[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome to another edition of the Game Sports podcast. It is the host of the Game Sports podcast, David McCague Jr. The Game sports podcast is powered by 91 n. That's 91 Network. 91 n is a YouTube channel that airs a variety amount of podcasts, and if you're currently doing a podcast or are interested in starting a podcast, you can email nine one Network
[email protected] today to join the family of 91 n in tonight's episode, it'll be yours truly solo. In the first segment where I'll be discussing Alec Manoa, Zach Wilson, NFL draft, player development, March Madness, as well as the greatest goat of all time. I think you'll know where I'll be going with that one. In the second segment, I'll be joined by Dane Hantrow and Alex Parr discussing all things hockey, including the 1985 NHL ReDraft, the would you rather segment Team Canada's projected Olympic roster, as well as some PWHL thoughts, as well as UC soros or Yuroslav Askarov. Lots of great sports content coming your way here on the game. Let's go.
Booyah. And it's time for the Game Sports podcast is your host David McKay Jr. This is the game sports podcast powered by 91 n. That's 91 network. If you're listening to us on the 91 N Network, 54321. Booyah. And it's time for the Game Sports podcast. It is your host David McCag Jr. Hosting you this evening on this episode of the Game Sports podcast. You already know the agenda, you already know who powers us and wherever you're listening, hopefully you have hit like follow or subscribe or either all of them. And hopefully you've interacted with us as well in the past and hopefully ready for some interaction today as we have a lot of content to bring to you. And in this first segment, which you already know what's all about, it's going to be a complete, well, roundtable with myself, if you will, but of various topics that may be bringing to the table. And I am going to start on the diamonds now. I don't have Connor Henderson here with me. You could check out our episode last week. It was fantastic. We went into spring training preview some well season preview thoughts, but as well as some MLB expansion discussion and also with some players that were still on the board. However, one of those players, Cody Bellinger, is now off the board. But I want to stick to one team and it is a team that I do talk about more commonly on this podcast. But of course we talk about all teams here on the Game Sports podcast, no matter what sport it is. But given a little bit of extra attention to the Toronto Blue Jays right now and yesterday, the date of this recording is February the 20 eigth. Obviously, Alec Manoa had his spring training debut yesterday, which was the 27 February, and it did not go so well. Obviously he couldn't even pitch more than two innings, not even 40 pitches, and the guy let four runs. And you got to say Alec Manoa went into this year looking like he was potentially looking for a good rebound season after a disastrous season. He looked fit. He looked like he was able to come into spring training in game form, in midseason form in terms of his fit, but also the way he was delivering his mechanics while he was in the bullpen pitching and practicing for spring training, but into the game, that didn't show. Obviously, Alec Manoa was somebody that I even said last year that I feared was going to be a Ricky Romero 2.0. And that's no offense to Ricky Romero and no offense to being a pitcher in the Major League Baseball. It's tough and it's tough to be consistent, especially when you're a pitcher that has such a strong start to their career, and then players discover and learn how to hit off you. And did players ever learn how to hit off Alec Manoa quite easily last year? And it was so sad to see because Alec Manoa was somebody who was in the dugout on the diamond, just didn't look comfortable. Okay on the mound, didn't look comfortable everywhere, didn't look comfortable and he was stretching. He seemed like there was a guy that just had a lot of pressure that he just couldn't shake and who knows what was the factor. But if I had to give an assumption, it's game tape understanding where he's going to throw his pitches, and it's the analysts on the other team knowing the matchup against Manoa and players are able to time the hits, they're able to work his pitches, able to drive up his pitch count early in the game, which can obviously cause fatigue. There's a lot of things that teams did right against Manoa, but there's a lot of things Manoa did wrong. And as a Blue Jays fan, you're hoping that this season is the beginning of something that is going to be a rebound season, and what has happened so far at this point is the first impression of this rebound season is not looking so hot. But again, it's day one of his rebound season per se, and it's still spring training. There's games that they've lost 14 three. The game against the Yankees was absolutely just not good. Juan Soto is looking pretty good. There's a guy, speaking of midseason form and really dislike seeing him in the pinstripes, especially with that lineup that the Pinstripes is going to be featuring this season. The Alec Manoa, though, is I'm really pulling for Alec Manoa. There's somebody that you cannot not cheer for, especially even if it's a baseball fan or if you're a Toronto fan. Obviously, if you're a Boston fan, you may not cheer for him, but someone who wears his heart on his sleeve, he's competitive and he cares, and he cares about winning and being successful. And last year was not what he wanted, nor what Blue Jays fans wanted. And you hope this year it could be a step in the right direction towards being that guy that he was when he was in all star form. And obviously this start is concerning, but it's still early and you can still work on some mechanics. But here's the problem. Manoa has had these issues since last year, and now you're beginning the year with this taste, and hopefully that changes by your next start. Hopefully there's some changes and some adjustments where you have a more positive start. You can build on some positive momentum going into each start and gain that confidence. And that's the thing. Manoa, he may seem like a guy who has swagger, he may seem like a guy who has that confidence to just deliver on the mound, but I think that's it. I think that's what's lacking is the confidence isn't there. And if it was there before, well, it's definitely not there anymore. And that's the thing that you have to focus on. And, well, people argue you had one year to do it. You had a year where you had an offseason. It doesn't define your career. People don't forget it, but people will remember if you're able to rebound. And right now, Manoa is not showing that he is on the rebound path. But let's pump the brakes. I'm not hitting the panic button or mean to shit on Manoa in any which way, but there's a guy who obviously focused a lot in the offseason on his own fit. He focused on trying to get better. His pitching is a little bit different. If you look at his form, it seems a little bit more powerful. It seems a bit more, has a bit more defined technique along with that power. But again, those are just some footages I saw for about 90 to 120 seconds. And then whatever was played and displayed on the mound in his first spring training game was what we saw. And I just feel like that confidence and delivery isn't there. And then once he has a bad hit against or runs, he's out of it. His mind is out of it. So number one, I think he plays in his own mind. Number two, he needs to have confidence, and those are two different things. And number three, go back to what was working, channel out what's around you, and focus on what's important, and that is pitching the ball in the right location at the right velocity. Now, is that easy for me to say? No, I'm not someone who's played in major League baseball. I'm not going to sit here and act like I'm a professional analyst in the world of baseball or scout. But it's obvious that the thing with Manoa that has bothered him the most is mental. It's not the physical shape. It's not his ability to pitch. We know that he can do that, but first, handling himself, which he should have done within the past year. But again, watching that spring training match, it seems like he was starting to get a little frustrated with himself. He didn't seem that comfortable. Once he's able to really lock down that comfort, he'll get back to what he was able to do, and that is being a good pitcher. But I think teams now know how Manoa pitches, so he needs to kind of change his delivery. Not actually how he releases the ball, but in terms of what he pitches in his pitch sequence, where he throws each pitch, maybe throw a fastball in an odd count just to throw off the hitters, be that professor of the mound, get back to what was working on top of that swagger with locating in the strike zone, in those areas that is flirting, which is on the outside, the strike zone and the corners. Manoa, concerning start to start the year as a Blue Jays fan, I'm not hitting the panic button just yet, but I'd be curious to know any Blue Jays fans points on what they feel about Alec Manoa and what maybe he can improve on going into this season because he's had a year to do it.
And if Manoa isn't successful this year, there's going to be finger pointing. Well, his value was maybe potentially looked at in a trade. What would have been his value would have been that high? I don't think it would have been that high as people think. But should they have traded him right. Then the typical media points are going to come out. I think you got to believe in Manoa, ride it out this year and see how this season goes. But if this is a year where Manoa shows some failure and doesn't show a trend in the right direction, I think you have to start looking at other options. But again, he's still young. It's only a couple of years in. Do you really give up on someone? Maybe that's foolish for me to say. But if the improvement is not there, you have to shake something up. For the betterment of his career, maybe, but also for the organization. And I think it would be a catastrophe if Manoa walked away for nothing. But if he's going to be struggling, the organization maybe forced their hands, especially when it comes time to keeping him around, deciding to keep him around or not. I went all over the place with Manoa there. But let me know what you think. I don't think there's anything to worry about again, and I mean again, just yet. But it's definitely concerning that he didn't have a good start to start off the year. It would have been nice to have him start the spring training with a bang.
