Real Kyper & Bourne - Bennett’s Rising Stock + The Canada Line

Episode Date: February 21, 2025

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne welcome in former NHL President and general manager Doug MacLean (1:30) to reflect on 4 Nations Face-Off exceeding expectations, tensions between Canada and USA off the ice, Jordan Binnington’s heroics, Sam Bennett raising his stock in a contract year, and the injury fallout from the tournament. Afterwards, Canadian actor Kevin Zegers joins the show (29:50) to discuss ‘Skate For LA Strong’ – a charity NHL hockey event to support the fire recovery efforts in Los Angeles. Then, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee react to Kevin Lankinen’s 5-year extension with the Vancouver Canucks and take calls from The Canada Line.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.

Welcome into the national hour of the Real Kipper and Bourne show. We are live on Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver, Sportsnet 960 in Calgary. This hour of Real Kipper and Bourne brought to you by Bet365, Nick Kipriels, Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee on a night where Sammy exhaled with a great Canadian win. I thought you were going to say a great Canadian dart. You had one of those apparently. Yes. For our national audience, I'm so thankful every day to come on here and talk to you.

And usually I'm making fun of you. And I'm making fun of Vancouver and Ottawa and Edmonton. Not today. I love you all today. I love you all. And I want to give a special shout out to the province of Nova Scotia, who are big time hockey fans. We always get our leaf line or a hockey line. People calling in from there. They have, they have provided us with three of our nation's finest exports Sidney Crosby, Brad Marshad and Connor McKay, pretty good. Sorry Nathan McKinnon, pretty good. Anyways, well we got a lot of our thoughts in the earlier hour of our program So this is where on a Friday we drive it right into the ditch

And let's start by inviting a regular here on Fridays And let's start by inviting a regular here on Fridays. Let's go to Doug McLean, former NHL president, GM, head coach, and Canadian fan as well. With draft day. Hey, did anybody tell you that there was a big game last night? Oh, sorry guys, I was just, I can't put this book down. I just, sorry, I didn't know I can't put this book down. I just, sorry.

I didn't know I was on the air. How are you? Now the Dow Jones tumbled, I think 700 points today on the news of the loss in the US to Canada. Bad news for your portfolio, but good news for Canadians and people that hold passports, including you. As I said to my buddies at the golf course this morning, when we teed off, I said, you

Americans are quite quiet about hockey. You don't want to discuss any hockey today. I've never seen it come alive so much. Since this tournament started, the number of people asking me hockey questions at the pool, at the beach, at pickleball, at golf. I mean, it just, it was never ending. So it was like, I was feeling the pressure to win last night. Thank God Cooper and the guys on the bench, they woke up, they made some adjustments, they juggled some lines.

I thought they did a hell of a job. I really did. I thought they were absolutely terrific. And so much for the New York Times article on the Goli crisis in Canada right now. So much for that article. The New York Times may have missed it on that one. So, with the four nations behind us and all the political, I don't know, extra juice that was around this whole event, how do you feel about what a lot of people initially kind of looked at

as a makeshift tournament and what it became. Look, I go back to the first game against Sweden and the overtime. And you know, Ken, was I excited about the tournament? No, I wasn't. Was I excited about seeing Sweden and Finland play Canada in the US? No, not really. I really wasn't. I had a hard time getting pumped up for it. Then I watched the overtime of the Sweden-Canada game and it was unbelievable. And then the US game, the first game was a battle. It was so bizarre, the fighting and

it like, it was so weird. I mean, that used to happen to me in the American Hockey League in Baltimore, you know, where you're duking it out at, you know, the first shift of a game. And then to watch last night, it was, it was good. It was great. I mean, I was sour at McDavid. After two periods, I was ticked off at him. And then I'm, I sent a note to somebody to sit old or is he just hurt? Or is he he hurt or what's going on? And then I watched Bennett go through people. I watched Bennington just, you know, I mean, seriously, I thought he would be the problem with the team and he was the reason they won for a big part. So, you know what?

It was special to watch it. I love beating the Russians in the old days, but man, I love beating the Americans. My kids are American and I love beating them. I mean in hockey. I love beating my kids. Doug McLean, you heard it here first. That's a bad line. That is a bad line.

