Empty Netters Podcast - Chicago Blackhawks Star Connor Bedard Is Playing OUT OF HIS MIND

Starting point is 00:00:00 Welcome to the Empty Netters podcast. Can you believe what this has become? There was a full 48 hours where I felt like I was like literally Superman. Jumbo loves playing Fortnite, so he gets on the sticks. Did TR show you the sauna cycle or was that all year? Not I invented that. Almost a year now that I haven't taken a body check. That's kind of nice.

Starting point is 00:00:24 Finish tonight with some chicken fingers and a few guineasas right into you guys. That's where this pod came to life. Ice is ready. And we are back with another episode of the Empty Netters. podcast brought to you by BetMGM, which is now live in Missouri. Huge, huge, huge win. I am your host, Dan Powers, over here on the sticks. We have the Irish wonder.

Starting point is 00:00:45 Sean Buffini, who we now just decided we might call Feeney. Because Buffman, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I feel like Sean Buff Daddy Combs would be a great nickname, if not for the things going on in the world right now. But either way, he's on the sticks. And to my left, my co-host, the only man who has ever bought the Israeli sea salt scrub from a random kiosk in the mall because he is too afraid to say no to people, Chris Powers. As always, that did happen. It did.

Starting point is 00:01:17 And it's one of a dead seat. It's one of the great examples of those people who just will like, any time there's a person on the street anywhere who's just like, excuse me, can I have a minute of your time? Chris goes, yeah, in fact, you can have 20. And I'm always like, what the hell is wrong with you? I was with, where the hell were we? Oh, Alice and I went to the King's game this past weekend and got caught with one of the greatest moves ever. You walked in, there was like someone standing there with the stand. They were trying to sell this or that.

Starting point is 00:01:51 And we walked in the doors. We barely got in the concourse. And this dude came running up to us and was in our face immediately. He was like, hey, guys, sorry, we're doing a thing here. the game today where we absolutely have to get two of the best looking people we've ever seen to sign up for this thing. And it just caught me off guard so much. And I was like, that was a good move. It worked for a second. I was like, oh, what's up? And then I was like, wait, fuck you. But you almost had me. Yeah. You would have been debt. Oh my God, dude. I'd be, I'd be buried under

Starting point is 00:02:20 crypto right now. I'd be working for them. We've got a lot of hot ice, a lot of stuff to get into in this episode. We're not wasting any time. And there is one thing that is at the top of everyone's mind right now. If you go on hockey Twitter, it is the only thing being talked about after a performance last night. Connor Bedard has has arrived. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:02:43 I think a lot of people, especially Hawks fans who never quit on him, never gave up on him, would have already said he had already arrived. But I think the last two games of Connor Bardard have just been so unbelievably impressive

Starting point is 00:03:00 that now it's like, okay, And I am starting to think, CP, that we can't ignore the team Canada stuff. I mean, we are at a point where this kid and Macklin. We'll talk about Macklin in this segment two. They are just, you know, we're approaching 30 games into the season, and they are second and third in the NHL in points. And I'm like, uh, yikes, dude. This is not, this isn't like a, oh, he's doing well on a bad team.

Starting point is 00:03:29 It's like, no, no, no. He is dragging this team into flirting with a playoff spot all season long now. And my God, the stuff he was doing last night, the go-ahead goal to make it 3-2, and eventually got tied up and they lost in a shootout. But that go-head goal was so disgusting. Then he comes out in the shootout and pulls a pure Datsukian move. Yep. Beats Carter Hart.

Starting point is 00:03:54 And I don't know if you noticed this. He skates down the Vegas bench. and a few of the Vegas players went, that was sick. And Bidar just goes, thanks. Like, it was such a nasty move. God, that is so awesome. That players on the Knights could not help

Starting point is 00:04:08 but be like, that was fucking gross. But this kid, it's looking like World Juniors Connor Bredar. He is flying around doing whatever he wants. The goal to go up 3-2, because I feel as though a lot has been made about his shot and his release.

Starting point is 00:04:24 And sometimes you even see when in practice where the tweets are like, and I'm like. And we've talked shit about it. Not the shot. We've talked shit about the reaction about being like, people, relax. He's shooting the puck. He's an NHL star.

Starting point is 00:04:33 He's shooting the puck. And he has a great shot. But there was all this talk about like, well, dude, we've never seen a shot like this. Never seen a release like this. Put it that way. And that, for the people watching at home, that goal is what everyone was talking about and is talking about. The way that he can push it out to get separation from the D, then pull it back in to change the angle. And just as you're thinking, if you're the goalie or the defenseman about getting your stick in the,

Starting point is 00:04:58 the lane about, oh, the angles over here now. It is literally not only already gone, but already ripped, but also already ripping the back of the net. That was like, oh, Jesus Christ. It was scary. It scared the shit out of me. It scared the shit out of me. That was, your reaction was just perfect. When that goal, I was watching that game and he's coming down, he gets the puck and he's ripping down the ice and I see it's Shea Theodore and I'm like, oh, this is a fun one-on-one matchup, two of the best in the game. And what's funny is he kind of puts Shea on skates, but not really. Shea keeps in front of him and kind of keeps up with his speed and just pushes him wide,

Starting point is 00:05:35 but Conner gets just enough room. And that shot came off and I was like, oh, my God. I felt like Walking Phoenix in Signs when the alien steps into the frame. Yeah, yeah. I was like, and the way that hit the net and came out, it was a beautiful noise. Like it kind of rang bar a little bit, but it was like this teeny, there was the this size hole. for that to go in. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:05:57 And it went into it. It sniped it. And the way it just bounced out, it's like it hit such a tiny area of that top corner that the puck just came out immediately. That was putrid. Like, those are the moments where I go, what, remember we said before, I was like, is he ever going to hit that goal scoring threshold? Those are the moments where I'm like, oh, no, he could be a 50 goal guy because he needs no space, dude. He needs nothing. Nothing.

Starting point is 00:06:27 He needs the puck for 1. He needs the puck for 0.2 milliseconds. Dude, and he's just, he's a perfect hockey player right now. Like we always talk about 17 goals, 21 assists, 38 points, plus 10. Oh, dude. Plus 10, Connor. And I just can't, I can't get over it. I can't get over how these two kids, and we're going to talk about Macklin,

Starting point is 00:06:50 20 years old and 19 years old, they started out hot, they've continued to be hot. And not only are they continuing to be hot, they're getting more comfortable. You're seeing them try new things, maybe things that they were doing in college and junior. And they're doing it with confidence. And it's fucking sexy, man. It is horny hockey. I love horny hockey. We haven't really gotten horny yet this year.

Starting point is 00:07:16 But these two chubby right up. They'll chub you right up. Children that chubby right up. Yeah. They're legal. They're legal. And that's good. Yeah, that's important. That's important. Who are you kicking off Team Canada? Because you're right, it's getting to the point where I'm like, uh-oh.

Starting point is 00:07:32 Yeah. And here's here's the big question with Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini. And it is they are both centers. And the problem with Team Canada is that three of the best players on planet Earth are also centers in Sydney Crosby, Connor McDavid, and Nathan McKinnon. I struggle to say either Connor or Maclin should play fourth line center. I do think this tournament is not an all-star game. I think we saw how physical Four Nations was. Don't bring up the fighting. Olympic hockey is still physical and you are still going to need someone who's going to be able to go up against guys like the Kachuk brothers and J.T. Miller and Charlie McAvoy, like tough customers. and there's a part of me that's like,

Starting point is 00:08:25 I think maybe you do want that grinder line. You do want a Sam Bennett, a Tom Wilson, a Seth Jarvis, who are going to be more of those gritty guys who can also still score and show a lot of talent. But now I'm like, I don't know, man. I'm watching them go up against teams top defensive pairings, teams top bruising lines,

Starting point is 00:08:44 and I'm like, why not put these fucking kids on a fourth line? And what if they're what if, okay? Yep. What if you go fourth line? Because these aren't the only two new members of team Canada that you might want to throw on in the mix there. What if you just punch back, meet physical presence with pure electricity on the fourth line and you go one of Connor or Macklin on the wing and you go fourth line, Badaard, Celebrini and Wyatt Johnston. Dude, what if? What if? Just think about that. Remember? I actually used to always think that. Yeah, you've always been like a just go, go young, go town. I have always said this where it's like, the coming out of the 90s and shit, it was such a clutch and grab and dump and chase cycle the puck league. Yeah. That I was like, why? So fourth lines were always that guy. Yeah. And I was like, your fourth line should be fucking absolute waterbugs. Like I don't need to put the fourth line out to, to hit somebody. I need to go. I hate them to like.

Starting point is 00:09:49 steal a goal here and there and cause chaos. And I think Sean Thornton was on that line too, but the year the Bs won the cup when it was like Danny Pye and I was like him, he should be on the fourth line. I was a top five pick. And I didn't quite pan out so now I do this. And that would be cool.

Starting point is 00:10:05 I legitimately think, I had strongly said neither of them would make Team Canada because it was just, they're going to be in a million Olympics. There are guys you owe spots to, which I know some people disagree with, but I just think sometimes you're like, this is his last Olympics and I'm giving it to him.

Starting point is 00:10:25 Yeah. So I was passionately against them making it. I'm now, I now think there's a 50% chance that both of them make it. And I will say, no offense to Bedsie, Mack plays a more complete game. And I think if only one makes it, I think it would be Mac.

Starting point is 00:10:41 I agree. I do think Macklin is ahead of him, but it's a razor-thin margin. And I'm now officially on, I'm over 50%. for both of them. And it's a tough thing. Who do you bump off? It's it's it's really brutal that there are this many good Canadian. I mean, there are Canadian players who are so good and having such good seasons that aren't even sniffing this roster. I know. And that is crazy. But I, I, I, I, I just

Starting point is 00:11:06 don't know how we are going to approach by, by the time these, what, do you know what date the rosters have to be set? I think the 31st, I think. So if by the end of this month, we'll be what, close to Yeah, the 31st. We'll be close to 35 games into the season, 40 games into the season by the end of this month. If they're just on this torrid pace still and second and third in the NHL behind mutant McKinnon. Feels pretty crazy. And we've talked about so many times, like stats don't determine these teams. But when these two are dominating the NHL the way they are at their age, I'm like, what are we doing here?

Starting point is 00:11:44 Like probably out, if they're in, is Sam Bennett? Slower start. That's our guy. Brad Marchand? No, absolutely not. Brad Marchand will be on this team no matter what. He is leading the Panthers and points, and he is a massive, massive leader in that group. And I do not think there's any world where Sidney Crosby and Nathan McKinnon allow that to happen.

Starting point is 00:12:06 Good point on those two. They might have some saying that. Tom Wilson, Seth Jarvis, Mark Sheifley. No, not Shifley. What? These guys could be out if those two go in. I don't think Shifley could be out. I stand by Jarvie, too.

Starting point is 00:12:22 I mean, but they're in the conversation. Yeah, because then there's no one else that can come out. So Sorrelli is on the same bubble for sure. It's crazy. Yeah, yeah, it'll be nuts. It's crazy. And I also will say if they both make it or if either of them make it, neither will play center. They will play wings.

