Real Kyper & Bourne - Zipping Up Towards the Deadline with Don Waddell

Episode Date: March 5, 2025

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne are joined by Don Waddell – President of Hockey Operations and General Manager for the Columbus Blue Jackets to chat about his focus heading towards the 2025 Trade Deadline (5:03). He discusses Dean Evason's tenure as head coach, Mathieu Olivier's contract extension, ongoing negotiations with Ivan Provorov, and much more! Then, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee discuss why it's important for the Edmonton Oilers to compete for a Stanley Cup while having Connor McDavid on their team and the latest around the Mikko Rantanen sweepstakes.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 take it up a notch as we go national on the Real Kipper and Boran show. We are live on Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver and Sportsnet 960 in Calgary. This hour of Real Kipper and Boran brought to you by bet 365. I'm gonna start off the program by fining our producer, Sam Mckee. Oh, his first fine. We never even picked a total dollar amounter. I think it's... Tim Bitbox?

Coffee's. But the thing is... No, there's no thing is. It's a national show. We're coming off our Leaf Hour. We ditched the Leaf Jersey. But you know fully that I am an idiot You know like it's the first thing you brought up so you withheld the information So that you could say this that's good

Percent like that's the ethic, you know, yeah, you knew you got it was out there How else can I get you to learn? It won't work. It won't work. The days of teaching me anything, there's been too much damage, boys. There's been too much damage. Well, maybe Don would allocate, talk some sense into you. Hopefully he could send us one of those

really cool Cannon jerseys. Oh, yeah. Oh, you're asking? Of course. While we got them. Canon Jersey, are we gonna ask? Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, of course Yeah, it's as simple as the people who send us their Jersey get their Jersey posted there you go so Yeah they've been an amazing story and knocking on the door of a playoff spot which in itself is

pretty remarkable, but man got a first question I'm gonna ask him is like, what are you doing coming on our show, man? Shouldn't you be talking to GMs? Yeah, yeah, I am curious to know. Is he gonna be a buyer here? Well, listen, they got 68 points and that is good enough for the first wild card spot

ahead of the New York Rangers The Devils now four point ahead of the four points ahead of them Just announced that Jack Hughes is out for the year with shoulder surgery. That is a Monster what what does that do now to the mindset of? New Jersey moving forward because that is eight million that comes off the books. And what does that do between now and Friday at 3 p.m. for New Jersey?

Certainly changes things. Columbus has two games in hand, four points back, two games in hand on Jersey. Jersey is suddenly in trouble. They've lost two in a row, four wins in the last 10 games by winning percentage barely ahead of some of these surging teams. They're probably in the conversation for teams

that are gonna have to hang on fight. Will they buy? Will they become sellers? Definitely won't become sellers from a playoff spot. Jack Hughes is a marvelous hockey player and a very talented one. We know that already. It took a while early in his career to kind of warm up,

but I watched him at the Four Nations and- Was he in that? Yes, he was. To your point, I didn't think he looked great. At times, he looked a little tentative, outmatched. I don't know, you tell me, you watched? Honest to God, I cannot believe how unaffected or ineffective,

he had no impact on any game I watched. I watched the Americans play three of their four games. Was he a little over his head with the physicality? What? What was the issue? I mean, that might be the assumption of why he wasn't noticeable, but Jake Gensel is not physical. He had the puck in every big spot in every moment.

Jack Hughes is a guy who people talked about for heart trophies. He's almost at 30 goals already. I don't know what happened. I don't know what happened. I don't know what happened in that tournament. And I didn't watch him closely after it, but it just seems like between the tournament that he had and then the surgery today, it just seemed like it was like,

heading in the wrong direction for him this season. That's all. I agree. And it's one of those things where it's like, had I watched his shifts like, you know, heading in the wrong direction for him this season. That's all. I agree. And it's one of those things where it's like, had I watched his shifts, like a video coach, it might be different, but I just watched the games as a fan and didn't see him make a play or Jack Hughes sometimes can be as electric as anyone in the league and not sure why that hasn't been the case for him. But now top score, Jesper Bratt and and behind him it's Heeshier Meyer.

To me, that takes them out of being a cup contender. Okay, so- And they were the favorites start the year, if you remember. So what do you... Okay, we'll get into maybe what New Jersey does, more importantly, what's Columbus Blue Jackets gonna do. Let's welcome in the president of hockey operations

and the general manager for Columbus, Don Waddell. Don, how are you, man? Thanks for joining us. My first question is like, you got a few minutes between phone calls right now? Because I gotta imagine like, it's fun, it's stressful, it's hectic, how do you describe a week going into Friday? Well, I have a lot of feeling out, let's say.

As we get closer to Friday, things become more real right now. From my end, I think prices are a little high in some areas for, especially for rental players, because there's not a big rental market and I can understand those teams. But things will settle down here in the next 36 to 40 hours. And we'll see where we come up.

