Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
It's time for the Game Sports podcast. There's your host, David McCaig Jr. The game is powered by 91 Network and featured on Spaces. 91N is a YouTube channel where you can check video editions of the game on as well as other podcasts. Spaces is through Village Media and Sue today. You can check out SU today to check and find your space. The Game Sports podcast located on the sports and hockey space on Spaces through the Sault Ste. Marie Spaces page. Now listen. The Game Sports podcast is not just found on 91 enter spaces. We're found anywhere just by searching us on Google. I even checked chat GPT. But you can find us on Spotify, you can find us on Apple Podcasts, find us on social media such as TikTok, Instagram, all at the Game Sports Podcast. Now you may have been directed here through one of those platforms if you were hit like follow, subscribe, interact. Especially with our recent clips on TikTok, which has definitely got a lot of traction, in particular about Bo Bashette and Kyle Tucker and another one about the Canadian Olympic team roster. Oof. There was a lot of feedback on there. It seems a lot of you were really upset that I didn't have Nick Suzuki on that team. So look, Interact, we like it. And if I could go back, I said this last week I would change one of my goaltenders. But you can't. You can't go back, especially after it's been recorded. And I believe the team that I have made is the team that's going to win and maybe succeed on that atrocious ice there in Italy. But tonight I'm talking about hockey right now. But we are going to have hockey tonight on this segment. But you're going to have me for the first couple minutes before I bring in Brendan McCarthy and a new, I guess I can say guest at this time, but someone who will be joining our show from a here and there perspective, a coworker and colleague of Brendan McCarthy. I'm going to leave it to him to introduce him for the Top Shelf segment. And then I'm going to have to Jordan Trudeau be on first Chuck a puck segment. Then you're gonna have me again solo at the end doing in the Pocket Solo. Okay, Solo. Top Shelf Solo. And for Solo you'll find out what the point is at the beginning here in a moment. But at the end I'll be doing in the Pocket for you. So that is the agenda, but a quick shout out. I want to give shout out to two birthdays, one that's upcoming to friend of the show and previous host for three months when we started in Sault Ste. Marie, this individual jumped on to help out until we were able to to have our show fully launched, fully functional the way that we wanted to do the show and he was a great support and getting it off the ground and just being a part of the show from a casual basis. Pat DeLuca, longtime friend of mine his birthday is coming up but today as we record December 16th it is Dane Hantro's birthday. The one of the original hosts on the Game Sports podcast or co host, which whatever title you want to give him as he has been away for the past year.
But he is going to be making a return back to the podcast very soon. So happy birthday to our friend and my close friend Dane Hansho. Hope your day is terrific brother. Now you may hear this on the 16th 17th to give you a reminder that this will be the last new show until 2026. Okay. Now of course we have the World Juniors going on from a hockey perspective, but you have to keep an eye on our social media pages for that. Now I've talked about a lot of play places you can go. I've given shout outs. We're about 3 minutes, 30 seconds in. I only have a few minutes for my first topic that I want to kick the show off on and it's unfortunate I don't have one of my main sidekicks here with me today, and that's Alex Parr, who has obviously been away from the show for a little bit, but hopefully to have Par back on soon. If you listen to a few episodes ago, we were calling him out because we didn't know where he was, but he everything's okay with par. We were just saying that. So we hope that Alex can come back on very soon. We definitely miss, but we're going to be talking about WWE here right off the hop. And with this topic, I only have a minute or so or two minutes to really get into this. So I maybe we could still save this for a future when Alex is back on. Or I can dive into it a little bit more. But I'm going to finally give you something from a summary perspective. WWE is fake. If you didn't know it was fake, well, sorry to break it to you, okay? It's not like I'm telling you something else, okay? I I'm telling you how it is wrestling. I've known that it's been an entertainment factor since I watched it in the Attitude era. I remember watching wrestling in the early in the early thousands, late 90s stories. When I started watching it with actually my sister and I came right in at the right time. The Attitude era, the Rock, Stone Cold, Triple H, all the crew that you could think of. One of my favorite matches of all time is Hulk Hogan and the Rock. And one of my favorite matches, one of many favorite matches that I have. And I remember being a kid just being in awe of what this was. And as I got older, I obviously disconnected from wrestling a little bit. But a lot of that the Rock left, you know, Stone Cold wasn't around as much. You know, the Undertaker was there, but wasn't there. And you know, you had some change and obviously there was a big adjustment period. But near that time when I was still watching John Cena, I remember him coming out for his first time and just a reaction to who is this guy, right? And this guy turned out to be the Goat. The obviously, you know, having the every title and being such a. Like a Grand Slam champion is the word I'm looking for. But 17 time like world the undisputed heavyweight title. Look, look, the champion of the W 70 times has never been done right. And yes, it is entertainment. That is what wrestling is. It is entertainment. And I know that. So I'm highlighting that before I even say. But this is still a sports podcast and still sports is entertainment, okay? And wrestling, okay, When John Cena turned heel, that broke the Internet. You can listen to a previous edition of the game sports podcast. When Alex and I were talking about. Alex was there for that. And being in that building in Toronto when Cody Rhodes was the victim of that heel turn with the Rock, Travis Scott being there, it was unbelievable what was going on. And the Internet broke. When John Cena finally turned heel, that heel run was 5ish months, give or take. And then eventually you start seeing the transition to back to John Cena, to who we know John Cena as. And then as that happens, that's where I think the wheels really started to fall, fall off on this, this whole farewell tour.
[00:06:29] Speaker B: Okay?
[00:06:29] Speaker A: The heel turn. And up until the end of the heel turn, I give this a solid 8 out of 10 by Triple H and the content team in WWE. But after that happened, it was severely downhill. My interest was gone. My want to see when Cena was appearing despite he is the Goat these last few matches, Dominik Mysterio, yeah, I know he had to get the Grand Slam Championships, but Gunther, look, where was, where was the Chris Jericho? The edges, the obviously these. Where was the Rock like and obviously there's contracts. There's debate on and I'm going over time with this as Brendan McCarthy and our new guest Wait in the, wait in the waiting room. But to get to my point, after John Cena's heel turn, it was great. The heel turn was great. Everything was great for the heel turn. Then as he turned good after that fight with Cody Rhodes, that's where everything went downhill. And yes, it's fake and it's scripted, but they did this farewell tour incorrectly. I think Triple H, I think he really loves the booze it seems, but he shouldn't be happy about what the outcome of this was. What was the point of the Rock coming out and doing that with Cena? Where was this? What was the point in all of this? That is what I wanted. I wanted to hear if yes, I wanted to hear that on Saturday night main event fight after Gunther I will still say that I think Cena and the Rock close out this little rivalry at WrestleMania 42. I still think there's got to be something but him leaving his shoes, Cody Rhodes waiting and everything happening with that. It does seem like the goat John Cena has done with wwe. But what was the point of that heel turn? What was the point? Everything was just awful, atrocious, brutal. Whatever word you want to think of. The word I'm going to go with is atrocious. Triple H after the heel turn he turned good again. What was the point of the heel turn? The content team dropped the ball, missed a lot of opportunities out except on one match against AJ Styles. That was one great nod to wrestling and a lot of tribute to the attitude era and people that John Cena has fought, etc. That's one credit that I'll give since the heel turn. But heel turn great heel turn process the whole time. Good work tail end Cody roll JJ Styles that match get JJ Styles. The only bright everything else was absolute horrendous, was trash. They didn't do the rest of the tour any justice or appropriately and they missed on a lot of opportunity. A lot of opportunity and I hope there's more, but it seems like there isn't. But I got to give this whole overall farewell tour because only 50% good and 50% bad. A 50% a 5 out of 10 was not where it needed to be and they dropped the ball. But best of luck to John Cena if this is it. Heck of a wrestling and entertainment career. He's obviously got his acting going on and it seems like okay, despite being done, he is still one of the greatest. If not the greatest wrestlers of all time. And when I. When I think of wrestling, I am going to think of John Cena and think of these names. But my favorite is still the Rock. And I would have literally celebrated to hear the Rock's music. That would have been something very, very good to see. Triple H and the content team dropped the ball. That's all I'll say to that. Okay, what do you think of John Cena's heel turn farewell tour and all this that has happened? What do you think out of 10 out of 5? Whatever grade you want to give it. I said 5 out of 10. That's what I'll leave it as. I was really invested in that heel turn. Like I said, that was so great to do the Thuganomics with CM Punk. All of that was just so well done. Woody Rhodes flipping him back. That would have been perfect time for the Rock to come back. Since they dropped the ball on that, it would have been a perfect time for him to come back at the end. But it didn't happen.
