Morgan Barron explains what it's like to be teammates with Eric Comrie

Morgan Barron is our latest guest on GROUND CONTROL with Jamie Thomas.

Bear takes us behind the scenes and into the dressing room as he tells us stories on popular teammate Eric Comrie, the team's official Mario Kart tournaments, and diving into pools with Gabriel Vilardi!

Plus Morgan's in the midst of a career year with the Jets, as we go in-depth on what's helped him set a new high water mark with 23 points and counting on the season.

*Note: this podcast was recorded on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:00

When you head back home and you're around friends and family, who's the teammate that people ask you about the most?

SPEAKER_07 0:04

I get a lot of Eric Comries now because I think you guys have pumped some videos out of him and the world has begun to see what he's like. And I think people sometimes seem to think it's almost disingenuous, like what you see on the camera, because he has so much energy. And I think people have a hard time grasping that that he can do that day in and day out. Yeah, he does. Um so yeah, I get a lot of I get a lot of questions about him.

SPEAKER_02 0:28

Your girlfriend would be fine with the days.

SPEAKER_07 0:30

I don't know about that.

SPEAKER_02 0:31

I'm still traumatized. He did not make the list. Thank you. All right, uh just uh follow-up from your last appearance on the podcast, which was like two years ago. Have your teammates found the video of the camera crew following you at Cornell?

SPEAKER_07 0:49

Nobody's mentioned it yet.

SPEAKER_06 0:51

Now we're bringing it back to life. As a kid, I always took school pretty seriously and understood that that was gonna be an important part of my life, regardless of the profession I wanted to choose. It's coming back.

SPEAKER_02 0:59

It's coming back. Okay, good. Yeah. Uh since the Olympic break, you guys have played your best hockey. Uh when a season starts and stops the way you it has this year, Christmas, and then the Olympic break, how hard is it to get refocused and get right back into things?

SPEAKER_07 1:14

Um, I don't find it to be too bad, to be honest. Like you get away from from the game for a little while, which is nice, and then I think everyone came back kind of recharged and refreshed, uh, especially in a year like this with the schedule being so condensed. Um you know it's it's been pretty wild just how often it seems like we're playing. Uh so I think everyone enjoyed the time off. And uh it was also a very long break, like what was it, three weeks? Yeah, and it felt feels a lot longer than that. So uh we had plenty of time to kind of ramp, ramp up and get back up to game speed. And um I think everyone was anxious to start playing again by the time it was over.

SPEAKER_02 1:50

Yeah, like at what point of that Olympic break are you ready to get going again?

SPEAKER_07 1:55

Yeah, I I mean I went away for a week and then at that point it just feels well, I I'm at least good to go back and see the boys again and be back around the rink. Um and you know, you build up so much during the off season, during the season, and skating every day and feeling the puck that a week off the ice feels like an eternity in the middle of the season. So um it was nice to get back and kind of be able to ease into things, I guess, uh, and skate and and see everybody. But um, yeah, I would say after probably, you know, after the week away, I was ready to get back to Winnipeg, and then you know, after three days of practice, I probably was ready to play again. You know, it was essentially like another training.

SPEAKER_02 2:36

That was like a long training.

SPEAKER_07 2:37

It was very long, and I thought we managed it well. The coaches did a good job of not um you know wearing us down to the point where you're kind of dragging yourself to the rink every day. Everyone was still excited to come in, but yeah, I I I said to some of the guys, I think after the third or fourth day, I was said I'd rather just start playing now if I headed my way.

SPEAKER_02 2:53

But when you head back home and you're around friends and family, who's the teammate that people ask you about the most? Um what's he like?

SPEAKER_07 3:02

I'm gonna get Heli a lot this year, I'm sure. Yeah. Uh yes. But outs outside of the you know, the the all-stars or whatever on our team, you get a lot of questions about them. I get a lot of Eric Comries now. Uh, because I think you guys have pumped some videos out of him and the world has begun to see yeah, the world has begun to see uh what he's like. And I think he almost people sometimes seem to think it's almost disingenuous, like what you see on the camera, because he has so much energy. And I think people have a hard time grasping that that he can do that day in and day out. Yeah, he does. Um so yeah, I get a lot of I get a lot of questions about him.

