Real Kyper & Bourne - Jim Hiller Joins the Show + Will Werenski Be Traded?

Episode Date: June 25, 2026

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee open with the latest buzz around Zach Werenski, with teams including the Maple Leafs monitoring his situation in Columbus. Then, Jim Hiller, head coach of the Leafs, joins the show (11:15) to discuss the process of rejoining the team after seven years away, Morgan Rielly's future in Toronto, his coaching philosophy, and how he plans to deploy Auston Matthews. Then, Nick, Justin and Sam discuss GM John Chayka's comments about keeping Rielly for next season, the Panthers adding even more grit with Garnet Hathaway, Alex Ovechkin's uncertain NHL future, and Connor McDavid going all in on Mike Babcock. 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.

Once again, the fastest hour in hockey. The Real Kipper and Bourne show. Nick Kiprio, Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee, Frank the Tank, Baraska, Derek Brandeo, Chris Gallagher, live and in color, Sportsnet 590, The Fans, Sportsnet 960 in Calgary, Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver, 360, Sportsnet Plus, YouTube, where we always appreciate a chat and a thumbs up, and various platforms, like Spotify and Apple podcast. This hour of Real Kippenborn, brought to by Bet365.

If you want to get away from thinking about the worst pickoff attempt at third base in Blue Jay history, this is the show for you. That's how the base running error, the following inning. What's going on with your Jays? They stink.

It's just occurring to me that you're saying all these radio stations and like I've made you say all these radio stations and I've written it in the lineup, just could have said across the Sportsnet Radio Network this whole time. And saved a minute? Yeah, you really could have just said that. And I really make you do that every time. Yeah, I went to the Jays game last night.

I don't know what's going on with them. The best way I could describe it in sports talk radio fashion is that they've lost the magic voice. The magic's no longer there. It's this feeling in the building that there's a lot of dread. There's a lot of dread. It's a good thing we got lots of hockey talk. That's true.

A team that once found every possible way to win is doing the opposite right now. And this Vladic card payments come due in last year. Gladdy's a disaster. They got to put them on the IL. Just get them away from baseball for 10 days. In about 10 minutes, Jim Hiller will join us. Head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs who met the media today. And we'll stop by for a few minutes.

Cool. So plenty to get into with the newest head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the meantime, my trade board got updated. Oh. Sportsnet.com. I wouldn't want to tell us that head of time. And born. You know, I run down from Rory upstairs.

Yeah. And he, like, as I'm running here to get to the set, he presses the send button. He does, yeah. So one name I did add, and I wasn't, I was like, no, yes, no, yes. And that is Zach Rewinsky. Okay. And I'm like, do I think he's going to get traded this weekend? No.

Do I think he could get traded early this summer? Yes, but still no. So, but this is my theory. Strodinger's trade. So are you on my, are you on the sports set? I don't know if it's up yet. It is up. It is up.

I don't know where it is. So I decided to put him on and I'm just going to leave him on. I'm going to leave him on. He's got two years. He is exactly. Okay, read, read it. Just read it. Is this been updated?

Zach Rerensky is becoming an issue in Columbus, the same way Brady-Cuch became an issue in Ottawa. A trade involving Werenzky may or may not happen this week, but I'm prepared to have him on my trade board through the summer and into next season until a deal is made or perhaps an extension is signed, which he's not eligible until 2027. Keep going.

Carry on. There is a link to Toronto here. Oh, boy. And it's that Werenski's agent, Judd Moldover, is the same as Austin Matthews, and they both have contracts expiring in two years. The first question is, would a rescue be willing to come to Toronto?

The second question is, if so, what kind of offer would it take from the Leafs to get him from Columbus? Would a deal around Matthew Nyes and Colorado's 2027 first be good for a good place to start? Does defense prospect Ben Danford excite any? anyone? Yeah. Our show now is just reading articles that are on the website.

I said to Kip, right before we went on air, what do you want to lead with? And he goes, oh, don't you worry. No, no, no, that's not what I said. I said, don't worry your pretty little head. That's right, that's right. So you're telling me there's a chance. So that's where we're at today.

That as much as you want to play the, did we learn anything from the Brady Kachuk you know, example with Werenzky or or Connor Hellebuck for that matter. Did we note anything? Because every time that there was noise, any time that there was some sort of talk, it got shut down like you guys don't know

what you're talking about. He's not going anywhere. He's the cat, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Where's Worensky for you guys in Columbus? You know, this is rare for me, but I had heard something on this too, like about four days ago, that I had heard that this was potentially a thing.

Okay, that's, I like hearing that. Yeah. And, you know, we briefly talked about it on this show that what I'm most curious about is the first part of your writing there, which was, would he be interested in coming to Toronto? Would he consider it, waive for it? Yeah.

