for on his amateur.
Speaker 7 (22:20):
Tryout agreement last week.
Speaker 6 (22:22):
And you know, they're expecting they'd have to teach him
the systems, and well they didn't because he'd been watching
every game studying them and already knew the systems. So
that says a lot about bills On and I think
I've heard multiple times that they are very, very excited
about him. I mean, he sounds like he's not going
to be a foreshore top six guy, but he sounds
(22:44):
like he can be a very impactful player in the
bottom six. You know, plays a gritty game, does all
the small things. And I think that story shows his
work ethic, that he's he's excited to be a part
of the Penguin's organization, even as he was in a
playoff chase with his junior team.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
I kind of see him as a real impactful third
line center. I'm not ruling on better, but that's kind
of how I see him.
Speaker 6 (23:08):
What say you, Yeah, I think that's what it sounds like,
and I want to watch him more. I'm excited to
see him tonight, potentially with Wilkesberry Scranton as the Kirk
McDonald said he's gonna make his debut at some point
in the playoffs. I think that he has that potential,
and you know, you never know where a guy who
works that hard, maybe he's able to move up even
(23:29):
higher in the lineup. But we know the organization needs
help down the middle. That that's one of the areas
of weakness moving forward, and I think he's gonna be
a big part of filling them.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
What was your take on what Kyle said about the goaltending.
I understand he wasn't gonna anoint more Shoff because you
just don't do that, even if it's true. But he
talked blump Quist up more than I thought. It sounds
like blump Quist does some degree is still in the conversation.
Maybe that's for the sake of promoting competition.
Speaker 6 (23:59):
Yeah, maybe for sake of promoting competition, and maybe for
the sake of increasing trade interest. That's something I've thought
about with Blanquist, Like he's a pretty exciting goalie prospect,
even though he didn't play great at the NHL level
last season and they have a glut of goalie prospects,
it doesn't really look like there's a clear path for him,
like could he be a part of a trade package maybe,
(24:21):
And talking him up like that is I guess minorly
helpful in that regard, But I thought it sounded pretty
clear to me Mark that they want to roll with
she Lovs. He went out of Dubas, went out of
his way to praise she Loves multiple times, and then
he said that Blanquist and Mishov.
Speaker 7 (24:38):
Are going to compete for a roster spot.
Speaker 6 (24:40):
If you look at the playoffs so far, Mushov started
every game for Wilke Spray Scranton, so it's pretty clear
he's a head in that regard. So I think it's
shaping up towards a goalie rotation of Artur she Loves
and Sergei Mushov.
Speaker 7 (24:54):
It's obviously very young. Definitely some risk there, but I
do think that the group would have a lot of potential.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
Yeah, he was high on shilloffs and shilloffs. He had
an up and down here. I love the way he
played in the playoffs, but I just take him in shootouts.
I hope they'll never do what they should, which is
sub him out for the shootouts. But but I do
think he had a good playoff And I have no
problem with morishoff and shilloffs.
Speaker 6 (25:18):
No, particularly since she loves is a restrictive free agent,
it shouldn't be as hard to bring him back. As
you know, it's pretty thin free agent goalie market as well.
Stuart Skinner's probably gonna get some attention there. Yeah, it
was pretty notable to me that Dubis really didn't mention Stewart.
Speaker 7 (25:35):
Skinner at all in the presser. But I think she
loves Is.
Speaker 6 (25:40):
He is a got to find a way to translate
his performance in big games to the regular season. And
I asked him like, kind of how do you do
that at the end of season locker clean out stuff
a couple of weeks ago, and he's basically like, you know,
the regular season is a marathon.
Speaker 7 (25:58):
It's a grind.
Speaker 6 (26:00):
So it sounds like he's kind of working through how
to figure out his focus in those games. If he
can bring that playoff performance consistently, he can be a
really really good goalie.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
Guys like McGroarty, coyven In, you know, the name's Bras,
the guys you know, Avery Hayes.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
Do they have to play this coming season again?
Speaker 1 (26:20):
I know you can't anoint them, but I feel like
you've got to find out.
Speaker 6 (26:25):
Well, Mark, You've you've seen a lot more prospects come
through than me. I mean, I think there's definitely something too.
If you get to a certain point and you haven't
made the NHL, which is sort of where at least
at consistent level Rutger McGroarty or oh In Pickering or
getting to sort of ville A coyven In, that your
chances of sticking there go way way down long term.
(26:49):
I would say that in mcgroarty's case, you know, he
had an injury riddled year. If he doesn't make it
next year, this year, you can you can kind of
pass it off to injuries. If he does make it
next year, you start to get pretty worried about his future.
I really didn't love what I saw from coiven and
in the NHL level, then he goes back down to
(27:09):
the AHL.
Speaker 7 (27:10):
He keeps lighting it up there.
Speaker 6 (27:12):
I think for him similar vote that if he's not
up right away, it's gonna be pretty disappointing. He's also
restricted for agent this summer too. But you know, Dubus
sounded pretty optimistic about both of them, said that they've
improved the areas they need to improve. I think they're
just gonna both have to show up much more ready
at the beginning of the year than they did this year.
(27:35):
In mcrorthy's case, that wasn't his fault.
Speaker 7 (27:37):
It was just injury.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
Everything you say rings true, King, But but my point
would be, and I think coyven might be.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
A four A player to be honest.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
Yeah, but but I also think that until you see
him play forty games in a row in a role
suited for him, you don't know. And that's where this
past year, after the eight two and two start developmental
on the NHL level got shut down, it was more
important to make the playoffs, and I get that, but
that's what happened.
Speaker 6 (28:05):
Yeah, but I would say that Coyvenon got a pretty
good run. Like he played thirty nine NHL games this year,
I believe, and he was.
Speaker 7 (28:14):
It was. It was not pretty, you know.
Speaker 6 (28:16):
I think his his net rating was the worst on
the team. His advanced stats were good, but that just
kind of made me question advanced stats. He would do
positive things, but for a player whose games should be
built on skill, right, he sure wasn't producing a whole lot.
Speaker 7 (28:31):
So yeah, I agree with you.
Speaker 6 (28:33):
I'm definitely lower on his long term potential than Rutger McGroarty,
who I think is going to carve out a bottom
six roll next year.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
Ken great wrap up, Great stuff for the Post Gazette.
We'll talk again soon, I hope.
Speaker 7 (28:45):
Thank you, Mark, I hope too as well.
Speaker 1 (28:47):
That's King Jamison covers the panas with the Post Gazette,
does a real good job.
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