Halford & Brough in the Morning - Ray Ferraro Picks His Mid-Season Cup Contenders

Episode Date: January 14, 2025

In hour two, Mike & Jason talk the top hockey stories of the day with NHL analyst Ray Ferraro (1:32), plus they discuss the latest around the Jets with 680 CJOB Winnipeg's Jim Toth (25:22) as they get set to host the Canucks tonight. This podcast is produced by Andy Cole and Greg Balloch. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Ferraro, Ferraro, let's chat with Ray Ferraro. It's time for Ferraro, let's talk to Ray Ferraro. Ferraro winds up with a shot, score! Ray Ferraro, breakaways on site, scores! Rebound score! Ray Ferraro! Ferraro, Ferraro, it's time for Ray Ferraro. Let's chat with Ferraro, it's time for Ray Ferraro. 7.02 on a Tuesday. Happy Tuesday everybody. Halford Brough, Sportsnet 650.

Halford and Brough for the morning is brought to you by Vancouver Honda, Vancouver's premier destination for Honda customers. They have a friendly, knowledgeable staff that can help with anything you're looking for, sales, financing, service or parts. We are now in hour two of the program. As the music suggests, Ray Ferraro is going to join us in just a moment here to kick off hour two. Hour two of this program is brought to you by Jason Homonuck at jason.mortgage. If you love giving the banks more of your money, then don't let Jason shop around to find the perfect mortgage for you. No, I'm just kidding.

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We are coming to you live from the Kintec studio. Kintec, footwear and orthotics working together with you in step And step as a foot joke. Yeah Okay to the phone lines we go Ray Ferraro joins us now in the health of the brush on sports net 650 Good morning, Ray. How are you? I'm good. I noticed the pause I did I thought it was The mark of a true professional. Thank you, Ray. Thank you. I don't know what the hell Bruff's doing over there,

but. Nobody does. I thought yours was quite professional. Thank you, Ray. Well, nothing professional, but let's talk about the NHL at the halfway mark, Ray. Is there an obvious Stanley Cup favorite? I don't know what obvious, I think there's probably, it's probably about four or five teams that I,

when I think of, you know, the best teams, who they would be. I think the West is deeper with the top end contenders than the East. And it's funny how they kind of like, then over the, over like a three or four period, year period, that will switch back and forth, they kind of like, then over the, over like a three or four period, year period, that will switch back and forth. Right.

But when I look in the, in the East, I know Toronto's got the, you know, we've got the most points in the Atlantic, but, but I think everything in that division goes through Florida. I did their game the other day, they lost to Boston. They outshot them. I want to say it was like 45 to 20, something like that. They shot attempts for like a million. It was like, it was crazy how somehow Florida did not win. I think they're, I think they're the class of, of the Eastern Conference and B

they've got Caproom, they need a defenseman and I think they'll go do it. But right now they don't seem to be too worried, but they're not quite where I think they're going to be. I do think Jersey is dangerous. I think they're a good team. Carolina I always think is going to be better than they are. Like you know, you watched the game against Canucks the other day. You're like, how does anybody ever get a shot against them?

Yet they seem to be missing something in, in the playoffs. Like they can't quite get to that next spot. Uh, I think Florida is the best in the, in the East, uh, out West, that Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vegas to me are, are like kind of the, the class of it and yet Dallas just won seven in a row. Like Dallas is really good. So now that's four teams. Did you, did you guys watch the game last night?

Um, the Edmonton LA game? Like I didn't see that. Yeah, no. Oh my God. It was an unreal game. It very, very, very rarely is a one nothing game. Any good. Uh, this was awesome.

Like it was playoff. The goalies were outstanding. It should have been four, Um, this was awesome. Like it was playoff. The goalies were outstanding. It should have been four, three, something like that. And so can you take LA out of the mix? And so, uh, I would say those are the, you know, those are the, you know, Winnipeg, Vegas, Edmonton at the very top, Dallas, a smidge below right now, LA right there too. So I think there's more teams in the West than the East. So much focus on Winnipeg is on Connor Hellebuck

and rightly so. He's a very good goalie, arguably the best goalie in the world. But I was looking at the power play numbers the other day and I think Winnipeg's in the 30% range. What has happened to the Jets this season that you've seen that have made them this juggernaut through the first half of the NHL season?

