Storm Vs Gold | The Game Sports Podcast

June 03, 2026 • 01:26:19
Storm Vs Gold | The Game Sports Podcast
The Game Sports Podcast
Storm Vs Gold | The Game Sports Podcast

Jun 03 2026 | 01:26:19

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Show Notes

Host David McCaig Jr is joined by Brendan McCarthy, Connor Henderson and Jordan Trudeau, in this episode of "The Game" Episode breakdown: 2026 Stanley Cup Final Preview Auston Matthews dream trade per Brendan Tigers Struggles Blue Jays Bullpen Struggles MLB Teams Selling already Memorial Cup Reaction OHL Priority Draft q The Game Sports Podcast video editions only available on 91N, audio versions where you get your podcasts. The Game is also featured on SPACES. Follow on all social media platforms, and the next news edition of The Game will be uploaded by June 24th, 2026

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Episode Transcript

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign. [00:00:05] Speaker B: It's time for the Game Sports podcast. It is Your host, David McCaig Jr. The Game Sports Podcast is powered by 91 Network and featured on Spaces, which is through Village media and suit today. 91N is a YouTube channel where you [00:00:18] Speaker A: get to look at video versions of [00:00:20] Speaker B: the game as well as other podcasts. And you can also follow the game on all socials. TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, at the Game Sports, emphasize that podcast and you can also [00:00:31] Speaker A: find us Spotify, Amazon, Google, look, you [00:00:33] Speaker B: search on Gemini Chat, GPT, Copilot, look, it actually tells you if you search on Gemini. If you look for the Game Sports podcast, it tells you booyah, okay? That's how much you can find us out there, okay, here on the game. So I don't want to hear any excuses where to find us because just a simple search of the Game Sports [00:00:47] Speaker A: podcast, you'll find us everywhere. [00:00:49] Speaker B: Now, this is our 10th anniversary year, obviously. January 2026 is our 10 year anniversary. We're already halfway towards the 11th birthday of the Game SP podcast and a lot of big things upcoming for the show. And we're going into our summer months right now. So the only announcement I'd like to remind people is in the summer we have a different approach. We are weekly from September till April. We're bi weekly from May until July. Then we're off in the month of August. Then when September's back, it is back, full bar. We got everything back. Obviously, if any big news comes up, myself, Brennan Trudes, Connor Parr. Yeah, I said his name. Anyone else that wants to bring you that hot news, we will have it here for you on the Game of Sports podcast. Now, without further ado, teeing up today's agenda, we're gonna have top shelf first strike zone second, Chuck a Puck third, and guess what? I owe Trudeau. Okay, we're gonna have an extended version of Chuck a Puck. He's been shortened by me. He's been shortened by Brennan. He's been shortened by Connor. He's been shortened by Par. He's had segments where he's been shorted out. And tonight I am going to give him about 30 to 45 minutes of chuck A Puck. Lots to talk about, the OHL draft coming up, so very excited for that. But without further ado, let's start our top shelf segments. Brennan, my friend, how you doing? Good to see you. Good to see you, Mr. McCaig. [00:02:09] Speaker C: It's beautiful these days in Ontario, man. I mean, just blessed with great weather. Got a golf, golf game coming up this Saturday. So that'll be lots of fun. I mean, just after a really, a really crummy winter and kind of a nasty start to the spring where we had kind of some up and down weather, it's nice to have a string of good days. [00:02:30] Speaker B: Yeah, man, summertime, it's nothing better. Look, we love our winter sport, we [00:02:33] Speaker A: love hockey here in Canada, but we [00:02:35] Speaker B: don't get enough of this summer. So those of you that tune in from the United States, I know there's a lot of you just plus of course being involved with Scott Nason, prior [00:02:43] Speaker A: partner that of mine that used to be part of the show. [00:02:46] Speaker B: The. There's a lot of people that are in maybe the LA Florida region. I know there's some friends in that region. So you get to have sunshine for [00:02:53] Speaker A: the majority part of your calendar year. [00:02:55] Speaker B: Where in Canada we spent 11 months basically in cold weather. Jokes aside, it's about three months of summer now with being in June, the first week in June, very excited. And next week get to see the Jays get to see some things and you know, it's been some nice weather here in the Sioux. And now we're talking golf. We got baseball still a lot, but there's still stuff on the ice that we have to address. And the NHL always has news, right? And there's a lot to get to. Okay, so before I get into that, I'm going to talk about some news that came up and then we're going to dive right into the Stanley cup final preview. So touching on that news, one thing, the NHL All Star Game, that's going to be changing. We're going to actually save that for a little piece of a segment. The format is changing. It's like they listen to our show. Brandon, listen to me, you and Par in the past venting about that. So we're going to talk about that a little bit. So I'll save that. That is still a piece of news. I want to mess it off the hop. But the big, big news, I guess would from a news perspective would be Vancouver's new bench boss. And if you listen to a previous TikTok with the Game sports podcast, I actually predicted Manny. So I'm gonna. [00:03:52] Speaker C: You did. [00:03:52] Speaker B: I'm gonna tap my shoulder. I think it's one of the more obvious hires though, out of. Out of the three we predicted. The other three that were predicted were Brennan had a little Toronto Edmonton swap and then I had Berube in Edmonton and then I had David Carl in Toronto. So that's gonna be interesting to see. How the other two work out but Manny Mahotra going to Vancouver, the Sedine Twins are in there. Judd Brackett and Toronto Maples have added some new management, very highly touted scouts of course and lots of moves inside coaching and management that occurred in the National Hockey League the last couple days. But obviously the big one is Manny Malhotra and it's not a win. Now hire this sedan and Malhotra signing and, and bring in is to be a part of this new rebuild and new look of this Vancouver franchise. Manny Mahalo is a great coach and I think Vancouver needs to do this as not a retool, needs to be a full scale rebuild and do it right. And I think they have the right at the helm. I think you should be very excited if you are a Vancouver Canuck fan. But let me ask you this as a Canuck fan, do you have the skin and the patience to be patient for another five plus years to go through a full scale rebuild? That's all I'll ask Vancouver fans. [00:05:05] Speaker C: Those fans are, those fans are antsy, man. [00:05:07] Speaker B: I mean they might be more antsy than Toronto fans. [00:05:10] Speaker C: It's, it's true. I mean, I mean look no further than the 2011 cup final. Like the city went to ashes like and that, and that was getting to a cup Final. You know, they blow a two nothing series lead. But it was chaos in Vancouver. Now it's like we've been doo doo for so long and you know, Vancouver fans like, similar to Toronto like they want to be in on things. They want to know what's happening. They don't want to be fed this wishy washy nonsense. So like you said, it's, it's a lot to take on for Malhotra and, and company but let's hope they make this a relatively swift rebuild and, and give Canucks fans what they deserve. [00:05:53] Speaker A: Dave, I think they have to ship out. Pedersen, Besser, I think Demko, they have to ship out some guys, get some tools and do this correctly. They got the right guys to do it. I think in Vancouver should be excited. [00:06:02] Speaker B: Toronto different agenda now speaking of Toronto, another hire forgot to mention Freddy Hamilton [00:06:07] Speaker A: is a part of the staff as well. [00:06:08] Speaker B: A little bit of movement in Toronto the last few days as well as Vancouver, but Edmonton is remaining nice and quiet right now. They're waiting to see what's going on there for sure. So let's get to the main event if you will. And usually I know the main event is like the last piece of the show, so I'm definitely changing the definition [00:06:29] Speaker A: on main event right now. [00:06:30] Speaker B: But we're going to get to the topic that's going to invade the majority of this segment just given and to ensure we get it in in time. The Stanley cup finals. The one no one wanted. I. Maybe I'm in. Maybe I'm the only one to say that, but Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights. That's the Stanley cup finals that you get. And if you're a Toronto fan, it's Freddy Anderson against Mitch Marner. Shades of Phil Kessel when he won [00:06:54] Speaker A: the cup for his first year leaving Toronto. Will Mitch Marner do the same? [00:06:57] Speaker B: Freddie Anderson didn't leave Toronto willingly. They let him go to free agency. So a little bit of a different exit for Freddie Anderson. So I think people probably know where my hat is cheering towards in this decision. We're going to talk about that in predictions very shortly. But the Cup Final, Brandon, you got the Hurricanes, you got the Golden Knights, you got the Storm, you got the Knights, you got the, you got the red and the, all this with the gold. You're gonna. All these themes that you want to look at for this Stanley Cup Final. What are your thoughts about it? Recap of the conference finals. I'm surprised Vegas beat Colorado, my man. [00:07:32] Speaker C: Yeah, like a lot of people are saying that it's not really a sexy matchup. I think it's going to be great theater, to be honest. I mean Vegas comes in, they just won it in 2023. And then you have Carolina who effectively walked to the cup final and you can argue that they had an easier path. Probably one of the most smooth paths to the final you can get. I mean sweeping Ottawa, sweeping Philly, dropping game one of the Canadiens and then rhyming off five straight. This will be their most challenging test. Right. And if you're Vegas, you know, mammoth Ducks, they're. They're not going to roll over. Took them to six games. I think, you know, most of those game, not most, but a couple of those games were neck and neck in overtime. And then you get to the Avalanche series where you think Colorado's got this one. They what won 82 and oh in the regular season and Vegas swept them into a dustbin. [00:08:25] Speaker B: So here we are. [00:08:26] Speaker C: I think if you're Carolina and Rod Brindmore, it's like, okay, this is our most challenging opponent and they're, they're going to cause a lot of headaches. I think for the Hurricanes, I will give the slight edge to Vegas. I think top to bottom, they're just a well oiled Machine Carter, Hart and Anderson, they're pretty fortunate to be well insulated with a great forward group and big body defenseman. You know, it's going to be really tight. I could see it going seven games but I'm going to give the edge to Vegas. I, I feel like that's what's going to happen. I obviously want it to be Freddie and Jarvis. I love Seth Jarvis leading the way in Carolina. [00:09:07] Speaker B: Could have been a leaf too. [00:09:08] Speaker C: Could have been a leaf. Patty Marlo, we wanted party Patty Marlo and you know it's, it's going to be super tight, man. But I'm excited. I don't want to just say iron on a lackluster matchup. I mean, you know, I think there could have been worse matchups. Obviously I predicted habs Vegas that would have been get your popcorn out. Obviously that's not happening. I, I, I'd like to give it some life here. I think it's going to be really entertaining and I think it's going to be a really physical series too. Maybe some low scoring games, couple overtimes. Rod versus John Tortorella. I mean come on man, let's, let's get hyped. Here we go. [00:09:44] Speaker B: What I thought was most impressive that [00:09:46] Speaker A: I think is going to be something [00:09:47] Speaker B: that really, I know based on what Carolina played, it's not really a good indicator. But the shots on net. Fred Andersen has been up to the task and he's done very well this playoffs. The stats have and him winning that game on the night after Claude Lemieux, obviously that's news I didn't mention from the start. That's just more I've been, you know, been, been a bit past. But I want, that's instead of tying into the beginning, I want to tie it into my comment right now. Obviously with Claude Lemieux passing, his family's [00:10:13] Speaker A: going to be donating his brain to [00:10:14] Speaker B: Boston University as well. So that was some news that I could share. But getting back to point Freddy when he was emotional, I felt bad for that. And you know, Keandre Miller holding his newborn kid at the bench, that emotion that he was feeling, I became cheering for Carolina just, just for seeing that. And you know, obviously the thinking, you're obviously going to see this on the thumbnail and title people that overcoming the narrative. You have that I have it from a couple perspectives. You have Mitch Marner coming and