Submit Podcast or Channel

Dreger on Cowan's future with the Maple Leafs, the potential of a defenseman trade and Hellebuyck's next steps

October 22, 20260 comments♥ 0
00:00 End of discussion. I love it. I support it. I'm sure you do too, right, Dreggs? You're a fan of Dugie and the Cologne? No comment. This idiot. You know what he's doing? He's doing the Brucey Gariuk. Gregs, let me explain myself. I watched it. Yeah.
00:18 And I have great instincts for broadcasting. Pretty solid. And I know when a guy's going to chime in. And Brucey, it was like he was going to pick up and say, oh, dog, the tickets are gone. and he stalled a bit and I was like, is he going to go? And then I stalled. I think Brucey jammed me up. Maybe, but do you do any digging?
00:40 Because you remember Colonna last year from the Memorial Cup and you're trying to do the show and I did the show a segment from Colonna. When you're on remote like that, sometimes it's a bit different, especially for the guy on remote, right? where you think you heard the question correctly, but you're waiting a little bit. You don't have the return feed and all of that. I mean...
01:07 That's a kind way of saying he jammed up, Brucey Garrier. It's a nice way of saying you completely jammed him. You didn't necessarily leave him hanging, but you did stop abruptly. What are you talking about? You're the host. You've got to pick up on that. He did.
01:23 Eventually, I did. A little bit late. A little bit late. Admittedly late, because I could tell Bruce was, he would have stood there. And then I got Ronald when he goes, I think I lost you. Yeah, that didn't help. But that was code for, I don't know what's going on here. Exactly.
01:38 Because that's what you're talking about. Yes. We've all done those. You're solo somewhere and you're like, I don't know what the hell is going on. People aren't talking to me. There's no one here that can help me. So if we freeze and we go quiet, that is a very lonely place to be if you're on the other side of it. So totally understandable where Bruce Garriac is coming from.
01:56 It does seem, this kind of stuff does seem to happen around overdrive a fair bit. Not that specifically, but I think you should start pulling it off from time to time just to kind of throw these guys off. Just have a little pause. Yeah. See what happens? Good idea. No, no, what was it, the smoke alarm in my house? Remember that a few years back?
02:16 That was great. You know, Holly's burning the chicken wings and her alarms going off. So loud. Brian had that. I don't think I've ever laughed harder. Ed was exploding. Then Pierre LeBron. Remember he had the noise?
02:28 Oh, the chair malfunctioned. Is that what that was? Allegedly, yes. That was a good 10 years ago now. That was a wild. That was a wild one. You can find all these. He claims that was a wooden chair on a wooden floor.
02:43 No chance. No, he breathed ass on overdrive. No chance. All right, we got a lot of news today. Injury news. Nick Suzuki, the Ironman himself, never missed a game. No. Two to four weeks in Montreal.
02:56 They don't feel great about the way things are going right now. No. It's a big hit. It is a big hit. You know, he's a terrific hockey player for starters. They've played okay of late. You know, there's always areas of want and concern. I haven't defended leads in their last couple, which, yeah, that's a bit problematic.
03:16 And Suzuki is so well-rounded. You know, we're speculating on the video evidence that was collected that, you know, it appears to be a hand issue based on blocking that shot. So what will be interesting, and I think we're talking about it, to some degree tonight in insider trading, is whether or not Kent Hughes feels compelled or urged to try and be a little bit more proactive, if he can in acquiring another piece, right? And automatically your brain drifts over to Dylan Larkin and the Detroit Red Wings. Well, okay, but if Dylan Larkin was going to waive his, is no trade to go to the Montreal Canadians,
03:53 Doesn't it feel like he and his family would have done that by now? So it's not an extended enough injury where you have to do it because you feel you absolutely need to backfill, but if a couple of three weeks turns in longer than that, then maybe the urgency does elevate. Greg, it's a big day in Winnipeg on Sunday. Yeah. And Friday, what is the suspension for Hallibuck lift?
04:22 Do you think this guy would even want to, like, do you think he shows up on Friday if he's not dealt today or tomorrow? I don't. What he wants that mess? I know the Winnipeg Jets and the players wouldn't want that distraction with such a big day and a great event for the city and the franchise. Yeah. How do you think the next 48 hours plays out in Winnipe? I mean, it's an incredible public relations spicy meatball to try and chew on it, isn't it? I mean, yeah.
