Real Kyper & Bourne - Leafs Hour: Tavares to IR + Keefe's Return to Toronto

Episode Date: January 16, 2025

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee start with an evaluation of Craig Berube's season behind the bench and whether his 'accountability culture' has lived up to offseason expectations. Then, they look ahead to the Leafs' matchup against the New Jersey Devils and discuss the impact of John Tavares' absence as he moves to the IR, Max Domi's opportunity on the second line, Sheldon Keefe's return to Toronto and more. Later, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald (33:08) discusses his squad's recent stretch, how he's approaching the trade deadline and parity in the Eastern Conference.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.

Just like that, another game day for the Toronto Maple Leafs. And we're right here to cover it all for you on the Real Kipper and Bourne show. This is the Leaf Hour edition. We are live on Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet Plus, Nick Kiprios, Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee and the captain on this flight, Derek Brandeo and Jake the Snake, Schultz. All right, boys, we gotta end a three game miserable losing streak for the Toronto Maple Leafs. I've got us in team uniforms today. Team unis!

Look at the boys today, rocking the RK&B here. Absolutely, our thanks to Chris Tamas from USA. It's Ahead Apparel and Clothing. They do a terrific job and you look good boys. You look good. These are nice. They're thin. They're comfortable.

You'll be seeing this on the first tee in April at Lakeview Golf Course. Very golf-able. All right, Tammy. What's up? What do you want to talk about? Just ending a slump that you started Saw you saw you started it. You started it probably Thursday At what this first period second period. Yeah of Carolina. Yeah ever after they went up to zip They've been slumping ever since um

I think you know they had a quick seven minute break from their slump when they went up one zip on Dallas, too So Adam outside of that they've been started So what we're gonna get into Kippers Clippers will we'll get into Jersey, we'll get into Tavares out of the lineup for what looks like an extended period of time, but this morning, I had no other choice but to go on the JD Bunkas show, he's called me a thousand times. You know, it's like, JD, I'm starting out my sock drawer

right now, I can't do it. JD, you know, dog ate my homework, I can't do it right now, but he got me to go on today. And what'd you guys talk about? You know, he's heavy on not seeing the accountability for lackluster play. And I'm wondering, is this something that I'm not seeing enough of? Am I just looking at an 82 game schedule and say, come on guys, there's going to be windows here? or is there more to it in your opinion? I wanna get your opinion, JB and Sammy on, like, are you disappointed in Craig Borubi

right now a little bit? Well, I think we will need to get back to the question of what kind of reception the guy he replaced is gonna get tonight. Keep back in trouble. I think back in town tonight. I think that's gonna be fascinating. But the Borubi thing, the more I think about it, the more I'm stuck on the idea of, you know,

these players today and being a little bit more sensitive and a little bit more they've been in a cocoon a lot of the way up and haven't quite been beaten down by as many coaches as some of us were on the way up. That perhaps the best way to maintain their focus, their effort, their commitment to you is by giving them grace that they're going to figure it out. They figured it out their whole lives and given them that trust and not doing the public floggings of old. So maybe there's a theory there. Oh, I'm going to drop hurting.

Please enough with the big deal. Like I really can't hear that. No, it's good. It drives me crazy. Enough with the big deal. I really can't hear that. No, it drives me crazy enough with the big deal. Uh Yeah, I think it's just Expectations versus reality leads to disappointment a lot of times and I don't think anyone can sit here and say you'd have to be disappointed With the job Craig Barube has done through how many games they played 43 44 games You could if you sat here and said that you're disappointed in the job you've done you'd be wrong I mean they've there

Went through half the season with no bottom six and they've you know, they've they've gotten through some adversity here They're gonna have to go through some more with losing John Tavares for a couple weeks. It seems like I just think when the stars Get away with some of the stuff that they've gotten away with in years past without any pushback or seeming, they may be saying stuff to them in the room, but part of it is public relations and part of it is sending a message to your fans

and people around the league that you're a different kind of guy, and that just hasn't happened. And in the past, we've seen some of the best here over a short period of time. And you go back to Mike Babcock, and then you go to Sheldon Keefe, and Keefe handling the media,

didn't nearly have the experience of a Babcock, but kinda probably thought a lot more about what he was going to say. Where I really believe that Craig Bruby has ever once in his coaching career truly thought about what he was going to say to the media or how he could use it or how it could help him. He just goes out there and he just has random thoughts of what he thought of the game But there's safe random thoughts Without ever thinking that I'm gonna use the media to stir anything up or to send so he's not like what you're saying

Here is he's not he's not talking about John Cooper. He's not Paul Marie. He's not Calculate what he says no cat Can't get in trouble doing that. He's honest. He gives honest opinion. There's no mixed messaging that way. There's no going back on, well, you said this before and now you're saying this. It's just straight lines.

