Real Kyper & Bourne - Rising Habs + Which Teams Are Legit?

Episode Date: January 8, 2025

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne are joined by TVA Sports' Ren Lavoie (5:06) to chat about the Montreal Canadiens' recent success through the new calendar year, Lane Hutson's two-way prowess, Patrik Laine elevating his teammates, Jakub Dobeš's ceiling in net, the Habs' trade deadline plans, and when he sees Ivan Demidov slotting onto the roster. Then, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee pick out the best teams across the league and debate who would slot into a hockey version of the 'Champions 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.

Alright, let's kick it up and on. Nick Kiprio's Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee, it's the national hour of the Real Kipper and Bourne show. We are live on Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver and Sportsnet 960 in Calgary. This hour, Real Kipper and Bourne brought to you by Bet 365. In a few minutes, welcome. Renaud Lavoie. Hockey reporters done a terrific job over the years. TVA NHL network, you name it. He's got a pulse on everything. And I think it's his

first time on our show this year. So I think he made it come earlier. I think it was during the final maybe during the final summer. Well, summer when it was during the final maybe during the final summer Well summer when it was warm and we were golfing before really really looking forward Tim come on on air and talking little Montreal Canadians because Hey, this is the way it works usually On shows when you're in when and you're in exactly when we talk about you. Yeah lose lose often

You lose yearly later Let us know when you're back. Yeah, that's truly how it is It's like yeah, just go wander the wilderness for a couple years and let us know when you're relevant They've been good eight eight out of ten if I'm not mistaken I think you got it wrong then we talk like talk, we'll pick up the scab of a bad team. No but they're picking the scab of a good team playing bad. Vancouver we've been picking at a scab. We love when a good team plays bad.

Yeah we've been picking at a few scabs in Vancouver all year. Three weeks ago, we were leaving this organization for dead. Yeah. It was ugly. Really bad. We're leaving this organization like for dead. Yeah, okay. It was ugly really bad Like Marty say Louie doesn't know what he's talking about. These guys are too small They they're not that good No leadership Who's the?

Who's the nucleus? 20 year old rookie on the blue line is gonna be what? Any good? Dude's got 30 points already. But his seasons turn into like a historic one. His numbers are as good as any first year defenseman in the history of the game. Yeah, there's a world where he's like Quinn Hughes. There's a world where he's Eric Carlson.

Yeah, he's really good. Which means a couple of things. Eric Carlson. I mean that he's not great defensively and he's Eric Carlson. Yeah, he's really good. Which means a couple of things. I mean that he's not great defensively and he's where he's at. He's a type of guy that the 100 points win an Oris Trophy. That's great. He should be playing Wayne. But he's just super super talent and exciting that he's doing the damage he is at this age. But yeah, like I don't know I look at their lineup Kip, they added Lynae who... Banged up I think. Yeah, he's a little banged up right now. But Powerplay Specialist not been great at 5 on 5, but kind of since he's been there,

the team has come around a little bit. They made the trade to bring in Carrier from Nashville. That's helped a little bit. Dobish has been added. All of a sudden. It's going well They've beat the last five Stanley Cup champions in the past few weeks Are they just one of like six teams now fighting for one spot they are good good. Yeah, I've got an article It's coming up here pretty soon

Handicapping everyone's odds in the East But the point is that no one is out. Buffalo's the most out, but they're not out out. There's seven points out right now. But God, Canadians, Blue Jackets, Penguins, Islanders, Rangers, all these teams are two, three, four points out. Yeah, could be anyone. Yeah. I don't know.

I mean, not up for tanking. I never have been. I think there's a newer system out there that would make teams not... Yeah, don't incentivize teams. Exactly. I don't know what it is. But in the meantime, there's a big difference between drafting in the top three as we know it today, and then 10 or 12. I think it's, I don't know, you've really got to know your team. That's why it's kind of refreshing

for the Philadelphia Flyers who we covered last night against the Toronto Maple Leafs to be in the position that they are. And Daniel Breyer and Keith Jones, they're not getting fooled. And we're looking at a team that last night where we're not fooled either. They're not that good. They're not good.

But they, according to the standings, they are. I know. Well, buddy, I've been watching this Islanders team. We watched the Islanders play the Leafs three times in the last month. And did you come away from it at any point being like pretty good team that Islanders team? No. You did not? No.

They're four points out. No. They're right there knocking on the door. You mentioned quickly. Four game winning streak. You're good. They haven't committed to a lot of guys long term in Philly, but one of the guys they did commit long term to that Travis Connectney, going to be playing for Team Canada.

