Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:06] Speaker B: It's time for the Games Force Podcast is your host David McCaig Jr. The game is powered by 91 Network that is a video platform that you could check out video podcast versions of the Game Sports Podcast and other podcasts as well. And we're also featured on Spaces, which is through Village Media and Sue. Today you can find the Game Sports Podcasts on all social media platforms to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, all at the Game Sports Podcast. You may be tuning in on the audio side of listening to podcasts such as Spotify, Amazon, Google, wherever you are. Like, follow, subscribe, interact, all the fun stuff we greatly appreciate here on the Game. The Game has been around since 2016, January of 2016. So we've been around for over 10 years and even longer if you consider coffee with the coach. If you know, you know. But nonetheless I have a very simple agenda for you. Got me solo for about 5ish to 7ish minutes and then Brandon's going to be coming on by and we're going to be talking top shelf. And on this opener of the show I'm going to be diving into the major junior side of hockey, in particular the ohl. Before Brandon joins to talk the National Hockey League. This is going to be an invasion of hockey news. But before I get into that, I want to make sure I spend at least one minute to say a couple things. Firstly, I want to say thank you to Jerry Rollinson who has been a student intern here on 91 and through the Game Sports podcast we're doing editing. He has done a terrific job with our clips, with our production and being involved and he has this week and next week remaining. So you might hear his name on a couple episodes at the intros for saying thanks for all the great work that he has done and very much appreciate his involvement with the show and program. Secondly, baseball is back. What a time.
Obviously the last couple episodes we talked predictions, couple clips on social media that you can check out. Obviously as of Today, which is April 1, April Fool's Day at 6:20pm of this recording, the Jays just did lose a second game to the Colorado Rockies going to 4 and 2 to start the season. But overall the season's has some good storylines already. Boba Shekin booed out of with New York Mets fans, the Toronto Blue Jays a couple surprising losses to the Colorado Rockies. The Yankees start off obviously hot at the beginning of the season.
Look, there has been a lot in the MLB early this season to really touch on, but if you look at overall around the League. What I think teams are really going to see to the beginning of the seasons, all this parody. Then eventually things will of course spread out. The brewers started off hot. The Pirates are 500. The Dodgers are 4 and 1. The Padres 1 and 4 at this time. Look, it's still early. There's still over 155 games to go. So you know that storylines are going to change. But, but obviously you know the Colorado rockies starting off 0 and 3 and they don't come in and be intimidated by the Jays. We're winning the two out of the three games that they played against the Colorado Rockies as the Blue Jays get ready to play the White Sox for the next series before the Dodgers come back to the Rogers Center. But the American League east, everyone knows I got my eyes on the American League East. That is the most powerful division in all of baseball. If you don't agree, comment below. But we're going to say baseball content for next week's edition as we hope to have maybe true to dive onto that, but Conor Henderson coming on by as we plan a strike zone segment next week. Now going to get to the major junior scene quickly and we're going to be talking about the Ontario Hockey League. Obviously the game sports podcast is located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. So we give a little extra love to Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Okay, but look around the the OHL right now in the playoffs we got obviously Branford who's looking to sweep the Sudbury Wolves. And then you got Barry just beat right now. Niagara, they're up two to one. Ottawa and Kingston. Ottawa's looking for the sweep in that series on Thursday. Peter tied. I knew that series would be rate down but Branford, Ottawa, look, Ottawa looking real, real good in the Western Conference. Kitchener is beating Saginaw up 30 right now in that series. Looking for the sweep on Thursday as well. No surprise there. Windsor up 30 on Guelph. I thought Guelph maybe put on a little bit more of a fight, but Windsor looking extremely dominant.
Up three zero on Owen Sound. Look, I didn't have that in my book, but I will tell you the one, the couple things I didn't have. My book is the complete, absolute, absolute destroy of Flint over Owen sound in their three games. If you don't know, let me tell you. 8 1, 111 and 10 nothing. That is unbelievable. 29 goals in three games. Do those Flint Firebirds have over Owen Sound right now? Unbelievable. They're looking for their sweep tonight at 7 o'. Clock. So by the time you listen to this, the game will already be over. Maybe we'll have another double digit win for that. Now London and Sault Ste. Marie, The Greyhounds are up 3 0. What an exciting series. Two wins from the Greyhounds. Back to back games came from overtime. Obviously you got look Brady Martin, you make no that look. Susei Marie Greyhounds, the players are stepping up mix Martin, Andrew. You know I really like what I'm seeing with this hound team. And as people have said, the Greyhounds were the fifth seed in the series, but they should have been the fourth seed. London sold the deadlines or the Hounds added. I know some London fans are surprised about this.