Him tapping out. I will say this, I know people don't agree with it. He has a motto about never give up. He's tapping out on his own terms. That's what that means. A lot of wrestlers lose their last match. Okay. And as they lose their last match, it seems like they're losing to Gunther. But at the end of the day, it still wasn't where it needed to be. So please comment below. And as we wait for Brendan and our new guest to come on by, seems like one of them is logging in just now. Evan will be logging in. We're just going to be waiting for Brendan McCarthy as we continue to go here on the Game sports podcast. The joys of doing this right off the hop and jai diving right into it and people waiting. I feel bad that Evan and Brennan had to wait in the. Waiting in the wings while. Yeah, I had to talk about this John Cena heel turn and John Cena with wrestling. But the joys of this too is Internet connection, which we're experiencing a little challenges here in the studios tonight. So nonetheless, I see Evan is in. We're going to be waiting for Brendan to officially log in as well and come on as well. So first things I know Brendan wanted to do the introduction to Evan, so I'll allow that to happen. I won't take his thunder. I do. See you ready there, Evan. It's nice to see you. This is the first time I get to meet Evan. So before we win. And as we wait for Brendan to come on. What I want to remind listeners on is when you're looking for the Game Sports Podcast on TikTok and on Instagram, make sure that you are doing the interaction, the work that we do and the students in the background, Taryn, Danica and Jerry, I want to give them a shout out as well. I should have from the beginning but a lot of great work from the background. But as I say that as we were stalling to wait for Brendan to come on. Brendan, my friend, thank you very much for your patience, the joys of Internet and connection. My friend, I said that I would introduce you, say hi so you can do that first. But you wanted to introduce our new friend on the show, so I'm going to give you the floor to do that.
[00:12:16] Speaker C: Dave, thanks so much, buddy. Dave, thanks so much, buddy. This week on the Game Sports podcast we are pleased to be joined by Evan Dobiggin.
He's joining the Top Shelf segment this week. Evan is the stats guru of tsn.
He runs the TSN Stat Center X account.
He is an author and has a wealth of hockey history knowledge.
He is a five time Simpsons trivia champion, a long suffering Cowboys fan, a lover of the habs and a lover of Starbucks farmers wraps. Evan, my co worker and my good buddy, welcome to the podcast. Welcome to the podcast.
[00:13:00] Speaker A: So Evan, it's very nice to meet you. I know we haven't had a formal introduction. We'll have to save that for off air given time, but nonetheless. So stats guru, love that we haven't had too many stats gurus on the show. Self proclaimed stats gurus we'll like to say. But to get as he gave you that beautiful introduction. Okay, I got two questions I need to know more about the stats and number two, the Simpsons trivia. Okay, so those are the first two that I'm giving you off the hop.
[00:13:24] Speaker D: Well, the stat side of things is I guess just an interest that I've had for, gosh, I don't know, since high school probably in terms of when I was supposed to be writing down notes for class, I was reciting stats in a notebook that I probably had memorized or just been scouring through, just testing my own sort of like knowledge and obsession. And that parlayed to coming onto GSN about 16 years ago a while back and I mean working in the newsroom on Sports center. And then eventually they realized one of my strengths anyway was, was to know everything about a history of sports or particularly the numbers, but also some anecdotes. In fact, there was a stats nighttime or a day daytime guy for a while and they needed somebody at night to come in and then set up an old Twitter account and everything called Stat center. And I still run that today and I just do a very variation of other things. But mainly that's what I've been working on at Canada, the sports leader for the last decade, I guess now. And so, you know, I'm definitely helped up by something like Stat Head, which is sports references subscription to basically look up to advanced searches on a lot of different things for all the major sports you can think of. So from football, hockey, basketball, whatever I need to baseball. So I'll give a little bit of credit to that. Help focus searches when you got to know how to look it up and where to look it up, mind you. But that's, that's one of the keys to quick access knowledge. When you ask me something, yeah, not always the most wonderful existence for the last 30 plus years, but I can't call it worse than being a hardcore Leaf fan, mind you.
[00:15:00] Speaker A: I've never been. It's challenging. But this is one thing. The Habs have won the most Cups. They are the last Canadian team to win a Cup. And you know, at least they made the, they made the Stanley cup finals recently. Tough loss against Tampa Bay. They beat Toronto to get to the next round there. A nice little comeback down three one, you know, to choke. So you know what, I will say something for you as a Habs fan. There's a lot to look forward to. I think there's a lot of promise with that roster, a lot of opportunity. And as a Toronto Maple Leaf fan, that is something that's hard to swallow. But Brennan, do you have something to say to that?
[00:15:36] Speaker C: I mean, Evan likes to remind me yearly about that collapse in 2021 by the Toronto Maple Police. Not, not ideal. But we're moving forward.
It's been a crazy couple of days in the hockey world. Evan Hughes to Minnesota.
Ari and Skinner trading places in net dart out long term with a shoulder injury. How does that affect his participation in the Olympics? And the Kevin Adams out as GM and Buff Jarmo Kekalainen in let's Stick in the East. And this is a question for both of you guys. We'll start with Dobigan. Is the Eastern Conference this year just competitive or just simply average?
[00:16:26] Speaker D: I think, you know, in the long run that could change. I mean everything's like up for grabs though, you know, almost over, I guess half a seat.
[00:16:35] Speaker A: You know, I'll touch on two quick points there because, you know, obviously, you know, give it time. I'll see. One thing about Buffalo, that, that tr. That's. That move didn't surprise me, but the bring in was surprising. You know, I think. I don't know if Cook Lion's the guy to get the job done there. To be straight with you. I didn't. He didn't do a fabulous job in Columbus. I feel like they should have went off grid there. Former player, someone who could be, you know, that did kind of on the outside, like a different perspective than what someone who's already been in the league. So that's all I'll say about the Kevin Adams piece. Buffalo is an absolute dumpster fire that I feel bad. They're. They're. Their fans have not been treated to anything nice to the Buffalo Sabers. So that's. I don't think that's a step in the right direction. But the standings. You mentioned it last week. Brennan drunk. Yeah, I know that. Yeah, that's. And I know. I wish I can think of a better term, but right now I want to just use that word drunk. I like it because, you know, it's. It's. Something can change tonight, let alone tomorrow. The stand. Like all this movement. It's great to see those. You can say parody is a more appropriate word, but it's not because you mentioned it. I. And Evan was touching on it. I think teams just not performing where they need to. Florida's been battling injuries. Toronto's been battling injuries. Still no excuse for Toronto though, because I don't think that's the problem. But teams are, I don't think are performing to what they need to do. But you look at the West, Evan, you brought up a great point. Look at Colorado. That's a team that looks on the wagon. Absolutely sexy out there. Okay. And Vegas, I don't even want. But Anaheim Ducks. Excuse me, are the Mighty Ducks back? Do I need to look like what's going on? Okay. Am I with the 90s? Am I watching D1 and D2 with watching Goldberg down, coming down the flying V like this. This is just. This year has been so unique. But there's the Eastern Conference outside the West. The West I think has a bit more of that usual sightings that we see with some change because of growth with team. The east is drunk. Teams that are there. It's not parity. These teams just haven't met expectations yet. And teams that also haven't been able to meet expectations because of injuries. No, not Toronto. Florida being that Markov and Tkachuk are big losses. They have those two guys back. They're going to have a division. So east is a little bit more open. That's why teams like Toronto, Montreal, Evan will agree to that. Washington, these teams that should be higher up should already be taking advantage of what's going on, but they're not able to because the Eastern Conference is just.
