Real Kyper & Bourne - Leafs Hour: Stolarz's Statement Stretch

Episode Date: October 22, 2024

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee look back on the Leafs' 5-2 win over the Lightning and discuss Prime's broadcast, Berube's early impact, another excellent Stolarz performance, OEL's fine for his hit on Guentzel, Tanev's commitment to blocking shots and more. Later, Prime hockey broadcaster Jody Shelley (36:12) shares his thoughts on the game and weighs in on how the Leafs are different this year before setting the stage for their matchup tonight against the Blue Jackets.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 let's get it going here on the leaf edition hour of the real kipper and born show nick kiprios justin born sammy mckee derrick brandeo and jake the snake schultz pushing all the right buttons for us on a on a quiet night last night in the national hockey league just one game the toronto maple leafs on two goals scored by willie nylander defeat the tampa bay lightning 5-2 and then 24 hours later all 32 teams every team plays including your your Toronto Maple Leafs against the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7.30. In about 35, 40 minutes, we'll welcome in Jody Shelley, broadcaster with Fox Sports 1 and also Amazon last night. They covered the game last night.

So if you're local in this area and went to regular cable through Sportsnet or TSN. He got feathers. Nothing. He got poker. He got what? Pokeroo? I don't know. What did you get on Sportsnet last night?

I think there was some Raw. WWE Raw. Okay. He got fake wrestling. Hey. Right? Fake to you sammy did you get any feedback from your buddies about uh a game an nhl game with the leafs being streamed listen online i will say that most people figured it out and he got there yeah i actually didn't get a text from i don't know if he watched or not didn't get many takes from him i don't know if he watched or not but i'm assuming they

watched they all they watched every game so uh yeah it was less i mean a lot of people praising it it's nice seemed like the crowd was louder on their broadcast but other than that felt very much like a hockey broadcast enjoyed it love admin and verke like um john forsling it's good no i'm not saying like there's like canned forcing there's canned like sports sound like you would find you know how that they that fake laugh in this in the 70s and 80s on the sitcoms the all fake laugh that ends simultaneously i'm not saying that that was involved but there, you're not saying it. But there's something going on, I think, in the last little while where you enhance the sound and you turn it up incredibly. Microphones.

So to the point, if you're in one of the boxes, that you could hear the sound on a speaker of the fans inside the building. Really? In a suite. Oh, were you in a suite last night? I was of the fans inside the building. Really? In a suite. Oh, were you in a suite last night? I was in the alumni box. Oh, very nice.

So I think maybe that had something to do with the sound. Everybody says, well, why is Sportsnet's game so dull? And Prime last night was so electric and the crowd was electric. They hit the volume button? Same. Same Bay Street people cutting deals down there last night that they've been there the last few years i assure you well also an awful lot to cheer for last night you know of all the games over the past couple years where you would say dad and get an excited crowd going i mean what a what a game the toronto maple leaves played last night i mean

they just beat the pants off the lightning they beat them up and down kip i was very impressed yeah from start to finish and just the mentality of of the mindset yeah where you couldn't tell if they were up or down in the third period. They just kept going. They played hard. They battled for each other when they needed to. Max Domi gets into a fight that maybe a lot of other players would have passed in previous years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where it's like, it's not my thing.

I don't do that. It's not necessary. So no question, last night was a complete feel from start to finish get vasilevsky snowing maybe just in jest but he snows morgan riley in uh pre-game and then you see him getting the hook which is something i don't think he got pulled all of last season or the year 14 times in his career 14 times career it had they stopped pulling him somewhere along that career so um that was nice in that playoff the same pulling him somewhere along that career. So that was nice. In that playoff game.

It's the same cast of characters. In that playoff game, even when the Leafs were up like 7-2, they still left him in there. They hanged and they did not like to come out. They had a back-to-back tomorrow night, so they probably wanted to save him for that. But, yeah. Besides Jody Shelley, we got Steve Aliquette coming on.

And we're going to get into all of the goaltending scenarios, including Stolarz and what he thinks about his chances of holding on to this spot. Chances of now what probably was deemed a 30-35 game start. Can it get to 40? Can it get to 50 with this guy? Yeah. And also Vasilevsky. And now I, for one, think that he pulled himself last night.

Yeah. So, yeah, I don't, I don't, I think there's. I think he did because he doesn't get pulled. I think he decides he's waved off Cooper before and Cooper goes okay. I think there's just an understanding between Cooper and Vasilevsky and whether it's a look or a nod or whatever. But I think Vasilevsky said, that's enough. I'm no good tonight.

Take me out. Three of the four were pretty bad. Well, it took him out of the game. Right? Right. And I'm not saying that Tampa had any chance to win last night anyways. Yeah. But Vasilevsky took them out of the game single-handedly last night

you know the neil andrew one looks rougher than it is because neil andrew makes a great he leans glove kind of gives him a look and it goes through his legs kind of rattles around five hole but yeah there's definitely some there matthew's one where it hits him hits him in the chest can't find it drops it down at his feet like i just thought he was particularly brutal yeah not great but you know the one thing that stands out to me i don't know if you saw my tweets today kip um but i was just tweeting about the leafs and what they're giving up and right now some of their like expected goals against number when the game is close when they're within a goal or two they're i mean they're statistically when they're within two goals they're the best team in the league so far.

