Real Kyper & Bourne - Oilers Back to Running Smoothly

Episode Date: January 29, 2025

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne are joined by Jeff Jackson (4:15), CEO & President of Hockey Operations for the Edmonton Oilers to chat about the change in performance from his team at the start of the 2024-25 regular season, the differences between the Stanley Cup Final clinching roster from a year ago, if their recent success changes their approach to the trade deadline, the coaching staff's belief in John Klingberg, and his expectations for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Then, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee discuss Drew Doughty's return from the IR, Utah Hockey Club's final list of team names, and injuries hitting hockey clubs across the league.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.

We are clear and ready for takeoff on the national hour here on the Real Kipper and Born show. We are live on Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver, Sportsnet 960 in Calgary. This hour, Real Kipper and Born brought to you by Bet 365, Nick Kipper, Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee. In a few minutes, we'll welcome in CEO and president ofockey Operations of the Edmonton Oilers, Jeff Jackson. In the meantime, the dust settled a little bit in Vancouver for you guys. I think I started the show, our national hour yesterday with a hypothetical where I don't

think many Vancouver Canuck fans were too happy at the thought. Riley Vermiller? Many thought I was a complete idiot. And you know, for the record, hypothetical means like, it's just a thought. There was no thoughts of a real no movement clauses, whether or not Riley or JT Miller would lift their no move was never brought into the equation. It was just simply of, could you put a package together that could switch these two? Could you build a package around moving these two?

What's funny about people reacting like that to that is that people who follow Sports Talk Radio presumably are the same ones in their hockey dressing rooms having ridiculous conversations like this. It'll never happen, but would you do McDavid for Eichel and Stone? Got the fellas going at hockey last night by they're all talking about the tape. I know but it's because they're very emotional out West with this situation I don't even think they have one nerve left to even talk about it. It's pretty raw. Right it is like it's right to the bone. Yeah. I will say they don't want to hear it they don't want they just shut your mouths move on.

So yesterday you went on Sports Central and said about Rutherford. Rutherford commented on his. All I said was I just saw no upside for Jimmy to go on air without at least dangling a little bit of a carrot to say we think we're close or we're gonna come to some sort of understanding or resolution, but to just pretty much like validate the things that many people have known for six or eight weeks now,

and has left everybody going, oh my God, how long is this gonna go on? You know, you said something not about Rutherford, but about Miller yesterday where you said the best thing he could say is two words, no comment. Derek, do we have that? No comment. Do we have, yeah, we have kept saying that yesterday. That's when you turn around and you use

the two most famous words in media history. I played the fifth. Oh, somehow. No comment. So this was. No comment would have been better than what JT Miller did December 23rd. So, one of the things that I just say last night on Sportsnet Central was that the problem with Jimmy going public is it just completely ignites

the media right back to Rick Tocket to answer and every player, right? So let's just go to JT Miller quickly on his comments yet yesterday What's your reaction to Jim Rutherford's comments yesterday or this week on the situation with you and PD? You don't have any comments Is there still all good with between you between you guys? Attaboy JT. Great job, buddy. PR professional Nick Hiprios. No comment.

It's on in the training room. Okay. From no comment to plenty of comments, let's bring in Jeff Jackson, President, Hockey Operations of the Edmonton Oilers. That's never in your equation. Ain't no comment? Periodically. Depends on what's being asked, I guess. to know that's yes never in your equation a no comment well periodically what's being asked I guess well we're well thanks for joining us joining with us Jeff really appreciate it I know you're watching as far as everyone else not just Vancouver but everybody in the league. But man, it does. It does give you an appreciation

when things are kind of in harmony and things are going okay, right? I mean, it's not always that way as us with players either in junior or pro, even minor hockey. It's hard sometimes to get 20 guys on the same page, isn't it? Yeah, well, you've got, you know, every team, you got lots of different personalities and guys at different points in their lives, whether they're single or married or veteran players

or rookies or whatever. So different countries, you know, different cultures. So it's inevitable that there's gonna sometimes be, it's not gonna be all that harmonious, but you know, the good thing for us in, in, in Edmonton is that we seem like we have a lot of good vibes with the team and sort of after a slow start, um, the guys are just sort of drawing on their experience from, from last year and are settled in and it's,

it's a really good group who all like each other and support each other. And so it's good to see them right now. Yeah, it's funny, right? Cause you look back at that start of the year, like you guys now look like the team everyone thought you would be. I think a lot of the gambling sites have the Oilers

as cup faves and like, this looks like the team we thought the Oilers were gonna be. When you look back at that weird start, like how do you make sense of, of why it took a sec to get on your, on your square feet here? Well, I mean, it's never as simplistic as just looking at the record, right? I mean, we came out of the blocks, uh, 0 and 3, um, and before the season