[00:18:58] Speaker D: Not making so well for the Panthers, I'll tell you that. I mean, now we're seeing why maybe they won the conference three years in a row. Nobody else has got the game enough to step up to them. Still not seeing them.
[00:19:10] Speaker C: So fill in the blank, guys. Other than the Central, Colorado, Dallas, Mini, Venice, the most formidable division in the league is blank. Outside the Central, outside the Central, outside the Central.
[00:19:24] Speaker D: Yeah. Well, I said a lot of nice things about the west, so I'm going to say Pacific just because I think, you know, maybe the others will get together as well. Kings, I mean, they haven't, they haven't tanked or anything, but they haven't been pressed too much. I mean, they've got like nine overtime losses or something. So they're competitive, they're in games. They're just not getting enough contributions offensively to finish the job most nights. So I guess I would still probably, you know, side with that. I know the teams like the Canucks that probably aren't going to find their way back into things at all. And they got Anaheim up there and I think they're for real to be still up in battling for second or third in that division or who knows, even better by the end of the season because they have, they have some things to learn. But there's a talent level there that's finally breaking through and it's sustainable because there's a lot of guys who are in their early development years who are all getting it together at the same time, particularly Carlsen, Cutter, Goch. It looked like an amazing dealer together. And whether they tail off or not, I still think that's that team's gonna hang around in the Pacific. I just don't see the Metro and Atlantic teams having. I don't know, maybe no one's gonna really break out and go on a dominant run. There's so many flaws on a lot of those teams for me, like whether it be the elites, even if it's a young team, Michael, Canadiens, they just can't find a hot bowling, they can't find a defensive game like they're going out there. When they get two or three goal lead, they can't just hold on to it so I mean there's a lot of real flawed teams out there and whereas Anaheim I think maybe there's low pressure. They're just playing with house money and their funds.
[00:20:51] Speaker A: Well said Pacific. Simple as that. I'm, I'm aligned to essentially everything Evan said. I was hovering over the Metropolitan but when I look at the Pacific I'm, I'm more interested. That's why I'm going that route. I'm just more interested in that Pacific Division. I am. That's such a cool story. Louisiana hasn't reached. You know Edmonton's going to come out booming soon. He just waiting for McDavid and that to get to Christmas and New Year's form for me too.
[00:21:15] Speaker C: Evan, do you have a Stanley Cup Final prediction?
[00:21:17] Speaker D: Well, it's funny because everybody would be throwing Colorado and it's about both in the west historically in the most decade among themselves team that tears up the regular season sort of peeps too early.
[00:21:28] Speaker A: It's a good answer. I still got to keep mine. Brennan, I said Florida Vegas, Florida four with the three people. So I went against the, the stat pick. I, I, I'm not going to change my pick and this is the first year I haven't picked Toronto since 2020.
[00:21:41] Speaker C: So I got, I got Florida, Dallas. So we're all kind of sticking with Florida it seems.
[00:21:47] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah. So there you go. That, that you know what I want to make sure I touch on what's given time. Quinn Hughes, that need that needs to be chatted about here from your perspective Brent, I want to hear your view on it. Then I want to hear the stats side of it about the success of this. I don't know if you have looked into it this much, Evan, but looking at see Dubas is from the Seuss has always been Corsi and projection. I'm not looking at that. I'm looking at Marco Rossi, the potential, all that stuff. Brennan to you with the reaction of the trade then Evan, yours. But if you can do a little stat spin on it about success of trading a franchise player outside of Wayne Gretzky. If what's the success rate on that? I don't know if that's a stat that's been discussed. What is the success rate of training of cornerstone franchise player that's really helped the team or has it helped out the team that's made that trade? Because I think this was a fair trade. I'm sorry. I think Vancouver is not bad for doing this. They got something for someone Mitch Marner. They got someone for someone for Something they got something for someone they didn't lose an asset. Great asset management. They got a good top six four potential great offensive smart, top four defenseman, if not top two. A future pick was a good trade in my opinion. That's my quick reaction brand.
[00:23:02] Speaker C: I think it was a good trade. Effectively four first round picks going the other way. Right. And I also love Ev. You can take care of the, the stats perspective but I also just love how a GM is saying fit. I'm going for it. Life is too short. I'm going all in. And he was so casual about it too. He was like, yeah, I was just making meatballs and we got it done and I love that. And Quinn Hughes after in his first media avail. I don't know if you listen to it Ev, but he was like, yeah, I appreciate, you know that a GM went, you know, all in, fully on board and got it done ink to paper. So I just love that a GM has the audacity and the confidence just to be like I'm making it happen, I don't care. Yeah. And looking at the lines to have Minnesota now like top to bottom, they are building an incredibly competitive and talented team. And Minnesota is a great hockey market too. Like not only, not only just with hockey, it's a great sports market. Like twins, you know, Vikings. Like I've never been to many but I feel like it'd be an underrated little guys trip to rip around in the summer go watch some baseball or in the summer go watch some baseball or go see the wild. Like the fans are nuts.
[00:24:14] Speaker D: So going on at the same time too.
Part of me Ev. Oh, so you gotta go in the. And all those things are going on at the same time. Like you got the ball four, I guess. Basketball, baseball. Wow. Maybe not the questions. Three out of four.
[00:24:28] Speaker C: Maybe.
Maybe Dave could splurge on the game sports podcast crew and send us round trip flights to mini and back there.
[00:24:37] Speaker A: That's. That's the dream. Hey, I think Minnesota is still a second line coa if they can get a second line centerman. I don't know how they're floating around but I'm going to throw a name out there. Just going to throw a name out there. Okay. And it's not a Toronto guy. So don't get excited everybody. Pittsburgh's overachieving this year and I'm not saying Crosby. So get that out of your excitement too. I'm not saying Crosby. Evgenie Malkin. I feel like Pittsburgh's out of it veteran guy that they can retain hold some money. Minnesota moves out of value. What would I think that would be a second line center that Minnesota can disperse as a second or third line seed to really still fit the mold of Minnesota. I'm just going to throw that out there. I think they need one more like a second line center, even a third line center to kind of move up or do we're on the lineup, you know, kind of fill that role where Marco Rossi was and he was doing a pretty good job filling in more so and obviously that end. I'm just going to say it. Evgenie Malkin to Minnesota early prediction. I think that I don't hate it. I think having a second line center puts this team in that contention over the threshold of being within that. Colorado, Vegas, the dog fight. Yeah, being in the fight you need to be deep in the playoffs. And Florida said look at the guys they have. Was Carter for Haggie a sexy name? Let me ask you that. Leaf fans, fellow Leaf fans, what did we get rid of Carter Hagee for? Let me tell you what it was nothing.
[00:25:59] Speaker C: Michael Grabner, wasn't it Ev.
[00:26:02] Speaker A: Yeah, I think that that nothing.
[00:26:03] Speaker D: That might have been how he left.
[00:26:04] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Nothing exactly. Nothing. And just one of the fast, just the fastest player in leaf jersey history. I don't or leaf history but that aside gave up on him. Let him go. See you later. Right. And Luke Shen didn't fit in Toronto went just a couple different teams found his mold, won a cup. Look, I'm telling you right now, teams that win cups believe in their prospects, believe in depth. And Florida has signed guys, giving guys opportunities. And I think Minnesota having the prospects that they have that can still come up, they can definitely still fit in some players in this mold like Malkin, maybe somebody else but Malkin just really sounds absolutely like a perfect fit to me.
[00:26:46] Speaker C: Before we let you go, I forget if I mentioned this in the intro, but Evan Dobigan is the co author of two books. One I bought off him last Christmas, Inexact Science he co published with his dad Bruce. Can you tell us where we can find your work at.
[00:27:05] Speaker D: Yeah.
2021 Inexact Science came out with three CW press and then just.
[00:27:14] Speaker A: I guess.
