Halford & Brough in the Morning - The Abby Canucks Are One. Win. AWAY.

Episode Date: June 20, 2025

In hour one, Mike & Jason look back at the previous day in sports, they talk the Abbotsford Canucks being one win away from a Calder Cup (3:00), they discuss Connor McDavid's ominous comments (18:30), they discuss what was a busy day yesterday for the Stars, as DLLS_Sports and former NHLer Craig Ludwig (28:51) joins the show, plus they get a Conor Garland & Brock Boeser update from Elliotte Friedman courtesy the 32 Thoughts podcast (46:27). 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.

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We are coming to you live from the Kintec studios in beautiful Fairview slopes in Vancouver. Jason, good morning. Good morning. Adog, good morning to you. Good morning. Laddie, good morning to you as well. Hello, hello. Halford and brough for the morning is morning to you. Good morning. Laddie, good morning to you as well. Hello, hello. Haliford and Brent for the morning

is brought to you by Sands & Associates, BC's first entrusted choice for debt help with over 3,000 five-star reviews. Visit them online at sans-trustee.com. We are in hour one of the program. Hour one is brought to you by North Star Metal Recycling. Vancouver's premier metal recycler pays the highest prices on scrap metal.

North Star Metal Recycling metal recycling they recycle you get paid This is an 1170 Powell Street in Vancouver. We are coming to you live from the Kintex studio Kintex footwear and orthotics We're gonna gather with you in step a lot to get into on a Friday show big guest list ahead begins at 630 Second time on the program former NHL are now Dallas stars Second time on the program, former NHL are now Dallas Stars podcaster Craig Ludwig is going to join the program from D L L s sports in Dallas. He of the gigantic shin pads. Busy day yesterday for the Dallas Stars. They extended Matt Duches news that broke while we were on the air.

Then later in the day, they traded Mesa Marchman to the Seattle Kraken. And it doesn't sound like the stars are done shedding salary yet either. And oh yeah, they still need to hire a head coach. We'll talk to Craig Ludwig about all that at 630. 7 o'clock AJ from AJ's Pizza on East Broadway. A reminder, it is Ask Us Anything Friday. So the best Ask Us Anything wins a $100 gift card to AJ's Pizza on East Broadway. AJ apparently has an Ask Us Anything for us today, today Jason that also might double as a what we learned ooh Intrigue is it are the Yankees done? Did they lose again last? No they won

Ah damn that would have been seven straight loss. Yeah, it would have been great to have AJ on with Aaron Boone You're fired. That would have been great. It didn't happen though. I want we anything AJ's gonna just learned AJ's gonna join us what I think I called him anus AJ is gonna join us. And ask us to learn. AJ is gonna join us. What? I think I called him Anus. AJ is gonna join us at seven o'clock this morning. Pretty sure I called him AJ.

I think you just called him Enus. Anus from Duke's of Hazzard. AJ from Anus' Pizza. No, that's not it. 705 Tyler Uremchuk from Oilers Nation and Daily Faceoff is gonna join us. It was another eventful day in Edmonton yesterday Connor McDavid did his end-of-year media availability and with it Left the door open for a future outside of Edmonton

I like how wish called it the that being said heard around the world so great. That was pretty funny Everyone two-thirds of the way through the the clip This is great that That being said. What? That being said, Toronto also has heated driveways. Hold on. So we're gonna talk to you, Tyler, your Remchuck about all that at seven o'clock, 7.30.

With that being said, ultimately. Oh. There it is. There's a little teaser. Geez, I don't even know, what did he say afterwards? Who knows? Find out. Edmonton knows. Seven thirty Bob the Mojmar.

Johnovich is going to join the program. The B.C. Lions are back in action tomorrow. Four o'clock at B.C. Place with a rematch against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Nathan Rourke officially listed as questionable for Saturday's game. We'll get a health update from Moj and we'll hear what he saw at practice this week from the B.C. Lions. That's at seven thirty eight o'clock. It's Rick Dollywall from Donnie and Do'll hear what he saw at practice this week from the BC Lions. That's at seven 30, eight o'clock it's Rick Dollywall from Donnie and Dolly on CheckTV.

Uh, noted Dolly handler Jason Brough will let us know what Rick is going to give us updates on this week. We got a, we got a Noah Julesen update. Nice. Yeah. Yeah. Really?

I think so. Oh my God. No, I think he's going to talk about, uh. Wait, really? Well, he probably will give a Noah Julesen update, but I think he's going to talk about. Wait, really? Well, he probably will give a Noah Jewelson update, but I think he's going to talk about Matt Duchenne. Okay. And how that guy was kind of targeted for, by the Canucks.

Oh, that's tough. And strike him off the board. That's going to happen a lot this off season, isn't it? Yeah. Maybe. Like, oh, we really like that guy. Ah, nevermind. Well.

