No Pucks Given | Pittsburgh Penguins Podcast

Dan's back and has a lot to say after Tuesday's press conference, takes your questions on everything Pittsburgh Penguins under the sun. 

We dissect Tuesday's presser with Kyle Dubas.

Dan goes to the FANS live with chat, answering all of your questions.

Dan Kingerski breaks down the Penguins' early offseason — the Ryan Shea contract mystery, the Malkin holding pattern, and which UFAs are heading for the door. Then, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton play-by-play voice Nick Hart joins to talk Owen Pickering, Tristan Broz, Ville Koivunen, and where the AHL playoff push leaves the prospect pipeline. Plus: Big Three letter grades and what Kyle Dubas can't afford to "run back" next season.Chapters:00:00 — A live show, a guest, and a Penguins offseason already moving02:14 — Ryan Shea is still unsigned. Why that's a problem.08:09 — The UFAs not named Malkin — and one big name nobody's talking about12:38 — Nick Hart joins: WBS prospects hitting the finish line22:14 — Don't write off Owen Pickering yet24:01 — Tristan Broz, the COVID-19 prospect with the worst luck in hockey33:47 — Why Ville Koivunen's hockey IQ changes the equation37:46 — Break38:07 — The danger of calling up a prospect before they're ready43:05 — Dan Muse "unleashed" him — the Ryan Shea blueprint Dubas needs to repeat55:39 — Grading the Big Three: Crosby, Malkin, and the Letang tragedy in five acts01:00:07 — Kyle Dubas can't run it back

Dan digs into the Ryan Shea contract mystery and the UFAs not named Malkin, then Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins play-by-play voice Nick Hart joins to break down Owen Pickering, Tristan Broz, and Ville Koivunen.

Dan pulls on the thread of calling prospects up too early, hands out letter grades to Crosby, Malkin, and Letang, and explains why running the roster back next season would undo everything Kyle Dubas got right.

Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now goes live from the historic Hershey Sports Arena — the building where Wilt Chamberlain dropped 100 — to dismantle the Evgeni Malkin re-signing debate once and for all. Dan explains why the only argument that holds water is emotional, why Malkin isn't blocking a specific player but is blocking opportunity, and what Kyle Dubas actually told Geno after the season (hint: it wasn't a contract promise).Plus: a deep dive on the Penguins' five-and-ten-year rebuild, the truth about Eric Karlsson's trade value, why Anthony Mantha's 33-goal season was a bigger Dubas win than fans realize, the Austin Matthews fantasy, prospect updates on Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, Tristan Broz, Harrison Brunicke and breakout Russian winger Mikhail Ilyin, and a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton playoff check-in after Game 3 against Hershey.Live fan Q&A throughout. Subscribe for unfiltered Penguins coverage from the guy who's actually in the locker room.Chapters:00:00 — Cold open and intro00:19 — Dan goes live from the historic old Hershey Sports Arena, site of Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game01:33 — Setting the table: Malkin discussion, Wilkes-Barre's Game 3 win, and pushing back on "junior media" takes03:23 — The core argument: you can't start with the conclusion that Malkin should be re-signed and work backward04:18 — Why 2025-26 and 2026-27 don't matter — this is a stepping stone to the next era04:58 — The only valid argument for keeping Geno is emotional, not hockey-related05:39 — Why "Malkin isn't blocking anybody" is wrong: he's blocking opportunity for prospects and second-chance free agents07:21 — McGroarty and Koivunen didn't claim spots this year, and what their summers look like10:02 — Dan didn't criticize Malkin's play, but the late-season and playoff drop-off was real11:23 — What Dubas actually said to Malkin: "we'll talk after the season" is not "we'll get you a contract"13:37 — The Penguins are a country mile from being a Cup contender and haven't hit bottom yet15:43 — Could the Penguins trade Erik Karlsson? Why Carolina is the most interesting fit21:56 — The Hoffman ownership question: will Jeff Hoffman let Dubas make the call?26:00 — Prospect deep dive: Tristan Broz, Ville Koivunen, Rutger McGroarty's make-or-break timelines29:48 — Harrison Brunicke looked like a monster in Game 3 — second-pair stud or true No. 1 ceiling?33:25 — Re-signing Connor Dewar and Ryan Shea, letting the rest walk, and ending the "mushy middle"35:00 — Why Anthony Mantha's 33-goal season was a strategic Dubas win for attracting future second-chance free agents38:24 — The Auston Matthews fantasy: why building a trade package is impossible40:53 — Was this season a disappointment? No — but the Round 1 collapse stings43:11 — Find me a 40-year-old NHL point-per-game player. It's not happening twice for Geno45:43 — Mikhail Ilyin's standout Game 3: skates backwards like a defenseman, mature beyond his draft slot47:16 — Goaltending tandem vs. roster turnover: which matters more next season?49:33 — Closing thoughts and Game 4 in Hershey#NoPucksGiven #PittsburghPenguins #EvgeniMalkin #KyleDubas #SidneyCrosby #LetsGoPens #NHL