Move the puck north. The thing is, too, is I'm not saying that he won't go to the media and ever you know Be hard really call a guy out or be hard on a guy But if it does it will be in the most natural form and it'll be short and sweet and it won't be this You know mad scientist thinking about ways to to use it. It's just not him. So if he is gonna say something through the media, it ain't coming off a three game losing streak. If three goes to four, if four goes to six,

who knows what he says to the media, but right now he's not close to calling anybody out. So that's the bottom line. You look around the league though, right? And you see Todd McClellan, who's a new coach in Detroit, just eviscerate Justin Hall in front of the whole media, being like, yeah, he was horrible. He knows he was horrible.

He's gotta be better, whatever. You see one of the better teams in the last few seasons in the league, the last five, six years, Braden Point miss a meeting, goal scoring leader almost on their team, misses the game because he misses a meeting. Like you see around the league, teams calling out guys for bad performance.

It could still come. I know it's still good, but like we're at a point where I think if it was Sheldon Keefe in charge, and he had been through the beats of a season, and he'd been through, and he knows like he knows the ups the beats of a season, and he'd been through, and he knows, like he knows the ups and downs of a Leafs season here,

he would have said something by now, where he is more familiar with a lot of these guys and what they go through, and like, I don't know if, you know, I don't know if Brubay thinks it's the right time to call it, really, the right time to call it, I don't know if he knows, has the knowledge that a guy that's been here for four or five years would have

Habits, it's very it's actually funny because you know we watch them so closely for so many years You feel like you know the beats and when it's I do press the buttons a little bit, you know for Borubi I do think if you're gonna err on the side of one of two ways He's taken the smarter tack and just you know, the other point is that it may be possible He just doesn't think it's a crisis yet He may internally feel like what's the big deal? Even though he would never say such a thing So do you like do you guys both think that the last three games are not a time for it? I think am I being too reactive I think the last like 10 15 20 games are bad

You know in terms of controlling the play at five on five. And so to me, it does warrant it. It is time. It has been time. Yeah. I think, again, have we saw cracks along the way here in the last four or five weeks? Yes, but they did manage to find ways to win. And as they say, how hard do you want to critique a W? I do believe that when he thinks about, in particular, Willie Nylander, on a couple occasions, he's mentioned confidence on Willie Nylander and the lack of it,

which at times you can scratch your head and like, I'm gonna guy that constantly does interviews with no shirt Confidence last three and a row. What's the big deal? I don't think he's lacking well But I'm wearing a towel, but I believe that Craig Ruby believes that is that on the ice. It's a confidence thing It's an issue. I gotta tell you Separate from this I watched that Oilers game last night pretty close I can't believe how those elite guys dry-settled McDavid skate in the offensive zone to get the puck skate to get open The way they move their feet like offensively. It's like they haven't been fed in four days. It's crazy

You can't I Looked at I watched a lot of that game too I saw the sneaky dirty elbow that went unpunished by Connor McDavid last night, but They're not Connor McDavid. They're not Leon dry side. Well, what do you mean? Austin Matthews won the heart trophy over guys two years ago. You know what? I've come to the realization that those two guys are better than anybody on the lease. They have I have but you've also argued Over the years that maybe Matthews was better than McDavid I am dumb.

That's what you need to know. But Sam, if you think they're the one and two best players in the league, you don't have these other guys that far back. They should be close. They should be close. You know, you could take a page out of their book and say, ah, standing around waiting for a puck

and trying to put it through someone's feet, not as effective as, you know, Nathan McKinnon in the Ozone, taking crossovers out of the corner with and without the puck skate skate skate Can I say quickly does a different topic before we move on to tonight? So we thought I had that conversation yesterday Which I thought was pretty passionate conversation in terms of where the lease are at and we put out a little clip on on Twitter Of you know me talking about it and like I'm totally down with this. I love all that stuff.

And I'm really almost impressed by a lot of me, a certain part of Least Nation, like blind ability to defend this core, like to go through the beats of every season and just be like, it's not that big a deal. It's fine. It's like, it's just, they'd won five in a row, all the sort of like, it's not that big a deal. It's fine. It's like, it's just, you know, they'd won five in a row. All the sort of like, it's almost like the fans,

some part of the fan base has been convinced, like they've been severance chipped too. Or it's just like, oh, it's totally fine. Like it's like the last eight years hasn't happened. It's amazing. Eight days ago, everybody was on board that this team could win the president's trophy. Eight days ago. Who? Me? Oh yeah. Did I say that? Off the five game winning streak, we're talking

about them looking at being one of the top. We were looking at the E2 conference for sure. I'm telling you, it came up in our conversation. I'm sure it did. Okay, so that's where it stems from, Sammy. Okay. That's where. And the great goaltending that you've never seen in like 20 years stems there. What is the point in making though that we're overreacting?

