Real Kyper & Bourne - Leafs Hour: Dancing With the Stars

Episode Date: February 7, 2024

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee start with some takeaways from last night's heavyweight battle between the Oilers and Golden Knights and the skill discrepancy between them and the Leafs. Then, assessing some of the Leafs' unanswered questions ahead of their game against the Stars - offensive production falling off, Tavares' concerning decline and whether it's too late for a coaching change. They are joined by former Stars goalie Marty Turco (30:22), who weighs in on the Stars' status in the competitive west, their defensive depth, where they'll go at the deadline and the new era led by Robinson & Hintz ushering in a bright future.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.

welcome on in the real kipper and born show this is the leaf edition we are on sports at 590 sports at 360 sports at plus from four to six sammy mckee justin born nick kiprios, Derek Brandeo, and let's welcome in Frank the Tank Baraska. Welcome, Frankie. Frankie. I'm going to punch for the fellas. Is he running naked right now upstairs? Seems unlikely, but possible. Is that not Frank the Tank from Will Ferrell?

We're going streaking. Yeah, we're and streaking yeah we're going streaking all right boys what do you think tonight back to back they get the dallas stars the toronto maple leafs last night two one winners over the buffalo sabers where they they needed a very strong performance out of Jake Ottinger, who will not be in net tonight. Yeah. Leafs get Scott Wedgwood for the second time, right?

The last two games? Yeah, they played him in the, I think it was like the sixth or seventh game of the season. They played the Stars in Dallas, and they had Wedgwood that night too. Can I do some Leafs fan... Takes right off the top. ...trust tree with you guys? But it's your show, basically. No, I want to ask your opinions on it,

because I know both you guys were up late watching... Edmonton. Edmonton and Vegas. I did, yeah. And I used to have... My dad and I used to have this conversation all the time that when the Leafs were bad through the 2010s, you'd watch the crappy Leafs play,

and then you'd watch any other elite team in the league play, and you would say, that's a different sport. That's a different league they're playing in. And that went away. During the regular season, that's gone away. For the last four or five years, the Leafs have been a really elite regular season team. For the first time in a long time after watching that game last night I'm like

that's that's a different class that's a different league wow feel like it's back wow yeah like the Leafs are still good they're not the 2010 Leafs don't get me wrong here but just the attention to detail on both of those teams the the defensive work, hard on pucks, the lack of mistakes. I can't disagree one second. And I watched the same thing. And I didn't see too many glaring mistakes off each side, Edmonton and Vegas. Like, good discipline, no odd man rushes, no glaring errors, just hard forecheck, hard back check, back pressure.

It had a huge playoff feel. You know, I think there's something with when you're a really successful team and you're really confident in the process, like obviously the Oilers would be through 16 straight wins um you know Vegas is defending cup champions where nothing happening is okay you don't feel the need to force something you're just content to be in the game and wait for your opportunities to come and I feel like this is a Leafs team that when it's not coming it starts to get desperate and force it in chances and stretch and whatever, you know, force the puck into the middle

where there's not that sort of like contented to just play. Just stay in it, stay in the game and wait for that door to open. But like, I think the Leafs have been a really good regular season team for the last four or five years. For sure. And they're still a really good team, right? No, no, no, no, no. They're not.

They're not. They're just. good team, right? No, no, no. They're not. They're not. They're a man. They're just. Right. Yeah, they're not a good regular season team anymore. And the stats will tell you that. The numbers will tell you that. Last night, the two teams we watched. Are elite.

Are the best two teams in the West. Maybe Colorado. But in years past, you'd go into those games with the Leafs thinking you have a chance to compete. Right? And the Leafs went to Ed a chance to compete right and the Leafs went to Edmonton and they were in the midst of that winning streak and they were in that game they ended up losing they blew it late I like I just don't think the Leafs are walking into Vegas tomorrow night and they're going to be able to play the game that they played like it's just like the defensive work it's just there's no mistake anyways their only mistake was a two

on oh off of a shorthanded goal, and they didn't give up any other mistakes. Anyways, we can talk about more in the national hour. No, but it's a fair, I mean, I've been saying, I had the Leafs, I think I said about a month ago, between 6th and 11th best in the league, and it's tough to not sit here today feeling like they're closer to 11th. I think the most glaring statistic or support to Sammy's case for what he saw last night compared to what we've seen from the Leafs is just 60 minutes of hockey.

Regulation wins. And it's incredible that Vancouver is sitting with 31 at this point and they are ahead by a country mile how many of the leafs i kept did you just say oh you don't want to know sammy i don't want to get the show off to a bad start tell me because i don't i i haven't kept track after it was like a big talking point for a long time there's 16 16 versus 31 for vancouver for vancouver and as bad as the edmonton oilers start was they've found a way to get in 24 vegas at 23 after last night's 3-1 victory yeah And I think there's all but eight teams, if I'm not mistaken, the Leafs, I think,

sit 24th in the league at 16 regulation wins in 48 games. 16, Justin. It's not good. Can we, but. That's a third of your games you're getting a regulation win. Just to further that point, the teams behind them, I don't think there's a playoff team in the bunch unless you think the Islanders get in, maybe Washington.

