iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 8h

NEW: How Nick Robertson’s speed is helping to score goals even when he’s not on the ice. A video breakdown of Robertson’s 35/65 puck win that opened the door for Ville Koivunen. faceofffactor.substack.com/p/how-nick-r...

faceofffactor.substack.com

How Nick Robertson’s speed helped create a goal when he wasn’t even on the ice

There’s one play that encapsulated the Penguins' opening-night beatdown of the Flyers, and it’s a play that teaches us a lot about Nick Robertson.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Per NatStatTrick - the Penguins 3rd line tonight: 84% control of the 5v5 shot share 96% control of the 5v5 expected goal share

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Reposted by Jesse Marshall

Three Stars @threestarslgp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The third line got hurt. Apparently they had an entirely new third line of equal value in their back pocket.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The most impressive part of this first period has been how no-nonsense the Penguins have been about gaining the OZ. Soft dumps, subtle chips, all positioning the puck in an advantageous place for them. Zero fancy about it.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

That whole sequence started because Nick Robertson won a loose puck race, killed the play for a moment, and passed the puck back into the NZ to regroup.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Thanks to @rfcapsmoustache.bsky.social for informing me Nick Robertson was born on literal 9/11

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

This breakout seems centered around crossing routes. They have the F2 streaking across the red from the far side. It’s leading to a lot of nice chips into the OZ, where the F3 springs as a pick retriever.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Only one way to kick this baby off

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This pass from Liam Öhgren is just disgusting. Catches Rossi out of the corner of his eye, grabs the puck, and executes a perfect pass out of a spin maneuver. Had no other option under that much duress. Just a beautiful, no look, tape to tape pass.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I got shingles and boy lemme tell ya, it’s not fun!

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

When I was a kid, College Gameday on ESPN was just the most informative football program on television. Covered so many games, so many storylines. Real discussion. Hours of coverage across the spectrum of college football. I can’t sit through 15 minutes of it anymore. For a multitude of reasons.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Sorry for yearning when I was 11, had no responsibility, and really fell in love with watching the game. You’re right, that is totally insane.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

If the NHL was based on the classic NES game, Ice Hockey, this would be the Capitals lineup.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Pierce Mbuyi - 2026 Prospect Profile. I think you’re gonna take to this kid pretty quickly. Thirteen minutes of video and game tape breakdown. Enjoy! faceofffactor.substack.com/p/pierce-mbu...

faceofffactor.substack.com

Pierce Mbuyi - 2026 Prospect Profile

The Penguins grabbed one of my favorite players in this class at 86 overall.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Pretty typical Pierce Mbuyi shift. Wins a loose puck, skates to a scoring area, gets a chance, keeps grinding for another.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

One thing about Pierce Mbuyi. He is phenomenal at moving defenseman out of his way. He tees up his one timer, and if the shot isn’t there, he makes a small pass to defer to a teammate. That pass moves the defensemen in his way. He repositions himself, and tees it up again. youtu.be/jxsLjNp1D90?...

youtu.be

MbuyiShotLoc

YouTube video by Jesse Marshall

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Listen, I cannot emphasize enough how much I love Pierce Mbuyi. I have been on this train since January of 2025. My opinion has only strengthened since that time. He is a shooting technician. Think Petr Sykora. It’s the brains and the shot combined.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Thomas Galvas has been eligible for two years, his game has grown by leaps during that time. Small, undersized D that can skate for days. Especially in a straight line. Probably would list distribution as his best skill asset. A project defensively. Struggles in physicality.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Liam Ruck has one of the best releases in this entire draft class, no hyperbole. Let me show you. Look at his hips. Watch how he rotates. He chokes up on his stick, shortens his release, and uses his whole body to trebuchet the puck. Unique, effective, dangerous. Hunt, hunt, shoot.

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Reposted by Jesse Marshall

Dimitri Filipovic @dimfilipovic.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

New PDOcast with @jmarshpgh.bsky.social: Offseason Blueprint for the Pittsburgh Penguins. We got into the biggest decisions they have to make this summer, the trade market right now, and the top of this year’s draft board www.patreon.com/TheHockeyPDO...

patreon.com

Offseason Blueprint Series: The Pittsburgh Penguins | The Hockey PDOcast

Dimitri Filipovic is joined by Jesse Marshall to get into the biggest decisions the Pittsburgh Penguins have to make this offseason. We also

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

It’s alive! My 2026 NHL draft ranking is available for public consumption. Ranking the 40 best players in the class based on my research. Enjoy! Thanks for reading! open.substack.com/pub/faceofff...

open.substack.com

Jesse Marshall's 2026 NHL Entry Draft Ranking

Ranking the top 40 players available for 2026.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Draft ranking top 40 posts tomorrow. Year 19 and running.

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Patrick Damp @synonymforwet.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Do you want @jmarshpgh.bsky.social to tell you about the best prospects in the draft? Of course you do. Come hang with me, him, and @hunterhodies.bsky.social on the Friday edition of Locked On Penguins: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8l4...