It is not that big a deal. No, I'm not even saying that. I'm saying like this is the highs and lows of the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is, hey. But there's some people that don't ever go through the lows again. That's what's surprising to me. That must be magic That's just dumb. I know but there's people it's like oh, it's fine. It's fine. No, it's amazing It's not fine. It's amazing to have that mentality like I truly truly

I have so much I was sort of looking for I'll always come back to it's, it's Reference for that? In this market, it's never as great as you think it is, and it's never as bad as you think it is. And then there's somewhere in the truth lies the middle, and will the, what will surface in April and May? Come on. I mean, it's just like,

We know we're trends every year. The first text in the text line here as I'm reading, it's like, love your passion. You're way overreacting though. It's like, I am? I'm overreacting to what? Like have we just done the Men in Black Stick of the last eight years?

They've won one round. They make $40 million combined, these guys. It hasn't been good enough and they're slightly worse and everyone's like shut up you're so wrong I mean we know we're a good team so what are we doing? I think about yesterday's Sammy quote if not the year it's not been three games it's been eight years yes that is a good one Sammy and people, well, there's no like they're the sends. Yeah, that's the exact point. They're supposed to have won something. And something. Yeah. And at some point, your guys who are 25 and then they're 28 or 32. And it's like, Oh, when Austin Matthews shot

four goals in the net against Ottawa Senators and his NHL debut, Me and the boys, we were playing in the Cups. We're like, how many Cups are they gonna win? Like, what? Like, this is gonna be the greatest era in Leaf's hockey ever, and they've won one round. That's what you do. That's what Leaf Nation does. Yeah, but they, like, I don't know.

People's expectations have just been beaten down, mine too, but it's just, I feel like people should have higher expectations. Yeah. Anyways. Yeah, anyways. Okay, where are those expectations going with John Tavares now out of the lineup and what kind of changes can we expect? Let's go to our first Kippers Clipper with Craig Borubey.

Yeah, they announce week to week right now, so yeah, it's unfortunate in practice, you know, it's just bad luck, but you know, it's just bad luck, but you know, it is what it is. So we got to move on from it right now. Well, everything. I mean, I think you see his production and what he's done and his leadership and you know, he's he's been an all situational guy pretty much

and done a real good job for us. I said effect your lineup tonight. Who's in? Holmberg's in. He'll be in and then Pacioretty's in. McCabe's in. There you go. Good players.

Alright, so you get a little size in there, a little snot. Yeah, no, it's good. How do you feel about them being without Tavares for for you know, what sounds it could be a couple of weeks well as far as The offense the threat of his offense the way he battles down low Yeah, it's gonna be missed. There's no question and there's no There's no replacement. Homburg's gonna come in. Will we see Domi at some point in the middle?

Will we see Minton up after tonight on the weekend? But come on, at the end of the day, John was just John again this year at a point, a game pace. It's gonna be hard to replace. What's hard, Sorry, go ahead. And you know, he's not a superstar, but he is a very dependable guy for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Well, yeah, what they'll miss, I think in particular is we've talked about the bottom six and how many guys aren't expected to score. It's like, Camp is not a goal guy. He plays deep. Reeves isn't expected to. Dewar's not expected is not a goal guy He does he plays deep Reeves isn't expected to do is not expected to you don't need a home bird He's not gonna get you points and all of a sudden you go god Who why who is yeah who? Everybody cannot be the defense grit guy

So losing to bars when you have so many guys who aren't expected to score that really hurts I mean in the past five years, I think he's missed what like six or seven games total like it hasn't been many and super healthy and I think this is a big test for for Matthews here where Like they lose to what you don't think about losing Tavares for any period of time ever right? Like he's like I said, he's dependable He's always there. It ain't perfect a lot of nights, but he's there He's a threat for a goal board battles everything we know about Tavares But what I Mean, but Matthews isn't exactly been the picture of health here

Like it's like it puts the pressure on him to really stay in there like it's it's it's a losing to bars a big blow to use Nico he sure he's got to be the best. He's gonna be the best center man on the ice tonight That's a big challenge for Austin tonight. That's it's huge. He needs, he needs to have a look of the Boston Bruins what two Saturdays ago. Absolutely. You know, and it's tough because the second best center tonight is Max Domi and then Pontus Holmberg. Like it's it's tough when you're going up against Hughes Heashear as a one-two punch. So yeah, you need your top guy to win

his minutes for sure. He's out week to week. From what I saw in the pictures that had MCL Sprain written all over it, to me that's four to six weeks. He could miss the next 10 games. We may not see John Tavares again until after the Four Nations, which really short term, yes, concerning, but they banked. They banked. In the first half, they banked. I'm more thinking about his body.

This may not be terrible for him. Come April, I think at some point, I would have been resting him. At some point, I would have sent him to Florida in February or March. If you ever heard of them doing that, wouldn't you make a big stink about it? Like we've joked about it for years,

like they should just let one of these guys. Not that guy, not that guy. I'd send him. If you found out they're like, yeah, the Leafs have sent Tavares to Florida for a week, he'd be like, great. I just need him to find a way to have that competitiveness that he has around the net and

producing goals in April. Yeah, that's all I need out of him from here on in. Yeah, so Does that cost you the division or if it is ten games and he's not back until late February? This tree living go out there and try to find somebody early here to come in. Today Sammy sent me a question about JG Pajot from the Islanders. And I know you feel like they got to aim high, right? I think he's a skilled guy. I do.

