Real Kyper & Bourne - Leafs Hour: Taking On Ottawa + Leafs Line!

Episode Date: January 24, 2025

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee kick off the Friday show with a look at the Leafs' matchup against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. They discuss the Sens recent scoring struggles, Bobby McMann's move to the top line, Craig Berube demanding 'emotional investment,' Anthony Stolarz nearing a return and much more. Later, they answer your questions on The Leafs Line!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.

Okay, here we go. Our favorite day of the week. By far. We call it Off the Rails Friday. Is it our favorite day of the week? Yeah. Well, Leaf Slime's really elevated it, I'll be honest. And it has nothing to do with Doug McClain either at the top of the hour. Yeah, well Leaf Slime's really elevated it, I'll be honest. And it has nothing to do with Doug McClain either at the top of the hour. Eh, something. It's that we get two days off. That's really what it comes down to. You're burying the lead here bud, we're off for too long. A whole bunch of people familiar with the concept of Fridays out there.

It is Off the Rails Friday. Ladies and gentlemen. Which means we're glad you're joining us wherever you're watching and listening on Sportsnet 590 the fans sports that 360 sports that plus Nick Kipriels Justin Bourne Sammy McKee Derek Brandeo and Jake Schultz with you for the next two hours and yes Will help tee up the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Ottawa Senators, but in about 35 minutes We'll welcome in another edition of Leafs Line, where you get to call us in, leave a message, and we play it. Now.

If you called now, I don't know if you're going to get in. You probably want to start maybe- It has to be really good. Next week maybe start on Monday or Tuesday. Yeah. The lineup's getting long to get in. It's great. I can't.

How were the calls this week? I cannot tell you boys how much this has enriched my life. I did have a morning show hit this morning with Gunnar and Disco Dan. I went up, made a coffee, and I sat on the couch for an hour with a smile on my face. Just listening to my Leaf fan brothers and sisters just giving me their hottest takes. A lot of Morgan Rodaleigh talk again. Yeah. Lightning rod at the moment.

But anyways, we're good. I'm excited. Looking forward to it. That's a real highlight for me. All right. And I see our good buddy, Doug McLean is doing some prep work. He says he's doing his homework. He sent a tweet about 10 minutes ago and he's just rubbing it in our faces that he's in a pool.

It's very Doug McClay to tweet, doing my homework for real kipper and, and then he can't take the time to look up my Twitter handle, so it's just born. Jason or Justin, whatever you name it. The homework is not that hard. Did he spell it B-O-R-N? Yeah.

You got the spelling right. I will say that picture doesn't look that nice there. A little overcast. At the top of Florida is like a snowstorm. I know. The Gulf of America is really doing damage down there. I've seen some great stuff. I've seen some great stuff like, hey, you want Canada? Here you go. Like, yeah, here you go, Florida. Enjoy that. Have fun. Have that have that All right, the Toronto Maple Leafs prepping for a game of Significance more so probably to the Ottawa Senators who find themselves in a playoff race

but then find themselves out of a Playoff spot in a playoff spot out of a playoff spot, but that I think is the tone set for the next out of a playoff spot, but that I think is the tone set for the next 30 plus games for a lot of teams in the East. Yeah, the Ottawa Senators had two sort of plans going into the season. One was to play games that mattered, right? That's supposed to be, so you're there. Congratulations. You're in the playoff hunt.

Your fans are still invested and it's late January. It's going to matter at the trade deadline. Two thumbs up. The next thing is they had plans to sometimes score and they don't they've stopped doing that two straight games. They've been shut out and the offense I don't know where it's supposed to come from but It's been dry. So they got some work to do on the offense or captain not shooting in the nets hurt them nine games that a point now or something. Yeah, I I Have their program way more advanced

Than just playing meaningful games. I the expectations or Expectations no no no this out of out of the Montreal Canadians the Buffalo Sabres the Detroit Red Wings. I think The majority of us would have said if one of those four teams was going to step up this year and make the playoffs it would have been either maybe detroit or ottawa but Maybe maybe ottawa because they went out and they got an eight million dollar goalie that that to me Set them apart from from the other clubs. Yeah, you know, I wrote an article which I don't think is live yet on sportset But I ranked Potential first round opponents for the Leafs

There is 11 of them that could still conceivably draw the Leafs, which is crazy to say So the team they would least like to play was the Florida Panthers, right? That's 11th spot all the way down to the team. They would most like to play I Had the Philadelphia Flyers is the best possible matchup for them. Their goal-tending is the worst in the NHL. Ottawa, I was surprised how far down my... How much I want the Leafs to draw them in playoffs in terms of the Leafs' likelihood of winning a series. This Ottawa team, I'm a little concerned.

