Real Kyper & Bourne - Assessing the Flames with Eric Francis + Choice of Words

Episode Date: January 7, 2026

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee begin their second hour discussing Sheldon Keefe's positive post-game comments after his New Jersey Devils' 9-0 loss to the New York Islanders before bringing in Sportsnet's Eric Francis (4:59) to chat about the identity of the Calgary Flames into 2026, if Rasmus Andersson will be dealt with before the Winter Olympics, why the organization would be hesitant to move one of their leaders in the locker room Blake Coleman, keeping Nazem Kadri, and the state of the Western Conference. Afterwards, Nick, Justin and Sam take a look at Trevor Zegras' choice of words in his post-game comments, and the heavyweight fight between Ryan Reaves vs. Mathieu Olivier.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.

All right, let's kick it up a notch on the national hour. It's the real Kipper and Bourne show. We are live on Sportsnet, Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver, Sportsnet 960 in Calgary, and streaming always on Sportsnet. Plus, if you miss our show, catch it on Spotify, Apple podcast, and YouTube as well. Nick Kipperyl is Justin Bourne. Sammy McKee. In a few minutes, we'll welcome in

Eric Francis, senior columnist with SportsNet. It does a terrific job covering the Calgary Flames, which will be featured tonight on our Wednesday, Scotia Bank Hockey Night, Calgary Flames and the Montreal Canadiens, 730 Eastern.

Did you want to talk about our buddy Sheldon before we get to the Flames conversation? The New Jersey Devils absolutely taking it on the chin. last night. They took it on the chin and they left the nose, the jaw ear, yeah.

And they left Markstrom in. They would not pull him. I expected him to do the Mario Tromblay. I'm never playing for this organization again type of thing. They would be so happy if that was the case.

If he said that, yeah, yeah. So Sheldon after the game said, you know, something like if you want to play it now? Yeah, yeah, play it now. Yeah, obviously makes it a challenge because there's a lot of things that we did well that led to probably offensively in terms of chance generation, the best game we've played in a really long time offensively.

But at the same time, the way we started the game in terms of the quality of chance that we gave up, that's unacceptable. Yeah, I mean, they have struck. He left the unacceptable part at the very end. they have struggled to produce offense got shut out and he was like but we're getting there unacceptable we're getting there are we noticing that coaches today have a very difficult time of just almost telling it like it is i i believe sheldon believes that but he also he he does zag pretty hard we know his tricks we've listened to his clips for three years but he's gotten

burned on his tricks in toronto but his trick is team plays good he'll find things he hates team plays, you know, kind of good and loses. He finds tons of things that he loves. This is just an extreme situation where you lose 9-0. He's making the point it wasn't what the scoreboard said it was. Yeah, but that's not a point you can make. No. When you've got a rabid fan base that's already pissed off at the general manager

and already pissed off at you because of, you know, the Hughes situation. And I don't know if you saw Frank the Tank from Barstool his video about it. It's very... Give us the other Keith part of that if we can. On Markham, on leaving Marchham in there? Yeah, okay, let's play that. My thought process on it is, like I said, I didn't like the quality of chance that we had given up.

And Markey has been playing quite well for us, and I thought deserved the opportunity to stay in, you know, through the first period and decided to go back out with him again in the second. And, you know, once the other one next one goes in for me now, it's just he's got to own it and he's just got to battle through the rest of the game yeah it's like you know what

what am I going to put the other guy in there's very seldom I mean nine very seldom coaches have the philosophy of just leaving your number one starter this isn't even a rookie it's like a veteran to

just absorb that absorb the numbers pull his save percentage down further into the toilet What was the same percentage last night? 600? Yeah. Sheld, well, I would say, nine scoring chance against nine goals.

You know, he's never seen anything like that. But to me, so they score a couple really late to make it look, you know, absurd, right? Two in the final minute or two. But I think the idea is, I'm not bailing you out of this. You know, you haven't been good. We are going to have to play the other guy next game anyway. So I'm not going to, you know, wear his legs out in this game. And, you know, it's kind of like.

Not to embarrass guy, but make a save. Make a safe. You know, we're giving you lots of money to do that. They just signed him to an extension for $6 million, $6 million. Which you were critical of yesterday with Valley who called them playing like an alumni goalie right now. A bit of a heat check for our boy Valley recently. Yeah, he's not. He literally just like, yeah, he's, and his, was it, seven less goals?

Like, what's his, the goals against six, whatever? Yeah, he's a negative seven goal score to get above expected? expected yeah bad one the bad side of it all right let's welcome him in i teed him up eric francis senior columnist analyst sports net eric how are you my friend happy new year uh happy new year i'm sorry uh borne i tried to get the exact same outfit you were worried tried sorry we've made a good effort the ten tree boys i'm like one of these things is not like the other right now Tonight, obviously, a key game. They're all key games these days.

