Real Kyper & Bourne - Leafs Hour: Can Nylander Be More Than Spectacular?

Episode Date: November 19, 2025

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee dive into the Maple Leafs' OT win over the St. Louis Blues, Matthews Knies added to a long list of players missing games due to an injury, Troy Stecher's blue line debut since being claimed off waivers, William Nylander's spectacular overtime winner, the ideal type of player Nylander could evolve into, his own goal on Joseph Woll, and John Tavares' 3-on-1 battle leading towards Willy's game winning goal. Then, the guys list some injury updates before jumping into McKee's Midweek Mailbag. 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. 

Right back at you on the real Kipper and Bourne show. Welcome aboard. Toronto Maple Leaf edition hour of our program. Nick Kiprios, Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee. Jake the Snake Schultz, Derek Brandeo with you for the next two hours. We are live on Sportsnet 360. Sportsnet 590, the fan in Toronto and streaming always on Sportsnet

Plus, also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Burn Burn burner last night, boys. Toronto Maple Leafs and the St. Louis Blues, when it's all said and done, two points is two points, Sammy. I'm looking at you. Why? Why? What?

I don't get the sense that you were overly entertained last night, but two points is two points. I, maybe I'll make an admission right here to you guys and to our audience that when I'm watching the Leafs games in years past to do my postgame show, Leaves Talk with J.D. Bunkus, if you want to listen to that, you can listen to it after games. I would take notes on my notes app on my phone.

So throughout the game, I would be going to my notes app. But then I found recently when I'm watching these games that I'd be deviating from the Notes app to TikTok and Twitter and other things. So I'd be like, Oh, this is much more interesting than I'm watching. Squirrel. So I actually have purchased a, is it Hilroy or Highboy?

Hillroy or Highboy. Hilroy. Hilroy. I've never known. So thank you for answering me that. And I'm physically taking notes to keep the phone under my hand, to keep myself engaged. And boy, did I need that paper last night. Boy, did I need a pen and paper last night because I thought it was a bit of a grind.

But give them credit, they didn't have a lot of guys in the lineup. They found a way to win. I guess. Go ahead, Kip. Seven regulars out of the lineup. Yeah. Right? I mean, it's a, I can't ever recall probably, I don't know, in 20 years seeing all of a sudden, like half, almost half the team missing.

When your out list would beat your in list, it's, you're in a tough spot, you know, and I'm pretty sure the Leafs' Outlist would beat their Inlist, if healthy. Handily. Yeah. So I would say, Sam, my only argument to your point is I was, I'm so interested in where the Leafs are right now. I'm fascinated by this, you know, the five game losing streak and we had the press conference and all these guys are out, like, just what to expect. And maybe it wasn't the prettiest hockey. There's a lot of open ice out there.

But I don't know. Like, I'm riveted by what's happening with this team right now. I think that the off the ice is a lot more entertaining than what's actually happening on the ice in terms of the adversity around the team, general manager coming out and speaking. And by the way, I got a reminder on TikTok yesterday or today. that we did a clip talking about the injury stuff last year. And it was a year ago to the day that Bradford Living spoke last year about certain things.

He was talking about Matthews injury. So to answer a question from yesterday. He actually said a year ago yesterday about Matthews, I'm not being cute. We're not, you know, playing around with timelines. We just don't know. Flying to Germany for a general checkup. He's more of a general checkup in Germany.

Overall body maintenance, something like that. But anyways, I. I just think that with that many regulars out of the lineup, a Tuesday out of conference game against one of the worst teams in the league, I thought it left a little bit to be desired. Is that fair? Well, you can say that from entertainment standpoint, but they, to get two points with that lineup is where they are,

it was a gutsy effort. Yeah, I call it whatever you want. It was just, it just stopped the bleeding a little bit, right, temporarily. until what we see Thursday night. Just to go back to my earlier statement, there was a good stretch during the Shanna plan where this team just found a way to stay healthy. And it's all of a sudden,

it feels like it's like it's coming back now to balance it out in some way, shape, or form because it's not even like we were talking about a really physical team the first 20 games where they went hard and they're just beat up and it's like we saw one of the softest softest first 18 games in memory and it's like how are these guys even getting hurt. Lotton blocked a shot. I know that but the other ones are right back to Austin Matthews kind of mystery.

Like what happened with Nye's? Nye's just It's got to be a pulled something A tweak something But they sent out the pregame thing With like the you know How they sent out All the guys wearing their you know

Really spectacular outfits that they wear Not that there's no dress code I actually do like it Okay I'm pro no dress code But they sent one in of Of Nyes Walking in

Just like Here's Matthew Nyes Coming to the hockey game And then the next thing you know Day to Day Sammy Blaze plan So I don't know what happened Okay let's pick up Craig Brewers

Ruby on Matthew Nye's clip three. Lower body. This morning, he wasn't, you know, I wasn't sure if he was going to play or not. So I told Sammy to be ready. And he came here tonight, Nyes, and couldn't go. How nice get hurt? When did he get hurt? He's had a lingering thing for a while.

