Real Kyper & Bourne - Off The Rails 2025 Debut with Doug MacLean

Episode Date: January 17, 2025

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne welcome back former NHL President and general manager Doug MacLean (4:43) to chat about the butting heads in Vancouver, how they can resolve the lingering situation near the trade deadline and Thatcher Demko's future in net. Then, the three discuss the Edmonton Oilers signing John Klingberg, positive progress in Montreal, which playoff bubble teams are most dangerous and how the Maple Leafs bounced back from their short losing skid. To close out the week, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee answer some of your questions on the text line!The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

All right, let's get her going on the national hour off the rails Friday live on Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver Sportsnet 960 in Calgary this hour of real kipper and born brought to you by bed 365 Nick Kiprails Justin Bourne Sammy McKee We heard Willie Nylander The other day talking about the Leafs three-game losing streak with what's the big deal? Really, and that's what we are Right now what's the big deal really on our show real Kepburn born Doug McLean is back It's a big deal. It's a big deal. We've missed where has he been?

When's the last time he was I don't know November are we? Is he trying to blow us off just because we're not paying him? Is that the only reason? Is that really reason to not come to work? Is it? Probably. Tons to get into, including a story that I couldn't even imagine that it could the flames could

get you know hotter in Vancouver when it comes to the story with JT Miller and and Pedersen but last night we saw them lose quite handily and And we saw JT Miller at the end of the bench. And we're going, okay, is this break point time here in Vancouver? You know, radio podcast is in an opinion format. It's too long. So I'm just going to go ahead and give mine here on JT Miller, which is a he go. I just watching that guy and having seen how it ended in other places and knowing his like emotional level that he gets to add to me, you know, talk it sends him to the other end of the bench for a sit down. His media interview is not great.

He only he's going to win the is it Pedersen or Miller staying? I think he gone. Yeah, it's bad. I don't think he's gonna win the is it Pederson or Miller staying? I think he gone Yeah, it's bad like I you know I sent you guys a clip from I saw last night of him on the shift of their I think their second goal the LA Kings and she's just not locked in like he's just like it's it's a bit of a float around It's a bit of a fire poke or not much moving to the feet, you see every availability of them. It's a bad situation. I was listening to Alfred and Bruff this morning.

They put out a clip of just talking about how it's gotten to this mess. Listen to that, it's a great show and clip. But like, you know, a lot of it is right. How did the organization let it get to this point? Like it's- Gotta sort this out. It had to have been sorted out, no, Kip? Like how does it get to this point. Like it's- It's sort this out. It had to have been sorted out, no, Kip?

Like how does it get to this point? I think they just kind of left it out there for them to somehow sort it out. And I don't know how far that goes back. It certainly to me didn't happen like last week, but could it have been as early as November, December, where they didn't wanna kind of put an end to that one way or another, even if you gotta fake it

till you make it, bring them out together, much like a Brad Marchand put it to rest on pastor neck. It's not like where anyone's dwelling on that story in Boston. It's over. It's over. Right? It's over. I hadn't even thought about it. But they didn't wanna do story in Boston. It's over. It's over. I haven't even thought about it. But they didn't want to do that in Vancouver.

It's like, well we're not telling you there's something there, but we're also telling you that there's something not there. Yeah, there's something so not quite right that we're not really able to address it directly. Like it just. But you, I was texting with you guys about this. It's not really in Jim Rutherford's nature to wait around. address it directly like it just. But you, I was texting with you guys about this,

it's not really in Jim Rutherford's nature to wait around. No, he's a pretty honest fourth grade guy. You think he'd just be like, here's what's up, here's what we're doing. Made a million big trades in his career. Just surprises me that they let it fester this far. And it's just, it's hurt them. I mean, God, they'd fight to make the playoffs now.

Well, and there's so many teams in the playoff run that the longer you let it go, you see teams every year miss playoffs by a point or two and they're going to be one of those teams it looks like battling for those final spots. It just feels to me like it's one of the other here and the team, you know, the GM signed Pettersson recently to that big deal. Anyway, let's talk to someone who knows more than me. Yeah, we'll get more on this story. So let's bring in Doug McLean, former NHL president,

GM, head coach and the star of I don't know, whatever we do here on Fridays on days that he actually wants to show up and work. I think you should run that clip or run that question and answer thing more. I mean, those were, those were, that was theater. That was real theater. Listen to those guys. Did you leave one Doug? We didn't come across your call. Oh my God. I didn't know it was a part of it. I haven't been around, but I mean, I've been besieged by people because I haven't shown up for this show the last three weeks. I mean, I've been besieged by people because I haven't shown up for this show the last three weeks I mean, I mean seriously guys you got to come up with something else to fire this group up besides me because I'm busy

You are really busy You're doing podcasts. You're also Last I heard you had this big power lunch in I heard you had this big power lunch in, in, in Delray there. Did it happen? What can you tell us about this big power lunch that you had? It was a, it was a power coffee break at Starbucks and, and, and it was myself, Dale Talon, Ron Hextal and Jeff Rimmer. Why would Jeff Rimmer be there? Because he organized it.

