Locked On Penguins - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Penguins - NHL SQUAD SHOW: The NHL Playoffs have EVERYTHING; Draft Lottery Surprises EVERYONE

Episode Date: May 8, 2025

Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Haley Taylor Simon (Locked On Blues) and Shukri Wrights (Locked On NHL Game Night) are here to talk about the back to back Game 7 comebacks in Round 1 of the NHL playoffs, the Sam Bennett incident vs the Maple Leafs, the upcoming second round series’, and the shock that everyone had with the New York Islanders and Utah Mammoth winning the draft lotteries! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!IndeedNow, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. UpworkVisit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free to connect with top talent and grow your business today! 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 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 head to round two. The draft lottery is behind us, and the coaching carousel keeps on turning. We've got all of that and more coming up on this week's squad show. 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 boops, 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. All right, everybody. 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 National Hockey League. We are part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team, day. Today's episode is brought to you by GameTime. Download the GameTime app, create an account and use code Locked on NHL for $20 off your first purchase. I'm Gil Martin from Lockedon Islanders.

I am joined today by Haley Taylor Simon of Locked on Blues and Shook rewrites of Lockedon NHL Game Night. And boy, let's put a bow on round one. And Haley, I'm sorry to do this to you, but the blues, such a heartbreaking way to lose. You have some thoughts on that series to just put a bow on it for blues fans? Yeah, I mean, it's painful. 1.6 seconds is going to stick with all of us. I have been mourning the past couple 24 hours, 48 hours actually. And I think for blues fans, the one takeaway that you can say in a positive light is that

you did push this Winnipeg Jets team, the president's trophy winning Winnipeg Jets team to a game seven. So within itself, that's an accomplishment. But at the end of the day, I do believe that this was one of the most painful ways of Luceyne has went out in recent history. So it sucks. Feel the pain. Deal with the pain. And the tissues. I did cry, though. So it is fitting. But yeah, just a brutal way to go out. I brought tissues not just only for you, Haley, but for any other NHO fan who may be grieving right now. This is the episode for you. So if you need one or two or maybe three,

let me know. But in all seriousness, that game seven, it was part of an epic weekend of game sevens to wrap up the round of round number one. And I stand by what I said on Saturday night where I said

that what we saw in Dallas between the stars and avalanche, that third period performed by Mika Renton is probably the greatest game seven performance that we've seen probably in the history of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. And it's not hyperbole at all when you think about what he did the hat trick.

And then he also assisted on the Wyatt Johnston goal as well. It was just truly remarkable. But that was one weekend for the record words. And I think one that we're going to be talking about for a long time. It was just great hockey. I mean, as someone

who didn't have a dog in this fight, as a fan of the game, it was just dramatic and exciting. You had the revenge storyline for Rantan. You had the last second drama in Winnipeg. It was just great hockey and not just exciting, but just high quality hockey throughout. I agree. And again, if I take the unbiased of me being a blues fan out of question,

and I'm looking at this objectively just as an NHL fan or a hockey fan or even a casual hockey fan. I can say that ending is out of a storybook. I have never in my life watched a game and my jaw dropped so many times because I could not believe the outcome of it. And again, with that avalanche and stars game, like it's out of a movie. Like it's game seven. You're facing your former team.

And then boom, like Patrick, like the assistant Y. Johnson's goal. Like all of it. It really was one of the most incredible weekends of game sevens that I have ever watched. Incredible can be good and bad depending on the teams that you root for. But I hope that we get that in round two. I really do. I hope that we get some game sevens.

Now, again, double O.T. A little too long, but I'll take an O.T. Avalanche, fans. How are you feeling today? You're still mourning. Or you're still mourning over missing Miko. I don't blame you. In fact, I'd like to present this box of puff's tissues brought to you by yours truly to basically remind you all why I think that the avalanche management really kind of, they actually kind of like blew this, this make me curranti situation.

I felt that way back in January. And I still feel even strongly even four months later, whereas, look, money was the source of the issue. It could have been handled much differently. But here's what's incredible about sports. See, sports sometimes, you will get the ultimate karma when you least expected. When you trade them to the east, you're not thinking he's going to come back in your own division. There's no way. No, right.

