The Steve Dangle Podcast - Flying Low | Oct 12th, 2026

Starting point is 00:00:00 Guys, I want to get back out on the lake. Well, you do live right on Lake Ontario. Okay, fair point. But I'm thinking I'd like to plan a trip to Kelona in British Columbia. Oh, yes, solid choice. We found a great place on Airbnb near Lakeshore Road. Going to check out the restaurants, the coffee shops, definitely got to visit the wineries. It sounds like the whole trip's built around snacks and drinks.

Starting point is 00:00:24 As it should be. But it got me thinking, while we're out there, our place back home is just, sitting empty. So you're going to list your space on Airbnb while you're gone? Why not? They can come to my neighborhood and live like a local. My favorite Mexican places close by, we've got some amazing parks and waterfront to explore. There's even drop in wreck hockey just down the street. Plus a little extra cash in your pocket for the next trip. Exactly. It just makes sense. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.ca slash host. Ready.

Starting point is 00:01:00 Woo. S. D. P. The Steve Dangle podcast. With your host, Steve Dangle, Adam Wild,

Starting point is 00:01:08 and Jesse Blake. Let's go! My coffee is absolutely sizzling, and I think I just burnt the roof of my mouth on that intro. I think we might have changed the settings. Woo!

Starting point is 00:01:19 I noticed that also. Did something, yeah, did somebody turn up the microwave volume? Holy shit. I might have done that. Anyway, I don't know.

Starting point is 00:01:26 Who knows? Let's just start with this. Quick Easter Seals mention. I don't know how. happened, but over the weekend, I hit my fundraising goal. Did you guys also hit your? Hey, well done. Uh, I do know how it happened. Did you do it on the stream? So I, well, on the stream, because I had you on, but I'll be honest. I, it was Thanksgiving, so I had you on mute. So, so it was, it was a flood. It was, it was the stream and the LFR, because I let people know,

Starting point is 00:01:51 uh, there's a couple updates here. So number one, in case you missed it the last time. I get an email every single time you donate to our team, which means you can make your name in the email whatever you want it to be, and it'll go straight to Steve Dangles' inbox. So you could send Farren Derris. Ah. There was a Leafs suck.

Starting point is 00:02:16 There was a Darren Leafs Ferris suck. Wow. Yeah, so you can send a donation. Whatever name you want. Whatever you want. Now! we got a large we got several large donations uh i want to shout out everyone who donated at all but mike smit who's always in our chat yep decided to drop 10 000 oh my god my on to rachel's raiders

Starting point is 00:02:44 oh goodness unbelievably generous would he drop that much if he actually saw his play uh he's seen it that's the crazy man i don't know why he keeps giving then saint on earth brutal saint on earth Okay. Sarah A donated $1,550. Wow. Leafs Suck donated $1,510. Christopher J. Tanzola, professional corporation, donated $510. And Scott Powell, 383.

Starting point is 00:03:13 So I wanted to shout those out in particular. Especially, Mike. Especially Mike. But if you donate any amount to anybody on Rachel's Raiders, you are automatically entered in to get a pair of tickets to the November 21st game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Starting point is 00:03:30 But also... The Nye's return game. The Nye's return game, but also something else, courtesy of Mike Schmidt. Because he's seen... You get $10,000. You get $10,000.

Starting point is 00:03:40 No, but he's willing to throw in. So instead of there being one winner, there's now four. Wow. Because it's still the pair of leave tickets or one of the... three Gavin McKenna jerseys. Oh, nice.

Starting point is 00:03:58 So Mike Schmidt is going to help us out with Gavin McKenna jersey. If you win, then you tell us your size and we'll get you whatever size you want. Okay. So there you go. I love this. That's awesome. Very cool. This is great. Great weekend. So great. Amazing. Thanks.

Starting point is 00:04:14 Anyone on the team, by the way. If you see someone Lacken, Hayden, who's just about to, he's going to sign up today, he told me. You better sign up. That's great. I signed up during the show on Friday. And Steve, all of this money is going in your pocket, right? Yes, I'm keeping it and I'm going to, uh, I think I'm just going to get, uh, I mean, you need gas for your helicopter. The bucle fat reduction. Oh, yeah. I think, what about your helicopter? You're going to have

Starting point is 00:04:40 no bottom eye. I already got one and I'm, I'm just tired of the comments on it. So you know what? You're right. I am going to take care of that. No. It goes towards, uh, kids with physical disabilities. It goes towards equipment for these kids. It goes towards, uh, um, it goes towards, uh, Fun camps. What's the number you always give for how much a wheelchair costs? It changes, but I want to say a manual wheelchair. So that's just a wheelchair you push and has nothing else really to it. It's like $2,000.

Starting point is 00:05:08 Yeah. But like a motorized wheelchair is thousands of dollars. A van that is equipped to take a wheelchair into it is thousands of dollars. These people, these kids, these families need her help. My family was one of those families, so let's get it together. Yeah. All right. Now, I want to play this video.

Starting point is 00:05:33 And y'all should have listened to Steve. Y'all. Y'all. That's right. That's new. I'm trying it out. Does it work? Did I pull it off?

Starting point is 00:05:42 Y'all? I don't know. No, you don't know. Jesse, what do you think? Did I pull it? Can I be a y'all guy? I don't know. We'll let the audience decide.

Starting point is 00:05:50 Let us know. Y'all should have listened to Steve. trying to appeal to some of the Americans in our audience because this is about an American team and we should have listened to Steve because honestly I was hard-headed about it I was like you know what you're wrong this team was actually good last year

Starting point is 00:06:06 despite some bad months and we'll tell you which months those were in just a second as Jesse pulls this up but go ahead and play the video the worst thing you can do is be bad by accident the Flyers right Mm-hmm. Danny Breyer goes out and he offer sheets Leo Carlson.

Starting point is 00:06:25 And you go, ah, that's crazy. Ah! You didn't get him. Danny Breyer goes out there and he makes an offer to Dylan Larkin. Yeah. I didn't get him. He's been swinging and missing a lot. And you got to admire the effort.

Starting point is 00:06:44 But season started. You swung and missed on everything. And your team stinks. Most importantly, your team stinks. It's not about what you did or didn't do. Your team stinks. It's getting late early in Philly, man. So how bad is it?

Starting point is 00:07:02 And that was on Friday. 05 and 2 start is their worst in franchise history. Worth noting, by the way, last January, they were 2, 8, and 3. Still made the playoffs, weaker division. And it's January. It's a little different. From the Associated Press, the Flyers were crushed 7-0 opening night by the Penguins

Starting point is 00:07:23 and have been outscored 28 to 8 this season on route to the worst start in franchise history. They had twice before in 1999-200 and 0-8-09 gone six straight winless games to open a season. Both of those teams rebounded and actually made the playoffs. Since taking a 3-0 series lead in the opening round of the playoffs against Pittsburgh, the Flyers have lost 13 to 14 games, including the 4-0 sweep at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes. Now, Kevin Kurz. The number certainly reflect that this is bad. At 5 on 5, the Flyers have been outscored, a league worst 20 to 5.

Starting point is 00:08:03 Good Lord. Their only goal Sunday was a redirection by Christian DeVorek. Overall, the Flyers minus 20-goal differential is worst in the league. Sorry. I remember. You were looking at your phone, but it was 28 to 8, so I did already say that. but they've been outscored 28 to 8 this season. Did you say minus 20 goldifer?

Starting point is 00:08:21 Yeah, that's what 28 to 8 being outscored is. No, I know, but like my brain, well, it's Canadian Thanksgiving. I know. I know. What? That also took me a second, Steve. Don't. No, these guys aren't sharp like I am. I warmed up before the show. These guys are just not sharp.

Starting point is 00:08:35 Guys get it sharp enough. It's true. Now, here's another one. Kevin Kerr has dropped on us. Travis Kineckney on my fantasy team. Of course he's injured because everybody is. Drew gave me Jamie Drysdale. and he's fired. Cam York was also out.

Starting point is 00:08:51 And so that's a big loss on forward, big loss on defense. And Kevin Kerr says that left David Eurecheck and Simone Benoit on the third pair, and neither has looked like an NHL player to this point. The Flyers recalled rookie defenseman Oliver Bonk for Sunday's game and immediately slotted him on the top pair with Travis Anheim, perhaps because Taka believes he can't trust Benoit or Eurecheck. Zegris has been soft on the puck and careless when he does have it. It was more of the same on Sunday.

Starting point is 00:09:15 day one shot on goal, two attempts, three for ten in the face off circle. Boy, oh boy. They're calling it already almost unsalvageable to start the season. I think it's a little early for that. But. So I want to point out one thing. We do need to legitimately say a prayer for Simone Benoit and Joseph Wool. Because you've got to remember, they are transitioning directly from last year's

Starting point is 00:09:41 Burubi Leafs to this year's Flyers. Yeah. That's, I feel bad for them. Maybe the worst set of circumstances. Like in terms of guys who switch teams, name a worse situation than that so far. You go from the Barubei leaves to the Tocket Flyers. Oh my goodness.

Starting point is 00:10:02 Now, is it too early to be totally writing them off? Of course. Obviously. It's way too early. But you do got to start looking at it like this. There's 84 games. That's so many games, but it's not infinite. That's 168 points up for grabs.

Starting point is 00:10:24 You have had an opportunity to earn 14 of them. You've gotten two. You've dropped 12 points already. When he says unsalvageable, the flyers could, overnight become roughly what the flyers are, which I think most people agree is like thirdish in the Metro to wild card. Right? Based on last year and they made the playoffs and that's what they were.

Starting point is 00:11:01 They were third. Right. It might already be unattainable. If you play at that pace the rest of the way, the playoffs might already be unattainable. These points are important. Like you can look at the teams having a hot start and you can. scoff at it and oh yeah they're riding a little bit of luck and this isn't really who they are Seattle four and two Seattle again could be bang average the rest of the way but you could have this

Starting point is 00:11:34 start and help it parlay you into a playoff team right so they've played six games they've gotten eight points out of 12 that's real good I bet the Flyers would love Love that. 05 and 2. And it's not just 05 and 2. This isn't, oh, you know what? It's just not going in for them.

Starting point is 00:11:56 Oh, they need a save. Oh, they're unlucky. They're getting. 35 shots per game is the average that they allow. What was the stat I saw? Like, they've only outshot their opponent in two periods this season, something like that.

Starting point is 00:12:13 Jeez. They are also allowed, so they are allowing 35.1 shots. shots a game. That's insane. Their average shots four per game is 20. That's insane. That's that is the worst of last year's Barubi Leafs, which were the poster boys for getting out shot. Every game on average for seven games. Like look, you get blown out seven nothing in your home opener. Like, yeah, that's obviously awful. You wake up the next morning, right? These things follow you. A mentality follows you.

Starting point is 00:12:52 We've talked about, you know, an FU attitude and how it can drag you for months and months in the NHL. Like these guys are, again, there's so many games. You can't possibly be 100% dialed mentally for all 84. But if you have an attitude about you, the whole way, there's not a ton between most of the players in the league. most players are not Connor McDavid and most players are not some call up. Yeah. Right? There's not a lot between them.

Starting point is 00:13:25 If you're more mentally dialed and you're trying harder, you're going to do better on most nights. The same is true for if you have a woe as me, F my life attitude. And that's exactly what it looks like the Flyers have right now.

Starting point is 00:13:43 And on top of that, I don't think they're coached well at all. Well, on that point, Anthony DeMarco, friends of the show. Jesse, he tweeted this morning, for what it's worth, Tuckett's job is not in trouble, I'm told. Don't expect imminent coaching change in Philadelphia. Now, let me ask you this, Jess. The number one thing I've gotten out of this, by the way,

Starting point is 00:14:00 is that I didn't realize how much Canucks fans did not like Rick Tocke. Number one. Number two, do you think a coaching change would actually change anything in this particular scenario? No, like the roster isn't good enough to justify a coaching change at this point. Like I think firing Tocquet is the right decision. I don't think he's the coach that's going to turn this thing around at all. But if the roster is also not good, then you're just kind of putting the blame on the coach.

Starting point is 00:14:27 And then the new guy's going to come in and also not have a good roster. So yeah, like Bruce Cassidy comes into this. Let's say he's the best coach available. I don't know if Bruce Cassidy is going to be able to turn this team into a playoff team. But I also think it'll be better vibes just not having Rick Tocket there. I personally would let go of Rick Tocket as soon as it is. reasonably understandable to do it. Seven games in is probably not that bar.

Starting point is 00:14:54 You probably want to give somebody at least a month or something, at least a little bit, maybe even two months just to start the season. But I don't think Rick Tocket is the coach for this team going forward because his whole thing is we're going to play really good defense and our offense might not be there, but we're going to out defense everybody. And I watched that full game last night, the Hurricanes and Flyers, because at the end, you're out of your mind. At the end of the fantasy week, at the end of the fantasy week,

Starting point is 00:15:21 the guy I was playing had could check off as his goalie. And I was hoping that the Flyers could run up the score a little bit so that I could win the save percentage category. And they didn't do it, obviously. So I was watching the game see if they put up like three goals or whatever. Jesse did that shit on a holiday. And the way they play is just, it's brutal. How would you describe it?

Starting point is 00:15:42 It's lazy is the first thing, is the first thing. I would say because breaking out of their own zone is absolutely pathetic. Like there's no push towards getting the puck up the ice. And then defensively, Carolina is just able to skate around and kind of do what they want. And on like the first goal, it's on a failed breakout by the flyers because they're trying to throw up the boards and nobody's kind of there to pick up the puck. And Caroline just turns it the other way and turns into a goal. And it's just they're so they're so under like they don't have the amount of

Starting point is 00:16:15 a skill to hang with the top team, I feel like the East is a little better this year, like especially their division. Yeah, the East is nuts. There's no hope for them at the end of this. Dude, I hate this conference. Right. It's awful. It's so deep.

Starting point is 00:16:28 And I don't see like a light at the end of the tunnel unless you're like making a lot of changes to the roster, especially on D. Like that's where it's got to start. And I know they had injuries. But it's fire Rick Talk to at least put a spark in the guy's butts. And then you know for certain. I want to try that. Well, you know for certain it's not the coach and it's the players.