Dan Kingerski talks Penguins locker room cleanout day, and the bombshell is Evgeni Malkin flatly admitting he'd play elsewhere if Kyle Dubas doesn't bring him back. Dan breaks down what Malkin's body language actually said, why Erik Karlsson was "tossing grenades" in the room, the case for and against re-signing Geno, and what Dubas's offseason should really look like — plus listener questions on the goaltending tandem, the ownership sale, and why a Matthews-to-Pittsburgh fantasy doesn't pencil out.00:00 Intro & cleanout day vent 04:30 The Malkin bombshell — full quote breakdown 09:00 Gut call: why Geno won't be back 12:05 Rust & Rakell trade talk 13:50 The new pillars: Crosby, Rust, Karlsson 17:30 Karlsson chucking grenades in the room 23:25 Why Malkin's "send-off" argument is wrong 28:25 Attendance reality check 29:30 Elias Pettersson? No. 32:30 Austin Matthews fantasy debunked 35:15 Why Skinner > Shelovs as Murashov's tandem 38:46 Ad break 39:15 Shay extension & the youth pipeline 45:00 Where is the ownership sale? 50:00 Round 2 take: Canes vs. Flyers 52:00 Letang–Grzelcyk and the D-corps problem 57:00 Tip of the cap to Dan Muse 1:00:00 Sign-off

Dan replays Malkin's exit-day comments and walks through the season-long progression of statements that, in his read, point to Geno being gone.

Why a Skinner-Murashov tandem makes more sense than running it back, plus Shay's likely extension, the Matthews/Peterson fantasy, and the stalled ownership sale.

Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now and Will James of Philly Hockey Now break down the Penguins' stunning 3-2 comeback win in Game 5 — including Kris Letang's fluky-but-magical goal — and look ahead to a pivotal Game 6 at Xfinity Center in Philadelphia. With the series tied 3-2 in favor of the Flyers, both reporters debate goaltending concerns, the physicality ratcheting up, young players finding their footing in the playoffs, and whether the Flyers locker room actually believes the pressure is off.Chapters:0:00 – Intro / series state of play (Flyers lead 3-2)0:54 – Penguins' historic comeback attempt, down 3-01:47 – How the series turned in Game 32:06 – Game 4 and 5 fluky goals2:23 – Letang's wild bouncing goal explained3:04 – Penguins' defensive clinic in third period3:22 – Will James joins from State College4:56 – Does the Pens-Flyers rivalry extend to the media?5:56 – Mantha's first goal: two perspectives, one play7:28 – Sanheim loses the puck battle, Soderblom finishes8:03 – Crosby nicknames Soderblom "Tree"9:20 – Penguins deserved to be down 5-1 in first two periods18:17 – Young players struggling vs. thriving in playoffs19:26 – Flyers' Mitchkov and Martone under the microscope22:14 – Will's experience covering playoff road games23:02 – Hockey's playoffs vs. other sports — the intensity gap24:00 – Penguins' attendance woes and fan re-engagement28:30 – Refereeing controversy and Mantha's punches30:14 – Hockey culture: the first punch never gets called35:43 – Tocchet calls them fluky goals too36:35 – Goalie fatigue heading into Game 637:29 – Flyers locker room — lip service or real belief?38:46 – Closing thoughts, mutual praise, Game 6 preview39:52 – Outro#pittsburghpenguins #penguins #flyers #nhl #nhlplayoffs

Dan and Will dissect how Pittsburgh survived a game they arguably should have lost — Letang's wild bouncing goal, Mantha's speed, Vladar's rough night, and the media rivalry angle.

