Real Kyper & Bourne - Leafs Hour: The Jump on the Jackets

Episode Date: January 22, 2025

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee react to the Leafs calling up Jacob Quillan after moving Max Pacioretty to IR before looking ahead to the Leafs' matchup against the Blue Jackets. They discuss Joseph Woll getting the night off, the Blue Jackets' unexpected season and ideal players for the Leafs to target via trade. Then, they dip into the Midweek Mailbag to answer your questions. Later, Fox Sports' Jody Shelley (32:11) discusses the Blue Jackets' recent hot stretch ahead of their matchup in Toronto, Zach Werenski's Norris-level season, their plans between the pipes and how GM Don Waddell is approaching the trade deadline in light of the team's recent success.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.

Alright, sit back and relax for the next two hours. It's the Real Kipper and Bourne show. We are live on Sportsnet 590. The fans Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet plus, Nick Kipper Hills, Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee. Alright, Sammy, I'm going to take a crack at this on tech Derek Brandale. Yeah and Jake Schultz. You're right. Yes Yeah, great job Sammy. We're out of the gate and running right now. Here's what you need to know

I'm just putting that there every day If you want to bring it up every day, that's your prerogative brother Hey, yeah, we acknowledge we work with great people. They do great work. When we work with great people. Game day. Toronto Maple Leafs to the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight. Jacob Quillen Day.

Jacob Quillen Day. It's Jacob Quillen Day. Jacob Quillen has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies, AHL. He has yet to play a game in the national hockey National hockey league is he officially in tonight? Do we know Sammy? I don't think he's in tonight No, so you need to know around the edges. This is a nightmare for Matthew nice Why Jacob Quillen scored the overtime winner in the national championship NCAA game against Nize.

Remember Nize stayed another year to win that title and Quillen reached into his chest, grabbed his heart and ate it like an apple in front of him. Like in Dumb and Dumber. Yeah. Yeah. And I was in called up. So Nize has played again some of his best hockey in this past week If he gets shut down, do we blame Jacob? Definitely no question

Yeah, Quillen by the way has ot winners all over the internet if you're a junior hockey He's apparently very clutch this year 15 points and 35 a HL games are not scoring as much Yep, but he can ourx, his scouting report, likes him from his college days, so that's cool. Awesome. All right, we'll get into some Kippers Clippers and also, Sammy, it's midweek Maple Leaf Mailbag. Yeah, so we got a busy leaf Saturday.

We're gonna do a couple practice notes. I thought Barube had some interesting stuff to say about wall today. Then we'll do the mail bag before we go to break. And then after the break, we'll have Jordy Shelley on help us tee up the blue jackets and lease tonight. Plus he was on the lease broadcast on Monday on Amazon. So he has a close sign of the Leafs.

So we'll go around with him. So yeah, so there you go. Okay. Um, following up, uh, Jacob Quillen's call up, let's go to Craig Barube on clip three on what he expects out of this call up and uh, how sad nice really is. You know, we he's up here because he's played really well down

there. You know, he's he's been a very good player of late and uh, that's why he's up here if we need him. He's available for us. So you know, when when guys do well, they get rewarded. They come up to the NHL. All right. There you go.

I wonder how much of that is, and this legitimately does happen, where they want to reward a guy financially for the great work and they say, you're not going to get in, but come on up and collect an NHL check for a week or whatever. I think there's something to be that for sure.

I mean, they could also just buy him dinner. I don't know. Yeah. But in saying that, I think there is some belief and promise that this guy could be a regular bottom six guy. Apparently he's got this amazing reputation for just being a workhorse. I think what you're going to see is probably if he does get in maybe a bigger stronger version of a Connor doer Yeah, he's six foot two hundred, which is a good start and

Just reading bukala scouting report and him from college. A lot of it is stuff that you're talking about. It's Relentless competitor, you know battles along the wall borge in in the trenches, doesn't cut corners defensively, all the stuff that you like to hear. Plus, Clutch Gene. Also the Clutch Gene. Yes. Give you some of that. In about 30 minutes we'll welcome in Jody Shelley,

broadcaster for Fox Sports, also does a terrific job on Prime, just finished covering the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday, he's right back at it again tonight. We'll have him on. We'll get more into the Columbus Blue Jackets. In the meantime, Joseph Wald, gets a little break. Yeah. Yeah, thank God. I mean, I'm in favour of him getting some work,

but he could use a night off, don't you think? I just, let's play the clip, clip one, and we'll just, we'll see what you think after looks like Yeah, he'll do Walls had a lot of work a lot of emotional games. I would say, you know Montreal tap like big games and emotional games a lot of work so You know just with the schedule and everything just time for Hildeby to get in there You know, just with the schedule and everything, just time for Hildeby to get in there.