Pajot? Yeah. Yeah. I said to Sam, my answer is that I think he's like, he's an improvement on Domi. I do. Pajot? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I said to Sam, my answer is that I think he's like, he's an improvement on Domi. You know, like if that's what you're looking for here, but I think you're, you would need him to them to retain 50% salary. And yeah, he's, I don't think he's a massive needle mover.

I just need a bigger guy. I know that's small. He's older. And all I envision, all I envision is just the fight of the Florida Panthers, right? That's my that's my bar That's the guy I need. I need I need six three six four To go up against Florida. Yeah, that's my thought Crazy to be in a point where you're like thinking about a specific team, but in this case, I don't think it's unreasonable all right, speaking of Max Domi, let's listen to Craig Bruby, clip three on how he can move

up in the lineup. Yeah, I mean I think Max Domi right now for me moves up there in that spot. I've used him up there before with Nylander so for me he's a guy that can go up there and provide some offense and playmaking ability. So we're going to need that from him. This is exactly why you paid Max Domi to stay. This is the scenario where if anything happens, somebody goes down, this is the guy that needs to bump up and make plays

and create some offense and get on the score sheet. This is, I know you mentioned Auston Matthews as I feel the same way that this is a big measuring stick game for him but also for Max to step in and and be that guy. I'd like to remind faithful listeners of this program that going into game one versus the Boston Bruins in playoffs last year the top line was Domi, Matthews and Tyler Bertuzzi. That was how they started playoffs with their, this is our best lineup. You remember they were red hot down the stretch. They controlled like 70 some percent of the shot attempts.

When they were together, Matthews gets hurt and you know, things changes as the series went on. But that's where Domi was't playoff for this team last year. This year it's been a tough go for me, Kip. Like, you know, I've made the case before that like, I just don't know where on a healthy team he fits in. It's probably third line wing with a couple of guys who are a little more defensive and physical and whatever.

But you're right. This is supposed to be his spot. Let's you know, here's to hope when he can create some offense because right now He's got three goals and as many assists as Tanev I think I saw somewhere today so and I think there was some chemistry between him and Nylander earlier on in this year I think if that was earlier this year They played together for a little bit and they had a bit of chemistry going so good pass or a good shooter both can skate I think there is a world where this is it works until you can get John

Tavares back here It's not a long-term thing, but I think this can work like you have enough skill in that line to get some production of it I think yeah, no, I think so too. So we got another one on Domi. Do we not yeah, we do. Let's check out the next What he needs to be better clip for feels You know, he needs to get on the inside more, and I think he needs to shoot pucks more, which I thought he has the last couple games. And skate. He's a good skater.

He's got to use his speed, and it's just a little bit more direct shooting. Just more pucks going to the net in general. And then for him, personally, getting it on the inside a little bit more around the net and things like that to get some different types of goals. Is that that's what you see to for Domi get inside around the net? Yeah, the only the one thing I'd like him to do is just take one split second longer before he makes the decision to pass a puck because there's often when I think he's just so so so he just it just ends up being on the other team stick

for me. Oh, if there's someone in front, you know, right. I hope it is rare. Too many hopers. Yeah, right? If he can just find that happy place, I think it'll go a long way in his favor here. Also, McKay back in the lineup. Someone sent me a stat since 2023, 24,

with him in the lineup, the Leafs have a 661% and without it, was this you? It's funny, cause I because I sent it to him. And without him 412. I sent this to Borny. Yeah, when? And like the other night. And what about me?

He sent it to me. No, he came up with it. I was working with Marzi for a TV show and we came up with the numbers and then we did a graphic and then Sam was like check out this graphic and now it's here again. Oh okay. I think I sent it in the group chat. Kipper like you didn't even know who our guests were yesterday when the show started so I said a lot of stuff in the group chat that's our gothler rather

He is a crucial crucial piece of their success it just you know you you like to use the phrasing Slots in like where guys slot in whatever McCabe changes that for everyone right it puts them in a in a much better place in the roster You know so tonight you're looking at Riley Myers McCabe Tanev OEL Timmons Timmons over Benoit not sure about that, but right hand right left. Yeah, the old right left So that's what they want. But patch already he's back Yeah, and I think this is This is a good thing in terms of he's not playing every game nor can he nor can he keep a pace of play up?

but I think the Leafs need so if it means missing a few games, regrouping, recouping that energy and then go out there again. Listen, he flattened the crap out of Jack Hughes last time they played. Oh, that's right. That was a top five he's hit in the last 10 years. It was really good. I gotta think. I think that I hope comes into play at some point for either New Jersey or Toronto,

but I hope some of that animosity carries right into puck drop tonight. Patoretti played a lot around the holidays. Like he played the 20, in December, he played every other day basically with the back-to-backs. Since now today's the 16th, he played on the 11th and then the 7th. So he's actually had a little bit of a breather here. It would be great to get the guy who looked really effective

for them at times this season, hopefully a little rest to do that for him. Today, I did my article today in the Toronto Star. You can find it at Real Kipper on X or Twitter. It centered around the lack of scoring, which is an absolute alarming rate right now for the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the worst in the league when it comes to goals and point production. When does this become concerning for you?

