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Shifting Tides: NHL Shake-ups, Player Insights, and the Injury Report
In this episode of Shoot the Puck, we unpack the seismic changes in the NHL landscape. From the surprising firing of Craig Berube to Jordan Kyrou's candid comments, we dissect the evolving narratives in the league.
Tune in as we break down Patrick Kane's debut with Detroit, exploring the impact on the team's dynamics and fan expectations. Plus, a deep dive into the contentious issue of checking from behind in today's NHL game and its repercussions.
On the injury front, we provide updates on the setbacks faced by Dylan Larkin and Patrick Laine, shedding light on how these setbacks might influence their teams' performances.
For a comprehensive look at the highs, lows, and unexpected turns in the NHL, subscribe to Shoot the Puck and stay ahead of the game! 🎧🏒 #NHLNews #HockeyInsights #InjuryUpdates #PodcastTalks 🚨 #shootthepuck
the game is just bigger, stronger, faster. Uh, and, and the guys that are out there now, and the up and coming guys are just, are just better, which is, which just blows my mind. Like, I don't understand that. Like, you, you have to get to a peak at some point. Like, okay, these athletes can't get any better, but. Do, and they just keep coming. And I'm like, oh my god, this is insane.
Pat:Hey everybody. Welcome back to this week's edition of Shoot the Puck, episode number four. For those of you listening, you've hopefully realized that we are now live. We have three episodes out there ready for you to indulge in, if you will, kind of a little, uh, binge, uh, launch for us. So, uh, appreciate everybody listening in. As usual. I'm your host Pat driving this thing. Uh, Matt's on the other end of the mic. Matthew, how are you?
Matt:Yoyo, what's going on, brother?
Pat:Not much man. Back from Disney, took the kids to Disney for a couple of days, so, my wallet is now empty. I have no money left if anything.
Matt:Yep. That's usually how it goes down there.
Pat:the wife is already planning the next trip. Uh, she has a three year plan, she told me. So I'm like, great, just, uh, get done paying this one off we'll be ready to go again.
Pat (4):So
Matt:Yeah, better start saving every year. Then
Pat (4):Oh, it's brutal. Kids had fun. That was the first time down there in Disney, so, uh, they loved it. So for those that don't know, I have two young girls. So, uh, it was great to, uh, to get them, uh, down there and see Disney through their eyes. So we are back in action. Back and ready to rock and roll, popping out a couple episodes a week. So, uh, the audio format of the podcast is there ready to go. It'll be hitting every week, uh, still working on some of the YouTube stuff, uh, and kind of feeling out that YouTube game, so we're not, uh, not too crazy on how it all works. And so still some kinks there. But we will have a video podcast up, uh, once we kind of get our, our, our sea legs here. So appreciate everybody joining. Uh, this week is a couple of different ones that I thought was interesting to hit. Um, plus just a couple of quick hitters, uh, some, some loose bullet points that we wanted to talk about as well. So let's get started. Uh, and actually a lot happened when I was in Disney and I was kind of trying to jot notes as we, as we were flying through the Disney parks.
Matt (3):Yeah, busy week.
Pat (4):Yeah, the, the semi big one that was out there was the, uh, uh, the blues. They, they, they got rid of bi ruby, they got rid of the chief. And I thought that was interesting'cause they literally just won the cup like a couple years ago. So that seems odd that, uh, bi Ruby is now out in St. Louis after a rough start. Uh, they were 13, 14, and one on the season after they lost to the, now Patrick Kane, uh, added. Detroit we Red Wings, um, the other, the other night. And, uh, I guess the next morning, uh, that was it. Bibi no more. So I don't, Matt, do you have any thoughts on, uh, that, that kind of whole deal? I, it, I feel like it was a little quick. Uh, again, bi led them to a cup not that long ago, so he's definitely has the clout. Uh, and Peruvian obviously the big flyer guy that he was the big enforcer, uh, when he was playing and he coached for the flyers for a little bit. So I would kind of follow in Peruvian. I've always seemed to like him. He was always that straightforward kind of guy. So, uh, it seems a little quick for the hook for him, um, considering some of the other coaches that are around, uh, with a lot more talent. Uh, they're not doing so well and they still have jobs So that, I find that interesting that, uh, St. Louis had the hook on'em so quick.
Matt (3):Yeah. Uh, I didn't think the, the, I mean. I didn't think they were that bad. I mean, they're fifth and the central, you know, 14 and 14, kind of like middle of the pack there. But, um, yeah, they did up until the other night when they won, I think, um, they had like a five or four game losing streak. Um, so maybe that didn't look well. But yeah, I just think, um, I. This year especially, uh, I think there's some locker room drama and you know, as we, you know, we get into it with the Jordan Kyrie stuff, um, just didn't seem like that locker room was gelling very much anymore. And maybe it was, you know, kind of his fault for, uh, not getting his guys all together on the same page. But, um, or maybe the players just kind of got sick of them and don't like them anymore, but. I don't know, whatever the case may be, we'll find out in the next couple days and, you know, overall see what happened. But yeah, um, yeah, it was just kind of a shocker. I didn't think, you know, he was on the bottom of the barrel of lists that we, you know, talked about in earlier episodes. So, yeah, just kind of a strange one. But yeah, I guess there's more of the story that we'll find out from it.
Pat (4):Yeah, that is interesting. I don't know if they're, they're in the last wild card spot now, depending on, you know, like I said, that was a couple days ago. Um, we're talking about it today. So, they're right in that wild card spot, um, kind of contention. Um, but they are 26 in goals per game and. 2020 second in goals against, uh, in the season. So I think they've kind of been hurt by some lack of production stuff from folks like Jordan Chiru and, uh, you know, Kevin Hayes and, um, some of the, some of the firepower that they have, uh, down there. But I think overall brew's, uh, coaching down there at St. Louis has been Decent. I think this is their sixth or seventh season down there. And he's got a, he's got over 200 wins, um, in that, in that
Matt (3):Yeah.