Starting point is 00:16:50 Like, that's the thing about firing the coach is now you can't blame the coach. Right now you can still blame the coach and his system. Fire him, we can no longer blame the coach. So, and he'll still get his money. Also, maybe Steve has a new bit because watching that, I watched the Flyers feed because you can do that on Sportsnet app. It's fucking awful, but you can still do it. They have a lot of ads for the Pennsylvania lottery. Oh, I need to watch this.

Starting point is 00:17:15 Some of my name. Something you can do now. Can anything happen in Pennsylvania? I don't know, maybe. Now, who's, is it Ken Danico or is it someone else? Not Ken Danico, that's for certain. All right. Well,

Starting point is 00:17:27 is it like, is it like a Ronnie radio type? Like, their broadcast seems pretty good. Is it good? Yeah, I don't know their names off top of my head, but it's pretty good.

Starting point is 00:17:35 So I always think about that TikTok with the baseball, but like, on the side of the that, you know what I mean? Like, I always think about that in local broadcast. Moriariari. I know what you're talking about.

Starting point is 00:17:50 Okay. So I'm looking at just the core stats of the roster. Trying to be like, well, Tocke, should play this guy more, that guy more, that guy more, that game more, that game more. There is one player on the Philadelphia Flyers roster who is a plus. Name them. Okay.

Starting point is 00:18:09 This will be fun. Mm-hmm. I'll give you 10 seconds. Matt Vei Mitchkoff. Because that would be hilarious. Good guess. Jamie Driesdale. Both good guesses.

Starting point is 00:18:24 The answer is actually, I lied to you. It's no one. Not a single player. Four guys, Nick Seeler, Rasmus. I guess we should have guessed that. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:18:34 It's got hard to be a plus when they're minus 20. He did kind of fuck us on the question. I told. Yeah. Get wreck. Get good. Skill issue.

Starting point is 00:18:41 You didn't count on the option of deception. Ah. So three, sorry, four players are even. Nick Seeler, Rasmus Ritalin, Carl Grunstrom, and Alex Bump. Travis Sandheim is minus 10. That doesn't seem real. At this point in the season. Travis Sandheim Olympic, Olympian.

Starting point is 00:19:07 That doesn't seem real. Tyson Forster's minus eight. Mitchcoff. Like, I was about to be like, they got to play Mitchcov. He's minus seven. And so is Zegris. Cam York is minus, like, and I'm not doing this to call out these individual players, although, I might. You mentioned Bump there?

Starting point is 00:19:24 Bump's not even on the team anymore. Like, they send them down. Oh, my God. Well, how many games did you play? I didn't even see how many games they each played. Yeah, but it's funny. Oh, dear. Oh, no.

Starting point is 00:19:35 So Cieler played seven. Ristos only played three. Grunstrom's only played five and Bumps only played three. Yeah. Helga Grons. He's only minus one. Like, he was a bunch of one game. He was amongst the good guys you were talking.

Starting point is 00:19:47 Yeah. It's not on the team. No. It's even less. No. Who leads the flyers in scoring? Well, that's Travis connecting with three points. None of them are goals.

Starting point is 00:19:57 Like, there isn't a performance to point to. No. As this is our North Star. This is our guiding light. And every game is depressing like that, where there's like not much to take from it from like a positive standpoint. Except like Joseph Wall has had a couple good games. games, but it's not salgible.

Starting point is 00:20:17 They played seven. Like if he's allowing like three goals and you're like, man, it should have been seven. Yeah. Yeah. Like, I mean, he's not a miracle worker. And at the end of the day, he's not going to score for you. How much was Dan Lidar hiding last year with his play? A lot.

Starting point is 00:20:35 A lot. There was a lot of, man, he was, he was very good. He might be really worth that contract. Oh, my. So, like, so. So I guess, I don't, end the segment. here. The question, I think you've already answered, is how do they get out of it? And Jesse says, fire the coach and put sparklers up their butt, I think is what he said. Yes. And then Steve,

Starting point is 00:20:57 Steve said no North Star at all. North Star up the butt. Okay, that's great. Is there actually anything from the Flyers hockey that you guys have seen this year that make you believe, okay, November can be a winning month or it starts now, the back half of October doesn't have to be this bad. Last year, I think you got by on attitude. This year, I think last year your team was defined by attitude. This year your team is also defined by attitude.

Starting point is 00:21:27 And I don't think Rick Tock is doing a good job. I don't. I don't think Greg Cronin did a good job in Anaheim. He didn't. But at some point, like if you want to challenge a player, because it sounds like based on a couple tweets I saw, There were some pretty hard feelings after the game. The heavy implication was talk it went in there and tore a strip off a few guys.

Starting point is 00:21:54 Good. The ducks probably shouldn't have let go at Trevor Zegris, right? At least not for the package that they did. They've gotten rid of kind of a few young guys in odd ways. But how many bad coaches are you going to have before you're labeled on coach? Good question. He was good. He was good.

Starting point is 00:22:23 He was good last year. Objectively good. Watching him in junior, watching him at the world juniors, he seemed so can't miss. And the talent is so obviously there. He's on the cover of a video game. Minus seven.

Starting point is 00:22:39 Give me a friggin break. Like it, and again, this is going to seem unfair. Art, is the coach going to get fired tomorrow? No. Okay.

Starting point is 00:22:52 Is a major trade going to walk through the door tomorrow? Unless it's a bad one, I don't think so. I doubt it. Yeah. So let's say talk at, you know, midnight is Halloween for him. You got like two or three weeks of awful hockey to sled through or the veterans in the room. the leaders in the room, the guys who are expected to be the best, and that doesn't have to be a veteran necessarily,

Starting point is 00:23:25 have to look themselves in the mirror and be better in the interim. Or, you know, you can yell and scream that that's unfair. All right, well, get ready to sit through just the most miserable hockey you've ever seen for a few more weeks. Zegers has really struggled that he's down on the third line last night. The lines, the time on ice was a little even, but he'd start on the third line with Mitch Gough. down there. Mitchkoff played like 15 minutes.

Starting point is 00:23:51 Yeah, same with Zegris and he was a minus three last night, like alone Zegris was. It hasn't been a good stuff for anybody on that team. Can I just tell you that I have Kinecki and both friggin' kichucks in my, on my fantasy team for SDPN? That seems like the bad GMing by you. I just want to die. So, Jess, I like that you brought that up. So the list of forwards that, um, that Rick Tockett seems to trust appears to be.

Starting point is 00:24:18 be no one. The top five guys on the team in terms of average ice time are all defensemen. Trevor Zegris leads, flyers forwards, in time on ice per game at 18 minutes and two seconds. Leads?

Starting point is 00:24:34 What do you mean? Leeds? And then last night, so that's been cut last night he played 1605. What? Yeah. Which is, uh, yeah, Christian Dorac had 17, 23. Like who led? Is that it? I think it might be Devorak.

Starting point is 00:24:51 Tyson Forrester had 1736. What is this? To go down the center, so we got it. So let me counter what I just said. Like, yeah, Zegers has to pick up his socks and so to his teammates. But at a certain point, there's no situation where you can make this good. No, it's, it's just trying something. What's your favorite phrase, button mashing?

Starting point is 00:25:13 He's button mashing. He's out of answers. So it's like, okay, we're going to drop Zegra's here. We're going to play Couturier a little bit more. We'll play Dvorak a little more. And DeVaric got that goal and like, whoopee, but nothing was really successful. Because the roster's not very good. The play style is terrible.

Starting point is 00:25:29 It's terrible. It's terrible to watch. And like, where's the hope? So they just got bunting, which is that I love that. I love that player. I love that story. And I'm like, maybe give him some more time. So his average time through four games is 11 minutes, 39 seconds.

Starting point is 00:25:44 He's minus four. He's going to take a little bit of time to, get up to speed. It clearly like not being in a training camp and all that has affected him. I thought he was a little lost out there. But so yeah, I don't want to criticize bunting too much. He just got there.

Starting point is 00:26:00 He just got that. That's right. Not fair to drop. The list of guys with more than one goal is Matt Fayy Mitchcoff with two. Yeah. Good Lord. Good stuff. All right. Now with that, let's welcome the return of the BenfGM big story. Screamers is back at Assembly Park and Vaughn from

Starting point is 00:26:18 October 9th to 31st, located at 80 Interchange Way in Vaughn this year. Features seven haunted attractions, 120 plus live actors who are not going to feel like actors are going to feel like real goo. And rides and entertainment too now new this year at Disassembly Park. Oh my goodness, they're going to take my limbs. An outdoor scare zone where the scares continue between the haunted houses and you do not have to be 19 plus to enter screamers. There is 19 plus licensed vampire lounges, you know.

Starting point is 00:26:47 Are they going to serve blood? I don't know. I don't know. I have to go find out. But B-19 plus for that. Screamers is probably not recommended for children under 10, so, you know, just play it by ear. Also not recommended for Jesse Blakes who have scary screams in and of themselves. I'm not sure what would be scarier.

Starting point is 00:27:03 Screamers or Jesse scream at screamers. Oh. Your scream is way scarier than that. No. Screamers is open from 7 to 11, Sundays and weekdays and 7 to midnight for a little late night scare. Fridays and Saturdays. available at Screamers.com. Costumes Encourage, but no masks or weapons, please, obviously.

Starting point is 00:27:23 I want to ask you about the top, well, the bottom, not the top, the bottom teams in the NHL, the worst teams in the National Hockey League, okay? From 22 to 32 as of this morning. This is in total points. Got it. Okay? So this is key. All right.

Starting point is 00:27:43 You'll be shocked by some of the teams on this list because some of them have not played a lot of games. Of course. Okay. First off, in 22nd, the Montreal Canadiens. What? No, how many games are they played? They've played five.

Starting point is 00:27:57 They're two, two, and one. Oh. That's, okay. It's on the lower end. The New Jersey Devils, 2, 2, and 0 are 23. Right. Blue Jackets, 24, 2, 2,2 and 0. New York Islanders 2,3 and 0 at 25.

Starting point is 00:28:12 Sabres 2,3 and O. Canucks 2,5,0. We know what the Canucks store. So that's. concerning. Now we've gotten the first team that's played more than five games. Yes, yeah. They played seven. Okay. Detroit, one three and one. Okay. Somehow better than expected. Los Angeles. Zero, two, and two. Wow. It's crazy how many teams haven't won yet. Yeah. Chicago, who we're going to talk about later, one, five, and O. We. Philadelphia, as we just talked about, zero, five, and two. And the flames have not got a point yet.

Starting point is 00:28:45 they're 0 and 5 that feels impossible okay now I am going to take the Montreal Canadians out of this yeah I'm also feeling like I should take the New Jersey Devils out of this for it to be fair but I can leave it in if you guys think it is

Starting point is 00:29:03 because the question is this which team are you most likely to bet on to have a turnaround and roar into the playoffs of those teams and I'm going to take Montreal out you know what I am going to take New Jersey out because I still think they got a better shot. Columbus, Islanders, Sabres, Canucks, Wings,

Starting point is 00:29:21 Kings, Blackhawks, Flyers and Flames. This is an unpopular answer because it's a boring answer. You're going to say it's a boring team, aren't you? L.A. Kings. I know. What? Boring answer? Why?

Starting point is 00:29:36 Boring team, bad division. Yeah. Wow. Yeah. Really? Jesse, do you agree with that day? I think that's a smart take because you look at the division and it'd be easiest for them to crawl back into that. And what do you say? It's only been four games for them.

Starting point is 00:29:53 It has. That's a very small sample. So few games. There's 80 games left. Yeah. Okay. Now, Jesse, would you take them or would you take somebody else? Yeah, no, I think that's smart.

Starting point is 00:30:02 Okay. Why did neither of you then take the sabers? No particular reason. I wanted to be difficult. Okay. So it's not because of a lack of belief in the saber. Do you believe still that the Sabres will be in the playoffs? I think they'll be in the conversation.

Starting point is 00:30:17 I do think we and by we I mean me because I had them winning the division. I think I might have overrated them a touch just because they were kind of unsustainably hot. And also they don't have goalies, which is you need those. So they're in tough. I still think they can do it. Okay. In Tuffalo. Should they have made the Connor Hallibuck trade, do we think?

Starting point is 00:30:41 they should make a trade. Yeah. Oh, you think that they shouldn't stick with UPL? No. That's Jesse's guy. He's sitting right there.

Starting point is 00:30:53 He can reach you. I think the Sabres can wait and see until they have more of a concrete update on Alex Lyon. Yeah. The most recent thing from him is like, oh, there's no real timeline yet. Just kind of taking it week to week.

Starting point is 00:31:04 They can run with Ellis and UPL for now, and then you see what Lions timeline is going to be because you do have three pretty, good goalies if everything's going healthy and right. So I think there's still time to see what this team is. The memes are flying in Sabres Nation. Ellis Island is a very real thing. We'll see if it's real enough to get them into the playoffs.

Starting point is 00:31:26 Download the BetMGM app and don't miss a second of the opening minutes. BetMGM, an official sports betting partner of the National Hockey League, your home for hockey bets all season long. Betmgmgm.com for terms and conditions, 19 plus to wager Ontario only. Please play responsibly. If you have any questions or concerns about your gambling or that, of somebody close to you. Please contact Connects Ontario at 18665-3-1-2,600 to speak to an advisor free of charge.

Starting point is 00:31:48 BetMGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming, Ontario. So there's no way to really spin it any other way. The Leafs pulled one out of a hat on Saturday night. And hell yeah, brother, it was great. Man, that was fun. Don't care. They won. Bray.

Starting point is 00:32:05 Now, by any metric, they got caved in the shots department. Now, it's worth noting, John Tavares. Congratulations to him. His wife gave birth to their fourth child. And so he was not available for the game, which meant Nick Paul moved up. Tucker. Tucker.

Starting point is 00:32:21 That's right. Tucker Tavares. Which is just such a great hockey name. Very good. He'll be drafted in 18 years, for sure. And of course, you also had Chris Tannup going out in the first period. In an 11-7 game, which is already difficult. 11-7 defense, but even.

Starting point is 00:32:41 Yeah, sorry. No, that could have been the score if it weren't for Bob, but that's already a difficult game for the coach to navigate, and it got much harder really fast. Like, Drew has his fixations. Producer Drew, who's obviously a Colorado Avalanche fan, he insists that Chris Tannove is very good at handling Nathan McKinnon. He insists upon it.

