November 20, 2025 • 31 mins
No Tommy Radio today, Mark talks to Matt Bartkowski about the Pens
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let's kick it. I'll say a ticket and you'll just
kick it with a dasy groove. Okay, one, two, three,
kick it, kike it, Come on, took you one time ticket?
Speaker 2 (00:13):
What the.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Listen on your free iHeartRadio app for Earl your music
radio and podcasts. Okay, So last night I'm driving around
(00:37):
and dude on the radio says, all the Pirates need
to do is trade Mitch Calver to Boston for Jaron
Durand the outfielder, and signed Eugenio Suarez and Kyle Schwarber
in free agency.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Gee? Is that all.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
The trade is unlikely?
Speaker 3 (01:00):
The two free agents between and would cost a minimum
seventy million per year. Pirates ain't spending that. Ain't gonna
pay skiings, ain't gonna pay.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Big money free agents.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
What don't you people get, especially the media stooges, The
Pirates should be covered like a crime syndicate, and instead
it's like yay baseball. I get having to bring in
multiple guys though you're not gonna get one guy, the
odds are getting more than one is better because nobody
(01:35):
wants to be the Lamborghini in the trailer park, which
is what Paul Skins is right now. But caught all
that stuff that Jeff Passing triggered. It's absolute fantasy. Somebody
tweeted that the Pirates would be contenders if they got
two or three bats. I agreed, and I replied, Yeah,
(02:00):
ruth Ty Cobb and Barry Box.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
And for the record, I'd rather have Duran Duran than
Jaron Duran.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
James Franklin going to Virginia Tech as the new coach
is still incredible to me. When Penn State was ranked
number two a couple months ago and Franklin was the coach,
Penn State made a horrific mistake. And I'm gonna keep
saying that until it's proven that Penn State made a
(02:34):
horrific mistake, and that's happening as we speak, and shouldn't
take much longer for everybody to agree. Franklin's winning percentage
at Penn State was six ninety eights. I guarantee the
next coach will not match that. Franklin's big sin was
he couldn't beat programs that were better than Penn State's.
(02:58):
Penn State just ain'ts in a class with Ohio State.
You got to know your ceiling. Pitt never has, and
now Penn State doesn't either. This is the Mark Madden Show.
Follow me on Twitter at Mark Madden X. I guess
(03:18):
we could babble about the Steelers in this game at Chicago,
which is interesting. I believe the Steelers will probably win,
but the Steelers got to have a good first quarter,
got to get a lead, because I've always said that
the minute the Steelers trail by two scores at halftime
or later, the game's over. They don't have the offensive
(03:41):
wherewithal to catch up. And in this game, if Chicago
gets the lead, the Bears could ride that running game,
play bully ball, and physically embarrass the Steelers because nobody
wants to admit this, but the Steelers aren't at all
fit physical.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
They are borderline soft.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
You heard me, the Steelers are soft, especially on defense.
Darnell Washington did more physical damage with that viral catch
and run against Cincinnati mount Washington did more physical damage
there than the Steelers defense is done all year, although
perhaps Dougar and Ramsey are changing that a bit. At safety.
(04:29):
That's a physical combination back there. Why is it physical?
He just goes wide. He's not damaging to play against
Cam is kind of I guess. So that's what we
got Tommy Radio is off to date.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
I'd like to talk to Penguins.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
We got TK on next, Tyler Kennedy, Matt Barkowski two
forty five, and then Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves joins the
show at four thirty. Graves is a fascinating study and
really exemplary of what got changed in the coaching turnover
(05:13):
from Mike Sullivan to Dan Muse. A week or so ago,
Eric Carlson said how Mike Sullivan asked players to do
things they couldn't and Carlson wasn't.
Speaker 4 (05:24):
Talking about himself.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
That description applies directly to Ryan Graves. Under Sullivan, Graves
had to pinch and activate and be too much of
an offensive defenseman for his game, like all the other
defensemen were required with.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
Sully, one size fit all. But what Sully was asking.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Were things that Ryan Graves can't do, or at least
isn't good at doing, just not his game. And now
Ryan Graves stays at home, is finally being more physical
at five and in the five games since Graves got
called back from Wilkes riding the bus on that Meg
(06:09):
immediately signed with the Penguins a couple of years back
since that recall, Ryan Graves has done okay. I'm looking
forward to kind of probing why that is when he
joins the show at four thirty. Except for a bad
first game, I think that was just kind of the
impact of the call up. But Dan muse coaching, I'm impressed.
(06:31):
He's mostly got it figured out. So we got a
lot of hockey to talk about today, some football like always,
And at four pm we got a music legend drummer
Carmen Apaci.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
I think that tos's pronounced. I'm gonna ask him.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
I've heard a piece, I've heard Appachite, great drummer, an
all Timer, Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart, Ozzy Osbourne, Jeff Beck,
just amazing. That's Carmen Apaci. At four pm, he's got
an appearance coming up with a local band called six
Guns Sally at the Lamp Theater in Irwin. I'll tell
(07:10):
you about that a little bit later. We're gonna talk
about the college football playoff rankings in just a moment,
because they're just fed up.
Speaker 4 (07:18):
They're just fed up.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Notre Dame beat Miami, and Notre Dame is right the
head of Miami. It's all about brand names and marketability.
I'll get more into depth about that in just a
little while. Normally you can't call him the first dire
but you can today dial eight three three four one
two wxdx. That's a three three four one two wxdx.
(07:42):
It's your chance to show that you could be more
interesting than my co host for the pregame show, Tommy Radio.
The pregame show brought to us by Shandorovit sandro ovicin
Fishman your personal injury experts.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
They got your back, not your wallet.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Here's a funny note, not at all unexpected. If you
want to hate the NBA like I mostly do, like
I totally do, let's be honest. Except for TJ McConnell.
So if you want to hate the NBA, peap this.
The players who have made the NBA All Star Game
in the last three seasons have already missed more than
(08:20):
two hundred games after only one month of the current
NBA season. Now, some guys are legit hurt, like Tadum, Haliburton, Lillard,
Kyrie's recovering from surgery. But guys like Zion, Trey Young
Ad and even Lebron they just want to play when
(08:42):
they feel like it. And they milk injuries. So as
you were keep hating the NBA, we got a lot
going on. Like I said, bart Ryan Graves, Jerry douleckill
join me to talk football as well.
Speaker 4 (08:59):
It's the pregame show here on one O five ninety X.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
One of those Pirate marks who's on the fringe of
the media, just tweeted that the Pirates should get all
these Japanese imports are hitting the market. Sun song Onne,
which sounds like a Neil Diamond song. Not sure iph
he's Japanese or Chinese. I'm going to tak up Morikami.