Okay, so I thought coming into the year, it's a really good team, right? You could see from the last couple of years, although the playoffs have not gone very well for them, that, hey, this is a, it's a good team. I thought it was really like an incredible shot in the arm that they got both Shifely and Hellebuck signed to deals, right? I think it just changes the whole narrative in Winnipeg about what they could be. But when I look at their team, I always think depth and, you know, like, you know, they have a four line game. They have a good defense and I think Halibuck's

one of the best. But what's changed for them is like Gabe Velardi is finally healthy and it goes back to depth again. So Velardi is healthy, he's got like 18 or 19 goals. Ehlers has missed about 10 games and he's a really, really dangerous player at the top end of the line-up. Connor is one of the most underrated players at the star level in the league. And in Winnipeg maybe that's what you get. You get a, you know, a step below what people notice first, but that guy is that

he's a hell of a player. There's not, there's not a part of the game that he's not dangerous at. Shifey probably should be on team Canada having a fantastic year. Um, they're just, they're just good. Like when you look around their big, they skate well, they have a depth to their team that's hard to match. That third, I guess they call it their third line, but Lowry's line is really something. They can match them up against the big line, they can match them up against the skilled line. Um, they're, they've just, they're kind of a, they're kind of rolling at the,

you know, at the peak and the trick for them, of course, and they can't fix it till April is nobody really cares because when you have the regular season success that they've had, the only thing that matters is how you do it in playoffs. What happens there? And same for Hellebuck and all these guys. They're like, yeah, okay, great. I'm sure they think it too. Let me know, you just stay in the moment as much

as you can, but you look to April and go, man, that's really the only time that matters. Ray, when you broke into the NHL in the mid eighties, the Islanders dynasty had just turned into the Edmonton Oilers dynasty. Um, there isn't really dynasties like that in had just turned into the Edmonton Oilers dynasty. There isn't really dynasties like that in the NHL anymore.

We kind of talk ourselves into dynasties, but they're not like winning four in a row or the Oilers did four or five and probably should have won five in a row. Which way do you prefer? Do you prefer there to be a dominant team that needs to be knocked off or do you prefer it like it is now where there's maybe, I don't know, almost 10 teams that you could talk yourself into

having a chance at winning the cup? I hate saying that I think this is better because I remember when, just prior to the, um, you know, the Oilers and the Islanders, just the Canadians won, I think five in a row. Like I think it was 14 years, three teams won the cup. Right. Like how.

Canada was well represented back then. And my dad loved the Canadians and I loved the Bruins and so every year he would just kind of get to get up really quietly when they presented the cup to the Canadian and not have to say much again, right? Um, but how, when you think of it, how can that be best for a 32 team league? It just can't be like it.

You have too many teams that would not have a chance that like in the, in the dynasty system, like I don't love the cap. I really don't. I, I think the, it, it artfully, artificially decreases salaries and of course I'm a players, I'm looking at it from a players thing because you've got the cap, which is a rookie cap, which is inside the cap, which then limits to what free agency can do and all these things that, that

really kind of push down salary. But the, the fact of the matter is you can't have three teams with a chance to win. Nobody would watch. Like there's enough teams when you look at their standings, there's, there's enough teams that are, they can pretend that they're sort of in a playoff race, but they're not. But if you, if you did this in the old way, you'd have 15 teams that would be given tickets away now.

Like it just doesn't work. And that's what, that's what the cap I think does. It just, it takes the bottom and makes it better. And it takes the top and says, sorry, you can only be this good. Yeah. So what Tampa, so what Tampa did three years in a row to the finals is amazing.

Like two years, three years ago, Florida won the president's trophy that I think 122 points. And then the next year they went to the finals and remember their team was decimated. They got slapped in the finals and then they win the cup. I mean, like these are as close to not a dynasty. It's the, the top and opening of a window that, that has been taken advantage of and that's what those teams have done because I think, I think that's

really about like, how long can it be five years? Maybe Like maybe before you're the guys that give you all that depth they go. Wait a minute I'm a free agent now and I can make a lot of money and I need to look after me and That's what that's where teams get broken up We're speaking of Ray Ferraro here on the Haliford and Bref show on sports net 650 You mentioned the Florida Panthers there Ray I know you worked their game on the weekend against the Boston Bruins

Did you see any evidence of the rift between Brad Marshawn and David Postronik that's ripping the Bruins limb from limb? I heard it's awful. I heard it's awful in there. They can barely go to work. Yeah, I Terrible. Terrible. I don't know what to say about that. Really like. How do they look? I, the Bruins? Yeah.

Terrible. Yeah. Terrible. Like they, they look slow and under skilled. Um, okay. So this is actually on the, on the heels of talking about dynasties or whatever for, for pretty much a decade. The Bruins have been like, they've been one of the best, very best teams in the

league and yeah, you have some years that don't go quite as good as others, but you start pulling players out of the lineup. Retirement of course was Bergeron and Krayche and Chara. Like how are you going to replace those guys? And then you have some cap issues where players get a chance to leave. And in the midst of trying to be one of the best teams in the league, you trade away all your draft picks. You trade away, um, you know, your young prospects because, you know, they,

two years ago when they had 132 points, I thought they had a great trade deadline and none of it worked. Yeah. Like I remember that deadline. I was like, wow, they, they did a really good job here. They brought in the pieces that they needed. They got to, they got, they were in the enviable position that they got to go out and target shop, you know, we need this.