By the way, who's the clown that said he's going to come looking for me? Who's this guy? Seriously. That's Don and Kitchener. Yeah yeah I've been to Kitchener. I've been to Kitchener. All right take it easy. Take it easy. Now if you compare the way the Americans came out Saturday night and had pushed so hard in their victory. And what you saw last night, was it hard for them to capture Saturday night into a Thursday night game back to back to back essentially, you know, because I didn't see the same energy and I felt that there was a drop off and maybe it's because Matthew Kachuk

was never healthy enough to play it to begin with, but they didn't come out with that same juice on home soil in Boston like they did in Montreal. I didn't think it was close. I really didn't and I felt good from five, seven minutes into the game that Canna, I had predicted three, two, I heard you did as well, but on the GM scouting course the other night,

it's on tape, if you wanna check it out. We believe you. I did predict three, two win. Mike Oakes sent me a note last night, congratulating me on the prediction. Mike works with Peter, he's the Peterborough General Manager and he did in fact remember my prediction. Mike works with Peter. He's the Peterborough general manager. And he did in fact, remember my prediction. Not that it's a big deal. I don't care if I was right or not, but I didn't think the U S were there last night. I really didn't. And you

know what? They talk too much. They talk too much between games. Canada was quiet. Canada went about their business. And some of the Americans talked too much and got a little cocky. And, you know, I listened to Ronick the other night. Look, I like Jeremy Ronick as a player, but him and Peele on there saying, oh, this is, Canada's going to lose their superiority in hockey and bup bup bup bup bup. I mean, like it was the game of the century, I guess it was for some people. But look, I didn't feel they were gonna lose last night.

I didn't. You know, I said this in the earlier hour, Mac, it doesn't help that Matthew Kachuk was never healthy to play. He plays, I don't know, half a game barely. And you got Kyle Connor sitting in the stands, completely healthy. I think that was a very bad mistake by the US team. Two of the best players in the NHL this year, Kyle Connor and Shifeley, and neither one

of them played last night. But Connor's on the team, Kyle Connor. I mean, have you watched him this year? This guy has been unbelievable for the Winnipeg Jets and he couldn't help that team last night. I'm saying Cooper, Cassidy and Tauke, I don't know who the goalie coach is, but those guys did a heck of a job with this hockey team. They really did. I love their line juggling. I love the slight adjustments.

I love the Marner change late. I mean, I liked a lot of things they did and it was impressive and good on them. Doug, I thought you gave us some really good answers on the political stuff. Last Friday, I'm gonna ask you another sort of sensitive question here for Canadians, but we had two good Canadians kind of take a public flogging recently. P.K. Subban tweeted something about, you know, Trump being the Trizzy train is coming to Canada with the annexation threats and then I'll say it Wayne Gretzky has taken a bit of a hard time having been seen in the Oval Office with Donald Trump comes out you know for that game out of the American bench and a lot of people maybe

are colder to him knowing those affiliations and how things are going are Canadians overreacting? What are your thoughts on what's happening with the sensitivity right now? You know, I've lived in the States for 35 years. My kids are American. We've grown up here and we're Canadians. I haven't liked the commentary about enough already of the 51st state. Enough of that. As I said, negotiate all you want. Negotiate tariffs.

Negotiate like crazy. But enough of the shots. And even yesterday in his talk to the US team. I think it hurt them. I think it hurt them. And like nobody wants to hear that with respect to Wayne and PK. Look, you're you're you're live in the US. You're involved in the election. You watch the election.

You meet people who are involved with parties, you know, political parties. Is it an overreaction? I hate to see Wayne Gretzky take heat over that. I didn't know about the PK. I saw a little bit on it. You know, I see Garen getting heat today about involving Trump. I mean, look, I don't like it. I really don't. I happen to know Wayne pretty well, mostly through coaching him in the all-star game of the Covell-Himes and through Nick. I feel, same thing happened to Bobby Orr

a number of years ago, and these are legends of the game. I don't know how Wayne got involved, but I don't know. I don't like it. I think it's way overhyped. You know, the other thing too is, once again, like this tournament's over and we've got many Americans that need to come back and play in Canada. And Austin Matthews, Brady Kachuk is the captain of the Ottawa senators. Like would they, would Ottawa ownership or management feel a little nervous right now for these guys coming home or? There's so much sensitivity between Canada and the US and the way Canada has become galvanized by

has become galvanized by this tariff situation and by the Trump situation. I like to see it. I had a half hour conversation with a buddy of mine in PEI today about the same thing. Canada has become galvanized. But you know what? Has there been tariffs yet? Are they even there yet? Are they really going to come? Let's wait and see where this is in a few months before we throw Wayne Gretzky and PK and all these people under the bus. Let's wait and see what really transpires. Because I think a lot of it is a bunch of BS by the president. You're watching and listening to Doug McLean, former NHL president, GM and head coach.

So what does this tournament do for many players moving forward? By the way, you haven't even brought up about the new putter I bought. The Beninardi putter I got, called the antidote is what it's called. The antidote Beninardiy putter I got. Called the antidote is what it's called. The antidote, Beninardy putter. Oh my God, has it changed my game now?

