Real Kyper & Bourne - Conference Finals' First Impressions with Doug MacLean

Episode Date: May 22, 2026

Nick Kypreos, Gord Stellick and Sam McKee look back on the Montreal Canadiens' statement Game 1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Doug MacLean joins the guys (10:18) for Off-the-Rails Friday! Mac discusses the Hurricanes' rust in Game 1, if there's any concern around Frederik Andersen, the Habs' roster construction, how Cale Makar's injury changes the Western Conference Final, why he sees Bruce Cassidy landing with the Kings, and Lindy Ruff's extension with the Sabres. Later, Nick, Gord, and Sam tee up Game 2 between the Avalanche and Golden Knights before answering your questions on the text line! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. 

Get yourselves ready. It's the fastest hour in hockey. It's the real Kipper and Bourne show. We are live on SportsSat 590, The Fan. Sports at 960 in Calgary, 650 in Vancouver. Sportsat 360. Sportsat Plus, Gord, Stelic, YouTube. And if you miss our show, Gord,

you can download it as well on Spotify, Apple Podcast. We are presently on YouTube, where there's an amazing chat going on right now, going Gord again. I think it's so funny, Kipper, when you pick up that lineup to read all the places we're on. And I could just hear the dread in your voice of you having to go through all those. No dread at all.

As we welcome in Gord Stelich for Justin Bourne on this off the rails Friday. Love it. Doug McLean. Yeah. Nick Kiprios, Sammy McKee, Jake the Snake Shultz, and Derek Brandeo. this hour of real Kipprenborn, brought to you by Bet365. Gord, do not blink. It'll go by that fast, I'm telling you. Well, when you do a two-hour show and it's cut back to one, you're right.

A three-hour show is cut back to two. So, yeah, I've been listening and watching and it sails by and always fun. And in my case, download on Spotify, or you can ask your son or daughter to download on Spotify. Just whatever may be. Yeah, I'm glad to be on board. Let's go. In about 10 minutes, we'll welcome. And Doug McLean, that's where either the show will slow down, come to a screeching halt or be driven into the ditch.

Yeah. But we can catch our breath there. Well, I saw a feature on Paul Anka, and I talked about he wrote the song. Paul Anka. No, he wrote the song, it was a good feature. Paul Anka. He wrote the song, My Way for Frank Sinatra. And I'm just saying, Doug McLean is like the my way of sports broadcasting hockey because the conversation will go his way.

whatever it is. And that's why it could be off the rails, on the rails, but it's always Doug McLean fun, right? I didn't have a Polanka reference. Yeah, don't worry. I love it. I didn't expect it, but anyway. Jam packed tonight on Sportsnet.

We got the Western Conference final, Vegas, Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche 8 p.m. Sportsnet. But before we get into that with our good buddy, Mac, your thoughts last night, Montreal Canadiens, Carolina hurricanes, what looked like a terrific start, albeit 33 seconds, Gord. Turned into a rather disappointing at times ugly for the fans. They left early.

Not what Carolina fans were hoping for. Well, it's what Montreal fans have come to expect in the playoffs. The games don't leave early. The games are crazy. We see it in that series against Buffalo and Tampa Bay. And not going to go over all the goals, but it does show again, that's why you play the games. Everyone's trying to predict what's going on.

And I thought, honestly, Kippy and Sammy, 33 seconds in, I thought, don't tell me this is exactly what Philadelphia had against Carolina. They spent their emotional gas beating Pittsburgh, and they never got going. And they got steamrolled by Carolina. And then when Cofield gets that one, what, 27 seconds later, at even strength, okay, you're back in the game. And then after that, that relentless fortune of Carolina,

because there's no space. Carolina gives you no space. But Montreal figured it out and Carolina made some uncharacteristic gaffes. And we chat about this morning on my serious XM show, Kippy, about when are you ever going to get a game like that

from Jacob Slavin? You know what? You know, just all those things like what went on last night for Carolina. So good on Montreal for capitalizing it. And the only caveat I'll throw now is now we're talking about Carolina's record. They're one in 17

in their last 18, championship series. Like, that's staggering. They got swept 4-0, 4-0, and 4-1 their last three series. So now, and that's not like the Leafs haven't won the Cups in 67. This team, these guys were most of those guys that have been on those teams. So this thing creeps in the discussion a little bit now. Yeah, I mean, since 2000, teams with a 9-plus day off, days off of rest,

are now 2-5 in the first games back from the layoff. We know the stats about the 7-1 coming off a sweep versus the game 7 stuff. There's no way to sit here and say that that wasn't a rust situation. You've watched the Carolina Hurricanes all year. We've all watched the Carolina Hurricanes. They're a dialed-in group. And they just gaffs, breakaways. It just, it was so uncharacteristic.

I can't believe how bad they looked. Like, I thought there might be some rust, but, man. Let's sneak in Kipper's Clipper from the head coach of Carolina to, I don't know, try to explain it. Yeah. Clip one. Our top guys had a tough nights. And that's not going to work at this time of the year. So chalk it up, you know, I think we just toss this game, to be honest.

