The Sheet with Jeff Marek - Playoff Spots Secured ft. Greg Wyshynski

Episode Date: April 14, 2026

Today on The Sheet, Jeff Marek is LIVE from Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC ahead of the WHL playoff matchup between the Kelowna Rockets and Everett Silvertips. Jeff kicks off the show with Greg Wyshynski as the guys break down the 16 NHL playoff teams officially locked in, the clubs that punched their ticket and the ones heading to the offseason, and what the potential first-round matchups could look like as the Stanley Cup Playoffs approach. They also dive into the Battle of Pennsylvania, discuss whether this past weekend may have been Alexander Ovechkin’s final game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the memorable jersey swaps and signed sticks exchanged afterward. The guys also react to the news of Jonathan Quick announcing his retirement and reflect on his incredible NHL career.#TheSheet #NHL #StanleyCupPlayoffs #WHL #KelownaRockets #EverettSilvertips #GregWyshynski #JeffMarek #TijIginla #MemorialCup #HockeyLeave a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheSheetEmail us: [e-mail] TO OUR SPONSORS!!👍🏼 Fan Duel: https://www.fanduel.com/👍🏼 Ninja: https://www.sharkninja.ca/ninja-crispi-pro-6-in-1-countertop-glass-air-fryer-rose-quartz/AS101CRS.html?utm_source=Meta&utm_medium=Paid+Social&utm_campaign=H1NinjaCrispi&utm_content=NinjaEN&dwvar_AS101CRS_color=cdb9b8Reach 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-faceoffReach out to [e-mail] to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once again, we are live here for the sheet in Kelowna, home of the Rockets. Game 3 tonight between Teage Aginla's, Colonna Rockets, and Landon DuPont's Everett, Silvert. Game 3, the tips leading this one, Greg Wyshinsky from ESPN and thespan.com to Cobb. So, listen, I always get excited when I get to a junior hockey game. Like, I just, I don't know. You know my deal. And I've been to Kelona a bunch, and I always enjoy it here at Prospera Place. And I get to see some really good players and a couple of really good players.

and a couple of really good teams. But the big story of the day, and I want to start out with a stats. All right? So this comes courtesy of, well, actually, my friend Brooks Robinson sent it to me, but it's a buddy of ours, who's the play-by-play voice of the Oshawa Generals.

Jack Moore came up with this one. I know the Oshua Generals. That was Eric Lindrosse's team. Yes, it was. Very good. Yes, it was. I know that one. I know that one.

I know that one. I know that one. as well. Yeah, he was wearing that jersey on one of his score cards, I believe. Yes. Yeah, that was the rookie card. Yeah, he had the Jenny's helmet. That's when the Jennings had both the red and the blue helmets all at the same time. More

on that, probably on a different body. So, the Philadelphia Flyers are the first team since the 1999-2000 Buffalo Sabres, and more on them in a moment, to reach the playoffs with the league's worst-ranked

power play. Now, back then it was 28 teams, but nonetheless, since the swords in 2000, the Flyers, the first team to qualify for the postseason with the NHL's worst power play, Greg Wyshinsky. Congrats by the way of the Flyers for making it in. Yeah. I wrote about Rick Tockeet last week. It was a good conversation about being a player in Philly, then being the head coach in Philly and understanding the dynamics of criticism that exists when you're a Philadelphia coach. And, you know, they're an interesting team. They're deeply flawed. Like, their power play sucks.

Their penalty of the kills not much better. They have a propensity to give up the opening goal more than almost any team in the league. And we saw it again last night in that Carolina game where they're playing the Charlotte Checkers and still Chicago Wolves and still giving up the first goal. By the way, did the Flyers do something to Jackson Blake's family? That guy looked like Gretzky last night with how much he was trying in that game to beat the Flyers. You know what? You know what I wonder about? I really wonder how much of that is just Rod Brindamore.

Like part of this must have just killed Brindamore to have to scratch all those guys. You understand it. You get it. But I don't think that that I think of all the teams that Brindamore enjoys competing against and beating. or the Philadelphia Flyers. So, as an aside. So, yeah, they're not,

they're not great, but they got a lot of good young talent, man. Their record when Tyson Farrester's in the lineup is pretty impressive. I think, I think he's kind of a glue guy for what they do. But, I mean, Mitchcoff, Zegris, obviously, Martone, like, they've got a lot of really interesting players.

And by the way, like, I think one of the reasons why people have a real issue with Tockeet is that, When you look at that team on paper, it looked like they should be like Buffalo, freewheeling, fun, must-see hockey. And then you watch them, and it's just like, ugh. It's just like, oh, woof. But it got them into the playoffs, right?

And that's the important thing. It did. And let's get into the intro here. And then let's start to jive here on both the Philadelphia Flyers and the Buffalo Sabres, specifically. with the burn book, which is just such a delicious idea. And we'll dovetail that with the Pittsburgh Penguins. And we'll talk about the series that we already know. And we should probably park some time to talk about Alexander Ovechkin,

the Washington Capitals, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Anyhow, the blueprint is powered by Fanduel. Download the app today and play your game on Fandulul. You've seen them, you've heard them. You've already laughed, I would imagine. Greg Wischinski is aboard from ESPN and ESPN.com. Playoff spots locked. We'll talk about that.

Ovechkin, we'll get into that. The Sabers win the Atlantic, as we all, predicted at the beginning of the season. And we'll talk about matchups and we'll talk a little bit about the clona Rockets and their big game tonight here, game three against the Everett Silver Tips. Where would you like to begin? On the buffet of topics here, where would you like to begin? The floor is yours. Let's talk.

Let's talk about receipts. So the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres in the last few days have both done the same thing, which is to rub the faces of the punditon tree into their own mess and mock them for having the audacity to, you know, believe that the Pittsburgh Penguins would miss the playoffs and that a team with the longest playoff drought in the National Hockey League might see it continue. Now here's the thing.

I'm willing to allow the Sabres the opportunity to get out the burn book and take it to guys like Ryan Whitney and others who have been steadfast in believing that they were an aberration this year. And honestly, when you've

had a playoff drought, the level of of the sabers. Like, you can do a little grave dancing when you finally get in. I completely get that. Yep. I would like a formal apology to some of us who have picked the Sabres

to make the playoffs in the last four or five years and then watch the franchise absolutely face plant every single year. Yeah. That would be nice to get some apology for that. But you could have your day of receipts, and that's cool too. So when they fall out, then the social media,

administrator should have the hey haters good call book well done yeah you should have a an our bad book to apologize for all the times that we had faith in this feckless franchise right watched the sabers descend into the depths of the draft lottery again and again while their general manager complained that there aren't enough palm trees outside of the the wing store uh to entice people to play in this city so that would be fine now the penguins one is And the Penguins one made me think about a rule that I've kind of held personally, but now I will put out in the world. And that is this rule. If you're a fan of a team and you want to go attack somebody for having made the call that your favorite team wouldn't make the playoffs,

like for example, some of us didn't think the Penguins would be all that good this year. And some of us may have put them outside the playoffs. Now, that's our mistake. They're actually quite good. And in fact, I think they might be one of the most underrated teams in the entire playoff draw, which we talk about a little bit later. But here's my rule. And it's an important one.

