32 Thoughts: The Podcast - Trade Deadline Wrap Up Special

Episode Date: March 8, 2025

In this episode of 32 Thoughts, Kyle Bukauskas and Elliotte Friedman highlight and break down all the major trades from Friday's NHL Trade Deadline. They kick things off with the Brad Marchand deal between the Panthers and Bruins (3:35). That's followed by the Mikko Rantanen trade between the Canes and Stars (13:44). They also delve into all the moves the Avalanche made this season while ultimately ending up with Brock Nelson (26:24). Kyle and Elliotte talk about what Toronto was able to accomplish (30:35) and get into the Dylan Cozens and Fabian Zetterlund deals for the Senators (38:13). They look at the Buffalo Sabres side of the Cozens trade (47:06) and Kyle and Elliotte talk about the Winnipeg Jets deals for Luke Schenn and Brandon Tanev (47:06). The guys discuss what the Oilers were able to do with the Jake Walman trade and how the Evander Kane stuff shook out (52:48), and they touch on a couple quiet days for the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens (54:28). The Final Thought focuses on the Vancouver Canucks and their inability to move pending UFA Brock Boeser (57:19).Kyle and Elliotte answer your questions, emails, and voicemails in the Thought Line (1:02:48).  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

Last minute possibility, we're hearing that Brad Marshand could become a Florida Panther. Holy! I said get out of the East, Brad! I said get out of the East! So he and Sam Bennett rectified their differences at Four Nations, and now potentially they can be teammates. I don't know how this is going to look. He's out for a little bit of time, but I'm starting to get people telling me that they're hearing that Brad Marchand could be traded to Florida. Hi, welcome to 32 Thoughts the Podcast presented by the GMC Sierra AT4X Dom Shimati is our producer my name is Kyle and Elliott Friedman on fumes but still here standing sitting as a pulse.

How are you feeling right now, my man? You had almost more than double the time on air today on Friday than you did sleeping the night before. Yeah, it's a, you know, I know the rules going in. I think anybody who does this job knows the rules going in. It was crazy. It was big, you know? Some of them are quiet, Some of them have big names.

We had quite a few deals after a lull at the beginning and some big names. Right. Like it was quality over quantity. It felt like here this year, it was, it was wild. Um, you know, first of all, I wanted to just before we get into the news, I just wanted to correct something from the last pod. I got mauled by the Chicago black hog fans for saying that Connor Bidard, Warren a last Saturday night in Anaheim. And yes, I was wrong. Someone said I got fooled by a video or a picture going around on social media. That's not true. I just made the stupid mistake of looking up at the screen because I'm obviously I'm watching Vancouver, Seattle, because that's the game we're doing. And I just put like an eye on Anaheim, Chicago. And I thought I saw the dart wearing an a like,

it was like Pat Maroon. Like maybe I just got the mixed up. Like the common mistake, it's a common mistake, but I couldn't believe I did that and I would just like to say Kyle The good thing about that is it's the first time my career. I've ever confused two people on television. Oh My gosh, that's outstanding I was gonna say you got your mistakes of the week out of the way early because nine years later I could finally laugh about it. You were that's brilliant. Then you were Dynamite here on Trade Deadline Day. So this was my first time in studio for this one. All these years with sports,

and I've always been at a rink somewhere on this day. So I got to sit right next to you, and I said to a few people, I was really looking forward to watching all this unfold from that point of view. So we're all sitting around early to mid afternoon, and the Vegas Golden Night tweet comes out. Hi. Right? Yes. And everyone starts to react. Epic troll job. What are they doing?

But in the moment, what is it? And everyone's Lincoln, Brad Marshand to Vegas. And our panel, rightfully so, starts wondering about that and the conversation continues there. And you all of a sudden got very quiet. And at at a certain point you looked over to me and gave me the this cannot go anywhere But you showed on your computer You had the parameters there that it looked like Brad Marchand could be going to the Florida Panthers you sat on that for a little bit and then what was one of the coolest parts of the whole day? on that for a little bit. And then what was one of the coolest parts of the whole day was when you were finally ready to go with it. David throws to us and you said, yes, last minute potential big news here. Brad Marchand and everyone on the desk, you can see there's not a long yet, Brad Marchand

to Vegas. And you said Florida and everyone lost their minds. It was a great, great reaction. How did this all come to be from your perspective? Because that was the biggest shocker of this day. It was. And you know, it's at that moment when I was, you have it on your screen, but you just don't know, right? I had heard it started to trend in that direction. But I just didn't know. And the other thing too is you don't want to say anything prematurely and what if they are right that he ends up in Vegas? You just don't know.

But I had started to hear it was going to be Florida. So let's, let's go back over the last little bit of time. Tough season in Boston. They clearly had made the decision that they were going to start all over again. I mean, it's amazing. They won 62 games in the regular season a couple of years ago. And I think there's five guys on the roster left from that. Nobody would have, nobody would have predicted that.

And nobody would have predicted that Brad Marchand would have been on another team. And I would say this, one of the toughest things for anybody, and this includes not only pro athletes like hockey players, but it's me and you and anybody out there who's done, I've been at one company or been at one location for a long time. We rarely get to write our own exits. And if you feel the company is losing faith in you, you start to think, wait a sec, what have I done here all these years? Have I wasted all this time?

I don't think that he would say he wasted all this time, but I definitely believe, Sweeney used the phrase, there was a gap in their negotiations. I think it was pretty significant. You do? Yes. I don't think it was bridgeable. I don't.

And, you know, Brad Marchand just was earning a below market deal that it turned out to be. You can't complain about that. You sign a deal and you live up to the deal. But I think, you know, you're Brad Marchand, you've done incredible things for the Bruins. Your number is going to be retired there. You're going to the hall of fame. Your body has broken down playing for them at different times, but you've always competed

for them. You've always given your best and he's been incredible in the community there. And he's done everything you could ask, including win a Stanley cup, being a big part of that Bruins team winning a cup. And I think you start to see, okay, David Posternak, he earns his contract. Like I always say people earn their contract. If someone's willing to pay you a contract, you've earned it. David Posternak has earned what he's getting. Charlie Posternak has earned what he's getting.

Charlie McEvoy has earned what he's getting. They give a big free agent deal to Elias Lindholm and he earned it. Someone gave it to him. Zdorov, he earned it. Someone gave it to him. And you see all of these individuals getting taken care of and you're like, okay, because I'm the captain of the Bruins and I've done so much here I'll get taken care of when it's my time and

The Bruins are looking at it like Okay, you've been great for us here We want to pay for future performance not past Performance and there's a limit of where we're willing to go and he's like, I don't think that's right I think my market is better than that. And I think it was significant. I think, you know, I think there's a good chance it was over a million a year. And I think at the end of the day, the Bruins just weren't going to go there.

And Marchand was hurt and he was frustrated. And you know, I think this, I sat on with, I was on with Nick and Justin earlier Friday. And I said, you know, the Bruins sent him to where he wanted to go. I think there was a big battle over it. And I think Marchand fought, even though we didn't have full protection. I think Marchand fought to go though we didn't have full protection. I think Marchand fought to go where he wanted to go. And if you look at the Panthers, who's there? Gregory Campbell, as you pointed out to me, Sean Thornton, Sean Thornton has become a very successful business executive there. Gregory Campbell's in their hockey ops department. I think he looked at

that and said, I'm comfortable with that. That's where I want to go. Also East coast. Marshawn's a very good family guy. And I think at the end of the day, that's where he wanted to be. And at the end, I think the Bruins acquiesced and sent him there. But I think Marshawn fought very hard that that's one of the things that should happen on the way out. And I know some Bruins fans were upset with the cost and Bill Zito said that it's if he plays in 50% of the Panther playoff games, the second rounder becomes a first.

