Real Kyper & Bourne - Edmonton Eyes History

Episode Date: February 6, 2024

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee start the second hour with the breaking news that a decision regarding Arizona's future in the NHL could come down this weekend. They are joined by Sportsnet NHL analyst Louie Debrusk (1:43) to tee up the Oilers' chance at tying the all-time win-streak record with a win against the Golden Knights tonight. He gets into the Oilers' identity, the biggest factor driving the win streak, Skinner's torrid stretch in net, the blueline's turnaround and what they might add at the deadline. Finally, they regroup with Sam to go through what Team Canada's lines may look like at the Four Nation Face-Off.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. 

we are back to the real kipper and born show this is our national edition we are live on sports net sports at 650 in vancouver and sports at 960 in calgary this hour real kipper and born brought to you by bet 365 nick kiprio sammy mckee justin born derrick brandeo, Jen Rolnick All on board for the next hour I'm glad you are too Frank Cervelli tweeting There could be an answer this weekend Regarding Arizona's future in the desert Well I had heard all along

That there was this kind of soft All-star weekend Get your crap together Deadline And it sounds like the crap was almost together all-star weekend, get your crap together deadline. And it sounds like the crap was almost together. A week late and they have congealed the crap, which really describes Arizona's situation nicely. A little too much cheese for them?

Commissioner Bettman was kind of drilled a little bit on the subject of Arizona, and we had Commissioner Deputy Bill Daley on our show Friday and got the sense that they were given maybe another small window to maybe come back to them with something concrete. Arizona's like trying to get them to pay back their bookie. They're just like, another week, man. Give me one week and I'll have the money for you.

I'll have the ring for you, I swear. Where's my money? Yeah, it's coming. All right. So I know that Marty Walsh would be happy to hear any sort of update with the NHLPA. God, I'm so hot. I'm so glad hockey's back. After last week, it's just like all Canadian teams are playing again

and guys making debuts. Team's going for 17. Oh, here we go. All right, here we go. Let's welcome in one of the best hockey voices out there. We happen to be lucky to have him on Sportsnet Hockey Night in Canada. Let's welcome in Louis DeBrasco. He gets ready to call history tonight for the Edmonton Oilers.

Is it that simple, Louis? Edmonton's winning streak continues? Well, we'll see. They're up against a tough opponents and I you know that Cooper but uh you know what I think the rest was good talking to the guys this morning at the rink I think oh no frozen Louis those type of games throughout the season alright listen why don't we just yeah we are maybe we'll get him on a phone call what do you think

that seemed like it wasn't going to be great alright maybe he's on the hotel wifi maybe the wind hasn't paid their bill the wind, MGM I'll just get so I don't know is Connor McDavid well rested?

That guy worked his ass off On the weekend To put on a good show during the NHL All-Star I don't know if Louie would tell me But I was going to ask him Do you think those guys party at all? Just generally Does Dreisaitl, Z go out?

McDavid probably doesn't There's various degrees of i know partying it's a vague question it's a vague question and sometimes you know there's there's some guys that drink there's some guys that don't drink and there's some guys that don't drink that can still stay up till 4 a.m and hang with the boys and have laughs and yeah you know so well that's kind of it i'm asking a vague question that sounds like do you do drugs and i'm not asking that you know it's like i wonder what these guys because it makes a difference right your all-star weekend there's the potential to do

whatever there is but i i can't see a friends and family yeah weekend and with we've all got i don't know what do you think beebs had in that coat who knows we've we've all got buddies on various teams and i'm sure they did this weekend where nobody's going to bed at 9 30 or 10 o'clock you're you're hanging yeah to various degrees what does that mean could be just having a coffee somewhere which is highly unlikely it could be that it could be maybe an espresso martini with some coffee a couple of beans at the bar but the one thing that you don't like even a connor mcdavid like this guy just his his engine doesn't stop and maybe we got uh louis who can touch base on that uh and we've reacquainted him on one of the lines here.

Thanks, Louie. We've reconnected, boys. We've reconnected. There you go. Just the fact, Louie, that Conor's engine may idle, but it never shuts down when it comes to 24-7. The only one that I think who maybe have set this tone is Sidney Crosby for me. Yeah.

But that's why I feel like maybe this weekend may not have slowed him down coming into tonight. No, I don't think so at all. And what I was trying to say earlier was I talked to a few of the guys in the room and I think the break was at the perfect time for the team. They were a team that was really fighting each game tooth and nail, which those are close games you have to win throughout the season, and you learn to play that way down the stretch and especially into the playoffs. They understand that.

But to kind of heal up, get the body rested a little bit, this team has always played better rested, no question about it. And Connor McDavid leads that by example. I mean mean this guy never really turns it off it seems but for him to go to his hometown you know have the all-star game have his friends and family there and just you know enjoy that type of environment with the people that he's closest to i think it was good for him obviously leon as well and you know these guys come back they're refreshed they did have a few days off, but it is tough on the Stars. I will say it. You know, the one thing about the All-Star game is the Stars

really don't get to turn it off completely, which is maybe a good thing for teams because they come back in and they've been on the ice a few times where the other guys come back from breaks and are kind of getting that rust off the first couple of days on the ice. But I don't think this will bother Connor at all in the team. And I think they understand what's at stake. They are playing a division rival.