And I want everyone to listen up because it is now the rule when it comes to attacking people who make predictions. And those predictions turn out wrong. In order to come at me about saying the penguins would finish last in the division, you have to show me your prediction before the season about where you thought the penguins. and finish. Now, I'm not just saying that as a way to insulate myself from criticism. I'm saying that because I guarantee

that 99% of Penguins fans were wondering when they were going to trade Malkin. And they were not thinking this team was going to be second in the division. If you could show me your work where you had as much freaking faith in this team as you now

professed to have, then you can come at me and call me, and call me an asshole and say that I got my prediction wrong. But if you don't have that prediction, and by the way, saying that I get paid to make the predictions, and that's why I made one and you didn't make one, that doesn't hold any water. You all filled out your NCAA brackets a couple weeks ago. You all make Super Bowl picks. You can make prognostications. So that's the rule. If you can show me your work and show me where the penguins were in the playoffs in your September predictions, then you can come at me and

make fun of me for being wrong. But if you didn't do that, you're going to have to shut your trap and you're going to have to put your little fingers off the keyboard because you have no leg to stand on for criticism. Predictions, just as an aside, I know it's a lot of fun and everybody does them, and everyone's got right predictions and wrong predictions

and you get roasted for it. To me, it's the bane of my existence. I know. You hate making them. I can't stand it. But the reason why is, like, I enjoy hockey because I don't, I want the game to answer all the questions that I have. I don't want someone to tell me who's going to win or predict who's going to win.

Now, my buddy Bob McQuitz always says, you know, there's no such thing as percentages, really. Everything's 50-50. It's either going to happen or it's not. And I kind of love that about sports. But again, I know I'm on an island on this one. People love predictions and they're all cool. But I will say this. At the beginning of the season, I did not see a way how the Penguins made the playoffs.

and I did not see away where the Buffalo Sabres made the playoffs. As a matter of fact, I appreciate that honesty. I kind of expected this to be blow-up season for the Buffalo Sabers, just knowing like how upset everybody was, internal strife and everything. And this guy wants out and that guy wants out and Tuck's not going to resign and all of it. And let's not forget it was trending that way early when they made the Kevin Adams move. although the streak started while Kevin Adams was still the general manager. But nonetheless, I did not have the penguins in and did not have the Buffalo.

I did not think the Buffalo Sabers would be in. But that's why I love this because, again, like, I just keep saying, stay alive and you'll see some neat stuff. The Buffalo Sabre story is maybe the best story in all of hockey this entire season, follow closely by the Pittsburgh Penguins, who everyone was saying, oh, wouldn't it be nice to have Sydney Crosby in the playoffs? Maybe they should just trade him into Colorado.

Is the Olympics, remember this conversation? are the Olympics going to be enough to satiate and quench the thirst of Cindy Crosby for competitive hockey? Yeah. Fricker. So two things on that. I got him in the playoffs. Sidney Crosby himself when I spoke to him at the players' media tour before the season. And I'm like, you know, talking about the possibility of him being traded and everything else.

And we're talking about the penguins the season. The best Sid could muster is, we'll see. I hope we're good. Like, it's not like he's sitting there saying we're going to be second of the division either. I think the only guy that thought so was dubus. The other thing, too, is, you know, like, it's great that they're in. It's absolutely great that they're in. And I've learned something about predictions, Merrick.

As you know, I have to give out bold predictions before the season. I make one for every team in the league. And some of them have come true, and some of them have not come true. The thing that set off the Penguins fans was how ingenious my prediction was for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Oh. My prediction for the Penguins was that Sidney Crosby would. play in the playoffs somewhere this year. For Montreal.

No, I just said somewhere. Somewhere. Now, the body of that prediction was very much like Sid's getting traded. But the headline of that prediction is that he would play in the playoffs somewhere. And Merrick, that's somewhere, ended up being Pittsburgh. So chalk another one up for your boy in the Bold Predictions Department because he's in the playoffs. This episode will be renamed Cover Your Ass with Greg Wosinski. Let's go back to my Pittsburgh Penguins.

It's a, you know what, the late Andrew Crystal when I worked with them at 640. That's what he covered. That's what he called his midday show. Cover your ass with Andrew Crystal. Last thing on this. Last thing on this. Yeah.

I know that many of you probably think this is a stroke of vegan mania. I am more than willing to eat my own shit when it comes to getting stuff wrong. Or get a pie in the face. I've gotten a pie in the face. It's center race of an L.A. King's game for getting a prediction wrong. Like, I am more than willing to admit what I'm wrong and be humiliated for it because I am the first one to plan a paramed. raid for myself down the

Canyon of Heroes in Midtown Manhattan when I get a prediction right. So, again, make your predictions before the season. If you're right and I'm wrong, I will gladly take the grief. But if you didn't make a prediction and you come at me about mine, you've got nothing to say, baby.

You know what I want in Philadelphia right now? A picture of two players beside each other. Here's for your social media. Rasmus Ristelainen and Porter Martone. That's 820. And 8. 820 for Rasmus for Stalin.

And 8 for 4th of Art. To get to the play. Raz, what are you going on about? Man? Making the playoffs is easy. What are you talking about? Eight game is in. We're in the post season here.

Now, I'm going to say this partly tongue-in-cheek, but part of me really believes this, too. If we're of the, again, I'm going to dovetel this quickly into trophies here, and the Hart Trophy specifically. Oh. If you believe that you need to accomplish something to qualify for the Heart Trophy, right?

Sellebrini's not going to win the heart trophy because the San Jose Sharks did not get into the playoffs. But if the San Jose Sharks got in the playoffs, it would be serious consideration about McClabini for the Hart Trophy. Based on that criteria, I would submit to the panel for conversation. Dan Fla Dar, is there anyone else on that team? Or the heart. He saved this team this year.

Philadelphia Flyer. There are a lot of games. They had no business winning. And they did. You know why? Dan Flauard. Yeah. On the scale of, okay, you need to achieve something that people didn't think was achievable for your team that should grant you passage into at least a conversation for the Hart trophy.

Where do you put Dan Vladar? Flyers are in the freaking postseason. Their power play is last in the NHL. Who saved them this year? Dan Vladar. Dan Vladar. I was doing back of the napkin Hart Hart trophy rankings because our ballots are due on Friday. And he was fifth.

He was in no particular order, fifth behind Kutrov McDavid, McKinnon, and Celebrini. But he was fifth. Anyone who watched that game last night against Carolina, and again, we're joking about Carolina being diminished. But again, it was an overtime than a shootout game. Vladar in that overtime was insane. Like, he was great. He was great.

It was great in the third. Like, that was a microcosm of what he's done for that team this year. Yeah. And he deserves MVP consideration. I don't think he'll win, but I think he can see. I don't think so either. But I just want to make sure that part of the conversation around our trophy this year involves Dan Blura.

Like, I'm the guy that thinks a goalie should win it every year, personally, because there's no more important player on a team than the net minder. I know the arguments against it. Well, they can't cross center ice. You know, they don't play all the games, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. But imagine life without a goaltender. Like, we've seen so many teams, all the good work done, then a goaltender just scotches the whole thing.

