32 Thoughts: The Podcast - Any Chance Joey Daccord Is Swedish Too?

Episode Date: January 24, 2025

In this episode of 32 Thoughts, Kyle Bukauskas and Elliotte Friedman begin with some injury news as Jacob Markstrom left the ice on Thursday night with an undisclosed injury. That turns into a conversation about availabilities for the 4 Nations tournament and whether players might favour the rest (10:12). Kyle ponders whether the Rangers are back (12:25) before the pair comment on the Ottawa Senators offensive struggles (16:37). That bleeds into a conversation about Brad Marchand's latest antics (19:26). Kyle asks Elliotte about the Carolina Hurricanes "big game hunting" in the trade market (23:38) before they delve into the uninspiring effort from the Vancouver Canucks against Edmonton on Thursday night (26:47).  The fellas talk about Utah HC's  trademark struggles and their tight playoff race with the Calgary Flames (38:40). Kyle and Elliotte touch on Drew Doughty being near a return to play (38:40) and in a segment coined Teams We Don’t Talk About Enough, Kyle and Elliotte delve into the Leafs ahead of the deadline and Auston Matthews comments on the crowd not being loud enough for Ryan Reaves (48:42). Then, they talk about the Winnipeg Jets and their ability to attract/keep players as a contender (59:16). The Final Thought focuses on Gary Bettman's reported plan to retire from his position as NHL Commissioner (1:06:31).Kyle and Elliotte answer your questions and respond to your voicemails in the Thought Line (1:15:33).In the final segment Elliotte sits down with Columbus Blue Jacket Zach Werenski for an exclusive one-on-one interview ahead of the 4 Nations tournament (1:35:14).Email the podcast at [e-mail] or call the Thought Line at 1-833-311-3232 and leave us a voicemail.This podcast was produced and mixed by Dominic Sramaty and hosted by Elliotte Friedman & Kyle Bukauskas.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates

If you had a choice Kyle Brad Marchand put the chokes you or licks you which would you prefer? choking all Metaphorically, I've already been choked by him once already. That's true. Actually both Welcome to 32 thoughts the podcast presented by the GMC Sierra AT4X. Tom Schermati, Elliot Friedman, Kyle Bacosk is with you once again. Elliot, I have a question for you before we get started. Okay, fire away.

Who had this line on Thursday, quote, you want to play in a heated rivalry who wants to play in a non-hitting nothing game those games suck and quote who was that that was Rick Tocket head coach yes Hoover Canucks and there were plenty of games on Thursday that didn't suck and had some implications unfortunately for him his did. Yes, yes, not for the Oilers, but it did for the Canucks and for Dom. We'll get to that a little bit later on. We've got an interview you did was that.

How is Dom going to edit this podcast from the fetal position in the corner of his apartment? Shooketh. Shooketh Dov Shavadi. So if there's a couple of misedits, you'll have to forgive our boy here. We'll get to that. Sorry, I didn't get to that one while I was mopping up the tears, says Dom. Yes. What do you say it dropped to around freezing on the West Coast on Thursday? So they're already frozen.

So we've got some emotions to deal with on the pod a little later on. We've got Zach Worwinski an interview you did with him earlier this week. That'll be the back half of the podcast but why don't we start with some injury news and Jacob Markstrom the goaltender for the New Jersey Devils it did not look good Wednesday night as he left the ice and you know over the years of Sheldon Keefe coaching in Toronto when you heard him say the words postgame he is going to miss some time. Yes. Never a sign that it would be short term, that it would be missing some time would be missing some time. So what are you hearing with Markstrom? First of all it's good to see that even though you don't deal with him on a weekly or daily

basis anymore you did not lose your Sheldon Keefe Dakota ring or throw it in the garbage. Never, never. I don't think you can't even recycle those things so I might as well hang on to it. That's right you never know it's like it's like in my smartphone if someone changes their number I don't get rid of the old number You never know right when it's going to reappear Smart smart thinking young Bacchus. Okay. Do you want the good news or the bad news on? Markstrom, let's get the bad news out of the way first. No, it doesn't work that way. You're getting the good news.

Why do you ask? Well, I just wanted to see if you would guess correctly. Okay, so this is what I'm hearing. We'll see what the team confirms over the next few days, but this is what I'm hearing. I'm hearing the good news is for the Devils that when in the immediate aftermath of the game on Wednesday night, they were very concerned and I'm under the impression. It wasn't as bad as they thought and I heard and we'll see again what they eventually announced, but I heard the timeline is four to six weeks

The Devils can handle that if that's the worst thing they have to deal with after that, I think they're going to be perfectly, perfectly satisfied and take a deep breath and thank whatever deity they pray to. The bad news is for Team Sweden, because Friday, the day this pod drops, is the 24th. And if it's four weeks minimum, that takes them out of the four nations. And Sweden it's four weeks minimum, that takes him out of the four nations. Yep. And Sweden less than three weeks from now. Yeah, so I don't think he's going to be

available. I look, I don't know anything 100%. But it doesn't look good for the four nations. And all of a sudden, Sweden has got some real injury concerns here There's been some news made up in Ottawa that maybe Lina Solmark shouldn't play You know We'll see how this plays out over the next couple of weeks. The players don't have to be In Montreal until you know the day after the Super Bowl on that second Monday of February but the way it has always been explained to me is the NHL and the Players Association believe it should be treated as an all-star game.

Number one, I think the players want to play. But number two, if you're healthy enough to play in the regular season, you're healthy enough to play in the all-Star game or in this case, the Four Nations. Now, I think some teams are kind of chafing about this a bit, but I don't know that it's going to matter. We'll see how things play out because... It's the players call at the end of the day, right? A team can't come in and say, you're not going there, right?

They don't have power. Well, if they're not playing in the NHL at the time, they sure can. Well, of course. But if they're healthy, but they're nervous about, well, what might happen while they're there, like that, that's the players call. Well, it wouldn't be surprised me if we see some behind the scenes arm twisting in certain cases. But if it gets to the league or the players association, I'm under the impression that the preference is that they play.

Like with the All-Star game there's a one game suspension if you're healthy enough to play then you can't miss the All-Star game you have to sit out something else. Like I said Kyle we'll see how this plays out over the next couple of weeks but you can tell the Senators are squirrely about All-Mark like if he comes back and plays you can sense by some of the comments I'm hearing out of there and some of the things that media are saying that. They aren't thrilled about this. And I'll tell you something else.

The replacement for Markstrom would probably be Samuel Erson, who's been injured and in and out of the lineup all year. I'm not convinced Philadelphia would be crazy about that either, but he's playing right now. Same thing. And so, you know, I kind of feel a bit badly for the Swedes here because they've also got a situation with William Carlson where Vegas announced he's out week to week and I mean who knows exactly what the situation is here but I wrote on Wednesday nights last Thursday morning that there is a belief that

his participation in this tournament is not secure. So you never want to see a team's chances ruined by injuries even before it starts. But right now you've got to be the Swedes looking at Markstrom. And like I said, I think his timelines four to six weeks. Look at Ulmark, look at Erson, look at William Carlson and say, I hope we're not doomed before we can even start this thing. Well boy, well I think back to John Cooper just before the rosters were announced and his message was for all those players

that were kind of on the bubble but not selected, stay ready because you never know. And his actually, his point was, what was his guess about 13, 14 guys he wouldn't have been surprised amongst the four countries where there would be some last minute swapping after the initial rosters were announced just because of the nature of the sport and how frequent injuries can crop up? and how frequent injuries can crop up. Yes. And we're getting there, right? And these NHL teams, there's no question they're nervous about it. So Kyle was watching Seattle, Washington for a little bit on Thursday night.

And number one, the biggest news in that game was Ovechkin, another empty netter, but more importantly 875. He's 19 away from tying Gretzky and 20 away from breaking the record. I mean, 20 goals away. It's, it's really unbelievable. The closer he gets, the more unbelievable it seems, really. 22 goals on the season. Yes. And he'll we have him Saturday night in Vancouver as part of the back end of the Hockey Night in Canada doubleheader. But what I was more thinking of, which was part of our discussion, is Joey DeCord has been tremendous lately for the Kraken.

They've made him the number one guy. He's starting all their games. He's playing extremely well. The Capitals were on them early in this game and he was excellent. I was wondering if Joey DeCord had any Swedish heritage Yes, maybe they could say we didn't mean Switzerland we meant Sweden right Because he's got US Canada and Switzerland and all three at different times have considered him but I Mean, hey there. They're right next to each other in the country dictionary. Yes.

Right. When they take attendance at the UN, does parents ever visit Sweden? They could, they could really use them right now. So yeah, I feel bad for the Swedes on this one. It's just what a nightmare scenario for them. We should have seen this coming in some fashion though, right? Because of the timing of this event, what, less than a month from the trade deadline, everyone's going to look at the fact, well, it's not the Olympics. Yes, it's a best on best event, but it's only four countries. So how much does it really matter? And do we really want our best guys going

like it's going to be a push and pull all the way up until the final game of this tournament is played in Boston at the end of February, Elliot. Look, everybody knew what they were getting into. Yeah. You know, I remember talking to Luke Robitaille on this pod and in the past we've seen this tournament held before the season. And I always thought almost for this exact reason it should be before the season. But it was Luke Robitaille who came on here and very eloquently explained why it had to be different. That if you wanted to make this tournament bigger,

outside of Canada, it had to be then. Football season was over, better time on the calendar. And everybody bought his argument. Like he wasn't the only one who felt that way. And people agreed with him. And that's why we are where we are. So the hope is that this is going to be a significant moneymaker for years to come. And they're committed to this.

And we're all just going to have to live with the fact. Look, John Tavares got hurt in the Olympics in 2014 that was a crushing injury for the Allenders 06 a Jomana Kashuk and 06. That's right. You know the I remember players in Ottawa thought that cost them the Stanley Cup that year Absolutely, and so a great memory If you're gonna do this and you want to grow the game and I do think everybody feels very strongly they need to grow this game more internationally, these are the risks you're going to take.

All right. Meanwhile, Thursday night around the league, 11 games in total. I don't know where you want to start here, Elliot. Are the Rangers back, by the way? They are knocking on the door of a playoff spot once again. I don't think anybody has more points or Maybe even more goals in the month of January than the Rangers do. I don't think they've lost in regulation in the month of January all of this after seemingly they were torpedoing to the depths of the Eastern Conference not that long ago where everything was out in the open of all the

struggles in internal turmoil. And now look at them. Are they back? You watch your Sterkin right now. How much do you think somebody at the top of the Eastern Conference is looking at this and saying, that's our reward for winning a division, that guy in the first round? Oh yeah. He had his reset. I remember when he when he went on IR, there were there were people who thought the Rangers were tanking their season. This is going so badly, so badly. They had him signed. They were like, let's protect the asset. Let's tank the season. Okay.