So are you in the rental kind of market? Or would you consider a hockey trade beyond thinking about expiring contracts? Yeah, we have a couple first round picks. But we're not going to trade those for rental players. It doesn't make any sense. You know, our team's done a great job to hang in there, but you know, we very well could miss the playoffs too.

And you know, you give up a first round pick. It just doesn't make sense for where we're at with our franchise hockey deals were wide open from. We have talked to several teams today about tension, those kinds of deals, because, you know, we're going to need good players going forward too. So then we're willing to pay those prices. I prefer to do the hockey deals but if there's a random deal that makes sense we'll certainly jump on it.

Don I know that hockey people don't necessarily pay attention to the predictions of analysts out there but I don't imagine I don't know I don't know where you guys saw your franchise this year but was there a point where in the season you said, okay, we have something here. Maybe we have something more than we expected to. There's no doubt if you had told me on March 5th that we'd be sitting on a playoff spot, I'd be lying if I thought we would be,

you know, what's happened to our franchise. But yeah, these guys have done a tremendous job and through the tragic with Johnny and then all the injuries we've had this year, these guys have hung in there and find ways to win games. And so, you know, that's why I feel like if we can reward them somehow by bringing in somebody that helps us that makes sense. But I think we would be sitting where we are at this point. I'd be lying if I told you, I thought we would be in this spot. I'm Don when I played sometimes you know you're you think you're way better than you maybe

even your coach thinks you are and sometimes you look behind the bench and you're like just open the door and let the guys out and then you get older and then you start realizing what a good coach could do for a hockey club and you know not to throw any former coaches in Columbus you know down but like Dean Evison comes and how important is it like over the years that you've watched coaches behind a bench and it just seems to me if you got the right guy and the right general back there it makes all the difference in the world and just speak of his year so far. Yeah I can't agree more you know Dean's a very emotional guy more of a motivator you know we've got great assistants that

work more on the technical side not to say Dean's not involved with it but you know the players love to play for him and you know he being an ex--player, he's been through the battles that these guys are going through. And I know every night, we're not going to win every game, but we're going to compete hard every night. That's the one thing we're known for around the league is that we show up to play every night. And certainly we've had some bad games throughout the year, but usually we don't get outworked. Don, I played with Scott Ford in the minors. I can tell you he's one of the best leaders that I've played with too. Certainly we've had some bad games throughout the year, but usually we don't get out worked Don I played with Scott Ford and the miners and tell you he's one of the best leaders that I played with too He's a great coach. I'm sure you guys have there Sorry, I was gonna ask you about the winter classic because I see that beautiful sweater you're wearing with the Canon logo

We are here actively coveting a Jersey to hang behind us here, Don. Yes. At some point to represent the Blue Jackets. Who do we talk to about that? Wow, if you're gonna hang it back there, I will take the one in my office here and send it to you tomorrow. Done, done deal. Yeah, you have our word, it'll hang.

But how was that experience? That was a massive win in the standings for you guys and it looked like just a overall success Yeah, very fortunate to be able to be part of it. You know, we had to trade on Thursday. We played in Detroit We beat them and we played really well Saturday night. We didn't play as well Detroit was better But our goalie was really good to win but to play in front of ninety five thousand people at the shoe You know being a Michigan guy coming to Ohio State and play was a little interesting to say, but I can't think of anything that went wrong that night.

I've been very fortunate to the parts of these two outdoor games the last couple of years in Carolina here. And what a phenomenal event for our fans. And the other thing it does for us really here is, I know the Blue Jack's been around for a long time, 25 years, 24 years, but there's still a lot of people in this Ohio area that haven't experienced

Blue Jackets hockey, so having that many people be able to come out and see it was tremendous, and I know our TV ratings were off the charts, so overall it was a great evening and a great experience for all involved. Hey Don, at any point if you get a call, just take it, we'll wait for you. I've muted my phone on purpose.

Full credit to you Don, you were on our show months ago, you said Olivier's not going anywhere, you announced a six year deal at $18 million, I believe. And where's your thoughts on having Olivia now moving forward? And then Provarov also is out there still and where your thoughts are on him either staying or going? Right, and Olivier, you know, I didn't know Matthew.

I tried to trade for him multiple years, I thought he was kind of player that we needed when I was in Carolina, but I really got to know personally this year and what what a good person this is good family man. He wanted to be here. He wanted to stay here. But what I really learned about him, you know, this year, we lost Boone Jenner, good Brunson early in the year. And we needed some guys to step up and Monahan, Morenski and Living really stepped up. Matthew, you know when you're playing, if you go

back in his career he's playing eight to ten minutes a night. It's kind of hard to be that guy but also he's playing 14-15 minutes playing killing penalties, contributing offense, got 12 goals this year and all I know is we don't, we don't have any issues from a physicality standpoint. People don't try to run outside of the building, you know, with Matthew being around and he doesn't even have to fight anymore because nobody really wants to fight him. But I think he's second. That's a good reason. Yeah. I think he's second in the league and hits, you know, he hit four checks, hits hard. You know, I really speak more about right now what he's done for our team and keep