SPEAKER_02 3:43

When you guys go to Florida, there's that there's that quiz that you guys do in the lunchroom. It's a putter. Like he's very competitive. Yeah. Yeah. I didn't realize how competitive it was until that quiz itself, which is a weird thing to notice. But he was carrying that putter around after he won like a proud papa.

SPEAKER_07 4:00

He's probably got like three other putters at home too. I'm sure he maybe never even used the putter. Yeah, I think he's playing ping pong right now. We got a ping pong table recently, and Gus Nyquist has been the top top. But I remember one day, because we have to kind of walk by this empty space where the ping pong table is right now, uh, to go to like the wives or family lounge. So I remember, you know, I did my workout after the game, I got in the sauna, I showered, I ate, I changed, and then I went to go pick my girlfriend up at the lounge. And him and Gus were still in their gitch playing ping pong. This is like an hour post-game, and they're just sitting there playing. And I have no idea how many games they played or what time they stayed until, but uh, they're playing constantly right now. So that's kind of the form it's manifesting itself in right now is ping pong. So Gus is equally as competitive as you're saying, or is he just like I mean everyone's competitive, yeah, but comms again has this energy every day where it's almost uh you're not hiding from it per se. Uh and yeah, Gus is competitive. I mean, everyone's everyone's competitive. In their own way, yes.

SPEAKER_02 5:02

Yeah. Is Eric is it a miracle? Uh not a miracle, impressive that he can bring that energy down when he's a net. Because I imagine when you're when that the way he is, talkative he is, and how he's always going to focus on playing goal must be something else.

SPEAKER_07 5:18

It kind of it kind of throws me off to be honest. Yeah. Because if I go talk to him or tap his pads or something during a TV timeout, he's quite exactly like you said, calm and quiet. Um and it, you know, the first few times it's almost like, is there something wrong? Like, what's going on? Uh Did I do something? Yeah. But no, that's just, you know, he kind of gets into this state where um he's different from his his normal self. And I from what I understand, he's almost tweaked that a little bit, right? Because I think I especially for goalie, uh, that's probably a fine line on how um, you know, how much you isolate yourself, I guess, on game days. I think the stereotype of who goalie is you know doesn't talk to anyone, doesn't deal with anyone, doesn't want to make eye contact, just does his own thing on game days. And uh Bucky's the complete opposite of that. He is in the mix, talking, playing, doing whatever. You know, it's almost so loose that it it probably helps him a lot.

SPEAKER_02 6:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 6:15

Um, and I think Comms has probably found himself somewhere in the middle uh from where he used to be and where Bucky is now.

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SPEAKER_02 7:15

In a year like this, lots of peaks and valleys, how important has it been for you guys to keep things loose in the dressing room?

SPEAKER_07 7:21

Yeah, I I yeah I think that's kind of the easy part, to be honest, right? Like with a group we have, it's such such a good group of guys, and um there's definitely moments, right? Like I I think back to that 11 game skid where it's um you know you come to the rink every day and it's it it's much more difficult and the video sessions obviously aren't as fun uh and things like that. But um you know, there's always gonna be those ebbs and flows, but at the end of the day, I think we're all so blessed to live the life that we live and and be in the position we're in. Um that you know, I keep going back to that. And like I said, it's it's great when you have have the group that we have um where everyone's just so fun to be around. So um, you know, we're certainly not joshing around all the time in those kind of tough times, but is there a public perception you like to keep up with though?

SPEAKER_02 8:07

Because is it when things aren't going bad, if people see you having fun, they almost take it the wrong way. Is that something that you're aware of as a professional athlete? For sure. Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 8:15

Yeah. Um I think there's always kind of um, you know, this certain and I I I feel like I hope we have a great relationship like between us and and the media team and stuff.

SPEAKER_02 8:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 8:27

Uh and I feel like we do, but I think traditionally there's some distrust with some guys, right? Because if the wrong clip gets put out or the wrong moment gets put out of us screwing around, even if it's just playing ping pong, yeah, you know, during a after a tough game, um, sometimes the perception is that like we don't care uh and that we're we're just moved on and and you know, not dwelling on the loss versus I mean the reality of it is we have our we're doing this 82 times a year, and then you know, you have a whole other life outside of that. Uh and sometimes the best way to kind of go about it is you know, to not dwell on it, to kind of flush it. And you know, if I if I'm if we have a tough game or I have a tough game and I go home and I sit in it for two days until the next game makes the year a lot longer, a lot more difficult, and more often than not, I'm I'm not playing as well either because you're just not enjoying yourself. So um you definitely try to find the the middle ground.

