Fly Penguins Fly Podcast

It’s Been A Week 05/21/25

Today’s episode was recorded on Monday, May 19th.

Special thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and cafe, for partnering with Fly Penguins Fly podcast. Visit an Espresso A Mano location near you:
https://espressoamano.com/

Fly Penguins Fly Podcast is produced by Jeff Taylor.

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

LETS GO PENS.

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

Intro/Outro music composed and re...

Pittsburgh Penguins on NHL’s All Quarter Century Team, Sidney Crosby at the IIHF Worlds, and Winnipeg’s Cringe-y Cup Song 05/12/25

Thanks to Sidney Crosby, Nathan McKinnon - and yes: Marc Andre Fleury!! - we’ve all got some exciting Team Canada hockey action to enjoy. With the Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche, and Minnesota Wild all having been eliminated from contention for this season’s Stanley Cup, Team Canada’s roster at the IIHF World Championships boasts some of the NHL’s most beloved names.

In lieu of further copy on the matter, here are some time co...

Destination And Subject: Kyle Dubas and Pittsburgh Penguins Commence Head Coach Search 05/05/25

Rick Tocchet, David Carle, and others have been widely discussed as candidates to fill the vacancy Mike Sullivan left when he departed the Steel City. Jeff Taylor and Jordan DeFigio have at least one warm-to-hot take as to who might fit the bill behind the Pittsburgh Penguins' bench, especially while the team undergoes its nearly inevitable transitionary period.

Sidney Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson told Pierre LeBrun this weekend that his client would be traveling to Sweden to participate in the IIHF Men's World...

Irish Goodbye: Mike Sullivan and Pittsburgh Penguins Part Ways 04/29/25

You knew it was around the corner, but you still didn’t see it coming: Mike Sullivan, two-time Stanley Cup-winning head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins is between jobs and the Pens are without a coach. Jordan DeFigio and Jeff Taylor offer their impressions and reactions to this massive news.

Thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and cafe, for partnering with Fly Penguins Fly podcast. Visit an Espresso A Mano location near you:
https://espressoamano.com/

Fly Penguins Fly Podc...

Bittersweet Ending 04/21/25

Jeff Taylor and Jordan DeFigio convene for a season’s-end chat, at the tail end of the Penguins’ 24-25 campaign. A resounding victory over Alex Ovechkin and the first place Capitals is bittersweet on the tongue, as the Pens best the Caps in game 82.

Also in this episode: Joining Jeff for a lo-fi, impromptu interview recording here is Mike Kirkpatrick of Sreamin Yeti Designs. Visit Mike’s IG page to check out his amazing graphic design work, including his original take on what eventually became the official logo of the NHL’s 32nd franchis...

Bagpipes ft. Rob Rossi of The Athletic 04/16/25

Rob Rossi, Pittsburgh Penguins beat writer and current senior staffer with The Athletic joins Jeff Taylor and Jordan DeFigio to share his vivid, heartfelt recollections of former Penguins general manager, the late Ray Shero.

Thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and cafe, for partnering with Fly Penguins Fly podcast. Visit an Espresso A Mano location near you:
https://espressoamano.com/

Fly Penguins Fly Podcast is produced by Jeff Taylor.

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on X/Twitter: @pe...

Pittsburgh Penguins: End Of The Road 04/11/25

Heading into Newark, NJ for the final road game of their 2024-2025 campaign, the Pittsburgh Penguins will look to upset a very fast, very playoffs-bound Devils team. Even without star forward Jack Hughes the Devils have yet again managed to punch their ticket to Lord Stanley’s fabled dance.

Our hearts go out to the family of former Penguins GM, the late Ray Shero. Rest In Peace, Ray.

Thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and cafe, for partnering with Fly Penguins Fly podcast. Visi...

Meaningful Hockey 04/07/25

The Pittsburgh Penguins have officially been eliminated from contention in the race to qualify for the 2024-2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And with less than a handful of regular season games remaining on their schedule, the Penguins are at home tonight for the back half of a home-and-home matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Jeff and Jordan convene remotely for today’s episode - doing their very best to keep their respective spiritual trains on their metaphorical tracks - as we all get ready for another Penguins-less NHL postseason.

Thanks to Espresso A Ma...