They're playing a team that beat them last year in the playoffs. They were very upset about that loss to Vegas Golden Knights. They beat them once this year in a very hard-fought game. And you know Vegas isn't just going to allow it to happen. They're going to go out there and try and stop this streak, like every team has tried building up to this. And it's a historical one like you said at the start kipper because if they win this one they tie the record which

would be pretty outstanding so it's a hard thing to do to get people to break their preconceived notions about a team for years everyone thought the Leafs were kind of this like one way one dimensional team they're pretty good defensively last year um you know people didn't buy it so much it just it takes time to change minds the edmonton oilers have given up two or fewer goals in 14 straight games is this a really good defensive team they're a much much better defensive team no question about it and i think they're totally fine with people thinking they're still just an offensive juggernaut because they walk in there and the way they play especially in the third period guys the way they can close out a third period and just

not allow you to have any life is incredible throughout this win streak and I think it's a real strength of the team they understand how to buckle it down they understand how to close out a game and they've learned hard lessons along the way being a team that was very offensive but sometimes porous defensively and they've really worked hard to shore that up. And I don't think they've been given enough credit for it, but I think they're okay with that. I think they're okay with people still thinking of that offensive juggernaut, which they still are.

Let's face it. They have, you know, really talented players that can rack up the score. But if you look at the way they've won in this win streak, especially in the eight-game win streak before that, this team is playing a team brand of funky. They're playing a disciplined, hardworking, very structured defensive game and looking for their opportunities the right way. Do they break open every once in a while and those old habits come back?

Sure they do. But in the long run, they've been really good at kind of settling down and just playing with what's in front of them, making sure they're not giving up those high risk, high reward type of situations. And it's worked, you know, they're finding ways to win. There's no question about it throughout this streak. They found ways to win games. Like I said earlier, maybe a couple, they shouldn't have won, but they claw scratch and, and, and get the W and that's just the team that's trying to work through it and make themselves the best they can possibly be.

We're talking to Louie DeBos hockey analysts with sports dent in hockey night in canada louis during the streak uh skinner has a 141 goals against average a save percentage of uh 950 in 12 games like i know the jersey says it's the same guy, but is it really the same guy that started the season? You know, it's incredible. He has been outstanding. And it kind of crept up on us just with the fine performances that he was putting in. And there's been so much discussion here, guys.

You guys know about the goaltending here in recent years and just what are they going to do? Are they going to go out and get a goaltender and the patient ken holland and this organization said you know what we're going to we're going to live with this we're going to make a move they've sent down jack camel down the american hockey league and from what i understand he's playing very well down there right now and calvin picker came up and what that did is that put the reins right in the hands of Stuart Skinner it made him the number one guy there was no question there was no battle with whose net that was going to be it was Stuart Skinner's and it was a it was a gamble I think by the evidence orders but it paid off

because what it allowed him to do was just focus himself as a starting goaltender and I think with Jack coming in and with Jack being a veteran guy and Stuart Skinner's a very team oriented guy I think he kind of would sometimes take on some of that empathy for his teammate I mean obviously they were very close and you know when you one guy's struggling one guy's not you feel for the other guy you're always wanting that guy to do well what this did was just allow him to concentrate on his game and nothing against Jack Campbell. It's just for Stuart Skinner, what it seemed to do was just really narrow the focus down for him. And he's been great. Outstanding numbers. I mean, incredible. And in 11 of those 12 wins that he's had in a row, he's given up two or less goals against.

I mean, it's just it's a tear that he's on right now. And he just he's playing well behind a team that's playing well in front of them. And they go really well together. But I think what it is too also, guys, I think with the system and the way the team is playing right now, the one area that they've cleaned up so immensely and done so well is not the second and third opportunities. They're going to give you chances, and there's some really good chances

that are against for the Evans and Wothers, but they concentrate on letting the goaltender handle that shot, and they take care of everything else. And if you look at great teams around this league over the years, and, you know, I mean, you could pick however many you want to, the great goaltenders that have played in this league, if you allow them to be that focused on one thing, and that one thing is stomping that shot, then they're great goaltenders.

They are going to make that save more often than not. And if you take care of the business around them, which I think Stuart Skinner has the utmost confidence right now that his defensemen, his forwards coming back, his centermen back into the zone are going to take care of that for him. And all he's focusing on right now is the shot. And I've said this before, and we don't talk enough about this for goaltenders, but we always talk about players when they're struggling. Oh, they're trying to do too much. You know what?

They're just trying to do too much, and they're thinking about too many things instead of narrowing the focus and playing their game. And it's the same for goaltenders. When a goaltender's thinking too much, quotation, quotation, they're worried about the rebound. They're worried about the guy off to the side of the net. They're worried.

