The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - The Hockey Show: Take That, Jack Edwards

Episode Date: October 4, 2024

HOCKEY IS BACK! The NHL season kicks off in Prague today and Roy and David are here to celebrate. First, they talk about Arber Xhekaj's busy week, including a fight and a dirty hit for the Montreal Canadiens. The crew also touches on the drama between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning from their preseason matchup the other night and the impact Patrick Laine's injury will have on the Canadiens. Then, Jonny Lazarus of The Morning Cup of Hockey podcast joins the show to discuss the contract dispute between Jeremy Swayman and the Boston Bruins. Plus, the trio shares who they believe will take home this year's individual awards in the NHL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Hello, welcome to the hockey show. My name is Roy Bellamy. David Druk is to my left. He writes for the hockey news. And yes, he does. The regular season is getting started tonight. Overseas. Yes. We're here. We made it. We made it, man. Thank God. Yes, yes. I'm, it's been a long too much, even though it's the shortest off season in professional sports here in North America,

aside from soccer, I guess, right? Well, pretty short for us too. Yeah. It was like nonstop Stanley Cup stuff, so certainly not complaining, but hockey action is back. Like we're gonna start watching highlights every day Fantasy hockey is alive and well like I had my fantasy draft last night. I'm pumped man. Let's go

Yeah, I'm retired fantasy sports. So I'm doing that We're gonna get the Johnny Lazarus of daily face-off and morning cup of coffee in a second But we are going to talk about what's going on this week and this week has been a bit feisty is going to talk about what's going on this week and this week has been a bit feisty as some fireworks and a major injury that we thought was going to be a lot more major but is actually not as major as we thought because Patrick Lyonet is only going to be out two to three months as opposed to him getting surgery on that knee to knee hit that he had with Cedric Pare against the Tampa Bay like no I'm, the Toronto Maple Leafs. And yes, it was bad.

His leg was at an angle. And he went down in a heap. It's a little easier to see now knowing that he isn't, it's not as, like, oh, God, just watching that and the way his leg bent, like, I was really worried about Patrick Leine. The poor guy just, like, can't stay on the ice. Finally, fresh start in Montreal, and then that happens. Dude, the poor guy just can't catch a break. Yes, and all by Jack Guy, who's had an interesting reek,

came through his fence, and he basically jumped parry. I mean, what are you gonna do? You gotta defend your guy, you got hurt there. Even though, yeah, you gotta defend your guy because that hit wasn't exactly legal, but there was no call on the ice in that situation. Yeah, those are tough, especially like that specific situation where the players

were coming together at an angle. But yeah, I mean, you can't stick your leg out like that. Like there's a reason that you don't coast. There's a reason that you keep your feet moving. And especially moving through that area of the ice where you're around a blue line in the neutral zone, it's dangerous. And these guys know that.

So I'm just glad that Lina is okay. And I'm glad that Pare didn't get pummeled too badly there by Jack Eye because as we're learning, he's a dangerous, dangerous fellow. He's got a little, a big chip on his shoulder the league gave him a 3400 fine uh for us that suck yo that's a lot i don't even want to think about that yeah that's not even a down payment on a car nowadays man i mean that's bad so yeah like like we said two to three months out for line a, no surgery needed. So that was the best case scenario in that situation, actually, as opposed to the worst

case scenario where he's done for the year. But two to three months, we'll have him back later in the season, depending on how Montreal does this season, which, meh. Well, I mean, look, they've been building towards something for the last couple of years. I love Marty St. Louis. I think he's done a great job as their head coach. But I mean, when you've got Goldcawfield and Nick Suzuki on your top line,

I don't know, it could be something in Montreal. Sam Monsonbo, who we know well from his time here in South Florida, he's coming into his own as their goaltender. I think he got an extension in the off season as well. And then also, another former Panther connection that's been doing well for Montreal is Mike Matheson. I think he's like their top pairing defenseman right now, former first round pick of the Florida Panthers. So Montreal slowly but surely sneaking up might- Sleep or pick?

I don't know. I'm not quite ready to go there. Not Buffalo, not the tree. I don't know. Could I see Montreal hanging out in the wild card race if things go right? Patrick Liney injury kind of puts a big damper on that. Yeah, the big dent. They're not a pushover, I don't think anymore. I think Montreal is really kind of stepping out of the basement of the Atlantic division and could maybe stick around in the wild card race? I'd like to see it. All that happened on Sunday. On Tuesday, the Canadians played the Senators and more fireworks happened in that game.

