Puck Farm Podcast
Hockey podcast about general hockey news, fantasy hockey, and intresting events happening around the NHL, minor leagues and PWHL
Puck Farm Podcast
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Did ya miss us? Here's 2 hours of nothing.
What is up, everybody? Welcome to Puck Farm. I don't know what episode this is. We're getting after it. This is season three of us doing it. We got we got the A-Team boys. Alan, Sam, Max. Throw it around, boys. How are we doing? How is our offseason?
SPEAKER_00Unannounced break, but better better we're back now.
SPEAKER_03Oh, yeah. Well, unannounced. The Olympics kind of put a stake in us. We we learned some unfortunate things about our heritages. Alan, you were there when uh uh uh Sam told us that his father was rooting against Team USA over the Olympics.
SPEAKER_02Um Loki, he's becoming a hero because Team USA is just filled with a bunch of scumbags. So at least my dad has a spine and he's like, yeah, I kind of like the guys who stick with their teams, but it's okay.
SPEAKER_03We're gonna have plenty of that to talk about, too. Holy everything that's happened this offseason from trade requests to the whole money thrown around right now. Alan, off season, wedding planning. How you been, my guy?
SPEAKER_00Pretty good, incredibly busy. Like, no time.
SPEAKER_02You don't want to be like Alan got married.
SPEAKER_03You don't want to you know you don't wanna uh plug anything specifically, any side hustles, anything.
SPEAKER_00Nothing going on, definitely nothing being built on the technology side. Uh you know, absolutely nothing going on yet.
SPEAKER_03So if anyone's in the market for hockey or Pokemon cards, though, this is the this is the podcast for you.
SPEAKER_00Um yeah, we can every episode will have five minutes of the leading young guns players.
SPEAKER_03Will it actually? Will you give us that analytic? Will that be available on Play Drive soon?
SPEAKER_00It's just Mick David. Every every time.
SPEAKER_03Fair enough.
SPEAKER_00Or celebrini. They have been going up. Celebrini. We'll see.
SPEAKER_03Will that expensive the million dollar card just sold it?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, the 101 from our neighborhood cards.
SPEAKER_03Our neighborhood, our local shop. Sam was five seconds too late. He saw the kid walk out with the box.
SPEAKER_00Honestly, around the time when we were all in Chicago opening boxes, we didn't grab uh uh a base one, but it was it was probably on the shelf, if I remember correctly, what the timeline said in the article. That box with the million dollar card was in there. And I know who bought it. It's some Grail Collector on Instagram I follow.
SPEAKER_03I thought it was a kid.
SPEAKER_00He said No, it was who bought it on the auction. He he bought the PSA and then he cross-graded it to tag. But he said, he said before the auction started, he's like, I am going, I'm willing to overpay on this card. Uh I'm gonna bid it up to a million, and then he bought it at 1.2, and then he gave an interview, and he was like, Yeah, I was gonna buy it no matter what the cost was. I was gonna overpay and whatever. And he's like, It's definitely not worth as much as like a celebrini 101 shield, but he doesn't care, he just wanted it.
SPEAKER_02So it's I think it does expose a little bit of like the I think it does expose a little bit of the K-shaped economy that we're going through. Oh my god.
SPEAKER_03Where the number of times that that's his new vocal stim, I think.
SPEAKER_00He just loves K-shaped economies.
SPEAKER_02I just love talking about K-shaped economies with my bros.
SPEAKER_03Uh we gotta get into this. We're going through all 32 uh as long as we want to talk about them. Um but where we left off Olympics-wise, uh the NHL regular season was fascinating, playoffs were fascinating, no Florida, Edmonton out early, so we knew we were gonna get a new Stanley Cup champion, and it is my cousin in the Carolina Hurricanes, beating out the Vegas Golden Knights. It was it was a pretty entertaining first couple of games for that Stanley Cup final, too. I think everyone was talking about how at least in the past like 10-15 years, it was one of the most entertaining with the back and forth and the Carolina four goal deficit. Just like Carolina in general, it felt like it was their time, though, like to win the cup, if it wasn't this year.
SPEAKER_00Um and speaking of cousins, my cousin just signed somewhere. I just don't remember what team. I also got his uh gold uh rookie RPA from the cup coming in. I have a silver and I just got his gold, but I I forgot where he signed.
SPEAKER_03Representing the Takarskys.
SPEAKER_0037. Where did he sign? Oh, Canadians! There we go. There you go.
SPEAKER_03The fourth goalie.
SPEAKER_00No, he's probably like the tenth goalie.
SPEAKER_03I mean, Sam, your thoughts on Carolina as a whole, as a franchise, as a team, like with Brindamore behind the bench. It's they were due. They were due, right? I think Bussy going in, like at for for Freddie, obviously, and and winning it for him was was a crazy storyline in and of itself, but yeah.
SPEAKER_00I think the crazy thing was that Freddie got to even start in the championship. Uh I would have just played Bussy the whole time.
SPEAKER_03I mean, he came in and won it, but what was the I mean they had lost what two games going into the Stanley Cup final? They were like the only two games against.
SPEAKER_00But like you have this unbelievable regular season goalie. Freddie doesn't play basically all of season, and then you just trust him in the playoffs. Like, he went. I mean, it worked out. He's gone now. He's on the Oilers, they have bussies as long as they don't trade for uh this one goalie on the market.
SPEAKER_03Well, he's still technically gone, like he's not active right now because he's injured. Yeah, Jesus.
SPEAKER_02Edmonton thinks uh a 37-year-old injury prone ginger goalie uh is gonna solve for that. I mean why is ginger part of his business title? He's better than I'm sorry, I should have clarified uh 37-year-old ginger derogatory goalie. Danish. Yeah, Danish, Swedish, doesn't matter. Finish these nuts in your mouth. Edmundson is never winning. Edmund is never winning.
SPEAKER_00He's better than most of the goalies that Edmontons have had in the last, you know, five, six goalies.
SPEAKER_02I mean they they Yeah. Well, let's not get into an Edmonton version.
SPEAKER_00This is what it is. I mean, Freddie Anderson, he's been like unreal in the playoffs, and Edmonton can get to the playoffs, and they know that their one big thing that they can't do is win the playoff games. And this is uh uh what's it called? McDavid's last year, so they gotta they gotta do something. Is this it?
SPEAKER_03He doesn't have another one.
SPEAKER_00I think this is, or did it just kick in?
SPEAKER_03I think this is his his extension is kicking in this year.
SPEAKER_00Okay, so then he's got two years. But like they want to win, they have to win now.
SPEAKER_03Oh, absolutely. They're in winning. Well we're we're jumping ahead. We're jumping ahead.
SPEAKER_00Did you see the that's how I scored in Toronto? Watching. Except I was farther away.
SPEAKER_03That's how you scored your uh JV game-winning overtime goal to send your team to the state championship.
SPEAKER_00We were losing eight to nothing. I walk in on the blue line and take a slap shot. It's eight to one.
SPEAKER_03Ladies and gentlemen, four and a half million dollars. He was in he should have he should have gone to the show if not for injuries. All right. Speaking of injuries, there are no injuries on this team. We'll start with Anaheim. We're just gonna go down the list. Um and and what better way to start it than we gotta talk about the Leo Carlson offer sheet. I think we were all together when that shit dropped when Philly offered him the 18 million, and we knew right away it was gonna fuck up their whole offseason. Uh much less, you know, as we're gonna talk about the entire market for players now, but like reactions to the 18, was Leo deserving of it? Like, how how how bad is Anaheim's setup now going forward?
SPEAKER_00Um did Bree air play for the Hawks?
SPEAKER_03No, I think he played just for Philly. Daniel Brier never yet.
SPEAKER_00I know the 2010, that's why I recognize his name. Um, absolute masterclass move. I mean, he knew Anaheim was gonna sign. He just he screwed them. Like, that's what he did. He kind of ruined the market. They didn't really have anyone.
SPEAKER_03Well, it's a two-way thing. Lee Leo had to sign the offer sheet too. He had to agree to it, right? Like he knew what he was gonna do for players everywhere, too.
SPEAKER_00I mean, it's it's either like, what are you gonna do? Are you gonna not sign the offer sheet? Because if Anaheim wasn't giving the money, he knew the way to get the money to stay in Anaheim is just sign the offer sheet.
SPEAKER_03Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Um he's young, he just wants the money, you know. He's not gonna take a team-friendly deal with like would you rather have would you rather have Leo Carlson at 18 or McDavid for 10?
SPEAKER_02It's I think I think when he saw 19 to play in Philly, he's like, well shit, Philly's a bad Will Philly's a wagon and you're gonna give me 19 million to play with like, you know, young guys, why not?
SPEAKER_00It's probably making two or three million more in Philly if he goes there. Because the taxes is.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, tax implications, yeah. So there's a lot. I mean, yeah, I I don't know. I kinda I don't know. I was explaining this to Max in the car. I'm like, I I I think it creates a new psychological effect where like that really was the first domino to fall, and then a lot of guys are getting like these really long contracts, big contracts, and a lot of young guys who have played less than a hundred games are now getting like minimum ten and a half. I don't know. I just I feel like when we set the expectation for that and it's not met because of like the salary cap can't go high, uh can't constantly keep like expanding like what four million, five million. Like there's there might be a lockout. I also it it I don't know, there's a lot of teams that aren't making a lot of money, too. It's like I think the top ten are making like more than 200 million, the bottom are like barely scraping at 150 million.
SPEAKER_03So the good news about like if the if it does get to that point, like you were saying about the lockout, like most of these contracts are front loaded, so at least from the player side, but a lot of it is guaranteed. But like speaking to, you know, it's it's increased this year, it's gonna increase next year. I don't know if it's the if the third year is after this one or if we're in the middle of you know, when Bettman was talking about the breakdown over the next three years, it increasing by basically 10 million every year. I think I I thought back to like Swayman was talking about when he was in RFA and doing his negotiations, like he has a duty to the goalie market as well for all the goalies that come after him and like making sure that they make their bread too. And I think part of Carlson's like like agency has to have talked to him about that in some capacity and like what he's done to the market since then. Like, you know, his teammate Gautier, also in uh uh Anaheim, like making the the money that he was making and the news that dropped today with Fantilly. Like, there's no chance these guys are making over 12 and a half million before Carlson signs this, you know, and it just kind of shifted everything.
SPEAKER_02We were talking about Bedard getting like 12 million at the map before the everything was. I was thinking like 10 or like 10 and a half, 11, and now he's at 15. I mean, there you go.
SPEAKER_03There's a five million dollar premium on stud young guys, like it's gonna be so interesting that like if we could take a peek behind the curtain at all their financial, like their budgeting for player salaries now, too, because it it's gonna look so different. That's why we got to get the new chelts we can look at the numbers now and see how it makes sense. Um, but I mean, aside from that, they lose a bunch. Truba and um uh goodist goes back to Florida, their new captain, Granlon. So they're a new look team. I don't even know if I have them in the playoffs. Like they might take a step back. I'm high on Dostal, but otherwise, like who knows? Yeah, exactly. Zellwag are huge. So like when when when you think about it, Anaheim is like the the Pacific is already kind of dog shit. So if they sneak into the top three, I think they have a chance, but sneak peek at uh you know future team discussions we'll have. I have a certain central team going to the playoffs, but anybody else have anything for Anaheim?
