Real Kyper & Bourne - Leafs Hour: Craig Berube Joins the Show!

Episode Date: February 27, 2025

Nick Kypreos, Gord Stellick, and Sam McKee kick off with a discussion on the Leafs' reported interest in Mikko Rantanen and Brayden Schenn and who the team should prioritize at the deadline. Then, Leafs head coach Craig Berube (10:50) joins the show to discuss his brand of hockey, the lead-up to the deadline, how 4 Nations intensity helps Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews and much more. Later, Leafs radio analyst Jim Ralph (34:10) reflects on the unexpectedly stellar goaltending in Toronto this season, Matthews' recent scoring woes and the team's biggest need at the trade deadline.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. 

Let's welcome everybody in for another edition of the real Kipper and born show we are live on sports at 590 the fan sports at 360 and sports net plus nick kiprios no justin born in out of the bullpen while he vacations the lovely the talented gordon stelick in for the next two hours sammy mckee as always derek brandale and jake schultz gordo how was your Derek Brandale and Jake Schultz. Gordo, how was your ConSwipe Dinner last night? ConSwipe Dinner was outstanding, worthy, real worthy cause, Eastern Seals kids, and we had guys, Doug Gilmore was there, Terry Ryan was great, you know, Shorzy.

We had guys from other networks like Luke Wilson was there, other, you know, other, Ceto Gaston was a guy that was honored. Yeah, and we had a bunch anyway So it's a great great night Sammy you were there as well, and you sent me some update pictures including gourd interviewing Luke Wilson where Luke was like towering over our gourd he could eat a bushel of apples off your head basically well He could do it off yours, too. Yeah, he's a big guy. He's really tall.

And I will say that Gordo is very, very good to be able to sit up in front of all those people and just be a natural at that. Like I said, we sit on here and we talk and we do this show, but it's different when they're all looking up at you like that. And Gordo did a spectacular job. We were all cheering really, really loud

when you came up there. Yeah, I appreciate that. We were all cheering really, really loud when you came up there. Yeah, I appreciate that. We were really excited. That's the whole fan table. We were just waiting to get to Gord. That's the whole reason how the whole fan table went. So it was great. And we've got him for the next two hours as well.

So lucky us as well. Working on no day's rest. No day's rest. In about 10 minutes, we've got a jam packed show. I know. In about 10 minutes, we're going to welcome the head coach, Craig Berube from the Toronto Maple Leafs, someone that Sammy's been working on now for like, gazillion years to get on the

show. Sammy, what was like, what did you promise him? Like, what did you need to kind of solidify this? It's just persistence, Kipper. Eventually, they got to say yes, right? Awesome. Jimmy Ralph as well at about 435. then at the top of the hour we go to Jason Buchle and we'll take a league wide look at what's available to a lot of teams between now and next Friday. Of course the NHL trade deadline. So off day for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they await puck drop tomorrow night. Madison Square Garden.

Kipi, you know what it's like, and I did the travel for a lot of years, right? You get the schedule. You gotta be looking at this with wide eyes. This is an unparalleled trip. This is a beautiful trip. What a beautiful trip. Boston.

Boston, off days now, New York, Pittsburgh on Sunday. Weird not playing on a Saturday, no four hour flights, whatever. So this is, wow, you would have been, a player looks like, man oh man, that's dynamic. So anyway. Especially a young kid that still is kind of feeling his way around the NHL.

And some of them probably have never even been in New York City. Of course, how did you find it? Like I mean, I wasn't a player, but the first time. We loved it. Like I was wide-eyed, I walked everywhere. I'm glad I did. I'm glad I took it all in.

I absolutely, so to your point, whether you're a kid or a veteran, this is a great trip. The only thing I remember the first time ever going to New York with the Washington Capitals and Dale Hunter just looking at me and goes, don't take a bite out of the big apple because it'll bite you back.

Okay, Huntsy. Good advice. Well, yeah. And then later on, later on you live there and you knew how to bite. You know how to bite appropriately and enjoy it and embrace it. So funny of all the places that any others would pick to have an off day on, I'm sure New York City would probably be at the very top of the list. Especially, even if you're covering,

I'm sure our Luke's down there, getting the day off down there, that's gotta be great. Yeah, I don't know when they got in. So, they played Tuesday night in Boston. Yeah, I practiced yesterday in Boston. If a veteran was wise, he would've made sure that they got in Wednesday night. Because that's the night where you can go out for a nice dinner team dinner. Maybe even take a show in then you cannot worry as much about