Let's first start with Ritley Gregg because he hit Kirby Dodge up high. That was on Sunday. On Tuesday, the Canadians played the Senators and there was fireworks in that game and Auburn Jacki was also a part of those fisticuffs as well. Let's start with the R Ridley Gregg injury because By the way, he scored in that game by the way, so yeah, that's even funnier, but he hit Kirby Dodge up high and Those two ended up fighting later in the game But it wasn't before Ridley Gregg ended up getting a receipt for that and that was the receipt that Gregg Ended up getting he got hit harder that one, but before that was the hit up high

by Greg. Yeah, we're seeing a lot of hits in the preseason right now. Some of them clean, some of them not as clean as we saw on Sunday. Which will happen when you get players of varying levels playing in the same ice together. You're not going to get the same kind of, kind of high end that you would expect and that's why these things kind of happen during the preseason a lot more than you would see them during the regular season. Yeah the second thing that happened was Albert Jacki's high hit on Tim Stutzler and that was bad. Yeah. That was that came out of nowhere. I mean it was a feisty game but I mean that was I think we're seeing it now watch he just comes across the ice, boom! Chicken wing, and yes, it was Stutzel's own stick that hit him, but the reason his own stick

hit him was because he got chicken winged. Yeah. And look, I'm all for retribution and it's part of hockey, but there's a line that you don't cross, right? Like you got to make sure the guy's looking you in the face before you do something like that, a guy who wasn't in but not only was Stutsel not involved, but he's like, you know him and Brady like that That's their future. Yeah, you don't Bleep with that like you want to hit somebody go hit one of the tough guys go hit, you know A middle six guy somebody that's you don't go after the the guys wearing the crowns. Mm-hmm So not not not a fan of that Mr. Jacki. Stucilistic did hit him that was the majority of the damage that was caused

was based on the stick but you're right about the hit and Jack I got a major in a game misconduct on that play the Senators went 4-4-9 on their power playing that game and obviously Jack guy did not face any supplemental discipline but he's got eyes on him right now so the people are looking at him right now he's wasting yeah like right now he's earning a reputation and he's doing it in the preseason like that which means nothing like if you're gonna go out and do this kind of shit like I mean I don't think you should do it I'm kind of following my own words here but like if you're gonna go out and do this kind of shit, like I mean I don't think you should do it. I'm kind of following my own words here, but like if you're gonna do it, do it when it counts. Get your money's worth. Yeah like Matt

Rimpy. Yeah. Yeah, do it in the playoffs. Yeah, that's the thing, but I don't like what I saw and now everybody's gonna be watching this kid this season. Yeah, on Wednesday with the Panthers, they played the Lightning and there was a sizable mismatch in this hit situation. In that game, keep in mind too that Tampa dressed almost like most of their NHL roster was a home game for them and Florida was a road game obviously if Tampa was home. Florida brought up I think only five or six NHL regulars on this roster so already there was a pretty big disparity in the talent level on the ice and Florida was skating with Tampa I think

Florida actually won that game in overtime yeah yes they did so already maybe Tampa was a little bit annoyed with that they were not playing well against this team of you know inferior players in terms of NHL AHL types talent level and then that happened yes take a look at Josh Davies he's five foot nine, 179 pounds okay and Victor Hedman who was named lightning captain this year because Stephen Stamkos is in Nashville is six foot seven. He's a large man. 244 pounds you can play the video. Davies hit Hetman and Hetman fell like a tree. I mean he just went down and fell like a tree. It was a good clean hit. Yeah it was a clean hit. Very much a clean hit. But Nikita Kucherov had to defend his captain, dropped his gloves. See there's

the hit, nice and clean, the puck was right right there squared him up and then just loses it play still going I don't care I'm gonna horse collar you and take you to the ground then does nothing by the way yeah but you're horse calling them dude it's a clean hit it's a clean hit and we've gotten to this this way of the NHL these days where players reacting to clean hits like no it that's part of the game. If we get to a point now where you can't hit a guy clean and you've got to worry about the other team coming after you. If this was 10, 15 years ago, big hits were just big hits.

Yeah. You just moved on. Yeah. That's not line brawls. It's not guys like Nikita Kucherov grabbing you from behind. No man. Like back in the day, Scott Stevens could take a guy's head off and it's like okay next shift. Yeah.

Remember the final against Anaheim? Yes, yes Paul Carillo got knocked down on the ice. Off the floor, onto the board. Off the floor, on the board. Come on man. You know where this all started? This all started? Sidney Crosby.

It all goes back to Crosby with you. Yes, it all goes back to Crosby like everything in this nation goes back to Florida and Miami, everything bad in this league. I can't even say it with a straight face. Can't, can't, can't, can't disparage the king. Oh yes, I can. He's not the king. He's never been the king.

That's Wayne Quirksy. Oh, he's not even the king in his own town. That's Mario Lemieux. I don't give a damn. I didn't current my ass. I don't give a damn. They're not making the playoffs this season. So how does that?

There's the bold prediction. Penguins are out. Yeah. Yeah. Mike Sullivan's out give a damn. I didn't current my ass. I don't give a damn. They're not making the playoffs this season, so how does that? There's the bold prediction. Penguins are out. Yeah, yeah. Mike Sullivan's out of a job. Yeah. Keep going. Just keep going. Yeah, Mike's...