(09:28):
My alternate solution is to sign sadahuu Oh and Kazuchka Okada,
maybe the Great Mood if he can still blow that
green mist at his age.
Speaker 5 (09:40):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
I'd rather talk about hockey.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
We got bart On in a couple of minutes, former
NHL defenseman Matt Barkowski my Ebanon's own. We got Ryan Graves,
Penguins defenseman at four thirty, So I'm pumped for hockey talk.
I'm pumped for Minnesota PPG paint Areena tomorrow night, first
(10:02):
Penguins game since Sunday at Stockholm. I assume it's Shiloff's
in goal Jarry is practicing. We might just have got
a brief look at morrishav before he goes back to Wilkes.
Gonna ask Bart what the Penguins to do with that
goaltending situation once all three are available, because that's interesting.
(10:27):
I wouldn't have a promise any more. Shot back down.
He is the Penguin's best goal he most talented. But
I get the big picture thing. Penguins are fourth and
Eastern Conference third in the Metro. That could change the
decision making I'm talking about. At some point before the season,
(10:50):
I thought there was no way the Penguins could make
the playoffs. Now I look at how bad the Eastern
Conference is and how even worse the Metro Division is,
and with Jack Hughes out two months at least put
New Jersey, I could see the Penguins finishing second in
the Metro. The only team I couldn't see them jumping
(11:11):
is Carolina. And that's not a tribute to how much
better the Penguins are than I thought, although they are. Again,
it's a tributed just how bad the Eastern Conference in
Metro Division is. Josh Joey just put up an amazing tweet.
We're about twenty five percent into the NHL season. Only
(11:34):
two teams, Colorado and Chicago, have allowed fewer goals than
the Penguins. Only three teams, Colorado, Chicago, and Carolina have
a better goal differential than the Penguins plus twelve. If
you listen to Pierre Maguire and his weekly segment on
this show, you know how much stock he puts in
gold differential as a barometer. So while the Penguins have
(11:57):
treaded sludge a little bit lately, I think they are
what their record says they are at this point. And
of course we could just babble non stop about the
freaking Steelers. I hate to sound like I'm tired of
the Steelers, but I am. This is same as it
(12:20):
ever was, same season as always, same as.
Speaker 4 (12:22):
The last decade. But you know, du Bears.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
But we keep talking about quarterback like everybody in every
NFL city does, because it's all people really understand. And
the Rogers injury situation and should Rootolph play if Rogers
is only like sixty percent. Looks like Rogers is gonna
play if he's clear, and Rogers wants to play. But
(12:50):
the more I think about Rogers. I said a week
or so ago after the LA game that we've overrated
how wrong Rogers has played. That I have overrated how
Rogers has played. And you know, his stats ain't very good.
Intended air yards and stuff like that not very good.
(13:11):
It all reflects what we're seeing, which is dink and
dunk except for Rogers's guile and pre snap. I we
I mean overrated. Rogers has been a C plus quarterback,
no better. I have no idea how this team has
won six games. Where's the evidence except in the standings
(13:34):
where yeah, that's where it counts. Regarding Sunny at Chicago,
Rogers said, safety is a concern.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
God don't take another safety.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
He said the decision is up to mister coach Tomlin,
which is kind of interesting phraseology. He said, with the
bum wrist, a snap under center would be more difficult
than a shotgun snap. Kurt Warner, we got some sound
later said that handing off will be difficult with the
broken bone in the risk. Will hear that in just
(14:09):
a little while. And Rogers talked about getting the oka
unquote and protecting myself unquote. I don't know the stuff
Rogers said. It planted a slight doubt about him playing,
but we're gonna see how practice goes. Aaron Rodgers is
(14:30):
my favorite Steeler, but I believe in Mason Rudolph. Say
his name and he appears. The Steelers ain't gonna win
the Super Bowl no matter who's a quarterback. But even
if Rudolph came in and did just that, won a ring,
Tomlin would just cut him after the season. This college
football playoff ranking stuff, I've teased that for a couple segments,
(14:54):
but we got bart coming up. I'll give you the
front page. Notre Dame's number nine, Miami's number thirteen, and
the college football chairman says, you can't compare the losses
of Miami Notre Dame. Well why not? And that's convenient
because Miami beat Notre Dame. But Notre Dame is four
spots ahead of Miami in Miami right now would be
(15:16):
just out of the playoff.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Yo.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
Let's be honest. It don't matter who the best twelve
teams are. The College Football Playoff just wants brand names
that can draw money by way of advertising and sponsors
and TV ratings.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
That's just how it is.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
I'll expand in those thoughts a little later, let's take
a quick call from Jeff.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
Jeff, what do you want? Jeff, what do you want? Goodbye?
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Tell me that's a kid and I'll be ready for
the kid. But you know that was a guy called
up said it was a guy put a kid on
with a cat. I hope your cat cause you not
the kid. The guy dog bit me on the leg today.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
My cat claude my eyes. That's right. The rest of
the show, it's no more, mister nice guy.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
We got Matt Barkowski on next one oh five to nine.
Speaker 4 (16:13):
From the one oh five nine the ex Weather Center.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
This report is furnished buying genuine lots of fog this morning.
Than Cloudy's got great tweet about the Pirates that they
got a day of congratulatory media merely for offering a
player a contract but not getting him. Joining me now
to talk Penguin'. You see him on Sportsnet Pittsburgh. He
is former NHL defenseman Matt Barkowski, Mount Lebanon's own Bart.
(16:39):
Let's talk about the Penguins defensive corp. Ryan Graves is
back and I know you're not a fan, me neither,
but he's playing better. Does that come down to Dan
muse the way he's using Graves.
Speaker 5 (16:51):
Yeah, I think it does. As you said, he's playing
better from what he was. I thought the first game
he came back, I mean's you know, anybody coming back
from the AHL to this.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Level, they're going to struggle a little bit.
Speaker 5 (17:08):
And then first game in Nashville or I guess in
Sweden against Nashville, I didn't think he was particularly good.
But I do think the other games that he was
vastly better than last year. And that's I mean, it
has to do with coaching. Sully just likes coaching one way.