Well, I almost want to Google when I first wrote about it this year, but I think it was October. It's been concerning for me. Their shots per game over the past four years were 32.6, sorry, 34.6, 32, 31, now 28. They don't create like they did or they like they used to which is fine But I actually think it was Mike Johnson on the TSN broadcast who said something like when they get down It doesn't feel like they have a switch to flip right now, right? It doesn't feel like they have. Okay, here we go You know, I've got to turn it up and open it up and which we never said no Not with Nylander yeah Tavares those guys you went through it I don't

know last year the year before where it's like you just they could be down through when you never feel like they're out of it buddy we we had Columbus game last year they're gonna come back five nothing in the third we've and the window over time they'll pull their goalie, they'll find a way. And now it's kind of... It feels like dead puck era. It's like, ah, they're down two. Ah, this one's over.

You know, part of that is the stinky power play, which again, not sure if you guys watched last night, but the Minnesota Wild on the power play looked like the Russian Red Army. Yeah, they're snapping around. Yeah, Matt Boldy is just the greatest player of all time apparently. So what is the answer here that you, do you need to go out there and make a little bit of a change up to this blue line by March

if it kind of looks the same way or do you just try to squeeze the crap out of Morgan Reilly and Timmons and now now Jake McCabe comes back to you to tell him hey step up on plays every once in a while I mean what's the answer they kind of signed all of Reckman Larson to be a bit of a contributor offensively I think yeah that was the idea same with Klingberg last year like they've been looking for it they've tried it and it's just all of ReckLarsen hasn't given them that much offensively. Like I think they've tried to address this here in the off seasons and it just hasn't worked out. Like they were down the road with

Zdorov which thankfully that didn't work out too well but like they they really have looked for it. It just hasn't worked. You know our show contributor Steve Valakett, great friend of the show, sent us all a text while we've been talking. Doug, he said, Doug McLean used to say, you must achieve 150 points from your D to make the playoffs. And so he pulled this year most points by defensemen by team, the Leafs. Two teams are worse than them in the league, Anaheim and Nashville. So they're in a clump of teams at T27 in points from the D.

So that is certainly a concern. So mad at that Steve Ellicott. I told him he's got good stuff like that. Just send it to me, not you guys. Could have claimed it for my own. Yeah, so it's a concern. Before we get to... Should we mention Sheldon Kiefer? Yeah, yeah. We're into the GM of the Devils. Like we, the coaches are turning back. What kind of reception? First of all, is it true he spoke longer today than Craig Brewery has all season

13 minutes today with the Toronto media. Yeah, he was very warm very like I mean bubbly We could how about do you have anything he's back in his how about clip? How about clip one from Keith clip one from Keith? Okay feels Okay. It feels similar, you know. It's actually came in basically the same walk that I took every day coming in here. I always came in the Raptors entrance that way. So just stopped short a little bit this time. I've been in the visitors room before with the Marley's and that, but it is a little

different here. It looks a little different I didn't point out the red the red hallways, but Obviously this meets is such a little different, but just great to see some of the familiar faces and say hi to everyone Pull up Frank Costanza stop short. Did he say stop short? We can play this it's just it was a lot of just reflecting and like what you it's not for you Kipper like I was cutting these clips and I was like I don't want to play these clips cuz I was good like your Eyes were pre-rolling like thinking of these clips disappointed. He didn't do it at the beach. That's all I Gotta tell you

Sheldon loves the Toronto Maple loves him and that was yeah, so clear. Yeah, and like family does The Toronto Maple loves him and that was so clear. Yeah, and like family does Penance and I mean sorry his family didn't move. No, they still live in the area here. Yeah Yeah, you know loves them to Tom Fitzgerald. Yeah. Well, they were trying one pretty good. Listen the Leafs media was really Pulling at the heartstrings really trying to get him to say something And just wouldn't like he just was just very like thankful and reflective that's cause of he these PR I think that's called experience He's getting there so good if he's buried them. Oh what I wouldn't love no no no Please tell me

You've learned something after all those years here. Let's just say it. And he did. Truth serum injection, he would bury them. There's a couple people he'd bury. So quickly before we go to break, we gotta get Tom Fitzgerald. They're gonna put his, they're gonna do the Jumbotron thing, the tribute video. What? Like, is it a standing ovation? No.

