OverDrive - McCabe on winning the Stanley Cup, the structure of the roster and celebrations for the team

Episode Date: June 19, 2025

Panthers Director of Player Personnel and Former NHLer Bryan McCabe joined OverDrive to discuss the Panthers winning the Stanley Cup, the foundation of the roster leading to the top of the league, Bill Zito building the winning roster, Matthew Tkachuk's role for the team, the celebrations of the lineup and more.

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Bell can. We'll identify unwanted calls and help block them. For more information, visit bell.ca slash call detection. Bell. Peace of mind, just got better. Remember when your biggest problem was who burned the best mix CD? Relive those glory days at all your friends fest. Presented by Play Ojo Casino empowered by iHeartRadio. It's going down June 28th and 29th at Burles by radio here is two times stanley cup winner with the Florida Panthers, Brian McCabe. Yes, Caver, how you doing buddy?

The boys, the band's back together. It's been a minute, fellas. Great to see you. Now that you won back-to-back cups, we're allowed to talk to you, Caver. We love it. We want to ask you first off, were you contemplating getting on the ice front row in the pick? Because you were in tight. Oh, well last year I made the corner of the book there, right on the edge where the last

part of the picture was just my face. So I had to squeeze in a little closer and get this big fat head in there this year. I love it, man. It's got to be incredible. What has your last 48, 72 hours been like? How much can you remember? How many people are asking you what it's like down there? What has life been like for you the last couple of days?

It's been crazy, a little surreal. It still hasn't sunk in. I honestly cannot believe we just went back to back. All the credit goes to this group of guys, man a team and I was a different feeling this year you know last last year we're on the edge of our seat to one game game seven they're all over us the goalies pulled so it was different emotions anxiety and stuff and this year man the boys just you know dominated like it was like stages, fricking willed their way to this thing the last two games and it was obviously special.

Had my whole family here this time, which means a lot to have my mom or brother fly down. All my kids and wife were here this year. So it was nice to be able to enjoy it with them this time around. So Kaber, you just said the domination, especially games five and six, where you really took control. Was there a point where maybe anywhere through the playoffs that you had a little bit of doubt where you're like,

god, I don't know if it's all going to come together, even maybe near the end of the season, where you guys were resting and had some players that you had to move around and all that type of stuff. Was there any doubt at any point until obviously everything came together against Edmonton? I don't know. I was nervous the whole time because obviously you guys know it's worse sitting up in a freaking press box than it is being on the ice. I'd say there was some definitely anxious nerves after the Leafs came in here and beat

us in game six. I didn't know what was going to happen going back there. Obviously, they have a good team too. But like I said, our team, man, they just go about their business. They figure it out. They know how to win. They're well-coached and they obviously love each other. This has been such a special team to be a part of the last few years.

Ugly, when you say they know how to win, can you explain to a viewer, somebody driving around what that means? Like what does that mean to a guy that plays beer league? I'll tell you what, like remember the year we won the president's trophy and then lost. We were winning games like six, four and seven, five and you know, you can win games like that in a regular season, but we didn't know how to win in the playoffs because you can't go out score teams in a playoffs. It's just muck it up and do what you do. And you know, I've just felt like since the last, I guess, probably three years like that, they've known how to buckle down

and we can win games any which way you gotta win them. Close games, tight checking games, physical, you want us to score goals, the guys can do that too. So I just think that they have just turned a page and they just know how to do it against different types of opponents. And it's just like old hats of them now. It's really awesome to watch and be a part of.

