The Steve Dangle Podcast - The Gremlin | March 30, 2018

Episode Date: March 31, 2018

On this episode, we have a PIPING HOT TAKE (00:00), Scott Foster is a hero (20:00), Josh Ho-Sang (34:00), John Tavares (50:00), the Leafs clinched a playoff spot (1:05:00), the false narrative of Marleau taking JVR's money (1:15:00), Adam wants to trade Jake Gardiner (1:28:00), what do the Canucks do with the Sedins (1:33:00), and the press conference (1:50:00). Originally aired: March 30, 2018 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/q9gQ6Gd7Pww Merch: https://teespring.com/en-GB/stores/fancydangleshirts Follow us on Twitter: @Steve_Dangle, @AdamWylde, & @JesseBlake Follow us on Instagram: @SteveDangle, @AdamWylde, & @Jesse.Blake Subscribe to us on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/steve-dangle-podcast/id669828195?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Panago Pizza presents S.T.P. The Steve Dangle Podcast with your hosts, Steve Dangle and Adam Wilde. Are you ready for a piping hot take? I want it. Oh, this take is the hottest. It's a T-A-E-K. It's that hot. Wow.

All right? Wow. And this comes from a source that normally I'm right on board with. But this is a very controversial thing and I think, I think it's just wrong. I think straight up sometimes, you know what? Even the best of us, and this guy's way better than I am for sure, the best of us are wrong sometimes. Do you have my Twitter up?

No, it's not yours. I think I know where you're going with this. Where do you think I'm going with this, Jesse? I'm curious. Okay, I'm trying to think of all the takes. There was a Scott Foster take from last night. Is that where you're supposed to bring it? Oh, I'm not going, but you hang on to that Scott Foster take.

I'll have to find it. Yeah, please find the Scott Foster take. I have not seen the Scott Foster take. I saw, okay And you're not allowed to look at his computer, by the way Don't look at his computer Yep, we're in a different studio Because I screwed us over and forgot to book the actual one

You did not I actually screwed us over by moving the podcast from Thursday to Friday Yeah Fair enough So blame Jesse Hashtag blame Jesse That's, it's not going to start off If you two

Adam's innocent Adam innocent wild There would have been a Reddit thread about what an asshole I am for putting us in this studio Um, okay You would have found a way to make the mistake about the Soviet Union For sure fur treaty Mark Lazarus

Mark Lazarus see he, I must have missed this tweet because he was in fine form he was, until he wrote this and I love Mark Lazarus let me just put that out there this is not a slant, but I don't think this is a great opinion

he's a really interesting beat reporter to follow because he walks this line of journalistic integrity and just saying silly things and swearing and having fun with his job

what did he say Connor McDavid oh boy here we go that's that's volcanic already wow that's all it took

Steve by the way move the microphone up just a little bit towards just so we can get you I don't want you to sound off how's that Connor McDavid

C McD has 25 goals and 27 assists in his last 30 games that's pretty good it's remarkable he's truly amazing and otherworldly talent.

Yep. That's it? That's a good tweet. That is a good tweet. What is the, what's the old saying about the word butt? It cannot lie.

Well, other than that, other than that, I mean, it's actually hips that cannot lie. Oh, right. My bad. Yeah. I don't know.

It only leads to trouble. Well, no. What does Aunt Adam have to say about this? Essentially, Auntie Adam says, everything that someone says to you after the word but is the only part that really matters in the sentence. Right? Wow, what a good saying.

That is good, actually. No, it's not my saying. There is an actual saying that's more concise than that. Connor McDavid has 25 goals and 27 assists in his last 30 games. It's remarkable. He's truly amazing and otherworldly talented. And you know what? No one disagrees with you, Mark.

But that whole stretch came in an utterly meaningless game, came in utterly meaningless games long after his team was far far out of playoff contention stop trying to make fetch happen basically what he's saying is stop trying to make Connor for the heart happen

so okay very interesting Adam how do you feel about that well my first thought was so the other teams the 30 other teams they were playing that was a meaningless game to them you didn't know everyone stops trying? Once the Oilers are out?

Once the Oilers are out, everybody stops trying against the Oilers. Oh no, they didn't lose 7-4 at all. And the other thing is, I would say, 25 goals and 27 assists in 30 games, if the award we're speaking about here is most

valuable to their team, it's an inarguable point when you look at that 30 game stretch. And I'm someone that's pro Nathan McKinnon for this. But how do you argue with that? If that is the way the word is written, who cares how well the team did? This is most valuable to your team in the regular season.

Because remember, the awards are voted on for the regular season, not in the playoffs, except for the Conn Smythe. I have a question then. I'm excited for your question. How come? But, no, I'm kidding, I'm kidding. How come for the last month, five weeks, six weeks, seven weeks, eight weeks, every time I bring up the fact that the Arizona Coyotes

Are one of the hottest teams in the NHL you both laugh at me you both laugh at that statement Despite its truth. It's smart insider man truth. How come you laugh at that? I Mean these games don't matter right? I don't so like it doesn't matter that they're winning games Didn't they beat Tampa recently? Oh? Who haven't they beaten is the better question? They've eaten everybody You know why they've been a great team for a month month and a half two months months. I just want to know why that doesn't matter to anybody. You know what,

Steve? What? It's a fair point and I'll concede it. It's a fair point and I'll concede it. Here's the problem, though. Sounds great, Adam. Jesse? They're still last in the Western Conference. I don't understand the point you're trying to make. The point I'm trying to make is it's the same damn thing. What?

So either the Coyotes' performance since not losing their first 20 games, whatever it was. matters as much as McDavid's performance, whether we're talking good or bad. No, no, no, no, no. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

You can't. Why? Look at the Coyotes. It's kind of McDavid Jam. Walk Jam 2018 forever. Look at the Coyotes' season. You have to look at it as a whole. Look at McDavid's season.

It's a great season. It's a heart-trophy-worthy season. The Coyote season is a second-last-place season, so what are you arguing about? Only recently, by the way. Yeah. So what are you arguing? So McDavid's season as a whole

has been better than the Coyote's season as a whole. I don't think that's... That's a good point, and I'll concede it. Jesse wins again. I don't think that was up for debate. Well argued. I personally tuned out, I'm not going to lie. Thank you.

But the point I'm trying to make... How come my wife would just admit that? She doesn't do that? No, because, like, it sucks, because I realize it, and now I gotta go back and see where she left off. Oh, man. How many pages back? Caprice does that, too. And I actually call her on it.

It's mostly Instagram. It's mostly, like, we're in the middle of a conversation, and she'll be like, Hey, you know, I want to hang out tonight. Let's hang out. And then I'll be talking to her or whatever, and you just see the phone, like, eyes go to the phone. Have you been living together long enough that you can tell she's not listening from the other room? Oh, yeah. Just by the sound of her voice?

Yeah. I can tell when she's on the phone, not listening. She'll just, like, sometimes she just wants to call to know that I'm there. And she'll just leave the phone on, and I'm like, no, no, no, I'm not doing this. Goodbye. No. I love you, but goodbye. Yeah, sorry.

Anyway, Connor McDavid. I understand what Mark is trying to say there, but I think he's wrong. I think it's a flawed argument. To say that those games don't matter, for the Oilers, they still mattered. 30 games ago, I believe it was Cam Talbot who came out and said, we will make the playoffs this year. Cam, Marc Messier, Talbot. And it worked.

And by the way, I'm referring to the Marc Messier in Vancouver, his first season, where he said, we will make the playoffs, and they did not make the playoffs. Remember when they had, like, navy blue and maroon jerseys? That's right. That's right. I remember. I remember. One of the best things about the Hart Trophy race is that the votes will be public this year.

Yeah. And now we'll all be able to know who voted for McDavid and who didn't. So, okay, Jesse, can you bring up the stats of the LA Kings? Sure. Because to me, the most interesting case study in the Hart debate is how do you feel about Anzi Kopitar's name being in there and how do you compare him to Connor McDavid? You mean last year? This year.

Oh, this year. What do you mean? Kopitar has had a sneaky, amazing season. He has, where he had like five goals last year. Yeah, and on top of him having a sneaky, amazing season, he is just otherworldly compared to his teammates. Jesse, how many points does Kopitar have, and how many points does the next closest guy have?

Anze Kopitar has 89 points. Jeez. In 78 games, 35 goals, 54 assists. the next closest on his team is Mr. good friend of the show Drew Dowdy who has 57 points. That's a great season for him Wow. So what is it you said 89

versus 57? Yes He's 32 points in the lead for his own team like were they all unassisted? Is that how it works? Look you did it. I did do it Yeah. 89 minus 57 is 32. I'm proud of the math believe me there was a little bit of quiver in my voice

because I was not sure but okay so So Kopitar is clearly just destroying the competition around the league, but he's also kind of on an island on his own team. What's Connor McDavid's lead on his teammates? I would love to know. I will tell you in half a second. Let me think.

I think it won't be as much. I think it will be less than 32, and I'm blindly guessing that, by the way. Adam, what do you think? Has he eclipsed 100 yet? Well, here's the thing. Dreisaitl's there. So he should be, with his $9.5 million contract, up there with McDavid. The Nugent's point per game total has actually been really good, but he's been out for so much.

Connor McDavid currently has 103 points. I'm going to say Leon Dreisaitl is hovering somewhere in the 70 to 75 range. I'm going to guess 74. Leon Dreisaitl has 68 points. Oh, so McDavid's lead is even bigger. Yes, it is 35. So it's a three-point difference. It's pretty much the same.

Pretty much the same. McDavid has more points, obviously. Kopitar's team is in the playoffs right now. Are they still? Yes. Yeah, they're third in the Pacific, I want to say. They are third in the Pacific. You are correct.

They're in the playoffs right now. McDavid's team is what? Fifth last? Three from the bottom in the West. So shouldn't your arguments for McDavid be the exact same as they should be for Kopitar? and shouldn't Kopitar win the tiebreaker? I would argue that he should. Well, if you're basing it on regular season alone,

you can't count playoffs. No, yes, you can. Because the regular season gets you to the playoffs. You can't count their performance in the playoffs, but getting them to them. I think... Like goalies, you're judged on wins and losses and those are regular season outcomes.

I definitely think your team making the playoffs has, your overall team has an effect on whether your individual performance is good enough for the heart. I think it should definitely be a factor. You shouldn't just look at it inside of a vacuum and be like, hey, this guy scored this many points. No, he's playing a sport, too.

His team's got to win. I, uh... You know, what's been the strangest thing to me about the heart conversation is why so many people are so dug in. Like, it's a great year with so many genuine competitors for this award. Why are you yelling at anybody

that they have an opinion that's different than yours? I don't think Conor McDavid should win the heart. But if someone were to come to me and go, Conor McDavid should win the heart, I'd go, cool, I get it. Now, is the reason Conor McDavid shouldn't win the heart because Edmonton's been so bad this year? Yeah.

You believe that? I mean, if they make the playoffs and he leads the league with 103 points and he's got a 35-point lead on his teammates... That's my issue. That's my issue. I don't really, again, like I said in the last couple episodes, I really don't give a fuck.

But if we're having this conversation, And him making the playoffs or not making the playoffs is immaterial to me. Because there's really, it's not, hey, who's the most valuable guy on his team who also made the playoffs? That's not the award. It's most valuable to his team. Where are the Edmonton Oilers without Connor McDavid? Is there a team that falls further? A few spots lower.

Is there a team that falls, that becomes that much worse? Connor McDavid worse. And if that's the case, okay, fine. But they're already terrible. They are already terrible, but my point is they'd have, like, 40 points without him. No, they'd still be an NHL team. They'd still be competitive. They're already bad.

So, like, you take away McDavid, they're just bad still. I just don't see how that doesn't make him the most valuable player to his team. Adam, you and I were terrible math students. Okay. Yes. A 49 and a 0, it's all a fail. Yeah. Who cares, you know, if you got 49 or a 0?

You got to get at least to 50. 50's the pity pass. We all know that. I got that in grade 10 math. 51 is the real pass. Okay. So the fact that McDavid is taking his team from, what do they got now? I don't know, 60-something points, whatever.