With the series shifting to Philly, the guys weigh goalie fatigue, young players under pressure, penalty-calling controversies, and what playoff hockey atmosphere really feels like from the press box.

The Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves pushed to the brink, trailing 3-0 in their first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers. Following a high-intensity Game 3 in Philadelphia, Dan Kingerski breaks down the "bloodthirsty" atmosphere, the officiating controversies, and the tactical failures that have left the Penguins facing elimination. We dive into the future of the core three—Crosby, Malkin, and Letang—and whether Kyle Dubas will be forced to bring the "sickle" to the roster this summer.Chapters:00:04 – Welcome and series overview: The 3-0 deficit.01:34 – Coaching vs. Execution: Why the Penguins aren't playing the prepared game plan.03:03 – The "Bloodthirsty" Philadelphia atmosphere and the Gritty Penguin incident.05:11 – Rick Tocchet’s "Skeleton Key" to frustrating the Penguins' stars.06:17 – Disappointment in officiating: Interference and the "clutch and grab" era return.07:33 – Post-whistle melees and penalty box imbalances.09:56 – The Flyers' DNA and the legacy of Bobby Clarke.15:48 – Will a sweep lead to massive roster changes by Kyle Dubas?.17:42 – Player Analysis: Novak, Mantha, and the invisible second line.30:17 – Defensive struggles: The Girard and Letang pairing problems.45:54 – Evaluating Coach Dan Muse’s first playoff series.54:01 – Looking ahead: Who stays and who walks this summer?.01:13:00 – The Sidney Crosby embellishment call controversy.01:16:11 – Final thoughts and what to expect for Game 4.

Dan Kingerski breaks down the Pittsburgh Penguins' playoff push with two games left, analyzing potential first-round matchups against Columbus and Philadelphia, GM Kyle Dubas' roster moves that have paid dividends, and the goaltending debate between Artur Silovs and prospect Sergei Murashov. He also reacts to the New York Islanders firing Patrick Roy with four games remaining — drawing comparisons to the 2000 New Jersey Devils — and weighs in on the Kyle Dubas-Toronto Maple Leafs divorce and what it means for both franchises heading into the postseason.Chapters:0:00 – Intro / Episode Overview1:22 – Islanders Fire Patrick Roy With 4 Games Left2:08 – Pete DeBoer Takes Over in New York3:12 – Penguins' Magic Number & Playoff Picture3:56 – Kyle Dubas' Redemption Arc: From Toronto to Pittsburgh6:01 – Playoff Matchup Preview: Philadelphia Flyers15:43 – Goaltending Debate: Silovs vs. Murashov17:45 – After the Break: Columbus Blue Jackets Preview23:10 – What's Working: Penguins' Offensive Surge25:31 – Dan Muse's Key Roster Decisions (Malkin, Riquelme, Novak)28:38 – Sam Gerard & Chris Letang's Second-Pairing Turnaround33:14 – Murashov Deep Dive: When Does He Get the Net?38:58 – Closing Thoughts

Dan breaks down the Penguins' magic number, sizes up potential matchups with Columbus and Philadelphia, and reacts to the stunning mid-season firing of Patrick Wallaert with four games left on the Islanders' schedule.

Dan defends his reporting on the Penguins' goaltending situation, explains why Dubas won't rush Murashov, and floats the dream scenario of the Russian prospect facing Ovechkin in Washington's final home game.