that in. But what he does on the ice for us, he gives the Ken Johnsons and the Fentailies, these young players the space to be able to go out and play the game that they need to play. Pro Ross or Yeah, yeah, probably, you know, I've had multiple talks with the Mark Gantler, you know, probably really wants to stay here. We just have a difference of opinion right now in terms of dollars, which is normal. But we totally agree yesterday to kind of put the talks I told him I'm not going to trade them. You know, it's different this year

for me than probably other years as a GM. You know what these guys have gone through this year and how they stuck together is I'm very impressed with that. I can't even comprehend how they've done it all year long with all the injuries and everything we've had. So for me to rip out a key player of our locker right now, I just don't feel good doing it. So I told his agent yesterday, I'm not going gonna trade him. And if we can continue to talk, then he's 100% on board with that. So this will go into the summertime,

as I fully expect it to. But we're still very hopeful that we can get Pro B signed. He's been a big part of our success this year, get him signed long-term come the summer. That's great that you guys have you know banded together like family there. So if you do look to add somewhere do you have somewhere in particular you're hoping to make an addition? Yeah we'd like that upfront you know we have so many injuries I got Monahan out, Sylingers out

I got a couple minor league guys that have been fine they've been filling the gaps for us but you know we need some NHL players, you know, if we're going to try to maintain our position in the standings and win some games, you know, nothing against, again, the guys that we brought up. But you just, you need that NHL experience. This is tough time. This is playoff hockey right now for us. You know, every game matters, and every game could be

the difference of getting in and getting out. So we're chasing down a lot of guys right now, and we're hopeful that we can be able to add to this group to take that next step. Don, is it fair to me to say that center ice is the premium position right now? That's where probably the most expensive. Yeah, it is, you know, and right now with Sylinger and Monahan being out, both of them will be back probably hopefully in the next three weeks. We felt we were really strong down in the middle with Ventilli and Danforth and Kareli. So we would look at any forward spot. A couple of those guys can play the wing if we have to. If I said I could get the right person right now,

I'd love to get a right winger that could play with You know in the top six group and saying that is easier to say than actually get done But we're hopeful that we can at least get some guys that can help us through the next You know rest of the season and get us to the postseason and along with getting Monahan and Cillinger back at some point here the postseason and along with getting Monahan and Sillinger back at some point here. Looking around your division, you'd said that, not that you're surprised by where you guys are at, but just happy that it's kind of at the ceiling where you thought you might be. Are you surprised by any other teams, like the Washington Capitals, I don't know if anyone saw them doing what they're doing, and then there's teams on the outside, like the Bruins seem to be sellers.

Anything shocking you from around your division or the conference? I think every year you could look at it and you go into the season, you think who's gonna be the best teams and who's gonna struggle. And Washington obviously made the playoffs last year, I think on the last day of the season or the last weekend.

And they've made some great changes in the off season. Chris Patrick's done a great job there with Brian McClellan you know to make their changes and you know they're right at the top of the conference and you know some teams you know the injuries have hit a little harder you know Boston loses McEvoy at the four nations and he's a big piece of their team and then Marshawn goes down so you know you just never know. of their team and then Marshawn goes down. So you know you just never know. Hey Don, before we let you go just take our watchers and listeners a little bit on what the next 48 to what 72 hours I guess would be like for you. So you got there your thoughts and ideas on certain players and maybe the price is a little too high.

Is there a witching hour between now and Friday 3 p.m. where there's a cutoff where prices actually do drop and you wait and do you fight that 3 p.m. to get into the queue or line up or get a trade in? Yeah, you hope you don't have to wait that long. I, you know, I think, you know, Friday morning to me is always the key. You know, I've seen prices drop drastically, you know, especially if you're a team that has under-referred guys that

you know, you can't sign. What if you're asking for a second round pick, maybe, you know, Friday morning, you take a third round, a shirt thing and turn the page. So, you know, I think teams and I've been on both sides of it. So I think right now, you know, at the time that's still left, you know, teams are saying what they're asking prices and, you know, we'll see how they may get it between now and Friday. And if not, you know, there might be some teams that instead of losing a guy for nothing, takes a pick lowers, you know, and just get that asset.

Is it okay if I report that you're waiting for the price for ranting and to go down just a little bit? Yeah, I'm sure that'll be the team I'll be trading with. All right. We'll scratch off a Carolina to Columbus trade between now and Friday. There you go. Don always a pleasure to have you on our show and always appreciate your insight. Thanks for doing this. No, absolutely. Anytime guys enjoy the next few days. Yeah. You too. Thanks. The Jersey and the Jersey. I got it going. I already wrote it down, I got it going.

