Empty Netters Podcast - 87. Kucherov is Going to Cuck McDavid

Episode Date: April 10, 2024

Connor thought he was going to get all the flowers but he forgot one very important thing. That’s Nikita Kucherov, mate. We’ve got more empty net drama, a line brawl at MSG, a Hobey Baker snubbing..., and the Stars are too rich for their own good. Plus, all the first round matchups that have the boys on the edge of their seats. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuf52MHW1O7guPMzsMvv2kA FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/empty.netters/?hl=en FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@empty.netters   (0:00) - Intro (0:47) - Chris Broke his Hand (4:50) - No Buckie Warm Up (5:04) - Rangers/Devils Line Brawl (8:21) - Miller vs Marino (14:12) - Sen/Devils Empty Net Drama (24:06) - Historic Art Ross Race (30:44) - The Stars are a Wagon (38:10) - Sergachev back at practice for Tampa (41:31) - Coyotes Arena Land Bid Update (46:25) - NCAA Free Agent Signings (1:01:15) - Hobby Baker Finalists (1:06:41) - Hot Ice (1:06:51) - The Dream Come True 1st Round (1:15:43) - Penguins are not out of it (1:21:46) - Top 3 teams heading into playoffs (1:26:51) - Wrapping up Arm Chair GM (1:28:09) - Saucy Predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Starting point is 00:00:00 On this episode of the Empty Netters podcast, we got a full online brawl at MSG, Devils Rangers, bare-knuckle boxing, let's go. My boy, Sidney Crosby has brought the penguins back from the dead if they can get past the Red Wings who are somehow back in a playoff spot themselves. This weekend in St. Paul, Minnesota, we got the Frozen Four. We're doing a preview. These teams are going head-to-head to see who the Natty championship is. And Dan and I are predicting first-round matchups, and there are some that I am salivating. about. I need a few of these matchups.
Starting point is 00:00:37 Ice is ready and we are back with another episode of the Empty Netters podcast. Before we get into all the crazy shit that's going on in the hockey world, CP, you're not wearing your cast. Yeah, I took it right off. Broke my hand, though. Broke my hand, ladies and gentlemen.
Starting point is 00:00:52 Playing hurt. Out here playing hurt for the followers. Blake, do you think there's a chance that Chris is just a big crybaby Biocch and he's faking injuries all the time. First he's got the groin, now he broke his hand. Look at, I see nothing wrong with the hand. Dude, this camera can't get close enough, but it is no, I think it is purple. Look, I think there's nothing wrong with that hand.
Starting point is 00:01:18 It's so bruised and disgusting. It's a worry. No, I can see the swelling. Like, look at that, dude. Can you see the coloration? Hold on. I can see the different coloration and, yeah, that is, that's purple and, and, yeah. That's purple. And, and, yeah. That's for sure. His hand's broken. It's broken. His hand's broken. I don't have sympathy for you because it's selfish.
Starting point is 00:01:42 It's selfish. You're costing me because now you can't play a beer league no more. I know. I just said to Blake before you got in here. I was like, the thing I was most mad about when it happened was, I was like, wow, dude, that's four or six weeks out of hockey. We were skiing and. Damn, dude. C.P. fell, doing nothing.
Starting point is 00:01:59 Like, I'm not saying he's an idiot. It was just like one of those weird things skiing along a flat, not paying attention, looking at his ski. Got a tip. Got an edge. Oh, yeah. Big deal. Big time. Big time.
Starting point is 00:02:12 Big time. Breaks his hand. Then like a warrior skis the rest of the weekend. Like one pole, one hand did just kept going. I think it was six, seven days later he goes to the clinic and they're like, yeah, your hand is shattered. He fucking shattered it. and so I commend you but
Starting point is 00:02:33 but it's you know this is the type of guy who just plays hurt all the time he's not going to be able to walk like if you god forbid if you ever procreate
Starting point is 00:02:43 yeah you're not going to be able to play with your kids because you're going to be a broken man because you've just destroyed your body and all that said he can't play hockey and it's going to be really hard to watch
Starting point is 00:02:56 because I know it's going to kill him inside Yeah, this is going to be the real tough test is when this gets a little better. Because I couldn't even hold the stick right now, but when this gets a little better and I can hold the stick, but I'm still inside the range of the doctor being like, no, that's going to be a tough one for me to not go out there because I feel like I just will. Did you give you some exercises or something? No. What are you doing to be proactive?
Starting point is 00:03:18 I think you squeeze rice. I think you put your hand in rice. And once you can close a bit more. Is that what the doctor said? Or are you quoting scenes from? from the fighter. I think you absolutely. I know I've seen,
Starting point is 00:03:32 I've got a final clip. I've seen, um, uh, an NBA guy say that. Like that's how you strength out your hand. You just squeeze. Remember when Michael Thomas,
Starting point is 00:03:40 is that his name? The old Saints. Yeah. I think he's, I think he's the current. He still plays for the Saints. I don't know if he's not on the Saints. Michael Thomas still plays the Saints.
Starting point is 00:03:48 Yeah. Remember when he, uh, one off season came in and he said he grew his hands by a full inch? He said he, he said he did a bunch of, uh, exercises and his hands were bigger.
Starting point is 00:03:57 That's really funny. That's insane. You gotta hit him up. He's a hand guy. I'll DMM-G. Yeah, he's a hand guy. Yeah. Stuff to see, man.
Starting point is 00:04:05 It's tough to see you hurt. Yep. Well, dude, I thank you for coming around because at the beginning you're like, dude, I think he's a bitch. And not that I was, not that I'm looking for the praise, but I was like, dude, I don't say shit. Like, I break bones and then just make sure everyone's trip goes smoothly. No problems here.
Starting point is 00:04:19 I keep participating in everything. And then I come back a week later and the doctor's like, you needed to seek medical attention immediately. All that's true, but let's not take it easy, buddy. I taped that hand of yours up every single day going out onto the mouth. I mean, he's not without attention. I needed a little help. And that's what we need in this world.
Starting point is 00:04:41 I need that support. Needed a little help. I mean, I get it, dude. I get it. We've got a big episode this week. Lots going on. We're talking about injuries. We're talking about hands being broken.
Starting point is 00:04:58 We might as well talk about the line. Surprise. No one broke a hand. in New York? Where was that game? New York. Is that MSG, dude? You know what? Surprisingly, I don't have much to say about this, so I'll let you take it away. Here's what I have to say about it. I love that it happened. You knew Rempey was going to go right away. I don't think we knew that the line brawl was happening.
Starting point is 00:05:21 You have a really funny comment about the matchups, which I want to get into in a second. But I just want to say this first. The video of the TNT panel, Oh. Like Hank, you see Hank and like Ace is like running around. For all the, and this might make us buffoons, I don't know. But for all the anti-fighting crowd, you don't know how fired up hockey dudes get about fighting. Like that happened. And us and you and everyone in TNT and everyone I know was like, come on.
Starting point is 00:05:56 Yes. It was awesome. Oh, God. Yes. We had about seven different group chats lighting up. being like, are you guys, is everyone watching? Turn on the game right now. Yeah, it was fucking sick.
Starting point is 00:06:05 That is the most classic. You think hockey dudes don't love fighting? Like, watch any hockey dude, watch that happen. That was perfect. The second it began, I turned the volume on the TV all the way up. I pulled out my computer, got up Twitter immediately. I had it like on seven different things. And it is so funny how there are times where their fights are happening.
Starting point is 00:06:25 Or people are talking about fights and you're like, yeah, it's great. But you know, you're not that fired up about it. And then something like this happens. And I'm like, oh yeah, this is the best thing in the world. So it was awesome. Absolutely incredible. How many times did you guys rewatch it? Like, I think I sat there and probably re-swiped on it five to seven times.
Starting point is 00:06:41 Because there was so much to see. I was like, I've got to watch every angle here. I think I scoured it on Twitter mostly because the coverage wasn't very good. They, on TV, they were so hyper-focused on the Rempey McDermid fight, which I understand, that they weren't capturing the fact that there was, you know, obviously they didn't do anything, but there was a point where Chesty skated up to the blue line. He had dropped his gloves and I was like, I want to see more of that. It was awesome.
Starting point is 00:07:06 You love to see it. I love, and I tweeted this, the photo of Keondre Miller holding Marino. Oh my God. Is such an unfortunate photo for Marino because I'm here to say, Keondre didn't beat the shit out of him. Keondre's not a fighter. He won that fight, no doubt. But it's not like it was a rockum-sock him.
Starting point is 00:07:29 beat down. Key was like, I'm bigger than you, I'm stronger than you, it was a mismatch. I think you said, and you're right, Marino's got to pick
Starting point is 00:07:37 his opponents better. Yeah, but, like, continue, but... All I was going to say is that photo makes it look like
Starting point is 00:07:45 he absolutely ragdolled him. And that's not the case. That's what I'm saying. I would say it was a ragdalling because it wasn't like he was pumbling him. He was more just throwing him
Starting point is 00:07:55 around from his jersey and his arms. Like, if he wanted to, too he could have just absolutely filled them in and I think Marino was doing good defense and trying to keep his distance. Bob and we, man. By Ragdahl, I mean, beat the shit out of him and he did just like... You didn't
Starting point is 00:08:09 get it like a ton of good shots in it was more just like he could have had his way with this guy. To me it was a bullying, not a beat down. Like, Keondre was humoring him just like ripping him around but God is that photo good. And it is... Can you pull that up? The fact that Keondre Miller posted that to his
Starting point is 00:08:25 Instagram, it's in a slide. He did Marino the The gracious move, yes. No, no, I think it is the first. But he did the gracious move of not posting a single photo. Because that would be a motherfucking to high heaven. God, the fact that Marino's hands are up, like, protecting his face, too. Oh, it's brutal.
Starting point is 00:08:48 And, God, I love Key so much. I forget who Truba got in a fight with, but he also had his way with someone. Yep. So here's the thing, dude. The Rangers won the game. so it doesn't matter. The devils won those fights. That's what people aren't talking about.
Starting point is 00:09:05 McDermin won the fight against Rempey, definitely. It wasn't a beatdown, but it was probably a 60-40 fight. And I think by and large, more devils won the fights, but this is the cockroaches, dude. They just had that photo, and then just the literal reality of that line brawl breaking out at MSG, all momentum went to the Rangers. It didn't matter that any devil.
