Team Canada Roster | The Game Sports Podcast

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign. [00:00:06] Speaker B: It's time for the Game Sports Podcast is Your host David McCaig Jr. The Game Sports Podcast is powered by 91N and featured on Spaces. 91N is a YouTube channel where you can check out video editions of the Game Sports Podcast and Spaces is through Village Media and Sue today where you can check out the game on the hockey and the sports space of SU Spaces. Wherever you're enjoying, make sure you were following along and interacting along. Especially when it comes to interacting, the world of social media is a big place now. Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook at the Game Sports Podcast. Give us a search, check us out, interact with the clips, whatever it may be. Make sure that you are tuning in to the Game Sports Podcast and Do not forget January 2nd is our 10th birthday for the Game Sports Podcast. Previously coffee with the coach in 2015. So we actually been around over 10 years but with the official name 10 year anniversary this year and we got a big 10th anniversary birthday present for the show but also for you, especially for those that have been around and following the show for over a decade. We appreciate that. Of course. Three segments today, top shelf at the beginning. As you see, Brennan's ready to start chatting. We got Connor Henderson for Strike Zone and we got got Justin Heiko for In the Pocket. You'll hear that there's no Chukapuck this week. Trudeau is getting a vacation day today. Had something come up. So we will not be talking anything major, junior. But don't worry, we got you covered when it comes to the ice because we're going to be chatting NHL, the national level. But we are going to be predicting something big for you today and we'll get to that momentarily. Now I'm going to introduce. That's the quickest introduction I've done, even though it was a minute longer than I wanted it to be. Brendan, my friend, kicking off stick handling, shooting the puck off here on top shelf. Whatever analogy you want to use, my friend. How's it going? [00:01:54] Speaker C: Doing great, my man. I would like to start off by saying where in the world is Alex Parr? This guy. If. If you've been listening to this podcast for a while. Alex Parr is one of our line mates. He has been MIA since June. I even tried calling the guy the other day. [00:02:09] Speaker B: I love it. [00:02:10] Speaker C: Didn't pick up. No call back. Where in the world is Alex Par? Make a thumbnail. Put it on the captions. We gotta find this guy. I think he's so beaten down from being a Leaf fan that he refuses to Watch and talk about it. Which frankly, Par. I'll just say it. That's bs. We need you. We need your perspective. We need your take. Get back on here, answer my call. Talk to Dave McKeg, your guy. We bring it. You got to bring it. We love you. Come on back. [00:02:35] Speaker B: Oh, I love it. And I texted him twice, three times now, actually, including our chat. No response. He's ghosting us 100 pure ghost. And it's unfortunate because that's a original family member of the show right there. And I know given we don't just talk lease we talk all hockey. But the thing is the perspective. All three of us. You need that three. You need that. That line mates together right now. And we don't have that. [00:02:59] Speaker C: That is. We're shorthanded. [00:03:01] Speaker B: We're on the PK right now. [00:03:03] Speaker C: We're on the pk. You know what you just mentioned about the anniversary for the game sports podcast, which is awesome. I only joined a year ago, I guess, so it's been around for what, 10 years? I think maybe to get Par back, you should give him some swag or something, entice him back for. For 2026. [00:03:19] Speaker B: McKeg, I love that that you mentioned swag. Because we will have swag in the new year. It's official. Hike in. [00:03:24] Speaker C: Do I got one? [00:03:25] Speaker B: Oh, you get one for free too. Isn't that awesome? Oh, wow. [00:03:28] Speaker C: Okay. All right. [00:03:29] Speaker B: A little. Little sweater to action. How's that sound to you? [00:03:34] Speaker C: 100%. 100% down for that. I think it'll make my January more bearable. [00:03:39] Speaker B: Do you want to do team building exercise and make mitts together? I'm just kidding. [00:03:43] Speaker C: No, not particularly. That will definitely. That will definitely not entice Par for to come back on the podcast. [00:03:48] Speaker B: You never know. Okay. You put a little bit of WWE wrestling belter logo on there, the guy might show up for a little bit of rest. Wrestling stuff. And that's another thing I missed chatting wrestling with Par. But that's. We're talking hockey right now. I won't get too off point. Look, we're on. We're. We'll. We'll get back to it part. Get your ass back here. How's that? I'll just get to the point. [00:04:07] Speaker C: Put it on the thumbnail. [00:04:08] Speaker B: McCaig, get your fill in the blanks back here. Now. NHL News just going to go around the horn on a few points. Notables. So we got Tyler Sagan likely out the rest of the year with an ACL injury. Big news out of Dallas. That's a loss for the forward piece there in Dallas. Now, look, I'm a fan of something. I got to give a shout out to the Minnesota Wild. They are a wagon weight now. Jesper Walsted, Philip Gustafson. Gustafson shutting out the Oilers the other night. A team that traded away that pick and. And the Minnesota Wild pick him up on that pick and he shuts them out. You can't write that stuff. It is absolutely great. If I am Minnesota, I'm licking my fingers about these prospects you got going on. Even though you paid Caprisoft the bag way too much. Bill Garon, I gotta say, right now your goaltending is looking pretty good. Maybe a little trade bait there. Just saying. But you know what? The National Hockey League nowadays are going with two good goalies. That's common theme now. It's not the way it used to be with Martin Roer paying 70 games and you got Corey Schwab playing 12. It doesn't go that way anymore. So that's the second piece of news, the third piece of news that I want to mention. Look, Jordan Bennington. There was a little bit of an exchange at the bench with his coach. Jordan Bennington is a very animated guy, okay? The guy is not shy of getting in the tussle. He's not shy to chirp. He's not shy to tell you how he feels. And that's the Canadian goalie right there. A little spoiler projection for you kind of just gave it away, who I think will be the goalie, but I think it's the least surprise out of everything. But those are the three just news reports I want to go around with the National Hockey League, Brennan, that I wanted to just point out to the viewers and listener. Just a little side news. We are recording Wednesday on December 3, a little bit off schedule for us, but any news that you want to bring up that's a hot topic for you, my friend, before we transition to the other content we have planned. [00:05:51] Speaker C: Well, not so much a hot take or anything, just more of the. The NHL standings landscape like you look at it right now. And the only other word I can describe it as is is drunk. That's that there's nothing else. There's nothing else. It's. It's just drunk like you can call chaotic and, you know, many different words. But there's one Canadian team that's in the playoffs right now and it's the Ottawa Senators currently. Right? And in a couple months it's going to do a complete 80. [00:06:20] Speaker A: Right? [00:06:21] Speaker C: And I think really the only team that should scare the league is the Colorado Avalanche. You look up and down the Eastern Conference, it's, it's a toss up. There's no one team that is playing lights out. Colorado has one regulation loss, which is incredible. Right? It's unbelievable. And lucky for Canada, a lot of those guys are Canadian. You know. [00:06:48] Speaker C: Just an FYI. Yeah, they'll be going, they'll be going to Italy in a few months, tearing it up for, for team Canada. But yeah, it's, it's drunk the standings right now. I think Dallas and Colorado, they're legit. I mean Tampa, Tampa is always in the running, but I don't think they're good as they once were. And no one in the metro really scares me as well. If you look at the, if you look at the Leafs right now, I mean it has been so back and forth in terms of. I love hearing Leaf fans. Like one day they're ecstatic, the other day they're trying to mail it in and find a different team. Right, McKenna. [00:07:28] Speaker A: Right. [00:07:28] Speaker C: But it's interesting because you know, they go on this road trip, they desperately needed everyone. I heard all the stats. But why do they want to go on the road? They're one in six. I'm like, they're human. They need to get away from the city. They need a way to, they need a way to get away from the journalists. They. A bunch of things, right. And look at, I don't think they've played up until the Florida game. I don't think they actually