started, we had, you know, all the gambling sites and all the, everybody the season. Um. Oh and three. Um and before the season started, we had, you know, all the gambling sites and all everybody who is, you know, giving an opinion about who was going to. Buy for the cup. We were at a lot of people's top

of lists and. You know that that's nothing has nothing to do with us. We're not. We're not saying that we're just trying to do with us. We're not. We're not saying that we're just trying to get ready for the season. Our players are going through camp and trying to get ready through exhibition games and, um, you know, it's a bit of a

hangover. Long season. You go right to Game seven. Ultimately we didn't win, so it's disappointing. So summer goes pretty quick. And then you're back at it. And as a player. You're sort of going. Okay. Well we did this last year. We

got to play 82 of these games. Plus the preseason games plus whatever the playoffs end up being so it could be another two months. It's a long road. So I think at the beginning of the year, it's not excused for any players, but it just takes your while to sort of get back into the groove of it. And Bill Zito and I were talking at the board of governors meeting in December about he

felt like his team had the same sort of thing and they won. So it just get you got to refocus, you got to get everybody in sync. And it took us a while. It took us until November, really before we started to play, more of what we expected from the beginning of the year. You're listening to President of Hockey Operations for the Edmonton Oilers, Jeff Jackson. So I think this time last year,

you guys were running like a 16 game winning streak here and within a game of winning a Stanley Cup. When you look at your team today, where it's at, and I factor in the experience that you've gone through since then to now, do you like your team better today than you even did last season? I do actually. I think there's a different maturity to the team

and we're getting. Contributions from, you know, different players. We had a bit of turnover in our lineup. Um, but all the guys who come in have settled in and really found a, you know, a niche in a role and we're, you know,

we're getting obviously Leon is playing. Probably the best hockey of his career. 200 ft game, you know, heavy heavy on in the D and you know, really, really great on the offensive end, which he's always been in. Connors doing

Connor things and after a slow start, you know, guys like back time and new other guys are starting to score more. So I really like our team and I think that's a huge other guys are starting to score. More so I really like our team, and I think going through adversity is how you build

resilience and. It's cliche, but it's absolutely true that you have to go through some of that stuff. Um the hard stuff with disappointment, maybe to sort of like, keep continuing to grow as a team. And I feel like that's where we're at right now. We had Bill Guerin on before you earlier today. And he said he likes to be active at the trade deadline. He said, I hope the other 31 GMs are listening. I don't know if Stan Bowman is listening today,

but I'm sure you'll be working hand in hand with him as you head towards there. Is there something with this roster you say, got it, you know, I like our team, but I know what it's like in the playoffs. I just like to shore up X with your roster the way it is right now. Yeah, I mean, I think if you listen to everybody

early in the season, they would have said we needed to go out and get, you know, a top 4D. I think that that sort of sentiment has changed somewhat just given that our defensive group as a whole have played extremely well. the the D coach and he's he's really got those guys playing with confidence and the thing I like about our ideas. They're all interchangeable. We're using all kinds of different pairs. Um so guys are switching from right to left

side and there's a Just a feeling like whoever I'm out there with, um, I feel good about it. So, um, you know, John Klingberg we signed a couple weeks ago, and he's going to get into the lineup here this week, I think the the down in our lineup is something we were looking at. But there's a lot of teams still in the hunt. So I'm not really sure how it's going to play out as far as teams moving players.

There's a handful of teams that might be thinking right now that that's what they're going to do. But beyond those handful of teams, I think there's so many guys and teams in the race that it might end up being a quiet deadline. I'm really looking forward to seeing Klingberg and what he can bring if he's whatever was bothering him with the surgeries, the hip surgeries, if he's finally free and clear here, but is this, do you believe that this is more than

just a, a relatively safe gamble on him? Do you really believe that he could regain maybe a top four status? Yeah, I mean, why not? I look at it and I know Stan does too and our staff, our coaching staff, like he was a top, you know, defenseman in the league. And it wasn't that long ago. And when you have hip issues that cause mobility issues and pain and everything else, like, you know, you guys both played and your hips are pretty critical for not only skating forward, but pivoting, especially for Dean, going back to get pucks and turning up ice and everything. So I think that, you know, him being healthy is the first step. And if he can, you know, slowly but surely regain his

timing and his confidence, you know, we're, we're hopeful that he's a player that can really contribute for us. He seems like a, a great guy's fit in, in the locker room really well. The guy's like having around, he seems happy. So yeah, we're optimistic that he can come in and contribute and be a part of our mix. So there's Klingberg and then there's Evander Kane. Like where is he in all of this? And could he feel like a trade deadline pickup for you at some point?

