Real Kyper & Bourne - Will Canucks Bounce Back? + Kings Spoil Marner's Vegas Debut

Episode Date: October 9, 2025

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee look back on Wednesday's NHL action, including the Calgary Flames' comeback, shootout win over the Edmonton Oilers to start the season. Then, host of Canucks Central Satiar Shah joins the show (13:32) ahead of Vancouver's season opener against the Flames, and he discusses the the team's outlook this season, whether Elias Pettersson can turn things around, Quinn Hughes' future in Vancouver, and what to expect from Adam Foote in his coaching debut. Later, Nick, Justin and Sam react to the Vegas Golden Knights' opening-night loss to the LA Kings, break down Jack Eichel's extension, and discuss the impact of Alex Pietrangelo's absence. Finally, they go through the busy, 14-game Thursday slate and share what makes each matchup interesting.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.

Get ready for two hours of the Real Kipper and Boren show season five. Nick Kipriot, Justin Boren, Sammy McKee, Jake the Snake Shultz, Derek Brandale. We are live on SportsSat 360, Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver, where we'll tee up the Vancouver Canucks. Game one, Sat Shire. Sat Shaw. Sat Shaw. Host of Canucks Central will join us. All right.

We're all good there. Always streaming. Always on 590, the fan. We're good to go. We're actually just talking about the two TV conundrum. And if you do it and how these days it's so much easier because you don't have to have the second cable box. You just offer sports that plus.

By the way, this is not an ad. This is legitimately McKeeby and like, how do I get a second TV functioning? It's a must. Marquesia and I, you know, just cross over. We were just literally talking about it because you was showing me his set up. I'm like, that looks pretty good. And he's like, this is how I do it. And it was my inspiration.

So does he just have his main set with a second smaller? With a cable box. And then he has another TV that he casts his phone to. You can't. Like, the Js are going to the World Series. You just cannot. Your two screens. Can't go with one screen from here.

And is for the next. So are you an equal size screen side by side? Or you have a main screen and a. Well, I. You have a theater. No, no, no, no, no. I moved. I moved and downgraded.

Right? So I, the second. the setup was one screen and then two on each side. At my old house, I had five. I do love that. That's goals. You've downgraded to two? Two with a monitor.

Like, it's not a must now because I don't work on weekends. Right. Right. So. I'm rich. Sammy. Sammy will not make it between the baseball and the baseball and the leaf schedule for us in particular here in Toronto you're not going to make it without two screens well

last night last night it was a problem it was okay like I have a laptop and I put the on my coffee table I put the laptop on a couple books so it was propped up a little bit full sound on the loose game on the TV but like there's something to be said about sitting back in your couch and they're both rocking and rolling both is that's the good life like I you know I work kind of hard you think I should maybe have two TVs yeah I don't think it's unreasoned You can sell it to me. It's a lot harder to sell it to your wife. I know from experience.

Yeah, she's away this week. So maybe I'm dreaming a bit before I actually have the conversation. This hour, Real Kipprin Bourne brought to you by Bet365 in a few minutes that Shaw will join us and we'll get out everything you need to know about getting ready for the Vancouver Canucks who gets a play, I don't know, kind of tired Calgary Flames team that played pretty hard last night in Edmonton and the flames with a huge two points last night that

not a lot of people saw in game one especially coming off an emotional last few days over Connor McDavid's signing. You know last year of the flames I kind of thought overachieved their roster a little bit but they were hardworking

their forechecking team, they're well coached you know they just found a way and they started last year with a three goal comeback. They were down five to two to the Vancouver Canucks. They won six, five, an overtime, first game of the season. They said that built some of the culture and the momentum for their season. Down three goals, game one.

They do it again. This team, man, there's one of 82, but it's a scrappy bunch. I'm glad that you mentioned the hardworking because, you know, I think pound for pound, that forward core, it's pretty thin in terms of like, yeah, like it's not the most star-laden group of guys. Top ends thin, for sure. But, man, are they hardworking team? Like that Huska, who they think they just gave a two-year extension to in the preseason,

he's got them really working hard. And they're believing their D-Corps sneaky good. I like that ball. I like the Uyghur. Raspus Anderson's really good. But I just, I liked watching them play last night. They didn't give up on that game. Stu Skinnered coughed a couple up to them to help them keep them in it.

But it was a good game. Good shootout, too. Goleys were on fire. Dustin Wolf. Early. Early, I think it was the second goal where... he looked small right i mean he's not yeah yeah not a big goalie yes yeah not a big guy and there are times when it puck goes over your your shoulder your glove that so you

watch he stole ours where just dings them in the shoulder a goalie can look small now if you're not six four six six like some of them and then in the back half it just it's such a non-factor now that that quickness comes in and like he was badler man really good which kind of pin Skinner against Wolf and Skinner lost that battle. Wolf Eats. Yeah, he's really become something for them. And the Skinner thing, it's really something that game one of the year, it's like the headline, you know, this is not me making it up.

Our Edmonton reporter Mark Spector, it's something like Skinner falls flat and oiler season opener. Like that's our intro here. Actually, the headline is, which is on, our lineup, Skinner fails first chance to show Oilers that he can be trusted. Correct. So, I mean, that third one is awful. You know, it's tough, too. God, it was fun to tax my oil.