He likes coaching fast, straight ahead D pension de skating hockey,
(17:32):
and not every D can do that. So I'm sure
that and I think it is pretty evident that the
new coaching staff has kind of let the players play
to their strengths, you know, like a we don't see
Weatherspoon getting up in the rush every play, you know,
we see Carlson doing it, which is the way it
should be. So to your point, I think that, Yeah,
I think it has a lot to do with the coaching.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
I felt like when Eric Carlson talked about Sully not
using his name but but said that they asked players
to do things they couldn't.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
He wasn't talking about himself.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
He was talking about defenseman White Graves like Watherspoon, who
wasn't here last year. But every defenseman last year was
expected to pinch and activate.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
Weren't they?
Speaker 2 (18:13):
Yeah, they were.
Speaker 5 (18:14):
And if you go back to when the Pens were
winning Cups or released the last back of back Cups,
they kind of had a decorps for the most part,
they could do that. Even you know, Dumo's kind of
slowed down now in his career, but back then, just
coming up, he could skate.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Oh and Trevor Daily justinbody, Oh yeah.
Speaker 5 (18:37):
Daily, Yeah, Scholtz, he's off.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
I mean, you go down the list.
Speaker 5 (18:41):
That's the way that Sully wanted to coach, and that's
why they won. But as the years go on and
you get different d in there, and it just it
doesn't work with everybody. You know, we're kind of seeing that.
I'm sure that's exactly what Carlson alluded to to begin with.
I mean we're kind of seeing it.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
In New York.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
They're having struggles because Sally likes coach to fasten your
face team and if you don't have that it's not
going to work. So being able to let Walters, Spoon, Graves,
those kind of guys just you know, play defense and
get the guys that are supposed to score the puck.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
You know, there's nothing wrong with that.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
It works when you played, did any coach ever asked
you to play away from your strength?
Speaker 4 (19:19):
And how did you handle it?
Speaker 5 (19:23):
You know, not not necessarily away from my strengths. There
were some coaches that I had where we played some
systems that I strongly disagree looked like one of the
coaches in our D zone we played man ah man
below the top of the circles and then a zone
(19:44):
above the top of the circles. And I can't tell
you how many arguments I had, not arguments, but disagreements
and conversations with more of the assistance. Just because he
was so stubborn he didn't want to change. I was like,
this is just this is not working, Like we got
to do something different here. And but personally, I mean
I didn't really because I generally had good legs, I
(20:06):
could skate, so I could kind of play any system.
But anytime we went to man on man systems, I
just I couldn't stand them. I mean, you get the
wrong matchup out there and you know, not necessarily personally,
but another player. Uh, it's just it becomes a nightmare
because the good players are going to look to isolate
(20:27):
the weekest one out there in a man on man situation,
and then you're just scrambling around covering for everybody. So
those are the only ones that I ever didn't really like.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Now, are you surprised by the performances of Watherspoon and
Shade because they were fringe guys their whole career is
now they're in the top four and doing pretty good.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Yeah, Shae, not so much.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
He's more, you know, I still consider him younger. This
is really between you know, last year and this year.
These are his first two full seasons. I think he's
especially from last year this year he's made.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
A gigantic jump. Again.
Speaker 5 (21:04):
That probably has to do with just a new voice
in the room with the coaches. I think throughout the
season he's gotten better and he's been very, very consistent.
He's had a few big games here and there. I'm
not really looking for that out of him. I'm just
looking for a consistent effort, and I think that he
brings that and He's fit very well with uh Letang
(21:26):
for most of the season, and you know, times Tanger's
not the easiest guy to play with, so you know, hats.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Off to him.
Speaker 5 (21:32):
Waltherspoon a little more surprised. I think he's complimented Carlson
very well. And he's sort of, you know, in the
middle of his career. He's what twenty eight, so he's
more you know, he's been fringed like a tweener or
whatever you want to call it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, just
(21:53):
like up and down and we just called him tweeners,
you know. So it's you know, it's other than being
with Austin there for a pretty good bit. He's really
never been a full time I'd say NHL are especially
not top four like this, and I think that he
compliments Carlson very well.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
Like we were talking about earlier, just get the puck
to the guys that are supposed to score, and he's
doing that.
Speaker 5 (22:18):
He's hangs back, shuts him down offensively, can make a
good first pass, play a little tough and get carl
the puck.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
You know.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
So I am surprised with him. Pleasantly surprised.
Speaker 3 (22:30):
Matt Barkowski joining us from Sports at Pittsburgh, brought to
us by Danny's PiZZ and Hog.
Speaker 4 (22:34):
He's on Route eighty eight.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
In Bethel Park. Speaking of Carlson, you know, he's been
really great. I mean not the Norris Trophy Carlson from
years ago, but a lot better than the last two years.
And I'm not sure why I'm looking for allterrier motives
like not yet being named the Sweden's Olympic team.
Speaker 4 (22:50):
Perhaps, Yeah, I don't.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
I mean, I don't know.
Speaker 5 (22:55):
I always thought all along he's gonna be on that team,
no matter what.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
That's what I thought is. It's just it's just gonna happen.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
Right Eric Carlson.
Speaker 5 (23:05):
No, No, they're not going to cut a Hall of
Fame defenseman with three doors trophies, and you know, like
it's just not gonna happen. But if the media wants
to blow that up and say that that's why he's
playing on her, go.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
Right ahead, being one of the first six, because I
could see that. But yeah, I don't think it's a
primary motivator necessarily.
Speaker 5 (23:27):
No, he could be, because I mean, you know, he's
not the most doltless guy out there career wise, you know,
like he cares about he cares about that stuff, and
in personal.
Speaker 2 (23:38):
Recognition, which you know guys do who cares. He's just
more open about it.
Speaker 5 (23:43):
So yeah, maybe maybe a little bit, but I don't
I don't think so. I just think it goes back
to how the team's playing. I think that the again,
a lot has to do with the new voice in
the room and and just going to the rink every day.
You're not hearing the same thing, You're not getting beaten down.
It's not a broken record anymore. I'm sure they're having
more fun. They're winning some games, they're getting some goaltending,
(24:06):
and the power play is a lot better.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
So I mean, that's kudos to him.
Speaker 5 (24:11):
It's also probably just the other guys buying in too,
like you know, sitting Geno, not necessarily buying in, but
just being rejuvenated just coming to the rink every day.
So I'm sure it's just he's a lot happier. He's
definitely playing more responsible defensively. I think that has to
do with also just not being told to pinch every
(24:33):
chance you get, like pick your spots a little bit
and go play your game. So it's just when you
get a coaching change, it's just especially when you're hearing
the same thing over and over for seven years.
Speaker 2 (24:44):
It's a breath of fresh air for better, better or
worse right now for better.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
So you know, yeah, I think simple for some breeds,
simple for all. And I think that applies to Carlson.
