Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - NHL SQUAD SHOW: Playoff surprises, playoff rivalries, and newly fired coaches!

Episode Date: April 23, 2025

Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Shukri Wrights (Locked On NHL Game Night), Erica L Ayala (Locked On Kraken), Ann Kimmel (Locked On Predators), Kyle Kjer (Locked On Ducks) and Haley Taylor Simon (Locked On Blues) are here to talk about the biggest surprises of the playoffs so far and which playoff rivalry is the best rivalry, before taking a quick look at some recently fired coaches and what’s next for those teams! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.Wonderful PistachiosGet snackin' and get crackin' with the snack that packs a protein punch. Visit WonderfulPistachios.com to learn more! GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new FanDuel customers can get TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in Bonus Bets if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins!Amazon Fire TV Stick 4kDid you know your Fire TV is also an Xbox? Turn any TV into your gaming and entertainment hub with Fire TV Stick 4K devices — no console required. Head to Amazon.com/firetvlockedon to get started. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and compatible controller required.UpworkVisit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free. With Upwork, you can find specialized freelancers in marketing, development, design, and more—experts ready to help you take your business to the next level.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Stanley Cup playoffs are underway and things are already getting heated and exciting. We've got it covered for you. Wall to wall next on the NHL Squad. You are Talking Puck with the NHL Squad Show, sponsored by game time. From the Oilers to the stars, Golden Knights, and the Panthers, the Rangers, Avalanche, and yes, even the Maple Leafs. The Locked-on podcast network brings together all its local experts to provide the scoops, breakdowns, and comprehensive looks at all the NHL with plenty of trash talk to go with it. Don't miss the hard hits and love dropping hot takes on the Locked-on NHL Squad Show.

It's time to drop the puck. Gilmartin here and welcome to the NHL squad. Sit back, grab your favorite beverage and join us as we get you ready for another wild week across the NHL. We are part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. Today's episode is brought to you by Game Time. Download the GameTime app, create an account, and use code Locked-on NHL for $20 off your first purchase. I'm Gilmartin of Locked-on Islanders. It is great to have you with us today. And we've got a full panel. It's great to see everybody. We have Erica L. Iala from Locked-on Cracken and Kimmel of Locked-on Predators. Shukri writes from Locked-on NHL Game Night, Kyle Carr of Locked on Ducks, and Haley Taylor. Simon of Locked-on Blues. So I'll start off with this.

We're in the first round of the playoffs. What's been the biggest surprise of the playoffs so far? I'm going to go ahead and say Winnipeg up to nothing. And I'm not just saying that because Haley's here. That's like a low-hanging fruit, Ann. Godly, no such thing as Southern House brutality, clearly. Haley, I am sorry on behalf of Ann. Wow.

It's okay. But I just, look, I really felt like timing is everything in life, in hockey, and I felt like the blues just were hitting their stride at the right time. I thought they were going to come in. And I know Winnipeg won the president's trophy, which is like the poison of the NHL. But I was like, St. Louis is going to come in and smack them. And they've been such good games. And it's been, it could have happened. It could have happened.

But it didn't yet. Still not counting all out, though, Haley. I'm still here for the blues. I'm still here for the blues. But that surprised me. There is one that came to mind, actually. And this one is probably going to be an all-timer. You see, the Stanley Cup playoffs are the home of things you least expect to happen actually happen.

So what I'm alluding to is that I was watching the first Monday night of the San Diego playoffs. And I was watching the Sportsnet broadcast. And I am one of those people who are. kind of superstitious, Ron McLean, who's the host on the panel, and he predicted in the Montreal-Washington game that, you know, who was going to have the overtime winner? And some guy named Alice Wveske, I don't know if we ever heard of the guy before, he predicted that this guy who has never scored an overtime goal

in his playoff career, as incredible as it is, he's going to score an overtime winner. And what happens? What happens? He scores the overtime winner in game one between Montreal and Washington. And I tweeted, and so many people ripped him a line for it. Thank you. Thank you for completely jinxing it.

