The Athletic Hockey Show - Joe Pavelski on Dallas Stars Covid-19 outbreak, Keith Yandle stars for Florida, Mike Babcock speaks and Pierre Luc-Dubois future with Columbus

Episode Date: January 20, 2021

Joe Pavelski of the Dallas Stars joins Scott Burnside and Pierre Lebrun on the latest Two Man Advantage at The Athletic Hockey Show. Pavelski addresses how he battled Covid-19 over Christmas, how the Stars are chomping at the bit to get their season going and how he gave advice to his old pal Jumbo Joe Thornton, ahead of his move to Toronto in the off-season.Plus Pierre and Scott praise the play of Keith Yandle, they discuss Mike Babcock breaking his silence and what the future holds for Pierre Luc Dubois in Columbus. All this and a lot more on Wednesday's episode of the Athletic Hockey Show. 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 edition, Pierre LeBrun. How are you doing, my friend? How's your morning? This is inauguration day here in the United States in case you know. You might want to keep this tape, you know, for posterity as we go down, you know, in 10 years when you and I are still doing two-man advantage. Maybe we'll look back on this day and it'll be a memorable one. But how are you doing? Yes. I was someone on Twitter saying, was it Trump who said today that thank you for four incredible years? I mean, they were certainly unforgettable, sort of like the time I had shingles, but, you know, I digress. Yeah. Yes. There's lots can be said about, you know, that sionara, but didn't come soon enough.

And here's the better days ahead. And we got so much to talk about today. We're going to be joined by Joe Pavelski of the Dallas Stars. Exciting week for the Dallas Stars is they get, knock on wood, get to play their first game of the season after a training camp COVID-19 outbreak. Let's start with the news of the day, Pierre. I'm really fascinated to chat about your piece on talking to Mike Babcock, but you actually have some news that I saw on social media just as we were getting ready to tape this.

And we know that the Carolina Hurricanes and, Nashville Predators had a game on Tuesday evening postponed. They played the night before. A big win for Carolina in that game. And then before they could do the back half of the back to back, that game was postponed. And now there are five players who are named by the NHL on their COVID-19 protocol list.

And it looks like it's going to be a little while before Carolina gets back into action. Then tell us a little bit about that. Yeah, as we taped this 10 a.m. Eastern, on Wednesday, the league still hasn't announced it, but I suspect by the time our podcast is up that it will be. But, yeah, all indications are that Carolina's next two games against Florida will be postponed with the hurricanes dealing with their COVID situation.

And so for the Panthers, it's, there's sort of the, you know, the drive-by victims here early on this year with, you know, the Dallas COVID situation. effect in Florida, right? And now Carolina. So listen, unfortunately, more of this to come. And, you know, I'm not trying to be captain negative, but as we've also seen in the NBA with all the postponements,

it's just not a guarantee that we're going to get through this season. Yeah. And I sure hope so. And a lot of smart people are working on this. You know, there is some flexibility in the schedule for make-up games. That was the point of the way they did it. but you know you kind of hold your breath as far as you know how many of these we're going to get well it's a great point because you know I was looking at the Carolina schedule they were as you

point out supposed to play on Thursday evening the first of a six game homestand that would have been two games against Florida two against Tampa and two against Dallas you know and again you hope that by following the protocols and by doing what they're doing, that the NHL is nipping this in the butt and that we're not into a long delay. But, you know, this is a Dallas team that will play their first game, let's call it a week and a half after the start of the regular season. You're right. And it's not just what happens to the Carolina hurricanes or the Dallas stars. It's the ripple effect of how you then, um, you're going to, um, it's, it's the ripple effect of how you then, um, move all the building blocks around to try and ensure that everyone plays 56 games in a time that, you know, that allows the regular season to unfold and then you begin your playoffs and get things done in the manner that the league and the NHLPA hope they can.

And I don't think we're near it yet, but it does make you wonder how many of these moments before the NHL and the NHL have to take stock and say, you know what, we need to, we're going to have to pivot and we're going to have to be. be nimble and it's not going to work out the way we planned. And I don't know that there's an answer to that yet. Yeah, and hopefully we don't get to that point, but is there a point at some point where you pause the entire season and sort of everyone take a deep breath? Again, I hope we don't get to that, but it's, you know, it's starting now. So now we've got a couple. And, you know, I think there is clearly a buy-in from most players.

it's just that this is a, you know, a disease that's spreading quite easily. And the league is not playing in a bubble. I mean, it's playing under strict protocols. But essentially, the players basically just are going back and forth between either the hotel and the road to the rink or to, you know, between a home and the rink. But even between those type protocols, you've got family members, right? I mean, you got, you know, people cleaning your hotel room. Who knows? I mean, there's a million different ways the virus can spread.

Well, I mean, we're talking to watch the news every night. And this issue of variance to the COVID-19 virus much more easily spread. Now, the good news seems to be that it is not as deadly and that the vaccines that are now being distributed slowly but surely on both sides of the border are effective. But it does mean that the virus can spread more. quickly than even before. And so you're right. These are, this is the reality of what we're dealing with. And, you know, it's going to be interesting. And I'm going to be fascinating. You know, I think about our conversation with Bill Daley, the deputy commissioner a week ago. And listen, the NHL has been, it's very clear. And I hope that they remain transparent. And I hope that they are

doing their due diligence that these are, that this is not recklessness. And there's no indication that that any of this is. But it is important for teams to be so vigilant. in maintaining the protocols. And that's the only way, you know, that there's a possibility that this happened. And in some ways, you know, in some ways, a Carolina situation is a bit more alarming than the Dallas one because while the stars was clearly an outbreak of significance, right, it happened, you know, in camp where you kind of expected that people coming in from different parts of the world and arriving in Dallas or arriving at any camp. that the risk was higher during camp, right? Yes. Then when you started the season and the protocols were tightened.

So now, you know, the Carolina situation has happened with the team clearly following protocols, but it still happened. So that's why you're kind of holding your breath of it. That is truth. Now, so I wanted to circle back very quickly to, you know, as it was a story that made a lot of news yesterday afternoon, a story by you, the first conversation with former Leaf and former Detroit Red Wing head coach, Mike Babcock, as he prepares to dip his toe into the broadcasting world, he's going to do some games for NBC Sports Network and do, I would say, do games. He's going to provide some analysis on their panel.

