Real Kyper & Bourne - Analyzing Canadian Clubs + Eric Staal's Career

Episode Date: January 13, 2025

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne are joined by Sportsnet's Garry Galley (6:44) to tour the Canadian teams in the NHL, including rookie Dustin Wolf's solid goaltending with the Calgary Flames, Leon Draisaitl's push for the Hart Trophy this season, the Ottawa Senators' sprint for a wild card spot, a hot Montreal Canadiens club, and managing a bed of relationships in Vancouver. Next, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee chat Cutter Gauthier's fiery return to Philadelphia, Eric Staal's case for a Hockey Hall of Fame bid, and the Senators’ arena situation for the future. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

A big weekend in the National Hockey League and we're here to talk about it all. We are the Real Kipper and Bourne Show. National Hour live on Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver and sports at 960 in Calgary this hour of real Kipper inborn brought to you by bet 365 Nick Kiprails Justin born Sammy McKee Derek Brandeo and Jake Schultz for the next hour. Oh, we talked about Yeah, it's been today a little rough, but it's Jen today. It's not Jake the Snake. Well, in my defense, it's literally someone different

every single day, so. Okay. Listen, Jen, Jake, whoever. You got the, yeah, you got the first initial right. Not bad, not bad. That's something for ya. Percentage. I don't care.

You didn't get it as right as the Vancouver Canucks or the Calgary Flames on the weekend. Both winners. Both. Canucks are fixed. Right in the mix. In the Western Conference, these teams aren't going away anytime soon as far as what we saw here in Toronto Saturday night was a very impressive 60 minutes out of a team that had every built-in excuse to just say schedule lost and they came out with did they did they mention the travel plans on the broadcast at all I didn't hear that oh come on you thought it was overdone every chance they get all their flight all their flight it's not that they're not taking a ship. They flew. Oh my god. Thank god You put a pee at the end

They're not like taking an intercontinental Ship, I think it give me a break. It's on a sailboat They flew from Carolina on a first-class flight day like all they got a police escort Well, they whether professional athletes Oh my god, cry me a river Clearly you know nothing about being spoiled no, you're right. I know and it's Do a show with you every day buddy You're so sweet

No, but it were creatures of habit. Yeah routine and Like it could go one of two ways But it is it is a rallying point like it's it could have been just another road trip another time You come in at a certain amount at 430 whatever for a 7 o'clock puck drop and you shut the music off at the same time Now you got something that kind of Rally right who was it last year that came in late right in Detroit same thing Do you remember when they want to cancel the game?

It was like they were they were later than can't even go to remember them Celebrating the win like they just won in double overtime in game seven like it was a big deal to them right and this This will be one of those that you're gonna remember right through the rest of the season for Vancouver. It's amazing that they were able to overcome that adversity of having to fly from Carolina on their perfectly beautiful jet with catered food. They were in the water, it was incredible.

They overcame it. So what you're saying is whether or not they came in late or not, they were gonna just slap your Toronto Maple Leafs silly Saturday night. You know what they should have done? They should have gone into the Maple Leafs locker room and soundproofed it, put headphones over them so that they didn't know about those parameters

of them traveling, because the second they have any reason. Yeah. Oh, this is gonna be easy? Oh, this is gonna be easy. Yeah leg lay an egg Well that that Canucks team has been in the midst of trade turmoil and interpersonal drama They had a losing skid at one point. They've been injured, you know to come into Toronto and win that game Get a shutout is a hell of a showing Quinn Hughes with a captain Lee performance That guy is anyone maybe kale McCarskates like him,

has anyone moved laterally in NHL history like Quinn Hughes? Yeah, I saw Brian Leach in his heyday. But I don't think it was different, was it not? No, they're built differently. They're not his water bug left and right. No, no, Quinn Hughes is lighter. Yes, no. Quinn Hughes is lighter. Yes. Than... Right. Like, people underestimated how strong and built Brian Leach was. Right. Like, this is a different type of... I'm not saying they're not elite offensive guys.

Just the way Hughes moves is like you cannot pin him down. No, no, no. No. Can't... No, he's impressive. He plays half the game and he controls half the game. Yeah, that's a great point. Yeah, that's He scored the goal that bounced up in the air and then he sets up the one that really put it out of reach To Kiefer Sherwood and if anybody ever thought You know, it's

Patterson or JT Miller's team. No, no, no. It's Quinn Hughes' team. Totally Quinn Hughes' team. And I'm telling you, I don't know what's happening in that dressing room. One getting shot, two getting shot, both staying, whatever. That guy's got a big voice on what happens from here on in. It's funny how wins and losses affect the temperature though. If winning a few games turns the dial down on that room, does it give them a chance to heal?

Can they come together on the differences over winning and not have to trade a complaint? If they are shopping them as some people believe that they are or aggressively, you're still not going to make a trade for the sake of making a trade. You're going to make one that is there that you believe in. And I don't know how easy that's gonna be. So it's not necessarily that you're hoping that they can necessarily, you know, live happily ever after. It just may be that they got to stay together because there's no other options that are

available to us right now. But to your point, string a couple wins together, get Hronik back now in the lineup, and start feeling a little better about yourself, and keep going. I thought Pedersen on Saturday night was fantastic. Played hard. Yeah, good night. Played really, really hard.