But what happens? So I get up this morning, I'm all excited about heading out and seeing the boys. George McPhee, by the way, just lives a block from me. We'll have to involve him too to help guys out. I know Tallon was excited that I could give him some feedback on what I thought of Vancouver, Hextall, just more about restaurants in Delray where he could go. But anyway, it was canceled because Jeff Rimmer's water heater broke. So it was canceled. Seriously. Now Rimmer, he lives out in the boondocks.

He lives in Boynton Beach, which I never go to unless I really have to. I said, why do we have to go to the Starbucks in Boynton Beach where you live? Why not go to the Starbucks in Delric? Well, you know why? Because he's scared when he parks his Porsche, it'll get scratched. So we have to go out where there's a huge parking lot, you know, like, come on, I mean, what a joke. There's no better than you burying Rimmer.

I didn't get to go to it. You know, Rimmer's water tank was more important, and water heater. So we, I didn't make it. So maybe I'll report on it next week. But I love the fact that so many people want advice. And I was chuckling listening to your guy with all the great superstars that have come into work. A buddy of mine was at a group of CEOs that Brendan Shanahan spoke to them recently. And he was telling them that he's actually helping with the power play now. Is that right? We know Brendan was really good with the power play. Have you guys seen him on the ice or is it just off ice he's doing things? You guys would be scared to say anything.

But anyway, so it reminded me of when I was coaching the Panthers and Mr. Heisinga come down after a game and he said, you know, there's a couple of things I don't like about the team And he said I was sitting with Jack Nicklaus at the game tonight He was giving me all kinds of tips on what's wrong with your team And I said Jack Nicklaus the golfer was giving you tips about what's wrong with my team He said yeah Jack Nicklaus the golfer who by the way is an expert in everything I knew that from being in Columbus, but Jack, so there's a lot of people give a lot of advice in the hockey business.

I happened to get it from Jack Nicklaus. I still can't hit the ball over 210 yards. He didn't give me any tips in golf, but he wanted to help me with my hockey team. And I really appreciated that. So Brendan hopefully has helped with the power play. You know, I mean, look, he's got enough experience. team and I really appreciated that. So Brendan hopefully has helped with the power play. You know, I mean, look, he's got enough experience. He was a power play, a terrific power play player. So hopefully look, it's all hands on deck. I watched the Leafs last night and I'm thinking, what am I missing? They're the same team as I've watched the last four years. Same identity.

Where's this new game? This new style? It was there for 42 games. What? It was there for 42 games. Right. They're just going to find the balance now. Matthews was out for 20 of them. He didn't play 20 of them. So, and you know, I mean, I don't know. I'm looking, I'm thinking, thinking okay if these guys don't do it again if Matthews Nylander Marner don't do it for them. How are they gonna win in the playoffs guys? How are they gonna win in the playoffs? They did it last night in the last few minutes of the game

Can they do it? Can they finally break through and get it done? All right I gotta ask you if if the Golden Bear was talking to Jimmy Rutherford, what kind of advice would he give him in Vancouver? Probably the same as he's trying to tell Izinga, fire the code. No, look, I don't know. It is a goofy situation there.

I'm even hearing Demko doesn't wanna really play. I'm even here and Demko doesn't want to really play. I mean, I know he's got an in. I know he's been injured. But I mean, I watched last night. I mean, three nothing before the game even starts. I mean, this guy is the backbone of their team. I mean, what's going on with this injury situation? What's wears his head right now with respect to playing? I'll tell you, they've got to fix a few things in Vancouver real fast. And to let it percolate this long is beyond me, is beyond me. Miller leaves the team for a month, for whatever reason, he comes back, him and Pedersen have to go out in front of the media. Like come on, this isn't, this isn't Jimmy Rutherford style.

This isn't Rick Taukett style. Where is this coming from? Fix this once and for all. Either trade one of them or tell them to figure it out real fast because it's becoming a joke and the team is really suffering from what I can see. Do you think the debate is should we trade them? Which one should we trade? Or the debate is internal between GM, coach, whatever they can't decide what direction

to go. What do you think the holdup is? Which one do you trade? One guy is, what is he, 39, 20, I don't know, 29, 31 Miller. It's five years difference. They've got to figure it out with Pedersen and his game has not been there. We know what Miller brings to the table. We know how great he is, how hard he works.

