Pretenders and Contenders of the North | The Game Sports Podcast

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome to another edition of the Game Sports podcast. [00:00:02] Speaker B: David McCaig here, host of the game powered by 91 Network. In this episode, it'll be three segments. In the first segment, yours truly alone discussing updates around the diamond. In segment two, I'll be joined by Alex Parr getting to our pretenders contenders. [00:00:16] Speaker A: When it comes to canadian teams, National. [00:00:17] Speaker B: Hockey League blind ranking quiz, and the 1994 NHL Redraft, plus much more. And in the final segment, I'll be joined by Justin Heiko for in the pockets. Let's go. Yeah. And it's time for the Game sports podcast. David McCake Junior here, host of the game. And as I mentioned in the very opening of the show, the game sports. [00:00:42] Speaker A: Podcast is powered by 91 Network. And look, you can follow us on social media. That's TikTok, Instagram, Facebook. [00:00:48] Speaker B: Heck, you may have been directed here through TikTok clip. [00:00:52] Speaker A: Maybe you're listening on Spotify. Maybe you're watching me right now on YouTube. Either way, wherever you're watching or viewing whatever it may be, hit like follow and subscribe and don't hesitate to interact. We love the interactions. [00:01:05] Speaker B: Now, in this first segment, I discussed. [00:01:07] Speaker A: Talking about baseball, and I'm gonna get to that in just a moment. But I want to give a quick. [00:01:11] Speaker B: Shout out to a platform that the. [00:01:12] Speaker A: Game sports podcast is gonna be joining in a couple weeks. [00:01:15] Speaker B: It is called spaces. [00:01:17] Speaker A: It is through Sioux today, which if you are in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where the game is located, obviously Saultoday is very well known, but if you're outside of Susan, you may know the name of village Media. [00:01:27] Speaker B: All in all, that is all connected. [00:01:29] Speaker A: And it is a community platform that features a space. [00:01:32] Speaker B: It could be sports, could be hockey. [00:01:34] Speaker A: Spaces that you can think of, all in this platform called spaces. And it's a lot of the local talent here in Sault Ste. Marie that are on there, of course. But if you're outside of Sault Ste. Marie, don't hesitate to bookmark that and remind yourself to check that out because maybe there's a space that you'll enjoy on there. But make sure you keep your tabs and of course, keep your eye on all uploads of the game sports podcast. [00:01:56] Speaker B: Now, Alex Parr and Justin Heiker are. [00:01:59] Speaker A: Going to be joining me a little bit later on in the show. [00:02:02] Speaker B: I'm going to spend this first segment. [00:02:04] Speaker A: As I talked about in the opening, talking about baseball. And I'm not going to get into too much time with that because usually this is Connor Henderson's spotlight. Okay? And Connor's unable to join us this evening. So I'm going to get into baseball and I'm going to get into something about Juan Soto that may surprise you or may not surprise you. And if I have time, I might do a little bit of about my projections about the Blue Jays off season, but we may have to table that for when Conor joins. But I will go at the best of what I can here in the short timeframe. [00:02:32] Speaker B: So talking about the baseball playoffs right. [00:02:34] Speaker A: Now, obviously we're in the league championship series. [00:02:38] Speaker B: You got the Mets, you got the. [00:02:39] Speaker A: Dodgers, you got the Guardians, and you got the Yankees. As I'm currently recording, the Yankees and Guardians are set to have first pitch. [00:02:47] Speaker B: And the Yankees are up one. [00:02:49] Speaker A: Nothing into that series. And to be transparent, I do expect the Yankees to go up to nothing after this game tonight. I just feel like the Yankees in the first game, they look, they look. [00:02:59] Speaker B: Really special right now. [00:03:00] Speaker A: They were not my prediction to win. Okay. But ultimately, I think the Guardians could outplay the Yankees, could win this series, could play small ball against them. And if they do go down to nothing after their game tonight, that is a team that could battle back because. [00:03:17] Speaker B: They have that spirit. [00:03:18] Speaker A: But the Yankees look really good looking at the Dodgers and Mets. Of course, the Mets winning game two there. [00:03:24] Speaker B: Of course that series is going to. [00:03:26] Speaker A: Be closer than people maybe imagine. But the Dodgers are something special to watch, too. And as I stated in my prediction, I didn't want to be boring and say the Yankees and Dodgers, Guardians and Dodgers were my prediction. Maybe people still think that's boring, but it really seems like it's going to line up to be the Dodgers and the Yankees. But I still pick him with my prediction to win. And that is Shohei Ohtani and his Dodgers in the World Series this year. But the playoffs overall have been so exciting to watch. You have to agree to that. [00:03:54] Speaker B: And a big part of that for me is a team that holds very. [00:03:57] Speaker A: Closely to my heart and also very closely to the Game Sports podcast heart the Detroit Tigers. Obviously the late Scott Mason was a huge Detroit Tigers fan and casual member of the games sports podcast family, Butch Davis, who was obviously on a lot with, with Scott. Big followers and obviously big supporter of the Detroit Tigers, involved in media there in Detroit in general. For years, Detroit Tigers were a team that always kept an eye on and that we always discussed here on the show normally because the game had its live radio shows in Sioux Avery, Michigan through ESPN 1400. So there was always a tie there with the Tigers. And this year, obviously with me being a Toronto Blue Jays fan, you don't see any Blue Jays jerseys up any longer. Those have been taken down once the playoffs started and the Blue Jays obviously didn't make it this year when it comes to watching the Blue Jays. When the playoffs started, my were on the Tigers. There's a team that had a 0.2% chance to make the playoffs and they made the playoffs. You didn't expect what was going to happen, them even winning, to move past the wild card, getting onto the next round. They were just playing with house money. They were just there in their moment and the Detroit Tigers looked like they belonged. They were impressive to watch in August, they're impressive to watch in September. Their pitching was phenomenal. They sold some pieces at the deadline and again, you didn't expect this team to make it, but they did and they did not disappoint in the playoffs. It was great to watch other storylines. The Orioles really, really showing that they can't succeed in the playoffs right now, which is very unfortunate. And you can trust me when I say it, being a sports fan of multiple teams and a couple of which that don't succeed in the playoffs. Look, one one of them being in baseball, it is tough to watch, especially with that young, talented team in Baltimore. I had really high hopes for them this season earlier. If you listen to the season preview where I pegged the Orioles to be this year, this season ultimately has been full of surprises. And I include the Blue Jays into that. I include the Braves into that. I thought that would be a team that would be at least in the Final Four when it came to the end of the season, given the money that they spent on players, the roster. But I'm speaking about the playoffs, and the overall playoffs has been exciting to watch and the Tigers have been on the forefront of that. And heck, it could be just because of the community that I am being so close to Detroit. But if you look at any news, you look at any, any article, listen to podcasts, people that are sports fans that were not cheering for the teams that they were playing against or other teams in the playoffs. They were cheering for the Tigers. Everyone loves a Cinderella story, and that's what the Tigers were this year. But you know what? Everyone says it doesn't matter unless you win a now, you know what? This may sound cliche or may be very unfortunate to state, especially for your fan, because you want to see your team win at the end of the day. But as I said a few moments ago, they're playing with house money and now this team is going to be an attraction for players to play, players to stay. And they're not just going to just float going to next year. They may not make too many moves because they don't really need to. They can bring back a good corps of guys. They have a set of set roster, but they can add pieces. They're going to put them over that hump, and they have money to spend, and I'm going to get to that in just a few moments. But these playoffs in general have been very, in my opinion, exciting to watch, especially if you were watching the Tigers, the Dodgers games, when it came to the Dodgers and the Padres, those were great. The Mets really holding their own in game two, winning seven three. In that game, it's like they lose nine nothing, game one, then they win seven three. [00:07:33] Speaker B: You can't predict games. [00:07:35] Speaker A: It seems like you just gotta. [00:07:36] Speaker B: You just gotta go with your gut. [00:07:39] Speaker A: It seems like, on how that game's gonna. How the game's gonna go, because that's how the first and second game went between the Dodgers and the Mets. And who knows how game two is gonna go between the Yankees and the Guardians. Yankees being at home in the playoffs in the way that they're playing right now. Despite how I predicted the Guardians to play the DoDgers in the World Series, the Yankees, they just seemed to really tough right now, and I'd be very surprised if they, if they lost tonight. I really feel like a game two victory is going to be with the Yankees tonight. So ultimately, these playoffs have been exciting to watch, and it's sad to see the