Thank you. Most namely have fans, but, man, the Stanica playoffs in itself has just been absolutely more than what we advertise, what we could have hoped for so far. Anyone else? Yeah, so I was a little bit surprised, actually, that the Dallas stars be the avalancheon overtime last night. See, I've been saying this all along.

I think the avalanche are a better team than Dallas, and Dallas has a tendency to choke in the playoffs, and that's just been notorious for years. So watching that game last night, I was like, hmm, I really think the ads are going to pull this off, and I cannot believe that Dallas won, despite the fact that they were the better-seated team, Blackwell had a great goal,

but that to me was a bit of a shocker. I thought the ads were going to go up to nothing in the series. It comes back to that timing with Dallas, because look, the Nashville Predators beat them in the last game of the season, you all. That tells you that Dallas was not hitting their stride. They were not at least performance going into the playoffs. So I was like, oh, Colorado's like, we got this.

Like, knuckle crack, let's go. And so I was really surprised. Dallas needed that win, though, because I feel like Dallas is hanging on mentally just by a thread, by the way they sort of skidded into the postseason. So Dallas had to get that. It'll be very interesting to see what happens when they end up in, Colorado, a little Gabriel

Landis cog potentially, like that could be a whole game. That was such a tease last night. I seen him skiing on warmups. Warmups. Weird. Ease. He's on the ice and pregame and then

psych. Literally. Games and ship. Yeah. A little mental warfare. That series, I think, probably has a little extra juice. I mean, you add the Miko Rampening and Matthew Shane

Shane aspects of it. Yeah. I am enjoying watching that series just because there's so many angles to it. Yeah, all I can think is, well, we beat one of those teams the one time we were in the playoffs. So I don't know. I don't know that I have an opinion one way or another. Make it go seven. That's all.

That is fair. I was definitely surprised at being the one west, one of the two West coasters over here, getting to watch the L.A. and Evanton game, how quickly L.A. pounced on the broken down Oilers team. But then the way the Oilers fought back was insane. Like, I think I switched to the Dallas and Avalanche game. And I came back and the game was tied at 5.5. I was like, what the what just happened? But just an absolute back and forth game. And it's pretty interesting that the last three series between Eminton in L.A. Edmonton had home ice and now L.A. does.

And they're already off to the hot start. And Kyle. Can we all agree, though, that L.A. has the most annoyingly long goal horn. No, I got to disagree with you, Ann, I'm sorry. I was going to say Montreal. And I'm a Bruins fan saying this. So this should be a shocker. But the Canadians, go home, please.

It makes me want to bleed. Like, seriously. Like, play that at high pitch. If a high goal, if a high, um, if a high, um, I have a goal scored, especially in a high pressure moment. Oh my God. Just bleed my ears out. The LA one goes on forever.

Like, you will miss your childbearing years from start and finish. You are sitting there listening to the L.A. Go horn. And they scored six times. That was like two and a half hours of your life. You will never get back. Just listening to that goal. And then they played at the end, too.

Oh, too much. And Gil. Gil, if I made just real quick, go ahead. And Kyle, I'm glad you brought that up in terms of the Edmonton, LA game last because I have, I have just one scorching takeaway from that game

that made me, I made my blood boil and me getting used to being up late nights doing locked on NHO game night. Thanks for everyone at locked on for the amazing opportunity. I like to see Chuck Knoblock rip this oilish team a new one. Can we get more than,

Dry Sider and McDavid dragging the scene back. Right? Because I don't want to be this person, but I'm going to be this person today. If you're the Oilers, you shouldn't feel good about the fact that you came back from 4-0-0 down to tie it. No. No. It literally took like Drysidal to score that one go to make it 4-1. And I'm like, okay, where the hell is, is Donald Ners? Where on earth is Ivan Bouchard?

where is everyone else in this lineup? Nowhere to be found. So I don't think there's necessarily something to be proud of. It's something to be talked about maybe today, maybe tomorrow. Like, hey, everyone else, you have a role in this team. I would like for you to, like, show up, please. Anyone questioned some of the penalty calls in that third period? I mean, Edmonton had plenty of power play opportunities to get back into that game.

