Are The Leafs In Trouble?

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign. It's time for the Game Sports Podcast is your host David McCaig Jr. The Game is a Studio 726 original series and featured on all platforms. That's Tick Tock, that's Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple, YouTube, you name it all. At the Game Sports podcast, if you're not interacting, you're missing out on some electrifying content. The the content is fire. On all social media platforms, people are interacting. Make sure you're getting into especially just a shadow to who we think is a Stanley cup contender right now. That clip is getting a lot of interaction right now, so make sure you're getting in on that interaction. Tonight's agenda, very simple for you. It's all hockey. Okay, we have in the Pocket and Strike Zone taking a little bit of a break this week. We're going to be talking Chukkapuck and Top Ched. Trudeau will be joining me momentarily for Chukkapuck and then BMAC will be joining me for Top Ched later on in the show. And just a reminder, this will be our last new show just for a couple weeks. Okay? Not our last one, don't worry. Of course it's not. Look at our new digs, look at what we're doing here on the Game. There's so much more and it just makes me chuckle because of how much we have planned and how much we're doing here for you to be able to enjoy. So make sure you're following on all platforms. As I have mentioned, of course, Remembrance Day representing the poppies here for this week's episode. Now you could just gonna let you know from the beginning that this is our last new show until December 2nd will be our next upload because yours truly is taking a vacation. Okay, I'm going to be going. You know, everyone's worried about saying something on air. I ain't worried about it. I'm going on a on a trip out of country on the other side of the world, my wife and I and we are going to be enjoying a trip for about two and a half weeks. But in between that time frame, you are going to be able to enjoy some, some good content. Number one, there's going to be clips, there will be that interaction. But for shows there's going to be special edition uploads. We like to call them the special edition upload because that's what they've been called for the last decade. But there's going to be three episodes that we pre recorded for you to enjoy that you can get in on Now, I won't be tuning in from where I'm at in Bali, but in terms of giving you a new show. But maybe that's something in the future for the Game Sports podcast. But right now we're going to sit and enjoy when we have our full staff here inside our beautiful digs here at Studio 726. Again, thank you to the crew at Studio 7264. That so again, a reminder, new show, next one after this week will be on December 2nd. But there'll be a lot of content for you to enjoy in between that time frame. Now, without further ado, let's dive right into Chuck a Puck. Before we Chuck, I want to introduce of course the co host for Chuck aac, the one, the only, the guy that I can hit a curveball off of the legend Jordan Trudeau or Mr. Trudeau to a lot of people out there. [00:02:55] Speaker B: Yeah, Mr. Trudeau. Jordan Trudeau. Good evening everyone. Thanks for having me once again, Dave. [00:03:00] Speaker A: Yeah, [00:03:00] Speaker B: always a pleasure. Another week [00:03:03] Speaker A: now we're taking these pucks and we're saying we're chucking them. So I'm chucking them and I don't know where it went. We just didn't look. I made sure I looked at the camera for you and I think some went in front, but that's fine. That's that we chuck the puck. There's 100 [00:03:17] Speaker B: bucks. It's a hundred dollar. That's a hundred dollar shot right there. [00:03:20] Speaker A: Yeah, literally. Yeah, literally. So if you're video upload your chukka puck when you're listening to this worry when you do a no look throw where it lands. But kids, make sure you don't hit your parents or anything like that. Okay? Make sure you do that in safe space. We want to encourage anything to be violent in any which way here on the Game Sports podcast. Okay, Jokes aside, Chuck a puck. Look lots to dive into. We got Ontario Hockey League and suit greyhounds. If you're new to the show, Chuck a buck's where we do do a lot of invasion for local sports with around the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. But there is obviously Ontario Hockey League talk and I, I want to, there's points that we want to start with at the beginning and what I'm going to go over to you Trude's first is we're going to go around but we're going to start with the greyhound side of things. The greyhounds have the talent to compete with anybody in this lake. Okay. Obviously two weeks ago was a week was a measuring Stick week. We then there was games obviously last week that come on. That'll let you touch on Tru won't take your. Take your thund. But they can compete with anybody in the league. But do they have enough discipline and offensive zone presence to beat teams consistently is where I want to base this topic off of. I'll give you that question and then give us an update for the week that just happened for the Hounds and upcoming for the Hounds. [00:04:30] Speaker B: Yeah, well I think that's an interesting question and I think we're going to need a little bit more time to really get the answer to that because what you've seen this past week was and the week prior was some really difficult outcomes and some. Some difficult games for this team. For this young team that's currently battling injuries. They're currently short staffed. They're going through a bit of like a slump. I want to say, you know they, they dropped a few in a row there the past two weeks. So to your question, yes, they do have the talent to compete with anyone in this league and I think they've shown that. They lost to Guelph and London, both won goal games. Two of the top teams in the league at the time and short staffed. Right. You're without Jordan Sharon, you're without Harris Pangradic obviously for the year. You're without some of your other top players. So you know these players that Ryan Kaczynski is another one who had such a great start to the season too bad that he went off with. With injury and so you're seeing their depth tested a little bit. I think as the November goes on and into December you're going to see this team have to make a decision on where they want to go with this year and it's going to be a difficult one. I won't get into that too much right now because I know you're going to ask, we're going to talk about it a lot more. But I think they. The discipline is still lacking and I'm going to be tough on them because I know probably coach Drew Bannister is going to be tough on them and I know they're tough on themselves. The discipline is still something that they're working on cleaning up. But this past weekend was very, very positive, especially after that setback, the measure. Setback to Erie. Yeah, [00:06:23] Speaker A: on. [00:06:23] Speaker B: Oh [00:06:23] Speaker A: that was [00:06:24] Speaker B: at home. [00:06:24] Speaker A: Massive. [00:06:25] Speaker B: So yeah, that'll lead me into their little update. So this past week did not start very well at all. I was at the game. You know what I thought I they Just laid an egg, I think, and then lost by a touchdown. But five in the first, you're not coming back from that. Erie was fired up. Hometown product Evan Hedrick scored in the first two goals in the game, one on the power play. And that key point of that Drew Bannister brought up in his articles with Peter Ricci and saying that, you know, we, we're getting, we're getting down early on the. On the man advantage, we're giving up a power play early and we're letting that dictate the pace of our game the rest of the game. And so having to, to try to stay disciplined, not take a penalty early and give up an early goal and already you're playing down by one, trying to avoid that. That's kind of what happened. And then it just snowballed from there. David Vermeerovski, who's been so, so strong as of late, you know, kind of probably had a night to forget and the rest of the team too, but they really made some adjustments and, and won two of two on this past weekend, starting with the massive win over Sudbury on Friday night in Sudbury, which is a very, very sharp, quick, awesome turnaround. So [00:07:51] Speaker A: yeah, the, the big thing for me is when I look at the, these Sudbury Wolves now and you've said it, they just lost Tanner Adams for the remainder of the. Of the season. [00:08:00] Speaker B: Yes. [00:08:00] Speaker A: Sadly, you know, we were talking the last couple weeks about the, the big trade that was a record breaking trade for a prospect and obviously had time playing in the international stage for a little bit before and gets hurt. [00:08:16] Speaker B: You got hurt for playing for Team Canada. Is that what happened? [00:08:18] Speaker A: That's how I understand the shoulder injury [00:08:20] Speaker B: from that must have. He was there [00:08:21] Speaker A: and [00:08:22] Speaker B: this past week, [00:08:23] Speaker A: you know, you. Those are the risks of taking in those