My Oilers fans, just be like, picked up right where you left off. It's a really fun thing to get to the tournament. That's not even goaltending. That's just hockey. You know, like, he's not, like, facing shots and gone through him. Like, that's just hockeying. Yeah. I can't think of a worse start.

for him personally. Just to take the blame for... The questions are already been there. They've been there for a little while now. Connor leaves money to improve the lineup. And now it's not even... It has nothing... It's just whatever's still there, right?

It's not like you're waiting for the new money to kick in on a goalie. We don't know. the impression that we have is Skinner still our guy. It's not like they're going to take Conner's money that he left on the table and go get a goalie right now. It may happen in a month. It may happen at the trade deadline, but we went into this season thinking

they're not shopping hard for a guy to replace Skinner as of today. Right. And now he has this horrible start to the season where he cost his team a point. and now all the questions are starting up. It's crazy. They went out and they got a different goalie coach. Aubrey, is it Peter Aubrey?

That name's Aubrey. And when they were introducing the lineups last night, the new goalie coach got like a big applause from the crowd. They were like, Fixed him, you know. Did he coach him to not swipe a puck away that was sitting in the slot? Yeah. You know, and Skinner knew the questions were coming. He said, you know, he wishes he got a Skinner clip, do we not?

We got two to Skinner Cliffs. Do you want the explanation on the first goal? Yeah. Okay. How about we, okay, so this is the, he got to ask clearly. The first question in the scrum was about the goal. And this was his response to the question about it. Clip one, please, Derek.

Yeah. Yeah, let's get it over with. I think I just had to make a quicker decision. The game happens fast down there. And it was just kind of a miscommunication. and I was slow to react to, I think it was Coleman behind Bush, and then, yeah, it's a goal. Obviously, in the midst of it, if that doesn't go in, we win the game, two points. But you know what, I think the way that we responded as a team was fantastic.

We were able to get into OT and be able to get out of there in OT as well, I think, is huge, especially the way that it happened, us getting on the PK in the first. you know, 40 seconds in the overtime. So overall, I thought the way that we battled tonight was fantastic. All right. Battled to get a point off those plucky flames at home in your home opener.

Back to that cup finals and at home. And then we've got another clip of him going up against Dustin Wolf. We do. We do. Do you want to play it? Yeah. Okay. Let's play it. Yeah, it was a great battle. Wolfie made some spectacular saves. He's so athletic. It really is really fun to watch. I thought he played a great game. I thought I was able to

battle and you know make some good stops too uh i think that was one of my better shootouts that i've had so um i feel like i've gotten better in that aspect um and yeah it's a battle of lberta you know going to the shootout going eight nine shooters it's uh it's a fun game i you know like i'm not going to kill the guy we know he is capable of long stretches of great goaltending first game of the year it's it's just everything that comes before that changes the thing that's exactly right those are fine clips in a vacuum. Yeah, totally.

Yeah. See, I don't know. Everybody loves him. Everybody loves him. He's beloved teammate. He's a beloved teammate. He's a good person.

You can tell. But I'm not, I wouldn't be overly happy if I'm a coach or manager of the Edmondson orders listening to those comments. And on the surface, it sounds like he's owning it

and standing up to it. but they're just, for me, they're just a little bit too, like, nonchalant, or chalant. What is it? Nonchalant's right. He could stand to be a little bit more chalant. Listen, I'm not asking him. Salantism. I'm not asking him to be Jack Campbell and being a puddle.

Well, I kind of felt Campbell. That name came to my mind where he was like, otherwise, it's two points and we lose. But his first comment, he kind of laughs on the goal and says, let's get it over with, as if he knows what he's going to say. He's going to say it and then he's going to move on. Isn't that the mentality you want for a goalie? But only if eventually it corrects itself and

it stops. But if it just keeps going on, it's like a defense mechanism. I've got my answer. It's canned. I'm going to get it out. And we're going to move on and everything's great. Yeah, let's get it over with. Let's get it over with. Excellent drop. Right? Excellent

That's all it is. I know what I'm going to say. I'm going to it. I'm going to say it that I own it and then you guys will have nothing to write about so let's just get it over with. That part I don't like. The other part I don't like is when a goalie outplays

you and you let a goal in like that to cost your team a point and at the end of the day it was really fun to watch where does fun come where do you get fun out of that game? You have a high level of desperation already for this guy like it's like this is too

Like, it shouldn't have been fun for you to watch. He's been the biggest story, though, of, like, their failures in the playoffs. He's been one of the biggest stories. And, I mean, they're failures. Losing in games and losing of games. Yeah, you know what I mean. It's not for, it's not, it shouldn't be really fun for you to watch. There's nothing, nothing, you're competing against this guy.

Tim Thomas being, like, it's my job to pump the Luongo's tires. Like, I don't, I'm not watching the other side. I'm worried about stopping the puck. And, like, am I? I mean, I'm going to watch Judd go up and say that it was really fun to watch Vladdy hit against us. Oh, Judge, yeah. Judge? Judge.

Judge. Judge. The judge. Aaron, Judge. Yeah. Yeah. The judge rises. He's on his way to Cancun right now.

Go and I sit there and say, that was really fun to watch. I had him last up there watching them. Yeah. And, I mean, Bowman started just spending all that cap space they got now, too. They just signed Rossivik. It's like me after a couple of cutwaters at the J-shop. There has to be something between a Jack Campbell reaction and Skinners where it's like, I just got to fix this.

