The Athletic Hockey Show - Stan Bowman - GM of the Chicago Blackhawks, NHL & Turner TV deal, playoff races in Montreal/Calgary, Nashville/Dallas and more.

Episode Date: April 28, 2021

Scott and Pierre welcome Stan Bowman, the general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks to the Two Man Advantage edition of the Athletic Hockey Show. Stan talks about the progression of his young team in Chicago, his relationship with Patrick Kane and he provides an update on injured captain Jonathan Toews. Stan also provides some insight on building the US men's Olympic team. We dissect the somewhat surprising broadcast deal between the league and TNT Sports, and how it might impact a raise in the salary cap.The guys talk about the playoff race between the Flames and Canadiens, Dallas and Nashville and St. Louis and Arizona. They take a look at the Jack Adams race, with Joel Quenneville, Dean Evanson and Mike Sullivan leading the pack.As always the boys wrap their podcast with the popular segment Ask the Dorks where they take your questions via twitter from around the NHL, including questions on Adam Fox, the Minnesota Wild and Jack Eichel's future with Buffalo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey everybody, Scott Burnside here for another edition of Two Man Advantage, the Athletic Hockey Show. And time is winding down, about two and a half weeks, give or take, to the start of the NHL playoffs. Lots going on, but I want to welcome in my partner and good friend Pierre LeBron. And first of all, how are you feeling, my friend? It's been a tough few days for you as you joined the ranks of the vaccinated. Yeah, well, just before we went to air, our producer Jeff and I, comparing notes, both had a tough 24 hours. But it's all good. It's all good. You know, that's, I think it's a good sign. It means that the vaccine's doing its work. But yeah, I was in bed for a good 20 hours. It was not pretty, but coming out of it now, my friend.

If my voice sounds a little shaky, it might be because I'm still coming out of it, but I'm ready to go. Yeah, well, and it's, I mean, of course, everything is shot through the prism of the National Hockey League and the game of hockey here, but certainly, you know, with the availability of vaccines here in the United States at an unprecedented level and hopefully things getting better and better in Canada, it does sort of set up the sort of an interesting dynamic as we move forward. So what it might look like late in the playoffs, the ability for teams to cross the border. I mean, still so much unknown. But the other thing, and I haven't really given it much thought, maybe because I didn't have any side effects. And of course, it's always only about me. But that would be, that's got to be some of the issues, right? And we know that a lot of the teams in the United States have given players and staff the opportunity to go and get vaccinated and have, you know, have squared away some time to do that.

But boy, you've got to be, you'd want to make sure your schedule allowed for these. kinds of, you know, 24 to whatever it is, 30, 48 hours of potential side effects if you, you know, when you're when you're contemplating the vaccines, right, in terms of being able to play hockey. All the more, you know, perhaps thorny an issue for the Canadian teams is that, you know, none of the Canadian teams want to jump to Q, of course. Right. And so, you know, I'm 49 and just got my shot in the natural rhythm of things because it was 40 and over right now.

in Ontario in a way. But, you know, eventually you're going to get to the 20 and over players here in Canada. Is that going to be right around the start of the playoffs or in the middle of the first round? So, yeah, interesting. But I would imagine players will want to get it as soon as possible. No question. And I should mention, by the way, an interesting tidbit that I came across from the Monday's Port of Governors meeting, in which I'm told that Gary Bettman,

let's put it this way, he had everyone's attention, talked about on Monday's call to the governors, that the league is pretty much almost run out of runway here to reschedule games. And that please do not let your guard down with the protocols because, and this is a governor that relayed all this to me, because, you know, if your team has a serious outbreak like Vancouver, not to pick on Vancouver,

it connects to do anything wrong, but if your team has a serious outbreak, the outset of the playoffs, that could be it. We're not delaying the playoffs. The season might could end that way for a team. And it's a bit chilling to think about, given everything that every team has gone through to get to this point and to sort of forge ahead and play in this pandemic season. But boy, would that be a horrible thought that a team season could end with an outbreak? But there's really no other choice.

I don't know what the league could do. Again, we're talking about a serious outbreak here, not a few days delay. But if we're talking about a three-week outbreak like the Kinex went through and with the variant, that's a scary thing. And so it's interesting that that was brought up on Monday's Board of Governor's call. And I think the point is not only that the Canadian teams remain at risk, but that the message was probably just as much for the American teams who were mostly vaccinated now, Scott, that do not let your guard down, right? And so it was interesting to hear that that Batman sort of covered that in Monday's call. Well, and it's a great segue because we'll talk a little bit about the new broadcast deal announced on Tuesday between the NHL and Turner Sports. But I thought interesting during the latter stages of the media briefing.

And Gary was asked about protocols and some of the things that were, you know, that may be in the offing as we had toward the end of the regular season and started the playoffs. And he talked about the protocols being effective and I'll use the quotes here, particularly when they're adhered to, which seems. to me to go with what you're saying is a very, you know, a not so subtle reminder that don't be, don't be going outside the box. Don't be at this stage of the season, especially, you know, stay vigilant. And, and hopefully that's what happens. Right. Yeah. And listen, I mean, I'm sensitive to Robin Leonard's comments from last week. And, you know, I was recently talking to a coach

who, you know, hasn't seen his wife in a couple months. Yeah. You know, because they're on separate sides of the border. There is a huge human side to all this, a mental health awareness side to all this. And it's been hard, but that's what, I mean, I hate to say this, but that's what everyone signed up for. You know, that these, this is how the year would play out. And it's super hard. And I really feel, you know, for the players especially.