And I believe that he doesn't know yet what he wants completely, but he just knows that he's not happy with what's going on in Columbus. And that's where it starts. And that's where it started for Brady Kachuk, right, for various reasons. But even like Ottawa was doing stuff. They were getting in the playoffs. Where there's smoke, there's fire. guys. And now there's the report, I think Elliot, our very own Elliot Friedman, of course,

who's awesome at his job, suggested that they're going to get together and talk after the draft. It's like, after. What does that mean? Like, talk about what? And if there was a talk, shouldn't it happen like before the draft? So to me, I thought, I actually independently thought about what that would mean. And to me, that's him sitting down saying, I'm not asking for a trade, but I am asking to see that there's a future here that we're going somewhere. We're not just going to be the same old blue jackets that, like have a couple hot streaks but end up finishing outside the playoff. Right.

Like, you know, we're not getting it done with the second line of Monaghan, Kent Johnson, and Connor Garland right now. Are we going to get better players? If we're not, then guys, you're going to have to get something for me. And part of this, that's so fascinating. And reading this on the website, it's, I mean, just reading those words excites me and will excite all leaf fans. But speaking of free, she was on the hockey show today with Mark,

Casey and Futes, and he mentioned that these next two years that the Leifes don't have their pick in, that they're going to be looking to be quote unquote all in. Like, these two years, you have Matthews under contract. And if you could potentially, like, bottoming out doesn't help. Doesn't help. You're trying to be good for these next two years. That timeline with those two guys matches up perfectly with trying to be good. And Zach's and all, like, that's the Leafs going all all in.

Yeah. I don't know if you saw this tweet the other day. God, who was it? Someone tweeted the Leafs leading ice time getter the last 13 years. And it was McCabe, McCabe, Riley, Riley, Riley, Riley, Riley, Riley, Riley. Koshan tweeted it out? Yeah, I think so. Gardner, Funuf, Funuff, Funof, or something.

And I was just like, ugh, no disrespect to any of those guys. Prime Riley was awesome. A lot of those guys Prime were great. But it's not Kail McCar. It would be nice to have one of those years be Worensky. Maybe two years. of those years, potentially more if you're good. I do think that's really the only thing I'm willing to trade Nyes for.

I don't think there's any other reason to necessarily go out there and trade. Like I saw the Sabres, like the fourth overall pick for Nyes. Like, sure, you want to trade that and change your sort of trajectory and get a top. But like, for me, the enticing thing is getting a true franchise defenseman in a Matthew Nyes's trade. That's incredible. You know, what's interesting is, you know, Fridge also tied Marchangelo. to Montreal, which terrifies me as someone who, you know, has a leaf's hour to talk about. But that Reinebacher in Montreal, I don't know, like, where's he going to fit?

Would they do something like that so Columbus can replace sort of a stud potential B? Absolutely have to include, I think, one of their top defensemen. Yeah. So you get it, you just, you can't trade Wrenski for Nize is the main piece. And then your back end is led by Proverov or, you know. Can I ask you what, in your opinion, both of you, Do you think Werensky would be willing to come here? These American boys don't seem to throw Canada.

The key is the agent, Judd. He would know. He would know Austin. He would know. Listen, there's Roman Yose is out there. And I'm not suggesting that Nashville's going to trade him either. But he also knows everything he needs to know about that situation with Roman Yose. And Roman's expectations in the next few years as they try to.

rebuild. Anything's possible when you got one guy kind of controlling key players in this. So you're here, you're seeing people talk about... He's become rich, Paul. The big lease move. Like there's this like hypothetical big lease move

that's been bandied around the last 48 hours. Is this it? No, there's a lot. No. There's a lot. Okay. And again, we're talking about a team

in pressing need of revamping and changing. this energy in a very short period of time. Like this has to feel different, look different for people to really buy in that, yeah, you guys could escape the total rebuild for a retool and get yourself competitive again in the east. And that means Sammy throwing a lot of lines in the water. Yeah, you saw Carlo's name was out there for like mid.

For me, Carlo is a third pair guy who is a chance to have a better season. I'm content. What are you going to get for Carlo? Exactly. I don't need your fifth or own picnic. A third and a fourth? Yeah, I don't need that. Right?

So. In a few minutes, we'll welcome in Jim Hiller, head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. But in the meantime, there was some talk about Morgan Riley today in the press conference. There was. I think we do have, do we have Jim boys? Okay, give us a second. Okay. Yeah.

We can certainly ask Jim when we get him. on the line momentarily, but overall, a little surprised. About the Morgan stuff? Does it feel like leverage to you? Like, we're prepared to keep this guy. We don't need to trade them. We're not actually that desperate framing? Don't ask me.

That's the next head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Let's welcome in Jim Hiller, head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jim, thanks for making time. How are you? All happy to do it, guys. Good to talk to you. Yeah. Just, Jim, in your short window here in terms of agendas or priorities,

where have you put the last few days on your list? Oh, well, there's a lot of them. Priorities, trying to get a good sense of the players, getting their thoughts, reaching out of them, more listening than talking, I hope. Just seeing where they're at as individuals, and, you know, team-wise, what their thoughts. I've been gone for seven years.

I've followed the team just like everybody else. So I have my kind of thoughts and opinions, but it's really important that I get them, you know, from the inside. Jim, Justin Bourne here, welcome back. Everyone's happy to have you're around. Excited to see how, you know, or excited to hear from you what it's like to be back. Has it been weird?