Question for you. Do you miss the NFL? Well, obviously in the pocket here on the game sports podcast, one of our well known segments. We've had it for near seven years. And it's been one of our first shows that we've ever done here on this podcast. And we used to do it, as you hear about on every show that we've done, it used to be on a cup phone, on a cup. And we used to record around a table, people are clanking beers, laughing, talking. Had that vibe and the editing that had to be done for that to get rid of that. I apologize, because I always used to say sorry to Scott because it was certainly something that was a challenge. But it had that atmosphere that everyone would have liked to have. And every time I do, in the pocket, it gets exciting. EJ, you don't know what you're going to get out of EJ each week. The same with Justin, obviously. Us three are the cornerstones of that segment. And we've been talking football for many years. And the original founding people in the pocket, if you want to look back, myself, Jamie Antonello, Dustin grand, and Justin Heichel. Those were the four. And Jamie and Dustin have now taken more of a casual approach or lower involvement in the have. And also, I can't forget Matt Primo. There was the five of us. My sincerest apologies to Matt for forgetting him there. There was five people on that show, and now there's three. And obviously, the involvement of everyone, everyone's still involved with the show, but the people that you see are still Justin, myself, and EJ, of course. And do I miss the NFL? I kind of do more than I ever have this year. And I always say, well, what is it because of the Travis Kelsey Taylor Swift effect? Maybe it was on the front of each media every morning when you woke up. And if you're on your way to work and you're listening to a podcast or you're at work, the podcast streaming in the background or talking about something on a podcast, you're talking about the Taylor Swift Travis Kelsey saga, right? The Jason Kelsey and Travis Kelsey podcast. I don't mean to give free ads here, but new Heights podcast is fantastic. I love their podcast. My favorite one, the world of football. I think this year took a big turn in terms of publicity. And it was good. It was a good taste. And despite how much I would have loved to see a new champion like the Bills win, heck, even the Cowboys. I know a lot of people are going to hate that.
But the NFL in general has taken a turn, and it's going to be a very exciting offseason, I think. Obviously, Kansas City released ganily. There's been some movement already in the offseason coaches. The carousel goes around. Who knows what Bill Belichick is going to do? But today, as of February 20 eigth, Zach Wilson is able to seek a trade. And I wanted to get into some football news because that's why I asked, do you miss NFL football? I do. I'm curious if you do. So when I see news, I'm excited to talk about it. Even though Justin, EJ, or the crew of in the pocket aren't here, I'm able to touch on it and kind of take the floor. And Zach Wilson, I think there's someone who went second overall in the NFL draft and just so much praise, right? And Johnny Manziel, late first round pick praise, had such a great college career. And it's so amazing how the NFL is almost so much different than other sports, but really it isn't. Look at, you know, everyone talks about how he was a bust of a first overall pick, but if you really think about it, the guy actually had a pretty decent career. One where people would love to have, but not to get off point baseball draft.
It's so amazing to see the development and look where Tom Brady went in the draft and look where he is he's the goat of the best of all time, the greatest of all time. I said the goat. So I'll stick to the greatest of all time as quarterbacks. Now you got Patrick Mahomes knocking on that door. So whenever I get the chance to talk about the NFL, especially when it comes to drafts a little bit and get into the analyst, the analysis story side of it, it's great to see player development. And I am truly starting to believe that NFL players, when they get drafted, I think where they get drafted depend on fit and their development and the team's development with that player is what's going to make them successful. Like would Patrick Mahomes be as good as he was or is if he started behind Aaron Rodgers? If he started behind Tom Brady and didn't get the amount of starts that he did, would he be as good as he is? Right? Travis Kelsey, obviously. Would he be the same guy if he was behind someone like Gronkowski for a chunk of his career? Or. Yeah, maybe he would be right, because you get developed by that, but you don't get those key moments to define yourself as a good player. You don't get many of those catches, those throws that you would have gotten. So it's amazing in terms of drafting for fit, and that's where I look at the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that I cheer for. If you're on video, you know the team in the jersey, in the background there with my multiple other, it's I feel drafting is so imperative. But you got to draft the right fit and you can draft a wide receiver in the fourth round, fifth round, and this is somebody who is just going to be absolutely unbelievable for you. But Zach Wilson, a second overall pick, doesn't work at fields. Is he going to be the guy? Are the Bears going to draft a quarterback? What are they going to do? It's so amazing when it comes to the NFL draft and player development, I think it's interesting in how players are developed and I think it comes to you have to get the luck of the draw to be drafted by the right team. If you're a team, for example, that has a quarterback, let's use Trevor Lawrence as an example. There's a guy who I think is going to be a good quarterback but even be better as the year goes on. If you're a wide receiver or you're a tight end that can catch the ball and has the potential of being a gronkowski or Kelsey or Heca prime, Terrell Owens love saying that name. Then Lawrence has the ability to throw the ball to you and you have a good quarterback who's going to be throwing the ball to you. I mean, if you're going to be getting a lot of those catches and you already have that potential and you have the avenue from your coach to kind of take whatever direction you want, have that freedom to your development. I think that's in narrative. But if you're a wide receiver who has that twelve Owens potential, but you're sitting in the four spot as a wide receiver for three years because you're on a stacked team, you're not getting to showcase your talent. You get that one opportunity in a game when you're cold and you better make the best of it. You don't get to see that player, what they could have been, right. So it's very important that you draft a player that is the right fit, especially if their potential to be high. And I feel like the jets when it comes to quarterbacks, it's just not working right. The drafts that they've done, Aaron Rodgers sign, he gets hurt in the first game. Like you can't write this shit. You can't. And Zach Wilson coming out of college, there's somebody that I thought was going to be great for the National Football League, but he has been to go to the point he has been approved with his agent to seek out trades. And I do think of a team as one fit for him. There's multiple teams you can go around, especially in a backup nature. If you want to look at backing up, backing up, not Mahomes, but if you want to back up, not even Purdy and San Fran, but if you want to maybe back up in Baltimore, or if you want to back up in Philadelphia, or if you want to maybe even back up in Buffalo or back up somewhere, is the Pittsburgh Steelers an option? Because obviously you got Rudolph there. Is that just going to be your one and done? Or are you believing in Kenny Pickett? Or do you give the chance to Wilson? Right. Would he thrive under a Tomlin system? So there's a lot of potential that people could take the chance on. But I think the team that should be looking at taking a chance on them is the Minnesota Vikings. Why not? They got a good receiver, Justin Jefferson. And it's amazing because you can have somebody like Zach Wilson who has the potential, be a good quarterback who could throw the football. And all of a sudden if he's throwing the football to Justin Jefferson, a guy who is imperative to the Minnesota Vikings offense and the best wide receiver in the game, it can really help Zach Wilson spread his wings. So out of my nine minute tangent, at least about the NFL and NFL draft and player development, it all led to that one point. Give Wilson the tool to really execute what he can do. And he had some weapons.
He had weapons in the jets as well. But I think if you move him to the Vikings, you can really see what Wilson can do once he spreads his wings, gets the confidence, develops, then I think it's endless from there because I think he could be a good quarterback in this league, but he didn't get the chance to show it on the jets even though he had the opportunity to take the number one job again. Comes down to environment. I think there's a better environment out there for Zach Wilson. And it's with the Minnesota Vikings.
