The Athletic Hockey Show - James Reimer leading the Canes to the third best record in NHL, Burke in as Habs Goalie Coach, Tortorella vote of confidence & the nightmare continues in Buffalo.

Episode Date: March 3, 2021

Scott and Pierre welcome Carolina Hurricanes goalie James Reimer to the Two Man Advantage edition of The Athletic Hockey Show. Reims has led the Canes to the third best record in the NHL. James and Pierre and Scott discuss goalie load management, Reims time with Roberto Luongo, playing for the Leafs, and how the Canes are preparing for a long playoff run this Spring.Scott and Pierre take a trip around the league and discuss the Habs hiring Sean Burke as their goalie coach, John Tortorella receiving a vote of confidence in Columbus and the mess in Buffalo, with the Sabres at the bottom of the NHL standings and rumours swirling around the future of Jack Eichel in the Queen cityFinally, Scott and Pierre answer your questions on the NHL, including the surprising Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames and if the NHL would switch formats to a final 4, disregarding conferences.The Athletic listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/athleticaudiosurvey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey, everybody. Scott Burnside back for another edition of the Athletic Hockey Show. Two-Man Advantage. Pierre LeBrun. I'm excited. I don't know. Maybe it's spring. We're just about, well, not quite a month out. We're about six weeks out from the trade deadline.

Lots of discussion. How are you feeling? How's the vibe there in Toronto? Is it cold? Tell me what's going on. The snow is melting. It's March. Normally it'd be mail it in March after the trade deadline. And I'd be in Boca Raton right now. I wrote about this. My rumblings today. We'd be in Boca covering the GM meetings, which is a great event to cover. And the stress of the deadline behind us, looking ahead to the stretch run. But this is a year like no other. The trade deadline is April 12th. So this is not mail it in March. Oh, my God. No, I want to circle back that.

But it's going to be, we're going to have fun today, as we always do. But James Reimer of the red hot Carolina hurricanes will be joining us later on in the show. And we'll be chatting all things Cains and maybe Roberto Long. We'll talk about a bunch of stuff with James Reimer. And we will have some questions. We can, as I like to call it, again, like to sell this part of the show. But ask the dorks. We'll have some questions.

I've already looked at them. There are a lot of good questions coming in. And right off the hop, then, some of the news of the data. And here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to give you the opportunity. Where do you want to start? And you've talked about it and written about it, but trade deadline, could this be a bust? We've got Yarmal Kekeleana, giving the vote of confidence for John Tortorella in Columbus.

We've got the ongoing. Oh, my gosh, things are so bad in Buffalo. And they lost again last night. to the Rangers and discussion about Jack Eichol, could he be on the move? And even in the darkness last night, another move by the Montreal Canadians is they dismissed longtime goal-tending coach Stefan Waite and brought in Sean Burke, former, well, he's done a ton of stuff, but most recently was the GM of the Canadian Olympic team in 2018 in South Korea. So where do you want to start?

You tell me. Yeah, let's start with the weight news because it's the freshest. And keep in mind, Sean Burke had been a pro scout with the halves the last few years. So he was already in the organ. I think sometimes you forget that because pro scouts don't get a lot of limelight. But it was pretty stunning news because there was really no lead up to it on a couple fronts. One, you know, Stefan Wade, always a long time respected goal to the coach. Then in Montreal since 2013, eight years.

But, you know, he'd take a step back for a moment and looked at the, The fact that Kerry Price has been inconsistent, really the last three years. Now, he's always bounced back strong and come out of his funks, you know, the 936 safe percentage in the playoff bubble last summer. So it was never really something that I felt the Montreal media was key on, that's for sure. But, yeah, late night shocker, really. And of course, Sean Burke, who had had terrific success in Arizona. Remember, you and I used to call him the goalie whisperer, his work with Devin Dubnick. Mike Smith and

but had also to be fair I think tried to distance himself from the goalie coaching angle right as he pursued a job as an NHL general manager which hasn't played out but I think you know I tweeted this this morning I mean the Canadians announced Burke as a director

of goaltending this isn't just a goalie coach job this is an expanded role where they're going to want him over the long term to oversee the position at all levels in the organization. So it's sort of a front office slash golden coach position, which probably appeals to it more.

Yeah. So interesting. Yeah. Do you take anything from the timing of it? And of course, you know, here we are. Is it a week or all my days look the same to me. But, you know, we are a matter of days after the firing of Claude Julian and Dominic Douchard, coming in to take over the head coaching job with the Canadians,

Kirk Muller, of course, going as well. and Alex Burrough coming into the coaching staff. So a lot of change there. And then this, it sort of happens. And it's sort of, it's late at night. I was wondering what you made at the timing of all this because it was like, oh, wait a minute. Oh, yeah, that happened.

I was a bit surprised by just how it unfolded. Yeah, I mean, it could have probably waited until the morning. I mean, this wasn't a spur of the moment decision. My understanding is this has been in Mark Bridgman's mind for a bit before he finally felt the timing was right. But I guess they wanted to make sure they had their Laval goalie coach ready to go today and so on and so on. So it required doing it post-game.

But it's certainly, what's too bad is that it's Dominic Descharm's first win as an H-LAT coach, and it kind of took away from that. But never a dull moment right now these days in Montreal. But it'll be interesting to see, you know, how, you know, for now, Sean Burke's going to have to quarantine when he gets to Montreal. The Havs are on a road trip now for a while. kind of the timing works out that way, but it'll have to be Zoom, zoom work between Sean Burke and Carrie and Carrie Price for a while before they finally get together in the flesh.

Good stuff. All right. I want to stay with, see, I ask you what you wanted to start with. And I'm just going to slide in now because I want to, I'm doing, you know, sort of like a theme kind of thing going on here. But I wonder how much longer, maybe it's already there. But I think there's always across the hockey world and certainly across Canada. There's always a healthy dislike for the Toronto Maple Leafs. And even though they haven't won a Cups in 67, it still doesn't blunt the dislike in many quarters for the team at the center of the hockey universe. I wonder if it will reach a fever pitch as the Leafs continue to make a case that they are the best team in hockey. Certainly they have more points than anyone right now.

