April 7, 2026 • 33 mins
Tom continues to discuss all the things happening in Pittsburgh sports. Pierre McGuire joins Tom at the bottom of the hour to discuss Penguins.
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Speaker 1 (00:11):
The Penguins at the beginning of the season had about
a seven percent chance to make the playoffs. People were
thinking about Gavin McKenna and.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Wondering if the.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Penguins were going to yet again have another baton passing
between generational players, having Lemieux to Crosby, Now will we
have Crosby to McKenna.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
And even if that wasn't going to be.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
The case, this is a loaded draft class and the
talk was that the Penguins were going to be in
a position to get a game changing type of prospect. Well,
now here we are just four games away from the
playoffs starting and they have a ninety nine point four
percent chance of making it. They're going to be the
two seed in the Metropolitan Division pretty much. Just one
(00:58):
more win wraps that up and they will be the
favorite no matter who they draw in the first round
of the playoffs. What a complete one to eighty that
this team has done. As far as expectations were at
the beginning of the year to now, the expectation is
they probably better be playing in Round two of the
(01:20):
Stanley Cup Finals. Tom Off from an inframark man today,
eight through three, four thirty nine is the number to
call if you want to get involved. Do you think
the Penguins can win the Stanley Cup. That's a very simple,
low hanging fruit question. Do you think that they're capable
of going on that type of run. I don't think
they are, but I think they absolutely should get out
(01:41):
of the first round. And I think that first round
matchup is going to be the Philadelphia Flyers, and I'm
way here for that. I think that's going to be
a lot of fun. It's sorely needed here Pittsburgh a
nice Penguins Flyers series. And yeah, I get you if
you're saying, oh, I'm worried that we'll lose to the Flyers.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
That would suck. That'd be a real dagger.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
I'm willing to risk that to get the reward that
comes with beating the Flyers in the first round of
the playoffs. We were talking to Brian Metzer a little
bit ago and we were talking about Eric Carlson winning
Team MVP named that earlier today by the Pittsburgh Penguins,
and when we were just talking about the team in
(02:21):
their expectations from the beginning of the year to where
we stand right now, just being completely opposite of what
a lot of people thought they'd be. Eric Carlson kind
of embodies that as an individual, does he not. I mean,
this is someone who had been a disappointment in his
first couple of years with Pittsburgh, so much excitement when.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Dub has pulled that move off.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
And thought that this would be perhaps a piece that
would allow Crosby and Malcolm to make more playoff pushes
in the latter stages of their career. And it just
didn't go at all according to that plan. But now
team MVP and well deserved, and you would have never
(03:07):
ever thought that was going to be the case at
the very beginning of the season, and Mets are brought
up the point that maybe people are talking about extension
now when it comes to Carson, I don't know if
I'm there yet. I'm just kind of enjoying the ride
right now. But he certainly doesn't look like he's slowing down.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Does he.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Absolute machine every time he's on the ice driving the
bus for the Penguins. So well deserved MVP for him
as far as the team is concerned, and I think
he should be getting Norris Trophy votes. I don't think
that's far fetched to say so. He kind of embodies
from an individual standpoint, just how drastically different expectations were
(03:51):
to what they are now. And now this team has
to win in the first round. If they don't, I
don't see how it's anything but a disappointment. And who
would have thought that was the case. And the other
thing we've been kicking around now is you know who
the Penguin's gonna play?
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Do you want the Flyers?
Speaker 3 (04:09):
I do?
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Islanders blue Jackets still kind of sniffing around. You can't
kill the Capitals off just yet. They're still alive. They
still have a heartbeat. But they didn't do themselves any
favors by getting blasted by the Rangers over the weekend.
The Rangers also crushing the Red Wings over the weekend too,
just dealing damage to some of these teams that are
playoff hopeful. Is trying to make a late push, Mike
(04:31):
Sullivan adding a little bit of a speed bump in
their pursuit of getting back into the playoff picture. But
you know that expectation now for the Penguins, they have
to win, no matter who it is, no matter who
they draw. And we're talking about the potential opponent where
we thought the Penguins would be in that conversation that
(04:53):
like the Flyers, the Jackets and.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
The Islanders are in it.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Man, every game matters right now, it's so tight scoreboard
watching to the very last game of the year, where
now the Penguins are comfortably in that second spot, probably
just one went away from clinching that and most likely
resting a lot of key guys in game eighty two
against the Blues one week from today eight three three
(05:16):
f nine. If you want to talk some Penguin hockey,
let's go to Harry and Westview.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Who wants to do just that? What's up, Harry?
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Hi?
Speaker 4 (05:23):
Tom Enjoy to Shure, Hey, what if there's not much
blame to go around when the team's all doing well
and everything. But let's say and when they do hand
out blame. This year, it's basically been the goaltenders not
performing as much well as they should.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
But uh, I.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Was thinking, what I mean, what's this young kid does
well and then we get into the playoffs and they
decide to go with the older guys. That's there'd be
a lot of blame if they don't do well.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Do you think I think there'd be some blame there?
Although I don't know because it is kind of a
tough move to do right now, to throw this kid
in there. I just think if they're gonna have any
chance to make a serious run, Harry, he's got to
be the goalie, because, as you just said, that's been
the blame for If you want to blame something that's
wrong with the team, lately, it's been the goaltending.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
She loves some skinner just have not been good enough.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
But we'll see what happens if they give Mirischov a
couple of runs here in the net in the coming games.
But I wouldn't hold my breath as far as that's concerned.
And I think blame's a little too harsh, Like I
don't want to, you know, come on the other side
of this when the Penguins are out of the playoffs
and say this is your fault for not going to
Mihraschoff that we're still not playing in the Eastern Conference Final.
But I think that this is this is a gamble
(06:37):
they should make. Let's say that.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Yeah, lastly, a lot of that was blame all over
the place for Carlos in the last few years. I mean,
you talk about hanging off a four mint of times.
I mean, everybody's be crossby pretty much. But I know,
I just I'd like to see the young guy. I
think he would take them the furthest.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
I think that his ceiling is what is going to
take them the furthest. Yeah, he's the best Scullly option
for that. Thank you Harry for the call. Let's go
to the Egyptian magician.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
What's up?
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Hey?
Speaker 5 (07:05):
Are you good? Basically I mentioned to Mark kind of
like a couple of months into the season that I
really like this Penguin's team because they addressed a lots
of their problems before, one of them being size and
youth and the goalie. Now, as far as the whole teams,
(07:29):
I think Lightning and Canes are the one that might
stop Penguins. And I, well, here's the thing I think
I should you should go with the stew Why because
he has been in the game seven of the finals
last two years. That is not a small task. If
(07:51):
he wasn't in you know, they I know, oilers, they
put onus on him that they lost. But you know,
to just to get this you have to have some
kind of you know, ability mentally and physically, and the
fact that he the coach changed these two all the time.
(08:14):
They are both fresh, and I really like that the
fact that they you know, they are not gonna be
tired like you know Islanders Goldie.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
No, there's a good case to be made for Skinner,
and you're making it right now, There's no question about it.
And I just think that there's a gamble that's presenting
itself that they should take. When it comes to Murshoff,
he could take them to an even higher level. But
you're right, you can't. Just you know, scoff at Skinner
getting to the finals two straight years. And the other
thing a bob here is someone might say, well the oilers.
(08:46):
Look at all the firepower the Oilers had those couple
of years. Of course, the Skinner got them to the
He didn't have to steal any games. Pengleins have the
second most goals in the NHL this year. They got
plenty of firepower themselves.
Speaker 5 (08:56):
That is correct. It seems like the stars are lined
up perfectly for Penguins. I like the fact that each
one of them. Now we've got the Cosby and malting back.
Every one of these, uh, you know the first guys
and second ones, and you know third and four they
all have identity. You really cannot put like one that
(09:21):
it is very, very weak because every one of them
are playing for each other. I like the fact that
they they really come up big, especially after a loss.