March Madness is around the corner and in the next couple of weeks before, obviously March Madness is geared to start mid March. Justin Heichl and EJ Russell will be back and won't be an in the pocket segment unless we have some football news to talk about. We will do that, but they're going to come back and do some basketball news from the beginning, near the middle. It won't be every week they'll be talking March Madness because there'll be games every day and change and relevant content. But when we get into the beginning of the tournament, some upsets, some of the Final Four, and we get into the championship, we will be there to do a coverage and give you our reaction about it and some of our feedback. Obviously, there's going to be a lot of podcasts and media companies that are going to be giving brackets and giving their predictions. Obviously there's a lot of sports knowledge on the game, sports podcast from different angles. And EJ and Justin, not only are they football and Justin being hockey and more knowledgeable sports, well rounded individuals, they obviously have their passion in March Madness and it's a very popular tournament to be involved in. So if you're new to March Madness, get involved in it this year. If you're not new and you're an expert, we're going to be giving you the full preview once it comes closer. I am a Duke fan, so everyone is able to know out loud. I've been a Duke fan from my whole life. Obviously Coach K has a good chunk to do with that, but the talents, obviously, Reddick is one of my favorite basketball players of all time and he has a great podcast right now, too. Speaking of podcasts, but RJ Barrett playing there had a lot of great players go through Duke and it all came from the coach K. And the Reddick kind of era is what got me attracted to the Duke Blue Devils. But March Madness, I want to give an early preview in terms of my favorites going into the tournament, and I think Duke is going to be competitive, but the favorites are Purdue, Arizona, Houston and Marquette. Obviously three of those four teams I mentioned are top seeds, but I think you can't count out Marquetes. And I don't think you should count out Baylor either. I think just look at the team of what they can do on the court. There's a team that you should be thinking of to look at. So in terms of March Madness, getting very excited for it. You should as well. And the game sports podcast will be there to give you feedback on that.
And preview. Now, final thought, I want to get into this topic about the GOat athletes.
And with the GOat athlete, it's been, well, a conversation for multiple sports. LeBron James, Michael Jordan, who's better? Who's what, right. You can go to. Obviously you can look at baseball examples, right? When it comes to Babe Ruth, when it comes to Mickey Mantle. And who's the GOaT? Who's the goat now? Is it Shohei Otani or is it Mike Trout?
If you're looking at hockey, I'm going to pause that thought for a second.
If you're looking at Nicholas woods, like there's so many options, the GOat athlete, the debate Wayne Gretzky is the greatest goat of all time. People say how he's the greatest athlete of all time. And there was a TikTok account. The guy's name is Lawrence Johnson. Check him out. ESPN actually shared it. How he shared this amazing video that I thought was so well detailed. So I'll give him a little, let's get some, not a little. I'll give him credit for that as I talk about this, because these are his points that are what I'm bringing out. So I don't want to take credit, but it allowed me to bring my own thoughts to the table. But I am going to be quoting them for the most part. And Lawrence Johnson mentioned how you can debate LeBron, MJ, you can debate, these guys all know, but if you go back to hockey, there is no comparison. There's not Wayne Gretzky and who, right, you can think Wayne Gretzky. There was a comment saying, well, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Yeah, if Lemieux was healthy, he probably would have been very close to Wayne Gretzky. But again, what if, right, what if Sidney Crosby played in the if Connor McDavid played in the developed as a player in that time, what if Wayne Gretzky played now we do say there's always the what if. It doesn't matter about the what if it happened. There's never a conversation about who's comparing to Gretzky. Is it McDavid? Is it Crosby? Is it? It was obviously Gordy Howe was the greatest of all time, right? Where is Connor badard going to be the next? Like no one is ever going to pass Wayne Gretzky. And Lawrence Johnson mentioned in his TikTok that whenever you talk about hockey, there's one goat, football, Mahomes, Brady.
I mentioned these other sports, hockey. They're never saying that it's Gretzky and somebody else. I hear Gretzky and Lemieux, but I don't want to talk about Lemieux because of the what if could have. Yes, I agree. If we want to talk what if. I think Lemieux would have been very close to Wayne Gretzky in points. I think that would have been the conversation. Gretzky, Lemieux, who's the goat? But it didn't happen that way. It didn't. So Gretzky is the standalone greatest of all time in hockey. And what's funny is that he has more assists than the second person has points.
He has the most goals of all time.
Most assists of all time. Most points of all time.
Wayne Gretzky is the standalone goat in hockey. There's no one to compare to him. There's nobody that's close to him in records. There is not going to be somebody that will catch up to him maybe in the year 4024.
If someone finds this clip 2000 years from now and say, oh, that guy, David McGag that said that nobody would catch Gretzky and somebody does good for them, brady's records will be broken by then, probably by Mahomes.
Michael Jordan's records will be broken by then.
Wayne Gretzky's record will never be broken. He is the standalone goat. There is no Gretzky and it's just Wayne Gretzky. He's the greatest goat of his sport, the greatest goat athlete, not the greatest athlete. I still think that's Serena Williams, LeBron James, Michael Phelps, just to name a few. But Wayne Gretzky will never be touched.
He'll never, ever have to worry about being in a comparison of a conversation. And I'll give credit again, Lawrence Johnson on TikTok for bringing this topic up for me to share. Fantastic. Great stuff. Let me know what you think. Is there actually a Gretzky and somebody, and don't say Lemieux. I've already brought that point. It would have been yes, but we're not playing the what if we're playing the actually happened game? There is nobody. It's Gretzky in the standalone conversation.
That's it.
This is Dave McKay with the Game sports podcast. I went on a various amount of topics there, as I mentioned that I would. I'm definitely. Well, we're at the 26 minutes mark, so I'm about 6 minutes over what I wanted to do, which is not too bad, but we're going to take a breather because I know the next segment that we do aim for a certain amount of minutes. We're likely going to go 1015 minutes over that because that's what we get to do on pre recorded segments. So to keep this edition as appropriate in length as I possibly can, we're going to be taking a quick breather. And we come back, we are going to have our, well, top shelf segment, if you will. But Dane Hantrow and Alex Parr will be joining yours truly to discuss the world of hockey. There's a lot of topics that the boys are planning to bring up, and to be honest, I'm not in the loop of what this agenda is.
I've got an idea, but there's a lot of great things coming that we are going to talk about, including the 1985 NHL redraft and the would you rather segment. But until we get to that, we need a quick breather. I need to take a sip of a drink before I can continue to talk again. So while you're waiting for us to come back here on the Game Sports podcast, make sure you hit like follow and subscribe on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, whatever audio or video platform you're on. Listening to us, which we appreciate, simple like follow, subscribe, or comment. Interaction goes a long way. So enough of me. Let's take that breather as I said that we would. And when we come back, Dane, Alex will be with me. And welcome back to the game sports podcast and your host, David McCaig Jr. Continuing to host you on this episode of the Game Sports podcast. I am now joined by Dane Hantrow and Alex Parr. Alex, going to you first. How's it going, pal? How's life?
[00:28:24] Speaker B: The Leafs have finally lost their winning streak, so canceled the parade. I've been taking down the flyers and the banners and all of those things. So it's been pretty rough over here?
[00:28:34] Speaker A: Oh, it's challenging. And I'm sure Ottawa, where you're based out of. I'm sure the fans in Ottawa are so upset that the Leafs winning streak has come to an end, though, right?
[00:28:44] Speaker B: I mean, they don't really have a leg to stand on. They kind of know how bad they are. They just had their first period in franchise history without getting a shot on goals, so, I mean, who are they to say anything?
[00:28:54] Speaker A: Yikes. Ottawa fans. Get it going. Interact at us. We love it. Maybe you should teach someone how to do a slap shot on open net as well. Dane Hantrow, my friend, Dana. Dana McDanor. No, Connor McDanier. Is that what we call him?