And oh, by the way, and you know that song, Hello, Darkness, my old friend, I've come my last to meet again. That was literally Miko coming back in March 7th to Dallas. And all I could think to myself was, uh-oh, if they meet in round one, And then they meet in round number one. But I tell you, in terms of just the drama of round number one, with the exception of the Carolina Devils series, yes, I know game five went into double overtime. I know that.

But apart from that, it was just compelling, just really compelling hockey all the way through and through. And even just to start the second round, now with drama between the Maple Leafs and the Panthers, Sam Bennett, you're on absolute watch right now. I'm watching you. It's just remarkable. It truly is.

Well, how do you, let me ask you this. If you're a member of the Maple Leafs, how do you handle Sam Bennett for the rest of this series? You're going at him the whole time. Pound him into the dog on ice. Without getting suspended yourself. Well, I mean, justice has to be served somehow.

I'm sorry, really, go ahead. There's a high bar, right, to get suspended. You could probably get suspended. with a lot because he didn't get suspended. Gil, with all the respect, if that happens, this is where, this is where I encourage social media to completely annihilate the Department of Player's Safety of the NHL because that would just expose a hypocrisy yet again. What Sam Bennett did was a suspendable action.

And now, if the Maple Leaf said, hey, you know what, retribution time. And oh, by the way, keep in mind, guess who's the head coach? Craig Maroubae, who was the head coach to St. Louis Blues, the most ice bully team that I probably have seen the last 10 years to win the cup in 2019 against my Boston Bruins. So what do you think he's cooking up in that locker room in Toronto? Oh, someone's going to carry the deed. Hmm, I wonder who it could be.

Oh, that's right. Max Stomie, maybe perhaps. Maybe he gets a little into the fun action. I mean, for all I know. But I'm telling you, I expect fireworks in game number two. Oh, yeah. if it wasn't going to be before. I cannot wait for a game two.

But again, when it comes to player safety, and this is a tendency that we've seen around the NHL with the inconsistency. And I don't care if it's the playoffs. I don't care if it's the regular season. Nothing ever happens in preseason most of the time. But you need to be consistent. You need to be consistent because this is injuries

that end up having players in the hospital. Injuries that make players have to go through surgeries and then they don't come back again. And it's beyond just hockey. This is actually the impact of players as health and safety. Crazy that they have a department after that. But yet, it's crazy. I just, it was the most obvious.

And I was saying to the guys beforehand that you don't even need it on slow motion. Like you could tell blatantly what Sam Bennett was doing with his elbow. But hey, let's not suspend him, even though that's a suspendable act. Look, I know it's the playoffs. I know that, you know, what is a five or six game suspension in the regular season is a one or two game suspension in the playoffs. But there's got to be something. The fact that there was no discipline, no supplementary discipline whatsoever is mind boggling. And, you know, you talk about players going to the hospital.

There's also, and we know so much more now, the long term health, CTE is a real issue for professionals. professional athletes. Yes, it is. I mean, Chris Simon, who passed away within the last year, they found he had stage three CTE. And here was a guy who was how many fights did he have in his career. How did he make his living by playing physical hockey? You don't want to see that happen to anybody. And I know players assume a certain amount of risk, but you want to minimize that risk as the NHL because, you know, you want players to want to play. You know, you want to play. your game. I mean, you want them to be as safe as they can be. Injuries are going to happen, but there's a difference between, you know, a bruised arm and something that years down the line can

literally kill somebody. Yeah. So I think I was just very shocked that there was no repercussions taken. And again, if you're the Toronto Maple Leafs, you have all of the right, in my opinion, to go after Sam Bennett. Now, I'm not saying hospitalized him by any means. And that's not what I'm saying. But at the same time, I do expect him to get hit harder, checked harder. Like, I just expect him to be the target in the next game, if not. So we'll see. But again, we're all on the game show. And the thing that's frustrating very often is that whoever, you know, goes after Sam Bennett will get the extra penalty for instigating and maybe get kicked out of the game.