The fact that they're there, but without them, my goodness. I mean, they'd have 44 points or something. Who cares? They stink. Yeah, and one of the things in this run, McDavid's led the league since February 1st. McDavid's had 48 points, 40 at even strength. And since February 1st, the Edmonton Oilers have been terrible. During this great run, like that other night when everybody was going crazy about that goal he scored,

they lost that game 7-4. That's unbelievable. And didn't they blow a lead? Yeah, they were up, I think, 3-1 or something in the first. It was ridiculous. And that's the thing. Like, to me, the wording, you know, if the Hart Trophy is the Hart Trophy, then we need to stop calling it the MVP.

Most valuable player? Because he's not... Because the Hart Trophy is not the most valuable player. It's the most valuable player to his team. To me, your MVP should be your best player, like it is in every other sport. Isn't that what the Ted Lindsay is for, though? What's the writing on that one?

Ted Lindsay, I think, is just the best player as voted on by the players. It might be the most valuable player as voted on by the players, but, I mean... Okay, fine. Then it's the Ted Lindsay. Fine. Yeah.

I would weight the Ted Lindsay higher than the Hart. That's fair if you want to look at it that way. You know what? I think that Ted Lindsay, to me, especially from his peers, way more important than the heart. That's an interesting point. Like, do NHL players give a crap what a bunch of bloggers and writers think? I want to know that the other players in the league think I'm the best. Yeah.

It's the Ted Lindsay Award, formerly the Lester B. Pearson Award. Is that the same Pearson Airport guy? Yeah, he was the Canadian Prime Minister. Why does it change that? This is the most NHL thing ever Within the last 10 or 15 years But why? I guess you go from a prime minister

To a hockey guy Look him up He was one of the negotiators In a world crisis that could have exploded In a World War 3 How many goals did he score? He didn't score any fucking goals He just saved the world from the brink in the 50s

There it is Against the Soviets Adam You know what let's change the name to the Stanley Cup because no one knows who he is. Wow. Right? Am I right? The Ted Lindsay Award.

And let's make the Stanley Cup glow. That's right. The Ted Lindsay Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by the members of the National Hockey League Players Association. Most outstanding.

Now... And that's the award that matters to me. It is a companion to the Hart Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the league's most valuable player as judged by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, President Mark Spector. Vice President Chris Johnston. Is that a thing?

Yeah. I think so, yes. I think he just got that, too. I think that just happened. This year, yeah. I think they, like, cycle. They rotate. Now, this is interesting.

Do you think part of the purpose of the heart is to generate conversation like this? Because if it were just best player every single year, Connor McDavid barring injury is going to win at 15 straight years well that's just the thing

barring injury look at Sidney Crosby he's been injured if we're talking Connor McDavid broke a collarbone in his first season how many more

yep didn't win the workie of the year I don't think I think it was Panarin it was Panarin yeah

40 year old Panarin it should have been McDavid and as I said I said that back then it should have been McDavid man Panarin

looks like he's in his prime but how many more MVPs would LeBron have for example if it was just

best player I think it is best player isn't it in the NBA it's MVP it's MVP but you can interpret it however you want

but any given year if you were to ask people who's the best basketball player in the world they'd be like LeBron oh no oh I mean I mean if you talk to

Skip Bayless it's anybody but LeBron it's whoever's also good that year but not LeBron who's the best player if it went to anybody other than

Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid for the last like 10 years you've given it to the wrong person who's the better player Kopitar or Crosby

I would argue Crosby but it's based on performance but in this season so in a season every year LeBron is the best player but

Russell Westbrook had a better performance that year so he gets the trophy and James Harden might get it this year because he's had a great performance

exactly the other thing I wanted to point out a lot of people are saying Connor McDavid is the one being punished for, or if he has not voted for the Hart, he'll be

getting punished because the Oilers suck so much. Yeah. Well, okay, then the alternative is to punish Kopitar because the Oilers suck. You know what I mean? Where would the Oilers be without McDavid? And that affects

Kopitar how? I think the point is, you're supposed to give it to the player that's most valuable to his team. You're not punishing Kopitar, you're punishing McDavid because his team sucks. And basically decisions that his general manager made. Let's be honest. Totally. I mean, like,

if the Oilers keep trading the best players on their team for lesser players, like they've been doing... Someone's getting jobbed here. But do you... Are you punishing Malkin because Crosby's on his team? Because Malkin's had a better year than Kopitar. But he's playing with Crosby. Conor McDavid has had a better year than Anze Kopitar.

Period. End of story. Conor McDavid would be the most... And yet he won't win. He would be the most valuable player on his team on every team in the National Hockey League. but he's getting MVP consideration because his team is one of the worst. So the chasm is bigger. He would have been MVP last year. He won it last year, and they made the playoffs.

That's why. But his numbers were a lot more far ahead above everybody else last year. Yeah, wasn't it like 100 versus like 70-something? Yeah, yeah. This year they're actually, he wasn't leading the scoring race until a week ago. I can't wait to read my mentions tomorrow. Just the tire fire of... All of us.

Everyone's mad about this. Everyone. Because it's poorly worded. I want to get rid of this. I want to get rid of it until June. Yeah, I'm done. I don't care. Are we done?

You know what? When the regular season ends next week, we'll bring it up again. So we gave you a bad Mark Lazarus take. I think that was a bad take. I think we can all agree that's a bad take, right? It's a bad take. No. Those 30 games were not meaningless.

No. I think it's a bad take. No. Yeah, you can... 30 games can change your life. Ask Andrew Hammond. But I'm going to balance Mark Lazarus out here because Mark Lazarus is mostly good.

And just like all of us, if you can be mostly good at life, then you're set. And Mark Lazarus is beyond mostly good. And here's a great tweet. And Steve, you sent this one to the group. If Duncan Keith doesn't score a goal in the last four games of the season,

he'll set the NHL record for the lowest non-zero shooting percentage dating back to 1959-1960. That's when the Leafs were still winning cups. when shots became an official stat, he currently sits at 0.5%. That is a great weird stat. Very good weird stat.

I like that as well as the shutout assist. I think that might even be better. Non-zero shooting percentage. Yeah, you can shoot zero. If you score no goals, that's zero. That's amazing. Non-zero. That is a true sign that you just friggin' struggled.

It was just impossible for you to score. And this is my favorite. Joe Quinvo with a bemused look on his face. Colin D'Elia is out. Scott Foster, sorry, D'Elia is out. Scott Foster, the emergency goalie who played at, was it Wisconsin University or Western Michigan? Honestly, it doesn't matter. I think it's Western Michigan University.

I think so. 15 years ago is coming in. Holy shit, he stopped seven shots. Seven shots, and one of them was a pretty good one. One of them was a pretty good one. He stopped a Dustin Bufflin shot. He stopped a Patrick Laine shot. There were 14 minutes left.

Now, there was an interesting little thing. Tyler Myers I think it was took a blast on Scott Foster and I couldn't tell if he held up or not and he looked ashamed

of himself when he made the save and of course the United Center explodes and everyone's like oh my god he stopped Tyler Myers

do you even feel proud if you score on him hey man a goal's a goal it's the NHL it's the end of the season you're fighting for

number one in the division don't care I don't care who you start There's only one other time I can think of an emergency goalie Actually playing It was Niagara Ice Dogs Against the Erie Otters When the Erie Otters were bad

Bad Really bad How bad were they? Bad Their backup goalie Had to start And they told One of their healthy scratch forwards

Hey just be ready in case someone gets hurt Ramis Sadikov The backup goalie Gets hurt in the first minute Of the game That's a name Ramis Sadikov So they got a call on

You think that's a name Connor Crisp They say Connor We need you to get Your equipment on So he comes out He looks ridiculous

In his goalie equipment Because his jersey Is not a goalie jersey So it's just this Like tight Like tank top On all his goalie stuff The Ice Dogs

Who were really good That season Lit him up for 13 goals And if you look at the Oh that's a little mean Yeah And if you look at the highlights It's like, I want to say they had, like, Ryan Strom.

I want to say, did they have Dougie Hamilton? This was 2012. They were really good. They scored, and they were like, this is ridiculous. Like, they just wanted the game to be called. They just wanted it to be over. They didn't look like they felt proud about it at all. But you get stopped by him.

Isn't it worse? Isn't it worse? That you stopped? No, that you got stopped by a renter goalie. I think it's just, it is what it is. He might not even be the best goalie in his beer league. But hey, he stopped seven of seven NHL shots, man. His last competitive game.

That's a great story. Last competitive game. He allowed three goals. And it was Western Michigan University. Three goals in a backup role. He went in for another goalie. Relief. 2005.

So it's been 13 years. I was in... Grade 11. The 11th grade. We talked about doing this podcast. The show back then. Thank you, Scott Foster, for making it come full circle. Yep.

There it is. Now, Jesse, you had a take about Scott Foster. Because everybody's talking about what a great story this is. And I would say, yes, it is. And Ken Reed even used it as a great opportunity to promote his book. Guys that got in the NHL for like one game. Oh, my God. If he ever does a sequel, this has to be him.

Oh, my gosh. I am excited to learn why Scott Foster is a sandwich. He's jam. He's jam. This comes from a Finnish writer. He's currently stationed in Helsinki, according to his Twitter bio. Juha Hitala. Is that how you say it?

I don't know Good luck pronouncing anything in Finnish He's verified He is a member of the PHWA I think I follow him but most of his stuff is in Finnish And he tweeted this last night Scott Foster is a great story

And good for him But this just proves the fact that most goaltenders Are overpaid and goalies are overrated When it comes to projecting team success Well Mark You're off the hook Uh, because that take is a... You know what we need to start doing is, first, for the season, hottest takes.

We need to do like a top five hottest takes over the course. That is a... He's kidding, right? I don't think so. Did the humor get lost on me in print? Everyone's lighting up in the comments. Gif And then someone's sarcasm

I hope He didn't reply to any of them I hope that's sarcasm So hopefully it's sarcasm That has to be Well okay no So he said something in Finnish Can we translate it?

All you goalies are spoiled Overrated Prima donnas So maybe he's joking I think he's maybe joking He said something in Finnish That looked like I think he said

No yoku No joking Maybe yoku is joking Or joke Or something Anyways That is a That was the hardest thing I saw yesterday

That is a Spicy Like Ghost pepper burrito Filled with brussel sprouts and broccoli Fart Awful hot take And I hope he's kidding

There's like no way he believes that That is a top five worst take of the season There's no way He can't believe that No He doesn't believe I think he's kidding But it's a good one

If he does Listen If we find out that he does believe it That is going to the top of the board Of the hottest takes I've seen Not just this year All time And that includes all the hot takes I have myself

It won't be the Scoville scale anymore It'll be the Hitler scale What's the Scoville scale? That's the spiciness of a pepper Oh I thought Scoville was some writer that had a really bad take once And that's been like an internet joke Because that would be very funny

There's actually like a scale of hot takes named after someone? Oh you just gave me a great idea for a new character Just Hank Scoville Hockey's best hot takist Connor McDavid Worst player in the NHL My column He spells column wrong

My column With a B on the end Yeah my column Hank Scoville Can we start a Twitter account? Why Hank? Hank Scoville? Can we introduce him to

Smarting Sutterman? Why not Scott Scoville? Yeah it's gonna be Scott Cause Scott's a dick Shit Right? Scott Scoville South Park

There's Scott he's a Canadian Scott's a dick I just wanted to see it I see Scott Scoville Edmonton's premier beat reporter

based in Edmonton born in Vancouver I love it I love it Scott Scoville we're coming up with it okay alright I have another question

yeah if you guys could be the emergency replacement for any professional sport what do you think you'd excel at

that's a good question not hockey goalie do you think you to just fill in for like 10 minutes at the end of a game in some sport and do okay

and not royally screw your team not die I feel like we've had this conversation before like basketball because I just wouldn't get hurt

yeah but you wouldn't your team would be down a man the entire time and then you'd probably lose that's fine we're trying to not screw your team over

as opposed to the other sports where they'd be great dodgeball that's not that's a sport dodgeball I'm a pretty good

dodgeball player fair Okay, I'm a pretty good dodgeball player Dragon boat for me Sport None of the major professional sports No way Like baseball, I would bunt

You can sit in right field for like a couple innings Sure, but my fielding sucks So as long as no one hits it my way, I'm good Like if it's a right heavy team, I'm good But you play dodgeball, you got a cannon, right? Yeah, but it's a little different Like you're talking about, you know, several meters difference You're right, Adam, that's preposterous

I think the difference between a pro baseball player and a nobody and a pro dodgeball player and a nobody is a lot smaller. I want to see you on the Ocho. I think it'd be exciting. That's right. I was going to... No, I can't make that joke. I don't know.

