The NHL's New Money Era

From blockbuster NHL contracts and MLB trade rumors to the return of one of television's most beloved shows, Episode 26 of The Mask & The Mic covers it all.

Guy Hebert and Kent French begin with breaking NHL news as San Jose Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini signs a five-year extension worth an average annual value of $18.8 million, making him the NHL's highest-paid player when the contract takes effect. Coming just weeks after Leo Carlsson's historic offer sheet with the Anaheim Ducks, the guys discuss how the market for elite young talent has changed almost overnight and what it means for teams trying to build championship-caliber rosters under the salary cap.

The conversation continues with Connor Bedard's new five-year contract, Jason Robertson's surprising decision to remain with the Dallas Stars on a one-year deal rather than accept a long-term offer elsewhere, and what all of these contracts could mean for the Ducks as they work toward signing another cornerstone player in Cutter Gauthier.

Next, the focus shifts to Major League Baseball with the trade deadline rapidly approaching. Will the Los Angeles Angels buy, sell, or stand pat? Guy and Kent discuss the organization's options, the value of players drawing league-wide interest, and what the future could hold for Mike Trout as the franchise looks toward the next chapter.

To wrap things up, the guys step away from the playing field and into the world of entertainment with the return of Ted Lasso. As longtime fans who once dressed as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard for Halloween—and even appeared on set as the iconic duo—Guy and Kent share their excitement for Season 4, reflect on why the series has resonated with so many people, and explain why they're ready to "BELIEVE" once again.

From hockey contracts and baseball strategy to one of television's most inspiring shows, Episode 26 is another wide-ranging conversation that blends insight, perspective, and plenty of fun along the way.

🎧 Watch the full episode here on YouTube.

🎙️ Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

🔔 Subscribe to The Mask & The Mic for weekly conversations featuring insider hockey analysis, baseball discussions, sports stories, and the personalities that make the games we love so memorable.

Subscribe to TheMaskTheMic YouTube Channel

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Hi everybody, this is GA Bear, former NHL Gold Tender, and I am the Mask in what is known the podcast, The Mask and the Mike. And I get to spend some time, usually about 45 minutes, with my pal, Kent French, and he is the Mike.

SPEAKER_02 0:16

Yes, and here I am. Yes, and together, as as uh Gebo mentioned, we are the Mask and the Mike. Uh, another fantastic podcast coming your way. We touch on a little bit of everything, and we kick things off by letting everyone know that Leo Carlson is no longer going to be the highest paid player in the National Hockey League. Shocking! Shocking, right, folks? 26 days after he signed that offer, Chief Conduct matched it. No Moss. We'll tell you why. Uh, we'll also tell you uh potentially what the Angels are gonna do at the trade deadline coming up on August the 3rd, and finally, Gibo, it's all about believing.

SPEAKER_00 0:50

Yes, Ted Lasto, season four, is back, and uh nobody is happier than the two of us. And and we'll tell you why. Because we are part of the Lasto family in a way, right?

SPEAKER_02 1:02

In a way. It's I mean, look at the spectrum that we're covering on this podcast. It is fantastic, and it's called The Mask and the Mic, and Ghibbo, as always. And good for us. Hello everyone, and welcome to another edition of The Mask and the Mike and French alongside GA Bear for another uh rousing conversation about just all things, everything, about everything. Just just things, Gibo. I mean, we we talked over it. We talked for 15 minutes before we even got on. We didn't press record. It's like, what are we doing? That's gold. That's gold, baby. We gotta we gotta press record earlier, I think.

SPEAKER_00 1:33

So um we can always edit, right? Or did no, I guess this is unfiltered.

SPEAKER_02 1:38

Unfiltered. I don't edit anything. I I really don't. When I put this thing together, I just press, you know, let's push it out to the people. Let's go and then stop. Push it out to the people. Yeah, I don't wanna don't want to edit anything that we say. I mean, uh, why would I do something like that? Um, you've been gone. We had a great conversation with Bobby V uh that ran last week, but you, my friend, were back east once again with your wife Sarah. Um, give me a little uh you know, top-level rendition of what the A-Bears did back east on your vacation.

SPEAKER_00 2:11

Yeah, another, you know, coast to coast whirlwind tour. Uh, the big part was was going back to celebrate my father-in-law's 88th birthday. So that was a big thing. Happy birthday to him. Yeah. So Ray turned 88. And uh, man, I if if we could only be that good, probably at 68, uh I'll be extremely happy. But yeah, it was weird. You know, we flew uh right straight to New York, um, met our daughter in New York City, landed, and it was the Canadian wildfires, right? It was just smoke everywhere. It was really ominous looking. It was really weird. I mean, in New York City and Manhattan, it was it was like chokeable. Um, like you really couldn't get outside. It was like 98 degrees too, which made it even worse. But we were lucky to get in, and then of course, there was a thunderstorm that rolled in, cleared it out just a little, but uh nonetheless was able to get my uh my favorite dinner in in Manhattan on Madison Ave, Il Molino, Italian restaurant. Italian. Italian. It's it is my it's my all-time favorite, and anytime that I'm in the city, uh, I always make sure we go to that one. There's a couple in the city, um, but that's my favorite location actually. What's your order? What's your order when you go there?

SPEAKER_02 3:25

So when I go there, this is I got to get the A-bear special.

SPEAKER_00 3:28

Well, I mean, it's the biggest menu ever, right? So they come and they give you a bunch of accoutement uh to begin with. You get, you know, a bunch of stuff, like you know, you're getting the fresh Parmesan cheese that they have the big wheel, and they're hunking uh big hunks out of it, you know, with the the carver and giving you that, and then there's like a brush ghetta or whatever, and the tomatoes, and um, then there's this kind of like olive oiled um that are like shaved mushroom something or others, and uh they're it just they just feed you immediately.