They're moving the team to Quebec. They're moving the team to Quebec. Yes, that's what's going to happen. Oh my God. Three minutes... Yeah, I can't see you on the street. This is how we make Roy smile. We talk about the end of Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

This is Roy's Christmas morning. Yes. Merry Christmas to me. About three minutes later, three minutes later, Kata Gikki came off the bench on a legal line change and made a beeline to Davies and jumped him. All right? Over a clean hit. Over a clean hit. And that's a no-no.

This is all over a clean hit. That is a no-no in the NHL rulebook. You cannot. And look at Davies, though. He takes a cross check to the head. He's like, all right, I'm going to keep skating. And then finally, Geeky's like, no, we're going to do this. And Davies is like, what just happened?

Yeah, he doesn't know what's going on. That's a no-no in the rule book. You can't come off the bench on a legal or illegal line change and jump so high. Look how excited they are. Like, guys. Yeah, that's bad. Guys, it's the preseason, and it's ice hockey.

So Geeky had two minutes for cross-checking, two minutes for instigating, five minutes for fighting, and a 10-minute misconduct. For some strange reason, they gave five minutes to Davies for fighting. He didn't fight. Well they still ended up with four minutes of power. I think that you know I'm pretty sure it was your boy TG Luxmore was in that game actually but I think they got it right. I think you know the Panthers had a four-minute power play, GK was out of the game and like Davies was fine like it wasn't like he got hurt or anything as a result of it so I think that also, wipe away your tears from my side.

You're laughing pretty good there. Yes, I'm still crying about it. I'm sorry. I apologize. 19 minutes of penalties for Gekki. Off the ice, he was suspended for tonight's game against Carolina. What are we doing?

We're suspending guys for preseason games? No, yeah, yeah. I'm so sorry that you're suspended for a preseason game. But he had to be suspended. No, I'm saying suspend him for like that you're suspended for a preseason, but he had to be suspended No, I'm saying suspend him for the opening night. Like make it hurt $3,400 and a preseason suspension isn't gonna hurt somebody in the NHL the way it's gonna hurt me or you but here's the thing No stars of the game obviously

Sanders Bill Manny's got the first star because he scored an overtime That's all well and good second star was Nikita Kuturov who scored a goal. Third star was Giki. Why? Because the PR staff listened to the writers in Tampa. I think that the Tampa writers decided we're all gonna, we've done this before, where we decided we're all gonna put a guy as the third star because we think this guy deserves it. Maybe not everyone else does. And whoever is in charge of the three stars decided to go with it.

Because we've tried to do that before and gotten vetoed in the Panthers press box. There's been once or twice where we've tried to sneak somebody in the third star and we've gotten vetoed from that. So when I saw that- Kaciewicz. So when I saw that, I was like, okay, I get it.

It's all good. But my thought that, that my thought and why Connor DT ended up the third star of that game was, it was a very home, home ice, home cooking. Panthers won an overtime 2-1. They go up to Quebec City to play the Los Angeles Kings and that will be the end preseason. Monday is the ring ceremony and Tuesday, the banner gets raised and they play Boston to start the regular season. The irony of the Panthers finally playing in Quebec City months after they win the Stanley Cup and there's as little chance as there's ever been of them moving up there. I think that is poetic justice to all the fans that kept clamoring for years and years and years, move the Panthers to Canada. Take that Jack Edwards. All right. That was fun. Coming up next, as my mic dies here.

This is great, my first interview toss and the mic just goes limp on me. Oh my gosh. All right. Coming up next, Johnny Lazarus from Morning Cup of Hockey joins the hockey show. Hey folks, it's Mike. From defending your favorite team after a bad loss to obsessively checking your fantasy lineups, football fandom is bigger than just Sundays. Miller Lite knows the passion that comes with rooting for your team.

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96 calories per 12 ounces. Fewer cows and carbs than premium regular beer. Don Lebatard! Don't make the frog here, live from Middle Rock Media Studios here in Miami. Stugatz! The Germans are advancing on France in World War II. This is the Don Lebatard Show, with. Stugatz! The Germans are advancing on France in World War II. This is the Don LeBathardt Show with the Stugatz! All right we are joined now by Johnny Lazarus of Morning Cup Hockey.

We are going to talk about his predictions that Daily Face Off has made. He's also part of Daily Face Off, has made for individual trophies for the season. But first we are going to talk about what's going on in Boston, David, because it is a mess. Oh my God. because it is a mess. Oh my god. It's a complete mess. Is it? I'm sorry for smiling.

I'm just, you know, as a South Florida guy, Boston, you know, it's, yeah, y'all had some winning. Y'all, y'all, you know, this is okay. This is just, it's all coming around here as I knock my microphone. But I mean, look, it's crazy because they trade their goal-tenor. Let's bring Johnny into the show because we're already talking about it and Johnny's here to join us. Johnny, they trade Olmark in the offseason. So obviously they're putting all their eggs in the Swainman basket. And keep in mind, Swainman is a restrictive

food. Not signed yet. Yeah. So obviously negotiation tactic's not great here. I don't know whether Sweeney was slipping. I don't know whether Sweeney was slipping. I don't know whether they thought it was going to be a little bit easier, but either way, it's a huge mess. And now we're just days away from the season and Boston may be going into it after making all these great moves in the off season to shore up their front line, bringing in, you know, what are they bringing in? Lindholm?