And it got worse today. All right. So we know. Hip flexor, groin, hammy, something's tweaked. The elastic band. Fine. Yeah, it's fine. It'll need seven days to calm it down.

Don't think we'll see him Thursday night. I wonder if it's been affecting him the last little bit. I have thought that he has not been as effective as he was early in the season, the last few games. So what you're getting at there is if he's going to be a couple games, if Wa is potentially going to be a couple games, Matthew's still not playing. Yeah, this is what we're seeing Thursday night. This lineup pretty much needs to rinse and repeat. Well, I can tell you the good news then. Stetcher and Quillen were fantastic.

They were great. Were they not fantastic? I didn't mind them. They were great. I didn't mind them. I think, fantastic is a stretch. I think given the asks of them, and of course it's a little tongue-in-cheek because they're great is not, you know, Matthew Nye's great.

Troy Stetcher looked like, I don't know. Quinn Hughes, skating back. Oh, gosh. Guys, I'm not saying he's that. Did he not look compared to the rest of the D who don't skate? Listen, someone who could skate? If I want to look thin, I go stand beside bigger people. That's the point of me.

All right? So. I love how 2025 that was. I'd stand by bigger people. All right, okay. I get it. And he's known for a guy that plays a little bit. bit like the little engine that could and tries really hard, but somehow finds his way

on a different team every so often. Yes. I don't know what he's up to, seven or eight different NHL teams. I don't know what the number is, but I liked that there was new energy in. I liked what you're, I know what you're saying, but it's, it's not going to be a difference maker you know down the road that's the sort of kind of guy that you maybe have in a six seven or eight position yeah yeah yeah right i mean he's an nchel defenseman whether he is on a good team or not that's debatable yeah it's debatable whether he's an everyday NHL defenseman

32 teams he can play in the league can he be on a team that wins a cup no he's not part of your six you know that's where do you come from edmonton yeah yeah yeah i mean they're one of the league's elite not on the blue line there he played eight games in the playoffs last year for them listen i i i i'm with you on all of it i just i just don't think that that's a a viable solution to what's plaguing them long term i agree but i do think that if you look at who they've got him versus simone benoit this year my Myers for sure he's ahead of him yes you know it's i will obviously we'll see where it goes all right so Do you want to get Peruvian on Stetcher and feel like, you know,

do we get any Quinn Hughes comments? Not quite. Okay. Not quite. His initial review when they said, you've got Stetcher, what do you think? And he goes, yeah, he's right-handed. Yeah. Okay.

Let's have a listen. Good game. Skated, moved to Parkwell, competitive. All the things like we know of him. But I really liked his feet tonight. I thought he was aggressive, moved his feet really well. I think it's kind of, I don't know, just those guys coming in and looking so noticeable immediately. It says a lot more about the rest of the guys than those are good.

Absolutely. That's what J.D. said on our show last night, and I'd say it here again. It's just, it says more about them than it does about. Totally. Than anyways. Like I thought Quillen was awesome. He looked big. You can skate fast.

He looks like he is okay at hockey, but it's like where, why isn't Dakota Joshua look like? want that once this year. Jacob Quillan 100% has put more people on the ice with the body check than Dakota Josh. Yes, he's feisty. Yeah. Correct. And just checking in on Jacob Quillan, yeah, he's six feet tall. So what we got is 200.

Was two guys last night that showed enthusiasm. Hey, that's something that the GM was mentioning. They were missing. This is the type of thing, though, that I think is reasonably not predictable, but it's not uncommon to call a couple guys. up who've been dying for an opportunity and get a game like this where you go, oh, hey, mid-season energy. That's a nice little infusion of something.

So, yeah, those guys were great. Why don't we... And I think maybe more on, from Quillan's perspective, I don't think anything's determined in this bottom six. Like, there's been nothing undeniable all year long. Like, if he comes in and they have to play him tomorrow night, he has to play Saturday night, maybe next Wednesday in Columbus, and he's good for those.

It's like, you may be just a fourth liner for the Leafs now. he had four hits in nine minutes yes i think the whole idea too was for him eventually to take camp spot quillen yeah really yeah but that was under the feeling that you could actually trade him which never happened and it got stretched out but i think they were they were

high enough on quillen that they envisioned him as a as a fourth line centerman Yeah, I mean, he's a 20-goal guy in the American Hockey League, which is not nothing, had some good points in college. He's 23 years old and scored a rather big goal against his teammate. Was it the national championship? Yes, yes. For Quinnipiac, he's with, I think it was 10 seconds into the overtime.

He scored against Matthew Nyes. When I was picking colleges, they used to call Quinnipiac, quit and pack it up because your career was over. Like, if you were going to Quinnipiac, that was the end of it. And they turned their program around along, like, 25 years. Yeah, well, they beat Matthew Nye's super team in the national championship. Do you want to hear it just quickly wrap up the Quillan thing? here to the coach what he had to say about him?

