Stanley Cup Champions | NHL Offseason | U.S. Open Picks

From a family farm in upstate New York to championship hockey, NHL free agency, golf, and the World Cup, Episode 20 of The Mask & The Mic covers the biggest stories across the sports landscape.

This week, Guy Hebert joins the podcast from his father-in-law's farm in upstate New York. Guy shares some of the history of the property, what life is like on the farm, and how he's been putting in a little work of his own — including mowing the lawn on a riding mower. During his trip, Guy also spent time in New York City visiting his daughter and happened to witness a historic sports moment as the New York Knicks celebrated their first NBA Championship in 53 years. He shares what the atmosphere was like around the city during the celebration.

The conversation then turns to the Stanley Cup Final, where the Carolina Hurricanes captured their second Stanley Cup championship and first since 2006. Guy and Kent French revisit the unique goaltending tandem of Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi, discussing how Carolina's championship run was the ultimate example of a complete team effort and a "next man up" mentality.

The guys also spotlight Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour and the culture he has built in Carolina. Guy reflects on his time playing alongside Brind'Amour and explains how his leadership, work ethic, and competitive drive have shaped the franchise. With the championship, Brind'Amour joined one of hockey's most exclusive groups by winning a Stanley Cup with the same organization as both a player and head coach.

From there, the conversation shifts to the NHL offseason. Guy and Kent discuss Anaheim Ducks defenseman John Carlson's decision to test the free-agent market rather than sign a contract extension and what that could mean for the Ducks moving forward. They also examine potential offseason moves Anaheim could make as the organization looks to build on its successful return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The episode wraps up with predictions for the U.S. Open Golf Championship over Father's Day weekend and a look at the excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup, including early impressions and storylines that have captured attention so far.

From championship celebrations and coaching legacies to NHL roster decisions, major golf championships, and global soccer, Episode 20 truly has something for every sports fan.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Hi, this is GA Bear, former NHL gold tender, and yes, I'm standing in windy northern New York out on my father-in-law's farm, as you can see, and yes, it is green, and we're expecting rain, Frenchie.

SPEAKER_00 0:13

Yes, uh, yeah, he is the mask and the mask of the mic. I am the Mike. I am not on location. I am in a podcast studio somewhere in South Orange County, and together we are the mask of the mic. We have a great show for you. Give us kind of to call in while he is out visiting family and friends. Uh we talk all things Stanley Cup final with the Kanes taking down uh the Vegas Golden Knights, and of course, Diva, we talk goaltenders as well.

SPEAKER_01 0:38

Yeah, of course, Freddie Anderson, Brandon Busty, uh, a lot of great stuff to talk about there. And of course, there's some coaching changes in the NHL and some other things. And we actually dip our toe into the US Top and Golf and of course the World Cup.

SPEAKER_00 0:53

We got it all. I mean, once again, we paint with the broad brush, so uh we have a great podcast, episode 20 of the Mask and the Mike. Congratulations. To us, yes. Uh we hope you enjoy the podcast in Vivo as always. And good for us. Hello everyone, and welcome to another edition of The Mask and the Mike. Ken French alongside GA Bear, who is not in California, he is on location. He's uh boots on the ground doing a little uh doing a little research on what it's like to win a championship after 53 years and be in the city that it uh that it happened in, that being of course a New York Knicks when they won uh over the Spurs. But Gebo, you are in on location in New York. Please let everybody know what in the world is going on out there.

SPEAKER_01 1:46

Yeah, this is kind of our annual trip back east to see some family and friends. And uh as you can see, it is extremely green back here. Uh beautiful time of the year. There is a lot of rain. You're not in the city anymore, though. Where are you right now? Yes. We we're we're in the north country. We're up in northern New York right now, uh, on my father-in-law's farm. And uh always get put to work, enjoy it. Uh, I was joking with you that I get to mow the lawn, and it takes me about two and a half hours to mow the lawn on a lawnmower that goes about 20, 25 miles an hour. So I'm hauling ass. And uh it's incredibly fun. So we keep saying that we got to keep the estate looking estately, and uh and it looks fabulous that right now. I mean, as you can kind of I kind of give you a little scander of uh the farm area and um but beautiful, beautiful part of the the state and certainly beautiful part of the world.

SPEAKER_00 2:43

How big is the farm? How big is the uh the footprint of the property?

SPEAKER_01 2:48

Uh it used to be bigger. He sold off some land over the years, but I still think it's probably I'm just gonna take a stab in the dark, probably uh hundred, hundred and fifty acres, something like that. Which is pretty sizable.

SPEAKER_00 3:02

That's amazing.

SPEAKER_01 3:03

And it's yeah, and it's non-working. He was a dairy farmer, so um, but yeah, just a lot of uh a lot of room to roam around. But yeah, but it is fun.

SPEAKER_00 3:15

I can hear the birds in the background, and you got the barn. I mean, you got all it's just like a legit, a legit farm.

SPEAKER_01 3:22

Very legit farm, a lot of work here over the years. Uh usually I stayed out of the way. Uh, I have thrown some hay bales uh over the course of my lifetime. But um, yeah, usually it's because uh when I was playing, it was like keep me away from anything that's really dangerous. And uh so my follow-in thought was really good to me about making sure I didn't get in any trouble. But listen, I've been digging up stuff, I've been uh planning, I've been doing a lot of stuff here with my wife uh trying to help out while we're here.