When, you know, again, Bennett is the one who kind of started this whole thing. And he's getting away Scott free. So it's a difficult situation. The players are going to have to police it themselves because you know what? The league dropped the ball. And ultimately now it's up to the players to police the game because the league isn't doing it. But the one thing I will say, though, the Leafs do have to be careful because, again, it is the playoffs. And they're in a situation, luckily, we're to grow up a game, right, by the time we're filming this.

But at the same time, you know, those leads can change and they can go back and forth. And again, you can't afford to take penalties. So if you are going to go after Sam Bennett, I would expect to be maybe at the very end of the game. Hopefully for the Leafs, if they're up in the game, they don't have much to lose if they do go, have a guy go in the box. But at the same time, is it worth risking potentially the series? Because momentum swings. The best revenge is to win the series.

I mean, that's ultimately the best event. You don't want to sit there and say, yeah, we beat the crap out of Bennett, but we lost in five games. That's not a win, you know. And that's not going to sit well in Toronto at all, especially when, like, the reality is, and I've been consistently saying it's like, they know and I, they see what I see. This Maple Leaf seem as different from years past where they could actually win the series in maybe six or even seven games, and plus they have, they have all my advantage. So, so like if you're, if you're, and you're right, if you're in a Maples, you got to like, you know, be smart about it, so to speak, you know. Pick your shots. Pick your, pick your shots. That's the bottom line. All right. We've got more to talk about on this week's squad show. Round two underway. We'll discuss some of the other series. The draft lottery took place. We'll break down some of that.

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Now you could speed up your hiring process with a $75 sponsored job credit. Just go to Indeed.com slash locked on right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Indeed. Hiring, Indeed is all you need. Indeed. So we touched a little bit on the Florida Toronto series. What other series is kind of catching your eye right now?

Vegas Edmonton. That's a fun one. Yeah, because that one I had a chance to talk to talk about that series just a little bit on a different platform. And that one, I am excited for a couple of major reasons. Number one, obviously kind of. McCona McDavid and Leon Drysidal. That's number one.

But number two, on the other side, Vegas, this is the deepest and the heaviest defenseman core in the league that Vegas has.

I want to see how Bruce Cassidy matches up on his D-Corps and as well as the lines against whenever McDavid and Drysidels on the ice. And I think that's going to be

so much fun because it's not going to just be about, McDavid and Drystyle, you're going to want to see, can Evander King come up huge for the Edmonton Oilers? You want to know if Ryan Neuchin-Haskins can come up huge. You want to know if Zach Hyman can come up huge for Edmonton. And so forth.

So that series has got my attention. But if you're Edmonton, do yourself a favor. Don't try to fall behind O and 2 like you did against the Kings, because this Vegas team is more than capable of if you fall behind O2, they could sweep you or maybe win in five. no doubt. This, you know, here's one thing I've got to say. There weren't a lot of upsets in round one,

but it does set up some really quality matchups in round two. I don't think there's one matchup in this round where you go, oh yeah, slam dunk. This is four games, five games. These are all potentially really good series between some really good teams. And, you know, Washington, Carolina, that's like another grudge match really and right now by the time we're filming this you're actually tied one one as there's only like a minute left in the final frame so it just shows how close this is

and call me crazy because what I'm about to say sounds crazy but the series that I am actually most excited about is the Jets and the Stars because these are teams um for obvious reasons Dallas, I personally think that every single year when I watched Dallas in the playoffs, I always think, and I said this last year, they can win the cup. And I do believe that they have talent. I mean, Jake Odinger is one of my favorite goalies in the NHL and his skill set is phenomenal. And in the playoffs, we see that, right? But for whatever reason, I feel like this is going to be the series that's going to go to seven again. I really do. I think that these two teams are going to match up really well against each other. Obviously, I saw a lot of Winnipeg. But after the one that they had,

the confidence that's installed with this team is going to go through the roof. I believe that Connor Hellibuck will be playing good again. And it's a goalie and goalie matchup in the series, which is different than some of the other series is because both these teams, they do have strong offense, but it's going to come down to the guys in net. So that is why I'm most looking forward to the series. I love a good goalie matchup, and that is exactly what Dallas and Winnipegis going to give. I don't think you're crazy in that assessment at all, Haley.

