32 Thoughts: The Podcast - The Stanley State and a 32 Year Drought

Episode Date: June 18, 2025

In this edition of 32 Thoughts, Kyle Bukauskas and Elliotte Friedman react to the Florida Panthers defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 to clinch their second straight Stanley Cup Championship, extending Canada’s Cup drought to 32 years.In the news and notes section, Kyle and Elliotte touch on Marco Rossi’s future (41:25). They also discuss what lies ahead for Alex Tuch, JJ Peterka, and the Buffalo Sabres (45:47). The duo goes on to consider what might happen with Mika Zibanejad and the New York Rangers (49:25). The Final Thought focuses on the passing of Steve Reich (52:05).Kyle and Elliotte answer your voicemail and email submissions in the Thought Line (56:26).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

The rain's going to continue. And now they're knocking on dynasty's doorstep. The Florida Panthers go to the back. Stanley Cup champions. A pair for the Panthers, back to back for the Cats. Congratulations to the Florida Panthers. 2025 Stanley Cup champions as we welcome you to 32 thoughts the podcast presented by the GMC Sierra 84 X Friedman bucascus Dom Schramatti

back with you we're going to get to all of it as this Stanley Cup final is now wrapped after game six on Tuesday night but Elliott wanted to start with what's always one of the great scenes as the hockey season comes to a close. The scene on the ice after the Stanley Cup is handed out. So Florida this year, Alexander Barkov takes it from Commissioner Gary Bettman, celebrates with the team, skates around the ice. It goes to Nate Schmidt, who hadn't won. Goes to Seth Jones, who hadn't won. Tomas Noschek, Vitek Vanecek, and on and on and on.

And quickly we realize it was not only first the players that hadn't won before, but also those that just weren't everyday players in the lineup before the returning cast got a chance to hoist the cup again. What did you make of how all of that unfolded for the Panthers in the aftermath of a second straight Stanley Cup championship? So Barkov explained to Gene in the interview that the players had decided that beforehand, that if they won the series it would unfold the way you described it. The ones who hadn't celebrated before

getting the opportunity to go first. Kyle, I thought it was an incredible gesture. You know, we've seen situations. I remember the one, the Blackhawks one, where it went from Taze to Michael Hanzous and then Jamal Mayers, but then it goes, you know, to King to Duncan Keith Seabrook, all the guys who are the core. This is the first one I can remember and anyone out there if I'm wrong, you'll tell me but this is the first one. I remember Kyle that went like that everyone Everyone who hadn't won goes first. I thought it was an incredible touch, an incredible plan. And as it was unfolding, I was saying to

myself, if I was captain of an NHL team, well, let's be honest, if I was captain of an NHL team, I would finish 32nd. But if I was captain of an NHL team, I would like to think that I would come up with something like that. You know, when it was over, and everybody was on the ice and the media was out there, I ran into the owner of the Panthers Vinny Viola. Okay, and we were talking about that. And he called it servant that. And he called it servant leadership. That was the phrase he used to describe why he thinks the Panthers are as good as they are. He said he credited the players and the other people who helped build the organization in whether it's business or hockey ops, but

he talked about the players and servant leadership and You know, I asked him to explain it to me and he said What you do is for your teammates and everybody else You are not any more important than anyone else's and what you do you do for them first That's the way he explained it to me. And I think in a lot of ways that perfectly encapsulates what the Panthers are and why they're so successful. You know, Kyle, you don't win without great players. You have to have great players. First and foremost, if you don't have great players, you cannot win. And the Panthers have great players you cannot win and the Panthers have great players but you

have to have a great organization all around and it's clear that you know we're talking about the tax advantage right and don't forget that for a long time it didn't matter that the Panthers were in a state with great taxes nobody wanted to play there they weren't successful and But finally they're the way they ran their organization caught up with the in-state advantages they had and You know Viola hired great people they run a great organization But it's really interesting the way the players talk about why their team is successful. Like I asked a bunch of them. How come when you got here? You became better because so many guys show up in Florida

and they become better players and Jonah Gadjiewicz said that when he showed up in Florida, they told him, because he showed up after they lost in the final, they told him, Jonah, this is the way the final is going to be played. So we're going to play like that all year. And if you want to be successful here, you have to learn how to play like the way we're going to see in the finals.

So that's what he did. And he became an important piece of their team. Nico Mikola said that one of the reasons he's been successful there is he says, I can be myself. I'm not afraid of being myself. Sam Reinhart talked about the year in 2022 when they got their butts kicked in the playoffs by the Lightning, the four nothing series after they won the president's trophy, where he said, you know, we thought we were good. We weren't that good and that being a big wake-up call for everyone and Bill Zito talked about how the players accept mistakes.

Like he talked about Nosik's penalty in game one the puck over glass that led to the power play winner in game one. You know, nobody like Nosik didn't come out of the lineup. Nobody blamed them for it. Nobody said what a terrible play. They're just like, okay. And they moved on. And, you know, we've talked about the Nate Schmidt story where one of Barkov or Reinhardt told them we don't do that here. Like they self-police. You know, Maurice- My money's or Reinhardt told him we don't do that here, like they self-police. My money's on Reinhardt by the way, the more I've thought about that. It is really, eh? Oh yeah.

I should have asked him about that. And then Maurice, he lays down the law when he has to lay down the law. But I just think it's a great, you don't win without great players and you don't win without a great organization But that that phrase that Vinny Viola mentioned Servant leadership it stuck with me for the rest of the night Kyle like I wrote it down It's at the top of my notes for the pod. I really I really like that. I really like that so good and it's it's really interesting you bring that up and the conversations you had with some of the other players about it because I asked a similar question to AJ Greer. It was after the morning skate before

one of the games in Carolina last round. And he was one of the last guys in the dressing room after being on the ice. And I just ask because he would be a guy that, you know, hadn't wasn't part of the team that won last year. It was all new to him this year. And Elliot, like I'm not over exaggerating, he went on for five or six minutes and I just sat there and I listened and I listened and I listened to the point where like you could tell some of the staff are kind of looking at him going like you're gonna miss the bus here if you don't get going. And I like

I don't want to cut him off but I'm looking at the clock going I know he's got things to do but he just had so much to say about why it works with that group and that organization it really is fascinating and then actually I remembered back to this time last year Elliot and you'd mentioned on this podcast a conversation you had with another manager around the league that was kind of saying the fear that was coming of like the Florida Panthers, the sleeping giant. They've awoken. They are wide awake. Now everybody wants them to go back to bed. Yeah, I don't think that's happening. No, they'll be some night all nighters at the

elbow room. All nighters the elbow room as an organization go back to sleep. You know, like Greer, by the way, it was it was funny. We interviewed him and he was holding his son Jackson. And Jackson had a bandage on his right hand. I guess he burned himself. So he had a small burn and we were kind of joking that that's a true hockey player's son. Like he's wearing a bandage in June. Like that's what a hockey player is doing. He was kind of laughing about it. Beautiful, cute kid. But it's interesting, Kyle, you know, we sit here and we look at this and it was seven games last year and it was six games this year, but all the Panthers

vets like Rodriguez and Bennett and Reinhardt, the ones we talked to, they said that this year was harder. Like last year, they said it was a lot of emotion. This year, it was like, it was interesting. Like some of the the players were saying and some of the coaches were saying that it was almost like when they were losing games in November, they were like, how are we losing? Why are we losing? They were so determined to repeat and they put so much pressure on themselves to repeat that I think it added. I would, I would have thought it would be the obvious. I would think like once I win, I'm still driven to win, but I know I can get there.

