pwhpa

“Menacing Whirlpool” 07/31/23

Pat yourself on the back, listener. You’ve hung in there with us, through the “Mug Of Summer” and into deepest, swirling saltwater depths of the NHL offseason. It’s all uphill from here, though, beginning with an exciting announcement we’ve got for you today (10:59).

We talk about comets (00:47), guitars (05:27), and a long-ago time when Jeff could slam dunk the hell out of a basketball (14:26).

And while you’re listening today, please: Subscribe to the podcast, leave us a glowing, 5-star review, and tell your friends all about Fly Penguins Fly. The more digi-love you give us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc, the more our audience will grow, etc. Thank you, thank you, thank you.                                                    

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod

Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT // Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton

Deep breath. OK… Now, imagine riding on an ACTUAL comet.

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Mug Of Summer” 07/24/23

Welcome to the absolute MUG of Summer. We’re not really sure what that means, but whatever it is, if you’re withiin striking distance of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, you’re DEEP inside of it. We’re talking music, the newly spruced-up Penguins app, and surf documentaries today, because that’s what one does when trapped in…

THE MUG OF SUMMER.                                                    

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod

Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT // Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton

They’ll find me if I wipe out trying to surf a monster wave off the southern coast of Australia ….. right?  ….. Hello? Anyone?

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Penguins PA Announcer Ryan Mill” 07/17/23

Ryan Mill’s career story is the stuff of dreams. A lifelong Penguins fan, Ryan was skating with some beer league pals when one of them offhandedly mentioned a job posting they’d seen. The rest is a very cool history, one that forever altered the sonic landscape of Pittsburgh hockey.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod

Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT // Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton // Ryan Mill: @ryanmill

What do Flyers fans scream to the Midnight Moon?

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Summer Digest: Signings, Trades, & Goodbyes” 07/11/23

First, huge congratulations to former guest on Fly Penguins Fly, Genviève Lacasse. She and her partner, Emerance Maschmeyer, both PWHPA goalies, were married just this past weekend. Congrats to them both, and best wishes.

Meanwhile in Pittsburgh… We’ve got signings, acquisitions, and farewells to catch up on.

Don’t know about you, listener, but in recent days and weeks there’ve been SO MANY depth players added to this Penguins roster, we can barely keep track. Therefore let this episode serve as a bit of a guide to all the new player arrival and the basics of their individual contracts.

Jordan couldn’t be present for this episode, so Jeff’s flying solo. Enjoy.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod

Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT //Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton

Can’t wait for the season to start? Go lace ‘em up and skate hard. You’ll forget all about it.

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

DeFigio + Taylor: “Yager! Jagr! Yessir!” 07/03/23

It’s been a WEEK for Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brayden Yager was taken 14th overall by PIT, in Nashville, TN at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Yager attended prospect development camp this weekend, in Cranberry, PA, along with names already synonymous with the event - ones like Sam Poulin, Owen Pickering, Tristan Broz, and Taylor Gauthier to name a few.

Reilly Smith was traded to the Pens during the Nashville festivities, and when free agency hit just 48 hours ago, Kyle Dubas hit the ground RUNNING. Lars Eller and Ryan Graves are Penguins, along with a couple other recognizables; but it’s some of the lesser-known signings made by Dubas and PIT’s front office whom Jeff and Jordan discuss on today’s episode.

Oh, right: Tristan Jarry was signed to a FIVE YEAR, FIVE POINT THREE SEVEN MILLION DOLLAR (AAV) CONTRACT. (“Yes, typing in all caps made me feel a little better. Just like I’m feeling a little better about the Jarry contract since it was initially announced.” - JT)

Since last Jordan and Jeff recorded an episode - DO cue up last week’s “Live From The Hangar,” it was truly a good time - the PHF* has been bought outright by some very wealthy investors - ones directly associated with the PWHPA’s** attempts to establish a CBA of their own, thus laying the groundwork for a best-on-best women’s super league. This is a massive development in the future of women’s pro hockey, and according to an Allegheny County NPR Radio affiliate, the Steel City *just might* feature prominently in the new league’s plans for expansion.

* Premiere Hockey Federation, North America’s first women’s professional hockey league.

** Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, headed up by national team stars like Hillary Knight, Sarah Nurse, Kendall Coyne-Schofield, and Marie Philip-Poulin

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod

Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT //Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton

Yager? Jagr? Yessir!!