in those tournaments that teams never liked at any level. OHL Junior in any form or NHL. I always think back of when Tavares got hurt in the Olympics and the Islanders were in the thick of a playoff race and then they lost Tavares and it was like a rock bottom there for them after that. And you have a, you have a situation there where you talked a very good point about that if that with that injury happening. Okay. But before we get into Sudbury, we'll continue on the Hounds. I just want to leave it on that cliffhanger. Okay. The. We have quite lots of questions truths. I'm gonna, I'm gonna say that the Hounds have rebounded after a week that was challenging after start of a week that was like oh boy, what are we doing? But on other side of Hound news, kind of splitting a little bit. There's been some change on the [00:09:13] Speaker B: team. Massive change. [00:09:14] Speaker A: Massive change. I want you to talk about that. [00:09:16] Speaker B: Yeah. So for the first time since 2022, 2023, we won't have Landon Miller as a goaltender on the Sue Greyhounds roster. He played 111 games for this team. He had five years worth of games for this team and he finished with a record. And I have my stats up here just because I'm just pulling them up.53 and 38. He had a 3.36 goals against average and an.882 save percentage, totaling almost 6,000 minutes of ice time for this team over the past four years. And you know, I think there was a lot of mixed feelings about Landon Miller as a goalie. He had definitely. He definitely had some very bright moments. He had some tough moments. But I wanted to give him a shout out here on the show because no matter what adversity he went through, whether it was losing the job to Carter George, whether it was losing the job to Charlie Schenkel, he still came back. [00:10:22] Speaker A: And this year, [00:10:23] Speaker B: and even this year, he still came back. And that game he played against Guelph, he. That was one heck of a send off for, for Landon Miller to, to really, really stop the Guelph storm. The future Memorial cup hosts or the current host, but they'll. I wanted to say future Memorial cup champs because I favorite. Yeah, but no, really playing a good game against them and just all the best for him. And it was just a numbers game. And I'm really excited to see these two new goalies that the Greyhounds got and you know that. But just all the best, Landon. And once a hound, always a hound. We love you. And, and [00:11:02] Speaker A: the reaction online was very nice to see as I sit back a little, maybe too comfortably in my chair right now, enjoying that story, thinking of that. But these are young men that have been playing hockey all their lives and they work hard, they have dreams, aspirations Landon has had. Detroit Red Wings, obviously. [00:11:21] Speaker B: Detroit Red Wings draft pick, right pick. So many things to be proud of. [00:11:25] Speaker A: So many things. And we don't know what's going to happen in the remainder of this, of this career form. So earlier in the year there's, I mean, there could be some teams that think about taking them, but they had them through waivers and didn't do that. It'd be interesting to see if injuries happen at some point to make him maybe get the call from somewhere else to go and go play because it's never over, even when you think it is. And you know, there's a lot of opportunity for Landon, if it's not the professional level, to look overseas. You know, we, there's, there's somebody who, who gave his heart out for this team. Right. And the fans were giving him good love online. I know a lot, there's been a lot of questions about Miller, if he's the guy or whatnot when he was here and, you know, but it's good to see how the community came together with the feedback about it after he was let go in a moment that again, remind everybody this still a young kid. [00:12:11] Speaker B: Yeah. Okay. [00:12:13] Speaker A: He's still, he is still somebody learning. He's still going. Now. It's, this is a, this is a. People will say a bump in the road, but I call it an opportunity in the road to see what path you want to go down and what comes next and a new chapter for him to explore what he wants. And I'm sure that conversation with the Hounds brass was more like, we want you to go explore where you want. We've tried to look at getting you somewhere else, but didn't work out. Why don't you take this moment to, you know, to not sit on our bench? You've given so much to this team, this organization. You were your pick of the Red Wings. Why don't you brainstorm with them about any developmental opportunities? Where can you go? What can you do? Why don't you take that time away from the team so you can think that through? That is, again, someone who is young having to make a decision in his career that's going to change the rest of his path in his career. But it's not over. I want, I hope if he hears this, it's, it's not over. [00:13:05] Speaker B: Every day he, he, like he was faced with so much adversity. Every day he came back and he would constantly start for this team and give it his all. So 100. Absolutely 100 total. Total. Props to Landon Miller and. But we are excited as Greyhounds fans. We are excited about Will Computero and David Vermeerovski. Computero, obviously the first star of that game against Barry on a night when greyhounds didn't have their best. Definitely a little tired getting home from Sudbury on Saturday, but, you know, you grind through it. You get the win. And even better, your. Your 18 year old backup who hasn't got a lot of time to play this year. You know, he gets, he gets 30 saves on a, on a 31 shot night. So [00:13:48] Speaker A: now the question that I have for you. Can the Greyhounds beat anybody? Well, sorry, rephrase. The Greyhounds can beat anybody, but can they beat the best consistently? [00:14:02] Speaker B: Well, that's the, that's the kicker, right? You're. At the end of the day, you got to beat Guelph four times in seven games to, to get to the Memorial cup eventually. And with this current roster, you know, you know, it would be an [00:14:17] Speaker A: uphill, [00:14:18] Speaker B: very steep hill to climb. It would be a mountain to climb over. So I'm not trying to. It has been done. And you know what? This team is very impressive and they still have room to grow. But from an organizational standpoint, I think this year is best to be kept as a developmental year for this Greyhounds team while still remaining competitive because they still will be competitive with, with the players that they will keep after the January OHL trade deadline. Whichever group they choose to keep, they'll still remain competitive. [00:14:51] Speaker A: Very. And I know we're only about eight, eight or so minutes left on this, so I'm going to whiz through these questions to give them as much, as much of an answer as you can with it. But Fitzgerald and McKenzie Realistic trade candidates for the Superhounds? [00:15:05] Speaker B: I think so. I think you're, you're looking at moving two of those guys, especially if Colin Fitzgerald isn't returning next year. You know, you want to build around Ryan Kaczynski, Noah and Trevor Daly Jr. Christopher Weiss, those, that crop of players. Cam Anderson, who's looked really solid out of the [00:15:22] Speaker A: big [00:15:22] Speaker B: fan. Jaden Lacastro, now you add him to that mix, he's coming back soon from the U17. So that's definitely the group, that's the core group that you want to try and build towards and get future draft picks to supplement that crew. So I think you can, you can almost even add Jordan Charon in that, in that category, too. Sucks that he's out to injury right now, but he can definitely be a huge help to any playoff contender or any team looking to go far in the playoffs this year. You know, Travis Hayes is an interesting one, I think, leadership wise, I think he's much more valuable to this team than on his way out, but that's, that's, you know, an area they could explore as well. [00:16:04] Speaker A: Tough take. I know some fans will have that one. A little hard to swallow, but it's true. In the world of hockey, you got a position where you think you're going to go with this team. And despite his leadership quality and maybe Something of value that would be best for him in his last chance with the, with the ohl right to go to a team that would be willing to go all the way potentially if it's not with. I wouldn't say with Guelph, but someone who can push Guelph to the limit or never know go above them. So the greyhounds in my opinion, I'm going to answer this one. Like prioritization with the greyhounds. I feel that they say dependable defenseman or a proven goal scorer. I'm really attracted to the proven goal score. Me too. I'm a big defenseman fan as everybody knows. I'd like a big strong defenseman. That's how I would build my team is having one offensive defenseman, three two way type defensemans and two defensive defensemen. That's how I always positioned a team with the. And my offensive guy would play with a two way guy and then the other two ways would play with the defensive guys because you would have shot blocking, you'd have someone who can