Real Kyper & Bourne - Bigger Aspirations for the Jets with Ken Wiebe

Episode Date: March 26, 2025

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne are joined by Ken Wiebe (4:54) – Jets' beat writer for the Winnipeg Free Press to chat about if there's a chance for the team he covers to face off against the Washington Capitals again but in the Stanley Cup Final, how Scott Arniel's team looks heading into the post-season compared to 2024, why the only expectation is to clinch a Final berth, Brandon Tanev and Luke Schenn's fit on the roster since the trade deadline and how he gauges who will sneak into the Western Conference Wild Card. Then, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee discuss John Tortorella's future with the Philadelphia Flyers and why Canucks' coach Rick Tocchet makes sense in Philly next season.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 affiliate.

Welcome back in real Kipper and born. It's the national hour. We are live on sports at six 50 in Vancouver and sports that nine 60 in Calgary. This hour of real Kipper and born brought to you by bet three, six, five and keep reals Justin born Sammy McKee in a few minutes. We'll welcome in Ken Weeb Jets writer for the Winnipeg Free Press, co-host of the Kenny and Rennie show. Alexander Ovechkin scores goal number 889 last night against the Winnipeg Jets, but those Jets get the last laugh with a big win to clinch a playoff spot. Had to give Ovi that one more, eh? It was a... Vintage one too.

It was fun to watch, of course, with our Leaf Hour edition kicking off our show. A lot of focus on the Leafs and the Flyers last night, but I switch it over and it's like, like another level kind of intensity and speed. Well what they played was a good hockey game. And what we watched was not. Was a glorified exhibition game. Yeah. Bit of a different sport situation. Those two teams playing against the least played

against an AHL. Okay. In the west, top and the east. But could it easily been a sample of a Stanley Cup final? Which is crazy. I think going into the year, could have easily been a sample of a Stanley Cup final. Which is crazy. I think going into the year, it would have been a stretch to consider Washington Winnipeg as the two best teams in each conference.

So pretty cool what they've done. Obviously, Hellebuck's been wonderful, but really a team, the Jets, like a cohesive team top to bottom. Another huge win for the Flames. And you're on the broadcast tonight? I am on the broadcast. Vancouver with a huge game against the Islanders tonight.

Like this race, Blues win again. They start to have... Unseasoned. It's really, really getting good here. There we go. But... And like, Naz Kadri. Oh my God.

Like what a player. I adore the guy. And I'm watching them again late What was Kyle Dubas talking? It is one of the all-time like how could you trade this guy as a leaf Sammy and bring back? kerfoot and Tyson Tyson Barry like Like where in your world would you, what a finish on the goal.

Both were beautiful goals. Oh no, but the breakaways, like off the charts. Oh, we got a video. Look at this guy. And see, I mean, the core's not even close. And then the shuffle. How about the celebration shuffle? I gotta tell you, I've been watching

Kadri play for a long time. That's signature. He loves that, oh, kind of hover over top of the puck, back, forth, and then cut it to the forehand. How do you- He did that same move in the World Juniors, his party, Berduer, early in his career. It's impossible to leave the building

feeling like you didn't get your money's worth. It is crazy though, you know, I don't know how much of an offensive step he took after leaving the Leafs, which is uncommon I think at the age he would have been, but his highest output season as a Leaf is 61 points. He had 87 with the Avs and then 75 last year. He's become a more offensively dynamic. By the time the season's over.

Yeah, 29 last year, 28 this year. So, you know. I've said it a million times. The national audience, maybe they want to hear this, but like, he should have been a Leaf for Life. It breaks my heart every day that he's not. Yeah, and it's so funny looking at their roster and being like, what could they use?

But him, exactly him. That's right. It's not like Colorado's had a lot of success Finding a guy to replace him since he won a Stanley Cup there either they've been searching for the last few years Yeah for them was just money right they just like couldn't do it which now they probably are kicking themselves Kind of be careful on couldn't and didn't want to yeah didn't want to because There's always a way. Even if it means getting rid of somebody else.

What did he sign for? Is it seven? Seven? Seven by seven? Seven and a half maybe? No, seven. Take a look quick. Yeah. But right now it's a bargain. Certainly is. He is making seven. Yeah. With the cap going up that's gonna Very well Vancouver also sorry go ahead. Go ahead. I was just gonna say it's funny watching the Leafs The perfect fit for them is Kadri that would have been really nice Watching Vancouver lately. God could they use Bo Horvat? You know a centerman who is just kind of down the line of it right now. They got pew suitor playing 2c

We give credit to who's been had a really great. He's been awesome Yeah, awesome, but you know probably not a once II no absolutely okay has promised Ken We've joins us now when a pick free press co-host of the Kenny and Rennie show That was quite a show we had last night Ken. Thanks for joining us man But I just told the boys moments ago, did we see a preview of maybe a Stanley Cup final? I think it's certainly possible, Kipper. I mean, two really good teams.