Is it a smattering of applause? But how do you boo? What would you be booing? One round. Yeah, but I'm saying like no one's gonna boo No, they're gonna give him a very warm reception. Yeah, but nobody's gonna stand there for five minutes He's not getting Boria Salming team Sweden and maple leaf gardens Am I going to my back? No, that's you can't stand. I don't know. I don't know Lee fans I mean, I don't think they'll stand

I think but I think it'll be a pretty rousing ovation and As you're saying you can they gotta go to the bathroom. They'll stand. I was just asking the question I wouldn't stand gotta ask I would come on it'd be like me at the Masters, baby We're gonna clap. All right, take a break though. I don't think right no boo. No, no Booze if we play what did you learn as leaf coats like a minute and a half long? We got the just all right We gotta get to a fit. All right, general manager of the New York Rangers gonna join us after the race What did I say? New York Rangers is new today. What's going on with me? You're excited Oh, we have the commissioner. We have the commissioner on the lead of the hour. I didn't even tee that out

You did Commissioner Gary Batman will join us after he blew us off on Monday or Tuesday We have the commissioner on the lead. Top of the hour. I didn't even tee that up. No you didn't. The commissioner, Gary Bantman, will join us after he blew us off on Monday or Tuesday. Monday. Monday. He had better things to do. He's a busy man. I don't even think he knew about that. He might not even have got to him.

So let's just go to break. Wow, is this a good show today? We're just getting started. Don't go away, real Kipper and Bourne. Hey, it's Blake Murphy. And I'm Matt Bonner. Join us weekday mornings at 11 as we break down all things Toronto Raptors. It's the Raptor Show on Sportsnet 590 The Fan and wherever you get your podcasts.

The Kipper is Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee, Leaf Hour edition of the Real Kipper and Bourne show. Let's welcome in Tom Fitzgerald, General Manager of the New Jersey Devils. They go toe to toe with the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight. Looking forward to the game. Tom, thanks for joining us. How are you, man? I'm doing great, guys.

I feel like I just hung up with you. I know. How long ago was that? Yeah, probably about five weeks ago. I'm doing great guys. I feel like I just hung up with you. I know Yeah, probably about five weeks ago feels like it was yesterday But you know what that's what happens when you're good Right. That's what you're right. I when you're staying Whatever is called No, it's the gift of the gab and and we're three that don't have it, I can assure you.

I don't think it's been a great week for you guys in terms of getting on a bit of a streak here, but overall, you've got to be pretty pleased here as we slowly close in on shutting the league down for a Four Nations tournament? Yeah, I mean, I think you know what we're doing is we're drawing all the positives out of this and to be honest with you And you you'd want to cut neck. It's like things that when go through, you know, the the laws of the season And hopefully this is what we're going through right now Don't even just that post post The holiday break. Coming out of it the way we were playing before the break,

we were playing extremely strong and very confident. We come out, you know, stuff like this happens, but low adversity never hurts anyone. But I do like the way we're playing. I think Sheldon's got us playing the right way. You know, a little puck luck. I think games are getting tighter. The game against Florida the other day,

that was a playoff hockey game. It was a low event game. Not much was going on. I think the repowl plays between the two teams. Fun game to watch. Does it go? And when we're right down to a shootout. So you guys, obviously, you know,

circumstances last year had a lower point total than you were hoping for. You got a new coach in the off season. Where are you this season compared to where you expected to be going into the year? Well, it's a process, you know, and you don't really know what your team is gonna look like or where it's at probably until you like the 20 game mark because it takes that long to be connected, buy into a system or actually play a system,

be being connected. And, you know, when you look at last year, there's, there's a lot of areas where, you know, we got worse and that's on me as a general manager. So fixing those areas was my main priority this off season, you know, going into the season, you know, starting with the goaltending, well, Sheldon, a goaltender, uh, a tandem, that is, uh, going back to Jake Kyle and last, uh, uh, deadline. Um, and then really identifying with the areas where we, we had to improve on that was defending and getting bigger on the back end, um, harder forwards at

the front end. And we we've done that. Now you bring everybody together. And Sheldon, I feel, has done an incredible job of really integrating his system and how he wants us to play and understanding that, yeah, on paper, we're a good team, but we actually got to play the game. And he's got us practiced in the right way. And I just think we're going in the right direction

But last year like you know, whether it was injuries go pending special teams Depth score and you know, there was a lot of areas where we fell back on and it's on me to correct those things We're listening to Tom Fitzgerald general manager of the New Jersey Devils. So Tom First return for Sheldon Keefe here in Toronto. Is that something that you've talked to your head coach about? We know what the last few years meant to Sheldon as a coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was a very emotional end to his tenure here. Is that something that you guys have discussed or you just leave it alone and let it just work itself out?