Good defensively. It's so funny. And he looked good to me. Yeah, it's so funny, because obviously, we can't watch as much Vancouver, Vancouver fans can't watch as much Vancouver. Vancouver fans can't watch as much Toronto. You get together for a game. Why can't you?

Well, you know, there's 32 teams. I've seen a lot. I've seen a lot of the first series and a half of Vancouver-Kennedy. Yeah, fair enough. There's no one in the country. I do choose them over most teams, I will say. You know who's watched a lot? Our next guest, Gary Gally.

Let's welcome him in. Former NHL'er, colour analyst for Sportsnet, Hockey Night in Canada, and a know who's watched a lot our next guest galley Let's welcome him in former NHL or color analyst for sports not hockey night in Canada And the guy who's got a tremendous feel on on what's going on throughout Canada coast to coast and we'll start there gals. Thanks for joining us and just your thoughts on a On a on a team that had every built-in excuse to lose, I guess, Saturday night, but not according to our producer, Sammy. Tell them we're creatures of habit. We don't like this stuff. We don't like curveballs sitting around in a plane waiting for de-icing. Well, you know, wins and losses, if we could predict them, we'd all be rich, right? Certainly. It's just that time of year, you know, you're hitting the middle of the season, you're hitting

a time when some teams are going through some injuries. Not everyone's super healthy, maybe there is some guys are banged up. You know, I think, you know, there's a break that's coming up really soon. There's going to be some players playing, but a pretty large break in the schedule coming up in February. Uh, you know, teams are trying to bank points away, get themselves in good positions, uh, before the break so they can not only enjoy the break, but come back feeling like they have an opportunity.

Um, you know, so we're seeing a lot of log jamming in some areas, not necessarily at the top, there's going to be always positioning at the top, but we're seeing a lot of log jamming, especially in the Eastern Conference within the wild card races. It's gotten quite interesting, but the West looks more settled, but certainly I think we're going to see a lot more, I think, results in games that are maybe a little more shocking to us than we're used to seeing. Like every time I expect to see a team win a game, they don't. And when I go, oh, they don't have a chance in this one, they find a way to win.

So that's what makes the game great. I think a lot of the teams that were struggling a little bit are starting to get a little bit of a run, especially in the East. We've seen Ottawa get on a good run. We've seen Montreal on a heater now. Detroit's on a bit of a heater. The only team that's really, Pittsburgh got on a heater. The only teams to me that are really struggling out of it is you look at a team like Buffalo

that everyone thought was going to be better and for some reason they just can't seem to find the magic formula to improve there. It's really surprising and actually a bit disappointing. So with this Canucks team, like what can a win like that? Do for the temperature around the team like it's just felt like an open sore there like everything Constantly agitating it and and is there some chance here that this is a turning point for them Well every time a team wins a big game or you know an unexpected win You know it always builds character, right? It builds character within your room.

Montreal playing in Chicago and then going right into Colorado and winning and actually outplaying them for two-thirds of the game. That's a character builder. That brings you on to the next game, helps you push forward. So for Vancouver, you've got to think these kind of win like that is a character building moment for the team. Obviously, all the talk about all the other stuff that's going on on the side is getting

in the way and gooing up some of it maybe. I've got to think that's starting to settle down a bit now. It's starting to within them. I'm not saying it's settling down out in the media empire, but I'm saying in that locker room and around those guys, I would think it's settling down out in the media empire, but I'm saying in that locker room and around those guys, I would think it's settling. And regardless of what's gonna happen moving forward in the future there,

the one thing you have to do is play well now. And everyone has to play well. And I think that Rick Tauke, and it's not an easy job he has, but I think the get win in Toronto is a nice one when you can go, hey, okay, we can do this. We can play better than we have and we just showed it we can gut games out We can win games. Let's get on this thing. We're not that far away We're closer than we think but we but still we've got to make some some alterations and we got to play consistently better

In a lot of areas as far as the Calgary Flames are they closer than we thought? as well Zari Con Connor Zary goes down and 2-1 against LA. Wolfs made a believer out of everybody that this guy's gonna be a premier goalie for many, many years ahead here. I mean, how, where is this program in your eyes going into the back half of the season? Well, we know goaltending is a huge confidence builder for any hockey team. If you don't have confidence in your goaltending, then you really never I don't think the team never really

plays to their capabilities. Because if you go into a game, unsure of whether you can win because of your goaltending, then are you ever really playing to win or you're just playing not to lose overprotective of certain areas of the ice not allowing your goalie to do his job and earn it and that's exactly what we're seeing with some teams. Calgary is no different. I think Wolf's been a really, I don't think it's, I don't want to say he's a surprise because I think they knew they had a potential very good goaltender in him. I think he played really well down in the American hockey league.