SPEAKER_00 3:52

Getting the hands dirty. I love it. Um so uh tell us. You haven't been on the farm the entire time. You spent a couple days in the city and you just happened to be there when the Knicks won their first championship in 53 years. What was it like being in the city when that all went down?

SPEAKER_01 4:11

Yeah, oh my God. I mean, like basically the chant and the mantra of everything going on in New York was Nixon 5, right? They hoped they were gonna sweep in New York. They didn't. We were actually in town for that game four. Um, could not even get a chance to get a ticket, uh, couldn't get close to MSG, uh, but there were a lot of pop-up watch parties around the city. And then so for game five back in San Antonio, more watch parties around. And we stayed toward Central Park, and I I watched the end of the game in the hotel room, and it was amazing because as you know, it once again it was a fairly close game. And all of a sudden, you know, when they won, you could hear everything from outside. We're on the 18th floor, and we could hear everybody in Central Park, and then the fans just started filtering from Central Park right down into the streets, and all of a sudden, like 5th and 6th avenues were just filled with Knicks fans going wild. And unfortunately, where we were, it was just celebratory, right? It wasn't like, you know, burning down buses and cars and some of the stuff that somehow always happens when we were quote celebrating, right? But uh really cool to be in the city to see uh the fans react. And, you know, any any town that you can be in when a team wins a major championship. I mean, it's just electric. I mean, everybody's wearing Knicks jerseys, young, middle-aged, old. I mean, everybody's kind of cruising around New York City uh as a fan. I'm sure a lot of bandwagoners, of course, but you know, hey, the more the merrier.

SPEAKER_00 5:43

That's awesome. What an experience that was. I mean, uh, 53 years. I can't I I can't even imagine what that must have been like. Um, you know, for families. I had a friend of mine who's a producer on the Angels, and it's like, you know, in our lifetime, would we ever see the Knicks win another championship? Um, I mean, it was pure joy, pure elation, I mean, family lineage. You go, it just becomes such a family thing, too, right? Especially a city like New York. So uh very cool that you could be part of that.

SPEAKER_01 6:16

Yeah, and as you know, being around sports your whole life, it's one of those things where it's so difficult to win championships. And then when you see, you know, just great organizations go through a drought like that. I mean, much like the New York Rangers, right? It had been like 40 or 50 years for them to get their first Stanley Cup after such a long drought. And, you know, these are marquee organizations that you would think that would win, you know. I mean, if not every decade, every two decades. So it was certainly something that was um probably long overdue for New York. But I bet there weren't a lot of people who were thinking that the Knicks were gonna win before the Rangers or the Giants, I bet.

SPEAKER_00 6:59

I I agree with you. I absolutely agree with you. So what a historic run that was. Very cool. Very cool that you could be part of it. But uh, what an easy transition, though, talking about championships, because you and I, you know, it's either it was either the NBA finals or the NHL finals that were uh that were on. So kind of happening uh simultaneously. Uh they almost ended simultaneously as the uh Carol, yeah, as the Carolina Hurricanes uh completed um the Stanley Cup final in six over the Vegas Golden Knights. Um you and I have been been following this one closely because uh obviously Freddie Anderson, uh someone that we got to know when he was with the Anaheim Ducks. Oh, by the way, Nick Delaurier is part of that uh Hurricanes team. So congratulations to him as well.

SPEAKER_01 7:44

Yeah, we certainly didn't mention that.

SPEAKER_00 7:47

Yeah. I saw him out there, you know, hoisting the cup over his head. I'm like, oh my God, Nick Delorie, it's so fantastic, so excited for him and his family as well. Um, but so I I just let's get right into that. As far as uh, you know, Freddie, obviously, we find out later that he was unable to uh or what was affecting his play, should I say, was a knee injury. So Brandon Busy uh came in in relief and was able to complete it with a shutout in the last game. Um I'll you know what? I'll just start. I I I can't it's tough to put into words just the emotion that you know we all felt at the end of that game with Freddie out there hugging Bussey, um, just the story behind it, um, being able and and then you know Stahl handing the cup to Freddie. The first guy he handed the cup to was Freddie Anderson, and he was telling um I think it was Emily Kaplan, the reporter, like, I'm gonna hand it to Freddie because he is he got us here. And it was just so it's such a cool team moment. Uh and how every sport obviously is such about a team, but especially when it comes to hockey, everybody has got to tow the line. Everybody has gotta step up. You don't know when your number is gonna be called. It was one fantastic story after another. I just found it complete what a what a wonderful, feel-good moment it was to watch them win, to see Freddie hoist a cup. What what were your thoughts and emotions after that whole thing went down?