04:51 There is no question that Kevin's like a drunk uncle showing up at Thanksgiving. It's like, what do you do with this guy? Yeah. I mean, the theory that makes most sense to me is, okay, the deadline is imposed. And we know that that suspension lifts tomorrow being Friday. You know, if you're Winnipeg, do you just go, okay, well, he's back on the payroll, but we're going to pay him to stay away at least for a while. I mean, he would love that, wouldn't he?
05:20 Like, if you're kind of Alibug, you'll be. like, awesome. Yeah. Great. I get to have my cake and eat it. I get paid now and I get to stay at home. He wants to play, though, right? Sure, but he doesn't want to play that battle or he go back to Winnipeg and play.
05:31 But they don't really want to play for. He wants to play for somebody to watch him play and say, we got to get this guy. But can I ask you guys, like, Treggs, how long can they wait? Like, wouldn't they wait? I mean, can they wait until December? Do they bring him back? No, to trade him. Like, when do they just have to say, we got to do something?
05:48 Yeah. We can't have this. It's fair. but if they had a workable offer, then it would have been done by, not a home run. I'm not saying a home run, but a workable offer. And I mean, I can give you, for instance,
06:02 you know, like if we're lucky at the Carolina scenario right now, right? And I do, I believe that Carolina is one of those teams that has remained fairly consistent with their level of interest. But it probably includes Niketian. It doesn't have a contract, by the way. Yeah. So what does that look like? $9 million.
06:21 I've heard the same thing. same, oh, I've heard the same. Do you have the stomach if you're Winnipeg? And if you do, it feels like that deal probably would be done regardless of what the other pieces are. Is it one of their goalies? Is it a draft pick, all of that? And
06:35 it is still relatively early in the season. The Buffalo rumors won't go away. Could Buffalo find a new location for UPL and then they swing a side deal? Assuming Winnipeg is good with Deuce Skinner and Clayson? Right now we think they are because it's early in
06:51 the year. So I understand what you're saying. There has to be at some point, a tipping point in all of this, right? They just don't feel that it's right now. But to go back to the Heritage Classic, I can tell you without question, nothing matters more. Well, there are two things that Mark Chipman, you know, one of the principal owners of the Winnipeg Jets cares about most. Three things. The team in general, winning, and then making a city look great. Well, the Heritage Classic is going to do that, but is it going to be as effective if you have that dark cloud hovering over
07:28 throughout the course of the weekend? So it would be better if there's even a, maybe a deal happens tonight, maybe, I doubt it. I don't get that sense. But is there a way of addressing it maybe as early as tomorrow and saying, look, back burner until next week, we'll keep you posted? I don't know.
07:47 You want to find out. I wonder if Buffalo's start and UPL's taking a lot of heat in that market, like that's got to help the potential of a trade, isn't it? Like if Hala Buck is willing to go there, is that's kind of what you're waiting for. A team that had high hopes, who's not off to the greatest starts, UPL in that market is not necessarily revered. There's a lot of people turning on him. Like that is kind of what we always discussed, right?
08:15 Like if a trade was going to transpire, it's because a team's, off to a poor start and their goalie isn't playing that great. Yeah. So shouldn't that he'd be on Yarmou? That's what I'm saying. That's what I'm suggesting. It's not on Kevin Shevolde off the column and say, hey, do you know your goalie isn't that good and you guys are off to a bad start?
08:30 Yeah. But I guess that's what I'm pointing to is that the market pressure in Buffalo that maybe Yarmal Keck Alina does not adhere to. And most GMs don't or shouldn't listen to the media or listen to the fan base. But there's got to be some pressure there from an owner who said we finally got to the playoffs last year. We got to do it again. Yeah, I agreed. And we don't have the same team that we had a year ago.
08:51 Yeah. Right? We don't. So, if you can improve this club in one area and, you know, provide the goaltending of a future Hall of Famer and Connor Hallibuck, you, you've got to do whatever you can do to do that. And it's not like this is a bidding where shovel a off is collecting all
09:08 these great offers and saying, okay, well, here's what Team X is offering. You have to do better than that. It's not that. It's not that. So there's opportunity here for sure for Yarmal, no doubt. So Larkin now expands his list, which I think looks embarrassing. It's been that way for a bit, but you're right.
09:26 It's the teams that became public. Yeah. Is there another potential if this keeps going where he gives another five teams? Or where does this end? I mean, I think that potential has to be there. You know, maybe not in the moment. But, you know, look, I know the Montreal Canadians, or sorry, the Detroit Red Wings, are scouting the Montreal
09:47 Canadians on a day in and day out basis, paying close attention. Well, Dylan Larkin has not lifted the no-fly zone to Montreal as we talked about earlier. Is there even a remote chance that he's willing to do that? As we're having this conversation, doesn't sound like it,
10:04 but, you know, and I saw, I can't remember Jimmy Demelano what podcast he was on, but I did listen to his comments and I heard him speak publicly on the matter. That they kiss and made up? I don't think that's the case. Yeah, not entirely, but most definitely. I think that they've tried to encourage Larkin and others. Okay, well, let's buy in.
