Undisciplined and Unpredictable | The Game Sports Podcast

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign. It's time for the Game Sports podcast, the first one of 2026. I can tell you one thing, it's for sure not our first episode. We're well over the thousand four episodes here on the game. We've been around since 2016. So let me tell you this. Yesterday, January 5th, today we're recording it's January 6th. January 5th was our 10 birthday for the Game Sports Podcast. So you know a little, little round of applause right off the hop here. The game sports podcast. 10 years old, been going strong since 2016. And David McCaig with the game Sports podcast on behalf of everyone, we appreciate everyone's involvement over the past decade. Looking for a lot more memories to share with you. The Game is powered by 91Network and featured on Spaces which is through Village Media and Sue. Today again, happy New year. We're in 2026 and we got a great show to start off the year after a couple weeks vacation. Well earned and well deserved vacation for everyone here on the Game. Even though the holidays were very busy, very exhausting especially as a new parent and because of working the entire time and all that fun stuff and the in team Canada costing causing a little bit of exhaustion as well to get be fully transparent but that's for a later on topic here on the show. Right off the bat I am joined by Brennan McCarthy for top shelf. Before I get into the rest of the agenda, I want to bring in Brennan. Say hi Brennan. Happy belated holidays my friend. Happy New Year. Ready to get started for another, another episode here of the game and ready to kick off 2026. How are you doing? [00:01:46] Speaker B: I'm great, buddy. Happy New Year. I'm still going to say it. My cutoff is Jan 10th. But today at work people were like it's January 6th. You can't say Happy New Year. I'm like it's single digits in the new year and I haven't seen you so it's not like it's Jan.24th and I'm like hey, Happy New Year. Like people get really, I don't know about you, what you've experienced but people get pretty uptight about saying Happy New Year a couple days in. [00:02:12] Speaker A: They do. And I, I, I haven't heard anything yet. Just for, I agree if you haven't seen someone in your first week and you're back to work, you can say it. But it get, it does get exhausting at work when you everyone, Happy New Year. Happy New Year. Happy New Year. I get that. Okay, so maybe we can keep that Low, but for me and Brandon. Look, look, we haven't seen each other since the. Since 2025. Since last year. Sorry, dad joke. I gotta do it. I had to do it. Maybe there'll be a sound effect added there. I'm not too sure. But the rest of the agenda, gonna get to that before I forget. We got top shelf. Like I said, right off the hop, we'll have Jordan Trudeau joining Brennan and I to do Chuck a Puck. Brandon's gonna join a little bit of Chuck a Puck and there's a reason why. Then Trudes and I will wrap it up. Then in the third segment, we will have in the pocket. And in between that. In between that, as we wait as Trudeau signs off and we wait for Justin to come on, who will be coming on a little bit later in the show, I am going to talk about the Blue Jays. So you got top shelf. Chuck a puck. You got me solo and you got in the pocket. It is loaded. Lots going on here. So let's get to it. Okay? And yes, Alex Parr is sadly still not on the other side of the visuals or the microphone. We're still have a search party out for Alex Parr, but I won't get into that too much. That was a previous episode that we had the. The official announcements, so. We miss you, Parsi. So, Brennan, I know I'm really. And I'm really need to talk about the World Juniors. I'm not gonna lie, but I know we gotta wait. I know we got an agenda. I know. I. I just. I just need to. I just. I just. Another. Another thing. I got one quote I want to share, and I believe he works with you at tsm. I got a quote to share with you. And did I not? Did I not? Do I. Not that I lose it. I may have lost it, but. Okay. Nope, I found it. Carlo Koliakovo, while I'm on a roll, he said, these are things I offer advice for making decisions on where your kids should play. One, convenience. Two, coaching. Three, developments. Be a great player on a good team. [00:04:05] Speaker B: Face. [00:04:06] Speaker A: Be a good player on a great team. I bring that quote up and there's a reason why. And Brent, if I forget, you got to make sure I talk about it when we talk in the World Juniors because I'm talking about Canadian development and hockey in general. Great quote from coach Carlo Kavo there. I'm taking his thunder by saying that on this podcast. But, Brennan, we're sticking to the NHL first. And you know what? The Christmas break was going on Things were announced. The Canadian Olympic team was announced. United States, you got Sweden, you got Finland, you got the teams all getting up. Czechia actually announced their team as well as per NHL.com the infield their winter Olympics. So if you look on Tik Tok everybody where the game is located, we're on Tick Tock, Instagram, Facebook. There was a roster prediction that I did and it wasn't 100%. There was somebody that I left off on that list and it was Nick Suzuki and I also left another big name on there that I didn't think had a didn't didn't think would make it over some players. It was Tom Wilson. Those were two players that I did not pick to join the the Canadian Olympic team. But they did Brennan Connor Bedard doesn't