I'm fascinated to see how that works out. But, you know, there's a lot of, that's a long time for a coach with Mike Babcock's profile and a coach who left in the manner that he did being dismissed by Toronto early in the 2019, 2020 season, it seems like 10 years ago that that actually happened. But just walk us through how it happened and what was your impression in talking with Mike Babcock about some of the issues that he's going to have to confront if he wants to return to the game. It's just, I think that's part of the reality of it. Yeah.

So, you know, I think that his first appearance. appearance on NBC Sunday is part of the reason for the timing finally because I think he felt that was important to, you know, to finally speak and to clear the air, which I think he's right about. But as far as why it took this long, I mean, you know, when he got fired and, you know, when you're the coach of the Leafs and you used to cover the Leaf, Scotty, the spotlight shines bright. And that can cut two ways. And I think that honestly, he didn't say this, but this is my own expression or my own take on.

And, you know, probably pretty fried at the end of the whole leaf thing. And so he had planned to take a long, long absence from the spotlight after he left, which he did. But it became even longer than he probably thought because he was waiting for the 2021 season to start to probably break his silence. But of course, that got delayed by the pandemic. So that's really why it took so long. And then he did. And obviously, you know, I asked him about Marner, about Frans and all the things that. you know, really became huge stories after his firing last year and that he got severely criticized for.

And, you know, he answered it in a lot of detail. Still not to the level that a lot of people reacting to my stories seem to accept. And that's okay. I mean, the point of the story from my perspective was that, you know, this guy had not had his say. and this was his say and then people can decide after they read it and yeah and listen i i guess the one thing that only i would know because i had the conversation with him is that you know i really did feel some sincerity in the interview but again i think he's one of those polarizing figures that that you're you know some people are in and some people are out yeah yeah and that was clear

from the reaction to the piece. Well, I'm curious, I'll give you my two cents. And I think perspective is such an important part of this. Listen, Mike Babcock didn't commit a crime. He, you know, like, and they're, you know, we've seen coaches who were dismissed and their behavior called into question. And, you know, like, I think, you know, I think of Bill Peters, for instance. or I think of Jim Montgomery in Dallas. And I think it's important to take a step back and say,

listen, there were a lot of, there was a lot of negative press, a lot of negative things said about Mike Babcock after he was relieved of his duties as the leaf coach. And the Mitch Martin was interesting. And I was fascinated as he walked you through what happened with that. Certainly, you know, the fact that you. Joanna Franzon believes that his experience with Mike Babcock was hurtful to him on a number of different levels, very personal on the mental health level, all those kinds of things.

But I think it is important to, you know, again, we hear from people who we haven't heard from on these kinds of topics. And I just, I think it is important, like you say, listen, your job is not to say, well, it's a real. Abacock. But this is Mike Babcock speaking about important issues. They're important because of his profile and because of who he is in the teams that he coached. And I just think I was, let me ask you this. We surprised at the reaction to it or did you expect that there would be, you know, there would there would be some blowback to to a piece like this? No, it's pretty much what I thought it would be. And listen, I'm a big boy and I've been at this a long time. So I knew that once that piece dropped that it would really be sort of extreme reactions on both ends.

I got a number of texts from people in the hockey world and from other media, you know, saying, you know, great peace, you know, so on and so on. And then, of course, there's the other side of the reaction, which, again, I'm, that's okay. You know, I believe in democracy. I think people have a right to have their say. I'm not one of those people that everyone has to agree with me. And it's why I have no problem with the reaction either way. You know, I was just doing my job.

I thought it was illuminating, my friend. And you know, you know, if somebody's giving you a hard time, I just send me. I don't need defending. I don't need defending. All right. So what else? Let's, what are we going to talk about? What else is on your, there's so much, you know, it feels like, honestly, in some ways,

it feels like the seasons are going for, you know, like two and a half months. I feel like there's been a lot of things that have happened. Some of it's surprising. Maybe some of it not. I'm going to ask you, I'm making my note. Go ahead. Go ahead. Jump in here. I'll tell you, I got to make one observation. And I'm curious to see what it's like for you. But I got to say, when you're based, I'm based in Toronto. I do all the HABs, TSN regional games from the TSN studio. So my life is inundated with, abs and Leaves and really all seven Canadian teams. And this year with this division setup,

I'm trying so hard to make sure that, you know, when the abs are playing, I want to catch the Vegas, all the teams that I think have a chance to win. And I'm in New Jersey. Much hockey. Well, hey, I bought those doubles. And it,

but it's incredible what's happening. And you see with other Canadian media, like this Canadian, this Canadian North Division is just overtaking all the oxygen. Yeah. And I think, you know, part of it is obviously the importance of the game in Canada, but also that there's more media in Canada. I mean, it's the A gig on this side of the border.

And so I hadn't even thought, I mean, it should have been obvious before the season started, but it really, you just look at Twitter and everything else. I mean, there's all Canadian matchups every night in the NHL, and they just take over the attention. It's very, it's fascinating to live through. Well, so I want to ask you, it's interesting, and I totally agree with you. And, you know, being here in Atlanta, I'm, I'm surfing every night. Like, I'm, I watched that with great interest that Pittsburgh Washington game last night. And it's been fascinating now. And again, because of the way the schedule is now, you know, I watch them play on Sunday. You know, again, the penguins just look, they, they're so painful at times to watch them because they just seem not to be in sync. And, you know, I watch them. And, you know, Tristan Jari, I don't know, and Casey DeSmith and, you know, like what's going on there? And yet twice in row, in extra time, they come up with huge wins over Washington.

And I'm fascinated. But you're right. I do a fair amount of radio in Canada. And I did this hit with the Vancouver station last night. And you're right. Like that's, if you're in Canada right now, you are consumed by that North Division. And I want to circle back to it because I think there's some interesting things coming up. But they asked a question.

And I'm curious to get your take on it. What do you think is going to happen when the group who decide on NHL Awards and the PHWA, which you and I are both part of, and I'm a former president, we do. You are a former president. I am a former president. It's like name dropping. I just dropped that into the conversation. But I found it it was difficult back in 2012, 13 when we came out of the lockout and played 40. games and the teams only played within their conferences. And I thought it was difficult in that

circumstance as a voter on Hart, Nora, Selke, Calder, Lady Bing. Not so hard on the Lady Bing. But with all due respect to Lady Bing winners everywhere. But I think this is going to be, it's going to be a real challenge. And I think it's going to be fascinating because that North division is a bear. The East Division is a complete bear. The other two divisions are intriguing in their own way, but it is going to be very difficult to compare and contrast the play of a guy like, let's call it, Shea Theodore or Torrey Krug in the West Division with the Golden Knights and the Blues, respectively, compared to a guy like Shea Weber in Montreal in the North Division or a guy like John Carlson in Washington in the east.

