Real Kyper & Bourne - Canucks Run it Back + Edmonton's Offseason Build Back to the Final

Episode Date: July 2, 2025

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne are joined by Vancouver Canucks on Sportsnet host Dan Murphy (4:20) to chat about the magnitude of Brock Boeser unexpectedly re-signing with the organization, the state of their centremen depth, how comfortable and confident Canucks' front office are with Thatcher Demko after signing an extension, Adam Foote leading the charge as head coach, why their playoff hopes will depend on how Elias Pettersson performs, and whether general manager Patrik Allvin will continue to add to the roster. Then, Oilers analyst Jason Gregor (26:10) stops by to discuss the Edmonton Oilers' offseason building process, their plans in net, Evan Bouchard's extension, the impact of losing Corey Perry in the locker room, and Connor McDavid's next contract.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 back in studio, the Real Kipper and Born show. Nick Kiprios, Justin Born, Sammy McKee, Derek Brandeo and Jake the Snake Schultz. One hour down, one hour to go. I think we're 960 in Calgary and 650 in Vancouver as well. Yeah, we've we're showing that a different time every weekday this week, so. Yeah. I'm having a tough time keeping track of where the hell we. 428 Thunder Bay, 1169. And the PAW. Can you just keep us steady somewhere? You're the producer.

Don't you have any pull around here? I'm producing a vacation in a couple days, buddy. As a reminder, this hour of Real Kipper and Born brought to you by Bed365. In a few minutes, we'll welcome in Dan Murphy, host of Hockey Night in Canada, Canucks Hockey on Sportsnet. Plenty of news out of the Vancouver Canucks, including one Brock Besser back on seven years,

$50.75 million, a contract we thought, there's no hope to ever see the light of day because the thought was that Vancouver had no interest in Brock Besser on a long-term deal. This isn't eight years, he was eligible to get eight, he took seven, but hopefully Dan Murphy can tell me like where the change came to, or the light bulb went off for Jimmy Rutherford,

Patrick Alveen on this one, JB. It is interesting that this wasn't offered prior to that moment, you know? Like they just sort of decided last minute to go above and beyond any previous attempts to sign him, it sounds like. And Besser was not under the impression he was coming back. So I can't wait to hear from Dan how he sees how it all played out. God, I love that goal, by the way.

It was a slap shot. He just skates into one and shoots it. 20 seconds left or something. But yeah, so you mentioned this, Kip. If second you lose a Besser, you're trying to figure out how to get a better. You know, you need someone to score goals in your team. He's an American guy who Quinn Hughes probably likes. He doesn't want to see their team take a step backwards. Is it Quinn Hughes related? Oh my gosh, you signed a guy to 50 million dollars

because you think another guy is like friends? He's also good. I would say it's in the pro side of the pros and con ledger, you know for sure doesn't have to be the reason but it's not like bringing Him brawnies like brawny jr. From LeBron like he's a good hockey player. He scored 30 in the league I think he's a good player, but slagging brawny jr. Yes, brawny. I suppose. Yes, brawny. Yes Yeah, so that's interesting. The the Garland one is Funny, you know, you'd look at the Tavares deal. He just signed after a 38 goal season Garland got six years at six million That's a that's a pretty hefty contract. They brought the band back How do they get better? A Vander Cane? Oh No, not enough. Yeah. Well, it's not nothing if he's healthy

I'm curious to see cuz he was hips too, right? Did he get hips done? No idea. No Yeah, there's multiple issues Okay on him and I can't confirm it but it sounds like you're in the vicinity Oh, yes, he had a lot of issues. Hip bones connected to the leg bone. Yeah. Watching Patrick Kane get his hips figured out and then become a contributor again. Is there a chance that Evander Kane can be of value to the Canucks?

I mean, they're they were pretty good two years ago. Like they went to game seven of the against the Oilers. I know and Canucks fans are listening to this but I was shocked by the success that year. Okay. No, but I was. I mean, I didn't think they were. I guess JT Mueller is not there anymore. And it's a different thing.

Do you think... Do you think... Do you think this is a signing where it's a message sending to the fans that like we're going to make the playoffs next year. We're, we're, we're, we're, our expectations are to make the playoffs next year. And it's funny because a lot of these announcements outside of a Vander Kane is just, you're bringing back the same players you had before. Yeah. The same ones that missed, I'll show it, missed the playoffs.

Yup. Right. But a guy that can probably speak more to of this than us here, Dan Murphy, host of Hockey Night Canada, Canucks on Sportsnet, Murph, thanks for joining us, man. The ball was out, chalk flew up. Huh, what? His T-shirt.

I lost you there, ask me again, Kipper. The ball was out, chalk flew up. Oh, is that McEnenro on the shirt or is it Terry Fox? John Mackenro. Oh, it's back in. I'm right. For those of you that cannot see we have Dan Murphy on zoom. He's wearing a classic John Mackenro t-shirt and the first thought I had was chalk flew up.

Are you with me Murph? Or is it just the first t-shirt you grabbed? I don't know if there's a problem here, Sammy. I'm not sure. Kipper's microphone is kind of all garbled. Okay, should we should we reconnect with him? Yes, this is the first ever zoom issue that we've had. I know I thought we would. It's almost July. We haven't got this wrinkle figured out. That's pretty good No for the year. I feel that everybody felt on the NHL

trap show I Thought the most awkward moment was it the Boston Bruins Higgins with Boston? They're like, oh, what do you want to say to your new pick and they like were just nothing and he was he looks to the screen He goes. Thanks for picking me And Ottawa also had issues as well. All right, Murph, we're going to try this again. Take two. You're good now.