being a leading scorer in the playoffs. Kant's my favorite, dare I say it. If he wins the cup, then you have Freddie Anderson who's a Cons. My favorite right now too. Let's give him that. Both guys did not succeed in Toronto. More so Marner. Right. Obviously Marner from the overcoming narrative is probably the more dominant one to that title because of what he did in the playoffs for Toronto. To compared what he, not what he didn't do. [00:11:06] Speaker D: Right. [00:11:06] Speaker C: You get the sense that there's kind of a collective chip on Vegas's shoulder. Like for Mitch Marner. I find it actually so comical how you have, I was thinking about on my, on my drive home today, you have basically the Stanley cup playoffs, Mitch Marner and the Maple Leafs. Who draws the most headlines? The field that is the Stanley cup playoffs, Marner or the Leafs? It's Mitch Marner and then it's the Leafs in second and then the third is the rest of the teams. It's unbelievable. Every day, basically when this guy opens his mouth in front of the media, there's something that just rubs people the wrong way. [00:11:41] Speaker B: And like he's talking about Toronto. That's exactly. [00:11:44] Speaker C: He is. And he, and he totally is. He's kind of just like, yep, I got the bag, I turned the chapter, but I'm going to keep, you know, throwing shade on the way out. And I think that's a little, little boy energy, to be honest. And then you have like every like interview, it's Michael Stone, it's just like, okay, we got it. Like Mitch is insulated. He's, you know, locked up there long term on a whopping deal. And it's just like, okay, great, like you got everything you wanted. Like the comment about dark days in hockey, I'm like, you were kind of given anything you and your agent asked for in Toronto and you couldn't get it done in Toronto. So the fact that you're still talking about it, even when you said midseason, like, I don't want to talk about this anymore after I play the Leafs in Toronto, like, he still finds a way. I just think he hasn't left that attitude that he had since like minor hockey. And I think that's what rubs people the wrong way. I think he's one of the most talented, skillful players we've ever seen. But his attitude is just, I don't know, it leaves it, it leaves a sour pill in people's mouths. I think it's just, it's just weird. I, I, that's where I think, you know, at this rate, he's, they're just going to do it. Like they're just all riding behind Mitch and they're going to do it because of everything that's going on. And then he can do the ultimate like, middle finger. But man, you and I should do some live reaction if Carolina wins. I had a co worker who's like, he's a major league fan, but he's like, I will buy a Jacob Slavin jersey. Carolina wins this whole thing. I'm like, I'm not doing that, but I will definitely feel like a little bit, you know, fist pump under the table because like I said, love Frederick Anderson, love Seth Jarvis, Canadian, Winnipeg boy. But I just, I, my gut says that Vegas is going to pull this off. [00:13:28] Speaker B: And that, that said, I, I know you, you've predicted Vegas. My prediction, I'm going to say Carolina. You know, I, I unfortunately, I feel like Vegas has really, you know, has had some rough road on the way. But I feel like Carolina, defensively, that's [00:13:43] Speaker A: one thing that you won't change in [00:13:45] Speaker B: a game no matter what level or team you play against. And they've been capitalizing opportunity, but the defensive game has been so stellar that I think is going to discombobulate the Vegas Golden Knights. And Vegas is going to, is going to. I think the crumble is going to be when, when Carolina is able to put that last puck in the net where Vegas might, might not be able to get to the net of all things. But if they can break that barrier and a late, an elite defensive core that the Carolina has, if they can break that, Vegas will walk Carolina if [00:14:15] Speaker A: they can break that. [00:14:16] Speaker B: But if Carolina can maintain that consistency in the back end, I'm going to tell you something. It's an old adage, kids champion championships are won by defensive hockey and that's led defense wins championships. The exact term goaltending and defense are all a part of that. And that's where Carolina plays extremely well. And the way that Brindamore gets the energy from his guys, that's what's going to try to get this to overcome. Vegas does look unbeatable, especially beating the 82. 0 Colorado Avalanche feels like, no, we're not. I know they weren't 82. 0 and I would have loved to see the Nordiques and Habs in the finals. That would have been absolutely great. And they would have definitely had to wear the new Ordiques tarps. Right? I really hope the Avalanche would have [00:14:53] Speaker A: wore the Nordics, but we'll never know. [00:14:55] Speaker B: So I, I just feel like that's my X factor on this is the defense and that's what's going to win the championship. [00:15:00] Speaker A: Here And I hope I'm right as well. [00:15:02] Speaker C: And speaking of Rod the Bod Brindamore, you just mentioned him, Dave, Eric Stahl's teammate in 06 when they won the cup together as players. He was on TSN's Overdrive a couple hours ago and he brought up a good point when he said, you know, neither of these teams, respectively Carolina and Vegas have really been phased yet. Right. They've had a relatively comfortable path to the cup final if you think about it. [00:15:24] Speaker B: Right. [00:15:25] Speaker C: Probably, you know, Montreal of course took game one against Carolina. So that maybe kind of was a big wake up call for them. For Vegas, they probably thought Colorado would be a little bit more of a challenging series. I mean they dealt with a lot of injuries and but you know, they still swept them. So good on them. The Ducks were, were, you know, no slouch. They were pretty good. But generally speaking, their path to the Cup Final, they'd just been cooking and they've been pretty comfortable. So I think it's, it's who, it's who's faced first. As Eric Stahl pointed out, who flinches first. Which team can make the, the, the other team feel uncomfortable for most of the series. [00:16:06] Speaker B: That's exactly it. And the other annoying thing is look at Vegas record this year. [00:16:10] Speaker A: They made the playoffs by winning the division. There's people ahead of them that didn't [00:16:14] Speaker B: make the playoffs, that had a better [00:16:15] Speaker A: record throughout the league. [00:16:16] Speaker B: And it is what it is. I still think obviously Vegas has proved that they're a good hockey team and they never were. [00:16:21] Speaker A: Not hockey team. I've seen it in Toronto myself watching Mitch Marner's return. [00:16:25] Speaker B: But you know what, this is also key determined right here about the standings that need to be altered to back to what they were about one, but [00:16:33] Speaker A: one to eight here. [00:16:34] Speaker B: Okay, that's will be my debate here. Would Vegas still be where they were if they had to do one to eight? And it's hard to argue no because of who they did have to beat along the way, notably the Colorado Avalanche, but a Colorado Avalanche team that struggled defensively and does not have strong goaltending in the playoffs. [00:16:52] Speaker A: Okay. [00:16:52] Speaker B: And Carter hart is not Mr. Unstoppable and I'm not a Carter Hart fan. [00:16:56] Speaker C: Neither is Anderson. Like, I don't think these goaltenders have been like on paper, sure. But I don't think they've been like, you know, like grand larceny where they're just like Dominic Hashek, you know what I mean? Like you just haven't seen that. So I don't think that's really the dominating headline of the series. [00:17:14] Speaker B: That's a good reference. [00:17:15] Speaker C: The dominator. [00:17:16] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:17:16] Speaker B: All right, so your prediction is Vegas minus is Carolina. So to get to the last points, the. The last two points we'll touch on this is. You have a surprise question for me, so we'll save that for last. Then the other part that you had for me or that I had for you. [00:17:32] Speaker A: My apologies. [00:17:33] Speaker B: Was a dream scenario. Even though it's not a dream scenario, I wanted to be clear. I hope Toronto keeps Matthews. [00:17:40] Speaker A: Unless he doesn't want to here. [00:17:41] Speaker B: So put my. [00:17:42] Speaker A: My hat. My fan hat on for you. [00:17:44] Speaker C: Sounds like it. It sounds like it sounds like you off this zoom meeting, which I was a little like huh at first, but hopefully it's the first of many chats that end up being in person at some point. [00:17:55] Speaker B: Exactly. So we're going to say in the hypothetical world, the multiverse, to use that term. [00:18:00] Speaker A: For all you nerds out there with [00:18:02] Speaker B: Marvel, I'm one of them. The dream scenario trade for Austin Matthews, if it were to happen, I've shared mine on previous editions. But Brennan, I'm gonna give you the option. What do you. If you had to, I'll give you two teams if you want. I don't care if you want to do one, you want to do two, one, do one. Your dream trade scenario for Auston Matthews. And dream means things, people. [00:18:25] Speaker C: Okay, I'm probably going to hear. Hear about this in the comments. Matthews to San Jose for Celebrini Eklund. And a second does. Take a sip. Take a sip. Take a drink. [00:18:39] Speaker B: Okay, I'll say I think San Jose hangs up the phone. [00:18:43] Speaker C: I think Dickland, Dick Eklund. [00:18:45] Speaker B: But even then, still hanging up the phone. I think Celebrini is better than Matthews right now. And that's a hot take. But you know, what does San Jose [00:18:53] Speaker A: actually think about it? [00:18:55] Speaker B: That's. That's the sweet thing about this. If you know Matthew's gonna extend for 10 years. I know Celebrini is younger, right? That's what the argument's gonna be in the comments below. The comments is gonna be like crazy thought as soon as they hang up the phone, there's gonna be some of that chirp. And that's fine. And that's my first reaction is I'm [00:19:10] Speaker A: hanging up the phone and chirping. [00:19:11] Speaker B: Okay, think. Try not to be biased people about age, okay? I know that's going to be a huge factor. But if you know Matthew's going to be there 10 years. 10 years of a player that you know has put up 60 goals. Matthew's done or Selby's 115 points. That's a hot take Brennan. That's a hot take. Like what San Jose truly. Hang up the phone. [00:19:29] Speaker C: I'm about to hear it in the comments. But think about it. [00:19:32] Speaker B: I'll say and I'll just say my dream scenario, just remind people was trading them to San Jose. If it were to be a trade for the second over pick which would be Ivan Stenberg and then also adding Michael Misa and another first round pick to that trade. [00:19:46] Speaker C: Man, that, that Stenbar Stenberg, sorry. He was a stud at the world in, in Switzerland. Oh my God. Man, he. He looked like he was 25 years old playing out there. Unbelievable. That kid is going to be NHL ready quickly. [00:20:04] Speaker B: Another hot take LA Brent Clark, Byfield [00:20:07] Speaker A: two first and a second. [00:20:09] Speaker B: Why not throw that in there. Let's get the people going. Chirp Brennan, chirp me. Where do you think ultimately Matthews doesn't go? Anywhere we'd like I think to keep him. If he doesn't want to be here, trade him. And it sounds like he's gonna get trade. It's going to be to his Hollywood destination. [00:20:22] Speaker A: Dream is where he's going to want to go. And let us know what you think below. [00:20:26] Speaker B: Brandon, you had one question for me. We'll do that before we introduce Conor and then. Sorry. Then we'll introduce Conor for our strike zone segment. [00:20:33] Speaker C: Well, we were talking about the, the news that the NHL broke about the new format and updates for the all star weekend in 2027. So it's going to be kind of like four nations vibe. They should just call it something four nations like not just the All Star weekend because I think that kind of like turns people the wrong way and forces them to turn off the tv. So let's call it something nations focus. No, but thinking, thinking about, you know, international tournaments, best on best just watching the worlds and seeing Canada fall in the Olympics and also their struggles at the world juniors. I'm curious your take is. Is this more about Canada just not as good as they once were or there's just so much more parity now where Canada's like holy smokes. Okay. There's actually about four or five other teams that are ready to contend and are contending actually versus just it's USA and one other. [00:21:22] Speaker B: That's such a good topic because it was dominated for Canada for so many years. [00:21:26] Speaker A: But even before that Canada, you know, had some challenges because check. You could look at the United States where didn't win a gold medal situation 1980. [00:21:34] Speaker B: So I, I still feel that Canada has to be respected as a top [00:21:38] Speaker A: with the United States. But I think there's more parody, Brennan. [00:21:41] Speaker B: I really think there's just more parody that this countries are catching up