When the Pittsburgh Penguins reflected on their disappointing season, Lars Eller pointed out moments of emotional and performance dips, feeling they were far from their best. He particularly highlighted a period around Jake Guentzel’s trade as pivotal, noting games where the team seemed unrecognizable. This suggests a lack of resilience, despite having experienced leaders. General manager Kyle Dubas shared similar sentiments, expressing surprise and disappointment in the team’s reaction to the trade. The Penguins struggled notably during the speculation and aftermath of Guentzel’s departure, winning only three games out of 14, before rallying in the final stretch of the season. However, by then, it was too late to salvage their playoff hopes.
Mark Madden criticized the team for their emotional slump related to Guentzel’s trade, deeming it unprofessional and detrimental. He suggested that this fragility indicated deeper issues within the team dynamic, pointing out contrasts with past championship-winning Penguins teams. Madden also criticized the team’s decision to spend four days in Vegas before a game, which he believed affected their performance negatively. This behavior, he argued, was unnecessary and reminiscent of a reckless lifestyle portrayed in the film “Leaving Las Vegas.”
Additionally, Madden and the author delve into various topics in their podcast, including Tristan Jarry’s future, the Steelers’ draft, the struggling Pirates, and the TV show “Manhunt.”