SPEAKER_00I'm actually kind of on the opposite boat. I'm lower on Dostal this season because of the new defensive look. I think they lost a bunch of those heavy hitters, and I think that they're gonna be just defensively wise, they might be a little lacking. And you saw what happened to Hellibuck as soon as the defense dropped, his value, like he was just playing worse. I think that with this new look, none of these gritty defensemen in front of him, maybe more young guys on Anaheim making mistakes. I think Dostal's value goes down in terms of fantasy. Um, he has a great goalie, like absolutely nuts in the Olympics.
SPEAKER_03But shot volume, though.
SPEAKER_00I think that's the thing, it's shot volume, but like how much can you take, you know? My beer league goalie took 160 shots on two days and he quit hockey at least full time. So hilarious.
SPEAKER_03It's kind of your fault, dude.
SPEAKER_02Kind of your fault. Hey, no, he wasn't. Yeah, no, I agree. I mean, I'm not gonna rip on Dostal, but like, yeah, it is a new look. So um, if though I mean, if Dostal can keep an above a 900 save percentage, like he's goaded because his shot volume is gonna be insane.
SPEAKER_03So yeah. We probably won't do our uh postseason projections this episode, but next episode we should come back and be like because I I'm already kind of in the boat of Anaheim might be on the cusp there.
SPEAKER_00We've got to watch the season openers on the case.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. You think Anaheim's gonna get a cup soon? No, no, no. I we're just talking about getting into Alm. Did you say that?
SPEAKER_00No, I didn't say that. You said that.
SPEAKER_03No, I I meant like getting into the playoffs this year. I was just talking about this this postseason.
SPEAKER_00Anaheim Anaheim Cup within five years is inevitable because he's just that good of the like he he had them. If it wasn't for a whole thing, he and he didn't get fired in Florida, they would have won that first year, 100%. It was fucking Brunette came in there, messed them up, and whatever.
unknownAll right.
SPEAKER_00They should have won that year.
SPEAKER_03Moving on to Boston, not a ton here. They they moved off a ton. They got JJ Peterka. I I don't think they're gonna I think they might finish last in the Atlantic this year. I think it's a lot of things.
SPEAKER_00I just thought they would finish last last year and they made it to the playoffs.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, but I mean I don't know. I wouldn't really put it past into maybe be competitive. They have Hagens, they got uh Laura that are setting in. They got Mitten, who's like a middle six guy. Like they're not that like they're not terrible. Their defense is relatively the same. I think there's gonna be a lot of work done. Or there's gonna be like I think there's gonna be more work to be done for guys like uh Zodorov who are gonna need to step up, step up for McAvoy who are gonna need to like point minute wise step up because you know I don't know if you want to have Lorai more than 25 minutes a game, but you guys watched a lot of Lorai.
SPEAKER_00I went to the I went to the game and I love the dude because I used to play as him in Shell when I played uh Hutt, but goddamn is he brutal defensively. Like I watched one game and he had like four turnovers.
SPEAKER_03That's why they fucked up his uh face scan in EA. They because someone saw him play and was like, this guy cannot look the way he does. Did you see there's a video of this guy going into the hockey hall of fame, and the first thing you see is a Mason Laura jersey? I'm not even kidding.
SPEAKER_02That's crazy. Uh that was actually one of the reasons why I dropped him, Alan. Uh that was the reason why. I'm like, I I watch like I kid you not, I watched like two or three Boston games, but told no one, and I'm like, I like Loki need to know if this guy's ass. And he like tripped over the blue line and like gave cough of the book. I'm like, yeah, this immediate drop. I think I was just go ahead.
SPEAKER_00I I went to the Boston game and I needed a jersey. It's like I don't the Boston's one of the teams I don't have a jersey of, and it was they were playing Tampa, so like I needed to get a jersey. It was Lorite or McAvoy, and I'm like, you know what? I'm gonna play it safe. And then thank God I didn't get a Lorite jersey because he did not look good and he was gonna I thought he was gonna get dealt like after that game.
SPEAKER_03It's like getting a Lucas Reichel winner classic jersey.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_03That was a choice after a few breaks. It's a point in time. Hey, it's a point in time. Point in time. I would never have done anything different. Uh enough Boston talk. Uh, I'm not high on them. If anything, it's a first round exit again this year. Um, Buffalo, they'll be they'll be good this year. They'll be good this year. If they don't make the top three in the Atlantic, I mean uh uh they have a good chance at it. I think they're definitely a wild card team. I agree.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, they didn't really do that many changes. A lot of guys are growing into their role.
SPEAKER_03So I mean they they lost talk and they got Zellwegger and Krebier on the back end. So they have a And Zellwegger is probably dead now.
SPEAKER_00He was fencing. He was too uh Takevaloba on the ice.
SPEAKER_02He was he was he was doing the the Crips and Bloods and that's never that's never good. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Um but I think if I mean if Buffalo somehow figures out this deal with Winnipeg, I think they're gonna win. That's what they're that's what they need.
SPEAKER_03And I think the what Elliot was talking about like before the draft, that number four pick was definitely in play, but even so now, like I think Winnipeg is just as high on Dax and Rudolph as they would have been with the four if they had it. So there is still a chance at that, but I think the problem is now that UPL was such a big part of that initial deal, his no trade clause kicked in, and at this point, like I think Winnipeg is probably on it and makes sense. Like no one really wants to go there, anyways. But um, I think they're they're flush, right? They still have Lion. I think they have one other guy that they were trying.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, but those UPL that like didn't look good that at all season. It was they were winning on high offense.
SPEAKER_02It wasn't uh they were winning it was a combination of high offense, having three predominantly two guys being your um like your 1A1B, and then they sometimes threw in. I don't even think they had a chance to throw in uh what's his name? Uh Devin Levi. I don't I don't think they ever challenge yeah, I think they were in their HL playoffs, too. So it was really a 1A1B. I I I thought it was more of a natural progression to see UPL as like the solid one, but if you have the opportunity to get uh Hella Buck while he's you know still in his I think kind of coming off his prime a little bit. But yeah, I think if you get it, you you you have to look at it to see if it's worth it because yeah, they they were pretty good.
SPEAKER_00Edmonton needs them, but I mean they went to the case.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, Edmonton would be the most logical, and I'm sure there's some sort of set cap circumventing going on. Uh they would need to make a play, but we can we can wait.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah, they they they've got their own goalie situation that'll be interesting to look at. But I mean, you talk about it, like I think there is a swap there that could be made. Um otherwise, yeah, like Buffalo is just gonna be just as good as they were last year, if not better. I think they got a bunch of contracts just kicked in. They signed Benson to a seven year or whatever, and I think bigger years from just about everyone there.
SPEAKER_00Buffalo was a team kind of people weren't expecting to do so hot. And look at another situation when this happened with Vancouver. They were un unbeatable basically in the regular season, and next year, nothing.
SPEAKER_03Maybe they come down back down to earth. Yeah, not a not a bad suggestion either. A lot, a lot, yeah.
SPEAKER_00Not only are they nothing, Vancouver is like dog shit.
SPEAKER_03Well, speaking of dog shit, Calgary did nothing. I need to go to the bathroom real quick. Can I? You're fine. You we'll talk about a little bit.
SPEAKER_00You're not allowed to. It's come on.
SPEAKER_03We'll just yeah, we'll cut that, but we'll just talk about the next few. Calgary has got just about nothing going for them. Yeah, it's uh I'll I'll run through a couple of the things. They they they traded for Simone Nemich. I remember that was one of the biggest uh pieces right before the trade uh dominoes fell during the the offseason, which is crazy too. Um and then they also got Jake Middleton from Minnesota, but at like 32nd in the league, worst worst team. Hopefully they win. I'm hoping for them. It seems like they've had the worst string of luck of any team in the past for like when it comes to the draft.
SPEAKER_00There's some definitely value there too. And they have who's the other Parek.
SPEAKER_03Parek's there, yeah. They're still hoping, I think. Um what's his name? Zari, they're still high on, and um, yeah, like you said, Parek. I think there's a there's a chance that they surprise some people, they they they win some games that maybe they weren't expected to, but otherwise, yeah, nothing big from Calgary. Uh Carolina, we already kind of talked about Cup Champs. I mean, Alan, what are your expectations for them this year? Is it cup or bust, or do you think they take a step back?
SPEAKER_00No, I I I don't I think it's they're still gonna be a dominant regular season team defensively. I really think that nothing has changed. It's gonna be the team, it's gonna be the team to beat. And I mean, lucky for me, I have Boosie. It's just we'll see if they make another goalie move. That's the big thing. Like, who are they gonna get as their Kachehov is garbage? I had him on like I had him for a while, but he's not gonna be able to get it.
SPEAKER_03We just talked about Helibuck. I've heard like because they still haven't signed Nikishan, that's kind of been the biggest, you know, off-season story for Carolinas. Nikishan, his request to be traded, and really no no uh discussion so far between them and them and uh Carolinas. So um it would be interesting to see if that's something that's been floated out there, a hellabuck for Niktion sort of thing. And um, like you said, Bussy is a more than you know, serviceable goalie moving forward. But when it comes down to it, if you're if you have an opportunity to get hella buck, if you're Carolina, you're going back into this season, seeing what Florida's done, like it's a no-brainer to at least take a feeler, right? I mean, like, they'd be unbeatable with Hellebuck.
SPEAKER_00Yes, but you're unbeatable for two years, and if you keep Bussy, you could be unbeatable, you could be beatable, but very, very strong for ten. It's like do you take a franchise goalie like Shesty and is in Bussy, or do you take Hellebuck for a few less years, but you might win you might have a dynasty.
SPEAKER_03Well, Al Alan's regression model, you don't think Bussy takes a step back this year?
SPEAKER_00I I think I think again, like you, you were saying last year, um it's about the defense in front of you as much as the goalie, and Carolina did uh did absolutely nothing with their defense, it's just as strong. Um and now yes, I guess, but you know, when you get rid of a rookie, it's it's alright. I mean it's you know, you want to keep him, but it's not changing your actual strong defensive stuff there. So we'll see. I mean, probably regresses a little bit, but like you get an unbelievable start. So it could be a Bennington situation where you know you have that one good year run and then you just fight everybody and become ass.
SPEAKER_03Same expectations for Carolina this season.
SPEAKER_02Uh the really reigning Stanley Cup champs, repeat.
SPEAKER_03Like I I it seems like they're gonna be on a collision course with Florida again in these playoffs, and I I'll be curious to see how they stack up again. Seeing as they've played them twice in the last three years. Oh, I'm sorry, Max. Yeah, Robinson.
SPEAKER_02The uh a healthy Florida and a healthy um uh a healthy Carolina is like an immovable for force goes against the would be cinema. Uh yeah, it would be like skulls would be fractured.