Like, Ulmarc hasn't been able to stay in the net. The offense isn't quite coming at the rate you thought it would. I don't know. I'm not sure what to make of Ottawa at this point of the season. I thought they were going to be a step above this pack they find themselves in. It's a big loss to them, to the Bruins too. A team that they're fighting tooth and nail with lose to them. And yeah, you look at the Bruins, they're back up into that third spot in the wild card

by points percentage And then you look at the two wild card teams. It's the Rangers in the Tampa Bay Lightning Like well, are they better than those two? Are they gonna hop those two? It's just it really all of a sudden It's a dogfight. It's a dogfight and you're they're good teams and you know, they're gonna add you You know, the Rangers are gonna add you would think and it's gonna they're gonna Ottawa needs to make a Trade I feel like quickly before we move on from your article. I know it's not coming out yet Maybe but it's really gonna suck if the Leafs get the red-hot New York Rangers is a 1-8 match Just added JT Miller and Igor Schuster That's not the dream first round, but Matt

Anyways, don't get ahead of yourself Alright, alright Shadow twice now Rangers and Boston for always this is a good time for the Leafs to to play Ottawa or the opposite or is it just You got a wounded animal there waiting for you in Ottawa. Well they're down Josh Norris. Norris is hurt. Not sure when he's going to be back. But yeah, you do have a bit of a wounded animal.

You expect them to come out and give you their best game. Like they've got some, you know, Perron is back. He's got some spunk to him. Brady Kachak is a little bit nasty. So they always play the Leafs tough. Really, Greg? Cousins? Yeah, they got some guys. Did you see Brad Marshand choked Cousins last game?

Literally glove off, put his hand around his neck. I've never seen that one before. I've never seen that. No force to it. How about like the reaction of Cousins? I'm sorry, but if anyone is grabbing me by the throat, I'm going squirrely on him. Is that the thing I need to do

to really push you over the edge? That is like, that is permission to take my teeth, or take my stick and knock your teeth out. That is full, full credit card, Connor McDavid. You could do it, McDavid. No, am I wrong? Totally agree. Where is he? Absolutely right. Where are wrong? Totally agree. Where are your eyes?

Cousins? Where are your eyes? You're looking a guy's got you by the road. Hey referee. He shouldn't do their hands and you can't look him in the eye and you're looking for the official go where? What's that? What is that? That is embarrassing actually. Principal. Can you show it again? Okay, did you see what he did to me at the sandbox? Go to the principal's office. He takes his glove off to do it But that's a full left hook right there. That's wild. Can I ask about it? It's a freebie

It is a freebie for you to punch him in the head or stick him. This drives home what Cousins is. Cousins is not the guy who's going to stand in there and intimidate your team and fight. You know, remember like Luke Shen looking at Pat Maroon in the playoffs and was just like, try us. This is something different. That's full, that's a bluffer, like exposed beyond belief. That's what that was. That's a couple ofer like exposed beyond belief. That's what that was.

That's a couple of bluffers right there. Well, Marshand is an antagonist. Marshand is not that. He's not that. He had a, He had a good- Fight him, punch him. Like, you know, I didn't give you permission

to grab me by the throat with your bare hands, and you didn't give me permission to take my stick and knock your teeth out so We're even we're gonna talk about Cory Perry in the next hour to we are but anyways, that's That's piss you off No force to it it's like so you so like I can go out there if I'm an NHL player Anytime I'm pissed off at somebody I can take my glove off and give them the the the choke slam It's no fine. Apparently, yes, that's insane

I can put my hand on your face, but I can't slap your face force matters. Anyways, yeah leave sour really Really? Yeah Okay, where do you guys want to start McMahon first line? Okay Try it. Would you like to hear the coach talk about it? Always. Barube clip one on McMahon. I do. It's similar player, right? No, they are different in ways, but he's got great speed. And, you know, he's gonna do this. He should be doing the same thing and nice

he did. Get in there and afford check, create loose pucks, go to the net, all the work there and he's done that throughout the season and so it could be a good fit. I think it could be a good fit too. There's no other options. What's Zach Hyman? I watched him last night and thought he'd be nice there. This is leaf sour man.

Don't kill us like that. 5.5 for that. That goalie scored off the backhand saws cross sights from dry saddle cuts the net five hole. Just drops a shoulder. It was really set up this way right from the very beginning that you're gonna try to compete for the Stanley Cup and I don't wanna bring up the whole left wing thing again but you really were at the mercy of Knize and McMahon

to have really good years to carry that left side. Mercifully they have. We'll see if they're healthy and available when it comes down to it. But yeah, I like McMahon there for all the reasons you guys know. I don't need to say it. Let me ask you this question, both of you. There's putting guys up there on merit and on play and there's putting guys in situations to try to kickstart them. To me, this is an obvious opportunity for the coach to get a guy going that's struggling and they need him to be not struggling. I don't know like McMahon, Domi, sorry, McMahon, Holmberg and Nylander has looked good and they've had their moments where they've been good offensively, they can play together,

you know that works. I just thought, I understand, given a guy an opportunity to play well, McMahon's been really good recently, but Domi desperately needs that. He needs it, and you gotta find that. And you know what? I think you're making a great point.

There were windows last year where we saw Matthews and Domi. They were so good. They started playoffs together. You know, they wanted that to maintain, to be a thing. You know what, Sam? It's a good point. That would be a good opportunity.