but they you know I don't see any reason why the protocols would soften from here to the stand of the cup if anything you know you want to make sure you stay on it so that like I said you don't want a team season to end in an outbreak yeah no that that's you're right you've traveled this road stay on it and and get to the end right I mean that's it's pretty simple stuff although I I do I'm with you you know well especially the CDC just announced this week, you know, sort of the, the, the relaxed on the guidelines with the not having to wear a mask outside and being able to do certain things if you're fully vaccinated, all those kinds of things. And really, it's a reminder of if you get vaccinated, you are going to be able to get closer and closer to a normal life. Well, I mean, the NHL, that's not part of, you know, there, theirs isn't a normal life. So you can't get there just yet. I mean, soon enough, but got some hockey to play yet. So let's move on. What did you make of Turner Sports sort of coming a little bit out of left field for the B package? I think, you know, I don't think it was all that biggest surprise at NBC was going to sort of move on from its longstanding relationship with the National Hockey League after ESPN got the big package. But lots of discussion about, okay, who might come in and fill in the gaps with the smaller B package.

But I really, I thought it was sort of a breath of fresh air. Very interesting that Turner Sports lands that package, the possibility with HBO Max to get in on the coverage of the NHL. And is there not now just an open door for another team here in Atlanta? I've already made plans now. I'm going to rent out some space here at the house in case the broadcasters need a place to stay when they come to do their shows. I think the NHL has done that twice, Scottie, and I think it's, that door is closed forever. No, I never saw Turner coming into this at all. Really interesting.

You know, you kind of assume that if it wasn't NBC, it would be Fox or would they go streaming. You know, would Amazon get in there? Had not heard a whiff of Turner until it had. And I know that from all accounts, it was really out of left field for the NHL as well. So, yeah, I mean, listen, given. given these pandemic times and where money is for a lot of people, I think the league ends up doing okay here with ESPN and Turner. Yeah, no, it's good stuff.

Okay. Are you getting, are you fully, not fully, but are you edging towards sort of playoff mode? That was a huge win for Montreal against Calgary on Monday evening. To me, that takes, you know, a significant amount of pressure off the Canadians. It's hard to imagine either Calgary or Vancouver, even with some games in hand, you know, sort of challenging in the north. There's still a terrific dog fight in the Central Division for fourth place with the Dallas Stars and National Prejudice. And you know what? I got so excited about talking to you and hearing how you were feeling.

I forgot to mention we were going to have Stan Bowman, the GM of the Chicago Blackhawks join us in a few minutes. Blackhawks have fallen off the pace in the central. but lots of interesting dynamics within the Central Division vis-a-vis fourth place. How are you feeling playoff gear-up-wise? Well, I worked that broadcast for TSN on Monday night, that Montreal Calgary game. And that might have been one of the most unattractive hockey games I've seen all year. But I think from a half perspective, they got her done. That's all they care about.

but that was tough to watch at times. But I'm about Tyler Tafoli. I mean, you know, the haves have been so inconsistent and are struggling to score again, but what a story he's been individually. Like, you know, I tweeted this over the weekend, but, you know, I understand why Kinnock's fans are still so upset at their team for letting Taya Tafoli go. And I get it. But Tyler Tafoli did not sign until the third day of free agency with Montreal.

Like, what are third? 30 other teams doing it. It's not like you don't think Tyler Topholi can score 30 goals. And as it turns out, he's having a much better season than that, you know, in a shortened season. I mean, it's crazy what he's doing. But that's, that's a remarkable story that he was just sitting there for three days. And now he's third or fourth in the league and scoring and goal scoring. So you see the halves a lot. Like I watch, I'm watching on television, but I'm not, I'm not breaking down their games like you are almost every night. And but I keep, I keep, and I say this at home. My son and I have this, it's not, he dismisses my argument almost out of hand.

I still think Montreal Canadians and let's assume that Kerry Price is going to come back. He's been in concussion protocol, but he will come back and let's, you know, let's assume good health for Kerry Price going into the playoffs. I still think Montreal Canadians are built to be a handful in the playoffs. And I know they play poorly and I know it's been disappointing. And, you know, they made a race. where there should have been no question that they were going to lock up at least fourth place in the north. So it hasn't gone down that way. I still think that team has the potential, and especially because it looks now for sure they're going to play Montreal, Toronto rather, who looks locked into first place in the north. I still think they have the potential to give the leaves all they can handle. Am I completely out to lunch on this?

No, I mean, listen, the leaps are going to be a decided favorite, but you're right. And the haves are more built. for the playoffs, especially when the officiating standard shifts a bit. Oh my gosh, are we allowed to say that? Is that reality? You know, because the HAB's special teams are not their friend, but suddenly when you can get away with a bit more and slowing down the skill players on the Leafs and the Oilers and so on, that can only advantage Montreal.

They've just been so inconsistent, though, that I can't tell you which version of the team would show up in the playoffs. I mean, there are nights I was talking to an Hitchel head coach about this this week where he's like some nights he looks at them and says, okay, they're going to be a grinding tough out. But then two nights later, he's like, they're not very good. And that's just what they've been. They've been really inconsistent. Now, you know, come playoff time, Brennan Gallagher should be back or in around there. I don't have to tell you how big a loss he's spent to that team.

And they also get out of their cap slash recall issues come to play. I mean, they could dress all their kids or not all their kids, you know, Coughfield and Romanoff and Jake Evans. They can dress whoever they want can playoff time. So, yes, I mean, with the healthy carry price, you never know, but I will tell you that I feel like the Leafs have answered every single question thrown at them. I mean, they really are. I think the class of the division. All right. So, and I'm with you.