Who's your heart, who's your heart trophy guy right now? Let's talk about. Connor McDavid. Me too. Connery, see, shit, I thought I was going to be a real hot shot opinion guy by saying it's Connor instead of Kucheroff. No, it's kind of you and I are aligned. Once again, putting the versus in Merrick versus Bichinsky.

Yeah. Like, like, the more you think about Kuturoff, like if we are to believe where the voting is going right now, he could have the best coach the NHL, he could have the best goalie in the NHL. I realize that there's a lot of value being put on Kuch's season because of how many lineup absences, injury and otherwise the lightning have had. And there's something to be said for his points per game and the distance between him and the next highest score on the team, who I think is Gensel at this point.

But Connor McDavid does not have the best coach in the NHL. He certainly does not have a Vesna winner. And for a really good portion of this season, he didn't have Zach Hyman. And lately, in order to qualify for the playoffs, he hasn't had Leon. And he's been insane. I'm completely aligned with you, man.

Like, I think Kucheroff's going to end up winning it. You do, hey. But I think that McDavid, we ran the awards watch this week, and Kooch finished first. And he's finished first now for two consecutive months. And I keep coming back to this one. This is something that Jay Woodcroft, when he coach Oilers, would always warn us all about. Don't be numb to what you're seeing with McDavid. Are we at the point now where we're just sort of numb to it and taking what we see from Conno McDavid for granted?

It's just like, oh, it's just Connor. And we're not impressed because we expect it so much. But he's a freaking unbelievable. It's been insane. I mean, there were years, remember, there were years when Lidstrom would win, like, the Norris, despite being Lidstrom, because, like, his plus minus wasn't as good as the previous year or some nonsense. Like, we have to find some flaw in these hockey deities or else we're just going to give him the same award over and over again. And in Connor's case, like, I don't know. Like, you look at what he's done.

absent Leon. You look at what he's done absent Hyman. You look at what he's done with his team through all of the adversity of the goal-tending situation and everything else. At the end of the day, Merrick, what did Kutcheroff and McDavid end up doing? I mean, as of right now, they ended up getting

their team's second in a division. Right? Like, it's not neither of them did that McKinnon did, which is you haven't won a president's trophy, but like With all due respect, the Atlantic is a little different than the Pacific. Yeah, no kidding. Like, oh, we're top, we're, you know, we're tops in the, we're tops in the Pacific. Okay, so you're saying you're the toughest clown in the circus. Congratulations. Yeah, like we said, the 67 Blues Division. I completely understand. You're absolutely right. Um, but yeah, like, I, I, I just think that when you peel back the layers of Kuturoff's case and you look at what Connor's done, I think he's the MVP. Now, now, again, and I don't know how you feel about this. I am an in it to win it guy. Like, I think the, the one of the ways I, I define the, I, I define the,

value for this award is what did your team accomplish? And ultimately, if your team didn't make the playoffs, then I don't really know what it's all about. But I mean, if the sharks got in, my vote would go to Celebrini immediately. Would yours? No, still Connor. I'm not, I'm not, I'm, McDavid. It wouldn't be Salivating. No, I'm not the guy that says, because, again, like, I go back to the, like, you've got to go to the definition.

And nowhere in the definition does it say that the team. team has to make the playoffs. No, but that's how I have fine value. We have thrusts it. And that's fine. But everyone's going to have a different reason why they choose players over another. But nowhere in there because this just sort of gets spit out. And now it's just part of the hockey conversation.

And it's assumed that in order to get a vote, your team has to get in the playoffs. I say poppycock. You know, it should not matter whether the San Jose sharks are in the postseason or not. You believe that McClabrini is more valuable to his. team, the Nikita Kuturoff is to the Tampa Bay Lightning or Cona McDavid is to the Edmonton, or Adamson, or Nathan McKinnon is to Colorado Avalanche, et cetera, et cetera, Dan Belar Philadelphia Flyers, I can't believe that just came out of my mouth, but there it was. Then you vote for Macklin Celebrini.

If you believe that. My personal dogma means I will not, but I would not have a problem with anyone voting for him because, let's face it, they're a last week team. Like, they were just eliminated. It's not as if this isn't voting for A-Rod with the Texas Rangers that one year, where they're a completely immaterial team. I mean, the San Jose Sharks came within a bountier or a bounce there this season of making the postseason. And that's all McClain.

I know it sucks, but this is, this was an excellent season for the San Jose Sharks. I know it stings. They didn't make it in the postseason. But all those kids just got the experience of what 82 games feels like. What a full season feels like. Because the worst thing you can have is a team that's out of it by Christmas. And you just got to play potato chip empty calorie games. the end of the season.

God, that's awful. If you really want to have fun, Merrick, a listener of the Puck Soup podcast, Amanda CW. Okay. Put into the Puck Soup Discord this morning. Okay. What the standings would look like in a 321 point system. Let's see it.

Your current seatings would be Hurricanes, Bruins, Sabre, Senators. Not a lot of change there. Yeah. Lightning Canadians, not a lot of change there. Penguins. Capitals. because obviously the capitals, I think, are seventh in the league in regulation wins. So the caps would be in.

In the West, avalanche blues. The blues would get in in a three to one point system. Yeah, we went blues. That's the great red hole runs. Thanks, Brett. Oilers, mammoth, stars in wild, golden nights, and the San Jose sharks. The sharks would get in in a three, two, one points system, according to Amanda CW on the Puck Soup Discord. By the way, is there still the same hate between San Jose and Vegas, or is that

dissipated now? I think it's dissipated because of just like the personnel having changed over the years. That's what I think. But I mean, God, those early, those early Vegas seasons with San Jose. I was there for the Pavelsky game. Oh, my God. Oh, you worry. You're at that game? Yeah. That was nuts. With the five-minute major and the apology from the Lee, all that stuff was so good, man. We used to have rivalries in this league, Merrick. They're coming back, Greg Wyshinsky, and we're going to, now you mentioned the Washington Capitals a second ago.

If their power play was anywhere near respectable, the Washington Capitals probably make it in this season. Like, that was a tough one for the Caps yesterday. Here's what I wonder about, and this is always going to be under the umbrella of Ovechkin. If Ovechkin is coming back, does it necessarily mean that he has to be on the power play? Oh, wow.

Listen, that power play, it's, I mean, they've run like the same style of power play going back to Adam Oates and the consistency there is Alex Ovechkin. Like that is a power play that needs a new look. Is there, is there in any NHL universe, is there a way to bring Ovechkin back, but not have him on the power play? This is like, if Tom Brady decides to play another season, what if we didn't throw the ball as much? What if he ran the ball more? Yeah, I know. I know what I'm saying, but it's like, man, if they had a better power play, like caps are in the postseason.

Is there a way to, is there a way to, I don't know, because, man, that one is so heavily charged, obviously. But is there even a way to do it? Would you do it? I mean, I think that they would probably rethink his role on the power play rather than take him off the power play before anything is done to that regard. Let's talk about Ovi though, because I was there on Sunday for the Penguins game. Yeah, what did you think when he was waving?

