32 Thoughts: The Podcast - Sin City Insanity

Episode Date: June 7, 2026

In this edition of 32 Thoughts, Kyle Bukauskas and Elliotte Friedman review the Carolina Hurricanes' historic comeback from a four-goal deficit before the Vegas Golden Knights secured a double-overtime victory in Game 3. Then, Elliotte provides an update on an intriguing candidate in the Toronto Maple Leafs' coaching search, and where the Los Angeles Kings currently stand in their hiring process (19:00). The Final Thought focuses on the NHL Draft Combine back in Buffalo (30:57). Kyle and Elliotte answer your questions and comments in the Thought Line presented by BetMGM (40:00). Listen to all the 32 Thoughts music here. 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 Cristian Ceniti 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

We're both going to be 95 years old quarreling at the old folks' home with the rest of the senior citizens. And we are going to remember this night. Welcome to 32 Thoughts, the podcast, presented by your Canadian Toyota dealers and the 2026 Tacoma. It's time to Toyota. Elliot Friedman, Kyle Bukoskis, producer Christian, filling in for Dom here on this edition of the show. Elliot, you and I are sitting here in the depths of T-Mobile Arena. local time. It hasn't hit midnight yet,

but it is late into Saturday evening. This, I don't know if we're watching the Stanley Cup final or the NBA final through three games. It has been three games of runs back and forth, back and forth. Now, at the end of this one, game number three, I don't know if I need to go as far as saying I need a cigarette fridge, but I certainly could use a snack. Yes. Yes, and you got one.

That is a great, great segue into where I wanted to lead the pod. Before we talk about this gift of a game on Saturday night, the marvelous third performance of this Stanley Cup final, I wanted to shout out a fan by the name of Aaron. She came to the game tonight with her son, Lorenzo, and first of all, she had a sign she was carrying, Kyle, and the sign which also, by the way, made it on to the pregame of the broadcast, said, Stank Friedman, Vegas raccoons want to be friends.

And they had three raccoons on the front of it. And then she handed me a dairy milk and allow me to present you with the KitK that Aaron and Lorenzo gave for you. Yes. And I can't even, I'm diving into this right away. I'm not even waiting. So I ate the dairy milk during the game because Dave was eyeing it and he was hungry. So that did not make it to the post game.

How is it good? Yeah, excellent. This is hitting the spot. Excellent. Especially now. Thank you, Aaron. The only thing that went slightly sideways with this, and they were lovely people, is that Lorenzo did look at Dave and say, hi, anonymous caller. And Dave didn't find that as funny as I did.

Those are two listeners that get it. Oh, Aaron Lorenzo, thank you so much. I hope you had a great time at the game here on Saturday. How cool is that? Who didn't have a good time at this game? Well, I mean, there was a couple, but those that certainly brought golden night sweaters left in a great mood. I didn't even know where to start here, Elliot. Let me just say this.

Kyle, we get into this business and you hope for nights like this. I said to Amber, after it was over, we're about the same age. I'm a year older than Dave, that we're both going to be 95 years old, quarreling at the old folks' home. with the rest of the senior citizens, and we are going to remember this night. Like this is one of those nights that you will never forget as long as your career exists.

This is the kind of thing that you hope you get to see a lot. A great game, incredible comebacks, record-setting performances. Mitch Marner may have had the greatest period in Stanley Cup playoff history, in the entire history of the National Hockey League. And we got double overtime, and you knew it was going to be a flu goal,

because I don't know how you felt, Kyle, but watching that second overtime, everybody on the ice looked exhausted. Nobody could make a play. Nobody could skate more than three feet with the puck. Everybody who dressed in that game gave it everything they had. There's no question. I mean, really, after the first period, there wasn't a ton going on. You kind of thought, all right, you need something to happen here.

And then everything happened. Thank you very much to the late Bob Cole. And it was just a night where you mentioned like multiple examples of history right before our eyes. That Mitch Marner Hattrick, fastest ever in Stanley Cup final history, the three goals that Carolina scored in the third. to get them right back into the game. Fastest three goals scored by one team in the history of the Stanley Cup final. If the hurricanes managed to come back, had they won here on Saturday night, that would have been the first time ever erasing a four-goal deficit in the third period of a Stanley Cup final.

The only comparable, really, when you look at the history of the entirety of the Stanley Cup playoffs, over 100 years worth of examples was the miracle on Manchester if you're trying to find any kind of precedent. And it's funny, Elliot, so you met two Toronto fans, David and Al, from Thornhill before the game. That's where they were from.

They were from Thornhill? Yes. Oh, okay. I didn't realize that. From where Mitch Marner grew up, they were both wearing Mitch Marner, Maple Leaf jerseys. And David had a very clever sign. I think it made the rounds on social media

that what did it say? My therapist thought this would be a good idea? Yes. Yes. So they were sitting up in the 200s, and early in the third period, we actually went up there to interview them because Marner's having the game of his life.