I know there's this narrative out there that nobody's really afraid of either the Jets or the Capitals around the league. But I mean, that was playoff hockey yesterday. I mean, hard hitting and not a lot of scoring chances to be had on either side, but the chances that were had were of high quality. So, uh, also to the caps are underratedly big team, big physical team that can score and defend. So, uh, and the Jets obviously have a lot of the same characteristics. So, uh, you know, I think most people, I mean, and Scott O'Neill went flat out set it. He'd love a rematch with these guys and Spencer Carberry, I think feels the exact same way. These are two teams that are one and two for a reason. And I think they are built for playoff success, but even obviously knowing how things went the last

two springs here in Winnipeg, the Jets obviously have to go out and prove that they have another year when that postseason starts. Ken, first thing I wanted to wish you a very happy birthday. starts. Ken, first thing I wanted to wish you a very happy birthday. I heard yesterday was your birthday, right? Yeah, 50. Did you guys get anything? 50. Nice round number two. That's awesome. What did you do for your birthday? I was coming in the game. You're given a great game as a gift. I was given a great game as a gift and you know we always talk about good teammates. Elliot Friedman landed at 1120 and he met me after our podcast ended So that's how big a team player that freeges guys as you already know. Yeah, that's awesome. Oh, that's great You guys had a good night of it You know, I could you give us maybe a overview of

Where the Jets are this season compared to last season as they head into the playoffs with high hopes Yeah, Borny, I think I, there's obviously still some scar tissue there, but I think the commitment level to the defensive zone structure is what sort of is separating. I mean, last year was sort of year one plus of the commitment on the defensive side. I mean, we saw it under Rick bonus in year one, and then they kind of abandoned it down the stretch and in the playoffs. This year, their ability to defend, but also, you know, they've scored more goals this year. Their special teams the league. They've been really good. They've been really good in the league. They've abandoned it down the stretch and in the playoffs this year, their ability to defend, but also, you know, they've scored more goals this

year. Their special teams are obviously better. I mean, obviously number one power play in the league humming around at 30% for most of the year has been pretty impressive. Penalty kill a bit up and down at times, but Dean Shenoth has done a really good job there. And also you guys would know that when Dylan Sandberg has been in the lineup for the one of big jets, the numbers on the PK have been dramatically different. So and they were a top five and ten team before Sandberg blocked that initial shot and had the broken foot on the stammer slap shot. So they're trending in the right way on special teams and it's not just a one-line hockey team.

It's a team that has a lot of depth. Obviously Gabe Vel gave already going out after game 71 is a loss for the Jets. But I would say that, you know, again, there's nothing confirmed by the Jets, but I would be surprised if he's not back for the playoffs here. He's had such a great year. We know that he's had back issues before. And you guys saw it the way that he got kind of dumped in front by Alex Tuck. He did land pretty flat on his back. So I don't think it would be a stretch to think that it's a back injury that is bothering him. He was also hit by Samuelson along the board. So there could be some minor shoulder stuff there. But overall that top line with Mark Scheifling, Kyle Connor has been elite, two of the top six goal scorers in the NHL. Velarde has been outstanding,

but this is not just a one-line hockey team. And you guys saw yesterday, a highlight reel finish for Ehlers. Nikolai Ehlers has been a driving force and as a pending UFA, Kipper, a pretty good time to be producing the way that he has at almost a point of game rate, knowing that he's probably going to hit the market here on July 1st. Yeah, it's going to be a real interesting storyline in terms of where Winnipeg feels they can go on this guy to extend it or where the cutoff point is. But so exciting to see him shoot it in the net and watch the building explode like that.

You touched a little bit on two teams last night that maybe we didn't really expect to see where they are. At this point, the vibe amongst the players, Ken, that at least you can speak of or feel is it that we're going in and we're still not getting the respect that we deserve? Will there be a feel of playing in the playoffs like with a chip on their shoulder or will it be one where like we can't choke this time? We got to be able to take it to a conference final or a Stanley Cup final.

Yeah, Kipper, I mean, I would say this. I mean, having covered the team for, you know, this is the 14th season, they've been back covering the team all 14 of those years. I understand the core is the same and people will naturally say, well, what's going to be different? I mean, the bulk of the core is the same, but I would say being around the room, it definitely feels different. Obviously, you heard the players and the emotion and Josh Morrissey speaking out about how

they don't want to feel that way again and have such a great regular season and then be done in four games after winning the, sorry, in five games after winning the opener in the last two springs. So the whole mantra about getting 10% better, I don't think that was something that, I don't think a lot of bumper stickers were printed at exit meetings last year, but the Jets have gone out and improved, you know, individually and collectively to that point. You know, I don't think they're going to be haunted by ghosts of the playoffs past, but to me, it reminds me similarly of the, you know, the Tampa run after the disappointing upset against Columbus and also to having covered

the 2022 run by the Colorado Avalanche. There's some similar vibes in terms of a team that hadn't been over to get it over the hump before that has learned from those past heartaches that wants to apply a lot of those lessons this time around. Now, having said all that guys, what we know is that the central division currently houses three of the top, let's say what, five or six teams in the NHL and also houses the hottest team in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues who don't look now. They may not just get the second wild card.

They may pass the Minnesota wild for the first wild card in the Western Conference. So a lot of things could go right. And now you're staring at a Colorado Avalanche or Dallas Stars team in the Western Conference. So a lot of things could go right and now you're staring at a Colorado Avalanche or Dallas Stars team in the second round, much like in 2018 guys when the top two teams in the NHL went head to head in the second round with the Jets and Predators go on the seven games. So anyways, the original question about the mentality, I don't think they will be blocked mentally by a lot of the struggles.