I don't know. Hockey. Screw it. You know what? I blocked an NHL player's shot in a scrimmage once. Are you weirdly going to, like, pool? Can you play a little billiards or something? Ping pong?

You know what would you be? I'm really good at that cup game. Yeah, I could probably sit in the outfield, I think. You could play Triple H baseball. Time to play the game! He spits out water. I can't believe I remembered his theme song. I never remember anything.

Jesse coming up to Motorhead. He's just got a bunch of metal skulls. Oh, and in comes Shawn Michaels! It's all about the game and contradicting! That's Jesse's modified version. Yeah, you know what, Jesse? How far did you get in baseball? That's not the question I asked you.

No, no, no, there's a reason I'm asking you this. How far did you get in baseball? Triple A. I was one level under OBA. So how much further did Scott Foster get in his hockey career than you got in your baseball career? I didn't play university baseball. But you could have.

I played high school baseball. But how far away is that? That's like another three years of baseball would have been because I didn't play in grade 12. No, but if you're playing AAA baseball, especially in Canada, you could make a university baseball team. Probably. Yeah.

Dude, you're not far off. You could have been baseball's Scott Foster. Dude, it's really not. Like, anybody that played AAA anything, it's not that far. I think we underrate how good athletes are. You're probably right. Yeah, non-athlete Jesse over here. 6'4", athletic build, probably moves like a gazelle on the field.

Every time the Olympics come on, everyone's like, we should have a regular person do all of the stuff along with the Olympians. I think we need to do that one day because they're so good, and I think we underrate them because we see them on TV and they make it look easy. Remember when we went to Pursuit at, like, Obstacle Course Place? And there was this half pipe that you got to, like, run up and, like, jump and grab something and pull yourself up to get to the top. And I, like, sprinted this thing, and I run up the wall, and I grab it, and I'm like, ah, I did it! And Jesse just walked up.

He just walked up. Because we're different humans. We are, yeah. And, like, I'm not going to sit here and fool myself and say I could fill in for a inning in a baseball game. Because, no, that guy is— You just said to me you could see an IVL. Scott Foster was doing someone's taxes like three or four hours before playing in an NHL game. Scott Foster should win the Vesna.

I agree. That was another interesting thing I looked up, actually. And I would love Mark Lazarus to maybe look up this crazy stat. How many goalies have played in an NHL game, at least one NHL game, and actually faced at least one NHL shot and stopped them all? And that was their entire career. How many goalies in their NHL career faced NHL shots and never allowed an NHL goal? I tried to look it up on NHL.com yesterday, and it's difficult to look up because it's NHL.com.

Also, because I don't think they always tracked shots, but I think it was at least 32 goalies in NHL history. Oh, okay. I thought it was going to be like two. No. Well, yeah, but you know what? A lot of them didn't face as many shots as he did. He faced seven shots. Like a lot of these guys, you know, they come in, you know, face one, face two.

And then they never play again. Yeah, he faced seven. Seven shots against one of the most potent offenses in the league, and they were losing. Should the Jets be embarrassed? A little bit. That they had 14 minutes to score a goal on an accountant, and they couldn't? They should be more embarrassed that they had 14 minutes to score on an accountant, And they only mustered half a shot per minute

They got 7 shots In 14 minutes Do you think they let up a little I don't think so If you're an NHL player you don't let up And if you do then you are making them I just wouldn't If he's going to dress put the pads on

How sad of a story would that have been If they come back and completely light him up And score like 8 goals They score And then they drop the gloves and give him the double fuck you It's like the sound bar is so mean We are the champions They just like cheer over him

Scott Foster is Stan though In the hockey episode Scott Foster And now he's about to find out That being a goalie Isn't so easy Scott Foster in Saved

Coming to a theater near you I thought so Well I just I have this thing Scott Foster A glove story Oh, wow. You came up with that on the fly.

That's amazing. No, the reason I think that, you know, dropping the double middle finger would be hilarious is because it's just like, let's pile on the new guy. Scored! Eight goals. Patrick Laine with an NHL record. Ten goals.

He breaks Daryl Sittler's record just in goals. All right. What do we know about the NHL when it comes to speaking? oh they always make the right decisions very forward thinking and never anything regrettable never never anything regrettable not necessarily the league i'm talking about uh even players and that sort of thing what do we know oh they're boring sure generally speaking what happens when they're not it's great and wonderful and we talk about it on this show out what happens to them oh what happened do good things happen they get yelled at see i thought you were about to go

with Scott Foster after the game and all his quick little quips he had with the media, it just dawned on me that you're probably talking about Josh Hosang. There it is. There it is. Arthur Staple. Oh, boy. The Athletic.

Oh. Why did I grunt at that? $2 a month. You grunted the same way that you grunted about Conor McDavid. Poor Arthur Staple. No, this is a great article. Arthur Staple is. A stapler

That's not good It's so bad I just remembered Rob Schneider Okay Back Away from South Park Back to Josh Hosang

For a second Josh Hosang With the most Fired Twitter account In the NHL Here's what he said I couldn't I was trying to think

Of something better Than a stapler I'm gonna read What Arthur Staple said Because I think it's perfect Okay It starts It starts with this

Josh Hosang Has some things he wants to say Oh boy Now that is a good opening line It's not quite Rosie DiManno No But It's pretty good

Who What would Rosie DiManno say? What the fuck is this guy's deal? A column by Rosie DiManno I think it would be a little bit more inflammatory for sure It'd be like Yeah We'll get into it

Mike Homlum Alright You know something's great when it starts with I love those guys and ends and then in the middle

it goes but and this is important but is a very important word in this particular sentence as well so what do we know about the word but all that matters

is what comes after that's right and it is like the fourth or fifth word well it's a sentence in oh okay I love those guys

I want to make that clear that's when you know trouble's coming that's when you know trouble if Caprice says to me listen I love you I want to make that clear.

I'm like, what's happening? What's wrong? I'm happy to be your wife. What's the quote? I know they're working hard, but I got sent, but, and here's where it starts. I got sent down for defense, and what are they in goals in the NHL? I played only 22 games up there this year. I don't think it's my fault.

They really painted it like it was my fault at the beginning of the year, and I didn't like that. I do have some things I need to work on down here. My game is far from perfect. It can constantly improve. But I do think a lot of stuff was unwarranted. especially in terms of the rope that other people were given. I understand I have a history, and that might be a factor. I don't know, but it's frustrating to me.

That's the opening quote. Now, to give you an idea, Josh Hosang in 22 games this year had 12 points, and 12 of those points came in the first 16 games of the year. I remember him being hot. He was. So, you know, he maybe went six games without a point after that. We're barely three weeks into the season,

and he's out. Sorry, he was sent not three weeks into the season, three months into the season. December 15, he was sent down. I'd like to know what the record has been since Josh Hosang got sent down. And here's what Arthur Staple says in the article. And he's seen forwards with lesser offensive abilities

get called up in the meantime, and in the case of Tanner Fritz, even get the coveted spot on John Tavares' wing for a couple games. The Islanders were 17-12-3 when Hosang was sent down for good. They're 15-23-7 since. Last season, the Isles were 29, 22, and 10 when he was up and went 12, 7, and 2.

Sorry, the Isles were 29, 22, and 10 when he was called up, as in that's where they stood. Okay. And then when he was called up, when he was in the lineup, they went 12, 7, and 2. Great. On top of that. Great. Oh, boy. He says, I feel like I can help, you know?

I feel like I can help. When I've gotten the chance to help, I've helped. So I don't know, so I don't know, I don't feel like what I'm saying is so far-fetched. I played at two pretty tough times of the year. I wasn't there in the middle of the season when everybody's dragging a little bit. I was there at the start of the season when everyone's fresh off their workouts, and I played at the end of last year when everyone was trying to make the playoffs. I feel like I've played games of substance and I've done well.

More importantly, the team's done well with me there. If you're going to tell me that I'm bad defensively, I do this, I do that, but you win more than you lose with me in the lineup, dot, dot, dot. Now, here's the double-edged sword, or I guess the dichotomy. Point out a single wrong thing he said. Well... Is he wrong? Anywhere there? Anywhere?

I don't... Nah. I don't think so. Nah. He got it. He's right. In what universe Is it helpful To say any of those things

At what point is it beneficial for him Is it beneficial For the team Is it beneficial for Anybody in the organization Is it beneficial for the fans Who's benefiting here I think the only benefit here is he got to blow off steam

Because What's gonna happen now Well maybe he's pointing out a thing that needs to be pointed out which is maybe they did make a mistake

good for you Josh the word is oh yeah now here the the thing the word on him was he's bad defensively okay well

so is Alexander Ovechkin now I'm not saying Josh Hossang's Alexander Ovechkin but don't do that I'm not but like

Adam just said Josh Hossang is as good as Alexander Ovechkin James Van Riemsdyk bad on defense hey he's got 35 goals

and everybody's talking about let's give him a 7 year deal at 6 million bucks No, Marleau got his money. We can't do that. Well, we're getting to that today. We're getting to that nonsense today. But here's the thing.

Not everybody's good at defense. Well, and also, the Islanders, I think, I still go back to the Stephen Stamkos quote from years ago, and he said he spoke to Guy Boucher when Guy Boucher was head coach at Little Lightning. Work on your strengths 80% of the time and work on your weaknesses the rest of the time because your strengths are what make you special.

Now, some of you might disagree with that. In fact, sometimes I think about that and I go, I don't know. But the Islanders, who are a potent offensive team, could genuinely be like the Leafs at the beginning of the season where we just 8-5 and 7-6 and whatever. Imagine a lineup with Tavares, Eberle, Barzal, Beauvillier. And who's on the top line with Tavares? Josh Bailey.

Tanner Fritz, no. Oh, yeah, because Josh Bailey's out, I guess. And Anders Lee. So your top two lines would be Anders Lee, John Tavares, Josh Bailey, Anthony Beauvillier, Matthew Barzal, Jordan Eberle. And then you would have Josh Hosang in your bottom six somewhere. Who you'd probably throw in. With, boy, do they have a lot of injuries, or are they just not very good?

Do they have any defense? Their defense tonight, their Leafs are playing the Islanders tonight. We just can't watch it. Nick Letty, Johnny Boychuck, Thomas Hickey, Ryan Pollock, and Brandon Davidson, who they acquired in a trade, and Adam Pellick. And Calvin DeHaan's out. Yeah, Calvin DeHaan's out. That's, honestly, that's not awful.

Unless Johnny Boychuck's taking a step back. No, it's not the greatest, but how much is it staggeringly worse than the Leafs? I'll take the Leafs, but is it crazily worse? I think it's a little less balanced. I think the Leafs' strength is the four lines. The Leafs have a goalie. Are the Islanders better with Josh Hossain? Yes.

Yes. So then maybe Adam's right and he's saying a thing that should be said. Hold on, let me just throw this at you too Before you go any further Because Doug Waite said something in January And he responded today And I think they're important quotes to add to this story So, in January

Doug Waite told Yeah, Doug Waite Told Newsday It was a crying shame that Homesang wasn't recalled To play on Tavares' line when Josh Bailey missed two weeks With an injury He said, we had six guys out, it was the perfect opportunity And Josh should be upset with himself

Whether our view of the world is wrong is something we can argue later But the fact is, we need to be able to look at how some guys are laying it on the line in Bridgeport, and he's a healthy scratch. Now, important to note... He was a healthy scratch in Bridgeport? I guess he was. In the AHL? Yeah, so I guess they were...

That says something. That's an AHL rookie thing. That's not a... He's... He got drafted in William Nylander's draft. Right. So here's... Let's just, for a second, let me read his stat line to you.

It's interesting because he's 22 games in the NHL, he had 12 points. 41 games in Bridgeport, he's got 26. so that's not that's not great now so there is obviously something going on off the ice here

and there's obviously something they don't want to talk about but Doug Waite then responded today to the comments that he said

and I'm just gonna read these so we can take from it what we will because I think it kind of completes the story he said um Waite's full statement

to the media says I did see his comments people are emotional it's a game where a lot of people don't speak to the media like Josh does it's free country

that's for sure but it doesn't bring a brush out of me to paint him with or to knock him down in our organization we want Josh to be successful, of course they do I've always liked him, you look at that and I think some things in the article are a natural reaction, a defensive

reaction, sorry look at some things in the article see this is what's really hard, is that when you don't have the actual audio, it's hard to read what some people say sometimes because it's a little bit off, but basically I'm not judging The natural reaction, a defensive reaction, is to tell him to look in the mirror.

Look at his production, look at what he's done, and the other reaction should be from us. We should look in the mirror. We should learn from these events and look through them, and more importantly, we should discuss them with him. Other than discuss them in front of the cameras, and we will do that. Sorry, yeah, see what I mean? For sure, it's eye-opening, and it's an emotional thing for him. He wants to be in the NHL, and that's where we want him. We never we have never singled him out in in that fashion. Well, you kind of did in your actions

There's plenty of other things that have occurred over the time That are different than that for a lot of players every player has his own challenges and we can we go forward There's frustration and I'm glad he hopefully got it got this off his chest But now we need to move forward and we have to do that face to face. That's the last I want to discuss it. I Skipped a bunch of stuff in there. There's a lot of stuff. That's Doug wait, too yeah I mean do you want to have a heart to heart

with Doug Waite I don't know I don't mind well I mean he's your head coach I think the thing is no I know he's just a scary

looking man that's all whatever I mean listen Josh Hosang had I'm not really sure

other than I mean I don't know what's been confirmed about what's gone on off the ice with him but I do know he slept in for training camp

in 2015-2016 and they sent him away right away which was years ago yeah but so if you know

I'm trying to figure out I'm trying to balance He sounds like an immature 21-year-old who needs to grow up. And he probably shouldn't have been running his mouth then because he just seems like he's not ready for the NHL. And his managers know that, and they're keeping him there for a reason. So it's his skill that's ready, but his mind that's not. To me, that's what it sounds like.

Maybe. Now, here's where it becomes a problem. This has been going on for years. So, like, Hockey Canada, like, didn't like the kid. Yeah, I remember that. That was a big thing. So he was left off the Canadian World Junior roster, and everyone was up in arms, and I think the team sucked that year.

I can't remember. Or they won gold. I don't remember. Doesn't matter. He got left off the team. I remember they couldn't score. I think they couldn't score. That was the year they couldn't score.

Maybe. And everyone was going to bat for him, and I joined in, and I was going to bat for him. I was looking at his numbers, comparing them to his peers, and just going, what the hell is going on here? Why are they holding this personal grudge against this kid? Because, I don't know, I guess he was uncooperative or something when they – I feel like there was a training camp for, like, the under-16s or the under-17s or something like that.

So when it came a few years down the line, they're like, we just don't want to deal with them. I got a DM from someone within the OHL, and they're like, there are players worth going to bat for. That is not one of them. Like, this kid's got—he's a pain in the ass. So— But is it that he's a pain in the ass, which many NHL players are? Oh, yeah. Good ones.

Good ones. Mostly good ones. Good ones. It's the bad ones that can't be a pain in the ass because you won't be in the league. But if you're a good NHL player, there are plenty of pain in the ass NHLers that you've never heard of

or you've never heard of being a pain in the ass. Man, there are some baseball players on the Blue Jays in previous seasons that we found out stuff about around here and I found out stuff around VT. Tom Brady won't eat tomatoes. That are heroes in the city. That's a pain in the ass.

Yeah. Well, they're heroes in the city, but they can be a-holes. Yep. Yep. I wonder is whatever's going on with him personally, is he difficult? Is he high maintenance?

Or is he a problem? Because there's a difference. High maintenance is one thing. Are we talking selfish? Are we talking egotistical? What are we talking here? And that would be my... I don't think we can answer that question here today.

But it is very interesting. No, it would be impossible. Unless we knew him personally. Yeah, I'm just looking at his numbers here on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He's sixth in scoring. he's played far fewer games than most of the guys ahead of him except for Tanner Fritz who you mentioned who got the call up with Tavares I'd never heard of him but in 37 game or sorry in

33 games the 26 year old has 37 points so that's really good but in terms of points per game and out of forwards he appears to be second just glancing at it with my eye Devin no he's a defenseman they got some good defenseman um it seems to me you know even though his numbers don't jump off the page at you maybe the sound tigers just aren't that great at scoring goals they don't have the greatest offense and it's hard to get one player to carry your whole team unless you're anzi kopitar or connor mcdavid see what we did there and suffered a score in the nhl as well so i'm not going to judge them too much based on the numbers but i just i look at the quote i look at the quote and i'm on his side i get it you're right the islanders are a better

team with you josh what was the goal like do you think the islanders are going to be like you know what he said something let's call him up now you know what gosh they have had garth snow doesn't do anything anyway like what what what do you what do you think because you mouthed off now Garth Snow is going to, like, awake from, who disturbed my slumber, and friggin' call you up? What's the illusion? Is it possible that with the Snow Must Go stuff going on, that there was an opportunity there to add a little pressure? So you think he's being opportunistic? I'm not saying he, I'm, it's a theory.

I'm not saying that he did. I don't know. Even in that case, he comes off looking, like, petty. I mean is it power politics thing right you don't want to be playing that in public when these people control your future man John Tavares has that kind of clout like young John Tavares

has that kind of clout you are Josh Hosang man you are a like fringe first rounder probably should have gone higher than you did to be honest but I don't know it was a character thing again that they named at the draft and actually Garth Snow at the draft said

well you know they said he doesn't really fit in like he may not fit into your team culture and he's like well shit and this is what he said on the draft floor well shit I don't fit in people always tell me how I'm an outsider well and he wore equipment

and made him look like a transformer but no Hosang was drafted like the Islanders were not wrong to draft Josh Hosang he was worth the risk no matter what because his skill set was there

his skill set is clearly still there I just I don't see I don't see the point of saying that I'm not gonna condemn him for saying it necessarily because we talk about how hockey players are boring and gosh I wish they said more but in this case like if you're a

Josh Hosank fan I think you should maybe wish that he didn't say these things unless hey we look back on this in two three years maybe even next year and we go and that was what turned it all around he joined the Islanders and he became

Tavares' new winger, and he threw up 60, 70 points on his wing and became a millionaire. I don't know, but I just I just, you're not going to force anyone's hand, and I don't think you're going to open anyone's eyes.

I don't know what the benefit was for him. That's all. So you guys want to play a quick game of is it Josh Hosang or Jaden Smith? Yes! Oh, let's do it! We haven't done this in a while. I forgot all about this game And by the way, while we're on the Islanders

I've got some stuff about them, but we'll get to it in a sec What's the score? It's 2-1 Islanders right now It looked like JVR had scored, but they corrected And it's Nazem Khadri with his 31st And it was all a Mitch Marner play, by the way He may not be credited with an assist on it But it was a Mitch Marner play

Alright, tweet one Love is like a fart If you have to force it It's probably poop First off, you googled that, you dick. So that's Josh Hossang for sure. I think Jaden Smith. No, Jaden Smith makes up his own.

For sure. Josh Hossang gets it from just girly things on Tumblr. Oh, like Instagram? Yeah, so it's definitely Josh Hossang. No, I'm going to say Jaden Smith. Adam is very correct. It's Josh Hossang. He googles this stuff for sure.

Damn. Yeah. All right. Number two. Why is there a pyramid with an all-seeing eye on the dollar bill? i'm gonna say see i'm so sure that it's jayden smith and i'm gonna say josh hosang see i'm gonna say it's jayden smith because he likes to ask really ridiculous questions and just a bunch of people respond and go king king king crown king crown doesn't done anything so who's your

answer steve i'm gonna say josh hosang because you know he's in the minors you know he's probably looking at like illuminati or keeping me out of the nhl yeah like a few dollar bills he left on a counter for like a tip in Bridgeport or one of the other many AHL towns and he was just like why is there an all-seeing eye on this

I'm gonna say Josh Hossang Adam I'm gonna say Jaden Smith Adam is correct Adam is 2 for 2 Steve is 0 for 2 final question I only know this

because I follow them both final question why be moody when you can shake your booty oh Josh Hossang is that Hossang or Jaden Smith

I think it's Hossang it is Hossang ah there you go well done Adam 3 for 3 Hey, combined, we're four for six. And therefore, because I'm dragging him down, Adam should win the heart. And the Leafs are tied, by the way.

Zaitsev just scored from Matthews. No way! So here's what Elliott Friedman and Bob McKenzie That was insulting, Nikita. I'm sorry. Arguably the two best insiders on the planet when it comes to the NHL. Here's what they had to say, each of their takes on the Tavares situation. Starting with Elliott Friedman. I think Tavares was disappointed that they didn't make moves at the deadline,

but I think the organization will tell him that they felt handcuffed, that they didn't know what he was going to do, and that they had to keep their assets. Do it. Blame him. That'll work. Look, if John leaves, they're going to need those two first-rounders, and they're both lottery picks. And I think it's going to be a difficult conversation. The rumor around hockey is that he's not happy with the way everything was handled.

But until John Tavares says it for himself, we're all guessing. But there is certainly a feeling that it's less optimistic for him than before. However, I've learned over the years, until an athlete speaks for himself or the agent comes right out and says it, you're still guessing. I'm sure the Islanders are going to go to him and say, John, what do we have to do to make this work? Well, they better. I mean, what else are they going to do? John, you've already had at least one major injury.

Life is short. Your career is even shorter. Come to Toronto. Come win a cup. Bob McKenzie. Let's go, baby. Bob McKenzie. Let's go.

Come on. Fire it up. Why are you laughing at me? Bobby Margarita's McKenzie. My sense of it. He won't laugh at me. My sense of it is that it's more likely than not that he's going to market. Now, that's different.

That's my sense. And I think a lot of people feel that right now. Now, if you're a New York Islanders fan and you're predisposed, now, if you're a New York Islanders fan, you're predisposed not to want to think like that. And you get angry if anybody like myself suggests that that's a possibility.

That's to keep his Twitter mentions down. Of course, it is a possibility. And whether it happens or not remains to be seen. But I don't know. It's just the sense this year that they've had, sorry, but just the sense that this year that they've had has not been a great year.

It's not been a great year on the ice and they're not trending in the right directions in terms of teams you want to hit your wagon to for seven or eight years. Now,

that might change with those lottery picks, man. I bet John Tavares makes his decision based on where they draft. I would. If they got Rasmus Dahl and I'm like,

okay, I'll stick with him. He's not making a decision until like July 5th. You know, why? Why would you? Why? Well, he could make a decision because they've got

that funny week now like the NBA, right? Where you can talk to them. So, I mean, he could. That's right. That's right, and I think I think that's because they don't want it to drag out Like, alright, let's

Let's get this all over with If you're the Islanders And you haven't got an answer from them Do you do any different? Because I don't I got two first round picks That are both going to be lottery picks Yeah, that was the sticking point to me

Well, they're both lottery picks Well, if you trade one of them for a better player It's probably not You think the Islanders pick is a lottery pick if they spend a first on anything that helps them

stop a puck? Probably not. Right, and at that point that's true and at that point the Flames were I think close to or well in the playoffs.

And then you would've you would've had a playoff team and a lottery pick won but you would've made the playoffs and you have a much

better chance of keeping your captain John Tavares. The the Islanders had the chips, man. They had the chips. They went out and got Brandon Davidson.

I don't get it. I think they should have been a little more adventurous. They're not in the worst spot in the world. Tavares is in literally the best spot in the world. Free agent can go wherever he wants, and his options include his own team. He's the captain. He's made a life for himself, and they got two lottery picks.

Could potentially get the first and second overall picks. By the way, I was tweeting about the lottery yesterday, and people were sending me screen grabs of, hey, look, I tried it, and the Islanders got both the first and second overall picks. That's amazing. I have a question. Do you

I don't know if blame is the right word Okay But is there a criticism there For Islanders management For letting it get to this point For letting John Tavares Reach free agency Shouldn't you have assigned him two years ago

Well I think you can't sign him You can't do that One they could have signed him July 1st But the problem was And they could have worked out a deal under the table And then said okay on July 1st this is legally when we're allowed to sign you to this. But I think John Tavares looked at the situation and said,

I don't know if I want to stay here. Remember their goaltending situation last year with Grice and Halak and Berube? Yeah. And they did nothing to really fix it. Well, the difference was Grice went from a pretty decent goaltender to one of the worst in the league, which I don't think will be repeated.

I mean, if you were John Tavares, think about this. And if you're listening to the show, think about if you're John Tavares, tell me why you would sign that contract, no matter what they offered you. I think if you're John Tavares and they come at you with $12 million for eight years, you sign it. Well, you could, and you could be stuck in purgatory, which they've been for the last 12 years. Adam, you're a good negotiator. I approach you about something, who immediately has the upper hand? I do. Exactly.

So if the Islanders go to him, hey, John. Well, he's got it anyway. He's got the upper hand. He's John Tavares. Well, now you're giving him even more of one. And this is the one time in a player's thing. I mean, he gave them a sweet deal at $6 million. Oh, my God.

Or is it $5 something? Yeah. Like $575 or something. It's one of the most staggering contracts. John Tavares. $5.5. Outrageous. Outrageous.

He owes the Islanders nothing. But he's given them nothing but great play and nothing but a fantastic contract. And what have they done with that? Do you think Lou would ever let Matthews get close to free agency? No. No. But I also think that Lou and Kyle Dubas. I bet that's the story of the summer, by the way, that he signs.

Kyle Dubas, Lou, whatever, whoever the general manager is, the thing with that group is that they've got a great team around them too. And the Islanders had, what was it, a five- or six-year deal with Tavares? What have they done with it? And if they said, if they came to me, if you're Garth Snow and you come to me and you say, here's 12 million bucks, which I'm sure they did, by the way. I'm sure they just said, what's the number, man?

Why would, at that point, you go, okay, well, if he's offering that, even if it is for eight years and the other teams can only sign me for seven, who cares? Where else can I go? And if you go to a hockey market, and it's not to say New York is not. It is a hockey market, but let's not pretend it's. Third, fourth place.

Yankees, Jets, Giants, Mets, like... They're not even the most popular blue and orange team in the region. Yeah, they're not even the most popular hockey team in the region. You got the Devils and the Rangers right there. Yeah. And you don't even have an arena. Like, where are you going to play? You're going to go back to Nassau?

Looks like they might. For half the season. Oh, my God! And the other half, they're going to be with seats that can't see the full... You can't see the goalie. Getting to and from the practice rank is apparently a pain in the ass. Dude, I'm one of the best hockey players in the world. You guys are right.

I'm rich. Do I need this shit? All I want to do is play hockey and win games. And you can't put any good wingers on. Like, okay, you look at John Tavares, if he comes to Toronto, for instance. Fine, if that's too Toronto-centric for everybody. I didn't say that, Adam. I think you just did.

Let's say he goes to Montreal, who definitely does have the cap space, right? Oh, yeah. Montreal is going to have the cap space. If Vancouver loses the Sedins Which we'll get to later in the episode They will have the cap space There's lots of places he can go And I bet you Jim Benning is going to be right in there like a dirty shirt

You can play with Eric Goodbranson That's not what I was laughing at I was just laughing at The Canadians basically Bet the farm On Tavares signing with them If he signs with the Leafs Jeff Molson has to fire

Bergevin into the sun Like is there something more than fired He's got a powerbomb and through a flaming table. If they don't get Tavares, they'll get Stasny. They'll just throw all the money at Stasny. They will. Jeff, I present to you an Acura cake. I wanted a Lamborghini cake.

I wanted a Ferrari cake. Tavares is a Ferrari cake. Don't go out and go, well, we got the Acura cake with Paul Stasny. If we get the Acura cake on the Leafs this year, I will be happy, because then we'll have an Acura. He's better than an Acura. But is there, like, even a .1% chance the Leafs get Tavares this month? Yeah, I think so. I think so.

No. Dude. No. Dude, he's already used to sell coconut water in this city. Like, he can get whatever endorsement he wants. How do we sign anybody? If you're Tavares, we have Nylander, Marner, Matthews. You can do it.

You can easily do it. You can do it at 11 million bucks, too. Here's what you sell them on. If you're the Leafs, you sell them on the endorsements. Because not only are you... So, winning. Yeah, you sell them on winning, you sell them on endorsements. So, here's the deal.

And you can do this in New York, too. But if you make the Leafs X amount of successful, like, forget winning a Stanley Cup. Guys that made the third round 25 years ago in a Leafs jersey are still making hundreds of thousands of dollars every year on commercials. Wendell Clark, Doug Gilmore just shot a commercial recreating a play that Doug Gilmore pulled in the playoffs against St. Louis

in the second round 25 years ago. The only thing about that is we already made that pitch and the dude said, I'm staying in Florida. Well, that's okay, and that's fair. With the lightning. Weren't they just coming off a cup final? No, they're coming off Missing the playoffs

No, they weren't They were coming off A cup final They missed the playoffs Last year This was two years ago It would have been Two summers

Yeah, you're right Come on And at that point The Leafs were like We have the first round pick With Matthews Nobody knew the Leafs Were going to be good

They didn't even have Anderson Oh no, did they have Anderson yet? Yeah, they just got him Nobody knew Anderson Was going to be that good And so it was kind of like Well, they'll miss the playoffs The first year

But Steven So I'm pushing this out of my mind Because playoffs and I'm really Excited about that But the John Tavares gremlin In my head is getting Restless He's getting noisy and rambunctious in my head

And he's starting to bump into the walls And bang on the door I like how optimistic you guys are I think there's a chance I think there's for sure a chance More than .1 But I mean you could say that about any NHL team But I really genuinely believe

that there is, I mean, I think the Leafs gremlin is stirring in his soul a little bit. I think he's thought about it. I know he's thought about it. Well, there was that silly rumor, and I don't know how much validity there was to it, years ago, that he was going to, remember this, he was going to forego the draft. So he just wasn't going to

get drafted in 2009 where he went first overall. And instead he was going to play two years on an AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies and then signed an NHL deal with the Leafs.

Because that's how he would have had to do it legally. I don't think there was any validity to that, but... Johnny. Come win a cup, man. You push them over the top, no problem. Oh my god. You put them in striking distance.

It's a tough league. It's hard to win. You got a good shot, man. You got a good shot. They can pay you. They can pay you decently. Not as much as others. They can pay you. And that's the thing, though. It isn't really, in this city, and in many Canadian cities,

it's not really about what the NHL team itself is paying you. What are your deals? Jesse, you told me once about... You get paid in Montreal, though. For sure. But no, no, it's not really about that, though. What did you tell me about how much money LeBron James forewent when he didn't go to the Knicks?

Didn't they put a number on that? Was it $50 million in endorsements? Yeah, I forget the actual number, but yeah, I think it was $100 million. And it was like over a couple seasons. Yeah, yeah. Now, LeBron James went on to sign a billion-dollar deal with Nike for the rest of his life, so he's going to be fine. It's different, yeah.

Like, there are just things LeBron can have that no hockey player on earth can have. Right, but my point is this. You go to a bigger market, the endorsement deals are bigger. And who's Who's a great organization to hook you up With all these great sponsors Oh, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Imagine he goes to the Rangers

Dude, he could That's another great organization to do that I mean, if I'm him And I, you know, for the last, you know, four or five years I've been making way less than I should I'm going to the, I want to win But I'm also going to a team that's going to make me A boatload of cash

Boatload of cash outside of outside of because here's the thing all the money you make that isn't made in the NHL that 20%

that goes to escrow and whatever goes to your age and whatever you don't have to do that think about he makes let's say he makes

10 million dollars for the Leafs which is definitely a discount but then he makes another 5 in endorsements which he could do in about

a couple weeks of work so he makes 5 million bucks in endorsements 20% of that NHL salary or 15% or whatever goes to escrow so that's

that 10 million dollars 1.5 of it just goes in You never see it, it goes into holding And then you gotta pay your agent, your taxes and all that stuff On top of that, that 5 million bucks You might make the same in endorsements As you do with the actual team But you make half of endorsements

That you do with the team I missed the first quarter of that because I was just So lost in thought and hot and bothered At the idea of Matthews Tavares Or, hey, how about Tavares-Matthews Oh yeah, and then Kadri, forgot about that

You trade Qadri. No, you don't. You don't. You keep Qadri. And you don't have to. He's on. Okay, you go forward knowing that you're spending a lot on centers. And the tradeoff is you have the best 1-2-3 punch in the entire league.

Maybe. Or second best. At worst. If you're Tavares. Who's better? Crosby, Malkin, maybe. And then who? And for how long?

Crosby, Malkin. Right? How much longer? And I'm not saying that they're downgrading at all, but they're both pushing 30. I'm like, the Gremlin is pushing his way! He's pushing his way out of the door! Think about this.

If you're John Tavares you want to look at, who am I going to get to play with? Whoever you want. Mitch Marner or William Nylander? You can keep Nylander with Matthews. The way Marner's played the last half of this season, you want to tell me that you don't want to put Mitch Marner? And then you got Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Janssen, Connor Brown.

Because I'm going to say Zach Hyman. They're going to keep the Hyman-Matthews-Nielander line together. Why not? Do you think if we didn't sign Marleau, we'd have room for Tavares? No. We have room for Tavares. Shut up, Jesse. You're such a jerk.

We're going to that. Just such a jerk. I hate that. No, but we can have JVR and Tavares. Oh, stop it. If we didn't sign Marleau. What the Leafs should do is sign Carlson and Tavares. this offseason

and Eric by the way not John and John well John Carlson I hope to at least sign him but the problem

with the John Carlson contract is it's gonna be like 8 million bucks yeah that's stuff Bob McKenzie was tweeting you're out of your mind 7 or 8 million bucks no thank you

I like him at 6 yeah for that amount of years nah nah sorry anyway um here's grab a stick

you can pick let's keep moving the team of your imagination for the first time Oh come on John Come on For the first time Since October 18th

2017 Someone other than The Lightning Is winning the division The Atlantic division And that team Is the Bruins Who look unstoppable

Which I hope they continue I'm going I'm chanting Until they play McElhinney I hope the Bruins Win every game For the rest of the season

You know why? Because then we don't Have to play them At least in the first round How's Tampa doing tonight? I don't know They lost last night Jesse do you mind

Looking up their score? Sure Now it's not to say That Tampa's a bad team because I don't think they are. But if you're talking about matchups, they look vulnerable. It is 2-1 Tampa in the second over New York.

It is 3-3 Toronto and the Islanders. We're talking about the lesser of two ugly-ass evils. It's bad. It sucks either way. At this point, you just want to go against the team who is the coldest out of the two, and right now it's Tampa. Who knows?

Maybe the Bruins lose the rest of the games they have this season. Tampa wins them all. And all of a sudden you go, you know, I want the Bruins. Yeah. It's not good. We just want the colder of the two teams. Let's just put it that way. And maybe not Brad Marchand in the playoffs.

I'd prefer not Brad Marchand in the playoffs or Patrice Bergeron in the playoffs. Over each team's last 10 games, the Leafs have the best record. Just throwing it out there. Your phone disagrees. Yeah, the Leafs are tied up with the Islanders now. 3-3. Mitch Marner just scored on a tip-in. So he's got more points.

He did the thing. 22 goals. Mitch did the Mitch thing. The Leafs have clinched the playoff spot that happened last night when the Senators beat the Florida Panthers. Thank you, Ottawa. Thanks, Sens. And here's the funny thing, and I don't know why not more people said this,

and I'm specifically pointing this at Hawks fans who are depressed right now. Oh, I got something to say about that, yeah. This is the first time the Leafs have clinched a playoff spot back-to-back since 2003 and 2004. Yep. That's how long it's been, guys. Grade 9. So, you know, your cups and stuff, that's cool.

Like, enjoy the fact that you have memories of a cup. We barely have memories of playoffs. There are people who are 20 years old who can't remember the Leafs in the playoffs other than last season for six games. Dude, the guy who ended the Leafs' 2004 playoff run was Jeremy Roenick. That's funny.

And it was on the same shift. Yeah, and it was on the same shift that Darcy Tucker hit a guy who is currently on the Leafs dad he hit Sammy Kapanen

wow so he had time to go out raise that son make him an NHL player and then give him to the Leafs in between

back to back playoff runs give him to the world the under 18s where he scored that wicked ass goal in overtime where he was put

on a stamp and then drafted by Pittsburgh and traded for Phil Kessel yep He had all that time. Phil Kessel, who, by the way, wasn't drafted until a year after that goal. Wow.

He was drafted in 2005. Sidney Crosby in the NHL was not a thing. That goal was scored before Ovechkin and Malkin were drafted. Like a month or two before. It's been a long time, man. Tampa, Boston. I don't care who you give me They're in the playoffs

What's interesting too Is that Leafs fans Almost didn't react It was kind of like Yep Okay Been here before Well they've also

Been here In the playoffs For A long time Now according to Elliot Freeman Thought 22-131 Thoughts this week

Oh Toronto's Nazem Khadri Just became the 5th player This century To have his first Two 30 goal seasons At age 26 and 27 He's got

So specific He's got 62 and counting in the last two years, and actually 63 now because he scored tonight. Todd Bertuzzi scored 82. That's the highest since 2000. Others are Anders Lee, Lake Cawdrey, an active streak, Patrick Marleau, and Matt Molson.