With Brian McCabe and you're in player development, so I guess a primary role for you is to try to find those characteristics in players. Now that you've seen it twice with your own team, how does that apply to younger players coming out? You have that Charlotte team that's been unbelievable too. Is there a characteristic you feel like you've found as an organization that has helped you here? Because there's a lot of talented players in the world, but you guys have winners, talent

with the winning pedigree. How have you managed to find that ingredient in so many players? Well, I just think from the top down, it's just a trickle down effect. And I give Jordy and his staff in Charlotte a lot of credit for basically playing the same way that the Panthers play. We don't really have one genuine superstar in Charlotte,

and we're playing for the Calder Cup right now. And they've done that from sheer will and structure and just outworking teams and grinding teams down in series just like our teams done here. And it's been a lot of fun to be a part of. I couldn't be happier for that team in Charlotte. That staff there worked so hard. And as you guys know, we haven't had a ton of draft picks over the past few years trying to build this team up and they've had to sign college free agents and develop guys and they've done a fabulous job and we're in the mix to hopefully win another championship big game tonight in Abbotsford

so hopefully they can tie that thing up too too. With Brian McCabe, you look at what the Panthers did to superstars throughout this run, like completely neutralize Kuturov in the first round, point in the first round, Matthews and Marner in many ways in the second round, Ajo in the third, and then McDavid and Dry-Sidle games 3, 5, and 6, you know, effectively were kind of blending into the series. Like how impressive is that to watch it live and to know like your, what's going on with the secret sauce behind the scenes to prepare for it, but like beating McDavid and dry subtle back to back cup finals. Like,

I didn't, how is that even possible? It's a total group effort. And I know a bunch of the guys spoke on this during the interviews the other night, but the depth that we have in this team and organization is, and everyone playing the same way and there's no drop off and no one cares about accolades or points and stuff. They're all in for one goal and it just shows like the way they played and just shut the best players in the world down as a group. It was really, really special to watch.

Kaber, you're in that managed group with Billy Zito. As you mentioned, you win the president's trophy, but you didn't get to win that year. It's a build. But Billy Zito's been a guy who's been not shy to be proactive and think outside the box and take big swings. I mean, you feel like that's a recipe as well to, you know, to not just safe as death type of thing. Like he's made some big trades that have been organizationally changing. And even you add at the deadline this year, you got gotta bring in a guy like marsh and who was a difference maker you feel like billy's you know found a an aggressiveness to him that pays off yeah i'd like one hundred percent he deserves a ton of credit here he shows

some serious balls in some of the trades that he's made like the two truck trade obviously started this whole thing bringing him in and then you know we got frickin' Jonesy, we got Rhino, we got Marshy at the deadline. Like, those aren't, some of those trades weren't easy to make. Like, you're getting rid of a lot of really good players or draft picks and stuff and it, it takes some go-hunters to, to like, put it out there and actually go through with it. You know, we can talk all we want in the rooms about it, but he actually, he's the face of the franchise

and at the end of the day it's his call and he's put a lot of these pieces in place to make us successful. And as you've seen, the proof's in the pudding, everyone's clicked and gelled together. And I think Marshy was just the icing on the cake. I think everyone agrees, like he fits the way we play. Like it was like a seamless transit. I don't think there was any better fit in the history of the world than him coming to our club and the way he embraced

and our guys embraced him. I think it just, you know, it was spectacular. You mentioned started with Kachuk. Like what, what about him coming to Florida, other than his hockey skill set, was so important in the development of the team? The biggest thing for me, like as you know, there's a lot of different, hockey players a little different nowadays and stuff. First thing Chuckie did when he got down here was took the whole training and equipment stuff

out for a big dinner and night out. Old school style like we grew up doing. He was brought up like that, you know, big wall and did a great job with those boys and I think he just brought that energy and that old school mentality and you treat everyone, especially those guys, you know, the heart and soul of every team, the trainers and the guys that are hanging bags at five in the morning. I think it started with him just bringing that group together. I think it took a little pressure off of Barky. You know, Barky's a quiet guy, but he shows up every night and leads by example. And I just think their personalities meshed well together. And the other group just jumped right on their backs and

just kept going from there. With Brian McKay, we were talking about the elbow room prior to you coming on. What's, what's the rules, regulations with management, the elbow room, when the players are there partying, are you, were you jumping in on that or what's, what's the deal? Well, as much as God knows, you guys know, I'd love to be there. I kind of feel that it's the players time. They, they did the work. They went through the grind. Yeah, we're a small little piece of that, but the players time. They did the work. They went through

the grind. Yeah, we're a small little piece of that, but you know, we got to enjoy it obviously the night out with the group, but let them go crush the elbow room. They deserve everything the next couple of weeks and let them have their fun. I'm sure we'll have some staff fun here on the sides, but you know, I couldn't be happier for them. I love the fact that they were there at nine in the morning And they're doing it up right they deserve it. Yeah, absolutely and we always talk about You know days with the cup, and I know you had one last year, and you'll have one again this year What does it deal with like the Philip Pritchard or the keeper of the cup while you're having your day?