And hey, everybody knows it. A lot of those guys know that they've only won one series since 2018, Kipper. I don't think that that's weighing them down. I mean, if it had been weighing them down, they wouldn't be where they are today. And I think that Scott O'Neill has done a really good job of keeping this group kind of on task,

just because he wouldn't let them get too far ahead of themselves. And they weren't riding the highs when it was 8-0 to start, 7-game winning streak after the loss, 11-game winning streak later on. They've sort of been a, watch the tape, flush it, no matter if they've won or lost and they haven't really had too many long stretches of struggle and at the same time they haven't let a lot of bad habits creep into their game. So I do think that they're ready. But hey, it's a show me time for the for the one to pick Jets. There's no doubt about that. Yeah, 102 points with 10 games to go in a very good spot. So you talked about 10% better.

So at the deadline they go out and get Brandon Tanev and Luke Shen. How have those two new additions fit into things there? Yeah, guys, I think we saw it perfectly last night. I mean, the game February 1st in DC was a fantastic game, but the Jets had no answer for Tom Wilson. And Tom was still very effective in the game last night, but Luke Shen definitely let him know that he was there. He was awesome.

Right? So and Luke Shen has been a physical force. And Kipper, you know, this, you know, one of the stats that kind of bothers us is the people that say hits, hits are a bad stat because it means you don't have the puck. Well, yeah, that's true to a degree. But if you're scared of being hit by someone like Luke Shen, you're soon going to have the puck. So he's been a physical force. And again, the Jets would prefer to have Neil Pionk in the lineup. But since he's been out, it's been twofold guys. Not only has Shen been able to play a little bit with Josh Morris, he's sort of mirroring

the pair with the Leafs with Morgan Riley when he had those minutes, but he's also had a chance to play with Dylan Sandberg and those two guys have meshed really well together as well. And Brandon Tanev, you guys know this and that's probably one of the reasons that we thought the Leafs might be kicking around the tires on Brandon Tanev. Also absolute whirling dervish out there involved physically. You see him, you know, he's going to get a shorthanded goal at some point in a playoff game that matters. He blocks shots and gets up like he's Gumby. You know, just a kind of a high, high energy type of guy. And yeah, I mean, I covered Chris when he broke in as a pro guys. I mean, with the

Manitoba moose coming out of college, I mean, these guys are wired for hockey. They love the game. And it just has brought a little bit of a, you know, more physical element to a team that, you know, plays with size. But you know, Adam Lowry is the most physical player on the Winnipeg Jets and having guys like Luke Shen around to help with the, with the, some of the self policing has helped. But he's also playing big minutes. I mean, this is not just the third pairing guy. This is someone that can give you 17 to 21 minutes a game. He's been great on the both guys great on the penalty kill.

And they've got experience, right? Luke is a multiple Stanley Cup winner. Brandon Tanev was there in 2018 when the Jets went to the conference final. He was there when the Kraken upset the defending champion Avalanche. So these guys bring a little bit. It's another one of those examples of the underrated deals not involving the star player. I have turned out they filled two voids that the Jets needed to fill. And we also know too,

Tanev's the kind of guy that, yes, fourth line player now, but he's got chemistry with Adam Lowry if you need to bump him up into that role. And another big development for the Jets guys, Nino Niederreiter has got himself back on track here. He had a little bit of a quiet patch, but now points in three games and he snapped a 15 game goal list throughout the other day. Mason Appleton first goal in 12 last night. So we talked a lot this year about the Lowry line being one of the best lines in hockey.

And yes, they shuffle things around because of the matchup to get Elers with Lowry but it was important to get an iterator going as well for this group. You're watching and listening to Ken Weeb who covers the Winnipeg Jazz for the Winnipeg Free Press also co-host of the Ken and Rennie show. Ken last night we watched a soon-to-be 40 year old Ovechkin shoot it in the net like he was in the prime of his career against a world class goalie. What did you see last night and how quickly can he get to Gretzky's record without release still?

It's pretty wild guys, right? My cohort, Sean Reynolds has been triggered. He's heading on the road to Minnesota to be on OV watch So we know what could happen at any time now. We have a daily patrol with OV now. Yes indeed It will be happening. You have to follow him to the bathroom and I don't think that sort of thing Let's hope not But yeah, I mean I covered the game in Washington too I mean old veteran got the tying goal that sent the game into overtime both times.

Sort of interesting guys, right? There's some nights where Ovi's a little bit quiet and on the perimeter, but all of a sudden he finds quiet ice and when the puck is on a stick, it takes him just one chance. I mean, he had a great chance late in the second period, almost had a buzzer beater. And then in the third, great play by Protas to get him the puck. But I mean, it was vintage. It was vintage. Ovechkin. No, it wasn't a one time clap city. Uh, but from the middle of the dot, perfect shot. Uh, and it's so funny, right? Nick Leilers talked at the morning skate about,

you know, Ovechkin always seems to score these milestone goals against the jets. But, uh, yeah, it's been impressive to watch. And you know, just the building literally shook at the game on February 1st in DC And honestly there the building shook yesterday too because people get the scent They know how close he is on history here Again, I get it. He may not get it this year, but I'm gonna say that he's going to do it this year Seems like he's able to rise to the occasion and I think that he's gonna get it done before the playoffs and and just lastly, too, guys, I mean, or maybe not lastly, but Spencer Carberry. I mean, you guys know him from being around him.