He got he came back. He got healthy. He got his reset. He came back. He's dialed in. He is locked in. And he's carrying them like he's doing what he does. I have to say to like that will Borgon I

Kako I think has been great for the crack and he's exactly what they need that Borgon just in a Small way as a small fit. He's been really good for the Rangers, but it is Shisterkin I Those teams at the top of the East because if you look at them as good as they are They fell so far behind in the metropolitan division like that is That's a big ask. They're eight points behind the Devils two games in hand. Yes. I know Markstrom's out I'm sure the Ranger fans are just gleefully coming up with plans for how they can catch the Devils But I think it's more likely

They go and they finish in one of those two wild card spots can you imagine your Washington or your Toronto or your Florida and You get a one or two seed and you sit there and you're staring at Shostarke in round one. Yeah no I can't I mean we kind of saw it to an extent not necessarily a goal lead but a team right like Dallas getting Vegas in the first round last year I think about Vancouver in 2011 they got the Blackhawks in the first round. That was like final day of the regular season. The Hawks snuck in and it's like,

hey Vancouver, president's trophy winners. You get the defending champs, your nemesis Kryptonite the few years prior in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. So we've seen similar cases of like, congratulations for finishing on top and here's your reward in the first round of the postseason and this would be among the best. Especially I mean Shusterkin most times is a force to be reckoned with and playoff Shusterkin

as we have seen can be a real problem. Yeah he's Rangers are back. They are back Rangers are back. They went away. Yeah. And now they have returned. Daddy's home. Oh, good. Good. Good. Hey, you a fan of the movie Fight Club? Good. Good, good. Hey, you a fan of the movie Fight Club? I am.

Yeah, good flick. So it runs about two hours and just over two hours. It's about the same time that the Ottawa Senators have gone without scoring a goal. Oh, oh, oh. For the last little while. Two hours and 17 minutes of game time, roughly. I think in 10 seconds. Back to

back shout outs. First the Rangers on Tuesday. Did you Google movies that run about two hours and ten minutes in conjunction with this stat? No I knew that off the top of my head. You like Fight Club that much? No of course I looked it up. I don't know you might. You have a good head for these kinds of things. No I had to look it up But this is so they've like so Ottawa on the flip side of that like this is the fifth time this month alone that they've Been shut out like offense has been a struggle nine straight games Brady Kachuck has gone without a point As he said so long as the team keeps winning. He's fine with that As he said, so long as the team keeps winning, he's fine with that. But a couple of tough losses this week after a really emotional weekend for them.

And now they've got Toronto in their building come Saturday. That's going to be a huge game for a whole host of reasons. They're another team right in the mix with the Rangers. In fact, New York, the Sands, the Canadians, all 24, 24 sitting just below Columbus for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Yeah Columbus, a lot of the Western teams really hate it when we or anyone else talk about rough back-to-backs in the Eastern Conference. They think it's a joke when the Eastern teams complain about their travel. I will say this, I think Toronto, Carolina is as difficult a back to back as

you can get. Now Vancouver overcame that and we'll get to the conundrum in a minute. Vancouver overcame that a couple weeks ago. They lost in Carolina on the Friday and one in Toronto on the Saturday. And you know, Columbus had a shot, but they got beat by the Hurricanes 7-5. Big night for Freddie Anderson earlier this week. 500th career game and Thursday 300th career win. Great accomplishments for him. Second fastest in NHL history. A battle a lot.

Well, fastest in terms of the amount of games, like kind of a circuitous route to get there a Lot of injuries and and you know blood clots to knee injuries to everything else like Anderson has battled everything But that was a tough one for the Blue Jackets and they ran out of steam in that one but you know, I was watching that Ottawa Boston game and what was with the chokehold? Oh my gosh. It brought back some memories of the old Brad Marshand antics, didn't it? So this is what I was thinking watching that game. If you had a choice, Kyle, Brad Marchand chokes you or licks you, which would you prefer? Choking all day.

I just wanted to make sure that was the answer. Metaphorically, I've already been choked by him once already. That's true, actually. Kind of both have. You know, the funniest text I got was I was I got a text from someone I because I was thinking like, how did this happen? And like, how did nothing come of it? Like I was a full undertaker on him. I was Yeah, seriously. I was like, did I just like, it's one of those things where you kind of rewind the PVR and you're

like, did I just see what I thought of those things where you kind of rewind the PVR and you're like, did I just see what I thought I saw? and you kind of got like so I was I was texting with someone and I said I Said do you think the referees were like did this really happen that they didn't really know what to do and They just let it go and actually the guy texted me back and he says you know what we just learned and I said what's that he goes the referees like Brad Marchand more than they like Nick Cousins. Was it Kevin Biaxa you were texting with? No actually it wasn't Biaxa believe it or not it was somebody else. Well but seriously like do you think could he get a call about that? Like, optically, it's not great. I'm sure they'll be like, don't do that again. Like, I'm sure that at some point, like, don't. Like, it was just like the licking,

like, don't do that anymore. Anyway, that whole thing was wild. Just that, you know, Swamenman doesn't play. And then this Ottawa starts warming up and there's no Sanderson out there. And after a while, he began to look at the lineup of the guys that weren't playing and saying, you know what, that's actually a pretty good team. You could, you could feel the start, a pretty good group with that. But after Boston got smoked in New Jersey on Wednesday, that was a big comeback game for them. And you're talking about the lack of scoring and Norris didn't play. Put it this way,

there's a better chance of me having a rumored affair with Jennifer Aniston than this happening. But looking at everything going on around the league, I wonder if Travis Green looks at what's going on in Vancouver and thinks, could I handle JT Miller in the Canadian capital? And like I said, I don't think that would happen, but I always look for connections and people who've played with who and people who've coached too. And I'm watching Ottawa struggle to score. Just knowing what's going on in Vancouver. I thought about that on Thursday.

Oh boy. I never thought we'd see a day where you looked at the Senators and said they need scoring, but they have not. Like Kyle, you watch them more than I do. I'm shocked at how hard it is for them to score goals. Yes. Just because the guys that have been doing it suddenly have gone dry. Like there's a few of them that were off to really good starts this year offensively and the well has dried up but okay, go back to your hypothetical there, but you have

said like JT Miller you don't because he has control over where he goes. You still you have a hard time envisioning him if he's gonna go anywhere, not likely to another Canadian destination. I don't think so. Like I said, I've heard Eastern US is the preferred destination, but I was, you know, watching the cameras pan to Travis Green's tortured visage. And I started thinking, wait a second. But then I was like, that's not happening. Yeah, you're probably right. You're probably right on that one. Can we go

back to Carolina for a sec? Sure. Because in your latest 32 thoughts blog, item number seven, it's one line, Team to Watch Carolina, they are active, ready to pounce. What does that mean? I just think that, I think they've been on Pedersen, I think they've been on Miller, as I've reported, I believe they have permission to talk to Miller, but someone just told me there's more. Like they're, they're really looking out there. They're

trying to get some stuff done. And I haven't, yeah, I haven't been able to nail down. Like they've been linked to Gibson in Anaheim. And I've, you know, a couple weeks ago, I said, this could be the year it finally gets moved and since then I've had people Tell me you know it might be a little bit more complicated than that You know I thought Gibson would expand his list. I don't necessarily think it's a very large list I think it's a very small one and the better. He's played I think that the tougher that and he's been very good for the most part

The tougher Anaheim's gotten on what they're willing to do Especially money they're willing to eat. So it's still pretty complicated. I think that whole Gibson scenario but I think they're looking for I heard they're really out there looking and I'm curious to see what it's What it's gonna be and oh, you know what we should mention too is that Kyle Davidson's been at a couple of Colorado games, right? And with all this ranting and stuff, people were like, oh, is he looking at ranting?

And what's up there? What's he up to? And I think he has also visited the University of Denver. They've got, I think a player there, maybe two. I can't remember how many guys they've got there, but I think they've been down there. I don't know that there's anything imminent between Colorado and Chicago. I think Davidson's kind of throwing cold water on it a little bit. Maybe next game he sits in the crowd instead of sitting in the press box, but I think it's a smart move for a guy who I think you know Chicago sees Bedard's frustration and wants to get better and A has some players out there and and B wants to see who else might be

Available it's never a bad thing to go out and see people. So I don't necessarily think there's anything imminent, but It's never a bad move for a GM to go out and watch other teams Sitting in the crowd with the Groucho Marx Glasses and that's right. Well's maybe sitting next to the reporter. We didn't recognize him at the draft. Yes, that would be a heck of a time for a reunion. He's like, hey, I'm about to trade for Miko Ratan and they're like, what do you mean?

You don't work for a team. Do you? I'm Kyle from Chicago. We met in Nashville. All right, Elliott. Well, we mentioned the Rick Tocket line off the top of the show from Thursday morning prior to the game against the Oilers, the one that had a lot of build up just because of what transpired over the weekend. You had Gene Principe cross checking Dan Murphy in the face during their pregame hit. So their emotions were how many days do you think that they'd been planning that one together? Well, didn't Murph put the line out there almost right away? It was like, I can't wait to punch Gene Vinson in the face with him next week.

Murph had a heck of a side eye in one of the Canucks broadcasts too about McDavid not playing in the foreign the foreign nations yeah that was these two guys they've been they should be thanking McDavid and Garland for this it's given them a week worth of content they those guys had to do no work for days because of this stuff it can be put on the tee for you but you still got to hit the ball and they both that That's right. That's right. So they set the scene there excellently and then the game got started and right away Edmonton was all over Vancouver and it really didn't change much throughout the night.

6-2 was the final score. There was some physicality, some nastiness, scrums after the whistle. They really of course had nothing to do with what happened back on Saturday. Right. But just the genuine dislike for both teams. It's been, you know, you couple that with on the Vancouver side of things, the difficult loss to Buffalo a few nights earlier. Elliot, we've talked about at length how heavy of a year it has been, and Thursday night felt like another 45 pound plate on the back.

Yeah, that was a that was a disheartening game for Vancouver and for a lot of different reasons like just forget all the build up and everything you think about they had that really rough game against Buffalo. Taka was really upset about it and he wasn't just upset in the postgame. He was upset the day after. And you know, hockey, I mean, you've always got to keep your cool and you've got to play smart. But hockey is also in sports are also a game of emotion. And there was a lot of a motor reasons for the Canucks to have positive emotion going into this game. What happened

at the end of the orders, the victory over the others on Saturday, the way Taukett was upset at them and they lost that game against the Sabres and they just got dominated. And one thing about Dry Cytl, Kaprizov, to me he was the guy at the start of the year for the heart him getting hurt, although he was was back Thursday night. It really opened the door for a lot of players, you know, Hughes, I think Quinn, McKinnon is one but to me really dry sidle and you know that pass he made on the first goal to Hyman. You know, you forget he's leading the league in goals. But this is a guy who a couple years ago, the players association players voted his peers is the best passer in the league and So, you know, he's the leading scorer and he's the best passer if we forgot about that And I think some of us kind of did that first pass was

incredible it was and Vancouver never recovered and it was like You know what it was it And it was like, you know what it was? It was, it was like, uh, I don't know, pick your quarterback receiver combination rather than still alive. And the NFL playoffs, whether you're, you're picking Josh Allen or Pat Mahomes or whoever it is hits on that big completion for a touchdown bomb to whichever receiver you want to pick and the other team never gets back into the game. For all intents and purposes with everything we saw after that game was over after that

play. Someone said something to me very interesting about Dry Cytle. As the Olders proceeded far in the playoffs last year and got to game seven. I think everybody there, including Dreisaitl, believed he eventually was going to sign. But once it finally got done and the extension was complete, it's like it was a load off his shoulders. Like he had nothing to worry about. No matter what happened, he was going to be secure for the rest off his shoulders. Like he had nothing to worry about no matter what happened.

