Real Kyper & Bourne - Leafs Hour: Deadline Week Decisions

Episode Date: March 2, 2026

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee kick off trade deadline week in the NHL with a look back on the Toronto Maple Leafs' loss to the Ottawa Senators over the weekend. They discuss Auston Matthews' post-game comments, whether it's time for the Leafs to move on from Craig Berube, and the decision to scratch Nick Robertson. Then, they project the Leafs' deadline plans for Bobby McMann, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Scott Laughton. Later, PHLY Sports' Charlie O'Connor joins the show (34:34) to tee up tonight's matchup between the Leafs and Flyers and discuss Philadelphia's playoff chances, what they might do at the deadline, and whether a Robert Thomas trade is in the cards for Daniel Brière. 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.

All right, boys, here we go. Big week in the National Hockey League. The Real Kippin-Born show. Jake the Snake Shultz, Derek Brandeo, Nick Keprioz, Justin Boren, Sammy McKee. Live on Sportsnet 360, 590, the fan in Toronto, streaming always on Sportsnet Plus. Also available Spotify, Apple Podcast, and YouTube.

This is our Leaf Hour edition. Toronto Maple Leafs are set. to play the Philadelphia Flyers tonight at Scotia Bank Arena. You going? I am going to go. You look nice. Oh, thanks.

Don Draper over here. Well, somebody's got to look good in that building. Hey, now. Here we go. And the show begins. The Toronto Maple Leafs coming off a very disappointing Saturday night, which leads us into a trade week,

which will keep us very busy. Whether or not what comes in, we can always talk about what we can. can speculate or at least mention what we're hearing. But we'll start Saturday night division rival, a game that many thought, okay, all right, a couple stinkers in Florida, they're back home, they'll be fine. Yeah. Not so fine, J.B.

Not so fine. You know, I had a friend in the building that night who said it was perhaps the worst vibe in the arena that he can recall. Having, you know, it goes to many games. I was not there. You were there. I did. How accurate was that?

No, I felt it too. And like as someone that's been in that building, right from the get-go, 1999, right? Was the switch from Maple Leaf Gardens to the then Air Canada Center to now the Scotia Bank Arena. It was right up there with, a real kind of icky feeling. It feels like to me that the general feeling was not anger but apathy.

Like people just kind of like quiet sitting on their hand nothing to cheer for or was there palpable frustration and... I think a little bit of a little bit of both to be honest with you. And again, you know when you're coming into March and April around Toronto, know, especially coming last season off of an Atlantic Division Championship during the regular season. There's a buildup, you know, just before or after a trade deadline. Of course, leave fans like any other fan in any other market. Always watch the trade deadline carefully because you're thinking, okay, we're one more piece away from like winning it all, right?

Everybody does it. But there was none of that, right? So you're just like the conversation is who we're getting rid of. Right. And it's not necessarily to try to think that we're going to witness something in the next few weeks or the next month or so that excites us. And that really had led to the bad vibe. You know, the way that that game unfolded, they got out shot by incalculable amounts of shot. It was just embarrassing.

And I think that that was the sentiment post game. You did leave stock, Sammy, on Saturday? I did. And how was your guys' takeaway? I mean, we did three shows in a row that were basically the exact same show coming off the break. But I think, like you said, stinkers in Florida, coming off the break, not at home. Not like I would ever say that those are acceptable, clearly. They're not acceptable.

But I do think that there was a different level of embarrassment on Saturday night, especially after you'd get the early power play, you snap it around a bit. Morgan Raleigh shoots into the net. I think I even texted a couple of buddies being like, hey, at least, Leaves can still compete with the Sends and they can beat the Sends. And then I think from that text forward, they got outshot 16-1 in the first period

and then away we went. I thought it was like, I don't know, pathetic, disgraceful, crap, whatever word you want to say. I mean, how much was a ticket to get in there on Saturday night? They should have to refund people. It was brutal. Brutal. Austin post-game used the word embarrassing.

We have that clip if you'd like to hear it. We've got a few clips on the game. Let's start with Jake McCabe's clip. We'll start with Jake McCabe. Rarely played on the show, Jake McCabe. Jake McCabe on the game on Saturday. Yeah, a good first five minutes, I thought. You know, obviously get the first goal, which we've been searching for,

and then you get to get the bed after that. That's the type of analysis I expect from Jake McCabe. Peaky blinders, straightforward. We crapped the bed, but with an ass. Yeah, I, yeah, that's a nice way to put it. Yeah, you can play the captain there if you want there, Derek. Austin Matthews on the game. Yeah, I thought we started better.

Yeah, I don't know. I mean, just kind of lost it there. You know, I just really disconnected throughout all three zones. And, I mean, just bad, just fairly embarrassing, to be honest with you. It's just, you know, not the way we just have, we need to have more pride. our play no matter where we're at, no matter what the situation is. We just have to have more pride in our game and we didn't have that tonight. Okay, a guy that's as conservative as anybody starts using bad and embarrassing.