It was basically that third period at the start, it felt like a victory lap for Vegas. And as we're walking up there, he gets the penalty shot. Brandon Bussie stops him. And so I go over, introduce my seat, myself. I say, hey, Elliot, you know, told us about you guys and said that he met you. And they were very friendly. And like, they're in support of Mitch. Like, they still love the Leafs,

but they are big Mitch Marner fans. And so I said, would you mind in a little bit here to do a quick interview with us? And they were like, no problem. And then it was 4-1. Like, as we're waiting there, we're just waiting for a commercial break. It's 4-1, 4-2, 4-3. And I'm like, oh, my gosh. I'm sorry. That's fantastic. We're going to have to put this one on hold here for now, gentlemen, because the complexion of the game completely changed. So that was how my third period went.

That was just... That's hilarious. I didn't know you were waiting up there to talk to those guys and it got blown up by the three goals. Oh, that is so funny. You know, I have to say this. So the game... The whole, like, Marner, when he had the penalty shot at the beginning of the third period,

everybody in that building thought he was going to score. So Dave and I are at the top of one of the sections in the lower bowl. And when they realized that Marner was getting a penalty shot, they were like, there's no, on this day, there's no chance he's not scoring. And with the way that the game went for him and if Vegas had lost that game, I can only imagine what the angle. and the stories and what social media would have been like. So if there was one thing I was happy for about Vegas winning this game,

I didn't want it to end like that for Marner. I just don't like to see that for people. Well, and Torterell said in the post game, and you can decide if you want to take it to face value. But he said, he goes, they're up for nothing, but when he gets whistled for the penalty shot, he's sitting there on the bench going, we need to score here.

I believe it. going you just never know. And it's, I believe it. Coaches are paranoid like that. They are they are paranoid creatures by nature. I completely believe that he would be thinking that. And you know, the other guy really have to shout out today is Braden McNabb. So you saw McNabb's face close up, right?

Like if you, if anybody out there looked at a picture of McNabb or saw a video of him, You know, I asked him what the specific injury was, and he wasn't willing to talk about it. Obviously he said after the playoffs. You'll find out soon enough. But it looked like his nose was like knocked, look at the way the stitches are done. It looks like his nose was like knocked half off his face. Right. He looked like Clint Benedict.

Yeah. That's a hockey vid. Google that picture. But it's a great reference, by the way. But the way, it's sort of like. an upside down L and he said there's 20 to 30 stitches. It looks like it was, they had to put it back down. And when I saw the shot of him walking into the arena today, Kyle,

and that was, you know, two hours before game time, I was like, he's playing. I cannot believe it, but this guy is playing. And he said, he admitted there was doubt he would be able to play, but he said he woke up this morning and he felt good and he thought, and he thought he could play. Guy played 36 minutes. He threw a heck of a hit on Taylor Hall. He said it was the first time he'd worn a cage in about 15 years.

He said youth hockey. Everything about what this guy did was incredible. Shea Theater, by the way, after the game said he had no doubt that Braden McNabb was going to play here on Saturday night, which is really impressive. And of course, the two have been attached to the hip as defense partners for many, many years here in Vegas.

He had two assists as well. He set up Marner on one of his goals and has the assist on the winner for Thedor in overtime. And I mean, there's so many things to get through this game here. Like, Wast in all of this were two additional goals

by Vegas that were taken off the board. And Tortoella agreed with those today. And I, I thought the offside one when I saw it wasn't like a continuous motion, I thought that one was getting overturned. And to me, the goalie interference was blatant. Very easy. Like if that goal isn't overturned for goalie interference, there is no goalie interference.

Yes, correct. Like Chris Rooney barely even got the headset on over his head. And it was like, okay, we're taking it off the board. I had a couple people, by the way, who said to me that they were surprised the concussion spotter didn't pull Anderson. Yeah, because he was down for a bit afterwards. You're right. Yeah.

And even at the end of the press conference, Tortoara was still, he was still not in agreement or was not sitting well with him of the one that was not overturned in game two. He still felt very strongly that the Barbisham goal should have counted. That doesn't sound unlike John Tortorella to me that he would be still obsessing over something two days later. Yes. Seems very foreign. Yeah. Yes. Yes.

How about George Rick Fee too, eh? Oh man, you talk about the ups and downs. So I was talking about this was somewhat after the game because it started to go all over social media and I think it's great. Like I, I think that those kinds of shots, I think fans love those shots because they're sitting there thinking that this guy is as torn up about this game as I am. Right. I think fans love it.

I was wondering if there's any chance that we get a call saying stop showing them. Well, it's probably easier to stomach now that they've won. But you can't. Like, you can't say no to that. You can't say yes to that. You're like, hey, like, that's the show. Yeah, you're in the field of play. Yeah.

You're in the field of play. And again, I, I, I, just speaking for our group, like, I trust. are guys, if they're going to do that, there's a reason for it. And it's great TV. Great television. The fans are sitting there saying that's human. That guy is agonizing through this game like we are. Anderson, if you, any doubt you think he starts game for?