SPEAKER_01 9:17

Yeah, you couldn't have said it any better, Frenchie. Honestly, like when you're playing for a team and you have 20 guys who are dressing on a nightly basis, there's guys who are waiting in the wings in case they're needed. And nobody's more important in my mind, of course, uh, than the backup goaltender. And you think about a backup goaltender who hasn't played really through the entire playoffs, and then he gets tapped on the shoulder, say, Hey, we need you. You're gonna get into that game when we're down four or nothing, gave the team a spark, and then certainly played extremely well. And of course, I mean, Cherry on the top is a uh clinching game shutout to be able to have for uh Brandon Busy. And and really, it does. It takes a village to be able to win the Stanley Cup, and everybody has to be able to contribute, and you never know when your time's gonna be, who's gonna step up? And you know, when I when I saw that Freddie was not backing up, and I know there's always the secret nature of be like, hey, we can't give the other team any information that they can use. And so I think in the back of the mind is we're gonna keep Freddie is gonna be available um to the best of our ability without divulging any kind of injury. So I think that Carolina played it uh extremely coy and smart. And Vegas, I wondered if they were like, okay, well, maybe Anderson will be back in for another game. And when he didn't dress, and then certainly didn't dress in game six, uh, you know, I I figured that there was something that was significant enough that if something happened to Busy that they needed uh, you know, another goaltender that wouldn't be at 75% or 50%.

SPEAKER_00 11:04

Yeah. Yeah, no, and it's it's it was amazing, right? There's a lot of it's a chess match. You don't know what's going on behind the scenes and how it's being played out and and what hand they're gonna show as they get closer to the game. And and then just doing a little more research on Brandon Bussey. Who is this guy? The fact that they got him off of waivers from Florida back in October of 2025. He didn't make his NHL debut till later that month in 2025. I mean, this is he's newer on the scene. He's been around, he's played a lot of hockey, but not in the National Hockey League. And for him to step in and do what he did uh was was amazing, right? I mean, just another layer to this whole thing of of what it takes to win um a championship at any level. I mean, these stories pop up out of nowhere. And now Brandon Bussey, regardless of what he does, Kemo for the rest of his career, he's gonna be a household name in Carolina, the the uh the lore of Brandon Bussey. So um I I can't, you know, I while I my you know my heart goes out to Freddie and and of course for winning the whole thing, um, but Brandon Bussey, what what a story he has on the other end of things, and and it's gonna be fun to watch what he has um you know in store for him for the future of his career.

SPEAKER_01 12:18

Yeah, no doubt about it. I mean, uh we think about Aiden Hill with Vegas uh a few years ago when he came in after injury after injury after injury, and not only did he backstop Vegas to the Stanley Cup, but he earned himself a long time uh contract at great money. So this is an opportunity for for Bussey to be able to establish himself probably for a you know a future goaltender for Carolina. And if not Carolina, I'm sure other teams are certainly be interested in him. But you know, if Frenchie, it it boils down to opportunity. You think about a player like that, uh college kid, undrafted, spent his time in the minors to kind of learn his craft, waiting and waiting and waiting for an opportunity, gets waived, like you said, by Florida, and then all of a sudden he was red hot. I don't know if people realize that at one point this season, and and I don't know if I've got the stats correct, but like he rattled off like some incredible win streak where he didn't lose a game for like his first 10 or 11 or 12 uh NHL games. And so he kind of burst onto the scene, and I think they felt obviously you know comfortable with him from his early season performance that you know, if they needed to reach out, you know, and tap somebody else on the shoulder, you know, he was going to be the backup throughout the playoffs. But uh a lot of great players never get an opportunity. It's all about getting that opportunity, and he certainly just waited for it.

SPEAKER_00 13:46

You know, and one storyline that I didn't realize either until you know reading and reflecting on on the Stanley Cup final was we we heard about the tragedy surrounding Claude Lemieux. Uh, I didn't realize that he was Freddie's agent, and there was a close relationship there, and there were certainly some interviews following the Stanley Cup final with Freddie regarding that. Uh so just another wave, another level of emotion that Freddie had. And um in Vegas, when they won, the the crowd, which was there was I was surprised how many Carolina fans made made the journey, but were chanting Freddie, and uh a lot of uh people were saying that there's this underlying thing of just knowing the weight he was carrying emotionally as well, um, after that news came out regarding Lemieux. So again, you just you don't realize what these players are going through from an injury perspective, but also an emotional perspective. And um to be able to carry that weight and want to do this for someone else, um that someone that meant so much to you, I can't imagine the emotion Freddie was feeling throughout the course of the final and at the very end.

SPEAKER_01 14:55

Yeah, you know, I mean, for for all of us who, you know, armchair quarterbacks or whatever that sit back and and speculate what goes on with athletes of any level or athletes of any sport, you know what what are the guys going through or what are the women going through? And are there things outside of the game that they have to deal with and then compartmentalize because then you have to block out everything and and focus on what you need to do, especially in the Stanley Cup playoffs, in the Stanley Cup finals, and you know, realizing that it's like your 13th year in the NHL, it's your best chance to get a chance to win and be able to hoist that cup. So, you know, I I give you know Freddie all the credit in the world. I give his teammates and the support system around him to make sure that, you know, when he was ready to play, he played. And then certainly at the end, you know, not being able to play was certainly disappointing. But better for him to win the cup that way than certainly lose the cup and not being able to play at the end.