Really looking forward to rooting for him. He's noticeable pops All right. You heard me pump his tires up a little earlier here, you know la voile. Let's welcome me into the real kipper and born show How are you buddy? Thanks for having me. It's been a while it too long too long my friend You're too good to be away from our show too long So well, thanks for having me again it's always fun to be away from our show too long. Well thanks for having me again, it's always fun to be with you guys. So eight out of ten wins for the Montreal Canadiens, the Rangers going for a big dump,

they invited a lot of people back into the Eastern Conference, so are Montreal Canadian fans going today every time I think I'm out? They pull me back in! Every time I think I'm out, they pull me back in. Yeah, great line. And it's been a while though for the Montreal Kenyans fans to be at this period of, you know, the season in the mix or in the playoffs, however you want to call it or whenever you want to call it. However, I should say it doesn't mat like since 2019 that the not a quote unquote playo to be one. Uh yes, obviou the Stanley Cup final du

But let's let's not neces that Canadian division to were they were in a good totally different than right now. So people here are really happy, especially, you know, the players are really, really playing with tons of confidence right now. The fans are having a blast to beat, you know, the Stanley Cup champions, you know, you look at the the Panthers, the Lightning, the Golden Knights, and the Avalanche on the same trip it's quite amazing. Yeah that's a pretty rare feat I would think. So to what do you attribute this turnaround of their

success? You know there's a couple of things here. First of all, it's about what Martin said we did I believe if you go back earlier in April early April after a loss against the capitals We were in Washington and he just backskate that you know his group for 30 minutes and it was It wasn't easy and I know that Martin You know in his mind he said it was it was time to send a message. And he believed I think that this will be the start of something new a turn around. Obviously, there were that there were there was a couple of games versus the Golden Knights at home and the

Pittsburgh Penguins in December where the team didn't play the way it was supposed to. But that being said, to be honest with you, I think that since then, the team is playing better defensively. The other thing, obviously, you have Patrick Liny now playing with the Montreal Canadiens and that trade. Alexandre Car a for Justin Baron It doesn't look like much but you have a guy right now the blue line was a veteran a guy who? Knows the game a really good teammate and I believe that this trade change a lot of things for the Montreal Canadiens, too You're watching and listening to Renault LeVie from TVA Sports. We're talking Montreal Canadiens.

Lane Hudson with three points the other night. Very seldom do we see a 20-year-old come in like this. What have you seen, particularly his last maybe 10, 15 games compared to what you saw earlier in the season. How is this guy taking it to another level right now? Well, to be honest with you, it's quite simple. That kid is a sponge and he's learning really quickly. And I may go back to some games at the rookie camp, the Maple Leafs were in town. In the first game that he played defensively, there was some issues.

He was pinching at the wrong time. And he made some, I don't want to use the term bad decision, but it wasn't easy for him defensively. But they worked with him. They helped him. And he's a really quick learner. And one thing that I really enjoy watching him is, you know, you look at Quinn Hughes, he looks a little bit like him, obviously. Old lefties, kind of the same size. But the videos that they're showing

him are more about Kale McCarr. Not what Kale McCarr is of a defenseman because he's a bigger defenseman, he's a righty too. But it's more about when Kale McCarr is making some strong offensive decision with the puck and obviously in the offensive zone. When he when is he going? How many times per game is he going to to try to to get a good shot or score goal closer to the net and it doesn't happen that much. Maybe what, two or three times per game. It's not 10, 15 times per game.

So I think that Kale in a way where the Cains are showing a lot of videos of him, probably all of his shift to make sure that, you know, the young defenseman here that we have in Montreal adjust really, really well to what the team is asking because you don't want to take too much chances. And I believe Lane Hudson right now understands that, yes, he's a really good puck mover, but it's important that he score goals too. But how many times can you be close, close to the goal tender? It can be 10 times per game. It needs to be well balanced, I believe. How about another offensive talent there in patrick line a his return after an early season injury you know very exciting out of the gates of the uh... the power play success what what are the uh... returns on his uh...

i guess his attempt to come back after his injury you know what this is a great story uh... first of all what i'm hearing is he's a he's a shy person hearing is he's a shy person. Like he's a flashy person when you're looking at the way he dressed, right? But in the dressing room, around his teammates, he's not a rah-rah type of person. He likes to crack jokes here and there,

but he's a really good teammate. And he's coming to the ring with a big smile every day. He's trying to make to have an impact and you should see, you know, the love already, the love relationship between the Montreal Canians fans and him. It's unbelievable. When he arrived here, he, he was obviously injured for game one. They gave him a standing ovation, you know, a few minutes before that game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. And since he came back earlier in December, it's been a blast to see him play. He wants to win. He wants to help his team, this team, and he wants to make sure that the fans are going back home happy and I think

that you know he didn't play last weekend because of a flu bug he skated today so probably he's gonna be back at some point during the weekend but you know it's a really feel good story and if there was any question marks are the Montreal Canians are gonna trade him at one point, you know, at the debt before the deadline or maybe next summer you can put all those rumors, you know, where back where they belong because it's not gonna happen. As far as the goaltending is concerned, Renaud, Caden Primo goes on waivers and it's kind of looking a little bleak in net and then along cams Jacob Dobich

2-0 small sample size, but Where's where's the ceiling on on this guy? He's a gamer you will love him Uh, and you know what? First of all, he's an athlete six five two ten And and he's built like he's a big man. And so it's funny because when he arrived with the Montreal Canadiens organization, like you saw all these tools, but he was not a pro. And when you were looking at rookie camps and stuff like that, you were like, oh, is he going to be an HL or one day? But he worked with him.