He was going to be secure for the rest of his life but now it's just one last thing that you have to worry about and it's like he's playing as like a completely unbothered individual. He wants to win, he wants to do great but he can focus focus solely on that he doesn't have to think about anything else or really answer questions about anything else aside from winning and He's playing like it, but you know I was just shocked at Just the that one goal and Vancouver never came back I was I was shocked at that and I'll tell you this too, maybe it's my 70s or 80s sensibilities coming in, but I'm bothered at how much abuse Hughes is taking. I don't like it. And I'm not even bothered at the other teams. That's what they're supposed to do. what they're supposed to do. Like, I mean, Corey Perry, we've got to protect our stars better. He makes a beeline for using the scrub. Like, he's like, oh, there's a star, I'm going

to ravage and rough him up now. And you know, Miller kind of stared him down and I'm going to you know, Mark Friedman got the misconduct in the third period. I bet you I bet you Friedman sitting there and, and he's saying, you know, if you're going to give me a misconduct in the third period. I bet you Friedman's sitting there and he's saying, you know, if you're going to give me a misconduct, at least let me do something. Like I didn't do anything that was worth, and Bluger tried. Bluger tried. Yes, I give Bluger credit. He tried. But like I'm sure Friedman's like, I just got robbed, like totally robbed, like a misconduct for that. But as you said, Bluger tried, but I don't know.

Look, I'm basically the same age as Tauke. Tauke has a lot more career peddling minutes than I do, 3,000, but I don't know. It bothers me to see how much abuse Hughes is taking. And again, I'm not blaming the other teams. That's what you're supposed to do. But I don't know. I it doesn't sit right with me, Kyle, to see like he's their best player. He's trying to carry them through a really difficult time.

And I just think it's he's getting roughed up a lot more than any opponent is by Vancouver. Right, right. And I honestly I was thinking the same thing too like when Perry went after Hughes there and that scrum my mind was like, okay, Vancouver is getting run out of the building and as they're panning the talking on the bench. I'm thinking what's going through his mind and how does he feel about all of this? And what's kind of the response over the rest of the night for for Vancouver?

And as you say, you know, there was a couple of flashes of it But yeah, it's just a it's a weird one because as you say, it's a different world now compared to how things are handled back Then but that's that's their MVP That's their that's the quarterback for all intents and purposes Like do you remember last year when when Leafs when Marshaan injured Lillagran and the next day the They got all pulled in and they showed them video of Tampa like someone bumping Vasilevsky and like Every player on the lightning jumping the guy who touched Vasilevsky. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. And I don't

know. Like I go ahead, man. I don't really know what else to say. I just I've been watching the the beating he's been taking and I'm like, I Don't know it would it would if I was a canock it would really bother me really bother me, right? Especially because then I'm thinking the flip side of that the Edmonton Oilers I mean who knows how the rest of the season plays out Is there any type of path towards them potentially meeting in the playoffs can Vancouver get it back on the rails? Enough to get in but if I'm in the Edmonton dressing room it back on the rails? Enough to get in. But if I'm in the Edmonton dressing room, I'm leaving the Ice Thursday night going, I bleeping own you to Vancouver on the other side with what's transpired over the last little bit.

And especially with how they're able to manhandle the top guys on Vancouver as the game was getting out of hand there. So a lot to think about for Vancouver and what's already been a heavy enough season as is. And I know there's a lot of things like what's going to happen in Vancouver on Friday. I don't know. I mean, we'll see. We'll see what Friday brings. But I already think you're in a dangerous enough spot that you. You almost you want to react to that but you got to make sure you react right don't want to do

anything you regret for a long time that was but that was like I said it was a disheartening performance disheartening um you know I wanted to say that, you know, we just talked about Vasilevsky for a second. Yeah. So they were in Toronto on Tuesday, on Monday, they lost to Toronto. Um, Vasilevsky didn't start, Johansson did, but I was waiting to, I was waiting to talk to Jeff Halpern, the assistant coach in Tampa about their power play. They're trying something unique.

Jeff Halpern, the assistant coach in Tampa about their power play. They're trying something unique. And, uh, so Vasileski comes off the ice after staying on late for practice. And he sees me. And, uh, so, you know, I have that pair of blue pants that now that are a little bit snug, I would admit. Oh yeah. He walks, he walks into the room and he goes, those are pretty tight on you. Hey,

unprompted. Like just, yeah, it the room and he goes, those are pretty tight on you, eh? Unprompted? Like just, yeah, it's a, it's what he opened with. That's a hell of an opener. And I said, you know, I've lost a lot of weight. I like to wear like a bit more slimmer pants. And he goes, oh no, you have lost a lot of weight. You look much better, but those are still pretty tight. So I told Steph that I don't think

I could wear those anymore. I'm really self-conscious now. No, I think that's a point of pride. You're like done with it. I am. I mean, you've known me for a long time now. I am almost never self-conscious. But I don't know why.

All of a sudden, I can't look at those pants the same way. Really? I would have thought you would have gone the other way. Because when we were at Wrigley Field, the folks running the scoreboard up in right center were yelling, hey, how about those pants? Just all different points at the ballpark as you were making your way around it. Everyone caught a piece of that. So we were in Canmore last week.

You know what was the thing that was said to me the most? What? You look much skinnier in person. Oh really? Yeah, I got that like seven times. So I was feeling really good about myself, but now like when I told Steph, she started laughing and she was like, you're not gonna be able

to wear those pants again. And I go, I don't know why, I've got like a phobia right now. Geez. Well, anything we can do to help you overcome it. Let Dom and I know. All right. Well, you mentioned, I was going to get us to Toronto. Okay, we'll get to Toronto in a second.

Just a couple of things I wanted to mention first. How about Utah? We should mention Utah. They have climbed back into the race. They ruined the return of Spurgeon and Kaprizov. And it was an interesting story this week. Uh, Ryan Miller, not the former saber goalie, but the reporter in, uh, the beehive state who wrote that they're having trouble with their trademarks. Now, I think everybody knew yeti was going to be a problem. Like when we talked about whether or not they should call themselves just Utah HC or Utah hockey club, I think one of the reasons that was being discussed is because they knew that Yeti was going to be trouble. So I'm not surprised that that does appear to

be the case. But the one thing I didn't understand was how in, like, if you look at MLS, Major League Soccer, and you look at the teams, like there's DC United, there's FC Cincinnati, there's Nashville SC, like there's three or four of these teams. Right. Toronto FC? Well, it's a different country, right? So who knows? We're not, we're not the 51st state yet, Kyle.

So maybe we just don't have the same rules. But so I look at this and say, how come those teams can get those names and Utah Hockey Club or UTS? Because initially they put you Utah Hockey Club and it was, it wasn't approved. And someone explained to me that this is sort of the initial judgment. It's not the permanent judgment. So don't necessarily think that any of these can't or won't happen yet. And someone said to me also, you're not on the wrong track. They think eventually Utah Hockey Club would get approved.

But that one was just weird to me. But I think everybody expected that Yeti was going to be a problem. But whatever they're called, they're back in the race. They're right there. Although Calgary is pulling away. Excellent win on Thursday night. Did you see Jacob Pelche, who played maybe the best game

of his NHL career post-game? No, I didn't. What did he say? His post-game interview, he kissed Ryan Leslie's head. Oh, because he did that to Hubert Oh earlier in the game after he opened the scoring. Right? Yeah, pick your poison Hubert Oh, or Ryan Leslie. I looked at I looked at pelche kissing Leslie and my initial reaction to that is you don't know where that head has been.

Oh especially it was his birthday Thursday too I think right so. Oh really? Yeah. Like I have to say I think I would feel safer if I had a choice kiss Jonathan Hubertos used helmet or Ryan Leslie's theoretically clean head, I would go with the helmet. Always stick with the helmet. Even if it's game worn, as they say. But Pelche played the best game I've ever seen him play. It was a great performance for him and your Dustin Wolf call

is looking better and better every game. Every game that's looking better and better. And now you have to look at the overall situation. Calgary is starting to, I mean all of a sudden there are three points ahead of Vancouver and Day of all the playoff teams Only LA has played fewer games LA is at 45 The Flames are at 46. So everybody behind them Vancouver st. Louis, Utah Seattle they've all played at least one more game. St. Louis has played three more games. Like there's like there's a lot of runway here but I give full credit to the Flames. Every year there's one team that kind of comes out of nowhere and gives you a better run than you think you're going to get.

Right now, that team's Calgary. Absolutely. There's been a few. Columbus in the East, of course, being the big one over there. You mentioned the Kings. Are we getting close to a Drew Doughty return? Yeah, this road trip. It feels like a lifetime ago we were sitting at that establishment in Manhattan Beach watching him get injured in the preseason. And now we could be close to seeing him in action again. This road trip. I'm always curious about this. You know,

they've had a great start to the year. They've played really well. That was a great win over Florida the other night. Kemper has been fantastic. You know, Kempe has been really good, really good this year. And you knew it was gonna happen at some point, but you know, Kopitar, just because he's, you know, an older guy, you know he's gonna kind of slow down a little bit, but Kempe has been extremely good. You know know you look at his goal scoring the last couple years 35 and 21 22 that was a career high 41 in

22 23 again again a career high dropped to 28 last year although he did have a career high in points at 75 so even though his goal scoring went down his production didn't. Now you look at it he's got a shot at beating that 41 he's got a shot at beating that 75 points he's been probably doesn't get enough credit for how good he's been this year and now it'll be interesting to see how it all works out when Doughty comes back. I can remember when the Penguins won the first of back-to-back cups in 2016. Remember, Malkin had an injury towards the end of the regular season and he missed game one of the playoffs. They played the Rangers in the first round and they won game one and then he returned

to the lineup game two and the Rangers won to tie the series and I remember there were like actual There were actual pieces being written being like are the Penguins a better team without if getting oh, it was like what are you kidding me? And history has shown it always happens. It was no it always happens. Just funny. It's just funny All right, you want to get to the Leafs now? Sure. So I got I got a note today from someone, a tweeter, and I'm just gonna read it. It's a Maple Leafs Daily. And they sent me a tweet, I don't respond to every tweet, It's just not possible. And he said like basically you don't talk about the least enough

and I know that there's there's ton of people just vomiting listening to this, but he said you don't talk about the least enough and I just wish there was more Leaf content on both the blog and the podcast. And I actually said, I said no, because it was, it was like, I sometimes do and I thought it was a really fair comment. And I just said, like, to be honest, I can totally see why some people might feel that way because, you know, Kyle, I'm around them all the time. I work their regionals.

Like, I live in Toronto, so they're the most talked about team for obvious reasons. And there's a lot of good coverage of the Maple Leafs in the city and the area. Like, I don't think there's a lack of good coverage out there from both traditional and non-mainstream sources. So sometimes to me, it's like I'd rather talk about something else because it seems like I'm just it's just in my

head all the time. But what it did give me Kyle was an idea that maybe what I should do because periodically I will get these notes like you don't talk about my team enough or you don't write about my team enough or you don't write about my team enough and I would like all hockey fans to feel included on some level so maybe we'll call this segment you don't talk about blank enough so what I'm gonna ask you all to do is send DMs to Kyle because he doesn't get enough DMs who do you want us to talk about and we'll try to talk about some of these teams more often. You're throwing that on me?

Yeah, no question. Is this my true welcome to the pod moment right now? Yes, yes. Just being inundated. Yeah, I can only imagine how well that's gonna go. Thanks for that jerk. Well, but the thing is, in all seriousness, you're quite welcome, in all seriousness, if you think we don't discuss your team or I don't write about your team enough, I am

willing to take suggestions because sometimes my head goes in certain places and I do miss things. Sometimes stories come out that I don't see coming or sometimes I miss things, it happens. So, Lise, first of all, who's, like, because of Max, who's 13, and he's a big music guy, much more than he is a sports guy, I know a lot more about contemporary music than I ever thought I would.