Starting point is 00:12:39 And that's completely fine. But neither are they play center. But, I mean, God damn. That fucking nipity. do do dog. It's so nasty, past Che Theodore. And the way that he's just, he has ditched the little boy pants

Starting point is 00:12:52 and he has put on big boy pants. Yeah. And they fit just fine. They fit great. Yeah. They fit great. It shapes his ass fantastically, which is why everyone's so horny. I know. That's what's happening. People are all horned up. He's only doing squats. He's doing squats draft day, dude. People forget that. People forget

Starting point is 00:13:08 that you were there. I was in the gym with him doing fucking Bulgarian split squats. Draft day. And the anyone doubted him. People were saying he might be a bust. He might be too small. He might be this and that. And it's just, I mean, we're seeing prime Patty Kane stuff from him right now. Truly we are. It's incredible. That shootout move was disgusting. And it was the shootout move for me. The goal was incredible. But the shootout move was man-vibing. And we love when people man-vib. And he is man-vibing. It also felt like some dudes, and there's nothing wrong with this, in fact,

Starting point is 00:13:43 Osh was famous for this where he's like, I kind of come in, I have this, I come in the same way. Yeah, I've got a couple moves I'm going to. Yep. I think most guys are like that. That should, but Betsy shootout goal literally looked like someone so in control that he was like, I don't even know what I'm about to do. I'm just going to like keep fake shotting and stick handling till you do something weird. And then he was like, I'm about to shoot.

Starting point is 00:14:05 And then Carter Hart had it. And he was like, actually, I'm going to pull it back this way. And then he was like, I'll have it if you pull it all the way across. And he was like, oh, but you stood up for one. second and then just split it through the Bible. I was like, Jesus Christ, dude. It was so quick. Yeah, that's what I mean.

Starting point is 00:14:18 It was the, it was the Datsuk, like, pull back on the backhand. But not all the, not all the way around it. Like, Datsuk's like, bye. It was just a little shift that made Carter Hart open the legs just a little bit. And I mean, fucking A. Holy hell is crazy. Talking about another youngster who was out of control. The Great Wall of St. Paul has done it again.

Starting point is 00:14:41 Another shutout last night. bringing Jesper Walshsted to four. Four shutouts on the year. He's 8-0-2 with a fucking 1.7 goals against and a 0.944 safe percentage. This is bonkers. And you know what I love about Walshded? It feels almost like, because Gus signs his new deal and everyone's Gus was the big addition to Minnesota.

Starting point is 00:15:09 This is a first round pick for Minnesota. I don't think people remember that. People are kind of like, who is this guy? He was, I believe, 20th overall in 2021. And like, that's a high pick for a goalie. And he got some time last year, was, you know, whatever, whatever. But this guy, I think he has like 10 career games in the NHL. Can you look that up?

Starting point is 00:15:34 And he has five shutouts. No, he's, sorry, 10 career wins. 15 career games, 10 wins, and 5.5. Five shutouts. This dude doesn't give up goals. Bro, that is a fucking banana land stat. Yeah, 15 games. That's fucking crazy.

Starting point is 00:15:53 So I've got a couple of things for you. A couple of way too horn. This is going to be a horny episode, folks. So if you need a towel, get it now because we're going to be horned up. A couple of way too horny thoughts here. Is this dude already stealing the calder from Schaefer? Yes. I don't know how, and listen, is there any way he can keep up this pace?

Starting point is 00:16:18 No, well, not the shutout pace. If he does, he will win MVP, which he wish he will deserve, unlike Connor Hellbuck. And if he wins, if he keeps, yeah, correct. But if they stay as hot as they are, which is like, I think they're third still. Yeah. Because those other two, I mean, God, imagine if they catch Dallas or Colorado. But if they stay a comfortable third and he plays, and he leads the league in these categories, then he will be rookie of the year and deserve it.

Starting point is 00:16:43 Because you are a rookie goaltender. People talk a lot about how goalie especially is one where you really got to start getting used to the feel of the league and everything. It takes a while for some goalies to develop. A goalie coming in and leading the league and everything is lunacy. Absolute lunacy. So yes, he would steal it. He isn't if, well, we're actually going to get into this later, so I won't spoil it.

Starting point is 00:17:04 But he is on pace to steal it from Schaefer. Okay. Agree. Now, let's get into. another horny topic. Do you consider trading Gustafson? So.

Starting point is 00:17:18 And and let's everyone calm down. No, no. You just horned them up. You just fucking fluffed everybody. You can't fucking, you can't throw ice water on. Let's stay horny. They just got fluff. Let's stay horny. I think you should consider

Starting point is 00:17:31 trading him. And I'll tell you why. You got him on Gustafson. You got him on a, I thought a good contract. He's, I think it's 6.8 million starting next year. Remember you're like he's got to re-sign him right now. They only have this much space and they did.

Starting point is 00:17:48 6.8 million starting next year. You've got Walsh dead at 2.2 this year and next year. And you just signed krill to $50 million a year. Minnesota could try to save money anywhere they can. And you're going to, this is a first round pick who's playing like this. You're going to pay him, right? Oh, yeah, yeah. So it's like, I don't know.

Starting point is 00:18:12 Do you think about dealing Gus right now? And this would be a cool situation where you go goly for goalie, because you go, we're not trading Gus. And then what? You bring up an AHL guy to back up Wallstead. No, no, no, you need a tandem. But I wonder, are there teams that could use a goalie? Because Gus is a good goalie.

Starting point is 00:18:32 Yeah. But you've got this first round pick who, you know, Gus kind of surprised you in Minnesota. And you're like, oh, yeah, great, we're going to reward him. But now, Walshead is the number one guy on this team right now. He's your first round pick from just four years ago. He's playing, he's the best goalie in the league right now. I think you consider this move. You consider this move.

Starting point is 00:18:55 You look at teams. There are teams, I mean, Carolina came up for me immediately. I believe, and I'm hearing little birdies telling me that Frederick Anderson is retiring after this year. I believe that. And I believe that, too. And Bussie, your guy. The boy. has been fantastic in net.

Starting point is 00:19:12 Yep. But I don't know that they're ready to be like Bussie is our guy for the future. Is that a move? Do you go, do you ride with Freddie and go let him retire here? It's not like you drafted Freddie. Is that a move where you go, Carolina, here's Gustafson, give us Freddie to tandem and back up Wallstead and have a retirement tour here in Minnesota? It's Scandinavian as hell there. Yeah, it is.

Starting point is 00:19:38 He would love that. He would love that. He would love it, dude. Here's my issue. I love where you're headed. I love where you're headed. My issue is this. Because Bussie is like 27.

Starting point is 00:19:50 Gus is also 27. Yep. So I think if I'm Carolina and I'm high on Bussy, I admit. If I'm Carolina, I'm like, no. Like Bussie's, Freddy's going to retire, Bussie's my guy. I don't need another 27-year-old dude being like, I'm splitting time with you for. for a great deal, but kind of a lot, if that's all I want. You're prepared to call Bussie the guy?

Starting point is 00:20:15 Oh, yeah. And again, I know I'm drunk on him, but I'm ready to call him the guy. We're horny. Say horny. If the wild, like, dude, Gus has played 17, has started 17 games this year for the while. Great Wall 10. Yeah. And I think we, I was trying to remember who we brought. Oh, I think it was Pittsburgh.

Starting point is 00:20:35 You were like, do you trade jari? And I was like, you do, but not mid-season. And that's kind of how I feel about this wild team. You have your bright shining boy right now who's incredible. And he's got five fucking four shutouts in 10 games. Yeah. But if you right now, like let's say Carolina calls right now and goes, yo, Bussy is not the guy. We can see it in practice.

Starting point is 00:20:59 We need Gus. He's on a great deal and he will thrive for us. Yeah. Give it to us. We'll trade you Freddie back, I guess. Then they, the wild would be going, we are now making the good. Great Wall prominent. You are playing every game.

Starting point is 00:21:14 Freddy's going to fill in here and there, but you are playing every game. And he certainly is dominating right now, but my fear is you force him into too much action unnecessarily this year. Yeah. If Gus gets hurt, then you force him into action and it wasn't our fault. Okay. But if you do this to him and you force him into too much action, I worry that you overwork him. He's played five games in his life before the season.

Starting point is 00:21:38 I'm like a 60 starts. Go and playoffs. So this season, the way they've turned their whole year around over the last month, I go, keep Gus, ride this tandem out, make legitimate waves. The Great Wall hopefully is your playoff started. And then this summer, 1,000 percent. And Dan, I'm not exaggerating. 1,000 percent you have to trade Gus.

Starting point is 00:22:01 No question. You go like us, dude, I'm sorry. I did not want it to go this way. This was not our plan. Yep. When I signed you that extension, I genuinely. believed in you and I genuinely meant it and I wanted you to be here. Unfortunately, things have changed. The paradigm has shifted. You are dead. And then... Go, go, be free. Be free. Be free. And you can

Starting point is 00:22:22 get some good return there because he's on a great deal. I've got a couple other teams for you that I'm going to throw at you. And one of, one I'm really jazzed about. Are you ready? Trade Gus right now to the Detroit Red Wings for John Gibson. Let me tell you some things. John Gibson's cap hit is the exactly the same. 6.4. Yeah. So starting next year, you go, everything we plan for.

Starting point is 00:22:49 Yep. John Gibson 32. I think things haven't started great in Detroit. Maybe you go, just pop over to Minnesota. I think he doesn't like the cold. He's in Michigan right now

Starting point is 00:23:00 and playing horribly. Oh, I get what you're saying. Fuck. I think he's a warm weather cat. I think he's a warm weather goal. It's possible. I didn't know that about him. He didn't know it about himself.

Starting point is 00:23:10 Maybe you shock the system, though, and go even colder. You go colder. Yeah. Yeah. Now you're numb. You can't feel anything. And you're playing great. Yep.

Starting point is 00:23:19 How about that? Okay. I'm intrigued again. That's interesting. I think Detroit is interesting. What do you think about Utah? Utah, starting out so hot, kind of slipping out of a playoff spot,

Starting point is 00:23:30 all of a sudden you could get guest bus in net. What do you think about a Swede in Mormon town? Can't drink. You can't drink on Sunday. Vermelka's been good, and they just signed Vermelka for a long time. Vamelka 29, though. Okay, yeah, 29. 4.7 mil.

Starting point is 00:23:48 8.82. 4.7 mil until 2030 as your backup tandem with Walsstead. That could be pretty great. And all of a sudden you get Gustafson in Utah. And you're like, he's 27. He signed 6.8. That's your guy forever. I like that one more.

Starting point is 00:24:05 Interesting. I like that one a lot more. Very interesting. And his 4.7 right now, because I think Gus is making like 4 or something right now. Is that not right? Let's find that. Wild. Where are you?

Starting point is 00:24:17 Wild right now, Gustafson's contract this season is 3.7. That's a $1 million difference. That could be an easy trade. One for one. Philip Gustafson for Vamalka. I do like your goalie one for one. Like we're going to just find, we got to find another goalie and we're like, hey, dude. Don't ruffle the feathers.

Starting point is 00:24:34 Just be like this. Wollstead, it's your net. We're going to get you a nice solid back. I'm kind of wondering, though, Gus, I think, has value. Like, I don't want to get a, a leaky backup. But those guys I just said aren't leaky. Gibson is great. He has started slower than we want, but Gibson is great.

Starting point is 00:24:54 And I think if you also go Gibson, here you are, you're in a tan. Like, you're, we don't lean on you this hard. Yep. But you're right, he does have value. Because I'm like, dude, that's a pretty good number. That's pretty good number for a good goalie. You know, throwing pickers. I was trying to look up.

Starting point is 00:25:09 Throwing a pick in there. He's done. I mean, dude, as a 24-year-old, I guess that's the question with Gus. No, last year, 58 games, 9-1-4-256. That's very solid. Sixth in Vesna voting last year. Who was that? Gus.

Starting point is 00:25:28 Yeah, I mean, Gus was fantastic last year. Just saying, it's something to think about. We're in a horny season. It's holidays. People are feeling warm and cozy. Got to trade them. Look at Sean. Sean's horny as hell.

Starting point is 00:25:39 Yeah, he is. That's when I got here this morning. I could tell the second I walked in, you could smell it. Yeah. Farramones are out of control. Moving to another goalie, but this one maybe not so happy, not so bright and shiny. Jordan Bennington in St. Louis. On Monday, we had a little dust up on the blues bench.