Might be a good sign. What do you think about that clip? Like, we've played Austin. I liked it. I liked it out of Austin. Yeah, but listening to that clip versus listening to other clips he's had boys, that seems way more genuine than he's ever said. Yes, to my point.

Yeah, that's the only thing that was a positive for me. As soon as he transitioned to bad, it's like he dropped the facade. He's like, it's just bad. It's like the humanness kind of came out at the end. You know, it's funny, though. I have like those sport logic stats or whatever. Yeah. They actually won more puck battles than Ottawa in that game,

which I don't say is a good thing. Yeah, this is, if we needed a useful or useless segment, that would sit at the top of the mountain. Useless. No, but I'm saying that because that's how bad they are compared to Ottawa. That even when they win more puck battles, they still can't play with it. They don't get to, they give it back. Can we give Ottawa some credit?

Thought they played unbelievable too. They're a very good team that just has had dog crap goaltending. See, this is the thing. I actually, I was talking with a guy today. I was like, yeah, it's just too bad. Like even the Sends are going to miss playoffs. I was sitting here thinking about it. I'm not sure they are.

Like, that kind of muddies the water. They're five points out of a playoff spot. Like I said, it just is the guy in net? Oh, God. Right? Going to go on this. Different goaltending this year. There's no margin of error here for, for Allmark.

He's going to have to go on a pretty big run. He's a guy who can. I know he hasn't. He's had stretches. Yeah. And then for whatever reason, he just, like, where do you go? I know. What happened?

Where did he go? He was right here. And that's the only head scratcher left for the Ottawa senators the rest of the season is if that guy shows up. If he does, then they're right in the thick of things. They can sneak in. So they were right there with the Leafs during the Olympic break, both at six points. And now what is Ottawa at five? And the Leafs are at eight.

But three points isn't that much, but it's a world of difference how you feel. feel about Ottawa and the Leafs today. Totally. Totally. And, you know, like I think I sent you guys that sport logic graph. Like the Leafs are bottom left in terms of goals for and against, which is bad. Top right is Ottawa. They're up there with the good teams in terms of their play and possession. And that thing you sent us before the game from 4'Net stats. Like, I mean, go down the list of defensive things that you want to be for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

They are dead last in the league and everything. And the Ottawa Senators are not. Yeah. Just about passing this along, that Edmonton trade did happen. Murphy to the Oilers. Second round pick went the other way and Chicago retained half of Murphy's 4.4. Okay. Well, we'll get into that in the national hour.

More on the Edmonton Oiler trade for Connor Murphy at the top of the hour. We'll also welcome in Jason Bucola. All right. So the fact is that they're getting beat up all over the ice, right? Rush chances, shots on goal, blah, blah. I don't even know. I looked up at the clock. I'm like, I think I saw 16-2 in shots.

That's what it was. End of the first. Is there some light bulbs burnt out? 16-12, maybe? Like, somebody hit the clock. I think it skipped or something. I'm like, how can this be? Now the question is right into Craig Barubby.

How does this happen? Why does it happen? how are they not ready and he was pretty animated Sammy after the game Yeah I mean we can play his clip But are you guys surprised He's behind the bench tonight

Yeah I think it's good that you brought that up You know that's a pretty That's the question people are asking today I want to hear his comments Sammy and then we'll play him out The clip is Clip three please Derek is the one that Everyone's talking about clip three

Yeah, for sure. I mean, I, you know, when I look at the game and show tape or we go over things, there's a certain way we need to play the game. But, you know, I can't give guys this or this. And that's, that's on, they have to, that, they have to come with that. That's got to be on them. Like, they got to bring the heart and the competitiveness that's needed. And it's all the little things.

they got to bring that. They got to want to bring that. We can bring the X's and O's and I can go in there and yell and scream at them all I want. That, you know, that doesn't, that's not going to, that doesn't do anything either. Leif's coach calls team dumb losers. So pointed out his head and his heart when he said,

I can't give him this, can't give him this. I'm being dramatic. I don't need the head. I just, once you point to the heart, it's over. It's over. Yeah. Yeah.

Wow. You think that's a significant... Oh, yeah. Listen, there's not a lot of places you can go after that. You walk in the room and you just did that one. When you get accused of being soft, that's a big deal. Yeah. Tough to rally for a guy.

You're accused of having no heart. That's a big deal. Yeah. That's a big deal. So then I am. shocked. I'm shocked. I am surprised that he's not,

that he's the coach today. You know, we saw Jim Hiller just get fired from L.A. This is sort of the time where teams, you know, give a guy a new chance, get your feet wet, do some evaluation, whatever, or at least get you through to summer. That game against Ottawa was a real showing. And he was asked, does he think the team has quit on him?

Yeah. Clip two, please. There. this team has quit? No, I'm not worried about. They didn't quit. They're not, I don't, I don't believe that. That's not, I don't worry about that.

As a Biden clip where they ask him how his memory is or whatever. I don't believe, I don't worry about this at all. So, what does quit mean to you? What, the first period? I know, but tell me what it means to you. Go ahead. To me, it's, it's the action. Are you willing to, you know, it's desperation.