Right now, Stuart Skinner isn't worried about those players. He's worried about facing the shot wherever that shot comes from and making the save. And when a goaltender is allowed to do that, you see what happens. Louis, whenever a new coach comes in, there's always sort of a competition to win the guy's affection, show him you could be a good player, and inevitably some players get more opportunity

and thrive under a new coach but that usually comes at the cost of someone else uh do you have any winners and losers in the time on ice or opportunity battle since nob luck has taken over it's a good question and i and i think that we just actually talked about this morning with our old colleague i'll say cassie campbell who's here doing the game um i um you know we we were talking about this morning with our old colleague, I'll say Cassie Campbell, who's here doing the game. I, you know, we were talking about the fact that, you know, I think Chris Knobloch did a nice job at having a feel of the pulse of everybody on the team. And that goes from the top guys right down to the bottom.

And he understands that the bottom six need to be more activated, more involved. He's done that. He's encouraged them to do more and given them a little more of an opportunity. The top guys, the same thing. He loaded up Tricell and McDavid at the right time, I thought, for the last couple of games before the break to get them kind of going. Like I said, there was a little fatigue there,

and I think the grind of the schedule, the grind of the run, I think was starting to take a little bit of a toll, and I think he sensed that. So he loaded them up, and each of them had six and seven points respectively in the last two games so it got them both so they'll be separated it looks for tonight and back on their respective lines which has worked so

well for this other team having them apart and the most that I've seen in my tenure with Dreissel and McDavid on team and I think it's necessary you can always go back to that when you need to but I think they've really been done a great job both Connor and Lino, just running their own line and doing their own thing. And, you know, when the power play starts clicking, which it is,

starting to get going again, it's starting to heat up. And it hasn't throughout this stretch. It hasn't been amazing. It's just been solid. But it's starting to get hot again, so look out that way. But I think that he really has a good pulse on that. And I think he just has done a good job of trying to get everybody involved.

You know, I mean, there's been a couple guys that have shuffled through the penalty kill, especially if you look at the start of the year, they used a lot of players in that penalty killing situation. So that's minutes that people were getting that they're not getting now because they've really condensed it down

to a few pairings that are doing the penalty killing for the most part and it's really improved the penalty killing. By the way, now sixth in the national hockey league which is to me one of the biggest changes they've made with mark stewart taking that over i know chris knoblox talked about that and you know handed those reins to him and it's a collective group but but mark's been the guy that's really taken it over and done a tremendous job there and the guys have bought in and the penalty kill which was very porous at the start of the year and was giving up a lot of power play goals against,

has really shut it down. So, yeah, I think that there's really no losers to this point. I would say Evander Kane maybe is the one guy that's been shuffled around a little bit. He's found a nice little home right now. I think his last few games have been solid. He's been dealing with a few things too. But when he's skating, he's hit.

I mean, he's such a finisher when he plays that he only needs a couple of chances in the game to put one in the net. And that's what you're kind of relying on, but would be the one guy that isn't on the penalty kill anymore. He is trying to get them out there in situations after penalty kills and maybe load up with Conor and Leon at the occasional time. So, you know, he's trying to distribute that time around and he's very aware of that. He's very aware of guys that are playing well, guys that aren't playing well, and kind of mixing and matching and trying to get the best out of everybody.

I think that's why the guys have been very responsive to him is that he feels what's going on, and he tries to make little tweaks along the way when he can. Two guys that took as much heat as anybody for the Edmonton Oilers early in the season was Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse. And the attention that that blue line had back then was over the top in terms of you can't win with that blue line. And we know how they've turned their seasons around,

but is the feeling that there still may be a guy or two away, or is this blue line actually good enough to be looked at as we could still win? It's pretty incredible because, you know, this blue line more or less got into the conference final two years ago and then last year lost to the Stanley Cup champions of the Vegas Golden Knights. I look at it, and they've been healthy.

That's the one key thing. They weren't healthy at the start of the year. I think that really put them back, especially Matias Ekholm not having training camp. I mean, the entire training camp he wasn't skating. He jumps in there, and he's logging minutes, and he's up against tough matchups. I think Darnell nurse helped out. I think as he always does, tries to do a little bit too much. We just talked about that with goaltending. I think

Darnell's a guy that, you know, he wears it. He wears it because he knows he's, he's got a big role in this team. So when he's just playing his game though, which I think he's playing the best he's ever played right now. I really do. I think he's just playing, and that's the most important thing. I think Paul Coffey's had a ton to do with that. I really do. I think he came in and he lightened the load a little bit for the defensemen, and he said, you guys, you're playing like you're waiting to make that mistake. Go out there and make plays.

Go out there and do something with the puck. I think they all felt like they were a foot taller and it shows they're they're a real tight group the pairings have been concrete all year long they've been absolutely stable they've been healthy and able to keep them together which is incredible you don't see that too often in the national hockey league where you have number one no injuries in that regard but also the fact you can keep your pairings together which they've done. It's allowed them to develop that chemistry.

I would tell you right now, if you went in there and asked every single one of those defensemen, hey, would you like to get somebody else different? Not a chance. They love their defense partners. It's a real tight-knit group. But as a general manager, Ken Holland, Jeff Jackson, the management group of this team, if they can add to make the team better,

of course they're going to look to do that. But as of right now, I don't know if they're really worried about it. So what are they in for with the Vegas tonight in hopes of breaking an NHL record? This Golden Knights team won a couple of hockey games recently. What do you see out of Vegas? Yeah, you know, they're banged up a little bit right now. They've got some key players out of the lineup and sometimes when that happens guys step up and

get opportunities they might not get and and play a little bigger than they can play and i think that's what they can expect from vegas it looks like william carlson's back in the mix tonight which is a huge piece for the vegas golden knights i mean he's been so important right from day one of this organization he's been one of right from day one of this organization. He's been one of my favorite players to watch. Just a real competitive 200-foot centerman that was suppressed before he got to Vegas and then broke out with 42 goals. And he's one of those guys you can put in any situation and up against anybody, so it'll be good that they have him back.

