The Sheet with Jeff Marek - Fitzy Speaks and Lightning Win 11 Straight ft. Carter Hutton & Brandon Naurato

Episode Date: January 14, 2026

Jeff Marek returns from Washington on today’s edition of The Sheet, breaking down a thrilling Capitals overtime win over Montreal and why Washington’s need for speed is becoming impossible to ignore at the NHL trade deadline. Jeff highlights the emergence of Ethan Frank, Nick Suzuki’s elite play, and what Capitals GM Chris Patrick may target ahead of the playoff push. Carter Hutton joins to unpack the Tampa Bay Lightning ripping off 11 straight wins despite injuries to key stars, and why John Cooper still doesn’t have a Jack Adams. The conversation shifts to New Jersey as Tom Fitzgerald faces mounting pressure, the ongoing Dougie Hamilton saga, and how the Quinn Hughes speculation may have altered the Devils’ internal dynamics. Jeff and Carter also examine Tampa’s blue-line depth, Andrei Vasilevskiy’s resurgence, and why the Eastern Conference remains wide open as the deadline approaches.Full Brandon Naurato Interview: https://youtu.be/ooiMk8xHkX8SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!!👍🏼 Fan Duel: https://www.fanduel.com/👍🏼Uber Eats: https://www.ubereats.com/caReach out to [e-mail] to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!If you liked this, check out:🚨 OTT - Coming in Hot Sens | https://www.youtube.com/c/thewallyandmethotshow🚨 TOR - LeafsNation | https://www.youtube.com/@theleafsnation401🚨 EDM - OilersNation | https://www.youtube.com/@Oilersnationdotcom🚨 VAN - CanucksArmy | https://www.youtube.com/@Canucks_Army🚨 CGY - FlamesNation | https://www.youtube.com/@FNBarnBurner🚨 Daily Faceoff Fantasy & Betting | www.youtube.com/@DFOFantasyandBetting____________________________________________________________________________________________Connect with us on ⬇️Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/daily_faceoff💻 Website: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com🐦 Follow on twitter: https://x.com/DailyFaceoff💻 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dailyfaceoffDaily Faceoff Merch:https://nationgear.ca/collections/daily-faceoff#TheSheet #JeffMarek #CarterHutton #NHL #NHLDebate #TradeRumors #TampaBayLightning #CollegeHockey #MichiganHockey #NHLAnalysis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey, welcome back to the program. Well, welcome me back to the program. Welcome me myself back after a day away in Washington for a quick one. Some meetings, some recordings. Went to the Montreal Washington game yesterday. I have some thoughts on that coming up here in a couple of moments. You know, I got to... Hey, Zach, guess who I got to hang out with last night?

For a period and a half. Who did you get to hang out with? Well, the Washington Capitals tomorrow are facing off against the San Jose Sharks. with Caps fans get a chance to see Maclin Celebrini up close and personal. And about halfway through the first period, one of the elite play-by-play crews around the NHL wandered in. Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda. So it was old stories with me and Drew and Randy.

It was fantastic. Had a great... Nice. They used to do this. We were watching videos. Years and years ago, Randy and Drew used to do this show. Brody Brazil would have been part of it too. Whereas like an after dark show, stop me if you've heard this theme before, but they did this like 10 years ago.

And like Randy would be in his hotel room in a robe and Drew of course impeccably dressed as always as my buddy Pat who ran the NHL Ties Twitter feed once upon a time would always refer to him as Thai 99 as in he is the Wayne Gretzky of Ties and he was always dressed impeccably. But it was like a really cool like hangy outy kind of after show. Sometimes it would be done from a car. sometimes it would be done from like Randy's hotel room and he always had the robot. It was awesome. We were watching all videos. Oh,

it was such a good time. Such a good time. You need to stop because you're going to have Almil who's probably listening, who's our boss for those in the chat, not sure. He's going to be listening being like, hmm, can we get a car? Can we get back in? Get a rope.

What locations could we put them in to do the show? Bedroom. And as of right now, I think I'm okay with my room. Oh, fine. No, we got to dress it up. We got to dress it up. We got to dress it. We were going to find some, but we were looking at research and trying to find these all on YouTube last night watching these.

And they were fantastic. So, yeah, you might want to reinvent that whole concept. The robe, maybe a silk robe, maybe a pipe. We can have like Zach's Grotto, maybe. We can do something like that after your Maple Leaf game. Anyhow, a lot of fun yesterday going to the game. I'll tell you what. the Montreal Canaanians are a fast team

but Sam Montembo had a really I thought Sam Montembo played a really good game yesterday Nick Suzuki who played Oh is a consecutive game number was a 508 Last night Suzuki is next level right now And Suzuki is like on a on a whole new level But the one thing that I took away from last night's game

Against the Washington Capitals Ethan Frank really stands out Now, Ethan Frank had a pair of goals yesterday for the Caps. Overtime win for Washington over Montreal. They need more speed in the lineup. And I don't think that's lost on Chris Patrick. Their general manager. Like this is a, this is, you know, they were right there to the very end with Nikolai Eelers

before he ended up going to the Carolina Hurricanes. And I would have to think that that won't end their desire to try to find more speed in this lineup for the, for the, for the playoff push here. Anyway. So that is what I, that. That's what I wonder about with the Washington Capitals. Now is we're all sort of getting to that place where we all have our eyes on trade deadline and what teams need and who's selling and who's buying, but also who needs what. And I'm looking at the capitals and saying they could probably, they could use more health.

Certainly they've been dinged up. And Justin Sortif is the latest one, getting a puck in the face. That doesn't help. But they need to get faster. I mean, Ethan Frank wins every race. He's just roadrunner. But I don't think they've given up on the idea of trying to get. get that line up quicker.

Justin sort of, even though he didn't play, I mentioned the injury. I remember when Chris Patrick made that deal, you probably were the same way. A second round pick? Yeah. Rick, a second round pick is, like, that's a substantial price to pay.

And listen, pro scouts were adamant. And it's one of the things that we actually, Gabby and I talked about with Chris Patrick in the interview. It's like, where did that one come from? because when you look at the caps and the Beck Malenstein trade to the Buffalo Sabres, they got a second in return and turned that into Cole Hudson. So like if any team understands the value of a second round pick,

it's the Washington Capitals, which is why I think a lot of us were surprised when they gave up the second. And lo and behold, it's worked. This guy's really good. This guy's really good. Credit to the Caps, pro scouting staff, identifying that, figuring out Chickren was going to be a piece. that was going to work, giving up the pieces they did because I remember as a Leafs fan,

the trade with Rasmus Sandin moving on from him being like, he's a good player, but wow, this is great that we got this back in return. It's like, don't even bat an eye. They just keep moving. Jensen off to Ottawa, get chikering in here, and all of a sudden it's an upgrade for them. And Sandine finds a role and sort of is a standout player. Strom, I mean, I guess, is another piece that, you know, you identify the players struggling. I use that loosely, maybe not playing up to their potential elsewhere,

and the caps just pick off guy after guy after guy. That's, Jeff, if a guy, if the caps call me and I'm a GM in the league, I'm like, wait a minute. Don't answer. Hey, Zach, you think you'd be willing to let go of X player? I'm hanging up the phone calling my development staff and saying, what are we doing wrong? How can we get more out of this guy? That used to be what they said about Cliff Fletcher, right?