And I don't want to jinx it, but boy, I can't wait for Toronto, Montreal. Like, we've been talking about this for years now. Like, you and I. At 1979. I know. We're better always, you know, okay, what would have to happen? And, boy, it looks like it's going to happen. So anyway, we'll see what happens in the next two weeks.

There are two other playoff races. I alluded to the Nashville Dallas tilt. Both teams taking it on the chin last night in the second of back-to-backs. That Dallas schedule is just murderous. I'm not mistaken, they finish with seven straight on the road. It's it's just, it's amazing what that Dallas Stars team has done after their COVID outbreak to start the season, to stay in the hunt and all the injuries. I mean, we still haven't seen Tyler Sagan yet. Ben Bishop won't be back.

Radulov won't be back. Anyway, but the, I mean, to me that the one, it's, it's been such a dynamic, compelling story. what Jason Robertson is doing there and how he seems to be prepared to go toe to toe to with the Star of the West Division, Kiral Kaprazov of the Minnesota Wild II, I think a long time ago we had seeded the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. But what a race for both those kids.

And both those kids are so critical to the successes of their teams. I wonder what you make of it and you know, you and I vote on the Calder. What's been like to watch those two kids? and specifically as their teams have, I think it's fair to say, probably in both cases, have probably exceeded expectations given the circumstances that surround both of them.

Yeah, and it's interesting. I was watching the overtime the other night where J.V. Ben scored the overtime winner, but Robertson set him up and just a beauty feed. He doesn't look like a rookie to me, that's for sure. But, you know, you mentioned Montreal being kind of the wounded animal who might be dangerous come playoff die. What about Dallas? I mean, Stanley Cup finalist, the whole world is.

against them, but in terms of everything that's been thrown at them this year, if they somehow got in, isn't that the ultimate wounded animal? I mean, geez, that's, now, the way Carolina's playing right now, I don't know if anyone can beat Carolina. And of course, you've got Tampa, Florida. So, it is a top heavy division, but I would say that the stars, to me, are more dangerous first-round full than Nashville, I think, all things being equal. Yeah, no question. Speaking of dangerous animal, what about the St. Louis Blues? It's such an odd kind of dynamic with the blues, you know, as they've gone along here and sort of aimless for a bit of it and really taking advantage of a very soft lower half of that division, with all due respect to the Arizona Coyotes and the three California teams.

You know, the blues are back and fourth place. I can't imagine that they're not going to end up in fourth place in that division. The coyotes just, they can't. You know, they're minus 24 goal differential. They're just, they're two and eight in their last hand. Anyway, with all due respect to the coyotes, they're cooked. But you talk about, to me, they're not so much the wounded animal, but are the blues the kind of team where you're like, oh, my gosh, let's not, let's not assume, and whether it's Colorado or Vegas. Vegas it ends up, it's likely going to be Vegas, I think, in first.

But let's not assume this is a cakewalk in the first round. For a team that two years ago won a Stanley Cup, has Ryan O'Reilly, has ToriCruke, who I think is finally finding a groove there, that depth, all that kind of stuff. What do you make of the blues and how this is possibly shaping up as we went to the last couple of weeks? You know, it's such an interesting division. I actually have a piece running today about the Avalanche who, you know, I just think they're I think they're the team to beat, but Vegas will have something to say about that. But here's the thing.

We have preordained a Vegas, Colorado second round for so long that there are a couple of things that are interesting that are at play here. One is that Minnesota is just not going away. Yes. I mean, they were just unbelievable. Joe Sackick really had a lot of complimentary things to say about the wild when I asked them about them this week. But you're right. And then you got the blues who were so inconsistent and it looked terrible one week, but then it looked like the, the old champs next week.

We know what version you're going to get from them, but at the end of the day, who's going to take them lightly? So, you know, I still think we're going to get Vegas, Colorado in the second round, but it's not the automatic ticket that I think maybe six weeks ago we would have thought, right?

It's interesting. Yeah, no, I think you're absolutely right. And I like the, you know, to me, and maybe I just project, but to me, Minnesota's going to be one of those teams, maybe the blues too, because the expectations will certainly be muted come playoff time. But both Minnesota and St. Louis, to me, have that benefit of, it's like found money, especially Minnesota.

Like, you know, and what a great job by Dean Evanson and Bill Guerr in there and, you know, the kids getting an opportunity. And really, even before our eyes, you know, we're seeing some of those veteran players. You know, Zach Parisi's had to, you know, assume a different lesser role with that team. But those other, the kids have really sort of stepped into the four. and they're a ton of fun to watch now. And I, you know, in the past, sort of Minnesota was kind of like, well, kind of plotting. They were like, you know, anyway, it wasn't appointment hockey. But I love the way they play and you're right.

And they are, they are going to be a handful getting the goal tent. And it's been really, really good. It's a ton of fun. So let me ask it as a question. You know, where do you, where do you have a guy like Dean Everson who's, I think, fair to say, low profile among NHL coaches? but is he in, should he be in your discussion for the Jack Adams as coach of the year? Well, he will be for sure because the Jack Adams, with all due respect, is an award for the most surprising team.

No, I mean, it is. Yeah, it is. It just is what it is. And so he will deservedly get some talk. And I think Joel Quenville, for my mind, he will probably win it because no one had the Panthers doing what they're doing in Florida. And again, it's not like Rob Bindamor hasn't done a great job in Carolina. You know, it's not like Jared Bendar who never gets a sniff because the abs are just good all the time. You know, Pete the board.