I am honestly surprised. I did say this series would go seven games, but the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are literally looking very, very good in being able to close out hockey games. Not saying they're looking decisive in each game or that they should have lost or they could have won either side. They went to overtime for two out of the three games. And that shows the, the, the parity between these two teams to a degree. But what I'm seeing is the Hounds being able to close it out and apply pressure and not get, not really get stuck in the moment of not being able to step up. And Brady Martin's look good. Mignola says look good all season. And look what he's done in this series, especially in game one to set the tone. And game four is tonight. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the game just because of conflicts on my end. So unfortunately I will not be able to be there to potentially celebrate a sweep. But like I said, just like I talked about the previous series with Flint, we're going to know the score by likely the time you hear this podcast. So we either know the Hounds are up and have won the series or they'll be going back to London for a game on Friday before potentially even come back to the Sioux for a Game 6. And Susei Marie Greyhound fans are hoping that that does not occur.
Of course now the biggest surprise of the whole Ontario Hockey League playoffs to me that I'm really catching on to is Flint. I think that goes without saying. Flint and I thought Guelph would put up more of a fight against Windsor, but Flint is looking absolutely dominant. Now the way that it would look is if Kitchener, Windsor, Flint and the Sioux one, which it's. Well, all three teams are up three. All four teams, sorry, up three, zero. Looking like that's probably going to happen. All likelihood, very high percentage. It would be Kitchener against the Hounds and Windsor against Flint. Oh, that is absolutely amazing. I would look forward to that. That is some exciting hockey that we're about to maybe witness for the major for major junior side, of course, but the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. Now leave your predictions below.
Now look, if you listen to this to this podcast and the games have already happened, like the Flint game, the sue game, obviously those are the two games that are on tonight. It seems the rest are tomorrow. So obviously you can't predict that if they've moved on. But if they didn't move on, do you think they will wrap up in Game 5? Those two teams or one of those two teams if they haven't, if they have wrapped up, ignore that point. What about the other series? Do you think it's going to end as we sort of see predicted? You could check out mine and Jordan Trudeau's predictions from last episode. And right now I predicted Hounds in seven, Trudeau predicted them in six. We're looking like we have a very high chance of being wrong, for example. So be very interested to know your thoughts on how you think think this whole first round is going if there's any surprises. Like I said, Flint is surprised very much be getting 29 goals in three games is absolutely absurd. And to do it at home is one thing, but to get 11 at home is another thing. But to get 10 on the road is an absolute another level. That is unbelievable. Unbelievable. So you get me to talk about a little bit of baseball and major junior hockey. And before we bring in Brandon, I'm going to take a quick break. When we come back, we will have top shelf. Don't go anywhere. Welcome back to the Game Sports Podcast. Dave McCaig continuing to host you this evening. I'm joined by BMAC, the One, the only. We got some style going today. Okay, this is the top shelf segment. Bmac. How's it going, my friend?
[00:08:48] Speaker A: I'm doing good, buddy. Man, what a. What a week for Mr. Pelly and the Maple Leafs. Holy smokes.
[00:08:53] Speaker B: It's always seems like I had a. We're definitely going to get into Leafs and updates around the whole entire NHL. And I know when I told listeners and viewers at the beginning that we're going to be talking top shelf on NHL. I didn't get into the full topic, so guess what? You're going to get learn as you go here. But it always seems that there's something at the end of each season. Either big announcement about, sorry, how much we sucked or big announcement about someone getting fired. A big, a big Apology again to the Leaf fans because we didn't perform the way we did or thank you because we made it to the second round. Like that's a. Like that's a big celebration. There's always something at either the beginning or end, mainly the end of a season when it comes to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Okay. I expect it every year. There's something that's going to take the day and then the media just goes off about it. And that happened with Mr. Keith Pelley. His recent press conference because of a recent decision to fire Brad Tree Living. But we're going to table that for a second because I know people are anxiously waiting for some Toronto talk from us because that's going to invade this.
[00:09:55] Speaker A: Hey, hey. We got to say media avail now. Press conference is dated. My guy.
[00:09:59] Speaker B: Media availability didn't see.
[00:10:02] Speaker A: I mean it's not, it's not, it's not written in stone. But I mean let's, let's get with the times. It's 2026. Press conference is like 1976, Dave. I don't know why people still say it. I remember a higher up at work sent us a mass email about that and I'm like, it's true. Like press is so old.
[00:10:20] Speaker B: Like it's all so true.
[00:10:22] Speaker A: It's all social media and TikTok and all the bells and whistles. But it's like so and so had a press conference today or so and so will address the. The media at a press conference tomorrow. I'm like, it's so. It's so formal, you know, form.
[00:10:35] Speaker B: Okay, I like that. I didn't know that. See, that's good to know. I've been. I feel I'm out. I've been living under a rock with no media. Look, everyone's media availability.
[00:10:44] Speaker A: Media people are going to turn below.
[00:10:45] Speaker B: I want to hear your media. I even like I'm feeling old today.
[00:10:50] Speaker A: I like to trim it down to, to even, you know, try to alert to the younger Gen 2 who might not even get availability. It's too long for them to say because then they'll just bury themselves in their phone. So you got to trim it to avail. Media avail. I've been saying that. So it kind of hits all gens, you know what I mean? But no, it's. It's just one of those things where now that I hear it, I just, I just smirk. But a lot of people still say presser or press conference. It's funny.
