Empty Netters Podcast - Thomas Harley Signs 8-Year, $84M Extensions But Was It TOO MUCH?

Episode Date: October 30, 2025

The Dallas Stars give Thomas Harley a BAG, but now they might have a hard time signing Robertson. The Chicago Blackhawks have gone from one of the most miserable teams in the NHL to being nothing but fun. New President of Operations for the Islanders, Kelly Cheeseman, is coming to Long Island to make the Islanders MUST SEE entertainment. The boys break down what makes a perfect Halloween. The Professors of Puckline give their picks for the weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Finish tonight with some chicken fingers and a few guineasas and ran into you guys. That's where this pod came to life. Welcome to another episode of the Empty Netters. podcast brought to you by BetMGM. I am your host, Dan Powers, on the sticks, new producer Sean in his fancy new costume. And over here, a man who accidentally blew himself on what was supposed to be a dry run, Chris Powers. Ooh, as always. Nice.

I don't even think you needed the, ooh, you could have just gone, as always. Yeah, maybe you're right. What does that make you think of, the Monster Mash? You know what? I was, you know how when you're in a, I was supposed to say crummy, but that's mean, but when you're in like in a motel, I swear the TV is like set to 1980.

And it's not even not that it's an old TV. It's just like, I swear to God you go into a motel and there's just like weird stuff on TV that wouldn't be on a TV if you were watching the same channel in a nice hotel. Yes. And I was at a wedding. Shout out Jess and Jeremy.

We were in Solvang, which is the Danish capital of the of the America. I absolutely love Solvite. It's incredible. And I stayed in an inn called the P-Soup Inn. Plus soup. Oh, pull-s-soup. And I turned on the TV and the Munsters was on. Oh, yeah.

And I was like, oh, dude, I used to love the Munsters. I used to literally stay up past bedtime and get yelled that because I wanted to watch the Munsters so badly. It's a good show. So it kind of makes you think of the monsters. I feel like you were either a Munsters guy or an Adams family guy. Yeah. I realize right now I didn't say Ice is right at the beginning of that,

but it's our Halloween episode, so that's okay. Yeah, did you say Bed-MGM? I did, sure did. Okay, good. And here we are. Chris and I are a couple of surfside cans. I'm a little strawberry lemonade. I'm an iced tea.

I'm a classic, man. Sean, what are you? She don't know what I am. I didn't look at it before I put it on. I think you're a lemonade? I think, yeah, it looked like a lemonade. Yeah, you're a lemonade. Yeah.

We're giving you all the flavors. That's great. Just like Surfside does. That's great. We've got a fantastic episode teed out for you. We've got some guests. The professors are back. We got to get into hot ice, though.

Yes, we do. Got to get right into hot ice. Get going here. Big news coming out of Dallas. One of their top D-Men signed, locked up. Thomas Harley, eight-year extension, 10.59 mill AAV.

Hi. Hi, Thomas. How are you? A little high. Listen, I think Thomas Harley is fantastic. Absolutely elite player thought what he did at Four Nations when he got bumped up was really, really special. He's just, to me, kind of the prototypical defenseman. You know, we talk about some of these guys who are buzzing around the league right now with, you know, Quinn Hughes, Lane Hudson, these puck movers, these small guys with great hands, great vision, running the power play, things like that.

but then we also talk about the guys that you need in front of the net, banging bodies, blocking shots, locking down things on the PK when you want to win a Stanley Cup. Thomas Harley is that for me. He, uh, I love his game. Love his game. I was excited.

As soon as he started getting real burn in Dallas, I was like, oh, damn. Dallas strikes oil again, dude. Here we go. They've got someone, someone incredible in the pipeline. But when this was announced, both you and I were like, Whoa.

And we walked in here without saying anything and Red was like, did you see the fucking Harley A? I kind of think that that's the reaction. That's my, that's been my bubbled. But my response has been everyone going, some coming out to me texting me going, wow, there's a lot of money for Harley. Dude, Dallas has, you know, you got Miro and you've got Lindell on that top pairing, unbelievable.

And then to have Harley show up and be, I mean, as good as he is. And he's got to be one of if not the best second pairing guys in the, league, right? I mean, like, he's unbelievable. He's a first pair guy on any team, pretty much. That's so huge. I am just, can you, I'm, I'm curious now, like, what, what are we doing with Robo, Dallas? Yep. Because I have been big. You've been big. On the, Robo is phenomenal. Anyone talking about, he's soft, he's this, he's that. Jason Demers, our good buddy. He was like, I don't know about Robo. Then he had the chance to interview him. And he was like, this guy's unbelievable. He's so good. You're.

have to lock him up. That's how we feel. Dallas currently has negative 1.1 mil in cap space. They have to re-sign Robo who's at 7.7 and they don't have a lot coming off the books other than him. And he wants their money. I mean, he's easily getting over 10. Yep. Easily. Um, is he easily getting over 10? Yes. Are you out of your mind? Is he easily getting over 10? 100%. Logan Cooley just signed for eight by 10. I know. I'm going to talk about that in a second too. Okay.

Well, ignoring that, because maybe you're right, Harley becomes the second highest paid player on the stars. Correct. As you said, he's getting more, and this is timing. We always talk about this,

but he's getting significantly more than Miro. Timing, timing, timing. I think Miro's up 28, 29, maybe. Correct. But significantly more than your best defenseman. He's the fourth

highest paid D-Man in the league now. Yeah. Behind Carlson, Dahlene. and Dewey. And Carlston and Dewey are kind of like, well, they're both literally older players, but those are older deals. Older deals, yeah. You know, those were when you were like, though you guys are the best defensemen in the league and like, here's your money. Dahlene is an interesting one where I'm like, okay, you are getting more than him. Yeah. But we've seen, we've talked at nauseam about all these young defensemen getting paid recently

and what that standard has been. You know, it's kind of that 8.5 to 9.5, 9.5, right? That's been the thing. We're debating like, oh, does Luke deserve more? And then who gets what inside that $1 million bracket? Totally. Now, also, we just saw a Carol Caprizzoff kind of go like, oh, way over the market. Because this happens in pro sports. Like, guys, this is why the Players Association sometimes gets mad at superstars for taking team-friendly deals because you're not setting the market in a certain way.

So the market has been set for these young defensemen at 8.5 to 9.5. And if I am Thomas Harley's agent, I'm trying to get as much money as possible. But if I'm the Dallas Stars, I'm going, surely I'm not giving you more than 9.5. If you want 9.5, we can have that conversation. But that's the fucking bracket established by the league. Totally. For him to come in not only well above that, but also, and I know this shit matters, Bouchard goes in at 10.5 and Harley comes in in this fucking most moronic A.AV I've ever seen

just to be over that, to become the fourth highest. I'm like, dude, how did you lose that fight if you're Dallas? Because there was obviously a negotiation, and I'm kind of shocked that they lost, and he got more than Evan Bouchard. And C.P, no state tax team as well. Yeah. Like, this should have been 8.5 and be happy. I am very surprised by it. I'm not saying he's not worth it.

Me either. I think he's better than Evan Bouchard. Yeah, yeah, me too. He's 24 years old. He's, he's phenomenal. It's just like, we always, also. talk about this with this team. Miro left shot, Lendell left shot, Harley left shot. And now he's making the most on the team in the snow state tax team. Top four D-man contracts in the league

that will obviously change when KL signs and all this and all that. But dude, it's, it is surprising to say the least. Again, it's not that he doesn't deserve it. It is just surprising. And the thing with him is what does this now mean for Robo? And I genuinely don't know, man. I actually really like what this team has done with Capspace. Miko, only 12. That's not that bad. Ruppet at 8.4.

Wyatt at 8.4. Wyatt just signed that contract. That's fantastic. But you have Robo coming off the books, and then you have these small contracts, like Jamie Ben, Maverick Pork is about to be RFA. You need to sign him. What are all their defensemen make?

You've got Miro at 8.45. you've got Lindell at 5.25. You've got Harley at 4 right now, about to be 10.58. Lubushkin makes 3.2 until 2027. Lundqvist makes 1.2. He is going to be RFA at 2026-27 season. Yep. Bischel.

So like, yeah, like this summer. Bischel is, he has two more years on his rookie deal. Great, yeah. So I just, I don't really. really know where they find the money. Yeah, right. It's going to be interesting. And like a trade, I feel like a significant trade needs to happen here with Dallas. And I'm not saying that's going to be robo, but like if you're going to sign robo to over 10,

and I promise you it's over 10, something has to happen. This is a great deal. It's a great thing that you've kept Thomas Hartman. And he deserves that money. I am just surprised. You paid too much. It's bad business. I think you paid too much.

much. I think you, and I love Thomas Harley. Oh, yeah. But I think the Dow stars. It is not too much for Thomas Harley. It's too much given all of the circumstances. Yeah, I agree. It's fine. I have found this deal very interesting. And it genuinely makes me curious now where I have been so adamant that Robo's not going anywhere. Yeah. It now makes me curious where I'm like, well, maybe he is. I don't know. I got two things for you. 50 points last year at career high for Harley. Uh, he this is one of those things where we always do this when someone gets above market value you have a um Miro I think he did you always are so good at this but I swear Miro had like 82 points one year maybe it was like 74 but he had one monster it was like 73 yeah and I was like okay yeah I think that's right and then I was

like that needs to be where you're going and he hasn't quite got there recently yeah but I need that from him really and I and because I believe that He had 73 in 2022, 2022, then 54 in 71, and then 25 and 50. Yeah. He currently has 5 and 10. So I'm like, I want that 70 point guy back kind of. Yeah. And I want 60.

Yeah. And I kind of think I now demand that from Harley, too, with his trajectory and how much you just paid him. I think you're kind of counting on like I'm getting 65 points from Thomas Arley. Yeah. Thomas Harley is 8 and 10 now. Yeah, which is amazing. He had 50 points last year in 7.

78 games, 16 goals, 15 goals the year before that. How old's Miro? Mero is only 20. Hold on, hold on. Mero Hayskinan is 26. Wow, that's crazy. Yeah, I mean, they're in a great... Yeah, God.

And Dundell's only 31. Yeah, yeah. Like, they're in great shape. Bishel's 21. Yep. Okay, so, Dan, top 10 defensemen under 25 years old entering this season. Come on. Who is Thomas Harley better then?

Ready? Yes. Stay in Dallas. Bishel. Yes. Yes, he is. Bishel's good, but always better than him. We'll go to Carolina, and I can never say this dude's last name. Nkishin?

Yeah, Nicketian. Is that how you say it? I think it might be Keishin, but I think it's Nekishin. Nekishin. Alexander Neketian. Is Thomas Harley better than him? Man, I'm going to say yes, but Alexander Nuketian is fantastic. Fantastic.

He's only 23. He's 23 also. Third round pick. What a steal. Unbelievable. He looks incredible. Yeah. I'm getting Rookie of the Year talk.

Yeah. So. Ty? No, no. No, he's been. He's better than him. Okay. Edvinson on the wings.

Yes. Yep. Owen Power. Ooh. I'm going to say yes. Thomas always better than owning power. I love Owen Power, but, and it's a lot of Buffalo struggles. God, I think he might be right.

Owen Power has left me a little bit like, I need more from Owen Power. Mm-hmm. But Owen Power is an unbelievable hockey player. unbelievable hockey player. I'll go Harley's slight edge there. 40 points last year, you know, like, but I'm going to take Harley. Luke Hughes.

Oh my gosh. Can I say Ty? No. I've offered it earlier and I've taken it away. I don't know why. It's pretty fucked up. Yep. I'm going to say I will take Thomas Harley.