[00:29:09] Speaker B: I forget.
[00:29:09] Speaker A: Nonetheless, Dane Hantrow, my friend. How's it going?
[00:29:12] Speaker C: Happy to be inside. It sucks outside today. Not a big fan other than that, just hanging out with the pooch and getting ready for St. Louis tonight. Got a bet with a budy, so $50 on the line for tonight's game. The bet is more than just tonight's game, but I'm not going to go through all that. The lead up to it probably includes.
[00:29:34] Speaker B: The Oilers winning the cup, and that's a lock already, so it really only depends on tonight.
[00:29:40] Speaker A: Ghost husband's little ghost doing. Let's ask that question first.
[00:29:44] Speaker C: She's having a nap.
[00:29:46] Speaker A: She's having a nap. Is she bigger since I saw her last week already?
[00:29:50] Speaker C: Like I was telling a couple of people a few days ago, I picked her up in the morning and I said, I was like, you've got bigger.
She's gained about like three, two, three pounds since I've had her. So got up on the scale yesterday.
[00:30:07] Speaker A: By a blink of an eye. It changes, I'll tell you that much. First, Dana, I mentioned this briefly at the beginning of my opener, but it would make sense for me to mention this with you here today, marks, and we're not going to dive into too, obviously, conversation about this, but it marks the 14th anniversary of close friend of mine, mine and Danes Matt Howard, who suddenly passed 14 years ago. So unbelievable. It's been 14 years, and on this day is actually the day, of course, Sidney Crosby got the gold medal goal. So it's a very significant day in terms of if you're a hockey fan, but also with me and Dane because of that hockey history. But it was bittersweet because of what happened just that morning, right. Very late in the evening. So obviously, we want to dedicate this segment to our good friend Matt Howard, who suddenly passed away 14 years ago. It says today marks the 14th anniversary. I wanted to make sure I mentioned that with you on air, Dane. It wouldn't be fair with me just talking about it at the opener. And it's unbelievable that whole stuff that went on there, and it was a very pivotal part of our lives and obviously it's still memorable for us to this day. Matt was a Detroit Red Wings fan. He was also a Bengals fan.
So there was somebody as a wings fan that we had no leverage to chirp about the Bengals at the time. We did have a lot of leverage to chirp, but, and I'm forgetting who his basketball team was. So I know he liked LeBron James. That's how long it's been since I remember. But to Matt, we want to dedicate this to him and obviously to his mother, Pat, who we've maintained contact with. So I wanted to make sure I mentioned that with Dane on air also. So I've already mentioned what the agenda is going to be on the show at the opener, very opener, courtesy of Alex Parr's advice, I'll be honest, Alex Parr's advice, what I do at the intro there. So Parr, thank you for that. It saves a lot of time in our introduction, which we always got a lot of flak for because just like now, veering off into multiple topics. But tonight's show, like I mentioned at the beginning with our considered top shelf segment, we like to consider this in house as our top shelf segment, but we try not to mention that too much because we don't want to confuse listeners. But I actually have usually an idea about where we're going to talk about this. But we wanted to keep this open ended. I wanted to allow Alex and Dane to bring topics that are hot of nature into this segment. But we are going to be talking about our 1985 NHL redraft. And I do have a would you rather segment. Okay. There is still a would you rather segment that's come a little bit fun to do and we will get to that. More of the conclusion. So I want to go first and I think par will agree with this. I want to go first to Dane as he has the first topic in store for us. Unless, Alex, you wanted to go first and I should go to Dane second.
[00:33:03] Speaker B: Doesn't matter to me. I mean, Dane, how you feeling? You feeling ready? Because I got a pretty cool go to.
[00:33:08] Speaker A: Okay, Alex first. Dane second. Fine. Alex, take it away.
[00:33:13] Speaker B: My light just fell that you can't tell.
[00:33:17] Speaker A: It's okay, Dane, go ahead.
[00:33:19] Speaker B: You're up, bud.
[00:33:22] Speaker C: Well, so we're going to go. Obviously, the heart trophy race is pretty tight right now. We got cooch, we got McDavid, we got Matthews. Who's going to win? That's not my question. The question is, what's more impressive, 100 assists in a season or 70 goals in a season, which Connor McDavid and Austin Matthews are both on pace for? I'll give you guys a couple stats here. Only three players in the history of the NHL have got 100 assists in a season.
Quickly, if you can name them. They're arguably the three best hockey players that have ever played the game.
[00:33:55] Speaker A: To Gretzky or Gretzky or.
[00:33:57] Speaker B: And Lemieux.
[00:33:59] Speaker C: Correct. So 70 goals, eight different players have done it. And the feat has been done more times than assists, also collectively through the players. So in a sense, 100 assists, it's at least more rare. But is it more impressive? And if both do eclipse that feat, who do you think it kind of weighs towards for MVP for the season, as both are, as usual, kind of carrying their teams. I mean, obviously good supporting cast on both the lease and Oilers, but still the boys that are spearheading, hopefully the ride to the cup finals.
[00:34:35] Speaker A: Wow. You know what? I'll let par go first, but I'm going to say thank you for giving that stat because it gave me a little bit more of a second to want to think because I didn't have that Stat prepared to give an answer. But par, you can go first.
I'm on the fence still. I want to think for a second, so I want you to go first.
[00:34:53] Speaker B: Easy goals, more important, harder to get. You don't get two goals for every goal. You can have two assists on every goal. Easy peasy.
So easy to say, but the fact that we're even talking about Matthews and 70 goals in the same conversation, I think we're jumping the gun big, big time.
I don't know. Nothing good happens to Leafs land, so I wouldn't be counting my chicks before they hatch. For McDavid, though, 100 assists, it seems like that's all he wants to do right now. And he's doing like 23 assists in half a game or something.
Yeah, something crazy like that.
[00:35:32] Speaker A: Wild.
[00:35:33] Speaker B: I think goals would be more impressive, but I think McDavid is going to do it as opposed to Matthews, who I don't know. I don't want to be too enthusiastic towards it.
[00:35:43] Speaker C: I genuinely think if Connor McDavid really just focused, especially last year, just even shooting the puck more. Yeah, I think 70 goals would have been very in the realm of possibilities. So both players have it in them to do it. But again, assists. 100 assists in a year. I'm kind of surprised by that stat that there's only right.
[00:36:04] Speaker A: That's why I was low. I know pars is easy peasy, breezy, beautiful cover, or all type answer, but I find in today's game that the game is defined by finesse, speed. It's evolved. It's different, right? From what I can remember getting taught when I was younger, my cousins that were older than me, that played slightly older than me. Even parents generation game has evolved in so many directions. And the famous question that I always get asked is if Gretzky would do the same, what he did then and he would now. And I'll answer that, no, I really don't think he would have. I think he would have been like a McDavid, maybe better, but it's different times. It's hard to say what if? But I'll bring up a little stat that this made me think of a little bit later. But to answer your question, I think when it comes to scoring goals, it is a lot more challenging today. There's a lot more like parbab. A good point there. Goaltending is, the training's off the charts. Vision is there, poise, vision, being able to battle and see the puck if you're a good goalie, a carry price caliber type thing. But I'll have to say ultimately that I'm going to have to side with the 100 assists as much.
[00:37:21] Speaker B: Holy. We got there. We got there. 100 assists. Okay.
[00:37:30] Speaker A: I had to stretch a little bit, but I want to.
[00:37:32] Speaker B: There's less stretching in a yoga class.
[00:37:34] Speaker A: I had to say 100 assists because of what Dane said as a stat. If Dane didn't tell me that stat, I think I would have went with the goals. But it's impressive. That stat is great, Dane, so thanks for sharing that. But 100 assists, it's great. I'd be interested to know what the primary assist count is on that, but I'll have to side with 100 assists.