They went and got it. They did it three or four times and then it all fell flat. Or in the meantime, now you've got no young players. They have no prospects that they're super excited about. And the problem with that is the ones that you do have maybe are middle of lineup guys, they still take two years or three years once you get to pro, in most cases,

to be a legitimate player that can help your team, like that can be a contributor. And so they're in a tough spot here. I mean, they, they're going to win games because they got enough good players left. Um, you know, I, I know he's not had a great year, but Swainman's really good. I mean, they, they won the game the other day because Swainman was just brilliant. Um, but they, they just don't have enough. And look, they're, they're getting a, I don't know what they thought they were getting with Elias Lindholm.

Um, but remember when he came in that first 20 games or whatever, he had the bad wrist, but he scored the two games. He had two power play goals and then nothing. And, and that's kind of the player they get, like he, he works hard. I think he tries hard. I think he's a smart player. I think he's at best the two, probably like a two minus centerman and, and I would want him on my

team all day. However, when you have them at the top of your lineup, you just don't have the creativity to help a 36 year old Brad Marshand or David Posternak is a one man band, he's got to create the chance and finishing and like, it doesn't go very well. Who's having a tougher time this season, Lindholm or Zadorov? Oh Lindholm. Zadorov, he's, I'd say the last month he's played like, you know,

month, he's played like, you know, the, there's a door off that fans really liked here. Okay. You know, he's been, he's rumbling around the ice a little more. He's a little bit more physical, but in control. I'm totally entertained by that guy, by the way. Like he's hilarious. He, he, every so often, like I'll be doing, like he comes over and he says, hi, I don't really know him. I played golf with him one time. Um, which to see a guy like holding a standard golf club at that size, it's like he's got a children's toy, but he'll, he'll stand up on the bench and kind of turn his shoulders. If he's standing, if the D is

right beside me, he'll stand there. I can his shoulders. If he's standing, if the D is right beside me, he'll stand there. I can't see. And he does it. So like I reach around the glass and I'm kind of like swatting them to try and get them to move. Cause I know he's doing it on purpose, right? I'm like, get the hell out of the way, you big

monster. It's like, it's like trying to turn left and someone's in your passenger seat and they're leaning forward and you're like, we're going to get smoked soon. Oh, isn't that nice to help in your passenger seat and they're leaning forward. And you're like, we're going to get smoked soon. Oh, isn't that nice to help from the passenger seat? Yeah. That's always one of the, the car is not my strongest suit by the way.

It's not my, it's not a place I excel. Ray, I want to talk a little bit of Canucks here. What will the return of Hronach mean for the Canucks, assuming that he plays tonight in Winnipeg? Well, I won't say it changes everything, but whatever's next door to everything, that's what it changes, right? You got to remember he's been out, uh, what,

oh, has he been out two months? Six weeks? Yeah, early December. I think, I think it'll end up being around six weeks. You know, it's so so like it's like everything from, so from the simple thought of that's 20 minutes a game that somebody else had to play, right? There's nobody on this team with the skill set that he has. And it's not necessarily the points in the offense, but I'm sure that's going to be a welcome addition.

Um, it's going to be when he gets the puck on his stick and he moves it with one pass out of the zone, not a flip off the glass, but one pass that hits the centerman right on the tape or hits the far winger on the tape and the winger is in stride. I think we, I don't think the correlation from defense to offense is understood enough. Like we all focus on, you know, do they get enough shots, like in Vancouver, do they get enough shots, do they get enough traffic, Could they drive into the middle of the ice? Like all the things that are apparent, right?

But it all starts with the first pass that hits the forward in stride. There is nothing that can sap your offense more than a pass that clanks off the forward's feet and everybody's gotta stop. Even if you get control of the puck, now you're stopped. And then your only play at this point is to chip it into their zone. Because if you don't, you turn it over and now you're doubly screwed.

So I think, I think Heronics ability to play those 20 minutes, to move the puck I think Hironic's ability to play those 20 minutes, to move the puck as efficiently as he does is like it's a gift. It's a gift to get him back. And we got to remember too, he's been out this time and so there's, he'll probably be clanking a few pucks here tonight too. That if he does play that, you know, that he wouldn't normally, that's just the way the layoffs usually go. You know, with the importance of moving the puck and

hitting the other team's blue line with speed, there is a balance though, because if that was the only thing that was important, then Eric Branstrom probably would have stayed in the lineup. Yesterday, he cleared waivers. What was it about Branstrom's game that you think that this coaching staff just didn't like, didn't feel that they could put them into the lineup, despite some of his abilities that some of the other Canucks defensemen did not have?

Okay. If you're a, if you're a player that has a, an obvious con to their game, not a pro, but a con, and brand strong it's his size, then you have to have such a heavy pro to overcome that. And if you can't, the con will always be bigger. Does that make sense? Yes. Like the way that I said that, like that will always be bigger. I felt.

Yeah. It's like every time I lost a puck battle, I would be so pissed off going back up the ice because I knew the coaching staff is like, see, he lost the battle cause he's small. No, sometimes you lose a battle cause you lose a battle. But for me, all the time it was because I was small. So like I quite sense where the problem is with Branstrom is that when he gets beat on a one-on-one, it's different than a six foot three guy getting beat on a one-on-one. I mean a puck battle in the corner.