Future Marker: Our 250th Episode featuring The Athletic’s Josh Yohe 04/03/25

Dear Listeners,

It’s hard to believe we’ve made it to our 250th episode.

We’re joined today by The Athletic’s Josh Yohe, Pittsburgh Penguins beat reporter and one of our first proper guests. Josh is a fine example of someone who’s become a good friend and a generous collaborator in this unrivaled U.S. hockey town.

I started Fly Penguins Fly Podcast in the attic of the old Jersey City where I lived, along with my wife leading...

Flying So Low(Fi) 04/01/25

With Jordan otherwise occupied and Jeff busy on a work trip, today’s offering is truly a solo dispatch, cobbled together from iPhone recordings and found musical pieces from old episodes. In short, a humbling final push to the big 250th episode, featuring Josh Yohe and coming at you tomorrow from the studio.

Disclaimer: The audio quality of the majority of this episode is pretty darned poor. Traveling for work meant no way to get into an isolated space, so Jeff recorded this one (literally) out in the streets of Jersey Ci...

Mr. Consistent: Sidney Crosby Grabs Gretzky’s NHL Point-Per-Game Record! 03/27/25

With an original working title of ‘Passenger Princess,’ production/release of this episode was delayed until close to the start of this evening’s road game versus the Sabres. And wouldn’t ya know it? Just as I sat down to knock out the edit and get this one posted, Sidney Crosby does what he does best: Contribute to his team’s offense.

It was a beautiful goal, featuring many of Crosby’s best attributes as an athlete and a teammate: On-ice awareness, positional intelligence, and a practice...

Battle Jackets 03/21/25

The Columbus Blue Jackets are fun to watch and they’re in Pittsburgh tonight, taking on your Pittsburgh Penguins for the final time this season. While the Penguins’ 2025 playoff hopes seem to have been dashed along the rocky shores of mediocrity, the Columbus club are still very much in-the-hunt for the Eastern Conference’s second wildcard spot.

Jordan may have found the deal of a lifetime on a vintage Sidney Crosby jersey, and both hosts - Jeff and Jordan - have music gigs tonight. All that and more, on ‘Battle Jackets,’ our 247th episode...

With only slightly more than a handful of games remaining on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2024-2025 schedule, all signs continue to point to their failing to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a third consecutive season. Still, this is no time to pout, Penguins fans. There is much to be excited about, if you’re paying close enough attention - and let’s face it, if you’re listening to this podcast, chances are… you ARE.

Jeff Taylor and Jordan DeFigio are both with you today, so buckle up and put on your hockey caps.

Unpaid plug: Watc...

The Pittsburgh Penguins: Deep End of the Rebuild Pool 03/13/25

Jordan DeFigio and Jeff Taylor convene to acknowledge that which is apparent: The Pittsburgh Penguins are currently deep in ‘rebuild mode,’ and it’s likely going to stay that way through the end of next (25-26) NHL season.

It's Pride Night at PPG Paints Arena!! The Penguins host the St. Louis Blues this evening on Fifth Ave, and there's a chance - an outside one? - that you'll see some rainbow tape on the sticks of players like Bryan Rust, who in the past has been a bit...

Haze Of The Tank 03/11/25

If you can see through the “haze” of the current disaster that is the Penguins’ 2024-2025 NHL campaign, there are still things to be excited about. The Penguins have amassed quite a bevy of prospects and picks, and the picture only looks to improve as the Pens’ front office turns its attentions to the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.

Flying solo today, Jeff has a deal for you. Listen to the pod to find out what it is(n’t).

Thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and cafe, fo...

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ Kyle Dubas Staring Down The Deadline 03/06/25

We’re back! Jordan DeFigio returns from the Emerald Isle to discover the pot of gold all hockey fans hope to find at the end of their pre-deadline rainbows: A 5th Rd pick in the 2028 NHL draft, as well as Tommy Novak and Luke Schenn formerly of the Nashville Predators.

Jeff and Jordan discuss tomorrow’s NHL trade deadline and just what we might be able to expect from the Pittsburgh Penguins’ General Manager, Kyle Dubas as he works the phones.s

Thanks to Espresso...