I just got to fix this. Yeah, I'm curious to know how aggressive the Oilers will be. Because like if you're McDavid, like you left this money on the table and the one thing that's kind of been holding you back or whatever and you're sitting on the bench and that third one goes in, he's hanging your head and go, oh, okay. Like, are we going to do something about this? Like this, I love the guy, but at some point I'm curious to see if they actually do something. And he's right.

I mean, there's times when he looked really good there with the shootout and he made some decent saves, I guess. Every NHL goal, if you don't have stretches where you look good, you're not in the league. Like, he can look good for stretches. Okay. I'm just trying to throw him a bone, maybe. That was a nice attempt. You're a sweet guy, Kipp. That's what everyone always says about you.

you know and by the way he will make an excellent in between peers and analysts too yes all right i mean you could tell just from those comments he broke down a lot of things big personality right to skinner up we have a new guy okay sat shaw host of connect central on sports net well is joining us now hey sad how are you but thanks for doing this i'm doing great not as great as everybody in toronto we were celebrating hard here last night but uh I'm sure the vibes must be great in Toronto after that big Blue J series win. Yeah, we've calmed Sammy down enough here

to get him on the show for at least two hours here. I haven't even mentioned it. Yeah, it's actually true. We have really gone into it today. But just the look on your face when I first saw you. Oh, I'm thrilled, but continue. All right, so just give us your early thoughts of the start of the season.

And now that the Canucks are ready to go where they ultimately fall in place, especially in the Western Conference. I'll leave it open to you. Well, it's just nice to turn the page on last season, especially considering how much drama there was, right? And, you know, the drama was one thing. The hockey wasn't great either.

You know, there was a team that was struggling. They were good defensively for the most part, but offense was so hard to generate. I mean, the vibes just seemed off the whole time. And even after they made the J.T. Miller trade, there was this big existential discussion around, where is this team headed? What are they going to be?

And the vibes have been immaculate so far, to start training camp and sometimes that doesn't really mean anything but at the same time considering how bad the vibes were last year you would imagine because you're a lot better you would feel a bit better heading into the season it does really genuinely seem like though guys that the players in the team have buy-in at least currently and to a man they are committed to having a better season and being on the same page and i know that's a lot easier said than done this time of the year and nothing is more sobering in the national hockey league than losing NHL regular season games and that's where really kind of sets the mark.

But I feel like the team isn't a good headspace. And considering how this team has had maturity issues over the years, I put a lot of stock into that. And then the other part of it is it does seem like they have a clear idea of what they want to be. So I'm encouraged by the direction they're going, and they're not just going to try to be the same team they were last year and just trying to win games to one if they can. They do want to find different ways to generate offense.

And considering the personnel might be lacking somewhat up front, I like the idea heading into the season. So the idea for 2025, 2025, 26 seems good heading into the campaign. And I think for the most part, the vibes are positive. And that's a pretty big departure from where we were last year, especially as a season started. So last year you mentioned, you know, things were off. But the Canucks actually have really good goal tending.

And their team save percentage last year was, I think, a 0.885 or something. It was like 23rd in the NHL. It wasn't good. And they have a good decontents. core, if anything, if these goalies are just decent and they can be very good, you expect the Canucks to be able to earn a few more points. What is your outlook for them in terms of where you see them come March, you know, February, March, April? Are they a playoff team? They're going to be in the mix? What is the expectation? Got to set the stage again.

Meaningful. The way I see it is they should be competing for that third spot in the Pacific division. Now, I know people will put L.A. ahead of Vancouver, and that's completely fair based on the season they had last year, and you want to look at the roster, but if you go through how their defense is built, how the Canucks defense is built, look at the goal-tending tandem, and even the forward group, which I would give the L.A. Kings an Edge, I find those two teams to be in the same tier. You can say L.A. is at the top of that tier, and Vancouver's at the bottom of that tier. But if you're in the same tier, you have a chance to jump that team as a season goes on. And then we can talk about Anaheim, where you view them, Calgary,

and at worst, they're also in the same tier down or at worst, a tier below. So I think the Canucks should be in the mix to finish top three in the division if possible, but at the very least, they have a chance to be a playoff team. And you're so right about goaltending because last year, Lankton was tremendous, but it was also tremendous relative to what the expectation was

for a guy who was signed at the end of training camp on a league minimum contract who had to essentially survive in a really adverse situation. So he was good, especially early on, but on the totality, it may have not been as impressive as you think, but if you look at the context, he did very really well. The thing was with Thatcher Demko last season, he even spoke about this a couple of weeks ago

where he said he didn't feel like he had flexibility in his lower body. He didn't feel like he was himself last year. He didn't feel like he was trusting himself. And he talked a lot about how he feels so much more on point this year and how his body feels so much better, which really makes you wonder how he was trying to play games if he didn't feel confident in his lower body and just how he was able to recover game to game.

And it was pretty telling in his starts because he'd have a really good start and then you'd see it really fall off. Now, it's only preseason, but he looks locked in. And if you can ensure that Thatcher DEMCO doesn't play too many games and you can keep him at the peak level of his performance, this team should have a clear edge, not only on the goaltending, but also the defensive side of things.

The big question is going to be scoring goals, but if you look at the six defensemen they have to start the season, at least their top four to five D men, And it ranks pretty close to the best teams in the National Hockey League. Maybe they're not top five, but they're firmly top ten as far as how the DECOR is built. So if you're able to have a healthy goalie tandem with Thatcher Dempco playing at least close to his caliber, which is a Vesna level goalie. He was up for that award a couple years ago.