Cinderella story of the Tigers end, but they have stuff to build on. Okay, now, I'm going to table the Tigers for a second, and I'm going to go to the Toronto Blue Jays. And I said, I don't want to get into too much of the off season yet because we're not there. But I heard an interesting point about the Blue Jays saying how they should sign Boba shet now because it's the best value that they're going to get. Guy hasn't played. I didn't play all year. He come off his worst season. [00:08:42] Speaker B: I agree with that. [00:08:43] Speaker A: I think it would be a good idea to keep Boba. Shit, look, he is a guy who can hit 25, 30 home runs when healthy. And yes, he may have not been in the best game shape that he could have been, but he knows that he has to play now. And if you give him security and give him money now and show that Karen to him and get him into that routine, and you have him and Vlad playing together because you know that they really want to play together, then I think you can expand from there. I've said this on so many clips and so many points, pay the man to Vladimir Guerrero junior. But I think if there's going to be teams that are aggressive for spending money, it is the Blue Jays and it is the Tigers. Okay? And I'm not saying the Blue Jays, because I'm a Blue Jays fan, they lost out on Ohtani last year with the expectation that they thought they had a very good chance, if not the chance, to get them. They're keeping the same management and they're on very thin ice, even though they should have been fired probably after this past season, they're going to go all in, they're going to spend money, they're going to beef up this roster and they're going to try to improve it. And if they don't and they just got it or let it go the way that it is, then they'll be lucky to have a job at the quarter point of the season. And if they don't get terminated for that, I hope fans riot because this is and was supposed to be our window to win. If you're a Blue Jay fan, that is what you're saying now. Speaking of money to spend, there are areas of the Blue Jays can improve on. You can always look at improving the bullpen. There may be opportunity, of course, to improve the pitching, the bottom of the order, but a DH, someone who can play outfield and DH, would be a great fit for the Blue Jaysh. Fingers do point to Tioska Hernandez, especially if he wins the World Series of the Dodgers. Bring that, bring that ingredient back to the Toronto Blue Jays. But why don't they reach a little bit higher? Juan Soto, will he say with the Yankees? Honestly? Probably. The Yankees will probably open the checkbook, especially if they make the World Series. He's going to see that he's on a team that he can be successful with, they can afford them, and then they're always going to be and try to be a competitive team and spend money. Soto will likely stay, but why not the Toronto Blue Jays? Why wouldn't Juan Soto consider going to the Toronto Blue Jays? Open the checkbook to him. Open the checkbook to Vladimir Guerrero, junior. Get Bo Bashette locked in. You have Springer, who still has a good year left, in my honest opinion. [00:11:07] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:11:07] Speaker A: Varsho there with the, with the lineup. You have a team that if you add that DH presence and just fill out the rotation or the bullpen I should say, and the bottom of the order accordingly to be a good team that can get on base. This is something special in Toronto, but despite how I feel, Juan Soto could be a favorite destination for the Blue Jays. The New York Mets are going to be in that conversation. I obviously the Yankees, the Mets, the Blue Jays, those are teams that I think might be in that conversation. But there's another team, and I'm going to bring them back into this conversation. The Detroit Tigers, they have youth. They have control on a lot of young guys. They made a very good run this year. They can likely give Soto what he wants. It's a passionate fan base when it comes to baseball. It's a storied franchise. It's a franchise where he can build with these young guys and help create a dynasty there with the Detroit Tigers. Why not throw Soto on the Detroit Tigers? You're going to say, well, they're going to throw off the nucleus, is going to throw off the chemistry. Look, it's baseball. You're not throwing somebody on the first line in hockey. You're not changing the rotation when it comes to a basketball game with your five there on the court. You're ultimately adjusting and adding to an. [00:12:30] Speaker B: Already. [00:12:33] Speaker A: Well put together roster there with the Detroit Tigers. Add a piece and look it out into the rotation. I think the Tigers can be very busy this offseason, but in a good way. And it's really rare that teams just go out and make a splash after having a story season like the Tigers have had. But it makes sense. It truly does. And if you disagree, let me know below. I think it makes sense that Juan Soto looks at one of staying in New York, going to the other side of New York, Toronto or the Tigers. Those are the four, but I think the top two. And it isn't bias Detroit and Toronto. Why not just why do, why, why not do something that will get you something for a pedigree? You're young. Please do something different and not stay with the Yankees. Go to another team, the Mets. That's another predictable team. The Tigers. The Blue Jays. Heck, I'd be happier if Soto went to the Guardians. Another good young team with some good Canadians on that team as well. The Nailers. So there's teams that could be opening that checkbook, but I think the Blue Jays and Tigers might be those teams spend about the 13 minutes you're talking about baseball, talking about the playoffs and how it's been a storied playoff, the Tigers, and of course, a little bit of what I think the offseason could look like, but last year's excitement went somewhere boring, per se. But obviously he made the right choice going to that team. And that is Shohei Ohtani to the Los Angeles Dodgers. What will the story be this offseason? We'll have to. [00:14:05] Speaker B: We'll have to. [00:14:06] Speaker A: We'll have to put that away until the offseason. We'll have to wait and see what happens. But we got some playoff baseball going on. We got the final four. Mets, Dodgers, guardians, Yankees. It has been a great playoffs to this point. Tigers, congratulations to an absolute terrific season. Didn't get what you ultimately wanted, which was the World Series, but you over exceeded expectations and there's a lot to build off there. And the Tigers will be back. Now I'm going to take a quick breather. When I get back from my breather, Alex Parr is going to be joining. [00:14:41] Speaker B: Me and we're going to be getting into hockey. [00:14:42] Speaker A: This is Alex's first show in about three months. Obviously with summertime he tends to take an absence when it comes to the summer. We do some shows, but ultimately there's a lot of solo shows with me, Connor coming on and talking about baseball. And of course, now that we're in the beginning of hockey season, puck chop has started three, four ish, five ish games into the season. Alex and I have a lot to talk about, but last week we missed doing our preview show because of technical difficulties and schedule conflicts. So that's why we didn't have a show last week. So when it comes into this week, we're going to try to get what we can. We're going to say it's 15 minutes, but let's be real. We're probably going to hit a half hour and we're going to get into everything that we can. But the one thing that very excited for that you should be is the pretenders and contenders. When it comes to canadian landscape in hockey, you'll definitely want to interact with that one. We'll be right back. Alex will be joining me. Don't go anywhere. [00:15:37] Speaker B: Welcome back to the Game Sports podcast. David K. Continuing to host you this evening. Now, I am very excited because it's been a few months, to say the least, that he has been able to join me on this podcast because of, well, content of the show, schedule conflicts, whatever way you want to look at. [00:15:55] Speaker C: It, he was summer. [00:15:56] Speaker B: It's summer. There's a lot of reasons, but now we're obviously back with hockey, and I wouldn't be speaking about hockey. Well, there's a couple people on this show who would join me with hockey, of course, but with no one other than Alex Parr. Alex, my friend, great to talk to you. Great to have you back on the show. It's been a few months vacation that you had, but now it's time to get back rocking. And that's. I'm excited that you're back on. [00:16:20] Speaker C: I got my PPE, I got my work boots. I'm ready to head back to work now. I've missed you, Dave. I've missed the viewers at home here. I can't wait. And you know what? This hockey season so far off to a pretty good start, if I do say so myself. [00:16:34] Speaker B: I would. I would agree. And we got like a similar, right? [00:16:38] Speaker C: I was gonna say that. Yeah, you're. [00:16:40] Speaker B: Your button is the opposite of mine right now. And you're. And you're pink and I'm blue. Oh, like it is. It is great. [00:16:49] Speaker C: Just like a gender reveal party rating pop off, you know, love that. [00:16:54] Speaker B: And no, that's not it. Nope. [00:16:56] Speaker C: No, that's nothing. That's nothing. There's literally no more than just pink and blue. [00:16:59] Speaker B: Pink and blue. I'm leaving at that. And obviously I give a little shout to Mario Turco. Jersey being behind me in front of that jersey says, happy birthday, David on there. When I was young, it was one of my teenage birthdays, he gave me a jersey for my birthday. And there's a reason why he's up there today. Okay. There's a reason why he is up. So nonetheless, obviously we had a season preview show last week, Alex, between myself and Brandon McCarthy. Now, no one has seen Brandon McCarthy. Yes, they're wondering who the heck that is. He's obviously one of our new contributors here on the Game sports podcast. And that show, due to schedule conflicts and some technical difficulties he was on that was unable to be uploaded. So this segment, we're going to get into everything that we can in our short period of time with some of the games or quizzes that we play at the end. But of course, going to talk about the season that has already started and a little bit of preview around the NHL season for 2024. 