You will not believe my putting. Oh my God, does it cost what it says online? You got it for free. I made $19 today playing golf, mostly because of my putter. Is it official now you get it for free for mentioning it? No, I paid for the damn thing. And you know what? As I said to my boys today, after I sunk a birdie putt, I said, boys, if I pay a thousand bucks for the putter, I'd still be happy today.

With your $19 discount. Let me ask you about this tournament, Matt, with the perception... Kutcher and couples use the antidote. Potter, I just wanted you to know that. But I'm ready to give you an antidote right now that would end this segment. Somebody said to me, I need one called the lobotomy. What does this tournament do for some individuals in particular and the perception? from Mitch Marner to Jordan Bennington, and I'm I'm looking at Jordan Bennington Mack and I'm wondering that If if the st. Louis Blues are talking about maybe a major change

And maybe a rebuild in the next few years if you'd want to unload this guy? Would there be a world where Conor McDavid would go back to the Edmonton Oilers and say, hey listen, we like Skinner and all but like how about we get this guy? I tell you what, I was a basket case over Bennington in this tournament. I really was. And look, I mean, did he prove me wrong? Big time. He was so good, so focused. The guy left the series with, he was perceived as a big game goalie in St. Louis a number of years ago. It sort of drifted away a little bit. He leaves this tournament being perceived as a big time stopper. He

really does in my mind. He's the one guy that leaves this tournament as the guy for me, the guy they don't win if he doesn't play the way he played and the way he was focused and how calm and cool he was between the pipes. I was really impressed with him. Marner, everybody whines about Marner as a big time player, big game player. I watched two big games where he was a difference maker, big time plays, big time smart plays. Matthews makes me a little nervous. I didn't like his tournament. People, I guess he had some assists. I didn't like his tournament that well. I'm nervous about him and I'm still nervous as to what he has

going to become and what steps he still has to take to be the guy to be a big time producer. I mean the goal is unfortunate. Obviously he was part of it. The goal against by McDavid. But Marner comes out of it looking good. Tough signing now. Big time game player in both those big wins. So if you're the management of the Leafs now, would you be looking? Oh yeah, you always have to complicate it with saying if I was... I'm not management.

I'm a TV star. I'm a TV radio star. How? And I'm a best-selling author. Best-selling author. By the way, I've got a major corporation call me about doing some work for them and guess what came up on the conference call today. They wanted to know how much they could get me for? The real kipper show came up how they love listening to me on the real. So you know

what I feel really good I finally have gotten something out of doing this show. I would love for you to turn a profit on us eventually that would be very gratifying for all of us here who feel slightly guilty. You don't as is. Yeah, I was just gonna ask how big a fish do they need here, Doug? Should the management be going, boy, Marner, Matthews, good final games here? We know Willie's had moments. They're really close. You know, what's changed for management as they head towards the deadline in two weeks? Did you think that they were that good other than Marner? I didn't think Marner was that good.

Except he made big plays at key times. Yeah, he was great in the final game. He did that. He got demoted, I understand that, but they were smart enough to put him back in in a critical situation. And he came through on a couple of, a couple of occasions. Um, I I'd be nervous. I'd be nervous about, about, because there's so much pressure.

Like it's not the same as every other place guys. There's so much pressure on these three guys at playoff time. It's going to be over the top. They're big time players. They're stars. I just hope they come through and they need to come through this year in the playoffs. No more no more talk They've got to come through. Mm-hmm. Okay. I want to go back to Bennington because I kind of led you but you didn't really answer the question with the situation that st. Louis is in right moving forward and

I think he's got two more years left at six million. Are there teams out there that would look at him that might be questionable in that that they go, yeah, let's let's let's trade for this guy. Yeah. I think there should be. I think there should be. After what he did, the pressure. Guys, I kept thinking during the games, the pressure this guy was under, nobody, Sid, McDavid, none of them were under the pressure that this guy was under. And big time talent against him.

And he came through. I mean, the way they crashed in that at times, the Americans, and he stood tall in there, I thought he was so composed, so solid. I thought he set the tone for the team from his play around the net, his composure. I really did. I think he's a guy, you know.

He's got three more years left at $6 million. Well, just two after this. Two after this. Would you try to flip Skinner to St. Louis in a package? Would you do that upgrade if you're the Edmonton Oilers in that? Without a doubt. Without a doubt.

Can, I don't know, Pareco, is he available? I thought he'd- I love Pareco. I do too. By the way, I love Pareco in this. Not only that he beat the snot out of somebody, but he also played really well. Really well. And lugged the puck. And I don't see him very much.

So it sort of jumped out at me the way he performed. I mean, also the kid from Dallas was real good. Haley. I mean, there was a lot of people, you know, took big steps in this series for Canada. You guys talked about Slaven. He was absolutely terrific. You know, so anyway, look, it was fun. Bennett, I love Bennett.

