Real Kyper & Bourne - Kings-Oilers Opener + Avalanche's Dominance

Episode Date: April 21, 2025

Hockey Hall of Famer and L.A. Kings President Luc Robitaille joins Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne (7:01) to break down the Kings’ mindset heading into their first-round playoff match-up with the Edmonton Oilers, if this is the best version of his team, Darcy Kuemper’s Vezina-caliber performance, and how his game-day routine has evolved since moving from the ice to the front office. Later, Nick, Justin, and Sam McKee react to Jim Rutherford’s comments on Quinn Hughes’ future in Vancouver and whether mentioning the Hughes brothers playing together qualifies as 'tampering.' Finally, former NHLer and current Avalanche analyst John-Michael Liles (29:30) jumps on to shares his take on Colorado’s dominant Game 1 performance vs. the Dallas Stars, their improved center depth, the potential return of Gabriel Landeskog, and Jared Bednar’s steady hand behind the bench.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 clear and ready to roll on the national hour of the real kipper and born show we are live in sports at 650 in Vancouver sports at 960 in Calgary and live and in color on sports net. It's just funny. You guys look at it. It's just funny. He never remembers the jersey till 501. Were you guys just playing the song?

I wasn't listening. See, I was reading and I missed that. I screwed up. Go. Okay. Go, please. We don't even have... Go.

We'll cover you. Do we got an oil jersey? Go in, we'll talk amongst ourselves here. All right, we need an oiler's jersey. Just a Canadian's jersey. Can I ask you something? Yeah, please. What is wrong with him? Dude lost.

That he can't remember a stinking jersey on the national hour. His friends playing St. Andrews, they won the lottery. He was all caught up in a thing. He's the producer. Yeah. Produce for God's sakes. Is this really production?

There you go, fan 590 day. Yes. Okay. This is our first Stanley Cup show and that's the jersey you pick. Oh, would you like me to put up? What would you put up a baby a baby oilers Jersey for Luke Robitaille who's coming on playing them for the first? Yeah, would you like me to put up a Don Waddell play Jersey in the playoffs? We don't have a great options here. I wouldn't drive my car with that thing, okay? It is horrible. All right?

It's not great, okay? It's not the sham wow. This hour of real kipper and born brought to you by bet 365. I bet they're regretting that right now. In a few minutes, we'll welcome in Luke Robitaille from the LA Kings as they prepare for their series against the Edmonton Oilers. Just prior

to that I know Elliott Friedman put something out about Dan Bilesma. I can confirm that Bilesma is out. Ronnie Francis will be elevated to president. I can confirm that the next general manager of the Seattle Kraken will be Jason Botterill. Wow, cool news. Way to go. I will confirm that an official announcement is expected tomorrow. Jason Botterill, the GM of your Seattle Kraken. Wow, that's what you wanted to talk about. A little scoopage. Yeah, good one. Nice job. I heard some things. The president moves interesting, eh? That's like, it's such a dual role now. It's almost like I'm now the GM, but with longevity, you know, like you're a little

more protected maybe. Yeah. But it's funny, like even here in Rutherford today, he's not going anywhere, right? Ron Francis still, I think if I'm not mistaken, probably has a year or two left on his contract. It's for significant money. He's considered a very respected guy. They did make some trades and some moves that at least they're hoping to get in the right direction. But this hiring of Dan Bilesma, like when nobody else was ever mentioned that he was in the running for,

it seemed really out of left field. Yeah. And that coaching staff, I'm sorry, just did not get the job done. No, that was disappointing. Was he, but he was the coach of their AHL affiliate and they tried to do like the, bring them up to the system with the players playing the system, move. Yes. And it didn't work.

Didn't work. Didn't work. Hopefully they can become relevant. They had maybe the least possible, possibly relevant season of a team that's two, three years in the league. Yeah. Okay. We'll wait for Luke.

In the meantime, there's a ton of news going around the National Hockey League and depending on when we get Luke available, but including in that is a lot of post Season comments. Yes coming out of Vancouver Detroit and Obviously The news out of Seattle now with a major change to their management team coming like Like that that first week outside of the regular season is really starting to feel like the NFL's When they want Monday, yeah, that's correct. Yeah when they want to make changes man, and I

This is the way it should be honestly if you're gonna if you're gonna make changes Pull the band-aid off pull it at least have the respect that if you're gonna do it You don't do it at you it a week before the draft, or like times of essence here, for even with some of the guys that may wanna look for another job. As simple as that. It was actually even weird,

like I don't know if you heard Dubas today talking about Sullivan, but like didn't quite confirm he was gonna be back, but said, you know, we'll wait till I have that talk with him and make sure that he wants to be back, something to that. He spoke. Everything's great, right?

Sullivan did I know Dubas to be spoke Yeah, and did he not give him a vote of confidence today? He gave him like if he wants to be around we want him around sort of thing. Yeah So what he's really saying is buddy if you don't think we can win right now you want to get the heck out of here I'll drive you to the airport right I do love this headline on sports at dot C about Kyle Dubas penguins Dubas won't put timeline on return to contention but beliefs worse is over by the way if I'm ever GM That's the first thing. Yes, exactly right like I'm no plans for when we're gonna be good. We're we're thinking about it here Within two three years. We should have a roadmap roadmap for contending. How's Sid liking that?