This will be a tough team. This is a defensive-minded team. No question about it. It's a veteran team. They know how to play they know how to shut down and how to grind and quite frankly the team that evans is trying to become it's a team that beat them in the playoffs last year they understand that it was the avalanche that beat them the year before they understand that and they've tried to morph their game into

a combination of both colorado and vegas and they've done a pretty nice job of that in the 16 game win streak i would tell you that. But this will be a good game. This won't be an easy one. I know the guys in the room are fired up for this one. They understand what's at stake. They're excited to be back in the mix and back together playing hockey again after some time off.

But I think the Vegas Golden Knights will be doing the same thing and looking to try and take that streak right out of their hands. And it's going to be a good one. Oh, I get the feeling like this will have a playoff atmosphere here, especially when we can go back to Petrangelo and Dreisaitl going at it again. Listen, they want to shut them down. They don't want the record against the Stanley Cup champions. Yeah, you know what?

And here's the thing. They know they have to go through each other. This is, you know, when you look at it, I mean, let's face it, in order to achieve what you want to achieve in this league for both of these teams, they know that they're most likely going to have to go through one another in the playoffs. It's just we can line up that way,

and it certainly could happen a different way. And these are those games right now that are a prelude to that. There will be extra intensity. Anytime you play someone in the playoffs, it brings that animosity and that venom that carries over into the next year, and I expect a lot of that tonight. It's going to be a good game. I think both teams will be rested.

Both teams will be ready, and and should be a good one. The Edmonton Oilers taking a 16-game winning streak into Vegas tonight. Louie DeBrusque, enjoy the game. We'll look forward to hearing your voice tonight, pal. Sounds good, boys. Thanks. Sorry about that little network connection problem there. It's all good.

All good, buddy. Thank you. He's not that good looking anyways. We don't need him on Zoom. Oh, that's rude. Had him on the glitchy personal hotspot there. He was very handsome. He was trying his best, like I said, on the Wynn Wi-Fi.

Yeah, you got to check on their Wi-Fi. Yeah, next time I'll check in with you. All right. This is as excited for an out-of-market hockey game as I've been in a really long time. Really? Yeah. You do seem pumped. I gotta tell you, man, I, having gone to a game in Vegas and seeing how much they actually care and how good their fan base is completely changed my perspective on them.

And I liked them. Yeah. Like, I really resented them and I hated them because it's like, oh, they have all, they've been in the league six years and they win a cup and my dad was 10 when the least one the last one and i had all this resentment towards them but i loved it there and i loved there i loved it i loved just loved everything about it and tonight they're rolling out excuse me jonas rondberg paul cotter uh let's see who else don've got. Don't sleep on Paul Cotter. Corsack. Yeah, Cotter's good. He's got the hands.

You know, they've got a lot of guys subbing in tonight. So we'll see if they can put up a good fight against you. And the perception out there that Conor could have now a 35-40 goal season and enjoy one of the best years in his career. Yeah. Yeah. A lot of love spread out now on that roster. For sure.

And you looked up and down their roster and look even at their decor, and it's like Bouchard has taken that step they were waiting for him to take, and, you know, they got some comfort out of Eckholm, and they're pretty solid. Also, Corey Perry doesn't hurt on the back end. You know, they're bottom six. They've got to kind of win now too, right? Based on, I think, correct me if I'm wrong,

but Bouchard need a new contract after next season because his number is going to be an issue. Yeah, it could be a double digit, right? Like it's high. Double digit? Well, I mean, guys. He's a 70 be an issue. Yeah, it could be a double digit, right? Like, it's high. Double digit? Well, I mean, guys. He's a 70-point guy. Hey, listen, I'm all for driving up the prices of other Canadian stars.

Like, it never happens like it does here in Toronto, but double. We get accused every once in a while of driving the price up, and it's like, we're just the messenger. Hey, Evan Bouchard is a point- point per game player at 24 years old who's 6'3 and 195 pounds. He's going to be an 80-90 point defenseman. And shoots the puck 90 plus miles an hour just for fun. More

than any other defenseman in the league. He hits it 90 plus miles per hour. 43 points is his career high. Which he got because he's 10 years old. I'm just saying. Double digits is high what is this who's nine five for what yeah but yeah and i guess but i guess in the caps going up you're right what is his contract status and for the record it might be eight or nine

get the bridge deal did he yeah which is going to cost them all right it's up in 25-26. So he's got this season and next. One year after this at 3.9. And then after that, yeah, they're going to have to pay him. They're going to have to pay him $10 million. He's eligible to sign July 1st with just one year

left. Is he not? Don't look at me. You're the cap guy. Yeah, so we're in 23- 24 25 going into next season yeah you're right 25 does he have 25 26 on the board no okay so he's eligible signed july 1st once again you want to burn into ufa numbers i think you're closer to double digits than he is at seven. Yeah. He's not going to We'll see where the numbers end up.