make it. Macklin Celebrini does. Sam Bennett Con Smythe winner doesn't make an Anthony Sorelli does. There's reason why I'm mentioning some names. Celebrating deserves to be there. I'm not saying that he shouldn't 100% should be there, but there were some people that had questions why Bedard and Bennett were not there. So I want to give it to you. Why do you not think Connor Bedard and Sam Bennett were not included on that Olympic roster for Canada? [00:05:32] Speaker B: Well, it's interesting because Doug Armstrong said we're not going to get I'm paraphrasing but we're not going to get lost in recency bias here. Doesn't matter how well a player is doing this year in terms of putting up points. We base it off of their resume and what they brought to this country in past tournaments on the international stage. Right. Or what they've done on a big stage like the Stanley Cup Final for instance. Sam Bennett, I think he absolutely should have been there. He just won the Con Smythe. He had a gazillion goals in the playoffs. He was a stud in the Four Nations. He's the type of guy you want plays heavy, he can score, he can knock anyone on their ass. Bedard and him, I'm not even going to like. Like I don't think Bedard should have been in from the get go even before the injury. So I'm not going to say like why both of them shouldn't have been in. Bedard shouldn't have been in. His time will come. His time will come for sure. It's not this year and celebrating is going to go if they're going to take one kid, I said it all along. It's going to Be Celebrini. Sam Bennett got absolutely snubbed. The roster that was constructed recently, I was pretty cool with. I had a lot of those guys on my personal roster as well. Scheifele, yeah, you could tell he was a little bit pissed. I think he scored a hat trick against the Leafs on New Year's Day, right? And I think a hat trick in, like, the first two periods or something like that. But anyway, he scored a couple of goals. He just. He was playing with a little bit more snarl. Bennett had a big goal against the Avalanche the other night where he just willed his way to the net, so you can tell they're playing with a little bit more of a chip. You know, Scheifele wasn't on the Four nations too, right. And he's. I think he's, you know, an excellent leader and a piece to a Canadian team, and also, like, his time's running out in the league, so maybe that was his. His last big chance. Right? I'm sure he sees a guy like Brad March on going at age 37, he's like, I could bolster the. The bottom six, but the biggest one that stands out for me, Dave, is not Bedard, not Shife Lee, but. But Sam Bennett. I think he absolutely should have been there. Tom Wilson is a nice fit. I think he. He adds a lot of physicality and toughness to the bottom six. He plays heavy and, you know, everyone else. I think it. Overall, it's. It's a great group going, and we obviously knew the mainstays that were going. I think the defense is actually pretty good. Another guy who I think was playing with a little bit more snarl and a chip on his shoulders. Matthew Schaefer scored two unbelievable goals against the Leafs, including the overtime winner. Once again, Morgan Riley taking a minus on the stat sheet, like, oh, my God, that kid is unbelievable. I probably. I probably would have taken, you know, Harley or even Theodore out to. To let that guy go through or. Or just. Just bring him, like, just for the experience. I don't know. That kid's just an unbelievable hockey player, and he seems like an unbelievable person off the eyes. I've never met him, but we've had a couple of TSN talent interview him, and he just seems like a really humble dude. So I wish he got to go and in the goaltending. I think we kind of expected it would be that. That trio. But, yeah, Bennett is the biggest one, and I'm disappointing he's not there. I love watching that guy play. [00:08:46] Speaker A: People ask, who would you take out so I won't dive into too much. Everyone knows I'm a Bedard believer and you mentioned people on the stage. Bedard's the best rule junior scorer of all time for Canada. But this is, I think a reason why they left him off is because of his offensive and they brought in offensive players. And when you look at a bottom six, that's how John Cooper struct. He had a lot of hand into that, right GMs and him. But yes, Sorelli, point. These guys are point should be there nonetheless. But Sorelli, I know people are mentioning how he shouldn't be and I've said Sorelli will make it because of how he was the four nations last year. But people are asking, who would you take out? Who wouldn't you. Who would you put in? So if I'm looking at Bedard, I'll tell you who I would take out for Bedard. It is Horvat. I know people think some people have given me some eye rolls on that and I'm okay with it. For Sorelli, I would take out Sorelli and put Bennett for. For the back end. Would take out Sanheim and I would put Schaefer. Those would. Those would be the three names. And I. You mentioned experience. I still think these would be great guys to have in the pocket. But nonetheless, Bard and Bennett were texted and confirmed today through Elliot Friedman that that they were to be ready in the event of injuries. Obviously, Bo Horvad had a little scare Wilson, but they're all expected to make a recovery before the Olympics. But something happens. Something can still give them the call. But I have not seen anything about Scheifelet. So confirm it'd be Bedard for Horvat, Bennett for Sorelli, and