Sure. Yeah, I thought from, well, last year to this year, a lot of growth, what I saw tonight in him in the game. You know, just comfortable and confident in his play. Like I said, his speed is dangerous. He got behind there D a couple times. But overall, I thought he was a pretty good player for us tonight. Is there anyone else down with the Marley's that are fast?

Yeah, do you see that thing I sent you today? Another Domble decision thing, just that the Leafs speed, like their speed burst per game or whatever. We've said that from right out of the gate. But three years ago, not the case. Two years ago, really the case. Last year, the case. This year, really the case that they are slow.

They are. No questions asked. They are factually data bad. And I guess that's why Stedger and Quillen both noticeable because they look like they're above average skaters. Great point. So. That's a problem.

What's interesting is a lot of the guys that the tracking, like they have good top speed. Like Morgan Riley can get up to a good speed. And Willie Nealander can get up to a good speed, but they're not doing it frequently. And that could be play style or enthusiasm or whatever it is, but they're not getting to their top speed often. But if you're poaching a lot too, to your point,

you're waiting for the play. You're cutting the ice in half? I think he's always poached. You know what I mean? Like it's not like this. year he's poaching and he looks we're going to get to the game winning goal which was spectacular

my lord that might be the nicest one this era has ever seen that is that is just off the charts yeah the backhand toe drag is absurd yeah like that is on the fly like that that is up against Holloway I don't know I don't really care

who it was that was just ridiculous but that is the equivalent of getting dunked on in basketball yes and I can sit here and praise it for like 45 minutes It was that spectacular Yeah I mean if you and I put pylons Around the two things he'd deeked around And try to replicate that move

This is who he is We should probably mention John DeVaris holding off three guys To do a back heel into the slot The whole play was absolutely spectacular It was right And it just goes Once again it reminds you

Why Will he not kneelander is a special talent because he can do things like that that we've seen throughout his leaf career unfortunately there are warts around that if you're going to show if you're going to show someone a willing to be a career in a game as a pure as a pure entertainment like if we're talking about people spending 150 bucks $200 a seat It's feeling rewarded on that When you see a guy do that

And that's The appeal as well on Willie Is that how many guys can do that In the world on skates And this is what he knows he's capable of doing This is what the Leafs management team know he's capable of doing of doing this is what the fans know he's capable of doing and he does it a lot and why he's so maddening too but yes now unfortunately we got to just talk about certain balances here on you know i mean

how do you how do you get this guy to next level stuff and i'm not talking about showing talent like that but just the other stuff around him that can lift him up to eventually be a leader. So what I like to do is get to the end result you want in something, imagine it, and then work backwards of how you get to that. So who do you want him to be? Like what do you want it to look like? What's perfect Willie for you where you're like, that's the guy?

Yeah. Who is it? What is it? Yeah. Perfect Willie to me is not much more out of him, but building. better around him. Like, he reminds me of a lot of a guy that I played in New York, Alex Kovalev, where he is just so gifted beyond his belief.

But you would never in a hundred years ask Alex to be one of your best players or a leader. Just not in him, right? Just not, just doesn't get, he doesn't have the it factor to be a leader. and for you to ask me that question is me making up something that's just not realistic for him well can he be Yarm or Yager you know what I mean

because Yager was so elite talented whatever and it's enough to help you win a cup but he's not he's never going to be as physical as Yager he's never going to be as strong as Yager to me once again my comparable of my career is an Alex Kovalev where he can just blow your mind.

You're saying that because people know that everyone feels like Kovalev was the most talented player to ever play in the league and didn't get there in a way that people wanted him to. No, there's a level of acceptance too, right? Kovalev won the cup with you guys in New York. But it was identifying where his strengths and weaknesses were and it was built around them, Messier around him, alarm around him, Kevin Lowe around and all these strong...

So can Willie... But now Willie, for Willie now to take on a true leadership role, I don't think that's going to happen now at this point of his career. You know, okay. Yeah. I don't know. So you just accept them, like, you know,

Willie just being Willie, but, you know, for Willie to, still be a great player for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Like Matthews is going to have to come back and be a lot stronger. Tavares is going to have to play, I guess, a little out of his scope now in his mid-30s. Or you still find a way to get stronger people around him in the room. I guess, you know, we've just seen Willie. But what would you like him?