Did you check if your old key card still works? Is it familiar the whole thing? I got a new one today. You know what? It's so familiar. And it was just, I'll just tell you this. We flew in, we landed about 11.30 the other night and drove down the gardener and there was nobody on it.

So that wasn't familiar. Weird. That was unfamiliar to have nobody on the gardener. But driving into the city with the lights of the city and it's, it just was electric for me. I just know, I just, you drive through the heart of the city and the gardener and you just know that this place just reverberates ice hockey. And it just, it just really, I tell you, chills ran down my spine,

even after getting off a five-hour flight. And so it's a beautiful city. It's a passionate fan base. And I can't wait to get it started. You're listening to Jim Hillard, Toronto Maple Leaf's head coach. So there's various reports the last 24, 48 hours on Morgan Riley,

submitting four potential trade teams to lift is no move. Today you spoke of Morgan Riley excited to bring him back and there just seems to be a change of heart I guess in terms of Morgan and my question to you Jim

what changed in the last little while on the decision to bring Morgan back well no I mean that's not going to be my decision to bring Morgan back my point is I spent four great years with Morgan I have a ton of respect for him as a person and a player

I'm looking forward to coaching them. I'm more than happy to have Morgan Riley on the blue line. There's different things. That may or may not happen. That's out of my control. But if Morgan ends up playing for the Leafs next year, I'll be extremely excited. Jim, do you, are you prone to come in and say, hey, here's how I like a team to play. So that's how we're going to play?

Or will you be looking at the roster and saying, okay, I'm going to try to tailor our, you know, our game plan to the guys we got here? here. No, I mean, Borny, you might have heard me say, I think first and foremost, the most important job I have is to try to, try to massage and help grow just the spirit of the team, just the spirit within that dressing room. That's where I'll start. That's job one. Now, job two is to get out there and skate, to keep it really simple, just to skate. But that's up and back. that's to the corner quickly. It encapsulates a lot of different things. So does that mean offense?

Does that mean defense? To me, it means both. You got to skate and check if you don't have the puck. And when we do have the puck, you got to skate and attack. So I'm not trying to define a certain style of play at this point. I just want our guys to have a spirit and grow. And I want them to get out there and skate.

We'll adapt the systems and the style of play and all that. If you do that, you're going to give yourself a chance. That's the way I see it. Jim, I don't know. Would you go back and watch various games, specific games, all of the games? I know if you've prioritized a few things, including skating, where would be spending less time in your own zone be for you when we've watched so many of the games last season struggle?

capacity. Well, I'll tell you, Kipper, I've watched two games. I re-watched our game in here, and I think it was in November. We played in here in November. And then I watched the game, because I didn't watch it live, after Smitty took over. I think that was in April at some point. And so I just, I rewatched those two games. And there were, you know, there was some actually some systems changes with the Leafs.

So it was good for me to get a handle on what they changed and how they were executed. through that change. So those are the two. I'm not going to watch much more than that. You know, I think that's what I need. We're moving forward from last year. And again, I think in talking to the players, you know, nobody's happy with what happened last year.

That was a tough season. And it hurts. It hurts. These guys are proud professionals. And that hurt. And so I think we've got a good frame of mind. We'll put a style of play in. and we're just going to start the whole thing fresh.

Jim, the key guy here, obviously, Captain Austin Matthews has been, his use has been fascinating. He's also gone through some injuries and stuff, but last year he saw the highest percentage of D-Zone starts and shot blocks and all these sort of things that he can do. He can be used defensively as well. How do you see yourself trying to take advantage of his gifts? Obviously, you've seen he can shoot the puck in the little, in the next. that a little bit too. Yeah. Yeah, I've been part of plenty of plenty of his goals, missed a bunch of them, but still was part of plenty of them in my first two years here with him. So I think it's like this, uh, Borny, really, for me, the game is extremely quick, extremely tight. You don't

have the puck on your stick that much. So everybody's responsibility is to check and play without the puck. But the reward is when you get the puck. And that's a time to be creative, to be passionate, to use your skills, your instinct. And those are the things for me. And I can't tell you exactly why and how at this point. But those are the things for me that we have to get back into Austin's game. Having the puck more, attacking with it more, just feeling creative and passionate when he gets the puck.

He's going to do the work without the puck. everybody is. All the guys in the team, I'm comfortable with that. We just have to find a way to celebrate offense again once we do that work to get it. Jim, have you had some in-depth conversations with Austin Matthews in terms of style of play and what can best suit a guy like that to get them back to 50 and 60 goals? Is that the objective? Is that important? Well, again, when we've had some good conversations, but it's not necessarily to get back to 50 or 60 goals. That happens. That's great. It's to get back to just celebrating

offense, having the puck, skating the puck, moving quickly with the puck, attacking, all those things that I remember him from my time here and just watching highlights over the years. And I would agree. And in the last season, you know, we didn't see that enough from him. So we'll help him to do that. I know he wants to do that. Great offensive players love to have the puck. We'll look at ways to getting them more of those types of opportunities. Jim, have you had a chance to chat with the previous assistant coaching staff? Have you, do you plan on making any changes or any idea how your structure will look alongside you? Yeah, I mean, I've talked to them.