then I would be saying to take out Sanheim for Schaefer. Okay? And I, I say that now and I will admit I was wrong. Suzuki should be there and he should be there over C. Okay. I think Suzuki's having a great year and looking into it more. You were right, listeners and viewers. Suzuki should have been there from the start in my. In my prediction. Okay, I was wrong on one, actually, I was wrong on more, but that's who I think should be in and out. So speaking of Canada, okay, we're going to be talking about Canada a little bit here. They got a good little rivalry, okay, the Olympics with the States. But the States very had some minor tweaks. But there's one person that I was very surprised wasn't put on that roster, and that's Adam Fox. Okay. And the United States, when you look at Sweden, Finland, rosters that were constructed as. As expected. Okay. But when I, When I look at the United States not including Adam Fox, I think that was one of the biggest snubs for them because I still see Adam Fox as a top four defenseman on that team, but obviously they had different plans. Very minimal tweaks did that US Team have based on what you see in the four nations. So when it comes to the Olympics, very excited about them, Brent. I think it's going to be wild. And as we get closer, we will have definitely more coverage about it. You got to. You got to love the talk that it makes about these guys and the chip on their shoulders. You are so right about Scheifele and Bennet. These guys, since they've heard they're not playing, are like, oh, yeah, oh, yeah. I'll tell you why I should be there. Right? It's been, it's been interesting to watch. [00:11:43] Speaker B: Yeah. And a couple US Forwards, too. Left off as well. Cole Caufield, Jason Robertson. Matt, I think could have. Could have entered into the conversation of being just an extra forward, but at some point it's like, come on, man. Right. Like Cole Caufield, stud. Jason Robertson, stud on the top line in Dallas. I mean, I think with. With the US up front, there could have been some interchangeable pieces in my mind, right. They were set on Trocheck. Obviously they got their locks, but there are some guys I think could have been maybe subbed in and out a little. Maybe easier. Easier than how Canada's roster is constructed. I think there's a lot of offensive firepower on. On the States. Obviously you have the bullies and the Kachuks. They're probably going to play with Eichel, but I think they would have benefited from at least one of Robertson and Caulfield. [00:12:33] Speaker A: No, right. That this Caulfield, well, I was surprised he was left out four nations, let alone the Olympics. This guy's scorer, hard worker Robertson, big body. He can move his body around the corners and move out with the puck. Different than his brother. They're both. They're different sizes, different everything. It's, it's, it's, it's cool if definitely those are good calls on people, people that were off, but you can look at a secondary team that Canada can make and even the United States. Pretty good. It's pretty good. There's a lot of talent to choose from. And maybe that's the thing. Maybe there is no right and wrong. We sit here as podcast Hosts and regular individuals that work on Monday to Fridays and we see what we think. And. And in Sault Ste. Marie I see a fair bit, you know and yourself, Brandon Truths. We see individuals in the Toronto, Ottawa, the right. This is what we see. But the people that see the other players like Tom Harley, like to be honest, when he came out to the Four nations last year, that's where he really stood out to me was that and I think the kid's a young stud. But this Olympics is going to be interesting and if Canada doesn't win, you're going to have people blame oh, this person should have been then this person should have been there. But I'm not saying as a bias, but I'm going to give you an early prediction who my gold medal is. And I don't. I think it's crazy not to think the Canada won't be the gold medal. I'll tell you what. Not just because of 97 or 87. Number 29, Ethan McKinnon is on a different level this year. Brennan. Okay. And I'm going to bring this up before we segue intrudes. Since we last talked, the Colorado Avalanche have not lost too many games. 313 and 7. That is NHL 26 franchise mode numbers. This team is absolutely gross. And Nathan McKinnon and I want to get your reaction on this. Brennan was banging his stick on the glass while his team was winning a game. And this is a team that's 31 3. You gotta love the dog in McKinnon. That is I people I remember my wife was mentioning. Why is he mad he's winning? Exactly. That is someone who cares about his job and has so much heart and soul. I loved every second of that. I'm not sure if you saw that or heard about that, but if this is the first time you've heard about it, you got to give me your thought on someone banging their stick, getting mad on a game that they're winning. Three or four one and a team that's 31 three and seven. [00:14:42] Speaker B: I just. I just love the passion from 29. [00:14:44] Speaker C: He. [00:14:45] Speaker B: You nailed it. He's probably the player I'm most looking forward to watching at the Olympics and that's with 97 and 87. Obviously. I'm pumped to watch those two guys. But McKinnon is a is a dog. I did see that clip. It actually reminded me of when I think it was early days of McKinnon on the Avalanche. It might have been like 2018 or 17 is before they won the cup in 2022. And he was just going at Bednar on the