Oh well. What's this guy? Oh, nobody's gone to now. Damn, we're down to number 18 on our list. well. Oh well. What's this guy? Oh nobody's gone to now damn We're down to number eight What's Ethan Bear doing? Yeah, maybe he's got an Ethan Bear update Rick had one earlier in the week. Well. We'll talk to Rick at 8 o'clock Finally before we go to break I need to ask you all a question

Have you bought your tickets for the sports net 650 Jays carecare 50-50 for Challenger Baseball yet. If you have not, buy your tickets now. Jayscaregolf.RaffleNexus.com. That URL again, Jayscaregolf.RaffleNexus.com. Buy your tickets now. You've got a chance to win some cash. Obviously it's a 50-50, and you get to support a great endeavor

in Challenger Baseball. First of all, yes, yes by some 5050s Did you say we were going to a break? Nope, you did yeah, I said we're gonna break yeah when before we go to break I have to tell you before we finish the run That was weird. It's okay. I'm not gonna break. We're doing this new thing when we break every five Yeah, you know what I'm kind of into it. We have 40 segments in the show. Let's go to break.

I need a lot of bathroom breaks. Come on, we got to talk about Abbott's Frick. Let's go. OK, so Jace Care Golf, Dolly at 8, Moj at 730, Tyra, your run check at 7, AJ at 7 o'clock, and Craig Lugway at 630. That's what's happening on the program today. Laddie, let's tell everybody what happened.

Hey, did you guys see the game last night? No. What happened? I missed all the action because I was losing. We know how busy your life? No. What happened? I missed all the action because I was... We know how busy your life can be. What happened? Missed it? You missed that? What happened? What Happened is brought to you by the BC Construction Safety Alliance. Making safety simpler by giving construction companies the best in tools or resources and safety training. Visit them online at bccsa.ca. We are going to begin in

Abbotsford. And it was Jonathan Leckermackie stealing the show, scoring twice. RDC loves 32 saves. Abbotsford moves within one win of a Calder Cup Championship with a 3-2 win over Charlotte at a sold out Abbotsford Center on Thursday night. You know, that's just good coaching by Manny Malholtra. He needed to keep Lek Irmaky out for a bit, get him rested up, you know, maybe just calm down, calm down, Lek. Got him back into the lineup once he's back in Abbotsford and possibly did that because, you know, you can control your line changes a little

bit more when you're at home. And what do we get? Two goals from Jonathan Leckermackie last night on some really nice finishing by Jonathan Leckermackie, but also some really nice passing plays by the Abbotsford Canucks. Um, one win away. I heard, I heard though, we want the cup

chants in Abbotsford. That's cool, man. That's cool. They're like, they've really, really embraced this team. And it's like, I see the pictures online or the video online of all the towels. And I'm like, that's a mini Rogers arena right there. Like it looks legit.

And everyone who's going out there and watching this team win a lot of games in the last little while, like they went into the playoffs playing really well and that has continued. And it's nice to see different guys playing the hero on different nights. And it was really nice to see Jonathan Lekeremacky playing the hero on different nights and it was really nice to see Jonathan

Lekkeramacky playing the hero last night. Attendance was 7,161, the fourth sellout of the series and the largest crowd ever, ever for an AHL game at the Abbotsford Center. Let's hear that three nothing goal now by Lekkeramacky, which eventually stood as the game winner. Charlotte did rally late, but the Abbotsford Canucks hold on for a three two win. Here's what the game winning goal sounded like.

Let her work the free Asplen shot stopped by Shielals and he took it in the chest. And Mueller gobbles a rebound and brings it the other way for Blake. He's got Leckar Mackie in front. He's it all on and he scores! How many scores? So the biggest story last night, aside from the win itself, and Abbotsford moving to within one win of the Calder Cup final was Lekar Mackie.

Now, he had been a healthy scratch in five consecutive games in these playoffs, but as Jason mentioned, got drawn back into the lineup for game three, which Abbotsford won and then played a huge role last night. And it is a tip of the cap to the youngster for sure. Perhaps more importantly, and something that I saw in a number of the post game recaps and on social media last night, a great move by Manny Malhotra, who many people have pointed out has had a borderline coaching masterpiece in

this Calder Cup final, pushing all the right buttons, making all the in game adjustments. Yes, Abbotsford did get out shot again last night, although some of that probably had to do with score effects with Charlotte trailing through really, three, nothing, and then rallying in the third period with a bunch of shots. They did make it three, two and made it tight at the end. Yeah.

And, um, my whole trip said after the game of Leckermackie to me, that game sums up. Lekki, he calls him Lekki. The kid has ice in his veins. He doesn't shy away from these big moments. And you can see tonight, he had two quality looks and he made them count. And I think composure with the puck is actually

one thing that impressed all of us when he was with the big team this season, when he was out on the power play, he looked comfortable. He looked like he wanted the puck on his stick and he wanted to make plays. And that's important, you know, as, you know, to use an old Rick Tuckett phrase, he wasn't deferring, he wasn't just passing the puck away.

He wanted the puck on his stick and he wanted to try and make plays. He wanted to use that shot of his. And I think that's probably what Mahalach is getting at a little bit. Like ice in his veins means you're comfortable in those big moments. You want the puck on your stick. I do want to read a few texts that came into the Dunbar Lumber text line from people who are at the game. Um, superintendent Steve texts in and he said, I was at the Canucks game last night.

It was probably the best hockey environment. I've been a part of for a long time. Yeah, it looked like it. I mean, it's not 20,000 people, but it is jam packed in there. And I think when in the smaller rinks, you got the, you got the lower ceiling, lower roof, and that's probably pretty noisy in there.

Um, another one from JD and Coquitlam. I've watched every game of the Calder Cup final. And I gotta say, Kudryadzev looks like the real deal. Wouldn't be surprised if he pushes for a spot on the big team next season. Yeah. I mean. Another defenseman. What an embarrassment of riches.