I think when he came up to Calgary, he always played well and not a big goalie. But at the same time moves really well, tracks the puck well, just as a real gamer kind of kind of goaltender. I really liked the way he plays. And I think that he instills confidence in the guys in front of them. Look what happened in Colorado. They shifted to goaltenders. And this is a team now that believes they can win every game, they go out every night where earlier in the season, they didn't think that and probably it was true. You look at the Montreal Canadiens getting a Dolby's coming up and being that backup that they

know when when they when they need to give Montembeau a rest that they can win a hockey game now. They can go out and win a game. They feel confident and Dobish has given them that confidence. So Calgary now is feeling like they're getting good goaltending. You lose Markstrom. They've seen a lot of good players vacate their organization over the years. That does leave a few dents in your fender. It does leave some of the players who are left behind, you know, wondering if this thing is gonna be able

to get over the hump and get to the next step where they wanna be. And certainly, goaltending is a big part of it. And they've got enough players there that I believe that can get it done. You know, it's a team that I like. I think they've got some good character there. I think the coaching change that they made a year or so ago

has been really good for them. I think now getting your goaltending solidified. I think gives this team some confidence moving forward. I think they're feeling it now So we're gonna continue to kind of go about Canada with you gals the other team in the province They're looking at the Edmonton Oilers. They they've been for a good run here the best team in Canada You know, they've they've been hot seems like they've solidified some of their D that Ty Emberson has been pretty decent for them on the back end they're getting better goaltending you know being how close they were to winning a cup last year how badly do you think they need to add to what they are to get back to where they were I think I think they're

still a real solid defenseman away yeah I. I think, you know, and Skinner has to be Skinner. I mean, that's without a doubt, right? I think they're a really good top four defenseman away from being able to slot people in the right slots and to go into a long, lengthy playoff run and to win. You know, I really believe that. Up front, we all know the firepower they have up front. The question has always been, can the players adjust to a 200 foot game,

not playing give one, get one type of game and hope that you win those games, taking control of a game, playing to your identity, taking control of a game, winning one goal games. And as the playoffs got going, you know, for Edmonton, they started to look like a team that was figuring that out. Now, they got almost to the promised land and didn't get there.

We saw Florida do that the year before, then came out like gangbusters and got the Stanley Cup and learned a lot from it and went forward learning. I think you look at individual players who have to do that and then you look at teams that have to do it. I just read a great story on Macar where Bednar is saying he had to overhaul his game a little bit. I'm like, how do you overhaul when you're the best at what you do? Well, you overhaul it because there is

something in your game that is not quite right. And that was his defensive game, how he played his defensive game through a course of a hockey game. He wasn't happy with it. To his own admission, he said, look, I got to be better than than than I have been. I haven't liked my game. Now I like it. I feel like it is gained some some girth and the defenseman part of the defensive part of it. I want to be a total player and to his credit, that's what's happening.

It's the same as the Edmonton Oilers. They've got all this offensive talent and that sexy sports car for sure. But in order to win a championship, you have to be able to win one-nothing to one, be losing to one all the way through a third period and knowing that you're gonna get that goal if you just stay to what you're doing. Don't veer off the track and try to go off the track into another area of what you shouldn't be doing and then you give up the third and fourth goal.

You've gotta stay confident in what you're doing, what you believe in as a team, and then that's when everybody draws off of that and the good teams do that. So I think Edmonton is getting there. I like the Edmonton owners, I do think that they could possibly get back to where they were last year, because they've got the fire power, it always comes down to can they defend well enough? Can

their star players go out on a shift and not get anything, and still come off the ice and feel like you had a good shift and you did your job. That's important. You're watching and listening to Gary Galley, Color Analyst with Sportsnet Hockey Night in Canada. Just one more thing on the Oilers and Leon Dreisaitl. I don't know if he truly gets the recognition for being one of the best hockey players in

the world Connor goes down and like to me he's he's been on fire ever since and Should be in my opinion, you know Maybe leading in an MVP award this year is he's that good? But I don't know if I don't know is it because it's behind Connor is it like how good is he in your opinion? Well, you can make a phone call to rent and then at Colorado ask him how he feels. Yeah, I mean it's star player absolute star player like Five of the top ten players in the world and are probably playing on two teams Colorado and and Edmonton

Dry Fiddle is in that category. He's a top 10 player, I believe. I think that you look at what he accomplishes. Everyone talks about Ovechkin, who scores from that same location all the time, and goes, how does he do it? Everyone knows he's going to be there. Everyone knows he's going to shoot the puck from there. How does he keep scoring from there? Well, you look at Dries-Seidel down on that low dot one timer that he takes and in the playoffs last year, he was banged up. So the puck didn't have enough mustard to get that extra split second to pass the goaltender. So they weren't going in. But man, when he's healthy, I mean, he never misses. It seems, you know, he he's really figured it out. And as a fan of the game and I am a fan, I've been out of the

game now for 23 years. I'm a fan of the game and the players in the game now. You know, they're so talented. You look at the players that are the supporting cast of the stars and the Malkins when Sydney's out, Malkin always tore it up, you know, and it's like it's like that guy who rides, you know, shotgun with the star player and he's an alpha too, but he lets the other guy be the alpha and he still goes about his business, does his job, plays great hockey, good team guy. And then when that other guy's not in the lineup, he steps it up even another notch to let everyone know, Hey, I can carry this team. I can carry this team too. And that's

the wonderful thing about those kinds of players. And you know what, it's hard to sit in the weeds when you have a star player like that. You know, that takes up all the attention. And like I said, in Colorado, I got like Ratanin, you got McCarr and you have McKinnon. And then everyone thinks of Ratanin, you know? And he's such a dynamic player. As far as the heart trophy goes,

you can put Dry Cytl in there. McKinnon certainly is in there, all with McDavid, but I think Connor Hellebuck has to start being seriously looked at as the Hart Trophy winner at this juncture in the season. If I was voting, my first vote would go to Connor Hellebuck as of today.