And coming off back-to-back shutouts of the Edmonton Oilers, without Frederick Anderson and goal, without Austin Matthews on the ice, that's, it's impressive, right? I mean, to me, this is, this is something we haven't seen in a long time. You've been in Toronto a long time. But to me, it's been a long time where you could look at that team and say, they might be the best team in hockey. Yeah, and this is one of those weird seasons where, of course,

the Leafs have their detractors because they're, you know, people say they're playing in the Canadian division where no one can defend. And it's, I mean, you're never going to win this argument because everyone's playing in their own divisions and not crossing over. So ultimately, whoever wins the Stanley Cup will decide this debate. But it is the best the Leafs have been in this era. And huge credit to Sheldon Keefe, who, you know, and it's taken a year. But, you know, his job was to find that bounce between this team playing to its strength, which, is obviously speed and skill. But finally learning how to defend too. Yeah. And not in a way that makes

them feel uncomfortable with what they're doing, but that it becomes part of their, that it becomes instinctual and part of their DNA. And I feel like they've gotten there. Now, you know, I wrote this, you know, recently about the Leafs. I mean, I'm not going to say it's unfair because it's sort of their own doing. But of course, no one's going to truly. feel comfortable in their judgment of the Leafs until they win a playoff series. Yeah, for sure. And that's fine. That's, you know, the same way that you judge the Washington Capitals, never getting past

the second round until they won the Cup in 2018. It's one of those things that hangs over you, in part because people really like your team, but they want you to do better when it matters. So that's going to hang over the Leafs until the playoffs in May and June. But in the meantime, the process matters. And what I'm seeing certainly is a team. that is not making some of the, is not making some of the mistakes and having some of the lapses that we've seen over the last few years, that in some ways we're an indicator,

perhaps of a red flags, of a red flag come playoff time, which is the inability to protect the lead or to fall asleep in the middle of games or not, you know, not be consistent. So this is, by any measure, regardless of the division they're playing in a truly, truly impressive season by the Toronto Maple League. I had to look this up because, you know, I live here. I couldn't believe it. But if they do win this division, they'll be their first regular season division title since 99, 2000.

When you were covering the Leaf, Scotty, for the National Post under the late Pac-Quinn, that's how long it will have been for them even just to win a regular. And that's saying something because they've had some good teams in the last 20 years. But certainly in the last several years during this era, obviously Boston and Tampa stood in the way of doing that. Yeah, man, that is a long time ago. And it is a bit shocking that that is the case. And on it, you know, again, we get still better than half a season to play.

So lots can happen. But it is difficult to see. It's difficult to see another team in that North Division that would dislodge them from the first place. So we'll see. And I'll tell you what, when it comes awards time, and I know it's going to be a weird year for the award. But Kyle Dubus deserves a ton of credit. And I think about you to your point on how they play and how they are a different team to play against. And I think of the addition of a guy like T.J. Brody and who seems to have fit so nicely with Morgan Riley.

Justin Hall has just been sort of a revelation in terms of being able to stabilize a blue line that often was, you know, sort of played hair on fire over the course, you know, lots of times during the last four or five years. But what a nice job by Kyle Dubus to bring this group together. And you're right. Shelton Keith has a year under his belt. And this looks like a team that has some swagger to it. So it's fun, fun to watch. And you mentioned T.J. Brody, who, you know, he just quietly goes about his business. He's not a sexy player, but he's fit in well.

And that was so Caldoubis because the focus leading into October 9th, the first day of free agency last off season was really on the least pursuit. of Alex Petrangelo, which ended up kind of being there, but not really being there. I don't know if the lease will ever admit this, but yes, the lease made a presentation to Alex Patrangelo in the first day of free agency. But looking back, it felt to me like one of those, well, we got to do it because he's the big fish, but we know we're probably not going to get him. I think all along, T.J. Boone was their guy. And obviously, it's much cheaper acquisition, but maybe, you know, given their salary cap situation where they're so top heavy with the

money that's concentrated on Matthews, Marner, and Tavaris that obviously made more sense because you kind of wonder had they signed Petrangelo at 8.8 million a year what they would have had to do elsewhere on their roster to make it work. Yeah. No, it's a great point.

All right, let's go south of the border. Three divisions there. I know some people carp that we people only care about the North division, but lots of drama in in and amongst the three American based division. I was, I enjoyed your, your take on Yarmal Kekelein and the GM in Columbus coming out and basically, you know,

it's, it's the cliche, you know, an endorsement of the coach or we've seen this in Vancouver with ownership endorsing the management coaching staff there. And sometimes it is meaningless. But I, in this case, and I thought you. a great take on it. You know, it's a really fascinating dynamic in Columbus with all this happened there, Pierre-Luc Dubois, guest here on Two Man Advantage last week, being traded, all kinds of stuff going on there. And of course, John Tortorella, in the final year of his current deal with the Blue Jackets, there's a lot of moving pieces there. But I thought it was, I thought it was important that Yarmal Kecalanian came out and addressed some of those issues.

and I'm not sure it resolves anything, but I thought it was important. And I think it's fascinating where this team is headed in terms of, you know, torts and the lineup. Can they keep Patrick Liny, all those kinds of things? But I thought it was important that Yarmal Keckinian came out and addressed it. Yeah, it sort of diffuses what was starting to feel like a powder keg, I think, in Columbus. And it's funny, like as soon as Coler Julian got fired in Montreal, everyone seemed to be wondering about Columbus, right? Yeah. And, you know, I don't know, I mean, I think for the rest of the year maybe that this is no longer a story, I still think that, you know, what happens there after the season, you know, his deal is up.

You know, and as I hinted at it in my romlings today, I don't know that it's just been about whether Columbus wants to extend it. But, you know, what does John Dorderoa want in his future? I mean, we often forget that part of it. But we often act like coaches are so desperate to keep their job. But, you know, he's a guy that's done a lot. And maybe, I don't know, does he want to continue there or not? I'm not saying that I have any evidence that he doesn't. I just think that sometimes with veteran coaches, it's important to ask that question, too,

that sometimes we've been somewhere a while, that it's a two-way street in terms of that conversation. So it'll be interesting to sort of monitor after the season, especially really depending on whether they get back into things. Well, and I thought you, and you mentioned this in either in your writing or on TSN, which I thought was interesting. And sometimes when coaches go into a season without a, you know,

without having been extended, you know, whether they are really lame duck or not, you wonder what the rationale is. But if I'm not mistaken, Kalanin was candid. Listen, we've got some financial issues like every team in the NHL.

and we need to, it was not, I don't want to say it wasn't a priority, but it was something that they felt that they could shelve and deal with at a later time when the financial picture becomes more clear. And in theory, we see more fans back in the building and all those kinds of things. Which is basically what happened in Vancouver with Travis Green, which really felt like a no-brainer extension. But after, you know, after what happened in the bubble last summer. But now I still think the Canucks would like, well, I shouldn't say I know this. I'm just guessing. I think the Kinex would still view Travis Green in a positive light. But I don't know.

I mean, the fact that for financial reasons alone decided to wait on it, do they, you know, what happens at the end of the year? That's interesting. Yeah. It's sort of interesting when we talk about transparency and, you know, GM's coming out and addressing firestorms in their marketplace. We haven't really seen that from Kevin Adams in Buffalo. and I think it, you know, in some ways it contributes to an ongoing issue with that team.