Yeah, I'm sure he's thrilled. No timeline? I'm on a timeline. How about that? So this would be his last year of this deal, right? What's my timeline on my flight to Denver? Yeah. Would he sign a two-year deal? I thought last year was a two-year deal for 8-7. Yeah, it starts, kicks in this following season.

So he's got this year plus next year. No, I think it's... Or is it this past year plus next year? Plus two more. No, it's... It's a three-year deal. No, he's finishing out his contract that he was on before and he's got two more at 8-7 after this season.

Yep. Yeah, okay. There you go. Two more years, so... We gotta figure it out. Hey, you guys wanna talk about the playoffs that are happening? Yes. Jets talk. Oh, yeah, okay. Yeah, there you go. Two more years. So we gotta figure it out. Yeah. Hey you guys want to talk about the playoffs They're happening. Yes jets talk. Oh Yeah, okay. You know you want to do it but the brother for things fascinating. Okay, okay

Where do you want to go? Should we talk about Jimmy Rutherford and their and his general manager Patrick Alveen met the media Yeah, and hot-button topic Quinn Hughes yes and his future. We're setting up Luke here, so we shouldn't get too deep into it. Well hang on to that clip. We're setting him up here, so we don't get too deep. Oh, we're only 20 seconds away from Lucky Luke,

who will join us and help us tee up the LA Kings, who are hosting the Edmonton Oilers tonight. What a couch night tonight oh just read off Lord on sports that tonight we have Montreal opening their series against the Caps Oilers and Kings st. Louis and the Jets game to tonight plus a couple other games Jays getting the series underway in Houston couch is taking a beating all right a guy that never disappoints our show anytime we can get him on.

He's our best guest. He is by far our best guest ever. Is he on? Can he hear me? Yes, I can hear you. Am I laying it on a little thick? I feel like I've been wasting time for the last three, four minutes listening to you guys

Did you say you want to be a GM? Yes. Yes. Keep me in mind my friend Luke Rovatay Hall of Famer 1431 games Luke as a player. We always loved this time of year But how does it feel as a president of a hockey club? Same butterflies by chance? It's the same. It's the same as being a player. It could be. It's exciting.

I think the biggest difference, I think we all realize how hard it is to get in. I mean, it's only 16 teams out of 32. I remember the old original 21, 16 out of 21 would make it. And, you know, it's uh but we all know how special it is and it's a privilege to be in so you want to make sure every opportunity you have you do the best you can. Luke we've been talking about the Leafs in our first hour and we've been talking about okay what's different about them in playoffs this year and we don't necessarily know but you

know we throw darts at the wall you'll'll know better than us about the Kings. What feels different as you head into this Oilers matchup for a fourth time? You know some of our young guys have grown up beyond they're already a year older and I think for us obviously coming in and being healthy it's the first year like you know everybody's talking about different teams injuries. One year, a couple years ago, we missed Doughty. Then another year, we missed Fiala for a few games and we had a bunch of guys banged up going into the playoffs. So coming in, you know, knock on wood, you want to stay healthy. It does make a big difference. I think the league is so close. Every team is so close right now that when you're missing one guy or or two

It can make a difference especially over a seven game series Maybe not one game a couple guys can win a game or two But to win set of four games out of seven if you have everyone healthy, it does make a difference The the multiple tries against Edmonton. I'm gonna just come out and flat-out ask you Luke. Is this the the best chance? Yet for the LA Kings to beat the Edmonton Oilers. Well, it's the best thing we've had in the last three years I mean what Blakey's done like people forget I mean two years of rebuilt and then right away flip it and start making the playoffs and then you always talk about You got to get playoff experience our young guys have gotten playoff experience over the last

few years and you know it's the best record the Kings ever had like except from 74-75 I had 105 points same this year so we're excited about our team we're excited about the way we play as a unit of 20 guys you know it's a it seemed like our top three lines going over, you can roll them over, everybody can create chances, good, responsible defensively. So from that standpoint, that's why it's exciting about our team. You know, I was looking at your team and trying to figure out maybe an angle that people miss about why you guys are so consistently good. This Gavrikov, a lot of the numbers, defending the blue line, defending in general, ended to be in a really great signing by you guys Yeah, he's been he's been really good for us

We're really happy with him and you know Just what no one was talking about him as much last year the year prior because probably Drew's around you know And Drew's the one taking all the minutes But he's one of those player that's involved in every play and he's been good all year. When Drew was hurt, we ended up playing him on the right side and he was tremendous. So, you know, don't talk about him too much because he's a free agent. So keep it quiet. We really like him and we're going to do whatever it takes to sign him. We know what the middle of the ice means this time of year, Luke, and you got Kopi, you got Byfield,

you got Philip Deneau, yet we know on the other side there's McDavid and Dry-Sidle. How do you respect what those guys can do but not get fixated that that's that's all there is there and you know How much attention is too much attention? There's still a team over there Where's the balance in stopping the Edmonton Oilers? I mean we saw it last year. These guys are really good I mean we saw like what what the what these guys did in the finals that were down three nothing and suddenly Connor said, you know, I want to win. And it was like a whole for three game. It was absolutely incredible.