Like I have that feeling of some satisfaction. These guys almost sounded like the reverse. They were so driven to win a second time that they really pushed themselves into a state of, we're not enjoying this as much because we don't, we just refuse to lose the second time. It was interesting hearing them talk about it. Right. And you know, actually who Paul Maurice reached out to in terms of handling the year after winning was Jim Rutherford, who of course he has a long, long history with.

And I guess one of the things that Rutherford told him that really stuck with him was, look, you're not going to like anything about your team's game until at least just before Christmas. So get that through your head right away. If things aren't clicking early, don't think suddenly your team's no good. So I think that did a lot, at least for the head coach, in helping settle his mind as they started to navigate after winning a championship and having to climb that mountain for the second time. I'm glad you told me that because Rodriguez was one of the guys who said that in November I was like, we're terrible.

Right. Right. Well, I remember we- That's exactly what you're talking about. Very good. Totally. Totally. And I was down there when Toronto had come through there end of November,

and you could sense like the tension a little bit. Not totally, like it wasn't totally artificial, but there was a little bit of tension there of like, okay, it's time to write the ship a bit. It was right around that time. But they got it figured out. And man, oh man, this was But they got it figured out and man oh man, this was another quintessential Florida Panther clinic on Tuesday night, Elliot. Like I don't know how else you want to look at it. I mean, you and David have been all over the multiple goal first periods, all series for Florida and continued here in game six. I thought it's remarkable that the Oilers came back against Florida twice in this series,

but it just, to do it another time, seemed next to impossible. So what did you think about how this game itself ultimately played out. I mean, it was the only way you can say it from an Edmonton point of view is it was incredibly disappointing. Like you could see McDavid when he spoke to the media, like last year he was devastated. Yes. Heartbroken versus angry. Yes, this year he was angry. And even though the Panthers say it was harder, because I think the pressure that they put on themselves all the way through, I think Edmonton would feel,

and not only because it was game six as opposed to game seven, I think Edmonton would feel that they didn't play their best. You know, I think every team that played Florida in the playoffs this year, the Lightning, the Maple Leafs, the Hurricanes and the Oilers would walk away saying we didn't give our best. You know, I'm sure in Toronto, I'm sure there's a lot of players looking there and because they got Florida to the ropes potentially and They've got to be thinking this could have been us And I'm sure it's a very hard night Among those players watching the Panthers lift lift the cop and knowing they had a game seven at home But I think that says a lot about the Panthers is that they're so disciplined and they're so good at what they do that they make you feel like you weren't as good as you can be.

They prevent you from reaching your highest level You know like Bob Ganey I mentioned this in the first intermission Bob Ganey whenever I would talk to him about hockey He would always say If you can't check you can't win You know how much how hard do those guys check like how many times did they not let Edmonton, like Edmonton before the final statistically was phenomenal at breaking the puck out of their zone with control. How many times in this series did Edmonton

not be able to get the puck out and it caused them a big problem. Yeah, that's what we talked about coming into this whole thing. They make you look bad. They have a plan. They stick to that plan, but they're aggressive. There was a play tonight in the first period, I believe it was, where McDavid finally had a chance to go around Forsling and they were all over him. Like just all over. There were a couple times in this series where McDavid looked like he had space, but they got all over him. You know, I always think about that about Bob

Gainey. Even in this day and age of hockey, he would say, if you can't check, you can't win. You know, if you think about it now in the salary cap era, you look at all the teams who've won multiple cups, right? Right now, everybody would look at Florida and say they're the best, because it's the most recent. But I would love to see a five-team tournament. Florida, Colorado, Kings, Chicago, Pittsburgh at their best. You gotta throw Tampa in there too.

Oh, did I not mention Tampa? Oh, I said Colorado. Colorado's the only one once. I meant Tampa instead of Colorado. Look, watch all those teams, they were ferocious at checking the puck and and to me that was you know like here's the other thing like every stat that went Edmonton's way in the first three rounds dried up on them we talked about the zone exits all the sudden they couldn't do it. And then all the scoring without McDavid and Drysidle,

you know, they like the other players actually I think were 50-50. But I only checked it after the first period. I didn't look at it after that. But after the first period when McDavid and Drysidle were on the ice together at five on five. Florida outscored them five to one. Stunning. Like who who thought that was going to happen in this series? Like Florida, they just they figure out what you're good at and they take it away from you. They because they're great players who are disciplined at doing it. That is their gift. They make

you think, oh they beat us, we weren't that good. Well maybe you weren't that good, but you know why you weren't that good? Because they won't let you be good. You know the Oilers, I know everybody's hurt and I know they're really disappointed and McDavid sure looked angry. You know they've been in the final two years in a row. That's a really hard thing to do and they mowed down the west of the Western Conference. Like I know this sucks and it's a horrible feeling but don't

over-exaggerate or don't go crazy. They got beat. By a powerhouse now, they're going to have to decide what they're going to do in goal. Now in the regular season. They felt very strongly that what was available to them at the prices that were available to them. It wasn't worth it. Now you go into the offseason and you have to them. It wasn't worth it. Now you go into the off season and you have to

decide how do we feel about that. Okay? Their depth was a huge factor in the playoffs and then in the final they didn't have enough support for the big guys. All of a sudden that went dry. You know, Kane had a tremendous playoffs and he took a bunch of penalties in the final that basically ended his effectiveness. Nugent Hopkins, like we'll see what it was, but the talk is, I think we can say it now, it was a broken finger or hand or wrist or something like that. So that ends his effectiveness. Hyman was out. They didn't, so immediately you lose Hyman, Nugent Hopkins is at limited effectiveness,

Kane sort of penalizes himself out of the series. That, I mean, that's three key players from the playoffs that were suddenly not on your team, right? And you need that depth. So I'm sure the others are gonna look at, okay, how much do we have to reconfigure here? What are we gonna look at? They have one more year of McDavid on this contract,

but they're gonna have to think about their questions and goal. And the other thing too is, you know, they had a real good group going on their defense and then all of a sudden Echolun comes back and he's a great player, like just a great player. But their defense was kind of screwed up a little bit after that. It's weird. I find it very hard to explain. You can't tell me that Echolme coming back is a negative, but it did somehow screw around with their group and we'll see how that figures itself out.

