The Steve Dangle Podcast - Mundane Truth | September 23, 2026

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Starting point is 00:00:26 Discover coffee plus on nispresso.com. Advertising on Spotify with audio and display ads helps brands turn attention into results. Download the 2026 performance playbook and discover why Spotify belongs in your media plan. Hey, we told you about Citrus last episode. And I actually had a few people that signed up and they were like, hey, I'm pretty pumped about this. It's a hockey forward fantasy app. And the best part about Citrus is when you download it, because you can now in the Apple store, right? you see.

Starting point is 00:01:00 You can take your team that you already have somewhere else and import it. And I think that... Wait! Citrus goes good with Apple. Continue. Oh, stop it. The idea is that you get to take your team with you. And I think specifically, I've never been in one of these, but a keeper league, which sounds just like the sickest.

Starting point is 00:01:19 That would be, if you've had your team for like 10 years and you've been on the same platform, and maybe that platform starting to charge you to start, you know, that, remember the platform that charged, to start all active players and it was $199 a month or whatever. Yes. Yeah. There was a hubbub. Citrus isn't going to do that to you. They're going to let you take your team.

Starting point is 00:01:37 They're going to let you come in. And also you get Sammy, your assistant GM, which is a lot better than Jesse's pizza box. Why? Unconfirmed. Unconfirmed. I guess. So make Citrus your home for your league this season. Start a new league or bring your existing league over and get your citrus mates in on it.

Starting point is 00:01:56 If you're just here for hockey, come explore. Head to citrusfantasyports.com slash go slash sdpn or hit the link in the description. And now available on iOS and in the Google Store. Let's start the show. S.D.P. The Steve Dangle podcast with your host, Steve Dangle, Adam Wilde, and Jesse Blake. I want to thank everybody that tuned into our Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Road Hockey event telethon.

Starting point is 00:02:29 We did a telethon here on SDPN yesterday. We did. And what was cool is that we raised $17,600 and something dollars because we still don't know the exact total. But I want to shout out. That's not bad. Yeah, it's not bad at all. Not for one night. And that was people through super chats and link donations and everything.

Starting point is 00:02:49 So thank you for tuning in. It was awesome. Brad May, thank you for being here. Pavel Barber, thank you for being here. Pavel Barber was so sick. So our table, you can't, it doesn't pick up on the camera, I don't think. This table is covered in Pavel Barber Shuprints. Yeah, he got up on here.

Starting point is 00:03:05 He walked on this table stick handling through an obstacle course that we made for him. It's covered. He's the man. He's like, can this support me? I'm like, I will see. I'm fine now. I don't know. Could have gone to disaster, but whoever Jesse got in to make this desk, they did a good job.

Starting point is 00:03:21 Is that cedar? He feels cedar. Mike Schmidt, who is a long-time listener of this show, I want to give a particular shout-out to. And the reason I waited on this is because I wanted it to go to the SDP audience. Sometimes you do a live stream. You only get a snippet of the audience that we get here. Mike Schmidt alone dropped $1,000. Wow.

Starting point is 00:03:39 He's unreal. So big shout out to Mike. That's absolutely crazy. A big shout out to Miller Waste, too, who put $10,000 in as one of the grand prizes. And that was spread amongst the teams. There was a winner of the $10,000 prize. but all four teams decided to split it up amongst themselves. And according to Justin Fisher, our social media guy,

Starting point is 00:04:00 they did that in the kitchen just outside of this room in about 20 seconds before we were due to go to air at the end. So I think that's cool. It's very cool. It's all going to the same cause. So everybody should just be a winner. Yeah, exactly. Exactly.

Starting point is 00:04:13 The fight against myself. We're all in the same team. You're not keeping that 10K. That's right. So look out for the Princess Marker, Cancer Foundation road hockey event, the biggest in the world, fueled by Longo's October 3rd. Check out PMCF roadhockey.com for more details on that. Link is in the description and we hope you can make it out.

Starting point is 00:04:35 Now, before our live telethon yesterday, which Jesse lovingly produced and was amazing on, he also went to training camp because Jesse doesn't like to sit still. And I want to know. Least practice in the morning. I got to watch it. What was it like? Anything new to report at Leaves practice? I have to be here, so I can't watch them skate right now.

Starting point is 00:04:56 No, no, but I mean from yesterday. I know what I mean. I know. I let me get to it. Okay. So I can't be there right now where they've updated some things that happened yesterday. Because one of the main things I was watching yesterday was Dakota Joshua, skating in group two, which is the guys who aren't making the team, unfortunately.

Starting point is 00:05:13 Yeah. But he's out there because he had an undisclosed injury. And it's been very weird because he didn't show up in either game on Saturday. Yeah. And then Sunday there's no practice. Monday, there's not an update on him. And then today, finally, Chica's like, he has a core injury that he's been dealing with the last little bit.

Starting point is 00:05:32 So he's day-to-day is what the team says with a core injury. So he was out there skating. I was watching him yesterday. And today was an optional skate in the morning where Chika spoke and everything. Like I said, I wasn't there, but I got all the reports. And so there's a core injury with Dakota Joshua. I feel bad for this guy. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:05:48 Like, it's just such an unfortunate last couple years of his career where that run he had in Vancouver where he was like peak Dakota Joshua that we all know where he's like one of the best grinders we got in this league and then since then like the cancer thing it's just one thing but like there's the other injuries that like lacerated spleen that used to be the kind of injury you only saw in video games because it was in the system yeah it just pops up on the NHL thing it's like how many guys are going down with a lacerated complaint I actually know someone who does hockey brand it because of that but still but just like all these small small small all on ice things that just keep happening to him.

Starting point is 00:06:24 It's really unfortunate. I think there's a good player there. Oh, 100%. The term I think is that is most fitting for this, as much as I hated it. It sounds like my grandfather is, if he didn't have bad luck, he'd have no luck at all.

Starting point is 00:06:36 And that actually fits him perfectly. And it's hockey, and this happens. And who's the extra skater in that group? Well, it's going to be Lawrence and Gru. My obsession. Yeah, Bo grew. Oh, boy, was my son.

Starting point is 00:06:52 the other day excited when I told him there was a player on the team named Gru. Oh, yeah? Yeah, yeah, of course, of course. Tonight we steal the moon. He was very excited about that. So what did you see updated today at practice, Jesse? That was anything. So yeah, that's the Dakota Joshua won.

Starting point is 00:07:09 The, who else? Morgan Riley. I don't know if you want to talk about him. It looks like he's going to be that top pair with Radish. Adam always wants to talk about it. I know because he didn't play that first preseason game, so it's a little unsure about where the lines were going to shake out. But since the training camp days that have happened since, he seems to be locked in with radish.

Starting point is 00:07:27 If you want to go in that direction. I can bring some other. I actually don't want them to go in that direction. If that upsets you so much that you can't talk about it, we can go on a couple other directions for care of camp. Eric Krollinek, who is the, and I hope I said his name right, he's on Carlo Kouaccavo on TSN 1050 in the mornings. And he. That's so many vowels. I know.

Starting point is 00:07:48 He's got a name. No, both of them. Yeah, I know. That's true. It's like the vowel morning show. But they're really nice guys, and every once in a while, like Carlo and I'll send messages back. He's just a really good human beings. Now, what TSN has done recently, I don't know if you've noticed this, is they've done something really smart.

Starting point is 00:08:05 They take the wildest quote and then in the slideshow and then they put the audio next to it so that you read what is said. And then the chances of you actually listen to what is said because we know how the internet works is crazy, right? Well, post something salacious that Darren said. And then Darren goes, I never said that. And then you see the clip and he said exactly that and just wear it. Well, I think sometimes you're talking so much. You sometimes forget what you say. Oh, I do that.

Starting point is 00:08:32 I do that. On Wednesdays especially because we record two shows. Yeah. Jesse's like, what should we call the show? And I'm like, I don't even know what we talked about. I don't know what we talk about. Yeah, when people come up to me like I know what I'll happen this Saturday in St. Catherine's for course and Clubhouse.

Starting point is 00:08:45 Oh, you remember that bit you guys talked about blah, blah. No, I actually don't. The worst is when they don't preface it. Yes. Hey, you smelly asshole? And I'm like, are they doing a bit? Yeah, yeah, I don't know. Right now.

Starting point is 00:08:56 Oh, I did a bit talking about smelly asshole. Like, I totally forgot. So Aaron got, the industry term is radioed, which is essentially they took a big quote from him and then they put it next. And he said, I think that could be a disaster pairing. And people really got on them. And this is the part where I need, I need us to be honest with ourselves. If you're here, you're a hardcore fan. You don't have to be a hardcore fan to be here.

Starting point is 00:09:21 there are plenty of you who are not. But you're a hardcore fan. And I want you to imagine that you've just brought in Darren Radish, who had 70 points last year, right? He has a slap shot that's so hard that it blew Josh Anderson's stick not only out of his hands, but in two. And it told the stick to redirect the puck off of Mike Matheson and then into the back of the net.

Starting point is 00:09:43 And that's the kind of looking like Joe Pavelski. And that's why you pay him $8 million, though. He's got that kinetic thing going on, right? He told the puck to do that. That's right. Paul his hair to make the connection stronger. Like that weird Angelina Jolie movie where they could bend bullets and stuff. Did you see, have you ever see that one?

Starting point is 00:09:56 I know what you're talking about. I don't think anyone thought. Pretty stupid. I don't think anyone's. I hope nobody saw it. I saw it. Now, the thing is, I don't think Aaron's wrong. But what people got on them about is I think they're excited about the leaf season.

Starting point is 00:10:09 And they're like, can't you say something positive? And I'm sure Aaron has said plenty positive. And I do too. But the fact is that unless the idea is, hey, we think Mo can get Darren Radish the puck as a defense partner better than anyone else on this team. I don't see how this works. Because you're essentially, what you're doing is you've got defensively, you're going to have McCabe Tann if they wanted a shutdown pair.

Starting point is 00:10:39 Hiller said that on the first day. We need a shutdown pair. Any team worth talking about in this league has one. Exactly. You don't always have to play them together, though. Shut down pairs can sometimes just be done for shutdowns. situations and you can move them around. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:10:52 Chemistry though. Well, Oliver Ekman Larson, who I think is actually a much better fit up there is going to be on the third pair with Emil Andre and or Ben Dancord and or what I saw yesterday, which I think is going to be the opening night lineup. Obviously things can change. But I think this is what they're going with tonight. If I have the right group that's going to stay here and the other one goes to auto off, all six guys are here tonight.

Starting point is 00:11:17 This should be the lineup tonight and the lineup on opening night. Riley Radish, McCabe Tanev, OEL Stetcher. Interesting. Well, Blankenberg obviously doesn't have a contract. Yeah, and Andre is going to Ottawa. Oh, not great for him. I think he's probably, it's probably Stetcher who won that job. Right.

Starting point is 00:11:34 So those are just so you're aware, those are the lines. And you want to switch OEL and Riley. So, Adam. Yeah, Stetcher Riley's scary. That is a scary pairing. Yeah, because that's your other option. Yeah, limit their, time then. Here's the big problem

Starting point is 00:11:52 with this team and I'm glad we're having this conversation. The big problem with this team, I see a lot of improvement. I like some of their... There's optionality in the way that there wasn't before. Yeah, there's options. And with this situation, and we did it sort of last episode with the forwards,

Starting point is 00:12:08 what's the solution? I don't know if, I mean, OEL's not much older than Riley, actually. Riley's 32 now. But I don't know. if 35-year-old OEL, who is a flawed player in his own right, is the solution full-time on your top pair with Rattish? Well, I think if you look at, just my way, I would push back on that.

Starting point is 00:12:35 Sure. How about Steve OEL? To me, OEL should be the second power play quarterback, although I'm scared. It's probably going to be Riley. Yeah, I agree. And so, you know, but what are the chances that power play even hits the ice for more than 30 seconds on any power play, right? But ideally, they never hit the ice because the first unit scores all the time.

Starting point is 00:12:52 Is he killing penalties this year? OEL? Yeah. Probably spot work. Spot work. Okay. No, he's... Can you keep his five on five minutes, like maximize him on that, on that top pair?

Starting point is 00:13:05 He's just what I worry about. Okay. You bring Riley into a scenario like that. Radish should not be, I mean, he's going to have to be strong on defense. Of course, of course. But they first and foremost need that threat from the point. And if you can't trust your partner to be back and good on defense, some of the decision making we saw with Morgan Riley.

Starting point is 00:13:24 Yes, it was Broubae system. And I will grant you that. And I'm open to him being better on the defensive side of the puck. I'm concerned that you're not going to be able to maximize Darren Radish on that if you got Morgan Riley in that spot. Right. I understand. I totally understand what you mean.

Starting point is 00:13:39 Okay. I think there's a bit of a perception problem. There's a perception problem with both players. Riley makes too much. OEL is great value. The fact that OEL's 3.5 makes him great value does not make him a great first pair defenseman. The reason he's not going to be out there killing penalties is he is very, way too often

Starting point is 00:14:00 going to be the one taking them. Yes, he does take a lot of penalties. He takes way too many penalties. I just, I don't know if he's a much better option up there. Here's how I'm starting the season if I'm Jim Hiller. And there's some wisdom to this. And there's obviously also a. where this fails miserably.