Like, what player would you think out there right now that you could say, you know, if he was just more in tune with another 180 feet? I think the best evolution might be Leon Drysidal. Leon Drysidal was a very good offensive player who was a terrible defensive player, who is no longer a terrible defensive player and cares about winning and that seems to be his focus. I think it's uncommon. I don't, he doesn't have Leon's fire, but like, I also think that Willie has a history. But Leon doesn't disappear for 60 minutes and then show up in a three on three.

event you know i think willie has a history of showing up more than the other guys have for toronto in big games and he's had series where he's looked like the guy i think that willy can help you win in a big game in playoffs but yeah listen i willie is a unicorn in so many ways in that you can't put your thumb on him you can't pin him down you can't paint him in a box because he surprises you every day with something new he's in entertainer and he doesn't care what you think. I used that word earlier today with somebody and he is an entertainer. There's no question. And that goal proves it because it's a quiet, sleepy game. There was ample opportunities for the Leafs to blow it just as St. Louis, two

struggling teams and then he has this moment and then it's a complete showboat after the goal too, right? Like, part of the entertainment package for him, oh, watch the Selly, bud. Watch the sally. Yeah, he just scored the nicest goal of the year. He points up to the crowd. But look at that, eh? I'm telling you, but it's the entertainment value. It is,

it's to Justin's point. It's just not about the goal. It's about the Selly. It's about all of it. Look at me. Look at me. Oh, that's not who he is. Oh, my God. He's not look at me at all. He doesn't care. Go around the league and look at every guy that scores

He just stared down every fan in the stands with his arms up, giving him this one. Watch Connor Bedard score a goal. Watch who you like. Pick a guy. They all do a big celebration. Buddy, there were two points out of last place. He scored an OT winner. He can't celebrate it?

Of course he can. But it's he's entertainment. He gets it. He wants to go on Instagram and show off a $60,000 outfit. Yeah. That's, it's him entertaining. Nice. Willie, you know, I know you hate the Willie's Willie thing,

but, like, he is not, I don't think he's in it for any of the look at me things. He just plays. He just is who he is and doesn't really care. He's an entertainer, buddy. You said it. He's entertaining. I would say that he is way better than I ever expected him to be. Skill-wise?

No, just in terms of the player that he's become. Like, I never thought he was this good. But he can help you win right now? Can he be a leader? The team kind of stinks. Can he be a leader? Probably not. Can the guy?

He's got a 14-point game. Can the guy that gets yelled at the most on the bench by his head coach be a leader? Well, maybe the guy who's got a 14-game point streak in 27 points and 17 games shouldn't be yelled at it by his coach the most. And I just don't know. Like, were they doing shows in 1994? Can Kovalev be Messia? Yes. Can Messy?

Yes, they were. And he can't be him. But you can still win with him and he can still be a huge part of the winning. You're sure about that? But where's- Is he slotted? Where is he slotted in the pecking order? You need, well, if they're saying they don't have a Mark Messier,

they're in 27th place, we know that. Okay. But it's not Willie's fault. They don't have guys above him. Willie's not the one to be critical of. It's that they don't have better players. It's just accepted. It's going back to comments from years ago or months ago.

It's just Willie being Willie. So if Willie takes three or four games off, there's not that much pressure on him to, to, you wade it out. It's Willie. It's not, it's Willie. That's all. That's my whole point.

It's like, you're not going to get much more out of this, out of Willie. Just leave him alone. Okay, you're, you're still trying to draw more out of him or next level. I don't know after 10 years, where you're going to go with. There is nothing else to get out of Willie. This is who he is. So now you know what that piece is. We don't have to identify with that pieces anymore.

That's what he is. All right. Let's go to Craig Brew. Ruby on Willie scoring on his own net on his own net first all right let's have a listen well I didn't quite get the whole play but I mean we put it in ourselves it's just you know it's what it is but you know I get it happened but the bench was good and the bench was like there's good energy on the bench tonight real good energy so I was it was good to hear guys chatter after that, and I just kept playing.

I think it's the stupidest own goal I've ever seen. I don't know what was happening. Well, like, what is the positive outcome that could have happened batting it back to your scrambling goalie? I don't think he batted it. I think he bunted it. I think it's a perfect bunt. Would you like to hear his explanation?

Willie Neelander? He has a great explanation of it. Let's do you see on your first goal. A snipe. I don't know I was to be honest I don't even know

what I was thinking but it's a little bit reactionary I think but it was nice to feel it back in that early he's got a YouTube channel buddy

he's got to get these clips in there that's a great clip he's got to how about what he said to what he said to Joe Wall I said sorry

he said it's all good I said thank you can we have perfect answer like we have a fleet of interns upstairs i've noticed can we have one of them or two of them watch willies in uh youtube channel so i don't have to and just tell me what's going on subscribe i'm not i don't know do you want to watch it i'm i'm not you know that's not for me and not for me but i need someone

to tell me what's happening on that page what is he doing i don't know i don't know about this sixty thousand dollar outfit you're telling me about i didn't know about that i think gipper was kipper's a secret lover of the channel i think but i've never seen the channel i I think really has an outfit of that value. Kipper is going to be showing up on there wearing a $60,000 outfit. $50,000 pants. Is that right? Oh, I think so.