2025. Look, hockey is back and it's been a good start to the season overall. And I'm not just saying if you're a Toronto fan or if you're a New Jersey fan, or if you're this fan and you're not an Edmonton fan, whatever it may be, it just feels good that hockey's back. But I did say on previous shows I was talking to Justin when we're kind of teasing hockey coming back, that the season just feels like it's ended. Right. We talked about this before. We literally just Stanley cup unhoisted. And then after that, there's the draft, free agency. And then all summer happened. It felt like you didn't have any gap between the offseason to now it seems like it was really quick where football, it's like February and then, yeah, there's the draft, there's some free agency, but it feels like there's enough gap. When football comes back, it's like you have that extra, your extra amp because they have that patience in between. Right? Par. But hockey's back and Matthews is wearing the c. You got gudess. We're wearing a c in Anaheim. If you're a leaf fan, you're not a fan of raccoons. The Utah hockey club where Arizona is like, so good. What the hell was, where was this when we. There's a lot of good storylines that has happened. And even one other good storyline that I like, Jake Allen is the first goalie in NHL history to get 33 wins. Like, not 33 wins, 33 franchises. [00:19:13] Speaker C: That's to beat 33. All 33 franchises. [00:19:16] Speaker B: Unreal. [00:19:17] Speaker A: Unreal. [00:19:18] Speaker B: Good storylines. [00:19:19] Speaker C: It's. But there's an asterisk to it. I mean, he's beaten Arizona before. There's not 33 teams in the league right now. You know that. It's, yeah, it's a, it's a cool headline, I guess. But I mean, yeah. Are people saying they beat 33 teams if they beat the Atlanta Thrashers? No, they're not saying that. You know what I mean? [00:19:39] Speaker B: So the Atlanta Thrashers. Great one from the archive, by the way. [00:19:43] Speaker C: Dude. [00:19:43] Speaker B: I'm with Atlanta Thrashers Nick Anthropov. I was gonna say Daniel Colby. [00:19:53] Speaker C: Nick Anthropov. Colby Armstrong and Ray Ferraro. Oh, Andre Pavlick. [00:19:58] Speaker B: Oh, my goodness. He fainted on the ice. That was sad. [00:20:00] Speaker C: Who? [00:20:01] Speaker B: Andre Pavlick, the goalie. [00:20:03] Speaker C: Did he? [00:20:03] Speaker B: Yeah. He's in Atlanta. Yeah. I don't know why I remember. That's not, I guess that's a big news. That's a, that's a thing. But, like, at the same time, I don't know why that came to head first, but nonetheless. So the way that I was thinking about for this season, obviously, the season has gotten underway par. So I think I want to take a different approach to our season preview. And I wanted to, to do kind of like a canadian. We're gonna do a ranking thing at the end but I want to do and contenders, canadian edition. Okay, I want to get into that. But before we do, I want to talk about teams that may interest us this year, going into this year based on if they were awful last year, if they didn't, if they met expectations, whatever it may be. And I'll start to give you an example. I call it the revenge year for this team and you're going to roll your eyes because it's someone that is a familiar coach. New Jersey Devils is my revenge team this year. The reason why I'm saying the New Jersey Devils, they didn't make the playoffs last year. They got Markstrom and they improved their team and they, I feel like that team is just too good to not be a playoff team. They're too good offensively, defensively. Look, take it from a guy who had Jack Hughes in his fantasy hockey last year, which obviously really worked out for me in the end, but they added where they needed to to make that team better and they addressed coaching. Sheldon Keef, say what you want about him if you're a Toronto fan, still a good coach. He was successful in Toronto. He's going to have a different approach there in New Jersey. New Jersey's had a hot start to the year. Sheldon Keef, I said this before the season started. I want to make sure I note that is my early pick for Jack Adams this year. [00:21:37] Speaker C: That's crazy. [00:21:38] Speaker B: That's my early pick this year because I feel like New Jersey is going to make the playoffs. They might even win the Metro that will maybe at least come second. And I think that's where Sheldon keeps definitely going to get factored. But obviously with Utah doing what they're doing, maybe you should give a little love there for Jack Adams team. [00:21:56] Speaker C: I don't want to say like because like I don't have a Jack Adams prediction. So for me, just a poo poo cacao over your predictions. Kind of like, you know, not really fair, but the Jack Adams award goes to the guy who coaches the team that did the most surprising and New Jersey being good is not going to be very surprising. Like you're saying, like that's a good roster that just needed a goalie and they have it. Speaking of teams that needed a goalie and have one now, and now I say the ball is in their court with their young core. The Ottawa Senators, Linus all mark. Oh my goodness. You can't go anywhere in this goddamn city without people saying all mark. Yeah, we're in here now. Yeah. Leaf fans, watch out. He's good. He's really good. And it took no time for this city to realize that. And for a team that's young, making mistakes is going to hurt a lot more than a guy who's a veteran who makes a mistake. And that's going to linger in your head a little bit more. But now that you have a goalie who can bail you out and your mistakes won't be as amplified and will be able to give you a chance to win in games, maybe you shouldn't have a chance to win in. That's a team that could probably make a pretty big jump, especially in comparison to last year. Corpus Allo and under Anderso guard. I don't even know what his first name is. [00:23:11] Speaker B: Orsborg in there. You got Antoine Forsberg too. Yeah, like got a carousel in that. They really bought into corporate silo last year thinking that he was going to be that guy when they went into the offseason, when he went to LA and has such a strong out at the end of season and playoffs and they signed him in Ottawa to that money. And then you traded him. A good thing, Boston, if you're a Boston fan because you had Swayman, the drama was Swayman for. For a little bit before he signed. You knew he was going nowhere. Okay. I did make a bold prediction that he was going to get traded. The Vancouver Canuck side. I did. I did say that. I also said a lot of other ideas. St. Louis Blues for Bennington. I thought multiple things that could have worked in Boston's favor. But we all knew Suyman was coming back to the, to the Boston Bruins. No one leaves when you go there unless you do get traded. And they're not always the forefront of trade of trades unless it's a trade deadline. But these usually sign guys and they're guys to longer term deals and they buy in and it's a culture that is a family type culture. Bergeron, Chara, Marchanthe. Obviously they had to let go of Sueman or Allmark because of the money, right? This is a Brandon Carlo. The list goes on. That's the Boston Bruins kind of culture and all Mark brings that culture to the Ottawa senators and hopefully he can be a goalie that they've been waiting to get. You know, if you see what they've had, Dominic Hasek. They did have a veteran Dominic Hasack. Not young Dominic Hasack, very old Dominic Hasek. Sorry. And then Patrick Lalim was that goalie in the early thousands who got shelled. [00:24:36] Speaker C: By the Leafs in the playoffs all the time. [00:24:38] Speaker B: Every year, right. Obviously they've had different goaltenders come in, but I think Omar can be that guy who can have that opportunity to really help them be. Get over that hump to be a wild card team. At the very least this year they have a strong chance to do that. But I know we're going to talk canadian teams, so maybe that's a good segue. The Ottawa Senators par under contender pretender. [00:24:59] Speaker C: Still, you would really need all mark to really like play like win another Vezna kind of deal to. To really push this team over the edge to make the playoffs. Is that impossible? No, definitely not impossible. I just. That's a big ask for a team that was really far out of the playoffs. So I'm optimistic for them, but not enough to make the playoffs this year. I think they're on the right path. [00:25:21] Speaker B: So you say pretender. Okay, so I'll go to one more thing outside of the Canadians for canadian teams. For a second, I want to say that I am excited this year to watch the Red Wings. I'm not a Redwick fan, but I. I feel like the Atlantic division is just going to be absolute turmoil this year. I feel like it's going to be fun to watch and also to see what the second year of Conor Bedard can do. You know, that sophomore year of a player, he has a wicked shot on him. I he's not built like McDavid tall and that I. But Bedard is on a team where he. I really thought maybe they would give him an early captaincy, but they gave it to Felino. Right. Which might be the right choice, actually. [00:26:04] Speaker C: Yeah. I mean, how long is Felino going to be around, right. You're just going to hand that off to Bedard right after. So it's not really that big of a deal. [00:26:10] Speaker B: But Bedard shot, look, he's NHL. That shot is top in the league of that snapper that he has this. I'm excited to see what he can do in a second year and especially if he can be healthy for the entire year. Right. There was one person who was