The goal that they gave up Marshanda on the faceoff in game five where he beat him at center ice. Another defenseman in the league told me that he couldn't believe in retrospect that Ekholm was on the right side there. He's a lefty shot. He doesn't play the right side as often. He's coming back from an injury said that even as player, as good as at home is, is really going to have a hard time making that play.

And he turned the wrong way. And I was thinking that on the play where he got beat on the first goal by Reinhardt And I was thinking that on the play where he got beat on the first goal by Reinhardt in game six again He was on the right side and he got beaten going to the middle of the ice like the whole thing is just weird I I don't really know how to say it how to explain it But Edmonton's D played really well for most of the playoffs I think the biggest questions they're gonna have Kyle is number one gonna be in goal and number two You know, what do they think of their forward mix? We know that Frederick is getting extended

He's signing a long-term deal at a lower AAV there in Edmonton I You know, I think Bouchard gets extended. Yes. He had a really rough game six That was a tough pass the first goal, but he did have the turnover at the blue line late in the first period but but for the most part he had a phenomenal playoff and I think he's gonna be extended at a very big number but and also there's a McDavid extension To worry about and I'll have

some thoughts about that probably on Friday when we do our next pod. But I think the biggest question Edmonton has are one, how do they feel in goal and number two, what are they going to do with their forwards? It's a lot to think about for the Oilers for sure. Stewart Skinner, Calvin Pickard, both with one year left on their deal as it currently stands and well Pickard of course and Stewart now as well, Skinner will be UFAs at the conclusion of those deals. You know we talked a lot about going into this series and certainly early on was the McDavid

Barkov matchup Elliot I think like I know the panel talked about it Luke Gazzick in the postgame show with Ken and Ivanka did a great highlight pack on it all the real matchup of McDavid versus Gustav Forsling Was just an unbelievable job by Forsling where mean, how many times just in game six alone, where it wasn't you're completely wrapping McDavid up, but you're just getting enough of a piece to disrupt what he is trying to do. And you mentioned the frustration that McDavid had in the postgame. The one line that stuck out to me was we kept trying the same thing over and over again, banging our heads against the wall.

Now, I don't know if that's just, as we say, the frustration, the anger of the way it all ended for him and the Oilers again this year, or if there is a little more to that. I don't know if you caught that at all in the aftermath. I know, I was out. I was out. Yes, you were busy. So, I'll have to, I'll have to look at it more. Yes. I just, I just heard he was really upset, really angry. Like you can see how angry he was. Cuz you know why it struck me

because and why I just, alright, let's, we'll let the dust set a little bit here and see if there's anything deeper to what he said about that. But do you remember the famous Daniel Alfredson quote when he was still playing for Ottawa? Which one was that one? So in the 2013 playoffs, second round, they're up against Pittsburgh. They lose game four at home to go down three games to one. And Sylvain Saint-Laurent, who of course now part of the PR staff with Ottawa was still a reporter at the time.

And he asks Alfredson in the room post game, is it feasible to think you can beat the Penguins three games in a row now? And Alfie says, probably not. And of course that catches on like wildfire. And someone told me, someone told me the genesis behind that comment was because early on in that series, he was pleading with Paul McLean, who was then the head coach, was that whatever the Penguins were doing to them in the neutral zone was

killing them and he's going like he's going Paul we've got to adjust we've got to do this whatever his ideas were and clearly they were at odds over it it was agree to disagree situation where they continued to play the way the coach had wanted them to play and now suddenly they're down three games to one against a very good Penguins team. And it was the frustration of that in the moment for Alfredson that came out when he's asked about, you think you can beat this team three times in a row?

And he goes, probably not. Anyway, it could be something completely different. Reminds me of when Matthew said the passengers, right? Well, there's something a little more recent. Yeah. Yeah. But it's a good I'm glad you remind me of that. It's just in the moment. Yeah, these guys they care man.

They absolutely care. They absolutely care. You know, a couple things Panthers. Bennett, that's going gonna be a big one. Whew! Con Smythe trophy winner to boot. Yes. Very well deserving. Yeah very well. You know like I think this is coming out today so I'll say it. I had Marshand, Bennett, Bobrowski, those were my three. So you had Marshaan one in the end. I did. I did. It was tough. It was really tough.

Yeah, really difficult choice. You know, I think that, you know, I got an interesting call. You know, I started looking like it was it was really hard. I'm not going to deny it. It was it was it was really hard. I'm not gonna deny it. It was it was it was really hard. And by the way the stuff that Bennett said about Marchand, it was just unbelievable timing about how Marchand was lifting the Stanley Cup as we spoke to Bennett and you know I give credit to the sports editors who edited

out the swearing even though I think it should just stay in like it's winning let the swearing stay in there. That's right. But you know I had a coach who called me and and he said because he heard me talking about it in the last pod with you and this really stuck with me and he said here's why my vote would be Marchand if you know you know and if you still are stuck and I said okay and he said you got to think about this guy. He's the captain of the Boston Bruins he's trying to work out a way to stay with the Bruins and he gets traded at the last second and he's traded to Florida one of your biggest rivals even though he wanted to go there and

He's not with his family as he said his family doesn't go with him, right? And he's used to being the captain and a big voice. And they basically tell him you're going to be on our third line and he doesn't play the rest of the regular season. And you know, you're going to be on the third line. And we need you to accept that you're going from the captain of the Bruins, the first line or the third line here. And he does it without missing a beat. And it just goes you it goes to that culture they have the the the servant leadership kind of thing.

Viola talked about earlier. But he said that, you know, this is a coach has been around a while and he's in a lot of trade deadline acquisitions. And very few of them go that smoothly and he said if he was casting a vote he would add to Marchand because of that and that wasn't the reason I did it I think Marchand he looked at some of the biggest overtime goals Toronto this Stanley Cup final ultimately that's why I did it but I certainly don't have a problem with Bennett winning it he was number two on my ballot.