SPEAKER_00 15:59

Yeah, it's uh again, you you just reflect, you don't know what the players are going through, and and it is an emotional drain as it is anything else, emotional challenge, I should say, as you would know more than more than anyone when it comes to you get into the postseason and you have to be so focused. There's so many distractions and so many things going on in your personal life professionally that you need to to somehow stay laser focused and to do so is is quite the feat. And so uh well, congrats to Freddie, congrats to the canes, um, and your friend, Rod the Bod, Rod Brindamore. I mean, my goodness, what what another wonderful story. And and you mentioned his nickname back in the name, Rod the Bod, and that certainly carried through uh to his coaching, and there was a great piece done and him working out. He gets there before the team does, and he's putting in the work, and he's still in tip-top shape in Gibo. You probably saw the video, but the players got him to take his shirt off in the locker room and hoist the cup over his head. Um, what he's been able to do, and I and I again, you know that I'm a stat guy as I do some do some research here. Um, he has played or coached for her the Hurricanes in all but two of their 104 playoff wins. I mean, he is Mr. Hurricane, it's truly incredible. And now he's one of four people to have won a Stanley Cup with the same team as a player and a head coach, and the first to do so since the expansion era, which is back in 67-68. So, what he's been able to do, uh the longevity of being with that franchise, um, what a another terrific storyline. And it seems like he is so well respected by his players and his his work ethic, his uh mental strength, obviously his physical strength, everything kind of you know bleeds through that locker room, and his players follow follow in line. And I'm sure you knowing Rod, playing with Rod for when you did, um you have a lot to say about Rod accomplishing this. Um, what you know, what a feat it was.

SPEAKER_01 17:57

Well, I mean, first and foremost, such a quality person. Uh he does, he leads by example. He doesn't ask his players to do anything that he wouldn't do, right? So that I think that's an important thing is like I'm not asking you to do something that I didn't already do as a player or that I wasn't willing to do as a player on the ice or off-ice preparation. And one of the cool things I thought um I saw that maybe you saw as well is that throughout the course of the season and training camp, he had the guys lift a 35-pound cinder block. He got it incorporated into part of their workouts. Yeah, he put it into their workout regimen and had the you know, the guys, the trainers say, like, hey, I want this to be in part of the just call it whatever. And I don't remember exactly what they called it. Uh, but essentially the Stanley Cup weighs 35 pounds. And so it was getting these guys trained unknowingly, be able to hoist that Stanley Cup. And so he kept it in his back pocket why he did that all season long until the very end. So, you know, just another cool little thing that, you know, when you're trying to motivate people and you're like, why is the coach making us pick this thing up? Like, this is weird. Now, I don't know if anybody's come uh come out and said, hey, I kind of figured that, but I I haven't heard any of the players own up to it just yet. But another cool moment.

SPEAKER_00 19:21

That is cool. And and part of some of the stuff I've been I've been reading and watching is he he goes through some of the uh training camp physical drills that you know they put uh the players through. One of them is riding the bike, and you know that very well. When you have to be on that bike, uh he said this might be the last year he ever does it. But um yeah, as you mentioned, he doesn't ask his players to do anything that he is not willing to do. And that certainly uh bodes well, and it certainly, as I mentioned, it bled through that locker room, and everybody was towing the line, everybody had that mentality, and it was uh again incredibly fun to watch the celebration, and I'm sure we'll see more of the celebration as that unfolds and the parades happen and and what have you. Um, but in the same breath, talking about head coaches, we were, you know, when we talked about John Tortorella on the other side, it was just announced he won't be brought back for next year. Many of the players aren't surprised. I don't think we are uh surprised that is happening. Um, he was the ultimate bullpen coach. They needed they knew what torts is. They, you know, they said, come out of the bullpen, we need you. Um, and it's pretty impressive what he was able to do. Um the uh the uh biggest Golden Knights had lost 12 of 16 before Tortorella got there. They won seven of eight to finish the regular season, and then we of course we know what happened uh in the postseason, the run that he went on. Um you know, I think in it's what 24 seasons now behind the behind the head coach. I'm not sure where his future is, and you and I were talking about this when he got hired. You know, he's perfect for this opportunity. He comes in, he motivates, he can be brash, he is honest, he he he says what he you know believes and what he thinks. He doesn't worry about upsetting players, especially veterans. Um, as we all know when it comes to you, we all know just because I've been around the sport, but you you played it, um, his only currency when it comes to players is their ice time. And he is not afraid to take away ice time from the veterans or even a star to make a point. Um, how long that can last for at the course of a season, I think we know, and you know, players are aware of it, but in that moment, in that small bubble that he was, he was the perfect he proved to be. They thought he was, and he proved to be the perfect man for that opportunity. Um, and I wonder, Gee, the question I have for you could we see Torts do this again? Could all this another team go, wait a second, it's March, we got a lot of talent, we need to turn this thing around. Can we call Tortarell out of the bullpen?

SPEAKER_01 21:48

You know, maybe there's something in the future that this could become a thing. Like, listen, I know Patrick W was fired right at the end of the year. Um, Pete DeBore comes in, but that's more of a long term solution. But you Do you wonder if a team that's kind of struggling late, that has high expectations, that needs a shakeup, that there's if not John Tortorella, then maybe somebody similar to him that doesn't mind knowing that, hey, this is short term. You're gonna coach until the season is over, whether it's regular season or into the playoffs. Uh let me backpedal for just a second. First, let me say and congratulate Jordan Stahl, con Smythe trophy winner.

unknown 22:25

Right?