They teach him how to be a pro and he's a fast learner. I remember last year, you know, before Christmas, probably I should say somewhere in December, he became a pro in the HL and going to Laval to see him play and the rest of, you know, the Rocket. He was really impressive. He was winning games actually by himself but as you know there's a big difference between being a good goalie in the HL and a good goalie in the NHL but he is passive aggressive. He knows how to help his team. He's a big body and he's quicker than people. I think the opponents expect.

So he really helped this team to beat the Panthers and the Avalon's the other night in Colorado. It was an impressive game for him again. So it's a feel good story. It's another really good story. And is Seelang, you know what, can he battle for first spot sometime in the NHL with the Montreal Canians probably my answer to that question is yes and he's he's a good guy likes to smile but I think he's a he's learning how to be a

pro and we're gonna talk about him a lot I believe not only in Montreal but around the NHL. So there's so many individuals to get to on this team but I do want to ask sort of a bigger picture about them because they are one point out of a playoff spot with a game in hand. What do you think they're gonna do with the deadline? Like could they play well enough to where the Canadians are buyers? Well you know what today you you know, Montreal Kenyans GM had a brosard. Um, and it obviou are you going to be a buy

seller? And he said the p you need. Yes, people are sabers were in the playoffs and now they're last in the conference, at least in the division. So I mean, you're looking at it and you're like, hmm, it changed quickly. The Red Wings, they did a coaching change and suddenly they're a good team So I think they're careful to be honest with you, but let's put it this way There are two points or three points back at the deadline or they're in the playoffs at the deadline

Yes, they're buyers in my mind. There's no doubt. They're not gonna trade, you know Players that needs new contracts. They're gonna stick with what they have right now. And who cares if you're not trading David Savard for fourth round pick? I mean, is it gonna change something at the end of the day? I think you're gonna send the wrong message. And the message right now, as of right now,

is let's go win games, guys, and let's show the world what we're capable of Dema Demadov Every time I look through my phone I see a pretty good highlight out of the KHL is he the most anticipated asset not on the present team right now and The cell phone didn't fall out of his pants did it? Wasn't him I Love that guy's excuses like you know how it is. It's like when you have a cigarette behind you just forget about it

It's like no stop digging You know Michelle Bergeron told me once that it one of his goalie. I don't remember his name was having a cigarette pack inside his past In the 80s? No, I believe it. Crazy, crazy, crazy. But yeah, Ivan Danidov obviously is the asset that everyone wants to see here in Montreal. The Kings management, Kent Hughes, Vinny LeCavali, a couple of other guys were in Russia in St. Petersburg last month to talk to him, to meet him and to meet the skull management. And since then, his ice time is going way up.

He's scoring every game. And I think he's learning to be a pro at the same time so we can't wait to see him in montra here in montreal um there was a possibility quote unquote that he was coming probably at the end of the khl season the problem is season is is now finishing late in may so you you have to is the montreal canes needs to be in the third round or in the Stanley Cup final to see him. Probably it's not going to happen, right? So we'll have to wait for next season. But yes, I believe we're going to see a player that's going to change the game in a way for the Montreal Canadiens.

Renaud, you are as well connected as anyone out there around the National Hockey League. I'd have to be a complete idiot to not get your thoughts on what you're hearing or what you're seeing around the National Hockey League and your opinion of what's going on in Vancouver. Is there a superstar that has to go in your opinion? Yeah, I think so.

I think so. And it's a really sad story in a way. Because when internally you have issues like this, it's gonna really hurt, you know, your dressing room. You know it, you play the game. You've seen stuff like that before. But this bad, I don't know, between two star players. It's kind of bizarre in a way.

JT Miller on Monday here in Montreal was unbelievable. Yeah, he was. That guy's a gamer and he played a great game and probably was the star of that game. They didn't give him to him because the Canyons won that game, but he played really, really, really well. Yeah, I believe, you know, if you're a team right now and you want, you want to make a push, I think, I think you need to go with JT Miller. You need to call like the Rangers did a few weeks ago.