The reviews, the positive reviews. And I saw some analytics there. Crazy on Kudryadzev. Like he's barely on the ice when the other team scores. I don't, I don't know where he would slot in on the connects. I would still have him at, you know, like seven, eight defenseman right now, but you know, injuries happen and maybe he'll play some guys and he gets

in there. He seems to be really steady. And steady is good. Yeah. For an NHL defenseman. You know, I'll say this. When we talked about Abbotsford throughout the season, prior to this magical Calder Cup run, we were inherently focused on the young guys and the prospects

and the guys that could make a mark at the NHL level. If you look at last night's game, you've got one of the top prospects in the organization, Jonathan Leckermackie having a great night, scoring two goals, including the game winner. How about Arshdeep Bains right now? Who had a, let's be frank, he had a real rough first two thirds of the playoff run. Like he could not find the back of the net. He was absolutely snake bitten. The goal last night, six goals in the last six games.

Like talk about picking up your game at the right time, the tail end of the Western conference final. And then throughout this Calder Cup final, he's been a goal game guy. Ty Mueller, another guy, young prospect that the co-organization is bringing along, registered to assist. I don't know if everyone saw the hit

that Tristan Nielsen laid on a unfortunate Charlotte Checkers defensive who may be dead after that. I don't know. I don't know if he recovered after that. It was an absolutely massive hit in a Calder Cup final. I think he's probably alive. That would have been a story. You know, who knows? It was loud. They probably could have ushered him out of there.

Nobody would have known. It was a great, great night, not just for Abbotsford, not just for the Canucks organization, but a lot of these young guys. And I said the Leckermack was the big story last night, but the big story throughout these playoffs and if and when Abbotsford does win the Calder Cup, they have a chance to do it in their next game, of course, Game five, which will be at the Abbotsford Center. I mean, it's our Archer Seeloff's has just had an unbelievable playoff.

For the he's the Calder Cup. He's going to be the call is MVP. He's the Calder Cup MVP. Gets a little bit to go gets a little more dicey when you're talking about waivers next season. 32 saves on 34 shots last night, including a barrage in the third period. I know we've discussed this before. Do the Canucks need to trade one of C-loves or Demko?

And we threw out there that, look, the thing with waivers, especially around, you know, right before game one of the regular season is that most teams will have their goaltending situation settled. You know, it's not like they'll be like, well, I hope someone shakes loose on waivers. But laddie, maybe I'll bring you into the conversation here.

Could you see there being a situation where there's a team out there, maybe not a super competitive team. I don't know who San Jose's goalies are or Chicago's goalies where C-Lavs goes on waivers because they've got Lankton and Demco and they want to get them down to the AHL. And there's some team out there, maybe with a goalie that is waiver eligible on their team or a goalie that won't get picked up on waivers. And if he does, they're not all that concerned.

C-lobs goes on waivers and they're like, we're going to make a bet on this guy because he's the Calder Cup MVP. Yeah. I think, I think there are a few examples of teams that would probably take a flyer on a guy like that and have Flexibility to do that would do it. Maybe they carry three goalies, you know, like

Yeah, they want less less likely. Oh, but but they could probably just be like, yeah, that's why I take this guy Well, that's started the season. That's why you see the whole you know the musical chairs goalies because teams try to sneak guys down during those busy periods and musical chairs, goalies, because teams try to sneak guys down during those busy periods and sneak a guy without other teams noticing almost Because there's 18 other you know players on waivers that day So I could see them kind of sneaking them in in a situation like that But certainly that yeah, there's there's gonna be teams that have some kind of interest in whatever the case. Yeah, whatever the case Let's just say this really good on Artie. See loves

Terrific he deserves a ton of credit because it would have been very easy for him this season to have his confidence shaken beyond belief because he was unplayable at the NHL level and let's be Frank I'll be Frank not Mike but Frank everyone knew everyone in the connects organization knew everyone in the media knew I'm pretty sure already see loves new at a certain point that he's like, I am unplayable right now at this level, unless it's Chicago. And the connects made moves accordingly to be able to rebound from that, to have the kind of run that he's having right now.

Guy deserves a ton of credit and a couple of nice feathers in his cap right now. Right. Like being named to that Latvian team is one of the first six, like say what you will about it. Like it means something. I have a question for you guys Yes, are the Canucks going to regret not making Manny Melholtz for the head coach? This is that's a fair question. This is of course assuming he wanted it I mean, I don't know maybe he didn't want it and maybe declined it But if for example Manny was interested in coaching the NHL Canucks and maybe he wasn't but if he was are they gonna regret not

Going that route they're gonna regret it if they lose them. Well, yeah, that what I'm saying. Yeah, I mean if he sticks around for another year, obviously not Well, they're not gonna regret it if they lose him and Adam foot does a great job No, yeah, of course, but I'm just saying looking at Mal Holter's body of work Does a great job you like it's the other side of the coin Yeah, like if he goes somewhere and turns out to be the next great new young NHL head You know the connects miss the playoffs next year and his teammates fired after a year Yeah, Hughes leaves like we should have kept Manny. I know It was all over Socials last yeah because we since he's done such a great job this playoffs. It's been a great run and