Pat (4):for sure. So he's definitely on the right side of 500, you know, uh, you know, closer to, you know, that, on the good side. I think he, uh, he was hired in like the 18, 19 season and then, uh, basically winning the cup. You know, that June, he basically took over and said, let's go So to, to kind of have
Matt (3):Took'em to the promised Land. yeah,
Pat (4):yeah, kinda. It is very interesting to see that quick of a hook. So you never like to see somebody lose their job. But I, I think, I think he'll land somewhere next year for sure. He's, he's a proven coach. He's, he's been a winner basically everywhere he is been. And
Matt (3):Mm-Hmm. Yeah. I think he's a good, solid coach.
Pat (4):what happens there. So, uh, drew Banister has taken over he was the coach of the spring, uh, Springfield Thunderbirds, which is the, um, American League affiliate to, to St. Louis. So he's, uh, he's bumped up, and we'll see what happens and go from there. But I think, I think the chief will land on his feet, uh, in the next round of, you know, coaches, uh, to, to get the, they get the ax and he'll be behind the bench next year somewhere for sure. I'd bet money on it.
Matt (3):Yeah, there's plenty of teams out there that are gonna be looking for a head coach next year, and I don't think he'll have any, I don't think he'll have any trouble at all.'cause I, yeah, I really think he is a good, solid coach and yeah, that's why I thought it was a little strange that all of a sudden they kind of threw him to the curb. But yeah, we'll see what happens and yeah, he'll, he'll be all right. He's a good coach.
Pat (4):Yeah, for sure. Um, and, and, and I'm interested, some of their struggles have been because of some of their You know, top talent, not really, uh, producing one of them being jordan Chiru. Uh, he's got five goals and 28 games, so that's not, uh, not the best. But, uh, Jordan, Kai Ru's been in the news for other reasons as well, and kind of get your take on it. And it's very interesting to me, um, that he basically, uh, you know. He was asked the other, the other week, uh, or I should say, uh, the other week he was asked shortly after the, uh, per was fired and he said he had, what was it like? No comment. He's not my coach anymore. Something of that nature. And that kind of
Matt (3):Mm-Hmm. Yeah, pretty much.
Pat (4):the league and I don't know if, again, that maybe that lends to bi ruby losing the, the locker room, uh, or what, uh, what the deal is there. But it does seem to be an interesting dynamic of maybe that was just a peak of what was going on in that locker room. And he basically said, he has no comment. He's not my coach anymore. And then. St. Louis fans let him have it. The next night they booed him off the ice and he got, uh, he got pretty upset by that. And I'm thinking to myself, okay, like, you know, it's, yeah, you put comments like that out there, into the, into the sphere and you're gonna get the wrath of, of, of the people that come to pay to see you. And especially you're, you're a guy that's supposed to produce and be a, you know, up and coming player and, and got some real skill and you're laying a, you know, like, like I said, five, five goals in 28 games. You're laying an egg,
Matt (3):Right.
Pat (4):to get all teary eyed over. That seems a little, uh, you know, as, as the, uh, uh, a quote from one of my daughter's favorite shows, bluey, uh, the neighbor in one of the episodes says, we're raising a nation of Squibbs it seems to be the kind of vibe there. So I don't know if you have any thoughts on that.
Matt (3):I saw his post game and, uh, I thought, yeah, I thought it was a little strange too. I'm like, man, I, he's getting a little choked up about this. Like, I mean, you kinda put, I mean, not that he said anything egregious or anything, but like, you kind of were like, oh, I'm just focusing on me like you're not my coach anymore. Like, see ya. You know what I mean? Kind of attitude out there and. I think St. Louis felt that, you know what I mean? They're like, all right, man, you didn't really back him up. You could have at least said, Hey, he was a great coach, you know, and kept it moving. But you kind of threw that little little twist in there, and then now you're kind of surprised that you got the reaction that you did. Um, I I feel bad though. I mean, I don't think you should have got, you know. Booed all night by his own team. That kind of sucks. You know, he's a young kid too, so, but, um, you know, I did see that. He's like, man, I didn't really mean it like that, but, um, it just came out a different way. And I, I apologize and, you know, I'm just trying to focus on myself'cause I'm not, you know, pretty much producing, like you said, he's not, you know, he's only got five goals, you know, he's gotta start stepping it up for those guys if they want to start making it into a, a playoff spot. So, yeah, hopefully he, uh. You know, it doesn't take it to, uh, too much more heart and let it get to him, and hopefully he starts, uh, getting some goals and helping his team out.
Pat (4):Yeah, maybe, maybe that's just him being young in the business and, and you know, kind of playing
Matt (3):Yep.
Pat (4):Um, you know, in this, in this league, but normally when a coach is fired, I see a lot of guys take that, uh, at least when they talk to the press, they, they say, Hey, you know, uh, they, they feel somewhat responsible for the coach being fired'cause they didn't play well enough. Um, so they kinda lay that on on. on. their shoulders and say, Hey, you know, you know, we gotta play better. We cost the coach his job, blah, blah, blah. And then for him to come out and be like, Hey, he's not my coach anymore, like that. I think St. Louis fans were expecting the, you know,
Matt (3):More? yeah.
Pat (4):More, more than that. They were expecting the for, for that, you know, for the player to kinda lay it on their, you know, on his own shoulders. And Kai Ru basically said, no, he is not my coach anymore. See you later. And I, I don't,
Matt (3):Don't care. See you. Mm-Hmm.
Pat (4):sit well at all, which,
Matt (3):didn't sit well. Yeah.
Pat (4):I agree rightfully so. It shouldn't sit well. Like, you're, you're out there, you're, you're playing in front of fans. They pay money to come see you and you're not doing well. You're supposed to be a good scorer, uh, you know, some top shelf talent, and then you come out and go, oh, well he is not my coach anymore. You know, see you later. I totally get it.
Matt (3):Yeah, I, I just think St. Louis fans probably took it as like, all right man, well you just don't give a shit, do you? You know what I mean? Like,and I think that's why he got the booze that he did. And you know, now he was probably feeling it and it's probably like, shit, man, maybe I should have, you know, stuck up for him a little bit more ex, you know. Maybe had better things to say instead of just kind of like chucking it off to the side, being like, whatever, see you, we'll grab a new one. You know? Um, so yeah, I don't know. Not the best look, but, you know, hopefully it doesn't cause too much, uh, turmoil in between him and the other guys in the locker room. And, you know, like I said, hopefully he can get on track and starts, uh, getting some goals.
Pat (4):for sure. Yeah. In recent days he's kind of walked back from that statement, right? He's basically said, you know, chief has really helped me and he's coached me my whole time I've been here. And, um, you know, that sort of thing. So I think, uh, I think he's kind of walked back in in the whole, you know, oh, well that didn't really go over so well. And now I gotta say something to kind of try to smooth that over. So we'll see what happens in the next couple days and, uh, uh, the next couple, uh, weeks here.
Matt (3):Mm-Hmm.
Pat (4):with, with his game, see if he picks it up. And, uh, if not, then uh, you know, it's gonna be a rough ride for him. long term there in St. Louis and you now he's gotta hold the bill to, to kind of dig out of. So, uh, it'll be very interesting to see what, uh, what transpires there. But yeah, chief getting the old hook, I think it was a little early, uh, but he's definitely landed on his feet and, uh, we'll see if, uh, see what happens. The other thing too I found interesting seems to be a lot of, I wanna say Chatter lately it seems to come up every now and then with, um, just the way the game is. And it's, the game is so fast nowadays. It's insane how fast the game is. And, uh, and, and I'll be the first to admit watching. I love watching hockey. I watch hockey almost every night. Um, I think I said this last episode, but shout out to ESPN Plus. Uh, but, um, I watch hockey almost every night. The early game and then the late game. And um, while I love watching hockey on tv, there's nothing like hockey that's live. It is so much faster live. And the closer you get down to ice level, I. The faster it is, it's insane. Um, and
Matt (3):Yep.
Pat (4):the game is just bigger, stronger, faster. Uh, and, and the guys that are out there now, and the up and coming guys are just, are just better, which is, which just blows my mind. Like, I don't understand that. You have to get to a peak at some point. Like, okay, these athletes can't get any better, but. Do, and they just keep coming. And I'm like, oh my god, this is insane. The game is just so fast nowadays and the whole thing of, you know, checking from behind the debate always comes up every year and it's, you know, then they have this and they have that. But I think, um, and obviously the game has changed a, you know, quite a bit today and. You know, the enforcer kind of is not a role anymore like it used to be. Um, you know, so now you don't have that whole You know, policing, you know, within the game aspect of it. Um,'cause years ago when you and I started to watch, like you had legit tough guys out there then, and that was their job. Literally, like
Matt (3):Oh, yeah.
Pat (4):was a dirty hit on the ice, the enforcer would come out and the next time he caught that guy on the ice with'em, it was gloves off and they were throwing haymakers. Right. That, and that was the code of
Matt (3):Met in the middle.
Pat (4):So. You don't really have that anymore. They tried to get away from that. Um, the whole fights thing, they still do have fights, but it's not like they used to be. Um,
Matt (3):No. Yeah, you don't see him as much?
Pat (4):Nah, you don't see'em as much, which is kinda,
Matt (3):No. Very rarely
Pat (4):I personally like them Right. Uh,
Matt (3):Oh yeah.
Pat (4):they're, I think they're entertaining and uh, obviously they serve a purpose, you know, multiple purposes, really. Um. Sticking up for teammates and getting the juices going if you're really playing, you know, soggy, that kind of thing. Um, so there's multiple purposes to, to fighting. Um, but people from the outside don't really, they're like, oh my God, they're, they're fighting. What's happening there? That's so barbaric. Now there's a, there's a point to it, but anyway, um, uh, but you don't really see that anymore. There's no real, like enforcers going on, uh, anymore and it's kind of a, kind of a skill that has been phased out in today's game. So. Uh, the
Matt (3):no, not many.
Pat (4):the whole checking from behind thing now comes, uh, like I said, uh, every, every season. cause there's always a couple of plays a year that looks super awkward. And they're super scary because somebody's face gets, you know, blasted into the boards and you get caught it, it gets caught right at the right angle and, you know, it's really something. So, um, You know, uh, I mean, to me, hockey's a violent game. It always, it always is. Uh, or I should say it always was. Uh, it, it's just, it's, it's one of those things that's bound to happen. Like I, I don't know how you can take those sorts of, um. Plays outta the game, especially when the game is going so fast. Uh, in, in today's, in today's game, it's at lightning speed. So you have like, you know, a split second to make a decision and you know, I see a lot of that. I. A lot of it too is like the, the player that's getting hit moves at the last second, or, you know what I mean? You can't account for that
Matt (3):Slips or anything.
Pat (4):Slips, whatever. You can't account for that when you're going in to lay, to lay a body check. So it, you know, again, they, they look worse than they are. But, uh, the one that really stuck out to me was, uh, um, Nick Cousins. Going in for, going in for that hit on, uh, G Branson, uh, this
Matt (3):Mm-Hmm.
Pat (4):And again, it was face first into the boards. It's, you know, it's a violent game. It is what it is, and I don't think you're ever gonna be able to get rid of that in the name of quote, unquote, safety, just because that's just, it's part of the game. Things happen and
Matt (3):Yeah,
Pat (4):you're always gonna have that.
Matt (3):gonna have it. It's just the risk that you take when you play hockey, you know what I mean? It's, it's like any sport has any of those problems, but that's what makes part of it the sport. You know what I mean? So if you're gonna keep like. You know, tinkering with the rules. Just kinda like how the NFL does with, you know, protecting quarterbacks and now all the concussion protocol stuff, you know what I mean? Like, you know, now they're getting into a similar situation where they're like, alright, linebackers are this, they're like, WI can't even hit a guy anymore. You know what I mean? Like, so it's just, it's crazy.
Pat (4):Yeah. Uh, so so that's kind of, you know, coming around again. Um, So there's been a couple like that I think. Uh, I mentioned the cousins hit on G Branson, and then you got people going after, obviously cousins has got a target on his back and the next, you know, throughout the whole game. Right? So now you know, he's. Throwing the haymakers and you know, kind of looking over his shoulder every, you know, waking second. And then you had the, um, there was a couple others, um, that really, uh, kind of stuck out. Uh, I think, uh, Matt, you said, uh, Dylan Larkin is now hurt, right? Um,'cause of that.
Matt (3):Yeah. Yeah, that's another one.'cause, uh, that was, that was the one I was gonna say, uh, that I saw the other day.'cause uh, then David Peran went after the guy Artem Zu, uh, I think his name is, that hit, uh, Larkin. Uh. Initially, and, um, but it, I actually looked at it a, a bunch of times and it, it just looked like kind of a freak thing. Like, like Larkin was battling the guy down low, you know, maybe trying to get a deflection or whatever it was. They were battling towards the goal, you know, in front of the goalie. And he kind of just like slipped and fell and then the other guy was coming in. And he just like, kind of plopped and like hit his head off, you know, the stick or elbow or whatever it was. But you know, like you said, the police happened so fast. So of course the other guys are going right off to defend their teammates, you know, and then per, you know, Peran comes over and then checks that dude out and knocks him out. It was like, oh my God. It's just, yeah, it's crazy. It's just gonna happen, is what it is. But yeah, I, I think overall you can't just, Yeah, it stinks because you barely see a, a fight, you know, once in a while, you know, once every few games I'll turn on and I'll see one, you know. Um, but it's, you know, I, I remember watching back 10 years ago, and there used to be one or two fights a game. And it was really neat, especially in the playoffs because, um, you know, that really got your guys going. If, if you know something wasn't going right on your way and, uh, you know, they duped it out and. Sometimes, a lot of times that changed momentums of games and then it becomes a lot more physical, a lot more fun to watch.'cause both teams are really playing their hearts out, you know? But it just kind of like taking the, taking the big guys out, you know, that, um, that love to throw down and just love to throw their bodies around and whatnot. Um, it just kind of stinks.'cause now there's just like, to me it's like, all right, now everybody's just like fast and Super stick handling, you know what I mean? Like there is no big, you know, guys that are slapping it from the top that have a hundred mile an hour slap shot and they're, you know, 6 8, 6 7 and just taking guys out and you know what I mean? Like, I don't know it, like you said, it's changing for sure. But yeah, it just kind of stinks, you know, for us old
Pat (4):Yeah. And
Matt (3):love to see, you know,
Pat (4):I think,
Matt (3):big bang hits, you know.
Pat (4):until you get rid of body checking, which is never gonna happen, it's always gonna be an issue, period. I don't, I don't see how it can't be. That always, it just seems weird to me that we have to, you know, that we have these conversations and the sa you know, the safer they try to make it, it just seems to kind of take away from some of the, some of the game. And, and then on the other side of that, right, so you have games that have good legit hits and just because it's a hard hit, not necessarily illegal or dirty, it's just, it's a good hard clean
Matt (3):Mm-Hmm.
Pat (4):check, then all of a sudden you got people coming after you because it was a big splash. Check play. It was a good one, but it was. It was clean. So now you have people coming after you for clean hits, which is stupid too.'cause then it's like, well you're basically taken away from the game because now you don't know. You know, just because it's a big hit doesn't mean it's dirty. But now they're treating all big hits as dirty because they're trying to get the big hits.
Matt (3):Right.
Pat (4):game. So now you have some, now you have people coming at you because you throw the body on somebody. Um, and you have, and it was a big hit, but completely legal now, now, you got a five minute fighting major'cause somebody dropped the gloves with you. And it's like that, that, that doesn't make any sense. It's frustrating
Matt (3):Yeah. It stinks.
Pat (4):It's like, it can be a big hit and not be illegal,
Matt (3):frustrating to watch
Pat (4):to defend yourself. It's like, God. Yeah. It's just,
Matt (3):right? Yeah, yeah, I know it. It's, yeah, it's frustrating. Yeah. I don't know. They're gonna have to.
Pat (4):annoying. It's just like, come on,
Matt (3):Yeah, I mean like, you know, I think all sports are getting a little light now. It just kind of stinks for us old school people, you know what I mean? That we've been watching for 25, 30 years, I mean, I've been watching sports as long as I can remember, and it just, man, you, you got so excited to see those big hits in football and in hockey and and stuff like that. And even back in basketball in the nineties and stuff, those guys were banging around throwing elbows and whatnot and it was just fun. It made it competitive. I'm not saying, you know, I, there few guys be Full-blown fist fighting, you know, all the time, um, at every, you know, stick line or, or drop, you know, but like like, I don't know. It just, it just stinks when the, like you said, all these big hits and they're good, great clean hits, and then guys are getting thrown in the bin and it's like, dude, you're not even letting me play anymore. Like, it kind of just stinks. Like it just takes all All the fun at it and you know, yeah. I feel bad for players. It's like if, if you're one of those guys, you're like, man, what do I do? I can't do anything right in the ref size. You know what I mean? So, yeah, I don't know.
Pat (4):Yeah. It's tough. So, we'll, we'll see what, what comes to that maybe there's more of these hits now because they know Enforcers aren't on, you know, on the ice because that, that type of player has been phased out of the game. So they kind of, you know, they try to take advantage of what they can and get away with what they can.'cause now they don't have to answer for it anymore. So I feel like there's a dynamic there too that's been sorely missed in the last, uh, you know, 5, 6, 7 years of, uh, of hockey. So, we'll see ya. See what happens, and I'm sure we'll have this discussion next year when another big play, another big hit comes and, you know, there'll be another, uh, discussion going
Matt (3):Mm-Hmm.
Pat (4):always, uh, just want to bring, bring that one
Matt (3):Yep. Plenty more
Pat (4):well. Couple of notes that you wanted to hit there, Matt, just quick hitters this, uh, don't you, uh, I think you got a list kind of built there, so you far away.
Matt (3):Yeah, we'll change directions a little bit, but I'm gonna go start on, uh, locations.'cause there's a, a few location things that are gonna be happening, uh, in the NHL. Uh, first off, the, uh, 2024 draft is gonna be in the las Vegas, uh, sphere at the new sphere. So that's gonna be there in 2024. Um, which is gonna be pretty exciting'cause I've seen videos of that sphere and it just like, it, it's mind blowing. I think it was like, I don't know, a couple what, a couple billion dollars to, to make It took a while and, uh, but man, you know, I saw it as like dressed up as an eyeball one day and for Halloween and then just like All kinds of crazy stuff. So yeah, that'll be interesting to see. I'm sure they'll get a lot of good publicity, you know, especially with Vegas doing, um, a lot of, you know, other teams just in general in the last couple years, how many teams have moved there, so feel like they're really, you know, capitalizing on that. And, uh, yeah, it's nice'cause I think NHL will definitely get some good recognition. So I don't know. What do you think about it?
Pat (4):No, I, I love, I love it. Um, I really think that Vegas is a good sports town just in recent years with Vegas, winning the cup, they have, uh, the Raiders came there, um, just this last season. That's always, uh, cool. They seem to be doing it, doing it right there.
Matt (3):Mm-Hmm.
Pat (4):a's uh, are moving from Oakland, they're coming as well. So Vegas seems to be A hotspot for, uh, sports. And I was in Vegas this past June for a work conference, and
Matt (3):Mm-Hmm.
Pat (4):that's when Vegas was actually in the, um, was deep into the playoffs. Um, uh, and, and so they were playing, actually I think it was the cup, uh, they were playing, um, the night one of the nights that I was there and, um, at the T-Mobile Arena out there
Matt (3):Yeah, I remember you were saying you wanted, uh, you were gonna try and get tickets.
Pat (4):yeah. I wanted to try to catch it and, uh, by the time we got over to the bar there,'cause I was staying at Mandalay, not Mandalay, I was, um, staying at the um, uh, Luxor, which is connected to mandalay Bay,
Matt (3):Hmm. Yeah, that's where I stayed two years ago.
Pat (4):the other side of the Excalibur. Nice. Yeah. The other, the other side of the Excalibur is, is where the T-Mobile arena is. So we basically walked all the way over there and by the time I got over there, the game was over, so the bar was just kind of serving last, last rounds of drinks and stuff. So we had a beer and, and kind of, you know, shot the shit with the people that were still there. But, uh, man, it just seems like such a live like Sports town and it's really kinda getting, its, its legs and the spear seems really cool. And actually the spear was there when I was there, but it wasn't live yet. It was, I think the next, literally the next week after I left Vegas is when the, when they actually lit it up. And I was like, oh, damn it, I missed it by a week. I was like, oh geez.
Matt (3):Oh man.
Pat (4):so yeah, so I'm, that same conference is in Vegas next year, so I'm hoping to, I'm hoping to get a, a ticket to go and, uh, see what happens. Uh. See what happens next year in Vegas. But yeah, I, I, I'd love it. I think it's great.
Matt (3):Yeah. Yeah. So it'll be interesting to see what happens out there, uh, next year with the draft. So, um, but yeah. Uh, so the next thing I had was, uh, Washington Capitals expected to, uh, move to, uh, Potomac Yards in 2028, down in Virginia. So, uh, they're supposed to be getting a brand new complex. Um, so that'll be interesting to see. And from, you know, the, the visions that I saw, the quick, you know, pre-planned stuff that they threw out there online, uh, it looks pretty big and looks really nice, so I'm sure it will be, I'm sure it's gonna cost a ton of money, um, but, uh, yeah, it's gonna be, uh, looking pretty good. But yeah, switching, switching down to Virginia from Washington, so that'll be interesting.
Pat (4):yeah. Interesting. Yeah. Very, very interesting. And as a, as a commanders fan in the NFL world, uh, commanders are looking for a new, uh, stadium as well. And I think, um. I think they're kind of in that same vein of moving out of, uh. Moving out of, uh, where they're at now. I think, you know, they're at the fedEx field now,
Matt (3):you see DC Yeah.
Pat (4):get a new stadium and it's very, uh, alluring to be on the Virginia side. So, we'll, we'll see what happens, So it's always, uh, always nice
Matt (3):Yeah. Yeah, it'll be
Pat (4):see new, new homes, um, you know, for these sports players or for the sports teams and stuff. So we'll see what, uh, see what happens. But yes, I, uh, I'm interested to see what, what that looks like and kind of go down there and, and, uh. Kinda thing, but I was, I was at a game, uh, this was years ago. I was at a game. We, we went down a buddy of, buddy of mine, Aaron and I, we went down to DC to watch the caps play when they played the flyers. And, you know, I wore the flyer stuff and went into enemy territory and it was fun'cause the flyers won that night, so we kind of got the gloat on the elevators and shit walking out. That was, that was always a good time. But, but yeah, I'm interested to see what the new, uh, Potomac Yard looks like and, uh, uh, see they can get even more eyeballs on, on hockey down there.'cause for a long time the caps were real, you know, real good. They won a cup, you know, relatively recently. Uh, so Um, uh, hockey always seems to be real good and hot down there, especially for a rival team. Uh, comes in there and, and, uh, you know, when the, when, when the capitals and, you know, some of the other, uh, teams, uh, in the, uh, Atlantic and Metro are good and those rivalries are going, it's usually good hot hockey, which you know, is always appreciated.
Matt (3):Yeah, I think the, I, I think it'll be good for them. I mean, like I said, the, the arena looks really nice and, you know, I know it's gonna be like five years, you know, 20, 28, I think they said it's projected to be done, so, you know, it'll be a little while yet. But yeah, I think, I think, you know what I mean, it'll be a nice Huge new venue for them and new territory, you know, not too far, you know, so you'll have kind of best of both the worlds and you know, who knows, you'll maybe get some people from Virginia starting to show up more, you know what I mean? So the people that never did before. Um, so yeah, it'd be interesting to see. But, um, yeah. But what else you got, pat? You got any, uh, injuries or anything?
Pat (4):Uh, there's always injuries, um, which seems to be the working model. Nowadays people, you know, these, these players always seem to get injured or have some bad luck or, or whatever. Um, but the other, yeah, some injuries here, we mentioned Kyle Connor, the other, the other week in our, uh, shooter of the week segment, which we gotta start
Matt (3):Mm-Hmm.
Pat (4):We gotta bring out round two of the shooter of the week. Uh, Kyle Connor is, is injured. I think he's on the shelf for six to eight weeks. Uh, Patrick Lane as well. He's, he's on the shelf for I think roughly around the same amount of time. So you got some real, some real star players, uh, coming down with the injury bug. So, um, um. You know, uh, so we'll see how Winnipeg does without Kyle Connor and Patrick Lane, I, he's in Columbus now, right? Uh, I shouldn't, I
Matt (3):Yeah. Yeah. Columbus.
Pat (4):Uh, yeah. We'll see how Columbus fairs with, uh, yeah, I figured. Um. We'll see what, what happens there? Uh, he's got a fractured clavicle. Patrick Lane does. He's out six
Matt (3):yeah. six Yep. Yeah. And then kyle Connor's out with, uh, a, a knee injury I believe, and, uh, he's six to eight. So yeah. And those, those are two huge guys, man, on, on those teams, those guys, you know, always, always play well. So, um, especially Kyle Connor, he's having hell a here so far, so yeah, it kind of stinks for him to be sidelined for now, you know what I mean? Almost two months probably. Um, so yeah. And, uh, yeah, same thing with Patrick. Patrick, uh, lane, um, Yeah, it's gonna be tough. You know, those guys are gonna have to come back and come back with a vengeance, I hope.'cause I think they're both good guys. So hopefully Kyle O'Connor especially.'cause yeah, I wanna see him getting going again hopefully he can take his team, you know, me and Winnipeg, and uh, maybe get a good playoff run going. Who knows? But yeah, they'll be back hopefully, uh, you know, sooner rather than later.
Pat (4):Yep, for sure. Yep. So it's just a couple injury bugs there. Kind of get to, uh, get some news out there. Uh, a couple trades went down one just this afternoon. Uh, for those listing we're recording this Friday, the. the. 15th, uh, right before Christmas. I can't believe Christmas is next week already, or, you know, the following
Matt (3):I know
Pat (4):let's say. Oh my goodness. Oh, Jesus. Um, uh, Thomas Guitar who, uh, started his, his career in San Jose and then got. Shipped to the abs. Uh, now he's getting shipped off again. He's going to Seattle. So, uh, I think Thomas DeTar is sort of at the late stages of, of his career. So he's bringing some, some experience and some, um, some veteran leadership to, to Seattle. Uh, again, another, another expansion team up there in the great, uh, Northwest Pacific Northwest and then, uh, Tuo going to the island, going to the Islanders. So that'll be interesting
Matt (3):Twosie babies. He's outta there.
Pat (4):yeah. So it'll be interesting to see how they gel with their new squads, uh, as well and fit in nicely both. You know, two veterans looking to, looking to make a splash on their, on their teams and, and, uh, help where they can and, uh, kind of go from there. So just a couple of trades there for this and, um. You know, sprinkle a trade in here, um, here and there. Um, but I think, I think the real crazy time comes with the trade deadline in, in March. So that's gonna be, that's gonna be helter skelter, see how things shake out and really, uh, see who needs help, uh, kind of get them over the line for the cup. So, um, it's to see what the trade line trade deadline looks like. And like I said, we got a couple months for that, but that's always a fun time and frenzy. Around the league, so, yep. Uh, two new players got two new homes, two new sweaters. They'll be, uh, ready to, ready to rock and roll. Speaking of new homes and new sweaters, we talked about Patty, Patty Kane the other week going to Hockey Town, and so yeah, he played his first game, I believe the other, the other day. Right. That was, uh, was it Tuesday
Matt (3):Yeah, I had a goal in it too.
Pat (4):goal? He's, he's picked up right where he left off. That's right. So.
Matt (3):Yep.
Pat (4):Always nice to see, always nice to see Patty Kane come out swinging and, uh, just dropping, dropping pucks on people. So always, uh, like to, uh, see people in new sweaters and rip up, rip it up and light the lamp.
Matt (3):Yeah, it's good to see him back. I'm glad he could. Um. Kind of start off that first game and get, and get one quick and just kind of row that you know what I mean? Detroit crowd up, which I'm sure he did. So it's good to see him back. He looked pretty good. Um, he's playing a decent amount of ice time right off the bat. Um, so that's kind of, that's kind of good to see.'cause you know, that means, that means he's skating well and he's doing well, you know, coming back from the hip and, you know, the surgery and whatnot. So, um, yeah, I always, I always love Patrick Kane, so I'm glad he is, I'm glad he is doing well. Um, yeah, I mean, you know, the Besides the first game though, you know, a couple games after, he hasn't really done too much yet. Um, I know he's probably still, probably trying to get back into the swing of things with his new team and especially so, um, yeah, he's like minus six, I think, in the, in the plus minus department, so he's gonna have to get better on that. Um, but yeah, we'll see what happens with him. I think he's gonna start, you know, producing a little bit more and hopefully, uh, it'll be, uh, a nice, a nice night and, uh, A nice area for, uh, you know what I mean, Detroit, to just get something to be excited about, you know, especially with Larkin now out, who knows, you know, with that. So yeah, hopefully Patty Kink can r that route that city up.
Pat (4):Yeah, it brings la Yeah, Patty came, brings some good leadership there with Larkin, uh, on the, on the shelf for the, for the, uh, foreseeable feature. So, yeah, always interesting. Um. Let's see how that goes. And then, uh, well, last couple of things here just to finish up. We talked about Minnesota not too long ago and kind of how they were, you know, just struggling and, and just seemed to be kind of just floating out there in space. Seems like Billy Garin is in trouble there. Down in, or I should say out in Minnesota, uh, I guess
Matt (3):Yeah.
Pat (4):some, there, there's a report that's, uh, it's being investigated for code of conduct violations. So, uh, interested to see.
Matt (3):Yeah. Not sure what that's about.
Pat (4):What happens there? Um, rough times out there in Minnesota. They, they fired, uh, Dean Evanson, uh, not too long ago. Um, that we, we kind of talked about on coaches on the hot seat and that one actually came true. I guess that, uh, he's got some heat on him for code of conduct issues as well. So, uh, we'll see how that, uh, that shakes out. So, um, yeah, Minnesota not, not, not looking so great. Uh, out there in the, you know, the state of hockey
Matt (3):Yeah, no, a lot of, a lot of chaos going on out there right now. And, uh, yeah, I mean, I, I, I know you know Billy Garrin, he's been a longtime Penn, and he, you know, he kind of rebuilt that, you know, helped, you know, Mario rebuild that team, uh, after he, you know, retired, you know, or around with us. And then he, uh, became part of our, you know, office and whatnot. So, yeah, he, but he, he's been over in Minnesota. Um, but yeah, I guess he was in investigative for verbal abuse, but, um, Did not commit fireable offense, but still something they're looking into. And, you know, attorneys and investigations are still, you know, going around and they're still brewing at that. So we'll see what happens there. But, um, yeah, very interesting. I'm not really sure verbal abuse, what that really means. like. Craziness. Uh, I, I, uh, who knows? And, you know, in today's day and age too, you know, you just gotta watch everything you say'cause anybody could take it the wrong way. And, and this is what happens. So who knows? You know, we weren't there either, so it's kind of hard to dictate, but yeah. We'll, we'll, we'll keep everybody posted on that and see, see what happens with, uh, the GM there.
Pat (4):Yeah, and it just seems odd, you know, whether it's coincidental timing, but me, me personally, I don't believe in coincidences where there's usually, you know, where there's smoke, there's fire, Sort of thing. But the, um, you know, this kind of comes after, uh, the wild and, uh, the assistant general manager, Chris O'Hern, uh, mutually agreed to part ways. So maybe something there. Um. You know,
Matt (3):Yeah, true,
Pat (4):were separate investigations. Um, the timing was just coincidental. Again, I don't necessarily believe in coincidences. Um, but yeah, they fired, uh,
Matt (3):a little, a little weird.
Pat (4):yeah, they fired Dean Evison in November. And now John Hines is the new, the new bench boss there. That'll be interesting to see if John Hines can, can turn the squad around. So a lot of, uh, a lot of turmoil over there in the wild, but man, I'll tell you what, that they got, uh, that, that car capris off, man. He is fun to watch. Yeah, I hope, I
Matt (3):Yeah, absolutely
Pat (4):turn it around for his, for the sake of that guy's career.'cause that guy is just, he's unbelievable to watch and like, man, like he, if he stays in Minnesota and they don't do anything with him, they're gonna. They're wasting that guy's career. I I, which I hope
Matt (3):right.
Pat (4):cause he is
Matt (3):Yeah. Hope not.
Pat (4):to watch. Super fun.
Matt (3):Yeah. Really, really hope not to. Yeah. He's a pleasure to watch. Excited to see him. Keep rolling.
Pat (4):Yeah, Yeah, exactly. So, um, so yeah, that was, uh, kind of the bullet points and, uh, I, I don't know, I gotta take a minute here to brag about the old Orange and Black. They, uh, just completed a three game road, uh, three game road trip that they took, uh, five outta six points from. So they beat the abs, they beat, uh, I forget who else they beat. And then, uh, they lost to Nashville in overtime. So. I got, I gotta give it to'em. They're a fun group. I wasn't expecting'em to be, uh, I, I won't use the word good, um, but I guess they kind of are. Uh, I wasn't expecting them to be this great. I, you know, I was just hoping for competitive and they've, you know, they've blown past competitive at this point, and they are, uh, towards the upper echelon of the standings there. I won't, you know, I, I won't go on record now that they'll say to say they made a playoff spot. Man, it's really close. I'm like, I wish I could So they looked good. And Matt, you, you and I watched
Matt (3):good.
Pat (4):you and I listened or watched a game the other, the other night at your place before Disney and they beat your pens and they back to back pens,
Matt (3):Back to Mac Overtime or shootouts?
Pat (4):and homers
Matt (3):Shootout, shootout and then an overtime. Yeah. You guys beat us two in a row.
Pat (4):That's
Matt (3):Yeah, yeah,
Pat (4):that set
Matt (3):yeah. 16 and yeah, I bet. Um, yeah, 16 and 10 hanging in third there. Um, yeah, that's the metro is just holy, holy hell. Is that a tough division? I mean, pens are literally second last in the division, and they're 13 and 12. Um, you know, we're hanging in there at 29. Yeah. I'm not really sure. I think there's, there's some, you know, speculation, you know, Pittsburgh sports is kind of going through it right now. you know, um, with, with head coaches in general. I, I would say there's a lot of uneasiness in Pittsburgh fans with between, uh, you know, Mike Sullivan and Mike Tomlin. You know, people feel like there should be more production and, uh,.This middle of the road, just kind of getting in and sneaking into playoffs and, but not really making a lot of noise when you get there. Kind of it, it's over, you know what I mean? Like people are just kind of like, alright, we need to turn a new leaf here because this is not the standard that we're, you know, we're used to and that we should be used to because we have a lot of talent on, you know, on all these teams. And you gotta start producing and you gotta start winning some games, uh, again, uh, otherwise yeah, you're gonna start, uh, losing some people. So, yeah, we'll see what happens. Um. But yeah. Good for your flyers, man. They're, they're, they're rolling right now. Torch has got your boys fired up, but, uh, you know, Sullivan, uh, he better start doing the same but that's all I'm gonna say.
Pat (4):That's
Matt (3):uh, yeah, he, he, he, might be in trouble if he doesn't. So, yeah, we'll see what happens.
Pat (4):They beat the caps the other night, uh, in a, in a shootout. So they're, uh, they're rolling, man. We'll see what happens. And, uh, full, full slate of hockey. Uh, tomorrow, the 16th Saturday, uh, actually, um, Patty Kane in Detroit comes to town in Philly tomorrow night at seven o'clock. So see if, uh,
Matt (3):Nice. Yeah, there's a bunch of games on tomorrow.
Pat (4):Yeah, I love Saturday hockey. It's always a good
Matt (3):there's, uh, 13 games on tomorrow, so. Uh, lots of, lots of things to watch. Yeah. There's that football on tomorrow. So you're a sports fan. It's a good time to just hang on the couch and, uh, just, you know, watch some sports. Have fun.
Pat (4):That's it. That's it. Alright. But Matt, is that, I think that was it. That's all I had on the slate, or, and that's all we kinda wanted to kind of break down and, and talk about that. You got anything else?
Matt (3):Yeah, no, I think that's, I think that's about it for this week. And then, uh, get through the weekend and like I said, all these games tomorrow, we'll, uh, we'll see who's rolling, see who's not. And we'll, uh, start, start, uh, picking our poison next week too. We'll get back to the shooter of the week. Pick, you know, pick somebody who's been firing off and we'll get into some stuff again. So, uh, Yeah, we'll keep everybody posted. Hope everybody liked this one and uh, you know, give us a follow on everything and we'll start reaching out more too and start posting some more stuff so you guys can keep updated.
Pat (3):Yep, for sure. So, um, yeah, like Matt said, uh, we're out there on social media, mainly Twitter and Instagram, um, which follow us at@shootthepuckpod on both platforms. Uh, and so we are gonna get outta your hair. For this week, we're gonna thank everybody for joining. Uh, try to do this twice a week now that, uh, the big vacation for me is over, so we gotta focus, get, uh, get really rolling here. So, uh, really appreciate everybody joining again. Uh, hit that like and subscribe. Uh, button on your platform of choice, uh, wherever you get your podcast. We are pretty much everywhere. Uh, obviously the big three, apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and then all the smaller ones there as well. We are pretty much everywhere, so catch us on your favorite podcast catcher and give us a subscribe. And as always, we're looking for feedback. So drop us a line on either of those. Platforms or at shoot the puck pod@gmail.com. That's a live inbox that we monitor. So, uh, feedback is always welcome. Uh, and we'll see if we can get some guests lined up here in the next couple of weeks as we kind of get our footing and some traction.
Pat (4):So everybody wants to, uh, uh, see. Grab some folks to come on and chat about their respective clubs or whatever. Um, see if you can line those up and get to get more interesting folks on here besides us, two idiots, kind of blabbing and, uh, bringing you some hockey news. So always, uh, always fun hanging with everybody. Appreciate everybody and we'll talk to you all next week. Bye everybody.
Matt (2):Peace.
