Episode Transcript
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(00:02):
Thank you. Sure, it's beena while. It depends on what we're
talking about. Since the internet works, Yes, a little bit warmer than
grand talk. Um, how doyou envision Riley? Well, we're really
(00:31):
excited to add Riley to our roster. He uh. I think he brings
so much with the versatility of hisgame. One of the strengths of his
game is his hockey I kit onboth sides of the puck. He's a
conscientious player defensively, Um, youknow, he has an offensive element to
his game. Obviously, he scoredtwenty six goals last years. His body
(00:52):
work in the league suggested he canscore goals, um, and so I
think his versatility can play you thewing. He kills penalties, he's on
our play. I think that thefact that that he's been used in all
situations, I think is his suggestiveof his hockey ACQUI that he uh that
he sees it pretty well offensively andplays with some pretty good offensive players,
(01:15):
produces as well offensively consistently, butalso brings a defensive two way game,
which I think is important to winit and especially when the stakes get high.
So he's going to bring that toour team. As far as where
he fits in our lineup. UM, you know, I'm sure will probably
explore different options, but I thinkit just gives us that much more versatility.
(01:38):
Been pretty effective off the rush throughouthis career as well. As that's
something that is appealing and ticing thatyou guys about bringing a man for sure,
it has you know one you know, one of the things we talk
about is if he potentially played withGino, for example, he his ability
to produce off the rush. U. Gino's a pretty dynamic player off the
(01:59):
rush. Also, UM, they'renot the only ones. You know,
Sid and Jacob pretty good off therush also, so UM, you know,
depending on where we where we utilizethem, I think he can add
that element to UM at least bea complimentary part of that aspect of our
game, regardless of where he endsup in our lineup. But he's a
(02:20):
real good player. UM, he'sgoing to make us a better hockey team
without a doubt. We're convinced.We're really excited. Again, do you
anticipate any of your own restricted guysreturning or at least returning before the first
Well, I know Kyle is indiscussions with UH with all of them.
UM, as far as uh,you know, potentially resigning with our team,
(02:44):
and he's in ongoing discussions, UM, fairly consistently with all the guys.
So, you know, we wereally like our team. We're hopeful
that that we can keep some ofthese guys and you know in our on
our roster, in our locker room. UM, we'll see where that goes.
I mean, there's a lot ofvariables there, but you know,
(03:06):
hopefully the you know, there there'ssome common ground there that can satisfy both
sides. Firing Smith doesn't necessarily precludeZooker returning there. I don't think it
does, you know. I knowKyle has spoke to uh to Zuck's agent
and uh, you know, andZucks is a valuable player for our team,
and um, you know, ourcoaching staff, we're certainly hopeful that
(03:28):
that that we can even get somethingaccomplished and keep Zuck in our locker He's
he's had a he had a realgood year for us last year. He's
a big part of our team.I know his teammates really value what he
brings to the Table's He's been suchan important part of our team year over
the last handful of years. SoI don't think just because we made this
(03:49):
deal today means anything, um,other than we added a real good player
and we're a better team, hopefullymore versatile and uh and we're hopeful here
with the ongoing discussions that that Kylehas with some of our players Leg zuck
Um, that we can keep someof these guys in a Penuin's jersey,
Mike, with Riley's penalty killing prowless, you know, storing shorthanded goals too,
(04:13):
How important is that your team?Are you kind of looking for more
penalty killing help this offseason? Forsure, we are. It's such an
important aspect of the game. Ithought our penalty kill was somewhat volatile this
past year. Um, we havehigher expectations there and I think Riley's a
guy that can help us in thatcapacity. When you look at it,
said, the league is a copycop league. When we look at the
(04:33):
teams that advanced deep this year,how do you feel a team you might
have going into this season compares andcould contrast with sort of the stylistics of
those teams. Yeah, so,I know that's a that's a fairly common
adage around the league. You know. The challenge with that is is when
you look at some of the StanleyCup winning teams here over the last handful
(04:58):
of years, include our team andthat right, Uh, there's different types
of identities that bring team success.I think the most important thing is is
that we look at the group ofpeople that we have in our core group
is the most important. And becausethey're there, there are difference makers.
They're the engine that um you knowthat that I think our team runs on
(05:18):
and and and so we've got tobuild a game plan that sets them up
for success. Uh. If ifwe were to try to copy the Stanley
Cup champion every single year, wewould be all over the map with with
with a style of play, ifphilosophy could play, and identity of what
Penguins hockey actually looks like. SoI think it's more important that we're true
(05:40):
to our group and uh, andour group has certainly shown and there's plenty
of evidence that that we can bea competitive team when when when we surround
these guys with the right people andand we put a game on the ice,
that the sets us up for success. So I'm not sure I buy
into that, uh, into thatuh fullosophy or that opinion that goes on
(06:01):
for me, the most important thingis is that we look at our core
group of players and and and figureout what their strengths are, and we're
going to build an identity around them. And I think that's what the Penguins
have done here for you know,a decade plus would sit and Gino and
um you know in Tanger and someof the people that the complementary players that
(06:24):
have surrounded these guys for the pastfifteen years. You know that the common
denominator of those guys and so uh, you know, we're trying to create
a certain identity in the philosophy ofplay that sets us up for success.