Just an overall perspective of what we've seen out of the National Hockey League on a whole, the standings from first to worst. We had Nashville dead and buried. We had Calgary dead and buried. I don't know what to make a Winnipeg now here. But in all these years, you've covered the game. Have you ever really seen anything,

like what we're witnessing right now? Yeah, it's great. Like who can complain about it? It's fantastic and it should make for a great trade deadline fodder because, you know, in three or four weeks from now, we still might not know who's a buyer and a seller, you know, for some teams. So I love it. You know, the Calgary Flames just lost two in a row and now everyone's talking about them trying to tank for McKenna again. Yeah, before that they won nine of 12 and everyone's talking about them making the playoffs. So, you know, some days you're closer to the last place in the West

than you are to a playoff spot. And that's kind of where the flames are. But all around the league, there are lots of teams in that same sort of boat. So what are the flames? You know, like, is this a team? You know, you've had a pretty good beat on it, whether they're winning or losing. What are we looking at here with this team?

You know what we're looking at? We're looking at the same thing I've looked at for 20 years covering this team. It's a mushy middle. You know, the road to the mushy middle has been paved. and ready for them to go. You know, when they lost eight of their first nine, it looked like they might finally be able to lean into a bit more of a rebuild than they're ever willing to admit

they want to go through. But then they go and win 9 of 12, like I said in Detroit, in December, and it just sets them right back up to finish 17th, which is where they've been over the last 20 years. So, you know, 17th, for those who don't know, that's one out of the playoffs, but the worst of the draft picks of all those in the lottery. You know, it's frustrating for a lot of playing spans, but on the other side, you know, they have shown signs of swagger lately like they had late last season, which made them one of the better teams than the last 20 games in the season for what that's worth.

And they almost shocked the league last year. So good signs and bad signs. They're still moving in a good direction. Still got youngsters. There's going to be another guy making an NHL debut tonight in William Strongrin. But at the end of the day, still frustrating, given where they are in the standings. you're watching and listening to eric francis senior columnists for sports net based out of calgary talking calgary flames it almost seems like it's been forever we're just waiting for a shoe to drop

or a skate to drop on on a trade with calgary because we know where they're at ultimately we know where certain players are at we're running out a runway on rasmus anderson and his contract situation. There's Cadry. Now we're starting to hear that Craig Conroy's taking more calls on Blake Coleman than he is anything else right now. When are we going to see something happen here, Eric?

Yeah, I think the Anderson situation will be resolved before the Olympic break. You know, at some point, you just got to take all the offers you've got and realize that that's probably as good as it's going to get. You could always risk it and come back after the Olympics. and hope that some of them are going to get even better, but he'll be playing some pretty hardcore hockey in the meantime when the risk of injury is always there. So I think it's probably best if they dealt with that sooner rather than later.

As for Coleman and Codry, you know, to me, unless Codry comes in and says, I want out, that trade doesn't happen this year. Still got many years left on his deal. Coleman, to me, is the fascinating. He's the bellwether player in terms of how serious they are about cashing out, casting in,

cashing out on these veterans. Blake Coleman has been the Calgary players best forward this season, period, end of stop. For 30 goals last year on the third line, never played a minute

on the first power play. This guy is the most well-rounded NHL player that I could, I put him on a list of right up there amongst the best, most well-rounded guys.

And he's a great spokesman, great leader in that room. he shuts down the top opposition every night. I have no doubt that the interest in him would be higher than anybody else on the Flames roster. Question is, do you want to trade him this year? Or does that send a bad message to a locker room when you rip a leader like that out of their dressing room

at a time when their mantra is still make the playoffs above all else? So that one foot in, one foot out, high build I always talk about is what makes me wonder if Blake, Coleman's going to go or stay. Is there any word from your end on what kind of return Blake could bring the Calgary Flames and ultimately

is there an offer that Craig can't refuse? You know, look, I know what the flames are looking for for Rasmus Anderson. What they're looking for for Coleman is a little murkier for me but I can remind you guys before he was really even a name in this league when he got traded from

New Jersey to Tampa Bay, I do believe he went for two first rounders, and it kind of shocked the hockey world. Well, he won two cups, and now here he is, all these years later, he's much better player than he ever was back then. I'm not suggesting you're going to get two first rounders for Blake Coleman. But one. You don't even think, you don't even answer the phone unless someone starts by saying first rounder.

Otherwise, I guarantee they don't make that trade. So it's a first rounder plus plus, and it could be is up to three, three players. He's a whole lot more attainable than, say, a Nazim Caudry, whose cap hit is a little more cost prohibitive for someone to acquire. Yes, everybody would like a Codry, too. But Blake Coleman could fit into their salary cap structure easier. And if you get them now, you get them for two playoff runs, not just one. Just to follow up quickly on Anderson, what is the get back for Calgary on Rasmus?

They're looking for the equivalent of two first rounders. So first round draft pick starts the conversation. They also want a player who's probably been drafted in the first round, like a prospect. And depending on how, you know, what that first round draft pick is, they may want a third player in there as well. Look, you guys know Kipp Rice, to your boards there, I mean, like, is there a more sought-after guy at the trade deadline this year at a very important position, a right-shot defenseman? Yeah, they're rare. He's not a unicorn, but he's hard to find. They're rare.