If Cliff Fletcher was calling you, don't answer the phone, right? He was the one general manager. They would always say, you know, after you shake Cliff's hand, count your fingers. Because he's probably going to take a couple of those too when you guys, when you do a deal. Well, it's like, you know, because that was the era too. And Brian Burke, Brian Burke always talks about this one. Once upon a time, when you were a general manager in the NHL, you judge trades based on who got fired over it. Like if you made a trade and the guy you made a trade with got fired, that was a good trade.

Because everybody's trying to make themselves better and get everybody else fired. That doesn't exist anymore. Now it's what do you need? How can I help you? What can we do to help out here? How can we scratch each other's backs? But back then, the pirates were just trying to get everybody fired. And that's how you did deals.

Oh, that guy got fired after that deal. Good trade for you. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. That's a good trade. All right, a lot to get to you today on the program. We'll talk about Tom Fitzgerald and his press conference. We'll let you know what's happening here on The Blueprints.

The Blueprint is powered by Fanduel. Download the app today and play your game on Fanduel. Coming up on the show, in a couple of moments, Carter Hutton will stop by. Carter pops up sort of all over the place. And he's, of course, part of Daily Face Off Live, DFO Live, along with Tyler E. Remchuk. We will talk about, amongst other things, trade buzz.

We'll talk about the Tampa Bay Lightning who have now 11th straight, games and the common denominator has got to be like I know that there's going to be a lot of stiff competition but John Cooper man with like key players injured all season long and now Braden Point this team just keeps on rolling so we'll talk to Hutz about that coming up at a couple of moments Brandon Nerato as well so when we were in Michigan that was one of the interviews that we did sat down with with the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines for about 30 minutes we're going to play back what is it like 15 of it Zach 12 to 15 minutes of it?

1420. 1420. So we're going to play 14 minutes of 20 seconds, the Brandon Nerato piece, and then the full interview, which is around 30, is going to come out a little bit later on this afternoon if you are watching us live.

In the meantime, things to get to today. Vancouver Canucks have lost eight games in a row. We'll see if we get there, because we have a lot of things that we want to get to. Oh, you know, at one point that I wanted to make, so I was driving yesterday, at a meeting yesterday morning and I was driving to the appointment and you got a phone call from someone who's technically not in the Detroit Red Wings organization, but is very much in the Detroit

Red Wings orbit who said, you got to, you got to make sure that you do something on your next show. I said, what's that? He said, because this is coming off the Federoff Jersey retirement number 91. The issue with Federoff and the wings, I think we've been consistent on this act, wasn't so much the offer sheet with the Carolina Hurricanes. That was just two owners sniping each other. That was Pete Carmanos and Mike Illich. That was that feud. Federov just happened to be standing in the middle and getting rich because of it.

He said, make sure people understand that the issue between the Detroit Red Wings and Sergei Federoff wasn't that offer sheet. It was when he went to Anaheim because there was a better deal on the table from the Detroit Red Wings and he still chose to leave. Now, there's a number of different theories as to why, but I really think the main one, why Federoff wanted to leave and go to Anaheim was, I think he knew that if he stayed in Detroit, he was never going to be the guy because Steve Iserman was there. To which I've always wondered, if Federoff stayed, how many more cups did the Detroit Red Wings

win? At least one, right? maybe two? Hard to say. But I think that was the main reason why he chose the Anaheim deal over the Detroit Red Wings deal, which was better than Anaheim's. Anyway, just want to make sure they were all on the same page about that. Wasn't the offer sheet. It was leaving for an inferior deal.

With that, we'll bring on Carter Hutton. I think I spelled that out, okay. Carter Hutton joins us now from DFO Live. By the way, did you watch the Federoff Jersey retirement on Monday? Do you get a peek at that? Where were you at on Sergey Federoff? Because to me, he was as close to a perfect forward as there was in the NHL. He could win the Art Ross.

He could also win the Selkie. He could play defense on the power play. Like, whatever you wanted him to do, he would go on the ice and he would be the best at it. On a team that's full of future Hall of Famers, too, let's not forget. And he had the wicked style. Those Nike skates were still the best. talk about them. I think we all do. I love the warm-ups, you know, the skates that they did and coming out in the Corvette.

It just suited them so well. And again, a guy that like I never had any flash in my game or cool style or so like a guy like Federoff, I grew up a big wings fan. In my house, it was Detroit Red Wing, Stevie Y, Federoff. So those are like the golden years for me. And I think back to Federoff, what I always love is a story that I got to hear when I was playing in Rockford of all places. Okay. With the Chicago Blockhocks. So Stan Bowman, General Manager of Chicago Blockhawks, right scotty bowman is kind of the assistant he's just kind of a liaison to the general manner so he's in rockford scotty takes a liking to me he just was a big backer in my corner all the time he's grabbed

me and talk and at one point my dad was there and i remember talking about fetter off and the wings in those days just kind of because we had you know built up that relationship and he told me a story about federoff where he was struggling you know just to play on the other side of the puck when he first came over and so as like a lesson he was like going to put him on d and to be like you know this is what it takes to play and what and then scotty said he had to change his mind doing it because he was his best defenseman so just goes to show you how good tederoff was and scotty bowman for these days i love him he was so great to me in my time in chicago you know scotty was always trying that with a lot he was such a creative guy creative thinker different thinker i remember you know

a while back um actually full disclosure uh after i got my vasectomy i remember my first day on the couch. And I'm like, I'm going to be here for a while. So I'm going to watch the Canada Cup 76. Because like all I'm going to be able to do is just like watch stuff all day long. And I was watching one of the Canadian games. And sure enough, Scotty Bowman, who was coaching lined up Larry Robbins. I put Larry Robinson up front, like put him on wing and then had him like net front. And I'm this, I remember talking to Scottie after that. I'm like, I was seven or eight years old during that tournament. So I don't remember this. But like, I'm watching this thing back like 20, 30, 40 years later and you've got Larry Robinson up on wing.

He goes, I always thought he'd be a great winger. I just wanted to try it. It was an international. I just wanted to try it. I just wanted to try it. A couple of things, not from 1976, but from 2006, most notably, today, today. What did you make of the Tom Fitzgerald press for today? Like, he's kind of been slagged for not being around, not being, you know, front and center as the New Jersey Devils go through this horrible. stretch spoke to assembled media today and the first thing he said is mea culpa this one this one's where we're at it's all on me and then went on to say that no trades didn't hamper any deal for for quin hughes and obviously they had interest etc etc etc but what'd you make of fitzgerald's press for today i think a long time coming right when you test the temperature of the new jersey fan base and where they're at i feel like a lot of people weren't happy with the fact that there was no communication throughout this whole process, right? Like he was kind of absent in that sense.

And again, I think it's saving face too where, you know, this is a team that is underperforming, right? Like when you look at that Eastern Conference and where they're at and point production is something that I think is a big topic when you look at this team, right? Like I think it's 68th right now in the NHL is yes per Brad as their leading score. And this is a team that is supposed to sound a bad year. And this is a team that's supposed to be creating offense and have that creativity to drive that. So I think for this team, it's been an ugly,

little run here, right? And the Dougie Hamilton saga continues. I think he is a player that where his number is out, when you're paying him $9 million, he needs to produce and he needs to do well. And then on top of the Jack Hughes incident off the ice. And I don't know if we ever got to the bottom of what's going on there. I think this has been a disappointing year in a Metro division. again, I think that's where as a fan base and as a team, there's just such high priority because of the fact that like, doesn't it feel open more than ever to like try to get to a Stanley Cup final? to an Eastern conference. Like it's not going to get any easier, right?