I hate that this time of year. That's what we got to do. But there wasn't much to really grab onto there. And I think you get behind early like that. It's tough. But we clearly were not ready for that pace. And that's, you know, I'm not going to give the layoff as an excuse, but we weren't ready to play.

Playoff hockey. Yeah. He's not as one uses an excuse, but it's, how can you not? About halfway through the game, I'm wondering now that

if just Montreal's style of play, which I see as being very opportunistic to, counterpunch. Counterpunch against a team that just likes to throw everything to the net. It's all about the volume. It's not about the quality of the chances. And we've seen teams,

turn away chances because they don't think that the odds are with them or the percentages are with them. Carolina is opposite of that. It's like we don't care. And if you do find yourself throwing pucks like that constantly and it's not working out for you, this is a team that jumps led by Hudson on the back end. And that transition killed Carolina last night.

Well, it's funny, when you're watching a team in person, Every now and then you go, how the hell do this team get so fast? Like the Anaheim ducks. Well, you get Carter, Goce, you get Seneca, you get all those guys, you're a fast team. Montreal, been a real fast team. Now, what Rod Brindermar is saying, if they can't handle the speed, well, they're screwed. You know, that's plain and simple. And he's got to believe they can handle the speed.

Question I want to ask you, because, you know, Sammy's talking about the layoff in that. When you won the Stanley Cup in 1994, or even in general, other examples, when your team has won a playoff series, and you've had a lot of time to rest. We did. We swept the Islanders in the first round. And what was it like next round? Fairly easy, too. Okay.

What about the round after that? You know what? It really felt, I think we went 4-0 and 4-1. I think Washington may have beat us one game, but we were essentially like Carolina. And then I think we lost the first game against the Devils. Well, that was a battle. That's serious.

And this one very well-to-me-a-balled-toe. double overtime. Yeah. Twice. Because in one sense, if you're going to win a cup, you need one series like you had. Like you can't go 7-7-7-7 generally, right? But then this is, Sammy, like you brought the stats up,

the ultimate extreme about just because Montreal happened to go 7 and you're off 4. They could have gone on vacation. They could have gone on a cruise. It seemed like they did. Just the seed of doubt thing for me with those stats that you brought up. Like, yeah, you know, just the one in 13 under Rod, right, and in the conference final now,

just like that little bit of being like, are we going to do this again? Is this going to happen to us again? Like, I'm sure it's impossible to fight away. Like, it's human nature. You're going to be thinking about that. But how do you not think about it? How is that not the first thing that's going through your mind?

It's crazy. Rod Brenda Moore was asked about his goaltender. If there's any thoughts about pulling him, I want to get to that clip before we get to Doug McLean and then ask you a question, Sammy, about Freddie. Let's go to Brindamore clip two. Did you give any mind to pulling Freddie? No, I mean, we're giving up breakaways.

I mean, I'm not going to blame him for breakways. I mean, we did. I thought maybe for a second just to give him a breather, but he's had a ton of rest. So it's actually the opposite. I need to get him probably up to speed, you know, more game action. Yeah, it's the opposite. Less rest.

So let me ask you, and then, Gord, follow it up. Did we see Toronto Freddie Anderson last night? I'm not, I'm the number one guy that would be, I thought. It's a yes or no question. Did we see Toronto Freddie last night? Yes, yes. I saw Toronto Freddie. Yeah.

I want to bury him as bad as anybody. No, it's not bearing him. No, no. I've buried him his whole career. That's, I've made a career out of bearing his career. I just think that the chances that they gave up, they were great. Like, it's just, he had no shot on all of them except the first. one. I hated the first one where he's lying down.

The rest of them, what's he supposed to do? Their breakaways, their tap-ins, like... Yeah, the first one where he's just diving out on his stomach. That one was weird. Weird. Yes. No, but the Toronto Freddie was, he just got out goal tended. It's not like you remember egregious goals against. It just was...

I can tell you if you. Well, it's a constructive criticism and Toronto fans are eating it now about Mitch Marner, which is pissing them off. You're saying, no, we do not agree. Collectively didn't get it done, including Austin Matthews, He was Morgan Riley, William Nealander. I mean, that's fact, okay?

Phil Kessel, Tyler, Bozak, Nazam Cadry, have gone and hoisted Stanley Cups elsewhere. Hyman's been in the Stanley Cup final twice, whatever. But just as a group here, and Freddie was the goaltender. And Toronto fans eventually kind of said, you know what? He was the first guy that kind of said, okay, got to make a change. Okay. Don't ask us.

Let's ask Doug McLean, as we welcome in, former NHL president, GM head coach. It's Friday. out in PEI, staring at the... What's he shaking about it? Yeah, what are you shaking at? What's going on? I miss...

I miss when, I mean, I listen to Stellick in the morning, if I have to listen to morning, noon, a night, or what? Seriously. But we got the best version of him now. Great to see you, Gord. Always great to see you, Doug. It was some of my finest moments getting to work with you. It was it. You were Berkey. I couldn't, you know, I couldn't decide who I liked the most.