No, I can hear, I can hear Borny, but Kipper, you're garbled. I'm garbled. Oh, I got you. Oh, maybe, maybe there's no mic issues and I'm just garbled. You good now, pal? I'm good. Yeah. All right. Okay. Outside of your John McEnroe t-shirt, let's get to the Vancouver Canucks. Okay. What is, what is the message when Brock Besser comes back when really no one thought that was the case all season long. Yeah.

Well, I mean, it was something out of the blue. Like, I don't know what odds you would have had to give me to put $1 on him returning in the morning. I'm not sure I would have put a dollar on it. And something changed. And you can look at it twofold. On one hand, the Canucks, along with probably 28 or 29 other

teams found out just how difficult it was to try to add quality players to the top six. I mean the prices were too expensive. There weren't any in free agency. It was not possible to do so. And I think when they lost out on Dvorak, which was a target for them, they made a call back to to Besser's camp. And they probably thought too, like, look at this board with Marner off of it.

Two of the top three goal scorers on there are guys that were just letting walk. Should we do this? So they went back to Besser's camp and on Besser's end, I think the realization hit him just how difficult it was going to be to leave a place he didn't want to leave. He was resigned to it.

He was going to test UFA. But when Alvin called, he was like, get a deal done. They went up in term. They got it to seven. I think the total money he wanted was somewhere around 50 million. And the deal was finished. And I think the best is happy. And I think the team is happy. Now what message

does it send? I mean, should you be running it back with the same group of guys that missed the playoffs last year that had one of the most disappointing seasons in a long time that failed miserably to meet expectations that had a locker room full of drama? I mean, a lot of people say why, but the players themselves say that yes, there was the locker room full of drama. I mean a lot of people say why but the players themselves say that yes there was the locker room issue but it's not as big as what people are making it out to be. We were hurt all year, nobody had good seasons, we couldn't stay healthy and we missed the playoffs by three points. We feel that we're a good team and I think that bringing back Brock Besser he feels like they're not that far away,

even with a new coach. And I think you can even say that with Demko and Garland as well. Like they were ready to commit. And with Demko, of course, the history of the injuries, but Garland willing to sign for six more years because I think they believe the team is much better than what it showed last year.

I'll let you just jump in. But just wanted to say quickly that, should we get Brock Bresser a little bit of credit here because It was almost as if He was a foregone conclusion that he wasn't really welcomed back all season long the trade deadline comes up and I Know we took it maybe differently than when it came out of I believe Patrick Alvin that we couldn't even get a first-rounder than when it came out of I believe Patrick Alveen that we couldn't even get a first-rounder for him we could barely get what we you know anything for him and yet the guy didn't tell Vancouver Canucks to go pound salt you know the

other day well I mean this is a two-way street Brock Besser has you see what happened in trauma with Marner leaving and there's some vitriol and the fan base is unhappy if best would have left there would have been nothing but love and sadness, right? There's an emotional connection with this player in this fan base and this city. Kind of like he's our guy, right? Drafted, developed, the longest tenured guy, just a model citizen in the dress room, on the streets, with the fan base. We know his history. He has opened up emotionally about the struggles he's had with his family's history of health problems. So I think it's just like he's a player

that the people know and love. And I think it kind of goes the other way too. He did not want to leave. I think he was getting a little anxious and a little nervous. He was ready to test it and he would have had multiple teams, like upwards of 10 teams offering him the deal,

but his heart was in Vancouver. And so he was willing to take, I'm sure he could got eight and a half on the opening market, take a little bit more, less money to stay where he's comfortable and to try to help this team that there's some loyalty there with him as well. So like two weeks ago, they didn't want him. I think that they're well, first off, I think they didn't want to give more than five years. That was last year He wanted term. Yeah, I think they realized how difficult this was going to be they still want a center You know they went and got a Vanderkin and he did help in the middle six, right?

They got him and they couldn't figure out a way to get anyone else like they tried to get Ross So what happened with Dvorak you mentioned his they, they couldn't outdo one times 5.4? I don't know. Yeah. I don't know. I know that they wanted a centerman. And Devorak didn't have a great season last year. I don't think that unless Suter is signed

since we've got on this call, I don't think the door is closed on Suter either. I think that if they can move Salary and the names out there are Joshua or Bluger, I think they would like to return him to the fold. Because right now, I don't think there's a team in league that has more question marks with this top two centers in Pedersen and Heidel, right?

I mean, there's a million questions there. And then your next two centers after that, as it stands now, are Ratu and Bluger. I think they would love to bring back Souter and have him as part of that center group for a little more depth and if they have to lose one of those other players so be it. So I don't think that's dead but when you see Mikhail Grandlin going for seven million a year there might be a chance you can't spend the money on Souter. You're watching and listening to Dan Murphy,

host of Hockey Night in Canada, the Canucks on Sportsnet. So Murph, Demko gets the number of a top goaltender in the National Hockey League, but doesn't necessarily get the term, only three years. But is it still a huge gamble when you consider where he's been health- wise for the Vancouver Canucks. I mean, there's always going to be a risk. I mean, two seasons ago he's a Vezna finalist,

but only played one game in the playoffs. Last year there was, you know, the popliteus thing to start it. Didn't play until December, had some injuries. All I could say is this, their comfort, their confident and comfortable that he's fully healthy now. He's having a full summer of training for the first time in like forever. He's already on the ice, which is earlier than he's ever been on the ice. He's got a new trainer. So they're doing some different things. And the fact that they have Lankanen means they can play them, they can split the games.