played that well. They scraped out a win against Columbus in overtime. Right. They laid an egg against the Capitals. Right. They blew a 2 nothing lead and they put up a touchdown against the Penguins. But I also think Hildeby made some really big saves. Pitt was in it early on and then it was kind of just the floodgates open. So it's like, okay, like it almost looks better than it actually has been. And then the game yesterday against Florida. No, it's not going to make amends for the game five and seven losses in the second round last year. But you take advantage of a decimated injury riddled Florida Panthers hockey team and the Leafs. I watched it start to finish and it's amazing what can happen when you skate your bag off. You play a full 60 and you're hard to play against. It's something that Berube has been stressing all along. And the problem is the Leafs show you a glimpse of that's it. Where fans are saying that's, that's The Leafs, right. That's the Berube effect. The problem is, is it's almost like looking at a, you know, a Wendy's Baconator, right. Advertised. And then you get it and it's like, I don't think it's actually that good. So that was like the advertised Leafs, right? And then, you know, you start eating it and it's like, oh, they only gave us two strips of uncooked bacon and a, you know, otherwise cheap, gross burger. But on as advertised, it looks good, right? They need to be. Where am I going with this Baconator analogy? [00:09:13] Speaker A: They need to be. [00:09:16] Speaker C: Yeah, yeah, I already got your mouth watering. They need to be good on every bite, right? Every bite, right. [00:09:23] Speaker C: They got to have some bite to their game. Every. And not every game is going to be perfect. But you look at teams like Florida. Yes. Like, eventually they're going to lose some air because they've gone to three straight Cup Finals. But you know what you're getting from them every night. Even if it's an L. Right. You know what, you know what you're getting. Right. But the Leafs just need to find that level where it's not a significant drop off. They got it. They got to be just steady, more consistent. Right. Like, it's not going to be great for 82 games, but that type of play is. I thought that was an A plus effort last night. Their best game of the season and full credit. And if you're Berubai, it's a. It's a big sigh of relief. But now it's like, you got Carolina tomorrow, right? And then you got the Habs at home to. To maybe get some revenge against the game in Montreal a few weeks ago. [00:10:12] Speaker B: So move up back in the standing to get back into a little bit of breathing room to get back into the picture and not try to. [00:10:18] Speaker A: Try not to. [00:10:19] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, I think. [00:10:20] Speaker C: I think. Yeah. Sorry, you go ahead. [00:10:22] Speaker B: I looked at the, you know, and this might be a mean take because the guy got two points yesterday. Stature. But you look at that. Ross. But you look at stature. Mirmis and Myers playing. I had. I read a comment that said you got three defensemen that would clear waivers. Thought that was funny. At the time. I thought that was pretty. I get it. I understand fans. I understand there's. There's leaf. Fans are funny. That's all I'll say. That's the word. We. They're tricky. You know, as one, it's tricky. But you know what? Those are type of guys that you got in certain lineup. Injuries happen. Tanner's out. Carlo's out. You've battled injury all year too. Just like Florida with Alfa, Haggie, Tkachuk. Barkov. Barkov might not be back all year, it seems like. Watch game one, he'll be out. If they make it, we're. I almost can't believe I'm saying if they make it, there's no way that they don't make it. [00:11:08] Speaker A: Right. [00:11:08] Speaker B: But nonetheless, on my point, you battle injuries throughout the year and good teams find ways to win. Brennan, that's. That's the point. Doesn't matter. Injuries are not players. Not if you are truly a good hockey team. Unless you're missing your entire four lines and your entire three defenseman core. Like you basically got your AHL team up and they're. You're playing with your AHL team for three months. Other than that, you are. If you're a good hockey team, you find ways to win. And I love the way you called it drunk the standings because it's crazy right now. None of this would have been predicted, but you got to think the sales are going to get blown, that something's going to change. The wind's going to change here a little bit as the season goes on and as the Christmas holidays come to up and that break happens going into the new year. [00:11:47] Speaker C: Yeah, like the Panthers at the bottom of the east. Everyone's like, maybe they're taking. Yeah, of course they're taking a. Not even a step back. It's a blip because they've been to three straight cup finals and have won back to back chips. Florida will be in the playoffs. Like Florida will be back. Like you said, Barkov, it's going to be a bit. They're going to, they're going to not rush Tkachuk, but they'll be just fine. And if, if you're the Leafs, it's like this is good. But if this isn't a launching point, Dave, then I'm out of options, man. Because you just beat the defending cup champs in their own barn. Which by the way, there was like nobody there last night. [00:12:21] Speaker B: Which Florida fans. You fake. You fake, dude. That fake. [00:12:25] Speaker C: But even at, even at work today, I was saying, saying to the guys, I'm like, isn't there like retired like Toronto Snowbirds down there in December? Like it was empty, Dave. Like, but still, still, like still intimidating to play in, in, in that barn, just given what Florida brings, especially on home ice. But yeah, I mean you got to think that's a launching point. And I thought it was like I said their most complete game. But it's how you follow it up. It's how to find that steady part to your game, that, that consistency. And I think the Leafs, what they really have to learn is to be comfortable being uncomfortable. I've said that before. So many teams when you, when you get, you know, when you get into a groove and you're in the playoffs and you're going to the next round, it gets uncomfortable. So embrace that because the Leafs have always just played comfortably and they let the game come to them and then they're like, oh, okay, this is, this is how the game's going to be today. Now we'll lock in or now we'll try to do a late game comeback. Sometimes it works like we saw against Pitt in October, and sometimes you're, you're, as a player probably wanting to leave the city because it's just that bad, the backlash you're getting. [00:13:32] Speaker B: Yeah. And that's honestly when you look at this, look at this team. I talked about it last week and the term that I use, sell or buy early was the way that I called it and I know there was a lot of interaction on YouTube. Great. Thanks everyone. That was good. We didn't get it up on TikTok for that at this point, but wherever way that you saw it, I talked about the Leafs buying or selling early. It's. You got to make that decision if you, if you feel like, make a run for it. I think this team is the, it's. You cannot not make, make the playoffs with this team when they're healthy. That's, that's the vision. But you have someone like Calgary, you got these Nashville, the Nashville Predators, these teams that are, you know, I don't see this playoff selling early and I mentioned that because I think the Leafs, despite when healthy and showing the glimpse of that brilliance, there's still pieces that they need to add. And I dare I say they need a top six forward. The Micelli project is not working in my opinion. Obviously a guy can't even make the lineup. So they had a top six forward, if not a top two forward on the team. But that, that's gone. But top four defenseman, top six forward, then I think that's where you can be the team or become close in a series against a healthy Florida Panthers team, but also Carolina Hurricanes looking pretty scary. But when I look over to a team that makes Stanley Cup Final from the west, there's a lot of teams. Colorado's looking really good. Dallas are looking great. You can never count out, you can Never count out Vegas. Of course, I. Vegas is Vegas, especially when they have their team. So if this is a team, this is where you got to decide at the road. Okay, we started off with struggles. It's still early. You can rebound from it and get to a better point, but can what do we need to do now so we don't get far behind? So these games where you're starting to make up some wins to get back up in the standings gives that belief back and no pun intended on saying that it gets up, it gets that back. But I still think I'm a firm believer that the Leafs, if they're going to decide to continue to go for it this year to. To not mortgage future, but make moves earlier before the Olympics or even. Well, even before the new year kicks in, so you can get this