Dan Kingerski records a spur-of-the-moment late-night episode from Chicago with special guest Anthony Jardine (Original Pittsburgh Winery) right after the Penguins' dominant victory over the Blackhawks. They dive into Kris Letang's recent mistakes and the heated "hold him accountable" debate, why the team played too slow and cute in December, the lack of net-front chaos and rebound finishing, Justin Brazeau's emergence, Kyle Dubas' eye for second-chance talent, and why the kids' line needs a finisher. Plus plenty of banter about Italian beef, Billy Goat Tavern cheeseburgers, and storm-chasing road trips. #penguins #nhl #nhlhockey #nhlpodcats #pittsburghpenguins

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & Setup: Late-night Chicago recording, snow storm escape, Italian beef & Billy Goat Tavern adventures

01:05 – Guest intro: Anthony Jardine (Original Pittsburgh Winery) joins for banter & balance

04:09 – Episode roadmap: Letang criticism, top-pairing breakdowns, kids line struggles, December slide

05:29 – Kris Letang deep dive: Mistakes vs. Chicago, accountability debate, why benching/scratching won't happen

06:56 – The "Big Three" nostalgia trap: Sid thriving, Geno & Letang fading, holding veterans accountable

09:47 – Coaching decisions: Why coaches rarely scratch stars, team chemistry fallout, fan vs. locker-room view

12:13 – Letang's recent form: Improvement over last 3 weeks, Jack Johnson-style fan overreaction

14:50 – Offensive defensemen reality: Letang/Carlson pairing issues, need for actual defense late in games

17:23 – Game evolution: Blurring offensive/defensive roles, why old labels don't fit anymore

19:00 – December slump explained: Playing too slow, cute perimeter game, lack of urgency & tempo

22:40 – Net-front & dirty-area problems: Missing rebound/trash goals, curse of close-but-no goals

24:30 – Return to basics in Chicago win: Shoot-first mentality, creating chaos, Brazeau tipping & outmuscling

26:22 – Justin Brazeau breakout: Soft hands, finding hidden gems, outperforming his cheap contract

29:40 – Kyle Dubas philosophy: Second-chance players (Brazeau, Waterspoon, Lizotte), undervalued talent scouting

32:50 – Sports science & development wins: Rutger McGroarty & Beau Akey skating gains

35:20 – Draft insight: Seeing beyond hype (examples: Celebrini vs. Bedard paths)

38:10 – Kids line discussion: Great chances but no finish, need a true sniper to boost Kendall/McGroarty

40:50 – Quick hits: Marchessault personality fun, winery plug

42:50 – Wrap-up & safe travels: Thanks to Anthony, bomb cyclone road trip send-off

Dan and Anthony go deep on Kris Letang's defensive errors (including the early giveaway vs. Chicago), why benching/scratching a veteran star like him is unlikely, the Penguins' nostalgia for the "Big Three," and whether the coaching staff owes the team tougher lineup decisions to prioritize winning over sentiment.

Dan & Anthony break down why the Penguins' December slide came from playing too slow and perimeter-heavy, the lack of crease chaos and rebound finishing, Justin Brazeau's surprising impact and soft hands, the value of Kyle Dubas' second-chance signings (Brazeau, Waterspoon, etc.), the kids line's need for a finisher, and quick hits on sports science improvements and draft philosophy.

In this edition of No Pucks Given, Dan Kingerski breaks down the big picture for the Penguins after their crucial win on Sunday, calling it a "whole reset" for the team. Now that Sidney Crosby has secured the franchise's all-time leading scorer record, the discussion shifts to the uncertain future of the core, including Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Plus, the rumor mill is churning, but the focus is on who the Penguins might trade—not who they might acquire. Tune in as Kingerski tackles trade chatter around defensemen Matt Dumba and Connor Clifton, why a Brian Rust trade would be "sky-high", and defends Coach Dan Muse against "dumb" fan demands for his firing. The episode also previews the huge game against the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.

Chapters:

00:00: Introduction and episode topics.

03:24: Defense of Coach Dan Muse.

07:12: Analysis of the Sunday win's significance.

19:21: Coach Dan Muse's comments on the win.

22:33: The future of the Penguins' core and generational players.

26:15: Trade chatter on defensemen Matt Dumba and Connor Clifton.

32:27: Discussion of Brian Rust trade rumors.

36:08: Further thoughts on the core (Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang).

39:05: Conclusion and looking ahead to the Toronto game.