There doesn't have to be a workload that's going to be crazy for that. Or Demko, they know that Lankan and probably can't play 55, 60, but he can certainly 40 quality games for you. And if you split the two, I think that's the ideal scenario. So yes, Demko left some years on the table. The Canucks gave them a little more AAV than they probably would have liked considering what's happened last year. But again, it's a situation where they're comfortable with it. They think that he can get back to where he was and they probably would have liked considering what's happened last year. But again, it's a situation where they're comfortable with it. They think that he can get back to where he was and they're confident that he will.

And I'll say this too, like for all the stories out there that the Canucks, you know, obviously last year was a gong show or whatever the term you want to say, a tire fire, a dumpster fire, all that. The locker room was crazy. Well, you've got three players one in ufa basser two players that were you know signed on the first possible day they could in Demko and Garland all Americans by the way wanting to stay in Vancouver so maybe maybe the room isn't quite as bad as you made it out to be or

maybe they feel like that was more blown up than it should have been, I don't know. I think that's great Murph, and I think it's a great sign that even when things are imperfect, people still wanna be in Vancouver. I think you add some success and make it, it can be a real destination for guys. I am curious to know how you think they'll be affected

by a change in head coach. Rick Tocke, it was a pretty impactful, confident voice, Adam Foote, not been an NHL head coach in the past, chosen over Manny Mahoultra. I don't know if you'd put it that directly that he was chosen over him, but what are your thoughts on the coaching situation this year? Well, I was surprised by how many times the players on their Zoom calls best this morning and Garland yesterday mentioned how often they'd talked to Adam already. So clearly the lines of communication are open and fully open. this morning and Garland yesterday mentioned how often they talked to Adam

already so clearly the lines of communication are open and fully open I think that Adam's gonna want to be his own guy but I think one of the big reasons why they chose him is this is a team that still needs to win right we all know the Quinn-Hugh situation they don't want to take a step back they want to push and try to get better well the one area that they're fairly sound is in goal and on defense if you bring in a guy that's going to totally change the system, you might blow up the first month of your season. And if this team started 510 and two, because they

couldn't grasp a new system that a new coach is putting in place, they're in real trouble. So I think that the fact that foot is probably going to play a similar defensive system was a big key in him getting the job because they feel that side's okay. It's can we score enough goals? And I'm sure he'll have his own wrinkles, but I think that they were comfortable

that the same style of defensive system that Tocket ran, I think Foote will probably run. And I think that went into the decision making for Foote getting hired. So you say still needs to win which equates to needs to make the playoffs and You bring a Vander Cane in it ain't to rebuild anything man They have to they have to present Vancouver Canuck fans a team that they believe

Should be one of 16 at the dance next spring Yep they believe should be one of 16 at the dance next spring. Yep. Yep. And, um, like I said, the questions are huge with Pedersen. You're hoping that, I mean, I think it all rests on Pedersen. If I'm being honest, right? He can't be a 50 point guy. I'd be an 80 point guy. Maybe he's not going to get back to a hundred. I'm not sure, but I think the main big question rests at the feet of Peterson. Heedle, if he's healthy, is he a second line center? You know, maybe not on a cup team, maybe he's your third line center, but for now they're comfortable going with those two

and if something shakes loose as the season goes on, they'll address it. But I think that they feel like despite everything that went on last year, we missed the playoffs by three points and it couldn't have gone worse. So let's just pray that we don't have another season where everything that can go wrong goes wrong. Let's say Murphy's law and we're going to be okay and make the playoffs. And so I don't think they got worse yesterday and there weren't a lot of teams that got better yesterday. I mean, Montreal maybe there's a couple of things, Carolina, I think, weren't a lot of teams that got better yesterday you know I mean Montreal maybe there's a couple things Carolina I think but not

a lot of teams did what they wanted to yesterday and the Canucks even though it was unconventional the way they got around to it they did address the goal scoring need by bringing back Brock Vestor. Yeah this is I don't know I want to ask you about Quinn Hughes and everyone talked about a lot of that stuff the potential for him to eventually leave and go play with his brothers and how real that is. Have we moved into a state where he could be LeBron James and just be like the GM of the Canucks and be like hey you know if you guys want me here you got to go get this guy you got

to keep this guy would he have more of an impact with this looming threat? I don't think so. I don't think he'd ever do that. He's too laid back. Yeah, I don't think Rutherford kind of gives me that vibe that he's going to let someone dictate. I think that people, I think they will certainly have conversation with him. And I think one thing that, you know, I'm not saying he's going to be here after next year. I don't know. But I think the one thing that might give fans a little more comfort is nobody's leaving any team anything free agent stayed They had a chance I think to you know make a whack-a-doh with this

Salary cap going up and nobody wanted to leave anywhere. Hold on. No, nobody has two brothers waiting for him How can they afford that? And if you were a coach, would you want three brothers on the same team? God no. They're calling their own plays at that point. It's too many. Yeah.

It is gonna be fascinating to see. I hope it's not much of a story because the Canucks, it'd be fun to see them. What does that mean? Not much of a story. It'sucks, it'd be fun to see them. What does that mean? Not much of a story. It's a distraction that will not go away. No question. Yeah, no question. It's always going to be looming. I get the sense of probably says I don't I don't want to go.