I feel like the appreciating has been. questionable all the time i think the reps are always fives towards edmonton 100% so again that was on the oilers essentially to take advantage of the opportunity that they have but that's the one thing i think all nchl fans maybe besides edmonton fans can agree on whenever you play the oilers it seems like the calls are a little bit uh steered in their direction yeah well their rebuttal is oh it's because mac david's so fast no it's like he's good at john yeah yeah that that's that's But to that is like why every time someone breathed on Michael Jordan during his career, there was a foul call, you know, the stars are going to get the call, unfortunately,

unfortunately. Or maybe fortunately, I mean, the stars are going to get the calls more often than not. Well, speaking of officiating that Maple Leafs Ottawa game, that was rough to watch. There were so many, like, non-calls on the senators. and then it was like the senators would just like, like you said, breathe on Matthews wrong, and they're calling a penalty. And I literally tweeted out and like,

Matthew should just stay on his skates. Like, come on, dude. You're a professional player. You can skate better than that. You're getting barely touched and you're falling down trying to get that call. At least give us an embellishment. So here's the thing, like,

on that point, Kyle, it's like, can we at least let the officiating, let the players breathe a little bit? Because we haven't had the Battle of Ontario for 20 years. like I mean my goodness like I kind of want to see like Ty Domi smiling somewhere like in this series you know like you know I want to see like you know big Zadano char like smiling somewhere you know what I mean like especially if you remember the early 2000s but in this game one I'm glad you brought that up because there's a fine between officiating and over officiating let the players play let them play please that's all I'm asking for little blood here you know All right. Well, we have got a lot more to discuss about the playoffs. So we'll have an in-depth discussion on some more aspects of it coming up next. Today's episode is brought to you by Fandul. The NBA playoffs are almost here. And Fanduil is giving new customers an incredible way to get in on the action. Right now, when you join Fandul and place your first $5 bet, you'll get $250 in bonus bet if your bet wins. That's $250 in bonus.

bonus bets if your bet wins. I love how Fandul makes betting so easy, whether it's picking my favorite team or diving into player props from three-pointers to steals to assist. Fanduel has so many ways to bet your favorite player props. Plus, after the game tips off, you could even combine live prop bets into a same game parlay for a chance to win big. So don't miss out. Head to Fandual.com and claim your $250 in bonus bets today. That's Fandul.com. to claim your $250 in bonus bets today, check it out at fandle.com. So one thing I love about the playoffs, this year especially, you've got some great rivalries.

We talked about Colorado, Dallas, we've got the Battle of Ontario. I still miss the Battle of Quebec, but it's been a while. And, you know, you've got the two Florida teams also going head to head. And then what? Edmonton and L.A., the fourth sequel here? Four. Which of these rivalries do you think makes for the best playoff matchup? I think I'm kind of leaning towards, sorry, I'm leaning towards the Florida series.

I think one, because, you know, you've got the Panthers. People are watching that team. I think also, maybe also this is very biased, but, you know, we've got some folks from Seattle, formally from Seattle, that went that way in the trade deadline. line and then it's like, oh, look at the impact that these, you know, group players or role players are having. And I'm like, give a back. I'm doing the Jimmy Dugan from our audio listeners.

I know exactly what you're doing. Can we get a functional team, you know? No, but not to make it all about Seattle, but I think that that's just a scrappy series in a lot of different ways, you know, Florida coming in with just being. being banged up, you know, and not looking the way they want, I'm sure, to try and defend the title. And also, you get hockey in Florida, you know, so I'm all about it. I'm all about it. Bailey? Yeah, so anytime you have the Battle of Ontario, I know it's been quite a while, but it makes for great hockey. And I think the guys on lockdown centers, they do such a great job

posting about all the history between the two teams. And for me, I feel like hockey and Canada, Now, again, I cover the blues. I'm a fan of the blues, but playing a team that is a Canadian team within the Winnipeg Jets, there is a different atmosphere with Canadian hockey. I think we can all agree on that. So when you have these two teams who have this long, deep-rooted history, go against each other, makes sure for some great hockey. And there's been some guys in another team that I cover that are on both of these teams right now.