The Islanders with their win the other night against the Leafs are now at 15. It's Minnesota, Montreal, Anaheim, Columbus, San Jose, Chicago. That's bad company. It that's that's bad company it is it's bad comp i i guess it kind of just takes away from the the devil's advocate i was going to play but which one that just you know you they did win the games and they're in these close games like it's not like they're getting you know they could have a lot of regular defense they haven't lost a lot either that's what i mean they have a lot of regulation losses and be completely out of the playoff picture i'm'm just, you know, there is another side to that.

Yeah, no, no. For sure. I get it. It's not that they're getting blown out. They're not, you're not staring at a lottery pick. Actually, only five teams have, actually only four teams

have fewer regulation losses. Only Dallas, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Boston have fewer regulation losses. Yeah. You know, that's about what we think they are right they're not bad they're not great they're in the mix i was telling sam for the show they're the perfect team to talk about elite talent expectations underachieving there's so much here for them and they just we got to find what it is that they're missing i think the next we're

heading into now where it's you know we're getting close to trade deadline and we're heading into this next sort of like portion of the season where it's like the start of the season then it's pre-all-star break then post-all-star break you get into we have the playoff this part yeah and then it's like after the trade deadline you have your team you make your final push for the playoff or whatever but now that we're in the sort of trade deadline portion of the season, it's like, Brad, just be careful with that first. Just be careful with that first round pick.

They're in the first wild card spot right now with 58 points in 48 games. You know, on their heels there is the Islanders and Penguins. This is actually super helpful if you're watching on television right there, you can see, you know, they got games on Tampa and Florida and Boston, right? So you got a couple of cracks to get back up into that pile, but it's tight.

And I do think that the Flyers are going to drop out of there yet, but boy, I think the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to climb. Yeah, I think I see the Penguins as much as we can sit here and say and i think the islanders will be decent to oldest team in the league and not much upside there still should be enough for pittsburgh to get in there i think so too and i think with patty waugh and the islanders and the push they're gonna make i don't think lou's gonna sell at the deadline i think they'll get better too so what we're saying here is for the first time in a while, the Leaf fans are living through a playoff push here.

Like you are not in the clear. But it could go the other way. They win a few games. You could be going, can they be second there in the division? I think you're safe to say that today. And to Justin's point, you hope that they can, if they get a little streaky here, they can get themselves back into a little bit of a comfort zone we were having a you know a talk about this before we were talking about first round of the playoffs and how it

doesn't you know this team lacking this or that but i tell you what a lot of things can happen and one of them is you add a couple of pieces at the deadline if you end up in a wild card spot and you draw the rangers or carolina or something you're playing out of the metro it's a totally different season like it there's still the point i think playing out of the Metro, it's a totally different season. Like, there's still – the point I think we're all making is that there's a – they need help, but there's a lot of opportunity out here still. Listen, I think the big point is we have no clue what's going to happen. But neither does Sheldon.

Neither does Brendan. Neither does Brad. Like, this team, everyone's going, I don't know, we're okay. Hope. That's all you're don't know, we're okay. Well. Hope. That's all you're giving me right now is just hope. Hope that kills you. The fans have never tried the underdog thing in a regular season. And maybe.

Not since they played Washington. There might be that feeling now that they've got everything to gain and nothing to lose if they continue on this trajectory. Not a lot to lose, pal. Nothing to lose. I'm talking about the Leaf fan and expectations. I'm not talking

about jobs. I'm not talking about bodies moving. I'm talking about the Leaf fan expectation. Kipper, this team misses the playoffs. No matter how you're talking about the team expanding, this team may just move to Markham if they miss the playoffs.

Toronto hearts. They've got a whole different thing. Well, here's the really good news. And just a quick note, we're going to have Marty Turco, former NHL great goaltender for the Dallas Stars. He's going to join us in about 25 minutes. But the Leafs kind of own Dallas the last little while here. 5-0 and have pretty much dominated them, Sammy, in the last little while.

Goals 19-6 in the last five games against them coming along. One of the last five games against them was when matthews scored his leaf record oh yeah 55 55 was the record right i think he scored it in dallas yeah maybe in overtime if i'm not mistaken anyways uh yeah so there you go uh so a little bit of dad there's some stats for you guys the stars are first in the nhl with the 15 5 and 4 road record they're 4 0 and 2 on back-to-backs this is a road game on a back-to-back. Don't expect you're getting a depleted Dallas Stars team. Yeah, I picked them to win the Cup before the season started.

I've heard worse picks. And I'm not feeling great about it right now. You know what I do want to go back in time? Remember when the Oilers were like 5-13 and everyone was tweeting about Sportsnet's analysts being a bunch of idiots. Do you guys remember that? Oh, yeah, half your...

They weren't talking to me, though. I was the one on the air every day being like, there's 10 people around here that picked them to win the Cup. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Where are those 10 people? Stand up. Where are all the 10 people who picked them? Stand up.