We know all those things, but if it's not going work, make a break, boys, make a break and end it and move on and bring in some assets that are going to be equal to what you trade out. Jimmy Rutherford has been one of the greatest traders in the history of the game. He's a winner, talks a real good coach, uses a stud. But I mean, I'm telling you, boys, this is not pretty. And it doesn't look good. And it's got to be fixed and if Demko where I mean I'm Like why am I hearing that you're hearing that? He's not confident about About his health situation that he doesn't want to play like can you elaborate on a Little bit more on what you meant by he doesn't want to play

Like I'm telling you boys as mom used to say as Fran McLean, my mother, you say I'm only telling you what I heard boys. I'm not telling you it's the truth. So make sure you have that caveat. I hear that he's not that excited to get in the net right now. And I'm sure it's not the injury because I know that Canucks would make sure that's 100% before he's getting in there, but you've got he's got to be a motivated goaltender to get in He's the backbone of this team as recently as a year or two ago

I mean, so let's hope that that he he is a hundred percent healthy and he's ready to play and wants to play I can't believe it's 100% healthy and he's ready to play and wants to play. I can't believe it's for that whole lineup. They're not, they're overly excited to go back and in that room with the things that are going on. Well, so, so strange, right? Given how great they were last year and the way that Tucket Rutherford run things

with that leadership. Like it just feels strange that things are so off. Yeah. Yeah. And you know, you've got Hughes at the top of his game. Although look enough is used. And I love you. Like I love you. But let's start talking a little bit about Warren ski. I mean, he wasn't even listed in the top five for the North. He's the best. He's the best defenseman in the NHL right now, based on what he's done. Better than McCar and Quinn Hughes? Based on what he's done right now, 15 goals.

He's the reason the blue jackets are where they are. He is good. He has been damn good, boys. And you guys aren't giving him enough credit. Up until a week ago, you weren't either. You spend too much time on Morgan Rielly's. Move over to Zach and talk about him for a while about having black tape on his dick blacked out.

We're moving on. We're moving on to John Klingberg now in Edmonton, right? That's excited about that for the oil. Is that a good gamble? I'll tell you what I'm excited about. I'm excited about there's one mission for the Edmonton Oilers and that's to win the Stanley Cup. And that's John, or I should say, Conor McDavid.

Somebody said to him recently, what do you want for your birthday? What do you think I want for my birthday? Come on. I want the Stanley Cup. And there's other superstars in the league that they want to start a clothing line. I mean, come on, this guy wants to win the Stanley Cup and others want to be in the cover of GQ and start a clothing line. I mean, come on. I don't know. Connor McDavid wants to win the cup. And when I watched the Leafs and you got to, I mean, you, I mean I'll tell you this guy.

Oh it's a Matthews joke, is that what it is? Are you suggesting Matthews wants to? No no, I wasn't talking about Matthews there. Who wants to clothing line? I would just say that. Justin, why wouldn't you try to get me in trouble there? Well GQ was the first hint I think. Anyway.

Do you like the gamble for Klingberg? I don't think he's played in like 14 months. I don't mind the gamble. I don't mind the gamble. I keep thinking of what he was like in Dallas, you know, where he was good. If he's a hundred percent healthy, they need help on their back end. They need they need another back end. They need another defenseman. Can he do it? I've got to believe they've checked him out

health-wise. I don't mind the move. I think it's an easy gamble. There's enough time before the deadline that they can fix this. So I think it's a decent move. Let's skip around Canada a little bit. I want to ask you about Lane Hudson. Montreal is 8-1-1 in their last 10. They are red hot. And he looks like the next Quinn Hughes. Honestly, like he doesn't have all the other parts of his game, but he moves like Quinn Hughes, which not many people in the league can say. Yeah, you know what? I haven't watched him that much, to be quite honest, but you know, I'd heard lots about them prior to coming

to Montreal, how good he could be. I'm just blown away by the Habs. And you know, we set the tone. We got Marty to stop jogging in the stands. We got him away from that. We got him refocused on coaching and not worried about his conditioning and you know, I think I mean look full marks to them They've done a good job and they played really well The kid and goal has been really good There's been a lot of positives there and and you know Lane has been a big part of that too and line a comes in I mean Look, I watched Kirby dock walk in and score a beautiful goal the other night.

I'm thinking, look, they've got a lot of things going well for them right now. But there's some teams at the bottom. I'm telling you guys, the Leafs the way they're playing right now, and I know they struggle a little bit. It was a big win last night. But these teams, Ottawa, Columbus, Montreal, Detroit, these teams are playing better than the teams in front of them in the standings right now. And it comes back to who's going to get in and what's that first round going to be like and how tough are those first rounds going to be for the big boys like the Leafs and, and so on. So we'll see. Who do you like Mac? Out of the group of Montreal, Ottawa and Detroit, Boston, do you think they can still muster enough?

I think Boston and Tampa are on the bubble as to whether they're going to make the playoffs guys. I really do. I think I look at Ottawa, they haven't got a goal scorer in the top 30. Stutzel is number 30 or so in scoring in the league and he's a plus six. They're playing a really solid game. They've been getting good goaltending recently from the kid and you got to hope Walmart's going to be back. They're a different team. They're playing different. So I think from a talent perspective, I'm gonna take Ottawa because of Kachuk and a few of the kids.

I think they're the better team right now. And you know, that game last time in Washington, I didn't watch a whole lot of it, but it looked like a heck of a game and they're playing. I mean, Travis Green, full marks, has got them playing really well right now. He's got an experienced coaching staff with you there and a couple of guys. I think they're going to be, I would not want to play them in the first round. That's the one team I would not want to play in the first round. And I think Tampa and Boston are still, I mean, they, they should get in Swain

and should get Boston in. Basileski, Kuturov and companies should get, and Headman should get Boston in. Vasileski, Kucherov and companies should get, and Headman should get Tampa in, but right now both those teams look pretty fragile to me. I'd be, you know, I think five teams from the Atlantic end up making playoffs. We'll wait and see exactly who that is. Detroit kind of doing well, Montreal also. Let's just ask you about Toronto. We don't get you in the first hour all that often, so love to get your thoughts on where Toronto. We don't get you in the first hour all that often. So love to get your thoughts on where that...

You don't get me in the second hour all that often. Not enough for our liking, Doug. But you know, they went through a little slump there and the superstars and coach are all going, ah, everyone relax. How do you feel about the mentality there that they handled sort of a downturn with? I didn't mind it. I think Toronto is a tough market as we all know. I mean look, I think it was okay.

I think it was handled well and McCabe wasn't in there. I love the tan of McCabe combo as a shutdown pair. I still don't think their back end is good enough to be a Stanley Cup contender. I really don't. I mean, Timmons and Myers and I mean, Benoit, I mean, I don't dislike them, but that's not a Stanley Cup back end. Morgan Riley's game is not where it should be. I don't know if it's Ruby, if it's the defensive side that's taken away his offense. I don't know what it is, but they's the defensive side that's taken away his offense I don't know what it is

But they've got to figure it out and they've got to get him him going because how many teams win Stanley Cups without a number? One defenseman and right now guys, they don't have a number one defenseman So we do not have a big time either either in today's game or in your era like when you know that historically, there's been a lot more out of a player and you wait, you try different things, but you wait, like when do you know that someone's just not gonna come back again or they are just what they are today? And I specifically say about Morgan Riley,

like is he still, can he still be a 60 or 70 point guy in this league or have things changed? I just, I'm caught off guard because of the, to me it's been a really sudden drop off. I've always been a Morgan Riley fan and I've always said he was a great number two three guy Never a number one guy, but a really good two three type guy. I don't know what's caused this Unbelievable drop-off. I cannot figure it out and I feel bad because he I think he's a quality veteran on this hockey team

And a well-liked guy, but it's all about what you do in the 60 minutes. And he hasn't performed anywhere close to what he has to be. Is he focused on playing too much defense? Is he, you know, he'd be scared to death to make a stretch pass after you two guys ripped the stretch pass. Like, I mean, I listened to your analysis prior and I'm thinking, what? Okay.

Anyway. You like the stretch pass? I really like it when it works. Yeah, who doesn't? Yeah. But it can't be, it can't be your only breakout. You know, it can't be your number one breakout. But look, I look, I feel for Morgan, but I, he, they can't seem to find the right guy to play with them. Um, I don't know. He's got to be better. That's all I know because you don't win unless your defense is, is better than Toronto's and it's not good enough for me. And their bottom six, Bobby McMahon.

I heard you comparing yourself to Bobby McMahon. Are you serious? Like I love you as a player, but your feet your feet compared to Bobby McMahon's Was like comparing Morgan Riley's feet to his whites Fair enough Bobby McMahon may be the best bottom six forward in the NHL today. Whoa. Based on what I've seen lately. Whoa. I watched Colorado last night.

Colorado's bottom six may be the worst bottom six in the NHL. Whoa. And Bobby McMahon may be one of the top bottom six players in the game right now. Well, all right then. You don't think, so you don't take Colorado seriously as a cup contender unless they improve somewhere in the bottom six I think they've got to improve their bottom six a lot I I'm still not sold in their goaltending and I'm still not sold on middle status a number two centerman

So, you know, I hope they do well because Chris McFarland was with me for 11 years in Columbus and I love the kid But the GM but I I I just don't think right now well because Chris McFarland was with me for 11 years in Columbus and I love the kid, but the GM, but I just don't think right now they're good enough. And look, McKinnon is unbelievable, Ranton and I don't know if they get Ranton and Dunn, how are they going to get him signed, which is going to be a real challenge. You don't want to have that going on your plate going into the playoffs. So there's some things that got to get fixed there Just just on you know, whether it's Marner Rantanen Bennett's like are you are we still in the world where they these guys have no choice

they they gotta they gotta keep them and Hope that they can work out a contract or let them go for nothing. We're still in that same place that we've been in years past where you're okay for them to rent their own player even on the chance that they may leave July 1st or do you have to move them? Like, how can the Leafs not stay with Marner and give it a shot to try to win the Stanley Cup. How can

they not? I'll tell you how they cannot. You lose in the first round. That's how you cannot. If you lose in the first round you're not gonna have to worry about it. Management probably including the president may not have to worry about it if they lose in the first round, because that will be really ugly. Colorado, big time pressure to win in Colorado. They're not going to move Rantanen before the deadline, unless you get an unbelievable opportunity to make the right trade to move a Rantanen, a Mariner, or a Bennett. You've got to get the right deal because those teams are all expected to challenge for the

Stanley Cup. A three-way trade. I don't know how they can do it. deal because those teams are all expected to challenge for the Stanley Cup. Three-way trade. I don't know how they can do it. So another team. That's big time pressure on ownership, on management. And Mitch, whether you like him or not, he's been one of their best. He's been basically their best player all year round, is he not?

He's been good. He's been good. Very good at times. All right. Let's continue handicapping Canadian teams. You like the Jets, Connor Hellebuck in the heart trophy race this year. Kind of feels like, I don't know, that he could have one of those years, Doug, that propels a pretty good team to great things.

Yeah, he's been so good, but that's gone on for a long time. Is he ready to break out and get it done? He's, I mean, look, and losing to Colorado last year with the gold heading Colorado had to me was a devastating thing for that franchise. They've been really good this year. They're powerful. I'm watching Kyle Connor play. I mean, how good has this kid been? And Shifely's been good.

And they look like Adam Lowry is one of the best captains in the league and for me, one of the best leaders in the game for me. Morsey look is probably terrific. I really like the Jets. I just have a hard time. I have a hard time seeing them coming out. Look, I'll tell you who's a hell of a team boys is LA Gengs. The way that team's playing right now, they're a pretty tough team to beat.

So, you know, I just, it's not gonna be easy to come out of the West and I still have Edmonton coming out for fun at the end of the day, I really do. Connor McGavid is just too good. Can I just say that Camp A's the best underrated player in the league? He's a legitimate underrated Player in the league of it underrated star in the league Underrated beyond belief and we never and we don't know them because we don't see them enough You know, I don't especially as a senior citizen on

Social Security and Medicare I can't step to watch the Kings I'm sorry I've got five homes and he's pulling from the government what a world hey you're you're your next get-together with Dale Tallon and Ron Hextall can I can I just make a suggestion yeah instead of going for coffee at Starbucks Start a a podcast called how we got screwed by the NHL. Oh I can't wait to sit with them Ah, why aren't we working and I'm I was gonna drop a couple bombshells on them because I've heard this week about two GM's That are gonna you know that could potentially be fired here surely So I was gonna bring that up just to get them are gonna, you know, that could potentially be fired here shortly.

So I was gonna bring that up just to get them fired up, you know, there's, ah, there we go, we'll be back in it. We'll be back in it soon. This show in Sportsnet has ruined my opportunity of ever getting back. I've got so many people pissed off at me that I'll never get another sniff, you know? Kevin Adams wouldn't even hire me.

Who the hell's gonna hire me? Listen, you're the only ex-president or GM in the history that's come on TV with no thought of getting back in. Zero. Which is good for us. Great, really good. Just check with Gary and Bill.

Just check with Gary and Bill. Not that we're suggesting anyone's gonna lose their job, but do you expect the New York Islanders to start selling pieces off sooner than later? And if there's so many buyers still out there thinking that they're gonna make the playoffs, why wouldn't you jump on early on the New York Islanders? I think the Islanders are gonna, there's some big, big decisions with the Islanders. There's no denying that they are they are an ugly team to watch. I'm so like Dobson's a kid from my hometown. I watched him play the other night. This kid had 70 points last year and I'm thinking what is going on here with this team? They're a team that right now there's a ton of pressure and I'll tell you

another team that's under the gun big time is Seattle. This you know, all of a sudden, you know, Seattle is, you know, because of Vegas's, you know, success and some of these franchises coming in, there's a ton of pressure on Ronnie Francis right now. And you know, I didn't like his coach hire. I liked Danny Balsma as a guy. I didn't like the hire. I I like Danny Bowsman as a guy. I didn't like the hire. I don't know who can take over there.

I don't think his assistant has enough experience yet to take over. But you know, I think it's I think there's a ton of pressure there. I really do. So we'll see what shakes out. Okay, so what's the deal back to the pool? A nap? So I do. out. Okay, so what's the deal back to the pool, a nap, take your medication? I swim for 45 minutes a day and I'm down there, I've got my headset on, I'm listening to Zach Bryan and all of a sudden in my earpiece I've got the waterproof ear

pieces and in my earpiece incoming call, incoming call. I'm halfway across the pool and all of a sudden, it's Nick Kiprio wanting to do a prelude to the show. But I'm just making sure you don't bail on us. I know, but I've got my physical, I've got to look after myself and the swimming is a huge part of that. I walk the beach in the morning, I swim, I do my weights, I do my yoga. I can't be interrupted during those sessions, you know? Kip? I just go back to the pool and finish then.

This is your, let me tell you something. Tonight I'm going to, it's called Broadway Night at Delray Dunes Country Club. Tonight, Joe and I are going to Broadway Night, so I'm very excited about it. Top priority on Fridays. Okay, top priority from here on in is our show. You understand that, don't you?