So just to pick up on a conversation about Freddie Anderson last night, like, kudos to him for the first two rounds. All good. But Rob Brinimore said the quality chances, the breakaway, you can't really pin it on him. But like, they could have used a save last night from him. Look, I hate to say it, but I've been thinking about it all year and mention. I mentioned it, I think, last week, that it's still, you know, I'm still a little nervous about Freddie at this time of year. The team, you know, they were absolutely terrific against Ottawa and Philly, and he was solid, but I'm still, you know, I'm still a little nervous. And you look at Montreal's goaltending has been exceptional all playoffs. And then you look at Vegas goaltending has been exceptional. Vegas, you know, Vegas and, you know, Vegas. And. Vegas maybe have the best goaltender in the league and Montreal's right there with them

and then the other two teams, I'm a little nervous about Colorado's goaltending and I'm a little nervous with Carolina. So we'll see what happens. I mean, it's let them down in every conference final in the past. They've stayed with Freddie. They've been loyal to Freddie and he has been good.

So it'll be a real interesting test for him to see if he can bounce back. Montreal, I mean, they come at you with great speed. They've got great skill. I mean, they're a fun team to watch. I mean, to think they went in and won three road games in Buffalo, and then they go in and win in Carolina.

Now, that's four times they've beaten Carolina this year. I could not believe that stat when I saw it. Four times they'd beaten Carolina. Okay, so the stats, there's been not a negative one against Carolina for the playoffs. They steamrolled in eight games. So now you bring up that one in 17 in the last championship series games. And it's not decades ago. most of these players have been on those teams.

And how does that creep into the psyche? Or if you're Brindamore in that, how do you try to avoid it from creeping into the psyche? Well, they've got the excuse right now that they've been off for 12 days. And look, that's a legitimate excuse to have. That, you know, they're not ready to play, not quite sharp enough. They're a better team than we watched last night. There's no denying that.

They're a lot better team. And that's what Rod's got to, you know, You know, he's got to use that a little bit. He's not an excuse type of guy. But, I mean, they are a persistent, hard-for-checking team. Maybe the best four-checking team in the NHL this year. And Montreal walked out of their own zone for fun last night in groups of five. In groups of five, making, I mean, they, they, on the breakouts, they had four guys available,

four guys that were open and available to receive the public. to come with great speed through the neutral zone. So, I mean, they've got to figure out the forecheck on Montreal. They definitely have to figure that out. Mike, as far as Slavkowski goes, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better four or five-tool player in an NHL game now than this guy. He can beat you so many different ways as a first overall pick.

It wasn't exactly the best start. in his career. I think he had like 20, 24 goals in his first, what, 120 games. But now you're seeing what everybody saw to make him the first pick overall here. Now at age 22. But man, oh man, there's so much pressure on 18 and 19 year olds now more than ever to come in right away. And McKenna may be that guy where you want to see so much so fast. But Sovkosky is the way it should work.

should it not in real development? It is. And I was looking at the draft picks playing for each team. I know it's a big topic in Toronto about draft picks and so on. But think about this. Montreal have nine first round picks playing in that game the other night. Nine first round picks, okay? Of which three of them are their own picks.

So there's six other first round picks they've picked up in deals. Isn't that bizarre? Three of their own. and we know who one is the one you named and Caulfield's the other guy. And, you know, it's bizarre when you really think about it, how few. And then you look at Carolina, they had eight first round picks in that game, and only two of them are theirs. You know, Vegas have six first round picks on their team,

and none of them are their own picks. And Colorado have eight first round picks in their team, and three of theirs are. Now that's McKinnon, McCar, and Landisg, so they did pretty well. But Montreal's three firsts are the guy you just mentioned, Sikovikov, Cofield, and who's the third one?

Who's the third one on Montreal? Demadov? Debedov, who just really came on and looks like a star all of a sudden. Those are the only three. So isn't it bizarre? Eight and nine first round picks, playing on their team, and only two or three,

and some teams with none of them. their own first round picks playing. And we talk about the importance of getting a guy like McKenna in Toronto or whoever they pick. Those first round picks, I mean, you've got to hit a home run with those. But it also tells you maybe you shouldn't trade your first round picks because these teams have got eight and nine first round picks on the team and they're only two or three of them of their own.

So interesting to look at it that way. Yeah. No, Montreal, they've done a great job procuring the picks. That's for sure. Curious, you mentioned Kail McCarr and Kipi was on the show. you listened to this morning. And just the absence of him in that series, and I don't mean to put words in your mouth, Kipi,

but you felt if a car's not playing, that theoretically tips it in favor of Vegas based on losing your stud defensemen. I mean, how catastrophic do you view it and how maybe do you combat it if you're the Colorado avalanche, and it's a reality? It's catastrophic. I mean, Montreal's blue line are moving their, you know,

created all their speed last night with the way they come out of their zone. McCarr, he's a, he's a transporter of the puck. He makes great plays with the puck, and he transport the puck out of his own zone and through the neutral zone. I mean, Vegas have a pretty good puck moving blue line as well. It's a critical part of the game. And, you know, you can't play a speed game if you don't have the back end that transport

the puck and move the puck the way they were. We talk about the leaves all the time. That's their number one problem. Their number one problem is a. have a hard time getting the puck going out of their own zone. And when you put it around the boards, like the Leafs do a lot of games, it's very easy to forecheck them. There's no denying that.

