It's another edition of Fan Take Friday, and we dive into a question that has us wondering...should the Penguins have started rebuilding earlier? Patrick and Hunter begin this all Fan Take Friday edition of Locked On Penguins with a simple question: Should the Penguins have started this rebuild-retool after losing to the Canadiens in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs? They discuss if it would have made sense, who they could've moved, who they could've kept, and if they trusted former GM Jim Rutherford to execute the plan. Then, they take more of your questions and takes about where some of the young players fit in, if this team will be better in 2025-26, and which of the big three will remain on the Penguins the longest.

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We have a trade to announce! The Penguins have acquired defenseman Matt Dumba from the Dallas Stars! Hunter and Patrick discuss the breaking news that the Penguins traded for Matt Dumba and a 2028 second-round pick in exchange for Vladislav Kolyachonok. They break down the trade, what it means for the rebuild, and what the expectations are for Dumba on an expiring deal. Then, with news that the decentralized draft could be here to stay, they dive into why it’s probably a bad idea and why the NHL should just bring back the old format. Finally, with speculation that the Penguins could trade Erik Karlsson, they look at a couple of destinations that make sense.

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Evgeni Malkin might be slowing down, but that doesn't mean he's cooked. There is a way to get some of the Malkin magic back! Patrick and Hunter start the Wednesday edition of the show discussing the Penguins signing first-round pick Ben Kindel to a three-year entry-level contract. They discuss what the contract entails, what it means for next season, and how it will impact his development. Then, despite there being interest in college prospect Issac Howard, the Penguins ultimately were unable to trade for him, after the Lightning sent him to Edmonton. They dive into how the price was likely too steep and could have potentially set their rebuild back ever so slightly. Finally, Evgeni Malkin, with one year left on his contract, had a down year last year, but all is not lost. They talk about what the team needs to do to get him producing once again.

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The presumptive first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft is heading to college, which could put him in the Penguins’ sights. Hunter and Patrick began the show, giving their final thoughts on development camp, which came to a close on Monday afternoon. They discuss the play of some of the Penguins’ 2025 picks, including Will Horcoff. Then, Gavin McKenna is headed to college! The presumptive first overall pick will be playing the 2025-26 season at Penn State, and while it’s no guarantee the Penguins could get him, it certainly puts him in their sights. Finally, Jack McBain re-signed in Utah, making the Penguins’ offseason a little more complicated.

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There's one day left in Penguins' Development Camp, and we've got everything you need to know about what's been happening in Cranberry! Patrick and Hunter start the show giving their thoughts on the first few days of Development Camp and how while you shouldn't overeact to what you see, there is still plenty to be encouraged about from the Penguins' young players. Then, they have a discussion about Harrison Brunicke. After dazzling last year in training camp and nearly making the team, the Penguins now find themselves in a difficult position; Brunicke is likely too good to go back to junior, but still too young to head to the AHL, so what should the team do with him as training camp progresses later this year? Finally, with the draft and the first week of free agency in the books, what are some early expectations for the 2025-26 Pittsburgh Penguins?

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Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Eddie Garcia (Locked On Kings, David Morassutti (Locked On Leafs) and Seth Toupal (Locked On Wild are here to talk about the big moves of free agency so far, including the Mitch Marner saga finally coming to an end, what the heck the LA Kings are doing, and where Nikolaj Ehlers is going to end up!

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Development camp is here, and Locked On Penguins got a front row seat to the action! Hunter and Patrick begin the show discussing day one of development camp and Hunter’s takeaways from the opening sessions. They talk about how defensive prospects Harrison Brunicke and Finn Harding had a strong start, as well as how the 13 draft picks from the 2025 draft fared on their first day. Then, with most of the big UFAs off the board, this is probably one of the best times for Kyle Dubas to make a move. Who could he trade and where? Finally, with the 4th of July tomorrow, it’s Fan Take Friday, Thursday edition!

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Kyle Dubas kept it mostly quiet on July 1, but was a busy businessman on July 2. The Penguins made a flurry of signings on day two of free agency, and Patrick and Hunter give you all the latest on the team's day two signings. They begin with the biggest of them all, which is forward Anthony Mantha, another reclamation project and likely to be trade deadline fodder for the Penguins' rebuilding efforts. They also dive into a couple of the depth pieces the team signed to low-money, short-term deals. Now, with several signings made, multiple prospects looking to take the next step, it's clear the Penguins will need to make some moves on the trade market before training camp. They look at who is pushing and who could be moved out before the team reports to the Lemieux Complex in September. Finally, while all reporting says that this could be Evgeni Malkin's final season, Kyle Dubas may have thrown some cold water on that idea.

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