I don't have, I don't have much doubt right now. No, I don't. Like I heard Kelly in the post game. Yeah. And I think everyone was in a great game. that it wasn't on him that they were down for Cobb after 40 minutes. And really, this was a game for Carolina where, you know, outside of a 12, 14 minute span and in the second,

they were, they were okay. Yeah. They were good the first overtime. Yeah. Yeah. There was one shift they had early where it was Jankowski, Robinson, and they put Svetchnikov with them because Carrier was out. and they had a couple of chances.

They should have won, and actually at the end of that shift, it was the one penalty I thought should have been called in overtime. Nikitian interfered, I think, with Mark Stone, who could have had a breakaway. That was the one penalty I thought that should have been called. But Carolina had a couple of great opportunities on that shift, and I remember thinking they're going to regret not scoring here.

I thought for the most of the first overtime, though, they were the better team. The one thing that concerns me about Anderson is it's now, thanks to our buddy John Davis, nine straight games against Vegas, they've scored at least three goals on them. Oh, wow.

I didn't know that. And they would know that. Like, Carolina is the kind of team that would know that. I don't think, I think you're starting them game four, but I would be thinking about, but that would be in my mind.

Right. Because I mean, for Bussie, obviously I hadn't played in a long time. You're sitting around all day, probably for long stretches, not thinking you're going in, but he's got nothing to lose coming in. Now, of course, I know, oh, now you're in overtime. But wouldn't you say it's a different set of circumstances when you know you're going to be the guy? And I'm sure this has got to feel like a must-win game for Carolina in game four. You know, do not have to try to think about the idea of beating Vegas three games in a row.

It was, I'm still Anderson right now, free age going for game four. But it's just been one of those series so far. Like I know Chris and Craig showed it in the booth. There's been a lot of goals. First off, there's been, it's been among the highest when you look over the last 90 years through the first three years of the Stanley Cup final. So the stats for both goalies haven't been sparkling. It's just, can you make the saves at the right time?

And you mentioned that shift for Carolina, like Jenkowski with the spin-around swipe in the slot and Carterhart had to kick out and just got a toe on it. Like it's, I think it's going to be one of those Stanley Cup finals where goals are going to go by you, but can you make the saves when you absolutely need to? That may end up defining things. I should say one of the things I heard afterwards, we're standing out front of the Vegas dressing room waiting to do post-game interviews after the game. And they were chanting, warrior, warrior, when McNabb came back into the room.

Really, eh? Yeah. That's cool. Because he was one of the stars, I think, on Saturday, right? I'd say that's a good pick. Yeah. It was a fairer. Safe, safe selection.

And did you not get at least some flashbacks of Zadano Chara in the starting lineup in Washington in 2019 when McNabb was announced as one of the starting five for Vegas here at home? Yes. And the crowd, that was very cool. I still think that Charo one was probably louder and longer than this one. Yeah. But this was still really good. I forgot, it's been a while since I've been to a game in Vegas.

I really like coming to games here. I love the pregame. They have a great vibe with the drummers and everything before the game. I really like it. And I also thought they showed great respect to Carrier. Yes. He got a cheer when he, one of the original misfits. I always remember him because when they won the Stanley Cup against Florida, the last game,

They started five of the six misfits, and he was the one who didn't get to start, and they said they had to explain it to him that unfortunately they couldn't do it. But it was a proper tribute that when he was introduced as one of the starters, he got a cheer. I like that. Yeah. That's, you know, that was good respect from the, from the Vegas fans. What a series so far. Like what three great games.

You're right. The first period was a bit of a snoozer, but the second third and the rest more than made up for it. You know, what do you do for an encore to give us a fourth one like this on Tuesday? Fantastic, fantastic series of hockey so far. It's been tremendous. You think of all the great magic acts that have come through Vegas, Sikfried and Roy, Penn and Teller, Chris Angel, who am I missing? David Copperfield and Carolina, almost, almost the latest act of magic and pulling this one out.

Well, that's good one. I've seen the Penn and Teller show. It's a great show. Yeah? Yeah, I really like them. I'm not surprised. I could see. I like Penn and Sler.

By the way, Seth Jarvis, man, he is taking a pummeling this series. I thought that's when I thought this game started to shift, certainly in Vegas's favor. They up the physicality big time and he was on the receiving end of a couple. They are a bigger, like,

factually, they are a bigger team in terms of some of the heaviness and just the bodies that they have. But, you know, Carolina has at least found pockets to play through it. It's just not easy, as you know. I mean, Mark Stone has said it. Like when they won in 23,

he goes, that was the hardest two months I've ever had as a hockey player. And I think anyone who's won probably feels the same way about the years that they did it. That's why the celebration is so sweet in the end. So another great show here on a Saturday night on the strip. Okay, a couple of other things we want to get to Elliot. it and every week we're checking in what's going on in Toronto,

what's going on with the coaching search. It sure seems like John Chaka had nothing but great things to say about Gavin McKenna at the draft combine this week down in Buffalo. But has a new name emerged on the coaching search front in Toronto? Yeah, one has and it threw me a bit when I heard it because, you know, as I'd say, said last pod, I heard that the least were starting to look at some more experienced names. And they are. But someone said to me, you're a little bit off too. There's some other names.