Now, there's still a lot of real estate to go, But man, I did that Colorado Winnipeg game and man oh man, I was really, and I've seen him play a lot over the years, but I was like, man, this guy is having a heart type season and it's been, you know, what, 10 years since a goal he has won it and then Kerry Price, but man, he's been really good. He has played himself into that conversation for sure. Keep moving to the East in the country here looking at the the Ottawa Senators. Fascinating team in that they started the year like everyone I think okay they found it they're back there in playoffs

they lost four to start the year but they've won a couple in a row now they're kind of they're one of the four teams there Columbus Ottawa Detroit even Montreal all kind of you know pecking away at that spot is it just all mark is that all they need to get him across the line what's what do you make where the sends are well I definitely think all mark coming back healthy and getting, he doesn't like the sense for a wild card spot, right? But I will say this, that like Merlin, she got the shutout last night, they come back and score three goals. You know what, this is a team that needs one more run.

In the last half of the season, they need to have another seven eight game run. And I think they put themselves in a really good position. Now, I don't mean that they can lose bunches of games in between, but if they can play around, you know, win a couple lose one lose a couple win a couple but have a nice run another good run somewhere. I think they'll find themselves in one of those wild card spots.

I really do. And if all Mark could come back and be healthy and stay healthy and play to his capabilities, I'd like the senators to get one of those wild card spots. As far as Detroit is concerned, nice little run for a team that, I don't know, we kind of gave up on a while ago, but they made the coaching change. And just your thoughts about maybe Detroit running toe to toe with an Ottawa team for that

wild card you just mentioned. Is it, is it like, is it as simple as just the coaching change? I don't know. Like, is it that simple? Like Boston made the coaching change and it all went well for a period of time. And you know what? And I don't know if Boston is going to be able to get out of the way of the poor start they had, and I'm not sure that they're even through it yet.

That that's really a big question mark there in Boston for me. Um, but they got an immediate jump on that. Detroit has seen, uh, an injection after, after the coaching change. And it's like, they're a different team. I've watched them a couple of times, and it's playing with swagger. When you watch a team play, and only maybe a player recognized, an ex-player or someone who's around the game a lot recognizes when you're always a second and a half shorter, you're a split second off of the puck

or a split second away from a check, to me there's indecision in what you're trying to do as a team or your system or what your coaching staff has laid out for you and the team is just not quite in sync with it. And I find there are some teams, and Detroit was one of them when I watched them, I just always felt like they were thinking more

than they were playing. And when you know, when you think too much, you know, guys, you say when you think too much, it hurt the club. But it's like, you got to play naturally and you got to play in a system that the team feels naturally good playing in. So obviously, when a coaching change comes in, maybe, you know, and I always say this automatically, you know, there's a top third of the team. There's players who are going to benefit from the coaching change. There are players who are not going to benefit from it. And some players will stay the same.

But it looks like Detroit has done a nice job of grabbing their confidence. And again, we talk about goaltending. Goaltending has gotten better. They've had some really tight games where they found a way to find ways to win those big tight games on some big goals. And you know, again, we talked about it right off the start of the show, guys, that builds character, it builds excitement, it builds competitiveness within the within the team. And and when you're celebrating wins, man, you forget the losses really quickly, right? You know, when you're celebrating wins, and when you celebrate two, three, four in a row, all of a sudden, the storm that was just in your head for a month is gone.

And all that weight falls off you and your feet feel lighter and your hands feel better. And everything just seems to come when, you know, when you're winning. And then we're seeing that with a few teams that are getting on some runs and good on them. I think it's gonna make for a great finish and it's gonna be fantastic. And I tip my hat to the Penguins and Mike Sullivan, a lot of people had Mike Sullivan written off thinking not a bad coach,

but maybe the shelf life is done. But all of a sudden he's found a way and the Penguins have found a way and you never count out Sid And and and that team but they found a way to make themselves relevant in the race again now Again, we've got close to a half a season left to go here So it's a lot of real estate left to play out and is any team a better example of what you're talking about with Detroit? Than Montreal where it's like I mean we were on this show

You know firing coaches trading players whatever and you check in. They stink. Yeah Oh, yeah, like not just stink like what a mess and all of a sudden it's like maybe they're not that bad I mean, they've kind of pulled it together here gals It's like and I said to you guys because I always like to ask people too Like do you think it could be this really like Yeah, line ain't coming into the lineup just slots guys somewhere better somehow. He comes into the lineup He's a guy that the team was super excited about their fan base was super excited about This is a guy who has struggled and it's had some issues over the last years I kept thinking that they were expectations on Patrick lineine. They were a little bit too high.