Really? what you know We've had Brandon Astle on the show a handful of times Talking about where they were at at the early and middle stages of the season They were a 500 hockey club at best Manny really flipped the switch and got them playing a certain style and had the buy-in And he made adjustments along the way because obviously the way things were going in the first part of the season wasn't working And yeah, he's got some good talent at his disposal, but it's not an overwhelming amount. There's other good AHL teams. The run that they've gone on has been very, very impressive. Job's not done yet. They still got one more game left, but last night in

Abbotsford, a special night for everybody involved, we should now turn our attention to the Edmonton Oilers though. Yesterday, in case you missed it, Connor McDavid addressed his future with the Edmonton Oilers in his post end of year media availability. He made it clear that he's in no rush to sign a new contract. And what's more, twice, twice in this media availability, he made

it clear that when it comes to signing a new deal, the number one priority is doing what's best for him and his family. I'm going to play the audio in case you haven't heard it. I know many Vancouver Canucks fans find this muy delicioso, what he had to say. Here's Connor McDavid from yesterday's end of year media availability. This Corps has been together for a long time and we've been building to this moment, you know, all along.

The work that's gone on behind the scenes, the conversations, the endless, you know, disappointments and, you know, some good times along the way, obviously, as well. Yeah, we're all in this together, trying to get it over that finish line. With that being said, ultimately, still need to do what's best for me and my family and that's who you have to take care of first, But of course, there's unfinished business here. If I was an Oilers fan, I would walk into traffic.

That long pause after the that being said. The long pause is even worse than the that being said. With that being said, and just to look at everyone for a few seconds. Two and a half seconds. And then all the Edmonton media was like, he said unfinished business, let's run with that one. Yeah, this is fine.

We got unfinished business, you stand forever. You know what word, internet word I've come to like? You know how most of the phrases and stuff, like I hate, especially the ones that people overuse and overuse. Let's go! Like let's go, for example. I love copium.

Yeah, copium's great. Copium is, our world is absolutely overrun by people telling themselves lies to feel better. Yeah. And we all do it to a certain extent, but Edmonton was a copium den yesterday. Yeah, they overdosed. I read one article that suggested that there were

very few places in the NHL that had the cap space and the roster to give McDavid a chance at the cup. Edmonton was one of the few places apparently. Like what are you talking about? If McDavid's ever available, especially in free agency, teams will make the cap space. And yeah, a lot of teams would still have the roster to compete because McDavid is that good. Um, here's my prediction.

He'll resign, but it'll be a shorter term contract. That's fair. Because maybe I just missed the memo where it explained all the amazing bargains on the Edmonton roster. That's going to allow them to thrive with two really big cap hits for dry side of the McDavid. Bouchard not going to be a bargain anymore. Skinner is a bargain because he's not very good.

Right. Nurse has one of the worst contracts in the league and it's going to get worse. Uh, they've gotten some decent value from guys like Hyman, Nuge and Ekholm. Past tense, they've gotten great value from those guys. Those guys are also getting old. Ekholm's last year of his deal is 35, looked like he'd lost a step in the playoffs.

So how do the Oilers plan to phase them out when McDavid's extension kicks in? Let's say he does something silly like sign an eight year extension, which I don't think he'll do. Like you've got the potential for, they're the oldest team in the NHL right now, they don't have many prospects,

and some of their key complimentary players are getting older. And they still haven't figured out the goaltending and a guy in Bouchard who was a good value is not going to be a good value. He'll be, I don't know, fair market value. If you like Evan Bouchard and he'll be one of the worst contracts in the league. If you're one of Bouchard's critics, again, I'm not saying he won't resign.

He's a hockey player. He'll probably stay in Edmonton forever. But if McDavid truly wanted to give himself the best chance to win a cup, if it was only about winning nothing else, he wouldn't stay on the NHL's oldest roster with no great prospects coming. He'd move on to an up and coming team that was packed with blue chip, young talent and enjoy the prime years of those guys. You know, would it be hard to say goodbye to dry saddle? Probably. But Mcdavis pretty good. He can probably find another running mate somewhere else. Um, I, I,

I think this is going to be really interesting. I do think he'll resign. That's where I am right now, but I think it could be like, yeah, I'll resign for like, I don't know, three or four years and we'll see how it goes in terms of he not wait until the end of next season though to see how the others are looking good like I mean if I was him I'd be like maybe just to see how next season plays out because he doesn't have to make the decision right now he's in the ultimate driver's seat right now he said what he said yesterday and you know some of the Edmonton reporters that were possibly ODing on Copium did acknowledge

that one, Leon Dreisaitl said very similar things shortly after the season ended last time. Then he went out and signed his massive extension. And two, it is a negotiation. McDavid should be putting things out there like this because the idea is you want to maximize everything. You know, you want to maximize your contract value and he's gonna get paid the max

probably wherever he wants to go. But he wants to maximize leverage, how long or short he wants. He wants to maximize his control and sway if he doesn't have ultimate sway and control already. So Tim in Vancouver texted, McDavid could tear his ACL tomorrow or play a single shift again until the UFA

and then play on any team he wants for a seven by 20 million contract in 2026. I think what he's getting at is, I think, he could get injured. I'm sure he's insured. I'm sure he's insured. I think we're seeing guys not take the maximum extension around the NHL and betting on themselves to, well, betting on themselves to have another big payday, but also, um, you know, taking that chance and just staying flexible with your choices.