Expected goals against. And I don't think it's defense. I don't think it's, like, hard defending. I think it's breaking the puck out. Like, Tanev and OEL can go back on pucks and get it going that way really well. Yes. And it feels like they're just not spending as much time on their end. No, they're not.

And, you know, go back to beginning of training camp and the mentality of just straight lines. You've been saying that. They're way more predictable now. I think as a group that you feel like we're on the same page. We understand what the thought process is. And unity. Chemistry.

Great skill. West, east, west. how many times two or three years ago we were like oh what's with that regroup what the hell is that right yeah when was the last time you saw a regroup well that's a great point there was well there was a time like three years ago and keith kind of just came in where they would take it up to blue not like and bring it back like a soccer team puck Puck possession. Yeah. And Berube's like, no. Okay.

Straight lines. We don't want to have it in the neutral zone. We want to fight for it in their end. Dump it out. Yeah. So I've been thinking a lot about this because the Berube approval rating amongst Leaf Nation, amongst my friends right now is through the roof. Yes.

People are loving Craig Berube. Yeah. And I would like to put myself in that camp. I, you know, I'm feeling rather passionate recently. I have to tell you, I am back. But here's my question about Craig Berube. Like, I think he's a good coach. Everybody thinks he's a good coach.

But how much of this is just the effect of a new, like if it had been Todd McClellan that they hired, or like how much of this is just yes somebody different and when i think that it's like you know today kind of waste a couple years they're sticking with keith when they maybe shouldn't have and like it's not on keith but like the new coach bounce like i'm thinking about that a lot yes and dupas i'm thinking about a lot yeah yeah they should have let sheldon go when they let dupas go yeah that may be the case there's there's a fine argument to be made there i would

say to your question sam like whoever it was this year these guys needed a fresh start one way or the other so i don't know you're right would todd mcclellan have coached this team and had this much success i kind of feel like probably like it just feels like a fresh start and a good couple of defensemen. The roster got better for me. I don't know, but you're right. He proved he's doing what he's supposed to do at this point.

I truly love the guy. And like, I've been impressed with them and I like the, like I like is the meter. I like what he represents. I'm just wondering how much of this. Yeah. And that's,

I guess that's me thinking about the failures of this team in the first round and sort of the the meme ability of this team if some of that could have been prevented with an earlier trigger pull on on some of the coaching some of the some of the front office stuff like i don't know it's revisionist history we don't need to necessarily get into it but it does leave me a little bit upset seeing how much better they look with a different coach anyways maybe the one question they look good in years past with keith they've had good records but the way this looks yeah the one question i have sam is like they haven't had goaltending like this over the past five years uh stolarz is eight goals above expected best goal games

he's been unbelievable for them and i wonder if part of that is the predictability you talk about like if it is easier to goaltend behind a team where you're like i know this is just going up the wall i know where it's going to come from next and there's some simplicity and consistency there that makes it easier to goaltend so can you give the coach some credit because the goalie's been good i don't know but it does lead to questions the answer is yes yes yes yes yes all of that what you said for sure yeah and predictability is the the one word that i could say i've watched uh that comes to mind when it comes to what we've witnessed so far that's like a slander like as an if i'm an offensive player i wouldn't want to be called predictable right and

i think for these guys being predictable it'd be like oh i think to each other and to the coach i mean the eye but the beholder can sit there and say they're just as entertaining as they would because they're winning or because they're getting key goals at the right time i'm having as much fun watching them now. Without the. People don't know. But I'm just saying within their group. And what is. Needed to be consistent.

To move forward. That's the predictability you want. Out of a hockey club. As a video coach. I always thought that like. We would want the other team to not know what we're going to do. It's a playoff series. We don't want them to know if we're going to be in a 1-2-2-4 check or whatever.

And what I've learned over the years, that was my initial take when I went into video coaching. My initial take is that it doesn't matter if they know what you're doing because if you do it well, they can't stop it. That's the idea that you have good enough players to execute this predictable system, say, yeah, this is how we play. That's the idea that you have good enough players to execute this predictable system. So yeah, this is how we play. Go ahead and try.

We're coming at you. We're four checking. We're winning a puck battle. We're getting in front of the net. We're shooting. We're taking it to you and you have to beat us. I need to know if I'm going to be the first four checker in. I need to know a thousand percent

that you're going to get the puck in deep for me. Right. How many times have we seen them go offside this year? I wonder if they've been offside less. Two, three. I bet they have been. In what already? Six games?

Kipper, that's such a great point that I would never have thought of. It's the timing of it. It's the rhythm of their game. Their rhythm is so much better now in terms of getting in either on a four check or even being in position. The thing that stands out to me as much as anything watching the Leafs so far this season is their back pressure is back. There was a small window years ago where they had some really good back pressure and it was lost. And again, we saw it from McMahon. McMahon takes a big hit last night.