So, hey, McCar is a monumental loss, and they better, they got to pray they get them back. And hey, look, it's every year we talk about it. What about Carter Hart? I mean, look at this. Vegas don't care. They'll, you know, they don't care if their coach talks to the media. They didn't care about signing Carter Hart. I mean, this guy might be the MVP if they win the cup guys, how good he's been.

I mean, let's not kid ourselves. They don't win the game without McCarre even. They don't win the game without the way Carter Hart played the other night and the way he's been throughout the playoffs. And this is, I mean, I know it was a tough signing. I know teams didn't want to sign them. But this is an Edmonton kid. And Edmonton can't stop a beach ball with their goaltending.

So Vegas, they're about trying to win at all costs. and they'll do whatever it takes. Oh, Mike, they care a little bit. They said they were sorry. Yeah, they did. They were sorry. You know, always no torts definitely is sorry. You know, he feels horrific about doing it.

But he had to catch that plane, you know? There's a bit of a precedent for Gary to give back picks. Or mitigate it. What do you think? Can he do it this time? again? I heard, did you hear the story that they refused to get mited up in Vegas this year? Did you hear that story from the league? They've been warned.

This wasn't the first time. So yes, I heard their story, and it's a fact they've been warned. I don't know for what. About coaches not being miced up and players not being miced up during the game or doing interviews. You know, and that was a, I hear that was a bit of a sore point. So, yeah, they've been warned a little bit about it. I mean, I don't know. I just think that Mr. Foley, at his age and with his money, he just doesn't care.

And I know George McPhee really well, and I know Kelly pretty good. They don't care either. Well, that's ask one step further. The only time George really cared is when he didn't have a job and he then he cared about him. Well, you don't have a job and you still don't care. I know, and I should have, I should have cultivated that a little more. I should God, I should. Well, when he was scouting for the Islanders, that one year,

he was around available to talk to, George McPhee in the press box. Now, okay, one more about, I comment, I quote you all the time about the old era. Owners hated paying coaches off. That was the worst thing as a general manager. They'd be pissed. They'd say, well, I don't care. Kipper's under contract. Let's start the year with them.

Well, he can't coach anyone. It didn't matter. You would. So it's rare. It's funny to see now Bill Foley and other instances and George McPhee is saying, okay, Bruce Cassidy, he gets a chance to coach somewhere else.

Go. We're off the hook for millions and millions of dollars. Now, our mutual friend, Byron Burke, this morning feels they will not let him coach Edmonton or Los Angeles. They don't care. They'll pay him off. You could coach some other team,

but they're not going to let him coach somebody in their own division. Do you think that's going to be the case? And do you think that's right? I mean, he's going to make his money regardless. Or do you think Bruce may have said, please don't give me permission to talk to Edmonton? I don't think that.

Maybe. Do you just think about it? Kelly, George, don't give me permission. Don't you want to hear the offer first before you tell them no? No, because I know he's got a pretty good idea. It's an offset anyway, so, you know, he's going to get his money anyway, because it's always an offset. and he's got a couple years left.

So I still say L.A. is the place. I don't think it's Toronto. I don't think it's Edmonton. I still think he ends up in L.A., but I don't know. Why? Tell me why he doesn't end up in Toronto or Edmonton. I think he, you know what, Vegas may have spoiled him a bit. You know, the weather's kind of nice.

The tax situation is kind of nice. L.A. hasn't got the great taxing, but they've got nice weather there. I'm not sure Bruce is an Edmonton guy anymore. I'm just not sure of that. I think L.A. All the bright lights of L.A. It's not the taxes. It's not the weather.

It's maybe where am I coming to? And where's McDavid going to be in a couple of years? And where's Austin Matthews going to be in a couple of years? I think it has more to do with that than taxes and weather. Yeah, maybe. I just think that Kenny needs a top coach. in L.A. He desperately needs a top coach as bad as other

teams. And you know, Kenny's getting near the end and I know he'd like to put it over the top there. I I'll be shocked if they don't get them done in L.A. I will. And I know they're not giving permission right now but that'll

work. They're focused on the playoffs right now. They can't think about that, you know. Well, now Toronto and Edmonton, so in Toronto, one of the lead players is already gone. He's playing for Vegas and Mitch Marner.

And the captain doesn't have a lot. You know what? I've hardly noticed him. Well, anyway, but the captain hasn't had a lot to say hasn't been available. In Edmonton, you couldn't get Connor McDavid

and Leon Dryside. It'll be more precise. They've articulated well, calmly, coolly, throwing it back at all aspects of the organization. So the coach is gone. But what else do you do now

if you're Stan Bowman? I mean, most personnel moves have gone sideways or backwards. They took a step back. and both their elite players are putting everybody on notice. It's a really touchy situation. You throw that in with the two kids they lost to St. Louis,

one, a top four defenseman, another top six forward, young guys, a devastating loss. You know what? I don't like the fact that Drysidele and Connor talk to the media like that about their team. I think I'm all for them telling the general manager that. I'm all for them talking in-house about it. I don't think they have to shoot their mouths off

in the media about their organization. I really don't. But that's just the way it is today, you know. You don't see it very often. You know, I've never seen Sid do it. You know, Sid does it on the ice. I didn't like it, really. I didn't like it.