[00:37:51] Speaker C: I think you look at McDavid and how many open nets he set the guys up for, just ridiculous passes that in some sense you almost think that for my opinion, it's more impressive. But scoring 70 goals isn't an easy.
[00:38:06] Speaker B: You've got the guy's jersey behind you. I think you're biased. I know as I pick goals, as my Austin Matthews jersey is drying over there.
[00:38:15] Speaker A: Well, as I pick assists, and I got a David McCague Leaf jersey behind me, which is absolutely fake. Okay, so if you guys want to speak jerseys, okay. Because I never played there.
[00:38:23] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:38:24] Speaker A: I did play there and be a promote in NHL. All right, how far I got there?
[00:38:29] Speaker C: All right, we're going to move on right now in Nashville. We got a bit of a goalie controversy potentially brewing.
Ask her off. Since the new year's 13 and has 940 say percentage.
[00:38:44] Speaker A: Hold on. And who praised ask her off? I did.
[00:38:48] Speaker C: And five shutouts in that time. So the guy's clearly ready to come up to the show.
[00:38:53] Speaker A: Sign me.
[00:38:53] Speaker C: My question is not which one they're going to trade but when they should trade one of them, whether it's at the trade deadline or the draft.
And also who do you think has more value right now between those two? Askroff being I'm pretty sure a top ten pick.
[00:39:13] Speaker B: I think he was ten.
[00:39:16] Speaker C: He is kind of supposed to be the next thing. So how much do you value goalie prospects? They don't get drafted very high. He's kind of the exception over the last couple of years and yeah, just kind of maybe what you think the asking price for UC Saros that still has two years on his deal at a very friendly price. But also Nashville being in a playoff spot right now, they're in a weird spot. Nashville.
[00:39:43] Speaker B: Do you want me to go first there? Dave? I saw you going for it.
[00:39:46] Speaker A: I was just breathing. You go.
[00:39:48] Speaker B: You don't trade UC stars right now. The team's already said that they're not going to do it as long as they are in a playoff spot. This team at any point though, can completely fall off the wagon, completely box bottom falls out from underneath it. And it's at that point where you realize I probably don't need to hang on to a franchise goaltender to be mediocre at best. And you commit fully to the retool or even a complete, full rebuild. You bring Askarova on in a one a one b situation and you try to get as much assets as you can for Soros because you know there are teams out there who desperately need a goalie more than anything that I would think would come at the draft. Or if they make the playoffs this year and they're confident that they can do it again next year, maybe you wait till the trade deadline next year to see how the team is doing then, but you don't do that trade right now.
[00:40:43] Speaker A: A proven goalie is hard to come by, especially in today's area. Goaltending is not as dominant as it once was, I believe. Contract for sorrows. Two years left at a very friendly $5 million for what he provides on the ice. And Askarov has an entry level deal that currently is being active and after that deal expires, he's an RFA. So you still are able to hold on to his rights unless he holds off on you for one year and doesn't play and goes into free agency. Like who knows if that will happen. So in terms of value, dane of you of answering that question, this may sound crazy, but I think the value is more equal than people think. But on a different scale. You got a franchise goalie who's proven. Then you got a goaltender with unlimited upside who has a very cap friendly deal where you can build the team around defensively and still bring in players while he's still on an entry level deal. But if I had to be a GM, I would look at UC Soros to bring in first because of that proven ability. That is something. If I'm Toronto, if I'm Edmonton, if I'm I'll say Detroit. I don't shooting. I'm shooting names out there for teams. I'm not saying Detroit's looking. I'm not saying Toronto and Edmonton are. I'm sure they can use it.
[00:41:52] Speaker B: I can't believe you haven't said the Devils. They are like the team that needs a goalie.
[00:41:57] Speaker C: I'll throw it out there. I think if you're the devils you're desperate and you want one of those guys. And if you're Nashville, I think you don't make a deal unless it involves Luke Hughes team that's always been known for stud defenseman on their team.
[00:42:11] Speaker A: Somebody else there that you're forgetting, Simon Nemetz. The guy is a top stud too, just like either or. That's where the conversation starts. They won't touch Hughes because of Jack. People think that doesn't matter. It does. Jack and Luke will stay together. That's the way it is. But very good.
[00:42:29] Speaker B: Your new jersey.
[00:42:30] Speaker C: It's which one you like more, right? I don't think you care that it's Jack's brother. I think you look at which one do you think will be better? Especially if it's like we'll take either.
[00:42:42] Speaker A: I just to like if I'm trying to make a trade for right now it's UC Soros. But if I'm a team with a young core that I know will be around for a bit, I might be looking at ask her off because I feel like there's a young goalie that can work around this young core and build around and be around for the future. So it's very tough thing to say, but it depends on the team. But if I had to leave somewhere at Starros.
[00:43:00] Speaker B: Right.
[00:43:00] Speaker A: Because it's hard to get someone who's proven and he's been molded by Pekarene. And the goaltending in Nashville has always been spectacular. Just like on defense. We had Weber, you have Yossi. The list goes on now. So much can happen. You could say all these what if scenarios about Yossi. Maybe in a deal with Soros somewhere. I read this absolutely absurd trade where people don't think is absurd, but I'll say it. I'm not saying I think it's true. Mariner to Nashville for Saros and Yossi. That's not straight up. That's the nucleus of a trade that would involve more pieces. Would you do that if you're Toronto? Would you that if you're Nashville? I'm not answering that question because I think it's absurd either way. But would that be a type of move that Nashville would consider? I don't think so because I don't think they're on a rebuild. I think they're on more of a retool and try to reshape, especially after you give a contract like you have to Ryan O'Reilly. I feel like you're trying to lock up a top six guy. You have some Philip Forsberg there. Long term, I think you're trying to still be competitive. Right. But UC sorrows must be. It's going to bring in more value for you now. But I think teams should be looking at. Ask her off. I'm a big fan of Askerov. Always have been.
[00:44:06] Speaker C: All right, Kay, next we're going to finally dive into, well, my team Canada. And then you guys can grill me what you guys think. So I'll just go like my lines aren't. They're kind of set, but don't read too much into that. So I'll just read from top to bottom. I got 13 forwards, eight defensemen, three goalies is how I'm doing it. A couple of extra there. So my top line is Zach.
Zach Hyman this year.
[00:44:34] Speaker B: He's the David guy, he's the Chris Kunitz. He's getting the free ride on the team.
[00:44:40] Speaker C: And do we think Locke or not?
[00:44:42] Speaker B: Locke. Absolutely. Lock.
[00:44:44] Speaker A: I think he's a.
Yep.
[00:44:46] Speaker C: All right, the next guy, Michi Mana on the right side. Okay. Second line, stammer, Nate dog and Braden.
[00:45:00] Speaker B: Point. Stammer is going to be too old. Won't be on the team. Sorry, budy. We're not giving out free handouts just because you broke your leg and missed a couple. Because of the pandemic and whatnot. We cut you in 2010. We're doing it again in 2024 or 2026 or whenever it is. Smell you, bud.
[00:45:14] Speaker C: Nate dog in point, though.
[00:45:16] Speaker B: Locks. Locks.
[00:45:18] Speaker C: Okay, third line. Marshawn said and Badard.
[00:45:24] Speaker B: Marshawn, maybe he's getting pretty old, too.
[00:45:28] Speaker C: Well, we're not talking, like, the Olympics is like, ten years from now.
It's coming.
[00:45:33] Speaker B: Sharon is like 34 years old.
Yeah.
[00:45:37] Speaker C: Crosby is going to be, like 39 years old.
[00:45:39] Speaker A: Yeah. Marshall will be 37. Crosby.
[00:45:42] Speaker B: Yeah. Hey, man.
[00:45:44] Speaker C: Athletes these days have that longevity in them.