Get in your mentions right now and send some likes and messages from November. They win 16 in a row you don't mention that they lose and now you're mentioning that i'm thinking of worse timing yeah well fair enough but listen they're still looking pretty good mark spectra on sportsnet today about how this is still the best they've looked even in a lot could have won that game last night aiden hill made a couple really great saves anyways Anyways. Okay. Let's go to our first Sheldon Keefe, Kipper's Clipper, on maybe some of the issues still plaguing the Toronto Maple Leafs,

including a little lack of scoring. Show them the opportunities they're getting, the chances that are there, and you just got to stay with it. There's nothing else you can do. I do think we've had a number of chances, and we've had no to stay with it. There's nothing else you can do. I do think we've had a number of chances, and we've had no issues generating scoring chances. For it to go over the line, you've just got to be persistent, stay with it, shoot the puck, be assertive,

guys away from the puck, disrupt the goaltenders, all those kind of things. That's really all you can do. And then at the same time, recognize that while you're going through that, you know, you've got to give up less if you want to win games. So that's the balance that you've got to strike there. But generating the scoring chances has not been a problem for us,

so we've just got to stay with it. Jonas Eagle has an interesting article on The Athletic today about top four scoring by team and what percentage of their team scoring total. The Leafs are number one, as you would expect. Their top four guys have 60% of their goals

this season. Florida's second with 56. Good teams tend to be up there, right? You have some elite talent, but the Leafs are far and away the most non-heavy. We mentioned it yesterday about, like, I don't see the other guys getting good chances. I see the top four guys getting good chances. Like, Nyes hasn't got a shot. And, you know, all that stuff you laid out there.

And Bertuzzi's lack of shooting. And Domi's lack of shooting. Like, I don't necessarily agree with him that he's like, look at all these chances you laid out there and Bertuzzi's lack of shooting and Domi's lack of shooting. I don't necessarily agree with him that he's like, look at all these chances you're getting. I watched the games too. Majority of them are coming from that 60%. For sure they are. That's a really good point.

I know Bertuzzi had the goal called back and he's had a couple. Bertuzzi's the only guy I can be like, he's due for a couple. Oh my God, he's been... We're talking about p a on a goal line where he just needs to go i know the one who's swinging away just blow harder blow harder push it over the line i've never seen a guy so close and not be able to push it over the goal

line he's beat it to a square a few times in front of the net this year. He really has. Here's to hoping he has that Boston first round in him where, you know, he's just around the crease and pucks find him. Because, boy, he's built up some luck. He's owed a little bit of karma here. I think, and we didn't touch on this really yesterday's show, but Tavares comes off of a nice break five six days probably chasing his kids around I don't

think he ended up at the beach anywhere but nice to get away from the game did you see enough out of Monday night to think that this guy can kind of come back a little bit here or is there still going to be some concerns here moving forward on on jt well it's a yes but he's not going to get that break before playoffs you know what i mean like this is i can when he's rested every game he comes back he looks great i thought he looked really good um the other night and he scores and he's involved in the play i think he had an assist as well right like he he'd look good but uh where it's gonna happen again i like is is sheldon like like we've said many times you probably know him a

little better than us is he the type of guy that can look at the standings and see them in a wild card and yet maybe three weeks from now or a month from now he'll give him a night off or he'll be like no screw it you make 11 million bucks i need you on a second line i need you on a power play i need you to produce well there's just never a night kip where they're going to be like these points don't matter you know or like yeah you know we'll just kind of throw our hat in the ring and see what happens tonight like it's you know sheldon from watching him for years here. He tries to win every hockey game. At the cost of accountability for whatever, for the year, he will try to win tonight.

Do you really believe that Tavares is away from the rink for the whole, like I feel like. He wasn't playing a hockey game. Over under days at the rink for him during the all-star break. I'll set it at three and a half. You think so? He's always like Vijay Singh. You're like, get off the range, pal.

He's probably taking ice baths, crushing kale smoothies. He's probably there the whole time. That's even nice, that living with him. Like, it's a focus. Whatever works right at the end of the day for you. Like, you know your body and your mind better than anybody, but is this just

father time catching up to him a little bit? Because I think there are times when we can still watch him and the foot speed's not there my biggest concern still even after his goal and an assist monday night is five on five guys yeah you didn't have a point five on five on monday night it was a four on four which maybe gives him a little bit more room. And then the power play goal. I can't tell you the last time he scored an even strength or five-on-five goal.

I think it was early December. I don't know if you have anywhere you can. Yeah, I know it's 20, 30 games. It's a long time. No, it's really concerning. Yeah. It's a long time. No, it's really concerning. And can he play and be successful five on five? Because that's how you win rounds in the playoffs. I'm a big fan of the expression, everything's a nail to a hammer.

And I feel like for Tavares, you said he knows his body, he knows whatever. And it's like, but a guy like him who just works hard and commits to his craft, he doesn't know how to relax, right? Like it just looks like maybe if I just, like, work harder. And sometimes that's not the answer for a guy like him. So, yeah, they may have to sit him down for a couple nights and say, I know you want to be out there and doing your thing, but because they obviously, given the top four scoring we talked about,

you require that. They've had no injuries out of their top four guys and still are struggling. Would it be December 11th versus the Islanders? Is that possible? Very, very possible. Yeah. When he scored his 1,000th point.