Starting point is 00:25:56 Things not going great for the blues so far this season, and we saw verbal exchange with Jordan Bennington and Monty after Binner got yanked in the first period. He gave up two goals on five shots, got ripped from the game. Binner this season is 6, 5, and 5 with a 3.11 goals against and a 0.882 save percentage. Now, the blues are straight up cheeks. Yeah. So this isn't totally on Binner. But remember that stat that was like goals against expected?

Starting point is 00:26:25 Very bad. And he was last in the league. So kind of like it's a bit on you. Yeah. So we're, you know, we're through several games here for Binner. A lot of games for the Blues. things aren't really turning around. Now we see him fighting with the coach.

Starting point is 00:26:40 And to be clear, Binner made statements. He was like, we're fine. It was whatever. I was pissed in the moment. Monty was like, I love Jordan Bittington. Everyone knows that. There's no issue here. We got to talk about Binner, the Blues, and Team Canada.

Starting point is 00:26:56 By all accounts, Jordan Binnington is a lock, as people are saying. A lock to be on that Team Canada roster. And I am here to officially say, are we sure? You made an incredible point the other day, which was if he is on the team and not the starter. Yep. What is he? And I'm trying to, I mean, I don't mean this in a mean way, but what is his value? Because I think the entire aura of Jordan Bennington is.

Starting point is 00:27:36 Yeah, he actually is inconsistent and hasn't been that. Like, look at his career numbers and season by season. But in big moments, 2019 Cup, four nations, he really, he has that dog in him. You know, he's got fight. Yeah. And he's the guy you want between the pipes back there. Team Canada didn't even fucking question it. He outduled Hellabuck.

Starting point is 00:27:58 Those are the moments that you take Jordan Bittington. So I'm not saying this, but if you were saying, Jordan Bittington is my starting goal. from Canada because it's a big moment. And that's when he shines. Okay. Yeah, fine. Fine. But if you're going, I want Jordan Biddington to sit, I'm like, why?

Starting point is 00:28:16 Because now he's just like, and everyone's competitive. I want him to be competitive. But now he's just a guy who believes he should be in there being like, this is fucking bullshit. Yeah. I'm like, wood broke, go away. Jordan. You have a fucking 8-50s, same percentage.

Starting point is 00:28:30 Jordan Binnington has this notoriously spicy attitude. Yeah. And a spicy body. And that's great. And that's great. Yep. But you do ask yourself the question, especially as a goalie, do you want the spicy boy on the bench sitting there being like, I should be in? And he's not that type of teammate.

Starting point is 00:28:48 I'm not saying it every time the starting goal he lets in a goal, he's sitting there being like fucking bitch. Yeah. To save that Johnny Mansell style. I'd have had him. He's not doing that. No. But I am saying it is interesting to go, okay, we've got a bunch of goals. And in the past, even last year, it felt like at the beginning of the season, does Canada have a lot of great options?

Starting point is 00:29:11 And they didn't really. Oh, my God. It was crazy. But then LT Emerging was like, I'm literally 22.0 and 2. I should win the Vesna. Should someone put me in the fucking net, please? And there was bullshit, bullshit, bullshit. That is insane.

Starting point is 00:29:24 Dude, it's the most fucking pathetic thing in the world. And listen, they won four nations, so good for you. But at the same time, him not being on that roster last year was Banana Land. Banana Sand. sandwich. So now again, here we are, L.T., top of the league, he is on this team. And frankly, he's the starter or you're smoking ass grass. And I don't even know what's going on. Yeah. But you've also got Wedgwood playing great. And it's like, there's going to be three goalies. So, yep, Binner's in there. I suppose. But not riding the hot hand is so crazy.

Starting point is 00:30:00 Because if you go like this, dude, Binner's just up for these moments. And you go, okay. And then you guys play game one in the Olympics and Beners just does what he's doing right now, then you're like, oh, oh shit. And now you're benching Jordan Binton, which maybe isn't the best thing. And then it's just like, you're also, if you start in, you've got guys like LT being like, what the fuck is going? Obviously, LT's the best and he would be like, I'm, whatever, I'm thrilled to be here. But I just think it's crazy. I think it's a crazy thing to do. Two questions for you. One, the blues weren't very good last year. And obviously they got Monty, but then Binner went to four nations and like unblocked.

Starting point is 00:30:42 One. Good Jordan Binnington and then was great the rest of the way and then they make playoffs and then they should have beat the Jets. The Blues need him to make the team so bad. And starts. Yeah, the blues season is literally over unless Jordan Binnington makes the Olympics. roster and starts. Correct. Point number two.

Starting point is 00:31:04 We are talking about what would happen to Jordan Biddington and his nearest and dearest if he is makes the team and sits. Are you scared at all? What would happen to Jordan Bittington if he is cut after being the starter at Four Nations? A merely a year ago. And who makes that phone call? Who goes, hey, Jordan, you're not on the team after you've been told you were a lock for a year?

Starting point is 00:31:27 and then and then what happens to the blues and then what happens to Mont. Damn. That is butt cheeks. Does he kill someone? Yeah. That's butt cheeks. They might have to start him.

Starting point is 00:31:42 They might have to start him and get silver or not even. They might have to start him and not metal just out of safety. I don't know what you do. That would probably lead to an uncomfortable situation. Hey. Who makes that call before?

Starting point is 00:31:57 You know what we promised you? Does the bore make that call? Does Coop make that call? Cassidy. Oh, I'll let Butch do it. He goes like it. Butch is emotionless. He goes like us.

Starting point is 00:32:06 You have been terminated. What is the scene I'm thinking of? If you had someone else do it, it would be like Greg in succession, telling everyone that they've been laid off. Yeah. It would be a disaster. Yeah. But you could also have it be Kendall when he go, if it's Cassidy,

Starting point is 00:32:26 Binner will spit in Cassidy's face and he'll go like this Is that all? Is that it? Yeah. That's what will happen. Cassidy's the perfect man for that job. Dude, what does he say?

Starting point is 00:32:39 What does that fucking prick, Walter, dude, say to him? He goes, because your dad told you to, but then he says something, he's like, clean out your chicken coop.

Starting point is 00:32:51 Yeah. Yeah. Gas. Dude. Oh, man. Absolutely. I fucking want to do that someday. That is so good.

Starting point is 00:33:01 It's incredible. Let's keep it up with the goalie talk. Talking about Team Canada, talking about the goalies in contention here. Scott Wedgwood is one of them. However, last night. Uh-oh. The abs continued their win streak,

Starting point is 00:33:16 making it to 17 games in a row, I believe. But it came at a cost. Wedgwood left the game in the second period with an apparent upper body injury. Blackwood came in, slammed the door. They're all good. They get the win. but we'll see what happens here.

Starting point is 00:33:32 Is this an absolute nightmare for Colorado? Well, I think no. And everyone, I know everyone's saying yes because they've been so hot and he's been incredible. So everyone's on the abs, fucking train, and aren't we all? And we're grateful for the abs. But this isn't, to me, for a lot of reasons.

Starting point is 00:33:55 One, they are this good anyway. His goalie play was contributing. You're completely great. The ads are fucking fine. And your projected starter is going in, who was fucking awesome for you last year. True. Like when you got him, he was sick. It's not like a Gibson thing, not to drag him again.

Starting point is 00:34:16 But we're like, we brought him this guy to start and he's been bad. And then thank God we have blank. Sure. You brought him McKenzie Blackwood. He was incredible. Well, maybe that's aggressive, but he was very, very good. He was very good. then he was projected starter gets hurt and you're like fuck dude the talk preseason was fuck

Starting point is 00:34:31 McKenzie blackwood's hurt this sucks and then Wedgwood was like I'm actually so gross who cares so now you're just getting the other guy who's very good to come do the job that he was brought in here for I think there's a chance they don't miss a fucking beat and it gives Wedgwood some time like I hope he's not hurt badly yes but it's like okay dude just you guys should be resting you should this should be the fucking Swayman-Ulmark here. I think it's a Tom Brady-Drew Bletsow situation. Yeah, dude. I think it's like a...

Starting point is 00:35:01 Great cop. I think Wedgie gets hurt, takes a break. Blackwood goes... Whoops. I got you. Wedgie gets his mind right, gets his body right, and then he's back in. I think it's important that the abs and their fans don't get rattled by this. Now, we'll see.

Starting point is 00:35:19 I'm not, you know, I've been scouring the internet. I'm not seeing any new news on Wedgwood yet. but hopefully it's just like a two or three weeks. Yeah. Strained his elbow. What happens in an upper body injury for a goalie? Dude, I love their stuff. I love when someone gets conged, clearly conked.

Starting point is 00:35:34 And they go upper body injury. I'm like, well, I guess so. Yeah. I would say shoulder stuff, maybe peck. I could see like a peck situation. I, oh, fuck. Yeah. Reach for that one.

Starting point is 00:35:48 Did you see what happened? I'm going to look at it right now. Scott Wedgwood injury. Because, like, you're, that, you make a good point. Like, did he get conquied? And now I'm sitting here being like, what happened to his shoulder? And there's a chance that he's just got his brain. His brain is rattling around in his skull.

Starting point is 00:36:08 Well, whatever it is, we hope it's not serious. And, yeah, I think that this is a, you're right. Back tightness. Nothing serious as of now, according to Bednar. A little pulled back. Bole back. He was hitting too many golf balls the night. Yeah, he was in the sim.

Starting point is 00:36:25 He was in the sim. He was working on his drive. He had a stiff upper back and then he made one save and he tweaked it. And he was like, oh, oh, oh. Took a scene. Fine. He'll be back in a couple weeks. The abs are going to be fun.

Starting point is 00:36:37 Sooner, dude. This is a non-issue. This is a complete non-issue. And I hope that's the case because he deserves a shout at Olympa. He deserves a strong consideration at Olympic. Absolutely. Let's take a quick ad break and then come back with some silly season talk. hockey is all the way back and that means that the hat trick jackpot is back with betmgm

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Starting point is 00:37:42 get in on. All you have to do is get that app, use that promo code netters, and have a blast. We've been talking a lot about Olympics. We've got an update, an update from the Olympics. A lot of people have been talking. about, you know, we're talking about Mac, talking about Badaard, people saying, oh, we need some of these young guys. The ice, the ice is so big.

Starting point is 00:38:00 We need to fight physicality with speed. The fastest players we can think. Well, here's the thing, folks. No, it's not big Olympic ice anymore. In fact, it's even smaller ice. So according to Pete DeBore, they've got the rink going on in Milan, and it's smaller. It's going to be smaller by about four feet. And Pete DeBore, in his quote, said, quote, I don't know how that has.

Starting point is 00:38:24 happened. He also said, quote, there is no plan B as far as rinks go in Milan. So here we go. We have this rink and it is, I believe, like 196.8 or something like that. Yep. Four feet shorter than an NHL rank and 0.3 feet wider. What happened? Dude, was there? To back up Pete DeBore. What was there? How did that? How did that? this happened. Milan surely has hockey and basketball and like there's there's arenas right like as as a city that's going to be part of an Olympic hosting I understand I'm dreading already yeah the things that are going to go into that production so of course a lot's happening but surely there was infrastructure in place already yeah and was whatever I mean like is there a pro hockey team in Milan Italy yes there are professional ice hockey

Starting point is 00:39:25 teams in Milan, hockey club Milano Bears. Ooh, cool. Et cetera, et cetera. The Milano Vipers. Cool. Are they playing on? Is this where they play? Yeah.

Starting point is 00:39:37 What happened? Or like, did this get built for the Olympics and they accidentally made it too short? I don't know. But I have an idea. Okay. So you take whatever percentage smaller the rink is. Okay. And then we use that to scale and we make everything else smaller.