And Lankin can be an above average backup goalie who can play, say, 32 to 34 games or at least start those amount of games. I think it gives the Canucks a real strong foundation defensively to be in games. And we know as a season goes on, injuries can happen. But the thing that keeps teams in playoff races are strong defenses, buy in to how you want to play as a team, and getting saves. And it seems like at the very least, the Canucks may have that going for them this season. So you mentioned scoring,

which opens up the floodgates on their highest paid player in Pedersen and his ability to rebound back this season off of, I don't know what he would describe a bad or, humiliating season, I guess. I don't know at 40 plus points, but where is that watch and the feeling that Kinnuck fans

that he can come back and be that 100 point guy again? Ducks fans are very much split. I mean, there are a lot of fans who believe he will bounce back and a lot of fans that remain skeptical and are not convinced that he's going to turn things around. And I don't think what we saw in the preseason gave us an indication

one way or another about where he's going to be. There are some positives, the some negatives. At the same time, we don't read too much into what veterans look like in the preseason. It's more about how they trend when the regular season begins. But he seems to be in the right headspace, which I go back again to the vibes thing, which could also, you know, sometimes it's not quantifiable. So maybe it is, you know, pixie dust. And we're not sure what this ends up being as a season goes on. But everyone has a right mentality. And Pedersen himself, too. And the team has spoken very highly of how wired he's been this year, how focus he's been, how much more

relaxed he's been. And he's even, to Adam Foote's point, grown somewhat in the leadership aspect of things. So the markers that we were looking for as far as commitment goes, they've been there. Now it comes down to how he's going to play on the ice. And I'm generally pretty optimistic person by nature. And I've seen his game. I've seen his peak. We've all seen what he looks like. I still refuse to believe a player of his caliber just forgot how to play hockey at a high level. I know it's there in his game. I know it's in him to find it again. I'm optimistic he is, but we're at a point now because we're not just talking about one tough year. It's actually a year and a half, really. It goes back to the second half of the prior season,

the struggles in the postseason, and then obviously what happened last year, where we have to see him do it to convince us that he's there. And if he does turn things around and at least looks like a point per game centerman who's good defensively, it just changes everything for this organization. And I guess that's the bigger question I have. And maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. It's not so much do I think he can be a productive, good two-way player that can be around a point per game. Can he actually live up to the potential when he signed that contract in a few years ago where we were opining and people outside of the market were saying he's clearly a top 10 center in the national hockey league. That's the level that I'm looking to see if you can get back

to because that's what truly is going to allow this team to take that next step. It's not just Pedersen being good. It's him being one of the best centers in the national hockey league. Sat, we know earlier in the season and last season there's just the kerfuffle, Jim Rutherford brought up Quinn Hughes and playing with his brothers and all that. Do you think that now the season is going to start? He's got this year, he's got next year on a contract. Do you think that it's going to kind of go away or fade a bit so that he can be the captain and the team and focus on hockey for a while?

Or is this just going to simmer? I would love to say it's going to go away, but considering the market that is Vancouver and a Canadian market, I don't think those ever go away. I mean, if they play poorly, it'll be, oh, he's not going to sign. Why would he stay? If it goes really well, he's going to sign. He has to sign now that the team looks good. So I think no matter what, it will be a conversation.

And I know the media, obviously, we set the tone with the talking points that we have. But it's the biggest existential question we have about the Canucks is, can you keep one of the best players in the National Oculeague long term in your organization? And even if it's not a Canadian market, in any market, if you have one of the best players in the league whose future is uncertain, it's going to be a big. talking point. So I think no matter what, it'll be there in the background. But you're right. The more they win, the more success they have, at least the conversation becomes more positive. Well, if they're doing this well,

if he's succeeding, then there should be a good chance that he stays. And you can look at the extensions that have been signed this off season, Kyle Connor in Winnipeg. We saw Kriel Capri Sob in Minnesota. I know Eichl's a bit different because it's a premier destination. He's a premier player. They've won in the past. He extended

McDavid signed for a couple more years. So if the team has success, there is a path for him to stay. And I would also say that Adam Foote made the point recently and it didn't get as much pressed about it, even though we did talk about it on the show a little bit, but he believes that all this stuff is a bit overblown. And he mentioned I think he's going to be a Canuck long term.

And for all this talk about him wanting to play with his brothers, and he kind of stopped himself from getting into too much detail based in his conversations. But for Quinn, I think it matters, being the captain of one of the most, you know, most, most watched teams in National Hockey League. You know, you were talking about, you know, Canadian market. I think he does have appreciation for how he's grown into that role.

The Canucks drafted him seventh overall. And for all, you know, this talk about how great he's been, his second season, he struggled. There was a lot of struggles in his game. And people wondered, can he be good defensively? And the organization worked with him, and they've been behind him the whole time. So I do feel like he has real loyalty and he has a feeling of wanting to make it work here.

So I think if the team does have a good season, there's a better chance and I think a lot of people believe that he will stay here at least for another contract. Now it might not be a 7-8-year extension but given what we saw with McDavid, I do think at least some sort of an extension

is in the cards. You're watching and listening to Sat Shaw host of Canucks Central and also does a terrific job as a game host for SportsNet as well. So I believe the next point for Quinn Hughes is going to be the all-time point-getter of all-D.