And of course, Craig Barrube, former head coach of the Blues, not to make it all about the blues, but the team that's actually winning games in the football. playoffs. So it's good to see and I enjoy it. You're actually the team that is in the playoffs. Exactly. Like what's that like? Count count your blessings, you know. We'll take it. We'll take it. We'll take it. Down 02 in the playoffs. I'll take it out. Oh, that sounds dreamy. I know. The Battle of Ontario with like you said, the history behind it and it's been a while.

And also it'll be nice to watch someone other than the Bruins beat the Maple Leaf Leafs in round one. Oh, oh. Kyle, you're 3,000 miles away, sir. I'm a Bruins fan as well. I have my bear up here. I thought you were a Ducks fan. I'm sorry.

I'm both. I got my East Coast, my West Coast. I lived in Boston for a few years. I was actually at the 2019 series against the Blues. So I was working in the building as part of the Bull Gang. So I know. Definitely not a fan. Going and seeing Jordan Bittington's

glove and the hockey hall of after that series. It makes me sick. That guy. That guy. Will the Maple Leafs ever get back? Forget winning.

Will I even get to a daily cup final again? You know what funny, girl? True story. True story. I actually, on the NHL game night show, I actually predicted,

my prediction for the cup final for this year was Toronto Vegas. And, and I got a few eyebrows. I'm like, no, I, listen, there's only one game between Ottawa and in Toronto, but you can't tell me that there isn't a noticeable difference in terms of how they're playing defensively. And it showed up in game one. And for me, like, and I've been on this for weeks now, like what I've seen from Craig Barooby, in comparison to Sheldon Keith, not in day,

not in day, because on the Sheldon Keith, this team was like a run and gun, we're going to try to outscore you. And I have said this repeatedly for years. Even when they played the Bruins in the playoffs, this is how you lose playoff series, trying to outscore the teams. It's a different brand of hockey. And now, what Barouba, who unfortunately has won a standing cup as a coach of the Blues in 19. Oh, sorry, Harry. A little circle moment. Like, unfortunately, he's bringing that same structure that he had with the Blues.

They had a number one defenseman like Alex Petrangelo that year. He's doing it now with this Toronto Maple Leafs team. You've seen a similar result. but again, only one game, but you can see the noticeable difference. That one game was a big difference because you go into that and you think of the way those two teams play. Like I think of Toronto is pretty. That's pretty hockey. Ottawa, they're going to beat you up on the playground.

But Toronto matched that. And I was like, okay, this makes it interesting for me because Toronto didn't just come out and say, we're going to out offense you. They came out and said, we're going to meet you physicality as well. And I think that's something Toronto has to do if they want to get out of the first round. And I think they're built to do it finally this year. Yes.

Yeah. Go ahead, Erica. I'm sorry. Well, I was just going to add on to what Ann said. I mean, it's a great point because with a team like Ottawa, I think there's certain teams, right? And Ottawa is definitely one of them that you know how they're going to play. You know they're going to try and bully ball you. And if you can do that, if you can match that energy and you're a.

better skilled team offensively, then that's all you really need to do. It's like buck up, you know, get in the, in the, in the, in the, uh, in the, uh, in the ice bath after the game and get after it. And I, I agree with you. That's the kind of hockey that I love. I also was not going to let an opportunity to talk about like how great teams play. I don't know this, this thing called defense. I'm, I'm not going to let that pass by. Uh, that is a direct shot at Locked on Sharks. You know why. You know why. Hey, Erica, you left off before the game starts.

You got to put on the foil. That's it. I mean, let's go. Get after it. Do you want to advance or not? Like, it's really that simple, you know, because we got guys playing golf waiting for their new head coach, not to make it all about the cracking, but, you know.