Well, it's not about the assessment. It's about the fact that I'm going to be watching heavily the series. of the one who broke my heart. Of course. Like, I mean, you're not crazy in your take, but what I will say is that I still don't trust Winnipeg. I'm stick. My feet is, my heels are well

into the mud of the Skullkill River, Philly reference to those who aren't who don't live in Philly. Like, listen, Water ice. But the truth is, is that look, Potter Hall-Buck is still got to prove to me the fact that he

can he win on the road? Can he actually have a better season he did against St. Louis? Because look, he wasn't that impressive. Yes, he turned it around. He flipped the switch in the third period and as well as the two overtimes. I'll give him that. Yes. However, the trust factor versus Jake Ottinger, I'm taking Jake Otterger seven out of seven.

But then to take it a whole other level, too. I am wanting to say right here right now that Dallas is the deeper team with a healthy Jason Robertson and a healthier mirror hiskinin as well potentially coming back this series so with that being said i am like jets you you may have actually met you met your match and dallas i kind of i'm actually expecting him to win that series and move on the western conference final because yes i agree with you haley about the go the goaltending the ottinger and helibuck two of the best american goleys right now in the nchel however ottinger i trust him in big moments I yes I yes

Jet fans are going to come at me on social media Most name me TikTok most it goes Hella buck he won a game seven He came up huge like listen You got pulled in three games already in the playoffs Exactly Do it over the course of a full series Not just one game

So Dallas The whole key though Shukri in my opinion You got to also ask this Hayskinin coming back Robertson coming back How healthy are they Are you going to get

At 100% of them, 80%, 75%. You know, the closer they are to playing at an elite level, the better chance Dallas has. But if those guys are really compromised and trying to tough it out, it may not be enough. No, and we saw injuries too with the Winnipe Jets in the series against the blues. I mean, right now the Jets in game seven, we're playing with five defensemen,

which is not a good situation when you have guys playing in that EPP, some logged over 40 minutes of ice time. And again, you have a couple of days off, which, again, does help. But how much energy will they have? I mean, that was the series that accumulated the most hits so far in the playoffs. You lost Josh Morrissey. Mark Schifley got hurt in game six. So you have a lot of guys that were big parts of the Spinnipeg team.

And this is what frustrates me. And this is why I love the playoffs. But I also at the same times, I get frustrated. Because with certain teams, when guys are injured, you don't get to see the best of the best. of what that team can be. So again, it's hard to evaluate right now with both of these teams. But if I did have to guess, I say Dallas and seven, I don't think there's going to be a sweep at all in the second round,

if we're being honest. I think all these games are going to go to six or seven. I would be surprised if any series went to five, actually. But this is going to be, in my opinion, a very competitive series because I feel like the Jets played down a little bit to the Blues as well. And I can honestly say that because I know the Jets have a lot more talent than what they on the road games. But with Dallas, they know that the stars are a good team.

The stars have established themselves as a good team, not just this season, but for seasons prior. So again, how will the Jets actually perform against a team that they consider to be a good team and not just owe the ace seed? It's going to be a heck of a second round, no doubt about it. And I think the Central Division, you know, that that series and that whole division, first round, second round, just some great hockey. I just can't wait to watch more of that series.

And I agree. I also want to include, I think we were just talking about it in the first segment, but for me, Toronto, Toronto, Florida. Yep. Because, I mean, listen, how funny is it that an old Bruin could just maybe have an impact on this series? I'm talking about Brad Marchand against the Tijuana Maple Leafs. His numbers against the Maple Leafs in his career in the playoffs is just absolutely,

being absolutely ridiculous. I mean, you think thanks to the Bruins success against Toronto, but that's a different story for a different day. But the point being, the point being in terms of like the, um, the, the storyline in terms of the two teams and as well as what we talked about in the first segment, but by going deeper beyond that, what I am most curious about is the battle of the defensemen in this series. There was a reason why the Leafs went out and they acquired Brandon Carter from the Bruins to have. and play with Morgan Riley. There is a reason why Florida went out and they acquired Seth Jones to play to have him play either alongside with Aaron Eggblatt or Augusta Foresling.