Starting point is 00:33:10 Okay. I didn't think anybody was really good. handling Nathan McKinnon. I think it's based on the Avalanche Star series from a couple years ago where Rantaninan went off. Okay. Because the stars had TANF, and that's who the Leafs actually traded for TANF.

Starting point is 00:33:23 People forget to get his rights. It's funny. Like Riley was out there for, I think it was the first or second goal against that McKinnon scored, and he was beating himself up, and he was really mad. And no one really even gave him anything for it. It's like, yeah,

Starting point is 00:33:41 I don't know. It's Nate. Well, who can stop Nathan McKinnon when he gets going? There's very few defensemen who can actually keep. I will give Morgan Riley that. I'm not mad about it. There's been some snickering about the Leafs and how they look and they're getting out shot and they're getting caved. And here's the thing. They've played two of the best teams in the league, two conference finalists from last year, one Stanley Cup finalists in back-to-back games. They did not look good against Vegas outside of the hot start.

Starting point is 00:34:09 they did not look good against Colorado. They got three out of possible four points. Ura. Love it. That's great. Great. And I don't mean to start it on a negative foot. Like, I'm frigging pumped.

Starting point is 00:34:24 These guys look electric. It's a fun game to watch. Entertainment product-wise, one of the things that we complained about last couple years, even when they were winning under Barubei in 24, 25. It was so boring. And then last year it was boring and bad,

Starting point is 00:34:37 which is a lethal combination. Yes, you can't have boring. and bad. Nealander. Jonas Segal wrote this. Neelander has rocketed out of the gate this fall collecting a point on 11 of the Leaf's first 20 goals. That's crazy.

Starting point is 00:34:51 Holy! He's beaten goaltenders with five of his 18 shots was a 27.8% shooting percentage, including three for eight from mid-range, and he also is tied for the team lead with six assists. And, dude, some of the... This is how bad last year was. the the Leafs goal mix tape for this year might already be better than all of last years they're sexy as hell the passes these guys are connecting on who now I do want to say this it took Austin Matthews 13 games to hit 10 points last year it has taken him six this year

Starting point is 00:35:28 favorite stat that I saw and I can't remember who it was might have been Jonas Eagle uh four point games this season under Jim Hiller, two. Four point games in two seasons under Craig Barube. One. Wow. Rough. That's not great. No, that's bad.

Starting point is 00:35:50 No, it is great. Here's why. That's the past. We currently live in the present. Yes. I like it. Now, Jesse and Steve, I had a question for you. I do want to talk more about Matthews and Nylander,

Starting point is 00:36:01 but the thing I want to talk most about after this game, because obviously the game's a couple of days old and we're already looking forward to Utah tomorrow night, which I will be streaming on the SDPN YouTube channel starting at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard. Woo-woo. I wonder how many mammoth fans from Utah and we'll actually have tuned in from there.

Starting point is 00:36:17 Certainly. I want you to identify yourselves because I like a new fan base. It's fun. Yeah. Now, John Tavares has made sacrifices for this team before. Got it. You know, he signed that team-friendly extension,

Starting point is 00:36:30 which is outrageously good in retrospect. Like, awesome, right? He also gave up the captaincy that he rightly earned. because it was time to turn the page and Austin Matthews be the captain, right? But would John Tavares be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice

Starting point is 00:36:46 and move to the second power play unit so Gavin McKenna could play on PP1 because boy, that looked pretty cool. So annoying me is like, that's actually not up to John. Okay, all right? Actually not his choice. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:37:05 But like it is very clearly Here's what Gavin McKinnon is doing McKinnon Gavin McKenna We wanted and the Leafs wanted to ease him in Some people didn't want to ease him in They're like screw it, he looks great, throw him up with Matthews Yeah well that's just generally not how it goes Especially he's walking into a situation that is odd

Starting point is 00:37:31 For a first overall pick Usually you're walking into a tire fire and you're expected to fix everything. Macklin Sellebrini, Connor Bedard, Rasmus Dahlin, right? You go down the list. Austin Matthews, really.

Starting point is 00:37:47 The Leafs are a team with a fresh 18-year-old first overall pick with aspirations of making the playoffs now. Right? They've been trying to hold this guy back and after like a somewhat rocky

Starting point is 00:38:02 first couple, you know, three games, whatever. And many, mispractices. And man, oh, ho. He looks like dynamite. He looks so good.

Starting point is 00:38:12 The defensive deficiencies, I'm like, beg your pardon? Well, the back check on Josh Manson, who, by the way, Josh Manson goes end to end now.

Starting point is 00:38:21 And it was too. It was crazy. Coach Jeremy, um, uh, making a great point. So when McKenna set up Nylander with that unbelievable pass,

Starting point is 00:38:29 he broke Josh Manson's ankles ahead of that. So this kid is giving like, one of the better, like, annoying kind of stopper defenseman in the league fits. Yes, it's early in the season and blah, blah, blah, blah. But he did an unbelievable job. This is the power play. It's the power play. I would hope he's not going to get smashed through the boards.

Starting point is 00:38:56 You have an advantage. You're probably not going to be out there when it's evened up because you're on the top unit. it might actually be better to have him out there on the top unit. What's the harm? What's the harm in trying and having them out there? You have two of the better shots in the league in Austin Matthews and William Nealander out there. You got Darren Radish, who you got explicitly for this role. And who am I missing?

Starting point is 00:39:28 Am I missing anyone? Or is the one I'm missing Gavin McKenna? I think the one you might be missing would be John Tavares, Gavin McKenna. Yeah. That slot, right? Folks. Folks. Let's have them out there.

Starting point is 00:39:41 Let's let the kid ride. Jesse, you saw three periods of it. Are you convinced? The McKenna on the power play thing? Yeah. I think it's worth a shot. Like, you're seeing it because... Oh, Markchenko is who I forgot.

Starting point is 00:39:52 Sorry, sorry. Oh, yeah, that guy. It's worth a shot because there's so many shooters on the power play. Like, you have five guys who want to shoot the puck. And just introducing past first McKenna, I think, is a good idea. Because Radish shouldn't be the... that guy, because Radish should be shooting from the top there and not facilitating quarterbacking in that position. So it just makes sense to add the passing option. He's 18. They don't want to

Starting point is 00:40:15 give that to him too quickly. But I think you're just there to win games. So if this is the best option, just let him try it. Yeah, 100%. Now, he only has one power play point this season. I've seen enough. I've seen enough. And he is tied for the lead with Trevor Connolly, Anton Fredel, James Hagen's, for rookie scoring so far, all of them. I've seen enough. Six games played,

Starting point is 00:40:36 all of them four points. But I think it is kind of, I mean, the pass to Nealander was amazing, but the move by Nealander was also amazing. It was, honestly, it was high-end players doing high-end shit.

Starting point is 00:40:51 Like, yeah, Colorado outshot you. You could argue they outchanced you. And Bob, well, I don't know if there's much of argument. They don't chance to you. Bob played very well, but the Leafs

Starting point is 00:41:04 chances were clearly better. Am I wrong? Yeah, I thought their chances were better. Yeah. The shots against thing is going to be a problem if they don't start to turn that around. They're averaging 30 shots against per game. That's not that's brutal. That's

Starting point is 00:41:20 going to be a bottom tier team if you're doing that all season long. So eventually you've got to turn that around, but for now, it seems like in these games, on Saturday and in Colorado, you could outscore your problems. I, like, again, this is maybe overreacting, but just based on the offseason that they had, I'd completely remake this decor if I had the option.

Starting point is 00:41:44 And I think Chica wants to, right? Well, they don't fit what the team is trying to do now. Who do you fight to keep? Obviously radish. If Tandiv's healthy, but he's not moving. No, I don't fight to keep him. You don't? No.

Starting point is 00:42:00 If he's healthy, you don't. I think that's BS. If he was healthy, I said if he's healthy, you fight to keep him. That's complete BS. You love Krista. And if I got it on Friday, he's chicken soup for the soul. He is. You're going to tell me that you don't fight to keep him.

Starting point is 00:42:12 And he played 11 games last year. You're full of Hock at Steve Dangle. Adam, if I woke up 180 pounds, I'd be a happy man. But I don't think it's going to happen. So if Chris Tanev healthy, like what if that's just not an option anymore? Yeah, because I think if the names were changed and, Steve said Joseph Wohl. And Adam's like, no, I can't do that.

Starting point is 00:42:35 He's not going to stay healthy. I think then you would understand it. And that's the argument now Steve is making about Kristanav, which I kind of understand. But I said health out of it. They were, if you did that, let's say we had that conversation with Joseph Wall, you would never let that pass. You can't take health out of the situation. Health out of it, Mario Lemieux and Bobby are clear Wayne Gretzky.

Starting point is 00:42:54 But yeah, they. Health matters. Neither of them played over a thousand games. What do you do there? because that, to me, whatever that was, it seemed like the aggravated injury from the Mitchcoff hit last year, which was also accidental.

Starting point is 00:43:07 I mean, there's a lot of hard miles on that body. I don't know if that's back spasms where he just seized up or if it's something more serious. We have not gotten an update since. We have no idea. He's officially on IR. Oh, he is.

Starting point is 00:43:19 He's got to miss a week. So that'll be the minimum stay. And then we'll see. But he's on IRR. We're going to find out if the Leaf's injury policy has changed, too, by the way. Remember Chris Tannib was coming. coming back all season long last year.

Starting point is 00:43:30 And then they were like, okay, it's the last week he's not coming back. Also, last year with the condensed schedule, it's like he's on IR, which means he's missing a week, which means he's missing nine games. Yeah. This time, it's only four. Three, I think. Three or four. Yeah, I'm not.

Starting point is 00:43:43 We only got three this week. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Yeah, but what about is there a game on Monday? Oh, good question. Yeah. Yeah, actually. I don't know. No, the first.

Starting point is 00:43:52 Final week of October, they switch it up. No, the first Leafs Monday nighter on Sportsnet is, oh, yeah, it is next. week against the sharks. And there's going to be so many complaints that day? The IR would have been yesterday. So maybe he's back for that game. So yeah, it'd be minimum three. There you go.

Starting point is 00:44:07 So you are right. Mammoth, Sabers, Islanders, is who they're playing this week. Yeah, okay. But then, okay, so let's say, let's say it's longer and it doesn't, and it's not good. I don't know what the Leafs can really do in season right now to change things. I think you kind of have to rely on, like, I'll talk about this a little bit later in the show, but I saw Rify and Danford in Hamilton on Friday night for the Hammers season opener. And they look good.

Starting point is 00:44:35 Now, Danford is apparently day to day with an injury to the lower body. That doesn't sound like it's that serious. But like, I think you kind of have to just work from within here. This is got, this, the rehabbing of the Toronto Maple Leafs is not going to be immediate. Like, it's clear right now against elite competition like Vegas, like Colorado. The Leafs are not in that. They've grinded out victories, but they are not an elite team. Could John Chai could go out there?

Starting point is 00:45:02 They're a good team. Yeah. And they're a fun team. Could John Chai could go out there and trade Easton Cowan and trade Bed Danford and make this team better now? No, trading Easton and Cowan doesn't make you better now. I don't think it does. Yeah. Okay.

Starting point is 00:45:14 Ben Danford. Give me something. A Ben Danford. Yeah. And Tina Sloot-Coblar. Yes. Colorado first. Alex Belecki, who they just drafted.

Starting point is 00:45:22 Yes, of course. Is that a good idea? It is not. Depends on who. Well, if you fleece a team, sure. It's a good idea. But I think for most situations out there, you're just not going to win that trade long term

Starting point is 00:45:41 and you might not even win it now. Are you doing the Matthew Nyes thing? No, I'm doing the Brandon Carlos. Where you would go work at the zoo if they trade Matthew Nyes. And then all of a sudden there's a Marchenko deal and you're trading Matthew Nyes. And I'm like, well. You don't really miss Matthew Nyes right now.

Starting point is 00:45:55 I miss him a bit, but I do like Mark Chico quite a lot. But like, like the Leafs were like especially 2025 going, what can I get for this many? Because like at some point you're running out of assets and they go to the Bruins and they go, they only have these pieces that they can make a move with. And the best defenseman they could get apparently was Brandon. Carlo. Who was a disaster. Right.

Starting point is 00:46:27 And if that's the best solution available to them, ew, yuck. Yes. Don't want it. If they can make a significant move, great. I just don't think it's out there. And there's enough hindsight now to know that Bradshaw Living was bad at that and that the DLC made under pressure were not good.

Starting point is 00:46:49 And then the DLC didn't make under pressure, he didn't make them. There you go, jump to conclusions. I think John Chica is in a lot better position where he can wait and see for that big thing to go get it. And I think like there needs to be, there's going to be something in season with the defense where there's a big shake-up. Six games in,

Starting point is 00:47:08 I'm okay with them being super fun this year and you need to make the playoffs. Those are my goals. Blankenberg scored. Blankinberg scored. First shift. That was hilarious. But in terms of seasonal expectations,

Starting point is 00:47:19 I'm okay with that. I think this is a multi-year thing. you need, clearly the team needs a second line center eventually here too. Yeah. You're going to need a defense shakeup. They got radish this year. That's a start. Bless next fall.

Starting point is 00:47:31 But this takes sometimes a little bit longer. But I can see the defense like sinking them to the point where it's like you're really competing for that wild card spot and you might fall short or get in. They are bad. So like I think you need to do something this year if your goal is the playoffs. We've seen enough that where we're like, okay, what can we expect to be good? I expect their forwards to be pretty good. goaltending.

Starting point is 00:47:53 I expect her goaltending to be at least adequate. Bobrovsky's fucking awesome. That's why I threw it at least. Oh, Bob? So. Anthony, I'm a little worried about. Bob I'm not worried about. They were doing the let's split it thing.

Starting point is 00:48:09 Yeah, okay, knock that off. Yeah. Bob's amazing. Yeah. Bob's amazing. Cute, lovely, Bob. Don't care. Bob.

Starting point is 00:48:18 Yeah. I know Stollers is 2 and O. Bob. I've watched the game. James Bob, the decor, it gives me nightmares. And I do like Radish very much. So you think, Jess, that you make a move in season, you're not going to be able to move the TANF deal.

Starting point is 00:48:34 You might be able to put it on, it might go on LTIR, depending upon how bad this injury is. We have no idea. Yeah. You've got Dakota Joshua on LTRR. You've got Merslicketts. You have money that you can spend because some of those guys, I don't know if Dakota Joshua plays a game this season.