also injured in the rookie years. Name was Connor McDavid and he had a very good second year when he came back. Not saying bedard's mcDavid. I never said that. I actually compared Bedard to stamcos a lot, but there's obviously a lot of similarities with that generational talent. I feel like Chicago, Conor Bedard, it's going to be a good. It's going to. They're not going to be good this year. They're going to be bottom of the standings. Absolutely. But I think it'd be good to watch Bedard. To see his growth this year is going to be exciting to watch. [00:26:47] Speaker C: I thought you said we were doing canadian teams. [00:26:50] Speaker B: We are. So I'm going to go back. I want the revenge. The revenge teams for me are New Jersey, Detroit this year because Detroit was on that wild card a and they just they didn't make it that last game. But I want to throw a little side note that I'm excited about Bedard this year. I watched him play against the Oilers last weekend and Jesus. Developments looking in the right direction. If you're Chicago, all right, canadian teams, you talk about Ottawa being a pretender. All right, I will say that I'm going to go out on a limb and still say that they're a pretender, but they're going to fight for a wild card. They're going to be 1.23 points on the outside looking and they're going to get that taste, but they're going to be on the outside looking in. [00:27:30] Speaker A: So I'll say that they are also pretender. [00:27:32] Speaker B: Montreal Canadiens I'll start with Montreal Canadiens and go to you par I feel like Montreal is taking steps in the right direction. The line a injury certainly hurts them to begin the year, but I feel like they're really filling out. There's top six, they're goaltending, Samuel mount them both plays like Dominic Hasack against the Tron Maple Leafs. But when you when he's a consistent goaltendere, Heck, he's a favorite to maybe play one of the candidates goalies right now. Top three. [00:27:57] Speaker C: Okay, let's pump the breaks here. [00:28:02] Speaker B: It's been a chat. It's been a thing. You can look it up. Don't believe me. I'm not saying he's going to be, though. Nonetheless, this is a team that I still consider as a pretender. Montreal Canadiens are a pretender to me. Still. They're also going to be like Ottawa outside looking in. I think they'll be going to be behind Ottawa, though, even though I think they're kind of Ottawa in some degree of their team. I just feel like goaltending is going to be a big factor in that because all mark is better than all the Abs goaltenders and just something about Ottawa this year. It just has that. That bill, that feisty build that can get down at the end of the season and stay healthy and just help you grind out those games. But Montreal's gonna be right behind Ottawa, so I'll have to say pretender. [00:28:39] Speaker C: Yeah. I mean, Cole Caulfield, the only 40 goal scorer that's never scored 40 goals, really needs to actually score 40 goals. Nick Suzuki needs to jump another big leap and, yeah, there's. There's no shot. This team's making the playoffs. I'm sorry, Montreal fans. [00:28:55] Speaker B: No. Now, Calgary Flames bar. Okay, what are you, pretender or contender? [00:29:01] Speaker C: Yeah. Just like so many of these canadian teams are just middling average teams at best. I don't think Calgary's got enough to get them back into the playoffs. I don't think they're strong enough in net. I don't think there's. Well, their defense is the worst, but I don't think. I just don't see it. The only thing that I think could be a successful season for the Flames is if they finally get Dustin Wolf in playing regularly, even, even on the bench, just to be there and experience the ride of the show, because that guy will be your difference maker if you make sure to nurture him correctly. So let's do that this year and not worry so much about making the playoffs. [00:29:42] Speaker B: I agree. I know they're hot. Off to a hot start right now. [00:29:44] Speaker A: As we're recording this podcast. [00:29:45] Speaker B: They're 30 at this recording. Remind everybody it's October 15. When we're recording, they're three and all, and obviously hot starts are good at the beginning of the year, but they got to maintain it for the season. I really don't think that the Calgary Flames are in that position now. The Edmonton Oilers. I'll go with the Edmonton Oilers. Another slow start to the year, but we all know this song and dance from last year being the worst team, the national athlete, to firing a coach and becoming and signing Corey Perry and getting hot at the end of the year now making the sand like a final only to lose in game seven. I think the Oilers are contender, though. This is not a team that's a pretender. They're going to turn it around. They're going to get better. They're going to get more consistent. But obviously, it's a little bit of a concern when you do start the season zero and three based on how they started their season. But again, let's date it back to last year. Park still a lot. [00:30:37] Speaker C: How often does a team start that bad and then make the playoffs and go to the Stanley cup finals? That's a very rare, rare occurrence. I mean, I can think of the blues. [00:30:45] Speaker B: That's it. [00:30:46] Speaker C: Yeah. And now they're losing again to start the season like, and I know we're sitting here like, oh, they did this last year. They did this last year. They were fine. Yeah, but how many times can you do that? How many teams can you show me back to back years started this bad, and we're actually half decent. Like, as long as the thought process doesn't creep into the Oilers players heads of, oh, yeah, well, we did this last year. We'll be okay. I don't. They're going to be fine. I know it. But, like, let's not drag this out as long as you did last year. [00:31:16] Speaker B: Yeah, I know. I think that with the division that they have, like, even Vancouver's off those lower starts you have, Vegas is a. [00:31:23] Speaker A: Little bit healthier this year. [00:31:24] Speaker B: So it's not going to be just like last year. It's going to be hard, harder to rebound. But again, if you go 39 and 39 games, obviously that's really going to help you. But you can't have the odds. It's not as much. So you get to see that. So I still say, though, and I think you agree, par. They are a contender. [00:31:42] Speaker C: Yeah. Reluctantly. They definitely are. Do you want to talk about Vancouver? Yeah, Vancouver. [00:31:47] Speaker B: Vancouver Canuck. [00:31:48] Speaker C: Let me start. Let me start this last year, I was a big Vancouver hater. Big Vancouver hater. I didn't like their build of the roster. I thought what they were the season before, that was exactly what they were, which was underwhelming. And look at what they did. They said, eat your words, par. You know, we're going to go on to the playoffs. But you know what I think about this year? I think I was right. They just got hot one year, and I think they're a pretender. Yeah, that's right. I said at the Vancouver Canucks, big pretender. They got lucky last year and they ain't going to do it again this year. They're not good enough to do it. Done. Pretender. [00:32:25] Speaker B: Pretender for the Vancouver Canucks. Look, I guess this would be our first disagreement. I'll still say that they are a contender, but they're not a top canadian team contender. This is a team that I believe will be a wild card team. They overachieved last year but will still be in the playoffs. I'll still stay contender, but I'm not disagreeing with par fully about the pretender part because last year they did overachieve and you might get that exposure this year. And if they can't maintain health and net, they might have to look elsewhere to try to upgrade if they want to solidify there and have a chance to get back into the postseason at a higher seat again. But right now I see this team as a contender. But flirting on that wild card spot. Now, Winnipeg jets. I'll start with this because I've always been, despite many other leaf fans, I'm actually. I have a soft spot for Winnipeg for two reasons. One, because of a previous job that I was at for longer term, because of where they're located and how much the involvement that team has with that. It was just a lot of stories there that I could share, but I won't. So I also was so excited when the pay came back in the league because friend of the show Paul Maurice. Right. Was the coach for a long time. So the Winnipeg jets. This is a team that I think is built for playoff hockey. They are. And last year, Connor Hallebach was absolutely atrocious. And there's somebody, if you want to talk about revenge, despite how good his year was, get him back in the playoffs this year, I guarantee you he's going to try to be lights out. But this team is built. The Shifeleys, the Logan Stanleys, the Adam Lowrys, these big guys that will just go in the corner and they will not stop on you. They will knock you on your ass and they will do what it takes to get in those dirty areas and put the puck in the net. Now you got Kyle Connor, who could put the puck in the net. Ealers. They got a good team there. They are a contender. And I'm very excited to see what they do this year. I think they can make a deep run and actually salvage some rough playoff exits. [00:34:22] Speaker C: They are Canada's best chance at a Stanley cup. Easy, hands down. I think they've. I don't know why people get down on teams who have had runs and haven't done it and kind of write them off. I. I always bring it back to Alex Ovechkin. How long did it take for them to kick at the can? Until they finally were able to lift it. [00:34:45] Speaker A: Why? [00:34:45] Speaker C: Why do we not think that those experiences are important and vital in shaping these players and making them more ready for the playoffs? They absolutely are. So why can't this team just make it happen? A lot of luck goes into winning a Stanley cup and a team that's been there a lot of times to know what has