No Pucks Given | Pittsburgh Penguins Podcast

Dan Kingerski breaks down how to judge the rest of the Penguins' season after they've exceeded all expectations, discusses the Rick Tochhet-Matvei Michkov drama in Philadelphia with Philly Hockey Now's Will James, and talks Penguins identity and trade deadline with Vince Comunale.Chapters:0:00 - Intro & How to Judge the Penguins Season9:15 - Will James on Flyers Chaos: Tochhet vs Michkov27:05 - Vince Communale on Penguins Identity & Trade Talk52:26 - Radio Days & Ivan Hlinka Stories#Penguins #PittsburghPenguins #Flyers #PhiladelphiaFlyers #NHL #HockeyPodcast #PittsburghHockey #RickTochhet #MatveiMichkov #SidneyCrosby #EugeniMalkin #HockeyNews #TradeDeadline #NHLPodcast #LetsGoPens #HockeyTalk #PenguinsNation #FlyersHockey #MetroDivision #HockeyAnalysis

Dan breaks down the unique challenge of evaluating a Penguins team that has already exceeded all expectations, discussing whether making the playoffs is still the goal or if there's a higher standard now.

Philly Hockey Now's Will James joins to discuss Rick Tochhet calling Matvei Michkov out of shape, the resulting locker room drama, management's response, and the Flyers' freefall in the standings.

Pittsburgh hockey writer Vince Comunale discusses what defines the current Penguins' identity, potential trade-deadline moves, and shares stories from covering the team, including the Ivan Hlinka era.

Dan Kingerski breaks down the Penguins’ wild week—resilient wins, brutal losses, killer goaltending, Rust’s massive impact, and the McKenna fight nobody should clutch pearls over. Plus road-trip-from-hell stories, fan Q&A on Jason Robertson trades, Dubas’ long-term vision, and why this team still has legs post-Olympic break. Raw, no-fluff Penguins talk.Chapters:00:00 – Intro: "No Pucks Given" theme and Dan Kingerski welcome00:19 – Dan starts live chat (late start after long day)00:30 – Exhaustion update: Went to bed at 4:30 PM, just showered01:10 – Gavin McKenna fight discussion – "College kids fight, not a big deal"02:40 – Overreaction to Ottawa loss; bigger picture from recent games03:50 – Penguins can win ugly games now (unlike past years)05:00 – Goaltending praise: Skinner & Nedeljkovic both solid in context06:20 – Fell out of "the zone" vs. Rangers; human element07:10 – Goalie interference non-call vs. Islanders; should’ve been no goal08:00 – Brian Rust’s huge lineup impact (lines looked better with him)09:00 – Tommy Novak & Justin Brazeau playoff-style play evaluation10:00 – Dan Muse’s system prep; Penguins zone vs. Islanders man pressure11:00 – Too many turnovers (especially Carlson & Malkin)12:10 – Break / timeout12:20 – Back from break; brutal travel story from UBS Arena (Long Island)13:30 – 2+ hour arena-to-car ordeal; slept in car at rest stop14:40 – Reward: Wellsboro Diner breakfast/lunch detour15:50 – Rapid-fire Q&A begins (zero REM sleep disclaimer)17:00 – Macro view: 1–2 year Cup window before big attrition (Crosby/Malkin era end)18:30 – Jason Robertson trade debate – pros/cons, fit concerns20:00 – Preference for right-shot defenseman upgrade over big forward splash21:30 – Rutger McGroarty value; why not trade him yet23:00 – Evgeni Malkin shoulder/health watch25:00 – Artemi Panarin trade context (destination control via contract ask)27:00 – Team USA Olympic outlook – souring view, missing Robertson/Rust30:00 – Dan’s media philosophy; why newspapers struggle (chasing past vs. audience)32:00 – Pittsburgh Hockey Now growth & independence success35:00 – Sergei Chinakhov praise – skating, shooting, two-way play37:00 – Olympic break impact debate – momentum reset risk39:00 – Anthony Mantha resurgence (better skating post-knee surgery)41:00 – Playoff positioning prediction: 2nd or 3rd in Metro43:00 – Final thoughts: Ottawa stinker more Penguins absence than Sens style55:00 – Wrap-up & sign-off ("Have fun, kids")

Intro to the chat, thoughts on McKenna incident, and analysis of recent games vs. Islanders/Ottawa, highlighting team resilience and goaltending.