[00:11:14] Speaker B: I might just stick to presser. So I feel like I'm still In my younger days. But first, before we get into that, obviously the National Hockey League playoff picture starting to look a little bit more like. As we talk tonight, the Minnesota Wild have a chance to clinch the playoff berth, which, no surprise, okay. There's some teams that have already clinched. You know, you got Colorado, you got Dallas. If you look over in the east, no one has that highlight yet. But you know, Buffalo's going to be there, Tampa's going to be there. You would assume Montreal is going to be there. Boston likely, unless there's some big drop off in these next handful of games. Okay, obviously the Toronto Maple Leafs and okay, not happening. Everybody at Florida Panthers are underneath them in the standings, if that makes you feel any better. The Carolina Hurricanes are where they are. Pittsburgh Penguins, what? And New York Islanders, they're in the picture. Columbus, right now, they are battling. You got a battle for that east wild card, you got the dog fight. Ottawa. Ottawa, you got Detroit, you got Columbus and Philadelphia. Washington. Washington, former division favorites going into this season. Look, let's talk Eastern Conference. For sure, we jump over the West. What do you, what do you suspect these next five games? Ottawa, you know, was hot, got cold. They got dismantled by Florida the other night. Like, what. What's going on with this wild card? You talked, you used the perfect word five months ago. Ish. Drunk. These standings now, talk about.
[00:12:38] Speaker A: No, you know what's funny is I, I was laughing at the way the word say. Because I find it so funny how like Leaf fans, and I know I'm a Leaf fan, but like, sometimes when you try to like, you know, basically say, like, yeah, it's been tough, but I mean, wouldn't want to be in this position. Everyone's saying, like, it's tough, it's a lost season. But, man, the Senators, I'm like, what are you talking about? The Senators are two points out of a playoff spot and they have a game in hand over Columbus and they have more rows. I know they got their ass kicked by the Panthers, who are effectively tanking right now. But I just, I love how like the, they're like, yeah, I know it's. It's been, you know, it's been tough. We'll. We'll just look ahead the next year. But man, like, how about those Senators? Like, they've been shit. I'm like, actually, they're actually in a pretty good position right now, all things considered. But I still, I still think they sneak in, man. I think Sens fans, they got a glimpse of, of, you know, Sens. Playoff hockey. You Know, of late in the Brady Tkachuk era, we'll say, and you know, that's one guy who, who will, will his team there. There's very, very few guys who kind of have that aura about them like the Tkachuk brothers. Both of them do, obviously, McDavid, McKinnon. But there's some guys that are just like, I will drag you into the fight and the mud and we're just going to, we're just going to make it happen. So, you know, so that's a team I still think sneaks in. And then the other Canadian teams that are, that are in right now, Edmonton, Montreal. Montreal has been wheeling and dealing of late. I actually had a bet with our friend Evan Dobig and he's one of those guys who is a big homer for his respective teams like the Canadians and the Dallas Cowboys. But he almost like assumes defeat because he, he can't handle the heartbreak. So he just assumes defeat before the results unfold.
[00:14:20] Speaker B: Right.
[00:14:21] Speaker A: So I made a bet with that.
[00:14:23] Speaker B: Pardon me, that's a statistician right there.
[00:14:25] Speaker A: Yeah, it is. And just a long suffering, you know, sports fan, I guess. But that's the beauty of sports. You never know what's, what the hell's going to happen. So I found it funny. I always chirp him for it. So around the Olympics, I said, I'm going to make a bet with you that the Habs get in and the Leafs don't. And he said, sign me up. And that is a lukewarm take coming from me basically asking, can you get me a Starbucks Farmers wrap? That was the bet. So I'm basically getting a free Farmers wrap because they've, they've, I think they've strung together like six straight wins. And Yep, you know, they're, they're cooking right now. Bell center is on fire every night. They deserve. I talked about the sentence vans and that and that barn, but man, Bell center is the best barn in the league, bar none. And those fans are just so rambunctious. It's awesome. I was there a couple years ago for a leafs game, like March 2022. Like, I guess it's April 1st today, but it was, it was like late March and this was still in the Keefe era. And the leafs, they lost 5, 2 to the Hobbs and it felt like a playoff game. The Hobs were out. They were in the Leaf position this year and the Leafs had already clinched. But man, like, even that, it's like, you know, obviously Toronto's in town, but they are such a Passionate fan base. And, you know, I'm really pumping Evan's tires now. But I will say Evan, I like hot sauce with my Farmers wrap Buddy.