Like, what do you think that's going to be like? You know, I hadn't even thought of that, but that's a great point about the voting. And, you know, especially when it comes to beatwriters, you know, we're a bit lucky. We get to bounce around as national guys in terms of our focus. But when you're a beat writer, you know, you really do have to have a narrow focus in terms of your team. And at least during a normal season, you get to see your. team play all the teams, which helps when it gets down the voting. But now, of course, it'll be just within the division.

And, you know, I think that's why you have to rely your contacts and your sources at that point that, you know, when I vote, I reach out to all kinds of coaches, assistant coaches, and pro scouts, all the people that are watching games in the arena every night and coaching against other teams. I really look for a lot of feedback. I know you do, too. and juxtapose that against all the statistical information that I'm looking at, because it's interesting to hear some of those points of views.

And so I think that'll be even more paramount this year, clearly. And it'll still be imperfect, because at the end of the day, I'm sure the argument will be made depending on who wins, that that player was able to pat his stats because he played against the same teams. Who knows what the arguments are going to be? It is what it is. Yes, I think it, yeah, it is going to be fascinating. So I want to go back to the North Division.

So I'm curious what you make of, you know, here we are. We're into just starting our second week of the NHL schedule. And I'm fascinated. In fact, Edmonton is in Toronto as you and I speak. They've got a couple games against the Leafs and then a couple games against the Jets. And I don't know whether it's overstating in or not. But this is, it's going to be crunch time pretty early for this Oil or team. I think they've got some, you know, issues in goal.

I mean, Mike Smith on LTIR and they've had trouble getting goal-tending depth in because of the waiver process and the quarantine. And it's, and it's in that Edmonton team, there have been lots of moments where you're like, geez, I don't, you know, they just don't look very good. Mm-hmm. Yeah, and I was working the Oilers Habs game in studio Monday night where the Habs completed the two games sweep. Yes. And it's not, I'm a little concerned about the body language of Connor McDavid early this, early this season. You know, I think he looks frustrated, you know, and if you sort of sit back and look at the big picture and the importance of, let's just say it for what it is, keeping this guy happy about the franchise's ability to contend, right? Yes.

I think that'll I mean it's a little early so they pull off a couple wins here oh yeah you know we'll laugh at ourselves for even bringing this up but if this is a disappointing season there I mean that's going to take hold you know people are going to wonder about that

again just about where they are now I think the Ken Holland's defense the GM of the Oilers it's not like you didn't try to address the goaltending number one I mean I think at one point the Oilers thought they were getting Jake and Markstrom where we're at least front runners, right?

And then the rivals and Calgary swooped in. And he had a number of other conversations. Number two, and I was talking to another coach about this this week, you cannot underestimate the loss of Oscar Cleftbaum on the back end. He is such a minutes buncher and a matchup guy and does it all. They just can't replace him is the bottom line. and you know Ethan Bear was made a healthy scratch the other night and he such a terrific year last year remember and the top four guy and so you can't have him coming out of the gate struggling and while not

being able to replace the other guy who was gone all here so they've got defensive issues for sure now the power play last year was number one right I mean the Orlers just feasted off their man advantage well they went I think over 10 against the half in that two game set you know so you can't have that not be as this year. I mean, I'm not saying they got to be first, but I mean, I think they got to be top five in order to make them loud because that's just such an important weapon for them. And I think it will come around. Dave Tippett is the special team's king, right, everywhere he goes. So I think they'll figure that out. But yeah, they're one of the early disappointments here in the Canadian division. Yeah. It is fascinating. And here's, and here's

year, I remember being at All-Star in, it might have been San Jose two years ago. And even then the story was, oh, poor Connor McDavid, you know, the Oilers aren't very good. Or are we wasting this enormous talent in this, you know, in this team that's not getting any better. It's like the Jack Eichael narrative. Yeah. One's East, one's West, right? Right, exactly.

But I think to your point. Now, the Oilers won the division last year, which it seems like a long time ago. because of the pause and the pandemic and the fact that they got upset in the first drown in Chicago. But we should point that out. Yeah, no, absolutely. But I guess go back to your point. If the narrative, at least with Connor McDavid in a normal schedule and as you point, you know, 82 games, you're playing all the teams.

You know, maybe, you know, maybe when he shows up in, you know, some of the American markets, you know, the narrative is a little bit different or the questions are different. But if the oil leaders continue to struggle, that story is going nowhere in that Canadian division, right? And I'm not, and I want to be careful. I'm not trying to make headlines here. And I'm not saying this will ever head down this route. But I will observe just globally speaking that it feels like younger players of today are a little more comfortable rocking the boat than we're used to in hockey. Like, you know, parallel Dubois has asked for a trade out of Columbus. you know, the Patrick Liney situation in Winnipeg.

You know, where there's smoke, there's fire. Remember the Bob McKenzie tweets regarding Jack Eichol in the off season, which ended up being, it looks like he's, you know, essentially, to paraphrase, looks like everything is fine now. Right. Right. So there's, you know, I mean, I think it's, you know, if the Orler's were to miss the playoffs, and again, it's so early.

Oh, yeah. And winning the darn division for all we know. But if they did miss the playoffs, I mean, people are going to ask them that question. Yeah. Are you happy? There's no question. Yeah.

Well, and once again, it's always nice to work with a pro like you. I mean, unscripted, you provide the perfect segue. You know, sort of, again, early. Yes, it is early. But I was, I've been watching the, you know, the first four games of the Columbus Blue Jacket season. And I think lots of people are watching maybe more. You were the one.

Oh, just kidding. You know I got love for the jackets. Oh, it's not even the jackets. I've been so impressed with how the Detroit Red Wings have played. And, you know, but it's been a rocky start for the Blue Jackets as a whole, right? They've played four games. I'm just looking at it. One, two, and one.

You know, not a great start. Offense has been pretty difficult. They've only got eight goals in four games. So it's been a struggle. And, of course, as you mentioned, Pierre-Luc Dubois, who signs a two-year extension as an RFA before training camp. And then immediately, oh, by the way, I don't think I'd like to stay here creating a lot. But just to be clear, that wasn't really the sequence of events. I mean, the I don't want to stay here came before he signed.