You touched on this a moment ago, Bart, But while
they're spooning partners, Carlson Shaye Partner's latang, I think they've
both done well in that very specific duty. What's the
take to do that to partner a guy who's very
offensively inclined.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
Uh, it's not.
Speaker 5 (25:11):
It's not the easiest thing in the world. And it's
it's it's literally about consistency. And you know, if you
have that mindset going into the game, going into practice, whatever,
you're going into that, hey, I'm not gonna get a
lot of the you know, not gonna get a lot
of thumbs up, not gonna get whatever here.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
I'm just gonna hang back. I'm gonna get them the puck.
I'm gonna do my job.
Speaker 5 (25:36):
I'm gonna be getting two on ones against me every
now and then there are three on one. I'm not
gonna complain about it. But it is a mindset that
you just have to have that. Hey, I'm just gonna
you know, I'm gonna be digging in the muck for
for you know, a few minutes a game and just
deal with it and then reap the benefits as it
is of it as well, because when you're on the
(25:58):
ice with those guys, all eyes are gonna be on them,
especially in the ozone, so you know, sneak open every
now and then. I mean, you see, you know, we
saw Shade with that big game he had a goal
and assist, and then Willer students had a couple of
goals this year. And normally it's when they're wide open
because everybody's got their eyes on Carl and Tanger and
sending Gino or whatever else might be on the ice
(26:20):
and they just kind of lay in the weaves. So
but the main thing of it is is it's just
a mindset that you have to have of you know,
I'm not I'm just here to do my job, put
my hard hat on and and and just get them
to puck. That's about it.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
Who was the most offensive defenseman that you ever partnered?
I should know that, but refresh my.
Speaker 5 (26:39):
Memory, oh boy, I mean my probably the most. It's
tricky because I never really had any big offensive.
Speaker 4 (26:49):
Ones like Tanger or Carlson, right, No, nothing like that.
Speaker 5 (26:54):
Like, I guess Tory Kruge was probably the most offensive
that I played, but you know, we weren't partners. I
played with Johnny Boychuck and he was. He's a different
animal to play with too, because.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
He's he wasn't the most offensive.
Speaker 5 (27:09):
But he would go miles out of his way to
like throw a big hit or coming to my corner
and just you know, take somebody's head off, and I
know it just sends the whole ice into oblivion. And
you're like, oh my god, I got to figure this
out in like one second. But I'd like to just
stand here and take five minutes and be like, what
the heck just happened. So, you know, different guys are
(27:30):
different animals to play with. It's just I didn't really
play with a strictly offensive defenseman in my career.
Speaker 4 (27:37):
Now, where's Tanger at?
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Because he gets criticism from the twitter verse, but I
think he's mostly played really well. It's just that this
year when he makes a mistake, it tends to blow up.
Speaker 5 (27:47):
Well, they're better this year, right at least standings wise?
Right now, that's why. So, yeah, they're gonna he's gonna
get more criticism just he's one of the more vocal
ones on the ice, especially when he takes a penalty.
So if he's if the team's playing pretty consistently for
most of the games this year, you know, at least
(28:08):
eighty five ninety percent of the game, if something like
that gets out of place, then it's just gonna get
blown up. I think he's done a fine job too,
I have I have noticed less complaining from him towards
the rest. But at the same time, I mean, I
looked it up the other day. There by far the least.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
They they've taken or had the least power plays in
the league. I think it was by like six or seven.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
Power They're not putting themselves in too much call.
Speaker 5 (28:37):
No, no, it's kind of but yeah, so that's probably
years of the entire bench shilling at the rest.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
But I digress the uh yeah, but no, he's he's
been solid, and he's kind of, you know again accepted.
Speaker 5 (28:51):
I know last year the power play they kind of
had him and Carl out there at the same time.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
But he's accepted.
Speaker 5 (28:56):
You know, I'm second unit now and and you know,
he'll he'll kind of he's kind of a chameleon.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
In that way.
Speaker 5 (29:02):
Over the years, he's kind of done whatever he needed
to do. I mean, even getting back to the playoffs
when Schultz came in and Schultz was running the first
PP when he had done it, you know. So, I again,
I really do just think it's it's the media just
trying to pick on something whatever they can. I don't
see anything wrong with him right now.
Speaker 4 (29:21):
You're not the media so much.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
But yeah, Twitter, and we all know how poisonous that's.
Speaker 2 (29:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (29:25):
Whatever, Maybe finally, Bart, what should they do with Harrison Bruneck.
He's getting scratched all the time, and I don't think
that's helping.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
No, I don't either. I was we were trying to
figure that out the other day.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
It's just a shame he can't go to the AHL
that that stupid rule prevents that.
Speaker 4 (29:41):
Yeah, I mean, well he could for conditioning, right, he
could go right now?
Speaker 5 (29:45):
Yeah, yeah, So I'm I'm guessing they're trying to time it.
So he goes down for the conditioning and then he
goes to World Juniors right and then and then they'll
make a decision. I don't know from what I've seen
from him. I don't think he's gotten better. He might
have even redressed a little bit, a little bit. He's
(30:07):
just I mean, he's he's what he is, right, he's
more offensive minded. It's just he's got to figure out
the timing of when to do it, because you know,
in junior he could probably just go wherever he wants
to do whatever he wants. He'll get back it doesn't
really matter. You know how it is in the NHL.
You make one mistake and then oh crap, and then
it's in the back of his mind and then it
(30:28):
kind of snowballs from there. Now you're missing passes. So
I definitely sitting around is not doing him any favors.
So I'm just I'm betting they send him down, get
him a couple of games, and then he goes to
World Junior and then they figured out. But he needs
to be playing. You can't be sitting around at eighteen
nineteen years old. I don't care what people say of
Oh it's good for him to be around and see
(30:50):
how the team operates and learn and watching stuff.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
It's it's not any good that kid needs to play.
So hopefully they you know, either they just say, fend.
Speaker 5 (31:00):
Him back to junior now where they send him down
and get him a two weeks and get them playing again.
Speaker 4 (31:04):
Bart great stuff, great work on sports and at Pittsburgh
as well.
Speaker 2 (31:07):
And we'll talk again soon, all right, thanks Mark.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
That's the great Matt Barkowski. Always a pleasure to talk
hockey with him. Heck, I like talking hockey with anybody.
We're gonna have Ryan Graves on from the Penguins at
four point thirty up next, a lot of Steeler talk.