So it's going to be interesting to see how like the deep matchup in this series against one in the series. Yeah, and I'm a little biased too with that series as well. With the Flyers, obviously, you know, you have Scott Lawton who was Delta to Toronto. again, not the most impactful player on the ice, but again, it's like reason to watch. And then obviously the coach of the Toronto Beach. And I just want to say on the locked on blues, when Craig Ruby officially announced

that he was an debut of the Toronto Maple Leafs, I said that he would be the guy to get this team a cup. And I still stand by that. I still have Toronto winning it all. It's all right. Yeah. So again, if that comes true, I'm going to clip that and post it. And everyone can be like, oh, you were right.

But again, this Toronto team, they have so many skilled players. And even in last night's contest, like right off the bat with the goal right away by Nilein. It was just, again, like I could go on and on about Toronto, but I think they're the better team. But again, like, but the Panthers, like, I'm going to be honest, when Marshaun was with the Bruins, I hated him. Brad Marchand, Mo. Look at a smile. he might be one of my favorite players to not like because he's so good at hockey he gets I were used to this and one of the teams around the league hated him for years so I'm used to this

if he was on a team that I liked I would love him he'd be your favorite player he would be and I think anybody that's a fan of hockey would admit that to absolutely absolutely we got to step out right now we'll talk a little draft lottery as we look ahead to the off season. We've got that and more coming up on the squad show. This episode is brought to you by Monarch Money. Ever check your bank account and wonder where did all my money go? Between dining out, online shopping and entertainment, it's easy to lose track. That's where Monarch Money comes in, your personal CFO, giving you full visibility and control over your finances. Monarch Money isn't just a budgeting app. It's a complete financial

command center. You could track all your accounts, investments, and spending in one place, so you stop just managing your money and start building wealth. When I started using Monarch, I realized just how much I was spending on food delivery. Now I budget smarter and save more. Instead of juggling multiple apps, you could use Monarch to check your finances, track spending, and even plan long-term goals. So take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code Locked-on NHL at Monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. That's monarchmoney.com code locked on NHL for half off your first year. So the draft lottery was earlier this week, and I have to say, my Islander pulled off

a shocker, getting the first pick with only a three and a half percent chance. I love because I'm laughing. Yeah. I'm listening. First of all, let me ask you guys this. Who do you think should be the first pick in this year's draft? Michael Mesa. Go ahead.

Why? I was going to say Higgins, but I feel like not anymore. Maybe he'll fall back to six. I'm going on Michael Mesa because, like, I really, I like, I like the player a lot, but I also like the upside he has in terms of his. his offense translating over into the NHL and you see what he's already done in his career.

And like he is the type of player that could potentially impact positively a franchise that takes him first overall. I mean, this case is going to be the New York Islanders. And how funny would it be if the Islanders actually end up taking him? And you have him and Matthew Barzell. That's a pretty good punch

if you ask me. That's a combination and a half. But the one that I don't say is there, It's a lot of good centers. And again, that's why for teams, maybe that ended up falling back a little bit in the draft, maybe by two spots that ended up in six. That's cool. Or seven.

Yeah, again, like, we're going to take the tissues because it sucks. Like, congratulations, Gillen, all the Islanders fans and the Utah fans. Yeah. But we're feeling it, you know? Like, our teams did the right kind of tanking and, you know, but it's fine. But that's what I like about this draft is there is a lot of good high-end centers early on. Now, again, after maybe the eighth, ninth pick, that's when the talent will significantly decrease. A lot of these guys are going to take years to develop to be ready for the NHL.

And again, and one person I love that does great draft analysis is Russ Cohen of locked on flyers. And he really breaks this stuff down. It's incredible. And that's why I'm not too concerned. I'm talking for Philadelphia's sake, at least, because I feel like there's still going to be high-end centers available. but I do believe at the same time that if teams put together the right package, maybe there can be some changing of the order, I would like to say, with this draft. And I think the San Jose Sharks, their GM, kind of made it a little known that they'd be willing to look at different offers for their second overall pick.