But you know to hear Bennett talk about Marchand it was incredible a lot of those interviews were great or excellent they always are you know Aaron Echblad talking about his brother I didn't realize that would be the reaction that Echblad would have. He did mention while we were waiting to talk to him that he was happy. His brother, his brother couldn't make it for game seven last year. So he wasn't there for the celebration. And obviously that was very emotional for him. Just I mean, some of those so many of those interviews

were so great, like Bennett, I think they've offered they offered him during the year the Verhege deal eight times seven same bonus structure Verhege has the structure that obviously didn't get it done. I think the Panthers are going to have to bend a little bit here. I just like it's such a perfect marriage, Kyle, I don't understand how they can't make that work Like everybody's yes a compromise You know Marshaan will get into that a little bit more on Friday

But I think like I think Marshaan is gonna have like I mentioned on the pod earlier in this series The word was three. There was a three times eight out there I had people tell me it's gonna be there's's going to be offers that are going to be bigger than that. And you know, it's I mean, I don't know, like I could see him staying in Florida. But again, it's one of those situations everyone has to bend. And Echblad, he played the best hockey of his career, and we'll see. But, you know, they also came in came in well like I don't know when the last time they even spoke to Echblad was but last year around you know the draft they came in lower than he is now right so you know everybody here is gonna have

decisions to make. If you want to be a Panther you have to bend a little bit but in some of these cases Bennett and Echblad they're gonna have to be a Panther you have to bend a little bit but in some of these cases Bennett and Eklat they're gonna have to bend a bit so we'll see where this all goes I mean the one thing that helps them is that players now want to play there and good players now want to play there but you know remember Reinhardt they got him done like right before the deadline where he could sign for eight years it came right down to the wire. So, you know, we'll see what happens here. I think they're on stage at their parade

when they signed the contract. Yes, it's right there. Because everything was so truncated. Yeah. Yeah. Well, Zito, who's always known to have his quick wit about him, I guess was asked on the ice afterwards

about how badly do you want Brad Marshawn back next season? And he responds, I bought a Dairy Queen. That's pretty funny. That's really funny. You know, by the way, Matthew Kachuk in his interview with Darren Pang, Yes.

He confirmed what a lot of us believe that he had torn the doctor right off the bone. The first time he ever admitted it. But that's what the belief was what he didn't answer and I'm hoping will come clear in the next few days. I think he did it in the fight against Brandon Hagel at the at the four nations. That has been the rumor too. So hopefully we'll find out if that's true. Like initially with Gene he wasn't biting but his defenses were worn down and he admitted it. You know as we talked about he'd gone to Germany to see the same Dr. Austin Matthews had seen.

But that was what it was rumored to be and as Kachak said, it was really touch and go about whether or not he was going to be able to do it. And he credited his fiance and credit to him too. He got better. When Reinhardt got hurt against Carolina, I think the feeling was, um, that it was going to bother him, that he's going to miss some time, but he would be better in June. And that was exactly the way it played out. He missed what a game, but you could tell he wasn't himself.

But by the time mid June rolled around, he was pretty good. Really good. Boy. Yeah. He was excellent as this, as the series wore on. And there were some people who said to me, do you think like there was someone who texted me like right before the game? Like, do you think Reinhardt really deserved to be one of the six for Team Canada? I texted him back after the third goal and I said, are you still concerned about this?

He goes, not really. Yes, that's right. The timing was impeccable. I don't for a second think that he lays any attention to the reaction to things like that, but it was the perfect clap back for Sam Reinhardt with four goals in the clinching game. And if not for Vasily Podkolson, he would have back-to-back ears with the Stanley Cup clinching goal. And we should also point out too,

I mean, Kachak, of course, has a long-standing relationship with Darren Pang, the St. Louis connection, so fitting that he, if he was going to tell somebody what was going on with his injury, it was Pang or? Yes, yes. They have a long history. St. Louis days. St. Louis days. So they led for over 255 minutes of the Stanley Cup final. That is an NHL record, eclipsing the 87 Edmonton Oilers Elliott. It's like the final horn hadn't even gone yet and the discourse had already

started online about I don't care that they've won two in a row and been to three finals, that is not a dynasty. You can't say that's the dynasty. Oh god, I don't have time for this. I know, I'm not either. I'm just saying what they have put together over the last three years is one of the great stretches of success in the 21st century salary cap era whatever you want to look at they have been sensational so congrats again to the cats they do it again talk about one thing that has suddenly become a debate oh sure this thing about McDavid's legacy. Oh, boy. This is the stupidest debate in sports right now. The stupidest.

First of all, that's saying a lot. Yes, I was on with Ailish and Justin before the game, and they asked me about this and I said to Ailish, I am. I am the wrong guy to ask this question because I do not believe in legacies. I don't. I think when you're gone, people move on. We remember people who were important to us and generally we remember them in very good ways, especially if they were important to us for positive reasons. positive reasons. You know, Connor McDavid, he's 28 years old, he's going to be playing if he wants to, for another 10 to

15 years, just helped win Four Nations in a great hockey tournament. I think this idea that, you know, his, it was bad for his legacy was on the line for winning this game tonight or winning this. I think it is so stupid and so insane. He's got so much of a career left. Like just dumb, just dumb debate. Just the dumbest. Dumb-est. Yeah, well I don't. When you're still in the middle of a career, absolutely. There is no reason to have any type of discussion. When it's all said and

done, I totally get your point, Elliot, like at the end of the day we move on. But to have the conversation then, then that's fine. Because that's part of sports fandom is you get together with your buddies at the local watering hole or wherever you gather. And the debate starts up about, well, that guy was better than this guy. And it's, you know, no, Gretzky was better than Lemieux. No, you're wrong. Lemieux was like, like that's that's part of what makes all of this great. But to try to in real time, like that's why also to write through two games of this final, it was this was the greatest Stanley Cup final that this world has ever seen. Well, how can you say that?

We haven't got to a conclusion yet. Everyone wants to live in a world of absolutes. How dumb, dumbest, dumbest. OK. A couple of things before we wrap up here from the top. dumbest Okay a Couple things before we wrap up here from right I Would like to thank The member of the Maurice entourage. I don't know who it was But I know it was a member of Paul Maurice's family slash entourage

Who said hi to David Amber and asked him during the celebration? You the anonymous caller? Oh Wow Really yes, I Wonder if it was his son Jake I Don't think it was Jake. Okay, I think so. Okay. It was not the way it was described to me. It wasn't Jake but somebody in the entourage asked, asked him if he was an anonymous caller.

And okay, I got to tell one story. Amber, I love working with Amber. He's just a super guy. One of my best friends in the business. I just, I love working with him. So after the game, the Oilers left, they were really angry. And you know, a whole bunch of pizza gets ordered at postgame. And they left. Amber grabbed the box. It was So, now, to his credit, he brought it back for the people, for the

staff in the green room. Yeah, but it's not his pizza. Uh but to me, there is just some, there's a pizza here. Nobody's eating this. We'll take it. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know There's a pizza here. Nobody's eating this. We'll take it.