I don't like the fact that it probably cost Knoblock his job, but I just didn't like it. But Stan Bowman has got to step up. He's got to step up. and figure this out because their window is closing quickly. And, you know, I don't know, people, you know, they've got another year with Connor and then it's going to get really testy. So they've got to step up and figure it out.

They really do. Buffalo's windows wide open. Lindy, who looked like ready to just drift off into the sunset in November, early December, is now looking at it. at a contending Stanley Cup situation for the next two years with his new deal. Yeah, Lindy, Lindy, I thought it was his last year. I really did. We talked last summer and last fall, and he really was sort of thinking this would be his last year

and he was going to retire. And, you know, all of a sudden you have the run and, you know, he's excited again. And I don't blame him. I'm glad he re-uped and he's done a good job. It was a good fit for him coming back to Buffalo. I talked to him a fair amount. I've never heard him ever be critical of the situation, Buffalo, even when Kevin was there.

You know, it was a positive situation. You like their team. I just can't believe they lost three home games in that series. That's hard to believe that they did. You know, I know they stayed in the hotel. They stayed in the hotel the last game. I'm not, if I'm not mistaken, when we went to the finals in Florida,

I think we stayed in a hotel every night for a home game for the, for the all four series every night, that we stayed in the hotel. And, you know, it was, it was hard on people, hard on the families, heard on the players, but that's what we did. And I'm a little surprised more teams don't do it.

I just think it's such a critical time of year. I remember talking to you, led I believe Roger had Lindy as an assistant in Florida and then when you took over, you chose to inherit him or keep him going. So what was it about? Because that could have been a fork in the road for him. What was it about Lindy Ruff that you saw potential in coaching? I didn't know him at all, really.

I knew of them and obviously as a player. And we were at the draft in Edmonton when I interviewed. And I hung out with Lindy. I hung out with Lindy for, you know, a couple of nights at the draft when I was going through the process. I really liked him. He was a terrific, terrific assistant coach. The only thing that bothered me about him was we were in Greensboro at training camp. And we went to a bar, a country bar.

And Lindy, who prides himself in being a Western farm boy, horse guy, you know, cocky. And I had Duane Sutter with me. also was a cocky farmer, you know. So Lindy gets on the bucking bull in the bar. Okay, I'm sorry, can you repeat that? The bucking bar. Just don't. Linda gets on the bucking bar.

Oh, my gosh. That sounds horrible. And all of a sudden he's on the floor. And the next day he's on the DL, disable this because he had a pull groin from the bucking bull. And Brian said, what's wrong with their assistant coaches? I said, Brian, you don't want to know. You do not want to know what's wrong with Lindy.

So he's matured since then, you know? Okay. Just one more for me. Is the Nashville Predators still in the league? Because the last I heard, I think in February, they were looking for a general manager and haven't heard anything since then. And should it really take like months and months? And months and months to find a guy? Does it really surprise you?

I read that Nick Sabin's involved in the hiring of the hockey GM, you know, the genius football coach. So I think he's probably slowed it down because he can't find anybody as smart as he is. So I think that's probably the problem. Now, just it's embarrassing if the truth is known. Embarrassing. So we wait for Nashville.

We talked about coaches. In Toronto, I mean, whether it's Bruce Cassidy or not, but he doesn't fit, they say a data-driven coach, like analytics, like who are those people? Like, I mean, are they going to go like Dan Mews? They did a good job in Pittsburgh. We'll be like a Marty St. Louis hire in Montreal. Like, I mean, who are those kind of coaches in 2026? Because it's not it's not Barubi who's gone or Bruce Cassidy, I don't think. You know, I did.

I think that it'll be, I mean, I thought Manny Mahalter might be a. fit for them and it looks like he'll probably end up getting a Vancouver job. I don't know. I don't know if Mahaltra's a data-driven guy or not. You can't just be a data guy. You've got to be a data-driven guy. So, you know, I think that will be probably a small part of it. I think back to who Chike ahead in Arizona.

It wasn't talking with him for a while. Yeah, he coached, yeah. Was Wayne Greske with him? Tip it. I think it was Tippett, wasn't it? Is it Tippet? Dave Tippett. Yeah, that's right.

Well, they're talking. Anyway, whatever. But I mean, I don't know who. I have no clue. I mean, I see the guy from Denver, but he wants to be, you know, in charge of team construction. He wants to be in charge of the private jet. He wants to be in charge. I don't think Carl will be there, but he may be.

I don't know. I don't know who. I have no clue which way they will go. And how would you know with what's going on there through the GM process? You know, I listen to Mike Gillis. pontificating today but why he wasn't a fit in Toronto. You know, he felt that a guy at his age shouldn't, you know, shouldn't be in the chair on a day-to-day basis.

He might make good sense. He should just go to the home now. Right? Okay, Mike. Wait for your tray at 6 p.m. But seriously, who were they going to hire? That's a great question. It really is.