It is about, about team though, like to win four games out of seven, you gotta play really hard as a team. And they got a good team. I mean, Adam Enrook is still a really good sentiment and he, you know, they, they, they can score goals and we know they've added a few guys this year so we respect them. That being said, we know those guys are the two best players in the world so you're going to have to find a way to contain them sometime. Luke, what changes, just to hook and hold, what changes going into the postseason? You're a guy who's had a lot of success there and a lot of experience

But how does the mindset different for particularly for the elite guys who play play a lot of minutes? I think the best team than kippy would know that because I think it happened in New York is when when every player Understand their roles and it's going into the game and it's willing to accept whatever it takes for the greater good of the cause So if a guy's gonna play four minutes, but those four minutes he'll block a shot, throw a big hit. In the summer or after when you end up winning the cup, that's why you see the team, they'll be hugging a guy because some guys sometimes will play three games out of the whole playoffs and everybody on the team in that small group understands what that guy did to help them

win the cup. And when you have a team and an organization, everyone understands that. That's when you're ahead and it really gives you a chance to win the ultimate prize. You're watching and listening to Luke Robitaille, Hockey Hall of Famer, president of the LA Kings as we get set. The Edmonton Oilers and the LA Kings right here on Sportsnet 10 p.m. Eastern 7 Pacific. Oh by the way I forgot one thing I say that because Kipi didn't play a lot of minutes one day one in

94 okay but he understood his role but there's one thing if you go look at the Rangers bugger you would think he played 30 minutes a game. He's on every damn picture You know who to be boys with treat every game like it's your last buddy, that's right Hey Speaking of guys unexpectedly, you know, maybe contributing at some point about Kuzmenko and that subtle trade. Here's a guy that I don't know, three teams and like a very short period of time. And he's quietly come in and helped you guys a lot and even a right-handed shot on a power play What what's he what's he been to you guys since since the trade? I think that trade You got to give credit to our scouts first like I mean date. They really saw something in him They understood and remember listening to those meetings

Obviously everybody puts data and some you know, and a lot of analytics behind decisions now and we did all of it and it matched and we clearly knew we needed a right-handed guy, someone that understand the game, that can read it. That's hard to do to find a guy that can really read the game and read it well. And I give credits to our guys that they came up with with him. There were a few other guys that were on the table. Unfortunately, they weren't available. And we're very fortunate to get him.

And then you got to give the kid credit. I mean, he's playing with Kopi. He's very responsible both ways. He's made some tremendous plays and he's really helped and changed our team, especially on a power play too. And, uh, speaking of changing your team, another guy you added this year, Darcy Kemper, um, having a guy, he's probably going to be on Vezna ballots. At some point, did you anticipate getting close to this level of goal-tenning out of him?

He's been really good. I mean, you never know the guy's going to be top two or top three in the league. That, that, that would be be alive saying that unless you have Hellebock, you know everybody else you you just starting a year and and yeah you You think your goal is gonna be a certain level We knew what to expect of him like at Billy ran for in his group They they knew they had dealt with Darcy before and the way we play we thought he would fit the way we play now he's played way above above that but

He's been really really good all year and you know He always said about a goal he can't hold and used to say make sure the goalie doesn't lose the game for you And he's done that and on top of it He makes two or three or sometimes even four saves that you're not supposed to you or you don't expect to. So he's been great all year. Hey, so look, I know when you played, you'd probably be at the rink right now. So as an executive, what do you do between now and puck drop? Well, today I'm talking to a few of you guys.

Thank you, thank you. But a lot of time we'll have some meetings downtown, you know, with some partners and so forth. Being the first game, we're seeing a lot of people. To be honest, one of the greatest things about being on the West Coast is like the Montreal game will start at four. Right. So I'll make sure I'm at the rink in a quiet room and watch that game.

So that's one of the perks, I think, of being on the West Coast. You see the East Coast game at 4 p.m. and I love that part. So we'll usually go try and catch a game or sometime to the start of a second one. So that'll be my schedule starting at 4. So I take it your dream finals, you and the Montreal Canadiens, Stanley Cup final. Let's do it all over again. It could be Toronto too, it doesn't matter. Awesome stuff.

Wish you the best of luck, Luke. Thanks so much for joining us. Thanks guys. Great to see you. You too. Appreciate it. That is lucky Luke. God, that laugh just makes me laugh.

Luke had 160 playoff games played. Is that not wild? His whole page of numbers is baffling. There's so many of the numbers. And he just got a pin at the draft. That's all they had left for him. Oh my God. 1431 games, almost 700 goals, almost 1400 points.