Starting point is 00:39:55 as well. Okay. So let's say, quick math here, that rink, the four feet, is what? 0.5% smaller. Well, I mean, like, yeah, okay.

Starting point is 00:40:12 Whatever. Let's call it 1% smaller. Yep. For the purpose of this conversation. We now make the puck 1% smaller. Okay. We make the nets 1% smaller.

Starting point is 00:40:22 And we make the sticks and the pads 1% smaller. pads yes sticks no because the humans didn't shrink the humans are the same the humans are the same but the players are the same the players are the same on the small eyes okay sticks day why not sticks it be one percent could we shrink the people no that's we don't have the technology for that we got to call um what's his name he's dope dude Rick Moranis Rick Moranus honey I shrank the kids call Rick Moranus 1% I think it's two right well I guess that's just link but Yeah.

Starting point is 00:40:55 2%. And then we go. No, but you know what? You're right because then nothing changes. Then it's just the same game. But I guess that's the point that I'm saying. Yeah, that is your argument. But I think I think humans stay.

Starting point is 00:41:09 I think we don't shrink the people. I think we don't shrink the sticks. We shrink the box. Shrink the nets. Pats. And the goalie pads? Golly pads. Just a little bit.

Starting point is 00:41:17 Because you can't shrink the net and not shrink the pads. Then there will be no difference. Then there's no asterisk needed. But right now, whoever wins gold, this is bullshit. Unless it's us. Who are a couple of your picks for players who are going to be the first people to say that they can tell a difference. Sid. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:41:33 Fucking off. Sid is going to do. Sid is going to make one pass off the boards and it's not going to land directly on someone's tape. Yeah. And then he's going to like just stare. I can't believe I've been asked such a constructive question. I don't know who did this, but he will like stare daggers at some construction guy who's like packing away into his box. You know, because they usually get the box.

Starting point is 00:41:55 Like, oh, a big thank you to so-and-so construction who built the ring. If there is anyone who would notice this, it is Sidney Crosby. It's actually, dude, this actually might throw his whole game off. No, he'll adjust. We could win gold. Because he's like, he's playing, you know, he's always going where the puck is supposed to go. It's going to throw off his whole route. So he's like, oh, here I go.

Starting point is 00:42:13 Like, he sees a puck and he's like jumps right here because he knows it's going right here, but it actually goes right here. And then he's like, what? Everything's off by a few feet. Why did the puck go there? And then this could be the best thing that ever has. happened to the U.S. That's what I'm saying. I think actually U.S. are favorites now because of the mutants on Canada who know rink dimension with their eyes closed. We, our boys just play. You think Jack Eichael gives a fuck that the rink is four feet short? You think the Kajak brothers know how to do

Starting point is 00:42:39 math? Do you think the Kachukh brothers? Absolutely not. We'll go when I'm running Drew Dowdy through the end boards. Do you think they'll notice it was four feet closer? No. That's dangerous. That's dangerous. Like they're the ad calculations way off, dude. They're going to fucking put someone through the glass. This is terrible. We're going to have fucking mayhem out there, dude. The U.S. are the favorites now. Yeah, this is big. Hold on, hold on, hold on.

Starting point is 00:43:07 This is an inside job. Last time I checked. That's what I was right about to say. Last time I checked, Brady and Matthew have been on the IR. Brady came back for his first game last night. Who signed... Where do you think Brady and Matthew were the last couple weeks? Who signed the checks to the construction crew that built this ring? Because if it says Big Walt, I have some questions.

Starting point is 00:43:24 No, I have zero questions. Yeah. I go like, oh, no, shit, shh, shh. Everything looks great. Everything's fine. No problems here. Good job. No problems here.

Starting point is 00:43:33 The only problems I see are with some no fun business. Oh, okay. Yeah, yeah. You've heard of no funny business. How about no fun business? We're talking about no bucket warmups. Taking the helmets off at warmups. So the Sends were on a bit of a skid, Chris.

Starting point is 00:43:52 Yeah, they, they, yep, that's right. And then last Wednesday, they decided to go full no-bucky warm-up and have a little bit of fun. And they pulled off a win. Would you look at that? It worked. How about that? They just said, you know what, let's have some fun. Then, shortly after that, the Devils celebrating Dylan's 1,000th game, they, I think they put on hats.

Starting point is 00:44:13 Yeah. No-Bucky warm-up. Had some hats on, which, by the way, we'll talk about that. Love that movie. Yep. Then after that, the sharkies, they saw fun being had in the league. And they went, what? We are fun.

Starting point is 00:44:26 We are fun. Dude, we invented fun. We are fun. Yep. And their Twitter even said, no bucket zone. They went no bucky warm up. And then the NHO went like this. Hold, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Starting point is 00:44:36 Enough. They cracked down. They said they want players to follow the rules. And they've stated that it is mandatory for any player who entered the league in the 2019-20 season or later has to wear buckets and warm-ups. Now, we love the league. We love Gary. So I'm not going to sit here and say, what are you doing?

Starting point is 00:44:57 Because in Gary, I trust. Yep. However, this is a plea to Gary and the league and player safety. You cannot do this. And there is nothing cooler than no bucket warmup. I think no bucket warm up is the coolest thing in hockey. I think they should wear cages. I can't believe you

Starting point is 00:45:25 I thought so passionately that you would be on my side in this topic and you bring back the cages discussion Marci's going to kill you I do think this it looks cool as fuck it's fun as fuck doing it like whenever you're out on a pond

Starting point is 00:45:40 or wherever when you can do that I worry that it is Slightly dangerous. But it's not. Slightly. It's not. Let me ask you a question.

Starting point is 00:45:59 Let me ask you a question. Including Beer League. How many hockey games have you played in your life? I've played my one thousandth game. Thousands of games. Even with your bucket on. Have you ever been hit with a puck and warm-ups? No.

Starting point is 00:46:15 No. Actually, yes, one time. Fuck off. Remember, Tim Berrigan took a slap shot. Why would I... Actually, I don't think you're on the team yet. No, I think you were. Tim Berrigan took a slap shot.

Starting point is 00:46:27 And actually, I guess this was practice. Yeah, and it was Eric Murdo. And he broke your cage. Yeah, yeah, it was Murdo. And... I can't believe I remembered this. Yeah, you said, how would I remember this? Yeah.

Starting point is 00:46:39 And you remembered it better than I did. But I only remember it because you had that fucking whack-ass half bubble. Dude, there's bubbles. The fact that bubbles are cool again makes me so happy because all these... But bubbles are cool, but you had that fucking lame half one. It was like a halfie with the cage on the bottom. Everybody has that. That's what a bubble is.

Starting point is 00:46:57 No, dude. It's a full bubble and like the breathability part is still plastic. You had a metal cage bomb. Okay, well, it was exactly that model. It was just the Oakley version instead of iTech. And that was cool at the time. I don't think so. It was gas.

Starting point is 00:47:11 I looked like fucking a maverick. Like, you know, it was like... It did have a maverick vibe. I'll give you that. It was fucking gas. Yeah, but it broke. You shattered. That was crazy.

Starting point is 00:47:21 But that was practice. It wasn't warming. So this is my point is like, no one, no one gets hit in warmups. Yeah. And especially at the NHL level. It would just be so shoo. Guys are so good. I think it was Sarahvelli said, and it was funny and he was correct.

Starting point is 00:47:36 He was like, if you were like whistling pucks feet over the net and wide of the net and hitting your teammates, we got a bigger problem. Dude, no, it's more bar to me. So many guys hit the bar. Yeah, but if you hit the bar and then the puck like flutters. and hits your head, it's not going to hurt that. That's a fair point, actually. But it would just suck if you, like, if someone got donned in warmups and then had to, like, miss the game or something, you'd be like, was that worth?

Starting point is 00:47:58 But it's just like, in warm, there's such a clear no. You'd adjust. Yeah, and you already do. There's a no-fly zone. Yeah. When we go to Jackson and Vail, I go no bucky. Because I'm like, why in the world would we not go no buck? Yep.

Starting point is 00:48:12 It's the best. It's the best. So I think this is our plea to Garry. don't do this don't do this we need it and in fact I think what we need

Starting point is 00:48:25 is we need people to continue I like how they let them break the rule if they're just like we're just gonna find you but it'd be cool if they're like

Starting point is 00:48:33 we're gonna find you Lucille Bluth we're not gonna find you do whatever you want and if we start cracking down I want people to go Dean Portman start going no jersey warm up

Starting point is 00:48:44 yeah with pads though yeah Like not no top, like not in your war road. I want you to come out literally war road elbow pads, shoulder pads. Just no jersey. Yeah, no, and bucket did not get fine. Yes.

Starting point is 00:48:59 No jersey. No jersey butt bucket. Yeah, yeah. That's interesting. It'll make a statement. Fucking, yeah. It'll make a statement. What do you have to say now, dude?

Starting point is 00:49:06 Maybe no glove warmer. People come out playing pond hockey. Ooh, that's fun. That'd be kind of interesting. You got to this earlier. Not that this adds much protection at all, but hats should be allowed. Yeah, it's no protection. I thank you for struggling back on that because I did want to talk about it.

Starting point is 00:49:20 You know what it reminded me of? It reminded me of Ken Griffey Jr. wearing the backwards hat during the home run derby. It's the sickest thing that's ever. Guys coming out in their team hats backwards during warmups, that should be a thing. And we can get that in a couple guys' years who would probably do it. I think that is, that could be really fun. Get them one of these. Hop on a netter's hat.

Starting point is 00:49:40 Get them on netter's hat. No fines for that. Maybe that is. We'll pay the fine. Hold on, guys. You wear a netter's hat. We pay the fine. I got it.

Starting point is 00:49:47 I got it. I love it when we get here. Yeah. When we get to places. NFL, the my cleats my cause. Hats in warmups can be the boys' way to show their flair. Yep. Throw on your favorite hat.

Starting point is 00:50:03 That's a bucket. Throw on your netter's hat. Yep. Throw on your. What are people wearing these days? Well, are you talking causes? Are you talking? Well, it's just show your personality.

Starting point is 00:50:14 Okay. So not causes. It'd be cool. It'd be cool. I don't care about causes. Yeah, no, no, no. I care about guys' interest. But it'd be cool, like, Dewey goes out in a Blue Jay's hat.

Starting point is 00:50:29 Yep, Chelsea. I malfunctioned there for a second. That was tough. Yep. But, like, during the World Series? Yeah, bang. I know that's a tough one because it was against L.A. And Dewey plays in L.A., but he's a Blue Jays fan.

Starting point is 00:50:40 That would be really cool. Something to think about. I love this. Quarter of the season. you wanted to do some quarter season awards. Just rapid fire. We're going to do probably a bigger breakdown midseason, but quarter season awards.

Starting point is 00:50:55 We're going to go, Hart, MVP, Norrist, defenseman, Vesna, best goalie, called a rookie of the year, Selke, Best Defense Award, and the Jack Adams. Let's start with Hart. Heart, I think this one's tricky

Starting point is 00:51:09 because it is Nate. Like, if the season ended today, they would give it to Nate, he deserves it, he leads the league and everything. They're the best team. he's the best player on the best team. He has the most everything.

Starting point is 00:51:19 So whatever. But I wish... I have a rebuttal. Well, me too. But I wish the... But you just... You blew it. You wasted it.

Starting point is 00:51:28 Okay. That's my pick. That's your pick. Time's up. I... That was a good fucking monster. I'm actually working on that. It was perfectly short.

Starting point is 00:51:39 Yep. Like, that was a good, quick buzzer. Okay. I believe it is Macklin Celebrini. I, honest to God, would give Mack and Celebrini right now, quarter of the way through, the MVP of the league. He is only six points behind Nathan McKinnon. The San Jose Sharks are in a playoff spot, a playoff spot. And my favorite part about Mac is he has 14 goals and 26 assists.