And that's going to be interesting because it's been reported and confirmed that because advantage that's name was involved. And I believe that Mika probably can be traded before the deadline by the Rangers. This is an asset that's easy to move because he's a sentiment. So we'll see what snacks. But I don't believe that it's the last time that we're hearing because of Vana Jadz's name in some trade rumors here. Well that is fascinating stuff and I did just have one more Canadians player question because

in the Leafs Hour we had a conversation about what Matthew Nyes' contract might look like in the conversation we had was is Slavkovsky kind of, you know, where is he compared to Slavkovsky and we're kind of trying to make sense of where Slav is and his development Yeah, where is he? I know his goal output is not where last seasons would have led us to believe he would be That exactly we're all expected expecting for 20 goals season and you're gonna say 20 goals. That's not much But anyway or a young kid 20 years old you know he had some injuries so I think the expectation was around 50 points 20 goals he's the first powerplay guy and for any reason it's not working this year only four goals so far. So, you know, I think Nise and him are different. One is taller Slavkowski than Nise,

but Nise probably he's got right now a little more tools in his toolbox or he's using his toolbox better than, you know, Slavkowski. So we'll see, But there's you know the cap issues in Toronto are different than in Montreal right? It's a different animal. So I think the Maple Leafs needs to be really responsible here and sometimes if you want to win some players needs to understand that they need to pay a discount or they need to take a discount to keep playing with

this team. And it's all right. Look at Alexey Lafferiniere. He took a discount and he played on a two-year contract with the Rangers. Was not making eight per. But now starting next year, he's going gonna be paid the way he's supposed to. Is it a similar situation? Probably, I'll put it this way.

I wanna ask you about pending UFAs, and it's quite the list when you look down and you see Rantanen and Marner and Marchand, Brock Besser, Sam Bennett, Renal, and it's like so quiet and you know you just mentioned the salary cap moments ago, are teams trying to figure out where the cap's going to be or to me it's irregardless where the caps is, these guys are in some markets like Colorado, maybe even Toronto or Florida with Bennett, Brock Besser still their top goal scorer. Like, who are they going to find to replace them if they don't sign them?

That's crazy. Yeah. Why? Why is it so quiet? It's too early. And I know it's crazy because I'm with you. I think you mentioned it on the Sportsnet story about rent and end last month, if I'm not mistaken. And obviously he's a really good hockey player and they don't, the Adonis don't want to pay him. They don't want to pay him 12, 13 or 14 million next season. So they're probably going to lose him, but he don't want to lose him for free. They want an asset in return. Is there a match with the New York Rangers? You know, we were talking about Mika earlier. I don't know. Why is it

that quiet? It's probably because you know what? Everyone is looking at Vancouver and probably what's going to happen with JT Miller. And I believe that JT probably, I don't want to say that the other players are not good assets, but a guy like Sam Bennett, I don't believe Sam Bennett is going to be moved even if he doesn't have a contract by the deadline. You know what I mean? But there is some teams like the Colorado Adelans who are like no, if we can't have an extension with you We're gonna move you even if we're probably a Stanley Cup You know team so yeah, but they need ASIP in return too

So we'll see we'll see how it's gonna turn out, but it's it's going to be I believe Closer to the four nations face-off. I believe we're gonna see more action in like three weeks. Is there any chance we can have a live camera feed on Nathan McKinnon's face when the Colorado avalanche tell him we're moving Rantanen? Buddy Marner for Rantanen, here it is. But if you get Mika in return, if you get a good player in return, a Sandman in return, there's a lot of ways you can do it. If you're getting an asset that's under

contract for a few years, I think you're good. Yeah, can't let assets walk out the door though for nothing. That's a dangerous game. Great stuff man today we've missed you let's make it more often with you we love having you on the show. Guys thanks for having me enjoyed the rest of the week and it's going to be an interesting end of the season I have I'm pretty sure it's gonna be a blast. Should be fun thanks thanks, Rand, appreciate it. Take care. Renny Lavoie, one of the good ones out there.

Okay, did you just really throw out on our national show, you don't even put it in our Leaf Edition hour of the show. Who says no? Brantanen Vermarner. I can't imagine. That is the most electric trait. That is electric. Like, oh my God, like that is, we talk about Leaf is like oh my god like that is

We talk about leafs net they would be we'd be beating that down there Yeah, too bad the national hour becomes a leaf sour that happens, but yeah, I think I think Colorado probably I don't know maybe they don't don't Love's Marner, so maybe they don't maybe they do say I don't understand is why Colorado is doing what they're doing with Rantanen. Like they've, Natsushkin's had his struggles and been in and out, in and out. Landisgog is still, we don't hear anything. He was at practice a little while ago, but like, he was eating around.

It's a long shot at best. Right. So it's like, it's not happening. It's a long shot at best. Right. So it's like... It's not happening. It's not happening. So you think they would look at Rantanen and be like, don't go! You know, we can't lose everyone. But the fact that they're like, ah, we'd like to save $319, you know, or whatever the number

is. We talked about this before. There's nothing not to like about Rantanen. He's a Stanley Cup champion. He's big, strong. Handsome. I don't even know. Skilled.