Like Domi is getting an opportunity, gets to play with Nylander, Holmberg at center, but it's not the same as Matthews Marner. No, obviously so you only the only the only thing I will say to that is Sammy I do believe that That they would have extra or at least thought of it and contemplated it But if you move Domi out and you bring McMahon back down,

you are left with McMahon, Holmberg, and between them, who is gonna be somewhat of a playmaker with Nylander, right? You're saying, well, McMahon, Holmberg, Nylander, they've been playing him for a few games here, and it's been all right. But at least Domi is somewhat of a passer right at times

It's not to the right guy and there's might be a turnover and that's just a risk reward Kind of thing that he's got a temper down But he's he is a disher and that's what you need Nylander needs somebody still to get him the puck while he's Trying to figure out how to get it his next breakaway. He's been playing with McMahon and getting breakaway Is this guy something special but it's just you know, we talked about how Wednesday it's a game against Columbus It's a midweek game and you know all these games is such a slog to me Domi is one of the concerning spots on this roster

in terms of his role and what he does and what he makes and all that stuff. Like I like the guy, I love what he represents, but he's been struggling this year. And he's proven to me at least, and I think to you guys, that when you put him with good players, he's at his best. And when your top line left winger goes down, I'm just surprised they're not doing it.

I'm really surprised that they're going to McMahon. What's hard is just that everyone's at their best with good players. For sure. But like, he's a different animal. I agree with that. Anyways, Domi should be happy with Nylander, and I think if you're Nylander,

you'd want Domi more than McMahon right now just to Make sure that You got somebody that's looking for you That domey does he does that well definitely a strength all right you want to touch on brooby with the Ottawa senators morning Or yeah, it's great. It's a it's a great clip actually so play it Three I think going into this game, we've got to be emotionally invested in the game. That's the biggest thing for me.

They're going to be emotionally invested for sure. And you know, they're a good team. They come hard and they got good young players. It's going to be a hard game. So we're going to have to work and check and do our job. Last time they're in this building, they took advantage of us. So we know we got to be emotionally invested in the game and get to our game as quickly

as possible in that building. Like all that that makes sense. Yeah, it does. If it's to the point where he's saying this publicly, what is he saying behind this in the dressing room? Like, we're not into it, we don't get more emotionally attached. Like, like, like, to me, it's a bit, it's a big statement here. We're playing a team like the Ottawa Senators, a division rival, Battle of Ontario, a team that's really come on. And he's worried that there won't be emotionally checked in.

He should be. He should be worried. It is going to be game 50. It's that time of year. You see the Canucks last night? Not that the Canucks are a great example of anything, but like, it's just that time of year where you got to give the guys a little cattle prod, a little taser, get a little something out of them.

It's the start of the year, you're fighting for ice time and everything is, you know, special teams, whatever. I don't want to go through the whole season, but there's all these, like, things you're playing for. There's this chunk where it's just like, all right, and it feels like the Leafs are a big ball-right team. You think they've been there for two weeks now, that there's, like, lulls in the game where they're just not emotionally in?

I think so, right? They've lost three in a row, and then they won a few in row two. weeks now that there's like lulls in the game where they're just not emotionally in? I think so, right? They've lost, they lost three in a row and then they won a few in a row too. But there's been a few nights at Columbus game. They were fine. But yeah, I don't think emotionally invested. I think he's guarding against the first period of Montreal last week ago. Yeah, which is a very similar situation where you're going in there team younger team fighting for their lives in the playoff picture and You get jumped on early in an opposing building I think he saw the script last week and he's trying to guard against that we need to be emotionally involved

I don't think they were very emotional against the blue jackets. I Just I kind of get what he's saying. Yeah, I do and I don't think it's an alarm bell for a long time It's smart to protect against who? If we're talking about maybe some individuals who's he is he kind of talking to the most there? Like who's he need more emotion out of? You got That I know He Matthews is Matthews. Okay, you're not drawing much motion out of him.

He's a highly skilled guy. He's going to go shooting in the net. Who is it for you? 44? Yeah. Morgan? We're going to talk Morgan today. Oh, we are.

Okay. I do think that this is a relevant thing for Morgan is the emotional engagement and like, you know, he's played a lot of hockey is in the middle of his career. It just feels like he's kind of getting through the games a little bit right now. Maybe needs to cross check Ridley Greg in the face again or something. Maybe Ottawa will bring it out of him. Or some emotion out of him because there's some dislike there. He's just been very casual for me for a long time now. And I don't see that extra step or that extra jump out of him.

And I don't know what it is. I would love to know to be in the coach's office the last few days. And I imagine they've had sit downs and looked at video and just where we at here. It's not going well enough. I that happens, right? I I would have to think he's had some one on ones recently. Yeah, no question. Not been good enough.

Uh, Stollers update on Anthony Stollers. You know, we're gonna have to see him more and like get him in full practices. And but again, he's he's doing well and he's he's in a good spot right now probably you know maybe a little ahead of schedule I'm not sure exactly on that but I don't think it's gonna be a whole lot longer. Stoli the goalie. So you said that yesterday yeah that we talked about this potentially return. I think next Wednesday I guess after tomorrow night. Yeah, they play the wild on Wednesday night Yeah, that'd be a stretch. Okay, get him in so then you get Saturday. I'm not playing for a whole week

Saturday in Edmonton No, no, no, no, no, I'd probably Does it go Edmonton Calgary? Calgary's a Tuesday. I'd go Vancouver or Seattle. Oh, you wouldn't do Calgary even? I don't know. They're good.