Like Nick, I tell more people this. Nick said three or four years ago, the Leafs have got to go after Bennett. He's available he's in Calgary the Leafs have got to get him and And people laughed at me. Did you lose? Did you lose your job at Sportsnet over that? It felt like it oh my god, did they go after Nick they just carved yeah, Ben It's no good. It was Robertson for Bennett was what you said I remember because I remember being mad at you for it. Yes. Yeah. Yeah.

Well, Sammy would like Robertson. Florida's in smoke. He smokes the odd dart. No, I don't know if he does. That disappointed me so much in you about you smoking darts. Well, Doug, my mom already texted me, so. It's not just you that's pissed off. Hey, bottle of wine, I'm fine with. Darts, no. Mac, Florida's in a pickle here with this guy. To sign him or let him go for free or trade him. Like, what do you do if you're Florida?

What's the pickle? Pay him. Tell me what what he's worth, Mac. You tell me what he's worth after watching him here. What's he making? I don't know. Four? Five? I don't even think he's at five. He is currently making 4.425. Guys... Is he double? Oh easily easily. All right. Like what I watched of him like, like, did he not set the tone? Umpteen shifts last night. Did that line not really contribute to the win and keeping the American team off guard? He was a beast last night.

He was the same as he played for Florida last year in the playoffs. I like this was a, what was played for Florida last year in the playoffs. I like this was a, what was he a third overall pick in the draft? And he's become a beast. I love him. And I said it a month ago when I w we're talking about Florida. I said, this, this is part of the problem with the Panthers. This guy's not signed. And, you know, it'll be interesting to see, but I like, imagine imagine Toronto with him Imagine Winnipeg with him imagine I mean he can be a game changer for teams because he Energizes everybody in the room with it with the way plays. I mean he fought Brady Kachuk the other night. I mean I

Love them and I don't even know him as a kid and I have so much respect for this guy as a player. It's unbelievable. One more for me, one more for me and I don't want you to cut me off with by the way. Okay. This tournament, we're going to look past, they're going to break it down. There's going to be a ton of meetings between the NHL, the players association, and I'm sure some ownership's going to be a ton of meetings between the NHL, the players association, and I'm sure some ownership's going to be involved in it.

But we saw Charlie McEvoy disappear now for the next little while for the Boston Bruins. We saw Matthew Kachuk playing injured and will probably be lost for the next little while. What type of conversations are our teams having moving forward here? Can we, can they do this every other year with NHL rules where there's fighting and this type of passion and emotion to win at all costs and still feel like you can protect the business of the NHL? I think it's crazy. As much as I love watching the hockey, as much as I loved it, when I see McEvoy out

and the Bruins could very, very well miss the playoffs just because of that, just because of that they could miss the playoffs. And how many other guys are banged up? How many other guys are banged up? And are critical guys for their teams getting in the playoffs? I liked it. I love the hockey. I think it's ludicrous to do it. I really do. All right, we'll leave you on that. Selfish as a fan. I'm selfish. But I would be scared to death

if I was a general manager. Not even as a fan. Are you selfish? You're just selfish. You're, you must be a star when hockey's a big deal down there. You must be. You're it baby. I'm I'm I've been pretty cocky around the pool.

I backed off after the loss. I backed off a little after the loss but I'm basically the big man on campus around here today I really am it reminded me of my days at Western my god all right Mac put your weight till next Friday thanks thanks a lot for having me on Sammy good luck finding me next Friday. You thought I was tough to find today? You're all right next Friday. Oh, I was stressing by him. Stressing. A tough night last night and stressed

because we couldn't find you on the golf course. Doug McClain, everybody. Thanks for having me, guys. I really appreciate the opportunity. He is supposed to be on your show every Friday, and we expect him to be there. That's the Don and Kitchener. Looking up these bett- bett-nardy putters. Whoo buddy.

We've gone from a huge Canadian win right into a trade deadline here. We are now officially back on the clock. Yeah. It's legitimately two weeks from today. It's crazy. weeks from today. It's crazy. Like it feels, when you come into the All-Star break, it feels like there is a bit of a... This is late finish.

No, just in terms of right back into action, right? Where you're just like immediately, it feels like there's a bit of a break, there's a bit of a breath for everybody, but you go from what we watched last night to Leafs back to back, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday night in Boston against the Bruins. Yeah, three and four out of a gate.

I'm interested to see who plays and who doesn't. I bet you 34 doesn't. I bet you he does. Yeah, I mean, I hope you're right. Game time? Sure. All right. Game time presented by Bet365.