160 playoff games. We're out of hats and jerseys but here's a pin you know we don't need to get too deep into this but you know a guy that scores a hundred and ninety one points in 63 games in his fat last year in junior and wins the championship 44 points and 15 playoff games goes in the ninth round by the way he had 50 points in 20 playoff games yeah 50 and 20s every says 44 and 15 He was already he was already drafted by then right he's after his first Claim, but what was his first numbers? I mean he was in the first year 85 and 70 148 and 64 and 191 and yeah

63 you know what they always said after every year. Yeah, that's good, but he can't skate. Yeah, how's he doing this? By magic? Yeah, exactly. Okay, the Edmonton Oilers have their hands full, Kip. That is a tough matchup down the gut. Kopitar, would you say? Deneau and Bifield. Yeah, and Bifield. That's the center. Strong, defensive minded. Essentially. Yeah, the best two centers in hockey. defensive minded essentially the best two centers in hockey and What do you do you you keep dry sidle and McDavid together you split them up? Yes, where would you start them? I Think they've had them split almost all year long at least try to you know open up some matchup somewhere But when the other team has two centers like that it does get harder Hyman McDavid, Connor Brown,

Pud Colson, Dry Settle, Arvidsson. Bye. You guys wanna talk about Vancouver? Yes, for our Vancouver audience. Interesting media day for the Vancouver Canucks where- I've never heard of rules. Quinn Hughes was an interesting topic.

Now, do you have sound to that? Yes, we do. He's been producing. Oh yeah, I did. Don't look at the jersey. I can't look at the jersey. It's fine, it's fine. It's fine.

Take our big sports set budget and go buy some jerseys for us, Kipper. I mean, you probably have such an extensive collection that you're like, oh, I forgot today, I forgot. Bring them in. Can you just call me and remind me? I will, I'll call you probably have such an extensive collection that you're like, oh, I forgot today, I forgot. Bring them in. Can you just call me and remind me? I will, I'll call you tomorrow at around whatever time you come in here, 3.55, I'll call you.

Like Uncle Billy in It's a Wonderful Life, he's just got strings tied around all his fingers. What was this one for? Derek, do you wanna play the clip about Quinn Hughes? Oh, we have video, perfect, let's play it. The one thing that we will be sure of, that we will have enough cap space to offer him the kind of contract that he deserves.

That's the one thing we can prepare for. And it may not boil down to money with him. He said before he wants to play with his brothers. And that would be partly out of our control, in our control, if we brought his brothers here. So there's many moving parts here, agree 100%. This franchise cannot afford to lose a guy like Quinn Hughes. And we will do everything we can to keep him here but at

the end of the day it'll be his decision. Oh, we missed it. Be careful with tampering here. So we'll just leave it at that. I probably crossed the line anyways. I gotta tell you, I'm in massive minority. I don't think it's tampering. What? I probably crossed the line anyways. I gotta tell ya, I'm in massive minority. I don't think it's Stanford. What?

Yeah, massive minority. Are you nuts? Yeah. Everything he said was factual. Everything he said was factual. But you cannot state facts talking about other players on contracts to other teams. You can't.

No, but his facts were that Quinn wants to play with his brothers at some point. That's out of our control. The only way it would be within our control is if we brought those guys here. You cannot talk about bringing- And that's true, that's the only way it would be within his control.

You cannot- I didn't say he was gonna or wanted to. You cannot specifically wish another player on another team to your team. He didn't. He was gonna, or he wanted to. You cannot specifically wish another player on another team to your team. He didn't, he just said that's the way it would be if they were to hypothetically do it, would be within their control. I'm sure that's how Tom Fitzgerald feels about it.

You cannot hypothetically call out contracted players on other teams to your club. They didn't mention him. If the quote don't fit, you must acquit. Cochran over here. I do like do I do like the take but it's a hundred percent if I'm New Jersey I'm going ballistic. I am talk about our guys. Don't talk about our guy. I'm with you do not I Don't need you planting that seed Okay, I

Don't know I mean, listen, Jimmy's, Jimmy, and I think that more people should be as open and honest, but not to the point where you're speculating, bringing players into a P's, one of your players who's under contract on another hockey club. We're talking about specifics. Yeah, and he didn't speculate that he was gonna, he just told you how it would be in their control

if they were to do it, hypothetically. And how many more years does Quinn Hughes have on his contract? Oh, several for sure. Oh wait. Yeah, is it two after this year or one after this year so if you're one of the brothers right if you're if you're Jack or or Luke right mm-hmm you now know publicly that's the closest you'll ever get to an invitation to another hockey club I would say the

scarier part of that is not New Jersey, but it's Vancouver, because it's easier to move one guy than two, and one guy's contract expires in 27. There's definitely, like, Vancouver listeners, please plug your ears, there's definitely way more of a chance that Quinn Hughes plays for the Devils than Jack Hughes plays for the Canucks. They're also American. Just put that out there.

I don't know how everything was framed around those comments, but I think from what I gathered, maybe I'm wrong, that Jimmy Rutherford chose to go down the brothers' path. Jimmy Rutherford chose to go down the brothers' path. He didn't talk, he didn't get asked about the potential of the brothers all playing together. I don't know why he would volunteer that information. Like, why go there? It's like, we wanna do it.