But I didn't know who Kygo was. Who's Kygo? Yeah, European DJ. Oh, was. Who's Kygo? Yeah European DJ. Oh, okay around for like a VG kind of thing. I think Kind of along those lines. Yeah, okay. I'm not gonna try to compare the two but You're barking up the right tree. Okay, you're looking for for some kind of comparable. Because I saw that Marner and... And Dom says yes to.

Okay, okay. Dom would know because Dom's very Euro. So Marner and Wool were there on Thursday night. Is that a big deal? Yes. Because I saw those pictures everywhere. Okay. Yeah, they were singing Stargazing on stage.

And those two wheels are singing Stargazing. That's cool. Okay. stargazing on stage. And those to me will see stargazing That's cool. Okay. So it's interesting stuff. I'm gonna see The Grateful Dead at

The Sphere coming up. So I'm really excited about that. But I like new stuff and I like old stuff. So obviously I saw that this was Yeah Great, yeah, that's awesome. Yeah, the sphere is fantastic. I fell in love with the sphere last year at the draft. What did you think of Matthew's comments about the crowd?

It was great. It was great, obviously. And that's still a big part of the game and he's a big part of this team. And we like to love to see that. We'd like to load more energy from the crowd after that. I thought, you know, it's a little quiet tonight. I had no problem with it. Yeah. None at all. Like, because none of it had to do with, well, they lost, you know. I always think sometimes

that's tougher to do when you lose. I understand that, but he was also very specific about the given time of the game where he thought it should have been a little more energy, especially because there's been numerous times over the years. Elliot where I've been in those post game scrums and you know, Matthews in particular has been asked about the crowd and kind of led towards the idea of hey was it maybe a little quieter tonight than you would have thought and every other time he has defended that crowd and stuck up for them said nope atmosphere was good the energy. So you think the media was baiting him kind of? No like he's been asked about the crowd in the past he's always gone to bat for them and so for him to recognize a moment there, because it was the backstory too, where, you know, it's no secret that Ryan Reeves had been looking for a fight for a while. And I'm not big into the stage fighting or anything like that.

But that was a heck of a throwdown between him and Mathieu Olivier and as the captain of the team he felt there should have been more of a response from from their home building I have no issue with him saying yeah I wouldn't mind a little bit more of a pop after that moment. You know what I think you hit on it there I completely think that you're right about this that was not about the crowd per se. That was about Ryan Reeves. That was a captain moment. And I, I really believe this.

I think you just hit that out of the park. I think what Austin Matthews was doing was making sure that on a night where Austin Matthews was doing was making sure that on a night where Toronto lost, Fantilly got a hat trick and he knew what the storyline was going to be. He wanted to make sure that Reeves got his moment because don't forget to you were just in Montreal where not only did Reeves not get to fight, but he got taunted, right? Yes. And they came back and they piled on the Canadians and beat them.

And then Reeves gets another opportunity and he gets his fight against a really tough guy. And Olivier knocked him down at the beginning and Reeves got back up and fought him pretty hard. I think you are totally, totally right. That wasn't as much about the fans themselves as it was about Matthews making sure that Reeves got his moment and that Reeves knew his teammates appreciated what he was trying to do. I, Kyle, you're bang on. It wasn't, I don't even really think it was about the fans. I think it was a captain standing up for Reeves. I really do. Yeah. Well he'll have no issue with the energy I'm sure that Toronto fans and Ottawa fans will bring as they battle back and forth at the Canadian

Tire Centre come Saturday. That's another one I'm looking forward to. The schedule has been kind of favorable for us here on Saturdays. We had Toronto-Vancouver two weeks ago. We had that banger of an atmosphere in Montreal last week for hockey day. And now the Battle of Ontario in Ottawa, a game that the Senators need to have after being shut out back-to-back nights. And here come the Toronto Maple Leafs and all their fans that are just salivating at the opportunity of continuing the shut

out streak for their provincial rivals. Yeah, I gotta say, I'm jealous that you're gonna be in the building for that one on Saturday night. I would love to be there for Ottawa-Toronto. I really would. I used to love those games. Yes. Love those games. And that one's got a lot on the line. You know, a couple things about the Maple Leafs. So there's a lot of talk about what they're going to do and there's no question they're going to add another forward. Or at least they will try to. And I've

said before that I think they would prefer to add someone with term and I think that will be the goal. But I was watching a little bit of San Jose Nashville on Thursday night and so two days ago the Predators had the biggest comeback in their franchise history. They had never come back from such a large deficit. They were down 5-1 and they beat the Sharks 7-5. It was just a massive, massive night for them. It's kind of a weird back to back. They played Tuesday at Tennessee and Thursday was the rematch in California. And the Predators scored, went up three nothing. They scored three goals in three minutes, just under seven minutes into the game. And right after that, San Jose put their fourth line on the ice. And all three of them

got into, I think, three fights in eight seconds. Like they were smart. They started one puck drop, another, and then a third because if you have a secondary fight you get kicked out this the third one was Ty D'Alandria the second one was Barclay Goodrow but the first one the guy who started it all one second of game time after it was three nothing was Luke Cunning and And, you know, I look at that guy, I was watching this, and I was saying, I could see him being a leaf target. He's got 11 goals this year. He's a guy who scored double digit goals. I think it's five now of the last six years. And the one year he didn't, he was hurt for a chunk of it. He's a UFA next year. He's at I think he's at 2.75 million. He can play different positions. He

can kind of play up and down your lineup. I looked at his faceoffs his face-offs are pretty interesting. He's at I think 49% for the season, but he's like 51% in the D-zone and he's got a good percentage on the penalty kill. Like his face-off is terrible when he takes offensive zone draws. It's kind of a weird split. I don't know that I've seen that before, but they've been interested in Cunning before and, you know, Tree Living generally has a type and once he's interested in you, he kind of sticks with his thoughts about you. I watched him start that fight and I was like, I don't know what San Jose's plans are here, but I could see Cunning being on Toronto's radar. That's the kind of player that I think Barubei and

Tree Living would like. So add him to your list of guys that I would put on Toronto's radar. The other thing that was interesting with me about Toronto this week, because there's obviously a lot of talk about Riley. When they put Riley with McKay, Barube had his morning scrum and they asked him about it and he was kind of like, we've had basically said we've had trouble finding a match for Morgan. He goes, it's not anyone's fault. It's like he came out there and he's like I know I'm gonna be asked about this and I'm going to try not to put gasoline on the fire.

But you can see this is starting to become more and more of a topic, right? And I just, you know, I mean, ultimately the key is you want Riley to play better and to find a fit that works. But, you know, as you know, sometimes things become, quote unquote, things. And I'm wondering if we're getting to the point where this becomes a thing. You do, yeah. Like his ice time's down this year a little bit, of course.

I thought he looked a little more active against Columbus on Wednesday in terms of getting up into the rush. I mean, I know he was still minus two ultimately by the end of the game. But he was a little more noticeable than he has been in other stretches. Yeah, it's just been just been a difficult year for Robin and just, you know, unique to see. I know he's not the young guy that we had become accustomed to seeing for, for so long as, uh, mainstay on the, the Toronto blue line. And he's 30 years old now, but still, I think someone that by and large takes really good care of himself, um, you know, as has been fortunate to, to be in the NHL for for a long time and he's already I know he's had some injury troubles at different times of his career but 840 games yeah it's it's been a bit of a head-scratcher because he's always been kind of the one part of as that Maple Leaf defense has gone through numerous changes over the

course of this Matthews Marner era if you want to call it that I mean he's always been the guy that you haven't had to worry about. So it's strange to now see, you know, the shoe on the other foot a little bit here. Don't disagree. Don't disagree. Alright, Elliot, the Winnipeg Jets. Well, first of all, did you see the side by side of Neil Peon overtime goals in Colorado? What two and a half years apart amazing identical same part of the ice on a strong side a

Huge wind up and beats the goalie over the shoulder both in overtime That was incredible and that was a 1970s wind up. Yes. Yeah. Nobody winds up like that anymore. Right. That was like Brett Hall style almost coming down the wing. So a huge win for the Jets in Denver. Kevin Sheveldeoff, the general manager, sat down with some of the local media recently

to give his thoughts on where the team is at and where they hope to go. What are your takeaways? What are you thinking the Jets GM is thinking as we get a little bit closer towards trade deadline early March? I'll just credit the two reporters I know of who were there. Mike McIntyre and Morat Atesh were the two reporters I read. I don't know if there were any others there but those were the two I read. I thought the Taves comments were interesting, but I don't expect Taves to play this year.

I don't think that he's going to play this season. I think it's more likely next year, and I do think the Jets would be very much on Taves radar if he does return to play. But, you know, Sheveldeaus plays things very close to the vest. He does. He's very difficult to get information out of. And while I hate it, I do respect it. He makes me work too hard. I think that's what it comes down to. And he was very careful to point out that while he's been in contact with some of his UFAs, he didn't know that he would, you know, call them negotiations. I do believe that I think it's possible he gets

down to talk more during the Four Nations. I think, you know, for one thing I wrote about again, we'll see what comes with this cap announcement, which I think it's possible it could come before the Four Nations, which I think it's possible it could come before the Four Nations. And I think that a lot of teams are going to use that break to get their business done and I are try to anyway. And I think the Jets are going to be no different.

So I wouldn't be surprised if things accelerate there. But you know, one of the things that, you know, a couple people told me, I've talked to one player about this, is that in the past, for whatever people say about the Jets, there have been times when they have signed good players to long-term deals. Blake Wheeler signed a long-term deal there. Dustin Buffland signed a long-term deal there.

Mark Shifely has signed two long-term deals there. Kyle Connor signed a long-term deal there. Mark Shifely has signed two long-term deals there. Kyle Connor signed a long-term deal there, and they'll try to get him signed to a second. And so the point is that Josh Morrissey has now two. And the point is that if you are in a good spot there, players will stay. And the key one is Hellebuck. are in a good spot there, players will stay. And the key one is Hellebuck. And I left him to last for a reason.

Like one of the things, DeMello, I had a chance to speak to him the other day and when I was up there, and I think that guy will be a very good TV analyst when he retires. He has a great eye for the game and a real good ability to explain it to dumb people like me. But he was talking about he wanted to stay. It's exactly where he wanted to be. And the thing is getting Hellebuck done and the way Hellebuck is playing,

I understand last year was disappointing and they've gotta figure out a way to get over that hump and those Western Conference playoffs are gonna be murder again at the top. But the way Hello Buck is playing is convince those guys that they can win. That they have a chance to win there with him in that. And you're not gonna get everybody signed

and there's always gonna be grinding towards negotiations and things like that. And you're not going to get everybody signed and there's always going to be grinding towards negotiations and things like that. But what this player said to me was the players there feel really good about the way things are going. And like I said, that doesn't mean everybody can stay and it doesn't mean that these negotiations aren't going to be difficult at times. But you're starting at a point where I think those players feel really good about things. So I think that's going to help the Jets. Like, you know, Dylan Samberg, for example, he's an RFA after this year, and then he's a UFA. So they're going to want to sign him for as long as they can. I heard that he just changed agents. He's now being represented by a gentleman by the name of

Peter Rutile who works at Wasserman. And whenever I hear that a player is changing their agent right before a contract negotiation, I'm like, oh man, that's not good. That's not good. But even I heard in this particular case that it's nothing like that. It's not because he's unhappy. He's just like, he's in a good place. And so, you know, shovel day off, we'll always be careful. He won't give away a lot of information. But I think for a lot of the conversations he's about to have, the starting point is a good one. You still got to get your deals done, you still got to grind away in conversations, but I think the players like where they are and I think they believe, especially because Hello Buck in particular is locked in, they really believe in where they're going. So I know'll see how it all turns out, but it's pretty positive for them as a group right now.