He's got two videos so far, 52,000 subscribers. And one of them that says back in Toronto. And the other one is summer in Sweden. And one of the pictures is him with no tarp on. So, tracks. I love that Luke, when he quotes him now, will, uh, Luke Fox will throw in like, kneelander wearing a shirt said that he'll like let it last article's kneelander with one more

button undone than necessary and he carried on like it's we get like the tarp updates from from luke i appreciate that the second video says jake shalt is golfing and shopping so golfing and shopping sounds great two of your favorite things i made 11 sheets a year i'd be doing both of those things too golfing and shopping would be my two favorite activity oh my god the amount of hats I just stick to golfing. Did you? You want to come in the pro shop with me? I could use another quarter zip.

Let's go to describe that phenomenal overtime winner by. Oh, I mentioned it to the team because that's what he's all about. And that play there symbolizes John Tvers. Three on one keeps the puck alive, you know. Morgan gets in there quickly and makes a play. you will he does what he does does what he does yeah it was one on three

horrible three on three until that though I have no idea how three guys cannot fish out a puck someone give one guy facing the glass like if you want to if you want to sum up the st. Louis blues season that play does it totally really not good on their part

oh my god but also that over time was Canucks level bad yeah it was horrible to watch It was just, the blues just kept circling back and the least weren't getting. What did you think of the coach starting Dolmy in overtime? I was surprised by that move. I think there's so much pressure on Craig Barubi

to find a way to get this guy going. Yeah. And you have to. You have no choice. You're not trading him away of getting any value that you think that you might. He makes almost $4 million a year. Get him going. didn't mind it at all because this guy

I don't think he's going anywhere anytime soon so you better find a way to get him going I've got two thoughts one is that we should at least mention the goaltender who was really good and we have some quotes in here I want to hear stuff on Tan Evan yeah sure uh so I don't know if you're done on

Domi I don't have anything to add on that I agree they just got caught immediately as soon as they didn't win the draw you're like oh boy oh yeah this is going to be I was like that is not their three defensive stalwart Riley Nealander Domi is watching this is going to be a while it's going to be a while wall

uh yeah they got a real goalie it looks a lot like last year where you're like I'm not sure if they were the better team but they just got more saved oh and he made some it could have been ugly again on the score sheet he was really really solid uh Kairu probably is lost some sleep over his

couple of his chances like they they had premo grade a looks to get the game winning goal and i thought joseph wall stood tall i would say that if you're a leaf fan looking for a reason that they may be able to weather this storm and kind of head in the right direction here in the eastern conference standings i think joel wall looking like he has in his first two appearances of the season is probably number one on the list i thought he's looked incredibly sharp my my one concern is that you do the stolars thing to him where you're like you're the goalie we have so let's play you five times in five games and well i think

for the first time i think in a while they weren't badly out shot and i know i know we could sit there and argue what's a a shot and what isn't and that doesn't count and it's skewed and it doesn't really reflect but you can't start wearing this guy out either yeah totally you know and that's why it's important to get stolars back as early as the beginning of next week probably he'd like him back from the start of the road trip but i mean at the same time if he's worn out after you know missing the first month and a half of the season and playing three games in a row like you're paying him to be an nchal goalie you think he's one of the goals of the future like should probably be able to play a few games in a row here

fused fine yeah like they don't have any back-to-back there's also the factor of what kept him out for a month and a half which is none of our business apparently so that has to weigh in as well yeah i mean whatever he was dealing with well i'm looking at the schedule that's none of our business i'm looking at the schedule it's looking like a lot of joseph wall starts for me yeah well that's you're trying to you're trying to dig i mean i don't if he gets hurt like i guess he gets hurt or whatever you really help just don't play in your own zone yeah like you did in your first 20 games right last that would really help is in that you know it kind of reminds me of like if you have a pair of shoes you like the best thing you can do for those shoes just to buy a second pair of shoes you know just kind of like let them

i never do that i just wear them right to wear them out oh yeah i'm on year two of these boots and boy they're already starting to yeah so you hope you don't wear through the souls of uh of this one but soul's a good metaphor actually i think i think that like would you guys agree that that that is a huge reason for hope if you want them to turn it around so it's a really good start it is absolutely Okay, take a quick break. Or did you want to do the Tanev conversation? We've got some stuff on the optional. We're returning tomorrow.

Yeah, we still got plenty to get into. Why don't we take a break right now? Sure. And then we'll pick it up on the back end. We also got a few great mailbag questions too. Mailbag questions. Sammy's got a clip from Coach Barubi on an optional today that, I don't know. I get the sense that you may not like it, but we'll find out after the break, Sammy.

All right? Sure. Yes, Sam. Yeah. Plus updates. Montana and Matthews, when we return to Real Kippron-Borne Leaf Edition. Hey, it's Ben Ennis. And I'm Brent Cunning.