I know Bruins fans are unhappy about that. Sorry, Sweeney had something different when he in his bowl really good. Yeah, he said 25% of the playoff games in the first two rounds Oh, which like so I don't know which one is which but that's I wrote that down when he said it but oh He said that that's what he said. I was in his press because I was on the air when he is press Yes, exactly. So let's just do this Let's just leave all this in the pod and we'll sort, cause we're doing this now and I'm not fixing this later. We'll sort this out over the next couple of days. Um, anyway, that's what Zito said. So I, I had written in my quickie notes on Friday morning that it was likely going to be this kind of

a deal. Like I think Brad Marsha is injured. And I, and I was under the impression that it was going to be close for him to return before the start of the playoffs anyway. So I know that the Bruins fans, when you look at some of the deals that were made, I am not surprised that this is the return because I think his injury, whatever it is, I think it was going to make teams very careful about acquiring him for this season. But you know what? Again, Kyle, I think it's like, it's, it's really hard. I think it's the Brad Marsh and is going to the hall of fame because of the immense pride

he has. Yes. Right. So if you think he's going to react any other way, you just don't know or understand the person That's the way I see it So and I'm thinking for Bruins fans here You mentioned how quick things turned over from two years ago when they were presidents trophy winners because not only was it Marsha and we'll get To the other ones later, but Charlie coil isn't there anymore.

Brandon Carlo isn't there anymore. Trent Frederick, Justin Brazzo to extent though I know he hadn't been there very long. But that's a big part of their identity and a lot of names that fans had paid money to wear them on the back of sweaters that are no longer in Boston anymore. And it's all happened quite quickly here. So I think about them. What's David Pasternak thinking here? I know Charlie McAvoy's hurt, but for the guys, their team now, it's their team. It's Pasternak's team and it's McAvoy's team. And I'll say this too. It's gotta be Swainman's team. Oh

yeah. Like I, they're going to, people are going to scream at me for this. I will give Swainman a bit of a pass for this year a bit because it, it didn't get done until right before the year. I know there's going to be Bruins fans are going to be like actually setting a real Bruin to my house to chew me up. But next year it's got to be back to the previous level and it's it's this has got to be McEvoy Pasternak and Swainman's team now Okay, so just last year and I would expect they're gonna do more to right like yes. Yeah One more thing on March and like you because this has been a talking point all year was the contract right like you never got A sense that it was really well as there's a time it thought like it could have been

close. But well, but then that probably spoke more to the team struggling early on that maybe derailed things back then. But as things moved along, you never really thought after that point that it got too close to I really thought at the four nations, it was going to happen. I really did there like Like there were other guys on team Canada who thought like it was gonna work after the Four Nations It just sometime after the Four Nations and now it just the two sides dug in and they couldn't They couldn't make it work on a light-hearted note

I wonder how this is all gonna work when Mars Marchand is healthy enough to play for the Panthers. What kind of gloves is he going to be using? Because he hates breaking in new gloves. He will spend years practicing with a pair of gloves before he uses them in a game. And as you know, the color scheme in Boston and the Panthers are slightly different. I don't know if you'll be able to get away with using his old ones. Maybe he has time to get them painted since he's hurt Well, that's the thing like with Canada the four nation question the cuff That's all he had to swap out like instead of the yellow or the black and yellow cuff in Boston

And then he had the red and white one for Canada, but the rest of the glove stayed the same I don't know if you can get away with that down in in Florida with their color scheme Anyway, I gotta tell you that's you know, I wouldn't have even thought about that that's very good, but do you imagine a line of Bennett Kachak and Marchand the Hansen brothers. It's it's even worse Because they could score to at least at least in the 70s everybody had three lines like that like right 70s everybody had three lines like that. Like, right. You imagine, you know, we're going to talk about this. If in the first round it's, it's Tampa, Florida and Colorado, Dallas, they're going to have to make sure those games are not up against each other. Oh yeah. No,

we can't have to choose. Don't make us choose. Don't make us choose. Yeah. All right. So you want to get to Rantzen in here now? Because I think there's a lot to unpack here with what all happened. 42 days, 42 whole days. Miko Rantzen was a member of the Carolina hurricanes. Of course we had talked about it at length. He played Thursday night against Boston with the hurricanes. And then just after after midnight you would put it out there that it looked like things were picking up with Rantanen to go to the Dallas Stars and the big thing of course and an Extension as part of the deal here. So eight years he gets 12 million dollars per I'll leave it to you here

How did we get to this point the timeline with ranting and ending up in Big D? Okay, so I'm gonna go back to the beginning. Yeah, first of all, I want to say this thing I got a very interesting DM from a Dallas sports fan Okay, who said that the thing you don't realize living in Canada and Toronto is how much? Dallas needed this right now Yes as a sports fan down there. Yes. Yeah, great point.

You know, everybody knows I'm a big sports fan. I love my NBA. You, you, you're, if you're not, I mean, we can probably see what's happened since this Don Sitch trade and how it's fallen apart there. But this person said to me, you really have to experience it as a Dallas sports fan to know how bad it is Yeah, like I'm pretty cowboys. Yeah, I mean the Cowboys like, you know There's people who love the Cowboys and there's people who love kicking the crowd

You either love them or you hate them and when they're not going well, you like to bury them But it's it hasn't broken their heart the way this one did. That's fair you just have to live there to really understand it. And so the stars, I don't know if they did this on purpose. They're probably just trying to win, but it's, it's taking, it's taking a big swing at a time in the market when they absolutely need it. The stars are the kings of that market right now, and that's a big deal Anyway, so let's let's go back. I want to take this back

To when Miko ranton is still a Colorado Avalanche Okay, so they make I don't know if it's Someone said it's kind of semantics I don't know if they actually made an offer of 11 seven five or said, will they take 11 seven five, but 11 seven five was on the table in some way, shape or form, whatever the case that 11 seven five number was there. And Ratan and his representatives were like, no, we're, we're not doing that and the belief was they wanted closer to dry saddle and Colorado wasn't going to do that and

at some point in time Carolina was given permission to talk to Rantin's reps and Say if we trade for you, will you sign here? And I've said this before and I'll say it again They believed it was a Colorado pressure tactic Ever since we first talked about this conversation, I've had teams and players say to me, this does happen. That one of the things that will happen is close to a deadline, a team, when talks aren't really happening, a team might call an agent and say, what's your guy thinking? And immediately the agent will start saying, are you asking for me or are you asking for someone else? But anyway, so Colorado, uh, let's Carolina make the call and Carolina makes the call. And I think Ratanen's people were kind of like, this is a pressure tactic, but Hey, if we were in call in Carolina, we'd

think about signing there. Sure. Why not? And so they make the trade and Ratnan is in shock. He is in shock. I'll say he cannot believe it happened. The representatives were surprised it happened. But the Avalanche just said, you know what, we're not letting the leverage stay past the trade deadline. We're doing this now. And so the thing that really hurt Carolina here, like Carolina is taking a beating from some people. I think Carolina, when you look at the trade, when you look at all those trades together, they actually do not bad. Like you look at it and you know, like Stan Coven is a really good young player and you were the one who brought up on the air.

Let's see what they do with the first rounders. Like this trade tree is not over. I think you can look at it. Now people have said you should have known you could sign them. Yes, a hundred percent. But like I said, they tried. They just had an issue where in with 2020 hindsight, the player and the representatives just didn't believe it was real. They thought it was a pressure tactic.

I think they were called the bluff. Yes. Colorado called the bluff. That's it. That's what happened. So, but then it's the worst possible time for Carolina. Number one, they have no home stands while he's there. Like the only ones that they have three games in a row. Like he never got a chance to see Carolina really for any length of time. Number two, the four nations is there. Number three, he's in shock. The trade deadline's coming. They want the commitment. Like I don't blame the guy. He's not shock. The trade deadline's coming. They want the commitment. Like I don't blame the guy. He's not ready to commit. Like I think he told them this was never about the money with Carolina.