I think Toronto's beginning to shorten their list and start to go to a smaller group. What did he say? He said they spoke to 55 people about their coaching job. And I heard that they had about 15 or 16 Zoom. It's been cut down now. And Kyle, I had Kyle do a guessing game before the pod. So if the Maple Leafs were going to interview a Martin-S-Louise-like character, who would it be? Yeah.

And what questions did you ask? So I asked, did they play for the Leafs? No. I asked, did they win a league? Stanley Cup? No. I asked, uh, but was on some great teams. I asked, uh, what position did they play? Forward. Yeah. And then I asked, are they in the Hall of Fame? And the answer is no. They, I think they will be there. And the only reason the answer is no is because they're not eligible yet. So that were, that's when I was starting to narrow it down a little bit. Okay. And so we had some of our

teammates that were in the room here as we were prepping ourselves and I was going through my 20 questions and one of them said because I don't think they heard the part that this name in particular had not won a Stanley Cup their guest was Ryan Getslap and you said that was a great name to throw out there not the right one and then you said geographically you were warm yeah so I continued to think continued to think eventually I got to the name. Should I say it? Go ahead.

I ask, is it Joe Pavelski? That's the answer. I am under the impression that Joe Pavelski is going to get an interview for the job. Wow. And it flies in the face of what I said the other day. And I don't know all the connections here, how everybody knows everybody. But number one, this is a player who's hugely respected, hugely respected

number two what's one of the stories we heard about the playoffs Thomas Hurdle Pavelsky is watching a game he sees that Hurdle hasn't scored in 29 games he says that's ridiculous calls him just tells him to relax

a bit basically stop overthinking hurdle breaks the slump so we know that Pavelsky yes as a coach would so we know that Pavelsky is a slump He is a motivational genius. He's seventh round pick who had an incredible career. And the other thing is, and this is the tie-in, as you know, Martin Saint-Louis, before he was hired by the Canadians, was coaching minor hockey.

And what does Joe Pavelski do? He coaches minor hockey with the Madison Capitals. and one of the players he coaches is his son, Nate. So I don't know where this is going to go. I tell you this, I have heard that Pavelsky is legitimately interested. I don't know how it all started, but I have heard that he will be in that next group of candidates. And yes, I know it flies in the face of what I said last pod, but I do think that was part of the Mapley's thought process.

maybe they need experience. I believe some candidates who were cut were told they were thinking about experience. But then I had someone who said, genius, you're not entirely right because there's someone else there's looking at who's a little bit different. I am very intrigued by this, very intrigued like this because everybody at hockey holds Pavelski in extremely high esteem. So I am really interested in seeing where this goes. So am I because I guess I'm first surprised that this would even be something that interested Joe.

Maybe just at this time because it feels like you mentioned his son Nate, who by the way was selected in the USHL futures draft. So got a heck of a player on his hands there. And like he's ripping it up. He's playing in that pro athlete retired golf tour. Oh, he's an unbelievable golfer. Yeah. Anyway, it just, but I guess at the same time, a bright hockey mind, as you say, and if you get the itch, I mean, why not at least have the conversation of not knowing where it could potentially lead? It's just interesting seeing San Luis take Montreal to the third round of the playoffs and hearing that Toronto, someday I'd like to find out how this all starts. That's what I don't know yet.

Because, you know, like with San Luis, you know, Vincent La Cavillier was working with the organization, right? And he would definitely say have input. I'm trying to figure out who in the Toronto organization would come up with this. I mean, I know he's not currently working with them or doesn't play there anymore, but Joe Thornton. I would think would be one that at least has some familiarity. Of course. Around there. I know the regime's different now than when he played for the Leafs for a brief time.

That's one name. And it's funny. Like, remember we interviewed in the second round, Brian Gianto is at one of the Buffalo Montreal games. Yeah. He talked about coaching against St. Louis when their kids were playing minor hockey against each other. Oh, right.

And he goes, yeah, now that Marty's made it to the NHL. He's like, it's ruined it for every other. 14 coach because they think they're just one phone call away from getting to the NHEL. That's actually really funny. But look, Pavelsky's seventh rounder who became, I think is going to be in the Hall of Fame. You know, who am I to say that he can't do this?

Yeah. One of the great net front guys in the history of the game and had the ability to still be an effective player, like right up to the bitter end, those last few years. in Dallas. He was still productive and clearly, I mean, one phone call to Tomash hurdle and now he's, he's a completely different guy from where he was over the drought that preceded it. So, okay, Pavalsky now, add that to the list and the watch in Toronto. Anything else in Toronto? Not so much on Toronto. You know, I did mention Lavillette and why I've mentioned them now. I do think Lavillette is someone Toronto is considering seriously, but I believe they have competition.