I just don't understand why the flames haven't moved yet, I guess. You know, I understand we want people to come to games, whatever, but it's like you do risk guys being injured. You risk a flood of people hitting the market after the Olympic break. Like, this just feels like the be honest with an intelligent fan base who's tired of finishing 17th and let's do this thing. Rip the Band-Aid off. Yeah, the understood one is just, look, there are people who wonder if they're keeping him

because they want to keep, you know, he's been their best player this year. You know, best defense, but for sure. keeping them because they want to stay in this playoff race or bounce back. I'm sure that's an added bonus. But the reason they're keeping us because they just have yet to get that offer that makes them say, we have to do this now. Fair enough. And it kind of baffles my mind that they're still waiting for the market to hit what they're asking for

because of what we just talked about. But that is the reality. Look, it's going to happen. I do believe, you know, in the next two or three weeks. So, you know, theoretically in that time, frame someone will come up with a major injury and just decide to sweeten the pot that much more or the Calgary Flames decide to bow down and take a little less than they're asked before but I really can't see that one being the case because they've held out this long

so I think we should have the conversation we had yesterday on the show we talked about Zane Perak his world juniors tons of points and even his comments I think kept caught your eye well just in terms of the apology obviously to the flames organization and You know, just your background of the story in terms of how it was perceived or whose nose maybe got out of joint a little bit? You know, he didn't have to apologize for those comments. I said the same thing. I said the same thing.

You didn't have to apologize? He didn't have to apologize. You were so mad about it yesterday. He said he had to. I was only mad about it because you made me mad at it. I did. I don't know how I hit a nerve yesterday. Because you made me mad.

Go ahead, Eric. But what he said wasn't that egregious. You probably shouldn't say those sort of things. And, you know, when you're a rookie and especially an unproven rookie, it's probably best you just kind of keep your mouth closed. That's the point I tried to make. Okay. Do a lot more listening than talking.

But that's not Zane Perak. And like, look, he was feeling it. He was running the show there. He was probably the talk of the tournament. And he got a little big for his britches, maybe he said something. he probably didn't want to say or he didn't realize it would come across like that. His teammates

heard it and they let him know. I talked to Uyghur and Kodry and, you know, these guys all heard it and I think that they exchanged on the team text line that that's probably not something you should say and we're going to talk about this. You wait until your father gets home sort of thing

you know, but by apologizing I think he cut it off at the past and it's a moot point now. Join the team in Montreal today. you move forward. So he didn't need to apologize, but good on him for doing it, and now we move forward.

100%. Yes, no question. And a great learning experience again between saying something in your junior town or saying something as a member of a National Hockey League hockey club. So good on them. To me, it's a nothing story from here on end. And the most important thing is,

is this guy's got a really bright future. And it was shown once again, during the championship with the way he could produce. Well, and what I think is really fascinating about him and makes him such a unicorn is that he can, his personality comes through on the ice. I mean, you guys saw him laughing and smiling. He's having conversations with the other team.

Again, maybe that's something veterans don't like either, but he's out there laughing and giggling. He did that when he was playing in the National Hockey League too. I can't tell you how many times after a game. I'd ask him, what were you talking to? so-and-so about or this guy and thinking that maybe it's adversarial but no he's just like yeah we were just laughing at something on the jumbotron or whatever you know some guys who question his focus i don't i think he's just a guy with a massive grin on his face always it's a beautiful

smile that can help sell the game he doesn't need to kind of step outside of his comfort zone with some of the comments that maybe he's been apt to make as a youngster i think he'll learn a lot from this. So is the, you know, you talk about a high build, high builds for the, the flames. Who is a part of this thing when it's going the direction? Right. Everyone talks about it, is it 2027, the new rink is built in Calgary? And that's when they want to start turning things around.

Who are the important players for the flames when that's happening? Well, Zane Perak, Hunter Bresdavich, Kevin Ball. Those are kind of your pillars on the blue line. Obviously, Dustin Wolfe, you're building your franchise around in a lot of ways. They just signed Devin Cooley to an extension. He's been phenomenal as a backup. You know, but, you know, up front, you know, Matt Vey Gridden is the guy who's been playing in the minors,

and, you know, he's been really ripping it up, and people are really excited about him. You know, Conner's Dairy to a degree. It gets murky up front. You know, most of the guys that they're really excited about, and William Stronggren, like I said, is going to debut tonight. Really, of all these names I'm giving you,

especially up front, you know, Matt Coronado, sorry, up front is the guy. He's their 40-goal score, I think, moving forward. But that's the talk in this town. None of those names that I spoke of in many people's eyes are that high-end guy who can be the difference maker in a league where difference makers are key to winning. You know, Colresti's another guy who's already on everybody's radar

and another kid named Idaar Sunyev. So those are guys, and again, a lot of them have a lot to prove, moving forward, but they're the ones that everyone's excited about in this organization right now. There's another kid, Colin Potter is another one in the NCAA undersides, but speed to burn and a lot of excitement. Eric, as far as the middle of the ice, it's still Cadry and Backland. And that's not a good thing when you consider their ages and where they are in their careers. And you had mentioned that you think that there might be a possibility that Cadry stays and does not get traded here, which I would find really surprising, especially from his side of not taking