Really? And this is like, are you answering literally how good they are at this exact moment or you answering if I was starting a franchise and I got to take one of these guys. I'm going to say how good they are at this exact moment. Because I think, I mean, Luke Hughes, man, last year, 44 points and 71 games in his rookie season. I think I'm going to seven goals. He's 22 years old to Harley's 20. What do we just say? I think 23? Yeah, I think so. Yeah, I would not get mad at anyone for picking one over the other. Yeah. Lane Hudson. I think Lane. I was going to say, I have been lampooned by Habs fans over and over for chirping their team, for chirping him.

And it would be insanity to me if anyone would look me in the face and say, I'd rather have Thomas Harley than Lane out. I agree. And Lane is, I mean, Habs fans calm down. It's obviously no question when it comes to puck moving and offensive ability. But you do have to consider these things. Well, we talk about it all the time. I will take Harley in a, I need my team to lock the fuck down and keep a goal out of the net? Yep. I want Thomas Harley. Yep. So it's very close, but I will take a lane.

I will take lane. Also, Harley comes in at four. He's, that's a tie. Yeah. He's as good as himself. Mo Sider. Damn. I know, dude.

I know. I know. Um, damn. Can I tell you a six dad about Mo Sider? Yeah, please. He has played four NHL seasons. He's 24 years old. He's fifth in hits,

seventh in block shots, and tell me how many games he's missed in his four-year career. I know this about zero. Available. Oh, my God. Mo lives in that 45 to 50 point range. He's also fucking throwing body. Yeah, I was going to say 46 points two from a guy who is locking down on D.

Like Luke Hughes, No offense. Lane Hudson, no offense. I'm not taking you for your D specifically. I'm going to take my boy, Mo. Me too. I'm too much of a Detroit guy. I can't. But I love Dallas, too, and I love Thomas.

But I'm going to take Mo. Brock Faber. Right now, I'll take Thomas. Really? Dude, I'm sorry, dude. Look at Minnesota's fucking defense. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Their team is bad.

But I thought he was so good at Four Nation. He is. He literally, I mean, he's so. He's so good in general. Literally led team USA and ice time at Four Nations. I mean, he's unbelievable. What do he have last year? Brock Faber, uh, 29 and 78 last year.

Yeah, I want more than that. 47 the year before. Yeah, that's better. Yeah. In 82. I think I go, God, I think I'm, that one's hard. It's very hard. I think I might go favor though.

I don't know. Actually, that one, I'll go Harley. I go on a tie to me. I went to tie the other way. I went to tie the other one. Jake Sanderson. Sanderson. Same. Yeah.

And I don't... Jake Sanderson is a Norris caliber. Like he is in that conversation. Yeah. And I don't know if you can look yourself in the face and go... And I'm not even talking defensemen in the league, dude. I'm talking under 25 defensemen.

Under... You think you have this young stud. Under 25 defensemen, we're going Sanderson, Mo, Lane, Lou... Like, I'm pointing at multiple guys the same age as your guy. And you've paid him significantly more than everyone. And I'm like, why did you do that?

Yeah, that's all. Thomas Charlie incredible. Yeah. He'll be a Norris finalist in his career. Absolutely unbelievable. But that was a lot of money. Contract that just happened, we're going to hit on it quickly. We talked a lot about the Mammoth last episode.

Logan Cooley, eight years, 10 million. We saw that he turned down a contract earlier this fall. Now he finally signs this one. He is now the highest pay. player on this team start of next year. The mammoth are disgusting. Kool's is disgusting. How good do you feel about everything going on in Utah? That is a great contract. I was kind of shocked initially with this one too. When this came across, I was like 10 million, Jesus Christ, dude. Yeah. But caps going up. They got the eight, right? This is the last year you can do eight for those that

don't remember. So it's like you have a guy this good that you drafted. that high. You go, give me him as many years as possible. And 10, in my opinion, is probably a bit of a concession. It's honestly a win-win because that's a little much right now where I'm like, whoa, that was a lot of money. But I think by the back half of this, when he will be smack dab in the middle of his prime, you will be fucking laughing, laughing to the bank about 10 million for Logan Cooley, 121 points in his first 121 games to start his NHL career. Yeah. Point per game to start your career. That is incredible. That's why I think it's going to be amazing. That's not correct.

He has 121 points and 168 games. Well, the NHL.com article might disagree. They're wrong. He had 44 points in 82 games in his first year, 20 tucks, 65 points, 25 tucks, and 75 games the next year, and now he has 12 and 11 this year. Okay, well, then this contract sucks, and so does he. So that article stinks. That's not your fault.

That article stinks. Selected by the Arizona Coyotes with the number three pick in the draft. Cool, he has 121 points and 121 regular season games. Yeah, and it's just factually wrong. That's whoever wrote that article. At NHL Media, you have humiliated me. You have humiliated, Chris. It's okay.

Mistakes happen. And I do the research. That's the other thing. People just spew, and I'm always researching. I know you do. And now this is bullshit. Well, it's not your fault. Thank you so much.

Yeah, not your fault at all. I'll be the first to criticize you. That one's not on you, pal. I think he's, I mean, 20 tucks in his first year, 25 the year after that, he's got eight and 11 right now. Yep. Second on the team, right? It was interesting when he turned down that first contract offer that we saw, I was a little bit like, damn, betting on himself. And he's just been buzzing this year.

He's, to me, he's just such a perfect fit for this team, dude. It's like, these guys are such a vibe together, man. It's so cool and fun to watch Mammoth. I mean, we gas up Montreal a lot, talk about how they're the most fun show on ice right now. Mammoth is right up there. And when I look at this forward group of, I mean, the addition of J.J. Peturca, he's on a contract at 7.7 until 2030. Clayton Keller's disgusting. He's on a contract at 7.1 until 2028.

Dylan Gunther, disgusting. 7.1 until 2033. Nick Schmaltz having an insane season. He's on a contract at 5.4. point eight up this year though this is the last year that deal loss and crows is a great middle six guy jack mcbane is a great yeah i mean he's all over the top nine he's at four point two and you now have logan coolly who's on his rookie deal about to make ten ten is such a palatable number with all of these other contracts next year yeah and on your back end you've got surcachev at

eight point five derzy at six john merino at four point four like i love this team they're kind of becoming the stars in terms of where like, whoa, they have a ton of depth and have managed the books very well here. Until recently, though, right? Because like the stars lost their minds. They're just paying everyone now. Because they couldn't win. But the mammoth are their Montreal dude. Yep. They have such great contracts on all of these great players. And look at how freaking good they are so far this season. It's, it's unbelievable. It's a blast. I mean, the mammoth in the standings right now, are they one? They're won in the central. eight and three.

And they're whacking teams. I know. And Logan Cooley's at the head of that. So I love the contract. I just sent you a link to that draft, Dan, click on that. Yeah, yeah. Let's kind of a, when I saw that and they were like, oh, he's first in his draft class in points and goals. I was like, who is that draft again?

And then I looked at it. Kind of a weird draft looking back. And I want to redo, I want to redraft with you right now, the top 10. Yeah. There are so many good players in this draft. Just from the first round, by the way. Like, we're not allowed to go because there's people. that went later, but I'm just saying,

let's say we just took the first round and redoing the top two. Yeah, yeah. Who do you got? Who do I take first? Yeah. Okay, for people, we've got down the line, this draft was, you know,

players worth mentioning. Uriest Lovkovsky, Simone Nemek, Logan Cooley, Shane Gautier, David Uricheck, Marco Casper, Maddie Savoy, Pavl Minchik, Connor geeky, Frank Nazar, Rutgers McGrorty, Lion Bischel, Jimmy Snuggarood,

Sam Renzell, definitely, and I think those are the only guys I'm going to, Isaac Howard's down there, but these are the only guys I'm going to mention. I am probably taking damn. Logan Cooley, right? Probably Logan Cooley. Cutter is up there for me. Me too, super high.

So is so is it's Logan Cutter and Nazar. Nazar's up there for me. Okay. But I think that could be my top three.

Yeah. Like I might go Logan Cutter, Nazar. And it's funny, right? Because it's a... Slavs good. Slavs great. Shane Wright's great.

Yeah, dude. Shane Wright's very relevant. Very relevant. I mean, every one of those guys that I just mentioned is a great player. And it's funny because when this draft happened, I feel like a year, two years after, people were kind of like, was that draft shitty?

I know, I know. And now I'm like, no, this draft's fantastic. I think I go Logan, Cutter, Nazar, Slav. That's what, four? And then... You go Slap that high? I think so. You go Slap over Frank Nazar.

No, no, Nazar's three. Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry. But you're, I mean, like, over Rutger? That's your boy. Well, he hasn't played yet. I know, but we know how good he is. I know. And then NEMS NNNNs?

Renzel? Do you still believe in Nemek? I think you do. Oh my God, absolutely. Like maybe Nemic 5, Rutger 6, but now I'm insulting Shane Wright, who's been good, but I just know how good Rutgers. Correct. Simone Nemek has seven points in 10 games.

Maybe Nemek 5, Rutger 6, Shane Wright 7. No, Jimmy Snuggs. No, Shane Wright 7. Jimmy Snuggs 8. Who am I missing? You're sleeping on something. Oh, fuck. Now I get...

What just happened to you? Well, I don't know what to do with Mityakov. And... Because I don't know which one is the real one. That's actually fair. And I don't know. Isaac Howard's been surprising. And...

Do you love Casper? I love Marco Casper. Yep. Is he your talk? 10, though? Um, no, I mean, he's one goal in 10 games. Yeah.

Like, he's off to a slow start, but I believe, I believe in him heavily. Okay. Well, who do you have eight, nine, ten? Are we doing all 10? Yeah, we're just doing 10. That's, that's going to take too long. I like the five. Okay.

It's beautiful stuff. Some of the guys mentioned in there. First of all, Harley, Cooley, amazing. Amazing stuff. we've got to move on to a team mentioned a couple of the guys in that draft that are on this team the Chicago Blackhawks are officially fun yes they are officially fun they're getting a full on segment in this episode because god damn it do they deserve it but it was interesting at the start of this season seeing them winning a couple games and it was like okay okay hawks I see you and

now I'm looking at them. We just talked about the mammoth. Who's at the top of the Central? The mammoth. But then we got the Chicago Blackhawks sitting happily in a wild card spot. It's unbelievable.

5, 3 and 2 in 10 games. There are plus 7 in gold diff. And there are just things about this Blackhawks team that deserve a stroke off for me. Number one, first and foremost, I always say it, when you got that even stat sheet,

Connor Baderd. He's a perfect hockey player, right? Six goals, six assists, 12 points in 10 games, and he's a plus four. Can we talk about that? How about that? Connor Badar, plus four. And I want to add, by the way, his two previous years,

22 and 39, 23 and 44, he has always been, he's not a, everyone talks about his shot, he's not this shooting merchant that doesn't pass, kind of like Austin Matthews, frankly, and I love Austin Matthews, as you know, but that's more his

MO. 30, 30 apples as a center. Connor Bardard has always been that, has always been that guy in his young career, which is sick. I mean, dude, the vibes have just completely changed. The vibes have completely changed, and

this guy, there's one person that you know who I'm going to bring up, you know who I'm going to say, that I think is maybe a huge part of this. Connor Bedard looks like a completely different person. And it's not just his play on the ice. I think he looks way stronger on the ice.

I think he looks way more in control of the games. He's not just flying around using his speed and his skill. He's like he's seeing the ice. He's making really smart plays. I think that's a huge part of why the plus minus is way better. But he just looks everything that people assumed he would be he looks like right now. But his. his attitude, man.

His swagger, his confidence is, I feel like preseason in the summer, he was being a little funnier. Yeah. He was joking around a little bit more, didn't seem as angsty. He seemed more chill, more relaxed, and it's showing.

The fact that he took that high stick, got fucking ripped open on his bottom lip, was leaking everywhere. Immediately got back on the ice. He's giving the ref shit. Like, come on, I'm fine. He's like dripping blood. Dude, you got to stop that bleeding.