[00:27:15] Speaker D: In 2024 in about May or so we released self published book called Deal with it. So the trade that stunned the NHL and changed hockey. Inexact Science. I didn't say the subtitle. That one was like six drafts that were the most compelling in NHL history. So you got to make sense from those subtitles. What he's book's about. But yeah, you can find those on Amazon and you can also in your local bookstore. I believe in exact science still available for ones like Indigo. And if you can't find it, then tell them to stock it. But if you look online, you should be able to get it if you're willing to wait a bit longer, obviously for the ship and all that. But yeah, no, those are two good book sets for any phantom hockey. It'd be a great Christmas stock and stuffer. Well, at least the first one is small enough for fitness stocking, but the second one's a little bit bulkier book. But yeah, they both make great gifts for the hockey fan on his family or whatever friend or colleague of yours that's interested in those kind of historic people. Look back, kind of keep things in perspective for the fans today.
[00:28:15] Speaker B: Right.
[00:28:15] Speaker A: And you know what we'll do? We'll put a link below YouTube in our YouTube. Perfect to do that. Evan, we'd love to have you on a bit more sporadically. I know usually our three, the tripod is myself, Brennan, Alex. Alex is still MIA. We're still finding them, sir. Increase the 25, 000. Just kidding. That's not true. I shouldn't flag that. I'm just saying that as a funny, funny joke. That aside, Evan, I want to say thank you for, you know, of course, taking the time to. To join and taking the time to come on the pod. One thing I'll say with you guys, I remember, you know, a colleague of yours, both of you. A colleague of both of you, James Duthie was a guest on this show and him and I have kept in touch with him a little bit, but kind of not for a little while. But you'll have to mention the podcast to James Duthie, one of our popular guests, and he actually, the story of me having James Duthie on was that it was a Venmo or a. A gift for a birthday, where he gave me a shout out for my birthday and he said, if you want me to come on your pod, and if I'm able, if you'd like, if I'm good enough to be on your pod, which I laughed. If you wanted to come on to send me a link via Twitter and I'll respond. So what I did is I didn't get a response the first thing. So we did a hashtag and it had. I think it had about 72 retweets or something like that. When it was Twitter, James saw it and then he reached back out to me and. And had him on the show. So you're gonna have to. You're going to have to ask James to see if he remembers the game sports podcast. Evan, if you get a chance, or Brennan.
[00:29:41] Speaker D: I've given him copies of both of my books, and he plugged it on one of them. I think he plugged it Exact Science on his Rubber Boots podcast, even though that's not his sports or anyone.
[00:29:49] Speaker C: That's right.
[00:29:50] Speaker D: So next time I'm working on something, I'll drop in and mention the podcast too, but. Oh, yeah, and by the way, he wants to bring you on or something.
[00:29:58] Speaker C: I'd love Evan. I will work our magic.
[00:30:00] Speaker D: Dave.
[00:30:02] Speaker A: I have his email, but I don't want to be that guy to always email.
[00:30:04] Speaker D: Right.
[00:30:04] Speaker A: So if you guys work. If you guys work with them, I'm sure the listeners would love to have James back because that was a great episode. Oh, it was so fun talking about the Crosby's golden goal. He was there talking about his books, the beauties. Right. That book that he does. It's. It's. It's great.
[00:30:20] Speaker C: Evan has a more famous last name than I, Dave, so maybe we'll let him craft the email.
[00:30:24] Speaker A: I think his last name might be the sexiest and most greatest last name I've ever seen in my life. I'm not kidding. I. Yes, and true.
I know that you're in the background there, Trudes, and you're kind of on the outside looking in right now, but look at Evan's last name. That is not a typo. That is Dobby.
[00:30:43] Speaker C: Don't forget it.
[00:30:44] Speaker A: Correct. I said it correct.
[00:30:45] Speaker C: Don't forget it.
[00:30:45] Speaker A: Don't forget it. I, I. That is meant. I want to make sure I pronounced it correct.
[00:30:50] Speaker D: Dopigan, actually.
[00:30:51] Speaker A: Yeah, Dopigan.
[00:30:52] Speaker D: See what I mean?
[00:30:53] Speaker A: That's. It sounds so much cooler, like if I was an announcer at hockey. They scored by Evan Doe. I get it. They just put your name and they're afraid to say it, but it looks simple.
It's. It's the best last name that's been on the show.
[00:31:05] Speaker D: Wow.
[00:31:06] Speaker A: Yeah. McKay and McCarthy are so boring. Sorry.
[00:31:10] Speaker C: It's a good. It's a good trio in the top six.
[00:31:13] Speaker A: Yeah, it is.
[00:31:14] Speaker C: Doe Big and McCag McCarthy. Doe Big and McCag McCarthy.
[00:31:17] Speaker A: Yeah, that's funny. And then.
[00:31:19] Speaker C: All right, boys.
[00:31:19] Speaker A: All right, Brennan. Thank you, Evan, thank you for taking the time. We'll see you soon. Evan and Brennan will be in touch with the soul. We're on holidays after this week, Brennan, but we'll Do. We'll keep in touch for when the next one is in the new year.
[00:31:31] Speaker C: Thanks, guys.
[00:31:31] Speaker A: Yeah. See you.
[00:31:32] Speaker D: Thanks so much.
[00:31:33] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:31:33] Speaker D: All right. Take care.
[00:31:34] Speaker A: Take care. Jordan Trudeau, my friend. You were waiting. Evan Dobegan. Okay. We. That's a real name. That's a real person. That wasn't AI, obviously. You could check out his books. He's a statistician. Does that work at TSN with Brendan? So that was a stats guy. And the next time we have Evan on, we'll do some. Maybe some sports statistical facts for you. But we had a lot of topics to talk about. Top shelf. Today. We had to talk about Quinn Hughes getting traded. Oh, my God. We had to talk about things that are going on in the world of hockey. And speaking of which, perfect transition. Okay. To chuck a puck. The puck is up there, everybody. If you're on video, I'm pointing to my right. There's a suit gray on puck. I'm too lazy to get up and grab it. And I have a carpet, and my baby's going to bed, so I ain't throwing no. No puck across the room right now. But let's pretend there I chucked it.
[00:32:25] Speaker D: Okay.
[00:32:25] Speaker A: Right at center ice. Truth. How's it going, my friend?
[00:32:28] Speaker B: I'm good.
[00:32:29] Speaker A: How are you?
You know what? Great. You know, Christmas is near. It's a busy season, but the snow sucks. But I'm talking weather for those of you who are not in Canada, if you're in Florida, I don't want to have. I don't want to. I don't want to hear it right now. I envy. But it is this. This is Canada. And this is. This shows hockey right here. And you know what? It's been a lot here in Sault Ste. Marie. But you know what? There's a lot of news when it comes to major junior, and there's a lot of news when it comes to Sault Ste. Marie ground we get near Christmas. So, Trudes, I want you to get into where you want to start with, with a major junior scene at Team.
[00:33:02] Speaker B: Canada World Junior Camp right now. So, hey, that's a story that's developing. It was said on the OHL podcast with Mike Farwell from Kitchener. So they were talking this week about Carter George, you know, possibly the Owen Sound attack. After they. They kind of fell off in the month of November and into December, they had a really, really strong start to the season. They're kind of dipping down into the bottom five in the Western Conference playoff margin. So with an existing NHL drafted goalie and Tristan Bennett. They could be looking at trading Carter George for a large haul and working around their young core. And on that podcast it was also said that London could be a seller. So I tuned into that this week just to get some get some insights but that's kind of the biggest news around the OHL right now. Brantford continues to be strong even though five of their players are away at Team Canada camp. So they're looking like they are still the team to beat in the east. And they may not still be done adding but it was cool to see Evan Hedrick in the news. I don't think we've mentioned him on the podcast, Dave, but he's another youngstoo player that one of the many young Sioux, young talented Sioux players that are in the major junior world and obviously a brother to Owen who gets his shot at the Erie Otters now after Owen went to the Memorial cup with that team quite a few years ago. So good deal for both teams really. Erie gets a young player with some high upside and then Kitchener gets an overager to boost them a bit for being at the top of the standings.