Because the man, he does need to eat. He gets very crummy. It was a long day. You're on. Oh, I know. I totally I know. Yeah, it is a grind for you guys. It was great. So I hope the pizza was eating. Those interviews make

you hungry. Oh yeah. When I got back, the box was totally empty and someone said to me, do you want to know the story of this pizza? And I'm like, sure. I was like, this story did not disappoint. That's good. Yeah. Leave the DA. That's fantastic. Well, now we just wonder, will the story of the anonymous voicemail become nothing more than a cold case file? Because as they stated in their last message, they would reveal themselves if the oilers won. So do we have to continue to wait until the year

that the Oilers... I think that's up to the anonymous caller. Only they can decide. Well I'm just trying to lure out one final message from them to give us something to hang our hats on as we move into the the offseason and get set for the draft and free agency and all of that. All right. Wow. Last last thing I'm going to say on the Cup Final before we move to news. Okay. We missed you here. Oh, thanks. I was told to make sure that that was that was conveyed. Gene Principe did an incredible job these playoffs. Sure dad

his role as the ringside reporter at the Stanley Cup final. Just a great run, Gino, but we all you're away for the best reason, but we all missed you here. I appreciate that for you, Jed. Gene was great. As I said, one thing is a bummer to miss, the other one I can't miss. So we remain in day-to-day mode here at home for the arrival of our first born, Elliot. So yes, thank you again for that. And one of my favorite parts of the Stanley Cup final experience is the post-series gathering with our group at whatever hotel we're staying at the final night before

everyone takes off for the off season. And that I know is where you are headed next after we get through the rest of this. So go enjoy that. Thank you, Kyle. We now bring you the rest of our podcast. Okay, Elliott, some other things to touch on around the league. Marco Rossi and the Minnesota Wild. So Rossi is due a new contract this summer, doesn't have any arbitration rights coming out of his entry level deal.

The Wild, finally, the shackles are almost off as owner Craig Leopold has talked about all that dead cap is coming off the books starting July the 1st. But his name has been out there for a few different reasons lately. What is the latest you can provide on that matter? I just wanted to remind everybody there's been a lot of rumors flying around about Rossi. I just want to remind everybody that Minnesota has made it very clear

if they're making this trade They're not making their team worse like There's a lot of talk going out there right now and I think one of the real challenges to Making trades at this time is that? Everybody is trying to get better, basically with the exception of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is, what was the joke you told about there's a car going the wrong way on the highway and he says, nevermind, there's 50 of them.

Yeah, there's not just one there's hundreds. It's not just one there's hundreds. That's Pittsburgh there There's a car on this highway like there's a car on this highway that's trying to get better There's not just one there's 31 of them and the other one Pittsburgh is going in the other direction So that It's like planes trains and automobiles. That's you're going the wrong way. Oh, he's drunk How does he know which way we're going? We're going. Yes So like that's the thing that's going on right now is a lot of people want to make trades a lot of people want to

make big moves But the teams that you want to trade with they all want to do the same thing so that's what we've got to remember that these teams don't want to get worse and That's the big challenge with making a Rossi trade because this is not about Rossi the player this is just Rossi and the team disagreeing on his monetary value and That's why we are where we are in this situation his monetary value. And that's why we are where we are in this situation. But the Wilde aren't trading this guy without a plan to make their team better. They're not going backwards.

Do you suspect that the Wilde were a team that were frowning even slightly when it was announced that Brock Nelson had re-upped with Colorado? I think it was a possibility for them. Absolutely. Just wondered as a Minnesota guy. Yeah, I think it was an option for them, for sure. Absolutely. Okay, how about Alex Tuck? It seems like at least, if it's not every podcast episode here

as we're getting closer to the official start of the off season, it's every other one. We're talking about the Buffalo Sabres in some shape or form. What up with Alex Tuck, who's entering the final year of his deal? I got some DMs from Sabres fans who were, you know, after the last one with Paterko, when we talked about the strategy

and the situation around him, it kind of changed. They were panic asking about Tuck, because as Tuck changes his mind too, like how does he feel? Because he's eligible for an extension on July 1st. And I just wanted to say like there's zero indication out there that Tuck has either told the savers he wants to be traded or he won't sign an extension if one is offered to him. Like someone sent me a note, I guess it was just a tweet saying that they heard he told

them that he won't re-sign with them. As it stands right now on June 18th, I don't believe that's true. So I mean, we'll see what happens. Obviously at some point in time the Sabres will go to him about an extension because he can sign one after July 1st but I'm under like but I've been told there's no indication that Tuck has told the Sabres he won't consider it. So we can put the brakes on that one at least for a little bit. All right and you talked about Paterka there.

And certainly, that got a lot of play coming off the last episode. And then on Monday, all the teams gearing up for men's hockey at the Olympics released their first six names to their roster. And interestingly, Paterka was not among those listed to Team Germany. But you think there is a sound reason for it. Well, someone sent me a post, I guess it's on the German official Instagram page, that

they were asked about it. And they brought up the fact that he doesn't have a contract yet for next year. Now, please understand. I haven't done research into this, so I can't say it's a hundred percent the case, but I know this has happened before. There have been situations where players without contracts have not participated in tournaments because they don't. There's an argument over the insurance who pays it how much it is like there was one player who's told me in recent years He didn't go play in the World Championships

Because the insurance on his on to go play there because he was unsigned he was heading into unrestricted free agency hockey Canada didn't want to pay it and he said he understood it was it was a big number. So he he didn't go. Now, I know that in the past, in as part of these Olympic negotiations for NHL players to go, insurance has been not so much a fight. Everybody knows that you have to have insurance for the contracts, even if the guys are signed. But who pays it and what percentage of like basically how the breakdown to pay it is done.

And the league said at the State of the Union address here before game one, that they still haven't officially signed the deal for the Olympics next year. It's not like it isn't gonna happen. Everybody's going, it's just not signed. And I could see a situation where Germany and the other countries and the players are saying, we're not officially naming anyone until you've got a contract

because some of the biggest insurance is on players who aren't signed. So at the beginning, I was the same as everybody else. I was like, how could Piterka not be one of the first six on the German team? But when someone sent me that posting, at least I could say to myself, that's reasonable. Now I could be totally wrong here, but I do know this has been a thing in the past. So when I heard it, it said, you know what? That makes some sense to me.

And do you think it's, is insurance the main reason why the agreement hasn't officially be signed yet? Do you have any insight? I don't know. I don't. But every time they get asked that question, they always say Don't worry about it. It's great happen. It's just not

officially signed yet Lawyers these lawyers need to get rich. That's why it's not signed yet. Oh Right, right. I like that. My lawyer buddies get really upset. I can see that. Oh, that's good. Yeah, like to just tweak it. My lawyer buddies. Right. They'll be fine. They'll get over it. Don't start panic, Kyle. Don't start panic. No, I just. You can't have the rug pulled out from under us after all this buildup,

especially coming off foreign nations. So it's good to know that nothing to be concerned about there. All right. Also, Elliot, so the news last week with Chris Crider being dealt to the Anaheim Ducks. I mean, naturally I couldn't help but think of Mika Zabaniad. They're very close. Zabaniad had a lovely post on social saying goodbye to his good buddy. It happens all the time. Friends get traded. But what about Zabaniad and his future? What do you hear in there? Whenever I think about him, you know what I refer to him as? Hmm, DJ Zybad?