They have shown us that they have it in them
to basically come back. So I like their chances, no
doubt Steven.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Game, no doubt, no doubt about it. Thank you for
the call, Bob. Always appreciate hearing from you. A lot
of good penguin talk there. We can keep that going
in the next segment, and you know we'll keep it
going at the bottom of the hour when we're joined
by Pierre Maguire. It's Tom Opferman in from Mark on
one of five ninety X Tomm mark Man Today. The
(10:01):
Masters starts on Thursday. Tonight is the Master's Dinner, which
I like to consider the main event. Rory McElroy is
hosting as he is last year's Masters champion.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Here is the menu.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Apps are peach and marcana, flatbread, rock shrimp, tempora, bacon,
rap dates and grilled elk sliders. Your first course is
yellow fin tuna carpaccio. Main course is your choice of
wagu filet mignon or seared salmon with the dessert be
and sticky toffee pudding that is just so European.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
This sticky toffee pudding from Rory there.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
And then you got yourself some nice champagne, some Bordeaux,
a lot of good drinks as well. I love looking
at the menus thinking about what my menu would be
if I were to win the Masters and was able
to host this dinner. Definitely have some sushi as far
as the appetizer was concerned, a couple of roles bouncing around,
some crab cakes, some meat balls. You know, really like
(10:55):
wedding style. As far as those apps are concerned, I'm
a big fan of that. Wagou filet mignon probably be
my main course. Have the salmon option, I guess if
you want fish, some mashed potatoes, some asparagus, that's the
sides I'm working with. And then dessert cookie table, full
on cookie table, ice cream bar as well, and no alcohol,
(11:17):
just chocolate milk to drink. Slow my competition down for
the couple rounds coming up later in the week, But
if you'd want to call in and say what your
Master's dinner would be, since tonight is the night eight
through three, four, nine thirty nine. We can try to
do that before we get to Pierre in just a
little bit. Paul Skeens pitching for the Pirates tonight, his
third start of the season for the raining Cy Young
(11:40):
Award winner. Hasn't looked quite like the raining Cy Young
Award Winner yet, but I really believe that that is coming,
and maybe that happens tonight. I was really impressed last
night with Bubba Chandler, despite not the best performance, but
wearing the loss after the game to the media, saying
(12:02):
how pissed off he was at himself, how pissed poor
of a performance it was. He used to turn piss
a lot in his statement, but I liked the message
that he was getting across, that we're gonna wear it,
even if we might not deserve it, because once again
he was left out to dry by Reynolds in the outfield,
not saying that things would have gone differently if Renolds
(12:22):
makes a catch that he absolutely should have made, but
it factors into things. But you're starting picture warre it.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
So it was my fault. I gotta be better and
it won't happen again.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Like that.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Some maturity maturity from the young picture there in Bubba Chandler,
But four walks no bueno. Lack of control from the
staff no bueno so far for the Pirates. All that
being said, though, last night wasn't on Chandler, wasn't on
the pictures. Five runs given up isn't anything that's insurmountable.
(12:56):
He got shut out. I'm not sweating it too bad.
I think that seven hits, five walks shows that you
were having some competitive at bats, just weren't clutching up.
You were leaving too many runners in scoring position with
two outs, and not any two out magic happening at
all for the Pirates. But you still saw guys like
(13:19):
Loud get on base twice. Horwitz had a huge game,
got on base three times, had a couple of hits.
O'Hearn got on base a couple of times, Cruz got
to hit again. His averages sell over three hundred. So
there's nothing that you saw where it was just like wow,
they just looked lost at the plate, just didn't fall together.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Tonight.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Hopefully it does give Sken's a nice lead, let him
cruise six innings. Dare I say maybe seven innings if
he's efficient. But I think, and I'm not trying to
paint this out that we're all gonna have a panic
button moment if Skeens goes out there and he just
has another fine performance tonight, I think we'd all feel
(13:59):
pretty good if we saw him just turn it up
right and just utter domination. Padres look completely lost at
the dish six p forty first pitch at PNC Park
Paul Skeen's's first home start for the Pirates this year,
so I'm sure there are gonna be a lot of
people trying to get to the ballpark tonight. The Penguins
(14:19):
are just about clinching a playoff spot. Probably a win
on Thursday against the Devils will get it done. We're
gonna talk to Pierre McGuire right around the corner for
his weekly hit on the Mark Mannen Shows, Tom On
from an Infra mark On one to five ninety X
Tom Off from an Info mark Man Today. It's always
great when I get the call up to host the show,
but it's even better when it happens on a Tuesday,
(14:41):
because that means I get to talk to Pierre McGuire,
who joins us every Tuesday at three point thirty on
the show. Pierre, as always, it's great talking to you
this Penguins team that is now closing in on number
two in the Metropolitan Division. Pierre, you know, didn't have
much expectations at the beginning of the season. Now, is
is it fair for me to say that their expectation
(15:01):
is they should win in the first round of the
playoffs and not just make it.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
That's a great call by you, Tom, and streets and
visit with you, by the way. I love being on
with you and with Mark. You're such a pro, so
thank you for having me. The biggest thing that I
see Tom play, frankly with Pittsburgh is is just day
by day. I wouldn't put expectation on the team saying yet,
you must win for this season to be successful, you
must win the first round. I think the fact that
(15:27):
they make the playoffs. If we go back to the
start of the year, Tom, think about it, where was
Sidney Crosby going to end up Colorado, Montreal or another destination.
What was going to happen with Christopher Letang. Who was
actually going to be the goaltender. Was it going to
be Tristan Jarry or was it going to be Arthur
Sea Loss or was it going to be somebody else.
What was going to happen with Eric Carlson's contract, What
(15:49):
were they going to do with Afguinea Malkin. So all
these different permutations were around the Pittsburgh Penguins because everybody
thought they would finish the last in the NHL right
about where they None of that has happened. So I
would enjoy the ride right now. I would take the
team from what they are, which is hard working, industrious
and extremely extremely well coached, and I'd go forward from there.
(16:13):
I'm so excited about what these guys have done. They
speed it up their growth, their well, let's say a retool.
They speed it up their retool unbelievably.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
Well, yeah, there's no question there's so much excitement around
this team, not only returning to the playoffs, but unbelievably Pierre.
They're in a position now where they're kind of sitting
pretty in that second spot in the Metro and now
they're kind of looking through who do we get in
that first round and right now it's currently the Philadelphia Flyers,
And boy, wouldn't that be storybook for the Penguins return
to the playoffs to see the old rival across from them.
Speaker 3 (16:44):
I was talking in the living legend. Paul Steigerwald yesterday
about this. Could you imagine that Pittsburgh Field Delphia series
in the first round. I'm coaching a few of them,
not in the series, but I'm coaching a few Pittsburgh
Philadelphia games, and they were never nice. Back there was
the old spectrum. It wasn't what it is now. But yeah, no,
it was very intense. It always will be intense. I
(17:07):
would give Pittsburgh the edge just because of the experience
of Crosby and of Malcolm and of Littang and I
think the resources that they have in role right now tremendously.
And then you look at the development of Owryan Shayan
and Parker Waterspoon in particular, those guys have gone to
another level. They get Blake Wizot back and they can
put that identity line back together. Tom. You know, with
(17:30):
with Connor Door and with Nola Charry and Blake was
you got something cooking for the playoffs. If you're the
Pittsburgh Penguins.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Yeah, I agree with you that they should beat the
Flyers in that first round. I think they should beat
anybody who ends up sliding into that three spot. But
let's say it is Philly Pierre what got into them lately?