That's closing in on two months. That's a long time ago, boys. Yeah, it's a long time. No, I lied to you. Columbus, the 23rd. 23rd? Yeah, of December. Of what?

Yeah, 23rd of December. What are you marking? Even strength or five on five? Oh, just even strength. Well, see, to me. What are you marking, even strength or five on five? Oh, just even strength. Well, see, to me, five on five is different than four on four. Yeah. That's all. Yeah.

No, it's a long stretch. You know, I still feel like. He did have some good looks five on five Monday night. He did. He had one in the slot. Yeah. And Sorokin made a great leg save on him. His, like, expected goals are always through the roof.

He gets a lot of looks, and they're not going in. I'm not as worried about him as I think maybe you are. Like, I think he's still going to be able to produce for them. It's definitely a concern that his numbers are declining like they are. But I still feel like he's got enough juice. He gets some pucks around the crease. He can score some goals for them. But obviously, they need him too.

Yeah, but you can't. You absolutely can't sit him. You can't be like, we've got to dial you back. No? They need everything. Well, right now. They can't get a goal from… Once they get Kelly Arncroft back.

Well, I guess. Isn't he their best non-four-guy scorer? But, like, they need to bleed everything they can out of Tavares. Flex seal. Regardless of. New flex seal. Yeah. Regardless of how much of a stone it might be, you have to.

I believe they play Arizona three times in the next month. So, we're going to see a lot of flex seal. No way they play them three times in the next month. So we're going to see a lot of Flex Seal. No way they play them three times. Maybe in the month of March. They play three times in like a couple weeks. Stop leaks, man. So are we still too early to call this now a stretch drive, Sammy? Or is this what you kind of have us looking at?

I know Sheldon Keldon keeps going to talk a little bit about moving forward but is this do you consider this a stretch drive right now for sure it's after the all-star 30 games 30 games sprint but i agree with sam that it's like compartment or like you know i don't know what i'm looking for it's just yeah it's a chunk of games up to the all-star game like this is not the playoff push this is a what do we need assessment period you try to stack up points but you're also going god can we live with this guy can lilligran handle it can we get more out of domey can we yeah yeah okay let's go to sheldon keith and his thoughts on this stretch drive what he's looking for in the stretch drive there? Consistency.

That's really been the name of the game for us. Whether it's you look at the season as a whole, we've been all consistent with our play and even within games. You know, like I said the other night, we play well enough to win, and playing well enough to win to me is doing a lot of good things. Otherwise, you're not even in the game. You know, you're chasing the game, and you're letting the opposition pull away from you. We've been good in games, and then, you know, we let it get away on us.

Like, it's just consistent, doing consistently. That's the difference between the top teams, the elite teams, and everybody else in the league is consistency. So that's really what we're seeking. So that to me is the biggest problem with this team. The bonehead moments? There's just the lack of consistency. And with the other teams in years past,

with what they did in the bottom six with more defensive and they're just more consistent down there, you knew what you were going to get on a night-to-night basis. If it wasn't as much scoring, at least they weren't getting caved in, making dumb mistakes. You felt better with, like, Kasha and Lafferty and Achari. I guess, yeah. You know?

I did. Some of those guys. Zach Aston Reese. I gotta tell you, you know, you talked about consistency. Like, we've played well enough to win. We've just kind of had these moments sort of thing. It kind of reminds me of the, like,

the Galchenyuk turnover in the playoffs or the tournament, you know, where it's like, you just, I said this yesterday, where they just have these moments and cleaning that up is something I don't know if you can coach. I don't think you can coach it out of guys. I don't. No. Which is a major concern.

I don't know what the answer is here. Are you telling Lilligren to bank it off the glass every time? It's not fun. I just, I get the honeymoon of a Patrick Waugh, but those guys are right now, the Islander team that I saw beat the Leafs are kind of on their best behavior. Yeah.

And how long he continues to kind of squeeze out their best behavior, two weeks, a month, the rest of the season. I don't know. I don't know. But all I know is there's some coaches that find a way to never let you relax. And I don't know if it's Sheldon. Would a hard ass make you more aware of making simpler plays, safer plays?

Would you be a lot more scared if you had a different coach out there to make a mistake or relax? Like I've had different type of coaches. I can tell you Keenan scared the snot out of me i knew if i had one bad moment i'm either benched or in the press box i'm a healthy scratch the next day play the percentages do not gamble do not like is this sheldon needing to find a way to squeeze more safety or urgency or more attention to detail out of these guys? Or is it just on the individual? You can't.

You can't. No, I think you can. No, he can't. I mean, he's tried to be captain accountability this year. So first off, I think it's too late to change coaches. Do you agree with that? Or do you think, I mean, we're at. Listen, I don't think there's.

We're after the all-star game. There's two months of the season left. I don't know. Did Lou Lamorello fire somebody a week before and win the Stanley Cup? And went on the bench, didn't he? Didn't he fire somebody? Larry Robertson on the bench, I think. Came in.