How about Matthew Schaefer, top defenseman and by most scouts, top player available in this draft? I'm sorry No no you're good I was going to say like Michael Michael Schaefer is a pretty good He's a pretty good prospect I mean I like him but even if the Bruins were in the top five draft pick I was like that that's not the need the Bruins have right now They need a center and it's part of the reason why

This if you've been watching on YouTube I want to describe it for the audio only audience If you heard laughter earlier in this segment That was Haley laughing and as well as on Gil laughing Because I've been holding up up a box of puff tissues. And it inadequately and perfectly describes the level of sadness that Bruin fans have failed.

Flyer fans in Philly have also felt. But I'm going to talk only in terms of the Bruins because the anger is, it's not even said as anger now because Don Twini can't seem to do a damn thing right. That's just be blunt. He can't do anything like this past season. It wasn't even a tank job. It was, it's ineptitude and its inability to add secondary scoring, which I have repeatedly guided.

on his butt for throughout the entire season. I want to use a different way when I can't. And then on top of that, going back to the trade deadline, I didn't like the fact that brilliant trade marching away to the Panthers. They didn't have a problem with the trade, but through the team, but that's, be it as it may. But the problem is that when you take two or three slots back in the draft, guess what happens?

You now are going to be dealing with talents. that are not going to be as good or potentially the play that you actually need, which is why I said Michael Mesa, I really want him if he was available at 7. He's going to be gone by then. It's anger that I feel as a Bruin fan. I'm sure Bruin fans feel the same way.

So I hear you. And again, it's so valid. Like, I think we're going to Bruins too. And again, putting any bias aside, I think they really have gone through it this season.

I don't think anybody, he was expecting the season to be blown up the way that it was. I was really shocked. Man, that tree deadline too. Like, I do feel. And then again, with the Islanders, then Utah, Utah getting the fourth overall, but it shifted the draft order significantly. And again, like with the Bruins now having the seventh overall,

that is a big difference in this draft. And again, Gil, when he did talk about Matthew Schaefer, again, while he stands at six foot two, he shoots left, and he does have a lot of good qualities about him. at the same time, like I've watched some of the stuff in the OHL and he's a great player defensively. But I feel like a lot of the teams that are, you know, in desperate need of players right now, they really need centers. And that's the biggest thing that I can think of, even with the blues, it centers. It centers.

And that is what a lot of teams are missing. This draft does have some high-end centers, 100 percent. Higgins. But at the same time, I am concerned now that the top four picks are going to go after all of these centers and then for all the teams that deserve to be respectfully in the top couple picks, they're going to get pushed. I'm saying this politely, but like they got pushed out of the way and now they're going to be able to develop because again, when you look at these prospects, you have to think

about their development time. Some players, as we know, don't take any time. They can go right into the league. In this draft, I don't really see any player being NHL ready off the bat. We've had a couple of guys in the past. season, like Celiborini, Connor Baderd, be ready immediately. And again, that just goes to show their talent. But in this draft, I would suspect at least one to two years.

I don't think any of these guys are going to be NH already. So again, it's a level of frustration because you might be dealt with a player vets. And I need three years of development. Like you just don't know. And for these teams that are in a rebuild, like the flyers for the third season now, or a team with the Bruins that are in just desperate need of any kind of hope at the moment, you're not getting that with this draft. So is this really a draft that people are excited

about? It's not a deep draft. It is not a deep draft. The deeper draft is next year. And we'll see how that plays out. Well, thank you for making the squad show your first listen today. For your second listen, check out the all new locked on NHL game night. Every game, every night until a Stanley Cup champion is crowned. Get local analysis on a national scale. Find game night on Locked on NHL on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts. It's part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. I want to thank Shukri and Haley for joining me today. Always a pleasure to talk hockey with you.

We'll be back next week with some more great hockey talk. Thank you all for listening to and watching the NHL Squad Show.