to go in to do it. I think that gives him a great shot. And like you say, Connor Hellebuch, arguably any given night, the best goalie on the face of the earth. Easy. [00:35:12] Speaker B: I would. I would take him in my starting lineup. If I'm trying to pick a team to go against the the Soviet Union in the seventies, eighties, I'm just thinking of all star teams. Bob Yorgret ski all these guys in their prime and I had to pick a team today. It would be very hard for me not to pick Hollaback. Not even Vasilevsky. I know there's Igor Shasturkin, Jake Ottinger. Ottinger right there. There's Kerry Price, but he's no longer playing some stuff to talk about active players. It'd be hard to not choose Halle Buck. He's definitely a top five in the league, if not top three, if he should be in your top three. But again, it's, there are some talented goaltenders in the fun fact they're american. Hollabuck Ottinger, America's goaltending looking spectacular. But hollaback, I agree with you par and I think that's a big part. If you have a strong goaltending and they have a good defensive structure too. I think they play well defensively. The reason, like 60% of the reason, I hate the blame on one person. But if Hollebuck actually stopped the puck last year, he was struggling. He struggled. He couldn't stop anything. And if he was able to have like over a 900 say percentage and not be in the 800 I and they win one of those games, it changes momentum. But a guy who, if he was able to stop a puck last year, I feel like there's a team that could have hit the second 3rd round, if not further. [00:36:28] Speaker C: Easy, easy, dude. Dave, I think it's time to give the people what they came here for though, you know? Yeah. [00:36:33] Speaker B: The Toronto Maple Leafs right now. I did save the quote unquote, as you would say, our favorite. I'm not going to say the best for last because that is extremely biased. And we're not biased in the show. [00:36:42] Speaker C: But you're just about to say that they are favorites. So that is pretty biased. [00:36:46] Speaker B: So I did say Winnipeg's a contender and I will say it right now. Toronto Maple Leafs are a contender. They are a contender. That is, if anyone disagrees. I want you to let first round failures aside, doesn't matter. Their contender means playoff bound. They are playoff bound and they're, they can make noise in the playoffs. [00:37:06] Speaker C: I'm, I want to say the thing that every person that hates the Leafs and their fans want us to say. Yeah, I'm really optimistic about this lineup. I'm saying the thing, I don't, I've done this before and I've always been wrong because, you know, it's just the way that it goes. They're off season. Man right now is looking mighty fine. The best defensive partner Morgan Riley has ever had hands down in Chris Tan have. I've just been watching some people break down his play, wins a quick battle, throws the puck up the ice. Chris past. [00:37:42] Speaker B: Boom. [00:37:42] Speaker C: That neutral zone already gone other way. I. If the crazy thing to say if the Leafs win the cup. Crazy, right? I am getting a Steven Lorentz jersey with the Stanley cup patch on it. I love him. [00:37:57] Speaker B: I love him. [00:37:57] Speaker C: I absolutely love him. [00:37:59] Speaker B: Those are guys that help you win. Champion. [00:38:01] Speaker C: He plays so tough every shift, and then he puts himself in really good chances to score. Anthony Stolars. Are you kidding me? More like Anthony stole the show. Stole Joseph walls job. God, that guy is good. [00:38:17] Speaker B: Hillary Hill to be in his first game. Look. Very in his first game. Look, Toronto has built a goaltender through the draft. No one. [00:38:27] Speaker C: James Rhymer. James Rhymer. [00:38:29] Speaker B: You count Rhymer. Okay, well, I get. I'm sorry. I loved rhyme or Optimus rhyme. I loved her. I'm sorry. I take that back. I was thinking Felix Poppin like true guy that stayed a long time. You signed and then they. You signed Joseph. You signed Balfour that he signed Toscala. You traded for Anderson. You had. You. You had. You had Reimer. And he came in his first game against Ottawa. Yeah. [00:38:52] Speaker A: Okay. [00:38:53] Speaker B: Reimer wasn't is a good example. [00:38:54] Speaker C: He played all the way up from the ech out. [00:38:57] Speaker B: That's a good example. So I guess my idea is shot, but I'm still gonna stick to my DNC. Felix pop finna, because that sounded bad. [00:39:03] Speaker C: I know what you're saying, though. Like a true bona fide starting goalie. [00:39:07] Speaker B: Yeah. And he looks comfortable. And I think Hill to be. Could be that guy. But I'm holding optimism, right. You don't want to. [00:39:12] Speaker C: I would much rather hill to be playing in the a for another year. Joseph wall. I don't know if it's between the years or not, but every time something big is about to happen for you, you seem to just disappear in very mysterious ways. We don't really know. You won't answer any questions. [00:39:27] Speaker B: Yeah, it's unbelievable. I just don't understand the injury that cannot get healed. But Toronto's offense, Matthews is slow start. Who cares? [00:39:34] Speaker C: He's Oliver. Oliver Ekman. Larson looks great, dude. [00:39:40] Speaker B: He looks so good, right? This team is the best built that it's been. Because I'll tell you why. Defense. Something Kyle Dubas, you might get this, because I'm going to hashtag the sue. I'm going to hashtag this the podcast. You might be bored on your flight to Pittsburgh to maybe another game that you might lose in. I don't know. But stoop. People speak as two people. But you, when you built this team, the defense was not what it needed to be. [00:40:12] Speaker C: What do you mean? You mean Morgan Riley's defensive partner shouldn't be Nikita Zaitsev or Matt Hunwick or Ron Haynes? [00:40:19] Speaker B: Yeah. Like, no, you. You. You signed the player Tanf to a longer term deal because you had to get the player. And it's fine because I will trade. If Toronto wins this year, I will trade. Whatever con. I don't care. Get the Stanley cup. The window is going like this. Very quick. There's team coming up. [00:40:39] Speaker C: Did you see that tweet that says Austin Matthews right now is the same age that John Tavares was when he signed his deal? Crazy, eh? Crazy how much time flies. [00:40:50] Speaker B: Yep. And it's getting like this. It's getting like this. Despite the core that's signed, Marner's not extended. Tavares isn't extended. We're not talking about those right now, but that's another conversation. [00:41:02] Speaker C: I want the circus to come to town, and I want Mitch Marner to be my date, and I want to put him in the circus cannon and fire it at the sun. I I can't stand it, dude. The way that he just, like, turns around after a rush and floats around and just like, oh, it drives me nuts. I see a guy like Stephen Lorenz, it looks like he's putting his life on the line every single time he is out there. And just also the power play where they keep passing it backwards. I thought we were done with that, but they love to do that. So they just keep passing it back, back and then line. All five guys parallel on the blue line and go across. [00:41:40] Speaker B: I get so mad about that stupid passback. I look at the tv and I holler at it. It doesn't work. That is not appropriate system. Build on a fucking power plan. [00:41:54] Speaker C: When you played, when you played junior, what was the best strategy that you remember working on the power play? [00:42:01] Speaker B: That's a very good question. In the zone, we had a lot of good plays. [00:42:04] Speaker C: How did you get into the zone, though? [00:42:07] Speaker B: So a lot of ways that could work is trying to pull people to, to the left or right side. Whatever way you're breaking out, you try to pull the high guy to pull over. And if you can, if you can move it up to a guy that's on the wall and be able to hit to that guy and do a chip and go around. That would be ideal. But the carry the puck possession is the most important and a lot of people think they're going to try stay high at the blue line. You got guys coming at you. I'd rather somebody dump it in opposed to somebody pass it back to somebody who's going to try to do a toe drag and through the legs and try to their hair somewhere in the wind. I don't care. Get the puck behind the net. Find the open guy on the wing on the left or right side. Get that outlet pass. Break in the zone with speed. Dump it in far guy, get down and pressure the defense to make a stupid plate to rim it around the boards and try to maybe get the goalie out of the net to force a play. And stay on that blue line. Get the puck high when you're able to recover the puck after dumping it low and operate on the top of the blue lines with the defenseman. Get traffic to the net. You got John Tavares, who is a big tipper if you play Chell. You know what I'm talking about? Big tipper. A guy can tip a puck very well in the net. You got Matthews, who's got an absolute rifle over wrist shot, and Nylander on the other side. Marner has the ability of keeping the puck in the zone. He's a very good playmaker. Mitch Marner, despite whatever way you want to talk about Mitch right now, he has the ability to really quarterback the power play. But they can't get into the zone because that stupid back pass is the worst thing. You know? Connor McDavid, you know why? Because McDavid is as fast as this light. He's like this. That's how fast McDavid is, okay? That's how fast Connor McDavid is. Okay? No one in this earth is that. [00:43:54] Speaker C: On the Leafs power play. One. Do you want to be the guy to not dump and chase? But you know what I mean? Like, go and attack. Nylander? No. Matthews? No. Marner, no. Tavares? Definitely not. Way too goddamn slow. And Morgan Riley? No. [00:44:08] Speaker B: The guy. If you have to stick with this lineup. If I'm sick with this lineup, Nylander is the guy dumping it and Matthews is the guy going in. [00:44:15] Speaker