Yeah, but no, there's a. He's done it himself on twice. He's done it twice, yeah. I don't believe for one second that it's ever too late if you get the response that you hope for. Okay. Well, it's getting late. It's getting late. If it happened now, it would be a late coach firing

among the team that's in the playoffs. It would be. Very unlikely. But listen, L.A. did it. Yeah. Todd McClellan's gone. And might I add that we were talking about Todd McClellan eight, ten weeks ago was the coach of the year.

This guy couldn't do anything wrong. He gets them off to the greatest start in road trip history. And now he's out of a job. Yeah. So my point there is just that Keefe can't. So assuming, my point was going to be, assuming they're keeping him because it would be so uncommon. I'm with you. I don't expect them to make a changeeefe can't. So assuming, my point was going to be, assuming they're keeping him, because it would be so uncommon. I'm with you.

I don't expect them to make a change. I don't. So assuming they keep him, we've already seen the attempts of being the accountability coach with, you know, they scratch, Kampf was at the one game, and they, you know,

a few examples of him trying to be the accountability. The guys for the power plays. Yeah. Yeah. But it's just, you can't, people know who you are. people know who you are players know who you are it's authentic or it's not authentic but you're gonna have to find a way to get these guys more consistent though down this stretch yeah i agree i just if what do you

do next if the accountability doesn't seem to be seeping in aren't we also just talking about the four guys who have 60% of their goals right now? Like, to me, hearing you, you're not talking about getting more accountability out of Domi. Oh, listen. Or getting more accountability out of Cam. He has to find a way to squeeze more out of those guys, too. Yeah.

So it's a cross the board for you? Yeah, I get that for sure. Okay. I think his inconsistencies and up and down has probably saved him this season in a weird way. Because you have that one long where the Kings were red hot. They were unbelievable.

And you're like, you got up to that standard. And everyone's like, wow, his team's elite. And then they go on a long losing streak and they can't win anymore. It's like, well, you're gone. With the Keefe, it's like, well, we're kind of good. No, we're bad. We're kind of good. We're bad.

It's like there's no been no like, this is a great team. That's exactly well, we're kind of good. No, we're bad. We're kind of good. We're bad. It's like there's no – At no point were you like, this is a great team. That's exactly it. So I don't know. I don't think they're going to change, coach. Expectations are – You know, the one thing even for John Tavares is like he did get benched, right? And although the points haven't been flying by, he has – you can see that his attention to detail has gotten a little better.

I don't think he's throwing as many pucks away. No, he's becoming not like Jason Spezza did with the Leafs, but you can see a more veteran type of style of play out of him for sure. But people expect more at $11 million. That's right. We're not looking for a good puck management for 11. They've got an issue with Lilligren right now. And how does, again, Sheldon get him to the place where they think he should be and that's

a legit top four guy yeah making good sound decisions is there any chance they would trade players who are good players in hopes of just becoming a different looking team as in you know lilligren but you're still getting a current player back or even bigger name, I'm getting a current player back. A trade for hockey's sake. The tendency now is because over the years, we've built up this trade deadline is the focus is on UFAs, UFAs. I'm with you. Go find RFAs.

Go do a real hockey trade that changes the makeup of this team without borrowing a rental. Right. There's no Cliff Fletcher trades for Doug Gilmore and how many guys were involved in that one? Seven guys, 11 guys. A lot of humans. But that's almost what the leafs need

right now yeah they need a three or four out and three or four in and you know why because you know what you have out of the top and it's a special group of guys and so if this isn't working below it i'm with you can we just and it has to new ones. It has to be names that we were not talking about. It's not Hannafin and Chikrin. No, it's Brandon Hagel. It's exactly Hagel. It's something 24, 25. And if it does cost you a first rounder,

you know whatever's coming back is going to stick around for the next three or four years. How many times can we do this? And like, why don't we change out the bottom six again? It's like, this is the trademark for Roman Yossi and Yossi Saros. I don't know. This is a seven different version of the bottom six.

That's what happens when you haven't won in 56 years. Team A, Team B. It's like, it's just a new Team B coming on in. Bring on Team B again. Not allowed to address Team A. Don't look at him in the's just a new Team B coming on in. Bring on Team B again. Not allowed to address Team A. Don't look at him in the eye. He'll turn into stone.

Unless you think that the hope is that these guys will turn it around. Sammy. Maybe this time. Surely this time will be different. We should go. All right. Don't call me Shirley. All right. When we return, we're going to bring in marty turco turco former

nhl-er almost 300 wins in his career 275 and now special assistant to the president of the dallas stars up next on the real kipper and born show hey it's ben ennis and i'm brent cutting we got you covered on all things leafs rafters and blue jays every weekday morning six to nine it's ben ennis and i'm brent cunning we got you covered on all things leafs rafters and blue jays every weekday morning six to nine it's the fan morning show sportsnet 590 the fan and wherever you get your podcasts we're back at kip rios justin bourne sam McKee. Okay, let's bring them in. One of the best goaltenders in Dallas Stars history, Marty Turco, 275 wins, three-time NHL All-Star, and the king of the charcuterie board, Marty Turco. You want to talk meat?