[00:15:38] Speaker B: Christians won three in a row. Six, two and two in their last 10. Teams are getting hot. At the right time, it's going to make it come right down the wire. I'd be very surprised if this didn't go to game 82. Brett for the east, but the last thing I'll sing about the east, but is Tampa Bay. For one second, you're probably wondering why. Pretty obvious. If you have a ticket to a Tampa Bay Lightning game and you're one of the Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, maybe Florida Panthers, heck, even Boston Bru, there's going to be a brawl. You know what? You're. You're getting the money's worth. There's going to be fights. Tampa Bay, it seems like they're in the middle of every game that is a brawl or a fight this year. Tampa Bay is just loving getting the pims up and the fights and the misconducts is. I didn't have that on my docket given that roster, but they, they're making for some good entertainment. Okay, let me tell you a first round potential matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. Sign me up for all of that. Never mind that Buffalo first round series. Okay, I'll save that for potential second round. I'd rather it be Montreal Buffalo. But that aside, if you're looking for a game where you're going to have a couple dukes and you're a Montreal Buffalo fan, Boston fan, sign up for a game that are. Buy tickets for a game that involves a Tampa Lightning right now. Because they just want to go to every game and it seems like they just want to get in a brawl. They want to fight, they want to mix it up. That's some great stuff right there. Tampa Bay is showing aside that I didn't see that think that they would have Brandon this year.
[00:17:00] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, anyone who draws them in the first round, it's going to be tough. Right now. It's. It's probably going to be the Habs. I think they'll have some good fight, but man, Tampa, they're just so experienced. So many veterans on that team. John Cooper, isn't he the longest tenured active head coach right now?
Right. He was hired in 2020.
[00:17:17] Speaker B: Yes, it's been that long. Yes, it has been that long.
[00:17:20] Speaker A: Which is wild. I think after him comes Bednar on the abs and, you know, abs are doing just okay, you know, decent season,
[00:17:28] Speaker B: but best team in the league.
[00:17:30] Speaker A: Yeah. So, I mean, in the west, do you think. Do you think the Kings get in there? They're. They're what? They're one point back.
[00:17:35] Speaker B: That Pacific Division. So much trash. I almost don't even care to say because like it's. Any other team in that Pacific Division doesn't get a shake and the other. Other divisions. But do the Kings get that chance? They've been, you know, they've been playing 500 hockey and a lot of overtime losses. Four in the last 10. This is a team that is just not making that oomph. But if you look at the Western Conference, it's so wide open because you have the Mammoth. You have Nashville, who mathematically is obviously not out because look at the Kings of Sharks are mathematically not out yet either. There's. There's some chance there for a team to squeak in. And if there is going to be a team, my eyes are on the Utah and la. I just. I don't. I hope I'm a. I like Nashville because of the vibe. I've never been there, so that's probably why. I just think it's a. Like their fan base when it's playoff time. They just amp it up there a little bit.
[00:18:25] Speaker A: Crazy. I've never been, but just.
[00:18:26] Speaker B: Just.
[00:18:27] Speaker A: I mean, crazy on tv. Like it looks. It's basically like the Bell center equivalent in the West.
[00:18:32] Speaker B: And the jets have a shot too. Technically. Technically. Okay. Like this is. I'm. I'm thinking Utah, Louisiana. Get in. But I can't count out the Predators of the Jets. And the jets are getting hot the right time. 6, 2 and 2 in their last 10 as of recording tonight. So let's hope for Canadian sake. I'd love to see the jets back there. They're too good not to be in there.
[00:18:49] Speaker A: Man. You look at. You look at Edmonton too, right? Like they could get Vegas, they could get ut, you get Anaheim. And they're missing their. Their Top Gun, right?
[00:18:56] Speaker B: And they've won four in a row without their Top Gun and as of today, without Leon, have healthy.
[00:19:01] Speaker A: Yeah, it's true. There's just. There's so much up in the air, though. It's like, who we. Who we getting, right? Like dry Sidle status. Obviously they have McJesus, but I mean, you know, there's a lot of. There's a lot of uncertainty there.
[00:19:12] Speaker B: There is. There's one thing that isn't uncertain. That's the Colorado Avalanche, okay? They're going to come rain Avalanches, okay? Wherever they play, that team is Just looking intimidating and so good. But so is Dallas like. But Minnesota like that. Those three teams in the Central, it can go any way and you put either one of them in a seven game series against each other, it's going to be wicked. But as it stands right now, very likely you're going to see Minnesota Dallas in the. In the first round which is, you know, wild be. Which is wild. That was not meant on purpose to be honest. Man.
[00:19:43] Speaker A: Dallas is my.
[00:19:44] Speaker B: But where did Dallas come from? Where did Dallas come from? Right? Like you know, it's like at the Minnesota North Stars, right? Like it's kind of like what I the background there, the stories but the teams. It's be so epic. It's like a Tampa Montreal series, right. It's like it's going to be entertaining from puck drop game one to puck drop and game seven. I'm going to say game seven in advance for a series like that. But Minnesota is so. I love the way to the defensive course set up with Quinn, with Faber. I'm a fan of what they have there and mid Dallas. So I've always liked the makeup of their team and their captain is one heck of a leader that would go balls to the wall for that team. But something tells me Minnesota wins that series. Just that the Excel energy set like the. Like that'll be in Minnesota State of Hockey's gonna be epic.