SPEAKER_01 22:25

Jordan Stahl and that. You're right. Yeah. I mean, I think everybody figured it was Mitch Marner all the way, win or lose in the cup. Um, you know, I don't know how the voting really ended up, but what Jordan Stahl did in those six games, uh, you know mind-blowing, right? Just being able to score timely goals in those games, in tight games. So congratulations to him. Uh now let's go to John Tortorella. Back to that. And it was interesting because I remember people were saying, again, Mitch Marner is gonna want to run out of town with John Tortorella coming in. And John Tortorella's kind of response to that was I'm here to make all of you better, and specifically with Mitch Marner. And so I I I think it was a perfect marriage for a short amount of time, Frenchie. And what his future holds, I'm not sure. Um, I'm sure that his stock has risen with being able to take Vegas to the finals. But does he want to coach? You know, does Tortorella want to get behind the bench for an 82-game season and start grinding it out again? And uh that's I mean, that's to be seen, but you just wonder if there is something down the line where he could be uh an integral part in waking up a team that that needs, you know, let's just say it like a Mike Keenan wake-up call. But listen, he's not the only coach and coaching vacancies uh being filled, Frenchie.

SPEAKER_00 24:02

No, that's right. And I was just gonna say, um I I I know uh yeah, right, when we talk about um Jim Hiller being being signed by the Leafs, I I actually find I I would have just enjoyed to watch Tortorella get behind the bench in Toronto and just deal with the media there. I think that would be just that would be wonderful theater. Wonderful theater to watch him um navigate the media there. Uh just a few more notes though on Tortorella in Vegas before we move on, though. Um well, really more on Vegas. Vegas now looking for their fifth coach in their night after nine seasons, right? So they've been to the final three times. They've won once, if my math is correct. But now, as you've you brought it up several times, Vegas, talk about brash. They're not afraid to do business the way they want to do business, regardless of what anyone else thinks when it comes to treatment of players or coaches or whatever it is. They are looking for their fifth head coach. What type of coach wants to go to Vegas? I mean, uh there's a well, hold on, there's a lot of reasons why based on their roster, but hey, you gotta win. And if you don't win, you're out. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 25:08

Well, uh, there there's some rumor floating around that uh someone who's been in the system coaching with Vegas and who has been the Henderson Silver Knights coach seems to be the front runner at this moment. Uh whether that's true or not, that's some speculation that I've heard. And so maybe they want to have someone who's been developing some of their younger players. I say that when it's a veteran-laden team and they're always looking to add you know veterans who can help them win the Stanley Cup. So it'll be interesting to see, you know, who gets the next opportunity there in Vegas, but they will they will know that it is based on performance if they keep a job.

SPEAKER_00 25:56

Right. Right. I mean, I mean not that it's not always that way. I'm sorry.

SPEAKER_01 26:02

No, not that it's not always that way, that it's performance-based, but uh this that'll be the leash is a little bit shorter in Vegas.

SPEAKER_00 26:09

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. No, I totally agree. And then you have so we just mentioned Jim Hiller, who was an assistant under Babs in Toronto for four years, then he became the interim head coach and head coach of uh the Kings for a couple years. He got fired March 1st, and now he is the head coach in Toronto. Um, what do you think about that hiring? And uh that's gonna be a really interesting situation. There, they've gutted the management system, they are really turning this thing around. Um, and they have an all-star roster there. They need to win now. What are your thoughts on Jim Hiller being the head coach in Toronto?

SPEAKER_01 26:48

Uh, very interesting. And and I he's not who I thought they would hire eventually. Because I mean, Toronto's a hard place to play. And you almost need a real type A personality from a coaching staff perspective. Uh one, to be able to handle the media there, and then two to be able to handle the superstars that are there. Now, I I know the new regime is trying to figure out which direction they need to go in. Uh, Joseph Wall was just traded, I think yesterday, to the Philadelphia Flyers. Uh former duck Simon Simon Benoit was in that deal as well, going to Philly. Yeah. Uh Sam Harrison, uh backup goalie in Philly, is now headed to Toronto uh with Anthony Stolars. Now, the Toronto does have two really good young prospects uh for goaltenders. So I wouldn't be surprised if one of those uh really competes for uh a job in training camp. Talking about Jim Hiller, you know, it's gonna be a question of how players respond to the new coaches, new coaching staff. Uh, is anybody else being brought in to help Jim Hiller? Does he get to choose who's gonna be his assistant coaches? So some of that's uh we'll be seeing, I imagine, in the next few months. But you know, to me, it says, how does Austin Matthews and William Neilander, how do the two superstars that remain really kind of have um a connection with the new coach?

SPEAKER_00 28:17

Right. Yeah, it's it's gonna be um we'll see, yeah, we'll see how that plays out uh with that new regime in Toronto. Uh but moving on here to Southern California, at least where I'm at, not where you're at, but I mean you're closer to Toronto. But back here in sunny SoCal, GA Bear, uh news came out that John Carlson, who was a big acquisition for the Anaheim Ducks at the trade deadline and did a wonderful job for the team is from a leadership perspective, is and of course um what he could do on the ice and that cannon of a shot that he has uh on the blue line, he has notified the ducks, or should I say his agent has notified the ducks that he is going to become a free agent. So he will not be signing an extension in Anaheim. Um that's a tough one. Uh I personally am disappointed because I know what he brought to that team and just uh the leadership and and somebody that could actually be a tremendous piece over the next couple years to um to be part of this window that's now opening in Anaheim, which is super exciting. And you need that type of leadership, that experience. He won a cup, all the things he can bring to the ice. Uh, and he was met with open arms and and he said he loved it in Anaheim, but now he is saying, which and rightfully so, he wants to play back east close to his family, and that's where he wants to be. Um, Pat Verbeek, of course, disappointed. We're all disappointed in Anaheim. Uh, we wish John Carlson the best, but uh that was one that was very unfortunate. I know they gave away a late first round for him, but I I thought it was a great move still. I would do, I would agree with it all again. I love the way that Pat Verbeek said, I'm gonna add a piece, I'm not gonna take away from this team, I'm gonna show you I believe in you. Um it's just unfortunate that we couldn't sign Carlson to an extension.