But it was his back pressure in the neutral zone that led to. That got the puck up to Willie. That got the puck up to Willie. And he scores. And I'm seeing it out of all of them right now. There's not a whole heck of a lot wrong with their game right now. But it's all tied into a great present because Stolarz, when it's called upon, has made every save that he's needed to make

since training camp started. Yeah, he's made some big saves in closer games where they've been up a goal or two that allows him to hold the lead, and then from there, they've just sort of been running away with it. You're right, though. It was since the very first preseason game that he's played that he's been he hasn't had a bad start yet he's actually the sport logic does quality starts by have you been positive every game in goals above uh saved above expected he's the only guy in the nhl with five for five quality starts in the league so i mean the one thing i mean now they're not to heap all the praise on berube here but one of the main things i notice the start of these games is how much more

locked in in the first five minutes of these games god they used to lose a lot of first shifts and they like they last night they were all over it like that first couple shifts with the with the big boys were absolutely like borderline breathtaking how hard they were working, how fast they were skating. And it's been a thing in all the games. Think about the game against the Devils. They go up three zip in the first six minutes of that game, seven minutes of that game. Their starts have been so much better. All right, let's go to Craig Berube on our first Kippers Clipper

on what we all agree upon basically is the biggest surprise so far this season Anthony Stolarz uh nothing different to be honest with you like I'm you know I had him as a young kid in Philly and you know he's been in the NHL for some time now um you know obviously a quality quality goalie he had a great year last year in Florida. If you look at his numbers, played 29, 30 games. You know, he's played excellent for us. That's what I know about him. Here's what I know. He's good.

He's played excellent. So he's going to turn 31 in a few months. Where you been? I mean, what's the catch? Where my that's what yeah where you been like what what's happened why why didn't you turn yourself into a a legit number one goalie by now i mean part of it has been who he's been behind he's been behind babrovsky he's been behind some legitimate starters in places he's been. Edmonton,

Anaheim, Gibson. But the other answer for that is, I have a guy coming on the show later who's going to tell us. Steve Valliquette has the answer to this. This is something that we, I think you discussed, Sammy, that he's going to bring some juice on for us. Love to hear it. You're right. I would love an answer

on that. I love watching you guys when I'm on. You've also said that you believe goaltenders take a little bit more time, that a goalie's prime is a little later. And I think big people take longer to put it all together. Could be. Big people. Is that a slur?

He's a big people. Well, we're going to want to hear that for sure uh steve aliquette absolutely uh you want to go to a workload because we do expect stolars to get a well deserved night off tonight in columbus yeah let's go to craig bruby on what we can expect in terms of the workload you don't you don't know what's going to happen with the goaltending here but if he were in a position where he'd have to play you know a lot of games this year do you have the confidence in him seeing what he's done I said at the beginning of the year both goalies are going to see more net than they have in the

past I'll just leave it at that. Man. Tough cookie. So what's the most... It's got to be hard for a reporter when he's answering the question. None of them have ever seen 40 games. Do you think he just explodes at 40? What's the most Stollers has seen? 28. But a lot in... Not a lot.

He's had full seasons of NHL hockey. No, forget that. No, see, that's a dumb thing to say. No, it's not a dumb thing to say. They're not games. He's not trying his hardest in them. No, he is, but it's minor leagues compared to NHL. The most he played in any season ever was 47 in 2015-2016

with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. 47. NHL. Give me NHL. He's been a pro for over 10 years. 28. 28. 28. Is it a stretch for a broobie to say that both will see the most games that they've ever seen?

No. Of course not. Well, I mean, mathematically it has to. The two goalies, neither has played 40. Right. But he can see 30 and that would be more. Right. But can he see now 40, 45, 50?

You know, we've had Mike McKenna on the show quite a bit, and I don't think McKenna ever missed a game in all of pro hockey. Stolarz, if I'm not mistaken, pretty healthy guy too. I think there's a little wear and tear there from what I hear. Yeah? Yeah. Because I don't think he has a big history of missing games with injury, and I could be wrong on that.

I'm not actually sure that that's the case. Listen, he's a big guy. He's been at it for a lot of years now. Yeah. How can there not be, like, we're talking about goaltending, hips, knees. Yeah, he's played 113 NHL games. Groins.

The mileage is not, you know, Vasilevsky here. But what you're alluding to here, Kipper, and what you're getting at is like you are anticipating some sort of fall off here at some point it's got to come I mean he's not the best goalie in the world I don't know about fall off I don't know I don't know about fall off but we are talking about going into a a new place or a new phase for him that he's never been before on a team that has to win now. I'm not saying it can't be done, and I'm not saying he can't take this to another level,

but I'm talking about percentage-wise, the odds of him now going and having an all-world year, still early. I mean, yeah. I mean, not to be whatever, but still early. I mean, yeah. I mean, not to be whatever, but like it's a pretty, yeah. It's unlikely he's the world's best goalie, and he's been the world's best goalie. Yeah.