[00:20:31] Speaker A: That would be a bloodbath. Yeah. Dallas mini and the opener like that could easily. That could go like double overtime. Game seven like just like right down to the wire.
[00:20:40] Speaker B: Right down to the wire. Seven games. But you talk in there's a feel good story. Right? That's it. I'm sure Arizona fans are like up. Well okay, I'll just go. I'll just go over here in the corner now. But obviously the west is still open. Still anything could change, let alone tonight to the next couple days going into next week as we see a bit more clearer of a playoff picture next week. Now Brandon, let's transition to Mr. Tortorella is back in the National Hockey League. And we used to make jokes. We said what kind of coach do you. When we used to cheer for Marner on this team. Right back here, if you're on video, you get to see the jersey I'm pointing at. Imagine we had John Tortorella as the coach for Mitch Marner. You know, you think Mike Babcock was bad, but now it's like we wish we could play back those clips. Okay, maybe Jerry's gonna have to maybe try to find if we have one of those clips somewhere, he doesn't really have access to those. So good luck, Jerry. I actually look for those.
[00:21:28] Speaker A: I actually have some breaking news regarding Vegas.
[00:21:31] Speaker B: Let's go. Tell us first. Let's go. Let's go.
[00:21:33] Speaker A: Mitch Marner requests trade out of Vegas.
April Fools.
[00:21:39] Speaker B: April Fools. Right back to Toronto. Right back to Toronto.
[00:21:42] Speaker A: Sources say Toronto interested in reacquiring Mitch Turner after he demanded four first round picks. Demanded a trade.
[00:21:51] Speaker B: Yeah, four first round.
[00:21:53] Speaker A: You know what? And we'll. I did not have that on my bingo card. But hey, Torts, he's. He's getting the itch, man. He's getting the itch like he, he is one of the best, one of the best to man a bench and I think, I think this will be really, really a big boost for, for Vegas. You know, they're at this point going to play Edmonton and in the opening round and man, if you're Edmonton, that's, that's, that's a tough team to, to square off against in, in the opening round. Usually in the last couple years they've gotten la who's who played them well, but ultimately like Edmonton just has that, you know, extra juice in them. So sometimes it's like ah, it'd be nice to just kind of get, you know, no disrespect to the inferior teams but to get warmed up for the, you know, you know, bigger, bigger, more challenging teams. But you draw Vegas in the opening round, that's basically drawing like I know they've been like up, up and down this year but it's still Vegas, right? Like, come on, like they're, they're three years out from, from winning the cup and you know, they have so many vets and big time players on that team. Eichel Stone, obviously, Mitch, you know, back ends a veteran group and I had Torch into the mix like come on man. And the goaltending has been tough. The goaltending has been tough. But again like if you go up against Edmonton, their goaltending hasn't been, hasn't been that great. And, and part of me is like I would lean towards a Vegas win against Edmonton in the opening round. Right?
[00:23:22] Speaker B: We don't want to say, I want people to know that, you know, you want a Canadian team when you're a Canadian program. But it's real. We're, we're realistic here on this show. We, and I don't disagree that series is going the distance. But I wonder if that tenacious play by Vegas is, would overcome the Edmonton Oilers. You know and you know that just cap their offense is just even though you have. You have Connor McDavid on the other side and Leon will be back I'm sure by game one. That is still very deep offense. Do Vegas have and good defensively?
[00:23:50] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:23:51] Speaker B: They picked up Anderson. Do people forget that? Yeah, like I'm. They have some good defense back there that I think is stronger than Edmonton.
[00:23:58] Speaker A: Yeah. To be honest dude, Rasmus Anderson had like a gorgeous highlight real goal on on the PK the other night. He just walked through like I forget the team they were playing but he walked through everybody and then did his classic like stare down at the. He does that after every time he scores he does this like big stare down to like an opposing fan in the rink. It's so funny. That guy. That guy is a hockey player. Oh he's he's a stud on the
[00:24:20] Speaker B: back end next GM of Toronto take note he's a free agent this summer now speaking of that Brennan, I know we're getting close to our time so we'll spend the next handful of minutes expediting this as quick as we as we can before our couple little rapid fire questions. One one word answers I want to give before we wrap up. Top shelf.