You think that stuff matters to him? I mean, I think legacy is an individual question. It depends on, I mean, you played in the league, Kipper. I think that's the best question I would ask you is how important was legacy for you, somebody who has been in the league and you have a player of his caliber. I'm sure it does matter to some extent. I don't know if the records matter so much. I think the biggest thing for him is playoff success.

And the individual accolades are great. He's always going to be one of the most talented players in Canucks history. I mean, he's most likely tonight going to set the rest. because he scores, it seems like, every single night. And he'll have the record from those points for Connect's defensemen in almost 500 fewer games than Alex Seder, which just tells you the level he's at. So the records are his. That's all his.

But can this team be a postseason contender? Can they get into the playoffs and show that they can do something? And I do think it matters for him if they make the playoffs. And I think to a man, two years ago, when they saw how the city reacted to the playoff run, the vibe in the arena, and just what it looked like being in a Canadian. market, and especially a market like Vancouver, when you have success, it's something you can't replicate in other cities outside of another hotbed market, like say Toronto, for instance, Montreal, Edmonton, look at the big Canadian markets. That's the only place you can replicate

that type of feeling. The only question when Vancouver is, can they truly become a team that's knocking on that door and give you that experience day in and day out? And I think that's the legacy more than anything that matters to the Queen Hughes. Listen, you asked me about legacy, man. I'm still eating off of 40 years of being the highest scoring guy in North Bay. I can't throw that out fast enough when I get pulled over heading north on 400. Man, if I hadn't had a chance to play a single NHL game, I'll be throwing out of people's faces every single day.

So, like, I totally feel you. Yeah. Let me ask you about Adam Foote here. And if it, I know it's really short training camp and we haven't even played game. one. But was there a sense from the beginning of training camp that this is his team and he's just not merely an extension

of Rick Tockett's program last season? I think you nailed it. There was a big discussion about is he just going to be Tocket 2.0. He'll just do what Rick Tocket did and we're not going to see any real changes. And it is a markedly different system that they are playing. Now, there

are some similarities, but some of the responsibilities defensively, and we'll get a better idea when the regular season begins, because we'll see truly how the team's lining up against other opposition and game in and game out, are they following the same type of system? But defensively, they have made some tweaks, but more than anything,

it's what they're trying to do offensively. They're trying to get the puck up as quickly as possible, and something they're trying to really take advantage of is unsettled defenses in the defensive zone that they're attacking in the offensive zone. And one thing that the players have spoken about is, especially the wings, and when you get a chance to get into the zone,

take it to the net. And if you don't get to the net, pull up as deep as possible and look for your options coming downhill. And oftentimes it's going to be a defenseman coming down as a trailer and trying to hit that guy. They want to get their D-Men up into the rush and also be very active once they're in the zone to find the gaps, go downhill, be the weak side player coming in, be the trailer coming in. And they're really trying to either get to the net or create the low-to-high plays as much as possible.

And last year, a lot of the plays were get the puck deep, if you can, but get it up to the points as much as possible. And a lot of the offense was being generated from the points, trying to get layer screens through and really trying to create a lot of havoc in terms of how they're scoring goals. They want to generate more off the rush, but they want to generate more by being a bit more aggressive with how they're attacking downhill into the offensive zone. I think that's something that's completely different from what we saw last year. And I'm really curious to see how that's going to work out

because when you take those chances, you also leave something going the other way if your rotations aren't tight. So that's something to keep an eye on. But I think what Foote has done, which has been impressive, he got the leadership group together early this summer. It was Elias Pedersen, Quinn Hughes, Thatcher Demko, and Michigan. I think it was early in July. Pedersen flew over.

They spent a few days together, and they talked about what do we want to be as a team? What is what is the system going to look like? And what can you individually take ownership of? And through that, he's really set the message across. And something Demko spoke about was at some point this summer, we're like, why is he getting ahead of this? Like, we can just focus on this in training camp. But as they started working on things, had more meetings. And when they got to training camp, they were already locked in.

They're already two or three steps ahead, knowing what they were going to do, knowing what they're what to expect. So I think in terms of his leadership, to get the message across as quickly as possible, he's done all the right things. And I think it has been impressive with how detailed he's been and how organized he's been. But obviously now it comes down to can those players execute on it and can they keep the buy-in as a season goes on. But on the things we can judge foot on so far in terms of preparation and having a vision, he is hitting those markers. last one from me sat just Evander Kane first year there

contract year what are your expectations for his role and his output I'm expecting him to have a good season and as long as Evander Kane's healthy I think there's a lot of motivation I don't care who you are

when you get to that stage of your career and you still have the ability you want to earn another contract you want to make sure you play as well as you can for however many years you have left in a league and I think the level of physicality that he can bring is something this team last And we know, we even saw it through the preseason.

There was the first game he played against Seattle. One of the Seattle players took a run at Jonathan Lekromackie, and he right away to pull them aside. It wasn't, you know, punching him in the face. He was smiling. You're saying, you want to do that? That's all good. If you want to play that game, we'll play that game tonight. Just be ready for it.