If he doesn't box out in front of the net, it's different than a six foot three guy. So how do you overcome that? You have enough positivity to your offensive game. You generate enough chances. You generate that pass out of the zone. There was not a big enough difference between the low and the high. He, he makes questionable plays with the puck. And some of that might be that you're infrequently in and out of the lineup.

Right. But it's almost the margin for a player like Eric Branstrom and it's not just with talk and this staff is in this league is very slight. The margin is very slight because you have to be, I mean, I'm just going to make up a number here. You've got to be four good plays to one bad play. It might even be bigger than that because your one bad play stands out like when you hit your thumb with a hammer.

It's like, everybody hears and screams, everybody hears it. It's like everybody hears and screams. Everybody hears it. And so 31 other teams feel the same way as on Eric Branstrom today. Now maybe in six weeks had this happened or six weeks ago, maybe that wouldn't have happened, cause teams would have been in different spots. But like I said, I quite understand this look.

Like I did it for Branst this, this look, like I, I did it for Branstrom, I, cause I felt it. I, you know, I was able to overcome it. Cause I did, you know, I had enough of the other bucket, you know, that I scored that, that maybe settled that down in the coach's eyes, but I knew it. I could feel it when I lost the battle or I got knocked down where other guys wouldn't and I'm like, I know they're saying that's because I'm small and they can barely get by that.

Ray, this was great. As always, thanks for taking the time to do it. We really appreciate it. At least you haven't internalized any of that throughout the rest of your life, right? Yeah. Hey, look, look, you just, this is what I want your job to be for next week. I want you to listen to the professional approach of your partner. And I want you to bring a little bit of that. Okay. Just a little bit. I'll try and be more like Halford.

The show has been canceled. Totally. Yeah. Set a low bar and you can accomplish anything. You can do anything. You achieve all your hopes and dreams. All right, Ray, see you buddy. Have a great week, hey guys.

You too, pal. You too, thanks. That's Ray Farrar here on the Halifor the Brough Show on Sportsnet 650. A couple things I need to tell you before we go to break. The first is about Rogers Xfinity TV. Mystery solved. Watch all new seasons of your favorite true crime shows on investigation discovery available on channel four 13 on Rogers Xfinity TV. Secondly,

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Hey, it's Mick Nazar. Have your say and join me on the People's Show with big takes and even bigger bets. Weekdays 3 to 4 on Sportsnet 650 or wherever you get your podcasts. 7 31 on a Tuesday. Well, Winnipeg music, very apropos. You're listening to the Haliford and Bruv show on Sportsnet 650. Haliford and Bruv of the morning is brought to you by Vancouver Honda, Vancouver's premier destination for Honda customers. They have a friendly, knowledgeable staff that can help with anything you're looking for, sales, financing, service, or parts.

We are in hour two of the program. Hour two is brought to you by Jason Hominuk from Jason.mortgage. If you love paying too much for your mortgage, then don't let Jason shop around to find the perfect mortgage for you. Visit him on the internet at Jason.mortgage. Before we get to Jim Toth, host of the Jim Toath show on CJOB 680 in

Winnipeg, uh, need to do a couple of things. One, we need to beg. Hey, you listeners send what we learns in hashtag them. WWL tell us what you learned over the last 24 hours in sports. Let us know a lot happened. Dunbar number text line is six 50, six 50. Get them in. We'll read them at 830. It's your chance to be on the radio. Also, another reminder, at 815 this morning, caller number 3123 will win a $50 gift card and a pair of tickets to the big football party that Sportsnet 650 is hosting at the Clayton Public House on February the 9th.

If you want to go hang out, get some free food and drinks, watch the show. to the big football party that Sportsnet 650 is hosting at the Clayton Public House on February the 9th. If you wanna go, hang out, get some free food and drinks, watch the big football game at a party, sounds exciting, right? Call our number three at 815 this morning, the number 604-280-0650, that number again, 604-280-0650. To the phone lines we go, Jim Toth joins us now on the Haliford and Bref Show

on Sportsnet 650. Morning Jim, how are you? Gentlemen, good thank you. Happy New Year. Although Larry David tells me it's too late to say that, but happy New Year to you both. You're 11 days past the window, I think. I think you're 11 days past the window.

Jim, I want to ask you, before we get to the Jets, are people in Winnipeg, do they support the Minnesota Vikings? Like a lot of people in Vancouver support the Seattle Seahawks. Is that, is there that, that carry over there? Well, it's interesting you asked that because as the only Chicago bear fan in our province, yes, they do. And it's a bittersweet day for a lot of these people in Manitoba who mocked and ridiculed my bear season. But yeah, even in our production meeting this morning, there's a couple diehard Vikings fans that just, to be honest with you, the way that game unfolded, I felt really bad for the Vikings fans. But yeah, I went down years ago when there was a Manitoban

Israel Adonai with the, and they were playing the Vikings to do a story back in my TV days. And they were phenomenal. The organization was accommodating us and having us down and giving us access. And I told him how much I appreciated that. And he said, well, we have about 400 season ticket holders for Vikings games.