I'm not worried about the flames. Maybe Calgary. Maybe Calgary. Play the flames. It's not back to back, is it? Is it back to back? No. That I don't know.

It's not. Yeah. So around there. Calgary. Okay. One of Calgary, Vancouver, or Seattle. Would love to see him get in, stop some pox, then get the two weeks off.

You think it's important that he gets one game in before the break? Yes, I do. I think it's very important. I think it just like establishes the feel and mentally back. I'm a part of it again. See, I'm opposite that. You'd rather just give them the time I'm just like

That Matt Murray to come it's another two full weeks with a Significant knee surgery, but to me even if it because you're not gonna make it worse because they've removed the body from the body pebble, so what happens if you Create a new immaculate and exception a new pebble the I think then even if something gets inflamed you have a couple weeks for to let it settle you've kind of got back in saw how it would feel I can be talked in about yeah you talk me into your thing too so they play the wild on Wednesday at home and then they start Saturday against the Oilers,

Tuesday against the Flames, Thursday against the Squids and then Saturday against the Canucks. And then two weeks off? Then two weeks fully off. Not for us though. No, it would be nice. It would be around. Off topic, Toronto Edmonton Saturday night. I'm going to be looking forward to that one. There's some good Saturday nights

We had the Bruins the Canadian so the oil little tense situation here, but My good friend and former fan 590 employee Vic and Pilate is weddings that night So me and bunk both in attendance no Leafs talk not watching the game live biggest game of the year Yeah, it's tough one by van telling me. Yeah, you're not pulling out your sports net plus app and watching the game live biggest game of the year. Yeah, it's tough one by van telling me Yeah, you're not pulling out your sports net plus app and watching the game. There's a good chance when I'm sitting at the table I'm gonna be streaming it. Yeah, but I'm not gonna be doing a show after or whatever. I'll have my eye on it I just that's a big way by the way. Congratulations to him. What a guy, but he picked a bad night Bad night The leafs and I'm calling right now right now fireworks fight

nurse Oh my god calling I'm not going to your wedding. I'm calling it right now. I might do an impromptu least Justin Cowherd over here takes. What else you got for us? You want to hear from? We need time. Okay. All right. Voicemails, don't we?

Yeah, we could do. We could do some voicemails. Did you, is there anything else that you were pressing that you wanted to get to? No, no. You have Matthews. What is Brewby liking? What is he's out of Matthews? Yeah, actually let's play that clip because this plays into something that you have been

talking about with him Speed like his you know, I just see the speed and how he's the pace of the game He's playing with you know, he looks like he's really healthy and you know strong and pucks physical Winning battles and obviously using his shot, but it's the speed and the pace He's playing out for me that I noticed the most Yeah to the neutral zone. He's getting way better. It's just like and again I don't know what he was going through but like he looks like he's in it now It looks like he's engaged which before it was like he looked like he was thinking about a grocery list

Halfway through the game strangest thing. I've never seen him look like that he went to healing Hans in Germany and didn't work and he got some good old-fashioned Ontario health care they got him the couple blue lights and away he went he's back to normal when you have that bike when you have that type of skill and you just look like you're into it or your minds into it it's that's when you're going yeah I would really like to not see the other version. No, that was not fun. And then last night, Joel Wohl and Mishmar and I were on stage with, dare I say it, Kygo.

I don't know. Did you see that clip? I saw it. It's fine. That's what the kids want. It's an Instagram moment. They're cool. I have nothing to add to it.

It's fine. That's what they do. Oftentimes, I'll send, is Gen Z the laziest generation We don't work hard I'll send clips of like cringy things to my friends. I'll be like get through this video challenge I couldn't get I couldn't get this soon as Joe Wall started saying and I was like I can't do this You were singing. Oh, he's saying yeah, we're addicted to screen time It's really good I can't do this. He was singing. Oh, he's singing, yeah. We're addicted to screen time. Yeah, let's play the clip about him.

It's really good. Clip five. Do you have any coaches' critiques on Mitch and Joe's singing ability with Cuddle? Not very good. We showed it to the team, so I mean, they saw it firsthand. Stick to playing a piano.

I love this show. 88 fingers. That's great. A little bit of goodwill for the boys. That'll get everybody fired up though. That's some bonding right there. Yeah, the boys are giving heart down there. Okay, let's take a quick break. When we return, we go to Leafline.

It's your comments, your voice, your personality. You become the star of the Real Kipper and Bourne Show. Up next, when we return. Hey, it's Ben Ennis. And I'm Brent Gunning. We got you covered on all things Leafs, Raptors, and Blue Jays every weekday morning, 6 to 9. It's The Fan Morning Show. Sportsnet, 590 The Fan, and wherever you get your podcasts.

We are back. Nick Cabrillo's Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee, Leafs Line coming up here. Hey, listen. Yeah, what's up, buddy? If my tag is sticking out of my shirt and it's driving you nuts, just let me know. I thought we had such an enriching conversation. No, I think you were distracted, to be honest with you. I was staring at it.