And, you know, we haven't made any commitments as far as what the staff will look like. I'm certainly talking to other people. We're going through an interview process. I think very much like Jean and Matt's, as they set their agenda out, they were very thorough. they were very thorough, talked to a lot of people, did not rush. I think it's a, you know, a really responsible way to go about it. And so I'm trying to follow a similar path, keep them involved, and just make sure that I'm feeling like I've done the work that's required.

Sir, I've got certain people in my mind, but I'm going slow and being very, very process-oriented here. And we'll see how it all shakes out. It's still going to take a little time. I know there was some updates in terms of health and recovery. TANOV's on schedule. You mentioned Stolar's appears ready to go if he needed to play tomorrow. Any update on Max Domi at all?

No, there's no update on Max. I talked to him the other night on the phone. We had a great conversation, but no update beyond that. All right. Well, listen, we really appreciate you stopping by. Wish you all the best starting this weekend at the draft and looking forward to a great season next year. Yeah, well, let's do it again because, hey, this crew here

was part of the great people in the media that I was talking about. So that doesn't exclude you guys. You know you're in that group, too. And just note, we like a good quote every once in a while. We got two hours next year, bud. We're filling time here. Oh, you got two full hours. Two full hours.

I'm going to have to stop by more often than to try to fill some of that time. You'd appreciate it. Thanks for your time, Jim. Okay, guys. Jim Hiller, the newest head coach of the Toronto Police. All right. Kippers, clippers are going to be juiced this year. Better clips, for sure. Yeah.

What do you got? Just in terms of now Morgan. So how do you read this? I don't know. Yeah, my initial thought was, I don't believe you. Do you want to hear the Chica clip? Yes. Derek, Chica clip won on.

on Morgan Riley, if we could have that, please. Yeah, like, Morgan's the longest tenured leaf and, you know, tons of respect for everything he's done and not only on the ice, and, you know, he's a prolific player, but off the ice as well. And so no different than any other player. You know, we have lots of discussions about, you know, what's the best fit for the player, what's the best fit for the team,

how do we put the best roster together and put them on the ice. And so we continue to have all those types of discussions to try to see if there's an opportunity to make our team better. But, you know, it's a great relationship. We've had great discussions. He loves me in Toronto Maple Leaf, and we certainly think he's a great player. So I had him on my trade board.

Yeah. And I... So do everyone else? I'll leave him. I'll leave him there. Yeah, I think I would do. Judge him from that. I'll take Dougie Hamilton off in New Jersey. Oh, really?

Yeah. The Nemich thing? Yes. Clear the space. Yeah. But can I... This Morgan Raleigh, I don't know. Willie Wonty...

I'd be... What's Willie Won't? Well, no, like, it was a four- foregone conclusion that he was going to be gone until he went out there and said that like, oh, we anticipate him being part of least. I don't know. It just feels. What do you think happened?

I don't know. New coach? No, I think they talked to people and no one wanted to give him anything they want. They got to retain. There it is right there. That's it. There's just, I said earlier, the value probably isn't there. And there was always the option to say, hold on to him.

Yeah. Like if he gets off to a decent start and, we're still in a position where we may want to move them. We'll move them for more than what's being offered today. It's just there's no market for him. And you wonder like, you know, if you were trading for Morgan Riley and you had to say, hey, you're going to play behind Radish and Tanev and McCabe. Oransky.

Yeah, sure, Werenski. Like we're going to use you in sort of a sheltered offensive role, play 18 minutes a night. You might be okay. You know, all right, Riley can help us in that spot. It makes seven and a half. like, I just think it's a matter of if he's going to be here. He can't play 22 minutes a night or whatever it was last year.

He can't leave your team in T-O-W. No, no. I guess McCabe did last year, but still, you would have to just use him very selectively. I just, I think that a lot of people had made up their minds that it was over. You know, like, it's just after this way it went this year. It should be for everyone's relationship. Like, I think at some point, you know, people say you don't make a trade for the sake of making a trade. but like in a lot of cases, in this case, sorry,

I feel like it's just maybe a separation that needs to happen. Like, how bad is the off? He can still skate a puck out of his own zone. Not the same as he used to. Not the least. Like, the fastest back there guys. It is the old, like, I know you want to get rid of a guy. Who plays his minutes when he's gone?

Is it a better player? I know. They're better without him out of the lineup for the last however many years. I've been a defender of Morgan Riley. I understand about that. They just, at some point, some things need to come to an end. And like, I just, I don't know. I get it.

I'm not saying you're wrong. I can see why they don't want to just say, yeah. Emil Andre is going to play those minutes and we're going to get a fifth for Riley and retain a million. It's like, ugh, you're not better then. It doesn't make you better. I don't know. Hope Andre's having a great summer. You know?

I hope he's Timothy Lilligran. Did you guys want to do game time and go to the break and do the other stuff? Yeah. Okay, we'll do that. It's game time. Presented by Bat 365, an official partner of the NHL, most 19 plus. Ontario only. Please play responsibly.

