Triple Play UK
UK based podcast discussing NFL, NHL & MLB.
Matt & Tom talk about their love of sports and all the hot topics from around the leagues.
Triple Play UK
Josh Allen $330 million dollar man, Is Josh Naylor a Top 3 first base man and who will top the divisions in the NHL.
We take a look at the NFL trade market and some of the big deals taking place already. Is Josh Allen a 320 million dollar quarterback?
We continue to compare our top 10 first & second basemen in the MLB. Tom is not happy with the positioning of one of Matt’s picks.
Over in the NHL we predict who tops each division, Ovechkin watch and Nathan Mackinnon becomes the newest member of the 1000 point club.
Welcome to TriplePlay UK, the UK's home of the NFL, NHL and MLB. Welcome to Triple Play UK. I'm your host, Matt, alongside my co host, Tom, again. Welcome along. We've got lots to cover off this week. We're going to be looking at the NFL, key trades and deals that have been completed in the last week or so. Over in the MLB, Tom and I are going to do our top 10 first and second baseman, which is a continuation from our look at pitches and catches last week. In New York, the Yankees are losing a starter, so we look at should they be dipping into the market. then also, the Yankees fans have been having a good laugh at Juan Soto's expense this week. In NHL, we're going to be predicting our divisional winners, Nathan McKinnon became the 100th player to get 1000 plus points, so we're going to be looking at just how good this guy is, and who can catch Wayne Gretzky's record? Tom, lots and lots to cover off this week. you been kept busy?
Tom:Oh, mate, we're always busy. We're always busy, aren't we? It's been absolutely manic. I think the NFL free agent signings were going off by the minute. I think, guys, if you listened to last week's podcast, we, I think two got announced while we were recording the episode. So I've got my phone sat on my lap waiting for the breaking news to come through for this week. But, yeah, it's been, it's been a hectic week, mate. Like we said, lots going on in the NFL. We've had the trade deadline, obviously, been and gone in the NHL, which we covered off as well. So, like you said, we'll kind of preview where we think the rest of the season will go, who's going to finish where. Yeah, like we said, plenty going on in baseball. Spring training coming towards its end now and a couple of weeks away from the season start, so very excited about that. I think we guys on the socials, we've obviously had quite a bit of fun with the with the pictures and captures rankings that we did last week. I was a little bit disappointed that a lot of, a lot of the guys actually favoured Matty's lists last week. So, I've had to retool and rethink coming into this one because I cannot believe that Matty's lists were more popular than mine last week with no Chris Sale in his pictures. So, yeah, we'll, we'll get into that a little bit later on. But Matty. Take us away NFL free agency trades loads happening as it's all kicked off. What's been going on?
Matt:It's been a crazy sort of seven days in the NFL. I've never known such a busy off season, whether or not it's because we're having to sort of dip into it because of what we're now doing, whether or not it's just always this busy. I think the biggest one The bills signed Josh Allen to a$330 million contract, which keeps him at the bills until 2030, so off the back of his MVP year. you think he's worth that kind of money?
Tom:Yeah, I'd say so. I think Josh Allen, he got the money that he, he was, I'd say that he deserved. I think the con, I mean, big contracts seem to be being handed out for fun in the NFL this off season. I think it's been reported that there's been about two or three different players. that have signed extensions or like re signed or signed free agency deals that have made them the highest paid player either in their position. We saw that with Saquon Barkley. And we've seen other players sign deals that have made them the highest paid player outside of. A quarterback. So to see Josh Allen, who has obviously been the Bills MVP for the last few years now is the reason that they have their success at the moment. Obviously he, he, and he is the league's MVP, so I think, look, he got the bills did what they had to do. They had to lock him up to an extension. They had to pay him obviously 2030. They've now got him locked in for the next five years. He is, you, I mean, you'd probably say, what, he's gonna come into his best years now. I know, obviously, Brady went on and performed up into his forties, but not everyone can be as good as the coat. But, look, Josh Allen's probably coming into the prime of his career, and he's well worth the money. I think you, when, you know, you look at kind of the way the teams have done it. The Eagles, you lock up Jalen Hurts. The Chiefs locked up Patrick Mahomes. Trevor Lawrence, Justin Herbert. Now, I know Trevor Lawrence hasn't quite gone to plan as of yet for the Jags, but look, still a good quarterback in there if he can find his form again. When you have these franchise quarterbacks, you have to lock them up to big deals, and that just is the money that gets shipped around in sports nowadays. It's there to be spent, the teams have got it, and that's what the players get paid. So, I'd say for the Bills, it's 100 percent worth it, because with no Josh Allen, they don't make the playoffs. So, I guess it's how much you value post season. And obviously season success and post season success, which they hope to have with Josh Allen and I think there's no reason with the team the Bills have got and him kind of spearheading that, that they can't be successful.