Starting point is 00:09:29 Devils players won fights. It was like that was it. The Rangers won that event and that day 10 out of 10. I'll take it a step further, bro, and not that I need to convince you, obviously, because I know you're on the rags now. To me, that moment, not I'm pointing at Keander, but I just mean that moment and that excitement at MSG against the team that knocked you out last year, those are the type of things that galvanizes an entire playoff run. Or, you know, like the rest of a season where you're like, we won the cup because just like we had the line brawl against our rivals at home and it was fucking sick and no one can stop us now. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:10:03 Can I revisit something you said earlier this season? Yeah. Is it cool? It makes you look pretty cool. Okay, yeah, definitely. It's a good point. Yeah. So the Bruins beat the Panthers over the weekend and that gets them four and no against
Starting point is 00:10:19 the Panthers this season. When the bees played the Panthers for the first time this season, you had brought up some quotes, people being like, yeah, you know, like, this is. a revenge game, blah, blah, blah. And you made the point, which I completely agree with, of saying, if you lose to a team in playoffs and then beat them in the regular season the next year, that doesn't mean shit. Especially when you were the favorite in the playoffs. Yeah, and I completely agree.
Starting point is 00:10:45 I'll never understand people that got revenge, dude. Got re-suck it. And I'm like this, well, they ended your season and moved further in the playoffs. So you're an idiot. You are a buffoon. this is different because the devils are out of the playoffs. This beat down that the Rangers have been putting on the devils all season does feel like revenge because the devils are a poverty franchise this season, humiliating themselves.
Starting point is 00:11:14 Jack Jack is out here saying people pay to watch me play and they've lost what it seems like every single game since he said that. It's just been nothing but fodder for Rangers fans to just rub it in devil's fans' faces. and the fact that the devils are out of the playoffs, this does feel like. Dude, remember? This felt like the icing on the cake of, yep, you beat us last year in humiliating fashion.
Starting point is 00:11:34 We had zero excuse to lose that series, but we are the best team in the NHL, and you are not in playoffs. Little brother, fuck off. Yep. Go die. And I would like it even more if the devils were in the playoffs because they'd be like,
Starting point is 00:11:46 and we're going to beat the brakes off you as soon as we get there, too. This reminds me of socks, Yankees, O3, Yankees beat the Red Sox and, like, horrific fashion game seven and then the next year a rod punch or uh veraac punches a rod in the face and there's a brawl at fenway and i'm like let's fucking go dude and then the socks win the world series that year break an 86 year curse you know and again the devils aren't even in it so they don't even get to go defend themselves but i love this because the rangers are
Starting point is 00:12:11 like dude we will fucking go toe to toe knuckle to knuckle with all of you dude i don't give a shit yeah man i mean it's i just gave johnny shit but as as corny as i thought the graphic looked He is right, yeah. They have a fuck you attitude this year. And it's rivalries like this make hockey great. And I feel like we've seen rival, not rivalries die, but growing up for us, B's Montreal, one of the great rivalries in the world. That is non-existent right now.
Starting point is 00:12:45 When the Bruins and Canadians play right now, it's a very routine game. You know what I mean. It's not a routine game, but there isn't that bad blood feeling. So getting more stuff like this is the best. And I'll tell you what, dude, there's a lot of things to like about the Rangers this year. Obviously, I'm on them. And there's a lot of things that they've done that have been so fun this year. This is at the top of the list all season long.
Starting point is 00:13:11 They have reignited this rivalry with the devils that obviously started last year with losing to them in the playoffs. But they have put their money where their mouth is all season long. And what a cherry on top this season of that line brawl. and just making the roof blow off MSG. Do you see Travis Green's comments? I think it was over this, over the, like, yesterday. He was saying like, oh, yeah, nothing would have happened if, you know, something happened the game before.
Starting point is 00:13:36 Talking about when Rempey didn't fight McDermott. Yeah. Kind of hinting at the fact that he thought, you know, Rempey was kind of told, hey, you're not allowed to fight this game. And then he did the Siegenthallor hit, get suspended. So, yeah, and it was cool because, like, Peter Lavellette and Travis screen, like, we're kind of motherfucking each other on the bench. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:13:55 Oh, yeah. Another torts incident. I don't think they were as motivated as torts was back in. I think that was, like, 2014 when the Canucks and Flames had their line brawl. But, yeah, I love, love a good line brawl. Amazing. Amazing stuff. Let's stay with the devils and stay with some drama.
Starting point is 00:14:13 I do really quickly want to touch on. Did you guys see, uh, I was dying laughing. Truly, and I mean this in A. I don't find it lame or I'm not talking shit about anyone. I was dying after the game when McDermid was asked about Rempey. And he was like, I'll always have respect for the kid. You know, he stepped up. He's fought some huge, tough customers this season, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Starting point is 00:14:36 And like three weeks prior, when Rempey didn't fight him, he was like, I mean, I lost a kind of respect for him. Like, you got answer. So it was just like, oh, really, he did exactly what he needed to do. But it was just such a funny balance of like being like, oh, dude, this kid's a fucking pussy. And then he's like, I love him. You know, I always respect him. So good. Like the next time he doesn't fight him, he's like, I guess I actually don't respect
Starting point is 00:14:55 that kid at all. I'm like, dude. It's got to be a bit. It's got to start a bit all season long. Okay, let's go to some more empty net drama with the senators. So for everyone that didn't see it, look it up. Devil Senators, Nico he's sure coming down the wing on a breakaway
Starting point is 00:15:14 empty net as times expiring. The buzzer goes off. Nico curls and allows the puck to slide into the net. Brady Kachuk, our buddy, comes flying up the ice and is screaming. You can lip breathe. Like, what the fuck was that? You know, and then chaos ensues. I was hard on the side of Ridley Gregg when this happened in the reverse.
Starting point is 00:15:41 I know you guys were against me because I'm like, you can do whatever you want. so probably not a big surprise the side I'm going to take here but that was a nothing thing from Nico in my opinion like an absolute nothing thing and Brady I get a little bit of being like because if he did shoot it like if he if the buzzer going off and he genuinely took a shot not even a clapper genuinely just took a wrist down to the net I think I'd be like fuck you dude like the game was over but just the
Starting point is 00:16:16 way he just let it glide in and then Brady like when it cut to Brady flying up the ice I was like dude calm down like this is not a big deal at all erroneous where do you guys think erroneous on both counts bullshit I'm going to stay consistent with my stance and I think the Sends being on both sides of this they're consistent as well this is the only move dude the sends are out of the playoffs just like the devils yep you're fighting for every bit of fan passion and devotion that you can. You can't let someone, not to mention a captain. That's disrespectful, dude.
Starting point is 00:16:53 You can't put pucks on net. You can't put pucks in nets after the whistle, or after the buzzer. That is a rule. It's an unwritten rule. It's the same reason why the Greg thing was, like we said, I love it, but you're going to get fed after. And that's okay. This one, my biggest thing is, I don't know what he sure was doing. part of me was like
Starting point is 00:17:16 rip the puck in the net while the clock is still going. No, see, that's why I thought it was respectful. He was like, whatever. Well, no, he gets into the zone and the clock hadn't expired yet. I know, but I think he knows there's one second, like he's like, we have won. The game is over. You're a misunderstanding me. I'm saying, if you're going
Starting point is 00:17:32 to shoot the puck in the net, do it the second you enter the zone and there's still time on the clock. Like, he didn't shoot because he was like, the game's over, I don't need to get this empty netter. But I'm like, get the fucking empty netter. So to then go, make the decision, I'm not going to shoot this in, and then wheel in front of the net and go, I'm going to put this puck in the net. It's just so dumb.
Starting point is 00:17:50 That's my point. He actively went, I'm not going to shoot this in. We've already won. There's no big deal. But then he's like, I'm still going to put it in the net. I agree, it's not the most disrespectful thing in the world, but it's an unwritten rule. And Brady Kachuk is the absolute man for doing it. And also, are you going to tell me that you are looking at the other side of the ice and seeing the Ottawa senators and Brady Kachuk.
Starting point is 00:18:14 and you go, Brady's not going to mind you. Wrong team to do it against. Yeah. It's like, give me a fucking break. Of course Brady's going to do that. And it's awesome that he did it because that's why Brady's a good captain. That's why he's a passionate dude. That's why he's one of the best players in the league.
Starting point is 00:18:29 And if it's me on the other side and I'm having a frustrating season where we didn't perform like we wanted to and every game matters because you want to keep the fans invested, you want to keep the boys invested. And the captain of another team slides a puck in my net after the whistle. You, it's truly not even a, oh, yeah, I'm going to be pissed and do that. It's a, you have to do it. And that's why Brady's a great captain. You have to do it.
Starting point is 00:18:54 I'm sure there's part of Brady that went, please don't. Please don't. Are you kidding me, Nico? Because now I got to do this. But at the end of the day, you got to do it, and he did it well. Blake? I think it relates to Ottawa, senators, players, and, you know, the team overall, not wanting to be embarrassed. Like this season hasn't gone the way they wanted to go.
Starting point is 00:19:17 You know, they definitely saw themselves being higher in the division than at the, uh, then closer to the basement. Um, yeah, so I think it just boils down to Brady just being frustrated and just, yeah, like you guys touched on being his part of his identity and just rooted in who he is, who his dad is. Um,
Starting point is 00:19:35 I loved it from both sides. Like I love like Nico kind of, I hope Nico was doing it on purpose. Like was kind of doing the petty, put it, slide in the net like fuck you like look how easy i just scored on you and then you have the senators being like no fuck you remember do you guys remember the there's an old clip yeah just i want to make sure i'm not confusing a thing the the the empty net goal didn't count great it was after the yeah okay i was like no it was after the whistle or it was after the clock expired yeah yeah
Starting point is 00:20:04 that's why i'm confused like if he did it on purpose i think he did it mindlessly me too Because it was a nothing, he's like, whatever, dude. Like, I, in fact, respect you guys so much that I won't fire this into the open net just to embarrass you further. So I'll just leave the puck here. But I'm telling you right now, if he shot it with time still on the clock and ripped it into the net, nothing would have happened. Agree, because, like, that happens and, you know, people are trying to get goals. So I do think it was my, I personally don't think he sure was doing it going, huh, I'm going to piss these guys off. I think he was just like, whatever.
Starting point is 00:20:34 I think he, but that is stupid. Yeah. And I would tell that to his face. I'll be like, Nico, that was dumb. for you to not think this is probably going to go poorly. That is dumb. That is a dumb move. And also get the goal.
Starting point is 00:20:46 Like, get the goal. It's hard to score in the national. Yeah. They all count, man. Fucking A. Had your stats. I can't believe that. It's a wild move, dude.
Starting point is 00:20:57 But at end of the day, Brady did what he had to do. I'd love to see, we'd never prove this. I would love to see how many teams that would have happened against. I think you think all. But I'm like. I think it's all. because this is what I said with the last time against the Leafs.