Starting point is 00:14:20 Nyes with Matthews. That has frustratingly not worked as well as it ought to have. Yes. I'm putting them out there and we're going to force it and hopefully they develop some chemistry. Morgan Riley, you are too important to this team to play. It'd be great to play Morgan Riley on the third pair

Starting point is 00:14:41 if it made the first pair better. Which I don't think it does. Right? So I'm playing him with Radish to hopefully see that it works or there's some potential here. And if it doesn't, we got some roster decisions to make. And I mean like traits. Yeah. I agree. And I think there will be early season trades.

Starting point is 00:15:01 Oh, Chaka's got itchy feet, itchy thumbs. He's looking to scratch him. I just think about this. Okay. So the Matthew's line is the reason they're the wisdom, Jesse, for keeping McKenna off of Matthew's line is, okay, well, okay, well, you could move. move, you could put him up there and move nyes over. A lot of people are like, well, um, you know, nyes, if, if mcken is on it, then nyes can't be. I don't agree with that. I actually think you can have mcken and Matthews together and have nize on the other side.

Starting point is 00:15:28 We've seen him play both sides. I can do it. I think he's a more effective player on his off wing than roslavig will be no matter where he plays. But, but you're, you're, you're tasking the Matthews line with taking the best competition. So if you're out there, okay, and you've got macaabe tenev playing defense, for the Nielander McKenna Tavares line, which is what the line they want to shelter, right? That's why they have him on the second line. The first line guys are going to be with Radish and Riley.

Starting point is 00:15:56 And Roslovick, as we've seen, and this has followed him everywhere, as much as I am excited about the points he's going to bring. Imperfect player. Imperfect player prone to what? Defensive mistakes. And ugly giveaways. And ugly giveaways.

Starting point is 00:16:09 Right. And then you're replacing, you know, you're like, okay, well, maybe we could supplant that. with Easton Cowan, but now you're messing with the third line that we kind of agree that we like. Yeah. There's a lot of fidgeting to be done here with this lineup.

Starting point is 00:16:25 It's not, I think we're struggling to figure out where between the team that won their division and the team that finished fifth last, this team is. Well, why do you have to, and this is where I wanted to, I want to go to you guys on this one, why do you have to have a shutdown pair all the time?

Starting point is 00:16:45 Why can't you spread the wealth? Like, how about this? Put McCabe up there with radish. That's probably the easy solution. And if you're playing the oilers, okay, put the two of them together. Here, Jesse, watch this. We've put Riley with TANF, though, and it didn't really work. How do you feel about that?

Starting point is 00:17:04 OEL, TANF, is what I was going to suggest. I think you got a problem with the player. I think the player has shown time and time again. It's difficult to find him a defensive partner. I don't think Adam's wrong. That kind of, but what I think, But every time it's like, well, they just never got him a good partner. And then I'm like, but how many partners do you need to go through before it's you?

Starting point is 00:17:25 And this is where I think diminishing Riley's minutes, much like when Jake McCabe, Jake Gardner's minutes back in the day got diminished, when they pulled him down under 20 minutes a game, he was far better. I think Riley's in that same spot. I don't think he's a bad player. I don't even think he's overpaid anymore. I actually think he's spectacular. And I think in a Hiller system that hopefully isn't one three one, Riley's going to flourish.

Starting point is 00:17:49 But my point to you guys last episode was you want to put them up there, earn it. Show me lower in the lineup that you're ready for this. And this is the thing that drives me crazy about management groups. I told you at the end of the Florida series. I said, Riley's got to go. And Leafs Management agreed. And they wanted to trade him. And Bradshaw Living sat down with him.

Starting point is 00:18:09 And this is well documented and said, you know, Mo, we want to do it. And he said it was a very emotional conversation. Morgan came back into camp last year. He was an incredible shape. Everybody's raving about it. And immediately it goes back to the way it was. Now, part of that is system. Again, I will say, Burubei, his worst two years were under Barubei.

Starting point is 00:18:26 But it's been two years. That's an eternity in pro sports. I want to see you work back up to that point. Always default to this. For the last five to 10 years, across different coaches, across different management, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been defined by the things they didn't do. Yeah. Not the things they did.

Starting point is 00:18:48 A lot of teams make mistakes, you know, going out and trading this player and doing that and doing that. And the Leafs have done that too and had some hits, but they've been defined by the things they didn't do. Yeah. Yeah. They didn't trade Marner or Nylander. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:19:03 They had the option to trade either of them. It's a good thing they didn't trade Nealander because Marner would have left. Well, and now... maybe they rate the right call extending him. So by not trading him for something, you then had to trade him for next to nothing, right? Like Nick Waugh, God bless him, and you got a first round pick for him,

Starting point is 00:19:22 that's not adequate value for Mitch Porter. It's not even close. And they've had the opportunity to move on from Riley over the years. Now might be the best time, honestly, with numbers going where they are. Yeah. And if he plays well, then you can move them. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:19:39 I think they're I mean it's September what like they have to try yeah they do have to try and if if I was Jim Hiller and I don't know to the whole boy I'm surrounded by the biggest Morgan Riley Hater and the biggest Jim Hiller I am not a more Riley Hater the pressure right now but if I was Jim Hiller for this man I would do the same thing that's how I would start the season I think Steve said two things that are really important one is that Chuck Likea's got busy fingers. This isn't the team that the team is going to be, I don't even think come like mid-December.

Starting point is 00:20:15 Yeah, this dude has just been active, and I don't see him not being active, depending on how this team starts. I think he's going to be active this week. Yeah, with waivers and everything, depending on how everything works out with who you're setting up and down. I can totally see that, too.

Starting point is 00:20:29 I just think there's going to be so much in flux this season with this lineup that it's hard to judge it for, like, what the playoff run is going to be if they get there. and all that. But the second thing I think you said is important, the lineup right now, everybody's individual situation makes sense with where they're placed in this lineup. Like the pieces that they've, how they've fallen, I think is the correct lineup that Jim Hiller has put together. Because you look at Matthews and Roslovick, they have to try that together.

Starting point is 00:21:01 Yeah, and those guys want it too. So you kind of have to get it. That's not an option there. I don't blame. So with Matthews and Roslovick there, you're just filling in the puzzle pieces. So McKenna can't go there. Like, unfortunately, you can't start the 18-year-old on the first line with Matthews and Rossel. And I agree. Some would argue you can't start him on the second line. Exactly. So from there, you go, nice has to go there.

Starting point is 00:21:20 Second line is where you want McKenna because you're not going to put in your bonus six. Oh, the pieces start falling together. And the same thing happens with the D pair. You want to start McCabe and Tanev. You want to see how this thing went because we didn't get that last year. We got Tana for 11 games, thrown back together. We know Riley Tanev doesn't work. So that's where those pieces fall.

Starting point is 00:21:38 Yep. OEL, as you said, isn't a top pairing defenseman. I get he makes $3.5 million and that's cool. He makes that money because he can't play on the top pair. He's a great value defenseman who can give you some really good minutes. Stetcher's not going to be a top pairing defenseman. Not going to be in every game defenseman. It's probably not even worth saying that out loud.

Starting point is 00:21:57 So where the pieces fall is you have Morgan left and you have radish left who's going to play on the top pair. That's kind of what you've forced yourself into. You've backed yourself in a corner with this roster where you have to start like this. And then I think Chica, because he's been so active, we'll move off of it if it doesn't work. And that's where we see the mortgage trade. I think that's where Nick Blankenberg actually comes in. It is very valuable because he's actually pretty good on the defensive side of the puck. And if you can rely on him as a third pairing guy, I mean, we saw him in Colorado last year.

Starting point is 00:22:23 If anybody who's watching Colorado in the playoffs, when McCar and then Malinsky go down, Nick Blankenberg was not only strong as like a foul, listen, strong in a relative sense. Compared to Kale McCar, nobody's good at anything. But, you know. It's a problem, right? Yeah. But when you have to plug a guy like that in to play an elevated role like that in the West final, he does a good job. And I think that defensively, and I don't know how many Torontonians saw the game in Montreal on Saturday,

Starting point is 00:22:50 but Nick Blankenberg was dropping the body and blocking shots and taking stingers. I'm like, there is a guy. That's where Troy Stetcher to me is limiting if he makes this team out of camp. He's going to make the team, but like makes the starting lineup. Because we know what Troy is and he's not that quite. And I love Troy Stetch. Guys on PTOs across the league are trying to earn their bacon here. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:23:14 Carson Sousy, I don't even remember who he's in camp with. Who did the Sabres play yesterday? Oh, God. I don't even know. It doesn't matter. He laid a thunderous hit on Olin Zellweger and now he's hurt. Right? Olin Zellwiger's hurt?

Starting point is 00:23:26 Yes. I miss that. Because, oh, I immediately regret my Sabers prediction. Oh, great. So that's pretty cool. But Sussi, he's trying to earn a place in this league. Nick Blankenberg. Like, yeah, it better be the best game of your life.

Starting point is 00:23:40 Columbus, by the way. Columbus. Went to the West Final. Can't, it doesn't have a full contract. They're signing him, though. You know that they're, I think they're going to. Show us. Play 25 minutes.

Starting point is 00:23:50 Block 1,000 shots. He did. Put up some points. Did all that. Great. The Leafs, but the least are so up against the cap. They're actually over the cap right now that it's going to be tricky. I think it sure sounds like Dakota Joshua's going on IR.

Starting point is 00:24:01 Yeah, that, well, they said he's day to day. So I don't think that constitutes IR right now. Oh, there's going to be. be shenanigans. Yeah. So that's like, it's right. Like he's got to be active this week. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:24:12 I think it's also important, like the puckpedia roster is not necessarily what they've got. No. We're just guessing. Everybody's guessing. Yeah. The organization knows. Nobody else knows. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:24:25 I have a, like, has a team ever been like, oh, damn, we're just, okay, well, we can't ice the squad. Like right out of camp. You know what I mean? I assume they're, they're going. to figure it out. What I see with this team is a coach somewhat limited by his roster. And last year at the beginning of the season, I saw a roster limited by its coach because Dahlmi went down.

Starting point is 00:24:51 Man, that's a great way to put that. And it, and it threw the whole lineup. Like with, with Hiller, the decisions he appears to be making. Rational. Yeah, whether I agree with them or not, I'm like, okay, you can justify it. Yeah. Exactly. What he did with the lineup last year was not just a file.

Starting point is 00:25:09 If Teddy Blugher goes down with a foot injury. Or no, it wasn't the domi injury. Sorry, it was Scott Lotton. Scott Lotton. That's my point. If Teddy Bluger goes down with a foot injury,

Starting point is 00:25:18 they're not going to take Austin Matthews off the first line and dummy the whole roster because the fourth line guy went down, which is what he did last year with Lotton. And oh, you know what? We're going to play Nick Woss seven minutes a game or whatever the hell he was doing. Like it was just a total mess last year. And on top of that,

Starting point is 00:25:36 You know, we still have the cups hanging around with you yelling Brad on them, which is sad that we can't yell Brad as much anymore. If he ever gets back into management, we'll have to find a way. But remember when we were in here in 23, 24, it was Sheldon Keeves last year, and the roster was sort of incomplete. And Bertuzi did not start well and neither did Domi. And you yelled Brad for the first time because Sheldon Keeves was like, Brad, get me some guys. Yeah. I think you both are correct in the sense that I think John Chica, you're not going to have to yell John. on.

Starting point is 00:26:07 No. He's going to be on it. Yeah. Yeah. So we'll see what happens. You want to know the PP2 from training camp yesterday? I always want to know what they're going to go with. We kind of know the PP1 already.

Starting point is 00:26:18 I can read it out if you want. Give it to me. PB2 is McKenna Nise Cowan Sizzins Riley. McKenna Nysk, this is Riley. Huh. I like that. How much power play time has Sisson's gotten in his career? That's a good question.

Starting point is 00:26:31 I mean, he did? Did he not get a power play goal in the game in Montreal? I think he did. that's interesting. Was it on the power play? I don't know. You got to tip it in front, which good enough. Yeah, that's PB 2.

Starting point is 00:26:42 That counts. Yeah, all right. The bomb of Morgan Riley shot. Well, okay, with Sizzins on there, it makes a ton of sense because those power play units usually are the ones that transition into five on five. So at least you have a guy, if it's the second unit, at least you have a guy out there who's somewhat responsible. I remember the Leafs would have like the five guys on the ice that were all forwards

Starting point is 00:27:02 and then they would throw out just total bowl. bullshit once the power play ended because they never scored on it. And it was terrible. Underratedly bad thing about PP2 last year is it was all the forwards who are capable of scoring but you need to shelter. Okay.

Starting point is 00:27:19 Five, Matias Miceicelli. So the second they get back to five on five, you're boned. It's a race to the boards and if you get trapped out there good luck. It's Domi, it's Robertson, it's Micelli. Riley was a part of that. And OEL. I think sometimes. Oh, boy.

Starting point is 00:27:35 Yeah. Bobby McMahon, I think, was on the first unit most of the time. Sometimes he'd be on the second. He flip flop. This year, Tavares, Matthews, Nealander, Roslavik, Radish. I don't mind that. Looks a lot better. I think Roselvick's got to really lean into his playmaking, though.

Starting point is 00:27:49 Like, I know he's a shooter sometimes. I mean, the guy had 25 assists. He usually does. This is an opportunity for him to become, I think, like a really, he's got a lean playmaker a little bit here. He's got to get Austin the puck. Austin seems to be able to create his own room. but he's going to need help.

Starting point is 00:28:07 Shoot. I want them all to shoot. I know, but it would be nice if Austin could shoot more than the rest of them. Yes. But having an option

Starting point is 00:28:13 not to have him shoot when he gets double teamed. I know. It's like the amount of times it bay blades around the boards which I always talk about or like I hate to turn into your uncle about this shoot low,

Starting point is 00:28:26 get a rebound for the love of God. Shoot low, get a rebound, they clear it, you get it along the boards, you keep it alive, you keep going. I wouldn't be surprised if PP2 is as good as

Starting point is 00:28:36 PP1. That's generally the case around the league. Like with Cowan's always going to be in the right place at the right time. Like that's guy who works hard. Nye's there, net front, whatever he needs to do. And then like Nick Paul is going to work hard. And McKenna's going to be a great passer. Riley's going to be quarterbacking.

Starting point is 00:28:54 Like I think it's effective. Could we see a good? I hope that we see some chemistry developed between Cowan and McKenna just for the vibes. But I do want to throw out there that, Our good friends over at Leaf Report did suggest also that Cowan might transition to be top six forward this year next to Austin Matthews like I did last show. Just so you know, me and the geniuses are on the same page. I think I also want to say Cowan on that power play, Jesse, what is his role? What is he doing?

Starting point is 00:29:25 Are you retrieving pucks? Are you high bumper? Are you low bumper? Are you tipping? Like what is his role? Cowan. Calen. Easton Cowan.

Starting point is 00:29:32 What are we doing, guys? Like I want to know what Jim Hiller's telling him Because it's I don't think he's got a bad shot But it's not like a shot from the gods Like Nielander or Radish or Matthews does right So what's that it's Nyes he said P-B2 Yeah Nise McKeowne Nise Paul Riley

Starting point is 00:29:52 You probably I would assume Cowan is right flank He's shooting he's putting it into traffic Driving he's getting rebound he can drive. Paul is, I assume, net front. McKenna, I mean, yeah. He's net front. No, he's playing the point. You got the defenseman back there at the point,

Starting point is 00:30:15 McKenna, I assume is left flank. It was McKenna and Cowan flanks. Paul in the middle, Nyes, net front, Riley quarterback. That's how they set it up. So Paul Bumper, Nye's net front. Yes. I like Paul in the middle. He's just so big.

Starting point is 00:30:31 He's large and in charge. Yeah. Okay. Question about Emil Andre for you guys. This is the guy that they got back from the Joseph Wohl trade. If Jesse is correct, and this is going to be what we think is close to the starting line, the fact that Andre has not played with the big boys yet does that worry you? He's 24.

Starting point is 00:30:53 Is it a challenge to him? Like not everybody starts off well in camp, you know, and obviously they're going to cycle through eight, nine, ten defensemen this year. That's always, every team does that. but not at a camp. It's a long season. It's a long season. If it was last year's preseason,

Starting point is 00:31:09 maybe it'd have a better chance. Yeah. You know, they are deeper this year. Babcock used to say Tygos are the veteran. OEL and Stetcher have played together. Sorry.

Starting point is 00:31:22 Yeah. You know, like if you, like we talked about Blankenberg earning a contract by playing the craziest game of his life, right? Like crazy time on ice. He does,

Starting point is 00:31:32 he does absolutely everything you ask of him. Has Andre, by the end of this, Andre needs to have done enough in two games, which is unfair, and it looks like it's actually one game, to stand out clearly above stature. Yep. And he hasn't done that.

Starting point is 00:31:50 So the other option is just give him the spot, which I don't think is a good idea. This isn't to give it to him. No. Right? So he'll get in. What? No, I feel like.

Starting point is 00:32:02 It's so silly, but it's like, yeah, don't just give him the spot. Oh, yeah, but his numbers and the, yeah. Well, it's a long season. It's a long season. He will get in. It's going to be fine. Like, I remember this like years ago, people talking about like, does Wayne Simmons really need to be on the scene?

Starting point is 00:32:20 I'm like, do you know how, that's what gave birth to there's 82 games? That's so many games. And then they added two more games. That's so many more games. There's so many more games. He's going to get in. Everyone is going to get it. It's going to be fine.

Starting point is 00:32:36 Keep cool. Steve, let me know if you're... Hold on. Did you just ask me to keep cool? Everyone keep cool, calm down. You. Steve Dangles telling you all to keep cool. Let me know if you can keep cool.

Starting point is 00:32:48 As he always does. Let me know if you can keep cool about this. Everyone have a cool head like I do. Line up for Toronto in Toronto tonight. Got it. Main guys. Features three special little additions. for the main guys.

Starting point is 00:33:03 Doug Gilmore. Maybe they are main guys now. Michael Posetta. Oh, cool. He's going to be playing in Toronto tonight. Then we have your favorite, Zach McEwen. Okay.

Starting point is 00:33:14 And lastly, Beau grew. So is, is Ridley Greg dressing for the senators? So, yeah, my first question, what shithead does Ottawa have dressed tonight that those guys are in charge of taking care of?

Starting point is 00:33:31 There is an eight veteran minimum for each roster if you're doing split squads. Did they get rid of that? No, it's still. It's super easy, though, to dress the vet minimum. Yeah, because it's in a hundred games or something? The Leafs are drafted. Like, the team they sent, all of the NHLers are here, but the team they sent still qualifies. Right.

Starting point is 00:33:49 I need to know who's an auto. I can show you the other one as well, so we can just for. I got it. Everybody's sake. But, Steve, the Bo Gru thing, I think is the most exciting. That's why I held it for last. Hell yeah. He does make the team.

Starting point is 00:34:00 Yeah. That's your boy. He should. I don't see why he. No, Zach McEwen's his boy. Bo Gru is my boy. I was the one saying, what do you mean? Zach McEwen's going to make this team over Bo Gru?

Starting point is 00:34:10 No one is claiming Zach McEwen. He played three games. No one's claiming Zach. You were like, I don't know. I don't know. Someone, there's a... I could roll the tape from last episode. No, no.

Starting point is 00:34:20 I said I liked his game. I didn't say anyone's going to claim them. But like Bo Gru, I absolutely think someone would claim. It's a risk. It's a risk that just isn't worth taking. especially if Dakota Joshua was out. Guys being sent to Ottawa. Teddy Bluger.

Starting point is 00:34:38 Brandon Duhame. Stephen Lawrence. Jacob Quillan. Amel Andre. Blankenberg. Philippe Myers. Marshall Refai. Anthony Stollars has got to be the third cold tender.

Starting point is 00:34:49 So like there's enough guys in there that they're qualified. Who's backing up, Bob? Acchamov. Yes. Which is cool. Achioma. Actiola. Can you say it right?

Starting point is 00:34:58 My bad. Jesse, do you get, when you're there, do you get a sense of the vibes? Like, I know camp's always an exciting time and people feel hopeful and everybody's healthy and the best shape of their life. That's the joke we make every year. But does it, you know, you've been in last two. How does it compare in contrast? One, the short camp is so much better.

Starting point is 00:35:19 It feels awkward because you're like, oh, my God, games next week. We're just getting this thing started. Last year, it's such a slog. You're like, we're in week three of this thing and still got time to go. and we're on preseason. Last year there's six preseason games, so it wasn't as much, but like two years,

Starting point is 00:35:34 the 24 season, there's eight preseason games. And I'm like, what the hell are we doing here, guys? So I really like the short camp for that. Just get the season started, who cares? And then the vibes are great. Like you said,

Starting point is 00:35:44 everybody has won the Stanley Cup in preseason. Everybody thinks their team's going to make the playoffs. And I think all of the change that happened over the course of the summer for the Toronto Maple Leaf and not just on the team, but in the organization as a whole, seems to have been good for the sake of where they were during the season and towards last year where everything was stale.

Starting point is 00:36:05 And I think a lot of people needed some change there. And now that there is change, we'll see how this change goes. It's interesting. If you were to take the players that were a factor for the Leafs in a positive way last year, all of them are still here. You know, they did do a good job. Sometimes when new management comes in, they're like, they don't they kind of fumble around a little bit that first year and they don't know what they're doing

Starting point is 00:36:29 John Chike is and Matt Sondin I think did a pretty good job of making sure that well we got OEL we got to have McCabe Tanev healthy obviously huge deal Riley for as much as I'm critical is an incredible leader person loves being a leaf and maybe in Jim Hiller's system can refine the game that we got accustomed to with him defensive warts and all that'd be nice Matthew's here Tavares here, Nealander here, and you know, Easton Cowan here, Ben Danford looks to be inserting himself, probably will see some NHL game action.

Starting point is 00:37:03 It's kind of nice to see that the guys that they really, that I think were the better players for them last year are the ones that are, you know, happy and excited, right? Because usually, you know, they're the ones that know the history that well, but I think there's a lot of, anytime there's a lot of change, you run the risk

Starting point is 00:37:21 of messing with the chemistry, but I think in this case, you had to run that risk because the chemistry wasn't there. You absolutely had to. Right. Had to. They're trying to figure out, like, I was heartened, but also like had to give a sigh when I read that thing about Sergey Sorgia Bavrovsky taken over the room. And I'm like, okay, great, that's good.

Starting point is 00:37:47 That's good. That's objectively good. Good. Good. Cool. Good. crazy we're still having conversations like this. Like vibes guy, leader guy.

Starting point is 00:37:58 We need a louder bench, a chatier bench. The group just never developed into what it needed to be on its own. Boys, boys, figure it out. Figure it out for the love of God. Yeah. Jesse, Jim Hiller is a guy that you were quite critical of, obviously, with the, and rightly so in the Los Angeles game in the series. I thought it was bad in L.A.

Starting point is 00:38:17 Yeah. It was just to say it. And then he got, and then weirdly, so did L.A. and they let him go out here. And they agreed with me, people. I was right. It was bad. They fired him.

Starting point is 00:38:26 There's no question that everybody who comes into proximity of Jim Hiller likes to Jim Hill. Yes, he's a very nice man. What do you think about his coaching so far? Because I'll be honest with you. When he was hired, people around the league that we know were kind of like,

Starting point is 00:38:40 that's a lightweight. Why did they hire him? And a lot of the speculation was the reason he didn't go after Cassidy is Jim Hiller costs half of what Cassidy would. You know, Cassidy's probably in the first. the $5 to $6 million range. You know, and the word is that Maple Leaf Sports wasn't thrilled about paying a price like that.

Starting point is 00:38:57 So. Well, and you couldn't bother L.A., uh, the Vegas during their, their playoff run. Right. That's true. Well, you could if you were in the East. They wouldn't have minded him coming over here. No, once the playoffs ended, that's why Cassidy's coaching in, um, oh, he's not fucking coaching anywhere.

Starting point is 00:39:13 Yeah. Well, uh, what are your thoughts on him through training camp? And I know it's really early and I'm not expecting to make some sweeping broad judgment. What's the response to his system? What does it look like to you? I think people were talking about they were ooing and awing over there, trying to get through the neutral zone as fast as possible. Those clips were making the rounds yesterday.

Starting point is 00:39:31 It looks like they're trying to be like quick transition team. Any thoughts? Did you see that? Well, I was there. But like you can't make judgments on the coach via preseason games. I feel like that's totally unfair if you were to make any assumptions about what the lineup looks like against actual NHLers when they haven't played actual NHLers.

Starting point is 00:39:51 They've played themselves and the HL teams. So I think that's unfair to judge his system right now. We'll see how that plays out in the season. But one thing he talked about several times is skating. That's his big thing. He wants guys to skate first. And then we'll figure out like the little things about like when you get there and what to do and all that. Because the decision making, we can always fine tune that.

Starting point is 00:40:10 But if you're not skating well in different areas of the ice, then that's the problem one. That's problem one A. And that's the thing we need to solve. If that's the first thing he wants to get out of his players, like, I don't see how that's a downside at all. Like, a lot of different coaches, like, they'll work on, you know, puck retrieval. And it's like, okay, we want to be the team who's working hard in the corners and that sort of stuff. But if his thing is, I want these guys to skate, I think a faster skating lease team will be a pleasant surprise to the watching audience because of how slow they were last year. And in Craig Burubei system, like, it was a slog to watch that team.

Starting point is 00:40:49 You're not kidding. Even if you lose again, can you lose different? Yeah. And hearing him say those things makes me pause, makes me like have a good outlook for the, at least watching entertainment of this team. So I don't know. Just be fun.

Starting point is 00:41:05 Please be fun. Yeah. Okay. That was agony. So Steve, here's your time. What do you think about Craig Brube system from last year where everybody was slow and didn't do anything? Oh, no, it was great.

Starting point is 00:41:17 It was great. So how many games? were there that's about two and a half hours of watch time. I'm never going to get any of those back. I'm closer to death now than I was at this time last year. That's how watching Craig Perubei hockey felt. Listen, he has a Stanley Cup. No one's saying he doesn't know puck.

Starting point is 00:41:41 That was horrible. He coached the team to the complete opposite of their skill set. Yes. Like for the entire Sheldon Keith area, that team skated. They skated really well and they're really good at it. And it won the most games of franchise history in the regular season through that period. And then Craig Rue came in. It was like, no, we're going to be this hard-nosed team that doesn't do anything and just smothers everything.

Starting point is 00:42:06 And they couldn't play that way for two years and none of it worked. No, like I understand trying to instill in a team. No, we need to get good at this. But after how long have. them being very bad at it. Like, do you maybe go, you know what? Let's josh this up. Let's just switch it up a little bit.

Starting point is 00:42:27 Try something else. Oh, it was agony. Yeah. Yeah, it was horrible. New from Nespresso. Blend wellness into your coffee routine with a coffee plus range infused with functional benefits. Choose the coffee you love with added B vitamins, like coffee plus B12 to help support immune function and coffee plus B6 to keep your day moving.

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Starting point is 00:44:41 Apparently, that's how I roll. So bundle up and come along for the bumpy ride. Stream a new episode of North of North Tuesdays on CBC gem. Okay, moving on. Let's talk about this Michael Ann Lauer quote. Actually, no, let me do a quick. We'll do that in a second. I actually want to shout out the CJ show.

Starting point is 00:45:02 So if you don't know already, producer Drew has joined it. And he is every once in a while coming in and just sort of shaking things up. And one of the things they were talking about yesterday is Columbus. and they got a new show coming out tomorrow too, by the way. And I was walking down the street and I'm listening to it and they're talking about Fantilli as we have a few times. And Drew came in and said, and I forget what player he compared this contract to,

Starting point is 00:45:29 but he said essentially, what if the Blue Jackets just offered Fantilli like 115? Or 117 or whatever the number was. And CJ said, well, if he would have accepted that, the deal would already be done. Right. And then he went. on to say something really insightful, which is, I think if the Cutter Goce deal, obviously,

Starting point is 00:45:50 bonus is being adjusted because that's no longer available. If the Cutter Goce AAV was available, 13 and a half, well, then I think Columbus, or I think Van Tilly would have signed that. That's, CJ kind of gave you a range. And so let's say this is a five-year deal. Okay. The difference of that, okay, is $10 million. My question to Columbus management is, okay, if the 11 and a half has already been offered,

Starting point is 00:46:17 you won't go any higher than that, how much money are you not going to make by holding this guy out? To me, it's a similar situation to what the Bruins did with Swayman. Now, that was over a lot less money. That was 500 grand a year. It ended up being $4 million of the course of an eight-year contract, which the Bruins capitulated on. The ruins went all the way through training camp saying, we're not going to sign you to that extra 500 grand.

Starting point is 00:46:45 And Swayman said, fine, then I'll wait. And it tanked his season and their season. Yeah, it was completely ridiculous in their performance last year proved that. Yeah, because they rebounded. And he was great. And it was $500 extra $1,000 a year. You're going to tell me that Adam Fantilli, I understand if we're talking about Cole Sillinger or Kent Johnson or whatever.

Starting point is 00:47:05 Adam Fantilly, literally the future center piece of this franchise, depending upon what happens with Rorinsky in the next couple of years. Because that whole thing in July, I don't think that's the last we hear of that if they suck this year. You're going to tell me that $2 million makes that much of a difference to you with the cap exploding. With the cap going up 10% a year, you're worried about paying Adam Fantilli.

Starting point is 00:47:31 13 million, 135, you're worried about that? I think, I know Don Waddell is a bit old school, and I know that they're probably operating in a world that no longer exists. Because if they had got this done in spring, if they got their homework done early, Adam Fantilli would be signed at like nine and a half, and he'd be in camp. That's probably what would have happened if they'd done this in May or June,

Starting point is 00:47:55 even 10. But now you have to eat shit and just accept the fact that this guy is going to make a lot more money than you wanted him to. How is it possible that you're going to let, $2 million hold you back from that goal because if he comes in and he starts slow and he's bad for a month and we saw how bad knee later missed three months remember how bad he was that whole year horrible the whole year horrible it took them like 20 games to score a goal they should have absolutely

Starting point is 00:48:24 taken a step that year and you know what it did it wasted the one year you were guaranteed to get a good season out of Patrick marlow yeah which you did yep and then next season hey willie's back Pat's not And now Pat makes too much And now Pat makes too much And we're basically in the same position I just don't see How two million dollars

Starting point is 00:48:47 Two million dollars can be Like okay fine You don't want to go the full two million And pay him 135 fine If the range we're talking about here guys Is 11 and a half to 13 and a half 12.75 Boy

Starting point is 00:49:00 Is it really gonna matter It's not gonna matter I think they're kind of stuck because the the list of comparables for centers is small and expensive yes right um the wingers like i was i was thinking okay drake batherson no drake batherson's too old for this conversation so you bring up cutter goche well adam fantilly's not cutter goche correct but he is a center that number might be just about right what if it's 13 on the button well i even gave him an extra quarter mill 1275 what's his jersey number i don't stop 13.11 he's not going to put that who's his

Starting point is 00:49:41 agent like uh is it easy judge i don't know they got to get this done or they don't but that like that's the kind of hat broussaint okay all right what are we doing i just i don't feel like that is if i was an owner with scads of money like the columbus owners have scads of money how is it possible that I'm going to let the essentially the next franchise player sit on the sidelines through training camp and potentially through the first few games of the season over a couple

Starting point is 00:50:16 million bucks a year. If you're grinding a fourth liner down on that, fine. But what are we talking about? Adam, when Columbus ownership gets a call from Don Waddell and he says, hey, it's Don. He goes, who's Don? They're asleep at the wheel.

Starting point is 00:50:32 They are. Like, what do you talking about? You know, we talked about the leaves being defined by the things they didn't do. The blue jackets are being defined by the things they are not doing. Now, there's Werenzky, right? I would argue that's one where, you know, Don Waddell was probably right to dig in. Yeah. You know what? You don't get to dictate this.

Starting point is 00:50:54 You just won the Norris. I don't like the offer. Screw that. Whatever we're keeping you. Marchenko is like making you. He's like mocking you. And then there's Fantilli who's like Marchenko's at least there. Mocking it's to your face.

Starting point is 00:51:14 This is a mess. This is a horrible situation for the Blue Jackets. And that, like here's what GMs need to adjust to. As time goes on, the number won't go down. It's not going down. You're not going to pressure these guys. Or this is the canary in the coal mine that everyone around the league is waiting to see what happens. Right?

Starting point is 00:51:45 There, in some ways, Alexander and Ekesian a little bit. One's a D. One's a center. But we're going to see who blinks first. You know, I think it should be the blue jackets. But, you know, let me not talk out of both sides of my mouth. Because one thing I said with the Jets, and I want to see if it applies to the Blue Jackets, Hello Bucks not at camp for the Jets.

Starting point is 00:52:11 And my question was, if the Jets sucks, so what? You can afford to tank the season, you know, sell off some assets, get futures. If Adam Vantilly doesn't play in the Blue Jackets are worse than we thought, which is already pretty bad, what does that change? I think you're looking at a mutiny at that point. That, yeah. I see it as so much worse. We almost saw that.

Starting point is 00:52:37 I think the Blue, Winnipeg, yeah, I think they're more talented than where they finished last year. But the, yeah, Winnipeg's far better than what they were last year, but I agree with you. I also think that they could be a fuck you team. They could be a team that gets galvanized by this.

Starting point is 00:52:52 Because I don't know if you guys heard Kyle Conner's comments on this. He said, like, yeah, we would welcome Hellebuck back, but it's not because you're here to collect a paycheck. Like, you're here to help us win. And I was like, that is really telling Kyle Carter's his team USA teammate. Yeah, he's very, he's very blunt though. And he's very passionate.

Starting point is 00:53:09 And I look at what's happening in Columbus. First off, Winnipeg's got the cards because they have him under contract. Columbus doesn't have this player under contract. Right. Right. But, you know, whereas Hellebuck is going to lose money that he's owed, Fantilli's just not going to make it.

Starting point is 00:53:26 So it's six and half. You know what I mean? I know, but you could argue Fantili is going to lose more money. But who's going to look at? worse. Because people, let's talk about public perception.

Starting point is 00:53:36 People feel bad for the Jets and their fans that a guy who's under contract and agreed to a long-term deal there said, finally said, or suddenly said, yeah, actually,

Starting point is 00:53:45 I'm just not going to show up. There's not a lot of sympathy for that. There's sympathy for you want to trade, but there's not a lot of sympathy for, I straight up just not going to work.

Starting point is 00:53:55 I'm not coming to work. Fantili's choice would be to be in camp. Yeah. And here's a guy, Fantilli that wants to play for you. Wurinsky wobbled a little bit. Murchenko's basically saying, yeah,

Starting point is 00:54:08 do you want to play in Columbus? Well, I want to play hockey. This is why... So you're going to gear the guy that wants to play for you? This is why there is a salary cap, by the way. Because I think the league for years is like, hey, you're spending money at a rate that this league can't maintain. Can you stop?

Starting point is 00:54:27 Yeah. Or certain owners didn't want to maintain. Let's put it that way. Yeah. And they all fired money at a rate. of a bazooka at everyone because they're like, I don't know, screw it, we want to win. Right? And now the cap has gone up and, you know, these GMs are not like, yeah, let's get a button on this.

Starting point is 00:54:44 No, they all want to win. Yeah. So if you're grinding this player, I think you're trying to have your cake and eat it too and ignoring reality. You got to pay this guy. You picked him third overall. And he's performed pretty well on a team that hasn't. and it's not like you've insulated him very much.

Starting point is 00:55:04 Nope, they kind of threw him to the wolves. And he's done well. Yeah. I see this is, this should be the Adam Fantelli breakout year. This should be the year he gets like 80 points. Maybe it is.

Starting point is 00:55:17 But it's every day that passes, that's going to get harder and harder. Jesse, any thoughts on that? Would you, as a former general manager yourself? In a video. You got a $2 million gap here. with a guy like Fantilli and you essentially,

Starting point is 00:55:33 I don't think hold any cards. What do you do? Yeah, I would have paid Fantili whatever number he wants because I don't think Columbus can afford to lose a player like this. It's so hard to get players to stick around in Columbus and get players to Columbus that they have one, that's homegrown and they have a number one center here. I would just sign him to the deal.

Starting point is 00:55:50 Get it done. What you did with Werenski, you signed Werenzky to what was at the time too much. At the time we were like, oh, like, He's, it was very obvious when Werensky signed his deal. The day he signed his deal. I know how it's aged. It's aged very well.

Starting point is 00:56:08 The day he signed his deal, the perception was, oh, they're paying a Columbus tax here. But it worked out. He's giving you everything. Get the player, sign the player, keep the player. That should be the play here. Well, that's all I wanted to say on that. I just think that was a really interesting little piece of insight from CJ and definitely be checking out that show because it's it's been fun this year. Hey, so we talked to you about

Starting point is 00:56:35 air pura and Steve and Jesse have got the sweaters on and they've got an air pura in front of them. We all have one of these now. I have it in my room. I told you last time that having this air purifier has actually stopped me from having asthma attacks a night, which was a real issue. I'm in a condo. The air conditioning unit happens to be right beside our bed and so I'm breathing in all the crap no matter how many filters I put in the air conditioner. It doesn't really matter. They say Toronto is particularly strong in the sense that you need something like this. This is not like a luxury.

Starting point is 00:57:07 It's a layer of protection against an increasingly complex indoor air problem, which is fine particles. We had the wildfire smoke this summer. You've got traffic pollution, industrial emissions, everything else, odors, everything. This helps with that. They are extremely helpful. It's great for children. It's great for older adults. It's great for people like myself who've got asthma and are affected by, specifically.

Starting point is 00:57:30 Specifically, it's cat allergies for me. It's great for people like me who don't want to hear Adam complain about his asthma. Either call toll free 18665-0-0-7-8-72 or visit Air Pura, A-I-R-P-U-R-A-com to speak with one of their air quality experts. And what's amazing about this is they have you like fill out a questionnaire and they tailor this to you. This is one of those air purifiers that's going to be with you forever. It's an investment. It's an appliance and it's massive. It's not one of the cheap ones you're going to get from the hardware store.

Starting point is 00:58:00 these things will last and they'll do an incredible job. And you got to use the promo code, man. SDPN10. We're going to save you a little money. That's our gift to you as well as cleaner. Now, Michael Ann Lauer got real honest in a column with Pierre Lebrun of The Athletic. And it had to do with Brady Kachuk. And actually, this comes on the heels of, I think it was Brian Hayes saying,

Starting point is 00:58:23 like, you didn't have to trade him to Florida. And that was a big topic of conversation yesterday. So it's interesting that this drops. today. And the Ann Lauer quote goes as follows, guys. Blood is thicker than water. And let's just say that his father and his brother got in his kitchen. Anne Lauer said, referring to soon to be inducted Hall of Famer Keith Kachuck and Panthers Winger Matthew Kachuk, though Brady has denied that playing with his brother was why he requested a trade. Yeah. Ultimately, the decision was made to go and play with his brother.

Starting point is 00:58:52 It's a decision that was out of our control to a certain degree, but you have to want to play for Ottawa. And right to the end, our fans were behind Brady, even after Team USA won gold. I have no doubt about that in my mind. I don't think this has anything to do with them winning gold. I think this is everything. To put this on the fans in Ottawa would be so, I mean, people would do that. We live at a very shameless age.

Starting point is 00:59:16 We need to bring back shame a little bit. We really do. But to say that Ottawa fans pushed Brady Kach out of town would be obnoxious. Of course he wanted to play. with his brother. So does Quinn Hughes. We all know this. There's nothing wrong with that. It's insulting to every American hockey market that gives a shit. You know how many American hockey markets are bigger than Ottawa? Crazier than Ottawa, more passionate than Ottawa. And that's got, that's nothing against Ottawa. It's, Ottawa's not that big, large. Yeah, population wise.

Starting point is 00:59:48 What are we, you think it's harder to be an Ottawa senator than a New York ranger? Have you bumped your head? Do you need medical assistance? What are we talking about here? Anyway, but Michael Ann Lauer is a gift to hockey content creators because he's so often mad and so willing to tell you. It's great. I love this guy. I was a little worried after the Melnick, you know, after Melnick left the, did he leave the team? I don't remember. You sold it to Ann Loward. He did.

Starting point is 01:00:29 Well, no, he passed him in and his family. Sold it to him. Okay. Well, then you have a new character and you're talking about, well, he sells trucks that are cold. And I'm like, damn it, this guy's boring. I hate that. And then he clicks his heels and he's trash and Bettman and he's demanding his picks back. And dropping huge statements like people on the internet are trying to tear our team apart.

Starting point is 01:00:52 Like, that was crazy. I love him. Oh, my God. You know how I'm like, get the microphone the hell away from Keith Pally? Well, Michael Ann Lauer isn't on my team. So I'll mail him a mic. I think he should start a podcast. I'm just going to say if he wants to start a podcast, we're open to talks, Michael.

Starting point is 01:01:09 We know you don't need to get paid. Yes. Buddy. We'll take it. Buddy. And he should call it wingman. Oh, man. That should be the name of his show.

Starting point is 01:01:19 Wingman. I, uh, no, listen, he's obviously mad. I think he's trying to stoke the flames that already exist, if that makes sense. You know, you want to talk about FU teams. Yep. That is, I think, the best version of the Ottawa senators this year. We're the FU team. We're the team you shouldn't have left.

Starting point is 01:01:46 Yep. The We don't need you team. Every team thinks they're going to be the post-Tavarous Islanders. The problem is it's diverse. to pull off. It's difficult to pull off what the post-Tavar as Islanders did. And everyone thought that was a surprise. That was a surprise. And Islanders fans were surprised too and don't lie to yourself. I was there. You were surprised. Will Ottawa be that team? I don't know. They got lots of skill. Tremendous amount of skill. They obviously had this hanging over them and

Starting point is 01:02:24 we know they did, now they're free. Here's a problem. I think Brady comes to town, his team beats the shit of you. You might win 4-1. But if Brady's returned to Ottawa, you almost better hope that things tied late in the third. Because if Ottawa starts to run away with that game, Brady is going to get up to some shit.

Starting point is 01:02:51 Well, that's why you have Ridley, Greg. Who should be? Do you hear what you just said? That's why you have Ridley Gray. Yeah? Yeah. What's wrong with that? What's wrong with that is I think the Panthers flick him away like a flea.

Starting point is 01:03:05 Okay, fair enough. What are we talking about? Because the Panthers is not just one guy. It's everybody. It's every guy. You know who's claiming Zach McEwen off waivers? Jesse. What do you think about the Ann Lauer quote?

Starting point is 01:03:18 I'm curious because you're, Steve and I are far more reactive than you are. Do you think that this is ultimately a good idea? give for the sense for this guy to be speaking this openly about it? I'm really happy for Ottawa Senators fans because it feels like an Ottawa Senators fan is running the hockey team and that's very good for the team. I am unsure if Ed Rogers is a Leaves fan or is aware that the Leafs are in his portfolio. He's probably aware that they're in the portfolio, but I'm not sure he knows when the games are happening.

Starting point is 01:03:46 No, they're a notch on his belt. Yeah, I know. He's Let's Go Blue Jays. I know he knows when 162 Jays games happen, but I don't know about beliefs and I think it's really cool for that market because that's a small market that needs an owner like that who's going to be so hands on in the right way and not hands on in the way Melnick was where it's just like get everybody's things off of the hands off of my things. I need more money.

Starting point is 01:04:11 I'm going to cut costs everywhere. Anne Lauer seems like I'm going to devote all my attention to making the Ottawa senators what I think they can be. And that's like a really competitive team year and year out. A team that's combative with the rest of the league because of their position. has a small market and that's kind of what you have to be. And it's really sick that they got this guy running the team. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:04:31 Like I don't know. He does galvanize people. Oh, yeah. Like, I don't think there's a better guy out there to be running this team right now. Now, he's going to screw up. Like the one thing I do want to say is with anybody that speaks, and I can speak to that directly. Um, anybody that speaks up like that, you are going to fuck up sometimes.

Starting point is 01:04:45 But I think on the whole, because I thought that statement last year and last spring was absolutely ridiculous when it came out. The one about, well, you, the Reddit's trying to tear our team apart. like, Jesus, grow up guys. And none of us would have known about this in the way that you, until you platformed it from your team account. He has enough money to hire someone

Starting point is 01:05:03 to smack the phone out of his hand. Yeah, or he can hire a barbought farm and bury the comments. Which they all do. Yes. I just think, I just think that on the whole when this guy has spoken,

Starting point is 01:05:17 A, it's been fun. B, sends fans who are like, yeah, yeah. I think he's able to galvanize the audience at the same. Sells have in the right direction. And I think Brady's return to Ottawa is going to be

Starting point is 01:05:29 one of the best events of the year. Because the Ottawa fans are so passionate. That game's going to be sold out in the loudest building that we're going to see outside of a playoff game. Like, it's going to be awesome. That game better be national and it better be not behind a paywall. Jeremy Roneck put a little fuel

Starting point is 01:05:46 in the fire. He commented when TSN put this up on Instagram and he said yes. So basically the thing is, blood is thicker than water and let's just say that his father and his brother got in his kitchen. So Jeremy Ronek goes off the kitchen thing and says yes

Starting point is 01:06:01 and their dad is a world renowned chef. Now give, no, no, no, he's going, you know, because of the kitchen. Oh, as in like their dad is. Well, he just basically admitted like the front of the N-Sync album where they're all attached to strings. Like literally that Keith is literally managing these boys, which I think is pretty much out there. But is Keith a good cook?

Starting point is 01:06:22 And I, I've apparently he is. Now they give fans the experience worth the money, meaning the Kichucks. When you're that good and have influence like all three of them do, you can dictate your future. Well done Kachucks. Florida, Ottawa is a game on Prime. So it's national. Hell yeah.

Starting point is 01:06:41 That's going to be a fun one. That's going to be a camp miss night. You got to watch that game. How those negotiations go in 2004 there, J.R. Was that player empowerment? I honestly couldn't care less about anything you're reading from Jeremy. I know.

Starting point is 01:06:53 I don't know. That's why it's funny because you're like, man, this guy. I don't need, I don't need Jeremy Roder quotes. Player empowerment. That led to an era of prosperity there, JR? Yeah, that was great. That's just him sticking up for his team. Yeah, you shouldn't be talking.

Starting point is 01:07:07 That's enough. Shush. Captain capitulate when it comes to the collective bargaining agreement. Rod Brandemore had an interesting quote, and I wanted to bring this up because Rod's the man. I feel like anybody that gets to know Rod probably really likes it. Although I have to be honest, it's probably extremely intense. around him all the time. Absolutely.

Starting point is 01:07:25 With his eyes? I think his eyes might actually shoot lasers. If you gave away the puck at your own blue line as a forward. Yeah. I don't even know if I skate back to the bench. I probably just leave. No. Like his muscles look like they were drawn by a kid who grew up watching wrestling.

Starting point is 01:07:43 Yeah. Well, you know that. I'll just say, he looks like my drawings of wrestlers. You know that we have a mural on our wall here and it's us as like street fighter. That's what he looks like. And I'm Johnny Cage in it. He actually looks like Johnny Cage. I do not.

Starting point is 01:07:59 Sub-zero, by the way. I have to ask, who wins in a laser eye competition between Brindamore, Dean Eveson and Bill Zito. Damn. Man, Creed versus Rod Brindamore. Are Creed's eye or Dean Everson's eyes, that laser? Yeah. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:08:17 I need a... But I think it's Zito versus Brindamore in the final. Here's Brin and you throw it off. There you go. Nah. That's him making a joke. Those are human eyes, though. Zito's got lasers.

Starting point is 01:08:29 He's never, like, eating anybody. He's never. There's so much white. Yeah. There's a lot of white. When there's white all the way around the eye, like David Clarkson, Darcy Tucker, they had eyes. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:08:41 It's very intimidating. Yeah. That's the look he gives you when you give up the puck away at your own blue line. I'm telling you. Terrifying. Yeah. And that, no. There's a warm.

Starting point is 01:08:51 How are you guys? that look. There's a warmth though. Bill Zito. No, that's that's scary, but Dean Eveson, I think, is, uh, like, I'm in immediate danger. I'm, I have to sit on this bench and turn my back to this man. That's scary. Um, I've, I've told this story before, but like working at Leafs TV with Bob McGill, I was just like, all right, like, just made eye contact with him and I'm like, I think I can go home. I think, is this a work from home kind of day? No, it's 2010.

Starting point is 01:09:24 We don't do that yet? Okay. Well, I'm terrified. I'm going to go to the kitchen. Is there an emergency exit in the kitchen? How many... And so funny, because he's such a friendly guy. Doesn't matter. Eyes. Scary. Yeah. Very scary. You know he sells real estate in cottage country now. Yes, I drove by one of his signs.

Starting point is 01:09:40 I almost drove off the road. I went, is that Bob McGill? It is Bob McGill. Yeah. Jesse, what did you want to say? That's a good gig. I was trying to find a really good Dean Everson one, but I can't really. Just pull up Creed from the office. This is, here's a scary one.

Starting point is 01:09:53 Oh my God. Yeah. I don't know. Brindamore, I think is more intimidating. I think so too. Nothing against Dean. He might be a better yeller.

Starting point is 01:10:03 Probably. Is Brindamara a yeller? Like he doesn't seem like he gets white hot. He gets blue hot. As in like, like I'm just going to stay calm, but you know how I feel. I'm transferring this.

Starting point is 01:10:14 Everson would blow up. Yeah, I think Everson's a bigger yeller 100%. Can we get Bill Zito up there too? just so people know. Because I don't think everybody knows what Bill Zito even looks like and I think you got to see, man.

Starting point is 01:10:25 He looks like the kind of guy who would tell you to arrest Master Chief. Like he... That's terrible. What a reference, man. Yeah. Arrest him! Like just...

Starting point is 01:10:39 No, no. Like, see, that's the guy. You're showing me Bill Zito, that's a guy. That's a little intense. That's not a Bill Zito. Brendan Moore wins. I don't know what the guys are talking about.

Starting point is 01:10:47 I've seen Bill Zito angrier than that. That's Bill Zito being. nice. Hello, I'm Bill Zito. Hello. No, no. I'm just a frigginious. Rod Brindamore looks like a firm handshake.

Starting point is 01:10:58 Bill Zito looks like I'm going to get hurt. Dean Avison looks like I'm going to get killed. Yeah. Yeah. There. Yeah. I figured it out.

Starting point is 01:11:09 Bill Zito's terrifying. Bill Zito is terrifying. Especially when he's in the stands and the things aren't going on. You could see, you could, again, he's being friendly there, but you can see that it's coming. That looks like my friend's dad. No, but he's your friend's dad until the music's up too loud. He's lost weight, right?

Starting point is 01:11:27 Yeah. No. He's, nope, not as scary. Brendan Moore wins. Okay. No, you're right. That's just a, that's just a man. Yeah, just a guy.

Starting point is 01:11:34 I don't think we've done him justice with. They're the Google, like, you can't get it better. Yeah, okay. Fair enough. I don't know which time. So Rod Brindamore, the quote, is, uh, he thinks that they should just do away with all games in the preseason. He said, I'd say, I'd say, go to 86 and zero preseason.

Starting point is 01:11:53 Why waste games on fans that don't count? Let's play the real ones for real. And I am a thousand percent with him on that. But I think it's interesting that that's not coming from some guy sitting in a studio somewhere. That's the best coach in the game saying, I don't think we really need the games. Right. Like you would think a coach would advocate for, no,

Starting point is 01:12:20 I need to see this guy. Yeah. I need to see this guy in action. The way Babs was talking about the Oilers, some of these guys have had good camps, but I don't know until we play. Right. Doesn't that make the first couple of weeks of the season

Starting point is 01:12:35 even more interesting, too? Yeah, I think it's kind of... There's so little to take away from a preseason game because it's just a scrimmage. Yeah. Like, you can really tell that there's... It's a drop off of competition, which it should be.

Starting point is 01:12:47 You know, like half of them are HLers. Half of them aren't going 100. whether it's 95 or 90 or whatever it is. It's still just the same kind of thing you could get out of a scrimmage amongst your own guys in a practice. How about this? Here's a weird idea. I don't know how I would make this work.

Starting point is 01:13:04 Your roster still needs to be cap compliant. But for the first three games of the season, there's no roster limit. Or the roster limit is increased. It can be 25 or 26 or something like that. You're allowed to carry extra guys. You play them in the first three games, and that's how you evaluate, and then it's the waiver thing. You have to send guys down.

Starting point is 01:13:28 If I'm a coach or a general manager, I'm not wasting potential wins on just letting a guy get a look. That's your prerogative. I wouldn't, I would be like we got our roster. I'm trying to win every game because at the end of the season, we might miss the playoffs by two points. I think most GMs would probably think that. What am I doing playing this HL or to see,

Starting point is 01:13:48 give him a chance to placate his eight. agent. No, I'm not talking about placating their agent, although that may have. I think they'd be in your ear being like, let me get my guy into a game here. But like, I'm sure there's a bunch of coaches sitting around right now going, I don't know. I think that's 100% what they're thinking because training camp's so short. So they kind of have their roster and they're like, okay, we have this roster for a week. Let's go.

Starting point is 01:14:11 I think, yeah, maybe I'm overthinking it because I think a lot of coaches look at the fourth line and they go, who gives their shit? Let's see. Okay, I'll figure it out. I don't think Rod looks at it like that. No. I think he's a no stone unturned human being. He sat a $4.5 million center all the playoffs last year. And was correct.

Starting point is 01:14:34 And Nick Deloree got in. Outrageously correct. Couldn't have been more correct. But analytics would be like, well, no, you put cock and yammy in over Deloria. I don't think analytics support cock and yami at all. They did for a bit. They did for. He had his analytical run.

Starting point is 01:14:50 He had a time. Bo Byram got a hat trick, guys. He sure did. And he finished it off in overtime. We got a bunch of messages. I got a bunch of messages from Chicago fans go, I'm like, you know what? Enjoy this.

Starting point is 01:15:01 This is great. Does the Bo Byram Hattrick change your view on what he could be for the Chicago Blackhawks even slightly. I'm not asking for wholesale. But like, listen, we said in our season preview, we're not sure he's the number one. People say he's a number one, but we haven't seen it yet.

Starting point is 01:15:18 at worst he's probably a number two though that's pretty good if he's a number one is he a good number one right well he has to be number one on this particular team but we're talking moving himself into the top 15 in defensemen in the league right right how many defensemen scored a regular season hatchet last year I don't actually don't know I don't know either oh I didn't look it up because I assume

Starting point is 01:15:42 I can answer it on one hand you know how rare that is it's rare so on one hand yes that's very impressive on another hand it's the preseason uh six defensemen apparently recorded a hatrick

Starting point is 01:16:00 is this true a i a i a i'd it uh last time a defense a so shit at sports uh well okay then i'll just go stat muse it says that um john carlson did it on april 9th rasmus dahline january 27 Matias Atcombe, January 26.

Starting point is 01:16:20 Evan Bouchard, January 24th, Darren Radish, January 3rd, Simon Nemich, November 12th. Simon Nemich. Brandon Montre. So Simon, yes,

Starting point is 01:16:34 and then the one previous to that was Brandon Montour on October 29th, 2024. So there was actually six guys that did it last year. So, which is wild.

Starting point is 01:16:44 That is a lot. That's a lot more than you think. All I'm saying is it's on. It's cool. It's great. But it's the preseason. I had a couple of Penguins fans be like, oh, look at Nick Robertson. And I'm like, so you just don't listen to the show, huh? Like, that's Mr. September right there. Oh, yeah, baby. Preseason, like, I was throwing shots at Florian Jack Eye for winning the preseason con

Starting point is 01:17:09 scythe every year. Nick Robertson, like, we were talking about having a long or a short preseason. that's a guy who benefited enormously from having a long preseason. Yes. Because Robertson would more than once actually perform so well in the preseason where we're like, well, you look stupid not playing. Yeah, last preseason, he lit up the preseason. He was fantastic last September. Incredible.

Starting point is 01:17:35 So, no, if you're a Blackhawks fan, you can only judge what's in front of you and what's in front of you is he's coming out of the hat trick. That's awesome. Yeah, great. Dude, I would be clinging to anything, any sign of hope with, you know, what they've had to cheer for for the last like three years. It'd be crazy to sit here and try and yuck somebody's yum about a preseason. I wasn't going to. I just asked it.

Starting point is 01:17:59 No, I didn't accuse you of anything. I'm just saying it'd be crazy to look at preseason goals and go either way and be like, oh, man, that means the season's over. That means the season is going to go great. Like, it's preseason. Adam, could Morgan Riley ever? What? Get a hat trick? Yeah.

Starting point is 01:18:17 I think he has, hasn't he? Yeah, but not now, right? No, I think he could. Maybe in a diminished rule where he can be more flexible on the offensive side of the puck. I'm just saying. I believe in Morgan Riley, just not quite on that pair. All right, Matt Barzell, injured. Oh.

Starting point is 01:18:33 Which is a bummer for the Islanders. Yeah. Looks like it's going to be, they put out a statement this morning, and it looks like it's going to be at least a few weeks, which is a bit of a body blow to this team. this is a guy that weirdly enough just never seems to have any sort of luck when that happens. Okay, next year we got to record all 32 season previews on the same day.

Starting point is 01:18:54 Yeah, no kidding. I'm talking about the island. Like, I mean, that's devastating for them because I see them as kind of part of the mushy middle. They're in the metro and it doesn't mean you're good, it doesn't mean you're bad. But you're in that category of teams that if things don't go right for you,

Starting point is 01:19:14 you're not going to make it. Right. Right? Yeah. So that's bad. Also injured yesterday, and it looked like a shoulder. It appears that Dan Bladar

Starting point is 01:19:28 might have dislocated his shoulder. I saw that. Might have. So Barzals was a prior injury of Lidar in Philadelphia, excuse me. That's not good for a goaler. Thank goodness you. out and got wool. Right.

Starting point is 01:19:44 You know, now it's not, you know, last year it would have been Sam Erson. And what do we need wool to do? Play. Play every day. Adam, what do you think of the Rick Talkic quote? I'm bringing that up next. Don't you worry. I want to talk, I just want to quickly talk about wool being renting that sort of.

Starting point is 01:20:01 Listen, Joe is the man. Yeah, Vladar was so important to what Philly did last year. And wool doesn't necessarily replace that. But having him as a backup option, you're in a way better spot than you were last year. Stuff happens. Now, I hope Dan Villarar is not out like for any significant amount of time because that's a huge blow to the team. It's going to hurt.

Starting point is 01:20:22 They need them to be playing well and healthy. Also a huge blow to my preseason prediction. Same. Because I'm a believer in the Flyers with a minute. Jordan Hall from NBC in Philly. I said thought this was an interesting insight from Rick Tocke on Joseph Wall. Got to think this was a part of why the Flyers scouted wool. and why they traded for him this summer.

Starting point is 01:20:45 Rick Tuckett said, Joseph Wall can carry the load, and he's an intelligent goalie. And I don't think you get any disagreement from that. 100%. Even just on the puck handles, he's going to help our goalie handles tremendously because some of the system stuff we do,

Starting point is 01:20:58 we're going to need a goalie that can handle the puck a lot. And I think we were just okay with that last year. I think that will help us break out the puck better, and he can do that. Fire that, Scott. You don't believe in Joseph Wall's point? Puck handling skills? He cannot.

Starting point is 01:21:13 Why not? Fire them today. Why not, Steve? Fire them today. Why not? I think Joseph Wall's a great person. I think he's a great goalie. He is exceptional at stopping the puck.

Starting point is 01:21:24 He's a good puck handler. Who told you that? They're out to get you. Nope. They're out to get you. They are preying on your downfall. Wrong. Who told you that?

Starting point is 01:21:40 Who made that? claim. Go to their house right now and confront them. Yeah. Yeah. They're not out they're not out for your best interest, Rick. No, I love this goalie. I love this goalie. I'm rooting for this goalie. Yep. And you better be right about this goalie because right now he's your starting goalie. Yep. Right. Um, no. It looks like for the foreseeable future he's your starting goal. No. If you would ask me what Joseph Wolfe's greatest weaknesses, I would have said handling the buck. and if their system is based on that? Now it is entirely possible that, you know,

Starting point is 01:22:17 Baroube's system, which was garbage, you know, maybe that wasn't right. Yeah, but he played under Keefe too. It's not his strength. It isn't. It's not his. When he's dialed, dude, he's amazing.

Starting point is 01:22:31 When he's dialed. Unbeatable. Oh my God, he's so hard to beat, but stay in your net for the love of God. He can't handle it. People say, oh, well, you know, goalies can work on that and practice that over the summer. Yeah, they can. But Jake Markstrom's like 36.

Starting point is 01:22:45 Oh, so they're all great at it. Guys. Sometimes you're just not, right? And I don't, I don't, listen, maybe he went to the barb underhill of goalie puck handling. I don't know. But it feels like that quote might come back to bite a little bit. I don't know where you think these guys go all summer, eh? They all come back tanned and with a glow.

Starting point is 01:23:08 That's because they spend it on the ice. with the tan. That's where they get the tan. Oh, it's from like freezer burn. Yeah. Is what you're saying. I'm not saying these players don't work hard in the summer, but, uh, do you ever notice that there are players who have like six, seven, eight, nine hundred game careers

Starting point is 01:23:25 who have the same fault the whole time? Yeah. It's because we all have faults that we have to just manage. Yeah. Some of the things are not necessarily overcomable. So this summer he went, oh, no, Rick's wrong. What is it? Stephen Stamco's tweet, or not tweet, but the quote from way back in the day, you know,

Starting point is 01:23:44 spent 80% of your time making your strengths great and 20% of your time managing your weaknesses. It was Guy Boucher's advice to him. Oh, it's great. He said, he said, because Stamco's, it's ironic because he's followed it. You know, work on your strengths 80% of the time. Work on your defects or deficiencies or whatever, 20% of the time. They'll come up a bit. but what makes you special,

Starting point is 01:24:09 what got you into this league is going to get better and better. So Stephen Stamcoast still has his flaws. Still a 40-goal guy. It's either going to be him or Crosby who are the... Stephen Stamcoast and Sidney Crosby are about to become the ninth and tenth

Starting point is 01:24:27 players in NHL history to score 700 goals. I think that was great advice. It was. It worked. Jesse Emily Kaplan of ESP PN reporting this morning that Bill Garen has signed a multi-year contract extension as general manager of the Minnesota Wilde with the Quinn Hugh stuff hanging over the organization. Some might see it as odd timing. Do you? No, Bill Garon is a very good general manager. I think they should keep them forever. Like, I don't see anything wrong with what Bill Garon's done in Minnesota. Hayden, you can weigh in on this too, because you are the Minnesota Wilde fan.

Starting point is 01:25:01 But I think Garen has earned that extension. I go, I flip-flop with him. him because like he does great things like get the Quinn Hughes trade done but he did that after everyone was kind of questioning like well you sign a carilla this huge deal and the team's not looking great and now we're back to the point of okay well he's traded all our future for this guy or you just I'm waiting for the another big move because that's what he does right he he gets everyone questioning if he can do it and then a big move comes so I'm okay with the contract extension I'm just like, man, he's either got to get this extension done with Hughes or get a crazy good value back. You want to see the return of triple V. Big balls bill.

Starting point is 01:25:45 Yeah, exactly. Like the reason why I liked him in the first place is because he makes those big swings. And he just, I'm, Adam said it. The way he's calm going through all this, I kind of feel like he's, or maybe it was Jesse. I can't remember, but he just seems like he's got a handle on it. So I think he's got it. But I mean, we'll have to wait and see. Yeah, I think his owner gets in the way a little bit more than we know.

Starting point is 01:26:11 I think something with like the Karel Kaprizov contract that wasn't on his decision making. Like I don't think that's entirely him right there. I think it's, hey, Craig Leopold really wants you to just, just, you're blank check for Karel. And he has to do that. So I think when it comes to the other parts of the roster where he's able to really build a really dynamic team that's not driven through like right down the middle center depth. We have top line centers and that's how we're building our team with like a star like Big David or Austin or anything like that and they're able to build around the edges.

Starting point is 01:26:45 Like that's really creative and he is able to make those big swings. I think it is difficult too to find just competent GMs who have been in the game for a long time who have great relationships with the other GMs and who the guys like respect. Yeah. And I think Bill Garon's one of those guys. So you want to hang on to him. Absolutely. I mean he is he's you're in.

Starting point is 01:27:04 At the top of that division, guys, that's the toughest division at the top. Oh, totally. And they're in there. That extension is the Minnesota Wilde and the nutshell. It's either going to be a great decision or it's going to be millions of dollars that you just lit on absolute fire. Was that or Paris that? Yeah, because you're going to fire this guy. Right?

Starting point is 01:27:22 No, Big Paul's Billy. We'll see how it goes. Craig Leopold loves a long-term deal. Loves a multi-year. Yes. Except the last time he did it, it was before a work stoppage. No. Well, he did Caprizz off last year.

Starting point is 01:27:35 Yes. Yeah, I guess that's true. And he's willing to do Quinn this year. I wanted to mention in the Flyers thing, Denver Barkie went out in their other preseason game. He, like, didn't come out for the second period or something like that. And he's been, I think, day to day is what Rick Tocke is saying. So that's like a really big piece of Barkey and Vodar are both out.

Starting point is 01:27:55 Just want to mention that too. No one, no one wants to hear it. An enormous part of professional hockey and pro sports is luck. That's bad luck Healthy, yeah Yep Michael Granlin is the new

Starting point is 01:28:09 Captain of the Ducks Good for him, man I actually kind of thought they would go Leo Carlson on this one but maybe they feel like at 21 he's still probably too young

Starting point is 01:28:19 He also tried to leave I think I think Jesse nailed it I would say they pushed him out No, he actively They low balled the shit out of them He actively signed a contract With another team

Starting point is 01:28:32 You can't then turn around two months later captaincy. Okay. Okay. That's how I see. You know what? I don't... I don't watch you the captain of my team like two months after that. Maybe two years, but... It is worth...

Starting point is 01:28:43 Not two months. It is worth noting they tried to kind of fuck him a little bit. Yes, so I don't think you should be our captain. Granland is not going to be there forever. I think there are some probably hurt feelings in Anaheim. So, you let Granlin be the captain

Starting point is 01:28:58 for a while, and then eventually Carlson gets... Yeah, and he's still in A. Like, he's got a little A, so just upgraded eventually, just a little soon for you. Everything's fine. 21, chill. Board of Governors meeting. One of the things that stuck out to me, and Gary always does this, is, and this is from

Starting point is 01:29:17 Chris Johnson. Bill Daley says there is no, quote, magic date on when the NHL needs to make a decision on Texas expansion. At this point, there's no commitment to having a vote at the December board meeting. I want, so what I, what was interesting was the reaction to this, and a lot of people said, oh, well, you know, Gary and Bill are pouring cold water on this. This process wouldn't be this far along if they were pouring cold water on this. What they're doing is keeping their options open.

Starting point is 01:29:43 Because if they commit to anything, which they never publicly commit to anything, they wouldn't even publicly commit to the Olympics last year until like October. Right? Remember the whole arena thing and the like, and we still don't know about travel. And there was a whole, but these guys don't commit to anything. No. can't pin them down on anything. Gary Bettman and Bill Daly

Starting point is 01:30:05 don't specialize in lying. They specialize in mundane truth. Oh, I like that. Yeah. We haven't committed to anything. Well, yeah, we know that. Okay, we know that. Because you'd be announcing it if you did.

Starting point is 01:30:20 Yeah. It's 18 degrees today. My tie is red. Yeah. My hair is brown. Yeah. Guys, I hate you. Say something.

Starting point is 01:30:32 Something. But their job is to give you Monday truth. One thing I love when people say, I'm like, that means nothing. That's an option for the future. Oh, yeah. Everything is an option for the future. Monkeys could fly from the sky. Like, I don't know.

Starting point is 01:30:49 It's an option for the future. That is an option. Expansion. It could happen in the future. I'm not in trouble, am I? Nothing. I'm not in trouble, am I? I haven't committed to a punishment.

Starting point is 01:30:59 And then five seconds later, they punch you in the face. they told you the truth if they weren't committed to a punishment no they but they made a choice you know what at dunk yeah they get you Gary Batman he's a master at

Starting point is 01:31:13 giving you nothing yeah mundane truth and Pierre LeBron did ask him at the end he said listen I'm not trying to unseat you Gary always gets ornery when that's the one thing that does get under Gary's skin is when you ask him about his future

Starting point is 01:31:26 and you know Pierre give him credit asked the question and said listen I'm not trying to kick you out here, but like, you did say that there was discussions underway about a succession plan. And Gary essentially was like, you're always trying to kick me out. Do you have the quote? I thought the quote was interesting.

Starting point is 01:31:42 Give me the quote. Give the quote. The fact is no decisions have been made. This is for the succession plan. The fact is no decisions have been made. And it's not just me. There are people that are going to be involved in that process and figuring it out. But we have nothing to announce.

Starting point is 01:31:56 But listen, I'm going to be 75 years old. And I think this is my 35th year as commission. Historically, I might be the longest serving commissioner ever, not just currently. At some point, I got to stop, okay? But I love what I do. I'm energized, he continued. I have nothing to complain about in life. I love coming to work every day.

Starting point is 01:32:17 I love being a part of this game, so you know, you keep trying to kick me out. And at some point, you're going to get a different answer. But this isn't that point because no decisions have been made. No decisions have been made. Well, I think the part that stuck out to me about this, and if you actually watch the clip, historically, I might be the longest serving commissioner ever,

Starting point is 01:32:37 not just currently. That is the sentence that matters the most to Gary Betman in the whole world. When he goes home and he looks at himself in the mirror before he brushes his teeth at night, that's what he's talking. No one is ever going to beat this. And nobody will, and by the way,

Starting point is 01:32:53 nobody should. Exactly. Nobody should. Nobody should. Nobody should. Nobody should. But that is the thing. legacy, legacy, I'm the best, which, you know, at that level, a lot of people are like that.

Starting point is 01:33:04 Well, the legacy is not, the NHL is more prosperous than any other league. Well, and that's the thing is that he's not the best. No. And so if you can't be the best, I guess be the longest. Like, he's not top five. Like, everyone's going to. I think Bud Sealing is ahead of him. And Bud Sealing sucks.

Starting point is 01:33:22 Oh, Bud Sealing sucks. Bud Seleig sucks. Bud Selegg is terrible. Yeah. Okay. Oh, so we put, who was the guy before? Before Adam Silver. The guy that Gary worked under...

Starting point is 01:33:32 Stern? Stern. David Stern is ahead of Gary Batman and Gary Betman learned under David Stern. Adam Silver is ahead of Batman. Goodell is ahead of Batman. And the guy who's running the MLB now, what's his name again?

Starting point is 01:33:43 The guy that put the pitch clock in who's sort of a doink, but he is... John Boy. Well, you know who I'm talking about. The commissioner of the MLB. Rob Manfred. Rob Manfred is, like,

Starting point is 01:33:54 has said some of the dumbest shit I've ever heard in my life, like, who cares about a trophy has just made a medal. Like he said that Moron But is that him or was that ceiling? No, no, no.

Starting point is 01:34:03 That was Rob Manfred, I'm pretty sure. But regardless, and I think he's going to lead them to a season long lockout here. But again, that league makes more money. I know. I just keep, people go,

Starting point is 01:34:15 well, you know, the league expanded and look, the cap's going up. And I'm like, dude, can you friggin look at any other sport for five seconds?

Starting point is 01:34:21 I know. Like, I think someone else would have done a better job. Whatever. Legacy is the only thing that matters to gear. at this point, which is scary if you're hoping that the game progresses. I really hope Bill Daly doesn't take over.

Starting point is 01:34:34 He will. I think it'd be silly and nonsense. Just continue Betman's legacy through Bill Daly. I don't want to see that, so we'll see. Yep. That would be mundane truth. Yep. Yep. Anyway, so I thought we should mention that.

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Starting point is 01:35:35 slash triangle for details. Where some see heroes and others see egos. Bloomberg sees the era of billionaire athletes. A fad to some, the future of money to others. We see crypto's trillion-dollar swings. The end of jobs or the end of human struggle. we see the endless funds fueling the AI hype while others follow the noise

Starting point is 01:36:01 we follow the money learn more at Bloomberg.com now a couple of things that are fun to end the show can we do some fat guy corner yeah there was some other things from board governor governor's that article Pierre LeBrun had yeah I know

Starting point is 01:36:18 I was I'm kind of like I was bored with it but yes please if you would like to go to the other things let's do it like Keith Pelly talked oh no we don't we don't we want to I didn't know that. You don't get it. I didn't think he said anything that interesting, but go ahead. What do you say?

Starting point is 01:36:31 What do you say? No, no, I want to see if he's learned. I hope this is boring. Give me mundane truth. There's no question that the Leafs are entering this season with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence following a transformational offseason. Pellie said at the Board of Governors. The disappointment of last season led to hard conversations and difficult decisions,

Starting point is 01:36:53 but that honesty and accountability was very very. very much needed. Ownership gave us every tool needed to remake this team. And the work of John and Matt's literally touched every part of the organization, both on the ice and off, including further investments in player development, scouting, analytics, medical care, and player support. Everyone involved, though, knows that offseason changes do not guarantee success and that the team must earn it on the ice every time out. We're looking forward to getting started next week. You see why I ignored that? No, Adam.

Starting point is 01:37:28 What a breath of fresh air. Keith, give me boring, daddy. That was great. I'm confident in Brad. I'm so bored. I appreciate it. Oh, my God. Adam, that filled me with the feeling that I usually only get Christmas morning.

Starting point is 01:37:46 Thank you, Keith. Thank you. Be boring. Be so much more boring. I'm usually not in the habit of bringing boring to the show. That's probably, that's why I looked at that. I was like, but no, boring. Contrast that with.

Starting point is 01:37:57 I'm confident in Brad. I'm confident in Craig. I'm confident in the resources that we have. I do believe that we are the custodians of the biggest hockey brand in the world. And we have a responsibility of the fans. And that responsibility is winning championships. And we will do everything we possibly can until we reach that goal. It's go time.

Starting point is 01:38:14 That was last year's statement. So you're right. In contrast, it's boring. You know, I just had a warm feeling like it's Christmas morning. And now I'm. Well, that's what he said. You know, whether it's better to be. buried or cremated.

Starting point is 01:38:26 I thank you for that. What else you got? What else you got, Jesse? Do you want to do? The decentralized draft is confirmed not to happen. Yeah. Ah, boo. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:38:35 I'm disappointed by that news. I think the draft is such a better event when everybody's in town and doing it. Like we're down there in Buffalo and it feels very dead when the people aren't there. And I think you should bring the people to the event. Nah. Nah. They've made no decisions on whether or not. Well, actually, they have made a decision.

Starting point is 01:38:55 And it's the shitty one. Craig Leopold also said, we will sign him in reference to Quinn Hughes. Hey, oh, I wish your mic was up. Hayden just goes, uh, yeah, he's got to shut up. Do you see? Do you see why I was so delighted with the banality of Keith Pelley's quote?

Starting point is 01:39:20 Yeah. That was wonderful. And then Craig Leopold said, One sentence and Hayden went, uh, that's what Keith gave me. All year last year was a, uh,

Starting point is 01:39:31 uh, all right. Now, Fat guy corner. Hit me. I just thought it was important because, yeah, no,

Starting point is 01:39:36 I guess, here and there's news and. Yeah, no, fair enough. UBS Arena. First one we're going to go to. UBS.

Starting point is 01:39:45 Okay. Just one sandwich that is making the rounds. Okay. And I think it's, so one of the things that I think it's criminal that they were ever allowed to make this product is gummy nerds. Have you ever had gummy nerd?

Starting point is 01:39:59 Really? It's criminal because they're so good. Oh. Like they're insane. Yes. Smash hit in our home. Yes. And dangerous.

Starting point is 01:40:09 And you can fire through a pack of those in a heartbeat. Gummy cluster. It is the number one child bribery tool in Ajax. Jesse, you're the healthiest eater among us. Have you ever had one? I don't know. You don't know. You'd know.

Starting point is 01:40:25 You freaking know. I don't know if I've ever had a gummy cluster? Yeah. Okay. Now have a look at this. Let's bring it up on the screen. Might I introduce you to the UBS, Nerds Gummy Cluster Breed Grilled Cheese Sandwich on sourdough bread?

Starting point is 01:40:40 So they put the nerd gummies in the Bree cheese and put it on sourdough bread, and that is your grilled cheese sandwich. So a little bit of cheese, a little bit of sweet, and some sour on there too with the sourdough. Oh, and the crunch. I don't think it needs that. Why can't it just be like a grilled cheese sandwich on some good sourdough? It looks good without the gummy clusters.

Starting point is 01:41:04 So Jesse is correct. It does look good without the gummy clusters. I think stone sober. This would probably be gross. Baked? I think this shit would hit like Lennox Lewis. Yeah, if you had a little edible. Holy.

Starting point is 01:41:28 Holy. Left and a right and a right and a left. Yeah, I could see that working. Definitely need to take some heartburn medication. Now, yes. One of the teams that we obsessed over last year,

Starting point is 01:41:38 guys, was the Detroit Red Wings and their food. Little Caesar's Arena has the best food in the National Hockey League. And they better because their team's hardest stomach. Oh, oh, whoa,

Starting point is 01:41:48 oh, sorry. Jesse, there is a, in the Detroit Free Press. If you go to scroll down just a little bit, There's a gallery. You got to give me a second.

Starting point is 01:41:56 Steven, a gallery. A gallery. 19 photos in this gallery. Heavens! It's annoying, but I guess you got to support it. Throw us up in the corner so we can... Oh, never mind. The Columbus Disbatch 10% off coupon went away.

Starting point is 01:42:32 Thank goodness. Okay, so that's your first one. This is your fillet mignon sandwich. God. Featuring sere tinderloin topped with balsamic caramelized onions. Borsuan cheese. Borsan? Borson. Is it Borson? Borson.

Starting point is 01:42:45 Okay. Arugula, garlic butter zip sauce served on a toasted sesame seed roll that is unveiled as this is part of the 101st campaign at Little Caesars. Remember last year was their hundredth season? How sad? That looks insane. Again. That looks really good.

Starting point is 01:43:02 I, I, that would be physically impossible to eat in your seat. But I would eat it at a table in the concourse facing the wall. You got to be alone. Making carnal noises. And if anyone came up to me, I would react the same way. that Marge's father did when she saw that he was a stewardess on a flight. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:43:27 Don't look at me! I would smash the shit out of this sandwich. I might have to go to Detroit just to try that. Oh my God. Steve, I think you can make this a seat witch. A seat witch? You think so?

Starting point is 01:43:42 You could sit on it and it would support you. Yeah, it's so thick. But I think you could, you got monster hands. You can hand that. Did you just tell me? Yeah, you got good. mitts? Well, he would know. He's got big mitts. Jesse, put your hand next to mine.

Starting point is 01:43:56 No. Come on. Come on. Come on. Here, wait. No, get it on. There it is. Look at this little boy mitts. Look, you're not even No, we're friggin. Stop it. Okay, next one. This September, what's coming on NBC?

Starting point is 01:44:16 Get it out. Go. Fucking out. Hey, Steve, you're going to love this one. The Red Wings unveiled a new food and beverage offering like this one, the winged wheel chicken tender basket. That's cool. Uh, so you get the winged wheel thing that you get to take home, but look at those, those chicken tenders look delicious.

Starting point is 01:44:33 That is perfect. Now, Steve, you're a chicken tender man. I am. Uh, sometimes they can be less than good. Does this look, like, since you're a connoisseur, this looks, how does the crisp look on this to you? This looks absolutely perfect. Done to perfection.

Starting point is 01:44:48 They even got it in the shape of the logo. Oh, my God. It is the perfect shape. It might be just the winged wheel thing. I don't care. All right. It's the perfect shade of brown. It's the perfect shade of everything.

Starting point is 01:44:59 Mix, the next one. The meat lover's hot dog, Jesse will love this, featuring a cheddar brought, wrapped in bacon, sorry, beef bacon, which is amazing,

Starting point is 01:45:09 by the way, topped with pulled pork and crispy onions and finished with a little hot honey. Oh, no. That I would kill for. I love a hot dog. Especially one like that with a little crisp on it?

Starting point is 01:45:23 Oh my God. Okay. Can we just talk about the decadence of the name meat lovers hot dog? It's a hot dog. Of course meat lovers are going to love it, but it's meat lovers because you're putting frigging meat on top of...

Starting point is 01:45:44 That's the name of the company though, right? What? Meat lovers. Is it actually? Isn't it Adam? I think it was... Or is that just the name of it? Donald's used to say all beef.

Starting point is 01:45:53 All beef was the name of the company. See, I thought that was an urban legend. Is that an urban legend? I don't know. I don't know. Oh, it's on NBC this week. Yeah. All right.

Starting point is 01:46:01 Now, this one was funny because the Detroit Free Press did not name it in their caption. But this looks to me like some sort of, is that fried, I couldn't tell if that was fried shrimp on a bun. Does that look like fried shrimp to you or is that just chicken sandwich with bacon? I would assume chicken. I assume it's something more creative than that. Yeah. Because they're really good. But it looks good, but they didn't do that one.

Starting point is 01:46:24 The next one I'm pumped about. I love shit like this. So a loaded Hulumi hashtag, Hulumi's cheese, by the way, made with Hulumi cheese stuffed tater tots. Oh, my. Wow. Hulumi cheese is incredible and it's everywhere in England. It doesn't melt the same way other cheeses do, so it tastes good when it's heated up. They've got cremany mushrooms, peppers and onions, a poached egg and garlic a ole.

Starting point is 01:46:48 Holy. Holy, mother of God, that would be my thing. that's so do they sell life insurance at this arena you know what that's a good good point they probably should you know what I don't like I'm not getting it in that bowl

Starting point is 01:47:02 you're serving this to me in a styrofoam container no no Jesse they're going to give you a ceramic one one thing about this picture that stands out to me is the beautiful plating yes we're not getting them they're going to give it to you they're going to say

Starting point is 01:47:17 here's your shit stupid in some sort of cardboard or non-biodegradable. Yeah, they're not giving it to you in a ceramic bowl you'd find in your Nona's basement kitchen. Steve, do the thing where you order this and you go up to the thing

Starting point is 01:47:34 and then you start hearing the oinks and they hand you the food. Oh, that's me. That's how they're giving it. Here's your trough, piggy. They know this is delicious. They know you want to stuff this in your face. Here's a fucking piece of plastic.

Starting point is 01:47:48 They put it in a ladle and they dump it straight into your bare hand. I'm surprised they don't serve all their food in the urinal. They take the hat off your head and dump it into the head. Eat it off the urinal, you fucking pig. This is so good. You ordered this? You're disgusting. You should feel shamed.

Starting point is 01:48:07 By the way, it's always in styrofoam and you can always put a fork through it, which pisses me. Yeah. You know, Edvinson's not even signed too and you go, I don't even care, Daddy. And you freaking eat it. On the picture, it looks like I'm in. And a nice resortant Hulam with this plating with this. Holy shit.

Starting point is 01:48:24 Hulumi cheese, stuffed tater tots, served directly on a urinal puck. Yeah. Yeah, that is such a good point. Next one, you know, obviously it's called Little Susie's Arena. The Illiches do know pizza. They might not know signing contracts, but they know pizza. Mike's pizza bar, as in Mike Illich,

Starting point is 01:48:41 has a New York style in Detroit? Not a Detroit style? New York style sausage pizza. There's too much bread on this. Yeah, there's a lot of bread. Big crust. I like a big crust if you've got the right dipping sauce. But that's a thick crust.

Starting point is 01:48:58 Do they have pizza pizza, dipping sauce at Little Caesars? They do not, I don't think so. They would have little seasons. I'm out. Okay, next one. Next one, this is a little fancy. Samples of the, it's called the bread and butterboard. Serve it to you on the wood paddle.

Starting point is 01:49:14 Artisan. This is Adams kind of shit. Cultured butter with roasted garlet. like shaved radish, artisanal sea salts on grilled sourdough. So this is like a mixing board of just stuff, like little tap. Absolutely no way it comes on a nice charcutory board.

Starting point is 01:49:28 No, no, I don't think so. Imagine just a bunch of Detroit fans walking around with those wooden paddles. Fucking paddles. They're just whacking each other. Yeah, that's a paddling.

Starting point is 01:49:39 And announcing number 71, Dylan Larkdunk. Yeah, no, that wouldn't make it to, opening puck drop. Okay, they also have a ramen. If you scroll down there, Jesse, just you're straight ahead. American history on USA Today. Oh, get out.

Starting point is 01:49:55 Oh, look at that. That looks good. I love a good ramen. I don't know if I want ramen at a game, though. No. But I love a good ramen. So it's only for people who are in sweets. That's on the caption. Thank God. So I imagine this would be available with you. Imagine some guys trying to scoot by you and he dumps his ramen in your lap.

Starting point is 01:50:15 You jump up for a goal. Yeah. And just everyone has third degree burns. You know, those World Cup videos of British fans just pouring their beer out and it's just Detroit fans pouring their ramen out. Yeah. Just, oh man, you're a hardcore Red Wings fan. You painted your face and everything. No, I was here last night and burn.

Starting point is 01:50:35 And someone scored. And I have second degree burns from the ramen that my seatmate had. A few other things. Let's scroll down a couple of pictures there, Jesse, because there's the shaft. Let's keep going. Hello, chef. Wouldn't he? Let's keep.

Starting point is 01:50:47 No, no, no, let's keep going. That's the one. Oh, my. Now, we've got three of them. You got the filet mignon sandwich, which we already mentioned. You also have the meat lover's hot dog. That's the full hot dog. That's what it looks like.

Starting point is 01:50:56 And the light the lamp, which I think is fried chicken on a stick. They didn't really say. That's, that is just hog behavior. Yeah. Now, they got some drinks, too. If we could just roll down here, Jesse, too. Let's ignore that one. All right. The Red Wings will offer a duck, duck goal during select games for their 101st

Starting point is 01:51:22 NHL season. The drink feature is Bacardi, Malibu, pineapple juice, blue curacao, cold foam, served in a fish bowl. That doesn't look like a fish bowl to me. That looks like a mason jar. With a blue light-up ice cube and a hockey rubber duck. So this is what I wanted to talk about. The last one. The stewed bean hot pot that feeds. features bean pot, cassoulet. Metal skillet with chicken comfy, chicken apple, and fennel sausage, and toasted cornbread. Now, that I don't think you could serve with the hot pot. I don't think you could serve that on the slop that we're used to.

Starting point is 01:52:05 That feels like a sit down. But that looks amazing. It looks incredible. I am going to, I could get shot for this, but I'm going to come out against big fennel. You don't like fennel That's yeah What are we doing There's so many better

Starting point is 01:52:18 Sausage ingredients What are we doing Chorizo is the elite sausage I think Yeah Fennel sausage isn't bad But those chorizo's What else do we put fennel in?

Starting point is 01:52:26 That's a really good question I don't know I don't cook enough That's because you're You're falling for the big Fennel lobby We gotta get it out of her sausage There's better things to put in there

Starting point is 01:52:37 Jesse do you agree with Steve That the fennel sausage Was the wrong choice For the apple chicken chicken confi I would have gotten like four things on this list before this one. Okay. Yeah, this isn't my cup of tea.

Starting point is 01:52:48 This looks like something they would serve at medieval times. And I mean that as a compliment. And I would eat it with my hands. I would pick up the skillet and drink the soup and then I'd eat the chicken and sausage bare handy. What I want to see from the people is when you order these things in real life,

Starting point is 01:53:10 what does it actually come on? I want to see the actual president. of the real life food. Thank you. Because these are the staged photos on the most beautiful pieces of dishware or hardwood. I want to see what it looks like in the arena on your plastic. You're going to get it on either red checkered or brown cardboard with either red checkered or brown paper inside of the container. And you will eat your piggy slop.

Starting point is 01:53:41 And you got to grab like 42 of those white. napkins. Yes. You got to stuff in your pocket and then bring to your seat. Nothing. That's just made of literally nothing and will crumble the second you get something on your mouth. I've always wondered why they make them that way because it just means you take more of them. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:53:59 And I don't think they're saving money. No. Do you think they're saving money? No. When I'm by myself, I'm like, oh, these are inconvenient and don't really do anything. When I'm with kids, I'm like, I'll commit a crime. Please get napkins and do stuff. I'll commit a crime.

Starting point is 01:54:14 I've had a good run. I've been free for a long time. It's time for jail. Toilet paper that does stuff too. Oh, you don't like half ply? Yo, I remember at school, we used to have this, this stuff that wasn't even ply. It was like, it looked like wax paper and it would come out in these little rectangles when I was in my junior public school. And it was just like, you just like pull it out.

Starting point is 01:54:33 You'd have to pull it like 20. Jesse, have you seen this food? This is an important part of the conversation. And then you go to Scotia Bank Arena. And if you're sitting in the lower bowl, it's an $800 night these days. And you go to the bathroom. and the toilet paper, if I breathe the wrong way, it just goes, pooh, disappears.

Starting point is 01:54:49 Like, you guys can buy, yeah, if you're going to charge me that, you could at least give me some two-ply. If I'm sitting in a suite, it better be made of game-worn jersey. Yeah, yeah. I don't care. It gets in there, right?

Starting point is 01:55:01 It really gets it clean. So that is your fat guy corner for today. Now, we will be back on Friday with one more episode, and of course, CJ's show releasing early tomorrow morning as well. So there's plenty of context. plenty of content and VIP happening Friday morning as well hooray

Starting point is 01:55:19 lots there's things and what are we like six days away from the start of season I'm so pumped for the first waiver claim oh that's going to be unreal the Steve Dangel podcast follow the guys on Twitter

Starting point is 01:55:37 at Steve underscore Dangal at Adam WYLD and at Jesse Blake connection complete

The Steve Dangle Podcast - Mundane Truth | September 23, 2026

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