Matt:Yeah, I completely agree with you there, mate. I think the money is definitely worth it. They've made him the face of the franchise, like you said, without Josh Allen. Do the bills win anything and I don't think they do. So for me, a lot of money. Don't get me wrong. It's a lot of money. But when you look at some of the other deals that have been done for some of the other QBs that went and got traded this week, It's crazy money, but it's it's worth it for the bills So in other news then the Jets signed QB Justin Fields to a 40 million dollar contract over two years from the Steelers Obviously the Jets are on a rebuild An okay signing I think considering where they're at. I'm, not too unhappy about that one. It'd be interesting to see what they do in terms of wide receivers I think they're still going to go after a qb in the draft as well So we'll wait and see what comes from that the steelers after dk metcalf and exchanged him for a 2025 second round pick on a four year million dollar contract from the seahawks The Raiders traded for Gino Smith in exchange for a 20 25 3rd round pick. Now, apparently, turned down a 2 year contract extension from the Seahawks. Didn't go back to them with a counter offer, so they instantly traded him. Which meant that the Seahawks needed a QB. They have acquired Sam Darnold from the Vikings on a three year, 100 million dollar contract. Is interesting because I thought he was gonna stay at the Vikings,
Tom:yeah, it was interesting. We were obviously talking about the DK Metcalf deal for a little while. We, I mean, we were talking about potentially him going to the Packers. We did mention the Raiders, obviously they did make the deal with Seattle to get Gino Smith. Again, another Pete Carroll connection. I think Gino Smith played his best football under Pete Carroll. So I can, I'm not too surprised. With that, obviously the Seahawks then going out and replacing him with Sam Darnold, which I actually think is a really good move because I think despite his performance against the Rams in the playoffs, I think Sam Darnold had a really good year, threw for over 4, 000 yards. He's a good quarterback and I think that's the kind of player that the Seahawks can build around and can move forward with in their season. Gino Smith's good, but I think Sam Darnold is, is arguably just as good, if not a better QB in my opinion, just my opinion, but I think that's a good move from them and yeah, like I'm sorry just going back to the DK Metcalf deal I didn't really see that coming and I think the reason being is just because I think a lot of teams thought that he would Go to maybe a war. I think there was a lot of rumors that I saw that he wanted to go to somewhere That was slightly warmer. He wanted somewhere that had a slightly more potent offense And that was definitely in contention for the playoffs every year and then he you know, I mean it did yeah, he goes He goes to the Steelers. So It was a bit of a weird one the trade, obviously I know he doesn't have a huge say in that, if they want to make the trade, they make the trade, but I know they obviously speak to the players about that, so not too, not too sure on that one. I think just with regards to all of those deals that kind of gone on between the teams there. I think the most interesting one is the Gino Smith to the Raiders because more for a fact that obviously the Raiders Were going to be potentially looking at a QB in the draft now Whether they feel that Gino Smith is a better bet than some of those QBs coming out the draft Is that an indication of that? I mean our team's starting to look at this draft and go Actually these QBs are not quite what we want. We obviously spoke about obviously Joe Milton the third being a potential trade option. Obviously your boys were looking at QBs and they've just got out and got Justin Fields. I know you've said there that you think they might still go and look at a QB in the draft, but is Justin Fields, again, is that an indication that actually the QBs coming out of this draft are not where the teams that are needing a QB want them to be? So they've decided to actually, let's go and make trades for guys that we think will give us. a more, a better option of getting wins this year. So, yeah, I'm I'm curious to see kind of how that plays out for the draft. But yeah, some big deals going on there. And like I said, very surprising that DK Metcalf actually finds himself as a stealer and not one of the teams that we mentioned.
Matt:In the QB market as well, you've still got Aaron Rodgers, who's rumored to be looking towards New York, but the Giants, which I think would be I think it'd be a good move for the Giants because they need, they desperately need a quarterback. He'd probably give them experience. Obviously there was issues at the Jets and we don't know the full ins and outs of it but Jets decided to pass on him for the last year of the three year deal. So it'll be interesting to see if he can make a deal with the Giants. Do you think he'd do any good there?