I know, I know. Look, I took heat going through the Canadian airport, going through Toronto airport. By the way, I'm coming back from Prince of Iran. I go through security, I go through customs, and then I find out I left my suitcase at security Okay, you're officially old Anyway, it's a long story. We gotta go

Get out of here. Guys. Look, I really appreciate you having me on I really do and thanks a million. Thanks. Good luck. Go Leafs Right into the ditch. That's one of his all-time better, well, more unhinged appearances. I thoroughly enjoyed that. Let's go to break and then we'll do everything on the other side. You're the boss! Hit the break. Thanks, Mac! More after the break.

Dive deep into Toronto sports and the NFL. The JD Bunkus Podcast. Subscribe and download the show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. ["Bet 365 News Theme"] Struck around to our show, a reminder this hour of real Kipper and Born brought to you by bet 365 which takes us right into game time.

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Every week until February 7th one in head to Rogers comm slash four nations to enter for your chance to win and don't forget Fans across Canada can watch every game of the four nations face-off exclusively on sportsnet and sportsnet plus What a trip. Oh my god, dude How excited are you for McDavid Crosby? McKinnon same team like how fun Incredibly, okay. I've been talking about this for four years on our show Like it's like the it's like the four-year face-off for me glad we got in here before we And now it's game time present by bet three six five visit the app play this Dodds and find out why several ordinary at bet

Three six five must be 19 plus on Terra only please play responsibly when you guys were talking to Doug he was talking about the about Zach Kurenski as the best defenseman in the NHL So if you believe that yeah You could get some excellent value on him as a Norris trophy winner. Where do you think? Wow actually you know what Doug? on him as a Norris Trophy winner. Where do you think, wow, actually, you know what, Doug? Might be onto something here.

It is Quinn Hughes at plus 150, Kale McCarr at plus 150, and Zach Wierenske at plus 210. That might be the worst way you could spend your money. On a Zach Wierenske? On a low payout bet on Zach Wierenske, well, healthy Hughes and McCarr are killing it. Yeah. And the next close- It should it should be better. It should be better

You should be able to get more money if you're right. Yes, the next closest is Josh Morris. He got plus 10,000 So if they believe it's one of those three clearly and Jacob chick I'm tied with that Jacob chicken is the next day So she Akron tons of guys there is chicken gonna cash in in Washington as well. Yeah Is he ufa straight up you know, no other years ufa. Oh my god good timing He got out of Ottawa and sort of lighten it up. I think I you know what I Think he is I think he is too. Maybe he was in Washington Somebody looking that up. I am in Washington or I'm sorry in Ottawa Is somebody looking that up? I am yeah in Washington or I'm sorry in Ottawa

Thought was that they had two years left two full years Talk about a dream contract here. So this was the last year. It's only 26 He's gonna get eight times whatever it is. He's getting he loves it there, too So I see him not going anywhere So the Jack Adams award interesting here the favorite you just mentioned the same team heavy heavy favorite Spencer Carberry minus 550 on bet 365 John Hines is next closest plus 700 Dean Evison plus 900 if you want to find Craig Borube you could get him at plus 10,000 way down the list not a ton of belief in old

Barube for the Jack Adams jeez and the last one I'll bring up here because it's cut because it's kind of close The heart trophy tons of talk about Hellebuck here's how I'm so sick to my stomach that Leon dry subtle is the favorite of for the heart plus 300 and when we talked about it what was it plus 2500 that was like a month ago that we said bet it that was an ouchy ouchy I didn't bet it I'm feel dumb Nathan McKinnon plus 325 Connor Mcdave plus 375 and Connor Hellebock plus 400 so that's how they've listed it and Creel Capri's off right below there plus 600 but he's probably missed too much

time now the Ruby thing is interesting because in Toronto where most of the eyeballs are, anyone does well, it gets blown up, right? And they had a hot second half and won the East. Yeah, it's up there. It's not the worst bet. Anyways, that was Game Time. That was Game Time presented by Bet 365.

Visit the app for latest odds of find out what is ever ordinary at Bet 365. Must be 19 plus, Ontario only. Please play responsibly. Okay, we were a little excited in our first hour with those live call-ins on our hotline, which we should do one for our second hour as well. We should do an NHL version of Leafs line.

Yeah. Leo, stop playing with the dog. Get dressed, go to school. That's someone mocking me. Wheel in Montreal, crushed it. Crushed it. And then the second hour, Doug McClain, but did we miss out on telling people to text us?

It's text day. We did get some good, we do, I mean, people are texting the show constantly. It's just not in, you know, people are texting. Well, we still got 10 to 12 minutes to throw in a text message. Yeah, if we don't respond to your texts, just know that Sammy does read them all

and often tells us about them. Yeah, I read literally all your texts every day. How about this? Rick from Manitoba, Anaheim ducks in the rebuild. Do you think they would move Truba? I could see him going to the Florida Panthers. I said that when he went there. We had that conversation.