It's that playoff level gear where you're like, okay, you know, like this is embarrassing. We love this team here. We need to do whatever it takes. And it shows in terms of competitiveness and engagement and some of that sort of stuff. It shows up in some way. Yeah. You? Me, it's just the message.

And that's real. You can quit on the message or the catchphrase all year was disqual. connect and if you don't start doing your own thing if you start doing your own thing you're on your own program and it doesn't remotely look like your cohesive group that's a form of quitting so are they i think that's happened i do believe that uh whatever message he has between the head and the heart he's questioning it he should question it because that's what it looks like i mean he's right when you've lost head and heart this guy he's not He's not wrong.

No, and like, I know it's bad here this year. I had heard for years that he was a guy who is not an exes and O's guys, but he is a motivational guy. He rallies the troops, they like him, whatever. Just go back to his last clip. Yeah. When he mentioned, I can go in there and scream and holler. It won't do any good.

It's like, I've already played that card. Well, that's what I'm saying. My point is if this guy's thing is that he's a motivational guy and they're not responding to motivation. Yeah. All right, what are we doing now? What's the point now? You're not trying to make playoffs anymore.

It's just, it's not working. There's a point where it's just like, he seems like a good man. Just let him. Like, let him. Like, does he need to be part of this disaster after the deadline? Like, let him go.

I don't know. Is there any chance that next year, it's Tree Living and Buruby trying again, another fresh start? You have seen that. You have a couple of more nights like Saturday night. Like I said this the other night with Martine on Sports Central. How many games they got left, Sammy?

22? 21? I think 22. It's a quarter of a season. Like you can't have many more looks like that. Forget about playoffs. Forget about points. Forget about where you're ranked.

You just can't send that program out there for 22 more games. and feel like people want to come and watch you. It's dangerous. The thing I'm seeing most from people is that what's been so embarrassing about this season is that as it's gone off the rails, they've done nothing. They haven't tried anything different. They haven't made a trade. They fired one assistant coach.

The last transaction, I think, was claiming Stetcher on waivers. Yeah. And that, sure, that was good. Yeah. But I mean, that's not enough. You could try another one. Sure. You know, and we're probably going to try a few years.

When you say it's dangerous, you mean apathy. You mean people just being like, you know what, whatever. I'm checked out. 100%. And where's the accountability? Yeah. Where is the accountability? I don't know.

And so you're hearing a lot about evaluation. Like next year is Peli trying to figure out if tree, how it goes to the deadline. I know that Don Sweeney was in trouble with the Bruins until a good deadline last year. He ended up getting an extension as a result of good deadline work. Could that be in the cards with a great deadline here? Well, clearly they're not willing to or do not want to go down the path of the L.A. Kings with Hiller, of course. A couple of bad games cost him his job. That's clear to you that they won't do that?

Well, if it doesn't happen on a Sunday or a Monday and you've got a game tonight, he will be behind the bench tonight. And now you're into Tuesday to a Friday deadline. line. Do you need that? Yesterday was the day. Yesterday was the day to let him go and make me make an announcement today if you wanted to. But that window is closed. Clearly the focus is on the trade deadline week. They didn't want to, I don't know, upstage that with a coach's firing. But another effort like that tonight against a team that you should beat, you're better than them, certainly will

I don't know. Really push for change. I'm not sure that are they better than the flyers? I will say it does feel like a big night tonight in that regard. In that like if that happens again, you almost, even if the management and ownership and everything doesn't want to fire the coach, you can't just keep going out and getting humiliated. And you can't.

And you can't keep telling people that we just need a better start. And like all of it just goes in one ear and out the other. And it's, There's too many games, guys. There's still too many games and too many scenarios where Austin has to say that was embarrassing again. And you've got to avoid that like the plague. The lineup they're dressing tonight in the lines that they have it is their playoff game one. This is like what they want to do.

Would start the year. Do you remember Cowan started with Lorenz and Lawton? Machialli Joshua was day one, a line. Matthews, Neelander together on a line with McMahon is that's their first line. and then McMahon or sorry nys tovar's domi i guess maybe nyes with matthews kneelander might be your game one but this is coaching for a win they are throwing their hardest fastball tonight and seeing what the solar is starting it sounds like nick robertson not playing tonight let's go to craig bruby on his lineup and getting nick and uh uh stetch out

uh clip 9th is out yeah again i got to make decisions in the lineup and uh I felt Nicky's game has dropped off even before the break a little bit and through the break here. So he's going to get just to get a reset today. Similar for Stetcher? Yeah, similar for Stetcher. What happened to Troy's Boys? Yeah. It was good.

It was good for a while. I mean, could I be frank? I still think he's better than Myers. Oh, yeah. I think this is just a spot where he's looking to shake it up and get a win. desperate guy, but I mean, he's not worse than Myers. No. So, I mean, he's been not great since the break.