bench and they were just ripping into each other. Bednar was pissed at him. I, I, I don't know really the context or, I mean, God forbid, he, he made, he made a mistake. He's, he's human. Or maybe he didn't, he didn't agree what Bednar was saying. He was trying to do this. They had a big disagreement. The camera caught it, and for about 15, 20 seconds he just lost it. And then he, remember, he fell off the bench. Do you remember that? I don't know if we could, if we can get someone to put up the B roll, but he, he, he slipped off the bench as he was giving it back to his coach. And it just, it just shows, like the fire and the passion and the intensity McKinnon brings. That was, that was before they won. And then in 2021 when they got, I think, bounced by, by Vegas, he had that iconic sound bite of just like, I've been here nine years. We've done jack squat, basically. And, you know, I think if, if you're a Leaf fan or a Canadian hockey fan and your team hasn't won or won recently and you're seeing players bring it like that every night, I think some people might, especially here in Toronto, point towards a certain guy named Auston Matthews and say, where's that, where's the energy from the Winnipeg and New York Islanders game? Where's that energy every night? Because McKinnon brings it every flipping night. [00:16:29] Speaker A: Yeah, it's too bad we can't take some of these guys that are played in the US Hockey markets and bring them to where they were groomed in Canada to say, and point that out. It's too bad, too, too bad. So sad. But Colorado is an absolute wagon this year. It's, it's unbelievable. And obviously the Atlantic Division is still. The word that I'll continue to use is perfect Drunk. You said that, Brennan, is this league this year. [00:16:51] Speaker B: It's, it's not. [00:16:52] Speaker A: I, I, I, I don't know. I don't know what team we're gonna watch each night. If you're a Leaf fan, Senators fan, Penguins fan, I don't know. Whatever team you're watching, the east doesn't, doesn't really matter. It doesn't because you don't know what's going to happen that night. It's great. Flip a coin. That's who's winning the game. Unless you're in the Central Division, you know who's winning the games. Those, you know Dallas is likely winning. You know, Colorado is 100% winning. They have like win rate. Obviously this year don't have an exact number, so I don't want to get chirped about math. And when you look at the Pacific Division again, a lot of 43 points the Sharks have, they're three points out of leading the division. Like, this year is unbelievable. Maybe that, maybe that's a good thing. It's, it's. It's great to see. And the last thing, and I'll mention something, I'm looking forward to January 23rd. I will be in Toronto at Scotiabank watching Mitch Marner's return to the to. [00:17:36] Speaker B: We should try and meet up that night. I'm going to be in Toronto for my brother's birthday. [00:17:40] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:17:40] Speaker B: We should try and get a pint, my friend. [00:17:43] Speaker A: Yes. And give you all the reaction about that game. I can't wait. We'll talk about that. Close game. [00:17:48] Speaker B: Post game pint. [00:17:49] Speaker A: Post game pint. And we'll record. Maybe it'll be more fun. [00:17:52] Speaker B: Zone. The Hot zone. The game sports podcast live on location at Scotiabank Arena. [00:17:56] Speaker A: Oh, that's great. [00:17:57] Speaker C: Love it. All right. [00:17:58] Speaker A: I know we didn't dive into too much NHL news. We talked about Olympics and just Nathan McKinnon, but that's deserving. I wanted to save a little bit of time. Don't worry, Trudes. We're going to give the time that we're deserving for Chuck a puck. So let's bring you on in, my friend. It's your first episode of 2026 and this is. Okay. We talked about the beginning. Happy New Year, my friend. You're allowed to say that still, especially if you haven't seen someone. So I wanted to say happy New Year to you and hopefully your holidays were great. And how you doing, my friend? [00:18:25] Speaker C: I'm good, Dave. How about you? How's your New year? [00:18:28] Speaker A: Oh, man, it goes by too quick. First one with the little one I have. It's the first Christmas with my son. It was great. It was great. So, Trudes, what I did, I didn't tell you this about plants, but. Okay. Brennan's going to be staying on because we are going to be talking about the World Juniors to start. I've been waiting to talk about the World Juniors for this show and I'm interested because you got the precise, the expert opinion on the major junior side. Okay. Brennan and I are definitely, you know, we passionate individuals and I'm definitely very much go down a scenic route when I talk a lot so we can all Try to keep each other in the lane. But I wanted to talk about the World Juniors to start here. As we talk, chuck a puck. And then we're going to be talking to ohl because it was a busy day in the OHL and there's things happening. So we're gonna. The time limit's usually 20 minutes on this, but you know what? We're gonna throw that out the window. Okay. But we're gonna try to manage it because there's so much to talk about here. I want to talk about the World Juniors and this is how all started. Sweden wins the gold, Czech gets silver, Canada gets bronze. Finland gets fourth. They get a ribbon. But Canada plays for the bronze medal and a tournament that Zayn Perek was absolutely dominant. And if I'm a Calgary fan, I'm going