Game time? Game time. Anything to do with... I've got lots to do with all the Canadian teams. Okay, go ahead. When are we getting the Taylor Swift Super Bowl props? Well, I'm cooking up a few for Friday. Okay. Yeah. It's game time presented by Bet365.

Visit the app for the latest odds and find out why it's never ordinary. Bet365 must be 19 plus. Ontario only. Please play responsibly. I did get an early lean from Kipper today on the Super Bowl. I asked him who he was like and he gave me somebody. I won't spoil it, but he gave me an early lean, which I was a little bit surprised by. Really? Yeah.

I got three separate same game parlays tonight for three of the Canadian teams. Okay. You know I love my Golden Knights. So they're plus 130 underdogs tonight. I know that's because. I know.

I know. But they got pedigree. And they're the Stanley Cup champions. And they're gritty. And they don't want to let the Edmonton Oilers get the record in their building. The great Jonathan Marcheseau. He has 11 goals in 21 career games against the Edmonton Oilers, 19 points in those 21 games.

So give me a Vegas money line, Jonathan Marcheseau to score a goal, and an Ivan Barbashev point, and he's got, I think, 11 in his last six. It pays plus 625 so if you think if you think that if you think that vegas is gonna upset them marcia so and ivan barbachev are both gonna have a hand in it so there's my first one for you do they play together per chance because that's always a nice way to bet it too a couple of guys who play together both getting points and no one from vegas played the all-star game no they're fresh they were the you say the only team i don't know did chicago have somebody play for Bedard?

I thought he was supposed to, but I don't know. I don't think he ended up going either, maybe. I don't remember anybody from Chicago, but then again. Listen, the sun was out Saturday afternoon, boys. I wasn't watching too closely. That close attention. Are we far enough removed where we can say we didn't watch that? Sunday, the sun was out, but I had a great time.

Watch the hell out of the skills. Oh, yeah, yeah. And I enjoyed watching people enjoy it. The second one I have for you, a longer shot. Flames going into Boston. Flames money line on a Kuzmenko goal in his debut. Pays plus 600. So two little things that have to happen there. And this is the

longest shot that I have for you. Plus 1,200. A Vancouver Canuck win who are pretty big underdogs tonight in carolina a elias lindholm debut goal and a mckay of point because he's moved on to that line is plus 1200 i don't hate that at all we have pierre engvall scoring the game winner against the leafs last night and now we're talking about mckeah on the number one line right it just must kill you uh okay anyways uh that was game time presented by bet365 visit the app for the latest odds and find out why it's ever ordinary at bet365 must be 19 plus on terror only

please play responsibly so um mckeah is a good player he's fine fine. No, he's good. He's good. Yeah. Talk had some comments about him just, like, going in on the four check, and that's what he should do. He should go get the hockey puck. He's very fast and heavy. So fast. Fast and heavy. Very big.

And rangy. He's good on the four check. And they're just a... Those type of guys, even though they're not physical, they're, like, almost accidentally good. I would agree with that. Beats the puck to a square, though. It doesn't.

Here's talking on Mikheyev. I've got to see some forechecking from him. I've got to see him winning some battles, and I think coming up with loose pucks, I want to see him drive play, especially as a top forechecker for us. He's all about this. He can hang on to the puck and make plays.

This is a test for Mick. I've got to see some good stuff from him. It's there. He can do it. Oh, now with Kuzmenko out, a little piece of advice for you there. Don't turn yourself into the whipping boy. Yeah.

No, no, you're right. This is big games for him. I think there's a little warning here for him. Hearing those comments, maybe win a couple pucks. I got rid of this guy. I got rid of you too. Did I already read the end? I've just pulled a kipper.

Did I read the other part of game time? Best part is I have no idea. Did I? Okay. You closed it off. Edmonton still remains the favorite now to win the Stanley Cup. Correct? Well, you told us that last week.

Nothing changed. I'm sure they watched the Leafs last night and they're like, actually, the Oilers could still win the changed. I'm sure they watched the Leafs last night and they're like, actually. The Oilers could still win the Pacific. I don't think. How many games in hand do they have on Vegas? They have five games on Vegas and four on Vancouver. And they're 12 points back in Vancouver.

So four games, eight potential points. Not to do a bonus content here, but I was just looking for the Stanley Cup favorite. The country of the Stanley Cup winner is available. So minus 330 for the USA, plus 240 for Canada. So you're getting quite a few pretty good teams. Four of the 16 teams. But some good ones. Good teams, yeah.

So not a bad little one there for you anyways that's a little bonus three good canadian teams and the leafs stranger things have happened i guess maybe not the least anyways let's hit a break talk about all right uh when we return our good buddy justin bourne wrote an article on sportsnet.ca with the projections of team canada's 2025 four nations face off is that the official name of the tournament in which i openly tried to antagonize you yes and i will remind you what's wrong with your pick after this break. Teeing up the biggest games of the night. It's the fan pregame with Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert.