Starting point is 00:48:47 I have no idea what's going on there. He was skating. Now he's on LTIR. We have no idea. Might play like next week. With Merzleekins deal, it's, you know, it's slightly retained, but they have roughly $4.5 million just there alone. And he apparently wants to play this year.

Starting point is 00:49:02 Yeah, well, again, I would like to wake up 180 pounds. Yep, yep. But the, okay, so the question is, you have the money to make some things move. Do you move off of, because you can't move Riley. That's not going to happen. Do you give him a cape? You got to give to get.

Starting point is 00:49:24 When I was going to say, or when I was talking, you know, what would I fight to keep? I'm obviously fighting to keep Radish. The next defenseman out of my mouth was McCabe. Of course. Unless you're getting something, just dynamite back. I really like him. I think that's why for it to be a true shakeup in the way Jesse's suggesting, that's kind of where you'd have to go. I think unless OEL really steps up in absence of Tenef, because.

Starting point is 00:49:50 that's probably what's going to have to happen. I don't know. I mean, I like... I was going to put him on the off side. McCabe, Stetcher had a pretty good run last year, weirdly enough, like good numbers, and they're going to be probably playing together. I didn't mind Blankenberg's game. I've liked Blankenberg's game since I watched Colorado roll through the playoffs with him,

Starting point is 00:50:09 and he was pretty good. He scored before I realized who he was. Yeah. Like, what number is that? Number three comes flying in from off screen and the puck's in the back of the net. I was like, well, the only number I don't recognize has to be Blankenberg. It's so hilarious. Maybe you've got at least a good depth piece and that.

Starting point is 00:50:25 You're not pissing away assets on depth. But to make a real move here, you're going to have to give something really good. I know. And I don't want to give up Danford because I do think they're going to need him next year. I think he's going to have a long career and play a lot of games. I think he's going to be a very good player. I think it was a mistake not to sell high on OEL.

Starting point is 00:50:47 I agree with you. And we said it at the time. Now, actually... But I like OEL. No, a mistake? A mistake, I think downplays how bad it was. It was a failure. You kept him out of the lineup.

Starting point is 00:51:02 Why? They wanted to get a first round pick for him. They didn't get it. That's a failure. Yeah. That's not a mistake. Yeah. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:51:09 You could have got that. I think they could have got that. I want to say the Oilers thought about it. I would have done even a second for OEL at that point. Would you've done the Bobby McMahon second and a fourth? Yes. Okay. From the Oilers?

Starting point is 00:51:24 I feel like at the time we would have been furious. At the time we would have been furious with that return. We didn't even love it for Bobby. Yeah, we were really hunting for a first for McMahon. That wouldn't have been. I mean, OEO's 3.5 million with term can play both sides. Like, there is value there. I'm not saying, like, move heaven and earth to get this player off your team.

Starting point is 00:51:48 I just think the money could be spent better. So as of today, though, in terms of if TANF is out, then you really need help. Because I, despite what Steve thinks and he hates Tenev, I think he's an important part of the D. Me too. He is an important part of the D, but is he going to be at work tomorrow? No, is the assumption. Right. So how do we think about moving Arder Akhtiamov in a deal to get some D help?

Starting point is 00:52:17 Gold's he doesn't do shit, doesn't get it. you anything. But you did have a situation where you moved Hildebee plus a third and fourth for Nick Paul. That is a pretty good return for goalie plus a couple draft picks. So is it like Axiomov in a second for some D help? So you're not taking anything off of the D. You keep all the guys you have plus you're adding a piece. So I'm going to say. And this is somebody who will require waivers next season. No waivers this year. Aksiyamov requires waivers next season. So you've got to make a decision with them eventually. And here's my decision. You wave Anthony Stollers because no one's taking the contract. So he's playing for the Marley's? Well, no, I mean, maybe you try to move him

Starting point is 00:52:57 if Actaamov is ready. But I don't think you can. What do you mean you think you can't? I don't think you can't either, which is why I would protect Acta Yamma. Oh, well, still here. But Jesse's like, we can't just be home relief fans. We can't just dump our garbage and be like, give me something great back. We got to have. No, but I'm right. Jesse's right. I'm on the side of like you can't be home relief fans with your own guy so I'm like I love josephal yeah I love Dennis Hildeby let's go get an asset so we can make the playoffs okay so what about this Connor can you get can you get something out of Edmonton who needs a goalie I don't think they think they need a goal no I look at their record I know crazy you can't just

Starting point is 00:53:36 keep going the Edmonton well well well tending sucks but I don't think there's there's there is a oil tender away man they're just amazing no I would say who who needs a goalie we overrate the value of Actimov probably. Hildby probably has higher value because he's played far more NHL games and looked better in them.

Starting point is 00:53:59 And you still had to sweeten the pot just to get Nick Paul. So I'm tying a second to Akhtiomov. Is there a middle six defensemen you're getting? Who needs him? Like I have to look at them. Well, who's dying?

Starting point is 00:54:15 Second pairing defensemen. Who's dying? get rid of a middle six or middle pair defense yeah middle pair middle middle middle six nobody i mean jade right and i truble just went for a second dude like that's what's so crazy man what a crap i was shocked the leaps have a second round pick they and this is the other asset you're tying to the second round pick and i don't think the trades available right now but in terms of a team that's not going to make the playoffs come trade deadline and they're looking to gain an asset for next season in act the alma

Starting point is 00:54:47 I think there's there's something there that there's assets on this team. They did have also, they did just have an incredibly large draft. Like the thing, I know people will freeze, well, they don't have a first for the next two years, which is true. But they just drafted like 10 guys. And I know that. Make that number five. I know that a lot of them will not make the NHL. I understand that.

Starting point is 00:55:11 Please and thank you. But my point is that they drafted big this year because I think they are. as Jesse's kind of suggesting, willing to move picks. Let's rephrase Adam's question. Can you call a stupid team and get them to do something stupid? Not all 32 GMs are good at their job. Sorry, Haydn, you had something to say. I was just going to say, I think Jesse brought up the goalie, like Akty Amov,

Starting point is 00:55:35 and then Adam said, is the team hurting for a goalie? I mean, like, could you not just fleece the Rangers right now? They started hot. They have young goalies who they can give a run here. That's something they actually have. Garand. Yeah. Garand.

Starting point is 00:55:48 Is it Garand? I don't know. If things keep going bad in Chicago, could you get Ian Cole? Yeah, like that doesn't move me. Yeah, well, that's what I'm saying. Like, it's, uh, you know, you could have kept Simone Benoit if you're going to, if you're going to, yeah, no. Um, it doesn't move me at all.

Starting point is 00:56:06 Yeah, like this is a, and the thing is we know that any move like that, it's going to change some things, but play style really matters here. Right. So what's the, I think Amil André, it's interesting that he basically didn't make the team out of camp. He could have, he could have been in a situation. He didn't, but he could have been in a situation where he'd be very important at work. And is unfortunately not here. But like, it's this, it's a, how do you replace Chris Taneff?

Starting point is 00:56:36 I don't think you can. This is the problem. Like you, you're flush with Ritey's for the first time in a very long time, right? you got radish, you got Stetcher, you got Blankenberg, and none of those men provide what Chris Tannov does. But can I suggest, too, that while you can't even replace them in the aggregate a la Moneyball, sure, you could stop giving the puck away in obnoxious ways. I've never seen, and I'm going to put this on Tanev too.

Starting point is 00:57:04 Tanniv was doing it. The cave was doing it. All of Rackman Larson, I'm like, what the fuck is going on? This is not what he was doing last year. I don't know. Like, so there is a little bit of that too. Look at, look at me. I'm not even taking shots at Riley here. Look at Riley radish together. It's been fine. I think Riley's fine. I think it's, I think it's fair still gets caved. Yeah. But I, I, you know, we're trying to like, it's like Steve, you know, trying to line up for that ice cream and you don't have enough money. I thought about making that

Starting point is 00:57:34 earlier and I was like, I'm not doing the Dickie D thing. Yeah. I'm not saying the Dickie D thing. It's basically that. You need a dollar 25 and you have a dollar. A dollar. A dollar. And so you're going to have to system your way out of this one a little bit unless you want to move a major prospect. And I don't think they do. Because I think Tinas, I do think they have high hopes for. Ben Danford, clearly they have high hopes for. And those are two guys that need to be in the lineup like next year. What about this? Your identity is you got to score a bazillion goals and it's wicked. Yeah. Like what if your identity is, yeah, we got to outscore our problems. I fucking love that.

Starting point is 00:58:11 Cool. I'm down. Amel Andre, by the way, healthy scratch last game in Columbus. He played seven minutes in game three and they're like, okay, we've had enough of it. Whoa. Throw them in the press box for game four. Whoa. We'll see what happens in the season for them, but already a healthy scratch. And Stephen Laurent scored a hat trick, by the way, for the Cleveland Monsters this weekend. Good.

Starting point is 00:58:31 I'll always cheer for him. I will too. Yeah, that's a good guy. It's a good, all-time good person. Yeah. So, like, I'm not hoping and wishing for Emil Andre back on this team. So, yeah, maybe you just accept what you are. and you try to force the defense to not give away.

Starting point is 00:58:46 Like, if you're beside your Bobrovsky and you're a right shot guy and you're on the right side of the ice, you shouldn't throw it in front of Bobrovsky. They've been doing that a lot. That is, you could probably, if you just stop that, you probably stop two or three shots a game right there.

Starting point is 00:59:02 They're averaging 27 shots a game. They're giving up 30. Right. So if you can bring that down to even. Or come up to 30. Like, what if, What? Yeah.

Starting point is 00:59:12 Why not? Fuck it. You know how you do that? Don't throw it in front of Brobowski. There's that. Like, you can't, I don't think you're going to be able to replace what Chris Tannav brings to this team. You're not going to be able to replace that role. Why not just try to friggin score more?

Starting point is 00:59:27 Yeah. Be the 16, 17 Leaves. I guess we're just going to have to score. Yeah. Do you think Tanev plays another game for the Leaves? Yes. Oh, my God. I didn't even see what hurt him.

Starting point is 00:59:36 Okay. He just got bumped on. We're not that scared. No, but this is, I think, going to be. consistent issue for the rest of his time here. Can I tell you what I think, Jess? Feels a little Jake Muzzini to me. Remember, so Jake Muzzin. That was the injury he had. Yeah, he had a back injury. And this is clearly a back injury or a neck injury. And unless, like, even you look at Jack Eichel's neck injury and he's come back and he's been perfectly healthy,

Starting point is 01:00:01 the recovery from that, the surgery in that. They replaced his disc. Yeah. Like, I don't know what, I don't know what's going on with Chris, but a slight bump in a game early in the, the season and his whole back freezes up, that is a little. And I'll go back to the stat, 2025 playoffs, he absorbed more hits than anyone. If you got to protect this guy and every opponent knows that the game plan is just hammer Chris Tanev. I don't know how much more runway we have. Right. So going to have to look at a future without him.

Starting point is 01:00:38 And so, again, I liked, other than the goal on the first. first shift, which is kind of sick. Good for Nick Blankinberg. I liked his game. Did you not like his game? It was fine. I just don't have any illusions about like he's not going to save the day. I know. He's here to be helpful. Okay. So here's where where I think you need to be a little bit more positive because the guy. I'm into it. No, no, I'm not trying to take shots. I'm just saying like, hey, remember last year, the guy they would have slotted in was Philip Myers. A million billion trillion And so that's why I really like Nick. Blankenberg can move the puck.

Starting point is 01:01:15 Yes. Right. And okay, but his deficiencies are this. All right. What was Philip Meyer's strength? And there are no, well, sorry, there are part marks for attendance. I watched him play for the Marleys on Friday night. How was that?

Starting point is 01:01:34 It was about as good as seeing Pierre Engval play for the hammers. That's so sad. Myers wasn't good, you didn't think? No. No? Oh, even at the H. And neither was Pierre Engval, by the way. The discourse on peer Engval needs to be studied in retrospect.

Starting point is 01:01:51 They got to be in Winger Center. A little bit of both, but power play. He had a point on the power play, but he's not it. And, and you know, who, you know, it was great. It was Rify Danford. They were awesome. Those are. That's a great pairing.

Starting point is 01:02:05 And those are two guys. I have liked Marshall Rify at the NHL level. I'm sure that they would prefer he be down there with Danford. so they can keep developing together. But that's a guy you can call up. I swear if they do this again where they have Marshall Rify on the team and don't play him. Like, why do we keep doing this? Well, that was the last admin, right?

Starting point is 01:02:27 That was the last management group. Okay. He was on the roster for like half the season last year, played three games. Yeah. Jesse, he's listening to this segment right now getting his NHL paycheck going, shut up. Shut up. Did he get called?

Starting point is 01:02:41 Did he get called up? Yeah, yeah. Marshall. He's on the team. Right now. Right now. Great. He is.

Starting point is 01:02:45 Okay. I saw it tweeted, but I didn't see it from the team. No, no, he's on the, he's on the team. He's on the roster. All right.

Starting point is 01:02:51 They've officially called them up. And I don't know if they're going to use him. I like that. The history of Marshall Rify is. He looks real great out there. Be the first guy out there skating. And then he doesn't make the lineup. But that is Barubei.

Starting point is 01:03:03 That is Barubei. We'll see. Right? We'll see. He's like kind of an important guy to have in your organization. And this is maybe overthinking it. But like not just for what he contributes to the NHL team because I really don't know if that's much.

Starting point is 01:03:17 But he's got a bit of a screw loose and he's not afraid of anybody. And that's exactly the kind of guy I want playing with Ben Danford. Do you guys remember the video I played for you from training camp of him being super intense? Yes. I didn't remember that. Oh, what did he say? When they asked him, hey, what are your goals for this training gap?

Starting point is 01:03:37 And he's like, I want to make the team. I love that shit. Stared through everybody. Stared through everyone. and I was like, aura. Yeah. He's not making it.

Starting point is 01:03:46 But aura. I love his attitude. I hope they put him in games. I think he deserves to be in games. You need to see what you have. And when he gets out there, he's going to really work for that spot. And there's an intensity you're just injecting

Starting point is 01:04:00 into the lineup by throwing him on the ice. I think it'd be cool to see him out there. So, all right, McCabe Raddish. I'm not breaking it up. I don't care. Riley. Lincolnberg.