[00:24:39] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:24:40] Speaker B: Brad Tree living it has been fired by Keith Pelley and company with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Has been relieved of his duties as a general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and not a surprise. I'm surprised it didn't happen before the deadline to be totally honest with you. You think about a team maybe making moves when they're selling but for didn't listen to Keith Belly's press conference. I'm not going to sit here and go through that into too much but quote unquote some words he decided to part ways thought they had the right leadership. He talked about responsibility that ultimately sits with him. He wants to win. He wants to look at someone who is more analytical. He wants to get an analytical someone he's not rebuilding. He wants to retool very much short summarize of what he said the media availability let me say that right is it's worth the watch. It was March 31st and I'm sitting here saying that press conference might have gotten rid of a couple people that people have as candidates given how he wants to retool because there's been some people that have been open that I thought were candidates. Some particular podcasts have been open or media outlets saying that this team needs to be burnt down needs to be right down to the studs. So Keith Pelly doesn't want that. He's looking at something analytical. He's taking accountability and everything. And Brad Tree Living has been let go. So Brandon, I want your reaction on Tree Living getting let go. And then I want to kind of predict just a couple people who we think might be sitting in that chair besides Brandon Printum and Rob Hardy right now. Who are the guys sitting in the chairs on the interim basis? Maybe they'll be permanent, maybe print them will be permanent, who knows? But who is going to be replacing them down the road? But so your reaction and who we look in like might be a good replacement for the Buds when it comes draft time because you need to have a GM by then.
[00:26:31] Speaker A: Yeah, I do. I do want to listen to the, to the Kelly Mediaville in full. But based on the snippets I heard and the quotes, like it's a businessman talking, right. He wants to put asses in the seats and he wants to sell jerseys and merch and tickets. Right. A lot of the stuff he's saying is kind of just, you know, all right, like where is the concrete? You know, we effed up, we're going this direction, you know, trust us kind of thing. Right. It just seemed a lot like, where, where are we going here? Like fans want to know, okay, the season, it's a lost season, but give us some sort of direction. So there's optimism going forward. So I don't think he motivated a lot of people, it sounds like. And it's tough. I'm probably in the minority. Like Trey Living had to go. I'm in the minority that says keep Craig Berube. I think that guy should remain the bench boss. Because I'll say this, at some point the players have to just put their ego aside and take some effing accountability. They always say that, but they actually don't embrace that. Right. They've gone through Mike Babcock who was the a hole coach, says, too much for us, too much for us. We can't do it. And we have to sign our long term deals if we're going to put. That's what happened, right? They had to ink their long term deals because this is my coach. Because Babcock was signed for eight years. 2015-20. 20, 2020 23, technically. So they're set. They said, shit, I gotta, I gotta, I gotta make my cash now and you know, get my contract because I gotta deal with this guy. It was too much. But they inked their deals and then they said, okay, fine, we'll give You, Sheldon Keef, okay. Winner with the Marlies, Dubas and him, tag team from the marlies, Calder Cup, 2018, whatever. And Keef was too soft, apparently. Then they bring in Berube, which is. Which is a, you know, probably a mix of the Babcock and. And Sheldon Keefe. And apparently that's not working. So at some point it's like, oh, they gotta get a new coach. I'm like, no, at some point it's. It's the players that are the problem, and they're just not, I don't think, taking necessary accountability, which. Which is an infuriating if. If you're a fan because, you know, great work, you could have. You could have the best coach in the world and you know you're not going to get through to them, right? So I would keep Berubay because I don't. I don't think you're gonna like. If it's not. Who else? Like DeBoer, Cassidy? Like, I don't really. At some point, it's like, it could be anybody. They're not gonna listen.
[00:28:53] Speaker B: It's not the coach's fault, the coach's fault, the coaches. I know everyone's saying, send Berube to the moon. And look, when the next GM comes in, they're gonna have to make their decision who they want to coach this team. And if they do relieve Berube, hopefully they're not relieving Peruva. Wow. Brew Bay. They're not relieving Berubay because they. They think they need the changes. It's more of a strategic fit or based on their plans, or it's more of a mutual. Because the big thing that I took from Pelly was fixed leadership, not the roster. And if that's the case, that's not the mindset that I want to see because it's obviously a problem with the roster. And I'm not looking at Tavares Big Johnny guy here. I'm even looking at Matthews. But I heard. But according to sources and some friends that I have that work in some media areas and. No, not this guy. Not this guy on the camera with me here today. Some. Some other separate. That Keith Pelly had a nice little text conversation with Austin Matthews, and you wonder what the heck that was about. Are you serious? You're not serious? What's the plan? Because that contract's going to run out soon and you're going to be like, is this guy going to want to stay or is this a guy we have to move on from? And if that's a decision that decides and dictates that that's up to the next GM. That shouldn't be up to Mr. Keith Pelly. Keith Pelly. Do your job in the. In the presidential penthouse, whatever you're doing up in mlse, and bring in somebody that is going to do right by this roster. Because fixed leadership, not the roster, is not the answer. It's fix the whole system. Well, that was every.
[00:30:21] Speaker A: That was. The thing is their. Their. Their idea was, okay, we're going to just stick with Pelly as CEO and president, Trey Living as gm, and Berube as coach, because we want to hear more from Berube and Trey Living and have their role expand a little bit more. It didn't work out that way. I guarantee there was some friction. There was some disconnect. I mean, Berubay is. Is acting like they're. They're, you know, gunning for the playoffs. Trey Living was like, no, we're. We're selling. And then Pelly's like, I'm trying to fill seats and. And sell merchants. So it's like there wasn't really, like a collective buy in. Right. And ultimately, it's like Brube is going to coast with what he's got. It's up to. It's up to the GM to be like, this guy's done.