Mm-hmm. Fedorov. Yeah. So they're ready to roll and Yornis Korpisalo is their opening night starter right now. Oh boy. And by the way, they claimed Yuri Patera off of waivers from the Canucks. That's the other thing. Yeah. So Johnny, can you make some sense out of what's happening in Beantown right now? Well, I think we're all kind of reacting to it the same way, right? It makes no sense in the way they went about things, but at the same time with a guy like Jeremy Swainman,

who seems to be a pretty open, honest, and upfront kind of character guy, it seems like the communication must have been that no matter what, he was going to be a Boston Bruin if they were willing to get rid of Lena Solmark, right? You have to imagine there was a conversation at some point where Swainman said, I don't want to plan another sweater. We'll make this work. And I know there were comments that came out I guess from the Amazon show about that checklist

He made and how the Bruins felt he wasn't reliable in the playoffs I still haven't watched that show so I haven't seen the way he felt about that yet myself Just based on what I've heard from other people it sounded like he was rubbed the wrong way and wanted to prove them wrong Himself a little bit as well. Yeah, excuse me, but with that, you still have to think that Jeremy Swainman will find a way to get this thing done in the next few weeks because being a former player myself, I never played in the NHL, but there's nothing worse. And I said this on our show the other day when I had to redshirt a year in between transferring schools, there's nothing worse than being healthy and

sitting out and watching your team play. So Jeremy Swamen, whether he's playing with Boston, which I still think they'll find a way to figure that out, or he requests a trade, I do feel that he will be in that somewhere, probably in a Boston Bruin Jersey within the next two to three weeks. I just have to think that way because knowing the competitive nature of him, he'll be watching one of his team's games and he'll be like, you know what? I can't do this. This is just not for me. And he'll have to find a way to make this thing work. But yeah, it's bizarre. I don't remember seeing anything like this. And, you know, if it were me, if I were Swamen, not that I know anything about him or anything that goes through his head, I've never met him. I would be rubbed the wrong way a little bit and maybe I'd try to find a different place and somewhere who? Knows what I'm worth because it seems like he knows his value. Yeah, and I don't know if Boston feels that way, but um,

Yeah, hopefully it works out for him. Yeah, absolutely right and Boston has made this a complete mess We have a video with sound of cam Neely I mean basically he made this sound like mess. We have a video with sound of Cam Neely. I mean basically he made this sound like you know you remember Terrell Owens and his agent and she coming up to the microphone and saying like he has 80 million reasons to be happy. That's basically what he sounded like. Let's play the video. Since you say you were surprised Cam, can you share any of the specifics here? Be it what his ask is in terms of dollars or

term? Well, I don't want to get into the weeds with what his ask is, but I know that I have 64 million reasons why I'd be playing right now. Yeah. And very, I mean, like, speed of light, there was a response from Lewis Gross, Jeremy Streamer's agent. He said, normally I do not release statements or discuss negotiations through the media. However, in this case, I feel the need to defend my client.

At today's press conference, and that's why I say it's the speed of light because it was like 10 minutes later, $64 million was referenced. This is the first time that number was discussed in all negotiations prior to the press conference. No offer was made reaching that level. We are extremely disappointed. This was not fair to Jeremy. We will take a few days to discuss where we go from here." Now, that's just like, you say that after Jeremy watches,

you know, the first game in a regular season, he might have a change of heart and probably accept what they offer him. But I mean, come on, I mean, watching that pressure, why would he? I mean, obviously, like, he's a hard face. So he has the Bruins have their negotiation rights. They can easily trade the negotiation rights to know the team, right? Yeah. Oh, yeah. So that may end up happening.

Why not force the issue for Jeremy Swainman? Yeah, I mean, you know, it's it's tough. And this is why players have agents, because, you know, even everyone knows it's so tough to negotiate for yourself also that your feelings getting hurt. And that's why agents are involved. And listen, it sounds like when he went through arbitration not too long ago, his feelings were rubbed the wrong way as well. So maybe this relationship just has one more thing till it gets to the boiling

point. And then he asked for that trade. But, you know, it's been now what? Two to three days since that's even happened or even more. And we still haven't heard anything out of Jeremy Swainman. So you have to think they're still trying to make it work or else you'd hear that he's requested a trade. So, you know, we'll see how this thing goes, but it's definitely been great for the drama. I know it was a quiet off season that, you you know hockey fans were begging for something to happen and It's a shame that this is kind of going on as hockey's coming back

I wish this was kind of going on in July when there was nothing really happening but you know, hopefully it gets done and we see Jeremy Swainman in that because He's he's a fun talent to watch I'll tell you that much much. And watching Boston's pre-season game last night, it was a rough go. So they could use the goaltending, that's for sure. And one thing that you kind of brought up was Swamen's appearances on the new Amazon series, which dropped today, Friday.