Dan shares road trip stories, answers questions on trades (e.g., Robertson), player contracts, team future, and Olympic predictions. #penguins #pittsburghpenguins #nhl

Dive into No Pucks Given with host Dan Kingerski! We break down the Pittsburgh Penguins' evolving team identity under new leadership, their surprising hot streak, and the flipped Eastern Conference standings. Special guest Kevin Allen (Detroit Hockey Now) joins to discuss the Red Wings' rebuild success, key players like John Gibson and Lucas Raymond, trade deadline moves, and why the East is wide open. Plus, insights on struggling powerhouses like the Maple Leafs and Panthers.Chapters:00:00 - Intro to episode and Penguins' emerging identity02:00 - Defining the Penguins' new blue-collar style04:00 - Coach Dan Muse on team unity and work ethic06:00 - Penguins' underrated talent and connected play07:56 - Guest Kevin Allen joins: Red Wings' turnaround09:00 - Draft challenges and rebuild timeline11:00 - Key Red Wings players: Cider, Raymond, DeBrincat12:00 - John Gibson's elite goaltending impact15:00 - Prospect development and goalie timelines21:00 - Trade deadline targets for Detroit24:00 - Penguins' hybrid rebuild strategy26:00 - Eastern Conference chaos: Panthers, Leafs struggles29:00 - Tampa Bay Lightning's dominance32:00 - Vasilevskiy and elite goaltending edge35:00 - Wrap-up and hockey coverage passion#NHLPodcast #PittsburghPenguins #DetroitRedWings #EasternConference #HockeyIdentity #TradeDeadline #RedWingsRebuild #PenguinsHotStreak #KevinAllen #NoPucksGiven

Dan is back to talk about the evolving identity of the Pittsburgh Penguins. With a mix of aging veterans and young guns, how exactly would you describe this team?

Longtime NHL writer Kevin Allen joins Dan to talk about the current state of the Penguins, how the Detriot Red Wings are back and the topsy turvy NHL Eastern Conference.

Pittsburgh Penguins insider Dan Kingerski breaks down Bryan Rust's 3-game suspension for elbowing Brock Boeser and discusses whether Kyle Dubas should pursue a Jason Robertson trade. Plus: thoughts on Malkin playing wing with Novak, the wild Atlantic Division playoff race, and why the Penguins' organizational timeline might not match Robertson's career arc. Join the lively chat discussion on all things Penguins hockey.#Penguins #LetsGoPens #NHL #BrianRust #JasonRobertson #PittsburghPenguinsChapters:0:00 - Intro & Show Start 0:18 - Pittsburgh in Playoff Position Discussion 0:49 - Bryan Rust 3-Game Suspension Topic 1:07 - Kyle Dubas Trade Deadline Plans 1:15 - Jason Robertson Trade Debate 1:57 - Drove to Practice When There Was No Practice Story 3:31 - Bryan Rust Elbow Video Breakdown 4:00 - Comparing to Other Dirty Players (Wilson, Trouba) 5:07 - Suspension Reaction & Analysis 27:33 - Jason Robertson Trade Discussion Begins 54:20 - Rakell vs Robertson Comparison 57:00 - Malkin Playing Wing with Novak Analysis 59:37 - Wrap Up & PHN+ Promo

Dan has a few choice words about the Bryan Rust suspension over his big elbow. Plus, your questions and our answers to the BURNING questions of Penguins fans!

Dan continues with the Q&A and directly talks about whether to sign or trade Stuart Skinner, and about a possible Robertson deal.

Dan Kingerski delivers a candid, no-fluff breakdown of the surging Pittsburgh Penguins, who sit solidly in second place in the Metropolitan Division thanks to unexpected chemistry from offseason additions like Anthony Mantha, Justin Brazeau, and more. He outlines Kyle Dubas's four potential trade deadline paths—hold steady and "rent" key UFAs to themselves, sell veterans like the Flyers/Capitals did in prior years, take a hybrid approach with surgical additions (especially right-handed defense depth), or (unlikely) become aggressive buyers. Dan dives into hot topics, including Jason Robertson trade rumors (and why a blockbuster might cost too much long-term), Brian Rust's Player Safety hearing for a high hit, Evgeni Malkin's elite resurgence at 39, goaltending turnaround with Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs, the coaching lift under Dan Muse, and why this team feels different from recent collapses. Recorded live amid travel chaos, with listener questions from X.Chapters:0:00 Intro & Snowmageddon travel woes1:07  Penguins hot — chemistry clicking everywhere2:45  Second in Metro — better than Flyers/Caps?5:05  Four deadline strategies overview5:42  Strategy 1: Hold — re-rent UFAs to yourselves8:36  Strategy 2: Sell vets like Flyers/Caps did9:55  Strategy 3: Hybrid — surgical young adds (esp. RD)13:21  Strategy 4: Buyer mode — almost zero chance15:44  Break & listener Q&A starts16:20  Jason Robertson rumors — cost too high?22:05  Rust high-hit hearing — not flimsy24:00  Hallander return odds this season27:01  Malkin resurgence — near-elite at 3930:10 Goaltending turnaround — Skinner + Silovs33:02 Why this team feels different (Muse effect)36:27 Cup contender? Playoff reality check38:34 Wrap-up#pittsburghpenguins #penguins #penshockey #pittsburgh #nhl #nhlpodcast #NHLnews