[00:34:37] Speaker A: And see and with Owen been a guest on the show and I know and pretty good to have had some good times sharing some ice and some three on the three on three charity tournament here in the Sioux and didn't get a chance to play against him. He's a little bit younger than I am but such an impressive defenseman and winning an area is great but you know they're, they're the big thing is this is that time of year where you see okay some players are going to world juniors, you want those some of those trades that happens for teams are trying to balk and to sell a little bit early. I talked about this a lot from the NHL side and from the OHL side and just overall that I think selling early and buying early is not a bad idea. I know it's not sexy for trade deadline day when you just want to click the news and you're excited to see it. But if I'm a gym of a team I don't give a shit. I swore there's the only and first swear of the night that I don't care if people like what day I make my trades, if my team is going to be a team that I'm contending believe to makes a shot and to have a good run at the playoffs, I'm buying and investing early. And that's what also some teams that don't sell early is because they want to maximize their value. You talked about Carter George, right? That's a name that's going to be tossed around. Greyhounds. Is it going to be. You know they've made some goalie moves in their day. Jack Campbell to name one gave all haul for that guy. But honestly there's an example here. We're going to see some exciting pieces and new faces to place this and seeing I think, I think Hedrick going over it's kind of where there was it all started was with his brother. Pretty cool, right? That's, that's a pretty cool little story. And for Suse Marie we've had the pleasure of seeing a lot of players do well and there's been a few players that have left Sault Ste. Marie to go do well then get drafted recently too. So there's a lot of. When it comes to Sault Ste. Marie, we're a proud hockey town. But when it comes to the Ontario Hockey League to see some movement, it's great. But when I think of the OHL right now, Trudes and we talked about this last week, you know you got one side of the the OHL when it comes to the standings. Branford, who just, you know, they running away I would say with the Eastern Conference they got a 10 point lead right now.
Well, sorry, they got. Well Ottawa's right there with 48 points just to say a 10 point lead. But on second place they have a 10 point lead given how the division layout is. But they're only a few points up on Ottawa. But that division's very top conference is very top heavy. Right. When you look at the Western Conference a little bit more parity in there, right? Look at the Hounds are there. Windsor, Kitchener, Flint. Obviously Kitchener making the trade today to get, to get Edwards over there to make that move. And the Hounds making the move that they did to bring in Fisher. Brady Martin going to the world Junior soon. What are they, what are they going to do when it comes to the now until the freeze until they can until after the world Juniors? What are they going to do? London being a seller is so interesting. Like you never hear that. I love it. That's music to my ears. I'm very excited to hear that. But there's still some players on teams that have assets to move. But it's going to be sold at King's Ransom. It's going to be. I think prices are going to be really high and I think this is the term I want to use for OHL teams because of how many teams are in the circuit to buy and in the circuit to think that they contend and do well. I think it's a buyer beware market in the ohl. Truths. I think it is because sometimes these trades, it's not like the NHL, don't get me wrong, Carter George is going to give you a haul. But now you are getting arguably, if not the best goalie in the Ontario Hockey League, okay. Top and in the chl. So if you're buying them, I think you got to know that you're all in. So Greyhound fans, are they all in or are you looking at a team at Carter George? You might look at another team. That is Ottawa. They got good goaltending. See, like I don't, I don't know what other team. Like, like I. There is other teams that are fit. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that. But, but like I do not agree that it's a buyer beware.
[00:38:30] Speaker B: I'm just as an example, I think, I think is a very good fit for Carter George because realistically right now they're 23 and 7 with a, with a 17 year old goaltender, right? So they're probably, when you're looking at it, they're probably the best fit for Carter George. But are they the best fit right now? Like, do they believe that now is their window? I mean, when I'm looking at their forward core here, they really only have one 19 year old in Jasper Kuta. So like they're a young team, two 19 year old defensemen and a couple overagers. So they're a lot like the Greyhounds where you know, they're, they're a bit even, they're even a bit younger than the Greyhounds this year. So are they really in a position to spend all the assets to go out and get Carter, Jordan, George right now or are they better off keeping those assets for later on when their current group, who's as strong right now, they'll have the same group next year and the year after. Probably not the smartest decision. We've seen things like that happen before. But then you're looking at a team like Kitchener, Windsor, Brantford, they already have their goaltenders. So unless, you know, I don't, I think that anybody and everybody will be checking in on Carter George. Right, because it's Carter George. But I mean, are you just gonna willingly make a deal like that when you've already got a solid thing going with your goaltender and dare I say Landon Miller, I think in my opinion he's deserved to start for this team in January. I think as of right now, he has deserved the net in the way he's been playing the past couple months. And he's, you know, you're looking at maybe a little bit of an unorthodox career. Right. His numbers aren't flashy. You know, maybe he struggled in the past. Yeah, but a lot of people have struggled in the past. And the way he's played, like the way he's played the past month, he deserves the net right now. He's really. He's solid back there. And maybe it's a. It's a course of the Greyhounds being a stronger team defensively than we're used to seeing the past few years. I don't know. But right now he's playing solid. And the Greyhounds had their best game of the year, which I think, in my opinion, I've seen them play against Sunday or, sorry, on Sunday against Owen Sound. So it's going to be up in the air. It's going to be interesting what happens to Carter George if he's moved and where.
[00:40:57] Speaker A: See, the big thing for me is looking at that. You mentioned it right there, Ottawa having a young goaltender, they're going. That's why when I said it, I kind of held. Because you think of bringing Carter George as a good veteran to bring in for the young guy, but you might have to move. I know. I'm just saying young guy, but I don't want to. I'm just saying hypothetically, that'll be a piece of the deal potentially. Right. And being the team that Ottawa is, I couldn't agree more that they don't have to do that. They can have this team next year, just be an absolute juggernaut. Add next year when there's other players to look at buying, but it's definitely going to be interesting. I think that might also help the market with Carter George. Not be as expensive. But it's still going to be expensive to bring in Carter George to your hockey club. And from a world Junior. From a world junior. And he's the guy that's going to be leading Canada to a potential goal. Very excited about that team. Hopefully it's better than last year for the goals, which was an absolute joke to watch, in my honest opinion. But there's a lot of promise when it comes to goaltending in Canada now. A little bit. I wasn't impressed about anything for the last few years. That really jumped out at me a lot. But when I see Ivan Kovic, when I see George, when I see Rav, I'M a, I'm a big Ravensburg and Guy, I think that there's some potential there too. It's. It's great to see that. And Carter George, I know I'm spinning a little bit here, but he's going to be someone who's going to get a haul if he is moved. But it's great to see some Canadian goaltenders come up and do that. I'm excited to see what he's gonna do to the World Juniors because that's going to increase his trade stock even more, potentially, especially if he has a gold medal coming around his neck when he, when he comes home from the World Juniors. Okay, so that's been to. With giving her a little bit of our time spinning to the Sioux Greyhounds here. Trudes. Of course. You know, when I, we're nearing Christmas and already looking at Christmas time, I go, geez, I can't believe we're already here. Time is, is flying by. I know when you look outside like, oh, yeah, it's Christmas time, but it's still a busy week despite, you know, they, they play this week twice. They got a Wednesday and they got a Thursday before they take their break and they're not at home, obviously, they're not home until after Christmas. But they got two games that are going to be very important to go into the break with momentum and to get some wins against, you know, let's be honest, when it comes to the teams that they're, that they're playing, they got, they got Saginaw on Wednesday. And I'm going to give you, I'm kind of taking your thunder with this, but they got Saginaw Wednesday and Thursday against Windsor and we look at Windsor, that's going to be a good game. That's.
[00:43:17] Speaker B: That.
[00:43:17] Speaker A: That's kind of one of those games where I don't want to say measuring stick, because the Hounds, I believe, are, you know, contenders in the Western Conference, but it still is kind of that maybe that centimeter measuring stick, not that meter stick measurement, because you want to see what your distance is between Windsor as well, and kind of a game where you can get closer to them in the standings as well. With two wins this weekend, if Windsor doesn't keep up to that pace, you can go in maybe tides if by the time the holiday break comes in, which is a big swing for momentum for the Greyhounds.