Dan Kingerski goes solo for a live chat-driven deep dive as the Pittsburgh Penguins sit just 10 points from a playoff berth with 7 games to play. Dan breaks down how the team's recent demolition of the Islanders and Red Wings flipped the script from "can they sneak in?" to "who do they want in Round 1?" — and what the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh could mean for a potential home playoff game.From the Letang-Girard pairing's rocky-but-improving arc, to the Tommy Novak slump, to the Soderblom question nobody can stop asking — Dan works through the roster math heading into the stretch run. He also weighs in on the Skinner vs. Silovs goalie debate, playoff matchup preferences (, the Anthony Mantha re-signing calculus, Chinakhov's ceiling with Crosby, and why Murashov stays in Wilkes-Barre for now.Plus: Dan's harrowing Long Island day-trip saga, the April Fool's prank he wisely killed, and why he nearly gave Gary Bettman a heart attack.#NoPucksGiven #PittsburghPenguins #Penguins #LetsGoPens #NHLChapters:0:00 — Intro: bare-bones solo format, software issues, show overview0:56 — Penguins' playoff charge: from floundering to feasting — the Colorado/Carolina/Dallas beatdowns vs. the Islanders and Detroit wins3:30 — Magic number breakdown: 11 officially, 10 practically, seven games to go4:11 — Schedule breakdown: Florida, Washington, Saint Louis — and the missed Crosby-Ovechkin finale opportunity4:54 — Dan flying to Tampa Thursday; playoff travel teaser6:02 — Bracket scenarios: second place is realistic; preferred opponents (Columbus, Buffalo) vs. nightmare draws (Montreal, Long Island)9:00 — Long Island logistics rant: one train per hour, no hotels, please no Islanders series10:28 — Tommy Novak: the slump, the criticism from Toronto, Muise's line adjustments, and what it means for the playoff roster20:00 — Soderblom as "Elmer Glue Guy": why he can't come out of the lineup29:00 — Breakout and defensive zone structure: Carolina's forecheck as the one genuine threat33:00 — Letang-Girard pairing deep dive: rocky start, recent improvement, still too homogeneous40:42 — Fan philosophy interlude: enjoy the ride, Dan on his planned "clinch" feature stories42:48 — Goalie debate: Skinner vs. Silovs — rebound control, temperament, and why Stew is the clear No. 146:46 — Anthony Mantha re-signing: the case for, the cap math against, and why the playoffs might decide it51:23 — Chinakhov and Crosby: the line combination nobody's fully appreciated yet53:25 — Playoff clinching math explained: what the Penguins actually need54:20 — Jason Spezza and the Toronto GM vacancy: courtesy interview candidate at best56:28 — Brett Kulak vs. Gerard revisited: Dan closes the book on it58:00 — Dan's brutal Long Island day: 6am to 12:30am, Mifflinburg nap, jelly-brained post-game1:01:39 — Murashov to the NHL? Why he stays in Wilkes-Barre through the Penguins' run1:02:15 — Penguins vs. Columbus or Islanders in a seven-game series: Dan's honest assessments1:04:40 — Skinner calming the room vs. Silovs keeping you nervous — fan takes1:06:10 — Ben Kindel's decisive play on the fourth goal vs. Detroit: the tape you might have missed1:07:00 — April Fool's recap: the "warrior helmet" prank, the Penguins-sue-the-NHL story Dan wisely killed1:11:10 — Closing: Dan on doing this for the fans, Tampa trip Thursday, sign-off

Dan Kingerski reports live from New York City ahead of a massive Monday night showdown between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders. With nine games left and the Eastern Conference wild card race in total chaos, Dan and Vince Comunale break down everything that matters heading into the stretch run.Topics include: Erik Karlsson's historic Norris Trophy-level surge (the best stretch by a Penguins defenseman in 36 years), the Crosby and Malkin injury situation, the goaltending debate between Stuart Skinner and Tristan Jarry, the Eastern Conference logjam involving Columbus, Detroit, Ottawa, and Philadelphia, whether this Penguins team has enough secondary scoring to survive without its stars, and what a playoff berth — or a miss — would mean for Pittsburgh's future.Chapters:0:00 — Intro from NYC: Dan sets the scene outside Grand Central ahead of Penguins-Islanders 1:01 — Eastern Conference standings breakdown: the wild card traffic jam explained 2:21 — Erik Karlsson's Norris Trophy run and the Paul Coffey comparisons 5:53 — Vince joins: is Karlsson carrying this team on his back without Crosby and Malkin? 9:43 — Nine games to go: what point total does Pittsburgh actually need? 10:51 — Sidney Crosby injury update and timeline concerns 15:40 — Stuart Skinner goaltending analysis: the highs, the softies, and long-shot issues 18:38 — Skinner vs. Jarry: who gets the playoff start nod? 22:17 — She-loves-by-the-seashore 🙃 (Jarry trade rumor tangent) 22:30 — Do the Penguins make the playoffs? The million-dollar question 25:07 — The Islanders, Blue Jackets, Flyers, and Senators: who else gets in? 28:00 — If Pittsburgh misses: what went wrong, and who's to blame? 30:00 — Tommy Novak, Brazeau, Mantha, and the secondary scoring problem 31:43 — Malkin's impact on the lineup and Novak's dependency on him 33:41 — Lineup tinkering: Koivunen, Hayes, and who needs a stern talk 36:30 — Wrap-up: why Monday is a four-point game, not a season-ender#PittsburghPenguins #NoPucksGiven #PittsburghHockeyNow #ErikKarlsson #NHLPlayoffs #GoalieDebate #StuartSkinner #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #NHL #HockeyPodcast #EasternConference