Or almost any of our teams. Just real quick on the league senators, like in terms of, in terms of, on defense. So there is a player that I thought that really stood out to me in game one. And now is Oliver Ekman-Larsen. I mean, my goodness. Like, you talk about sometimes less is more. And for, you know that Oliver Ekman-Larsson, he won a Senate Cup last year with the Florida Panthers.

He averaged about, let's say, roughly 17, 18 minutes. Most defensemen in the playoffs are averaging, especially like top four defense, they're averaging maybe what, 25 minutes per night. But Alder Echman-Larsit, in his case, I thought that the Leafs found that perfect sweet spot that's going to keep him fresh and keep him effective. Should they go on a prolonged stretch run? And I think that for him and the type of hockey that he brings forward and having the Perigate having won the standing cup is going to be huge.

But having him played, it was 18 minutes. I think it's the perfect sweet spot in terms of effectiveness and as well as getting the most out of him as well. Yeah. Something that stuck out to me too with that game one is how many times in the postseason is that conversation, where are the core for? Where's Matthews? Where's Marner? Where's Tavares?

All four of them were on the score sheet that game. They all showed up. They all had offensive prowess in that game. And they displayed it. And that's where I think that was kind of my, uh-oh moment. And this might be a totally different outcome. But it's hard to, you know, root for the Leafs. Toronto turning a new leaf.

Love to see it or not either way. Or not. Or not. fun to watch. At least it's entertaining one way or the other. It's some great hockey to watch. Look, we're going to talk a little bit about some of the non-playoff team, since many of us are covering those teams.

So, yeah, we'll get to that and more coming up on the squad show. Today's episode is brought to you by wonderful pistachios, looking for a snack that's both delicious and nutritious, crack into a good source of protein with wonderful pistachios. Wonderful pistachios is one of the highest. protein nuts. Each one ounce serving has six grams of protein giving you over 10% of your daily value. Plus, they're packed with fiber and better for you unsaturated fats to help keep you feeling fuller longer. Personally, I love the no shells variety. It's the perfect grab and go

snack for busy days. Whether I'm snacking at my desk on a road trip or just need a quick protein boost, they're always my go-to. And if you love cracking open every shell for that satisfying crunch, the in-shell options are a classic favorite. So get snacking and get cracking with the snack that packs a protein punch. Visit wonderfulpastatios.com to learn more. That's wonderfulpastatios.com to learn more. All right, we got to address the coaching carousel and the plight of some of these teams that it did not make the playoffs. Erica, I'm going to start with you.

Were you surprised at the firing after one season of a coach by the Cracken? Like yes and no. I think if you take the performance for what it is, you know, singularly without some of the other things that have been happening. Second worst season in Cracking History. We've only got four seasons. So that's not great. That's not great disco, Dan. And I have been saying for a while, Gil, I know you know this when I join you on the Monday show. But for me, the ails, the big issues, with the Seattle Cracken were because of decisions that the front office was or quite honestly was not making. And I think you put Dan Bilesman in a really tough spot. I also think now, you know, I got to look back at some of the things that were happening because how is this a team that I already alluded to? We get rid of Oliver Bjork Strand, Yonigord, Brandon Tannib, at the trade deadline, and then we perform better. So what was happening? What was going on? Was it Those guys, you know, we had a lot of guys that were, you know, given a reset,

aka were healthy scratches. So there just seemed to be a lot going on. Last thing I'll say is also Ron Francis. Again, I've been pointing to Ron Francis in the front office, maybe not to let them go, but definitely to hold more accountability for what is not going right with the team. And the guy gets a promotion. So now he's president, which I guess is the organization's way of kind of getting him away, perhaps from the operations.