“Pittsburgh Penguins At The Trade Deadline” 03/04/25

Sidney Crosby isn’t going anywhere. Neither are Evgeny Malkin or Bryan Rust. Erik Karlsson? If there’s a team with plenty of shutdown, stay-at-home defensemen and they’re looking for an offensive spark on the backend, …MAYBE??

Jeff is up late (again) and we’re only ONE episode away from Jordan DeFigio rejoining our ranks after a well-deserved vacay.

Thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and cafe, for partnering with Fly Penguins Fly podcast. Visit an Espresso A Mano location near you:
https://esp...

I Left When It Was 3-0 Philly 02/28/25

I left last night’s Flyers @ Penguins game EARLY.
We all make boneheaded decisions sometimes, and I break down last night’s in this delightful solo podcast.

Thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and cafe, for partnering with Fly Penguins Fly podcast. Visit an Espresso A Mano location near you:
https://espressoamano.com/

Fly Penguins Fly Podcast is produced by Jeff Taylor.

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

Up Late 02/25/25

With Jordan DeFigio on vacation, Jeff Taylor is up super-late-night, flying solo with yinz.

Thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and cafe, for partnering with Fly Penguins Fly podcast. Visit an Espresso A Mano location near you:
https://espressoamano.com/

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

LETS GO PENS.

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

Intro/Outro music composed and recorded by Jeff Taylor
Mark Guiliana plays drums...

Farewell To Mike Lange 02/20/25

Jeff and Jordan convene remotely to begin the process of mourning the late Mike Lange, a legend of Pittsburgh Penguins hockey and the entire hockey universe. Rest In Peace, Hall Of Famer. You will be missed, forever.

Thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and cafe, for partnering with Fly Penguins Fly podcast. Visit an Espresso A Mano location near you:
https://espressoamano.com/

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

LE...

Sidney Crosby Dominates at 4 Nations Face-Off: A Crossover With Tip Of The Ice-Burgh Podcast! 02/13/25

Years in the making, Fly Penguins Fly Podcast teams up with fellow Pittsburgh Penguins pod, Tip Of The Ice-Burgh. Nick Belsky and Nick Horwat join your co-hosts, Jeff Taylor and Jordan DeFigio for a full panel discussion about all things 4 Nations Face-Off, Sidney Crosby, and the current state of your Pittsburgh Penguins.

Follow Tip Of The Ice-Burgh Podcast here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tip-of-the-ice-burgh-podcast/id1497683396

Thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and ca...

“Sidney Crosby Will Play” with special guest Ashley Taylor 02/09/25

It has been a MINUTE since Jeff’s wife, Ashley Taylor joined the podcast. With Jordan DeFigio taking a scheduled maintenance day away from the team, Ashley steps in to chat Penguins hockey, 4 Nations Face-off, Sidney Crosby, and Star Wars… sort of.

Sidney Crosby will, in fact play for Team Canada, despite aggravating one of his wrists in a SO loss to the NJ Devils last week. The hockey world rejoices that Crosby will don the handsome Team Canada sweater and participate in the tournament, but what con...

“Half Of Forty-Three” 02/03/25

In the midst of back to back weekend victories, the Pittsburgh Penguins made a big trade with the Vancouver Canucks. Gone are the Pittsburgh days of Sweden’s Marcus Pettersson and New Jersey’s Drew O’Connor, for henceforth they will both suit up in blue sweaters emblazoned with orcas.

Jeff and Jordan try to let it really sink in: The Penguins are in full-on rebuild mode, welcoming in as they have defenseman Vinny Desharnais and back-again forward Danton Heinen.

Thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and cafe, fo...

“For The Love Of Sid” 01/30/25

Sidney Patrick Crosby’s backhand shot is the stuff of legends - except when it’s happening right in front of 11k Utah Hockey Club fans (minus five thousand give or take Penguins fans). Yep, Sid called game last night in a sudden death OT victory over the NHL’s newest franchise. If you haven’t beheld the goal yet, cue it up on the inter webs, because it’s a thing of absolute beauty.

Jordan and Jeff riff on:

“The Great Thaw” 01/27/25

We’re not going to pull punches here, folks: The Pittsburgh Penguins are dismally bad at winning right now. They just can’t get over the hump most nights, particularly when they’re playing bottom-dwellers like the Ducks or Sharks. As the Pens head into the Shark Tank this evening for a 10:30pm puck drop against Macklin Celebrini and Co., it is this podcast’s opinion that (a Penguins fan) ought not get one’s hopes up.