He's like, all right, finally gets it patched up, comes back on. They win an O.T. Everything about the, the way he's buzzing around there, both from his play to his attitude, I'm loving. But I think the big thing here is Frank Nazar, five goals, six assists, 11 points in 10 games, he's a plus six. Like, Baudard's got his boy.

Yeah, right. He's got his Will Smith. You know, it's like Frank Nazar shows up this season and is like, he did that interview this season. The last was like, people say the vibes in Chicago are that great. And he's like, let's talk about the vibes, dude. Yeah. I think Frank Nazar is maybe a vibes king.

He's a vibe change. He's a vibes king. Like, he's in there and he is helping change it. But we cannot talk about this team and their success without talking about Spencer Knight. My boy. You're fucking boy, dude. Talk about it. It's amazing.

It's amazing, dude. 2-1-1 goals against 930 save percentage. This talent was always there. That's what's weird. Like, I was looking at goalie shit earlier today, and you want to go V-Tech. God, there was three awesome names. V-Tec, Bussie, but I'm not even sure that's who I was saying. Probably Ascarov was mentioned.

Yeah, but who's the Flyers goalie right now? He was a Bruin. Darth Vader. Oh, Vladar. Vlad. Thank you. And then there was one other one, I swear, that's like way high up in the stats. I'll check right now.

But some of these guys that you're like, oh, wow, that's crazy. That they, their goals against and save percentages up at the top of the league right. now. And it is crazy when it's a guy who's 27 or something where I go, you haven't really done this. V-Tech, you look at his numbers and you're like, oh, wow, you're having an incredible season so far through like three games. But just, you know, that's what's happening. Spencer Knight isn't that. Spencer Knight is a guy who was supposed to be this good the whole time and was sitting behind a world-class Hall of Famer and then had some issues. This is who he always was. He was this in college. was this when he got here to the pro pros.

That's why you're not like, or that's why I wouldn't be taking out a mortgage on V-Tech right now because I'm like, oh, well, that could revert back. This guy, I'm like, yeah, dude, bet the fucking farm. And man, if he gives them this level goalie play, you asked me earlier, can they keep this up? They sure can if they're getting this from the back end. That changes so much, dude.

If you get the puck out of your net, you are competitive every fucking night. And that's the thing. I think we talked a lot about their D and like what what we could expect from their D. And the big ones for me, Alex Vlasic is like, that's your guy. I suppose you would say, I mean, this team is so goddamn young. Vlasic is 24 years old, has a $4.6 million dollar deal until 2030.

Fucking incredible. And he's been good. Yeah. He's got, you know, three assists in 10 games. Like he's not, they don't have anyone on the D that's popping off points wise. But what I love about looking at the defense, defense. Again, what do we just say? This team is three, two, and two, more than that, more than that. They're a record? Yeah, yeah. They're five, three, and two. Sorry, five, three and two. Like,

that's a good record. Yeah, sure is. None of the D are really going nuclear. But Lewis is a plus four. Vlasic is it even. Leveshinov is a plus three. Renzel is a plus three. And someone very special to this program. Matt Griswick, couldn't get a deal. Was four. floating around after a career year in Pittsburgh. Yeah, right. No one was picking him up, and he gets a shot here in Chicago, has played all 10 games, has two assists, and is a plus seven. Their D is just like really solid.

They're a plus seven in gold diff. Like I said, they only have 26 goals against. Like, they're not getting scored on it. Dude, it's nice. Same with Pittsburgh. Like, this is how it changes. You go, what, like, what do you need to do? And everyone, fans always go, like, score more.

Like, we need better offensive players. Literally stop the puck. Literally keep the puck out of your net and you will be good all this. Man, it's like they're just fun as hell. And yeah, like they're just, they're not getting scored on. This defense, like I mentioned that for, you know, talking about those D, Levshanov and Renzel are 20 and 21. They're on the same rookie contract timeline.

And those guys need to be good. and it's like, man, I was watching the game against Boston, and I think it was pasta picked up the puck, came into the zone, tried to cut across the middle, and the way Lev Shunov stepped with him on his cut across the middle, it was just a very mature, defensive play. And I'm like, damn, like if these guys are solid, in their such young age, and they are so far.

And it's just, it's so fun to watch. We love all these teams. We're seeing, we just talked to with them, Montreal and Utah who are, they're further along, right? They're in the like make playoffs. Oh, yeah. But they're packed with the young guys. This is like the beginning of, you know, in three years, maybe less.

Chicago could be a fucking weapon again. And it did feel like last year and the year before, I was like, man, like this is an HL team. Yeah. And we dogged them in our preview. And listen, can they keep this up? That's going to be the big question. But through 10 games, there's so much to be excited about.

And I do love, remember that year, to reference Boston again, where it was like pasta had, at the end of the year, pasta had like 100 points. I mean, it could have been last year too. And like the next guy had like 50. Yeah. And you're like, oh, fuck. That's not happening here.

Right. Badarta is 12 and 10. Nazar has 11 and 10. But then Tara Vinen, 8. Donato, eight with six goals. Burkowski, six. Burtuzi, six. Yeah.

Like they need that. They're, you know, they're not scoring that much. but they're spreading the wealth everyone's getting in the mix and they're keeping pucks out of their own net it's a fucking blast how many Connor had 22 as a rookie 23 last year but in 82

you did it in like 68 as a rookie how for a guy that came in so hype about and that comes with so much pressure but regardless of how where he will rank as a player all time it certainly felt like no matter what you were getting an elite goal score

and his first had he last last last night, two nights ago, and I was like, oh, wow, that's crazy. But I'm, I'm, I'm, keep in mind, folks, we are recording on Wednesday. Yeah, so I have been struck by a thought that he, and it's so early, he's such a young kid, but even like watching Mack last year, and Mac six, I think they both have six goals now after Slow Stars for both of them, a couple Haddies for both of them recently. Badard doesn't strike me anymore as like a guy, I was, I was like, he's like a 50 goal guy for sure, even if that's all you're ever getting from him.

And now I'm not like, I'm not sure he is. Do you, what do you think? Like, give me his career high goal single season. I know, I know. And maybe, dude, maybe he's just like develops and he is. He's like, I scored 61 year. I'm like, oh, fuck my bad. I don't think he's going to be a 60.

I don't think he's going to be like Matthews. Because that's what they've said. They were like, his shot. Like, he literally is a score a million. I always thought that was insane. I was like he has an insane shot. But people were talking about it like he was revolutionizing shooting the pop. Yeah.

And I was like, no, he is a great release. Like, why are we acting like this is like nothing we've ever seen in our entire? Every practice, they're like, look at it. It's insane. Oh, my God. I think he's definitely a 50 goal guy. You do? 50-5-0, yeah.

I think he gets 50. Okay. And if he does that, then he's... You got 6 and 10. If you get 50, you did everything anyone ever asked him. Yeah, yeah. He's got 6 and 10. I think he's a 50 goal guy.

The question is, does Bidadard become, you know, Leon, Connor, where he's getting like 130 points? I'm not entirely sure about that. But he does pass the buck. He does. He gets a lot of assists. Yeah, yeah, no doubt. I think he is a 80 to 100 point guy.

No fucking quite. I mean, God, I hope so. I hope he gets 50. I've never felt better about Connor Bardard than I do right now. Yeah, I do. And I'm telling you, it's the eye test. And I'm not even talking about hockey. Yeah.

I'm talking about him as a leader of this team, as a personality, and as a presence in that city. And in that locker room, that guys are going to feed off of. And I give so much credit to Davidson and the entire organization for what I'm seeing for the first time of the people that they've put around him.

Yeah. And it's like the drafting looks really good. And I'm pumped for them. Same. Pumped for him. We're talking about young, exciting teams in the league right now. So we're bringing on a very special guest.

Former head honcho of the L.A. Kings, we're sad to see him go, but now the president of business ops with the New York Islanders. Holy hell. Kelly Cheesman. It's crazy. Welcome to the Entenaders podcast.

This is a... Gives me chills. You being on the pod gives me chills. Like, we've had a lovely friendship, working relationship over the past few years with you at the Kings, but now seeing you in the studio on the pod. I mean, that's...

All the time. This is unbelievable. Well, I'm honored to be here and I'm glad you guys made the time. Hey, well, hey, I'm... More than anything, I just want to hang out with you guys before I leave down.

That's what I'm saying. Do you leave tomorrow or friends? or Friday? Saturday. Saturday. Unbelievable. Damn. Are you getting a little freaked out?

Like, you're an L.A. guy now? That's not the part that's freaking me out. It's more, I got to be away from my family for a good period of time. So now it's like, I mean, everything that we've done this week, I've gone to every dentist appointment, doctor's appointment. I call those things. And in many ways, I've been thinking, like, I'm prepping for a business trip. And then I'm like, no, I'm moving.

Yeah, you're moving. I'm moving. I got a Darren, the. The best trainer in the league gave me a, you know, a King's hockey bag to pack my stuff, and I got loaded up. That is the most nails move above all the odd. He's got a hockey stick with the bag hooked on it, bumping down the road, dude. That's incredible.

To respect, there were movers that brought boxes, too, but I'm still loading up my final power. I mean, you got it. You're a hockey guy at the end of the day. Also, you are getting thrown into the shit. Like, you are, it's where, I bet it's about to be November, middle of the season. Here we go. And then bang, you're just going across country to just run the show for another team.

Unbelievable. Yeah, it's a big conversation I've had with the group over there is, I mean, it's going to be Christmas before we know it. Yeah, correct. Everything we're doing, we're hitting the ground running. So from the time we made the decision that I'm actually arriving and I'm going to get that job, it's go time for 26, 27 planning around what we do as well as pushing down for the remainder of the year.

So, you know, it's not my first rodeo, obviously, in running a team. So I know what's got to get done pretty fast. also got to go through and have the conversations around the staff and who is everybody meet them all where's my office where's the bathroom at all those things that's important they always make fun of you in Spanish class when you're learning banio dandaestabonio at first but that's what you need to figure it out yeah yeah like you said not your first rodeo 25 years at the kings yeah give us a little recap of your time there how did you get started at the kings yeah how did you climb the ladder because at the end of the day the amount of unbelievable cool stuff that we were able to do with you which we'll get

into was, let's be honest, game-changing. Like, we were able to do some stuff with you guys because of you and because of your creativity that put the league on notice. And that's been a blast. Yeah, I mean, first of all, I, you know, cherish great people like you guys and helping us make those things elevate. And, you know, I think we've always seen you guys as, you know, you're, you've come to the game and you want to elevate, you know, into new audiences and get younger audiences

and do cool shit that people want. want to, you know, get attracted to the game of hockey. So that's why I've always gravitated towards you guys. I mean, my 25 years at the Kings and AEG was incredible. God, 25 is epic. So wild. You know, I started in ticket sales coming from minor league baseball. And basically at that time in the era, and the industry, they said,

you got to get into ticket sales. And, you know, you show that you can sell tickets, you can move your way up. And I just listened to that. Yeah. And I was at a very fortunate time. We were about 200 people in our company with just the Kings and Staples Center at that point. And then we grew to one of the biggest sports entertainment companies in the world. And me and a core group of people, we were able to grow up around that team in the industry and, you know, outstanding ownership with Mr. and Mrs. Anschutz and the whole group and all the leadership group.