And where's your green shirt today? I forgot. Get the memo. He's out of the club. I'm only wearing blue today, baby. I'm staring at it. Where's your green shirt today? I forgot. Get the memo. He's out of the club. I'm only wearing blue today baby. I'm looking at mine right now. Looks great. No, it's no. I look like Jim Carrey the Riddler right now. Disagree. No, it's a good green. You think? Yeah, look really good. Okay. All right. I trust you guys. Ten years old this thing. All right, we want to start? I do. Okay. You built this up thing like the last two weeks and now you're asking us if we want to start I do okay you built this up thing like the last two weeks And now you're asking us if we want to start fantastic segment

I just I can't I'm a little bit like okay We're gonna get into it, but I'm a little bit embarrassed that we never didn't do this sooner You know good segment anyways also I it does We have a lot of people reaching out like when we wear the the real kipper and born stuff Oh, yeah, the merchant stuff. I don't know we'll figure something out at some point. My official statement is I got no clue We'll get back to you on that we're figuring something out. I'll figure something out First caller Andrew from Nova Scotia, please give her morning Sammy Absolutely. Love the show. This is Andrew calling you from the beautiful Annapolis

Valley in Nova Scotia. My question, will I ever be happy as a Leaf fan? The ups, the downs? Man, I absolutely love this team, but they can just really bring me down. And Kipper, how come this show doesn't have Sammy's name in it? Come on, give him a chance! Give him a chance!

Love you guys. Hello, New! Oh, I love that. Bigel, I will say... Just take over this whole thing because he's really talking to you. I will say, him talking about about will I ever be happy is a conversation that people have had amongst Lee fans and I know if you're listening to this you've had it about your relationship with this team if they ever actually won and what you would like because the Cubs finally

won one right? Where like your whole identity as a group is Torture loser is what do we do now exactly? And like God forbid one day Lord Stanley's chalice made its way down Yonge Street What would you think who am I but like what is this? What is this show like I come in here and you're like, oh the powerful I'm like I don't care. Like who cares? For five years you're just out uncaring? Could not care less.

We'd have to hire someone else. You'd have to get a new person, like I'm good. The whole reason I'm here is for it to happen once. Here you are the pain. You were born in a moment. You ever think about that? I lived it with the New York Rangers because it was 54 years and then you win it and it's like, nobody cares.

Then years go by and it's like everybody cares now. Yeah, I think- We still get a lot of respect down there, but they're living the moment now in New York. Yeah, yeah, but I mean, if I was my age then, I'd be a 60 year old. I think I'd be ready to live the moment in 30 years. But for like the year or two after,

you can get in a bunker going on, well they lost again tonight, but they won the cup. It would buy you a few years of just. Peace? Peace. I will say for Andrew, if they don't win in the next two years. They're never winning, ever.

Well, you're in for a long time of pain. This is where it goes from, like, however many years it's been, 67 till now, how many years is that? And that's where it goes to like 100. If this era doesn't get it done, it's when it gets to the really long one. You don't only know these guys,

you're looking at the Cubs. And just to answer Andrew's last part of the question, okay, no coincidence, first of all, you probably got 50 messages. You start the one that says, why is Sammy's name not in the show? Like that's just an accident. That's your first question you sent out. Listen, I have never asked for it and I've been asked that at least 500 times.

I've never brought it up with you guys ever. And I only question I get is why is Sammy on the show? Yeah. Oh buddy, I get that one, too brother Like you don't you don't you don't go from the Marlies to the first line It comes to Sammy. You know what the answer I give everybody who asked me that question I am so blessed to even be there with those two guys. I couldn't care less

Kipper and born andett also McKee. John Doe from LA. Hey fellas, it's John Doe again from LA. We're in full swing with off-care campaigning over here with off-care nominations announced yesterday. And since I think I heard Sammy saying he had a cup of coffee in acting, I'm wondering who you nominate for best actor in the Leafs organization is it Oliver Ekman Larson show you performance to the refs as he begs to stay out of the penalty box. Barube's so conviction to the media that the

power play is fine. Willy's movie star quality. Lorenz playing doctor. Shanahan pretending he's gonna make big changes in the offseason. Let's nominate three then crown a winner during Actually wish we had time to prepare really really good question the easiest one is is shanny He's acting like this is gonna work. Well, yeah, he's been acting like it's gonna work for eight years and it hasn't he's gotta be number one I got I got Willie number one. Just cool hand Luke. Yeah. Right.

That's he's the ultimate kind of cool guy for me that he can turn around and tell everybody relax. Yeah. On a three game losing streak. And then score some goals after. You got to give a finalist nomination to Barube for day to day. Look at us square in the face every day and selling us with day to day. It's an impressive performance.

I can't wait for him to rip somebody. It's gotta come this year. That's true. Something. Yeah, Matthew's just day to day. Meanwhile, he's on Lufthansa on the way to Munich. With his vertebrae in his luggage. So who are we giving the Oscar to this year?