We don't we haven't talked about it leading up to today. I leave my coaches alone. I leave my players alone. I actually showed up at the morning skate like I always do just kind of peek in see if everything's okay. And you know, I walked out together asked him how he was doing. He kind of looked at me like excited. And I just said, relax. But the players do the talking you go enjoy this you did great things here you've earned this and where you've taken us from where we were where we are and where we still need to go just keep your keep your head up high and go enjoy it but but he can talk he doesn't mind talking every once in a while we've we've learned that over the years well

you're saying that as we brew bees not quite the same level of verbosity is that a word? Well yeah I mean it was a very short conversation to McCoy Frank, I did all the talking. I guess there's two trade deadlines I heard someone say this year, there's the real one then there's's the four nations face off break where some teams may want to make moves earlier. How do you feel that your team is positioned and do you think that you're going to be active at either of those sort of pressure points? Well, no, we're all in communication with each, always communicating with each other. You know, I think that there were deals, I think every day there's deals to be made, uh, two weeks out, three weeks out, you know, two months out.

And it's the right deal. Um, teams will do it. You know, I just think it's so many teams that are scratching and clawing for that wild card spot. Teams really, which I understand and would do the same thing are just holding Pat, seeing where we're going to go and how this plays out. So for me personally, there's been little talk with teams because I respect where everybody's at in the standings and to call somebody and insinuate that they may fall off. That's, that's so, you know, and sincere. So I just, I just kind of, you

know, to figure ask, I guess, possibly, you know, I think it's a great time before the break, maybe get people settled in other cities, if that was the case. But then at the end of the day, the 11th hour always comes and speaks high on what your return is going to be. So I'm sure teams will weigh that option. I know teams like mine, you know, we will be talking to a lot of teams in just areas of where we want to improve on and what people are trying to do with their roster and see if there's a match somewhere, whether it's early or, you

know, right on the deadline. All right. So I've heard the New Jersey Devils link to the Vancouver Canucks and I know you're not going to say anything on our show, but pretend we're just at the bar having a beer right now and I'm not going to ask you about Vancouver or JT Miller. What I am going to ask you on this show is do the New Jersey Devils and you have enough to pull off a blockbuster trade if you needed to to if you felt like it was going to be the difference between you guys Winning and losing a Stanley Cup. Do you have the bullets in your chamber? I Think it's

Two questions you're asking me, you know one on at the bar sitting at the bar. Have I talked to? No, no me me me me me me and you at the bar have I talked to the Vancouver... No, no, me, me, me, me, me, me and you at the bar. No, no, Patrick and I are really good friends and quite honestly we haven't talked. With the respect of my organization and what I have internally for so-called bullets. You know, I do think we're set up pretty good with what we have under the hood, our graphics, you know, it's just trying to create some cap space to do if you want to make that type of any type of deal that's a big deal. It's, you know, every day you accrue the more calf space you're going to have. So again, we're looking at what we internally need to do or want to do or try to do. We have a good

team. Do we have a championship caliber team? You know what? I'm not sure, but I like our team and I like where we're at from where we were and I like where we're going. So, uh, my job is to continue to evaluate where we're at, uh, where we want to go and what it's going to take to get there. And, um, yeah, I think, you know, I mean, again, I'm dressing the wrong guy because I'm probably biased to my own prospect pool, um, that we have, we have some bullets that we would be able to use if

it was the right deal if it was right deal you know I'm not giving away not giving away talents or picks if it doesn't make sense for my club today and if it's a hockey trade moving forward. Tom what do you make of the Eastern Conference and like every team being kind of okay? Like this is the first year I can recall where there's not really any eliminated from playoffs teams after about game 45 here. Is it just me or does it feel like there's more parity than ever? Oh, I completely agree with you.

The parity level is an all-time high because you see the teams, the teams that have been elite and at the top are always gonna be strong teams. Whether father time starts catching up with some of those teams, they're still good teams. And they might slide a little bit in the standings. And then you have the guys who have been at the bottom who are maturing and they're adding to their program

and getting better. And then you have the Clash of the Titans. at the bottom who are maturing and they're adding to their program and getting better. And then you have the clash of the Titans. Every game is so tight, tightly played and anybody can beat anybody. There's no nights off in hockey. You guys know that this isn't basketball. It's not basketball. Like every night is every honestly, it's like you play 82 playoff games before you get to the playoffs. That's how much par it is in our league and that's how tough it is to get to the playoffs. Fitzie, we're at the highest level as players.