SPEAKER_02 4:00

How do you go to a place like this and you have all this stuff and then you have to get the entree? I totally understand. I kind of pictured my head I could eat olive oil and bread and all this stuff all day long.

SPEAKER_00 4:09

Yeah. Yeah. So I mean, you have to kind of pace yourself, and so that's that comes or whatever, and then they come with this ginormous menu. I mean, it is you know, it's one of those things that's like you know, it's huge. So, but then they give you like eight specials of the day, and then by the time they do that, they go through all the stuff and special, and I go, I'm gonna have my usual, I'm gonna have the veal parmigiana. So, with all the wonderful things they have on the menu, it's either chicken parm or veal parm when I get there. And I I've posted pictures of it. If anybody's listening has checked out my Instagram over the years, every time we're there, it's the size of the plate, and so they keep the bone in, so they pound it down flat and then uh serve it. It looks like a pizza. Uh incredible. So if you're in New York City and you're looking for Italian, and I know there's a lot of wonderful Italian restaurants, Il Molino, that's I L and then capital M-U-L-I-N-O. And they just changed locations. They're, I think it's like it's on Madison now, maybe 56th or something like that in Madison. Look at you at the promo.

SPEAKER_02 5:15

Can we can we tag can we tag them? Yeah, have their shirts on next time and they can send us some food, maybe?

SPEAKER_00 5:22

Yeah, we yeah, why not? I I mean always tag them when I when I post a picture of my food. So uh they usually give a like and and follow back. So uh, but that was that always sets the tempo and the tone for the trip, having a great meal in New York. Uh, but then we spent the next few days up in uh northern New York with my father-in-law, celebrated, and then uh worked our way to Boston, spent a couple days in Boston. Uh, we had a chance to meet our daughter's boyfriend's parents for the first time on the East Coast. So let that go. How did that go? Uh hopefully they're listening. Uh I was pumping the mask and the mic to them the whole time. And I'm like, I'm like, do you guys follow? Do you guys subscribe? You should listen to us. Uh, you drive a lot from you know one place to the other. And uh if you need to kill some time, just pop Frenchie and I on. So uh but it was it was actually a really great time, wonderful people. Uh, couldn't be happier that our daughters met such a great, great guy and and comes from a great family. So uh that was fun. And then we wrapped up the trip.

SPEAKER_02 6:22

Hold on, I'm gonna stop, I'm gonna pause you real quick. Oh yeah, pump pump the brakes, pump the brakes for a second before we get to this other part, which I really want to hear because this is awesome. Uh, you mentioned you're having some chowda and some lobster. Oh, yes. But did you go to a Red Sox game like I asked you to? They were in town. Did you go?

SPEAKER_00 6:39

No, so uh there were a couple pop-up thunderstorms while we were there, and uh one of the games got rained out. And of course, the Red Sox were on that incredible streak on a heater, yeah. Uh while we were in town, they won the 14th and the 15th game because then they had a rain out and they had to play a doubleheader. And I think, correct me if I'm wrong, I think they'd lost uh the second game of the double header, maybe uh the broken.

SPEAKER_02 7:05

Franchise record, yeah. I don't know if it was they when they won 15, I believe that was the franchise mark um for the winning streak. I'm not sure if they got to 16 or not, but you're right, it got snapped. And but I was like, oh my gosh, I was looking so you in January in Boston. So I got my phone, I look at the schedule, and I'm like, okay, you gotta get to a Red Sox game if you can.

SPEAKER_00 7:25

You know, and it's incredible because you know, living here, like you know, we're all Angels fans, and you know, it's not a hub like Boston, right? I mean, even being in New York, it's to get to a Yankee game, like it you just don't walk down the street and go to Fenway Park, or you don't go down or Yankee Stadium. In Boston, you can walk down the street and walk right to Fenway Park. And so the vibe is just incredible, and people were out everywhere at socks, hats on, and jerseys and the whole thing. So um, you know, it's been a tough couple seasons or uh a few seasons for sure. This season at the beginning, the Sox were uh, I think in last place, and then that 15-game streak got them right back into the playoff hunt. So a lot of buzz in the city of Boston. And and before I forget, uh my sister will kill me if I don't mention the fact that my sister drove in, she lives way out on the end of Cape Cod with her twin uh boy girl twins, um, who are now 16. And uh they drove in to meet us here in uh Boston when we were there and had a good chance to catch up. And you know, it's always difficult when you have family that's uh 3,000 miles away, and and you have uh just a few times of the year you feel like you can connect and and get to see them face to face and in person. So so that was great. Got to spend a good part of the afternoon and a great lunch with them and catch up with uh the kids and they're they're big sports kids, so they're playing everything, um, traveling. So it's that thing when you're in your teenage years, there's no shortage of, you know, like hey, we got to get back. I think her son Seamus had a hockey game like at six back on the Cape, and then he had another game in the next morning at like six a.m. So uh they're in the the the I guess the meat of these kids um in their so-called professional sports career.

SPEAKER_02 9:14

Uh awesome, dude. I'm glad you got to catch up. Um, I have I have a quick one for I have an ending to this trip, but we can't we can't pass. No, I yes, yes, but I had a chance. Now that you you say you talk about the Green Monster, I had a chance to go out there and my name is inside the Green Monster.

SPEAKER_00 9:29

Did I tell you that?

SPEAKER_02 9:30

Did I tell you I signed my name?

SPEAKER_00 9:32

Officially, or did you go on the tour and then break out of Sharpie?