They'll do a third. They're going to do an extensive. thorough search. So it'll be fun to watch who it is at the end of the day. I think they better probably try to find the best coach they can. And if not, find four new defensemen and three or four new wingers and a couple new centermen. I think you can do all of that July 1st and UFA shopping. Well, I just read off all the first round picks that have been traded. So maybe they can, you know, search around for some first round picks that their teams don't want. want anymore. Maybe they'll get rejuvenate in Toronto, but I think they've got a big, big job to do

in player acquisitions this summer, whether it's drafting, free agent trades, it's a, it's a big job because they've really got to make some major changes to their team. So the coach will be important, but the player acquisitions are going to be a lot more important, in my opinion. Well, you look very relaxed in your gray, gray hoodie, gray, like glasses, gray. hair. Like, you just, I think it's easier. I have one final story. Oh, no.

That has, I was at the Centennial Cup game the other night. And, you know, the Centennial Cup was held in Somerside. And there was a, of one of my former players that I coached with the Western Capitals back in 80, 1980 or so. And I, and I, I had taken the sea from them. Okay. I had taken the sea from them. So anyway, it comes up to me. me. I was in one of the owner's boxes, and he come up to him and he said, hey, Doug, George Roberts,

and I said, oh, George, you're going to go out and be again about taking the sea from me? I know your father hasn't spoken to me in 45 years because I took the sea from. He said, no, but he said, I got to tell you, I heard you on the real Kipper show when they took the sea from Tavares and gave it to Matthews. And I brought up that it was reminded me of when I took the from George Roberts and gave it to Charlie Cameron and his father is still not talking to me after 45 years and I said and I guarantee you John Tavares' father wouldn't be very very happy.

So George had it on his phone, the conversation from the real Kipper show. He saved it on his phone from a few years ago when we talked about it. So I just wanted you to know how big the real Kipper show is. No, no, no, no. We don't care about that. We want to know why you took it away from him.

As I said to him at a bar, when he asked me 10 years ago, and when I saw him the other night, because he was no damn good as a captain. That's why I took him. Way to let him down softly. Yes. So anyway, we ended up getting over the hump. We got over the hump, and George and I are still in good, you know.

Good. We still were good friends, but isn't it amazing? He had the real Kipper show, tape on his phone. And he said, you know, Doug, that's the first time in my career I was ever compared to John Tavares. So it was good.

All right, Mac, we got to go. Okay. Thanks for doing this. Thanks for having me, guys. Gord, great to see you, Gord. You know, I'm in Toronto every once in a while, but I never hear from you. It's nice to see you. He's a big star. Okay, okay. I got a new book coming out, so I'd love to get on

the show again if you can if you can go to see a condo. And he wants to sell a condo. Go away. Let's go away now, please. Take care, guys. That's Doug McLean going away. All right. God, he's still listening. Longest goodbye in the league.

There's just no longer than him. Game time. It's game time. It's game time presented by Bet365. An official partner of the NHL must be 19 plus. Ontario only. Please play responsibly. One game on the ice tonight. It is the Vegas Golden Knights in Colorado,

looking to take a 2-0 series lead before heading back to Vegas. As you would imagine, Colorado big favorites tonight, minus 165 on the money line. Vegas plus 140 on the other side of that. You have to think that Nathan McKinnon's going to be involved tonight in a big way. Give me Nathan McKinnon to have three points tonight at plus 260. That's a big night without McCar. Needs him.

They need them. He was kind of felt like him or nothing a little. little bit that last game. So give me a three point night for Nathan McKinnett plus 260. And my beloved Toronto Blue Jays open a three game set. Beloved, eh? Went two in a row. Beloved now?

Buddy. I weren't. You couldn't even watch them two nights ago. I don't. I just had to take a night off. They won the night and took a night off. So I was watching everything else. You shouldn't have watched game seven.

Yeah. Right. Boy, I sure wish I did. They are hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates who are having a surprisingly good season. Kevin Gossman on the Hill tonight. night at the dome or at the Rogers Center for the Jays. Baba Chandler for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jays are big favorites, minus 160 on the money line.

Eventually, eventually, Vladimir Guerrero's got to hit a home run. So give me Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to hit a home run at plus 5.25. He got one the other night, right? Yeah, but it would like to be more. That was game time presented by Bet365. An official partner of the NHL must be 19 plus Ontario only. Please play responsibly. And as a reminder, this hour of Real Kipper and Born is brought to you by Bet 365.

Okay. Text. Text. 595. After the break and we'll get to them alongside Gord Stelick. News and notes around the National Hockey League. Plenty more when we return to Real Kipper and Bourne. Diving deep into Leaps, Raptors, Jays, and NFL.

The Jady Bunk is podcast. Subscribe and download the show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast. Welcome back in studio, Nick Kiprios, in for Justin Bourne, our very own wonderful, talented. Gord Stelick, and Sammy McKee. Time now for the Accura performance matchup, the 2026 Accura MDX, precisely premium. So we're looking at game two of the Western Conference finals tonight. It goes at 8 p.m. on Sportsnet and CBC. big one tonight, obviously, for the Colorado Avalanche.

Since relocating to Colorado in 1995, 1996, the Avalanche are 24 and 6 for an 800 winning percentage in all time in game 2s at home. Their win percentage in that scenario is the second best in the NHL over that span behind what team? The Toronto Maple Leafs. Really?