Probably going to get worse. Hard-hitting stuff there. Yeah, you know, like. We'll see. Where does Joseph Wall? Do you think he's going to play tonight? I would not put him in. I wouldn't.

No, but you heard anything? Any insight? I expect Hill to be. Yeah. Me too. I mean, I just, I've come to not expect Wall ever. So, you know, I don't expect him to be available. Oh, gosh.

There's a ton of pressure on them. They signed him to three. oh gosh there's a ton of pressure on them they signed him to three eleven million dollars eleven million dollars for three years for three years like there is a ton of pressure to get him going too i mean it was groin tightness he didn't rip his groin right or a couple weeks into a tight groin now well and i don't know about you guys but like is he losing the net here without ever yeah for sure yeah i mean to me if i was handling the goaltenders and i had a choice and they're all available he'll to be goes tonight uh wall on thursday against the st louis blues at home and

then stole ours has earned the start against the boston bruins on saturday night in boston yeah yeah what was the st louis guy too i think so. I think that sounds correct. Yeah. So, that's, but I'm not sure if he'll be available. We'll see how it goes. But, you know, like Borny said, it's tough to lean on him ever being around. So, we'll see. We'll see. They're in the toughest division in hockey.

Mm-hmm. Take the points while you can get them with a hot guy. You're not wrong. Run it. I'm that way with music, by the way. If I like a song, I'll just play it till I hate it. Just run the whole article out there till you hate it. Just love it while you can.

All right, where do we go? You want your thoughts on Willie? Yeah. Okay. Sure, I mean, it's just going to be some praise, right? I presume? Yeah. Well, I was just going to say.

Okay, go ahead. Go ahead. Play the Willie clip, Derek. Clip three. Same as last game. We have eight shots last game. I didn't look at the shot sheet yet for what he had tonight, but he had a ton of opportunities again.

You know, skating really well. Strong on pucks, getting to open ice. And, you know, he's looking to shoot. When he's gone, he's gone, right? Him and Domi are a nice little pair. Because Domi passes the puck all the time, and Willie wants to shoot it all the time. Yeah.

It's kind of the Marner-Matthews of line two at this point. I mean, you don't see Willie hit a lot of one-timer goals, and he must have taken four one-timers yesterday. Mm-hmm. He was sniffing that hat trick. Yeah. Holy smokes, he was hammering everything hat trick yeah holy smokes he was hammering he had a couple good looks too yeah yeah i noticed he passed he passed it to robertson

on a two-on-one when he had a chance for hat trick and max has had a really nice start to season max patrick oh don't me max yeah he has seven or eight assists now or something i don't know what it is exactly but yeah i mean the worst knock on him is times shoot the puck but when you got willie out there willie's open yeah that's the tendency right now for him yeah he's making me helping get the best out of willie and he is providing that bit of physicality that sometimes like i don't know if i love all the the penalties but it's like yes we need they need someone a little emotion though he's good for them for sure and he drives the temperature up really good that line is really good in transition yeah like they they they pick a puck at the top of the zone and it's uh odd man rushed the other way they are really really dangerous mcmahon's flying domey's flying ne Nylander's flying. They are. McMahon is like

second in the league in plus minus. You know, those guys are, that line is controlling the play heavily when they're on the line. Yeah,

their top two lines are amongst the best in the league right now. So they've been really good. All of Reckman-Larsen fine? You guys want to talk about that? Yeah, we can do that.

What's that? Well, you saw that all of Reckman-Larsen got fined for his hit. Yeah. Thoughts? When I saw it live, I thought it was a

headshot. Yeah. And then when you saw it not live? Yeah, just a sneaky, dirty interference play. Yeah. I agree with that. What, you thought it shouldn't have been even a penalty? I will concede that it was a

penalty but i do think it's rather absurd that he got fined for that considering the stuff we see slide in the nhl i you know it's the bang bang like you're eligible to be hit well yeah i know but you gotta also factor in like a late unsuspecting hit well they're both both had their sticks like basically on the puck no yes he Yes. He's got his stick on the puck. I didn't see a 50-50, bud. Okay, so. To me, if Gensel hits OEL there into the board. It's the National Hockey League,

and both you guys are sitting here telling me, looking me, saying a man at the center ice boards where I have seen 15,000 devastating body checks over my hockey-watching career. A man is just skating head down with his stick out like this near the puck. You know, I let him go. No. Like, let one of the, like.

No, he chips it. It's not a fine. It's a penalty, sure. But it's, a fine is just searching for something to ding the Leafs for. Yeah, I don't think so. I think, to me, it's not just a typical hit. It was taking advantage of a situation where I could get a really good shot in on a guy.

Those two have gone back and forth at it all. Yeah, and they're battling. And listen, I don't mind it from all of our... I think it's good. You want to see it. It's good. You know what? I liked it.

How many times have Leaf fans seen their team on the opposite side of that? Now you got a guy that's got a little sneaky dirtiness in him. Yeah, bring it on. And every time the Leafs try to do something sneaky dirty, they get suspended or fined and everybody else gets away with it. I think that's a fine case to make. The Leafs can't get away with as much because the spotlight's a little brighter.