SPEAKER_02 9:18

I came to you the other day just to ask about Gabe and his goggles and everything is Logan Stanley at the cat out of the bag, and then I kind of discovered something more from the conversation with you is the pool gang and how important it's been in a year like this, where you guys are not practicing as much and you're just getting on the plane and boarding, how important is that pool time, I guess, in some ways? I like yeah, I like the pool time. Uh and is there how many people are in this gang though?

SPEAKER_07 9:41

Uh I like to think well, Gabe is always there. Yeah, he's going no matter what, and I think he's realized I'm kind of the um most likely to bend in that if he texts me once or twice or three times, I'm gonna go and join him in the pool. Uh, so that's probably been a good influence for me to get loose. And then I would say outside of that, like Al, I follow comes a lot, uh Stan would come a lot when he was here, and then it always kind of floats. It depends what city we're in, what hotel. Uh we obviously stay at these beautiful hotels on the road, and I never even for the first few years in the league, I never even thought about the pools, but then you go and look at some of the pools and the gym areas and stuff that these hotels have, and it's it almost seems foolish not to go and enjoy it. And yeah, uh, if nothing else, just go hang around with the guys and have a good time.

SPEAKER_02 10:25

What's your favorite pool? One of your top two pools.

SPEAKER_07 10:28

Yeah. It's unbelievable. It's like on the I don't know if it's the 60th story of the building, the very top, and it's all glass. I think all anybody who is remotely a part of the pool gang would tell you Philly, I would hope. And there's a sauna up there too, so that kind of gives it bonus points.

SPEAKER_02 10:43

How hard is it to keep it together when Gabe puts on the goggles? I hate to ask this question. I've gotten used to it now.

SPEAKER_07 10:47

He's uh he's unbelievable. Like he and he always offers me the goggles too. Like I haven't said I I don't think I've worn them yet. I'm like, you they're your goggles, you do it. Oh, I'll buy you a pair of goggles if you want. No, it's okay. You have the goggles. I tell you what, when you're around him, everyone starts talking like him. Like he's gonna be a big thing. I could see why. Yeah, it's very distinct. And uh even like he got us, I'm sure you you've heard about the switches. He got us all Nintendo Switches when he signed. I did not hear about that. Okay, great. The cats are like that too. Usually, if you sign like a pretty big extension to stay, yeah, um, you get guilted into taking the guys for dinner or something like that. And uh instead he bought everyone Nintendo Switches because uh really generous of him, but he just was like, I want people to play with on the plane. He was kind of playing Switch on his own. So it's a personal thing, like he's yeah, I I think it he helped himself. Um and it he he got them at Christmas, so everyone came back from Christmas break and they're in our in our uh dry stalls. So uh now there's like eight guys playing Mario Kart on the plane all the time, and of course he's the best at it, so he's I think Pierce was really good as well. Um, but he's he's gone, so Gabe's kind of claimed the throne. So I got in on that actual last road trip. But anyway, I guess to get back to it, yeah, we're playing and everyone's you know, tripping each other and talking, and everyone's talking in his voice because he's he has that infectious uh attitude and charisma, yes.

SPEAKER_00 12:10

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SPEAKER_02 12:25

How d how weird has it been to not have Logan Stanley in the dressing room.

SPEAKER_07 12:30

Yeah, yeah, it's been weird. Um, you know, I obviously know that's part of the business, but um obviously someone I think a lot of guys grew close with. I've I grew really close to them over the past few years and um you know, excited for him to go to go to a situation where uh they're obviously they're gonna make the playoffs uh unless barring some sort of crisis. And uh they have a really exciting team, and obviously he's close to home too, which I'm sure is great, but um for me that's probably gonna be a really exciting city and and team to be a part of, you know, come come to start a playoffs. And um obviously kind of funny. Senner and and Pierce go there as well. Uh so separate trades. Yeah, which is wild. I know him and him and Senner obviously um you know played together all year and then get traded together, which is kind of cool. But um yeah, Stan and and obviously the other two as well, you know, um big personalities and just people, you know, obviously played on Pierce's line for most of the year, uh and and Senner has has a loud voice and loves just kind of being in the middle of it in the dressing room. So um definitely miss all three of those guys, but um you just kind of get used to it.