But those teams were supposed to win. Yes. So I really think, you know, Dean Avicent and Joel Quenville probably going to be a big part of the conversation. I wonder if Mike Sullivan doesn't. I mean, I think some people wondered about Pittsburgh's window and where that team was hit. Penguins, I think, you know, it's funny. I think some people just look at the brand and say, oh, yeah, the penguins are there again. I don't think there was any guarantee that penguins would do this again this year in my mind.

No, no, absolutely not. Well, and so we're going to talk to Stan Bowman, as promised, in a moment or two. What's on your mind? You want to talk a little ease. Do you want to talk Connor McDavid? What's, I give, you know, you're getting up, you're, you're playing hurt. I'm going to let you take the reins here as we close out this segment. What are you, what's on your mind?

I was thinking about this yesterday, you know, Connor McDavid. continues to do is just ridiculous and he's going to win the heart trophy. Will it be one of the most lopsided votes in many years, do you think? So I don't want to embarrass any of our colleagues in the PHWA, but I fear, because we have open ballots, I fear for the writers who don't vote their first ballot to contact it for the kind of derision they're going to take from people, right? Yeah. I mean, how is he not?

everyone's ballot as the first choice. Yeah, it's like it is unbelievable. I remember writing at the start of the season that, you know, to me, one of the challenges for Connor McDavid and Lee Andres Idol, of course, the defending Hart Trophy winner from last season was to evolve their game and to be, you know, to be like, not like Steve Eisenman was at the end, you know, sort of Frank Selkie trophy worthy, but really become more complete players. And I think you see that.

I just think he plays such a different game now. But it all, you know, his, his dynamic presence every night. It's, I can't wait to watch the Oilers play because you just don't know what he's going to do. And he is. He is. You're right. And there's no question. Like I think, you know, I'll obviously talk to a lot of different coaches and scouts and do my homework like you do at the end of the year before we vote.

And I think Patrick Kane will be on my ballot somewhere, Nathan McKinnon, Alexander Barkoff, who still, to this day, is one of the most underrated superstars in our league, by the way. You know, Andre Vasselowski, but there's a lot of good names that can fill out a five-man ballot. There's only one name at the top. This is one of the easiest heart trophy decisions that I can recall in 26 years of voting. Yeah, it really is. In fact, part of the discussion, I've seen it framed this way now, is the race for second.

Like who is in? And you mentioned there's some great names and there's some really interesting, you know, sort of dynamics of once you get past Connor McDavid at number one. And Sydney Crosby in Pittsburgh, a team that has just been, you know, decimated by injury and lots of turmoil around the penguins. And there they are.

I don't know if they're still in first place today, but within a point of first place, you know, he's having another terrific year. And the guy I watched last night, now they ended up losing to Florida, But how important is UC Saros to the natural predators dead and buried and now, you know, really control their own destiny in terms of getting back to the playoffs? He, UC Saros has been a one-man band there because the Preds are not very dynamic.

They get outshot every single night. But he has, he has carried them to the cusp of a playoff spot. So I think it's going to be fascinating to see how the rest of the bout looks after Connor McDavid. Yeah, and, you know, regardless of all this all ends for Nashville this year, don't you think that Seros' play is the prevailing story for that franchise because they've been waiting, right? They've been waiting for him to take the man all and and to be legit with it. So that's been a really good story. Yeah, a lot of good.

And some of those kids, Cunin and Tolvinen and finally really sort of hitting his stride a little bit of a, you know, a dip recently. but you can see now that the next wave is sort of is right there. And that's, you know, I mean, that's an important franchise and not just because I can drive there in four and a half hours. And frankly, who does not want to go to Nashville at some point. So anyway, that's, yeah, it's exciting stuff. So all right. We are going to chat with Chicago Blackhawks, GM, Stan Bowman, as promised. joining us through the wonders of technology now

Chicago Blackhawks GM stand Bowman Stan thanks for coming to hang out with us it's been a while I always feel you know when the normal world you know our paths would cross whether it's in Chicago or GM's meetings wherever I feel a little bit out of touch but thanks for coming to hang out with Pierre and I today

absolutely you're right it's strange how we haven't really crossed paths and with a lot of people with the way the world going, but we've learned how to connect virtually, and it's been a decent surrogate. Well, let's start with, I'm curious, as we get down the stretch here with the Blackhawks, I think sort of externally, you know, people would look at this team and say, you know, this has been a pretty successful year. You know, kids have really set to the forefront, played meaningful games well into the final third of the season, final quarter of the season.

And I'm wondering if that's, do you, how do you judge it? What kind of measuring stick are you using for, for this Chicago team that really, you know, I think is in, you know, we're starting to see sort of the changing of the guard and in a new kind of identity, new kind of leaders on that team. How do you judge this season for the Black Hawk? I think you summed it up pretty well there. We talked about this back in the off season. It was early October. We came out saying that we were going to be focusing on our. young players giving them an opportunity to grow.

And, you know, with that sometimes comes some uneven performances, but we knew that the path forward for us was to give bigger opportunities to a number of young players. And, you know, those plans certainly got accelerated when we got the news right before the season broke that Kirby Doc and Jonathan Taves, Alex Neelander, those three guys weren't going to be playing, certainly for the first stretch of the year. year. We've since got Kirby to come back. But it was, it forced us to really even go further down

that path with relying on young players. And, you know, you're right. We've seen, we've seen a little bit of a transformation. Our team is very young right now. You know, for a long time there, we had a pretty stable group of players and probably tilted more towards the veterans. And as time has gone on. We've shifted. So now, you know, the fact we had a really good, well, tough start to the year, but then we really got things going for a pretty good stretch there. And we haven't played as well lately. And I think, you know, the measuring stick isn't so much the standings. It's the way that our team looks and the roles that the younger players have, because that's what we're going to be able to build on in the coming seasons.