Oh, God, do we dare talk about the Toronto Blue Jays again? I mean, we can try to be nicer. Well, they open a four-game set tonight with the tech. Texas Rangers, who they're right there with in the wildcard race, somehow through this putrid season as I pulled up the major league team. This is like every team making the playoffs in the Western Conference last year in the NHL. It was like, yeah, someone's going to trip on every hurdle, so someone else has to finish in the

playoffs. So they are heading into a series with the Texas Rangers who are one game back of them, who the league, sorry, the Js are in the final wildcard spot somehow. One game back. I know, four games set. It's been putrid. Four game set opening up tonight with Kevin. Gosman, who was obviously pretty shaky in his last start against Chicago

Cubs, didn't go well. J's are big faves tonight, minus 140 down at the Rogers Center. So that's a... Baseball trade deadline soon? I think it's usually end of July, maybe, if I'm not mistaken. I don't know these things. Yeah, there you go. And quickly, I was going to bring up our Canada's soccer game that we have on Sunday after...

Yeah, favorable draw. Yeah, like... not the worst outcome if I can quickly pull it up here yeah they are pretty big favorites in their game they're minus 143 minus 143 to get to the round of 16

I thought they were going to tie it I know they were all over Switzerland I thought it was coming I thought it was like a real Canadian moment but it was coming but it kind of shook out it worked out too badly like they kind of got away with it they could still get another moment Sunday yep so anyways that was game time

presented by bet 365 an official partner of the NHL with a 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 how about David camp going back to buffalo or going to Buffalo oh my gosh I got to tell you right tell you right now lock of the century for a goal against the least he will score one or two goals next year and one of them when he gets the the Panthers are still busy and we'll get into more on if we truly believe that they are the runaway favorites right now I got thoughts.

In the Atlantic Division, J.B., you have thoughts. The Capitals, have a conversation on OV. What else you got? Zach Benson. We love Zach in Buffalo during those playoffs. You got a new contract.

Still, plenty more to discuss around the National Hockey League when we return to Real Kippur and Bourne. The best Blue Js show out there, period. Blair and Barker. Be sure to subscribe and download the show on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back in studio, Nick Kiprios, Justin Boren, Sammy McKee. Werenzki.

Before we go. Yeah, go ahead. Time now for the precision headline. Brought to you by the 2026 Accura MDX. Drive like you mean it. Beautiful. For any team to pry Werenski out of Columbus, it will take a lot. I'm not sure.

I'm not sure you can build a package around Nyes. But if you're Toronto. And typically, typically, if you're going to go get a bona fide number one defenseman, you don't do it with wingers. You do it with a number one centerman. But I feel kind of like this is talking on both sides of everybody's mouths here. Like at one side of the conversation, Matthew Nyes is the most prized thing.

And everybody's blowing down their doors. But then now he's not, doesn't have any value if you're trying to build a package around him to get, Werensky? Like, which side is it? Yeah. I feel like he's a pretty good asset. He's 23. Yeah, but he's not, he's not, he's good, but he's not can't miss. I also agree with the idea that like, what's your premier, like, Nyes is a winger.

Let's say he's a 80 point winger. If you want to be generous to, I think that's ceiling. As generous as physical, young. Sure. Is that enough for Zach Werenski who just won the Norris trophy? Like, no. And then are they going to want Colorado's 30th pick or whatever it is in the first? No, it's nothing pick.

So it is, it's tough to see. I mean, Colorado did change trade Ross Colton and Jack Drury, so they may not be in it next year. Maybe you can be a higher pick. Yeah, you're right. Maybe they'll be bad. Bet against Colorado. Maybe they'll suck.

Garnet Hathaway to the Florida Panthers. Crap! Another in your face, piss you off. What a bunch of them. Mutants. A gnat. I sent a tweet about how in McKenna's first game against the Panthers this year, they should just help them.

And then Rob Wong, who used to work as SportsNet, sent the tweet of the picture of Pronger putting Bieber into the boards and said McKenna in his first game against the Panthers. Don't put them out there. Press box. The best case scenario is that like Bennett and Brady Kachuk elbow each other while trying to elbow him in the head, some sort of mutual destruction.

That's it. But honestly, this is the most absurd group of forwards I can remember in the NHL in recent years. I know in your era there were teams assembled like this. This is a freak show. There's some games last year. A group of ugly men. Just a ugly group of guys looking to hurt.

There were some games in November. I'm watching them and there are like animals out there. And I'm like, I can't. They're a different breed. I heard they traded for Andre the Poodle Lassard. Oh, we're going back down that road again. Oh, my. Oh, my.

But with the litigation and the losses. I mean, could Chuck Reinhardt, could Chuck Bennett, Marchand, now Hathaway? It's going to be a sideshell. Eckblad in the mix. I kind of like it. I kind of like it.

And then you have your captain be this like, this like stoic, defensive killer that just doesn't say a word to anyone ever. I don't know, man. All right, I'll be the guy. Here we go. Here we go. Zag of the century.