Starting point is 00:52:10 He's making everyone else better. Oh, my God. He's a plus six on this team. Their defense maybe isn't the best as it's been, blah, blah, or as other teams, rather. But he's got 26 assists. Will Smith is buzzing with him. And he's wearing the A. He's 19 years old.

Starting point is 00:52:29 Jason Tatum's only 18. This guy's 19. I would honest to God give Macklin Cellebrini the heart trophy at the quarter point. I believe it's the NBA, but even they don't do this, but I believe it's the NBA that says the definition of their MVP is most. valuable to your team. I think everyone says that and it's shit. Well, so that's where I was headed before I got buzzed off stage. It's Mac and Bedard, actually.

Starting point is 00:52:55 Because what they're doing. Frank, I was going to say and Leo too, but the Ducks roster is just better. Yeah. And if either Sharks or Blackhawks end up making playoffs, I think it should be Mac or Badares that wins it. Unfortunately, the award, not unfortunately, but in reality, the award goes to who the writers and everybody thinks is the best player in the league. And Nathan McKinnon, you know, you can always have the McDavid and Nate and Cooch even arguments. But like Nate is in the conversation of best player alive currently and is having the best season.

Starting point is 00:53:34 You know, he's going to have 100, fucking 40 points and the abs are going to have a near record breaking season. Totally. And they are going to go, Nathan McKinnon is the MVP. totally but I wish they would go these two kids have done something that is insane Norris trophy can I just really quickly say and it's great that we're getting into Norris for this point and I can't believe I'm going to say this because I feel like someone's going to stab me for it yeah I think it is going to be funny when we look back on history and say that Lane Hudson was given the call to over Becklin Celebrating I agree and

Starting point is 00:54:04 Lane Hudson is absolutely incredible he's one of the best defensemen in the league already but I just think that that is funny uh I'm going to go first for Norris because I have the same argument and then I'll buzz myself. The answer is kale because he is going to finish with 112 points. And he's going to score 30 goals again. And I'm going to be like, okay, this is stupid. If he scores 30 goals. God, the buzzer is so good.

Starting point is 00:54:28 He was robbed last year. No, he wasn't. Zach Wrenski. Zach Wrenski is my pick. He is playing at a point per game season clip again. And I just think similar, the abs are so good, dude. Like, I wonder what Zach Wrenski would be doing on the abs playing with Nate and Natchez and Landy and all these guys. And I just think the way Werenski does everything, and so does Kail.

Starting point is 00:54:55 Fuck, it's so brutal. But the way Werenzky does everything for this goddamn Blue Jackets team, he is just so fucking good. And I also, that is my aunt, Zach Werensky is my pick. But did you see the clip of him against the New Jersey Devils the other day? Oh, bro. Connor Brown was losing his mind. And he was like going at Werensky. And Werenzky was truly, like, he looked at the ref club times.

Starting point is 00:55:18 He was like, what's happening? Like, he was like cross-checking and slashing Wrensky. And Werensky was just like blocking it. He was being like, he's done. It felt like the 50-cent meme where he's like, what the fuck me for? Like, he was kind of looking around being like, what are you doing, dude? What's happening? And then he went after Fance and Wrenzki was like, dude, relax.

Starting point is 00:55:35 Relax, dude. Oh, funny. Could Chickren fuck around and get in the conversation? Definitely. 10 goals. Definitely. He could score 30 goals. Definitely. That's another guy, Team Canada, by the way. If Chikrin is not on Team Canada, I'm like, yo, what are we doing? What are you doing?

Starting point is 00:55:50 Vesna. My Vesna pick is going to be, I think we have the same one here. It's LT. Like, it should have been, like, it could have been LT last year, but Helibuck did deserve the Vesna. But it's LT. Whilst it is unbelievable, but LT is just like, we have two, you know, wire to wire seasons here going for the guy. He's unbelievable. Absolutely correct. And I'll bring up that sad again for people that forgot. The saves against expected. LT leads the league. And he is doing things that even beyond, and they're better now.

Starting point is 00:56:25 I think they are in third? Where are the caps now? Oh, they're in second right now. But they, even when they were out of playoffs, LT's numbers were still moronic. That's how good he's been playing, even in the face of not great hockey in front of him to start the season.

Starting point is 00:56:40 They have figured it out they look great on a heater right now. Totally. He is, if the season ends right now, he's Ves and I actually would think it's that close. Totally. Calder. Do you want me to go? Yep. Wollstedt.

Starting point is 00:56:53 Ooh. Like I said, we're quarter of the way through, right? Yep. And I know maybe he's played a little bit less games than a lot of these other starters, but I mean, the guy's fucking ridiculous. He is absolutely ridiculous. He's absolutely ridiculous. And I said it earlier, if this pace were to continue,

Starting point is 00:57:13 he'd be the MVP of the league. So I'm like he is called her. 174 is so dumb. Like L.T. Second Lake 202. The argument for, or I'll let you give yours. Well, this is a little fucking rage, baby, but because it's Schaefer or Walshead, really. And Schaefer has 19 points, which is fucking insane. But I've been singing this since the season started, Beckett Seneca, leading rookies with 20 points.

Starting point is 00:57:39 And Demidoff is also awesome. And just as good as everyone said he was going to be. but Beckett dude He's phenomenal He's the only one of the three I've been able to see live Yeah

Starting point is 00:57:49 And he is phenomenal He's so poised He literally looks like a fucking seasoned vet Yeah And the way Quenville talks about him Where he just He's always had the offensive ability But now he doesn't turn the puck

Starting point is 00:58:01 Over in places you don't want to turn the puck over at He is dialed dude And if he If the ducks Stay as good as they are And he wins the point race I think he will be It'll be in the conversation.

Starting point is 00:58:15 Oh, it's certainly in the conversation. Obviously. But you got to remember Matthew Schaefer is a defense guy. Exactly. It's the Lane. It's the Lane Celebrini. Yeah. And the way that Schaefer has just revolutionized the Islanders, I do want to just give

Starting point is 00:58:26 quick stick taps to Artem Lefshinoff. Oh, been great. Loved that pick by Chicago and he's been really, really good this year. Very, very psyched. And good surge by Leno, too. Yeah, he's God. That kid is a brick shiphouse. I know.

Starting point is 00:58:40 We saw him the other day. And fucking my God. He is like, it's just, he's going to bully people. With the fucking stash going. He does have the stash going. Holy shit. You got to cut that though. Okay, Selke, I don't even think this one's close.

Starting point is 00:58:55 You had a really good one here. Yeah. I'll go first because I also, I'll treat mine as an honorable mention. Yeah, okay. I just did want to say Sorrelli was a finalist last year and I think he's been great. He's so valuable. Dude, he's, he, when he made four nations, I was kind of like, really? and I was unfamiliar with how impactful he is to a hockey game on that side of it too.

Starting point is 00:59:16 So with the resurges of Tampa, I think Sorrello be in the conversation. And then Leo Carlson, who has been groomed into being a Selky finalist. He's literally on Jakopatar. Yeah, for the rest of his life. He also has been incredible. So both of those guys, I think, are worthy picks, but I really like your pick. I'm going Nico Heeshire. I think he's always in the convo.

Starting point is 00:59:35 It should always be in the convo. He's top five in forwards and blocked shots, top 50 in the NHL and takeaways. over 50% at the dot, also doing it on the offensive side. Like, this is a guy who is, and especially the devil's still getting wins here with Jack out again. Like this is just what Nico does. Yeah. He keeps the train moving.

Starting point is 00:59:54 Absolutely. Yeah. And then Jack Adams, coach of the year, I'll go first too because I love your pick. And I think your pick would probably win. Yeah. Right now. Let me see. Are they still in first?

Starting point is 01:00:04 Yeah. But I wanted to go Dan Muse because the penguins. I love the call. being the new coach people kind of gave it shit too oh my god it's a great pick and they are they if they were because they were like second for a while this was if we did this two weeks ago i would have pushed back on your pick harder yeah but right now they're number one wild card but there's a lot of chaos happening and they've been fading so we'll see yeah but i thought this team was going to be horrible and it was going to get sydney crosbie traded yeah and if he brings this team into playoffs after a great coach was there

Starting point is 01:00:39 and couldn't do it. I will be shocked and he deserves some fucking credit. Yeah. All the flowers. I'm going Joel Quinville. Yep.

Starting point is 01:00:47 Came back into the league after a big hiatus, deserved hiatus, needed to take a pee whack and take some time off, comes back, and the sharks are first in the Pacific. Or sharks,

Starting point is 01:00:57 the ducks are first in the Pacific. All the young boys are buzzing. The vibes are so high. It is a massive step up. Yep. And I'm like, dude, you've got the Edmonton Oilers, the Vegas Golden Knights

Starting point is 01:01:11 and the L.A. Kings in this division and you guys are first. That's fucking some serious coaching shit. Yeah. Exqueez me. And then you've also got guys like Jacob Truba and Chris Kreider who have come in and have done nothing

Starting point is 01:01:23 but sing the praises of this organization of the coaching staff. It's like everything is on the up, up, up. Yeah. So he gets a huge bit of crap. Outrageous. Yeah. So sick.

Starting point is 01:01:34 Okay, quick ad break. And then we'll come back. Folks, it is the holiday season. and I want to talk to you about the best gift that you could possibly get anyone in your life right now, and that is aura frame. Look at this bad boy right here. This thing is so pretty. It's so sleek. It looks amazing, and it's going to be perfect for anyone in your life. If you are a last minute shopper like me, you get into that situation where you go to the stores, all of the shelves are bare, there's nothing to pick. You have no idea what to get for people. You can't figure out what's the right thing.

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Starting point is 01:02:45 and you're going to see the frames sitting on your shelf, on your wall with people moving. It's going to be interactive. It's going to be amazing. And this is also my favorite part. You get to have variety. It's unreal. Yes. Is it lovely having some of your favorite photos sitting in your house all the time? It's incredible. But with this, it's even better because you just get as many as you want. It's an awesome timer. It rotates through. You get to just have that variety and you get to see, oh, yeah, that photo. Oh, yeah, that moment.

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Starting point is 01:04:27 And I know winter does a start until December 24th, but wake up. It's winter. Okay, it's cold out. And Chubbies has certified winter. They've got sweatshirts, quarter zips, full zips, flannels. They got a full body puffer jacket. I'm not kidding. That is a real thing.

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Starting point is 01:05:05 Okay. I come home and everyone's like LA. It's so hot all the time. You're so lucky. You're in the sun. It's not true. Summer's amazing. Fall's amazing. But winter at night and in the morning, it's cold. And I come here and it's lovely at our beautiful studio and the sun's out right on the beach. But then I go home and it's dinner and I want to eat and I want to pop on a movie and it is cold. And I take that flannel oversure and my God. It is literally like a flannel that I love that looks cool. But then my softest warmest sweater had a baby. and birthed it onto my body, and I get to wear that every single night. That's how good Chubbies is. It's perfect for upgrading your winter rotation, and it's a perfect gift if you want to give something that they're always, they got everything right? No, they don't have a Chubbies overshirt or a flannel overshirt. That would change their game just like it changed mine, okay? So for a limited time, Chubbies is giving our listeners 20% off your purchase at Chubbies

Starting point is 01:05:56 with the promo code Netters. That's N-E-T-E-R-S at checkout. Just head to Chubbieshorts.com and make sure to support our show and tell them we you when you leave. Welcome and take your seats. Class is in session. We are back for Professor's Buckline, giving you your best picks of the week.

Starting point is 01:06:18 You are joined by our two professors today last week. Professor Feeney, this is where... This is where Professor Feeney comes into play. Yes. Sean Buffini, Professor Feeney, joins us as well. We've got the whole of the UK here. This is brilliant.