I thought, man, if he got you 15 goals, you should be thrilled. I was like, like you can't be sitting here thinking he's coming in potting 30 goals. Like I didn't see that, you know, kind of thing happening. Well, something is going to score 30 goals, but he brings a bit of swagger, you know, his attitude, you know, and how he is on the bench and how he loosens up guys and he goes out there and he's like nine power play goals and he's just, you know, he's another guy that the team feels like we're taking a step forward with. And Kirby Doc has been another great story in the last 15 games for the Montreal Canadiens. This was a guy through the first part of the season that I started to really feel like

has this poor guy through all these injuries he sustained just won't be able to find himself again. He won't be able to be the Kirby doc that, that everyone thinks he could be and should be. And you know, and it's a shame to say something like that, but it happens. You know, you miss so many games, you get so out of it, your confidence gets so beaten, but he has really found himself again where I was watching games where every time he took the puck he made something happen.

He was dangerous at which which would you would expect and what the Canadians need. They need a second line center. They were moving him up to the wing with Suzuki just trying to get him going. But now it's letting them slot him back into that spot. Evan slots into a better slot. Everyone slots down the middle better. And all of a sudden, they're scoring goals. They're scoring goals. They're getting better goaltending. Dolbush has come in and done a marvelous job. Heck, and I know you guys have heard this already. And it's repeating it. But they went

on that road trip. They took down what three or four Stanley Cup champions. Yeah. And the last little while, I mean, this is a team Florida, Tampa, Colorado. That Colorado game was a gutsy win for them coming out of Chicago losing that game after they outshot them outplayed them came into Colorado and first period was kind of okay, but periods two and three they all played the avalanche. So, you know, I'm really happy to see what's happening in Montreal. I'm absolutely thrilled. This is a team that, you know, I think need this.

They need this. Their players need this to understand that, you know, there is a light there and there is something that they can play for. And I think they're feeling like they're in the hunt now. And we're going to see a different team in the back half of this schedule. I think they're going to be a very competitive team. Gals, one more for me, and I'm going to use your 1149 games in the NHL at the highest level, full of big money egos on a daily basis.

And we've seen this ongoing saga in Vancouver for over a month now between We've seen this ongoing saga in Vancouver for over a month now between the relationships of JT Miller and Patterson. And most recently we saw another report out of Boston between Pasternak and Marchand. And you know, some of these reporters who want to be the first to report this type of thing, you know, in your opinion, do they even know what they're looking for? Or, you know, understand the dynamics of an NHL dressing room to really truly put something together of this type of magnitude of a storyline here in your opinion? I, you know, if I'm giving, you know, I mean, obviously there's the cliched answer, you

know, wow, you know, there's always going to be trouble within family. Family has been fighting, you know, hey, Nick and Marnie, you guys know, you've been around hockey families and you've been around hockey your whole life There's in fighting all the time. There's always a Donnie Brooke in the dressing room There's always something during a practice where someone crosses the line There's always frustration with the linemates and you can't I mean imagine when linemates stayed together for like years You know, if you don't think back in the day Darrell Fittler, Lanny McDowell and Tiger Williams had some down-and-outs you're crazy. You're telling me in the island those guys didn't win all those cups

though beating the crap out of each other once in a while too like it happens okay. The difference of this is I don't know how the media gets the information. I really am not. I'm not looking for that information ever guys. I don't go trying to look for negative information. I love the game. I want to try to find the best in the game. But I do know there are issues within teams. I do think that the story is always more in depth and there's more to it than even the media ever finds out. I think there are more things going on in Vancouver than just two guys not getting along

or one guy asking more from another guy and whatever. I think there's always more than that, whether it's personally or whatever. This stuff doesn't get this far without that. The Boston one I have less to think about because I've gotten to know those two guys over the years and I don't see anything there really at all. You know, and if they had a little bit of something, those two guys are gonna get over it and it's gonna move along.

That's the way they operate there. So, but there's always gonna be that going on. It's not that it doesn't happen. It's the ability to let it go after it happens. You know, and I was in a dressing room and I was on the ice in Praxton, Boston, and Andy Mog and Bob Sweeney room and I was on the ice in Praxton, Boston, and Andy Mogue and Bob Sweeney got into a fight on the ice. And that went into the locker room. And then it

got into the locker room. And Ray Bork and Cam Neely ended up in the middle of it trying to break it up. And someone was pulling Ray's hair. He was screaming. It was like, you know, it's just like a Donnybrook in the room. So, so the next, so the next day, what happens? How does the team handle this? Everyone goes home, can't sleep at night, whatever. No, everyone goes home and thinks how they're going to mess with this. So they start sending flowers to the guy. So Andy gets some flowers sent from Bob Sweeney, Bob gets some flowers sent from Andy Moog. When they get in the locker room the next day, there's two

boxing robes in their locker rooms. One says the Petticton Punisher, one says the Boston Mangler on it. And all of a sudden, what was this serious thing and I douging and all of a sudden, it was comedic. It was serious. These guys were mad, they were angry, but the team around them lightened it up and it was done with and whatever, and those guys are still great friends.