C: No, he's not. He's not fast enough. [00:44:16] Speaker D: He isn't. [00:44:17] Speaker B: But if he can get that momentum, speed going down the boards, and time it when he fires it in and able to go in. That is what the part of reading the play is. You got to be able to read the play. Get down. But I like where your thought is because I think you have another idea is that maybe they have someone else on that line who is going to be tenacious. Get down in the zone and maybe get them retrieved that puck. Who is that? Fucking nice. That is the guy. [00:44:40] Speaker C: They tried him. They just tried him at practice on. [00:44:43] Speaker B: There we go. So I know the speed isn't there, but there's a guy who can get in front and you can put the virus on the second pairing. Or you could tell Marner to fly a kite and go to the second pairing until he picks it up. [00:44:52] Speaker C: I think. I think you just separate all of the top guys on those two power play units and see what clicks. Give them both 1 minute and see who can score. [00:45:00] Speaker B: And see who can score. I agree. But before we get two point off, the Toronto Maple Leafs are a contender. [00:45:05] Speaker C: Oh, yeah, yeah, of course. [00:45:07] Speaker B: Love that. And we'll talk more Toronto on here, but we're going to transition to the other points because I'm going to keep it within the time we're already. [00:45:13] Speaker C: Hey, hey. Remember what you said before we started day 15 minutes? Yeah. What are we at right now? Let's take a look at that clock for me. [00:45:19] Speaker B: No, we're ten minutes and we're good. We still got five. All right, so gonna get to our portion of the show where we have. We. We have a portion where we have trivia's games, blind rankings. It's mostly me and parr that obviously do this with our show. Oh, you got. [00:45:33] Speaker C: You said you got a good one for me today. [00:45:35] Speaker B: I got some good ones kind of leading this, but you and I, for our clips, are gonna rank the canadian teams from one to seven. [00:45:43] Speaker C: Okay. [00:45:44] Speaker B: All right, I'm gonna go first. One. Toronto two. Winnipeg three. Edmonton four. Vancouver five. Ottawa six. Montreal seven. [00:45:54] Speaker A: Calgary. [00:45:55] Speaker B: That is my rankings for the canadian. [00:45:57] Speaker A: Teams for this season. [00:45:58] Speaker B: Par. [00:45:59] Speaker C: Just making sure I got this. All right. I think. Yeah, I think this is what I want to do. Okay. I feel like I'm missing somebody. Okay. Winnipeg's one, Edmonton's two. The Leafs are three. Vancouver is four. The Senators are five. The flames are six and Montreal seven. [00:46:19] Speaker A: Oh, different list. [00:46:20] Speaker B: Love it. Canadian teams, let us know what you think now. Blind ranking. We're going to end with the redraft. Okay, that's okay. [00:46:26] Speaker C: I love a blind ranking, but don't screw me and give me the best guy on the last one. I hate when you do that pisses me off so much. [00:46:32] Speaker B: I did a wheel spin. I can't show it. I got. I'm gonna start including them in the clips where we have to spin so people can see what. I'll figure that out, but nonetheless, can I. [00:46:40] Speaker C: Am I not allowed to see it? [00:46:42] Speaker B: No, you're not. [00:46:42] Speaker C: Okay. [00:46:43] Speaker B: Okay. But I will figure out something that makes a little bit more creative going forward, but nonetheless, because it's the first one of the year, pars. Got to get back into it here. All right. Blind ranking, captain's edition top five. Number one. Gabriel Lanniscog. [00:46:58] Speaker C: I feel like that's an easy five. The guy's not playing right now. [00:47:03] Speaker B: Victor Hedman. [00:47:06] Speaker C: Hmm. I'm going to also go for. Because this is his first season, he hasn't done anything, and I think he's overrated now. [00:47:13] Speaker B: Clayton Keller. [00:47:14] Speaker C: Oh, yeah, that team. All that piss and vinegar in him, and they're just giving her. Yeah, I mean, I'm going to go two for Clayton Keller. [00:47:22] Speaker B: Okay. Boone, Jenner, one. Three, one. [00:47:28] Speaker C: He ain't gonna be one. That's for damn sure. It's gonna be three. [00:47:32] Speaker B: And number one is Jamie Ben. [00:47:36] Speaker C: I think that's the team that's got the best shot to win the cup out all of those. So I will take that. Jamie Ben. Number one. [00:47:43] Speaker B: Jamie Ben, one. Keller to Jenner three. Headman for Lannis Cog. Five was your. [00:47:49] Speaker C: I honestly don't hate that. Now, in hindsight, I am very excited to see what people say about that, though. [00:47:54] Speaker B: I will set you up for success with these lists going to forward, I promise. [00:47:58] Speaker C: No, no. You know, it makes it fun when you screw me, but this is just a real random list of names, though. [00:48:05] Speaker B: Random blind ranking based on how the teams will finish this season. [00:48:11] Speaker C: Okay. [00:48:12] Speaker B: Be mindful there. [00:48:14] Speaker C: Okay. It's okay. I'm gonna do my best. [00:48:17] Speaker B: Los Angeles Kings. [00:48:19] Speaker C: Four. [00:48:21] Speaker B: Dallas Stars. They already know this answer. [00:48:24] Speaker C: One. [00:48:25] Speaker B: I figured. New Jersey Devils, two. Minnesota wild. [00:48:30] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:48:31] Speaker B: One in three letter. Sorry. [00:48:32] Speaker C: Five. [00:48:33] Speaker B: Yeah. Tampa bay Lightning. [00:48:36] Speaker C: Love it. Nailed it. Absolutely nailed it. Nailed it. Couldn't have asked for better. [00:48:41] Speaker B: Dallas, New Jersey, Tampa, La, and Minnesota. [00:48:46] Speaker C: Perfect, perfect, perfect. [00:48:49] Speaker B: Love it. That is the opening to this season with the blind rankings part. Okay, that's bad. [00:48:54] Speaker C: I was really hoping for another one. I like those. [00:48:56] Speaker B: You like those? Well, I'll give you more next week. [00:48:58] Speaker C: Okay. [00:48:59] Speaker B: Now the redraft. This will end and conclude our hockey. [00:49:05] Speaker A: Segment, our top shelf segment. I make sure I say that because there is a segment title to this. [00:49:09] Speaker B: Top shelf 1994 redraft. I am going to give people a reminder because we haven't done it since July. And the redraft is where par and I, or members of the show, redraft the top five of that year. Knowing what we know today about it. And we last left off at 93 is where our last one was. You probably saw it on the old TikTok instagram, but we have 1994 for you. And this is my second time redrafting this because the last show didn't update, so I was able to get a more, more appropriate list given what I feel is a fit. So I'm going to go first and we're going to say the best for last. That would be par. So I'm going to go five to one and I'm going to draft it in a way that par knows that I love drafting it. Number the fifth overall pick, the Hartford Whalers are proud to select from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario goaltender Marty Turco. The fourth overall pick the Edmonton Oilers are proud to select Tim Thomas with the third overall pick. The Ottawa Senators are proud to select Ed Jovanoski with the second overall pick, the Anaheim mighty Ducks proud to select Patrick Ilias with the first overall pick, the Florida Panthers are proud to select Daniel Alfredson. [00:50:13] Speaker C: We have very different lists here. Not very, not very. But there's one big omission I think you missed. [00:50:21] Speaker B: Easy. I'm sure there is. I think I know who it is. [00:50:24] Speaker C: Yeah. Number five, Marty Turkle. Oh, yeah. Okay. Number five, Steve Sullivan. And we're gonna go back to back a little Sue Saint Marie love with Marty Turco. You know? God. Number three, Patrick Eliash. Easy. Tons of points. Can't stop the guy. Number two, Dave. Ryan Smith, man. Ryan Smith. How isn't he on your list? [00:50:47] Speaker B: Adam at six. [00:50:49] Speaker C: You had Milan Hayduke on there, though. [00:50:51] Speaker B: Patrick Ilyass on there. [00:50:54] Speaker C: And number one, it's easy. I hate to say it, but God, that guy was good. Daniel Alvin. [00:51:00] Speaker B: Imagine the NHL, like, I can't wait. When we're done all these redrafts, I'm going to put the people that we drafted on their teams. [00:51:06] Speaker D: Whoa. [00:51:07] Speaker B: See if I could do a little thing and kind of see how their career would have played out based on how we picked it and if we would have been right. Like I've said, I have said Ottawa and New Jersey a number of times. These redrafts, I feel like the players that we would have given them, they would have been dynasties in the nineties. Okay, par and I go in back in time. We would have made New Jersey a dynasty at that point. [00:51:27] Speaker A: Point. Okay. [00:51:28] Speaker C: They were kind of annoying. They didn't need our help. [00:51:31] Speaker B: No, they didn't. Daniel Alfredson. Lee Fletcher. [00:51:33] Speaker A: Just kidding. [00:51:34] Speaker B: I don't want Senator legend himself Parr. It's been fun. It's been great talking hockey with you and to have you back and very excited. I know you know about this, but obviously we are going over to spaces as I go from spaces all up. Obviously connected with sue today. It's gonna be very exciting as our show continues to grow and obviously at the right time. We got lots going on. This is our busy season with our show, so we hope everyone was able to enjoy this. And prior, hope you had a good time. [00:52:03] Speaker C: I had a blast. This is the best 15 minutes I've ever spent my entire life. [00:52:06] Speaker B: I agree. I agree. That's all. Leave it at. I said I had the time down pat and you got me going with teams. You always do that. It's your fault. I blame you. [00:52:15] Speaker C: Okay. [00:52:16] Speaker B: I blame. [00:52:17] Speaker C: That's the irresponsible. [00:52:18] Speaker B: I blame you with love. I delegated my tasks and you didn't allow me to be successful. [00:52:24] Speaker C: I didn't take control of your body and tell you to shut up and make you shut up up. [00:52:28] Speaker B: I don't think it's easy to make. [00:52:29] Speaker C: Me shut up, but I just feel like your time management, you know, outside of work, how. Yeah, I mean, how often have in your life have you heard the phrase Dave time? You know, every day. Exactly. [00:52:42] Speaker B: Every day. But we're gonna be right back here on the game because there's still some more talking I gotta do. But in this segment, I am supposed to keep it at 15 minutes. So we'll try our best. Oh, yeah. [00:52:53] Speaker C: Good luck. [00:52:54] Speaker B: Try our best to do that, Alex. Thank you again. And we will be talking to you next week as we'll be coming back with more hockey, obviously one new show a week. We record on Tuesdays, uploaded for your enjoyment on Wednesdays. And Alex at the forefront with yours truly with hockey. So you will see more of him and we'll try and we honestly didn't dress this way, but we'll see if we dress similar next week. [00:53:15] Speaker C: No, see if we get a little coordinated. [00:53:17] Speaker B: See if we can just see if great minds think we want to do. [00:53:19] Speaker C: Like a football jersey next week. You can throw your steelers on, I'll throw my packers on. [00:53:22] Speaker B: Could do that. Dealers are looking hot. So we'll be right back here on the game. [00:53:28] Speaker A: And welcome back to the Game sports podcast. Dave McKay continuing to host you this evening. Get into the segment three of tonight's episode and we are going to be. [00:53:35] Speaker B: Discussing football in our in the pocket segment. [00:53:39] Speaker A: In the pocket is presented, brought to. [00:53:43] Speaker B: You by SportsCenter Bar and Grill. [00:53:45] Speaker A: Susie Marie Ontario's best sports bar Susie Marie, Ontario, the original home to the. [00:53:49] Speaker B: Game sports show at that time. [00:53:51] Speaker A: Now the Game sports podcast in 2016, whenever we say in the pocket, SportsCenter is right beside it and always will be part of the family here on the game. And speaking of that family, Justin Heikel, the one, the only one of the. [00:54:06] Speaker B: Ogs as our few on the show, who was there for the one phone, one cup recordings of the podcast. Justin Heikel my friend, how's it going? [00:54:18] Speaker D: It's doing all right. Good to be here. Survived Thanksgiving weekend, so a little bit of a food coma. Tough, tough turkey sandwich at lunch today. The afternoon was tough sled and getting through work. There was, yeah, bobbing and weaving at my desk for a while this afternoon. But we're here, we're excited and let's, let's rip through some football. [00:54:39] Speaker B: Yeah, it's obviously going to be a little bit shorter than what we're used to just because of time. And you can almost blame par for that. He really had me going in that. [00:54:45] Speaker A: Hockey segment a little bit. [00:54:47] Speaker B: I'm not going to lie to you. He, you know, he gets, he gets the engines revving sometimes, but in a good way. [00:54:51] Speaker A: Now, some trades happened today, obviously, Mario. [00:54:55] Speaker B: Cooper going over to the Buffalo Bills. That is a very good move for the Buffalo Bills. [00:55:00] Speaker A: Just from a wide receiver perspective. [00:55:02] Speaker B: I think that's a good move. [00:55:02] Speaker A: They really needed to, I think, beef. [00:55:04] Speaker B: Up that receiver game. [00:55:05] Speaker A: Obviously when you lose Diggs, it was. [00:55:08] Speaker B: A loss, but it was a move that had to happen with Buffalo, just given the culture. But bringing in Cooper, I think is a very good fit for the Buffalo Bills who have, who will certainly use his offense to a good strategy with Josh Allen as another weapon he can throw the ball to. [00:55:25] Speaker D: Well, the Bills seem to be kind of running a no bullshit operation this year. Like next man up, whoever's going to step up, you're the guy we're going to showcase. I mean, look at Ray Davis last night. I mean, no one's ever heard of him really, unless you're a Bills fan. And now he's like the number one pickup in fantasy football. So it's good. Amari Cooper, not really much drama attached to him through his career and low cost for the bills. I believe they go draft pick here, a third round pick, third and a 7th. And they got Cooper and a six back. So that's some pretty good value there as far as trade goes. [00:56:02] Speaker B: And you address the offense. [00:56:04] Speaker A: You address the offense in a good way. [00:56:06] Speaker D: Yeah, the, the other big trade on the day, too. Just immediately after the game last night, it seems like the jets traded for Devontae Adams. And, you know, another peanuts trade was a third round pick, conditional third goes up to a second if they make the Super bowl. So Aaron Rodgers and Devante back together, I think they've combined for a total of 51 52 touchdowns. Next closest on that list, I believe, is Tyree kill and Patrick Mahomes. [00:56:36] Speaker B: So this, this is a, you obviously got Aaron Rodgers fingerprints all over this trade, right? Obviously when that trade happens, Aaron Rodgers. [00:56:47] Speaker A: Is saying that he wants that weapon. It's a good choice to have in the jets. Obviously they've had a slow start to. [00:56:52] Speaker B: Their season and they, they're not taking. [00:56:56] Speaker A: Not making the playoffs or being a contender for the Super bowl as an option. And they have some weapons on that team. And despite, if you're a fan of Aaron Rodgers or not, him and Devante. [00:57:05] Speaker B: Adams have that history. [00:57:06] Speaker A: And that chemistry is going to come very. [00:57:09] Speaker B: It's going to be noticeable out there. [00:57:11] Speaker A: Okay. This is a team that, again, it. [00:57:13] Speaker B: Was able to address their offensive woes a little bit. [00:57:16] Speaker A: Someone who could certainly catch the ball. [00:57:19] Speaker B: And someone who's familiar with Aaron Rodgers. [00:57:21] Speaker A: Who'S been waiting for another weapon. And I think it's no secret that. [00:57:24] Speaker B: Adams wanted out of Las Vegas. So obviously not a secret at all. [00:57:29] Speaker D: I mean, then that division still wide open. So if the jets can make some moves there, I mean, losing a divisional game against Buffalo last night kind of sucks. But if the jets can get hot here, and I think Devontae really only elevates the offense, Garrett Wilson now is going to be not the number one guy. So he's going to be free to do what he wants and might open up bries hall a little more. Mike Williams is probably on his way out of town after he couldn't remember his routes last night. But it's the way of the NFL, man. And Aaron Rodgers isn't there to teach anyone. He's there to bring a championship to New York and New York's got to do what they can to put a team on the field for him. So we'll see how it plays out. I mean, they got a big Sunday night or this week against your steelers. [00:58:14] Speaker B: They do. That's a pivotal game for them, obviously. And I think it's also pivotal game. [00:58:18] Speaker A: For Pittsburgh because you're trying to, you're in a season where you didn't have the expectations and now you're winning football games and now you're showing what your team can do and your defense is elite. [00:58:28] Speaker B: PITTSbURGh, the offense has weapons, but in that game this week, I must add. [00:58:33] Speaker A: The Steelers are starting Russell Wilson in that game over Justin Fields, which is, I imagine, the, the short leash that. [00:58:40] Speaker B: Russell may be on. Obviously, the injury bug couldn't excuse couldn't occur any longer. But obviously, Justin, I think, had a very good game against Vegas. I feel like you don't need to make that change. [00:58:51] Speaker A: But obviously, if Russell Wilson struggling in that first half, he might be on a short leash. And I really think that it's going to be pivotal for both teams for Steelers to keep the momentum going. But the jets, to get that ship in that direction, that they want to go to the championship a little, little all over the place there. And obviously the Texans made a move as well. They obviously acquired acres or, sorry, the Texans traded cam makers, sorry, to the Minnesota Vikings. So that's the other trade news for today. [00:59:20] Speaker B: So, Justin, I will say which team. [00:59:23] Speaker A: Is most likely to make a midseason turnaround? Okay, this was on NFL.com dot. [00:59:29] Speaker B: I'd like to, I thought it'd be. [00:59:29] Speaker A: Good to ask before we get into our picks. As I said, it's a little bit of a shorter segment for in the pocket today. [00:59:34] Speaker B: Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49. [00:59:38] Speaker A: Ers or the New York Jets? [00:59:41] Speaker D: I mean, I'm going to go with the popular good rate and take the jets. [00:59:47] Speaker A: Okay. [00:59:47] Speaker D: I mean, the move with Adams and the instant chemistry with Rogers there should get that offense over the hump. And I mean, like, they just, two touchdowns were dropped in the end zone last night. I mean, that's the jets. Well, that's exactly it. Like, that's. Those are two. You got 14 more on the board. And with the way the penalties are being called and the kicking in that game last night, you can't lose those. You can't drop those touchdowns, those kicks. Like, I don't think San Fran gets any better without McCaffrey coming back. That's a big issue for them. And their running backs are dropping like flies right now. Cincinnati looks interesting, but I mean, they're kind of like a mid tier for me. [01:00:33] Speaker C: So surprised. [01:00:34] Speaker A: I thought they were going to be the biggest bounce back team this year. [01:00:36] Speaker B: Hike. [01:00:37] Speaker A: That's Joe Burrow coming back. Then Cody Rhodes is who comes out of the tunnel. [01:00:41] Speaker B: And last