Starting point is 01:04:12 Probably. Stetcher. Stetcher. It's going to be Stetcher-McCath. It is. It will. They had a good run last year. It's going to be Stetcher-McCade.

Starting point is 01:04:21 I don't think so. And their numbers were good last year, too. I don't know. Okay. You don't have to believe me. It's going to happen. I don't want to happen. And then it's going to be like.

Starting point is 01:04:28 What happens if it does it? OEL. Yeah. I would assume OEL Blankenberg or Refi on the right. I don't know if they want to do that. So you're looking at OEL Blankberg and Refi is collecting them his check? Damn it!

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Starting point is 01:06:30 Interchange Way in Vaughn this year. Features seven haunted attractions, 120 plus live actors who are not going to feel like actors are going to feel like real goo. And rides and entertainment to now new this year at Disassembly Park. Oh my goodness, they're going to take my limbs. An outdoor scare zone where the scares continue between the haunted houses and you do not have to be 19 plus to enter Screamers. There is 19 plus licensed vampire lounges, you know. Are they going to serve blood?

Starting point is 01:06:59 I don't know. I don't know. I have to go find out. But be 19 plus for that. Screamers is probably not recommended for children under 10. So, you know, just play it by ear. Also not recommended for Jesse Blakes who have scary screamers. in and of themselves.

Starting point is 01:07:11 I'm not sure what would be scarier. Screamers or Jesse scream at screamers. Oh. Your scream is way scarier than that. No. Screamers is open from 7 to 11, Sundays and weekdays and 7 to midnight for a little late night scare.

Starting point is 01:07:26 Fridays and Saturdays tickets available at screamers. Dot C.A. Costumes and courage, but no masks or weapons, please, obviously. Yeah. Austin Matthews has looked great. And I think if you're an outside, like if you're outside of the Leafs sort of zone

Starting point is 01:07:42 and you're probably already rolling your eyes about it and then I just saw SportsNet article go up about you know his 10 point game 10 years later or 10 point game four goal game to four goal debut 10 10 years later and people are like oh my gosh the Leafs and it's like it is always about the Leafs so accept your faith that's pretty cool it is I love that I'm probably going to go read that and you should read that Luke Fox

Starting point is 01:08:02 I will look up the thing I don't actually know but if somebody wrote it and it was great yeah but inside, like for people that can rationally speak about the Leafs, this is the best we've seen Matthew's look since he was, since before he was injured. Sorry, I just want to pause for a moment. No, no, you're not pausing me because I got ADHD and I'm going to lose the threat here. No, no, go ahead, see.

Starting point is 01:08:25 Making a big deal about, oh, they shouldn't be talking about the 10 year anniversary. That's like someone coming up to you on your birthday and going, well, it's all about you. It's a 10 year anniversary of a very same. significant game. Anyway, sorry. Yeah. And hey, guess what?

Starting point is 01:08:42 If you're not a least fan, don't read it. Yeah, just don't click on it. Oh, happy anniversary. Like, you're the first couple to ever get married. This is the best. I personally think I've seen Austin Matthews since before the injury in the 23, 24 season, Sheldon keeps last.

Starting point is 01:08:57 Remember, he was going for 70 goals and he only got to 69, but he did get injured there. And he was not the same the next season or the season after. And he was not the same almost immediately. when that injury happened. And remember he missed a lot of the first round that year, too. It was like Mitch Marner, Max Domi, and a bunch of guys against Boston. That was 23, 24.

Starting point is 01:09:21 Didn't he play? It was Willie missed. No, no. Matthews missed games. I can't remember. Yeah, yeah. He missed a good chunk of that series. I try to block it out.

Starting point is 01:09:28 And I think it was, they said it was like the flu. He was like vomiting or whatever, but whatever it was. He had multiple injuries. Oh, yeah. And he has not, been, I mean, I think the zone starts for under Barubei. He was getting 55% offensive, 45% defensive.

Starting point is 01:09:47 Now it's more like 72.28. Great. In the offensive zone. And he looks faster and he looks dialed and he's finding people. He looks smooth and fluid. Like that, um, the goal he scored that wasn't the empty netter. The, like, we all, we all remember, like, the toe drag release. We remember the, you know, clap bombs, the, the one-timers. That was quintessential Matthews. The just sort of, like, effortless on the back foot, just slingshot right to the back of the net.

Starting point is 01:10:27 Yeah. And you can tell he's over the gosh G. Willikers honeymoon phase of, I'm back. His celebration there was I'm fucking back. Oh, it was great. I had to look this up. Jonas Siegel pointed out in his article in the weekend. And despite what everybody thinks, Jonah Siegel does not hate the Leafs. He merely covers them. And he mentioned in the article how much they're viving. And he actually pointed out something in the blueprint, which we can all watch for free on the Leafs YouTube channel. They do a horrible job promoting it. But they mentioned where Gavin McKenna is the first

Starting point is 01:11:02 star of the game or one of the stars of the game and Matthews is like the second star of the game and McKenna is going to go out and Matthews has already come back from being second star of the game and goes, I'm fucking waiting. I'm so jack for you. And he just waits and watches the crowd as McKenna goes out and takes his circle and puts the stick in the crowd and that sort of thing. First of many. And I think that is a bit of a and now they mentioned Brandon Duhame in the article Jonas does when he's talking about I guess they were talking about actors that would play them and he was like oh, Leonardo DiCaprio would play me obviously.

Starting point is 01:11:35 And McCabe says, and McCabe's a guy that the Leafs in management believe is like one of the leaders who doesn't wear a letter. And he said it's pretty clear like there's like an infusion of character in this dressing room. And the one thing I want to say with Matthews and with the whole team is, you know, they should have,

Starting point is 01:11:53 last year they would have fallen apart. First period goes like that. That game is over. And one thing that I do see with the Leafs this year, guys, They just don't. They might not be, they might be outshot 2916, but they're still trying. Yeah. And like Vegas, like, you might get some pushback there just because they blew the 3-0 lead.

Starting point is 01:12:13 I don't think they stopped trying. They were just not very good. No. Because they're a good team, not an elite team. Right. There's a difference between getting out classed and completely wilting. Yeah. We have to stop thinking about the Leafs as though they are a Stanley Cup threat this year.

Starting point is 01:12:25 I don't believe that they are. And I just need them to take a step towards that being the case in the next couple of years. I think the critics might be confused as to where the average leaf fans bar is. Make the playoffs, please. It's not, it's not plan the parade necessarily. It's, please be watchable and try hard. Like after last year, please be watchable and try hard and sometimes score pretty goals. And what they seem to be doing, and Jesse, you're around this more than Steve and I, is they seem to be playing for each other, which has been a criticism, especially in the late Marner years. And I'm not blaming Marner for that, but I call it the late.

Starting point is 01:13:01 Marner years because it was an era where they would play but it seemed like they were laboring. You know what I mean? Whereas this seems like they're having fun. I think they've done a complete reset on the locker room culture. They got rid of so many guys that it had to be a little different this year. And the vibes are so much better than they were last. And you know, I think the biggest mistake they made this summer was giving up Matthias Machelli, which the advanced community would have you believe they needed.

Starting point is 01:13:29 You're going to them up for nothing. Are you crazy? They're going to ban you from Hamilton Hammer's games. That's the Islanders affiliate. That's his future team. Steve, do you want to start doing something different in your LFRs? Because right now, you're calling him vintage Austin Matthews. What if we switched it to prime Austin Matthews?

Starting point is 01:13:52 Because we talk about Austin like he's 34. Right. And he's gone back and reached into his old bag of tricks And all of a sudden, he looks like this young spry Austin Matthews who scored 69 goals. How about he had a couple down years under Craig Brube, a couple injuries in there. And now he's just still in his prime. Because that's what I think it is. He's 29 years old.

Starting point is 01:14:18 Like this is his peak now of his career, these 26 through 30 years. And he's in his prime right now. And he's just acting like it. And I like everybody to stop saying vintage Austin is back. Prime Austin is here. Ooh. How about that one? Someone, please.

Starting point is 01:14:38 We make the change. Please make a TikTok or a edit of what you said. And then. Please. Highlights. Highlights. Highlights. Just highlights.

Starting point is 01:14:47 Yeah, but I didn't, I didn't do it like you would do it. Where you would put all that emphasis on. And scream and really go for it. I think you also have to have like Pantera in the background. Like respect, as in respect. Back to Matthews. Like, whoever... It's walk, but, you know, have that respect part.

Starting point is 01:15:08 You know. Mm. Mm. Da-na-da-da-na. That's the one, you know? Whoever makes those edits of Ultron. Ultron. Ultron!

Starting point is 01:15:18 I think a lot about meteors. Oh, my God. A purity of it all. Oh, my God. I look at Willie in the way we talk about him, who's one year younger, I believe. They're one year off. Then Austin? He should be two years older.

Starting point is 01:15:34 Sorry, I went the other way. Yeah. Is one or two years older? He was drafted 2014, so like in terms of months, maybe they're closer to one. Right, right. So, like, Willie, we're still talking about him. Like, he's cresting here in his career. We're all talking about maybe he hits 50 goals for the first time.

Starting point is 01:15:51 He had 45 is his peak in his career. And we're like, he's still getting good. And Austin's a younger player. And we don't talk about it that way, of the injuries that have held them back. So I just want to get back to like, these guys here are winning right now in the prime of their careers.

Starting point is 01:16:08 And I hope they are successful through it. I, anyone who tells you to not overreact in October is a nerd. They're a nerd. It's fun. Oh, it's so fucking lame. I hate that shit. Like, okay,

Starting point is 01:16:21 you're a Canucks fan. They're two and five. That sucks. I'm going to hyper fixate on the fact that not only is PD back producing. he's trying to kill everyone. Yeah, it's great. Now he's throwing body checks. It's fun.

Starting point is 01:16:35 And he's making jokes on the bench, smiling. Awesome. They're not winning games. They're not winning games. At least Pedersen's fun. But Paul Cotter sure had a great first week and that was fun, wasn't it? Well, it was funny because, like, Canucks fans are like,

Starting point is 01:16:47 this is so fun. Stop winning. You're wrecking it. Enough. Calgary's doing this better. Yeah. Hey, get Paul off the team. He's there calling greening.

Starting point is 01:16:59 Yep. He's okay, okay, you're screwing up the mission here. Bo grew. Send him down. No, he didn't get the memo. We're trying to stink. So the expectation is this year, they're going to be good. They're going to be fun.

Starting point is 01:17:12 They might even make the playoffs. Good teams don't always make the playoffs. Washington, you're telling me last year's, if they don't make the playoffs. I think they need to make the playoffs. I agree, but you're telling me last year's Washington Capitals weren't good. No, they were good. They just had injuries and bad luck.

Starting point is 01:17:26 They had, what was it, 95, 96 points? They didn't make it. Yeah. Like, that would, I'd be disappointed. Yep. If that's where they ended up and they didn't make it. I'd be disappointed. But like, I don't know if I could credibly, I mean, depending on what happens, obviously, we're very early on.

Starting point is 01:17:47 But like, it'd be difficult to look at that and be like, John Chyga really fucked this up. You know? On the other side of the ice, Nathan McKinnon, who was awake and alive and very much himself in that game. This is one of the funniest. Kendall Smith had this. She's a reporter for the avalanche. And I guess the players were just in a fun way. Like, hey, we're having fun here, making a fun TikTok video.

Starting point is 01:18:12 That's what I believe happened. Players were asked if they sleep with their socks on or off. Everyone said absolutely not, but an all-timer answer from Nathan McKinnon. He said, I have seen things where you should put them on at 3 a.m. I'm not going to get into all of that science right now. It's just He's crazy And I love it

Starting point is 01:18:35 Let's talk more about this shit How are you The least normal person In a friendship with Sidney Crosby Yeah Yeah That's He's driven

Starting point is 01:18:51 In just such a psychotic way God I love what's wrong with him Oh me too I love watching him play It's so fun I think it's funny How was team law Yeah.

Starting point is 01:19:02 Reminds me a lot of a national team who also lost last. Oh, stop it. Last year. I was actually thinking, how awkward do you think that Avs dressing room guys was after that loss? Because they had the Leafs exactly where they needed them and they outshot them and outplayed them. I would think I wouldn't want to be next. No, McKinnon's like, this is familiar territory. Did you see?

Starting point is 01:19:25 Like, oh, I lost Vegas, 4-0, lost the team USA. I'm used to this losing thing. Wow. was talking about going out and getting Connor Hallibuck on the stream, and I was like, sorry, you want Nathan McKinnon on the same team as Connor Hellibuck? If I was Nathan McKinnon, I would fight to have that trade not happen. I actually don't want to see his face ever again. You're going to just make him even more upset.

Starting point is 01:19:50 Yeah. Like, the next game Nathan McKinnon plays against Connor Hallibuck, he's not going to try to score on him. No. He's just going to take clappers at his head. One thing we didn't touch on is McKenzie Blackwood, was terrible. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:20:02 Four shots. Jared Bednar did touch on that. Yeah. Who didn't want to secure him entirely, but was like, I wish we got a couple saves there on those good goals. But they were good goals. I wish we got a save.

Starting point is 01:20:14 Were they, okay, but were any of the goals, I'm not, listen, they had three goals on four shots in the second period. That's bad.

Starting point is 01:20:20 It's terrible. But were any of the shots like, oh, he should have had that? So, so, yeah. Okay.

Starting point is 01:20:27 This is what Bednar said. He's like, listen, I'm, paraphrasing them, but basically like, yeah, they're good goals. Like I'm not saying they're high-skilled goals. They had to have any of them. Make a save.

Starting point is 01:20:38 That's the job. That's the job. Your job is goalie. You're the one guy who's allowed to stand in the net and stop the puck. Do it once. Your job is unfair. It is. That is the life of a goalie.

Starting point is 01:20:51 You chose it. You make over $5 million. Make a save. There you go. Screamers is back at Assembly Park in Vaughn from October 9th to 31st, located at 80 interchangeway. in Vaughan this year. Features seven haunted attractions, 120 plus live actors who are not going to feel like actors are going to feel like real goo. And rides and entertainment too now new this year at

Starting point is 01:21:13 Disassembly Park. Oh my goodness. They're going to take my limbs. An outdoor scare zone where the scares continue between the haunted houses and you do not have to be 19 plus to enter screamers. There is 19 plus licensed vampire lounges, you know. Are they going to serve blood? I don't know. I don't know. I don't to go find out, but B-19 plus for that. Screamers is probably not recommended for children under 10, so, you know, just play it by ear. Also not recommended for Jesse Blakes, who have scary screams in and of themselves. I'm not sure what would be scarier. Screamers or Jesse scream at screamers.