The schedule over the next month is chalk-full of divisional games, versus teams the Pittsburgh Penguins haven...

Solo Saturday 01/25/25

The dam has burst early on trade season! A mega-blockbuster deal involving all of: The Avs, Hawks, and Canes went down overnight, and Jeff is here with the update (about midway through this short episode)!

Your Pittsburgh Penguins are in Seattle this afternoon to take on the Kraken, for a 1:00pm PT / 4:00pm ET puck drop. Let’s see if the boys in black and gold can flip the script on their rough January and make a push for the playoffs (woof)…

Thanks for checking out this impromptu solo dispatch on a Sa...

PodVampFest 2025 01/23/25

After a great victory in Los Angeles, the Penguins head down to Anaheim for a showdown with the Ducks. Jordan and Jeff have plans to gorge themselves on some fresh Nosferatu tonight, so look forward to the review of THAT insane-looking Eggers flic, next time they record.

Thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and cafe, for partnering with Fly Penguins Fly podcast. Visit an Espresso A Mano location near you:
https://espressoamano.com/

Thank you for listening!! Follow the podcast on X/Twitter: @penspod
Jeff Taylor: @pe...

Jesse Marshall: The Cost Of Winning 01/16/25

The Pittsburgh Penguins yesterday placed franchise goalie Tristan Jarry on waivers, effectively banishing him to the American Hockey League on an indefinite basis.

We’re lucky enough to be joined today by The Athletic’s own Jesse Marshall. An experienced hockey writer for numerous outlets, Jesse is the co-creator of the Dying Alive podcast, as well as a regular contributor to McKeen’s Hockey. With elite hockey IQ - at least as a writer and a keen analyzer of game tape - it is the opinion of our producer and co...

Diehard But Curious 01/13/25

Sweet sleeping zambonis. The Pittsburgh Penguins underachieved at biblical levels over the past handful of games, save a predictably unexpected stomping of their perennial daddies, the Edmonton Oilers. In that game, Sidney Crosby put on an absolute SHOW of offense and playmaking, but every other game since last Tuesday’s loss to Columbus has been a let-down.

Once Jordan and Jeff recap the Pens’ aforementioned standings skid, your co-hosts take some time to figure out which non-Penguins team they’ll potentially root for heading into a Pittsburgh-less playoffs. Add to that some good-n...

Taking The Night Off 01/09/25

We’ve had it for now. At least until the back-to-back this weekend. Tuesday’s SO loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets positively broke Jeff’s brain. Jordan doesn’t seem too well-for-ware over it, herself. Your co-hosts had posted up at a South Hills gin mill for what they’d hoped would be a gratifying win over what Matt Vensel called “Border Rival” Columbus - alas, the story was all too familiar, with Jarry flailing to make even a single save in the shootout.

Enjoy this spirited catch-up and hockey chat. The Peng...

Back To The Grind 01/06/25

It was a weekend that saw the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the defending Stanley Cup Champions in Florida, then a team, in the Canes, who perennially gives the Pens fits - especially when the matchup happens on the road in Raleigh. On one hand, the song remained the same in that Pittsburgh put a great game on the ice against the Cats, essentially stealing a point against a first-class Florida lineup. On the other hand, the Penguins proceeded to do one of the things they do best: They blew (another) 2-goal lead against a...

Before They Even Stop Crying 01/03/25

Coming out of Christmas break, the Pittsburgh Penguins dropped four of six points against vulnerable squads. The Pens’ schedule gets exceptionally tough starting tonight, when they visit the Cats of Sunrise, FL. Jeff is sucked up into an emotional twister by his first-ever experience with the story of “Wicked,” and Jordan would bring The Bus back to The Burgh if she could.

Thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and cafe, for partnering with Fly Penguins Fly podcast. Visit an Espresso A Mano location near you:
https...

Sara Civian: Hating On Hate 12/23/24

Jeff Taylor and Jordan DeFigio are joined today by storied hockey writer and founder of The Civ Report,* Sara Civian! As a co-host of the Too Many Men Podcast, Civian has also reported for Bleacher Report and The Athletic.