A curfew than the night before a game. That's It's tough to have a good time the night before a game. Are you sure like it is two nights? Unless you never had fun before. Unless you got a veteran on the team to say, boys, we're playing guilty tomorrow night. I had one in the morning, it was the New York Hotel, and the guy called and goes, we had a problem last night with a few of your guys about security, right, coming in late, whatever. So the coach at the time, and I'll just say, Mike Nicolich was a guy that always believed that no, no,

it didn't happen. So anyway, said no. So anyway, we lose about 6-1. And then we fly back and the next morning first calls from Mike, can you find out more who those guys were? I called the guy and I left tickets for him at the Ranger game. He was a hockey fan. So all the visiting tickets are the same area. And he said, like I'm not going to name the name, but he said that someone had left tickets and there were a couple of women there and they got really happy when numbers so and so scored. So that was my old detective routine, whatever, and we eventually unraveled that. Unfortunately, Mike, yes, a bunch of guys did go and break okay still circumstantial evidence the guy confessed oh he did good yes yes yes

okay no names and you're an honorary NHL alumni member too yeah don't mess with that room no what was the what was the story with mess with Messier in Ottawa kipper that you've told before about that. You guys thought you were in trouble. What was it? About what we beat the whatever champion. Oh, yeah the 1927 Ottawa Senators To go out tonight celebrate we just beat the 1927 Ottawa Senator Stanley Cup championship team. Okay, we're going to, we got a few minutes, uh, still to go here. Uh, I wrote an article for the Toronto star today, uh, really emphasized

on an, on, on an opportunity for maybe the maple leafs to go after ranting in, should he become available, uh, in the next little while and why it makes sense. And I think the biggest thing is to grab a player gourd of this, of his magnitude at a prime age and not have to give up anything of significance. And it's unique for another main reason is why Carolina had Chicago pick up 50% of his contract and if if by chance they can pass that on to another team at 50% or Carolina picks up 50% of it and move it on the Leafs wouldn't have to free cap space space much more than $300,000 it's easy fit. What isn't an easy fit is finding out what Carolina wants for him.

Big time. And by the way, so it's not just the Toronto Star, but your sportsnet.ca, like you're the trade deadline story right now, Kipper. Everyone's, and you're getting all kinds of reaction on Twitter. I don't respond to Twitter very much, but I love the reaction.

Generally positive, then you get the other schmucks that kind of come up with remarks. I was gonna kick out of that. And I always go back to Doug McClain. I'm not telling you what's gonna happen, I'm just telling you what I'm hearing. Totally, and well, Brian Lawton said it yesterday as well. He thinks this is a chance, with all that's going on,

cap going up, that everyone's full in. Yeah. Like, you gotta try to hit out of the park. And the key thing is, look, Marty and Aches just had a big game last night for Colorado, you know So that they gave up but you know, you can't cry over spilled milk You like you took a chance and if that's a player you gave up You're not gonna get you shouldn't be getting a player like that back in kind I wouldn't think so my big question comes back to Carolina that they say okay, you know what we overshot

We gambled and lost but this guy can help us win a Stanley Cup. So we're going to stand, Pat. Okay. So tell me where you guys are because the focus around the Toronto Maple Leafs has been depth centerman. Is that still in your opinion, number one priority? Would you go get a rant in right now if you could? Yeah, I think what's really interesting about him is we talked about yesterday the splashes that they've made was the Felino Splash who was kind of past his best due date

Rhino right Rhino Riley. Yeah and her Rhino Riley was you know closer to his prime but still a little bit long on the tooth This is a guy that is in the prime of his prime of his career here where it's a guy that is One of the premier players in the league that is like you wrote in your pieces that like, you know, it's a gift from the salary cap gods basically just to be able to figure it out. So I think you kind of for forgo positional need. If you're going to be able to land a guy like that. I think you just have to worry about what you're gonna have to give up if the if the if for a guy like that. A lot of talk or we'll stay on rants guy like that a lot of talk gourd will stay

on ranting and but a lot of talk about Braden Shen right now and he is five or six years older than ranting and right now so more in the Foligno if I know what Riley to Sammy's point if you went after Shen, would it worry you that his best days are going to be behind him in a very short near future compared to Rantanen's? Playing his 1000th career NHL game tonight against Washington, Braden Shen. His brother Luke did it back in October. So you've got to love the Shens. But again, that's exactly to me a Nick Foligno and Ryan O'Reilly type trade. That I look at getting complimentary pieces, whether it's Scott Lawton, you know what I mean? You got the big guns.

You've got the big guns. They just haven't delivered in the playoffs. But Miko Radinen is like Vegas saying, Jack Eichel is available, different reasons. His was a medical dispute issue. This one couldn't come to a contract in Colorado. You got to go for it. That's a whole different animal. If there's any way, shape or form, you can get him, the Meekle Ranton I'm talking about,

whether the Toronto Maple Leafs or somebody else, and also would Carolina trade within their conference. I think their owner's a big guy. You know what? Saying, this ain't working out, get him out of here. Screw him. Get him out of here. I'm not happy about it.

Let's make a further deal. So a lot of balls in the air. We'll pick up on that conversation, but let's send it right to New York for head coach Craig Barube, former teammate of mine in Chocolate Town, USA, once upon a time. Craig, how are you?

Thanks for joining us. I'm good, Vicki. How are you, bud? I'm good. How's the off days in New York? You know, Huntsy used to tell me, don't take a bite out of the big appellate. Don't worry about that. That's not going to happen today. Pretty relaxing actually. Not doing too much today. Yeah. How about your, how about your players? You know, where they've been the last little

while they're all good. I saw a bunch of them today this morning for breakfast, so they're all Resting up which they should be so we were telling old war stories Craig about you know For a few days and that how does it work now? I mean you get back then you gave the coach a key and he could just go and unlock the rooms of all that went on I mean How does it work now? They all they're all in anyhow, like, you know, I don't it's not don't go and check on curfews there. You know, there's a standard and they all follow it. These guys nowadays are they're not like us old guys. You know, they learn better, they take care of themselves.