You don't like them. I know. It's not that I don't like them. It's that this is a slow team. They're slow. All those guys are slow. Chuck, Ryanhart. It doesn't matter with our team.

So they're slow. It doesn't have any legs left. I understand. There's a way, but like, they're slow. pretty much everywhere you look. So are they getting older, slower? Is the defense, are you sure about

Eklad, Forsling, Mikula Kulikov still? They're still big and mean. I'm kind of sure. They're coming off 85 points. Yeah, and coming off a long square off. I could be totally wrong on that number, probably 90. The difference on the points, and they were kind of in it till the end, too,

when they really had no business. But Bobovsky was not. not good. I can't tell you. Who's going to be good next year in their net? Well, we're just going to have to wait and see. Probably. A goal to a goal and a half were bad every game.

Every game for Bobrovsky. Now, is that a one-off? Is he going to come back or is he just lost it at age 38? He's lost it and he's going to play for the Leafs. If I had some harder-e to make a bet on who's going to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup final night here, 100% of the Panthers. Yeah, that's your team.

No question. Just straight hurricane disrespect. Yeah, listen, they were awesome. But guess what happened the last two times? Before they did, like, they got the floor wiped with them. Yeah, so they need to make up 15 points to get in playoffs. Yep. And, you know, they obviously got better, but.

No Barkov all last year. Yeah, no Barkov is massive. Okay, massive. Massive. They almost made the playoffs. No Barkoff, ad Brady-Cache. Almost made the playoffs is a strategy. Okay.

They stunk for a lot. Were they not in it until like March? They shut everybody down. They started to tank like they should have, like the Leaf should have. But then they ended up getting first overall. They're 15 points out of play. Okay. Yeah, but they were.

Banged. The last 15 games weren't pretty. Yeah. When you lose your captain in the first on ice drill, it's kind of a sign for the season. Everybody's on board. Well, I'm not, Doug. Listen, this is going to be a great zag if they stink. But I don't think they're going to stick.

I think they're going to be the best team in the league. We also mentioned the Capitol's very active. Like, is there any room for Ovechkin on the power play anymore in Washington? They hope not, I bet. Yeah, this Ovechkin thing is fascinating. Because, like, I said to Sam before we came on air, I was like, I bet they hope he doesn't come back. You know, he's, I don't want to watch him plot around and shoot it in 22 times.

He had 32 goals. That's absurd. He wants 1,000, boys, between the two, right? What does he need? I think I'm going to look right now. Give him an honorary. Can you find their power play right now because we've got to add Jordan Kairu.

Oh, like who is on it? Yeah. It's, they got the brothers, right? Like where? The Prodas. Yeah. Where's OV going to still suck up two minute power plays?

Tom Wilson, Dylan, Dylan Strom, Ryan Leonard, Jordan Kyru, Jacob Chikrin, fit in Alex Tuck. Yeah, I mean, you're not going to not have Ovi on the power play. He is the power. You think they're trying to discourage him? Here he has the thousand. He's a thousand and certain.

I think they're trying to discourage him from coming back. I don't think. Why would it discourage him? I think the owner wants him there. No, by getting good players, you're telling him, well, we don't have as much room for you as we did before. But in his mind, he's like, whoa, we're sick. Loading up.

I'm back. Imagine that team plus me. All right. The greatest player. I. I don't think they're better with him next season, but I have been wrong on a match game for five years. It's been great, but is it going to be another OV show in terms of?

Dispenter Carberry really want to roll him for two minutes per power play? If he does come back, if he does come back, are you announcing that this is my last season or everybody's going to have to guess all season long and he's going to have to ask the question. We're definitely going to do the Jeter tour gifts everywhere. What, like, both your opinion, do you think he's back?

I think he's back. Kipper? I think at this point, it would be really, really kind of weird if he just, tomorrow announced I'm not coming back. It'd be like, well, can you have done that at the end of the season? Maybe he's on vacation. Maybe he just, like, he has some pizza in Rome and he's like, I just want to eat pizzas in Rome.

He has pizzas. When do we get? Yeah, it doesn't stop him. When do we get the summer picture of OV? Where we go. Where we go. Oh, my gosh. He's, you know, listed at 236,

and every year it gets harder to believe. It's, ah, yeah, in your bra. He is a piece. God, I wish I could still shoot the puck like him, though. Yeah, no kidding. I think you might have just, I think there's a chance he just plays for Donovan on my escrow next year. Yeah.

Yeah. McDavid. Yes. Talk to spec for sportsnet.com. Yeah, he, uh, he, he, he, He made it really clear what Mike Babcock's objectives are as a coach. He's all in on Mike Babcock? Yep.

He's all in. You have to be. Do you have any sound or? No, he just, there's no sound. I think they talked on the phone. So we don't get to hear. Oh, did they?

Okay. I went back and I saw some of the clips from that Babcock thing. And I'm still thinking about it. I just, I can't believe. He nailed it. He just, to have the confidence and the bravado to go in there.

He's just doubled and tripled down on it. Unapologetically. The Babcock brand. Unapologetically, Mike Babcock went up there like no remorse said it was his wife that told him to leave Columbus. Like, didn't take, just was like, yep, Mike Babcock.