10:25 But in the meantime, we're going to continue to, you know, pursue trade because that's what the Larkin camp wants. So in answer to your question, five teams is a lot. I think he could expand by a couple. I mean, when you look at that list, those are all very good teams for the most part, right? And it's almost like when, you know, past teams.
10:48 Yeah, and Connor Hellebuck, to go back to him for a moment, you can expand your list and say, well, I'll go to X number of American-based teams. But a lot of those teams already have top-end goaltending, not elite-level goaltending, but good goal-tending. So it's almost like they're on a no-trade list anyway. So it makes it difficult. Leaves Rangers tonight, all of this turnover in Toronto,
11:12 You know, how much of this success and the ability for them to make these moves or the reason they made those moves were focused on and the belief that Austin Matthews would return to form because he has. He looks amazing, which makes Roslovick look good. The Marchanko deal look good. Like everything's coming together up front anyway because the big guy's back. Yeah. How much of it? Yeah. I mean, that had to be a big part of their plan, right?
11:40 Like, if we're going to go all in and keep doing this, you better be good. great. I mean, Jerry's percentage would be really high. Yeah. But why wouldn't you? Yeah. I mean, it's no different than Stan Molman and the Edmonton Oilers. You know, I mean, when you've got players like that where you can see the contract is quickly expiring, and
11:56 you look at what Brady Kachuk did to get out of Ottawa and what we're seeing from Connor Hullabuck, these clubs, including the Maple Leafs, know that the window is closing. So why wouldn't you do everything they can? It's interesting to me. It is. You know, sure,
12:12 he, you know, he being John Chike could put his fingerprints all over the forward changes. Didn't do much to that defensive core. And what's interesting is he used one of his main chips in Matthew Nyes to get another forward. And I can tell you, remember Keith Pelley kind of let it slip with the prospect of the Montreal Canadiens. Like, I mean, not kind of. Yeah, he didn't he. He literally said the prospects, yeah. Yeah.
12:38 And I'm telling you that as close as Toronto and Montreal got, with Brad Trilliving as general manager, it really was for two defensemen. So it was from a prospect defenseman from the Montreal Canadiens and then a collection of assets that Trilliving was confident, at least I'm told, that he would be able to parlay those pieces into another defenseman for the Leafs. So you're talking about 2D that would make this blue line look much different
13:06 depending on who the other defenseman was. But I'm not being critical of John Chikin, that approach. approach, right? They felt like there was way more work that needed to get done up front as opposed to what they have on the blue line. They can do what they do and we really have no saying it, but if that Easton Cowan somehow leaves this organization, I'd be devastating
13:24 not devastated, but I think it's incredibly stupid. Don't even give me that that stupid grin you make because I know that means you're pushing them out, Jonas? You're running them out of town. I'm not getting rid of that kid. I love what the kid does on a daily place. What if, I mean, look, I saw your sound bite, sorry, I wasn't listening to the show when you torch the Columbus Blue Jackets.
13:47 Darren, if you want to go out and play like a bunch of losers, we're going to call you a bunch of losers. Play better, and we'll give you all the props in the world. But if you go out there and play like a bunch of story-ass losers, that's what we're going to call you. It wasn't unfair. Don't get me wrong. But basically what you said is they're players that are going to want out or want out now. That was part of your message and all that. They show that by the way they play. They're skating around.
14:14 Yeah. What are you laughing at? I don't know where he's going here. I'm curious. What I'm saying is, I don't know that to be true, but I mean, you've been in rooms like this, and so I respect your opinion on that, and I want to take it to the next level.
14:29 We had a field day with all the Zach Werenski stuff on July 1st. We had an absolute field. You can't rule everything. You think Columbus is going to call up John Chichen, say if you give us Easton Cowan? I mean, what if they did? I don't know. And look, I mean,
14:44 Judd Maldiverr has become a very influential... He represents Austin. And Matthews. Yeah. And... McDavid.
14:53 Well, I'll go down the list. Roman Yosey's got quite a few. I'm just saying that we're having a super team next year? No, no. But let's... I'm going to get so radio on this and Josh is going to text me. He wouldn't do that.