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

Jeff + Jordan: Live From The Hangar 06/27/23

It’s officially summer, and we really needed to get “out of the office.” Grab a beer and join Jordan and Jeff, Live from The Hangar in Moon, PA. There’s a bit of Penguins hockey talk contained in this episode, but ...not that much. 

As of this recording, the Bill Masterton Trophy hadn’t yet been awarded. We now know it was awarded to the Penguins’ own, Kris Letang. Félicitations, monsieur Letang! Also, the 23-24 regular season schedule has been released, and we are now aware of the date of the Pens’ home opener: October 10th at PPG Paints Arena, where they’ll face (Conor Bedard and) the Chicago Blackhawks.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod

Jeff Taylor: @penspod_JT //Jordan DeFigio: @fidgenewton

Free agency is here, and the draft is this week!!

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Two New Goalies” with The Athletic’s Josh Yohe 06/20/23

Pregnant moments. These are the days between the awarding of Lord Stanley’s Cup, and historical days in a team’s history like:

- The annual NHL entry draft

- The start of free agency

Lucky for Jordan and Jeff,  they’re joined on today’s episode by none other than Josh Yohe, Penguins beat writer for TheAthletic.com.

Updates to these episode notes later today; for now, enjoy the show!

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod // Jeff: @penspod_JT //Jordan: @fidgenewton // Josh Yohe on Twitter: @JoshYohe_PGH

The weather grow-eth warmer, and for just one more day, the days longer!! …and so onward we trudge, toward prospect camp (July 1st in Cranberry, PA) !!

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Invitation To Immortality” with The Athletic’s Rob Rossi 06/13/23

On the 14th anniversary of the Penguins’ 2009 Stanley Cup Championship, Jeff welcomes onto the podcast longtime Pens beat writer, The Athletic's Rob Rossi. They discussed:

• How things change for players, when the Stanley Cup is in the building (6:26)

• On the 14th anniversary of 09 SCF G7, Rob shares stories from Joe Louis Arena (13:31)

• Sweaty Stallsy and The Case Of The Mustard Jacket (23:15)

• Why Jordan couldn’t join us today (34:12)

• Kyle Dubas: Acting GM and Noted Hunk (35:25)

• Jeff’s thoughts on The Core and their unsung / lost 22-23 campaign (42:59)

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod // Jeff: @penspod_JT //Jordan: @fidgenewton // Rob Rossi on Twitter: @Real_RobRossi

The offseason refuses to turn back on …and so we trudge on!!

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“All Of Their Comings” 05/29/23

Fenway Sports Group and the Penguins minority ownership landed the big front office fish they were after. Was the bait right, and if so, what gauge line did they use? Did they get the family station wagon on the road before 2am so they could have their sand spikes set up before anyone else? WHAT. WAS. THEIR. SECRET? Jeff and Jordan contemplate this and other matters of great significance, including:

     - Surfcasting for goalies

     - Freshwater angling for the meaning of life

(It’s Jordan’s big 3-0 this coming weekend, so please be sure to drop her a quick HBD on the Twit-Machine. - Jeff)

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod // Jeff: @penspod_JT //Jordan: @fidgenewton

The offseason grinds on in spite of Google Maps directing it up some insanely steep Pittsburgh hills, and so we trudge on!!

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“SINKHOLE SHIKAAKWA” 05/29/23

Enjoy a Memorial Day Monday check-in episode with your co-hosts, Jordan DeFigio and Jeff Taylor. In this episode we attempt to squeeze some Penguins-related content from an otherwise newsless, bottom-of-the-barrel offseason moment. No mention of Kyle Dubas, Matthew Darche, or other GM candidates is made, because frankly, the wire is dead save the widely-believed rumor that the former Maple Leafs builder has been given this holiday weekend to ‘think about it.’

Jordan waxes on megastar first-overalls - the hockey kind, not the Oshkosh sort - and how they compare to one another, particularly based on their respective postseason successes.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod // Jeff: @penspod_JT //Jordan: @fidgenewton

The offseason grinds on in spite of Google Maps directing it up some insanely steep Pittsburgh hills, and so yet we trudge!!