There's teams that are going to get better. We look at the Islanders, what they're doing. The Flyers, what they're doing. New Jersey wasn't supposed to be in that set. So I think for Fitzgerald, he's got to save face and he's got to be more out there, right, where this team is at. You know, I wonder about New Jersey too. And it would probably have involved at least one core piece to make the Quinn Hughes deal. Does it look to me like, or does it sound to you rather as it sounds to me like New Jersey's,

in a place right now where it feels to me like they've gone as far as they can with their core and this team really needs a freshening up. And I don't know who that piece is or what that piece is. You know, of course, still a lot of noise around Dougie Hamilton

but does it need to go deeper than that? Like Brats having a tough season. Jack Hughes with the injury and go right down the list. I guess, I mean, our Sydney Gritsuck's been like a really sort of pleasant surprise, but you're not hanging your season based on how the rookie plays.

Like, does it feel to you like this is a team that they've tried it with this group for long enough now it might be time for one player to go? Change the look. Change the chemistry. Change something here. I think so. I don't think you're wrong by any means. And again, I think Jake Allen's been the MVP of the year for this hockey team, right?

Playing 24 games. He signed that five year deal and all of us scoffed at it, right? Like, why would he take five years at this? like, you know, he's a guy that you want to keep around. Jacob Markstrom's been inconsistent. The game, you know, keeping them in there for nine goals, everything that's going on. But there is some glaring pieces up front. And again, I don't want to put this all in Sheldon Keith because this team has kind of been

underachieving in the same sense of where they're at. They had that year where they got in the playoffs and they made some noise. And we thought that was a big. Beat the Rangers. No one thought that too. And like, whoa. I think all the, I remember talking to Jack Hughes that summer. And I was like, did it kind of feel like your Stanley Cup?

He's like, yeah. But at the same time, you got the sense talking to him and talking to Devils players that that was just the beginning. And now we're going on runs. Now it's going to begin. Here we go. The Devils have arrived. Speed bump after speed bump. And I think that's where expectations versus being in the moment become so important, right?

You can't just kick this down the field and think like this is where we are headed. Right. We've seen this with the Toronto Maple Leafs, right? Like where they had their core and they're built for this. And again, Sheldon Keith being part of that as well, where, you know, it was like in New Jersey, we just need a goalie. Well, when we get a goalie, we're going to be good. We get a goalie.

It's going to push us over the top. Now you have a goalie. You went and got Jacob Marstrom. You have Jake Allen. You have veteran guys that can compete. And it's dropped off a bit. So I guess I get concerned. Stephanie's in is out now.

He hasn't produced anything like he was. Plot is another one for me where is it you go out and get him from Tampa Bay. And yes, he was a winner. But how long do you hold on to him as an asset, like trying to think he's going to help your team. like his better days are behind him. So those are the guys that concern me when you look at the depth where maybe if you bring in a little bit more players with a little more punch and a little more locker room presence,

it can drag a little more out of these younger star players. I think that's that happy dynamic that you see in other teams where you look at Gabriel Landiscag in Colorado and Brock Nelson, these like veteran guys that have like such more of a presence. And again, it's a different status because I think Nathan McKinnon is more that accountable superstar compared to a Jack Hughes. But bringing in some veteran guys that can like push guys over the top. Look at what Jack Eichael did in Buffalo, right?

Like it never worked. It was always something wrong. And the whole neck procedure, he moves out. He's been a superstar. And we don't hear any of that side of it. So I feel like New Jersey could really use that boost in the room just to try to push them over the top, in my opinion. There's no way really to answer this other than this is what I feel. I still wonder through all of this because everything about the New Jersey devil is going back

to last year with Jim Rutherford has all been about Quinn Hughes. Now, I wonder where the New Jersey Devils would be if that Hornets Nest hadn't been kicked over. I think if Jim Rutherford never talked about playing with his brothers. Because again, like if you're a New Jersey Devils fan, all you're thinking of is we're getting Quinn Hughes, we're getting Quinn Hughes, we're getting Quinn Hughes. And you know, like, you can't lie to players. Like players know. Players get it. Players, like, that's the, like, I've always said, like, that's the only, you know.

only thing that I've understood in all the years that I've covered hockey. One thing I know for sure you can't lie to players. Players know who belongs. Players know who doesn't belong. Players know who's good. Players know the scene. Players know the politics. Players know. And if that was never public or if Jim didn't speculate on it or just put out there and put it in the dialogue, would things be different in New Jersey? I think so. I honestly think that the fact of the matter is players know, right? And I totally agree. I feel like when I was in the NHL, the amount of stuff that I knew that was going on or guys moving out or things going on. But when you let the fan base and general public kind of peek behind the curtain and he puts that out into the universe, it changes the whole dynamic of it. I don't know if that was a strategic element of it. It's the same thing we just saw in Ottawa where, you know, Stales releases the statement where it just causes a lot more uproar than I think needed to happen. So same idea with Rutherford. He says this, which is maybe a strategic side from him with Quinn Hughes and where he's at. And now of a sudden for the New Jersey fan base and for Tom Fitzgerald, it created havoc.

And again, now you have a fan base that is like, you get your hopes up, you get expectations up. And how many times do you see that where there's potential news of a free agent signing somewhere or a trade or a different dynamic? And then all of a sudden, that's all you hear about. But when it doesn't happen, no matter what like from the public eye, when we assume it might happen, expectation changes. So I think for them, this has been a big dynamic and the fact that

they were supposed to be good and they haven't been good. And I think that just adds fuel to the fire. From a player's point of view, I am curious because like you understand like the dynamic and the feelings

and the understanding of what certain players mean to certain teams. One of the things, I don't think I've ever talked about this, Carter. I'm glad you're here because you have that experience.

I've never talked about this publicly. I've never mentioned this. But I've always had a feeling. And again, I've never played in the NHL. But part of me wonders, if I'm someone on the New Jersey Devils and my last name isn't Hughes, is part of me thinking, okay, so they're going to bring in all three brothers here. And politically, that's going to be the base. And everything is going to be in service of that family. and it almost creates a there's them and then now i'm not saying it says anything to do with the players but in a player's mind it's like okay everything is going to be done to try to get quinn hughes here so everything's going to be in service to the hugh's family where does that leave me where does everybody on this team whose name bar doesn't say hughes where does that leave us is that a thing is that a thing that gets the disgust amongst players well it's trickier because

there's not like the nepotism of like head coaches and kids and everything that goes on but you know what jars right to my memory is like the eric stall jordan stall situation in carolina where jared stahl was playing in the minors and jared was a great pro but he probably wasn't really that steady of an american league guy and he got a game in the nchel because of his brother so now if you're like like where does this stop right it's different when you're like you make these arguments about 13 and 14 year kids and what goes on and happen to the NHL level. I think it is a factor though.

It is, but it's the same factor that I felt I dealt with in the sense of like draft house and guys where you're like, okay, how long is this guy's leash? Like you get to a point where like, well, the room no, people know, teammates know, fans know, like this guy doesn't have it. And you have other guys that are willing and trying to cut their teeth. So I do think it has a factor on a room where it's like obviously now like Luke Hughes gets that contract. Why?