play both ends of the ice and someone who's just going to stay home. I think those, those players are always hard to come by. But what's really hard to come by and challenging is proven goal scorers that the natural ability to put the puck in the net. And natural every kid, every young hockey player has the thought process to be like I want that dirty dangle. I want that Michigan. I want that hot goal. I want that one that's going to put me in the highlight reel. Even though they don't say it, that is what's going through their mind. But somebody who has that quick release, somebody who's like you don't give me that puck. I want to score every time. That's the type of thing I want to see and I haven't seen. There's been a lot of good goal scorers that have came like Brett Thompson, friend of mine who's they did very well in the ohl. Right. You know there's been a lot of good goal scorers in on the Super Hounds roster in a lot of years. But that one peer goal score, I know this is going to be a hot topic. The most peer that I remember at top my head is Jeff Carter. Somebody where you go down the right side and he would shoot from the top of the circle and go in and be. That was actually a cheat goal on NHL 92002 on EA Sports. Okay, so like someone like you can get a. If you can get a. If it's a Draft pick or a trade or a young guy who has that potential. I think that's what they should be prioritizing. Now, the other thing that I'll say to go with your point, I don't think the hounds, you know, being aggressive to be buyers. I think they protect their future assets and gain more assets through the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Now, the one thing that I want to get to with you is Brady Martin. [00:18:30] Speaker B: Brady Martin. [00:18:32] Speaker A: Brady Martin. We're still talking. Was like, why this guy is in the American Hockey League. Like, what's going on? And I'm going to tell you something. There's been players that have played the World Juniors at Christmas time. [00:18:43] Speaker B: Yeah, I think that's. [00:18:44] Speaker A: And then there's been players that go over to the back to the OHL after, you know, starting their season off in pro. Okay. I have the hot feel. You know what Trudeau's. Go ahead, Martin. What is the actual likelihood of an OHL return after Christmas? [00:18:59] Speaker B: I don't think it's impossible. I really don't. I think based on his current, like, development sounded like Jerry Key. So there, there his current. I think based on his current development and what happened last year, the rough year he kind of had with injuries and stuff, I don't think it's really out of the question that he would return. Do it. Is it likely? I don't think so, but I'm gonna say it right here. I think he's for sure gonna play Team Canada World. [00:19:29] Speaker A: He might be the captain. [00:19:30] Speaker B: I, I, I, I would think that's a very smart move by the Predators organization and by Hockey Canada. And we'll know. I think they should put him. And we'll know. Yeah. At the end, by the end of the month, we'll know if he's, if he's heading to camp or not. [00:19:42] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:19:43] Speaker B: But you know, that return to the OHL after the World Juniors is going to be up to the organization, obviously, but it's going to be interesting because if he has the opportunity to come back to the sue or to come back to the ohl, given that the greyhounds include him in a deal to somewhere like Guelph, you know, that's a big, big opportunity for him to lead a team. And it's Fitz Guelph all the way to the Memorial cup. And who better, if you're the Guelph Storm, to make your last splash. [00:20:19] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:20:20] Speaker B: Than to land a big fish like Brady Martin. [00:20:22] Speaker A: So that was going to be the thing. Who owns his rights? We know who owns his rights. [00:20:26] Speaker B: You know who owns his rights. [00:20:27] Speaker A: It's that jersey that's sitting behind. True. It's very nice to decorate it. And that cowbell that sits up there too. The Sugar Hounds cowbell. There's no way he's come back to the Hounds, people. [00:20:38] Speaker B: I don't. [00:20:39] Speaker A: If he comes back to the Ontario Hockey League. I don't. Doesn't matter if the Hounds are third, doesn't matter if they're fourth. Heck, it might be a hot take if they were first. Maybe a little bit. I [00:20:48] Speaker B: think he's still. [00:20:49] Speaker A: You gotta move Brady Martin. I think that's some as much as he wants to be here. If he did come back. I know we all know he loves the sue [00:20:56] Speaker B: and what. Of course we want him back. Yeah. Like it's not. [00:20:59] Speaker A: But you know what? If he does come back after Christmas, you better start stitching that Guelph jersey and you better start moving them to get that asset back and get some massive draft picks to recruit, to recoup some picks and to take advantage. Maybe get a nice young guy out of that deal or get something in the, in the pipeline to bring back. But my prediction, and so is it Trude's. Am I accurate to say that we think Brady's coming back after Christmas to the Ontario Hockey League? [00:21:25] Speaker B: I'd say like 20% chance. [00:21:28] Speaker A: Oh, you're going 20? [00:21:29] Speaker B: Yeah, I don't think it's very. [00:21:30] Speaker A: I'm going 70. You're [00:21:31] Speaker B: going to go seven, you're going to go [00:21:32] Speaker A: to [00:21:32] Speaker B: 70. [00:21:33] Speaker A: I'm going to go high. So [00:21:34] Speaker B: you're going to go this. You're going to be 70. I'm. And I'm going to be 20. [00:21:38] Speaker A: So maybe I'll go up to [00:21:40] Speaker B: 30. [00:21:40] Speaker A: Would be 30. I'll be 80 or you between. I don't care. He's. I think it's going to happen. But [00:21:44] Speaker B: you don't think like, like a profession, like a team like the NH the NHL now they just want their guys in their organizations. [00:21:51] Speaker A: There's something about ice time development and if it's a certain team that he can go to to maybe win a championship, especially a junior, something he hasn't accomplished, maybe that's something that would be attractive to the Predators organization who just also traded for Shane Wright. Looking at some youth and some development, you know that that's an opportunity. So there my top take is that he's going to be coming back. Okay, a couple quick, quick hot takes before we sign off to have Brandon McCarthy come on. A couple rapid fire questions. Who's the most Overrated team in the Ontario Hockey League right now, [00:22:20] Speaker B: Brantford Bulldogs. [00:22:22] Speaker A: Love it. Love it. If you want to throw. Why no, why? Just discuss. [00:22:26] Speaker B: I think the west is best. [00:22:30] Speaker A: The west is best viewers degree. [00:22:32] Speaker B: Just look at it. [00:22:33] Speaker A: Agree, disagree. Look comment below. [00:22:35] Speaker B: Disagree. Yeah, [00:22:36] Speaker A: Agree. Disagree. Okay, you have the next one that I like. Okay. Now the next question is the OHL's most dangerous playoff opponent truths? [00:22:45] Speaker B: I got the Saginaw Spirit because if you look at where they are in the standings right now, they're in that bottom five of the Western Conference playoff structure. And as a team with home ice advantage, I would not want to go against Brady Waslan, Dima Zilkin and then return Nikita Klepov. Those three big powerhouse scorers for the Saginaw Spirit wouldn't want to see them in the first round. [00:23:12] Speaker A: My hot take, Guelph Storm, [00:23:14] Speaker B: the toughest playoff opponent. I mean, yeah, I guess [00:23:19] Speaker A: the most dangerous. I [00:23:20] Speaker B: was just trying, but. But I guess, yeah, I agree with what happens if Guelph loses. [00:23:26] Speaker A: I agree with Sagan. I would have been. It would have. I was, you know, kind of around the Branford train. But Usain overrated goes against. You [00:23:34] Speaker B: think you. Whoa. You think they're [00:23:36] Speaker A: Branford? Maybe Brantford. [00:23:38] Speaker B: I just don't like when you look at the east versus the west like, [00:23:42] Speaker A: oh, it's different. [00:23:43] Speaker B: It's a completely different ball game. Like, you just want to see. I know Branford beat the Hounds, but like, I want to see where Branford matches. I haven't looked at their scores or who they their opponents, but they just naturally play more teams in the east. So [00:23:57] Speaker A: be interesting. [00:23:58] Speaker B: It'll be interesting to say the least. [00:24:00] Speaker A: That's Chuck a puck. Trudes. Thank you for coming by, my friend. [00:24:04] Speaker B: Thanks for having me. [00:24:05] Speaker A: Now let's move over to the National Hockey League because there's no shortage of things to talk about in the National Hockey League, especially in the city of Toronto. We'll be right back. Welcome back to the Game Sports Podcast. Your host, David McCaig Jr. Continuing to host you this evening. The Game Studio 726 original series on all platforms. Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, all at the Game Sports Podcast. We're going to make this episode even more fun because I didn't say this at the beginning, but we have a surprise co host. I'm putting him on the spot. He is our junior associate. He's our sports intern here on Game Sports Network, incorporated through the Game Sports Podcast. Liam, my friend, how are you? [00:24:46] Speaker C: Oh, I'm pretty good, thanks for having me on the quickly on the show here at. It's fun to be put on the spot and we're gonna. We're gonna have a great time. [00:24:52] Speaker A: Yeah. This is why it happened. Brandon and I, which I'll introduce in a second. BMAC will be coming on shortly. I. We had a plan to do a segment ourselves, but I had Liam come in because he does the back end with Mike on the producer side of things. And I said, liam, I am putting you on the spot today. Sit in that chair. That's exactly kind of how it went. And he'll agree to it. And he said, sure. And guess what? Here we are right now. He's making a debut here on the game and he is gonna be interacting. And we know one thing about him so far. He's an Ottawa Senators fan and he's talking to true Toronto fans on here on a podcast that talks everything. National Hockey League. But we have a lot to get to, fellas. Okay, but without further ado, before we do that, the one, the only, the man, the myth, the legend, he is known as the cart. If you know, you know, he rolls his eyes every time I say it, and that's fine. All the way From Southern Ontario, BMAC. Brendan McCarthy, my friend to. How's this? How'd she blow my friend? [00:25:47] Speaker D: What's going on, boys? Liam, Dave, good to be with you. And I. I gotta say, guys, it's getting cold. I managed to actually sneak in, just sneak in a quick little. I didn't even play a full nine holes, but I snuck in five holes Saturday. [00:26:04] Speaker A: You played golf? [00:26:05] Speaker D: And I shot. I mean, it was best ball and it was five holes, so small sample size. But. But he shot [00:26:11] Speaker C: golf. [00:26:12] Speaker D: My dad and I. My dad and I shot five. Sorry, one over through five. We were. We were lights out and then we said, it's getting too cold and let's just end 2026 like that. [00:26:26] Speaker C: What time of day do you even want to play golf in the middle of November? In the middle of November. Like that's insane to me. [00:26:32] Speaker D: Well, considering it gets dark at 3pm, we. We like just made it in. But my dad and I are fortunate enough to access kind of more of a casual check in time, tee time, golf course. And it's. It's pretty close to my. To my parents place, so I'm like, yeah, why not? Let's slip up there. Not a soul was there. It was cold. And now that you know we're mid November, people are talking about swapping tires to get the snow tires on I think it's safe to say golf season is over. Is. I'm declaring it. I am declaring it now. [00:27:05] Speaker A: You're swinging a driver on a Saturday in November while people are changing their tires. [00:27:10] Speaker C: That's insane to me. [00:27:11] Speaker D: Exactly. [00:27:11] Speaker A: That's a great story. That's how you start. I love that. I love that. Okay, Brent, I'm gonna go to you first, though, because we're hot and heavy on the show, so give people a quick background. The GAIN sports podcast. 11 years in. People know, you know, we have a big family here on the game. There's been a lot of. We have our main hosts, we have our casuals. We have a whole bunch of people that have been part of the show since the original. And, you know, obviously, he's been away for the last couple weeks, but obviously it's known that we're Leaf fans. Okay, We're Leaf fans, I'll tell you that. But on the show, we talk all the teams. There's no bias. Okay? But, yeah, we give a little bit extra to the Toronto Maple Leafs just a little smidge, as I give you. And I don't know why I'm doing this. It just looks right on camera right now. But I'm gonna give a nice tee up. Speaking of, well, golf, in a way, that's a nice transition, Brandon. The Leafs have talent, but do they have the team, my friend? [00:28:00] Speaker D: Oh, boy, here [00:28:01] Speaker A: we go. Before you even say that, today's the day before Colorado, Minnesota this week, which is a game I'm going to, having lost five of the last six. Eight, nine, two. Morgan, Riley, Marchenko, potentially. Sizzins and Rosalvik are down, apparently. We're still confirming seasons. And Roslovic, Tanov is also having maintenance days. Okay, but injuries are no excuse. But goes back to my question. Do they have the team even with that? Brendan? [00:28:30] Speaker D: Yeah, you know what? I saw a headline this morning, guys, that said hall of Shame game. And it was. It was a tough, tough game for Toronto. Second of a back to back. I just want to rewind because when they beat the Canucks on Halloween night, they split the Western road swing, right? They went two and two. They welcomed a mammoth to. They welcome, excuse me, the Mammoth to town. And they couldn't salvage a point. Will he hit the post with seconds left? It's like, all right, flush that one. You're not giving up points to Atlantic Division opponents. Then you get four days off. Four days off. You welcome Montreal Saturday night in Toronto Original six matchup. And they lay an egg. And that, I think, was the game they had to take, especially because they lost the season open in Montreal, in Toronto, it's like, let's get some redemption going, but you can't lose both. And the fact that they came out in the Sunday, you know, hall of Fame game, it's, it's a, it's a big game. Legends are in the building. I frankly, I just thought that the Leafs looked disinterested. They really look like they were just participating in that game. Look like a scrimmage. And you can't use the excuse of, oh, it was the back to back. They don't have their legs, guys are banged up. New Jersey was playing their second of a back to back and they had to travel. They just won an overtime the night prior against the Islanders Long Island. So I don't want to hear any of this BS of back to back. Like, like you said, Dave, like it. Yeah. You're a National Hockey League player. You got to, you got to basically get used to turning it around and playing it again. Unless playing again in a game, you know, in less than 24 hours and adjusting your routine. Now you basically have one of the toughest stretches you'll have all year against Colorado, Mini Edmonton and you know, you [00:30:24] Speaker A: just. [00:30:25] Speaker D: I don't want to hear, I don't want to hear this like, you know, new faces, new system, people getting their feet wet. It's basically now mid November and this week you need to at least get, if you're, if you're the Leafs, you gotta go and say we need minimum three of six points over the next three games. Because if you get to the end of the week and you wake up Sunday morning and it's, it's bad. I mean, you could, you could say, Hiller's on the hot seat. [00:30:59] Speaker A: I just [00:30:59] Speaker D: got [00:30:59] Speaker A: hired. [00:31:00] Speaker D: It's bad. I know, but like, it, it could get real bad. But also this team has, has proven that they can string a few wins together. Like, you know, they won four straight. What? We're two weeks removed from that. So [00:31:15] Speaker A: like two weeks. That's [00:31:16] Speaker D: why it's mind boggling, right? [00:31:18] Speaker A: Two weeks ago, we're looking at team saying, holy, this is exciting. This is exciting to watch. Okay, now what the big thing is for me, Liam, is what game turned it around for me was the loss against the Calgary Flames and then that game against Vancouver where they just couldn't settle and put away a game against a team that is underneath them. And that is not good. Vancouver's not good. I'm sorry. I want them to be good. They're a Canadian team. But after those games, like, oh boy, this looks like we're having some true colors come out and injuries but not an excuse [00:31:49] Speaker C: like Brendan was saying with that Leafs and Habs game there. I was watching it a little bit, flipping back and forth from when the Sens were kind of beating up on the Mammoth. But especially in the defensive zone, a lot of turnovers to middle ice. And that Chris Crowder goal is unacceptable. Right? That's a blind pass to the middle and Chris Crowder takes it. And I mean, Bob's look like Swiss cheese. He [00:32:08] Speaker A: can't stop a beach ball, dude. [00:32:10] Speaker C: No, no he can't. I'm [00:32:11] Speaker A: sorry. I was gonna bring one in today and I was gonna throw it at Heiko. Now Liam, just to show what Bobrovsky looks like. [00:32:16] Speaker C: I mean, what did you really expect though? The guy was, he's an aging goaltender who is well past his prime at this point. He was on a good Florida team for two years. They got hurt last year, banged up decor. So I mean I guess that back [00:32:29] Speaker A: to back cups. But like this is a team that, you know, was, this is somebody that Florida knew something. Ab Mac. [00:32:36] Speaker D: Hey guys, what time is it? Three past Bob. That guy gives up three plus goals every damn start, honestly. And, and Liam, like you nailed it, man. Like you can