Ruby? I'm going Shani. All day. All right, Shani. I can be convinced of that. Let's go to unnamed from parts unknown. Sammy, long time listener, first time caller. Love the show, guys.

The banter. Sammy, when's your book coming out? I read Tipper and Bourne's books and I'm just waiting for yours. So I have one question for you, boys. Am I the only one shocked that the smartest guest you ever have on is a goalie? No offense to Doug McLean, who probably thinks he's the smartest guest, but Valley. Man, that guy brings the data and backs it up. Steve Valakett.

Love that segment every week. Yeah. Kipper lately has been driving this thing awfully close to the ditch. Between last week getting called out by the commissioner. Yes. Then two weeks in a row bringing up Valley's mom and then yesterday suggesting that Revo skipped right past the foreplay. I don't know buddy. Hey guys are awfully close to the ditch Here's a little something to drive it straight in there Valley's mom has got it going on. Oh My god, you know what it's honest

Oh My god Well, thank you that's great I don't know where to go I would have send that to Valley I hope he's listening His mom's got it going on. It just seems like over the course of the last 30 or 40 years when it when it's come to analysts or guys on TV the goalies have Been the ones much like right here's Kelly Rudy for years Kevin Weeks is in it We've had great guests on this show if Glenn Healy's joined us before we got Ralphie on yeah It's just because they're sitting their little cubby hole and watch everything move around That's why a little cubby hole you mean everything move around that's why. You mean the most

important part of the game? It's like four by six. Yeah it's all just a little got one little area they got a cover okay so the rest of the time they're Anyways, Bally's mom has got it going. That's going to be every Tuesday night. We're going to lead in with that. He used to turn out my mother. Just leave Bally's mom out of this. Okay, Luke in Canmore, Alberta. Hey guys, Luke here from beautiful Canmore, Alberta. It is beautiful.

I'm just calling to say that I am sick and tired of JD and Sammy, specifically those two, but everyone slandering Morgan Riley, acting like two years ago when he carried us through playoffs, you two specifically, and everyone said there will be no more Morgan Riley slander allowed. Yes. Because in the playoffs, he brings it. He's the only leaf that plays with heart. He's the emotional leader of this team and every

season he has his downward spiral in January and February and everyone gets all crazy says he's so bad treats him like he's prime Martin Marinson. But he's the leader of this team and he always brings it in the playoffs He's the only one that ever plays with emotion And come this year when Riley's playing good and Marner's invisible and Matthew says no goals Everyone is good. We're gonna have the same conversation saying Riley always shows up in the playoffs and then it's gonna happen again And I'm just tired of the same thing happening every year and I think you guys need to come from slack anyways love the show boys. Thanks. I Love that you know it's like Sammy talking about when the Leafs win the cup how he'll like you know

He'll be fine with everything But you know it'd be November and their power play would be over whatever and he'd be like well I didn't expect it to be this bad if you're right back on them We did you did move away from the Morgan gets a pass stuff pretty quick. I do think that there's this whole Narrative around this team that like this guy's performed us so well and this guy it's like, you know Morgan Riley isn't exactly Duncan Keith in 2014 here Like they've played seven games every year in the first round and you's like, oh, Willie, oh my God, yeah. He's, like I've said before, he's Clark Gillies.

He's shot it in twice more in the seven games than the other guys. Like, it just, there's a little, we gotta pump the brakes on these guys' accomplishments. I'm sorry. It's been one round every year. Morgan Reilly has a lot of fans, and I think over the years,

to the point where people looked at him and said he should have been the captain. He's garnered a lot of respect over the years and I think we're all still cheering for him. He's a likable guy. I'm a big Riley fan. And most people are. And I think he's had a lot of leeway here in this city for one of the leaders here that has not been able to get much success in the playoffs and he's worn it. But we all think that there's still better Riley coming, right?

We haven't written him off, but this is probably the longest stretch of mediocre hockey out of Morgan Riley. He has gotten older. He's in his 12th year, if I'm not mistaken. Like there is some wear and tear now. There might be some concerns, but like, it's not like you're ready to get rid of him and have someone come in. And I know I've heard all the talk about like, get rid of him, trade him,

send him to Vancouver for JT Miller. And even if you could do that tomorrow, okay? And you think you've got the perfect now 12 forwards, there will still be, regardless of his minus 16, and not great play, there will still be a huge hole on the blue line of 20 minutes every night and you aren't replacing it. That's why he's just cross your fingers.