SPEAKER_02 9:35

No, I actually snuck back there after little pregame interviews. Hector Santin and I just kept walking towards left field and looking around. The door was cracked open. We're like, we are going for it. And so we walked in and it's awesome. I mean, I think Nanny's been in there too many times when he had to, you know, use the restroom. But uh it is fantastic. Signatures everywhere, it's unreal. I was able to sign my name up there. We had Sharpies, we brought Sharpies with us, so yeah, it was it was cool. Of course. So anyway, I got I just gotta throw that one in there. Uh all right. So now let's talk about the ending to your trip, talking about some OG mighty ducks.

SPEAKER_00 10:20

Yeah, hopefully you and and everybody who's listening saw uh my Instagram story. It's not the top. It's I look at yes, I mean I know when I turn on my Instagram, there's there's French activity, there's Kent French, there, you know, they're they're the first ones that jump out. So hopefully mine is jumping out. But yeah, uh long overdue. And you know, we when you don't get to see friends, uh especially hockey friends, very often, because you know, when your careers end, a lot of you know, a lot of families you splinter off. You go back to where you grew up, or you have a summer house that becomes your permanent house, uh, or you get a job opportunity to go somewhere else. And um, so I had a great, great chance. I I threw out a text to uh Joe Sacco, original Mighty Duck, and Steve King, original Mighty Duck. And uh Steve King lives in Providence uh area in Rhode Island and Joe is just outside of Boston in the offseason. Uh he is uh now assistant coach with the New York Rangers, so Joe had moved on from the Bruins, and uh last year was his first year with the New York Rangers. Uh but I threw the text out and said, hey, we are gonna be in Boston any chance we could get together for a dinner or drinks or whatever, just so we can catch up. Uh I've been lucky enough to see Joe when he's come through town uh with the Bruins over the years, and then uh Steve King comes out occasionally with some business out to the West Coast, but it's you know it's far and few between, and we haven't seen their wives in in years. So yeah, we got together, uh, had dinner in a new I call it the new seaport area Boston because the last time I was there, it it didn't even really exist. So we got down there and it's a huge new development, and I'm gonna say new Frenchie because it's probably uh it's probably like five, eight, ten years old uh since it's been developed, but new hip area for Boston. Uh really enjoyed it. Great restaurant, and and we had you know the typical three-hour dinner just trying to catch up. And uh both guys are doing incredibly well. Uh Joe is still with the New York Rangers, so we will see him when the Rangers are in town. And uh, you know, Steve is uh doing a great job. He's at Stonehill College in their uh advancement department or heads the advancement department, and I believe Stone Hill College just became like instantly overnight, I think last season decided they were gonna be Division I hockey, and they don't have a rank, a rank on campus. So I have a feeling Steve's um, you know, he he's been working hard trying to find some money to make sure that they can build a new rank for Stone Hill College and their hockey program. Uh, but yeah, but it was wonderful. I posted a couple pictures uh of the six of us, and you know, it's funny, my wife was great friends with uh uh Tammy Sacco and Christine King while we were all together out here, and then you know, life gets in the way. Sure. So we went we went down memory lane to say the least, and it was really, really great to catch up.

SPEAKER_02 13:07

I want to ask you when you're with uh two former teammates of yours who obviously was so impactful being part of the original core for the Mighty Ducks. I mean, are the stories just firing off one after another? I mean, is it tough to get a word in edgewise? I I would love to be a fly in the wall as all as you three, you know, former Mighty Ducks, you would just share stories. I I can't imagine what some of the stuff came up.

SPEAKER_00 13:28

Yeah. I I mean there's just there's not enough time, right? You're you know, it's like one story kind of leads you down uh the pathway of you know of former teammates and and things that you went through um in your hockey career, and then all of a sudden there's a somebody says something, and then you go down the pathway of like we all have children, and the children are all grown up. Um, you know, I mean it's it's crazy to think that like you know, they're anywhere from like the beginning of college to you know uh early 30s, and you're like, God, we're sitting there looking at each other, we're like, we don't look that bad. Like, how can we be the age that we seemingly are? Uh, we look really good, knock on wood. Um but yeah, but you start thinking about you know, a lifetime um has passed us by since we were together. So it's one of those things where um yeah, the story's just kept on going, and you know, if not being kicked out of the restaurant, we probably would still be sitting there.

SPEAKER_02 14:21

I love it. Uh I'm glad you got to get caught up with your uh former teammates, and then of course, uh meet your daughter's boyfriend's parents. That's a that's a huge step. And with a nine-year-old daughter, I do not look forward to those days.

SPEAKER_00 14:35

I am trying to You got plenty of time. No, I don't. It'll be like tomorrow. I mean, I mean I know it happens quickly, but I hope so.

SPEAKER_02 14:43

I I am learning from you. I'm taking notes and trying to understand how this is all gonna go. So uh you certainly are writing the book and uh setting a high standard. So I I appreciate you doing that for all of us girl dads out there. So thank you.

SPEAKER_00 14:57

Yeah, uh I really have no answers, but yeah, thank you for putting your faith in me.