Yeah, although you do have a veteran player, we were just talking about the the Hart Trophy conversation stand. And, you know, I don't want to put you in a tough spot because I know you're obviously going to have a bit of a bias. But what Connor McDavid is doing right now, it's just, it's just mind-blowing to me. But I did mention that the guy like Patrick Kane undoubtedly will be on my ballot. And, you know, with all the young faces in your lineup and the transition in minutes and roles and sort of the evolution of your team.

It's, I think it's amazing to see that he continues to do what he does almost in an unflinching way. Do you agree? Like, in other words, your teammates keep changing. The team's getting younger, but Patrick Keynes, his consistency at an elite level, this might be one of those greatest years ever. Yeah, you're right, Pierre. I've had the pleasure to watch.

him play for a long, long time. And what's amazing about Patrick is as he gets older, he seems to be able to maintain his level. And if anything, he's elevated his level the last few seasons here, which is unusual for players as they get into their early 30s. I think with him, he's got such good instincts and hockey sense. and it allows him. And his skill level hasn't dropped off at all.

So I think if anything, he's learned over time, you know, through experience, how to be even better. So this has been, he's been tremendous this season. Even going back, the last couple, he seems to keep getting better, which is really unusual for players as they get that stage of their career. it looks like he's going to play another 10 or 15 years at this point just the way that he's playing. So yeah, he's been our, he's certainly been our leader this year. He's taken on more of a leadership role as well.

And he probably doesn't get as much credit for that. It was a couple years ago when the World Championships, he was on the team and he was the captain for USA. And I remember I was part of that group. You could just see, him really enjoy that role. He's always been a player that doesn't get the credit for his leadership. So we've seen that this year with such a young group.

And he's single-handedly kept us in games when maybe we weren't playing our best, but he found a way to make something happen and tie the game or get it to overtime. He's a very unique player, and we're very fortunate to have him in Chicago. There aren't many days that I don't or am not reminded of how old I am, but I do remember sitting with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Taze at the Blackhawks Hotel out just outside Chicago before the start of their first training camp and like literally two young boys. And of course, Patrick Kane stayed in your house, lived with you, Stan at the beginning and now he's a father. And I'm just curious what your relationship is like with Patrick now at this stage. And do you, no, I don't know. Do you use them as a sounding board?

Do you have conversations about personnel or about direction of the team? Or is there, maybe it doesn't work that way. But I'm curious. I mean, you've literally known him since he was a teenage boy, you know, playing mini sticks with your boys in your basement. Yeah, that's right. That's a good story. You know, looking back on it does seem so long ago. I guess we're all getting old.

But yeah, my son, he was two years old at the time. He's 15 now. We have a lot of memories of Patrick in that way where he was, he was like a big brother to my two boys. And yeah, we have a great relationship. I mean, I have a lot of respect for him as a person as well as his knowledge of the game. Like he's such a fan of the game. I mean, he lives and dies for hockey and great insight into what.

makes players as good as they are and great knowledge of the league, you know, from playing against these players. And, you know, I do like to get his opinion on things. A lot of times it's maybe not so much personnel related. It's just what does he see? What do you think about this? Because he's such a student of the game. So, yeah, like you said earlier, he's a special relationship. I've known him for a long, long time. And, you know, I've seen him grow up in front of our eyes here to the point where he's now, like I said, he's sort of the leader of the group. And at least this year, he's been not only with his play, but the way that he's carried himself. And, you know, we have a different group than we've had in the past. And Patrick's been

excited to be part of it. And I think that's what's fun to see is. He wants to win more than anybody, but he understands that he can play a role in a large role in getting us back to where we want to be. Well, and you mentioned being part of a team USA with him at the world a few years ago. Stan, obviously there's a bigger team USA that you're in charge of for the Olympics. And well, we hope the NHL is going. That's not a done deal yet. And I know that time is of the essence here, you know, between the GM meetings and the board of governors this week. that there was mention of the Olympics and one hopes that the NHL,

NHLPA can negotiate a deal with the IOC, but I guess you have the gig until told otherwise, right, in terms of NHL participation. And I can't think of an Olympic games where I felt this high on a team USA in terms of your options, your depth, you know, I mean, honestly, over the years, you felt the U.S. was there with Canada, was there with Russia, but this, to me, will be potentially the best team USA ever in the best-on-best event. And that's saying something. Do you feel the same way?

Yeah, well, first off, it is, it's an honor to be in that position. You know, I'm very thankful to U.S.A. hockey for the opportunity to be serving this role. And I've had the chance of the last 10 years to work in different capacities for USA hockey. It's been something I really enjoy. I think it's a learning experience each time. You get a chance to work with different people who, you know, you don't really spend that much time with. So I'm excited about the opportunity. And I'm really impressed with the talent that we have.

I mean, I've known that for a long. long time. But obviously over the last couple months here, I've spent a lot more time really breaking it down and looking at players and putting ideas in my mind about what the roster might look like. And you're right, Pierre, it's this incredible talent. And it's going to make for some difficult decisions. But that's a good position. It means that you have a lot of really great candidates to make your team strong. So, you know, it's a special event. You know, like you said, it's the best on best.