Back, back. The whole thing was very surreal. I talked to the capitals before the game, I think I mentioned this in the last episode we did. And their challenge was trying to figure out how to strike the balance between honoring Ovechkin's legacy and acknowledging the fact this might not be his last home game. Right. And so they did a couple of video tributes and the fans really got into the chanting like one more year, all this stuff. It was somewhat touching, but not necessarily the outpouring that you'd expect. Although I will say this about the crowd.

Maybe the most red I've ever seen in the arena for a Caps Penguins game. Usually it's more Devils Rangers-y insofar as to split between the fans. But I don't think a lot of Capitals fans sold their tickets for that game. No way. But I got to, so the waving off of the handshake line, like OV's contention after the game was, I haven't made my decision. And I wonder what percentage of that was also at the time they could see the penguins next week. Like that was still very much in play because of that win.

Yeah. Where why would you want to do that ceremonial handshake thing and then end up playing them in the playoffs? I got to tell you, like two months ago, I was probably like 95% of he's going to retire. I think I'm down to like 80% now. I don't know for sure. I still think he will. but I'm a little less certain about it than it was previously. I feel like we would have more of a definitive sense of it by now, and we don't.

I, like everybody else, like I looked at this weekend and said, okay, we're going to get some clues. And what there was were clues to justify every belief that you have about Ovechkin. Like there were enough things that he did. that would lead you to believe he's coming back or he's retiring or he doesn't know.

That's like the hockey Rochak test. It was like, yes, but look at this. Oh, but he did that. Oh, but he signed this. And he waved that off. Like, there were so many things as you were watching. If you're watching a stream on YouTube right now, you know, the picture with Malkin and Crosby and Latang

at Center Ice and there is like, so cool. That is freaking awesome. At the end of, like, I just looked at this. When I saw it, I was like, and the face off, and, you know, Strom, they deliberately gets himself out, and he gives Ovecgen the tap on the butt to go in to take the draw, which you just know Krosby's saying, there is no chance he is winning the straw. Just like a couple of years ago when Baderd, when Baderd had Crosby in the game one, and there was no way that Crosby was going to lose that face.

Crosby's not going to lose that face off. Strom actually said it was the on-ice official who suggested it. And then Strom, obviously, acquiesced and got thrown out of the circle. But Stroh was funny. He's like, I was just worried they were going to score. It was like, so everybody will face off fun and all. But if they go down and score, it's not going to be quite a fun. It's not too.

Not too, no, I'm with you, man. Like, there were moments that felt like goodbye. There were certainly moments, including his acknowledgement of the crowd's one more year chance that felt like maybe it won't be. But I got, I think your vibe is completely right where over. overall, it felt like a guy still figuring it out. And, you know, going to talk to his family, going to talk to the capitals. I don't think Ovi knows yet. And that's kind of crazy to think about that when you're this deep into the season.

He knows how his body feels. But I don't think he's made quite a decision yet. So I'm at like 80% now on Ovi retiring. Again, I don't know. I don't. You know, I'm the guy that thought that, Lindstrom shouldn't have retired when he did, you know, but. But he's a good, that's a, he's a good comparison because Lidstrom's,

he was still getting Norse votes. He was still getting Norse. Yeah, he was still getting Norse. Yeah, he was like, but he was getting Norris. But it was about, it was about his body and it was about recovering. And I do think that at the end of the day, like, you could say the Capitol, like, you could look at the capitals and say they could contend next year. They probably will.

And that front office is so shrewd. Yeah, I think they will. Yeah, that front office is so shrewd that they'll get better and the younger guys will be better. and like they're going to be fine. But like ultimately it's about OV's body, his recovery, his ability to hang. I mean, shoot, man. He scored 30 plus 30 goals in a year where the power play was just disgustingly bad. So he's doing something all right.

I mean, like, I don't know. It's a real conundrum. I kind of want him to retire. I kind of feel like the totality of his game has fallen off where I'd like to remember him as a 30 goal guy and contributing and not maybe see what next year ultimately looks like when we get around to like February. You see, I'm not that guy. I'm not that guy.

I'm not the leave the stage while they're still clapping guy. I used to be when I was younger. This might just be a byproduct of age. But when I was younger, I was, oh, protect your legacy, you know, retire on top. Like Rocky Marciano, go out undefeated. Like, I'm not that guy anymore. Now I'm the keep playing as long as you want to play guy. And don't worry about, oh, I'm diminishing my legacy.

No, you're not. No, you're not. No, no. I think that you, I think that's a fair point, but I don't know if it applies to Ovi. Like, Jonathan Quick is going to retire, right? Yeah, I want to get there. Jonathan Quick was one of the best goalies in the world. He was, you know, winning Jennings trophies.

He was winning Stanley Cups, playoff MVP, the whole thing. The fact that he then becomes a backup goalie for the last several seasons, and quite frankly, a hell of a backup goalie. There were some years where he outplayed Chirkin in New York doesn't tarnish his legacy. Cory Perry goes from being a heart churkey. trophy guy, one of the best goal scores in the league, becomes the template for a fourth liner doesn't tarnish his legacy. I don't know if there is a second act for Ovechkin in the NHL.

I think he can only be Ovechkin. And to not see him be Ovechkin at the end of his career would be a bummer. Do you understand what I'm saying? I do. And that's why I go back to my original point. Is there a way that you can freshen up the power play without Ovechkin on it and still have a role for Ovechkin on this team? But then he's not Ovechkin.

It's so charged. I know, but like, is there something else for Ovechkin that's not the one-timer from the Ovechkin spot? Yeah, I don't know. Here's what I wonder. And I don't know. No one knows the answer to this other than the principles involved. Is this part of the conversation? It definitely is.

That's why he's got to talk to the team. He's got to talk to Chris Patrick and Brian McElland and. We keep thinking like, Spencer Carberry and all of them. That's the one. That's the one. Carberry. I wonder how much of this is what Carberry's plan is for this team.

Because now you've missed the playoffs. The power play would have got you there. You're Spencer Carberry. What's the first thing you do this off season? Okay. Redoing the power play. We have to. It's time.

Sure. It's that part of the conversation now. To me, Carbary might be one of the, one of the massive keys here is if he comes back, how will he be used? And that's going to be able to production. Like, like, again, you know, Jonathan Quick became a backup. Corey Perry became a fourth liner. Who was going to go to Alex Ovechkin to be like, you know, if you come back,

we're thinking reduction in minutes, load management, you're no longer PP1, you're no longer on the top line. I mean, you could say that if you want him to return. tire. But if you wanted to come back, you probably can't say that. Oh, it's an interesting. It's such a fast way. Or if you say that, or if you say that and he wants to keep playing,

then all of a sudden you're going to have to get used to the idea of him wearing black and yellow and skating with Malkin. Oh, my goodness. Let me spin back. Don't you want that to happen? Isn't that the ultimate NWO fantasy for the NHL? It is. Is that Ovechkin?

The capitals can't figure out a way to bring Ovi back and he retires a penguin. Oh my God. In comes Kyle Dubus swooping in. I realize this reinforces me as the Loki God of mischief of the National Hockey League to want something like that to happen. But God damn, it would be beautiful. Knowing Kyle Dubus's love of pro wrestling, I'm always looking for pro wrestling moments around what Kyle Dubus does. That would be it.