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Boba Tea Meet Cute” 05/22/23

This is not a drill: Jaromir Jagr was in town over the weekend. As in, 68 was INSIDE Pittsburgh city limits - physically. Could the Czech-born player’s visit to the 4-1-2 signal an impending jersey retirement, or even something more? Amid incessant speculation, among fans and the press about the Penguins’ ongoing search for a new GM, Jagr’s sudden in-the-flesh appearance in Allegheny County was nothing short of EXTREMELY refreshing. It’s fun news that transcends the playoffs, the upcoming draft, and it makes even the most stolid, pragmatic armchair pundit scratch their head: “COULD Jaromir Jagr be taking meetings about anything more than just a jersey retirement? An elevated role in player development, or something bigger?

Finally, Jordan and Jeff - but apparently, mostly just Jordan - are joined today, ever so briefly, by Penguins front office royalty. We hope you enjoy that.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod // Jeff: @penspod_JT //Jordan: @fidgenewton

The offseason marcheth onward, and so shall we!!

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Pretty Garbage” 05/14/23

Not everyone is the best at texting. One thing we can all agree on, though, is that the Eastern Conference Final matchup is set. The Carolina Hurricanes will have home ice advantage on the Florida Panthers, who themselves have defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round. In the West, both semi-final series could be headed to a seventh and decisive game, pending the result of the VGK@EDM game which is in progress as we record. On Saturday night, the Kraken defeated the Stars at home in Seattle, forcing a winner-take-all matchup on Monday in Dallas.

We rant about some hockey stuff in this episode, but we go on about some off-ice stuff, too. 

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod // Jeff: @penspod_JT //Jordan: @fidgenewton

The offseason can be a drag sometimes, so hang in there!!

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Offseason Druthers” with Hunter Hodies 05/08/23

For this episode we’re joined, in-studio, by Hunter Hodies. The longtime host of Locked On Penguins Podcast, Hunter recently joined up as co-host of Hockey Happy Hour on ESPN Radio Pittsburgh (104.7fm/970am). “HHH” airs Fridays at 5:00pm EST.

Jordan is off today, so it’s just Jeff and Hunter, recording (late yesterday evening) Sunday, reacting live to the results of the TOR@FLA game. The pair discuss potential offseason moves for the Penguins, including potential goalie-gets, GM candidates, and there’s a vague reference to a Jaime Benn something-or-other that apparently isn’t fit for inclusion on this podcast.

Kraken versus Cats, coming your way soon…??

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod // Jeff: @penspod_JT //Jordan: @fidgenewton … and follow Hunter Hodies @hunterhodies

We hope May is treating you well … AND of COURSE:

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Goalie Bob Says…” 05/01/23

We’re really starting to enjoy watching the playoffs, folks. Our guess is, YOU. ARE. TOO. Holy smokes, was this past weekend an exciting one, or what?! Jeff and Jordan call the 3rd period and (some of) OT during the FLA@BOS Game 7 matchup, LIVE on the podcast. It’s a fun, goofy time, we're just enjoying ourselves and sharing the experience with you listeners. Speaking of whom: We LOVE you all for hanging out with us - for tuning in as the offseason settles like a fine layer of dust on us Penguins fans. Luckily, we’ve all got each other in this weird new, playoff-less reality. We’ll be back with you at midnight, each Monday morning until Penguins preseason kicks off, so be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcatcher. Kick off your week by tuning us in as soon as you jump in the car, on the train, or maybe even just settle in at your work-from-home desk.

“What do they say up in Boston, again, Jordan?”

“I believe they say….” lol

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod // Jeff: @penspod_JT //Jordan: @fidgenewton

Enjoy the start of the off-season … AND of COURSE:

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Amelia Earhart: Alive And Well” 04/23/23

We’re really IN IT, now, folks. Welcome to what we’re calling “OS-23,” a gruesome, new time of the year when there are no “Playoff Hockey Nights In Pittsburgh,” at least this time around. So, what to do with the podcast? Glad you asked. We discuss the whereabouts of alive-and-well Amelia Earheart, the annoying din of Penguins Twitter users STILL complaining about the absence from the Pens’ ranks of McCann and Tanev, and most relevantly for all you non-Pens fans who came here to gloat (and why the heck shouldn’t you?!), we make our honest-to-goodness [28:31] predictions for how WE, Jordan DeFigio + Jeff Taylor, think each of the eight Rd. 1 Stanley Cup Playoff series will end. Hope you enjoy this installment of Fly Penguins Fly. This offseason episode is the first of its kind, and we’ll be dropping a new one each Monday at 12:00am.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod // Jeff: @penspod_JT //Jordan: @fidgenewton