Starting point is 01:21:46 Oh. Your scream is way scarier than that. No. Screamers is open from 7 to 11, Sundays and weekdays and 7 to midnight for a little late night scare. Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets available at screamers.com. costumes and courage, but no masks or weapons, please, obviously. Yeah!

Starting point is 01:22:03 You've heard us talk about it before in years past. Light the Night, a national movement that brings together communities across Canada in support of those affected by blood cancer. Last year, Light the Night supporters raised $6.2 million for blood cancer research and support services. 5,000 people participated in person, lighting the night across the country, and key breakthroughs were made thanks to the 2025 campaign, and they want to do it again.

Starting point is 01:22:25 So this year, you can help us build on that momentum. have joined us for an unforgettable, family-friendly, evening filled with hope, remembrance, and celebration with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, which funds life-saving blood cancer research and provides trusted information, support, and advocacy for people affected by blood cancer. If you want more information, the link is in the description, but it's an easy one to remember, lightenight.cate.ca. Speaking of Igor Shishturkin, out for the season,

Starting point is 01:22:52 an absolute disaster after the Rangers had an incredible start, and Shisterkin was unbelievable. Well, I think it was three and one, nine 27 goal and an assist. Crazy. That's one of the most insane stat lines. Still two more points than Brady Kachuk. Thanks. Whoa.

Starting point is 01:23:09 He's on my fantasy team. I'm mad about him, salty. More goals and assists. And you know what? It sucks drafting a player like that because like, what are you going to do, drop them? You can't drop them. No one's going to trade for him. And you know eventually it's going to even out, right?

Starting point is 01:23:23 You got to hold on to them. Right? You got to hold on to them. And they're trying to Kachuk Bennett, Chuck thing didn't work. Then he was playing with like Lars Eller on the fourth line. That didn't work. But Chasturkin, that sucks.

Starting point is 01:23:36 And it's interesting because, you know, you think, you'd think with Hella Buck out there that there'd be instant rumors, but there haven't been. And so it's- And on Saturday, Elliot kind of shut down the, hey, this isn't like an immediate thing the Rangers are looking at at all. And it makes sense when you look at their system and where they're at. Dylan Garand is a very interesting like story right now to give him a shot and just, hey, run with his job because he's performed really well.

Starting point is 01:24:02 He was waiting so far this season. And yes, coming out of training camp, Chris Drury took a real big chance, put him on waiver, sent him down and he was the third goalie in the system. And now he's the number one goalie in New York. That, like, Corpuselos hurt too for a month. Yes. Yes. So Corpacello's out month to month.

Starting point is 01:24:22 They're going to evaluate that situation. Spencer Martin just came back and is now the backup in New York. He got healthy just in time for Igor to go down. And then now Dylan Grant, who's been unreal, gets a shot at this. So here's the doomsday scenario is if he got claimed on waivers and then this happened. Yes. Because I mean, your season's over. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:24:44 And what do you do? A lot of the Rangers reporters were talking about how at the time when he was waived, they're like, ooh, like you're risking losing this goalie who's. could be your backup for a long time. Steve Valicat did that. He's an analyst, I think, for the Rangers now. Former Rangers backup goalie, actually. One of the more underrated masks ever,

Starting point is 01:25:05 just because he was never the starter and didn't play very much. Spider-Man! Sick. It was really cool. Love that. But, yeah, Garand does look very good for them. Garand, Garand, we probably should figure that out.

Starting point is 01:25:21 And thank God, because the guy he's replacing is Igor Sturkin. It's, Rangers have been a great story and they'll be an even better one if they're able to like challenge for the playoffs in the situation

Starting point is 01:25:36 that they're in. Boy, it's hard to believe in. It'd be great. Well, Bussie did it last year and he was claimed. New York's had a sports aura about them for a little bit, except for the Yankees who were still the Yankees. But you never know.

Starting point is 01:25:54 Okay. I think an interesting prospect in their system too was Callum Tung. He's out of Port Moody, BC. And he only played about two years. He played one year of professional hockey before the Rangers just gave him a contract, undrafted, playing under professional level. And he's playing junior, he's playing the BCHL. And they sign him out of there because he looks unreal.

Starting point is 01:26:20 and then a year into that, he's starting for them in the AHL. Okay. So I think Calum Tongue's a very interesting prospect they have, but he's only 21. You're hopeful that like three years from now, he's actually like playing NHL games and all that for them. But maybe he's going to be thrust into a position where it's like him and Garand, tongue and Garand that are the goalie tandem, depending on what happens with Spencer Martin. But interesting prospect.

Starting point is 01:26:46 So let me throw this out there. Calum Tung is actually 22, and in November, November he'll be 23. Okay. He's played three games in the NHL so far this season, two and one with a 930. Yeah, he's been really good for them in Hartford. Hartford Wolfpack. The Wolfpack. So, I don't know, they might have something with him, and Grand's only 24, so they're not too far off of each other if he's just turning 23.

Starting point is 01:27:13 Sorry, I thought he was 21 turning 22. Oh, wow, God forbid. You're head on your rat. Calum tongue, who everybody for sure had heard of before the show started, you didn't get his fucking age right. I'm trying to do my Calum Tongue stuff. Crazy name to just bring up. Calum Tongue. Here's something.

Starting point is 01:27:30 You want some deep time on Calum tung. Oh, are you sure it's right, though? I know this one is true. Back check him. His dad immigrated to Canada lands in Toronto, becomes a lease fan. And that's how Callum Tong gets into hockey because his dad's a least fan. And maybe one day there's a calum tongue Leafs connection. He's our goal in the future.

Starting point is 01:27:51 I know that's not, I know it's not how you spell it. Tung is how you spell it, right? Yeah, but he's TUNC. It would be kind of sick if like he gets a shout out and Rangers fans just stuck their tongues out at the other team. Like if you turn that into a tongue chant, like that'd be sick.

Starting point is 01:28:06 I just, I just think it's kind of cool. There's another kid who grew up a Leafs fan in the hell yeah. And I would love to know if, let's say, Rangers come to town, tongue. They're like, okay, he's her backup now. If I can ask him in a strung, hey, did you grow up watching LFR? Because he, being 20, 20, I will fist fight you if you ask an NHL player that question.

Starting point is 01:28:33 He would have been three when you started LFAR. Do you know my friend, Steve Dangle? He would have grown up in the era of LFR as a least then. I'd be cool with you never saying that again. Yeah. You know? He was three years old. But yeah, I grew up in BC though, but I know his dad was a Leaves fan, so maybe he inherited

Starting point is 01:28:54 the Leafs as well. I think a more depressing answer would be no, but my dad has. That would be funny. That would be even better. For who? Shut up. No. Okay.

Starting point is 01:29:09 Frank Naser gets the first suspension of the year. And I want to play this. I want to show this video because this is a monster. hit to the Nugan, Bo Horvett, who I think is okay. And this is on the heels of the Blackhawks being bad. Now, Frondell is tied with McKenna for a rookie scoring lead, so that's going well for them. And we all kind of thought Rendell was going to be good, but everything else is bad. And this is not the only Blackhawks clip I want to show today.

Starting point is 01:29:38 But let's have a good old look. Because, again, a 1-5-0 start. that after the summer they had cannot be what was expected yeah it is no it can't be what it was expected oh by the team by the team oh yeah well they don't know what they're doing

Starting point is 01:29:57 no the rest of us it kind of could have seen this coming yeah no okay yes yes yes especially with no badard in the lineup but Jesse if you don't mind just just a little quick little so there's there's Bo Horvatt and he's got the puck he's trying to get it to JG Padjo and look at that elbow right to the dougain and wow that is that's a bad hit so he's Two games.

Starting point is 01:30:15 Have you guys watched the Department of Player Safety video on this suspension? I have not. I have not either. They updated their graphics package. I don't know. So do you want to play it? It's two minutes long. We can play it and the people can listen to it and then I can show you guys the new graphics package.

Starting point is 01:30:28 Show the people. They can't see it. No, no, but let the people hear. Okay. We show them. Listen to it. Yes, but they're also watching. Show their ears.

Starting point is 01:30:37 They're also watching the show. They're watching us watch it. Yeah. Well, all right. New graphics package. They also watch us watch the games. So, Hayden, you can show the off the top so you can see it. And then we'll pause it when they show the NHL footage.

Starting point is 01:30:49 You guys ready? All right. Okay. Whoa. That's spicy. They went all out. It's a lot better. It is actually a lot better.

Starting point is 01:31:04 It's nice. They got to suspend more people just to show that off. Can I just admit something? Uh, when I look at it. That looks an awful. awfully a lot like the whole the Hockey Night and Canada logo. It does. Because it's got the face off

Starting point is 01:31:22 circle in it. Yeah. With the two hash marks. Did turn it blue on the outside? Yeah. Throw Ron McLean's head in the middle? Well, Dawn would be on that too from that era, right? Yeah. Yeah, you're not wrong. I'm brought to you by Molson. Hot.

Starting point is 01:31:36 Thursday night in New York, Blackhawks, new voiceover. Our New York boy with that accent fired. We got a new guy. Yeah, new voice. Interesting. Forward Frank Nazar was assessed a match penalty

Starting point is 01:31:50 for delivering an illegal check to the head of Islanders forward Bo Horvatt. As the video shows, the Blackhawks take a shot towards the goal during a late offensive chance, with their goaltender having been pulled for an extra attacker. The shot is blocked and Horvatt collects the puck. New graphic.

Starting point is 01:32:10 Oh, they never did. Can you show this? Yeah, yeah. It was too busy looking at the player. Look at this. Oh! Oh, they got the colors. For anybody listening, hang on.

Starting point is 01:32:18 Anybody listening? The entire arena and players are completely black and white like it's the fiddies. Except for? Except for Bo Horvatt, who has the puck in, and Frank Naser, who's going to knock his head off. All right, now let's say we got to take it back down. Cutting across the slot to challenge. Well, they did it again. Hey.

Starting point is 01:32:38 Horvett turns up ice and takes a shot towards the empty net. As Horvatt releases the puck, Nazar. cuts across the front of his core, delivering a high, hard hit that makes the head the main point of contact on a hit where such head contact was a way. Yeah, you want to do that? That's a brutal hit.

Starting point is 01:32:56 Yeah, it's like right at the head. There's been a few brutal hits, so I was a little confused why they isolated this one. It's quite bad. Yeah, man, that's bad. That's right on the noggin. Oof.

Starting point is 01:33:09 So I've heard it said, like, Horvatt, has to protect himself here because he's shooting the puck. What are we talking? No, no, no, I've just heard it said. I'm not saying I agree with it. Where are you?

Starting point is 01:33:24 It's the NH. Oh, it's my uncle. He's a big Islanders fan. Like, man, this sniper hit me from two kilometers away. Well, why don't you protect yourself? What the fuck? What's he supposed to do?

Starting point is 01:33:38 What? It's, this is bad. It's a bad hit. It's a bad hit. It's a bad hit. The only way to get the NHL of Department Safety to get off their butts and do things is when something is so egregious.

Starting point is 01:33:51 And I think here we got an egregious one. When a young player does it. Yes. And that too. They have a sign a message to young kids. Yeah. You're a veteran, you can do it. If Frank Nazar throws that hit,

Starting point is 01:34:03 he gets suspended and he should. If an older player throws that hit, they go, but I know him. I've been to his house. You play poker together. Exactly. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:34:11 Now, that is one play. I want to play. the next video. Oh, wait. Oh, wait. Do we want to continue that? No, no, this is all good. Oh, is it okay.

Starting point is 01:34:18 You guys got the... Was there a high-sticking history thing at the end? Ah, you want to do that? Yeah, I do want to do that. Okay, okay, okay. Because they did update the key points graphic. Okay, okay, I do want to see that. I'm sorry, Jesse, I didn't mean to cut that.

Starting point is 01:34:28 That's all good. I think I know what you're about to talk. I'm just excited for the next thing. Okay, here we go. To summarize, this is an illegal check to the head. Nazar has been neither fined nor suspended in his 127 game NHL career.

Starting point is 01:34:44 The Department of... Player, Safety has suspended Frank Nazar for two games. It's real dramatic. The pause. Yeah. For two games. So they added a little background flare to the key points thing that comes up.

Starting point is 01:35:00 Yeah, there's like a little snow. Yeah. I like that. Good job. NHL player safety. Yeah. I don't say it often, but I'll say it here. And I do like, I still do like that they do these videos.

Starting point is 01:35:10 I think it's a great thing that they do. Yes. For every suspension, they explain it. Here's the play. You can watch it again, slow mo and everything. here's our reasoning, and sometimes their reasoning doesn't make sense, but at least they tell you what they were thinking. I wish they did it more often for when they don't suspend.

Starting point is 01:35:26 They did it once and never again. After you pestered them to do it, all of a sudden they did it. I think you made that happen. You know, I'm magic. I'm just crazy. No, but yeah, I do wish they would do that more often. Nice graphics. All right, let's complete the compliment sandwich.

Starting point is 01:35:45 with the bullshit, I assume Adam's about to bring up. Well, okay. Because this is so silly. So the Blackhawks, I don't know if I should read this tweet before or after, but let's get the video on the board. Oh, maybe we're thinking of different things. Biro? It's Biro. It doesn't have a stick.

Starting point is 01:36:04 Oh, we're thinking of different things. Okay. Well, you can tell, bring up your thing after you see my thing. Okay. So this is when, this is, what's important is, but what you're about to watch is while the Blackhawks are on the past. power plant. Oh. Oh. And again, this is a little unfair because what would the sharks look like without Celebrini? What would the Leafs look like with Matthews and Nealander out? What would McKinnon? What would the abs look like without McKinnon and McCart? I get it, right? Like, it is a little

Starting point is 01:36:31 harsh on the Blackhawks to judge them without Bedard in the lineup. However, however, no, I don't know that we knew it would be this bad. It's, it's looking comical. And that's where it's like, Badard can't really solve that on his own. Fair enough. Okay? So they'll score more with him, but let's move to where the puck gets into the Chicago zone and perhaps the replay here. So we're going to go a little further. Okay.

Starting point is 01:36:58 Put it up on the board and we're going to take this frame by frame. Look at the shots. Now the shots are 20 to 7 for the Carolina hurricanes already. In fairness, they do this to everybody. What's that? That doesn't seem very good. It's not good. Now, here's the thing.

Starting point is 01:37:12 It's a two on two. Carolina Hurricanes, P.K. is amazing. We know that. And they're coming back is, who is number 16? I don't know, but bench them? That's Frundel. He's a rookie. He's a rookie. Okay, that's fair.

Starting point is 01:37:30 Because he's about to turn this two-on-two into a two-on. Because the other guy is Bo Byron. I could see, you can see how easily he's going to get beaten here. How is he going to get beaten? Because he's. No, no, no, no. Tell me how the play unfolds. I'd love to know. What you think?

Starting point is 01:37:44 He's not bending his knees. Well, he's not betting his knees, but also... The guy behind... The guy trailing him who... Is that Kandreya Miller? They're just going to burn him. Okay, well, watch this. So there's Bo Byram.

Starting point is 01:37:55 Doesn't, I believe, have his stick. Oh, I'm looking at the wrong two guys. Yeah. Okay. Watch this. And the... Yes, he is burning him. Frundell is getting burnt there.

Starting point is 01:38:04 But look, there is Bo Byram. Just flail... And then he stops up. And there goes Bo Byram. Oh, no. And then in goes... Yeah, but he didn't have a... Stick.

Starting point is 01:38:14 Yeah, but come on. What was he supposed to do? Snap to his ankles, both of them. I mean, probably not that. It does. I think in the context, it doesn't have a hockey stick. It's comical. It is.

Starting point is 01:38:27 It is. Now, what was the thing you were thinking of, Steve? Evan Rodriguez is getting fine for high sticking. Yeah, but that's not this. He plays for New Jersey and we're getting to that. Oh, okay. No, I thought we were doing a player safety. Oh, no, no, no.

Starting point is 01:38:41 We're just doing it. I didn't know it was a Black Hawk's thing. No, we're doing it. No, we're doing a Blackhawks thing. Do you, Adam and Steve, like the job that Kyle Davidson has done since he has been general manager off the Blackhaw? Let me read you this tweet before we get into it. Because you know what we should ask first? Chicago Blackhawks fan.

Starting point is 01:38:57 This is Bedard's burner on Twitter. Just a fan who has less than 600 followers, but this tweet got 1,500 likes. Good Lord. I'm going to say it. Byron was a perfect addition to this team. Overhyped, overpaid, underskilled, underperforming. he's actually a perfect fit for the entire rebuild doesn't look out of place right where he belongs

Starting point is 01:39:17 and it's not that I'm trying to take shots at Byram specifically because that play specifically yeah he overplays it a little bit but Jesse's right he doesn't have a stick the thing is in context of the whole thing the way everything's gone Byram is just unfortunately the latest of many of these types of moves

Starting point is 01:39:38 here's the thing for Bowen Byram Evan Bouchard has decided to be too good to make fun of. So we need a Byram Corner now. Right. Okay. No, I'm, that is, that's devastating. That's, no one ever show that to Bowen. I hope he never, I hope he never sees that.

Starting point is 01:40:03 Or, or he gets it printed on his ball. But it's not about Boehm, is it? Because it's not, like, he was great in Buffalo last year. I thought so. He was great. I know that Bo Byram is a very good hockey player. Sure. I don't know that he's a number one defenseman,

Starting point is 01:40:16 but people around the league, and the Blackhawks specifically seem to think he is. The fact that the Blackhawks think that he is makes me wonder if he is. And I think that's what the tweets aimed at. It's we are bringing in this guy. We're bringing in Taylor Hall. We're bringing in Falino. We're bringing in Bertuzi.

Starting point is 01:40:32 We're bringing in who else have they brought in? Other big names that they've paid a bunch of money for. Oh, we're overpaying because we're well under the cap anyway. We need to usher Badard in. at what point do we take a step forward? And if you're a Blackhawks fan who's actually used to success because, you know, 10 years ago

Starting point is 01:40:48 they were the best team in the league, it's kind of hard. It's hard to come back from a rebuild. It really is. And this, the thing is with this group is there's no proof from a managerial level that they know what they're doing. Maybe this is unfair,

Starting point is 01:41:06 but Kyle Davidson's job is not going to be, secure based on the performance of the Blackhawks as a whole. They're going to be, his job security is going to be based on the performance of several individual players. If, if the Blackhawks are okay, but Byram stinks, I think that's a negative for him. If the Blackhawks are okay, but like the young kids stink, that's a negative. And also, there's no scenario where either of those things happen in the Blackhawks.

Starting point is 01:41:42 are fine. He's going to be, he took a big enough swing. He finally took a big enough swing that he's going to be defined by it. Fourth overall pick. Fourth overall pick for Bowen Byron. And other players too. If he's not clearly definitively the guy, yeah, you're done here. You're gone.

Starting point is 01:42:02 Are you? I would love to have that kind of job security. I mean, I would probably, if I'm a GM out there looking for a job, or if I'm a prospective GM, I'll take any job. The Blackhawks? No, man. What do you do, rebuild it again?

Starting point is 01:42:22 Well, no. What I'm saying, like huge market, all the history, and you're inheriting this crazy crop of young kids. They're not asking you to tear down anything. Right. That rebuild,

Starting point is 01:42:38 what is there to, what, where's the, part. But what do you do? Who are you trading? Well, isn't that the question. What you need to make is make Chicago a destination again. You should be able to fire money out of a cannon at people in free agency and they gladly take it. It's the Blackhawks. Yeah, it's a great place to live. It was a great franchise. And within recent memory, but it's like it's an elephant graveyard right now. Yeah. It's not good.

Starting point is 01:43:10 Jesse, do you think that Kyle Davidson is in any sort of under any sort of heat? Because I don't think he is. I think you got to show the team is actually moving in a different direction. Because like he hasn't been able to show that at all. They haven't finished higher than second last since the 2021, 2021, 2022 season. It's just every year they're either in last or second last since that year. And he's been around since 2021, which is kind of when the rebuild is. started because we forget that they got Badaard so early in this thing that it hasn't been

Starting point is 01:43:46 that long of the rebuild. But there's so much time now where four consecutive seasons in the bottom two of the league is too much time. This was supposed to be just proof to us that there is a forward momentum going here. And we don't have evidence of that right now. With Baderd back. It probably looks a lot better. That's when,

Starting point is 01:44:13 but how much better? Is that enough? Through evaluation of the team. Like you're willing to give him the grace and say, Badaard's not here. Let's evaluate when Badard's here. But if that team still is 28 through 32 in this league, then you haven't done anything.

Starting point is 01:44:31 That's just where you've been. They don't deserve like any slack. Because like you said, what is it? They've been bottom two, three straight years. Four, I believe. Four, that's insane. Right?

Starting point is 01:44:43 They don't deserve any slack. And like, look around the league. Everyone's got pieces hurt. Yeah, but it's a pretty big piece. And yes, four. All right. Like, you saw what happened to the sharks when Celebrini wasn't playing. Yep.

Starting point is 01:44:59 And like, I don't know. Do you deserve slack when you're built this way? Right. And that's the question. Yeah. Sharks are built this way. Like some teams, the best teams, in the league don't have a fatal flaw.

Starting point is 01:45:14 Right? Like Vegas, what really is their fatal flaw? They're missing guys all the time. Right? Carolina, what's their fatal flaw? Uh, sometimes, but maybe they get outmuscled in the playoffs if they run into Florida?

Starting point is 01:45:33 Like, I'm really reaching there. No, no, totally. But that would be what Florida would tell you. But we weren't there, so that's how they won. I mean, in terms of like, we can't replace this player. Oh, maybe Aho. And like sometimes that's just how you're built.

Starting point is 01:45:48 Yeah. Like, you know, the Oilers miss McDavid. Well, yeah. Right? But I don't know. When you have superstars, you rely on them. And if you don't have them, I don't know, you built yourself that way. No one told you to.

Starting point is 01:46:04 It's the NHL. The schedule doesn't stop for anyone tough shit. And it is a bit more of a star-driven league that it has been in the past. I'm seeing. Like, you know, people always always. used to say, well, they actually in the NHL is a team game. Well, I'm seeing less of that, actually. And you're seeing more where it's like, actually the stars are carrying them.

Starting point is 01:46:23 Like, the Leafs would be nothing without Nealander and Matthews being the two best players on the ice. And guess what? They're paid to be. Regular season is absolutely star-driven. And then playoffs. A little more team-driven. It's also star-driven, but like you need your team to contribute. Yeah, because Nathan McKinnon looked good right up until the last game.

Starting point is 01:46:38 His team didn't. And then it's in the playoffs. They lost so many guys and had so many guys playing hurt where I was like, okay. Now you give them some, no, I'm kidding. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:46:47 Well, it's not one guy. Yeah. Like, it's McCar. It's Malinsky. What do the Blackhawks look like with Badaard? Um,

Starting point is 01:46:54 like a bottom two team for straight years. Mm-hmm. And that is factually correct. Like, what's the illusion here? They're already overachieving by having a win. Because by having a win, they're no longer in the,

Starting point is 01:47:13 I think, that puts them outside of the bottom five. Because they'd be ahead of Calgary. Calgary. Philly's got two O-T losses. Oh, but I think they'd have the tiebreaker, though. As of today, the Blackhawks are listed 30th of 32. That means... Oh, look at that.

Starting point is 01:47:27 That would be an improvement on their last four seasons. They are third last, and it's an improvement. Fellas, what are we doing here? What are we doing here? I think Blackhawks fans would like to know the answer to that question. I don't even think they can answer it. And I think they were a little bit hopeful going into this season. Sure.

Starting point is 01:47:46 And why not? Again, I'm not going to shame anyone for being like, hooray, I'm excited for my hockey team. But that's a big swing. And honestly, if you're wrong about it, it should cost you your job. We're rebuilding. And you spent the fourth overall pick on a player who's not working out. You're out of your mind. Well, I showed you one clip.

Starting point is 01:48:06 No, no, no, no, no. I'm saying if that's how it ends up working out. Oh, okay, yeah. If Byram ends up turning into the number one, that they think he can be. Maybe that buys him some time. Totally. But there's no scenario where you lose that trade

Starting point is 01:48:18 and get to keep your job. Yeah. Getting middle end. Yes. Yep. Absolutely. I can see the Blackhawks having some kind of Buffalo Sabres situation next season.

Starting point is 01:48:31 If Kyle Davidson's around in next fall-ish and they're still bad and they fire him and all of a sudden they look a little better, I can see that. So what you're relying on is one of the strangest seasons in recent memory. What if we just hope for magic? Where the sabers were like, we're awful elite. Elite. We're awfully elite is what we are.

Starting point is 01:48:53 Overnight. Maybe. I don't know. I'm just, I'm trying to try to be helpful for Blackhawks fans because it doesn't look good. No, it doesn't. It doesn't look good at all. We'll see what happens if Wudar gets back. Screamers is back at Assembly Park in Vaughn from October 9th to 31st,

Starting point is 01:49:08 located at 80 interchangeway in Vaughn this year. features seven haunted attractions, 120 plus live actors who are not going to feel like actors are going to feel like real goo. And rides and entertainment too now new this year at Disassembly Park. Oh my goodness, they're going to take my limbs.

Starting point is 01:49:25 An outdoor scare zone where the scares continue between the haunted houses and you do not have to be 19 plus to enter screamers. There is 19 plus licensed vampire lounges, you know. Are they going to serve blood? I don't know. I don't have to go find out. But be 19 plus for that.

Starting point is 01:49:41 Screamers is probably not recommended for children under 10, so, you know, just play it by ear. Also not recommended for Jesse Blake's who have scary screams in and of themselves. I'm not sure what would be scarier. Screamers or Jesse scream at screamers. Oh. Your scream is way scarier than that. No. Screamers is open from 7 to 11, Sundays and weekdays and 7 to midnight for a little late night scare.

Starting point is 01:50:04 Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets. Tickets available at screamers.com. Costumes encouraged, but no masks or weapons, please, obviously. With Export Development Canada, Canadian businesses are competing, leading, and winning in more international markets. Like how agri-food businesses are strengthening global food supply, and critical minerals are powering industries of the future. Their ambition can't be contained. And with EDC behind them, neither can their growth. Export Development Canada is the financial partner for Canadian businesses going global.

Starting point is 01:50:38 Visit EDC.ca for more. Now, Evan Rodriguez needs a reminder he does not play in Florida anymore. We got the, Jesse got the video there highlighted. Well, maybe he does. He didn't get suspended or nothing. Yeah, he didn't get suspended for this. And I actually was really kind of surprised. The Nazar hit was obvious.

Starting point is 01:50:59 But this play is extremely weird because you don't see it often. And normally, if a stick hits you in the throat, which it looks like it kind of does here. That hurts. Even if it's like... Even if it's like... Solarplexes.

Starting point is 01:51:16 Like solarplex, thank you. There's nothing there. Right? There's no... There's no... Shoulder pads don't go up that high your neck guard doesn't go down that low. Check this out.

Starting point is 01:51:26 This is kind of getting you... This is crazy. So he is up... Oh, no, it's lower than that. He's up against Rodriguez. No, no, no. Or not Rodriguez. Rossi in the face off draw.

Starting point is 01:51:35 Wait a sec. Wait a sec. So let's go forward here. Watch where this hits. Right there. Okay, so it's a little higher. It's under his chin. That's sore, though.

Starting point is 01:51:44 I know your pad goes up that high, but that's sore. And then Rossi goes down like a, like a, yeah, look, immediately goes down. Holding his neck, by the way. Yeah, you know what? I saw some people say, oh, he went down like he got shot. And I was too focused on, like, okay, what Rodriguez did was spearing, though, and you're not allowed to do that. and that's a major. So both fan bases,

Starting point is 01:52:13 this is the NHL in a nutshell, both fan bases have an opportunity to be upset. Sure. So Devil's fans were mad because Rossi dove. Having seen the slow-mo there, yeah. Yeah, he did. When do we get to throw in?

Starting point is 01:52:29 You started it. You started? He did start it. Rossi starts the situation by shoving him. He started it. It was like, you started. You got hit back. So like, well, here's the, I think he embellished.