I'm incredibly thankful and eternally thankful for everything they gave. me, but it's, you know, an amazing opportunity to go and run another iconic brand. And that's one of the things with the Kings that always got me going is that's an iconic pop culture. Yeah. Hockey brand and a great city, a great place to raise kids. And now I get to go do it again in New York with another iconic brand. So I'm excited. Not a bad deal, eh? Going from L.A. to New York. She's like, oh, all right, this is pretty sweet. So like Dan said, we wrote down a few things but I mean there were too many to list but it was like truly the most recently obviously

scheduled release video was all time there's so much fun all the chilling at the far blues um some watch parties we we did the um the new logo leak remember yep it was like new logos coming out we helped leak that um we do we did the uh how to train your dragon promo you know got all that dialed in hockey he was really proud of that by the way yeah he was like i was good in that and i was like yeah you were it was fantastic i was dying the first time when i was sitting there on set with him and he's like they're like again do it again and he was looking at me and i was like yeah this is welcome to hollywood this is how this works you know to do me the dad yeah me the dad was truly he knew that was important at that point absolutely so my kids are gonna love yeah yeah correct so oh celebrity game

that was epic god all-time memory so i know it's impossible over 25 years but that was just real we've talked about on the pod can you believe how successful that was so sick no i mean i don't think people realize how quickly you guys threw that together like that was truly a shotgun on like this awful thing happened, what can we do? And you put it together in the most remarkable way ever. So fast. And throughout the whole time, you're going, should we be doing this?

Or how are we going to pull this off? And I mean, testament to Luke and Steve Mayer and, you know, their creative minds and a little bit of craziness and willingness to try and bite those things off, but also to our team at the Kings with Jen Pope and Mike Altieri and Sean Tabler. I mean, they were, everybody just dove into it. Yeah, and truly. You know, I think it's, you know, the ethos of who we were as a brand.

We always wanted to be there for the community in L.A. and do things different. We're not, we were never the Dodgers. We're not the Lakers. So, but we know we're important in the city. Yeah. We're going to be there for the city and we wanted to do something different than anybody else. And, you know, great people like you guys helped pull that together. But the whole hockey community came in and around it and just started calling us going,

hey, what can we do? That's so awesome. Nobody knows what that is at that point, but it was amazing and made an impact. It is that even if you show up, though, right? Yeah. You're sort of like the hockey meter's just like whatever you need. Yeah. Let's do it.

And I was so proud of L.A. too. It's like we were kept talking about are people going to be at this? There was like 10,000 people. Yeah. What the hell is happening? Yeah. They were watching me and Beeb snap it around. And I was like, I hope this is fun for you.

Yeah. It's unbelievable. It's a little painful at times. Yeah. Yeah. Some of the guys hadn't played in a little while. Yeah. You know, it's funny.

We're so far in the trench on that game, at least behind the scenes, that sometimes I look back and see some replays, I'm like, that guy was there? I think they were talking about Joe Maurer was at the game the other night. And I'm a kid from Minnesota, and Joe was after me in terms of my era of twins baseball. But I was like, Joe Maurer was at that game. And I forgot. I should have said what up. I just, we did, we had no, I mean, you guys are behind scenes.

It was chaos. It was chaos. Pure chaos. So the ability to. you know, just take a look back and say, all right, that was pretty iconic. Dude, we kept saying the funniest thing about that was all of the moving pieces, all of the work that went into putting that together. And then the second you got in the locker room, all the boys were just like, I'm at Beer League. Like, everyone was just like packing beers,

snapping it around. We were we going for food after this? No one was really acknowledging how much went into this. It was so funny. Yeah. I mean, there's a little bit too much, you know, I think it was wide open in the locker rooms. Then you still saw some guys that were like, Let's go shower with the boys in here. Yeah. It's a little. Yeah, this is not your normal locker. Oh, I want to figure it out.

You might want to figure it out. Caves running around. It was so funny. I've told the story right after it happened, but when we were leaving, I was still in my gear because I'd sit down on the ice. I was talking to some people and I was coming. Everyone's in the locker and I'm coming out.

And Vince Vaughn's team won, I think. Yes, that's right. And he was committed to winning. Dude. Well, it was. I'm not going to talk about the fact. that he wanted to load his roster up too, but I mean, he was committed to winning that game.

I love that. I mean, it started makes sense because they were nasty. Dude, BXA and J.R. They were trying so hard. First shift of my first game, I got two handed in the back of the knees and I turned around, it's BX, and I was like, and he was like, I'm here to win, baby. I told us that in the walk-in.

I know. I was like, all right. So Vince Vaughn, we kind of did like a handshake line after, but he wasn't in it because he was up on the bench. And I was like, oh, that'd been sick to say what up to Vince Vaughn. And then I was standing in my gear after. and I'm talking to some people and someone tasked me on the shoulder

but I didn't know if some I thought I just got bumped taps me again and I turn around and it's Vince Vaughn and he goes like this hey great to see you man and daft me up

and I'm like What the fuck? That's so funny And my Redmond dude Do you know He's always right? Redmond goes Fuck do you know Vince Vaughn

and I don't know Vince Vaughn't know what just happened I live in LA Yeah hang out in the South Bay every once in every once in a lot I was like I was like

that was the vibe of that game Like everybody was just boys all as well everyone happy, living, just playing some hockey. Unbelievable. So what I was going to ask was that obviously is a major highlight, but in 25 years, give us just a couple off the top of your head moments for you that stand out for your epic journey with the Kings.

I mean, the obvious ones are winning. Yeah, God. And having the chance to win and looking back on that. It's not just the moments of when you win and the chance to raise the Stanley Cup as business guy. Yeah. But it's more about. what happens in those moments.

Like Dustin handed me the cup in 2012 up in the, at the party. Like that's a moment that you remember. Man, I'm so glad that you just said that. Yeah. You know, and that's what my wife remembers and all that stuff. So it's things like that.

And, you know, the second time raising it on the ice. Yeah. Wow. Those are amazing things. But it's not, it's what you do going into that. Totally.

And the 10 years before it that get you to that moment. And that's what means a lot. Yeah, no question. Winning is amazing, but, you know, it gives you gratification for everything you went through before that and the grind that you went through. So those are the obvious ones. I mean, the outdoor games. Yeah, God. Dodger Stadium was sick.

So sick. I mean, that was a big part of why I got this job. I mean, I worked with John Collins and the NHL closely on that outdoor game at Dodger Stadium. stadium and you know, John's, you know, the managing partner of the Islanders now. And so it's just all about relationships at that point. For sure. And, you know, just the opportunity to be able to pull those off and people have confidence in you that you can pull them off. Yeah. I mean, I'm so glad you said that. I think there are so many hockey people, hockey players who when they stop playing at any level, whether it be college, even if you don't make it to college, who had that dream of

winning a Stanley Cup and they're like, oh, that's gone. I can never have that. But it's like, I love talking to people like you who do work on more of the business side, but the grind and all of the effort, all the moving pieces you put into it, when you do get in the playoffs, you are invested. And you're like, I feel like a part of this team. And then when you get the opportunity to win, it's like, that's your Stanley Cup too. And it's, I think that's one of the coolest things about sports and about hockey in particular, because it's not just you guys who feel that way. what you just said with Dustin handing you the cup from talking to them, we know the players feel that way too. They're like, this is, we don't win this without everyone in this organization. And that is such a cool thing. Yeah.

It's amazing. And that, those groups, you look back and they taught me a lot. I told them that recently. That's awesome. They showed me what it means to be true teammates. Yeah. And what that actually, what goes into that. And, you know, I take that into the front office.

And we're not in the locker room, grind it out and, you know, beating the heck out of each other. But it's about how you align on a goal and what you want to accomplish together and how everybody has to have each other's back, how everybody has to hold each other accountable. And I told those guys that, you know, a couple weeks ago, like they had an immeasurable impact on me in my life and my career. And, you know, I'd thank them for it. That's amazing. And we're about to ask you a bunch of Islander stuff. But as the transition, I mean, these are emotional.

memories, right? You just said leaving your family for a period of time here. This is a big move for you professionally and as a man, as a father, all this stuff. So the, what excited you most? Like when this popped up, obviously, these relationships is a big job. But other than just like promotion, like what fired you up about this opportunity that you were like, okay, I'm operating my life and going? Um, you know, there's, there's a couple of things. Going through this decision and we had one of the greatest owners in sports with Mr. and Mrs. Antchutes. So you want to make sure you're going to a great ownership group, and they're certainly there with the entire ownership group,

and Scott Malkin and the team at the Islanders. But the collective group there got me fired up. And there's iconic sports industry executives that I get to work with. So to make this transition in my life and take that leap and go work with, a great group of people that you want to be teammates with. That fired me up. Brand. You guys know how much I love brand. Yeah. You know, it's. Yeah, you do. It, it was, I was very connected to the King's brand and how cool that brand was because that's what gets you up. You want to sell this brand and show it and grow it. And as I really got into thinking more about

the Islander's brand, it's another iconic NHL brand that I can have fun with and really taken into the community and grow. So those were a couple of the things that were the big checkboxes for me. On top of the fact I give the chance to live in New York. I'm not living in Manhattan, which is important to me. And living on Long Island and being in the community there was important. And another great place to raise my kids. Yeah, right. On Long Island, he's already got it down, dude. He's a grown. Very impressive. But we were actually talking about earlier, it's like, I think there are so many unbelievable things about the islanders that people don't realize, as iconic of a team as they are, but something as simple as the new barn is like,

that place is unreal. I mean, it's so sick. And so I went to the home opener last season. That's what it was. And I was in Manhattan. And I remember being like, I was getting like my whole day planned with Alice. I was like, okay, like we're going to this game. And I'm not a native New Yorker by any means.

and I don't know my way around the city at all. And I kept being like, all right, fuck. Like we got to, you know, the game's at seven. We got to probably leave at like five o'clock to get there. And Alice was like, no, we go right here and get on the LIR and we're there in two seconds. And I was like, what? And it was just like it's, by the way, I had never been on the Long Island Railroad. Yeah.

Going on that train to an Islander's game is hysterical. Yeah. It's just packed with Islanders fans. party and getting ready for the game and I was like, this is unbelievable. It's actually an all-time pre-game, right? Oh, dude, and you get off of it, and it's like, there's signs clearly,

and you just walk right into UBS, and you're like, well, this is unbelievable. It was sick. Yeah. All right, tell me, I've never been. Tell me about the rank, and, like, the area around it, too. Yeah, so it's at Belmont Park. Yeah, okay.

So, I mean, let's not pull punches on that. That's one of the most iconic locations on Long Island. Exactly. You know, so it's right at the location of the historic racetrack. And we're talking. fucking seven miles from JFK. So it's, it's, it's very available. And, you know, it's not too far from the old Nassau Coliseum.

So it's very centrally located. But our, our whole goal here has to be about making sure that Islanders fans and, and the community of Long Island want to come to this, this arena, UBS Arena, and, and cheer on the Islanders. And that's, that's my mission and make sure that we're continually pushing through that. and dominating Long Island and making sure that we'd grow the fan base there. So it's a great arena, probably top two in the league in terms of arenas I've ever been in. And not just the amenities, but even down to the ice level, it's great ice.

Oh, that's awesome. Yeah. So hearing that from even our ice team in L.A. to, you know, the players, like, it's a great environment. So long term, we got a huge opportunity to really build a championship environment. And Matthew, Darsh coming from Tampa, you know, the guy comes from a championship environment. I come from a championship environment. Luce set the standard there. So we're excited.

We're excited to build what we want to do. It's going to be awesome. Yeah. I mean, like, listen, I know you're leaving a great group of guys that you love and an organization that you love. But it must be pretty exciting, too, when you look at this team, all of the surface level stuff that we've just talked about that are great. But then you also look at the Islanders and look at how great their cap situation looks, how great some of their young players look. And then a guy like Matthew Schaefer, who's just off to a red hot start at such an insanely young age, that must fire you up a little

bit too. When you think about the stuff that you have executed in your career that you want to then bring to this team, it must be pretty awesome to see such a good situation you're going into. Yeah, for sure. I mean, not going to lie, Doug deep into that, they go, all right, well, do we have a chance to win. And, you know, so when you, when you look at getting the first overall pick and doing some the things that Matthew did early and then you, you stack that on, you know, a top three goalie and, you know, the top, you know, three centermen, we all know that what that means in terms of the anchor pieces that he can build around.