Well, yeah, of course. Well, yes. But, I understand that. But in terms of the public digestion of it, right? He signs a deal. And then it becomes part of the public discussion. And certainly it's a discussion around that team that no one is denying that he doesn't see his future long term being in Columbus. And you and I've talked about this, but my sense of, listen, Yarmal Keckelian and Scott Pierre-Luc Dubois under contract for two years,

he absolutely does not need to do anything that he doesn't want to do until he wants to do it. And that means, in my mind, an age-appropriate player of a high-caliber skill coming back or a package that allows him to, you know, to add that kind of player to his roster. He doesn't have to do anything. But maybe I'm being naive that if your team, you know, I just wonder if you feel that a slow start and Dubois has one goal in four games and I'll say has looked only okay in my estimation. Does it change how you view these things? Or do you really need to take a step back if you're normal cackling and say, I'm not doing anything in the first month of a shortened season? I am really truly going to be patient.

Or do you say, you know what? I can't have this go on for 56 games. I don't know. So there's a lot to get to here at Columbus. So number one, and I've tried to find this out as of others, but we still don't know for sure why Dubot wants out. So we've got to be careful. Everyone assumes it's because of his relationship with John Torrella.

And, I mean, we all saw what happened, you know, during that play in series against Toronto, right? But he has not come out and said that. So, and no one around him in his camp has suggested that, you know, on or off the record. So that's number one. Number two, John Totorella is in, his contract expires at the end of this. season. Now, I'll be honest, I've assumed, I really did assume most of the offseason that that was one of the situations where that was a no-brainer extension. I mean, here's a coach who seems to get the most out of this roster, right? They beat the Leafs last summer. They beat the 62 win lightning

the year before. You know, how does that not warrant a contract extension? But I guess what I would say is don't assume anything. I mean, you know, number one, how much does an extension cost. He's a veteran coach. Coach's salaries have gone up. And everyone's hurting right now financially. Number two, I don't know. Like the, what if the Dubois thing is about him? I mean, does Yarmal Kaelan sit back and weigh all this? And what if the jackets don't have a good year? So there's a lot to weigh into this whole situation with Dubois and Tortorella and everything else. I think there's no question that from the teams I've talked to who a lot of them I've checked in. Let's just be honest, 20 teams have checked in on Columbus with Dubois.

That Yarmouca Kalena has told everyone I'm not in a hurry. In fact, I know that one of his favorite lines to a lot of people is, you know, I own his rights until 2024. Never mind the two-year extension. You know, he's not UFA for a while. Yeah. But, you know, does it become a situation that's untenable is always what you got away, right? Yep. I mean, you know, just to give you an example, you may remember when Jonathan DeWan asked for a trade out of Tampa and then over time, pulled it back to some degree, right?

Remember? Yep. I remember it very well. But then Steve Eisenhower traded. And it was like, yeah, I know he pulled it back, but I remember what he said the first time. No, I'm just kidding. Steve Eisenman didn't say that. But it's hard, you know, after you've asked for a trade,

and my point is, like, I think what some people are wondering is if, you know, what happened if Torrella wasn't re-signed, would that be enough for Du Bois to rescind his trade demand? Yeah. I think it's hard to put it back, put the genie back in the bottle. That's what Bob Hartley used to say all the time in when he was a coach here in Atlanta. Oh, he used to set it all the time. It didn't matter where he was. Yep, you can't put the genie back in the bottle.

Sometimes in the offseason, he would say the genie is in the bottle, and that meant you couldn't get him. And listen, there's a lot writing on this for Yerom K. Kalinin. Yes, there is. It's one thing for Panarin and Brodowski who are becoming UFA to say we're leaving. That's the right. I mean, that's more of a CBA mechanism thing. I mean, it sucks because you want to keep those guys, especially Panarin. But now, and this kind of went under the radar in a way because I think so much was going on in October in the offseason.

But, you know, listen, Josh Anderson never asked for a trade. Let's be clear. But he also wasn't signing an extension as far as we can tell with Columbus either. Yeah. So it feels like he kind of forced Columbus's hand in a trade to Montreal. And now you've got to do a trade request. And the dangerous thing for this franchise, if you sit back 10,000 feet above, is we can't have this be a continual trend, especially when it comes to young players. Josh Anderson is young.

Ryan Johanson. Yeah, Ryan Johansson in the past, right? It was before he was dealt to Nashville. Right. So I don't know when or if Yarmoucaquitlind deals Dubois. I mean, I think it's more of a win, but he's just got to be so sure on this one. And has to make sure that the return isn't a futures deal, I think. That has to be something that helps them compete now.

Yeah. Listen, I have been, I just think that team is so fun to watch. They work so hard. Some of the greatest drama over the last two years that has involved the Columbus Blue Jackers. I mean, you were right. That sweep of Tampa in the spring of 19, that five-game series with the Toronto Maple Leafs was so epic. Like, honestly, I was so sorry it was over. And then even though it only lasted, it was five games, right, against Tampa in the first round.

But the quintuple overtime game, like, there's been so much to love about watching that team. They work so hard for my money. I don't care if he stays in Columbus or not. John Tortorella can coach my team any single day. I get zero issues with it. And there's a lot, you know, Seth Jones is going to win a Norris trophy. You know, it's such an interesting team. It is going to be fascinating to see what happens.

I mean, I hope he does because I think he's one of the best five defensemen in the world for my money. But I will say, we're heading into this era where are we going to have enough Norris trophies to go around for some of these young teams? I mean, Miro Iskinnan, right? Kail McCar. Quinn Hughes. Boy, it's... Victor Headman. Victor Headman's guy.

He may win... And Victor Hebbin may say, I'm going to go Littstrom on you guys and just keep winning it, maybe. You know, we know, Pominoosie won last year, but I think we can all agree Victor Edmonds is the best defensive of the world right now. Yeah, it's kind of a fascinating time on the Norris level for the next decade here. I can't wait to see how it plays out. Yeah, okay. We're going to get to Joe Pavelski here in a minute, but I thought it was important that

we sort of look at the opposite end of opposite side of this coin because you and I talked about it a week ago. And we, and you wrote about it eloquently, of course, about the Keith Yandel situation in Florida. And it looked like, you know, is he going to be in the lineup? Is there a market for him? You know, what will happen to the veteran defenseman? And as, of course, we know that what, you know, whatever was outstanding. ending and whatever issues they did not prevent Keith Eandle from being in the lineup. The Panthers win their first couple of games.

Keith Yandel scores. I think you noted, celebrated like it might have been game seven, Stanley Cup final. But, you know, he's coming off as you and I are taping this, a two assist performance in an overtime win over Chicago. That's a fascinating. Now, I don't know whether that, you know, here's the thing. Is it sort of the opposite of Dubois. You're like, okay, good start. But does this go away or at some point is Bill Zito the new GM in Florida?