Please get him to say it and we're good. I think Quinn is pretty good at saying the right things, too. And he has always given off the loyalty vibe. And I think he'll he'll address it in some way at the start of the season. That'll probably yet until we get closer to see out the team is a good team or a bad team. We're getting close to the deadline. I think we'll all shake out, but there's no question that that's the, that's the storyline that's hanging over the season, the entire season, not the beginning of the season. So Jimmy Rutherford has this reputation.

Do we wait for this reputation to kick in? Is there something lurking? Like there's got to be something big for Jimmy. We know he's itching. Well, I think Patrick and Jim are always looking, but I just don't know what's available. Right. I don't. I mean, I think that the biggest thing right now might be suitor and I don't

know if they can get that done, but they're always looking to make a big splash. But as we saw, there's just when every team feels they're one or two moves away from being that much better. No one's selling. And so unless you're willing to really overpay, which they can't, can I stand afford to do right now with where the cap's at, then I'm not sure what can be done, but I never put it past them. He's never been shy to pull the trigger. That's for sure. Murph. Great stuff is always, you know, our thanks to you and John McEnroe all season

long man coming on our show. We really appreciate it. Have a great one if we don't catch up until the fall and all the best pal Cabot next weekend. Oh, come on go away. I did say you you going to say Lucia Kate Breton baby, okay, Britain. I've not done man Britain. Yeah and pitchers. Okay, Dan Murphy does an amazing job He's just he's a pro sent me a video last year of himself playing golf with Adam Hadwin, yeah, and oh, yeah, right and Nick Taylor and Nick Taylor. Yeah, like he he's in with the Canadian big boy golfers Oh top in the world right now. Yeah Game time. Oh sure. Yeah, it's game time. Is it about bad 365?

Game time. Oh sure. Yeah, it's game time. Is it about that 365? Visit the app latest odds and find out why it's never ordinary at bet 365 must be 19 plus on terror only Please play responsibly. I'll give you guys one guess what I'm gonna talk about game days days days days days I gotta tell you. Thanks so much for letting me go early yesterday. I put us over a barrel. We had no chance. I Just saw the back of your shoes over a barrel, we had no chance. I just saw the back of your shoes. I went full tree on you guys. I extorted you. I was like, I'm gonna do.

Not a mention free show, nothing. Canada Day. We looked like real bad guys. Outside of a playoff game, it's the best game of the year. I'd never been to it before. And I got there just in time for the national anthem. And they did the flyover, which, flyover, whoo, gets the juices flowing.

But yeah, it was an incredible, incredible baseball game. And the Toronto Blue Jays won. George Springer turning back the clock. Again tonight. MVP. Again tonight. The Toronto Blue Jays, Bet 365, our beloved Bet 365, giving the Jays no respect.

Again, underdogs tonight against New York Yankees. Just one game back now in the division of the New York Yankees minus one 30 the Yankees are the Toronto blue Jays are plus one 10 with Jose burrios on the bump who has been excellent this year in his last few starts. He's been really, really good. I got, just give me the Jays again Why not tonight again Cameron the Jays the Jays are hot and I see no reason why they should not win again tonight So give me the Jays at plus 110. Uh Yeah, but it feels like Aaron judge might hit a home run. So give me an air judge home run at plus 225

Okay, why not? There you go. That was game time presented by bet Three six five is at the athlete is taught to find out why it's ever ordinary at bet 365 with 17 plus material only please play responsibly Can I one more quick chase thing? there's things that happen over a season that make it start to feel like it's gonna be a magic season and Jays went down early in that game, right? It was the Sun was beaten down people were getting pulled out It was so hot. Yeah and look like gauze and was struggling a bit to go down to zip He fights through it and then him and as who you guys probably have the similar power at the dish Yeah, not not a home run hitters had a few this year more than usual

Max freed Cy Young favorite they're going up against each other lefty on lefty matchup Two men on and he hits a bomb to dead center It must have been bashed on the mat The rest of his career must have been 410 center field Yeah, just little things start to make you feel like this might be a different kind of year for the jays So jorge springer last seven games 12 hits three homers 15 rbis. Let's mark down July 2nd As the date that sammyuki the Toronto Blue Jays because

he did the exact same thing with the Leafs. What are you talking about? The Leafs did the thing. This feels different this year with the Leafs. It was different. Stolars, Stolars and Wall. They went literally as far as they've ever gone in this year. Really feeling it now.

I'm really feeling it now. This is going to be different. I'm not allowed to be excited about anything. It was different. It was different. It was different. They went as far as they've ever gone, literally. So yeah, Jays are sick. George Springer, one of the best moments

I've had at the ballpark ever was that Grand Slam yesterday. Amazing moment. When they put this show together for the podcast and YouTube, I'm getting Sammy deleted from his comments about this year's different for the Blue Jays. That's a good idea.

I don't think it's, I mean, it's clearly you at the bat flip game No, I was at Edwin and Cronus young walk on the air the wild card who was I I was on the air sports that No, no I was at the walk off Edwin wild card game against against Baltimore, which is fantastic. Yeah Okay, let's take a quick break when we return Jason Gregor host of the Jason Greger show in Edmonton will join us We'll talk oilers who's in who's out and Bouchard what his thoughts are on that massive four-year deal? David and a little Connor McDavid, of course Sammy for you and the potential of him

Becoming a Toronto. I never said leaves. In your dream world. I never said leaves, but. Dream. There's lots of great teams around the league that he's from the hometown of for sure. Quiet. Okay. Back after these words.