team together, molded chemistry and ready in preparation for the playoffs. So maybe that's another topic for next week because of time, just overall. But I think this is a team that needs to decide that sell or buy this year if they're going to move contracts out or still make a run for it. I think that's a silly thing for me to say because I think this is a team that is built to play playoffs. That's their expectation, is what I mean by that. Obviously, that hasn't had playoff success, but if I think the goal is playoff hockey, if not, of course, Cup. Right. That is the goal in Toronto. And if they're not even especially in the playoffs, let alone a cup, that would be a failure considered this year. So given where you're at, you got to make a decision. And that's the only thing I'll say about the Leafs. I've had a hard start to the year. I've had the Blue Jays hangover still. It still hurts the way that they lost, but so damn proud of that team, the Blue Jays, because of how hard they worked. And that's what I want to see from Toronto, is the games that they played last night in Florida, game in Pittsburgh, the team that you're willing to put the body on the line for and win a hockey game. So, Brennan, just because of time, I want to transition to our projection for the Canadian Olympic team. Baby, this is. This is a conversation. Okay? So for the next couple weeks, we're going to do project projections for particular teams. We're going to do Canada, we're going to do Sweden, going to do Finland, we're going to do the United States, we're going to cram as many teams as we can. But we're going to do the. For sure. The teams from the four nations all together on. And if we can expand from that, we will, given time, even if we have to put it all into one episode and one segment later for your interaction. But of course, we're starting with Canada. This is where we're located. They won the four nations, just to remind you. And also, I think, and this is no bias, I think Canada has the most interesting, intriguing opportunities on how to build this team more than any other team. Okay. That's why I really want to put them first as well. So, Brent, if you're all set, I want to give you the floor to go through your forwards, go through your D and your goalies. Who is Team Canada gonna be in Italy this year? What ice. What team are we gonna see on that ice? [00:17:30] Speaker C: Okay, I have the better question I think we should address because we know the locks on Team Canada. [00:17:35] Speaker A: Okay. [00:17:36] Speaker B: Yes. [00:17:36] Speaker C: Instead of rhyming off of all these players that we know are going to let. Let's address the big debate right now. Short answer. Is Connor Bedard going to make the roster? [00:17:45] Speaker B: Yes. I'll list my roster. I'm going to. Just for. Just for purposes of this interaction, I'll say my roster. But Connor Bedard makes the team. Yes. [00:17:54] Speaker C: Okay. I don't think he does. I don't think he does. I think if you're going to take one kid, it's Max Celebrini. I think Connor Bedard will be there eventually. But you look at the guys at the helm that are running the show, like Doug Armstrong, right? He. He wants to keep the old boys there, old boys, if you will. He wants, obviously, his elite offense and elite scorers up front. But Connor Bedard, I don't know if there's room for him. Because you look in the bottom six, Armstrong wants the rugged guys that can go through the mud, go through the slime, like Scheifele, Marchand and Wilson, maybe Hagel, even Bennett, because you know what Bennett brings. He was a Con Smythe winner. Bedard, yes. He's third in league scoring right now. I don't know if he really fits the mold for me, and I could be crazy for saying that, but I. I don't see him crazy. [00:18:42] Speaker B: I think he deserves to be there. [00:18:43] Speaker C: I don't. I don't see him there yet, man. Okay, here's a. Who are you taking out? [00:18:48] Speaker B: Who am I? You know what? Honestly, that. That's a very. A very good question. [00:18:52] Speaker C: That's the thing, right? [00:18:54] Speaker B: You know, when I. And I'M trying to look. I have my roster kind of just written out, given how it is. So that's where. You know what? I'll. [00:19:01] Speaker C: I'll say it. [00:19:02] Speaker B: Okay, then we'll just wrap up from there. So, officer forwards D and goalie Dave McCaike's predictions for the Canadian Olympic team. Forwards. And I'm going to go by lines. I made lines. So when I give you lines, the names. These are lines together. Sam, Reinhardt, McDavid, Marner, Crosby. McKinnon, Bedard, Elabrini, Point. Scheifele, Marchant, Bennett, Hagel. With Sorelli and Jarvis as your two spares on defense, I got Makar, Taves, Theodore Morsi, Paranco. Harley. Harley is a stud where Doughty is the extra. [00:19:37] Speaker B: And then Annette Bennington's your guy. Thompson's the backup. Finally getting it. And Aiden Hill's your third guy. Sam Montembeau is out. This is Italian. In Italy. I'm saying it's Italian. I said, nope, that's the wrong term. This is in Italy. European Olympic ice. The last time the Canada guys went to Italy and they brought the big boys and the guys that won it before, it didn't work. The ice is bigger. You need speed. Bedard, Celebrini. I like Jarvis out there for speed. He might get some time in that lineup and haggle out. Jarvis in for some games. Right. Shively even out. Jarvis in because of the body. But speed on that ice is going to be very critical. That open ice is what's going to help, really. Bedard and Celebrini, and it's hard to take these guys off the list because of that speed and because of what they've done this year. So I think it'd be a real snub to not have those guys on the team because of the factor of the ice, what they've done this year. And let's go. Let's bring a team to that tournament that's going to be very hard not only to play against, because you got guys on there that are hard to play against, but you can't catch up to them either, because the US Guys, some feisty guys, but some slower guys, too. Matthews isn't all about speed. Kachuk aren't about speed. And you don't even. You might not even have Matthew if he's not healthy. And Hughes, little bit of. He's got speed. There's some guys. And he's dating Tate McCrae, so he's obviously got some wheels. Is that pun intended? That's a good one. [00:21:02] Speaker C: Okay. We got a lot. You're miss. You're missing some. Yeah. [00:21:06] Speaker A: Key pieces. [00:21:07] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:21:08] Speaker C: Scheifele, you're missing Nick Suzuki, you're missing Tom Wilson. [00:21:12] Speaker B: You think Wilson makes that team? [00:21:14] Speaker C: I do, man. People, like, people are going to figure out this quickly that players are going to have their feelings hurt. In 06 in Torino, Crosby was. I can't remember, was he left off the team or Pat Quinn benched him. Either way, he didn't. He didn't play right. Crosby did not see the ice at all. Martin St. Louis was left off a roster one year and everyone was like, oh, my God, what? Like this happens. So if it's not Bedard's time, it's not Bedard's time. He will be on the next one. I think at this point, just ask yourself that question. Who comes out? And is it worth taking them out because they have so many elite scores that you can have fun with the bottom six and have more of the, you know, the gritty guys. Right. Because international play, Dave, the competition elevates. There's a lot more pushback. People are, you know, they're playing for their country. Right. So it's like, I think Canada management is kind of saying we don't need another, like, sniper. We don't need another guy with a strong skill set. We want a guy we know is going to bring whatever the locker room vet presence, the, you know, crease to defend Binner and Thompson. [00:22:20] Speaker A: Like. [00:22:20] Speaker C: Right. Like, I would actually rather like a Marshawn Wilson or Hagel than like a Bedard. Maybe I'm crazy. Maybe like. But again, everyone wants Bedard because of what he's doing in the NHL right now with the Blackhawks. But you put on a loaded Canada team. I think he gets fizzled out. [00:22:35] Speaker B: The guys that were taken out just to note Travis Konneckney, Mark Stone, Travis Sanheim and Samuel Montebeault were the four guys that I took off the four nation team in substitution for the other fellows that I added on there. [00:22:49] Speaker C: Sam Bennett has done jack squat this year. He's also been to the last three cup finals. He was a Con Smythe winner. Legs are. Legs are tired. But you throw the Canada jersey on that cat and he becomes Sam Bennett. Bennett the Menace again. [00:23:03] Speaker B: Love that take. So you don't want to name your roster? You're going to leave it just to me? That's it? That's. That's what you're going to leave it at? [00:23:09] Speaker C: I will say I'd want Marner with McDavid. I don't think you had Marner with McDavid? [00:23:13] Speaker A: Would you? [00:23:14] Speaker