So these are the best players in the world from, you know, whether Canada certainly looks like a really strong group, but you look at the Russians, the Swedes, the Finns. Up and down, there's really impressive players for all these countries. So I don't think you have any easy outs. And as a result, it's a challenge, but it's the type of challenge that you really look forward to because it's such a unique experience. Stan, can you walk us through? Bill Guarrens, the assistant GM announced when you were announced as a GM of Team USA for 2022 in Beijing.

Can you walk us through? Like, how are you and Bill doing things? When will you announce your maybe more expanded management team or people who will be helping out with scouting? Like, are there, do you and Billy have an Olympic board in your respective offices, like him in Minnesota and you in Chicago? Is there a U.S. Olympic board? And how we, what's the, what's the process of starting to, you know, sort of hammer out what will be,

and I think Pierre's right on. This has a, this should be the greatest American team of all time. So what's the process? Yeah, well, first, Bill's been great. I mean, he's a good friend of mine. He's a really good hockey man. as a player and now he can see he's done a really nice job early on here in Minnesota to get their team in a good spot. So I think at this point what we're trying to do is just you want to

keep cast a wide net that although it's close like we're looking at next February there still is a lot of time. So what we don't want to do is narrow the focus too much too early. So I think we're we're casting a little bit of a wider net now to try to bring in the group of players that are legitimate contenders. And we've done that. And now, what we're doing is we're focusing on the players in our respective divisions. It's a unique year here. We're like, we only play again and start division in person. There's certainly the ability to watch all these players on video. And the players in consideration here for the Olympic team are all, they're all very very well-known players.

They've been prominent players for years. So I think we have a pretty good read on them. I think the next big task would be to choose the coaching staff, which, you know, we have not done that yet. And I think once that happens, then we can probably get maybe a little bit more focused on things because certainly in an event like this where, you know, you're not preparing for an entire season, you're preparing for a few week tournament, I think you have to be on the same page as your coach as far as, you know, whether it's the style of play or the style of player

that, you know, certain players are, you know, it doesn't matter to the coaches, you know, that they're going to be effective. But then other things as you start getting down to the roles, I think it's important to have the input of the coach. So that's probably the next thing. that we're going to do, you know, as we get through the end of the regular season here and into the off season, and we'll focus on that. But there's plenty of work to be done. And like you mentioned earlier, Pierre, there's some things out of our control that, you know, the NHL and the IOC and IHF are working through.

And hopefully we can get that all straightened out so that we'll definitely be going forward like that. how much of an impact if at all is the fact that you know i was kind of amazed when when i confirmed this and but the tournament's going to be played on the hl ice and and and it's it's you know i don't have to tell you that you know in sochi can in particular i mean they made such a big deal of a you know bringing in ralph kruger and i nicknamed him dr big eyes but there was such a concerted effort to alter really their playing style because of the lack of success Canada had, generally speaking, on big ice. And as it turns out, this is going to be on the ice that you guys are used to in Beijing.

I mean, does that affect maybe two or three roster decisions, or is that overwhelming, I think? Well, I think it's actually helpful that that is the case because your first instinct, international competition. It's going to be on the larger ice surface. And it does change things, you know, not dramatically. I mean, the end of the day, it's hockey still hockey, but the different dimensions does change some aspects of it. So the fact that we're going to be using the NHL size rink,

I think it probably simplifies the selection process a little bit because this is what we're used to watching as these players perform in the NHL on that size rank. So I think in this instance, it's actually probably going to make things a little bit easier, simplify it for us. Stan, when you think about the pool of talent that's available to you, to me, one of the interesting dynamics is that, of course, without NHL participation in South Korea in 2018, and we're going to be eight years between, hopefully, NHL participation

in Olympic Games, he had a World Cup of hockey, which was, sort of hybrid. There was some wrinkles to it in 2016, but there isn't going to be the sort of normal transition, you know, like we've seen from Canada, from Olympic Games to Olympic Games. And I think the same with Team USA, you know, from Vancouver to Sochi. Does that make it harder or is what kind of challenges does that present? Because there isn't that kind of, you know, connection between best on best events. Well, I suppose from an analysis point, it might make it harder, but from our standpoint, we're kind of looking forward, not really looking backwards to what was most recently.

And you're right, it's been a while since it's been this format, but I don't know that that changes anything for me. I think when you maybe talking about it or trying to build up to it, there's not as much you can look back to the most recent Olympics and see what went well and what didn't that's not really applicable now but but we're you know when we're building the team we're probably not focused on that anyway we're we're looking forward to what could be what players are going to help us you know in certain capacities so I think for us it's not really an issue um and I guess the last thing I would ask on on to you

USA, if we move on your stand is your depth and gold. I think you've got to feel pretty good about your options there. And arguably the best gold hitting in the tournament, although Andrew Asaleski might have a different saying that for Russia. But, you know, we talk about Hallibuck and Gibson and your other choices. That's a pretty good spot to be in for you guys. Very much so. Yeah, I was fortunate enough to work on the World Cup event.