Hey, it's Matt Marchese. And I'm Mike Feuda. We're discussing the top stories of the day across the NHL and the hockey world. Weekdays at noon. It's the Fan Hockey Show on Sportsnet 590 the fan and wherever you get your podcasts. The Kipper is Justin Barnes, Sammy McKee. What's going on with you? I don't know.

I'm just giggling. At? Justin's commercial for, thank God you have Jiffy. I'm telling you because- Oh yeah. Oh, they just play one of those? You live in a money pit, man. Your house is rotting.

It needs primer, paint. You need wood filler. Falling apart, dude. My house was built in 1905. Buddy, just really? Either 05 or 12. It's either, I figure, it's one of the two numbers. So it's like, it's like 120 years old. You hear this Titanic sank.

Yeah, well, my house was built out of the wood from the bottom of the ocean. April 13th, 1912. It used to be a big Titanic. Buddy, you're going to live in that thing forever. No one's buying it. No, no one's buying it. Well, you know what?

Thanks, Phil, the help from Jiffy. It'll look brand new. Yes. Shanty. Yes, it will. All right. Let's go to Edmonton where we catch up to Jason Greger, host of the Jason Greger show on sports at 1440 in Edmonton. Jason, how are you, man? Thanks for joining us. Hey, no problem. Fellas doing pretty good. Yeah. You live in a big how are you, man? Thanks for joining us. Hey, no problem, fellas. Doing pretty good. Yeah, you live in a big mansion out there, right? You don't you don't need any help from anybody. Oh, Jimmy, you know, I'm pretty lucky where we're at. We built our house eight years ago. So I didn't build it. No,

awesome. How's the build of the Edmonton Oilers here? We see some faces going out. It's July 2nd, no race for Conor McDavid to sign a new long-term deal. So what are your overall thoughts on the last, what, little over 24 hours? Yeah, well, I'm a big believer that July 1st is where more mistakes than good moves are made historically. Like there's the odd one,

Zach Hyman worked out really well for Edmonton, but Edmonton has about 10 other free agent signings that you'd be like, those didn't pan out. And so Edmonton, I think, took a pretty cautious approach here. To me, I look at the orders and I look at their regular season team last year, and then I look at their roster

for their regular season upcoming. And I don't see it being much different. I actually think their defense is probably better because Jake Wallman will be here to start the year in their top five and you know guys like Evander Kane didn't play all regular season so you know they didn't have him last year so now basically they have Trent Frederick in the regular season they'll have Manji Apani who's probably I think gonna bring a little bit more offense than can he can he replace 40-year- old Corey Perry's offense which is crazy to think that Perry scored that much but

you know I look at Edmonton and they'll have some new guys Matt Savoy they'll give him an opportunity Thomas Sec they'll give an opportunity so there's a few question marks yeah but they're kind of similar to last year and honestly guys did any team in the Western Conference really improve? Did Vegas improve? Like, they improved. Like, they improved.

Australia did. Yeah. Right? They improved Marner, but they lost Petrangelo and Haig. And so you bring in Lausanne and I guess, Korsak. So I don't know, like honestly, I don't know if any of the top teams, Dallas didn't get way better. Colorado didn't get way better. Edmonton didn't get

way better. They're kind of the same, right? So I think the regular season in the West is going to be about, you know what, who finds their holes and then which GM makes the best moves of the deadline. So not overly concerned about any of, was it Brown? Who are the guys who all loves it? Four guys, Perry Brown, you know best. Arvidson. Perry Brown, Arvidson and Jeff Skinner are gone. So they bring in Matt Savoy, they bring in Monge Epani.

I think that to me they bring in Frederick. He played seven minutes in the regular season last year, right? So to me, he's a new regular season guy. And then Tomasek. Yeah. So full season with a couple of those guys, the Frederick contract is a good commitment to a player that I really like

and I think that there's a lot more to be found. How much of this is yet to be filled in as they move towards trying to get over the hump and win this Stanley Cup? Is there still more to come for them or are they built good enough now? No, no. I think that I wrote this before free agency. It's hard to to get your like, look at Florida, we could argue Florida won the cup because of their trade deadline moves and Jones and Marchand, right? Obviously helps that you can

exceed the salary cap in the playoffs. Let's make no bones about that. But it's legal. It's in the rules. But that helped them. I look at Edmonton and at the trade deadline I think they're going to look at three things. Are their goaltenders more secure if not they're going to get a goalie? A second pair right defenceman and a winger. They'll probably get two of those three depending on what's the biggest need. How fast do they need to get a goalie here? Is it just to appease Conor McDavid? Can they wait? Last time I checked,

their goalies have done a pretty good job helping them in the playoffs win rounds and get to a Stanley Cup finals. So how much of a pressing need is it? And how does that compare to what's available right now? Well, Nick, you bring up a great point because I think there's a lot of people that forgot that Edmonton really kind of cruised

to the first three rounds after, you know, they had two bad games and then they went 12 and 2 and they walloped Dallas and Vegas two really good teams like that those series weren't even close right Vegas wins on an Edmonton own goal otherwise that might have been a sweep so and and Stu Skinner two years in a row was infinitely better than Jake Ottinger he's not Bobrovsky right? So Florida had the better goalie in the final. No question about that. So I think that they will look,

I think they're gonna make a change to their goalie coach. And I'm not saying that the goalie coach is a reason why, but sometimes a new voice could help. So I think that's gonna come for Skinner. And then, you know, we'll see. I don't see a big rush because, you know, which goalies are truly available. Like everybody, I saw the rumors, oh, Jake Allen's going to get 5 million.