Wow, that's a huge win. Huge win for the organization. Now, like I said, it's all gotta get done. Yes. But I've been in situations and I've seen situations where teams are opening negotiations, and you're like, Oh, like, you know, this is going to be rough waters because of the state the

team is in. That's not the case here. Right. I'm just thinking back to it wasn't that long ago, concerns about attendance numbers taking a dip and such like that. So if this is the starting point of where they're at with some of the guys that they want to get signed like huge. Yeah like I said I think that I you know all of those things are concerned I think you what I would say this is that like Kyle I do think some teams are very nervous about where this cap is going to go and if you told me Winnipeg was one of those teams I would completely understand that. I think the number one the number one thing is you sit there and you say am I at a place where I think I can

Win and I do think those players think they can bingo That's that's the number one thing you have to have all the other stuff is other stuff The question is can you win and I think those players think even in that loaded West that they can win. All right well that'll take us to the final thought which is brought to you by GMC so the Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leopold Elliott who is also an excellent podcast guest, because he is also a member of the Board of Governors Executive Committee. Yes, in the podcast guest. So he was on the sick podcast recently and maybe let it slip suggesting that Commissioner

Gary Bettman could be retiring in the next few years. What did you think of all of that? Because Michael Russo of The Athletic, I mean he spoke to both Leopold and Betman to try to get some clarity. Betman did say, hey I still have the energy and the passion for this job, a job that he has been doing for over three decades now. But where does Leopold sit amongst Betman's favorite owners right now, Elliot? Well credit to Jimmy Murphy and the podcast. That's a good scoop.

And Craig, you're welcome to come on here at any time. I want to see what else we can pull out of you. My initial reaction to that is, of course, like, you know, just age dictates that we are getting there. I think everybody understands that. But still, you know, Betman is 72 years old, he'll be 73 in June. And so obviously, the clock is he's closer to the end of his tenure of the beginning, but still getting it that he's informed the executive committee, which he did in December, that they should think about it.

That's definitely news. And I would also suspect that there's more than Batman has admitted here. I would think that he has a pretty good idea of what his plan is and He will announce it when he is good and ready like you know If you if you listen to him over the last few months It's very clear. he has a grand idea in now whether it happens or not. He has a he has something he

would like to accomplish here. He came out in September and said he would love to have a CBA done by game one of the Stanley Cup final. He went on CNBC and he said we're going to open the Canadian TV negotiations. Like this is stuff he generally does not do, right? We know now that him and the Players Association are working on the possibility of not only a cap number for next year, but a cap number for maybe three years. And that could come, you know, I think the goal is to get it done before the deadline.

We'll see. But they're working at it. And you know, you look at all this and I see someone, he's been, he's put together CBAs through labor war. He put together a CBA through COVID, which was really stressful. The one thing he hasn't done in a long time, if you look at it, the last time a CBA got extended without either a lockout or disruption or COVID was right before the first time the pros went to the Olympics in 98 because they wanted to go to the Olympics without a problem. So it's really been almost 30 years

So it's really been almost 30 years. And this says to me that he wants this one done peacefully, properly, leave the sport in a good spot financially, which right now it is. So seeing all this underway, talk about the next TV deal, the next CBA, the International Calendar is set for a little bit now, Olympics and the World Cup or Four Nations, whatever they end up calling it. And the fact that he went to the board, the executive committee and said, start planning for a life without me. Kyle, do you not see someone who's thinking, I can walk away leaving this sport in a pretty good place? It's all adding up that way, isn't it?

Yeah. Yeah. And like I said, I would bet he knows either when it's going to be or when the announcement. And I think one of the more interesting things is, does he say, when he announces it, does he say, I'm retiring now? Is it a year from when he announces it? Two years from when he announces it? You know, when? You know, we've talked a lot about the four individuals who were promoted earlier this year, Steven McCardle, Keith Wachtel, Steve Mayer,

podcast guest and Julie Grand and we talked at the time about how those could be the leaders in a post-Batman post-Daily world. Does Bill Daley the current deputy commissioner does he become the commissioner Does he become a commissioner for, or does he handle the transition period where he's the commissioner to train someone else? One of those four maybe. And you and I have also talked about how there's some people in the NHL who look at Roger Goodell, who's the NFL commissioner, who started as an intern in the NFL and eventually was groomed to lead it.

And the NHL may want to find one of those people and a couple people in that group qualify. Or and one thing I know, I have talked about it with some people, I think there are some who would like to see a search, but if Bettman and the executive committee have an idea of who it should be or go right to Bill Daley, there probably won't be a search. So there's a lot of questions about where this could go, but the thing that struck me is that Bettman clearly has a plan for when he wants to do this and What he wants to get done before he does this so we all kind of knew it was coming

But it's a good scoop to get it that definitively So when the day does come that he hands out the Stanley Cup for the final time and surely everyone will know That it will be the final time when that day arrives. Will he be applauded? Or will the boos continue right to the bitter end from the crowd? I hope it just stays. Just keep the booing going. Because he's treated as a sign of respect at this point. Oh, I love the way he handles it. Yeah. It would almost be weird if it went different like it depends on the city to me Yeah

Because so what Nashville you should get an applause I Know what I just think the Canadian fans It's it's it's just wired even though like I don't think he gets enough credit for how much he fought to save places like Ottawa and Edmonton and Calgary and Montreal for that matter. But the Canadian fans are just wired a certain way. But I don't understand, like, for example, Vegas or Florida, like, I don't understand why he would ever get booed in places like that. Yeah.

I think it's just part of the gig now. Yeah. It's just part of the whole show. I laugh when he says you guys can do better than that. Like yeah it's it's it's Prime Rick Flair man. Yes yeah like it is great like he's he's embraced the the heal mode when it when it comes time for it. That's been it's been fun. right. Well, we'll see how the plans all come together. Be an interesting one to watch. So it was the final thought brought to you by GMC. We will take our first break and come back with the thought line. You're listening to 32 Thoughts, the podcast. Alright, time now for the Thoughtline.

This is the place where listener ideas and thoughts are submitted to Dom, Griffin and Company. And we try best to answer and navigate it all. Company, Elliot, that's you and I. That's right. In the last episode. That's right, we are the company. I think there's a good show to be made there.

32's Company. Three's Company, 32's Company. Could go with 32 Thoughts and 32 Cups. Nice debut, Kyle. Oh, that was fun. Very good. it was good well hey Dom was excellent and first of all capturing all of that and then we spent weeks going back and forth trying to figure out a final edit so

considering neither of us have really done anything like that it was it was a lot of fun no it was good I really enjoyed watching it it was I think people really enjoyed it was fun very fun. Very good. All right. As you can imagine, there were plenty of submissions this week in the aftermath of what happened in Vancouver last Saturday, the cross checks and the ensuing suspensions. So Griffin sent a few our way and I solicited one here to kick off today's thought line. And we go from Utah, Chad writes in, hey 32 thoughts, I only have one thought, but it could be a good one.

If a game is a one goal game in the final two minutes of the third period and the team is winning, commits a penalty such as holding down Connor McDavid for the final 15 seconds of the game, The team that is behind a goal should be allowed to play out the full two or four or five minutes of that penalty kind of the way soccer does stoppage time at the end of the game. Only do it in situations where the power play team could tie the game to send it to overtime and if the winning team scores a goal to go up two

then the game ends there. Such a rule could prevent some of the shenanigans in the last few moments of a game and keep players honest and give more of a chance for overtime. Everyone loves overtime. Possibly even do the same thing if the game is tied and cause the penalized team to lose in regulation for committing a boneheaded penalty in the final seconds of a game. Thanks and go Avs. I actually really like that idea.

I don't mind it at all. I really like that idea. I got to be honest. So when Griffin sends out the email of what he's compiled for us and he said like, awarding, there's a lot of Vancouver Edmonton stuff like you're prepared for just vitriol and you know just anger being spewed back and forth this is a really good idea that could be born out of this. Now so one of the listeners of this pod is Ron Hainsey who's the executive director of the Players Association and Ron he will periodically reach out to me and he will say something along the lines of like, I never hear from him until I get this note.

That was the stupidest bleeping idea I've ever heard or something like that. Or are you serious with this? And I'm curious to know if I'm going to get one of those texts after he hears this part of the pot. I don't know that it will ever happen, but I love the creativity of the idea just as much as the bukkos guy love breakfast. Oh, wow. That is he heady company if you're putting it up there because we really love breakfast over here. Apparently you do yes. Good Chad thank you

for that. Okay next David. Hello Elliot Kyle Dom and Griffin. Elliot it was great to run into you at the alumni game on Friday night in Canmore last week. My question is related to the suspensions this week. When a player is suspended by the league, besides forfeiting salary, are there any other rules around them being at the team facility or around the team at all? Are they banished to stay at home? Can they come in and work out? Can they get treatment, watch film?

Can they practice with the team? Love the pod, keep up the great work. I run a trivia website so I may send you some questions in the future. I love listening to Elliot fall into correct answers accidentally. So do I. I like that too. That's it's not fun to know it. It's more fun to accidentally get there, just like driving. Okay, so the basic answer is yes, if you're suspended, you can practice with your team.

The exception is if you're suspended from the league. Let's just say if you're suspended for steroids or something like that, or like using an illegal substance, that one is one where you have to be away from the team and the facility. Although there is a window that like for example say your suspension is 20 games or something like that. I can't remember what the exact suspension is but let's just use 20 games. A few days before it ends you're allowed to come back and start working out and practice with the team again. That is an exception.

But for Myers and for McDavid in this particular case, yes, you're allowed to use the facilities. You're allowed to practice with the team. Right. And I think back to even Shane Pinto last year, his suspension, right? He wasn't able to be around the team until just before the game to an end. That's a league suspension, correct, and for behavior or in his case gambling. And so in that particular case, he

had to be away from the team and the facility until late in the suspension. Perfect example. All right, David, good question. We've got a voicemail next. Brett and Jessica from DC. Hi, this is Brett and Jessica from the DC area. I'm watching the caps and the oilers. And on the second oiler goal, there were nachos thrown on the ice. I'm upset about it. I'm wondering what the rules are, if any, about food or debris on the ice. And if the refs are supposed to blow it dead. Keep up the good

work. So I'm pretty sure I didn't hear Jessica there. I think I just heard Brett. Am I correct in that? Yes. She must have been along for the ride on this one. Excellent support, Jessica. Excellent support. Yes. But yes, there is a rule in the rule book that pertains to this. 63.5 objects thrown on the ice. So it states in the event that objects are thrown on the ice that interfere with the progress of the game, the referee shall blow the whistle and stop the play and the puck shall be faced off at the face-off spot in the zone nearest to the spot where the play is stopped.

So it was it was close there as Perry weaved his way around the nachos but ultimately I mean it happened very fast the officiating crew deeming that it did not interfere with play even though it did interfere with Logan Thompson's eyesight and whereas eyes were focused as the shot came towards him in the aftermath. One of the most ridiculous debates I heard about this was like a couple friends of mine were arguing if you're too unfocused as a goalie that you see the nachos and you're not preparing for the shot and I'm like this is one of the best goalies in the NHL this season This is a guy who probably should have been on team

Canada and you're gonna say he's too unfocused as a goalie like it's you're prepared for certain things You're not prepared for nachos flying on the ice The only complaint I had is that as part of the celebration Perry did not go over and eat one as he enjoyed the goal. Oh man, I would have thrown up if I saw that. I felt bad for the ice crew that had to scoop it up afterwards. Like, you just, because you don't know where the history of that order of nachos, how it ended up there. That's true. That is true. And I think anybody who wastes a good plate of nachos should be banned from a building. That's number one.