Are they involved or you are there you offering them drinks? Like what comes with the cup when it shows up for your day with the cup? Oh my God, those guys are unbelievable. You know, you think looking at it looks like a great job to have, but when you've been to a couple of these cup parties, it's a tough job, man, dealing with a bunch of hooligan friends from Canada that, you know, like it's a basically

they're babysitting every day. But those guys are unbelievable. I had Mario and Glenn for my cup day and Mario made himself breakfast and cooked a family breakfast and they hung out with us all day. They are unbelievable guys. That whole staff, the keepers of the cup and just to be a part of having those guys around and you know, that whole staff, the keepers of the cup and just to be a part of having those guys around and that cup day was really special. I went, I think I had 200 and some people, I didn't leave any stone unturned because it took 50 years to get here. So we did it up right, it was certainly special.

Those guys are the best man. I honestly, those guys, they go through a lot and they get to see a lot but They are the salt of the earth crew and I can't wait to see them all again Uggy you said your brother was at the celebration who has possibly the best nickname in the NHL How did snake enjoy the cup? Snake snake enjoyed it. It was nice to have him here this year. Like last year was kind of a gong show with, I had him there game four, we got pumped eight to one and then unfortunately during the process of the cup final I lost my father-in-law before game

six. So there was all that to deal with, the funeral and stuff. So none of my family could be here. So it was special to have Snake and Barb, my wife and kids here, and he was on the ice and got to, you know, have some fun with all the festivities. And we actually had a laugh. We had dinner last night with my mom and brother, Noodles. To this point, we were talking about this because I said I may go on with you guys tomorrow. The most my brother has ever laughed in his life, we're at Stampede Week 1 here, and Noodles went on the dance floor and pretended he had a club foot. And I've never seen my brother laugh so hard. I think he almost peed his pants and we were sitting at dinner last night and he was laughing

his head off again, giggling. I said I'd give him a shout out today, but noodles, I'm sure you remember that night. I do remember something like that. It was a late night. It was something like Stampede night. I know those types of stories. Stampede, I've gone every year since I was 16, so we've done some things there. We talked about even Jason Strudwick dancing on the dance floor.

Yes, we've all had our moments on the dance floor at Stampede. As you should. Hey, I know that you got a hat on. Oh, no, I haven't seen you guys in a while, oh, dog. I got to say something sincere, buddy. You look fabulous. Like, you look unbelievable. Like playing Wade, oh, dog.

So cheers to you, buddy. I've never seen you look so good. Can you do me a favor for, like, just what I've done in the gym? Can you show the boys your salad? Like did you go full mess? Hey, I'm riding this till she bucks I'm going 90s Messier we just went back to back Hey if it ain't broken don't fix I'm gonna ride-will right-handed you know until until she stops working boys as you should that's a that's a solid twenty cops came out to a get the leather straps on the

hot now or no should i get the old when will not be the last call me to the circle it'll be a good just call me to the circle it'll work it all went to get it and i want to i love what i was getting younger better looking and thinner. I'm just kidding. I just turned 50 bald or fatter just I'm going the opposite direction. It's all good. You're the best pal. Thanks for doing a winner Great to your teeth look great look phenomenal Yellow anymore, man. They look awesome They're not yellow anymore, man. They look awesome. No, they're beautiful now.

Yeah. You guys are the best, boys. Great catching up with you, Kaber. Congrats, man. Thank you for doing this. All right, boys. Thanks. Cheers. You got learn the details of how they came to be. Morning rock is in the house tonight. Join Ruby Carr for Encore, the stories behind the songs you love. Happy birthday to you. New interviews and newly unearthed archive footage

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