All right, you're a good man. Don Weddell, president of Hockey Operations, general manager of quite possibly the best third unis I've ever seen. Well, and this is now going to be our blue jacket's half hour because he's committed to the show, so we're going to do a little bit more blue jet. Even the track jacket he was wearing, I know. It's a grayish sweater. It's a grayish sweater. So we're gonna do a little blue jet even the track jacket. He was wearing a gray

Oh, yes, great jacket. Yeah, I want to wear that on our segment with Doug with Doug McClain on Fridays off the rails Aren't the blue because he's his fingerprints, of course are all over that that cannon Yeah, so I mean I mean that's some news Provarov, you've got to take him at face value there. Yeah, that's the second time we've had him on that he's just openly broke news. So Provarov, not available. Yeah. And with everything that they've been through and that emotion that has followed them since the tragedy, like totally makes sense that if you feel like this is a special group

that maybe I think they're going to get in. I think they're going to make the playoffs. I know that's shocking. I will say and it sounds corny, but there are different ways to be a success. And of course we judge it by Stanley cups and pro sports and you know, championships and all that. But it's impossible not to look at what's happened Columbus this year and not Say that they've had as much success as anyone. Yes 100%

You know that we do the Jack Adams trophy every year and we give it to the team typically who outperforms Expectations the most if Columbus gets in everyone had pretty much handed the Jack Adams to Spencer Carberry. Are we sure Dean Evanson would deserve some love? You'd have to say. I mean, I think he'd be a finalist. I don't know what they would they finish last year 30th? Yeah, they were not. They were not great. So you can find that. I'm just looking at the standings hereings here You know on the outside looking in now By points percentage. I guess it's pretty close, but they're tight the sends

Rangers Red wings are all within a per point percentage of each other. Oh my good gravy, but they The Habs right there like of all those teams. I like Columbus one of the spots. I like the Rangers for the other spot Rangers for the other spot. Rangers for sure, right? They underperformed expectations. They win the President's Trophy last year. They have 114 points.

That's a good team. And JT Miller's lightened it up now. And they're getting gold. I just, you know, Red Wings got real. What are you doing? Come on, Sens. We could have a Brady and Chuck conversation at some point throughout this show.

But I think Red Wings had that really hot stretch after Todd McClellan got fired and they've kind of come back down to earth a little bit. So you got to like the jackets there in that spot. You do. There's no doubt that they've got as good a shot as anyone. Sorry, I'm looking up Ottawa stuff because just really frustrated. I think they could really use a Brandon Tanev in Ottawa. I just yeah.

They need some they need some energy. They need some. He definitely helps. They need that. That starter, he's a starter. He can ignite. Yeah. And Seattle said they would retain 50 percent.

So you'd get them at one seven five, which is good. Not enough. No. Not enough. It's just not enough. Who'd they lose? Wild back cousins? Trading for I don't know trading for uh there's not much room there it just feels like that's kind of the band playing on the Titanic there trading for him. It's just going in the wrong direction for Ottawa and I don't want to make fun of them on every show that I do but you know they got pretty excited when when they were two points back the Leafs there for a little bit They were pretty excited about that and you're pretty excited to tell them that they shouldn't have been pretty excited

I said that day I said just be careful Be careful Just be careful guys 14 points back ability. All right, let's switch gears a little bit to the the West Because there's a certain team out there that was described as fragile. And it looked really fragile last night in Edmonton. Yeah, what's happening? Is it just-

Did you watch that game? Too simple, I caught the, I did not watch that game too simple. I caught them the image I did not watch the whole game in the entirety but enough to to see that I Don't know there turn over Their leaking oil everywhere Intended they've lost six of their last seven McDavid's talking about not playing well enough goaltending they're not starting Skinner and Pickard's not looking any better. What do you do? Because everybody keeps saying they're not gonna trade for

goaltender and I don't know, we just saw Chicago do something with Spencer Knight and it's not like there's a lot of pickings out there but... You know know one of the worst things to happen to this Oilers team might be that Stu Skinner's an awesome guy like if he were just a jerk like maybe they'd be like all right well but everyone loves him they love him he's a great guy tell me that like they're not gonna make make a professional decision on their goaltending because they really like somebody.

I'm saying if they're like Sally Field, buddy, he's the exact guy who's like, should we keep him or shouldn't we keep him? I read articles today from Edmonton writers to keep them. Should they not keep them? The tiebreaker seems to be everyone loves the guy. And yes, last year in playoffs, you know, within a game, he was very good. So they believe he can reach that level again. And they like him. If they hated him, they'd be like, all right, bring me Bennington.

Bring me John Gibson. Bring me... Remind me, on the decor last year, was it Ty Emberson and John Klingberg for half of the right side of your decor? No. Okay. Was it Ty Emberson and John Klingberg for half of the right side of your decor? No, okay Emberson Stetcher Klingberg Kulak, Bouchard is the right side right now. I think yeah. Oh, sorry. Yeah, so on the heels of Jack Hughes out for the rest of the season

Edmonton went and got Trent Frederick, which I love for them Yeah, I don't think there's not many that wouldn't appreciate a guy like that in the lineup went and got Trent Frederick, which... I love for them. Yeah. I don't think there's not many that wouldn't appreciate a guy like that in the lineup. I just... Wish he was playing. I just wonder why you would trade for a guy that... Is he gonna play soon?