SPEAKER_01 30:00

I I think sometimes one, it probably came down to term. How many years was John Carlson looking for? You know, what was the number that he was looking for? And I think for him at his age and with the stockpile of great young defensemen that the Ducks have, you know, who do you move? Like who ends up either, you know, getting traded because there's no longer a spot for one of our young and upcoming defensemen, or is another defenseman have to spend another year in the minors? So there's a lot of things I'm sure that went into it. I I personally think that term probably played a big part. Okay. Um, but of course, you know, I think, you know, he's been on the East Coast for 17 seasons. He might want to try to finish his career closer to where his home is. And, you know, plus testing the free agent market. I mean, he may be able to find himself uh an extra year on a contract and some extra dollars as well. So dipping the toe into free agency is never a bad thing for a player. And you never know, Frenchie, when things come full circle, it doesn't mean that the ducks can't or won't sign him. True, depending on what kind of options and offers he gets in free agency. So I'm not gonna say he will come back to the ducks, but it certainly is still an option out there for them if they uh if they need it.

SPEAKER_00 31:15

Well, you make a good point too, dipping your toe in free agency. He's been a capital all of his career, right? And so he this is the time where he finally gets a chance to to do that. Um, but I think he he had a nice little uh menu of what's available on the menu here in Anaheim when it comes to the weather, the the the facilities they're putting together over at Honda Center and OC Vibe, the core of this team that Pat Verbeek has put together playing for Coach Q and that coaching staff. So certainly he knows all those things um are at play. So I agree with you. I think that's a great point. Hey, just because he is going to test free agency doesn't mean that he couldn't come back to Anaheim. But that being said, though, we have another guy, Jacob Truba, who's a UFA. Um, do the ducks circle around as he become more of a viable piece, wanting to add a you know, keep a veteran presence on that blue line? Or as you mentioned, do they look internally with all these great prospects coming up?

SPEAKER_01 32:13

Yeah, I mean, I think there's probably some real conversations going on with Truba at the moment. Um, you know, another piece of the puzzle that uh is out there as a UFA is Radco Gudis. You know, what is his you know, destiny with this team? Uh, is he gonna go and test free agency? Um, as much of his insider that I am, I don't have any information uh on either of those players except for my own speculation. Uh I think Truba makes a lot of sense coming back. I think both for him as a player, uh being a big part of this team in the future. And I think the style of play and the leadership that he brings, I think is really unique. And I think that uh he's fit really well into the puzzle that the Anaheim Ducks have. So um on a personal level and as a fan level, I would love to see Truba back for three or so years. And again, that's the thing is uh when you finally have power, Frenchie, as an unrestricted free agent, yeah, you want to use that power to your best of your ability, right? You're getting guidance from your agent to say, hey, much like you know, John Carlson, we can use free agency against the ducks in negotiations. And then if we can't get a deal done, then we go into free agency and and see what's out there. And you might get similar offers, and then, you know, on your order of preference, then you can contact teams and say, uh, you know, can I get another year or can get another, you know, dollar? Or, you know, well, where do exactly do I fit into this team? So um again, I don't think this is a uh I think it's a great opportunity for the player, but I also think that if they can get a deal done and not let Truba go and test reagency and have someone give him something that he just can't say no to, that's always the the issue, right? If you let a guy test reagency and he gets just that offer that he just can't say no to, you know, he might not be living in Southern California, but he might be making a lot more money and might have gotten an extra year or two on the term.

SPEAKER_00 34:14

Staying in this uh offseason theme right now, a player that has um made himself available, should I say, or requested a trade is one Dylan Larkin for the Detroit Red Wings. And that's very, very interesting. He's in his late 20s, I think at 29. He's he wears the C over there. Um and that has made it interesting. Of course, a lot of chatter. Could he be a fit with the Ducks? And if so, what would the Ducks give away? And of course, Mason McTavish and uh some of his struggles that he's had, his names being thrown around is what what is Mason McTavish your number two center moving forward? I think you and I um would love to see Mason be Mason, right? We we've seen what Mason can do. He's been the big extension. Uh I remember I was just as you're talking, I'm just thinking you and I were on the floor at Honda Center when he was drafted number three overall. So it's we would love to see a homegrown Mason McTavish, you know, flourish and get back to who he was as a player and grow with this team and be part of this team moving forward. But it it's it's tough not to think about Dylan Larkin as your number two center.

unknown 35:20

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 35:21

Yeah, without a doubt. And you know, the funny thing is, and I know Robert Thomas's name has been brought up. I read some stuff recently that there was a potential blockbuster deal that was gonna involve Robert Thomas, Colton Pereco possibly coming to Anaheim for Michikov. And yeah, I mean, so yeah, McTavish's name has been, but you know, the good thing for Mason is that like his name has been bannered about because teams want him.