And I've been saying now for a couple of pods that I think that L.A. was Woodcroft and D.J. Smith, I think Lavillette's in there too. And I think like Woodcroft, like Smith, I think he's a very legit contender in L.A. So I said I wasn't sure if there's a third. I think now there is. And I think, Lavillette is in there with those two as a legit candidate. I mean, as we're watching what John Totorell is doing with Vegas here, would you kind of put Lavillette in a similar camp as wanting to coach a team that's in the try to win now mode? Like, I guess we're still kind of looking at Los Angeles. I know they snuck into the playoffs this year of kind of where they ultimately see themselves going in the future, in the near term.

We know it's going to be the first season post-Az Copatar. Is Lavillette, you think the kind of guy that is thinking more a win-now environment than maybe a bit more of a project over multiple years, or is it too early to know? I just think that, first of all, I think Lavalette wants to coach. So we did a piece with Tortorella, and I said that when I texted Tortorella last year at the end of the season, I said, do you want a coach or you retired? he it's as fast as he's ever gotten back to me I want a coach I said the same text to laviolette last year during the cycle I said do you want a coach or you don't and he phoned me right away

like torrelle didn't even bother to call really hurt about that I have to tell you I was still mortally wounded but lavalette called right away and he's like no I want a coach and you know what Like one thing that's happened with him this year is that he's been doing a lot of media. And I know a lot of people who didn't really know him well before who've told me they really liked listening to him. Like I think it's been good for him. That, you know, people have heard him because sometimes, you know, one interesting about Laviolet is like all these coaches, they take losing really personally. but Laviolet has admitted before that some of his press conferences after losing

are so bad because he just can't handle it. So I think a lot of people look at him and say, this guy just seems like when he has the year like he had in New York, and obviously it wasn't solely on him, a lot of things were going wrong there. He could come across as like, oh my God, like that guy is so miserable.

And this year, as he's been doing a lot more in media and just talking hockey, like I said, I know people like, wow, like there's, I think people have been really impressed listening to him. So, um, I just think the guy really wants to coach. Like LA to me, like, you know, with the way they lost in the first round, they played really hard, but they were, they're a lot, like, you can't compare that to where Vegas is and Tororella was walking in and saying, like, it was just, his car was just like plug in the keys.

No, of course. Right. Yes. No. But I just. think these guys they want to coach like they they really want to coach but you talked last spot about just yeah one of the the really neat parts of doing this gig is having a conversation with a shane gosges bear type after a game of like okay what did you see and getting the full breakdown

and i've always enjoyed over the years the chance to just ask questions uh to peter laviolette about the game about different players because he's uh his insight and the way he can Sharp guy, man. He can describe things. Yeah. Even for someone like myself, you're like, I feel I'm really learning something, even though never be able to think the game at the level that he does. Okay, time now for the final thought, presented by your Canadian Toyota dealers.

And yes, as we are carrying on with the Stanley Cup final, the draft combine was this week and over the weekend down in Buffalo, Elliot, where, of course, it was a big, gathering when it comes to agents, members of the organization, management, all of that. And of course, the players themselves going through the fitness testing, all of the interviews. And again this year, I was trying to catch a few different ones that were posted kind of through the work that we were doing here in Vegas, Elliot. But it was another year for bizarre, intriguing and just flat out funny questions that some of the players were being asked when they were being interviewed by some of these teams here. People get really riled up about this stuff. Does it bother you?

No, like it's not like it's not crossing any type of moral line. No. So somebody, somebody asks you, does it bother you? And I say, no. I've been in weirder conversations than these, I have to say. Montreal, like, they're off on another. So they had the submarine one. if you shoot the torpedoes and 10 people you know could get killed, do you do it?

And what's the one on the desert island? Somebody's going to bottle of water. Do you hit them with a baseball bat? Yes. So my first question, like someone said to me, how would you answer that? And my first answer was, do I get to pick the person with, I can hit with the bat or who are in the water? Like if it's BXA, I'll hit them for sure. Like that's, I'll gladly take the bat.

I still might lose. Like he might just take the bat for me and just beat me with it. But that would be my first answer. Do I get to pick the people who are, who are harmed? Yeah. And I don't know. I don't know. It's like, you know, I remember, I remember, I think Sidney Crosby, I think the thing in something like that is they want you either say, yes, I'll do it.

Or can you come up with a creative answer? There's a story about Crosby. I think he was asked, would you take a pill that would kill you at the age of 25, but you know you win a cup? And he answered, I'd like to win more than one cup, so I won't take the pill. Like, I think that's the thing. Like, do you come up with something different along those lines? But none of those things bother me.

I mean, I think the safest thing to do is. in these situations, I would always tell someone who's preparing for them, is say, hey, which one gets me to win? I'll do that one. Right. That's the answer that you have to give. Now, if you were asked these questions, what would you do? Honestly, me, at 18, I would, uh, I'd probably clam up and I don't know.

I would try to, I'd try to answer them as creatively. as possible, but I can only imagine how obviously you're thinking on your feet. Whatever the questions are, you're probably not expecting when they arrive. And then you've got a room full of hockey execs and scouts and everybody kind of looking at you hanging on every word. I just don't like, I'm a sweaty guy at the best of times, Elliot. I mean, there would be a lake underneath me afterwards. But I would do my best to try to give a different.

an answer. You wouldn't hurt a flea. Well, you don't think? And I wouldn't pick you to be in the water either. Oh, thanks. You're welcome. Thanks for that. I don't know. I just, I think, I mean, I struggle at times as is this stage of my life to think on my feet. I'd be no good back then under that, that type of circumstance. How would you do sitting in that room? I would give an answer that would be like whatever it takes to win. Yeah. You have clarity back then? Yeah.

15 year old for each? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Whatever it takes to win. That's what I would do. You know, we should mention, it's been a really tough week in hockey. Dennis Hall.

You know, we, Dennis Hall, Cliff Fletcher, Jerry Meen. Just a couple words on each of those gentlemen, Kyle. Dennis Hull, I knew him more. I'm too young to remember him as a player. People forget he was part of the of the 1972 Canada Soviet Union team. He was everybody knows Brett, everybody knows Bobby.

Dennis was kind of like people didn't always get the credit he deserved, but he was a great player. He was a phenomenal public speaker. And there was one thing, Like one of the things I really liked about him was he laughed at everything he said and it was contagious. I was at a number of speaking events that he did where him laughing at the stuff he said was what won the audience over. He did it in a way that everybody wanted to join in.

He had this one gag that I would always laugh at. It couldn't I could never not laugh. It's so stupid. but I could never not laugh at it. He'd bring like a newspaper and he'd say, oh, I picked up my newspaper and the lease are back in first place. And then he would turn it upside down. Oh, now I got it right.

Like it was just, it was so corny and so stupid. But every time he did it, I would laugh my head off. I don't know why. I just thought it was so funny. Or he'd pick some team that everybody hated or, just something like that, but you pick a team that was in laughs. Anyway, just a really, really funny guy. You know, Jerry Meen, I would tell everybody,

first of all, I scored one of the biggest goals in Buffalo Sabres history, but there was a great documentary that SportsNet did that won an award on the defection of Alexander McGilney and Jerry Meen and Don Luce were two very big people in getting Alexander McGillney to come over and defect to the Buffalo Sabres. It's a great piece of television. I would tell everybody to do it. One of my first ever TV interviews I did at the score

was with Jerry Meen at his house. And he was just such a nice, nice person. And, you know, Cliff Fletcher, there's a lot of people in our business who knew Cliff Fletcher. He was already a legend. before I even started. You know, I really started in the business in 93.

He'd already won a Stanley Cup. He'd already revived the Maple Leafs. You know, he was the GM of the Atlanta Flames. You know, he was just a really nice person. You know, sometimes he got upset at things that were said and written, but he always tried to treat people really graciously. and I think there will be a lot of people in the business, if you haven't seen it already,

who will have stories about how well he treated them, how he filled their notebooks. If you asked him for an interview, he gave you an interview. You know, he treated, he gave great advice. Like if you ever asked him for advice, he was extremely well known for listening,

thinking, and giving you an, an honest answer that nine times out of 10 was excellent advice. And, uh, you know, I'll tell you too, his children, Chuck and Christy, um, both great people, like just to deal with, treated people extremely well. And, uh, you know, I just, uh, just wanted to mention all three of them because, uh, you know, it's been a tough couple weeks. And all of those people, uh, were excellent to deal with and listen to. in their ways.

Awesome. Thanks for that, Elliot. And we'll leave that there. That was the final thought presented by your Canadian Toyota dealers. And with that, we'll take our first break here on the pod. When we come back, the thought line returns. 32 thoughts of the podcast continues after this.

All right, welcome back. It's time now for the thought line presented by BetMGM, make it legendary. And Elliot, before we get to your list of shoutouts, so Griffin Porter notified me in the latest batch of thought lines, submissions that not only did we get the usual emails, the voicemails over the last couple of days. Also, podcast listener Peter submitted an e-transfer the value of $10 whole dollars to 32

thoughts at Sportsnet.ca. Peter, thank you. Elliot Friedman. I did have somebody else who asked me if I had a Venmo. But Peter, I appreciate it and I will make sure that goes. to the 32-thought-cangaroo court end-of-season dinner fund. Yes, that's right.

Or, you know what I saw here in the arena in Vegas? What's that? A shake shack. Oh, yeah. I will put that towards Shake-Shack. Excellent. Whether it's Shake Shack

or the year-end party fund, it would bring the grand total of that fund to $10. Okay, shout-outs. Who do you got? Hannah from Raleigh, big Niketian fan, her mom, Jennifer, Nadim and Nick, Andrew from Goldsboro. There was a couple there, Joe and Jane, and Jane's son is Matthew Murray, not Matt

Murray, but Matthew Murray. Matthew Murray is from St. Albert. He's played four in HL games with the Dallas Stars and played this year as a goalie with the Milwaukee Admirals in the Nashville system. So he's, I wanted to shout her and him out. Charlie, Eureko, Hudson from the tailgate. I met Eureko at the airport.

And on our flight in from Raleigh and Charlotte yesterday were Frida and Marianne, two big Carolina Hurricanes fans who bought tickets to games three and four in Vegas. And we're here. Those are my shoutouts so far.

Great stuff, Elliot. Thank you for that. Okay. So we're going to begin with Paul in Spain. Dear Munchbunch. I hope you... Munch bunch. Yes. Well, remember the whole conversation around gas station snacks. Yes, yes.

And the whole food's debacle. I hope you still have time to do this. I, too, am a former Campbell Riverite. And I used to live in Greensboro, the original home. home of the hurricanes in North Carolina. If it's not too late, yeah, how about that for a connection? If it's not too late, I'm going to make a chip recommendation. If you like them, buy extra to take home.

These are only available in North Carolina. I want you to try the UTZ Carolina barbecue chips. They're a hybrid. Okay. Barbecue and salt and vinegar meant to resemble the distinctive Carolina barbecue from the East Coast. and if you haven't had Eastern Carolina barbecue yet, shame. You must go out and get some immediately.

Love the pod. I'm listening from my new home here in southern Spain, where it's a cool 36 degrees today. Well, thank you. When we get back to Carolina for Game 5, I promise we will go out and find them, and we will have some. You know what I think of when I think of Spain, Kyle? the old SCTV skit, half wits.

Name an Italian food, Swedish meatballs. You idiot. Where do you think Swedish meatballs come from? Spain? Is that Martin Shorts contest? Yeah, he's, yes. He's one of them. Okay, just pick a number between one and ten, twelve.

That's right. What numbers have been picked? No numbers have been picked. Oh, well, in that case, I picked 12. So good. And Eugene Levy plays the host, right? Joe Flare. Oh, that's right.

Joe Flare. Joe Flare. Yeah, Joe Flare. I think it, Angela Martin, I think, is one of the contestants. Yeah, so, so good. I got to tell you, Elliot, now you're taking me back. And I don't know, maybe it now makes sense in terms of how my brain operates. I remember being, like, 11, 10 years old in the summer.

and on the old comedy network during summer break during the week like I would wake up in the morning and I didn't watch cartoons but I would watch like I don't know every morning like 8 a.m. or something they would run SCTV and I watched it

obviously I didn't grow up with that that was before my time but I would watch that every morning and then remember Benstein's money yes that was good show that I was captivated by that show then anyway really good show Thanks for the throwback.

Some of that stuff doesn't always translate. You know, the original Arthur with Dudley Moore and Sir John Gilgood is, I've showed it to younger people now and I was like, this is one of the best movies I ever watched when I was a kid. And they're like, this sucks. And I remember one of my ex-girlfriends,

I had her watch The Jerk with Steve Martin, and she was like, this is the dumbest movie I've ever seen. I was like, I don't think we could continue dating. This isn't the overall one, is it? Possibly. So it wasn't just the overalls. It was the overalls, the jerk.

It just wasn't going to work out. Oh, my gosh. That is so good. Thanks, Peter. We will check out those chips. Okay, from Mike. Longtime listener, first time emailer. I'm sure you've been getting this question a lot.

But with the Matthew Nye's trade that was not, is it the tradie team or the trader team that's responsible for submitting the trade? Basically, who can we blame? How does the process work? One has to think that Nyes in Le Blubley Rouge, we might have gone a little further. Yeah, I'm staying out of this particular part because I've heard about three different versions about what happened. and I knew once that got out that it was going to be a thing and people were going to say, how did it not happen? And I've looked into it enough from when I first found out about it that I've heard several

different answers. And like I said, people are adamant that the version that they have is the truth. And I'm not going to call anybody a liar and I can't say that one person is right or one person is wrong. I think basically the simplest way to answer it, Mike, is that, you know, the day before the deadline, uh, we reported that NICE was potentially available. And I think at that point in time, until it got out, there were only maybe one or two teams that knew. And all of a sudden, everybody knew and it got crazy. And sometimes that happens. Sometimes you just run out of time. And I think that's what happened here.

Now, in terms of who is responsible, both teams have to file something with central registry saying, hey, this is what we're talking about. And you have to do it before 3 p.m. Eastern. And, you know, for example, the Toronto trade with Lawton to the Kings, I think that one legitimately happened at like 259, 509. Like I heard it was really close. The Maple Leafs had two that were right up against it. And the Lawton one went through and the Nyes one didn't.

And I think that just shows you that sometimes that day can be absolutely crazy. And things like that happen. All right. Yeah. Crazy. Okay. Thank you for that. Brian from Burlington.

Hello, Kyle Elliott. And that producer guy. Christian today, filling in for Dom Schramatti, I have a question about NHL no movement clauses. Since a no movement clause gives a player significant control over their future, could teams negotiate more creative versions of these clauses and contracts? For example, could a player agree in advance that if they ever request a trade, the team would then be free to trade them anywhere without needing further approval? Conversely, if the team asked the player to waive their no-movement clause for a trade, could the contract include a provision that automatically compensates the player with a bonus, say 10% of the remaining salary for giving up that protection?

Would arrangements like this be allowed under the NHL collective bargaining agreement or are no-movement clauses fairly standardized with little room for customization? Big fan of the show. Well, first of all, thank you for that. good question. Part B is an absolute no. Now the NBA, I don't know if they still do, but the NBA had something called a trade kicker where if a player got traded, they got a bump. I don't know if that still exists, though. The NHL does not have that. It does not allow for those kinds of moves. Your salary is your salary. Your bonuses are stated. There's no such thing

as a trade kicker. Part A, I don't think you can do that. Basically, Basically, it's no trade clause, no move clause, and you can make exceptions like partials. But I don't think you can write anything in that says, you know, if this, then that. It has to be stated in the contract right away of what is legal and what isn't. There aren't any sort of side provisions, if that's what you're asking. All right, but I do love the creativity. Always. Last one, yes.

Last one here, and it's a voicemail, courtesy of Cody from Manitoba. Hey, Kyle and Elliot and Dom. Cody here calling from Sunny Gilly, Manitoba. Really having a great time watching the Stanley Cup final, seeing this hometown Winnipeg Boy, Seth Jarvis, score the overtime game winner last night. Talking with some friends, though, and we got to thinking. Between Jarvis and Martinuk on the Canes and then Stone, Houdin and Colossar on the Golden Knights,

is this the largest number of Manitobans that has ever played in a cup final together with the 40 rostered players, 12.5% of the players in the final are Manitoba-Born, which is way higher than their number compared to the rest of the league in general. So we're hoping that your friends at Sportsnet Stats could answer that question for us. Thanks always for the great pod. Looking forward to listening. Okay, Elliot, I will just start by saying, though five is an excellent showing from one province, it is not the most Manitobans featured in a Stanley Cup final. There's no way I'm going to get this.

No, no, no, that's fine. Let me tell you this. The record is eight. Okay? It's happened three times previously. Okay. Been a while, 1937, 1940, and 1942. I'm sure. Oh, the big comeback, three zip. Yes. First time that ever happened. Toronto was down three games and under Detroit.

They came back and won it in seven, and it's still to this day the only time in a Stanley Cup final that they reverse sweep has happened. Of course, Edmonton came close a couple years ago, but it stands alone. Eight Manitobans were in. that final. Want to take a crack at any of those names? Buckle McDonald.

No. Okay, I'm trying to remember some of the players I remember from Toronto. The Mets Brothers. Nick and Don. Not listed here. Okay, I'm going to try one more. Wild Bill as a Nicky.

No. Okay, I'm going to stop. I mean, you can keep name. I'm just going to say they're all great guesses. That's all I can give you. Okay. So, I mean, a few names, of course, you would recognize here. Turk Broda, of course, for Toronto, for Brandon, Ernie Dickens, Pete Langell.

Pete Langell's come up on this podcast before. I know that. John McCready, Wally Stannowski. Oh, Wally Stelsook was a heck of a player. Yeah? He was a good player. Yeah. And Billy Taylor.

So there was six from Toronto and two for Detroit. Jack Stewart. Black Jack Stewart. Oh, yeah. Yeah, one of the toughest, meanest, dirtiest players of his era. And Mud Brunito. Well, you know what Mud Brunito was famous for? He scored the winning goal in the longest game in the NHL history.

Oh, that's right. Yes, yes. I did not know he was from Manitoba, though. That's right. And that was like, that was, what, 19... 36, I think. Something like that. I thought it was earlier than that.

Still playing in 1942. So there it was, the eight. So I think if I remember correctly, Ernie Dickens, when Toronto was down 3-0 in that series, that's one of the players that Toronto benched, I think. Oh, really? Yes.

And that changed things around. Change things around. Yeah, they, uh, going game 4-3 and then 9-3 in game 5, 3-0 and 3-1 to finish it out. And we have not seen the likes since in a Stanley Cup final. But the five Manitobans featured in this Stanley Cup final, all of them in their own ways have made impacts already

and plenty more opportunities to leave a mark in 2020. great stuff cody thank you very much for that voicemail that will do it for this edition of the thought line presented by bet mGM make it legendary if you'd like to make a submission to the thought line you can do so via email 32 thoughts at sporesnet dot ca or leave us a voicemail at 1 833 311 32 32 take one final break and wrap up this edition of 32 thoughts the podcast on the other side All right, so that's going to about do it for this edition of 32 Thoughts, the podcast. Thank you so much once again for tuning in. And for the first time in the Stanley Cup final, we have a two-day break. No game Sunday, no game Monday.

And given the wild and topsy-turvy and curvy nature of the first three games of this series, could all probably use an extra day to gather ourselves and reset before a vital game four. on Tuesday night here in Vegas. For our listeners in Canada, we will be on the air with Hockey Central, the pregame show at 7.30 Eastern time, 430 Pacific on Sportsnet.

Game 4 between the hurricanes and the Golden Nights puck drop a little after 8 Eastern or 5 o'clock here, local time from T-Mobile Arena. That can be seen on SportsNet and CBC and, of course, streamed on SportsNet Plus as well.

Have yourselves a great rest of your weekend, a great start to the week. We will talk to you again post-game four Wednesday morning.