They offered him, I think, McKinnon's deal. I think he told them like something along the lines of, you know, it's a very flattering deal, but this is not about the money. And I think the closer Carolina got to the deadline, the more some people there got nervous. I also think that he was not a hundred percent a fit for the way Brendan Moore likes to play. So all of that is, is rough. And I heard there that after Thursday, I just think ranting and knew he, it wasn't working. It was a drain on the team. I think the other players wanted this over. And I think Ranton

and wanted it to be over. Wow. I really think everybody was in a spot where they were like for the best of everybody involved, it's time to move on here. So are you surprised that he played Thursday night then a little bit? Yeah, a little bit, but I think that, you know, they didn't have a trade at that time, but a little bit. So, you know, I think there were some teams that talked, I think the Kings were in, but he wasn't willing to sign there. I think the Maple Leafs were in and we'll, and Nick reported that on Friday when it was uncertain, they offered mitten Cowan and a couple of firsts. I think some teams are interested in him as a rental, but I just don't think there was

a player on the table as good as Stankoven can be that he was the best player that was available to them. And plus the two first rounders that, you know, that that's it's a reasonable package. It's a very reasonable package so they agreed to the trade probably around 12 30 Eastern on Thursday night slash Friday morning and Then you know it became the conversation and it was nerve-racking there like like there's there's all these things that you kind of hear and we'll see what the truth is. Someday it'll all come out. I heard at a time that they couldn't bridge the gap.

I heard there was a time that people didn't think it was going to get done. I heard it one time Dallas was ready to walk away from it and say, forget it and we'll go do some other things. And I think what happened was at the end of the day, I think Rand and Dallas and Carolina both bet that he wanted to play there. And I think they were right at the end of the day, he wanted to play there. And you know, everybody bent a little bit. I think 12 was even higher than Dallas wanted to do.

Like if you take a look at it They've got some big business. They took care of Wyatt Johnston. Yeah, but they still got Thomas Harley They've got Jason Robertson coming up And they've you know, they've got some extensions and Matt Duchenne like someone pointed out to me today Do not underestimate how happy they are with Duchenne So and he's another guy they're going to want to try to take care of a little bit more. So Dallas went out of its comfort zone. They got, they gave structure, they gave no trade protection and Ranton and

took a little bit less, although he gets more with the taxes. So everybody bent a little bit here, but I do think there was a time there where people were kind of worried. But I just think overall, it's the whole situation is a reminder of every no matter your best intentions or no matter how you plan out things. It's like, what's my grandmother's old line? You plan God laughs like Colorado? You plan, God laughs. Like Colorado had a plan, had to pivot. Ratnan had a plan. I think he always thought he was going to find a way to stay in Colorado.

Had to really had to pivot. Carolina had a plan. They talked to the guy. Are you happy here? Yeah. Ratan is shocked. Had to pivot. Everybody here had to pivot. Everybody here had to pivot.

And that's life sometimes. I think Carolina did the best they could do under the situation. I bet you Rantan took that deal because he's like, I already got traded once from a situation where I was happy and I'm gonna try to go somewhere else here where I, I was happy in, I'm going to try to go somewhere else here where I think I'll be very happy. And the other thing too is Andy Scott, who's the agent who represents both Johnston and, uh, Rantanen, the stars were like, I, I'll say

this. I think teams are legitimately worried about offer sheets. And I think they said, yeah, with the way the caps gone. Yeah. And I think they said. I see it, yeah, with the way the cap's going. Yeah, and I think they said, we're getting this deal done today, Rantanin, and we're getting the other one done today too. Like we're taking care, he also represents Thomas Harley, but they can't sign him right now. I think they just said, we're getting,

what do they say, what do they do at the end of Godfather? We're settling all family business. And that's what they did. Andy Scott had himself a good trade deadline. You know, it was wild. Like it was crazy. I don't know if mislead is the right word, but I'm just trying to again circle back

to Carolina's position in all of this. Is mislead the right term here? Who's mislead? Well, just in terms of the idea of when rent it was coming there like were they? Led to believe that he was more interested in signing there than he actually was or I don't think anybody misled anybody else I don't think anybody misled anybody else I think that ranton and his representatives just didn't believe that Colorado was actually gonna trade him and if just didn't believe that Colorado was actually going to trade them. And if Ratnan went to the open market, I'm sure potentially if Carolina called, he'd listen.

I don't think he misled them at all. I think he didn't believe it was going to happen. And then when it happened, he was like, oh my God. And then the clock ran out on the hurricanes. Like with 2020 hindsight again, they didn't have a chance. Right. Right. They tried. They tried. Which you can't fault them for.

This is the business of trying to win. I like that they went for it. And I know when we talked earlier, I said, if it was them, we'd try to just hang on to them. Maybe get a deep run and he falls in love with the city over that time. But yeah, sounds like everybody was... Last year they waited until the end with Gensel, it bit them, this time they came in fast. I just think, and again, I always sit here

and try to figure out if I knew then what I know now, how would it be different? And I think number one, Ranton might have signed in Colorado, and number two, even if he didn't, does Carolina make this deal? I think at the end of the day, they'll look at Stan Colvin and we'll see what they do with the two picks and say, okay, we kind of survived a little bit here, but it was rockier than they needed it to be. No question. So I don't know now if there is a nastier gauntlet. I mean, you can look at the back

salary cap era with what's shaping up here in the central division. We'll get to Winnipeg in a little bit. The playoffs are going to be phenomenal. There's still pace and things in the central and now Colorado. So let's go through this. We mentioned this on air Elliot over the course of this season, like since game one of the regular season began, the avalanche have added Scott Wedgwood, Mackenzie Blackwood and goal. They got nature's injury from the rent and deal. They added Ryan Lindgren, Jimmy VC late on Thursday night, Brock Nelson from the Islanders and then Charlie coil, another center. So you've got McKinnon, Coyle and Nelson up the gut for the Avalanche.

And Jaycee. Jimmy Vesey as well. And so now like we got into this year going, they have elite, elite top end players. Top heavy though. Doesn't feel that way anymore for Colorado. And we should also mention a really nice favor done by Danny Breyer in Colorado to get Eric Johnson there. Like if this is the end, he finishes at the scene of his greatest triumph and you know the the Flyers didn't have to do that but they did it and I heard Johnson was very emotional that they that they did that for him. So I like that. That's a nice thing for them to do. He probably won't play a ton, but it's like Joe Thornton in San Jose. He's there for the vibes. Yes. And he's a great vibe guy.

He's a viber. So, I mean, wow. I mean, you win in goal on the blue line and down the middle, right? You've got all of it cooking. Down the middle, they're going to be phenomenal phenomenal and that they paid a big price for Brock Nelson Like you can't you can't look at Toronto or Winnipeg or New Jersey or any of those other teams and say They they didn't make an effort here. Like look at what the Islanders extracted out of Colorado like they They made them pay they outbid everyone mm-hmm that is truly a prices right winning outbid Wow well you just don't

bid over that's right he don't overbid they won the showcase showdown and the prize was Brock Nelson was there could have been a double showcase that's what they all brought in that's right they got it was in under 250 well it's funny because I think after the Ranger deal Chris McFarland His line was if we can still find a way to improve the team will try how I don't know. Well, they away They found a way Chris McFarland is excellent when he gives his media conferences. I always walk around I always look at them when they're over and said there's a whole lot. He's not telling us

Yes. Yes, so big one for Colorado Anything else in the century one add before we get to the Canadian clubs? Or elsewhere around the league, you know, I think Chicago Ryan Donato. I know they talked extension with him and I was surprised nobody took a shot at him. I mean, especially with how he's played at even strength. If they do extend him, I don't think that's a bad thing to keep good players around Bedard. But I was a little surprised at that. Minnesota, Minnesota couldn't do much.