Like, if his name isn't Luke Hughes, does he get that contract? Well, here's another one. Hang on, park that for one second. If you switch name bars between Nemich and Hughes. Yeah. Who goes to the miners? Yeah, 100% right. Like, it is a tricky, tricky situation where, like, it would change the factor of, like,

your superstar player's brother is there. And yes, it's a good dynamic in a sense, but you have to walk a tricky line when it comes to that. It's hard. Yeah. Or you lose the room. You lose the room and I feel like that's the effort that we've been seeing from this New Jersey Devils and inconsistency in their play. See, that's one of the reasons why I always admired the Siddins. You never got a whiff of that ever.

Like I think that, again, like much like, you know, another suite in Borya Salman, I thought the Siddins were two of the toughest players I ever saw in the NHL, not because, like, physically they were imposing because they weren't. But they got beaten up on a consistent base. night in and night out and they never changed. It never affected them. They took it and they came right back out and they played just as hard as the shift before when they were getting slashed and crouched and punched.

They never changed, ever, ever changed their game. We all think it's great because the show business of the brother act and oh, wow, isn't this great? For a lot of teams and a lot of people who don't have a brother on the team, it can be tricky. It can be tricky to navigate, right? Like, I'm not off base on. this. No, I don't think, like, I think Luke Hughes has done well and he's produced, but he's like,

you have to think opportunity as well, too, right? I think we saw that last night with Kent Johnson, right? Where it's like, Rick bonus comes in. Ken Johnson, and it goes up to 21 minutes where it's not just being on the team. It's the opportunity within the team, which matters so much more than just games played, being on roster. Because if you're not in a situation to succeed, you have to move on. I think Alex Texier is a great example of that.

In St. Louis, he's not getting the opportunity he thinks he can. Yeah. Mutually leaves the contract goes to Montreal. Now he just signs a two-year deal. So it is like the right fit and opportunity as well. That's a great point. And I'm glad you mentioned. I got a couple of things here with you.

I want to get to Tampa here in a second because now it's 11. And I just keep looking to myself and I go like, listen, Jared Bednar has been outstanding with the Colorado Avalanche, but like what is it going to take for John Cooper to win a Jack Adams here when half the lineups got the hospital bracelet on? But the debut of Rick Bone is behind the bench with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kent Johnson's name clearly pops for a lot of people and the elevated minutes. Anyone else?

I mean, Boone Jenner thought was outstanding. But like that, that's a vet and he's getting that ice time and he's going to get that production. It seems as if the organizationally, it was, we got to get Kent Johnson going here. And that wasn't happening with Dean Eveson. Yeah. And I think for me, as I look at this, it feels like the smoking gun a bit here, like why he was relieved of duties. And again, it's like, you know, Don Waddell as a general manager, right? I feel like this is a tricky line to walk for a head coach and GM, you know, not knowing how their relationship is,

but like a GM's building towards something where a coach kind of has to win in the now, right? And if he sees holes in Kent Johnson's game and he's trying to, you know, limit minutes because he's trying to win on a nightly basis where a general manager or the new coach, Rick Bonas comes in. It's like, hey, you come in, take over your system, but this kid needs to play and he needs to be in a better situation. So I do think we're going to see a lot more Jet Grieves with the Columbus Blue Jackets. I think he's awesome. I think there is potential. I think this could be a big turnaround for this team. And again, Dean Evanson is a very hard-nosed coach. So I think he built that platform of the way they need to play defensively. But now it's like we have to play our guys that

are going to build. Because it's not the NHL anymore, Jeff. It is in the sense there's a much more of a developmental league going on than it used to be. Interesting. Okay, let me get your thoughts before I let you go on the Tampa Bay Lightning. 11 games in a row, like how many games it is specifically they played without Ryan McDonough and Victor Headman. There's been, you know, and now Braden Point is out

sounds like they dodge what could have been a massive bullet there, but nonetheless, 11 in a row for Tampa. You know, as I've always said, I gave up, you know, betting against Tampa years ago because every time we were, every time we're calling for a priest, you know,

every time we call for a priest around the Tampa Bay Lightning, they come back to life. And this most latest incarnation is the 11-game winning streak for Tampa. I don't know what more I can say about John Cooper. Why don't you try to add a couple more things to this impressive resume that somehow doesn't include a Jack Adams. You know, the story that I think of right away when I think of John Cooper is we're playing Tampa Bay in the global series.

And they were sputtering that year. They weren't doing too great. I was with the Sabres. We went over to Sweden. And we had a night where it was like green light. because of fun right and i remember kevin shatton kirk patty maroon a bunch of guys played on that team um and shen as well who i knew well and i remember we went out that night and partied and then the next day we got to the rink and and we kind of got like our hands laughed a little bit like we were out

too late and a bunch of stuff and then i remember talking to shattie with tampa bay lightning kevin shattankirk and him being like all john cooper wanted to know is if the tampa bay lightning stayed out longer than the Buffalo Sabres. He was so pumped that his boys were out later. And again, like, it has nothing to do with hockey. It has to do with like the relationship of like, you need to treat men like men, right? Like sometimes in the NHL, it's like, well, you can't have this.

You can't have that. Like you're talking about millionaires that have independence and go do whatever they do when they're not with you. And I think John Cooper is just a great example of like letting the room direct itself and putting the right things in place. I think something we've seen time and time out. And for this Tampa Bay Lightning, maybe, you know, we thought their run was over

because we've watched Florida Panthers, or was it just a little bit of exhaustion? And now they're back to like where they need to be and they're rested. And Andre Vasquezquezchi looks unbelievable. And he's been so good. And this is with Headman playing in, I think, 18 games, 12 points, doesn't even have a goal.

Like they're only going to get better from here. In a division right now where the Atlantic, like, I don't know if they just see the opportunity to be like, hey, we can really mark our flag in this division. I think that's something that we've seen here. J.J. Mosier and Darren Radish. Like I remember when the trade was made, I was like, okay, well, I know why they're doing this. You know, I know why they're making the Surgachev trade.

I get it. They wanted to bump them up to second pairing and it really wasn't there. They won the trade. Tampa won, we didn't say it at the time, but Tampa won that trade, right? Like, look how good J.J. Mosier looks. And he's been rewarded with a really healthy contract. Like all of a sudden, like we always talk about next man up. It's like they have this factory in Syracuse that they just like keep.

And again, it's not as if they're drafting high in the first round every year. As a matter of fact, they're trading all their picks. It's just, I don't know what it is when you join the Tampa Bay Lightning. Now for Rattish, it's opportunity because of the injuries. Ditto, you know, for J.J. Mosier, more opportunity here. But all of a sudden, they've discovered like, oh, yeah, look, Tampa's got a new elite pair and have, like, they've extended their window now because of it

by a few more years. Like just when you think you want to wrap up with the Tampa Bill Lightning, radish and Mosier Pop. Like, okay, well, like, window stays open, I guess a few more years because of these two. Yeah, and I think that's something that they've built and they've taken some chances

because it does feel like Andre Vaselisky. Doesn't Vaselisky feel like he's 100? Right? Like he's been around forever. Yeah. But he's not, right? He still got a lot of tread on his. tire. I know is that back procedure the other year.