I understand that, but it's kind of a crappy team. They have handed him a big load for a waiver claim, you know? Like, it's not like they're using them in 14 minutes. He's already giving him way more than anybody caught. Yeah. Yeah. So, I mean, I'm whatever. At this point, I'm not going to lose any sleep over choice denture getting scratched.

But I would say I lose a wink over. So you're pulling the contract, the four-year deal you were offering? Yeah, I think it's going to be down to a two-year-old probably. The Nick Robertson won to me is, he shouldn't, if you're going to tell me what he should be doing with Nick Robertson, like first line or scratch, first line. Yeah. You are a bad hockey team.

You are in last place in your division. Play the guys that have a touch of promise. I know he's not perfect. Oh, that's coming. The play the guys with the touch of promise is coming days. You're going to see Quillen alongside Robertson. Oh, man. It's coming.

I don't know. Introducing Bo Gruel. Does that not tell you, though, like if if. Groozy. If there was any, if there was any team interested in trading for Nick, you'd have them in the lineup. Yeah. You don't think any team is interested. I think no one is interested in trading him for what you would give him up for.

Like, I think they're not going to get a third for him, so why do it? Oh, my gosh. Just keep them. take a fourth now then nick they're no good he's 23 keep him just keep him just play him you suck you suck you suck and you can't play him no you can you can that's the whole point you're choosing not to that that's just send him off please but here's the thing though that's what are you holding on to him for why you playing match don't me over him tonight just play anybody just let him in the line like i I don't, this is what my,

they don't see any value in them. But the thing is, I want them to change the they. Okay, hold on. Change the they, they didn't see any value. They got us in last place in the division. They don't see any value to trade them and they don't see any value to play them right now.

They didn't see any value in Pontus Holmberg who plays middle six minutes of his career high goals for Tampa Bay. They didn't see any value in Connor Dewar, who has 13 goals for the Pittsburgh Penguins. They didn't see any value in Alex Steves, who just signed. to two-year-year contract with the Boston Bruins, they might not be awesome at assessing value.

You got me. You got me. But like, you should be where you're at. This is the, like, if you're going to let the Rubei go, this is the number one thing. Change the mindset of what you are. Like, they're still acting here. Like, it's, oh, we're going to dig out of it, all this.

It's like, you're not digging out of crap. You are in last and you're going to be staying in last. So act like a last place team and play your guys with promise. Like, why is Robertson sitting? Like, I, stupid as Hill ever to die on. Didn't you just say you weren't going to get worked up over that? No, I got, not over stature.

But over Robertson, it's like, I mean, it's not like he's been any good. All right. Why? Was that just a warm up to get your thoughts on Bobby McMahon? Oh, sure. On the potential of him. Play the clip.

Signing or being traded, Sammy? Blake. Yeah, I mean, that's hard to put into words. I'm not really necessarily trying to speculate on officially leaving either. Like I think, like, I want to just battle here. And it's been fun my whole career, working my way into the NHL here, and giving the opportunity. I want to make the most of it and continue to put my best effort forward

in the matter of the situation. He doesn't want to leave. You know, that whole, we've never. Never played a Bobby McMahon clip before, right? Ever. He's his voice. Two, McCabe and Bobby McMan. Good work today.

Okay, so where are you guys on signing him to a team-friendly deal? Team-friendly. Sure. Talk to me, Goose. 8.50 times four, done. Oh, no. I'll tell you what they're trying to do is get something with a three in it. If you can get him with something starts at the three I'm sold.

3.9. Four years. for Bobby to go in the threes you'd have to offer him six or seven years no I'm telling you know I mean that's okay well I'm out for these reasons what was that dragon's dead oh yeah yeah let's bring out Bobby McGrath on Dragon's Den I'm out

Offing you 10% of Bobby McHan. I've made a huge mistake. If he feels like this is one last ditch effort to sign something around $20 or $25 million, you can go somewhere else and get it for four or five years, or you can spread it out here over six. It just feels like that's not going to be super fun to deal with. You know, the cap does go down. It's just you get in trouble.

when you give middle 60 guys more than $1,2 million, it starts looking like, oh, we got to get camp out of here, we got to get Yarn Kroc out of here, we got to get Domi out of here. These are the guys that end up being like, boy, we can move that hit. Sure wish we didn't have that. Pay the really good guys a lot.

Keep the really good guys. Fill in around. That's, you know, if you're going to give Kyle Dubus credit for anything here, he never overspent on some of the middle stuff. Hey, listen, maybe that's why they never got past certain spots. You have to kind of thread the needle. But, I mean, they've overpaid for their whole bottom half of the lineup. I mean, like, what are we going to talk about the Dakota Joshua thing of all this?

Like, he makes, he doesn't make 850 boys. He makes 3.5. You know, Machelli, like, think about the money they're spending on these guys that are giving them nothing. Typically, it's like, can you just take it off our hands? And if we, if you throw us a five or six round pick, all the better. But like those contracts now, you're just,

you're trying to unload. A lot of teams out there just trying to unload. Those are the deals. Like Bobby McMahon has the potential to be your next Joshua deal. Yes. It's,

it's, I think he's a good player. That has not meant, I even think good Joshua was good. But these guys in the middle, it's just, it's scary. And you need to be careful with that money

or you end up spending money, as you said, to get rid of them sometimes. What could he fetched? You think a second for Bobby now? That's what we're talking about. It was never a first, in my opinion, unless someone really was overspent. Yeah, three straight games of not noticing him doesn't help.