You want to talk cheeses? Hang with this guy. What's going on, Dirk? What do you got for me? A little salami? Maybe a little prosciutto, some super sata. I've been on the spec lately, a little harder, a little saltier. Nice, nice. I love that. Where were we when you brought this thing out? I'm like, the spec lately. A little bit, you know, a little harder, a little saltier. Nice, nice. I love that.

Where were we when you brought this thing out? I'm like, I love you. Oh, Jesus. Were we in Blue Mountain? I don't know. I don't know. But do you have, like, one in your trunk just for, like, in case of emergency? Hey, I travel well. You know the deal that i know you do my friend how are you

i'm good yourself we're good we're good so uh i don't know tell us a little bit about the the dallas stars i did pick them to win the stanley cup when they asked me back in september um i i don't mind my pick but I think I need more right now. What are your overall thoughts on the season? All right. Here's your condensed confidence booster for yourself. I mean, risque pick at the start of the year in the Central Division, Western Conference, probably 32-team league.

We got to go through at the minimum you know vegas colorado who knew about winnipeg who knew about vancouver i'd love to see the canadian teams rocking and rolling but um and a few more obstacles probably along the way never mind the finals if we ever get there okay saying that um i mean do we have to go 12 hours ago? Well, listen, Audinger was 12 hours ago. Yeah, 12 hours ago, right? So our goalie hasn't had the year, I mean, collectively that he wants, but he's got pedigree. And listen, I raised it last night. Yeah, our form has been there, but sometimes not.

But the pedigree is there. And, you know, he's a true number one. He's still a young guy. He's already had playoff experience. So, you know, that's kind of the linchpin, which we believe in. Fours have never been deeper, to be honest. And, you know, we thought that maybe going in, question mark, being Duchesne, turns out he might be our mvp uh to be

honest every place he's on power play line he's kicking on you name it uh it just rolls his energy is just contagious he gives it to gives me the energy too so he's playing fantastic uh all all lines i mean even look down at the bottom you know our guys from delandria steel and smith and fox uh these guys, you kind of get forgot about around here, but they're just a formidable fourth line. And we have three other good lines that are just rolling. So the emergence of Thomas Hartley,

I think this is kind of the one quiet piece that is really going to make the biggest difference for us in the back end. If we stay status quo through the trade deadline, I think he'll be the biggest reason we have any success in the playoffs. You just need, you know, your back end to put up numbers, but put up quality minutes, as you know. And so we just like it. I like the way our team, you know, the belief is.

And the way a guy like Wedgie carried the load for a while when Jake was hurt and maybe not playing his best. But, you know, if things get going, all things are going all things are equal we got good chances anybody uh popping in goals we tighten up things down the uh down the road for defensively uh get our goalie rocking and rolling you know you might look like a smart guy once all said done all right well you know that's a fun thing when a team comes to town has given the fans some players to watch. And the Thomas Hartley thing is fascinating to me. I think in goals among defensemen, he's in the mix there with Makar and Darlene. He was a Uyghur.

12 goals. You know, were you guys surprised that he's been this effective this year? What kind of D-man is this guy? All offensive? I haven't watched him all that closely. Yeah, I'm glad you asked. At one point, he was tied for the league and in goals for defenseman um doesn't need a lot of power play minutes um you know does eat some ice

time just because um you know it's probably our least depth position but it's still great it's still good um so he's a great skating defense and big body our expectations probably internally and at least for myself i was like yeah this kid has it from the time he went down the minors mature understood it worked on his overall game um and to come up here and we knew offensively it's kind of a thing with young defensemen right they offense usually isn't the issue you just got to learn the nuances of the league, how to play it, how to play positionally, work on your strength as a young guy. And he fits that mold. He's got a tremendous

upside and has an opportunity to play in this league a long time. So a real smooth skating guy, puck moving dude. I think he plays a little bit of a chip on his shoulder in terms of just competitiveness. He knows what you need for guys who are going to be all-stars in this league.

And that's the trajectory that he's on. And it's really bode well for us. And part of the reason why we put up our offensive numbers because you get that offense a lot of times from your back end, from the guys moving the puck. So he's been a really, you know, bright spot for us this year. And like I said, come playoff time, it's somebody like that that's just going to push you over the edge

when you win a 6-7 game series or not. We're talking a three-time NHL All-Star and now Special Assistant to the President of the Dallas Stars, Marty Turco. So you mentioned the position of defense being the least in-depth. Harley, Miro, Heiskanenen and Lindell to me stand out, but does it drop off a little bit here? I know Ryan Suter is still there,

probably playing a similar role to Mark Giordano here for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but a guy that you really got to watch the minutes in the mayor, in the wear and tear Marty. Yeah. I mean, we're in terror. He's, he's Yeah, I mean, wear and tear. He's the constant pro. Him and Joe Pavelski, I mean, these guys have played, I mean, more games than you and I probably just like Shayok. You know, these guys have just been stalwarts out there. But, I mean, there's a drop-off just because, you know, Merrill's all world. Esa's going to replace Team Finland Olympics

to play in the four-team deal next year. He's just that kind of player. Each minute, definitely on the defensive side, block shots, penalty killer, just a sublime competitor. And then Harley. But, I mean, other guys are great. They're good NHLers. It only is a drop because the other guys are just that good.