Is he still keeping his eyes open and testing waters? And the reason I ask this is that as we're chatting here, Matt Grisselaix in Boston, unknown injury, the status of his ability to be in the Bruins lineup. I don't know. I think you've noted this that there might have been an interest from the Boston Bruins. at one point. And anyway, I'm just curious how you have seen this whole Keith Yandel thing unfold because it has done an about face in a short period of time. Well, there was definitely a conversation between the Bruins and the Panthers during the holidays

when, you know, the Yandall was made aware what was going to be a difficult camp for him. But as far as I can tell, it hasn't gone further than that, you know, but maybe that changes, as you point out. it is it's incredible how that story changed i mean i don't know that bill zito the jem could have been any clearer in his interview with the last uh was it last thursday last thursday what we chatted about you know the meritocracy and what the way they're trying to change their culture and south florida and by the way i think they still they clearly still believe that between him and joel quenterville but you know i think as they got closer to the

season opener. This is at least, you know, what I'm hearing. And they tried all these different looks on their power play. And like, I think Joel Quimble was just like, you know what, we need this guy. So they definitely went from deciding that he was going to be scratched and his Ironman streak was going to end to, you know, we need to, we need him on the fireplay. And, you know, good for Keith Yantle for, you know, taking him. advantage of what looked like a no-go and now he's trying to force his way to be remaining a regular now having said all that you know I don't think that was all a wasted exercise during camp that it was clear that the messaging and all that

because there may be a time where Joel Quenville decides you know maybe one too many defensive mistakes one night or if the team is slumping that if he does scratch Keith Yannel I think it'll be not as big a deal as it would have been otherwise because of the Iron Man Street. You know what I mean? Like some of the work has been done in terms of planting the seed that this could happen at some point this year. Right? But for now, I mean, how can you take them out?

Yeah. Over under on Keith Yandel points, 75. What do you think? You're not even the answer to me. In the first half? In the first half. There you go. Well, they've played 56 games.

I don't know. Well, well, the past. Panthers are just hoping to play games. The Panthers are just hoping to play games at this point. No kidding. No kidding. Anyway, a good start for them. And actually, it was, you know, as we speak, Sergey Bobroski, it wasn't necessarily pretty, but got his first win in the season. It's such a critical part of that Panther team. And yeah, listen, that Panther team, a lot of interesting parts there. And Keith Handel is just one of them. But boy, if they can get it together, if Joel Quenville can, you know, work the Quenville match. That team, I keep waiting for them, but that team at some point is going to, they're going to be a handful. And who knows whether it's a season or not. All right, my friend, we're going to take a break.

And when we come back, we're going to talk to Joe Pavelski of the Dallas Stars. Looking forward to catching up to Joe. We talked to, he and I talked a little bit. We'd catch up during the bubble. So I'm looking forward to catching up with Joe Pavelsky. All right, my friends, as promised, joined at a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a bubble. at this moment by Joe Pavelski of the Dallas Stars. Joe, thanks for coming to hang out with this.

I don't know how weird it feels to you. It feels a bit weird. Just, and I will speak for Pierre here. You know, we've been waiting for a while for the Dallas Stars to make their appearance in the 2020, 2021 season. What's going on? How has it feel to be just about ready to step back into live NHL action? Yeah, I mean, it feels good. It's, I think I'm very similar to you guys just waiting for action.

And, you know, watching these games the last few days, it's still a weird feeling knowing that Friday was a ways away when the season started. And where we had that little pause, we practiced for a few days and had the pause and then practice some more. It's just been a different kind of training camp. And, you know, when Friday hits, we're going to be a little bit behind schedule with teams already playing games. So it'll be a big test for us and we'll have to get up to speed in a hurry. Yeah, and we see now it's the COVID situation hitting the Carolina Hurricanes, Joe, and now their next couple of games have been postponed and the schedule is going to have to be redone. Just one of those seasons, such a unique year where everyone's going to sort of find a way to go with the flow.

But what, you know, what was it like for you personally? I know, obviously a large number of the players, you know, had it and I wonder if you could talk about that and what it's like to go through as a team. Yeah, I mean, I think coming. in this season you had an understanding that something like this obviously is a real possibility and you're going to have to be flexible with it and schedule might change and I was sitting there when you saw that Carolina Nashville game get postponed and first thoughts like all right did Nashville get her Carolina because we're supposed to play them and we've already postponed four games

and right Nashville this Friday start might not happen but it looks like it might be the other way around there um our situation yeah it came up fast and, you know, we're just kind of taking it day by day as it goes, and it's one of those situations. You really can't. Everyone's, you know, at this point, seems to have experienced somebody or themselves with it, and, you know, nobody's off limits. It's such a unique situation in that sense.

And for us, it's every day, and it's, you know, you look at it, and what a good opportunity. if you're a young kid, you've got to be ready. You've got to practice like you're planning to get into the lineup at some point. And you never know when, you know, one guy's going to go down or two or three guys and you're going to have to play a role in the team. Yeah. What was it like for you, though, Joe?

And, you know, starting, we go back to when you guys are getting ready to come into training camp and just what the experience was like for you. Yeah, for me, you know, I had it before camp. camp got going and not that there's a good time or a bad time or whatever is just when it happened right around Christmas time and you

you know you just experienced it I to be honest I would have never known I would have had it one of those cases that the only reason you really have an understanding is because there's so much testing that goes on with the players and you

didn't really experience any symptoms. Would have never guessed I had it. Still kind of feel like it almost didn't happen. Right. But, you know, you just take that little bit of pause and you try to reset. And, you know, you definitely hear the stories of way it's affected people. And you hope, you know, nothing comes out of it. Because I don't know if you ever are fully out of the woods with it.

If something comes up, but you take your test, you're, your echoes and your blood tests and you know you hope it comes back cleaning you get back training and try to catch up right and you know one thing that I find that is you know that is disappointing from our industry point of view is we we tend not to ask athletes how they're doing because we just assume they're so young and fit that that it doesn't affect you guys like others but you know it sounds like in your case you were asymptomatic so I assume you're fine now yeah yeah I feel good um I'm excited I did through the season and you know for the most part everyone's been a little different

but there's been you know more asymptomatic than and then symptoms and everything going on and you know you just take it day by day and it's crazy how you monitor yourself you know every day and when you have to go on that break and you have to sit sit down and quarantine it's you know If you just do nothing for 10 days, that's, you know, hard enough to come back in. But then you throw in some symptoms for guys and, you know, it becomes a little bit of a challenge, I would say. Yeah. Joe, we had Rick Bonas on the podcast earlier. I want to say this summer, but I don't even know.