The general feeling around the league is, yeah, you can sometimes look like a second-line guy on a bad hockey club. But can you, if I'm contending right now, Bob Bobby McMahon's a six to nine. Yeah. Hey, he's playing. with Matthews and Nealander tonight.

They're like, get him some points. We need some points. Yeah, let's play in the Ozone with Bobby. Yeah. As we went into this week, some suggesting that OEL was tied into the Edmonton Oilers. We know that they made a move for Connor Murphy moments ago. Yep.

Yeah, you reported that. Where are you on OEL? I'm interested to see, what happens with these D because I think that OEL wants to stay it sounds like there's some clips out, you know, some things he said. Sounds like he wants to be here. Brandon Carlo

I think it is no good to trade my opinion. I think there's more value there than his performance this year. I think he's... I don't hear his name. I could be way off on this. I think you'd be trading him at a low. He's been pretty good the last 10 games. Like he's starting, there's more there

than you would get for him right now. I don't like that. OEL, however, I am I think you should train him. I just... And even if it's for a second and a prospect? Yeah. Yeah. He's 35 years old.

At some point here, I would worry that he's never going to look as good as he's looked over the last little while. He's had a career year. And you would argue that, I've seen some nerd numbers that don't particularly love his season. It's the time. Right now is the exact time to do it.

Yeah, you got to do it. And then you start next year. He gets hurt in the first month and he doesn't play and you're like, God, we probably should have taken the second in the prospect for him at that point. No, you're right. You're right. So then the off season, you've got to find a way to get some guys who can do what he does. That's the dilemma with OEL is the replacement cost.

Who could we bring in who can play 21 minutes a night? But it's like, how did you get OEL? Yes. For agent signing. Signing. You know, like, you got to find the next guy. That's the job. Is find the next guy who can give you good minutes at a decent price.

You don't have to get guys value at UFA because you're not spending an asset. You just have to pick the right guys. Guys you can still contribute. Is Darren Radish going to be good enough? Yeah, you're going to have an eye. Yeah. That's, and again, these are tough questions. Do you have someone who's assessing value well in that spot?

You heard me on it five minutes ago, how I feel about it. Yeah, I think, I would say that the fan base, and the, you want to talk about a disconnect, the fan base trust level is not high. Like I don't, I'm not, I'm not. You're talking for Brad Tree Living and just, just heading into this. Ruby. Not just heading into this week in general, boys.

Like I don't get a ton of text of people being like, that Brad's going to nail this. You know, it's people are saying, better not screw this up. Because even if, for example, if there's a world where potentially after this year, he isn't here anymore, this deadline has a chance to at least,

like if you care at all about your legacy and like what you are as a general manager, if you somewhat restock the cupboard and you happen to get a first and a couple picks and maybe a problem. You can like just be like, hey, it wasn't all bad. Yeah.

Because right now it's tracking towards putting the stake in like the biggest failure of a organization. Like, you know, like this point of where we're at right now. Yeah. It's a toxic spot. Scotty Lawton seems like the most sure thing to be traded. Are you with me on that?

Yeah, I am. It stinks. Why are they not all sure things? Well, it stinks at the guys that are likely to get traded, OEL, Lawton, when they're losing, when they're in a quiet game, there's like two of the guys who might stand up for their goalie or getting someone's face or care still. Like, it sucks at the guys who are you.

UFAs are also the guys who have shown heart. Yeah, totally. If they're trying to sign Bobby McMahon to a contract in the high threes or even the low fours, it's like, what do you think they'd offer Scott Lotton if they chose not to trade him? Do you think he's more or less valuable than Bobby McMahon? To me, he's a little older, less offensively. They don't use them much, so he should be less valuable, right? I think if you just base it on how you played him, where you.

you played him, how many minutes on some nights he gave him, absolutely less value. You know, he's a center, he's physical, he's an intangible leadership type guy. He spent a good portion on the fourth line. Yeah. You know, and I'm just saying that maybe you get to pay him by the way you've used him, but you know that there's other value with a guy like him. You know, I also think this. I think that he probably doesn't like how he's been treated or used since he was acquired.

Yeah. And if you changed, would that change his opinion on wanting to stay? Yep. Yeah, I think they'd have a tough time getting a second rounder for him. Yeah, well, then no thank you. Like, I'd rather, I'd rather keep Lawton if you could keep him for a few years. It's, it is interesting. I don't, if they're trying to win next year, you can't have nobody.

And I don't mind having a couple guys like that if he's at a decent price. But like, he had Bruby in Philly when things just didn't quite work out and he didn't have a ton of success. And I just don't think, for whatever reason, he's had great. runs with Craig Barubi. Do you want to keep going or do you want to go? Anything more? Where do you want to? Anywhere you want to? Loe have Lawton on the deadline.