Starting point is 00:21:14 If Brady doesn't do that, some needle dick reporter in Ottawa writes a story titled The Ottawa Senators have lost their fight. Brady Kachuk has no passion. You hear it on the other side if you do nothing. I agree with you on the Ridley one.
Starting point is 00:21:31 Even though I support Ridley on that, I agree with you if no one did anything in Toronto, the reporters would have been like fucking pathetic that no one did something about this, I really don't think that gets talked about very much if Nico just slides it into them. Yeah, no, I could definitely see the Canadian media. Because also, things have not been going well in Ottawa, not just on the ice, but just like off the ice over the last few years. So like that market is not very secure.
Starting point is 00:21:57 And I'll tell you, as it not Ottawa Senators fan and not New Jersey Devils fan, watching that game as an innocent bystander, when he slid the puck in the net, I went, Oh, like I knew something bad. I was like, oh, let's see how this goes and then immediately. And I'll tell you what, dude, when I was playing pee-wee hockey, I'm going a pee-wee hockey story on you guys right now. We were losing a game by two goals and we pulled the goalie and had the puck in the offensive zone, block shot, miss net, whatever it is, puck rims around. I'm on the point. Guy gets it on the wing with no one in front of him and it's just skating in.
Starting point is 00:22:36 and now I'm coming from the opposite side. He's gone, long gone at the open net. He skates in, slides on into the open net, and I was like bust an ass back so far away from it. Never in a million years could I have stopped it. And after the game, my dad came up to me and goes, I got to say, I've never seen you give up on a play before. And that was deflating to see, and the boys saw it too.
Starting point is 00:23:02 And I was like, what did you want me to do? dive for this puck that I was nowhere near, but the answer is yes, that's what he wanted. He wanted you to put her through. Yeah. And that, that haunts me to this day. So that's the thing is like,
Starting point is 00:23:16 if you don't do it, you're going to hear it. You got to, you got to react. I just, I think I wish Ottawa was on the same side of it both times. Like,
Starting point is 00:23:26 I wish someone had clapped into their open net and then Brady fed him and then this happened in Brady fed him. Like, it's funny to me that in the two empty net things on one side Ottawa was in the like, anything, we can do whatever we,
Starting point is 00:23:36 want to empty net side. And then the other game, they're like, you cannot do anything you want to empty nets. And I'm like, all right, dude. But my, my biggest takeaway from that, and we can move on from this, is that I thought when the Leafs went nuts, the big, the big issue was that was that Morgan Riley went full murderer. Yeah. No one on the senators was appalled. They were like, yeah, of course you're going to react that way, but Morgan Riley, calm down. Don't fucking knock someone's head off. So that's that. Let's get into a point chase situation. Okay. Take me there. Well, first thing I wanted to bring up was, and he was well on the way when you won your saucy prediction last week,
Starting point is 00:24:14 Connor McDavid is at 99 assists with six games left. So barring the sun enlarging 1,000 times and melting the earth, he is going to have 100 assist season. As Blake pointed out, Wayno did it 11 times. Mario got a 114 and Bobby Orr had a 102. and that's it. Wayneau had a 163, by the way, which is fucking moronic. But that's it.
Starting point is 00:24:42 How many six games left in? How many assists do you think he finishes with? I think he finishes with 105. Cool. I'll tell you this, though. If he doesn't get 100 assists. Oh, dude. If he doesn't.
Starting point is 00:24:56 Yeah. I think this is the greatest collapse in the history of the NHL. Dude. This man gets assists when he's asleep. Yep. And if somehow this doesn't happen, I will lose my mind. Here's what I think is cool, Dan.
Starting point is 00:25:11 Go to Cooch real quick. Stay on a Cis. I was about to say, Cooch has 93. And he's got five games left. He could do it. He could do it. Isn't it nuts? Let me flip everything I've been saying all season.
Starting point is 00:25:27 Since the All-Star break. Who have I been preaching is the MVP? Nate Dogg. Nate Dog. Then I said, if Connor McDavid gets 100, assists. It's got to be him. After dragging them from the basement, how is it not him? Yeah. If Nikita Kutrov finishes this season as the point leader, which we all know, I don't think should be the benchmark for MVP, but if he finishes the season as the point leader with 98
Starting point is 00:25:52 assists, it has to be him. It might have to be him. Because, I mean, Tampa is not the Tampa of three or four years ago. This is a different team. And what is it the stats? People keep loving to toss around. It's like he has 138 points or something. I think the next highest guy is Stammer with like 73. I think it's point. Yeah, it's in somewhere 70s. It's a big gap. So shit, man,
Starting point is 00:26:18 it might be Cooch. So points. These three guys are out of control. Points, Dan, is this right now. Kutrov 136, five games left. Yeah. Nate 133, four games left. Connor 136 games left.
Starting point is 00:26:34 Give me the final order and numbers. that everyone has. Final order and number? Yep. Okay. Five games left for Cooch with 136 right now. I think he finishes with 143. Okay.
Starting point is 00:26:49 So seven points in his last five. And in first. I think Nate Dogg, excuse me, I think Connor. Oh. finishes in seconds with 140 points. Okay. 10 points in his last six.
Starting point is 00:27:06 And I think Nate finishes with 138 in third place. Five in his last four. I think Connor passes. 143, 140, 138. That's what you think. That sounds pretty accurate, pretty reasonable. Pretty good, right? Yeah, yeah.
Starting point is 00:27:19 I'm going to be totally wrong. But that sounded good. Hey, that sounded pretty reasonable. It would be the most, it would be the greatest cuck moment on earth. On earth. If in these last, what did we just say, Coochaz, five, four, six. Cooch gets seven assists in these five games and also gets 100 assists because Connor's doing it. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:27:41 That will be the greatest cuck moment of all time. Do you give the MVP then to? Honestly, yes. And I'll hand-de-old. I'll hand-deliver it to them. I think, and I've heard this from, this isn't my own original take, but I've heard that I think the writers, because they're who vote on the heart, they're going to take the All-Star Skills Competition performance into consideration.
Starting point is 00:28:03 Interesting. It kind of humiliated the league in a way. I don't hate that at all. You don't hate that take or you don't hate that act. Both. Oh shit! I was talking about the take, but now that I think it, Tom Petty, dude, I love it. Be petty.
Starting point is 00:28:19 And just go, oh, you had a couple beers, Nikita, weren't really having a good. You lost your first event. You thought, oh, make a mockery of you, sir. There goes MVP, 150 point season, 100 assists, and they go, fuck off. But the rub of that is, if there's anyone that doesn't give a fly, lying fuck about winning heart trophies. Yeah, he wins. He's like, I don't care.
Starting point is 00:28:40 He wins. Give me Nate in third at 136. Yeah. I think they lost the Central at this point. And Moose is hurt. He slows down a little bit here. Point-wise, three points in his last four. Give me Connor six games left.
Starting point is 00:29:04 When you said 10 points? That's bold, but I like it. It's bold. I give me Connor at... But you know what the thing is? The Oilers just have those games where they win six nothing and he has five points. Give me Connor 12 points in his last six at 142. Wow.
Starting point is 00:29:21 And give me Cooch one point, a point per game, five points in his last five, 141. Connor 142 league. While you think Connor's shooting to the top. Yep. That would be insane if Connor were to come storming all the way back last speak of the scene. He can do it, dude. He unfortunately can do it. He can do it. He's six back right now. Conner getting, like I just said, getting five points in a game is so not weird. It's like, yep. Yeah. Good job. Oh, and for the assist, you said one oh, how many did you say? Or no,
Starting point is 00:29:52 you didn't say. Yeah, for Connor. 105. I think he's going to get one of five. Six games left. I think he gets three more. 102. Goes on a scoring ramp. Page scores fucking nine goals and three assists in his last six case. My predictions
Starting point is 00:30:10 were a little counterintuitive there, but it's just so possible. 142 for the win. And well, the other thing is like Edmonton's
Starting point is 00:30:17 motivated. They could still catch Vancouver and get that one seed. And Vancouver is struggling without Demco. Yeah. So this is very possible.
Starting point is 00:30:25 Yeah. And that's big in the playoffs because those game sevens that Edmonton has lost in recent years. Get that on home ice. Absolutely.
Starting point is 00:30:32 Helps a lot. Yes. All right. Let's get into some Stars talk. the rich get richer. Blake, give us a rundown. Keep doing it.
Starting point is 00:30:39 Yeah, so the Dallas stars are calling up the H.L leading score, Maverick Bork. What a fucking mean to be on the stars. Literally, the rich get richer. Like, not even just calling up another prospect, like calling up the leading score in the American Hockey League, who was 22 years old.
Starting point is 00:30:55 He was a late first round pick, drafted 30th overall in 2020, 72 points in 66 games in the HAL this year. I mean, he's not, not like a big power forward he's kind of that skill kind of smaller smart uh really good uh hockey sense forward but just another you know depth piece that can help them here's the thing though where is he playing look at this fucking lineup yeah yeah let's talk this is so insane but also i'll i'll say this maverick bork you've got an elite name yeah so i already believe in you but you know i look at our
Starting point is 00:31:28 boy kenny augustino who was just the hl leading score time and time again he might even be at all time leading AHL point score. Yeah. And it's, it had a hard time translate, you know? So I don't know that that necessarily means here's something that might be stupid. I would be more impressed with a team signing a NCAA leading score or a, you know, WHL leading score, joining an NHL team than an AHA score. Really?
Starting point is 00:31:56 Really. Why is that? I just feel like it doesn't always translate. There's a lot of guys. And obviously, there's a lot of guys. And obviously there's a lot of guys who were ripping the shit out of the HL who then became a stud. But there's a part of me that wonders if this guy, if Maverick is going to be that much of an impact, why did it take this long? That's my biggest question.
Starting point is 00:32:17 Yeah, I think maybe the reason there's some logic into what you're saying because the NCAA kid or the junior kid or whatever might be like an elite prospect that they're like, yeah, he's, we all know he's ready. like, so I kind of hear you there. I will also kind of hear that sometimes the college kids are just too dumb. They're too young and dumb to know what they're even getting into. You know, they just come in and try to dangle people in the firing bucks on net. Keep in mind, I prefaced was saying, this is probably dumb. And like, I know it's, that's a dumb thing to say. I'm just, I'm bringing up discussion here.
Starting point is 00:32:52 It's when it's this late in the season, an AHL guy, I just have a lot of questions. But like we said, he's got an elite name. He's in an elite. franchise, and maybe that's why. Having a fucking third line of Jamie Ben, Wyatt Johnson, and Logan's stank man is fucking a preposter. So let's talk about that. The Dallas
Starting point is 00:33:12 Stars have been a great team all season long. Yep. They're slinging down south, dude. A bunch of gun slingers. Go back up there, Blakey. Let me look at this roster. You got Robo Hintz, Joey Tip Drill, Mason
Starting point is 00:33:28 Marchman, kind of out of nowhere last couple years, has just been a phenomenal player for this team. Dutchie gets bought out of his contract in Nashville and is now, boom, huge season. Yep. He's coming up on 30 goals, I think, with Dallas right here. Sick little tuck last night. Tyler Sagan.