Dan and Vince break down Karlsson's Norris Trophy-level surge, why it's the best stretch by a Penguins defenseman in 36 years, and what it means with Crosby and Malkin sidelined.

Nine games left, a chaotic wild card race, a goaltending question mark, and a secondary scoring problem — Dan and Vince lay out what Pittsburgh needs to get in and what could sink them.

We're back, taking your questions with an in-depth, expert analysis of the Pittsburgh Penguins as they navigate the critical final stretch of their season. Host Dan Kingerski delivers a comprehensive breakdown of the team's current state.On today's show:Strategic Team Analysis: We take a deep dive into the Penguins' defensive struggles and the breakdown of team concepts. Dan examines the impact of injuries to core players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, while also assessing the goaltending rotation's recent performance.Officiating and League Dynamics: A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the "viral" controversy surrounding goalie interference. Kingerski provides a statistical breakdown of challenge success rates and explores the potential for "pettiness" or personality conflicts between the team and the league's situation room.Player Profiles and Future Outlook: Dan highlights the positive locker room "vibe" created by Erik Karlsson’s "gregarious zest" and evaluates his long-term future in Pittsburgh. It also features detailed debates on contract negotiations for veteran stars like Evgeni Malkin and the potential for a Kris Letang buyout.Front Office and Prospect Updates: Dan shares his insider "nuggets" regarding the pending ownership sale to the Hoffman family and the development status of prospects like Cruz Lucius and Owen Pickering.Interactive Q&A and Travel Stories: You won't want to miss these!Chapters: 00:01: Introduction and travel logistics from Brockville01:22: Goalie interference statistics and league challenge04:02: Defensive struggles and injury updates05:10: Depth scoring and recent player performance07:04: Silver linings and defensive pairing analysis08:04: Live chat format and border crossing anecdote10:01: Q&A: Cruz Lucius signing status11:23: Q&A: Goaltender rotation and Skinner12:27: Q&A: Roster call-ups and player development13:43: Analysis of officiating bias and historical context16:33: Kris Letang: Contract, pairings, and buyout potential22:42: Sidney Crosby's performance post-injury23:59: Defensive chemistry: Gerard and Letang25:37: Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson's future outlook27:16: Lineup decisions: Graves and Clifton28:25: Locker room atmosphere and Erik Karlsson's influence30:08: Comparison of goalie interference calls34:39: Columbus and Erik Karlsson trade rumors35:36: Long-term future for Erik Karlsson37:35: Player happiness and power play roles39:53: Prospect Owen Pickering's future40:31: Ownership sale update regarding the Hoffman family42:24: Observations on depth player intensity44:02: Injecting youth into the lineup45:57: Coaching adjustments and strategy47:04: Rumored "legendary" phone call with the league48:22: Media coverage: Iron Man streaks and travel costs51:23: Impact of overtime and shootout losses53:36: Clarification on Evgeni Malkin’s contract status56:18: Fair market value for a veteran Malkin contract57:31: Conclusion and upcoming coverage

Join Dan as he takes questions on the state of the Pittsburgh Penguins roster, the issue with the NHL officiating, and how the team suffered due to officiating inconsistencies.