Man, what a great guy to speak with. I mean, he and Scott O'Neill, to me, have to be Jack Adams finalists. Yes, we know what Dean Evison has done in Columbus under incredibly tragic circumstances. And, you know, Ryan Huska has done a great job keeping the flame or flames around the, around the playoff line. But man, Arneal and Carberry doing just a spectacular job and guys too. I mean, you know how familiar I am with Pierre-Luc Dubois' path and I've, I've saw his best hockey and Spencer Carberry is now pulling the best hockey out of Pierre-Luc Dubois and it's an impressive thing that he's happening. He didn't want to take any credit yesterday when I asked him about it, but he gave Pierre-Luc

Dubois increased responsibility and he has responded the way he needed to after pretty much a disastrous season with the LA Kings. Yeah, Carberry's done great things. Arneal as well. Actually, I think Arneal is maybe the most under discussed Jack Adams nominee considering how great that team is there, worthy to bring to attention. So I follow a bunch of Winnipeg Jets fans on Twitter and you know, like today the Leafs won 7-2 last night. We came in, we're like the

third line wasn't very good. We're a little hard on the Leafs, you know, like that's just kind of what we do. Jets are having an unbelievable season. Every time I open my Twitter feed, someone's being mean to Logan Stanley. Someone's being mean to this guy every day who, you know, a part of the success of the Jets this year. Why is that on my Twitter feed every day? What is it about Logan Stanley? Every team has a player like this. Yeah, it's been, honestly, it's been kind of, I'm not even sure what the word is to be honest. It's concerning on a lot of fronts, Borny, but Logan Stanley's had a tough year. There's no doubt about that.

And, you know, there's always people that root for certain prospects and they stack them against one another. You guys have seen it plenty of times in Toronto. The free Ville Hanale crowd can't understand why the leash is so long. But I mean, this is, this is very simple. The Jets defense core lacks size and, you know, to a degree, some level of toughness before Luke Shen got there. So Logan Stanley was given more opportunity than many other players. That is a fact. But it's also not uncommon for first rounders and first rounders that a team trades up for to get excessive opportunity. And, you know, Logan hasn't always taken the ball and run

with it. That's a fact. But you know, quite frankly, his game yesterday was quite effective in the game before he had to assist in the loss against Buffalo. So he needs more games like he had against the Capitals in order to be a, you know, a candidate for the lineup once Neil Pion comes back. But yeah, definitely, you know, the the online furor around or fervor around him has been a little overly dramatic for my for my personal taste. Yeah. But again, that's that's I'm not telling fans how to fan but it's a hard thing to plan and injuries to write with the consistency. Yeah, I mean, for sure his his career path has been impacted by injury and when he did get you know some steady playing time then he would get hurt and even this year I mean

hurt in training camp same with Hanala and you know it's been again having seen the guy since he was drafted 18th overall the year that Linnae joined the Jets I mean Logan has matured as a player and a person but you know some people just assumed that because he was a similar size to Zidane O'Chara that he would automatically become Zidane O'Chara. Uh, and this just in, uh, Hall of Famers don't grow on trees. So, uh, it'll be interesting to see how things go. Logan obviously has another year in his deal and you know how he plays down the stretch. No, we don't. We'll see how often he plays.

He went at stretch of nine games without playing. So he's definitely not a lock to be on the playoff roster. He's sort of battling for playing time with Colin Miller, with Hayden Flurry. And we'll sort of see how it plays out. But again, this is a person who's had that he's had a lot on his plate and the game's hard enough with having to deal with the online scrutiny, though we understand it's part of playing in a Canadian market. Yes, sure.

But I would say personally, having watched a lot of the discourse that he's put up with a lot of crap that is probably been fairly unnecessary to deal with for you know for a young man like him and a guy just trying to trying to do his job and be a good dad at home. Ken I got to ask you staying into the Western Conference between Calgary and Vancouver. Of course, Vancouver got a key game tonight against the Islanders. Some games in hand right now for Calgary. How do you see this thing playing out?

It's so interesting, Kipper. I mean, it's hard to get a real gauge because, you know, Calgary has been a team where it looks like there you will as soon as you're ready to count them out, they come up and rattle off two or three in a row. And they're just such a hard working group under Ryan Huska, Nazem Kadri, you guys watched them very closely. I watched them closely in 2022 in the Western Conference Final and the final,

play some of the best hockey he's ever played. And he's back to playing at that level again. And he's been a real driver for them. And Dustin Wolf, speaking of underrated candidates, I don't think he's underrated anymore, but this is a guy that's battling for the Calder in a class that, that contains elite high end players like celebrating like Hudson. Uh, so I wouldn't count them out, but I mean, right now it's just hard to,

it's hard for me to bet against St. Louis having, you know, watched firsthand in 2019 and covered the first two rounds of the series that year, the first round against Winnipeg, obviously, that went six and covered all seven against the Stars, complete with the Patrick Maroon wraparound, the special double OT winner for him and his hometown. They still feel like Jordan Bennington has got that feeling back and Colton Parejo skating again, that's only going to help their chances. But I think right now in order for, you know, in order for Calgary or Vancouver to make it, they might have to leaf frog the Minnesota

Wild and guys, the Minnesota Wild have done an exceptional job of treading water and staying above the line. You know, most teams would have been crippled by losing Capri's offer as long as he's been out and Brodean how as long as he's been out, they keep battling through but you know all of a sudden it's gotten a little bit tougher for the wild and again I'm not saying they're vulnerable but they've had to you know endure a lot and yes I understand the folks in Vancouver are saying oh hey look over here at us we've endured a lot also but right now I think in order for Calgary or Vancouver to make it they may have to leapfrog the wild in order to get that eighth seed.