[00:43:45] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, David, you know, this, this greyhounds team has really, they've really gained a lot of momentum the past month, especially the past five games. Like the, the growth from the end of November to now is crazy. And, you know, I think that bringing in Lucas Fisher, they brought him in at a perfect time. And the Colin Fitzgerald trade played into it as well. And even Jeremy Martin, right, going back to mid November, when they got Jeremy Martin, like the moves that they have made up to this point has really, really improved their team, improved their locker room chemistry, obviously, and then has really brought out, you know, the compete and the results, the execution for this team.
They're. They won five in a row. And now, yes, like you said, they have the chance to go into Windsor and use it as kind of like a measuring stick early on in November. I would have told you that, you know, almost blow it all up, Trade this guy, trade that guy. Well, now, no, right. Like I would have been fired. But no, that. We always knew that this team had it. We always knew that this team had something, that they should be contending, that this should be a contending year. And they're proving it now. So the Windsor game is going to be a huge, huge game. Yeah. Not only to see where the Greyhounds are at and how they play them, they did beat them a little bit, a little bit ago, 4, 3 in overtime in Windsor. So hopefully that continues the strong play in Windsor. So not only that, but also to catch them in the standings because, yes, they are four points back right now with the game in hand.
So the game in Saginaw is just as crucial to catching Windsor because The spirit, obviously, 9 and 15, they're lacking right now, they're down in the standings. So that's a must win on Wednesday before competing against the Spitfires on Thursday. Yeah, I thought the Greyhounds were really, really solid on Sunday. I thought it was their best game that they played all year. Like, I just. I find that they are at their most dangerous when their D move the puck quick up the ice and when they generate scoring chances off the rush and they use their speed to enter the zone quickly. And I think Crossgree and Fischer have had a huge, huge part in that. And it's just like maybe it's just myself growing up as a defenseman. I just maybe appreciate it more or I notice it more, but it's a pleasure to watch them start a play on the back end because it is. The puck moves quick and it moves fast and it's on the forward stick in like lightning speed time. And that really puts pressure on the defense. And also the power play, the power play has gotten going. It's starting to do what it hasn't done all year it's been three straight games with a power play goal. There might be more than that. They were 2 for 2 on Sunday. Like this power play is getting going which is helping them win games because it wasn't in the start of the season right. It would go for 5, 0 for 6 and they would lose by one goal. Lose by two goals. Well now it's getting going so it's really, really helping the offense and taking the pressure off Landon Miller and the defense to keep the puck out of the net. One more thing. Christopher Brown was named the OHL Kojiko Player of the Week. And like he continues to have himself a breakout season, he's much more involved in the offense this year, a lot strong on the puck, has the confidence with it and he's finding success mostly setting up his teammates, but he's also scored some big goals too. He's got two OT winners this year, one against Windsor and one against Kitchener. That just happened on Wednesday. So no, honestly props to him for sticking with it. He's another one. A little bit of a non linear development path there but you know in his 19 year old year he's putting it together and he's got a point per game. So that's a huge, huge boost for this club too.
[00:47:31] Speaker A: And you see the side that I'd like to give a shout out to, there's a grounds prospect who is GOHL prospect of the week two, Kaylin McQueen. Great name by the way. Great name. He had two games, he had eight points in that tournament, the Gohl prospects game which is something we talked about last year, the that league, the things that have been brought up that I wish were around when I played. Not because of me, just for anyone in SU Rayfield there's a lot of players that were my age, grew up in the Sioux and closer that could have benefited. But 17 year old, okay, McQueen has 10 points to the first eight games with Cambridge starting the season with 10 points in the first over the 20 games of the OJHL's Georgetown Raiders. The OJ's good league in Ontario as well. He played in Blind river for the Beavers obviously Beaver alum. So I retired, I got my heart there in Blind river and was the 12th round pick of the Sault Sabre Greyhounds, 240th overall. So to see some of those later players, you know this is one of those examples is getting highlighted. He's obviously player of the week for December 8th to December teen is where he was named as well. But there's other players that have won for the Greyhounds. Another player, William Camp Untero was another one that won back for the November 24th and 30th week that I may wanted to make sure that I had noted. So I know when people see me on video if I'm looking and writing it's not because I you know because I'm doing whatever the heck over here. I'm doing the research and looking in for you to give you some news that you didn't know because don't tell me anyone on the back end that you knew Kayla McQueen unless you looked at Ohl Chl ca that you saw him that won. Okay.
[00:49:06] Speaker C: All right.
[00:49:06] Speaker A: I said I point that out. One side note that I'll point out Paul Gagne passed away and that's a a name that might not be too familiar with people especially in our listeners regions. But you know what I think it's going to spark a lot of ears and point get a lot of ears pointed up because of our NOJ shell team the Sioux Thunderbirds that are in the Sioux maybe in a former Thunderbird as well. In Beaver I had the opportunity to be a player against Paul Gagne who was a OHL alum. He also spent time between Colorado, New Jersey, Toronto and the Islanders you want to call their cup with Springfield in 1990. He also you know he played under had like names of Claude Julianne. He's had. He's been around a lot of smart, smart individuals and he played hockey until 1999. We played in Germany and Switzerland. I'll be honest without getting into details because this doesn't matter but this is one of the most historic and best coaches in N O JHL history and in junior around there. This guy is mind Abitibi. I know that they paid him. I don't know that for sure. I just know that they did. You know what I mean? It's one of those guys that you pay to coach your team. That's how good he was for no JH he was this is a guy that could have been coaching higher levels as he's went but obviously he when he where we more the OHL mourns the losses with the subject set but there's more leaks and mourn that as well. The ohl the N O JHL the community of Abitibi. I loved playing at that rank. The Eskimos rank was unbelievable. It was on the flickering eyes it was it was wild. But Paul Gagne built a very good hockey program there and brought hockey to that Abitibi region. And brought some good players in, like Mark, Alain Bejan. There's another name that people that know the no JHL from my days, they're going to get their ears pointed up and say, oh, that's a name I haven't heard of in a couple in a long time. But Paul Gagne should be a name that everybody remembers. He's from Iroquois Falls too. So to be able to go coach there and give back to the community the way he did and was fantastic. And I only got the chance to meet him a few times and one was in my rookie year, then one was in my last year. So a bit spaced out when I've had the conversations with him, but he was always complimentive of me and always very professional, very professional. Always had a good image and he definitely deserves time to be talked about on a lot of podcasts. I definitely give condolences out to his family and to those that were with him. Not just ohl. I'm talking about through the N O JHL times and some players who were players for him. And I know a couple of them that I was talking to today that said make sure you give him a shout out on the on your podcast. I know you record today or tomorrow is what they said. And I said I would absolutely do that. And I'm glad to see that the OHL had a very nice product post as well. So that's great to see, but it's obviously very sad to see the passing still. I feel at a young age, it's really unfortunate to see who died at the young age of 63, you know, definitely, definitely sad. But he is a Windsor Spitfires alumni as well. One thing I mentioned, so coaching player, he's done it all. So definitely condolences out to the Garnier family there. So Trudes, I wanted to, you know, obviously this is our last show before the new year, but this is the joys of this time of year. The World Juniors are around the corner. Brady Martin was on a line with Gavin McKenna today at practice. Did I see that right? Oh, my God, that's great. We love to see that. Is Gavin McKenna want to leave Penn State and you know, WHL and come over to play for the grounds. You know, maybe I could start that rumor. Gavin McKenna, come on over. You know, I got a great basement. It's baller out. I can leak it. You can have it rent free. Gavin McKenna, you want to come to Sault Ste.
[00:52:45] Speaker D: Marie?