It's just, you can't be around family every single day and playing with the competitiveness that these guys play with and not expect to have a few dust-ups and a few, you know, and I've heard this, and you guys have heard this, there are guys in your team you would never have your house for dinner. You know? Many. Many.

But when you step on the ice, you respect them as players, respect them as teammates, and you go play, and that's the way it is, that's the way it all was going to be but uh but yeah but uh yeah that boston one was a beauty it was uh you know i still i see andy when i see andy i always laugh just seeing that penticton punisher on the on on his boxing robe in the in the stall was just uh was priceless i'd leave a plate on the porch for sammy a plate on the porch for Sammy. Hey gals, great perspective on that man. That's, that's awesome stuff. Thanks so much for joining us. My pleasure guys. Always enjoy the games and we'll chat soon. Thanks for your time. Great Boston Bruins dust up story. Isn't it?

That is hate. And I would take the pipe. That could be your nickname. That's pretty close to your neck. Yeah. I wouldn't send you guys flowers. I'd send you chocolates so we could eat. No, I'd crush them. Yeah, we should go. We'll do game time after the game time. You heard my producer, one of the top in the business. Sammy McKee back after these words.

Teeing up the biggest games of the night. It's the fan pregame with Ailish, Forfar and Justin Cuthbert. Weekdays at six p.m. on Sportsnet Sportsnet 590 The Fan, and wherever you get your podcast. Nick Kiprio's Justin Borton, Sammy McKee. A reminder, this hour, real Kipper and Boren brought to you by Bet365 as we go around the league a little bit. Sammy, what do you got? Game time before we get into that. All right, go ahead.

Let it rip. It's game time presented by Bet365. Visit the app for the latest odds and find out why it's never ordinary at Bet three six five must be 19 plus Ontario only please play responsibly so we're coming off of the NFL weekend I know you guys watch closely as I'm trying to pull it up my phone here I was wondering who you think is the favorite heading into

Heading into the Super Bowl the soup the heading into this next weekend I Think you're getting yes and not the bills the favorite for to win the Super Bowl at this moment is the Detroit Lions There are four teams ahead of a little ahead of my buffalo. I was I was present for that It cost me two weeks of my life The breath the Detroit Lions are plus 300 The Kansas City Chiefs are plus 350. Ravens plus 450. Eagles plus 450. And the Buffalo Bills all the way down at five to one.

We just want the Bills to win, for your sake. I'm desperate for the Bills to win. I'm not even the most diehard Bills fan, but this feels like the year. They got a really tough matchup coming up this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens, which should be a fantastic football game. Great quarterback matchup.

It's the premier game Sunday night, 6, which should be a fantastic football game. It's the- Great quarterback matchup. It's the premier game Sunday night, 630, should be a good one. Looking at the NHL tonight, the Edmonton Oilers are hosting the LA Kings. Fantastic game. Really good. You know, I love, this is a little bit of a hunch play.

You guys were talking, you asked Gals a question. You love to say, oh, this guy get enough credit. Leon Dreisdahl is one the heart. Like everyone talks about how incredible he is. No, I don't think, this guy get enough credit. Leon Dreissel is one the heart. Like everyone talks about how incredible he is. No, I don't think they don't. He gets enough credit. No, I don't. To Kip's point, you had him at plus 2,500

for the heart three weeks ago. I don't think. He gets enough credit. No, I love him. He gets credit heaped on him. Lovely. Me too. A big fan of his.

So how about this tonight? Give me Leon Dreissel is the first goal score tonight in LA Kings vs Edmonton at an 8 to 1 shot give me a Leon dry said was the first goal scorer in the game I saw Greg Wyshinski tweeted the if by points percentage if playoffs were today who it would be Toronto Ottawa would play which is LA LA Edmonton LA. Yeah, that's where that was going. Oh, yeah shocker They play every year. Yeah, shocker. That's where that was going. LA, shocker. They play every year. Yeah, they do. It's like Dallas Edmonton back in the day.

It's the new yearly matchup. Great observation. Thank you. LA won five in a row before losing to Calgary. I think LA of all the years they've played. How about them waving Kali up? I think they look the best this year that they've looked. Doughty coming back.

Doughty's coming back. Doughty's coming back. Yeah. They've tried for a year and a half, two years to find a place for Kaliyev. Yeah. It just didn't click. Yeah. Rangers got him. Yeah. Crazy.

I'm going to wrap up Game Time. That was Game Time presented by Bet365. Visit the app for the latest odds and find out why it's never ordinary. Bet365 is for 19 plus. Ontario only. Please play responsibly. One thing I wanted to throw out there, right now as of today using points percentage, every team in Canada is inside the league's top 20.