So there's not too much worry there when it comes to that stuff. As far as the season's gone, Chief, in terms of, you know, what you what you thought you had when you came in and where you are today. And I want to just start with the goaltending, and both had terrific camps in Joseph Wall and Stolarz, but was there any signs that you would get the type of performance that we've seen from both of them up until this point? Did you see it coming at all? I don't know if I saw, you know, I think in training camp,

I thought they had good camps, I agree. But that's camp, it's different. You know, there's a certain level of intensity and everything else that goes along with the regular season. It even gets ramped up more as it goes along. But I think exactly they both played extremely well for us this year, which is great to see. Cause you know, the way the schedule for us this year, which is great to see because, you know,

the way the schedule has been this year, we meet both guys to help out. I think our defense has done a great job too with that. Like, you know, I think overall our team and our defensemen have really done a good job of limiting the middle of the ice as much as possible and giving up angle shots and not as dangerous as shots. Don't get me wrong, it does happen and it happens every game. There's some opportunities that our goalies have come up really big for us.

But I think our team mindset and our team defense has done a good job too. So a lot of people excited about the coaching change and they'll talk about this year's Leafs and they go, Ruby's got them playing a different way. Then they'll give me five different ways they're interpreting how you have them playing a different way. So I'm curious when you came on board, whatever the Ruby influences that you said to the guys, okay, this is my way that's

non-negotiable and this is the tweak or the tweaks I want to put in place how would you articulate it? Well I think one is predictable hockey I think predictable is being predictable to each other coming out of your own zone what we're doing through the neutral zone in the offensive zone I like you know and the other one is playing a North South game, uh, try to take the East West out of it as much as possible. Now there's still East West plays. Don't get me wrong, but it's more of a mindset, I think. And just trying to, to, uh, be a better defensive hockey team overall checking. I, you know, I call it checking. I don't call it defense playing

defense. You know, we don't have the puck. We want to check it back. So you know, our four check or neutral zone for a check, you know, that's a big part of our game. And, um, you know, limiting turnovers in this league is so crucial. And I think we've done a good job of that. That was a big part of, uh, the non-negotiables and turnovers. Get pucks deep. I mean, I don't want to take your sticks out of your hands, make plays when they're there, and make good hockey plays, but if not, put it in deep. And I think our teams really bought into that. You're listening to the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Craig Borubey. I know music to your ears would have been hearing Chris Tanev day to day, but can you

update when we may see him again? And Willie Nylander for that matter? Yeah, I think Mike Nylander be fine. I think you'll see him tomorrow. You know, he's doing well. He's fine. But can have, you know, that's, it's, it's a little up in the air, but I, you know, for me, it's, it is still day to day. He will not be in the lineup tomorrow. Um, you know, this is this, what he's got. It's just as it goes long, it's about how he feels, you know, and if he's feeling better and better, that, you know, this guy's a warrior, he's going to play.

But as of right now, it's day to day, he's out. So Craig, your former teammate Kipper now was the trade guru king, the trade deadline guy here in Toronto, just in general. So as a coach, I'm just curious, like, within a team, and maybe as a player as well, like, I mean, the kind of distraction, is it overblownown or are you happy when that deadline comes and go because it's something weighing on a lot of players minds I do think it weighs

on certain players minds I don't think it's I don't feel it's weighing on a lot of our guys minds right now to be honest with you I don't feel it's weighing on a lot of our guys' minds right now, to be honest with you. I don't sense that or feel that or see it. I don't know, I think the deadline is, you know, there might be some pieces you could add to your team. Well, that's great, you know, if you can do that, you know, to make your better team. So it's something that it's in my mind, I think about it. And obviously our general manager and a management group but you know for our players I don't think it's really too much stressing on those guys I don't feel that or see it anyhow but I do think that it does on certain players around the league

for sure. The decision makers fall in the hands of Brendan Shanahan and Brad Treeliving, but you like getting your two cents in there too? Well, you know, I think Brad and I are close with how we communicate so there's obviously conversations that he has with me about Everything which is great. So he involves me and I give him my two cents of what I believe or what I think involves me and I give him like two cents of what I believe or what I think. So a guy like Mitch Marner hasn't had a chance to go deep in the playoffs and really that equivalent was just the four nations, uh, four nations face out that we just had. And I know Craig, you know, talk, Darrell Sither talks about way back when, when he got that overtime winner against that, what was then Czechoslovakia in the Canada cup, like that,

that brought his game to a different level. I mean, and Mitch just seems to be like on fire this week it doesn't doesn't seem to have missed a beat and I'm curious if you think that actual experience for a guy that really has been a first-team all-star a couple of times but he it's he's kind of got a taste of bringing it to a higher level well for sure I think that tournaments pro you know in all our, to be honest with you, the level at 10 to be 10 to be in that hockey and the pressure and the stress that went along with it. I think, you know, it's a lot of was good for our guys for sure to be in that situation and and, you know, great for