Tom:I am, I'm a bit split on it. I, I think Aaron Rodgers is one of the best QBs of this generation. I think he's, he's a legend of the game. He's a Hall of Fame player. One of the best QBs I've ever seen. Guys in his 40s now, I just think there has to become a time where, and I'm not saying to not sign him because, like I said, Tom Brady played into his 40s, and QBs can do it, and he still put up numbers for the Jets last year, and there were certain games for you guys last year where, Aaron Rodgers put you on his back and, Do I think that he has still got it in him to be that QB for a New York market team where there is so much pressure on him? And I mean, we were talking about how bad the Jets were and have been for a little while, but the Giants have been worse for the last couple of years, arguably. Last year they were worse than the Jets. You're arguably giving yourself more pressure by going over to a team like New York and the Giants, because they're worse than the Jets were. You've got more pressure on you with the protests that we saw last year at the end of the season. So, yes, I think he can do a job for them. I do. Do I think Aaron Rodgers is still the same quarterback that he was at the Packers, that can get you a season where that gets you into the playoffs and takes you far in the playoffs? Personally, no, just because I just think we've just got past that point and I think the game has moved on. I think players are a lot more mobile now. Defenders, even big defenders, are a lot more mobile. People get to the QB quicker. And look, this is no disrespect to Aaron and I'm sure he's probably still fit as a fiddle, but you're in your 40s. Your legs don't move as quickly as they used to. You can't escape the pressure as easily and you're not going to be playing in a team like the Giants. Don't have the best offensive line. I say this and I don't mean it biasly, I think if Aaron Rodgers was coming in and going to play for the Eagles, I'd say, yeah, you might probably still make the playoffs because you've got such a good offensive line that plays in front of him that can keep him out of trouble, and obviously he can hand the ball off to someone like a Saquon Barkley, then I'd be like, yeah, you'll, you'll probably still have a decent season. I think teams like the Giants, where you just don't have that protection around you, I can't see it being a success. But look, Aaron Rodgers is, like I said, one of the best ever, so he may well go to the Giants and prove me wrong. And I think he's always going to be a good signing, regardless, because of who he is, and the fact that, even if he doesn't play every week, he's going to give the young coupes their a chance to succeed and he can, they can learn from him. So I'm, I'm not sure my, my jury's out on that one, but if I was to go one way or the other, I think I'd probably lean towards, no, I don't think that would end up being a successful partnership between the two.
Matt:Let's keep our eyes on that one. Obviously it's going to pick up more and more now that the trade window officially opens on the 12th. So I'm sure more deals will probably get done by the time next week rolls around mate. So we're going to jump to MLB then bud, and we're going to have a look at. Our top 10 first baseman first. This could be quite interesting because it obviously split a lot of listeners, and split a lot of people on socials, and someone was a little bit upset that my list, my lists were favoured over yours. Apart from one person that said apparently I don't know ball, but that's just one person's opinion compared to a large number of others that said I did so think I found the person that you might have paid off their mate
Tom:I'm not bitter. I'm not bitter at all.
Matt:it didn't come across like that at all mate when it went out on socials It didn't come come across like that at all from you. So Do you want to run me through your top 10 first? At first base, and then I'll go with mine
Tom:Yes. So like I said, guys, I've had a real hard think about this because like I said, I wasn't bitter about the fact that more people favoured Matty's list, but I think maybe just maybe some of you guys or the people that we've got on our socials favour Matty's list a bit more. I've had a little think, I've thought, how can I approach this differently? And I'm not going to approach it differently because I think that the way I look at it is. I, obviously you're always going to say this is my opinion, but this is the list that I think they are. So I'm going to say my list. I'm going to take the same approach to things as I did in the last time. I'm going to give you my top ten and hopefully this time people can see through the, the fog of, oh he's just picked the people that hit the most home runs like he said last, last time. One thing I will say guys is hopefully both of us have a slightly better luck with some of the lists because A couple of the guys that we put on our pictures list have obviously now been confirmed that they're out for the season, so, so yeah, that that went down quite well in the comments section as well, there was a couple of comments that did make me laugh, where they mentioned about the fact that Gerrit Cole obviously Out with Tommy John surgery. We'll touch on that shortly. It's obviously Matty, I think had him third. I think I had him sixth. Obviously, he will not be pitching this year. So, let's hope that for the sake of the players on our list this time, we they don't pick up any injuries. But yeah, my top ten. So first base in 10, I've got Contreras. Ninth, I've got Vinnie Pasquitino of the Royals. Eighth, I've got Josh Naylor. Seventh, I've got Luis Arias. I know he kind of plays a little bit all over the infield, but I think he has kind of been locked in as going to be playing first base this year. Obviously, he's probably the best contact hitter arguably in the league. Always in the top two or three players in his league in average. So, had to get him in there. Sixth, I've gone for Walker. Fifth, I've gone for Big Polar Bear Pete Alonzo. Fourth, I've got Olsen. Third, now this is where it got tough because I think the top three, arguably you probably could have had them in any order just because they're all brilliant players. But three, I have gone Freddy Freeman, and no, I've not put him at third because of the, because of the ninth inning home run that he hit against the Yankees in the World Series last year. No, Freddy, I'm sure you are listening to this. But but no, I've not put him, I've not put him third because of that. I think he's brilliant and he still is but I think just slightly older than the two guys that I've got ahead of him and I just think he's coming sort of towards the tail end of his career. As opposed to where the others, especially one of them, is obviously still very young. And second, I have got that young star, and who will be the absolute face of Free Agency, come the end of this season. I've got Vladimir Guerrero Jr., just absolute monster of a player. And then first, I think it could, like I said, it could have been any of the three. But I had to go Bryce. I do think Bryce, when he's fully fit, he didn't play all the games last year, but Bryce Harper, when he's fully fit, is an MVP candidate every single year. He's electric. Bryce Harper's the kind of player, for me, when I watch baseball, I watch the game because I want to watch Bryce Harper because he makes the game fun to watch. Bring so much energy to the field his numbers aside He's an exciting player and he just he gets the crowd going and some of the moments that he's had in his career so far As well as he still put up really good numbers last year without being fully healthy So for me, I've got Harper number one, but like I said, I think Freeman Vladi and Bryce Harper I think you could have put those three in any order and I don't think you could have you could really argue it Sort of one way or the other, but go on, Matty. You're, you're, you're top ten for first base. Who have you got?