He signed for 1.8. I know he signed for five years, but hell, he could have signed two years at 10 mil and made the same amount of money. So I don't, I don't know if there's a huge, you know, glaring obvious goalie, but I think it's one to look at to see how Stu Skinner does. Stu Skinner, I actually thought he improved in the playoffs and that he didn't let in really soft goals. Like the third goal in game six,

it was a terrible rebound. I don't know what he was thinking, but he didn't let in like weak goals. He just didn't make the big saves. So it's kind of an improvement. And as a young goalie at 26, there's only seven goalies in the NHL who were younger than Skinner

and played more than 20 games last year, seven. And those guys have a combined three playoff games. Skinner has 50, right? Like it's still, he's still a young goalie. I know it's frustrating because you know what? He's not as good as Vabrovsky, but they're not built to have their goalies steal them games all the time.

And he did steal them some games up until the final. Yeah, it's a tough pill for fans to swallow, right? Like this one thing that they can't... It seems like they can't get right, but you're right. If he was available, there'd be people falling all over themselves to get their hands on him for the number he makes. So I hear what you're saying there. Let's talk a little bit about Evan Bouchard.

Signed himself a four year, 10.5 million per season contract. What were your initial impressions versus the expectations for that deal? Well, I kind of thought he was going to be a $10 million guy. So I had actually heard that, you know, they were asking for more on a long-term deal. So four years, you know, Bouchard, like this year, Bouchard's security blanket, known as Matthias Ekholm, wasn't there. And Bouchard was still really good in the playoffs. Actually, guys, if you go back and look, the games, game five and six, was more Ekholm's

errors than Bouchard's that cost the orders on those goals. So I think Gavin Bouchard, like he's, he can be a frustrating player at times because in the regular season, maybe he'll go back to a puck a little nonchalantly and people are like, oh my God, and they remember that play. But meanwhile, he'll make 50 other good plays in a game that kind of go unnoticed. So he's the guy who shoots the puck the hardest, the most frequently, like 90 mile an hour shots more than anyone. He wasn't a guy who padded puck the hardest, the most frequently, like 90 mile an hour shots more than anyone.

He wasn't a guy who padded all the stats in the power play. He didn't have a power play goal really, I think until February. So I think Bouchard in what the market is today for as many points as he gets, it's what you're gonna get. Can he frustrate you at times? Yes, but in the playoffs guys, no one can argue that Evan Bouchard's playoff game

is amongst the elite defenders the last few years. His goals against per 60 is actually better than Kale McCarr. So I don't know if I'm that surprised by it. I guess four years people don't love, but in four years, he's either gonna continue to mature and then maybe he moves on. But I'd be surprised that Bouchard doesn't give you pretty good value.

He will give you a few games in a few plays that people will highlight and focus on. But I think people who do that are probably missing the vast majority of his game, which is pretty darn good. Jason, we know the challenges on the salary cap for the Edmonton Oilers still to this day. So long-term success of Stanley Cup, does it include Bouchard and Darnell Nurse making 20 million between them?

Is that even an issue now moving forward? Oh, I think it's potentially an issue for sure. Like, you know, Darnell Nurse is never gonna live up to his contract. He's not gonna have the offensive numbers that ever live up to it. So he needs to be more consistent defensively. I thought he was good at times, but he doesn't he doesn't give you the offense

to make up for some of the mistakes like he needs to be better when he comes around the net. If the wingers not open, he's got to be able to read the play better and not just, you know, not just throw a grenade up that leads to an icing call. I know that, you know, icings aren't the end of the world if you don't lose face-offs, but I look at Florida, they won the cup this past year. Their top six salaries ate up 59.8% of the cap. This season, the order's top six guys with McDavid's still doesn't have a contract extension, but with their top eight, they'll make up around 60%.

So it's not much different, but with their top eight, they'll make up around 60%. So it's not much different, but one of those guys is Nurse. He'll have to be a little bit more consistent, I think, in his play because Florida had Verhagy and he contributed very well in their Stanley Cup run. So I think it's on Nurse to be better. And I think ultimately long-term, it'll get to a point where either Nurse is going to give them a little bit more consistent play I thought he was decent this year, but I still think there's more when you're making nine point two five You just you just need a little bit more Jason I know getting past the LA Kings was not a particularly huge hurdle for the Oilers in recent years But how did you feel about what they did a direct competitor?

Cody CC goes there for four times four and a half. Dumalin gets four million, Armia, Perry. What are your thoughts that the King spent like 25 million on guys that were a lot of, really? Yeah, it was an interesting day in LA land. I think they went in, we got a lot of money to spend. And there wasn't really a lot of guys to spend on, but they decided they were going to spend on them anyway. Like Cody Cece and Brian Dumalin, I'm like, wouldn't you have just signed Gavrkoff to

eight million bucks by himself? Like I don't, but I don't know if Gavrkoff just wanted to leave because he signed for seven in New York. Are you telling me that the Kings didn't offer him seven? So I'd love to get to the bottom of that decision for Gavrkoff. Did he just want to leave? I know lots of Russian players love playing in New York, so maybe that was part of it. Because right now, if you look at the Kings blue line, like one of Cece and Dumoulin, Do you just want to leave? I know lots of Russian players love playing in New York. So maybe that was part of it.