That's a fine case to make. Well, that's the case I'm making. Like, it's a bang, bang play. That one, though, Sam, to me. Okay, you're like me... Now you're like conspiracies versus my team. No, no. There are a million

stupid Leafs conspiracies, but the one that George Peros favors against the Leafs is not. That's just a fact. Like it is. I'm sorry. You guys don't have to say it. I will. It's a fact. He hates the Leafs. You're paying attention to the Leafs. No, he doesn't. He hates the Leafs.

He does not hate the Leafs. Yes, he does. He doesn't care. Yes, he cares. He cares. He hates the Leafs. If you were Kai, why would he hate the Leafs? I don't know.

Give me a reason why he would hate the Leafs. Because everybody hates the Leafs, Kipper. Everybody hates them. Everyone who's not a Leaf fan hates them. But they don't work in New York City for the league, everybody. No, but he is the one who makes the choice. He about it there's no way he didn't know so he's as jealous as every other fan who hates the leafs sure right sure that your team people make is he played for montreal that's the point oh my god i know i don't even remember that i know um i'm telling you sam you're

ridiculous i'm telling you if victor headman does that not a penalty they don't even look at it see i think it's just because you're you pay such close attention at least if you're covering the wild they've had the most suspension got to find they've like the softest team in the league for five years they've had the most suspensions the most like it's like there is something there boys and if you both are looking at me and saying there's not then you're just lying to yourself there's a there a favorite. How far are you going back here? Are you going back to Spets in Winnipeg? Yes, absolutely.

Are you going to? Of course I'm going to that. I'm going to Matthews with a grazing cross check off a guy's shoulder. Who's that? The outdoor game. Who's never looked at somebody funny first thing, gone two games. Like, there's a history here. Speaking of this, those are the only suspensions or

situations there's a whole league going on but you don't pay attention you're not watching the rest of the league you don't pay attention to the rest of the league you just watch your leafs everyone makes fun of the Leafs for being the softest team in the league and they lead the league not this year not this year well I guess no one's saying that this year well Not this year. Well, I guess they got to. No one's saying that this year. Well, no, you're right. But it's the first chance they had to throw any sort of. Yes. And you blame that on George Paros and not Kyle Dubas. No, I do.

I do. I do blame that on Paros. Yeah. Glad we got that out of the way. I do. I do. I really do blame him. I do blame him.

Yeah. Anyway, I had this, the argument on Twitter too, and people show another hit. I think there's a lot of like... Yeah, Patrick and I did the exact same thing. Well, it's not exactly the same. He's physically touching the puck for a reverse head. It was the same amount of touch. There was no...

Their sticks are right there. See, maybe you just don't see it. You need to watch those. One guy is touching the puck. To quote the very, very popular show, The Office, they're the same picture. You don't watch the game very well? But that's actually a fair point,

that like maybe... I honestly feel like you need to watch those two and be like tell me that guy's touching it and he isn't there's some there's some fan bias everybody for sure but the puck is right there and i am a fan and the leafs who are the softest team have the most suspensions most finds all right we still have a ton to get into sorry we spent five minutes yelling about that but it's driving me crazy jody shelley's gonna join us you want a quick thought on nick robertson patretti or patretti's probably worth the chat is that comes in throws a couple hits shoots one in the net yeah i thought every time he scored so far for the leafs it's been like i can't believe that went in you know twice he's mastered the 50 foot shot and it does change how you perceive his game when you score right that's yes and no

no nothing's changed even if he didn't score that game you saw him take a couple hits make hard on four checks that's he this is who he's going to be if he if they decide to keep him for the whole season this is what you can expect. In the lineup, out of the lineup, come in, maybe fill in in a top six, maybe drop down 10, 12 minutes, maybe more if there's some injuries. If he's content to do that, yeah. Well, listen, he would never have come

if he wasn't content to know that no one else is offering me a contract this is it or i potentially could shut it down right if you're brube you see his first shift of the game last night where i don't know who it was he got but he went in hard and just hammered somebody on the forecheck and he's like brube, okay, this guy's trying to make an impact in the bottom half of the lineup. He shoots one in the net. Like, I thought he was fine last night.

Him and Lars are both big bodies. I looked at the guy beside me last night watching Patch Ready go hard, and I'm like, this guy would have been a Hall of Famer if he played like this in Montreal. Right. You get that element of it. Like if he had that in his game, plus the 30, 40 goal kind of guy that he was, like that's the ultimate.

Yeah. That's, you know, ranting. He wasn't terrible in his first few games with the Leafs, was good for them last night. Really tough to pull him out of the lineup here. Ryan Reeves may have... No, it's really easy. It's easy, yeah.

You just keep everybody fresh and on their toes. And being pissed off is a good thing. Yeah, I agree. As long as it's not disruptive to the team. But it keeps everybody on their toes. And know that you're one bad game away from that guy coming back in the lineup because you knew he was good the the night before right that's that's called real depth so that's a good thing it is a good thing yeah it's motivating for for everyone involved uh did get some um offside stats for us.