Emotional games is just because they're division games and they were high octane or what do you make of that for those interesting? I don't know. I mean, I'm of course from a different era where I look at these guys and I'm like, do we need to bubble wrap them and then and then I'm watching Tampa Bay Vasilevsky who used to be this workhorse and just a guy that you could just first Guide a pencil in your lineup play 60 games never have to worry about them I'm again watching him the other night in Montreal and he gives up just the worst goal I've ever seen out of him to Slavkovsky on the goal line. Yeah, and I'm like what is happening here? and then it dawned on me like

The guy hasn't been the same since his surgery. He's I'm when was his surgery I dare say a year ago I Have a bad memory. Okay. Yeah, I didn't he missed he missed the first half of the last season I would say I would say he came back like November December last year. Maybe a little earlier Okay, if my memory serves me correctly, but it doesn't always tell me he's He's ever been the same before that surgery Yeah, I mean, I think his numbers are better this year than they've been but I do remember last year being like, okay It doesn't seem like he's the same dynamic force

He once was I just you know that play struck me as he's trying to be this positional That's where I'm supposed to be. Okay, I'm in this framework of a position rather than goaltend like the guy has no angle Just face him I don't know that was very strange and then the game winner that Evans hits Evans flubs it pretty bad I didn't think that was you know his numbers are pretty in line with his career his numbers are good this yeah before like last year was a clear outlier with a 900 save percentage save percentages back up to 915 again this year he was 915 here for 96 whatever whatever the numbers say for me

The mystique has just kind of been lost Okay. Well, you can't lose to the perennial failing drama beliefs in the first round without taking a little bit of the shine off the mystique I think that's a so what? Bring up Vasiliski that You know, I don't know, that he broke down. That all the games and the wear and tear have caught up to Vasilevsky. Okay. So maybe there's something to be said about, I don't know, load management.

Is that what we want to call it for the goalies? Sure. Okay, for the goalies. Let's hear what Craig Berube says about Dennis Hildebeek getting this That's we just played. Oh, that one's one. We already heard. Yeah, all right. Yeah, or me don't play that one So Hildebeek gets to start tonight But Murray had a pretty good weekend in the in the HL that he couple shutouts His safe percentage is like he's back up to one of the top guys in the American League

So we got to see him We don't spend a ton of time on this but big one for Hildeby because I think he's got to look good tonight Before they go back and give Murray another chance here, right? If he's bad tonight, though, Murray will be back. Yeah, I 33 I think that in a perfect world. That's the way they want it With these guys kind of going back and forth each getting a look. No Just Matt Murray to lock in That third spot. Yep. That's all sure makes sense to me 933. He deserves another crack at it

Columbus tonight. Yeah, we got the Columbus club. We also got the the break approaching which one Where do you want to start with the blue jackets? Cuz they're actually been really good for quite a long stretch of times despite dropping two in a row since the six game winning streak. Blue Jackets has been one of the best teams in the league for the past month. 10-3 and 2, 3.33 goals per game, the second best power play. They can fire it in the net. They're a really dynamic offensive team. I think they're second in the league on five on five goals. Like they really can shoot it in. So yeah. Are we talking? I know tons of goals. How about this? So sports

and stat tweeted it out. But the largest team goal differential with the player on the ice and off the ice. Second is Quinn Hughes. So the the connects are plus 35 with him and minus 50 when he's not out there. I know there's dry saddle there's McKinnon in the top five in first is a guy named Kirill Marchenko They're plus 47 when he's on the ice and they're minus 51 when he's on this guy's game really popped this year 98 gold difference so he has found something special there, which is pretty crazy Let's just do a berube on on the blue jackets and we can react off of that cool. They got some great players over there. They really do. Size, strength, I mean, they come, they can score.

Wawrinski's having a great year in the back end, very good player. So I mean, they come at you pretty good. Their power play's been clicking. And you know, young team that plays with a lot of energy and some real good skill. Not to go full Johnny Stats here, but Zach Wierinski, 15 goals, has more than the Maple East defense in total with 11. Jackets are first in the league with 30 goals from their defenseman, Leaser 31st with 11. That is two different ways to score goals.

Marchenko has a comment where he talks about he's playing with Adam Fantilli and he says, right now, he says we when we build chemistry together he will be Andre Fantilov. Right now he's Adam Fantilov. They're having fun over there they're pretty happy with their goal scoring ways. So if you go back a few years back it was Seth Jones and Zach Wurzinski who were leading the charge for this organization. And then it was like, we don't want to pay both of them. And lo and behold, they they trade Seth Jones and they keep Wurzinski and at the time, everybody thought it was the wrong one. They trade Oh, right. Johansson, right? I'm sure that's one for one in Nashville. Yeah Yeah, right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah

Yeah And here we are where we're in ski will get Norris trophy votes and Seth Jones is trying find some sort of game still. And then doing it making $9.25 million a year. Which career would you rather have making the 9.25?

Is he making more than Waransky? I think he is. I think he is. Yeah. You know, got to give credit to Dean Evison, who should probably be in the Jack Adams conversation. I think last year, I don't remember what Columbus finished exactly, but it was bottom five in the NHL. They have the tragic passing of Godreau to start the year and to rally this team into

a wild card spot. Pretty impressive stuff. A lot of their young guys are starting to find it a little bit. Fun team to watch. Ken Johnson is fun. Fantili is fun. Voron's fun for on cove is six five and scores Renske their goaltending's been killing and they don't any goal Don Waddell to second worst I don't I'm not sure how much he

Yeah, he got to kind of control in Carolina but it does feel like he's come in and made a difference and he also has Rick Nash within an arm's length, which I think is just great for this organization. He's willing to work he puts in the time with the prospects or the scouting or whatever is asked of him and There's no question that this guy will one day run the Columbus Blue Jackets at some point.