Again, coming off and yet another loss against the New York Rangers. They are, I'm just looking now confirming that they are, in fact. Yes, dead last in the Eastern Division, 611 and 3. But to me, I'm curious as we contemplate the April 12th trade deadline. There's so much discussion about Jack Eichael and could he be moved and all those kinds of things. And because Kevin Adams has not really been present in terms of contact with the public or local media, it's hard to really know where the team sits on that. But I wonder if you feel that's more just, you know, we seize on a player like that because he's so high profile and because he's, well, he's a great player. and maybe he wants to move on.

But whether there's any, you know, so the reality of moving a player like Jack Eichel in these circumstances at this trade deadline, it seems like there would be so many moving parts that it's hard to imagine it happening. But I'm wondering. Yeah, yeah, I think it's unrealistic at this point. I think that if you're ever going to move Jack Eichael, which doesn't seem highly advisable if you're trying to be a good team. But if he, you know, like we know there were rumblings last off season, which are legitimate, that there was this conversation between Eichl and Eichl's camp and the Sabres about where this franchise was headed and so on and so on. That stuff is all true. Yeah.

And so the sense I always had is, well, let's see how this year goes and then let's talk again next offseason. So it really sets up either way, whether it's status quo or he really actually gets put on the, market as a as an off-season situation because I in this system and you know I wrote about this Monday out this trade deadline I don't think it's going to be as busy as normal there'll be moves but you got 18 teams and LTIR right yeah like it's so difficult to to make moves right now and if you're going to get it first of all again they may decide that they make you know Ikel and the Sabres may decide that they want to be made married together forever. But let's say it's the opposite. And Michael, this summer is open to change

and the Sabres decide that's a good way to kickstart things again, another reboot. You really want to wait until the offseason where you can get as many teams as possible involved in the bidding. Where the cap, even though it's frozen, becomes less of an issue in the summer months because you can go over it until opening night and you got more wiggle room to manage around it. It just invites more teams to the freight. Sure. Then a snap decision here before April 12th. That's why I just, I mean, I know people have them on their boards and so on, but I, I just don't see the logic in getting involved in that kind of thing now when I think you could involve more teams in the offseason.

And again, that's if the savers even go that route. Whenever I hear these kinds of conversations, listen, never say never, look what we've already seen this year. Could you imagine a scenario where, you know, a player with the skill set of a Patrick Linae gets traded for Pierre-Luc Dubois? So you never see that. But that's almost, I would argue that's an off-season trade. Right. Yeah. Like it happened two weeks into the season, but the, the seas were planted, you know, we reported on it.

Like in the off-season, Lainey's camp was public about change of scenery. Yep. And as it turns out, we didn't know at the time, but it came out later that Dubois asked for a trade. you know, before the season even started. So, you know, that deal as big as it was wasn't a trade deadline deal. Right. That was, we're heading into the season and we've got an issue here. Let's try and figure it out.

Right. Yeah. Well, before you cut me off, I wasn't really going to talk about that part. But I guess it was the, the talent level at such a young age. I mean, you just, you don't often see it. And it makes me think of a conversation that had many, many years ago with Jay Feaster, who, of course, was the GM in. Tampa. And, and there were, you know, there was a lot of discussion about Vinnie La Cavillier and maybe

slow to develop and was that, you know, was that a fit for him with that organization in that marketplace, the first overall pick, of course. And I just remember Jay Feastor saying, I don't want to be the guy who goes down in history as being the guy that traded Vinnie La Cablee. And of course, he didn't and they won their first cup together in 2004. And, but I just remember want that sort of conversation of when you're talking about something like this it's easy for us to say well you should trade jack eichael or you could trade them to the rangers and here's the package but when you're talking about that kind of player in a market like that you are talking about changing the history of your franchise right you're talking about changing a seismic change to

what your franchise looks like or their identity and i'm not saying it's a bad thing it shouldn't happen, but it's not something that Kevin Adams and the Pagula's and that organization. I mean, you have to swallow hard before you really go down that road. Do you think that's fair? Yes. And by the way, something that never gets brought up, but I just feel the need to. Are we convinced that teams, that there would be that long a list of teams tripping over themselves to get a guy making 10 mil in a year for a long time? In this. economic climate. Yeah, no, for sure. I mean, I do think there will, there would be a number of teams interested because of how talented he is, but maybe not to the extent that we would be used to

pre-pandemic is what I'm saying. Yeah. I think everyone, there's so many more things to think about now than pre-pandemic, I think, with all these things. I still think the Rangers, and I know the Rangers had, I think, a pretty casual conversation with the Sabres last offseason and didn't really go anywhere. But I think the Rangers make a lot of sense at a certain price come the summer, you know, as one of those glaring pieces in their lineup.

But when I say a certain price, some of the packages being thrown out there by fans, I think there's no way the Rangers would pay that price. So again, it's one of those conversations, I think, that could be revisited, but within reason. Yeah.

Well, that too will become more clear. over time. All right. We're going to take a break in a minute here. Anything else you want to get off your chest before we take a break and then come back and chat with James Reimer of the Carolina Hurricanes? I don't know. You got anything? Crosby on the COVID list.

That's a big win. See, I ask you a question that I answer it myself. Huge win for the Penguins without Sidney Crosby. With fans in the building, I think for the first time this season. Yes, that is correct. And beating a Flyers team without their captain. That was pretty impressive, but anything else you want to get off your chest before we Well, you know, I probably shouldn't ask this question without having the answer, but it was,

it was, I think the guys were talking about this on overdrive, uh, uh, on TSN 1050 on the radio the other day and it's something I should follow up on, but seeing some fans in the building in Pittsburgh last night, I would, you know, if we get to the league semi-finals and you've got some teams with a fair amount of fans in their building, but of course, I don't think you're going to see it in Canada. Is there any kind of, is that a, is that fair when you get to the league semi-finals that you have a different scenario there throughout the series? I don't know.

It's an interesting thing to. I say this. I say, boo-hoo. That's what I said. Honestly, I saw someone raise this issue. I don't know where I saw it. It's like, well, it's not fair that if a player. like with the

line A Dubois trade Someone said Well it's not fair That Dubois has quarantined For 14 days And line eight Now he had some paperwork To deal with

Before he could join the Blue Jackets But basically If you're playing for An American team You're The The protocols are much different Than if you're joining

Canadian teams I mean Well that's not fair That's an unlevel playing field It's like Well okay Then don't Then don't make that trade

If you Like if you're Winnipeg And you feel badly about Then don't make that deal Yeah, I mean, listen, everything about this year is, I mean, you just have to take a step back. They're trying to play a season through a pandemic. I know, yeah, I do. Everything about it is, you know, it's like the NFL having a game on a Wednesday this year.