Visit the app, Play the Stods and find out why several ordinary at Bet at bet Three six five less than 19 plus on terror only please play responsibly. So like I said May or may not have done the happiness hedge last night Okay down a couple bucks do not care happy to be it. That is why you do it Yep, going into that key I mean it wouldn't have helped if Brady could chuck could have shot that in the net the money I would have what it just Would have been a nice little Cookie for you, but if you sell some Kleenex, yeah Little retail therapy is like like a dollar good enough for your conscience. No no five dollars ten dollars I don't what do you have like how much you got to lay down before you feel good about a loss kipper

I don't feel comfortable telling anybody in the audience how much I bet, but it was more than five. Let's look at the lines for tomorrow night. The Edmonton Oilers tomorrow afternoon at 1pm are minus 200 favorites against the Philadelphia Flyers plus 165. See, and that's, can I bet McDavid has zero goals? And now he's on national television. So it's an American big American market game. I'm sure right. I guess to show off the best player the overtime goal. Yeah, go get him Connor right back at her.

Well, it is great. At least we have to show this one, right? The NHL has the rights to this one. We can promote what happened in this event. That's friendly. But yeah, Connor's probably that's a get-through-it game I'll put my gear on I'll be on the ice if one comes to me. I'll shoot it in but the the Maple leaves are home for the Carolina Hurricanes interesting number here for me

Carolina is minus 120 favorites at home the Leafs are plus 100 so a slight underdog and home ice Rare for the Leafs iss. This is in Toronto? It's in Toronto, yeah. Yeah. It's rare for the Leafs to be underdogs on home ice against many teams. And to me that is a four nations face off hangover line, if I've ever seen one. Where are these guys? So from Carolina, who would have been in the events?

Rannan, Rannan, Rannan, Jarvis, Sebastian Ajo. So yeah, a couple of them out early, but. Seth Jarvis. Yeah, Sebastian Ajo. Yeah. So yeah, a couple of them out early, but yeah. Seth Jarvis. Yep. And the quick Jarvis talk. God better. God better. He's a great hockey player started to matter a little bit in that game for the first time.

Still 510. He sure is. Yeah. You know, he just would have shoo a Shifely going in. That was my only thought. He just looked overwhelmed by it all, but eventually get more yeah, then she started getting more touches But even though I'm very shoots and slaving blocks it. It's not a great play No, he's got more time than that to make a play and the last game

I'll bring up is the Vancouver Canucks with the newly minted Kevin Lankton in a net probably. Oh, yeah. Yeah They are plus 135 underdogs in Vegas taking on the Golden Knights who are minus 160 on the other side of the money line. That was Game Time presented by Bet365. Visit the app for latest odds and find out why it's never ordinary. Bet365 must be 19 plus, Ontario only. Please play responsibly. Does the Lankanen contract give you a clue about what Stolarz could ask for?

We will take a break and we'll answer that after the break. We're talking NHL? Yeah, we are. What the hell? We'll talk a break and we'll answer that after the break. We're talking NHL? Yeah, we are. What the hell? We'll talk a little bit. It's time for this. Canadian actor Kevin Zegers will also join us as they got this terrific charity event going on in LA and we'll add to that in terms of the awareness to support the fire recovery

efforts out in California. That and more when we return to Real Kipper and Born. SportsNet, SportsNet 590, The Fan, and wherever you get your podcasts. Nick Kiprio's Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee rounding out the week. And what a week it's been. Tired. We're almost home. Emotional. We are almost home. All right, let's go to our next guest, Woodstock, Ontario's very own Canadian actor, Kevin

Zegers. Now, Kevin, like, I, my daughter knows you from those air buds and, you know, what else have you done? Now, the latest one is the madison yeah it's taylor sharridan's new show oh that guy's the hottest thing out there isn't he that's why i signed up okay i know you as a guy every once in a while that will text me and go what the hell's wrong with the leaf power play that That's where I really get to know you as well. But thanks for joining us.

We're gonna we're gonna get into you know, what what's going on this weekend in LA and in your your efforts to to help in the fire recovery in California and big stars are going to get together, including yourself. But we got to get into last night and You of course being Canadian and what last night meant to you and maybe some of your Hollywood friends particularly the Canadian ones last night Yeah, I only really associate with Canadians out here so I don't you know, I did take my nine-year-old to a sports bar and we both wore our Canadian jerseys and

they thought I was playing unfairly because they're like, you're coming into enemy territory with a kid, which is sort of unfair. We can't harass you the way we'd like to. But it was, I mean, what a game. What a tournament. I was saying to my wife, with nothing going on, it was such a good, you know, demonstration of like what hockey is. And I was just so grateful for it. I mean, obviously, I'm glad we won. But, you know, I live here, I

haven't lived in Canada for like 20 years. And it's just everywhere here. People are talking about hockey. I was in this sports bar, which is kind of a basketball bar. And it's like, it's people talking about it. And for me, just as a hockey fan, like, the quality was so good, the, you know, defensive play, like guys blocking shots, like to me, that's what, that's what I love about hockey. And I'm glad it wasn't just like a freewheeling dunk contest, which is, I think, what everyone thought it was going to be. So I mean, I couldn't obviously be any happier, but my kid, funny enough, Kipper was saying to me last night, she's like, who is Nick K?