And I think the Canucks have kind of lacked that type of presence from a player. JT was someone like that, but he's also not a guy who's as intimidating as a guy like if Andrew Kane can be. And then also, this team wants to really live. by winning along the boards, winning from the net, and those are the areas that he has success. And we look at how the forward group is built, I think he is a critical part to their success,

not only five on five, but potentially on the power play as well. So I'm expecting, as long as he's healthy for this year, that he's going to have a good year, I see him being a player that does fit a lot of gas for what this team is lacking. If we're asking a question long term

about investing in the player and what it could look like beyond this year, might be a different take and a different conversation. But as far as this year goes, I see a player who's highly motivated. And if you look at it, you know, hypothetically for what this team needs, in theory, he does fit a lot of gaps. It all starts tonight for the Vancouver Canucks as they entertain the Calgary Flames.

Hey, Sat, really appreciate the feedback on the Canucks. Have a great season, okay? And we'll catch up to you again real soon here. Always a pleasure, guys. Looking forward to chatting again soon. Thanks, Sat. Appreciate it. That is Sat.

Shaw does a great job on Sportsnet through the intermissions. and, of course, Canucks Central. Yeah. So do you agree with him but where the Canucks are at? Do you like their chances for a bounce back season? Yeah, you know what? I know people like to use the word parody.

But when I look at, with the exception of maybe Pittsburgh, every team has, like, expectations. Yeah. Right? Higher expectations. Pittsburgh is all right, too. Pittsburgh doesn't have higher expectations.

They don't. Expectations. Expectations. But Vancouver does. Yeah. I mean, I think. And he's talking about knocking on the door of a playoff spot. Well, I mean, Quinn Hughes, Philip Roneck.

They just got Patterson, gave him a big deal. Marcus Pederson from Pittsburgh last year on D with Tyler Myers. You know, they like the other Elias Pedersen, Derek Forbort. Like, the D is good. The goalies can be good. If they can get, you know, a better PD, Debrusk and best are to put a couple in. And a healthy Demco.

Healthy Demco would go a long way. There's a lot of names here that I'm like, I don't know, no idea what to expect from Baines, Coots, La Caramackie, O'Connor, Ratu. You know, there's a lot of, I don't know. That Braden Coot's making the team's pretty crazy. I mean, he's a child. Wasn't he a 2025 pick?

He was drafted this past draft, right? Yeah, he's 18 years old. It's like Trevor Lyndon. That's remarkable. No, but I take, I take 18-year-olds making a roster with a grain of salt for no other reason that sometimes there's different reasons why you're doing it other than just truly

best players going to stay ready and he's staying and he's going to be a part of it yeah the mitten made it when he was so here too there's just we really don't know what he's going to be unless he gets consecutive games in there and there's a growing confidence far beyond, I think five games, seven games, even ten games. So, good on them, good on a lot of young kids that are,

whatever it is, but it could be also because of the cap. Not just a feather in the cap, but they could be there because of the cap. They're a feather on the cap. But, you know, a lot of their guys are health dependent, right? Like you mentioned Demko, if he's healthy, he's good. Does Pedersen is Heidel going to be healthy? Is Besser healthy?

They got some guys they need. So many Pedersons. A lot of Patterson. A remarkable amount of Pedersons. But I will say, like you were talking about with Sat, in theory, goaltending and defense, excellent. Right. Like on paper, on a piece of paper looking at the lineup. It should be very good.

So if they don't get scored on a ton? That's a huge factor. And you get a more vated cane. Like, I think there's a lot of different outcomes, maybe the hardest team to predict in terms of them being very bad or good or decent. Like, I really have no idea. but I don't hate this roster on paper I don't no there there is like five teams six teams where you're like wildcard team roughly they're roughly a wildcard team that's or the flames flames don't have nearly as much talent but I don't know no break game time or well no we're

game time at least are oh yeah okay um break here maybe talk about Ikel after this yeah we got plenty more here 28 teams will be playing tonight it is a really busy one including as we teed up Calgary and the Vancouver Canucks, plus the ones that we saw last night. Plenty more to still get into here on our national hour, the Real Kipper and Born Show. Hey, it's Aylish Forafar. And I'm Justin Cuthbert. Join us as we discuss the most important sports stories of the day and tee up the biggest games of the night. It's the fan pregame.

6 p.m. weekdays on Sportsnet, Sportsnet, the fan, and wherever you get your podcast. Nickyprios, Justin Moore and Sammy McKee Back in studio How much of the West Coast games Did you catch last night besides the one we talked about Obviously at the top with Edmonton and Calgary Yeah, the answer is not zero, some Kind of flipping around

Yeah, period here in there Curiosity on Mitch Martiner's first game? For sure. Zero. Curiosity in there. Honestly. I'd much other watch the play. It's okay. You're sad.

Much rather watch for the other than others, too, but... Not sad. Definitely, curious. Leefs are ahead of Mitch, two to one. You're going to keep that board up all year. I'm not. You're not going to like how that outcome's going to go. You don't think?

No. Game time? No, we're doing that the next hour. Oh, that's right. Okay, so let's talk about Jack Eichel then because he had a big night as well. Not a bad debut off of a new contract, eight years.