Actually six of the seven teams are inside the top 16 playoff cut line. Montreal is sniffing. I so yeah. The EA is just somewhere. He just an angel grew his wings. So fired up about that. I don't know. When would the last time have been that all seven Canadian teams would be in the top 20? Yeah, I I can't remember it

So this must be the year the cup comes home. It's coming home. It was the last time they all made the playoffs Eight years ago. No. Yeah, it's happened Force ahead of the packet. Yeah, I think there was happened when sports ahead of the packet yeah I think there was it was at six or seven I can't remember but it was really close now you need Montreal and Ottawa to stay hot for that to be well Calgary to a couple things the weekend did you want to do Eric stall or the well what do we think about... Yeah. Jamie Drysdale got a warm... Eric Stahl's great way to go. Warm...

We're doing... No, no, no, no, no. I'm saying way to go, Eric Stahl, whatever. Flyers and Anaheim, a big deal over Cutter Goche. Right? Cutter Goche. Now we're talking. That's a juicy one.

By the way, I... Well, Galley was talking. He's like, I don't know who digs into this stuff and looks for this stuff. I like to focus on the positive stories and joy. And I was listening to him to be like, that must be nice to have a heart that pure. You know, our show, we're just like, what's the biggest wound we can pick at? Give me the dirt. National Enquirer.

Sorry. Uh, Cuddle Goche is certainly the dirt. So he goes back he asked out of philly the fans didn't like it he owes to anaheim they get Jamie Drysdale for him this is his first time back in Philly and the fans openly in full philly fashion chanted if you cutter like on repeat I'm not sure what you would expect out of the Philadelphia Faithful this is kind of fury for the Philadelphia faithful. This is kind of their move. This is like

Yeah, this is generational. Yeah passing over Punches at the two Leafs fans that were there. Yeah pillows, I get basket I don't like but that's That bothers me. Thank you. You can't lump in the whole family. So I like why would I want to go to a hockey game now thinking like Somebody may punch me because I'm what cheering too loudly or more in the wrong uniform Yeah, like that's a that's a safety issue. That's what they have to do with in this in Europe That's why like they have the sections Yeah, they're like you can't sit near each other this guy like you're going to do with. In Europe, that's why they have the sections.

Yeah, they're like, you can't sit near each other. This guy, you're going to sit with all the other supporters. Anyways, I thought that it was a pretty good route and this is going to be his whole career. I mean, thank God he plays in Anaheim and he's going to have to deal with this once a season. But they're never going to forget, this is going to be Tavares in Long Island his whole career. And then did you want to hear what Torts had to say oh yeah sure so let's check in with Torts because they got asked about it a little bit so play that clip for me Derek

that room obviously knew the outside noise coming into this game do you feel like that that fuels them a little bit in the sense that they want to give the crowd what they came for I have no idea I think it's a bunch of... I just mean playing a good game, playing a solid game. All I told our team is let's worry about ourselves and play a hockey game. For you guys. All the drama and all that, that's for you guys to whatever you need to do with it. All I was concerned about and I expressed it to the guys, let's play the game the proper way, especially how badly we played the prior game.

I deny the scolding and I will not accept it. That's the coach's job to say it doesn't matter. It matters. Let me tell you, it can behind the scenes, but it cannot publicly. I watched they do like every team does their version of the leaf or whatever where they put out the clip of the locker room and giving give out a belt to him in Philly. And Travis Konekne goes over and he gives it, he's like, that's our guy, gives it to Drysdale.

Who had a couple assists? Yeah, he scored. Yeah, he scored in the city. And the whole team, one of the funniest dressing room videos I've ever seen, gave him a two and a half minute standing ovation and they all just kept getting close. No, they all, like they started far away and all of them just started like surrounding him and just would not

I think really great moment really good and he's had it but he's been up and down He's been injured and like there's been a lot of questions about injuries is a huge thing. Yeah Yeah, but it sounds like it went beyond hurray for you and eventually just got awkward and uncomfortable there is a ton of pressure on dry cell to come in now in that market. You've got to feel pretty good. And be that be the guy right now because Goche was a top prospect and a lot of promise to be a frontline forward for them.

Yeah. You know, Drysdale has to come in and be a quarterback now for them. But unfortunately, they are tied together and and it does depend how Goche does. Goche the next night goes out and has a couple of goals. Including the overtime winner. Yeah, that goal. Against Carolina. Yeah.

But you know, like if Goche's a bum, then it's different. But if Goche's great, then people are going, oh, you got to be as good as the great guy. Yeah. So you're tied to the other guy's success. 100%. Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely. All right. So I just thought it was a good quick the Eric stall thing, but you kind of well you hate these I hate it

I've heard this quite. These are one of my these are my favorite pre show like is Yeah Wait, I mean he got his number retired. It's a relevant topic. We do a sports talk hockey show is Eric's all Hall of Famer? See here's why I hate it. It takes work to answer this accurately, like to like, you know, pour through the numbers, who's available, how many people per year go through it, yada yada. That's so fun.

First blush. My first blush thought is no. Me too. You know, like that I think he is an unbelievable player. He's a captain. The hall of very, very good. So good. Like, exceptional player who's had a ton of success. Like, people say, think when you say no,

you're taking away from the player, but I'm really trying to heap praise on the hall itself and how exclusive that club is. It should be very hard to get in. It is only getting harder. So when I was a kid, it would be an automatic, you play a thousand games, you have decent numbers, you're going to get in the Hall of Fame. And that's done.