Starting point is 01:06:38 Do you say Ireland was in the UK? Yeah. Because we believe you still own it. Fair enough. You're right. That was the point of the statement. We are terrible Englishmen. Yes.

Starting point is 01:06:50 I believe that Ireland still is under our regime. They are. Yeah. As far as I'm concerned. Mega Parley recap. Not our best. Not our best. As we say, we could always.

Starting point is 01:07:03 We could always do worse. Wings no, Bruins no, Avs no, Sabers, no, Fathers, no. Horrendous. People were all over our buttockses for the first four games. Five games. Not going our way. So I got texts from, I got texts from Professor Feeney. I got text from

Starting point is 01:07:22 colleagues and friends galore. Absolutely horrendous flyers, yes. Sends no, knights no, ducks, yes. Sharks, yes. Caps, yes. Cains, yes. Yes, pens, yes. Harks, no, stars, yes, seven and eight. It is our first below 500 performance. I believe. You hate. Yes, yes, it is. Yes.

Starting point is 01:07:44 But we could do worse. Disastrous. We can do worse. As we've said, we could always do worse. I will not apologize for the Mega Palais losses. The point is to live on a beach and you take your best swing. I will, however, apologize for the second straight life on the line. Life on the line.

Starting point is 01:08:02 I do not use that term lightly. Life on the line. Two and two. Spunk, no, bolts. Yes, kings, yes, pens. No. We must be better there. We must, must improve, and we shall. We shall improve this week. But where we did do well. We'll enter an area where we did quite well. The Friday fade hits yet again the flames beating the Florida Panthers. Racing a two. Unbelievable. Two-nil, as we say. Two-nil deficit. Brilliant for the flames. Nobody believes the fade, yet it works every week. Every week. And this week, we've got a very complicated fade. Yes, indeed. We have a few games, knights at devils, sharks at stars, mammoth at Canucks, caps at ducks.

Starting point is 01:08:52 But our Friday fade will be the Buffalo Sabres at the Winnipeg Jacks. Because when you look at Mammoth Canucks, that comes. Could be a fade. You look at mammoth Canucks. The state of the Canucks could be a fade. However, Sabers' Jets stares you in the face. However, the Jets lost. Are we repeating history? Because I believe they just played. The Jets lost to the Sabres on Monday on the road. And now they have the Sabres at home on Friday. And you might say, you might say, if this team just beat the Jets, how is it possibly a fate? Professor? And, of course, there's always a surprise. When two teams play this, this are quickly in succession, there is always a split, which should make this ineligible for the fade, but actually it makes it even more of a fade. Because never could the jets lose twice. Never could the jets in twice to the sabre.

Starting point is 01:09:48 Never could they not split. Never could the buffalo sabres continue to have a winning streak. But unless. Unless. It's on Friday. Sabers. And unless the professors have isolated it. As the Friday Fade, save his money on.

Starting point is 01:10:04 Saturday, Selly, Daniel. Coril Caprizov had scored six times in six career games. Seven career games. Seven career games. Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't do it. Make that seven to eight.

Starting point is 01:10:19 Don't do it. Oh, you fucking. Don't do it. Don't do it. You absolutely. Twat. Don't do it. Remove that Ballyhoo from your lexicon, sir.

Starting point is 01:10:30 Make that seven. in eight Saturday Selly strikes again. Absolutely incredible. I will like to say quite quickly, we win bets. We're winning these bets every week. It's unbelievable. Everybody thinks this is a big joke. Everyone thinks, oh, it's a bit.

Starting point is 01:10:46 They're doing accents. They're claiming Ireland back into the UK under the King's monarchy. The Friday fade is fine. And yet we're making money. Friday fade is five of seven, and the Saturday Selly is three of seven or four of seven. Do you understand the odds of an anytime goal score? What are we talking about here? We're giving you picks for the taking.

Starting point is 01:11:09 This week, Daniel. Ever since Connor Hillebock went down on November 15th, the Jets are two and five. They've lost five of their last six. They were destroyed by the sabers. Yes. As we mentioned. Sunday, they travel to Rogers,

Starting point is 01:11:27 unable to stop Pucks. Dear Lord. They sound, that sounds like a situation ripe for a Saturday, Sally. It absolutely does and there is a very consistent and prolific goal scorer on the Oilers of Edmonton. Leon, the German. The German lion. He has 24 goals in 34 career games against the Jets and that was usually up against a brick wall in net against him. And now he faces a block of Swiss cheese.

Starting point is 01:11:55 No offense. No. Leon Dricisider. No offense intended. Leon Driesaitle Saturday cell. Absolute lock. Put the key and twist it. Leon Driesadle shall score.

Starting point is 01:12:13 Now, to our Sunday hat trick, parley. What do you like? Well, we tickled it again. We tickled it again. We had Cain's Moneyline Under. It was so sharp. The Cains won 1-0 in overtime. There were no goals.

Starting point is 01:12:29 It's quite literally almost impossible to be more of an under. Imagine being that on the under. One nothing in overtime, which surely meant an hour point. Three on three, how could he not have a point? He had to have come. He did not have one. Mary Poppins again, taking our medicine again. This week, what do you think?

Starting point is 01:12:45 This week, we see ourselves going to the nation's capital. The traitorous nation. The traitorous nation. Not our nation. Not Professor Feeney's nation. Mutineers. Treason. I say, treason.

Starting point is 01:13:00 But we'll go to the capital of Washington, D.C. The caps return home from their west coast. trip to take on the low-scoring blue jackets. The best goalie in the league meet a low-scoring team, there is obviously one answer. Offense will be tired from a road trip. And we are going to take our hammers. And we are going to smash and slam the under, as hard as we possibly can. We will also ride that hot goalie and take a cap's money line.

Starting point is 01:13:30 And a man who has emerged as not just a physical brute on the ice, but also. A points machine. Point-point game machine. Tom Wilson points to finish out the pal-lay. Cap's money line under six and a half. Tom Wilson point. Three legs hat tricks see you on the other side. The Saturday Live on a Beach mega-palay.

Starting point is 01:13:51 We must improve, gentlemen. Professors, are you ready? Yes. Daniel, we start with you. Avs at rags. It seems absolutely ridiculous to not, Just say what everyone thinks is going to happen here, and it is the Colorado Avalanche. Christopher, Jackets at Panthers, we're going Panthers.

Starting point is 01:14:13 Professor Feeney, Devils at Bruins. Well, devils burned you. Devils burned you last week. Bruins burn me too, I think. Yeah. Bruins also burned you. Yes, yes. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:14:24 My instincts are telling me to go Bruins again, so I'm going to go Devils instead because. Well, thought, well thought. The fade courses through. Yes, the fade courses through him. Daniel Habs at Leifes The Leaves have been quite nice recently I do believe the Habs find themselves with their backs up against the wall

Starting point is 01:14:43 needing to start winning again I will take Montreal Christopher Blues at Sends Return of Brady I will go Sence Professor Vini Isles and Boltz I'm gonna go bolts on this one

Starting point is 01:14:59 Little payback because they're split Because it's split We need the split unless it's to fade and then you fade the split but sometimes you get the split and it's a complicated it's a complicated thing Daniel Preds at Cades Cates Christopher mammoth at flames I'll take the mammoth Puffini

Starting point is 01:15:13 Hawks at Kings I'm gonna go Kings Keep it so cow So well done King's at home Daniel Jets at Oil I will take Edmonton here Yes sir Christopher Wild at Kinnucks Wild hot I'll say hot on the wild

Starting point is 01:15:27 And Professor Fini wings at Spunk Again, I've just been burned. Burn, burn, burn badly. Welcome to the Mega Palais, sir. I'll go Spunk. So we have Avs, Panthers, Devils, Leafs, Sends, Boles, Cains, Mammoth, Kings, Oil, Wild Spunk. That's a Palae, live on a beach.

Starting point is 01:15:52 There's your Live on a Beach, Mega Palet. Now we will go to the Life on the Line. Four games to for winnings, for glory. for money. Yes. Christopher, I'm taking two games. My two, Avs, over, who is it? Rags?

Starting point is 01:16:08 Yes. Yes, abs over rags. Snow in New York. I think Christmas. I think Tree at Rockefeller Center. I think Kail McCarr dancing across the blue line like it's the nutcracker ballet. Avs. Also, I have been burned and burned and burned by the blues to the point that I have the blues.

Starting point is 01:16:25 They cannot win unless I bet them to lose. It's the beginning of my jingle. Well, Binner has boiled over and Brady has returned that concoction equals senators' success. Avs and senators, first two legs. Absolutely brilliant. Gentlemen, I have done something special for you here

Starting point is 01:16:41 with the Life on the Line Palais that I will continue as a professor and during the Christmas season as well. My first game is going to be Preds at Keynes and I shall say this. Smoked meats and southern droll, both cities have them all out. But only one can come out with a win.

Starting point is 01:16:59 Nashville has a great swede, but they fail to succeed, so I'll take the team with a hot fin. Whether Freddy or Bussy, I won't be fussy. Carolina will come out on top. Time's up for the Preds. This project is dead, as the roster is simply a flop. Kane's money line. Next, we have the Wild at the Canucks. Things started out slow in the Minnesota snow, but in place the pieces have started to fall.

Starting point is 01:17:29 In net there's a surprise. A star is starting to rise. Now the Wild have their own great wall. The Canucks are a mess even after signing Brock Bess, and the fans are starting to shout, A win I can't see for the team in BC when it's clear their captain warns out. Wild money line. Avs, Cains, Sends and Wild. Life on the line. Life on the line, parley. There are your picks. from the professors, it is brilliant to have Professor Feeney enjoying his time in the limelight of literature and

Starting point is 01:18:07 academia. We will take an ad break as you log those picks, and we will be back. If you have a hockey lover in your life and that includes yourself, and it also includes me, by the way, I'll post the address if you want to send me some stuff. I'll take some miles. I'll take some gifts. But if you have a hockey lover in your life,

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Starting point is 01:19:55 custom gear bower.com. We are back. We are so back. And so is everybody's favorite book. Hey, it's a horny episode, so you're not going to hear me complain. It was a horny episode? I complained sometimes with punks,

Starting point is 01:20:08 but let me tell you what, we're all horned up because of the young kids buzzing around. We might as well get into some smut. And there's horny hockey on TV, there is horny hockey on TV. A lot of people have been asking us to talk about that. I think maybe we will.

Starting point is 01:20:21 We've kind of modernized hockey smut into the hockey podcasting world. There's a lot of morning hockey. If there are any experts in the hockey world on hockey smut, it is us. I actually have an incredible idea, by the way, that I need to tell you both off camera. Don't let me forget. Oh, wow. And that can say in the episode.

Starting point is 01:20:37 I just, I want the listeners to know that now I have a great idea. That now they are like, shit, I want to hear that idea. I can hear that. Maybe we'll start a Patreon where you can pay a subscription to hear my genius ideas off camera. Where we left off, gentlemen. is I think she had like banged Alex in the locker room and then they got snuck out and then they were kind of dating and then oh we got oh we got an Alex chapter and like they're pretty happy okay they're pretty happy um Violet's friend Charlene is now banging the other guy on the Hawks because she came to that party and met him so like now she's banging a hawk Violet's banging a hawk and Buck Violet's stepbrother was out with um Alex's sister.

Starting point is 01:21:25 Remember, they went to her family and she was like, wait, what is my stepbrother doing here? And he was with a sister. So that's kind of like where we're at. And then you get an early chapter with Violet where she's talking to Buck like, hey, don't you be banging Alex's sister just to get back at Alex for banging me?

Starting point is 01:21:42 And Buck is like, I'm not doing that. I like her. And she's like, you don't fucking like her. You're a man whore. Locky douchebag. All you do is fuck girls. And he was like, no, dude, I don't do that anymore. I like, I think her name's Sunny or something.