Just laying it out for you, what the situation is. If he didn't get asked about the brothers, why bring them up? Maybe he said to Aquilini, hey, you got an extra hundred grand for me to plant this seed? When we put it out there, like maybe they knew why not plant the seed. You're gonna get fined. Whatever. No, no, no, no.

Worthwhile cost if you pull that off. I'm telling you what good does that do your Vancouver market? What does that do for your season ticket holders except put in a panic, a panic. And he talked about how devastating it would be. And yet he painted a picture of how it potentially could be bad. Because the brothers wanted to be together and people can connect the dots. They're like, they're no different than what you just said.

They're like, it's easier if he just goes to New Jersey instead of the two guys coming over. Yep. Maybe he wants people to lean on Quinn to say he's gonna stay, you know? Yeah. What's the fine gonna be? Maybe he wants people to lean on Quinn to say he's gonna stay You know, yeah What's the fine gonna be? No limits on those I don't know I I don't think it's like you can make a number up

I think tampering is like in the six figures tampering. I think it's just a Big one, I think you just flirted with tampering. Okay All right That was it's game time Is that about 365 visit the app latest odds and find out why it's ever ordinary at bet 365 must be 19 plus on Tara only please play responsibly so we checked in on this Stanley Cup odds before our show ended on Friday and

It's very funny to see how the books react to First games of the playoffs. But Colorado, I forget what range they were in, but they weren't five to one before the before. Right. But they are now after they're convincing five one win against the Dallas Stars. We'll talk a little bit more about it with John Michael Lyles after the break. But they are now five to one. They are now the Stanley Cup favorites. Then it goes to Carolina, who is plus 650 Vegas plus 750 and the Toronto Maple Leafs at plus

750 so they've moved up Carolina got a big bump. Yeah, and as you and as you would imagine The the light the story the stars went down and the sends went all the way down to plus 5,000 But it's just funny to see how they react off of the one game good the thing that I feel Stupid about is I picked New Jersey based on having a healthy decor which they haven't had. Segan Thaller doesn't play game one, not good. Dylan, Brenda Dylan hurt game one. Luke Hughes hurt game one.

So I'm with you. I picked New Jersey because I don't like Carolina's goalies. Yeah. Anyway, that's it. But Carolina, Jersey can't be't like Carolina's goalies. Yeah, anyway. That's it. But Carolina, Jersey can't be missing Seigenthaler, Dillon and Hughes and Wynn. No, no. And Freddie could play in a rocking chair with 20 shots on goal a game. For sure. And on the ice tonight, four games, like I mentioned before, Habs in Washington to take

on the Capitals. They are plus 160 underdogs in game one as you would imagine capitals are minus 190 the Winnipeg Jets who are hosting the Blues for game two are minus 200 stars underdogs on home ice at plus 125 against the Colorado Avalanche and the one that we just talked to Lucky Luke about the LA Kings are minus 130 favorites in their home in the opening game, game one against the Oilers plus 110 for the Oilers. Oilers are the toughest team to predict right now. Can't say I hate that number at plus 110 for the Oilers. Me either.

Like that's the thing. They're so tough to predict. Like they defend hard and get a few saves. McDavid drives. It's not hard to see him winning. Absolutely not. But it's also not hard to see the thing. They're so tough to predict like they they defend hard and get a few saves McDavid drives It's not hard to see him winning. Absolutely not. But anyways, not hard to see the opposite I was game time is that about about 365 is it the athlete of size to find out why it's never ordinary at bet 365 plus 19 plus on terror only please play responsibly Okay, we'll take a quick break because we got another guest coming up Yes, we do. We do John Michael Lyles does

coming up. Yes, we do. We do. John Michael Lyles does Avalanche Color work for Altitude TV? We'll get his thoughts on the Avs looking to take a commanding two nothing lead over a Dallas Stars team. That's just. Railing. Oh my gosh. Not sure if you heard or not, but Landis Gogg might play tonight too. He is off IR. Wow. Okay. John Michael, when we return to Real Kipper and Born. or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back to real Kipper and born.

I mean, I'm just getting a drink of water. Ready to rock and roll. We're joined by John Michael Lyles, former av, Maple Leaf, Hurricane Bruin, Avalanche, Color Analyst on Altitude TV. John, how you doing, man? Thanks for joining us. I'm doing great. Thanks a lot for having me, guys. This is wonderful. We're loving it. This is a big night tonight. The Avs have the chance to really put their foot on the throat of the Dallas Stars. Did you have any sense pre-series they could be in this kind of spot? Well, listen, I think when you look at Dallas and the lack of Hayskinnon and the Robertson

injury, that definitely plays into it. And it's something the Avs have dealt with in years past in terms of Valenacius can not be in for a good portion of the series last year with Dallas and some of the injuries they've dealt with. And so I don't know that I necessarily saw five one victory. I think the game the other night was a lot closer as Pete DeBoer said, then five one Dallas definitely had chances, but overall I think the abs, they played a strong road game for the most part. And you know, they got some clock lock and they were able to capitalize on some of the opportunities that they did get John I don't know if you caught earlier today Dylan Larkin talking about

In general what a disappointment maybe the the trade deadline Was for the Detroit Red Wings how they could have used a shot in the arm. And on the other hand, we watched Colorado very, very, very aggressive. Just just talk about the before and after that it would have had and the effect in that room. Yeah. Well, listen, I think Colorado. Yeah, you said it. I mean, it's it's a lot of shots that they they got in the arm in terms of what they did from the beginning of the year up to the trade deadline. So you look at, they completely changed out their goaltending position, getting two new goaltenders when you look at Wedgwood and then Blackwood.