15:06 No, no. He's working alone and don't touch your phone. Or else you'll be... And if there's a headline that's his breaking with a colon, Dregor says. Never. Nothing in a garbage can. Oh, that's a style. Fair warning.
15:22 Like, I'm looking at Nashville, right? And Chris McFarland, he looks at the bones of this team, and it's not his team. It's not. I've heard Nick Hague's name is out there. Yeah, I mean, he's in year two of a four-year deal. It doesn't necessarily move the needle, I don't think. I love Mickey Hague. love this guy.
15:41 What about Roe? But what about Yossi? Not for Cowan. He's like, he's how old is he? I'm just saying, but if you're having that Werenstki Yosey type of conversation, how do you get into those negotiations if
15:57 you're John Chica without including a piece of it? No, no, I agree. I agree. I agree. I just yeah. No, listen, you got to pay to play. I get it. but I love Cowan though his game is tremendous that would be a tough I agree that would be a tough and I was thinking about it last night because Quinn Hughes is returning and that was the template now that has been set yeah right they got
16:20 you know Zeb Bume is not he's not off to a great start but they've invested it's he's going to be really good really good prospect Rossi good player at a 60 point year one time I think he's a middle six guy the other the other player they got probably a middle six forward right off to a pretty good start So they got three lottery tickets with one player in particular who they think could be a really good player. And then a first round pick. Like they paid a premium, but they didn't pay crazy. Not at all.
16:48 And Quinn Hughes. Second best defenseman in the league. Exactly. And Worensky is right there with him. He just won the norms. But Werenstki, I believe, is trade protection. So can also manipulate a little bit. But Easton Cowan right now is worth, I would say, as much as whatever.
17:06 Newman was worth at the trade deadline last year. Like he, based on what he's already established, Jonas. Sure. Like maybe because Bume's a defenseman and he has the upside, maybe he's slightly ahead. Yeah. But it's not much more. You know, it's picks and other prospects.
17:22 But it's not much more. Do you think the rest of the league looks at Eastern Collin the way that you do? Yeah. No, and again, I'm not saying that Cowan is, I'm not saying he's on touch. What I'm pointing at the Hughes deal was not that. crazy what they gave up. It was fair for both.
17:38 Sure. But it was prospects in futures, in lottery tickets that maybe work, maybe don't, for a guy that you know is one of the two or three best defensemen in the league. All I know is when you talk, you turn the TV on and the Boston Bruins are playing, you have to turn it off because Prazer Minton is so good. Yeah. It's hard-breaking to watch. That was a stupid trade because they got Brandon Carlo for him.
17:57 This is Zach Werensky. I mean, it's very different if you're getting Werensky. You know, Carlo was a depth guy that was here to play with Morgan Riley. and Minton at the time we didn't know exactly what he was. I just love Cowan and I don't want to see him go anywhere. Okay. I'm with you on that. I don't want to see him go anywhere.
18:13 No. I love him as a leave. I think he keeps growing as a player. I think he's tenacious. I think he's got tools that they need on this team. I don't think they have any interest in Toronto or trade either. I don't think they do. But you do as a general manager have to put yourself in the what if.
18:30 I mean, if you're going to improve the team, you've got to give something up. And we're not just talking about improving your team here. If you add a piece like... Well, Rorensky's the game changer, clearly. But beyond that, you're not considering a trade of that magnitude involving that player. But it's also, you know, to pump the tires of Easton-Cowland, is he as good today if he doesn't go through the experience of winning the Calder Cup? I thought you're going to say of last season, which was not...
18:56 No. Made a great Calder Cup in the year before he won the Memorial Cup. He just looks different to me. He looks like he knows what he needs to do. He's a winner and a leader. Yeah, I agree with you. All right, Trex. We'll catch on a panel tonight.
19:06 Duggy, you be careful, man. Duggy, I swear. Garbage can time. No, Nick Hague? Maybe we should show you in the garbage. You're freshen it up a little bit. That actually could balance everything out a little bit, because he smells great right now. It's like a scented bag.
19:19 By the ankles, too. Everything comes together. He's just Dunkin'Dugie. You've heard the chaos. Now you can see it. Hello. My gosh. Watch all your favorite podcasts from start to finish, right inside the free IHR Radio app.
19:32 Catch every laugh and eye roll. On shows like the Tom Green Farmcast and park the bus. Now with full video. We're building a ramp for Tony Hawk. It's the same hosts and the same chemistry with all the hilarious moments you've been missing. Right on your screen.
19:47 Cheers. Open the free IHRRadio app. Search video podcasts and tap watch.