Dan takes questions on the Penguins veterans and their contracts plus what the organizational future may look like.

Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now breaks down a critical stretch run for the Pittsburgh Penguins after a split weekend — a gutsy shootout win over Winnipeg followed by a brutal loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Dan opens with some genuine good news: Erik Karlsson's Norris Trophy-caliber season and his growing locker room presence before diving deep into the real problems threatening the Penguins' playoff push. The blue line pairing of Kris Letang and Sam Girard is not working — their styles are too similar, their weaknesses amplify each other, and the advanced analytics prove it. With Ryan Shea banged up and two weeks to the trade deadline, Kyle Dubas's decision to trade Brett Kulak is now looking like the one mistake of his Pittsburgh tenure. On top of the defensive struggles, three key forwards — Ben Kindel, Tommy Novak, and Justin Brazeau have gone ice cold over the last 7–10 games. With the Colorado Avalanche coming to town Tuesday and the Islanders breathing down their neck, the Penguins desperately need answers.Chapters:0:00 – Intro and weekend recap after a Penguins win over Winnipeg and a blowout loss to Carolina.1:54 – High praise for Erik Karlsson's Norris-level play and his growing role as the locker room's personality and leader.9:32 – The Letang-Girard pairing is a lineup construction mistake — same style, compounding weaknesses, and terrible analytics.15:42 – Back from break, Dan breaks down how Carolina's forecheck exposed the pairing and why clean breakouts are essential to the Penguins' game.19:00 – Ryan Shea's injury, thin blue line depth, and why trading Brett Kulak is now looking like the season's one critical mistake.24:00 – Muse needs to shake up the defensive pairings, and credit to the coach for taking public blame after the Carolina loss.27:52 – Ben Kindel is slipping — worn down by the schedule and showing it in the numbers over his last 10 games.31:07 – Tommy Novak has gone from hot streak hero to one goal and no assists in seven games, and Barry Trotz's old criticism is starting to ring true.33:02 – Justin Brazeau has gone quiet — one assist in seven games and none of the impact plays that made him a revelation earlier this season.36:13 – Missing the playoffs without a lottery pick would be a franchise disaster, and the Penguins are running out of room for error.#NHL #PittsburghPenguins #NHLPodcast #ErikKarlsson #NHLNews 

Dan Kingerski recaps a split weekend for the Penguins — a shootout win over Winnipeg and a shellacking from Carolina — then opens on a positive note with Erik Karlsson, whose Norris Trophy-caliber play and locker room personality are quietly holding this team together. From there, Dan transitions to the core problem: the Letang-Girard pairing is a lineup construction disaster; their styles are too similar; their weaknesses compound each other; and Sunday's game against Carolina proved it.

Dan digs into the nuts and bolts of why Carolina's four-man forecheck exposed the Letang-Girard pairing so badly, and why the Penguins' entire offensive system depends on clean breakouts they simply can't execute right now. With Ryan Shea banged up, the trade deadline two weeks out, and Colorado coming to town Tuesday, Dan then pivots to the struggling forwards — Kindel, Novak, and Justin Brazeau have all gone cold at the worst possible time — and closes with a hard look at the playoff stakes: make it, or this season falls apart completely.

Dan Kingerski goes solo on Episode 53 of No Pucks Given, breaking down the Pittsburgh Penguins' fading playoff margin, what happens to the roster when Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby return from injury, and the future of Anthony Mantha as a pending free agent. Dan also takes a hard look at the defensive pairings, Ben Kindel's development ceiling, and why the Columbus Blue Jackets hot streak is threatening to knock the Penguins out of a wild card spot.Part of the Pittsburgh Hockey Now network on the Audacy Podcast Network. #PittsburghPenguins #Penguins #NHL #NoPucksGiven #PensPlayoffs #SidneyCrosby #EvgeniMalkin #AnthonyMantha #VilleKoivunen #PenguinsPlayoffs #PittsburghHockeyNow #NHLPlayoffsChapters:0:00 – Intro / Recording from Denver1:05 – Who goes back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton when Malkin and Crosby return?3:30 – Ville Koivunen vs. Avery Hayes — who stays?9:45 – Penguins playoff math and Columbus Blue Jackets hot streak13:00 – Defensive pairings breakdown: what has to change17:20 – Anthony Mantha: free agency, contract fit, and long-term role23:00 – The Malkin question — does Kyle Dubas want him back?25:30 – Ben Kindl development projection27:15 – Sidney Crosby return timeline28:00 – Penguins playoff prediction31:30 – Wrap-up and road schedule thoughts

Roster moves when Crosby and Malkin return, the Koivunen vs. Hayes debate, playoff math, and a crumbling defensive corps.