He's very handsome. He actually is handsome. Not as handsome as young Kipper, but pretty handsome. So there's everything there except that you don't want to pay him. But just pay him. He's unbelievable. What his market value is. It's 50 a year.

He has 58 points in 41 games this year 21 goal 24 goals 34 assists Like he's had 50 in two straight. Oh, sorry, but he has 104 points a hundred and eight nine five points I need two points like just pay them Hey, oh you got you pay and so you have to approach Nathan McKinnon be like, hey you know that guy that's really good and you guys win all the time Because he's on your team. We might have to pay him like $500,000 more than you per year like I know that's a big go. Are you sure you're okay with that? Is he really be like no get him off my team like there's an internal cap get it over with I Feel like I don't even want to say this out loud to him

But like I kind of feel the same way with Marner you're gonna lose this guy over five hundred thousand bucks. Yes. Yeah, let him go. No But it's a different relationship with Marner in the city and it's complicated, but like I feel similar ways have a space isn't as Yeah, but so is having amazing hockey players Having amazing hockey players rocks I love everything about Nate McKinnon, but this guy cannot get it right when it comes to signing these long-term deals. I know, I know. This poor guy, the timing's brutal. We love Dry Cytl.

I'm taking Nate McKinnon tomorrow over him. Yes. I mean, there's maybe two guys in the league I take over McKinnon. One guy's making 14 next year and the other guy's making 12 and a half. And McKinnon won a heart trophy making six, didn't he? And there's six and a half or whatever. How many guys in the league do you take over McKinnon?

So now, now, the problem is, is to Sammy's point, with this internal salary cap of 12.6 for Nate, it's killing Rantanen's negotiation. Why? I keep coming back to the same point. Would McKinnon care? Well first of all, would he care? Connor didn't care. Of course not because he wants to have the guy on his team. Connor's about to get to get paid again. Yeah, that's true. He's about to get a hundred million pretty. I know it helps a lot. Yeah, he's like, my turn next.

Hey, go ahead pal. I'm asking you Kip, or I'm asking like, do you think he would care? Like do you think McKinnon is like, I can't have him make more than- Over losing him, I cannot believe Nate cares. No. So, but they care. Colorado cares. That's just stupid. Colorado, like everyone else else if they want to compete is gonna have to spend to the cap It's stupid can't disagree. It's like you're gonna pay Mackenzie Blackwood

25 million dollars like before you assign ranting Anyways game time game time. All right, it's game time Presented by bet 365 visit the app latest odds and find out why it's never ordinary at bet 365 as a 19 plus I'm Tara only please play Responsibly now a little bit of action on the ice tonight as I pull up my bet 365 here Looking at only three games on the ice The Vancouver Canucks are in Washington. We'll talk a little bit about the Canucks after the break They're in Washington take on the Capitals. Caps heavy favorites like they just waiting for the other shoe to

drop with them and it just hasn't been. I tell you you know I look at that lineup it's good. They're good. The only reason you know I'm maybe not a hundred percent sold like Rasmus Sandin Carlson is your top pair. You're gonna make some mistakes in playoffs. Chickert on your second pair gonna make some mistakes there like there's in playoffs, I don't know that I consider them a cup threat, but Solid lineup. They got a really good Canadian goalie. That is obviously representing Canada at the word for an old Oh, sorry. I forgot he's not So they have a Tom Wilson who's got seven goals in his last four games

So they have a Tom Wilson who's got seven goals in his last four games The Washington Capitals are minus 180 favorites in that game Vancouver plus 150 on the money line the Panthers on sports net one tonight in Utah to take on the hockey club The Panthers are minus 155 Utah's plus 130 on the money line in the other game tonight is the Colorado Avalanche Visiting the lowly Chicago Blackhawks the Blackhawks are plus 200 on the Moneyline. Colorado Avalanche are minus 245. Hey, the hockey club ever gonna get a name? I don't know.

How long are we gonna wait for this? I feel like we would've had at least a teaser, like a conversation about it. Is it coming this year, you think? According to sources, it's gonna be the Yetis. Yeah, and I think it's probably will come in the off season. I'm joking. I have no sources. I'm just saying that. Well, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's almost certainly right.