[00:45:47] Speaker B: Sure. But lock is what we're saying. Lock or not.
[00:45:56] Speaker A: Sid and Badard are locked already talking about him being captain again. He's a fucking lock.
[00:46:01] Speaker C: Okay, so for flying Sam, Reinhardt, Barzell, Mark Stone, I don't agree with Stone.
[00:46:09] Speaker A: As a lock, but Barzell and Reinhardt.
[00:46:11] Speaker B: I think if Stone could stay healthy, he's a lock.
[00:46:16] Speaker A: He is healthy.
[00:46:17] Speaker B: Oh, shut up.
[00:46:18] Speaker A: No, he's not fucking healthy. He's fine. He's just fucking taking a vacay to the Bahamas right now with a pina colada in his right hand. I'll get it. Never mind. Keep going.
[00:46:28] Speaker B: Dang.
[00:46:28] Speaker A: Keep going. That's another comment.
[00:46:29] Speaker C: And then I got new Jez, the 13th forward. I just think that ability to play with McDavid and Hyman, which is a line all the time, and he's also a great two way player. So if you plug him in with Barzell and Stone, you got three really good two way players that also have some really good offensive talent, too. And I think that's.
You want to have a little bit of a balance throughout your lineup. Obviously, every player is highly skilled, but I think when you go down to your last couple guys, maybe not going for a Huberto or somebody like that, I mean, Huberto's kind of played his way off the team where he, I would say, obviously, two years ago, lock. Right.
[00:47:11] Speaker B: So, okay, we'll go down.
[00:47:13] Speaker A: Disagree with nuit. I'll just say Robert Thomas, I think.
[00:47:15] Speaker B: Yeah, maybe not. But.
[00:47:21] Speaker C: Last year, and he's going to average. He's averaging a point per game this year.
[00:47:25] Speaker B: Yeah, but there's probably not going to be as many power plays for him to be a complete merchant on, so. And I mean, even if he.
[00:47:31] Speaker C: That's not why he's on the team. He's not going to play on the power play. But anyways, we'll move on my defenseman. McCarran, Taz.
[00:47:39] Speaker B: Easy.
[00:47:40] Speaker C: I think Locke and Locke locked.
I got Theodore and Petrangelo. They just won the Stanley cup.
[00:47:48] Speaker B: Locked.
[00:47:49] Speaker C: Patrick is also getting up there in age, but he'd be the only defenseman, I think, returning from the last big international tournament for Team Canada. So I think he's on the team. I think the way Noah Dobson has been playing this season, I think he has to be on the team. He just keeps getting better and better.
This is kind of where it gets a little tough. Aaron Ekblad. I think when the guy's playing, he's unbelievable.
It's unfortunate that he played with 14 broken bones in the cup final last year and all that, but I do have that flat on the team. And then my last two, I got Mackenzie Uyger. And then I was very much debating between Morgan Riley and Darnell nurse. But I'll give Morgan Riley the nod.
[00:48:38] Speaker B: If either of those guys should be on there. But I can't believe that's what it came down to.
[00:48:43] Speaker C: I think nurse would just be there like if you're playing on the big ice, like Olympic size ice, let's get guys that can't skate skating pedigree. But anyways, see is there any guys that I don't have on the list that you think you on the back end?
[00:49:03] Speaker A: I agree with Morgan, of course, being there, but that might be a slight been. I'm a fan of Morgan Riley. I just feel like what he's done. But guys that I feel like could be added notable. It's not saying even added, but three notables actually.
You're going to think it's wild on one of them. I think you're going to agree one of the three is Evan Bouchard. The other one is Thomas Shabbat. The other one is Josh Morrissey.
[00:49:25] Speaker B: Yeah, Josh Morrissey.
[00:49:27] Speaker A: I did have chicken at the beginning of the year. I would have had chickrin on there, but I don't know.
[00:49:32] Speaker C: I don't think Shabbat has a chance.
[00:49:34] Speaker A: No chickrin. I don't know.
[00:49:39] Speaker C: Bouchard, when you have Kale McCarr, that's the mean. His defensive games got better. But I just.
[00:49:47] Speaker B: And Dave, just so you know, Jake chicken is not canadian.
[00:49:52] Speaker A: He's dual citizenship.
[00:49:53] Speaker C: It would be wild if he did have Bouchard, Nouge, Hyman and McDavid, which know four to five, the best power play that's ever lived. And then you just put Nate Dogg somewhere for the one t.
Let him rip. So we'll see. And then here come down to the goalies, which I don't think there's any goalie that's canadian. That's a lock for the team. But this is what I got. I got Hill, Skinner and Bennington. Binnington, big game player, plays well in the playoffs. I mean he's up and down sometimes but if he's having a good season I think he makes the hard.
[00:50:34] Speaker B: It's just so hard two years away. Like a lot rides on who's hot playing that season. Like all these bubble like it's just going to depend on if one of them gets really hot then you're going to take them. Like we're sitting here two years out. We have no idea.
[00:50:47] Speaker C: Like a guy like Adam Fanti could very well make the team on and.
[00:50:52] Speaker B: There'S probably, there's probably a goalie in the NHL right now who are like there's no chance but goalies are just be. It could just be. I don't know who's the most random backup you could think of right now. Calvin Pickard. Maybe he just goes on a run.
[00:51:10] Speaker C: We don't know, 30.
[00:51:15] Speaker B: We're saying Marshawn's a lock at 35. I'm just saying goalies are weird and you never know when one can just go on a run. Andrew Hammond won like 17 games in a row and then I never heard of him again. But he's going to enjoy his lifetime. McDonald's. We don't know.
[00:51:34] Speaker C: Sam Othabo is another guy that I think could be on the team for sure too. Tristan Jari. I mean he's done.
[00:51:39] Speaker B: Darcy Kemper.
[00:51:40] Speaker C: Darcy Kemper.
[00:51:45] Speaker A: We know who would have been but we're not going to discuss that.
Yeah, we know who would have been the number one but that's no number one.
Well, in there top three, but nonetheless I actually have doubts. Aidan Hill the next. Because we're talking future but as a lock now. Yeah. But I'm curious about Logan Thompson's development because I think eventually if you have Aiden Hill locked up, Logan Thompson is going to have his way to go to another team and be a number one goalie. I think that's one of those guys that might pull away if he actually is as good as he's been playing on Vegas, he does that on another team. There's a guy who could be a lock as the number one guy in the Olympic team, same as Samuel Motumbo. If he leaves Montreal and goes to a team and just somehow just click click booms right and solidifies a number one position and is able to move on to be a number one guy like Aiden Hill has been for the past year. Because last year, would you have had Aiden Hill on this team at the beginning of last year before you won a cup of Vegas, would you have. No. Nobody. Anyone, if anyone would have told me Aiden Hill would have been on this team last year, I want you to come on this pod and tell me because nobody did. You're a liar. You're bullshitting. Because he was on nobody's radar so anything could happen. But guys that I think will stay consistent is Jari and Logan. Tom Thompson and Logan Thompson's story is pretty fucking badass. The guy played at Brock. He worked his ass off and worked his way up. Aiden Hill's contract defines that Vegas is believing in Aiden Hill for the future. There's a trade part for Logan Thompson right there. One day in my prediction, Logan Thompson will move on and become a number one guy. And if he can take it away, he'll be the number one guy for Canada. So I believe in Logan Thompson and I think Jari was a good one. And Stuart Skinner, man. Yeah, I'm behind it. If that guy doesn't play like he did the beginning of this year and plays like he is now, Buck. Yeah. That's a guy you got to consider.
[00:53:29] Speaker C: Well, that's it for me, for my segments. Boys, what do you got? Fire.
[00:53:34] Speaker B: Well, we were going to keep it to aim for 20 ended at 30 and we're already at 25 and we're nowhere near the end.