And it showed Swamen through last year's playoffs when we knew he was gonna be RFA. And he did discuss a little bit when Boston got knocked out. He said, I had wondered to myself, is this the last time I'm going to be in a Bruins jersey? He said he wants to be in Boston, he wants to do everything in his power to stay there. As you mentioned, Johnny, he did talk about also the arbitration process the summer before. He said he wrote down some of the things that Boston said about him in a negative light,

like, can't trust him during the playoffs, unproven. He's like, I was checking these things off during the season as inspiration. And while some people might point to that as a reason to maybe look at the two sides as stretching apart, that's fairly common. And I think you alluded to it before. It's why players will have their agents to go into these processes for them because it can be a hurtful situation because it's a business, right? I don't think that necessarily is going to push him out of town per se unless things are getting worse at this point. Right. Yeah. And those things

I think at the time were true. Right. Like the guys played one hundred and thirty two games. I think to that point of arbitration had played one postseason game. Granted, it was a game seven. He was thrown in into the fire of a tough series after his team blew a 3-1 lead against Florida, your Florida Panthers. And you know, I think up until last year's playoffs, Jeremy Swainman was not talked about as a top goalie in the NHL. He was, he was a great goalie, but until that, you know, first round where he really took over the net from Omar, there wasn't a conversation of this is the guy, you know? And now after his two rounds of the playoffs last year, we're not talking about what is potentially a top, even the

USA goalie representative for the four nations. You know, so recency bias definitely plays a factor in all of this. You know, think about how many goalies are hot one year and then have a down year the following. I mean, Connor Halliburke too, is a guy that we talk about. He had a phenomenal regular season and then, you know, pooped his pants basically in the playoffs. Not that his team was much of a help in front of him, but you know, the goalie position is such an interesting one, such a unique one, because it's so hard to find a guy who year in,

year out is the guy. And you know, we're talking about it going into this year too with a guy like Andrei Vasilevsky who has basically been you know the number one unanimous goalie in the past you know five to seven years and up until maybe a year or two ago once Tampa didn't win a Stanley Cup you know it's it's kind of shifted a bit but he's still a guy to me who you know is a number one number two number three goalie in the NHL. Yeah. Even as in the recent Vezina trophy winning goaltenders let's segue from that because I'm a professional and that's how we do that around here. To your predictions on the individual

trophies let's start with the Jack Adams award for coach of the year. Oh, Craig Brubay is my pick. That's it? Oh, okay. Yeah, I think with the Leafs, you know, it's funny how these things work. And oftentimes you see a coach come into a team that's been kind of knocking on the door, but hasn't been able to figure it out. And then all of a sudden they win a Stanley Cup. I mean, a guy that I think about is Mike Sullivan with Pittsburgh. You know, he comes in, I mean, a guy that I think about is Mike Sullivan with Pittsburgh. You know, he comes in, I think, midway through the season in 2016 and wins back to back Stanley Cups. Craig Barube is a guy who, you know, won a Stanley Cup in the last five years.

And Toronto has just for whatever reason, not been able to, you know, get to that next level. And Barube seems to be a guy who can bring out the best in talented players like the ones on the Maple Leafs roster and You know listen Toronto has always been a great regular season team But they're actually my pick to win the president's trophy this year And I think Berube is the one to help get them there. How about the Art Ross trophy for leading point scorer? I Mean this one's kind of basic, but how could you bet against Connor McDavid?

You know two years ago 64 goals kind of basic, but how could you bet against Connor McDavid? You know, two years ago, 64 goals, like 160 something points, I think, or 153 points, I believe, actually was the exact number last year. 100 assists, 132 points. I mean, this guy, if anything, you know, it's funny, I asked Tyler Remchuk, who covers the others for Wothers Nation yesterday, you know, what can we expect from Connor McDavid this year after those previous two years and after losing in the game seven in the Stanley Cup final? Like this guy is not going to slow down at all. If anything, he might speed up. And Tyler said he could score 50 goals and

have a hundred assists again. Like, you know, Connor McDavid is basically inevitable and I'm not going to pick anyone else unless I have to. So your rocket Richard trophy kind of jumped off the page at me a little bit. And I like it. I like where you're going with this. I like the bold take. Maybe not so much as a Panthers guy, but Jake Gensel winning the Rocket Richard, two-part question, why and how many goals do you have him scoring? So I have him scoring probably like the 55 to 57 range. I don't think we're going to see a 60-goal scorer again this year.