Last year, I think they had the fourth most offsides. This year, they're 24th in offsides per game. Definitely a different feel. Yes. That's something I would never have thought of. It's true. Yeah. But yeah, so Patrick, Eddie, in terms of concerns,

we've been super positive about the Leafs, I think, about pretty much everyone. Only concern right now for me benoit has not been great you know aside from dragging one into the net past stolarz on the the breakaway listen hit his head on the really like timmons though really like just stay on your feet on that play yes no reason to leave your feet when you're that far out of position. That's the time you go, I really have a good goalie back there, and I'll just let him do his thing. You know what I like? He came out of the net and stole ours, gave him a tap.

Yeah, and he said after the game, you know what happens. It's okay. Yeah. He wasn't upset about it or whatever. Nice play. Don't ever do it again. Yeah. Is that from something? Yeah.

That's a great point. It's a movie, Major League. Oh, yeah. Cleveland. But there's an F-bomb somewhere in there. I'll let you figure out where to put it. So where are we at with Robertson? I like this game.

You're really hard on him for not scoring yeah and i understand that is ultimately his job is to he's not in there for his defensive physicality but he's skating so much better he's great he's skating better he's trying his best for who cares about that for a little guy okay okay what i mean Listen, the team's going well. Okay. You can keep, listen, maybe you got to sit him out one game. Not against Columbus. Not against Columbus.

No, not tonight. Tonight's Robertson. I guarantee. I bet him to score. Actually, whatever I'm betting, we'll get that in game time. Because that's a lot. I don't have that big of an issue with the way he's played so far. You talk about back pressure.

A couple times last night, he's nipping at guys' heels. He's lifting sticks. I really like how he's playing. I'm not sure when push comes to shove and you need to go up against a big team like Florida maybe in the first or second round that he'll be there. But he's not holding you back back he's not hurting you right now he's just he's had a couple of decent looks he's and honestly pucks jumped over a stick it he's missed the net whatever the case is suddenly kneelander went down or something i don't hate

the idea of saying okay you're gonna play on the flank on the power play or something. He's not the worst option to have around. And you keep his value up. Over or under 31 trips to the dressing room mid-game for Chris Tanev this season. But it's a given now, eh? We're just going to see him limp. He tied the Leafs record for blocked shots in a game last game, I think. It was but a scratch.

He truly is. Last night on Leafs Talk, I think. It is but a scratch. It truly is. Last night on Leafs Talk, I said that he's like, it's, you know, the Monty Python thing. It's a flesh wound. Like, that's what he is. Like, he just walking around with no arm. I know they're in Columbus and he's not listening, but if he was listening,

hey, Chris, you don't have to block everything just before maybe let the big goalie it's october pal okay and you're not 24 doesn't care fans love a player who doesn't have an off switch who can't halfway do it until i'm with you until he gets hurt and people don't even hurt like three times no until he's out okay yep until he's out and then say. He's already been hurt like three times. No, until he's out. Okay, yep. Until he's out and then everybody's like, well, what did you expect? Yeah. Right.

You go from a hero to a dummy. He's missing 15 games this season. If you're out of the lineup. The hand will be broken. Yes. I don't know when it's going to happen. Just hope it happens mid-season. You'd like it to happen in like January or February.

But you made the point too, like it's a different feel back there with Tanev. He can skate a puck out. He can make a first pass. He doesn't panic back there. It's going back on the pucks that jumps out to me after watching TJ Brody for three years. Just hold guys off and make a little poke with it. The play where him and Matthews,

I don't know who it was that they tagged team along the sideboards, picked the pocket, and they made a pass to the middle of the ice. I'm like, oh, my God. I know. That's allowed? We may be thinking the same one. That's allowed? Jeez, that was a lot of excuses.

Yeah. Okay. Take a quick break. Yep. And we return Jody Shelley, broadcaster for Fox Sports. He called the game last night for Prime. We'll get his thoughts on the Leafs and what we can expect tonight

in Columbus. Also on the National Hour, we'll welcome in Steve Valliquette, analyst for the New York Rangers, MSG, and one of the top guys when it comes to knowing the goaltenders around. That and more when we return to Real Kipper and Born.

Hey, it's Matt Marchese. 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 podcasts. All right. From one of the quietest nights in the National Hockey League last night, just one game, we go to a very busy one. The busiest.

The most busy possible. Yeah. In fact, what I'm told is they're going to start a game, like, in every three minutes, another game starts just starting right now jody get to work we're dropping a puck let's welcome him in jody shelly how are you pal you tired or what no not bad how are you guys we're good we're good uh tell us about your night last night is uh the only broadcaster of a National Hockey League game, Toronto and Tampa Bay on Prime. Yeah.

You know, it was fun. I mean, I thought it would be a better game. I think we all did as Tampa and Toronto looked like they were pretty evenly matched. But it just seemed like Tampa was out of sync. You see passes from Kucherov to Point or Hedman to Kucherov. You're looking for that highlight play. It just wasn't there. I really thought Toronto played an excellent game from the goaltending out.