Patrick Marleau had 66. Matt Molson had 61. Wow. And people sure bet high on Matt Molson. They sure did. The Sabres and the Islanders. Wow. Now, talking about cap situations.

There is a narrative developing, which Jesse has referenced now three times in the last two podcasts. What is that? It is a false narrative, but it is a narrative being propagated by many members of the media, and I understand where it comes from, and I'm starting to see it getting repeated on Twitter. I think it was—I thought it was propagated by Twitter. No. No, I've seen it on—I've seen it on television.

Have you really? I have. I thought it was Twitter. Now, I shan't name names, but the false narrative— Wait, Adam is on television. Do you think he went on television and said it himself so that he could reference that he's seen it on television? It was either him or Scott Scoville.

I'll have to do some investigating. Why is there an eye on the top of a pyramid on our dollar bill? Should we all be shaking our booties? I think the show's done. I'm referencing. No press conference. I'm referencing. I got it.

No, the thing that happened before on the show. I made reference to it. I just resent you. I'm tired and cranky. I think I deserve applause. You said you were tired before the show. I'm sure you'll get it. You're punchy, Jesse.

This is punchy when I'm tired. Jesse will get his applause. All the comments will be like, yes, Jesse. Ha, ha, ha, ha. Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. He came up with that joke and there was just a voice in his head that went, ha, ha. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. All right.

This narrative involves James Van Riemsdyk. I've heard it said several times by very intelligent people, and I just don't, I think it's a throwaway sentence, and I don't think they're looking hard enough at it. And that is that Patrick Marleau got James Van Riemsdyk's contract. That is the exact wording that's a very, very intelligent hockey analyst have used. Now, there's a lot of stuff thrown at these guys all the time. So let's let them off the hook on this one,

because it's one of those things. It's an easy thing to say. Yeah. But when you really break it down, it's not true. So, I find it strange for several reasons because in terms of the cap,

the dollar amount JVR will get would not be a problem for the Leafs next year. It'd be down the line. It'd be down the line. But if it were... It's only two years down the line. If we're talking next year,

that would not be a problem for the Leafs. So, already it's false because for Marleau to get in the way of JVR, it would have to be next year. Right. Number two, in terms of the cap, Which is going up.

Yeah. Marlowe has two years left, most of which is going to be paid in bonuses on July 1st each year. JVR is going to have six or seven on his new deal. So that's also a difference. Marlowe was brought in to augment the team and JVR,

but not be a replacement for him. That was always the case. It was Marlowe increases our depth, right? Yep. Okay. I saw a great tweet. I want to say Platinum Seat goes, the Leafs clinched a playoff spot

the second Patrick Marleau put pen to paper. Yep. Yep. The people that will get JVR's money, there's three of them. They have names. Marlers. Marlers.

Marler. I like it, though. Matthews. Nylander. Yep. And if you want to make a comparison that the Leafs gave JVR's potential money to someone else, The only real comparable on the team that I think you can make is Nikita Zaitsev.

And even then, it's only about 75% of what JVR is probably due to make. Oh. Probably not even that. I mean, what is it? Zaitsev makes, what, 4-2-5? I want to say 4-5. Okay. Zaitsev makes 4-5.

And if we're saying conservatively— So, 20-24. We're saying conservatively that almost 40 goal scorer— Score tonight. Almost 40 goal scorer, JVR is only going to get 6-over-6, which I have heard, if Kyle Ocpozo got what he got, JVR is getting more. If it's 6 over 6, then there's no comparison. I don't think anyone is debating that the 6 would look decent

for the first three years of the deal. The issue that we have over and over and over again with dozens of examples throughout the league is the back half sucks. In fact, most of the time, it's usually not even the back half. It's like the back two-thirds. Sometimes, it's one year in.

That's the problem. Marlowe is gone after next year. Yep, he is. He's got, oh, Steve, he's got another year left after that. You talked about the bonus structure. If someone wants him, if someone has the cap room and wants him, they're only going to have to pay him, like, what,

two mil? I think it's 1.5. Come on! Mm-hmm. They're not dumb. That was on purpose. He's not dumb. That was on purpose. His base salary for the 2019-2020 season is $1.25 million. And the

signing bonus is three. And this is a guy that scored already 25 goals this year. He's going to freaking retire. I don't think he will. If he retires, then we own the money. Oh, really? Maybe don't, Patrick. He might go on LTIR. We might have a strike that year, too. Now the cap will go up

To somewhere between And I'm looking at my notes here because I wrote a lot of stuff down Somewhere between 78 and 82 million dollars Next year So we'll split the difference We think it's going to be 82 but we'll just call it 80 Nice round number Yeah I thought I read 78 but okay

It is currently 75 In 2013-2014 The salary cap was 64.3 million dollars In 14-15 It was 69 Nice. Hey.

Then it stayed steady for about a year. The sex number. Last year, it was 70... Thanks, Steve. Last year, the cap's 73 million. This year, the cap's 75 million. Even if it only goes up $3 million, which I doubt it.

I think it's going to be more. You have to add in the fact that a $650 million down payment for a franchise in Seattle is coming, and the cap is due to rise significantly. We could look at, And it's not out of the realm of possibility Based on where the cap's gone

A 90 million dollar cap by 2020 No Steve, look at the last three years Oh, you know what, it will go up to 90 Until it collapses back down to like 83 or so after the lockout Well, hopefully that doesn't happen And everyone has to take a rollback

But as I said 2013-2014, when we started this podcast It was 64.3 And now we're looking at 80 million dollars Really? Wow That's a $16 million jump in the last five years. Now, by that logic, why not just keep JVR? Well, so here's where I'm going with this.

Taveras. Yeah. Jesse got it. Both! $6 million. If you get JVR for... Clone sites! If you get JVR for $6 million,

what you need to look at it is in terms of what percentage of the cap is it eating. Right. Starting next year, it will be 7.5% of the cap at $80 million. and after that dropping precipitously considering that the $650 million is coming in. What is the cost of a second-line center these days? $7 million?

Oh, no. A really good one. I would say you're looking at $4 or $5. Don't look at Kadri's contract because it's a steal. You've got to look at what would a second-line center on the open market make? On the open market? Yeah, because we're talking about free agency here.

You're looking at about $5. At least $5. Val Philpill makes $5, Steve. Yeah. There's got to be. No. That's why I said at least $5. Paul Stasny is going to make $5 million?

Paul Stasny is a, I would say, a premium number two center. So he's a number? Yeah, he'll have a lot of money. JBR is a premium winger. Yep. So? So I would say somewhere between, I guess, 5 and 7.5. Okay.

A second line center? Nah. 5 and 6.5. 7 if you're dumb. Yeah, for a second line center, for sure. Now If you have two number ones Tavares

I think you can pay whatever But Malkin Malkin The reason The reason that I think Not only is the

Marlowe contract Not a replacement for JVR Or Marlowe did not get JVR's money I actually think That you could confidently Resign James Van Riemsdyk If you could get him at Six or six and a half

Cause if a center's Seven You know Between five and seven then a winger's gotta be 6-something right? Safely if you look at that in terms of what it will make

we're talking about a guy in JVR for the next three years who could significantly help your power play and afterwards he's gonna be taking up less than 5% of your cap or you just insert Pierre Engvall and he bags you 20 goals that was my suggestion

McDavid is currently making or next year if an 80 million dollar cap he'll be making 16% of it Leon Dreisaitl will be making 11% of it. So together, they're about 26%, 27% of their cap if it goes to $80 million next year. It's a diminishing return on James Van Riemsdyk. But I would also argue it's a diminishing cap hit

because the cap goes up. And the flip side is that you've got James Van Riemsdyk, the argument for him is obvious. But the argument against him is this. He's had 30% of his goals since the trade deadline. That was the interesting argument made about Crosby, and I want to say John Shannon made it. You know, he's making, I think his cap is 8.7, which, of course,

but also, like, that's a tremendous steal. When he signed it, though, it was almost, Adam, where are you going? I don't know. His chair sank. What does that mean? I just took my leg under the chair and it sank. So when Crosby signed his deal, The percentage of the cap that his deal took up

was roughly what McDavid's takes up now. Yeah. I think it was like a couple percentage points under the maximum allowable on the CBA. He signed the max deal you could sign, except at 8.7. And that deal, by the way, when the cap hits 90 million bucks,

not going to look so onerous. No. And you'll have Conor McDavid. So you're talking with JVR, he already makes $4.25 million. So Leafs could re-sign him. Because you're talking about difference of cap hit of 2.5 to

3.5 million dollars for a guy who can score over 30 goals. And I know he has his warts. But then you've got Bozak and Leo coming off the cap and Leo's replacement is already playing. And Bozak is replaced with Tavares. That's right. Now whether or not, my point is, whether

or not you think we should resign James Van Riemsdyk, there's arguments for, arguments against. And I actually think there's a pretty strong argument for. You can't tell me that Patrick Marleau was given his money. You can't tell me that. No.

I mean, we could go back and forth with JVR all day. Marleau doesn't factor into it for me. That contract was never going to be a great idea in my opinion. Which Marleau? JVR. Yeah, I think, and I think you're right. That contract that doesn't exist. Yeah, you're right.

Because you do have, like if you look at the way you want to look at this is, can you get 35 goals out of Andreas Johnson and Kisperi Kapanen? Combined? Yeah, this is... A lot of people give you flack for this take. Well, the way I look at it is the way the Leafs' fourth line is playing... I mean, Kasperi Kapanen has seven goals already.

I still say Marner is the straw that stirs that drink, man. I agree. And I think the Leafs know that. Yeah. And I'm not... That's not to say JVR stinks, but I think you could put someone in his position with Mitch Marner,

and they could have some success. They're not going to score 35-40 goals, But they could have some success Well you tell me Austin Matthews With Mitch Marner On the power play Couldn't score more goals

Than JVR I don't want him Taking abuse in front of the net But I mean He's a big body Well you wouldn't put him there Oh oh But my point is

He's on the second power play Right but One of the best goal scorers In the league Put Austin Matthews With Mitch Marner Tell me he doesn't get more goals The Leafs have options

And that's the point I think you can Re-sign JVR But again It's not Marleau That took that up And also You know

Do you want if you do sign JVR, understand that it's not a freaking disaster if he makes six or six and a half. It's not. It's just not. The term is what bothers me. Sure. If he makes six, six and a half next year, I'm not too fussed, but yeah, six years

down the line, I don't think so, man. I don't think so, man. I was messaging you guys about this the other night and I think this might be something that the Leafs have to look at because you got on the left side, we're switching to defense now. And I realize as we're going into the playoffs here,

but if we're fast-forwarding a little bit, the Leafs have Riley, they have Dermott, they've got Gardner, they've got Borgman, and Hainsey, who can do a left shot as well. And I think Hainsey, who's playing, he's older now,

and I think he's played a lot of time this year, and he's looked a bit shaky in the recent few games. I'm sure he'll turn it on for the playoffs, but I think they've really used and abused Ron Hainsey, especially on the penalty kill. going into next year you probably want to look at reducing Ron Hainsey's minutes yeah not because he's a bad player but he's a great player especially in those specific roles

like killing penalties right what you need is balance and with the emergence of Travis Dermott and with one year left on Jake Gardner's deal arguably his trade value now is the most valuable it will be. You get a year out of Jake Gardner. Is there a realm of possibility where they're able to trade Jake Gardner for X assets? Oh, man.

And they sign a guy like, because I don't think they're going to trade a lefty for a righty. I don't think any team's going to do that. But if you look at John Carlson, you sign John Carlson, say, and let's say you get him at six. Let's say you get him at seven.

Then you've got Riley Dermot Borgman Hainsey on the left Zaitsev Carlson Polak probably

Oh my god And maybe Timothy Lilligren eventually Oh Adam You know what I've discovered There's actually a An entire dungeon of gremlins There's just

Hallways It's like you're walking down a hall And just rattling a metal cup on the bars of each cell. I think the Leafs have a position of strength on the left side that they can deal from to balance the defense,

and I think that position is Jake Gardner, and I like Jake Gardner. I'm a huge Jake Gardner fan. I think for most of the last two years, especially last year, he was the best defenseman on the team last year. This year, he's had his warts, but he's always had his warts.

Jake Gardner's a fantastic defenseman. He's good enough offensively that you put up with it. So, Travis Dermott becomes your number two left-handed defenseman. Ron Hainsey becomes your number two. So, you move Ron Hainsey. 38-year-old Ron Hainsey. Well, okay.

So, you put him on. Yeah, I don't know. Guys, he's played number one minutes all year long. And next year, he's going to be as good. If you can dial it back a little bit, my point is they wouldn't have to play him this much if they were more balanced. Ron Hainsey would not have to play as much as he does if he was on a more balanced defense. We know that, right? So heading into tonight, Babcock put in Carrick for Polak and Moore for Pocanitz,

and he said it was to rest them. For the love of God, rest Ron Hainsey. Please. Please, I'm begging you, Babs. I'm sure he's begging you. And if he's not, he should be. That guy's busted, man. Give that guy two or three games off.

We need him. Okay, so Hainsey, so is there a problem with Travis Dermott being your second defenseman? Your second lefty? Is he not already? Temporarily, no. Oh, you mean next season? Boy, I don't... What's he going to play, 15 minutes a night?

What, this season or next? Next. No, he should play more than that. Then what's the problem? I see where you're going. He's already doing it. It's all exciting. And you know what?

We talked about Brendan Leipzig for an entire summer. I look forward to being able to discuss this stuff all summer. I'm just throwing it out there. There's a variety. There's lots of options. I think if you're going to balance your defense, Jake Gardner's the guy to do it with. You open up the cap space.

Remember, Bozak, Leo, James Van Riebesdyk gone. That's over, what is it, $10, $11 million gone right there? And then you've got, and then potentially you bring in Carlson and you move Gardner. Who's got a great contract, by the way. Two points, somewhere around 2.25 comes off the books in, believe it or not, Jared Gowen's buyout, Tim Gleeson's buyout, and burying Martin Marincin. And the Leafs don't have overages to pay on as many bound bonuses. Not as many.

Still will have some to pay. But they won't have that overage thing that they had last year. Let's not forget all of the $5.25 million that Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment won't have to pay to Joffrey Lupo. Well, they won't have the LTIR up for him, right? Think of all of that Spare cash That they can use On a guy like

John Tavares It's been holding them back That's for sure The loophole money is gone If there's anything We don't believe Now MLSC can Finally spend

The gloves are off They can do it Oh my god The loophole's gone Horton Still here Still there Couple more years

I'm just saying I think the guy To be looking at Is Jake Gardner The guy to be looking at Is Jake Gardner And I maybe would call Calgary. They can't get their first pick, but they might get Jake Gardner.

They like their defenseman there. I don't know what the question is. What do you get back? I don't know. Man, God, I love having a good team. There's all sorts of options. It's amazing what happens when you have a good team and then you draft well. Oh, this is fun.

It's funny how things change. So did I mention I'm writing a book? so I'm going back in time and how about FNUF first pair yeah oh

and I'm remembering dude FNUF Casca two years ago in the opener oh dude yeah

so no I was remembering how I felt in 2010 when the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup for their first of three and I remember thinking ah

that's a nice change oh that's fresh good for them and now that I'm sick of that and the Leafs are good this is nice this is fun I'm enjoying this

fun new world this little adventure I hope it keeps up I can't wait to see what the next adventure is Jim Benning is going to meet with the Sedins who are currently

on the second line in Vancouver and I wanted to ask the question and I ask the Canucks fans who remain in our audience despite the fact that we give you guys

a really hard time and I'm sorry. You guys are soldiers. Like Sundin in Toronto, could it be time for the Sedins to move on? Because retirement could potentially be the case.

The question is, what role are they going to play within the organization? And how much money are they going to make? I mean, what do they make? Eight million bucks each now? No, it's less than that.

Is it? No, it's maybe six. I don't know. Jesse's looking it up right now. I just... Okay, if you're not there to win the cup, Seven.

Oh, okay. They make more than I thought. If you're not there to win the cup, which they won't be, it's Vancouver. It's rude. What are you there for? To finish last again.

You're an assistant coach. No, Adam, they're Swedish. So the Sedins will be the highest paid assistant coaches in the league. What are you doing, man? What do you do this for? Do you want to win? They probably don't want to sign anywhere else. They probably want to stay where they are.

And that's fine, and you can live out your life, which is comfortable, and I'm sure you're established, and you won't win a thing. Were they on the gold medal team in 2006? I don't know. Probably. Probably. Good for them. Probably at the peak of their career. Oh, no. I think that was 2010-ish.

They had a good, like, five, six years there. They sure did. Boy, they were good. And now it's gone, and they're not going to win anything. And they're not bad. I mean, they're still going to score, like, 50 points. I just, I don't know. I hate seeing players who have an opportunity to win, and they don't take it.

Wow. But also, I know how much it sucked when Sundin left. Also, Sundin didn't start his career with the Leafs, so it's totally different. But it's, like, I get the impression it's never even occurred to them. Like, oh, let's try another team. You know what I mean? But where does that put, I wonder where it puts Bank.

There's 12? imagine someone comes up and I'm like hey have you ever tried playing for someone else and they're like whoa

that's an option Boston oh my god Henrik to Marchand for the Stanley Cup winning goal if I were

Marchand does not pass the cup to Henrik if I were Shirely I would sign them and put them on Milan Lucic's line there you go

so Shirely Lucic Sedins that would just be so someone tweeted me that apparently Jeff Merrick

suggested Louis Erickson for Milan Lucic. Like, Jeff, don't you love this country? Why are you trying to rip it apart? Why are you trying to destroy it? Would that just give them each a... Like, what would that do for the Vancouver Canucks? I feel like that would make the Oilers stronger. It doesn't matter, Adam. It's fun.

It is fun. It is fun. I just... Look, if they stay behind, I think it could be to the benefit of the Vancouver Canucks. Some people might be like, all but what about tanky well it didn't hurt them this year yeah um tanked anyway yeah they persevered granted you know some things happen injury-wise whatever whatever but um steve i

just don't understand granted they were terrible rock besser was good everyone gets hurt everyone has injuries you're right they're terrible oh i'm agreeing with you okay yeah i'm agreeing with you They were just a bad team. Period. Yeah. So, I don't know. I just... Can I like the story of them remaining Canucks for their entire careers

and also resent the fact that they're not taking this opportunity to go for one last chance to win? I got a good one. Okay. Jake Gardner for Chris Tannev, one for one. They each have one year left on their deal. Jake Gardner for both Sidi and Sidi. Both Sidi!

Henrik plays fourth line because Tavares got signed. That's awesome. I mean, listen, you're right. Which is the twin that Kadri hit? He plays with Kadri now. That'd be great. I think it's better if he plays with Lucic. I think it was Daniel.

Man, I just, I wonder what they come back to accomplish. And that's something they're going to have to figure out. They're leaving the legacy. It's sort of holding up the betting plan, whatever that is, because they have to basically base their whole financial around the Sedins, right? I wonder if they've spoken to a guy like Daniel Alfredson, who, you know, ended his career in Detroit and was like, yeah, no, that sucked.

Or did it suck for Alfredson? Didn't he go to the playoffs? I think maybe first round exit or like a Mike Medano. He didn't win the cup. He didn't have to sign with Detroit, though. Like, he could have signed with teams that had a way better shot than Detroit. Even that year. He didn't.

well that's his own fault. Went to a team with a bunch of Swedes I don't know. But Mike Medano went there too and Babcock notoriously like didn't let him play in his like thousandth game or something like that or I bet both those guys regret going to the Red Wings you know I don't know maybe just stick around end your

career because what happens if you very few people get their Ray Bork moment so you go to another team you make it to the second round or something and get knocked out you probably look back on that with regret. They stick around with the Canucks. They can

cement their legacy as two of the greatest players in that team's history. But they already have. They are one and two in the Canucks. Pavel Bury is number one. I don't know. I just look at

players who never won and it's just a damn shame. But the thing you said about resenting them for not chasing the Cup, but also understanding that they want to stay. That's kind of how it is. You know, because you don't want them

to go and be Brodeur and go sign in St. Louis and ruin, kind of, soil the legacy of what you had of playing for a team your entire career. But then, also, you kind of want them to see them win because they've been around for so long. But you get it if they just stick around in Vancouver.

Yeah, I think it was a little bit different with Brodeur because he was like, screw you, I can still do it. Whereas the Sedins are like, No, I get it. I get it. But we're still all right. I hope they end up in St. Louis.

Because everyone does. And then they're the assistant general managers with Broderick up there. I like St. Louis. And what's great is he's still in commercials in Canada. I don't know, maybe the States too. He's wearing a Devil's jersey. It's not a Devil's jersey. Isn't it just one of those generic red ones?

No, it's an actual Devil's jersey for the discount. Isn't it discount car rental? Because it's for Enterprise Rent-A-Car. They're an official sponsor of the NHL. So they're allowed to use the logos, I think. All right, all right. He's wearing a devil's jersey. He's doing that up here,

but if he was down there, I don't think he could be doing it. No. No. No. You can't. It's not. No.

Not like St. Louis. It's not like St. Louis. There it is. Lastly, I got a couple things. It's an old joke. Lastly, I got a couple things before we do the press conference.

Dan Mazzara. You might not know the name, but he is the guy who wrote NHL headlines and most recently was the Golden Knights Twitter account guy. he wrote NHL headlines he wrote NHL headlines are you sure

it's the same guy pretty sure it was yeah I'm almost 100% it was the same guy now if it's not that's fine but he did work at the NHL

before he worked for the Golden Knights but I from what I understand he is the same guy and in fact I'm 99.999% but now you guys

may be doubted so now I can't confirm wow he tweeted that he has left and the Golden Knights tweeted that he is leaving so he's gone

he no longer runs the account right and he said it was him who's left so he chose So he's got a new thing. A new thing.

NHL? I don't know. We may see the return of NHL headlines. Oh, that'll be awesome. It would be super fantastic. That would be awesome. So if he hasn't accepted a job with them, I would hope that he reconsiders and just calls them up and says,

please, NHL, let me do your headlines. If Vegas wins the cup, does he get some kind of a ring? Do social I wonder if you do I would hope so As a social media coordinator You would You should get like a

Shiny pin Yeah Or something And bracelet You work for the team Yeah A bracelet I would

If At least a hat If I were him I'd be like I'll pay Just give me the ring Like I'll pay for the ring Give me the ring

I don't think he makes As much as you think Well you wouldn't want You're not going to get The same ring as the players get Which is like 20 grand It's going to get like a Ryerson class, right? Yeah, with a fake ruby in it.

Oh, dude. And there's a couple people I want to shout out. Oh. A couple people I want to shout out. First one is Stu Braden. Hi, Adam. As promised, here are some details about my son and a massive fan of the podcast. His name is Finn.

Finn, next week, and this was a week ago, so I guess it's right now, will fly out to the under-13 peewee level England team, with the England team, sorry, to Slovakia for a five-day intensive camp with games against the Slovakian, Czech, and Austrian teams. It's going to be a great experience for him and his teammates, and it puts him on the pathway for selection on the Great Britain national teams, which starts around the age of 15.

Finn is doing really well, and he is currently one of the top goal scorers in the country under 13. One of his goals from earlier in the season is pinned to my Twitter feed. Blah, blah, blah. Thank you, and I'll open that up in just a second. Thank you to you, Steve and Jesse, for your support and wishing Finn well.

I think your best wishes certainly helped him work extra hard in his final selection camp. Keep up the amazing work with the podcast. It is twice the highlight of our listening week. I agree with him that we deserve all the credit. All the credit. All the credit. If you become a millionaire, we get, what's reasonable? A third?

No, no, no. I think it's worth looking at the video he has pinned to his Twitter account. And again, it's at Stu Braden, S-T-U-B-R-A-D-O-N, if you want to check it out. It's his son, and it's Scotland versus Norway. And I guess he's playing for Team Scotland in this particular situation, and he just walks in and dangles the pants off a goalie. It's growing. It's growing in Great Britain and Scotland in particular. It's kind of cool. And you know who else played for England's national team?