Like, it's just, it is what it is. Like, they're going to try and figure this out. Knock on wood right now, I guess everyone's going to play 56 games, which I wasn't convinced three, four weeks ago. Yeah. Might be possible with some of the U.S. teams, given that COVID postpone. I hope that's not like it's not like talking about a shutout, is it? Like you say that now and you just squirrel it. But I think you raise an interesting point.

So let me end. And it's funny because I look at the standings. The one thing I almost never look at now is a team's home and away record, right? Like does it really matter, right? But to your point now with fans in the building, does it feel, do you get a different vibe now? And we're slow, you know, like it's happening in a lot of American markets now in Texas. I'm not going to bring the politics. Oh, my God.

Texas now just like, okay, the pandemic's over. Just do whatever you want. I don't think that's a good idea, according to the CDC. But it is going to be different from place to place. And it's certainly going to be different between Canada and the United States. Right. And in fact, going back to the league semifinals, still nothing in stone written in stone yet because if the border continues to be an issue,

because we don't trust you Americans. I'm just kidding. But if the Canadian U.S. border remains an issue, it may be that the Canadian team has to go south and not come home for the rest of the playoffs after the second round. Who knows? Right?

Yeah. You can't stop the playoffs for 14-day quarantines. So that'll be interesting too. And it's really impossible to predict right now. The league hates when you give them theoretical, I like to deal with a decision as they come at them. But that's an interesting one, the monitor here is when will the border loosen up for that kind of thing? Well, and again, it is pure speculation.

But right now in the States, of course, and President Biden announcing yesterday that the feeling is that their ability to get vaccines available to basically all adult Americans now, you know, I think it's by the end of May now, which is two months or. earlier than they initially thought. Again, does that, do those kinds of signals, and assuming it continues to go that way, do those kinds of signals change how the Canadian government views their border and their relationship with travel back and forth with the United States? I think it's fascinating. And you're right, because what we're talking about at the final four, you know, we're going to start to the playoffs. I think, oh, I'm going to say May 8th.

Is that right? No, I know. I know. I think the, because there's regular season games I'm May 10. So that would be awkward. The 12th. No, I think it'll be the 12th and 13th at this point. Right.

So, so you know, now you're sort of, you know, you look at the timetable. Maybe it comes together and maybe that's the point where we do see, where maybe this becomes a moot point. Knock on wood. And as promised, joined by Carolina Hurricanes netminder, James Rimer. James, thanks for coming to hang. out with this. You probably, you haven't had much of a chance to catch your breath. You had a busy night in Nashville, another win for the Carolina Hurricanes, and you ran your personal record to 10 and 3, if I'm not mistaken. Your 10 wins, the third most of any NHO goaltender

this season. So congratulations in the Cains, battling for first place in the Central. And now you're back at home. You got some daddy duties, I'm sure, to try and mix in with chatting with Pierre and I. Yeah, yeah, no, definitely just, uh, Catching up on a little father-daughter time, our father-daughter's time. So, it's been a good day back home. It goes fast, James. Enjoy every minute. My kids are already at the point where they're second-guessing everything I say and goes fast.

So enjoy that time. So how is the year going for you guys? Obviously, the team is doing well. You're doing well. You guys haven't missed a beat after Peter went down. But what's it like for a goalie? in this unique pandemic season where, let's be honest, I think practice time is pretty limited. And so what's that like for your position where I think that's pretty important to be on the ice?

Yeah, I mean, that's honestly. I mean, I think probably every coach is probably wishing they had more practice time. You know, I think there's always things, you know, after games where you see things you'd like your team to get better at. and kind of work on and that's limited. And I think that, you know, that applies to goalies in a big way. And I kind of touched on that a little bit after the game last night. But, you know, I don't know what it's like to be a forward or a defenseman or whatnot. But, you know, for goaltenders, you know, it's nice to get with your goalie coach and just tweak things or work on things.

There's always a list of things that you're wanting to perfect. And when, you know, you don't have time to do that, it's, you know, it sucks. I mean, it's one of those things you just have to work with and try and make, you know, mental changes and kind of rely on your foundation. But, yeah, that's one of the hard things about it. But that's such a busy schedule is not having that time to tweak.

I'm curious, James. I want to ask you about your relationship with Roberto Luongo in Florida, but we talked earlier in the season about some of the changes that a lot of NHL teams are going through in terms of, you know, sort of research. structuring the goal tending development model. And actually, Pierre and I were talking about it earlier in the podcast with Sean Burke coming into Montreal to head up their goaltending department now.

And I wonder if you, you know, during the course of your career, if you're surprised maybe it's taken this long for teams to, you know, sort of commit like more than just, okay, here's a guy to look after our goal. Now we don't have to worry about it. But there's a lot more structure to it now. And I think more and more teams are doing it. And I wonder if you think it's, are you surprised it has taken that long for teams to really sort of focus on the evolution and development of their goaltenders throughout the organization? Yeah, I mean, I don't know if I'm surprised it's taking so long or whatnot.

I don't know what the correct, you know, wording would be. But, but I mean, goaltending is no doubt an integral part of, you know, the game of hockey. And so, you know, it's a science. And of all the positions, you look over the last 10, 20, 50 years, whatever time thing were put on it, you know, it's accelerated so much. And so, you know, some teams are really investing a lot of, you know, money and research and development into it and trying to get that edge. And so, you know, it's one of those things that I feel like you're constantly pushing the barriers, you know.

And then when goalies get too good, then they reduce the size of your gear and then you've got to adapt again. So, you know, it's, you're constantly adapting. So, you know, the more you can work on your game and trying to understand the position, you know, the better you'll be. You know, James, this might be a good time to just retire right now. I'm looking at your peers. No, hold on for a second. Follow me. Go with your against smaller.

No, no, no, no. I'm looking at your career numbers. After last night, the league's website says you've now made 10,000 saves in your career right on the button. Not 10,000 or 999, but 10,000 right on the button. So that's it. Yeah, I mean, that's a good way. That's the market. That's the market right there.

How have you found the position has changed since you came in with the Leafs? That's when you and I met. And, you know, even in this decade, you know, I was talking to Roberto Longo about this recently and, you know, obviously he's retired now. But he said even in the last few years of his career, the way the game has sped up and the pressure puts on goalies in terms of the quickness of the game and pressure on your joints and the way your technique has to adjust to it. Have you seen big changes even in your time in the league? Yeah, I think so. I mean, I think it's the athleticism part. You know, I think back in the day, you were either big or you were athletic, right?

Or those are kind of the two words, right? And now there's really not one or the other. You kind of have to be both. And so, you know, it's, you know, it's like, yeah, I think when Lou said, right. I mean, the game is so quick now. You have to be, you have to be so on it and be. and be able to move from your position, you know, and so, yeah, and same thing, too. It's harder on, it's harder on your body.