SPEAKER_00It would be zero-zero because Florida wouldn't be able to score, but Florida would be hitting everybody, and Carolina wouldn't be able to score. Yeah, you heard it here first.
SPEAKER_03Alan thinks Florida will not be able to score. Against Carolina, like Florida, Carolina will be like Well, it's because most of their guys are gonna be like kicked out of the game for like killing three kids. So uh we're gonna skip Chicago because we'll talk about them last for obvious reasons. Uh Colorado, I mean, they they've got to be one of the, if not, you know, favorites to win the cup this year. I think the biggest story, right? Makar setting the market again, highest paid player in NHL history, highest contract by AAV for the next however long. $20 million. I mean, obviously fair value for the best defenseman, arguably, what could be in NHL history, but again, like I need to have a peek behind the curtain of some of these teams like budgets because I I don't know what they're planning on giving McKinnon when he's due or how they're gonna structure around this team going forward.
SPEAKER_02I think a lot of those guys are gonna just they're just gonna take the max deal and they're gonna be like, you gotta figure it out. Or they have a change of heart and they're like, I'll like shave off two million off of the maximum that I could possibly have for you to do something. I I don't think these guys really take discounts. Why would they?
SPEAKER_00The only real team-friendly deal that we've seen recently has been McDavid. McDavid deserved 20 million and he took 10. Like, I mean, Makar's gonna take twenty. If McKinnon takes twenty-two, Colorado just doesn't have the money.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_00I mean, the one positive is Um the uh their coach said that they wanna uh give uh Blackwood more starts. So thank you, Sam, for that one. Um but they said, Yeah, they've been saying that for the past few years. Their coach they've only had him for a year.
SPEAKER_02Their coach loves. Blackwood's coaches have been saying you always that's always. Blackwood, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. That always happens until he gives up a seven burger three nights in a row.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, well, hopefully not.
SPEAKER_02Happened last year, happened the year before.
SPEAKER_03They what they lost in the second round this past year or the third?
SPEAKER_02Uh second, I think.
SPEAKER_00Uh I don't know, but Wedgewood was playing. He was the start in the playoffs.
SPEAKER_03Well, yeah, there was like 50-50. They I think they were alternating. I think both played at a certain point.
SPEAKER_00Oh, I didn't say I thought it was just Wedgewood playing all of them.
SPEAKER_03No, well, yeah, they lost in the third round, got swept by both by Vegas. So, I mean, they they it's gotta be a comeback season for them. Like that that's gotta leave a bitter taste in everybody's mouths. McKinnon obviously getting injured in that series, so he probably goes off for a career year, you're welcome Allen for not vetoing that trade when it fucking came down. We had the chance. Could have stopped.
SPEAKER_00I don't know why you vetoed. It's uh for for value-wise, he definitely got more value. I just needed the McKinnon. I got Bois Verde.
SPEAKER_03Fuck yeah, Bois Vare fight. The boys are buzzing right now. Um, otherwise, yeah, I think Colorado's again gonna be in contention for years. If they're if they're gonna be able to get uh what's his name, McKinnon under a solid contract again. He's what making like fucking nothing for so yeah, no, he's like McKinnon doesn't like he he should make well over like 17 million at least when his contract's due. But yeah, it's crazy the deal he's on right now. It's it's laughable.
SPEAKER_02Um again, that was his team friendly, though. That was his team friendly.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, but it was almost like that was before like two years before the the salary cap was going to increase his flat cap forever. And you know, they had to sign him, and he was gonna sign there. But obviously, yeah, like there's money on the table for them to make runs for sure. Um speaking of Columbus finally get locking up Fantilli, nice number under what Bedard's making. Uh just above, I think, is it what uh Gautier is making? They're they're roughly the same with the 13s there. Um good number for them. Is it is it weird that it took so long with them with all the news with Werensky and Marchenko out there right now? Like Columbus has got to be entering this season a bit weird.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, definitely a seller on Columbus, but certain guys, certain guys should be keeping up their production. Um, yeah, it was weird. Like, I don't know, I still don't know if Worensky still wants to stay long term. Like, I don't I don't know if that was like uh when that leak happened, he's like, Oh, I was like just hypothetically talking with my coach. Uh, but we talked with or the GM, but now that we talked about it, like I'm gonna I want to be here. It's like especially after seeing what um what what's his face uh Helliblock is doing. It's like I don't know, like for a leak that big to be like a guy wants to potentially move out from being the franchise leader, it's like that's that's been stewing for a minute. You you don't really go back on that thing in like a heartbeat.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, and I I was talking with Alan about like what Larkin might look like, and we'll talk about that later. But I like a lot of these guys who seem unhappy, I feel like are also like bound to have great years. Because when you think like none of these GMs want to trade these guys, right? And they want to find the right value, so they're gonna play up to the value that's you know they're sealing. And you never want to take a waiver on a guy that's aging. All these guys are obviously they've earned their the money that they're making and the value that they're at. And there's a point I think like you look at guys like Werensky or Marchenko, who Marchenko in his comments being like, you like playing hockey here? He's like, Yeah, I like playing hockey. Fuck like obviously dodging it. Like that there's a chance that these guys get moved in the future. Like, that's a very high probability when you are a Columbus fan. You just got to think about it as like uh, you know, uh from a player perspective, you know that they're going to be playing their hardest this season. It's like uh Allen and his contract year ideology. Like they're they're bound to be playing, you know, for not money, but for the value that their GMs are putting out there for them.
SPEAKER_00I don't know if I would say situation where you don't even get to play.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. I don't know if I would say it's like they're gonna be playing like out of their mind. I think they just might be still playing the way that they usually play because they're like, I don't know. I again I look at that situation, I'm like, I they clearly don't want to be here long term. They're gonna do their job and they're gonna do their job well, but I don't think like a Larkin who's who who's more shot volume and face-off wins. I don't know if he's gonna be like breaking 50 more shots now or like shots.
SPEAKER_03You think maybe he'll be a great player, he increases in everything slightly, but that's still, you know, if you're looking at it from a fantasy perspective, I do think he has a better year than he had last year. And for for some of these guys, right? You look at the Werenskis and the Kachuks and everyone that you know wanted their outs, I think even Hughes, right? But that was in the middle of last season, all have a potential to to up their value because A, contracts are due, and and B, I think they're they're unsatisfied. They they they want to they want to play for contenders.
SPEAKER_00Talk about the Kachuks or should we wait for Florida?
SPEAKER_03Well, wait, we're almost there. Let's Florida. Let's talk about Dallas quickly. Uh Nothingberger, I'm so low on Dallas, guys. Like they they had their chance in what was it, 2020, 2021 when they played uh Tampa Bay in the final. And since then it's just been exit, exit, exit, haven't reached the final since. Um, like Robo has seemingly been the only saving grace they've had in the playoffs, and also like the reason that they don't win games. Like he's so streaky in that way. Defensively and goaltender-wise, I'm like, how do you not win with this team? But every year they seem to disappoint. So I don't like they haven't really done anything this offseason. Like, what what do you guys have on Dallas?
SPEAKER_02I'm I'm a little bit of a they'll probably dominate the regular season, but then it's just another cycle up until someone leaves. Um, I don't know. They're kind of like a broken record a little bit. Maybe Ransoman pops off with the second year there. I don't know. Yeah, I think the reason why they're I think there was I think the reason why he had a little bit of a dip in his production and fantasy values, like they're they were using him differently in and in Avalanche versus like the versus Dallas. So he's like he's more of like a supporting role now, which uh you know tough, but um still a great player.
SPEAKER_03I mean Robo well he he was offered what 15-18 million from Seattle. He chose to stay in Dallas for 12 million. Like he he clearly sees a vision there, and I think they value him as one of their top guys for the future, but around him, it's it's hard to see how they make pushes past all these, you know, the top dogs in the West right now. Bodes well for another central team we'll get to later, that's for sure. Uh Detroit. Let's talk about uh Larkin. So requested a trade after winning the the gold medal. It seems like all these American guys are. Um he's reported back to training camp at the least, so they're not gonna suspend him like a another or uh let's say a separate Medal of Freedom winner recipient. Um Detroit's got like some grim outlook to them right now. They're going into the season with no captain. They just hired their GM like two days ago after firing Stevie. Missing playoffs for sure, or no. I think so, yeah.
SPEAKER_00Maybe honestly, like a sleeper pick, they might make it like squeak in just because uh how many years have we said that though? Well, no, they haven't been able to get something together. I think that new look, new GM, maybe just you know, if Larkin gets traded, new feel in the locker room might just, you know, revenge game revenge season, just put one in there, but I don't know. We'll see. I mean, they're a fringe playoff team, so it's fine. I have Cider there. He's always gonna be playing those 82 games, 84 games.
SPEAKER_03They haven't really done anything like to bolster their roster, right? They lost Kane, they're not doesn't look like they'll re-sign to Brinkett. He might want out. Cider's probably gonna get the C at some point.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I mean they have I don't know, they need to pick they need to pick people up who want to go and play for them. Because I mean, I think all these team USA guys are trying to leave because they want to go play on a winning team.
SPEAKER_03But aren't half of them from fucking Michigan though? Like, why wouldn't they want to go play back home? There is no loyalty. There's no loyalty when you have a number when you have a price next to it. It's insane. I yeah, what we're gonna be one of those I take I take back my earlier statement. Boston's not bottom of the Atlantic, it's gonna be Detroit. It's gonna be Detroit.
SPEAKER_02I mean, they are betting on Emmett Finney, uh, they're betting on Marco Casper, who disappointed the last last season to fill in. Yeah, to fill well, no, Cider hasn't disappointed.
SPEAKER_03I'm talking about No, no, I'm just like the guys that they'll depend on more, at least. Yeah, they have a solid young core for sure.
SPEAKER_02But that solid young core hasn't done a lot, except maybe for Lucas Raymond. And I think even Lucas Raymond people are like, I wish he like like his uh shot conversions turned into goals more. I mean, they'll take that level of production, but they're like, we really wish that guy was like, you know, a little bit more offensively dangerous, but still, like you lose Kane, your whole captain situation. I don't know. I think they uh either they stay the same or they kind of regress a little bit.
SPEAKER_03I I have to imagine they regress. Like being so close to the playoffs that one year that you know Philly or whoever like ended their chances for them because they pulled their goalie. Like, I don't know. It was such a weird situation for them going into the this last season. Like all the comments that Larkin made about Stevie's CBY's like performance, the trade deadlines and shit. Like, it's it's clear that there was some tension there to begin with. But who knows, maybe they do like surprise some people this offseason or this season. I I don't expect them to. Bottom of the Atlantic for me. Uh, Edmonton, before we get into uh Allen's favorite team besides the Hawks, um got bolstered their their goaltending situation. I think that was their biggest thing over the uh the the past couple of seasons, let's say. Um I guess uh actually before we get into that, Babcock's back. Whoever uh had that on their bingo card before.