And having a name like Rick Nash, it's a lot of cash. It's like Joe Sackick in Colorado, right? Like it's important for people. I think, you know, they've made some pretty good moves. They grabbed Dante Fabro off waivers from Nashville. He's on their top pair. Yeah, what? So that was that.

I don't know what's going on there, but Pro Raw has been all right. Severson, like they're all right, man They got some players Olivia tonight we see Any fisticuffs tonight? No Sam is over believing Reeves is ever fighting. Why would we think I don't know? Yeah, you're right Every time we do nothing happens. Nothing's happened. Like I'm not gonna tee it up Maybe if it happens be great, but I mean Olivier's know if you're picking your guy to have your first of the year with

Probably wouldn't be my wouldn't be my first choice. He's an animal. Yeah. Yeah, he's really high on the do not fight Yeah, like I mean you saw what he did last year to Rempe like he's really yeah, he's an animal plus he can play We had Don Rodel on what about six weeks ago. Yeah He's gonna sign Olivier. Yeah, he's he's gonna sign Olivier. Yeah, he said he ain't going anywhere but if he Did hit the free agent market? What would you be willing to pay him if you were a general manager? Game I have no idea. I don't know. I don't know. I'm not a pro scout. I don't know. What are you?

27 years old. Yeah, I like that number. I don't know, I don't know. I'm not a pro scout. I don't know. What are you? 27 years old. Yeah. I like that number. What do they make? Two million bucks? I don't know. What are they gonna ask for? As a UFA, that's, are you asking what I would pay for him?

Yeah. No idea. At 27 years of age. Give him, two and a half, three times four years. I'd love to get him at that, but I'd be willing to go higher. I think. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, he's he's an effective guy having a very good year. So hard to find. They are. He's got 10 snipes and 47 games, which I think he can get to the net and he

can scare people. Yeah, he plays 1516 minutes a night like he has real he's a contributor for them He is I'm looking forward to watching him tonight for sure the I sent you guys that athletic article today They ranked the 10 most appealing center options for the Toronto Maple Leafs as we approach the trade deadline Don't get chance to take a look at it But this does remind me of how much Like the name that stood out to me was Trent Frederick, which I understand the Boston Bruins not likely to want to trade with the Leafs. But how much would you love Trent Frederick, a guy who also really excited

to punch your face? Like, but can he scored 20 times for them young guy? I can tell you he ain't signing around two and a half million dollars. Frederick's not? No, no dollars. Frederick's not. No. No, but Frederick's a player player. Like, not that Olivier's not, but like, young. Well, he's also, and he's close to two seasons of 20 goals. Yeah. Right?

So, and I don't know what he had last year, 45 points? He had one. Right? So I just- Having a tough year this year. Yeah, it won't reach the numbers, but I don't think that will scare him. 14 points in 47 games, dash 11 this year. The team's in...

I don't think it's gonna scare teams off if he goes UFA. What I love about it is he's a guy who wants to punch first, take it to your opponent. It's not the fighting I want, but it's this like excitement, aggression on a guy who can finish and you think in playoffs that's going to work out really well.

So that was a name that stood out to me as an option. We have a couple. These conversations are kind of a segue into some mailbag questions that we have. So I guess we'll go to the center one first. And this is from Keith whip on Twitter. To each of you, who is your ideal deadline acquisition at center as it is it Frederick for you morning. You know it feels like it's aiming low.

Yeah, doesn't feel like there's enough offense there. I know that I've said that he can shoot it in but he kind of like you'd love to have more of a creator shot in the net and a big game against the Leafs from the sideboards. Yeah, he can do it. I think I would have to aim a little higher. Like, is Ryan O'Reilly still an option? Brock Nelson? So forget all the names.

Who is your ideal guy, Kipper? The number one guy. If you are a true living, you're make... You said last year, you said the thing that Leaf fans always say, that this is the year. Yes. This is the year, who is the one that you're you're going for? Dylan Cousins. Dylan Cousins? Ha ha! God I love this job. Yes me. Oh I like that. That's a big name. It's already been rumored go big or go home time whoa yep

so what do you say here's Easton Callan whatever yeah whatever this is how Kip is at a restaurant so how much is that bottle of wine you know it don't even whatever yeah okay all right, so he signed a seven-year 49 million dollar conference. Oh 7.1, but it's after this year. Nothing Tavares is done Not sure what Mitch is gonna do Lots of room there But I gotta tell you get him it don't put him get him but to get him this year you you You you gotta

You gotta Gotta ditch some money. Mm-hmm You can't you can't retain on a single year You can't say retain 50% this year and we'll do full boat after that right? It has to be equal It has to be uh now or never. Yeah Equal it has you see retention now or never. Yeah Do you think that's a guy that they'd actually move like they was rumored with the Canucks thing? Remember was it Byron was that the one that free throw it there Byron and him for? Pedersen he fruit threw that out there early in the early conversations

You think they'd in division to the Leafs quiet? I'm cutting money from the Leafs payroll Listen distressed asset that just seems like a loot like you do not win that trade if you're the Sabres. Because you get him in a better situation, he lights it up here, it's another guy that got away to the Leafs. There's no way they traded to the Leafs. Yeah, it's unlikely. But you just asked him what his ideal deal was.

I know, I know. But like you traded... Listen, make an offer they can't refuse. Well, and I very much believe if all these teams offer you something and the team that offers you the best packages in your division you take the best package. You're not even close to winning a cup. You have to improve your team and get as good as you can. You can't worry about one opponent. You're getting beat by 28. Yeah. You think anybody would be looking to get a six foot three, 210 pound, light shot, 23 year old center. Anyways, that's a good one.

I think that might draw you off. I was gonna be like, Cadry? But now he's like, that's a good one. Cadry, yeah. Is Cadry up there for you? I hate how Canadian I have to say that now, cause you, Cadry? Cadry?

Cadry. Okay, this is a great question. And it's around the, because we were talking about Columbus, how they're kind of floating around at the bottom of the playoff picture. And this is from Mikey, not Mikey Davis on Twitter. How excited are you for Leafs to win the division

only to play one of the four teams fighting tooth and nail for months for a wild card spot? And that is something I texted you about. He tweeted me about it today, that this is a new horror unlocked for the Leafs, where they're- New tragedy unlocked. Where they're playing so well here,

and they're gonna, they're like- These poor guys, they can't win, man. But they can. Well, you gotta beat a good team. There's 32 teams, 16 make it. But they've gone into these first round matchups against teams that they know they're gonna be playing all like the Bruins they've been there the Lightning have been there it's not like they are fighting tooth and nail to get

into the playoffs there's a chance here like look at the bottom of the division like the Rangers are all of a sudden getting hot Columbus Ottawa what the least win the division they're getting a team that's fought for two months a tooth and nail to get in there and you see that all the time we're a team that's fought for two months, a tooth and nail to get in there. And you see that all the time, where a team like, remember the year Boston and Florida, Florida snuck in, I think late in the game, and they're upset. Yeah, you mean the year that they beat the Leafs?

That's right, that year. But I mean, every year you see a team battle to get in there, just used to playing this competitive, desperate hockey. Kings won the Cup the year they got in, they beat the Canucks in the first round like That's a new horror unlocked relief fans cool There you go. You got no problem with the Leafs taking their chances against a team that may come in hot or may not Who who knows and bring me the Montreal Canadians? Oh, would that look good?

You know if it is a Columbus, right? And yeah, I get it. You got everything to gain and absolutely nothing to lose. No one's giving you any credit at all. But come on. Yeah, let's see how Jake Christensen, Jordan Harris hold up against Martin Matthews. Play the role that it's supposed to play when you're the top team in the East or your division to play like you've won it.

May I say that under Craig Berube, one of the noticeable differences for me is that they tend to do a better job handling their business against the teams they're supposed to beat. Like even though they haven't looked great against Philly and the Islanders, whatever, they're winning the games, right? They're not like last year losing to Chicago and I feel like they're handling their business better Goal tenning yeah, that's all I gotta say. Yeah, that's it right. This is not rock gold Henry that How many Samson off losses at this point last year Where we have said oh my God, what's he doing?

Could you have mixed in a poke check in overtime in game seven? That's all I needed, just mix in a poke check. Just get on the top of your crease. We've got maybe a handful of goals that have gone in on Joseph Wall or Stolarz before he got hurt where we're like, eh. It's so true.

A handful. We used to come in here every day. Almost 50 games. It's like, come on, that's it. I am thinking about that Pasternak OT winner. Really, just get a piece. So what you're saying is, if the Leafs go deep in the playoffs this year, and everyone's like,

God, that Craig Berube finally came in here and they did it, and Sheldon Keefe is sitting in his New Jersey office being like, Oh my God, it was just a goalie. It was a goalie. Hey, Jordan Bennington saved his bacon when he came in in relief, the year they won the Stanley Cup,

and he might go two for two with goalies this year. Jack Adams' coach, and I'll a Desna finalist goalie. So far he's been pretty well blessed with good goal tending. Okay, this is another playoff magic question, which is an interesting one and I don't think I've ever actually gotten your opinion on this. Would love to see your thoughts on your choose your opponent playoff format. Top seeds pick opponent from seeds five to eight, second and third seeds pick from remaining teams

five to eight, adds importance and drama to the regular season standings, and would actually create rivalries that Kerry wants. We are in the business of entertainment. How entertaining would that be? I would love that. I think it's beautiful. We've suggested that.

We have? Yeah. Maybe on another show I've done it. I've never, don't think we've ever talked Yeah, we've suggested that. We have? Yeah. Maybe on another show. I've never talked about that. Pick your opponent. No, I don't think so. So the Capitals get the one seed. I did this on Hockey Central, it knew with Doug McClain and Darren Millard.

Oh really? Oh yeah. I bet you Doug hated it. Yeah, I can't remember. Like if the Caps get the one seed in the East and Crosby sneaks into the the eighth seed does he does he pick Sid? Do they any team you're immediately offended they did you know it's great it creates instant drama But I mean why should it stop to me if you're the top seed regardless of who else is around there You get to pick like you're not gonna pick second or third

But if you like own them or you feel like you have a good chance against them Well get another way injury-based or you get them out of the way early like I feel like they're if you're the top seed You get to pick whoever you want to play regardless of seed. Yeah, absolutely. I love the idea that like oh there You know McDavid's got a broken ankle. We're gonna pick the Oilers We don't think the rest their teams any good whatever it is. All right This is from Johnny at I pour beers on Twitter Hot take the real win in the four nations face-off would be if Matthews Marner and Willie came out of that silly Tournament injury free. I'll take that any day over a can't team Canada tournament W

I'd rather Canada go 0 and 3 than had any one of those guys get injured priorities. I Got a buddy named Johnny the pours beers for MLSC so I hope that's it. I think that's correct. This is the leaf sour. Somebody's gonna get hurt somewhere. You got to think if especially if it's a lot more intense than 2016, that World Cup in September. Are they gonna push a lot harder because they feel like a good performance will solidify a place in the Olympics?

I mean, that's it in a nutshell, right? That's the carrot. But Willie, Austin, and Mitch aren't, because they're all locks. They're absolutely locks. Yeah, no, it's well, if you want to go down that path, probably like 80% of them are locked. Yeah. So maybe they won't be as desperate. So I, gosh, I hope they are competitive and they put on a good show. But like, it's not the Olympics.

If we come here and Canada's 0 and, and everyone's healthy, you might go, all right, move on. If one of Nylander, Matthews, or Marner get hurt and are out the rest of the season, like are you done working on this show? No, but I've been talking about this very thing for like since the start of the season, is the juice worth the squeeze on this?

You see, Austin gets hip checked and he's rolling around holding his lower back at one point. How's your reaction going to be, Sam? The Olympics is a completely different animal. You risk everything for the Olympics. For Canada to win a gold medal at the Olympics, that's the pinnacle. That's what matters. But like more than a Leafs Cup?

No, clearly. I mean, I've seen gold medals. I'd like to see a cup. But it's an easier pill to swallow is what you're saying. 100%. Like, God love the four nations face off. You know, Rogers, Doudoula Lou. It's going to be cool. I'd like to see a cop but it's a it's an easier pill to swallow is what you're saying hundred percent like God love the four nations face off, you know Rogers do Lou and be cool. It's gonna be great But you know, it's the first one it's it's it's gonna be a great event But winning the goal that the four nations face off boy

Suck to lose Matthews for the rest of the year But god that goal that the inaugural four nations face off presented by Rogers show makes it it great you know yeah i don't know stay healthy boys have you ever played in any canada or played like that i only did a world youth tournament in lensch shoot west germany at the time really yeah wait you played in west oh i played against yeah who'd you play against oh czech russia yeah, Germany. I played against like Michael Pavanca who was one of the best Czech players Like yeah, these were like top youth players that went on to 65 goals in the O So you know, but it was it was a heck of an experience. That's really cool I don't know we beat Germany and a few clubs, but then we played Russia and we lost like 12-0.

Really? Yeah. And then we watched, I watched at the time, Czech and Russia play for the gold medal. Like, you should see my eyes. I could not believe how vicious they were on each other. Like as a Canadian OHL guy. Even after experience like Canada-Russia Russia Summit series like these were baseball swings constantly on each other. I was mortified Yes, so the quote I'm getting out there it's cuz I don't know if you've talked to guys what the experience is but like

Mitch Marner is a teammate on Canada with Sam Bennett and Mitch Marner is a teammate on Canada with Sam Bennett and You're playing against William Nylander who is your teammate on The Leafs and you're trying to win a cup with and you move together with for eight years here How does that dynamic work? I'm fascinated by that dynamic like you're not it's not the Olympics It's a different thing Like I said if Sam Bennett hammers Willie in the corner and he's like goes down. He's like good job Like how does that dynamic work? But well go ahead. Well if you read Wayne Gretzky's autobiography My dad played in on the Canada Cup and I want to say it was

87 Yes, maybe no even earlier 84 84 is right Yeah, so the June was half Islanders and half Oilers. Oh my God. Almost exactly. When they just played in the final. Yeah, go ahead. No, my understanding of this story is that

like there was real genuine hatred in the room. And the Gretzky story is that my dad stood up and basically said, we don't like you guys, you don't like us. Yes. But we have to, in this instance, make this work work and they had to be some sort of like come to Jesus moment for the the team so that's fascinating Messier, Gretzky and then the Islanders right yeah and Lowe like they were that's

crazy vicious on each other too yeah but I just I mean like a guy gets smoked and he's on your team and you're like, on with team Canada, like, yeah, good job. Yeah, it's weird. It did really start in 76. And I, again, I know I mentioned this the other day, but Boria Salming with team Sweden going up against Sittler and McDonald.

Yeah. Right. And that's a teammate that they loved, but you also had this real competitive, don't let Canada down man. And that's where they cheered in Toronto for Salming. Five minute standing ovation. He's with Sweden. We'll see if Matthews gets the Salming standing ovation.

They've never been more buddy buddies now today this era. So anyways, we don't need to keep talking about it. It's fascinating. It's a really interesting dynamic. It is. now, today, this era, so... Anyways, I just, we don't need to keep talking about it, just fascinating, man. It's a really interesting dynamic. It is. Uh, let's go to break so we can get to Jodie. All right. All right, you heard the man.

When we return, Jodie Shelley, broadcaster with Fox Sports Ohio, former NHL player, and now covering the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jodie, after the break, when we return to Real Kipper and Born. Hey, it's Ailish Forofar. And I'm Justin Kupfer. Join us as we discuss the most important blue jackets. Jody after the break when we return to Real Kipper and Born Show Leaf Hour edition of our show. Hildeby. See how clear and concise I was with that.

I'm bummed you're not doing Hillbilly anymore. Get the start tonight for the Toronto Maple Leafs. I called him Hillbilly on Leafs talk the other night. On purpose or no? By accident, because I was thinking about what you did. OK, so it's just not me. Well, no, it was because of you. And I was thinking about what you call him.

OK. Hillbilly. He's got to feel a lot more confident that the team's playing well overall. Yeah. Yeah, I think so. I mean, I really feel like for a guy like him, the more games he gets in, the better chances you get to see him as who he really is not a nervous guy trying to make an impression

Okay, as promised Jody Shelley who covers the Columbus Blue Jackets joins us now and he'll give us a better idea of what? The Toronto Maple Leafs will be facing a very much improved, confident hockey club, Jody and man, I didn't think I'd utter those words at any point this season when I described the Columbus Blue Jackets. You know what, it's been surprising but a pleasant surprise, isn't it? I mean, how they came into the season, you know, how they went through the grieving process of the tragedy with Johnny

and Matty Goodrow and you kind of wonder what's going to happen. And these guys all wondered what's this going to be like. And one thing they did that was really powerful was they grieved together. And Dean Evison grabbed that right away and said, boys, you know, this is going to be tough, but let's play for Johnny. Johnny would want that. And that's what they're doing right now. And you know, they've got a, they've added some nice pieces to this, to this group as well through waivers and, and you know, look at Fabro and Aston Reese, NHL players that can fit in this system. They've had some guys overachieve, I guess, if you will, you know, I didn't expect Matthew Olivier to get 10 goals

at this point in the season. And Zach Rawrinski's been thrust into a leadership role and he's grabbed it and boy is he dragging his team to where they're at right now. So it's been a lot of great stories, of course, to make this work, but an emotional start and some guys playing some really good hockey. You mentioned Wawrinski who now is up around talks of a Norris trophy and yeah, we think of Quinn,

we think of McCarr, but then he's right there. So what is it after all these years and that separation of once upon a time, should we keep Zach, should we get rid of Seth Jones? No, we got rid of the wrong guy and now we think we kept the right guy. What has taken him to another level? It's been a few things.

Health is number one. This is a guy who's, he was drafted, right, Brian? Provov in 2015. He's played like, I think it's 150 or more, less games than Provov, who's a machine. So he's healthy. I think the leadership thing is a big deal, Kipper. I think that, you know, with Boone Jenner

and Good Branson in that locker room, I think that he was a supporter, and now he's had to step up to the mic and say things like, it's not good enough and we'll be better and he's backed it up. The system they're playing, much different than the last two years. Dean Evison wants him to go like this. He's a rover and Torch had him in that role and that means he's pretty much a forward whenever he wants. And he's told to go in the offensive zone and not come back if he doesn't want to. And you know, everything,

he's ready to go over the boards every shift. So you think of like a guy like Duncan Keith back in the day was barely on the bench to rest. He was just out there to play against the top players and he's driving everything. And I watch him with players in all situations and TV timeouts. He's always has it always has a conversation going He is the leader right now and I think that that's something for Zach That's put him in a spot where he's have to elevate

Jody the Blue Jackets being like legitimate playoff threat here. The the one sort of sore spot might be goaltending What is the status of the the crease? Will they do anything there or just hope one of these guys sorts it out? I think ultimately they'd like it to sort itself out. But if they're in a spot where they can make a move, I think Don Waddell is in on everything. He's a guy that's not shy to do anything for the good of the team. Tarasov is the younger guy. He's a big goalie. He's really, he's really been subpar this year. And he was sent to Cleveland to get the Russ knocked off. He did accept that and went down and played some games.

But he's also a guy that's dealt with injury here in his first four years of his career. Elvis is going through it a little bit. He's a guy that he's been pretty good. You know, he's been steady at times. He's had some good run support with goals, but he hasn't locked it down. I think he has stolen one or two games, but there's more there from Elvis. We think and then they object. Reese has been up a couple of times a young prospect and that's created a competition.

And I think that's a good thing for the Blue Jackets. Some guys in a number one spot like to feel cozy. I think I'm not sure if the pushing is helping all of us or not, but it's something that's good for the organization. We're talking to Jody Shelley, who covers the Columbus Blue Jackets, also does a terrific job on prime on Monday nights. Jody, Matthew Olivier, okay?

I mean, again, prior to this season, just one of maybe a handful of real tough guys in the National Hockey League, and then it ends there. You mentioned the goals that he's scored. He's also appending UFA. And like, where is his value right now? Not only to Columbus, but maybe on a UFA market and how attractive he may be to other teams here. I know Don Waddell, we had him on about six weeks ago, he said he ain't going anywhere,

but like he ain't coming cheap anymore here. I'm not saying he's the next Tom Wilson here, Jody, but he's a lot closer to Tom than he's ever been in his career. Yeah. And he's playing on the third line. I talked to him today about it again and you know, he understands he's ever been in his career. Yeah. And he's playing on the third line. I talked to him today about it again. And you know, he understands he's been given a really good opportunity. And just think about how that that role evolves, right?

We would all dream of going to the third line and being a penalty killer and scoring 10 goals halfway through the season. But this day and age, he's very good at understanding the temperature of the game. You know, he's going to be a $4 million guy, maybe, maybe even more with some markets being desperate for a player like this, because he can do that. Kill penalties, hold onto pox, he can put fear into people. He's a great teammate, he's a leader. I think he's starting to smell that the teams outside of the Columbus market are attracted

at him. the teams outside of the Columbus market are attracted to them. And every place I've been, they've asked about two people, and it's been Olivier and Wawrenski. And he's happy to hear that. Of course, we'd like to keep him in Columbus, but there is a point of what is he looking for there? Montreal is probably interested. Every organization we go into, they ask about him. He's created the value.

Scott Ford was his coach in Milwaukee. Spent a lot of time with Scott Ford, and Scott Ford's our assistant coach in Columbus. Just working on the game and working on his craft. And now he's really been a bright spot for this team. So you think a four million AAV on him next season isn't out of the question? I think so.

I don't think so. Wow. I think he's one of those guys right? Montreal's a perfect as I am not gonna get an argument out of me man. I'd be an important right 375 Alright so the one the name that other people must be bringing up is Marchenko What an unbelievable season this guy's having we had a stat earlier earlier today where the goal differential with him on the ice and off the ice for Columbus is higher than any other player in the league, including Quinn Hughes, McKinnon, whoever. He's been wonderful.

So did you see this coming? Did you know that he had this level of play in him? Well, this is where you'd hoped he'd be. And the key factor for him in Voronkov is Monahan, who's out of the lineup right now. mean this guy what a pleasant surprise. I mean plays the game at the right pace. He's always in the right position. Fantilly has been in there now and those guys have cooled down a little bit those two wingers. But he's big. He's learned how to work for Paxo away from battles and in battles. He uses his size at the right time and it's almost like he's got that dynamic to understand when to use his skill. You know, there was parts of first couple seasons where skill was used at the wrong time. His size wasn't used properly, but he's evolved into this role. I credit him and Dean Evison and Shawn Monahan for pulling this out of him because he's got a good package

and he's a guy that works at it, studies the game. So they all do, but when you have a start to the season like this and you see it rewarded, it kind of stamps what he's done. So he's been one of those young players that he creates a buzz and he's a threat for the opposition of course when they prepare for the game tonight. It's at Marcchenko Veronkov Fantilly line a little over 30 games to go in the regular season and it just seemed like when the new york rangers faltered they invited so Many teams in the east to jump back in it and that includes columbus here and it just seems week after week where we're talking about a team getting hot like detroit or

Montreal or ottawa and then they cool off When it's all said and done, how is Columbus now matched up against the handful of teams making a legitimate run right here? How do you see this thing playing out in the last stretch of the season? I hope they're in the hunt because the belief in the locker room is an important thing for all these teams are in it right now and Columbus's belief is there they're excited. I think they hang around I think they do but they have to get Monahan back. They have a couple guys today that might not play I don't know if cylinders going to play tonight he's a centerman and this is going to be a tough center ice matchup for the Blue

Jackets you know especially that top line that I don't know what they're going to answer with but it's going to be interesting to see if they can hang in there until guys get healthy. Boone General will be back after the February break. He's the captain. He's the guy that's been that that one to drive this team. So if they can hang in there until until the break starts, they could have some good things happening after. And I think that would be an exciting way for Boone to get back. So I think they're right there.

You know, they go in and surprise teams a lot like Montreal. They play hard against the Rangers and right now Kipper, all these teams that are in it with the belief they're playing that defensive, stingy style of hockey and they're bought into it. So that always gives them a chance. Jody, you're looking exceedingly dapper today. We can see you on the screen.

I'm sure you're on the broadcast tonight. We watched you on the broadcast Monday night for Amazon watching Leafs Blue Jackets. Do you have any impressions of this year's version of the Toronto Maple Leafs? Yeah, I'm impressed. I think with everyone else, it's their defensive ability. You know, I look at those main guys,

they've been in the playoffs every year, they've been in the National Hockey League. I know they haven't had success, but they've had a lot of scrutiny. I think they have the right guy behind the bench in Craig Barube. I love the Nylander Barube dynamic. I think we should have a camera behind the scenes and a mic on chief every second of that because he just, you know, there's so much swagger in that locker room.

There's no more swagger around the league than in that locker room. They hang out with celebrities. They're, you know, they know they're under the watch of everyone and they back it up. I think that's important. I like Oliver Echtman Larson too. I like how he's in there. He's won a Stanley Cup and he's amazed at these young guys.

I think that's important. I think they're for real and I think the confidence they have and the understanding to make it happen in the playoffs is for real. When they get their goaltender tandem back and working, I think they're going to be one of those teams that understands playoff hockey has to be learned and I think they've learned it. They're going to use the regular season well. I'm excited for this push to the end.

Yeah, Dapro, one thing, Borny, my time management is terrible. So I got to get all ready now catch the bus. So I don't have to walk in this freezing cold weather. So I can you know, so it's going to be drop the mic, run to the bus, get on and I'll try to get a coffee in between. But we'll see how that works out. But we'll make sure you get out in time. Oh, don't worry. I'm fine. We got lots of time.