another year of where he's, his game is at right now and risking that, you know, at his age, a lost opportunity to win a Stanley Cup as early as this year. But how does this, how do you, what do you do? You roll the dice and, and hope that you can land one in a, in a draft. Like, where are they going to, where are they going to get rejuvenated in the middle of the ice? outside of maybe Morgan Frost right now. Yeah, it's the biggest problem. Look, at this year's draft, I think they drafted three or four centers,

but that's three or four years away from now. They know that that's the biggest issue organizationally. It's the biggest reason why they don't want to trade Nazim Qadry, and I don't believe have any plans to trade Nazim Qadry, because like you said, without Goddry, your number one center is Morgan Frost. And he has been really good this year. I have to say he's taken his game to another level.

the skill and skating of this guy is very underrated. It's his compete level that they were worried about and he's really upped at this year. So he would have to step up in a huge way, but that would completely obliterate any chance this team would have of making the playoffs this year. And again, that's their mantra. That's their MO every year is to make the playoffs.

Now, they're on a five-game road trip right now. They're the worst road team in the NHL. They have an abysmal road trip here. Maybe we could finally start to get, you know, this organization to lean into the rebuild with a little more. And then you would be more open to trading a Coleman or a Cadry. So, but for now, and I've talked to someone in management, they said, if we trade

Godry, who's going to play center for us? It's really that simple. So unless Godry initiates it, that's my theory. Unless he comes to them, they are not trading Nazim Goddry. It's crazy because, like, you know, I sit here often. I'm like, why aren't the flames just tearing it down? All that, you know, I'm a lot of people who aren't in Calgary have those kind of thoughts. I look at that West, man, like Vancouver and Winnipeg struggle in Chicago, St.

Louis, Nashville, Utah, Anaheim, San Jose, like, no one's really great. You know, I don't think it's unrealistic to say that a decent run, and they can kind of hang around the picture for a while. 100%. Who do you like there, Fran? What's that? Who do you like there in the West for, you know, ahead of Calgary, or any of those teams I listed, any of them any good?

Utah, maybe? Yeah, Utah, I like, you know, Seattle's been on a surge of late, but I am not a believer that that could be sustained. And then I certainly don't think Utah is a better team than the Calgary Flames right now by any stretch, although they pummeled the flames the other night at home. So it's, you know, the Jackal and Hyde nature of the Calgary Flames is such that you're like, well, if they could ever get into the playoffs, you know, they're the type of team that you feel like they could do some damage. The way they played down the run, stretch run last year was what made them not do anything in the offseason. the exact same roster because everything was going so, so well and things are, you know, the one thing I will say about the flames, no matter what they do and no matter where they go from here is they are moving in the right direction. Like, you know, they've got this Yan Kuznetsov.

There's another pillar I should have mentioned on the blue line. This guy's been in the minors basically for five plus years. He joined the team this year and he is here to stay for the next five or ten years. Like this guy has been a phenomenal second pairing defenseman with McKenzie Weaker. So Stronggren's been four and a half years in the minors until tonight, you know, Rory Cairns. I could go through all these prospects, but they're giving these kids more and more of a chance.

And if they do fall out of a playoff race and start to really lean into their youth movement, we'll see more and more what they may have in the coffers down below. So they are moving in a good direction. It's just that people are really frustrated at, you know, how fast that's moving.

And they are one of the rare teams where they look at their goal-tending. situation and may not have to worry about that for quite a while. And that's part of the problem for Team Tank here in this city. And Team Tank is a very large proportion of the fan base. They're like, how can we tank if we've got one of the best goalies in the league? It's not easy. You know, he keeps you in up pretty much every game.

And yeah, you have the worst offense in the league, the worst power play in the league. But yet you're still right there fighting for a playoffs. why because of your defense and most of all your goaltenders so that problem it's a nice problem to have but it sure makes it hard to tank no doubt about that um looking at your uh you know provincial rivals there i always like to get your take and what's going on at edmonton if that's okay to move on here and i just what they scratched monjapani and frederick last night um you know this is a team the stanley cup aspirations man they've had some july first struggles They really have.

Isn't it amazing? I mean, that Frederick one is, I know it's not costly, but eight years, my Lord, that is... Not cheap. Not cheap, but yeah, I mean, and the Majapani wants, you know, I was surprised how much he got. And, you know, obviously they hoped that he would catch on with one of the big two boys, but obviously that didn't happen. So, but you know what? That aside, you know, the Oilers to me are back to being, it's the same every year.

They start, they play the rope a dope. If they start poorly, everyone wonders what's going to happen, and eventually they end up in the Stanley Cup final. I'm not suggesting they're going to end up in the final again, but would it surprise any of us if they ended up in the final again? Like I know we're still 40 games out from the playoffs, but, you know, the way McDavid's playing again right now, like hand him the heart trophy now. Why wait? Why wait for the ceremony at the end of the year? Like, he's been incredible. Dry style hasn't even been that good of late, but he's still, you know, one of the best in the league. Yeah, I don't worry about the Oilers. I never did worry about them.