Yeah the the wild have a heck of a schedule coming up they got the Capitals, the Devils, the Devils, the Rangers, Islanders, the Stars like they they've got real teams coming up so you never know that door could open up for them at some point. You know when looking at these Canadian teams the path to the Cup, considering after last year, it felt like Edmonton was going to be involved, right? This team is going to be, I think they opened the season as the Cup favourite. How do you see them compared to where they were last year? What expectations were this season? Yeah, Edmonton's such an interesting team, guys, right? We've been talking all year,

oh, what about the defence? What about the defense? Their depth isn't quite producing at the same level that it was. And Leon's having this incredible year, MVP, hard trophy candidate type of season. McDavid's production's down a bit, but he's been dealing with injuries and everything else. It feels like this kind of almost forced sit out may help both of those guys down the stretch. Sounds like Dry Settle's close to being back and McDavid, a little break probably helps him.

Playing the back to back coming out of Four Nations is probably a little bit too much for his plate, but he was the driving force behind that. I think the addition of Jake Walman has been more impactful maybe than I thought, and that's with all due respect to Jake Walman. The Oilers defense core just remains a little bit of a question mark going into the playoffs based on the teams are going to have to beat. I don't see it

being nearly as deep as Vegas's defense core. You know, we know what they did down the middle. I mean, Henrique's season has been a little bit maybe down from what maybe we expected based on how we well hit the fit with the Oilers last year in the playoffs. But no, to me, the team in the Pacific to beat is probably the Vegas Golden Knights still. But again, underrate the Oilers at your own peril. Now going seven games in the Stanley Cup final is a benefit. But in a season that also included the Four Nations could be a little taxing come playoff

time given the, you know, the path they're going to have to have. And again, the LA Kings, let's not forget about them right team that yes the Oilers have had their number but they've been a pretty interesting team to watch as well. Ken great stuff man especially covering the Western Conference really enjoyed it. How long is the birthday last? A week? Two weeks? Well you know I think we're gonna we're gonna keep it to one week or less but happy for every day that we have Kipper and always great to be with you guys and should be a fun time of the year and you know obviously too I've been watching you know with Ernest what Brad Trilliving's been doing

and I think the Leafs it'll be an interesting time for them as well don't you guys think interesting exact word you exact word. You nailed it. That's all we've got in the first hour is interesting. All right Ken, thanks again. You guys enjoy this. I'll talk to you later. Can we one of the good ones out west, Winnipeg Free Press and of course,

co-host of the Kenny and Rennie show. What'd you do for your 50th birthday last year? Whatever. A while ago. Renny show what you do for your 50th birthday last year Whatever just a little while ago. I Mean me. Oh, I was up in the Skulka. Oh, yeah. Yeah Yeah, you're gonna be getting close to the next one. No Are you gotta be? Where's this talk coming?

Well, like seriously, We've been talking about passing away together. I'm almost 35 minutes from being home with a glass of wine. Don't ruin it. Okay. Antioxidants. I can quickly Google how old you are. 58. Excuse me.

58? 58. Are you really? I am. 58. I mean, not to boast, you look fantastic for 58. Are you really I am 58 yeah, I mean not to look smoke you look fantastic for 50 Yeah, I look really good for 54 to though every once in a while I get like the hair thing mean you get the hair thing and but Sammy doesn't get It because he wears a hat all the time. Oh people people

Like that. We still have hair. Yeah, well listen, I'm hanging in. I don't know how much time. I got the Scott Lawton shape right now. You got the cut today, right? Oh yeah, I got the cut. But you gotta grow it long here so it dangles over the awnings. Oh, looking good, my friend.

It dangles over the awnings. It's getting dicey over here. The awnings is covered in a grim patio. Buddy, hang in there. I'm doing my best. Hang in there. I don't know how to fight it. It just isn't it is. You think the Jets are gonna let you go? I don't know. I don't know. Over here You think the Jets are gonna go to the final do I think the Jets are gonna go to the final

Why would you make a sense? Having we're doing Jets talk for 30 minutes of Jets talk Dallas and Colorado. I Vegas and Ed, okay Okay. There's good teams in the region. Colorado, since the trade deadline, they've... Come up. They've come up for me. And the one thing in Dallas is, okay, Ranton is not producing guys. He didn't produce in Carolina, and he's not producing right now.

And do we think he's no good? Of course not. And he can be one of those guys that can step up in the playoffs for sure and be the guy that everybody knows and expects. But no Miro to start Heiskenen to start the blue line then like, are you sure about Jake Autinger right now? No, no, I'm not. And that's- We had Valiant yesterday who says he's a foot too wide. I know. So that's a huge concern for me in Dallas.