just tell like the age is going to win every frickin year. What [00:32:55] Speaker A: did Rocky Balboa say? Everybody? Time's undefeated. [00:33:00] Speaker D: Yes, [00:33:01] Speaker A: time is undefeated. And now you paid $7 million for a guy what you were excited about. Okay, you bring him in the air. Okay. Still looks composed, he still looks motivated. But you know, you saw, he saw these little, little dents. He saw these little dents. He's gonna get back to it. It's okay. But now those dents are holes and all those holes are gaping friggin tunnels is what they are. [00:33:24] Speaker C: No, absolutely. And I also think kind of going back on the point where they're, you know, they can kind of come back and win a couple games in a row, but then they'll drop games where they shouldn't. I think especially part of being a Toronto sports team is the media doesn't allow you that grace period of losing those two games and then bouncing back and winning one and then losing one and then losing two again. Right? Where other sports markets you can lose two, it's not. No one's pressing the panic button. You lose two in Toronto, bam, panic button is down and it becomes a whole circus in the media. And that's when you get players obviously Playing a little more flustered. Like, I mean we saw it with Vladdy all year in Toronto this year. It was an absolute Gong Show. Not saying that's what's going to happen to any of the leaf star players this year, but I just think it plays a massive, a massive factor. [00:34:06] Speaker D: Yeah. And the other thing too is guys, it's the way they lose, right? I mean they, you could argue that they've been in the fight in a lot of games this year, but they've also failed to convert on even just salvaging points. Like you look at the first week of the year, Ottawa, Montreal, they, you, they lose a one goal game in reg and you can't muster a point. They blow it against the Kraken on the Western road swing. They can't muster a point. They can't muster a point against the Mammoth. Like, I know it's small, but you get to, you know, it's an 84 game schedule this year. You get to the end of March or the stretch drive in April. Those points are pivotal. And you'll come back to that and say, I wish I had some of those points in my back pocket. Right? So it's, it's tough. There are games where I'm like, I would ask my money back like last night and, and the game against the Habs on Saturday. There are some. I better not [00:35:04] Speaker A: be saying, at least after Thursday. [00:35:06] Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, at least you're seeing Quinn Hughes, right? So you get to see a, you know, an Olympian and a superstar. But I think the Leafs, they, they can't afford to like, it's just wildly inconsistent. And I think if they just had more of a, like a steady identity or steady consistent play, you know, fans wouldn't be that upset. But if you look at other teams around the National Hockey League, like when they lose, like they are mocking it up at the end, you know, they're, they're playing, you know, with a ton of heart and it's, it just stinks because we've seen the Leafs play very well. And then when it's bad, it's like, oh my God, like, do you even give a blank? So [00:35:51] Speaker A: here's the thing for me and I'm gonna, I'm gonna take this one a little bit because you know, there comes a time where you ask yourself, and I got two parts to this, where you ask yourself, when is it enough? Enough with pointing the blame at coaches and management. You've had Babcock, you've had Keefe, you've had Berube, now you Have Hiller who? Hiller's a glorified learn from Babcock. Before that you've had Dubas, you've had obviously Brad Tree living. Now you've had. I have Chaika and Sundine. Okay? Now where you do look at it and say, what did Chaika do this summer? He flipped this bottom six of this roster and flipped players. What didn't he flip? Matthews, Nylander, Riley, Tavares. Tavares ain't the problem. I'm telling you right now. Johnny T is not the problem. Morgan Riley's a problem. That guy is getting too much money. He ain't producing since he was producing back in 2015. Then they overpaid him when I watched him do a toe drag, dang 2015 and score. And that game that they won costed them the first overall pick to get Connor McDavid. Okay? So they shouldn't have kept Morgan Riley. Okay? I watched that game live. But you know what? You draft Austin Matthews, generational talent, still a purified goal scorer. The guy is a stud, but he's not a captain. Willie Nylander, look at the exchange with Marner and Matthews all the time on the bench. And I always look at that clip and say, who's the problem in that clip? You. Okay? Everyone looked at Marner. Marner guy's the crybaby. He's. This isn't junior, bro. That's my teammate. I'd be like, hey, man, shake it off. Shut up. Let's go out there and do that. That's how a leader talks. I'm circling back to somebody named Willie Nylander and Austin Matthews saying how they interacted in that. In. Into that interaction. So when has it become a time where you stop pointing at the freaking coach and management and look more deep into this team? Chica did that. I give credit to Chica, dude. The guy tried to do what he could with fixing this team, but he still maybe hasn't fixed the true root of the poison. Let me add this, though. Eight, nine and two. Know what that equals, guys? That equals 19 games out of an 84 game season. A game. A team that two weeks ago we were praising about saying, oh, boys, the blue Buds are back. That's the other leaf fan side that you got to take back. And still early. And they can still bounce back. And injuries do kind of matter. Marchenko is a pretty big piece to be missing. Okay. Marchenko is a big piece of that top six. Okay. Sizzins is critical in that bottom six. And Roslovic has more points right now. As far as I know, people can at me in the comments than Cole Caufield right now. Okay. I believe that is actual stat. Brennan can maybe concert that in the background, maybe not. Doesn't matter. But when does it become a construction issue of the roster with the main guys? That's the question that needs to start being asked. That's what they have to look like. But yet it's still early. And this is where Matthew said he's had the most fun he's had in a while. Maybe give them a break. But the clock is ticking on these main guys of the roster. Bmac [00:39:02] Speaker D: and. And just to talk about the defense briefly too, guys, I mean, I think it could be, you know, any coach at this point. The guys that have been there for a long time, like Matthews and Nylander, they know what they got to do. So I don't think a new coach or a different voice is going to change the fact that, you know, oh, yeah, like, we got to wake up and we got to like, advance in the playoffs. Like, they've had so much disappointment that it needs to come down to Willie and Matthews willing this team, right? Like you see in Edmonton with 97 and 29. But with the defense, man, I was. I was researching today. It's. It's like Bob, it's. It's aging, right? Like on paper, it's like. It looks. It looks. But hang on. It looks good defensively, offensively, the. The Leafs as a. As a collective back end. Troy stature, two goals. Blankenberg, one goal. And I think Marshall Refi, one goal. That's it. How [00:40:04] Speaker A: much is right? [00:40:05] Speaker D: No other defensemen have goals. Darren Radish, zilch. Morgan Riley, zilch. [00:40:11] Speaker A: Zero people. Zero. [00:40:13] Speaker D: I'll do a Sam Mitchell at the Raptors. 000-000. Right? [00:40:20] Speaker A: So that's where. [00:40:21] Speaker D: That's a glaring issue. Man. [00:40:22] Speaker A: What. I'm going to flip. Flip right now and I'll give Liam a point on this bold take again. Trade Nylander. There's my number two. You need a defenseman. Not saying that's in the Nylander trade, but you need a defenseman back there. Someone who's a stud. And his name's not Eric Carlson. He's 30. Is my. I'm 35. Carlson and I are about a year apart. I believe he's 36. Okay. And I can tell you I'm aging. I'm 35. Okay. Simon Edmondson, I don't know. Someone young. That's a stud back there. Like trade Nylander. You need a young defenseman or a young stud back there is what the Maple Leafs need. And they need consistent goaltending from the guy they paid to do it. But they're not getting it. But trade Nylander is. I'm gonna say it. I think that's what has to be done. And Kucherov is not the answer, everybody. [00:41:12] Speaker C: No. And frankly, Kutrov is not going to come to any team in the Atlantic Division that is, frankly, that's off the table. Tampa won't do that in my [00:41:19] Speaker D: Breezois will be like, nah, [00:41:21] Speaker C: no, absolutely. [00:41:22] Speaker D: Like, I'm sure Kucharov has been like, ah, we talked about this on the last episode. Might be like. [00:41:27] Speaker C: I mean, Kudra sure doesn't really care where he goes as long as he's playing, he's paid and he's playing on a decent enough team. Right. But I think at the end of the day, especially with, like you said, Edmondson, we won't go to an Atlantic team either. Right. Like, it's all going to be in