SPEAKER_00Everyone switched back to Nokia in that locker room.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, that is uh That's funny scary. Well, I and you see Messier's comments about it this week. No, what did he say? He was like, it's it's kind of horrifying. And not I don't it it was kind of it was taken out of context. They the headline was about you know the hiring, obviously, but he was talking more about how like involved everyone made it or the media made it seem the players were in the hiring of Babcock because they were talking about the interviews that like Dry Sidles and McDavids and whoever had with him and were like, yeah, let's hop him on board. Because he's like it's kind of horrifying when you think about who do you go to as a player when you have like a bad experience with this coach because it's the play uh ultimately, you know, it's a team-wide decision, but the players having such a big role in it, where do you go from there? Like you you're basically managing your your the team and blending it all together, it gets really messy, I guess was his point. Um but yeah, just like desperation move to the max. Like, what what if any outcomes do you see you know, like come of this? Because I it just seems like it's only gonna get messier during the regular season. Yeah. I mean, I don't know, Alan. I'd have to watch and find out, but Pacific's weak, so they have a chance of making it in the top three, but like how long can two guys carry a team for three guys carry a team for you?
SPEAKER_00You know, like they have nothing around them, but working for long enough, I guess, as soon as the you know, arguably the best hockey player ever. It's just kind of crazy.
SPEAKER_03It's been like it's been ten years of this. Like they've really done nothing for them. You look at all the teams.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, go ahead. I was just gonna say, remember like when they when they drafted him, they're like, this guy, like, he can't do it all on his own. He needs to be built. Uh like there needs to be a team built around him, and like, yeah, you build two lines-ish around him, and it's crazy.
SPEAKER_03Is this McDavid's fault? To that point, do you think this is all McDavid's fault? Because he's shown season in and season out that he is capable of carrying the team on his back. You think management was just like, let's just roll with it and try to stack our top guys, like the dry sidles and bouchards and whoever else, and throw crazy money out there because we'll be fine, we'll win cups with this guy. You think it might be his fault for being too good? This is our clip, by the way.
SPEAKER_00This, I mean, if I I have a really good team in fantasy, and I slow up more really good players. I don't think management is like, you know what, we're gonna sit back. It's they're gonna I mean, they didn't even pay him. They they give him $10 million. I mean, there's he left as much money. That's what he did for them.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, management didn't do that. McDavid was like, do something with this.
SPEAKER_00Exactly. So he's gotta go out there and uh they gotta go out there and get someone to feel that, you know, he left the money so that they can get someone. Not uh not a Anderson, but more like a hell of a.
SPEAKER_03Levi will start the season, we'll see how they do.
SPEAKER_02I think the answer to this question, I think it a little bit of psychology revolves around the type of GMs that McDavid has been under. And I think those GMs who it's Bowman now, it was Ken Holland last time, it was like what two guys, one guy before that like it's been GMs who you wouldn't really say that they're smart GMs. Uh and I think when you have a non-smart GM who sees God and he's like, This is this is it, I think you have problems because we as hockey fans have been saying time in and time out they have a they have a goalie problem and they have uh maybe a defensive issue outside of Bouchard and and Nurse. Uh and ten years of nothing.
SPEAKER_03So Alan, stop me when you hear a lie. If you're a sharp better, you're betting the Edmonton Oilers to win the cup this year.
SPEAKER_00What? That's the what I didn't you didn't stop me.
SPEAKER_03You didn't stop me.
SPEAKER_00He was perplexed. I just stopped him. It was too shocking. I don't know. It's that's a tough call. Well, how about this?
SPEAKER_03Great segue. Stop me when I'm stop me if I'm getting too egregious. For the third time in four years, we'll see an Edmonton, Florida Stanley Cup final.
SPEAKER_00I'd like that. I'd love to see Florida beat Edmonton again.
SPEAKER_03I mean, Sam has been beating the drum of the age is gonna catch up with them. They got a little younger this year, but they're also getting back Barkov. They got Markstrom to replace uh Bobrowski, who is a couple years older. Neither are looking too good right now. Um what what are we thinking about Florida? They're they're bolstering, they got Hathaway, if you remember, from Philadelphia. Like they they have to Gudis is back, like they have to be an all-vibes team, definitely making a deep run in the playoffs, Alan.
SPEAKER_00Oh yeah, no, it's it's gonna be. I think Florida might be the team to watch just game one. Like if they're going you put Kachuk Kachuk out there um against the Canadian line, that's it's the ball's gonna bring it.
SPEAKER_03Line brawl. Take the over. Take the over on line brawls every night.
SPEAKER_00It's gonna be electric to watch them play together. Like we s like we're gonna get, I mean, maybe not as heated, but we're gonna get like the Four Nations type energy from the Kachuk brothers, hopefully if they stay healthy, and it's gonna be like it's gonna be what you want to watch every night when they're on.
SPEAKER_03Sam, you like I said before, like what are you god, it's over. Well we're all watching Drake London touchdown. Sam is referencing his fantasy matchup.
SPEAKER_00I had Christian Watson and Drake London touchdown. Christian Watson got it immediately, and Drake London missed it by 10 yards because he's a slow sack of shit.
SPEAKER_03Say it with me now, FTP. Who's TP? Fuck the Packers.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I'm surprised the Packers are doing so bad.
SPEAKER_02I'm not, they suck. Body just sold that corner. Should be super tired.
SPEAKER_00Oh, look how slow Drake London is.
SPEAKER_03Kyle Pitts was open too. Like, Penix had all the time in the world. They found their QB1. I'm uh it's a good time to be in Atlanta right now.
SPEAKER_00Michael Peenis Jr., what am I saying?
SPEAKER_03Sam, you get I'll I'll let you take it from here, but your your thoughts on the aging crew right now. Oh, by the way, Marshon is miss gonna miss the first couple of months. I don't know if you saw that.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I know, I know.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_02Um, I mean, they're like three injuries away from like possible suicides happening in that locker room because they're like all coming on the same cracker and eating it. Um I don't know. I think it's now win now, but I don't know. Can you is it the best roster in the league? Admittable. I think they're the most stacked, but I think we've seen stacked teams that like they can't will themselves to win because there's just major cracks, and I think their major crack is is goalie. Like, yeah, you can have great diff uh defense in front of you, but like when Markstrom's handling a puck and like has a stroke. That was a tough one. My beer league goalie did the same thing.
SPEAKER_00Here's another thing. While Mark everyone's talking about Markstrom, they also have Akira Schmidt, which went uh down for Vegas, Akira Schmidt looked pretty pretty okay. So, I mean, as long as you have an okay defense in front of him, Akira Schmidt could fill in.
SPEAKER_03That's gonna be the thing, is are Ekblad and Seth Jones and Gustav Forrestling gonna be enough, and Mikela, obviously, gonna be enough to keep Pucks out of the net, seeing how big and bad the offense is gonna be.
SPEAKER_02I also do want to say, I think there are we've now seen two years of Florida dominance where there's gotta be enough film for teams to be like, listen, this is how they play. Like, this isn't like a shock to like holy shit, it's just like the Twin Towers and they're killing us on defense or like on offense, it's just four like three bullies.
SPEAKER_03Like, there's gotta be that that's been their thing. Like every postseason, the the media talks about like their their four check is not something you really can plan against because not every team goes in and finishes checks. That's just how the NHL is. Like, they'll rely on speed. When you have a guy, like what they did, I guess. Alan, correct me if I'm wrong, is they sent the guy in and had one guy hugging the boards. So every every defense's first option is go high and hard off the boards. They have all three forwards in the zone at the same time. It's almost perfect execution every time. And it's it's not so much coaching, it's just like everyone's commitment to like every shit we're gonna get in the zone. Like, unless we're going for a wholesale change, it's it's really just relentless pressure and like defenses at some point have to crack under it.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I it's again with the How physical I'm expecting Florida to play. I just I think these young teams are gonna be scared. Like th they're gonna be these hundred and eighty pound rookies are gonna be going up against two hundred over two hundred pound Brady Kachuk who just wants to hit everything, but doesn't know how to read. All he can see is numbers and he just goes at them. So like I think it's it's gonna be tough to play against Florida. So it's gonna but it's gonna be electric. It's definitely gonna be entertaining. I'm excited to watch Florida play.
SPEAKER_03I'm gonna pause it right here. Alan, is there like bad weather going on outside? Because your internet's kind of breaking up.
SPEAKER_00I mean it's super high winds. We're having uh northeastern this weekend. It's like uh 50 mile an hour winds, uh heavy rain. It's coming tomorrow through Monday. It's supposed to be really, really bad.
unknownOkay.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, Sam, is it bad for you too, or is it just me? You just broke up a couple times, like two and a half, three minutes ago. Like robot voice a little bit, but it it you're you're still intelligible. Um I'll leave it.
SPEAKER_00I bet you guys maybe it's my upload speed.
SPEAKER_03Let's see. Um okay. Well, after Florida, let's go down the list. We got our M's, or sorry, our L's, Los Angeles. Copatar's gone. Dowdy's a captain. Yeah, I think they're missing playoffs. I think all three of us can agree on that. They're gonna easily be one of the the the worst teams. I can't even say the worst teams in the Pacific because they have so many bad teams. Calgary is gonna be 32nd, Vancouver's gonna be 31st, LA might finish 30th. Who the who knows? I I am not I'm not high on him at all.
SPEAKER_00My internet's fine.
SPEAKER_03Okay, perfect. Um please turn off and things for the left. Thank you. Uh I sorry guys, I had a mini heart attack because my sister just texted me Bajan with a heart emoji, and I was like, there's no fucking my first reaction was no fucking way.
SPEAKER_00But he didn't do anything. They kicked a field goal.
SPEAKER_03I know. I she just did this, and I'm like, my immediate reaction is looking for a blue tent somewhere. I got so I got so nervous. All right, Minnesota. Minnesota. Probably gonna be one of the teams to watch this year after years of kind of you know, like nothing going for them. They got Hughes last year. That first pairing defense is looking great. Their top two lines are looking great. Although some people are kind of low on them. I'm I'm curious what you guys think of them because I mean goal tanning tandems great. Like, what what do you see as their like next steps right now?
SPEAKER_02Trying to re-sign Hughes. Uh but no, I think they're gonna be stacked. I think Wallstead's gonna ascend to be the legitimate Vesna winning 1G. Uh, not because I have him on my fantasy, but you also have to be able to do that. Because I have him, I do have Gustavson.
SPEAKER_03Um yeah, I think they're they're the team to be. So let me let me read you their let me read you their let me read you their top two lines, forwards-wise, at least. Obviously, everyone knows Hughes and Faber on the back end, Wallstead and Gustavson, although Gustavson's injured to start the season, look same said. Um, for the top two lines, at center, Erickson Eck on the right, Boldy. At left, Blake Coleman. Second line, Capriceov making 17 million, crazy still. At center, Danil Yurov, and at right wing, Shabinov. Shabinov.
SPEAKER_00There was middle of the offseason. There was like rumors that Yurov was supposed to get that first line over Erickson Eck, but Ericsson Ek just can't stay healthy.