We got you covered on all things, Leif's, Rafters, and Blue Jays. Every weekday morning, 6 to 9. It's the fan morning show. Sportsnet 5-9 to the fan and wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back to the program. Nick Kippreos, Justin Boren. fashion critic kipper in the break holy crap

buddy listen guy makes 11 sheets here he bought a sick outfit sue him holy crap not suing them god oh look at you I wear a hoodie every day I'm not going to judge

Willie's Willie yeah Willie's Willie he's really rich You know what kills me is the NFL guys who wear chains while playing like diamond chains like that Matthews were a lot of guys were chains. But I feel like you're not getting grabbed, like, in football. No, that's fair. Yeah, yeah.

There was actually you back in the day. The ball players. Ball players were the chains. They were a crazy chain. Yeah. Mookie bats. It's like, how do you swing with that thing on? Yeah, and there was like another one he had going on.

A hundred Kirk's is like a choker. It kills me. That's not touch you. I'm like, but do we don't have anybody like taking pictures of them coming off the bus and doing all the adding of watches. and chains and pants. Because you know why, Kipper? Why is that?

Because no guy in the NHL ever does anything cool and people are desperate for it and this guy has a YouTube channel and he wears an outfit. First of all, it was a chain that was $52,000 that made the rest of the outfit really expensive. And we don't adhere to dress codes. People are desperate for an NHL

or do something cool and they think him wearing this outfit. All right. So that's where it is. Whatever works for, I guess, that next generation. Well, they got rid of the, they got rid of the, listen, I don't want to, I don't know how. I'm Mr. Hoodie

defending this is your era. No, it's not. I'm not that young. I got to tell you, the picture of it's on the Hockey Forever Instagram page and the first comment is all that to look like a car mechanic who's returning a lady's purse. Yeah.

So here's what I'll say. Here's what I'll say, like they took away the dress code, which we all universally hated. I love when they just show up wearing suits. That was fine. And they're like, let's get rid of the dress code. And all these NHL guys, they show up, We're like, you like my t-shirt?

What about a quarter zip? It's like, yeah, the guy wears a cool outfit. They're like, whoa, like, sick. John DeVar's like, you like my backpack again? Like, oh, wear a backpack this year. How about another hoodie? Like, they look like me showing up to the wig. I love your hoodie.

Thanks. It's great. I've worn it literally 40 times in the last year. Okay, what else you got for us on our kippers, clippers. I don't know. I want to hear about on Tanniv and Matthews, Burubi, Clip 10. what's going on to those guys? Well, Tanna's a ways away.

Matthews is coming along. Like he's improving. You know, obviously he won't play tomorrow. Okay, Matthews improving Tanev a ways away. Tavares played over 23 minutes. Yeah, that's a lot. Last game. That's a lot because his average in the last few years, I think, is around 17 and a half.

Is it not? Yes, it is. Burubi clip 8 on Tavares. Yeah, it's a little. it's it's a lot to ask of him but you know he's he's willing for sure um you know he's played pretty well he's i think he's handled it pretty well but i got to try to lower that he had no idea he's he's 23 i did not mean to do that he's giving you everything he has yeah right probably the best deal in the nchal what he's making um anyone returning tomorrow is there yes no no one's returning

No. We don't need that. I mean, he's. I don't know. Can he get back before Christmas? That's where we're at, eh? That's where we're at. I think there's a good chance.

It'll be before Christmas. I think any time your concussed return and get concussed again. But we're not even sure what it is. Like, maybe whiplash. There, yes, there's something going on. And it might, it. whatever it is it led that whiplash you're talking about has led to something whether it is actually his neck or concussion or something in his shoulder i would get bet that

he's listen there's so much wear and tear on this guy from probably knees hips shoulders it could have affected him in so many different ways just beyond what we saw. I tell you, he didn't like any of the words you just said. Didn't like them. Bad set of words. Yeah.

Well, just, it's bad. Like nothing about that sounded positive or hopeful for Chris Tanna in the future of his six-year contract. What's hopeful is that they don't rush him back, which they're not. I was told right from the get-go, they're going to be very careful with this.

and they are and as we knew just prior to last night's game in many ways Rome was burning but they're not in a position to rush this guy which I'm sure he's he's thankful for not when you've got Troy Stetcher McCarr I was just looking at the top scores in the NHL John Tavares tied with Kail McCar and Jason Roberts and one point ahead of Kyle Conner Jack Eichle Bohr and Dylan Larkin. For $4.5 million.

That's with a power play that's almost non-existent. Good point, yeah. Right? So that's how you're getting everything out of this guy, and he's so good around the net. McKinnon has 33 points in 15 games. Glorious Amulah. Plus 19.

Yeah, the top five scoring leaders, oh, Canada, right? I know. What do we got, McKinnon, Bedard? It's McKinnon. Malcolm Celebrating, Connor McDavid, Connor McDard, and would like to know who's in fifth?

I know who's in fifth. Mark Schifely. He is tied with somebody else. Who likes $60,000 outfits. Ooh, Bill? Mechanic, Bill. Having a tough goal this year. You guys want to do a mailbag?