okay, right, like, okay, there we go. Give me some of that in Calgary. Give me some of that flame. You know, I'm saying that heat. That's little pun intended for you. There's a little Zane Perek action. Michael Misa did not look like a second overall pick. I know he had it, but I'm still wasn't wowed by Michael Misa in that tournament. I'm not gonna lie to you. Brady Martin guy played with a lot of heart in that tournament and that's not a hound bias. I think he paid with a lot of heart. Gavin McKenna. It's a lot of defensive side of the puck that I'm not a fan of with Gavin McKenna, if you really want to point out. Yeah, I was really watching Gavin McKenna a lot. And Porter Martone not. No, just to know around how he's was undisciplined, how he acted since game one. There's so much to point out there with problems with Canada. And we got some problems here, folks. We haven't won gold in a few years. [00:20:21] Speaker B: We haven't. [00:20:21] Speaker A: We just got our bronze medal, which is, I guess, better than nothing, right? But in Canada, we have higher expectations and maybe we just been SP for the last 10 years. But I want to go to you first, Brennan, your reaction about the World Juniors and Team Canada? Because I've already given a little bit before I get too into a topic. I'll save it for the end. But giving it to you, my friend, about the World Juniors. [00:20:43] Speaker B: I think the biggest thing guys is the last couple years feel like Team Canada. And I know, I know they're younger teens and I get the sense that there's just a little bit of arrogant swagger. Thank you. Coming from that Team, right. And for years, like I was born in 95, right. So prime time. I got to see, you know, the, the 0305s, the Eberly years. And it was passion and intensity and play to the buzzer and obviously social media has a big impact on players. It just does. And I know there's pressure in the last couple of years, it hasn't gone so hot for Canada, but I just, ever, ever since the. You just mentioned him, Porter Morton, when he did that butt tap after beating Czechia, I was like, I don't know man. Like Czechi has had your number the past couple years and this is around Robin game and, and then little poetic justice for the checks. They come back and, and you know, hit you, hit you on the ass on the way out. So it's, it's, it's unfortunate. You can just tell me. My dad texted me, he's like, oh, we can still play for bronze though. And I was like, like you said, Dave is like, yeah, you want a ribbon? Sure. Like them posing for the photo with the bronze medals is, was as if they just like were given just like a little like Timbits soccer trophy or something. It just, I don't know, it, it really proved most improved. Yeah, it just, it just didn't, it just didn't really sit with me. And Frank Corrado was talking about on the TSM broadcast. I mean the last couple years they've had, they've had that, you know, you know, standout moment. The Mason McTavish goal line save leading to the winner against Finland, the Conor Bedard goal against Slovakia, and then the ultimate gold medal winning goal in overtime for Dylan Gunther. And then since then it's just kind of been some down years on, on the positive side of it, you can say there's more parity in the world juniors, you know, Czechia, Finland, Sweden, us, Canada. And the competition is really ramping up. I said at work and I don't know if this is crazy, but I wonder if they would go to like four nation style where you just do three in each group and just have like the ultimate dog team competitors there. And instead of getting these like laughable, you know, Canada puts up a touchdown against Latvian. Right. It's just like, yeah, they, they, they steamrolled. Was it Slovakia? Slovakia in the quarters, right? [00:23:06] Speaker A: Denmark. [00:23:07] Speaker B: Denmark. Pardon me, sorry. [00:23:08] Speaker A: Denmark. [00:23:10] Speaker B: Slovakia was even pretty good too, right? [00:23:12] Speaker A: And that quarter, that was in the quarters. [00:23:14] Speaker B: Yeah, in the quarters. In the quarters. But Denmark too. It's just like, come on guys, like let's. I Don't know, save some goals or maybe like, don't. Don't count out some teams like Czechia has. Has just dominated Canada. And it's. It's really unfortunate that they got to go back to the drawing board and maybe not just focus on, like, who's the next guy, like bedard or Gavin McKenna. I didn't see much from Gavin McKenna. Right. You alluded to that, Dave. I didn't see much from that cat. I love Zane Parak. He's a stallion on the back end. But other than that, I'm not like, this is must see right now. This team is must see. They. It kind of just was like, yeah, you know, like, we're Team Canada. And you know what? Sometimes you're fed a slice of humble pie. And that's. That's exactly the case this year. [00:23:57] Speaker A: Trude's. I give it to you. There's a lot there, man. And you're the junior guy you mentioned. I'm very interested to know your take because, you know, I know these are kids and I know that. I know they're 18, 19. I know they are, but it doesn't. What I've noticed. And Brandon, you hit it on the head. The discipline, the. The arrogance, the structure has not been the same. And for that action to occur while Dale Hunter was the coach, that's the last thing I expected is to have a team that wasn't sound on a disciplinary perspective when you had him as the coach. But tr. Your thoughts on the World Juniors and obviously viewers, listeners were gearing in a