Anthony Mantha's free agent future, whether Dubas wants Malkin back, and what the Penguins' roster needs to look like next season.

Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now breaks down the Penguins' brutal five-game road trip against Carolina, Vegas, Utah, and Colorado — and why Sunday's three-goal comeback against Boston matters more than the standings suggest. Then: debunking the Robert Thomas and Shane Wright trade rumors, why Kyle Dubas standing pat at the deadline was actually a calculated power move, and what it all means for Evgeni Malkin's future in Pittsburgh.Chapters:0:00 – Intro 0:20 – Episode overview 1:30 – Five-game road trip breakdown (Carolina, Vegas, Utah, Colorado) 1:55 – Crosby injury update / Malkin suspension 2:55 – Why Sunday's comeback win vs. Boston matters 4:00 – Player grades: Novak, Mantha, Koivunen 7:52 – Trade deadline: debunking Robert Thomas & Shane Wright rumors 9:40 – Why Dubas stood pat — and what it signals 13:40 – The Dubas Gambit: giving Crosby what he wants to take control later 17:35 – Malkin's contract situation and the symbolism of letting him go 22:50 – Malkin's "sitting on the fastball" presser moment 27:00 – Final thoughts & outro

Dan Kingerski flies solo on Episode 51 of No Pucks Given, breaking down the Penguins' surging playoff odds, floating some trade deadline names worth watching, and diving into the Evgeni Malkin situation — including what Pittsburgh Hockey Now broke Saturday. Hannah Kirkell of Vegas Hockey Now drops in to talk hockey with Dan.

The Penguins just pulled the trigger on a deadline deal, sending Brett Kulak to Colorado for Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-rounder. Dan Kingerski breaks it all down — what Pittsburgh gained, what they gave up, and why this move is more about building for tomorrow than winning today.

Dan Kingerski and Vince Comunale break down one of the best days in recent hockey memory — Team USA's Olympic gold medal win over Canada — then pivot to what's coming for the Pittsburgh Penguins at the trade deadline. Dan breaks down the tactics Mike Sullivan used to neutralize Canada's talent advantage, makes the case for Conor Hellebuyck's legacy, and explains why Jack Hughes just rewrote his entire career narrative in one shift. Then it's all Penguins: Crosby's status, the "Refire Season 2.0," and which pending UFAs get moved before the deadline — Mantha, Skinner and more.Pittsburgh Hockey Now | No Fluff. All Hockey.📰 More Penguins coverage: pittsburghhockeynow.comCHAPTERS: 0:19 — Team USA wins gold: Dan's reaction from the pub 3:18 — Jack Hughes game-winner and career-defining moment 8:46 — 46 years to the day: echoes of the Miracle on Ice 9:24 — Vince Communal joins; Penguins preview 21:51 — Penguins "Refire Season 2.0" & Crosby's status 25:53 — Trade deadline breakdown begins 26:28 — Kevin Hayes, Noel Acciari & the fourth line 29:07 — Stuart Skinner: trade or keep? 29:37 — Anthony Mantha's career-best stretch: move him? 48:01 — Wrap-up & new subscriber lounge #PittsburghPenguins #NoPucksGiven #TeamUSAHockey #NHLTradeDeadline #SidneyCrosby #AnthonyMantha #StuartSkinner #JackHughes #ConorHellebuyck #OlympicHockey #PenguinsNation #PittsburghHockeyNow #NHLPodcast #HockeyPodcast #Penguins

Jack Hughes, Hellebuyck's legacy, and why Canada wins that game nine out of ten times — but not today.

Crosby's status, Mantha's value, and which UFAs get moved before the buzzer.

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