I just want to make a quick point. I think the PWHL might have the best rules of any hockey league. They just changed the playoff format halfway through the year and as soon as I saw that, I said, that's bush league. But the top four teams in the regular season are going to make the postseason. If you're the number one seed, you can pick out of three and four who you want to play. And if that's not going to light a fire under whoever gets picked, oh, man, the storylines that could come from that and then to keep it competitive for people that aren't in the playoffs the second you get eliminated, all of your points count now towards having the first pick. So you want to keep winning. Sure, you're eliminated first, but that gives you more games than the other teams to win and get points. The first overall pick, how cool is that? That is so nice. So you don't have to, like, everybody's been sending the pictures around of the Leafs lineup when they drafted Matthews. None of that, you want to stay competitive now. So this gives incentive to every team along with the shorthanded goal rule in the PWHL and so many things. I think that league is doing so many things right. I'm trying my absolute hardest to get out to an Ottawa game and I will have to say that I will be cheering for an Ottawa hockey team and that they are my team. But that was it. I just wanted to quickly touch on that. But now I wanted to test who is the better fan of their team. I want to do this a little bit more regularly so this isn't going to be too hard. But first off, I got a question for both of you. Can you name in order from most recent to least recent, the captains of your respective favorite teams, not including the current captain. No John Tavares. No Connor McDavid. Dave, you look real smug.
[00:55:30] Speaker C: That's hard because we've had like a lot of teams.
[00:55:32] Speaker B: I know those won't count. We're not talking about years that have had no captains. I saw Dave with a very confident smile. Dave, do you think you can do it before Tavares?
[00:55:42] Speaker A: Right. So you want me to name. How many do you want me to name?
[00:55:44] Speaker B: I want you to name five in reverse order from most recent to least recent.
[00:55:49] Speaker A: Most recent to least recent. So it'll be before Tavares. So before Tavares, you got Dion fanuff.
[00:55:54] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:55:54] Speaker A: You got Matt Sundine.
[00:55:55] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:55:57] Speaker A: I want to say you got Dougie G.
Wendell Clark. And then I think it was sittler.
[00:56:05] Speaker B: Incorrect. Dane, would you like a chance now to see if you are a better fan of your team than Dave is of his team?
[00:56:15] Speaker C: I don't know if I'm going to do well on this. I'm going to.
[00:56:17] Speaker B: McDavid. No. Not counting McDavid. So starting next. But yes.
Five more from that.
[00:56:25] Speaker C: Andrew Farrence.
[00:56:26] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:56:31] Speaker C: Sean Horkoff?
[00:56:33] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:56:37] Speaker C: Oh, why did I just forget one? It is Ryan Smith.
[00:56:42] Speaker B: Incorrect. But now I will give you both a chance to try to steal the other person's point. Dane, can you name who the captain of the Leafs was for? Wendell Clark. Well, I mean before Wendell Clark.
[00:56:54] Speaker C: Sorry, I'd rather have another guess at mine.
[00:56:57] Speaker B: You do not get that. You do not get that. And both of you guys are going to be labeled as fake fans.
[00:57:02] Speaker A: Fake fans.
You're going first, Dan. Right.
[00:57:10] Speaker B: Dan's got a chance to steal yours. You've got a chance to steal Dan's and I don't think either one of you.
No, that was already said. No. Wrong.
[00:57:17] Speaker C: I couldn't remember what he said.
[00:57:19] Speaker B: All righty, Dave. Who comes after Andrew Ferrari? Sean Horkoff. Who is next for Edmonton Oilers captains.
[00:57:29] Speaker A: I need a second.
[00:57:31] Speaker C: I know who it.
[00:57:35] Speaker A: A. It's not a no name, but it's went. I don't know if he went on to the cup finals that year. And I want to guess. Is it Ethan Morrow?
Ethan Morrow.
[00:57:47] Speaker B: Ethan Morrow is correct. Who's before that? Who's before that? Dave, you got to get to the five.
It's going to be tough. It's going to be tough.
[00:57:58] Speaker C: I'll give you a hint.
It's a defenseman.
[00:58:03] Speaker A: Was it pronger?
[00:58:04] Speaker B: Did you look it up already? Name?
[00:58:06] Speaker C: No, I know who it is.
It's the captain that we had when.
[00:58:11] Speaker A: We went to the, um.
I said it out loud because I thought of Smith. Jason Smith. It was Jason Smith after.
[00:58:19] Speaker B: Now can you name the one before him to be a fake pass through fan to steal the one more.
[00:58:33] Speaker A: Messier?
[00:58:35] Speaker B: It was Doug. Wait.
[00:58:36] Speaker C: You guys are both.
Let me say it. I was waiting.
[00:58:41] Speaker B: You guys are both fake fans, so I'm going to keep this coming. I'm going to have a question for Dave about the Leafs and Dane about the Oilers to see who is a more true fan for this week. They're both.
[00:58:52] Speaker C: Ryan Smith was like the captain for.
[00:58:54] Speaker A: Like, I just got four to five on the Leafs and four to five on the Oilers. I'm not even an Oilers fan. That's pretty fucking good.
[00:59:00] Speaker B: I'll take using elite prospects, Edmonton Oilers team captaincy history, and the same with the Leaf.
That's all I got.
Do we want to hop into the draft?
[00:59:15] Speaker A: Say, I'll dive into that. We got the draft. I want to mention one point. You guys don't have to give any feedback on it. I want to spend 30 seconds on it, and I'll time myself on it. Priority touched on this when it came to Jordan Tutu. There's a very good clip that we uploaded. Very good feedback. So check that out. But the LTir is a scam. Vegas is using the rules to their benefit. It is what it is. There's no foul play against it. They're allowed to do it. Do I think Mark Stone's actually hurt? Sure, but it's how convenient that him and I will get hurt right before the deadline or before the playoffs, and then they're able to nichols coming back this week. That's fine. I still think there needs to be review of the LTIr in general, and I think it should all count for the season as well. Going into the playoffs. But if the 30 seconds, if they use it to their example, if they use it to their advantage, I'm sure I wouldn't be complaining, nor would Dane if it was the Oilers. But let us know what you think of the ltir and check out par's previous video.
[01:00:15] Speaker B: Sure.
[01:00:16] Speaker A: Let's do the redraft then. I'll do the would you rather before I conclude so you missed last week, par, but we did the 1984 NHL redraft last week.
[01:00:26] Speaker B: Choice at number one for sure.
[01:00:29] Speaker A: It was a very good, very good feedback that's been getting on our social media. So I want to remind you that the game sports podcast is on Facebook, Instagram, and of course, TikTok at the game sports podcast. We love the viewers coming in. We like the interaction. We love the likes. But as I mentioned at the top of the show, 70% of you who are listening to the videos checking them out and over 85% of you are not following, so make sure you do that. But we love the interaction and the views on it, so we're going to keep on bringing it to you. But the 1984 draft, it was a great draft. It was Heichel's first draft. Justin Heichle, one of our obviously contributors here on the game, and he struggled. He didn't understand the rules at first. So just to give you what the rules are, a reminder is that myself and whomever's on the show with me, usually it's Dane and Alex. For this segment and for this segment in general, we draft the top five of that draft knowing what we know today. It could be points, it could be wins, what shutouts. It could be whatever. In our opinion, we draft the top five of that year. So this year, and at this time, we're going back in our Delorean. I love saying this every time. We're going to have our 1980s shirts on and suits. Our mullets are just down and flowing, and we're going to be going back in time to be the GM of five teams in 1985, and we're going to be redrafting the NHL draft in 1985. And because Parr missed last week, he gets to go first.