Dan is back with the latest after the Penguins' big win Sunday and what it means moving forward. Plus, Crosby's record-setting night, why Dan Muse shouldn't be chased with pitchforks into the Allegheny! Buckle up!

Dan shares what he's hearing on the trade rumor front and closes the show with more thoughts on the current state of the Pens.

In Episode 43 of No Pucks Given, Dan Kingerski breaks down the Pittsburgh Penguins' brutal weekend collapse—squandering a four-goal lead Saturday and a three-goal edge Sunday. Hear raw locker room insight from Erik Karlsson on the team's crippling lack of confidence and "overthinking" mindset, plus Sidney Crosby's plea to "get over the hump."

Dan dives into the goaltending shakeup after the Tristan Jarry trade, evaluating prospects Joel Blomqvist, Sergey Murashov, Artyom Shelyov, and incoming Stuart Skinner. Is Kyle Dubas already building for 2027-28? A no-holds-barred look at a Penguins team playing scared and searching for answers.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro - No Pucks Given back!
0:19 Recording late after a whirlwind day
0:46 Penguins blow another multi-goal lead (vs Utah 5-4 OT)
1:04 Podcast topics: Blown leads, goaltending, Murashov, expectations
1:48 Deep dive on blown late leads
3:11 Penguins deserve way more wins than their record shows
4:13 Erik Karlsson post-game locker room audio
5:15 Karlsson on confidence, overthinking, and mindset
6:54 Reaction to Karlsson - "Regain trust" is huge
8:05 Third-period defensive collapse breakdown
9:05 Goaltender interference challenge controversy
10:31 Sidney Crosby post-game locker room audio
10:50 Crosby on needing to close out games
13:56 Reaction to Crosby - Team desperate for a lucky bounce
14:01 Crosby needs a spark (1991 Penguins comparison)
17:11 Why the team is deflating + loser points keeping them afloat
19:50 Goaltending situation - Tristan Jarry trade breakdown
22:45 How the Jarry trade clears the deck for the future
25:25 Archer Shelovs recent struggles
26:01 Stuart Skinner outlook and possibilities
27:13 Sergei Murashov - Ready-ish but rough edges showing
31:43 Murashov development dilemma: NHL lumps or AHL work?
34:11 Where do the Penguins go from here?
34:20 Soul-crushed team still hanging in playoff race
35:13 Kyle Dubas long-term focus vs current performance
37:11 Dubas building for 2027-28 more than today
40:42 Closing thoughts - Penguins in a bad way
41:13 Outro, producer shoutout, Kenny Pickett dig, road trip stories
44:14 End

Timecode:

0:19 Recording late after a whirlwind day
0:46 Penguins blow another multi-goal lead (vs Utah 5-4 OT)
1:04 Podcast topics: Blown leads, goaltending, Murashov, expectations
1:48 Deep dive on blown late leads
3:11 Penguins deserve way more wins than their record shows
4:13 Erik Karlsson post-game locker room audio
5:15 Karlsson on confidence, overthinking, and mindset
6:54 Reaction to Karlsson - "Regain trust" is huge
8:05 Third-period defensive collapse breakdown
9:05 Goaltender interference challenge controversy
10:31 Sidney Crosby post-game locker room audio
10:50 Crosby on needing to close out games
13:56 Reaction to Crosby - Team desperate for a lucky bounce
14:01 Crosby needs a spark (1991 Penguins comparison)

Dan continues and talks all about the Penguins at goalie and more.

Timecode:

17:11 Why the team is deflating + loser points keeping them afloat
19:50 Goaltending situation - Tristan Jarry trade breakdown
22:45 How the Jarry trade clears the deck for the future
25:25 Archer Shelovs recent struggles
26:01 Stuart Skinner outlook and possibilities
27:13 Sergei Murashov - Ready-ish but rough edges showing
31:43 Murashov development dilemma: NHL lumps or AHL work?
34:11 Where do the Penguins go from here?
34:20 Soul-crushed team still hanging in playoff race
35:13 Kyle Dubas long-term focus vs current performance
37:11 Dubas building for 2027-28 more than today
40:42 Closing thoughts - Penguins in a bad way
41:13 Outro, producer shoutout, Kenny Pickett dig, road trip stories
44:14 End

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a deal Friday night, shipping goaltender Tristan Jarry & forward Samuel Poulin to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for goalie Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak, second-round pick in 2029. Dan gives you his unfiltered reaction and takes your questions.