lot towards Canada because we are based in Canada and that's Was a. I think there's a lot of reaction there for us to talk about when it comes to that. So I want everyone to know that we know there's other countries and there's another team that won, but I'll get to that near the end. So, Trudes, I want to give you your turn on feedback with Canada and just the World Juniors. [00:24:51] Speaker C: Yeah, I think this Team Canada's problem was defense, right. They couldn't keep the puck out of their own net. And when you have two really solid goaltenders like Carter George and Jack Ivankovich, and you're still surrendering plus four plus five plus goals on the back end, that's. That's tough to overcome. I really thought. I really think the World Juniors has turned into a really, really fantastic tournament to watch for all countries, because gone are the 30 with 3 wins and 30 goals for team Canada right up until New Year's. New Year's Eve. So, like, that's really cool to see. All these other countries are catching up to the North American countries in the world and, like, that's really cool to see. I thought Czechia played a whale of a game in the semifinal. I mean, I didn't watch them in the gold. I know Sweden would have been really, really difficult to beat, especially after kind of emptying the tank against Canada and on the set like the night before. But I mean, they just kept coming back and there was no stopping it. Zayn Parek, in my opinion, should not have been one of the top players of the tournament. It's a bit of a hot take, but defensively he did not cut it. He definitely did some really good things. He did some wild things. He is probably one of the most, if not the most talented offensive defenseman you could ever see, but he sure gave up a lot in the defensive zone, leading to a lot of those, like, miscues and the defensive structure you're talking about. If you go back and you watch, he is out of position a lot and leaving Cameron Reed out to dry a lot. [00:26:36] Speaker D: Good. [00:26:37] Speaker C: That being said, as a, as a role player, Zane Parek was a really, really solid addition to Canada's offense, which I thought they were missing the past two years. So he really drove the offense. What Canada failed to do was save him when they miscued on defense. Right. Whether that's an extra strong defensive forward, you know, pairing out, like, like going out with him on the five, the five players, or a really solid defensive defenseman. I mean, and this team didn't really have a number one defenseman too. Right. And that's kind of what they were missing in Sam Dickinson as of. I mean, when it comes to Canada. Yeah, you expect gold every year. I think it's difficult when I think social media is. Is difficult right now because, you know, whoever wins gold at this tournament is the best country in hockey. Okay, well, that's not true. I mean, Maclin Celebrini could have still played in this tournament. So, like, let's not kid ourselves. Canada is still, you know, a really, really one of the top countries in the world at developing hockey players. But I mean, I think just other countries are just. [00:27:44] Speaker D: They're. [00:27:45] Speaker C: They're getting their. Canada's number and they're getting up there and Canada has to figure out how, how to adjust, you know, And I really liked what I saw from Brady. He had a really solid tournament. Gavin McKenna as an underager, you know what I mean? It's a 19 year old strong tournament. So being 17, even though he is like one of the top prospects in the na, like the NHL draft coming up, you know, he's not supposed to do well in this tournament. And I think he had well over a point per game. Right. So I think he did what he could. Could this team done a bit more? Absolutely. Was it a gut punch? Absolutely. But I think the downfall ultimately, I think that a lot of analysts, a lot of people have said was the inability to stop the puck from going into the back of your net. And I don't know if that's a theme throughout Canada, but it does seem like the game is becoming more and more offensive, which might be a bit of a shift to, like the Eberly years and the hall years. Right. Those guys could put the puck in the net for sure. But they also knew, like you guys said, like, you guys hit the nail right on the head. The passion, the willingness to compete. Is that there anymore? I don't know if we're seeing it anymore. Right. So. But I think a mixture of all those things and, yeah, Canada's not. Has to work to be the top dog now. [00:29:03] Speaker A: Good takes to both you. [00:29:05] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:29:05] Speaker A: Brent, if you want, like, I'll go to you. I'll just say a quick point that. Brent, I'll go to you before we let you go for any final takes. What I'll say is Czechia beating Canada. The better team won that game. That's the one thing that I'll mention. Sweden winning the gold. I thought Czechia would take away with it, which hurts the title that I was going to put on this podcast today. I was going to take Brandon's thunder. What I was going to use as a title. I think he knows what I was going to use as the title. I'll say it. Checkmate. That's what I was going to put as our title. But I can't do that now. So not. Not doing that. But I was surprised, you know, but the way you put it, true. It's about Czech emptying the tank. I didn't. That team that was against Sweden, that. That wasn't the team I feel that we watched against Canada. I think Czech yet a little bit