And then we have about 800 people a week coming down for games as well, or getting tickets out of Manitoba. So yeah, there's a huge fan base here for the Vikings and a lot of people disappointed today. Well, I guess it'll be turning their hopes and dreams to the Winnipeg Jets. It's been a pretty incredible first half of the

season. Did you see it coming? I didn't see this coming. I thought they were going to be very good. Like they were, they were second in the West last year and top four in the national hockey league. I thought with the losses of Brendan Dillon, Tyler Toffoli, Sean Monahan,

although Monahan and Toffoli came in a month before the trade deadline and at the deadline. So, um, I thought with those losses, but I believed heavily in Dylan Sandberg and we can talk about him if you want, but that's, that's the reason Brendan Dillon wasn't offered more than 3 million a year. And he has really proven, especially with his injury and coming back in the lineup, how valuable he is to this team.

But I had them as a top 10 team or a playoff team. I didn't see the fall off being from second in the West till to ninth or 10th. I picked them to finish second in the West till ninth or 10th. Um, I picked them to finish second in the division. I think Dallas was the best team, not only in the division, but the West and then Nashville, I thought would be in and around second with their goal-tending and who they added. I was really wrong on that, but I had them third in the division here. So, but I didn't see this coming.

I didn't see them being the number one team in the National Hockey League for months. Um, what is the reason? Like, is, is it just, is the, is the thing about the jets that there are plenty of reasons why they've been so successful? I think a lot of people might just say, oh, they got Connor Hellebuck, but it's a lot more than that.

Isn't it? Well, it starts there for sure, because honestly gentlemen at 31 years old, he's better than last year and last year he won the Vezna and people ask me, well, so he's just as good. And I'm like, no, I, he's better. He's his movement is more smooth. He's, he's never, you know, reaching for something. He's, he's at a piece in his own game.

He told us he was on our show last week after his 300th win, Jets at noon on 680 CGOB and, and basically said that, you know, I asked him the off season, what was different or anything. He said, my off season has become more compact because I found my game. I found what works for me. So he said, I'm not, you know, spending an off season looking for things to get better. He said, I, I'm, I feel pretty solidified in my game. So it's more compact and I just hone my game now and, and he's better. He's better than I've ever seen him be. And that's with three Vezina nods and two wins in his career. So it starts there.

Um, but then it's a number of things. The power play is the big thing. We've gotten a couple more wins with last year. This team was too talented and too skilled upfront to not have a good power play. And in fact, Sean Monahan was brought in last year to help with the power play a month before the deadline. Gabriel Velarde is healthy is another big reason and how he works with that number one line of Mark Shifley and Kyle Connor,

but he is a magician on the power play as well. I remember when that deal was being talked about for Dubois, I said, well, a key, key player that I'd be included in this would be Gabe Velarde. But even I didn't know how skilled his hands are down low and in close. He's like another Kyle Connor out there with what he can do with the puck and the vision they have. And there's real chemistry on that top line. But those are the top three things I think, I think they, their depth has always been there. I think they have the best third line in the national hockey league. I think Adam Lowry is the most underrated center. And I thought

he could have been included on Team Canada for the Four Nations Cup or challenge or whatever it's called. So there's a number of reasons but I would think it begins with an even better Connor Hellebuck which at his age is shocking. I think it begins with a healthy Gabe Velarde on the number one line in the power play and I think it also includes their depth and it's really shone through and And to their best game on Saturday, gentlemen, I was helping with the broadcaster and pre and post and I leave it to our play by playboys, Paul Edmonds. But I said to him, I go, that looked to me like the best game of the year.

And he said it was by far the best effort all around a three, nothing shadow to the Colorado Avalanche. They did not give Colorado a lot of rush chances, which is how they work. So those are just some of the reasons, but you're right. There are a lot of reasons, but those are the top ones in my mind. Is Adam Lowry their second line center? He's their third line center. Okay.

So how does it go down the middle? Shifely is one C, who's two C? Vlad Nemestikov, the bona fide number two center, as we all know. He's a guy that they brought in at a trade deadline as well a couple of years ago and they've resigned him. I don't think it was the optimal choice. I think they've been waiting for Cole Profetti to slide down the middle but they've started the season that way. Now Nemesikov has done a really good job. He's a really smart player. He's very responsibly defensively but the problem is there's not a lot of scoring with him

and Ehlers and Coleport-Perfetti. Colport-Perfetti has been snake bitten essentially this whole season again. And Vlad Nemestikov is injured right now. He probably won't play tonight because he didn't skate again yesterday. But he has been the second line center that's done a fine job,

but they need more out of that position. It's not a detriment to Vlad Nemestikov. I think he's a top-notch bottom six player, and he's done admirably on the second line center. But Adam Lowry is a third line center with Nito Niterajder and Mason Appleton, who's now out. So Alex Iofalo has moved up there. It's a weird team, gentlemen.

Like Alex Iofalo is a fourth liner on this team when everyone's healthy, and yet he's on both specialty teams. He's on both the second power play unit and the penalty kill. But Adam Lowry is a third line. Now we say that third line, you know, in the lineups, but they often play second line minutes.

Right. Okay. Yeah. I think Nemesikov is hurt. I'm just looking at the lineup. That's why. Yeah. Yeah.

He's out. I don't think he's going to go tonight. I'm glad you brought up Velarde because he's a problem to deal with. Like I knew that, I knew that the potential was there cause he's huge and he's like 11th overall pick in his draft class. So there was always the upside there, but, uh,

you know, I was talking to Drantz about this different show that we did right prior to the new year turning over. And he was saying that he might be one of, if not the best net front presences in the NHL right now, because he's so big. And as you mentioned, he's got the hands to go with it and like, he's on pace for 40 goals this year.

At 10 power play goals already. Yeah, he's a magician. And I think everybody's seen the highlight goal where he goes behind his legs and puts it short side, top shelf from the side of the net. Um, he's also feeding Kyle Connor when, when, when teams play him to do that. And then he's just, you know, a tipping pox and his hands are incredible, but you're right. He's big, but he's also got a snarl to him, right? Like, like, and he's, he's kind of an enigma, like, like you'll interview him after a game and he'll, his response will be,

Oh, really? You think I played that well? I didn't. And, and things like that, like he's really honest and upfront and he's a funny guy. He's good to be around. I think that that's the welcome chemistry in the room too, but him being healthy after all those injuries years in LA and even here last year, he missed a ton of time and it was tough to get, Kyle Connor was injured on a knee against Anaheim in Anaheim last year and he missed four to six weeks and then Gabe Vardy was hurt

and they had a really tough time just getting some chemistry with that line with Mark Scheifele, but this year everybody's healthy and it's clicking and, and gave us a big part of that. Okay. Enough of this positivity because this could, I suppose, be a preview of a first round playoff series if the Canucks get a wild card and Winnipeg

holds onto the division lead. Uh, that could be the matchup, Vancouver versus Winnipeg. So what is the issue in Winnipeg that gives you pause about this team? What is the issue in Winnipeg that gives you pause about this team? What is the issue in Winnipeg that some fans are concerned about? Well, it's, I talked about the depth and so

they're all round game and defensively and, and as a 200 foot game, they're really solid. I think if there's something to look at it, secondary scoring, it really is. And, and there are nights where the fourth lines come through and help them beat Dallas five, two, um, the third line can produce and do some damage. Both power plays work, but there are nights where that second line, you,

you need something more from, I mentioned Cole Profetti, he missed the last part of two seasons, um, and his first two. Then last year he just went 15, 16 games without a point and Rick bonus, sat him down for some healthy scratches. He's a very positive guy. He talked about that at the end of the season, said it wasn't great, but he's going to learn from it and use it. And he's come in this year and had a ton of opportunities and he just can't bury it.

So to me, the negativity is depth scoring. I think when the deadline gets closer and probably right now they're looking at, uh, fixing that second line center. And I think they're like another top four D man. The defense has been banged up and injured. They've tested their depth. Um, Logan Stanley, Vili Hanela, they've been fighting about it. They traded for, for Dylan Coughlin from Carolina.

Now he's only played three games this year and he's kind of been the guy that's been healthy scratch. But the, the idea that shoveled dayev would send a third round pick for him really speaks to what they think of him. And then Hayden Fleury has come in as an unrestricted free agent, signed a deal and he's played well. Their problem is, is when Dylan Samberg goes out and you have to elevate some of these five, six to seven defensemen into top four roles.

It doesn't go well. Logan Stanley, you know, is a lightning rod here. He's the jet player this year. Jets fans always like to pick one. Um, he's been in the organization for five years, but he's played a grand total of two seasons due to injuries. So he, they're, they're waiting on him. Scott O'Neill likes to roll him out cause he's six, seven, and, and he does okay in my opinion, not to the fans.

We hear about them every week, but to my opinion, he does okay in the five, six roll. But when he goes into the top four because Dylan Sandberg's hurt or the other night, Josh Morrissey missed some time and somebody else got hurt and they had to elevate him to a top pairing and it just did not go well at all. So I think that if there is some negativity, they need some second line scoring and maybe a more scoring center there and then they need another top four demon to make it. That's what I would do to make a legitimate Stanley Cup run, which I think they're already poised to do.

Who's going to be tougher to keep in free agency? Is it going to be Ehlers or Neil Peonk, who's the right shot defenseman and we all know that right shot defensemen can pretty much write their own ticket these days. Well gentlemen, we discussed this heavily at the start of the year and throughout the season. I think they're both gone. Neil Pionk is just making under six and he's rejuvenated having a career year.

When Andy Johnston died overseas, his really good friend, um, uh, last year, the, the former penguin who went overseas and got cut by that skate in a tragic accident. It really affected Neil. Neil was really good friends with them. They were close buddies since they were kids and he had an off season. And he's just in a contract year, he's really rejuvenated himself and been a real asset to this team.

I think he's still in top 10 at defense and scoring. Nick Ehlers is having a Nick Ehlers year. He's a point of game player, but he's on the number one power play this year. And a lot of that has come on the power play, the five on five play, although he did, you know, have two goals against Colorado on Saturday, has played well. I just don't see it fitting gentlemen. And I say that because Gabe Velarde needs a contract this year. And if you're going to solidify somebody who's younger and on that top line, it's him.

I think he's going to get a six to seven million. And there's not a lot of room left for Nick Ehlers or Neil Pionk. The other one you have to watch out for is Kyle Conner's contract is up after next year. So they're looking at a Velarde and a Kyle Conner contract in the next year and a half, and I just don't think that leaves any room. Dylan Sandberg is going to need a raise.

He's on a two year bridge deal. Um, Shifeley and Connor Hellebuck, I don't know how Chevy does it, but again, got some bargain basement deals with those two at 8.5 million, but I, I'm of the belief that in my opinion, and I, when I talk to the organization, they're like, um, you know, they kind of shake their heads and pause when it comes to Nick Ehlers, it's not like they want them to go, but at 6 million right now and heading into unrestricted free agency, that's the ticket I think they just can to Nick Ehlers. It's not like they want him to go, but at six million right now and heading in unrestricted free agency, that's the ticket I think they just can't afford. And then I don't

see Neil Pionk having to take a pay cut right now. I think they'd love Neil Pionk at four and a half and for some term, but he's making just under six and I don't see him settling for that. So that's just my guess. I think they're both gone, but I think the win with Nick Ehlers is the cap space. If you just use him as a rental this year and he wants to be here, he said at the start of the year, it's not about the money, it's about like everybody else I've grown up in this organization with got their deals. I want to stay here, but they've got to want me too. And so far, we've heard nothing about a potential deal. So I think that's the cap space that they need to save for Connor and Velardi and Dylan

Sandberg and the likes of them. How often do you guys talk about just the incredible value that this organization has gotten out of that Connor Hellebuke deal and the way that they were able to get them for $8.5 million a year? Well, with the 300th win last week, we've talked about it every day since.

And we've had other media on and stuff like that. I even, guys, my background is covering the Western hockey league in Cranbrook BC when the Niedermiers were owning that team. And I would see Scott Niedermier around in the summer and skating. And I remember a time where he signed a contract, I don't know if it was Anaheim or New Jersey, I

think it was New Jersey, $5 million. And he was telling me he heard from the PA and said they were not happy with him. And he's like, but I liked where we're at. I like the team and I don't need much. He's not a very, as you know, Scott Niedermeyer, he's not a very flashy guy. And I asked Chris Johnson that yesterday when he was on our Jets at Noon program, like, what would the PA think of Connor Hellebuyck's deal? And he said, well, I, you know, I don't know if they would be upset about that or call him like back in those days of the Niedemeier days, but I can understand the value he left on the table and, and both those guys went into their off

season saying it's all about winning. I want a chance to win. And this team hasn't won a lot in the playoffs since 2018 when they went to the Western Conference finals. So when they both signed at training camp the next year, I think, and I know all avenues were explored. I know New Jersey was calling about Hellebuck and they couldn't make it fit. I knew some other teams were, and then the summer went through and that's the patience

of Kevin Cheveau day off. He kind of let it play out and then he sat down with them and said, this is what we're committed to, these are where I see us going and who we're going to acquire and keep. And I think the Dubois trade went down and they both felt like they had a chance to win. So it's talked about a lot and not just that, but Mark Shifely guys, like this is a guy too that turned 30 and found his defensive game and his 200 foot game. And I talked to some agents and they said, you, you can't sort of underestimate that when you get that free agency contract, if you look at it, even at 30, 31 players just, you know, the,

the pressure's off. Mark Shifley has always been a player that points matter. If I got to help the team, I got to score more points. And he, he wasn't good defensively at all, especially for a top center that has changed the last two years. And I think it's because he's going to be here. He's happy with his deal and he wants to win. And now his 200 foot game has come around. And so it's talked about a lot. I don't know how she's sticking gets what he gets in New York and

Connor Hellebuck gets 8.5 and he's already wrapped up the Vesna. I'm not a Homer. I'm not from here. I'm not a Jets fan. He's wrapped up the Vezna and he's in the heart conversation, I believe. I truly believe that with how he's elevated his play again this year and to only take 8.5, Vasiluski years ago got 9.5. So it's a bargain deal and that's the one thing. They can't get free agents to come to Winnipeg, but they can certainly resign the ones they have

and do it at fair market value. How pissed was Shife Lee about not making Team Canada? He says not, but I think that bothers him. And to be honest with you, when I look at some of the team, I thought he was a borderline player at the start of the year. I thought like if he made it, I could see it. And if he didn't, I could also see that. And then he's having the year he's having. And I think it bothers him.