Enjoy the start of the off-season … AND of COURSE:

LET’S GO PENS (Off Season Style)

“DING DONG: Ron Hextall + Co. Fired” 04/14/23

The Penguins drop their season finale to Columbus, 2-3 in extra time. There IS good news, however, if one chooses to see it that way. Ron Hextall has been fired and is now the *former* General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Chris Pryor, former Assistant GM to Hextall, has also been relieved of his position with the Penguins. Brian Burke, former President of Hockey Ops, was let go, as well. Jeff and Jordan rap about these “can jobs,” plus they opine on the flavor of cake which Jordan may well get into baking this evening, her tribute to the momentous occasion of Hexy’s jettisoning from the GM chair in Pittsburgh.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod // Jeff: @penspod_JT //Jordan: @fidgenewton

Enjoy the start of the off-season … AND of COURSE:

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Gong With The Wind” PIT@CBJ 04/13/23

Listeners, thanks for being with us in the 2022-2023 Pittsburgh Penguins regular season. Things didn’t turn out the way we’d all hoped, but it’s been a wild ride - one we’re glad we took. If it weren’t for YOU - yes, we mean YOU - then we’d just be talking out into the void. And that, to say nothing of the Penguins’ season coming to an untimely close, is a pretttttty dark thought to think. OK, folks: Let’s tune in and support these Pens, one last time, and root them on to defeat the presumed champs of the Conor Bedard Lottery (CBJ-CBL). Sidney Crosby. Evgeni Malkin. Kris Letang. Jake Guentzel. Bryan Rust. Jason Zucker. Rickard Rakell. These players put on a truly entertaining show this year, did they not? Of course, there are other fish who require frying, and those stories will play themselves out as the horn - and hopefully not the blackpowder cannon at Nationwide Arena - sounds for the final time tonight.

Enjoy this game, it’s the last Penguins game until mid-October of 2023. We’ll be back with off-season episodes, starting next week, on an official schedule which we’ll soon announce. More than anything, THANK YOU for joining us each game-day, as you have all season. Just like you, we can’t wait for a clean slate, and more regular season Penguins Hockey.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod // Jeff: @penspod_JT //Jordan: @fidgenewton

Enjoy tonight's Penguins road game versus the Jackets … AND of COURSE:

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Your Reality Changes” CHI@PIT 04/11/23

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ path to the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs is pretty simple: Win tonight. Beat the lowly Chicago Blackhawks and go from there. Sure, there’s one more regular season game in addition to tonight’s tilt versus the ‘Hawks, but can it possibly do the Pens’ players any good, to be thinking about a different game - the one against Columbus on Thursday - as they prepare for tonight’s matchup? The mission today: Tonight. Win tonight. If the Penguins can do that, they’ll go to sleep in a WC spot, ready to pounce on the Jackets and secure a 17th consecutive playoff berth. There are 60 minutes of Penguins Hockey separating the Pens from said ticket-to-the-dance. Here’s hoping they play those 60 minutes in a manner they’d be proud of.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod // Jeff: @penspod_JT //Jordan: @fidgenewton

Enjoy tonight's Penguins home game versus the Hawks … AND of COURSE:

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

Are the Penguins looking through the wrong end of the telescope? Are they comatose waiting for this thing to grow? Who knows? What Jordan and Jeff DO know is that Lucius put on an absolutely KILLER show at Mr. Smalls theater in Millvale, PA. They hop on a quick voice memo recording to discuss it all - from Jeff's sit-in on “Dusty Trails,” to his …unique whistling abilities. Nathan Linegar, Lucius’s tour manager on this run, joins your co-hosts for this impromptu episode - even though he’s pretty sure they're messing with him.

Thank you for listening!! Follow us on Twitter @penspod, on Instagram at @flypenguinsfly

Enjoy tonight's Penguins away game versus the Red Wings … AND of COURSE:

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Spring Flower” MIN@PIT 04/06/23

This is it, folks. - JT

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @penspod // Jeff: @penspod_JT //Jordan: @fidgenewton

Enjoy tonight's Penguins home game versus the Wild … AND of COURSE:

LETS GO PENS!!

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO