Shoot the Puck

Drama Unleashed: Gauthier's Trade, Fluery's Heroics, and Winter Classic Whispers

• Patrick Allen • Season 1 • Episode 7

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This week on Shoot the Puck, buckle up for the rollercoaster of NHL drama! Dive into the Cutter Gauthier saga, from the headlines to the surprising trade to the Anaheim Ducks. What sparked the controversy and how will it impact both teams?

Marvel at Marc-Andre Fleury's incredible save that had the hockey world buzzing. Our Shooter of the Week segment is back! Can you guess who we picked?

Injuries are piling up—get the scoop on key players sidelined and the ripple effects on their teams. Plus, explore the surprising stats behind the Winter Classic, revealing why it became the least-watched ever.

Subscribe now to [Podcast Name] for the latest hockey insights and hot takes! 🎧🏒 #NHLTradeTalk #FleuryMagic #WinterClassic #HockeyDrama #PodcastTalks 🚀🔊

Pat:

Brier and Jonesie now is the flyer's top brass it's very interesting that like when you interviewed this kid, unless he blatantly flat out lied to you, how, that doesn't make any sense that you couldn't sense that he didn't want to be a part of the flyers organization at that time. Hey everybody. Welcome this week to another awesome episode of Shoot the Puck. Here we are as usual. I'm your host Pat driving the bus, bringing you all the latest rumors, gossip, news, NHL, smithing of all over the place as usual. Matt is on the other end. Matthew, how are you, sir?

Matt:

hOwdy, sir. How we doing? New Year, you know, banging in and getting these games. A lot of games in this past week. A lot of news, a lot of crazy rumors and gossip and drama and you

Pat:

wouldn't be the

Matt:

So, yeah,

Pat:

it wasn't those things, so

Matt:

I swear, man, it's one of those weird years, the NHL with the, you know, dramas and it's crazy. But yeah, we're gonna get into it.

Pat:

wild. And I'm a little sore. I'm a little sour. So if I sound down, down and out this episode, I'm sorry, but we'll get to that in a minute. But the

Matt:

Absolutely.

Pat:

so I wanna recap the big rivalry, I should say, a rivalry. It's not as big, I don't think as it used to be. I think Matt, you would agree with that. Um, for a couple years there, it was real hot and heavy for a couple years. But flyers, penguins last night the 8th of January here your boys got the best of my boys. Four to one. It seemed like a little lackluster action from my guys. So, um, yeah, four to one. You you won that time. We beat you last time, but you got us this time, so, um,

Matt:

got USS the first two times. Actually

Pat:

yeah, that's right.

Matt:

Both of'em you know, over time in shootout, both, you know, both of those games. And now this is the third. And yeah Penns won it four one last night.

Pat:

That's right, four to one. Um, it was a little lackluster for me. It didn't seem to my boys seemed to be chasing the puck most of the night, which is which is never a good thing. So that was that was interesting there, I think. Yeah, you had the kovich in net and he had 36

Matt:

Yeah, man. Look good. Yeah, he's been looking good for, you know, filling in for Jarry here and there because, you know, sometimes he's still battling injury and but yeah, he looked really solid last night and, um. If he could, if he's playing the way he's, you know, continuing to play in these last stretch of games here and that might be another possibility to throw him in when jar's not, you know, making the cut. Um, so yeah, it'll be real interesting to see Penguins are pretty rolling right now. Um, yeah, I wanna say like seven and three or something in the last 10. So, um, I think Sullivan here is getting his boys rolling after the new year. Hopefully we will keep rolling. Um, but obviously, you know, metro's tough as hell, but yeah, looking pretty good. They looked really good last night, ma, and looked good. He had a goal and an assist two points, so he looked pretty solid. Um, and, you know, everybody else looked like they were a step ahead of flyers, but, you know, maybe flyers had other things on their mind last night and and that could be, could've been the reason.

Pat:

don't get me started. Well, I guess we will start, but so we had you guys also had Raquel Carlson and Ruel scored for the for the black and white birds. And like I said the kovich with the 36 saves, Owen and Tippet was the lone goal scorer for the fly guys for the orange and black.

Matt:

the flyers.

Pat:

it was very it was pretty chippy. We had I think Scott Lawton

Matt:

Yeah.

Pat:

got into it for a little bit and he

Matt:

Yeah. Tang got cut up with a high stick and that's kind of what set the whole Maing thing off. And then he was going after people and there was all kinds of people in this and been on both sides. So and

Pat:

it was pretty crowded.

Matt:

yeah. Yeah. But it was getting chippy in that second, you know, period, first period was, you know, kind of feeling each other out. Pens were up kind of early, um, and then second period flyers got a little bit of, you know, momentum back or whatever. And but then the third period, um, pens kind of just took over late and then, you know, all that stuff happened and people were throwing bodies around fists. And like I said, people were in, you know, in the box and it just looked like an old school back in the day, you know, 20 10, 20 12. Flyers, penguins, rivalry hockey, which I loved it. I always loved when their rivalry is brewing.'cause it's, there's nothing like it, man. I mean, you know, we talked about this before, back in like the 2009 to 20 15, 16, you know, um, those games were just huge, especially down in, in Philly. I mean, oh God, the noise and just the craziness. that's unbelievable. It was awesome to see. But yeah, like you said that, you know, the last couple years with flyers not being so good, um, pens kind of on the back, you know, as well with the veterans and stuff, so Yeah. It's hasn't been the same as it was, you know, eight, nine years ago. But, you know, last night it looked kind of like the old school game that it used to be. So it was fun to see.

Pat:

Yep. Yeah, I agree. Those games earlier in the two thousands there, especially when Crosby first came onto the scene after he was

Matt:

Yeah.

Pat:

right to the

Matt:

Oh seven. Yeah.

Pat:

that rivalry was just white hot. You were walking into that building, you were taking, you were walking into the opposing teams building you were taking your life in your hands. And it was that crazy. It was that hot for long time. So that was, that's always fun. But, um, I. Yeah, so decent game last night. Flyers on the short end of that. Obviously, you know, in their rebuild and they've had streaks this year that they kind of surprised some folks. They didn't think they'd be this good and whatnot, but they're holding their own. It's not terrible, but, you know, you expect them to go through these

Matt:

Yeah.

Pat:

these stretches of, you know, losses and, you know, some ugly games and, you know, things of that nature. So, um, yeah, we'll see what happens. And I think we meet again in February. Um, I think next

Matt:

Yeah. It's coming up soon. Yeah.

Pat:

so that's gonna be good.

Matt:

it's in pit next time, so.

Pat:

I think tomorrow the flyers play that would be Wednesday the 10th. They play Montreal and they head on a road trip, and you guys have Vancouver on Thursday, so that's,

Matt:

yeah, that'd be a tough game for us.

Pat:

Yeah, tough one. Vancouver's always a good squad, so interesting there. But the real action, as I like to say which I'm

Matt:

The gossip. The gossip.

Pat:

my jaw up off the floor for this one, was the first period

Matt:

A lot of people

Pat:

flyers traded their prize possession. And, you know, if you talk to most people, their prize possession, um, Qatar Gaucher out, he was outta here. He's now,

Matt:

done so.

Pat:

his rights are now with Anaheim, the Anaheim Ducks. So very interesting turn of events. Um, I was I'm a big Twitter user, like I follow a lot of different folks have a lot of different accounts for, you know, different things and

Matt:

Right,

Pat:

The one for the show obviously is the one I'm, you know, I'm heavy on the show and trying to build our following and things of that nature. If you haven't subscribed by the way, head on over to Twitter or x at shoot the puck pod. So come hang out come talk to us and you know, learn some hockey and get some gossip while you're at it. So, cheap, shameless plug alert right there. So yes, so I was on Twitter and I don't get the games here at home'cause I don't have cable and so the only real way I can either watch it is. Illegally over the internet or I just, I like to throw it on the radio. Um, and watch and listen to Tim Saunders and Todd Dork call the game. So I didn't do either of them last night'cause, you know, kids were still up and whatever. And so, and the endless loop of frozen the movie that's on my TV at all times and my kids are awake you can't listen to anything else So, I'm floating. Ugh. Terrible. I was floating through Twitter and um, I usually, you know, there's usually a lot of flyers content hanging out there. So, and all of a sudden I see this thing like, oh, flyers trade, you know, there's a trade. I'm like, first of all, it seems odd that it's a trade in the middle of the game that they don't normally do things of that nature in, in, you know, certainly the middle of the game. That's usually for off hours type things or, you know, during the day. And then I'm like, okay, who's it? And then I'm like, wait a minute. Like, I had to read it three or four times to be like, wait a minute, this doesn't make sense. Like, goer is like no longer here. Like, what is happening here? Like, it just, it took me a minute. Um, I gathered myself I talked to the wife and she's like, that doesn't make any sense. I'm like, I know, I'm trying to figure out why this, you know, whatever. So. Yeah, apparently, um, cutter is again, he's no longer here in Philly. He is now a part of the Anaheim Ducks organization, which is building quite the squad out there. If you ha, if you look at their forwards now they're, they got some absolute beast of talent now. Um,

Matt:

Yeah.

Pat:

got Zegers out there. They drafted a couple and now they got er and it's like, holy hell. Like they're gonna be a problem in the next couple of years.

Matt:

Absolutely.

Pat:

The flyers got back, um, I think it's Jamie Drysdale, I think which is in his own

Matt:

Yep. Try still.

Pat:

he was drafted in 2020. Puck, big puck moving right hand shot defenseman, which is exactly what the flyers need. Somebody to quarterback that power play. Their power play is abysmal this year. It is terrible. So I'm really interested to see what he can do on our power play. See what happens With that, I think we got a good, We got a good prospect back at obviously NHL ready things of that nature. So, I watched a press conference today with Drysdale showing up and he seems good head on the shoulders, willing to learn, wants to play for torts, the whole deal. So that is very interesting to me. What what happens there. And I think they got a 2020 second round 2025 draft picked as well. So I think,

Matt:

Yep. Correct.

Pat:

A decent haul for Gaucher, which seems to be in the last 24 hours they're coming out. Things are coming out that he did not actually wanna sign that with the flyers, which seems very odd to me from multiple fronts. Brier and Jonesie now is the flyer's top brass it's very interesting that like when you interviewed this kid, unless he blatantly flat out lied to you, how, that doesn't make any sense that you couldn't sense that he didn't want to be a part of the flyers organization at that time. I mean, unless he said all the right things to get drafted and now he is, now he's just not playing ball. Right. That's, that doesn't make sense. It seems to me like either they didn't do their homework right or Cutter was lying to them and just put on a good face. Um, it, it just seems very odd. Either that or, um, you know, obviously John Tortorella and his reputation around the league, you know, some people love him, some people hate him. You know, from my understanding, from the, most of the players that have played for torts seem to like him. Um, there are other players that. Don't necessarily like him, but he is not a, he's not a fudge numbers kind of guy. He's an in your face straight shooter, which, you know, some most players

Matt:

no

Pat:

that. Yeah. There's no bullshitting torts. Right. He's gonna work

Matt:

No bullshitting with torts. No. That's why I like'em.

Pat:

I like him too. He is a straight shooter. Right. But obviously I'm not playing for him, so I, you know, I have an outsider's, you know, perspective, but it just seems like either Brier and Joanie didn't do their their due diligence or cutter was, you know, basically lying to them and saying, Hey, I'm built to be a flyer, and now all of a sudden had a change of heart. The other thing too I've sort of gathered from what's been reported out there is that, um, he basically stopped all communication with the flyers organization and

Matt:

Yeah. While he was over at the juniors.

Pat:

Yeah. Like, wouldn't return phone calls, wouldn't, and apparently this trade has been brewing for a while. It's just been a well kept secret, I guess. And so.

Matt:

Yeah.

Pat:

Brier and Jonesie flew over to Sweden to like talk to him and they just didn't, they, Cutter was like, Nope, I'm not

Matt:

Yeah.

Pat:

So it's like he almost

Matt:

didn't give him the time of day.

Pat:

Yeah. Like he almost had to get ahead of him before he got ahead of you kind of deal and I, it doesn't shock me that he was, that he that. Bria tried to turn them, you know, turn something into him before he was, you know, damaged goods if you will. Um, it just seems very, the whole story just seems very odd and, um, I just like, just imagine ghosting a team that literally picked you top five. Like how much of a brass balls do you gotta have to be some unproven, you know, 20 whatever he is, 2019, 20-year-old kid, um, to just literally ghost the NHL team that took so much stock in you and has the future being built. You know, you're massive part of a massive piece of that team's future and you're just like, nah, I'm good. Like, just imagine that, like what is

Matt:

Yeah.

Pat:

Crazy. So, I dunno if you have any thoughts about that. That's my initial reaction here after the dust is settled a little bit.

Matt:

Yeah. Same thing was like first In the first period of some sort. Right, right at the beginning of the game. I saw it when I,'cause I was actually watching last night. I ended up getting it on my phone, you know, on some whatever site. But choppy, but at least I got to watch it. Um,'cause yeah, the stupid blackouts in this state, god forbid. Um, so yeah, I, I saw that and I'm like, oh wow. No way. So, you know, I'm starting scrolling through Instagram and stuff and, you know, checking on, you know, the couple of stuff that I follow, the hockey sites and whatever, and they were keeping up to tabs pretty quickly and yeah, I guess, like you said it was been brewing for a little bit now and yeah. He was over at Juniors playing and like you said, just kind of ghosted him, just Didn't say anything. Didn't return calls. Like everybody was trying to get a hold of him. Like, yo, what's going on man? You know? And he just was like, Nope, don't care. Don't wanna be a flyer anymore. See ya. And it was just like, very bizarre. So, I don't know, like if he had a problem with torts or, you know, Brier or Jonesy or any of those guys who knows, maybe there was some behind, you know, closed doors, conversations or whatever that were had that we weren't a part of and we don't know yet. Um, we haven't really, I don't really think I've heard too much from goer yet, have you?

Pat:

I have not heard anything from his camp or

Matt:

I, yeah, I've heard. I, okay. Yeah, I didn't think, I didn't really think he, he came out with anything as, as far as I know yet anyway. Um, but yeah, I saw Drysdale, like you said earlier, um, he was popping in and he and he had some good things to say about the flyers. So yeah, it kind of seems like it was just a really strange, odd situation. And man, the NHL rumors this year are just, I. Bananas. I mean, I don't know what's going on. I don't know if it's just part of like this day and age now, just like,'cause with technology and social media is just absolutely insane that like people are just like believing anything now. And it's so bizarre that like you get to a certain point and like this whisper down the alley on the internet goes nuts and it just turns into this huge thing when a lot of things that were, you know, supposedly said weren't said. Like, Kevin Hayes was all of a sudden, I don't know if you saw that last night, pat, but one of the flyers radio announcers like put him on blast and was like, this says Kevin Hayes's fingerprints all over it.

Pat:

Right,

Matt:

pretty much, I guess they were accusing him of being in Cutter's ear, being like, Hey man, Philly sucks. Get out of there. And Kevin Hayes was like, what the hell, man? Like, I'm at home with my family enjoying like dinner and I get blasted with this. Now I'm getting death threats and people are coming after me, like online and I'm getting blasted, like Philly's trashing him. And I'm like, wow, that's just nuts, man. And like, I dunno, I, that was a real low blow move if you're the announcer. Like if you had that feeling towards Kevin Hayes, you keep that under wraps, man. You don't put that on national television or

Pat:

That's a behind, behind closed doors

Matt:

behind closed doors. Yeah. Like he was like, oh, somebody I know in the organization, anybody could say that. Dude, you all work there. You know what I mean?

Pat:

Yeah. Correct.

Matt:

on. That's bullshit. I

Pat:

just like, that's just like when the, yeah. And not to get too crazy off topic, but that's just like when, um, you know, these journalists now they come out and say, oh, under the source of Amon Amenity, I, you know, and they report some big bombshell, and it's like, they like, no, either say your source or don't say what you think, you know, what that source or quote, unquote source said. It's like, you know, like, name it or shut the hell up about it. Right. You know,

Matt:

Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Out, out people. And that's where you direct, you know, information is coming from, or just shut your trap, because that's bullshit to me. You know what I mean? You can't throw a guy that's, I mean, who knows how Kevin Hayes in Philadelphia feel about each other? I don't really know. But even so, like I said before, you keep that behind closed door. You don't put, the man you's retired, now he's living his life with his family. Leave him alone. You know what I mean? I mean, obviously if he's starting a fight with you all right, maybe a different story, but to kind of bring him in outta, kind of bring him in outta left field outta nowhere. And he was like, yeah, I saw him Twitter, you know, on Twitter, he's like this effing clown, you know, he was, Kevin Hayes was not happy and rightfully so because he was kind of thrown under the bus outta left field. Like I said, outta nowhere. And but yeah, I, you know, I did really like what Totz had to say. Um, you know, he's, like you said, he's very straight. Shoot him. There is no bullshitting with him. And he was like, I don't know, I don't know. Cutter from a hole in the wall. I couldn't tell you when they asked about him, I was like, oh, wow. And yeah, I saw Jonesy on the intermission last night. He's like, you didn't wanna be a flyer? All right, you're not a flyer. See you buddy. You know, And then I did find it interesting. One more thing. I did find it interesting though, when they interviewed Brier, that Brier said, I looked at him, he looked at me, you know, we were talking at the draft and he said I'm really excited and I'm, you know, proud to be a flyer. Thanks. And then a couple months later, he's like, all of a sudden he just flips a whole 180. So yeah, like I said, I don't know if there's more to the source there. I don't know if there was some inner turmoil with, like I said, torts or any of the other GMs or whatever, um, or, you know, management. So, but yeah, we'll find out, um, more of the story I'm waiting to hear on cutter's side, but yeah very interesting.

Pat:

Yeah, I, it's just a very, it is very interesting and it's just, I don't know if it's just it does seem to be tort related. I've also heard some reports that, um, he was a little nervous about. Brier and Jonesie being in their first, you know, roles as brass. Then the torch thing, and it's no secret that Kevin Hayes and Torts, or I should say Kevin Hayes doesn't like, didn't like playing for torts, hence why he was traded to St. Louis. Who's, he's actually, he's in St. Louis now playing, um, playing in St. Louis. So, there's no secret there. So it, you know, it's just, it's a very odd situation and, you know, I don't mean to sound, you know, old man get off my lawn, but like you imagine a 19-year-old kid just being like, no, I don't wanna play for you. And like, standing firm on that. I'm like, like That the franchise and take the flyers out of it. The franchise, just who, if they thought enough of you to literally spend top five draft capital on you and then you go and like ghost them and just whatever. And not even like, have the guts to sit in a room and either A, explain your side or B, let them explain their vision to you as this thing is in a rebuild'cause it's no secret the flyer's in a rebuild, right? That's common knowledge. But he was a huge part of that, you know, Things that are coming sort of thing. Him and Mitchoff and Oliver Bonk and those guys, like, they're good core pieces that they were gonna build that, you know, the next generation of flyers around. And it just, it's wild to me that a 19-year-old kid can just be like, Nope, I don't wanna play for you. Bye. And it's just like, what? Like the organization doesn't owe you anything at that point. Like, you, like you, you know what I mean? Like, it's just so, it's wild to me, like that's like me getting poached for a job and then I'm like, yeah, all right, I'll start Monday and then me coming Monday and not saying anything to the new job and then being like, nah, I don't wanna be here anymore. Like, what so, so crazy to me that this, like, they have all this power and it's like that, it makes no sense.

Matt:

Yeah. Yeah. It really doesn't. Um, and I don't know, it seemed to work out for the best'cause, um, Drysdale I guess, you know, he was kind of maybe floating around the rumors too, that he wasn't happy in Anaheim. So now they get, you know, so now your flyers get a good, you know, like you said, quarterback defensemen who they needed and cutter that you're just wasting space and you don't wanna be here, you don't wanna be a flyer. You don't want to represent, you know, the black and orange and, you know, flyers. Fans are die hard. I'll give it to'em, you know what I mean? Like, they're one of the most hardcore fan bases in all of the NHL and like, they're gonna, they're same thing. Like, and I think that's why tort represents the flyers so well. Um, I'm hoping he sticks around for you guys if he does well enough.'cause I think he kind of present presents that like phily attitude, you know what I mean? He's a straight shooter and no bullshitting and he's like, yeah, you don't wanna be here. See you later. Don't let the, you know, door hit you on your ass on the way out, you know, So, um. And I think it's I don't know there sh I think there should be some kind of clause in a contract or I don't know, liability or there's gonna, there's gonna have to be something. I think that and probably in all of sports, not just the NHO, because now you can't just have this and you know, there's been other instances of other big players that have got drafted really high. Well, nope, I wanna be traded like right off the bat. Or you know, they're just like dictating on where I'm gonna be. And it's just like, that's not the way it works, man. Like you should be really happy that you're in the NHL Now if you put in your couple years and you really don't see it working out, you're not clicking with your guys, you're not clicking with your coach, you're not clicking with your management. Alright, well then maybe down the line, give it a couple years, then we'll see. But dude, you're a top five, you know, prospect that you just got drafted and then you literally say to the gm, Hey man, I'm happy you drafted me. I'm proud to be a flyer. Let's get it rolling. And then all of a sudden. Months and months later you just ghost'em and don't say shit. Like you gotta at least have, you gotta have the balls, man. I mean, come on. You gotta at least have the balls to sit down to Brier or Jonesy or whoever and just trickle it down the line and say, Hey man, I'm not really comfortable here. I don't like this, I don't like that. And express your frustrations and maybe you could find a, you know, a happy medium, you know? But yeah, I don't blame the flyers. I don't blame the flyers at all for kind of doing what they did.'cause he did it first, so it was kind of like an FF, you know, it was an f you back. So, um, yeah, we'll see what happens. But yeah, I think both trades worked out for both teams. So, but yeah, just a wild turn of events there with all the gossip and craziness.

Pat:

it's just wild. Yeah. It's just, it's crazy to see what what what happened there. And kind of speaking of that and talking about Cutter, um, him and the boys of USA World Juniors took the gold. I couldn't believe it.

Matt:

absolutely.

Pat:

I I listened to it on the radio and, you know, as I was working and it, um, it, let me tell you, it was it was a good, it was a good day. Um, Sweden, they played Sweden obviously in the finals. So, um, Sweden, on their home turf, if you will. Um. That was always I bet that's always cool to play in the gold game on, on, on the home turf and whatnot. So,

Matt:

Yeah. Absolutely.

Pat:

six to two beat Sweden. Um, that was the 5th of January, so a couple days ago. But, um, pair of goals from Isaac Howard, right? Solid goal tending as well. They've had solid goal tending throughout the whole competition. They ran the table seven and oh, so they didn't lose a game in the tournament, which obviously helps So, um, that's always good. Um, and so, um. Yeah, it was very it, and there was a handful of guys, I wanna say cutter being one of them. McGurty snugger Root, Trey

Matt:

Brinley

Pat:

Brinley Lane, Hudson, Seamus, Casey Che, Ryan Chesley. They all earned the bronze medal in last year in 2023 tournament as well. So, to come back and get the gold was was always pretty cool. So, cutter had the whole tournament 12 points, right? So two goals, 10 assists, and then, he tied Cheney's is it Jerry Coolit? I hope I say that name right for the most points in the tournament. So, always cool there. Um, yeah, I, yeah, it was a good game and it was it really, it was close in the beginning, but then the, I think the depth of USA kind of took over and then once after that third

Matt:

Wore Sweden out real quick.

Pat:

yeah, it was like, Ooh, this is too much.

Matt:

Yeah. Third period it Got real ugly.

Pat:

yeah. Yeah, it really did. So, they averaged like almost six and a half goals per game, right? So, you know, doing that with solid with solid goal tending, they just allowed over two goals average per game. Um, so those kind of numbers, man, put you in a real good spot to win some games. So always, um.

Matt:

absolutely.

Pat:

Always always good to see. And then, um, yes, we'll see what what happens next year with the with the tournament. Um, some of those guys will be back, some of them won't. And we'll see see what happens. But Trey Augustine goal tender there. He's got a 9 9 3 6 save percentage and, um. Allowing

Matt:

you look good.

Pat:

goals against, so always always good to have a, a good goaltender, um, and go from, you know, go from there. So, yeah, I don't know. Do you have any thoughts on that tournament? I personally, I love the tournament man sitting here, wa you know, sitting here working and listening to the games and stuff and it's I love the whole tournament. It's a fast two weeks and man, there's some real good games on and, you know, some of the drama that follows and, you know, it's always fun to see who's in and who's out and what kind of talent is on the the international stage. And you know, it's good to see what's kind of pumping into the NHL in the next couple of years.

Matt:

Yeah. I mean, I think US a's gonna be, man, it's like We're the new Canada all of a sudden, and and like,'cause Canada's having some trouble now, you know, and they're not the powerhouse that they used to be in. Now it's kind of seen with this last year or two with this draft class and like, especially this year, I mean, they were unstoppable. I mean, you watched every game. They pretty much were blowing people out of the water. I mean, they're just a step ahead, faster, quicker, and just, there's nothing you can do about it, Um, and you know, that's why the NHL is buzzing right now with this. And I think it was such a hot thing this year that people are paying attention to because there's just so much talent. Like we talked about last episode, there's so much talent coming up from these kids and it's just you know, unbelievable how great they're gonna be. Um, but I did see, yeah, thir, you know, third I watched a little bit of it, checked in on it, and Yeah, third period is when it really started getting outta hand. And then you know, once USA started scoring those last couple goals, they started getting a little a little arrogant, but, you know, I, Hey, I was all for it. You know, like, you're in Sweden, you're in into win the gold. You're not there to, you're not there to make friends, man. It's winner go home and you're trying to bring that gold on the USA. So, but yeah, I guess, you know, under a minute left, there was a big bruhaha at the end. You know, both benches were getting cleared and guys where gloves were coming off, and Hudson was in the mix. And I guess it kind of started with when they scored the last gamer, or, sorry, not the last game, the last goal or two. Hudson took his glove off and after he scored, he blew a little kiss to the girlfriends of the Sweden players. So that didn't go over too well.

Pat:

man. Boy, that went over like

Matt:

I guess, uh,

Pat:

boy. Oh,

Matt:

yeah, I guess his his buddy that, that plays with him was like, Hey man, he's been doing that since high school. Every away game we went through, he was just blowing kisses as we were blowing people out. It was just like that, it's just LA man. It was like, unbelievable. But yeah, so I think that kinda, that, that kind of rubbed them the wrong way and rightfully so. But yeah, it was a big melee at the end. And yeah, then after that it was all celebrating for team USA.

Pat:

Yep. Yep. Good times. I always liked this tournament just to kind of see again who's in the pipeline and whatnot. But you don't necessarily see the 50 cuffs on the international stage. Really. You don't see the 50 cuffs anymore in, in the NHL, either. They're trying to get that outta the game which I think is stupid, but that's a conversation for another day. But, um, you don't, you really don't see it on the international stage.'cause they try to shy away from a lot of the rough stuff. So it was very interesting to see that they had some 50 cuffs and some gloves off.

Matt:

Yeah. That's why when I checked in on the highlights and then at the end I saw this big melee, I am like, what in the hell?'cause usually they don't let, especially like Olympics and like you said, international play, they don't really let that stuff fly too much. But I think literally every player on both sides were just like, F you. They just did not like each other.

Pat:

done with it.

Matt:

And like I said, with you know, you know, and rightfully so, like coming from both angles, but yeah. But good for David, Carl, man, 34 years old, he's already won a World Junior Medal and NCAA title to his name. So, whew, that's a real good resume. If you are looking to maybe move up in the in the league, in the NHL or whatnot, I'm sure there would be plenty of organizations that are gonna be keeping an eye on him.

Pat:

for sure. Yeah, for sure. So, another world juniors in the books and we'll see what what is reloaded for next year and see if Canna Canada can come back and kind of lick their wounds a little bit and get rolling, come back in the tournament and see what happens. But yeah, always always a good time at the world Juniors. I really tend to pay attention to that and just, I like to see what's coming into pipeline and always some good storylines there. So very, um, very interesting stuff going on there. And anything I wanted to touch on is your boy flower power. Mark Andre Flurry. He hit his he joined the 500 club this past week with a win. But he made that crazy save. Just unbelievable

Matt:

Unbelievable. He's had a couple of those.

Pat:

crazy. I was like, dude, like, you're like, you're not supposed to be doing that kind of stuff. Like you've been in this league a billion

Matt:

that age.

Pat:

like, holy Hannah, what are you doing? You're gonna, you're gonna blow a hip,

Matt:

I know.

Pat:

What's going on? But, um,

Matt:

I know it, it was great. Yeah, he was, yeah.'cause Min Minnesota was down, you know, I wa watched the highlights and Minnesota was down and he went to run over to, you know, empty net so they can get an extra guy on the attack. And like it got turned over at half ice and he was like only a couple feet. Like it wasn't very far from the bench. And all of a sudden he beelines it back to the freaking net and just lunges like Superman and like just barely saves it with his stick. And then Minnesota ended up taking it right back off that it ricocheted and whatever. And then Minnesota went right back on the other ice and a couple seconds later they scored and tied it up. It was unbelievable.

Pat:

Wild. wild. I was like, holy, what? What is happening? Like, it's just so the athleticism of these guys and just, and in big pads by the way, like, it just

Matt:

Oh, it was incredible.

Pat:

unbelievable. Like, like,

Matt:

gotta be like one of the best saves of all time. And like I said, Flos had a couple of those real crazy diving saves, but I think that one was like cake. I mean, it was unbelievable. He was so far

Pat:

I'm like, you're not supposed to be doing that kind of thing at your age. Like what are you doing? Holy.

Matt:

Yeah, I'm sure. I'm sure he would agree.

Pat:

crazy. But yeah, that was awesome. I was like, oh my God. That was one of the craziest things I've ever seen.

Matt:

Yeah. He beat, yeah, he beat, um, wa. Yes. Sorry. Had a brain fart. Patrick Wa was in second and he was only a game or two behind him, but now he passed him. And Berdo is number one and he's almost at 700. So don't think anybody's getting there, or at least anytime soon. Um, but. Yeah, it's incredible. Always, you know, we talked about him last time, but God love me some flour. But yeah that, if you haven't checked that save out, I would definitely go, you know, on Instagram or YouTube and just look at it.'cause you your jaw's gonna hit the floor. You're gonna be like, how in the world he did he come back from that?'cause it was unbelievable.

Pat:

So crazy.

Matt:

yeah, good for the flour, man. Always loved me. Some flower power

Pat:

Yep. So he is at 5 51 and like, like Matt said up there with Patrick Wa and, Maran. Brodo and then also in the thousand game club. There is,

Matt:

played. Yeah.

Pat:

Is Roberto Livongo. So always.

Matt:

Yeah. Yeah. So flower's hitting some good achievements this year.

Pat:

numbers. Good numbers for the old man. Yeah.

Matt:

Yeah, just when, you know, he's been floating around the last couple years, been on a couple different teams and people thought he was definitely like, all right, back up and never really gonna come in much anymore and maybe kind of just ride off into the sunset. But, hey, here he is in Minnesota and my God, he's looking great. I mean, you know, not bad at all for, you know, what Minnesota's going through this year. So Yeah. Good for the flower.

Pat:

Sure. For sure. Um, yeah. And then we had a couple of big injuries happening here in, in the The biggest one is with with your boy Connor Bedard. He's got a fractured

Matt:

I saw that.

Pat:

Woo.

Matt:

Whew. He got rocked, clean hit,

Pat:

Yeah.

Matt:

say. Clean, hit guy. Hit him right in the check, but you know. Yeah. And you know, I know, you know, it had a little bruhaha after,'cause like we talked about before, somebody gets hurt, happens so fast, guys are there to protect their teammates without really, you know, seeing what's going on. But, um, yeah, queen Hick, you know, ARD just kind of came cruising down center line and tried to enter his own faster than, you know, he probably should have and Guy put him right on his ass and just put him right on his ass, you know, it did solid hit, you know, definitely solid hit. But it didn't look like anything that, I mean, he's got a broken jaw for crying out loud. So, um, yeah, he must've got rocked real good. I mean, I know that defensive was pretty big, so, you know, he was probably towering over him and all that force when he drove his shoulder into his chest probably just went right up the ladder. But yeah, it sucks for Brodard man. He was having such a great rookie season and he was, you know, living on that hype train and rightfully so with that incredible shot and how he's been performing this year. Um, so it's a bummer. Yeah, he's gonna miss like, at least four to six I saw. Um, so yeah, he'll be out for a little while, but yeah, he'll be back and you know, I'm sure he'll be back and rolling to his old self as soon as he gets that jaw lined up again.

Pat:

He he leads all NHL rookies in goals with 15 and assists and assists with 18. And he's played 39 games this season. So, and the average is just over 19 ish minutes a game. So, yeah, he is he's just been, he's been doing well and yeah, a clean hit and just, it, it is what it is. And he's out for quite some time with with the fractured jaw. And then also, um, Jack Hughes is out for a couple of weeks

Matt:

Yeah.

Pat:

an upper

Matt:

Saw that again.

Pat:

injury as well. I don't know what the upper body injury consists of, um, but they did say it's gonna be weeks, not months as originally

Matt:

Yeah, I saw something around the same thing as Bernard. Four to six again. But yeah, it just stinks for Hughes man. Like he just kind of, he just got back not that long ago and he just hasn't had a great luck of injury, man. He's just, he's supposed to be, you know, he's got a bunch of brothers in the league. We all know that there's like three of'em, you know, they're all very talented. Um, and it just, man, the kid can't just, he can't stay healthy. It just, it sucks to see.'cause no, it sucks to see,'cause he's really talented. When he's on the iceman, he makes a difference for the devils. And, you know, at some point maybe, you know, down this line and if he keeps, you know, getting injured at some point, maybe the devils might have to make a move on him, you know, no offense to him, but.

Pat:

It's a business.

Matt:

They need, they, yeah, it's a business and they paid you top dollar to do top dollar things and you're not, and it's unfortunate that, you know, injuries are causing it, but you know, sometimes that's just the way the cookie crumbles, you know, in professional sports. So, but yeah, hopefully he'll come back. Upper body eye. I didn't really see what the diagnosis was other than upper body, like you said. So, yeah, we'll keep an eye on him. Another four to six weeks, but hopefully a little sooner for him. But yeah, Bernard's definitely gonna be out for a while and if I'm Chicago, I'm not rushing that, you know what I mean? Like, you're already in rebuild. Let him, you know, rehab, he's, you know, he had a great start to the season, you know, it's unfortunate what happened to him, but just Yeah, take him time. Rebuild them. Rehab them and get'em back out there.

Pat:

Yep. It is what it is. Yeah. You're already, you're not going anywhere this year, so

Matt:

Yeah. Why even, yeah.

Pat:

rush it back? He's your whole franchise. Why rush it back? But

Matt:

yeah, you're building your whole next probably decade

Pat:

exactly.

Matt:

you know, on him. So just let it be

Pat:

Yeah, a couple games ain't gonna hurt him. Um, so yeah, so with Hughes he's It's hard to leave. He's only 22, like he was drafted number one, 2019, number one overall. And it's just crazy that he is only 22. And like you said, he's got brothers in the league and they almo, they almost remind me of the Stal brothers. Years ago there was three Stal brothers and now there's three Hughes

Matt:

Yeah.

Pat:

you know, playing in the league at the same time. So, um, but yeah he leads the devils with 45 points like 15 ish goals, somewhere around 30 assists, something like that. Um. He's also got 21 Power Play Points, which is pretty decent um, for that. And just,

Matt:

great.

Pat:

just over, just around 20 and a half minutes of of ice time in 32 in all 32 games this year. So, yeah, he's a, he's obviously a big piece of of the Devils there in Jersey and you know, see what, see if he can get on the Healthy Train again and stay healthy and,'cause I think he's one of the better players in the league.

Matt:

Oh yeah.

Pat:

you know, obviously he makes

Matt:

talented as hell.

Pat:

Obviously he makes the people on the ice around him better when he's on the ice, so, you know, he can only do good things for the devils and we'll see. But yeah, he's gonna be sidelined here for a couple of weeks as a couple of the bigger stars here in the NHL take, you know, lick their wounds and get a little healthy and see what happens. So, um, just a couple of

Matt:

Yeah. Yeah, I also saw, um, saw Kyle O'Connor's on progress. He's making some good progress on his injury, so he's on schedule to come back, um, you know, within the next few weeks here or too, so it'll be good to see him back'cause he was having a hell of a year too. So hoping he gets back in this second half and starts, you know, chopping away at what he's been doing in the first, before he got injured. So,

Pat:

killing it. He was scoring goals left and right.

Matt:

Oh yeah, he was incredible. Yeah, he was up there in the top for sure.

Pat:

What was happening? Um, so yeah. Um, then the other thing too is William, um, Lander he gets a record$92 million deal. So, I think

Matt:

Yeah, big time.

Pat:

I think it was, yeah. Eight years. 92, 8 years. It's cool. 92 mill in his pocket. So that's

Matt:

Good lord at all.

Pat:

my goodness. Imagine like, can you imagine like how long we'd have to work to make 92 million over our careers? Holy crap.

Matt:

Yeah, 69 million of the contract is gonna be paid out in signing bonus and then with 27 million coming in the first two years. So, yeah, made out like a bandit, man. I mean, good for him. And yeah, knee landers, you know, he's top of the food chain. He's one of the best players in the NHLI, you know, I believe right now, especially with the way he's been playing. So, hey, I don't blame Toronto for snagging him up and hopefully you can keep Matthews there and a couple other guys and Toronto's looking. Oh, Matthews, I mean, he's been incredible this year.

Pat:

On another

Matt:

dog on goals and

Pat:

is on another planet.

Matt:

Yeah. And it's good too to see him healthy, you know?'cause he's had some injury bug and stuff, so, but man, when he's healthy and when he's rolling he is, man. He can do it all. And

Pat:

league.

Matt:

five in the league and it's just, it's great to see that. And yeah, maple Leafs are getting some some good points outta him. So, yeah. Neander. Yeah. Big deal man. Um, yeah, I don't blame him. I, you know, there's only a few guys that can really produce like that and you make sure they stick around If you wanna win, if you wanna win, you better make sure you sign'em up. Snag them up. So,

Pat:

Exactly.

Matt:

Good for him.

Pat:

Yeah. I find it interesting then too, like that kind of puts him in the same stratosphere as the other Leaf's core folks up there. Austin Matthews, as we mentioned, John Tavares which I think he's the captain now.

Matt:

Yeah. Yeah.

Pat:

And then Mitch Marner. Yeah. So those four those four folks eat up now 40 million of Toronto's cap space next season. So that is a major investment. from the

Matt:

Yeah.

Pat:

Brass there.

Matt:

that's kind of the only thing is that like you don't really have much cap space when you pay players out like that. You really don't have much room to maneuver. So, if you're gonna pay out, you better make sure he's worth every freaking cent. And so far he is so I don't blame him.

Pat:

So far. Yeah. So he's 27, he's got 198 goals 448 points through 558 NHL games. So he's been around for a bit. And then, um, yeah, so it's good on him to take that cash to the bank and we will see if now he can put up numbers that you know, that reflects that cash. So we'll see what

Matt:

He is got 21, 21 goals. 54 points in 37 games this season, so 27. So, you know, he's having He had 40 and 87 points last season, so, you know, halfway there already. So, you know, probably looking at somewhere similar. Maybe if Toronto keeps cruising, maybe even a little better. But yeah, you know, good for him.

Pat:

Yeah, for sure. So I just wanted to mention a couple of those and Matthew, I think we're ready for shooter of the week. We'll try to make this a more a more steady segment for us. So there's plenty to choose

Matt:

and shoot this every week.

Pat:

yeah, so, why don't you start there, Matthew. See what you got who do you got for Shooter of the week?

Matt:

All righty. I'm gonna go down with the Florida Panther. My man, Sam Reinhardt is my shoot ah, of the week. Um, and Florida is rolling right now. They won their last seven. On a seven game win streak. They beat Colorado eight four, which he actually had a hat trick in the other night. Um, yeah, well he's got seven goals here in the last five games, so, yeah, looking real good. and like, like I said and yeah, Florida's rolling here, man, and they're beating some real good teams. It's not like they're kind of just cruising over, you know, the bums of the league. You know, you know, they beat, like I said, beat Colorado the other night. Eight four beat Vegas four one the night before that coyotes beat four one, and I know people are saying, oh, coyotes, but coyotes aren't as bad as a dumpster fire as they were last year. And they're kind of, you know, they're decent this year so far. Knock on wood. I mean, you know, still got a lot of time to play, but I mean, everybody knows if you're into the NHL, like Arizona's, like Bottom of the barrel when it comes to teams. So it's good to kind of see them at least get a little bit of a hiccup and a little bit of, you know, recognition this year. But yeah. Then, you know, yeah, just cruised over the Rangers, um, Tampa Bay. Yeah. Seven game wind streak and Reinhardt is on fire right now. And Ford is rolling and they are looking hot, so yeah that's him Shooter of the week, Sam Reinhardt.

Pat:

sure. I like it. I like it. That's a good pick. Yeah. Florida's just on a terror right now. They

Matt:

True.

Pat:

just insane. Just wild. Just, they're just scoring

Matt:

Looking real good.

Pat:

It's just like, man,

Matt:

Last couple seasons they've been really gaining some momentum and each year they kind of keep making it that further step. And, you know, last year they were right in it just couldn't, you know, bring it home, but yeah. Unbelievable for what they're doing right now and yeah. They are rolling.

Pat:

they got good pieces down

Matt:

you got?

Pat:

got good pieces.

Matt:

Yeah. Oh,

Pat:

Reinhardt down there. They got, well, they got Browski, which is close to my heart'cause he used to be a flyer and we just didn't wait for him long enough to blossom. But now he's one of the better goalies in the league.

Matt:

Yep. Yeah. Yep.

Pat:

Barkov is down there. Um, Chu is down there. Who else is down? Jonathan Gruin is down there. Like

Matt:

They got

Pat:

firepower down there. Yeah. down there in, in the Sunshine State. Man, that's, it's

Matt:

Yeah. They're second right? Be, yeah, they're second right behind Boston.

Pat:

There you go.

Matt:

you know, in the Atlantic. So both have 39 games and Yeah, three points apart. Boston's in first with 55 and they're right behind it. 52. So, um, yeah, look out man.'cause they're gonna be up there again. Better look out.

Pat:

Um, I have.

Matt:

who's who you got

Pat:

He's one of my favorite players in the league. I love to watch him play. I don't like the team that he's on, but I like him as a player. I got David Ock pasta. Love that guy.

Matt:

pasta makeup.

Pat:

could watch him play and be completely content. That guy is just the things he does with the puck and just, it's just it's

Matt:

incredible skill.

Pat:

he's so dirty. I'm just like, oh my God. This is so crazy. I despise Boston. Um, but I'll watch pasta. I'll watch pasta play any day of the week, twice on Sunday. I don't care. That guy's just unreal. Um.

Matt:

Yeah.

Pat:

He's he's in the discussion for points leader. I think he's like third or fourth out. Um, points wise this week he's had two, you know, two goals, two to assist, but the guy is just, um, actually in the last week, he's got let's see 2, 3, 4, 6 goals. Six goals, and two sorry, two goals and six assists in the last week-ish, somewhere in there since New Year's

Matt:

Not bad.

Pat:

he's he's killing it. He had two goal, he, two, two assists and a goal against your pens the other night in the six five six five loss, um, to the pence. So,

Matt:

Yep. Great game was watching that

Pat:

man, great game. Great game.

Matt:

freaking goals were coming left and right. Every time you turn your head, you're what in the Jesus can't even get up to get a soda

Pat:

Yep. Yep. He's doing well on the power play. So yeah. Any, anytime that guy touches the puck, just look out'cause he could score outta nowhere and he can make anything out of a dead situation. It's just like, man, like wait, weren't they just in their own zone like a second ago? And there's pasta like deacon and going bar down on the goalie at the opposite end. Man, just un it is just crazy what he can do. So I love, love pasta, love watching him work.

Matt:

Yeah. The hand-eye coordination and just the skill that he has with puck control is just unbelievable. It's like, you know, I don't think I've seen many players do what he does on a regular basis. It's just insane. Um, but yeah he's an incredible player in Boston, you know, obviously still top of the food chain and you know, obviously he's a real big reason why'cause he's putting up points and he's putting up numbers and yeah, one of the best to do it in the league. And like I said, just the talent that he has is just unbelievable unmatched. And yeah, if I were Boston, I'd be signing him till the cows come home.

Pat:

Just gross. Just gross. So, yeah, so those are our shooters of the week. We're gonna try to, like I say, get that in more episodes than not. But, um, that was a packed episode here, there. My my dear brother we hit quite a few topics and obviously the big one being yeah, busy week. And who knows what's gonna happen with this gaer story going forward, so I'm sure more will, we'll come out and see what happens and whatnot. But yeah, just keep, you gotta keep moving forward and it'll fall. It'll fall and we'll go go from there. But did you have anything else you wanted to add before we get outta the fine folks' Hair here,

Matt:

Yeah. No, that was about it. Like I said, pretty packed episode. A lot happened this week. A lot of games on tonight. Um, so I'm gonna go check that out as soon as we get outta here. I'm gonna see what the scores are, but yeah, just keeping it involved and yeah, shout out to ESPN and just all the games are just on all the time now, and it's just great.'cause you know, we talked about this in prior episodes where, you know, ESPN signed this big deal and everything was a blackout or everything was just unavailable, and it was like, all right, come on, you bought this big deal. Play some freaking games on the tv, like, let's go And but yeah, this year just very well televised, very well done. Um, yeah, the only thing I ever did see, pat, real quick before we got outta here. Winter Classic Views, it was the lowest in in history. Um, yeah, only like a little over, it was like 2.4, something like that, million viewers. And, um, I think it has big to do with people cutting cords. It was on TNT, um, I'm surprised ESPN didn't do it. I don't know, maybe some kind of copyright issue or whatever, licensing TV rights, you know how that. Game is played. So, um, not really sure what's going on there, but yeah. And obviously, you know, being in Seattle, newer market in Vegas, newer market, maybe people just kind of weren't that into it. I thought it was great. Um, it looked really neat and from, you know, from the stuff that I did watch, it was good game. Um, but yeah, just kind of a bummer that people just kind of aren't as interested. But, you know, like I said, piggyback on maybe TNTA lot of people don't have it anymore. A lot of people are cutting the cable'cause you know, everybody's got streaming and all their sites and you know, this, that and the other. So a lot of people are cutting the actual cable

Pat:

Yeah. I find

Matt:

I did myself because it's expensive as hell. So I don't blame people, but Yeah. But I thought that was interesting too. I don't know if you had anything on that. I just thought maybe it was Yeah, it was a little odd.

Pat:

No, I didn't. I didn't really kind of peek into it, which that, that. Um, not that it shocks me'cause I, you know, we have our own grievances with the NHL and how they handle things and kind of coming into the 21st century. But, and there's a reason they're the fourth sport out of the four majors here in the us. Um, but I just, you know, I don't think Bettman is all that great. I know a lot of people have issues with him and whatnot, but yeah the TNT thing um, kind of shocks me.'cause I think you're right. I think people are cutting cords. I don't think this traditional like, oh, like sitting down at a particular time to watch a show, um, is kind of archaic. It's kind of been trending in that archaic direction the last I don't know, probably 10 years or so now. So I haven't had cable in a good 10 years. Um, I just, you know,

Matt:

Yeah. Same.

Pat:

Now I do things like sling and whatnot. So it's

Matt:

Yeah. YouTube tv,

Pat:

Yeah.

Matt:

right. Different packages. Yeah.

Pat:

yeah. That kind of thing. So, um, But that does that does shock me a bit.'cause I, from my understanding, from what I've just seen out there on the big bad world of the interwebs, I think the Vegas Golden Knights have a really decent following as far as like, they have a decent hungry fan base. So that kind of

Matt:

with how new they are.

Pat:

yeah, like that kind of shocks me with how, like, how low those numbers are. And you know, maybe it's due to January 1st and the day that it's on, people are traveling or, you know, whatever. Um, that kind of thing. Maybe it's with TNT and, you know, they came away from NBC, which, I mean, to my knowledge, I don't think it, I don't think TNT has a stream, a streaming platform. I think they're just they're tied to cable. Um, the flip side of that, the flip side of that, I think NBC does with Peacock, right? That kind of thing. So, um, if they put it on both NBC and Peacock, you kind of get both of those ponds that people are playing in. So, um,

Matt:

Hm. Yep.