Matt:To be fair mate, our lists are very very very similar However, there is one that you will say is a rogue pick and it will annoy you I know for a fact where I've put somebody will annoy you and I cannot wait for the reaction so In I have Nathaniel Lowe of the Nationals, Vinny Pasquantino, and then we've got at 8th, Paul Goldschmidt of the Yankees, Christian Walker at 7th, at 6th I've got Pete Alonso. Now my top 5, Freddie Freeman at 5, I've got Matt Olsen at 4. And then we get into my top three.
Tom:I can already see where this is going. I can already see where this is going, and I know I'm not gonna be happy about it.
Matt:At number three, Josh Naylor at number two Exactly the same as you Vladdy Guerrero jr. then my number one Bryce Harper Uncontested mate, he's probably gonna be the best first baseman this year as well I already know that this is, this is going to create some debate. So why do you disagree with Josh Naylor at three, mate?
Tom:I love how you knew that that's what I was gonna come to. Josh Naylor at three by the way, Josh Naylor is a really good player. But we had this debate the other night, and by the way guys, Matty has kind of, like, I'm not saying he's changed it round, I'm not saying he's changed it round, but Matty was actually trying to argue with me before, because we, like we always say, we don't give the lists away, because we kind of like to blind react to these, because more for my shock where Matty puts up with these players. But first of all, you've got Josh Naylor ahead of Freddie Freeman, which is ludicrous, by the way. But, you, Matt, he was trying to argue the other day, guys, that Josh Naylor, there's an argument for him being ahead of Vladdy Guerrero Jr. Now, defensively, potentially, yeah, I think Naylor's, he really, he's quite a good defensive first baseman. I'll give, I'll give him that. He is good. Let me just run through the lines. Josh Naylor last year hit 31 home runs. He hit for 243, drove in 108 runs. He had a win, he had a wins above replacement. of 1. 5 and an OPS of 776. That's a pretty decent stat line. It's not a great stat line, it's a decent stat line. Now let me read you Vladdy Guerrero Jr.'s numbers, who Matt was trying to say, was trying to say, Oh yeah he could potentially have had a better season than him. Vladdy had a 6. 2 wins above replacement, was one hit shy of 200, hit 30 home runs, drove in 103 runs, Bat 323, slugged for 544, had a 940 OPS. That's an MVP level season, never mind an alright season. So, why I get annoyed that you put Josh Naylor in third, and you were even trying to argue that he could have been above Vladdy, is just because Josh Naylor just had A decent power hit in season for a first baseman. It wasn't anything special. He's a top 10 He's not a top even a top five like I look for me anyway So yeah to have him to have him third above freeman and To try and argue the other day that he might be above laddie. I can't have it mate. I'm, sorry. That's that's Yeah, I think that might be worse than adly at four
Matt:I've just sat here and laughed through that whole like piece, mate, because I've just, I can sense the, the almost anger and disdain in your voice. I can't wait for it to go out on socials. I, I just want one person just to go, Yeah, Matt's on point there. Just to, just to get the call or just to get a message from you. Just the anger. I can't wait. Right then, let's move on to second base then, mate. I'll go first this time. see. We, by the way, we haven't even messaged about second base at all, have we? So, is going to be quite interesting because I'm probably going to annoy you again. I will include some omissions from my second bass list because I, I had like 13 at one point and I had to try and shuffle them and I was thinking about, you know, who to fit in and where I thought they fitted in. So at number 10, gone for Brendan Donovan. At number 9, former Yankee, Glaber Torres. At 8, Andres Jimenez. At 7, Brandon Lowe. At 6, Luis Garcia Jr. At number 5, Chisholm Jr. Number 4, and I probably think this is going to be one that you go, how have you gotten that high? Mookie Betts, at number 4. Number 3, Marcus Samin. Number 2, Jose Altuve. And my number 1, Ketel Marte, How do you how, how are you with that list, mate? Is there any
Tom:mate
Matt:ones in there that you want to argue?
Tom:Do you know what, mate? Out of all the lists we've done so far, the three that I've heard previous to this, I actually think this is probably the one I maybe agree with most. A little bit annoyed with myself because I haven't got Mookie Betts on there. Only purely because I've got him down playing short this year. So, Mookie Betts, yes guys, don't hate me when you hear my list, will be on my shortstop list. Isn't going to be on my second bass list this year. I know he'll probably do play both positions this year potentially for the Dodgers, so. I've got them down as shortstop, but before I go into my 10, Matt, I am curious though, because you said you had omissions. Who did you leave out? Who was nearly for you?
Matt:So I left, I left two out. I left Ozzy Albies out, and I only omitted him due to injury last year. Missed a lot of the season, but projected to do really well this season. And Matt McLean, again, omitted due to injury. Should be back this season. I think he's going to start on the injured reserve list, but both very, very good players didn't make the list just based on the fact that they were missing most of last year.
Tom:Yeah, Matty, to be fair, I actually agree. I left Ozzy Arby's and Matt McClain out for the exact same reason. Just want to see how they bounce back from their injuries. Because I think both great players, if they're fully fit. And I think if we did a mid season review of these and how we change it, I think there's a good chance that both of these probably do come into our lists. But I think just for now I can't have him in there just because I'm, I just want to see how they bounce back from their injuries, but Kickstarter 10, I've got Andres Jimenez, platinum glove defender, the best defender on the list. Can't have him any higher for me personally just because I don't think he does enough offensively. But I do think that in that Blue Jays lineup, I think we'll see his offensive numbers. Start to spike a little more and start to it to start to climb and I hope they do he's a very good player The Yankees Cleveland series last year some of the defensive plays he made Really kind of for me open my eyes to him. So I was I was impressed. 9th I got Brandon Lau. 8th I got Nico Horner of the Cubs. 7th I got Brandon Donovan. 6th I got Louis Garcia Jr. Again, another good young player there who I can only see getting better. I think for me, sort of between 6th to 10th, again, I think they're all very interchangeable. I think you could have had any of them probably in any positions and I don't think you'd Again, I don't think people would necessarily argue. I have my reasons for having Jimenez as low as he is, just because of the offense. But, again, I think his defense is that good. If someone turned around and said, no, I'd have him top of that crop of players I just said there, I wouldn't really argue too much with them. Getting into the top five then. So fifth, I've got Jazz Jazz Chisholm Jr. Fourth, maybe I'm being a little bit harsh here. I just think he had a slightly down year. But when he's on it, he's one of the best, if not the best. But I have got Marcus Simeon of the Rangers. Third, this was tough for me because I couldn't make my mind up about where I wanted to put the two. And I've put them in this order purely because one of them is more than likely going to be playing a new position this year, if he does play there. Now I know there's a lot of talk that he's going to stay at 3rd and Rafi Devers is going to DH for the Red Sox but just because he's, they've got him down at the moment as playing 2nd base this year, I've got Alex Bregman, now again guys like we said, we do a mid season review on this and if Bregman's been playing 3rd, obviously the lists will change, but because they've got him down as a 2nd baseman at the moment and there's a strong chance he starts the season at 2nd, I've got Bregman at sec third place on my list. And just because it's a new position, I've got Altuve at two on my list, just purely because he's been there, he's done it, he's, do you know what I mean, he's, he's, he's worn the t shirt, he's one of the most historic, like, successful players of the last sort of ten years or so, broken a lot of Astro's records, and he does still put up great numbers for them. And, yeah, like yourself, Matty, number one, Cattell Marte, couldn't really be anyone else for me at that number one position. So what did you think of my list?
Matt:I think they matched up quite well. I think ours were very, very similar. did look at putting Bregman in the list, but I wasn't sure because of obviously him moving to the Sox and potentially moving. So yeah, I left him out, but I say very, very similar lists, mate. I'm impressed. You do know what you're on about
Tom:Well, well, we'll see, won't we? We'll put it to the we'll put it to the public, put it to the public eye on, on socials. And by the way, guys, if you are listening and you do agree with me, back me up on the socials because there was a lot of Matty love last time. And we need, we need some more support for Tom's list if you agree with mine. All right.
Matt:You little beg as if, right. We'll quickly swing into New York then because we've we've heard this week Gerrit Cole will miss the entire season due to needing Tommy John surgery. great news for the Yankees. I think it's been obvious to us, you know, the last couple of weeks that we've spoken, we don't feel that the Yankees are quite where we want them to be for the season coming. So I think now with this injury, we're both a little bit nervous along with a lot of other Yankees fans. you think we should be dipping into the trade market now and maybe looking at another starting pitcher?