to [00:21:45] Speaker C: Canada like Norway is. It's, you know, they knocked off Canada. [00:21:49] Speaker B: People are catching up. But yeah, you're missing McKinnon, McDavid and I understand those are valid points. Okay, those are valid points. But the team that Canada had still [00:21:56] Speaker C: should have won still at Celebrini and Crosby. [00:21:59] Speaker B: Yeah, you saw a good mix of guys. So I just think parity is occurring in the countries more. I still think Canada has the leg up. So Canada might be getting a bit worse while countries are catching up. [00:22:08] Speaker A: You can't still the upper threshold. That's such a good question. [00:22:12] Speaker B: And like you said, we did promise stuff about the NHL All Star weekend. The only thing we're going to touch on with that so people don't think that we forgot it was that they were changing their format. They're going to be having a Canada US World type approach to the All Star game will be a three on three format. I would love to know people's thoughts below on that. Truly. I think they should just get rid of the All Star weekend all in general. [00:22:32] Speaker C: Why don't you just call like nations cup or something or nations or Nations [00:22:36] Speaker B: Championship international tournaments and don't let there be an All Star Game anymore. Just give the guys a break. I, I, I don't care about the All Star format. [00:22:45] Speaker A: I don't really. [00:22:46] Speaker B: I know they're trying something new and this is just to try to get views, but I don't think it's going to be as successful as people think. Unless people are going to be blocking shots and trying out there, which we [00:22:55] Speaker A: know we will not see in an NHL All Star. [00:22:57] Speaker C: Call it something where the nations are the focus. People give a blank more. [00:23:02] Speaker B: Love that, Brennan. Great time. Top shelf. We're going to wrap up here, my friend. I appreciate it as always and we'll be in touch in a couple weeks, my friend. If not sooner, of course. For any clip reactions, anything for the Stanley cup finals. [00:23:15] Speaker C: All right, man, cheers. Enjoy the Cup Final. [00:23:17] Speaker B: Yeah, you too, man. All right, without further ado, we are going to be bringing in Connor Henderson, the one and the only, the rookie of the Year. If you know, you know people every time I say it, he's an absol stud. I think I would rock a pitch off him though if he Gave it to me. Up off the wall at Strathclair. [00:23:38] Speaker A: Okay. [00:23:38] Speaker B: It's nice. Curveball down the pipe would be great. To the wall at Strathclair. But besides that. And jokes aside, he's probably. He should be on the Pandas, not on the Cardinals if he did play. But we all know what he would do if, you know, you know again, I'm sure some people in the sewer [00:23:53] Speaker A: getting laughs at that right now. [00:23:55] Speaker B: Connor, my friend. Good to see you. How you been? [00:23:57] Speaker A: Good. [00:23:57] Speaker E: Dave. How are you doing? [00:23:59] Speaker B: I'm good. I'm sipping a beer. Stanley cup finals are starting tonight as we're recording. My team's not there, of course. It' been like that for the last 34 years. The. It's the cup final, nobody want it. But also this Blue Jays season to the start of the season has been [00:24:11] Speaker A: something that nobody wants. [00:24:12] Speaker B: The Tigers, I think it's almost fair to say the same and I'm sure some other teams, except if you cheer for the Dodgers, which you can go fly a kite because obviously the Yankees, Dodgers, the Rays all of a sudden are back at playing baseball. The most annoying team of all time is probably the Tampa Bay Rays along with the Yankees and Dodgers. But besides that, lots in the world of baseball, Connor, that we get to know, we have a short period of time. So I, when I. I want to give you the floor on any topics that you were planning on bringing up before we get into Jeff Hoffman. I want to talk about Jeff Hoffman [00:24:45] Speaker A: with you from a. [00:24:46] Speaker B: From a psychological and coaching perspective. But thought I'd give you some of the feeling first because you quarterback. This is. I'm. I want you to quarterback as strike zone. I know sometimes I feel like I'm quarterbacking, but it's like a QB1 duo double headed monster here. So giving you the floor to start. [00:25:00] Speaker E: Yeah, that's. That sounds great. I, I mean I think I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about how atrocious the Tigers are playing this year. And they've been riddled with a series of injuries, especially to their pitching staff. They've had about four or five starters on the DL at various points this year and for. For long stretches of that, including most notably Tarik Skubal, who you recently went down with an injury and he's been out for a little while and he'll still be out for another month or two. One of the worst teams in baseball. But not only this season. If you stretch it back into last season and those final few months of the year they, they were atrocious then too. And they barely squeaked in to the playoffs after blowing a huge lead that they had built up in the AL Central. Dave, it's. It's looking atrocious there for the Tigers. And questions are circulating that heck, if Kevin McGonagall all star rookie, and Riley Green, who's playing his best baseball of his career with an over.300 batting average in an era where no one hits.300 with power. If you have those guys playing all out and your team is still the worst in the league, what do you do to fix a mess like that? [00:26:18] Speaker B: That's such a good question. You know what? I was reading an interesting article that was actually on MLB.com today. Yeah, really hot topic people. But 10 big questions as the trade deadline season approaches. And on that headline, okay, there's two players from the teams that we cheer for. Tarek Skubal is on it and then Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Is on it. Now Tarek Skubel's on there under the move category and Vladimir is under can they make a run category. [00:26:42] Speaker D: Okay. [00:26:43] Speaker B: And the Blue Jays are in a lot different space at the Tigers. They've been able to maintain being in a wild card spotter in the playoff Picture despite having 14 regular people out at one point in the season. Still missing Barger. Still missing Kirk. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Who's had struggles. Springer who's had struggles. Shane Bieber, who's been hurt. Cody Ponce, their big acquisition from. Yeah, he, he was going to be exciting to watch this year. Scherzer's also been down. Who would be a good sixth, seventh guy to be that bullpen day or to be that guy that really solidify. You've had struggles from the, from the bullpen. The bullpen has blown over a dozen games already, which has been the tale of last year. So if you're talking about the Jays, will they make a run? I don't think people should worry about the Jays. If you're a Jays fan yet by any means, because you're still within the picture. But as a Tigers fan, if you are one, that's Connor mentioned. I think if you stay like this, you have to. [00:27:38] Speaker A: The questions that you have to answer [00:27:39] Speaker B: is what does this team gonna look like one to three years from now? Are these the guys that we want to keep? McGonagall, okay, maybe that's guy that you, you keep. But Riley Green is that somebody that's going to stay in the organization once [00:27:50] Speaker A: his arbitration window is done? [00:27:52] Speaker B: Tarek Skubal, we all have had this Conversation. [00:27:56] Speaker A: Okay. [00:27:57] Speaker B: And I think. And it's going to be a tough pill to swallow, but I'm a huge asset management guy, you know, if you finish at the bottom of the standings and arguably the worst division in baseball. [00:28:06] Speaker A: Sorry, people. [00:28:07] Speaker B: Arguably the worst division. You know, Tarek Skubal is not going to stay there. And let me give you another thing. Tarek Skubel is from California, okay. And there's a team in California that seems to buy everybody. And there's another team in California that's been waiting for an ace to hit the market, and that's the Padres that I'm sure would love to spend money on Tarek Skubal. And I mean, a massive boatload, maybe more than what the Tigers can afford. Who knows? But to answer your question, Connor, what you have to do is address it in the immediate. And the immediate. Right now, even despite some injuries, I don't think Tarek Skubel stays. I think you need to focus on the future and recoup some picks and recoup some prospects and start from scratch. As much as that will pain Tigers fans to hear. [00:28:50] Speaker E: Absolutely, Dave. I think one of the things that was a question mark heading into the year for Tigers fans was do you move Screwball? I think with how terrible their record is, with no signs that it's going to turn the corner, they've answered that question for the fans. You absolutely have to move them, because even if you hold on to them, you're not looking like you're going to make the playoffs this year. And as silly as it sounds to say that, two days into June or three days into June, when you shoot yourself in the foot at the beginning of the race, it's really hard to win it. So when you're dealing with that hanging over your head, and I was, I think, in the minority in the off season saying trade school based on what I had seen in the playoffs last year, most notably his. Yeah. [00:29:36] Speaker B: School. [00:29:36] Speaker E: Pulling himself from the. The playoff deciding game for the Tigers in the sixth inning, which for me told me, look, you know, he was dialed in. I think he had 13 or 14 ks untouchable. [00:29:49] Speaker C: And. [00:29:49] Speaker E: And reports were that he was done. And six innings was. Was enough for him in that moment. For me, when it mattered the most, that's all you're going to get is six innings in a. In. In a. In crunch time. It's good. It's not enough to. To warrant holding on to. And you can't really afford him anyway. So I say cut bait, look to trade, move on and build the team around McGonagall going forward, who is one of the only. I think him and Vladdy Jr. In my understanding, are the only two prospects to have ever received an 80 grade from Baseball America in the last like 10 years in terms of their hit tool. So when you're comparing Kevin McGonagall to the likes of a guy like Vladdy, who, you know, while his power numbers aren't there this year, is one of the best hitters in the MLB and has been his entire tenure with the Jays, it's in, it's in really, really high regard. That hit tool for Kevin McGonagall, you got to build around him. Say goodbye to Skubal and look towards the future. [00:30:47] Speaker A: Look at the Pirates, right? Look at the Rockies. Rockies are still in seller mode. They feel like they've been in seller mode since I was 12. I'm 34 people now. Just to give you a little, little thing, but different stages of the rebuild. Look at the Nationals, Cardinals, White Sox. I mentioned some names in my notes here. Twins, Marlins, Angels, Free Trout. [00:31:04] Speaker B: I've said this on the show for three years. [00:31:06] Speaker A: Please, free Trout. [00:31:07] Speaker B: I don't. Just don't go to the Dodgers or the Yankees, okay? Go to the Phillies, your team that [00:31:11] Speaker A: you grew up cheering for. [00:31:12] Speaker B: Send them to the Phillies. [00:31:13] Speaker A: He'd look great with Bryce Harper Co. [00:31:15] Speaker B: There and Don Matley and the Crew in Philadelphia. But Giants and Rockies. Giants have been in that territory for a bit now. Louisa Rise, Robbie Ray and I'm taking [00:31:25] Speaker A: some quotes from this mlb.com I was, I thought it was a terrific article today, one of the more informative articles. [00:31:29] Speaker B: But teams that are going to be buying. I've talked about teams that might be selling. [00:31:32] Speaker A: Rays, Yankees, Blue Jays, Guardians, Mariners, A's, I agree with that. [00:31:35] Speaker B: Are going to be buying. If you look at the other side, [00:31:37] Speaker A: Cubs, Phillies, Padres, Dodgers, the usual suspects [00:31:40] Speaker B: are going to be looking at buying. There's a lot more buyers than, I [00:31:43] Speaker A: think, sellers because of the parity in the league at this current point. But we're still in the beginning of June, people. [00:31:47] Speaker B: And I believe obviously when it comes to the trade deadline, teams are going to be looking at, I think, really buying hard. So these teams that are sellers, I didn't mention the Tigers on purpose yet [00:31:58] Speaker A: because of that, they're definitely a seller. [00:32:00] Speaker B: They're going to be able to sell Scubal at a very high rate. Just even if he doesn't have an [00:32:06] Speaker A: extension in place with the team and [00:32:08] Speaker B: someone like the Dodgers or the Padres might. I know people are Like Scuba's gonna [00:32:11] Speaker A: go to the Padres. [00:32:12] Speaker B: No, no, I don't think they're gonna [00:32:14] Speaker A: pay to trade for him because I [00:32:16] Speaker B: feel like they're gonna have the ability to get another arm to solidify and sign them in the offseason. Attract him because of being where he's from. Somebody like the Guardians, which they won't. [00:32:25] Speaker A: It's the same division, but someone like maybe the Yankees, maybe the Rays, maybe [00:32:31] Speaker B: someone out of this world. The Phillies. [00:32:33] Speaker A: Right. Maybe the Braves. Maybe those are the teams that look at Tarek Scubal for example. But there's a lot very interesting as we get to those part of the [00:32:42] Speaker B: season and seeing the Giants and the Rockies and teams that were in the rebuild and now teams on the cusp like the A's and the Pirates really trying to break that mold of being out of that rebuild stage that they've [00:32:54] Speaker A: been in for the past decades to try to repair as the A is near their move to Las Vegas. Conveniently enough when they're going to get better. Vegas is being spoiled with sports right now. Except the Raiders. [00:33:05] Speaker B: They're not that good now besides the now beside. I want to talk about something with Hoffman. [00:33:09] Speaker A: Connor, I know we're going a little bit over. I don't want to eat too much of your time. [00:33:12] Speaker B: So the topic that we're gonna have time for today is I want to [00:33:15] Speaker A: talk about Jeff Hoffman. [00:33:16] Speaker B: Last season was trash for the Blue Jays. [00:33:18] Speaker A: One of the worst closers in baseball. He had over 15 home runs. Him in his. In his innings that he's pitched, he blew. I think it was 14 plus saves as well, which is 14 wins. Connor, think of the Jays had 14 more wins last year. [00:33:32] Speaker B: They would have been 108 win team. [00:33:34] Speaker A: That's wild. This year he's blown over seven games in the games that he's pitched. Games they were winning seven games. The Jays right now are two games under.500 if you get those. Let's see with five of those seven, they're first in the division. Almost came back though. [00:33:49] Speaker B: And the games that they blew against [00:33:51] Speaker A: the Tigers was a more recent one. [00:33:53] Speaker B: The most recent was the absolute debacle against the Baltimore Orioles where you got 5:1 and Hoffman forgets how to pitch and walks and loads the bases for a former Tiger. [00:34:03] Speaker A: Connor Sebold. Believe it's Connor's first name. Sorry if I butchered at the beginning. I believe it is. [00:34:08] Speaker B: Sebold comes out of the bullpen and then walks the next guy. And then Bradley Rutchman or Pete Alonso. I forget which one wins the game. For the Orioles pivotal divisional games. [00:34:16] Speaker A: Connor, you've been a coach for Minor. You've played baseball your whole Life. [00:34:20] Speaker B: Hoffman's getting $11 million a year. [00:34:23] Speaker A: He is not a closer. He's better as a seventh inning guy. He's shown it this year that he's a better seventh inning guy. So I don't know why. So my two questions are why the hell does Schneider keep putting them in those closing situations when you know that he's not good enough to do it? [00:34:37] Speaker B: And what do you think's going through [00:34:39] Speaker A: Hoffman mind right now? [00:34:41] Speaker B: Because he must feel like he let the World Series last year once he got the blast to tie the game. Ever since that, Hoffman's mind I think has been gone. [00:34:50] Speaker A: I feel like his mental health is a worry. [00:34:53] Speaker B: I'm saying to be straight. Like I feel like the guy is in a dark place and in terms of where he feels as a pitcher right now. And I just don't think being in the Blue Jays uniform anymore is going to help him any further. I think he needs a new change of scenery or needs to be let [00:35:07] Speaker A: go and explore going somewhere else because he's not performing, man. [00:35:11] Speaker B: And you've. So my question is why is Schneider keep putting them in and what do [00:35:14] Speaker A: you think's going through Hoffman's mind? [00:35:15] Speaker E: Okay, so I'll. I'll eat one of those one at a time. Why does he keep getting put in? Well, two things. First, he was used in high leverage situations last year. So they trust him, trust him to carry that forward this year. Second, I think it's based on the data, he's still really good at at generating whiffs. He has a good strikeout rate and a chase percentage. And his walks have even come down a bit is my understanding. To put it all together, he has what's known as a incredibly high. The stat is called bat pip. It's called ball. A batting average on balls put in play. It's in part a luck stat, meaning that when a hitter makes contact, obviously there's defenders in the field. And as long as it's not a home run, defenders can field the ball. So when you make contact, your batting average on balls put in play is, you know, presumably higher than your batting average because if you take out strikeouts, you know it's going to be higher than your. Let's not get lost in the weeds. He's got an incredibly high batting average on balls put in play, which means that he's a very unlucky pitcher. So unlucky that his actual ERA of plus Six is almost double what Hoffman's expected ERA is. So there's data to support. Is my understanding that Hoffman actually might be one of the most unlucky pitchers in baseball right now. And if you take his whiff rate and his strikeout history and the fact that for some reason every time somebody makes contact with one of his pitches, it's finding a hole, that sort of thing tends to smooth out over time, such that it's easy to expect and probably likely that his ERA will regress downward, not just because it's super high, but because he's been super unlucky. So that's probably what the Jays are thinking. They say, look, the results are bad. He's, I think, even hit batters in situations that were not great, and it's hard to defend. Should he be used in those high leverage situations? I mean, when you hear 14 blown saves, it's really hard to say that this guy's got the clutch gene, but I would certainly keep him in my bullpen, just not as a closer. I think he can do leverage situations [00:37:28] Speaker B: in the middle of the game, seventh inning, if there's two on, one out, maybe put them in. So it's kind of like not too high pressure, but something that's not going [00:37:37] Speaker A: to be the closure of the game. 100%. [00:37:39] Speaker B: He's proven he's been better in the seventh inning this year. It's been. Numbers have shown the difference in ERA [00:37:44] Speaker A: and those two differences. Innings. [00:37:46] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. [00:37:46] Speaker E: But there is the mental side, and you mentioned the coaching aspect of it. I'm sure Hoffman does not care that his expected ERA is much lower than his actual era. When you see the runs come across the board and you look at your. Your ERA stat, you think, oh, my God, I can't catch a break. This sucks. [00:38:02] Speaker B: I suck. [00:38:03] Speaker E: Or, you know, maybe those sorts of demons are. Are riddling in the back of his head there. So you got to put him in his position where he can succeed, build up some confidence, and then hopefully be useful. Because if not, then if the psyche is broken, it doesn't matter what the expected ERA is. You won't be able to trust him when it matters the most. [00:38:21] Speaker A: 100. That's such a good way to put it. [00:38:23] Speaker B: And Jay's fans are very quick on the reactions, on the reaction of that. But making $11 million, it's fair. [00:38:31] Speaker C: It's fair. [00:38:32] Speaker E: You know, like people want results and it's really hard to say, well, my chase rate is higher, by the way. I'm pegging guys in crunch time. That sounded Awful. I am throwing the ball at batters in crunch time and. And not getting the saves when we need them the most. [00:38:50] Speaker B: That's good. [00:38:51] Speaker A: That's good. [00:38:51] Speaker B: And ultimately next week, Connor, I'm in Toronto and watching the Jays and Phillies [00:38:56] Speaker A: at the Rogers center on the 10th. The Phill of the hottest teams in baseball right now. So I don't know if I'm going [00:39:01] Speaker B: to regret buying that ticket right now. As long as I don't see Hoffman [00:39:05] Speaker A: come out of the bullpen when Schwarber [00:39:06] Speaker B: is up to plates. [00:39:07] Speaker A: I'll be probably a bit happy with that. But it'll be. [00:39:10] Speaker B: Be excited to do that. I. I honestly think we got to [00:39:14] Speaker A: catch a Jays and Tigers game sometime soon. [00:39:16] Speaker B: I know we've talked about it a few times, but hitting the Comerica park [00:39:19] Speaker A: when possible or going to the Rogers Center. Both parks are absolutely beautiful. Very different parks too, which is really cool despite being so close to watch either way, but nonetheless, two teams that [00:39:31] Speaker B: are in kind of a different direction, but sort of. The Jays were at that spot and they're battling back. The Tigers back in August of 2025. [00:39:38] Speaker A: 4 back of August 2024 had that [00:39:41] Speaker B: amazing run with a 0.3% chance to make the playoffs. And then they had the big August in September where they made the playoffs. It was 2004. [00:39:49] Speaker A: 2024. I believe that was 2024. That match. [00:39:52] Speaker E: I was in JK or SK at that point. David. [00:39:55] Speaker A: No. [00:39:56] Speaker B: 2024. Sorry. [00:39:57] Speaker E: That's it. Sorry, I thought you said 2004. I'm tripping so hard right now. [00:40:04] Speaker B: I might have. Might have said 2004. 2024 again. I think they lost to Cleveland in the playoffs. I think that was 2024 where the [00:40:12] Speaker E: Tigers lost to Cleveland. [00:40:13] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah. [00:40:15] Speaker B: That was things. Anything can happen in baseball, especially if you're looking back to 2004. All right, that's. I think that's a good cue to laugh in. Send off on Connor, any final thoughts [00:40:26] Speaker A: before we wrap up strike zone. [00:40:28] Speaker B: And then I'm going to be bringing in Trudes for some Chuck a puck. [00:40:31] Speaker E: Yeah, not for me clearly. I need a little bit more sleep, but it's always great to catch up. Dave, best of luck with your season. I know that things are just underway and hopefully your Jays can pick things up going forward. Unlike the Tigers, their season still has lots of hope, so hopefully they can turn it around. [00:40:47] Speaker A: I hope they do too. [00:40:48] Speaker B: For your as a fan sake, I hope there's more. I like the parody in the league. And speaking of men's league Too. With the Flamingos folding because of fund reasons, I'll be transparent. [00:40:57] Speaker A: They've been pretty vocal about it. [00:40:58] Speaker B: We have some Flamingos now that have joined the Pandas, and there might be some other new players joining the Pandas that have a lot of baseball history, because we have one eye this year on a Target team that we want to take down. [00:41:10] Speaker A: We've talked about it. So, you know, if you're in the [00:41:12] Speaker B: Sioux and there's a Cardinals Donuts game or Donuts game. Geez, don't tell anyone I said that. Cardinals Pandas game. [00:41:20] Speaker A: Maybe you should come check out a Strathclear Yards. And you know what? That jersey, Connor, that you have, I [00:41:24] Speaker B: still probably have one for you to. [00:41:26] Speaker A: To slip on as a spare if [00:41:27] Speaker B: you want to come play against your [00:41:29] Speaker A: buddies in the Cardinals. You know what? [00:41:31] Speaker E: I'm. I'm too rusty at this point, Dave. [00:41:32] Speaker B: I'm. [00:41:33] Speaker E: I'd be of no help to anyone. [00:41:35] Speaker B: So would you want to go call me out from the bullpen? [00:41:38] Speaker C: Kag? [00:41:41] Speaker B: My dream would be to have you come out in a hat, grab the ball from Fabro or Johnny Levine, and say, kagger. That's one of my dreams in the next couple years for Conor to summon me from the bullpen. Okay. I want you to know that. One of my dreams. Okay. [00:41:56] Speaker E: It would be. It would be my honor. Mariano Rivera, Dave McKeg Jr. Those are the two guys. If I could ever call into the. Into the game, those would be my 2. [00:42:04] Speaker B: Honestly, would you choose me over Hoffman right now? I feel like that's not a. I [00:42:07] Speaker E: promise you, your batting average on balls put in play is lower than his. [00:42:10] Speaker B: I would love it. [00:42:11] Speaker A: It's hilarious. [00:42:12] Speaker B: All right. Good job, Connor. So it's great. This has been strike zone. When we come back, we're gonna have Jordan shoot. [00:42:18] Speaker A: I need to take a quick breather. [00:42:19] Speaker B: I gotta have a sip in my pint, obviously. And we're going to be talking strike zone in our extended version from. [00:42:25] Speaker A: Sorry. [00:42:26] Speaker B: Chuck a Puck. This has been strike zone. [00:42:28] Speaker A: Look at me. Already blurring words before we get to the third segment. [00:42:30] Speaker B: Has been like that the last five minutes. We're gonna have an extended version of Chuck a Puck because we've taken time away from Trudeau. [00:42:36] Speaker A: Too much on the show because I [00:42:38] Speaker B: don't know when to shut up. Nor does anybody else. So just so I don't continue to talk, we're gonna have that break, and [00:42:43] Speaker A: we come back, we'll