And I just think that there's a lot more potential still in Tampa Bay. And this is a team that I think when the deadline comes, like I still don't see them just being a passenger, especially after last seat and in Gord and Borkstra and guys that can win. So I do feel like Tampa Bay's window is still open just because of the way the east looks. Like it just doesn't feel like when we look like at a top heavy central division. What, Carolina. Like who else has really staked the claim of being like, hey, we are team?

teams that are going to be for real. The least have obviously come on as of late, but Zach told me to say that before I came on the show. So, you know, I honestly don't know what happens in the East. It's wild. Yeah,

the East is a, is a weird creature here because it's like there, there is a sort of element of Tampa is the only real team that we believe in, who have distinguished themselves. I love the Detroit story. I'd love to see playoffs in Detroit. You know, there's a,

there's a barn we don't even call new anymore. It's just, it's a newish barn that has a, had playoffs. The Islander story is a fascinating one. And a lot of that obviously fueled by, not just Matthew Schaefer, but like a whole new sort of wave of optimism

within the organization. But I don't know if that's legit or fool school. Like up and down, like outside of Tampa and and Carolina. Like those are the only two I look at. And I don't think that Carolina is done. I don't think that that team is done. I still think they'll take, you know,

big swings by time trade deadline rolls around. But you're right. It's jump ball. It's jump up. Montreal knows they still need to fill out the roster too, but they're tucked into a playoff spot. Final thought on that. Yeah, I just think that some teams are in different categories, right? When I look at Carolina, it feels like they need to win.

They need to make moves. But then when I look at like Detroit, it feels like if they don't make the playoffs here, it feels like now or never for Stevie Y. So I think teams are in different kind of templates of like expectations versus like reality. And I do feel like it's going to be a dog fight just to be in a good spot pre-Olympic break. so you have a little bit of wiggle room and breathing room to come back firing. One more top six forward and one more veteran defenseman for Detroit.

I don't know if Isamon goes out to get both, but I think he comes back with at least one. That's what it kind of feels like to me. Those are the needs and I feel like he comes back with at least one of them. If he gets two, then Dylan Larkin's going to be happy. And he's not going to be sniping in his general manager, It is your end availability like we saw last year. All right, great stuff. Listen, man, doing double duty.

Right on the backs of DFO Live, you hop on here. Really appreciate it, bud. We'll talk soon. Thanks, Jeff. There is Carter Hutton from DFO Live, and you see him populate sort of all over the network here at Daily Faceoff. Okay. Do you want to do Nerato now, Zach,

or do you want to put something in between? No, we can go right to Nerato. Go ahead. I close off. I've got one voicemail and we'll do Parlay at the end. end. But yeah. It's always a bright spot. Okay. Wait, can I ask you one thing before we go to Nerato actually quickly?

Sorry, it just came in my head. That was really bad timing by me. But I got rhythm. Do you? Is there any animosity between Jim Rutherford and the New Jersey Devils historically? Because I've got a conspiracy that he started this whole thing. Oh, he wants to play with his brothers. and then he dictated where the trade was to.

He chose not to go to New Jersey. So there's a- throws a grenade into the market. The conspiracy theory out there is that he, that he's submarine three franchises, including his own, but the New Jersey Devils and then also the New York Rangers with the trade sending to the movie.

Yeah, true. And it's not really working out last time we all checked here on the New Jersey, so he was able to take down three teams, all in one swoop. that's the conspiracy theory out there. Maybe he just has something against the state of New York or he woke up one morning and opened his coffee and a pigeon pooped on his head or something.

And he's like that. I've had enough. And he's going to take it out on the devil's. The ultimate long game. Wow. Okay. All right. Tuck that away,

tinfoil producer. That is Zach Phillips, by the way, here on the program, putting that one forward. Nonetheless. So a couple of things. Since we sat down with Brandon Nerato on Sunday in the Michigan locker room at Yost Arena, a couple of things have happened.

One, Nerato got a contract extension from Michigan. This one extends through to 2030. Now, I'm not sure if you have this part of the interview in, but it is one of the things that I ask him about, which is his future. Like, I don't know that even though I'm sure it's available to him, I don't know that he's going to coach for 33 seasons like Red Barrenson did. I'm just going to go out on a limb because eventually the NHL is going to come calling for Brandon Nerato as various teams have called for Pat Furschweiler, David Carl, Adam Nightingale, MSU, like Jay Pandolfo, like NHL teams are calling for college coaches now more so than ever. and Nerato is in that mix and will continue to be in that mix,

even though I'm sure the temptation might be there. It's a great job. It's good pay. It's very prestigious. And look how Red Berenson is revered in hockey circles. Did I mention that I got a chance to meet Red Bairns? So anyway, so that happened. That happened.

And then the Jack Ivan Kovic injury from Saturday in the game against Notre Dame that we are at. So he collides with Danny Nelson, leaves, can barely put any weight on. Actually, he can't put any weight on his left foot. Nerato's saying that it's not going to cost him his season, and they're hoping to have him back for the playoffs, which if you're a coach still, it's just a killer.

And I'm sure that part of Narado is like, oh, man, like when you have someone like Jack Ivan Kovic is your goaltender, it just cleans up so many mistakes that are made in front of you. that not every mistake is going to cost you, and it's a real luxury for a coach, but nonetheless, it sounds like Michigan kind of dodged a bullet here. It's still going to be a significant amount of time

that Ivan Kovic is out. He's a Nashville prospect, as we all know, but it's not like he's gone for the entire season. So that is the latest. So that's happened since we did this interview, and we'll bring it to you now. Part of it's about 14 minutes. Was it 1420?

1420 of my interview with Brandon Nerato, head coach of the Michigan Wolverines as we air this. I'll hop in the chat and talk to you guys. Here's Brandon. When you hear the term, the Michigan experience, what does that mean to you? What is the Michigan experience? Culture, good dudes only, walking into the rink every day with a smile on your face and excited to get better every day. Who best exemplifies that on your team?

On our team? Yeah. T.J. Hughes, for sure, as the leader and the captain of our team. But I think the best thing that's happened is our, our upperclassmen, our leadership group. They take so much pride in getting these guys, these young freshmen acclimated to the season early before we even get on the ice. I think the off-ice chemistry is everything, right? And that goes back four or five years to that leadership group, and they just kept going. When you, when you're putting a team together, right?

There's the skill. And I, not that I'm necessarily a big, like, oh, he's a great guy in the room. He's a great guy in the room because at the end of the day, they don't flood the room. Yeah. But at the same time, how much does that matter? I think people are everything. You've got to have a blend of everything. I think no matter what your role is, you have to identify your role and embrace it.

So that could be everyone's got to check, but that could be the power play guy versus the PK guy. Even with our team this year, it's depth. everyone's contributing, but you've got to contribute in your way. So what's your superpower? And then what are some areas of improvement? I want to go through some of the players, but first I want to talk about you and your experience here. I'm going to assume that starting in the position that you have now, how much of it was intimidating? Because of, you know, the weight of history and, you know, every game, you know, Red Berenson's there.

You know, the eyes of Red are watching every single game. Like, is part of that, like, intimidating for you? I know you've been, you know, around hockey for a long time, played, obviously. And was any of that, like, oh, wow, this is, this is really something. I've never thought about the word intimidating. Maybe feeling a little bit of pressure. You act that you don't. But when you reflect back on it, there might have been a little bit of that.

Red Berenson, similar to what I mentioned with the leadership group earlier, he's been unbelievable. Obviously, so much respect for him as a legendary coach and a man when I was here as a player, way, way more respect for him now sitting in this seat and understanding how all the decisions go through you. And he's just been, he's been a great mentor. He still comes in, eats his popcorn, sits in the perch one to two days a week for practice. He's always at both games. You know, he's kind of looking down on you. But everything that he says when he reviews the weekend, he's bang on, he still got it. One of the sharpest people I know. And when he talks, you listen and just learned a

from him. How much do you lean on him? A decent amount. I mean, I'd say he's a piece of the puzzle, just like our staff, lean on the players as well, just to get the overall pulse on where we're at and take all the information in and make the best educated decisions. All right. I'm curious about the pitch. When you're pitching a kid on Michigan, what does it sound like? What are the notes that you hit? Every kid's different, but the notes are, you know, do you want to play in the NHL? who's got the most players in the national hockey league.

It's the University of Michigan. Our staff's been here for four years. We have 19 players signed NHL contracts. 18 of them have played NHL games. The line from Bo Schembeckler, those who stay will be champions. Somebody might stay for one year and sign and go to the National Hockey League. Someone might stay for four years and get their degree and so go to the National Hockey League.

But it's about more than just playing in the NHL. It's about staying there. and it's growing up as from grown as a little boy as a freshman to a man when you leave here. And there's a lot of stuff that goes into it. So we take major pride in the development piece, our style of play, our culture. But more than anything, it's the habits and routines of these kids and helping them grow up to be high-performing people. I was going to say, how much, like the way that you coach this team and all the players that have gone through while you've coached them, like is the style that you. coach sympathetic with how they coach and how they play in the NHL.

Essentially, what I'm getting at is, how much of a jump is it? Like, how much do players need to learn how to play an NHL style versus a college style game? Yeah, it's a good point. Like, so there's definitely differences. We go down a rabbit hole on this, but like for our style of play, we want to develop pros, right? So a simple example is we're not going to play a trap because our forwards are backwards. It doesn't allow them the development skills or the individual skills of angling,

stick detail, and attacking. We want our guys to attack all the time. The puck is gold. When we don't have it, we want to get it back as quickly as possible. And then when we do get it, we want to hold on to it. We want to attack our three core competencies, our track or die, win the net front and be connected. But just going back to our style of play, we want these guys to be creative. We aren't to be predictable and responsible to each other, but we want their biggest attributes to shine. We don't want to hold you back. And then through that, there's going to be failure. And failure is great.

That's how you grow. We talk about failing forward a lot. That's the maturing part of a young prospect. And the best part about Michigan is we're okay with you failing. We want you to. And it's not about losing ice time or us, you know, getting on you. We understand that they're young kids and we want to help and get to the next step. How do you know when you have someone?

Like is there like one piece we're like, oh yeah, we got them. Yeah, we got them. Oh, I thought you meant like when you have someone as in like a big recruit and the right type of player. That's what I mean like when you're like, I'll say like, you know, Hage or Spence or Ivan Kovic or something like that. Like is there a moment where you're like, okay, that's the closer. Yeah.

Now I know. I would feel like people, we want people that are excited to come to Michigan. It's not a stopgap. Like you're going to be a part of this family, whether you play one year or four years for the rest of your life. And it's the biggest alumni network in the world. And there's a lot of people out there that want you to have success on and off the ice. So we want people that want to be a part of that.

I mean, obviously, that's a big part of the pitch. Yeah. Right? That's a big part of the cell, like joining the community. I'm going to guess, though, that it helps having ex-NHLers who went here at games. You know, kids come and they see XNHLers up there. We've already talked about red. Like, is that part of the lure?

for a lot of kids? That'd be a good question for the kids. We had two alum back that didn't play in the NHL. On a weekend sweep, we always sing the fight song, so they jumped in, right? Like, what an experience to be back and relive that. Dylan Larkin's been in the children of yost and ringing the cowbell. And Zach Werenski has Werenski warriors up in a suite, and we bring different nonprofit organizations in every game, and he's back.

Guys are here all the time. I think Jack Johnson just brought his family back earlier in the week following his retirement. So like I said, guys like Jack that played 1,500,500 games in the NHL. And he's like a little kid in a candy store bringing his kids back for the experience at Yost. Before we get to some of the kids here, I want to ask about the nature of, like, this is the first year. Like we're all wondering, okay, what's it going to be like now that, you know, CHL players can now go and play Division I college hockey? what from your point of view has the experience been like? Because we all went into the season going,

we don't know what it's going to be like. We have no clue. Yeah. How has it been for you? I think the experience has been unbelievable. How I would explain that is players from 18 to 21 have been coming to college hockey for years and they happen to play in leagues outside the CHL. It's new, but they're still 18 to 21 year old college freshmen.

So learning a new routine, learning new time management. some guys that aren't coming right out of high school, maybe have taken a year or two off of school or taking some community college classes. Like any young man, they're adjusting to a new environment. And I think guys are doing a great job of that. I think that it's only going to make the CHL stronger.

You know, it should help the USHL as well. And then college hockey's never been better and it's going to keep going up. And I think guys are seeing how hard it is in a great way. Just like making the jump to pro, it's an adjustment. And you just got to. keep, you know, identifying where you're at and how you're going to get to the next spot. You know, that's kind of where I wanted to go with. It's like, where is this all headed?

Again, we're still in the first season of this, but like project like three years, five years, 10, if you feel bold. Like, where is this all heading? Yeah, it's, the one thing I'll say right away where it's heading is, gosh, there's so much depth in college hockey from all, all 64 or 65 teams. I think it's just another opportunity that if a junior player wants sign and play pro good for you that's an option if you want to come to college for one year or four years great that's an option just having more it's not a plan B every player's plan a is to play in the national hockey league um but to have some other options outside of that uh when your hockey career is over and and whether it's getting a degree or building your network at a school like the

university of michigan you know sky's a limit i feel like every parent uh that's a dream when when your child comes out of the womb you just want them to be in an environment where they can as young people. Okay, some of the players. Michael Hage, specifically. How close is he to playing in the NHL? Yeah, just like all these young guys, it's the NHL is the NHL,

and it's the best league in the world for a reason. I don't think anyone's ready for it, but I'd bet on a guy like Michael that when he gets there, he's going to have some success. He's going to take his lumps like every other young prospect, but I'm betting on him to figure it out. Yeah.

What do you like most about his game? I mean, Canadian hockey fans got like a full look of Michael Hage at the World Junior. So like if there ever was a secret, the secrets out about Michael Hage. What does the coach think? When the puck's on his stick, he's a threat, dynamic, electric, always a threat with the puck, always attacking with speed, his lateral mobility, elite playmaker. I think he's added a lot to his shot and his goal scoring ability, elite on the power play. And these are things that he's worked on. He's obviously always been a really good player,

but he's taken major strides in a lot of areas. Malcolm Spence, Rangers prospect. How's he been for you? Malcolm's been unbelievable. What's that quote? There's two types of people in this world, people that give you energy and people that take it. He's that guy where if he's sick for a day and he's out of the locker room,

the locker room energy is different. He brings energy every day. You know, obviously really good with the puck offensively, but 200 foot. winger hard to play against never stops. Yappen at the other team brings us bench energy. He's unbelievable. You know, he was one of those guys.

He was one of the OGs. Like, wow, Michigan got Spence. Yeah. Michigan got Ivan Kovic. Like he was, like, when that happens and you guys put it out on, on social media, like what's like, what goes through your mind when you finally release that? Because there is that element of like, we got one, we got another one, we got another one. You know what I mean?

Yeah, it's a good feeling. We went through a lot of that. You hope that I think last year with all those kids going through it for the first time, I think it took longer than usual. I think there were a lot of kids and maybe still some that were afraid to let their current team know that they were not going to be back the following year. And that's just a part of the change in landscape. I think it's important for us to communicate with USHL and CHL head coaches and GMs and build those relationships so that there's clear communication. But I think going forward it's going to be a win. And when they want to announce it, it's just the next step in their career, just like signing.

That's an interesting point, too, because you're right. Like there were a lot of kids that were like, when do I tell my teammates? It's like, I don't want them to think that I'm like quitting on the team. This is just like the next stage in my development. Like, are we going to get to a place where CHL teams and college teams sort of work together with players, to put together a plan? Like, can you see that on? I mean, it has happened with some players, obviously.

But do you see that as like that next step? Yeah, no, I hope so. Communication and trust are everything. We would want to have the trust with a junior team that if, you know, they draft that player at 16, maybe they commit to us at 16 or 17, and now there's communication as to when they come in and what their development plan looks like. It's very similar on the other side to us with the National Hockey League. and whether guys sign and start the American League or they go right to the NHL,

we're communicating with GMs, assistant GMs, directors of player development, all in hopes to build the best version of that prospect so that when they're ready to play in the NHL, they go. Sometimes they go when they're ready. Like I mentioned before, who knows when you're actually ready. Sometimes they go a little bit early, but we're not going to stop that. So I see the other side too. You know, I'll give you an example.

Rucker McGrody signed in September last year, which is tough for our team. Like right at the beginning of the season, you lose them. We're ecstatic for Rucker, right? And talking to Pittsburgh, you get on the same page. I understand, you know, where they're at. And we're supportive because what are you going to do about it? So now it's just next man up. Rucker's moved on to the next step.

We're proud of them. We're happy for them. We're rooting for them. So just communicating with these guys that, maybe around Christmas time or January, coming back from World Juniors, hey, where are you at next year? Are you 100% going to sign? Frankie Nazar told me at Christmas, I'm signing, coach.

I said, awesome. You know, let's try and win at Michigan. Let's do this. And hopefully you can finish your year and put a Blackhawks uniform on it. And I'll credit to him, and he went and did it, you know, and good for him. So that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to move these guys on. And whatever their dreams are, those are our goals and our dreams.

And we just want to keep pushing to the next level whenever they're ready. All right, that is Brandon Norado, head coach, the Michigan Wolverines. That's about 15 minutes out of the interview, the full things around 30, and that will be released in 3.30 Eastern, a little bit later on this afternoon. I didn't know you guys got video on me talking to Red. That was a nice little treat that you threw in there for a little bit of spice. Thanks for that. I was hoping you were looking at the screen at that point.

I didn't want to tell you. Just throw some little Easter eggs in there. That was good. We got a lot of good footage around the arena, so tried to try to incorporate. those in the videos and that was one I was like this is the perfect opportunity to show Jeff this video we got to him Merrick kicking out yeah poor guy like I absconded with him for a for a full intermission boy was he ever great um Ryan B though nails it you see what Ryan B said in the chat sounds a little like sounds a little like Kevin BXA he does neurato has like holy some BXA it's

funny too because I all that I mean all the different conversation I've ever had with him there's always been that who do you sound a little bit like he does he sounds like juice he does he does sound like he does sound like he does sound like kevin bexa um look man real smart guy it's a real attractive package uh for players and for parents as well and like the thing that i'll say about it and this is what i what i said to nirato in the in in the interview is you know i hope that one day and it will it's all going to shake out it's all going to settle into what it's going to be Like there's another, you know, there's another, there's another big issue coming up with the CHL and the American Hockey League

with, you know, the NHL and the new CBA, allowing a player to go early to the American League. And it's like now a sudden, like, when CHL is going to start to lose more 19-year-olds. But I really hope that it just gets to a place where everybody can work together. Colby Cohen always talks about this, about doing what's right for players and working together and creating development.

path and it's all leading to the NHL eventually for a lot of of these guys. I just hope that we can get to that place sooner than later. We knew the first year, two years, three years, however many, five years, we're going to be weird and uncomfortable

and some people are going to get their backs up about it. But we have no idea how this is all going to shake out and how this is all going to look. We're starting to see some of the rough sketches of what it's going to be, but we still don't know what this is going to be like.

Like one of the things that I wonder about here is this year specifically, Gavin McKenna, who goes to Penn State and for everyone who thought that he's going to walk into college hockey and dominate, well, guess what? He's not. I don't know if that would send chill, Ryder Ritchie over to BU, and he's playing fourth line now. I don't know if that is going to send a chill to other CHL players. like if I'm going to make this jump, I better not make it too early.

And I better not perhaps make it in my draft season because the hockey in Division I is outstanding. Right. And just because you dominated in medicine hat doesn't mean you're going to dominate at Penn State. And when you consider it's draft year, that's a wild intangible to throw in there. Now, the thing that I've said about, about Gavin McKenna specifically.

I think that's something that you applaud because he could have stayed at Madison, Manhattan, put up ridiculous numbers. And like nobody would be talking about, oh, is Yvars Stenberg going to go first overall? You just look at Gavin McKenna's numbers at Madison Hat and you go like, he's going first overall and there's no debate.

He's chosen to put himself in a more difficult environment. And because of that, I think that he should be applauded for doing so. But back to Norado and Michigan. He's put together an impressive team and an impressive program year after, like, you know, day, after week, after month, after year. Nerato is still doing it. And I really do think it's only a matter of time if he wants it. Because again, there will be something really attractive.

Staying in Michigan like Red did for 33 seasons. But if he wants it, much like Carl and Furschweiler and all these other guys, Nightingale, it'll probably be there for him. And maybe sooner than later. But anyway, the full interview, 3.30 Eastern? That comes out, Saturday. Yeah, 3.30 Eastern right here on this channel. So like, subscribe to this show, this stream, this channel, do all of that. Turn on notification so that when it comes out, you get notified the second it comes out.

Any take always for you from the first half of the Nerato interview? I mean, the one thing that was brought up was the environment that you get to play in by Hage and Serato. And I can speak to that in terms of standing there and looking at the students. section in the children of yost in that area it was kind of a a moment of like awe looking up into the crowd and seeing the students and seeing the atmosphere the game day atmosphere everything that was about about that and the sales pitch of yost and coming to michigan i thought was extremely cool um the other thing just with nirado the way he spoke about learning lessons and being willing to fail and fall on your face kind of and get back up and how they

emphasize the importance of that and not just, you know, not just putting up points in winning games. Like that's not the whole point of this. It's becoming a better person and a hockey player I thought was really interesting just how much emphasis he put on that side of it. It's making these guys better people by the time they walk out the door after they've had their experience at Michigan, not just like, well, we sent this many guys to the NHL. That's awesome. You should be applauded for that. but what do they come out as on the other side as guys in the locker room teammates people so you saw what the student section was at yost there used to there used to be a sign there cam's corner because that's where cam stewart agent extraordinaire used to crunch guys when he played at

Michigan Cam's corner because that's where you would rock guys on a consistent basis. The student section for you. It's behind the Notre Dame bench,

which is awesome as well. It just makes sense. But you brought up the Ivan Kovic injury. It was Danny Nelson who crashed into him. As he went over to the bench and it was being reviewed, I think at that point for a major penalty

I believe was what was happening. While there was also the scrum. The whole student section is chanting and pointing asshole, asshole, pointing at Danny Nelson. This is so awesome. Like, OHL hockey is amazing. I've been to a bunch of games.

I went to University in London, so I saw Knights games. Awesome atmosphere. It's not quite that. It's a different vibe. Different vibe. Anyone who's ever played, like, if you play, like, just personalize it to Ontario, you play in the OMHA or you play in the GTHL, and that's all cool and that's awesome.