My issue is not they were thrown on the ice, it's that they were wasted. But you know what? Nachos are a high quality food. So you don't want to waste... My grandmother, she was still alive if Irina is still alive. But you know, my grandma's still alive would be angry that food got wasted. She just did not like that. The only thing I remember is remember when Curtis Lazar ate that

cheeseburger once or that hamburger? Absolutely. When you're in the 10 year anniversary for that. That should be an oral history. Curtis Lazar eats the hamburger. The guy who was most disgusted about that was Kelly Rudy. He said you do not want to know what happens on that ice. I cannot believe he ate a hamburger off the ice. Like Kelly turned green when he saw that he told us. Yeah. Well, I remember Lazar's explanation that night when it happened. He goes, well, it was wrapped. There was an elastic band around it and it still was kind of warm. So he's like, I'll take my chances.

Like, I'm with you, Curtis. That was the checklist. Don't back down, Curtis. Don't let these people embarrass you or make you feel like a fool. No, that was right in the heat of the Hamburglar run. I can't believe that's already almost 10 years ago. So, that's a judgment call by the way is what you're saying. That was a that's a judgment call by the officials. Yeah, correct and if debris continues to be thrown on the ice, the officials can announce to the building that if it continues, a minor penalty will be assessed to the building that if it continues a minor penalty will be Assessed to the home team If a situation got really bad Yes, that is on the table, too. Yes that I saw so when I was a

student at the at the at Western At Western, one of the great basketball rivalries was Western and Guelph. Those two schools still do hate each other. That I don't think has changed over time. But they met in the Ontario University West basketball championship one year. It was a fierce rivalry, two great teams and Guelph got a technical the game was at Guelph and there was a technical foul called against the Guelph crowd because a pop can was thrown on the court during play and the Guelph students always accused Western students of throwing it. That

they knew they were on the road and they knew the home crowd would get called for a technical and they claim that the Western students threw it. And from what I understand, they may not have been wrong. Ooh. So, yeah, so I have seen the manipulation tactics from this before. That's outstanding. All right. Up next, Ryan from Boston. Hi, Dom, Kyle and Elliot. Was just wondering about the protection a no move clause with a modified no trade clause

provides. Looking at players contracts, I see a handful with the no move clause and modified no trade clause provides. Looking at players contracts I see a handful with the no move clause and modified no trade clause together like Charlie Coyle who has a no move clause with a three-team no trade list. I was under the impression that a no move clause allows the player to block any move so why the need for a three-te team list? Cheers fellas and go Bruins. And I believe for Coyle's case the three team list comes in next season. This year it is an eight team no trade list.

So the reason that's the case is you're right you would think if you have a no move clause that you're protected against anything. The partial no trade is something that has teams ask for, for protection, that they can trade you to certain places. So what the no move clause does is that they can't waive you. And for a perfect example was a couple years ago, Ryan McDonough, when he ended up from Tampa to Nashville, he was had a no trade clause, but not a no move clause. And after the lightning fell in the Stanley Cup final in 2022, they needed cap space. And they told him,

if he didn't agree to a trade, they were going to waive him. And he could not block that. And he accepted the trade to Nashville instead of risking going somewhere else. He didn't want to go because if he was put on waivers, someone would have taken him so high was the respect for him. So this allowed him to control his own destiny. So when you see a partial no trade with a no move, that means the player has agreed to some flexibility on behalf of the team. However, it gives the player some control over where that is, whether it's three teams,

eight teams, half the league, 20 teams, whatever it is, they have some say over where they go and they don't risk being put on to waivers. And also the other thing too is the no move clause the last time around, it protected players from the expansion draft. So that's with expansion and I don't know how close expansion is. I was talking with someone this week who said they still think it's a few years away, but I still do, I think that now that expansion is kind of on the radar, I think that is going to come up again. And

like I said, I heard there was one contract last summer that a player did agree that he could be unprotected for an expansion draft. And I wouldn't be surprised if that starts to come up in conversations as new contracts get signed. All right good to know Ryan thank you for that and we will wrap this one with John from Ohio. Hello Kyle Dominelliad greetings from Ohio been a big fan of the pod keep up the great work thank you John. Question in last week's game against the Rangers Blue Jackets goalie, Danil Tarasov, was credited with a shutout despite losing the game in a shootout.

Oh, tough one. One nothing. How often has a goalie been credited with a shutout despite a loss? Thanks for fielding this question. Go Jackets. PS, will will the 32 thoughts team be at the stadium series game at the shoe March 1st? Oh we would love to. I'm actually really disappointed we're not going there. I am but it's Saturday night right so we both have to work. I am so I remember when they were talking about going to Ohio State and they've been talking about it for years. I always said if that game's not in a Saturday I'm going to be there. And of course, like I am convinced, Betman heard that and said that game's playing on

a Saturday so you and I can't go. Like it's not because Saturday is the best day or anything like that or it fits perfectly into the schedule. It is simply. To get back at the two of us for merely existing. That's why it's games on a Saturday. No can't be there. Unfortunately, that's a tough one. Yeah, you know man like he never forgets. Yeah, how often has this happened? I was surprised. It happened a lot more than I would have guessed because really this has only started to be

a thing since post-lockout because the ties went away. Well because I was thinking, yeah, before you could get a shutout and a tie, you might not get a win because there were zero zero games. Correct, yeah. So we are only... Okay, so I'm going to guess a number. You say it happened more than you thought. Yeah. Okay. I'm going to guess 20. Higher. You're kidding me. I am not. 40. Higher. What? Yeah. Now you know how I felt. 75.

It's happened 55 times. 55 times someone's lost one nothing in a shootout or overtime? Correct. Yep. The first goalie to have this happen too. Oh I was was gonna guess.

But if you would have told me Calgary, that would have been the obvious one. Yeah, would have really been narrowing it down. I wasn't gonna guess Roman Turok on that one. Okay, yeah. No, no, no, no. So he was the first, yeah, 55 times, which I feel it's more of a talking point

when it does happen, for it to happen that often. I never would have guessed. 20 years now. I would never would have guessed it was that much, never. And he was the first to have his first career shutout be recorded as such. Yeah. Aaron Portzline pointed that out. That's terrible. That's just... But at the same time you're like, you know, it's the, uh, what is it, the Power Rangers? Or who is it? We're going, I'm doing my job. I'm doing my job.

Right? Like he's going, I'm doing my job. I'm doing my part. I'm doing my part. I'm doing my part. Yes. I worked with some people like that. Oh, I did my job. Yeah, yes. I got my... You can't my blame over feeling that way. And then no, two for three in the shootout. Yeah.

That is just a brutal way to lose your first shutout. Thank God. I'm sorry, guys, Kyle. It's not Power Rangers. You're thinking of Starship Troopers. Starship Troopers. I don't even know if I've seen that movie. That's a great movie. That is a great movie. Starship Troopers? I don't even know if I've seen that movie. That's a great movie. That is a great movie. Starship Troopers. Everybody, if you haven't seen Starship Troopers, go see it. It is a great, great movie.

I didn't remember the line specifically, but it's a great movie. Oh, right. And it's, yeah, I'm doing my part. That's the line, not John. Well, I just have to say this, I am glad that for one, something is going to go wrong with a movie reference or a TV show reference on this pod. And it's not going to be me everyone's attacking. At Sportsnet Kyle. Well, at least I'll admit that I'm wrong. I it just had a it does the little meme that you see pop up every now again does have a Power Ranger vibe to it. Power Ranger Starship Trooper six one half dozen of the other.

Thank you. Trooper fans are going to be furious at you for this at least at least someone on the show is. That was good. All right, I don't know how we ended up here, but we're here. Great way to wrap up the Thoughtline. We'll take our last break and come back

with the interview with Zach Wierenski of the Blue Jackets. Speaking of Columbus, you're listening to 32 thoughts. Okay, welcome back. Earlier this week, Elliot had a chance to catch up with Zach Warenski, who's having a monster season right now, leads the league in ice time not far from 27 minutes a night. His point total is right in the mix with the Kayle McCarr and Quinn Hughes of the world. Pretty revealing conversation about his evolution

as a player and a teammate, the team's progress, and some fun topics as well. We hope you enjoy the conversation. Here's Zach Wierenski on 32 Thoughts. Zach, as we start this interview, sitting behind you is the long-time outstanding media relations leader of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Todd Schirach. And so I love the video they showed the other night as your teammates went into Long Island to play the Allenders and a bunch of them were wearing Ohio State Jerseys as they played for the National Championship. Now I asked Todd if he asked you to wear one and he said he wouldn't even do that knowing how proud of Michigan guy

you are. But if he had said could you for the blue jackets wear an Ohio State Jersey, what would you have said? Yeah, there's no way. I mean, I'm a Michigan guy through and through. And fortunately, there's a couple of Michigan guys on our team, so we were all kind of in the same boat. But no, a lot of respect to Todd for not even asking me, because I think he knew the answer. But yeah, there's no chance I'd be doing that.

Do you have any happiness for the state of Ohio where you live and work that they won the national championship? Maybe a little bit. I mean like I don't root against Ohio State just when they play Michigan usually. I think it's great for the Big Ten that the national championship stays there for another year but I mean after living there for nine years I can kind of understand why they love Ohio State so much, but yeah, no, I guess I really didn't care who won last night.

You were hoping the ground opened up and swallowed both Ohio State and Notre Dame. Yeah, yeah, well actually what I was saying was it was a win-win for Michigan, because if Ohio State lost, Michigan's happy, and if Ohio State won, it means Michigan's the best team, because they beat Ohio State. So that's kind of what I'm hanging my hat on. So just before this season, I understand you're a very changed man.

I was told another thing I had to ask you is about meat. You are a meat guy now. Is that correct? Yeah, it's kind of changed since the season started a little bit. Probably the last like two months of summer, it was pretty much just a carnivore diet. Who got you on this? No one really. I was kind of just seeing it all over TikTok and the internet. And once you kind of start watching certain videos,

then they all start popping up on your phone. So I just went down a rabbit hole with it and just gave it a shot. Early on, it was a little bit tough with energy levels. And then I feel like towards the end of summer, I felt really good. start popping up on your phone. So kind of just went down a rabbit hole with it and just gave it a shot. Early on, it was a little bit tough with energy levels. And then I feel like towards the end of summer, I felt really good. And then I felt like it was kind of hard for me on game days

to get enough energy. I feel like on off days, I still try and stick to like just meat and eggs. But during game days now, I'll have a little bit of pasta just for some carbs, but definitely changed my diet this season. You know the headline of this interview

is going to be TikTok made Zach Lorensky a meat guy. Yeah, no, it's pretty spot on, to be honest. So are you a good cook? Can you do this? No, my fiance is. Odette, right? Yeah, Odette. In the summer, we kind of split duties a little bit on that.

I'll grill some steaks, and she'll make all the other stuff. And then during the season, she's pretty much all hands on deck for cooking. She's doing everything for me. So she's probably actually what's a big part of the success I'm having this year, to be honest. Really? So tell us a bit more.

First of all, she went to Michigan State, right? So you're surrounded by a whole bunch of things you don't like. Yeah, yeah, no, a bunch of rivals in my life, everywhere I look, Ohio State, Michigan State. But no, she's been awesome, yeah. She's from the same hometown as me, went to Michigan State.

Our parents actually knew each other. I think my dad and her dad were friends when they were kids. So I'll go back a long time, and then she's just when they were kids. So I'll go back a long time. And then she's just been awesome this year. Just everything at the house, all my meals, cooking, diet, all that stuff. So she's kept me focused.