I was with the North, Timorah, and I remember when we were planning that about a year out from beginning, I was working with Peter Shirelli, building that team, and we actually were trying to get an exemption from the league to allow us to,

we had no bullies when we started the process. Right, I remember this, yes. Gibbs, Gibson and Halebuck hadn't even played yet, and Matt Murray, and then by the end of that season, when we actually had to choose the team. All three of those goleys had broken through to the NHL. But they were, when we first started to sit down and talk about the team,

they were not even in the NHL yet. And here we are now a number of years later. And in those two, Gibson and Helvock, obviously in particular, as Americans, they're prominent goaltenders in the league. So yes, it's a, you know, It's not just those two. We have other goalies too. So I think we're in a good spot from that perspective,

which is clearly a very important position to be strong at. So, you know, that's good. Good stuff. Stan, just before we let you go, you alluded to Jonathan Taze and, of course, unable to play this season, but it does sound in recent days like there's been at least some initial signs of optimism that he may be able to return. I just wonder what that's been like for you.

And again, knowing Jonathan as you have Patrick Kane from the very beginning, what it's been like for you this season in terms of keeping up with him and communication with Jonathan and his group. And if there is any kind of update on what we might expect vis-a-vis a potential return for him next season. I have talked to Jonathan recently, a couple, you know, certainly a few times. the year. What I tried to do when I spoke to him right before our season began and was to give him the space and not be checking him with him weekly to saying, what's the update? You know, we kind of left it where we'll stay in touch, but, you know, when you have something to share,

you know, we'll be here for you. In the meantime, we're going to let you take care of yourself. So, but I had a good chat with Jonathan recently and kind of along those lines, you know, he's, uh, he's doing well. Um, you know, he's certainly not back playing, but, uh, you know, can report that he, he, he, we had a good conversation and, um, you know, nothing's changed for the future as far as looking ahead to the next year. Um, we kind of take it as it comes, but, uh, you know, none of us can predict the future. I had a good chat with him and we talked about our team for a while and just not even about hockey for a while and it was good to reconnect with him. So, you know, I think in today's world, I understand the desire.

Everybody cares about Johnny and they want the update. They want to know what's going on. It's coming from a place of concern for him. But I also know that sometimes you have to let people do things on their terms and their time. And, you know, at some point, kind of let Jonathan speak for himself. But I would say it's good news, not bad news, when I spoke to with them recently. Wow, that would be great to have them back. You might be getting a call from Doug Armstrong's stand to get an update too, right, in terms of the Olympics.

Right. That's great. Good stuff. All right. Well, Stan, we're going to let you get back on with your busy day, but it's always great to catch up. And thank you for sharing your thoughts on the Blackhawks and Team USA. And I know I'm sure I can speak for Pierre on this. It'd be nice to catch up in a real rink, watching some real hockey down the road. But thank you so much for coming and hanging out with us today. It's been great. Yeah, I enjoyed it. Good talking to both of you. And we'll certainly keep in touch us. forward here. Thank you, Stan. All right, take care. I always like to talk to Stan Bowman,

Pierre. It's always a very, you know, it's just very thoughtful and measured and I'm, I'm pumped to see how this Team USA reveals itself because lots of options. And your question on the, on the NHL style ice is critical because it's, you know, there's a high end, high level of skill, but there's also, there's tons of interesting character grit type players that could make their case to be on Team USA and, you know, facing off against Team Canada or Finland that will be, you know, hard to play against. But what, what you're, do you have an initial thought on Team USA and where they might fit in? Oh my gosh. Like I just think, you know, one of the things that we've always done, as you know, is when

Kahn announces their best on best roster, we do a B team. Just to show that... Team snub. Yeah, because the B team is pretty darn impressive. I think you're going to be able to do it for Team USA with the same kind of level. Can you believe

these 23 guys weren't named? I think that's how difficult these choices are going to be, but difficult in a good way. And just, I mean, outside of the obvious, you know, Matthews, Kane, et cetera. But the guys that have really, like Kyle Conner in Winnipeg, I mean, he's one of the best wingerers in the NHL.

Like the options for Stan Bowman here and putting this team together are just ridiculous. And again, in goal, I mean, arguably, you know, I think the debate these days between Halibuck and Vasselowski, right, in terms of the best two goalies in the world. And then John Gibson has faced a lot of rubber the last couple of years. I think he'll fare a little better in a team USA uniform. So they're deep in gold. They're deep on the blue line. It's, you know, that's going to be a hell of a team.

And, you know, you got Adam Fox, who's in the Norris conversation this year, part of this youth movement for Team USA. It's going to be a roster to behold, I think. Oh, my gosh. And even in the last three or four months, I remember putting together sort of the shadow U.S. roster, you know, in early February. So we were projecting a year out from the start of the 22 Olympics in Beijing.

And, you know, the guys like Alex DeBringcat weren't even, like, listen, I admit it. I don't, he wasn't off my roster. I don't, Adam Fox wasn't, I might have mentioned it, but he wasn't on my roster either. And both those guys, I think you would probably put in now as locks. But to your point, I mean, there are going to be, there are going to be very, very good players who, who, who, who don't get you don't get into this US roster if it unfolds the way we hope that it does with the NHL back in the Olympics next February. So.

Mm-hmm. And you know what the great thing about you mentioning Adam Fox is it's a great segue because. I knew that was coming. Yeah, it's a great segue. You know, listen, you're, hey, I'm paying attention this week. And it's a great segue into Ask the Dorff. We have some really great questions, as we always do.

but I'm really pleased to transition into the question section, and this comes from Rob at Ranger Rob 13. I wonder who he cheers for. But a question about Adam Prox. And can he win the Norris if the Rangers maintain their standings league-wide at their 14th? They have a, you know, we didn't even mention them in terms of playoff race because they're sort of just outside the edge. Boston's playing really well. In fact, I know Larry Brooks are a good pal from the New York Post wrote this today, and I think he's probably accurate. Maybe the team most, not even like, but maybe in the sights now for the Rangers of the New York Islanders, but it's hard to imagine the Rangers being in the playoffs at the end in that tough East Division, but does that impact Adam Fox vis-a-vis his ability to win the Norris?