SPEAKER_03So what so they're just relying on this Yurov to be like their their top six center going forward?
SPEAKER_00They were looking for Yurov to be that the top guy, but I mean he didn't really produce last season. I mean, fantasy-wise.
SPEAKER_03Or is this a situation where Detroit needs a reset? Give them one of Gust of Center Wallstead and take Larkin and fill that center need. Because that's all this team is missing.
SPEAKER_00Well, they don't think and Larkin are both like one C's.
SPEAKER_03I mean, unless you move one of the you think Larkin's still a one C on a championship-winning team?
SPEAKER_00I think so. I mean, he's he's a his playstyle is like a Bergeron type. He's a two-way two-way forward.
SPEAKER_03I I think the argument has kind of been the opposite this offseason, and that like he won, he he was so effective for Team USA being a bottom six center. And I'm not saying that's what he is, but a number one center. It obviously he's very talented, but you look at a team like Florida and how their winning pedigree is, and they have depth all around. So maybe it is a a team like Montreal or or uh Minnesota that could benefit off of that. But three of those top six do not sound like top six forwards, in my opinion. Maybe that's why I'm so low on them, but Minnesota's got a chance to you know make waves in the central this year, with maybe Winnipeg taking a step back and Dallas, like we talked about. I don't know.
SPEAKER_00I'm not super high on them either, but paper is one thing because like Minnesota might not be as great on paper, but like look at like Dallas, who's been amazing on paper, but they just can't get anything done in Minnesota, maybe less on paper, and doing the same thing Dallas does. So I think it's a lot comes down on coaching and kind of how you put that team together.
SPEAKER_03Great series, too, between the two of them this offseason as well, Nashville and or uh the Dallas and Minnesota. Um we'll move on. Uh my team, Montreal. Fantastic showing in the postseason last year. I think everyone was pretty shocked at the teams that they beat and how quickly they they, you know, kind of proved everybody wrong in terms of how young they were and and what their ceiling was at the time, and maybe something that a team like Chicago strives to be, but the only way to go is up from here, right? They're all so young, they're all so locked up. They got Demodov in right before the Carlson contract. So no one knows what that looks like post. They got him for under 10 million for so many years.
SPEAKER_00Like also, what I'm hearing from uh my Montreal Canadian source, inside source, um, is that no different guy. Not different guy who from Nick.
SPEAKER_03I know dox him.
SPEAKER_00Um he says that like I mean, I agree with him. Everybody wants to play in Montreal. We went up there for the game, electric. Like, you couldn't you couldn't hear the interview post-game, everyone was still set, like it was so loud. And I think everyone in that room is like team friendly, team friendly, get all the good guys. All their young guys are signed up at you know, single-digit contracts, which is nuts. And I think it's gonna continue to stay single-digit contracts just because just because they want to win, they want to bring a cup to Canada.
SPEAKER_03I mean, Suzuki, Slotkowski, Lane, everybody is under 25. Like they're they're stacked core and they're all so young and they play so well together. It's it's kind of scary when you think about it and how good they're gonna be for the future. Um, and they only get better. The only thing from this offseason, and they extended Martin St. Louis, which is awesome. You don't see that very often. Coaches getting extended that quickly, and you know, now him being what the fifth longest tenured head coach in the NHL right now, which is insane. The head coach turnover going on. Um, the one thing that I'm a bit, you know, don't really care that they did this, but whatever. Let's see how it plays out is signing Chris Kreider in the postseason or in the offseason. Not a fan of the outcomes of his playing antics against Montreal and what I was really rooting for them. It and it and it shocks me still. They they probably still wouldn't. I think they definitely would have had a better chance of beating LA than New York did that year, but it's tough. It's tough. But I saw a video of him tipping pucks. Whatever. Yeah, crashing the net. No, not him crashing the net. I thought it was a smart move by Montreal to sign it. Oh, it's a yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, it sounded like he wanted to go there. And like you said, Alan, like Crosby has said before, like he wants to play in Montreal. If there's a team he wanted to go to, it'd be Montreal. Like it's it's obviously it's a birthplace for a lot of you know kids who grew up in Canada and played in Canada, and it seems like Toronto and Montreal are kind of those top two dogs when it comes to you know history and the I other than Matthews for some reason, which is a shock to me, but everybody wants to get out.
SPEAKER_00It's like nobody like ever like Barner wasn't happy there because he was overshadowed, and apparently the fans are tougher to uh please there. So apparently I guess that's there's a lot of pressure in Toronto. I guess Montreal has just been less pressure.
SPEAKER_03Maybe it's the media, yeah, because Montreal media it seems like they're a lot more lenient, they're just more positive than anywhere else. Um I don't know.
SPEAKER_02I don't know if that's necessarily true. Haven't they historically ripped into players like the uh like Montreal being like I mean that's not it's no comparison to the Toronto, which I think Toronto I think is just toxic. They'll find anything hard.
SPEAKER_03I think it's more I think it's fair. I think it's more fair in in that like they really do speak from the fans, and maybe it's more like the French-Canadian way. Like I I guess maybe they are a bit more blunt in that, but like I don't know. Maybe if you're a player, like you like taking responsibility and like answering those hard questions, it's not something that you want to do day in and day out, but it's not like Montreal has ever been, you know, a consistent bottom bottom feeder team. Like they're kind of the staple when you look at NHL franchises, so they expect a lot of each of that team. And yeah, I guess for an ex from a certain you know, vantage point, like all Canadian teams are kind of like that. Maybe most, you know, original six teams in the US are kind of like that as well. They just have a high standard for their teams. Um Nashville, not a lot here. Like, I don't like probably gonna miss playoffs as well. Any uh any insight on that team?
SPEAKER_00I mean, they were at the end of last season, they kind of were putting it together, and you have a lot of these old guys, so we'll see. It might be like this is it, but um it's once these old guys age out, I do think that all the exper all the experience of these rookies playing with Nashville will be huge. Like these these rookies are gonna get so much valuable lessons from these, you know, legends of the game, Orion O'Reilly, Steven Samkos, Marsha Show.
SPEAKER_02So it it was tough when they dealt with Evangelista because he was supposed to be like their like one guy that they drafted smart. He's like a smart player, not like uh McDavid or a Badar, but like just a a guy who's like a solid player, and yeah, they deal with I don't know, like um for whatever reason, yeah, it just felt like it didn't work out there.
SPEAKER_03And like another like LaRue left, they had a top six role there for a bottom six role in Colorado. Like I and they do have a bunch of young guys coming up. They just drafted that uh Wyatt Cullen in the draft this year. They still have Brady Martin coming up, who was a top 10 pick last year. So a good opportunity for some of these young guys for sure.
SPEAKER_02I do think they are in a little bit of a limbo where it's like they don't like they might consistently be getting like the tw like the the the top 10 to 12 pick or whatever, something like that, but they're not good enough to make the the playoffs, or like they're always in the last desperate like month. They're like, okay, well, if we just string 13 wins, we could get into the playoffs. They might be in a little bit of a limbo, um, and have like a buy now situation uh with older guys, but depends how they start the season, I guess, is kind of the story for that. Depends on who's also starting in net. Because don't they have like just Noonan uh who Noonan who's like decent, but it's still Pekka. It's uh Soros. It's Soros' net for sure.
SPEAKER_03Pecarina. Yeah. I the a new new GM too. They got uh the old guy from Colorado. So we'll see like what his I think he already traded for a bunch of his old guys too. I think Jack Drury and a bunch are now on uh on Nashville. So it'll be I'm not really interested in seeing how they do this season. I think they're gonna be a bottom feeder team, especially in the central. It's gonna be so stacked this year. Um, there's really not anywhere for them to sniff around uh playoffs, I don't think. Or maybe they you know battle it out with the Hawks for that for that role. Um, New York teams, tri-state area. We'll start with the Jersey Devils, got Sonny Meta from uh Florida. I think that was kind of one of the biggest names out there when it came to the GM search and hometown guy. Uh made a couple of moves, traded away Markstrom. They got rid of Nemetz, uh, brought back uh Mantha and Evangelista we just talked about. Jack Hughes looks like he's on another planet right now in this preseason. Uh I think him and he sure click. Bratz due to have a huge year if they're all healthy, right? Does Luke Hughes have a big season? Do they have a chance at playoffs in the Metro? Like, what's our outlook for New Jersey?
SPEAKER_00Who do they have goalie-wise?
SPEAKER_03I don't know.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I don't think they have a goalie. I mean, hella butt going there is also another destination if he wants to.
SPEAKER_02That's that's been something. I think they have the cap too. I think I think uh in that. He's dependable.
SPEAKER_03Serviceable but old. Like there's a chance that he doesn't play, you know, all the games that they want him to.
SPEAKER_02I do think just from like an experience uh team, I think the devils, they're like probably the better team, but I think Islanders are really sniffing right behind them. Uh and then I'm not really too high on the Rangers, other than Shesty, uh maybe Zabinjad, but yeah, not looking too good in the in the Rag City.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, maybe maybe the Rangers turn it around, but it's just not much going for them recently. They were so good and a little bit it's they shifted a bit, yeah.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, they were both so good, and then just Well the Rangers got rid of Panarin, they got Dorfev. Um that's gonna be interesting. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Because now Dorfev is your number one guy there.
SPEAKER_03I mean, he's been going off, but he's streaky.
SPEAKER_00He's very, very streaky.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, but like nine goals and they also got Derzy on the back end, but they lost Trochek at center. So obviously they they're relying on JT to be their number one. I think maybe Zabinajjad becomes their number two. Like there's a chance like with Cooley taking a step up, Lafreniere is down bound to you know pop off at some point, you know. Like they have a lot of pieces to they have a lot of pieces, right? Like they they can make a push, and you think back to how good they were that one year they ran into Florida. I think the first year when Florida won the cup. And uh there, I mean, there is a chance that that they do turn things around this year. Sterkins no longer playing for a contract, but still a good goalie. The Alenders I'm pretty interested in. Like what year two Schaefer is gonna bring. Uh, they didn't do a ton in terms of like who they brought in. They made Bo Horvat the captain, they lost Anders Lee. Um, but it'll be like I don't know if maybe some of the depth pieces helped them out. A lot of the guys that they had last year, you know, bigger roles, Emile Heineman, that sort of thing. Alan, are you high on the Alenders at all?
SPEAKER_00I like the individual players, as you can tell on a fantasy team, but I think they're gonna do the same thing and they're gonna fight for a wild card spot. I I don't I don't know if they have the power. I mean, they looked good as a team when everyone was healthy, everyone was clicking. I mean, Schaefer looked nuts. They got their franchise defensemen there. Um way better than I think anyone would have predicted. Um I think I think it helps when you know you're not asked about your mom's battle of cancer every five minutes. Um But I think that the Islanders it's gonna be Sorokin's gotta stay healthy, and they just they basically just have to put it together. It's it's I think it's their spot to lose. Um we'll see what happens. I mean, I like him. I don't have him as a strong contender, but definitely a decent dark horse.
SPEAKER_03They were fighting for it last year, too.