He may not play till the end of the year. I know, he may not play till playoffs. Like... But they're gonna make playoffs. They're gonna... I know know but you also need a guy that you trade for to play now Okay, I don't like I don't like it me personally. I cannot believe that What happens if He has a setback and he doesn't play. Mm-hmm

He has a setback and he doesn't play. Mm-hmm Trent Frederick, what did they give up at the end of the day? They gave up the second round pick from St. Louis and a fourth they give a second or a fourth Shane Lachance Shane Lachance to retain 50% of the contract and Yeah, they got him at 575 by the way, so he's hurt. Yeah, and You're hoping that he comes back at, I don't know, 80, 90%. I don't think anybody truly comes back 100%, but maybe he does.

But it just seems to me like I'd rather trade for a guy that can come into my lineup right away, especially now. But not if he's the right guy. He's the right guy for them You know, I'm not sure I'm not sure they got a lot of He's not playing 18 minutes he's a 12 to 14 minute guy He's got his last couple years kept 17 goals 18 goals. You're right. He plays this year He's had an off year this year. He has eight goals in 57 games

Okay, but he's 1350 a night 1350 a night. That's his career high, right? He's not my first a guy that's averaging 13 minutes a night He's not my first choice on Making your trade. No, that's all. But he... It bothers me that he's not in the lineup. Yeah, that's fine.

That's fine. And I agree that it'd be great if he was. I just feel like this Oilers team is good enough on their own merits to get into a good playoff spot. They're four points behind Vegas for the division lead. I know they're struggling right now, but this guy can help them. I don't think, I don't know.

Did we see him bad when we doubted them a few years ago? Who? Last year when we all said, well, you and me said they weren't gonna make the playoffs. Borny held strong. Yes. Are they as bad now as they were, when were they, like three and 14?

They've got this going on. They were five, I think they, like three and 14? They've got this going on, you know? They were five, I think it was like five and 16 or something at some point. They seem more than any team I can remember in the NHL capable of flipping the switch and being like, okay, it's getting out of hand, let's go on a 10 game run. That's if two guys take charge. So you talk about the fringes of all this and

Adding Frederick and a lot of you look at the bottom half their lineup and it's not okay This it's Connor McDavid is minus 14 in his past eight games. That is staggering Mine is 14 minus 14. Yeah, like that's How does that happen? Kipper's gonna blame the Four Nations. No. Are you sure? Yeah, maybe I will. I don't know.

He's just to your point for Austin Matthews, I don't know, he scored the last goal of the game last night was like scary how fast he was going, but he still seems to have that gear. 77 points in 55 games. That's not Connor. It's not Connor, first in the NHL right now. I wanna say Leon, Kuch, they're 91, 90. You just, you know, as bad as it looks

and as bad as they've been playing, losing six two to the Anaheim Ducks on home ice is just not a outcome that you would ever like. And that was like 20 games to go. Yeah, that's maybe like a November result or something, but just, I don't know. They had 2D behind the net for turnovers. They had D. It was ugly. They should try for Bennington.

They made some commitments to Jeff Skinner and Ardvison and combined they're giving those guys seven schmill with Holloway and Roberg but not not a fan no not a fan that's Even those are big mistakes Adam huge mistake. I'm so close to Adam had reek you made a commitment there. He's on the books He's on the books. He's on the books, I think, next year too. Yeah, Broberg and Holloway are lighting it up. I know people know that, but it really doesn't hurt. That's significant, right? It's a lot of pressure on Stan Bowman.

He really did jump on a moving train or a jump on a moving treadmill or whatever because they are coming off their most successful season with not a ton to work with in terms of picks and cap space and he comes in, they immediately do the offer sheets, he's put under the gun, makes the wrong decisions on those guys. Now they're in a tough spot, pretty close to the playoffs,

he's trying to make moves, he trades for a guy that's not gonna play. As much pressure as we talk about on true living here in Toronto There is a insane amount of pressure on Stan Bowman to there really is gotta get Connor a cup. I mean gotta All right game time game time. All right Let me get I forgot my line upstairs so I gotta read it off my computer I should be able to say it off by heart now, but I've only done it a hundred thousand times It's game time presented by bet three six five visit the app for the stars and find out why it's never ordinary at bet three six Five must be 19 plus on terror only please play responsibly. Well, thank you. I read it. Oh you did

That's gonna say no, I got my line up on my computer. I'm just pulling up the stuff here I wanted to quickly look at the futures for the because we mentioned we mentioned the futures for the because we mentioned we mentioned the coach of the year stuff as I try to quickly pull that up but instead of that for right this second I'll look at the games on the ice tonight the Toronto Maple Leafs in Vegas to take on the Golden Knights Golden Knights heavy favorites tonight minus 160 on the money line Toronto Maple Leafs plus 135 on the money line. If you're in Vegas tonight,