We're trying to find players, complementaryplayers that we think can play that game.
(06:48):
It doesn't surprise me. I'm surehe's uh, I'm sure it means
a lot to him. You know, he's he's an icon, you know,
and a lot of the players inthe league they look up to him
for for how good a player heis, but also how good a person
he is. He's just a greatrole model. He's an ambassador for our
(07:08):
game. You know, I've saidit on many of occasions. You guys
know this that I think he representseverything that's good about how And I'm sure,
I'm sure he's humbled and flattered thatthese guys look up to him the
way they do. Um, buthe deserves that. He deserves that because
he's earned. Like Jake's a guythat has taken a lot of physical abuse
(07:30):
to be the productive player he's beenearly years. Sometimes guys like that,
when they start getting into the league, their game changes or needs to change.
Where do you think his game goesfrom here so that he can stay
at that level given sort of whatwho he would have affected, but the
way he has to play, Soit's a great question, Rob. I
(07:50):
think I think Jake understands how toplay a certain game that brings him success.
I think as Jake has played inthe league, he becomes a wiser
version of himself. But but Ialso think, you know, he can't
change what's brought him success. Andso one of the things we admire about
(08:13):
him is his courage, for example, to go to the hard areas to
score goals. You know that he'sone of the better players in the league
in and around the blue paint forexample. You know, and in his
stature, he takes he takes crosschecks, and he takes some physical abuse
in order to score. That's animportant element of his game. I don't
think that will ever go away,you know. I think I think he's
(08:33):
he'll become a wiser version of himselfwhere he might be more selective on when
and how he goes and so andand I think that's the evolution of a
player. And you know, withthe hockey sense that he has, I
think he uh, he will figurethat out as in time as he goes.
And but but he's he has somany aspects of his offensive game that
(08:54):
that make him the player that heis. I don't think that will ever
change and X game in a shorttime. I think just his his transparency
and how collaborative he is, uhin trying to utilizing all the you know,
(09:15):
all the people around him to tryto gain plan to make the best
decisions. He's been very inclusive withour coaching staff, our whole coaching staff
as an example, uh in justtrying to prepare for um, you know,
free agency, who might be availableand who might fit within the group
(09:35):
that we have. And and sohe's he's very collaborative. Uh And and
I think that that's the biggest thingthat jumps out to me, Are you
taking a fency? No idea,sure does, probably,
Thank you. Sure, it's beena while. It depends on what we're
talking about. Since the internet works, Yes, a little bit warmer than
grand talk. Um, how doyou envision Riley? Well, we're really
(00:31):
excited to add Riley to our roster. He uh. I think he brings
so much with the versatility of hisgame. One of the strengths of his
game is his hockey I kit onboth sides of the puck. He's a
conscientious player defensively, Um, youknow, he has an offensive element to
his game. Obviously, he scoredtwenty six goals last years. His body
(00:52):
work in the league suggested he canscore goals, um, and so I
think his versatility can play you thewing. He kills penalties, he's on
our play. I think that thefact that that he's been used in all
situations, I think is his suggestiveof his hockey ACQUI that he uh that
he sees it pretty well offensively andplays with some pretty good offensive players,
(01:15):
produces as well offensively consistently, butalso brings a defensive two way game,
which I think is important to winit and especially when the stakes get high.
So he's going to bring that toour team. As far as where
he fits in our lineup. UM, you know, I'm sure will probably
explore different options, but I thinkit just gives us that much more versatility.
(01:38):
Been pretty effective off the rush throughouthis career as well. As that's
something that is appealing and ticing thatyou guys about bringing a man for sure,
it has you know one you know, one of the things we talk
about is if he potentially played withGino, for example, he his ability
to produce off the rush. U. Gino's a pretty dynamic player off the
(01:59):
rush. Also, UM, they'renot the only ones. You know,
Sid and Jacob pretty good off therush also, so UM, you know,
depending on where we where we utilizethem, I think he can add
that element to UM at least bea complimentary part of that aspect of our
game, regardless of where he endsup in our lineup. But he's a
(02:20):
real good player. UM, he'sgoing to make us a better hockey team
without a doubt. We're convinced.We're really excited. Again, do you
anticipate any of your own restricted guysreturning or at least returning before the first
Well, I know Kyle is indiscussions with UH with all of them.
UM, as far as uh,you know, potentially resigning with our team,
(02:44):
and he's in ongoing discussions, UM, fairly consistently with all the guys.
So, you know, we wereally like our team. We're hopeful
that that we can keep some ofthese guys and you know in our on
our roster, in our locker room. UM, we'll see where that goes.