And yeah, it's been awesome having her in Columbus. So how does Zach Woranski like his steak? It depends on the cut. I'm more of a medium guy. But like New York strips, like the cuts that are more thin. I like medium rare But fillets are more like medium, I guess and are you like an asparagus guy or a mashed potato guy? What's your side more asparagus than mashed potato? I like don't can be wrong. I like french fries. I like mashed potatoes I still have my desserts, right? Like I think that's one thing I won't ever fully go without but

still have my desserts, right? Like, I think that's one thing I won't ever fully go without. But she's really healthy. So usually it's like a salad, a green, and some steak. So yeah, I know there's not really too many nights where we have mashed potatoes in our house. All right, I'm a big dessert guy too. So I'd like to hear that. Because I heard you not only meat,

but you really changed your training this summer, I heard too, right? Yeah, a little bit. Yeah, I think I was just more focused on it, to be honest. I like the little things that go into it, mobility, the warm up, the prep, feeling better when I leave the gym, doing things at home, yoga, just stuff like that, where I feel like coming into the season,

I just feel a lot better in all areas of my game, on the ice and off the ice. And I feel like it just all meshes together. So I feel really good about it. Did anyone say to you, you've got to go to a different level? Or was it just you saying to yourselves, I have to go to another level here at this point?

Kind of both. The last few years at the end of the year meetings with management, it was a little bit like, you're taking steps in the right direction, but you have to be a lot better in terms of like, you know, like you can do it, just do it now. And the injury two years ago sent me back a little bit, I think.

I felt like last year was a step in the right direction. I felt like for me, like the second half of back to backs, I struggled with just energy levels. So I wanted to kind of change that. And I feel like going into the summer after World Championships with four nations coming up, the Olympics, I felt like I was just even more dialed. And I felt like kind of made it a point of emphasis

to be in the best shape I could be. I feel like when you're playing tired, you're making more mistakes. You're not as dialed in your game. So I feel like for me, it was trying to eliminate playing tired some nights. And I feel like I've done that. And I feel a lot better on the ice. And in return, you help your team win games that way.

So I feel like it all kind of goes hand in hand. One of the things that Dean Evison said about you is that, and obviously he only knew you from afar, but now he knows you a lot better. He said that when he met with you and he talked to you, the thing he learned very quickly is that you want and expect to be pushed in all ways. And I guess the fitness is one of the ways

that you kind of did that. Yeah, 100%. I mean, I want to be the best player I can be. And I know our careers are short in NHL. And I feel like having a coach and a coaching staff that pushes you and expects you to be better is what all athletes should want, to be honest. And that's the first thing I said to him,

is just tell me how it is. Tell me, black or white, I don't want any gray areas. If you need more from me, just tell me. And me and him have had great communication this season. And I love playing for him. So it's one of those things where I feel like if someone tells me to do something, and it's a challenge, I'm gonna take it

and do the best I can. And the fitness was definitely something this summer that I wanted to get better at. And I feel like I've done that and just adding more layers to my game. So what's the hardest thing that Dean Evison has said to you this year? Well, he was going pretty good for me.

Last night was probably my worst game of the year. I haven't talked to him about it yet, but I'm sure he'll. That's the Islanders game. Yeah, I didn't play good. I had a couple mistakes. I toe-pick on the blue line, turn one over for a shorthand to goal against. But he's been awesome.

I mean, I think he understands stuff's going to happen, and mistakes are going to be made, and guys aren't perfect. And he's actually been, you know, I've seen videos, and I've heard stuff about him before coming into the year, and I know he's pretty intense. But he also has a very calm demeanor about him too. And I think that's like the perfect balance for our group, and for me especially.

So he hasn't really had any hard conversations with me yet, but maybe tomorrow. I guess we'll see. Well, it was funny. I was, you know, I was watching your game on Monday night, knowing that we were going to do this. And I was just texting some of your former teammates and a bunch of them were like, he doesn't get credit for what a great skater he is. And then you toe picked on the blue line and the guy who texted me goes, nevermind.

Yeah, that's funny. I wonder who that was actually. You're going to have to tell me after. Yeah, no, I mean, that happens. As mad as I was about it, it's going to happen. It's going to happen again. It's not the last time it's going to happen in my career. It's just one of those things you've got to brush off

and move forward. But was it my proudest moment? No, but like you said, it happens to anybody. Like, if anyone has the puck as much as you do, there's going to be moments like that. I mean, like, you had Tortorello earlier in your career, and he was a huge supporter of yours. But I wonder, was there something, like,

did he ever say anything to you? You were like, holy cow. Yeah, I mean, I feel like he says something to everyone. Like, everyone's got a tort story. Yeah, I mean, I feel like he says something to everyone. Everyone's got a torts story. Yeah, I mean, my second year I was struggling a lot. And he was hard on me. And I wanted to be good so bad. And I think I didn't really understand

his way of pushing me. I feel like a lot of guys, first years with torts, he kind of just lets you play, make your mistakes. He's not really that hard on you. He understands you're a young guy. You're new to the league. And then the second year, your expectations rise. And he pushes you even harder.

And I guess I really wasn't expecting it. So I struggled a lot with it. And then we kind of had a breakthrough moment. We were in Anaheim. I went into his hotel room after our meeting. And I was just like breaking kind of like breaking down almost. I was like, I don't know what to do. Like you've been hard on me all year.

And he's just like, I just expect so much from you. And I expect you to want to be better and to be better than you're playing right now. I think that night I didn't score for like 35 games. And I think that night I scored and you could just tell that like that that's what he wanted. Not for me to score, but how I played that night. And it was so hard to get there because I was mentally

in a pretzel with him, just because the year before, it wasn't like that. And then after that, our relationship took off, and I knew what he expected of me. It wasn't the goals and the points. It was just to play hard. So yeah, I know it was fun playing for torts, but I mean, there's definitely some days

you battle with them. I mean, I'm not going to say everything you said to me, but there's some stories I have that are pretty funny. That'll be for your book. Yeah, yeah. When I'm done playing, like I always say, on podcasts, I would love to go out there and kind of share some stories. But I think it's easier when you're done.

You're going to be getting a text from me the day after you retire in 15 years from now just so you know. Okay, I'm all in on it. I got a lot of stories to share. This year, you know one of the obviously Columbus has been through a lot and but what I wanted to talk to you about was first was the season starts Boone Jenner gets hurt. He's not there season starts. Boone Jenner gets hurt. He's not there. Erica Branson gets hurt. He's not there. Monahan's hurt now but

it was what people said was it was basically you and Sean early in the year. And they just said that you know, you're not a guy who has often liked to call meetings or say what needs to be said to teammates a lot. But this year, you have done that. Like you've said, look, guys are hurt, guys are out on the lineup. It's going to have to be on me. And that's when people talk about you this year.

They talk about not only how great you've played, but how much you said, OK, it's now on me to be the driver behind the scenes. How have you felt about it? Yeah, I mean, I don't want to do something or be someone that's not me. You know, I feel like you have to be authentic in who you are. And I'm not a big rah rah guy or a guy that's going to come in and yell to get the team going.

It's just not who I am. But I feel like, you know, like you said, boom goes down, goody goes down. There's two huge voices in our room, guys that do so much for us in terms of, you said, Boone goes down, Goody goes down. Those are two huge voices in our room, guys that do so much for us in terms of talking to the group, leading by example on the ice. I really didn't know Monty too well coming into the year.

And obviously, the situation he was put in is, you know, you can't even think about what he's going through, right? So I really wasn't too sure what to expect with him. So I kind of took it on myself to kind of step out of my comfort zone a little bit and do things I normally don't do. And fortunately for me, I've had great leaders before me. Nick Foligno, Brandon Dubinsky, Seth Jones, I play with him.

I've got to see Boone and Goody, David Savard. So I've kind of learned from everyone and how they lead and take bits and pieces from everyone and kind of add it to your own leadership. And yeah, I've just tried to step up in that area with guys being down without taking away from who I am or who I am on the ice. I feel like that's the main thing,

is you have to focus on yourself and your own game. If you're taking care of your own stuff, I feel like it's easier to kind of hold guys accountable. So definitely a learning experience this year. And like I said, stepped out of my comfort zone a little bit. But it's been fun. It's been challenging, and I've enjoyed it. Apparently, you've called about two team meetings this year

where it was kind of tough. Like, what's the hardest thing? You don't have to say who, but what was the hardest thing for you to say to a teammate? I mean, I try and do it. There hasn't been too many things I've had to say that are too hard, but I try and do it in the right way. I mean, I feel like emotions can get the best of guys,

and they can start yelling or snapping on guys. But I always try and take a breath and take a step back and understand. I was in a lot of these guys' positions once, especially if it's a young guy. And there's a lot more going on than just the game or certain plays within a game. You try and understand where they're from

or how they're doing at home or just kind of where their mind's at or what they were trying to, the play they were trying to make. So I kind of try and gather all information and then just offer my advice and my opinion on the situation. And I think that's the best way to do it. But I really haven't had too many hard conversations.

I feel like the one message early in the season when we were struggling was just like, we don't have to have a guy that has 100 points in our room. We don't need that. My first few years in the league, I want to say, Cam led our team in points the one year with like 65. And then Panarin was 85 and 82. And even then, you don't need guys that have a point of game.

You just have to have a lot of guys playing the right way. And that was the one message early on that I wanted to get across to guys, because we're really not built for a McKinnon. We don't have a McKinnon or a McDavid or a 70-goal Matthews. And that's fine. You can win in other ways. And that was kind of my main message early on

when I called the first team meeting was, let's just play the right way. And when you're having team success, who cares if you have 40 or 50 or 60 points? It's the most fun time of the year is right now when we're in this playoff race. And I think guys are starting to realize that, especially young guys that haven't been there before,

that this is what it's about. You go through the grind for these moments, and I feel like we've learned that, and it's been a ton of fun the last month and a half playing these games, and everyone has that buy-in right now, which has been awesome. You know, I watch you guys play, and I'm thinking,

I'm a Hockey Night in Canada guy. I know you're a proud Team USA guy. I want to see Ottawa make the playoffs. I want to see Montreal make the playoffs. I want to see Montreal make the playoffs but I watch Columbus and I'm like I can't root against this team this year and I wonder if you feel that you've got a lot of fans rooting for you guys. Yeah I think we feel the support for sure. I mean you go to different buildings and there's so many you many signs for John and for Columbus.

And you see it on social media everywhere. And I feel like a lot of fans that support other teams are pulling for us a little bit. We're kind of like their second team almost. And it's great to have that support. And people around the league kind of pulling for you. But the other teams don't care. They don't feel bad for us for what happened.

They still want to get two points. And when you go into the game, that's the mindset you have to have is the other team's trying to get two points just as bad as we are. And I feel like we've kind of embraced that, and we're working hard. And every night we have a chance to win. And yeah, no, it's just been a lot of fun.

And I feel like I've definitely seen support from fans throughout the league. And I guess we'll see what happens here. What was the hardest thing about just getting everybody to focus on hockey after that? That's a good question. I feel like it was just kind of talking within each other, being around each other, being around each other's families,

and just saying this is what John would want us to do. Just play hockey and play hard, and that's what he did. I was just saying it in there that I was with him for two years, and I learned so much from him, just how he approached the game, his love for the game. He drove me nuts my first year, because he would always show up one of the last guys, and he'd leave first.