division. Right. So I don't know who they have to look at. I mean, Erik Carlson, I know you said you don't want him. He's aging. Absolutely. Great power play operator. Darren Radish is a good power play operator as well. If you don't want Morgan Rielly on Power Play 2, there's your solution. I don't know if you need more offense necessarily, but [00:41:58] Speaker A: I mean, I'd flip Riley for Carlson any day. Anyone who wants Riley. Well, [00:42:01] Speaker C: I'll tell you who. Give Chaika call. I'll tell you right now, Duba says no to that, too. [00:42:05] Speaker D: Nobody. Nobody wants Morgan Riley. [00:42:07] Speaker A: No, nobody. Nobody [00:42:09] Speaker D: dangled him in front of all, all teams. If he gets [00:42:13] Speaker A: put on waivers, does he go unclaimed? [00:42:16] Speaker C: It's a good question. [00:42:19] Speaker A: I don't think if [00:42:19] Speaker D: he goes on, I [00:42:20] Speaker A: don't think he goes unclaimed. I think I don't [00:42:22] Speaker D: like [00:42:24] Speaker A: Columbus, Seattle, they're also tight. Vancouver, I think would take them for free. [00:42:32] Speaker C: They got a fill. They got a fill cap as well. Right. So that would be a decent cap. Phil gets, I guess something. But [00:42:36] Speaker A: it's Morgan Riley, someone who goes through waivers unclaimed. That's the maybe a question that people can interact on in the, in this podcast, but [00:42:45] Speaker D: great question, Dave. [00:42:47] Speaker A: Now, players only, only meetings, okay. We got approximately about 13 minutes to go here or so. So we're doing pretty good for time. It's just a lot of content to get into. But to say this topic quickly, I wanted to bring up players only meetings, okay? And I wrote myself a little note. So I've been addressing him as a player. And when you get to that point about players only meetings. Okay, there's a lot of soul searching. Okay. There's a lot and a lot of soul searching. It's not just about who's playing badly. You start talking about how situations are being handled. Okay. And how much coach is managing things and what needs to change. Those are conversations that. I know this from a junior hockey level from 15 years ago. It seems like now. Yeah, that'll be 20. Yeah, 15 years ago. Wow. I just said that and feel really bad for myself. From a coaching perspective, I've never experienced one. I've coached junior hockey for a couple of years after playing. But when I coached in Blind river, we were near the bottom. We were near the bottom and that situation never came up where we heard of a players only meeting because we were rebuilding. Seemed like they were rebuilding for a long time until Brick took over. Great job, Kylebrick. So I'm interested in what you both have to say that actually gets accomplished behind closed doors. So my thing is go to you first. BMAC is players only meetings have been happening. Chicago had one, San Jose had one. I'm sure Toronto is going to announce to have one. Especially if they lose two more this week or three. If they lose all three this week, there might be a more than a players only meeting. What is the conversation that happens in that room? If you're the Toronto Maple Leafs or. And I'm going to give Liam, I'm going to give you the Toronto question. Bmac and I'm going to give Liam the whole league question. So we touch both sides of it. B. Mac, you first. [00:44:30] Speaker D: With the Toronto angle. I think it's probably already been done and I think it's going to be a thing where it happens a lot this year. You know, Matthews feeling more comfortable with the Sea leading the charge. I, from what I hear he, he has been excellent in the locker room with the players and like leadership skills growing. You know, I think it's one of those things where with all, you know, these New Faces and McKenna, you almost have to. Because a lot of these guys that have, have come in this year, they're joining a core that has dealt with, you know, just annual disappointment. So it's like, hey, if you're hopping on the train, like there's going to be some hiccups. But like we want to, we want to keep each other. McKenna was talking about today. I love this answer for, for an 18 year old he's like, we got to be held accountable, you know, especially me. Like that, that's huge. I love hearing that stuff from, from an 18 year old kid. And you know, I know it's cliche to be like, we got to look ourselves in the mirror, but I, I guarantee the Leafs especially have a lot of player only meetings. You think Willie Matthews, Tavares Riley, you know, those four guys that I just listed have, have all been there for, you know, I mean, Tavares came in 2018, so the Bruins collapse in 2019. So they've all been part of a lot of the disappointments as a, as a foursome. Right. So I think there's a lot. And it's really important because as I said before, Dave McKeg could coach the Leafs. And I don't even mean that as like, as an insult. It's just like, what more can, like Dave say? Even if it's like the greatest speech that he practiced in his sleep, it's still Auston Matthews and, and William Nylander who want to get over that hurdle. [00:46:27] Speaker A: Yeah, [00:46:28] Speaker D: we think they do. And it's, it's ultimately, you know, we gotta go get it done and it, and, and we're the one lacing up the skates. So I think it's important and I think in Toronto there's, I would say that there's players only meetings at least once a week. [00:46:47] Speaker A: I see. That's good. That's a, that's an interesting way to put it. And I think of the Adam Sandler when he, when there was Mr. Deeds, that guy at the end says, who got the $40 billion, it wasn't Mr. Deeds, it was the Butler that got it. Spoiler if anyone hasn't seen that movie. You're fired. You're fired. You're fired. Ho ho. You, sir, you're definitely fired. That'd be me if I was on Toronto. I'd be looking, I'd be looking over, okay, fired. 10. Fired. Morgan, you, sir, are definitely fired. Like, it wouldn't even [00:47:17] Speaker D: be. I [00:47:17] Speaker A: don't violate, but go to the union. I don't care. Put on [00:47:20] Speaker D: your skates [00:47:21] Speaker A: and go to work. Go to work. [00:47:22] Speaker D: Before I, before I let Liam tackle the, the league question. Like, it doesn't even have to be like, hey, like, let's go to the, like, it's like, just go for dinner. Like, let's just relax. Like, hey, like, how are you feeling? Like, you know, you could, you can challenge each other. Like, I think internal competition is great and you know, the likes of McKinnon for instance, isn't afraid to call out his players in public, you think behind closed doors. I'm sure there's some disagreements and arguments, but sometimes it's like, hey, let's go for dinner, have some wine and like, let's, let's talk about, like, we're in a bit of a rut. Let's get it going here. Like, you know, it's an honor to wear this jersey. Like, you hope that that is the case, that, that they do give a blank and they want to do it, you know, if it's not for themselves that do it for the passionate fans that have, you know, suffered all the heartbreak. Right. [00:48:07] Speaker A: Anxiety. League side. Lee, I'm gonna. Yeah. [00:48:10] Speaker C: So kind of like what BMAC was saying. I think you touched on it. Great. In terms of accountability, right? Accountability is the number one thing when you go into a players only meeting. You have to be vulnerable and you have to say, hey, I'm not playing my best right now and I need you guys to pick me up. But I also know that I'm not playing my best. So maybe we work it through in a different angle. I also think in terms of league wide, like you said, player only, meaning player only meetings, my apologies are they're way more common than, than you think. Right. The media points out on it when they're not allowed in the room. But I can tell you right now, if you're not having those arguments and those heated conversations with your teammates, you guys are not as close as you should be because you are with those guys 24, 7, 3 6. Well, close to 365. Being on the road, being together at practice. Right? So it's natural you need to have disagreements. You need to challenge each other competitively in order to really get the best out of each of them. So I think with a player, 100% with a player only meeting, you have to have that, that willingness to call someone out, but you have to also have the balls to say, hey, yep, you're right, you're right. You can't have your ego in the way. [00:49:14] Speaker A: Gavin McKenna, you're not looking before you move the puck in the, in the defensive zone. You've gave. You gave that away. [00:49:19] Speaker C: And like you said, he made a great answer. It was a great answer. It was a mat. And I hope he gave the exact same answer in that player only meeting if he was called out. So I think ultimately league wide, that goes for everyone. With Celebrini and the Sharks, with Bedard, with the Hawks, no matter how young that player is telling a veteran player, hey, you're not doing your part or you need to step it up. The veteran players who are third liners, fourth liners, glue guys, whatever they are, need to look at those players and say, hey, we