We also have legendary drummer Carmen Apachie a piece. We'll
we'll ask him because I've heard both, I've said both
(31:31):
over the years. But he joins me at four o'clock
one oh five ninety x
Let's kick it. I'll say a ticket and you'll just
kick it with a dasy groove. Okay, one, two, three,
kick it, kike it, Come on, took you one time ticket?
Speaker 2 (00:13):
What the.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Listen on your free iHeartRadio app for Earl your music
radio and podcasts. Okay, So last night I'm driving around
(00:37):
and dude on the radio says, all the Pirates need
to do is trade Mitch Calver to Boston for Jaron
Durand the outfielder, and signed Eugenio Suarez and Kyle Schwarber
in free agency.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Gee? Is that all.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
The trade is unlikely?
Speaker 3 (01:00):
The two free agents between and would cost a minimum
seventy million per year. Pirates ain't spending that. Ain't gonna
pay skiings, ain't gonna pay.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Big money free agents.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
What don't you people get, especially the media stooges, The
Pirates should be covered like a crime syndicate, and instead
it's like yay baseball. I get having to bring in
multiple guys though you're not gonna get one guy, the
odds are getting more than one is better because nobody
(01:35):
wants to be the Lamborghini in the trailer park, which
is what Paul Skins is right now. But caught all
that stuff that Jeff Passing triggered. It's absolute fantasy. Somebody
tweeted that the Pirates would be contenders if they got
two or three bats. I agreed, and I replied, Yeah,
(02:00):
ruth Ty Cobb and Barry Box.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
And for the record, I'd rather have Duran Duran than
Jaron Duran.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
James Franklin going to Virginia Tech as the new coach
is still incredible to me. When Penn State was ranked
number two a couple months ago and Franklin was the coach,
Penn State made a horrific mistake. And I'm gonna keep
saying that until it's proven that Penn State made a
(02:34):
horrific mistake, and that's happening as we speak, and shouldn't
take much longer for everybody to agree. Franklin's winning percentage
at Penn State was six ninety eights. I guarantee the
next coach will not match that. Franklin's big sin was
he couldn't beat programs that were better than Penn State's.
(02:58):
Penn State just ain'ts in a class with Ohio State.
You got to know your ceiling. Pitt never has, and
now Penn State doesn't either. This is the Mark Madden Show.
Follow me on Twitter at Mark Madden X. I guess
(03:18):
we could babble about the Steelers in this game at Chicago,
which is interesting. I believe the Steelers will probably win,
but the Steelers got to have a good first quarter,
got to get a lead, because I've always said that
the minute the Steelers trail by two scores at halftime
or later, the game's over. They don't have the offensive
(03:41):
wherewithal to catch up. And in this game, if Chicago
gets the lead, the Bears could ride that running game,
play bully ball, and physically embarrass the Steelers because nobody
wants to admit this, but the Steelers aren't at all
fit physical.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
They are borderline soft.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
You heard me, the Steelers are soft, especially on defense.
Darnell Washington did more physical damage with that viral catch
and run against Cincinnati mount Washington did more physical damage
there than the Steelers defense is done all year, although
perhaps Dougar and Ramsey are changing that a bit. At safety.
(04:29):
That's a physical combination back there. Why is it physical?
He just goes wide. He's not damaging to play against
Cam is kind of I guess. So that's what we
got Tommy Radio is off to date.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
I'd like to talk to Penguins.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
We got TK on next, Tyler Kennedy, Matt Barkowski two
forty five, and then Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves joins the
show at four thirty. Graves is a fascinating study and
really exemplary of what got changed in the coaching turnover
(05:13):
from Mike Sullivan to Dan Muse. A week or so ago,
Eric Carlson said how Mike Sullivan asked players to do
things they couldn't and Carlson wasn't.
Speaker 4 (05:24):
Talking about himself.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
That description applies directly to Ryan Graves. Under Sullivan, Graves
had to pinch and activate and be too much of
an offensive defenseman for his game, like all the other
defensemen were required with.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
Sully, one size fit all. But what Sully was asking.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Were things that Ryan Graves can't do, or at least
isn't good at doing, just not his game. And now
Ryan Graves stays at home, is finally being more physical
at five and in the five games since Graves got
called back from Wilkes riding the bus on that Meg
(06:09):
immediately signed with the Penguins a couple of years back
since that recall, Ryan Graves has done okay. I'm looking
forward to kind of probing why that is when he
joins the show at four thirty. Except for a bad
first game, I think that was just kind of the
impact of the call up. But Dan muse coaching, I'm impressed.
(06:31):
He's mostly got it figured out. So we got a
lot of hockey to talk about today, some football like always,
And at four pm we got a music legend drummer
Carmen Apaci.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
I think that tos's pronounced. I'm gonna ask him.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
I've heard a piece, I've heard Appachite, great drummer, an
all Timer, Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart, Ozzy Osbourne, Jeff Beck,
just amazing. That's Carmen Apaci. At four pm, he's got
an appearance coming up with a local band called six
Guns Sally at the Lamp Theater in Irwin. I'll tell
(07:10):
you about that a little bit later. We're gonna talk
about the college football playoff rankings in just a moment,
because they're just fed up.
Speaker 4 (07:18):
They're just fed up.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Notre Dame beat Miami, and Notre Dame is right the
head of Miami. It's all about brand names and marketability.
I'll get more into depth about that in just a
little while. Normally you can't call him the first dire
but you can today dial eight three three four one
two wxdx. That's a three three four one two wxdx.
(07:42):
It's your chance to show that you could be more
interesting than my co host for the pregame show, Tommy Radio.
The pregame show brought to us by Shandorovit sandro ovicin
Fishman your personal injury experts.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
They got your back, not your wallet.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Here's a funny note, not at all unexpected. If you
want to hate the NBA like I mostly do, like
I totally do, let's be honest. Except for TJ McConnell.
So if you want to hate the NBA, peap this.
The players who have made the NBA All Star Game
in the last three seasons have already missed more than
(08:20):
two hundred games after only one month of the current
NBA season. Now, some guys are legit hurt, like Tadum, Haliburton, Lillard,
Kyrie's recovering from surgery. But guys like Zion, Trey Young
Ad and even Lebron they just want to play when
(08:42):
they feel like it. And they milk injuries. So as
you were keep hating the NBA, we got a lot
going on. Like I said, bart Ryan Graves, Jerry douleckill
join me to talk football as well.
Speaker 4 (08:59):
It's the pregame show here on one O five ninety X.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
One of those Pirate marks who's on the fringe of
the media, just tweeted that the Pirates should get all
these Japanese imports are hitting the market. Sun song Onne,
which sounds like a Neil Diamond song. Not sure iph
he's Japanese or Chinese. I'm going to tak up Morikami.