And I think that's why you see, you know, the amount of games that that goal with your playing are going down and going into more of a two-goly system simply because it just is more taxing, you know. You know, I don't know if shot totals are up or down, you know, statistically over the years, but the way that chances are being generated and how they are is, is, you know, definitely tougher on goalies. And so, you know, it's, you see it definitely, the load being shared between two guys more than just one,

which would have been more of a traditional format. Yeah, I know. No question. That's where the story, Scott, I know you're going to jump in, but that's where the science seems to suggest that. I mean, Boston, I think, is the first team. a number of years ago to embrace it for for tuka rass that first with the hoodobin and then with yearoslav alack and you know i've talked to rask about it and and and he understood the science

and felt that when he went to the cup final in 19 james that he he was better for it because his year had been less taxing and but it's hard though like if you're if you're goalie making a ton of money isn't the other part of it you know that you feel you you want to be out there every night I guess that's hard to get out of your mind because you're such a competitor. Yeah, I mean, that's the catch right too. I mean, you want to play. You want to play every game. You know, you don't really care.

Even if your body is hurting, you want to play 82 games. And so I think especially even when you're playing well, I mean, I guess both. When you have a bad game, you want to get back in there. And when you have a good one, you want to keep it rolling. So, you know, that's where, you know, it sucks sometimes if you feel like you're feeling it. and then a coach telling you that it's probably best for the team for your rest. And so, you know, you know, you have that internal war in your mind. But obviously, you know, when you look at it from, you know, from the team perspective,

where you look back on it, you know, I mean, when you're rested and ready to go, I mean, that seems to be where, you know, where it's at. James, you spent three years in Florida with the Panthers. And I'm curious about how your relationship with Roberto Luongo developed and evolved. And maybe how important, you know, that relationship has been to you as you've moved on, spent the last couple of years in Carolina. Yeah, I mean, you know, I was so fortunate to have, you know, two, you know, all-star veteran goalies in my career that I was.

I could learn things from. I mean, obviously I jiggy in in Toronto, which was, you know, massive for my development and kind of solidifying my foundation per se, just being able to watch him and see how he approached everything. You know, and then, you know, got to see it again firsthand with Lou in Florida. No, I mean, obviously these guys have a ridiculous natural ability to read the pocket and to replays. but, you know, the way they approach the game and every day, you know, it's, it's, you know, I have talked about it before with Lou, but it's, it's, it's kind of was extraordinary how, how routine, you know, his, his game was, how his practices were and how he came, came to the rink and worked hard and

was prepared just every single day, you know, there was never was a day off, you know, and, and, and, you know, that's kind of one thing. thing that I took from him too. You know, you have a plan, you stick with it, and you just, you know, groundhog day almost even mean, you just, you believe in it and you work it every day. And so that was pretty impressive to watch him for three years and just how we approached it. Having spent some time with Roberto in Florida, and now, of course, he's got a role with the Canadian Olympic team with Beijing, and he's such a big personality.

I wonder, is there a Roberto Luongo moment for you? Like, when you think of him, is there stuff, you're like, okay, I'll, I'll never forget that. Or I'm so glad I was there to, you know, share that part of it with him. Uh, yeah, I don't know. I don't know if there's, you know, maybe one moment. I mean, you know, he's, he's just, he's a funny guy, you know. He's serious and he's a competitor, but, you know, kind of his off-hand sarcastic one-liners are unreal.

I mean, you know, I mean, honestly, I don't know if there's, like I said, I don't know if there's one moment, but just a general personality and whatnot, being able to, you know, sit beside them in the rooms. And like I said, I kind of learned from them. It was just, yeah, it was a lot of fun. It was a really good experience. I'm wondering if you look back at your time in Toronto, James, with maybe a bit of a different, a different,

look now with years having passed and by the end of your tenure there it was a full tank upalooza with the Leafs trying to get Austin Matthews and I'll just say it if you don't. And it's funny, I look back at your numbers too on some of those struggling leaf teams and a 918 safe percentage in your last year in Toronto

really good for that team. You had a 924 1 year. I don't know if people appreciated what you did at that time. frankly playing a team that wasn't very good. And did it take a while for you to process, you know, things that were said or how you felt when you left such a huge media market? Yeah, I don't know. I mean, honestly, you know, Toronto, you know, the mecca of the hockey world and has this aura about it, right? I mean, even different teams you go to, everyone asks like, oh, how was it in Toronto?

How was it in Toronto? You know, what's it like playing there? you know everyone wants to know and everyone wants to you know you know see what it was like and whatnot and honestly i mean i tell the same thing i mean i i really enjoyed my time there um i obviously there was there was tough times and and there's then there's good times and whatnot right but but i really enjoyed the the whole experience i mean um you know i think also what helps is is that's that's all i knew at the time, you know, that's just what I thought hockey was, right? That's how, you know, the games approached, you know, on a nightly basis.

And I didn't have a glimpse of what other teams went through, what other players, what their experiences were. So, no, yeah, I mean, I had a lot of fun. And, you know, we had some really good times. And, you know, I honestly, I mean, it was just, it was special. I mean, being drafted by them and whatnot, it was, it really was a special time. Well, the Carolina Hurricanes are in a position now where, you know, a team that has gone from, you know, sort of the darlings of the playoffs in 2018 and getting into the playoffs for the first time in a decade,

where the expectations are, I think, are exceedingly high for this team. And I wonder what you see, James, when you go in that locker room and, you know, whether it's Sebastian Ajo or Andre. or any of that incredible core, are there things that have surprised you even as you move in towards the midpoint of this season where you're like, okay, I didn't know if we'd be this good or I didn't know we'd handle these kinds of situations in this way. I just wonder if there's any kind of surprise to you at what's unfolded through the first half of this season with this team. Yeah, I mean, I think what makes our group special.

right now is and you know I'll put a like a a little dampener but but I still don't feel like I don't I think all the guys would would attest us I just don't think we feel like we're playing as good as we can play yet I think we've what's been really good is we found ways to win even when we're not playing our best but but I think what's what's special but our group and you know now I've played on a few teams but um it's just you know the the competitiveness and character of our of our young guys and we have a pretty young team so that's that's pretty much our whole team but but you know um you know geordo is a great captain we got a couple guys that have been in the league for a while now that that are good leaders you know and and and i think do a good job of representing um you know how to how

to, again, kind of like Lou and some of the veterans, you know, that we've all played with, but, but, you know, how to, how to be a pro every day. But it's, it's, it's, um, just comes naturally for, for some of the young guys on our team. They got a lot of character and, and, and they want to win and, and, and they do the right things to put themselves in a, in a place to, to be successful. They prepare, they prepare well and, and, and, um, they just go and play, play their hearts out. And we make mistakes sometimes and we go through balls and whatnot, but that drive to compete and to win is kind of just naturally ingrained, and I think in some of these guys.