Austin Matthews did in Toronto, he didn't sign the max, signed five year extension. Well, you saw that report. And he's the guy that should have, if you're talking injuries, that guy's like a walking injury. You saw that report courtesy of Chris Johnson yesterday that they might even be adjusting the contract length max in the next

upcoming CBA. Now I think there's two minds on that one. Maybe McDavid wants to get in on the max eight year deal. They're thinking about trimming it to a year off basically. So the team currently employing the player can do a max of seven. Whereas if you were to go to free agency, you could do a max of six.

So it's not like a huge adjustment, but an adjustment nonetheless. But it does speak to a few different things, maybe a shifting landscape on how long these contracts should go. And then with regards to players, you know, we saw it, like you mentioned with Austin Matthews being able to hit free agency twice, not locking yourself up. So when your deal expires, you're 37 years old or whatever it is, there's a lot of different options out there. And I think we're moving into a new era of player emboldened meant and player movement. Like player movement is

a good thing. I'll say this. I think Connor McDavid leaving Edmonton is better for everyone, especially Vancouver, but everyone, than Connor McDavid staying in Edmonton. That's just my personal opinion. For the league. For the league for interest, for the market that gets him, for the intrigue period. When's the last time that, I mean, again, I know we can't do the comparisons to the NBA all the time, but when a star player leaves in the NBA, it really drives up intrigue league wide.

Well, there was a ton of interest when Tavares left, it created two great stories. One with the Islanders. Yep. And one with, uh, with the Toronto Maple Leafs and when Gretzky left Edmonton. And I'm sure for a lot of older Edmonton fans, that's in the back of their minds.

Like, don't be so sure a player won't leave. Even the great ones. Yeah. Well, I mean, that created in the back of their minds. Like, don't be so sure a player won't leave. Even the great ones. Yeah. Well, I mean, that created two great stories. What was Edmonton going to do without him? And by the way, they want to stand the cup without him in 1990. And how would that affect the market in Los Angeles and the United States?

I mean, that was good for the league. 100%. It was good for the league. Before we go to break, I need to tell you about the BC Lions. School's out and summer's here. Kick it off with the BC Lions summer camp game Saturday, June 21st, tomorrow at 4pm for details and tickets. Visit them online at bclions.com. Coming up, Craig Ludwig is going to join the program. Busy day for the Dallas Stars yesterday.

We'll break it all down with Craig and maybe talk about his shin pads coming up next on the Alfred and breath show on sports net six 50. It's Canuck central with Dan Rachel and satyar Shah, your destination for everything Canucks exclusive interviews inside info and even the post game show. Listen four to 6 PM weekdays and on demand through your favorite podcast app. 6.33 on a Friday. Happy Friday everybody. Halford and Brough Sportsnet 6.50. Yes to Friday here on the show. Halford and Brough of the morning is brought to you by Sands and Associates. Learn how a consumer proposal reduces your debt by up to 80% with no more

interest. Visit them online at Sands-Trustee.com. We are in hour one of the program. Former NHLer, now NHL podcaster in Dallas, Craig Ludwig is going to join the program in just a moment here to kick off hour one. Hour one is brought to you by North Star Metal Recycling, Vancouver's premier metal recycler pays the highest prices on scrap metal. North Star Metal Recycling, they recycle, you get paid. Visit them at 1170 Powell street in Vancouver. The last time we had our next guest on the show, and by the way,

Craig Ludwig will join us courtesy of the power West industries hotline. The last time he was on the show, Peter DeBoer was the head coach of the Dallas stars. Mason Marchment was a member of the Dallas stars and Matthew Shane was still a pending UFA. All that's changed. So let's bring him on now. Craig Ludwig joins us here on the Haliford and Bref show

on Sportsnet 650. Morning Craig, how are ya? Good morning guys. That music didn't sound like Metallica to me. No, it's Fiesta Friday. We have musical themes. That's what we do. Actually, you know what?

I think last time we had Craig on the show, I think it was Thrash Thursday. Right, yeah, yeah. So, it's a little different today. If that's how you guys start your Friday off, there's an issue. The issue is partying. Yeah, well, I don't know about the Maracci band

that was playing there. It is a little much at 6.30 in the morning, but so was the thrash metal. What did you think of the moves the Dallas Stars made yesterday, keeping Duchenne and shipping out Marchmond? Well, I mean, obviously a nice move for Matt Duchenne and you can see just by the numbers, you know, one in, one out. Dallas is in one of those celery kind of crunches right now and how they're going to allocate their money

and some of the changes that they want to make. And so Mason Marchman was basically making 4.5 a year, I think, and that's exactly what Matt and Shane got. So they made the, it's kind of like, okay, well we see which one, if it comes down to two players, we see the one that we want over the other one. So, and I think that, you know, when you, when you look at Matt and the success that he's had in his career and not only in his career, but especially here in Dallas, you know, he's a consistent point guy that you know exactly what you're

getting from them. You know, Matt is what 37, 38, somewhere in that neighborhood. Um, but I think it's a testament to how he tastes care of himself, what he does off the ice and, and, you know, the work that he puts in. So it also tells you, you know, the identity that, that Jim Nill thinks needs to be part of this, you know, this organization going forward. Now, in my opinion, I've said this obviously quite a bit this year, they need to add a little more grit to their team, or they have to play at least a little bit more gritty, but they still want pucks to go in the

net. Matt had a tough time, along with the other guys this year in the playoffs, especially against Edmonton, five on five play was not where it needs to be. So we'll see what happens from here. There's obviously other things that have to happen because when you only have a 450 or $500,000 to spend right now, it's tough getting what you want to do. I mean, it'll be interesting to see what they do with Granolin, which I think as a player they would like to keep, it seems he fits in well with Henson and, you know, Mikko.