Yeah, we did. Oh, sorry, I forgot. Whether or not it was a true, we want you we need you for the next few years, or is it just a holding pattern to maybe excite another team to depending how desperate they are. And the one thing that we know is that there's no real legit top four minute munchers, 18, 20 minutes with a right-handed shot that are available. It's just, it's really hard to find it. So let me ask you, we have the Morgan Riley is not a true number one conversation. Maybe Truba is not a true number one, but do you

think the Leafs would ever pursue a higher endee to help out the back end? But is it? Truba's a shutdown guy, right? To me, again, it would probably be a little higher end. Is Klingberg that guy now for the Edmonton Oilers where it's I don't love the Klingberg thing for the Oilers. Yeah Bouchard on the power play Who's gonna he's wonderful wins in the game with a slap or yesterday winning goal And he says he took something off it too that goal that okay I don't know like did you see the body language of Bouchard like if you go back back and look at that game winning goal with McDavid behind the net,

he's already got his stick cranked. Oh buddy. Right? He's not like, what should I do with it if it comes to me? You know at that point, he's surveyed the whole situation. There's not an av player within 30 feet of him. And you know what McDave is gonna do, he's just gonna put it right on a tee.

And it's unstoppable. You know it's coming, everybody could see it's coming. And he's got that, Bouchard's got that it factor, like Ovechkin's had his whole career. You know it's coming, you can see it coming, and there's still not a damn thing you can do about it. No. And you just put it in such a perfect spot,

right above the blocker, just hammered it as hard as, he's, listen, I don't think he should be on Team Canada, he's very good, and there's probably people in that that think he should have been on Team Canada, but we were talking about the Four Nations, they should have taken Zach Iman. 90 plus mile per hour shots this year. Bouchard leads the league with 45 of them.

Wow. 45 reps over 90. Who's next, Moses? Ovi? Headman has 38. Tage Thompson is the only four at the top 10. I'll be talking about him on Hockey Central next after this. 27.

Carlson, McCarr, Pulek, Yossi, Wallman, Montour, Edmonds. McCarr hits him that hard, eh? He hits it. Wow. Speaking of McCarr and Colorado, kind of surprised that Doug kind of bailing on Colorado a little bit. Worst bottom six in the NHL, I think he said, and then expressed some other skepticism about middle stat as their 2C, which is basically expressing a lot of doubt about their forward

core. Sorry, a couple of minutes. their forward core. A couple of... Sorry, a couple of... Landis Gogg coming back? Well... What do you say? I'll just add a couple more tax points. Oh yeah, we can do that.

Okay, no, let's just touch on Landis Gogg a little bit because he is on the ice. I don't think he's practicing regularly, but there's some people that are seeing some progression. I'm still very skeptical. Oh yeah? some progression. I'm still very skeptical. Not that I could judge anything off the internet, but whatever I saw him skating, it looked like a kind of that young Forrest Gump scene where he's got braces on and then he's running out of them, but he just doesn't hit full speed.

Okay. It didn't look like a natural stride. It didn't look like a natural stride Little hawk and paw to it didn't look like you know, he He was digging in. Yeah, I guess that's step one. Hopefully that's like a progression day one You get out there you put the skates on let's see where oh listen. He's been on the ice. This guy has not played if i'm not mistaken spring of 2022 since he lifted the cup he hasn't played the game what are the odds being off that long and then coming in long the odds are long I think like most people I just

wanted for him I want him to he was such a great player. It'd be great. It'd be great. He's such a oh my god. He was the heart and soul back then in terms of yeah, McKinnon and yes, Rantanen. But this guy was truly the guy. Yeah. Yep. Good luck. I was just going to read another text here. Tony from Port Coquitlam. Port Coquitlam, yep. Where is that? Vancouver. It's like a suburb area. Okay.

Do you think that the Canucks are interested in Simon Nemich out of New Jersey? By the way, people would be offended by me calling it a suburb. It's not but it's that's the area He is one of maybe two or three big pieces In Jersey. Yeah number two overall picked three years ago played 60 games for them last year and Has played zero Pick overall even spends one second these days in the minors? Let alone three seasons.

Yes, third season spending time in the minors. And so he had a quote. I sent you guys that quote today, I believe, where he basically said, I'm not asking for a trade right now, but let's keep an eye on the situation. I'm not real happy. Here it is, the exact quote in five, four, three, two, one. I can't remember any number two draft pick that went to the farm for a third year It's still too early to request a trade if this situation continues. It will have to be addressed

So I don't think they've given up on him No, he's not year three they don't want him on the team isn't Isn't Philip Broberg kind of an example of a guy that just may need Yeah, year three, they don't want him on the team. Isn't Philip Broberg kind of an example of a guy that just may need a few seasons? Now he was not second overall Broberg, but he was a top 10 pick. Yeah. Also, I don't think Broberg, I don't remember what the oils decor was that whole time, but New Jersey's D is Dougie Hamilton and Brendan Dylan Segan thaler and Kova sevich

Luke Hughes and Brett Pesci like it's not like there's a gaping hole for him to step into there. It's a good decor. So Yeah, maybe a fresh start somewhere would be good for him. I don't know if Vancouver that would have interest I think they would have interest in anyone who could help I'm just not confident that a team sees a kid says you're an AHL or that they're that wrong. He's probably close to an AHL right now. What'd you do? Would you do that for your Vancouver right now?