I don't even know what month it was. It was sometime after the Stanley Cup final, obviously, and before things got rolling again. But it was so great to talk to Rick. And it was right at the time that he signed his extension and confirming what everyone had expected is that he was going to return his head coach of the stars. And I wonder what your relationship is like with Rick. And especially with the situation with training camp and not being able to be together in a sort of normal fashion, how important it is to have dialogue with that with your leadership group and Rick and in trying to. you know, be able to get, get up and running in the most unusual of circumstances. Yeah.

You know, our relationship has been really good, and it's grown from the beginning of the year to the bubble to now. We definitely have a really good understanding of each other. And then, you know, it's a, my first year in Dallas, first training camp, first everything, was definitely a little different. And, you know, you spent 13 years in San Jose, you don't fully know what to expect. and it was pretty smooth for the most part. I would have a little bit more success coming out of the gates, but that is what it is, and I think we were better for it.

And then you flip in a couple of coaching changes. And, you know, there's just a lot of character, a lot of commitment from the guys in there to make things work as they went. And it was one of those cases, I think, this summer, you know, when we saw Bones just coming back, I think everyone was pretty excited, pretty happy for them. And, you know, he earned it. He brings a lot of passion, a lot of commitment to that team.

And to coaches, they deliver us a good game plan. And at the end of the day, you know, he's been around the league a lot. He's seen a lot of different systems, a lot of different scenarios. And he delivers a good message where, you know, this game, you don't have to overcomplicate it. It's a fairly simple game. But you've got to, you know, you've got to want to play. And you've got to want to compete. You've got to want to do a lot of the hard things and the price to win.

winning is, you know, it's not always easy. And that's a pretty straightforward message that he brings to that locker room. And it's nice coming into this kind of messed up camp and having him there and having, you know, some familiar situations going into it. You know, Joe, it's interesting. I don't want to say it's a lack of respect. But despite the teams that you guys beat in the playoffs in the bubble to get to the Stanley Cup final, it's pretty overwhelming

and I'm not going to lie to you, I picked Colorado to win the Cup this year, but how many votes Colorado and Vegas are getting as sort of the teams. And I was almost going to say the West and I keep forgetting there is no West or East this year, but teams to beat I guess.

And I don't know, as a group, like do you guys feel, I don't want to say slighted, but that people are treating your trip to the Cup final as just something that happened, or do you feel like you've earned the respect around the league that your team obviously deserves? That's, I guess, not really for me to decide

whether people respect us or not. I know we earned that trip there 100%. There was nothing, I don't think you could change my mind. Those teams are incredible. They got a lot of good pieces to them. But with our game plans going in, it was, yeah, they're probably, weren't many people that really believed that we could get there, but that locker room that we had,

I don't think there was really another feeling of we can't beat these teams. And we were fully, that was the way I kind of felt from day one. And there were ups and downs throughout the season, but there was a big time commitment from those groups. And I think a big time belief that we had a lot of really good pieces and could put it together at any given moment. And you really saw when we had to focus and be together in that bubble and wanted to play, it was, there wasn't a team we couldn't beat. And now it always doesn't work out that way, but we got off to some good starts. And, you know, there's no easy ride throughout the playoffs. And you saw some of the teams you beat and some of the ups and downs being up 3-1 to game

seven to, you know, late heroics. But you look at any run, that's how it works a lot. Yeah. I was thinking about you, Joe, when, you know, at the end of game six on September 28th, and in some ways it feels like a million years ago. But you've had that experience before being in San Jose, losing to Pittsburgh in the final in 16. And I wonder, as you were leaving the bubble at the end of September, whether it felt different to you, whether there was that sort of moment of, you know what? I can't wait to get back at this. Like I can't wait to get back with this group and take another run at it. Or what was it like? Because there was obviously that was a completely unique situation, that whole bubble experience. And I wonder, you know, what it was like for you at the end of that?

Yeah, I think the main experience that you take out, well, there's a lot of different experiences, I guess. But one is you somewhat feel for your fans and for your family to go on a run like that after experience one in San Jose. you know, that you just can't fully live the overtime moments, the ups and downs of a playoff series, you know, a playoff run, you don't, you know, you felt a little bit unattached from your fan base. And when you came back home or, you know, Sarah, the family would be, you know, telling you how much excitement there is back here in Dallas, but you want to, you feel a little disconnecting, you wish you could give them a little bit more in person and experience it.

You know, she's like, I don't know. Are we going to watch you win a cup from the living room? Like, that's going to be kind of a bummer in a ways too. Obviously, you take what you can get in whatever situation. But it was, yeah, when you leave game six, I mean, it was crushing. It was as emotional, if not more emotional the second time around. And you just have such a strong belief that you're going to win. And when you don't, it all comes crashing down.

it's hard. And so you digest some of it. You get back to work and absolutely 100% excited to get back. And we have an understanding we can't let that run really, you know, define who we are. We have to get back, put in some work and try to get another opportunity to do it again and hopefully have a better result. But going into that series, it was a, you beat, you know, Calgary,

you beat Colorado, Vegas. there was no doubt in my mind we couldn't beat Tampa and never felt crazy overwhelmed by them but they were I mean they made some elite plays along the way and their power play was dangerous and you know made us pay you know just every time it was one of those things that we stumbled a little bit and they capitalized and it was a good series it was fun

it's just hard you don't know it's it's no fun isn't that's for sure i remember feeling like a bit of a schmuck after the last time i talked to you joe i wrote a story right on the eve of the cup final of how you were the predictors of all predictions because you had come down to Dallas and tampa the summer before for where you're going to sign and and uh and i thought it was a great angle to a story because i said Joe pavalski called it 13 months out or whatever. And but then obviously as the final played out, I was like, I wonder if Joe's going to be maddie did that story with me because Tampa won, but I don't think you're that kind of guy. But it is interesting that, you know, those were the teams you had talked to at the time.

And one of the things I thought of you as your old pal Joe Thornton left San Jose, because I didn't know that it was in the Constitution in San Jose that the sharks were allowed to ice a team without someone named Joe in it, or at least on their power play. But there you are in Dallas and there, Jumbo is in Toronto. What was your thought when you saw your old Powell leave San Jose? Yeah, it was wild. I mean, you never fully believe it. I never fully believed I'd be leaving San Jose until that moment comes.