I don't know if Tampa wasn't ready for that, but they just seemed like they thought it was going to go a little differently. And the way Toronto came out in waves, the way that there was no whistles to start that game for the first four minutes, I think that's... Talking to Chief yesterday, he was talking about how Nylander wants to get out there early in the game. Like, he wants him to get him going. And, you know, have a guy like willie going early in the game and getting multiple shifts in a row and getting the rhythm of the bench i think that really helped the leafs and i think you know for coop it was uh that part of it overwhelmed them uh do you notice anything different with the the leafs in general this year obviously a new goaltender has been pretty good

for them but um you know tenev and oEL on the back end, some new additions up front. Any thoughts on if they're any different than previous years? I feel like they're completely different. I really do. I feel like, you know, I think it starts with the attitude of the coach. And I always watch the Leafs from afar. I live in Columbus and it's, you know, I'm a hockey fan, but I love watching the big markets like Toronto

just to kind of see how the pressure is handled by the leaders, by the coaches and stuff. And I know a bunch of players that have played there, and it just seems like it's different this year starting with that, just with the locker room. And I know Chief personally, so do you guys do too. And I give him a lot of credit because he makes you feel comfortable as a person first and i think as a player he can make you feel comfortable and uncomfortable in a really good way and i think that uh you know as far as the

media i know it's still early i know it's going to get hot i know there's going to be struggles but just how he carries himself and has like a no-nonsense attitude and doesn't worry about too much uh throughout his day or doesn't appear to and he's got good people around him i think that's where it starts for them it kind of takes the the the focus or maybe the pressure uh uh or or what's being talked about all the time outside that locker room away from it because he's really you know simplified the way they think about themselves and then the way they play like he's he's demanding he's already figured out that uh you know there's there's things that are in some of these guys game he calls it cuteness uh that's not going to be there and that's just how he is and and it's it's everyone throughout the lineup and when he talks about uh players, he didn't know them.

He knew them from afar. He's really impressed with the work ethic and the drive of the top-end guys. And the guys that came in, like OEL, the way they play the system, he looks like he's refreshed, rejuvenized, and it's a simple way to play, and I think that's good for him. Jody, they're in the toughest division in hockey in the Atlantic. You either beat them or you join them. And it just seems like now the style of play seems more conducive to success

in April and May than it ever has before. And just your thoughts. I know you mentioned Tampa Bay briefly but even the thoughts of uh of Florida maybe getting back to a Stanley Cup final with the loss of two pretty key defensemen Montour being the other one lost yeah I mean that's where it's going to get really tight right Boston Florida Toronto though is in a different it to me it's not just a conversation anymore I think it's real I think that there's they're going to i think it's real i think that there's they're going to have to worry about toronto i think that that's how the conversation has shifted

florida i think they you know barkoff being out a couple injuries early uh you got to feel like they're still the heavies in that conference that division and then for me boston is one of those teams that you know they they're deep they made the moves they understand kind of the pieces that they have and they have a group that understands how to play uh in in april may and june so i think they have a lot to prove but i think for toronto uh you know everyone talks about the first round matchup it's going to be tough i think you guys were talking about it yesterday maybe Maybe Sam was talking about it. But it was like, yeah, that's how it's going to be.

I mean, it's not like you're going to go to the playoffs and be like, oh, we earned an easy first round. It's just that's what it takes. And you look at the teams that go through it, and Kipper, you did it. It's luck, it's health, it's balances, but it's also like a certain way to play where you understand every guy going over the boards is carrying their weight for that shift.

And I think that's the process that Chief is going through here with the Toronto Maple Leafs to say, and you look at Paul Maurice, you got to give him a tremendous amount of credit. I think we do because he identified his group. He really handed that room off to the group early with his expectations. And when you get to that point early with a team where they drive it

with their veterans and their leadership and expectations and setting the bar, then you have something to walk in the playoffs with. And I think the really good teams use all 82 games to figure out what they need, where they fit in. And I think all three of good teams use all 82 games to figure out what they need where they fit in uh and i i think all three of those teams at the top have that so jody tonight the leafs take on the back-to-back the columbus blue jackets team you spend a lot of time covering they picked up a couple of wins um against you know some pretty decent opponents beating colorado and then beating buffalo about a week ago.

Where is Columbus at this year? A pretty young team, but seems like some guys have taken a step. I know Kent Johnson, I think, is not hurt, but he's a guy who's been playing some good minutes. Tell us about the Blue Jackets this year. Yeah, you know, they got injuries. Kent Johnson came into camp. They sent him down last year to get stronger and play more straight ahead because he had a lot of rock in his game, a lot of wobble, I call it, where he gets the puck and scans the zone. And next thing game, and he's out. Branson's out with a shoulder. Boone Jenner, the captain, one of the best leaders,

if not the best leader in the game right now, got hurt in practice after a great summer. It was in between training camp and game number one. So that's a huge hole. Their young guys have taken a step, but now their depth is really getting tested early. So it's like you're slotting in guys in different areas. You're asking guys to take off more than they can chew.