Me, I see Winnipeg or Vegas. Winnipeg for the record, I have them in that group, but it's like, you know, you got six elite teams Do you think they're gonna make it through? It's like I think they're one of the teams who can I think the first round And winning that division and having whoever they get the first round right bring me the carcass of the flame It's a no-despite calendar. I'm probably eat them a lot It's a massive advantage to let the Colorado avalanche and Dallas stars, you know Hammer away on each other. That's gonna be an absolute

Number 29 coming limping. Yes next series if you're playing color and the random thing Like you talk about I mean he was producing in Colorado. He was really good there before I got traded He gets traded there never wanted to go there that whole thing goes through new plays just on a new contract new teammates I Got prediction time the second the playoffs start. He's gonna be an absolute freak and he's gonna be really good So I could picture them beating the beaten the avalanche, but I gotta tell you I've watched a lot of jets this year I like watching the Jets love their fans. I'll say that but they're really hard in the least That's why I think they are gonna go

Love their fans. I'll say that but they're really hard in the least. That's why I think they are gonna go I have the healers because healers is a Start for their guy plays 16 minutes a night and he's a point-per-game guy Yeah, thank you. Talk about the third lines How the top two lines often cancel each other out and then the third line so important you look at that There's not like so good best third line in the league. They're just heavy mean, you know, how they got everything so I actually think they Might do it. All right. All right little game time before we go to break just talk You can't get any more Jets talk than what we just gave them 30 straight, but it's game time presented by bet 365 visit the outflas

never ordinary It's never ordinary This is the app for latest odds to find out why it's ever ordinary at pet 365 must be 19 plus Ontario only Please play responsibly a Big one tonight on the on the network my good friend Justin born will be on who you on with tonight We got David Amber Luke Gazz Dickens Sam Cosentino. Love it The Vancouver Canucks are minus 105 favorites in the island taking on the New York Islanders who are coming off of a bitterly disappointing loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets

with that goal-tenor interference call. They are minus 115 on the money line, the Vancouver Canucks. I really have loved watching Quinn Hughes and I'm gonna watch Quinn Hughes again tonight. I love Eastern Standard Time. Quinn Hughes is my favorite player in the league when he plays in this. When he plays in the... Yes.

E.T. Yeah. I would just... Down the gut tonight, the Canucks are rolling out Suter, Blugger, Ratti, Aman. This is a shot for me, but Quinn Hughes has been so good and he's been pulling them through here. Give me a Quinn Hughes three-point game at plus 700 tonight against the Vancouver Three times on Ilya, so I do I do I think that Quinn Hughes is gonna be out of this world and listen

It's a long shot, but he's been so good So give me a Quinn Hughes three-point game tonight plus 700 other action on the ice top one in Edmonton tonight We're all excited about that matchup. It's the stars in the Edmonton Oilers, but this Neither dry side or McDavid. He's really fired up to watch Ryan Nugent Hopkins Like he said yesterday So plus 120 the Edmonton Oilers on the money line minus 140 Dallas stars and to Boston Bruins you tweeted out Today, yeah, I would get my commentary on it. Oh boy They are If I had told you this,

underdogs to the Anaheim Ducks. If I had told you that in September, you probably wouldn't have believed me. Plus 115 on the money line for the Boston Bruins that I'm taking on the Anaheim Ducks. I looked at the Bruins lineup, but I didn't know I was looking at the Bruins lineup and it took me a while to figure out what team it was.

I was like, okay, Kuzna did, I don't know how was looking at the Bruins lineup and it took me a while to figure out what team it was Yes, I was like, okay Kuzma did I don't know how to say his name? Middle stat and it was Lysel and Kepke and Lettari and I was like what team is this? I have not the Bruins. I couldn't tell you one middle stat Bruins moment I haven't watched them for a second since they made all those trades Anyways, that was game time presented by bet three six five visit the app latest odds and find out why it's never ordinary at bet Three six five must 19 plus only. Please play responsibly. There's nothing off. So we just mentioned, and this is a random question

that just came to my ADD brain, but I listened to a podcast called Bill Simmons and they often do like a league pass ranking. Heard of him. Where they like talk about their favorite non-local teams to watch. Who is your favorite non-Toronto team to watch? Exceptional question.

Thank you. I love that. I'm going to quickly pull up the standing so I can trigger my brain. Well the Avs. The Avs are them. Number one? Well Edmonton and Colorado I think are absolute electric. Florida. Florida.

Oh I just love the way they just like run everybody over and and Barkov One-on-one. I don't know if there's stats or anything on him or shootouts or something He's got some of the sickest moves like I know Kutra's Kutrov, but this guy's not that far off subtle from absolutely Embarrassing goalie. Yeah, and he's not a big goal scorer I will say that Vancouver was on that list until this year this year. I'm Still put him on there because I love watching yeah

You know that bark of that contract He has until the year 2031 at 10 million dollars That'd be nice. That is such a good contract That'd be nice. That is such a good contract. God. You'd be able to renegotiate like in the NFL. Yeah. That's not right.

They're not allowed. They used to be able to. But you should be able to renegotiate down as well. We can't trade you. You make too much. All right. Gretzky and Lemieux had like something written down where if someone made a dollar more than them they could renegotiate.

Yeah, that's fine. I mean, renegotiating it's like if both parties have a contract that they would both like to move on from it feels like you Should be able to do that and you can in the NFL if I'm not mistaken Yesterday's price is not today's price just to give some credit to my sharkies. I like watching the sharks You know, that's such a people say that no one likes to when they're on the Eastern Seaboard. I'll watch them I like watching celebrlebrini. Celebrini's been unbelievable. I will say this though, you know,

because we covered the Leafs, we saw the Sharks come in, what, a week and a half, two weeks ago? They played their hearts out. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, you watched Philly last night? Did not. Embarrassing. Did not. Just embarrassing.