Mitch to perform like he did didn't make that play at the end of the game. I thought off that Matthews was excellent throughout the tournament. It was excellent in that game too. He could have won for the U S he had a couple of times. It could have ended it. So I think our players played in that kind of a format and that environment will do a lot for them down the stretcher. Connor McDavid was asked the other day about the emotional transition coming off of maybe an emotional series like that, obviously Canada, US

coming in, would you have to worry about that for the next little while when it comes to maybe Austin Matthews, you know Craig, between McDavid and Matthews, they're just not the faces of their respective clubs, but they are the respective faces of the National Hockey League. And they get asked an awful lot here. Do you try to guard against some some of the things that will go on from here on in?

Well, I think yeah, we do for sure. I think we keep it as quiet as we can for him. You know, I think both those guys coming off, you know, that game, Canada, US, they've been they've been a little bit tired. That was great to get a couple of days here in between. We play the Rangers tomorrow, so they had a couple of days in between rest. And I think that'll do a lot a lot of good for both of them because they haven't had a whole lot of time here to rest since coming back, you know, with the back to back games.

And we're in Denver, in Boston, immediately after. So it's been a lot for them. And I think we've got to do our best to try to keep it as quiet as you can here down the stretch for them. How are you in terms of what this term is now today, especially in the NBA, this load management or whatever you want to call it when you rest players, do you think maybe between a Tavares or some of your bigger stars that you may exercise that

with the cushion that you have in the standings? Yeah, I'm not thinking about that yet, Nick. I think that's down the road maybe if anything and we'll see where we're at too. Like I haven't felt like I needed to do that at all yet and we'll see how it goes down the stretch here. So Craig, last year on my NHL Network Radio Show you were great. You're an insider after you left St. Louis on a weekly basis We talked about different things and we knew there was going to be a next stop

So I'm I'm curious the Toronto experience and I was kidding Kipper yesterday. You're good at giving injury updates I wouldn't I wouldn't like to be your patient because I really wouldn't understand how sick I was or not But you're good at yeah, you're handling the media with all that stuff What about people think it's the best job or the worst job coaching the Toronto May police. How have you found it? Well, I've for me it's been great. I loved I loved every minute of it first work in the organization with the people I work with You know Brad and Shani and and all the guys and everybody in the organization has been great

The first class organization, as you guys know, they take care of everybody and they really do a nice job there. The whole staff that I get to work with, the coaching staff, the training staff, everybody that I work with on a daily basis is great. Really enjoyed them and the players. You know, this this team, um, you know, was a breath of fresh air for me to come in and see how hard they work and how hard they compete every day and just their preparation. Um, their first class, in my opinion, I, you know, the practices have been excellent and you know, they've done a really nice job. So they're great to work with the players and I really enjoyed it. Just overall Toronto itself you know the

fans and the media and everything. It's been awesome for me I really enjoyed it. I've got a chance to hang out with a few you guys on casino night and someone mentioned to me that maybe you might have a little bit of a concern of how expensive the city is and maybe you, whether or not you'll be able to save any money by the end of the year. It's not cheap. Can't take it with us boys. Not a boy. Hey Craig, really really appreciate your time. Good luck the rest of the road trip and best wishes. Okay, man You got it. Thanks guys. I appreciate you having me on Craig Berube head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, you know, it doesn't matter whether you're a player in your first year here or

Someone that's working in the organization People cannot believe how expensive it is in this city, especially when you're looking for a place to live. Oh, I know. Well, yeah. Well, I got to tell you that what you did the one thing and I did it briefly back then, go live in Manhattan, made Toronto look affordable, but that's decades ago because now and then you get the traffic now. Like, you know know and so anyway, it's it's Hey, the other part is kippy keep in mind We always talk tax-free state all that stuff you and I and Sammy I don't believe are unless there's something

I don't know getting paid in American money. Yeah, okay I don't know what the coaches contracts, but I wouldn't tell you us okay, so I'm just saying they never talk about that Okay, that's a huge huge boon. They're getting paid American American dollars so don't give me the way and not saying he did no no no no I'm just teasing on 1994 I got traded from Hartford to New York 1994 I was paying $400 in Hartford a month for rent yeah I go down there and Mark Messier you know hi how are you nice to meet you like you know I'm in awe and he's like where you living? I said, I don't know where I'm living. He goes, okay You married? No, okay. He's living the city with us But and I'm like, okay cool. How much was yours? I'm like

Having the idea how much like I could get something for a Month and rent around here. He goes. Yeah, maybe about 3,000 bucks My jaw dropped. Yeah, maybe about three thousand bucks My jaw dropped yeah, that was 1994 Yeah, I was before there mine was 1850 I couldn't believe it and Yeah, yeah, so it's I still you know, it's funny like the media side thing and and you really embrace the media, right and playing in big markets like New York and Toronto. And a guy like Mike Johnson just said that,

you know, because we talked to Thomas Harley early today and he goes about in Dallas, he goes, yeah, I kind of like it that there's not a lot of media because there were so many at the Four Nations face off. And Mike said that he loved being in Toronto and then he liked going to Tampa Bay and Phoenix. But when he came to Montreal, he goes, yeah, I was ready for it again.