have Chocobo. Don't go anywhere. Welcome back to the Game Sports podcast. Your host David McKay to host you this evening. [00:42:51] Speaker B: And you know what? It's bittersweet getting towards the end in [00:42:54] Speaker A: the final segment of each show. [00:42:55] Speaker B: You know, it's, it's been 10 plus years now that we've been doing the show and we've been doing this Chuck A Puck segment for a couple years now. And that's what you're going to hear [00:43:05] Speaker A: right now from Jordan Trudeau and myself. [00:43:07] Speaker B: So let's introduce the one, the only, the known teacher from Tick Tock on [00:43:12] Speaker A: the comments on the game sports podcast, Jordan Trudeau. [00:43:16] Speaker B: Trudeau, my friend. How's it going? [00:43:17] Speaker D: Well, good evening. Yeah, great. It's been a while, that's for sure. We've both been busy, so schedules haven't been lining up. So it's good to be back for a little bit here the off season and get some off season. [00:43:31] Speaker B: I'm not gonna lie. I've been doing Chuck A Puck independently for the past couple shows. And, you know, it's like looking over in your. That Travolta meme or, or, you know, I don't know if you ever seen that movie. I love you, man. When Paul Rudd with Seagull's trying to like do the bass guitar or anything, you know, I'm saying he's by himself doing it. Like, that's how I kind of felt, to be honest with you. [00:43:54] Speaker D: I haven't been here in a while, so it must be hard. A little bit difficult on you. A little lonely, but it's low. Here, here, back here. Back again today. [00:44:01] Speaker B: And I got glasses on for the first time for this segment. I decided to slip. [00:44:06] Speaker A: No, they're not new. [00:44:07] Speaker B: I just decided for the segment I wanted to join you in the glasses today. [00:44:10] Speaker A: I wanted to. Okay. [00:44:11] Speaker B: To accompany you with the glasses. [00:44:13] Speaker D: We'll both wear the glasses today. [00:44:15] Speaker A: That's good. [00:44:17] Speaker B: Like that. Okay. Chuck a Puck. Today's a pretty standard agenda, to be honest. We're going to react about the Mario Cup. Obviously it happened on Sunday. If you watched the previous edition of the game, I did predict the winner of that and I thought it was the favorites were going to win and they did. [00:44:33] Speaker A: They were pretty dominant that entire tournament. [00:44:35] Speaker B: Obviously, you know, Sam O'Reilly knows how to play some hockey. Had a pretty impressive run. He won the trifecta, basically, if you know what the trifecta is. [00:44:44] Speaker A: Well, if you don't, you don't. [00:44:45] Speaker B: You just won the all the MVPs [00:44:47] Speaker A: and the trophies that you can win. I'll keep it very simple for everybody out there. Okay. Without giving you Too much of an expert analysis on that. [00:44:53] Speaker B: It's pretty self explanatory, pretty great. That that Kitchener team, they were really impressive. We got the chance to see them [00:45:00] Speaker A: here in Sault Ste. Marie when they played against the Hounds in the second round and you know, [00:45:03] Speaker B: not that that was a cakewalk for [00:45:05] Speaker A: Kitchener by any means. You know the Hounds puppet could fight those games. I felt that the Hounds were in those games. They did very well. I think it was a good measuring [00:45:12] Speaker B: that like where this, this team could have went is what I mean by that measuring stick. But obviously Kitchener is just too dominant this entire playoffs and show they were [00:45:22] Speaker A: just a well built team. Just a well built team. Drew it's. [00:45:24] Speaker B: And they walk away as 20, 26 Memorial cup champs. So we're going to talk about that right now and then we're going to talk about the draft that's upcoming. And it's yours truly's fault that the draft dates got mixed up because I don't have Jaron Bellini join us right now. So we're gonna have to try to plan a clip. [00:45:39] Speaker A: I'm gonna make sure I shoot him [00:45:40] Speaker B: a text because his birthday was recently and I saw him for his birthday and he was asking me about when [00:45:45] Speaker A: we're going to be doing a recording. [00:45:46] Speaker B: Now I understand why he was asking when we're doing a recording. But nonetheless true to start with Memorial [00:45:52] Speaker A: Cup Kitchener walks ways champs. [00:45:53] Speaker B: What's your reaction? But the moral cup would it. What's your feedback about it? Any surprises? What? [00:45:59] Speaker A: Some takeaways? [00:46:00] Speaker D: Yeah, I wasn't surprised. I mean I, I'm didn't have the TSN package so like I wasn't watching it as per se. I was more just following it. But I, I wasn't surprised. Like you look at this Kitchener team and they're just a pretty dominant team and when they came to the sue, you really got to see house vans, really got to see their structure, like how structured they were, their. Their strong play in all zones, their ability to put the puck in the net against elite goaltending and capitalize on simple mistakes. And Kitchener was a team that didn't make many mistakes and they made you pay for yours. Especially Dylan Edwards. He was a force for the Kitchener Rangers in the playoffs and the Memorial cup really shows the importance of having a solid OA that has experience and time in the league that can really carry you and help carry your team. He didn't really carry them. I mean their whole team was outstanding. But like lead the packs as per se. Sam O'Reilly Jared Woolley, two really, really solid pickups for this team. I mean, props to the GM, Mike McKenzie, props to the coach for, for getting this team as strong as they did. I didn't feel like they were their sharpest against the Greyhounds, even though they, they won in five games. I. The. When I like watching them, I felt like the. How there were stretches where the Greyhounds did have them like, like kind of in a, in a bit of a situation. Like they gave them some fits, but I think they really got it figured out. In the Windsor series when they beat them in five games, I think that's when everyone was like, oh, this team is. This team is. Is gonna probably win the rest of the way. And if we're being picky, I like to do. Usually. The Kitchener Rangers only lost two games all postseason, Memorial cup included, and the Greyhounds were one of those games. So, I mean, I guess it's just more of like a little soft pat in the back. But I mean, to those Greyhound players, that is an achievement and they honestly, they probably could have had another victory or two. So, I mean, you look back on it, it's. It was a good, it was a good series, it was a good experience. And yeah, Kitchener Wisdom Royal Cup. I was keeping tabs on Landon Dupont. If you don't know who he is, you certainly will in the upcoming years. He's the projected first overall pick. He had nearly a point per game for Everett as an underage defenseman last year, and he got them to the moment. He was on the team that got the World cup this year and they ended up losing to Kitchener in the final. But I mean, as an underage defenseman, six points in four games at a Memorial cup championship. Well, as a rookie defenseman. Sorry, not an underage anymore. As a rookie defenseman, that's pretty impressive. [00:48:54] Speaker A: So hail McCarr in the making. [00:48:56] Speaker D: He'll be an aim to look forward to in the upcoming NHL prospect pool and draft. So, yeah, now we head into the offseason draft where the Greyhounds have some work to do. They got some draft capital to. To recoup now in these next coming years. So there was an. There was an interesting article. I don't know if you saw it, Dave the Unsuit star Jansen Dench. Pronouncing that correctly, I hope. Great, outstanding work he's done over the past couple years that he's been covering this team and he talks to Tib Lukenda and he confirmed a few things and he gave us a little bit of excitement on Some new arena upgrades that they're trying to work out and a potential Memorial cup bid in 2030. So things to look forward to as a. As a Greyhound fan, hopefully. [00:49:39] Speaker B: Yeah, you know what the draft is where to start. And the only thing that I'll go [00:49:42] Speaker A: back to the Memorial cup quickly is that I was looking for some reaction fuel and I had a little note for myself where you got the. [00:49:47] Speaker B: He got Jordan Turk turn Grenay, of course stomped on Christian Humphreys with Escape Blade. Apparently that happened. I kind of want to hear people's angles on that piece. Of course you got the guy. [00:50:01] Speaker A: The whole. [00:50:02] Speaker B: The whole piece of kitchen that I've [00:50:04] Speaker A: been seeing like quotes and I'm looking at a couple right now. The 18 year curse is dead. As you know there. [00:50:09] Speaker B: Someone had a funny thing. Skate blades and title games. [00:50:12] Speaker A: I thought that was a pretty funny little quote. [00:50:15] Speaker B: And can anyone stop Dylan Edwards. [00:50:17] Speaker A: That was some other quotes that was going around throughout the entirety. [00:50:21] Speaker B: Rangers domination in Kelowna. [00:50:23] Speaker A: That was a frequent one that I [00:50:25] Speaker B: was seeing and going around. And you know they like when I see a predictable win. This is. [00:50:33] Speaker A: This is one that was predictable. But the overall World cup had some very exciting hockey. [00:50:37] Speaker B: And I did watch the finals and [00:50:39] Speaker A: when I was watching Kitchen, I was like, boy, this team is very nicely put together. And you know, I think the. [00:50:44] Speaker B: The whole OHL scene has really caught a lot. [00:50:48] Speaker A: Look how good London does Kitchener. [00:50:49] Speaker B: I think safe to say that the OHL has been the king of the [00:50:53] Speaker A: major junior hockey scene. And watching Landon dupont the next. [00:50:57] Speaker B: The projected first overall pick in a couple years after. But should be next year is his [00:51:02] Speaker A: draft year, if remember correctly. [00:51:04] Speaker B: No, the year after that. [00:51:05] Speaker A: I believe it's the year after that. 16, 18. [00:51:08] Speaker B: I think two years he gets drafted [00:51:10] Speaker D: two years because he played at underage last year. Like he. He's gonna have NCAA like he's Caleb [00:51:16] Speaker A: Carr written all over that guy. And I think he needs to go that college route like Gavin did. [00:51:21] Speaker B: I think that really helped out Gavin. And we know where Gavin might be playing this year. [00:51:25] Speaker A: While early prediction but to the end talked about that. [00:51:29] Speaker D: Have we? I think I did you. Eh, we. [00:51:32] Speaker A: We will. [00:51:33] Speaker B: We're gonna go to that. [00:51:34] Speaker A: Yeah, we'll do that. I'll give you a couple minutes to vent about that. [00:51:39] Speaker B: But overall the Royal cup was I think pretty good hockey. [00:51:43] Speaker A: But there was a favorite team throughout that. [00:51:45] Speaker B: And honestly the whole skate blade. It's just always storylines in hockey. [00:51:49] Speaker A: People keep your skates on your feet. Okay. Just keep it down on the ground. [00:51:53] Speaker D: So dangerous right what are you doing? [00:51:56] Speaker A: Knife. [00:51:59] Speaker D: Yeah. At that point, like, you know, you, you, you, especially in a playoff series, like if you're playing seven games, as anyone knows that's played the game, you, you get into a big rivalry. But at the end of the day, we just, we don't want anybody to get hurt. Right. Like, I don't think anybody wants to see that. So, yeah, that was kind of a shocker. But, but he did get, get, he did get the good, the right punishment. Right? He got kicked out of the tournament. [00:52:23] Speaker A: So yeah, he got the right piece. [00:52:24] Speaker B: And you know what? Like, I'm good to see a little, you know what I'm saying, a couple [00:52:27] Speaker A: get in there, you know, that's. [00:52:29] Speaker D: There was a fair share. Yeah. I, I will say I did catch a WHL game this year when I went to Edmonton and I think there was two fights. Like they still fight out there. And it's tough, it's great game because of it. It is very. I will. I say that I, I'm pro fighting. [00:52:46] Speaker A: I don't, I don't disagree. [00:52:47] Speaker B: I know some friends of the show have said other things, guests I've had [00:52:51] Speaker A: on the show and I understand both sides of it. I'm just indifferent bystander. I just, you know, I'm here to provide entertainment and give you my opinion. Same with Druids. [00:53:00] Speaker B: Now, draft kind of feels weird. You know, I only, only did it [00:53:03] Speaker A: one year with Bells, but I feel bad that I didn't plan this properly. But it's so. [00:53:08] Speaker B: I'm sorry to Jaron Bellini, who I [00:53:09] Speaker A: know is a listener of this show and we're going to make up for it with a clip. Like I said, I want to remind listeners, so you kind of take, just make sure you keep an eye on that clip. [00:53:16] Speaker B: On our TikTok channel, Bell's picked Jerem [00:53:19] Speaker A: Bellini, picked two pounds. We're going to pick last year. Okay, Sioux fans. [00:53:23] Speaker B: All right. [00:53:23] Speaker A: And he picked very good in that draft. You and him both picked pretty good in that. I know Bell's had a better percentage than both of us, I believe when I looked back a few months ago. But Bells knows his stuff. He's scouting, he knows. And for those who want to know who you think your team's getting, you know, you know, you might want to know now. [00:53:41] Speaker B: I will say something. [00:53:42] Speaker A: I think this is the perfect time to say it before we talk about the Hounds. [00:53:45] Speaker B: There's a very good name in this [00:53:47] Speaker A: upcoming draft coming up and he's a [00:53:49] Speaker B: 6 foot 2 defenseman. Okay. He's a little skinny right now. He's got some meat to grow, but [00:53:53] Speaker A: he's only 16 years old. Okay. [00:53:55] Speaker B: Give him some pasta, give him some. Give him some steak, some burgers and get him back into the gym. Joking. If he listens, that'd be hilarious. But Nixon McCaig is a draft prospect [00:54:06] Speaker A: in the OHL rate to go 31st in the draft. And everyone knows I love a big [00:54:10] Speaker B: defenseman, somebody who's a state owned mobile [00:54:13] Speaker A: defenseman that can get it done. [00:54:14] Speaker B: I would love to see the Hounds get into that. [00:54:16] Speaker A: But the Hounds are not picking around that point. [00:54:19] Speaker B: So I don't think they're going to be able to get them. But the best name in the draft, [00:54:24] Speaker A: I'm going to have to go with Nixon McCaig. [00:54:26] Speaker D: Okay. [00:54:26] Speaker B: I don't care about the other cool. Kane cool. All these other cool names that are out there. Not Nixon McCaig is my guy this year. Going 31st overall in the OHL draft. But jokes aside. [00:54:37] Speaker A: Truth. Sorry, I know you wanted to mention something there. No, no. [00:54:40] Speaker D: I was gonna say I wonder why he's your favorite pick in the draft, right? [00:54:43] Speaker A: I don't know. [00:54:44] Speaker B: I gotta see if he's a relative. [00:54:45] Speaker A: Okay. He's from Oakville. [00:54:47] Speaker D: You could take some credit there, maybe some blood. You know who I'm gonna pay attention to because it makes me really old is Colin Kennedy. That is Craig Hart's grandson. And we used to sit like side by side when Craig like Craig had seized tickets to the. That he might have been coaching at that point. He might have been coaching the team regardless. His wife, his wife Peggy and her parents were longtime friends of mine at the we. Our season tickets were right beside each other's. So when I was young, I remember so would be Colin's grandpa. He. He would bring me like huge chocolate bars all the time. So I was, I was really into that. So and to. For him like I remember when. And obviously I didn't really interact with him a lot, just kind of in passing and just having the tickets beside each other. But you know, it's the old adult thing, right? Like, oh, I'm getting so old now because I remember you when you were a kid just like this tall like. But it is, it's true. So calling Kennedy is. Is a name and I hear he's. He's outstanding for Detroit. Little Caesar. So should he choose the OHL route, I don't think he'll be there for the greyhounds to take at 12, even though that would be. That would be amazing to have Craig Hartzberg's grandson on the team, as well as hopefully Trevor Daley son next year. [00:56:13] Speaker A: Yeah, that, that coming too. [00:56:17] Speaker D: Yeah. I mean, what's cool about the OHL draft too this year? It's kind of like an experience now. So they've chose Kingston as the venue, the Slush Puppy place, I believe it's called. And they're kind of having like a real live in person draft when it's just always usually been online. So we're gonna see how that works out. That's kind of cool for the kids, you know, like. [00:56:41] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah. [00:56:43] Speaker D: Little draft day experience and go there with your family and get called. Like that's pretty cool. Like, I don't know. I, I, I dig that. [00:56:50] Speaker B: I don't know why they never did that. [00:56:51] Speaker A: Like obviously see a lot of friends I've seen get drafted. A friend of mine, very close friend, Zach Jaquato, obviously getting drafted third overall. You know, Saginaw was, you know, a big deal and some of these guys that have went higher up and got drafted, it was always such a great little story locally for them. And having that draft, no matter what you go in, is such a good opportunity. [00:57:12] Speaker B: And you know, when you look at these young kids now, we're much more in the future. [00:57:16] Speaker A: Everyone getting drafted as the 2010 birth year right now that's getting drafted. I'm a 91 just to share to anybody I know if anyone's older. I know there's listeners that are far older just from our previous fans. And I don't mean that as, but you know, when people say you get older, things happen. It's quickly you feel old just by looking at that and bringing up that, that Kennedy story is absolutely unbelievable. It's, it's, it's, that's just full circle. And you know, there is one name that has really been one that's that I've heard frequently from and it's not from Jaron Bellini either. But one name was Roman Vaneker was one name that I've been hearing a lot of. He played in Brantford for the 99ers, had a very impressive year. He had just around 70 points. I'm actually looking at his stats right now at a very impressive year with [00:57:59] Speaker B: somebody who was pretty highly rated like, [00:58:02] Speaker A: who feel they might be one of those blue like diamond in the rough. Sorry, I don't know why I said blue, but diamond in the rough picks. [00:58:08] Speaker B: But obviously Kane Cluce is someone who [00:58:10] Speaker A: a lot of people are looking at and Tanner Adams is the apparently the number One overall selection that seems it's going to be going played out of Hill Academy as 88. [00:58:19] Speaker B: But there's a lot of, of good [00:58:20] Speaker A: names and there's you know, some good players. Like you have someone like Max Franzen who's played almost 69 games here and got 89 points. A lot of hockey this year. This kid has played a lot of, [00:58:31] Speaker B: a lot of improvement, a lot of [00:58:32] Speaker A: room to, to improve. [00:58:33] Speaker B: So I was really attracted to the [00:58:34] Speaker A: amount of games that someone like Max was playing and these guys that were [00:58:38] Speaker B: kind of in the second round tier [00:58:40] Speaker A: going into the season. But now Roman has I guess really skyrocketed. His, his draft stock is the word I'm looking for. And then obviously Evan Bannister, another name I've heard about for a few reasons [00:58:53] Speaker B: and the other name besides of course [00:58:55] Speaker A: Nixon McCag being up there. Someone I just saw today, somebody who has been actually rated to me who's played for the London Junior nights is Finley Butler was another one that I've heard about. [00:59:05] Speaker B: So Finley, Butler and also Roman. [00:59:07] Speaker A: When you look at Roman, you know, [00:59:09] Speaker B: not Roman Reigns, he's not your tribal [00:59:11] Speaker A: chief, you know, you're not going to be able to acknowledge him if you know, you know, but hear things in the background there. [00:59:16] Speaker B: Like I was looking at his stats [00:59:18] Speaker A: and it's, it seems that what he really improved on was his 200 foot game and his vision on the ice in terms of playmaking ability and actually shooting the puck which is very important, you know, if you can learn that at a young age. So definitely some names to hear about especially around that 12 area. Fear for the Sault Ste. Marie greyhounds, but there's a lot of people that might go that. And I think the hopeful pick is Colin Kennedy, but I don't think he's gonna drop the twelfth truths like you said. I, I don't, I don't think so. Maybe MCN there, maybe you are going to get someone like Roman. I think if Roman's there at 12, I think that's somebody that you might have to consider taking for the greyhound. So that's my pick is Roman. Roman Vaneker. That's the name that I'll say it just. He sounds like a greyhound to boot too. And this is the way that his it's been. So that's a little bit of insight that Dave McCagg's looked into and heard from scouts in the area to make sure that they talk about. [01:00:09] Speaker B: I don't like mentioning names unless they give me permission. [01:00:11] Speaker A: So I don't do that, but that's been a name that's been floating around. [01:00:13] Speaker D: Well, you, if the Hounds make that pick, then you, you deserve a job. [01:00:17] Speaker A: So I don't, I don't know about that. I, I'll stick it behind the microphone. [01:00:20] Speaker D: I like Roman Vaneker's brother. Merrick played for the Bull, played for the Bulldogs this year, Merrick Vaneker. And he had a very good year. I believe he's a first rounder in Chicago and he was a name that popped up a lot, especially playing for Brantford. So I mean when there's bloodline, it's probably a safe investment. On the two mock drafts I have up, it's funny, the two mock drafts clips that I have up on Twitter, the top five is like, is. Well, I think one's from April, one's more recent. So the top 10 is pretty much the same. But the, the top five is like, kind of like, it's kind of like wish washy. So I thought it'll be interesting to see both of them have Landon Rolston as the Greyhounds pick. He's a, he's a 16 year old from Vaughn's, from Oakville. Six two, 187 at 16, like. And that Finley Butler that you mentioned, 6, 5, 2, 12, 15 years old. Like, like just turned 16. Like, that is, that is a, that is a big human for 16 years old. And the thing is with all these kids that are coming up, like they've all been trained in elite, in elite skating. So the, the thing that we're evolving to now is whereas we had the Mitch Martyrs and the Cole Caulfields and you know, those type of players, the small guy that could skate, the small playmaker that can outskate everybody, now we're seeing a shift where they're, they're big and they can speed and that's scary, right, because they have the same elite abilities as a Mitch Marner, as even like, like a Connor McDavid. I don't think he's a, he's not a big guy, right? Like, he's not. But like we're seeing that kind of evolve into the, the, the larger hockey players too. So it's getting, the sport is getting bigger and faster at the same time. [01:02:11] Speaker B: And so last year a big name [01:02:13] Speaker A: that I heard about, I can't believe I forgot to mention him. I'll make sure I do that right now is, is Cash. And I've heard different ways to announce, pronounce his last name, so I'm gonna go by Waja. That's the one that I've heard is Cash Waja. I heard that. But again, if I'm wrong, correct me if I'm wrong, people below, it's totally fine. I don't. [01:02:30] Speaker D: I'm not nine greens that. [01:02:32] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, he's so 63 points in 31 games. [01:02:36] Speaker A: And this was somebody that was a top three projected pick at the beginning of the season is what I've been told. And he's dropped down and accuracy not verified with that. Just basic conversation. The same scout told me about Finley Butler, told me about Roman, told me about Cash. And no, again, it's not Jaron Bellini, just a friend of a friend. And again, if I could say his name, I didn't shoot him a text before the show. I'm sure he wouldn't mind but I'm not going to say anything just in case he's, you know, never know. [01:03:03] Speaker B: So Cash is somebody where he said [01:03:06] Speaker A: that he should be going top three. He said his top three should be Tanner Adams, Kane Cluce and Cash Waja. Should be his top three first top three picks. [01:03:16] Speaker B: And when I look at Cash, I've [01:03:18] Speaker A: looked into a couple other scouts and talked to some that we've know and they've given credit to Cash, but a lot of them have said he's dropped out of the top five into that six to 10 area. So I sit here saying that the hounds, you know, should get Colin Kennedy. They should, you know, depending on where they are. But let's say Cash and Colin and Roman are available. I know you're not going to like this, but I think you got to take cash at 12. [01:03:38] Speaker B: This, this kid's impressive. [01:03:40] Speaker A: Colin Kennedy's obviously really good. [01:03:43] Speaker B: I, I think Cash is going to [01:03:45] Speaker A: be one of those steel picks that you see if he doesn't go top five, he's going to be someone who is going to show how he should have been a top five pick if not a top pick in the OHL priority draft. [01:03:55] Speaker B: And that's what I've been hearing. [01:03:57] Speaker A: I haven't seen too much of Cash. [01:03:58] Speaker B: I've actually had the luxury of see [01:04:00] Speaker A: hearing a lot of Colin Kennedy for obvious reasons given where we're located. And I've heard a lot about Kane. Cliche, again, obvious reasons. But Tanner Adams, to be honest, like I started hearing about this, this kid growing like in September and November and Christmas time. And that's where I was saying, okay, this kid's real good. He's very impressive. Obviously 88 points at Hill Academy. He was a consistent player. He was a Playmaker, good vision on the ice. [01:04:29] Speaker B: So someone did ask me, Dave, who [01:04:31] Speaker A: you think is going to be your top five? I'm not going to sit here and say that I memorized the top 10. So based on getting a bit more research, if I had to give you an, an overall selection pick, which I'm going to do, you got Oshawa, Erie, Brampton, Sarnia and Sudbury in your top five. And to give a top five, I'm going to say Tanner is going to go one. I'm going to say, so Tanner, Adams, Kane, Cluce is going to go two. I'm going to say three is going to be Adrian Earl. Again, this is Scurl. I must be pronouncing his name incorrectly. With the fourth overall pick, I'm gonna go with Logan Prod Holm from Upper Canadian College. [01:05:02] Speaker B: And then for the fifth overall pick, [01:05:05] Speaker A: I think it's going to be Cash Waja. And that's going to make Arrogant drop down to six and so on. So that's my top five for this upcoming draft. Out of the homework that I have done. [01:05:15] Speaker B: And at 12, you know, as much [01:05:16] Speaker A: as I think it would be Colin Kennedy for the sue grounds, it's not going to be anybody from the Sue. My apologies. Nor is it going to be Nixon McCaig. [01:05:23] Speaker B: Sorry, he'll be there, but he ain't [01:05:24] Speaker A: going to pick him at that point. It's gonna be Roman Vaneker, I think is what the hounds are going to be looking at taking. So those are predictions for the top five in the greyhounds Trudes. [01:05:33] Speaker B: I didn't plan to ask you that. [01:05:35] Speaker A: I just went to say that sporadically. So if you want to give your top five, giving the four to you this segment, you're the main quarterback. It'll sometimes hijack it and talk, but you're the, you're the quarterback. So give us, give us your. [01:05:47] Speaker D: I, I don't, I don't have a prediction, but I. The greyhounds looking at, at where they are, it's going to be tough for them not to take a defenseman. [01:05:57] Speaker A: No, that's what they need. [01:05:58] Speaker D: Well, I mean, so like that could impact their draft and they do not have a pick until the fourth after this one. And for a first line, you're looking at Travis Hayes, Jeremy Martin and Quinn McKenzie. And then you're looking at last year's draft where you drafted Noah Laos and ryan Kaczynski. So two 209 forwards that you have returning hopefully are going to take a, a big step forward because they were. Laos. Will Laos is going to be second. While he was playing on the first line this year, like he was outstanding as a 16 year old. So hopefully Kaczynski can also, you know, take his game to the next level. Being a first round pick. He does have the skill. It's there. It just, it has to like blossom a little bit. So I mean with, with your 209 first rounders possibly hopefully adding Trevor Daly, I mean you're in a position right now where you're losing Chase Reed, you're probably going to lose Callum Cross. Greed, you need to fill, you need to fill a void back there. So get a little, let's, let's, let's try to get a little Lane Hudson. I love that action there from the Canadians in the, in the, in the playoffs. That would be nice. A little carbon copy. So whoever, whoever displays that ought to do some research. But, but that, that's what I would be going into it looking for. I'm looking at a strong forward core coming back and returning and obviously some options to, to trade away like some, some really solid options to some forward options there to deal for more picks but more on that in the future. So I'm looking at a thin, I'm looking at a thin defense depth chart right now that you're going to want, want a high potential player to fill. [01:07:41] Speaker A: So, so out of the draft you're looking from that range between, I'm saying from between 8 to 15. You're looking at. From the projections you're looking at max Franzen is one. Yeah. Declan McNally is another one. Jaden Lacastro would be another pick and maybe Ryan Bolia and none of that. The only person that I've been able to get some feedback on is Jaden Lacastro who has from what I've been told more of an offensive mindset. And you can see that just in his points. He was a point a game almost as defenseman for the Toronto Marlboro. So, so I think maybe if that is the case, maybe that's something the Hounds have to look at. But I haven't done gotten the necessary research on Max and Declan. Obviously Max played a shit ton. There's my swear of the day of hockey this year. 69 games played this year for Max. So a lot of hockey this year and it makes you wonder to get that many defenses. [01:08:32] Speaker D: Sorry Dave. Some of them like I know some are you looking on elite prospects? Sometimes games aren't website from the consensus. Okay. [01:08:41] Speaker B: Shell site. [01:08:42] Speaker A: Yeah. They, they register games. It could be tournaments include like Tanner Adams, 52 games. [01:08:47] Speaker E: Okay. [01:08:48] Speaker A: Logan Pradhome for Upper Canada College played 69 games as well. He's on the same team as Max is. So Don mills only played 29 games. Based on this, could have been injuries. Right. There's a lot of factors that we don't know, but the average that players play is 30 to 35 games. Yeah. The norm. It could be a little bit different for Upper Canada College. I'm not too sure what the difference may be there, but nonetheless, there I have. The only one that I can really say that's where the Hounds are is Jaden La Castro, which has been a smooth skating defenseman, has good offensive vision is all I've. All I've heard. [01:09:23] Speaker B: I've gotten some lowdown about the top [01:09:24] Speaker A: 20, but nothing too crazy. [01:09:27] Speaker B: I definitely got to look into Nixon [01:09:29] Speaker A: McCaig a little bit more. You know, this guy might have a new fan. You know, some creep entering his DM saying, hey, you're welcome. Okay. You're welcome. Okay. [01:09:37] Speaker B: Jokes aside, if I. If the Hounds like trade or get or something like that, it's never gonna end. You know, the poor kids can come to the sue and want eight end up picking him. [01:09:51] Speaker D: I mean, that would just be hilarious. Like, we would have to like, go back and like, be like, look at what happened. [01:09:59] Speaker B: Look what happened. Look at your cousin. Look at your bloodline here. Your bloodline. [01:10:03] Speaker A: I'm just kidding. He's not my cousin. We're not. I don't think we're related. If we were, we wouldn't know. [01:10:07] Speaker B: So there's. [01:10:08] Speaker A: There's no involvement there. You just got the best name ever. Just kidding. [01:10:11] Speaker B: So, Trudes, any final thoughts about this upcoming draft or the Hounds overall this offseason? [01:10:16] Speaker A: What they can focus on to. [01:10:18] Speaker B: We'll stick to the Hounds a little bit. [01:10:19] Speaker A: We've talked the draft before we close out. We'll do a little love to the Hounds here. A little bit more. [01:10:23] Speaker B: Is there something you hope that the [01:10:25] Speaker A: Hounds do this year? The coaching search is still ongoing. I've already made my prediction that I think they're looking Kitchener's assistant. I thought that would want to be off the board to take for them and interesting because how he could dive into the head coaching realm. I know there's a lot of favorites for this job. Jordan Smith list goes on. We've talked about this. [01:10:40] Speaker B: Anything about the Hounds you want to [01:10:42] Speaker A: share before we transition to a little [01:10:43] Speaker B: fun topic for a few minutes before we wrap up? [01:10:45] Speaker D: Yeah, I think it's going to be. Can they keep their 19 year olds to use to refill some cupboards. Right. So we saw Chase Reed is committed to Michigan State which is that, that's not a surprise. That's nothing like out of the ordinary. Jordan Sharon announced his commitment for the year after. So he's committed for 27, 28. So as far as we know, Jordan Sharon is returning to the Greyhounds for 26, 27, which is a good thing. They are actually retaining a really solid team. When you think about it like they have a solid group of 19 year olds coming back. Like you think about what Jerry Martin was able to do last year, he's going to be a first liner. Travis Hayes is going to be a really solid 19 year old. Jordan Sharon as well. He had, he had like 20, 20 plus goals last year. Quinn McKenzie, what a pickup that was. So those four, I mean with those four and considering what the rest of the west division is, the Hounds have a shot at the division title right now. Is that a smart thing to do after we gave up six draft picks for Carter George? Absolutely not. But just the way that this organization has been able to roll with the punches and retain talent year after year, it has to be commended. So they're in a good spot. Even though they don't have the draft picks right now, they're in a good spot to get that, get those back. So they, they need to be looking into that. That will be closer to the winter. I think in the off season you're looking at how you can make your team better for the next three years. Obviously Colin Fitzgerald's coming back. Callum Crossgree. Can we get Callum to, you know, delay his commitment? Like, like how can we deal with the, the NCAA and getting players to come here and keeping them here so that you know, we can win or [01:12:39] Speaker A: we can win an OHL championship. [01:12:43] Speaker D: Winner winning OHL championship. So whether that's attracting younger, better talent that's gonna not be here as long or attracting talent that you can develop that'll play here, maybe not as high end but you know, will remain here and kind of be like that end up being that Dylan Edwards type of player, which is very important when you get down to the thick of it. So yeah, it's, it's going to be about the future the next year or two. [01:13:17] Speaker A: I would say before you hopefully see a Memorial cup in for 20, 30 for the sugar Hounds that, you know, [01:13:22] Speaker B: I'm interested to see what these arena [01:13:24] Speaker A: upgrades would be and to be honest, I've been quite transparent. This is a whole, I know we're Already a bit overtime here, which, which is totally okay. We, when we record biweekly, our. Our threshold's an hour and a half listeners, you know this. Okay, So I give myself that hour, hour and a half threshold. So the. I've talked about the arena should have opportunities right from the start when they built that arena. Beautiful. Love, love the Morrow Gardens. I think it's nice looking. I think it's location. You know, I've heard a couple interesting ideas where people said, why didn't they build it near Black Road near Strathclair or somewhere different where there's all fields. It could have been just a hockey rink. [01:13:59] Speaker B: And if you're from Sault Ste. [01:14:00] Speaker A: Marie, you know that being downtown, you know, there's. There's a lot at the Boardwalk, there's being where it is is just feels because that's where the old Gardens was. So I do agree though that I think they could have made the arena a little bit bigger to be able to attract bigger events. But that doesn't really matter when it comes to hockey itself. So this is obviously a segment devoted to the Hounds and hockey. So sticking to the hockey front, I think it would have been nice to focus on a bit more of the luxury boxes and have a bit more of that luxury feel. But this is again, I think if I remember correctly, is 2005. 6. [01:14:36] Speaker D: Yeah, it opened in 066. [01:14:38] Speaker A: Right. So this is 06. And for that time when this ring came out, you're astounded. It was beautiful. It still is. So now that to hear some opportunities to make it a bit more appealing would be nice. I think you sit there and say, oh, I wish they would have bid for the 2020 MEM cup and wish that. No, you know what, like the bid for 2030 makes sense. It spaces out what happened for the last time they bid. Let's be honest. It also spaces out the opportunity to build continued competitive pool of young guys together to could be a competitive team. But it also allows them to improve this arena with a reasonable time frame as well, without rushing to make it a bit more appealing and then maybe at the same time attracting more events to this community. So I think it's all a win. Shoots. [01:15:19] Speaker D: Yeah, I think it's. It's tough too. Whenever, like we talk about Memorial cup bid, like when you're going up the markets, you're going up against in the ohl, it's not necessarily the Greyhound's fault, like, and it's. It's the state of the city, it's the economic Piece like in these, these cities, Kitchener, London, Guelph. Like they have a lot to offer. Right. So. But it's a good step in the right direction and eventually you keep. You keep applying. They're going to give it to you one day. Like you probably. I mean when you think about it, it just get annoying. Right. So yeah, I, I just. It's a good. It's. It's what you want to hear as a fan. [01:15:56] Speaker A: So interest. [01:15:57] Speaker B: So you know, we talked to Ohl. [01:15:59] Speaker A: We talked Memorial cup. We talked about the. The draft coming up and obviously get a little extra love for the greyhounds which. Chuck. Chuck a puck. Easy for me to say. Is all about a couple minutes here. Truths. I didn't get to talk to you about one thing. It's been a few weeks. It's been a while. Still invading the news. I still can't believe it. Bit as a charming belief fan as everybody knows. And now you go through the motions of being a Toronto fan, which is you hear the thing about trading the pick. Think about this. [01:16:23] Speaker D: Who said that? [01:16:24] Speaker A: They're talking about on Steve Dangle. They're saying there's some rumors going around about Columbus offering Morensky in their 14th pick. Wouldn't and I wouldn't we get two years. Morensky. No. You don't do anything with that pick. [01:16:36] Speaker D: Okay. [01:16:36] Speaker A: You draft that young man that. We know what we're talking about. The guy who went to Penn State and knocked out a guy at the bar for his mom. That's the type of guy I want on this team. The guy's unreal and can really retool that team very quickly. We just see what's going on right now. If you're a Leaf fan, we talked [01:16:52] Speaker B: about this in our top shelf segment. [01:16:54] Speaker A: But you got Freddie in the cup finals. You got Rich Marner in the cup finals. You had Phil Kessel win the cup when he left Toronto. You got all it doesn't matter in 1993 Dub Gilmore gets high. Stick with Wayne Gretzky. They go on to the cup against Montreal and they obviously Montreal wins a cup and in Buffalo they. They end up winning to go against Dallas. Buffalo loss again. That's a conference finally. That's a conference finals to Carolina. I did lose Detroit. Yet all this happened game seven against Boston in 2013. You've lost every game seven cents since 2013. You haven't. You know. You know you haven't won a Game 7 since he won a Game 6 against Tampa, which was the biggest highlight moment. It was sad because like that's the one that Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup. So, like, you know what? I'm going to sit here and tell you something. When Chaika and Sundine got that pick, I don't even think Sundine knew what the hell was going on. I. I feel like, you know, it was absolute celebratory. We were celebrating live when I was recording with Conor and Yeah, you know, we never had the chance to talk about it. I know you said you want to get the point. You're a Vancouver fan. And if you look at some previous tiktoks, I actually said the best fit for Gavin McKenna is Vancouver. And I said should be second. And, you know, I was more upset [01:18:03] Speaker D: about San Jose, to be honest. [01:18:04] Speaker A: Yeah, I think that's hilarious. That San Jose goes up from. And that's. They're training that picked for Matthews. No. [01:18:10] Speaker B: Like, is that what's going on here? [01:18:11] Speaker D: Like, I. I was San Jose, I would take Chase Reed. [01:18:15] Speaker A: Yep. Yep. [01:18:16] Speaker D: Then you're set. [01:18:16] Speaker A: Oh, that team is gross. That team is gross. Team is gross. San Jose is winning a cup very soon in the next five years. They're in the picture. They're not. Maybe sooner. Sooner. [01:18:25] Speaker B: But what's your. [01:18:26] Speaker A: You know what? I didn't get a chance. So I'll say Vancouver, you guys have been snubbed, snobbed, you guys. [01:18:32] Speaker D: Yeah, there's gonna be a good player on three. [01:18:34] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. [01:18:35] Speaker A: Fair point, fair point. Fair point. [01:18:37] Speaker D: Like, and with Sando, actually, San Jose could like them being having celebrity Smith. Like, that could impact their pick as well. So if they take a Defenseman, Stenberg or McKenna will be there. Right. So unless they traded, which could happen. [01:18:51] Speaker A: I sat here and we talked in the previous segment, but we talked about before about joking about Matthews going to San Jose for that pick. [01:18:57] Speaker D: And yeah. [01:18:58] Speaker A: Say that doesn't make. But deep down, do Toronto fans really want that? [01:19:02] Speaker B: Like, as the only way that as [01:19:04] Speaker A: a Toronto fan you would want that is if you don't. If Matthews doesn't want to be here, let him go. [01:19:09] Speaker B: Yeah, but that's. But I want to get your reaction [01:19:11] Speaker A: how you feel from a Vancouver fan not winning the lottery because you guys have been sn. Either way. I like how you put it. You're getting a good player. [01:19:19] Speaker D: You are. Yeah. [01:19:20] Speaker A: And. [01:19:20] Speaker B: And you know what? [01:19:21] Speaker A: San Jose doesn't need to draft Stan Bird, but I'm a firm believer. Draft the best ready available player. I'm a firm believer in that. Doesn't matter how good you are, but San Jose might look at this and be like, there's Verhoff, there's Reed. There's a, there's, there's Malhotra. There, there's, I'm missing. There's a lot of good players in that 2, 3, 4, 5 range that you can get. They'll make immediate impact and I think San Jose has the golden ticket. I've said that before, but what was your reaction? [01:19:47] Speaker D: Well, I, I, I couldn't believe it because it was like, think because it was for the longest time, it was like, oh, my God, the Leafs have to get the fifth or else they [01:19:58] Speaker A: don't have a pick. [01:19:58] Speaker B: Let's get something. [01:19:59] Speaker A: That's what the Leafs fans wanted. Yeah. [01:20:01] Speaker D: And then all of a sudden is first. And then the team that just misses the playoffs get second overall. It's like, what, what, whatever. [01:20:08] Speaker B: I feel there's no, I don't feel bad. [01:20:11] Speaker A: There's two fan bases that I feel the very bad for. And I'm sure you can't. You might guess the other one, but Vancouver was one. The second one was Buffalo, you know, and. [01:20:19] Speaker D: Oh, that was hard. [01:20:20] Speaker A: You know, those had a hard go. They almost had McDavid. They like. Right. They've, they've almost, you know, the Islanders jumped too. [01:20:27] Speaker D: They jumped like they had first overall and they jumped like to matches. [01:20:36] Speaker A: Yeah, it's a G. [01:20:39] Speaker B: What the. [01:20:40] Speaker A: Like, like, no, like Macklin, C Brini. If I will say we're talking about, we're talking about major junior here. This time ties into our segment. I didn't think Macklin would be better than Bedard and he is right now hot take. [01:20:51] Speaker D: I know. [01:20:51] Speaker A: Yeah, it's good. Bedard's good. [01:20:53] Speaker B: Very good. [01:20:54] Speaker A: But if you had to choose one last year I was Bedard train all day. Now I would jump ship. And it's interesting because it makes me wonder about the atmosphere that celebrities in compared to Bedard. And you know, that makes me wonder if Chicago is going to be aggressive to try to get a Stenberg or to try to get a forward to play alongside Bedard. Right. It's very interesting. This draft has a lot of storylines and I haven't heard much about Vancouver. I feel like, you know, the rumors are Toronto, San Jose, Chicago. The only thing you hear about Vancouver is the coaching search and if they get Malhotra as a coach, are they going to draft Malhotra? You know, you hope to just choose the best ready player. Just choose the best player. But Vancouver, I feel so bad for Truth. So bad for. [01:21:41] Speaker D: Yeah, it's all good. The city ends there now, so, so I'll fix it. [01:21:44] Speaker B: But I'm glad. [01:21:45] Speaker A: Thanks for giving me your reaction. Ever got your reaction about that and I. I'm not conceited about it. As a Toronto fan, I'm excited but I'm also nervous because the guys heading [01:21:56] Speaker B: that pick the guys at the press [01:21:58] Speaker A: conference who are reading from chat GPT [01:22:00] Speaker D: easy pick make the is the safest. [01:22:03] Speaker A: He's gonna put up one they're gonna go up there and say the first overall pick we draft David MK from the game sports podcast. [01:22:12] Speaker D: I don't know about that one. [01:22:13] Speaker A: No, I don't think so either. [01:22:14] Speaker D: You know I don't Nixon McCaig Dixon is a stud. [01:22:18] Speaker B: I already know that. [01:22:18] Speaker A: And you know what? [01:22:19] Speaker B: He wears a cage. I was gonna say hey, put on [01:22:21] Speaker A: a visor but you know what? I got a puck in the nose in the mayors. [01:22:25] Speaker B: Yeah, you were there. [01:22:27] Speaker A: You were there. You came in the locker room. [01:22:29] Speaker B: Jordan Trudeau saw me with the pucks. [01:22:31] Speaker A: I got six stitches in the nose. Six stitches. It healed? Yeah, healed great. I didn't get a black eye or nothing. Drs. Nothing. It was my. No. I was put so much blood on [01:22:41] Speaker B: the ice and I thought it was [01:22:42] Speaker A: broken like because I. It was really painful. But best case scenario. [01:22:46] Speaker B: But hey, we've had fun this 45 [01:22:47] Speaker A: minutes, a little extra. [01:22:48] Speaker B: That's okay. [01:22:49] Speaker A: This is. [01:22:49] Speaker B: I'm hitting the hour and a half [01:22:50] Speaker A: threshold now on the show so I got to make sure that I start wrapping it up and keeping my promise. That's how much time extra I had between the last couple segments because we were staying on point. I wanted to give you time. I owe you so much time this year because where I've cut you and now you know what? Because we had to cut off and change because it's got school conference. We've made it up on this segment here today. [01:23:09] Speaker D: Yeah, we made it all up. We're all caught up. [01:23:11] Speaker B: We're all caught up. True. It's my friend. Thank you very much. We'll be in touch. We'll do a little clip for the [01:23:16] Speaker A: draft if we can arrange that. And you know, for the summer we only got maybe one more in the [01:23:21] Speaker F: pocket left before maybe two depending on [01:23:23] Speaker A: what happens after the draft and whatnot. [01:23:25] Speaker F: But before next season. So won't say goodbye to chuck a puck yet for the season. [01:23:29] Speaker A: We still got another one to go but I want to say thanks for taking the time as always, my first friend. [01:23:33] Speaker D: As always. Go Hounds. [01:23:34] Speaker A: Go, Go Hounds. [01:23:35] Speaker D: You next. [01:23:35] Speaker A: See you next time, Trudes. And that's been Jordan Trudeau and I want to thank you to everyone who's joined on the Game Sports podcast here tonight. Obviously Brandon McCarthy, Connor Henderson, and obviously Jordan Trudeau, who has just signed off. And to you, the viewers, the listeners, all that for the Game Sports Podcast. [01:23:51] Speaker F: Those who are on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, all at the Game Sports Podcast, Podbean, [01:23:56] Speaker A: all the platforms that we're on. [01:23:58] Speaker F: Guys, either way, very much appreciate how you've been a part of this run for the past 10 years and many more to go. Here's to more to go is what I should say. But we hope you've been enjoying the show, we hope you have been enjoying the content. And as I talked about at the beginning, we will be having a Nick laporte upload within the next week and also within the next couple weeks we'll have the Jordan Owens episode. We appreciate everyone's patience with that as I did promote that on previous episodes. Yours truly has been behind on productions. I don't have Jerry Rollinson, my usual production student who I had all season, be able to get all that uploaded and done for me and you know, being a dad, et cetera. [01:24:34] Speaker A: Right. [01:24:34] Speaker F: So I will have those special edition uploads coming and we had a lot more coming this summer. I've already been planning with about six guests that I've been talking to on social media and through text message to get some more shows up until the fall. So we hope that those can get planned for you to enjoy so you can have the bi weekly new shows with a mix of those special editions to keep your summer going up until our busy season resumes in September. And to remind you, we do bi weekly episodes throughout the summer. And then in August we do take essentially the entirety of August off. We may have a recording in the first week, but then we take the entire August off until after Labor Day. So only a few episodes left for new shows up until that vacation. When you think about it, we only have a couple more this month. We only have about four more left until we take our full summer vacation. But we hope we can fill that in with some special editions for you. So keep an eye on the Nick Laporte and the Jordan Owens coming very soon. And our next new show as of now is going to be planned and for June 17th is when we will be planning to have that new show be uploaded. But be prepared for any potential pushes and moves based on news in sports. Nonetheless, we appreciate you again for following the show. Make sure hit like Follow, subscribe and all the social media platforms and keep an eye on everything with 91 Network. That's a YouTube channel for the video portions of the show, Spotify, Podbean, all the online audio platforms where you can find the site and also spaces which through Suit Today and Village Media. Again, thank you to everyone who took the time to join here tonight. Until time, I'm here to remind you to keep your stick on the ice. Swing your bats, catch touchdowns, drain your [01:26:06] Speaker A: threes and shoot your shots. Booyah.
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