And they had a lot of the local guys on that team too, so you thought they may come in with that. Let's play the torts quote again in the national hour, shall we? Alright, we'll go to break. Anyways, just rank the legend. Okay, we'll go to break. We got plenty more. We'll revisit Tortorella and his comments after last night's game, which we didn't like,

which may have a tie-in to the Vancouver Canucks. We'll explain that after the break. Also an ex the day and tee up the biggest games of the night. It's the fan pregame 6pm weekdays on Sportsnet Sportsnet 590 the fan and wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back to the Real Kipper and Born Show. Brad Marchand nearing his debut with the Florida Panthers are thinking Friday against Utah. Mmm. There's that pitcher on line today that probably makes Canucks fans sick to their stomach.

It's Marshand in a Panthers jersey with Luongo in a Panthers jersey. Two best buddies you ever did see. Did you notice on the, those are obviously custom pads for him. Did you notice that they have a C on them? Like, uh, they had a C on them? They had the C at the top, yeah. Remember when they made luongo the captain? I sure do. That was a wild move. Was he the last captain of the in the

NHL? Goalie I believe so. I can't remember anyone since. Was Di Pietro? No. No. What a move that was. He went really high with you. There was a question I don't know. I mean You can be a leader in the room as a goalie for sure but just weird I never played with a single goalie who stood up at intermission and said hey on the breakouts Here's what we need bang bang, you know, like is. I don't think he was that guy though. And I don't think that in that role, that was expected. They don't have a captain. Don't have a captain.

You know, don't you need the captain to stand up sometimes and be like, hey. Yeah, it's kind of goofy, maybe gimmicky, but he was still a leader. He was one of four voices for sure with the Sedin's. He was an awesome. Our buddy, Kevin B B XA and you know He was he was there. He's he's in every meeting. He knows what's going on in the room. Mm-hmm

did you have a Verbally active goaltenders at all like guys that talked or do you have guys that didn't want to communicate at all? Sean Burke I played a year in Hartford with and he was yeah, he would talk Yeah, I played with mostly with guys who you know complete shell don't talk to them Don't look at them once their stuff is on they're playing headphones. They're playing a different sport They're on the team, but they're not doing different things for just doing something totally different than everybody else but to the Marchand, this was something that like, you know, it's like you're paying a credit card bill or you're going to the dot.

You're like, pretend that you don't have to do that. Pretend that didn't happen. It's not going to happen. I just kind of forgot. I was like, yeah, it's that's not going to happen. You know, he's hurt. It's going to be a while. It's not going to happen yet.

And then it's like, he's playing like, oh my God, he's going to be in gonna be a while. It's not gonna happen yet And then it's like he's playing yeah Oh my god, he's gonna be the lineup against Lee's next week next week sure is well I can tell you of two goalies for sure that will never be captain of their team and that is the Philadelphia Flyer goalies last dollar if you remember his name Erison Erison Samuel Erson Erison you weren't sure Samuel Erson. Erson. Was he in for all the goals last night? Yeah. Okay. Get him out. No. I don't know that the coach was overly invested last night. And I think we're about to have that conversation. We are because we did touch

on this in our first hour of the show, but we'll kind of revisit it. And this is John Tortorella's comments after a very tough loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where if I'm not mistaken, hinted where his future lies as the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. Let's have a listen. It's my job to prepare this team in this type of situation. Haven't done a good enough job the past couple of games. These last two games, are you sensing frustration setting in? Maybe it's a cumulative effect from last week playing well

and not getting results. Well, when you're in this type of situation and you're losing all the time and there's nothing at the end of the tunnel for you, there's certainly going to be some frustration. But this falls on me. I'm not really interested in learning how to coach this type this in this type of season where we're at right

now but I have to do a better job so this falls on me getting the team prepared to play the proper way until we get to the end. I'm okay with the accountability that it's my job blah blah blah but I hate my job I hate my job I'm not interested in your type of loser-ness I mean the fact that you said that's what I got out of it I'm not interested in learning how to coach I'm not really interested in learning how to coach this type of thing. Whatever it is all of you were doing here with this rebuild. This is not, I'm above this. I'm okay if you had just played game 82.

Okay, you're honest, this is where I'm at. I'm not interested in putting the time and effort into getting this to another level. That should go to younger people, more exciting people, I don't know, whatever. Somebody that wants to, clearly I don't. But where is... You gotta go in the room the next day. Where's the next 10, 11 games for these guys

to look at Tortorella and go on, hey, I'm not interested in what you think you're interested in right now. How about that? How about we're just not interested into each other? Yeah, well, I think the worst, you know, the role of torts right now as the team sold and has become a rebuild team is developing the younger players to become something. And you watch that game last night, they go down.

He never even thinks about pulling Harrison. He's like, you learn, you get in there and figure it out. They're down six, one, five, one, pulls the goalie. He just sits back and says, you guys just catch your breath. He didn't say a word to anyone. Take a time out. Yeah, he took the time out and he didn't say a word to anyone. He just, let's just get through this. And it felt, it feels like if you're going to be in that role as the team builds towards next year, it's like you're in the young guy's ears.

Here's what we're doing. Here's where you're falling short. Here's where wherever and obviously Torch doesn't want to do that, which is fine. But you just don't need to publicly say I'm not interested in learning how to be this kind of coach. Well, I had you to do all that after he benched Cam York in a contract here in a team where nobody can touch the puck for the whole game. He had to single out Cam York, but give me a break.