That would be, you're right. That would be his NWO moment. If, if he was pulled something like, like, first of all, I can't see a veteran doing it. No. I don't think he wants to be the guy that's like 20 years capitals on Hockey DB and then Penguins. If anything, it's going to be Washington Capitals and like five games with Dinamo. That's about it. He does love Malkin. He does love Jeannie. Let me get a couple of words in here about Jonathan Quick. One of what I liked about Jonathan Cook. First of all, in 2012, there was no better goaltender on the face of the earth than Jonathan Quick.

And there was no goaltender, there was more fun to watch. Like he's kind of the last of that style of goalie. Right now it's a lot of blocking and getting to position quickly and these types of things for netminders. There's like an efficiency that they have that takes precedent over just abandoning structure and making saves. But that was Jonathan Quick. Like I don't know that people appreciate it. Just like what is being lost in the NHL right now? and may never come back, right?

Like, goaltenders now play one very certain style. And then there was Jonathan Quick, who was sort of on the outside. Like, remember when he was looking at him and go, this guy's like rubber man. The way, like, the stuff that he would do was amazing. It was Hachik, who begot Tim Thomas, who begot Jonathan Quick. And those were the three guys that played that style. They were all, I mean, maybe we should all take a clue. They were all the best in the world for stretches.

They were, yes, true. And you're right. I mean, those guys made it fun. In Quicks' case, it would be, he would make saves, and you're just like, he would make a save. He was kind of like vintage Eric Carlson. Like, remember when Eric Carlson would make a defensive play or attempt to, and you're just like, oh, God, what are you doing?

And then he would still have the ability to get back. And, you know, like, Quick would make a save. You're like, what have you done, sir? The entire net is open. And he'd still get back to make the second save. He'd still get back to make that save. Yeah. Again, like he was a fun goaltender to watch.

Like King's fans were really, really blessed having John the Quick. And the only point that I really want to make about this one is like, we're losing something here in the NHL. Sure, we might be losing something with Alexander Ovetchen that's completely unique too. But I think we're like from a how the game has played point of view, he's the last one. He's the last one of that style. And I don't know that anyone else because no one's teaching that. No one's learning that. No.

Like goalies are not playing like that anymore. Like this is the end of an era as Jonathan Quick retires. Goalies are barely his size anymore, too. True. It's a different position. Okay, so for a long time, Mike Richter was the best U.S. goalie. And then Ryan Miller entered the chat. And then Tim Thomas entered the chat.

And then Jonathan Quick kind of took the mantle. Yeah. But now you've got Hella Buck with a couple of business and the gold medal. Do you think it's Hellebuck? I do personally, yes. It kind of has to be, right? Yeah, it does. I still think that as far as, like, the potential to be the best U.S. born goaltender of all time is there for Jeremy Swayman.

I love Jeremy Swayman. I love Jeremy Swayman. I just, honestly, I just love Jeremy Swainman. I think that this guy has all this, first of all, wonderful personality, great goaltender, I think great ambassador for goaltenders as well. I just think that this guy. in the right environment, and I'm not trying to get up traded from the Boston Bruins, like it shouldn't really matter.

I think has all the ability, the skill, and the open-mindedness. The one story that I keep telling about Jeremy Swayman is when he was at college, he took ballet to help improve his net-minding. Just like the idea, I always love athletes that don't let the concrete

harden around their ideas. They're fixed ideas. I was mentioning this the other. day about, you know, the greatest, the greatest save that Mark Andre Fleury ever made was that save on Lidstrom, whereas, like, I know my, I know Mike Bales doesn't want me to make a save like this, but damn it, throw caution to the wind, I'm, I'm making the save. And from a, from a mental point of view and how he thinks the position and

isn't just completely married to like this one structure or one way of doing it, I think that Jeremy Swainman has the potential to be that guy. Yeah. I really do. Like, again, like, you may look at this. right now. And it's kind of a golden age for American goaltenders. Quite the opposite with your

friends here in the north. But like state side like whatever they're, whatever they're doing. You know, and there are various issues here in Canada. We don't have that top down spread out the information system. But whatever USA hockey is doing with goaltenders, it's working. It's really really working.

And getting a good development program. Yeah. And the other thing about Swamen too is like assuming he stays in Boston, which I mean, based on the contract, you assume that's going to be the case. Yeah. Like, there's like zero chance the Bruins are ever going to become a firewagon team. They're going to perpetually be a team with the defensive structure in front of Swamen

that will keep him in good stats and keep him in a good system for a lot of years. So then I guess it may ultimately it comes down to if Hellebuck ages out and Swayman takes the crease. If he can win gold in 2030, then then now all of a sudden you've got a really interesting legacy conversation about him. Pick up on the Connor Halibuck situation here. And more so, the Winnipeg Jets. No playoffs for Winnipeg. Yeah.

What happens now? By the way, Mark Shafley now sets the record for most. Most points by a Winnipeg Jets slash Atlanta Thrashers in a season. Congratulations, 101 to Mark Shifle, who is having a tremendous season or had a tremendous season again for the Winnipeg Jets. But do you see changes here? Yeah.

Yeah, Arneal's going to be on his ass. I mean, lickety split. I'm talking about like player personnel. But what changes do you think could be made? I mean, they already made one major change last year in not bringing back Eilers, which was a mistake. So, I mean, I think it's going to be less subtraction than it is addition. You know, I mean, you're going to have to subtract to add because, I mean, the free agent market is so. But that's just the thing.

It's so thin. The only way to improve it is is through trades. Like, that's it. So who was your trade? This is going to be a competitive trading. I don't know. This is the one that I keep coming back to. Like at some point,

the Winnipeg Jets, and we thought this was going to happen when Hallibuck and Shifley's contracts were up. Remember we kept saying, oh, Kevin Chevaldeoff's going to move Hallibuck, he's going to move Shifley, they're going to redo this whole thing, and then bam,

a couple of eight-year contracts for both players. But now that they haven't qualified for the postseason, it's a sensitive. market. It's not the biggest market in the NHL by a long shot. They need to keep that building filled. One of the reasons why there were those eight-year

contracts for those two players is. I think the Winnipeg Jets got to the edge of the cliff and looked over and said, I don't like the way this looks. One bit. We need to keep winning here and icing a competitive team to keep the fans coming back

and keep the fans in the building. Again, I don't know who goes. But if you're going to improve this thing, doesn't someone have to? Or are you turning to the team that takes the step back? Pionk Morrissey, Sandberg, de Mello are all signed through 2028 of the latest. I think the one guy that I would look at who I think is sort of an interesting piece because he could certainly bring back something good for you, although you don't want to necessarily cut bait on a 24-year-old, this perfetti. Like, he's an RFA this summer.

He's obviously got some appeal. With arbitration rights. I mean, like, you could, you could change something on your roster by dealing Cole Profetti, but you may regret it. You'll regret it. Again, like, don't give up on kids, man. How many managers have made the mistake? I know. But that's it.