I'm sure there'll be a couple Toronto Maple Leaf fans going to their favorite casino to put a nice bet on their favorite team going in there. The Vancouver Canucks hosting the Anaheim Ducks on the second half of back to back. Big faves on home ice, minus 200 against the Anaheim Ducks plus 165 the red hot ducks the ducks the ducks might be the foremost weight They're not completely smoked in the standings team. They're

You know, there's five six points out of a playoff spot. I mean, they're not good Yeah, but and there got this guy everybody's talking about is the most underrated player in the league. Jackson LeCombe. Ever heard of him? Yes, I hadn't heard of him today until somebody was showing me his numbers. But yeah, he's been amazing. So we got that. And the other game that I was going to bring up tonight, I don't know, there's just something

about these two jerseys matching up. It's a classic central division matchup or Metro decisions matchup, the Washington Capitals versus the New York Rangers New York Rangers are slight favorites on home ice minus 105 Against the Washington capitals and the Obies great chase continues and they're donating money to Yeah, their charity for every goal. He's 10 away. I Think he's 11. Yeah 11 from breaking 10 from time. Yeah, I have somebody to tell me which one we're excited about They don't know is it the tying or the breaking? That's the big deal. Well, they empty the bench for both

Yes, yeah, yeah, yeah both yeah, okay, okay Go for skate It is the all-time goal record You can probably celebrate it both ways anyways That was game time because of my bet three six five visit the athlete side to find out why is ever ordinary bet three six five That's 19 plus and here only please play responsibly Okay, let's take a quick break and when we return we'll get into a few NHL news and notes Which is a little bit more of a conversation on the Oilers and losers of

six and seven and how this may affect Connor McDavid's future. Oh, yeah. Oh, we're having that conversation. We're having that conversation. And where are teams now on ranting and we'll get into that as well after the break. You're watching and listening to Real Kipper and Born. Hey Hey it's Blake Murphy and I'm Matt Bonner. Join us weekday mornings at 11 as we break down all things Toronto Raptors. It's the Raptor show on Sportsnet 590 The Fan and wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome back to the program. A reminder this hour of Real Kipper and Bourne brought to you by Bet365, Nick Kipper, Justin Bourne, Sammy McKee. We still have to buy coffee to put the candidate. Yeah, old coffees. It's way too late to change. But if you win a car from Roll with the Rim, I bought it so I get it. Oh, you guys need to negotiate. By the way, that Tampa Bay deal that everyone talked about today, if the picks end up being

in the top 10, the picks move back a year and Seattle gets an additional third every time that happens. That's kind of cool. That's really. Yeah. Little bonus tidbit. Getting creative with these trades. Just before going to the break, I just wanted to follow up because we ran out of time just

on Conor McDavid. And I'm not starting a panic or anything. I don't want to do that. I just want us to have an adult conversation. Let's just have a talk. Let's just have a talk. There's no harm in talking. There's not, but I do believe that it is real important for the future of Connor McDavid that this team

continues to look like a favorite and end up going to a Stanley Cup final. It's that kind of simple for me. And Connor McDavid is eligible to sign a contract July 1st, and for that to happen, he really needs to believe in the program and his Stanley Cup is still coming. And if it doesn't look like that, it messes a little bit with him signing July 1st, from my opinion. How do you feel about that? Like, I've watched him in the last year, year and a half, and this guy knows now that he needs a Stanley Cup really badly.

Like when I watched the documentary there in game seven where he's like, you feel it. I can only imagine how he is day to day. He is a competitor. Grumpy. I think it's really important and I don't know whether or not between now and Friday could help him, but it's best to help him is my biggest point. That's fair, but I do think that the way they're set up, they're going to have a chance. They're good. I think it's a fool's errand to say that any player in the first hour can pick the team that's going to win the cup

next and go play for them. Like you're just going to be on one of the teams that has a chance and there's no reason the Oilers shouldn't have a chance. The under-eye saddle is signed for a hundred more years. Zach Hyman is there. R&H is there. You know, these are good players and I understand they're getting a little older. I watched that blue line in the last two weeks and I go that's not a Stanley Cup final blue line. I guess it depends where you think it's at.

Is Zach Holm going to get worse in recent years? Has Bouchard hit his ceiling? Those are some decisions. I do feel like if you clean up some of the fringes of this team and they can in the next 46 hours, they'll have a shot this year. And so by the time he has to make the decision on that contract, they should still be really good. I get your point, that this guy is not the type of player who's going to just play out the string on a team that's not gonna win this whole career.

He was pretty pleased to win that Four Nations Cup and have team success and, yeah, as you mentioned in the documentary, it's important to them. So what you're saying is, is that you think the goal and overtime is going to be recreated in two years in Toronto? Stop it. Stop it. I just.