They are that proverbial hot team that no one really
wants to face to start the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
A lot of people in Philadelphia oh a lot of
apologies to Rick Talkin and his coaching staff. Rick's a
tremendous coach. I honor coaching him. He was part of
our Stanley Cup winning team in ninety two. He was
nothing but a hockey junkie. He wanted to know everything
about the game. He studied tape and talk and he
asked questions. He'd spend time around Bryant Troche and Mario
(18:15):
Reviews and Kevin Stevens. He was always around our smartest
players and our best players. He always wanted to find
out what the game was really about. He was a
phenomenal person in a game to learning about the sport.
He's a tremendous coach. I've known him a long time.
He's made a massive difference with that team. He's covered
up some of their blemishes on defense, He's covered up
(18:35):
some of their blemishes and goal and I think the
biggest thing he's turned there for was loose. And the
other thing that he's done is he's forced them when
they're not in possession of the puck to play team defense,
and because of that they've become a much better team.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
The fan base in Pittsburgh, Pierre is really clamoring for
Sergey Merishoff to come up and get a run of
games before the playoffs and maybe get the net for
the playoffs. And goal tending has been less then for
the Penguins lately. I'm not saying it's been bad, but
it's definitely been what I think people who identify as
their weakest link heading into the playoffs. Skinner looked better today,
(19:11):
looked like the eye you know, he got the shiner
from the puck to the bench in the second period
against Florida.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Look better today, trending in the right direction. But would
you be.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Surprised if they give Mrshov a run of games or
two here they did officially call them up.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
It depends on what Andy Kiyoto, the goalie coach, says
in terms of the rhythm for the other guy. If
they think that Mrshov's got a chance to get a
little taste, a little bit more of a taste, He's
obviously a really talented kid. I think everybody knows that,
whether it was in Wheeling and whether it was in Wilkesbury.
He's improved so much over the course of the last
two years. He's a tremendous, tremendous prospect. I would probably
(19:46):
give him a little bit more of a taste. I'd
wet his whistle a little bit, but eventually, once you
get to the playoffs, I would not do that. I
wanted to go on and run in the American Hockey
League and really helped to tell Wilfsbury to another level.
So all my prospects get more more games. And the
way it's setting up now, Reelings had an unbelievable year.
You look at where Wilkesbury is, they're having a very
(20:07):
good year. So if you get Mershop in that American
the situation, all these prospects keep playing more and more games.
That just enhances the reputation and the strength of the
franchise going forward. So I'd give him a little taste now, Tom,
but I would not keep them up for the playoffs.
Not in my opinion.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
We're talking to Pierre Maguire here on the Mark Madden Show.
Here is brought to us by always Safe Flagging in
Traffic Control. How great has Ricard Raquel been Pierre. He
was the NHL's First Star of the Week last week.
Seven goals in his past nine games, and he really
settled in nicely at center. I think he felt a
lot of pressure taking on that first line center role
when Crosby was out. Now that he's the second line center,
I feel like he's a lot more relaxed and he's
(20:45):
finding his goal scoring touch again.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Oh what a great take. That is so strong. Keep
that and play that for the great one, Mark Matt
That's that's an awesome take. I completely agree. Riquel's always
been a really hockey savvy player. He's always had really
good hockey since I remember when he bil Kind and
Aneim very very talented, obviously aware how to play in
all three eselves. He's way more comfortable playing in the
two hole in the three in the one hole, just
(21:09):
because the matchups are so much better for him in
the two hole, and Sid takes up so much attention.
Getting Sid back is obviously huge, and Gino coming back
is huge, and you can see the energy of Gino
and the passion in Gino. But there's not a lot
of people that are as good as Sydney Grosby in
the hockey world right now, So that makes everybody's game
a little bit easier out, including your card with kel.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
Eric Carlson was named the team MVP earlier today by
the Penguins Pierre and we're talking about how at the
beginning of the year, expectations for the Penguins as a
team did a complete one eighty to where they are now.
I don't think anybody would have expected Eric Carlson, based
on his first couple of years in Pittsburgh, to then
be the key ingredient the team MVP to this year's success,
but it's extremely deserved and I don't know where they
(21:53):
would be without him, you know, with the Sid absence
for about a month, Carlson really drove the bus. But
even when Sid's been back in the lineup, it's been
Carlson lately for the Penguins.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
The power plays improved because of Eric. They're coming out
of their own zones improved because of Eric. The presence
in the offensive zones improved because of Eric's ability to
keep pucks in play and his careerperal vision is so
good when it tends to move into pocket, he still
has an acceleration cleterally there was a disconnect between Eric
and the previous coaching staff. I don't want to get
(22:27):
into that. That's not my job. My job is to
celebrate what he's doing right now. So Dan Ues and
Todd Nelson and you know, Mike Stuthers, those guys deserve
a lot of credit. They've done really good work with him.
They should be really excited about. You know, where Eric
is right now in his career. And I'm happy because
I've known Eric a long time, a very long time,
(22:49):
and it's great to see him having fun and smiling
and communicating with his teammates, which they didn't always see
in the first two years that he was at Pittsburgh.
So he's a happy guy. The workplace environment is good,
and Dan Using the staff has done a great job
at him.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Yeah, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
And I think when you bring up Carlson, you also
have to bring up his partner in Watherspoon, because it's
been such a spectacular pairing and Watherspoon brings that grit,
a little bit of sand to the lineup that the
Penguins have been missing the past couple of years. You
saw that on display this weekend with how he handled
Kachuck and the Liberties that he was kind of taken
with some teammates on the ice.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
Oh, Tom, you're right on, You're right on. I think
there are a lot of people around the league that
were pretty happy with Parker Wallerspoon because as much as
Matthew's a really good player, talking about Kachuck, he's not
the most popular guy around the league unless he's one
of his teammates. So yeah, I know a lot of
people were pretty happy with what Parker was able to do. Parker,
I'm still surprised to this day was not resigned by Boston,
(23:45):
but I guess he moved on, and good for Pittsburgh
and their pro scouting staff. They recognize a player that
still had an amazing upside. I remember watching him playing
Bridgeport in the American Hockey League and most people thought
that's about where his career was going to start and
where it was going to finish. But the Dunes eventually
gain an opportunity to play in the NHL away from
Providence and in the American Hockey League. And man Oman
(24:08):
has he's done a great job being a partner for
at Parrels. And you're spot on, And how do you.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Think China Koff and Crosby are blending together now that
Chinakoff has been promoted to the first line. I think
it's been awesome, and I know we still got this
year in the playoffs to get through Pierre, but I'm
kind of looking forward to next year and seeing like
a full eighty two game if health permits sample size
with these two.
Speaker 3 (24:30):
Oh, I like that. I know. I think, first of all,
the chemistry's are good. I still can't believe that Columbus
actually moved Tinakoff to a division opponent and arrival like Pittsburgh.
I never would have done that, but you know, that's
probably old school thinking what I had. But I would
never have done that. I would have put him so
far away from Columbus we'd only seen twice a year.
But anyways, that's another story for another day. He's sitting
(24:53):
really well with the city's sitting really well with the Pengers.
I think it's getting the out and deserve some credit
there too. But the biggest thing is the weaponry that
he has. His shooting ability is amazing and his release
point is as good as probably most players in the league.
I'm gonna say there might be three or four guys
in the league they can have a release point that's
a little bit quicker than him. Outside of that, he's
(25:13):
right in the top six or seven guys in the
league when it comes to squeeze in the buck off.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
Looking around the rest of the Eastern Conference playoff race, Pierre,
what do you make of the Islanders move of firing
Patrick Wall with just four games to go they bring
in Peter de bor. I know that there's some future
that comes along with that move, and Debor is going
to be there next year too for the Islanders, but
it still struck me as odd timing.
Speaker 3 (25:36):
Well, you got to remember lu Let Morello is there
still as a senior advisor. He did that in two
thousand within New Jersey Devils. He replaced Robbie Victorik with
Larry Robinson. They won the Stanley Cup. He did it
again a little bit later on in the early two
thousands with Klowe Juliet. He let him go and they
didn't have as much success. But lou has done that.