You have to you have to work with him the next 40 games to get to where Luke is talking about and that is good. Good Morgan Riley in April. It's funny too like if he played his whole career here behind Duncan Keith or whatever, Kale McCarr, whatever you know you would look at him so differently but because he's been the number one here the expectations are maybe not accurate for what he can be and is at his best where he's Yes, he can be a number one, but he's not a top 10 demon in the league It's a lot a lot a lot like the unfinished before yeah, where are he slotted differently where Dion? Got the captaincy he got the big contract and he just never was what they tried him to be if Brent Seabrook had to

Be the best man on his for. Everyone would look at him differently for falling short of whatever, but he was behind Duncan Keith, and he was perfect. The amount of time, the amount of years off my life arguing about Deon Fanoff, I was a Deon Fanoff guy, and I'd always be like, he's just miscast, he's just miscast, and it's like he was miscast,

he immediately gets traded to the Sens sense plays on their bottom pair in that Playoff run. He's great for them. They almost go to the final He scores OT winners and I was like see see like It's very similar conversation. The thing that's hurting Morgan Riley right now is In my opinion The power play that he is not a fixture on the power play. When you have a seven and a half, eight million dollar, number one defenseman, highest paid,

and you can't play him on a power play, there's issues. So that needs to be addressed here in some capacity that if he's not, then moving forward here, like for the next, I don't know what he has left on his deal, but that that needs to be rectified or fixed here. You know, those little second assists you get in the power play make you feel better. The other thing I will say is this happens, like in Boston right now, Charlie McEvoy is not on power play one or Power Play Two.

He's been watching them for a long time. You go through stretches where good players try to figure it out, I still think it's coming back for Riley here. Okay. Let's go to Ali from Hamilton. Hey guys, love the show. It's Ali calling from Hamilton.

Just wanted to have a quick over-under on the number of playoff games Matt Murray will take will start or At least appear and I'll set it at point five or you can take the over under take care of love the show Mm-hmm. I thought that's a great question over over Over what over a point five will he get in a game in playoffs? Oh gosh I mean someone's on the shelf and

Had a bad game yeah, it's if I I've yet to see any team go deep with their third goalie I Don't think you're talking about going deep with your third goalie right I think the car is gonna get is if you are if Joe Wall or Anthony Stollers who are both in their own guys one of them's hurt going to the playoffs and Joel wall that's in for in the first period is Matt Murray gonna go in a game okay so you lose in five games then starts would be a different game starts a different question you're losing in six games and he got in one or two games. Yeah

Yeah It's bad news, yeah, it's really bad news Murray makes an appearance in the playoffs you have lost the round No, because he's bad And now he wins his bet. Yeah, don't even good out of Matt Murray in the playoffs is Ali loses his bat Let's go to Gary from Saskatoon Good afternoon, it's Gary from Saskatoon. I had the pleasure watching Braden Point and jr. And he was dominant I was you boys were impressed with him on Monday against the Leafs quick question Would you do a one-on-one trade? Grade and point for Mitch Marner. Thanks. Have a good day.

I think had the question been Austin Matthews, I would have had to think about it. This one is a definite yes for me. I thought long and hard about this. I thought long and hard about this. Okay, who? Okay okay first of all are we talking about the Leafs or Tampa Bay both just like would you do it if they if it like I would do it if I'm if I'm the Leafs I would do it if I'm Tampa Bay I wouldn't do it okay same way for me okay I mean Marner's really good Marner's really good really goodarner's really good. Really good.

But I didn't score like Braden Point does. You know how I feel about center. Like you need a playmaking center man. The Leafs don't have it. They've got goal scoring center man. Braden Point, just pulling this up here. Yeah, he had 14 goals and 23 points in 23 playoff games. Yeah, he's an amazing player. Point per game with 14 goals and 23 points in 23 playoff games. Yeah, he's an amazing player.

Point per game with 14 goals. Year before, 14 goals and 33 points in 23 playoff games. You're not given tempo, Bay. Cannot give up Braden Point. I don't think John, what was it? Gary from Saskatoon. He's a leaf. Yeah, I think he's just, you know, kind of spitball in here.

It's Forestalk Radio. Bring Point is... Amazing. Cannot wait to... Maybe they could plan a line. But I think, yeah, that'd be great. But in saying that, like you wanna talk about a hole the size of Grand Canyon if Mitch leaves

with a penalty kill and the minutes that he takes up and all of that, wow. We might get a look at it next October. Let's go. Benny from Minnesota. What's up fellas? My name is Benny. I live in Minnesota my whole life. My dad's from Oshawa. So I've been a lifelong Leaf fan. I was just wondering if you guys had a pick on your favorite place you've ever watched a Leafs game. I don't mean live. I mean some random place throughout the world that you guys tune into a game My pick here would be probably waking up in Thailand in Bangkok in 2019 at 6 a.m

To watch a leaf lightning game and I loved watching least games at the regal beagle. It's the least bar in Vancouver, too If you got 70 picks there, I'd love to hear them. Thanks and have a great, great day. Kepfer's going to say his couch. No, been to Boston. When did they play the Bronz in the playoffs last time? Last year. Was it last year? They've played them twice, have they not?

In like the last three or four years? They've played them many times. Three times in the past. Anyways, being in Boston, visiting my kids and then watching the game. In like the last four years, they put the many times anyways Being in Boston. Yeah visiting my kids. Mm-hmm. And then watching a leaf game from Boston Get the energy of and just being the only one, you know, where do you like but you were just like a bar Yeah, you didn't go to a game. No, no, I have a bar. That's great I don't know. I love the all-inclusive Leaf game.