was. Was just not the same there. I feel Sweden, though, while deserving, very, very good team, too. So those were the top three teams the tournament predicted was Sweden, Czech and Canada and the States. Those were the four, right? [00:29:54] Speaker D: Those. [00:29:55] Speaker A: Those were the four. And the US didn't even get a medal. Okay, so the host team didn't get a medal. And I know there's some grins on this fan on this side, you know, friendly competition with our relatives over the. Across the border there. But the, the one thing say is the Czechia better team won that game. Canada's development. I know there's been a lot of questions about Canada's development. You hit the nail on the head truth about Celebrini Bedard. Let's go to McDavid. Look at even Landon Dupont. These kids that are coming up the ranks there is still Maddox Schultz, whom I believe is still. Who's Canadian as well. There's people coming up. Hockey Canada development. Is there room for opportunity? Yes, there is. And I'm not going to get in this topic too much because I know it's a hot topic is people talking corruption in minor hockey politics. I'm not going to go there. But Hockey Canada and development. Yeah. There needs to be an evaluation there and how we want to approach. And the one thing I want to see just back in Hockey Canada is not really changing the approach because I think we're still there for developing top tier talent. It's one thing that Brandon mentioned is that difference in swagger when it comes to that discipline and to that tenacity, that intensity overall to play the Porter Martone. But touch, that would never happen if Patrice Bergeron was the captain of your team. Okay. Those type of guys are the leaders. And Nathan McKinnon, Brandon, what do you think Nathan McKinnon would have did if Porter Martone did that on his team? Okay. Like that, that, that doesn't, that doesn't fly by the neck. [00:31:17] Speaker B: Garden said you're sitting on the bench. I'm not even a coach, but you're gonna be planted right here for the next 20 minutes. [00:31:22] Speaker A: 100% right. And honestly, that's where the other point is, is I think there just needs to be an internal evaluation on, you know, making hockey more affordable. Sure. But looking at the development from a. A more that intensity perspective. Bringing back the roots is what Canada was, what we were established on. Brennan, final thoughts about the world juniors? I know we didn't dive into the US Or Czech. Yeah. Or Denmark or the other team, Sweden, and obviously winning the gold. But do you have any final thoughts you want to add about other teams or anything about Canada before we let you go? [00:31:51] Speaker B: Yeah, it's. It's tough for Canadian fans too, because goal. The tournament from that defenseman, Yurich, he did the American Malik style goal. But in overtime. What wasn't that the, the dude from Czechia? Did you see that? [00:32:03] Speaker C: One Trudeau against Finland. [00:32:04] Speaker B: Against Finland. Was that in the preliminary round? [00:32:09] Speaker C: Yes. Yeah. [00:32:10] Speaker B: I mean, unbelievable goal man. To. To. To do that and to have the. The balls to do that and. And pull it off in overtime. Imagine like being alone in front and like completely butchering that move. Like the coach would just tear its strip off you. But he converted. And man, one of the best goals I've seen at the world juniors for sure. [00:32:31] Speaker C: And he's a defenseman too. Like that's, that's the crazy thing. Like he's. And if you watch the replay, that was kind of the only play he had because the goalie poked and he just reacted and it paid. Yeah, it's this tournament. It gets better and better every year. [00:32:45] Speaker A: And thank you for saying that. Truths that it did. His parody. You know, the tournament, despite how Canada finished. We're talking about that. The tournament. Overall, the excitement was high octane. I still give that tournament an 8 out of 10 on how exciting it was for hockey all around. Sorry, Brandon. [00:33:00] Speaker B: And one final thing with Canada, boys. Was it Michael Hage. Three breakaway opportunities to convert and you go over three. Unacceptable. Unacceptable. I know he was. He was bumped a bit. [00:33:12] Speaker C: Going. [00:33:12] Speaker B: Going. I thought that actually was just a penalty. I think they actually would have benefited from a penalty. [00:33:18] Speaker A: Never heard of a reshot in my life. [00:33:20] Speaker B: And then he gets the reshot on the first penalty shot. That was a blatant trip. And then it's like, okay, you're gonna go for the same move anyway, but brutal. You gotta convert. Three chances. Come on. [00:33:30] Speaker C: That's the difference. Like squandered. That's one of the differences in the game. Exactly. [00:33:33] Speaker A: And I'm sure you guys. And this is kind of an off topic piece, but I was looking at my screen because I had an alert that apparently Kyle Tucker signed with the Blue Jays. But it's not. It's. It's not. It's not from a. No, it's not from our. It's. It's not a bot. It's a good page, but it's not. No tsn, even sportsnet. Just keeping an eye on. Keeping an eye on that while we're talking here. If there's going to be a little bit of breaking news. [00:33:56] Speaker B: But I don't use animation. [00:33:59] Speaker A: I just. I don't know if it's okay. Like if that's might happen. Okay. If it happens while we're talking. We'll keep it to it. But I'm going to keep my excitement down because we're