SPEAKER_00So yeah.
SPEAKER_03Alright, Pennsylvania, Philly, Pittsburgh, Philly. I I was kind of shocked when they beat Pittsburgh, honestly, and then looking back on, oh, I wasn't shocked. I I had Pittsburgh winning that series in the playoffs, and then when they played, I was like, yeah, Philly's way outmatching them right now. Year two of uh Martone, it's gonna be pretty exciting if you're a Philly fan, though. Like they've they've got a lot of pieces going in. I mean, I'd be worried about um I'd be worried about Lodar, but yeah, getting injured in preseason.
SPEAKER_02I think their back end looks fine. They don't really I mean, yeah, how many times are we gonna hear how we how many times is someone gonna pump Cam York's tires? Like I don't know.
SPEAKER_03Hey, they got a new funny name guy. Let me introduce you to Oliver Bonk.
SPEAKER_00Oh, he was uh did he play for Saginaw?
SPEAKER_03I think he played for Western. I think he was on the Western Michigan team that won.
SPEAKER_00Oliver Bonk. He sounds so familiar.
SPEAKER_03Oh, wait, no, yeah, he was the guy who got the 99 in Chell.
SPEAKER_00Yes, he was over. He was the first guy to get 99 because they counted like OHL goals or something, and he just kept scoring. He was getting like two goals a game.
SPEAKER_03Unbelievable. I think I mean Philly's gonna be fun. Zegris is gonna have another good year. Um, who's the I mean you gotta get most successful offseason, I think, causing chaos all over the league with the offer sheet to Carlson. But otherwise, I think you know, you get Forrester back after being injured all year, and uh Drysdale. I mean, you could go down the list with all the guys that they have, but I think they are still missing their like vital centerman, and Katerier's only gonna be around for so long. So obviously they wanted to go big with Carlson. I think they were ready to offer him that money. I mean, the up they obviously did, but to pay up is is something else. So um Pittsburgh, on the other hand, I think year two of Dan Mews behind the bench, uh uh what's it called? Uh Jack Adams candidate last year. I think uh they're poised to make a push again, but high expectations at all from you guys on Pittsburgh at all. I just want Sydney to do well.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it's final year probably.
SPEAKER_03As long as he's happy, right? You think he gets traded? Is this finally the year?
SPEAKER_02I don't know. I think if he if he moves, like uh like it's up to him, right? Maybe I'm like, it's yeah, like it's up to him. You want to go. But where would he want to go?
SPEAKER_03Like it's like the Hawks approaching Kane, no? Do you guys kind of get that feeling?
SPEAKER_02I don't know.
SPEAKER_03Like it's about time.
SPEAKER_02I would I would think that if he were to move, he wants to go to a Stanley Cup, like a contender. I think there's only two options.
SPEAKER_03He's he's set in Vegas. No, no, no, no. Bad. Boo, boo. Yeah, who does he think he is? Dill Narkin. I think there's two options. I said before, he said in an interview with Elliott Freeman, if there was one team, you know, gunned ahead, it was Montreal, because that was the team he grew up admiring and loving. And I think they could definitely like he would take that 2C role in a heartbeat. And obviously, Suzuki playing with his idol would be crazy. But I think the other one that he's been tied to forever is Colorado. Like, go play with you know your hometown friend with McKinnon. And they will have the money for that. Like, be like until they have to re-sign McKinnon or do whatever they need to, cap circumvention-wise, like that's that's the destination, or those two are like they're on, they're still gonna be there. Like, who knows how how long Florida has, right? You you meant you talk about their age.
SPEAKER_00Garbage time.
SPEAKER_03Well, why give it to no no no trake London did the right thing. He took a knee, he took a knee.
SPEAKER_00No, he slipped. God damn, he's so bad. When I need him to get a touchdown, cannot get a touchdown.
SPEAKER_02I just hope he has fun. I really don't know. I I think Pittsburgh is, I mean, probably Malkin's last year, right? Yeah, unless Father Time really does his thing this season. Uh doesn't do his thing this season, like it's it's gonna be tough with Malkin being like 39, Crosby being 40. Like it's yeah.
SPEAKER_03Alright. The headline to start the entire NHL postseason. Sam, give me a reason why the Ottawa Senators are still gonna be good without Kachuk.
SPEAKER_02I don't know who you're talking about. I think Ottawa's gonna lick ass. I think like three I think three guys are gonna I think three guys are gonna be that entire team, and it's all it's unfortunately gonna be Stutzla, it unfortunately might be uh Eklund, and it unfortunately might only be um Dylan Cousins, because that team cannot score.
SPEAKER_03Well, so I I'm gonna, you know, talk about myself and my draft strategy before, but like of course they would put they would put Zetterland back on the first line the season after I drop him. Like unbelievable work. They have uh right now, I think it's Stilzel leading his own line with Batherson, and they have Eklund, Zetterland, and Cousins on the line. So I'm hoping Cousins and Eklund go off. Take a look at Zetterland because I loved him in San Jose. But goaltending-wise, you've got to think if there's no rumors circulating around Ottawa this year, maybe Omark has a better state of mind this season, comes back to form. They still have Shabbat and Sanderson. Like they have all the pieces for a decent team, but I think I'm with you guys. They probably missed playoffs. They got swept last year, and without Kachuk, they got to take a season maybe to find new leadership in the locker room. Um, I think one of the more exciting teams, or sorry, before we get into no, yeah, let's talk about it. San Jose. I mean, high, high hopes, you guys think? Or I I I have them make in the playoffs. I have them in the top three in the Pacific this season. Celebrini signs for what was it, 18 million?
SPEAKER_00No, he's like, I don't think Celebrini takes a step back. You think he's gonna be that good?
SPEAKER_03No, yeah, Celib Celebrini made 18.8. Oh, yeah, no, he's that good. He he'll probably get the points record this season, like m Ted Lindsay or whatever you want to call it. Offensively, they didn't shore up much, right? They got Truba on the back end.
SPEAKER_02They got nerfs back end.
SPEAKER_03They drafted Stenberg.
SPEAKER_02My question is a little bit of like how well does that really old defensive line hold up against Ascarov in front? Or it's not Askarov, who is it? It is Askarov? Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03But like you think about who they had last year. It's definitely a step up from Mario Ferraro and Sam Dickinson as your top line.
SPEAKER_02I don't I don't know. I don't know. Like I I'm not I'm not sure.
SPEAKER_03They finally have a guy to quarterback on the on the power play with Nurse. He's got the experience, although, you know, obviously he wasn't like the professor.
SPEAKER_02Maybe I'm a San Jose hater, though. But I don't know. I think they are on paper stack. But like how much can you put trust in Colin Graf? You guys got rid of Eklund, who that was a big guy, but now you have Chernochev.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, that's the guy that I think most of them are high on right now. Top six with them.
SPEAKER_02He was decent, and then you got uh not only Chernoshov, you got um Will Smith on Celebrities right wing. Uh it's like Pavel something.
SPEAKER_03Oh, he's gone. Regenda is in the Swiss League now. I don't know if you saw that.
SPEAKER_02I did not know when he'd move.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, he signed a one year with the Swiss League. I was actually not, I was planning not to tell you and then see if you would draft him, be like, wait, why does he have a yellow flag next to him? Yeah, that was kind of shocking. Yeah, I saw that randomly. I was not after the year that he had, although obviously he didn't put up the ton a ton of points. I mean, when you play with Celebrini, you're bound to you know get an assist or two. But San Jose, I think, has the opportunity to have a much better team uh season that they had last year. And like I said, Pacific's so weak. Like you think about maybe two teams for sure that are locked in in the in those three. I think San Jose has a fighting chance maybe with Anaheim to take that third slot away um at the uh from uh from the Pacific, the the clinchers in the playoffs. But I'm high on them. I don't I don't really know. I don't know why this uh summary of them is saying that they're in the hellibuck mix, but if they get hellabuck. Is this Claude? Uh all right, moving on. We got uh Seattle, Nothingberger offered that you know contract to Robertson. But uh honestly, if they if they got that, they they're they're a much better, they're a much different team. We're to we're definitely talking about them this offseason, but let's hope Joey DeCort has a good season and uh Jacob Mellenson just signed an extension for four years, so they're good. And they have Mackie Semiskevich. Can't forget about that. Uh St. Louis traded for McTavish.
SPEAKER_00Just Lilin like St. Louis.
SPEAKER_03Lost Cairo. I mean, not gonna make the playoffs. Okay, not gonna make the playoffs.
SPEAKER_00Although I hope McTavish is an unbelievable C1 there.
SPEAKER_03Um pops off. Tampa Bay. Gonna be an interesting year. This is what, three straight seasons already? They've gotten knocked out of the first round. How many other coaches do you think survive this besides John Cooper?
SPEAKER_02I think John Cooper has nothing. He's he's can't he can't draft the guys, you know. Like I think John Cooper's doing what John Cooper can and is calling a spade a spade. That team is being held up by it was held up by Vlasik, it is held up by Vlasik, but now you're losing Radish. Uh Hedman uh is uh OCD. Like he needs the players, uh he feels sad sometimes. So who do you have in front? And it's Hegel who can do as much as he possibly can. It's Kutrov who might have a hundred forty-point season. I think he's due for a contract. Contract year for Kutrov.
SPEAKER_00So yeah.
SPEAKER_02Like how like how much can what like yeah, like what more can you expect?
SPEAKER_03This is a team that theoretically should be winning, but this is I think this is the season they're back to form. Like last year I was super high on them. I thought they were gonna make a real push. The year prior, I had them in the finals, I think, over Florida. But you think about it, they run into Florida two straight years, and then last year they lose the most lopsided game seven of all time in the first round of Montreal. So a part of it is luck. I think there is like consumer uh, you know, everyone is kind of in agreement that they were the better team last year and they probably should have made a larger push. They're getting Carlson, they got McKay of this year. I think they are a little bit more bolstered when you look at their team, you're like, yeah, I trust this team to make a deep push. But I think they're one of those guys who are like, or they're one of those teams, you know, that look at this 82 game, 84 game schedule now and are like, we got to go through this whole gauntlet just to get to the postseason. And yeah, they are getting a little older. Vasi's getting up there, Kuchrov's getting up there, Hedman's getting up there. They still have point, they still have Gensel. Like, they have all the pieces there. It's just like, can they have their whole team ready for playoffs next season? And like, are they are they ready to to get back to form like they were before? Or does Cooper walk at the end of the season? Like, who knows? They gotta make a change if they get booted in the first round again, no. I would love for Coop to come to the Blackhawks and that's the kind of team you would he would go to, right? Like the one that's ready to take the next step.
SPEAKER_02Maybe one more decent draft of like a top, whatever, five. And we're I I don't know. I don't know.
SPEAKER_00I think the the watching the what's there's a coach on Anaheim who if it goes to the Hawks, he could probably win like three cups in six years, but I don't think the Hawks will take that guy.
SPEAKER_02So but he might also he might also not say anything about a guy having to blow another guy. And but I mean it's none of my six cops unsolicited blowjobs.