Like there's certain waves waves and I still like people that want to want to embrace any sport the media capital but it's not for everybody right well understood understood but a lot of uncomfortable guys around all that noise and all that attention so but you're also in the national hockey just like you're a major baseball like you're in the NFL like you're in the NBA, but then go play, go play recreational hockey, 11pm, whatever, I get what you're saying for sure. But also depends on in

those particular markets is are you catching the wave up where the team's getting better or catching it on the on the down swing where things are going to get worse and worse. And that has a lot to do with how much pressure you feel around your your respective town tell you back in the quote old days every arena you would have done it you had to walk out the back door like a church in Wood Street man oh man yeah that was real if you lost 6-1 you know whatever now you're like a rock star and I'm not saying that's wrong there there's an insular world now you're like a rock star. And I'm not saying that's wrong.

There's an insular world that you're able to live in. You're not pumping gas and some guy drives up in the next pump and goes, Kipper, what the hell? Going on like that. So anyway, different times. I will say, I've loved a lot of what Borube's brought this year. There's been moments where I've disagreed with him.

There's been moments where it's been down, up and down with any coach. But it is, that conversation that you guysed with them, there's been moments where it's been down, like, you know, up and down with any coach. But it is, like, that conversation that you guys had with him, you know, not to throw other coaches around the league under the bus, but that's just a real conversation with, like, you know, there's no word salad,

there's no frills, there's no any of this. He's just answering questions very direct. You can understand why players would react to that. Yeah, and you know, he was very honest. It's too early to load manager or worry about giving nights off. But you got the real sense of us talking to him that he... Wasn't a hard no. He will look at that seriously down the road. And they won't use the word load management, because then the NBA has become a real problem.

I think it's understood, but you're going to a game, and program notes, scratch, number 34, Austin Matthews, and you're sitting there with your kid with a Matthews jersey on. How much did I pay to come here? And so they won't use that term, but I think under people understand the reality. Lower body, day to day, lower body. Maybe a rash, like I had yesterday

that I was trying to get diagnosed by the doctor. You know, one thing about Hershey, people love it there, right? Hershey, Pennsylvania. And so Bruce Boudreaux tells a story, I think it was just last summer, he got his first ever hole-in-one in Hershey. So afterwards, he had to buy drinks for everybody.

Bruce doesn't normally drink, but he had a few. And Craig Berube was in one of the foursomes behind him So he was one of the guys and Bruce goes man. Oh man had a few pops So I I turned it like just a annoying leaf fan telling him all what to do to do with the least this year So because I texted him right after the next day said look I apologize. It was just out of character the euphoria of getting of getting a whole of what that's funny. That's funny. He is a character the euphoria of getting I'm getting a hole in one that's funny that's funny is his sound bites them are no different the way his team plays right now straight lines and simple and predictable I mean we used to have that

we did the kippers clippers for three years before this year with Sheldon Keith he would talk for 13 14 minutes every morning with the media where it would just be these long drawn-out media availability is on the media side like that's great for us to dissect all this stuff And what he really means or whatever I mean you're like a little lot You're lucky if you get five out of Craig. He's just I don't know I really like the guy Yeah, like the guy well. Yeah, he gets it right he does he gets it As far as it's just kind of circle back a little bit If you're not gonna end up doing a ton would

Would Shen be enough to please Lee fans between now and Friday? Well, and also here's one where you think about a coach having input, because he had Braden Shen recently. So, and again, like, we gotta project where the guy is right now. And that's always a tough thing. You kind of hear a name and you go, yeah. And you go, yeah, but that was three years ago. And that's where I'm kind of saying like big names,

you've got big names, okay? They need to do more of what Mitch Marner did in the Four Nations. So unless it's like Miko Randon, like you're writing about that if and how it could possibly happen, if all the stars aligned and certain moves were made, but I don't know. I don't know about that.

The three remaining years at six, five five and Doug Armstrong is not a general manager that I Don't love that number has a long history. I don't love that number you and you got to various coming back Retaining he doesn't retain. I don't know if he has in the past, but he's certainly been Well documented that he doesn't like it. Yeah. And if the Leafs wanted Shen so badly, why would Narmi just say, hey, take the whole nut? Yeah, but again, you're talking,

you're talking about signing Tavares again, you've got Mitch Marner, you got, you know. Okay, let's be honest. If Braden Shen's coming to the Toronto Maple Leafs, he's coming in with $6.5 million for the next three years, he's not coming in to be a third-line centerman. So what does that do to Tavares? And also look where the St. Louis Blues are and have been the last couple of years.