And I think if you're in Edmonton oil right now, you're thinking, yeah, we're settling in quite nicely for the stretch run here. But you are like all the rest of us worried about the Winnipeg Jets. Like that's, I don't know, shocking from first to worst. Shocking. Like, for a million different reasons. And no one can sit here and tell me it's because they lost Nikolai Ehlers. That's not the reason why this is happening.

It just blows my mind. Like Kyle Connor, I guess, has not been as good. That top line, which I would say would have been maybe top five lines in the NHL last year, has not been doing what it's counted on doing. But, you know, and I'm not putting this all on Hellebock, but what really concerns you is that last year he was the best player in the National Hockey League, and this year he's nowhere near that. But, you know, I don't want to pin it just on him.

It's just shocking. There's no team that can be considered as shocking this year as where the Winnipeg Jets are in the standings. And again, I have no doubt that they'll be scratching and con for a playoff spot when it matters most. But for them to be in last place right now is puzzling. Eric, enjoy the Scotia Bank Wednesday in hockey tonight. Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, 7.30 Eastern time.

Really appreciate your time, as always on this show, pal. Good job. boys born you've never looked better and you look fine next time add me to the the email a on yeah Eric Francis

I have a good job senior columnist with sports net covering Calgary Flames if you get outside of the teams that are in the three playoff spots for each division in the west

there's one team that's positive goal differential that being Utah plus six after that it's brutal dude I mean, Calgary is minus 14. The blues are minus 39. So there's a glutton of teams that need help at Center Ice. But I keep hearing that the Calgary Flames are not getting the offers that they like on Nazim Cadry. Yeah.

You think people are just concerned about that contract. Big number. I think it's the term. Three more years. Right? Three more years. Seven, five? No, seven.

Just seven. It's not horrible. Like, I'm watching. I'm watching Brad Marchand at age 37 just signed a six-year deal. I'm not saying that NAS is going to go in and do what he Marchand did last year. That was kind of almost like a storybook kind of feel,

but he's not that far off still having a big impact on a hockey club in Stanley Cup playoffs here. No, and I'll say this for that contract. Like when he signed it, he's in the fourth year of it, it was worth 8.5% of their salary cap, which is a pretty big chunk. By the end of it, it's 5.7%. It's a much smaller piece, you know? Like the cap's gone up quite a bit.

If he is at the end of this deal, you know, a 2-3C or whatever that gives you 17 minutes, I think you're okay. I think it'll be a late day of trade. What Francis said there would drive me insane if I'm not what he said, what he said, the management said. Who's going to play center for us? The fans are like, who cares? We don't want anyone to.

We want to lose so mechanic can play a wing for us. We would prefer a crappy player to play there so that we are worse, which improves our draft stocks. We get better player. The Canadian Minnesota Wild here. Like, let's go pick a direction. And I think that... Read my article today.

I think there's a world where you get a boatload for Nazim Cadry. No? Like, not right now? No, not right now. But no, I don't... Like, not necessarily right now. But getting closer to the deadline as teams started to get, I mean, not to pick on Brad for Living,

but Scott Lawton at the deadline last year with some money to retain got a decent prospect and a first round pick. I think that's what Calgary's looking for it. And I don't think that there's an offer right now for it. Would they retain on it? And they probably won't, right? Why wouldn't they? Like, who cares?

It's just money. Well, yeah, but they're trying to make the playoffs. That kind? Yeah. Trying to make the playoffs to make money. It's the cost of getting a better asset and doing business. That to me is very easy to explain to an owner. It's like you can have me trade this guy and we're going to get this back or we can pay a couple million.

And then our team is better and we'll make it back. So I can lose them for a third round pick or a second and a third or I can turn it into a first if we pick up $5 million of it. And here's what that first can do for your organization versus a second or third. And here's the window of prospects that we can get with it that we think. We'll flip that first for a guy, you know, whatever. There's so many different directions you can go with better assets. Yeah, no doubt. Game time?

Game time. It's game time. It's set by Bet365. Visit the app playlist to odds and see why it's ever ordinary at Bet 365 must be a team plus. Terry only, please play responsibly. There are five games on the ice tonight, Dallas, Washington, Calgary, Montreal, St. Louis, Chicago, Ottawa, Utah, and. in San Jose in L.A.

He mentioned there the, I'm quickly pulling it up here, the heart trophy odds. And I just wanted to do a quick check-in on Connor McDavid's Heart Trophy odds to see what he's at. If I quickly pull it up. I bet him and McKinner are like both minus 110 at this point. Yeah. Oh, I just had it there.

Sorry, guys, I lost. I think I saw plus 400. Give me one second. Talk amongst yourselves. Do you think he should win the... What kind of jacket is that? Ten Tree is the brand. Yeah.

Yeah. Now, was he... So... I don't know, but I know he has ten tree stuff, which is... So the Art Ross trophy. No, you have to say stop talking amongst yourselves. The Art Ross trophy right now is... Connor McDavid is minus 115.