can all be better as a unit. And then that's when you really get everyone gelling as a team. And that's when the points are going to come. Ultimately. Start to tally up. [00:49:51] Speaker A: Are you sure this is not your first time recording? Nailed it. Love that. Okay, quickly, on the next one, we're gonna make this one just an answer of a clip, and I'm gonna put you on the spot. BMAC, Connor McGough. I mean, sorry. Oh, geez, McDavid. Sorry, I've butchered that twice. Are we watching the greatest offensive player of this generation? [00:50:14] Speaker D: Yes. I mean, dude, 35 points in October. He has, what, 10 points in his last four games. And we were talking about 97 coming back to Toronto soon. Not. Not wearing a Leaf jersey. Wearing. Wearing an oil jersey. He torches the Leafs. I was reading today and I did some little number crunching on. On reference, 42 career points against the Buds. That's the second most against Eastern Conference clubs. I think the first is Ottawa with 49. Toronto's [00:50:48] Speaker A: senators, [00:50:48] Speaker D: he's torched them with 42. When I think of McDavid in Toronto, I think of when he danced Morgan Riley. I think it was pre Covid. Oh, one of the. One of the goals of this century, dude. And maybe not century. I mean, the one he had against the Rangers were century. But I mean, like, Morgan Riley was honestly like Dave McKeg at the Sue Beer League and, like, just got absolutely locked. And at the time, I think Riley was coming off like a. There was a window where he was in the Norris conversation. Yep. This was like 2019 or something. Like, there was a window when Riley had, like, an unbelievable start and McDavid just walked him. And after that, it's like, that's not like some seventh or eighth defenseman. Like, that's more Riley. And yeah, so I always picture that. So he'll. He'll put on a show. You'll probably have tons of family and friends in the crowd, too. So [00:51:44] Speaker A: he's the best. [00:51:44] Speaker C: Oh, it's. It's not. It's not close. I know that goes McDavid. And then the fact you can even have an argument for McCarro McKinnon at number two is that that shows you the gap there is between those two. And I know we've talked a lot of crap on Morgan Riley so far in the show. But, my God, the angle that McDavid took on that goal, it was the quickest change of direction I think I've ever seen in my life. Yeah. And then it was a quick, quick stop, short side, like, I'm sorry. Morgan [00:52:10] Speaker D: Riley is still [00:52:11] Speaker A: trying to find himself after that goal. He's still trying to find himself in that year. He hasn't been the same since McDavid. [00:52:16] Speaker D: Who would have been in net would have been Freddie Anderson. [00:52:19] Speaker A: Yeah, 2016, that would have been Freddie. [00:52:22] Speaker D: I think it was like Toss club. No, I think it was like two months before COVID I think it was like Jan 2020 or something. [00:52:29] Speaker C: 2016 would have been Bernier. [00:52:31] Speaker A: Oh, Bernier and Reimer Bernie. And it might have been the Bernie. We're gonna get added in the comments. Let us know. That's good. Now Connor McDavid's playing a different sport than anybody else. That's what I want to say now. Last thing, this is going to be quick because we don't have much to dive in on this one because Connor Helbuk's not playing against the Winnipeg jets, apparently. What [00:52:48] Speaker D: stupid thing from Sunny Meta to say in that press release? [00:52:51] Speaker A: You think [00:52:52] Speaker D: that Connor [00:52:53] Speaker A: Hellebuck is saying that I want to play? I got a hot take from a person at TSN that I agree with. His name's Brian Hayes. Conor is the reason why he's not playing. You're the reason, Connor Hallebuck. It's you that said no. You have Sonny Mita taking the front of that blame because he's a new gm, doesn't care what anyone thinks. That's why I'm a big Sunny Mita fan. That's why Chaikai earned my respect. So I got nothing against Chaika, but the Sunny Mita was the guy I thought Toronto was gonna get. Okay. New Jersey's got a very special GM there, I'm telling you. He said for his player. I'm gonna take this for you because you're my guy. Connor Hellebuck didn't want to play. I'm telling you right now, that's. I [00:53:32] Speaker D: don't [00:53:32] Speaker A: want to play that game. [00:53:33] Speaker D: I don't know what Liam thinks, but, like, you gotta face the music, brother. [00:53:37] Speaker A: Yeah. He's [00:53:37] Speaker D: not just. You got to get it over with. And the fact that, like, he's like that. I was. I was seeing that the Devils are home to the Caps, I think, on Thursday. So it's like, why you're basically going on the road and sitting in the, the videotape room, like, he's not gonna, he's gonna be seen during warm ups and then he's out of there. I mean, [00:54:04] Speaker C: I mean, me personally, I agree with you, bmac. You need to face the music. When I initially saw that, I was like, okay, that's really soft. That's really soft. But then as I started to kind of look into it a little bit more, I'm looking at this from a management perspective and I'm not looking at it necessarily from a fan perspective where I need to see Conor Hellebuyck. I need to get closure, right? It's like that ex girlfriend that you need to see. But I'm looking at it from a management perspective and if he didn't want to play, they're on a roll right now. He has not lost a game in a Devil's uniform. Whether you like him, you hate him, whatever, he's on a roll. So if he doesn't want to play you, you sit him one game and you play him against Washington. If Jake Allen gives you the best chance to win, you play Jake Allen. So as taking my, like taking myself out of a fan's shoes, I understand the media, you know, pushing that narrative, but I do agree at some point, and it should have been ultimately on Tuesday that he should have faced the music. If, if you are there, you show up and you play. But from a management perspective, I understand that [00:55:04] Speaker A: they're going to start, the words they're going to chant is you are soft. I guarantee you from Winnipeg is they're going to call him soft and he's going to be sitting on the. Wherever you sit in Winnipeg, I actually think you sit, [00:55:15] Speaker C: it's like in the corner. [00:55:15] Speaker A: In the corner. [00:55:16] Speaker D: No, but he's not even going to do that. [00:55:19] Speaker C: No, because he doesn't do that. When he backs up, starts, he doesn't sit on the bench. He goes. No, [00:55:23] Speaker D: that's what I'm saying, boys. Like, why at that point, like, just stay home because they host the Caps on Thursday. It's like, it's just. I don't know, it's, it's, it's a weird, it's a weird decision and I think he's just snowballing this. Like eventually, like he's, he's gonna have to. It's just everyone who has had to come back to their former clubs, Dave, we talked about it. John Tavares, Brady Kachak, Mitch Marner, you just get, get the, the nerves out, get the shift in. You know, you might get some sheet Like, I know Mitchie got some cheers, but you kind of just have to do it. Tavares had some of the worst treatment from those Long island fans. [00:55:59] Speaker A: Still does. [00:55:59] Speaker D: Like, he would. He was in the penalty box and one guy was. I thought the one guy was gonna like that Tai Domi Vid, like just like jump in and like attack Tavares. And he just stood there like, you know, Tavares is very. Almost just robotic. Like, he's like, yeah, like, just, let's just get this over with. Like, hello. Is just doing this to himself. It's. He's just, it's. He's making a fool of himself. [00:56:22] Speaker C: So I have a question for you guys. If Jake Allen gets shelled in the first period, lets up four goals, does Connor Hellebuck come into play? Sure. Do they keep [00:56:32] Speaker D: Jake Allen in [00:56:32] Speaker C: that? Sure does. [00:56:33] Speaker D: That would be. That would be theater, [00:56:35] Speaker C: right? Like, I just do you [00:56:38] Speaker A: shively ting, ting, ting, ting [00:56:40] Speaker C: like [00:56:40] Speaker A: points at Hellebuck. [00:56:41] Speaker C: Yeah, get it. But [00:56:43] Speaker D: do you think Owen Nolan points before he's going on a breakaway? Looks for [00:56:48] Speaker C: Hellabuck. He points and says. And fires it [00:56:51] Speaker D: upstairs over the shoulder. [00:56:53] Speaker C: Do you think they would bring him in though, or do you think they would let Jake Allen let eight goals [00:56:56] Speaker A: let him in? I think I, I say as a. I meant that as a joke. Yeah, they're leaving him in. They're not taking them out. [00:57:01] Speaker C: No, I don't think they would. That's [00:57:02] Speaker D: enough. Like, just, just start the guy, man. But I agree, Liam. Like, they would definitely bring Heluck in and that's even worse. [00:57:12] Speaker C: It would be hilarious. But definitely [00:57:14] Speaker A: ears are going to be up at that rink. Okay, guys, before we let Brandon go in a couple minutes, I want to go through a couple rapid fire questions before we wrap up. Top Chad. Dave McCaig here with Liam and Brendan for Top Chad