He's like, you text him all the time. You're texting him about the Leafs and about Matthews and what's going on with the defense. So yes, they I made her aware of I should be showing her pictures of your of your your playing days. Oh, no, I'm at the bottom of the pile most of the time, unfortunately. So when you're out there and everyone's talking about hockey, which is obviously uncommon. I think sometimes I imagine the level of the discussion is probably not where you're at someone who

watches all the time. Is it hard not to gatekeep and judge? Are you trying to welcome in the new hockey fans to our sport? For sure. And I will give LA credit. I go to a lot of Kings games and like maybe because the team was really good for a while. And they're still pretty good. But they're fairly educated. There's a lot of Canadians here too. So I wonder if it's that, but I'm certainly like a judgmental Canadian, but for the most part, like people who are interested in hockey here, sorta know the game.

I've gone to games and other places where it's like, they're cheering one on twos and you're sort of having to nudge them and let them know nothing's going to happen. But, um, no, listen, the more people that I, you know, Kipper can attest to this, like, I love hockey. I watch the show I'm on right now. I watch every single day in my trailer. I do my like hour. It's usually sometimes two hours if I do the national hour, but I watch my two hours. I listened to Sammy piss and moan about the leave. When's the curse over? And why can't yeah, he's sweating. I was actually all night last night thinking I feel like I know Sammy, but going like I'm just great.

I'm grateful for people like Sammy that thanks. Thank you. Yeah. Needed that. I mean that I feared for your well-being if that Matthew shot had gone in on the on the toe side, which it normally does so I'm glad it didn't you know What rightfully so you should have been fearing for me? We are we are thankful you're well representing us out out in California as a Canadian So that brings us to what's going on this weekend our mutual friend

Luke Robita is doing whatever he can from the LA King's side. Tell us a little bit about this event, Skate for LA Strong. That will include Danny DeVito, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, man. Oh, is Danny DeVito skating? Really, really good. No, no, no, no. Really, really some big names here. Tell us about it. I don't. Yeah, I don't want to make any Danny DeVito jokes, but no, he's not.

He's coaching, actually. I think Biebs just signed on. He's going to skate, too. So, yeah, it's great. We they sort of came to me pretty early on there. You know, they're. They wanted to find a way to sort of celebrate the first responders and a lot of the people who have lost homes and everything like that, and they've done the fundraisers. And so really what this is, is we're kind of, they're not selling any tickets.

So everyone at the game, I think that's 16 or 17,000 people will be either people who lost their homes or first responders to a lot of firemen and police officers and paramedics who were there. So it's kind of just a night to, you know, enjoy ourselves and play the game we love and raise some money. Obviously we have good sponsors and everything. So, but it's kind of just to give these families a night out and a way to have the community sort of gather around and support them. So I'm super excited. It's obviously, you know, I'm a little nervous because I've

never played hockey on TV before. I've been out for a skate the last couple of days and I feel okay about it. I feel okay. And overall, Kevin, how's the how's the morale is as the build, you know, to getting back and who knows if we'll ever see it the way we saw it before, but what's the overall feeling amongst the community? LA is, we sort of get a bad rap, but it's a town of tough people. This is not a place where soft people come. It's a rough place and I think it's been nice

just objectively to look around. I've noticed a lot of people sort of coming together and being it being proud to sort of say like this is our place and it's going to we're going to get through this it can be a little isolated here and so I think people assume like oh don't worry about it it's only the rich people's houses to burn down which isn't true first of all, but I think it's actually been nice at my you know I raise my but I think it's actually been nice. I raised my kids here,

so it's been really nice to see the community come together and support each other. And on the weekends, I've been taking my kids to this clothing drive for people. People lost everything. So people don't have underwear and socks. And so we've gone, and it's just been nice to see the community come together in a sort of day by day basis.

Because I think people just, you know, when you think about people don't have anything, they don't have their passports. So people need help with a lot of stuff right now. And so it's been nice to, you know, try to help people wherever possible. And I think that's what this game is trying to do is like, everything can't just be about giving people something like for this. It's sort of like, let's do something fun. Let's have a night where you can take your kids, you can watch people mess around, it's going to be a fun night. And it's why I'm excited to, you know, to be a part of it. The event is skate for LA strong February 23 3pm crypto.com arena. Hey, Kevin, thanks for thanks for joining us and listen

Thanks for support you man. You're welcome here anytime like we'll kick Sammy out for a day to bring in hang out with us I don't know if I can do the distress sweat Sweaty Maple Leafs fan energy on your show. You also need great hair, which you qualify for our show. Thank you. Yeah, by the way, it's all three great heads of hair. All right, Kevin, enjoy your weekend, my friend. Thank you for joining us.