Starting point is 00:33:46 My guy. My guy. What does he have, Blakey? I think 23 goals this season or something like that, maybe more. 25. 25 now? 25 points in 65 games. Oh, dude.
Starting point is 00:33:55 Sags getting up in the 25 goal mark again. And then, yeah, Jamie Ben, Wyatt Johnson, Logan Stank Boy. on the third line. And then Radik Fasca, Sam, Steele, and Craig Smith kind of anchoring down that fourth line. That is a very good fourth line. They have eight players with 20 or more goals, two players with 30 or more goals, and counting. Dude, and that right there is what I always bring up on a bunch of Stanley Cup winning teams. Obviously, Boston 2011 comes up.
Starting point is 00:34:26 They had no guys with like 50 goals, but they had a lot of guys. guys like Chris Kelly, guys like Rich Peverly, who had like 20 goals. Yeah, it was crazy. And that is a huge, huge feather in the cap of a team that could go on a long run. I was just saying this to our buddy Kevin, who's a big Rangers fan, that someone disappears when the playoffs start. And you never know who it's going to be, and it doesn't make any sense. It's someone that's been good all year. And you hope after a couple rounds, they break out of it.
Starting point is 00:34:54 But without fail, every team that feels like a contender this year, one of your best players is going to fucking vanish the second of the playoffs. And maybe not the whole time, but at least for a bit. For a bit. And that's why you need this shit. And that's what's plagued the bees for a long recently when it's like, oh, we get all our goals from pasta. And then if he goes quiet, I'm like, oh, who's scoring? It's what's plagued New York, dude. The Rangers, you get guys like Panarin who goes ghost mode.
Starting point is 00:35:17 And then you don't have guys like Laffey who are like, it's okay, I got it. And Laffey this year, you know. Thirdmost goals on the team. Yeah. Might have 60 points this year. He might even have already hit it. Not yet. But he's at 57.
Starting point is 00:35:29 He's close. He might get up to. yeah, he might get up to 60 points. That would be unbelievable. And for him in the situation that people thought he was in. And that is the thing that's like, that could get you over the hump. And this team, yeah, eight guys with 20 goals, damn. Come on.
Starting point is 00:35:46 And if you bring up Bork and Bork is just that, if you bring him up and he's just that guy that no one has tape on, no one's seen him in the national really. And then he's just popped into that third or second line, maybe even the fourth line. and it's just a level of skill and a level of nose for goal that people aren't familiar with. And he's just banging in goals. What a piece, dude. Well, the great part, too, is this, well, what do they get, five games left? Probably, like, theoretically, they're going to get him some burn.
Starting point is 00:36:13 And he'll experience the NHL game. And then when someone picks up a knock, when Mason gets hurt in the first round or when Stank Man's hurt, you know, I think the dream is to be like, we got this guy, boom, pop it right in. Yeah, they don't have a, I mean, Robertson is 77 points and 78 games. games, but they don't, as of now, they don't have a single point per game score on their roster. Dude, and I'll tell you what, I love that. You know who had the same fucking stat line last year?
Starting point is 00:36:38 The Vegas golden line, look it up. Literally, this, so similar. Yep. And if you were a Dallas Stars fan, love that. Yep. Love that you don't have a guy who's like Cooch, who's like, I have 50 points more than the next guy. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:36:52 Because if that guy goes cold, you're fucked. So love this for Dallas. What it boils down to is their management. Like the way they've been able to manage around their contracts, even though they have the, you know, the albatross of Jamie Ben and Tyler Sagan getting paid. I think it's both north of nine million. Like the fact that they've still been able to retool all around these guys and like the drafts they've had in 2016, 17, 2019, and then 2020, like they are just like the epitome of how you want your organization to be run. It's crazy. And at the end of the day, dude, not those $9 million contracts.
Starting point is 00:37:29 now aren't that bad. Sags a point per game, dude. And these two are, they both have over 50 points, dude. Yeah. And if you're telling me any team in the national, if you wouldn't watch Jamie Ben or Tyler Sagan on your middle six, you're an idiot. And so Sagan has three more years after this season.
Starting point is 00:37:48 Ben has one more season after this season. So it's going to line up perfectly with resigning Harley, resigning Ointinger, Stankhoven, Robo's got two more years left. after this year. So they've been able to manage it all. Stick taps to Jim Nell. Dallas, dude. Cup incoming at that point.
Starting point is 00:38:07 Yeah. Better be. Okay, Tampa News. Oh, my God. Surgachev broke his left tibia and fibula. We're trying to reverse hit. Who was it? Was it Laffey?
Starting point is 00:38:20 I was about to say that, but now I'm thinking... I think it was against the Rangers. Yeah. But anyway. Tried to reverse hit Laffy, breaks every bone in his leg. started skating again March 18th and then as of today, which is April 8th, 8th, practicing with the lightning,
Starting point is 00:38:38 in a non-contact, but practicing with the lightning. I said when it happened, he got surgery right away. I said when everyone was like, oh, he's done. And I was like, not necessarily. Tampa being a wildcard team is going to have a very hard first round matchup. And I don't know that this, even this news, means he's ready for the first round. Certainly game one feels like a stretch, but it's in the
Starting point is 00:39:04 cards. A round one appearance is in the cards. And God forbid they get past someone, the Bruins, and then you add him. That is scary stuff. Very scary stuff if you're an Eastern team in my opinion. Dude, I've been saying for a long time that this team has a first round win. them. Yeah. I just think with the way Kooch is playing their depth, you know, and their experience. Yeah. And they're coaching. And they've got Vasilowski in that. I just feel like they're beating whoever they're playing first round. And if they do that and then Surgachev comes back and I'm a second round team, I would be like, you've got to be kidding me. Fuck me. Fuck me. It suck. So shit, man. He's not, he's not, I have his points. He's not a huge point guy.
Starting point is 00:39:57 You know, he's not the McCar, the quins of the world. He had 19 points, two goals, and 17 assists in 34 games. And in 98 Stanley Cup playoff games, he has 33 points, nine goals, 24 assists. But shit, you'll take that from a defenseman. And he eats pucks, he eats minutes. He eats ice, dude. Exactly. Averaging 2233 of ice time second on the team behind headman.
Starting point is 00:40:22 And it's like, you add that back to the equation when the playoff matchups matter more than anything and you're shutting other teams down, that is the value add there, and that makes them so much more dangerous. And holy shit, dude, if you, if we can just take a second and talk about the fact that this guy broke his leg and is like, yeah, I'm coming back. That's what I want to talk about. This guy's The Terminator. Tampa, dude, you get in the sunshine, dude.
Starting point is 00:40:46 You're sitting by the pool. Are you shit in me? Your life's easy. I could totally see him returning like mid-first round. That's what I'm saying, bro. This could, yeah. I am not ruling him out making an appearance in the first round at all. Game three, dude.
Starting point is 00:40:58 I mean, crime. Game three at home. Heard it here first. Is just a unit. Stick taps to the team doctors and his rehab because him coming back from this. I got to call them up, dude. I'll be playing beer league in two weeks if I go down to Tampa. You'll be playing this week.
Starting point is 00:41:13 I'll be playing this week. Whatever MJ's secret stuff that he's sipping on. Yeah. Good Lord. Unbelievable. That is a true nightmare. Yep. For whatever Eastern Conference team plays them in the first.
Starting point is 00:41:24 round if he makes a return. I don't even know what to say. Now we got some coyotes news. Blake, can you take us through this? Yeah, so the, I'm not sure, did you guys see the renderings of the arena and like kind of entertainment district that they plan to build? So I remember when I saw it, I was like, oh, they won the, they won the auction, like they won the land? No, that is their like their pitch and what they're going to say that they're going to build if they win the plot of land. So, you know, the auction still hasn't happened. They're still, you know, planning to, to auction on that portion of land.
Starting point is 00:42:01 But, you know, it's cool to see some sort of progress and some sort of, you know, visual that, you know, people can reference. But I just thought it was, it was kind of weird the way that they, the way they kind of, you know, use their verbiage on it. And it just, it fooled me. I literally thought, I was like, oh, shit, they won. Yeah. Here we go. Arizona's staying. Yeah, you're not the only one.
Starting point is 00:42:21 Yeah. There was a lot of people on our DMs that was like, Arizona stays. I was like, no, but listen, I love this, dude. Fake it till you make it. Yeah, and I'll add this. I had said when this first came up that if they don't win this bid, I officially believe something fishy is going on here, because I'm like, it's there for the taking.
Starting point is 00:42:37 Win the bid. Like, win the bid. Figure out how much you need to bid and win it. Now I'm tripling down on that because now that they've said all this shit, it's like, so now they go, oh my God, here's the sick-ass rink and entertainment center we're going to build when we win this bid 100%. shucks we didn't win it but but you saw how hard we were trying like you saw how cool the rink was
Starting point is 00:42:59 going to be i'm like you are full of shit dude like i have this is this is a fucking fugazi fugazi it's fairy dust it doesn't exist dude well and that would play into this uh you know rumor that i've been hearing around is that and you know 32 32 thoughts of as he has even reported on this it's that Alex Marillo's looking to sell like there's he's looking at that option yeah not saying he wants to sell, but he's looking at that option. You're not looking at that option if you're not having some part of you that wants to or will do it. Yeah. So that at this time is very, very, like you said, fishy and what is really going on here behind the scenes. So yeah, I mean, the CEO, so this is a quote from the CEO. It's not just an arena project. It's a best in class urban
Starting point is 00:43:46 development project that would transform a perfectly located parcel of land into an Arizona landmark. It's going to be a historic event. We're creating jobs. The team is going to win a cup in three years. Everything is fine. That's an awesome statement. That's the exact statement you want to make.
Starting point is 00:44:02 I'm on Team Arizona. I want them to stay. Me too. And listen, the Utah Salt Lake City bid situation, whatever's going on there, that's not necessarily going to be the Yotes relocating. That might be an expansion. Yep. But I love that we've got an owner dick measuring contest going on.
Starting point is 00:44:21 Yeah. Because this motherfucker is out here being like this. This is going to revolutionize the state of Arizona. It's going to revolutionize the NHL. Look at this beautiful mock-up we have of this unbelievable facility. It's not just a rink, folks. It is an amusement park. It is a top golf center.
Starting point is 00:44:35 It is the place you want to be if you're in Arizona. And then Ryan Smith in Salt Lake City is being like this. Just doing a quick poll. When we get a team in Utah, what should the name be? Like they're just doing these PR statements to just get people fired up about their team and their new facility that, We don't even have yet, and I'm all for it, dude. It's just drama.
Starting point is 00:44:56 It's drama season all the time. I pray to God that Arizona wins this bid, and then the owners go like this. Oh, my God. We can't build this facility. This is all, we made this, AI made this. We typed in sick rink and entertainment center into chat GPT, and it pitched that out. But we look at the arenas now. Look at SOFI in L.A.
Starting point is 00:45:19 And look at T-Mobile and look at, you know, all. of these unbelievable facilities and arenas that are popping up like I think it is possible and this is what Yotes fans have been saying for years it's shut the fuck up owners and put your money where your mouth is and build us a fucking rink
Starting point is 00:45:36 stop trying to get all these bullshit loophole deals just buy some fucking land and build a goddamn rink if you want the team to stay here and I agree coming from someone who says I want the Yotes to stay this is it dude not up or shut the fuck up and build that arena
Starting point is 00:45:51 or get the fuck out. I hope they eventually come back with maybe new owners. Yeah. But this is the last straw. And I love that they're putting their chips on the table and showing this huge center and they better fucking build it. Yeah. They better build it if they win it.
Starting point is 00:46:05 And the Salt Lake City Snipes better be the fucking team name for it. It's just, it has. Just to be clear. The Salt Lake City Soakers is pretty sick. I would be into that. Me too, actually. I'd be into that. Me too.
Starting point is 00:46:17 All right. All right. Let's see. Now we're going to college, right? Yeah. We got some college stuff to talk about here. As we have talked about before, we talked about it last episode, guys in NCAA who are undrafted, once their team loses and they're eligible, they can sign contracts with teams. Now, it's not a free-for-all.
Starting point is 00:46:34 It's not like the first team with the highest bid scoops up anyone. It's up to these players. They're allowed to talk to whoever they want and then make a decision. And we've got some big sign. Yep. Let's start with your boy, your QU boy, who you're super bummed about. Colin Graf. Yep.
Starting point is 00:46:49 Absolute stud. shocks the world. All of the rumors and all the things people were hearing is that he was going to stay East Coast. I think there was a lot of stories that said it was going to be Bruins, Rangers, or Carolina or something like that. Boom. Signs in San Jose. And I'll tell you what, I love it. Me too. I think it's a smart move. I think he wants to play in the NHL. And that's a perfect team. I mean,
Starting point is 00:47:15 I think about the Blackhawks, the sharks, and maybe one other team that I really look at and go, that's an immediate year in the lineup. And you're playing with Will Smith. Very, very possible that Macklin Celebrini is drafted. Can you imagine? So like, holy shit, man. We talked about sharks.
Starting point is 00:47:36 They're all of a sudden in the conversation of a team that could be relocated, which is crazy with all the league ties that they have. They're in a Bay Area situation. But they've been in the bottom seven in a ten, for the last seven to eight years. No one's really talking about the sharks. Even when they were buzzing with Marlowe and Jumbo, they never got over the hump and won a cup.
Starting point is 00:47:59 So the sharks need something. And if all of a sudden you snap your fingers and you've got Will Smith, Colin Graff, and Macklin Celebrini coming to the team, that is as sexy as it gets. Dude, so many of my boys that are sharks fans have been like, oh, man, it's a disaster, we're awful. And I'm like, you are fine.
Starting point is 00:48:15 Like, you are doing this perfectly. You are bad with a ton of young. exciting talent coming up and and future assets to play with. So they're golden. Sticktaps to Greer, what he is done with signings, draft picks, and trades, he has built a really good setup for the next few years for the sharks with their prospects coming in and a lot of the stuff that they have to work with going into these drafts and going into free agency. Pretty good stuff. And one of the best jersey setups in the national. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:48:47 Do you like their jersey? Oh, the all-teal. I fucking love. I don't know. I fucking hate it. I think you hate it because they're not good. Maybe. If they're buzzing around in those all teals with some studs in the team like Salabrini and Will Smith, you're going to love it. Maybe, maybe. I like the black jersey. Yeah, me too, actually. I really like the black ones. Yeah, the black ones are gas. But yeah, it was cool. I was definitely, he definitely signed in San Jose because like, I mean, he's on the second line right away. Yeah. He got his first point over the weekend too, which was cool. But like what, there's no other team.
Starting point is 00:49:18 like you said, he's stepping into the lineup, let alone the top six. Yeah, right. Like, imagine playing for QU, not a huge school. You know, they're a little town, Mount Carmel in Connecticut. They're not even in hockey east. And you have this unbelievable run in college hockey. You go undrafted and then you go like this. Blank, I'm playing on the second line on an NHL team.
Starting point is 00:49:39 Yeah. Wild. So sick. Blake, your boys took a QU kid as well. Yep. Jacob Quillan. Quillan. Quillin.
Starting point is 00:49:46 Quillan, Jacob Quillan, the Nova Scotian native. So he had 46 points this season in 39 games at QU. Yeah, just nice to see Toronto picking up a prospect, because, you know, sure as hell they could use it. I really like to see Toronto picking up a college kid, too. Yeah. For some reason, I feel like it's always like the Canadian teams. I feel like they can sometimes be low on college boys.
Starting point is 00:50:10 And I'm like, dude, they're unbelievable. I think it just boils down to the majority of college players are going to be American. they're going to want to stay playing for an American team. But I think, you know, Quillan is a Nova Scotia native, so he's not American. So I think that's why it was a little easier for them to get them. I heard Boston was like the runner-up. Yeah, huge on them.
Starting point is 00:50:29 To get them. Yeah. I think Boston has been in on a lot of college friages. They've also signed a lot of them. Well, that's the thing. It's like, you know, Boston has been, they have not had a lot of first-round picks in the last several years. They don't have one this year. and Sweeney and co have really made their money, quote unquote,
Starting point is 00:50:50 with scooping a lot of these college guys in free agency. You saw it with Mark McLaughlin a couple years ago. Now we're going to get to a couple of them that they just signed. But it does seem to be a way to look at a lot of these really, really talented college guys who are putting up big numbers. And it's, I don't want to say distraction because that would imply that these guys aren't good or aren't going to pan out. And I think that a lot of them absolutely are going to.
Starting point is 00:51:16 Yep. But it is a good placeholder of like, yep, we didn't have a first round pick. But look at this kid we signed who just had 58 points in the NCAA. You know, like that's a good piece of business. And they come to you not as a, you know, as an 18. I was right about to say that, dude. Yeah. Exactly.
Starting point is 00:51:31 It's not like, oh, there's this wicked young kid we have. He's got to go play juniors again or go to the H.L. I'm like, no, dude, this is like a 22-year-old to go fucking play right now. Yeah. You've done developed. So we get the Bruins sign the Notre Dame, defenseman, Drew Bavarro, 10 goals, 10 assists this season, two-way player, right shot, which they could use.
Starting point is 00:51:49 So I'm excited. I wanted one of those forwards, frankly, but I'm excited to get some love on the back line there, especially as they've got some decisions to make, I would say, with a few dudes who could move on, which I'd be fine with. And then the other one I don't want to talk about as a Northeastern kid. Well, real quick, you know, we're talking about the Bruins. They also scoop Jackson Nelson from Minnesota.
Starting point is 00:52:15 Oh yeah, yeah, right. Six foot four, big, big center, gets a lot of points. You know, captain of that team, like a Minnesota boy through and through. So Boston didn't sleep. You know, like they pick up a big point scoring defenseman, of 10 and 10. Yeah, yeah. As a
Starting point is 00:52:31 defenseman, I'll take that all day. And then also get a 6'4 banging body center from, who is a Minnesota born and bred and then played for the gopers, captain the team, natural-born leader. Those are two big scoops. Brazzo has been doing really, really well with Boston, just picked up an injury, and now you
Starting point is 00:52:50 got Jackson Nelson here, who could slot in to that fourth line and be a big, big player. So a couple of good college moves from Boston. You don't see it. Then I want to talk about the Northeastern kid who's nasty. Does anybody know how to say his name? Justin Ritzkovian. Ritzkovian. Great pronunciation that we didn't have to look up.
Starting point is 00:53:08 Who could who would ever have to look that up? It's pretty simple. Pretty phonetic, that name. 94 games played at Northeastern. Captain of that squad, 43 points in 32 games this season. The Rich Katt Richard, dude. I'm such a captain slut. I'm a big captain slut.
Starting point is 00:53:26 I'm a big captain's why I like Jackson Nelson. I love a captain. I just think it speaks a lot about your character. You know, maybe you're not the leading points score, but you got to see on the sweater. there's some, my ears perk up. Yeah. Specifically a C.
Starting point is 00:53:42 Get your A's and get the fuck out of it. Actually, dude, no, I take it back. You give A's to clown shows who've been around the program for four years. Well, no, it's usually like the, I almost think the exact opposite. It's like, the A's almost to me are like sometimes the younger guy, not the freshman, but it's like the sophomore guy. But it is the C. And then I'm not talking prospect anymore because usually that turns me off. Like when I see a dude that's a C in college, I'm like, oh, you probably aren't.
Starting point is 00:54:09 drafted and you're just still here, you know. But in terms of signing undrafted kids out of college, I'm back on board with the C because I'm like, oh yeah, right? You've been here the whole time that the boys love you and you've been productive. You're just not like the elite elite prospect kids. When I see in college a guy who's got like the second or third most points on the team and he's got to see. Yeah. You get one of these. Yeah. There's something to me that's like you're not a glamour guy. You don't need the most points because you're here for a Natty. Yeah. I like that. I like that.
Starting point is 00:54:40 He goes to Dallas, for those that didn't pick that up. Dallas's fourth line is going to be the best line in the league. Yeah. They don't have enough places. To point out, so any college free agents that's signed, they cannot play in the playoffs. Oh, okay. Yeah. So a lot of these guys...
Starting point is 00:54:54 Oh, I want to talk about Phil, by the way. Phil. Castle, Russell? Yeah. All right. Go on. Yeah, but so all these guys that get signed, so like the defenseman that signed with Boston, like he wouldn't be eligible to play in the playoffs.
Starting point is 00:55:06 I think he can play in the HAL playoffs and play in, you know, all of their games. And so you'll probably see a lot of these guys get a game or two in the NHL before the end of the season because the other thing with this is that they're burning a year of their entry-level contract so that they can hit free agency. Yeah, get your feet wet. So it's just if a dude, if you've drafted their rights. If you already have their rights and then you sign them to a contract, they can play them.