(09:28):
My alternate solution is to sign sadahuu Oh and Kazuchka Okada,
maybe the Great Mood if he can still blow that
green mist at his age.
Speaker 5 (09:40):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
I'd rather talk about hockey.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
We got bart On in a couple of minutes, former
NHL defenseman Matt Barkowski my Ebanon's own. We got Ryan Graves,
Penguins defenseman at four thirty, So I'm pumped for hockey talk.
I'm pumped for Minnesota PPG paint Areena tomorrow night, first
(10:02):
Penguins game since Sunday at Stockholm. I assume it's Shiloff's
in goal Jarry is practicing. We might just have got
a brief look at morrishav before he goes back to Wilkes.
Gonna ask Bart what the Penguins to do with that
goaltending situation once all three are available, because that's interesting.
(10:27):
I wouldn't have a promise any more. Shot back down.
He is the Penguin's best goal he most talented. But
I get the big picture thing. Penguins are fourth and
Eastern Conference third in the Metro. That could change the
decision making I'm talking about. At some point before the season,
(10:50):
I thought there was no way the Penguins could make
the playoffs. Now I look at how bad the Eastern
Conference is and how even worse the Metro Division is,
and with Jack Hughes out two months at least put
New Jersey, I could see the Penguins finishing second in
the Metro. The only team I couldn't see them jumping
(11:11):
is Carolina. And that's not a tribute to how much
better the Penguins are than I thought, although they are. Again,
it's a tributed just how bad the Eastern Conference in
Metro Division is. Josh Joey just put up an amazing tweet.
We're about twenty five percent into the NHL season. Only
(11:34):
two teams, Colorado and Chicago, have allowed fewer goals than
the Penguins. Only three teams, Colorado, Chicago, and Carolina have
a better goal differential than the Penguins plus twelve. If
you listen to Pierre Maguire and his weekly segment on
this show, you know how much stock he puts in
gold differential as a barometer. So while the Penguins have
(11:57):
treaded sludge a little bit lately, I think they are
what their record says they are at this point. And
of course we could just babble non stop about the
freaking Steelers. I hate to sound like I'm tired of
the Steelers, but I am. This is same as it
(12:20):
ever was, same season as always, same as.
Speaker 4 (12:22):
The last decade. But you know, du Bears.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
But we keep talking about quarterback like everybody in every
NFL city does, because it's all people really understand. And
the Rogers injury situation and should Rootolph play if Rogers
is only like sixty percent. Looks like Rogers is gonna
play if he's clear, and Rogers wants to play. But
(12:50):
the more I think about Rogers. I said a week
or so ago after the LA game that we've overrated
how wrong Rogers has played. That I have overrated how
Rogers has played. And you know, his stats ain't very good.
Intended air yards and stuff like that not very good.
(13:11):
It all reflects what we're seeing, which is dink and
dunk except for Rogers's guile and pre snap. I we
I mean overrated. Rogers has been a C plus quarterback,
no better. I have no idea how this team has
won six games. Where's the evidence except in the standings
(13:34):
where yeah, that's where it counts. Regarding Sunny at Chicago,
Rogers said, safety is a concern.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
God don't take another safety.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
He said the decision is up to mister coach Tomlin,
which is kind of interesting phraseology. He said, with the
bum wrist, a snap under center would be more difficult
than a shotgun snap. Kurt Warner, we got some sound
later said that handing off will be difficult with the
broken bone in the risk. Will hear that in just
(14:09):
a little while. And Rogers talked about getting the oka
unquote and protecting myself unquote. I don't know the stuff
Rogers said. It planted a slight doubt about him playing,
but we're gonna see how practice goes. Aaron Rodgers is
(14:30):
my favorite Steeler, but I believe in Mason Rudolph. Say
his name and he appears. The Steelers ain't gonna win
the Super Bowl no matter who's a quarterback. But even
if Rudolph came in and did just that, won a ring,
Tomlin would just cut him after the season. This college
football playoff ranking stuff, I've teased that for a couple segments,
(14:54):
but we got bart coming up. I'll give you the
front page. Notre Dame's number nine, Miami's number thirteen, and
the college football chairman says, you can't compare the losses
of Miami Notre Dame. Well why not? And that's convenient
because Miami beat Notre Dame. But Notre Dame is four
spots ahead of Miami in Miami right now would be
(15:16):
just out of the playoff.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Yo.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
Let's be honest. It don't matter who the best twelve
teams are. The College Football Playoff just wants brand names
that can draw money by way of advertising and sponsors
and TV ratings.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
That's just how it is.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
I'll expand in those thoughts a little later, let's take
a quick call from Jeff.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
Jeff, what do you want? Jeff, what do you want? Goodbye?
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Tell me that's a kid and I'll be ready for
the kid. But you know that was a guy called
up said it was a guy put a kid on
with a cat. I hope your cat cause you not
the kid. The guy dog bit me on the leg today.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
My cat claude my eyes. That's right. The rest of
the show, it's no more, mister nice guy.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
We got Matt Barkowski on next one oh five to nine.
Speaker 4 (16:13):
From the one oh five nine the ex Weather Center.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
This report is furnished buying genuine lots of fog this morning.
Than Cloudy's got great tweet about the Pirates that they
got a day of congratulatory media merely for offering a
player a contract but not getting him. Joining me now
to talk Penguin'. You see him on Sportsnet Pittsburgh. He
is former NHL defenseman Matt Barkowski, Mount Lebanon's own Bart.
(16:39):
Let's talk about the Penguins defensive corp. Ryan Graves is
back and I know you're not a fan, me neither,
but he's playing better. Does that come down to Dan
muse the way he's using Graves.
Speaker 5 (16:51):
Yeah, I think it does. As you said, he's playing
better from what he was. I thought the first game
he came back, I mean's you know, anybody coming back
from the AHL to this.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Level, they're going to struggle a little bit.
Speaker 5 (17:08):
And then first game in Nashville or I guess in
Sweden against Nashville, I didn't think he was particularly good.
But I do think the other games that he was
vastly better than last year. And that's I mean, it
has to do with coaching. Sully just likes coaching one way.
He likes coaching fast, straight ahead D pension de skating hockey,
(17:32):
and not every D can do that. So I'm sure
that and I think it is pretty evident that the
new coaching staff has kind of let the players play
to their strengths, you know, like a we don't see
Weatherspoon getting up in the rush every play, you know,
we see Carlson doing it, which is the way it
should be. So to your point, I think that, Yeah,
I think it has a lot to do with the coaching.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
I felt like when Eric Carlson talked about Sully not
using his name but but said that they asked players
to do things they couldn't.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
He wasn't talking about himself.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
He was talking about defenseman White Graves like Watherspoon, who
wasn't here last year. But every defenseman last year was
expected to pinch and activate.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
Weren't they?