[00:31:03] Speaker B: Right?
[00:31:03] Speaker A: Nice. Is injured. He's done. He's done, he's done. And I'm going to basically give you, like, some Marley. It's. It's. I call it a strategic tank. Right? It's like you're just going to basically ice a lineup of your B players like it's preseason again. Right. But there is some disconnect there, and I think they need to bring in. So to answer your question, they need to bring in some more voices. I think they get Shane Doane in an elevated role, and you bring in Hayley Wickenheiser and elevate her role.
[00:31:27] Speaker B: I like that.
[00:31:27] Speaker A: It'd be huge.
[00:31:28] Speaker B: That's a big pick. Was Hailey Wickenheiser. That was.
[00:31:31] Speaker A: Yeah. You don't see a lot of females in front in Seattle. You got it right, Campbell, right?
[00:31:37] Speaker B: Yep. Yep.
[00:31:38] Speaker A: She's assistant coach, a head coach.
[00:31:41] Speaker B: She's. And you know what? That. That's. She's a legend. And Shane Doane is. These player GMs is something that I really looked at, too. Joel Sakic, Stevie Eisenman, some great minds out there. And firing Berube. I'm a fan of keeping Berubai.
[00:31:54] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:31:55] Speaker B: If they let him go, I'M interested to see who they bring in but I will say that I think when it comes from a GM perspective I think they need to bring in somebody who can have the both control of the say and to be honest I hope it isn't I know people are talking about Doug Armstrong. They're talking about some of these names and I hope it is not Doug Armstrong. I'm going to say that flat. I have heard about Mike Gillis being president and not gm. I'm okay with that because of what he is from a brain perspective but I'm going to stick to the GM spot. One person that has really sticking out to me is Sunny Mita and I probably pronounced his last name incorrectly and you can roast me below. He's the assistant GM and head of analytics for the Florida Panthers and he's a key member of hockey operations managing a Linux analytics team and I think and hope if Pelly's talking about analytical and forward thinking that is a mind that you have to look at as Sonny I'm also a fan of very under the bridge take that people probably are not thinking of is Joe Thornton. I think Joel Thornton is an interesting pick. He loves his area in San Jose. He's involved in Hockey Canada. Somebody who has played on these team former player could collaborate very well with someone like Shane Doane and Haley Wickenheiser if there was a collaboration between them there be very interesting but my guy that is Sonny Amita from the Florida Panthers.
[00:33:16] Speaker A: Joe just Joe kind of fit that role though like I'd almost maybe lean towards a Jason Spetzer. He's a little bit more serious and and sure you know sure that's a good one too. Not not seriously but he just kind of seems like he's like a guy like you know he was at the part of the mentors trip with with Matthews this year a few years ago and he likes to be around but I don't know if like that's that's really a role suited for him. I I that's a good take. Maybe maybe Spezza like he you know he has that experience being dubious right hand man in Pitt right.
[00:33:47] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:33:48] Speaker A: I love how some people were like data centric they want okay we'll bring back dubious. I'm like dubious would do this would laugh he's like oh actually I'm on I'm heading on a bird right now
[00:33:58] Speaker B: I can't talk my biggest my my first pick is Sunny from the Florida Panthers is there interesting I like I like that pick. I've done my background look and I've looked at different pieces and despite the names that are flashy that are out there right now, Sonny is the guy from the Florida Panthers. If you don't know who he is, he's worth a Google. I've done research on assistant GMs in the league. I've looked or looked really around and thought about this topic. This is somebody that I think should be a prime class number one. And he's obviously been a key part of building that team in Florida who has won back to back cups. He has done very, very well. I am really much a fan of Sonny. He should be the next GM in Toronto.
[00:34:40] Speaker A: You know who I think Haley and
[00:34:42] Speaker B: Shane don't need to stay remain in this organization though. 100.
[00:34:45] Speaker A: I think. I think their role should be elevated. Imagine they. They elevated. Yeah. Imagine they tag team the.
The GM like general manager like GM or the president operation. Like let's, let's, you know, let's think outside the box here. Right.
[00:35:00] Speaker B: Yeah, I agree. I agree.
[00:35:01] Speaker A: You know what though? The ultimate choice, Alex Parr.
[00:35:04] Speaker B: I thought you could say me. I would have been honored.
[00:35:06] Speaker A: Alex.
[00:35:06] Speaker B: You know, I've won nine cups. NHL franchise mode.
[00:35:09] Speaker A: I feel like Alex. Pardon. Like has dinners with, with Keith Pelly and, and he, he had an idea where this was headed after the Florida loss in game seven. He just, he just knew what was going down. And I mean he, when he said he's out like, he's like ghosting out.
[00:35:26] Speaker B: Ghosting out for full out.
[00:35:27] Speaker A: Full on.