No, Kyle's buddy Zybanajad. Oh wow. Because I know you guys have a good relationship, you guys are tight. Well, I wouldn't go as far as saying that, but got a lot of time for him. A lot of respect for that guy. That's fair. Perfectly fair. Perfectly fair. Okay, so obviously there's been a lot of news and conjecture and speculation around him. I poked around and this is what I can tell you. He has not been asked to submit teams or waive. Remember, he has control over this. He has the no move clause. Nothing can happen without the Zabinijad control and approval.

He has not been asked to submit teams or waive. His wife said on Instagram the other day that Mike Sullivan had flown out there into Sweden to meet with him. And I think that that that doesn't happen unless that is the initial goal here. That that is what they want to do. Like Sullivan wouldn't take all that time. The Rangers wouldn't send him out there if their goal was to get rid of the player. Rangers fans will tell you that he played on the wing with JT Miller towards the end of last year. There were times that looked all right. I think they would like to see if they could try to build more chemistry between them.

It's always easier. It's one of the best sayings, I believe. It's always easier, it's one of the best sayings I believe, it's always easier to solve your problem than trade your problem. That is always preferable. And that is what it sounds like the Rangers are gonna try here. Put them with JT Miller right from the start,

build up the chemistry, try to make it work, and that is what is going on here, helping to try to get Sabinajad back to the player that he has shown he can be. But the key is he has not been asked to wave, he's not been asked to submit teams, and clearly Mike Sullivan and the Rangers felt it was important to go meet him face to face.

So right now, that's where we are All right Well, that'll bring us to the final thought which is brought to you by GMC and Elliot the hockey world that lost a member At the beginning of this week Steve rich a longtime NHL player agent passed away at the age of 64 you posted online the other day for, that really enjoyed your conversations with him. Smart man, great outlook on life. I dealt with him, I think, maybe just one time over the years, but he would have been

someone that you dealt with far more regularly and had a big hand and a pretty big piece of the league's history, too. That's right, Kyle. That would be helping broker and steer Mario Lemieux into ownership of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was a big part of that process as someone Lemieux trusted and confided in. I had actually sent him a text at game three of the Stanley Cup final because one of the things I like to do, Kyle, is I like to take pictures of different jerseys in the crowd, right? So when we were in Edmonton for games one and two, I saw Jordan Eberly and I took a picture of it and I sent it to Eberly and he had a pretty funny comment about it and I saw a Doug Waite and I sent it to Doug Waite and he loved it. He loved that and

And then in game three in Florida I saw a Vincent Trocheck and I wisely Trocheck has never given me his number so I don't have Trocheck's number but Rich represents Trocheck so I sent it to Steve Rich and we were just having a good laugh about it. People I think a lot as you can imagine a lot of people really like it when, you know, there's a big game like this one and one of their jerseys or one of their only or one of their clients jerseys shows up in the crowd. And he laughed, he wrote, I'm just reading, he had this big laugh when he saw the Trojik jersey goes, that's a keeper. And you. And you could tell he was really happy that his client was remembered in that way.

And then of course we heard on Monday that he'd passed away suddenly of a heart attack on the weekend. And he was a really easy guy to deal with, really friendly. And that agent business, Kyle, is a really tough business. I think it's the toughest business in sports. I really do. It's competitive, it's ferocious. The competition for players is more fierce. I think that's anything that's played on the ice or any of the different fields of play. And when the post came out and the news came out, there were plenty of other agents reaching out to hear exactly what happened.

So I think that's the ultimate compliment. It's really sad and there were a lot of good tributes to him out there. But just for myself, I really liked dealing with him. It was basic in the sense that he might be limited in what he might share with you but you knew the information was always true and I really appreciated that and his funeral actually is on Wednesday today. So just wish his friends and his family the best. I know there were some people going across North America to get there. Gosh, yeah, wonderful to hear. And as you know, I mean, Mario Lemieux keeps a pretty tight circle.

So the fact that he was part of it, I think says a lot about his character and how he was valued there. So you bet. Love and condolences to the friends and family of Steve Rich. That was the final thought brought to you by GMC. love and condolences to the friends and family of Steve Rich. That was the final thought brought to you by GMC. We'll take our first break and come back with a thought line. You're listening to 32 Thoughts, the podcast.

["Thoughts"] All right, welcome back. Time once again for the Thoughtline. Elliot, anything to get off your chest before we get started today? Yes, there's a couple things here. I just want to mention three of them. Number one, we were talking about game one of the Calder Cup final where the controversial non-goal was scored. And on the last pod, the role that the officials played, controversial non goal was scored and on the last pod the role

that the officials played the one Lionsman trying to get the other's attention and the fact that Shelaws may have been talking to the referee in the corner. Well, I got to know from someone who said that another person who probably got a little bit of a talking to was Abbotsford's center Probably got a little bit of a talking to was Abbotsford's center and Manny Malhotra is the coach of Abbotsford and he was one of the best centermen of all time in terms of alertness and knowing what your roles and responsibilities are and Malhotra would have known that you never get in position or set to take the draw until you make sure everyone else is ready.

The goaltenders and your defensemen and forward, are you in the proper position? Are you ready to go? And this person pointed out that he guarantees the Abbotsford Canucks center was told, hey, if your goalie is not ready and you should check you do not get set to take that draw so I just thought that was a very interesting perspective I wanted to shout out Jack McKenzie someone sent me a note Jack McKenzie is about to turn 95 years old next month. And he was a member of the Canadian Olympic team in 1956. The team won a bronze medal. He had eight goals and seven games and was named the tournament's top forward, turning 95 next month. So happy birthday, Jack wanted to send

a shout out to him. And he played for the Kitchener Waterloo Dutchman at the time at that time club teams represented Canada and the Dutchman Were the team that went there and won bronze that year and the other thing I wanted to read out Something from one of our Finnish listeners. I had an Instagram DM sent to me by Thomas Jarvinpa. And so we were talking in our last pod about Barkov and ice cream. And I asked Barkov on the second off day between games five and six, did you actually eat the ice cream at Dairy Queen?

Because Kyle, you had said you would be shocked if he put that stuff into his body. And he smiled and said, yes. I go, whatever you have. I said, what did you have? He said, whatever Marshand eats. That's what I eat. That's a great answer. I'll have what he's having.

Okay. When Harry met Sally, I'll have what he's having, so to speak. So Thomas wrote, Hi Elliot, absolutely love 32 Thoughts, been a fan for years now. Thank you, Thomas. But there's always a but and here is the but However, I feel like you saying Barkov is another convert to the world of ice cream is a bit of a stretch Finland has been number one in the world in ice cream consumption for years Although this year was the was very different I bet Sasha's had his fair share of ice cream even before the public appearance in Dairy Queen. Really? Keep up the good work with the cast. Thomas. So let me just say to Thomas and all Finns, I would like to apologize for being ignorant of Finland's love for ice cream. Anyone who loves ice cream is good

with me. And I'm also apologizing because I know several Finns like Jarmo Kekilainen, who definitely look like they could beat me up. Yes. Well, that's how they get you, because a lot of them look like they don't touch ice cream. They look fantastic. Right? Yeah. Compared to you and I, I didn't know they tracked that stuff. Oh, yeah.