B: Yeah, I had Marner, Reinhardt, McDavid. Yeah. [00:23:16] Speaker C: Oh, you had Marner with McDavid. Okay. [00:23:18] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. That he played good when he was in the. In over. Everything worked out in that final game against the state. [00:23:23] Speaker C: I'm just kind of like. I'm like the teacher putting the red pen on your roster because there's a couple guys. I'm like, I don't think Sorelli should be even a thought for that team. He's not even as an extra. Seth Jarvis. [00:23:35] Speaker B: Nah. Could have been a leaf. Could have been a leaf to sand. Could have been a leaf. [00:23:40] Speaker C: Jarvis. [00:23:40] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:23:41] Speaker B: Patrick Marlowe's trade that to Carolina. They drafted Seth Jarvis. Yeah, I love it. In trouble. [00:23:47] Speaker C: I like to kind of do like the, like the Jenga, like, you know, okay, maybe like a little plug and play thing here. Right? Like, I don't. I don't mind your. Your players. Like, obviously the lines will shuffle, but I'm trying to think more of like, guys that could be in or like the hot. The hot topics. Like, should Bedard even be considered? I have heard through some insider information, as I'll say is that Mac is going and Conor will be left out. [00:24:11] Speaker B: Jeez. Oh, that's a hot take. Everyone below, comment the clip makers on our. On this. The interns are gonna have a great time making a clip on this one for how they want to put it together. Comment below, let us know what you think. The makeup of the roster for Canada. Who's on, who's out? Brandon's right. Dave's right. We're both right. We're both wrong. What? Well, I guess we both can't be right, but maybe that's what you think. You just let us know what you think. Below that is Canada. World Canada Olympic Team 2026 in Italy. We will have the world junior team picked next week. To just kind of correct myself there, Brennan, you know, we went a little bit extra. Connor's waiting in the winds in the wings. The winds, whatever way you want to put it. So we got passionate about our hockey there. Brennan, my friend, I want to say thank you very much. Next week, hopefully Mia Par is back on the roster in our line. Meat for. [00:25:01] Speaker C: You know what he is. He's Dennis Rodman. He just goes to Vegas and we need to go get him. [00:25:06] Speaker B: Oh, I hope he. I. I can't wait. The feedback for this episode. [00:25:09] Speaker C: We have to go. We have to go get him. That's. Let's hop on a bird, Dave. [00:25:13] Speaker B: Yeah, let's go get him. We got to save him off the slot machines. That's cool. Let's go. Is there. All right, Brandon, thanks, my friends. We'll be in touch. [00:25:21] Speaker C: Thanks, buddy. Cheers. [00:25:23] Speaker B: Cheers. All right, everyone, we are going to be getting into strike zone now. I cut into strike zone time. There he is, the return from Italy. The married man, the absolute stud, the rookie. Look, can I tell you something? I lost my wedding ring. My very bougie wedding. I know. So don't people say you lose your rings, whatever you need to. I'm very good with things. Don't lose it. Connor, do whatever you need to do to not lose that ring that's on your finger. I. I'm wearing my $30Amazon tungsten ring. Okay. And the ring that I bought, I went very bougie because I thought I would only have to buy one ring. Okay. And I gotta buy a second. And the reason why I gotta buy a second is for the reason of losing one, probably. Unless it comes up somewhere out of my rear end. I've looked so hard for it. I've lost it for over a week. So I think it's gone. But let's not go there. We're talking strike. So, my friend, how are you? Congratulations. Welcome to the club of the married club. Officially. I. I'm very sorry that I missed it. I know I forgot something, but I didn't forget something. I won't say it on air, but nonetheless, very happy to know that you're back. How's the wedding? How was your trip to Italy? [00:26:26] Speaker D: Thanks, man. It means a lot. It went so good. A few hiccups at the wedding, but like everything else, for the most part, went really smooth. Partied it up, danced a lot. [00:26:36] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, you did. [00:26:38] Speaker D: Oh, man, it was. It was so much fun. Definitely missed having you, but you're with us in spirit. [00:26:45] Speaker B: So it's. [00:26:47] Speaker D: Italy was fantastic. It was my first time in Europe. And we did Venice, Florence, Rome, and. [00:26:53] Speaker B: God, you went to Florence, man. One of my favorite spots, Sento in Florence. Florence is so good. You go to Tuscany tour is going to wine tour. [00:27:01] Speaker D: We did not go to Tuscany, unfortunately. [00:27:04] Speaker C: Okay. [00:27:04] Speaker D: But I did grow to have a massive crush on the Medici family or the Medici family. The rich Renaissance. For those who. Who aren't familiar. They funded a lot of the beautiful artwork in the Renaissance era, sort of like a dynasty family. And there's this really cheesy show on Amazon prime called Medici Masters of Florence. And it's basically like bargain bin Game of Thrones. So we had a Lot of fun seeing some of the remnants of that on our trip. [00:27:34] Speaker B: That's great. You know what, man? I'm very sad that I missed it. You know, you had moments in life where you want to be a part of that. That's something I want it really a part of. It's obviously having a. [00:27:46] Speaker B: Still call my newborn at 6 months old now though. But obviously sitter time things. Doing things are a little bit more challenging. So I am very sorry, as you know. But now I know we're talking baseball, so let's. We can transition to that. I'm very happy. It was a great time. Heard everything was fun. Your trip. I'm happy here. Your trip was great. Italy. I obsess about it every day still. Even though it happened two couple years ago. Can't wait to go back. But nonetheless, baseball news, man. You and I, last time we talked, I didn't get a chance to. You didn't get to hear the Blue Jays hangover that I had. I still have the hangover. Game seven, two outs away. I still have a very hard time thinking about it, but I am so damn proud of that team. I've never said that about a Toronto team. How can you not love that team and what they did for the season and playoffs? I can. I'm. I'm not mad they lost. Sad. There's a difference because it's not like they mailed it in. I would have rather they lost 101 in that game instead of two outs away almost. But how can you not love that team and love baseball and all the BS that happened ball under the wall, IKF at home, all this Toronto sports curse that keeps just living on. But you know what? Let me tell you something. The Jays are going back there, Connor. I'm telling you that right now. And the way this offseason's looking, I'm looking very, very happy as an off season so far for the Toronto Blue Jays, they're still missing a couple things and one Ryan's with Go. He's the shortstop for the Blue Jays. Waiting for that news to come out eventually. But look, all right, we may not have a lot of time to dive into every team. You're a Tiger fan. I'm a Jays fan. We have a lot of Tigers and Jays listeners on our team, but we talk all teams. Connor, I kind of want to give you the floor about where you want to go with any news that you have. And then I'll talk about some of the recent signings before we let you go. A little bit of a Shorter segment as hike will be coming on soon for in the Pocket. I'll leave it to you, my friend. [00:29:39] Speaker D: I think just briefly, the Jays. Yeah, that's a team to be proud of this year. When the night before my wedding in the hotel that a lot of my guests stayed in, we had a party room set up with a big projector and about 50 of us were in there just watching. On October 24th, the Jays win with. I believe there's. It was the grand slam game where they won game two against the Dodgers, I believe it was. And oh my God, everybody was so fired up. And that energy to go back there next year and, and to bring it home, that would be phenomenal. And they've bolstered that starting rotation this offseason by adding a couple solid arms, one of which is one of the most durable pitchers in baseball, Dylan Cease. [00:30:24] Speaker C: Ceci. [00:30:25] Speaker B: How do I pronounce it? Like Dylan Cease. I thought it was always been Cecy. I've heard different outlets say I'm gonna go with Cease. Sounds easier. Cecy just kind of, I don't know. [00:30:34] Speaker D: Like not gonna, not gonna force the, the. So he's, he's, you know, a guy who will eat innings for you and, and add that depth and, and stretch out the rotation. And then they also added Cody Ponce, who was lighting it up overseas in both Japan for three years and then Korea last year and won the MVP of the Korean Baseball League. He was a former minor league slash, you know, kind of flamed out starting pitcher. And now he's, he's coming back with hopefully a vengeance. They signed him to a three year deal which at, I believe age 30 or 31. You know, Hoffman, it's a commitment, man. It's a, it's a commitment for sure. It's cool to see them putting the chips into the middle and, and saying, hey, like we had a, we had a good season last year, a great season last year. Let's, let's push it even further, honestly. [00:31:26] Speaker B: Look, you're a Tigers guy, so I'll give you a wide open point here as our baseball expert, Tarek Skubal. Go off if you want to. Number two, Kyle Tucker. Boba Shet. What are the odds of the Jays getting both of those guys if that happens? Getting. Bringing back Bo and signing Kyle Tucker. Okay. Is there, is there, is there my wishful thinking now? Am I really wishful thinking? Am I just being too excited? But anyway, yeah. Tarek Skuble, you could start there first. There's been some trade talk, Connor. And look Can I tell you something? If someone's not going to sign with your team, I am a massive fan of asset management. Massive fan. You can't lose something for nothing. But the Tigers are also not a re building team anymore. This is a team that is trying to do what the Blue Jays just did. Yeah, Tucker and Bichette, that's what I was going to. [00:32:17] Speaker D: Well, I think, I think Bo would come back. One of the luxuries of being a successful team is that people want to play for you and they were a successful team last year and Bo's a legacy player for them. I think he'll want to stick around. [00:32:30] Speaker B: I agree. [00:32:30] Speaker D: I don't have much comments on Kyle Tucker other than he's a great player, a great hitter. Any team would be lucky to have him. And Tarik Skubel, oh, boy. I think last off season we had a similar conversation. The question becomes how good are the Tigers come trade deadline? That'll be the answer to whether or not he stays or goes. It's like that song from the Clash, should I stay or should I go now. [00:32:55] Speaker D: The record will determine that question for us. [00:32:57] Speaker B: So do you think just from the baseball end that the value is bigger now or would it be more at the deadline though? You know, I, and I don't mean to reference, you know, hockey in this. I'd really, I really don't. But a recent clip that I had was sell early or buy early. I talked about a couple teams in the National Hockey League and I referenced two different teams. Three different teams, Calgary, Nashville and Toronto. Because it'd be the different expectations. Tigers expectations are actually kind of where the Maple Leafs would be trying to playoff team trying to win. Well, should make the playoffs. Should be a team that should be in the favor conversation. A key word under there should. All right, so do you sell early on high asset because the value is higher or do you think waiting till the deadline is truly the better call? Because you need to see where you're at at that end, at that point in the season. [00:33:49] Speaker D: You can't trade them this offseason. It would basically be waving the white flag to the fan base. I don't think that there's a way that, that anybody would get behind moving them now. You'd have to suck to justify the trade. And the only way you'll know you'll suck or be mediocre will be if you're. If you're limping towards the playoffs or maybe not going to make it. I love the asset management idea. It makes no sense here to sell them before the season starts. [00:34:15] Speaker B: So a couple random. 2, 2 other points for you is that I feel that the Orioles really didn't succeed this year. And I've always talked to them about being a team that could be in the Mike Trout conversation. Right. I've always said that about him. So in terms of some players, I'm gonna, I'm gonna pass off a couple, couple pieces. So obviously Mike Trout, one player that I, that. Do you think, will he stay in LA or will he be traded? Paul Skeens. I know the answer has been Skeens. Pittsburgh's not trading them, not letting them go. That's what they've said. I don't believe everything I read. Okay. Pittsburgh, I feel like. And when I hear Paul Skeens getting traded to scream to Yankees to me, which is so unfortunate. But Trout Skeins staying or going. [00:34:58] Speaker D: Okay, so with Trout they can't trade them and with Skins, they can't trade them. [00:35:04] Speaker A: That's. [00:35:04] Speaker D: That's how I would, that's how I would frame it. One, obviously Mike Trout did not have the best year last year and with that contract it would be difficult to move. And two, with Skiings, obviously he's got a great valued contract because he's still on a rookie deal. But oh my God. I mean, Pittsburgh would. Might as well fold the franchise if they let him walk. [00:35:25] Speaker B: That's a good point. Now, the last thing you know, I'm very. I have a free agent list here that I was playing on, rhyming off and predictions where to go. So I'll do two players. Okay. And you can tell me where you think they're going. And I was going to save a scandal conversation, but we've talked about it before already with Class A, you know, and it seems like he's never going to be pitching again. But I am going to bring up somebody who I think should still get a chance in the mlb. So I'm going to leave it to you. So I'm going to name two players, you predict where you think they're going to go, and then I'm going to give you the third player, someone who's been banned from playing in major leagues. You might be picking up what I'm putting down. If you think he'll ever return to the majors, can I put you on the spot today? Love it. [00:36:03] Speaker D: This is hard. I'm so bad at these, but let's do it. [00:36:06] Speaker B: Edwin Diaz. Closer. Edwin Diaz. [00:36:09] Speaker D: Oh, my goodness. Any team would be lucky to have Edwin Diaz. [00:36:13] Speaker B: Where is he? Where's he going? Staying. Going. Toronto, New York. Staying with the Mets. [00:36:18] Speaker D: Staying with the Mets. Dave. [00:36:19] Speaker B: Stay with the Mets. I figured. Now let me give you the hot topic that I just mentioned. Kyle Tucker, where does he go? [00:36:25] Speaker D: I know. I think he's going to go where? I'm not sure. I'd have to check everybody's books first. But Kyle Tucker is a guy who, I remember when he was drafted. I was really big into following MLB prospects at that point. He was a former first round pick and he's one of those guys who immediately showed impact and for good reason. He can, he can completely just mash the ball. Had success in Houston with that rise with Carlos Correa and Bregman when those guys were all coming up. [00:36:52] Speaker B: What's that? Sorry. [00:36:53] Speaker D: And Springer, your best friend who you I believe once challenged to a sprint down first base a on one of our older shows. I think you said you could beat him. [00:37:01] Speaker B: I think I did say that. [00:37:02] Speaker D: He just signed and then he blew out his leg or something then not anymore. [00:37:07] Speaker B: Let me think. [00:37:09] Speaker D: I think class A should consider signing with the T gem Pandas. [00:37:13] Speaker B: I agree. Yeah, I agree. We need a closer. It's not me. I'm not your answer. Okay. The Pandas need a closer. Kyle Tucker will be a Blue Jay. Saying it. Bichette Tucker. Open the books, Rogers, let's go. Keep opening up the book, baby. Love it. Okay, the player. I want to say before I let you go, Trevor Bauer. Trevor. [00:37:32] Speaker D: He's watched. He's so washed. I'm sorry. [00:37:36] Speaker B: Love that. I just love his social media. Like I don't know if you've ever seen his social media. He's so good on social media. Like I think it's hilarious what he does. You know, there's all these. [00:37:47] Speaker D: Sometime there's all these videos of him like giving pitching tips. And one thing I love is that he says everything with like 100% confidence, even if it's not quite like, like you're like, is this true? But he says it with such conviction. And his chest. He's a guy who, I mean you could write, you could write a book on, on the story that happened there. Probably should have been pitching in the MLB a couple years ago. Probably should not be pitching in the MLB right now. [00:38:13] Speaker B: Guys throwing balls in the stands from the mound. Remember that? [00:38:16] Speaker D: He was, he's, he's not, he's, he's pretty nuts. [00:38:20] Speaker B: He fits the mold perfectly for the Yankees. I think that would be great. Just kidding, Just kidding. Oh my goodness. Connor, my friend. Thank you. It's been a good time catching up. I love it. I think we're gonna have a very busy offseason here, Connor. Okay. Especially when it comes to the Jays and Tigers. So there might be some more off season appearances by yours truly. And that being you, yours truly, for some strike zone chat. So you know what? I love it. Because usually when the World Series down like, okay. Because the two Jays, Tigers, even the offseason's really quiet. A lot. A lot of these bigger names are going earlier, which we don't see a lot in baseball. So that mold is changing. So we might be seeing your beautiful self a lot more this little. This little off season, which is so exciting. Love it. [00:39:05] Speaker D: I'm excited. Have a good few weeks until I see you next time. Hike. Good to see you again, buddy. And hope you guys have a good show and a good rest of the night. [00:39:12] Speaker B: You too, man. Congratulations again. Welcome to the club. [00:39:15] Speaker D: Thanks, boys. Appreciate it. [00:39:17] Speaker B: Yeah. Have a good night, Connor. Perfect. All right. So that's been strikes when I put him right on the spot. Hike. You know what? It's not as bad as when Butch Davis put you on the spot with Cleveland. K general manager. But I don't even remember who the general manager was at that time, to be honest with you. I don't care now 26. What was that? [00:39:35] Speaker A: That was a while back. [00:39:37] Speaker B: 2017, 2018. I didn't know then 2018, Cleveland the 2018. Who was the GM. I'm going to look right now like I wouldn't have guessed this if you get Colby Altman. [00:39:48] Speaker A: Yeah. What chance did I have that's on. [00:39:50] Speaker B: And guess what? Live radio. Hike. Live radio. [00:39:54] Speaker A: Yeah, I know. [00:39:55] Speaker B: We love it. We had some weather storm though we. [00:39:58] Speaker A: Had sometimes that that one would be good one for the archives. That's for sure. [00:40:02] Speaker B: Gotta find that. That's on podbean somewhere now. Hike. Look, we're gonna get into into in the pocket and in the pocket to remind everyone we are partnered with Sports Center Bar and Grill Sioux St. Mary, Ontario's best sports bar. Sue Samri, Ontario's best sports bar. Multiple years in best wings in town. Look Frank and the family there at SportsCenter has been hover holds a close heart and as I or close place in our heart and we have been I've been telling you live since 20162015 if you count coffee with the coach and again if you know you know with coffee with the coach. That is a real archive for you. If you can tell me what coffee. You know what I'm going to say this if you're listening up to this point and you know I know people listen to podcasts in different segments now but if you went up to this point for the full 40 some missed minutes and you know what, coffee with the coaches and you're not on podbean. Can't be on Podbean. Don't say it on Podbeans. I know there's a lot of vintage listeners. I don't mean age, I mean classic people have been around since we were starting off. If you know what you we are from TikTok. If you're from. If you got here from TikTok. So you listen on Spotify, you're listening on Amazon. YouTube. We're viewing on YouTube. If you know a coffee with the coaches comment below. I really want to see if you know who hosted coffee with the coach and what it was. That would be really cool to see that in the comments. So you know what? That would be really cool. I'm banking on people have no idea what coffee the coaches outside of Podbean. Okay. And that's just, just a known fact. We didn't start going to YouTube till a lot later. So that's, that's a little set up for failure. But look. Quiz. So 10 year anniversary hike. January 2nd will be our 10 year anniversary and we have a birthday present for viewers and listeners then because of a lot of updates coming with the show on our 10th birthday. But one thing that isn't that has been there from the start is SportsCenter Bar & Grill and in the pocket. That's always been there. Yes, in the pockets one year behind that 10 years. But since we started doing stuff in the suan at Sports center for nine years we've been doing this segment. Our longest running segment like my goodness, one cup, one phone. Okay. That's all I'll say as well. Okay. If you know again you know, you know hike. Let's talk football, my friends. You know last week, this week look last week very interesting week in the world of football. The Steelers had a little world of hope for a couple quarters and then you got Mike Tomlin getting booed off the field and saying fire Tomlin. Which I think is idiocy. Just so everyone knows that as a Steeler fan that is so dumb for somebody who's been around for 20 years and been nothing but loyal and with this process in Pittsburgh not his fault that there were there at okay in the in the standings this year. You know he had you lost to the Bills who have been almost arguably a super bowl favor for me for the last couple years. You're playing 500 football a little bit struggles, but booing Tomlin off the field, that's my sign to you. I don't agree with that, but that's my only feedback for the week. And the Vikings really sucked this week. They were playing. They forgot they're playing football and they were playing hockey. They couldn't score a goal, if you will. They couldn't. They couldn't hit a home run, if you will. If you couldn't hit a basket. If you're talking basketball and they couldn't even hit a field goal if you're talking or get a safety, they couldn't get a touchdown. They decided to not show up and play on the offense against the Seahawks losing 26 nothing. So you know what? There. There was a lot of snoozers last week. Hike. Is my point to that. So if you look at week 13, Steelers got seven points. You got the Vikings that got zero, the Titans got three, the Browns got eight. I know your Colts didn't play the greatest against the Texans, but at least they got 16 points. So there. [00:43:29] Speaker A: Was. Let's not. I mean the refs. Let's talk about. I mean if we're gonna say something. [00:43:36] Speaker B: It'S. I said a lot of. A lot of snooze fest this week. Hike. I'm not gonna lie, I wasn't in love with this week. But you go to the refs. I'll give you the floor on that. So we're going within the pocket. We're reacting to last week first before we do our usual upcoming week. So talk about the rest. [00:43:49] Speaker A: Hike. Yeah, I mean, I don't know. At least in the Colts game in particularly like the refereeing was absolutely atrocious. I don't. Last week they're calling touchdowns for the Chiefs against Colts that aren't. The guy's not even in the end zone. But sure, it's touchdown. He's hanging out with the cheerleaders in the back. But it's touchdown because it's Kansas City. So whatever. This week against Houston, extra point doesn't go. Doesn't. Not even close to the. Nah, we'll give it to him. Whatever. Might as well have an extra point. You need a point, take the point. No big deal. Game clock runs down, you get a couple extra Mississippi's in there. Once it hits zero, shouldn't that be a delay game? No, no. I gave him a second. What do you mean you gave him a second? It's pretty cut and dry Zero penalty. No, no, I communicated. Communicated what? That it's a penalty. Like what? What's going on? Like, I don't. I don't know. I mean. And there was a couple bad ones. Well, the Colts got a pass interference in our favor and the ball was nowhere. The people in the first row could have caught it. It's not. If it's not a catchable ball, it's not a pass interference. You didn't interfere with anything. The ball wasn't close. So I don't know. It's just. We go over this over and over again at least once a season. I put my conspiracy theory hat on here, but like, we're nailing players. Every six months there's another big FBI sting. So and so was betting 30 grand on the under on his pitches or you know the guy for the Raptors that was betting the unders on his minutes, Joe Blow. Nobody saying, I'm only going to play, I'm only going to get three shots. Like, I don't know. There's got to be refs that are on the take. Like, there just has to be. I understand that the idea behind. Well, we couldn't. You couldn't have a ref get charged or, you know. Because it takes away from the integrity of the game. Well, doesn't shitty refereeing and the product take away like you have at game after game where your people are questioning the outcome in the media and everything? And maybe that's the point. Maybe they get everybody talking about it, like me sitting here ranting about it. But you can't say the integrity. You can't say integrity of the game and then put that out there. It's like I'm worried about the integrity of my dinner. Here's the delicio. [00:46:03] Speaker B: Pizza. [00:46:04] Speaker A: What. What is going on? I mean, I know I'm not the only one. I know there's other. [00:46:09] Speaker B: Teams. It's. It's interesting because you feel that these games, that these happens to, you know, the chiefs are highlighted a lot, right. Because of who they are, a lot of the side. But the, the debate has been, does artificial intelligence refereeing? So AI refereeing makes sense. And you know what if you type something into AI as a report, I want to give someone, someone to some people. I shouldn't say someone just in case some. I think people need a piece of advice that. To really review what the AI tells you because they make spelling errors and you. And as someone who has been in the field of studying the differences between artificial intelligence and not. I know when something's chat GPT or co. I know when it's that, okay? And maybe I can use it myself to make my emails more concise in terms of when it comes to the 91 and emails that are sent out for the podcast and getting guests on this show. But jokes aside, I say that because AI isn't going to be perfect either. They're not at that point. So the human elements, what I enjoy more. But zero means the play's done. You gotta. You gotta snap the ball. The ball. No, not. You don't have to stop. This ball has to be snapped by the time that zero hits, it's got to be hot balls out. Zero. That, that, that. That. That's. That's where my head's at in the end zone. Two feet got to be in the end. [00:47:26] Speaker C: Zone. [00:47:26] Speaker B: Okay? You got. You got to have the toast. You got to have. You got to have the feet in there. Heinz Ward against the Cardinals Super Bowl. That's. That's a touchdown. That's not in the back row. When you're playing with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders talking about what you have for dinner, that. That is refereeing. There's stuff that things are missed, and then there's items that. That. Okay, all right. That's hard. It's not definitive. And I sit here and we're talking with Connor just recently about the ikf. Isaiah Kyre Faleffa with the Blue Jays sliding at home. He was safe. I'm sorry. He was safe at home. If he would have went hands first. The Blue Jays won the World Series. But what does replay check for you? That Will Smith had his toe. [00:48:05] Speaker B: Little, like a little hair touching the plate. Don't know where I saw that hair. I don't know where it was. Even replays are not definitive when they seem definitive. So we just don't understand the background of everything. So my thing is, like, taking the scenic route to this point is I want to see behind the scenes what the hell the video people are saying. And not because they know Netflix is there or prime or Disney or Crave or HBO or Paramount plus or this streaming service or Hallelujah or whatever the heck it's called. I want to be able to see in real time behind the scenes what they're thinking and why. So I want to see that piece, but I also want to know what the, you know, the referees are talking about in their circle, what they're thinking. Okay. Because what I think about is Tim Peel. He's a friend on my Facebook page. So I'm going to watch just in case you never know. I'm not chirping. I want, I want that to know that everyone know that he was a referee that evened out a call in Nashville and he got caught saying that on microphones. Okay? Things happen. Justin, you're right. There is stuff. Tim just got caught. They're not getting. [00:49:06] Speaker A: Caught. My. [00:49:07] Speaker B: My. I disagree. I think things are happening. I think things are happening is my point there. But how do you miss some of these calls? Like, how do you miss my. [00:49:15] Speaker A: Frustration? Like, my frustration is, like, I get. Some calls are open to interpretation. You, like, you can only call what you see, but there's certain things that are just cut and dry. Like, it's you. You have to make the calls that are right. Like, I'm not. And I'm not saying that. Like it's, you know, what definitive. When, like the play clock hits zero, that's a delay of game. When the guy doesn't have two feet in the end zone, that's not a touchdown. Those are the ones you should be getting the gimmes and when you're not getting the gimmes and then the calls that are being made after that are way worse. Like, there has to be something. There has to. Okay, well, this referee crew's been demoted to college for the rest of the year because they need more training or, you know, like, there has to be. In the ranks of referees, there has to be some sort of shame or like, there. Is there no competition. If these guys are making the best calls, they're getting the best games. Like, is there. There's got to be. I'm not trying to crap all over the refs, but there's got to be some sort of like, system in place where if you want, if you're saying you're the best league in the world, you should probably have the best referees in the. [00:50:20] Speaker B: World. If you want to, if you want to trade me to ref because of the way they're getting paid, I would fully invest my life into doing that. So, like, it's, it's a well paying job. It's a job where you're working one game and you're traveling to different games. But really, I think it's a very enjoyable career in occupation where you get very well compensated. But the problem is you deal with a little bit of backlash, stress, and fans yelling at you, disagreeing. But guess what? Every day I deal with this. Everyone deals with that at. [00:50:47] Speaker C: Work. [00:50:48] Speaker B: Okay? So you know what? I feel the referees are getting very well compensated to make the right calls and they have the tools to make the right. The right calls. Calls in front of them, even those tools are not the greatest, but they can at least help, if not 99.9 of the time, make a justifiable call and make up calls. And I think it delays the momentum in a game. But in vital moments of the game or at any point in the game, anytime there's a turnover, anytime there's a change of possession, anytime there's a certain play, those change outcomes of the games. Every little thing changes an outcome in a game. It doesn't matter what sport you talk about, get the calls right. And I don't mean to crap on the rest either. I got people that are in refereeing programs and I'm not. And they're good rest. I know a lot of good rest, more than not good referees. But the point of my story is set them up for success, train them right. And I agree with you, if they're not working out, you got to train them, you got to do other things with them. Now I feel like I'm talking about that. I'm like, I'm at work, but it does. It's so true. It's like that job. It's like every job you got to. There's an expectation and hopefully they're held accountable for the stuff that they don't do right. And give them the tools which you have to do the job right and use those tools to make the right call and end the story. Like when the clock hits zero, it plays that. If you don't have the ball snapped, it's a penalty flag in the air. You know, I've had my disagreements this year is with pass interference. A lot of this year I feel like there's been a lot of that early touching, that early interference, if you will, that are going uncalled. But if you watch another game, they're getting called. It's the inconsistency that really pisses me off. But again, that's a human element. But again, I think there's some obvious sides of it where these camp don't need to be. [00:52:29] Speaker A: Missed. Yeah, I don't know. I mean, we've. We've harped on the refs long enough. I think it's on a positive, on a positive note from last week, all three Thanksgiving, American Thanksgiving games were absolute. [00:52:39] Speaker B: Bangers. [00:52:40] Speaker C: Yes. That I'll. [00:52:41] Speaker B: Say. Yeah. But not. [00:52:43] Speaker A: Those. Yeah, the Bengals came out and surprised some. Some people thought that Joey B. Was going to be good and we're confident in that. But the Chiefs, Dallas, hell of A game. Absolute hell of a game. And the packers and Lions game with that halftime show. Eminem and Jack White. We'll take that. That was pretty good. All. All three were pretty juicy. I mean, Thanksgiving usually has a few snooze fests, but. No, that was a good one, honestly, with your comment earlier about Sunday being a snooze fest. All the good games were on Thursday. And then we had a Friday afternoon game with the Eagles, which was pretty all right. And then the Leafs played at 5 on Friday, which was fantastic. Good sports. [00:53:23] Speaker B: Day. I'm glad that you took vacation that day or took time off. It was well. [00:53:27] Speaker A: Deserved. I am responsible. I am a responsible. [00:53:30] Speaker B: Employee. Now we're hitting week 14, very pivotal week. We're getting near the end. You know, you got 14 up to week 18. We're getting close already. 14 weeks of in the pocket, and we've went 14 weeks without EJ being here. Yeah, Edit said it. We were expecting him to be back. He will be back. Ev is talking to Dean and he'll be making his odd appearances to help out in the pocket. He just hasn't been able to yet. But we'll be coming back to show. So some returnees of the old. The old man group is. [00:53:59] Speaker A: On. [00:53:59] Speaker B: The. Is on. The group is coming in, but we are in week 14. Hike. You know, we didn't get to other points of week 13 just because we decided to vent about the referees, but we're gonna give transition over to week 14. I'm gonna give you the floor because we got some standings to update and we got some games to. [00:54:18] Speaker A: Pick. Yeah. So where is it here? Catching up on the standings as of this week. So I, I am still in first place, one point lead over the David decision. So I've won to 125 over 124. So we're. We're neck and neck there. And EJ is still in third. 120, and Tyler in fourth place. Having a rough goal this year, having a real, real rough go. But we're not gonna discuss the. The missing week in EJ's schedule. We're just going to talk about how close we all. [00:54:53] Speaker B: Are. [00:54:53] Speaker A: That's. That's. That's how that's. [00:54:55] Speaker B: Going. And you know that EJ is, is listening to this and smiling every. [00:55:03] Speaker A: Week. I know it's. He's gonna chuckle every week about this, but that's my week 14 getting to the nitty gritty, especially in people's fantasy leagues. Now if you're not in a playoff spot, what are you doing? Figure it out. What do we got coming up Thursday nighter this week? Not bad actually. Detroit v. Dallas Sorry Detroit fans but I am going to take the Cowboys in this one. Cowboys looking like they're on a bit of a heater and I think that's going to be a pretty juicy game. Getting into our Sundays, I'm taking Seattle over Atlanta, Buffalo over Cincinnati, Cleveland over Tennessee, Washington over Minnesota and an oof and another o. Miami over the Jets, Tampa over New Orleans, Colts over Jacksonville hopefully Pittsburgh over Baltimore, Denver over Vegas, Chicago over Green Bay in a pivotal division matchup there with the first place in NFC Chicago Bears still weird to say that out loud. Rams over Arizona, Houston over KC and the Sunday nighter and the Eagles over the Chargers on Monday night. Score 24 Philly 18 Chargers and for the Sunday night I got Houston 28, Casey 24. Most points this week, the Bills fewest points this week. Minnesota with whoever they're starting at. [00:56:20] Speaker B: Quarterback might be me at this point so and I snorted there for no, absolutely no. [00:56:24] Speaker A: Reason. That's because that's how funny that was. [00:56:26] Speaker B: Was. Yeah, that's exactly it. And also I was thinking a little bit of from my picks. I actually made my picks earlier today but I got an error message saying invalid crumb on Yahoo so Yahoo can go fly a kite. So I had to reselect my pick. So if you're wondering why I'm looking down while Justin was talking I went to my picks expecting them to load and they didn't load. So I I wanted to make my picks before he got through them all so people don't think that I did it. So I wanted to elaborate on that to make sure I didn't get the scores in. But I remember what I had and who I thought were the least so I'm going to enter that. So get into the picks. I got the Lions over the Cowboys. Come on Detroit. Just for I'm going off of not instinct here. Seahawks over the Falcons. Bills over the Bengals. Hard pick. Hard pick. I was really tempted to pick the Bengals. Browns over the Titans. Commanders over the Vikings. They might get more than three points this week. The Dolphins over the Jets. I got the Bucks over the Saints. Colts over the Jags. I haven't picked them the last few weeks, but I will this week because yep, little bias. I am going to pick the Steelers this week to bounce back after getting booed off the field and what the Ravens showed against the Bengals beat them when they're down. I got the Broncos over the Raiders Bears over the Packers. Bears are for real. Rams over the Cardinals. Chiefs over the Texans. Eagles over the Chargers. 32, 28 Eagles over the Chargers. And for the Chiefs and Texans, I got 34 for 21 for the team that's going to get the most points I got the Broncos, surprisingly this week. And then for the least, I'm going with the Saints. I had, I had Minnesota highlighted there, but you know what I'll give them. You know, I think the Saints are going to get three and I think the Vikings are going to get six. You know, it's going to be a tight race for those least points in the week this week, but Saints to be last. And we'll see what next week brings as it gets a little closer in the standings. As we hit near the end, you know it's time for lead. Just change if you know what I'm saying. I think it's time for the David decision to move hikes picks down a little bit. And let's hope EJ picks all of his games this week and has a three for whatever total this week because that would be a great makeup week for us to save the embarrassment on him missing a week and being four and five points respectively behind. [00:58:36] Speaker A: Us. Yeah. [00:58:37] Speaker B: Yeah. Embarrassing. [00:58:38] Speaker A: Ourselves. Yeah, I mean we, we have to be. [00:58:41] Speaker C: Honest. [00:58:41] Speaker B: That's. Hey, look, it makes for good content. Okay. I made a lot of opportunity for content here and I made a lot of opportunity for our interns to make some great clips. Good luck. Because it's really sporadic. I'm making them really watch the show this week to really pick and edit how they have fun. Jerry's gonna have a great time with editing some clips this week, I feel like. So nonetheless. Hike. This has been in the pocket, my friends. Any final thoughts before we officially wrap. [00:59:07] Speaker A: Up? I mean, honestly, let's hope we can go into this week, drop the referee conversation. Hopefully we got nothing to talk about on that end coming into next week. And I think the Thursday night game is probably the game of the. [00:59:19] Speaker B: Week. [00:59:20] Speaker A: That's. That's where I'm at with. [00:59:21] Speaker B: It. I, I on Agree, agree. The Thursday nighter, Detroit, Dallas, you know, or my couch or I'll be on my couch for that game. And I'm hoping my picks registered. Hike. Okay. Because if I know if I miss this week, I ain't gonna rebound. I ain't gonna. [00:59:37] Speaker A: Rebound. No. And I will go over your head for at least a. [00:59:41] Speaker B: Year. [00:59:43] Speaker B: Yeah. So I need to make sure those registered. So I'm going to be triple checking that tonight at all times to make sure. So nonetheless hike again. Thank you very much. It's been another week of in the pocket. Next week we will be back same place, same time. We're nearing our Christmas break, everyone. Just to give everyone a little reminder as it's the conclusion of the show, we will have a show on the 11th. The 11th, my goodness. Yeah, we post by the Thursday. Let me rephrase. We will have a show next week. That is when we record on the 9th. We will have a recording on the 6th. Then we will have our holidays. We usually take the week of Christmas off and the week of New Year's. Normally we take that week off as well. So we do plan to maintain that pen in a news. Obviously there might be change in that, but we do plan to have our last recording for the holiday be on the Thursday the 18th upload for you and we will be back on January 6th for our next recording after we take our Christmas holidays. So essentially two and a half weeks off before you have to hear our voices and see our faces again. Pending Hot Topic News because Noah time it is during that time World Juniors. So there will be some clips I'm sure From yours truly, McCarthy, Dane Par, maybe Haik, who knows truths. There's going to be some interaction that we'll make sure that we have during the World Juniors because we do anticipate someone from the Sioux Greyhounds being on that World Junior team, of course. So speaking of which, we will have that World Junior projected roster as long as it's not announced by next week. We will have our roster predictions for you on that next week. We're taking the gamble that it won't be up yet, but I have a bad feeling it might be. But nonetheless, you got to see our predictions for Canada this week. So thank for Team Canada the Olympics. So thank you for Brendan McCarthy coming on by. He didn't make a selection he made. Made me go myself and criticize me. That's the approach he wanted to do. To each his own. Love it. Thank you to Connor. Connor Henderson, thank you very much as well for Strike Zone Blue Jays spending the money. Come on, Rogers. Keep going, keep going. And hike, my friend, as always, as I already said, thank you for joining as well for the. [01:01:45] Speaker A: Pocket. Good. Good to be here as always. And yeah, we'll. We'll see how this week goes. And yeah, I'm excited to hear how that World Junior roster shakes. [01:01:54] Speaker B: Out. Oh, that's gonna be something. And you know what you if because you didn't get a chance to hear Brendan to say I'm not picking. He wanted me to pick. You can go ahead and listen to that because he wanted me just to be put on the spot. Very unique, unique strategy by him on the prediction segment. It's really odd having one person pick when two people are supposed to, but nonetheless, again, thank you to SportsCenter as well. Partner with the in the Pocket segment. Shout out to 91N. Follow that on YouTube spaces. Check that out through Village Media and Suit today and until next week, Dave McCaig, on behalf of Justin, Brendan Connor, the whole family here on the game, we're here to remind you to keep your stick on the ice. Swing your bats, catch touchdowns, drain your threes and shoot your. [01:02:32] Speaker A: Shots. Puyall.