[01:01:49] Speaker B: Easy. I love doing this because I've never seen any of these people play. So if you want to come for me, for bad opinions, I don't know if they're bad. I don't know if they're good. I'm going to do my typical start at five, go up to one. Number five. I didn't write his first name, don't remember what it is. But had the second most points in the draft all in. Maybe Rasmus'dad felt incorrectly. Number four. Sorry, Leafs fans. Wendell Clark. In my four spot, I got Igor Larianov at three, Stanley cup champion. Silver medalist, Mike Richter at number two. Easy. You win a cup, you know how much AB boosts you for me? In my eyes, so high, but not higher than number one pick. I'm sure it's consensus Joe Newendyke.
[01:02:36] Speaker A: Love it. Okay, Dane, you good to go? Second.
[01:02:41] Speaker C: The only difference that I really got is I just got Sean Burke at five. Good longevity, played forever. Wendell. Number four, Mike Richter was arguably the best american goaltender for a time during his heyday.
Number two, Igor Larianov, obviously. And then number one, Joan to Windyke. Yeah, I would say probably one of the weaker drafts that we've redraft since our 1980 draft. To start it all off.
[01:03:15] Speaker A: I will say free from the top, and I went last week from five and up and I'm going to do that again this week. I'm taking it from Pars book. With the fifth overall pick, the Hartford Whalers are proud to select Sean Burke. With the fourth overall pick, the Vancouver Canucks are proud to select Kelly Buckberger. With the third overall pick, the New Jersey Devils are proud to select Mike Richter.
[01:03:35] Speaker B: Who the hell is Kelly Buckberger?
[01:03:38] Speaker A: With the second overall pick, the Pittsburgh Penguins are proud to select Wendell Clark. And with the first overall pick, the Toronto Maple Leafs are proud to select Joe Newendyke.
That is my picks for the draft. Please at us below to comment what you think you would have picked. It's definitely a wide open draft, especially, I think, from two down. I guess I disagree with Parr mentioning Wendell Clark being fourth.
Yeah, I guess I'm not alone in that belt. So let us know what you think.
I just like the way he was as a player. Maybe I should take that out of there, maybe try to avoid that. But Mike Richter, Newendyke. Newendyke.
There's a cup winner, right? Calgary. So a lot of players you can choose from, and it's more of an open draft. So let us know what you think. Now to finish it all off, the would you rather segment. Now, the last few weeks when I've been doing this segment, I've been talking about players, right? Talked about LeBron, Serena.
I think obviously last week I talked about the comparison of going against Travis Kelsey. So it comes down to players and people I've mentioned, but I have a different approach to it this week and we can go anywhere with would you rather that's why it's so fun.
Would you rather watch the big game? And I'm not mentioning what game it is. Does not matter. The big game, you could think about in your head what that game is at home or live at a stadium. And when you're live in that stadium, you're not front row. You're not front row.
You're at the beginning of the 200 level or at the very back of that 100 level. There's still good seats. Okay, there's still good seats, but would you rather watch it at home, or would you rather watch it live at a stadium? The big game. The winner of that game, your team can win the cup, could win the World Series, could win the Super bowl, whatever it is. Big game where and what are you doing?
[01:05:47] Speaker B: Why?
Well, yeah, I see his game walks offset. No big deal.
This seems like the easiest question I've ever answered in my life. Of course I want to be.
Oh, that's it.
[01:06:03] Speaker A: So he's watching.
[01:06:04] Speaker C: Walk away and go take a pee inside. So I'm going to hold her, and then we're going to go out after we're done.
[01:06:10] Speaker B: Okay. Well, just. Just so Dane doesn't get peed on. I want to be there. I'm a sucker for a good atmosphere, regardless of what it is. A concert. I don't know. A little Campbell amusements. I'm a sucker for a good atmosphere. So if you're telling me it's game seven and the Leafs are in it for the Stanley cup, yeah, why the hell would I want to be at home?
[01:06:31] Speaker A: Fair enough.
[01:06:31] Speaker B: Do I have to pay for it, though? Is that, like, a thing? If it's factoring in money, then my ass is right on that couch. Go, team.
[01:06:38] Speaker A: Now, I'll just go by personal experience, but we'll keep money out of it, because definitely money would affect it, for sure. But, Dane.
[01:06:47] Speaker C: Yeah, live. I mean, if it's the Oilers Stanley cup final. Yeah, live. I don't care if I'm the top of the nosebleeds. If it's, like, the big house, like, night game in December, I'm not going to lie. It's great, but it's uncomfortable. So if you're like that Kansas City game that they played when it was -30 if you're going to give me elements like that and it has to be outside, I might stay home even if the ticket is free.
[01:07:20] Speaker B: Oilers game seven, outdoor game -30 Toronto Oilers cup final.
[01:07:27] Speaker C: -30 I'd be there only for the Oilers.
[01:07:31] Speaker B: No shit.
[01:07:36] Speaker C: I wouldn't do that. For any other sports team, I'll say.
[01:07:39] Speaker A: It'S sports pending because obviously there's a lot of factors, but we're not playing that game. I do love the environment at home with friends. Like if I was watching it with you guys, Leafs Oilers as much as Dane, and we might fight in person if one of the other team won. It's cool to watch with a bunch of friends in a group in like a bar type setting or at home, right? It's great. But I have to agree with live at the stadium, it's definitely that experience. If you can say you were there to watch your team win, that's a memorable moment. So it may be an easy question, but it's actually one of the more common sports questions. And believe it or not, over 60% of people have went in either direction. But the most part, live at a stadium has win. But believe it or not, 40% of people on average have stated they like to watch it at home. So that's why it was a good question that I researched prior to asking that. I wanted to ask you. So that's the would you rather for this week, the would you rather will be every week because we can do would you rather about anything you want at any time, sports related or not? I almost asked you, would you rather be Batman or Spider man today?
[01:08:38] Speaker B: That's all.
[01:08:42] Speaker A: Pause that. We'll save that. Maybe we'll do two next week. I want your answer next week on that part. Nonetheless, this has been the game sports podcast. It's been a fully loaded segment, a lot of information when it comes to the hockey world in particular, because that's what I'm feeling is a little bit hot. And obviously, there was some baseball discussed at the beginning by yours truly. Everyone's probably wondering why WWE wasn't mentioned. We'll get to that next week.
[01:09:06] Speaker B: Okay.
[01:09:06] Speaker A: Things are around the corner in terms of WWE. Wrestlemania is a hopping a skip away and a lot of storylines coming out there, but nonetheless, it's been great having you on, Dane, it's been great having you on, Alex. Dane, I know you got to get outside with a dog, so thank you for coming on.
[01:09:22] Speaker C: Thank you for having me, David. And I'll play again one of these days.
[01:09:27] Speaker B: I don't believe you.
[01:09:28] Speaker A: I don't either. Alex, thank you as always, my friend. Every week it's a joy.
[01:09:32] Speaker B: Thanks for not telling me you're going to come online and then making me wait all night to play, and then I fall asleep in this chair waiting, waiting for a text.
[01:09:41] Speaker A: It doesn't matter.
[01:09:43] Speaker B: I'm not going to be there.
I got to go score. Gino's in real life because I'm reformed. I'm the new McDavid in real life.
[01:09:51] Speaker A: That's great. I'll see you on in chal in a few hours.
This is Dave McKay with the Game sports podcast. We are powered by 91 n 91 Network. Follow us on social media, wherever you are, audio, video, podcasts, versions that you're listening to, like follow subscribe goes a long way for us and interact with us. We love that. We feel. We get excited.
[01:10:10] Speaker B: Yeah, we get excited. Love it.
[01:10:12] Speaker A: We love it. And again, I want to say thank you for joining us here on the game sports podcast. Again, Dave McKay, on behalf of Dane Hancho and Alex Parr, thank you again, everyone. Have a good night. I'm here to remind you, keep your on the ice, swing your bats, catch your touchdowns, drain your threes, and shoot your shots. Booyah.