Starting point is 01:21:57 I like Sunny. And she's like, yeah, I bet you tell her that. I bet you tell her you that while you're banging her from behind. And he's like, I haven't banged her. And she's like, what? And he's like, I haven't banged her. And she's like, all you do is bang. You bang before introducing yourself.

Starting point is 01:22:13 And he goes, not Sonny. She's different. I actually just like her and I haven't banged. But I've told everyone, or everyone thinks I'm banging. Because it's me. Because I'm bucked. And I'm Buck. I'm Buck.

Starting point is 01:22:24 And I like to fuck. Yeah. And I, so I haven't, they're all saying, Buck's been fucking. And I haven't been saying, no. Buck fucks. Everyone says that. That's a lie. Then you've been lying.

Starting point is 01:22:34 And he's like, no, I'm not lying. I'm just letting it happen. Yeah. Like, I'm letting people think that because I want to seem cool, but I actually love her. And she's like, oh my God. Wow, that's, that's incredible. Buck's turning a corner. Then Alex and Violet are vibe and everything's good.

Starting point is 01:22:48 But he keeps having these annoying phone calls with his agent. And she's like, what's wrong? And he's like, well, I'm up for this really big endorsement that I want to get. And he, my agent thinks that I have a better chance of getting the endorsement if I keep our relationship quiet. So I seem available. I'm obviously not and I'm in love with you. But like if I seem.

Starting point is 01:23:07 What is this endorsement? Hold on, Sean. Let's guess. I liked what you said troche and condoms. Yeah. What endorsement would you need to be single for? Yep. Like, only fans.

Starting point is 01:23:23 you're endorsing... Yeah, that's a good one. That is a good one. You're endorsing only fans are porn. So... Do they say what it is? Oh, yeah. Are we gonna get to it?

Starting point is 01:23:33 Yeah. So then he... She's like, okay. She seems okay with that. Then she goes... And they hadn't el-bombed yet. I put those words in his mouth. I shouldn't have done that.

Starting point is 01:23:42 Oh, shit. I'm loving you. Wait, we're talking to Alex or Buck here. Alex. Alex. Okay, sorry, sorry. Then he goes, you should... She wants...

Starting point is 01:23:49 Because she's living in the guest, the pool house at her mom. Yeah. He's like, you should... it's hard took up in there because their mom just like comes in. He's like, you need your own place. And he's like, you should move in with me. And she's like, oh, my God.

Starting point is 01:23:59 He suggests them moving before saying love? And yeah, they've only known each other four months and there's no L bombs, which she brings up. But she's like, I would love to live with Alex. That would be amazing. His apartment is gas. And this would be great. But it's a big step.

Starting point is 01:24:11 And then, as she's considering, he does an interview and where she's there. Oh, and it's also like playoffs. We kind of zoomed through the season. Oh. We're about to be in playoffs. So he's like, I got to keep. this quiet, whatever. Then he does an interview where she's present. I think it was at a game, maybe even a playoff game, but maybe right before playoffs. And the reporter goes, so you're up for

Starting point is 01:24:31 this big endorsement. We've all heard about it. And he's like, yes, I am. I'm very excited. And then she goes, well, the press has seen, has pictures of you with a girl. We've all seen these pictures. And he goes, oh, oh, yeah, we're just friends. And Violet, dude, Violet does not. take it well, boys. And I'm kind of like, not to be, not to be a misogynistic dude, but I'm like, which by the way, which by the way, you are. You are an absolute, you're a prick misogynist. Everyone knows that.

Starting point is 01:25:04 Yeah, all the comments are always talking about. It's crazy. I mean, they see right through. You're a piece of shit. He told her. Like, it doesn't seem that weird to me to go, hey, babe, if I get this, I get $10 million. Yeah, it sounds like you said that they had a conversation. And he's like, I'm getting money for us, babe.

Starting point is 01:25:19 Like, who gives a fuck what I say? I feel like for this drama to work, that has to happen. and before the conversation. Agree. So she loses her shit. On camera? No, she just storms out and is like miserable. But then on camera, Buck comes running up and breaks Alex's nose for saying that about his sister.

Starting point is 01:25:37 His step sister. Yeah, step sister. He once dated. Wait. Buck and this chick, what's her name? Violet dated? Dude, Max found this. You know how Max is reading this too?

Starting point is 01:25:52 Yeah. He sent me a picture off. I said this is going to turn into step porn eventually. But it was... And you're telling me in the beginning, it says they dated and you missed it? I think they weren't stepped yet, though. I think he banged her. I think he banned. I got to find out.

Starting point is 01:26:07 Dude, Buck fucks. I got to go back and find it. So anyway, Buck's fucking fuming mad. And then Alex was like, you fuck my sister. So fuck you anyway. And then he's like, I did it, fuck her. I love her. In front of the whole team.

Starting point is 01:26:18 And they're like, whoa. Wait, Alex says that. Buck says that. Buck says he loves. Sonny. Like Alex goes, you, you, why'd you break my nose? And he goes, you can't talk to my sister. And he's like, I'm not taking shit from you. You're fucking my sister. Sunny is Alex's sister? Yes. I missed that. We need a graph. We need like, why is this so familial? This is fucking perverted. And then Buck admits to not doing it. And then Alex is like, wow, I'm a fucking scumbag. Yeah, sorry. This is a nightmare. And then Violet, like, we'll never speak to Alex again. And Alex is doing everything. He's calling. And he's like, I fucked up so badly. And it calls her mom. And everyone's like, she wants. talk to you, calls her friend, like he's going to her work. Everyone won't let him see her. Then he fires his agent because he's like, you're a fucking loser. I can't believe I listen to you. Gets a new PR girl and she makes him give an all exclusive interview where he's like, I know it's

Starting point is 01:27:06 playoffs, but I let an endorsement get in the way of someone I love with all my heart. Oh my God. And that's what matters to me. And that's where we are. Can I just, I really quick want to point out, usually in this segment, Chris is crying, laughing with how absurd this is. The intensity with the- I'm fully invested. Yeah, you're in it now, dude. If you told me I wasn't allowed to finish this book, I would be,

Starting point is 01:27:26 I would be very mad at you and I would finish and I just wouldn't talk about it on the pod. Yeah. Like, I got to know. Yeah. I got to know. You are in it, dude. Like, you are,

Starting point is 01:27:34 you are a puck slut. You are in it. Oh, yeah, dude. So here we go. My first highlight was just in title of this chapter, chapter 22, son of a beaver mother pucking puck. I was like,

Starting point is 01:27:48 that is, because I hadn't read it in a while, you know, so I cracked it open to see where I'd left off and just see son of a beaver mother puck and puck. And I was like, I'm in it. It's like, it's like another, it's like Helena knew you took a break and was like this.

Starting point is 01:27:59 Just in case you forgot what this was like, it's like I never left, dude. And I got to say to, I was telling Parker. Do we get to hear what the endorsement is? Yeah, I was telling Parker about this in the car. I know he's listening to the segment. He loves this segment. That I was like, I'm so numb to puck now that sometimes I think I'd miss highlights

Starting point is 01:28:14 for you guys that would have been good. But I'm just like, I'm used to that. Now, walk in the park, dude. Walk in the park. Okay. So this one is, They're playing I think they're playing chess, dude.

Starting point is 01:28:28 Oh no, they're playing Scrabble. They're playing Scrabble. Classic. I wonder how many times Fuck. Well, dude, she wants to go. Wait, that's the right game, right? Yeah, Scrabble, you make words.

Starting point is 01:28:38 Yeah, you make words and Scrabble. So listen to this, dude. Alex sets it up and he says, let's talk about the rules. She says they're right here and holds up the rule booklet. Oh, Violet. Alex says, I have new ones. I'd like to up the stakes a little bit. Strip Scrabble, dude.

Starting point is 01:28:52 All words, all words. All words need to be a minimum of four letters With no less than 10 points And they need to be dirty It's really limiting the game I know This is the Scrabble has to be the least erotic game Ever made so trying to turn this into like a sexy thing

Starting point is 01:29:10 Which game gets you less horny Scrabble or banana grams Definitely Scrabble Even the look of Scrabble Yeah, Scrabble's too rigid Yeah like it's Those pieces are sharp They're really bland color

Starting point is 01:29:23 Yeah So he goes it strips gravel, obviously. Of course. Her first word is clit, which is great. How many points is that? A lot, dude, a lot.

Starting point is 01:29:35 And so then they, they, there's Beave, gonad. Beave, we're doing short hands? Vaj, but he loses because of Vagges is only three letters. And then, so then it says, sorry, we just skipped over gonads. Yeah, gonads. This is what happens when you read Puck,

Starting point is 01:29:53 these things become normalized. I'm dumb. So it says, he goes, she loses one. He goes, lose the bra. He gestures to my chest. I don't follow Alex's instructions. Instead, I drop my pants and toss them to the floor. Alex looks unimpressed.

Starting point is 01:30:05 I'm wearing frilly underwear, so he shouldn't be too upset. He stands up, totally hard and knocks over the board with his dick. It's really crafted sweaty words. Honestly, that's great. That's a good scene. You can see it. That's a good scene. His rock-hard cock just knocks.

Starting point is 01:30:30 the board off. You can hear the scatters. Letters go everywhere. Oh, fuck me. That's good. That is so good. Okay. So the next one is the endorsement. Alex is up for the sexiest bachelor award.

Starting point is 01:30:48 And I was like, dude, in what universe is there an NHL player who's been like nominated for sexiest bachelor? And his agent is like, we need this one. Dump your girl. And also, also, does Helena Hunting know what an endorsement is? Yeah. Does she know what a brand deal is? That's not a brand deal. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:31:08 How are they selling that? Like, I don't think you're getting paid for being named GQ's sexiest man of the year. He's like, there's $10 million on the line with it. Time magazine, Man of the Year. I was like, what the fuck? Okay, this one, Dan, this is when Buck punches Alex. Yeah. He's pissed.

Starting point is 01:31:28 And everyone's so pissed. Everyone's fighting. And this actually thought was, this is some of Helena's most accurate work. Okay. I would say. Normally she's like her quotes and metaphors are insane. This is Buck. He's fucking pissed.

Starting point is 01:31:39 It says, Buck storms into the locker room. This is, it must be an Alex chapter because it's from, yeah, from his POV. Buck storms into the locker room flanked by our teammates. Quote, I'm going to rip your head off and shit down your throat. And I was like, actually, dude, that's kind of sounds like, I've heard it. I've heard it. I've heard it. So that really good work there, really good work.

Starting point is 01:31:59 Um, okay. Oh, God, this is amazing. So Alex can't get a hold of her. He's so pissed at himself. He's devastated. He showers. He leaves the game or whatever. It says, I change back to my street clothes. Get a cab to my place and get in my car. And I was already kind of like, you cab to the rink, but you have a car. Like, I think you'd drive. Anyway, cab to the rink. Get in my car. I need to get my nose checked. That'll have to wait until later. I drive to violets and parking front of her house. Her SUV isn't there. So I call her. unsurprisingly, I get her voicemail. My head drops as I hear her new recorded message. Oh my God. This is her voicemail of her phone that everyone has. And, and this is what? One hour after this. It wasn't a one hour.

Starting point is 01:32:45 And she's changed her voicemail. Oh, God, petty. Hi, you've reached Violet, the dumb-ass puck bunny. I'm too pissed off and humiliated to answer my phone, but you can leave a message unless you're Alex's asshole waters. In that case, you can fuck the hell off. Imagine you have like an argument with somebody in your first thought is, well, I better change my voice. Change my voicemail. Dude, it is, not only is it just the most unrealistic move of all time.