So this isn't their Stanley Cup Championship roster. It hasn't cut the mustard. And that's where the Scouts, like I look at Washington, a great pick getting Jacob Chickering, I know that was in the off season, but they looked at Ottawa having not a great year and figured out what pieces could fit in your roster

and play at that level, right? And that's where the Scouts come into play. That's where Brian Lawton talked about all the analytics, all those other, all those measurable things and I don't mind them, but that's where the Scouts come into play, that's where Brian Lawton talked about all the analytics, all those other, all those measurable things, and I don't mind them. But that's where the Scouts come into play, that a GM talks about. Where's Braden Shen today? 2025 and next year, because we're going to, we're got end of year after. Where is he going to fit in? How's it going to work on our team? What is your opinion? Bingo. You've been watching and I want an

honest opinion. And that's where it's really important. What's going to please Leaf Nation, Sammy? I think people really want a pretty big splash here I get the sense that you look around the division there's a lot of division talk about how it's wide open and you know the the Panthers are a little bit banged up they don't look the same as last year you have a chance to win this thing I think people want to splash but that's fans we always want to splash you don't need to please Naif Leaf Nation you don't need to please them you need to please them by

going deep in the playoffs. That'll please them. Correct. They'll get over the trade deadline thing. Maybe pleasing is the wrong word, but what will convince them that they're ready for a long run? There's a world where the Braden Shen thing,

to me, really works out well. Does he need his brother? Do the fans need his brother with them? Are they triplets? I don't know. I do. I worry about the speed that brother with them are they triplets? I don't know. Yeah, I do I worry about the speed they do that both of them can Unfortunately not bring Luke to me I mean when he was here was really good, but that was was that two full years ago now and he was

Yeah, and he was pretty slow then so you do worry about that. I do like the idea of Shen, but like Gord said If I made the idea of him is when he was great for the blues in 2019 when they won the cup, that's almost six years ago now. So you really have to be careful. I see what people are writing about a potential package. It's like, I'd really worry about giving that at my chop for Shen.

I do Rantan, it's a completely different conversation, like we've both said, but I do worry about the Shen thing. No, Lee fans, it doesn't matter. You could get Rantan and anybody and anybody and they're still there's the chicken little complex this guy's gonna fall down the plow why wouldn't that you got to be prepared for it that's what's happened every year so it against it there's nothing that would prepare you to say okay I'm really confident and I like games like the Boston Bruin game that's what the Bruins did all those

years ago come back from three goals in a critical game and then the Leafs coming back from three goals and winning that game and then the Leafs coming back from three goals and winning that game in Boston. Like I like those little, I'll call them measurable things. Again, what it means in the playoffs we don't know because it's never ever with this group transcended in any consistent form. So let's hope it changes. Okay we're gonna pick up the conversation when we return with Jim Ralph, Toronto Maple Leaf Radio Color

Analyst will get his thoughts as we get ever so closer to that NHL trade deadline You're watching and listening to real kipper and born Hey, it's Ben Ennis and I'm Brent Gunning. We got you covered on all things Leafs Raptors and Blue Jays every weekday morning 6 to 9 It's the fan morning show sportsnet 590 the fan and wherever you get your podcasts It's the fan morning show sportsnet 590 the fan and wherever you get your podcasts Welcome back into the real kipper and born show Let's go to our next guest a man that Gord's still like, you know

Particularly well because he was probably the best signing you ever had as a manager. Well, he claims I ended his career and I claim that signing him ended my career. So, you know, so. But then we both did color on the Toronto Maple Leaf Radio broadcast with Joe Bowen, him for many more years than I did. But yes, we both had grid lines. Jim Ralph, can you clarify, please?

Well, actually, Gordy started my broadcasting career. So I don't look at it as a man. So I did send Sammy, there was an old clip that I had found. I shared with Gordy and brother Bob of only golf together back in September. And it was Gordy talking as a general manager about, you know, I made some big saves, but a lot of the shots were from far out. And, but I made some big saves, but a lot of the shots were from the outside.

And I thought, boy, this guy would make a terrible analyst. Well, we're, we're lucky you're still at it. My friend under, under those circumstances, we just had head coach Craig Bruby on the show, and one of my first questions really were around the goaltending of Stolarz and Wall, and the expectations out of two guys that you still weren't sure of, and even to get to this point with what they've done.

Ralphie, you've been around the Leafs for quite a while, I won't say how many years, but have you ever seen anything like it? No, well, I mean, I guess not from a trauma standpoint, no. Yeah. Even when Curtis Joseph came in, Felix Spottsin was there, but you knew he was gonna be on the way out

and Glenn Healy was going to play with Gujo. So, you know, going, I know Gordy had the reggae best or era and, you know, a little different times in the league then, but no, I would say, I mean, the only comparable in the league obviously is Washington. You know what Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren have done there and it's alternating has worked pretty well there but I don't I don't remember the last time you felt this good about one guy let alone two of them. So I think we are the consensus is we agree with you but yesterday we had a debate about what percentage Austin Matthews is at.

Now I'm not putting words in your mouth, Kipper and Sammy, you said 50%, correct? I said 55, 60. Well, I gave him a better mark than that, but whatever. He's not 100. And I'm curious, the Austin Matthews, you're watching game in, game out, like what are you seeing? He's not gonna go for 70 goals, we know that.