Starting point is 01:52:41 Then not the end of your stick. Are you, he doesn't need to play fucking hockey with his tonsils, dude. Like, what do we do in here? Don't push me. Don't push me. If you don't get slashed in the neck. Yeah, your Adam's apples now up for grabs. Yeah. I'm Evan Rodriguez.

Starting point is 01:52:54 If you push me in the shoulder, I might snap your neck. How is that unreasonable? That's creating space, Jesse. You're right. Should have stayed your ass in Florida. That's how veterans play. No, so, so like, yeah, he sells it. But like, okay, number one, you can't do that.

Starting point is 01:53:12 And the league agreed because they find him and also he got a penalty. Here's where I lose my mind. High sticking. Nope, wrong. Try again. Try again. It's okay. Why?

Starting point is 01:53:26 I'm with you. What do you mean? Why? It's not high sticking. It's spearing. Yeah, but they didn't want him to miss a game, Steve. He speared him. Yeah, but you didn't, he's a veteran.

Starting point is 01:53:37 It's not high sticking. He speared him in the chest. He's doing the motion that refs do when they're calling spearing and they called it high sticking and then find him for high sticking to double down on the line. Is the fines for spearing different? The penalty for spearing is different. It's five minutes, isn't it? Is it a game, though?

Starting point is 01:53:58 I believe it's a match. I don't know if it's a match penalty, but it's five. It's a five. Oh, so in the game, he got two for high sticking. I believe he got two for high sticking. sticking, we'd have to check. But the fine was for high sticking, which no, no, no it wasn't.

Starting point is 01:54:14 But it would have been the same if it was just like a fine for spearing? So it's, if an injury occurs. It might have been more, it might have been less, I'm not sure. Spearing depends on contact, if contact is made,

Starting point is 01:54:26 and if an injury occurs. Double minor, if it does not make contact, major penalty and game misconduct. If a spearing opponent, someone spears you and makes contact, so it's a major.

Starting point is 01:54:38 and you're gone. What if spearing is considered spearing if you spear them? And the match penalty is mandatory if he injures an opponent as the result of the spear. So I guess you could just get a major penalty and be in the game still.

Starting point is 01:54:51 Which, fine, whatever. I don't know, I'm getting bogged down in, you're wrong, that's spearing. You're wrong twice. The refs were wrong and the Department of Player Safety was wrong. It's spearing. I don't know what you're doing.

Starting point is 01:55:07 It does look like that to me, I'm going to be honest. But, hey, Jesse's looking at the, what did they end up calling it? I'm almost positive. High sticking. He got a double minor. Oh, okay. Four.

Starting point is 01:55:17 It is the NHL, so maybe I settle on that. I settle on you being only sort of wrong. I don't know. But it's not. It's not high sticking. And why was it a double minor? Was he bleeding? No.

Starting point is 01:55:32 Why? What are you doing? Why would they be afraid to call spearing? Is it just because it looks bad? Because they're afraid to call match penalties. Yeah, but you could do a double minor for Spearing. They just said that. I just read that out.

Starting point is 01:55:43 Well, then Adam, Jesse, I don't know. Okay. The NFL, they're free. I think Marco Rossi should have gotten two as well. I agree. For pushing. For, well, you could do a sportsman like Lunduck. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:55:57 No, pushing. Don't push me. Don't push me. Don't push me or I'll spear you in the neck. Two minutes for he started it. Exactly. You know what? I'll be honest with you.

Starting point is 01:56:05 If I was lining up against Rodriguez, I might think about. that. Now that I know what he does when you push him, uh, maybe I wouldn't do like, oh, you're right. I get nothing. Uh-huh. And he's going to spear me in the chest pad. Yeah. And I'm going to get a four minute power play out of it. Go, go back to the bench like a rock star. My coach loves me. All right. The only thing I learned here is that it's easy to agitate Evan Rodriguez. Yeah. And, and that he, and Florida, that would have been two minutes. What?

Starting point is 01:56:33 Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Um, uh, uh, last thing I want to, uh, uh, uh, uh, last thing I want to get to before we sign off here is a bizarre trait. The Montreal Canadians and Nashville Predators, after playing this past week, created a wild trade.

Starting point is 01:56:52 Jaden Struble, who wasn't in the lineup for that game. 2019 second round pick of the Habs. Oh. And he was traded for a second round pick from the Predators this coming spring. I was like, Adam, they did not trade a 2019 second round pick. No, no, they got he was a 29th. Anyway,

Starting point is 01:57:09 Struble has played 174 games for the Habs. Caden Gouley is on the verge of coming back. So they would have had eight defensemen on the roster. Pretty good return for the Montreal Canadians, I would say. Listen, he might turn into something special for the Preds, but in the context of what he is now, that's a heist for Montreal. Which you could just flip at the deadline. Yeah, like, that's amazing.

Starting point is 01:57:33 You needed, I don't think you could have flipped Struble for that kind of value at the deadline. No. You can flip a second. Man, you couldn't get that for OweL. Right? So, Strubo, I know he looked good in his first game in Nashville. He skates real smooth, but like I watch plenty of him in Montreal. And at least as a third-paring guy, he was not special at all.

Starting point is 01:57:57 So to need the roster space for a player who's pretty marginal for you, and like you got Rinebacker, like in the minors, and yeah, I know. There's guys coming. It's boring talking about. Sorry, no, no, well, I'm sorry. I didn't, I had an asthma tech last night, so I didn't sleep well. I'm sorry.

Starting point is 01:58:16 I think Chris McFarlane is not doing a great job in his early tenure as Preds GM. He traded an unknown player to New Jersey. And I don't know why you give up on that player at that time because I think he's a decent player, even though I don't know if he actually exists or not. And then in this deal, why are you giving up a second round pick to a team that needed to get rid of this player. Yeah. Like Montreal needed to just get rid of Struble

Starting point is 01:58:42 so that they can free up spots on their roster. You know what? And you give up a second? What is he doing? Waiver order. He wanted the player. Now, did he have to give up a second? He didn't.

Starting point is 01:58:51 But I think Struble was going on waivers. And I think that's second round pick. I agree with you. But I think that's probably what the calculus was in his mind. Because he knew whoever was ahead of him would have claimed him. Now, if Chris McFarlane went to the Kyle Dubas school of fixated on certain players, and I think he did. This is going to explain a lot.

Starting point is 01:59:10 Because Ross Colton is also a pred and he spent assets on that. 2019 draft. The Preds ironically select 45th. They get Igor Afinesiav. 46th, Montreal gets Jaden Struble. And I can think of an executive who might have been upset.

Starting point is 01:59:28 Chris McFarland, because the next pick was the Colorado Avalanche and they got defenseman Drew Helleson. So he was like, that was my guy. and I know him very well from that draft. I'm going to go get him. It's a theory that I've seen online.

Starting point is 01:59:41 Allison didn't turn out that bad either. Wasn't he traded for him? He's a player. He hasn't played yet this season. I don't know if he's hurt or not, but he played 60 games last year. Yeah. Okay.

Starting point is 01:59:51 So Montreal, I think they did a fantastic job retaining killer. Some really good assets for this player that they can now go out and just, hey, get Dylan Larkin. Let's go get Dylan Larkin, who Montreal Canaan, who Montreal Canaan. That's instantly when I saw this trade, I'm like, okay, well, that's a Detroit pick now.

Starting point is 02:00:08 I still don't think he wants to go there. I know, but, but like, could you war, like where? That's the welcome at, Dylan. Okay, there you go. If he wanted to be there, I think he would already be there. I agree. I agree. You change his mind.

Starting point is 02:00:20 I think that's what you're trying to do. There's a narrative out there that like, that like these American players don't want to play in Canada. And there's also a narrative that these Canadian fan bases don't want American players on their team. that's one of the most surreal things I've ever seen where an active player for the opponent has the home crowd

Starting point is 02:00:43 going, we want that guy! What? I also... That's so weird. I'd also would like to tell to our American friends we don't care where they're from.

Starting point is 02:00:52 We just want to win. Yeah, as long as you play well, who cares? I just come here and win. But the one thing in Habs fans, I do apologize, but you have to admit it would have been funny. So that game goes to the,

Starting point is 02:01:03 the shootout, it's zero zero. There were three overturned goals, including one in overtime. And Larkin did have the opportunity to win it in the shootout or Detroit. And it would have been so funny. And then he didn't score in the Habs one. That was a very painful shootout to watch. Agony. Nobody had any moves on that. But the highlight of my weekend is watching Jacob Fowler play hockey and get a shutout. He was great. They need to make a new word for the kind of shutout he got. because it was... Triple Decker. Triple Decker!

Starting point is 02:01:36 There it is. He got a triple Decker shutout. Give it to me. Regulation. Yeah. Overtime stopped all six shooters in the shootout. Yeah. Triple Decker.

Starting point is 02:01:44 Triple Decker shutout. Actually going from the Toronto game to immediately to like the end of the Montreal Detroit game and like instantly in overtime, I was like this is going to be great. Overtime was not great. And the shootout, that shootout was awful. I'm sorry.

Starting point is 02:01:59 How many guys are going to try the same? move, which is I better wait out the goalie. That's what they did. You go back and you look at all 12 of those shooters, well, maybe the 12th, uh, didn't. It was bold. Nobody goes for a dick. Everybody's like, I'm going to wait him.

Starting point is 02:02:14 I'm going to wait him. I'm going to wait him. And the goalie's like, no, I know what you're doing. That was a terrible shootout. And Bullduke talking shit. That was cool. Love that. What?

Starting point is 02:02:23 Love that. I think it's, I forgot to mention this in the Rangers part of this thing. But I think it's fascinating that now that Jacob Fowler is just, he's way too good for the HL now. Yeah. And Montaubo is injured. If Montimo comes back, is that a Rangers spot? That would make a lot of sense.

Starting point is 02:02:40 And they, like the Rangers can just wait and see what they have. But I wonder if that's something that, hey, Montreal doesn't need this guy anymore because they have Dobish and Fowler. Like maybe that's an asset that they send to New York. And then Montreal probably wouldn't get back something that they want. But just like in the Struble deal, if you get a pick or something and then you're collecting all these assets to eventually flip for something really important. down the middle in your lineup, that can also be a good move by the very smart men there in Montreal.

Starting point is 02:03:07 Jesse, that is a great, smart suggestion. You are forgetting something. The Rangers are made up of people, and some of those people are crazy. And they probably don't want to help the Montreal Canadian. I'm also really confused. Is there any connection between who runs the Canadians and the New York Rangers and them not wanting to help that man? Yeah.

Starting point is 02:03:30 Because they look kind of dumb. You nailed it. You're right. Like I think James Dolan would rather sell the sphere than help out the Canadians right now. Yeah. Yeah, you're right. No, I should shut up. You're so right.

Starting point is 02:03:43 Jesse, great idea. Too bad friggin dad band guy is never going to do that. No. Hold on. It's not him who runs the team. It's his son. And by the way, they're splitting MSG because I think they're going to sell the Rangers. Interesting.

Starting point is 02:03:57 They have already got to. approval to spin the Rangers off of MSG. So everything else is staying, Rangers or not sure feels like they're going to get sold here soon. I just want to quickly add on the Montembow thing. There were two players with the Habs last year that just disappeared.

Starting point is 02:04:15 Montembow and lighting. And we've never really gotten a good idea of why Montembo, remember, he was the third goalie on Canada's Four Nations team in 2025. That's a year and a half ago. did not play, except for rumors about being out of shape at camp.

Starting point is 02:04:34 He was horrible. And he was horrible. Yeah. But you would think that somebody would have taken a swing at trying to get him because he was good at one point. And have you heard a single? No.

Starting point is 02:04:46 Sam Montembow trade rumor? No. One? Not one. Not one? Other than the Habs want to do it. Lost the trade rooms. And he did get traded.

Starting point is 02:04:55 And I'm like, okay, the guy that played three games with the Red Wings is going to get traded, but not Montembo? Sam Erson got traded for and a raise. True. And the haps can't trade Montembo. Traded twice.

Starting point is 02:05:08 Traded twice once as a throw-in another time as like a... We need them. The Leafs went, all right. I think up until this point, they've been in an envious position where they could just hang on to all three because Fowler doesn't require waivers. Right. So you throw them down in the minors,

Starting point is 02:05:27 you let them keep beating up on the miners' opponents, and you have Montembo who's only making $3.1 million as your backup goalie. I think that's a very good situation. But now that if you have like games, you can actually win in the NHL by playing Fowler as your second goalie, I think then now your decision needs to be made. But up until now I think they could just hang on to it. Okay. How about this though? He's not played.

Starting point is 02:05:49 Montemarle? Well, now he's injured. Yeah, now he's injured. But he did not play last year much. Totally. And so like where's, I need the Montreal media who are very good. I need a story here. I need to know what happened.

Starting point is 02:06:01 I'm begging someone to tell me what happened. Well, now they're never going to write it. No, they're going to write it now. Some jerk off from Toronto's asking. We know them. They're great. No, no, they've got an issue with the media.

Starting point is 02:06:11 Yeah. No, they keep us as pets, though. You know, they do. You know, they're not going to, all right, we're not going to start taking orders from you at a while. All right, all right, listen. Yeah, I just, you know, I wanted some stories on demand here. Do you think Montembow plays a game for the habit?

Starting point is 02:06:28 this season because he hasn't yet. And now he's out. And then if he comes back, what happens? He plays three over the course of a week and a half period and gets traded immediately after. Okay, Steve, over under Adam's prediction of three games. So two, three and a half. Because they got to play him to trade him. Do you think he plays three and a half over under games this season for the Canadians?

Starting point is 02:06:50 Under. Trade. Wow. Just because some guy from Toronto doesn't know what that trade. doesn't mean it's not going to happen. Well, listen, thank you for tuning in. Happy Thanksgiving to everybody in Canada in the States. You ain't your damn turn.

Starting point is 02:07:07 Fuck. No, I'm kidding. Love you all. And we're jealous actually of where your Thanksgiving is because I think it's better situated than our Thanksgiving. I'm full. So I'm good. You're jealous of me. Yeah. Yeah. Fat and happy. Love you all. See you Wednesday.

Starting point is 02:07:25 The Steve Dangel Podcast. Follow the guys on Twitter. At Steve underscore dangle. W-Y-L-D-E and at Jesse Blake. Connection complete.

The Steve Dangle Podcast - Flying Low | Oct 12th, 2026

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