Weekdays at 6 p.m. on Sportsnet, Sportsnet 590 The Fan and wherever you get your podcasts. We'll be right back. Welcome back into the Real Kipper and Boring Show. Just before the break, we were mentioning our good buddy JB jumping all over the Four Nations. Face off. Buddy, this is the lowest hanging content fruit on Earth. There's already a tournament

Four Nations, is there not? Yes, the women had a Four Nations Cup. They did? Or maybe they still have it. No, we don't hear you. I'm in the room with you and I can hear you, but. I don't think. Oh, there we go. And there's a lacrosse one too, right?

Four Nations? Come on, let's come up with something more original. There's Four Nations. They're facing off. I'd rather call it the tournament with no name. Okay. Well, for now, we'll come up with our own name. Okay.

Okay. For now, Four Nations tournament. All right. tournament with no name okay well for now we'll come up with our own name okay okay for now four nations turn all right everyone gets to yell at born time who's up for it so hold on hold on hold on is this a real thing where people are actually talking about this or is this just sammy being overly nerdy right now kip the four Nations face-off is not in four years. It's in 11 months and two weeks. It's coming up. That's fast. Yeah.

This is happening. To me, I think, you know. Good point. I do think there are a lot of people that kind of feel like you, Kipper, which is like one of the four best teams, but at the same time time we haven't seen this in a very long time and it's just like what's it look like it's fun to see it what's it look like

we haven't had a chance to have these discussions since they played their weird world cup in my article i note that the u.s are choosing a starting goaltender between jake ottinger jeremy swayman connor hellebuck and thatcher demko is that is that good and may i remind you one gets to play you're right you have as many as you like you can only put one in okay we'll get to that all right where do you want to start with your lineup do you want to just like address the elephant in the room i can read them and then i can tell you why mitch marner's not in my 12th. Yes. Go. I'm not sure if I'll be quiet throughout the whole thing, but I'll try.

My forward lines are Hyman McDavid Bedard, Point McKinnon Barzal, Marshand Crosby Marcheseau, Reinhardt Sorelli Stone. Marcheseau. Yes. Over Marner. So I'll start there. The Marcheseau over marner so i'll start there the march so over marner jonathan march so won the con smith trophy seven months ago as the best player in the clutchiest stanley cup playoff moments he is on pace for 41 goals he plays for my knights i'm aware yes yes i know mitch marner

hasn't had the postseason performances of jonathan march so This is a short, big game tournament. Marcheseau has proven it. God, that is such a person that would be picking this team's rationale. And then he wouldn't have the pocket. You're not even in the ballpark with Mitch Marner. You're not even... I don't know what

league you're in now because Marcheseau is not the guy that's taking mitch marner's spot it's your boy in the island barzell yeah you got barzell with mckinnon and point that's marner's spot yeah and i am here for that argument here's why and i know you didn't read the article sam only has the line up in here so i will explain my logic for that sure i wrote in the article that's the fastest line you can make on the planet but brayden point nathan mckinnon matt barzell is the fact mckinnon is literally the fastest guy in the league you know in terms of speed burst point is second and then barzell's just behind mcdavid

so the opportunity to put three guys on there that skate like lamborghinis how do you defend that that's i mean this strong case strong case that's all i got all right so i have one other barzell will get there faster in the wrong spot the other argument there is that barzell to your point that you made, I think yesterday can't score. Who's he ever been passing the puck to like, yeah, this year martyrs on pace for 92 points and he's on pace for 82. Barzell doesn't have a guy.

He's never had a guy who could put the puck away. So because he's never had a guy, we're just going to assume he can be the guy when he gets the guys. I'm assuming that's your logic. That's your logic. If we're going to look at their stats, because other than stats, I don't know what Marner's case would be. Well, stats is a big thing.

For sure. And I'll say he's played with Matthews, so I'm going to take a few assists away. And this guy's played with Bo Horvat as his best guy ever. I'm going to give him a couple there. A couple. A couple. So in the last four years,

Mitch Marner has been the top five scorer in the last four years mitch marner has been the top five score in the last four years yeah barzell has been where he's skating around with pierre engvall that's what he's been doing what place but listen is he in the last four years i'm not making an all-star team can i tell you five years can i tell you 400 60 great so i'm not taking the 60th score and throwing him on a top line because he's been flying with a bunch of seagulls yeah no i i to me this is not an award for the guy who's had the best five years you're guessing that he's guessing yes totally guessing which is exactly what everyone's gonna be doing okay all right and i don't see the logic on Barzell in that spot.

That's all. And I get it. He played a good game last night. Good hockey match. You've lived in the island. I get it. And I also, part of this is like, this is going to get Kip going. There's a little part of me making this line up today.

Like, this is going to be a conversation. I like Marcio um who's on pace for what 37 40 goals this year which is he's a great remarkable considering that uh you know he hit the high note with the uh con smith no problem there like stone like sorelli sam reinhardt Sam Reinhardt, for me, may start with McDavid and Hyman, and I push Bedard down. Yeah. Yeah. Yes.

I'm not giving Bedard number one status. No, not even the line. You're making a good point. The fact that, like, I don't know. I mean, Sam Reinhardt's good. Sam Reinhardt's on pace for 62. Yeah, I know, but every shot he takes goes in. Okay, well, first of all, his greatest strength is power play.