Tom:Yeah, a hundred percent. I know the reports coming out today, potentially that they might not be looking at dipping in because there's concerns about the luxury tax threshold, which annoys me because I don't know why. You've never had a problem with it before. So I don't know why now all of a sudden going over the luxury tax threshold is a problem. I just think, I look at it, I think the worrying thing for me is the fact that this is your race. This isn't, and again, I'm not saying this as a disrespect to any of the others, but Lewis Hill's obviously already out for A number of weeks, but if this was Lewis Healop for the season or a Carlos Rodon or even Max Freed, who obviously would be gutting because he's just signed. You'd almost go, it's frustrating, but we've got other pieces of the puzzle that we can put in there and guys can step up. We now need Max Fried or Rodon to become the ace of that rotation. And I just think you need one other big arm in there. I would dip into the market. I would go and look at someone like a Dylan Cease from the Padres who I think would be a really good pickup. He's their best pitcher and I think obviously he's going to be a free agent at the end of the year. I know the Yankees are probably a little bit concerned about that. Going out and getting a player who might just potentially end up being another Juan Soto, has come in, has a brilliant year, is only there as a rental. We don't offer him as much as, let's say, a New York Mets or a Los Angeles Dodgers does. And we lose out on him and we have to give up a big prospect pool to bring him in because that's what the Padres will want from him. But I think if you're a team that has aspirations of winning the World Series, I think you have to kind of look at the here and now and go, Yes, we've got a bill for the future, but as long as you don't give up sort of one of your tops. 1, 2, 3 prospects for him, and you can put a good package together, then I, I think you have to go and get someone like a Dylan Cease, because right now, the Yankees are missing Lewis Hill, D. J. LeMahieu's been shut down indefinitely, Clark Schmitt only pitched his first game of spring training the other day, so he's slightly behind in his scheduling, Giancarlo Stanton out indefinitely with what they call his, like, tennis elbow. So, And now Gerrit Cole, and by the way, this is not just Gerrit Cole out for the 2025 season. They're actually saying that this, it's Tommy John surgery, which usually the recovery point for this is about 18 months. They're saying now, so, this is not like minor Tommy John surgery, like a Shoghi Ohtani has Tommy John surgery but can still hit for the year can't pitch. This is Tommy John gonna miss 2025 and quite a bit of a, potentially a bit of a chunk of 2026 as well, so. You're going to be without your race for that long. I think you have to go and get, get someone. As a Yankees fan, I am a little bit concerned with those injuries that we've, that I've just mentioned there and kind of going into the season, question marks around the lineup, question marks around now the rotation as well. The bullpen's solid, but yeah, I think, I'm looking at at the moment, I'm concerned. I'm concerned.
Matt:Yeah, I think you me and most of the other Yankees fans We'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks, but I'm not gonna hold out much Hope I don't think we're gonna be signing anybody if I'm being completely honest Just very very quickly. We've seen some awful awful catching From a certain Juan Soto, didn't we mate? His defence isn't great, is it? They've paid a hell of a lot of money and anybody hasn't seen it, please go and have a look. Yankees fans were delighting in that dropped catch last week. It was a thing of beauty, wasn't it mate?
Tom:I will never tire of the the Juan Soto hate watch from you, Matty. I feel like you really took him signing with the Mets. I think it really, personally, it got to you. Look, I'll be honest, I saw the clip. It was funny. I couldn't comment too much because you just know the minute as any Yankees fan says anything about a player missing a catch, inning five of the World Series is going to come back up and Aaron Judge's name gets brought into the conversation, so I don't want to say too much about it. It's spring training, mistakes happen. I also don't really want to go too much into a player that very well could hit 40 home runs, bat for close to 300 and potentially win the MVP and get them to the World Series this year. I don't, I don't want to dig him out too much for a, for a miscatch in spring training. Look, we all know Juan Soto's defense is not premier, it's not terrible, but it's not premier, and it is potentially going to be one of those things where they might move him to DH further down the line, but look, when your bat's that good, I think it's just one of those things, I think you almost kind of sacrifice the defense a little bit, kind of knowing what you're getting on the offensive side, but Look, as Yankees fans, like we said, we're suffering a bit at the moment with the injuries and what's going on with our team at the moment. So I think any kind of enjoyment we can get. I'll, I'll, I'll let you have it, Matty, and I'll, I'll, I'll let you enjoy your hate watch in peace. But yeah, no, if you guys haven't seen the clip, do go check it out. It is, it is entertaining, but look, Juan Soto's still one of the best players on the planet. So, like I said, I think you can, you can allow him a couple of defensive mishaps for what he brings to the other side of the diamond.
Matt:I don't think Mets fans would be so forgiven if he was to do that in a World Series. But listen, I don't think that they're going to get there this year, and I certainly hope they don't. So we'll see. We'll see how the season plays out. Let's move over to the NHL then. So we're going to have a look at. Where we believe The teams are going to sort of end up then we'll have a quick look at where Some of the point scorers are and where some of the goal scorers are And where you think they're going to finish Over in the east the metro division. I've got the capitals because I don't think they're going to get caught followed by the hurricanes and then You This one might surprise you. I think the blue jackets are going to get third spot above the devils. I genuinely think the devils are going to slip up. Over in the Atlantic division, we've got the Panthers topping it, I think. Followed by the Maple Leafs and the Lightning. It's how they're currently sat. I don't see any change. And I think the two wildcard teams in the East are going to be the Devils and the Senators. The Senators of course. Well positioned at the moment, but I just think the Blue Jackets who are currently topping it will overtake the Devils and then in the West I think Dallas are gonna top it I think the Jets are gonna start to drop down now then and I think the Avs are gonna hold on I think they're gonna hold on. And then in the Pacific I've got the Golden Knights, by the Kings, then the Oilers, and the wild card there, and I think this one might surprise you, I think the Minnesota Wild, then the team making up that wild card will be the Blues. How do yours line up compared to that?