Yeah, Billy Garan made it very clear. He didn't have a lot that he could really do there, especially because he thinks that some of those guys, including Kaprizov are going to play in the regular season. Oh, St. Louis. I'd be curious to hear with, with Braden Shen, just because I think there was a combination of two things. I think, I think some teams were scared away at the price. I think I heard New Jersey was, I heard Toronto was, but I think also he made it very clear that there were some destinations that he might not go to. I think it was a combination with Braden Shannon again, like if that's in your contract, you have every right not to do it. I think

Nashville was one of the teams around on Josh Norris too. I think they were a team that had really had really tried to get Josh Norris. Jeez. Yeah. When you see some of the other prices of what guys went for over the last couple of days, Elliot, and you think of what the cost would have been for Braden Shen, like you're giving up limbs, I think at that point to just land the player. So Braden Shen, the captain, the St. Louis blues stays put and they're still very much in the race in the Western conference. So in terms of some of the Canadian teams, a few of them were quite busy here on Friday. Why don't

we begin in Toronto? It was a slower start to the day for Brad to the living names were flying off the board and nothing was really happening with the Leafs. But then they swoop in, they get their depth center and Scott Lawton, they get their size right shot on defense and Brandon Carlo. So gone. Some of the names, Fraser Minton, Nikita Grubankin to first round picks. So they taken a page out of Tampa's books. They don't have a first draft shaft 20, 28. They get Law in 50% retained 15% retained on Carlo by the way that we're bonkin that's a flyer yes you see Tre living's line yeah both yeah if you do more for check you get the better paycheck yeah that was a message to him that was a great line but I have to say this like I could see the

flyers wanting that guy. Yeah. That clip's already been circling around Flyers Twitter. He's a Tasmanian devil. You're going to like that guy. He's, that guy's going to be a good player. So it seemed like Toronto was able to go out as the day went on. This nasty liked more and more what Toronto was.

It was initially a B minus. And I think when they taped their post show hit, it was an A plus plus plus. It was like the teacher and a Christmas story, right? The Ralphie bit on the BB gun, the plus plus plus around the whole classroom. He was loving what True Living was up to. That's a great reference by the way. You'll shoot your audience.

I'll say this. There's always things that happen you don't see coming I didn't see Brandon Carlo coming I I did not now Nick said that they tried to throw all that stuff at ranting in it was fun That's wild. Yeah, it was funny. Like why a couple executives were telling me that when it got out that Ratan was going to Dallas if they could get the deal done He says that a couple of them joke They could only imagine the sabotage that was going on around trying to scuttle that deal And I said, are you guys part of the sabotage and a couple of them were like no comment. It was pretty funny The they did not want to see Rantin go to Dallas because it just they just felt it made them too good

But anyway, the Carlo one surprised me But I think there, I think one of the things that Toronto was wrestling with, you know, we knew they were interested in Shan. Uh, they were thinking of paying the price to Shan, but they were, the other thing they were saying was if they did Lawton, um, were they going to be in a situation where because the acquisition now, I think they knew that they were going to have to give a first for Lawton after What happened with Tampa and Seattle that they were going to have to do that? And I think they looked at it like if we do that and do it for Lawton who will they be happy to have?

Then we'll have more to do something else and that turned out to be true. They said, lot of this Shen, we have more to play with. And then they did Carlo. And I'll say this too. It's obvious now. I didn't see it then. I think they worked harder trying to get a deed. And I think a lot of us realized at the time, like we were so focused on a center and then Ratan and I think they were looking at this kind of a situation.

Like I think both Toronto and Winnipeg were poking around Alexia and we're told like this isn't, this isn't going to happen. So but you know, they, like, I like Carlo right-hand shot, big guy, you know, Barube is going to love that kind of a player. And I'm not surprised to cost the mints and like mitten looks like a Bruin center. Like you think about all those Bruin centers over the years, but I liked the player. I liked the player for Toronto. I'm not surprised they went there.

And I think Toronto is a better team after the deadline than they were before it and Let's see because that all of a sudden that Atlantic Division is just a murder on the top And yes, you know the thing about breeze what we should mention is it was a great press conference Like I'd rather have great players than great draft picks and and, and Breezebot is a killer as he's proven over time. The one thing that should be pointed out is it's easier to do that when you're a destination. Now, some of that Tampa deserves a lot of credit for like they are one of the best run organizations in the league and players want to play for them. Look like I think the ultimate compliment is Ryan McDonough. Like who would have imagined him wanting to go back to Tampa after the way it ended for him there the first

time, but players want to play there. It's great weather. It's great taxes and they're always in it to win it. Right. Not every organization can have that philosophy, but reasonable, I know he does and he can. But like I said, I think Toronto is better than they were a couple days ago. I think Florida is and I think Tampa is. I think it's going to be bananas in that division. You know what I really wonder about? Just when you mentioned the fact that Rizboah is in that enviable position to say things like that. was in that enviable position to say things like that. So in this cap era, big thing has always been parity, right? Anybody can win.

And it feels like it's taken a bit of time, but those that are in those no tax state situations have realized, figured out how to maximize that leverage. Look who won the cup the last few years Tampa twice Vegas Florida, and I'll Colorado's in there too. I just wonder see you know how things play out over the next five years We will talk about this. I've got I've been working on some ideas for that. Okay, so we will talk about this. Yeah The one thing is is that you have to be a well run organization. Yes, and need good ownership.

Like what's one of the things we talked about? Florida finally figured it out. Like people talked about Florida as a sleeping giant. Well now, like when they started to get good, and two things happened. Like their ownership is really strong and their organization's very strong. And they got their ass kicked by Tampa all those years. Like Tampa helped turn Florida into

what they are now. Right? Because they looked at them and they said, wait a sec, we're in the same state. Why aren't we like that? And they finally figured out how to get like that. I remember like people said, Oh no, like now Florida's figured it out. Like that's big trouble for everybody. Yeah. Uh, interesting. By the way, do you know who the, uh, Toronto Marlies are playing Friday night? Who? Providence Bruins. But apparently, cause this is going back to Fraser Minton, I guess because of, you know, immigration issue as a Canadian born player now playing for a American representative. He can't do the walk down the hallway and suit up for Providence Friday night. He's got to wait to play still.

Oh wow. Yeah. What are the odds? At least when he can play, it's an easy, uh, move on from one bus to the other. That's, that's hilarious. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Uh, sweetie brought that up in his press conference on, on Friday. That's hilarious. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Sweetie brought that up in his press conference on Friday. That's one thing I hate. I hate missing all these press conferences to do other debriefs. I gotta go back and watch them. Yeah, it'll be a lot to get through there.

Because people are tired, so they make mistakes. They say things that they shouldn't normally say. That's right. We've got conflicting, you know, what's the condition on the pick with the Marchant trade? I'm exhausted, so I'll just say it. Yeah. All right. So that's going on with Toronto. They get two big ads there as they try to keep up with the other Florida teams in their own division. The Ottawa senators are also a team Elliot to they're trying to end a seven year

playoff drought haven't made it since 2017. They had probably the first big deal of the day, bringing in Dylan cousins, Dennis Gilbert, some depth on their defense, a left-handed shot. They're one of the rare teams that are actually more right shot heavy than the left. But Gilbert's now a member of the senators later on, Fabian Zetterlin comes into the mix from San Jose. A nice find. I like Sederlin.

Yeah. I really like him. I, I have to say that, well, finish the deal first and I'll start rambling like a crazy man Yeah, no worries, but they just get another minor league player Tristan Robbins They got the second round pick in the Buffalo deal fourth in the San Jose one and then they said goodbye to Zaco stop Chuck Noah Gregor Jacob Bernard Docker Another second round pick in the San Jose deal and Josh Norris, of course was the big one Steve Stahos

Said in his press conference. He can't let emotions get in the way of doing his job, but emotions were shown here in Ottawa on Friday with Brady Kichuck saying goodbye to one of his good friends. Wow, that was a powerful media conference, eh? Yes, yeah. So you deal with Brady more than I do. I mean, obviously I've dealt with him a bit, but you're there. What do you think about that?