And then push to the limit through Roddy. I mean, he's a great coach and an unbelievable leader. And so, you know, these young guys are chomping at the bit, and he, you know, he kind of puts the right thing. in their mind and they go out flat. And so, you know, it's real fun to be part of a team that kind of has that drive. It's funny you mention as we wrap it up here, James, it feels like in Rob Brindamor, all I can feel on the outside from the body language that I'm reading and everything,

I talk to people around the organization, it's that you guys, the player who want to play for Rod, you know, I think more so than sometimes you have in that situation in terms of different coaches around the league. Is that fair? Like, he's just one of those guys that's pushing all the right buttons right now with you guys. Yeah, yeah, I think so. I think what's special about Roddy. And again, sometimes, you know, people ask, you know what's he like, what's it like?

And, you know, I think for him is that he's just, he's honest and he's there in the fight with you. You know what I mean? He's a passionate guy and coach and, and, and, and, you know, and, you know, he's a passionate guy and, and, He feels the ebbs and flows of the game and he feels the, you know, he feels and still understands what it's like to be a player and what it's like to be out there. So I think, you know, he has, he has a touch, he has a pulse on the team and, and again, kind of what it feels like. So what he says, you can tell he means and it's not just, it's not just words. It's, it's either something you, you know he's felt or he's currently feeling because he's, he's writing the fight with you. So,

you know, I think that's what makes guys, you know, buying so much into what he brings. Well, we'll let you go in a second here, James, but I always think it's curious, especially with goalies, how it happens? How do you end up with the pair of pads on and, you know, facing 100 mile an hour shots, all that kind of stuff? And I was doing some reading. And if the story that I am, you know, have been privy to is accurate, it goes back to. Morwina, Manitoba, which my sense is a pretty small little hamlet in Manitoba, and an older brother who needed a target. And I wonder, A, is it true? And if you ever think about those moments back in the family garage or on the backyard drink in Morwina and where it's led to you, led you to today. Yeah, I know the story. The legend is true.

No, I mean, it's, yeah, I mean, honestly, every day, I think, I think back to where it all started. I mean, you know, pretty improbable. And, yeah, I mean, we're just a small little rural town, little house and amongst a ton of farmland. And so, you know, obviously grew up as a Canadian, loving hockey. And my brother was, you know, three and a half years older than me. And so every younger brother wants to play with their older brother. And so he lovingly gave me the ultimatum of, you know, the only way I could play with him is if I was a goalie.

So thanks to him, you know, here I am. Good stuff. Do you get back there? Do you still have, like, do you still have ties to the community? And do you ever get back there? Yeah, actually, all my siblings are back there right now, really. You know, over the years, they've been, they've been in and out, but right now for the last little while, they're actually all kind of

living in the area. So I've got a bunch of friends and most of my extended family is still back there. So I try and head back at least once a summer, if not more. So still a lot of ties. I don't know. It sounds like a good off-season story for me once it's really hot here in Atlanta. That might be a good, I might try and shoulder my way into a trip to Morwina, Manitoba this off-season.

So I'll have to, I'll touch back with you later on that. You know what? I don't believe you, but I appreciate it. No, it's completely true. It's completely true. Anyway, it's been great having you aboard and sharing some time. If you'll indulge me one more. I know that just before we started the tape, there was this, Pierre mentioned that whenever he used to see you in the leaf dressing room, he would have like some sort of health drink, which I get to tell you. I've been around Pierre a lot, and sometimes I don't see the health drink thing. But is this true that you used to see him? With a health drink in that Maple Leaf locker room? Is that a true story? Yeah, every day. I mean, I don't know if it was empty.

He just brought the same cup every day. I used to walk into the room with a booster juice. And James, because he perceives things. He sees around him, just like tracking pucks, he noticed a trend with me. Sometimes it's because I had too many glasses of wine the night before that I needed the green health drink the next day. but, you know, yeah, that is a true story. So I think James was kind of teasing me sometimes with that.

But, you know. I was just always hoping you'd bring one for me. Well, you should have asked. I would have gladly, you know, I'd really gladly doubled up. Well, I'd have to see if maybe come playoff time. If the rules are relaxed and we actually end up back in the locker rooms, who knows? Maybe we can make this work. Oh, my goodness.

That seems like a long time ago going into a dressing room. Yeah. Yeah, good stuff. Anyway, James, thank you for taking the time on an off day and continued success for you and the hurricanes and stay safe and healthy in North Carolina. And hopefully we'll see you down the road. But thanks for taking the time with us today. No, my pleasure. Thanks for having you on.

That was great. And it's funny, Pierre, it never occurred to me that you would have spent a lot of time around James during his time in Toronto. But, of course, you would have. And I think James has done a nice job. you alluded to it, Peter Marazix, but out with a thumb injury for quite some time. And really, it's going to be interested to see what the canes do. You know, if they look to shore up their goal tending, depending on how he comes back, all those kinds of things.

But, man, it's a good team. They play a fun brand, as we were talking about earlier. And James Rimer, he has found himself a nice niche with that team. And I think it's good. Always a smile on his face. And those were some tough years at the end, because the Leaks really were ten. thinking. And it got them off of Matthew, so it clearly worked.

But he was always a very respectful guy through tough times and tough questions, just handled himself so well. And, you know, I don't cover the lease for a living, but because I'm based in Toronto, I love going to morning skates and just networking with the players in both dressing rooms. But James, there's always a guy that I would end up striking a conversation with on most days because he's very thoughtful. All right.

Before we go to break, A couple of interesting potential free agents in that Hurricanes locker room. And I know you've written and chatted about it recently. But Dougie Hamilton, of course, in the final year of his deal and head coach, Rod Brindamore. Also, near, well, he would be a free agent in the coaching world if he's not re-uped in Carolina. Two huge parts of that hurricane's machinery, though. And my gut tells me both end up staying with the canes. but I guess you never know.

Yeah, me too. Yeah, me too. I think, you know, right now Tom Dundden and Rob Brindamore's camp, I guess, or have had some discussions and eventually I think they'll get to where they need to get. I think the Dougie Hamilton situation is a little trickier, but still ends up with Hamilton staying put. But I do think it's a bit trickier as I reported over the past day or so that, you know, each side and the Dougie Hamilton represented by J.P. Barry,

each side last month kind of presented their position. And while no one is saying this for sure to me, what I'm inferring is that they're not that close. And so, you know, they'll have to find that happy medium. It's not easy these days, but the flat cap and the environment and no revenues this year. But at the same time, Dougie Hamilton put up huge numbers last year and what he means to that team, you can certainly see how both sides are coming at it. So, you know, sometimes these things go to the 11th hour.