Dan Kingerski unpacks the Penguins' strong position in second place in the Metro, crediting Kyle Dubas's offseason moves that have surprisingly clicked across the board. He details four trade deadline strategies for Dubas—holding firm to keep the core chemistry intact (effectively "re-renting" UFAs like Mantha, Dewar, Kulak, and Skinner), selling veterans for future assets like past Flyers/Capitals moves, a disciplined hybrid of minor adds (targeting affordable, younger right-shot defense), or the improbable full buyer mode. Discussion covers why the team won't panic during inevitable ebbs, comparisons to weaker rivals like the Flyers and Capitals, and the value of depth players over low-return rentals.

In the listener Q&A portion (live on X), Dan tackles burning Penguins questions: the steep cost and long-term risks of chasing Jason Robertson in a potential blockbuster, his take on Brian Rust's upcoming player safety hearing for a controversial high hit (not seeing it as flimsy), the unlikelihood of Filip Hallander returning this season without waiver risks, Evgeni Malkin's near-elite play and smart hockey at age 39, goaltending stability from Skinner and Silovs, the massive upgrade on the third/fourth lines, and why this year's squad—under coach Dan Muse—has a freeing confidence and resilience missing in recent years. He closes with realism: strong playoff contender capable of winning rounds, but not yet a Cup favorite against elites like Vegas, Colorado, Tampa, or Florida.

Dan Kingerski hosts a live chat from the Saddledome in Calgary during the Flames' morning skate, covering Pittsburgh Penguins topics like coaching changes under Dan Muse, team resilience, shootout struggles, trades (e.g., Solovyov), goalie evaluations, player performances, and fan Q&A on prospects, rosters, and future strategies.Chapters:00:00 – Intro00:34 – At Calgary Flames morning skate01:07 – Dan Muse coaching difference & team positivity03:38 – Penguins resilience in recent games (Seattle example)04:53 – Penguins standings surprise & Jack Adams talk05:58 – Shootout struggles & why it’s not a huge issue08:23 – Travel story & Calgary arena setup10:50 – Kyle Dubas scouting & trade rumors13:56 – Solovyov trade analysis & Pickering thoughts18:04 – Hollander return scenario & lineup decisions19:14 – Malkin on the wing & future possibilities28:17 – Grades: Defense (A), Goaltending (very good), Forwards (A+)31:43 – Dustin Wolf in net tonight & Calgary anecdotes33:49 – Penguins fans atmosphere in arena discussion36:02 – Keeping Mantha/Malkin & trade strategy37:24 – Goalie rotation, Skinner extension, Shelovs value39:38 – Defending Arthur Shelovs performance40:31 – USA Olympic roster omissions (Rust, Caufield)43:59 – Final rapid-fire Q&A & wrap-up45:45 – Closing: Like/subscribe, PHN Plus plug, Saddledome farewell

Dan Kingerski and Vince Communale break down the Penguins' shootout struggles, practice updates, trade deadline options like Anthony Mantha, and playoff chances. Plus, reactions to the Rasmus Andersson trade.Chapters:0:00 - Intro & News/Notes (Injuries, Recalls)3:23 - Shootout Analysis & Fixes17:13 - Player Evaluations (Shea, Graves, Mantha)25:30 - Trade Deadline Chatter35:09 - Playoff Push & Predictions38:22 - Vegas-Calgary Trade Breakdown42:53 - Wrap-Up#nhl #penguins #pittsburghpenguins #pens #hockeypodcast

Why the Penguins are 1-7 in shootouts, fixes for Jarry/Shea, and player changes to try.

Mantha, Graves, and Shea trade possibilities, deadline strategy, and realistic playoff chances.