In Bryan Rust We Trust - or - FTLOG Kyle Dubas: Please Do Not Trade Bryan Rust With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft (June 27-28) just barely in our rearview mirrors and free agency upon us (July 1st), Jeff Taylor and Jordan DeFigio wax hockey about what binds Pittsburgh Penguins fans together - a love of the game, a deep appreciation what Sidney Patrick Crosby has given this town - and hockey fans around the world, and the stark realization that we are in for a stinker of a 2025-2026 regular season cam...
Jun 30, 2025•43 min•Ep. 262
Pittsburgh Is Hotter Than Sunrise: Florida Panthers Go Back-to-Back as Pittsburgh Penguins Rebuild Ramps Up Jeff Taylor and Jordan DeFigio recap the Panthers’ historic back-to-back cup runs, then touch on various points regarding the Penguins’ offseason activities. 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/ Thank you for listening!! Follow the...
Jun 23, 2025•53 min•Ep. 261
The Athletic’s Josh Yohe: Kyle Dubas, A Scout At Heart 06-11-25 Jeff Taylor and Jordan DeFigio are joined by friend of the pod and preeminent Pittsburgh Penguins beat writer, Josh Yohe of The Athletic. 3:44 - Hiring of Dan Muse as Pittsburgh Penguins’ head coach 17:12 - Dubas’s big summer will be NEXT summer, 2026 19:32 - Kyle Dubas does what he says he’s going to do 37:49 - Alternate futures for Tristan Jarry 39:00 - Yohe: Dubas is a scout at heart 44:14 - Does NHL combine influence GM’s draft ...
Jun 11, 2025•51 min•Ep. 260
Pittsburgh Penguins Fandom ft. Anthony Jardine 06/02/25 Woven into this full-length conversation with lifelong Penguins fan Anthony Jardine are the recognizable sounds of the Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby eras of Pittsburgh hockey. We revisit our 2023 chat with 2x Stanley Cup Champion Jay Caufield, as the former NHL enforcer and current Penguins broadcaster reminisces about his successful re-training of Lemieux for the legend’s 2000 NHL comeback. At the 24:20 mark, listeners can close their ey...
Jun 02, 2025•45 min•Ep. 259
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...
May 21, 2025•34 min•Ep. 258
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 belov...
May 12, 2025•38 min•Ep. 257
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...
May 06, 2025•36 min•Ep. 256
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 Espres...
Apr 30, 2025•32 min•Ep. 255
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...
Apr 21, 2025•34 min•Ep. 254
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 ...
Apr 16, 2025•39 min•Ep. 253
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 ...
Apr 11, 2025•25 min•Ep. 252
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 track...
Apr 08, 2025•34 min•Ep. 251
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 le...
Apr 04, 2025•50 min•Ep. 250
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 recorde...
Apr 01, 2025•17 min•Ep. 249
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 athlet...
Mar 28, 2025•35 min•Ep. 248
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 gi...
Mar 21, 2025•34 min•Ep. 247
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 y...
Mar 17, 2025•42 min•Ep. 246
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...
Mar 13, 2025•35 min•Ep. 245
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 ...
Mar 11, 2025•20 min•Ep. 244
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 ...
Mar 06, 2025•29 min•Ep. 243
“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 Fl...
Mar 04, 2025•23 min•Ep. 242
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: @p...
Feb 28, 2025•23 min•Ep. 241
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 re...
Feb 25, 2025•26 min•Ep. 240
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: @p...
Feb 20, 2025•19 min•Ep. 239
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/p...
Feb 13, 2025•51 min•Ep. 238
“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 han...
Feb 10, 2025•20 min•Ep. 237
“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. Tha...
Feb 03, 2025•36 min•Ep. 236
“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 Too-Few Nations Face-off Tourney Precisely when it will...
Jan 30, 2025•39 min•Ep. 235
“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 div...
Jan 27, 2025•46 min•Ep. 234
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 i...
Jan 25, 2025•13 min•Ep. 233