And Nathan McKinnon is minus 105. So they... Wow. And the Hart Memorial Trophy, Nathan McKinnon is minus 340 right now to win the Heart Memorial Trophy. Really? Connor McDavid, right? there at plus 450 as the second favorite i'm going to tell you right now everybody you can make

worse bets than that no the next closest is macklin celebrini at plus 550 and then it drops off a cliff to nikita kuturov at plus 4 000 so 40 to 1 i actually feel i hate to say this about him but i feel like he's very underrated about the point production that he keeps putting up so that's a that's an interesting one uh and the norris trophy who do you think the favorite is and what how big of a number is it kale macar minus 400 minus 550 The next closest is Zach Lorenzky at plus 400, and then it goes to... I'm starting to move Schaefer in there. Shaefer.

And you know who else? Another guy I've heard you talk about Mo Sider. Mo Sider is worthy of conversation. Mo Sider is 40 to 1, and Matthew Schaefer is plus 25,000. So 250 to 1 for Matthew Schaefer to win this year. Schaefer could, like, score 25 goals. He might be getting better. If you want to throw 10 bucks at something, I think.

Matthew Schaefer, I mean, for a more. likely chance to the calder is minus 5.50. So he's pretty much a lock for that. Locked. That was game time presented by Bet365. Visit the athlete of the odds and see why it's every ordinary at Bet365

must win a team plus. And tell you only, please play responsibly. Thanks for talking about yourself, boys. Sorry, I got it. Yeah, no, I have to talk about my little vest jacket combo here. Okay, let's take a quick break and we return. We'll still go around the National Hockey League.

A couple of interesting storylines including a big heavyweight fight between Olivier from Columbus and Ryan Reeves. Seldom did we see Ryan Reeves over his career take a couple of punches like he did last night. And also Trevor Ziegress with his very unique, vocal, vocal, post-game interview. Expressive.

Expressive. Explicit. Some celebrals. Some celebrate it. He needs parenting. Some are celebrating that post-game interview. I feel like we're not going to. And some don't.

We'll get into that when we return to Real Kipper and Bourne. Hey, it's Nick Kiprios. And I'm Justin Bourne. We're diving deep into everything happening in Leafland and the biggest stories around the NHL. Real Kipper and Born, weekdays from 4 to 6 on SportsNet, Sportsnet 590, The Fan, and wherever you get your podcast. Welcome back to the program.

The Real Kippoor and Born Show, National Edition. That Kippeeris, Justin Boren, Sammy McKee. Last night, Trevor Zegaris gave what is believed to be the all-time post-game interview. Is it? I don't know. More importantly, he scored two goals against the Anaheim ducks who traded them. Two goals. and went on the Jumbotron with Scott Hartnell

and I don't know dropped a couple of F bombs Before we play it he did the hang-up emoji after emoji just reaction Whatever we want to call it? I don't know. He scored. An emote as the kids would say. Celebration, you know, which was, okay, what was that about?

Bang, I actually liked that. And let's... Okay, I just had to double check that I bleeped this, but I did. Okay, all right. Let's get a Kipper's clipper out of Trevor's egress last night. A team that might have given up on you, Trevor, and you come in here, you've pot to in that first period. How good did that feel?

Fucking amazing. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. And I got to ask you about the celebration on the first one. You hung up the phone. Who was it to and what's that all about? I don't know. I don't know.

But that's about how quick the phone call was before. So I thought it would be good. road scholar maybe not you know it's so i just think it's the lamest thing when people are like breakups or something it's like it's not that it happened it's it's how it happened and like the call to him to tell him he was traded was apparently very short and that if it were a longer call would he have been okay with anaheim breaking up with him well the thing with pat for beak is everybody knows he's super verbose well that's it's not like a warm cuddly you're traded yeah where am i going Billy.

Bye. See ya. Back your bags. I just, I don't understand when everybody got a green light to just to drop F bombs and say whatever they want. Like, come on. There's children in the arena. Seriously. What somebody think of.

Can someone just, it sounds sarcastic, but he's not wrong. Can someone just class our league back up a little bit, Sammy? Please, just a little bit. I'm not asking for a lot. Please. Kippa, I got one thing to say to you. Hang up. I don't want kids.

They emulate their heroes. I just, I don't think it's a green light. Somebody's got to stand up and say, hey, Trevor, we love the passion. We love the emotion. You want to be animated. That's fine. But just, come on. He knows that there's a subset of the audience who loves that.

Now he's their favorite player, right? We're so scared to even. tell him that that's unacceptable. I'm totally with you. Because we don't want to lose the clicks. We don't want to lose this new generation. I just think the whole thing's immature. He just seems very

immature to me. And thus why Anaheim got rid of you was the immaturity. And like he's been way better. So now to go to the hockey side of it, he's been way better than I thought he was going to be total win for Philly. You're better,

but be bigger. Be bigger. Be bigger than to turn around and focus on the negativity or the toxicity. Yeah. Let it go. Why don't you just focus on I made great friends there. It was a wonderful experience. Like, Sam, this is. No, but Kim's right.