Speaker 2 (18:13):
Yeah, they were.
Speaker 5 (18:14):
And if you go back to when the Pens were
winning Cups or released the last back of back Cups,
they kind of had a decorps for the most part,
they could do that. Even you know, Dumo's kind of
slowed down now in his career, but back then, just
coming up, he could skate.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Oh and Trevor Daily justinbody, Oh yeah.
Speaker 5 (18:37):
Daily, Yeah, Scholtz, he's off.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
I mean, you go down the list.
Speaker 5 (18:41):
That's the way that Sully wanted to coach, and that's
why they won. But as the years go on and
you get different d in there, and it just it
doesn't work with everybody. You know, we're kind of seeing that.
I'm sure that's exactly what Carlson alluded to to begin with.
I mean we're kind of seeing it.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
In New York.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
They're having struggles because Sally likes coach to fasten your
face team and if you don't have that it's not
going to work. So being able to let Walters, Spoon, Graves,
those kind of guys just you know, play defense and
get the guys that are supposed to score the puck.
Speaker 2 (19:13):
You know, there's nothing wrong with that.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
It works when you played, did any coach ever asked
you to play away from your strength?
Speaker 4 (19:19):
And how did you handle it?
Speaker 5 (19:23):
You know, not not necessarily away from my strengths. There
were some coaches that I had where we played some
systems that I strongly disagree looked like one of the
coaches in our D zone we played man ah man
below the top of the circles and then a zone
(19:44):
above the top of the circles. And I can't tell
you how many arguments I had, not arguments, but disagreements
and conversations with more of the assistance. Just because he
was so stubborn he didn't want to change. I was like,
this is just this is not working, Like we got
to do something different here. And but personally, I mean
I didn't really because I generally had good legs, I
(20:06):
could skate, so I could kind of play any system.
But anytime we went to man on man systems, I
just I couldn't stand them. I mean, you get the
wrong matchup out there and you know, not necessarily personally,
but another player. Uh, it's just it becomes a nightmare
because the good players are going to look to isolate
(20:27):
the weekest one out there in a man on man situation,
and then you're just scrambling around covering for everybody. So
those are the only ones that I ever didn't really like.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Now, are you surprised by the performances of Watherspoon and
Shade because they were fringe guys their whole career is
now they're in the top four and doing pretty good.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Yeah, Shae, not so much.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
He's more, you know, I still consider him younger. This
is really between you know, last year and this year.
These are his first two full seasons. I think he's
especially from last year this year he's made.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
A gigantic jump. Again.
Speaker 5 (21:04):
That probably has to do with just a new voice
in the room with the coaches. I think throughout the
season he's gotten better and he's been very, very consistent.
He's had a few big games here and there. I'm
not really looking for that out of him. I'm just
looking for a consistent effort, and I think that he
brings that and He's fit very well with uh Letang
(21:26):
for most of the season, and you know, times Tanger's
not the easiest guy to play with, so you know, hats.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Off to him.
Speaker 5 (21:32):
Waltherspoon a little more surprised. I think he's complimented Carlson
very well. And he's sort of, you know, in the
middle of his career. He's what twenty eight, so he's
more you know, he's been fringed like a tweener or
whatever you want to call it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, just
(21:53):
like up and down and we just called him tweeners,
you know. So it's you know, it's other than being
with Austin there for a pretty good bit. He's really
never been a full time I'd say NHL are especially
not top four like this, and I think that he
compliments Carlson very well.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
Like we were talking about earlier, just get the puck
to the guys that are supposed to score, and he's
doing that.
Speaker 5 (22:18):
He's hangs back, shuts him down offensively, can make a
good first pass, play a little tough and get carl
the puck.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
You know.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
So I am surprised with him. Pleasantly surprised.
Speaker 3 (22:30):
Matt Barkowski joining us from Sports at Pittsburgh, brought to
us by Danny's PiZZ and Hog.
Speaker 4 (22:34):
He's on Route eighty eight.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
In Bethel Park. Speaking of Carlson, you know, he's been
really great. I mean not the Norris Trophy Carlson from
years ago, but a lot better than the last two years.
And I'm not sure why I'm looking for allterrier motives
like not yet being named the Sweden's Olympic team.
Speaker 4 (22:50):
Perhaps, Yeah, I don't.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
I mean, I don't know.
Speaker 5 (22:55):
I always thought all along he's gonna be on that team,
no matter what.
Speaker 2 (22:59):
That's what I thought is. It's just it's just gonna happen.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
Right Eric Carlson.
Speaker 5 (23:05):
No, No, they're not going to cut a Hall of
Fame defenseman with three doors trophies, and you know, like
it's just not gonna happen. But if the media wants
to blow that up and say that that's why he's
playing on her, go.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
Right ahead, being one of the first six, because I
could see that. But yeah, I don't think it's a
primary motivator necessarily.
Speaker 5 (23:27):
No, he could be, because I mean, you know, he's
not the most doltless guy out there career wise, you know,
like he cares about he cares about that stuff, and
in personal.
Speaker 2 (23:38):
Recognition, which you know guys do who cares. He's just
more open about it.
Speaker 5 (23:43):
So yeah, maybe maybe a little bit, but I don't
I don't think so. I just think it goes back
to how the team's playing. I think that the again,
a lot has to do with the new voice in
the room and and just going to the rink every day.
You're not hearing the same thing, You're not getting beaten down.
It's not a broken record anymore. I'm sure they're having
more fun. They're winning some games, they're getting some goaltending,
(24:06):
and the power play is a lot better.
Speaker 2 (24:08):
So I mean, that's kudos to him.
Speaker 5 (24:11):
It's also probably just the other guys buying in too,
like you know, sitting Geno, not necessarily buying in, but
just being rejuvenated just coming to the rink every day.
So I'm sure it's just he's a lot happier. He's
definitely playing more responsible defensively. I think that has to
do with also just not being told to pinch every
(24:33):
chance you get, like pick your spots a little bit
and go play your game. So it's just when you
get a coaching change, it's just especially when you're hearing
the same thing over and over for seven years.
Speaker 2 (24:44):
It's a breath of fresh air for better, better or
worse right now for better.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
So you know, yeah, I think simple for some breeds,
simple for all. And I think that applies to Carlson.