But it's different when you play for your school. Like high school hockey, it's totally, because it's all your buddies, it's all your school buddies, it's a totally different vibe about it. I remember when I, because when I played MTHL,

yes, I'm old enough that it was the MTHL. I also played at high school at Humberside. And I love those games even more, even more than playing in the MTHL. Playing for Humberside? Yeah, playing Western Tech at George Bellabino. Oh, yeah.

That's what we're doing. This is awesome. Anyhow, so that full interview comes out later on this afternoon if you're watching us live. We got some from the sheet line coming up. Yeah, let's do the voicemail here. Okay, so comments, questions, spicy takes insults, and corrections. Or just statements, just stump speeches if you want. SpeakPipe.com slash the sheet is the way to get in email.

We've got some backed up here. I want to get into these later on this week. The sheet at the nationnetwork.com. Oh, you. So let me play this one. This is from Kyle. I'll let him take this with. Hey, Jeff, I heard your last caller talk about craziest things they've seen in a hockey game. And while it was not an NHL game, it was a minor hockey game. I live in Kitchener, Ontario. We had two Kitchener teams for the rep level. So we were obviously bitter rivals.

The other team had a dad who used to just screamed from the stands all game. And no surprise, this kid was awful. anyways we had been gifted a player from AAA who decided that he no longer wanted to pursue that level of hockey he was on our team destroying teams just dummy and kids

and when that guy started yelling he took the pike puck to center ice turned towards the stands and fired it and he hit that parent dead on the side of the head a little bit of blood coming from the temple area that dad losing

his mind all the parents in the Dan's going crazy, trying to grab the dad and get them outside. And that kid just casually skated off the ice into the dressing room. And it's probably my favorite hockey memory that I'll never forget. And still, my favorite thing I've ever seen at a hockey game. Thanks. Keep up the good word. Kyle and Kitchener.

I'm not saying that, it's like it sounds like Chris Rock here. I'm not saying what he did was right, but I understand. How many other kids would have loved to have been that kid in Kitchener? Just wasting one at the blowhard. I wanted to play that one, get the reaction. Also, just to prompt other people, send in your best hockey stories, whether it's a voicemail, email, send in your favorite hockey stories. You know what?

You know what? Remember, when we first started the show, one of the things we wanted to do is best hockey story ever and do with like ex-NHLers or current NHLers. I still want to do that. Why don't we do with the listeners too? Give us your best, your best hockey story. Kyle, that is a great one.

Wow, how good did that kid feel? Again, I'm not advocating doing this. Do not do this if you're a kid playing minor hockey slash youth hockey. I do not encourage it whatsoever. But I understand. Yeah. I'll give you one. It's a friend of mine who had done it.

he got cut from a team in York Simco and then he ended up going to Richmond Hill. When he played against his former team for the first time, he had a real hatred on for the former coach. He did not waste one at the bench. Oh, he did. And he got kicked out and I think he got suspended as well. And it was a friend of mine. So I was well aware of the incident when it happened.

Hang on. There are ways you can do that. Just do it like, You know, when you're dumping the puck out from your own zone. I don't know. It just got away from me. And you can just launch it. I think he did it not in the field of the bench?

I think he did. No, no, I think he did it between whistles. Not even trying to be subtle about it. No, a little more obvious. Little more obvious. So, like, you know what the linesman leaves the puck at the dot so the puck doesn't get warmed up? It stays cold. Like, did he, like, grab it from the dot and fire it out of him?

I got to ask him exactly. I don't want to speak out of turn on it, but I believe that it was just like icing it happened or whatever, picked up the puckeroff side and just went over and grabbed it before the ref could even get there and took advantage of the situation. I'll ask him for the exact details, but I think it's something along those lines. Not encouraging that kind of behavior, but I understand.

But I'm not saying to do this. As a matter of fact, I'm saying don't. do this, but I understand. Speakpipe.com slash the sheet to get in here on the sheet line. Kyle and Kitchener, that was an excellent one. Okay, parlay time for our man, Zach Phillips. The sheet is powered by Fanduel.

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Just quickly, your general soreness says that story is like Steve Hansen drilling the organ player with the slap shot. I forgot about that. It was Paul New, it was Reggie Dunlop, and do you remember the song that he was playing? Lady of Spain. I don't want to ever hear Lady of Spain again. Yes, that's right. That's right.

That's right. Stop during the play, as a matter of fact. Yes. Yes. Not waiting for a whistle, like your farm animal that you hang out with. Yeah. He's married and has a kid now. He's settled down.

He's all good. Okay. He's got its way in order. Don't tell your kid to do that. All right. Parlay today. Three legs on this one. I've got men's league tonight.

And usually, Jeff, after men's league, I get pretty tired. But after working pretty hard, I'm pretty thirsty by the time I get back to the room. And if you offer it to me, it's hard. to turn down because I'm a Zucker for Hughes Pints. Jason Zucker, Jack Hughes, Shane Pinto. No, Pinto for this one. Yes. For the sake of this, Pinto.

The sake of the bid, we'll go Shane Pinto. Five bucks wins you $182. Yes. Goals for Zucker, goal for Hugh. I'll tell you what, after that presser by Tom Fitzgerald today, like you feed the New Jersey Devils, I do something. Do something tonight. It's always tough when your manager comes out

and the guy that gave you like $10 million comes out and falls on the sword. Devils are facing off against the Seattle Cracken. So we'll have our eyes on that one. Shane Pinto for the Ottawa Senators. Big win against the Vancouver Canucks. You talk about needing to win a game. That's a big one for Ottawa to win.

want to say that that was must win last night for the Ottawa Senators, but who, they needed to win that game. Ottawa Senators face off against the New York Rangers. Are they any good this year, the Rangers? Don't ask, Laz. They're calling him Mr. Brightside. I don't know if you've heard this. They're calling him Mr. Brightside now because he keeps doing the,

well, on the bright side. Well, positive. You got to respect the positivity out of Jay Lazy, but. I appreciate that. Sometimes. Listen, when you call them balls and strikes, you got to call it. Yeah, it's not good. And they look defeated too.

That's the other part of it. Like, it's not just losses. Yep. And hence, why they're in the last place in the Eastern Conference, looking up at Columbus. Sabres face off against the Flyers, Golden Knights take on the Los Angeles Kings. Thanks to a couple of people, Carter Hutton for stopping by the program today. doing double duty, DFO Live, and then hanging out with us for a while

to go over the latest around the NHL. Thank you, Carter, for that one. By the way, normally today is a Berkey day, but he's traveling today, going to the Leaves Vegas game. So we'll get Berkey on tomorrow. And thanks to Brandon Nerato, that interview will be coming out in about 90 minutes

if you're watching us live, the full interview with the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. So Berkey Wednesday turns into Berkey Thursday. That is tomorrow, and then Friday, it's always Dave Panjota, with an insiders look around the NHL to get you ready for the weekend. Thanks so much for joining me today.

Thanks to everybody in the chat. Thanks to everybody listening. Thanks to everybody watching and subscribing to our daily face-off YouTube channel. DFO Insiders, DFO Insider Edition with Erfengafar and Dave Panyoda coming up here in about an hour in our daily face-off YouTube channel. That's your programming. Enjoy it and enjoy the games tonight. We'll talk to tomorrow. One o'clock Eastern on the sheet.

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