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

In what is a truly comical result, the Letang/Girard pairing had a 2.5% xGF% for game one. That is not a typo. 2.5%. The rate at which they were hemorrhaging chances is so far beyond the rest of the team. Per hockeystats.com

hockeystats.com

Hockey Stats - NHL WAR, Player Cards & Playoff Odds

The most advanced hockey stats on the web. Featuring JFresh WAR player cards, game probabilities, standings projections, prospect analytics, and more.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Flyers are putting two D deep and two forwards right in the hip of the wide breakout options. Time to dump it in or have the D skate it.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Excited about the playoffs. Also thinking of my friend, Stan Savran today. First trip back to the playoffs without him since he passed. He would have absolutely loved this matchup. RIP, buddy.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

NEW: Maleek McGown 2025-26 Intro Mixtape. Get to know the new LD for the Penguins system, because after you watch this, he might just become your favorite prospect. A deep dive on the brutally physical, offensive defenseman. faceofffactor.substack.com/p/maleek-mcg...

faceofffactor.substack.com

Maleek McGowan Intro Mixtape

The Penguins signed a trio of undrafted free agents today. Let's meet Kingston's Maleek McGowan, who joins Wilkes-Barre on an ATO.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Reports saying Pens are signing NCAA D Jake Livanavage out of UND. Did not get drafted due to size, and size has not stopped his success since. At least 25 points every year at North Dakota. Loves to skate with the puck, loves to sneak in the weak side slot. ? Is can he handle bigger forwards.

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Patrick Damp @synonymforwet.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

“Hahaha! Oh no! I’m devastated! Hahaha!”

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

I don’t know about you guys but I am rueing so hard right now

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Draft Mixtape part 3 is another forward. This time Peterborough’s Adam Novotny. Explosive skater. Should go in the teens. Big time creator. Lots of good stuff in here. youtu.be/iZHt6p2YExg?...

youtu.be

Adam Novotny - 2026 NHL Draft Mixtape

YouTube video by Jesse Marshall

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

2026 NHL Draft Mixtape 2 takes us up north to Kamloops to meet Harrison Brunicke’s new BFF, JP Hurlbert. Explosive player, deep skill set, some question the consistency and commitment to 200 feet. Not much in the way of concern from me. youtu.be/V-iXS6CaLww?...

youtu.be

JP Hurlbert - 2026 NHL Entry Draft Mixtape

YouTube video by Jesse Marshall

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Time to start discussing the 2026 NHL draft. First few mixtapes have started dropping. I begin with Saginaw’s Nikita Klepov, one of the most “puts your ass to the edge of your seat” forwards in this draft class. youtu.be/4ZNzUInlN4k?...

youtu.be

Nikita Klepov - 2026 NHL Entry Draft Mixtape

YouTube video by Jesse Marshall

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Will Horcoff mixtape covering March and February. Lot of good defensive work in here. Overall, not a lot of passing or zone entries. Guy is basically just a slot dominator, and that isn’t horrible. youtu.be/o2_8TrjlxSg?...

youtu.be

Will Horcoff - February/March 2026 Mixtape

YouTube video by Jesse Marshall

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

To celebrate his ELC, here’s a a quick 6:00 video on Bill Zonnon’s month of March so far. youtu.be/dgxgu_AEcpc

youtu.be

Bill Zonnon - March 2026 Mixtape

YouTube video by Jesse Marshall

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

NEW: Kale Dach, the Penguins 7th round pick at 201st overall last year, is proving to be a serious diamond in the rough. Long video analysis of his 1.25ppg in his first CHL season. (Heading to Penn State next year!) faceofffactor.substack.com/p/kale-dachs...

faceofffactor.substack.com

Kale Dach's WHL career is off to a great start.

The 7th-round pick in 2025 is becoming a nightmare for opposing defensemen thanks to his work ethic.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

NEW: Tanner Howe has 8 points in his first 7 pro games. Video analysis of his on-ice impact in all three zones. This is a pro player and I don’t think he’ll be in the AHL very long. Total continuation of his junior approach. Scaring AHL defenders. faceofffactor.substack.com/p/inside-tan...

faceofffactor.substack.com

Inside Tanner Howe's Pro-Style Game

Tanner Howe's AHL career is off to a roaring start, boosted by his attention to detail and aggressive nature.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Yes I also mean Avery Hayes, who is in absolute dawg mode

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Figured about 3-4 weeks for Crosby. This is primo Ben Kindel time. Dude is gonna be fresh from that Olympic break. Was playing super well before that. Looking forward to the increase in TOI for him.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Folks, @synonymforwet.bsky.social for wet and I keep getting signs from the Universe to dust off the Dying Alive machine.

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Reposted by Jesse Marshall

Three Stars @threestarslgp.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Hey, I just met you And there’s a white whale But here’s my story So call me Ishmael. — Moby Dick, by Carly Rae Jepsen.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

This Time Next Year is objectively one of the greatest pop punk albums of all time.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Thing is, that’s not what this means. He’s saying CALL me Ishmael. Because of what happened to the Ishmael of the Bible. He’s not saying this is literally his name.

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Jesse Marshall @jmarshpgh.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Pretty good trade! Girard has a decent bit of offensive utility that Kulak doesn’t have, plus you take advantage of the cap situation in Colorado to get *another* 2nd round pick. Note of the fact that all of Dubas’ recent trades where he sends a pick out come from rounds where he has 2-3 around.

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Skyeleton Jack 🎃 @brozanov.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Idk who needs to hear this right now but the pwhl streams all their games to youtube for free and uploads the replays. For free.

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