You touched on this a moment ago, Bart, But while
they're spooning partners, Carlson Shaye Partner's latang, I think they've
both done well in that very specific duty. What's the
take to do that to partner a guy who's very
offensively inclined.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
Uh, it's not.
Speaker 5 (25:11):
It's not the easiest thing in the world. And it's
it's it's literally about consistency. And you know, if you
have that mindset going into the game, going into practice, whatever,
you're going into that, hey, I'm not gonna get a
lot of the you know, not gonna get a lot
of thumbs up, not gonna get whatever here.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
I'm just gonna hang back. I'm gonna get them the puck.
I'm gonna do my job.
Speaker 5 (25:36):
I'm gonna be getting two on ones against me every
now and then there are three on one. I'm not
gonna complain about it. But it is a mindset that
you just have to have that. Hey, I'm just gonna
you know, I'm gonna be digging in the muck for
for you know, a few minutes a game and just
deal with it and then reap the benefits as it
is of it as well, because when you're on the
(25:58):
ice with those guys, all eyes are gonna be on them,
especially in the ozone, so you know, sneak open every
now and then. I mean, you see, you know, we
saw Shade with that big game he had a goal
and assist, and then Willer students had a couple of
goals this year. And normally it's when they're wide open
because everybody's got their eyes on Carl and Tanger and
sending Gino or whatever else might be on the ice
(26:20):
and they just kind of lay in the weaves. So
but the main thing of it is is it's just
a mindset that you have to have of you know,
I'm not I'm just here to do my job, put
my hard hat on and and and just get them
to puck. That's about it.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
Who was the most offensive defenseman that you ever partnered?
I should know that, but refresh my.
Speaker 5 (26:39):
Memory, oh boy, I mean my probably the most. It's
tricky because I never really had any big offensive.
Speaker 4 (26:49):
Ones like Tanger or Carlson, right, No, nothing like that.
Speaker 5 (26:54):
Like, I guess Tory Kruge was probably the most offensive
that I played, but you know, we weren't partners. I
played with Johnny Boychuck and he was. He's a different
animal to play with too, because.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
He's he wasn't the most offensive.
Speaker 5 (27:09):
But he would go miles out of his way to
like throw a big hit or coming to my corner
and just you know, take somebody's head off, and I
know it just sends the whole ice into oblivion. And
you're like, oh my god, I got to figure this
out in like one second. But I'd like to just
stand here and take five minutes and be like, what
the heck just happened. So, you know, different guys are
(27:30):
different animals to play with. It's just I didn't really
play with a strictly offensive defenseman in my career.
Speaker 4 (27:37):
Now, where's Tanger at?
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Because he gets criticism from the twitter verse, but I
think he's mostly played really well. It's just that this
year when he makes a mistake, it tends to blow up.
Speaker 5 (27:47):
Well, they're better this year, right at least standings wise?
Right now, that's why. So, yeah, they're gonna he's gonna
get more criticism just he's one of the more vocal
ones on the ice, especially when he takes a penalty.
So if he's if the team's playing pretty consistently for
most of the games this year, you know, at least
(28:08):
eighty five ninety percent of the game, if something like
that gets out of place, then it's just gonna get
blown up. I think he's done a fine job too,
I have I have noticed less complaining from him towards
the rest. But at the same time, I mean, I
looked it up the other day. There by far the least.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
They they've taken or had the least power plays in
the league. I think it was by like six or seven.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
Power They're not putting themselves in too much call.
Speaker 5 (28:37):
No, no, it's kind of but yeah, so that's probably
years of the entire bench shilling at the rest.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
But I digress the uh yeah, but no, he's he's
been solid, and he's kind of, you know again accepted.
Speaker 5 (28:51):
I know last year the power play they kind of
had him and Carl out there at the same time.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
But he's accepted.
Speaker 5 (28:56):
You know, I'm second unit now and and you know,
he'll he'll kind of he's kind of a chameleon.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
In that way.
Speaker 5 (29:02):
Over the years, he's kind of done whatever he needed
to do. I mean, even getting back to the playoffs
when Schultz came in and Schultz was running the first
PP when he had done it, you know. So, I again,
I really do just think it's it's the media just
trying to pick on something whatever they can. I don't
see anything wrong with him right now.
Speaker 4 (29:21):
You're not the media so much.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
But yeah, Twitter, and we all know how poisonous that's.
Speaker 2 (29:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (29:25):
Whatever, Maybe finally, Bart, what should they do with Harrison Bruneck.
He's getting scratched all the time, and I don't think
that's helping.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
No, I don't either. I was we were trying to
figure that out the other day.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
It's just a shame he can't go to the AHL
that that stupid rule prevents that.
Speaker 4 (29:41):
Yeah, I mean, well he could for conditioning, right, he
could go right now?
Speaker 5 (29:45):
Yeah, yeah, So I'm I'm guessing they're trying to time it.
So he goes down for the conditioning and then he
goes to World Juniors right and then and then they'll
make a decision. I don't know from what I've seen
from him. I don't think he's gotten better. He might
have even redressed a little bit, a little bit. He's
(30:07):
just I mean, he's he's what he is, right, he's
more offensive minded. It's just he's got to figure out
the timing of when to do it, because you know,
in junior he could probably just go wherever he wants
to do whatever he wants. He'll get back it doesn't
really matter. You know how it is in the NHL.
You make one mistake and then oh crap, and then
it's in the back of his mind and then it
(30:28):
kind of snowballs from there. Now you're missing passes. So
I definitely sitting around is not doing him any favors.
So I'm just I'm betting they send him down, get
him a couple of games, and then he goes to
World Junior and then they figured out. But he needs
to be playing. You can't be sitting around at eighteen
nineteen years old. I don't care what people say of
Oh it's good for him to be around and see
(30:50):
how the team operates and learn and watching stuff.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
It's it's not any good that kid needs to play.
So hopefully they you know, either they just say, fend.
Speaker 5 (31:00):
Him back to junior now where they send him down
and get him a two weeks and get them playing again.
Speaker 4 (31:04):
Bart great stuff, great work on sports and at Pittsburgh
as well.
Speaker 2 (31:07):
And we'll talk again soon, all right, thanks Mark.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
That's the great Matt Barkowski. Always a pleasure to talk
hockey with him. Heck, I like talking hockey with anybody.
We're gonna have Ryan Graves on from the Penguins at
four point thirty up next, a lot of Steeler talk.
We also have legendary drummer Carmen Apachie a piece. We'll
we'll ask him because I've heard both, I've said both
(31:31):
over the years. But he joins me at four o'clock
one oh five ninety x
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