Yeah, I think, I mean, it's sort of up in the air as far as timing with Evander. the injury. Yeah I think I mean, it's sort of up in the air as far as timing with the boundary. You know, he had major surgery on both both hips in fall. And at that time it was sort of a four to six

months recovery from what the doctors told us and what they told Evander, and then he had this knee issue pop up, which wasn't like a hockey related or workout injury. It was just something that had to be removed from his knee. So that sort of just set him back two or three weeks, probably in his rehab from the original surgeries. So from a timing perspective, I know he's, he's, you know, in with our staff every day. I believe he went on the ice yesterday for the first time. It's a slow process, again,

with hips, like same as with Klingberg, like when you're doing sort of major surgical things in that area, you got to let everything heal, then you got to build everything back up from strength, you got to be in game shape. So from a timing perspective, it's sort of up in the air for us right now. We're optimistic that he can come back and contribute also, but we just don't know from a timing perspective. Jeff, you have a lot of experience on the agent side as well. And you also now in this role, and obviously you've known for years, but you know the value of having these tent pole superstars in your team. So when you saw what happened with Colorado and Ranthinen

and them moving on from him, what was your reaction to how that unfolded? Well, I mean, it's surprising sometimes when a player of that stature gets moved. the the there's something that starts I'm not sure but anytime a player of that stature gets traded clearly it wasn't an issue with the player as far as you know the player himself both on and off the ice you know grade A from what everybody says about him so it was comes down to a business decision and they made it and you know that was their call. Hey Jax just watching that salary cap like go through the the

skylights here, you must think that you just got a bargain at 14 million for Leon Dryside. Well, I mean Leon's a top top player in the league and you know we wanted to get him bring him back and have him here for the rest of his career. So you know when we got the deal done were, whether the cap went up or not, we were happy because, uh, you know, Leon was going to be a part of the Edmonton O's for the next nine years. So this year and plus anymore. So, uh, I don't even, I don't know, I don't look at it as a bargain kipper.

I look at it more as like he's appropriately placed in the league, um, right now and that's always that market is always moving somewhat. Just like Nate McKinnon signed, you know, a couple of years ago at 2.6 was just over top of Conor's cap. And so it's, it's continually moving. But yeah, we're just really happy to have Leon. He's a hell of a player and a great leader for us.

Do you think that's, that's going to change like the perception of contracts to more of what you're talking about? Because right now, we're two-thirds of the teams within whatever it is, a couple mil of the salary cap, you have to have value contracts, people whose play exceeds the dollar amount. Do you feel like now getting people paid appropriately might be okay as long as you have enough good players and value suddenly becomes less important? getting people paid appropriately might be okay, as long as you have enough good players

and value suddenly becomes less important? I don't think value ever goes out of the importance in signing players. Like, you don't, you know, just because you have more cap room doesn't mean that you wanna go out and spend money and make mistakes on players. So I think our analysis is not gonna change.

We're gonna try spend money and make mistakes on players, so I think our analysis is not going to change. We're going to try to. Find value players, whether they're veterans or bringing younger players into the lineup, either through, you

know, development better development in our program or, you know, going outside and signing younger free agents finding free agents in Europe. What have you. So I think that that's not going to change our philosophy. It gives you a bit of breathing room, but it doesn't mean that you can change your philosophy and just say, you know, we can pay that guy a bit more

because we've got more room. I think you just stick to the same philosophy and you get the guy who's done it, the number that you think is appropriate. So we've got the Four Nations tournament coming up soon, led by your Connor McDavid. So what's it gonna be like for Jeff Jackson watching these games? You want to block lots of shots? Yes you know going down and blocking shots I mean listen it's the first time we're shutting down the league here

during in season and now comes this the stretch right out after it just your thoughts on on how comfortable you're going to be feeling watching one of the best players in the world you know not playing and giving it all in the for Canada not Edmonton. Yeah I mean all you listen we all want to play for our country and and whatever the format is I the the same. It's like. You know, we don't we hope that everything is okay as far as injuries. Game the games, you know, injuries come along

unexpectedly. So you know, knock on wood. None of that stuff happens. I'm excited to watch the hockey. Uh I don't you know, I wouldn't say this is best on best because some of the best players in the world name of the country so I'm excited to watch it from a fan's perspective it should be great it's good for the league and the union to come together on this sort of thing so but yeah in the back of our minds every every every team's the same we just want our guys to come out of it on the other side and be ready

for the homestretch as they were making the decisions on goaltending for team Canada Stu Skinner was not at his best point of his season or of his career but he's been really good since that time of year. Did you see Logan Thompson's six-year contract extension and feel like it had any relevance to any future conversations with Stu Skinner? Yeah well you know Justin, every deal affects other deals so yeah when you see these contracts you sort of say okay well, well, there's one that we can look at and sort of use or not use or it's a marker, I guess, for lack of a