(25:56):
We saw that happen in Vegas this year, not that
long ago, where you saw who's Cassie's the Stanley Cup
winning coach get replaced by John Tortorella. So it's happened
in the league. I think it gives the Islanders a
little bit of a shot in the arm. The biggest
thing about the Islanders, though, is Tolm and I'm sure
you're aware of it, but this is just for the listeners,
(26:17):
is their schedule. They're scheduled unbelievable friendly for them. Every
game they had luck is a home game. They're home
against Toronto, home against Ottawa, home against Montreal, and home
against Carolina. And they got a chance to get a
lot of practices in under a new coach. Usually that's
not the way it works out. I think you'll see
the board put in a lot of very simple, but
(26:38):
very smart defensive concepts that should help their team. That's
been the biggest problem for them. Their defensive breakdowns the
last month or so have been absolutely hidious and it's
a big reason why they're in big trouble right now
and why Patrick lost his job.
Speaker 1 (26:54):
What happened to Detroit because just a couple of months
ago they were right there at the top of the
Atlantic Division, competing for top three spot. There now they're
hanging on by a thread. Did they collapse or did
they kind of just find their appropriate level.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
No, they collapsed. I don't get it. This is a
third year in a row this has happened, and it's
happened light around the same time. Now. A couple of
years ago they lost Dylan Larkin, who was really playing
great at that time, and you could tell why they
weren't able to win. They just didn't have enough firepower.
Last year they collapsed, but they had more than enough firepower.
It was just to collapse. And this year they lost
(27:28):
Larkin and they lost cop to you know, their first
and second line center. But they're both back now. There's
no reason for them to lose at New York, Yeah,
and then home to Minnesota this weekend. That's just that
can't happen. And so they put themselves in a very
very tenuous position. Their game with Columbus tonight is probably
(27:49):
as big a game as they're going to play this season.
They lose that game to Night, it's over for them.
And that's al'ms in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
What do you make about the race out west for
the second wild card spot. I don't necessarily think any
of the teams in that race are particularly good are
going to go on some run in the playoffs. But boy,
it's certainly exciting. Every single night. It seems to be
like three teams can change positions.
Speaker 3 (28:13):
Yeah, you see Nashville plays in Anaheim tonight and that's
a huge game for Nashville, especially after losing last night.
They got the loser point that they lost in LA.
I'm happy for Dj Smith to coach in LA. He
he replaced Jimmy Hiller. I worked with Dj and Otoway
as a very very good coach, and I'm happy he's
having some success with that team. I'd love to see
(28:34):
ence quote Patard to make the playoffs in his twentieth
season and his last season. I'm not sure it's it'll
work out that way. I know a lot of people
around the league want to see maclin Cella Breene get
in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
I I'm one of those people. I think it'd be
so much fun.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
Yeah, I think everybody wants to see him in the playoffs. Absolutely,
But I just think that LA still got a little
something something going on, and it is a big reason
why not just because of the grew coach. I think
it's because the guy's respect on say cool guitar so much.
In the subtle acquisition and nobody talks about it not
nearly enough. Getting our Timmy Panarin in there, that really
(29:12):
changed a lot of the concepts in a positive way,
not a negative way.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
And finally, Pierre, we got a little over a week
until the season wraps up.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
What's your gut telling you right now?
Speaker 1 (29:21):
Will it be Philadelphia that holds onto that third spot
and we'll get the Flyers Penguins matchup?
Speaker 3 (29:26):
Yeah? I think so. And the biggest reason why is
because of Rick Pocket. And I know Pittsburgh people love
to hate the Flyers. I get it, I totally get it.
But you got to remember one thing Pocket bled through
the Pittsburgh Penguins talker was a big part of what
we did in ninety two. I'm so glad that I
had a chance to get to know him and coach
(29:46):
him and be around him. And Dicky's an important part
of Pittsburgh Penguin history. I still think that they play
in the playoffs, Pittsburgh wins the series. But this is
about Rick Pocket right now, and he got absolutely They
destroyed in the media in Philadelphia earlier this year, and
it was so unjustified and it just shows you that
now all of a sudden, everybody's jumping on board, but
(30:08):
nobody wants to apologize, which is really sad.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
Pierre, as always, this has been such a treat. Thanks
for joining me. I really appreciate that. And we'll talk
to you next week.
Speaker 3 (30:18):
Dobvin never gets told with you and old Marco. I
love being all with you guys. Thank you so much.
In the best hockey market in America, and that's Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Thanks so much for having me.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
It's Para Maguire.
Speaker 1 (30:28):
Hear him, you see him everywhere, one of the best
to do it ever in the game of hockey. Brought
to us by Always Say Flagging and Traffic Control. Tom
opferman in for Mark Madden eight three three four thirty
nine is the number to call if you want a
wig in. You're excited to play the Flyers in round one.
It seems like that's where the things are headed for
the Penguins, and do you think the Penguins could win
(30:50):
the Stanley Cup eighty nine?
Speaker 2 (30:54):
It's Tom Oframan one O five ninety X.
Speaker 6 (30:56):
Of course.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
This segment is brought to us by the Steelers Pro Shop.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
Get it direct from the team at the Steelers Pro
Shop at shop dot Steelers dot com. I'm gonna do
a little Steelers talk at the top of the hour
to start four o'clock. Haven't talked about the Steelers at
all today, and why would you. There's really nothing going on,
although I guess the optional or offseason workout portion or
(31:23):
whatever the hell you call it is starting today Day
one for the Steelers. Still know Aaron Rodgers though in
the fold, but we'll get to that in just a
little bit. Last night National Championship Game for college basketball,
Michigan crowned as champions, beating Yukon. Just a dominating run
for Michigan through the bracket. And I enjoyed March Madness
(31:45):
this year. You know, there was some great games, some
great moments. That Duke Yukon game presented one of the
all time March Madness moments that we've had. But the
buzz that I have for college basketball is just it's
as low as it's ever been. And now I get
this news that a top forty recruit in the class
(32:06):
of twenty twenty six, Anthony Felessi, has decommitted from pitt.
He's a six foot five simo in wing and arguably
the best defender in this high school class and will
be a highly sought after free agent. And the whole
reason Jeff Cable was kept, or one of the reasons
Jeff Cable was kept. Obviously a main one was the
money and they didn't want to do the buyout was
but another reason was because he had such a loaded
(32:26):
class in twenty twenty six. Well, now there goes the
top forty recruit out the door, and it's just kind
of a dead thing in Pittsburgh now college troops, and
I think that's bled over into how I look at
it nationally.
Speaker 2 (32:37):
Again. I watched the tournament.
Speaker 1 (32:39):
I liked the tournament, but last night, you know, I
was watching just didn't feel like it was that appointment
television though. It didn't feel like I had to be there.
Let's get a call in before the end of the hour.
Let's go to Brad and green Tree. What's up, Brad
Jo Tommy Radio.
Speaker 6 (32:56):
I call it in a number of times, talk to you.
I wanted a genuinely do you wish you and your
wife the sincereous of congratulations?
Speaker 2 (33:04):
Well, thank you.
Speaker 6 (33:05):
Yeah, I've come to be a regular listener. I love
your contribution to the show. And I don't have kids,
but I'm I share your excitement and it's one of
the let you know that.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
Well, thank you so much, Brad.
Speaker 1 (33:18):
Do you have anything else you want to bring to
the table or you just want to keep praising me
because you can keep praising me.
Speaker 6 (33:27):
Do I ask Tom anything and I'll call back.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Okay, Brad, I thank you for the call and thank
you for your well wishes.
Speaker 1 (33:34):
I very do appreciate that when we come back, we
are going to be getting into some Steelers talk just
for that next ten minute portion of the show or so.
I'm not going to do a lot of Steelers talk.
It's just pointless. But I do have some things that
I have to get off my chest, so we'll do
that next. It's Tom on from an Infra Mark one
of five ninety X. You've checked a few things.