Tonight, the top line is Marchenko, Monahan, and they're putting Sillinger on the wing. He's been a centerman. They're going to move. Fantilli is going to be that second-line center, and he's going to have Chinnikov, who's a shooter. That top line, Chinnikov was up there, but he's going to be a shooter on the second line.

They want him to go. Like, he's a guy that can drive the game, but right now he's kind of stuck in limbo. So he's one of those guys that we look to, and hopefully he has a game tonight. But down the middle of the ice, they're not bad. Their back end's okay, but just looking at the depth and asking guys like Juracek, a top-round pick a couple years ago,

who's had struggles to step in against the Leafs tonight, I think they're going to have to try to kind of cover him up a little bit. Tony, you mentioned the injuries and, of course, the horrific, devastating accident or death of the Goudreau brothers. What is a realistic expectation for this hockey club moving forward? Can they overcome a little bit of this to create a competitive environment, or is it just too much to expect anything this season out of Columbus? No, I don't think it's too much to expect.

I think with Dean Everson, his attitude, his approach to every day, the way he looks at his team and has put up boundaries and expectations early. The tragedy that happened with the Goodrow family, we had a night here for opening night. I'm sure you guys saw it where it was all about Johnny and his family and the family was in. And, you know, Monaghan's his best friend. He didn't know if he'd be able to get through the whole ceremony. He didn't know if he could play. There's a lot of emotion, a lot of grieving,

a lot of grieving together and pulling for each other. And Johnny, the way he went to the rink, the way he carried himself with joy at the rink. And, you know, there's a lot of moments, I guess, in the locker room where they would say, well, what would Johnny do? Or Johnny would love this. And they're doing that together. I think there's something there that's helping this group grieve together

and come together. I think there's something there that's helping this group grieve together and come together. If that sounds something that's possible, you can see it a little bit with this team. But I think that Everson and his drive and his expectations where they had an off night the other night against the Minnesota Wild, he admitted they were tired after an emotional week with the ceremony and everything that was going on and and kind of the schedule he wants his horses to go and the number one horse he has

is zach warinski who has thought he's been a leader hasn't really been uh and with boone out and gabranson out now he's got to say things to put pressure on and when you say things in the you know publicly to the media it comes right back at yourself you know what i mean if you're if i'm going to say uh we got to be we have to be better with the puck our passes have to be better well you i better be number one at that practice the next day and the rest of the week you know and i think zach is now putting himself out there in that position to say uh you know we got to win our own battles we have to have better pace and our passing's got to be on. Watch him tonight.

He's had a really good start to this year. He's explosive, and he wants to be a leader. And I think it starts with him on this team as far as they go. Well, have a great call tonight. We sure appreciate you making the effort on a quick turnaround working last night in Toronto. Yeah, thanks, buddy. I tried to get on that Leafs charter.

I tried to get on that Leafs charter to come here today. Just no room, I guess. I even said the stick bed. They wouldn't bring you on? No, I couldn't fit. God, that's tough. All right. Well, thanks, Jody.

We appreciate your time, man. Okay, man. My pleasure. Thanks. See you guys. Yeah, he's really, really good. Yeah, he's great. Dean Evison's scary.

Yeah, scary face scary guy you know he scares me whenever i see him on the coach he's on the bench he's just staring daggers at people i don't that's not a guy what matter it was tough looking at him though during the good rose ceremony tearing up on the bench and yeah um good friend of mine is an assistant coach there and it sounds like it's just been it's hard for any team to go through what Columbus has gone through. For sure. Let alone a team that probably wasn't great anyway to have this now. It's an uphill fight. Somebody's, you know, and I don't know if it's Dean or, you know, anyone else in the organization, but somebody's got to go in there

and say, boys, like, as cold as this sounds, like, move on. We've got a business here. For hockey purposes. For hockey business purposes, expectations of someone that buys tickets to come and support you. You got to get focused. We got lots at stake here, including your safety out there. You got to be focused and right there in that present moment.

Well, I think that's the hard part is still respect and honor and care, obviously, about something that is, you know, so deeply meaningful and emotional. But that isn't the job, you know? Like, you can't just then not do the job. So how do you, okay. It's an impossible situation. Yeah, like, you can care about that,

but this is still how to play hockey here for 82 games. Can't keep you from trying to get to that point. They've had a couple good wins to start the season, so maybe they'll surprise you. What a story it would be if they, you know, were good. And I would like to just say, like, they're hurt beyond that. Like, this roster tonight, guys,

second line right wing is Michael Pithia. Yeah. You know, I don't know no disrespect to Michael Pithia, but your stats night for the Toronto Maple Leafs. I mean, it's a back-to-back and it's on the road. Yeah.

But boy, they need to handle business here tonight. They need a power play to shoot a couple in and just... Columbus? No, no, no. The Leafs need their power play to shoot a couple in and just... Columbus just has to keep this close. Get to the finish line.

Just close. All right. Pretty good segment. We got stats involved. We had a Lou Brown quote. I mean, crying about the players' safety. We got Steve Allickhead. Top of the hour.