better word. But yeah, I mean, Skins didn't have a great start along with the team. We didn't play great in front of them. And he would be the first to admit that he wasn't on the top of the team. He was a great start along with the team. We didn't play great in front of him, and he would be the first to admit that he wasn't. On the top of the game, and I think you would

have probably if he started the season the way he finished last year in the in the semi finals and finals he played like outstanding for us, so. He probably would have been on this team. But look, he's going to have a heavy workload going down the stretch and not being there. He's got a brand new baby, a couple days old. So I think it's probably the best thing that happened for him is that he's going to have the two weeks or week and a bit off and spend some family time and get some rest and be

ready for our stretch. Hey, Jeff, we're waiting on possible replacements for Team Canada after Petrangelo decided not to go. Evan Bouchard is among one of them. Do you see a lot of upside for him to participate in something like that? Or would you just rather wrap him in bubble paper? I don't think Bouch wants to get wrapped in bubble wrap. bubble paper I think they're playing in tournaments like this or events like this with the best players like you elevate your game and year-round the personalities and

You know Bush is lucky because he's around All a bunch of guys in our locker room are amazing the he'd be happy and we'd probably come out of it on the other end with a player that had involved in this game a little bit just whether it's psychologically or physically or whatever. So yeah, if he gets a call, like obviously we would support it. Awesome stuff. I, Jax really appreciate you joining us. Oh, before we let you go, how's my a Rosedale golf buddy there? Paul coffee there. I heard he took a high hard one today in practice was bleeding.

Yeah, I just saw that that he that he kind of puck or something and was had gone off. So I haven't talked to him. I'm sure he's fine. You know, you know, coffee. Oh, yeah, he would blow it off and say, I'm fine. I'm fine. I want to talk about it. I guarantee you it won't shut him up That's for sure Yeah, well he's yeah, he's done a great job for us, so hopefully he's okay. Oh, it's not gonna be okay indeed He has done a great job Jack's thanks for doing this man really appreciate your time. Yeah, thanks so much. Yeah, no problem guys. Thanks for having that is Jeff Jackson president of hockey operations for the Edmonton Oilers

so Yeah, it's funny. Look at Stu Skinner. His numbers have been good for a few years now Up and down to start usually in the net. Yeah, you know 22. He's a 913 He's a 914 the next year 905 last year 902 this year. It's good numbers Is Leon dry settle the runaway favorite for the MVP right now. I can't give him the runaway tag I think he's a couple I Think Quinn Hughes I know and I know hella buck I know Connor missed three games because of the suspension

But even when he was in the lineup there were some nights where Leon Dreisaitl was the best hockey player on the planet. Yeah. Listen, I'm a huge Leon fan and part of the reason like if Quinn Hughes had won two heart trophies already I think I'd probably be like oh it's Leon's like I'm trying to fight that like voter fatigue that people get with voting because he is exceptional and I don't want to take it away from him if he is the best guy. I think the best forward for sure so far. I think the three finalists are pretty easy. The three guys you just mentioned, Hellebuck, Quinn Hughes and Dry Cytle. Hellebuck is like, his numbers are off the charts compared to this guy.

And then you give it to Dry Cytle. Dry Cytle is so good. They could have grinded them a little bit like Colorado did with Rantanen. Who? Drisidle? Edmonton. They could have. Why?

Exactly. That's my whole point. That's exactly what Jackson is saying. That's my whole point. They could have and they said no, not with this guy. Yeah. Irreplaceable. Go out.

Even if you think that you're going to, give them 14 go get to seven million dollar guys I hate that math equation. Yeah, the people give I know it's horrible that guy you cannot find Well, and also that's it's such a ridiculous thing. It's like who are the seven million guys that are available Who would you even be talking about? That's not how this works But I also think that dry subtle is a lot better player than Rand. Like, Rand is really good but different. They're different. They're different. But like, you know, I think 32 of 32 general managers are taking Leon Dry Settle over Rand. They're different. And you know, I was thinking today that a lot of a lot of the assessments we do about players

is all about who's better this or this and it's apples to grapes and it's oranges to Cheerios and it's not equal analysis when you're doing player to player they're different they're different players but you're right everyone wants dry saddle I can see a world looking at this at Natchez in Colorado where it really works like he's fast and McKinnon's fast. He's looked good too. And if the two of them are humming together and all of a sudden he's getting all those kind of second assists that come with playing with one of the

best players in the world, you can see Natchez's numbers going up. They didn't like him though in Carolina. Four assists in three games. They didn't like him. They didn't like him. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, they probably don't think he drives a bus.

My point is they're different, Ranton and Natchez, and sometimes it's not about better, they just might fit in different places better. And you got them for another year at six and a half. So their philosophy is, yes, if we got at least next year with Inachus at 6.5, we're going to go get a $7 million guy, and that'll saw off the 12 or 14. The best example of this is the Leafs said, what if we get rid of Kadri and we take care of it with a guy who's 80% of his value at forward and 80% of his value at D, kerf it

and bury and all of a sudden you go, all that happened was we don't have Nazem Kadri. Are you giving it to Kyle Dubas right now? I mean, it's a bad trade. I hadn't heard. Game game time game time, baby It's game time presented by bet three six five visit the app play the solids and find out why it's never ordinary at bet three Six five must be 19 plus on terror only please play responsibly Lighter night on the ice tonight, but I'm first game I'm looking at is the LA Kings in Florida take on the Panthers some we'll talk about a little bit after the break

But Drew Doughty makes his return tonight after being out for multiple months I think breaking his ankle in the preseason the Florida Panthers are minus 150 favorites in that game the LA Kings are plus 125 on the money line on the other side the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Minnesota Wild, big faves on home ice as you would imagine. They are minus 160 favorites against the Minnesota Wild. The Outer Conference, Midweek Games. For anyone who's ever been a Leaf fan knows, listen to this. They're not always the best performances by the Leafs, but feels like they've been... They're in need of a good one.

So I maybe stay away from that one a little bit because I don't really know which way to go. And the other one that I'm looking at later on the Utah Hockey Club is hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Utah Hockey Club are minus 150 on the money line Pittsburgh 125 plus 125 on the other side. Well, we could talk about it again. Yeah, no, we beat that up. Anyways. No, Sid, we'll get into it after the break,

but Sid's, Sid addressed it. He did. Yeah. Anyways, that was Game Time. Visit our bet365, visit the app for the latest odds, and find out why it's never ordinary at bet365, Mr. 19+, Ontario only. Please play responsibly. Okay, let's take that break, and when we return, we'll talk about Sid's comments and how much he's had it up to here

With the trade deadline. Did you see comments? Did you see Anderson and Tom Wilson going out? Yeah, I did We will including Very high price goalie on waivers today, which we will discuss, we'll tell you who at almost $6 million. That more when we return to Real Kipper and Born. Hey, it's Ben Ennis. And I'm Brent Gutting. We got you covered on all things Leafs, Raptors and Blue Jays

every weekday morning six to nine. It's the fan morning show Sportsnet 590 the fan and wherever you get your podcasts Nick Kipper is Justin born Sammy McKee As a reminder this our real kipper and born brought to you by by Bet365. Alright, I know you did this. We talked through Dowdy, but what's the over under as he is playing in one of five games tonight against the Florida Panthers? What's the over under on minutes play tonight for this guy?

Because this guy is not like any other defenseman. He doesn't like to not play. I don't know, 16 and a half? Because this guy is not like any other defenseman. He doesn't like to not play. I don't know. 16 and a half? He leads a league every year, nice time. Yes. I'll say 22. I'll say 25. Geez, you guys think he's just going to be the guy. I think he's just gonna Just gonna look like

Isn't stopped playing. He's eager to prove That he I think you go. I think he's I think he's good to go and I think they're gonna lean on him right away Well when you when you have him on the bench Hillers just be like well, I mean it's true dowdy. So again, yeah go out again like it's like I don't unless there's a Unless there's like a what's it called on him like a minute's restrictions like they would have the NBA or something You're just gonna put him out there like he's true dowdy and you're gonna live with the results So I bet she plays 22 23 as well. Yeah, I suppose big news

Frank Sarah Valley and Josh yo and obviously there's some sort of press release because everyone's reporting it Valley and Josh Yeoh and obviously there's some sort of press release because everyone's reporting it. Utah Hockey Club is down to three names. I think there's going to be some sort of fan vote. That would be the Utah HC, keeping hockey club, the Utah Mammoth, and the Utah Wasatch, which the Wasatch Mountains I believe are in Utah. So that's the information. They're going to keep hockey club.

I'll take Mammoth. Give me the Mammoth. Hockey clubs so much better than those other two. It's just they're all hockey clubs. You know, it's not a name. So but then will they do a rebrand or will they just stick with their original? No, no, you get the fresh chance to sell fresh sweaters and real logo. Oh yeah.

And then well, if they keep it then they keep it. Like they're missing out. If they're the hockey club they should make their mask out of the club. They're losing an opportunity for new merchandise. Yeah, which is a good reason why maybe they won't. Maybe they won't. They would still redo everything. But I'm sure they're going to keep some Semmelzities colors.

Mammoth isn't bad. I don't mind mammoth. Mammoth's not bad. Here come the mamm Mammoth. Mammoth's not bad. Here come the Mammoth. Woolly Mammoth. Mountains. Gold. Snow.

Would they do a cartoony logo or like I just feel like that's a very 2000s, early 2000s thing that you could really overdo. Crackin'. You know? Crackin'. I don't know. I just. Hockey club lends to me as a Jersey guy that could be a much more classic, like more

like not reinvent the wheel jersey. Mammoth to me feels like something they could get a little nuts with and it could be a really bad jersey. You would have to not go cartoony. Yeah, like that's exactly my fear is that it would just be terrible. Sitting here 30 some years into the Toronto Raptors tenure, don't do it. Just be careful with Mamm It is all I'm saying. Anyways. Okay. Before we went to break, we talked about Rasmus Anderson

and Tom Wilson last night. Calgary versus Washington. So you have the background on what happened? Yeah, go ahead. Adam Klapka got called up six foot eight from the minors hit Wilson like hit him good. Good. I mean, he's he's huge yep Wilson goes down on the way up clap could give him a little something to the cross jack yeah cross jack to the kidneys and which Wilson held the kidneys and laid there and drew a penalty and it really wasn't that bad but you know he drew a penalty and so later Wilson went and hit Rasmus Anderson and barely touched

him and Anderson held his kidney and went oh and looked at Wilson and Wilson didn't like it. But it was funny. That was very funny. Oh nice, we got the video here. Oh you caught me. I'm telling you, I could hang with Rasmus. But it was great.

He would be a riot too. Him and Billy Garren. Wilson couldn't handle the size of Anderson's head. First off, he's making fun of him staring at the crowd. But he was... Willie's pretty good too though. Willie's balancing his helmet on top of his own head to reference the gigantic heed, the buffalo heed that Ole Anderson has.

Look at this. His helmet just balancing on top. Okay, that is solid entertainment. It's the best. Those are characters. You need more of that. You do need more of that. And I thought that, because it's obviously weird

doing the talking, so it's not an audio medium if you're watching that on SportsCenter or on YouTube, but the point of the building, it was really quiet in the building. So you heard Rasmus Anderson doing his like over the top. Ah, ah, and then everybody kind of laughed. It's a very weird dynamic in the building. I thought it was excellent.

Wilson was embarrassed or something, but he was mad. He mad. He did not like that played out. The most important thing is they're willing participants to like get their noses dirty. That's how it starts. Yeah, right. Someone's going to be mad at me next time I go out there. Who cares? And on many nights, you don't have that, that emotional physical engagement,

therefore you don't ever get any of that. So it's just like, one has to follow the other. Yeah. Oh, it's great. We need to encourage that. I actually think the league should do something like the PGA Tour with a player with the PIP Yeah, the Performant. Oh my god. It's like the player who's the most talked about online who draws the most attention to the PGA Tour

They give them millions of dollars and they encourage these guys heard of this What Tiger even when Tiger doesn't play he wins it. This is the last like three years He's won. He's barely played. It's over now. They stopped doing it. It's not doing it this year since live died This is the this is the year they've stopped doing it But they did it for a few years and it was like, okay, you're most talked about so it encouraged guys to be remember Kepka and Bryson had their whole public feud a little bit related to that It was called the... You lost me on that one.

Player Impact program. Player Impact. All right. Just keep it real. Nobody needs to be rewarded for stuff like that. That's just... It should be a natural part of the game. I think encouraging these guys to come out of their shells a good thing. Oh, God. We've tried that already with the all-star I Don't know skits. Yeah, and you know what? I'm gonna say this as I totally agree with those were disasters guys Disasters and it's kind of the same watching

Some of the mic'd up stuff like TGL a little bit which is very good. It's about watch I'll be honest, but like it's a little awkward at times. Well, they're kind of dorky golfer guys. So Ryan Reeves had a quote today about this. What'd he say? He said that he may go into media because in hockey, you're not allowed to say certain things or, you know, guys should come out of their shell and be more fun. And my take listening to that is I hate to break it to you, these guys aren't that fun. It's fun in the dressing room, but like, go around the room and who's gonna be you're talking about the golfers now

I'm talking with the NHL guys. Yeah, like there's a few guys, but there's a reason reason biz and wit are huge hits They're hilarious big personality. Yeah, there's not that many of those guys Yeah, but the stuff that they say no one else can really get away with right, right? You're nobody could get away I'm telling you you're right. I got a green light light that and listen I've heard you've also got a lot to lie you can you also have to make the the commitment that like I mean I don't want I'm not comfortable saying the things that they say on air is just like right you know yeah well I mean if we were on an uncensored podcast on a different network I'm sure we would say some different things.

I don't know. No, I don't think so. I'm not hanging on to a whole lot. I gotta ask you. This is a very inside radio question. But is it ever amazing to you that all three of us can just come on the air every day for two hours and none of us ever swear ever? That's jinx.

But yes. It's like our pre show meetings or talking before the show it's like half-swears. Anyways, continue. My wife would listen when I'm talking to another hockey guy and she's like, how many f-bombs can you drop? Did I drop one? I'm like, really? It's a seasoning salt and pepper.

Anyways. As far as- Willie would win the pit, by the way. The golf, the golf, are you into it? Yes. Yeah, so I wasn't sure I was gonna be, but then I was watching it, my daughter needed something, and I was going away and I was like,

God, I gotta pause this. Like, I kinda wanna see what happens here. The last one was really good. It was. Tigerverse. Tiger and Rory, Tom Kim is like, still weirdo. I'm still looking at it, like, I don't wanna go to a golf simulator and watch others hit into a screen

But the different the best several different the reason that it's good is because they have the actual Green and like the greenside shots and like actual putts and like it builds up to these moments That's what I was like skeptical of make real putt what it was gonna look like green and that's what I was where I'm like Oh, they're gonna be putting into a screen here? How's it gonna work? But they had the actual green so that's what I've liked and it's just you know what else I like I like how far this is a dream of a playing golf in mid-january I like how far the screen is from where they hit it Yes, you can see the ball play the ball flight for 50 yards or whatever. I've enjoyed it more than I expected

I've enjoyed it. Okay, good good couple injuries big injuries. Starting in Montreal. Kaden Gouli out for what could be the rest of the season. We did a hockey central yesterday. Lacerated quad quadricep muscle. Our own Eric Engels did a nice bit about how effective Gouli has become how many shots he's blocked and in that Segment he said this is a guy that's going to become a household name for you know Montreal canadians and for hockey fans and that the video is awful the fall is a gate. Yeah, you just

The way you fall I hate it I'm not gonna be watching that now that's one though I don't want Jake to play but he's just the way he goes off Extreme pain having a great year for an upstart team, you know, it sucks. Oh, I've got an article I didn't share yet today, but it's about teams who find themselves In a playoff hunt when they didn't plan on it going into the year and what they should do Montreal is featured in it Calgary another team that's featured actually probably Calgary the most but losing Gouli hurts

they they're gonna have some decisions to make here in a few weeks Heiskenen also big news and that was off of an attempted check by Mark Stone a controversial hit yeah last night I grabbed versus Dallas. I grabbed Pete DeBoer from post game. He was asked about it. Derek, there's a clip in there, him talking about it. Pete DeBoer clip. No, listen, I mean, you know, I've coached Mark Stone. He's not a dirty player. He's not trying to hurt anybody. I know that that doesn't mean you know, they can't qualify or at least look at it that was my argument with it, but You know just pray that they'll get some pictures and we'll see

Hockey guys love calling x-rays pictures. They do Keith used to call it pictures all the time It's an MRI. Yeah, it's a it's a very deep, multi-dimensional x-ray. Also, hockey players or hockey people don't know what they're doing. They just know someone needs to look at something. So they're like, where do I use the machine? But it's way better than someone saying, now we're gonna look at the tape.

Yeah. It's like, they haven't had tape at the tape. Yeah, like never that tape in 25 years Yeah, so it is awkward because stone is reaching for a puck on the other side of Hayeskin his body and seems to lose his Own footing into the knee, which is a bit reckless. Did he get tripped or did he didn't get tripped? Did he get did he hit a rut? He starts to lose his footing before as he's getting juked. He's a guy with a bad back and he's been out for a long length of time. He's not... It's just... I'm with DeBoer.

There's no way this guy's going in and trying to... Not trying to hurt him. No. But doesn't mean it's a reckless play. He put the other guy in danger and now Dallas without Heiskenen. That is maybe the most devastating like you go around the teams and take one guy off tough to hurt a team more than removing Heiskenen from Dallas.

Finland, Håkanpån may draw in now. Oh boy. It's gonna be a Håkan party. It's gonna be great. Is he able to skate? Does he play? What a What a great opportunity for the Leafs to find out though

Right to get to a value in what I can value is in the four seasons. It's like a free look for four nations Certainly hillbillies at the four seasons Nations Why would you? I'm getting tired. Is in it. Oh, nations. Um, they're scouting their own guy. It feels like we've been talking about this for four seasons. It does. They could put Hawk and upon a game. If he can skate, that'd be cool. Yeah. But just to go back like to the Mark Stone thing, he's not going to lunge. No, his head. Like it was like, it wasn't like it was his leg or like he was extending an arm It was he went head first into his knee. He's not gonna launch that into his knee I didn't know but it's a reckless thing. Yeah, I've recklessly and actually hurt someone ago. Well, I didn't mean to know of course