Now it's over. Now it's... Then it kind of swing into major awards. Certainly Stanley Cup really, really helps. I mean, he is triple gold too, right? But now which is a huge, which that's it. That's such an exclusive club. You know, that includes the world championship that you got knocked out and didn't make the playoffs in triple,? Triple gold club matters.

Stop it with a triple. I'll give you an Olympic. Okay, nuts. I'll give you an Olympic medal. This is an insane thing to say. The world championship in a watered down. The world junior might hold his best weight. We didn't make the playoffs.

Do you wanna go? Eh, yeah, we'll turn it into a vacation Let's go. It's May. I give me World Championship as a as a measuring stick to make the Hall of Fame The thoughts and the thoughts and views of Nick Kiprios do not reflect me So Outside of that not agree, you know was he a Outside of that, was he a huge impactful player for them? We know they had the Stanley Cup real early in his career, much like Cam Ward, but he and the team never got really to that level again. One of the things, and you talk about awards, it's like, was he, were ever the best player,

near one of the best players in the league, were you top five in the league for a five, 10 year run, were you top 10 in the league for a run, did you get heart trophy votes or win a heart trophy? Stall on those teams, he maybe cracked a top 10 in the NHL for a year or two, is that fair? Like in terms of where, I'm trying to find his awards 13. It's 1365 games, 455 goals, 608 assists, uh, thousand 63 points. I mean,

Heart Trophy votes in four different years. I see you threw in my lineup. Uh, he made the He threw in my lineup. He made the All-Star team eight, six times and won the MVP in 2008. Can I be totally honest with you? The same All-Star game where Ovi went down to the beach. I copy and pasted that from the sports analysis. I didn't read it, pal. Did you think any of this was written by Sammy? Yeah, nothing is ever copy and paste king right here.

Like Eric Stahl, he had an amazing career. He made a ton of money. Ton of money. But this one's gonna be a tough one here. And how many points did he have? In his career? Yeah. 1,063.

1,063, 1,300 games. So many points. 450 goals. I think it gets in I think he's a he certainly has a case. He's got the credit if he got in I wouldn't be like I'm deserving longevity in the point. He matters hundred and four playoff do you win any major award? That doesn't help him no selkie no So we say we all settled on I guess but It's like is John DeVos

His number retired is like, you know, we just I think but I shot him down for Hall of Fame Sammy feel good about yourself on a Monday We got to make the guy and his family feel not great that three of us think he's not a Hall of Famer now thanks Sam yeah I really do feel good about it hey we talked it out we initially said no and then we had the conversation about his credentials and we all said he probably gets in. So there you go. All the way back to maybe baby. All right Jordan Stahl maybe uh so Ottawa Senators I had a decent goaltending performance from a goaltender who I am unfamiliar with I Still feel like I would like to see them make a trade like just Get in separate yourselves from the pack a little bit, but they're like But they are like 12 teams right now saying the same thing. They would love to.

Hard. They need, in a perfect world, a top four right-handed defensemen. That's what they're looking for. You know what else Ottawa wants? That new arena. And there's an article on our website right now. Senators NCC continue down the long and winding road to arena deal at LeBreton Flats from Wayne Scanlon.

Yeah. What are your thoughts on that? Yeah. Because you had some involvement. Yeah, we did. And it was a beast. My group didn't really like that location. It was really limited at I don't know it starts

at about eight acres and goes to like maybe 12 or 13. That's not a lot of room to do a lot of things, including in a perfect world you want a practice facility or something close. Yeah. Right. I know like in a perfect world, they'd like their American hockey league team right in Ottawa. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, that would make sense in Belleville now. Sure.

Nice for the Leafs. But it seems like calling guys up across the hall. I mean, our would probably the same amount of time to get down the Gardner that does to get to Ottawa. There's lots of talk about Ann Lauer putting it in Hamilton, but you want a scenario where you could work with a team right beside you. Like the Leafs here in Toronto have the Marlies just down the street. You need to make an adjustment to the salary cap.

I mean, they literally share the Ford Performance Center. Both are there. Like you take your bag and you walk in the building to the Leaves Room. So it is a true luxury for them. All right, Sammy, good job. Thanks, man. Really good job.

Good recovery. Hoping we get the other Gary on later this week. Gary Bettman Thursday. We're hoping. Unless. I'm not promising. Unless he's not on. Don't say anything.

Don't say anything to piss him off between now and Thursday. I won't. I'll even maybe wear an NHL hat on the show when he comes. Rob Lowe? Yeah, I have one. So I'll be okay. I told you to. Our thanks to Gord Stalek in our first Leaf Edition Hour and then Gary Galley who does it as good as anybody when it comes to covering NHL hockey across this great country.

Oh Canada, every team in the top 19. Hey, Oilers Kings tonight, gonna rock. Let's go. Great game. All right, enjoy it and we're back here tomorrow. If you get a chance, give us a rating and review and ratings, whatever they call it. Yeah, you nailed it. And YouTube channel as well.

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