SPEAKER_03Don't know if you guys are have been keeping up with the alphabetical order we're in, but this next team, one of the biggest scandals, when you talk about rigging the draft, no one thought the Toronto Maple Leafs were gonna get this number one overall pick and select Gavin McKenna. But one game in, one preseason game in, my entire reels are flooded with this stupid little pass he passed to himself with around the defenseman and makes one move in the neutral zone, and they're dubbing him as the the heir to uh Austin Matthews' Toronto Kingdom or whatever.
SPEAKER_02Like I think it I think I've seen all uh Oliver Moore do that, and I'm like, yeah, he buttoned.
SPEAKER_03Where's the coverage 4 million? Where's the coverage? So I mean, they got Radish, they got Bob. Sucks about Domi. Uh spit and chicklets says that he might be missing the entire season.
SPEAKER_02What happened? He was like dealing with a surgery that like went wrong?
SPEAKER_03It's I think it's I I don't think it was like an injury. I I think it's just something with his body because he he deals with diabetes. I don't know if it was something related to that. He has he had some sort of existential or not existential, something not um non-contact, let's say. But Toronto, are they back in the playoffs? The Atlantic stacked. Like, what do you guys think?
SPEAKER_02I don't know. This is where Alan and I, this is Max for the for our for our three Scandinavian audience viewers. Um, this is where we were talking about Darren Radish looking bad. Um I don't know if Darren Radish is he lost a lot of confidence. He lost a lot of swagger that like made him a really good defenseman on Tampa. Uh he looks a s he just does not look like he wants to like go end to end when he would in Tampa. Like he's more focused on like I'll let the I'll let Austin and Nylander and uh you know Taveras and uh whatever that other guy. Um Thanks Max for showing your your draft. Um Yeah, I don't know. I don't know. I but they're also a streaky team. They're also like a team where like when they go cold, it's like, well shit, like why is it going cold? Like uh, you know, it's a Nylander is not getting 40 assists, and uh, you know, Matthews isn't going pink in or, you know, bar in.
SPEAKER_03That's the thing though, right? Like they he had that near 70 goal season and then took a step away from that and was like they they entrusted him to play a bit more defensively, and that's what he did, and the team looked better defensively. You know what they needed? They needed a a GM change. They needed John Cheka, the scam artist, to come in and re-bolster their strategy and were gifted the number one overall pick. That's how it works with everyone. I don't know, man. I don't know how much better they look. The you know, the addition of McKenna is gonna be big for them down the road, but in one season, I don't know how it's gonna look for them. And uh like they just don't look straight. They they waived Steven Lorenz today. Like, I don't know what their bottom six looks like at all. Like, I just don't see them as a competitive team in the playoffs if they make it. Alright, down of the wire. Moving on, we got Utah up next. This one I'm this one I'm excited for. Boys. I'm about to say it. My third team. Utah is officially my third team. I've been waiting on it. I had New York there before last year. I gave up on them because I'm like, this team is never gonna do anything anymore. Utah is gonna be my third team. Got Trochek. They're looking better this season. I think one more year of all these young guys that they have developing, the Gunthers and the Cooleys, and you know, Keller and Schmaltz are getting up there, but I do think that this team is poised to make a run in the playoffs, get around maybe one team if they uh, you know, end up lucky with a a favorable matchup. But I don't know, man. You don't think adding Trochek does anything for them?
SPEAKER_00Trochek's a huge piece. He's an unbelievable center. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I mean no, I was just I just don't like I just don't like uh I just don't like that team. It's like they're kind of like in the no man's land ray zone, like Utah. You have to go to Utah, but it's good for the good for the game. Good for the game.
SPEAKER_00I mean Utah the Utah the the the people's team. I mean four dollar concessions, yeah.
SPEAKER_02Cheese. Fuck. Actually, they might be back in it. Um moving on Cosa who who who played well uh who played well in preseason, like uh that was the guy who dropped the interception, just got it back.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I thought that was like Vegas calling it in. Because I'm like, how the like I saw him grab the ball in the air, and then I look away and the ball's not in his hands. I'm like, how do you drop that?
SPEAKER_03What a win. What a win. FTP boys, FTP. Um, another automatic skip, Vancouver.
SPEAKER_00Nah, well, one thing I will say.
SPEAKER_03I was actually ready to say no words, Alan.
SPEAKER_00You you're I would I love Buyam, first Israeli, highest paid Israeli on NHL. But goddamn, I don't think he deserves nine million.
SPEAKER_03What did this put this podcast become? Pro Israel.
SPEAKER_02He's he's gonna be so bad that we're gonna say that him playing in the NHL is anti-Semitic.
SPEAKER_03He's trying to get me to trade Casper one for one for him. I'm like, Sam literally just gave him up for a third rounder. Oh my god. Oh my god. Well, new head coach. They they're paying Buyam just under 10 million. You know, he's earned it. Uh drafted the coach's son. So uh yeah. Gonna be a fun season for Vancouver, finishing 31st. America's favorite team, Las Vegas Golden Knights. Fuck them. Fired Tortorella after their Stanley Cup final loss. What's their what's their outcome here? I mean, they haven't changed much besides losing Dorafev. I think they still have Carter Hart. Defensively, you know, they re-signed um what's his name from Calgary? Not Uyghur, but the other guy. Rasmussen. Rasmus Anderson. Are they still the same team that we saw last year? Is there a chance that they take a step back? They extended Mark Stone two years nine million. I don't think they take a step back.
SPEAKER_02I think Vegas is one of those teams where like they're just tough. Until like literally their core ages out.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. Age eventually catches up with them. And Icel's poised to have a great year, and Mitch Marner, like they're they they have all the components for a great team. Like on the opposite spectrum of, you know, not a lot to talk about. Like they are just one of those teams you expect to see in the playoffs, you know, barring injuries. And it's gonna be interesting. I don't know. Like the the Pacific is so fascinating. Like, I do like they're an automatic lock for us to make the playoffs for sure, right? When it when it comes to the Pacific. Not unanimous?
SPEAKER_00Nine out of ten. Like nine out of ten or eight out of ten.
SPEAKER_03Give me three other Pacific teams that make the playoffs over Vegas that one out of ten times. Edmonton? Edmonton. LA San Jose, Anaheim. Oh my god. That is such a loony tunes uh I didn't and I and I left out Calgary and Vancouver and Seattle specifically. Such a loony tune. Like, what are we talking about? Obviously, maybe there's a chance they don't get first, but like to lock into that top three, I think it's you know, barring injuries. Now, I will say there's a universe where those top three is Anaheim, Edmonton, and San Jose in no particular order, which is kind of what I want to see. But like Sam said, that you just can't count out Vegas. Some reason they're always in the mix. How many more teams have we got? We got Washington. Let's go Washington, yeah. So looks like Ovi's last year. Ovi's last year, five. Got Tuck, got Kairu. Yeah. Got Boone Jenner. Ryan Leider makes 10-0. On a ridiculous contract that, you know, crazy. Uh lost Carlson, not didn't get to resign them, but like I like they have a chance. I I do think that they have a lot of pieces too. Like they're they're no team to laugh at. Logan Thompson's gonna be one of the best goalies in this league this year.
SPEAKER_02I Quinn Hudson or whatever. Cole Hudson. Cole Hudson, he's gonna be sick. Chickram's gonna be sick.
SPEAKER_03I think there's a lot of guys that are like, I mean, the metro's also they're not as loony tunes as the Pacific, but there is kind of like uh you don't know who's gonna get who's gonna finish in the top three there. Carolina for sure, but outside of that.
SPEAKER_02There's there's a little bit of chutzpah that happens in the metro that you don't really see in the Pacific.
SPEAKER_03So we have really turned pro-Israel. This I don't know what's happened in this last 30 minutes, but we wanna we want to introduce our friend DB Netanyahu. Bowen Byrum. Uh last.
SPEAKER_02Don't ever change Bowen Byron's name.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Alright, last team before we spend the last 30 minutes talking about ours, Winnipeg. I mean, Halibuck's gone for sure. He's depth, he's suspended by the team. I saw one graphic. Good news about Winnipeg is Mark Scheifley's about to be the franchise holder in points, goals, assists, everything. So they have a new icon outside of Dale Howerchuk. Um don't fret not, though. Once they move on from Hellebuck, they will have a guy with more Stanley Cup final wins than him. You want to take a guess at who their starter would be if they traded Hellebuck without looking it up? More Stanley Cup final wins than Connor Hellebuck, obviously.
SPEAKER_02So he's got Stanley Cup. So he's got more than one. More than zero.
SPEAKER_03More than zero, yes.
SPEAKER_02I don't know. I think that's what their backup is. Yeah, uh wasn't their backup like this really photogenic guy who was like, oh, I love I love my team, and I love that.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, that was that was. There's technically a guy with a bit more NHL experience than him.
SPEAKER_00I don't know who.
SPEAKER_03Who? Stuart Skinner.
SPEAKER_00Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_03Backup goalie for the Winnipeg Jets. And look, if they trade Hellebook, they have to expect to get a goalie back. That's why I like Minnesota as an option for them, because they could easily flip either one of those, if not both, you know, for added help to that top six. They have nothing, though. Winnipeg has nothing. No favoritism for any of the players. The every single year that player survey is a joke towards them. Everyone's laughing at Winnipeg as a destination.
SPEAKER_02We do have to give them like didn't last season there was that one insane Cole Perfetti goal that like launched them into the playoffs? No, no, no.
SPEAKER_03So it was against St. Louis to tie to tie the game and send Game 7 into OT. Yeah, I I remember that. That was an awesome game. But that was that was the year before this past one. This past one they didn't even make playoffs. That was Carter Hart or the sorry, that was Hello Buck's MVP year.
SPEAKER_01Jesus.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. We could have just skipped this team. Well, no, he went from MVP to Presidential Medal of Freedom.
SPEAKER_02So Jesus Christ.
SPEAKER_03Might as well give him the purple heart. What are we doing? Might as well Netanyahu himself will give him the whatever he wants. They're gonna do live, but the NHL in Israel. Anyways. Oh my god. Hold on, I gotta go to the bathroom before we go to the Blackhawks. There's no one else to go to but the Blackhawks now.
SPEAKER_02No, no, no. I'm gonna I gotta go pee real quick. I'll be right back. Please don't start. Please come back.
SPEAKER_03Fine, fine, fine. No, Alan and I will keep talking. So before we get to the Blackhawks, let's get some ads. No, I'm just showing.
SPEAKER_00We should check on uh Sam's prostate. Ten bathroom breaks in an hour and a half.
SPEAKER_03He's had two, and we've been recording for two hours. I don't blame him. Um, some CBA notes. Obviously, we talked about the 84 game seasons coming this year. Um, not sure what that's gonna do for teams this year for fantasy, obviously. A little more compact of a season. We'll see much more bunched on days. Uh uh that's what keeps flashing is my uh my script that shows me all of the teams with the most off days. So in case you guys were wondering what my fantasy prep was, it's what I'm looking at. Um we're looking at the the start or like training camp is well underway, preseason games are well underway. The season starts on Tuesday, so less than a week away. I think we have like five or six days. Uh Simone Edmondson still unsigned, Alexander Nikishan still unsigned so some top-end defensemen that are still awaiting some some contracts. Uh we'll be curious to see how those unravel, honestly. Like they gotta have contracts before the season. That's just how the league works. Either they get traded or they get signed. Do you have any thoughts on either one of them going into the season?