You do the trade, you get Ryan Lindgren, you do the Branton and trade obviously, which is a huge trade. You get Ryan Lindgren, you do the Branton and trade, obviously, which is a huge trade. You get Nacius back and Jack Drury, who's been really, really good, fourth line center. And then at the deadline, you had Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle, and essentially they revamped their two, three, four centers. And that was something I think that they looked at and knew they needed to address, you know, potentially going into the season. But I think early in the season, especially, you know, the big things that they were looking at were goaltending and center depth. And they really haven't had that center depth since Nauvand Kaudhry left after the 2022

Stanley Cup. And so just looking at what Chris McFarland, Joe Sackick and their staff did, we did it, you know, we went through it the other night on the, on the broadcast in terms of we went opening night roster and not even opening night roster, but early November roster versus game one roster. And it's, it's a completely different lineup. It's deeper. It's bigger. I would argue there's more skill. And the other thing is the goal-tending position has really been solidified.

McKenzie Blackwood played fantastic in game one. He was terrific coming over from San Jose. And then Wedgewood has provided a really steady backup presence and an awesome guy in the room. So you look at that, and I think top to bottom, think top to bottom, you talk about a shot in the arm, they've done it over and over again this year and it's really paid off. We did our little betting segment before and by the numbers, they are now the cup favorite.

Things have really turned after a game one win, which I think is probably shocking. But then we're not even talking about the I don't call an elephant in the room because everyone's looking at the elephant. Gabe Landisgog is clear to play. Are we too excited about this? Is he going to be involved? How should we feel about that possibility? Yeah, I mean, I've seen the news.

I think probably the only people that know what's going to happen or how that's going to play out or Gabe Landisgog the guys in that room and the guys within that, that staff. I haven't heard anything, but the fact that I believe they said he was activated earlier today. Yeah. All the, all the technicalities or whatever. I mean, it's fantastic news. And I think it just speaks to Gabe Landis Gog as a person, Gabe Landisgog and his willingness to essentially not, you know, not throw in the towel. I mean, he's almost three years removed from playing his last game in the NHL. Now he's got two games in the AHL recently, but the fact that, that he is at this point after having essentially experimental surgery on his knee to try and

try and continue his career. There's nothing short of amazing. Now I don't know what that looks like in terms of, you know, does he, does he play tonight? Does he play in game three? Is it, you know, or I don't know, but just the fact that we're at this point and we're talking about it, I think is pretty, pretty spectacular. John, is there a chance that it's just too much too soon? And there, you know, you mentioned the three years and just two games. Is that, is there a chance that it could come back and, and maybe look like it was a little rushed? I don't know. I listen, I think yes, he's played two games. What I would say is I think

there was game one on that Friday night in Loveland with the Eagles. And I think there was a determination of will, you know, it was, it was very up in the air if he was going to play back to back. And the fact that he played back to back to me is an excellent sign. Now what we've seen within the media and I think around the team that, you know, not necessarily within the team, but around the team, I think we've only seen the tip of the iceberg of what Gabe Lansky has been doing. Now the documentary is out there and it's detailed a lot of the things that he has been doing. But I know for a fact that, you know, he's been skating at times where people don't see it. So I think what we see is we see him skate

maybe two days a week, but if I had to guess, I would say he's probably skating five days a week, kind of behind the scenes leading up. So I don't know if I can say that it's too much too soon. I think everything at this point is just a kind of, all right, let's take another step and see how it goes. And right now the fact that he has been activated off IR is another positive step in the right direction. Yeah.

Hey, how has Jared Bednar managed to keep, I want to say he's like the third longest tenured coach. How does he keep that message effective? Is it a lot of like McKinnon drives the message from in the room so he doesn't have to talk as much? Well, listen, I think that Jared Bednar has the utmost respect from his players. You go back to his first year with the abs, it was a 48 point season. And that, I mean, you're literally starting from rock bottom.

The fact that, you know, once again, I think the deck was stacked against them. Sorry. I've got a puppy in the background. That's whining. The, the deck was stacked against him. He came in, you know, a couple of weeks into the month of August. So he essentially had four weeks to prepare for training camp. And the fact that, you know, they went from that 48 point season, they continue to get better and climbs each and every year, culminating in a Stanley Cup in 2022. I think that, Betsy is from everything that I understand within the locker room and the guys that I know

on that team, he's a tremendous players coach. When you listen to him at the podium, he's very well thought out with every answer that he gives. He's very cerebral and I would say that he has the respect of his players because I think that there's a give and take. He listens and if something needs to be said that needs to drive home a point, he'll do that.