Kevin Zegers, Canada's own. That was awesome. Yeah, it was great. And what a great event, and what a great thing they're doing. So glad to have that chat. Yeah, and Luke Rob Luke robotized being kind enough to come on our show and he's real busy at times And then he's just the most humble guy. He'll ever meet getting us pins that he got drafted in How is the King's president like one of our like jovial recurring guests?

I know he just comes on and gives his best. I love that guy. What a lineup, by the way, at this event. The players include our own Kevin Biaxa as well, by the way. Mark Messier, Jordan Nolan, Bill Ranford. Yeah. I hope they do a terrific job of raising awareness and money and whatever comes of it. What was the NHL thing you wanted to talk about before the break? I forgot.

Was it Lankton? Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So just five year deal for Lankton. Did anyone else immediately go Oh, no, Demko. We okay? Well, he's out this year in a PTO. The link goes back hurt. Yeah. I can't think what is going on thing. I either way that they're like, Okay, let's lock up Lankton. And my first reaction to the contract was Ohno Demko Well, he's he's proven that he's Very capable this year. Yeah, I don't know Does he fall does he fall off the face of the earth by this time next year? Hey Steve Valakette at the start of the year

last year said that Stolarz was the next guy to pop off was right and then he started this year He said it'd be Lankanen and he nailed that too. So my point is Lankanen was not a fluke This is not a one-off guy who came out of nowhere his underlying numbers is the analogy is supposed to be good Yeah, I all agree with that and I'll include Stolarz there as well for the Toronto Maple Leafs He's not not about to drop off. No. So.

Well, yeah. Just so does he get the Lankton contract? Is he going to be around? What do we? I understand that Stolarz has another year left. He has another year, but he's eligible to sign July 1st. Let's just watch this thing play out. You got time.

I think the bigger question is, is Demko a free agent after the next year? Does he have one year left after this? At five million? Or is this, I don't think he's a UFA at the end of this year. Demko has next year, so five million next year. There's always... It's a smart signing. For sure. But with Demkoe there's always been

the trade stuff with him like they've all members like it felt there's a minute there where you could get them and I just I don't know if he's What you'd get for him or what it is, but always feels like it's been kind of a percolating with him Yeah, I'm cold playing as a top five NHL goalie for me. For sure. So, so good. Wendy's healthy. Correct. Which is not great. It's just tough. Tough right now.

Yeah, tough to... What do you got for us? So, we do have a few more Canada-line callers. I mean, we've never done this in our national hour, and I guess we could subject some of our Vancouver and Calgary fans to this, but it's all mostly Canada stuff.

There's a couple of leaf things mixed in, but I don't remember which ones I put. Let's go to Mike in Northern California. What a day. I just wanted to get some thoughts from the guys on how you think 88, 34 and 16 come out of this tournament. And if you think they're going to learn anything from a leadership standpoint, and what they have to do to add more dimensions to their game to

make a deep run. I hope everyone has a great day. Let's get it off the rails. And love you boys. Thank you. Yeah. I don't want to over or understate it on what this does for anybody, but in particular, he's talking about the Toronto Maple Leafs. Like they're still relatively the same players they were before. And it's not like Marner is going to now run over everybody in a playoff series. He's still going to be the same guy that tries to go out there and make plays. And you know, if it gets to the point where a few more guys can finish off plays and he

can get a big save every once in a while, it'll be enough for you to think that this was the turning point of anybody. The implication with this Marner stuff is that you think he's been really good all the way along and people are just shooting it in for him. He's been pretty consistent. And saying that, I don't know whether or not Marner, Nylander, Matthews and Tavares have ever been the right mix to win a playoff series either. At some point you would have hoped one of them would have a bit of a Sam Bennett or

Brady Kachuk in them, but this is not the way the management team went. So you can blame it on each one of them individually or you can say also collectively it was never truly the right mix of four guys. They've waited for it to be the right mix for so long. They've waited. Is this the year? To answer the question, I think, you know think it's really healthy for these guys to be in those high

stakes environment and you have great coaches behind you, different voices. You can feel what it's like when John Cooper, how he handles the bench in those moments and see Sid and McKinnon between intermissions going into these big moments. I think it's just healthy to have that vibe that like, oh, they don't reinvent the wheel. They don't go in there and do something no one else does. It's the same. Everyone's just trying, you know, and I think it's healthy for them for sure. And I'm with you. They're not gonna be different players.