He says, and he'll admit that he'll say, it doesn't bother him, but he'll say, look, it's obviously something I was hoping for, but you move on. We're having a great year. And we'll go from there. I think he'll be the first alternate. If somebody gets injured, I think he'll be the first call. But yeah, it's something that he had an eye on, but you know, he doesn't really unveil too much. He, um, um, other, the odd time, he'll get upset with the, a couple of years ago, but I think he's really grown and matured and he, he wanted it. Don't get me wrong. And I don't think he's happy that he wasn't chosen,

but he's also using that as motivation right now. And I, I think if there's an injury, he'll be the first call, but yeah, he wanted it for sure. Yeah. Because if there was one guy that should have played his way on through the first two and a half, three months of the season, it would have had to have been him. I mean, he's at 50 points in 44 games. And like you said, like, it's not just the points, the 200 foot game. And if you want to talk about a guy that's led his team to these heights, like he's the driver for so many different things for Winnipeg. I don't know.

I just read a couple of things in the aftermath. And then I noticed some of the production in the immediate aftermath of not being named to the team. And it kind of seemed like it was like the Michael Jordan meme, right? Oh, I took that personally. Oh yeah. If you guys want to look up score sheets

and see the Boston game with Don Sweeney here and how Mark Shifeley absolutely destroyed. And that's kind of the player he is, right? Like he, he doesn't need any extra motivation, but when, when he's on his game and, and he has done it, he's like, you know, what's, it stands out to me about him guys is him and Josh Morrissey are really close and tight.

And I remember having a conversation with Josh Morrissey about three or four years ago. And he said, you know, the biggest misnomer in the NHL is when you're 25, 26 and been in it for five or six years, people think, okay, my four year old wants me to talk about Hellebuck, but I already did that. I think I got a Jersey for Christmas and he wants us to talk about Hellebuck.

I already did that, Thomas. But he was mentioning that he goes like the idea that we just go home and get in shape and that's what we are and he goes, we don't, we go home and I work on things that I need to get better at. I want to be a better player. And then you see where Josh Morrissey's elevated his game and him and Adam Lowery and Mark Shifely hang out in the summers. They spend a lot of time in Calgary and they golf and they work on their games and stuff. And I think that that's Mark Shifely too, right? Like I think he was pigeonholed as a score, as a play, he calls himself a playmaker, but he's leading the team in scoring this year with goal scoring. So I think these guys have this philosophy about getting, you know, better and as you get older, not just, you know just plateauing and being satisfied.

But yeah, things like that motivate him. It was no surprise to me that he absolutely destroyed Boston and kept pouring it on and had the game of the year. And then when he went to Toronto as well, right before the Christmas break, he had two more goals. And so it's stuff like that that does motivate him. But I don't want to paint him as a guy that needs that motivation. He's kind of self-motivated.

But when those things happen, he definitely elevates himself. Jim, this was great, man. Thanks for taking the time to do it. We appreciate it. Tell Thomas next time we'll talk a little bit more Connor Hellebuck and enjoy the game tonight. It should be a good one. Yeah, we will.

And Thomas appreciates you bringing him up and we appreciate you having me on guys as always, and would be a great first round series. Hopefully it works out all the best to you guys out west. Thanks dude, appreciate it. That's Jim Toth from at 680 CJ OB in Winnipeg here on the Alfred and Bref show on Sportsnet 650. Tommy Toth.

Yeah, I love that. Talk about Hellebuck. Yeah, talk about Hellebuck more. We did already. He sounds like a future reporter. He's like, can you talk about Hellebuck? 8.5 dad, he makes 8.5. It is a crazy contract when you consider

what some other goalies are making. So he's the, in terms of active goalies, he's the fourth highest paid, because Kerry Price, does he still count? Do we still count Kerry Price? No. If he's still getting paid. I mean his contract's still active.

Yeah, but we don't count him. But we don't count him. So anyway, so, and it's all the Russian goalies. It's Vasilevsky, Shosturkin, and Bobrovsky all make more than Connor Hellebuyck. Right. Yeah. Do you remember that was, it was a weird time for the goalie market though. I think it was, it was a time where everyone was like, maybe we can get away with being cheap.

I think and the cap was, and they had that implosion in the playoffs where Hellebuck went from being the best goalie in the NHL to getting ventilated against the. It's going to be a lot of pressure on him. Yeah. In the playoffs. Well, and it starts tonight against the Vancouver Canucks.

How are you going to deal with that offense? We'll talk to Brendan Batchelor about tonight's game and the hope is that Philip Peronik will be part of it for the Vancouver Canucks. Still not finalized. It's a game time decision, but by all accounts, things were trending in the direction of Philip Peronik returning to the lineup tonight in Winnipeg

against one of the best teams in the league. Brendan Batchelor is going to join us next on the Halford and Brush show on Sportsnet 650.