You got guys that win championships. Yeah, but it's Trevor Zegris. Well, but what does that mean? Don't give up on him, Sam. You're expecting this guy who's like, no, no, no, no. I hate that. I hate that, Sam, because that's, no, no, it's not who he is. It absolutely.

Well, then it's not, then, then if you accept who he is, then that's the Philadelphia Flyers then, because he's representing you. If you tell me that the Flyers are saying that's who we are, Trevor Zegris, this is who the Philadelphia Flyers are. That's not who Danny Breyer is. That's not who Danny Breyer is. That's not from other guys that have been in that organization. I'm sorry, but like, be bigger.

Okay. And you want to, you want to lead this team to a Stanley Cup? that's not how you do it by turning around and sticking it to Anaheim it's not it's too it's small potatoes bud it's not taking responsibility

and you just even when there is something that you're like upset about or whatever happens all the time with former employers you're better just to say the right things move along be a pro Sam needs a child he needs to be a dad I got a four-legged child

barks a lot but does he bark and draw F bombs at the same time? Absolutely. And I draw F bombs at him for barking so much. But you're right. But I just don't care. Okay.

That's what it comes down to. I know. And apparently the league doesn't care either. It's chere's egress. Like, he's not, I don't think he was going to go up there and be like, I think that he just came off the ice. They're live. He just asked him how great it felt.

And he's just not the smartest guy in the world. I'm okay. One, and then maybe a quick apology or an acceptance of him, I'm sorry for my language. And then you can move on. But two of them and nobody says a word. word. Yeah, not a big fan. I'm with you. Okay.

Although, coming to York Canlan on Monday night, it's got a new Sally. It might become his thing. It'll be on T-shirts. Yeah? Maybe on the cover of NHL. Oh, that would really set Kipp off over the edge. If we had to do a fire show. Let's talk about fights.

Fighting. Five minutes for fights. That was a good fight. All right. Revo and Olivier, that's an all-time heavyweight tilt. You know, this is a toe-to-to-trading rights with two absolute. Those sharks are great. Experienced fighters, monsters.

Can I just? Revo loses a grip with his left hand and opens him up. There's a lot of things that, you know, you've watched Ryan Reeves over the years and you liked and didn't like, but let's just give Ryan Reeves full credit here. Oh, God. Can we just give Ryan Reeves full credit for being 38 years old and still wanting to stand toe to toe with a guy like Olivier He's 10 years younger

Yeah, prime age Olivia. Yeah. Nothing but complete and utter respect. And hey, and Reeves is wearing no visor, Olivier. We caught him on the way back. He hit him in the back. I think the first one was the real damage though and the second one was just the me the other day with vertigo.

How are you feeling? You're all right? A little better. We have two Reeves clips on this. Let's play, Derek, let's play the second one first, please. The second Reeves clip first on the phone. I mean, he's one of the topists in the league. You know, that's the first time I've been caught and not down like that.

But, you know, when you go up against a guy like that, I'm 38 and getting a little older. So eventually I was going to get caught. Today it was a day. So we'll get him back next time. gosh, I'm getting a headache just thinking about next time. And, you know, they're in the penalty box talking to each other showing quite a bit of respect. You know,

they're kind of having a chuckle about it, the two of them, and off they went. And then play the first one. I thought this one's interesting, too. So, Ryan, what precipitated at fight the G-PAD? You know, they had no momentum, and Olivier asked me, and, you know, if I say no,

and I need one later, you know, he's going to say no. There's not a lot of guys that are, you know, willing to give guys anymore. So, you know, I know in the future one day I'm going to need one from him and I'm sure he'll give it to me. So that's all that was. Game within a game right there. Maybe because I never considered myself in that role,

but I played like 12 years pro and I've been in numerous fights, including one ended up with 325 penalty minutes a year with Hartford. but I don't I don't ever ever recall feeling like I need one and if you give me one I'll owe you one later and then I could see you next month and maybe need one then I don't ever recall that you were a game situation guy is it the right time for us or not that's it yeah and if they wouldn't give you one you can chase the guy around embarrass them oh yeah 100% right like you know cut the ties to you your mittens you know yeah yeah but i guess for but because it's shrunk because that market

shrunk of guys willing to do that or having that role or that reputation i can see where they start unionizing and it's like we need each other to keep this thing alive totally but i mean after reeves goes and after oliviate like i guess ross johnston on the on the ducks, they'll chuck them. But, like, it's a short, like, DeLore's there. Was it five guys? It'll be guys like Olivier and who scores could get 20 goals. And Frederick, who scored 20.