Wow. Geez. Yeah, you bet. I'll have to eat that one too. Apologies from both microphones here. eat that one too. Apologies from both microphones here. And also a tip of the cap for being at the top for so many years. Yes. I've always wanted to go to Finland. I've been to Sweden. I've always wanted to go to Finland and their love for ice cream makes me want to go there more. That's right. I know you're not big on awards Elliot, but that's one that you have to own with great pride. That's right. I know you're not big on awards, Elliot, but that's one that you have to own with great pride. That's right. That's right. Ice cream consumption is an award worth winning. That's good. Oh boy, okay.

We'll begin this edition of the Thoughtline Back in North America. Josh from St. Albert. Hey Elliot, Kyle and Dom. At what point does the refusal to call penalties in the third period and over times of playoff games actually do the opposite of letting the players decide the outcome? There is a rule book for a reason and to completely change how you call penalties based on the situation is rewarding teams and players for breaking the rules, knowing they will not get called. I fail to understand how we consistently see penalties called in the first and second periods, and then the standard completely shifts to where you either have to murder someone or flip the puck over the glass to get a penalty. I understand wanting to let the players decide who wins but it seems to me that being unwilling to call blatant penalties rewards those breaking the rules and isn't fairly letting the players decide who should win. Any insight or your opinion on this would be greatly appreciated. I've heard this argument a lot and I think it's a fair argument. I

know players like McDavid feel that way very strongly. Call the rule book. When McDavid was on the competition committee a few years ago and they talked about what rule changes could be made, one of the things he said was just call the rule book. Because I really tried to find out what he said and he had indicated that to me and a few other people in the room had indicated to me that's what he said, call the rule book. So you have a pretty important opinion on your side. I actually feel, Kyle, and you can tell me if you disagree, that the pendulum has come

a long way since I was younger. Now you're obviously a lot younger than me, but when I was a kid, you almost never called a Pendley's in overtime. I joked the other night that, and I said it on the pod, that it was no blood, no foul. It was like prison basketball rules and overtime in this final, and only puck over glass would get called. While I completely still think that's true, I still believe it's come a long way since I was a kid. So there's a pretty famous playoff my youth. It goes back to 1979. The Toronto Maple Leafs played the Montreal Canadians in the playoffs. The Canadians were the overwhelming favourites. It was in their run of four consecutive Stanley Cups in a row. The Leafs had some of their best playoff success in years. And the two of them met each other and the Canadians wiped them out.

They were just too good for them. But one of the games I remember was the one they knocked them out was in overtime, a 5-4 victory, and the winning goal was scored by Larry Robinson, and it was on a power play. Tiger Williams got a penalty for high sticking, and Robinson scored, and it knocked the Canes out of the series. And when Williams got out of the penalty box, he tried to attack the referee and the other Leafs had to stop him.

I think if I remember correctly, Larry Robinson also got in Williams' way and tried to stop him from attacking the referee. Referee was Bob Myers. I just looked it up. And I remember the debate about at that time was, you never called penalties in overtime. And I went through a phase as a kid, as a teenager, where you just never saw penalties get called. And I actually think there's a chance you'll see more of them now than in previous years. But for some people, it's not enough. And it's very obvious that you will get the extra benefit of the doubt.

The player committing the foul in the postseason. Like I do think in game two, they missed a too many men like that. Arvidsson was right to be mad about that, that they didn't call that too many men. And I can't say why it wasn't called. I think it should have been called. But generally, I feel that referees are more willing to call penalties now, generally, than they were, especially when I was younger.

Like those were true prison rules. I don't know how you feel. Yeah. I mean, certainly when I was young, it was just a different game. Like what was accepted in terms of obstruction back then, like it's two completely different worlds compared to now. And you can go back to coming out of the 0405 lockout to when everything started to change. So that plays a big role into what's accepted nowadays versus back when I mean I was quite young and and you were growing up Elliot But now I think it's just that's have some sort of consistent standard across the whole night like I'm okay if you get to the playoffs and The ticky tack stuff that may have been called in the regular season

You're not as willing to call it But just keep it the same from the opening puck drop right through till however many overtimes you have to go. That's all I ask. You ask a lot, Grasshopper. Good. Thank you, Josh, for that. Okay, up next, a voicemail. It is anonymous, not the anonymous,

but an anonymous voicemail. Play it dumb. Gentlemen and Elliot, I have a question. With the draft that is coming up, historically there is many franchise players, there's many drafts that are weaker, but has there ever been a team that has traded the first overall draft pick for any particular reason? I can't really imagine why you trade it when you have a future player coming in that's a franchise player like Gavin McKenna, for example. Also theory on the anonymous.

I think it's wrong. I really think it's Ron. Have a good one, fellas. Ron has denied it. You know who's... Oh, he has, eh? So you asked him? Yeah, he has denied it, but he's got that McLean smirk. There's two people who denied it with a smirk. McLean and BXA, but it's tough to tell BXA for sure because he's always smirking. Yes. You know what name's starting to come up more and more? Luke Gazdick. He denied it. Do you trust him? No. Okay. I'm trying to decide if Luke has a trustworthy face. Just not sure. Hmm. He's a pretty straight shooter, but maybe that's what he wants us to think. I don't know. I'm just saying, as time has gone on here, there's more and more throwing Luke's name out there.

That's all I've got. So the question. Yes. First overall picks traded. Yes, it's happened a few times. It hasn't happened in over 20 years, but it has happened a few times. We've talked about 2003 a couple of times. Florida had the number one pick. They wanted Nathan Horton. They knew that Eric Stahl was going second to Carolina,

but they allowed Pittsburgh to trade up to draft Mark Andre Flurry first overall. As long as they knew as long as Rick D'Ali knew for Florida, he was going to get Horton. He was willing to make the deal and he did. The year before, Florida had the first overall pick and they moved down to third for the previous year. That allowed Columbus to take Rick Nash and Atlanta took Kari Lattinen. Again, Florida knew as long as they were getting Boomiester, and knew as long as they were getting boomy stir, they were willing to go down two spots. 1999, the famous one.

Where Brian Burke won the lottery. Got to fourth, then moved up to get the Sedin twins. Atlanta got the first overall pick and took Patrick Stefan Now one of the ones there's a few around there like that But one of the ones that is most famous that we should mention That actually ended up being the number one overall pick was the pick that the Montreal Canadians got to acquire Guy Lafleur. Why don't you take us through that since you're nodding about it? They didn't trade for the number one pick, but they made a trade that

ended up getting them the number one overall pick. Right, because it was over a year beforehand. May of 1970, they made a trade with the Oakland Seals that brought in their first round pick for the following year. And Sam Pollock, of course, because Guy Lafleur being a French Canadian player knew, they knew what was coming the next year. And they had a hunch that the Oakland Seals might not be a very good team the following season, made the deal for their first round pick. And this was back before they had a draft lottery, right? You finish last, you get the first overall pick.