But now you have Jason Botterill who's promoted to general manager and some other VP of something. And then now you're going to have a new head coach. And this is a team that is still telling us, an ownership team that's still telling us that they're shooting for the playoffs. This is not about a retool, a rebuild, a hybrid anything. They want to be competitive by next year. I'm just trying to understand how you do that when you've got now a third coach in less

than five seasons that you have to hire. It's to sell tickets. That's how you. The Sonics are coming. The Sonics are coming. Who do you guys think are some of the top coaching candidates out there to fill these voids? That's tough. Maybe Jared Galand?

I mean, he's got to be out there. I mean. John Torterilla. At this point, at this point, this should be a sign that says, Tortorella, unless if you are, if you are rebuilding, stay away from torts. I think, I mean, we all respect to the Flyers, like, I've heard too many, listen, I've heard too many stories that I'm also being currently locally, I'm located in Philly. Like, I've heard and read too many stories this season about, you know, players who are either

unhappy with certain healthy scratches or benchings and so forth. And you're trying to like, you know, build with a young core, like the Flyers, for example, And I just felt like that situation kind of left a bad taste in my mouth in terms of how I perceive him in terms of any other coach. I pretend that may pop up around the league in terms of torts. I mean, I don't know. But I know, Haley, you cover the team. I covered them for 97-5, the fanatic. So I like to hear your thought on it as well.

Yeah, so I cover the team for the Metro Philly. And the one thing I will say, being around Tortorella, he's great when it comes to animals. And I know that sounds like a little silly. But he is actually a nice human being overall. He gets a bad rep, but I'm not going to say who, but I've had players' parents reach out to me and say to me, you know, what is going on? You know, Tortorella has compared players to toilet water, which is very unprofessional. It is true.

Players that are no longer on his team, one of them was compared to tort water. We also have a situation where we have a Matt Veemichkoff who did say that Tororella was one of the best coaches he has ever had. And I think that maybe for Meechof. He's had like three coaches. But because Meechkog was just such as serious and locked in and he means just only business type of player, he works well under Torderella kind of atmosphere. But then for some of these other guys, they're trying to develop. You notice that they're not truly developing, like a Tyson Forster hasn't played that great, a Bobby Brink.

Because Porterella, as a head coach, it's not geared to help these younger guys succeed. And then not for nothing, but when you help these scratch your captain, despite what people, might say about John Cotorier. Only a week after he was named captain, which by the way, Tortoraleck told me that he was not going to name any captains. That was why. Yeah, true story, literally the day before. How he scratches him, doesn't tell him why, and then gets upset that Cotorey told us in the media, I don't know, instead of lying and saying, well, it's because of this and that is unacceptable. He scratched Matt Bay, Maychkoff this season, Forster, Morgan Frost who got a really tough, it was really tough for Morgan Frost.

I can tell you that. Like he was not happy at all. So the Flyers, they need to get a coach. Honestly, it could be anybody. And I'm not even like trying to be funny when I say that. Obviously, I like talk it. But I think that this team just needs a coach that's going to let these guys breathe be a little bit more free because we have somebody that essentially,

and I'm not trying to call him this, but essentially a bully in the locker room. and I'm not saying that lightly. I'm needing that for how it is. I mean, you compare a player to toilet water. You yell at guys, we're not coming to your office, but then you don't let them talk to you. That's not helping. And Danny Breyer, and I like Danny.

I've talked to Danny one-on-one. But as the general manager of a team, if you're noticing this type of behavior from your head coach, that's when you step in and you say something because this whole entire season could have gone a completely different direction if it wasn't for a Tordorella. being in control.

Under Bradshaw, and Shawl even said it, the team felt more free, they felt more comfortable, and that's why you saw them winning these games. So you're saying he's not coming to Seattle. Or National.

Or Anaheim. I'm not going to Anaheim just for the drama. Oh, my gosh. The cuter go-gochie drama. Here's the problem, though. If John Tortorella is unwilling to coach a rebuilding team, it's the Groucho Marx things. He wouldn't join.

in a club that would have him as a member. If you need a new coach, you're a rebuilding team nine times out of ten. So if you're not willing to coach a rebuilding team, who's hiring you? Hey, he could go to the Rangers. Oh, gosh. No, Brie. Two point out. Ooh, I know.