So I think, I mean, you saw him emotional when his brother went down in Florida last year and he was on the ice celebrating. And I haven't seen him like that quite before, but it makes a lot of sense, Ellie. I mean, look, like their friendship dates back, I believe to the US program days, like even proceeds when they became teammates in the Carlson deal and Norris was a prospect being brought over from San Jose. But they have a lot of ways they grew up together that 56 game shortened season. Norris, Kachak, Stootsla all lived together in Ottawa. They were roommates then. Can't believe that house is still standing after that season. That's right. There's a lot of fumigation done there over the course of those few

months. But I think because again, like look, look where things were. I was having a conversation and it's kind of coincidental now looking back in hindsight, but Wednesday morning I worked that game in Chicago when Ottawa was there this week and sitting down with Josh Norris in the dress room just asked about how things are feeling. And he said, I said, it's gotta be fun. Like being in a race like this. He goes, it's fun, but it's like different right now. I said, what do you mean?

He goes, because like there's an expectation to win. And then he referenced that line. Ed Mylott, I believe is the guy that put it out there. He's like a business entrepreneur that winning is more fun than fun is fun. That's what Norris said to me. I like that saying. Yeah and so that's kind of he was like that's where we're at right now like if we're gonna keep winning like this is fun but just all of us being together and getting

along like we're we're kind of past that like it's time to win. And you could tell he was you know thinking that this was gonna be a playoff chase and a chance to get in with a group that he very much has grown up with. And now you get, get pulled from it. But it's unfortunately the, the harsh reality of the business because stales wasn't the one that signed into that long-term deal. He wasn't the one that traded for him in the Carlson deal in the first place. And he saw an opportunity to make his, his team better. You can only imagine, you saw how hard it was for a guy like Brady Kachuk.

I think he was a very popular player there throughout that whole locker room. So naturally there's some shock there. But I think there's an understanding where, you know, though they were on the right path, this is a team that hadn't managed to win when it truly mattered over the last number of years. And so Steyo saw a chance to bring in somebody who he fails, gives them a better chance in getting over the hump. So a couple of things about this. Number one, Kelly Rudy was great about this on the panel. Because it was interesting, on the panel, they ran the scrum,

and then they asked to do it again. Because Kelly wanted to see it again. Kelly told a great story about how How affected he was and for those of you who are younger you won't remember this but this was a huge trade at the time when Kelly was early in his NHL career and John Tonelli who was a big part of the dynasty islanders was traded from New York to Calgary and the players were devastated and they were mad. And he said that the two hall of famers who ran that team, bill Torrey, the GM and Al Arbor, the coach sat them down and said, I know you guys are upset. I know you guys are sad, but too bad. This is a business and we're here to win games. And it's tough but that's the way it has to be governed from time to time.

Like the one thing I like to say this about Kachak I think the reason he's as great as he is because he's emotional. I think that's a huge driver of who and I think if you took that emotion away from him he would not be an effective player. So I as or as effective a player So I look at that and I say hey, that's Brady Kachak. I'm good with that Like people say things like all they traded Josh Norris like Brady Kachak is not gonna want to stay in Ottawa I think that's Insane. I agree with you. I think Brady totally agree. I think Brady Kachak is What he thinks about is one thing winning and if this trade makes Ottawa a better team Will he be sad that Josh Norris is gone? Yes, but he will say look he was my friend

But if this works it made us a better team. I accept that so I think that that's crazy You know Norris was out there Vancouver looked at them. I think Seattle, I mentioned Nashville looked at them. Ottawa, I think had them out quite a bit and you know, it had been reported. Everybody kind of knew it. And you know, I'll say this, you know, Steve Stoos, he's, he's good at the, uh, magic Johnson. No look passes.

Yeah. Nothing's going on. Yeah. We're just looking to go around the margins I think and and I think I kind of mentioned it. I think he was trying to take a bigger swing Yeah, I just didn't know if he was gonna be able to do it I'd heard the same thing and and and that's what that's what happened and You know cousins to me is a really interesting guy because there were a ton of teams after him this year.

Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Nashville. I'm sure I'm Philadelphia. I think had been in around them. And what does that tell you? The fact that it's been a down year for him yet. Yes. All of that interest. Well, he's a right shot.

And the other thing too is he signed like, you where the cap is going you're looking at that cousin's deal, and you're like I'll take that I'll gladly take that Now the bet here is that he's out of Buffalo. He'll be a better player Look like that situation has been dispiriting For the fans the organization and the players. I think it's really, it's affected everybody. As I said, and people think that there may like this whole thing now going on with JJ Paterka, same deal. Like he's, he, he wants to win.

It's affecting him too, just like everybody else, but it really affected cousins. Like I'm sure everybody saw that game on, on Thursday night, like Ray Ferraro, he's like, you know, Dulleen's getting picked apart in these scrums and the lightning are you fight one of us, you fight all of us. Like that's how they are. And Buffalo's not matching that and cousins is right in the middle of it. Like I have to think that the way that played out, Kevin Adams has been talking about this for months. And I just think he got to the point after looking at that, he had to say, I have to do this. And I wonder if he had an idea at that point, cousins knew, I don't know if he knew about that specifically, but he knew there was a

chance. Like I will say this, like Adams has been very clear about he wanted to do something big. I think the biggest question was would he actually do it? Like I understand there's a bit of, there's a bit of fear there because you look at Eichel cop, stud player, Reinhardt, 50 goal score, stud player cop. Like just look at all the guys who've gone and been successful. I understand that.

And it was always going to be for an NHL player. He wasn't doing it for a rental or futures or anything like that. But I just wonder if after that game and like Ray is great at his job for a reason. He calls it like he sees it. I could just see after a game like that, you're like, we can't wait any longer. Can you try to paint this in terms of, I know that Kevin's been looking to you're like, we can't wait any longer. Can you try to paint this in terms of, I know that Kevin's been looking to do something here, but just when you look at that trade

from their perspective, because I know a lot of Sabre fans are going, hold on. So we get the player that's a little bit older, the injury history is a bit of a question mark, and we gave up a second in all of this. Like, I just wonder from Buffalo's point of view where they saw I guess the greatest value obviously you're getting a good player there and Josh Norris who can put up some really good numbers Just wondered what your thoughts were on. I just wondered if they thought it was the best deal they could make

Like only they know what they're being offered right? And and i'll say something too. We talked about this with Winnipeg and and we'll get to Winnipeg I think in some of these situations, they probably were looking at players who had protection and were like no Right, right. I see and you know, I'll say this too You know, I think one of the guys they talked about was with Vancouver was Petterson like just the way pettersons been going right now You know, are you making that bet if you're Buffalo? and So I think I think there was a challenge. I think you know, I haven't spoken to Kevin Adams

I I haven't watched his media conference, but watching like but watching this unfold I Betcha there's a lot of truth in everything we just talked about before we go off Ottawa. I really want to talk about Zetterlin for a second. I really like this player. So at the European media tour last year, I had a chance to interview Zetterlin. I don't know him at all. I just really enjoyed talking to him. He was a really interesting guy, and he was fun to talk to. I was like, okay, I'm gonna start watching him a bit.

I really like him. What did Biz call him? Like a human cigarette machine? There's three generations of people listening to this podcast that don't know what he's talking about. But as someone who's 54, I know exactly what he's talking about. And that was, that was a great line. I loved it.