I know scoring is kind of up in the NHL, but I just, I just don't see it happening. Um, you know, for whatever reason, I don't really have a specific, um, but. The simple answer for this is he's playing with Nikita Kuturov on the number one power play in the NHL last year. Kuturov led the league in points 144 last year. He's an incredible playmaker. Jake Ensel can score goals in every single way, whether it's back door deflections around the net a shot

A one-timer. I mean Gensel is you know, one of the most legal scorers in the entire NHL He isn't you know the guy that went to Tampa and signed for you know, eight years for no reason, right? That's why they didn't keep stamp coasts You know, I think stamp coasts will thrive as well in Nashville but Jake Ensel is a guy that he's a threat everywhere on the ice and playing with the, you know, players. I have a caliber as a kid, a Kutra, but I just think it's going to benefit him so much. Now Calder Trophy, again, I like where you're going with your Calder Trophy pick just because I think Cutter-Gauffier is going to be baked in Anaheim.

I think that whole Anaheim San Jose region is going to be pretty ripe with young talent. I don't know if he's in a state on Anaheim's top line. I think they're going to want to put him with Leo Carlson just for that. That's where he is right now. Yeah, that's where he is. So that wouldn't make sense. But why do you think he's going to be better than, say, a Macklin Celebrene? Well, I think it's just the goal scoring factor. You know, Macklin Celebrene will probably finish with more points this year.

But Cudder Gochi, I've watched this kid play now for two years covering hockey East and scoring 38 goals and 41 NCAA games last year is no fluke. Cutter Goche shot is his biggest threat. I think I'll score 30 goals this year, especially if he's playing on a line with Leo Carlson and getting first power play time. You know, Goche, I don't want to say similar to Gensel, but he can score from anywhere on the ice. Different kinds of players, Goche bigger body, strong, maybe even a better skater, probably a better skater than Gensel. But that Anaheim team has a lot of young talent. And I think Goche has more support around him than Sellebrini does.

And that's why I think Goche will be the rookie of the year. Again, I'd say Sellebrini can touch 60 points. Goche had maybe say more 52 to 57, but I think Goche scores 30 goals and, you know, assist will come as well. But, you know, that kid can just find the back of the net from anywhere and he'll be on the first power play unit. And, you know, the opportunity will be there for him. The Selkie trophy for best defensive forward. Tell me why it's not going to be Alexander Balkan.

Well, I think he's the easy choice. And again, if you can look at the names I have on this list, I try not to go with the basic answers, but with the basic answers outside of McDavid, obviously, because you can't really bet against McDavid in the Art Ross. But I always try to be a little bit outside the box, but I have a reasoning for everything. And if there's one player in the NHL this year who has a chip on their shoulder and something to prove, it's Mitch Marner, you know, with the narrative around him in Toronto and again again, the Craig Brubay factor him coming in, probably being a little bit more defensive minded Marner we know can

score the points and can produce offensively. And his defensive game is strong too. You know, Marner is a guy who kills penalties, block shots, does a little bit of everything, doesn't play overly physical, but I think Brubay can bring that side out of him. And you know, with the Selkie, I just think it's someone obviously, as you guys know, it's someone who's responsible on both ends of the ice. And Marner being a winger, you know, it's much tougher to do as opposed to a center. And I think, you know, Berube will just have that little bit of an impact on Marner's game. And you know, he'll be the guy. I think he's been a finalist, you know, a couple of times,

but hasn't won the award yet. The North's trophy for best defenseman who you get? I mean, this one's a basic one, but a personal friend, Cal McCarr, best defenseman in the league. You know, multiple people have already said the best defenseman to ever play the game. Oh, wow. Which is crazy. I mean, we're getting there.

I mean, he's unbelievable. He's going to be a Norris finalist basically every year of his career. I think nobody skates like him Nobody shoots like him. He's the Mcdave of the blue line you know, I'm not the first person to say that coach car will at UMass was the the first person I ever heard say that and You know I think he's gonna have to step up this year for Colorado too because the avalanche to me I actually got a lot of crap from avalanche fans on our you know previews that a

Central revision preview this week because I was pretty low on Colorado and I was high on them last year. The depth just isn't there offensively for me this year. So they're gonna need more production from the back end from a guy like Kyle McCarr. All right, David, this is your trophy. And you know what? I don't necessarily agree, but I do kind of agree

because for Vezina Trophy, it's hard for me to go anywhere away from Schusterken at this point. I just feel like he's the best goalie in the league and a head and shoulders right now. He's amazing. But that being said, you gave it to my boy, American goal tender, Jake Ottinger, who I think he's going to get the volume and he certainly got the skill. So it could be a good race for Vezina. Why did you take Ottinger over Schusterken?

Well, so I actually changed it. I know this is my official pick, but I submitted this like three days ago and I've changed my mind since and I want, I want to go with Andre Vasilevski. Oh, yeah, I do. Oh boy. I probably heard that though. No, no, no. I love that. Yeah. I think I love Vasilevski.

I'm a huge fan of his and I think he's set up for a big time bounce back year. So I love that pick actually. Yeah. So, and also my thought process is to like Dallas is a really good team and they just need out and you're to be slightly above average to still find success where Tampa, I feel like a lot of people are down on Tampa this year. You know, whether that's just the narrative around getting rid of Stamcoast and Sergachev to on the back end, they're going to need the goaltending a little bit more than a team like Dallas does. So Vasilevsky, I feel like will have to bail out Tampa more than Ottinger will have to bail out Dallas.