Build something around him or too gambling. To me, it's like the teams know first Kip. They see him every day. They see him in practice. They know his personality. If he was good enough, he'd be in the league. So to me, it's he's probably where he should be or at least Close to it not gonna save the Canucksies

Yeah, I don't know. It's a weird one. It's it is weird. Where was I gonna go here? This is from Mike in Alberta. So this is surprising tech. Hey guys meant to text when you had Gary Berman on He has never been in favor of a second team in TOY. Makes a ton of sense for a number of reasons. I wish I had grinded you to ask him that one. Oh god he just shut me down so fast. He shut you down in my Dumbo question. We had a great interview with Gary Bettman. Yeah. That question the answer I assume Kip is that you're not expanding the market at all right? There's no new fans maybe. Honestly I don't think it gets past the Leafs don't want it. MLSC. Why would I invite someone to take a slice off my pie?

And the idea would be that they would have to cut you a check and we're talking billions of dollars. I thought a couple of years ago that the anticipation of a split between Bell and Rogers where we now know Rogers is going to get the whole pie. Maybe there was a window there for somebody to come in, negotiate it, work it in the deal, i.e. Bell takes a second team in Toronto. That would have been fun. What about Larry Tannenbaum and Kilmer?

They eventually try to, I don't know, make something happen. Quickly before we go here. Yeah. Blaney and Jackson Blaney and Jackson's point. What's the word on Jonathan Taves? Oh, yeah. I was like quiet. I'm quiet.

He wants to talk because you were off that day that that came out. Yeah. That was that Friday that you were away. Yeah. Did you ever hear anything? I've I've got him, oh yeah. I've got him right now in that Klingberg. Yeah, maybe someone will take a chance on you if it doesn't cost them anything

and doesn't upset the apple cart of rostered players on my team, but hasn't played for how long and is he gonna come back and help a contending team or does he want to come back with a training camp in September? I'd take the latter right now if I was him. Yeah. I mean- Hit the ground running.

I mean, people were like, oh, maybe he's gonna go to the Jets. It's like, the Jets? They're the best team in the league. Like, he's gonna get onto their second or third line? He hasn't played in two years. The treadmill's moving pretty fast at the NHL to just be like, okay Here we go. Here we go. It's like two full years. Yeah, that's a tough job. Yeah Yeah, so I got one more for you wish him well see I

Would say no to be honest with you. No, I would say we don't have Sammy. Yes. What's gonna happen with your Buffalo Bills this weekend? Ooh, I'm really happy you asked. You didn't game time them. I was very surprised. You know what? I should have. I didn't think of it.

I'm just gonna throw in Siplikov. Got three games for a head hit. That was a shoulder hit. I didn't think it was that bad. I think the Buffalo Bills are in tough this weekend. I've been listening a lot, reading a lot. Bills have a tough, kind of a bad run defense, and Derek Henry runs the ball really well.

He's kind of a mutant. He's been a really- So is your quarterback. Yeah, it's gonna be, I think it's gonna be a shootout. It's gonna be freezing cold. Gonna be absolutely frigid. I think it'll be maybe a little bit more of a low scoring game.

I think the Bills got a chance. I would just, a little nervous. I think this might be Lamar and Derek Henry's time. I really do. You know what little factoid my dad gave me today that I was unaware of? That the Kansas City Chiefs were 15-2 this year and didn't score 30 points in a game. I think that's right. Wow.

Didn't score 30 points in a game. It doesn't, here's the thing with the Chiefs, and not to get too into NFL talk, it just doesn't matter how many points they score because when the game gets down to build three minutes left, they're either up one or Down one they get a crucial third down, and they just kick a field goal. They win whole career exactly Close and we have Brady and we're close We have the guy that makes the right decision every single time and they're gonna win we're getting ever closer to spring training

We get Blair and Barker back. So give me, I usually go to them. Give me something on the Jays. Will they finally get a free agent? That guy that called last week and said, it's 50 bucks every time I talk with the Jays. It's kind of expensive for me. I know it's payday, but I don't want to pay too much. Okay, are they getting a pitcher?

The Jays made a trade today with Cleveland. They took on a big salary to get allocation money to try to get this Sasaki pitcher out of Japan. Hot shot, next guy coming over from there. No word on it. Down to the Dodgers and the Jays for a Japanese pitcher. That's gone really great in years past. Come on, baby.

There might actually be the saddest time capsule of all time that we all did in here. Anyways, we'll see. We'll see you on Monday. The two shows that I wish they would strike from the internet are the first one and that show. Yeah. But yeah, there you go. We believed we had the time. All right, what a week. Really good week. Yeah, great week. Highlighted with the commissioner of the NHL, Gary Bettman. If you get a chance,

you haven't heard it, download it, find us on YouTube, give us a rating and review if you get a chance. Have a great weekend,. Stay safe and we're back on Monday. Real Kipper and Bourne Show. Have a good one.