[00:52:45] Speaker A: You can live here rent free. I'll pay for everything for you if you want to Come live at the McKenna, because I know that one day when you make it in the NHL and you're up here, you'll be able to get me some free tickets. So I'll pay that off. But no jokes aside, great to see the roster for Canada seems to be starting to shape out a little bit. I might not be correct on some of my predictions, which is okay. I may or may not be. But obviously during the World Juniors, for some reactions and clips you're going to have. Trudeau and I are going to keep in touch with each other and likely do various phone recording clips, or we might jump on here for a few minutes, but there won't be any episodes unless there's something. Hot topic. Okay. Crosby gets traded. Gav McKenna is now a bill at the McCaig house. Something. Something like that. That's the kind of a type of news that we do for the Christmas holidays and the holiday holidays. We'll be back in the New Year Trudes, but we'll be in touch throughout Christmas, my friends. So I appreciate you taking the time, as always. But before I let you go, any final thoughts that you want to give about the Hounds, the chl, OHL, or even the World Juniors before we officially sign off? Sign you off?
[00:53:45] Speaker B: No, I don't.
It's going to be an interesting.
Going to be an interesting trade deadline. Sometimes. Well, sometimes you can predict what's going to happen pretty closely. Like, it never really pans out as you think. But I think this one's going to be more interesting just to see what the Greyhounds have left to do or what they think the next best fit for their current roster makeup is. And yeah, Brady Martin.
It looked like. I've been following it on Twitter. The line combos for practices. It looks like they're trying to find that perfect fit to fit on the first line with McKenna. I mean, if they want somebody that's going to drive the play and create space for Gavin McKenna on that roster, Brie Martin's definitely going to compete for that spot because all Hounds fans know that that's what he is elite at doing. Maybe we haven't seen it to the full extent yet this season, but on the biggest stage for Team Canada, I'd put my money on Brady Martin. I'd always put my money on Brady Martin. So. So enjoy the holidays. Merry Christmas to everybody. Happy holidays. And thank you. Thank you to all the listeners, all the viewers. You know, this is. I have a lot of fun every time I come on here, so keep listening and keep interacting and yeah, have, have a great, safe and healthy holiday season.
[00:55:05] Speaker A: Kind words from a great guy, Trude. So I appreciate that. Now you know what the listeners get, they get to listen to me solo for a little bit. Talking football. Okay. Usually when we talk in the pocket, there's three, four of us, but there's been some schedule issues sometimes this year, so they get football for me. So obviously I won't have you hang around for that to chill around with. So thank you, my friend. And we'll be in touch over the holidays with maybe some, hopefully some fun interactive clips for the listeners. But we'll be back in the New Year 2026 mindset for the game sports podcast. And I'll say it on here because if you made it up to this point rebranding, I'll just leave it there. Thanks, Truth.
[00:55:42] Speaker B: Thank you. Thank you.
[00:55:44] Speaker A: So that's Jordan Trudeau, the legend himself. And now you're going to have just me, David McCaig. Let me, let me give you a little chuckle. David Kegger. Mr. Electric Avenue McCaig, if you know, you know, if you heard up to this point and you heard it, comment below. If you know the story of how Mr. Electric Avenue got connected to my nickname, I swear I'll get you a gift card. That's how I'm not going to name the value of it. If you are able to know the story why I have that and have said that on here towards my nickname, I will get you a gift card. Commented on YouTube, Spotify, wherever you comment, you get it. As long as you're not my producer in the background or a member on this show, I will give you a gift card, big Christmas gift from me to you. In the Pocket. Look, I'm going to do in the Pocket for you here. And in the Pocket is partnered with SportsCenter Bar and Grill Sausitimi, Ontario's best sports bar. We are approximately 10 minutes over. Usually we do our shows about an hour, so about seven to ten minutes over, actually. So it's going to be more of an expedited edition of in the Pocket. Obviously when we have a guest on, especially like Evan, the statistician that he is, we allot a little bit extra time for our guests but we're going to make sure that we follow our time parameters, in particular for our producer, producer in the background for, for editing and also to ensure we keep you engaged with content that we are very excited to always share. In the Pocket. I'm going to be talking about some news this week that caught my eye. But also I'm going to be diving in more so the pick them that I feel for this week before we wrap up the show. So not the usual 15, 20 minutes of in the pocket. You're going to get just under five within the pocket for me. So speaking of the NFL, the landscape, the playoff picture is starting to pan out and the playoffs are not going to have the Kansas City Chiefs in them. The Kansas City Chiefs are not going to be in the playoffs. Patrick Mahomes obviously injured and in a division where the Broncos took it all the way with 12 and 2 right now they've clinched. They have clinched. You got the chargers that are 10 and 4, both teams just looking like absolute wagons. Looking at the AFC South, a lot of landscape has changed there. The Jags are first and the Colts have fallen down to third. And you thought Philip Rivers was going to get a good battle back last week, but that didn't happen the way that we well could have imagined it or wanted it to. But Philip river is still looking pretty good out there and there's still some football to be played there for Indianapolis. But when AFC north, the Steelers big win by of course my team, the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Dolphins. And when I look at the game against the Dolphins, that actually got a little bit more tighter in the fourth quarter, but that is to be deceiving. Okay, I know they got 12 points in the fourth, fourth quarter, but the Steelers really ran that game in the second and third quarter. The offense went four straight possessions with points, obviously with touchdown drives that led from the second, third up into the fourth quarter. Very impressively done Metcalf. And I remember sitting with my wife and there was one of the touchdowns in the third quarter and I said they're going to run a slant to Metcalf. And I called it and I'll say it. Look, you can ask her. I'm not lying to you. This is a team that runs a very, I almost want to, dare I say a simple offense. They run the football, but they do plays and they look, Rogers is trying to be a professor out there and obviously smart veteran that he is, he has weapons out there. I think Thielen's been a good, good add to the team. But Metcalf and Gainwell, Warren, these are guys that are going to have to really stand up if the player, if the playoffs want to be something exciting for those Pittsburgh Steelers. Looking at the FC East, I can't believe I'm saying this. Patriots looking for real still. I know they're 11 and three they've been real for multiple weeks now and I sound foolish for saying, oh, they look for real. I just can't believe this is a team who's been undefeated on the road.