The Toronto Maple East are 8, have an 813 winning percentage in that scenario, 12 and 3. So they can only pay. So, game 2 is at home? Game 2 at homes. They're 24 and 6. That's so baseball. Like, nobody really cares. It's a huge game.

Game 2 at home. I get it. It's a huge game. But nobody cares about that stat. No? I don't know. I think it matters. Do you think it matters?

I do. What do you think about this game tonight? Are you worried for the Colorado Avalanche? Let me ask you a question about, Colorado and the altitude. Okay, I never played in it, obviously. The better the team is, the harder it is to win there. But the altitude, when you go in there as a player.

Yeah, it's real. Yep. Is it? You feel it. Yeah. What about if you, okay, they've been there a couple of days now. You adjust. Yeah, you adjust.

And we're talking about like 24-year-old lungs, not like yours scored. Where, you know, you're huffing and puffing to get to the door. No, I just, no, I put my motor scooter there and everything. I was fine. And just the last few steps, I did great. We are, yeah, it helps their elite. They train harder than they've ever before. You would have thought jump on it early in game one.

If you're Colorado, it didn't happen. But the only factor I have right now is that McCar is not playing. Yeah. And Colorado's got to find a way to prove that they can, they can push over 60 minutes without him. And, you know, let's not forget, Mark Stone's not in the lineup either, but nobody's really talking about that

as much as they would have a few years ago. Obviously, he's slowed down. They've played a lot of games without him. They've already shown that they can win without him, and it's a less of a factor. But he is still a guy that can influence a hockey game on any given night. and, you know, he's nowhere to be found either.

Well, the stud D is special, although, you know, Florida really didn't have a stud stud stud D in that regard. So you're talking about when they announced program deletions tonight, that's the key. Kail McCar are playing or not. And then the other one, I hate to make it so simple, but we're just saying, Carter Hart played a hell of a game, okay?

Yeah. So goaltending, all of a sudden, the Colorado goaltending, which has been really solid all season long, but hasn't had to be phenomenal, because they've had a phenomenal team. This is Showtime. This is to do what Dobish did a couple of games from Montreal.

This is, don't be like Carter Hart be the difference maker in game number one. Because in either case, you don't want to go, but we know that. It's academic. I don't need 813 stats, whatever, to be 0 and 2 and go in the other team's building down 0 and 2 when you've lost 2 at home. Just of note for the watchers out there. Sammy found a Vegas jersey. Yeah.

I was a little, you know, mist that you took the Montreal Canadian jersey down, but they're not playing tonight, so I gave you the green light. Well, I'm just putting up the two future finalists, the least nightmare, golden nights and habs. And you left the tag still on. The tag came in. Listen, this was a fast scenario. Our boss Ryan Fabro brought it in and I put it up. Yeah, I know.

Is he going to return it? Oh, that thing is. Later on. That is a wretched journey. The tag on it reminds me of like probably your high school crush, uh, Minnie Pearl. Was that her name? Mini, I called Paul Anka.

Mini Pearl. Yes, God. Nashville, way, way. Anyways, that was the accurate performance. I dream a genie or something. Mini, Pearl. That was the Accura performance matchup, the 2026 Accura MDX, precisely premium.

Okay. Sorry, Accura about the mini Pearl thing. For those of you that don't know, she always wore a hat with a price tag still on it. And she was, everyone seemed like the morning kind of comedian back in the 19th. And she was country, when it was country Western and it was viewed as hokey and it wasn't mainstream. Yes. Which it's very mainstream nowadays.

Okay. But there's no mini pearl. There's no room nowadays for mini pearl. Okay. Sammy, what do you got for us? I was just thrown back. I was taken aback by the seemingly different angle they showed me on there on the case. What's going on with the camera angle?

It's looking a little different that it usually does. It just, Jake, you surprising me up there? What's going on? You look fabulous, Sammy. It's very different. Anyways. Does he insist on a certain side being shot? Yeah.

Oh, yeah. I'm sure on my bad side. What's going on? Hey guys. Canucks fan here. Do you think Canucks ownership slash management will really see this rebuild through? Because if so, ideally you'd be looking to trade PD, Heronic, and Demer, I guess Demko, to then suck for two to three more years.

But I got a feeling that's not going to happen. Thanks a lot, boys. I wonder why he doesn't think it's going to happen because if we just go back when Jimmy Rutherford was hired, it was the, he's got the blueprint guard, the recipe to turn things around right away. And that was the whole thing. I don't think they're going to make the same mistake twice here.

Yeah, well, you know, I think we're both big on Jim Rutherford, but this one compared to his history. And we're very biased about Bruce Boudreau, and I didn't like the way he got. treated there because that was part of it, you know. He kept dumping on him. And meanwhile, they've gone, they've gone to the bottom. So I don't know.

The ownerships has stayed away a bit, but I think, uh, I think they'll be a little bit more involved, maybe the word, but I'm intrigued to see. I mean, I think, I think at least Patterson's got to go anyway. I think it's time for a new scenario. But the other ones, uh, the Siddines, I've always been big on them, respect them as individuals. They all got to go, Gord. What's that?

They all have to go. What, Seneens have to go? No. No, the players. The players, the DeBrasks, the Brock Bessers. Well, no, you don't all have to go. No, no, you've got to identify there's good in every negative situation. Who really wants to stay there, stay the course.