We just hope he's healthy for the playoffs so we really don't have inside information to know that what's your take Ralphie well I mean we're trying to guess physically how he's feeling or injury related I'm I'll take a pass on that because that's yeah that'd be just guessing but I would say you know 60% of what we saw last year I think one of the things that you still have to be impressed with is the play on his own end you know for the most parties he's always in position he's among the league leaders and block shots and those aren't the sexiest of stats and those aren't going to show up in the highlight reel

once over so yeah I'd go a little higher than that. But you know, obviously, you know, not the dominant player that we saw last year. I mean, that's pretty evident. But you know, even Eagle Shoe of Edgeman stats, he had his, you know, 60 all seasons and his 30 all seasons during his stretch to get where he is. So, yeah, I would say just based on play, you know, 60%, which still makes him an elite player in this league, I think. So if there isn't sufficient evidence to suggest that he's physically hurting, is there just a chance, Ralphie,

that maybe style of play of the the simplicity of Craig Bruby's system or you know the straight lines or the predictability? Has has lessen his opportunities to do what he has done in the past? I don't know. I mean, can you make the comparison to? I don't know. I mean, can you make the comparison to, you know, Steve Isomann when he was asked, was it Scottie Goleman, wasn't it, that said that, you know, we're going to play differently and you're not going to get your 60 goals and we want to be more defensive and, you know, stronger on that side of the puck. So, you know, maybe there is, you know, a bit of a comparison there. You know, I think the tough part, and I know Gordy who went through it as a general manager, he's the captain of a team that's in first place in his

division and second in the conference. So I would, I would take team success, Kipper, I think over, you know, personal stats now. And I think that's a very valid point. The race, the race to 70 was a lot of fun last year but you also knew that Is this gonna be the highlight of the season throughout the first round and it turned out it was So the team goal and I look at it that okay

It's not the end of the world. Maybe if you're not first-unit division. Hey, but but why not do something different? Why not go in the playoffs with home ice advantage not playing boss or the team like Tampa Bay or that in the first? Excuse me the first round. I mean, do you think it's important? I just think it's really important this year Ralphie. Oh Absolutely, and and for no other reason Gordy then If it's Tampa and Florida play in the first round, let them take one of the other out instead of you having to do both maybe down the road or in the first round. Say if you finish second and you get Tampa in the first round and you get Florida in the second round, let the heavyweights go at it before you., I mean, like if you look at the standings now,

the least had played Detroit in the first round, which is, you know, careful what you wish for, but I think a little more favorable than, you know, getting one of the, one of the giants of the East again. So it's, um, you know, we've seen upsets before, so I'm not going to say, why wouldn't it be great to get Ottawa or Detroit in the first round? Because, um, you know, there's always that potential for disaster, hey, why wouldn't it be great to get Ottawa or Detroit in the first round because You know, there's always that potential for disaster, but I agree with you. I think it's for no other reason

We'll let them take one one of the other out, you know in the opening round instead of having to go through them twice You're listening to Jim Ralph Toronto Maple Leaf Color Analyst. So this time of year is something we're familiar with covering the leafs all these years, Ralphie, and leaf fans will be no different than any market out there screaming, I want this guy, I want that guy. I want the Stanley Cup. Where do you think that their priorities should be? And there's a wish list and then there's reality and where does it all fit in for the Leafs between now and Friday?

Has there ever been a trade deadline where a team didn't want a depth forward on top four defensemen? And I mean every team, like every year, every year it's the same wish list, it's everything else. And I'll say, you know, whether it may be a top four, might be a top five defenseman. I think you'd love to add, you know,

whether Hock and Pock can get into some games and prove that he's a viable option for them. You know, I do think, you know, the third line, even though they've had success of late, you wonder that they want an upgrade there. How much do they trust that going into the postseason? So I'll go with that stock response, get for top four or five D and you know,

a third line guy that can add some offense and be a shut down guy in the playoffs. You've heard some names out there, which ones excite you for the Leafs? I mean, it was Shannon Lawton, Braden Shannon Lawton up front. You know, and it might be kind of neat if you got the Shen brothers, you know, to share the journey together. And, you know, I think that would be kind of an interesting combination. They both won cups before. It'd be pretty

cool to see them try to win one together. So you talked about the, Deb, really his answer, AI could have given the answer that Ralphie did about, you know, whatever. We don't really need Ralphie if we have a future, whatever it may be. But the, like I just said, on the D side, like how about Tanoff OEL you know and and that and getting McCabe a trade deadline deal like like really in a short period of time Brad for living and that's that's a lot of stuff he moved so I'm curious the depth how you feel about the decor as a whole this year heading into playoffs compared to other years yeah well again Gora like, Gora, I'm like, I'd still want to add somebody, I think.

I mean, I think you like what they've got, but I think, you know, say, Simon Benoit is the, you know, five, six or seven guy. And then I still think there's that party that says, we've got to be ready for injuries. You know, we've got to make sure that we stock up and we can get through, you get through the grind of two months if you're fortunate enough to get there

and be able to compensate for any injuries along the way. So I love what they've done on the defensive side. With all due respect to the Timothy Lilligrens and Rosamund Sandines, I think they've upgraded in a way that's more Craig Rube friendly. Hopefully that means postseason as well. I did want to ask though Gordy, what were your big deadline deals for your time behind the helm? Well you know what I was going to ask you about was it

was a good deal. We didn't really draft extremely well with it. The three Belleville Bulls in the first round, but getting two first round picks from the Philadelphia Flyers for Ken Reget, right? So, and so that was it. There was a few other ones, but the question I had after, because you mentioned about Ken Reget and Alan Bester, Jeff Reese was the guy that moved up and he was with you in Newmarket.