So, but one thing that we know is that when you've got a two-time back-to-back general manager of the year, and could have possibly had a third, but I think the guy that they selected this year, I don't even know if it's been announced yet, but I mean, if you're not giving it to Zito, there's a problem. Here's the good news. Duchenne's only 34 years old, so he will be. Oh, well, he only looked like 38 yesterday when he's doing an interview on our podcast.

He's having a good time. Look, 38. Maybe that's what it was is the contract was going to take him up to 30. Yes. Well, really what it is is, you know, he's got two years he's going to be here. Then after that, there seems to be a, you know, a little escape clause for both sides. So that would take Matt to 38 years old, I guess is what, what was said yesterday, not being 38.

So, uh, but no, he looked good yesterday. I, you know, and again, I think Matt Duchenne just does all the right things. And the other thing I should say about that is obviously, um, the organization, the players and everybody else feel he's a big part of the leadership group. And, and I think that's been, that's been a, an area that they're very happy with. Um, and I think that it just tells you that he's a big part of that because the way the playoffs went and everything else. And he was the first guy to get done, right?

I mean, it's the first one out of the shoot. And so I think that, and he had some really nice things to say about Jim Nill. And I almost got it from what he was talking to us about yesterday is it was a big reason why he came back is because of the general manager and just the way the general manager goes about his business in this organization and treats the players. Craig, we haven't spoken since the Dallas Stars were eliminated in the playoffs and

Pete DeBoer was fired. Just to get your thoughts on how they went out of the playoffs and I guess more specifically, the aftermath of that, which included the firing of Pete DeBoer. Yeah, it seems like we can't get away from it. Every day for the last couple of weeks, it's what keeps coming up. So, you know, it was, I will say this, it was

uncharacteristic for Pete. I mean, I think the whole time he's been here, the one thing that always stands out for me in his interviews, whether it's pre post, when loss or whatever, it's always had composure and you know, he doesn't get too high. He doesn't get too low. Um, you know, he is a former lawyer so he can, he answers questions in some lawyer speak sometimes.

Um, but I think the, you know, that, that interview that came out after they were finished and Pete started rattling off some numbers and Jake's numbers against, Jake Ottenger's numbers against Edmonton. And when you start getting into that, the first thing that comes to mind is, okay, you were rehearsing some of this at some point. And you know, when you get down in the series, you're looking at it like, if we don't see a good outcome here. And so to leave it like that was one thing. And then I thought it was the first time was during the game when, you know, when he called, well, he technically,

I don't think he even called timeout at the time, but he did. And then we were wondering why did you, if you're going to change the goaltender, you really don't have to even called time out at the time, but, um, but he did. And then we were wondering why did you, because if you're going to change the goaltender, you really don't have to call a timeout, but it was the way he was, uh, interacting with the players on the bench, which I don't remember a time that he seemed as agitated with the team, at least publicly, you know, when you know, you know, you're in the playoffs and the cameras are on everything that's

going on and, and you can, you know, he was getting pretty animated on the bench with his players, which, which you don't ever see that. And so I think there was a lot of, uh, frustration building up over the course of this, knowing that, you know, they've been knocking on this door a few times. And, you know, when they talk about coach's records and, you know, players, stats and things like that, and Pete knows, you don't think to get over the hump. And, and so that, that was one thing that stood out to me. And then obviously when Jake started heading back

to the net and he had obviously forgot to tell him that he was coming out of the game and Jake had to turn around and come back. Yeah, that was bad. You don't see that loss of composure is a good word to put it. Like everything just seemed out of control on the star's bench.

Yeah. I mean, you're just, you're, you're frustrated. And you know what, and my thing is, and I really thought that even, even with that happening, I thought that with Jake going out, I, my, my first reaction, first thing I said is, well, he's not staying out, he's coming back. He'll be back in at the start of the second

period. And I, I've heard people say, Oh, you can't do that. And things like that. You know what? Sometimes you're just trying to change your team a little bit. You're, you're trying. And again, everybody on this team, the one thing about this team, they are a tight group and that's one of the biggest things that you're looking for.

And I think that, um, all the things that Ottinger has done for this team, and let's just say, I, you know, I've never, I've been very critical at times about the way that the team plays in their own zone. And, and I just think that there needs to be a tweak there in my opinion. But, but if it wasn't for Jake, they would have never gotten as far as they did because the first series against Colorado, they Jake, it's the quality of chances that Otterger has to face. It's not necessarily 40, 50 shots all the time but it's the quality and I think you know sometimes you overlook that because he's a great goal tender and but you can get worn down and

I think that's what happened through the series and so I think that at that moment when he did come out my first reaction is he's going back in. And unfortunately, Casey lets in a goal as soon as he goes in. But regardless of that, you're still looking for something to shake up your team. You're not sure how to shake it up. And when your rock goes out, or one of your rock goes out, you, you hope that puts a charge into your group and we've got to get our, you know, we got to get things together here. Um, it never got to that point and it never happened.