So, okay, so start to get into, like, are we, this is tricky because, you know, Kyle Conner just, you know, re-up to at a pretty sweet ticket for the Winnipeg Jets. And, you know, you always wonder about the conversation about if I'm going to sign here, if I'm going to resign, if I'm going to close down. my free agency, what is this team going to look like? Right? Like, that's part of the discussions that you have with the general manager. And I'm sure that, you know, Kevin Chevaldeoff didn't say, well, you know, we might

be looking to making some big changes here. I know we have to operate your contracts with, you know, the goaltender and the first line center. But we may have to move off of those if things don't, like, I don't think that those conversations were had. But if you're Kyle Connor, all you care about is that, but if you're Kyle Conner, all you care about is that Mike, Mark Sheifley's going to be there until 2031. That's all you care about.

But here's what I wonder about. Like, and it's not. not just Kevin Shevel-Deaf's decision. And I don't know what conversations were had with Shifley or Halebuck when they sign those deals. Like sometimes deals like that get signed, one, to calm down the marketplace, right? Like, let's not forget, there was a lot of nervousness around the Shafley coming back. And everyone was like, oh, Shafley's going to Boston. No, he's going to go to Philadelphia. Like there was tons of markets like that everyone's dream like, oh, yeah, they're going to get Shafely. And ditto for Conner Hellebuck. And right now, the goalie marks. And right now, the goalie market.

market is hot because there's not that many great goaltenders in the NHL right now. So I always wonder about conversations around contracts like Shifleys or like Helibucks when you say, I wonder how much, because this does happen, the general manager says, look, do the long-term deal. And if it doesn't work out, we promise we'll move you. Yeah. So you guys can both go and try to win a stand-upacom. where those conversations had, where did they get to?

I don't know the answer to any of those. But I think it's fair to have the conversation about what happens with Hallibuck and what happens with Shifley now that the Winnipeg Jets have gone from being a top team to a team that didn't make the playoffs. Do you think that's fair? I think it's fair, but I don't think that it's going to be anything that they're going to do. I think they've clearly committed years and money to a core of players that they believe is going to be ultimately one that can help them contend for a title.

Correct, but what happens when it doesn't work? But it didn't work this season. And I think what they've done is they've cast their lot with a group of players. They think they can augment to eventually get there. And I don't think the trading Connor Hellebuck is going to help them. I don't think trading Mark Schafeely is going to help them. I don't think so either. In those cases, they're probably fine.

But here's what I keep coming back to. What did those two guys want? Like, it's not like they're 25 years old And Winnipeg apparently They're not, they're not 25 years old anymore Right I don't know In Helibuck's case, who cares?

He's got a cold metal These guys still do what's telling me. Speaking of goalies, speaking of goals though, I think the situation with Bob and Florida is pretty bad From what I've heard Like I've heard there is a Significant gap in what he's looking for And what they're willing to give him

And I think I have a feeling that it's going to that they're going to go in a different direction now, which is kind of crazy, right? Yeah, I think, you know, the interesting thing, let me drag another team into this conversation because I think you think this could probably happen too. Do you think there's a universe where they walk away from Brobrovsky and bring in Bennington?

Oh, my God. Wow. Oh, now you're talking. With that blue line in front of them? Is there a world where that... Now, Joel Hofer didn't have the best start to the season, but by the end, the way, hey, the goal of the future is here.

Do you think that, again, this is just like a talk show on a Tuesday, we're throwing it around, congratulations flyers, made it to the postseason, we're looking at you, L.A. Kings, too. Do you think there's a universe where that happens? I mean, spiritually, he is a panther. Yes, 100% he is. You finally get the fight that he's been craving for a long time. That's a really interesting call, man.

I mean, they could probably work something for him. And if the blues are moving on from them, like that makes a lot of sense. That's really interesting. The other place that I wonder about is San Jose for Brobowski, having the Russian mentor there for a scar off. I've kind of been on that one for a while. We'll see if that gets there.

Yeah, it's kind of what we were thinking. It makes some sense. But again, his vision, Value as a free agent is to a team that will need him for the playoffs. Like his regular season stats are atrocious. Yeah. So, bad year for the whole team?

I mean, in theory, it's more of an Edmonton play. Or it's more of a team that, you know, Carolina, a team that could use that sort of postseason Geneseecois versus having to rely on him in the,

in the regular season. And by Edmonton, I mean, like, playoffs with really bad goal-ending. So it's like if he goes there and puts up the same percentage you had this year, it probably won't deter them. But that's what makes it sort of interesting.

I agree with you on San Jose being an interesting landing spot for him, but ultimately they could probably use somebody who's a bit better in the regular season than Bob. I don't think I ever mentioned this to you on the show, but remember all those rumors right about Jesper Walsstadt and how he was available in Minnesota would move off of? Edmonton was a team that I thought of. Edmonton was the team that. I thought of for him.

And who knows? I get this, I get the sense that was, I get the sense that was dangling him out there for help in the middle, or help, like significant help for their lineup. And I don't, I don't disagree with you.

I think it could get revisited in the off season. But, yeah, there is a little bit of, here's another name that we should obviously consider once again, which is UC Soros. Like, not getting the gate for the most important game of the season.

That was a tough one. I mean, there needs to be some conversations about that as well. Yep. Absolutely. What did you make of what happened with Nashville this year? And still, you know, at the end of it, they're still out hunting for a general manager.

What did you, like, how do we look at Nashville this season? I think you look at them. And what happened? You look at them favorably in the sense that Barry can feel good that he put together a team that was nearly in the playoffs. And I think they can feel good that Stevenson. Stampco has exponentially more value now on the trade market than he had before the season. That's what I think.

That's what I think, too. All of a sudden, you've fluffed up the value of a lot of players because at the end of the day, these guys are not getting younger. I think the ideal landing spot for him is Jersey for a number of reasons. One, he could play with Jack or on your second line. Two, I think having someone who's got, we talked about this with the Shanahan bit, right? Having someone who's gone through it, being the best young player in the league, having that pressure on you. Like, I think Stammer could help Jack as a mentor sage guy who could also pop 40 on his way.

Yeah, he's not just to be the old guy who's good. good for 15 to 20 goals and is on the victory lap here. He's still a productive member. Yeah, Nashville is going to be a fascinating team to watch in the offseason as this thing gets redone, starting with the new general manager. And it sounds like they've cast their net large. Hey, circling back to Washington for one second and Alexander Ovese, we should probably hustle on this one.

What's it going to be like tonight in Columbus? I don't know. I mean, that's a really good question. And after experiencing what we experienced in Washington for that Pittsburgh game, I think it's going to be somewhere similar. Like confused feelings, a farewell but not a farewell, because nobody knows nothing. And again, like, we've become so attuned to the Anjikopatar victory tour.

Flurry had two of them. Really? Like, like, we've become so attuned to this. Bring it back for one more. Or Gretzky announcing and then, you know, armed guards being outside of his hotel in Ottawa, that to see it kind of the air leak from the balloon as it has with Ovechkin versus the grand gestures of Bon voyage, it's been very hard to process that as a hockey fan. Do you, you know, something just dawned on me here.

If Ovechkin does end up packing it in, Do you think they do the Mark Andre Fleury come back for one exhibition game? No, I think they retire his number on opening night. And there's your banner raising, and there's your moment, and then he goes and plays for Dinamo. I truly believe he'll play in the KHL. I got to give a shout out to Kevin McGrane, our friend from the Toronto Star, for being the one to ask the question. when Ovi was in Toronto because I don't think he was

explicitly asked about the KHL thing I think we've all assumed it was going to be the case and his answer was extremely non-committal as far as like, I ain't shutting it down. I think he'll play some. I don't think he'll play a whole season, but I think he'll play some games. I think once upon a time in his career because, listen, early in his career, like there was very much

the vibe that no matter what happened in the NHL, Oveskin was going to finish up by doing one year's service in the KHL and playing there. And I think in his mind, is probably thinking one season in the KHL, I don't think that anymore. I think some games,

but I don't think he plays a full season in the KHL. Like if he shut it down, he'll shut down, but he'll play like six or seven, ten games. A lot of people say that you can't get into the Hall of Fame without winning the Gagarin Cup. So I think you're right. He'll probably, they'll probably put in his time.

It's a good point. But where are you on the Gagarin's? Like, how many Gagarin do you have? Like, to he's really going to put him in the Hall of Fame? Seriously? Yeah. I mean, hey, listen, it's finally something Sid can't accomplish. So, you know, that's pretty great for Ovi.

It's winning the Gagarin. Yes. We won't do predictions now. We'll save those for Thursday. All right. When the picture is a little more clear. But do you have a thought on the matchups that we know we're already going to see? I'm just so happy based on the games from last week that we're seeing Dallas and Minnesota

and we are seeing Montreal and Tampa, which will be. Awesome. I'm really Montreal Tampa is going to be so much fun. I'm really, I have a lot of stress right now about the idea that we might see Rocky 5,

aka Kings Oilers. What was your prediction? What was your prediction? Oh, my bold prediction as we bookend the show, my bold prediction was that the Kings will beat the Oilers in the first round this year. And if it happens,

then once again, I will plan the parade. down the Canyon of Heroes in Midtown Manhattan because of that prediction being correct. But no, I don't want to see that series. It is the example every player I've ever spoken to in the last two years has given as to why this playoff format sucks and why they want to go back to 1 through 8

is I'm tired of seeing the Oilers play the Kings. And I share that pain. I too am tired of seeing the Oilers play the Kings, but there's like a 24% chance of it happen. But what if every year it was Dallas, Minnesota, and every year was a seven-game banger, and one year Dallas won and one-year Minnesota one. And, like, I just want to watch good...

I don't care who wins. I just want to watch good games. So give me the series with the best games. Now, they haven't always been the best games between Edmonton and Los Angeles, but going back to last year, it's great stories and great pivots and great slaphead moments that turn momentum.

I think that's the issue. that's the issue is that like it's it's a little bit of Lucy pulling the football away in this rivalry and uh and that's not fun it's not trading wins it's not like oh you know the kings were on top of the of the division and then the oilers ruined it but like it's never that you know it's McDavid and Drysiddle versus an inferior team

but you know it's going to happen and oh hang on Zach's weighing in Zach's in the very first year you go one through eight you know what's going to happen guys Kings Oilers. Yeah. It's inevitable. I hope so. I hope so.

I'll tell you who's feeling pretty good about life right now is the these people are the true, the true wacko conspiracy theorist and hockey. The one through 16 crowd. Quebec League used to. Hey, man. Quebec League used to do that. NHL used to do that. They got a good argument this year when you see that the, like, 18th, like 17th, 18th and 19th best teams are all making to play. in the West, and you have

like Detroit and Columbus and teams that are in the top 16 not making the cut. Yeah. The one through 16 people can pound their chest a little bit this year. All right. We'll pick up this conversation on Thursday when we rejoin you again, Greg Wysinski.

Any sort of parting words here? Listen, last night was a lot of fun for a lot of teams and it's bled into today and we got three series that are already set. I'm just glad that this week has meant something. We still have some seating issues to take care of here. I'm just glad that this wasn't,

oh, good timing. Here comes the, here comes the bony, that it wasn't an empty calorie week, that there was actually meaningful games and not just go through the motion games all week long. Yeah, my parting words are just right, late September,

maybe mid-September nut we have to start the season earlier. Just write down your picks. Just write down which teams you think will make the playoffs. And then if you are correct and others are incorrect, then you can come at them at the end of the season, and point to it and say, I am correct, and you are terrible and stupid, and you should be fired from your job, and you should never make predictions again. And I'll be like, you know what? You're completely right. I was bad and you were good.

But if you don't have those predictions, then don't talk to me. Just leave me alone. No, this is part of the gig. This is what happens. We all make predictions knowing full well. None of them, well, not none of them, but like the majority of them will probably not come true and we will be roasted for it online. And that's fine. That's part of it.

Yes. Got to do it. It's the old saying, Greg. Dogs don't bark at park cars. Dogs don't bark at park cars. Just do stuff. Penguins fans. Take your medicine for it.

Let fans have the rip-in-ups. Dubis is terrible and Sid's going to get traded. And then you make the playoffs and it's like, I always had faith. Like I always had. Yeah, I knew the whole time. Like I always said. When they hired Dan News, I knew, I knew. Yeah.

When I bought my Anthony Manta jersey before the season, I knew that they knew that They would finish second in the metro. Come on. One quick thought, too. Holy Smoke's like full respect for Dan Mews here. And by extension, full respect for Duba sticking his neck out. To bring Dan Mews in to a team that has Crosby and Malkin and Latang, like significant future Hall of Famers here. Hey, Sid, we're bringing in this coach.

Oh, yeah. what NHL background does he have? Well, he was an assistant. You see, okay, who are we talking about here? Like, that was a bold move. And it turns out it was the right move. It was the right move by Dubus this year. Dubus has really had a good run.

And I think that people were very quick to judge him in a negative way. And they were misguided because he's built himself a nice little team here for now and the future. You know what he did? Hang on. He fulfilled the mandate that was laid out by Fenway Sports, who don't own the Penguins anymore, but nonetheless, when he was hired, like when he was brought in, the plan is,

and no matter who took the job, right, and Tulski was one of the finalists for it too, no matter who took the job, the play was the Stars stay, Crosby Stan, Malkenstein, Lattangistan, we're going to be a team that is still competitive in and around a playoff spot. Maybe some years they'll make it in.

Maybe some years they won't. But at the same time, build up prospects, build up the farm system, the whole organization. It didn't matter who was getting that job. That was going to be your mandate. And if you didn't agree with that, you were not getting that job. And Dubas said, I can do that.

You know how, like, when you talk about threading a needle, like the stars stay, we still have to be competitive in and around a playoff spot every now and then we make it in, maybe win around, but generally we're going to bow out and at the same time build up the farm team and you're going to do it all with trades and you can do it all with draft. That is some fine needle threading by Kyle Dubas. It may be the trickiest thing that a general manager has done in the NHL. Last thing I'll say about Dan Hughes, by the way, is I wonder if he's market corrected Lindy Ruff a little bit

towards the end of the year. Like, I think Lindy has gotten a lot of love and a lot of credit for what is essentially a team with the fourth best goalhunting in the league. The Penguins making the playoffs. I know. It's a pretty big accomplishment. And I think that Muse gets a lot of the credit for the structure that they play with and helping to give the support to the stars that they've needed.

And I wonder if he siphoned some support away from Lindy late in the year. I think so. I agree. I think he does. We'll pick it up on Thursday. You'd be good. Enjoy your various victory laps and we'll talk on Thursday. All right. Take care.