So it's, it's exciting to see that. And then my job is just to make sure people know that. fill the barn, make sure that they're playing in a great environment, and we sell it. That's the job. It's not, it's, that piece of the job is easy. That, it's, it's what we do. So now we just got to get everybody aligned on meeting that mission. Yeah, and how cool is it that it's such a positive feedback loop of like the cooler we make,

the surrounding area and the rink and the experience, the more fans pack the barn, the more excited the players are to perform for the fans because the energy's up, the more free agents want to come here, the more fans want to come now because we signed the new free, you know, like the more good you do, the more the product improves across the board. Yeah, create the environment and, you know, ultimately we, you know, Matthew and the team and Patrick and the team deliver on it. The fans will get behind it. And then we just got to keep growing on that. You know, want to get in the community, get, you know, deeper into the ice rinks and the community relations like we did in L.A. Those are all things that the ownership team is

committed to and want me to do again. So, you know, It's getting into the beer league and making sure that those guys are wearing Islander's sweaters. True. Yeah. Even at 11.30 at night when you guys are in painful beer leagues, you know, pulling hammies. Like those are important fans for us. Yeah. But that dude, and I'm not just pumping your tires.

That's your wheelhouse. Yeah. That is exactly what you did here. And the people of New York are, I am very jealous of them and excited for them because what you're going to do with the interacting with the community is going to be incredible. Well, thank you guys. What are things, you know, just like a couple things coming up, like we talked about All-Star and stuff like that that you are most fired up

to like kind of roll your sleeves up and dig into. I think the camp is coming alive as a whole. There is really exciting. I mean, the arena is already the anchor. It reminds me a lot of, you know, Staples, Crypto 1.0 before LA Live came on. So it's, it's, and the ownership group at the Islanders, they, and most ownership groups around the world,

they come and tour, you know, crypto and L.A. Live as the standard that they want to repeat. And that's what happened there as well. And I had a long-standing relationship with, you know, with the Islanders ownership group and John Ledecky. And they all came and checked it out. So we're doing the same thing. So as this really comes alive, the campus is probably only about 20% open. And as Belmont fully comes back online next year and we got the All-Star game coming, those are the moments we got to build for.

And we got to be able to make sure the Islanders fans know that first. And then they'll tell everybody around them. I mean, that's the standard that we built in L.A. for years. And I've told that story over and over again as to why the King's fan base got built is because that anchor group just kept bringing their friends. Yeah, it's true. And we'll do that again here. And we, but we can't take it for granted that, you know,

they've been there for 50 plus years. Yeah. It's a transient market and young kids are born every day. So let's make them Islanders fans. Yes, God, yes. And it's great environment. And, you know, let's get great. content in the venue that's beyond islanders and that's part of my responsibility as well so that

people just keep coming to this arena and they go all right well look at those banners i want to go check that out yeah and how much fun i'm having around like oh these cool bars restaurant like this is just a fun place to be i want to be around this place all the time yeah god that's awesome i mean listen the island is ripe for just being the hockey island yeah like that's we got to have some real fun at all stars dude oh man i can't even begin do you know what i just found out that uh sparky the dragon is your mascot. I didn't know that. That's one of the craziest things

I've ever heard of my entire life. You know what, though? My boy, that Kyle, the islandist fan, it used to be a minor league baseball team. Yeah. Like the guy, the owner... How about a full stripper for this guy? Yeah.

He was the minor league baseball team mascot and then the... And I wear the mascot uniform every once in a while out there. Because that's part of the job in working in minor league sports. They don't have a full-time mascot. So,

as the marketing manager, we had to be the mascot for the children's hospital appearances in them. Yeah. And some of the best experiences in my life. I believe it. It is sick.

It's so, so fun. You got to, you got to go back at Sparky. One, just one night. One of my first jobs when I was 14 years old was being a pickle at, I was a pickle mascot at Portland Sea Dogs games.

That's sick. We used to run the bases. It was unbelievable. But the mascot costume was built for an adult. Yeah. So I had to like, they had to like tape it up my leg so I didn't trip on it. Yep.

But it's pretty sweet. Well, that's why I had to be after shock in Rancho Kukumanga, because he was the kid brother of that is a sick name by the way that is so good trimmer was like a seven-footer aftershock was so was my buddy my buddy gym he had to be yeah he had to be Trevor yeah and I was after shock and it was the best time of my life yeah I mean I feel like every kid should have to be a mascot at some point I learn a lot yeah you sweat in those games it's fantastic I want I want dragons themed stuff at all stars I think that's a way I think there's

something to do there but also fishermen you know like I want I want I I want like lighthouse and fishermen-themed stuff. That'll be my one message to you. Yeah. It's like the fisherman aisle, I think, is so cool, that logo. Yeah. And there's stuff that we can do this. There's six, like, come on.

I want to do, you know, like, you know, the claw game? Yeah, yeah. Like, there's like a fishing type thing, like a fan thing. You throw it in, and it's like a magnet. And you pull up a puck and whatever's on the puck. You know, that stuff I want to do. That might be our first piece of content with you guys. It is the summer.

Fishing. We come out, do a, do. deep sea fishing trip with some of the boys. That'd actually be all the time. I like that. I mean, come on. That'd be all time. But it's got to be like an old school boat. Not like a fancy one.

Like an old school one that has like, yeah. It has like the trains coming oversight. We're going to go out and like scout the harbor. Yeah. And find like a gritty old fisherman to like B.R. Because that's going to be the whole thing. Because someone to get caught in a northeastern. I know.

But like I want that. I need to feel real risk though. Yeah. I want Schaefer on the boat. So you guys are like this can't go down. Yeah. That's our guy. Yeah.

Who you need it. We put Fisher in the hands of old Pete Skippy McGee. Oh my God. Classic Long Island fishermen. Listen, we're Maine boys. We have lighthouses. You know, we relate to Islander's culture, I think, big time. For instance, it's our roots as well.

Well, I used to go fishing a lot of my Uncle Bill down in Jersey. Sick. And he had this old boat that he just, you'd go out fishing. It was just a whole experience for the whole day. Get the soggy, the soggy sandwich that you wouldn't eat. You'd pick it up at 6 a.m. You don't eat it until 2. Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, it's in like a bag. But by then, that's the best sandwich you've ever had. Ever eaten in my life. So true. Catch six fluke at the bottom of the Raritan Bay, and then you go back and he scrubs that boat for seven hours. You don't get home until midnight. You got up at 4 a.m.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. What a fucking day. Yeah, what a day. I grew up twice. Yeah, yeah. Go back to my dorm room at Seton Hall and you feel like you're just, you're still moving. Yeah, exactly.

Oh, my God. That's incredible. Well, man, I mean, it's, we're super excited for you. This is a really, really cool thing that we got going here. It gets us fired up to be more dialed into the Islanders, frankly, because friends of friends makes it more fun. Absolutely. But before we cut you loose, is there any message you want to give to Kings Nation, any message to Islanders Nation? What's on your mind?

I mean, Kings Nation and the fans, I mean, I've had such a great relationship with them for so many years and, you know, their family with me at this point. I mean, I've gotten so many texts and messages from so many of them. you know apparently a bunch of them are islanders fans i don't know how that's happening too but that's the way perfect the way la works right but um you know it's it's i'm just so thankful for everything they gave me and the opportunities they gave me but it's really you know now we're we're moving ahead we're heading along island so uh the opportunity to actually be in this role is it's rare right So I don't take it lightly. And to carry a brand like the Islanders and a team like the Islanders forward,

it's something I cherish. And I want to make sure I take care of it the right way and take care of it for the generations that come. Because I always see ourselves in these roles as we're a steward of that brand that's going to be there for 100 years and that team that's going to be there for 100 years. We're just here in a moment of time. So I like to make sure that that's the way our team's thinking about it. And you always go through things all the time.

You're managing 150, 200 people. There's people, right? So there's fans. And a lot of times even the fans are irrational. It makes no sense to be that die hard about anything. So it's not an irrational humans that we're dealing with, including ourselves. Yeah, right. Right.

So you just have to like take that in for a moment. It's the most true thing in the world. Right. You catch yourself getting really fired up about something. And then you're like, what am I doing right now? So it's special to be a part of that, and that's what makes sports great. So I'm just lucky to be here. And, dude, they are in extremely good hands.

Yes, sir. You're going to take them to the right place. It goes beyond me and Matthews and the team. And they've done a great job so far, and we're just ready to move forward. Yeah. Dude, from ticket sales to president. Yeah, remarkable. That's what they told me to do.

Yeah, you just follow instructions. They're like, hey, keep your head down, keep grinding. You'll be the president one day. And he said, okay. I don't know if it works that way anymore, but that's the way it works 25 years ago on sports. Every book, there was like starting ticket sales. Truly. You were grandfathered in.

Yeah. Montauk this summer. Sick. We all got to go. Oh, yeah. I mean, there's no question about it. So my wife and I are going on a date night tonight before I head out, right? The restaurant that just opened up a Redondo called Montauk.

Dude. What? Like how ironic is that brand new? You'll go once. Yeah. Yeah. Probably. But it's actually reopened at our favorite restaurant in Redondo Beach History, which was

Chemalanche closed a number of years ago. Oh, yeah. They renamed it, Monarch. Wow. This is a sign. It's perfect. It is a sign. It's a sign.

There's going to be a portal in that restaurant that just sends you right to the island. I'm just taking pictures that would, you know, send them to our painters at our new house. This is what we want to. They're going to open a Montauk location in UBS. Yeah, there we go. Hey, this first order of business. Amazing. Well, congrats.

All right, boys. Hey, I can't thank you guys. All right. Support and... Back at you. And more to come. More to come. We're going to...

I'm going to get state-run media. Islanders jerseys on you guys now. Oh, hey. Or Islanders' hoodies. Yeah. That's for sure. Great colors. Yeah.

Yeah. I mean, some of the best jerseys in the game. It's on Blue Bowl. Welcome, welcome back to our favorite gambling portion of the show with the professors of puckline. Christopher, we had quite a week. It was good and it was bad, Daniel. I prefer to start with the bad I

I am showered in misery to hear there was any bad Just a smidge, just a smidge Okay, okay, fair enough, sir We must because we are men of honour Yes indeed Recap the Mega Parley We must recap the Mega Palais It did not hit

It did not hit And there were some fun hits That's what's disappointing There was some fun that sponk There's a fun hit There were fun hits within. We maybe should pick a game, our favorite game of the Palais moving forward, but we did not. We will recap the Mega Palais right now.

I will do it briefly because it is embarrassing. But as you said, Daniel, we could always do worse. We could always do worse. Flyers, yes. Good pick. That might be me, actually. Good pick, Christopher. Avalent, no, Baker, you're fired.

Sir, you have their first regulation loss of the year, Baker. Thank you for sniffing that out. devastating for young Brian. Devastating. Bolts. Yes, shiprighted, Dan. Shipwrighted. Knights, no.

Wild, no. Wild, never win again. Wild, finished. Terminated, wild. Wings, leaves, yes. And that was brilliant because... Dan, the... The split.

You nailed the split. Phenomenal. Wings, yes. Wings, always, yes. Gwyns, shockingly no. Shockingly, no. Caps, no. Habs, yes.

Kings, no. Cains, no. In the rant. in rematch was not to be. Where I did, it was to be and we were wrong. No. And Spunk, yes. Sponk, absolutely yes.

And wouldn't you know it? What was our record? Six, seven, Daniel. Absolutely horrendous. Six, seven. Horrendous, folks. Now. But on to the good news.