SPEAKER_00I don't know. Both guys should have some kind of contract. I don't know who's holding out. Is it uh the players' camp or is it the team's camp? Like doesn't make sense, but especially this late into the season, why are you holding holding out for these guys these guys aren't playing, right? In these preseason since they don't have a contract.
SPEAKER_03I mean, Admin Sin has been practicing, he hasn't been playing. No, I don't think so.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I mean it's a valuable ice time, especially for these young guys that you're not letting them play, so you're gonna pay him the same money. You you all you would then uh why don't you just pay him now, get him a few extra games and a few extra reps. And 84 game season, that's gonna be interesting too.
SPEAKER_03That's the big thing, is uh y you don't know with you know the how uh when a league changes like that, and it's uh it's two games obviously, but travel is so much different. Like production is gonna take a hit, and you hear the s uh Steven Adams, I think his name is from the Houston Rockets talking talking about how everybody in every single major national uh sports league is gonna take a dip in the month of November when GTA 6 comes out. Like no one knows what's gonna happen in any of these leagues going forward. I'd it's gonna be so interesting. And we didn't talk about it a lot, but like what are your thoughts on all these American players requesting out of Canadian American teams, like just wanting to go win? Like, I'm I'm curious what your thoughts were on that.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it's I mean these guys they they got a sense of nationalism from the USA team. I can't blame them, that's a sick team. They all did it for Coutreaux, they won the gold for Couture. They want to get out of Canada, bummy ass Canada, to play on a US team. Can't blame them, and you know, everyone says Matthews is soft and there's they changed their tune because he's staying in Canada, but I think he's soft for not leaving Canada, you know? You're allowed to be soft up in Canada, and that's why a Canadian team hasn't won the cup.
SPEAKER_03I don't know why that I don't know why I didn't expect it to go that way, but it went that way. Um I I it's been their right, right? Like NHL players forever have had that right and they're finally taking advantage of it. And we'll see where it goes in the future. Like we've already seen it with Hughes and Kachuk and other Kachuk. Like it's it's been happening, it's gonna continue to happen. And unless you're on a winning team with you know, some sort of pedigree or or resilience, if you want to call it that. Like the camaraderie that say the Hawks have right now. Like, all those guys want to be here, they want to play here, they're committed to each other, and they see the vision. And for some of these teams, they just don't. That's a perfect segue. We got to talk about these Hawks. I buddy, I don't know where to start. This offseason felt grim. I was on the phone with Sam when I saw the news. Chicago Blackhawks are trading for Bowen Byram. And then the immediate next tweet from Freeman was the fourth is in play, and I damn near fell to my knees. And then one preseason game later, and I am full steam ahead. Hawks are making the playoffs, no effort. They're making the Western Conference final. Let's run the 2008, 2009 season back, and we're starting up the dynasty starting today.
SPEAKER_02You calling me, I thought like you were about to tell me like someone passed away. I got very scared. Uh, and then I realized it was because Louis Crevier got traded to Buffalo, and I felt your pain.
SPEAKER_03Um That was one of the toughest moments that I felt all season.
SPEAKER_02But I honestly I think from day one, I think it uh it made sense. And five shots, a hat trick in his first uh his first uh exhibition match, uh bless you, as a Blackhawks, I think it was worth it. I think that fourth was absolutely worth it.
SPEAKER_03And I agree. And I think at like to your point, the value of the fourth was not what the Blackhawks were looking for. We couldn't have taken another top five pick. You know, we had to flip it for something. And how long have we been asking Kyle Davidson to make the free agent signing? And when there's no free agent when there's no free agent signings, you gotta go out and make a splash. And that's exactly what he did. And it paid dividends in his first preseason game. We'll see how he does in the Blackhawks final preseason game. I think it's in two days, um, or however long we have in the preseason left. But besides that, the Bedard extension signing for $15 million for what was it, five or six years, buying a single year of UFA. Uh signing Kane, you know, uh not necessarily a bolster to the roster by any means, but it does help solidify middle six, potentially top six role. Cancer off for a full season, Fundel for a full season. Like, we'll just go around the horn, Alan. Like, what is your what is your number one like most optimistic part of this season for the Hawks?
SPEAKER_00I like that they gave Oliver Moore a contract. I thought he had a lot of yeah.
SPEAKER_02He did cost us this preseason game by not being able to pass it behind his back, but it's okay. It's four and a half million, and he's good for the media. So this is a business at the end of the day.
SPEAKER_00I saw that I think it was Apiram got his hat trick, and it was Frondell and Cancerov on the ice, and I'm like, hell yeah. I don't know, three on three in the OT. I think it was Cancerov, it's the third guy. I'm like, that's that's positive. All these young guys firing. So I just hope we can carry that into the regular season, to be honest.
SPEAKER_03And they're gonna be good, and I think a second year under Blashell, like he's he's obviously not the scheme coach that we were all expecting. Like, he's not gonna be that guy for the next step, or maybe he is, but I do have a strong feeling that these guys are all going to be playing a lot stronger under him. Like they have a solid foundation of camaraderie in the locker room. And you saw it today, I think Blashill's comments. He was like, Yeah, biggest reason we wanted to keep Oliver Moore was because he's the guy who rips on Bedard the most. Like, uh you love to see you know these guys getting along and the trajectory that this team is on, I think, is the most exciting thing. And I'm not kidding. I I do think playoffs is very much in the picture for us this year, if not like absolutely the goal for every single guy in that locker room.
SPEAKER_00So another thing, I just looked up uh the first day. I wanted to see when the Hawks opener was, and it's that that first day, that Tuesday. Um and the first game of this NHL season, it's the most, it's gonna be the highest scoring, most exhilarating game we're gonna get. It's what I said earlier was gonna be 0-0 Florida Carolina opening up the season. Yep. Just noticed that.
SPEAKER_03Yep.
SPEAKER_00It's gonna be a great game. It's gonna be the Eastern Conference final preview right there, in my opinion.
SPEAKER_03I mean, it's like the third straight year, too, that the Hawks have to play uh a team in the Stanley Cup final. It's that's unbelievable. We have a special appearance by the one and only Patrick Cain. Patrick Kane.
SPEAKER_01Patrick Kane.
SPEAKER_02Um I think I'm most I'm most excited about like our defense finally having a guy who is really happy to be the number one defenseman. Yeah, I think that was such a fun game to watch. Um that's like really I I I mean, I hope that we have guys that are that play their supporting roles well, like Bois Ver. Like uh I I would say Green is a supporting role, but uh maybe Moore is also a supporting role. Uh I just uh I don't know. I think the team still might need either one additional like free agent signing, uh or the team just takes a uh a full-on effort, uh cumulative effort, and takes a step forward that alleviates this team from a 76 point team to an 86, 89 point, and now we're flirting with the first or second wild card because the Pacific is made out of garbanzo beans. Exactly. And so I I'm excited. I I really want the Hawks to to be well, I think for my mental capacity and I think everyone's mental capacity.
SPEAKER_03Well, hey, fantasy football is down the drain for me. Fantasy hockey, no expectations. So I'm putting all my energy into the Hawks this season. I think it's energy that's well spent.
SPEAKER_02There the Andrea and I might go, and the tickets are like at 90 bucks right now for the Hawks home opener. If you can lie, would be awesome. Would be awesome. Would be awesome. Her dad's going, but he's gonna be in a suite. So we could uh we could all four of us go.
SPEAKER_03It's gonna be exciting this season for sure. I'm I'm I'm I'm looking forward to see how this f this this forward group really takes a step forward. Uh, you know, no pun intended. I I do think, you know, with with all the guys that we have now and you know Terra Vinan taking a step out of the lineup, Bertuzzi maybe taking a uh a more minimal role than he was asked of last year. Um and once Bedsy comes back, I do think there's a chance that this this team really makes a push. It's just relying on those, you know, supporting cast, the the Frundel's second year and Kancerov and Nazar actually taking a step up. Yeah, yeah, Lardis as well. Um and they all look good in preseason. It's gonna be exciting to see for sure. Alan, any parting words for your tried and true?
SPEAKER_00I think Hawks are going 62, 10, and 4.
SPEAKER_02Fucking beats uh both uh what was that Boston's record?
SPEAKER_00Actually, my numbers are not up to 84. Yeah, I was about to say two ten and twelve. That's what we're doing. 62, 10 and 12.
SPEAKER_02I think the Hawks are 82, 1 and 1. Who's that one loss? It's some retarded team. It's probably St. Louis.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_02It's our first, it's our first game. It's our first game. There we go.
SPEAKER_03It'll be a fun season, and uh, we're excited to get back to recording probably once a week. Uh fantasy-wise, I think we're gonna change it up with how we talk about it this year. Alan, do you have any notes for uh our fantasy coverage this year?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, um, I'll tell you this. Me and Max, we did an ESPN standard Yahoo draft. We took six defensemen and first. Yeah, exactly. Took six defensemen.
SPEAKER_02ESPN standard fan tracks Yahoo.
SPEAKER_00Oh, Alex Line injured. Uh that's it. Sabres are not gonna win a game.
SPEAKER_03So, yeah, I mean, we'll have coverage from all sorts of leagues, like the standard PPR, and I think for us as well, like the fan tracks, the the league that we have set up, like we talked about before, is really we're trying to make it as indicative of the all-around NHL player as we can. And those stats we value a lot. We'll we'll still bring those to you guys and you know try to round out at least for each matchup period or or however we see fit. Just talk about like who the overall best performers were that week. So it's gonna be a fun season. Fantasy-wise, we'll still keep you up to date with uh us three, making sure that our matchups are covered. Um, but otherwise, looking forward to it, boys. Any parting words for our six viewers, three international?
SPEAKER_00Tune in next week.
SPEAKER_02Tune in next week when we're gonna get 12-0.
SPEAKER_03Post-draft coverage from our fantasy league. We got our fantasy draft on Sunday, so it'll be fun to talk about that. Alan and I are both gonna be coming in hot. Probably gonna need Sam to proxy draft for us unless he takes our guys.
SPEAKER_00Actually, no, I'm not coming in hot because I thought it was Saturday, so I'm be I'll be good on Sunday.
SPEAKER_03Oh, thank god.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, Saturday I was I thought it was Saturday like shit.
SPEAKER_03Awesome boys. So looking forward to as soon as Caleb is back.
SPEAKER_00No, as long as Caleb's back, otherwise it's gonna be a tough Sunday.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. Well, they play on Monday. So they can check the schedule.
SPEAKER_00All right, why do we have the draft? Okay.
SPEAKER_03Don't care. Thank you everybody for listening. Catch you guys again next time. Peace.