And this league is that tough on a nightly basis. And when you play against teams like ours that throw three just wildly offensive lines that you're going to need your third, fourth, fifth, sixth defenseman to play effective minutes.

And so we've had that this year. Our game has been overall a little bit loose. Our goals against has reflected that, but we expect that to tighten up here. You know, we're more than capable. These guys are all NHL defensemen, but I mean, it's still the reason why, just because our top end three guys are just that good.

And then you expect a little bit more of the other guys. So as special assistant to the president, will you recommend a trade for a blue liner? There's a lot of teams looking to add depth on that blue line. Can we assume that Dallas would be in the mix on needing a, a Chris Tanaf type of player? Maybe my recommendations usually go to what Barbara going to next. If you're hungry, I got the charcuterie

for you. Pickles, don't forget the pickles and the olives and the other stuff. Complete the deal. I just know where my, you know, where it ends for me. I mean, Jim Nail and Company

have been around the block a few times and our owner, Tom Velarde, I mean, Jim Nail and company have been around the block a few times. And, I mean, our owner, Tom Velarde, man, he wants to win like no other. And so they – I mean, I think that assumption is probably pretty good. Okay. And it'd be – I mean, they always are, even though we probably, you know, don't make as many moves as maybe our fan base would like sometimes. We make a lot of great moves that have panned out in recent years had a great run last year in the playoffs so our crew knows what they're doing and um i mean i just they're all they're always always looking

i mean that just kind of goes without saying but uh you know i'm sure i'm sure we see what the market's out there like but there's there's so many teams in the mix and there's only so many uh defensemen that are available and salary cap and all that stuff such a a major issue and and doing deals um you know it's it's probably hard to do but our our team is you know our hockey office is fantastic and we've had a really good run of of going to the cup finals a few years ago western congress finals last year and always being in the playoff mix. And so whatever they do, I'm sure it'll be a good move. And, you know, 32 teams get after it's a hard one to win. But like I said,

like our chances just as much as anybody, even though we haven't won 16 in a row, like that team out West. But you guys are really curious mix of talents. I just looking at that group of forwards. The one thing I'd like to hear more about is the surprise that has been Matt Duchesne. You mentioned that he has come from, like, what are we going to get out of this guy to nearly MVP status. I guess how surprising and positive a development has that been?

Well, it's just surprising because he got bought out right and you know we got him for you know really favorable price tag um for our salary cap um so when you just look at it in the linear perspective yeah it is surprising uh if you take his body of work as a whole and i mean his eagerness his drive this year's competit, his everyday ability to bring it and bring the fire. That's not, I mean, now you're going to see him from day one to, you know, just the last night. His skills there, they always, you know, always knew that. I mean, he was a high pick.

He was a great young player. He's still good. And it just goes to show you how finicky this league is when you have expectations based on your contract. But, you know, pound for pound, dollar for dollar, this guy has been, you know, that MVP you mentioned, and it's been a breath of fresh air to see him come in here with a little, you know, he's got a chip on his shoulder, to say the least, a lot to prove, you know, one-year deal.

But, man, he is good. He has that drive, but he also has the skill set. And he has that other thing, that moxie, that just drags other people along. So, you know, with Jamie Benn and Bawelski and others, you know, got a good foothold on our locker room. What a welcome addition, that fire that he brought this year. So, Dutchie's been a, you know, really wonderful addition.

He's really complimented this group a lot. Marty, we know Jason or Jamie Benn and Tyler Sagan are still there and key parts of that experience. But the team really belongs to the guys like Hintz and Robertson and even Wyatt Johnston now. Yeah, you're right. Our future is so bright, Kipper, that, you know, it's easy to look past, you know, this team this year, this leadership,

but we kind of have this great mix of, you know, experience with those two and Joe and even Suter on the back end to our young core that, you know, is locked up for the most part, you know, under contract. And right now, those three that you mentioned, that's our first line. Vovsky, you know, went down to play another line to get them going. And Wyatt Johnson, you know, a second year, you know, 20 years old, playing in the NHL, you know, he's just, man, he's good. And he's just a hockey player, right? He'd be a first overall pick if you're to go out in the streets

and play some shinny or get on the pond to play. We have an amazing first line forward. And Rupert Hance is big. He does it all. He's, you know, up for Selkie nominations or conversations all the time. And then, you know, Robertson, who just secretly goes about his business. You know, you watch him, doesn't get much fanfare. He's not, you know, dynamic looking.

You know, look at him and say, yeah, I mean, he's one of the best players in the world, but puts up a lot of points, and he makes everybody better around him, and he's just a really good player. And so, you know, those guys with Miro, I mean, that's his, you know, his 20s. And we also have a couple guys in the minor leagues. They're running away with the AHL scoring title this year, and it kind of cooled off a little bit. Our future does look super bright.

Our goalie's really young. There's a lot to be thankful for in the Stars organization. That being said, we're kind of coming down the stretch here of tight division, tight divisional race uh that should just make us stronger uh so you know we stay healthy and we kind of tighten things up a little bit defensively we should be in a really good position you know come playoff time but uh until then big one in toronto our boys always look forward to that um a lot of guys on our team from ontario so uh it's a great match up and uh after a big performance last night from our goalie we hope our forwards and defensemen that. A lot of guys on our team from Ontario. It's a great matchup.