And I talked to Jumbo, you know, a decent amount throughout it and gave them my experiences and my thoughts. And, you know, so I had an idea. It was a real possibility. and great opportunity for him. That's number one. Like, really good opportunity. And you can see the excitement. You know, I think he's going to bring a lot to that locker room and has already.

Just as, you know, pure joy for the game and the guys, it's, you know, it's fun to watch from afar because you've lived it and you've experienced it and you have an understanding of what's going on over there. But, yeah, it's, you never. I guess, I believe, until something happens, but definitely excited for him and, you know, everything that might come out of them. I was just curious because at one point it looked like Dallas might be in that West Division. And so you'd have spent a lot of time playing San Jose. I was going to say you might have spent a lot of time in San Jose, but of course, not even the sharks are spending time in San Jose right now. But the fact that you get to join a remodeled central division that includes Tampa,

like I don't know if you have relationships with any of the guys on the lightning that, you know, like when you found out you're going to be back in the same division and that, oh, not only did we play in the final, but we are going to go head to head eight times this season. That's a little different dynamic, right? That usually doesn't happen. And so I know from afar, that's one of the things I'm looking forward to. What happens in that Tampa, Dallas rivalry, given that you now are divisional foes?

Yeah, I mean, going back to beginning of that question, I thought it would be fun to get out to San Jose played those guys, you know, seven, eight times, and just see the training staff, see, you know, a lot of the friendships that you have and run into those guys. And then when things switch, it's wild to think, and you're like, wow, we're pretty much in the East Division right now. And I've never played over there, you know, besides one or two games a year and against those teams.

So it'll be fun to see these teams and, you know, on a nightly basis. And at the end of the day, a lot of our teams coming back, but you can't hang your hat on, you know, last year's still going. There's a new climb for this team and some big opportunities for players to take another step and keep building. and teams are going to be a little different. You've got to, you know, you play a team 7 and 8 times. You've got to win a handful of games to, you know, create a little separation.

So those games will be pretty intense, I think. Have you talked to Rick or the coaching staff as one of the leaders on the team, Joe, that you guys are going to play now 56 games in, I don't know, was it going to be 108? Yeah, 100 in a day. So you know, so you've done the math, right? I saw some clip on it, 56 games, 108 days or whatever it is. I was curious, the cadence of the off days you think is going to be like, I mean,

you know, you're going to want to, you know, recharge, right, through all this. I wonder how that's going to work out. It's going to be unique, that's for sure, because there's always a stretch for a month or two at the end of the season where you're playing 15 games in a month. You're playing every other day. and now to jump right into that for 56 straight games, it'll definitely be interesting. I don't know how that'll work with rest time.

That's going to be monitored, I would assume, and so much practice will have to be done mentally in video. You know, maybe one or two drills that you work on and morning skate that you can talk about. But it'll be unique. I'm sure they have a plan for it. Everyone will be monitoring and we'll go from there. We'll let you go here in a second, Joe.

But I was curious, you mentioned that the team is very much the same as the one that went to the Stanley Cup final. But you've got a bunch of young guys that really, I think, pushed the envelope last year and certainly in return to play. Are there a couple of guys that you're really looking forward to saying, okay, I wonder what's next for, you know, whether it's Joel Kiviront or Rope Hints or are there a couple of guys you're like, okay, I can't wait to get back on the ice and see what's next for this young player? Yeah, I mean, those players are good. Obviously, Kivie's going to get a good chance this year and, you know, has earned it. And he was a guy when he came up in the regular season.

I like the playing with. Maybe he didn't have the offensive output right away, but he's a guy who works. You know, he comes at the rink. you know what you're going to get, he's going to compete, and he's hung around pucks, and he's got some good skills, and, you know, Rope and Dennis, Geriana,

these guys are good, Miro, it's, you know, there's just, there's always, every year you're trying to do something a little better, you know,

prove last year wasn't a fluke, and you have to put the work in every year. So I'm excited for these guys that, you know, have that opportunity to take another step and build off what they've been able to accomplish so far. And Joe, my last question, and this will be a better question to ask in three months,

but, you know, I'll ask it anyway. The baseball type scheduling that is a feature this year of this very unique season, you know, going to cities and playing a couple of games in a row. I know it's something actually that Jonathan Tays wanted to see years ago, even pre-pandemic in a normally two-game season, to sort of alleviate some of the burden of the travel on players. And interesting with you, you've gone from San Jose to Dallas. I think the two teams who in a normal year travel the most

or have two of the most difficult ornerous travel schedules in the NHL. But are you curious to see what it's going to feel like to pop into a town and play two, three games? I mean, it's obviously not something you're used to. Yeah, I think when you look at travel and you look at, talk about playing games back-to-back nights. For me, it goes right to college. And, you know, if you play Friday night, you win.

That team's on high alert the next night to try to get two points right back from you. So it'll be interesting to see how teams handle those scenarios and how your team handles it. As far as travel in San Jose and travel in Dallas, they are a couple of the teams that travel a lot as far as miles. I do believe Dallas has been a lot easier, especially in making the out east trip. You know, it's a couple hours versus four or five. And making your way back home with the time changes. You didn't experience as many time changes in Dallas. And I found myself almost missing a couple of those three-and-four-hour flights playing cars the whole time.

Being around the guys, it was, you know, you're getting up in the air and you felt like you were landing right away. But it was definitely welcomed at the same time. just the shorter flights. But it'll be nice not bouncing around to three cities. And, you know, when you play three games and four nights and three different buildings, it'll be kind of nice to play a couple and then move on. I'm looking forward to it. I do think, you know, there is somewhat of a need for that.

And the travel burden, it was, this might be a nice, easy fix. But we'll see because when you get back to the regular schedule and you're playing every East team wants, it's going to be kind of tougher that way. but once you get the additional games, you might be able to make that work. Well, Joe, it's been great to catch up with you. I was thinking about you, though, when we were sort of looking around the NHL

about which teams might have at least a small percentage of fans in the buildings. And after your family had to watch from afar as you went to the Stanley Cup final, I must assume that your family must be looking forward to seeing some Stars games at home and getting a chance to see. Has there been some,

excitement in the in the in the pavalski household about maybe actually getting down to the american airline center and seeing dad in person yeah i'm excited um i'm excited to have a few fans i think we're one of three teams it's like one of three or one of four teams in the league that are going to have fans so with where we're at with nathan and um you know how he understands the game and how much he's playing hockey it's going to be able it's going to be fun to be able to have them come to the games. And there's definitely different protocols that need to be followed now. And, you know, so it's not completely normal as show up and come to a game and sit where you want. But they're definitely going to be able to come and we're excited for that.