Starting point is 00:55:31 Yes. That's interesting rule. Yeah. Yeah, it's... Like I'm like, what, I signed him. I agree. I think it's stupid. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:55:37 But it's the same thing like Phil can't play in the playoffs because the deadline is the same thing with unrestricted free agents. If you want them to play, they need to be signed before the deadline, I believe. Yeah. So technically you could sign the college kid, but then he wouldn't be able to play college. He would miss the natty. Yeah, yeah. So there's three guys high scores who remain unsigned. I think that should change.
Starting point is 00:56:02 Me too. I think that's crazy. I think if they never signed a pro contract before, it shouldn't matter. Yeah. Like the fill one I kind of get, um, kind of. Because I feel like some trickery could happen there.
Starting point is 00:56:16 Maybe, I don't know. I don't know why I don't like that, but these, to me, they just feel like draft picks who have been in, in college. It should be the same. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:56:24 No, I agree. And like it's, like, I think, I don't know how it works with European players, but I want to say like you can sign a European guy and he can come over and play for you, uh,
Starting point is 00:56:33 in the playoffs, but, yeah, the reason I said trickery is like, Phil is obviously an interesting situation because he's a little bit older, but think about Patty Kane, for example. And if you're playing the LTIR game, I guess is what I'm trying to say. If you've got like a really good guy who is a free agent who had a brutal injury that they were rehabbing all season long, and then you're like, let's just wait until after free trade deadline and you can sign me to $5 million to your wagon team and whatever.
Starting point is 00:57:07 whereas these kids, it's entry level, so it doesn't fucking matter. Yep. That's why I'm like, that should change. That should change. Talk us through the unsigned guys, Blake. Yeah, so first up, we got T.J. Hughes. He had 48 points and 40 games this season, not related, and he played at Michigan. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:57:24 Not related to the Hughes brothers that we all know. I know. And there's a Jack Hughes on BU. Yeah. There's a lot of Hughes going around. Bullshit. But yeah, so the undersized forward had an alarming, 127 points in 60 games. for the Brooks Bandits two years ago.
Starting point is 00:57:39 So I know this isn't very recent, but still just an insane elite score. So curious to see who gets that guy. He also, apparently there's a chance he also just goes back to school. Yeah. And he's 5'9? Yeah, he's a pretty small, kind of skilled fast forward.
Starting point is 00:57:54 Lucas Sillinger, kind of a bigger, kind of similar to the captain Jackson Nelson that the Bruin signed. He was not a captain or anything, but he's a senior forward coming out of ASU. This past season had 48 points and 38 games,
Starting point is 00:58:11 kind of that bigger, sturdier forward that plays that more complete game. So, again, another good piece that someone will want to pick up because he's going to be a little older, ready to step right in. Look at Josh down, dude. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:58:24 ASU guys. Yeah, last one. And this is pretty kind of a dark horse. Like this kid kind of came out of nowhere and he's still pretty young. Luke Liam McClunski. remains unsigned. The QU transfer
Starting point is 00:58:37 broke out this season at Holy Cross. So last year was at QU barely played. Like was like a healthy scratch a lot. Got a natty though. Got a natty. But then comes over to Holy Cross
Starting point is 00:58:47 like not a big name school and lights it up. 47 points of 39 games, 17th in the nation in scoring. So curious to see who gets him. Not a smaller guy, not a bigger guy, kind of that middle tier guy,
Starting point is 00:58:58 but a very offensive forward. Yeah. Hughes and, no disrespect. Hughes and Syllinger to me are the ones that I'm like, oh, surprise. That's interesting. You wonder if Hughes in particular is just headed back to Michigan
Starting point is 00:59:12 and is like maybe didn't get talked to by the teams that he wanted. Yeah. And that's the interesting thing. Like we said, this isn't the draft. This is one of those very weird and rare situations, guys like Graff and Quillen who go, I get to pick where I go. You've got a lot of teams talking to you. Like, that's pretty sick.
Starting point is 00:59:31 Awesome. And you wonder if Hughes maybe wasn't getting talked to. by the schools that he wanted. Yeah. Or schools, the teams that he wanted. Either way. I love it.
Starting point is 00:59:41 To point out, though, Hughes is on the older side. He's 22 years old. So he played three years of junior, or four years in total of junior, but three years with the Brooks Bandits. So curious, I think he would want to come out of school this year.
Starting point is 00:59:54 Yeah. Now it's, yeah, it's like you said, does he get the offer? Yeah. To where. I wouldn't be surprised if maybe he signs this summer somewhere.
Starting point is 01:00:00 Yeah. Because, yeah, we talked about it with Stancovin. what are we doing teams still worrying about size these days? I know, man. It's a different game. It's just a different game.
Starting point is 01:00:11 Sure. Do you want a Nathan McKinnon? Do you want an Austin Matthews? Yep, absolutely. But so many of these guys now are just, you know, look at Jack. Jack's 510, 165 pounds soaking wet.
Starting point is 01:00:27 Yeah. One of the best players I've ever seen in my life. So I think we need to, I think a lot of GMs, a lot of team presidents, to start just listen if you get there and your game doesn't translate and and it's because of their size okay that's fine that can happen but it shouldn't be a reason why you don't take a chance on someone it's it's crazy stankovin has just been a machine every team he's ever played for and he comes
Starting point is 01:00:52 up to dallas and he's a machine again yeah i'm like come on little guys are fine dude give him a chance short kings yep short kings populate the nchel that's the future of the league yes that is as they Should. Fighter and forces are gone. It's everyone under 510. Give me a bunch of water bugs, dude. I need to talk about the Hobie Baker finalist before we get off
Starting point is 01:01:13 of anything college. They made the announcement. It's Macklin Sellebrini, the freshman future number one overall pick from BU, our boy cutter Gautier of the BC Eagles, who is like a goal away from like the most goals in college
Starting point is 01:01:27 in a single season. And Jackson Blake from NoDAC. Let me read you the top scorers in college hockey. Yeah, I mean, I can't even begin to talk about this. It's so fucking stupid. And this is points per game order. Okay?
Starting point is 01:01:47 Yeah. So just to make it fair for everybody. Will Smith, our dear friend, Macklin Celebrini, Gabe Perot, Cutter-Gote, Ryan Leonard, Jackson Blake. Jackson Blake must be a mind-bending, goal score, right, Dan? Wrong. He has 22
Starting point is 01:02:08 goals. Compared to Celebrini's 32, Cutter's 37, Leonard's 31, even Will, who is the leading point score and average point per game guy in college, both. He has 23 goals and 46 assists. It would be one thing if they were like,
Starting point is 01:02:25 oh, Will's the assist guy, so we're not going to give it to him. Jackson Blake has 22 goals and 38 assists compared to Will's 23 and 46. Yeah. Now, obviously, three, excuse me, four of the top six guys I just listed in college, all play for BC. So I get that there's voter fatigue there. They even say that with Heisman voting all the time, where they're like, oh, if it's the same conference guys, like they can split the votes and shit.
Starting point is 01:02:48 And I certainly didn't want the NCAA, and I'm not chirping Macklin, he's completely worthy of being in there. But I certainly didn't want the NCAA to go, the Hobie Baker finalists are Will Smith, Cutter Gautier, and Ryan Leonard. But they sure could have. And it is fucking nuts, nuts to me, that Will is not in this finalist list. Yeah, it's, there's nothing other, there's nothing to say other than it's so ridiculous. And the thing that pisses me off is we are not, I'm not a big, if you have the most points, you win the award.
Starting point is 01:03:25 Obviously, that should fucking factor in. And to not have the leading point score in NCAA hockey as one of the finalists. is such a joke. And the fact that he's a true freshman doing it as well is also a joke. And when you look at the team success and you look at the, in my opinion, 200-foot game that Will plays and the big game player that he is, he shows up with the brightest lights. Yep.
Starting point is 01:03:55 What other criteria do you want that he checks to not to get him in there? It's just, it's so stupid and without naming names, I talked to someone who's on the committee that votes for this and he said it's the biggest fucking joke in the world. He was like, it's a bunch of 90-year-old hockey writers, seriously. I believe it, dude. He was like, they're not even hockey people, they're just hockey writers who just, you know, watch the game. They don't pay attention to enough schools.
Starting point is 01:04:29 There's a lot of coaches who are on there that are obviously folks. focused on their teams. They're not watching every other team. And I don't know if this came down to a, yep, like we talked about, Will has the luxury of playing with that line that he's played with for years now. Cutter is kind of carrying that other line very, very singularly, which, you know, is great. But if they were like, yeah, we don't want two BC guys, that's stupid. It's moronic. I don't know how you can look at Celebrini. Both, both of these kids are freshman. Yeah.
Starting point is 01:05:02 And Will Smith and Celebrini and how you can go yeah, Celebrini over Will for sure. I don't know how you do that.
Starting point is 01:05:09 I think this comes down to the committee being a clown show, the system being broken and it needs to change because
Starting point is 01:05:16 everyone who is paid even the slightest bit of attention to college hockey this year knows this is such a fucking joke.
Starting point is 01:05:24 Yeah. So extremely disappointing. Extremely disappointing. Crazy too that there should be because Van Tilly wanted as a freshman
Starting point is 01:05:30 as the third time ever after Korea and Eichol. And then two of these guys, two of the people should be freshmen, two of the finalists should be freshman this year. Maybe Maclin wins it anyway. All right. It's dumb.
Starting point is 01:05:41 Let's get into some hot ice. All right, guys, you know we have an awesome deal going with Bet MGM. And I know that they have an insane bet insurance deal going on right now. So I'm here to tell you about it. Okay? If you bet up to $1,500, make a $5 bet, make a $1,500 bet. If you win, congrats, you're a genius.
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Starting point is 01:06:37 Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in seven days in partnership with Kansas crossing casino and hotel. See betmgm.com for terms. U.S. promotional offers not available in D.C., Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Yes, sir. I want to talk about play... Pretty soon we're going to be doing our actual playoff preview app. And it might even be an emergency app, by the way, because some of these things are going to go down
Starting point is 01:07:03 to the wire here. But the, I want to talk about some potential playoff matchups as this all comes together. Yeah. Listen to me right now. These, in my opinion, are the dream matchups for the league. I'm not saying this is my prediction yet. I'm just telling you, I'm just going to give you the rundown. This is the, if the league, and I'll be, I'll be semi-realistic.
Starting point is 01:07:27 You know, I'm not, I'm not going to just pull shit out of my ass here. Go, let's do the east first, Blake. Scroll up for that for me. Boston. Florida passes Boston. Okay? This is just the dreams. So first round is Boston, Toronto,
Starting point is 01:07:45 and Florida, Tampa. Yeah, I hate this take by you. And then New York, the penguins get in over the red wings, New York versus Crosby, and Carolina versus the capitals and Ovechkin. That's the dream. That one's the weakest one,
Starting point is 01:08:07 but it just, that's the weakest one. It's the dream in the East for you. No, no, that's the leagues. The league comes themselves to death. Yeah, you were saying because of the stupid idiot playoff structure. Yep. This is why they would like it. Yes, they like this.
