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Shoot the Puck
Is Edmonton in trouble?
Dive deep into the heart of hockey mania with our latest episode! Join us as we unpack the latest NHL highlights, with a special focus on the struggles of the Edmonton Oilers. Is it time to panic in oiler country? They're too good to be this bad, right? But the excitement doesn't stop there—we're introducing you to the rising star, Connor Bedard, and exploring his impact on the game.
Get ready for a global journey as we discuss the NHL Global Series, a showcase of international talent and the league's efforts to spread the love of hockey across borders. This episode is a must-listen for every hockey enthusiast.
Tune in for the latest updates, engaging discussions, and a front-row seat to the dynamic world of the NHL Don't miss out on the action—subscribe now and join the hockey conversation on Shoot the Puck. 🎧🏒 #HockeyTalk #NHLGlobalSeries #EdmontonOilers #ConnorBedard #PuckDropPassion #Shootthepuck
what are we now like 12, 15 games into the NHL season, something like that. Oh boy is it trouble in paradise out there in oiler country? That's what I wanna know. Hey everybody. Welcome to episode one of Shoot the Puck. I'm your host, pat, joined here with my brother Matt. We've been hockey fans for a long, long time. Albeit we not root for the same team. I'm a flyers fan. My brother Matt is a Penguins fan, so our house
Matt:Yes, sir.
Pat:divided growing up, but we really enjoy hockey for quite a few years now. So we've decided to on out and do a podcast about it and just kind of give you a
Matt:lay
Pat:of the land and the hockey world news and rumors and Just things that we find interesting inside the hockey world. And we'll also touch on things in the AHL world or just hockey in general over there in the KHL or college hockey. So we're, we're gonna touch it all just'cause we're just that much of a fan of the sport and wherever things are happening. That's where we're gonna talk about. So, what's up, man? How are you man? Welcome to number one.
Matt:Yo, what's up brother? How are you?
Pat:Not too bad. Same old, same old. And we're gonna give this a go. So this is our first one. We, we dropped the trailer, so hopefully that was enough to hook folks in to come say hello and hang out. And there will always be some riveting conversation here. So we figure we, we will give it a shot.
Matt:Yeah, man. Yeah, I'm, I'm excited to get into this. You know, obviously we, you, like you mentioned, we've been diehard hockey fans for a long time. Not always rooting for the same teams, but now that we get a little older and our teams are, you know, probably a little bit glory days behind them, rebuild mode, I guess you could say. Well, my team's hanging on a little bit, but, uh.
Pat:in full rebuild
Matt:Yeah.
Pat:I'll, I'll just throw that out
Matt:Yeah. Flyers are definitely in rebuild, which hopefully they get back, you know, within the next couple years. It's always fun when the rivalry's a little bit stronger, you know what I mean? Last couple years it's been kind of, you know, whitewashing down with, you know, flyers not doing too great pens, kind of veterans are getting older and stuff, so it's definitely not liking, you know. 2016 15 era, you know? Yeah. So, but yeah, we're gonna try and do our best on, keep everybody updated on what's going on around the league and like you said, maybe touch in on some other, you know, leagues, college hockey and, you know, AHL. We got the phantoms right here close to us that we've both been to many games too. So, especially you because you know, you had season tickets for a while'cause you're a flyer of Sky, so, you know, that's, that's pretty exciting. To go and check the The young prospects.
Pat:Yeah, it was nice. We had a couple good years there, solid years at the, at the Phantoms here where Matt and I live. So they're about what 20 minutes from us is the arena. So we went to quite a few games. I, I had season tickets like Matt said. So, it's always nice to kind of keep abreast of what's going on, even at the you know, the lower levels, if you will. And kind of go from there. But some, some great hockey down there at the AHL. And even the college hockey now is just out, out of control. I mean,
Matt:Mm-Hmm.
Pat:into big programs like, university of Michigan and, and you know, university of Minnesota, Notre Dame, like all these
Matt:Boston.
Pat:there's just Boston College.
Matt:Yep.
Pat:just, it's, it's insane how much talent is out there. So we will, we'll try to do it justice and we, we'd love for you to come and hang and enjoy the ride with us. So, a couple things off the top of the list here,
Matt:Yeah, let's go.
Pat:I, I guess the first kind of thing I guess we'll lead with this is what are we now like 12, 15 games into the NHL season, something like that. Oh boy is it trouble in paradise out there in oiler country? That's what I wanna know. Like, it
Matt:Mm-Hmm.
Pat:have all this talent out there. They have McDavid, they have dry tidal, they have, they have all these people and it's just, they're just not great. They lost to the sharks the other night. Now, albeit my flyers lost to the sharks the night before, so
Matt:Yeah.
Pat:sharks are getting better, who knows? But man, I would not, I did not expect the Oilers to be this, this bad coming out the gate.