13 and a half million. which for Sammy that would probably mean about close to 18 million if he played for the Leafs or yeah it's a big state tax one that's definitely a state tax one it is very big state tax that's definitely a state tax but uh whatever they ended up losing the game which you know supposed to win when you sign a contract like that goal and three assists he's like I did my part when you have four points yeah you sign that contract you're supposed to win but uh your overall thoughts on Vegas and Jack and Mitch. You know, the

only thing that I really have is a takeaway is, you know, Martin made a great pass on the Ikel goal. Nice one-timer. Ikel, that contract number to me is kind of the pocket I have him in in this environment, right? He's a guy who can put up big points and

has improved his defensive game to a certain level where he's considered a great defensive player. He's got a Stanley Cup under his belt. The only thing is, I think, a major winner. for him is don't really know how the long-term effects of that neck procedure he had are going to turn out so to get eight years I think he's got nine seasons under contract now until he's 38 years old that's good for guys at neck

surgery already won a cup eight years that makes a lot of sense yeah it's nice I'll go ahead and ink that yeah so that's a win yeah somebody mentioned me and I don't this information may be out already but like the majority the contract is like all bonus too. Like he's got over a hundred million dollars of bonus money I was told. Yeah.

Which is just like all these deals are all bonuses. Incredible. Like the base salaries, I don't know what he's making a mill a year. Yeah. That's Caprizo's making a million a year. The rest is all flat bonuses. Can't buy it out a lick.

So there was an urgency to get that type of contract in. You think they'll change that. I do believe in the new CBA, you will not be allowed to front load the bonuses like Jack just did. Yeah. Or a Carill.

To that extent. You're going to still be allowed to do it, but just to not that extent. I'm just going to ask you guys a question. Yep. I think all these guys signing long-term, I guess outside of McDavid, who, you know, the Oilers fans took the victory lap

on that two-year extension. But all these contracts are all these stars I do think it's kind of just boring like for the league Yeah like it's better when guys are like Yeah Doing some NBA But like you don't want

I don't think I think you can go too far with the NBA Where there was that little stretch there Where the player movement was absurd Totally absurd I was like what the hell is going up I'm like Kevin Duran And Kyrie Irving and Hardin play for the Nets now

Like when did that happen I think you can go too far But I do think there's a world Where all these guys who are superstars who are going to be going to free agency and have a chance to talk to other teams, just end up signing these long-term deals with their hometown teams.

I do think part of it, as a fan, maybe you guys don't care. I care. But I do think it's a little bit boring. I think it kind of sucks. The NBA has five-year max-term contracts, and I think five years is a pretty reasonable length of time. But now they've walked it back to seven in the NHL

for their own team and six for other teams. So it's getting lower. Yeah. What do we have left for a free agency show, July 1st? Well, I mean, it started. Caprizo, McDavid, Conner. Someone that's done that many, many times, it's a big deal here.

It's a big day. It is. No, it was always a big day. It was always a big day. July 1st, it was always a big day, big day for the network, big signings. It's kind of a week, though, Kim. A lot happens in the days.

But it's killing the must-see television. You cannot must-see a week. No, you can't. You can must see a July 1st. killing a day. Well, it kills the anticipate, to Sammy's point, it's boring. It's just boring. I think trade still happen.

They just are more spread out. It's not like one day we get them all now. It's like the week before. There's no big names. Panarin. Anderson. Panarin. By the way, I'm not a Panarin.

Panarin's still a free agent. Like him as a person. Alex Lvichkin's a free agent. Alvetchins a free agent. Patrick Liney? Kevin Hayes? Anchee Copatar, who said he's going to retire? Anders Lee.

He's rumored to sign a contract now. This could be the year that we don't do a free agency show. Great. Great. I don't care. Nick Schmaltz? Actually, he'll sign first. One of your boys is a free agent this off season.

Kings. Sniper. Camp Bay. He's a free agent. There's a rumor out today. He was asking for 10, all the new contracts have made it. So he's asked you for 12. They'll give him 12.

That guy goes to, that guy goes to free agency, though, July 1, when he's like, the top guy, that guy is rich and you love him. I love him too. I like him. I like him. But how old is he? Is he 29, 30? No. Older? No, younger. Right? Can't be. Yes. Is he 27, 28? Yeah, now we're talking. Okay. Let me, let me. He's a weapon. I like him a lot. He is 29 years old. Golly. I'm wrong. I apologize. He's 29 years. I'm thinking you're more right than I am. I thought he was a little older. I didn't know that. Both you guys. Can he get eight years? Probably. Oh, yeah.

I'll give them 8 by 11 and a half or something like that. So like you, oh, go ahead. You have more on that? No. No. Just going back to Vegas last night and they lost to the Kings in a 6-5 in a shootout. A lot of goals. A lot of goals.

A lot of people have Vegas to win, especially since Mitch signed there. But last night I saw a team that really missed Petrangelo. Yeah. Yeah. They don't lose 6-5 with him in the lineup, playing 27 minutes. No, they don't. They're just doing Bucks out. No, I'm doing Bugs out.

Buck. Take it easy over there. I'm telling you, they don't. Yeah. Well, I don't know what to tell you. I mean, Braden McNabb is now a top pair D for them, right? Is that playing with Shea Theodore? Is their top pair?

But, I mean, they're still loaded. It's just going to be different without a guy who is a Norris Fringe, kind of guy. Their forward depth, though, is they have the best four core, probably in the league. Okay, so we got a few minutes here. We're going to have a lot more Golden Knights content this year. I have a feeling. I'm just going to move past it.

I'm in bed by 1030. Oh, yeah, right. You were pouring over the. Surprising insider info into the Golden Knights this year. With what? Who knows? I don't know. I don't know.

I feel like we're just going to have more Golden Knights content. Leak in. You never know. Whatever I can read it in the next day, I'll be happy to share with you guys. 14 games on tap tonight. I said that already. I know.

I know. I'm reiterating it for the people that are listening. I'm about to do an exercise with you. All right. I'm going to read the games and you're going to stop me when you say you're really interested in them, okay? New York Islanders. New York Islanders are, what are you most interested about?

Shafers. Matthew Schaefer's debut? Yeah. The New York Islanders. Actually, I think we sold that clip from yesterday. Maybe I'll get Derek to. Patrick Wa. Yeah.

Keep talking amongst yourself. I'll grab the clip. Yeah. Patchwa, who, if we do have the cliff, really likes the kid. He's going to make some mistakes, but it's at least something fun for Islanders fans. Yes.

The thing that I like is for kids to watch is swagger. You know, how confident he is on the ice. You know, for 18-year-old playing with guys who have so much experience and see that swag. seeing him, like moving, you know, the way he moves, it's, you know, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's what you want from any young, you know, player. You want to go, you want to see them going and have fun with their, their friends, but have that swagger, that confidence, that that trust in themselves, that they could do, you know, the XNOs are all cool, but I mean, at the end of the day is, is the personality, the person, how it's skate, how would they handle those, those, those rushes and on and on. So there's only one guy I've ever experienced what Patrick was talking about in the NHL. I guess. Yeah.

Ryan Leach. Nope. Okay. No. Coming in as an 18-year-old. Oh, okay. I don't know. Chris Bronger.

Oh, yeah? He just immediately was like. Hartford. The dude. 18 years old. Ryan Burke just drafted him. I'm still in Hartford, and this kid comes in. I mean, he could tread water in a test tube,

but you could see everything that Patrick was talking about with a swagger. Prongs came in right away and had some, you know, learning curves like everybody else. But the swagger he came in with was unbelievable. That's interesting. Schaefer moves along the top of the ice. Do you remember that Dunkin Keith was like Bambi? He just floated across the top, like high skin in type of guy. Hellick has a, or sorry, that'll be his partner probably,

but Schaefer has a bit of that to him, and he's big. I don't know if Schaefer will end up like Pronger. No, I mean, I mean, there's only one Chris Pronger that would step on your neck and pull out your jugular, like it's, you know, a piece of liver at the deli. Here's what I, you know, I love your beloved Islanders, but I'm really hoping they let him go so he can play for the World Juniors. That's the ideal scenario.

Yeah, that's not happening. Okay. But Poolock, Pellick, Matthew Schaefer, Scott Mayfield, Alexander Romanoff, pretty good decor, great goalian, Sorokan, forwards, a lot to be desired, but kind of Gagery of Flames of the East. Montreal, Detroit. Continue? Yeah, I'm interested in that. I am because Montreal may have felt like they let one slip last night against the Leafs, and we'll get into that in our Leaf hour. We got Craig Brewby coming up as well.

head coach in the Toronto Maple Leafs at the top of the hour. But these two teams should be battling it out for one of the spots. Yeah. Yep. So these are big games for the Canadians who are snuck in last year

and now you're playing Atlantic Division games out the gates. Detroit's trying to take a stride. Look at that Detroit DECOR. That's in that swagger, by the way. Boy, they could use that, they could use that Walman. Or how about Philip Hironick? Are they traded to the Canucks?

For no reason. A sec. A couple of seconds. Chicago Boston? Boston had a good game last night. Yeah, I think we have that game on Sportsnet. Yes, past track. Three points last night. Swainman, I think, made 35 saves potentially.

Hunter Bedard. Buffalo Rangers. I'm kind of interested. You know, maybe I cover hockey, but this is all interest. Okay. Ottawa and Tampa Bay. Big one for Ottawa early. There's been a lot of smoke, including our own David Amber, who picked them to win the Atlantic Division.

I want to see all mark. Tough start. I want to see him come in and. what kind of start he gets off, especially after getting off to such a poor training camp start in like 48 hours. You know, by his own admission. By all his admission.

If you had a bad one in 48 hours, who would know other than you? You don't need to tell us. Why do you bring it up? So true. It's like, you guys, have you guys seen how bad I am?

Just look over here. Watch this. I stink. And I'm interested in Utah and Colorado because I want to see the mammoth's jersey on ice. yeah bad jersey patch but oh like i like the i like the colors i thought the utah ones we have one here from our close to your personal friend uh ryan smith so i'm really looking forward to by the way the sends uh follow up their lightning game with a panthers game sick they go Tampa bay florida out of the gate yeah they start those they don't make them go down there during march break to so make sure

they have stands in the seats like the least do so by the way but then they followed up with pred savers crack and islanders and uh last one i'll mention uh golden nights in the second half of a back of a back-to-back in San Jose. My beloved wife will be in attendance in San Jose tonight. I'm hoping, I'm asking her to find me a cool starter, sharks act. Did she pay face value for tickets or do you pull a string? No idea.

Yeah, I texted, I texted Celebrini. All right, as a reminder of this hour, Real Kipper and Born was brought to you by Bet365. We're just getting started here. So we go into our Leaf Edition hour of our program. Head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Craig Barubi. off to a good start in terms of wins and losses

but were there some things that may be he didn't like out of last night we'll get into that and a few more when we return to the real Kipper and Bourne show