SPEAKER_02 15:02

Oh God, yes. Um well listen, since you've been gone, Guy A. Bear, a lot has been since you've been gone, right? I think so. Uh a lot's been going on in the world of sports, but uh especially the National Hockey League, because the topic of conversation was and continues to be for some degree, Leo Carlson signing the offer sheet, and then of course the uh Anaheim Ducks matching that offer sheet at $18 million a year annual uh average salary, which made him, I say at the time, the highest paid player in the National Hockey League. But as you and I both said on this podcast, as we like to call the mask of the mic, shameless plug, that that salary would not be the highest in the league for long. Well, it took 26 days, Gibo, for someone else to go a little bit higher than Leo. Macklin Celebrini is now the highest paid player in the National Hockey League when his contract kicks in next year at 18.8 million per year for five years. San Jose Sharks just inked that deal with him. Uh, this being, what are we on, July 29th, when we're filming this podcast. That is uh that's the new standard. And uh, as you and I both talked about, it's gonna keep going up and up with the cap going up next year. But what's interesting here too is so the Ducks are have a little over nine million left this season when it comes to cap space, right? So they're trying to figure out how to fit in. Currently, yes. Currently, currently, yeah. As as we are recording this, currently, no moves have been made to our knowledge. Uh they're still trying to fit in cutter gotier. But what I would like to kind of discuss is that you have this tiered salary in your um under your cap system. So Leo's at 18, and then you got to fit in like a cutter, and then you bring in potentially uh, you know, Becca Seneca next year, and and it kind of goes down from there. Uh, you got Minchikov, of course, you got Lacombe. These guys are all in the eight and nine range. So then you have now this is I would say this is good news for the Ducks, right? Because now Celabrini's at 18-8, and now you got Will Smith who's gonna want to be signed next year. And you just reminded me if he's got even a better year than he had last year, he's gonna be in that 15 range. So this only helps the ducks when it comes to their cap tier to be able to match some of these teams that are in the division that are certainly gonna be around for the next five, six, seven years when it comes to being playoff ready teams with this these young core that are starting to mature into National Hockey League superstars. So, um what's your take on Celebrini, him signing that $18.8 million deal, and how that's gonna affect uh really kind of the ducks moving forward and you know the rest of uh some other teams here moving forward?

SPEAKER_00 17:48

Well, I think anytime that you set the new standard as being the highest paid player in the league, it you know, it everyone takes notice, right? All the teams, GMs, presidents are like, okay, now this is the new number. Um listen, I know we just said it was what, 26 days that Leo held that title. Uh listen, Quinn Hughes is out there, and he's not one of the young guys that we've talked about. Um, you know, mentioned Will Smith, Cutter Gochee, Beckett Tenica, those type players. Uh he is more of a we'll call him more of a veteran, right? But he's looking at possibly 20 million, right? That's a number that's being bantered about that if he's going to sign because he does not have to sign, then if Billy Guerin wants to get that done, all of a sudden, all of a sudden they're pushing the envelope of 20 per se.

SPEAKER_02 18:33

And you got Crow Caprizov at 17.

SPEAKER_00 18:35

Yeah, who was the ring, yeah. Yeah. So uh so let's wrap this into a bow. I guess the way I look at it is yeah, it gives stability for teams to now know, right? Connor Bedard signed recently as well, um, 15 million a year for five years. So all these star young players are deciding they're not going max term, which I'm sure you know, teams probably want wanted seven or eight years. Uh, it gives these guys an opportunity to continue to improve and look to make some more money when the cap continues to to go up and you start looking out five years from now, they're still very young players. They're they're gonna be what Leo's 21, he'll be, I think, 22 by the beginning of the season. So you're thinking that these guys are still gonna be in their prime at like say 27. They can sign two more contracts after this. Yeah, it's the same. So, but I think you know, it gives teams some security knowing that their top top guys, their top player is gonna be locked up for five years at that number. So then they've set the standard that, well, no one's gonna probably make more than that money on our team. So if you look at Ducks specifically, you know, Cutter, Goche has I mean, you know, 41 goals in the NHL uh is really hard to replicate and is certainly hard to replace. And so I think Cutter has you know some legs to stand on to say that you know, if these guys just sign for 15 to 18, you know, I'm in that conversation of somewhere around that number. Below Leo, below Mackinacellebrini, uh, you know, I think the Bedard number probably hurts Cutter in a way. Um but if you're looking at that number, you're certainly gonna have to lock up Cutter for a five-year deal. Um, I don't think you want to let him score 40 more goals for the next couple seasons on a shorter bridge deal, and then really have to pay him more than Leo in a couple years. So I think that's in my estimation, that's the direction of the team, is they want to lock them up for at least a minimum of five years. Uh the good the good news is that, you know, with the cap going up and then teams knowing that they have their number one player signed for five years, then you can use the trickle-down effect, right? Everybody's gonna get a bump up in pay because of this, right? I mean, if I'm a third line guy, you know, now my negotiating skills are against other third liners who are probably gonna sign more because of the trickle-down effect of Leo and Celebrini and Connor Bedard, right? So I think it's a good thing for players. I'm always uh in the players' corner for that. I am not a real GM, although I like to pretend I am on my couch or on this podcast. So I'm in favor of the players being able to get as much as possible. And you know, I I always I still hear the rumblings, Frenchie, and I know you do too, out in the world of social media about you know, players wanting to win the Stanley Cup, and players, you know, should be more friendly for their team's cap, and they shouldn't take more money because then it hurts their chances of winning because then you have to, you know, you're you're hamstrung because you can't get other players. So, you know, my response to that is is like, you know, one, the team has to be prudent on the way they handle their finances, right, and their cap space. But as a player, I mean, you know, we all know we're only in this for a certain amount of time. And when you have the negotiating power, uh, you have to use it to your advantage. And yes, you want to keep in the back of your mind that you want to be able to, you know, have a supporting cast that's going to make your team better and try to win a Stanley Cup. But like at what cost? You know, I mean I'm always a little leery of a guy leaving too much on the table uh for somebody else. And then, you know, what happens if the team doesn't do what you think they're going to do, right? You, you know, I think about Connor Bedard and, you know, I don't know if the shoulder injury was any part of this that he took 15, or was it more of like, hey, I want to help build this team, so I'm going to take a little bit less and that will create some space. But the problem is is like what happens if the Blackhawks don't use that money that he left on the table. I mean a great example is we know like what have the Edmonton Oilers done for the other Connor? You know, Connor McDavid did they use that money that he saved them wisely during last year's, you know, run to a Stanley Cup? No, they didn't. Have they used it really wisely so far this season? I mean I think I'd argue that they they have not. So that's the danger of a player being team friendly because it could come back to bite them in the long run and they sit there and say I, you know, I did this for the organization and then you know they didn't do anything to help me as their star player. So I know it's a long-winded answer to it all. I think that teams are in good shape when they know what they're playing their stars. And I think that it will help get Cutter's deal done. I think you know you talk about Will Smith, you know, if he's a gambling man, you know, maybe he does what some other guys have done. He just plays out this year, sees what kind of season he has and then all of a sudden the fear of an offer sheet for a guy like Will Smith next summer, I think will certainly get uh everybody's attention if he doesn't sign before then. And that's why GMs make a lot of money because they have to deal with all these uh you know if and buts.