On to the good news because the professors had themselves a bit of a week. At first, before we even get into some of the professor picks, we had the unlikely, the improbable parley, brilliant hit. We bet all of the dogs. It was a dog day afternoon.

We bet the Pittsburgh Penguins. We bet the Chicago Blackhawks. And we bet the San Jose sharks. And eventually, all dogs, very unlikely wins. They came through

on the back of our two sons. And none of the games went easy. It was not a walk. In the park, as they say. No, sir. We had a last-minute goal in Chicago,

and then a bit of a barn burner against the reigning Stanley Cup champions in Pittsburgh. But then the Sharks Rangers match. It was Tom Vulery. It was Ballyhoo. Yes, sir. Went to overtime, and yes, young McLean and Will took care of business and cashed in the unprobable ballet.

It was remarkable. Your check is in the mail, gentlemen. It was fantastic, and that leads us into the Friday fate. So we took the Buffalo Sabres to upset the Toronto Maple Leafs because surely there is no way that the Toronto Maple Leafs could lose that game. So we did the fate. We bet the Buffalo Sabres and they were victorious. Five to three in the Friday fade.

Because if you know anything about this game, and not this specific game, I mean the game of chance, the game of gambling. then you know when you are sure of something, you are wrong. And we have exercised that fact. We are sure. We have indeed, sir. We are faced with a very difficult challenge this Friday.

A Halloween. Only three matches on All Hallows Eve. Is that the 30th, technically? I think perhaps I just like saying all Hallows Eve. Me too. I actually totally agree. Let's just say that. Is it also a massive miss by the NHL to not make sure that the devils are playing every Halloween?

Yes. It is. In fact, I cannot fathom how we have just come across this brainwave. Cannot believe that. Devils are to Halloween as the lions are to Thanksgiving. Simple, sir, I did not know where you were going with that. Simple, simple. So, here are, that NHL, that's something we're going to work. You could have that for free.

Now, we have three matches on Halloween night. the avalanche at the Golden Knights of Vegas, the islanders at the capitals of Washington, and the Red Wings at the Ducks of Anaheim, that first match. We will promptly rule out. No one could ever be sure of who would win that game. And that just two titans of the game. Of the industry.

We cannot say that one is the favorite over the other. We cannot. The islanders at the capitals. It's a metropolitan division showdown. Sure is. Both teams playing well. I'm not sure I like either there as well. Okay. So it takes us to the Detroit Red Wings at the Anaheim Ducks. Now, we are recording here on a Wednesday. Both with lovely wins yesterday in the Frozen Frenzy. The wings Red Hot sitting atop the Atlantic. The ducks, I believe, correct me if I'm wrong, Professor.

the ducks are just outside of a wild card spot. At last, chick, that was correct. Let me confirm. Therefore. One point, Daniel, one point out. Therefore, Christopher, one could deduce that the sure winner in these three showdowns would be the red-hot Detroit Red Wings playing the Anaheim Ducks. Therefore, our Friday fade shall be quacking.

Quack, Daniel. And we will take the ducks to defeat Detroit at home because we are positive the wings will win because the wings are so good. Exactly, and we're going to fade that. But we will fade the wings. And take the ducks. As they head west to not find land a plenty,

but instead find losses a plenty and cash a plenty in Iowa pockets. Indeed, sir. Friday fame. So the Saturday's selling... Another tidbit of good news, Daniel. And I believe, Professor, I must insist that you give me a little bit of extra credit

because you were insisting that you disagreed when I went with Sir Debrancat and you said, no, no, no, no, no, no, Smee. It is Lucas Raymond, you indecisive scumbag. I believe were you... And then I cannot confirm. The ferocity of which you are recalling said events, my friend, but... But I, but yet, I insisted on the pick of the Debrinkat for his first goal of the year. And I must tell you, Daniel, that the wings went down for nothing, and I said, I'm a fool.

I'm a fool. Fool me twice, fool me three times, I'm a fool. And then the wings mounted their coming. Surged back, and it was four to three, and then wouldn't you know it? Bang. Bang. bang, Smee,

first of the year Alex De Brinket Saturday Selly paid off. The young cat himself lit the the lamp, as they say

in the hockey sphere. And the wings came all the way back with no help from Lucas Raymond, I might add. Okay. I was rooting

so hard for him to not score after Debrichette's which is just so petty, sir. You're a disgusting mutant with that sort of

behavior. You're a preton. A cretan. This week, the Saturday Selly, I'm going to tell you who I like. We've got lots of options, loads of chances for any time goal scorer. So Christopher, tell me who you like on the Saturday slate.

I like Leon Dry Saitel at home against the Hawks, but the Hawks are pesky. I like Nate Dog at Sharks, even though I hate a road team. You know I hate a road team on the Saturday Selly. And then, Daniel, I must say I like Sidney Crosby because we have wasted. We should be rich. Bet, we've been telling the listeners how Sidney Crosby has scored every game thanks to us and I have made zero dollars on it,

which is shocking. I feel as though we are fools, but I do wonder if we would jinx it if we were to do that. Same. I feel as though that is why I have avoided making the bet. Now, I know you don't like an away goal scorer. All three of mine are away. Our own teams. I did see that.

I do love a friend of the program. Sir Seth Jarvis at Boston. Yes. I love the red hot Jack, Jack Hughes. Leading score in the league. And a young man who has just recently caught fire with his new team, he's been knocking on the door. Knocking on the door, sir. Victor Oliveson with a hat trick on Tuesday night.

He has found, he has broken water, as they say. And I believe that there is a chance that he is now hot. We need to ride said hot hand. And I'm sure we will have great odds with that. That's why it is interesting to me. I'd like to say I love your picks. I will rule all three of mine out in favor of your three. Interesting.

Uh, Jack Jack. He scores every game. He feels as though it is a must. He loves a big city. Los Angeles is a big city as his first trip of the year, his only trip of the year. I say Jack Hughes, Jack, Jack, the man himself, red hot in his new white Bower boots. We select as the Saturday Selly anytime goal scorer at the Los Angeles Kings. Book it.

Fantastic. Fantastic. Now, sir, it is time. to bring in another doctor into the room for his Sunday hat-trick parley. Let us welcome Dr. Gavin McHugh. Dr. Locks has returned and Doctor, you gave us a tremendous pick last week. An incredibly sharp bit of action. The doctor said, for those that don't recall, Mammoth at Jets, you said Jets, Moneyline,

you said under 6.5 goals, and you said Mark. Shifley with two plus shots on goal. Mr. Shifley had two shots, including a goal. The five goals total put us under six and a half, but alas, the mammoth edged the jets three, two, instead of the other way around, but we were right there, Doctor, we were right there. I know. Things didn't go well and Winnipeg, but we're going to use the same formula this week.

I love it. We're going to use that same formula, three legs. We're going to pick an over under. We're going to pick a team to win, and we're going to pick a man, a gentleman. We're going to pick a gentleman for shots on goal. And I've heard that the doctor is going to be taking us to his home city. No. Yep. Yep. That's where we're going. Pack the bags. Pack the bags. Pack your duffel.

We're headed to Philadelphia, young folks. Yep. Look, the Philadelphia Eagles are on the buy this week. And, Doctor, you know what I might add? So there's only one team in town playing at home in Philadelphia Sunday. You know what I might add, Doctor, too? The Jets. of New York, who we had brought up last week. They won. And I swear they stole our win. They lose every week. And we were going to get our hockey win and the football team loses and then they stole it.

So this week there is a buy and they have no chance of stealing our win. We should have rolled with the New York Jets. The football team's money line in that three-leggar, but neither here or there. Right. So the Flyers must win. Yep. Flyers are the only team playing in Philadelphia Sunday. So leg number one, we're going to roll with the Flyers. On the money line, I mean, the flames fucking suck. So, there's... It's devastating news for Calgary. Terrible.

Terrible team. Terrible team. I'm not going to beat around the bush here. I mean, the flames are not a good program, not a good hockey team. I don't know my ass or my elbow on the ice, but I know the flames aren't good. I know that much. That is true, sir. So we're taking the flames money line.

No. No. Daniel. Flyers. Fliers. We're taking the Flyers money line. Goodness. And we're taking the under.

Leg number two. We're going to roll with under six and a half goals. I've never been a big over guy in any sport. I like under here because the flames, you know, they're not that much of a buzzy team. Flyers aren't the greatest. Flyers goalie were much improved. Much, much improved.

Yeah. I feel like this is going to be a slow bar burner of a game. I'm thinking two to one, three to one flyers. And then what is the third leg doctor? All right. We need our shots on goal guy. I turned to Bobby Brink. Young Gavin saw a beautiful highlight of his shootout goal the other night.

He decided this is the horse. We will ride to victory in this Sunday hat-trick parley. They're yelling it around town like that one guy on the horse. What is his name? Paul Revere. Paul Revere. There's incredible. Paul Revere here.

We don't like him, actually. He stole a lot from us. We started the whole country. He ripped it out from our hands. But the flyers are coming. Bobby Brink, two shots on goal are coming, and under six and a half goals on the game. Going to come home. This Sunday, Philadelphia, no Eagles, return to the Flyers.

Only game in Philly that matters. Flyers under Bobby Brink shots on goal. That, yet again, bully for God. Bully, bully, bully, bully. That shall be your luck from the doctor on our Sunday, Hatrick Parley. And we will see you on the other side. Bang, dude. Come on.

Why not us? Thank you, Doctor. Brilliant stuff from the Doctor. as usual. Now we'll finish up with our Saturday Mega Palais. 13 games, round the horn. Start us off, Christopher. And this week we start with producer

Sean. Sean Cains at Bruins. Who do you like? Boston Bruins. Wonderful. Wonderful. Daniel. Penes at jets. Penguins. Christopher. Flames at Preds. I love gauggo preds. I still believe in the Preds. Sean Avs at Sharks. Sharks.

Daniel, stars at Panthers. Tough game, Daniels. Very difficult. I shall take the Panthers. Christopher, caps at Sabres. Caps bounce back. I'll take the caps. Sean, Senators at Habs.

Senators. Senators. I love that pick. They've been scoring in bushels, Daniel Bushels. Daniel, Leaps at Flyers. Oh, goodness. I know, I will take the Flyers at home. Christopher Blues at Jackets.

I'm saddened by the Blues so far this year, and I'm not sure they get a win here. I love my son. I will always love my son. Give me the jackets. Sean Canucks at Wild. Wild. Wild need a win desperately.

Daniel Devils at Kings. Revitalized from the success on the road, I believe the Kings shall win with a Jack Hughes goal. Christopher Hawks at Oilers. I'll go Oilers. I spunked them last week. I will bathe them in glory this week. Give me oilers.

Sean Rags at Spunk. Rags. Rags. Need a win on the road, Dan. Rags are wonderful on the road. We've never done this with the professor's puck line. I feel as though I'd like to revise it. Oh my goodness. If we were to win and except for this revision,

you will be tard and feathered, my good man. As I shall accept said fate. What are you changing? I believe I would like to take the devils. Interesting. So we will have Bruins, penguins. Ah, oh, I will stick with the Kings. No, no, Daniel, now we're screwed either way.

I feel as though perhaps the devils in Los Angeles on Halloween night might get up to a bit of mischief. It might be a little, yes, yes, yes. And therefore the game the next day, hammer the spread. Could go poorly. Bruins, penguins, preds, avs, panthers, panthers? Panthers, caps, senators, uh, leaps. Or did you take flyers? Flyers. Flyers, jackets, wild kings, for sure.

Oilers, rags. Brilliant. That is the mega palais for Saturday. That is all of your action from the professors. We will see you in class next time. We will take an ad break and return. Hockey is back, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and not needing to come back because they've been here the whole time is our deal with better. MGM because they are the goat.