Cause right now, if you look at the Kings blue line, like one of CC and Dumlin, if not both are going to be in their third pair. It's a lot of money for a third pairing. So I don't think the Kings necessarily got better by any stretch. They might've got a little bit more regular season consistency,

but I'm not sure they're better and built for the playoffs. They're going to have to hope that, you know, guys upfront continue to get better, right? That Bifield takes a big jump this year. Fiala continues to do what he does. And Brant Clark, I think on the back end, is the guy they're going to look at to take a jump. But I agree with you. They spent a lot of money that I'm kind of like, Hey,

I love Corey Perry. He just had an unreal year, but he's basically guaranteed three and a half million bucks. Yeah. Right. Like his playoff bonuses are 500 grand, but 3.5 million bucks. And I know he scored 19 goals. Now maybe he'll do it again. Maybe he's just the ageless wonder, but probably not. Yeah. It's, it's a risky bet, right? Like it's a pretty risky bet for me. How much are they going to miss Corey Perry? Like he went from a constant thought of minimum salary, fourth line guy, maybe in and out of the lineup to being a real important guy.

Well, the thing about Perry, he scored big goals, guys, but it's funny, like his, his goals, four goals against five on five in the playoffs were very good. So he scored a lot, but then he was on the ice, not saying he was the only problem when they give up goals, but you know, at the end of the day, it's give or take. And if you score lots, but then you're on the ice for a lot against, well, that's not great. So they'll miss Corey Perry, I think in the room. He's a calming factor that Perry knows when to show up for games. That's the one thing he's very good at, right? Like

he can bring them into a fight at times. And I think maybe that's why LA got him is they're like, hey, we need a guy that can calm us down in the playoffs where, because you look at LA in games three and four, they kind of self-destructed against Edmonton. They made some pretty bad decisions. And so I think Ken Hollins think, and maybe Corey Perry and Dry Saddle McDavid have both talked about it. Like, Corey Perry is an incredibly smart player and he's incredibly calm and knows when to speak up at the right time and what to say. He doesn't rah-rah all the time.

And a lot of times he speaks up with his actions on the ice. And I think they will miss him there more than anywhere else and they're just but the orders they better have other guys in the room now that have been through back-to-back cup runs that they'll know when's the right time to stand up and speak. All right I cannot let you go without asking you about Conor McDavid and what the heck is going on here everybody tells me hey Leon Dreisaitl didn't sign till like the end of August, September. Guess what? I love Leon.

He ain't Connor. Okay. And the reason why it may have gone to September is because Edmonton may have not wanted to hit that 14 number. This is majorly different for Connor McDavid. This ain't about 14, 15, 16. It's about, hey, Connor, you tell us what you wanna make and we'll sign it tomorrow.

So what are we about to see here in the next little while or not see? Well, a few things with Dry Set. I actually was told that that 14 million number was one that they kind of had in March. But they weren't gonna sign the Dry Settle deal until Stan Bowman took over in late July and then they kind of had in March. But they weren't going to sign the dry settle deal until Stan Bowman took over in late July and then they had the offer sheet stuff. So it got delayed. I think in Connor McDavid's case, I don't think he's going to sign to

eight years. And why would he? I have argued for years, guys. Like the NHL took a step towards my argument. I always thought five years max is what it should be. So they reduced it by one. And I bet you on the next CBA it'll be six and five and that'll be fine. So I think McDavid for two reasons. You go three or four years because A, you can maximize it as the highest paid guy in the league. Look at the cows going to be guys in three years, 118 million bucks probably after 113. Like it's nuts. So why would you sign long-term as an elite player in the league? I would never do that. And then number two, it gives him a chance to say, okay, where are we at?

Like, if he's going to play out this year and then leave, where is he going to go that gives him a better chance to win than Edmonton? Colorado? That's it, right? Like maybe McKinnon and McCarr. There's no other team that has a dry sidle, right? So where else would he go to think, hey, I got a better chance? He's going to take his time.

I think this contract will be done. The term, everybody's going to get up in arms. But I think shorter term is better for elite players. I know that some fans don't like to hear that. But if I'm an elite player and I'm looking at my career, I'm going to go short term all the time because I can maximize my earnings, still be competitive, and force my team to remain competitive.

Jason, great stuff as always, man. Really appreciated. Not just today, but your efforts all season for our show. Hey boys, love coming on, man. Anytime. Have a good off season. Thanks, man. Appreciate it and have a good one yourself. Jason Greger. Jason Greger's show in Edmonton, 1440. So he'll sign a four- For your contract yeah, so so really at the end of the day is just Wants to protect his status as being the best player in the world so you don't lock into eight so it's really just about the money for him moving forward here, or is there I

Did you know is there do you believe it Jason in terms of like there's nowhere for him moving forward here or is there, is there a thought, do you believe Jason in terms of like, there's nowhere for him to go? Well, I mean, there's different places for him to go that have comparable opportunities. I think Edmonton is in a group of seven, eight teams that if he goes to those teams, they're instantly the favorite, right? What are you giggling at over there?

Nothing, nothing, nothing. Nothing. But your team has won a cup since 67. I know. I know. I'm aware of that. So will he be the difference maker in a year from now? Maybe the greatest hockey player to ever touch ice could make a difference.

Travis, the last place that guy would ever go. I think that's wrong. I think that's not true. I think it's either super true or super wrong. I think he would rather go here than, you know, like Seattle. Columbus. Columbus. Yeah, I don't believe it's the last place. But I do think that he's one of two ways on Toronto.

He would either really find it appealing or really not find it appealing. I bet you're really not finding it appealing. He just, there's no way you could totally hedge anything, but he's got to get his cup. He's 0-2 right now in the final. No better chance in Toronto. I think it is a much better chance. I believe he's going to stay and I do believe it'll be a shorter term deal.