SPEAKER_02 23:58

Yeah I got a couple comments on that and you make some good points. Number one, when you talk about you know a player taking as much as he can uh especially when you look at hockey right I I always look at this sport um kind of in the football realm. It's a violent sport. So two things you have a window as you mentioned to play this sport play it at a high level and earn an earn a you know a high wage or get paid for your talents. Number two is you can get injury. Injury is part of part of this sport. And so you are putting yourself on the line every single night you go out there. So you have to protect yourself and the good part about the NHL and you can go MLB and MBA they're all guaranteed contracts right when you go to the NFL that's all bonus driven. Bonuses are guaranteed but the salary not necessarily the same so yes I believe in those two things and I I think you're exactly right. As a player you need to go out there and you need to take care of yourself knowing that yes your window is small and there's risk of injury um when you look at yeah Connor McDavid the other Connor I think I was thinking of it the same time that you were saying it he did exactly that he took an incredible haircut at 125 a year and whenever when this Leo contract came out and everyone's like well look at Connor McDavid the best player in hockey he's making 125 I'm like pump your brakes like that has nothing to do with anything. He did it on purpose he the next contract he signs he's going to be north of 20. He will be the highest paid player in the National Hockey League. He's not going to take any more haircuts because to your point it's not working he went back to back uh finals the cup he wanted to get some more you know reinforcements um and and uh some more assets it's not working there you know darn nurse just got traded uh he came out just it was either today or yesterday saying he wasn't happy with that deal yeah so we'll we'll see what happens in Edmonton but it it hasn't worked there he gave him a shot it's not working Conor McDavid will be the highest paid player at some point in the National Hockey League. So um yeah I I think I don't fault Leo but what I do like from a Ducks perspective is that a team that you're gonna be vying for a Western conference title for years to come in the San Jose Sharks, they are both on the same trajectory when it comes to good young prospects. Their scouting department has drafted well they're developing these players and they're gonna be two viable teams for years to come that somewhat their salary structure is going to is going to start you know sifting out to be somewhat similar when you hire highest paid players around the 18 and then you're gonna start working your way down. So it'll be interesting to see how how they negotiate the cap, negotiate those the Will Smiths, the Becky Seneca's of the world to see how that works. To cutter real quickly you mentioned Connor Bedard at 15 but let's not forget about betting on themselves and Jason Robertson this is a guy who's 27 with the stars was there was a a sheet to be traded there was a um a trade in place for the Kraken to acquire him and sign him to an eight year deal for 15 per right yeah 100 what 120 million over that eight years yeah he turns that down and so he just signed a one year 12 million dollar deal um to avoid arbitration.

SPEAKER_00 27:10

Yes and he had 45 goals last year so that being said he is certainly betting on himself I have heard rumblings that he wants to stay in Dallas uh there's no doubt yeah I mean he would have taken uh no doubt a few different trades because he did have some some power where he could end up and I think he wants to stay in Dallas without a doubt. And I think not to interrupt my buddy but I do think that there is something in play. I think they got that deal done just to avoid the the arbitration because we talked on a previous show of it it really sours the player and the organization against one another even though if you're a great player it really does um you know we talk about how you know basically how terrible you are we don't want you so we're gonna pay you X. So I think they avoided that which was great if he wants to stay there. And I think that also you know looking at uh who who's possibly maybe able to be moved right from Dallas that they can you know create some cap space long term for him. So I think that's the thing that's in play at least in my estimation I think that's my guess that they're trying to hammer out now a long-term deal that will play I mean there's no way he's gonna sign for $12 million after this season. So either A, you're right he's just gonna gamble on it and see what happens or that there's something in play throughout the course of the season or even later in this summer.

SPEAKER_02 28:42

Yeah it'll be interesting to see how that shakes itself out as you mentioned it is you don't want there to be any animosity with the team and the player but um he wants to be in Dallas and it's kind of uh it's not exactly the same but if they were to sign him to a really high number because they have a lot of high profile players on that Dallas Stars team and so you're gonna have to move people like the ducks are going to have to move some people if they want to keep cutter and sign him for the number that Cutter is looking for.

SPEAKER_00 29:10

So I mean the good news for the Ducks is that they've got some assets that are valuable and you know we kind of mentioned some names I I hate mentioning names but because they're out there publicly you know through all social media the pundits in the NHL you know there's quality guys that teams trying to win a Stanley Cup would really covet you know and they've you know I've heard Kreider I've heard Clorin I've heard Vitrano um maybe even a few others so you know those are the things that you unfortunately have to do in the league to be able to comply with what the salary cap is going to be and when you need to sign a guy at a really high number um you know obviously some pieces need to be moved and sometimes you move pieces that you really don't want to move you know but at the end of the day you have to figure out okay um these guys you know two of those guys are on the last year of their contract so maybe they're easier to move because a team looking for a really quality player can get that player for the the year and not not have to worry about you know cap ramifications down the road unless they decide to re-sign that player.