Did you have any idea he would be like one of the all-time great goaltending instructors? Like he's been he's had a number of stops. He's about as respected a goaltending coach as there is. Did he have that in them back when you were playing with him? He was intense. We were actually roomed together in the NCAA. So that's that's you know, we have we actually got an apartment together up here in Newmarket when he was playing. We had one scrap and that was when he didn't want to get out of the ice, get out of the net Jordan practice. And then we didn't talk to each other for two days.

And then he broke down and he said, I can't take this anymore. He said, we got to, we got to move on cost. So I knew he had that intensity. Uh, one guy, I know he said he learned a great deal from was his time in New Jersey with Jacques Caron, who was, you know, a disciple of Jacques Plante. And, uh, there were a lot of things that we talked about, um, you know, and sort of as a comparison, you can say, you know, Tiger Woods golf swing compared to Sam Snead.

You can say, you know what, there's a lot of differences, but you're going, boy, the core of that is the same. And I think it's the same with golf. It's probably the position that's changed more in sports than any other. But there are still some things that whether squaring up or rebound control or cutting down angles, that's exactly the same. And I think what, what research really done is, is, you know, combine the new gold hitting style with, you know, some of the old core values.

Awesome stuff, Ralphie really appreciate your time, man. I have a great call tomorrow night. I'll do my best. That's all we can ask for. That's it. Jimmy time, man. Have a great call tomorrow night. I'll do my best. That's all we can ask for. That's it. Jimmy Ralph, everybody. Ken Reget was my training camp roommate in Philadelphia. He was a great guy. He was really good, really good guy.

He runs a bar now in Pittsburgh. I talked to him last year. They were trying to get Ed Johnson's name considered for the hockey Hall of Fame, Eddie Johnson. And it's funny again, we'll talk more trade deadline as we get used to it. But you know, it was my like I was a young general manager. And there's things that you made mistakes along the way, whatever. But the Kenraga deal, we're constantly on the phone, I had three fish on the line, in Bobby Clark in Philadelphia, David Poyle in Washington, and Jeremy in Buffalo, so you knew you had something

of value, and that was a neat part, and that's where, you know. So why Philly? The two first round picks was a big thing. Compared to what? What did you, do you remember what you also had on the table? More kind of journeyman players, right? Because Ken Reget, we knew he want a change of senior. It wasn't like he was having a kick-ass season.

He wasn't at all, he'd been hurt. But he was highly respected. Exactly, they saw the potential. So at least I had more than one. You gotta have more than one. Otherwise, you can play the bluff poker, but you're gonna get a left hold, and so at the end, so went on, went on.

And I remember Bob Clark, I just, just we talked about futures and the Bobby Clark said well my scouts are gonna be pissed at me but we've got Calgary's pick and Calgary and it went in the cup that year so there was pick was 21st overall but he said I couldn't I can offer you two first round picks and that was just like to ching you know I'm trying to jog my memory why did he want Ken Reddy did he not have Hexy by then? Yeah, I guess he did, you know, it's a good question. Kenny played in the playoffs. I don't know if Hexy even hurt whatever But but he can't remember him. Yeah, and and and Ken Reagan a lot of potentially you want to Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh?

Yes, so he did get his name on And that and yeah, but again that came down the scouting They were doing good scouting that Ken Reagan was was a good guy in a bad situation in Toronto to get, again, injury always came into play and that stuff. But that was my favorite, like, every day to go. And back then there's no cell phone. So you see Mary Speck was the admin assistant. Go, David Poyle's on the line.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. And then you go back. Like the scene in Moneyball. Then you go back. Well, he said back then, I remember he said, like, they end up drafting Olaf Kolzig and yeah, right by render foe like they they were interested in Peter Ing as well

You know he was there they really needed goaltending. So yeah, so it was kind of fun, right before we go We gotta do the lease line tomorrow. So Call in 416 413 4141 Call the lease line leave us a message and we'll play some of our best ones you'll be new to this you have to do this tomorrow where all our callers call in and they leave us funny messages and they make fun of us usually so yes yeah I've seen it oh good yeah good so you're familiar what you're getting yourself into so yeah call the Leafs Line now and throughout tomorrow

and we'll play on tomorrow you don't think I watch the show or listen to the show what do you think I just like I tomorrow. You don't think I watch the show or listen to the show? What do you think? I just like... I never know. I never know. What is real care? I'm going to be filling in for Justin. You are. And we're only getting started here. Our thanks to Craig Berube, head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs

and Jim Ralph, colour analyst. In the next hour as we go national, Jason Buchla, pro hockey Group, former NHL Scout. We go through a long list to get you to the NHL Trade Deadline. Back after these words.