here on the game sports podcast now. Remix jerseys. Okay, I have a couple hot questions before we get into those. Remix. I. We've. We've. We. I want to rank the NHL hometown remix jerseys. Some are freaking awful. Okay. But for this show, we're just going to be positive. Okay? There's. We're going to be positive. We're going to go with the top three. Very simple for me. We're going to Bmax second and Liam, I'm putting you on the spot for this, but you got your three. Okay? I'm going to go first and say Ducks, Leafs and Sabers. Those are mine, in that order. For favorite remixes, BMAC [00:58:02] Speaker D: 3 to 1. I like LA the Purple. [00:58:05] Speaker A: Oh, beautiful. [00:58:07] Speaker D: I really like the Rangers. It's kind of Merrick Malik through the legs goal style like 05 06. And I like the Leafs, man. I like the leaves. What did Darren Dreger call it? A cheesecake color [00:58:18] Speaker A: cheesecake. [00:58:19] Speaker D: And I think. I think it looks wicked. Those are mine. [00:58:23] Speaker C: Okay, I'll go three to one as well. So in my third spot. I hated them. On paper. I thought they looked disgusting, but I seen them in Toronto. I really like the Habs. Oh, the Habs. New ones. I thought they would look pretty slick on the ice. 2. I'm gonna go with Anaheim. I thought Anaheim's are. Oh, geez. Classic. Oh, gee. And then the Sunnyside Florida jerseys. I really, I. I like those ones too. [00:58:42] Speaker A: I know. That's reminds me of GTA 6. That color makes me think maybe that's why I like it. Yeah, I can't wait for that. It's gonna be great. Okay, I'm gonna go three rapid fire questions and I will just pick at random who. I'm going with it. How's that sound? Who's the NHL's biggest disappointment so far? Liam, [00:59:03] Speaker C: biggest disappointment so far? Oh, that's. That is a Philly. Philly absolutely is the biggest disappointment. And that for me, that's not even close. [00:59:10] Speaker A: I like that. Good answer. Bmac, you got one. [00:59:14] Speaker D: I think I said it on. I think I said on the last episode, but I'm sticking by it because I feel like it's gotten even worse from the San Jose Sharks. They've lost five in a row now. And I just think, you know, with the talent on that roster and the veterans that they brought in in the off season, thought they'd be a little bit better. And you don't really hear much of Macklin Celebrini. And they got to. They got to get it together, man. [00:59:37] Speaker A: Next one. Which NHL team needs to make a trade right now? I'm going to answer that one. Detroit Red Wings. Two players. Larkin Evanson. Get it over with. Rip the band aid off. Next question. Who needs a trade more urgently than anybody else? There's difference between who needs to make a trade and urgently should make a trade. There's a difference needs making because of your roster or urgently to change the shape of your year. Brendan, [01:00:05] Speaker D: I think the Senators urgently need to make a trade. I mean, they're kind of just floating around. I mean, right now Liam has bragging rights because they're actually in a playoff spot over Toronto. But I mean, I think that the loss of their captain is still Huge. In terms of just like, you know, advancing deep into the playoffs and the fact that, you know, last year didn't turn out so well and Brady's head was elsewhere. I think they know, they. They know what they need to do and they got to go out and get kind of, you know, a game breaker if they want to have any chance to have some success in the postseason. [01:00:37] Speaker A: NHL coach under the most pressure. Liam. [01:00:40] Speaker C: NHL coach under the most pressure right now. I would say it's probably Hiller. I would think. Absolutely. Right now you bring in all these new pieces and you're kind of shitting the bed early on in the season. You really have to ramp it up here late in late November and ultimately the rest of the way. I mean, you're in Toronto media. You knew what you signed up for. [01:00:56] Speaker A: Yep. And this wasn't a rebuild year. This was a year that wanted to nine foot. Exactly. Retooling now. I'll, I'll. Brandon, I'll give you the last one with this one. Is Toronto's current roster capable of winning a playoff round or being a playoff team? When healthy? [01:01:10] Speaker D: When healthy, the answer is yeah. Around [01:01:14] Speaker A: winning a playoff round and being a playoff team. So, yeah, that's the same. [01:01:18] Speaker D: Yes. Yes. Fully healthy. Yes. It gotta get Marchenko back, man. That guy is a stud and a game breaker. They're banged up on the back end. I know we were ripping on Morgan Riley, but he's better than. He's better than Cole mcward or whoever's back there right now. Like it was basically the Toronto Marlies yesterday on the back end. [01:01:37] Speaker A: Dakota murmurs and Cole mcward leading your charge on that third pairing walk. Getting. [01:01:42] Speaker D: Yeah, [01:01:42] Speaker A: getting. You know, do we play you guys soon? Goodness. At least ends the pesky sense. Always play the Leafs very, very well. Now. K.B. mac, that's everything for top. Chad, my friend, I'm gonna let you go and I'm gonna do the sign off. So I want to say thank you very much, my friend, for taking the time. I will not see you for three weeks, but people will see you. Maybe Brendan on Clips interaction, make sure that you're checking out bmac. But my friend, thank you for taking the time as always. [01:02:13] Speaker D: Appreciate you boys. I. And I. And I don't think that was Liam's first time because this guy sounds like a natural. [01:02:18] Speaker C: I appreciate that. Bmac, it was good chatting. [01:02:20] Speaker A: That's good. Yeah. All. All. We like integrity on this show here. Leah. Just kidding. Good job. [01:02:25] Speaker C: Try to when I can. [01:02:26] Speaker A: Thanks again, B [01:02:27] Speaker D: boys. Enjoy Thailand, Dave. [01:02:28] Speaker A: Thank you, Ciao ciao. Now we're going to get to the closing. Liam, I'll say thank you to you for jumping in out of the blue. Not planned. I just felt like doing it. I had a mind, I had a gut feeling to say get this kid in here. Not just being the from behind the scenes, getting you a little bit of the experience on your pack to come on camera. And like they we just said it's not your first time. [01:02:47] Speaker C: I know. I mean definitely a little bit of hiccups here and there, but it was, it was super fun and good. I enjoyed that. [01:02:52] Speaker A: And good sport for doing it on the spot. That's really good. So that'll do it for the Game Sports podcast. The a big thanks again to Jordan. Big thanks to bmac. A big thanks to Liam. Big thanks to Mike. Thanks to Mike. C thanks to Brad. Thanks to Studio 726 and ultimately, most importantly, everyone's equally important. But I think they're all going to agree, the viewers and the listeners. For you being a part of the show here on the Game Sports podcast again, our next regular news show will be recorded on November 30th for the episode to drop on December 2nd. So make sure you keep an eye on that. Some additions we have coming up, I'm going to break it for you right now. Randy Pasco, really known in the Sudbury ranks in the world of sports in general. Been a part of the world juniors, been a part of the Olympics wicked show there. Chris Dawson as well, another individual has been a part of all in the North Bay region of sports but has been around and has a good topic around how maybe Northern Ontario have a hockey academy. Very good one. But also Ryan Murphy, first round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes. Be another edition that we have dropping for you within the next three weeks until that new show. Other guests we have coming up, Stefan Fournier and local Ice Matrix. Yeah, there's a, there's a local collab coming up here if you want to check out Ice Matrix. Very, very cool for that. So we're not disappearing. There's a lot coming up and there's even more special editions I like to call them and more shows coming up that we have planned going into, into January. We got a loaded agenda. I'm gonna relax for three weeks, gonna take it all in, let you enjoy this content and I'm going to let you get ready for what's coming and the all the big things that are coming and when we are back you'll know it. But even during it all, the TikTok Instagram, Facebook posts. Make sure you're interacting because we will answer you. I know we need to answer a few on that one clip. We're about 70 comments behind right now as of recording, so we'll make sure we, we do that. We always like to make sure that we're interacting with our viewers and listeners. So thanks for continuing to support the Game Sports Podcast and Game Sports Network. Like I said, make sure hit like, follow, subscribe and all platforms, Tik Tok, Instagram and make sure you're checking out Studio 726 and Connected north as well, which is all part of the part of the family of the Game Sports Podcast. Great way to end it. Yes, Dave needs a vacation. Until next time. Here to remind you, keep your six on the ice, swing your bats, catch a touchdown, drain your threes and shoot your shots. And I'm adding this week, wear your poppies. Booyah.