And that was my thought process around that. Like Ottinger I've just been so high on for a couple of years now and I've wanted him to get the Vezna obviously as an American kid myself. But Vasilevsky to me seems like he's gonna have to do a little bit more for his team this year than Ottinger will for his respectively. So I am making my official pick Vasilevsky and I wish I was able to edit that, but.

No, I like it. It kind of gives a little bit of a mystery to the whole thing. Yeah. And now finally your heart trophy pick, you've got Jack Hughes, which very interesting obviously because A, Devils, are they going to be good this year? You've talked a lot about the Maple Leafs as you think they're going to be good this year, so it's kind of a two-parter for me.

Why Jack Hughes as your MVP? And are we going to see like a Devils Leafs Eastern Conference final in your eyes? Like what's going on here? I wouldn't love a Devils Leafs Eastern Conference final, but I would love a Devils Leafs Playoff Series. Obviously, I want to see my Rangers in the Conference Final. But Jack Hughes, I've said it before, and I'll say it again, my favorite player in the NHL. His personality, the way he plays the game, everything about him, the aura, which is a word that everyone loves to use now, that Jack has.

Funny enough, so one thing I will shamelessly plug, I did ask every player at player media tour who has the most aura on the NHL. Every single one of them said Austin Matthews. I asked Austin Matthews that same question. He said Jack Hughes.

So basically outside of Austin Matthews, Jack Hughes, the next coolest guy, the swagger he plays with and people, you know, can remember far back enough. Jack Hughes got hurt early in the year last year, I think like early November. In the first 10 games this season,

Jack Hughes was leading the NHL on points with like 20 points. Lights out. You know, like he was on fire until that injury happened. And if he's able to stay healthy this year, I don't see that production going down. He'll get a hundred points this year, if not 120. I'm expecting a huge year out of Jack.

And you know, the devil's obviously with that bounce back factor and under Sheldon Keefe, a new coach, they're gonna a huge year out of Jack. And you know, the devil's obviously with that bounce back factor and under Sheldon Keefe, a new coach, they're gonna be a hot team to watch and Jack's gonna carry them to where they need to go. And yeah, I think it's his MVP year. Who do you guys have for MVP? Oh, that's a tough one.

But I feel like I gotta go with McDavid just because I feel like he's going to be on a redemption tour this year after what happened in the playoffs last year. Nathan McKinnon. I'm a little scared. Give it to him. But back to back for Nate. Yeah. Yeah you caught me off a little bit there. I was like oh. Oh really? Okay. A little bit. I know I just getting back to Jack Hughes for a second. Last year he was on Burial but I always think of that I wonder if you're gonna remember this Roy. He had maybe my favorite goal

celebration of all time. Where he just threw a stick into the stands like, yeah, like a Thor or whatever, throwing a thunderbolt. Like I love that. I would love to see a full season of a healthy Jack Hughes. So he can lose all of his sticks. That's like $300 each. Well, he finished with 99 points two years ago

when he was healthy. No, he was one point away. They're pretty stacked up front in New Jersey right now. And if Jacob Markstrom becomes the guy that I think, and I'm still like scared of his mask. His mask is like crazy. The blood splatters. Well, he's looking scary in New Jersey, man.

So like you can see them making the playoffs and making a good run there. Yep. Yeah, so Johnny, plug your stuff. You got morning cup of coffee, you got daily face-off. Yes, I work with daily face-off do a morning show every Monday through Thursday called morning cup of hockey and then I do This really cool content series called open skate with Bleacher report where I do a lap around the ice with all the players And kind of ask them funny goofy, you know personality questions. Those are gonna be coming out in the next couple weeks

That's I think the first one coming out is with Nathan McKinnon next week. So You know look out for those but yeah, it's gonna be another fun year hockey. I'm super excited. It was great getting to hang out with you guys during the conference final last year Yeah, hopefully they can run that back this year. But thank you guys for having me I really appreciate it and whenever you need happy to hop on. Absolutely. That's Johnny Lazarus everybody Listen to all of his stuff watches stuff as well. It's It's absolutely, I can't wait for the season to start. It starts next week, all right? It starts tonight. Well, technically it starts tonight.

It starts in two hours. It starts in two hours. Today. In a different country. Let's go. All right, let's go. Football season is here and there is absolutely nothing better than game day.

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My rating. Hey, not bad. Hey, I'll take that. Thanks, whoever decided that. Anyone, gotta take that. Three, seven. I'll take it. I'll take that. Three, seven. I'll take it.

You need that one? I think this is better than last year. I'll take it. I don't even remember what I had last year. Really? I'll take it. That's a big number. 84. Yeah. Not bad, getting higher slowly. That's a big number. 84. Yeah.

Not bad. Getting higher slowly. That's a good thing. Yes, it is. Pretty good. 82. I take it. I thought I was first looking like 62.

Do I even open it? Why are you doing this to me? Yeah. Nice. Nice. 92. Try to get that higher this year. I'm happy with that.