There is. Greg Wischinski, ESPN and ESPN.com. Dropping by the program Tuesdays and Thursdays here for MvSW Merrick v. Wichinsky. All right, we've got a couple of things here. Oh, we didn't do any cul-biter. Oh, we can do it on. We can do it on Thursday. This segment, a presentation of the Ninja Krispy Pro countertop glass air fryer. Shark Ninja Ninja Krisp.

Pro is a family-sized cooking system that comes with a six-quart and 2.5 quart glassware. Storage lids, crisper plates, and a modular base for any occasion. The clean, crisp glassware is designed for non-toxic cooking and storing. Go from frozen to crispy with the thermal shock-resistant clean crisp glassware. The Ninja Krispy Pro is powerful. It's an 1,800-watt air fryer that can cook 7.5 pounds of chicken that feeds up to 10 people. It's customizable with 6-1 functions, max-crisp, air-fry, bake, roast, re-crisp, and dehydrate.

For more information on the Ninja Crispy Pro, visit the link in our description or go to shark ninja.com. I was thinking we could have used one of those over the past four days, two in Penticton and two in here in Colonnazac. Yeah, probably would have helped wallets and maybe eat a little bit cleaner. Eat a little bit more healthy and mix in a vegetable here. Yeah. Yeah. But this has been a lot of fun here in Colonna and previously in Penticton as well. Both great junior hockey towns, both great hockey towns, both full of a wonderful.

wonderful people and gorgeous scenery as well. Before we get to your shine spot here, you have a thought on our little travel tour here for the last four days or so? I have a story to tell you and almost said that I had to tell you before we've wrapped up the show here because you're going to get a laugh and I think people in the chat will too. But I do love British Columbia and Pinticton and Colona and what we've seen of it here so far. A lot of it has been spent in an arena to be fair, but these arenas are pretty awesome. and I'm really excited to watch the game tonight.

Yep. But I stayed here last night and did the Leafs post game show from right where you're sitting. Yes, you did. So Alma comes back, for those who don't know who that is, that's my boss. I don't know. Is he your boss too? Technically, I hate saying it, but I kind of got to listen to what he says. Yes, he's my boss.

So he came back to hang out with me to watch the end of the game and was here while I did the show. So we wrap up, put everything away, and him and I walk across the street for dinner. So we're just talking about how we're in the middle of talking about how amazing and beautiful this place is. Yeah. And almost says, you know, oh man, what a long day. Excited to unwind. Yeah. And this guy comes walking across the street from the hotel where we're walking to. Yeah.

He's probably about six, four, six five, long hair, tarps off, barrel out, backpack over one shoulder. And he's mumbling something. he walks towards us while we're crossing the street. Yeah. He gets about five feet away. He throws his backpack on the ground and he just goes, I'll fight both of you right now and starts walking towards us. What? And Amel and I both go, what the hell?

And just quickly, like, jolt to the side and walk quickly across the street. And he kind of turns around and looks at us. There was another guy that was on the other side of the sidewalk. You tell me this this morning? Yeah. You're saving this. Yeah, I was saving it for the show. On the other side of the road where we were just.

us walking from. He starts walking towards that guy and goes, well, fight right now. And that guy B-lines away. We wheel towards the hotel. And there's a bunch of security all coming out. I guess he had just been inside the hotel. Oh, okay. And, uh, is he perhaps over refreshed? Is he over-served? Yes. And then overpored. We turn around. And he's just standing on the other side of the road, picked up his backpack, just staring back at the hotel and back at us, tarps off still, just standing there. And just looking for one. This was at the end of a really long day. Both Alma and I were just standing there going, what just happened?

In the middle of talking about how beautiful this place is and how nice it's been. It is. It is. It is. That doesn't take away from the experience at all. It was just crazy timing. So I had to wait to tell that one until today. Wow.

That's not, I've not had an experience like that in Colonna, nor did it, in Benzicton. But, yeah, like. Surprise, surprise. There's crazies everywhere. Yeah, yeah. It's not native to Cologne. It's not the only, like it only happens here. But it was interesting, especially when your brain's pretty much turned off at that point.

We're just thinking we're going and getting food and that's it. And all of a sudden we're fighting. Street brawl outside Prospera place. How was your trip, honey? Well, the sheet is powered by Fanduel and our tough guys. Play your game with Fandul. It's the NHL season and Fandul is your home for all the action on the ice. From Blue Line to Bet Slip, we've got your covered all season with unique promos, live offerings, and more features to let you play your game.

Miss Puck Drop, no sweat with a live same game parley. You can build your bets up until the final buzzer. Download Fandul's sportsbook today and play your game. Please play responsibly 19 plus and physically located in Ontario. If you have questions or concerns about your gambling or the gambling of someone close to you, please contact Connects Ontario. at 1-866-531-2,600 to speak to an advisor free of charge. Were you rattled at dinner?

Honestly, yeah, for the first couple of minutes, Alma and I just kept looking at each other and saying, what the hell just happened? Do you go to a couple of Jameson shots, like, real fast as soon as you got to the restaurant? We just sat down and ordered a beer immediately. Okay, I understand. What just happened out there? Crazy times.

Anyway, what you got for us tonight? Um, so we're getting ready to fly home here tonight. And, uh, I went and grabbed a couple of these water bottles. One for you there, Jeff. I know you like your, your water, your coffees, your laundry done, all that. So I do my best to take care of everything. But, um, I think I've set it on here before. I don't know. I have a bit of a sweet tooth. So when we're flying on the plane tonight, so I wanted to take you there last night. Yeah. Yes, exactly. Uh, I wanted to take some snacks back with me. And I had gone to pick up the waters and I thought, you know, know what, I'll grab something while I'm here. So I was looking for some type of chocolate. They didn't really have much of a selection.

And it got me a little bit frustrated because they had only two options. And the one was limited. And you know what? At the end of the day, I'm way more of a Reese's guy than a Mars barz guy. That would be Trevor Moore, Porter Martone. Matthew Barzal. Bravo. Thank you.

Bravo, bravo. $5 wins you $146, if Zach is correct. Trevor Moore, Porta Martone, Matthew Barzell, $5,000 wins $146. Listen, thanks to everyone here in Kelowna. Thanks to everybody in Penticton as well. Tonight, if you're in the area, Prospera Place, it is game three between the legendary Clona Rockets. Host of the Memorial Cup this year, we should point out as well,

facing off against the Everett Silver Tips featuring Landon DuPont, you will want to get a look at this young man. Thanks to everyone here with the Colonna Rockets. Thanks to everyone with the Penticton v's. Hospitality was first rate, as everyone expects, and everyone knows both towns and both organizations delivers. So thank you, thank you, thank you from all of us, whether it's Amel Delich, whether it's Zach Phillips

or your humble host here. Thanks for having us in Colonna. We will talk to you soon. I don't know if we're doing a show tomorrow or not, because we're red-eyeing tonight. We'll see. The sheet will return, though, and it'll be at 1 o'clock Eastern. And as I know now, that means 10 Pacific.

How many years It would it take me to figure out time zones? What's the line, Zach? Effort an embarrassment. Enjoyed the rest of your day. We'll talk soon.