Why are you the way that you are? This is a, I look at this lineup and I'm a little concerned on it right now It's it's looking a little thin for me So we said this multiple times last year to to be fair and they did figure that okay No, it's like I agree totally kipper doesn't look great. I'm okay wrong for sure. Trust me. I'm okay with it Yeah, so in playoffs last year, how were they different like they had broberg on D? Yeah, but he didn't come in until the playoffs, right? But he did play all, I mean pretty much all,

I think he played 25 playoff games or something. Holloway was in. Yeah, tender in the regular season, then maybe he went in. Yeah. You know, Warren Fogel was a part of it. Yeah, I mean they're slightly different than last year, but I do think- They traded a kid to Buffalo, McLeod.

Yeah, Ryan McLeod for Savoy. Yeah. So yeah, Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner have not been what they had hoped they would be. He played 10 playoff games, Roberg. Okay. No, no, no, but he came in halfway through it and he started mixing them in, then he went in and he didn't come out. I remember late.

Maybe I think on Holloway he played 25. Anyways, it's just CC played too did you say CC who CC Cody CC oh yeah who's a big who's a big part of their penalty kill that went like a hundred straight penalties without giving one up like right they are worse and they have a chance like you said before the deadline to get better so we'll see if they do. Okay. Rantin? I took a call prior to our guest, Danny in Vegas, and there is a sense. Sounds like a Leafs Line caller.

There is a sense right now in Carolina with what is happening now is they talked to clubs that we mentioned the other day, that for Carolina to get their best return on him, they want teams to trade for him and have the assumption that they will sign him to a long term deal. So that changes the parameters on what comes back to Carolina. Mm-hmm So that process has to start now because there's no time

tomorrow night or Friday to go through the process to say We are we are negotiating as if we're giving him to you for the next eight years So what give us your offers now, you know, because then you have and take the maple leaves, you know, it just is honestly as a team I know well and can make an example from where it's like you would trade Matthew Nyes for Rantanen. Yeah. Because you would get Rantanen's this year cap hit for this year, knowing that next year you have mad money coming off the books and that player helps Carolina and you get a guy nice is not the example but what it does to now it even takes a team like the Boston Bruins who are out of the playoffs in play because it's like okay if we if we don't side in Brad Marchand,

we'll have ranting in for the next seven or eight years. So, Caroline has tried to invite even teams that- Fringe teams in to say, but what has to happen is he essentially has to have his July 1st, like today, or tonight, or tomorrow. So there could be behind the scenes a bidding war right now. Every team in the NHL, I am falling all over myself to be a part of this conversation. Particularly, Leafs included.

Oilers. Oilers. Oilers. Oilers. Edmonton Oilers. Vancouver. Everybody is sitting there going, if we thought about signing him July 1st, we may be asked that tonight.

And then you've got to give Rantonin and his agent a chance to negotiate and then go, hey, thank you. I'll get right back to you. Do you think you do the deal, then to rant and about the contract or you talk what you do is? Your Carolina and you're saying you give me your best offer Thinking that you're gonna sign him and that's to your point. I'm not I'm not renting ranting in and I'm not I'm not renting ranting in and giving you Matthew Nyes, but I may consider giving you Matthew Nyes if I've got this guy for the next eight years. 100% you would do that. That's that's that's where it could head very quickly here. Would you would you trade?

Peterson, would you trade nice? Oh yeah. Yeah. Oh my god. If it's if it's the long term thing. Yeah, trade nice with a first. Yeah, I can get my god. If it's if it's the long-term thing. Yeah trade nice with a first Yeah, I can get ranting and under contract This is the way Carolina thinks that they can yeah. Oh god. Yeah in in control of Pushing for the playoffs as early as this year with with no significant loss Yeah, that's fascinating to then go around the league is really tough to imagine who that is From the Oilers that you know gives them who they want for this year But yeah, you do have to kind of go around these teams and say it's still very difficult because

Now it's a real hockey trade right Would you do dry sidle knowing you could extend random? Yeah, that's not happening. But anyways, fascinating stuff. Yeah, that's crazy. Brock Nelson. Brock Nelson, after last night's game, was interviewed on the bench by longtime host Shannon Hogan.

I don't know if she's listening, but she rules. She's like the greatest host in hockey for me and And Brock kind of tears up a little bit gets emotional talking about what it's meant to be there over the years After Shannon Hogan talking about it tears up like it seems like someone has told Brock It's probably the end of the road here That he's this invested. So now it's a matter of who, where, when, how that happened. Well, after the waterworks, they better trade. I'm gonna be a little awkward to not have it.

Right? Yeah. It does speak volumes on no matter what generation you're from, you got comfortable pair of shoes or you like the community, you like your neighbors, you like your wife and kids situation that we don't get to see that part. What we see is, Islanders have been a mess for like three years, why does he wanna stay?