People thought he was going to have some groveling apology to her? I know. For what? I know. In his opinion. I didn't know. I didn't know. Like, I thought maybe there would be a moment.

of him being like, yeah, what I did in Columbus wasn't great. And he's like, nope, my adult children and love them. They tell me to change, I'm not going to change. It's like, what the hell? You don't sign on. You don't sign on for the weakened version of Mike Babcock. You don't get Mike Babcock hoping to get the, you know, repentant version of them. You want the straight goods.

We're talking about side show in Florida. We got a side show in northern Alberta. Super Slippers all Edmond's version. To see Stan Bowman up there, it's like, like, Stan, did you have any say in any of this? Did you have any input? It's actually the most wild front office. Because Jeff Jackson being a part of that too is...

He got hired by the players that were mentioned. Yeah. They hired the coach. I just, I'm looking, I listened to Bowman talk. Bowman is the teacher in Ferris-Puehler. like the guy that's just like when he's talking Anyone? Anyone? Charlie Brown teacher?

My eyes are crossing. McDavid says, I know Babcock alluded to the fact that it's easy to say in June and it is easy to say in June. It might be a little bit different when it's November. But we've all agreed that this is what we want. This is what we're looking for. I don't plan on that happening to me very much. But when it does, it'll be deserved and we'll move forward

and we'll learn from it. That referring to the way, you know, getting scratched or sat, I should say. Yeah, he's going to scratch. I mean, this is, you've mentioned. You've mentioned it a million times. Oh, it's going to be really hard for McDavid playing 22 minutes a night and scoring 160 points and like

just being McDavid. It's going to suck for Bud Coles and those other things. No, no. Jake Walman needs to go to training camp with a suit of armor. That's a great call. I am worried about

Jake Walman. We're on Walman Watch. We are on Walman Watch. Yeah. Next thing from our little list, so much stuff's happening. Did you see the Leopold, the owner? I'm glad this is the next thing. In Minnesota.

He did it again. Again. He said, we're signing him. The same way that they lost all leverage in the Caprizov negotiations. This is on Minnesota Public Radio on Wednesday, whatever that means. We had to give up, I guess we're on public radio. We had to give up a lot to get him this past year. We are going to re-sign him.

We would like to go as long as we could. You will probably want it to be a little shorter, shorter than maybe three years. We hopefully end up at five. I don't know. And the reason I can only openly talk about this is that I'm not the one doing the negotiating. Leopold is just playing hold him with his cards facing the other way.

Face up, hold him. Billy Garon's like, why do you know? So all he's going to do is match up with Jack. Interesting. How many years less is Jack? I, two, three? That answer.

Right? And then there's Luke. Of course, Luke just signed a long-time deal. Yeah, Jack has until 2030. So four years left. Four years? So four-year deal coming. I don't know.

Yeah, four is still a long time. And Luke has 400 years. Is four considered short? Yeah, I will. He wants five. Or sorry, he wants three. We're hoping for five. I think that's Leopold being like four?

I got to tell you that. I mean, if I'm. They get four or great. Or why don't you just, sign with the devils. Also an option. He's like, yeah, no, I don't want that contract. Like, you know how I can just play with him?

I can just be a free agent and sign with him. Why do I have to wait four years for it? So what is the number? 18 million. I actually think it's fascinating to see what kind of priorities these guys have because I think Leopold just said, what do you want? Because we're doing it.

And so is he going to be a guy that says, give me all I can take? Or is he serious about contending in Minnesota? I think he doesn't go past Caprizov. Equal, 17. He's more important. He is more important by far. 17 mil in, call it even.

Do the Taves and Kane? North. Well, he can get it. I would take it. I mean, why wouldn't you? If you're going shorter term, you're going to want to get blown out of the water. Because if you make 17 versus 19 or 18,

is it that much different in your life over those years versus if your team can get another couple mill on a guy, does it help you win? And pick all the money you can. I'll learn something about you guys today. No, just. I don't. I didn't already know.

I wouldn't, if I'm a player, I would never trust management to take the money that I'm saving them and spending it wisely. Yeah, look what the oilers. Too many examples where players have done that and you've wasted the money. Yeah, the oilers. Right? They just did. It certainly doesn't increase your chances taking all the money you can, though. I mean, I get your point that these guys have not done great.

Yeah. Here's the other thing, too, you got to keep in mind, is that there's another guy in Colorado that I'm hoping, if I'm Colorado, I can get him signed at a number before I hear the other guy's number. Oh, McCar. Yes. Oh, yeah.

Right? Like, McCar is that guy that can go to $20 million. Like, no problem at all. And I don't know. He's currently $9 million one year left. I can't have. Was he eligible? I can't have Quinn Hughes come out with 18 or 19.

Because then McCar is not taking 16. He's not, yeah, we're 17. You don't want to embarrass McCar. Macar doesn't want to embarrass himself. The agent doesn't want to embarrass himself. He's in a position now to probably earn a dollar more than Quinn Hughes. He should do it. He should sign for $1 more.