SPEAKER_02 30:18

Yeah and I you know and maybe for another podcast but I would like to do kind of a deeper dive even into the ducks defense because you know that's been you know um facing some criticism from the outside world fans and and uh you know critics alike when it comes to well you got rid of you know truba you know Carlson didn't want to stay uh and of course goodis was traded away you have some some aging players there certainly in and some wanted longer term uh and some just needed you know wanted another um change of scenery but I I think the ducks minor league system when it comes to defense is highly underrated I think in Pat in his press conference when he um announced that they were going to match the offer sheet and Aaliyah was asked about his defense and these guys you know the Trubas um I think the Ducks wanted to keep Carlson if he wanted to say but he wants to be closer to family back on the East Coast. But then Gudis as well or you have these guys that are you know a little bit later in their career wanted a little bit longer term ducks didn't necessarily want to go there because there are guys in the minor league system that are deserving of an opportunity to get up there and they can't do it with these guys in the lineup.

SPEAKER_00 31:31

So I think there is certainly and I look at Tristan Luneau right right off the bat you look at that guy we saw him play a couple years ago he's real he's a big defenseman he is the real deal he's gonna get an opportunity to play every day I think the Ducks fans are going to be pleasantly surprised when they see what they have in the cupboard when it comes to defense and it's not going to be as as bad as everybody is saying it's gonna be well and then also you know Tyson Hines signs a one a one way two year contract so essentially he is a guy who's gonna be slotted in there Luno you got Stan Solberg who is a as everybody's called him a mini goodist and so he's a very physical player so he's a guy who's gonna come to camp and he's gonna try to make a name for himself with his physical play and and I'm not necessarily saying fighting I mean he's just a big hitter and uh to say that he's probably the best prospect and I've seen it uh in some of the reports that he's the best physical defenseman prospect in the NHL right now due to his ability to make those open ice hits. How big is he? What's his size do you know? Uh you know he's kind of like a good style not as mature as he's young. And and so he's one of those guys but he's got great timing and he sees the plays develop and he's able to step up at the right time. Hey we all know Vitali Vishnevsky right incredible impeccable timing about seeing a guy having to look back for a pass crossing through neutralice and having that great timing to be able to meet at the impact point. And so I think the fans are going to be really excited to see uh Solberg be able to do that. And listen I think you're right. A lot of it's gonna boil down to these guys getting the opportunity to play show what they're able to do and then make a household name uh uh for themselves and then all of a sudden I think everyone will be like oh okay we we get it this is why they've been developing in San Diego they're ready to make the next you know that next jump to the NHL and then of course with any team with their defense it's all about the the five man unit and then of course the goaltender right so it's the implementing the systems that you want to have and you employ those systems and you execute. When you execute in the defensive zone uh and you don't make a lot of mistakes uh then defense is relatively easy right you keep people at the perimeter you let the goalie see the shot if there's rebounds you're in the proper spot and when you do all those things correctly um it doesn't really matter who's on the ice if it because it's a five man system. So I think that uh the ducks will continue to work on that system throughout the course of the season. And then of course um yeah the last man standing the last line of defense your goaltender always needs to make a key save here and there to make sure that when there is a mistake that you're back there making that save for the guys.

SPEAKER_02 34:21

I uh quick comment of Italy Vishnevsky back in the day I was part of the production department for the Anaheim ducks and we put together a commercial spot uh called From Russia with love it was just slow motion of Vishnevsky with his hip check just crushing somebody it was fantastic. Yeah I mean it was just fantastic. Yeah um and wasn't he uh wasn't there a commercial too when it was uh Korea was at a table there check please the the famous line check please was that Vish or was who is I forgot who did the check and it was a you know it you're it was an actual check.

SPEAKER_00 34:59

Wow you're you're aging me and I I don't remember that. Don't I'm sure it's on YouTube or something we can find but yeah check please check please and then it was yeah I forgot but it was Korea's that was his line check please and then somebody checked him I forget it was I don't know if it was Vish or not. Um but yeah all right well anyways uh that's some hockey talk for you of course we're gonna we're gonna vent a little bit certainly a lot going on it's been a busy summer I mean it's been a busy summer and becomes you know a little quiet this time of year but uh obviously it it's been an exciting part and I know people are so excited about the start of the season already I keep seeing stuff on social media so uh hockey is in a really good great place right now.

SPEAKER_02 35:40

Oh it's an incredible spot right now and I I mean maybe it's because I've been around the organization for so long but I am very confident it just let everything settle a little bit. There's been so much excitement so much talk so much uh chatter about everything going on especially you know leading with Leo but you know I do believe Cutter's gonna get signed and after that I think things are going to fall into place. I think Ducks fans are going to be very happy to see the product that's gonna be on the ice this year. So uh I'm excited to see what's going to happen here in a couple like a month and a half Gebo.

SPEAKER_00 36:08

It's busy it's it's here it's almost here. Yes it's almost here and uh we can all enjoy two extra games on the schedule this year, right? So they're now 84 NHL games for preseason so if you want to get to your preseason games I suggest you get there and see them because they're gonna go by quickly because there's four and then uh treating the uh NHL players to two extra games and the fans will enjoy having one extra home game throughout the course of the season.