SPEAKER_02 13:36

Yeah. You you've taken four hundred almost four hundred more face-offs in this season than you have in any time in your career. How has adapting to that been for you this year?

SPEAKER_07 13:47

It's been fun, it's been challenging. Um face-offs are funny where it's one of these things where I can be having a great game at every facet, but if I'm getting cleaned out on the dot, it just drives me nuts. Yeah, what does that feel like? It sucks, it really does. And and you know, there's obviously over the you know, a greater sample size, you know, things come out and you realize who like tasers, whatever he's at, 60%, he's unbelievable at them. But um sometimes in the game, you know, you feel like you're doing the right things and just losing them. Um and I've talked about this with you know, I work with Painter quite a bit on it. Uh and it kind of feels like I'm playing catch-up sometimes because you know you're going out there and taking face-offs against guys who have taken thousands and thousands of them in their career. Um so you know, I've played around with different tricks and and trying to figure out different things. And um I mean it's a fun challenge for sure. I enjoy doing it. Uh it definitely makes you feel very involved in the game. You know, I don't want to say it gives you a purpose because obviously there's always a purpose.

SPEAKER_02 14:47

Well, it's such an important part of the game. Right. Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 14:50

And it's just a different facet I've added and and really enjoyed uh continuing to work on. I think I've gotten better at uh not letting it if if I am having a tough game in the dot, kind of being able to drop that and play the rest of your game and just continue to dig in on the dot. But uh it's been pretty cool to to learn it from Taser and watch Taser do it. And obviously Laos and Chef uh both great in their own ways at it, but um really excited to kind of continue doing it.

SPEAKER_02 15:14

Does Taser rub it in when you take face offs, or is he just like teaching you the whole time in practice?

SPEAKER_07 15:19

No, you uh him and Laos go at it quite a bit. Yeah. Um I don't know if you see that in the morning skates are always kind of beaking, and they're joking, but they're serious. I I think they sometimes get my sense of frustration if I had a tough night before. Yeah. Right? Because in practice you're not really going full tilt, you don't want to hurt the other guy or whatever, but I've had a few instances where I'm kind of fired up from the last game and I'm leaning in maybe more than I realized. So uh I just let them go at it. I've sucked Lambeau into taking some with me. Gus Nyquist has done it a few times. Um, so they have their own thing where they they they take them against each other, and then I kind of pick up whoever uh is willing to come to the dot.

SPEAKER_02 16:00

Well, Lambo now and and Rosie are your your line mates quick. But how enjoyable has it been kind of being the elder statesman in that department on the on that line that's just been cobbled together recently.

SPEAKER_07 16:10

Yeah, it's been weird. Like great. I really enjoyed it. Um but just how you know I it's a different role. It's obviously something I'm really enjoying doing. Um, but it's just two kids who, you know, have a ton, ton of speed, obviously, a ton of skill. Um, and you know, it's a big adjustment when you come come into the NHL. And I think especially I think our team is um, you know, there's there's really an emphasis and a value put on on defensive zone responsibility and uh understanding whether it's our set breakout or face-off plays, there there's a it's a non-negotiable that you kind of know what you're doing on those, so it's a big adjustment to come in and all of a sudden you have all these things thrown at you. Um so obviously I try to help them with that, but also just encourage them to to play the game that they play. Um you know, I loved watching Lambeau drive the net last night. Yeah, kind of drop his shoulder. And um, you know, there's a few plays in New York where you know Rosie's throwing me little baby saucer passes coming out of her zone that you know it's maybe not a play that you notice all the time uh as a spectator, but in that moment you realize how skilled and and how much he has that he can play with. So uh it's been really fun. You know, obviously really enjoy it and want to continue working with them and and trying to do my best to to bring them along, but also uh do the right things on the ice to put them in positions to succeed.

SPEAKER_02 17:29

Appreciate the time and good luck down the structure.

SPEAKER_07 17:30

Yeah, thank you very much.