It's true. Like he's like, he's like a box of a man, like very not like, like, um, not very tall, but very strong, very stocky. And I like Zetterdalen's game. I think the Ottawa fans are really goingetterlin's game. I think the Ottawa fans are really going to like this guy. I like the way he plays. He plays hard. I think simply if there's a question here, it's just a lot of us before earlier this year, I hadn't watched him play a lot, but I like Zetterlin. I think that's a, a sneaky good pickup for

the senators. All right. Well, let's get get to the jets then. Okay. So we talked about a little bit and a season that's been going so well for Winnipeg. How much do you really want to disrupt the chemistry and the roles that everybody has? Well, not sure if they could have picked two better players to bring into the fold. Luke Shen, who makes any locker room better, and Brandon Tanev, who begun his NHL career with Winnipeg, still knows a lot of the guys there. And when he was on with us, you could just sense the excitement about getting the opportunity to not only

come back to Winnipeg, but to be part of a playoff run again. Yes. And it had been frustrating for Tanev in Seattle. And I think this is not going to be like that. You know, Winnipeg went for familiarity, right? Tanev, they signed him. They know him. And a Luke Shen is also, he has another year. Winnipeg likes term. If they can, they like term. And I've said this a lot over the last little bit. I think they really tried on some things. I think they, they really did. I, I think they called about a bunch of guys that probably had them on the no trade list. I think they, like Toronto, I mentioned, I think they took a run at Alexiak and didn't weren't able to make a deal. I would bet like like I'm looking at that Brock Nelson deal that the islanders made with

Made with Colorado, let's just say for argument's sake if Winnipeg had to give Yeager and a first for Nelson Right. How did you feel about that? I I could see the Jets being nervous about that About that I'm not to say they wouldn't do it. I mean People people who know the prospects better than I do can argue. Would you rather take? Jaeger and a Winnipeg first or

Richie and a Colorado first like people can debate that but I could see Winnipeg being nervous about doing something like that. I always felt that if they didn't get their biggest swings, they were going to try to fill holes. And I think they are clearly trying to they ended up going trying to fill holes. And that's the one thing with the Jets. I always judge them based on what I think is available to them and I think this was among the best of probably what they got available to them All right. Yeah, I cost them two seconds and a fourth to bring in big prices like big price

We're like that's a lot everywhere. But I mean look at the prices everywhere like do in yeah, like I Don't know you if you were gonna do it. That's what you were gonna do I I'll tell you this tough year for Shannon with a lot of players in Nashville I think he'll be anxious to prove himself in Winnipeg. Yeah, I'm excited to watch I mean hey We said it was said going in this was gonna be a seller's market, and it absolutely was yeah So just a couple other things I mean Edmonton did the deal for Jake Wallman Thursday night other than that not a lot going on Rick on deadline Sorry, I deadline days was simply not a lot going on Frederick Of course was a few days prior to that so they got their work

And they sorted it out with a Vanderkeen to getting to that so yes We're not going to see him for the rest of the regular season no obviously and I do think Again, this is something that we're gonna try to figure it over the next little while. I heard there was something going on like I think there was at least one team out there that thought about Kane. And trading for him. Yeah, yeah so I gotta figure that out who that was but I I did hear something but Frederick I thought was a perfect pickup for them, exactly what they needed.

I'm not surprised they didn't go after a goalie. They basically indicated they weren't. Waldman's a really interesting guy. The pride of Armour Heights and people ask why I do that because I used to live in the Armour Heights neighborhood of Toronto and Waldman and his family lived around the corner. So, you know, I know them a little bit. You know, he can play both sides. He has before it's exactly what they were, what they were looking for. I'll say this, like a couple of people were like, I want to see these are going to be some of the biggest games he's ever played.

Like in Detroit, they were on the cusp a couple of times, but they didn't get in San Jose this year. They weren't going to get in say it's going to be very interesting because these are going to be the biggest games he's ever played. And they're curious to see what he looks like in them. It's a big, big opportunity for him to really write a ticket for who he is as an NHL player. Calgary, a pretty quiet day as expected of being Conroy told our Ryan Leslie. I mean, they got their business out of the way early with the Farabee frost deals. Ryan thinks I talked too much apparently. Oh my gosh. Yeah. He was like, thankfully Elliot took a

breath there. Not surprised. Must have been cold in Dallas. He wanted to get to the hotel pool. I know Ryan. Yeah. Slather on that. SPF 80. Yeah, SPF 80 and get to the pool. I thought maybe the only thing they might end up doing was, was Hanley.

Just because I think there were some teams that were interested, but they wanted to keep them and I'll be curious to see if they extend them. They really like Hanley there. So I don't think that's a big surprise play at all. Okay. And then Montreal, because we'll do Vancouver. We're going to save Vancouver. Yeah.

But Montreal, the fact that they really didn't do anything. So they held on to their rentals our Mia Dvorak David Savard so maybe the the market wasn't super hot for them or I'm kind of looking at this and I wonder your thoughts of just Kent Hughes looking at the group and say all right We're not gonna go out and mortgage the future for right now But we'll keep who we have in house and let's see how interesting you guys can make this thing Well, they've made it a lot more interesting than I think a lot of us expected. Like you go back to the beginning of the season nobody would have thought remember the way Montreal played the first month? Oh I mean end of November

they were... You said you thought they were the worst team in like the NHL. You hold on hold on was it me? I remember you saying that. I think you had the whole James Haggins thing going lined up and ready to go. Good memories. I remember it differently. No, a lot of credit to those players. They've made it interesting. We talked about this. Hughes sets a price and he doesn't go below the price.

I didn't get a sense there was a huge market for Savard. I'm sure there was some interest in Armia. Dvorak, I heard, was a tough one just because it was cap hit and his cash is high too. Like he's cash over cap. So I kind of heard that would be an issue. That's a, but you know, the guys will get a chance to play meaningful games. I do think I wouldn't be surprised. Like I heard there were some teams that were around ranting in, but he was kind of like, you know what? Like you guys aren't ready to win right now. Like, like, like, and like one of the teams we think is going to take big swings this summer is, is Utah. I could see something

like that. And I would wonder about Montreal too. Cause Montreal is a hockey trade point of view. If they could add someone like, Cousins, they would have done it. And I could see you ranting and saying, not ready yet. I wouldn't be surprised if Montreal at least kicked tires on that. So I'm not surprised that this deadline worked that way for them too. All right. And that'll bring us to the final thought, which is brought to you by GMC and Elliott, the Vancouver

Canucks. So they weren't overly active. I don't think we're active at all on Friday in terms of actual transactions. The big name of course was Brock Besser pending UFA. The talks all week long is would an extension get done? We mentioned in the trade deadline preview, kind of where things stood between team and player would it be dealt for assets? Didn't happen.

Besser is still a Vancouver Canuck. And I think the biggest talking point coming out of Vancouver Friday was Patrick Alveen's comments after the deadline passed, when he was pressed about what was out there in terms of interest for Besser and what was being offered. And he had said,

If I told you what I was offered for Brock Besser, I think I would have to run out of here because you would not believe me. I do not feel great if you're Besser hearing that you can totally understand yeah I so if I was Besser that would I mean if I was Besser that would make me angry like it's like I know myself now as we sit on the air we say in hockey people are so boring and then we rip them when they say something. So I, I, I'm not going to take a big run at all.

Vien for this, um, because I think as a media member, it's hypocritical. Um, I'm just understanding that if I was Besser, I would hate it. And um, you know, I think too, for that's, it's kind of like we talked about with Marchand before like Besser's not the same in Vancouver as Marchand is in Boston, but he was drafted by the Canucks. He was a great pick by the Canucks. Like you take a look at players who drafted when he gets drafted, he's done extremely well for himself.