He leads by a country mile on the power play. Is Sam Reinhardt on your one or two power play? Doesn't look like it. Probably not. I don't know. If he's not, then I don't know if he's not then i don't know whether or not he's he's gonna be okay for you in the bottom six yep reinhardt needs to play in the top six right now and he needs to prove that he is a legitimate number one guy on

a power play which he has all season long therefore you move badar down and you see how the tournament goes and you can always move Bedard up. Yeah. But you don't want to move them down halfway through the tournament. It is interesting. The Bedard one I'm really torn on because he's on pace for, he's going to get 30 or would have been 30 some goals this year at his current pace.

Next year, I got to believe he's a 40 plus goal score. And I just think he's just doing this right. Like we have the next guy here. You know, if you play him with a guy like McDavid, do they really find this chemistry? And all of a sudden Canada has them for the Olympics the year after and four years after that, like you have a duo.

But I know he plays center. Who's going to be picking this team? Do we know GMs yet or anything yet? Like what's that general manager sensibilities in terms of giving a kid a chance or like rewarding a veteran or whatever? It just feels like a lot for Bedard. I'm going to think behind the scenes, this has been a heavy discussion

because, like you said, we're on the clock 11 months, and you've got to put together a team that's going to lead into the Olympics because this is your warm-up. It's your tryout. Yeah. Yeah, and that's kind of how it feels, right? It kind of feels like this tournament is going to be a what are we going to do for Olympics sort of thing,

which when you get to the goaltending is, you know, what's... Can I just say that how much it absolutely burns me that Zach Hyman is a lock for any best on best. First one is a lock on everyone's best on best. It keeps me up at night. Like, I just can't believe. Of all the guys Dubas let walk. But you couldn't get him on the All-Star team.

Yeah. Yeah. Well, they already had two guys. It's enough. Vancouver and Toronto send 11 each. Yeah. Anyways, I just, it burns me. Sorry.

No, that's fair. Had to get in there with that. It is one of the best stories in a very, very long time that, well, his trajectory

in terms of just work. Getting better and better. In net, I've got Jordan Binnington, Aiden Hill, Connor Ingram,

Tristan Jari, Sam Montembeau, Stuart Skinner, whoever's playing hottest the week before the tournament. Any of you have a good week. You're the starting goalie. It is remarkable to see

just in terms of not seeing a huge name there. I think it might be Connor Ingram. Connor Ingram and Aiden Hill. I don't know how I feel. I know. He says it's a 915 this year he's been good everywhere he's played he just signed a three-year deal he's pretty legit luckily

for those goalies the other team won't have the puck so they'll be fine that's true um the odds of one or two like clearing waivers between now and then well it's really funny you know you're not wrong this new skinner one is a funny thing. Stu Skinner, people are like, yeah, don't you have him as the guy? He was barely in the league two months ago. We had conversations on Campbell or Skinner, who gets sent to the minors. Right. And now it's like he's going to start for Team Canada in some people's minds. Can I ask you about Morgan Rielly?

Yes. I love Morgan Rielly. I do. about morgan riley yes i love morgan riley i do i really think he is a great leaf and he's a great leader and he's a good player and he's been awesome for the leafs this year i don't know shea theodore there instead for sure biggest games against the best competition i i don't i don't i hate slagging onging on Morgan Riley because I love what he does to the least, but it's just, I'm just not sure. Hey, got to be able to have the conversation. I'm just not sure.

There's no harm in talking about it. I think if Morgan can have a similar type of playoff run as he did in the first round and carry it over to a second, maybe even a third, then, then he's certainly in the conversation for sure. But there, there hasn't been enough sample sizes.

I think for him right now, uh, to be thought of other than a consideration. Leafs D at Leafs D, it's Leafs D. Team Canada's D is very much like how have guys played between then and now. I had the pairs as Taves, Makar, you know, one of Stanley Cup is a top pair. Morrissey and Petrangelo, Morgan Riley and Aaron Ekblad. I like that, them together.

Riley's better with a guy like that. Dowdy, Noah Dobson, Shea Theodore. I've got Noah Dobson ahead of Aaron Eckblad. Yeah. You like him, eh? Yeah. He looked good last... I think he'll be in another year at the time they make the team. I bet he's there. But I will say, having looked at

this, and there's a lot of conversation about how much better USA is, and rightfully so, they've really improved. And I, I'm really not terrified, but the decor is not what it used to be. No,

it's not. You know, when we had Shea Weber and Duncan Keith and you had the Niedermeyer and Lee, yes. You know, Chris Pronger. Yeah. It felt different for sure.

To me, this is though, like Gail McCar's team mccarr's that right but the thing is i mean it depends i mean we talked about the 2018 case a lot yesterday that plays into this like i know this is an nhl event so they'll have to make the decision on it with how so i'm assuming he'll play it doesn't play into it a ton like yeah daily corrected betman he was like that's actually our decision they're eligible so just putting that out there but like i he is the most important guy by far and he'll play by far the most and having the guy that he plays with on his top pair it's nice

but what about those guys in in the aisle uh pellick yeah pellick was the guy that came up for the olympics he hasn't been as good and he's been hurt since so we'll see if he can refine that form yeah i should mention also uh some names i didn't say ryan nugent hopkins mark shifley steven stamkos they're all in the mix all in the mix and whether you like marner barzal that's a pretty pretty good 12 not bad yep i uh i think you're you're you're in the ballpark oh no his picks aren't bad i'm like yeah we're we're not we're pretty good still. We're okay. Sorelli got some heat, actually. You know, I just feel like you need some guys to throw out to protect a lead and kill penalties and do those things, right?