That's good. It's higher than I thought. I'm happy with that. I'm happy with that. I'm happy with that. I'm happy with that. I'm happy with that. I'm happy with that. Why are you doing this to me? Yeah. Nice. Nice. Nice. I too. Try to get that higher this year. I'm happy with that.

That's good. It's higher than I expected. I don't believe him. Yeah, you don't believe him, huh? No. When somebody's voice goes up like that, like, oh, that's kind of nice. You know? It's like, I think Chuckie thinks he should have been closer to the mid-90s.

All right. For the audio audience, we just played the ratings for NHL 25 for a majority of the Panthers here so in order that was Evan Rodriguez who got an 84, Sam Reinhardt who got a 91, Conor Verhege who got an 87, Sam Bennett who got an 85, Aaron Echblad who got an 87, Alexander Barkoff who got 94, Anton Luddell, oh yeah okay there you go, the celebration. You had more of a celebration than than Sasha did on his his rating with 94. Sasha's in. Anton Luddell with 84, Nico Michalot with 82, Matthew Kachuk with 92. I could have sworn that they had Gustav Wurzling in there in video, but I didn't see him and most likely I would be pissed off

or whatever rating that they gave Gus because He should be higher in the rating. You're just assuming that it's a lower rating than it should be I mean he's rated we got a failure is rated because he's on a team. They have to rate him You think he's in the 90s? You don't think he's in the 90s? I think they probably gave him 89 or something. What if he's like a 91? Is that acceptable? That's acceptable because it's above 90. Okay, so that's the watermark, is 90.

Yes. He's gotta get an A. On this list, who do you think got shafted? Who do I think got shafted on this list? Uh... Barkey. Sam Bennett. Of course Rose thinks Barkey should Barkey. Sam Bennett. Of course, Rose thinks Barkey should be 100.

Oh, come on, man. No, I think 94 is good for Barkey. But no, Sam Bennett as an 85. Yeah, that's low. He does everything for the Panthers. Yeah. He's such an important player. And I feel like his skill level should be, he's a former top three pick.

His skill level should be pretty high in NHL, right? It's a grit factor, right NHL right it's a grit factor right Michael is an 82 and he's such a good defenseman though but he doesn't score so that's why I get that rating even though I think defensively should be higher yeah but how much defense are we really playing in NHL yeah well I am like you're gonna destroy me when we play this game I'm sure I am. I'm like... You're going to destroy me when we play this game. I'm sure I am. I'm just going to be the goalie the whole time and let the computer beat you.

I mostly play to be a pro, so it's just me doing individual. But for me, I'm a power forward in the game. So I'm basically either rushing the net or I'm setting screens. You're an Anthony Stewart. Yeah, I would say I'm not Matt Decaturck in the game, but I'm setting screens. Yeah, I would say I'm not Matt the Kachuck in the game, but I'm setting screens. You know like in Eric Lindros? Come on, I'm trying to get you to compare your NHL player to a real-life player and you're not taking the bait. Yeah, I guess so. Like a Pete Todd Bertuzzi

before he went crazy? I'm thinking Red Wings over here. Red Wings, Red Wings Todd Bertuzzi? No, no. There was a power for it on the... Bob Probert? No, no. Late 90s, early 2000s. Keith Primo?

No, late 90s, early 2000s. I'm not Keith Primo. And Detroit? In Detroit. That's pre-Zetterberg. Yohan Franzen? That's pre-Franzen, but I like't know. But- In Detroit? In Detroit. That's pre-Zetterberg. Pre-Fronsen. That's pre-Fronsen, but I like that pick. I think you're just like five or six years ahead of yourself.

Yeah, so yeah, that's the power forward that I am. I'm just setting screens and getting deflections and hitting people. That's mine, and that's how I end up winning Silky trophies year after year. So who do you think got shafted? I mean, Nico Michola shafted? I mean Nico Michola got 82. That's low. That is really... I thought that was a little low for Nico. Yeah.

Evan Rodriguez I think probably should be a couple notches higher. His performance in the Stanley Cup final should have gotten him like a three or four point bump. Yeah. One point for every goal you score in the Stanley Cup final. They do have a ratings adjuster on Madden. There They do have a ratings adjuster on Madden. That needs to be a ratings adjuster on the NHL franchise. And I'm not gonna assume that this game is better than last year because I have to, like I'm guessing it's probably better than last year

because last year was terrible. But- The bar is low, right? The bar is low. But I assume that hopefully this game is much better as far as game players is concerned. But looking at these rankings I'll say it's probably a b-minus at this point Just looking at the rankings that they have for these Florida Panthers players. Hopefully they do better for the rest of the league

But that's just me. But yes, I am going to kill you in this uh, nhl 25 situation when we play and on that note Okay. Goodbye. That's this week's hockey show. The regular season starts tonight. For the Panthers, it starts on Tuesday. Banner raising. Banner raising, man. The game of rings on Monday. I can't wait to see that.

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