Tom Wilson, you know, like, it's going to have to be guys who are useful hockey players. Yeah. And willing to do it. Did you catch the Ross Johnson hit on Drysdale? Yeah. Where are your thoughts? You know, I'll admit. I saw it.

twice i didn't see a whole lot of backstory context whatever it sounds like it people thought it was intentional i thought accidental when i watched that accidental the clip i saw it looked like he clipped him i i didn't see a guy thinking he's going to take advantage of anybody right i think it was one of those where ross is going towards a guy and was thinking i may have to absorb this and this is the best way I can absorb this hit by just kind of finishing it out and obviously I don't know what the size difference is and the pound Johnston is six five to four huge yes it's so he's I don't know what he's we gave up what 60 pounds yeah and a few inches I think what's hard is anytime it happens and the guy who made the mistake is is a fighter like Johnston we just we don't give him the benefit of

the doubt we don't assume it was an accident but also those guys tend to be sort of the least athletic maybe or the you know like the maybe not as good at reading there are situations where it's like I could hurt myself actually trying to get out of the way more than I can going through them the other night jumping away right out of the hit like if you jump out of the way you're making maybe your your knees a lot more vulnerable but I just don't think he's looking at him not I don't think he was looking at him either sammy I'm with you on that there was no supplemental discipline here no I haven't heard anything you got five in the game The only thing, guys, in, you know, that makes me feel differently is the puck's going around the boards to the left.

And he's headed to the right. But you know how many times, like, I don't know for you, but like, I've taken my eyes off the play. Yeah. Right? Where I'm focusing. It happens in barely. I'm focused. There's other things that you're focusing on.

Maybe getting into position or filling a lane doesn't have to kind of jive with the rest of. of the play. Before we talk about the Lightning, this hour of Real Kipper and Bourne is brought to you by Bet365. But... I fell asleep there. Lightning, eight straight,

beat the Avalanche, who have lost two in a row. Ever since we had the conversation, would they lose 10 in regulation? I think they've lost two in regulation since that happened. Yeah, to Florida and Tampa Bay. It's pretty good teams, but, yeah, I suppose that's... Lightning.

They've been without Landisog for both those games. Yeah. Are we believers in Tampa Bay? now their division to lose. Plus 34, second best in the NHL now. Here they come. Didn't they start really bad too? They did. Yeah. Well, no, they started

bad at them. And then they won a bunch in a row. Yeah. Look at their blue line, though. I know. No, Edmund, McDonnell. Well, Darren Radish is apparently the best defenseman in the NHL. Like, this guy, monster numbers. He's league men. Is he league men?

He's league men. And didn't he just sign new contract, though, for big money? Moser did. Moser did. That's right. Yeah, Moser did. Do you think some teams could play the injury card? Radish is 29. God, he is valuable. Do you think Brad Tree Living could play the injury card?

Unfortunately, you can't because other teams are injured to this year. I mean, everybody plays the card for the Panthers every time they lose. Oh, they're so hurt. Those guys are just so hard. They're without like Hall of Famers. Well, the Leafs, I mean, are been without half their decor the entire season. I'll say the Leafs could use a little more grace based on, on injuries.

But, like, I mean, they last night, for example, they beat them without their best shutdown defense. They're two of their best shutdown defensemen. And their supposed best winger. Could Brad Tree Living use it if he misses the playoffs? Nah. I think it depends. If it continues like this, he sure could.

That could be. I try. Yeah. I would do. And just checking that 365, the lightning are plus 750, the second favorite next to Colorado at plus 260. So they're right there.

And I watched a lot of that game because it was across from the lease. And it was at 7. At least started at 7.30. So I watched the first period. I was flicking back and forth with it. They look awesome. And boy, Sorrelli looked good last night. Did he? I mean, you look at their lines.

And they just have too many names between Point and Kutrov and Hagel and Zarelli and Gensel. They're just, they got a lot of all-star. Kooch is heating up a little bit too. He's still just so slick. By the way, one of my favorite clips, did you guys see this where, Crosby and McKinnon are talking about

who their favorite players are to watch in the league and McKinnon says his is Kuturov and Sid was like you've always liked the smooth guys eh and he goes yeah

it's because I'm so choppy and Sid goes yeah you're real choppy well he is though but it's a good point like he knows who he is like McKinnon is a just chops up the ring

when he skates down the ice like the cement underneath the ice is in danger yeah like he's digging halfway down no one's ever been like you know called him smooth peanut butter out there

but he knows also how powerful he is and it adds to the kind of image as well. He's got the big chomp first three steps are like you know who I When Eric Lindross

broke in I skated and saw him live for the first time at a summer skate and his first three steps was like he's mad at the ice the Titanic hitting an iceberg you know that scene

where there's just blocks of ice flying everywhere. That's what his first three steps were. And I'm like, get out of the way. You're going to replace your divot? And reminder, this hour of Real Kippermborn is brought to you by Bet36. We got it in. We got it in.

I'm here for you, brother. I'm here for you. You even got the Calgary Flame jersey all set up. Guess who got me again today? Jaja got me again. Jaja. Mr. Gabor is all over. First star.

Of course. Ethan, Zaja Gabor. All the clips we have in the national hour. Do you think that's me? That's a nice addition. You think that's me? Five games on tap tonight, including our very own

Scotia Bank, Wednesday at hockey, tonight on Sportsnet, 730, Eastern Calgary and Montreal. Our thanks to Eric Francis for joining us, we're back to do it all over again, and more on the Real Kippenborn Show. Thanks for watching. Thanks for listening. If you get a chance, give us a rating and review. We'd love to hear from you. Have a great night, everybody.