Optional. I mentioned optional. Why did you put this clip in? Because we were talking about it earlier, but the moments past. Practice now? If you're healthy, get on the ice? Well, they look like a team that could use a couple of pucks out

and maybe do some. drills, but they said that, I mean, play the clip. Sure, play the clip if you want. Clip seven. Clip seven. Well, it's some rest for guys, right? A lot of minutes for a lot of guys. So just run an optional and then we can have a morning skate tomorrow.

So there you go. It was just because there's guys played 25 minutes last night. This is, I'm going to do a couple of mail bags. You guys okay with this now? Yes. From Fred, pant, pleat. Okay, like pant pleat? Yeah, I like.

Benfleet? No, pant pleat. Like a... Anyways, it's a very weird name. Sorry, buddy. We've got basketball guys calling in. That's awesome. Yeah, I'm a basketball guy now.

He's my hat? I like it. Yeah, I'm intending to watch my first Rapies game tonight. Nice. Positives that aren't being discussed. Cowan is legit. By the end point of the season could be an impact player. Robertson is a bona fide top six forward.

Wall has looked excellent in his return. And Waugh is the truest three C of the Matthews era. Three for four. Three for four. Cowan is legit. Cowan is absolutely legit. He was their prize possession here. He's the one that continues to get asked about in any trade.

We knew he was going to start. He's still a rookie. And there's going to be times when he feels a little anxious and a little overwhelmed, but it's going to get better at Christmas moving on. And, yeah, he can contribute a great forecheck. He hunts puck's down. He's got great energy. There's so much to like about the guy.

What hand is he? Right shot? Heading into snake bit territory. Left. Left shot. So he's going behind the net yesterday in the D zone, and he's going to rim it behind the net, and the blues player is going to cut him off,

and it looks like it's going to be trouble. And he holds it slides it right in front of their crease to their Dman, and they break the puck out. And it was like, oh, yeah. Oh, that was so nice to see. Just like patience, poise, puck plays. Loved it. Lenda Knight.

Bill Hunter. Yeah, great, great, great. Yeah, love it. Alex and Roi-Wah, True 3C, yep. Listen, I'll bite my tongue, okay? Thank you. I know you and him are tight, so I'll bite my tongue. I'll respect my buddy Kipper, but not him.

Can we please start the JT Team Canada conversation? I understand he probably won't make it, but the guy is out of the gate like a rocket chip. Pedigree guy, rich history with hockey Canada, a pro's pro. Can we at least talk about it? Okay. Yeah. They need four injuries.

Yeah. I would like them. He's not fast enough, guys. He's not quick enough. That's not his game. His game is offense around the net and maybe working the boards and the walls. And they, he cannot, he cannot get up and down the ice in that environment. That's not his strengths.

Yeah. you know he is currently it is NHL ice and he is a as you mentioned top 10 point getter this year wins faceoffs all that kind of stuff I can see a world where you're going you know if there's some injuries okay stone's hurt a few more guys are out where you're going he's in the conversation to me of you know four or five guys away when they put together when david amber our beloved DA puts together the all snubs team I would like him to be the first or line second line center on the all snubs team that's not ever repeat of last year's Is that fair? Is that fair

just to put him on the all snubs team at least? Like he's had a great year and I think he were like just to have the conversation he's owed that but I agree. For sure.

I agree. He's not, he's not there's, if you looked at the rosters that we potentially were sending us ridiculous. Was it last year two years ago where he,

he capped in the world championship team. Is that right? Didn't. I don't. Yeah, we know. Yeah, they lost in a shoot out to Switzerland. Sixth.

He lost the shoot to Switzerland. He, you know, for forwards. He was also there when they won goal. multiple times. Have to get in.

And he was the captain of the world juniors and they won gold medal multiple times. Like it's like, oh, he's just... Is that 16 or 17 years ago? This guy today. This guy today. Bedard and Celebrini there, Shifley, Suzuki there.

So there's four guys coming out. I can give you a Kineckney out and... Yeah. So Celebrity. Okay. After that, the next guys are up. Yeah, I mentioned him. After that, it's like Horvatt, Wilson,

Tavares. Are the next three options that are most likely? it's just for me it's the the the speed's the concern the footwork is the concern they play them like probably 11 minutes a night or something i wonder if i think you could do it a lot of a lot of jt related questions today uh this was from risa do you think with everything that's happened up to now that's living regrets stripping the sea from j t um it is not worked out in any way shape or form like they were hoping. So I do believe that probably it would have been best

just to leave it as is. But I don't think they had any choice. I think Matthews was expecting it. But they did have a choice. I'm thinking. I don't know. So this is Matthew's first year, right? Second.

Second. Yeah. I don't know. Probably not. I doubt he regrets it. I do think, you know, it's part of, you know, having your franchise guy who people look to anyway, whether he's the right guy for it or not. He's who people look to.