Yeah, sure. Let's play it. Might as well play this. We're talking about it. Okay. Scott Lawton on the deadline. Yeah, honestly, I've talked about it quite a bit. I think, obviously, I've loved it here and I've loved my time, and that's all I really

can control. I don't get in the conversations too much, so I'm a leaf, and that's where I want to be. and we'll see where it goes. But I'm focused on getting two points against my former team and trying to kind of get this thing rolling in the right direction. I think Elliot mentioned maybe a link with him in Colorado. Great pickup for Colorado. It sounds like Colorado wants way more upside than Scott Lawton's game

and not to disrespect him. But it really sounds like they're focusing in on cadre or somebody that can come in and believe it or not, help the worst power play in the league. Yeah. So I don't think they're going to go down that direction with Scott. Do you want me to fix their power play right now on Colorado? Shoot.

Take Mac off the flank. Take McKinnon off the flank. Okay. Okay, fixed it. Where are you having them in front of the net? Yeah. Cross check. Sure.

Bumper. Bumper. Let them shoot it from the bumper. It's just funny. All I ever hear is that everybody hates it in Toronto. Every, everybody's like, oh, who would ever go to Toronto? Oh, don't. Toronto, Toronto. And then every time they ask them about it's like, I don't want to go. I love Toronto. I love it here. I want to be a leaf. It's like, oh, I guess it's just everybody hates it.

Carlos had multiple things where he's like, you know, 14th out of 16. He's like, I don't want to go. I would like to be here, be a leaf. So that's encouraging. Listen, go back to Mitch Martin's comment. You get, you get treated like a king. Yeah. Right? You're rock stars. Well, no, I don't think it's as fun when you're getting kicked around by everyone. Yeah, it's a couple. Mitch also felt that. Great chefs. I listen, I can confirm that.

It's fantastic. That part. All right. Okay, let's take a quick break. Plenty more is the Toronto Maple Leafs set to do battle with the Philadelphia Flyers. We got Charlie O'Connor covers the Philadelphia Flyers. It's one of their beat writers. We'll join us next when we return to Real Kipper and Bourne.

Hey, it's Matt Marquesie. And I'm Mike Futa. We're discussing the top stories of the day across the NHL and the hockey world. Weekdays at noon. It's the fan hockey show on SportsNet 590 The Fan and wherever you get your podcast. Welcome back to the program. Nickyprio's Justin Boren, Sammy McKee, Toronto Maple Leafs.

Philadelphia Flyers tonight. We welcome in Charlie O'Connor. Covers the Philadelphia Flyers. Does a great job. Thanks for doing this. Charlie, how are you? Doing okay. How are you guys doing?

Okay, so our Flyer fans as crazy as Lee fans up here, like our boy Sammy here around the tread deadline. they want everybody gone, they want everybody traded there? I mean, there's a challenge that they would like that, but I hesitate to call any fan base, except maybe Eagles fans here in Philadelphia, as crazy as Toronto Maple Leafs fans. Did they think there's a playoff chance for the Flyers,

six points back right now? I would say that the consensus from fans is no. I can tell you that the players in that room still think that they can pull it off. They still think that they're capable. I would say the market overall, not so much confidence. And I don't get the sense that General Manager, Danny Breyer, is operating under the assumption that they're going to make it.

But the players certainly think that they can do it. And they've won their last two games. So there's still belief in that room. I would say everyone else is pretty skeptical. So that means they're going to be coming with it tonight, I would assume. Tell us about where they're at. It seems to me like this team has performed maybe roughly, too about what its talent level is this season?

I think that's fair. I think everything just sort of got thrown in terms of everyone's expectations when they got up to a good start. You know, through the first couple games of January, this was a team that wasn't, you know, merely battling for a playoff spot. They were sitting second in the Metro Division.

And, you know, this team hasn't been to a, been to the playoffs since 2020. They haven't played a home playoff game since 2018 because the 2020 playoffs were in a bubble. So people got excited. They got excited. They started thinking, you know, maybe they can get this going quicker than expected. And then January was essentially an unmitigated disaster.

You know, they had some injuries, but they really just kind of got caught in a spiral and couldn't pull themselves out of it. Now, the last two games, really the last three, because, you know, they lost the first game back from the break, but it was a close game. They gave up the game winning goal late in the third period. They've looked better. Now, can they hold that? I guess we'll see.

But they more or less now look like they're back to the team that they were before the January swoon. And I guess that's good for their competitiveness the rest of the year. That said, they're now very far behind in terms of the Eastern Conference standing, the Metropolitan Division standing. So even if they're back to what they were before in terms of true talent level, and I think there's a good chance they are, they're going to have to pick up a lot of points. They want any chance to make the playoffs. going to be real tough. You're listening to Charlie O'Connor does a great job covering the Philadelphia

Flyers as we get set for a 730 puck drop between the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Philadelphia Flyers. So if my memory serves correct, the switch from Chuck Fletcher to the era of Daniel Breyer, Keith Jones, May of 2023, if I'm not mistaken. And it's been a while now. So where is the fan base? Tremendous upside. New fresh minds coming in. going to lead this direction. Where are they in terms of their patience right now with this management group, the fans? I would say that especially online, it's really running thin.