Tom:Annoyingly, I think, I, I genuinely think bar one team, Which I think we have the other way around in the Central Division. Mine are actually the exact same. So, yeah, I've gone East, Atlantic, I've gone Panthers, Leafs, Lightning. I think that stays the same. In the Metro, I completely agree with you. I think I think Hughes injury for the Devils is massive. Losing Jack Hughes, they lose a lot of offensive power. So I got the Caps finishing first, they're not getting caught. The Canes will have enough to finish second. And I think the Blue Jackets finish third. I think the Devils end up as your first wildcard. And again, agreed, I think the Sens finishes your second wildcard. I was umming and aahing about your boys. I think the Rangers do have a good chance of getting in, but I just think at the moment, I think the Sens will hold on to that last spot. Over in the West, again, completely agree. In the Central, I have the Jets staying on top, so I have it how it is now. I have the Jets finishing 1st, I've got the Stars finishing 2nd, and I've got our boys finishing 6th, I think. Third. Sorry. I think we, I think we've just come off of a homestand where we won six in a row. Obviously lost to the Wild in a shootout last night, but close game. And again, we didn't play particularly well. We still picked up that extra point, which is essential against the team that we're trying to Stop from coming above us and I think a little part of that prediction is also just because I think me and I think the whole hockey world wants to see abs versus stars in that first round for the Miko Branson and grudge match. Over in the Pacific again, completely agree. I got the Golden Knights finishing top. I think the Oilers have fallen off a little bit as of late and I do just see the Kings pipping them to second. And then I've got the Oilers finishing third and then completely agree with you that wild card. I've got the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues. Propping that up. The reason I've gone for the Blues finishing in the second wild card spot is because I just looked at teams offensively and defensively. And I think the Flames and the Canucks just ship far too many goals for there to be. And in terms of their difference, the differential between that of what they put in the net as well is, is a lot worse than the Blues. I think the goal difference for both of those was sort of like minus 15, 16, 17. I think, I think the Canucks might even have had like a minus 20 goal difference or goal differential. Whereas the Blues, still in the minus, they've not had a great year. But, still in the minus, but was down at minus seven, so I just think when it kind of comes to the crunch time of the season, if you can get that side of the game worked out, I think it will bode better for the Blues coming down the stretch, kind of leading into that yeah, leading into that there.
Matt:Yeah, the Blues for me, they're the informed team at the moment as well, in their last ten they've only lost three, the other teams around them have lost sort of Five, six. So, they're the informed team. I think they're picking up momentum at the right time. So, I think they're going to sneak in. Like I said, Vancouver just, the Canucks are just shipping way too many goals. Having a negative 21 goal difference is just unreal at this stage of the season. I just want to quickly ask. We saw Nathan McKinnon become the 100th player to score 1000 plus points. He's currently leading the points scored race with 102. Dry Cycle is not too far behind at 97. Do you think McKinnon stays on top?
Tom:Yeah, so, I kind of did a little prediction, I added to mine because I wanted to kind of also make a couple predictions, see. Kind of coming back to them where I think they land so I did points defensive points leaders goals and wins for goalkeepers Now are the reason I've kind of predicted how many is because I think a lot of them I've really just don't see the change I think McKinnon will finish top of points dry salt was going to score the most goals The car is going to finish with the most points as a defender and Connor had a buck he's going to finish with the most wins, but for for my own Sort of like, predictions. So I've got McKinnon will finish with 132 points. I think McCar will hit 90 points. Dry Cycle will score 54 goals. And I actually think Connor Hellebuyck will break 50 plus wins because he's already on 38. And I can see the Jets winning. 14 at their last 20 odd games because I think they, they just are that good at the moment. So I can see Hellebuck getting around the 52 win mark. So, more just little predictions there for myself. I'll be curious to see how they get on and how close I get to them. We'll probably touch, we'll touch base on that towards the end of the season. See how close I am or, or most likely how far off it I am. But yeah, we'll see how they get on. But you mentioned there, by the way, obviously Nathan McKinnon. I mean, I love him because he's an ABS player, but obviously big congratulations to him. 100th player in NHL history to hit a thousand points. It's quite entertaining the way it happened, just because in the game, obviously all the teammates kind of rushed off the vents to celebrate with him. And it actually happened twice, because, guys, if you haven't seen the highlights, the first point that he registers on the night Gets called for a like a video review and it gets called offside So everyone in the crowd's going wild, his teammates have rushed off the bench to celebrate with him Puck goes back onto the bench only for the refs to call it back and go Actually, there was an offside on the play leading to the goal Obviously gets the point a little bit later on in the game with Likon gets one of the assists on that. So yeah, big congratulations to Nathan McKinnon I mean, I can't talk highly enough about the man I think there's, there's an argument that McDavid's the best player in the league as a whole, but I really do think it's not out of the question to say that the second best player in the NHL, by, by, by a comfortable margin as well, is, is and has been Nathan McKinnon for a little while now. And it's, it's great to see him start to rack up the rewards that he's deserved in his career with the Hart Memorial last year, the Ted Lindsey as well. He's leading the league in points. I hope he can hold on to it because it'd be great for him to add an Art Ross to his, to his catalogue. And he really is kind of leading us this year and keeping us in contention. Him and Cale keeping us in contention to make sure we hold on to that third spot. Yeah, really can't, really can't speak highly enough of Nathan McKinnon and what a fantastic player he is.