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promo code netters, bet MGM app. What are you waiting for? We are back and I'd be remiss if we didn't have. There's been a couple Halloween things bothering me. Really? I'm up for some spooky talk. I love Halloween. I'm a Christmas guy.

Rank your holidays, everybody right now, top three. Go, Dan Starter. Christmas? Yep. Arbor Day. Flag Day. No, if we're doing the big ones, Yep. Give me Christmas. Give me...

Actually, I'm saying rank Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. That's what I'm saying. Not Fourth of July? No, Fourth of July is all time, but I don't even need that in that fight. I unfortunately, I'm going to go Christmas Halloween Thanksgiving. Christmas Halloween Thanksgiving. I've never been the biggest Thanksgiving guy. You know, people hate that about me. And I understand it. Yeah. Sean? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and probably Fourth of July. Okay, yeah. So you're not Halloween. You don't like Halloween at all. Halloween's a solid fourth, but you ask me top three.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, he's right. Would Fourth of July be in your third if I'd... It might be. It's like summer. Yeah. Fourth of July barbecue is so great. Our roommate Marty.

Is Halloween different in Ireland? That's what I was going to ask. Is it more spooky? Like, I feel like the like Irish Catholic element could make Halloween a little spooky. Yeah, it's spookier because it's like older. Like it's kind of hard to be spooky when like every building around you was built in the 70s. But the, uh, it's like, oh, it's a ghost like, you know, from the 90s. But the, uh, I don't know.

I think that the... It's just like my buddy. He's like, I'm like, hey, dude, I just saw you. So true. Yeah. I mean, have you ever seen that meme? It's like, how come you never get like ghosts screaming it's Britney bitch at like two in the morning?

He's died in like 2005. Fuck, I've never heard that, dude. That is so accurate. Yeah. What happened? We have, uh, millennial ghosts in the US. You guys have... Yeah, we got like...

1600s ghosts. That's true. Yeah. But the other thing is like we do fireworks for Halloween. Really? Yeah. Do you do the most of? for fourth or

well I guess they don't do fours is a lot you don't give a shit I'm surprised I'm surprised Thanksgiving you've been registered for you but you know yeah yeah well I

I really like Thanksgiving just for the food yeah so makes sense yeah makes sense the food is amazing I mean the first time I had the marshmallow on top of the sweet potatoes

sounds disgusting but it's the most delicious thing is amazing it's unbelievable so good so you guys trick or treat

and fireworks are being launched in the air yeah do you guys trick or treat yeah we We trick-or-treat and and yeah, fireworks, I think they're technically still illegal in Ireland,

but like everyone just goes up to like the north where you can buy it because it's like technically a different country. Fucking northern Ireland, dude. They don't give a fuck. Yeah, right? You come down and then like you have kids just going around like bombs exploding, you know? Great.

Hey, welcome to America, baby. Actually, sensitive up there. But you're saying stuff's pissing you off. Well, yeah, and I'm going to get to that. But Edge, I was going to bring this up later, but since you just said funny tradition, Edge said that in Des Moines, they, when he was a kid, when you trick or treat,

you would have to go, you'd bring the doorbell and then you have to tell a joke. And if you told the joke, I mean, obviously it was a kid so they weren't going to be like, that wasn't funny enough, but the premise is like, you have to tell a funny joke to get the candy. So Edge spent his whole trick-or-treating childhood telling jokes. And he said, now kids come to his door and he's like,

tell me a joke. And they're like, what? That is so funny. You know that there was some old, hard-assed Iowa. a farmer guy who was like, tell me a joke. And the kid's joke's not good enough. He's like, you don't get candy. Fuck you.

That definitely happened. But I swear there's history in this. Like, I think it was like you would trick, you'd either scare them. It's called trick or treat. Or you would tell a joke. You guys did nothing, right? You just said, I've never been tricked. I've only ever gotten treats.

I feel like that's like a normal childhood experience. Who does the tricking, by the way? Is it like you'd ring a doorbell and they trick you? Or do you supposed to trick them? I think you trick them. So I'd ring a doorbell. I'd go either give me a treat or you will be tricked. Is that the premise?

Yeah, yeah. It's like if you don't give me a treat, I trick you. So you knock on the door and they don't answer, they go, I got no candy for you. I egg your house. I rob you. And it's fair game. Wait, that's what it is?

I don't know, so I'm trying to find out. I thought it was like you opened the door, you don't know what you're going to get. No, I think it's... That would be them tricking me. I don't know if they're going to treat me or trick me. Could you imagine? But you're saying...

If that were the case, that's such a gamble. You go out, you have no idea what you're going to get. Trick or treat. Like, I'm going to mess with you because I'm dressed up in a spooky costume. Or you give me candy and I go on my merry way. That makes more sense to me. I think that makes more sense. I always assumed it was the other way around.

Like, someone opens a door and you don't know if they're going to be like giving you a Snickers or they're going to be naked. Yeah. Like, like, please, please, please, please, please, please, please Snickers bar. You know that there's like one really anxious kid on Trick or Three and he needs to go out there like, fuck me, Jesus Christ. Just please give me a goddamn Milky Way. Dan, it appears that your definition is the actual origin, the phrase meaning it's a threat, it's a playful threat, meaning give me a treat or I'll play a trick on you. And it says it was a way, it was adopted in the early 20th century as a way to curb Halloween mischief by having homeowners hand out candy to prevent pranks from happening to them. So it was a preventative measure. And it says like, and it lists the pranks. The first prank is they hand out candy to prevent pranks happening to them, like soaping their windows. And I was like, you.

cleaned their windows? Oh, no, dude. That was the trick. No, no, no. I would fucking trick everybody. No, sir. Oh, rake the yard, you bitch. You don't know what soaping windows is.

I guess I don't. You take a bar of soap. You know about this? No. You take, I was a little scumbaggag for a while. Like, I got to miss you. Was, he was, dude. You take a bar of soap and you rub it along the windshield of a car.

Impossible to get off. Never get off. Especially in the fall, end of October. Like, it's cold. Dude, that, it's actually a nightmare. So this is a shake. You're teaching kids that they're doing shake dance, right? It's like, give us something.

It's insane. This is literally teaching kids to go, if you misbehave enough, people will eventually give you candy to stop. It's crazy. And then you eat it all and get cavities. Yeah. You're like, fuck. Okay.

Well, this brings me into my first frustration, Sean. I've just been told this from a friend with a young daughter. And he goes, last weekend he's like Halloween festivities have already started. You know, it's chaos. And he goes, I just finished. my second trunk or treat, and I'm exhausted. And I said, naturally, what the fuck is trunk or treat? And he said, apparently, what's happening now with people with young kids is it's too

unsafe to send kids out trick or treating alone. We can't do that in today's day and age. So all the families drive to either the school, the church, wherever, and you park, and everyone opens their trunk, which they've decorated, and there's candy in their trunks. and the kids walk the perimeter of the parking lot trunk or treating. See, that would be cool if you lived so far away. They can't walk between houses or something. But like as a safety level, it's like...

What are we doing, dude? I... Dude, going loose in a neighborhood with my friends was like the most fun night of all time with my pillowcase full of candy. This bums me out. Trunk or treating to such a significant level I can't even begin to describe. I feel like in a city, maybe I'm... I'm cool with that. Because, you know, if you're in L.A.,

which is a big city, hard to walk around, maybe that's cool. There are sick neighborhoods, but what if you don't live by one? You drive to one. You dropped off. Take the bus. Yeah, I'm cool with that, too.

Dude, I will not stand for this. Trunk or treaty. I mean, yeah, this is awful. If there are small towns doing this with the friend that hit you up, is he in a small town? He was D. He's in like Virginia. Oh, he's in like,

rural Virginia. This is horrendous. Also, I bet that this is such a fucking uniquely U.S. problem. Yeah, right. Just like, we've got so many sick fucks in this goddamn country that we can't even let our kids trick or treat anymore. Because you just went out wherever you wanted, right? Yeah, yeah.

We, like, growing up in the 2000s in Ireland was like growing up in like the 1920s in America. It's like, just like, ah, if he lives, he lives. Yeah. So, like, hopefully he comes back. The, like, I don't know. The threat was the plague, dude. That's it.

Like, is it more dangerous in America for kids now than it wasn't like the 1980s? 100%. We had the streetlight rule when we were kids. You got to be home before streetlights go out. Yeah. And it's also like, I mean, dude, we used to just like run around. But we literally, our parents would drop us off places and we would just like run around. Yeah.

And then eventually you'd find a pay phone and call home and be like, hey, can someone pick me up? Is there a chance? It's less dangerous, though. And we just think it's more dangerous. Because it was dangerous as fuck back then, too. They were literally serial killers. Yeah, where did all the serial killers go? They are, I mean...

Oh, guys, they're still out of your mind? But there were way more then. It was easy to be a serial killer. It was easy. It was easy. It was easy. It was easy. It was easier, but they're still out there, dude.

They're still out there, but there were more then. There were more serial killers in the age than now. There were more prolific ones then. And killing, like, randoms. There are more, like, gang serial... Like, there are people who kill people. But, like, they're... You only think they were more then because it was easier to get away with it for longer.

Yeah. They're getting caught. way sooner now, but I think there's probably more. That's why I think if you, dude, walking on as a kid in the 80s was insane. I know, it's crazy. Is that what I mean? I think we're just like randomly afraid. Were you a pillowcase guy or a pale guy?

Oh, pillowcase. Yeah, we took it so seriously. I was like, I'm going to fill this pillowcase. That's what I mean. I had a Power Rangers pillowcase? Dude, that came, every Halloween. I was like 17. I still had that bad boy.

Isn't it such a funny scam that you get so much candy and then it goes in like a drawer or a bowl and then your parents actually eat it because they're like, you can't eat all this candy. There's only the top 10% of candy. It's like eaten, and the rest of it is like the filler garbage. Okay, this actually... The houses that just had bad candy. Dude, this brings me right into my next...

This brings me right into my next frustration. We all experienced that. And there would be... I don't know about you, Sean, but when we were growing up, there was one neighborhood in particular where we kind of all went, because it was just like perfect for walking and trick-or-treating. And you would... It would rip, like, electricity through those kids where the full bars were.

They were like, oh, dude, the house... You know, 23 Adams has got a full bar. you're like, holy fuck, divert, and everyone would like run to the full bar house. But Chris just so came so close to doxing our parents' fucking home address. That was insane. Well, now everyone knows it was close. No one even knew it was close until you fucking said something. Well, they still don't know which part of it was close, but that was crazy.

And the, and we all knew where the good candy was and where the bad candy was. And it occurred to me what a bad investment. It's literally such a waste of money to buy the bad candy because literally we aren't going to eat it. because it's just going to sit in the bottom of my bowl and get thrown away eventually. Dude, but I'm going to go the other way. I, that was a big thing. I imagine it was for you.

Full size candy. It's like, it's the most common trick-or-treat topic in the world. Dude, you have to be the richest man on earth to be given out full candy bars. That is fucking insane. Think about it. Where do you even buy those? When I go to the grocery store, do you go to seven different grocery stores? stores and clean out their cashier aisle. Let's see if you can get full full stickers. Where do you buy

full size candy bars in bulk? They should just start like, you know, like a gambling system where they just like get bad MGM on this where it's like you get a full candy bar like every fifth person who comes to the door and like in between you're getting the bad candies. So you never know what you're going to get. Yep. Maybe you reserve them for your favorite costumes or something. Yeah. But then you're weirdly judging children. Which I mean. But you know, if you keep it, keep it clean. Look, in this economy, I can't afford. to have every kid getting a full candy

You can get a pack of 48 full bars on Costco? On Amazon. Okay, so you're buying Well, they weren't doing that back then That's my point when we had kids. How did you do it? Where were these fucking people

getting these full-sized candy bars? Such a good question. He's went to the gas station They should have bought all home. Dude, it's the everyone wants to talk about who's the cool house of the full-sized candy bars? No one is talking about how Daddy Warbucks over here

was affording all of these things and where they were getting them. So there was an old man who lived on my street, who worked at Coca-Cola, and he'd go and give, like, glass bottles of Coca-Cola when you'd show up. You'd get that for trick-or-treating?