SPEAKER_02 36:35

There you go. All right uh we're gonna move on from the ice to uh the diamond if you will just for a moment because another thing coming up on the calendar is the trade deadline in major league baseball. That's August the third Gibo so uh by the time we get to our next podcast that date will have come and gone and one of the teams that um are anticipated to be one of the biggest sellers in baseball will be your angels. Yes your angels uh my angels my angels your angels they've been struggling it's been no secret uh that that's been happening um but as a result they have two of the most talked about players um around the trade deadline that being Reed Detmers and Jose Soriano two pitchers that will not be not the normal rental right Gibo usually when you talk about trade deadline you're getting pieces to make that run and then they're gone you trade great prospects or whatever it is depending on the level of the player they most likely are not going to resign because they will hit free agency and look for another contract. But no that's not the case with these two guys because they're under team control for two plus more years each of them. So you can get pitchers in their 20s late 20s and you can get them under team control for two more years after this one and they will be uh big parts of your rotation so Derek Scubel who is the most talked about player in baseball right now of course and rightfully so back to back Cy Young award winner for Detroit. Detroit's on the cusp of a playoff spot they don't know if they're gonna buy or they're gonna sell if they sell him he will be a free agent at the end of this year and they're gonna get a boatload for him. But if for some reason they pull him off and he does not get traded that will move Detmers and Soriano to the top of the list and the Angels could get a haul for both of those players so uh I am looking forward to see what the Angels do. I think all the fans are anticipating uh John Mozalok who just uh came on about a month ago as the interim GM and baseball consultant um he's got 30 years of experience with St. Louis he built a winner there won a World Series there so excited Geba a lot of excitement this is an exciting time for a team that's um brought some frustration um here to Southern California to the players the fans everybody because they want to win everybody wants to win um yes so it's it's gonna be interesting to see what they do Joe Adele Zach Neto from a position player standpoint two young players too that are under team control that have been talked about as well who would certainly bring back a lot in return so that is happening I think there's I do believe one if not both of the pitchers are going to be moved um because certainly need to replenish the the minor league system and and bring on some young prospects and start to build around uh some of the young players on the team and really create some consistency in a core and and a team that can grow together um like what the ducks are doing across the street like what they've done you know Pat Verbeek finally had to tear it down and and build it together and he's he's we got we're talking about young superstars in Leo and Cutter right now. So I'm excited to see what the Angels can do.

SPEAKER_00 39:42

Well I mean there's obviously one name that you didn't mention and every year yet this time of year it comes up and it's you know the Mike Trout conversation and you know I just read this morning it's like okay well one who can afford him in his current contract and two who would be willing to give up what it would take to get Mike Trout and is Mike Trout finally softening on his stance of being you know I guess amenable to making a move and you know those are the questions that you know I mean we all know that Mike Trout's meant so much to the organization. You know he is an angel through and through you know I think guys you know it's a a badge of honor to be able to play for the same organization for your entire career um you know but at one point does does Mike and and I've talked about it you've talked about everybody in Orange County has talked about it across baseball has talked about it you know give this guy a chance to win and if it's not here you know you know let him let like let him have some playoff experience. I mean he's had such little opportunity to play in the playoffs in his career. So you know he hasn't been in those big moments right he hasn't been in those moments of crunch time and you know where the best athletes in their sport are able to step up and you know put their stamp on a hall of fame ballot right being like Mike Trout in the playoffs in the World Series hits the clutch you know home run or whatever. No, I mean I would love to see that with him with the Angels obviously but you know as a a fan of you know great athletes and having the opportunity to be able to have those moments um you know I would love for for him to have that opportunity. I don't know if he wants it. I don't know personally if he's like hey yeah I'll I'm gonna take a you know a chance and I'll go to Philly New York Boston wherever to see if I can get a a chance at a ring. But you know his name always comes to the surface and if you are really truly rebuilding your franchise in Anaheim with the Angels you're talking about moving two young pitchers who have term left and the knock against the Angels it in my mind and you know we're all again you know armchair quarterbacks uh GM sitting on their couch it's like the pitching has been the problem seemingly for a decade or more and so you've got two bright young pitchers like I do you really want to move them and then start to rebuild from you know um you know I guess tearing it down to the studs once again and then starting like okay hey now we're really rebuilding and we're gonna get prospects or whoever for these these two pitchers. So you know I mean I don't have the answer uh I pretend to a lot of times but I mean that would shake up Orange County the Angels franchise uh if there was a Mike Trout trade and what you could get in to Anaheim for him current MLB players that are in their prime you know that aren't everyday players or you know everybody you know doesn't know their names currently but people in their business know that they're really great young players and then you get some prospects. So what kind of haul? I mean we're talking about hockey and and and you know what could you get for certain players but what kind of haul could you get for Mike Trout if Mike decided that like hey I'm ready to go I'm ready to finally you know I'm gonna chase the dream and try to win you know that World Series and and whether you know whatever city it is I mean we know he's a Philly guy you know and that's been the speculation uh since he's gotten into the league.

SPEAKER_02 43:17

Yeah to to answer um or to address one of your questions uh regarding why would you get rid of Soriano and Duttmers when pitching is at a premium I agree with you but I think what the the issue is with the Angels is by the time they can build a team that's going to be a perennial playoff contender on a on a yearly basis those two guys could potentially be out of their prime so they're they're looking at they need more than just pitching they need to find depth throughout the organization and those two guys can help begin that process and I think that's what they're looking at right now um with that with even like an Adele and a Zach Neto I mean these are two again younger guys Guys in their twenties, but to to really truly find depth uh and talent at your position to replenish your organization, um, you're gonna need to make some tough decisions. And I think that's kind of where they're looking at right now. As far as Mike Trout, you hit it right on the head. I mean, I want to see him win in an angel uniform more than anyone, as much as anyone does. But also, as a fan of the game, Gibo, I want to see the best player play on the biggest stage in the world, and that's the World Series in baseball. As much as I didn't want to see Shoheo Tani go, I it's uh it's a gift for us to be able to see him play in the World Series or at least contend on a yearly basis. And so, um, and it was I think it was special for everybody, more so obviously for Mike Trout to go back to Philadelphia for the All-Star game, play in front of all those fans, be be once again amongst the best in the league. And I was, you know, I wonder what type of fire that brought, you know, in him again to say, hey, you know what, look at look at this.

SPEAKER_00 44:57

And yeah, this is why I play, right?