Starting point is 01:33:13 Helena's use of swearing is the most fascinating thing in the world to me. Because Alex asshole waters, let's just stop right there, right? Alex asshole waters. That sounds like a child who's trying to. Feels like someone who's like swearing for the first time to try and impress their friends. Correct. And then she goes, fuck the hell off. What is the hell adding? Dude, I don't know.

Starting point is 01:33:42 I'm telling you, Helena Hunting grew up in a house that did not allow swearing. And this book is an outlet for her. And I'm proud of her for that. It was three things not allowed. Swearing, sex, and hockey. And hockey. Boom. Here it is, dude. Oh, my God. Now here she falls off a little bit with her logic.

Starting point is 01:34:02 Alex again, beyond that, practices are rough. Coach is right. If Buck and I can't deal with our shit, we're going to destroy our chances of making it to the finals. They're like in the playoffs already. We're going to destroy our chances to make it to the finals. I don't want to be the reason for that. He pulls Buck and me aside and tells us we're going to keep our personal issues off the ice or he'll make the general manager trade both of us.

Starting point is 01:34:20 And I'm like, in the playoffs. Classic. Classic playoff trade. To whom? Classic playoff trade. Your opponent? Yep, yep. So that? I was like, ah, well, okay.

Starting point is 01:34:29 All right. And now he's here. He's pissed at Buck. Or no, who's he talking to here? Oh, he's talking to Violet's mom. Yeah. And she goes, she goes, Alex, you screwed up big time. I heave a sigh. I really did. Violet doesn't want to talk to you. Quote, I know.

Starting point is 01:34:51 Buck's made it pretty clear and so is Violet, end quote. I kick at the leg of my bed. I kick it the leg of my bed, noticing something red, peeking out for the bottom. Picking it up, I find a pair of Violet's panties. The red ones with my name on the ass. I sit down on the edge of the mattress and resist the urge to sniff them. He's on the phone with her mom. I'm afraid I can't help you out on this one.

Starting point is 01:35:13 You are literally crying. A tear just dropped from your eye on to fucking desk. He's talking to her mom. He's talking to her mom. He's like, Tell her what I called. Have her call me back if she can. That is so fucking funny.

Starting point is 01:35:44 That is so fucking funny. Okay. Oh, yeah, this is amazing. So this is in the interview. He's doing this inclusive interview. I'm fucking sweating. And he goes, I love her. No, this is with the PR person.

Starting point is 01:36:00 And she goes, make sure she knows that by the time you finish the interview. And there'll be a print version coming out. So, you know, do a good job. We avoid the reporters lining the street outside the studio. Never in my life has the media paid so much attention to me as they have in the weeks since messing up with Violet. No one cares about playoffs or how close we are in the Stanley Cup. All the media wants to hear about is why I broke violence hard on national television. Dude, those dedicated Blackhawks fans, all they want is to hear why he broke Violet's heart, dude.

Starting point is 01:36:37 Violet is doesn't matter. And then how about this, boys? This is actually fucking incredible. This is in the interview with the girl. And she goes, and he's being like, I'm not a ladies man. Like I was always, I let that lie go. And the woman, so the woman goes, he goes, I think people want to, people see what they want to see. Like, I, I like Violet.

Starting point is 01:36:57 And she goes, so you're saying your reputation? And he says, is based on conjecture? I won't say I'm not at fault for perpetrating it, but it's not an accurate reputation of who I am. and it's not how I want to be seen, not when it jeopardizes my relationships. And she says, you're referring to Violet specifically. And he says,

Starting point is 01:37:13 I miss her. She's my cue on a triple word score. Oh. Can you... My fucking... Can you imagine that Scrabble callback? He dicked the board over it, dude. And that he hits the fucking reporter with a cue.

Starting point is 01:37:28 She's my cue on a triple word score. And I love how Helena writes that. And she's like, that is a fucking haymaker. Haymaker of a love line. He had a coffee break after that one. Yeah. Yeah, for sure.

Starting point is 01:37:40 Dude. And then this one, I'll end with this one, which is actually nice Helena work here. Yeah. Just a great term. Maybe this was already a term, but I wasn't familiar, but this is good. He has the playoff beard going, obviously. Yeah. So he's trying to apologize and she's like, fuck, it's hard to resist because he's so hot.

Starting point is 01:37:54 And it says he looks exhausted, but gorgeous as usual. Even with the full beard, he's currently rocking, especially with that damn beard. He's all rustic and lumber sexual. That's good. That's good. Lumbersexuals is good. It's good, dude. That's really good.

Starting point is 01:38:11 That's really nice. Well, one session away, boys. Yeah. We've got one more pucked until we're on to pucked too. But holy fuck is, we're in. We're in to pucked. Invest it. It's the greatest buggyber ever, right?

Starting point is 01:38:26 Invest it. It's a great's buggerick about it. Oh, God. Okay. Let's try to turn down the horniness a little bit. Let's wrap up this episode. Usually we give an ad break, but we have no time. No time.

Starting point is 01:38:36 Let's wrap up this episode with a game and try to cool off a little bit. This game is our favorite game. It's called What's the Connection? Ten trivia questions I give Dan. Nine of them have unique answers. But the 10th question is what is the connection from the nine previous answers? One time we did all the answers were the names of famous TV and movie dogs. One time you did all the Marvel characters.

Starting point is 01:39:02 Yes. That's how this game is played. Dan, are you ready? I am ready. Question number one. For good luck, the Florida Panthers needed Roberto Luongo to interact with one of these during their regular pregame crowd pump up for Stanley Cup home games. I think it's a drum, but I'm not sure. Okay, question number two.

Starting point is 01:39:32 I can't tell Dan the answers yet, everybody. You playing along at home. Hopefully you get these and then you could try to beat him to the connection. Question number two I already know the connection What is it I'm not going to tell you But I'm not going to write

Starting point is 01:39:46 I'm going to text it to Sean All right I'm going to watch it I already know the connection I'm actually being so mad Because I There's no way you do But I actually thought How can you know when we've only done one

Starting point is 01:40:00 It's impossible Because I know his brain He actually might not Go Oh okay I think this is more about you knowing each other Yes Yeah

Starting point is 01:40:13 I actually if you do Which is possible I can't believe Because I pick what order to give them You know And I could have made it so much harder We'll see You've made a crucial error

Starting point is 01:40:27 You dumb bitch I might have to change the order right now No Why I still have to get the question Because there's still some hard ones I've already made my bed You know but now you're gonna know I made the second one too easy

Starting point is 01:40:37 That's why I'm like I'm gonna change the answer Okay whatever Fuck it. People at home don't know. Fuck it. Question number two. One of the most popular veterans in NHL history who played well into his 40s is now working with his former team in retirement.

Starting point is 01:40:53 His friends call him by his nickname to this day. The teenager living with him is the current star and future captain of that team. His friends don't use his first name either. They simply call him. His full first name either. They simply call him. Blank. Mac. Question number three.

Starting point is 01:41:16 Many people say to play winning hockey, you can't turn the puck over at this line. Who line? Question number four. Oh, blue. A famous but forged photograph of Tyler Sagan pictures a fan holding one of these up to the glass, reminding him of a sexual conquest.

Starting point is 01:41:43 Sign. In the Fed, The team from Athens, Georgia is known as the Athens Rock Blank, named in honor of the band the B-52s, who are also from Athens, and have their famous song, Rock Blank, something a couple main boys can appreciate. I don't think, wait. Yeah, okay, that's going to be Lobster.

Starting point is 01:42:15 One, two, three. Question number six. Rizzo gets all the press for the game-winning goal in The Miracle on Ice. But it was Mark Johnson, who scored twice, tying it at two and, at three. He also scored the game-winning goal against Finland to clinch gold, which I actually forgot about it. He's sick. Pretty sick. He played college hockey at the University of Blank, the state in which he was also born. Wisconsin. Question number seven. Evan Rodriguez, friend of the show, has this heritage from his dad's side, who lived there before immigrating to Canada. It's no wonder

Starting point is 01:42:52 he loved soccer because he got to watch one of the best players of all time where his birth countries Jersey. The answer is the country. He has this heritage. But yeah, sure. Okay. I think it's Portuguese. Question number eight.

Starting point is 01:43:17 In the inaugural season of the PWHL, this woman on the Toronto Scepters led the league in goals and points. She has two Olympic gold medals for Canada and was the I-IHF 2024 player of the year. but no, she is not Ryan Spooner's sister. Give me this one more time. In the inaugural season of the PWHL, this woman on the Toronto Scepters led the league in goals and points. She has two Olympic gold medals for Canada and was the I-IHF 2024 player of the year,

Starting point is 01:43:49 but no, she is not Ryan Spooner's sister. Is it her first name? Her first name. Okay, Natalie. Question number nine. As an NHL player, living close to to your home rank would really decrease how much time you have to spend in the car because you're going there the most. Living close to these would also help decrease your time in the car

Starting point is 01:44:08 because half your games are road games. One more time. As an NHL player living close to your home rink would really decrease how much time you have to spend in the car because you're going there the most. Yes. Living close to these would also help decrease your time in the car because half your games are road games. An airport. question number 10 what is the connection okay I didn't get it oh really but I was close to getting it okay I know what it is now it is phenomenal so read your answers the answers are drum mac blue sign lobster Wisconsin Portuguese,

Starting point is 01:45:02 Natalie, Airport, and Love Actually. Yes, Dan, the connection is Love Actually. Just, what was the guess? The guess was Christmas songs. Oh.

Starting point is 01:45:17 I thought it was a little drummer. I were in Christmas season, and I was like, oh, that's gonna be drummer. Really? You're extremely close. I was ready, but it was Christmasy. Yep. But Love actually. I went with your favorite Christmas movie.

Starting point is 01:45:29 Of all time. Love Actually. Well, my second favorite. Yeah, now. I thought you were going to get it right away because I knew this was your favorite Chris movie and I was actually talking about Love Action Day. If I got it off of Drum, that's why I was like, what? But I was just thinking like maybe you were thinking Christmas movie and you were like,

Starting point is 01:45:44 he knows I love Love Actually. And obviously the drums is such a huge part. Billy Mac. Do you know Blue? Yeah, it's the band. Blue is the band. They've all got little pricks. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:45:56 There were two lobsters at the birth of Jesus. There were multiple lobsters. at the birth of Jesus. Wisconsin. Colin Frizzle goes to Wisconsin. There's Wisconsin Babes. Yep. Wisconsin Babes.

Starting point is 01:46:08 Portuguese. Here comes to Colin. And he's got a big knob. Portuguese, one of everyone's favorite scenes, I would say. One of the greatest pieces of film score of all time. Natalie. Of course. Would we call her chubby?

Starting point is 01:46:23 The chubby go. And then airports. How Richard Curtis got the idea. He saw people reunite. and air quotes. Incredible. Chris, fucking phenomenal job.

Starting point is 01:46:33 Well, folks, we gave you a lot of hot ice. We gave you a lot of hot literature. And then we gave you a hot movie to watch. There's some hot sex in that film. It's really fantastic. Incredible episode. CPs rock in one of our newest hats. It's the Christmas season.

Starting point is 01:46:48 I know that you all need gifts. Give your loved ones the gift of empty netters apparel. We've got amazing stuff. Go to the store. Subscribe to the YouTube. Please, please, please. Give us five-star reviews. follow us on everything. We love you so much. Also for this holiday season, share the empty

Starting point is 01:47:02 Nettters podcast with a friend of yours who loves hockey or who loves podcasts or both or horny books. Or horny books. Unbelievable. That's it for us this week at the Netters podcast. We love you guys so much. We will see you next week. And well, you are enjoying your weekend. Look at Chris's hat and do one thing. Skate hard.

Empty Netters Podcast - Chicago Blackhawks Star Connor Bedard Is Playing OUT OF HIS MIND

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