Yep, 100%. You got to have some guys like that. Oh, for sure. Yeah. He'd be a perfect 3-4. Maybe you could even put Hyman with Sorelli and Stone and then have Bedard and McDavid or whoever play with Bedard and McDavid. Hilarious to say on the line.

But, you know, have a more offensive loaded top line. I have to say, this just, I could cry. I'm so happy we're talking about this. I know. It's been a long time coming, boys. Can't wait to see it. It's been a long time coming. Are you going to do the U.S. or we don't care?

The other writers on Sports Ed have done that sports i got to do canada which was a great privilege you did to the editors for giving me that chance so okay is that out now or i don't know but i know it's coming out if it's not today okay we look forward to it on sportsnet.ca so matthews kachuk kachuk matthews, Kachuk. Wow, that's a line. Chuck, Kachuk. Yeah, they got some. Oh, did you bail on? Oh, no, no. Okay.

All right. You got a name in mind? Yeah, I drew a blank on countries. Yeah, all good. Yeah. But. Yeah. Don't sleep on Finland either.

Finland. Who they got in net now Saros is he what's he that's a good question but they like you know you think of the guys that they have Barkov

Rantanen like you think about the guys that they can put out there they're not they're not hurting either so it's gonna be a good tournament boys anyways all right good job JB

yeah well done all right Winnipeg and Pittsburgh tonight Sean Monahan expected to make his debut with the Winnipeg and pittsburgh tonight sean monaghan expected to make his debut with the winnipeg jets didn't practice uh we didn't take part in the morning skate but all indications from bonus is that uh he's in well that's exciting i mean the when i wrote about the jets recently i heard from a lot of their fans basically said their number one need

is just a second line center so i don't know if Monaghan can be that, but he'll be given the opportunity to. Speaking of opportunities, Kuzmenko joins Calgary Flames and is getting paired with Jonathan Uberdo and Yegor Sharankovich. Against the Boston Bruins. Maybe you want to try that against Anaheim or something.

Kuzmenko, Uberdo, Sharankovich against the Bruins. That is tough to see how against Anaheim or something. Who's that? That is tough to see how that works. I don't know about that one, boys. I think it's going to get a little thin here for the Flames. Francis says it could be a bit of an adventure and Ryan Huska knows it. He basically says

we're going to have to take a lot of pride in what we're giving up. They're aware that this is like, I don don't know sometimes you catch lightning in a bottle who knows i think kuzmaiko is going to come out there and just shoot everything at the net yeah yeah i think he sees an opportunity to come in everybody's telling him this team's starving for goals he's going to gouberto passes, so you're going to get the puck. And you get the... No mentions of Huberto, by the way, for Team Canada. Oh.

What's he on pace for? 45 points? Is it that low now? Jeez. And Dallas, I didn't know they're coming in here on the second half of back-to-back. So they play in Buffalo tonight, and then they come to Toronto on the second half of back-to-back.

So we'll see who they're starting tonight. Maybe they go with the backup and then they come to Toronto in the second half of back-to-back. So we'll see who they're starting tonight. Maybe they go with the backup and then get Odinger in Toronto, or it's the other way around. So we'll see there. Saros is finished, and Huberto is on pace for 10 goals in 81 games, 44 points. Well, it's not good. Yeah, that's true. Also on tap Montreal

against the Washington Capitals just to showcase to see which Habs are going to get traded or what Josh Anderson I would go after him in a heartbeat you like him I think at times there's

there's games where he he's not as uh noticeable mid no he's better than mid who's that jerk that just cut me off me he's like a poor man's pl dubois where you're big and fast and can do a bunch of stuff but don't all the time he's like really he's got a big hole he's got to dig himself out of pierre luke dubois yeah he does so oh no good the active leaders for points for finland barkov ranton and aho teravinen rupe hints uh heiskanen, Rupe Hintz, Heiskanen. Okay, they got guys. They're not going to be a cup of tea either. Yeah. To me, they're the team that will surprise.

Yeah. Well, there's not many options in that category. No, I just, even when you get to the Olympics, that's a team to me that I fear almost the most in any competition. How about the Swedes, Nylander, Patterson? I'll be blowing the zone in the international game, too.

All right. The marquee matchup, of course, tonight, the Edmonton Oilers try to make history against Vegas. We look forward to that game tonight. Our thanks to Mike Fuda in the first hour and Louis DeBrusque.

Give me a score tonight, guys. I say 4-2 Oilers for the record. Yeah, I was going to say 3-2 in overtime. 5-3 for my Golden Knights boys. Really? Oh, yeah, it ends tonight. Enjoy the game, boys. Really? Oh, yeah, it ends tonight. Enjoy the game, everybody. If there's history, we'll talk about it tomorrow on the Real Kipper and Bourne Show.