Starting point is 01:08:23 It all worked. Everything happened perfectly. Yeah, that is true. And I'll tell you that that is a nightmare for fans. Because people, listen to me. We do not want the best teams getting knocked. out in the first round. And we don't want the best matchups
Starting point is 01:08:42 in the first round. We're going to watch no matter what. You want the best matchups in the fucking conference finals. It's nauseating that we're doing this. Yep. Okay. Go down.
Starting point is 01:08:56 Here's the absolute dream in the West. Dallas finishes the first in the one seed. Nashville drops to the second wild card and you get Dallas, Nashville in the first round. which leaves Avs Jets
Starting point is 01:09:12 and that's still a great matchup and everyone's happy there then Vancouver actually it doesn't really matter this is just an absolute nonsense from CP
Starting point is 01:09:25 No but this is so possible like all these are so possible These are just hairbrain like you're making this up on the fly which I like Edmonton is your dream Edmonton Vegas or Edmonton L.A. I don't have I mean
Starting point is 01:09:37 if you're the league if I'm the league it's Edmonton, LA, I think. Just for the three Pete? Yeah, probably. Yeah. And then Vegas Canucks. Okay, I'll live with that. Edmonton, L.A. So that honestly just stays, basically, except Vegas jumps Nashville. Yeah. Those are the absolute dream scenarios. What do you think we're going to get of those? I don't know. I said this on hockey talk yesterday. It's like trying to predict the playoff picture right now, especially in the east, is like trying to predict the weather in New England. I don't know what the fuck's going to happen and neither do you. So I'm not making any
Starting point is 01:10:13 predictions. What I'd like to have happen is difficult for me to say because I love so many of these teams now. It's like my fandom has become I am enjoying rooting for friends and guys in the league and I'm enjoying rooting for a really awesome fan bases. So I don't want to see anyone lose. Do I think Nashville and Dallas playing in the first round with the Dutchie situation would be really interesting? Yes. But I fucking love Nashville and I fucking love Dallas. So I don't want to see any of those teams lose. I think Edmonton, L.A. would be sick.
Starting point is 01:10:49 I think running it back for the third year would be electric. I don't give a shit, as I've said a million times, who Vegas plays. That is the ultimate nightmare scenario for anyone in the West. Whoever they play, that team is going to be furious. Yep. It doesn't matter. Yeah, Vegas is like Tampa. Yeah, exactly.
Starting point is 01:11:11 And even worse, in my opinion. Like, much, much worse. The only advantage that Tampa has is goalie. Otherwise, Vegas is stronger in every sense. And I'm happy to eat crow if Vegas gets into the playoffs, and they're too hurt, and they're just out of sorts, and they lose in the first round, fine. But this team doesn't give a rat. ass about this regular season anymore. And if you think they do, you're a fucking moron. It's just,
Starting point is 01:11:39 dude, they're in. There's no one threatening them. Yep. They're in the playoffs. They don't care who they play. They're not even close. So people being like, dude, Vegas is struggling. They're skinned a little bit. I'm like, dude, Vegas is fine. I think they care a little bit. I don't. I know what you're saying where I'm like, yeah, they're just get in. Yeah, it'd be better to play so-and-so so-and-so, no shit, but, like, they're not, like, sweating about it. That's my point. Yeah, I just think there's, it's so getable for them to move into more advantageous places than they are right now. So I don't think they're like, dude, whatever, let's just lose out. We're in. I get it. I think I guess I get what you're saying, but it's like the difference
Starting point is 01:12:21 between Vancouver and Dallas, you're like, oh, that's such a huge difference. I just don't think it is. What is it to you? I think, I would, I would play Vancouver one, million times out of a million if it was up to me. Yeah, I mean, if Demko comes back in the league, I think that's a silly take. I think it's silly to just, sure, I get it. But again, I don't think it's as big as you're saying. Okay. Yeah.
Starting point is 01:12:46 That's my whole point. It's like, yes, do they have a slight preference? Of course. But I don't think it's big. Right. But if they have a slight preference, I would try to get. Biggest is also about to insert hurdle into the lineup. They look so scary.
Starting point is 01:12:58 Like, I'm looking at their lines right now. Yeah, it's crazy. It is daunting. I really want Dallas Nashville. And again, you're right about everything. Like, I hate that teams are losing in the first round. But I really want Dallas, Nashville, and I really want Vegas, Edmonton. Those are the two in the West that I'm like.
Starting point is 01:13:14 Vegas, Edmonton, I completely agree with you. I need that second round. Yeah. I need that second round. Vegas Edmonton for the ramifications, for the implication. The implication. It would be awesome. Blake, don't you want that in the first round, dude?
Starting point is 01:13:30 Because then you can get Kings. Canucks. Don't you want the Canucks? Look, they just tagged them last night or two nights ago. We were there. I'm honestly, I'm not that confident in the Kings. I don't think they're going to make a run out of this. I mean, they totally could totally turn around and catch fire. But I honestly would love to see the Kings defeat. I know you don't like this take, but defeat their boogeyman.
Starting point is 01:13:52 I don't dislike that take. In fact, I respect people who feel. You'd like to see them to beat. Oh, oh, you want the oilers. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I want them to de-thrown the Oilers. Like that would like we said the thing two weeks ago like dry Cytle would probably be looking to leave. Yeah.
Starting point is 01:14:07 They lose in that first round, especially if they lose to L.A. Sure, that'd be amazing. But can't you just picture the evil smile of the league if the Thomas Hurtle and Mark Stone added Vegas Golden Knights and healthy Aden Hill go like this? Uh-oh, we're playing Edmonton in the first round. Can't you just see everyone being like this? Oh, no. Oh, this is juicy. Yeah.
Starting point is 01:14:30 Yeah. Yes, you could. Like if those two teams play in the first round and Vegas wins game one, everyone's going to be like this. Oh my God. I heard the exact same thing. I was watching the Leaf game this weekend and they were saying like, what happens if Toronto loses game one and it's against Toronto or Boston or Florida, but doesn't
Starting point is 01:14:48 matter. Like the discussions in the media is going to be so intense and so cutthroat right after game one. So I'm not looking forward to playoffs that much. because it was such a tense watch Oh it's awful It's awful So tense
Starting point is 01:15:04 Go back up to the east for me Yeah let's take a look at the east Okay so what I want up here Is I would love More than anything I would love it If
Starting point is 01:15:18 You know what sucks Oh no This can happen I would like The New York Islanders To kindly fuck off Me too And get out of playoffs
Starting point is 01:15:31 you assholes. And I would love the Pittsburgh penguins to find their way in there. I have been... Specifically that three seed versus the wild card? Okay, yeah.
Starting point is 01:15:41 I would love that. Unfortunately, it's... I say that because of teams I want. Yep. I want the current five Atlantic teams that are in,
Starting point is 01:15:54 I would like in. I want Detroit in the playoffs. They deserve to be in the playoffs. Now, given that, it's not necessarily, the matchups I want. Those are just the teams I want to make the playoffs. I would love to see the sweat session that goes on in New York at Madison Square Garden. If Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins get in and they, like New York is, no quit
Starting point is 01:16:20 in New York, baby. They're as good as they've been all year. Everyone in Rangers nation is flying high. And then if this surging penguin. Megatron Sidney Crosby finds his way into the playoffs and that is your first round matchup that is Nightmare City population New York Rangers that would be just drama
Starting point is 01:16:40 and again as a guy who's made a large bet on the Rangers to win the cup I don't love it for that reason I love it for the drama that would be crazy yeah pens are 6-0 and 2 in their last 8 like what do you guys think they could make the playoffs
Starting point is 01:16:53 trading away Jake Gensel I think they're going to do and I hate to say it because I'm such a Red Wings guy if I'm looking at these final five games of the playoffs, like who do I think has the steel to really grip and lock down and make sure you get in?
Starting point is 01:17:09 It's got to be Crosby over the Red Wings. But I don't know. But the penguins had the same fucking problem last year and lost to the Blackhawks from the second to last game or something. I did say, dude, there was a time where it looked like Tampa was going to chase down Toronto. I know. And they were going to flip.
Starting point is 01:17:26 And that would have been a wild, wild situation. Yep. But right now, yeah, we've got, we're looking at Boston playing Tampa, New York playing Detroit. I think New York makes mincemeat of Detroit. I actually love that matchup too, though, I will say, just because I think it'd be fun. Patty Kane made those comments a little while ago now that was like, we love this, on a seven-game series, we love this team. It's Lion, right?
Starting point is 01:17:52 Yeah, Lyons, it's been playing better and better and better. Which he has. Yeah, I know, that's what I'm saying. And that is a really, like, the Rangers in the first round catching Caner or Crosby. be. I know there's a few other options, but you know, those two in the driver's seat right now, that would be super fun. That's a really exciting matchup.
Starting point is 01:18:09 I want the fucking Leafs for the B's so bad. It's not going to happen, but I wanted that so bad, dude. Yeah, the Boston pulling away from Florida has been unexpected. And the reward is the lightning. And, yeah, brutal. And I'll tell you what, though,
Starting point is 01:18:25 I feel like a lot of people, including us at times, have been unconvinced with this Boston Bruins team. They look very good. Playing some of their best hockey of the year right now. Like, Homer and Swayman
Starting point is 01:18:37 are on fire again and just, I think Peek's been, like I said, a very good ad for that defensive core. Like they've kind of replaced Forbert and Shattonkirk on a regular basis
Starting point is 01:18:52 with With Witherspoon and Peak. And it's looking good. And it's just interesting. But I think I think what's I think the biggest thing that is interesting and we'll see I think whoever Carolina is playing in that two three matchup I think they're going to sweep
Starting point is 01:19:09 Oh my God, what a dream. I think that is going to be the easiest matchup I think Carolina with the out of Genssel The guy has two points of fucking game It's just it's and you're getting Literally these are the only options you're getting the islanders the flyers The penguins or the caps And you know who is a fucking pervert right now Freddie Anderson yeah
Starting point is 01:19:29 Oh. He has come back and is just so good. I'm so happy for him. Me too, dude. It's amazing. So Carolina, dude, a bit of a wagon. I think they're going to eviscerate whoever they play. But as a neutral, I think for what I was doing with the West, being like a feed-me
Starting point is 01:19:48 Edmonton, Vegas. I think as a neutral, people are probably saying that about Boston, Tampa. Like, they're like, oh, fuck yeah. Like the Bruins are this like high-flying, super good East team and they catch the bolts in the wild card. Yeah, it's an absolute nightmare. I mean, it's last year. It's, you know,
Starting point is 01:20:05 Toronto playing Tampa in the first round. It was a nightmare for both teams. I don't want to do this to you, Blake. I think Toronto has been doing a very good job of flying on the radar. Yeah, you said this last episode. And I don't know. Sammy's playing pretty well. They seem a little fired up.