I know. But I think that at some point, too, for head coaches. And I know that this is an era where we're having some younger guys coach, which is awesome. Sometimes it's okay to walk away from the game, too. If you're not willing to help these developing teams, maybe just call it a day, focus on the animals, and hang it up. He was a great analyst. I thought Torts was great when he was doing, you know, on TV and doing it.

Like, go to that, but don't like, Nashville still has a head coach and Andrew Brunette, but literally all of the fan base is like, come on, fire, fire, fire, fire, fire, and fire. And everybody is so desperate for a guy with a heartbeat. like they don't care anybody but Bruno who's got a heartbeat and they've talked about torts and I'm like no no ma'am no ma'am like just because it's a different person doesn't mean it's the right person and you know it's that Mr. Wright Mr. right now so yeah no thank you and who knows maybe Andrew Burnett will still be here next year and it's the same question that the Bruins have as well and says who is going to be their next head coach and and even as a Bruins man

And I do wonder about like to some of the candidates. I would say no to Tortorella, even though the team, the team says they're in a in a retooling phase right now. But I'm going to be honest, they really need to rebuild. But that's neither here or there. I don't, I don't trust Tororella. I don't trust Lavio Lett for this for this group right now. I just have questions, including maybe Gerard Gillette, maybe just maybe. But right now, I just have question marks in terms of like where these headings.

coaches are going to land next, especially considering that the head coaching like carousel around the league. But I am curious about like the Seattle situation in terms of like, like, what's, what is going to be next up there? Because I feel like this was a mistake. Yes. Cracken made and they're trying to cover it up. Exactly.

And it doesn't help matters that again, like I'm a firm believer that you need to have a stable head coach that is going to help develop the young guys like Shane. writing, Maddie Bonares. And, like, you don't have that, right, yes. Like, I mean, yes, to all of those things. And that's why I'm, like, laughing at people that were like, oh, bring laveolette. I'm like, oh, so the guy that capo had beef with, we're going to cool, cool, cool, tight, tight, tight, tight. Love that for us.

You know, no, no. That idea. Do not do that. And that's the problem in Seattle. I mean, Gil, you alluded to it. I do think that there is this, this pressure that the Seattle cracking are feeling, knowing that this is likely going to be the same ownership group that bids for the Sonics to come back. But again, they protected Ron through this whole thing. Ron made it clear when some reports were

coming out mid-season, this is my guy. So now you've got two of your guys that you've had to fire. You had to give them the axe. Something has to give. And the Seattle Cracken for me doesn't seem to agree from ownership, front office. And then at the. time at the coaching level on if they're rebuilding, if they're retooling, if they're leading into the future of their prospects, or if they're going after it in the here and now. Those are very different things. And to ask a coach now to step into that yet again where the vision isn't clear, that's tough. I mean, also, you put Philip Gruberauer on waivers. I'm a, you know, that was a move that I would assume the front office had to agree with an okay.

But then you bring him back and he doesn't get any action when his whole thing was, I need reps. You want me to perform well. Then you have to give me a shell. Like, give me reps. I mean, what goaltender doesn't say that. So, okay, Philip, you tried it. I mean, on the one hand, you can look at it that way.

But on the other, like, what is going on? That, that to me is a very specific example of who's, who's, who's, kind of running the ship, right? What's going on? What's most important for this Seattle team? And I don't think this organization has answers right now. As we speak, we're going to get ready to hear from now the new president and the new GM soon. But they have a lot of questions that they need to answer and they have more things that they need to do than can get done in an off season. Is there a navigator who's guiding this team in a particular direction? Yeah, that's the question. Yeah. We are out of time. I want to thank Erica L.A.A.A.A. Anne Kimmel, Shook, Rewrites, Kyler Carr, and Haley Taylor-Simon

for joining me today. We will be back next week with another exciting episode of the Lockdown NHL Squad Show. Have a great week, everybody, and thanks for watching.