And then probably the last thing was, uh, what was it a day or two later when there was a question asked to Pete, uh, about how did you spoke with, with your goaltender yet? And he had said no. And that to me was odd because I would, you know, again, if I were in that situation as a coach, I would have at least probably sent the text message the next morning and said, hey, you know, you want to meet today or you want to, you know, want a day or two or something like that and that didn't happen. So, and that all being said, I

think that he may have known that if he, you know, if things didn't work out, maybe the way that even the season ended with having seven or eight losses. Maybe some of that was like, I don't know if I'm going to be back here. So all that being said, that, that little speech that he had at the end just seemed like it was a, uh, a parting, you know, a parting message about this. And so anyway, it's just that again, I think Pete is a great coach. Everybody else does too. And there's sometimes it's just that again, I think Pete is a great coach everybody else does too and there sometimes there's just those moments where You know, I don't know whether this is one or not Do you wish she had a do-over the way you exit it speaking of exits?

What did you hear about the exit interviews because there were multiple reports that Maybe the final nail or nails plural in the coffin with what both the borough had to say and I guess what the players had To say in response to what happened between him and Autinger. Yes. Um, you know, we, uh, we did a show, um, I think it was the day after that day, after you've interviews for, you know, and when we got word, you know, there were exits and we actually played a couple of players on, on our show.

And you know, the other two guys were looking and talking, well, that sounds good. And I didn't say nothing. Then they're kind of like, what? And I said, well, for me, when you hear a couple players, and again, leadership group players, well, everything is just glowing. I mean, great. And when they're talking to the media

after their exit interviews, I said, I don't know, it's just too rosy for me. I mean, it's just, you're pumping up the coach and everything's great. And, and, and in those circumstances, sometimes you just kind of bypass that stuff and you don't really, you don't say one thing or another, but it was kind of over the top for me. And I said, well, we'll, we'll just see. And you know, lo and behold,

a few days later he was gone. So, um, yes, I mean, it happened in Boston, right? I mean, it happened, uh, it's happened before. So, uh, you know, we know when I was there, I don't ever recall having, uh, exit interviews. And, and if we did, it was never about the coaches, you know, it was about your play, what are you doing in summer? You know, you got to be better at this and sorry, all those kind of things.

Um, it really never got down to asking about, Hey, do you like the coach? What do you think of it? You know, that kind of thing. Again, I don't know the questions that are asked to the players, but those times have changed and as we know now, they are the most important people in the organization are the players and as everybody said, everybody said, you're not firing 23 players. And so obviously they felt that, and I just can't, I just don't believe that it's just one exit interview or one comment or one moment on the bench by the coach that really led

to that. I just think that knowing Jim and his staff, there were other things that were leading up to that and then they just felt there needed to be a change in the locker room. Now the big question is what are they gonna change? Because I think the identity of the team needs to change a little bit. Are they gonna add a couple pieces to get back to what they, you know, I mean just look at how the Florida Panthers go about their business, right? And that's the way that Edmonton beat Dallas. They pushed Dallas out of the series.

And for me, some of those things have to change. We're speaking of former NHL and Dallas Stars analyst, Craig Ludwig here on the Halford and Bref show on Sportsnet 650. Speaking of team identity, Craig, Jamie Benn has been the captain of the Dallas Stars for 12 years. Will he be back as the captain of the Dallas Stars?

Will he be back at all with the Dallas Stars? My opinion is yes. You know, and again, if you get into the fan base stuff and you got one half the bases on one side, half on the other. And I just think that Jamie is, he's the figurehead for this. Is he the same that he was five, six years ago?

No, I don't know if any players are. And, you know, I've used this, this comparison with Brendan Morrill for me. And again, I know things change as the organizations go along. This organization has had an identity as far, and there are people that, that define your identity. And I, and it started to hear with Darian Hatcher. Then it went to Brendan Morrill. Then it is now Jamie Ben. What does that tell you? What does that tell you the kind of organization and the kind of now has the team maybe slid away

from a little bit of that away those two teams have played with those other two captains possibly, but times change. But Jamie Ben is no question leader in that room. And I think that, you know, we had Jim Neal on our show, like even it was like a couple months earlier. And it was one of the questions that was asked to him. Jamie will be a Dallas star. He will finish a Dallas star.

And again, it's Jim Neal that says that. So I think we believe that there's already a number in place. They know where that number has got to be. And to be able to say that even post-season, that Jamie's going to be back by both sides. I think they've already got something in mind. When it's going to be done, we don't know. But again, I think that's a numbers thing.

It's what's going to happen with the other player. Jamie's going to be back. It's going to have to be structured this way or that way. And it could be bonuses and all that other kind of stuff where you can tap dance around things. you know, we believe that that Jamie will be back I hope Jamie's gonna be back. I think Jamie wants to be back to in a way redeem a little bit I don't think he played the way that he wanted to coming down the stretch and through the playoffs and so I think he you know, I

Think those kind of players when they they don't finish the season the way that they want to, whether it's just the season or the playoffs, you see them do a little extra in the off season. And I just have a feeling that, you know, this thing gets done. You may see a different Jamie Benn when he comes back for the season next year. I'm not saying a 25 year old Jamie Benn. And I think he's accepted where he's going to be in the lineup. He may be on the third or fourth line consistently, but, but, you know,

and he's going to play 12 to 15 minutes and, and there may be games where he gets 18 or 19, depending on how the game goes. But, but again, I look at identity and I think when, when there's a healthy, uh, Jamie Ben and a positive Jamie Ben, he, he brings that identity that I think they miss at times. Finally, before we let you go, Craig, where do the Dallas stars go next behind the bench? Where will they be looking for their next head coach?