Well, I think it's a slam dunk that he's going to be nominated for the Norris. I'm probably leaning Victor Hedman right now. And again, I think that being on a playoff team and not being on a playoff team often factors into how I slot everyone in at the end as a deciding factor. Not as the factor, but as an element to throw in there at the end when you've got guys that you're so close together and that you're struggling to differentiate. So it doesn't help. Adam Fox that the Rangers might miss the playoffs. But if he's not nominated for the Norris,

I'll be shocked. I mean, I think he's a slam dunk to be one of the three guys in my mind. It's interesting. And I know that, in fact, our good pal Joe Smith and Tampa wrote this, you know, Victor Hadman's had some struggles of late, right? It's not the, and I think if we don't care. Yeah, six weeks ago, there might, it might have been more of a runaway. Maybe it's a little bit closer now. All right. You need to bring in the analytics in there to you. Danny Lambert.

Danny Lambert, 17, is the West the best division? I don't know that it is. I don't think it is, really. But, and more to the point, can Minnesota Wilde make it out of the West Division and make a serious playoff run? And we talked a little bit about this, but

yeah, I wonder if the West is right for, because you know there are going to be some upsets. I wonder if the West is right for that. I mean, as long as they're pretty much healthy, I think Colorado on Vegas are going to end up in the second round,

but Minnesota is an unbelievable story. I honestly didn't think they were for real. And halfway through the year. And now they've sold it. Like there's a sustainability to the way they play, their structure, the depth,

different ways they can win games, the way to defend. They're for real, and they're going to be a tough out. But at the end of the day, not only do I think Colorado Vegas are the best of teams of division, but they might be the best two teams in the NHL. Yeah. So I just think, again, health permitting. I mean, you know, Rand and Sade now is out two to four weeks for Colorado. You just hope both those teams, Vegas and Colorado can show up to the playoffs with their roster attack,

because that's what you want to see from these big-time teams to have a chance to really show what they can do with a healthy roster. I only mentioned that because you just fell for Colorado last year in the bubble. You know, the top two goalies injured and so on. It stinks because you didn't get to see them at the rest. Yeah, no, there's no question about that. And I am fascinated to see what will happen in the West. I'm fascinated to see how Minnesota responds because, you know, for those kids,

it'll be, I mean, this will be a real good learning experience for them, even if they don't, you know, aren't able to knock off one of those top two teams. And that's assuming that they don't even, you know, they could end up finishing in second. They could have home ice advantage in the first round. It's fascinating to see. How about this? Ernie, Morris, I'll give you a real simple one. Will Jack Eichol be traded this offseason? You know, I'm going to say no

based on this very simple scenario. It's obviously possibility might be given everything that's transpired. But he's not at his top value right now. And I don't know if you're the savers, how you win this trade. If you go ahead and move him when he's a $10 million player

coming off an injury riddle season. So I don't see the, unless Jack Eichel storms into Kevin Adam, office and demands to get dealt. I don't see the value in doing that now. I think that you got to get Jack Eichael back to being Jack Eichael before you even entertain that in my mind. Are your feelings about the Sabres?

Have they changed over the last, say, two or three weeks? I think Don Granada has done such a nice job there and there does seem to be, now listen, it could hardly be worse, but it just seems like there's a different vibe around there. And I wonder if that extent, you know, like, of course, Jack Eichol is heard, he's not playing. But I just wonder if there is sort of a fresh page element to what's going on in Buffalo. And you have to think that Don Granite is going to get a good long, hard look at keeping that job. I think he's earned certainly the right to be in the final discussion. But do you feel anything differently about the Sabres because they seem to have turned a little bit of a corner?

Not really. Yeah, okay. All right. That's why I am. ask, right? It's good to ask. All right. Ed, here's the final question. I always like to throw in one. As you know, my friend Al, he sends in questions every week, but we're not going to take one here. But this is from a good friend of our

Steve Irwin. Ask Pierre if he regrets if he regrets not getting Aaron Judge from me in our baseball pool. So there you go. That's it. I made a trade that I'm in first place right now, which is fleeting. I could easily not be for the rest of the year. But I'm currently in first place in our AL-only fantasy baseball league.

And I traded Glaver Torres, the Yankee shortstop this week, because I got so tired of him struggling. But I treated him for Trey Mancini. But I had made an offer to Steve Irwin for Aaron Judge. And Steve later told me that he wished he had acted quicker because he might have said yes to my trade. But I'm good with Trey Mancini. He's an RBI machine.

All right, my friend. Well, listen, it's been terrific, as always chatting. I'm glad you're feeling better. What else we got going on here? You should join Ian Mendez and Sean, down goes brown. Mac and Doe for the Athletic Hockey Show on Thursday at the Athletic. How about Brett McLean, the assistant coach of the Minnesota Wild? joins Mike Russo this week on Straight From the Source.

Did you say last week, have wondered if it has every single person in the Wild organization been on straight from the source with Mike Russo. He never calls us though. Do you ever call you to go on the podcast? He's, he's calling to go on the radio with it, but not his podcast. Yeah, me, all right.

And you should check out our comment 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, I can't believe there are any people like that. Go to theathletic.com slash hockey show

and receive a subscription for just $3.99 per month. Good job by you. Stay healthy. Stay safe, my friend. And we'll do it all again next week. Right on. Right on.