Maybe it’s because the holidays are upon us, but few conversations we’ve shared with our guests have been quite as delightful as this one with Sara Civian. As is often the case on Fly Penguins Fly, our topics of conversation wound their way around some strange and hilarious bends in t...

Josh Yohe: The Knitting Lady’s House 12/19/24

Jeff Taylor and Jordan DeFigio are joined by The Athletic’s own Penguins beat writer and longtime friend of the podcast, Josh Yohe.

(14:55) Josh shares a fun little Kyle Dubas story
(18:37) Pierre Olivier Joseph traded back to Pittsburgh!
(22:33) Thanking our partner: Espresso A Mano
(23:51) Nashville’s struggles of late
(26:58) Penguins’ upcoming schedule
(29:32) Dubas showing players he believes?
(33:30) Grittier PIT needs to STAY gritty
(39:06) Jordan’s inspiration for handling Christmas season
(44:21) Steelers talk
(47:39) Black Hawks and Ducks as case studies for Pengui...

“Hardly Best On Best” 12/16/24

On the way to stealing a point from their loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins lost Marcus Pettersson to what has proven to be a week-to-week lower body injury. That’s not good, especially for a team who’ve just recently begun banking points en route to a possible wildcard berth.

Jeff’s gears have been ground. The culprit? The NHL’s decision not to include Russian players in a so-called ‘best-on-best’ tournament. Promoting an event as featuring the world’s most elite talent is far from genuine, when...

“Defying Gravity” 12/12/24

Jeff and Jordan are back at it for this Thursday edition of Fly Penguins Fly podcast, and there’s plenty on tap. Songs from Wicked and Aladdin are on the menu, as well as long-held grudges against former GM’s who shall - if at all possible - not be named. The Penguins are in Montreal this evening to take on les Habitants, the childhood favorite team of both Sid Crosby and Kris Letang.

Thanks to Espresso A Mano, Pittsburgh’s finest coffee roasters and cafe, for partnering with Fly Penguins Fly podcast. Visit an E...

“The Needle Finally Moves” 12/09/24

Jeff flies solo today and recounts his experience of attending Saturday’s exciting game in which the Penguins vanquished the high-flying Toronto Maple Leafs. And Fly Penguins Fly has a new partnership! We’re proud to welcome onboard Espresso A Mano, one of Pittsburgh’s finest purveyors of hand-roasted specialty coffee.

The Pens’ next matchup is against the Colorado Avalanche, tomorrow night right here in Pittsburgh. Sidney Crosby’s hometown pal Nate McKinnon, along with standouts Cale Makar and Valeri Nichushkin, look to bring the surging Penguins back down to earth.

Topics di...

“Josh Getzoff Has The Call” 12/05/24

Back for a third time on Fly Penguins Fly podcast, TV play-by-play voice of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Josh Getzoff sits down with Jordan and Jeff for some spirited hockey talk.

Friend of the pod Getzoff shares his account of attending last night’s US Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony, at which the careers of Penguins veterans and Stanley Cup Champions Kevin Stevens and Matt Cullen were forever enshrined and immortalized.

After fielding some prompts about the current Penguins’ win streak and an otherwise fraught ’24-’25 campaign, Getzoff - a veteran...

“Improving D: The Puck Of Destiny” 12/02/24

On this day, Monday December 2nd, 2024 Jeff and Jordan kick off a new release schedule:
Monday and Thursday afternoons, regardless of the Penguins’ itinerary. We deeply appreciate you for tuning in, and you deserve a timeline you can depend on. Happy Holidays.

Subscribe to Jeff’s new Penguins-related Substack feed:
https://substack.com/@penspod

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

LETS GO PENS.

JEFF TAYLOR + JORDAN DEFIGIO

“Uncanny Valley” 11/19/24

Your Pittsburgh Penguins are living up to the flightless reputation of their mascot. And with Jake Guentzel's Tampa Bay Lightning occupying in the visitor’s locker room at PPG Paints Arena and the red-hot Winnipeg Jets licking their chops for what should be a no-brainer dub for them this coming Friday, things don’t promise to get any better any time soon.

Jordan shares a few predictions as to what fans can expect of the Penguins’ front office in the coming weeks/months, while Jeff invokes both the West World and West Wing TV univers...