SPEAKER_02 45:00

If in fact there is is if the teardown is is that's a it's a big word, but if the rebuild is as significant as it could be with the angels, then I'm sure Mike will have to take a look and say, okay, how long is it gonna be for all these players that we got to to get to a point where we can compete on a regular basis? Again, and where am I gonna be? Because I'm already, you know, in my early early 30s. So yeah, all those questions are are on the table. Um you know, what could you get for trout? How much salary would you have to to to retain for a deal to go through all those different things? So it's it's an interesting situation. GMs, what a job they have. And well, I don't care what league you're in. I mean, Pat Verbik was probably tearing his hair out, you know. I mean, John Mozalock's got a lot going on with the Angels. So yeah, it's it's uh I for us it's it makes for some really intriguing conversation. So uh yeah, we'll see. Next time that you and I chat, that'll be the case. And you know what?

SPEAKER_00 46:02

Next time something will have happened or it will be the same old, same old.

SPEAKER_02 46:07

It will, but at the at the end of the day, you have to believe.

SPEAKER_00 46:13

I know where you're going. That's a great segue because it's uh it's one of our favorite lines.

SPEAKER_02 46:21

Yes, Ted Lasso, season four premiere August the fifth, two days after the trade deadline for Major League Baseball. And we'll probably be recording a podcast potentially on that day as well. You never know. So uh yeah, I cannot wait for I I I'm not a I I can't say I'm a movie guy or a TV guy because my daughter doesn't like to watch movies or TV shows or whatever it is, and so it's been difficult, but what a summer it's been with the Odyssey with the new Spider-Man movie coming out, um and then Lasso. I mean, Ted Lasso's coming out. The premiere, I guess, was apparently a couple nights ago in LA. I I cannot wait to lasso. No, I wasn't. I didn't get invited, I got lost in the mail. That's something that you would be invited to usually. I know. Yeah. Come on, Jason. We're out here. Jason, I know. Maybe he'll come on at some point.

SPEAKER_00 47:16

Hey, you never know. I mean, our our our reach is is wide. You know, we're gonna have a big net at the end.

SPEAKER_02 47:22

We're gonna tag like 20 people a show just to see if anyone can is listening or watching. Yes. Um, yeah, but are you looking forward to lasso with you and uh you and the wife? I mean partake in in season four?

SPEAKER_00 47:35

And you know what I think is great is you know, a lot of times nothing as good as the original, right? And I think that was it was such a hit that first season that it was almost like, okay, well, we have to have a second season because this uh everybody loves it and and we enjoy doing it. And so, you know, then there's the second season, and then all of a sudden I think you know, you start running out. I mean, I just can imagine as a as a writer, like, okay, well, where does this character go in his life, and how do we blend this, or do we get rid of some people and like you know, to try to figure out to keep it compelling, the storylines compelling. So I think that you know, by the time the third season was over, I think, you know, obviously Ted was done. Yeah, Ted was done with coaching and was heading home and the whole thing, and like, okay, well, the series is over. And I I I love the fact that they're rebooting it and it seems to be re-energized. And, you know, I I I don't want to give anything away. I only saw the trailer, probably like most people, but uh an interesting spin on things uh with Ted Lasso and the coaching staff and and where that all goes. But um, yeah, I mean we love it, we love the premise of the whole thing. You know, it started out as him getting hired like on a lark, like so that basically this guy who knew nothing was going to coach a professional soccer club, football club, right? And then it turned into a success on the field and off the field, and all of a sudden we're looking at season four.

SPEAKER_02 48:57

Yeah, and uh they were on the field during the halftime show of the uh World Cup final. It was Ted Lasso and Coach Beer. They were introducing Justin Bieber. Yeah, they're everywhere. Yeah, football is life. Football is life, Ted Lasso is everywhere. Well, you know what? I think we've been everywhere on this show. We've covered everything. We want to keep everybody on their toes.

SPEAKER_00 49:20

Yeah, we talk a lot of hockey because hockey's been in the news a lot. Uh you know, we like to talk about all sports, we talked about the World Cup. Yeah, um, but you know, we're not just you know, it's just not all about athletics. We like to talk about personal stuff, and we do, of course, you know, stuff. Um we've been Ted Lasso and Coach Beard on the set for the Anaheim Ducks before, and uh we we pulled it off quite well. That's right.

SPEAKER_02 49:45

So you're bringing it all back now. I don't know why that didn't cross my mind. Yes, we were Ted Lasso and Coach Beard during our Halloween segments. So yes, that's what we do.

SPEAKER_00 49:53

And nobody knew who I was, by the way. I had that huge beard that was That was their problem.

SPEAKER_02 50:00

That was their problem. Because in my mind, you were a great Coach Beard. Yes, and you didn't say much either.

SPEAKER_00 50:06

I I yeah, I just did a lot of nodding, yeah. Like Coach Beard would do.

SPEAKER_02 50:11

Oh, so good. Well, listen, um, again, I think you I think we've covered it all. And uh we're gonna have a lot more to talk about next week. Um wait, as always. Yeah, it's it's gonna be great. Uh so, anyways, uh, if you want to catch this podcast and watch us uh in all of our glory, um you can catch us, yes, right there. You can catch us on uh the Mask of the Mic YouTube channel. Of course, listen to us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe, please give us a rating. We'd love to hear from you. Uh let you know what you want to hear more of. And less of, if that's anything, I can't imagine what you want to hear less of from us. Um anyway, it's been a pleasure, Kibo. Uh glad you're back in town. Um, you know, next time you leave, like a lot of stuff happens when you're gone. So I don't know. I don't if if you do leave again, we'll just have to make a list of things to talk about because it's crazy. Yeah, well, I mean, if I have to, I will.

SPEAKER_00 51:03

Send me on a vacation, friend.

SPEAKER_02 51:04

Yeah, I'll get an expense expense account for the mass of mine. Oh, I'm working on that. Yeah. Um, all right, well, uh, it's been a great show, and as we always like to say, Keepo. Yeah, and good for us.