I think the fan base overall is a little bit more willing to cut Breyer and Jones some slack. But I think fans are frustrated. And I think, again, the fact that they got, you know, they got off to the solid, start, it got people a bit excited. And then this past month, or really two months, because they didn't play in February. So mostly January, kind of crashed everybody back to Earth. And the thing is is that there are, you know, even though they have stockpiles and talent, they have a bunch of

young, good young players, the big concern, and it's a reasonable concern on the part of a Flyers fans is, you know, yeah, you've got, you've got young talent, you know, you've got Mawc, you've got Mawaitz, you've got Porter Martone coming, you know, you have a very deep prospect pool. don't really have anybody in their system, either on the NHL team or in the prospect pool, who checks the box of, you know, potential future first-line center, potential future number one defenseman. So they have young talent. They have built, you know, from within, but the centers they have in the system don't

look like they're at this point, don't look like they project to be elite level of centers. And the defense spin, it's the same thing. You know, they have some good guys and, you know, Cam Bjork and Jamie Drysdale. they have Oliver Bonk coming. It was a first round pick in 2023, but none of these guys scream, you know, 25 minutes a night stud. So fans are a bit concerned that, you know,

the fact that their best young players are wingers, and that's not a premium position, you know, how are you going to get those guys? So they're going to have to be active in the trade market. They might have to look at offer sheets. They're going to have to get creative because it doesn't look like this team, unless they get lottery luck the way that the Islanders did,

is going to be bad enough to get a top three pick anytime soon, which is where you usually get those guys in the draft. Charlie, before we let you go, just a comment on Owen Tippett. Is that a winger that could change the face with a major trade? He has zero protection, I think, for a trade this week. But he gets some next year. But is that what the fans want? Maybe something like that?

Well, I think fans look at and they do see a winger logjam. There are a lot of wingers on this team. There are a lot of good wingers on this team. But ultimately, you're not going to have enough spaces for all of them, especially if Trevor Zegris ends up being a winger long term rather than eventually moving back to center full term, you know, over the long term. So is tippet a guy who fans would be open to the flyers moving? Absolutely.

You know, I think, you know, there's a point of it depends on what you get back for. I'm like, I don't think anybody wants them just. just to trade Owen Tippett for a draft pick and be done with it. But if they could use Tippett to get a guy who plays a premium position, you know, in a package like that where you're addressing defense or you're addressing center, I think people will be very open to it. I don't think people would be thrilled unless this came in the process of like, we're just going to trade everyone in tank.

I think there are a lot of fans who'd be very excited about that. But if the only move, you know, at the deadline in this off season is like trading Owen Tippett for a first round pick and a B-level prospect, I don't think anybody's going to be super excited about it. If Owen Tipic gets traded in a package for a top six center, then I think people would be very excited about it.

Could Robert Thomas, or one of those bigger names, be something that changes the fans' opinion of the management here? I absolutely think it would. I think, you know, Robert Thomas is, you know, maybe not a superstar level, first-line center, but he absolutely is a first-line center.

I haven't really heard much on the Flyers being in the mix for Robert Thomas, even though to me he would make a lot of sense. And maybe Danny Breyer is working in the shadows. You know, he's doing this and he's keeping it, keeping his interest under wraps. But, I mean, to me, Robert Thomas would make a lot of sense, you know, for the flyers, especially if they want to, you know, kick this thing into high gear over the next couple of years. I just really haven't heard anything and keeping my ears to the ground. But I guess we'll say.

Charlie, really appreciate your time. Enjoy the game tonight. Thanks for doing this. All right, you got it. Thanks, guys. Thanks, Charlie. Charlie O'Connor on the Philadelphia Flyers. It is so hard to get a number one center, a number one D, and a goalie.

That was like the three things, which is why it's incredible, you know, that the Vancouver Canucks had those things and then just absolutely fumbled. You got a goalie's just hardly ever go, right? Yeah. At the trade deadline is just it's always deemed a little too late. I mean, who knows whether or not we'll see Bennington go anywhere. Broboski seems to be out there now, but I...

We'll talk about that in the national hour. There's no loyalty involved. He's been too big for them in big spots. Hey, I had a question for you guys. Something that kind of came across my desk this morning that did Mack say on Friday make a comment about Doug Armstrong to the least?

Yeah. That one did. Went right over my head, barely noticed it. It's been like reported. on he got aggregated that thing's been out there for like months I mean you've mentioned it I mean way too early I mean you mentioned it like two years ago I think but

it's it's first of all it's it's always a standard when the the leifes are in trouble or if there's ever a scenario like this then there's a new flavor out there that's better well yeah and they'll always mention

it we Brian Burke went through it you know all everybody's everybody goes through it. Just that's the Toronto way. Just start talking about Doug Armstrong now coming. Well, it's always, you know, there are the Toronto Maple Leafs. There's no salary cap off the ice.