Starting point is 01:20:26 Marner's back in the lineup, there's just a world where they're better than we all think, but there's also a world where the Florida Panthers done the shit out of you in four games. Pandas are so good, dude. They just absolutely just play with their food with us.
Starting point is 01:20:49 But dude, I also don't want to say this because I don't want to jinx you Florida fans. I think Bob is playing too much. Look at some of these So Lars has been sick, dude He has, but Bob's games are so hot He's like creeping on 60 games I think
Starting point is 01:21:05 Do some quick math on that But I think Bob's played like 52 games So he started 56 games Most in the league or what? No, not most in the league I don't believe I'll find that out I just think that's too much
Starting point is 01:21:20 That's high That's higher than it needs to be 50 Sweet spot. Yeah, yeah. 50 games. Especially when you got Stolar's at a 2-1-2 goals against. They've got 102 points to Toronto's 97.
Starting point is 01:21:32 You're not, I guess it's just home ice. I would borderline shut Bob down for the season. Yeah, because after that, Steve's loss. Yep. So it's Soros leading the way with 61, and Giorgiyev right behind him was 60. 60 for Giorgio.
Starting point is 01:21:46 And I'll tell you what, dude, Georgiev is showing fatigue. Yep. Give me your, both of you right now. Give me your three in order. scariest team, scariest teams in the playoffs? New York Rangers number one. I think the New York Rangers are,
Starting point is 01:22:02 I think they're drunk. Yep, they are. And that's the best feeling in the world. I think they're drunk, and it's weird. Boston was the juggernaut last year, but there was something not drunk about Boston. They were kind of just like, steady as she goes. This New York team
Starting point is 01:22:18 is drunk. Like, they're losing every other game, and then they find a way to win. Yeah. Boston kind of did that here and there. But I think New York is so drunk on confidence and I think your big guys are rolling so hard that they're going to take that confidence into a playoff series no matter who they play. And I think we're going to see games one and two. I think we're going to see, doesn't matter the scoreline. We're going to see this same drunk confidence. And it's going to be like this whole shit dude.
Starting point is 01:22:47 They've got it. They've got the jam. They're going through. They're one for me. Dallas Stars are two. I think we've said I think for two years now
Starting point is 01:22:57 I've just needed Otter to be better which is unfair because I know you pull out the stats on me like he's always so good but I've just needed Otter to be a little better
Starting point is 01:23:07 and I think he is right now and I love the depth of that team and number three is Adobe Acrobat Studio your new foundation use PDF spaces to generate a present
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Starting point is 01:23:55 That's what I was going to say. I think it's the Carolina Hurricanes. I love that defense. I love the offense since Gensel's been added and I love Freddie Anderson. It's almost like obviously really scary what happened but it's almost like this, that little scare and the way he's bounced back
Starting point is 01:24:12 was like a really nice rest for it. And now he's just playing his best hockey at the perfect time. Vegas too uncertain. Yeah, I mean like that that's who I was. It's them in Colorado. I picked Colorado to win the cup. Yeah, Colorado with the moose things,
Starting point is 01:24:26 a little uncertainty for me. But to me it's, I don't mean to talk shit. It's Gourgiv. Gourgiv has been really shaky the last like eight games. And I am not feeling awesome about that. Vegas, I just, I don't know, but they are terrifying. Oh my God. I'm terrified of them.
Starting point is 01:24:45 Blake, top three. Dallas, Carolina, Florida. Okay. What, dude? Yeah. The Rangers. No. Wow.
Starting point is 01:24:54 I'm Dallas one. Dallas one, Florida, two. and then the three you guys the Rangers, Cains and Vegas are what I'm debating in that third spot um give me Vegas dude fuck it
Starting point is 01:25:11 fucking I love it give me Vegas I love it um gonna be wild dude gonna be wild there are so many different canned cocktails on the market right now and I want to talk to you guys
Starting point is 01:25:22 about the best one and that is June shine and frankly it's not close June shine is perfect for any occasion if you want to hang out at the game If you want to hang out in the backyard, you want to sip a nice cocktail at the bar, Junshine has you covered every single place you go. And the best part is it doesn't have that chalky, disgusting taste that all of these different canned cocktails have.
Starting point is 01:25:42 It's not packed with a bunch of added sugars. The number one can cocktail margarita on the market has 27 grams of sugar. That's absurd. Junshine has six. This is a no-brainer. It's 10% ABV. So you're going to get a nice buzz on. There's no fuss.
Starting point is 01:25:57 There's no process. There's no cleanup. It's easy. It's right there in the can and it's ready for you to drink. They have a ton of delicious flavors. Like we said, that margarita hits different. And you want to mix it up a little bit? The hard kombucha's are delicious.
Starting point is 01:26:10 That's what got me onto Junction. It is the best drink to just sip all day long in the sun outside with a group of friends. They care about the planet. They're doing unbelievable, sustainable, beautiful practices when making these products. And you can get them in over 10,000 locations. You're going to Target. You're going to Whole Foods. You're going to Ralph's, Kroger's, Albertsons,
Starting point is 01:26:30 total wines, Bev Mo, tons of others. Junshine is going to be there and it's going to get you that buzz and that delicious drink that you always need. Junshine is the no-brainer canned cocktail. Sip it today. All right, let's kick it to our last week of Armchair GM. Is that right, Blake? I believe so. Well, just, you know, judging by the performance and where the point spread is.
Starting point is 01:26:57 Yeah, we have a question for you, Dan. Yeah. I've lost. Yeah. Did Chris body bag me last week? 35 to 20. So the point spread is 36. So 36 point lead.
Starting point is 01:27:09 Do you want to wave it? Yeah. One week left 36 point lead. It's literally impossible. All done. It's not impossible. You got two lucky weeks, as all I'll say. I do agree there was only two big swing weeks.
Starting point is 01:27:20 Who shit the bed for me this week? Ivan Fedatov didn't get any starts over over. I respect that. I mean, I knew that was going to happen. Like, that was just a funny thing. I respect that. It was a funny pair. And, I mean, it was Caprizov going off with four goals over the week.
Starting point is 01:27:34 given for 11 points in our scoring system. That'll do it. Yeah, and Robert Thomas had a big week for Chris as well. Yeah, I guess there's been determined that Chris is the better GM. Yeah, against all odds. Yeah. I think I made too many emotional picks. Yep.
Starting point is 01:27:54 I think also. I don't even need, we don't even need to pick a roster this week. Yeah, no, in my pitch, and I think maybe we do some sort of a post to see what the listeners think of a punishment, but my idea for a punishment is dressing you up in terrible hockey sty and making you play a beer league game, and Chris and I get some great content of it, of you looking like a total bender. But see what the people think. That is such a difficult thing for me to agree to with my vanity and my ego.
Starting point is 01:28:26 I don't know if I can agree with. I know. Think about it. You don't have to decide right now. Just think about it. I'll consider it. I just, I don't think the punishment for this should be that. severe. That's not that severe. And this is a year-long
Starting point is 01:28:38 GMing competition. First of all, it wasn't a year-long. This is a half of a year-long GMing competition. And second of all, I won a competition against you that I graciously took the punishment for. Ooh, okay. I'm going to do it last. I'm talking about the shrimp. Yeah. Well, I won that contest. No, undeniable. No, but you gave me a window to
Starting point is 01:28:58 still win. So I'm willing to give you a window. Like, we can play in playoffs. I'll do a punishment. We'll discuss the punishment. I'll do it. All right. Sassy predictions. Yep. Sassy predictions. I get fucked in this every week.
Starting point is 01:29:15 Yeah. It's insane. I said that Matthews would score five goals in his next three games last week, and he scores four. Yeah. You know, I'm like, it's always like, I'm one millisecond away from winning, and I can't. He is at 64, which is sick, and I thought I wanted him to be past Conner's mark. He's definitely going to pass it. 70s still on the table.
Starting point is 01:29:34 It was so dope. We were like, he's kind of going to get hot here. And he goes 2-1-1. So I'm 70 watch still happening, Blakey, but I'm going to lose my saucy prediction. Dan, what was your ridiculous take? Well, I said I was going to get crazy because I was riding high off of a win. And I said that the Preds would be tied with the Jets in points, and they are not. It was a really bad week of four games for the Predits.
Starting point is 01:29:57 Yeah. That's a bad losses, yeah. Bad losses, yes. All right. So we're both eaten. Do you have your prediction? Yeah. Okay.
Starting point is 01:30:05 All right, here we go. Here we go. Really getting a lot on that. Jesus, yeah, he went for it there. Now you're putting me on the hot seat, literally. Okay? Usually covered, you know. Saucy predictions.
Starting point is 01:30:33 What's the worst hot sauce you guys have ever had? The one I had in Boston. Oh, really? That was fucking insane. I think the worst one I've ever done is that nuclear gummy bear I ate here in the office. They like sent this company sent us these. It was one package. Oh, I've heard of these.
Starting point is 01:30:50 Yeah. Of one gummy bear. And it was the hottest thing ever. It ruined my shits for days. Ugh. Just days. Okay, I hate how much the, uh, the hiccups come for me. All right.
Starting point is 01:31:08 My saucy prediction. Cause I'm on my lap, dude. The New York Islanders currently sit in third place in the Met. They have a game against the Rangers tomorrow, the Canadians on Thursday, and the Rangers on Saturday. I think by this time next week, the New York Islanders will be out of a playoff spot. I can't even touch my phone now. I've got a broken hand. Don't touch anything, as he always says.
Starting point is 01:31:41 I'm going penguins. Okay. They've got three games at Leifes, home versus wings, versus wings, home versus Bruins. Gargantuan games. Gargantuan games. They go 2.0 and 1. And Crosby has four points. Wow.
Starting point is 01:32:05 He went double sauce. I like it. Gargantuan games. Big implications in the Met for us. That is it for us this week at the Empty Netters podcast. We're coming down the home stretch for real this time. Playoff picture. Hangs in the balance.
Starting point is 01:32:24 Enjoy all these. episodes, enjoy some of these awesome interviews we got coming up. Go subscribe to the YouTube. Please. If you're listening to this, go subscribe. Download the episodes. Keep hitting us up. We love it. And until we see you next time, as always. Skate hard.

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