They're all very good players. Yes. All very good. And they're in their own way. It's just it is this the year that it's the right mix? And it can't hurt. Can't hurt. Right, can't hurt. Let's go to Mike from England. I might have an English accent now,

but I was born in Canada, raised in Canada, and I'll always be a proud Canadian. Last night was amazing. We got finished at 430 a.m UK time, but I couldn't sleep afterwards. I was absolutely pumped and you guys are getting me through today. So With the time difference, I'm gonna open a bottle of wine tonight. Listen to the show and go Canada and go least go Over I love it it is. Like sometimes I do forget. Like we're talking to every part of the world possibly.

It's actually extremely cool. And I look at Sammy and I look at you and I'm like, I can forget where this is going right now. England, Northern California. Somebody in Greece is listening. Opa! How about Jeremy in Dallas? Okay.

Hey boys, Canadian fan here from Dallas. And wow, what a game, what a game. We sent you, so got the best of both worlds last night. Gosh, it just felt so good winning that game with all the stupid rhetoric and all that. But I got to tell you, being out here, nobody takes the president's trolling seriously. No one really thinks about it.

But the game did grow from this and you know, Kipper, despite what you said yesterday, it's excellence that grows the game. And like, and excellence can mean like fighting, you know, a lot of passion, a lot of intensity, a lot of playing, but this is how, this is what's been missing in Canada, you know, for years since they've shut down all these international tournaments. This tournament was fantastic to grow the game because it showcased how amazing these players are. Last night's game was electric fast. My goodness, Canada was definitely the better team.

I was over the moon that we won. It's always great to beat the US, especially when you're hanging out here in the US itself. Go Canada. Excited for you boys, have a great show today. especially when you're hanging out here in the US itself. Go Canada. Excited for you boys. Have a great show today. Yeah, see, I love that.

Great way to finish the week by Jeremy in Dallas because he's right. It's not about the skating. It's not about the passing. It's not about the fighting. It's not about the hitting. You know what Jeremy just said? It's about the character. Character is what last night was truly about.

And we just had a little bit more. I'll tell you, I get Sport Logic stats. At the end of the game, the puck battle percentage, the winning percentage was 50.8 to 49.2 for Canada. We just won an extra battle or two. I'm just giving shout outs all over the place today, but one of my great friends, Mike Snyder, texted me this morning and he said, the Americans are characters. Can the Canadians have character? We never even really got into like, the Kachaks became stars. Like American stars here. The

start of that Canada game, put them on the map in the US and You're right now. It's like what do you do with it now? Can you run with it? Can you hold that? I get Brady Kichuck. I got me he's meant to be in Boston Brady still has an issue with bringing it every night for the Ottawa Senators So yeah, he does. He's still got a guy. he's still a guy that got the captaincy early there and has had some success. But he really needs to get the Ottawa Senators into a playoff spot here moving forward and he needs to he needs to show up a lot more consistent for the Ottawa

Senators. Like he showed up Saturday night and then last night I mean does he not seem like he's tailor-made for the playoffs like someone who would be just he's getting there Yeah, he's getting there. I I wrote about this and I do believe this that like there's a maturity of like he needs to play hockey Not sometimes just try to be the toughest guy after the whistle, but I, I, boys, he built for that type of hockey. Yeah. I, yeah, I don't wanna, listen, I'm gonna be a nice guy because, because we're on all over the country and we, I wanna be unifying today, but I, he's gonna be the captain of the Blues in two years. Anyways. The Blues? Yeah. I just think I'm just gonna go the Blues.

Yeah, he could end up with his brother. Florida? Yeah, I just think I'm just gonna go the blues. Yeah, he could end up with his brother Florida fear the parrots like put them I only want to visit you once twice together like why do I have to go to two teams? Can they do that? Why do I have to go to two cities just play together? The Hughes brothers will be the same way all three Hughes on the dance. I want one trip See all three of you Vancouver so much none of that's happened Yeah, I will say they've got the power now to to build that way families I want one trip. We just defended Ottawa and Vancouver so much. None of that's happened. Yeah. I will say.

They've got the power now to build that way. Families like this. They have the, yeah, they are. A collective sigh from the nation. We love you. We appreciate the support. It's been a great two weeks. All right, hockey fans, choose to watch this weekend

or take the weekend off. Catch your breath breath start up Monday Either way, you know where you're gonna find us Monday be there on the real kipper inborn show. Thanks for watching. Thanks for listening. If you get a chance download us Or watch us on YouTube and give us a thumbs up. I love to hear from you on our rating and review as well Have a great weekend, everybody. We are the Belongans! Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo