Real Kyper & Bourne - Oilers' Goaltending Woes + Canes' Trade Targets

Episode Date: February 26, 2026

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne are joined by TVA Sports' Renaud Lavoie (4:00) to chat about the Edmonton Oilers' post-Olympic break performance, how they address their issues at the trade deadline, if they would revisit the goaltending market, the outlook on the Montreal Canadiens in the unofficial second half, the right-handed defencman market including Tyler Myers, and why the Habs may have shifted their priorities away from their centreman depth. Then, Aaron Ward, Stanley Cup Champion with the Carolina Hurricanes, stops by (31:25) to discuss how his former team should approach the deadline, confidence levels in Brandon Bussi, and why Ryan O'Reilly would be a perfect fit under Rod Brind'Amour's team.  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.

Time to go national on the Real Kipper and Bourne show live on SportsNet. Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver, Sportsnet 960 and Calgary. And streaming always on Sportsnet Plus, also available. Spotify, Apple podcast, and YouTube where we appreciate the thumbs up, the chats, where you agree mostly with everything I say, not so much J.B. or Sammy. That's fine. I'm okay with that. In a few minutes, Renaud LeVois, who always does a great job on our show. will get us up to speed on the things he's hearing around the National Hockey League

as we get ever so closer to the trade deadline. Labs back underway tonight. Dobson returns to Montreal. Also in about 35 minutes, Aaron Ward, Stanley Cup champion with Carolina. The team that seems this time of year, always in the mix. Can we do our in between break on air? I forget we did, but yes. Kipper, as I was walking to change the jersey,

and yes, I remember chat. There was a vote on there if I would remember or not. 23% of them said yes, so thank you to that faith. Kippur looked to me and said, Sammy, did the White House put out a TikTok about Brady Kachuk? And I looked at him, and I said,

I don't know. What are we living in, man? Madlib's sentence. Listen. just look at me and say shut up okay next time if they did are we going to talk about it

I'll just slap myself I'll just slap myself in the face and go what was I thinking it's just impossible like the deluge of media commentary it's like you know it is like trying to sort did Ryan Whitney tweet that

Mike Commodore said that it's like what I can't get track I don't know I don't know you know what would have been would have been the easiest outcome to all of this Nathan McKinnon shooting it in the net Just shoot it in Nate Just shoot that puck in there

Just take the stick Put the puck on your stick And shoot it in the net man You've got it a hundred million times in your life Just shoot that thing in there buddy I do kind of believe in like the multiverse I kind of this quantum physics stuff And like there's a lot of universes

Where he just shot it in and that's just The great universe We're just all different now We're in down the wall My friends just Now we're just rubber neckers Fighting for a lot Highway, fiery hellscape.

It's so true. Now we're just looking on the highway and slowing down going. You see who's fighting with who? Is anyone alive? It's a. And now it's a fiery hellscape. Oh, my God. The stopean future of.

Quick thoughts on the Western Conference and watching Edmonton have a couple of two-goal leads only to lose to Anaheim. L.A. doesn't take advantage of it as they lose to Vegas. but all of a sudden. And Vegas's AHL team too. Things are getting like if I

if I asked you guys off the top of your head okay 32 teams the league what places the Edmonton Oilers in overall? I actually probably outside playoffs 18th below the middle I think if if we did winning percentages it's probably 20th

21st. I'm able to do such things. It's crazy. It's crazy. It's crazy when you think about the Edmonton Oilers have Connor McDavid on it. He's closing in on 100 points

and they're in what place? They're in 17th. And by points for Senators, worse than that. Worse than that. 20th. One more win than the least we watched last week. It's crazy. I've seen Oilers people tweeting this ain't the year. Like, you know,

like about the deadline. Don't pay to acquire Bobby McMahon. You know who's going to tell us if it isn't the year or not, Renaulte Levois. Yeah. Let's bring them in. TBA's very own.

How are you, my friend? I'm pretty good. Thanks for having me. It's always fun to be with you guys. We were just talking about the Edmonton Oilers and a tough loss and perhaps whether or not, what's that?

It's a tough one. Oh, yeah. Yeah, oh, okay. Brutal. Yes. Brutal. All right, I thought we lost you there for a second. I thought a bit of a trade happened.

I thought maybe the trade came in. You were going to spring on us. I was just going back in my memory watching the highlights this morning. I couldn't believe it. So where are they in terms of still improving their roster between now and next Friday, Rennell? And we heard a very animated knoblock on his goalie last night. And we'll discuss this a little later. but is there a thought that they could revisit that situation or is that is that off the table now

and they're moving in different directions? This is just unbelievable. I mean, we're still talking about the same thing here. And that's the problem when at the same time you're trading Brett Kulak. Not that Brett Kulak is a savior, but he is able to stabilize, you know, what's going on on the ice and and breck who lacked was with the team for the last two Stanley cup run why would you trade guys that are helping you defensively and and making sure that you know night after night someone will do the tough work and the tough job on the ice and and brett was that type of person

and i understand they they had to make that move for salary cap purpose but at the end of the day was it the right move? It's easy to say today and play Monday morning quarterback and say it wasn't. But at the same time, we're in the same boat here. We're again talking about goaltending. I think the biggest issue is not goaltending, but probably the way this team is playing defensively. And I mean, am I surprised right now with this team not being able to, you know, win games? No, not at all. But the problem with the orders is, and you know it better maybe than anyone is when they're hot, they're hot and they can go on a streak and win 10 games in a row

and suddenly they're the best team in Canada. So you never know what's going to happen with them. But yes, that trade, I believe, was a mistake. I remember I was in Pittsburgh, actually, when it happened. And I was really, really happy, you know, to see the return that the penguins got. And, you know, I know Tristan Jerry was playing well for them, but Kristen Jerry was in the HL last year. And I believe that, you know, sometimes you need to be a little more patient.

They weren't patient, and now they're paying the price again. So it's, they lost two really good players on offer sheets and you're still paying the price. I mean, it's, I wouldn't be happy to be an orler fan today, to be honest with you. Yeah, I think they're at a frustrating crossroads and curious to see if they address it head on at the deadline or if they just kind of cross their fingers and hope they figure it out. Well, who's available?

That's the other question. In terms of goaltending? Yeah, really. Stollars help you? Bennington? Why didn't they wait for Bennington? Why didn't they have Connor go to Italy and recruit him and then bring him in?

Why didn't they wait? I'm a Jordan Biddington fan because he's, you know, it's got a great pedigree. But listen, the way, and by the way, which is crazy, the blues are playing way better defensively than the Orlers. Okay? They have a better system in St. Louis than the Orlers. They can't score. And Jordan Bennington is not the best goal in the league, all right? if you bring him right now in Edmonton, I don't see any changes.

I think that you can call maybe the sharks and say, you think Carrie Price can be back, can carry play. Okay, maybe if you have a carry price type of goalie, yes, you can maybe put a plaster on a lot of issues that you have defensively. but I don't see any goalie right now available that can be better than maybe a little better than Tristan Jerry, but really is it going to change anything? I don't believe so. Dead last in the NHL and say percentage, 88.55%.

That's the reality. Yeah, it's been a lot of them to know this year. Okay. Montchal Canadians have had goaltending struggles off and on this year. Curious to see where there is that. So Kip was saying the other day to us, is there any chance that Canada has to really worry about Canadian teams in the playoffs. Two teams are going

to make it. Edmonton and Montreal and Edmonton's where are we out with Montreal? How confident are we in where they sit? This is a special group guys, okay? And I understand about goal-tending. Yes, there are still some question mark. Sam Montambo will be the goalie

tonight. Jacob Dobesh against, you know, one of the toughest team to beat for the Montreal Canadians, Washington on Saturday will be the goalie, which is interesting. Saturday night in Montreal, you're putting a rookie goalie in that. When you think about it, it's unique. So you see that management is going in that direction right now.

It says that's a lot to lose, I guess. So we'll see how things are going to evolve. But this is a special team. This is a team that is, you know, you look at Marie San Luis, what he's doing. I mean, I was with them last week, this week, as practices, watching what he was doing. You think it was, you know, if you think one minute that the guys were not, you know, working really, really hard on the ice, you're wrong. And the main reason why is because of their coach.

He's demanding. He's not demanding and a type of coach who's going to be in your face. And no, he's not that type of person. But he's asking for execution. He's asking for this team to be better when they're the way they're. not only the system, but it's more the details inside the system, right? That's important for Martin St. Louis. He said to us, we were winning before the break, but our details were going,

it was not trending in the right direction, okay? And he said we need to correct that because we're going to pay the price if we don't. So I believe that tonight against the Islanders will see a team that's going to be way better defensively. And it's going to be interesting to see, you know, What's next for them? Because if I just take a step back, I see Tampa's. I mean, what Kucharov is doing in Tampa right now is amazing. For me, it's the MVP right now in the league.

Because with all the injuries, and they were still winning. One of the biggest reasons why is because of them. Montreal is a different. Obviously, they're way younger. So for me, Tampa is really dangerous in the east. but honestly if you're asking me who's the second

like I'll put the Panthers but already going to make it I don't think so I think Montreal is top three when you look at you know how dangerous this team will be in the playoffs I mean in the east

so we'll see everyone is healthy now that's that's a positive Alex Newark's going to play tonight that's a real positive because you can and management can decide after that. Do we really need help? Do we need more sandpaper at the blue line or when

we're looking at the forwards? Do we need more skills? But at least they'll have a good two, two, three games to decide exactly what they wanted to do. You're watching and listening to Renault Levois, who does a terrific job as a hockey insider for TVA's TVA sports. Renau, in terms of now, let's just stay in the east with Montreal and a team like Detroit, they're stalked. I don't

know another team that you know, I mean, there's a few. Utah for sure is out there too. But Detroit, and it feels like Steve Eisenman's out there ready to pounce. A lot of talk about Myers in Vancouver sitting out.

Are you hearing about Detroit and Myers or? In general, the demand on right-handed D. I've got Justin Falk. I got Connor Murphy out there. We've got a few, don't we? Rest Miss Ristolin.

Don't forget him, right? And yes, Detroit needs to be out there. Remember what Dylan Larkin said at the end of last season, right? We didn't got out. Like we were battling for a playoff spot, but like our GM didn't trade for anyone. And it was a shot to Steve Eisenman. I think that Steve Eisenman responded really, really well, saying,

well, you know what, there's another team that didn't do anything and went to the playoff. And it was the Montreal Canadiens. But yes, they're all there. And I believe a player like Erasmus Ristolinan is available. And I believe that there's a lot of teams, probably Detroit, too, around. one of the reason why is for the flyers when they they it's not because they don't like the player obviously but what are you going to receive in the return is quite amazing look at the brandon carlo trade guys i mean this is an amazing trade for the boston bruns when a year after you look at it

and you're you're going to make sammy cry right now i know and i'm sorry sammy but i mean and this is how danny brayer is looking at a possible Ristol line and trade, he believes and that the return could be really, really interesting. And what do you do?

Your six, eight points behind, you don't win the games that you're supposed to like last night. As much as you want to help your team, as a GM, I believe that you need to be really careful. And when someone is offering you a gift, like the Maple Leafs offered a gift to the Boston Bruy.

ruins last year, sorry to say. I mean, you have to take it. No? You can't. You can't. You have to take it. You have to say, thank you very much. We're not making it this year and look at the Boston Bruins right now. I mean, so I think that, you know, when you were looking at a right-handed shot, these in the league, they, I mean, for a lot of GMs, they, they are gold.

And you look at the gold price right now. it's a little bit the same thing with, you know, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm not surprised. And yes, and yes, I believe that the, um, the, the red wings are going to be involved and they're going to be aggressive, and rightly so. Uh, uh, Ren, I did want to get your thoughts, uh, just to take it back to the Olympics and, and the Montreal, Canadians on how the Canadians players did there, what you thought of their performance, where they're at in their careers.

Obviously, Slavkovsky is, I mean, this guy's taken a step a while ago, but really announces himself in those events, doesn't he? It's crazy. And it's fun to watch because he's only 21. Can you believe it? I know. And I think he took the world by surprise in a way,

not because we didn't know how good he was, but when you're on a, you know, another stage at another level and you're looking at him play and the way he was playing everyone that saw him they were really impressed especially with the first three games that he played

after that in the you know in the playoffs it was a little different for him obviously because there was probably a couple two three guys that you need to focus on on this team and obviously there was no room for him on the ice

but everyone was really happy here with the Montreal Caneans to see what he did. A lot of people that I talked to over the last few hours, last few days, would I'd like to see Nick Suzuki probably play a little more, especially in the last game against USA. But otherwise, everyone is really, really happy, and rightly so, Oliver Capitin's laid in the bronze medal game for Finland. So, yeah, I think it's a great experience,

and it's going to make, I believe, a player like Nick Suzuki and Capitan and Slavkovsky. They're going to be better players. And this is not their last, what the beauty of it is they, it's not the last time that we're going to see them at the Olympics. They're still really, really young. So it's going to be a blast in four years, I believe, in France, because the level of competition, I believe, will be even higher than it was. in Milan. No, just in terms of

demanding positions at this trade deadline, we just talked about right-handed shots. Center ice. And if we stick with Montreal, where are they? We know there's a feel

anyways that Pedersen could be had. O'Reilly in Nashville, Cadre and Calgary. Trocheque is out there. Where is Montreal on the need short and long term to play behind us, Suzuki?

Well, you know what? Probably if you would ask me that question in, let's say, in September, I would have said that's priority number one. Okay? Now, today, I have a different, you know, I see it differently. And probably the team is seeing it differently because of what Oliver Capitan did because they were able to get Phil Dono.

which really, really helps too. I know Phil is not a goal score. He's not a second line player right now, but he's going to help Oliver Capitan a lot. They're sitting besides each other in the dressing room, so they're talking a lot. And I feel like Phil is really helping him. I think, Kipper, it's a little more.

You need to look more for wingers. maybe a month ago, I imagine myself that they were looking for top six, probably right winger, today. Again, I'm not sure Kirby Doc is playing well there. Alex Hewok is going to probably get a shot two at one point on the first line. I feel like they're probably looking more for sandpaper type of player. You know, is it a defenseman? Is it a forward? We'll see.

I really believe that they're going to evaluate what's next starting tonight. Tonight it's a big game. The players are pumped and they want this game to be a big one. So it's going to be, I think, easy for management to evaluate a game like tonight, a game like Saturday. Again, the capitals in town. That's going to be a playoff game. Okay. And after that, I believe.

it's going to be a time for management to make final decision. Are we making trades or not? All right, buddy. Really appreciate it. It's going to be a busy week. We're happy to lean on you, my friend. Trade deadline. I'm always happy to be with you guys,

and I hope you're going to have a good weekend starting tomorrow and Saturday. You too, Renaud. Thanks so much, man. Renaud-Lavois. TVA sports. I agree with them on the sandpaper for the haves. A bunch of small young guys. I don't, I mean,

as your, as your perception of who you thought maybe three months ago at Christmas, who were the contenders, the heavy contenders, and then there's that secondary wave, right? Montreal's in that secondary wave, and it's like how hard are you going to push? Who is in the top wave?

Tampa, Carolina. Yeah. Dallas? Oh, no, I'm in the east. No, I'm just talking about everybody in general. Oh, that's Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota. Yeah. We got Minnesota there as a forefront.

Yeah, and then Vegas, Edmonton, I'm not sure what's happening. They're in the same tier as Montreal. I think, but, but, but, but, but, but, but Vegas will not treat this deadline like Montreal would. They're all in, man. They got to go, they're all in. They're, they all in every year. They just are. They're remarkable.

They, they just, shout out to those guys for doing a great job. Yeah, they really, I say this all the time. The one thing they do well that other people don't is instead of saying, how do we get rid of of this guy on our team, they say, how do we get that guy in their team? It's about who they're getting, not who they're getting rid of. Did you guys play the the knob block thing with? We didn't play. No, no, we were going to maybe, you want to save that for after the break?

We got Wardle off. What's that? We got Wardle after the break. Oh, that's right. Okay, no, no. So, listen, we talked about the Oilers and you called him very animated. Well, animated for him. Right. Right? Yeah.

And there's no doubt you're right. So this is head coach of the Evans and Orders. We want to play Jari's thoughts first? Okay, on goal, Taney, because it's a very sensitive, sensitive topic when it comes to the loss last night against Anaheim. Let's listen to their starter last night, Tristan Jari. Tristan, what did you see as the difference tonight? I think if I can maybe find one of those two screens,

or maybe I'm able to handle a rebound here or there, maybe the puck doesn't go in the middle, and I'm able to handle that a little bit better. Sam doesn't feel confident in the answers, I think. Well, he's trying to hold himself accountable, and that's probably the best thing that you can do. You see the Beckett-Seneca one where he just shot it on the ice through his legs? Oh, yeah, we saw them all.

I mean, that one's up. Yeah, so he's talking about this one, controlling the rebound. That's up it's up around a few years, maybe. That was the cookie. to me it's the one on the rush, which I assume we'll show you. This one through, you know, that one he's allowed to stop. This one here. Okay.

All right. So we've established it was in a very good night for him, which prompted head coach Knoblock to be pretty crystal clear on his thoughts last night on his goal tender. Let's have a listen. Yeah, obviously I wasn't happy with the goaltending. The goals that we gave up, especially in the third period. I didn't like those and yeah, definitely.

There was other mistakes there, but part of it is you need better goaltending and like tonight wasn't one of his best games. It's so funny, you know, like you can tell he's a smart guy and trying not to whatever, but that's the answer.

The answer is we didn't get those saves. At some point, you need your goaltender day. Every fired code. That's a no question, that's a finger. right at him. Yeah.

Something that I think Oilers or some people in the media around the Oilers would suggest he has not done enough of. He hasn't been in it. He hasn't. He should be more clear

to these guys that he's been probably described a little bit around him as soft. I think it takes time to get confident as an NHL coach. I think it took Paul Cod.

to come back into town and be more like that guy we heard last night. Think so? Yeah, that's what I think. Yeah. Cough was in his ear after the game. Well, no, I don't know if cough was in his ear. But you've got to be way meaner. No, I don't think it's meaner, but you can't sugarcoat these things.

You can't beat around the bush. You just got to be straight up. So I have no doubt that the things that he said last night in the media, I'm sure Noblock was smart enough to say it to his face first or talk about it after. And Jari said it to his own face. But like that's last night I heard a little bit of the Paul coffee influence on Nobloc on his gold tenny. Well, I also think it's interesting that it's seven and a half days before the trade deadline. And Jari, since he's been at Edmonton, it hasn't gone well.

Is Connor Ingram going to lead them to a cup? Let's forget, sorry, let's remember what the standard is for the Edmonton Oilers this year. It's not making the playoffs. They've been to game seven and game six of the cup final. Captain signed a two-year deal. They are trying to win the Stanley Cup. If there's ever a time to be aggressive and a team, I mean, would you pull shoot on Jari already?

I don't think, I don't think the management can do that to themselves. Say we made a mistake. We didn't get a great guy? It's tough. It's tough to admit you made a mistake. The Bieber song? I'd say sorry. I'm just quickly pulling up.

I think they got to stick with Jari. I would never have gone to Jari. I would never have gone there. I would have waited and I told you. The play for me was after the Olympics when Connor and Bennington could have hung out for a little bit. And I don't know. Maybe Renaud was right.

It would have been more of the same from St. Louis. But what I wanted more than anything was that guy's. attitude, man. That guy comes in with a strut. I think that's desperately needed in Edmonton. Bennington. Don't disagree. First impressions matter, and it's hard.

I mean, valleys come on this show how many times it talked about how hard of an environment it is to play in Edmonton. But your numbers in your first 12 starts with the Oilers can't be 385-864. No. Like, you just, I don't know how any fan or any player or like when every podcast, I mean, when, hey, that's just so many puck's entering the net. The ducks are chasing, aren't they? Yeah, I mean, last night.

Darnell was on, I think, for five even strength goals last night. I'd say, that's a big number. His name is coming up a lot with Oilers fans. Oh, the ducks are ahead of them by a point after last night with two games in hand. And again, if they fall into that position where they're staring on a switch for a playoff round, and they got to go through a Colorado or is it would it be Minnesota?

Who would they face potentially in the first round? Second wild card. Second wild card would get you probably Vegas, right? Because Colorado is going to get the first one. Okay. But if you finish in the second wild card spot, then yeah, then you're getting Colorado. Followed by Dallas or Minnesota.

Right. And I'm looking at these teams that are chasing the oilers. like the Kings are four points back with two games in hand. Predators are five points back with two games in hand. Kipper, maybe you're on a something here. It'll be the first person that mentioned it, that's for sure. Zero? Yeah.

L4. Please tell me. I got more tonight. They got to win tonight. They're in L.A., right? Must win. Oh, that is a big match. Certified must win game.

Must. Turn my mic up for that. It's game time. It's set by Bet, By 765. Visit the Appletest Odds and see why it's ever ordinary at Bet, Bet 365, West 19 plus, Ontario only. Please play responsibly. 12 games on tap tonight, boys,

including the big one that you mentioned there. The Edmonton Oilers in L.A., 10.30 puck drop, late one. Minus 110 on both sides of the money line. Even money on both sides. I think it's going to be a close one. And his debut. Pardon? No, put it on play last night.

Two helpers. He was buzzing last night. So, yeah. the Edminton Oilers in L.A. to take on the Kings. Leifes in Florida on the second half of a back-to-back. Big underdogs again, boys, plus 135 on the money line. Florida Panthers minus 160 on the money line. Yeah, you could make a bet on that and pay to get into the building.

You don't have to win very much because it's only 40 bucks to get in the building for the Stanley Cup champions playing against the Leafs. The New Jersey Devils in Pittsburgh, take it on the penguins. Penguins without Sid are minus one. 60 favorites. And the last one I'll bring up. Montreal Canadiens hosting the New York Islanders, big one for both teams,

the return of Noah Dobson, or no, playing against his former team, not the return, minus 150, the Montreal Canadiens, big phase that New York Islanders plus 125 on the money line. Now is game time presented by Bet365, visit the Affleadisades Odds and C.

Y, it's ever ordinary Fet 365, Mr. 19 plus, and Terry only, please play it responsibly. So are the devil's going to have a big sell-off? What are they going to do, Kip? They're struggling, man. They've had a tough stretch. This year, everything that could go wrong has.

I don't know if you're Tom Fitzgerald to hang in there. Hang in there. I don't know. Minus 30 goal differential, second last. I got to think his job's on the line. I got to believe they're thinking top pick at this point, right? There are seven spots from the bottom now. Should we go?

Might as well just do it. Yeah, we should go. Okay. Let's take a quick break. When we return, Aaron Ward. We haven't had Wardrow on for quite a while. Old buddy. Old buddy.

Stanley Cup champion up when we return to Real Kippre and Born. The best Blue Js show out there, period. Blair and Barker. Be sure to subscribe and download the show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. As a reminder, this hour of Real Kippenboron brought you by Bet365. Nick Kippreel's Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee. Let's welcome in three-time Stanley Cup champion.

Aaron Ward, man, it's been a while. How are you? I just saw myself in full view. What's going on? You got Kenny Rogers, rotisserie chicken stand in front of you? I'm going to be a sign outside of the room. I'm in a midlife crisis date right now.

I'm going on a mustache. Hey, thanks for coming back. Like, we haven't talked to you in a while. How have you been? I'm good. I'm slowly recovering from the

I was in the local establishment. I was one Canadian with a Canadian jersey on amongst 70 Americans who cheered for the first goal when they scored against us, and I say us as Canadians. When we scored the equalizer in true Canadian fashion, I jumped up. I said yes really loud, clapped once, and then apologized to the entire bar in true Canadian fashion. So there is actually footage. Someone has footage of me jumping up and then like completely sheepishly like, I'm sorry. Sorry.

We're sworn off the craziness, but still lots of fun, right? One game, winner, take all. Stayed so high. If the National Hockey League does not capitalize on the momentum we have going, I mean, here's the truth. We come in, we have a social media craze where, you know, we have a whole gender now paying attention because of this craze about the boy aquarium. And I have a teenage daughter who, like, inform me about it.

We have shows about hockey. touching all aspects of life in the world. And now we have a platform given to us to the Olympics, that between you and I, I didn't watch another sport. I only watched hockey. And I was so involved in watching it. I shut down my phone. I didn't want to talk to anybody.

I watched hockey like for a, like nonstop. And then we get the game. And the fact that we had that good a game, even though it did not go in our favor, the league is being handed an opportunity to blow this game up on and with all. all the demographics in the world. We should be in a good place.

Well said. It was a lot of fun. Now we come back to the NHL action last night. We were all thrilled to get back to Washington. Maple Leafs hockey. And within like nine minutes, it was like, oh, right, this is not as fun. However, it's still fun. It's still the NHL and I still very much enjoyed doing it.

Carolina Hurricanes still have that pace, still have that sort of elite aspect to them. I'm sure you're looking forward to their sort of push here. where are they at as they head towards the trade deadline and the playoffs? Well, they better watch what happened last night with Toronto and Tampa because Tampa right now is head and shoulders above everybody needs. Like, Vaselowski looks like the Vaselisky of old. Tampa looks like the moment they get in the offensive zone, they're just dictating play.

Like the fact that they're making the plays that they are behind the back, they have a level of confidence in their play that is tough to defend. So now, Carolina clearly second in their division, am I sold on them right now? I feel like they're coming into this playing well, but are they playing well enough? I don't think so currently. You've got a top-heavy top line, right?

Jarvis Ahlo and Svesh,nikov. After that, I almost feel like their second line could kind of platoon is the third. And the truth is, the best player coming into the Olympic break was Jordan Stahl. Like, by far, he was the most impactful, most consistent player, leading by example. It's not sounding alarms about Carolina,

but aspirations here in Carolina are different. So many years going into the playoffs, you get to the first, get second round, goaltending fails. You get the second round, or third round, is it the second, third round last year against Florida?

And something glaringly happens to you. You do not have that quality of player on your team that can get past with Florida brings to the table. There is not that physical element that can get around the picks. They can't deal with the adversity of the way that Florida plays the game. So I feel like to show your wear as a GM, here. Tolski is going to have to really reach deep into his analytics and find that prototypical

archetype of player that's going to both fit this lineup in the system they play. It's not the prototypical system that every team plays is transition the puck to the neutral zone by carrying. It's not here. There's a lot of lob in the pucks, creating turnovers, getting pucks in the zone, creating turnovers, offense off those plays.

You got to find a guy that fits. I don't think, to his credit, said what he wanted. I think he actually saved the Carolina Hurricanes a little bit because I didn't think he would fit this system enjoy playing the system, you've got to find a guy that fits the style of play that Roddy has his team playing. So

are they going to make the playoffs? They're going to be well positioned? Yes. Do I think they're going to make noise? Not without some changes. You're watching and listen to a former national hockey leader, Aaron Ward, three-time Stanley Cup champion. So, Ordo, I don't want to use the line that it feels like at the trade deadline that the Carolina

hurricanes are bridesmaids because somebody already used that line. Yeah. That's pretty good, actually. I got to give them credit. That's pretty awesome. But it just feels like even though you might feel like Granton wasn't the guy, he turned them down. Marner turned them down. They're still looking for somebody out there. Sorry?

Gensel. Gensel. Thank you. And it's just like it's got to start feeling a little tiresome. You know, before we could always sit there and go, hey, Carolina didn't want to spend the money. Apparently that's not an issue anymore. So what is it that's going to get them over the hump to get somebody. in is it is it is it peterson out of vancouver tell tell you want to bring that in do you do you want to

bring that in like here's the truth what i just gave you for description of what carolina hurricanes need is just peterson no no no no you're going to battle through anything you're right karlane is not tough enough Carolina is not tough enough to beat Tampa bay not a chance they got to get they got to get grittier and heavier but florida florida exposed them for for what they are so here's the here's the concern i have so you just signed bus to an extension. And it has been for seven, eight years. I can't remember how long I've been saying it,

almost bellowing from the tops of the hills, that the goaltending is never going to get you into the Stanley Cup finals. You never have a mono-a-mono where your goaltending is going to beat anybody else's that exists in Carolina. So you're basically Russian rouletteing right now that somehow, some way you're going to recapture a Cam Ward story with Bussie going into the playoffs that he's going to somehow direct his team. He has not had the experience.

I think he's played extremely well. He's been the story of the season for the Carolina Hurricanes, but I cannot put or entrust that amount of confidence in a guy that hasn't been exposed to what the playoffs are. Go further to what we're talking about. So, Rattman, Gensel, whoever has not come in or has come in and not stayed, you have to find someone who's going to be that key piece that somehow fits. Right?

So I'm going to say, is there anybody available out there? there that wants to come in and take a run at the playoffs, that's your selling job to them. And I'm not looking at, like I'm not using Stamco's as an example because I don't know where he's at or what his situation is in the contract. I'm using him as theoretically

a player. If you're trying to get a guy towards the end that is in the less than ideal position with his team currently not going to make the playoffs, has nothing to look forward to come springtime. You've got to take a mentality as a team of selling yourself almost like a recruit in college football. Get him under the idea that you're going to play with a ton of young talent.

You're going to have an opportunity to play. Rod Brindamore will likely feature a guy that's a veteran in his offense, especially in the power play. And you've got a bunch of unselfish guys. If you watch them on the power play, God, they love the pass to puck around. And they love to set each other up. And it's a very harmonious situation. And it's just aching for a name to come in here.

Buddy, I got one for you. I got one for you. Give it to me. Cadry. Okay. So I actually think Cadre is great for the jersey that's in behind, yes, before the Carolina Americans. Contriol to the audio list.

Okay, Ryan O'Reilly. Yeah, sorry, sorry. Yes, I think, okay, so O'Reilly screams to me, Roddy Brindamore player. He's got an offensive talent. I think he can figure out the game. He's such a smart individual. And he will grasp the concept of coming in, having played in Nashville and understanding the southern markets.

he'll understand not just the environment in Carolina. I mean, we don't have country music here, but we got oceans, we got mountains. But he'll understand and probably be excited at playing for a guy who has an alignment mentally and psychologically and how he plays. Like he's just a blood and guts kind of guy. And coming to Carolina may be something that sparks his interest because he gets an opportunity to compete when it really matters. So O'Reilly is really interesting.

I think Codry is also interesting. I don't know if Cadre necessarily fits the mold. You'd have to ask Tulski if the numbers fit or, you know, you're watching him. Is he the type of style player that is the dump and chase? I believe he's got the heart to do it. But does he want to play that system for, you know, 30-something playoff games potentially?

I know Kip was wanting to talk about Bennington, too, as a goalie. Is that fair to see that be an option? Yes. So here's the thing that's going for me. If you're a St. Louis fan, are you not looking at this team now and thinking to yourself, when is our time? Like we have been kind of drug along for a while.

Like St. Louis is on the cusp. They're going to do something. And I feel like, okay, so there's names out there. Thomas, Binnington. Like, there's got to be some major moves in St. Louis in some capacity to shake things up so that you give that fan base hope. I think there's a bidding war that's going to happen for a guy in Binnington

because, listen, he was not our problem in the Olympics. In fact, he showed himself well in stressful. situation. So now he has under his belt, four nations, pretty damn good. Olympics, pretty damn good, should lead any prospective organization to believe that you put a guy in a pressure situation like Minton, he'll perform. What has not

happened in Edmonton? They don't have a goal. They just don't have it. Edmonton, for what you saw last night, fall apart with a butt 46 against Anaheim, just pecking away and beating them, and it's like a, it's like a, just a collapse. There's a mentality

that has to be reshaped in Edmonton, that I think Bennington can bring. I think that, you know, he's not a world beater, but he is better than most. Do you remember back when we played, there was like, you go into a game, you think to yourself,

there's so many names, I think Curtis Joseph and Hosek, like your first thought beating a team was, you have to beat the goalie. There's not many teams you go up against anymore. You say the guy we got to beat is in that. So I feel like serviceable for me, Bennington across the board,

I believe teams should take a hard look because that kid's a kid. That guy's a competitor. He's a kid to me. I'm 53. He's a competitor, and I think he might bring an attitude that can be infectious in the locker room. Even if sometimes it's a little bit distracting trying to keep his emotions in check. Yeah, I think it'd be great.

It'd be great. I think it's a fit, too. I cannot see your front office there being like every... I have a better chance of leading the Toronto Ballet as the headliner than Binnington coming to Carolina. Yes, they're spending money here in Carolina, and I will tell you that I go to all the games and they're sold out, so the money's there. I think that there's a lack of patience now

and why the willingness to spend the money. Dundon doesn't like to lose, and I think it's wearing on him. Like we just had a 20-year celebration in the Stanley Cup, and he was not part of it, and he had to watch us traips ourselves on that ice. It's a reminder to a competitive guy in the business world. He still doesn't have his cup here.

Ordo, I can't think of a better scenario if you can flip Anderson and Bennington in a deal, right? And then have Bucke under under Bennington for another year. And then that's... Okay, so I'll give me this.

What I do know about Carolina, because they follow that mentality of accumulating draft picks and knowing that the more draft picks you have, the more likely you already hit on something. There are players that are in Chicago that are talented and teams want. So I can see

what you're talking about more than one for one deal where you can look at it and say sweeten the pot because not only do they have prospects that are sitting in Chicago and some of them playing in minor leagues like well sorry college in tier two but you also have a wealth of picks so if I'm if I am a St. Louis I think there is a deal to be made in that capacity because Carolina does have a wealth of assets available to them yeah fair enough awesome stuff or no don't be a strange around our show, man. The TV thing's a little foreign.

I'm hoping I'm not getting eviscerated for the stash. I'm sorry to you. I straight up like the mustache. I'm not much of a, it works for you. Looking good. It's getting gray. It's getting gray boys. Aren't we all? Relatable.

Aren't we all? That's what a hat's on. I still have, I still have hair, but I'm like, we're getting tight in the side. Hair is a big deal at our age. Oh, yeah. Awesome stuff. That is Aaron Ward.

Three-time Stanley Cup champion, man. But I love chatting with them. I mean, Carolina's a fascinating team. Like, they feel like a piece away or two pieces away. I just look at that center race right now. And it's not getting it done right now. What is it down the middle? Down the middle.

Robert Thomas and Bennington trade. combination. Carolina down the middle is Sebastian Ojo, Logan Stankov and Jordan Stahl and Jordan Stahl, but Jordan's at the end of his career too and, you know, he's going to give you some solid minutes and he can still maybe shut someone down. But just Stan Kovina at number two isn't ready to beat Tampa Bay. Mark Chosky's a good fourth line center. So the second line center.

I mean, go get yourself second line center and a goalie. two for one got that on the blues somewhere i don't know i'm excited for this week i love trades man yeah do you think we're going to get them i would hope we've only been talking about it all year like cadry's got to go you know like you're hearing more and more guys that like this is going to happen for blues i'm very interested to see if they actually do anything it feels to me like they're like show us what you got but it's got to be good not many teams are really willing to do what Vancouver did to get Quinn Hughes, sorry, Minnesota did.

I think the trade world is getting stronger every year at the draft in the offseason. I've listened to you, insiders, say that for 15 years and it's never been true. And then Brad Marchand gets traded out of nowhere at the deadline.

And then nothing happens in the draft. Who gets traded at the draft? All year long. All the insiders. It seems like more of a thing that'll happen in the draft. But I'm not an insider. Nothing happens at the draft. Oh, I'm not an insider. Mr. Trainboard 4.0.

I'm not telling you what I know. I'm just telling what I hear. Strong opinions. Strong opinions. I heard some things. 12 games tonight. Yeah, let's go. A lot of hockey.

Where do you guys have Ottawa? Because all the analytics says that they can do this. If they get the goal tent. If they get a big if. That is a massive question for them tonight. Yeah. And actually. In Ottawa.

interesting response. I mean, we're getting a preview. The chuck thing. Oh, is their first, yeah, okay,

with the crazy back. Jake Sanderson, too. Jake Sanderson had some funny, I shouldn't say funny, but had some quotes today about the aftermath. He apologized,

I believe, for the reaction to the women. Yeah. That whole joke. And he said, he was the first guy that really tried to be like, I know nothing about politics.

He's like, I, not my world. I live under a rock, not my thing. You know, it's just like, ah,

he just can't really. Then don't get involved. stay home brother at the sack you got about 20 guys in that room going like I don't know how to react I don't know yeah well everyone's trying there's a nervous energy

the room is you know Brady Kachuk goes back in there the Canadian boys oh yeah the rooms you're like you idiot we hate like it's like it's the room is the least of his worst yeah knucklehead he's the captain like they're not they're not all exactly you know

political pundits in there they're going to chirp him a bit Where do you guys have Columbus right now? Like Destin for the playoffs? Can't lose with bones behind the bench. They've been red hot. Yeah, they've been sneaky since they made the coaching flip. I saw that tonight, so the Columbus Boston tonight.

Massive playoff implications that game. Like the percentage odds of Boston making the playoffs for a win versus the loss. It's a double-digit percentage swing. That all, that gets started 7 p.m. on Sportsnet, Ontario. Sports net West, New Jersey. And the Indians, awesome. Wings, Ottawa's awesome. New Jersey and Pittsburgh on SportsNet West. Sportsnet Pacific has Montreal, Minnesota, sorry, and Colorado.

Dude, unbelievable night. Leaves, Panthers, lightning canes. Sportsnet won Calgary Flames in San Jose. So we are loaded up, Sammy. Don't be falling asleep tonight at like 11, Sammy. Well, I got to do Leafs Talk, so I'll be doing Least Talk. I'll check out the second period of some game and then go to bed. Once again, a reminder, this hour of Real Kippron Bourne brought to by Bet

365. Enjoy your game tonight and we're back on Off the Rails Friday. Do you find our little buddy Dougie McLean? I'll text Dougie right after the show is done brother. Thanks for watching. Thanks for listening.