After a big performance last night from our goalie, we hope our forwards and defensemen take better care of business tonight. Well, we're looking forward to it, man. Thanks for doing this. I haven't seen you in a while. I haven't talked to you in a while, but you look great. I don't know if it's a filtered lens or not, but it's working for you,

Marty. Don't be such a stranger and start bringing some wine and cheese around here. Yeah, you know what? I'm going to have to just surprise you one day, so I'll get with your producer and surprise you. I can't see you right now. It's probably the best, but I'll

see what you look like. I love that. Marty Turco, everybody. Thanks, pal. Thanks, Marty. Thanks, Marty. Thanks, guys. That guy is a riot. Did you play with him? No, I did not. But, you know, every once in a while you find yourself at a charity event, like, you know, years past, and, you know, you're like,

I don't really know that guy. And then by 3 a.m. you're like, I love you, man. It's a great meme of two guys trading shirts after the club at like 2 a.m. I can see you doing it with Turco. And then I'm not kidding. 3 a.m., the scootery boy comes out. I'm like, I don't know, is there a deli open downstairs? Like where did this come from?

Great goalie, dude. Fantastic goalie. Our list of goalies on this show as great guests is extensive. We have a long list of wonderful goaltender guests. And for the most part, they don't shut up. They love to talk. They do. Maybe it's because in the crease, they've had to hold that all in.

They're not talking on the bench to the guys. And over the years, it just builds up. That could be it. What are you expecting tonight out of uh out of dallas because this is a sneaky team it's a sneaky team you know top line of jason robertson rupe hints and wyatt johnston who you're like huh but all those guys are point for game players well robertson's not gonna hit the mark that he had last year if i'm not mistaken what 45 goals 46 goals yeah he's only has 17 but he's still gonna be sneaky 80 90 points and then marchment former toronto maple

leaf uh you know he's on pace for 30 goals dushane's on fire seconds you know putting the puck in the net pretty decent jamie ben sam steel joe pavelski is their third line. As we do our Leafs hour, I'll just note that's a bit of a different feel. And Pavelski is turning 40. So he's up there. Yeah, I know. I played with that guy in college. He's still doing this. He's in that Ryan Suter, Mark Giordano.

Yeah. But the role he plays now on this team is still super important. One goal away from his 14th 20-goal seasonth 20 goal he's also not a schlub doesn't he have 30 or 40 points like he's but he he still takes key face-offs he's still like blocking shots he's still producing like this guy's got life yeah i don't don't love the matchup for the Leafs tonight. He's got 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 50 games this year. Just without, you talk about that third line. Yeah.

Matching up against whatever the Leafs are going to be putting out there, third line. Robertson. Greger. Yeah. Like Ryan Suter, they need another defenseman. He needs to be like the seventh guy. I'm not sure I want Ryan Suter out there,

you know, to start the Stanley Cup playoffs. I'd like to note that Suter and Pavelski were teammates at Wisconsin back when I was in college. I did a workout today and I can barely open my eyes. I don't know if you can tell.

He's going to be playing in the National Hockey League. Yeah, they're quite good. Yeah. So I think it should be a stiff test for the boys in blue this evening. How's that sound? And a lot of guys from Ontario on this team

can say again. You're getting a great effort. Wyatt Johnson, I'm pretty sure he's a local guy. It just feels like there's a bunch of guys that like this Oregon Sleeves. Mason Marchment's having a better year. We do know he lost his dad very emotional last year.

And he's now kind of looking like the guy that they signed for sure. He's long and gangly and he'll fight you. Should have been a Leaf. Should have been a Leaf. No, I thought Malgan was like the MVP of the Swiss League. So I thought that was a pretty good trade. Honestly, though, I will say of my time with Sheldon and Kyle, the most baffling thing is giving up on this guy when they did.

The amount of time they put in. They really put in time to develop this player. You know what it was? Why they did it? They didn't think he could stay healthy. They didn't believe in his health. Based on what? He had some injuries.

Shoulders, what? Yeah. Me? I don't remember how extensive, but they just didn't think he'd be in lineups enough. You know, the other one I was thinking about last night is he's firing a puck. Carter Verhage. Yeah, wow. Oh my God, this guy could shoot the puck too.

He wasn't quite like... No, but he's still a guy in the system. Another team gave up on him before he went to the Panthers. I'm just telling you another guy that I saw. Fire went in the net. Amadio looked pretty good on the Knights last night, too. He was flying around. Anyways.

I'm not saying I miss him that bad. He's better on Leafs' fourth line. Anyways. All right, see what you started. Sorry to derail the Leafs. All right. Give me a score tonight. Leafs just surprise us again and just handle business.

I think the Leafs go 6-0-0. I'll take the Leafs on this one. Good for us. Just don't like the backup goalie tonight. I think the Leafs can take advantage. There you go. Okay. Plenty more still

on the real Kipper and Bourne show. We go national next.