That's the odds-on favorite. It's just bizarre to me that like the entire PWHL got like branding and names and whatever, and they're like, we're still waffling here. Yeah, like just pick... you have Yeah, you I'm sure they've decided Just do it. Let's just go ahead. Let us know what it's gonna be. Although I do I know you know I do love hockey club Anyways, uh, that was game time presented by bet 365 visit the app latest odds and find out why it's never ordinary at bet 365 must be 19 plus on terror only please play responsibly

Okay, we know we have a lot of fans of the real kippenborn show all over the world and Wherever you are whether you're directly or indirectly Involved with what's going on in Southern, California with the deadly wildfires We know that tonight's game between Calgary and in LA has been postponed But we're thinking of you guys we hope you know as many of you out there are safe whether it's family or friends we're thinking of you 10,000 acres guys affected here it's crazy like I just can't get over the fact that it's January I watched last night and it's

like I can't believe my eyes. Yeah. No, I know. It's still that warm and dry and so scary. But it's the winds. The winds. So hopefully, hopefully they're getting control of it out there. But we're thinking of everyone out there. All right, we'll take a quick break. And when we return, we'll pick up on our conversation earlier in our show about how many teams out there legitimately have a chance. Who's in, who's out? We'll discuss when we return to Real Kipper and Born. Hey, it's Ben Ennis.

And I'm Brent Gunning. We got you covered on all things Leafs, Raptors and Blue Jays every weekday morning, 6 to 9. It's the fan morning show, Sportsnet 590 the Fan and wherever you get your podcasts. ["Same Time, Same Time, Same Time"] Welcome back into the real Kipper and Boran show. Nick Kipper, it's Justin Boran, Sammy McKee.

Boston Bruins, kind of embarrassed last night as we get into a conversation about who's legit and who's not in the National Hockey League. Can I give my boy Trevor Powell some shout out here? The guy that tweeted this into us. Because can we get a mid season Champions League update who's in your guys Champions League? I have 13 teams in my top 12 in the standings and then Tampa, everybody else has made her

really stinks. This has been a thing that we've done done if you're a new listener to real Kipper and born this is something that we did maybe in our first season or Seconds like it was early about the Champions League and who's actually has a chance to win and of course in soccer There's the Champions League where all the top teams from all the leagues play against each other anyways, so that's the concept So basically is who's actually good it's like there's so many teams in the league that like could you just pull out the best dozen and make a league 12 is a lot but um yeah like an original like an original six yeah if you put together six teams the sixth best who would it be? Vegas, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Colorado, Carolina, Florida. No Leafs, eh?

Leafs? Listen, out of all the top teams, the Leafs would lead by, depending on their goalies the most. Yeah. From what I've goalies the most. Yeah. From what I've seen in 41 games. Yeah. The rest of them.

Not the Jets? Oh, Jets are in that conversation. Hella bucks like a heart kid. He's literally like their MVP, yeah. Don't look at me like that. Yeah, is he gonna get tired though? Probably. He'll be leading seven a game in the first round.

At least with the Leafs, it's more of a two-goalie tandem. I only... Is is it I mean Stollers has been seen in a model is was on fire for the first 30 games until he disappeared so yeah okay I'll give you that okay all right I mean I think it's a bigger list than that so Vegas and Winnipeg is Washington in yes yeah yes I got wash is a top team right now. I'm not putting Minnesota Okay, no Dallas hasn't done enough have they Dallas is actually yeah, no, they're struggling. So Dallas

Oh, no Dallas is made a little bit of a comeback. Yeah One five in a row. Yeah. Yeah, my bad Roger has made me nervous for about a year and a half now Roger has made me nervous for about a year and a half now. Yeah, he's not been quite a year. A year. Edmonton definitely in. If you're doing a bigger number, Leafs are in. Is New Jersey in?

Yeah. They're a Champions League team for you? Yep. Here's a real... How many have we got? Seven? I don't know. Eight.

I'm writing them down right now. Is LA the Los Angeles Kings in the Champions League no because they have to play the Oilers the first of the Champions League playoffs I Underestimated them they're better and there is a sense that drew doubt. He's gonna come back At some point Yeah, right not in time for the four nations face off though. I don't know if he's skating yet, but he's He's gonna come back

Colorado yes there they found it right Carolina and you assume Toronto when they're healthy yeah, how about this the Canucks? No, this is a great one are the Canucks in the Champions League? At full health, yes. I think that's the end. And when everybody doesn't, when it's not like, When it's not with the number one soap opera in the league, maybe, but like when they're playing well, yes.

They have the talent to be in the league. I have, they're out now for me. Are they out? Yeah, they are. It's just too big of a cloud, black cloud over their heads right now that it needs to It needs to be addressed before we can figure out What it's gonna look like. Yeah, okay, so I've ruins are out. I've cobbled together in my list here. Okay, Vegas

Winnipeg Washington Leafs Oilers, New Jersey, Florida, Colorado, Dallas and Leafs, Oilers, New Jersey, Florida, Colorado, Dallas, and Tampa. And how many teams is that? That is one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Senators? No. So there you go. Ten team league.