Matt:While we're on the subject of Conor McDavid you mentioned just there. he's currently 76 in the in this top 100 1, 064 points. The leader and obviously greatest ever to play the game. Wayne Gretzky is on 2, 857. My question to you, do you think that McDavid can reach that number?
Tom:it's a tough question. Do I think he has the skill set and ability to reach that number? Yes. And I also think just purely because of the number of points that get scored at the moment. I think yes. If projections are anything to go by, scoring is only going to go up, even if it is ever so slightly. Scoring will only increase for a little while. So I think there's a good chance that he could very much close the gap down. Getting 2, 800 plus points is, it's gonna be a lot to ask. But he's got time on his side. I think that's where he will benefit from is the fact he's got time on his side. I think, what is he, 27 now, McDavid? So he's very much could still play the game for another 15 years. Like, I mean, some, some of the guys play, play well, play into their 40s or very close to it. If he continues to produce the points that he's producing at the moment, at the rate that he's producing them, he's definitely going to get very, very close. And I think if there's any player that could do it, it certainly is Conor McDavid. Will he do it? I don't want to say yes, because I think that is a tough ask for anyone to get there. And a lot of it also depends on him staying healthy for the whole of his career. He's obviously picked up a couple of little knocks this year, he's not played in every game. And I think he needs to have Real fully complete seasons playing 80 plus games every year for him to have a chance of doing it But like I said, if there's any player that has the skill set and the talent to get anywhere near Wayne Gretzky It is, it is Connor McDavid
Matt:Yeah, just looking over the list, there's, what's mad to think is that there's only 10 active players on that list. And the closest one is Sidney Crosby at 1, 664. Now that's still over 1, 200 points away and Sidney Crosby is in 9th place. The fact that Gretzky got to that points total is just unreal. Obviously, I know the game was different sort of 20 25 years ago and, like you said McKinnon got his points taken off him in the last game because it was offside. There's a potential that his points total could have been a lot lower without the intervention. Sorry, with the intervention of of like video assistant ref. So I, I think today's game, I do, I don't think it's achievable. I think if anything, he gets second if he stays healthy for the rest of his career. I think second. 1921 points, he's doable. I think, I think he gets second, but I just don't see anybody catching that point scoring record. But saying that, we all, we all said nobody would ever catch his goal scoring record, and here we are. Alex Ovechkin, only nine away, and how unselfish was he the other night? Threw on an empty goal and he, and he let his teammate take the goal to get his first career hat trick. So is, I think we had the discussion that is, that is a enough respect to him for that. But me personally, if I'm chasing a goal, a goal's record and could potentially do it in less games, I, I'm not passing that puck, mate, but that's just me.
Tom:Yeah mate, completely agree, but I think it's, it's a tough one isn't it, obviously like, he's He's through on goal. You think the records on the line, but I think that just goes to show what fantastic leader he is. And that's just the type of man and the player that he is. He wants to see his teammates succeed. I think it to be fair. It probably helps that He's in a position where he knows nine goals away now. He knows he's going to break it. So I think it's more just a case of when, now, as opposed to if. Unless, like, God forbid, he picks up an injury that, like, do you know what I mean? Like stifles that, but I don't think that's going to happen and we hope that doesn't happen. So I think it is one of those now, isn't it? Where, like, he is just going to kind of Chug towards the goal. If he does it in less games, it's a touch, but I think just to break Gretzky's record, whether you do it in more games or less, is an achievement in itself. So, yeah, credit to OV, credit for him for finding the pass last night to give his teammate the hat trick. And, yeah, hopefully it does happen in the next few games so that we can, he can break the record and do it in less games.
Matt:Yeah, I think give it sort of three, three or four weeks and I think that record will be gone. And well deserved as well. That's us then, we're done for another week some interesting chat around our lists, should be interesting to see what happens on socials with it, I look forward to the look forward to the debate on the Instagram page go and check us out on Instagram if you haven't already. Tom, have a, have a great week, mate. Obviously I'll be in touch a lot cause there's a hell of a lot going on in the Lees. We're definitely at the business end the NHL now. Places are swapping every single day. So looking forward to it. Have a great week and I will speak to you, speak to you soon.
Tom:All the best, Matthew. And I will, I will catch up with you during the week. And guys, like Matt said, head over to the Instagram, get involved in all the debates that we've got on some of our posts on there. We've got stories up all the time where you guys can vote on polls. And as you've seen from some of our episodes, we can we'll, we'll, we'll shout it out. And the episodes, if you guys give us feedback on that with the yeah, with the polls and the, and the stuff that we got debated on our, on our page, we'll We'll get, we'll get it in the episodes. And as you can see, me and Matt will have, we'll have rows about who knows more about baseball, hockey and NFL. So have a great week guys and all the best.
Matt:That does it for another episode of triple play UK. I've been your host, Matt, along with co host Tom. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to follow us on X and subscribe on whatever listing platform you're on. And we will catch you again next week. Cheers guys.