SPEAKER_00 35:46

Yeah, right?

SPEAKER_01 35:47

They're looking for a number two center. So they're hoping that if they can acquire a guy like Mason McTavish.

SPEAKER_00 35:52

It's 23 years old, right? I mean, I mean, he's so young still.

SPEAKER_01 35:56

Well, that's the thing is so if you look at Dylan Larkin and Robert Thomas, you know, these guys are 27, 28, 29 years old. So that's back T in four, five, six years. So think about his development in those next four, five, six years and and how good he could potentially be. So do you move that piece thinking that well, you could get the 27 or 28-year-old or 29-year-old that can help you win now? That'll be interesting. But yeah, I mean, Dylan Larkin out on the market and and having a full no trade clause, uh, so he can kind of go where he wants to go. I'm sure that not only the ducks will be suitors, but I would imagine that Bill Guerin in Minnesota uh will certainly be on the lookout for a number two center. So, you know, I I know that the connection that they probably made during the Olympics is is a big deal. And of course, being able to possibly play with Quinn Hughes, Matt Goldie, um, and kind of re reunite that team USA is probably something that he'd be interested in.

SPEAKER_00 36:59

Yeah, Minnesota's got that feel that Vegas feel, right? They're willing to do everything and anything to win right now. They I think and Bill Garin just just kind of the um I don't know what you call it, but certainly um kind of the Wild West out there. He's going out there just making deals and he's he's ready to do whatever it takes. So it's uh that's a that's a great call there. And and uh Dylan Larkin put together a list, and I think he's expanded it here in the last day or so. But it was the wild Golden Knights and the Panthers that were on his list um initially. So uh we'll see how that unfolds. We'll see. Uh certainly the ducks have the pieces because they have such a tremendous um minor league system, and of course, we know all the the great young players they have. What are they willing to do? And as we know, that that window has officially opened for the Anaheim Ducks now. So they are going to be gonna be uh a team to beat over the next few years, so or several years. Let's say that. Let's be positive. Next several years for the Anaheim Ducks.

SPEAKER_01 37:54

Yeah, I mean, I'm looking at the next decade is incredible. I mean, think about Roger McQueen, and I know his name was kind of linked into that St. Louis Blues potential deal, but he's a kid who's probably gonna get a really good look in training camp to see if he could be, you know, uh an NHL or sooner than they they might think.

SPEAKER_00 38:11

Well, and also, too, this just came to mind is you know, the Red Wings teams over those those years that they were so good uh in the 90s and early 2000s that they were making runs every single year. I think it was 24 straight years to the postseason. So what does that mean, Gee, right? So they're picking their first round pick is a late pick. Sometimes they're trading those picks. So their scouting department was one of the best at the time as they were finding these players in the second, third, fourth rounds that were amazing in the Anaheim Ducks with Martin Madden. We know how good the coaching staff is. So to your point, um, they've got now the foundation with these top picks they've had, but they are so good at going into that draft and finding some of these players that you know have a high ceiling that they can develop. So, yes, I agree with you. I'd love to see the Anaheim Ducks. This window is not just a few years, it is for the next decade. So I I I agree with you. That's that would be fantastic.

SPEAKER_01 39:06

Yeah, without a doubt. And I think for you know, for Ducks fans, it's certainly um it's a it's a team to be reckoned with for the next you know decade. It's a team that a lot of players are gonna want to go and play for. And I think that's the key is when you develop that winning attitude and you build that team from within, that when you need a piece like a Dylan Larkin, like if I'm that type of player, all of a sudden I'm starting to look at I want to play for these select few teams, and and the ducks I think are gonna be at the top of the list.

SPEAKER_00 39:38

Yep. So yeah, we'll see how that unfolds. The offseason is officially here.

SPEAKER_01 39:42

So we'll see how that all uh the draft is uh like two weeks away and uh free agency at the beginning of July. So uh a lot of fun stuff to happen in the next couple weeks for the NHL.

SPEAKER_00 39:53

A lot of conversations for us to have over the next few weeks as that unfolds. Um before I let you go, uh get back to your mowing the lawn and whatever the hell else you do and you know on a farm and whatever. Uh I'd be remiss not to bring up the the World Cup. Obviously, that's going on as all these uh the basket, the NBA finals, the Stanley Cup final, and all this stuff was happening. The World Cup is happening here in North America. Um the US took uh game one, four-one in par against Paraguay, and that was just it was almost like if you could just end the World Cup then after that game, which would I mean everybody was going crazy. And and uh at one of the Angels games, Matt Turner, the uh one of the keepers for um Team USA was out there throwing out the first pitch. So it's it's here, right? And and you can feel the buzz, and then Messi, uh, as we're filming this the night before has a hat trick. So the buzz is here, it's on all the TVs everywhere. I mean, Gee, do you do you have any interest or do you have it on in the background? Do you kind of keep an eye on what's going on? Or what are your what's your World Cup uh thoughts, should I say?