Yeah. Yeah, because it always brings all the Canadians out of the woodwork for like a big leaf game at like a Mexico sports bar. They'll put it on there. One of the all-inclusives. That's always fun. But I don't really get the experience. I mean, I do the show after the game. So like I miss out on the going out and having a few beers and watching the game experience, which I don't miss a ton, to be honest with you, but probably the probably the all-inclusive kind of thing. Yeah. And I'm like a winter cottage with buddies because for me, it's which I don't miss a ton, to be honest with you, but probably the all-inclusive kind of thing. Yeah, and I'm like a winter cottage with buddies, because for me it's like I don't get to travel a ton

during the season as is, and prior to living in Toronto 12 years ago, you know, wasn't seeking out leaf games a whole ton, so, you know, unfortunately, Bangkok is gonna be the winning winner by a good distance. That's a really good one. Playoffs, though, like, you get together with your groups, your neighbors, your whatever,

and it's just that whole buildup the whole day, and then the game where everybody's just standing still and watching and then. The collective experience of a great playoff game. It is. On parallel. So much fun. I will say, I'm really excited for,

I don't know how many Saturdays it is from now, but the Leafs aren't playing but Canada versus USA Saturday night at the Bell Centre. Like that's when you rile up the fellas or your girlfriends or whatever. You head out to the bar. Okay, you can squeeze one more. Sure, we can squeeze a couple more in here. All right, we got to go back to my girl Yvonne from Edmonton.

She's pissed off. Oh great. Yvonne. Oh no. Oh no. Hi, Sammy McGee. It's Yvonne from Edmonton. She's pissed off. Oh great on oh no. Oh no Hi, Sammy McGee. It's Yvonne here anyways, I've come to a conclusion really sucks, but Yeah, too much leaves you guys talk about but I know that's your team and all but anyways, and yeah, just Seems like you guys are a little anal about my Edmonton Oilers. I don't know, just your little comments and stuff.

So I think I'm done with Kipper and Bourne, which really sucks. But you guys were awesome and all the best to you. And take care and hopefully I can find an NHL line that talks more about the teams and my Oilers. But Oilers'll take it this year and can not suck and go my home school oh my god we got fired we just got fired Yvonne just fired us I know I really thought I grew up from the days when people would be like it's the smarmy little comments we don't need

from you anymore but I mean um, Hi Sammy McGee. Sammy McGee from now on. The Oilers are growing on me though, as like another, like very good chance to go to a final. Oh yeah. Corey Perry last night. I'm not, you know, Corey did a great job last night. We'll get into that. But I'm trying to go. She's right about the Canucks. Unfortunately, Edmonton is getting stronger and they don't even have 97 in the lineup. Let's go to. Let's go to Chuck. Let's go to Chuck.

Hey, how's it going? Chuck Nelson here. Anyways, I got a comment about William Nylander. I'd love to hear your thoughts. You know how Matthews and Marner are always scrutinized in the media and Willie always gets away with it. I got a theory. I think it's because the guy is just so damn handsome.

I think he's just so handsome. I think he's just so handsome. I think he's just so handsome. I think he's just so handsome. I think he's just so handsome. I think he and Willie always gets away with it? I got a theory. I think it's because the guy is just so damn handsome. I mean, if he was walking by me on the street, I'd go, look at that handsome guy. And then if Max Domi walked by me on the street, I'd say, I got to give that guy a dollar. Love to hear your thoughts on that. You know, right? When you played, you got away with everything with the fans because you're a Greek god out there on the ice.

Anyways, love your show. I'm Chuck Nelson. You've seen my movies. Oh, my gosh. Shut up, Nelson, be seen, man. I don't know if that is- Chuck Nelson. Oh, I don't know if he should do anything else after that.

Try to think if I got a short one. How old are you with him? Hold on for a second. Willie's handsome and shirtless? How much time we got? Max has got the cup in his hand. Well, he's got no teeth, right? It's the implication there.

Quick one. Let's go to Glenn in Nova Scotia. Is this Blair and Barker? Hi, this is Glenn from the Annapolis Valley calling. I just want to talk about the Jays. Oh, sorry, it's the Leafs line. What are you guys doing? This is a ripoff of what Blair and Barker are doing.

They're like the kings of this. And we all know that baseball fans, especially Jays fans, are far more intelligent than Leafs fans in the world. But I do have a least question. Is it time for Toronto to legitimately start looking for a guy like an Olivier who can play a full game and be tough and make room for the skilled guys? There's guys out there, I just never understood the signing of Reeves anyways. I've never looked at him as a legit heavyweight. He's just a big guy I don't think he's that tough. Oh my god, Krobert Kosar knows guys back in the day would have pummeled him

Anyways, oh by the way Hey Nick, I saw an old video of a game in Vancouver where you were fighting and poskey and that was the game when Mimoso swung the stick at Kosar. Yes. Maybe you could fill us in what happened in that situation down there. I can't in 30. Great show gentlemen. More McQuain and more Stalick please.

Alright, glad I can't do it in 30 seconds but listen I forget Olivier, forget Reeves, let's get Barker. Sign Barker. Oh yeah. Get it singing. All those. You want that Sign Barker. Oh yeah. Get it singing. We love those boys. Love them and yes it's their idea and yes we totally ripped it off and we're thankful for them for that. Okay back when we return with Doug McClain. More off the rails when we return. Thanks friends.