The Penguins at the beginning of the season had about
a seven percent chance to make the playoffs. People were
thinking about Gavin McKenna and.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Wondering if the.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Penguins were going to yet again have another baton passing
between generational players, having Lemieux to Crosby, Now will we
have Crosby to McKenna.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
And even if that wasn't going to be.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
The case, this is a loaded draft class and the
talk was that the Penguins were going to be in
a position to get a game changing type of prospect. Well,
now here we are just four games away from the
playoffs starting and they have a ninety nine point four
percent chance of making it. They're going to be the
two seed in the Metropolitan Division pretty much. Just one
(00:58):
more win wraps that up and they will be the
favorite no matter who they draw in the first round
of the playoffs. What a complete one to eighty that
this team has done. As far as expectations were at
the beginning of the year to now, the expectation is
they probably better be playing in Round two of the
(01:20):
Stanley Cup Finals. Tom Off from an inframark man today,
eight through three, four thirty nine is the number to
call if you want to get involved. Do you think
the Penguins can win the Stanley Cup. That's a very simple,
low hanging fruit question. Do you think that they're capable
of going on that type of run. I don't think
they are, but I think they absolutely should get out
(01:41):
of the first round. And I think that first round
matchup is going to be the Philadelphia Flyers, and I'm
way here for that. I think that's going to be
a lot of fun. It's sorely needed here Pittsburgh a
nice Penguins Flyers series. And yeah, I get you if
you're saying, oh, I'm worried that we'll lose to the Flyers.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
That would suck. That'd be a real dagger.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
I'm willing to risk that to get the reward that
comes with beating the Flyers in the first round of
the playoffs. We were talking to Brian Metzer a little
bit ago and we were talking about Eric Carlson winning
Team MVP named that earlier today by the Pittsburgh Penguins,
and when we were just talking about the team in
(02:21):
their expectations from the beginning of the year to where
we stand right now, just being completely opposite of what
a lot of people thought they'd be. Eric Carlson kind
of embodies that as an individual, does he not. I mean,
this is someone who had been a disappointment in his
first couple of years with Pittsburgh, so much excitement when.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Dub has pulled that move off.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
And thought that this would be perhaps a piece that
would allow Crosby and Malcolm to make more playoff pushes
in the latter stages of their career. And it just
didn't go at all according to that plan. But now
team MVP and well deserved, and you would have never
(03:07):
ever thought that was going to be the case at
the very beginning of the season, and Mets are brought
up the point that maybe people are talking about extension
now when it comes to Carson, I don't know if
I'm there yet. I'm just kind of enjoying the ride
right now. But he certainly doesn't look like he's slowing down.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Does he.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Absolute machine every time he's on the ice driving the
bus for the Penguins. So well deserved MVP for him
as far as the team is concerned, and I think
he should be getting Norris Trophy votes. I don't think
that's far fetched to say so. He kind of embodies
from an individual standpoint, just how drastically different expectations were
(03:51):
to what they are now. And now this team has
to win in the first round. If they don't, I
don't see how it's anything but a disappointment. And who
would have thought that was the case. And the other
thing we've been kicking around now is you know who
the Penguin's gonna play?
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Do you want the Flyers?
Speaker 3 (04:09):
I do?
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Islanders blue Jackets still kind of sniffing around. You can't
kill the Capitals off just yet. They're still alive. They
still have a heartbeat. But they didn't do themselves any
favors by getting blasted by the Rangers over the weekend.
The Rangers also crushing the Red Wings over the weekend too,
just dealing damage to some of these teams that are
playoff hopeful. Is trying to make a late push, Mike
(04:31):
Sullivan adding a little bit of a speed bump in
their pursuit of getting back into the playoff picture. But
you know that expectation now for the Penguins, they have
to win, no matter who it is, no matter who
they draw. And we're talking about the potential opponent where
we thought the Penguins would be in that conversation that
(04:53):
like the Flyers, the Jackets and.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
The Islanders are in it.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Man, every game matters right now, it's so tight scoreboard
watching to the very last game of the year, where
now the Penguins are comfortably in that second spot, probably
just one went away from clinching that and most likely
resting a lot of key guys in game eighty two
against the Blues one week from today eight three three
(05:16):
f nine. If you want to talk some Penguin hockey,
let's go to Harry and Westview.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Who wants to do just that? What's up, Harry?
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Hi?
Speaker 4 (05:23):
Tom Enjoy to Shure, Hey, what if there's not much
blame to go around when the team's all doing well
and everything. But let's say and when they do hand
out blame. This year, it's basically been the goaltenders not
performing as much well as they should.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
But uh, I.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Was thinking, what I mean, what's this young kid does
well and then we get into the playoffs and they
decide to go with the older guys. That's there'd be
a lot of blame if they don't do well.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Do you think I think there'd be some blame there?
Although I don't know because it is kind of a
tough move to do right now, to throw this kid
in there. I just think if they're gonna have any
chance to make a serious run, Harry, he's got to
be the goalie, because, as you just said, that's been
the blame for If you want to blame something that's
wrong with the team, lately, it's been the goaltending.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
She loves some skinner just have not been good enough.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
But we'll see what happens if they give Mirischov a
couple of runs here in the net in the coming games.
But I wouldn't hold my breath as far as that's concerned.
And I think blame's a little too harsh, Like I
don't want to, you know, come on the other side
of this when the Penguins are out of the playoffs
and say this is your fault for not going to
Mihraschoff that we're still not playing in the Eastern Conference Final.
But I think that this is this is a gamble
(06:37):
they should make. Let's say that.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Yeah, lastly, a lot of that was blame all over
the place for Carlos in the last few years. I mean,
you talk about hanging off a four mint of times.
I mean, everybody's be crossby pretty much. But I know,
I just I'd like to see the young guy. I
think he would take them the furthest.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
I think that his ceiling is what is going to
take them the furthest. Yeah, he's the best Scullly option
for that. Thank you Harry for the call. Let's go
to the Egyptian magician.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
What's up?
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Hey?
Speaker 5 (07:05):
Are you good? Basically I mentioned to Mark kind of
like a couple of months into the season that I
really like this Penguin's team because they addressed a lots
of their problems before, one of them being size and
youth and the goalie. Now, as far as the whole teams,
(07:29):
I think Lightning and Canes are the one that might
stop Penguins. And I, well, here's the thing I think
I should you should go with the stew Why because
he has been in the game seven of the finals
last two years. That is not a small task. If
(07:51):
he wasn't in you know, they I know, oilers, they
put onus on him that they lost. But you know,
to just to get this you have to have some
kind of you know, ability mentally and physically, and the
fact that he the coach changed these two all the time.
(08:14):
They are both fresh, and I really like that the
fact that they you know, they are not gonna be
tired like you know Islanders Goldie.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
No, there's a good case to be made for Skinner,
and you're making it right now, There's no question about it.
And I just think that there's a gamble that's presenting
itself that they should take. When it comes to Murshoff,
he could take them to an even higher level. But
you're right, you can't. Just you know, scoff at Skinner
getting to the finals two straight years. And the other
thing a bob here is someone might say, well the oilers.
(08:46):
Look at all the firepower the Oilers had those couple
of years. Of course, the Skinner got them to the
He didn't have to steal any games. Pengleins have the
second most goals in the NHL this year. They got
plenty of firepower themselves.
Speaker 5 (08:56):
That is correct. It seems like the stars are lined
up perfectly for Penguins. I like the fact that each
one of them. Now we've got the Cosby and malting back.
Every one of these, uh, you know the first guys
and second ones, and you know third and four they
all have identity. You really cannot put like one that
(09:21):
it is very, very weak because every one of them
are playing for each other. I like the fact that
they they really come up big, especially after a loss.