Jody, for the record, there's been a couple of road trips where I slept in my suit for time management.ody for the record, there's been a couple of road trips where I slept in my suit for time management to catch the bus. I did that one night. Yeah, I didn't sleep but I only was in a 36 hour suit I had on. That's happened. Well listen, we really appreciate your time. Keep up the great work. I know you're busy as heck but we enjoy every second we get to listen to you. Thanks for doing this. I really appreciate it guys. Thanks for having me on you guys do a great job and enjoy the enjoy the league. Have a great day. Appreciate it. Thanks for your time. Yeah. Jody Shelley, Fox Columbus. Also prime. Yeah the Amazon game so uh

They love doing leaf games to a prime. You can just tell well a little extra juice Well, they they picked them like 18 times out of 20 on Mondays listen as a guy who has beer league Mondays. I know how many Killed a killing me this year. Yeah, I'm missing half the games Money buying all those Mondays from us Ruin the zigzags actually they're better without me anyways, but yeah, no, he's he's is into your boy Olivier yeah I was surprised that he's like yeah

He should get four million bucks because we had that discussion prior to Jody coming on and it was like two and a half, three, but if the cap's going up, which we believe that it is more than the 5%, of course, that still needs to be negotiated, but the cap could go up to close to $100 million. That would be spectacular, but it certainly would change. Yeah percentage of the cap or whatever The other thing that really stood out to me is the goaltending thing like they get no goaltending They're still in a playoff fun. Like if they had some goaltending this team might be Legit, so he mentioned maybe they they shop

Like where would you go? Maybe they shop. Where would you go? For a goalie? Yeah. They're the third worst goaltending in the NHL according to natural stat. But Mackenzie Blackwood would have been a nice pickup for them. So looking around at teams that are out, I don't know, Seattle ready to sell a goalie? Is Varlamov going to come back?

Maybe the Isles could sell them. I don't know. They got nothing. It's going to be pretty lean for them. But yeah, they are legitimate this year and they certainly haven't been for a little while. Interesting to see how the deep pairs look again tonight with Riley sticking up there with McCabe. We didn't talk about that much yesterday, but I immediately was wrong. I mean, it's not the first time I've been wrong about something, but I immediately, I was wrong. I mean, it's not the first time I've been wrong

about something, but you were very hard on having him stay up there with, I thought he had his best game in quite some time. With Riley, yeah. Like, Riley did playing with McCabe. Yeah, McCabe being able to play his offside is certainly very helpful. Oh yeah.

It is a priority, guys. It is. Morgan Riley, behind the scenes, has been a concern for them for a little while now And they've got to do everything they can to get him Looking like they're seven point five million dollar defensemen. Yeah, I mean that is a big part of it Ekman Larson played the most of any Leafs D last yeah Kind of turned it around a little bit up for me. Yeah I just don't know

He's also a guy that you cannot Overload on because he will break down Benoit Timmons probably not gonna be your third pair in playoffs though if I had to guess Yeah, fully trust it Ben was got better Yeah, so That's something to keep an eye on I do think it's interesting to see you know Can they get some more max Domi what's Fraser Minton gonna bring for them? Because otherwise the the top guys look so good like the top two lines There's almost nothing that interesting for me tonight. It's the same big dogs and McMahon Holmberg Nylander again as a second line

How many breakaways? What's the over under on Nylander getting a breakaway? You know, I had a chat today with the guy at Sport Logic. They have Willie recorded as 11 breakaways, first in the NHL. Last week. Yeah, that's what I said. I said, what are the parameters for this? There's no way he's only had 11. So the definition they use is it has to be a zone entry followed by a one-on-oh with the goalie which basically means that you have to have the breakaway from the blue line in for

it to be but like so then he's got to have a dozen other where he gets around a guy late or something like that yeah Drops his shoulder. Yeah, and it's a bad, it's not like a clear one on all. So Saturday, Lane Hudson, not a breakaway? That's a great question. Yes. You know, that's a great question. Would that be considered a one on one with a breakaway? Do you think that's a breakaway?

I do. I don't think it's a breakaway. I think, really? Well, no, because he's battling with a guy, he wins position after he gets over the blue line. Like, I agree with this, you should be home free, blue line in as a breakaway. Yeah, to me, he's got body position So he's on the other side. It probably

Needs to be redefined like there's a yeah, there's a break and then there's a breakaway. There's a clear-cut breakaway There's right version right now We're having you know, and I talked to them and they said even if you were generous the stat might give them 15 But it just feels like which is a lot 15 is a lot of breakaways How many breakaways you have in your career kipper you get 15? I've had one or two. Yeah, no chance 15. Oh My god 15 crazy. That's a career for a lot of guys. All right, or thanks to Jody Shelley Hey, nice jersey.

We went blue, Jay Jersey. Oh, I didn't even mention this. Santander back there. Come on, give it some love. Santander. I love it. Thanks, Jay, for sending me through. Let's put it up there.

Anthony Santander. Oh, I can't wait to hear Buck. All right. When we return, Emily Kaplan from ESPN. She's been on the show before. We get her thoughts on JT Miller when we move forward on the Real Kipper and Born Show. Back after these words.