Yes, they're not gonna win a cup, your center going to cup for someone else. What ring are they playing in this week? Yeah. Right? And yet, there he is, all emotional on the thought of leaving. It's a great place to live. People know I'm very biased on that. But it's a great spot.

And the new rink is exciting. I think I saw, did you allude to something about his relationship with the fans? Like they really, really like him there? For sure, he's been a workhorse through all this, right? One of the guys who threw nine rinks and the practice and the commutes and whatever and just stuck it out and shot it in the net a bunch So yeah, it'll be interesting you mentioned Winnipeg forum Yeah, and again a guy that can play in all positions right so Top six guy can shoot it in the net big and strong.

There's going to be a very good market for him. Yeah. What are your thoughts on a team like the Jets disrupting their chemistry? They seem like a chemistry team. And I've heard people say like, ah, you don't want to mess up what they've got going on. Yeah. To me, it's like, get good players. He's a good guy. I think the players will hate a guy that comes in and rips it in the back. If the chemistry is strong already, he's not messing it up. He's not going to come in and be like, we're doing it my way now.

Oh my gosh. It's just it's an overrated thing to say. But if there are good players, adapt and good people find their lane, and he would in Winnipeg. They're not trading Adam Lowry for him. Like they're gonna like it's gonna be a prospect. It's gonna be picks. It's not gonna be like you're just inserting him into an already really good. By the way, where's Jets talk?

Jets talk. Unbelievable. They're still so good. Oh yeah. They're so good. They have a plus 70 gold differential. 88 points. They lost to the Islanders? Yeah, they lost. Still. Three, two. Oh, yeah. They're so good. They have a plus 70 goal differential. 88 points. They lost to the Islanders? Yeah,

they lost. Still. Oh, let them lose. They gotta lose a little bit. And they barely have. But they have good for them to learn a little skid here. But I like the timing of it because it says to the GM, this is what it looks like. And it feels bad. Yeah. You need to add someone for seven, two and one in their last 10. They're really three in a row where they've only where's Brock from like Minnesota Road, Minnesota? I believe so that's like what three hours Yeah, it is it's almost like being home a little bit. It's it's a suburb. You know at least in terms of the weather

It's not that different. Oh really cool. He'd go to Winnipeg, wouldn't he? Yeah, does he have a gnome does he have a Full no, I'm sure he does must the guys making six now I imagine if he's gonna be a rental somewhere He wants to go somewhere where you can win and they're the best. I know right this It is factual that many guys have Winnipeg on Partial no trade lists, of course, and that's a challenge for Kevin Cheveau day off right now Of course and that's a challenge for Kevin Cheval day off right now Mm-hmm that is and and that probably makes his job harder than people appreciate that most people do have Winnipeg on their no trade list

Modified no trade for him 16 teams on that list. I would willing I'd be willing to What are the odds that Winnipeg is on that list they They wouldn't post that on Bet365 because it's too much of a lock. Yeah, it's like, just assume, and it's not a Winnipeg knock, it's a Canadian team's plus nine. You'd have to either through his agent or get permission, whatever, but you'd have to, Kevin Chevaldayoff would have to need time to sell his program to Brock or anyone else who might be on the list here. Yeah, drive your family up. We're, you know, tops in the NHL right now. You got a real shot, but you don't have to be the guy, but you get to be a part of it. Yeah. All right,

let's go do it. It's an awesome lineup they have. They are pretty, pretty loaded. Curious to see how aggressive they get. I just saw in sportsnet.ca a story about Betman addressing the tariff stuff and how it's going to affect the NHL. And he didn't shy away from it. No. What did he say? He said it's going to be a factor. It's a factor. It's like, finally, the cap goes up and finally it's like, oh my God.

Anyways, finally the cap goes up and it's just like immediately political strife, tariffs, like, can we just, can we just have the cap go up with no issues? Okay, within like a few years, like a pandemic years like a Pandemic and tariffs. I know come on trade war like come on Come on The league is shut down due to aliens. There's gonna be an alien issue.

That is coming. What's the aliens? Can he get good stride? Yeah, we'd pick him up. I mean, Leafs? I mean, no move clause? All UFAs? Pluto? Not technically too many minutes on the ice

if you're floating above the ice, right? Leafs will do anything. They'll do anything. All right, Ovechkin Capitals, we mentioned that. Let it away. They'll do anything. All right, Ovechkin Capitals, who mentioned that? Let it win. Ottawa and Chicago tonight. Exciting.

Win Ottawa win, let's go. You think that we will talk about a lease trade tomorrow during our lease hour? Yes. Okay. Yes. Yes. We're making a trade tonight.

Luke Coonan? And Jimmy Rutherford's way too quiet too. Yeah, that's true. Think Brock Besser? No, I think he stays. Is he gonna make the playoffs? All right. All right.

All right, thanks to Don Waddell who is mailing our jersey as we speak. We're gonna fire off a cannon every time the Blue Jackets win. Enjoy one of five games tonight. We're back tomorrow on the real Kipper and born show. Have a great night everybody.