I checked, Cody Rhodes is. [01:00:42] Speaker A: The WWE champion, not a quarterback. It's not working out there in Cincinnati right now. [01:00:48] Speaker D: As far as wrestling references go, they got stardust and not Cody Rhodes. Some people won't. [01:00:55] Speaker B: I sure as heck do. Yeah, great reference. But you gotta. All those four teams could have the. [01:01:02] Speaker A: Ability to have a bounce back season. Even the Eagles. Right. There's another team that you just. [01:01:06] Speaker D: I just. I don't know what's going on. [01:01:09] Speaker B: Yeah, I really can't pinpoint. It's like you're losing. [01:01:12] Speaker A: All they're doing is losing football games, and it seems like they find ways to lose those games. [01:01:16] Speaker B: You know, obviously it was Barkley. [01:01:17] Speaker A: I'm making that catch earlier in the season. [01:01:19] Speaker D: Cleveland. Cleveland just found a way to lose that game on the weekend. That's all that happened to, yep, philly didn't win it. Cleveland just lost it. [01:01:29] Speaker B: But what I this week against with. [01:01:31] Speaker A: The jets few, picking the jets is. [01:01:33] Speaker B: A very good choice. [01:01:33] Speaker A: I almost was really lenient towards or leaning towards the 49 ers because of their injury woes kind of being a factor. [01:01:39] Speaker B: And if McCaffrey could get back. But the jets are a good choice. [01:01:43] Speaker A: And it's if you're a Steeler fan, which obviously people know I am, with. [01:01:47] Speaker B: Aaron Rodgers new toy at the helm. [01:01:50] Speaker A: Next week, and I mean that in the most appropriate way possible. I mean, he's going to throw the ball at somebody that I'm sure he's. [01:01:55] Speaker B: To throw the ball to that he's. [01:01:57] Speaker A: Thrown to over 50 times in his career. The Pittsburgh Steelers defenses were going to. [01:02:01] Speaker B: Rarely be tested, but one thing I'd. [01:02:04] Speaker A: Like to say about these four teams. [01:02:06] Speaker B: Is I expected all four of these. [01:02:07] Speaker A: Teams, except I did say the jets were going to kind of be that hover around team. But the Niners, Bengals, Eagles, those are three teams I thought top. [01:02:18] Speaker D: All would have been playoff teams six weeks ago. [01:02:21] Speaker A: 100%. Hundred percent. [01:02:23] Speaker D: One interesting one. Just before we segue to the picks, I'm stealing this from another podcast I heard today, Deshaun Watson. Is he a better person or a better football player? [01:02:36] Speaker A: Oh, my goodness. [01:02:40] Speaker D: Think on that. [01:02:41] Speaker B: Better football player. [01:02:42] Speaker D: We can come back to it next week. But, like, that's like some bottom of the barrel shit right there. Like, is he a better, better moral character or better at football? [01:02:53] Speaker B: Better, better football player? I'll go with that. Okay. I'll go with that. Because if you're, like, looking at all these reviews from Saturday Night Live. [01:03:02] Speaker A: Okay, that's another. [01:03:03] Speaker D: Yeah, no, that's it. That was just a. Just some thought. We'll touch base on it again. Next week, maybe EJ can throw an opinion in here if he wants in the chat, but yeah, let's segue into the picks here. [01:03:15] Speaker A: We'll get, it's getting real fricking close now. [01:03:18] Speaker B: A little too close for my likings here. [01:03:21] Speaker D: Yeah, EJ is one point behind you now. So Keggers gridiron pick still in first at 59, but the Browns, is the Browns doing better than the real Browns with 58 points. So one point behind Dave and then the ever original hikes, picks in third at 53. So I'm trailing quite a bit here. I'm six out of first place, so. [01:03:44] Speaker B: I'm expecting big week. [01:03:46] Speaker D: Controversial picks haven't worked out for me so far this year. [01:03:49] Speaker B: He's gonna go safe this week. I'll go first. I'll go first. And height can finish this off towards. [01:03:55] Speaker A: As we hit the ending going from. [01:03:56] Speaker B: The Thursday night or down. [01:03:58] Speaker A: I got the Broncos over the Saints this week. [01:04:00] Speaker B: I got the Jags over the Patriots, falcons over the Seahawks, bills over the Titans, Bengals over the Browns. Bengals fans will love that. Texans over the Green Bay packers. [01:04:11] Speaker A: I'm picking that. [01:04:12] Speaker B: That's a, that's one of my non favorite picks, if you will. [01:04:16] Speaker A: Colts over the Dolphins, Lions over the Vikings look so good last week. Eagles over the Giants, rams over the lonely Raiders commanders. The absolute wagon commanders over the Panthers easily. [01:04:32] Speaker B: Chiefs over the 49. Ersitive Steelers over the jets. [01:04:36] Speaker A: Because especially being at home, I'm giving them the home field advantage on that. Big time. [01:04:39] Speaker B: Ravens over the Buccaneers. [01:04:41] Speaker A: Cardinals over the Chargers. [01:04:43] Speaker B: Tiebreaker games through Yahoo. 28. [01:04:46] Speaker A: Cardinals 24, Chargers 24, Buccaneers 32. Ravens. I should say that right? 32, Ravens 24, Buccaneers. [01:04:54] Speaker B: The most points this week, the commanders are going to get 40 plus this. [01:04:57] Speaker A: Week and the Panthers are going to stay in single digits. [01:05:02] Speaker D: All right, all right. That's. I mean, I got more faith in the Panthers than you do, I think, but I didn't pick them Thursday nighter. I got Denver over the saints. I'm a big Bonix fan, hasn't worked out for me all the week. So far he's doing okay. Then I got New England over Jacksonville because Jacksonville is a mess. I mean, Travis Satienne there with negative one point in fantasy last week, like fuck off. So New England's gonna beat them. Atlanta over Seattle, Buffalo over Tennessee, Cincy over Cleveland, Green Bay over Houston, Indy over Miami, Detroit over Minnesota, Philly over the Giants, Rams over the Raiders, Washington over Carolina, KC over San Fran, jets over the Steelers, Ravens over the Bucks and Chargers over Arizona. I got the Chargers at 21. Arizona at 17 because the Chargers just don't score points this year. And then the Ravens, 35, Tampa 28. Thinking that one's gonna be pretty close. Most points this week. The Lions fewest points this week. The lowly Dolphins. [01:06:12] Speaker A: All the Dolphins. Yikes. Dolphin fans, sorry to tell you. [01:06:17] Speaker B: And obviously, Justin, a little bit short. [01:06:19] Speaker A: Of a pick em than what we're used to. Usually. Obviously, we would dive into a little bit more news, but due to time constraints today, so we apologize to the. [01:06:27] Speaker B: Viewers out there that really look forward. [01:06:28] Speaker A: We hope they still 15 minutes of in the pocket. That's a lot that we crammed. [01:06:32] Speaker D: We're just showing people we can be quick when we have to and not just at home. [01:06:37] Speaker A: Fact, quick when we want to. Except my last segment was supposed to be 15 minutes, so it was 35. [01:06:42] Speaker B: So this one, see, this shows that Justin is able to help me be time manageable. This is a proof right here. [01:06:50] Speaker D: Staring at the clock the entire time. [01:06:54] Speaker A: Now we're gonna see. [01:06:55] Speaker B: This is where we start to go down that rap. This is where we start slipping. Now, Justin, I want to say thank you to you for taking the time. I know last week you didn't miss anything last week because the show had technical difficulties. So despite the confusion last week, we're happy to have you on this week. Next week, we'll be back with more in the pocket. [01:07:12] Speaker A: We hope that EJ's. He is planning to be back next. [01:07:15] Speaker B: Week, it seems like. So we do hope that EJ will join us. [01:07:20] Speaker A: But nonetheless, Justin, I will bring you more in the pocket on next week's. [01:07:23] Speaker B: Episode of the Game sports podcast. [01:07:27] Speaker A: Now here, remind you not to go. I'm not going to exit yet. I'm going to remind you to follow like subscribe YouTube on anyone n as 91 network, Instagram and tick Tock. That is the game sports podcast on TikTok. Tick Tock and Instagram, Facebook as well, the game sports podcast and soon to be on spaces. If you're from Toronto, doesn't matter. [01:07:51] Speaker B: Sue. [01:07:51] Speaker A: Today there's Toronto. Today there's sue. [01:07:53] Speaker B: Today is village media. [01:07:54] Speaker A: That's the, that's the media brand. [01:07:56] Speaker B: It's definitely expanded outside of the Sioux. [01:07:57] Speaker A: So you should know what it is. [01:07:58] Speaker B: If you're outside of the Sioux. If you don't, well, you can just give it a search. [01:08:01] Speaker A: You will see the game sports podcast on spaces in the coming weeks as well. If you want more details, just reach out to us and let us know. [01:08:08] Speaker B: Justin, thank you to you. Till next week, my friend. [01:08:11] Speaker D: Oh, yeah. We'll be back. We'll see you. And this Sunday nighter should be interesting against your steelers. [01:08:17] Speaker A: It's going to be a good game. [01:08:18] Speaker B: That could be good weekend of football again. I know. Oregon, Oregon ducks nation. Big win against Ohio State. EJ Russell's Ohio state. I want a burger on that bet against my brother in law because Oregon is for real. Okay. I did a quacking sound for everyone out there for your reward was a duck noise. Okay, that was a duck noise. And I said I do it on. [01:08:38] Speaker A: Air and I did it without messing up. [01:08:39] Speaker B: Love it. I also want to say thank you to Alex Parr and to you, the viewers and listeners. [01:08:43] Speaker A: Again, make sure you like, follow and subscribe. [01:08:45] Speaker B: And until the next one, I'm here to mind you. [01:08:46] Speaker A: Keep your stick on the ice, ring. [01:08:47] Speaker B: Your bats, catch your touchdowns, join your threes and shoot your shots. [01:08:51] Speaker A: Booyah.