Rod Stewart's son. that's right did you see that thing where Scott he's good that's my kid that's my kid he's like

ah ah yeah it's growing man it's growing over there that's awesome though congratulations yeah amazing

I thought that was worth shouting out another person I want to shout out is Drew Adrich Drew is from Winnipeg that's who the Leafs

are playing tomorrow night consequently skip to the next one hey Adam big fan of the podcast feel you guys cover other NHL markets and other leagues

in adequate depths for a Leafs centric show thank you adequate's good enough you know what We are pretty Leaf-centric. Bragging rights are on the line. That was a very guy compliment.

Bragging rights are on the line this weekend for Toronto. Good job, you idiot. Okay, I'm going to read this. I'm going to read this. Very important. Go ahead. All right. Bragging rights are on the line this...

Dick. I love you, man. Bragging rights are on the line this weekend for Toronto and Winnipeg with the Leafs and Jets and the Marlies and Moose facing off in three games in 24 hours, which is pretty cool. Holy crap. My buddy Taft and I are both expats from Toronto and that work here temporarily. Like most Canadian cities, people here seem to relish the opportunity to rip on the Leafs and the city of Toronto in general.

It's interesting to see the rivalry while living in another NHL market. We've been jacked up for this weekend all season, especially after the thrashing we witnessed in the home opener. The jeering in our section ceased after the first period. Hoping for a shout out In the upcoming podcast We're taking signs To the Marlies games So if you're watching

The Marlies The front running ideas Are dang gang Or Steve's infamous What? And the Or the Oh no

Oh no I think you should do Dangle Navy And you should dress up Like sailors Dangle Navy yes So he says Cheers

Drew Co-chair of the Dang gang Winnipeg chapter We're gonna change that To the Dangle Navy Winnipeg chapter Um, boy

You better hope the Leafs win tomorrow Well, he's going to the Marlies game Not just him Oh, well, okay, listen The people that this guy works with Have had to sit on that 7-2 loss Since opening night

They get their revenge in what? The fourth last game? Third last game of the season For the Leafs, anyway I don't know what it is for the Jets They had to sit on that since October before Canadian Thanksgiving you better believe they're just

going to rub it in rub it in so bad if they end up winning and also they'll be able to say and where the Jets were way better than you were higher in the standings whatever whatever all they got right now is yeah but we beat you

7-2 oh hey we're great in the standings yeah but we beat you 7-2 If they're higher than you in the standings and they beat you You just gotta suffer So for expats in Winnipeg Pray for them Pray for them that McElhaney

Is a pretty good backup, ain't he? That's right, because he is playing By the way, to your point about what Mike Babcock Said about resting players, McElhaney may get An extra game in the last six Imagine if that Is the difference between Freddie breaking Raycroft's record and not

I think tonight's the game, isn't it? If he wins tonight? I think he ties it. Because what's he at? 35 or 36? The record's 37. Someone told me it's 38. You're wrong.

38 would be breaking it. Yeah. 37 is tying it. He currently sits on 36 wins this year. What's the score? 4-3 Islanders. Or 4-3 Leafs. Sorry, 4-3 Leafs.

Oh, really? No, it's 4-4. Oh, it's 4-4. Oh! And guess who tied it up? Freddie, you're making this real hard on yourself. Guess who tied it up on the power play? Josh Hosang.

John Devers. From noted Edmonton player until this year, Jordan Eberle. Thanks a lot, Pete. Raycroft doesn't own it outright, right? Him and Belfour. Belfour, okay. It just makes me mad. It's just everyone calls it the Raycroft record because it's funnier.

It is funnier. Hall of Famer, Andrew Raycroft. Totally. Guy who got bought out so that Raycroft could be the starter, Raycroft. Oh, that's right. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, God, they were dumb.

Yes, they were. It's okay. They're going to lead Seattle now. And the thing was, Belfort didn't even have a bad year that year, the year before. He was okay. They missed the playoffs by like a point or two. He... There was no point buying him up.

They could have had him there. I don't know. That was when the cap was like 40 million bucks. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Jeff O'Neill and Eric Lindros signing for a million bucks each. I wonder if he was viewed as a problem. Ed Belfort?

Yeah. There's a story in Shift Work, Ty Domi's book, where Belfort got so belligerent at a bar one night that Domi had to knock him out. Wow. It's a great story. And the next morning, Belfort came to practice and hugged Domi and thanked him

for knocking him out. Hockey players, man. And specifically, goalies. They're friggin' weird. Sean McKenzie just tweeted something, and this is interesting. It may not be a great building for hockey, but they do pump a signature scent into the Barclays Center,

so there's that. They pump a smell? Does Barclays have a perfume? Do they have a cologne? Not that I'm aware of. Unless he's trying to make a joke and saying that the place stinks. I don't know. I think that's an interesting...

I want to know what he means by that. Sean. Right there, Sean. Inquiring minds want to know. I think we should move on to the press conference. Okay. Instead of just you tweeting things at Sean. I don't know if that makes sense.

Yeah, let's move on to the press conference. I know I want to know. Don't you want to know? Yes. Press conference. The Steve Dangle Press Conference. Can you rank the Leafs' current jerseys? Home, away, winter classic, St. Pat's classic, or Tarina's?

No, it's the Arrentas. Arrentas. There you go. So, are we ranking them in terms of how good they are? Rank them. Rank them. I like the Aretna's jerseys. I like the Arnasties jerseys.

I like the Navy jerseys. I like the St. Pat's jerseys. The all-whites? I like the all-whites. Oh, the ones from the outdoor game where they blew it? No, those are last. Those rank last. Because I associate them with a crappy memory.

At least in the St. Pat's game, which they lost, they played alright. Had they won it, it'd still be a mediocre jersey. You're wrong. But the fact that they lost sucks extra. It was like going to Diddy's White Party. No, it reminded me too much of the Leafs pajama jerseys, which I just associate with the Jeff Finger era. And I can't get over that.

Who was it supposed to be instead of Jeff Finger who they signed again? Oh, um... Kurt Sauer. Kurt Sauer. That sure left a sour taste in our mouth. Okay, I'm going to go Leafs home, Leafs away. Number one and number two. The question then becomes

St. Pat's or Aretna's I'm going St. Pat's Boy that's hard I'm gonna say Leaves home Aretna's Wrong St. Pat's away

And then Navy Which are not Navy by the way They're white but Navy teamed I got you Jesse what do you think? the correct answer is

the 2017 BMO Field Winter Classic jerseys over everything forgot about that one well those aren't

part of the ranking it's just this year's team no that's not what it says I'm trying to picture that one why can't I picture I didn't know that was an option I have one

well you should have invented your own option Jesse just wait no okay okay sorry so I gotta change it

Home, Aretna's, Centennial, Class of Jersey, St. Pat's, Away, the Navy jerseys, the Mr. Clean jerseys. Yes. All right. That's what I'm going with. Imagine Matt Sundin wore those jerseys. He would look like Mr. Clean. Go look at Matt Sundin in the St. Pat's jerseys they made him wear.

Oh, the brown. With the brown. That was bad. That was bad. Luca Volpe just hit me up on Twitter, and he's like, Hey, Adam, hope all is well. I reserved two tickets to the Steve Dangle podcast night on April 7th with Puck Talks. However, something came up, and we will not be able to make it.

Wondering what I should do with the tickets. If you could please let me know, that would be awesome. Now, I messaged him, but what you should do is throw it up on Reddit. Yes. And because that's kind of where the community hangs out. and let us know, just say hey I got two tickets, let's do a switch over, you guys sort it out amongst yourselves

it's obviously a free event and keep checking the reddit page because I know that there are people that want them and please if you can't make it, give up your tickets so someone else can't, right? And remember this isn't the last time we're doing these events, we've actually got a good I think we've got some pretty good plans in place for next season especially

I know we kind of had this one as a lost season, we were trying to figure out what we could do but I think now that we're on board with Puck Talks, it's going to be a lot easier and a lot more fun. I'm so excited to get my life back after handing in this friggin' manuscript in a couple days. Seriously. I'm just thinking

about the little things. I'm excited to go to the gym. I'm excited to have a beer and not fall asleep. Is it kind of like... I'm excited about a lot of things. Is it kind of like going through a wedding, and you're like, I got this huge project, and whenever I have downtime, I feel guilty about it,

and then once it's over, you're not going to feel this is harder oh i bet it's harder this is harder i didn't have to do as much work for that you make a few phone calls and whatever i mean let's be honest mrs dangled in most of the work but uh a wedding at the end of the day is a party and this thing it's it's how do i you know what it is i write i wrote like seven or eight thousand words today maybe more i was telling you guys I've written like 20,000 words the last 72 hours maybe more and every time I look at a thing that I finished I look at the 8,000 words and I read it and I'm proud of it for a second and then I go all right what's next and I just feel like okay I climbed this

this mountain in Edinburgh Scotland called Arthur's Seat and it's designed in this weird way where you climb it and you're like oh I'm almost near the top and then you get near the top and you realize oh there's another huge hill to climb and then you get to the top of that one and you do that seven or eight times and by the end of it you're just dead tired but once you finish it

you're proud of yourself and you get to take a picture next to this cool block that's on top of the mountain I haven't taken the picture yet I'm really looking forward to it you know what's going to be nice? what? me not talking about it for a while? no I've enjoyed it actually

Yeah, it's been nice and cool to run with you through that experience. Don't butter me up. What are you doing? No, Steve, I just think you're an incredible person. And I think you're doing a great thing by writing this book. And as a friend of yours, I'm really proud of you that you've been able to dedicate all this time. I'm going to write Jesse out of the book. i just can't wait till you finish the hurdle and like you deliver the book and then it's like okay

when's the next book right because that's what'll happen because that's what'll happen you're gonna finish and then it's gonna be like it's time for the next book i feel like i've learned a lot this time and the next one will be a lot easier i just can't wait till you're doing this all over again in like two years and you don't learn your lesson oh two years right away sooner than that oh dude I'm already on book three up here in my head no it the problem was I was like

okay if I try to write this chronologically it's going to be too hard so you know whenever I'm out you know hanging out with friends and a story comes up and it's good enough I'll remember it and be like oh okay I'll go home and write that because it's present in my

mind and then I just had all these jumbled stories as a result my childhood and like family story which is at the beginning of the book took forever and then once i finally finished that i was able to then write chronologically but it took forever to get to that point and now because i have all these pre-written chapters it's like a game of tetris where like you know one thing drops one thing drops one thing drops you're like where the hell's the progress and then you get to a couple chapters in a row that you've already written and it's like you get a line but it's it's this it's just taking forever it's just

taking forever i just can't wait to not read it hey by the way sean mckenzie tweeted me back about the barclay center smell adam i could not care less no this is interesting a source familiar with the matter it says it's the work of scent air a company that manufactures custom fragrances fragrances pumped into the air at theme park stores and hotels around the world that cocoa drenched cloud that you inhale when you walk into Hershey's store Times Square isn't candy, it's scent air. Are you kidding?

So Barclays Center has like a Calvin Klein. Calvin Klein, which does sponsor an exclusive lounge in the arena, did not reply to an inquiry about whether it's one of their famed fragrances. Wow, this is legit reporting that he's doing. Well, no, he didn't

do this. It's from Google. Legit reporting. Anyway, from Leslie Albright. All right, so Leafs are on the power play with about six minutes to go. It's tied 4-4 in the third. Last time we did a show during a Leafs game, they were up 3-0 when I left the show and lost the game.

I am scared to move. Mm-hmm. I also want to go home. I think we go. Steve, you're way too superstitious. Okay, so what if I stay here and just watch it on a TV before we stop recording? Steve, you can do that. If you're on Instagram, I'll show you where the TV is.

But will that erase the evil magic? I don't think so. No, no, no. There is. The evil magic stays with you no matter what. It's in your DNA, bro. Yeah, yeah. So I got to stay here, basically.

We can watch it all together. Did you guys happen to see what Kevin Durant got ejected for last night? No, I didn't see it. I didn't watch Sportsnet this morning. He called the referee a name, and I just think that's what you're being right now. What do you say? You're a silly Billy. I don't think I can say it on the show But like I'll pass you the phone and like that's you. Wow you can't say it on the show I can't say it. We're an uncensored show and you can't say that?

Wow, and that's what Steve's being huh? Oh you saw it? No, I just want to know if it makes you react like that Steve if you can stop being one of those then we can all go home That's a perfect thing Hey, we've hit two hours on the dot Let's call it a show Please, can we call it a show? I'm so angry Alright, love you guys, we'll see you next week

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