But I think within that room, you've got some tremendous leadership. Gabe Landisgog, although he hasn't played in three years, is an amazing captain. You've got that secondary leadership when it comes to Nathan McKinnon and Kale McCarr and guys like Devon Tays. And now you bring back a guy like Eric Johnson, who, who, who was a leader in that room for so long. I mean, he played in Colorado so long that I played with him before I got traded to Toronto in 2011. So it just goes to show you, you know, the, the, what Eric has been through with that team and that organization, the ups and the downs.

And now you bring him back for hopefully another run. Yes, he's different than he was a few years ago, but he still provides that, I think that leadership in the room and, and kind of that secondary leadership that I think is so important throughout Especially with Landy not having necessarily been there day in day out for the last few years one more quick one for me John and that is The Dallas stars like the moment we heard ranting and going to Dallas Everybody talked about this first round like this was going to be the most amazing first round between these two clubs

and lo and behold Dallas loses the last seven games in a row and then they lose the first game five one like your surprise level on what's going on in Dallas and what game one looked like and what we thought was coming may not be coming. Well listen, Dallas won seven in a row before they lost their last seven. So I mean, it's tough to say, I mean, they're really, really good team. Jake Ottinger is a tremendous goaltender. I just go back to the Heiskenen injury. Yeah. Teams can survive for a while without a player like Miro Heiskenen, but when it really comes down to it, I'm writing down my notes for our broadcast tonight

and Thomas Harley played over 27 minutes the other night and they called a timeout on one of their power plays in the third period right before they scored because they didn't have another power play guy, Pete DeBoer said. Like, Harley was playing two minutes out of every power play for them. And now Colorado does that with McCarr and McKinnon

a lot of times, they'll play a minute 50 a lot of times, but Thomas Harley's averaging 23 minutes a game during the regular season. Now all of a sudden he's almost 28 in game one. That Heiskenen injury to me is just a huge blow to the Dallas Stars. And seeing them last year working the games last year in round two and how good he is, you know, we go back to that draft and it's Heiskenen, Kyle McCarr three and four. Miro Heiskenen, I mean, when you look at the numbers, it's a lot different, but he's not

the same type of player as Kyle McCarr. He's such a good skater. He breaks the puck out soarr. He's such a good skater. He breaks the puck out so effectively. He's so smart. And when you lose a guy like that, it makes a huge difference, especially come playoff time. So I'm not going to say I'm surprised at it. I just think that it's really hard when you have that kind of go-to guy on the back end and you're missing him for a series where you really need him. What kind of puppy is it? He's a German shepherd. He's 14 months old and he's whining at me for some reason,

even though I walked him an hour ago. So buddy, buddy, we got you on a zoom call and I'm watching you. I'm looking at you. You got the great hair going. You got the crispy white shirt going like instead of dealing with a whiny dog, man, you should be getting ready for game two. Well, I'm going to the studio. My wife and kids are in Florida on spring break and I got to work. So I, I'm in charge of the dog. And so yeah, there's a lot of, a lot of moving parts. Hey, is he family man retiring sucks this time of year? Yes, yes

Enjoy game two. Thanks for joining us John. Thanks. Appreciate it. All right. That was fun John Michael Lyles boys What is going on in Dallas? seriously It sucks that they're not a full strength like Like losing Robertson last game of the year. Was it last game of the year they lost him for week to week? No heist. And it just you wish they're full.

I'll tell you turning point. Vancouver Canucks blow a three goal lead. Yeah. And it's been downhill ever since. Was that the game before they lost seven? They'd lost two. Okay. They'd lost two before that. But

then you win Dow and then you beat Vancouver at five to and you're good. They were in the race for the president's trophy for a sec. They blew three goals in under a minute and they have not recovered. No, that's ugly. You know, a lot gone wrong. We mentioned the injuries that they've had. Also, Rantanen's had the ear from hell. You know, like, no, it's really hard to put a lot of pressure on this guy and say, you're supposed to pull this Dallas team through because I'm sure he feels that. But it's like, you know,

you give the guy a chance to get his bearings somewhere. He may not remotely look like the player that he is until next season. Right, that's totally how I feel about it. I think your points bang on here. Yeah, he may not remotely look like the player that he is until next season, right? That's I think I think your points bang on here. I don't think you're guys been shell-shocked Rantan he's been shell-shocked. Yeah He was pretty good. He had 18 points and 20 games them down like since he got traded there put out to the deadline He's a hundred and ten point player, but being traded twice. I don't know. It's just it's just a big ask for him to be the guy

he's been and Yeah, and Carolina immediately got smoking hot the second they traded right in a way like it's thank you to stay It was just shoot. I know he's such a Carolina hurricane It just looks like all the guys that are just flying around they all could like they didn't wear different Numbers you wouldn't be able to tell him apart Such a like all they're like outside of Brent burns and Jordan stall on that team

Every player just looks so similar to me as a reminder this hour real kipper and born brought to you by bet 365 the Canadians come on guys. We gotta mention the Montreal Canadians the Washington Capitals. First to four for the Habs. Great for them. Oh, come on. Oh, oh. Listen, I'm not, speaking of kind of limping in a little bit.