And we weren't doing well. And I was staying at the rink really not doing anything, but I thought it was the right thing to do, because we were losing. And then I started to realize that he just wanted to go home and be with his family. And when he came to the rink, he did his stuff. He was dialed in, but that was enough.

And then he went home. And I feel like for me this year, that's something I kind of took with me is, show up and get your work done and get your work in and then get out of here. You don't have to just sit at the rink, just to sit there. And I've learned so much from him in that way.

But I feel like for us this season, it was just, let's just do it for John. Let's just play hard. Whatever happens happens, but that's what he'd want us to do. And I feel like for us this season, it was just, let's just do it for John. Let's just play hard. Whatever happens, happens. But that's what he'd want us to do. And I feel like that's what we're doing. I didn't see it, but someone told me, I guess, Meredith Godreau is helping Odette pick out her wedding

dress. So it sounds like obviously there's still that support group among the Blue Jackets, fiancees, wives, girlfriends, to make sure that Meredith feels strong. Yeah, for sure. Meredith's awesome. She's been in Columbus a lot. We love having her there.

We love having the kids there. We all live, or most of us live within five, six houses of each other. So we see each other all the time. And yeah, Odette had some bridesmaids in New York with her this past weekend when we were playing there, doing some wedding stuff. And Meredith's one of them, so she was there.

And yeah, just great seeing her and having her around and and like I said we love having them in Columbus and seeing the kids so whatever we can do to help them is what we're gonna do. How are you as a wedding planner are you like total hands-off and whatever you want hon? A little bit I mean like I have to put my foot down on a few things but I kind of just let her do her thing. She has her vision and she needs my opinion on something I offer it, but she's done a good job so far.

Okay, so now I have to ask, having gone through this myself, what was something that Zach Wierenski said, okay, I'm putting my foot down on this for wedding planning? Well, I just can't get over how expensive flowers are, to be honest. When we first got the quote, I was just mind blown. That was the one thing where I was like, that's insane. For one night of flowers, that's what the price is. But my fiance is good about it. She's even like, that's crazy.

So yeah, no, I think just the price of things and the cost of a wedding, I guess I really didn't know. I guess I really didn't Know I've never gotten married obviously, but yeah, it's it's pretty insane. I understand exactly where you're coming from here I totally get it So your team like you knew you had a lot of young talent here the Kent Johnsons the Sylingers the Veronkovs the Russian players It looks as if all of these players are starting to figure it out. You're seeing that?

Yeah, big time. I mean, I think kind of like the hockey world's seeing it now, to be honest. You see what Marchenko's doing. Yep. I'm sure you'll watch him tomorrow night against Toronto. And he's just a dog on pucks. He doesn't lose puck battles.

He's so talented, so creative. The stuff him and Vronkoff talk about on the power play, the plays they want to run, I mean, it doesn't always happen, but just the way they think the game is so impressive. And then you have Ken Johnson and Fantilly and just so many guys that have such high ceilings and they're starting to figure it out. And I think that comes to with the team success, right?

You're they're playing within the team, within the team game, the team structure, and then they're getting chances and then their skills taken over. So I think as a group, we're starting to figure it out and then individuals, obviously are starting to figure out kind of how to play within, within the structure, letting their skills take over. And it's been so fun to watch. Do you, and do you see it now? Do you start to see like okay I see where we're

going here I see where the success is going to come because I see how these players are growing? 100% yeah we have some special players on our team and I feel like you know we're a smaller market we don't get talked about as you know as much or we're not a national TV as much so maybe people around the league don't notice it but I feel like if you're a Blue Jackets fan and a player and someone within the organization, you see it firsthand. We have an exciting future ahead of us.

And I think it's really starting to show now. And yeah, just excited to be a part of it. I heard of a play. This is about your leadership. There was a young player in your team. I'm not going to mention any names. But he was carrying the puck towards the blue line and he made an extra move and it caused an offside. And then I think a commercial break came, this person told me, and one of the wingers was really upset. And I don't know if you were on the ice already or you came off the bench, but you skated next to that upset player and you kind of said something along the lines of like not in public and

That other player went back to the player went offside and tapped him and said it's alright And the person who saw this said to me that is a perfect example of waranski's leadership Nobody would have known unless you saw it right in front of you, but it was a small thing That was a big thing that needed to get done. Do you know what I'm referring to? I do, yeah. Okay. Yeah, I do. Yeah, I mean, those are things that happen within a game.

And there's so many emotions within a hockey game, right? And I just feel like in certain situations, like, you know, there's a time and place to hold teammates accountable for sure. And I feel like, you know, don't give anyone any advantage, any team any advantage if they see us bickering at each other or fans or whatever. Let's just handle that by ourselves in the room. You know, there are certain times when your teammate might

just need a pat on the shim pads or whatever it is. But that's a moment I can see myself kind of growing as a leader. It's something I probably wouldn't have done two years ago or maybe even last year. But I feel like with where we're at, we're so close to where we want to be. I feel like those are big moments.

There's small things, but they're big moments within a team. So yeah, I know exactly what the player is talking about. OK, I think it's, like I said, a small thing but a big thing as you said there. Never let them see us sweat. Yeah, exactly. Don't give them any advantage. I like that.

Okay, a few more for you here. First of all, I heard that in your first NHL game, actually I'm going to credit Kyle Bacoskas for this. In your first NHL game you got chirped by Brad Marshand. What did he say to you? I don't remember exactly. In your first NHL game, you got chirped by Brad Marshand. What did he say to you? I don't remember exactly. I think he chirped me.

To him, it probably wasn't even a chirp, but he's always chirping guys, but he probably doesn't even remember it. He said something small to me, and then right after, we had another rookie defenseman, Marcus Nudevara. He danced Nudevara. And we were joking after, because I'm like, yeah, he kind of rattled me, and then he walked you. Both our first games.

Kind of like a welcome to NHL moment a little bit. But I don't remember what he said, but it was just like the first time I was chirped in the NHL, and it was something subtle. But it was funny because both us, rookie D, were kind of eating it from our stand that night. Does he still give it to you, or has he moved on to other targets? No, not really. I think he's probably moved on to other guys. I mean, who's to say next time we play him

he doesn't give it to me, right? You know, he's so good at that, but yeah, it hasn't been in a little bit. Okay, I want to ask you some things in the NHL. You saw McDavid three-game suspension. I could see you being the guy who was tackling McDavid at the end of regulation, protecting a one-goal lead.

Just what did you think of that whole play and the suspension itself? Yeah, I mean, I've seen a lot of stuff on him not getting penalties called on him the last couple of days. And I'm sure there's some truth to that, right? He's a guy who has a puck, and I stick a lot, and makes a lot of guys look dumb. And I'm sure there's some truth to that, right? He's a guy who has a puck on his stick a lot and makes a lot of guys look dumb. And I'm sure there's grabbing and holding and hooking going

on, and he's probably not getting all the calls that are out there. But just probably some frustration growing in, and probably didn't mean to get him in the head. I mean, I don't know. You'd have to ask him all this stuff. But I feel like it's part of the game. Stuff happens.

He probably just lost his temper a little bit and that's what ends up happening. But smart play by Garland. I mean, best player in the world. You don't want him to get the puck with 10 seconds left. It's definitely a penalty on his part. But yeah, I mean, I feel like for McDavid, he probably is just frustrated not getting the calls

that are probably happening within a game and let his emotions get the best of him a little bit. But I like him standing up for himself. I think that's great for hockey. I think it's great for superstars to stand up for yourself. But, yeah, I probably just got him a little high. Um, you're a Michigan guy. You were the youngest player in the NCAA

when you played there. The landscape is about to really change between the NCAA and CHL and just minor and junior hockey all around North America. What do you think about it all as you've watched this? Yeah, I'm curious to see how it goes. I feel like what's going to happen to the USHL? A lot of high end guys now, if they want to go the college

route, can still go to the CHL and go to the college route, which is interesting to see what's going to happen there. What's going to happen with USA hockey then, TDP? What league are they going to play in? There's just a lot of question marks. And I feel like for colleges that have the NIL, Michigan, I'm sure BU, BC, North Michigan, I'm sure BU, BC, North Dakota, I'm sure can get it, the big schools,

are they just gonna be powerhouses now? Is anyone gonna be able to stop them? It'll be interesting to see. I think the one thing that I don't love is the transfer portal. It's crazy. Because you could play for four schools, or three schools if you wanted.

I'm not a huge fan of that, but I do think it gives you guys an opportunity to go play, which is great. I just feel like there has to be some sort of way to maybe limit that a little bit. But it's definitely going to be changing for better or for worse, I guess. But we'll see how it goes.

What's your favorite Red Baronson story? My favorite Red Baronson story? Oh, this is actually an easy one. Our second year, we were playing Notre Dame in the first game of the NCAA tournament. And we're down one goal. It's the second intermission. And Brad comes over to me and he's like, hey, on the next face off, or not the face off,

but if the puck comes to you at the blue, pass it down the wall, jump to the middle around the winger, and you're going to be wide open. Like a minute or two into the third period puck comes to me on the wall. I pass it down to Boonie Avast, I jump around the winger hits me in the middle, I take a one timer and score. And come back to the bench like I'm all fired up tie the game. And I kind of just like look over and he's just smirking at me because it was his

play he drew up and we scored on it so he didn't say anything he just kind of give me the side eye and it was hilarious all the boys were going nuts so I think that's my favorite story for Ed. All right now last one for you Four Nations I can't wait that Saturday night in Montreal, USA versus Canada. When you think about that game in that building, all those guys, some of whom are friends, but that night there's going to be 20 players, 40 players on the ice who hate each other.

What's that going to be like? Yeah, it gives me chills thinking about it, to be honest. I've actually tried to not think about it because it's hard to sleep when you start thinking about that. So the closer it gets, and the more you talk with guys on the team, and the coaches, and whatnot. First is Finland, right? That's going to be a great game for us as well.

But yeah, I'm in USA, Canada, in Montreal, the center of hockey pretty much, at the Bell Center. I don't think you can draw it up any better than that. So I'm expecting a battle. I'm sure it's going to be intense. I'm just excited to see the crowd and just the feeling of the game. There's probably nothing like it, to be honest.

So just excited to see what it's all about. I guess I've never really played best on best hockey like this. So it's first time doing it. And I'm sure I have expectations. I'm sure it's going to blow them out of the water, though. One of the American players said to me, you have no idea how much we are going to want to win that game. Oh, yeah.

In Canada? Yeah. It's even the stakes are even higher that it's in Canada, in Montreal versus Canada. Yeah, it's it's you know, it's even it's the stakes are even higher that it's in Canada in Montreal versus Canada. Yeah, I can't wait. It's it's gonna be awesome. Thanks so much. That's fantastic. Yeah, appreciate it. Okay, thank you again to Zach and to Todd Chirac of the Blue Jackets for making that happen. That'll do it for this episode of 32 thoughts. For those looking for some hockey to watch on the weekend

Plenty to keep an eye on on the network Saturday for Eastern to Mountain time the Oilers host the Sabres their six-game homestand Continuing and then hockey night in Canada 630 Eastern 330 Pacific hockey Central Saturday The same deal as you all know three early games in the seven o'clock Eastern window the Battle of Ontario Same deal as you all know, three early games in the 7 o'clock Eastern window, the Battle of Ontario, that's going to be a big one. The Leafs are in Ottawa, the Devils in Montreal, and the Flames against the Minnesota Wild. The Nightcap this weekend, the Washington Capitals, Alex Ovechkin and company are in Vancouver to face the Canucks. Only so many hours in a day. We appreciate you spending a few of them with us.

We will talk to you again come Monday.