He is the captain here. Can we look into the future for a second? Picture this. It's the end of February about a week away from the NHL trade deadline. And the Leafs are firmly in third place in the division. Okay, Leifes fan Ledzi. In brackets, still a very realistic outcome. Assuming everyone is healthy, does this feel like the right sense?

season to trade away Nick Robertson for more defensive support. That's where they're stuck. What do you think you're getting? Well, if they're going to be in third, he's going to be good, lighten it up. Like, he's going to be, he's playing in the top six. He's going to be one of their forwards that's like producing for them. You know, it's one of those things. It depends who you can get.

And then I can't see anyone willing to trade someone who moves the needle if you defensively is going, you know who we need is Nick Robertson. I just can't see that playing out. If Nick's going really well, somebody's not. machelli you know something's and you'd rather just keep roberts in probably find another way to get that addition i i will say that the toughest decision will happen if the leaps are in that exact scenario you are we going for it to be what to be what you know and that's that's where the leaps are they got to get a lot better if they're in a playoff position then

they believe that they could get to a conference final or stanley can final yeah then so you're going to you're going to swing they got a swing you know i don't know even with minimal even with minimal assets yeah they're going to have to try to do something you know i did have the thought last night that was like god that would have been a great loss for the tank that's not crossed my mind the tank's not happening that might cross my mind it's like you know the blues are going to be down to the bottom if brad tree living did anything yesterday it was to reaffirm, Berube's not going anywhere, and we ain't tanking. Yeah.

Carlos on Twitter, who has the best goalie mask in Leaves History? Felix the Cat, Cujo, Eddie the Eagle, Wall, Toskla. I'm full. This is all you, and you if you know, I'm, I don't know. I've never been a mask guy. Oh, I'm so easy on that one. Eddie? I'm going, like, right to my youth.

Palmitier. No, before that. Doug Favel had a maple leaf. A blue maple leaf that started at the nose and went under his eyes and right to the top of his mask. And it was just, it didn't even say Toronto Maple Leafs in it. It was just solid blue maple leaf. All right. And it was the coolest.

Yep. Doug Flavel. Favelle. Favell. Favell. Favell. Favell. Favell. Favell. Favell. Fave. Yeah, it's an excellent mask. Thank you. I like that pick a lot. Very nice.

You're officially, that's. That being your. Being your favorite mask and Willie being mad that Willie wears a $60,000 outfit is just the Venn diagram is just a circle. I'm not mad at him. I'm just reiterated what's important for Willie and the image and the whole entertainment package. By the way, I didn't say Willie an entertainment, you did for the record. He's an entertaining guy. Yes.

Yes. Like Eddie Shaq was. Stolars is a lot. Who? No, I was that in the Shack. Oh, okay, all right. Yeah, yeah. Pop shop.

I, uh, last year, Stollard's mask was epic. It was like that shimmery, like, chrome dome helmet with, like, the blue. You didn't notice this? How many games did I watch last year? Every single one? Never noticed? Never noticed it once. Okay.

I've never. But my favorite, well, he's with Kujo. Kujo was my favorite goalie. He broke my heart into a million pieces. Yeah, Koojo's. But Kujo's helmet was incredible. Eddie Eagle, fantastic. It's funny how brains work, though, because, because, like, I don't.

I'm not against to caring. I don't try. Like, I just, my brain doesn't do that. Look, are people aware that when I was like seven years old, I painted that mask? Oh, yeah. Is that true? Yes. Is that a Billy Smith?

That's mine. I've had that mask for, for 50 years. I painted that. Who would have worn that? With model paint that I, that I painted my little cars with. That's pretty cool. So I'm a mask guy. You are.

You're the mask guy. I am going. Put it on, Sammy. I'm on the broadcast. This thing is going to give me. I'm going to get a tetanus shot. Sammy, I'll be talking about my family like that.

I can't. I'm going on the Oilers broadcast on the national show. Jason. Okay. And we're talking about NHL players who are one of a kind. Like people, there's no one like them in the league. And I don't know if I should. Hopefully people in the panel aren't listening,

but I'm going to do Billy. I'm going to do Billy Smith. He was out of his mind. Out of his mind. In like the best possible way. Eddie Shack, you mentioned him. He was one of a kind too. Clear the track.

Come Shack. Right? Not right? What, did you research that? No, I just, like, I had, like, my grandpa and my dad love hockey. Like, there's a reason I... The phrase I've heard. No, I interviewed it once.

There was one game. I don't know if you've ever seen it where, like, I think the St. Louis Blues are chasing Eddie Shack. all around the ice trying to catch him and he's he's running away from them just booking it and with like 360s one of the clear the track for eddie shack one of the first things i ever did for when i was an intern at 680 news i went to lee uh maypley's maybe leave gardens and it was bower and i have a picture with eddie bowler and uh eddie bowler let's go johnny johnny baby speaking of close that's that is the 60,000 dollar out for you'd wear yeah any

any balance thank you to the trotomy beliefs for alleviating with a win last night national next