Well, apparently what I just saw a few minutes ago, it's not going to be Steve Spott. So it sounds like Steve Spott is going to Boston. So, and, and that was kind of, I mean, again, I haven't spoken to anybody and I shouldn't even say that because when it comes out on social media, I don't even know if that's true, but when one of our guys sends it to us, it sounds like that's what's happening. Which is very strange because that is one of Pete DeBora's guys and we just kind of felt that they're ride or die.

And so I don't know if that means anything, that that's where, where they are there. Um, you know, I think there's been some, some talk about, uh, Nazarene that it may be his time. Um, I do think that, uh, Jim was holding out to talk to, um, everybody. And I think that, that, that final person to talk to may have been Glenn Gullickson. Um, so I, you know, Gulley was here before and he's obviously, you know, paid his dues. And so to be honest with you, we're not really sure. I mean, there's been names and again, you know, you've got a head coach and Graham,

that's with the minor team that has had a lot of these players and there's a good relationship with a lot of these players. And it feels like it sounds like that if he's not going to be the head coach here he could be someplace else. So do they want to choose him so he doesn't get away? But we really don't know. I mean there's been names thrown all over the place. I mean I don't know if it's a la violette, is it a torts, but I think Jim Neal probably knows the way that he wants his players coached And and and grow I mean they got some young players that you know They're gonna have to inject a couple young players in this lineup to the money's tight

Craig this was awesome man. Thanks for taking the time to do this as always we appreciate it There's still lots to be decided this offseason. So if you're cool with it, we might call you back in a couple weeks I'll be around god god god willing. I'll be around God, God, God willing. I'll be around guys. All right. Thanks buddy. Appreciate it. That's a Craig Ludwig, former Dallas stars, defenseman now a Dallas stars

podcaster and analyst on the D L L S sports network here on the Haliford and Bref show on sports net six 50. Okay. I want to play some quick audio from Elliot Friedman, latest 32 thoughts. It's about Brock Besser and it's about Connor Garland. I had some people tweet at me asking if I thought there was any chance that Brock Besser was going back to Vancouver. I don't believe so.

Not until at least after July 1st. And I think Besser is going to have some decisions to make too. I think that, you know, I think there'll be a lot of, I think there will be different options open to him. Different terms, like some of the teams that are closer to winning might offer shorter term, but they're closer to winning. I've heard this in a few cases, not just Bessers. Um, other teams that aren't close to winning, but need good players like Besser, uh, might offer longer term. So there's going to be some options for some of

these players. I'm curious to see if Vancouver tries to extend Garland. Mmm. Sometime he can, he can extend on July 1st. That's what I'm curious about too. So when, uh, when Friedge is curious about something, he's clearly heard something about.

He's just curious. And Garland has one year left on his contract. So as Freedge said, he could sign an extension on July 1st. And I know there's even been discussion on our show and everywhere amongst Canucks fans about whether or not they should trade Connor Garland. He's got a year left. His value is perhaps the, it's the highest it's ever been.

He's had two terrific seasons as the Canuck might've been among forwards, their best play driver this season. It didn't end in a great bottom line in terms of goals and assists, but he's a pretty good player, he's a valuable player who would be welcomed pretty much on any team. But I think the Canucks are, they don't want to create holes, they need to fill holes. And whether or not you agree with the strategy,

if they've got good players, they want to keep those good players. They don't want to keep those good players. They don't want to sell high on players. They want to maintain them. The best thing, I'm still curious to see how this plays out because, you know, Elliot talked about term there and term I think was the holdup with the Canucks.

He wanted longer term, the Canucks wanted to go short and neither of them were willing to budge on that. But I do wonder if the Canucks strike out in their trades or their free agency and they're, it's July 1st and they're like, we have no goal scores. Then maybe they circle back and they acquiesce and could it come to that? I don't know.

I don't know what the relationship between the Canucks and Brock Besser is. That's also saying Brock Besser is still available. Well, that's what, yeah. You saw the piece from Ben Kuzma in the province earlier this week where sources of post-media and Ben said that, quote, it could be a good option and good fit with JT.

That of course, the rumors out there that the New York Rangers could be interested in acquiring Brock Besser's services given one, they just shipped out a goal scoring winger in Chris Kreider and two, Brock Besser's longstanding success in chemistry with JT Miller. Yeah. So that's an option that's out there as well.

Okay. AJ is coming up next and Tyler Uremchuk from Edmonton. From the Copium Den. From the Copium Den of Edmonton. So we'll talk to Tyler briefly about what McDavid had to say yesterday and then we'll get into a little Canucks talk on the other side of the Tyler

Yuremchuk interview. Anything you want to text into the show is the Dumbar Lumber Text Line at 650-650. You're listening to the Halford and Brough Show on Sportsnet at 650.