You know, John Carlson signed on, I went back and looked at this. June 25th, he signed five days before July 1st back in 2018 after winning the cup. You imagine John Carlson going to market. It almost happened. But, you know, I think they got to find a number there that works. And I think for Dougie Hamilton, too, he's finally, after bouncing around Boston and Calgary, he's found a spot where he fits. And he's thrived. And so I think that matters as well in all this.

And the Seattle expansion. I mean, the interesting thing is the hurricanes really want to sign them, but it actually adds to their protection issues, right, with all their great defensemen in Carolina. You know, do they end up protecting four defensemen and four-fourths instead of 7-3-1 with the goalie? So 4-4-1 instead of 7-3-1. That's not ideal. I think only Nashville did it last time in the Vegas.

expansion draft. Yeah, I think you might be right, but it, and you're right. But that's, and that's the price you pay for building, you know, building a, of a really solid foundation with all kinds of talent throughout your lineup. It, it does make for some agonizing decisions as you, as we approach that Seattle expansion. Here we are, my friend. We have some questions from our. I would say readers, listeners, people who follow along.

We love them, by the way. Let me ask you, what this one? There are a couple of funny ones here, which we'll get to a second, but how about this? This one, Matthew Jex, M. Jex 19, do the Blackhawks make the playoffs, and if not, who in the Central replaces them. Honestly, I think the Central might be, I think it is the most interesting, and I'm not saying this with James Reimer on the show, but I think the Central is maybe the most compelling of the divisions. I think the East is the best division, but the Central has been surprisingly more competitive than I would have predicted because I thought it was super top-heavy.

Like I thought Tampa, Carolina were going to run away with it. I thought Dallas would be third, and then I didn't think much of the rest of the division, but I've clearly under underestimated Chicago to this person's point. I think that if Chicago falters, a team that still gets back in that mix is Dallas. I think that, you know, it's been a tough go for the stars. They've got significant injuries, but they've also, as we date this, only played 17 games. So, you know, can they make hay as they start to catch up in the games play? I'm not saying for sure they will.

I mean, it's really been a tough go. We tape this, they've won one of their past 10, right? They're dead less. They're an eighth place, my friend. Well, they're not, sorry, I never look at points. I look at points percentage because of the eight. So they're six in the division right now. Okay.

So Nashville and Detroit are the two bottom teams on points of percentage. No, it's, no, I mean, the question is. I understand what you're doing. But oddly enough, the points count. I don't want to give the next team behind them as the obvious answer. Columbus is behind them. So, and I'm not sure Chicago will falter. Right now, Chicago's fourth in points percentage at 609 and continue to find ways to win.

It's a great story. Wow. And, you know, at some point we'll be discussing the awards we get a little bit closer. But what a season for Patrick Kane. And those kids that, you know, Kevin Lankin and Goal and good for Jeremy Coulton to, you know, to, again, there's another coach, right, who, you know, taking over for Joel. Quenville in not in the middle of the season, but in the mid-season and in the midst of a season. And it's taken some time for him. But I think he's done a phenomenal job.

And I've seen this. Mark Lazarus, our colleague in Chicago, tweeted this out, so I couldn't just steal the idea. But I think it's fair to say that among the potential candidates for Coach of the Year, Joel Quenville in Florida and the guy that replaced him in Chicago, Jeremy Paul. I think that's fair. Well, and what about Stan Bowman, the GM? I mean, I think it's fair to say he's come under fire the last few years in his market,

but, you know, what the plan was and where this was added. And I remember interviewing him after the Hawks upset the Oilers in the play-in series in the bubble. And, you know, people kind of looked at it as a fluky thing. But you know Stan. I mean, he's a well-thought-out guy, and he truly believed that what they were trying to do. trying to do here in their retool, whatever you want to call it, was going to work and that this was a process.

And that around Kane and Taze and Keith that they could sort of bridge the gap to the next generation of the team. Man, between the play and series win last summer and what they're doing right now, all you can say is he's obviously, he believes in his plan and then it's working right now. I think the Blackhawks hang on. I'm with you. I think Columbus has a chance to get back in. And I think, frankly, for me, the issue for Dallas isn't that they are, you know, yes, they have games in hand. They have a ton of games in hand.

They haven't played. But their schedule is now so onerous. It's so owners. And you've got to dislodge for teams. And yeah, so Nashville and Detroit aren't very good. You still got to win all those games, basically. And then, I don't know, it just seems like the hole is so enormous. Like they're coming out, they played.

I thought they played very well the night before we're taping this. They lose two nothing to, Andre Vasiliski was outstanding for Tampa. And it's just, there it is. It's just, it's going to be hard for them. How about Tampa, by the way? I mean, 15, 4, and 1 as we taped this and almost getting no attention. I guess it's hard now to get attention in their own market when every team in every league is winning championships.

but 775 points percentage. Holham, no Nikita Kutrov. Let's just, what's a cup hangover? They don't know what that is. And really doing it without anyone nationally saying, wow, look at Tampa. That's just a well-oiled machine. Again, I'm going to move on to another couple of questions here,

but I love the top end of that division. And I think of Tampa, Carolina, Florida. Honestly, who doesn't want to see first ever Battle of Florida come playoff time? I don't know. I just, those three teams play such an enticing brand of hockey. It is so fast and the skill level is off the charts for all three of those teams. Yeah, I'm with you. I thought the division would look a lot different than it does.

and it's a real treat. And it's going to be fascinating to see come playoff time, especially, you know, with the first two rounds within the division, man, there's some good hockey to be had there. And it sort of moves on. It's sort of a broader question. This is from Jonathan Smith, John Smith, 83. Do you think the NHL would ever permanently go to a final four grouping,

disregarding the conferences, as we're going to see this year, because we don't have conferences in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and maybe even take it a step further, would you go to a top eight like that, so that you basically reorder after the first round of the playoffs? What do you think? That's not been something that Gary Batman has been in favor of. And in fact, I remember asking someone at the league last year

about the appetite for changing the playoff structure and his response was that there wasn't any appetite for that. Now, what I will say, though, is that one of the things I think that the league has also committed to is to learn from this unique season to see if there are things that are interesting, that their fans love that made sense going forward. You know, I don't think we'll see any real changes for next year, but over time, because these things are like slow-moving warships. You need to think three, four years out before you start making changes.

But it'll be interesting to see if there is. Because, you know, I've talked about some nauseam. I don't like the current playoff format, not the one for this year, but the one that is supposed to come back that we've had for several years now. It's sort of half-divisional, half-wild card. To me, you should commit to one or the other. Either you go back to one versus eight in your conference, or you go to a divisional.