I mean, there's a lot ofvariables there, but you know,
(03:06):
hopefully the you know, there there'ssome common ground there that can satisfy both
sides. Firing Smith doesn't necessarily precludeZooker returning there. I don't think it
does, you know. I knowKyle has spoke to uh to Zuck's agent
and uh, you know, andZucks is a valuable player for our team,
and um, you know, ourcoaching staff, we're certainly hopeful that
(03:28):
that that we can even get somethingaccomplished and keep Zuck in our locker He's
he's had a he had a realgood year for us last year. He's
a big part of our team.I know his teammates really value what he
brings to the Table's He's been suchan important part of our team year over
the last handful of years. SoI don't think just because we made this
(03:49):
deal today means anything, um,other than we added a real good player
and we're a better team, hopefullymore versatile and uh and we're hopeful here
with the ongoing discussions that that Kylehas with some of our players Leg zuck
Um, that we can keep someof these guys in a Penuin's jersey,
Mike, with Riley's penalty killing prowless, you know, storing shorthanded goals too,
(04:13):
How important is that your team?Are you kind of looking for more
penalty killing help this offseason? Forsure, we are. It's such an
important aspect of the game. Ithought our penalty kill was somewhat volatile this
past year. Um, we havehigher expectations there and I think Riley's a
guy that can help us in thatcapacity. When you look at it,
said, the league is a copycop league. When we look at the
(04:33):
teams that advanced deep this year,how do you feel a team you might
have going into this season compares andcould contrast with sort of the stylistics of
those teams. Yeah, so,I know that's a that's a fairly common
adage around the league. You know. The challenge with that is is when
you look at some of the StanleyCup winning teams here over the last handful
(04:58):
of years, include our team andthat right, Uh, there's different types
of identities that bring team success.I think the most important thing is is
that we look at the group ofpeople that we have in our core group
is the most important. And becausethey're there, there are difference makers.
They're the engine that um you knowthat that I think our team runs on
(05:18):
and and and so we've got tobuild a game plan that sets them up
for success. Uh. If ifwe were to try to copy the Stanley
Cup champion every single year, wewould be all over the map with with
with a style of play, ifphilosophy could play, and identity of what
Penguins hockey actually looks like. SoI think it's more important that we're true
(05:40):
to our group and uh, andour group has certainly shown and there's plenty
of evidence that that we can bea competitive team when when when we surround
these guys with the right people andand we put a game on the ice,
that the sets us up for success. So I'm not sure I buy
into that, uh, into thatuh fullosophy or that opinion that goes on
(06:01):
for me, the most important thingis is that we look at our core
group of players and and and figureout what their strengths are, and we're
going to build an identity around them. And I think that's what the Penguins
have done here for you know,a decade plus would sit and Gino and
um you know in Tanger and someof the people that the complementary players that
(06:24):
have surrounded these guys for the pastfifteen years. You know that the common
denominator of those guys and so uh, you know, we're trying to create
a certain identity in the philosophy ofplay that sets us up for success.
We're trying to find players, complementaryplayers that we think can play that game.
(06:48):
It doesn't surprise me. I'm surehe's uh, I'm sure it means
a lot to him. You know, he's he's an icon, you know,
and a lot of the players inthe league they look up to him
for for how good a player heis, but also how good a person
he is. He's just a greatrole model. He's an ambassador for our
(07:08):
game. You know, I've saidit on many of occasions. You guys
know this that I think he representseverything that's good about how And I'm sure,
I'm sure he's humbled and flattered thatthese guys look up to him the
way they do. Um, buthe deserves that. He deserves that because
he's earned. Like Jake's a guythat has taken a lot of physical abuse
(07:30):
to be the productive player he's beenearly years. Sometimes guys like that,
when they start getting into the league, their game changes or needs to change.
Where do you think his game goesfrom here so that he can stay
at that level given sort of whatwho he would have affected, but the
way he has to play, Soit's a great question, Rob. I
(07:50):
think I think Jake understands how toplay a certain game that brings him success.
I think as Jake has played inthe league, he becomes a wiser
version of himself. But but Ialso think, you know, he can't
change what's brought him success. Andso one of the things we admire about
(08:13):
him is his courage, for example, to go to the hard areas to
score goals. You know that he'sone of the better players in the league
in and around the blue paint forexample. You know, and in his
stature, he takes he takes crosschecks, and he takes some physical abuse
in order to score. That's animportant element of his game. I don't
think that will ever go away,you know. I think I think he's
(08:33):
he'll become a wiser version of himselfwhere he might be more selective on when
and how he goes and so andand I think that's the evolution of a
player. And you know, withthe hockey sense that he has, I
think he uh, he will figurethat out as in time as he goes.
And but but he's he has somany aspects of his offensive game that
(08:54):
that make him the player that heis. I don't think that will ever
change and X game in a shorttime. I think just his his transparency
and how collaborative he is, uhin trying to utilizing all the you know,
(09:15):
all the people around him to tryto gain plan to make the best
decisions. He's been very inclusive withour coaching staff, our whole coaching staff
as an example, uh in justtrying to prepare for um, you know,
free agency, who might be availableand who might fit within the group
(09:35):
that we have. And and sohe's he's very collaborative. Uh And and
I think that that's the biggest thingthat jumps out to me, Are you
taking a fency? No idea,sure does, probably,
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