Pat:

You know, maybe it's some talks with that, depending on how you're getting it to the people. Um, but yeah, again, I just think, um, it's tough to it's tough to grow the game if you're kind of pigeonholing people on where they can watch it. Especially in today's internet driven world, if you don't put it on some sort of streaming platform you're kind of, you're almost cutting your audience in half, right? That kind of thing. And so you're trying to attract a younger viewer. You're trying to attract, you know, you know, grow the game and whatnot. Like, people today, like they don't, like I said, they don't sit down at Tuesday night at eight o'clock and watch their favorite show. Like, they get it on demand, they get it streaming, they like, you know, and

Matt:

You watch at will,

Pat:

yeah, to kind of pigeonhole this is kind of, just to have it on a network that doesn't have a streaming platform is just kind of, again, this is why NHL is. Four out of the four major sports just dumb decisions like this, it just doesn't make sense. So, but that does shock me that the Vegas Golden Knights they have a decent built-in fan base and, you know, so such low numbers in that capacity,

Matt:

Yeah. And plus they do it at a really stupid time. Like you do it at the same time at, you do it at three o'clock, and then you do it at the same time. When college football was starting, you know, it was like Michigan was on, it was like, well, of course everybody's watching that. It was like the game before the national championship. So that was a huge game. So it's like, you can't put it on with conflicting things. And then being on TNT, like you said, there's no streaming. There's no way to like really access it. Like at least if you have ESPN, you have a Disney bundle. You have like, you, like you said, you have other outsources peacock, CBS with Paramount Plus, like you have other avenues,

Pat:

Amazon Prime, et cetera. Yeah.

Matt:

Yeah, it's stuff like that. But like when you put it on this network that like doesn't really offer too much and then you put it on at three o'clock with a huge other gi you know, big professional game on that more people are interested in. It's like, yeah, you're kind of shooting yourself in the foot now. I know the stadium and stuff was packed there. I'm sure they did great on house. Um, you know, but yeah, it just seems like the numbers, you know, in the last couple years are dwindling and Yeah. Like you said, pat, you know, these decisions that they're making is just, oh, well you wonder why you're just doing really dumb things.

Pat:

There you go. Yeah just for some comparison, um, I just looked it up here, but it looks like like you said, med start around three o'clock Eastern time, so that would be noon, um, Pacific time and, but it went head to head with like the big college game day bowls, like the citrus bowl on a, B, C that had almost had over six and a half million. Views, right? The the Fiesta Bowl on ESPN was four and a half million. So the Rose Bowl pre-game coverage, it was the pre-game coverage. It had almost 9 million viewers, like had no chance. Like it's just so insane. Like the Rose Bowl itself, the game pulled in 27 million viewers across EPN, ESPN two and E-S-P-N-U. So like, you can't, like, again, you're gonna put yourself up against that competition. You're already behind the eight ball.'cause you're the fourth sport out the, out of the four biggest ones you're not gonna do well. Like, I don't understand that whole logic.

Matt:

right. Yeah. Yeah. I don't get it either. I mean, you like, you know, the schedules like, come on now, figure it out, You know, if you really wanna grow the game and you want people to come and check it out, put it on something where it's accessible and then put it where everybody can view it at a time where there's not other big, you know, games going on. Like, I dunno I always thought it'd be cool to play it at like night, you know, have the bright lights, have it colder, you know what I mean? You're not in that middle of the day with all the big ball games. Yeah. There might be maybe one or two later in that night, but you know, majority of your stuff is out of the way. Right. So play it at night or play it maybe even New Year's Eve night, maybe not on New Year's Day, you know what I mean? Like, figure out in that weekend of some good time slot to do it, because clearly you're not making it work in these last couple years. And yeah, you're going to get, you know, against Ted Honchos and especially with ESPN, pat McAfee, I mean, he's unbelievable. I mean, the things that him and his crew are doing, you wonder why those numbers, you know, why those numbers are coming in, man. I mean, hey, he's a big part of that reason. So, um, yeah, you're just going up against top dogs and Yeah, you gotta figure it out because like you said, you're already behind the eight ball as it is. Yeah.

Pat:

And to think this way too, like the Winter classic game this year wasn't even the most watched NHL game this year. The most watched NHL game was for black Hawks Penguins back in October. And who and what was in that game? Beard's debut.

Matt:

Yeah. And Sid? Yep.

Pat:

and s and Sidney for his age. And, you know, on the down shot, he still pulls people in. That's just who he is, right? But that, you know, that, that had 300,000 more viewers, then the Golden Knights and the Kraken game did, so yeah, there's something's goofy there, something's off. It's just, it doesn't make any sense to me why they continue to kind of try to go up against the heavyweights when, you know, that's a big, that's a big sports day to begin with and now you're just kind of putting yourself up against that. Um, when, you know that's a losing battle. It just, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Matt:

Yeah. Yeah. I don't get it either. I'm hoping they figure it out and I don't know, I don't want to keep seeing it, you know, diminish every year and people are kind of just like, eh, we're classic me. All right. College football or whatever else is on, you know, or, oh, can't get it'cause it's on TNT, like come on, man. Like it should have been on ESPN, but I get probably why,'cause they had bowl games. But like I said you're going against that timeline, so move the day or figure something else out because you're gonna keep losing people every year. And it's a shame because the winner classic is a really cool event. I think it's one of the best things that the NHL does outta the outdoor games, you know, if not the best. So, yeah. So I'm hoping they figure it out. He, you know, Bettman, hopefully he figures it out, but I don't know if that'll, you know, I'm not holding my breath there.

Pat:

Yeah, for real. Um, yeah, it's just, yeah, it makes no sense to me on how that continues to be an issue. You gotta figure it out. So, yeah, that was a good one. Good good topic there to end it on. So we'll we'll get outta people's hairs. So, we wanna thank everybody

Matt:

out. Yeah.

Pat:

For joining as usual letting us talk to you for an hour or so, um, kind of get you rolling through a couple of topics that we we thought were important to to come and bring and talk about. So, appreciate it and, do us a favor. If you like the show just remember to obviously subscribe to us on your platform of choice. We're on all of them. So wherever you're hearing us hit that subscribe button. That would help out tremendously. Throw us a rating as well, so either on apple Podcasts or Spotify or anywhere we can get a rating. That would be great. Or leaving a review is even better, right? So if you're rating it, you might as well review it. Do'em do'em in tandem. Hand in hand, that'd be awesome. So, um, the feedback that we get from everybody fuels the fuels, the discussions here. So we, again, we appreciate everybody joining in. Make sure you stay in the loop with us on our socials, right? So we're mainly on Twitter and Instagram. We're at shoot the puck pod on both platforms. So, come find us and hang out. So, um, like I said, I think I said last week Matt runs the Instagram and I run the Twitter. So depending on which platform you prefer, you're talking to one of us directly. So that, I think that's it, Matt. Appreciate you joining in hanging out and we'll see everybody next week.

Matt:

All right. Peace.

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Matt Allen

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Pat Allen

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