So you just, the Leafs try to wield that power. They went and spent 50 million on Mike Babcock. You know, like that's the big name. They went and got Brandon Shanahan. We talked about Barry Trots when he was available as a coach back in the day. You know, it's. There is an appeal, though. It takes two to tangle sometimes.

But there's a lot of people that, want this job. It's always, always attractive. Is Doug one of those guys? Well, listen, we've had him on the show before. Book them and we'll ask him. All right, I'll try. Yeah, I'm sure.

I'll text blues PR and be like, hey, you go on the show. Our Doug might be one of the few guys that give you an honest answer. He might. Yeah, he probably would. He's been fantastic. Yeah, yeah, I'm looking at that.

He's been fantastic. I'm not going to tell you what's happening. I'll just tell you what I'm hearing. But Robert Thomas That's obviously a big name Name that always is connected Whenever Leath fans talk about it is nyes About a trade

It's not enough but Well no Robert Thomas It's not it Like there's no package out there There's nothing Sam Please tell me You know the general Kind of scope of the Leafs

Tell me right now What the Leafs could do to get Robert Thomas Nyes in your 2028 NICE I don't want to I don't really necessarily want to have a conversation about putting together a package. But I think it's more of a conversation of like the willingness to deal with nyes. Like I think at the start of this year, all of us would have agreed that he is a complete untouchable.

But, I mean, it hasn't been a perfect year for him, I wouldn't say. So I'm surprised to see. I'm surprised that leave fans are like, yeah. It's really disappointing. His season is really disappointing. Yeah. Yeah. Like injury related for a lot of it in there.

Sure. You know. And that's something But I certainly was hoping for more of a step I would like to see him get lean next year And get that foot speed up You know, it's important You guys know how I felt about

Love Matthew nice That there is still an element That he just doesn't bring it every night He could be The biggest, toughest guy out there He just doesn't bring it every night Yeah

And it's, well, we've had these conversations. What is, can he be a point of game guy? Can he be an 80 point guy? He definitely can because he's at a point per game this year. He can do it for sure. Really? Yeah, I don't, I don't know. I don't know if he'll ever,

I don't know if he'll ever be able to do that over 82 games. Let me just see here. What are we talking about? He currently has 48 points in 57 games. So people, I mean, just chum into that. How many goals is he, what's he on pace for, for goals? He's on pace for, I don't know, 22, 3.

No good. He had 29 last year. And we thought 30 was a given. Well, yeah. I don't want to throw chum to the sharks here, but I'm about to. We always talk about Matthews missing Marner the most. I think Nize is a guy that, you know, gets to the right areas. I can get to the front of the net.

Like he's a guy that, you know. Keep going. Well, listen. Morgan. Wow. The goalies. Keep going. Yeah, I mean, does he play net?

I'm just saying the guys that played on his line. He was the closest thing to playing net that they've had in 10 years. Who? Marner? Marner. The best defensive forward by a country mile. Sure. Which helps everybody.

So you think they'd still be in a playoff spot if he was on the team? Yes. Yeah, I think probably, right? Really? Well, they're six. Kippers. He was, he was, he was, the six points they were missing at the Olympic break. Yeah, I think that's fair.

A three-win player? Yeah, that's fair. The, uh... And I'll go a step further. Yeah. Right? That's just the way it is now in this game. You, you take Marner out, Leif's missed the playoffs.

You take Barkov out of Florida, they miss the playoffs. That's the one guy. They're, the two. best guys, I mentioned, 200-foot games who could produce and help keep the puck out. Both teams lost them, both teams missing the playoffs. What's going on with Vegas?

Yeah, him sticking around would have been really nice. What's going on with Vegas. Yeah, they're stinky too. Yeah. A lot of bad teams. I do want to say that, like, I know Easton is not Mitch Marner, but the rest of the way, it would be fun to see him play in that spot, play with Matthews, and see if there's something there between

those two. I think Jonas Siegel had some of the, just some of the lines numbers, success the guys have had together. They've been good when he's played there. Just too early for Easton to be doing this sort of stuff. No, but it's not, no, it's 20 games left in the season. This is the, give them this run leading into summer,

see if they can establish some chemistry. September call-ups, like in baseball. Just let them play in big minutes. I don't want them to be on the number one line. It's just too early. I think so? Yes. Let him get stronger.

Let him get more mature. So what do you want to see happen here then? Listen, They're not going to blow it up. They're not going to make major changes. They don't want to run the risk of missing the playoffs for five years in row. And they're going to protect themselves this week. That's what I see.

Sick. Just what the fans want to hear. I don't know what that means. That's not exactly what you want to hear, Sammy. They've been protecting themselves the last year. It's gone correct. I don't even know what that means. I can't play not to lose.

No, they do. Sure do. Hey, it'll all unfold. Right in front of our eyes in the next few days. We'll follow it right here on the Real Kippron Borne show. Yeah, I can't wait. We go national next.