Oh, they agree. Um So group hour is the answer to the tease from before the break. That's right tender on waivers I think shmily year 890 save percentage the writing was on the wall when they signed to cord to a five-year five million dollar contract so will we see a sod situation like in st. Louis where they actually Buy him out. They may just put him in the miners and then buy him out in the summer Long as they buy him out cuz group hours not gonna agree to terminate his contract He's gonna say pay me one way or the other so that won't be like sod in that way

What's he got left on his deal two more years after this one at? 5.9 most Okay, 12 million. We got 5 million Do we need any more Canucks talk or Crosby talk cuz hold on this five minutes that I say that right that you said I think said 5 million. I think it did too. Is there any okay outside of How to balance the the the sheets is there any? Team right now that could look at group our and say I'll take a flyer on that Can I give you his four seasons Billy four seasons? Oh, no, just was had it would there's no reason

There's only a stinky goaltending the worst in the league and if this guy's can be decent you gotta assume that Seattle would have Offered teams. I don't know a million and a half to take it, two million? Would you take him at four, Gruber? Can I read you his seasons since he's got, since he arrived in Seattle and signed that contract? His first year in 55 games, he was in 8-8-9, say percentage. In his second season in 39 games. He was an 895 in 36 last year. He was an 899 and in this season through 21 games. He is an 866

That is to answer a question Kipper no That is 50% won't get it done. Can you talk about the worst return? Whatever you're paying them the worst return on investment for a contract ever I'll tell you Jack Campbell's on a contract till 2030 Maybe right on that one there buddy. That's crazy. That's you know, and like before that he was nine seventeen nine sixteen nine twenty two nine twenty three It's just like bang. All right, and Sid just Put a stop to all the talk One last time I think yesterday whether I have the quote. Would you let me read it? I do I know how speculation works. Everybody's looking to talk about different things different scenarios

Cross we told Taylor Haas of DK Pittsburgh sports on Tuesday. I can't control that. I don't know where that comes from. I don't think that it's something I'm going to discuss every time that someone speculates something. I'm not going to answer that every time it happens. All my energy is here. That's what you should say. That's exactly what you should say. And now it's over. Really over. Good job, Sid. People like, get her going. Yeah, get her going. I just think that's you know, you've got to put that fire out. They're not going to move them.

Who knows? Maybe they'll do something else. But you had somewhere you wanted to go. Just Vancouver before we're done. Rutherford's comments. We kind of opened up the hour with a little bit. Yeah. We kind of opened up the hour with it a little bit. Yeah, okay. So I still believe that JT Miller's going over Petey, but there is the possibility that you may have to deal with this after the season's over before his no move kicks in July 1st

and I'm talking about Pedersen. Really? Well you don't want to completely embarrass yourself with a move that you think you have to make that really does them no good. No you don't but if they can make it work then just make it work. If you can make it till June can we just make it work? I don't think the Rangers will, even if they miss the playoffs, won't trade for him because they think that they can come back and be a great team next year with him. So maybe Jimmy waits and does that deal at the draft. Wow, I would be I think that's a tough pill for the Canucks and their parents to swallow.

Like, living like this, you know, chaos under your roof, they're a point back of the flames, I think, and the chase for the wild card. Make a trade, no matter how bad it is just to do it. That's literally what everyone has been saying is going to happen. The president yesterday said that's saying is going to happen. The president yesterday said that's what's going to happen. I think there's still a package out there with Petey and Dylan Cousins. I think there's something there. I mean, that would be great. That would make sense, right? Buffalo looking up their ceiling a little bit. Some people just hate

right? Buffalo looking to up their ceiling a little bit. Some people just hate Dylan Cousins. And I'm like, yeah, you know what? A lot of people hated Sam Reinhardt in Buffalo 2. Jack Eichel wasn't very popular either there. Neither was Jake McCabe or Brandon Montour. Oh my god stop. They did like Mark Stone though. Best traded players. could win a Stanley Cup. We should do a best trade like we should just pick traded players off of teams and put them together. What do you do with Buffalo and put together

a pretty good team? See what roster you'd like best. Quickly before we go I'd like to formally apologize to our national audience I forgot to to put the least Jersey down. No, you didn't do that on purpose. No, I completely your job is to get the leaf Jersey off on our national audience. I love their team in the nation. It's okay. Once in a while, once in a while, once in a while. Today's the last day. I promise. All right. You heard it from Sammy. Our thanks to Billy Garren and Jeff Jackson. Five games on tap. Enjoy yours.

And we're back here tomorrow to cover it all on Real Kipper and Born.