Um, he has never caused them a problem. He has always been a loyal Canuck. Remember a year ago he was unhappy, but he fought his way out of it and he seemed very happy. You can't help but be hurt by that kind of a comment. And I think also too, as it became clear that, you know, he wasn't going to get the contract extension he wanted in Vancouver. It like in that kind of a situation, it's hard because you think that the, again, it's

the same thing again, we say the time of shine, like look at all the other people who've either just been traded there and got extended or just got extended in general. Like you see, you're like, I've played so hard here. I've been so good here on and off the ice and everybody's getting rewarded. And then you hear that and it's like, it's a kick in the teeth. Like it really is. And we'll see where it goes. Um, I think the best thing that Brock Besser can do is play his heart out for the rest of the year because the rising tide floats all boats. But that has to be really hard for him,

really hard for him. And one thing someone said to me, I remember when Alvin got hired, someone said to me, that guy is really blunt. And it has proven to be 100% true. Yeah, so now I just wonder, I mean, because Taka kind of suggested it this week where the message to the players was, look, we've got a quarter of the season left. I know you can't make everybody forget about what went on the first three quarters.

Nobody's going to forget the season that it's been for Vancouver, but at least you can rewrite the narrative a little bit. Elias Pettersson had his Mia Culpo with the the media there was quite vulnerable about how he felt about everything I'm just curious to see where this all goes for Vancouver and can they still get into the playoffs salvage something of this year where so much has just been completely completely off the rails well, I think if you look the other night against anaheim they won that game and They they fought, literally. Everyone did, yes.

Like that's not a team that doesn't care, right? Yeah. So there's something there. And I think the other thing too is, like there's been a lot of questions about Taukett's future, but he's still coaching his heart out. Right. Feels like that's the only way he knows. If he's in and he's in he's in and if and and the other thing too

Is I think the players do take? some of their cue from the coach and If if you're sitting there and saying I'm not sure talk it's gonna be back, but you see him coaching like that. I Think it rubs off on you. By the way one other thing When we weren't sure if best was getting traded today They showed video on the ice of Besser and Tauke at work together. And the thing that really stood out to me was Rick Bonas and Derek Lalone saying, he's

not getting traded. It's not close because they could tell by the way that Tauke was coaching him. And I just have to say, like, it's just another example of the way people in the game see the game and it just reminds me there's there's still like I've been at hockey night now for 20 years there's still so much I have to learn. No it was a really neat day having all the different perspectives in studio as the whole day unfolded there. Alright well that was the final thoughtought to you by GMC. Well done, Elliott, we reached this first block.

It's a long first block. Yeah, it's been just a long day. It's a long day. So why don't we take a break then? We'll come back with the thought line and lighten it up a little bit. You're listening to 32 Thoughts, the podcast. All right, we're back from a short break. Elliot's done his pushups and we are ready for the return of the Thoughtline after a

one episode hiatus and the inbox was stuffed full here, Elliot. So it's tough to choose selections for this one, as you can well imagine. All right. I like stuffing. Let's go. Very good. All right. Why don't we start with a voicemail here today? Justin from Vermont. What do you got? Hey guys, Justin from Vermont here. DeSeth Jones Trade Talk just had me wondering something about salary retention. When you're trading guys that have, you know, multiple years left in their deal, are you able to retain different percentages for each year that remains on the contract? So for instance with Seth Jones, like, retain 50% for this season, 25 for next, and then, you know, zero for the rest. Or, you know, if you retain 50, it's for the remainder of you know if you retain 50 it's for the

remainder of the deal. Just curious if that's an option either way there so thanks guys enjoy the pot keep up the good work. The answer is no it has to be consistent it's not 21 year 50 the next next year, 37 the year after. It's the same thing all the way through. The object, well I love the overall idea, the object is to try, it's like kiss. Keep it simple, stupid. And the simplest way to do it is it's the same percentage all the way through. Yes, it's very easy to get away from simple in this world, especially this time of year. Oh sure is, yes. That's a good question. Okay, Philip from La Vie de Quebec or Quebec City. Quebec City, nice. Last week the Habs were playing the Sharks. My attention was focused on Mark Edward Vlasic, a player I loved watching

in person when he won the Memorial Cup with the Rampard back in 2006. I was 7 years old at the time, so there's some core memories for you. Knowing Vlasic is currently not in the same role as he once was with the Sharks, still another year left on his deal after the present season, I ask myself a simple question. If a player retires before the end of his deal, does he still get paid? Would his salary still be part of a cap hit? If not, when did this rule become official? Thanks for your hard work and go Nordique go. I love the Nordique reference. I miss my battle of Quebec. Every time the playoffs come by

and those replays come on of some of those brutal playoff series I get angry at my parents for having me too late not meeting sooner so I could have covered those playoff series at some point just another failure by my parents the answer your question that's right it's never my fault it's always someone else's fault the answer your question is if you retire, you give up anything that's owed to you. I don't know when that rule change came into effect. But if you retire, basically your contract is canceled. And so if Lassic was to retire after this season, he would forfeit whatever dollar amount is left

for next year, which I suspect is the reason that he has not retired. Yes, that makes total sense. He doesn't have to look far to see how long he has been with that organization. Like Mike Greer, the general manager was teammates with him at one point. Ryan Clough, assistant GM teammates with him at one point, I think Evgeny Debokov is the director of goaltending played with him at the early stages of his career. And now

they've all gone on to senior roles within the same organization that he's still playing for. 19 years. You remember after 2016, you know, he won the Olympic gold medal. Philip mentioned the Memorial Cup. A lot of us think about him more as an Olympic gold medalist in 2014, a member of Canada's World Cup champion in 2016, and he wasn't a passenger by any stretch. He was a pretty important member of the team. And then after that, it just nosedived. You know, it just seemed that he lost his interest at playing at a high level. He just was never the same player.

And it was it's one of the more shocking drops that a lot of us can remember because at that time, the Vlasic was among the best defensemen in the league and widely recognized as such. It's been very, very shocking to watch. Okay, up next Omar from New Jersey. Hi, Dom. This is Omar from New Jersey. Go Devils. I am watching MLB Spring Training and they are currently allowing players, not the managers, to challenge balls and strike calls. I'm sure you're aware of this. Yes. The challenge has to be instantaneous. That got me thinking. Could the same approach be used in the NHL for offside reviews after goals? Offside calls end up being so close, requiring video coaches to greatly slow down video speed

to determine whether a challenge would be successful or not. If the players on the ice had to make the call based on what they saw during real time, I think it would cut down on the number of challenges and maybe result in more goals being upheld. What do you think? the number of challenges and maybe result in more goals being upheld. What do you think? Omar, it's a great question. I would say the reverse because I think players would automatically assume they were never at fault, just like me on this podcast, really. They would say, oh, for sure.

I was on side. You got to challenge that. Or other players would be like, oh, for sure. He was offside. You got to challenge that. I can't imagine Challenging these without the benefit of the video coach. It's as you said is just too fast too crazy There's no way I would trust my players to make real rational challenges

At the speed the way this game is played with everything else they have to deal with So I mean look, the NHL could adopt whatever rules it wants. But as a coach, I would be like no chance am I listening to these guys recommendations on this. We have to take a quick look at it the other way. By the way, did you see that Max Scherzer tree turner thing? see that Max Scherzer tree Turner thing? Uh, oh gosh, glimpses of it. I'm trying to remember exactly Scherzer pitch the first by the way, I cannot wait. I'm going to buy like a Scherzer jersey. I love Scherzer. You're all in

already. I'm all in. I just love the guy. I love his attitude. I love everything about him. So his first start, they asked him about the challenge system and he goes, can we just be judged by humans? So the next game he pitched was against Turner. Yeah, he did. It was again, Turner was the lead off hitter and their friends, I guess, from when they played in Washington together. So the first pitch Turner just challenged it and Scherzer like looked at him and Turner started laughing. He was like, he didn't even see the pitch could have been right down the middle. He

didn't care. He was just challenging the first one on Scherzer. I loved it. That's great. But you know, what's interesting though, so last week, David Perron scores against San Jose and he said afterwards, that he even had a bit of a muted celebration in the moment because in his mind, he was worried he was offside on the play so he wasn't even sure the goal was gonna stand so he didn't even celebrate that hard because he's worried it might come back so there is that. See Omar you can't trust these guys

there was that. You cannot trust David Perron even less than you can trust me that's right. And who would be the designated you got to pick somebody to be the designated I'm going to the official the challenge if it's only the guys on the ice. It's like cash cab, right? It's only the one person seated in the one seat in the cab. They're the one that gives Adam grow the answer. Be like, Hmm, that's a good maybe you have to wear like a special jersey. You've got like a red a red ribbon tied to your

neck. I'm the designated challenger. Yes. Yeah. I wouldn't trust this. I appreciate, Omar, your attempts to speed up the game, but you've got to have a second look at these things. All right. Fine.