[00:35:28] Speaker B: He knew something was going on. He knew something was going on. We got to get him back to answer that question now.
[00:35:34] Speaker A: He's never coming back.
[00:35:35] Speaker B: All right.
[00:35:36] Speaker A: The possibility of Alex Parr coming back is the same as Canada winning the World cup this year. Or we should do that. We should put them on Ultimate. If Canada wins or Canada advances from the group stage, you got to come back to the pod.
[00:35:47] Speaker B: That's a great idea. I'm going to text you.
[00:35:48] Speaker A: Let's do that after we're done.
[00:35:49] Speaker B: Yeah, I like that. Like that. Cool. You should. If I forget, put it on the group. All right. That's my take. Everyone comment below. Who you think would be a hot take for the Leafs gm? I gave you mine and hopefully it's sunny in Toronto. That's what I'll go with. That's not the, that's not the title of this episode. I hope you guys know that. I'm keeping it simple. All right.
[00:36:06] Speaker A: I hope you take a puck off the ankle for that cringy. Line.
[00:36:10] Speaker B: I'll let you know if I do. Now last thing before I let you go, Brandon. I promised a couple rapid fire questions. Okay. We'll keep it quick before we wrap up the show. We've had a great top shell segment. Overdue 30 minutes worth. Awesome little extra. But it's okay. Let's get to these questions and we will wrap up the show. All right, Biggest disappointment this year in the National Hockey League.
[00:36:30] Speaker A: Sorry, I know it's rapid fire. It's easy to say Toronto, but Toronto.
[00:36:33] Speaker B: I'm going to go New York Rangers. Just. Just because. Just because I feel like saying the Rangers biggest surprise team.
[00:36:39] Speaker A: Nashville, Pittsburgh.
[00:36:41] Speaker B: For me, most feel the best, feel good story of the season.
[00:36:45] Speaker A: Feel good story.
I guess Utah.
[00:36:48] Speaker B: Utah. I'll say Buffalo. Okay, the Buffalo Sabers. Now last thing to make it real hot out of the. Out of the end to put you right on the spot with two Canadian boys. Who is better right now? Connor McDavid or the dog Nathan McKinnon.
[00:37:05] Speaker A: Just better question mark.
[00:37:07] Speaker B: Just who is better right now? Today, April 1st. No April fools nonsense.
[00:37:13] Speaker A: Nate dog.
[00:37:14] Speaker B: Nate dog. I'll stick Connor McDavid. I got to stick with Connor McDavid. That's the last question I was going to ask you but you know what I was. I wanted one fiant fun wildcard question so I lied. This will be the last one. One rule you change.
What would what rule would you change if you can make it immediately changed one rule three on three.
[00:37:35] Speaker A: Ten minutes.
[00:37:35] Speaker B: We are so aligned.
[00:37:37] Speaker A: Also sorry, I'll do a 1B. Go back to 1v8.
[00:37:42] Speaker B: Yes. Eastern Conference seating down. Yes. Yes. Aligned to both.
[00:37:46] Speaker A: 1A1.
[00:37:47] Speaker B: Those are some good answers. Those are some good answers. Some the socials are going to have fun with that one now. Brennan. That was good. Another top shelf in the books my friend. We'll be back next week. We're going to start talking little playoffs, you know and then we got the playoff matchups by the next episode by the absolute latest predicting our playoffs. You know, getting to the annual predictions for the Stanley cup playoffs. I want to say thank you my friend. It's been a joy. We got to what we can talking about the Leafs and all the NHL today and as always I appreciate your time dude.
[00:38:15] Speaker A: Thank you my man.
[00:38:16] Speaker B: Be well awesome and thank you to all you the viewers and listeners of the game sports podcast. If you aren't interacting or aren't following, make sure you are on all social media platforms.
Tick tock. Instagram. Look, YouTube 91N spaces. We're all over to search the game sports podcast like I said a couple weeks ago, I searched on chat GPT the podcast. It actually gave links and it said booyah. Sorry, no way. I went to Gemini. I went to Gemini and searched it and said booyah. When I said it said the game sports podcast bracket.
You gotta check that, see if it does that. Chat GPT and Gemini got you covered. If you really need to know where we are, but just search us, we are there.
[00:38:52] Speaker A: All right.
[00:38:53] Speaker B: Over 10 years we've been there. Now, as again, I want to say thank you to Brennan. I want to say thank you to Jerry in the background, of course, for all the hard work that he does for us. Only a couple weeks left with Jerry. Then back to that old editor we have. That's a, that's a step down. That old editor that's going to be stepping back into the episodes to do. And also to all you out there, happy April Fool's Day. Hopefully you didn't get pranked too much by the time you listen, this is probably after April Fool's Days, but guess what? So be it. A lot of things are going to be happening in sports next couple weeks and we are going to be here to be a part of it with you. And until next time, I'm here to remind you to keep your stick on the ice. Swing your bats, catch touchdowns, train your threes and shoot your shots. Booyah.
[00:39:29] Speaker A: Hey,