They have shown us that they have it in them
to basically come back. So I like their chances, no
doubt Steven.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Game, no doubt, no doubt about it. Thank you for
the call, Bob. Always appreciate hearing from you. A lot
of good penguin talk there. We can keep that going
in the next segment, and you know we'll keep it
going at the bottom of the hour when we're joined
by Pierre Maguire. It's Tom Opferman in from Mark on
one of five ninety X Tomm mark Man Today. The
(10:01):
Masters starts on Thursday. Tonight is the Master's Dinner, which
I like to consider the main event. Rory McElroy is
hosting as he is last year's Masters champion.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Here is the menu.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Apps are peach and marcana, flatbread, rock shrimp, tempora, bacon,
rap dates and grilled elk sliders. Your first course is
yellow fin tuna carpaccio. Main course is your choice of
wagu filet mignon or seared salmon with the dessert be
and sticky toffee pudding that is just so European.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
This sticky toffee pudding from Rory there.
Speaker 1 (10:34):
And then you got yourself some nice champagne, some Bordeaux,
a lot of good drinks as well. I love looking
at the menus thinking about what my menu would be
if I were to win the Masters and was able
to host this dinner. Definitely have some sushi as far
as the appetizer was concerned, a couple of roles bouncing around,
some crab cakes, some meat balls. You know, really like
(10:55):
wedding style. As far as those apps are concerned, I'm
a big fan of that. Wagou filet mignon probably be
my main course. Have the salmon option, I guess if
you want fish, some mashed potatoes, some asparagus, that's the
sides I'm working with. And then dessert cookie table, full
on cookie table, ice cream bar as well, and no alcohol,
(11:17):
just chocolate milk to drink. Slow my competition down for
the couple rounds coming up later in the week, But
if you'd want to call in and say what your
Master's dinner would be, since tonight is the night eight
through three, four, nine thirty nine. We can try to
do that before we get to Pierre in just a
little bit. Paul Skeens pitching for the Pirates tonight, his
third start of the season for the raining Cy Young
(11:40):
Award winner. Hasn't looked quite like the raining Cy Young
Award Winner yet, but I really believe that that is coming,
and maybe that happens tonight. I was really impressed last
night with Bubba Chandler, despite not the best performance, but
wearing the loss after the game to the media, saying
(12:02):
how pissed off he was at himself, how pissed poor
of a performance it was. He used to turn piss
a lot in his statement, but I liked the message
that he was getting across, that we're gonna wear it,
even if we might not deserve it, because once again
he was left out to dry by Reynolds in the outfield,
not saying that things would have gone differently if Renolds
(12:22):
makes a catch that he absolutely should have made, but
it factors into things. But you're starting picture warre it.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
So it was my fault. I gotta be better and
it won't happen again.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Like that.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Some maturity maturity from the young picture there in Bubba Chandler,
But four walks no bueno. Lack of control from the
staff no bueno so far for the Pirates. All that
being said, though, last night wasn't on Chandler, wasn't on
the pictures. Five runs given up isn't anything that's insurmountable.
(12:56):
He got shut out. I'm not sweating it too bad.
I think that seven hits, five walks shows that you
were having some competitive at bats, just weren't clutching up.
You were leaving too many runners in scoring position with
two outs, and not any two out magic happening at
all for the Pirates. But you still saw guys like
(13:19):
Loud get on base twice. Horwitz had a huge game,
got on base three times, had a couple of hits.
O'Hearn got on base a couple of times, Cruz got
to hit again. His averages sell over three hundred. So
there's nothing that you saw where it was just like wow,
they just looked lost at the plate, just didn't fall together.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Tonight.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Hopefully it does give Sken's a nice lead, let him
cruise six innings. Dare I say maybe seven innings if
he's efficient. But I think, and I'm not trying to
paint this out that we're all gonna have a panic
button moment if Skeens goes out there and he just
has another fine performance tonight, I think we'd all feel
(13:59):
pretty good if we saw him just turn it up
right and just utter domination. Padres look completely lost at
the dish six p forty first pitch at PNC Park
Paul Skeen's's first home start for the Pirates this year,
so I'm sure there are gonna be a lot of
people trying to get to the ballpark tonight. The Penguins
(14:19):
are just about clinching a playoff spot. Probably a win
on Thursday against the Devils will get it done. We're
gonna talk to Pierre McGuire right around the corner for
his weekly hit on the Mark Mannen Shows, Tom On
from an Infra mark On one to five ninety X
Tom Off from an Info mark Man Today. It's always
great when I get the call up to host the show,
but it's even better when it happens on a Tuesday,
(14:41):
because that means I get to talk to Pierre McGuire,
who joins us every Tuesday at three point thirty on
the show. Pierre, as always, it's great talking to you
this Penguins team that is now closing in on number
two in the Metropolitan Division. Pierre, you know, didn't have
much expectations at the beginning of the season. Now, is
is it fair for me to say that their expectation
(15:01):
is they should win in the first round of the
playoffs and not just make it.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
That's a great call by you, Tom, and streets and
visit with you, by the way. I love being on
with you and with Mark. You're such a pro, so
thank you for having me. The biggest thing that I
see Tom play, frankly with Pittsburgh is is just day
by day. I wouldn't put expectation on the team saying yet,
you must win for this season to be successful, you
must win the first round. I think the fact that
(15:27):
they make the playoffs. If we go back to the
start of the year, Tom, think about it, where was
Sidney Crosby going to end up Colorado, Montreal or another destination.
What was going to happen with Christopher Letang. Who was
actually going to be the goaltender. Was it going to
be Tristan Jarry or was it going to be Arthur
Sea Loss or was it going to be somebody else.
What was going to happen with Eric Carlson's contract, What
(15:49):
were they going to do with Afguinea Malkin. So all
these different permutations were around the Pittsburgh Penguins because everybody
thought they would finish the last in the NHL right
about where they None of that has happened. So I
would enjoy the ride right now. I would take the
team from what they are, which is hard working, industrious
and extremely extremely well coached, and I'd go forward from there.
(16:13):
I'm so excited about what these guys have done. They
speed it up their growth, their well, let's say a retool.
They speed it up their retool unbelievably.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
Well, yeah, there's no question there's so much excitement around
this team, not only returning to the playoffs, but unbelievably Pierre.
They're in a position now where they're kind of sitting
pretty in that second spot in the Metro and now
they're kind of looking through who do we get in
that first round and right now it's currently the Philadelphia Flyers,
And boy, wouldn't that be storybook for the Penguins return
to the playoffs to see the old rival across from them.
Speaker 3 (16:44):
I was talking in the living legend. Paul Steigerwald yesterday
about this. Could you imagine that Pittsburgh Field Delphia series
in the first round. I'm coaching a few of them,
not in the series, but I'm coaching a few Pittsburgh
Philadelphia games, and they were never nice. Back there was
the old spectrum. It wasn't what it is now. But yeah, no,
it was very intense. It always will be intense. I
(17:07):
would give Pittsburgh the edge just because of the experience
of Crosby and of Malcolm and of Littang and I
think the resources that they have in role right now tremendously.
And then you look at the development of Owryan Shayan
and Parker Waterspoon in particular, those guys have gone to
another level. They get Blake Wizot back and they can
put that identity line back together. Tom. You know, with
(17:30):
with Connor Door and with Nola Charry and Blake was
you got something cooking for the playoffs. If you're the
Pittsburgh Penguins.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Yeah, I agree with you that they should beat the
Flyers in that first round. I think they should beat
anybody who ends up sliding into that three spot. But
let's say it is Philly Pierre what got into them lately?
They are that proverbial hot team that no one really
wants to face to start the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
A lot of people in Philadelphia oh a lot of
apologies to Rick Talkin and his coaching staff. Rick's a
tremendous coach. I honor coaching him. He was part of
our Stanley Cup winning team in ninety two. He was
nothing but a hockey junkie. He wanted to know everything
about the game. He studied tape and talk and he
asked questions. He'd spend time around Bryant Troche and Mario
(18:15):
Reviews and Kevin Stevens. He was always around our smartest
players and our best players. He always wanted to find
out what the game was really about. He was a
phenomenal person in a game to learning about the sport.