No fun. Okay. Jake, from Madison, Wisconsin. Hey, Elliot, Kyle and Dom. With the stadium series happening recently down in Columbus, I just had a question regarding the rinks the NHL builds for their outdoor games. What does the NHL do with the boards

when they take the ice out and take the rink down? Do they clean and reuse the boards and glass for future games? Do they sell or donate them to a local rink? I can't imagine with the cost of dashboard supplies, they would just trash it. So I got curious, and I know you guys have the right connections to answer my questions.

Go ducks. So Jake and Elliot, apparently they actually have two full-on mobile arena setups in rotation at any given time. So this would include the refrigeration trucks, the ice floor, the piping, the boards and the shielding, and all the other equipment required to make an outdoor game. So there's two of them ready to go at any given time. And once they are done, the event is done, they're packed up and sent to a warehouse and is used for the next season or wherever the next outdoor game takes them.

So I don't know when it gets to the point if there is a lifespan on them in terms of when they decide, okay, it's time for new boards and what happens then. But there are two sets basically of mobile rinks ready to go at any given time with the NHL. Nice work. Thank you. All right. Another voicemail. Tim, from Lenthicum Heights.

Greetings, Kyle, Dom and company. This is Tim from Lenticum. Longtime listener, first time caller. I'm sure I'm not the only person who will submit this question. But after watching that crazy penguins lease game, I have to ask ask what is the NHL record for shortest interval between goals that span an intermission? Did we just witness it at 10.1 seconds in Sunday's extravaganza? Thanks for all you do. So first, let me say quickly, Tim, you are right. We got a few questions about Matthew Nye scoring at the buzzer at the end of the second period of that game between Toronto and Pittsburgh over this past weekend. So yes,

so he scored effectively with, you know, a second left and then less than a second. And then the Penguins scored 10 seconds into the third period after the intermission. It is up there for the quickest under these circumstances, Elliot, but it is not the top. There actually are three such walls that happened in shorter spans. Okay. The fastest was just actually a couple years ago, nine second difference. Uh, the late Johnny Goudreau scored with two seconds left in the first. And then Jesper Bratt of the devil scored seven seconds into period number two. There's been two

cases where there's seconds of a gap. And then the nice Ricard Raquel 11 second gap is tied for third fastest all time. Wow. It is up there. Good work. Good work. Yeah. That's a really good. Good question. Like creative question. Yes. Very creative question. Yeah. Never would have thought of that. Uh but he was onto something cuz there was a few questions we got about uh that play there in Pittsburgh a few days back. Alright, we'll wrap with this. Brooks Friedman from upstate New York. No kidding, my favorite my favorite 32 Thoughts

thought liner. Hey Brooks, cousin Brooks. Oh okay this is gonna be good. Okay. Hello Kyle Domb and my long-lost brother Elliot. First off, I am also the lucky husband of a Stephanie. Oh my goodness. So if you ever need another Stephanie Friedman with valid ID, I will have her packed in on the road to Toronto in minutes. It's like the Spider-Man meme pointing at each other. Yes.

My question, so we've seen hockey icons of their generations go on to enjoy some pretty good success as television personalities of the icons in the current generation. Who do you think could have successful media careers post-retirement? Love the pod and let's go Rangers. I was just writing down Brooks as Kyle was reading your question I was starting to scramble some names. Eric Johnson of the Philadelphia Flyers I think he will be one one day and I think he's already taken like the NHL offers in conjunction with Sportsnet a

broadcasting course like Nate Thompson has taken it. I think Eric Johnson actually took it already. And I think when the time comes, he will be very good. Look, we had Jake Allen on last year. I thought he was excellent. Derek Lalonde was on I thought he was excellent. Although he's more coach than a player. I'll tell you someone else too, and I never approach people while they're still playing. But if Anaheim does not make the playoffs, one guy I would like to ask is Ryan Strom, because I think Ryan is in my limited interaction with him. I just find he's really good at breaking down the game. Another guy you know well is Dylan DiMello of the Winnipeg Jets. And if I ask him about this playoffs, he might punch me in the

face because the Jets are trying to win the Stanley Cup. And I think we'll give it a good run this year. But whenever I've talked hockey with Dylan DiMello, he's always broken it down just in a great way. Like Eric Johnson, he'll be delivering verbal beat downs on the air. Like, he'll just be pounding people. I think he will be very entertaining. When I think of Ryan Strowm and I think of Dylan D'Amelio, like we had Jake Allen on last year, the way he broke down the game was incredible. Derek Lalone's been incredible. Like we've been lucky. We've had a lot of guys who are really good. I think that Ryan Strowm and Eric Johnson and Dylan DiMello will eventually add to that for different reasons. Yeah, those are all great choices. I can see either Shen Brother would be

terrific broadcast. Yeah, we've mentioned them before. They've been out before. Also, there Felenos. There's a limit to how much you can, there's a limit to how much you can praise people like this. Yes, the Felenos are a great choice. Yeah, and then when, great choice. Back to the original question of icons,

like I could see Sidney Crosby doing very well in that. I just don't know if he would have any interest in actually doing it, but I could see his insight being Someone that a lot of viewers would really like another one, too He's still in the early stages of his career, but Shane Pinto I'm sure people saw his Colby on the couch feature this week before our Wednesday night hockey game when Ottawa played in Chicago That was a big hit. He's he's a lot of fun to chat with and he understands the game quite well too.

Yes, I mean, I think this next generation will be more open to it. I think that in the past, like it's always been, be very careful what you say. I think this will be different. Brooks Friedman, the long- brother, wraps up the Thoughtline here today. 1-833-311-3232, if you would like to leave a voicemail, or as you know, an email works too, 32thoughts at sportsnet.ca. Thanks to Griffin Porter for helping curate the list. Once again, we'll take our final break and come back to wrap this post-trade deadline

edition of 32 Thoughts the Podcast. All right, welcome back. Before we go, we just wanted to give you a heads up of what's to come on the network this weekend. Hockey Night in Canada is back 6.30 Eastern. We're on the air with Hockey Central Saturday, Ron and the gang, and then two early games, both with real intrigue at the top of the clock at seven Eastern. The Toronto Maple Leafs, if they can get Scott Laudin and Brandon Carlo there in time, they will play Saturday night against the Colorado Avalanche that did some additions of their own, as you know, Brock Nelson, Charlie Coyle into the fold there.

So the Avs and Leafs from Denver, seven Eastern. That's one early game. The other one, an all Canadian affair from Calgary, the Montreal Canadians and the Flames, the rematch of the 1989 Stanley Cup final. Not quite the same stakes, but valuable, valuable points for both teams there as they strive to stay afloat in the West and Eastern conference wildcard races. Then the late game, wouldn't you know it, the Dallas stars just extended Wyatt Johnson and they bring in Miko Ratanen.

They are in Edmonton to take on Connor McDavid and company That's the nightcap at 10 Eastern 7 Pacific on hockey night in Canada I should also mention too then Dallas will be in Vancouver on Sunday that one can be seen nationally on Sportsnet as well. Okay been a long day Longer ish pod not as long as the one we had at the start of the week But a lot of information to get to everyone go get some rest We'll take in the hockey over the weekend and but a lot of information to get to. Everyone go get some rest. We'll take in the hockey over the weekend and talk to you again on Monday.

Take care, everyone.