We'd just randomly throw at the year. We'd, we'd walk in home in the middle of the summer from, like, playing tennis or whatever, and we would say, hey, let's go see the Coke man, and we'd stop, and he'd come out with, like, all these glass bottles of Coke, like, full glass bottles of Coke, and just give them to us.

Dude. Okay. First of all, being a young child in Ireland and coming home and telling your mom, I'm like, oh yeah, I went and saw the Coke ban today. And she was like, amazing. It is so fucking funny.

And second of all, it is such a shame that that can't exist today. Right? Like if there's just like an old guy who works at Coca-Cola and he's like, yeah, I just got a ton of bunch of cool, classic glass bottles of Coca-Cola, and I want to give them out to the neighborhood kids, you're a creep. And I'm like, nope, he's a great guy. Why can't we live in the world again where that was a great guy? Dude, the time's changed.

It is more dangerous. You're right. Damn it. Okay, so we're not full bar people as we become adults and we're in the handout candy era. I can't afford it. We can't afford it. I want to hear three. You don't have to say like in order,

but just three candies that are worth receiving in the bite-sized version. Like I'm like, oh, I'm glad, thank you for giving me that. I love, you know what? And maybe this is an older thing. I love fun size because you can eat more.

Yeah, you get more of a variety. Variety is the spice of life. Okay, give me a Twix. I love a Twix bar. Yeah. You know what? It's not necessarily, if I'm eating candy bars,

it might not be my go-to, but, I mean, before I even say what I was going to say, especially in the fun size, Reese's is... I was about to say, a Halloween-shaped Reese's. The pumpkin-shaped Reese's is so goddamn good. But I love a Snickers on Halloween. Can I give you one? A mini-sized Snickers, just like pop it in, just a bite size.

It's, I mean, a Snickers bar is legendary. I don't know how I still like, Sour Petsch is my favorite candy, so I still like the small bag of it, but it just kind of leaves me wanting more. Yeah. You know what's a candy that I love on. Halloween that I will literally never eat any other time ever, but on Halloween, I'm like, fuck yeah. Candy corn?

A butter finger. A little butterfinger, I'm like, boomed, dude. That's good. Butterfinger's gnarly. I'm like, why? I don't want this ever, but a little butterfinger, what do you like seeing in the bowl, Sean? You know those like those little packets of gummy bears? Yeah, oh yeah.

A little golden. I love those. Haribo, yeah. Haribo, yeah. Phenomenal. Love those guys. Have you tried the sour harribo gummy bears yet? Yeah.

fucking really good. Yeah. I'm not even a sour candy, though. And they're special. Yeah. Wait, what did you say? They do havoc on my stomach, though. Yeah, yeah.

There's a really good review on Amazon about this person who left an essay about those gummy bears, like, destroying their college education because they had to leave a test because they needed to use the restrooms so badly. It's incredible. That is unbelievable. One of my favorite fun facts about hurriedo gummy bear's. Do you know what flavor the green haribou gummy bear is? I would imagine Apple.

You would imagine that. You'd be wrong. And you would guess. over and over again and you would never guess that it is actually strawberry. What? Isn't that bizarre? Isn't that fucking insane?

What? The green gummy bear. The green gummy bear is strawberry flavor. So what's the red gummy bear? I think it's cherry. I think, yeah. That makes sense. Wild.

Outrageous. Wild. Are you leave it out and you go, kids, take one? Or do you give them two? No, I want, no, I'm not to leave it out. I want to police that shit. Then you've got to give them two or are you giving them one?

Eh. I think early in the night I might be a little generous, but then all of a sudden you start, it's like having a party, man. You can't run out of beer. I think it's got to be two. You cannot run out of candy. Yeah, I usually, I used to just like give them a bowl,

let them, you know, take a fistful of whatever because I was cheap and I'd have all the mini size, fun size, everything. I stayed away from like the batch no name candy. Yeah. Because I'm not a peasant. But yeah, so I just let them take whatever. And then you judged a kid on how greeted. they are, you know.

I would clock that too. Yeah. When I'm like, yeah, grab a couple. And then a kid grabs a handful. I'm like, you're a scumbach. Yo, dude. Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

Okay. And I mean, we've been on here long enough, but the last thing I had was what makes a good Halloween party. I think you just said it. I can be really clean with this one. Halloween party, I don't care what age you are. It has to be a house party. Oh, yes. That is the biggest lock in the world.

House party. Don't you dare go to bars on Halloween. that's absolutely insane. You have to have a house party and you have to go. We are staying here all night. If you show up to this Halloween party, I want you to show up at 7 p.m. 8 p.m.

and you're here until 4 in the morning. That means cannot run out of booze. It means you need to have a bunch of bowls of candy. Yes. It means you need to order pizzas at some point. And I would add, make an effort on decorations. You don't have to be fucking Hollywood Mansion perfect. I agree.

But like I need something. Carve a fucking pumpkin. Put some cobwebs up. Yeah. Whatever. Make an effort. Don't run out of booze. Have some candy.

literally perfect. I would like some sort of punch there too. Okay, I would like a punch too. A punch at a Halloween party feels. I don't think I'm very partial to the punch normally, but a Halloween, I think you're right. I never, I would only want a punch at a 1970s high school prom and a Halloween party. Amazing. And then we're perfect. Babes, you could have guessed by my outfit what I'm going to talk to you about next. It is Surfside, the best can cocktail in the game. When I tell you that CP and I hounded these beauties to be a partner with us. I am not joking in the slightest. This is, without a doubt, the canned cocktail that changed the game for me. And I'll tell you exactly why. Surfside is not only delicious,

but it is a beautiful canned cocktail that is only 100 calories, two grams of sugar and no bubbles ever. No bubbles, no troubles. It's not a seltzer. It's a surfside. And I'm telling you what, it changed the game for me. All of these canned cocktails, all these beers that have that carbonation, you're having fun at the tailgate, you're having fun skiing, you're having a few drinks after beer league hockey. The bubbles in that carbonation, it's just, it turns into a disaster for me. It gives you heartburn, makes you feel bloated. That is not the case ever with Surfside. It's just delicious flavors, no bubbles, and it's, it's just the best experience you could ever have. Let me talk to you about the flavors, okay? The OG is the iced tea and vodka. I'm wearing it right now.

I think it's fantastic. It tastes like a nice, cool, refreshing iced tea sitting outside on a hot summer day every single time. But they've also got the half and half. Ice tea and lemonade, they got raspberry tea, peach tea, green tea, mango green tea, peach green tea and lemonade, the classic lemonade in vodka. They got black cherry lemonade, strawberry lemonade, and raspberry lemonade. So many delicious flavors for you to choose from. Always with high-quality, delicious vodka.

it's one of the better drinks that you will ever have. I talked about doing it at tailgates. We're in the midst of sports mania right now. You got a tailgate coming up. Pack that cooler with surfsides. We're beer league hockey guys. I know. Sounds like beer league.

You should have beer? No, no, no, no, no. Our last game, we showed up with a case of surfside blew everyone's minds. I'm telling you, it's because of that, no bubbles, no troubles. Everyone loves the flavor. They love the feeling. It's absolutely incredible. But this stuff goes all year round.

Surfside, you see it in the name. You think it's perfect. for a beach day? Well, I'll tell you what, it is perfect for a beach day, but we're bringing surf to ski. Bring in a surf side on the chairlift while you're skiing. I'll tell you what, if you've ever had a drink when you're skiing, when you're snowboarding, you know that those bubbles with that elevation turns into a disaster. You can barely finish the drink when you're on the lift. Not the case with surfside. You've got all of these incredible flavors, and it's always going to go down smooth and feel incredible. So what you're going to do, you're going to go to your

local liquor store. You're going to see if they've got some surfside and you're going to stock up your fridge. Also, hockey fans, unbelievable. Surfside's partners with tons of teams in the league, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, so we're buzzing right now. You're feeling good. So when you're at the arena, when you're enjoying how good your team is and you go out to the carousel, to the concourse, you're going to find a surfside because it's going to elevate your game day watching experience every single time. Remember with Surfside, you must be 21 or older to drink, to enjoy, and to have fun. So make sure you're doing that while you're having your next. can cocktail and make sure it is a surfside.

Welcome back. We are going to close things up with a lovely little game that we call connected tissue. I'm going to give CP two players. Their names connect. The example we always give is Brandon Carl Logan Cure. I'll give a little bit of a bio of both players. C.P. has to try to guess who it is. C.P. Are you ready?

I am ready. Here is our connected tissue. This player won a Stanley Cup in his rookie year. and after over 1,000 games in 14 years, he finally won another. Oh, he then played for four NHL teams where he finished his career, becoming the 14th captain in team history for his hometown team, and in retirement, stays incredibly fit with very interesting exercises. That was the first guy.

No, that was the whole thing. Oh, okay. You always fuck up when I, I saw the word then. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Is always the switch. You want it again? Yeah, yeah. This player won a Stanley Cup in his rookie year,

and after 1,000 games and 14 years, he finally won another. He then... Yeah, yeah, okay. Fucking idiot. Played for four NHL teams where he finished his career becoming the 14th captain in team history

for his hometown team, and in retirement stays incredibly fit with very interesting exercises. Okay, okay, okay. This one's pretty easy. Oh, really? I think so. Um,

I remember... the second one sounded like four teams four teams the second one sounded like Andrew Ferrence but don't say anything yet because I was like I know he became captain

was it Edmonton he became captain somewhere where I'm like I know he's from up in Canada and obviously he has all his pelvic floor stuff and it's amazing and I love watching his exercises but Andrew I don't know how we get to Andrew.

Anne? I guess it doesn't have to end it. It would end in Ann. I think Sean, he knows it. I don't know it. And he's playing it up. He's handing things up. I would end in Ann.

Ann. McCann. Jared McCann. Didn't win a cup. First guy won a cup. Then a long time went by. I won a cup again. Yes. 14 years?

14 years. Oh. You know it. I just got it. I think. Yeah. Yeah, I just got it. Okay.

I think that is a good one. Okay, I think the answer is Brad Marchandrew Farrantz. It is indeed, sir. Brad Marshandrew Ferenz. That's good. Fun enough, they won that cup together. They won that cup together. I can't believe I got Farrant's first.

Like that one, I'm surprised I got so quick. It was only the exercises, I guess. I think the Stanley Cup in the rookie year, and then again after 14 years, is easy when you know what's Brad. Right, yeah. But like, there's a lot of guys who want, Mark Recky won a cup.

And some people win them as a rookie, and they're like not even on the team. I thought it was going to be a track where I was like, fuck, like he didn't even play. Yeah. That was sick. It's a very good one.

Brad Marchandrew fans. Brad Marchandrew parents. I wonder if anyone beat me on that. Usually that takes me a while. It's pretty quick. Yeah, that was pretty good. I bet no one at home beat me today. Oh, that's beautiful stuff.

Hey, happy Halloween. Happy Halloween. Beautiful. To all who celebrate. It's going to be a great night. All Hallows Eve. It's going to be a great night. It's fantastic stuff.

Guys, we love you. Make sure to subscribe to the YouTube. Go buy some merch. We got some great new stuff that's dropped recently. Check out Nettors College Puck Drop if you haven't. We've got an unbelievable game of the week tonight. Oh, my God. Penn State, Ohio State.

Go check that on the YouTube on the Spotify. Enjoy all the content. We love you guys. We will see you all weekend while we watch the games together. And then next week back with the show. Have a happy Halloween. Stay safe. Have some fun.

and skate hard.