He's a tremendous coach. I've known him a long time.
He's made a massive difference with that team. He's covered
up some of their blemishes on defense, He's covered up
(18:35):
some of their blemishes and goal and I think the
biggest thing he's turned there for was loose. And the
other thing that he's done is he's forced them when
they're not in possession of the puck to play team defense,
and because of that they've become a much better team.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
The fan base in Pittsburgh, Pierre is really clamoring for
Sergey Merishoff to come up and get a run of
games before the playoffs and maybe get the net for
the playoffs. And goal tending has been less then for
the Penguins lately. I'm not saying it's been bad, but
it's definitely been what I think people who identify as
their weakest link heading into the playoffs. Skinner looked better today,
(19:11):
looked like the eye you know, he got the shiner
from the puck to the bench in the second period
against Florida.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Look better today, trending in the right direction. But would
you be.
Speaker 1 (19:18):
Surprised if they give Mrshov a run of games or
two here they did officially call them up.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
It depends on what Andy Kiyoto, the goalie coach, says
in terms of the rhythm for the other guy. If
they think that Mrshov's got a chance to get a
little taste, a little bit more of a taste, He's
obviously a really talented kid. I think everybody knows that,
whether it was in Wheeling and whether it was in Wilkesbury.
He's improved so much over the course of the last
two years. He's a tremendous, tremendous prospect. I would probably
(19:46):
give him a little bit more of a taste. I'd
wet his whistle a little bit, but eventually, once you
get to the playoffs, I would not do that. I
wanted to go on and run in the American Hockey
League and really helped to tell Wilfsbury to another level.
So all my prospects get more more games. And the
way it's setting up now, Reelings had an unbelievable year.
You look at where Wilkesbury is, they're having a very
(20:07):
good year. So if you get Mershop in that American
the situation, all these prospects keep playing more and more games.
That just enhances the reputation and the strength of the
franchise going forward. So I'd give him a little taste now, Tom,
but I would not keep them up for the playoffs.
Not in my opinion.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
We're talking to Pierre Maguire here on the Mark Madden Show.
Here is brought to us by always Safe Flagging in
Traffic Control. How great has Ricard Raquel been Pierre. He
was the NHL's First Star of the Week last week.
Seven goals in his past nine games, and he really
settled in nicely at center. I think he felt a
lot of pressure taking on that first line center role
when Crosby was out. Now that he's the second line center,
I feel like he's a lot more relaxed and he's
(20:45):
finding his goal scoring touch again.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Oh what a great take. That is so strong. Keep
that and play that for the great one, Mark Matt
That's that's an awesome take. I completely agree. Riquel's always
been a really hockey savvy player. He's always had really
good hockey since I remember when he bil Kind and
Aneim very very talented, obviously aware how to play in
all three eselves. He's way more comfortable playing in the
two hole in the three in the one hole, just
(21:09):
because the matchups are so much better for him in
the two hole, and Sid takes up so much attention.
Getting Sid back is obviously huge, and Gino coming back
is huge, and you can see the energy of Gino
and the passion in Gino. But there's not a lot
of people that are as good as Sydney Grosby in
the hockey world right now, So that makes everybody's game
a little bit easier out, including your card with kel.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
Eric Carlson was named the team MVP earlier today by
the Penguins Pierre and we're talking about how at the
beginning of the year, expectations for the Penguins as a
team did a complete one eighty to where they are now.
I don't think anybody would have expected Eric Carlson, based
on his first couple of years in Pittsburgh, to then
be the key ingredient the team MVP to this year's success,
but it's extremely deserved and I don't know where they
(21:53):
would be without him, you know, with the Sid absence
for about a month, Carlson really drove the bus. But
even when Sid's been back in the lineup, it's been
Carlson lately for the Penguins.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
The power plays improved because of Eric. They're coming out
of their own zones improved because of Eric. The presence
in the offensive zones improved because of Eric's ability to
keep pucks in play and his careerperal vision is so
good when it tends to move into pocket, he still
has an acceleration cleterally there was a disconnect between Eric
and the previous coaching staff. I don't want to get
(22:27):
into that. That's not my job. My job is to
celebrate what he's doing right now. So Dan Ues and
Todd Nelson and you know, Mike Stuthers, those guys deserve
a lot of credit. They've done really good work with him.
They should be really excited about. You know, where Eric
is right now in his career. And I'm happy because
I've known Eric a long time, a very long time,
(22:49):
and it's great to see him having fun and smiling
and communicating with his teammates, which they didn't always see
in the first two years that he was at Pittsburgh.
So he's a happy guy. The workplace environment is good,
and Dan Using the staff has done a great job
at him.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Yeah, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
And I think when you bring up Carlson, you also
have to bring up his partner in Watherspoon, because it's
been such a spectacular pairing and Watherspoon brings that grit,
a little bit of sand to the lineup that the
Penguins have been missing the past couple of years. You
saw that on display this weekend with how he handled
Kachuck and the Liberties that he was kind of taken
with some teammates on the ice.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
Oh, Tom, you're right on, You're right on. I think
there are a lot of people around the league that
were pretty happy with Parker Wallerspoon because as much as
Matthew's a really good player, talking about Kachuck, he's not
the most popular guy around the league unless he's one
of his teammates. So yeah, I know a lot of
people were pretty happy with what Parker was able to do. Parker,
I'm still surprised to this day was not resigned by Boston,
(23:45):
but I guess he moved on, and good for Pittsburgh
and their pro scouting staff. They recognize a player that
still had an amazing upside. I remember watching him playing
Bridgeport in the American Hockey League and most people thought
that's about where his career was going to start and
where it was going to finish. But the Dunes eventually
gain an opportunity to play in the NHL away from
Providence and in the American Hockey League. And man Oman
(24:08):
has he's done a great job being a partner for
at Parrels. And you're spot on, And how do you.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Think China Koff and Crosby are blending together now that
Chinakoff has been promoted to the first line. I think
it's been awesome, and I know we still got this
year in the playoffs to get through Pierre, but I'm
kind of looking forward to next year and seeing like
a full eighty two game if health permits sample size
with these two.
Speaker 3 (24:30):
Oh, I like that. I know. I think, first of all,
the chemistry's are good. I still can't believe that Columbus
actually moved Tinakoff to a division opponent and arrival like Pittsburgh.
I never would have done that, but you know, that's
probably old school thinking what I had. But I would
never have done that. I would have put him so
far away from Columbus we'd only seen twice a year.
But anyways, that's another story for another day. He's sitting
(24:53):
really well with the city's sitting really well with the Pengers.
I think it's getting the out and deserve some credit
there too. But the biggest thing is the weaponry that
he has. His shooting ability is amazing and his release
point is as good as probably most players in the league.
I'm gonna say there might be three or four guys
in the league they can have a release point that's
a little bit quicker than him. Outside of that, he's
(25:13):
right in the top six or seven guys in the
league when it comes to squeeze in the buck off.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
Looking around the rest of the Eastern Conference playoff race, Pierre,
what do you make of the Islanders move of firing
Patrick Wall with just four games to go they bring
in Peter de bor. I know that there's some future
that comes along with that move, and Debor is going
to be there next year too for the Islanders, but
it still struck me as odd timing.
Speaker 3 (25:36):
Well, you got to remember lu Let Morello is there
still as a senior advisor. He did that in two
thousand within New Jersey Devils. He replaced Robbie Victorik with
Larry Robinson. They won the Stanley Cup. He did it
again a little bit later on in the early two
thousands with Klowe Juliet. He let him go and they
didn't have as much success. But lou has done that.