Three times 16, 17? He's 28 now. Yep. So if he signs a four year deal and he doesn't win a Stanley Cup, now he's looking for a new team at 32. Then he's Kevin Durant. He starts flipping around all the different teams.

Oh, I'd hate to see that. But he needs one, but he like, that's all that matters to him. I actually really believe that he's not hungry for money. Like the last contract he signed, what'd he take? Took less, the PA was pissed off at him because he didn't take as much as he should've. Remember when was it team of Solani and Paul Correa

played for like a million bucks each in Colorado that one year? Yeah, and they didn't win. No, they weren't close. They didn't even come close. Him and Leon have been training now for about a week. Is that true? With Gary Roberts. It's too much. He's Gary Roberts. It's too much.

He's in town. It's too much. I saw a picture of him and Matthews get sent to me, but I don't know if that was from this summer or last summer, but they're having dinner at some point. Oh no, this guy's already locked in. They do have a relationship. That's nice.

Already locked in. Very admirable, man. They're committed. For sure, for sure. I think they probably gave himself what, two weeks week off and then I was like three weeks or something Yeah, you know, I'm not them and I was done way earlier in the season. So it was easy for me, but Alright, I want to touch on this before we go here Carolina Hurricanes, oh yeah the owner of

The Carolina Hurricanes Tom Dundon has a bit the Carolina Hurricanes, Tom Dundon, has a bit of a reputation for being a tough negotiator and a little alligator arms. They don't quite reach the pockets. Bit of a cheapo is what you're saying. And all of a sudden, boom! Kendra Miller, 60 million, no problem. 60 million. For Stankoven too, a bunch of money. Like Stankoven got 48 million. So Kendra jumps into Carolina now and becomes the highest paid defenseman. And Slaven's their best guy. And he, I think, I'm not even sure he started his new

contract. And it's probably got to be about 2 million less than Miller. Oh, Slaven. Slaven. No, Slaven makes like 6.4. What does he make here? I'll tell you right now. He makes 60 at 6.4. So he makes 1.1 less. Okay. Yeah. All right. But clearly, Kendra Miller does not come in and become Carolina's best defenseman. No, but it's like, it's one of those things where this is what Carolina is trying to do is to try to sign contracts

where you're getting value on guys. And that's how you- Good on Tom Dundin. I mean, it's a good sign moving forward that he's now spending money and he needs to win a Stanley Cup too. Yeah. Slaven contracts best in the league. I just looked at it right now.

It's absurd. Is it started? Yeah. He makes 6.4 until 2032. Yeah. Is that eight years? Count for me. One, two, three.

He signed an eight-year contract. We're 51.17. And it kicks in. And he signed it last July 1st. Okay, so kicks in now. Yeah. Oh my gosh Yeah, I mean Because nobody it takes guts to bet on yourself That's why and defense first D man have a tougher time getting to big numbers. So what do you point to? You know, it's. Did you see our list of top 25 hockey players? Did you guys get that?

No. Sports Nets. Generally. Yeah, somebody just sent it to me. Do you remember voting for it? Yeah. I think I remember voting for it too. But I don't, we'll find it.

We'll get it in our show tomorrow. Okay. Well, we need something to talk about. There's some guys I'm shaking my head at on the list. No, he's in there. Joking, that's the joke. Sam Coven in there? No. Pizzetta?

No. So something to look forward to tomorrow. 25 NHL players? Yeah, you know Carolina is, I am curious to see how it shakes out. They still have these first round picks. Are they gonna try to do the Ehlers thing in the next 48 hours and will they do more? They need more.

How good is Ehlers? Not that good. What do you have, 60 points? He has a season where they, one season where he played 18 minutes a game and he had like 70 points. It was like a career high for him. Someone's going to pay him eight or $9 million. I mean in this cap era, it's not that devastating.

Like even this Kandre Miller deal, that's Morgan Reilly money, you know, and by the time that cap goes up, you look at how some of these guys that skate well are big, as Dee takes a while to come around, look at Seth Jones, all of a sudden it's like, God, how good was he on route to winning a cup? I do like the raw tools of Miller.

Rangey, offensive upside, great skater, long. He took a step backwards last year. No question, no question. Different system. Everything I hear he's just, he's gotta get his head on straight. It's fair. I'm sure, I wouldn't.

Fresh start in a much smaller community. Yep. 60 million bucks. Will that help you keep it on straighter Well, we'll see we're still waiting on a few deals But there's not really any massive names left out there guys tomorrow will break down the Jack Rossovic contract and Tell you what we think of Travis Boyd. By the way, you know, the Terry, what's the guy's name? The guy can help.

Vinnie Terry, the only sign today. And you know, Terry. Yeah. And while it grew, yeah. Dakota Murmus is back. It's tough. How about the Kings? Oh, my God. I would say the Kings took the largest step back. They did a lot of money to spend and spent it on. Oopsies.

The room for both Byron. He's out there. He's going to get, he's got to get traded. We had Elliot on last night, yesterday talking about they got to move them or else they're going to get locked in and take more tender restricted free agency. Okay. Our thanks to Brad Tree Living, manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs Dan Murphy Hockey night in Canada Canucks and Jason Gregor covering the Edmonton Oilers. Thanks for watching. Thanks for listening

You get a chance. Give us a rating and review. We'd love to hear from you We're back tomorrow on the real kipper and Boring Show.