That's great. Good stuff. All right. Well, thanks for coming to hang out with us. It's been terrific, Joe, and stay safe, stay healthy. And we're looking forward to seeing the stars join the rest of the NHL in a couple of days. So good luck with that. and thanks for coming to hang out.

Yeah. Good stuff. Have a great year, man. All right. We'll talk to you in sometime. All right, Pierre. Whenever I, when I was watching the playoffs and as the stars began that sort of magical run to the Stanley Cup final, I was thinking of an agent who said, when Joe signed that three-year deal in Dallas, he said, listen, don't worry about, you know, what happens during the regular season. And it doesn't matter if he scores no goals or five or whatever.

You want Joe Pavelski in your lineup come playoff time. And it was so true, right? He had 19 points in 27 playoff games for the stars. And with such a critical contributor. 13 goals in the playoffs. You have 13 goals. Yeah. Absolutely pivotal moments.

And I think your question was a good one about the respect for the stars or their ability to get back to that level. But to me, when you have a leader like a Joe Pavelski, that's a huge step forward right from the get-go. And so I don't imagine that urgency and motivation will be an issue for the Dallas Stars this season. Yeah, and I asked them the question about Joe Thornton, and I can't help but feel that, you know, the sharks may very well end up, you know, turning their fortunes around and finally winning that cup at some point. but you know the window of having Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton win-win together, that's gone. And that's too bad. You know how often I went out there to cover that team, come playoff time,

and those two guys were unbelievable players. They still are. But part of some teams that, you know, only one team wins every year. And somehow that Trucks team went to one cup final, a bunch of conference finals. And it just brings back a lot of memories of their performances. there. All right, my friend, or just about

the end of this edition of 2-Man Advantage, the athletic hockey show. I'll get a couple of Twitter

questions. I like those. And there's one that we sort of circled around at the beginning of the podcast, but I'm just curious

on your take on. This comes from I am iron caniac. And of course, the canes, as we noted,

we're not exactly sure when they'll be back on the ice. But the question was, has the NHL discuss what to do in the event of an outbreak and if it becomes infeasible to reschedule so many effective games, are forfeits possible? Will games just be canceled in final standings determined

by points? And I know we're a long way away from that pier but I wonder if that's, do we find ourselves as we did at the end of the pause where standings became a points percentage? I know the NHL's really determined to have every team play the same number of games, but it it would strike me that maybe that a lot of these things are on the table if things keep going this way. Yeah, so I asked that question specifically to a league official on the eve of the season, and the answer was that they don't like dealing in hypotheticals, that they'll deal with that possibility if it becomes real, but that when the season started, they were adamant about having every team play 56 games.

I would suspect that what would happen is if we get later in the year and there's just been too many of these postponements and not enough windows to jam some of the reschedule games in. The only thing I can think of is that they would go by points percentage to figure out the standings in each of the way to do it. And it's imperfect for sure. But so is the world we're living in right now. But I suspect that's what would happen. But they're not ready to confirm that or even want to talk about that. I don't think at this stage because they feel there's still some.

Remember, you know, they have that extra week after the regular season that they didn't publicize too much, but that they've confirmed to us that they're willing to delay the playoffs a week, right, to have a bunch of makeup games after the regular season right now ends. So keep that in mind. Yeah, and actually, not to go too far down the rabbit hole on this, and you continue to hear some of the rumblings about the Tokyo Summer Olympics. And, you know, is there a possibility that this, Summer Olympics are either delayed or canceled.

And that certainly, and listen, the NHL wants to get back to regular. I don't even think delay is on the table, right? Like, didn't. Yeah, I think it's either cancel. Yeah, I think that I was reading the New York Times piece over the weekend. It sounds like it's either happening or not now at this point. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Okay, Pierre, one more quick one here. This is from DOOPS, D-O-UPS. And this question is, is Mark Andre Fleury going to Buffalo? And it's an interesting question given that, you know, Sabres are one of those teams that it really is, they're really sort of having to come to grips with their own goaltending depth. And I know Carter Hutton suffered an injury in their loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday evening.

But interesting to speculate or to look ahead to what happens with Mark Andre Fleur. who, of course, remains with the Vegas Golden Knights. Yeah, so I haven't been able to confirm this 100%, but my understanding is that the Golden Knights have told Mark Conjie Fleur, he's not going anywhere, and that, you know, who knows what to make of all the trade chatter that we heard in October. Now, again, I guess that could change.

But remember one thing, as long as Mark Andre Fleurie's happy for the moment, he's got, you know, he's got a lot of no trade protection. So he's really, you know, him and his agent Alan Walsh have a lot of power over how this plays out. So for now it doesn't seem to me like there's a play there. But, you know, ask me in a month. Yeah, no, that's kidding. And listen, if there's one thing that we're seeing early on, and you and I talked about this, goal-tending death is going to be so critical.

And listen, that Vegas team is their legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. Unless something dramatic happens, hard to imagine that Kelly McCriman is going to tamper with that. All right, my friend, it is just about time to bid adieu, to you and you and you. You know, that's from the sound of music, right? Like, we watch that every Christmas, so I thought I'd throw that in there. Do you watch that in the house? Are you guys? No, no.

We're more like National Lampoons Christmas vacation type family. That comes as no surprise me. Why are we talking Christmas? Yes, man. Like, that's like, it's in 11 months. I just tell you that. Okay. That comes from the Sound of Music Diet.

Anyway, this is time just about to say goodbye for this week on two-man advantage and the athletic hockey show. But lots of podcast activity around the athletic universe and, of course, our good pal, Ian Mendez, Haley Salvin, and Sean McIndo have the athletic hockey show. They record Monday and Thursday. That's good book. end to the two-man advantage. So you should give them a listen. Billy Garon, who was busy. We didn't even talk about it, Pierre, but an interesting trade is Bill Garen

acquires former Pittsburgh penguin Ian Cole from Colorado in exchange for Greg Pattern. It wasn't that interesting. Yeah, no, it was kind of interesting because I think Ian Cole's a guy. They're both UFAs. Anyway, anyway, he's going to join Mike Russo on straight from the source at the Athletic this week. And you should always check out our comments section for each two-man advantage 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 theathletic.com slash hockey show and receive a subscription for just $3.99 per month. That's a bargain in any country, any currency, my friend. That's all I have to say about. that. But go and do that. And Pierre, next week we'll do this all again. And you were very good today. Thank you

very much. You brought your A game, my friend. You were all right. I was just trying to make Scotty laugh.