So you cut it down to 5D when you know it's going to be a tough night for everybody, not just that guy. Why would you put more weight and heat on five defensemen and leave him on the bench? You do that if you're maybe still in a hockey game or you need to, but when you stink, when your lineup stinks that bad and you still want to single out a guy and take the team to 5D, makes zero sense to me.

Again. Soft schedule down the stretch too. Like you think you could learn some things down the way. I don't know, here's my prediction. My prediction is Tts finishes the final they have nine games left in the press box for At least two or three of the games just watches and says to his assistants. Here's an opportunity for you He's done that yeah, and he doesn't want to do it From Keith Jones today as president of this organization

General manager Daniel Brie I'm having a conversation with him going, how do we put you back in that room? How do we get guys to look at you and go, you're still with us? I bet you he says something about a day where he's like, I misspoke yesterday. It's not what I meant. Maybe. But we know where your heart is. I think we do. I don't know. Maybe, maybe you're right.

Maybe he does apologize in some way, shape or form to say I'm not quitting on the guys. Didn't mean it that way. And then you move on. But I think he just announced that he's stepping down as Philadelphia Flyer head coach last night. That's the comment I got last night Yeah, whether he yeah, we're not literally but emotionally. So then why did you bring this up in the national hour? What's gonna happen with Rick target no contract let's former connect the dots Yeah, a very rich history with the Philadelphia Flyer organization,

a present coach there who's not interested in that. Where do you think talk it is? Is this simply about a guy that needs to reassess where he is as a coach of the Vancouver Canucks or more where he is in that market. Because there's some crazy ass off-ice stories that have gone on where he can sit there and go, I only signed up to coach. You know what's funny is like I said, I think I said in our Leafs hour,

you know, I can't see Tocket wanting to go coach that Flyers team. That Flyers team does not have much of a chance to win next year. Like does he really want to be a coach of a rebuild? However, if he looks at the Canucks and says, how are we better next year? What's different? I don't know, like where are the Canucks in their arc

of getting better? if the Flyers trade They have seven picks in the first two rounds and they traded some players anything. You know if they success matters, okay I think it just it's It's a it's a tough market and it's a tough owner too. I think that's the point. It's it's a tough owner that maybe needs More reinforcement that maybe he doesn't want to spend all that time with or at least maybe it's not him doing it. Maybe it's Rutherford doing it that comes back to him. And I think it's just a dynamic that seems to keep following this organization with just

stuff. Like these two guys don't get along or you know stuff filled here. I guess more stuff out of their control. They're like, Denko has a weird knee thing and we've never seen it before. Yeah. Does it feel like you have to babysit more than be a NHL head coach out there? Yeah.

No, you're right. So would that make Philly more appealing where you're like, look, Jones and Brear are the guys. They really like you. You get to be the guy to me it's like a Six or seven year contract. Yeah, Philly not a not a four or five got all these picks We have young players. You're gonna be here for the whole ascent Yeah, yeah It's it could happen. He he hasn't signed an extension

Possibly for a reason in the meantime how big is this game tonight against the Islanders? This has got three points written all over it. It's massive just in that if they lose tonight, you're five back with ten games to go. It gets real hard to climb the standings. St. Louis has Nashville tomorrow, which you think they're going to get points there again. Calgary being as hot as they are You need every point let's say they need to get to what? 92 93 93 points they have 78 points right now and 11 games to go. Oh

You need when you say it like that, yeah You know, so they need we're looking at yeah, you need five out of six points against the Islanders Columbus and Seattle Winnipeg well, yeah, that's their next four games Islanders Columbus win a peg Seattle you need for sure six points, yes six out of eight, yeah five out of eight maybe and Then must wins against Anaheim. And then it gets dicey. I would say the Canucks on their schedule. Vegas, Dallas and Colorado. In the, for the rest of this season they still got to play the Jets, Vegas, Dallas, Colorado, Vegas. Those are games that are included in the 11. Here's the good news.

Quinn Hughes. Quinn Hughes. Yeah. Yeah. Right? Honestly, if they make the playoffs and he continues to play 30 minutes and gets points. Yeah. It's starting to look like a video game now to me.

Yeah. He has ascended to the next level to say the least. All right. What else we got on tap tonight? Oilers Dallas dinner. Yeah, I'm watching you. Oh We should say for our loyal real kipper and born listeners. We are not on the air tomorrow. Oh, yeah we are off tomorrow the Toronto Blue Jays have their season opener and I believe it starts at 3 o 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. We start at 4. Baseball games are long. There is no time for us. So they will be on tomorrow.

But Kip and I are on the 10 30 p.m. regional if you want to catch us. That's a tough bounce on a day off boys. I'm coming from crab legs at the Jays game. I'm coming in PJ pants. Sammy, no more baseball. the Jays game. I'm coming in PJ pants. Sammy, no more baseball. Blue Jays. That's all baseball for us. We've got the Blue Jays jersey up.

It's gonna be a great season, Sammy. Vlad is signing. Tell me some good news. There has been some more hopeful rhetoric out of the Toronto Blue Jays front office over the past couple of weeks. Hopeful. But I talked to some baseball knowers and I said 90 wins for the Jays this year and they laughed. Yeah because it's going to be way more. Right that's our thanks to Ken Weeb. Did a

terrific job today covering the Winnipeg Jets and the Western Conference. Enjoy my boy Justin Bourne tonight on the National Game of the Week on Sportsnet and we're back Friday. Off the rails. Go Jays go.