That's where Oakland ended up. Much to the joy of the Canadians, just as they had planned it. And they got another player that set them up for even more Stanley Cups. And the usual parade in downtown Montreal year after year with Le Fleur coming to town. The other thing that was a pretty smart play as part of that was Los Angeles was also a really bad team that year and they were battling California for the last place spot in the league. Pollock traded Ralph Backstrom, a really good player to the Kings.

Backstrom, I think he scored 14 goals in 33 games there, and the Kings won enough games to pass the Golden Seals or stay ahead of them. So not only did Pollock trade for Oakland's number one pick, he fortified another very bad team so that they could stay ahead of California. Wow. Like a spymaster. Yes, right. So that I would say yes, like that's the most... Tinker, Taylor soldier spy. One of the most famous ones.

Like there's a few others. Mel Bridgman, when he went first in 1975 to the Flyers, that was originally a capitals pick. They did a deal with those right on draft day. Gord Klusack in 82. Oh, yeah. Brian Lawton. That was originally a Penguin's pick.

Now, that was a trade that was done months before anyone had known who would have been picking first. Also, when Vinny LeCavier went first in 98, that pick was traded around a couple of times before everyone realized who ended up being number one. He was originally the Panthers. Then it went to San Jose and then Tampa and the Sharks did a deal in March. It must have been right around the deadline. And they ended up with the first overall pick.

And took LeCavier. I forgot about that one. Yeah. So, yes, it has happened. Thank you, anonymous voicemailer, for sending that one. Yeah. So yes, it has happened. Thank you, anonymous voicemailer for sending that in. Up next, Colin from Saigon, Vietnam. Hey guys. Wow. Sin Chau from Vietnam. Nice. Hello. With Lane Hudson. Very good. With Lane Hudson winning the Calder trophy this year and his brother Cole Hudson one day going to play for the Capitals, my question is have two brothers ever won the Calder and with Ivan Demidob playing his rookie season next year has any team ever had back to back

Calder trophy winners? Go Habs Hmm. Two brothers one Calder. That I don't think so. You're thinking is right never happened. However, the Sodders didn't do it obviously and like the Howe brothers didn't do it. So no. The Hughes brothers. No, no. You were about to say however? I say the second part of that

question. Back to back? Yes. I gotta think, I'm trying to think of when that would have happened. It's been a while since it last happened. Oh really? Yeah. Okay, so I'm going into the way back machine here. Like I know the Leafs had, I think, three in a row in the 40s. Is that the answer? Wow, that's one of them, yes. That was the first time it happened. Oh, that's the first time?

How many times has it happened? Three. So, yeah, three years in the 40s, from 42 to 45. Gay Stewart, Gus Bodnar, Frank McCool. Okay. Happened once in the fifties, happened once in the sixties. Dave Keon, because I know there were a few Leafs who won it in the sixties. Dave Keon didn't win it back to back with any of the Leafs, did he? No.

Okay. There was some stretches there, obviously, because it was original six, where it was kind of There was some stretches there obviously because it was original six where it was kind of a every other year for teams, but not Toronto in the 50s or the 60s. I think I know. The only other one I get and we'll give up after this. I don't remember who the other player was, but I think Bobby Orr won it around another Bruin. Yes. I don't remember who the other Bruin was though.

Okay. I mean they combined on a pretty iconic goal. Oh, Derek Sanderson. Yes. That's a good clue, I have to say. I don't know who the other one is. No, it's a good clue, I have to say. I don't know who the other one is. I can't think of who that would be. No, it's a tough one. Yeah. The New York Rangers, 53 and 54, Gump Worsley and Camille Henry.

Well, I obviously do know both those players. I never would have put that together. Never, never. No one would. Yeah. I don't think anyone's holding you to that one. Okay. A couple more things to get to here. We're coming off Father's Day.

How surprised was Max, by the way, when you showed up Sunday? He was very surprised. He didn't know what to say for a couple of seconds. It was nice. Thank you. Oh, cool. Nicely done. All right. So the next submission comes in from Dominic Jr. Oh, God. What? I cannot wait to hear this.

Hey, Elliot, Kyle and Dad. What? This is fantastic. I never thought I'd write into the podcast. That's been the emotional Zamboni of my life, but here we are. After years of wondering why I instinctively duck every time I hear the word levels and cry softly during audio glitches, I finally uncovered the truth.

I am Dom's long lost son. The evidence is overwhelming. I was swaddled in a compression blanket as a baby. My first words were, check, check one two. And every time Elliot says, look, here's the thing, I instinctively hit record. Dom, dad, if you're listening, can we finally mix down these emotional frequencies together? With unwavering fidelity, Dominic Jr. aka the 33rd thought. That is outstanding. But wait, there's more. Dom, roll the last voicemail we have.

Hi, Dom. This is your son, I guess. Uh, yeah. I had a father's day. Miss you. Wish I knew you. Sorry for the poor quality. You know, you're not around to show me good audio.

Love you. This guy sounds older than me. World works in a serious ways. Yes. Oh my God, that's outstanding. Oh, so no new leads or suspects in the anonymous voicemail file, but at least we found out who Dom's long lost son may be. We need to get Maury Povich involved.

Yes. Revive the show just for this. Jerry Springer, I still remember the guy who came on in the disguise. He goes, why are you in a disguise? And he says, I know what show I'm on. That was outstanding. Just the best answer. Oh, great.

What a time to be alive. All right, Tom, at the very least, I hope you sleep more soundly tonight, now that you know all of this. That was the Thought Line, where you can submit a voicemail. You can submit a voicemail. We can bring family members back together, 1-833-311-3232, or you can email us, 32thoughts at sportsnet.ca. One final break.

You're listening to 32 Thoughts, the podcast. Okay. If you can believe it, the 2024-25 season has come to a close. Yes, congratulations once again to the Florida Panthers for capturing a second straight Stanley Cup championship. The season may be done, but our season is not done just yet. So we're going to go back to what was regularly scheduled podcasting, if we can even remember what that looked like prior to the playoffs beginning in mid-April. We'll be back to

Friday and Monday drops and that will lead into, as you know, just over a week and a half from now, the NHL draft in Los Angeles two Fridays from now. On June the 27th, Elliott will be boots on the ground in LA for that. We'll tee up that event and of course there will be plenty to talk about coming out of the draft and the lead-up to the opening of free agency on July 1st. So for now enjoy the couple of days. If you're a Panthers fan, continue to celebrate. And we will talk to you again on Friday.