Matt:Yeah, it's very surprising, especially, you know, they've had some pretty, you know, high end seasons the last couple, two, three years, and and everybody expects them to get to the Promised Lamb. Kind of like same thing like Toronto, you know, couldn't get outta the first round for how long? And same thing like Austin Matthews over there and Mitch Marner and, and you know, and just thinking, guys are gonna click and it's just gonna go kind of Wheels off and, and it just hasn't been producing very well. So, yeah 5, 9 and one. They are minus 12 in the diff. It's just like, Ooh. man. It's just, yeah, they're not looking good. Second, and yeah, they're, they're, they're number seventh right now, you know, right behind San Jose. I mean, not right behind San Jose, but. Well, I guess you could say right behind they're, they're three and 13, so yeah, only two more wins really. A couple more losses, but you know, yeah, you're just not expecting that from the talent that they have. Especially the younger crowd talent, so. Just a shame. Hopefully I mean now it is early, you know, those first 20 games are usually all right guys, testing out, playing with new lines, you know, new coaching, maybe line adjustments, you know, goalies, you know, there's a bunch of different factors, but it's just surprising. Yeah.
Pat:Yeah, they made that trade for the goalie. I can't remember his name but they, they recently sent him to the minors and he passed through he passed through waivers and now he's kind of hanging out. So, Jack Campbell is his name. I couldn't think of his
Matt:Yeah. Jack Campbell. Yep.
Pat:They made the big trade for Jack Campbell and he's committed. Done an absolute goose egg like it is.
Matt:Mm-Hmm.
Pat:It is rough. And I, you know, from what I understand, he's even playing worse in the AHL, which is the old confidence can't be good for that. So that's that's ugly. So yeah, they made the big trade or, you know, for, for the jet, for Jack Campbell to kind of, you know, to, in the off season to kind of stop the bleeding at goalie. And then he's just come ined and been a complete complete disaster. So, The goalies, now they're already changing goalies 15 games into the season, something like that.
Matt:Yeah.
Pat:And then just a couple days after the goalie thing they, they fired, they fired Jay Woodcroft, the
Matt:Mm-Hmm.
Pat:and now I believe they have he was what's the guy's name? He was with the flyers as part of Dave Al's coaching tree Chris Knob block is his name. So now he's, he's now the, the bench boss, I guess you will if in in Edmonton. So, he's known for, I, I believe he was Kana, MC David's AHL coach. I think,
Matt:Oh
Pat:I, I think, I think that's correct. Don't quote me on that, but I, I'm pretty sure that that's how they have that. Connection. So I'm curious to see what he can do behind the behind the bench and we'll see if he can, he can turn that around. But yeah, there's some, there's some bleeding going on there, down there and up, I should say, up there in, in Edmonton. And it's you know, Canadians in their, in their hockey man, people won't start, you know, they're not doing well. It's, it's you know, tough times out there in old country.
Matt:Yeah. I mean, I think they've had a little bit of better success with Skinner now as their goalie. Because Campbell's, I, I believe I saw he's he was one in four and now Skinner's four and five with 3.5 save. And Skinner, or sorry, Campbell was 4.5, so it was like whew. not good. now, I mean, hey, four in five, you know, at least rebounding back a little bit better than you know.'cause like you said, Campbell was just playing straight garbage. yeah, I'm not really sure. Yeah, not really sure what's going on with him.
Pat:So, yeah. So I'm interested to see what happens there. I believe they just took on, they took, they played the, the Kraken the other night, Seattle, and I believe they, they won it in overtime. So, that, yeah, I think Vander Kane had a, had a big game that. That night I believe, I believe he had dunno if it was a hatrick or something of that, but yeah, Vander Cain had a big a big game. So that's, that's nice too. So I. You know, guys like Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard and all those guys you know, doubt. They're in all other country. You're gonna, Cody cece's another one. So they have all this talent and they're just trying to piece it together. And it, it is very interesting to see how like, you know, you know, I. And I know this is a hockey podcast, but you sort of compare that to the Yankees, right? Every year they have a good team on paper.'cause they buy, you know, they buy out the s right? They, they buy all these good players and all of a sudden they come in and they're like middle of the road mediocre. And you're like, eh, you know, that kind of thing. So,
Matt:Yeah.
Pat:maybe something that's comparable to this is Oilers look good on paper and it should have all this chemistry and all these good these good players and lighten the lamp every, every chance they turn around. But so far it has not happened. So. It'd be very interesting to see what happens out there.
Matt:McDavid, I'm surprised he hasn't been throwing up more numbers. I mean, Dry Seidel and, and Zach Hyman had been, you know, the main producers and then probably Kane. But yeah, Conor McDavid has just been kind of just kind of hanging in the background. Not really, yeah, not really pro, you know, producing up to his superstar talent, I guess you would wanna say. But yeah, I mean, I'm sure he will get going, obviously. You know, like. Like we said, new coach, you know, new goalie now and, you know, seems like they're bouncing back. Won a couple here. So, I'm interested to see what happens in the next, you know, 10, 15 games. So.
Pat:Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. I'm curious to see what what happens there. See if the the oil rig can, can right the ship up there. So that's always an interesting time. So, but yeah, it, it, and it's so funny for like guys that like live on the East coast, like Matt and I do, it, it like, you don't hear a lot about the West Coast conference.'cause you're just so Inebriated with what's
Matt:In the metro.
Pat:on the East coast, right? In the metro in the Atlantic, right?
Matt:Mm-Hmm.
Pat:know, here in here in Pennsylvania where we live, like we have a ton of hockey teams around here. So obviously flyers, penguins
Matt:Jersey. you know, devils
Pat:the Rangers shout out. Shout out to our cousin Noah, who's a big Rangers fan. You got Boston up there with with Brad Marchand and, and, and all those guys, and it's like, there's just such a hockey hotbed, if you will. If you could even say that, like, it feels weird to say there's a hockey hotbed in around Pennsylvania on the east coast, but it, it is, it's you kind of engulfed in it. So like guys like Matt and I don't really hear about West Coast a lot. Like you hear, you hear some things, you hear like the Vegas Golden Knights, obviously they came out the gate with the expansion team doing well and, and then, you know, Seattle you know, took a year or two to get under their, you know, to get their legs under them and now they're doing, you know, half decent and that kind of thing. So, then you always hear about the Black Hawks, right? You know, Chicago's a big market, that
Matt:Mm-Hmm.
Pat:but you, you don't really hear a lot about the nitty gritty West Coast teams, right? You don't hear a lot about the kings. You don't hear a lot about the coyotes. I mean, they play in the desert, but still you don't hear a lot about you know, some of those other teams out west and there's, there's a lot of good hockey out there. We're just, we're just in this. East coast, eastern seaboard, hotbed of hockey, that there's really not a whole lot of room for anything else.'cause by the time you, by the time you kind of get your head wrapped around what your own teams are doing, it's like, oh man, there's another conference out there in there out west. You know, that kind of thing. So it's just, it's interesting to kind of have that dynamic, I guess that, I guess that depends on where you live too, right? So if you live out west, you're gonna hear more things about the West Coast teams too.
Matt:Yeah, for sure. And then same thing up in Canada, you know what I mean? How many teams they have up there. So it's up north and you know, in Seattle up there and you know, stuff like that. So yeah, it just depends on your region. But yeah, I mean in, in our tri-state area, you know, being New York, New Jersey and pa Yeah, we got, you know, you know Islanders, the Rangers are up there and devil's. Pittsburgh on the other side of PA Philly, you know, even down to the capitals and Carolina's been making some noise the last couple years again. So, uh, the Metro's. Yeah, the metro's just a good I, I love the Metro to be honest, obviously, because we're on the East Coast in our teams, but I just think there's like a lot of rivalry there because there's an old school, you know. A lot of those teams have been around for a long time. So some of the other ones, you know, kind of got trickled in with the expansion teams and newer teams in the past 20, 30 years. So, but yeah, as long as, I mean the flyers and the penguins go back and stuff like that, Rangers especially playoff time. It gets crazy in the metro, so.
Pat:Crazy. Yep. Real super, like, dumb, crazy. Especially by like playoff time. It, it really ramps up here at the east coast and, and you got a new, you got a whole new level of hockey up here at the you know, around, around playoff time. So always always good to see. I. So kind of kind of piggybacking off that I'm curious to just kind of talk to, talk about Chicago, right? We mentioned it. What about Connor Bedard going out there and just absolutely slaying his first 15 games as a, as a pro. He's like ah, I I don't need no stinking warmup on the number one o overall pick. And he just went right to Chicago and after he got his first goal, he got that monkey off his back. Man. He is just been absolutely lighting it up.
Matt:Yeah, you know, first, you know what, maybe couple games I'm not exactly sure off the top of my head on what game he scored his first goal, but like ever since then, yeah, like you said, he's been kind of like on a tear and it's just that Unique. Weird wrist shot that he's got. It's just like, and it's actually a funny story. I actually heard it on spit and Chiclets podcast, that the reason he shoots like that is'cause when he was pretty young playing hockey, you know, like early on, 10, 11 maybe, somewhere around there he broke his wrist. So he taught himself how during that process and the healing process and stuff during that process, he kind of. To found his own like little niche, you know, niche, whatever you wanna say to like to shoot the puck a little different where it was comfortable for him after even, you know, stuff of even after it heals. But it takes a long time, especially if you're continuing playing hockey, you might not shoot the same as you did before. So he found this little, you know, unique loophole in his wrist, I guess you want to say. And started shooting real fast, like Y you don't even notice it when you look at it. And that you can tell because the goalies have never seen anything like that either, because it's already in the back of the net. By the time their head's even spun around, they're like, whoa. You know what I mean? It's like, and even everybody's like, wow, you're gonna have to watch out for that kid.'cause yeah, he's been, he's been playing real well. Nine goals, You know, four assists, 13 points. So, you know, looking good and you know, even though Chicago is not the greatest, but I mean, you know, they're obviously in a rebuild too with, you know, how many cup runs. 10, 15 years ago they had with, you know, Patrick Kane and Tves and you know, all those guys. dunk and keith. Yeah. They had such a great team. Obviously they won a bunch of Stanley cups off that, but yeah, so it'll be interesting to see. You know, how he does, you know, going forward. But he scored two goals in some days, lost, you know, four to three of the Panthers. So, um, I think he's just gonna keep on, you know what I mean, light in the back of the lamp and, and I think he's gonna keep going full steam ahead, you know, hopefully he doesn't have any injuries and he can keep on playing, you know.
Pat:Yeah, for sure. I think that's gonna be a key to him, especially out there in Chicago, if they can get a couple pieces to kind of build around him. But yeah, like he said, he's got 13 points in 14 games. I mean, geez. Talk about on par, man, that's, that's, you know, for, for a kid first in, you know, first year in his league, first first 15 games of the season or whatever, he's just it's just crazy. So I, you know, I always like to kind of follow Badar and see what, see what he's doing out there. And he's only gonna get better. And as, as Chicago goes through that rebuild and gets some, like I said, get some players wrapped around him and give him some help and, and some good stuff. So, he's an intriguing. Player that I normally like to watch outside of, you know, outside the, the East coast and obviously the the flyer. So it'd be very interesting to see how he, how he does in the next couple years and maybe he's the next Sid the kid you don't know. Who knows? That's they compare him to, we'll see
Matt:Yeah..Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. I mean, he's 18, you know, so it's not like he's going anywhere anytime soon. Uh, super, super young. It's just crazy how, how young these kids come out now, especially outta the NHLI mean, they're 6, 16, 17, 18, you know, it's like, and just the talent that they have already. It's just, it's unbelievable. So, yeah, we'll see, you know, they're five, like I said, Chicago's five and nine now, kind of, you know, on the rebuild. So, I mean, you, you never know. It's still early, so. You know, if he gets that team going, he keeps playing. Well, you never know. They might sneak in, you know, but yeah, I'm sure they'll have a little bit of a rebuild still yet.
Pat:I'm sure. Yep. I'm sure. Yeah. The other thing I wanted to, that we wanted to kind of touch upon is you know, kind of having that pens tie in.'cause I know he played with the pens for a couple of games over the last couple of years, but, I guess there was an arrest made recently in that Adam, Adam Johnson skate death, which don't, I I haven't seen the video, but I heard, I heard it's pretty crazy. And I guess he was maybe you could fill me in, Matt. He was playing over in Europe over in the uk in a hockey league over there. And from what I, from what I hear, and, you know, just tidbits and whatnot it seems like the guy that Cut him with his skate was a, he's like a known troublemaker, a known you know, tough guy, blah, blah, blah kind of thing. And it you know, apparently it was, there was some, there seems to be some intention from, from when he was cut on the neck and whatnot. So that, that's that interesting to me on how that kind of plays out. But what, what, this is really kind of thrown in the front of the Of the podium in the limelight is, is neck guards for, for NHL players over here. So I know a couple people have already been seen wearing them. TJ Oshi from the caps was, was, was one,
Matt:Mm-Hmm.
Pat:a few out there that that now do the neck guards to kind of protect you from the skate, you know. Potentially coming up and, you know, having the same fates. So I'm interested to see what happens and but I think you know, if guys don't guys don't mind wearing them and they're not a hindrance, or, or, you know, if they have, they, they choose to wear them, then I, you know, more safety is always, is always good.
Matt:Yeah. You know, this has happened quite a few times in the history of the NHL. I don't think anything. Quite like this just because of uh, I did see the video. I saw just like, kind of the shorter version. I didn't really obviously sit there and gander at it, but I just wanted to see how it kind of, how the collision happened, I guess you wanna say. and yeah, it just, it just didn't look like to me personally a hockey move. It was just kind of like the guy just wanted to take him out. Not obviously kill him, but maybe check him, rough him up or whatever you wanna do, but just lifted that leg, you know, too high and he was coming down and just, you know. On a very unfortunate turn of events that just really just, you know, it shook the hockey world, man. And like you said, you know, now a couple pros are starting to wear'em and it's actually, you know, a discussion now in, in college and AHL in the minor leagues that I think maybe next year they might implement something that guys have to wear. Net guards. Not really sure on how the NHL will. You know, take, take that into their hands. But yeah, I know definitely a couple pros, like you mentioned TJ Oshi and a couple other guys started wearing'em just because, you know, they, they wanna make the game safer and they want to keep playing without, you know, that happening again. So, yeah, unfortunately that guy the guy that, that ended up doing that like you said, he was, had the most penalty minutes, you know, most, you know, most fighting time. You know, he was just kind of a goon, I guess you wanna whatever call him, but. Yeah, it just, it's unfortunate now. He was, I saw, I think, believe earlier this week, Tuesday he was taken into custody on, you know, suspicion of manslaughter and I guess their, you know, Nottingham, panthers and the, and the Steelers. Sheffield Steelers, who they were playing, those teams are in talk and they're, you know, they're getting their experts and stuff. Back to the police department to kind and try and sort this out and see how, you know, the investigation is gonna be ongoing. And, it's just an unfortunate thing, man. It just really sucks. The kid was really young. He did play for the pens. Yeah. Like you said. So, you know, decent kid. I think he just wanted to keep working his way and. Get better at hockey and maybe make it back to the NHL, but just never got that chance, unfortunately.
Pat:It sucks. Yeah. It's, it's a terrible, terrible situation. And we'll see what what comes of it and yeah, it's just unfortunate. It's, that's all you can
Matt:Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. You know, people will learn from it and like you said, you know, start taking better precautions and and stuff like that so guys can keep on playing. Make it safe again.
Pat:It was almost the same thing a few years ago with the visors, right? Some guys like to use the visor, some guys
Matt:Correct. Yeah.
Pat:I think it's pretty much League-wide, at least at the NHL level that guys do the, the shield, that kind of thing.
Matt:yeah. You don't see too many without'em anymore very few.
Pat:you don't see season many. That reminds me of the in the, in the flyer world that you know, Ian Lip Perry was, was playing a couple years ago and he, he slid the block of shot and a puck, like hit him in the eye and he was like, he was, he was in trouble there for, for quite a while and he was never quite the same after that. And then I think he's actually coaching here at Here at the AHL, he was, he's, I think he's coaching the phantoms.
Matt:Mm-Hmm.
Pat:So yeah. So, but yeah, he was pretty much at least not to the player that he once was. And but yeah. And then after that it was, you know, shields and now you just see everybody, you know, wearing the, wearing the face shield. So, similar kind of thing here. I'm curious to see if you'll get more adoption into the net guards and, you know, going forward.
Matt:Yeah, I think so in the next year or two, especially with how severe this was, you know, in such a shockwave throughout the, you know, whole sport really. So I think, I think, yeah. And, and, and like I said, I have seen a couple of guys wear them and it doesn't look that bad. It looks like a turtleneck, like I thought it'd be more bulkier and kind of in the way, and that's why probably guys couldn't move and be mobile and, you know, whatnot. So maybe that's what people's, you know, the guys' concerns would be, but it doesn't really seem to be that big of a deal, at least from a couple of guys that I saw playing with him. So, um, yeah. Who knows? We'll we'll definitely stay on top of that though. I'm sure that'll be definitely something in, in, you know. In into the league in the next few years. Yeah.
Pat:yeah. Yeah. Talking in that same vein of hockey abroad, right Adam? Johnson was playing over in the uk. We got the global series going on right now. We
Matt:Yeah.
Pat:over in Germany, I believe it is over, over there. And I think it was back to back. It was yesterday the 16th and and then Friday, today, Friday the 17th. Both the Maple Leaf and the Red Wings going at it over there for a back Toback series over, over there in Germany, I believe it is. So,
Matt:that's cool.
Pat:It's good to see, you know, hockey kind of expand into obviously other countries outside of here in the, in North America, you know, Canada, us. But always good to see you know, the expansion and get more eyes on the game and from a global footprint. I think it's a great. Idea and the, the Global Series, from what I understand has been, has been really well received and very popular so far. So, good on the NHL for, you know, kind of opening that you know, opening that bucket a little bit and, and getting outside the the US walls. I
Matt:Yeah. You know, you've noticed obviously NFL has been doing it the last few years. know, with over in England and, and they just had one, I think it was the chief just played last week against the Dolphins in Germany. So, yeah, maple maple Leafs, red Wings going on right now. It's two, nothing. Red Wings, almost the end of the second, about 30 seconds left of that. So I'll be, I'll be intrigued to see what happens in the third there. But yeah, it's, it's just kind of weird though. You have to watch the times, you know, with, with these games overseas. Some of them start at like nine, 10 in the morning. You're like, There's a game going on, you know, So if you like, gotta, gotta gotta stay on top of it when it moves to different countries,'cause times are all over the place. But yeah, it's cool that, you know, they started doing that. Get some more exposures in other countries and just, you know, get people to know what the NH L's all about.
Pat:Yep. Always enjoy that and always enjoy the outs. I, I, I really like the outside games, right? So the, the stadium series and the Winter Classic and all that kind of stuff. I, I, I think hockey is best when it's you know, maybe not for the players, depending on the weather, you know, outside or whatever, if it's not cold enough or ice or whatever, but. From a fan's perspective, I love the outside stuff. So again, stadium series, winner, classic, all that kind of stuff, man, gi give that to me all day every day. It, it just, I think it does well for the, for the sport, you know, more eyes and, and the more people they can bring to the rink the better. I, I, I just love that whole aspect of it. And the, you know, NHL has some pain points, but you know, the outside series stuff or the stadium series stuff has been pretty much well received.
Matt:Yeah, it's, it's cool. I always enjoy the Winter Classic and Heritage Classic and, you know, all the different variations they do from year to year when they go to different spots. Some have been, you know, not so great, especially like I, I. I, I don't know. I'm not a really big guy, like having all the winter stuff on, you know, mid to West Coast stuff, just because I think the weather is always like, kind of iffy. Um, and, and even here, like a couple years ago when it was in Pittsburgh, it was just raining and 50 degrees and it was just like, ugh. You know, I, I don't know. I always like, like. Having it up in Canada or real up like Boston where it's 15, 20 degrees, maybe a little bit of snow or whatever. It just makes it yeah. it just makes it feel more of like pond hockey, I guess you want to say. You know what I mean? So it, it kind of, it kind of takes it away sometimes when the weather doesn't work out from it, but it's an overall good time. I went to the one in 2017 pens versus flyers out at Heinz Field. Um, and that was, man, whew. That was just like a march. Cold, you know, and, and, and in stadiums out in Pittsburgh, man, if you're not dressed appropriately with those with those winds coming off the three rivers, man, you are in trouble. And it. was one of those days, literally, I'm not even kidding, pat, within the first period, they, the whole stadium sold out of hats, blankets. People were wearing socks. His hand warmers. It was like, yeah, it was like, you know, down to like eight or nine with the windshield. Like it was, it was, whew. It was, it was rough. But, we won. So I was happy It would've been a long drive back if we would've lost it against you guys, but, Yeah. it was it was a good time. But I'd like to get back at some point you know, whether it be for the pens or just, you know, somewhere, somewhere close in general. So, I think it is I think it's at MetLife this year. Is it not?
Pat:Okay. Yeah. Oh. Yeah, I think it's isn't it The devil's?
Matt:Devil's flyers. Yep.
Pat:devil's Fa.
Matt:Yeah. MetLife. Yep.
Pat:that? Yeah, MetLife. That's it. February 17th. So
Matt:And then I think, oh, okay. Oh, that's, yeah. Stadium series is game One Flyers at the Devil's. Then game two is Rangers at the Islanders,
Pat:oh,
Matt:they're doing two. Um, yeah, so that's, that's pretty cool. So, and metLife will, yeah, definitely that time of year. It'll, it'll definitely be cold enough so.
Pat:Yeah, MetLife is yeah. Yeah. Oh, that's cool. Yeah, that's, that's definitely something I'm gonna take a flyer on. All right, cool. Yeah. So, speaking of of NHL over to different countries and this is probably a couple months ago, but there's always a little bit of talks here and there, depending on Who you ask and what circles you're in. But there does seem to be kind of piggybacking off of the success recently of the Vegas Knights and the Seattle Kraken the last couple years of, you know, them kind of coming out the gate, you know, guns a blazing that they're trying to Piggyback off of that success and get a new NHL team, a new city coming in here. So, from what I understand, it seems to be there seems to be like sort of a tiered aspect of like, yeah, this is, you know, these are, these are high potential and then these maybe are more long-term. You know, fits kind of thing. But a couple interesting cities on here. My, my friend, it's some of the high potential right is salt Lake City, so out there in Utah,
Matt:Okay. That'd interesting.
Pat:it's very interesting
Matt:that'd be a perfect To play hockey
Pat:yeah, it's cool. You know, there's, you know, so there's some talks around that and Houston, Texas is another one. They believe have AAHL team out there, the Houston Arrows A-E-R-O-S. And so And then obviously the stars are out there with Dallas, right? That kind of thing. So, and Dallas has been real good recently too, and
Matt:Yeah.
Pat:kind of been in a rebuild and kind of stuck in, stuck in gear, but this year they're kind of, they're really kind of coming out the gate guns of blazing. So, I could see hockey really, you know, starting to kind of get a foothold in there and, and you know, in, in, in Texas and, and bringing something to Houston. So I think that would be cool. Here's the other one that I really Didn't care for. And I think this is a couple times now that they've had a team and lost it. So Atlanta's on this list again. So I think this is like their second or third time of, you know, of getting a, getting
Matt:Yeah.
Pat:they couldn't keep it there. So I think I think they originally were the Atlanta flames. So now they're, and now which are the Calgary? They moved to Calgary Flames and then a couple years back they were the Atlanta Thrashers, and now they're in Winnipeg. They're the Winnipeg Jets. Right. So, it just, it seems to me like they've had their chance and I, I don't really think a third one, a third time's the charm kind of thing. So that's interesting to kind of see their name at the top of the, the, the bucket here. So yeah, some real interesting names on that. Mainly Salt Lake and Houston. I don't know if you have any Thoughts on that or any kind of, uh
Matt:Uh, yeah, like you said, I mean, Atlanta developers are considering a$1 billion project that would do it. but. Yeah, I just, I'm with you on that. Like Atlanta's tried it a bunch of times and it just, I don't know, I just don't think it's a very big hockey market down there. Um, I, I'm thinking Salt Lake City would probably do really well. And the other one I saw here is uh, Quebec City is also another pos uh, possibility and, and like Houston, like you said. But yeah, it just depends on,'cause you know, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that it's not really confirming nor denying, they're kind of just in the talks and getting, you know, um, interests, you know, from some, some big cities. But he said the, the expansion fee would be a lot if they, you know, whoever does decide to pull the trigger. Like Seattle Krakens owner paid a$650 million entry fee. in 2021 to become a team. And then Vegas a couple years ago, paid 500 million in 2016 and debuted in 2017. So Yeah. So, you know, it's kinda, yeah. If you want to come to play, you know what I mean, you better bring the pocketbook. So, uh.
Pat:old cashola.
Matt:Yeah. you back up the brink truck. Uh, so yeah, it's just gonna be interesting to see if anybody really wants to dive into that and spend the money to open somebody else up. But I'd, yeah, I'd be intrigued in seeing probably, you know, salt Lake City and, and somewhere you know, maybe Quebec or something like that. Maybe get another, you know, Canadian team. But yeah, we'll keep an eye on it, see what happens in the next few months, see if there's any more you know what I mean? Hubbub about it, so.
Pat:Yeah, it'll be interesting to see. The other name I saw floated out around, out there was Oklahoma City. So that's another one. So that's, that's an interesting one as well to see kind of that Midwest
Matt:mm-Hmm.
Pat:How that kind of takes off side of thing. I mean, you have Colorado right out there, the avalanche obviously. Yeah. That kind of thing. So, and the other thing too I saw, I think you kinda mentioned it, the, a second Canadian team. There's weird vibes out there for a second team in Toronto, which, which would be odd, is then you're splitting the Toronto fan base in, in, in two which is interesting. So curious to see if that what happens there. And I. You know, see if they can kind of replicate some of the success the Vegas Knights have certainly had, and the Krakens seem to be you know, kind of trending in that direction too, as, as a expansion city. So always fun to think about.
Matt:Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. I'm very intrigued to see obviously how Vegas is, you know, Vegas is Whew, man. They're rolling right now and, Yeah. K cracking Kraken doing, you know, pretty decent too. So, yeah, these expansion teams in the last couple years, man. Well, obviously, you know, Vegas won it so it's, that's, that's a, you know, story for success with just them, you could show them, you know what I mean? So, yeah, I'm interested to see if anybody pulls the trigger. We'll see what happens. You know, never a bad thing to have another hockey team, in my opinion,
Pat:Nope, you can never get enough. That's it we're trying to Play with formats here and, and kind of bring you just some, some tidbits that we've that we've been doing or that we have scheduled here. Just ideas to throw around. So since our name is shooting the Puck podcast we're gonna do a shooter of the week. So, we're just basically just gonna highlight a player that that has been absolutely on a. Crazy terror of, of goal scoring for, you know, the said week, depending on when we record here. So, I'm gonna take the first crack at it here. The shooter of the week for this week is up there in Canada. The Winnipeg Jets, Kyle, Connor, the guy's got the guy's got seven goals and five assists at the last. I would say like 10, 10 games or I,
Matt:Wow.
Pat:10 games. The last let's see, last five games, 10 days, five games. So he is like, the guy is just crazy. He's just starting, coming out to shoot guns a blazing. And he's he's, he's up there, he's, he's part of the league lead in, in goals. He's got 13 goals overall. Seven of them came in the last, was that 3, 5, 7? Yeah, seven of them came in the last five games, and then he's got five assists over that time period as well. So he is really he's really kinda kicking into high gear and he's our, he's our shooter of the week. So with, with with good cause, right.
Matt:Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, he's been playing great. Which, you know, I, I didn't think he was gonna make that much noise kind of right off the bat, and I'm not really sure many people, you know, thought, I mean, you know, he is obviously a great player, but you know, to have the year so far that he's having is I. Is is pretty damn good. I mean, good for him. I think he's gonna keep rolling for sure. But yeah, that's a good one. I'm gonna go with Austin Matthews. He's, he's up there too. He's got he's tied for first with a couple other guys. 13 goals. He's got six assists, so he's gotta maybe step that up a little bit. But these 19 points tied for 20th in the league. So. Hey, he's, he's, he's you know, you know, I know there's been some trickling of him maybe not producing as much as, you know, people thought he was going to. And like I said earlier Toronto always having trouble getting in, you know, well, sticking in the playoffs, they, they make it there. It's just They don't go very far. Um, so, uh, yeah. And I mean, I feel for Toronto fans,'cause every year, you know, kind of same thing like Edmonton, you know, you think you're gonna keep go in stepping stone each year and keep making it into different rounds and maybe win a cup and it just never happens. So, um, but yeah, I mean, yeah, they're, they're playing pretty well right now. Especially Austin Matthews. So, and I'm just hoping he can stay healthy'cause I know he's had a little bit of trouble with, with doing that. So I think if he keeps staying healthy and he keeps playing like he is now, maybe get a little bit more on that assist, get more teammates involved, but he's scoring goals. So I think that's what's keeping momentum.
Pat:That helps for sure. Yeah, that helps. So yeah, we're gonna try to do that segment once an episode here. We'll give you some shooters of the week. The guys that we think that are lighting the lamp quite a bit and kind of go from there and maybe they don't get all the love that, that they normally get in in the press. So we're here to see who's on fire and we'll each pick a guy and, and rock and roll. So I thought that was kind of cool. So if you like that, great. Let us know if you hate it. That's cool too. Let us know. We're always looking for feedback here.
Matt:Mm-Hmm.
Pat:I guess we'll wrap this one up, Matt for a couple, a couple tidbits. Why don't you gimme some what's going on over, over there in in Penguin World and I'll give you some flyer stuff and then we'll, we'll head outta here.
Matt:Yeah, sure. Um, yeah, I mean, I, I actually just got back, I went last weekend made my trip out, trip out to Pittsburgh, me and the wife and had hit a game and it was it was, it was pretty neat. It was Veteran's Night, it was over veteran's day weekend. So, you know, a lot of military support and USA support, which is always nice to see. And yeah, first time ever there in the arena. We had sec, we had a great section of seats, man, 1 0 7. It was like, I, I honestly think if I have, have to go again, which obviously I will, I think that's like gonna be the section'cause yeah, me, me and me and my wife were talking about like, these are probably the best seats in the house. It was like in the middle. You're not up too high, you're not up, down too low. It's like you can see every play and you know, you know what I mean? Like just every player and it, it was awesome. And yeah, they want ended up winning against the Saber four. Nothing.
Pat:Nice.
Matt:and, um, yeah, it was, it was a great night. And Sid's been on a roll. He's looking like a old self again, which is always good to see.'cause I mean, not that he's ever really stopped, but you know, he's, he's, he's 20 years now, so he's, you know, getting a little slow. He is not, not a spring chicken anymore, but man, just the way he gets guys involved on his team is just unbelievable and had a hat trick the other night, a couple games ago. And, you know, they lost the devils, you know, the other night. But That's always a tough, you know what I mean? Like we talked about, Metro is always tough, always playing in your division. But yeah, they started off slow. They're at the bottom right now. I think with you know, they got Carlson this year and got rid of some other guys and I think, you know, veterans are back and everybody's healthy again, starting fresh. So I think it's just gonna take a little bit to get adjustment and, you know, now with Hex all gone and they got rid of like their whole office last off season'cause that just was not working out anymore. So, Lemu was kicking everybody out. So
Pat:Yep.
Matt:so he was time to, all right, time to get Get some new fresh hands in here and yeah, it's a little slower than anticipated, but I think I think overall, once guys start clicking, they were on a five game win streak up until last, you know, Wednesday, I think believe Wednesday night when they played the Devils. Um, but yeah, I'm, I'm hoping that they start rebounding and start getting their heads in, heads in there and start making them points and start, you know, climbing up the standings again.'cause I tell you what, man, the Rangers are smoking everybody right now,
Pat:It's crazy. They're playing so good, so good. I don't know if I can follow that up, but my, my team's in a rebuild. So, there's some, there's some good things that happened recently. They they just got done out west with a swing out west. And they, they won against the, the kings and I believe, they beat the Oilers. So, some, some positive things out West. I think torts is, has got'em playing half decent to where they're, where they're supposed to. And you know, again, kids are playing. It's, it's, you know, you have a couple you have a couple vets in there, gutter's back. Cam Atkins is back. You know, so, so that really helps Lawton's out there doing his thing. So, but then you got, you know, you got kids like I don't even know. We're just kind of waiting for the, for the big guns to show up here, right? Somoff, who we drafted just in this year's draft
Matt:connect me.
Pat:Carter connecting his airplane there now.
Matt:He's been well.
Pat:he's at Boston College. Just absolutely Killing it at Boston College. So I'm hoping for next year, and both Meech C and, and Guttier are, are here with the big boys. So that'll be that'll be fun to see. But yeah, they're, they're, they're holding their own you know, mistakes are, are obviously a part of the game. And, and you know, with the, the young squad that they have there Morgan Frost is in and outta the lineup, which I'm not quite sure what torts is doing with him. So, um, you know, they need more scores on the ice, so, and he's Said he's a healthy scratch most nights, which I don't know if that means he's in towards his dog house or what, but yeah, at, at this point you gotta play the kids and, and, and, and let'em be so curious to see what what goes on there. And obviously we're gonna rebuild. And but next year I'm hoping like I said some, some reinforcements are coming and we'll see what happens and kind of, kind of go from there. But this week has been good. We won some games, so it's always good to win some games, get on a, get on a nice little groove and who knows? We'll, we'll see what happens. So,
Matt:Yeah. I mean, you're, yeah. Everybody's well, not everybody, but everybody's floating right there in that metro. You know, Pittsburgh eight, seven flyers, 8, 7, 1. Eight, six and one. You know, all, you know, those 17, 16 points and then Carolina and Washington with 18. Then Rangers with 23, just 11 and two. Just not showing up for anybody else. So, um, But yeah, I saw Carter Hart came back. Um.
Pat:Yep,
Matt:So we'll see with him. I don't know, like he's been kind of up and down I guess from, you know, the little bit of news that I do flyer follow from the flyers, but I think they're obviously expecting him to be more productive than he has been so far. know he is had some injury troubles and stuff like that, but yeah, maybe the last, you know, kind of go run for him. We'll see if he plays well enough, maybe he'll stick around. If he doesn't, then maybe time to move on. But, you know, not playing terrible, but like I said, hasn't been ended. Too many games yet. Just got back, so we'll see what happens with him.
Pat:Yep. Absolutely. So we're gonna wrap it up there. I think that's a good a good one for the first episode. So we appreciate everybody hanging with us as we kind of get this off the ground and get our skates underneath us. No pun intended. So as this kind of goes and grows, it's a, it's a living breathing thing. So, we, we are on a couple social media's platforms out there. So if you're so obliged to follow us on Twitter or X as they call it now at shoot the Puck Pod we're on Instagram at the same handle there at, at shoot the puck pod. So all the website coming up soon with all of our episodes, you can get them there. As always, you could subscribe to the show on your favorite platform. ITunes, Spotify Google Podcasts. Those seem to be the big three nowadays in the player space. So, we're, we're pretty much everywhere you can get your podcast, so we would appreciate a follow a, like, subscribe and anything else, the crazy kids out there say nowadays. So appreciate everybody hanging with us and as always, till next time, shoot the puck.
Matt:All right guys. Thanks for tuning in. Talk to you soon.