But I was never a fan of this wild card hybrid. scenario, which actually the NHLPA is part of the reason is the PA member had bought at the realignment slash playoff format coming out of the 2012-2013 lockout. Right. And the PA felt the wild card would be more fair for perhaps divisions that were stronger than others and so on and so on. That's why we had wild cards. But honestly, I think one versus eight, the format we had before 2012 is the one that I thought

worth the basket. Yeah. Well, yes, I agree. And I don't mind the idea, if you got down to the final four, yeah, you know, the travel is going to, you're going to have travel at some point. And so I know that's why you wouldn't do 116 because travel would make no sense. But I wouldn't, I don't, I don't mind the idea when you get down to the final four that if you're, you know, if the, if the top two point producers are the teams from the West or the teams from the East, then, Why shouldn't they get a bonus, at least in theory, a bonus, and playing teams that would have fewer points. But I wouldn't mind that in the final four. I think maybe the final eight might be a bit too much.

But I don't mind, and I wouldn't mind entertaining the idea of remixing at the conference final level, at the final four level. Okay. This is from M. And he wants to know, he, I made an assumption there, and I shouldn't have. It's at Mile TWT. So M, he or she wants to know if you think that Jeff Ward's job is safe, as head coach in the Calgary Flames, heard some speculation about Darrell Sutter returning to Calgary.

Calgary is a very interesting team to me because, you know, to me they're one of those teams that has all kinds of talent built, you know, on paper looks like a team that should be right in the mix for, you know, to be a contender. And I love the idea of Jacob Marcher coming in there and stabilizing the goaltending. And, you know, as we speak today, they're in fifth place, three points back of fourth place, Montreal. They played two more games. It hasn't been great in Calgary.

No, and maybe the most surprising team in that division negatively, although you could argue Vancouver. Now, Vancouver, a lot of people were on that early that they thought that the offseason defections would hurt the country. Canucks. Whereas the flames were picked, I mean, I remember pulling people around the league and the Leafs were number one, and then it was a real debate between Calgary, Montreal for number two in this division. So I think people thought highly of the flames. I don't know about our coaching change.

I guess anything's possible, but, you know, they just put Jeff Ward in there. He replaced Bill Peters, obviously under very unique and serious circumstances, but nevertheless, I mean, you know, as a GM, how many coaching changes do you get? I don't know. I mean, they obviously committed to Jeff Ward. They had a chance to, when Jeff Ward was the interim coach, to go another route, right? Yeah. And they decided to commit to him.

I feel like it could be pretty early in the process to make that change in my mind. I agree. I did talk to somebody I would be talking about trade deadline and talking about the flames. And this idea that teams that, you know, continue to sort of bump their heads on their way to being a contender, whether it was Washington or the St. Louis Blues, were both GMs in those organizations, had to make difficult decisions on moving core pieces to try and find the right mix, right?

I mean, T.J. O'Shee, you know, Doug Armstrong didn't want to trade T.J. O'Shea out of St. Louis, but felt he had to, that things needed to be done. Sort of shake the apple trees, I think, what he talked about at the time way back, yeah. Yeah. And I talked to somebody this week about whether, you know, it's Calgary at that point. And yet you bring in Jacob Markstrom and, you know, there's your. Yeah, it's not like they didn't have a big offseason.

And Brad Trey-Living added the best goal in the market who was available, I mean. I brought in Chris Tanna, who I think's played well. But what he didn't do, and I think that, you know, he would probably never admit this. but just from talking to other teams around the league, I think there was a bit of soul-searching in the off-season about the court and whether he should move, let's say, Sean Monaghan or Johnny Gujaro, teams phoned about those players. I know that for a fact.

It obviously didn't happen. I mean, nothing probably made sense, but that's an interesting one. And I can tell you this. I mean, we know that Calgary was among the final four or five teams in the mix on Pier Luke Dubois two months ago. I have to imagine Monaghan would have been part of that pitch because Yarmou Kay Kalinin wasn't taking calls from teams who were offering future packages. He was interested in getting immediate help. So again, it tells you to some degree that the Brad Tree Living probably knows maybe the type of moves that might have to come at some point.

Again, I don't know that that's easy to do before April 12th. Going back to what we talked about earlier with Jack Eichael, but it doesn't mean it's not. But I'm a firm believer on how the offseason in the cap era has become much more fertile ground for changing your team. And you know what? So every week you and I tweet out, hey, ask questions. We're going to take some questions on two-man advantage. You know, every week my friend Al-Laland in Ottawa sends a question. Hey, hey, Al.

I know, it's great. And you know what? Every week he asks about our hair. He wants to know about her hair. I know. Mine's out of control. You know how much gel I have to put on it to go on TSN right now? See, my barber's closed.

I can't get into my barber. See, as it, now you use products. I'm not a product guy, as you know that. Right? So just so, and I guess. On my hair, yes. Yeah, no, of course. Yeah, but it's a yin and yang of you and I, my friend.

You're a product guy, and I'm not, I'm sort of, and my hair is looking pretty shady. Well, I mean, having shared a hotel, room with you over the years, not that we wanted to, but sometimes because we had no choice during some assignments, I can tell you that you get out of bed with your hair perfectly quaffed. I mean, it's just, you can't teach that, my friend. You have the perfect hair. You have the perfect air. You can't teach it. You just, that's it. All right. Speaking of podcasts, we will transition away from our hairstyling seamlessly. Jeff Jackson, agent for Connor McClain.

David is Craig Custin's guest on the full 60 this week. Do you know, and I'm Jeff Jackson and I have traded text. You know, he's like a Southern Ontario guy like me. And he actually, we had a long text chain not too too long ago where it turns out that he may have fought people I know who played on the Essex 73s, Junior C. Hockey in Essex, Ontario. Because he said, do you know this? Do you know this? I won't mention him in case he doesn't want it. But you know that guy.

I said, yeah, I know him really well. Yeah, I fought him. I beat them up. I'm like, okay. Anyway, I never played junior C hockey. I did get invited to a camp once, and I still have the letter somewhere. But that was our, we used to watch the 73 games before our juvenile practice. You could have written a book.

Boy, at least can. Yeah, I could have written out. Yeah, exactly. Anyway, Jeff Jackson joins, who is the agent for Connor McDavid, if I didn't say it, joins Craig Custin. Ian Mendez, Sean McIndoe, had the Thursday edition of the Athletic Hockey Show at the Athletic. tomorrow and you should check out our comments section for each podcast episode at the athletic app and rate and subscribe to the athletic hockey show on Apple. If you aren't already a subscriber, go to the athletic.com slash hockey show and receive

a subscription for just $3.99 per month. My friend, you were literally at the top of your game today. Well done. Good for you. Right on. Right on.