I'm a wild fan. I rate this conversation. When we go back and listen to this, the champion will come from those ten teams. No question. All right. Let me just confirm my will give me a Favorite out of those like give me Three three favorites out of your list of top tier is Florida still there. They take two big a step back No, they're in mine. They're in your nuts

They're 12th and I'm not gonna sleep on Florida and I know that they've had some losses here in Carolina I guess and Colorado and Montreal. But they've played a ton of hockey and it's caught up to them a little bit. But I think come April they'll find a way to compete. The Oilers have won four in a row. And if you go back to, I think the dates November 23rd, pretty much every statistical category you can sort for, particularly offensively, they're first in the league. They are back, back, back.

They look extremely legit and probably, I can't call them the best team in the league was Stu Skinner but probably right there with Vegas for me. Vegas Edmonton. If you're doing the final four of the Champions League I think it's Vegas, Florida, Colorado Oilers. If you're taking out conferences I think those would be my four best and I think the champion may be coming from those four. So there you go.

All right. As a reminder of this hour, Real Kipper and Born brought to you by bet365. Can I just go one more on this conversation? Absolutely. Okay, just give me right now one team that's gonna win the Stanley Cup. Vegas.

Stupid Rangers are so far down, oh my God. Okay. Is it unanimous? No, I'm not doing that. Are you Vegas too? I'm Vegas. Yeah, Vegas for down. Oh my god. Okay. Um, is it unanimous? No, I'm not I'm not doing that. I'm not are you Vegas? I'm vegas. Yeah, Vegas. I'm vegas oilers, baby Oilers for me Because they're gonna add two right like they're not oh, no. No, no just as is right now Yeah, oilers you think oilers can beat vegas

I just think prime mcdavid and heart trophy dry sidle are just like you're gonna carry I just think they can carry and I think depth and balance is advantage to Vegas specialty teams Be an amazing series again, did you watch any did you see any of the Vegas in San Jose where my mark stone just pants celebrini where he just like stripped the pocket clinic Oh my god, pants celebrini where he just like stripped the pocket off a clinic Oh my god, like celebrating first of all mark stone strip

Somebody shot it down missed the empty net and then he comes out and tried Celebrity tries to dangle him with like one hand like picked it off of him Shoots in the net like pick pocket. It's just not that he stole the puck off of him like he tumbles. Yeah Yeah, you know, yeah, it was really good passes it off to hurdle and game over not yet son and not your league yet Mark Stone love them love them. Just there's nothing pretty about him gamer, but he is just 100% a hockey game some of these guys on the Canadian Four Nations team like Mark Stone Braden point is one connect knees one like these's one. Like these guys, Hagel, who are just like, Sorelli, they're dogs, man.

Canadian teams are dogs. Sam Bennett one is starting to look a little scarier. Okay, can I explain something to you? Nobody really cares about Sam Bennett's numbers in 15 games in the middle of the season. That guy is about being a disruptor in the middle of the season that guy is about Disruptor I know in the playoffs a disruptor in a four nations tournament The guy's gonna play a bottom six type of role that can easily go up on a first line to rattle some Gages that Sam Bennett, buddy. Did he?

Recently pulled off the punch hit member playoffs? He gave the punch hit remember that the hidden butt end Yeah, it's like a whoopsie punch when he goes suspended of course no cuz it was all an accident No, of course didn't mean to do that one making whoopsie. Yeah, he's the king of the whoopsie We got a couple texts on the Champions League This is from JD Please do not sleep on Tampa Bay fellas No, they played four less games in the Leafs and are plus 33 goal differential great to hear from run the water day

Cheers JD. You know, what is an underrated Tampa Bay story Ryan McDonough? Ryan McDonough went back to them from Nashville who suddenly sucks and Tampa's suddenly good again. This guy was a huge part of their cup winning teams and he's just Mr. Reliable. He's their Chris Tanev, if you will. The first thing people see is if a team's got three or four games in hand, they go, oh, that's eight points. And then they add the eight points and then they go there ahead. Yeah, I am the believer of

Four games in hand for Tampa is for wear and tear games there are four games that somebody's gonna get hurt pull something and it's like You know, I'd rather have the game of points I'd rather have the games and the points in the bank now instead of hoping down the stretch Um, I gotta go and get them. Well, and also they're winning at a 579 winning percent or points percentage. So with four games in hand, that's four to five points, you know It's not eight points. So and their next four and I mean the least play too So it's not like they're gonna gain on them, but their next four are Bruins Devils penguins Bruins again Bruins lose to everyone. Yeah Bruins. I did I didn't make a point last night that

between Boston and Florida and Tampa Bay they are they they are weaker teams than they were just a Short while ago here. Yeah, I think when drops out, like you finish first in your conference, you're likely to play someone who's happy to be in playoff. And they've all kind of... A team with no pressure versus the team at the top of the standings of Toronto Maple Leagues with all the pressure in the world. How will that end?

But, you know, not that the Leafs have... Don't look at history. And their assets have been limited and dried out over the years of trying to win Stanley Cups and compete competing and the Leafs have won two rounds in a hundred years. One round since I was in high school. One since high school. Yeah. Is that good?

No. All right. Yeah, that's right. One since high school. So it feels like it. They've spent a lot of assets over the years, so they don't have a ton still to go here. But someone in that East is going to pay another hefty price for players.

Yeah. I will say, like, the Tampa offseason, where I was quite hard on them for the Stamcoast thing, how cutthroat it was. And they let them go, and then they signed Jake Ansell. It's like, might have been the right guy. It was like, old Breeze Wallsco thing how cutthroat it was and you know they let them go and then they signed Jake Gensel it's like might have been the right like cutthroat like big-time Bill Belichick energy where he just made the right decision and yeah like Gensel's got 21 goals and 37 games 40 points plus nine buzzing around every time I watch that game he's such a Tampa player

I just like how is this guy not played for Tampa his whole career looks in the he just looks the part I got him and Kyle Conner, you know, pretty similar guys. Gensel and Conner? Yeah. Conner is just such a unique, like speedy shooting score, you know, like pretty one dimensional. He's turning himself into a nine or $10 million player. Yeah. He's about to be quite expensive. What's he got another year in his deal? I think so. Yeah. He's honored. He's gonna be worth. Yeah. What do you think? What do we follow now? Cap wages? Is that that's where I go. That looks like old cap friendly. Close is that. Can we send Hellas in from Anaheim to the moon for that hit on Zari? Do you see his knee? I did, yeah. Oh my god, that looked awful. Are we seeing more of these now or what?

I guess just the World Juniors. Yeah. So if he doesn't watch the World Juniors, he doesn't make that hit? Is that what you're telling me? No, but it just feels fresh in our mind, so it feels like it's been more. Just to finish off the Kyle Conner thing, he makes 7.1 until 25 26 so next year. Yeah But yeah, sorry I I any word today Well, the word is that it's so swollen they can't even do the testing they need to look into it Which is not a good sign. They've ruled out a fracture, but everything that ends in CL has not been evaluated yet Which concerns me? Yeah has not been evaluated yet, which concerns me. Yeah.

Philip Hronik. I was just going to say that I really like his game. He's been really improving for them. God, it's on the mom's trip. Yeah. It's like his mom's in the building and I see him riding and grabbing him. Jesus. I snapped my knee.

It was just the worst feeling. And he took off both his gloves and the way he's grabbing at it. Completely ruptured Oh, and it I could feel the blood rushing around my knee really swelling up as I You know started crying. Yeah, so the crying no way. Well, you know a tough man cry. No, you're a brute You've never cried Yeah, ironic Miners well, yeah, he's doing a conditioning stamp, but then I saw it His agent who was a rather outspoken one

Alan Walsh on Twitter Talking about how he's just going down there to practice like they're not actually gonna Put him in a game for somebody give him the Connor's are a treatment there Yeah, he said how can anyone think Philip ronik is gonna play games in Abbotsford Why would a club or player even take that kind of risk the Canucks are on the road and Phil can practice the ahl Team as part of his rehab and recovery. So there you go. I appreciate the agents that are just just don King it up Defend your guy I will say though like that's really good news to see him

Even starting to think about hockey things because they desperately need some help on the back end and speaking of back end Josh Morris He leaves early last night. So it's a bit of a concern for not all the friends. Miller Miller guy hitting the throat larynx larynx larynx larynx. Call the doctor. We should call him in for a 10 second hit. How do you say this? Yeah, I don't know what happened. Stick or puck. Which Miller Winnipeg's Winnipeg's Miller. We should call him in for a 10 second hit. How do you say this? Yeah.

I don't know what happened. Stick or puck? Which Miller? Winnipeg's. Winnipeg's Miller. Colin Miller. Colin Miller. Oh yeah yeah yeah.

Didn't look good. Oh that's what you didn't say. Yeah yeah. Anyways. Alright anywhere else you want to go here? What else did I put in here? We could do, we could talk about Arizona. Oh yeah.

Getting the hockey team back. The Maricopa County, my former place of residence, has put together a board that Gary Bettman has met with about bringing the NHL back to the desert. Alex Murillo had given up the rights, I believe, or has five years where he'd have to pay back the billion dollars. He's out. It would be a totally different group a fresh start in the desert I think it's a great market yeah I do you did yeah great golf for the players beautiful spas their restaurants you know they love hockey I'll put another one here what one in bond it's our dollar I'm

still recovering from Detroit. The statements. Buddy, I'm worried about this dollar thing. Yeah. Not good. All right. Three games on tap tonight. Fine. Yours.

This one will be a good one tonight, eh? With Vancouver and the Caps. Yes. Very excited about it. Renaud Lavoie. Thank you very much for coming on the show. We're back tomorrow, everybody. Have a great night.