They're five and three at home. So this is a road team, okay? This team battles 11 and 3. They have a game up on the Bills. I in the right mind did not think the Patriots were going to be first in their division, but obviously they're looking good. But I'm going to say it. I think this is a team that yes, is really looking good and has a bright future, but is a first round elimination team. Just saying get mad at me below, but I'm telling you they're not going to, I don't think go far. You look at the nfc, the Eagles, okay, the juggernaut has been kind of shown how they're more human. The Giants commanders had so much more expectations for the commanders this year. But the Eagles looking like, obviously not looking like going to be the team that I'll say confidently coming out of the NFC east, the NFC north, that division has lived up to the hype this year. Okay, the Lions underachieving though, which is very unfortunate. My super bowl pick. But the Bears, duh. Bears looking for real. The NFC South, Buccaneers, Panthers battling it out. The Panthers what this team was absolutely abdism last year. Now looking very good, battling. Even if they don't make the playoffs, they got to count this year as a win. I know that's not always key when it comes to sports, but I think now this shows the growth of this team and pieces that are coming together. But the Buccaneers I think are going to be just too much the NFC West. Look at this division, how like there's been there. The divisions are competitive, they're open, it's exciting. I still think that last year is way more exciting than this year is. But there's been some change in the league now. Kansas City is not there. The Lions actually, as expected, aren't working out despite that. That hurts my heart to say there have been teams that have come up and shown that, you know, the for real, the Patriots and the bears. The Rams, 37 year old Matt Stafford, you got Aaron Rodgers at 42, Philip Rivers at 44. These are some very good and warm storylines in the world of football. But when it comes to AFC and the nfc, you can still come at me in a different direction with this. Despite what the Broncos record is, I still think the Bills are still the team in the AFC East. And when I look at the nfc, I Still think the Eagles. I still think the Eagles and I know Seahawks and Ram fans are not going to like that too much. But you know that when it comes to playoff football, it's a little bit of a different animal. But I'm not saying that's my prediction. Those are just my key points right now. So touching on an update in the standings that was and for the prior week, Rivers being back obviously Rodgers playing a good football game against the Dolphins. And when I, when I look at last this past week that obviously just passed which was week 15. The games that stood out that, that game with. With the Lions and Rams 4134. What a game that I was this offensive game. Garrett Goff, Jericho Jarrett Goff. Easy for me to say. Three touchdowns, 338 yards. Stafford gets his former team, you know looking just absolutely. You know, despite throwing an INT and throwing one less touchdown. This is somebody who looked very comfortable out there. And then I'm on Ross St. Brown look. 164 yards, two touchdowns. What a great game. I think that game was so entertaining a game that I had a bit more high hopes for is the Seahawks Colts game to be a bit more offensively more in the twenties instead of the teens. But seeing Rivers out there, great to see. And obviously the Bills and Patriots being absolute just bent of a football game. 35 31. The Bills showing that they're for real. Three touchdowns by Josh Allen who just recently learned that he is going to be a fan father. Haley Steinfeld's in. Is pregnant. Just in case you didn't know that. Eagles 31 0. Nothing to the Raiders. The Raiders look Kenny Pickett look that organization, okay. They're going through a transition. Let's just leave it at that. The last game that I want to mention is that I was a fan of this week was actually. Was actually not what I expected. The Falcons Buccaneers game 928. And I was pulling up the stats as I was saying that Kirk Cousins, another veteran in the league had a very impressive week. It was a. A season that we know is a loss for the Falcons. Kirk Cousins just looking a little bit vintage Kyle Pitts was what I wanted to highlight here. I've been. I am a Kyle Pitts fan, not a Falcons fan by any which means and yes I'm a Steelers fan and not because it says Pitts that I'm a fan of his but this is someone that I had high hopes for as a top draft pick from tight end. 166 yards, three touchdowns. If you had them in fantasy or you were betting on them on fam dual. You're loving it. This was such an entertaining football game. First quarter was that, but the second quarter, some back and forth and the fourth quarter right. The second and fourth quarter were just great to watch. Some good football was had at the beginning of the week. Now transitioning to this week, two things. I'm going to get to the pickup standings and I'm going to talk about the week 16. I'm going to talk about the game of the week and the toilet bowl game. And when I look at toilet bowl game. Okay, I'm going to flat out tell you what the toilet bowl game is this week and that is maybe that you got your own. You can comment below because there's a couple games this week that could be doozies of the toilet bowl and be candidates of it. But I'm going to go with the jets and Saints. That's one game that I would skip over in a heartbeat. Not watching that at all this week. When I'm looking at the game of the week I'm probably looking at Thursday night football. Rams and Seahawks give me a lot of that. That is great to watch. But another one, a notable Jacksonville and Denver unrated afternoon game on Sunday. You gotta love it. And when it comes to Sunday afternoon, Steelers, Lions, very big implement implication game between both teams will be exciting. The afternoon is going to be where you want to be on the couch ready to watching some football. Then at night you got Philip Rivers in the against the 49ers, the Colts really wanting to get a win for Philip Rivers that week. It is to win to create a bit more interest when it comes to that standings in the NFL. So overall though toilet bowl is jets and Saints and game of the week for me is Thursday night Rams and the Seahawks. So standings for our pick em as I sit here and take a quick sip of water the standings for our pick em. Usually this is Justin's area to give feedback on but Justin isn't here. Okay. So I want to make sure that I clarify who is in first and who's in second and no it's not me. And then I'll give you the picks for my selection this week. So from pick them from first to last we got hikes picks in first you got the David's decision in second two point spread between myself and Justin and then in third and fourth we have EJ in third the broken wheel and fourth being Tyler having a very big struggle this year, heiko having a 63% and me a 62% selection rate. So getting real tight as we hit the last three weeks of the season, 16, 17, 18 three weeks to go in the NFL and a lot can happen especially when there's only a two point spread. So let me know who you think is going to get the win in the standings for the pickup standings. So that's the game Sports podcast pick them. We do it through Yahoo and we do picks amongst each other and if you want to join next year just comment below and reach out. We'd love to have an account with fans and challenge ourselves against fans as well and then maybe we can put your picks on here. We're going to get towards the end here as we hit a certainly a more longer show than what we're used to. Rams Seahawks I got the Rams. I'm choosing the Eagles over the Commanders. Bears over the Packers, Bills over the Browns. I am going to go with the Chargers over the Cowboys. I'm actually going to choose the Titans over the Chiefs. You heard it here. Titans over the Chiefs. I'm going to choose the Bengals over the Dolphins. I'm going to choose the Saints over the the Saints over the Jets, Vikings over the Giants. I'm going to go with the Buccaneers over the Panthers, Broncos over the Jags, Falcons over the Cardinals. Now you got the Steelers and the Lions. I like I'm no bias on this. I am absolutely no bias. I am going to go with the Lions over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Texans over the Raiders, the Patriots over the Ravens and I got the over the Indianapolis Colts. Unfortunately for Justin and you Colt fans out there, I am going to get the 49ers to beat the Colts 28 18, the Bengals 32, the Dolphins 21. And I'm going to say for the least points this week is 100% going to be the Las Vegas Raiders scoring the most points this week. As I look at the teams in the matchups one more time, the most points this week I am going to go with the Buffalo Bills. I think they're going to run hotshot over the Cleveland Browns.
There's my selections for the Pick them and we'll see what next week brings for the standings. And then the following week, by the time we come back the week of January 5th, there's going to be multiple weeks of football that have just went by in the standings. Might have a shift or they might not have a chance yet to make sure you tune in to see what that will look like.
So nonetheless, this has been in the Pocket partnered with Sportscenter Bar and Grills who seemed Ontario's best sports bar five years in a row. Best wings as well. And this has been an extended edition of the Game Sports Podcast. But we had top shelf Chuck a puck and we had in the pocket. You had me in the introduction talking John Cena's heel turn and his farewell tour reaction that went a little bit longer. Look, it's been a show of giving you all the content that you need and to give you exactly what you need to hear going into the to the holiday break for the Game Sports Podcast. I'm just here to remind you as well instead of just hearing me talk for the last hour and a half approximately, we will not and remind you will not have a show next week or the following week. We will not be back until the week of January 5th. So you will have an upload on that week. January 8th will be our next episode. But please keep an eye on all of our social medias as we plan to have uploads of stuff social media interaction opportunities especially for the world juniors for you to enjoy. And there's still a lot of sports going on during that time. There could be an Olympic team announced to sand or there could be some football news because the games at Christmas, heck, maybe there'll be some basketball news. Maybe Giannis Antentini Kumpo is going to be traded. Maybe he's Raptors bound and Tony, maybe Anthony Davis gets traded. Lots of news that we can touch up on even if we don't have an episode. So keep an eye on our social media and that's where you can follow us on TikTok Instagram @ the Game Sports Podcast as well as Facebook and you can follow us on 91N, that's a YouTube channel where you have video editions of the game and spaces which through Studio Day and Village Media, Spotify, Apple, wherever you find your podcast like follow, subscribe wherever you are, the interaction really makes us feel that the hard work that we do to give you this content that it pays off the continuous interaction from you. So we always appreciate it. And special shout out to Podbean. They've been around with us from the beginning. You can see the amount of episodes there over 1500 episodes that were partnered with and with the Game Sports Podcast previously the Game Sports show. Lots of content for you to enjoy and check out there over 1500 episodes to be exact. It's a lot of listing that you'd have to do to get caught up to this point, but it's available for you. There nonetheless, until 2026.
And unless you hear us on interaction, I appreciate everything that everyone has been a part of from January to December of this year in 2025. Excited for 2026. We have a lot of change coming in 2026. A lot of good change that we feel that you're going to enjoy, and a lot of credit to again, the students that are with yours truly here on the Gainsports podcast. N91 n A lot of great things to look forward to that we're excited for you to be part of as well. 2026 will be even our best year yet, and we're looking forward to you being a part of it. So until next year, dad joke for you. I'm here to remind you to keep your stick on the ice, swing your bats, catch touchdowns, drain your threes and shoot your shots.