(25:56):
We saw that happen in Vegas this year, not that
long ago, where you saw who's Cassie's the Stanley Cup
winning coach get replaced by John Tortorella. So it's happened
in the league. I think it gives the Islanders a
little bit of a shot in the arm. The biggest
thing about the Islanders, though, is Tolm and I'm sure
you're aware of it, but this is just for the listeners,
(26:17):
is their schedule. They're scheduled unbelievable friendly for them. Every
game they had luck is a home game. They're home
against Toronto, home against Ottawa, home against Montreal, and home
against Carolina. And they got a chance to get a
lot of practices in under a new coach. Usually that's
not the way it works out. I think you'll see
the board put in a lot of very simple, but
(26:38):
very smart defensive concepts that should help their team. That's
been the biggest problem for them. Their defensive breakdowns the
last month or so have been absolutely hidious and it's
a big reason why they're in big trouble right now
and why Patrick lost his job.
Speaker 1 (26:54):
What happened to Detroit because just a couple of months
ago they were right there at the top of the
Atlantic Division, competing for top three spot. There now they're
hanging on by a thread. Did they collapse or did
they kind of just find their appropriate level.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
No, they collapsed. I don't get it. This is a
third year in a row this has happened, and it's
happened light around the same time. Now. A couple of
years ago they lost Dylan Larkin, who was really playing
great at that time, and you could tell why they
weren't able to win. They just didn't have enough firepower.
Last year they collapsed, but they had more than enough firepower.
It was just to collapse. And this year they lost
(27:28):
Larkin and they lost cop to you know, their first
and second line center. But they're both back now. There's
no reason for them to lose at New York, Yeah,
and then home to Minnesota this weekend. That's just that
can't happen. And so they put themselves in a very
very tenuous position. Their game with Columbus tonight is probably
(27:49):
as big a game as they're going to play this season.
They lose that game to Night, it's over for them.
And that's al'ms in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
What do you make about the race out west for
the second wild card spot. I don't necessarily think any
of the teams in that race are particularly good are
going to go on some run in the playoffs. But boy,
it's certainly exciting. Every single night. It seems to be
like three teams can change positions.
Speaker 3 (28:13):
Yeah, you see Nashville plays in Anaheim tonight and that's
a huge game for Nashville, especially after losing last night.
They got the loser point that they lost in LA.
I'm happy for Dj Smith to coach in LA. He
he replaced Jimmy Hiller. I worked with Dj and Otoway
as a very very good coach, and I'm happy he's
having some success with that team. I'd love to see
(28:34):
ence quote Patard to make the playoffs in his twentieth
season and his last season. I'm not sure it's it'll
work out that way. I know a lot of people
around the league want to see maclin Cella Breene get
in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
I I'm one of those people. I think it'd be
so much fun.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
Yeah, I think everybody wants to see him in the playoffs. Absolutely,
But I just think that LA still got a little
something something going on, and it is a big reason
why not just because of the grew coach. I think
it's because the guy's respect on say cool guitar so much.
In the subtle acquisition and nobody talks about it not
nearly enough. Getting our Timmy Panarin in there, that really
(29:12):
changed a lot of the concepts in a positive way,
not a negative way.
Speaker 1 (29:16):
And finally, Pierre, we got a little over a week
until the season wraps up.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
What's your gut telling you right now?
Speaker 1 (29:21):
Will it be Philadelphia that holds onto that third spot
and we'll get the Flyers Penguins matchup?
Speaker 3 (29:26):
Yeah? I think so. And the biggest reason why is
because of Rick Pocket. And I know Pittsburgh people love
to hate the Flyers. I get it, I totally get it.
But you got to remember one thing Pocket bled through
the Pittsburgh Penguins talker was a big part of what
we did in ninety two. I'm so glad that I
had a chance to get to know him and coach
(29:46):
him and be around him. And Dicky's an important part
of Pittsburgh Penguin history. I still think that they play
in the playoffs, Pittsburgh wins the series. But this is
about Rick Pocket right now, and he got absolutely They
destroyed in the media in Philadelphia earlier this year, and
it was so unjustified and it just shows you that
now all of a sudden, everybody's jumping on board, but
(30:08):
nobody wants to apologize, which is really sad.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
Pierre, as always, this has been such a treat. Thanks
for joining me. I really appreciate that. And we'll talk
to you next week.
Speaker 3 (30:18):
Dobvin never gets told with you and old Marco. I
love being all with you guys. Thank you so much.
In the best hockey market in America, and that's Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Thanks so much for having me.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
It's Para Maguire.
Speaker 1 (30:28):
Hear him, you see him everywhere, one of the best
to do it ever in the game of hockey. Brought
to us by Always Say Flagging and Traffic Control. Tom
opferman in for Mark Madden eight three three four thirty
nine is the number to call if you want a
wig in. You're excited to play the Flyers in round one.
It seems like that's where the things are headed for
the Penguins, and do you think the Penguins could win
(30:50):
the Stanley Cup eighty nine?
Speaker 2 (30:54):
It's Tom Oframan one O five ninety X.
Speaker 6 (30:56):
Of course.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
This segment is brought to us by the Steelers Pro Shop.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
Get it direct from the team at the Steelers Pro
Shop at shop dot Steelers dot com. I'm gonna do
a little Steelers talk at the top of the hour
to start four o'clock. Haven't talked about the Steelers at
all today, and why would you. There's really nothing going on,
although I guess the optional or offseason workout portion or
(31:23):
whatever the hell you call it is starting today Day
one for the Steelers. Still know Aaron Rodgers though in
the fold, but we'll get to that in just a
little bit. Last night National Championship Game for college basketball,
Michigan crowned as champions, beating Yukon. Just a dominating run
for Michigan through the bracket. And I enjoyed March Madness
(31:45):
this year. You know, there was some great games, some
great moments. That Duke Yukon game presented one of the
all time March Madness moments that we've had. But the
buzz that I have for college basketball is just it's
as low as it's ever been. And now I get
this news that a top forty recruit in the class
(32:06):
of twenty twenty six, Anthony Felessi, has decommitted from pitt.
He's a six foot five simo in wing and arguably
the best defender in this high school class and will
be a highly sought after free agent. And the whole
reason Jeff Cable was kept, or one of the reasons
Jeff Cable was kept. Obviously a main one was the
money and they didn't want to do the buyout was
but another reason was because he had such a loaded
(32:26):
class in twenty twenty six. Well, now there goes the
top forty recruit out the door, and it's just kind
of a dead thing in Pittsburgh now college troops, and
I think that's bled over into how I look at
it nationally.
Speaker 2 (32:37):
Again. I watched the tournament.
Speaker 1 (32:39):
I liked the tournament, but last night, you know, I
was watching just didn't feel like it was that appointment
television though. It didn't feel like I had to be there.
Let's get a call in before the end of the hour.
Let's go to Brad and green Tree. What's up, Brad
Jo Tommy Radio.
Speaker 6 (32:56):
I call it in a number of times, talk to you.
I wanted a genuinely do you wish you and your
wife the sincereous of congratulations?
Speaker 2 (33:04):
Well, thank you.
Speaker 6 (33:05):
Yeah, I've come to be a regular listener. I love
your contribution to the show. And I don't have kids,
but I'm I share your excitement and it's one of
the let you know that.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
Well, thank you so much, Brad.
Speaker 1 (33:18):
Do you have anything else you want to bring to
the table or you just want to keep praising me
because you can keep praising me.
Speaker 6 (33:27):
Do I ask Tom anything and I'll call back.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Okay, Brad, I thank you for the call and thank
you for your well wishes.
Speaker 1 (33:34):
I very do appreciate that when we come back, we
are going to be getting into some Steelers talk just
for that next ten minute portion of the show or so.
I'm not going to do a lot of Steelers talk.
It's just pointless. But I do have some things that
I have to get off my chest, so we'll do
that next. It's Tom on from an Infra Mark one
of five ninety X. You've checked a few things.
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