I was in the era where Gritsky and Lemieux just had this contest that every time I heard that I had to be the highest-paid guy in the league. And when you re-up, that means my contract got torn up and I got a new one. Oh, is that right? That's awesome. Go, Lemieux, go. It's rooting for the other guy? You think McCarroll get signed right away?

It'll be one of those guys? Seems like he'll just be there forever. What number do you say? You just say yes to any number. There's no negotiation. He's the best guy in the league. Yeah, you just talk him through it and hope that he can spare. you as much as he can.

This is NBA deals now where it's like he's eligible for this contract, so that's what he gets. He's a max guy. Yeah. You know, they just have max guys because the cap's so high. Austin Reeves. It's nice that day. I honestly am so happy that the cap is going way up.

And like guys are actually getting close to what they're worth. I mean, it's been a while here. Like McDadez makes the same as Kelly O'Litt. Whenever it goes up, though. That's why. That's not right. You know, it's just, it's just the rich getting richer. That's all.

Like there's the gap. is just the gap is huge now between Jason Dickinson just got $20 million for a year. Yeah. The top guys see the bulk of it for sure. There'll always be a few here that can grab the wave, the ripple. Did you mention Zach Benson getting? Yes. $52 million?

Okay. I love the player. I didn't say specifically. How many years? Seven year, $52.5 million deal. A couple leaf things. Chica talked today. They talked about, they made a decision on who's going number one overall,

and it was consensus. Everyone agreed. Unanimous. Which means no one's unanimous about Stenberg. It's McKenna. Yeah, I mean, McKenna's been at the World Cup. He's like doing, like, he's in Toronto. Like, for him to say we're unanimous in our choice, it's McKinna.

No longer. I don't think there's ever been a question. Yeah. Right. Thank you. Lord Chica. I really appreciate it. Yeah.

And then you're starting to see. McKenna do more. He's in Toronto. He was doing, like, he did one of those, like, man on the street interviews after the Croatia soccer game. He was at the soccer game. He's just around. He's figuring out what it's like to be in Toronto. People are going to love him. You see, he's pretty got the hit factor, boys.

Is he with his mom? Some of his comments that he's said are pretty strong. Is he old enough to be in the bars here? I don't know. No. No. No. Okay. What he's suggesting? Well, I'm not going to make. I just, we got to make sure.

that, you know, we're not going there. Just get him drafted first. That's right. Then get him a draft. Get him a draft. That was the precision headlines brought to you by the 2026 Accura MDX. Drive like you mean it.

Landon DuPont going to Michigan for the NHL draft season. I can't tell you how little that means to me, but I'm happy to hear that a very good player is going to a great school. I just never seen him play a shift, right? I heard he's awesome. First overall pick next year.

Shifty, quick twitch next Canadian kind of deep defenseman. Our next Canadian guy. I just wish he to just stay in junior. It doesn't be crazy. Like, oh, it's a better way to get ready for the pros. Oh, yeah, the CHL has had a really tough time over the last 100 year generating stars. Times are changing, Sammy.

Yeah, it breaks my heart. We saw Timu. He's got a USHL team out in California. You see that? We got to get Timu on. I've tried to get Timu. He's talking to mustache. He's name?

The last picture I saw him? Yeah, we should get him on. He's got to promote his team now. Okay, I'll give him another try. I guess when we have a week left. Someone else bought a team in that group that was notable. I don't know. Luke Robitai involved.

Is that right? I don't know. And Joe Sackick, maybe. That's who it was. Joe. Yep. A bit of housekeeping. We've been getting yelled at for only having an hour.

It's only the fastest hour in hockey. Everybody's like, oh, you guys should talk more. We are talking more. Tomorrow, we are two to four Eastern. Monday coming off. half weekend. We are two to four Eastern. And then I think it's,

oh crap. I think it's Wednesday, Thursday. We're also two hours. Also two hours. And next year will be our last week. Next year will be our last week. Did I say next year?

I'm not sure what that meant. Did I just find out we're getting fired? Next week will be our last week. Yeah, next week's our last week. We just don't know if it's permanent or not. Yeah. We'll head into it. Fingers crossed.

Once again. All right, Sammy. No pickoffs at third base tonight. I will be watching the Toronto Blue Jays again. I'll be going home tonight, turning on the TV, heading to the steel mill again to watch the Toronto Blue Jays. They are a cry.

What was the meme you sent about the factory? Oh, yeah, the Long Day Factory. Who are we playing? Texas. Texas. And they stink, too. No, they don't stink. I mean, they're...

Every time I look, they're losing. They stink. What are the Jays are? boys. I think the chase are. Hendricks Lafier to the penguins. All right. One more sleep to the

NHL draft. Dad on a guy. And it all kicks off Friday night on sports. That's 14. Jason Buchala. He'll give us the goods. All right.

This one's for Barks. If you get a chance, give us a rating and review. We'd love to hear from you. Kevin Barker. And stick around for Blair and Barker. Barks was really good last night

on the G. He was too. He's great. Great broadcast. Great stuff. Don't turn the dial. Stay on sports. Have a great night, everybody.