Like Washington's finished to the season and I get it. They were locked in, maybe whatever. They lost a little of their focus, but all the Canadians have to do is just split somehow some way and this will be a Series it's not easy to play hockey That doesn't matter then flip the switch when you get the second wild-card team and say here comes our best I don't know the Washington's gonna bring their best. I mean the Canadians are excited. Yeah but they I mean I watch Yvonne. Unfortunately I watched the last three games of their season extremely closely. I watched the Habs game against the Leafs where they stunk out loud. They

lose to the Blackhawks and then they barely beat Carolina's B team. This team is like listen great story good for them make the playoffs This is a big strong veteran team full of guys who've played a million playoff games They are going to lean on the Habs like the Habs could win one But like I got a lot of people in my life. I think the Habs are gonna upset them. I have I see Montreal having a little success. I do think that like momentum thing. They got going right now. They're very excited about But yeah at some point do you think people?

Are waiting potentially for Washington to fall off not get to a conference final, and then blame OV's chase at all? Do you see that as a card to play? We'll do it. No, I don't. I don't think I will do it. I'll do it, I'll do it. Yeah, sure, I'll do it. Yeah, I don't think so.

I don't think that's what's going on here. I- I didn't get the sense that it just sucked completely the energy or the life out of him. He got it done early and quick, and it didn't go to the end. I have been a Capitals doubter along the way this season. At some point I had to admit, okay, they're better than I thought they were. I think they're much better than Montreal, but I don't think they're winning a Stanley

Cup this year. Is Thompson healthy? Yeah. Yeah, he's playing. I think, I do think that they have a pretty, a much easier path to the final than the Atlantic side of it. Like, they play the Habs and then Carolina is a good team, but they've played them a million times, they know that matchup, that's a familiar matchup. They only have to beat one Atlantic team to potentially go to the final. And then they just got to mop the Leafs and off they go.

Yeah. I mean, sorry Florida. Yeah, I just, I think their path is easy. I could see them making it to the conference finals for go. Yeah, I mean, sorry, Florida. Yeah, I just I think their path is easy I could see them making it to the conference finals for sure the caps like I really Their goal tending to lock it down and all right for games jet stock. Give me some scores here boys What do you like on the Jets? To I thought I think was it you that said it in our group chat that it was a scary for the blues

Because they really gave him a good punch and it felt like the hella buck ghosts were there and they felt early They're really they're really gonna win that game and the Jets kind of just put the Jets are really good. Yeah, they're really good team Shifely's really good to the Shifely to Connor like how Connor is as dangerous as anyone in the NHL in the offensive zone and him finding that little seam and blowing that home. That was an unbelievable play. That set play was sexy. Yeah, I will say.

Around the net, back across. Yeah. The elite offensive players in game ones. Nice showings all around. What did McKinnon have? Two and one, Shryfle one-2, Marner 1-2. You know, like a lot of the top guys, it ends up being these guys, which is why I go into this L.A. Edmonton game going, really tough for me to predict not McDavid. If you're, like I said, when we talked about in

game time, you may not get the Oilers as an underdog again tonight, like after tonight. So, it's, you know what I mean? It's just, feels like they win 3-1. McDavid and Dry Cytl are You may not get the Oilers as an underdog again tonight, like after tonight. So that's 110 It's you know, I mean, it's just feels like they win 3-1 McDavid and dry side alert Excellent and you know Skinner makes a couple saves feels like they're automatically the favorite again, right? Okay, 3-1 Oilers That's what you're telling me. I am okay, Washington and Montreal For one Washington for one same score last night as leaves Ascent 66 to go. I don't know if they'll get six. Yeah, they will I got him by a couple of goals. Oh, Washington Jets in st. Louis to nothing or one one after tonight over time win for the Jets love it

Tuesday series Robert Thomas is turning into a player. Hey, that's actually I'm glad you brought that up watching that game and you know later in the year It's like him and Nick Suzuki have both taken a step to being like they're probably team Canada guys Robert thomas definitely with Doggars, it has cadres going to the world's For no other reason is that Dave he wants to also be on that Olympic team I love like think about Thomas think about all the decent names now that Could easily be in the running for a role a spot on The Olympic team. Yep. It's just, it's so hard.

It's so easy to put guys on and hard to take guys off. Konekne, Jarvis, Dan, it was so good for him. Stone, Marchand. Yeah, there's spots. There's spots. There's spots. Yeah, there are.

There are, and it's... By the way, the Americans are gonna be so much better. Paige Thompson, great year. Cole Caulfield, way better. Quinn Hughes didn't play. Yeah. It's gonna be a battle. All right. I'm exhausted. That was a, that was an awesome show. I was on sports. What do I tell you? Yeah. The fastest two hours in hockey. That's real couch. Go, couch. Go, couch. Go. I'm in going to be some divorced guys by the end of the season. My wife loves not to play with him.

Enjoy your games. We're back tomorrow on The Real Kipper and Bourne Show.