SPEAKER_01 41:01

Well, I'm gonna be busy watching the men's uh US Open from Shinnecock Hills, as you know that coming up from Follow Stage. Of course. But because basketball and hockey are now done, uh, yeah, I'll I'll turn it on. I mean, I've I've played soccer growing up, I love to play, and I think that when it becomes on the world stage here in the United States to be able to, you know, at least watch it in the same the right time zone and be able to cheer on Team USA. Um, I I think this is a great opportunity for U.S. uh soccer to gain a lot of fans and gain some traction. And if they do well, um obviously that's just gonna be uh an easier way for all of us to jump on.

SPEAKER_00 41:41

I have a teaser just uh uh to that we won't talk about now, maybe not next time, because we have a special guest for next time. But yeah, we do. Yeah, but um the conversations surrounding preferential treatment for star players on the biggest stage. And the tease I I mentioned a guy named Messi. Hmm. What am I what am I talking about? There was a little controversy surrounding if he should have ever been on the pitch to score those three goals. So uh we can we go see how that plays out uh later on. But you know what? You bring up a good point. The US Open. My goodness, what was I thinking? That's that's happening on Father's Day. All right, give me, I want your pick. Because you follow this very closely. I don't know if you think I can give you a pick. I don't know if I can give you a pick. Obviously, I know some of the the favorites and Rory and you know the guys, but give me give me who you think has a legitimate shot of taking home this uh US Open Championship.

SPEAKER_01 42:40

You know, sometimes it's a player that comes out of left field. Um this year I I did some research. I think only three times um in a major at Shinnecock Hills has anybody finished under par. It's been three times. Um only three players did it. So I think it's gonna come down to the best ball striker in the game trying to make sure that they're in the fairways, hitting the greens. And if Scotty Scheffler were to win, he will now have the four majors and the grand slam. So he hasn't played his best all year, but I I I think the test is so tough that I'm gonna go with the favorite. I know Rory's right in there as well, but I'm gonna go with the favorite. I'm gonna call Scotty Scheffler. And if not, uh I I'd love to see somebody who we're not even thinking about win the U.S. Open because it is such a fun thing to watch. And it's usually so brutal, uh, so difficult. I don't think anybody really enjoys playing in it, uh, but they really desperately want to win and be the U.S. Open champion. So you heard it here first, Scotty Scheffler. I heard it. Yeah. I mean I know it's not going on, you know, it's not like, you know, I, you know, there there's a lot of guys who are playing well right now that have been knocking on the door in the last few tournaments, but um, you know, the US Open is just such a different uh animal that I really feel like it's gonna come down to one of the best.

SPEAKER_00 44:07

Well, Scotty's B game can be most people's A game. It's it's B game usually gets him second. It's ridiculous, right? How how good and consistent he is, and you know, he's just right down the middle every single time. Well, uh I yeah, I mean, if I ask you the question, I'll say Rory, I'll pick just coming off the masters, I'll say okay, Rory. Yeah. All right, just keep it rolling, right? It's an easy one. Easy one for me.

SPEAKER_01 44:32

And then when they both miss the cut, we can laugh about it.

SPEAKER_00 44:35

Then we can laugh about it. Um, but following our storyline from a couple podcasts ago, um, if Charlie Woods will be on the bag for Miles Russell, the amateur who made the cut. So we'll see if that is happening as well. That's right. Another storyline to stay tuned. Stay tuned for that. And I want to end this by saying uh congratulations, Gia Bear. This is our 20th podcast.

SPEAKER_01 44:55

Yay, congratulations to both of us. Good for us. What the hell? Yeah, and good for us.

SPEAKER_00 45:00

How did that happen? Um well, listen, uh, thanks for tuning in. Uh, we've had some um connectivity issues because you're on a farm in the middle of nowhere on over a hundred and eight hundred acres. Next time you do this when you're in the road, I want you to do the podcast while mowing the lawn. I would I think that would be fantastic.

SPEAKER_01 45:18

I'll I'll get my uh GoPro thing set up, I don't know, something.

SPEAKER_00 45:22

That would be that would be must see TV. I think we would get all kinds of ratings for that. Um, but don't forget, ladies and gentlemen, you can uh view us if you want to see what Ghee is uh what's behind Ghee on this and that incredible farm. It's just gorgeous. The birds are chirping, it's green, it's beautiful, it's you could see for miles and miles. Uh you can view us on the Mask the Mike YouTube channel. Of course, listen to us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Uh and should we should we tell them what our next guest is, who our next guest is, Gee? Should we say that?

SPEAKER_01 45:51

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because people can't wait to hear this. This is this was tremendous.

SPEAKER_00 45:55

Well, and also it relates to the farm.

SPEAKER_01 45:58

I guess it does.

SPEAKER_00 46:00

Ironically, we're gonna have a hockey player and a farmer on our next podcast. It is 2007 Stanley Cup champion Travis Moen. We tracked him down. Fantastic. We tracked him down. He is going to be a guest on our next podcast, and we couldn't get him because he was seating. He was on a tractor. So he's farming, he's got a hockey school, his kids, his uh son is playing hockey, and he's a family man, and we get to talk about all things, Travis Moan, and of course we we relive some of the 2007 Stanley Cup championship run. So that'll be fun to watch. All right. So Givo, we got a I know you got a lot to do. You got your chores, you got your list, I knew I got the list, you got it done. So uh we will stay so long for now. We can't wait to see you next time, and G, as we always say, and good for us.