We understand the importance of everybody. Top center man, the top D man or a goalie for sure. But as a general manager now with everything that you went through last year and then you go get Markstrom Do you have a new appreciation for what? To this day's a good goaltender still means to win a Stanley Cup. Oh Yeah, no I do You know the best teams I've been on that went on runs were and I never won a cup as a player One one is an assistant coach in Pittsburgh. And when you look at how you get

there, it's, it's timeless score and it's special teams and skull pending. Um, and when you have it, you know, pray to, you know, pray to give thanks to the gods because it's, it's a hard thing to get at times. There's a reason why I'm ball. I have to shave my head all the time. At times there's a reason why I'm bald. I have to shave my head all the time, but Marks rooms He just you know The goal was just to find find someone who can come in and give us a chance every single night to stay in a game And win a game and honestly he's done. He's beyond that. He's been he's been fantastic for us

Great stuff, man. I wish you the best of luck. Okay Do it guys. Yeah, thanks so much. Appreciate your time. That's Tom Fitzgerald, General Manager of the New Jersey Devils. Great stuff, boys. Yes, you've heard the Miller or Pederson thing there. He was in your trade board yesterday. That has a really good picture or like caricature of you. You're looking like a young Matthew Nyes in that picture there. I just like the fact that Elliott Friedman called over and said, I want

one too. This is the top of your trade board. They're really gonna have to mess up his hair. It's a good picture. So, you know, it's, it's kind of been fun over the years because, you know, I've been here since the very beginning of Sportsnet and watched the evolution of trade deadline shows, but it's still so fascinating to hear people talk about it throughout the whole season. Yeah.

Like it is, Sammy. It's a big thing. It is a huge thing on people, on fan bases, looking at ways to improve their team and who's out there and it's just a constant. It really is fascinating. I feel like you could revolutionize general managing if you tried to make trades at other times of the year. All year long, everyone's just like, well, we'll see when we get the deadline. It's like, you know, it's good having good players sooner. Well, I don't know.

What's the best one ever at the deadline? The best deadline? Yeah, the best deadline. Deadline deal. Like what's one that's like changed your team the most? Like I'm trying to think. Hosa went to two different teams of deadline a couple of times. I'm thinking like Teresenko last year was good for the well, the Colorado got Josh Manson Arturi Lekinen. Yeah

When they won the cup, yeah, they had a really good deadline that year. Yeah Florida didn't make any ads Try and I can think of they got Teresenko last year at the deadline. Oh Tampa Bay twice has done Big deals right where they picked up Coleman I just think a lot of times we build up to like I mean, there's different portions of the season There's the start. There's the middle. There's the malaise and then you start my lady We're in the malaise right now boys, and you start and you start looking towards the deadline And like it's almost like you're dreaming of this

Perspective team like the post deadline Leafs boy with all the help They're gonna get and all the guys are gonna bring in here one JG Pazzo later It's it's almost like you look past the deadline that they're gonna be so much better These these are moves that can make or break the rest of their general managers careers How about I thought that Marion Gaborik pick up by the Kings was not great and he shot it in the net so many times Yeah off the Rangers, right? No, it was it? Yeah. Yeah, I think so. Oh When they beat the Rangers know when they when they I think they they picked them up from the Rangers

Yeah, I think he went from New York to LA if I'm not mistaken in a different year They because they won the two cups anyway, but you know when the Leafs have tried their share and there's one guy that used to be here Kyle Dubas is taking a lot of heat. Maybe we'll get into that in our national hour But knives are out down in Pittsburgh a couple of peace today. Wow Yeah, they're really going after him now But he took that to shame. He took a crack at it, you know, the Nick Foligno was a big trade Yeah, and he was never healthy

Which is crazy seeing how effective he's been at times since to know that Leafs got the version of him that they did He went by the way, Marion Gaborick went from Columbus To the Los Angeles Kings for Matt Fratton in a third and a second round pick. Okay, and then before that he was in New York Did he go to New York after LA? I can't he went Minnesota, New York Columbus LA There you go. And that has been the career of Marion Gabbard I just think right now everybody's just sitting tight The only thing I have to add is that the good teams at the deadline all get a bit better So you can't also get a bit better

and think you're getting ahead. You have to get a lot of it better. Otherwise, you know, if you stand still, you're falling behind with the other good teams. So where are we tonight? Does the mini slump die tonight? No. We go to four games?

Yeah, and it's just, it's the wrong night for Keef to be coming to town. Slump in, Tavares out. Last few games for the Devils. It's the wrong night for Keith to be coming to town slump in Tavares out Last few games the Devils it's a long time for Keith ot vs Florida and a win over Toronto wins tonight No, like I meant like it's a wrong time for the least to be sucking Oh having Keith come to town and I think they're inspired they saw what happened in the last game I got you there's gonna be some Moolah on the board tonight. I would imagine I

I don't love it. Are you Lenny with Sheldon coming to town? Like don't let them see how I live I Think the last two games against New Jersey have been like Like 15 goals or something. There's a lot of goals. Yeah, which I think Lee fans wouldn't mind if they're gonna lose tonight. Let's see nine or ten goals. But not like six four or one way or the other. How about just win? We wore matching jerseys today.

Let's just get a win. Boys are all in. All right. Just like that. One hour gone. Our thanks to Tom Fitzgerald. Up next, the commissioner of the National Hockey League, Gary Bettman. We got some juicy questions to ask him.

That when we return to Real Kipper & Bourne.