Quinn said, I didn't sign up for this, so he went somewhere else. But, you know, so, yes, they've got to make a lot of changes. No, but there still are pieces. Still are pieces if they're invested, want to stay there. You got to identify it. I get that you need veterans. You need guys that can help. bring along.

There's credibility. There's season ticket holders. I get all of that. But we are in a world now where players identify situations. And I'm not sure how many guys in their prime want to be out of the playoffs for the next four or five years. Oh, by the way, when you come to Adlast, by the way, it's not exactly like people are picking up the phone and saying, you know, that bad contract you have for a guy that came to at last and contributed to it? I want that here.

Okay? So that doesn't always exist either. But I want it at a 30% discount. That's what's going to happen. What? Who's going to get a 30% discount? The team that trades for Brock Besser. Well, okay.

They could only retain so many salaries. So it's not like they can put six guys out there to retain contracts. I don't know what they have presently, but they've got some cards to play there. Got to get creative. Play the right cards. Heidi in Toronto wants to know. What do you know about the devil's 22-year-old RFA?

defenseman Simon Simone Nemich situation and he is someone the least could take a risk on and potentially developing into a solid defender because there's a report that he maybe requested a trade is it it's been out there his name's been out there yeah and you know the one thing about hiring a new general manager now and sunny is that everybody feels like okay let's see what we have and let me he's a big personality let me let me let me get to let me get to know people and figure out where the issues were and whether or not you can rectify it.

I don't see him going anywhere anytime soon. They didn't even make a head coaching change. They're bringing back Sheldon. I think Sonny's going to take his time on this. It's funny that they did the thing that we had kind of battered around that the lease were going to do, right? Where he keeps the head coach as opposed to Chica coming in here and getting rid of the head coach.

It just was the opposite move. So you don't think he'll move right away, like this offseason? I don't, I, I think Sunny's not in any hurry at all. And also, excuse me, veteran general managers always told me, use the collective bargaining agreement. He can say he wants to get, he wants to trade. That's not up to him, right? So don't, don't get bullied by that.

But the other part is I'm not sure what his offer sheet situation is, but we just talked about in Edmonton. It worked out well in St. Louis getting Broberg and Holloway. And I, I don't know why it's not done more often that teams go after restricted free I don't understand why there's a hands-off thing. So if you think there's a way... There's a broberg deal out there for him. Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

If you think there's a way to do that, and don't worry if they're going to match or not, whatever. You've got to go and try to improve your team, and if they match, so be it. Last one before we go. Sammy, it's Terrace from Hamilton. The H.L. did us dirty with that team name.

The hammer is a tacky nickname that real Hamiltonians don't use. Teams should have been called the Tigers, like our stolen NHL franchise from 100 years ago. So we were all in favor of the hammers, but apparently the local Hamiltonians don't like it. Happy. Don't like it.

That's our boy, Tarras, so I don't know. Team names are hard or slow. I didn't like Blue Jays when I first heard it. I love hammers. I think it's, could they change it? I think it's too late for that. Too many hats made?

Okay, but they already sold a million hats. They already sold hats and t-shirts? Is Tara speaking for the majority of Hamiltonians? Is that true they don't like it? I don't know. I've always heard it referenced. I thought they were. reference it as the hammer. No idea, boys.

I don't know. Absolutely no idea. All right. What do you think it's going to happen tonight? Game two. Vegas? Yeah. Colorado's got to win, Gord. Yeah, I'm... They've got to find a way to win. Well, again, we watch the game. Who knows? But I'm thinking, exactly. Colorado's got... When you're number one during the regular season, and I mentioned the goaltending, other thing,

McCar's not there, you got to find a way to win. They almost did the other night. When they were coming back, and McKinnon went on a... Like, it was a man possessed for how long was it? Like, 10 minutes in the third period? For the last 10 minutes, he was crazy. Yeah, it was a video game like. Yeah. Oh, yeah. So I've got the next couple of nights.

I got splits in both series. Yeah, me too. I think that's fair. You think that's fair? Yeah, I do. I just remember the Leafs are 813 at home in game two's over the last 24 years. 12 and 3 for an 813 winning percentage. I don't know how that applies to either game two.

24 and 6, Colorado. You cannot go a full hour. I know it's the fastest hour in hockey on our show. Yeah. But, like, you can't go a full hour without finding something maple leafy. Well, it was in the NHL.com media thing. Like, it was a stat. I didn't dig it up.

You think I'm looking at that up? You got this issue on your morning show on Channel 91? Yeah, NHL Network, Channel 91. The issue about what, obscure stats? I don't, yes. Yeah. Well, good stats and. Hey, thanks for doing this. So you got your morning, good.

You came in tonight. Yeah. Later on, about 1130, 12, I think you're going a lot of time. with Roger L'Ivois. So you're a very busy guy. At the Roger 590 at the Roger 590. It's his show number 7,139 for the Roger. Anything on Cable 10,

Rogers Cable 10. What show did we do, me and you once there? We were looking at each other. What are you doing? We got to go. Okay, I know. We got to come up with that. It was a Wayne's World Away.

Every night, everybody. Bye.