still talking chocolate pup. I wanted to Say with the three of you here, Brandon, my friends, I'll. I'll let you go. Thank you for taking the extra time to talk to Trudes and I about the world Juniors, my friend. And we'll talk next week. [00:34:18] Speaker B: Thanks guys. Cheers. [00:34:19] Speaker C: Take care. [00:34:20] Speaker A: Roots now. Yeah, keep an eye on that a little bit. I. The heavy sports yahoo had something like I'm just kind of. I don't know. It's not tsn, it's not sports. Yeah, so there's that one like that's. Yeah, so we'll keep an eye on that while. While we're going here, while we're recording. So I want to transition now, truth. I know the time's a little bit more limit, a little bit smaller with having that, but I wanted to give you the floor about updates for the OHL with the trade deadline as much as you can. But overall the greyhounds, nothing's official before we came talking on this. By the time the show is uploaded, I think we'll know and have an idea about Carter George. But I'm gonna give you the floor, my friend on where you want to go with the news. The latest, the latest news for the Ontario Hockey League and the Sugarhounds. [00:35:08] Speaker C: Yeah. So any listeners looking for Ontario Hockey League news, Twitter is your go to. But this is probably one of the best weeks for Ontario Hockey League insiders. Fans forum posters, Twitter handles because there's just a lot of information and speculation and insider really takes that, that come out. So yeah, like you're saying you've seen the. The heavily, heavily likely rumor that Carter George is on his way to the greyh. I honestly, you know, if there's one more move that the greyhounds make, that's probably the one. You know, it's. It's a. They're going after the best goalie on the market to try and get this nucleus this core championship which I think that's basically where their needs fit right now. Really, really cool post from was on Twitter. It was Greg Cowan and it was posted in the Sue Greyhounds fan club group by one of the admins, Peter Florio. He runs that group. It's outstanding. But it was a very. I think he requested it but I'm not sure. It was shots against and shots against per game. Greg Cowan posted this on Twitter. The Greyhounds sit in 37 games played. They sit second ranked in the whole OHL with only giving up 26.32 shots per game and they currently sit, I think it's fifth in the Western Conference now. So they're not even with their four game skid. Yeah fifth in the Western Conference. So they are not even. They don't even have home advantage right now in the playoffs. So it's an interesting stat that would not prove but probably guide one to say that perhaps you know bringing in Carter George is right now your best fix for that to maybe improve the losses stat on the standings because you are not going to score four goals per night right now that is the magic number for the Greyhounds. When they score 4 goals or at least 4 goals they win. When they do not score 4 goals if they score less they lose. And that just as an offense that's not sustainable. Right that's. You can't bank on scoring four goals every single night especially in the playoffs. Right Dave? Like you know that and I think everyone kind of knows that. So those are just stats. But I mean hey if Carter George is on his way to Sault Ste. Marie I mean there are. They could be as good as anybody. A lot of teams loading up now though. You can see Windsor has you know they got Alex Ferrand Nathan Villeneuve from Sudbury. Brantford is still making moves is looking to make a big move after getting Gabriel Schrot Lint got Kevin he There's a lot of good teams in the Western Conference and he went to Flint. Yeah he went to Flint. [00:38:07] Speaker A: He went to Flints Alex load it up to to. Yeah yeah they did and then you mentioned Bulldogs got the Storm. Well Storm captain stars prospect Charlie Paquette there's another one going over too that I a big high end Jason Williams from the 67s going over to the Steel Heads right there There was. There was a lot of moves and you said with Flint loading up that with Jacob Pataglia was a great move and an underrated move that I think might go under but this deadline as one of those moves that helps type of player that's going to help get those big goals for you in a game. And who's a. Who's a hard working forward with some good speed too. And you have obviously the Steelhead like like you talked about obviously the Ice Dogs getting a churnack from the. From the Rangers big. I'm a fan of defensemen as people know especially the defensemen that are a bit bigger per se but nonetheless this has been a pretty watched about deadline because there's a. There were despite having some parity in the league to a little bit of degree. The top teams are the top teams. We knew Carter George was going somewhere and we're still waiting for the final piece of information, but it seems like Carter George will be going to these two Sam Re Greyhounds and it seems it's going to be for approximately seven or eight draft picks and hopefully this isn't shades of Jack Campbell at all. I don't think Carter George wants to be in the same, maybe the same as Jack Campbell by any means. But there was a lot that happened in this deadline that could be discussed, but a lot of moves and I think you mentioned that was going to be my point. Flint, some good moves over there in Flint. [00:39:47] Speaker C: Flint and Windsor are really strong. If Kitchener makes another move or two, they're going to be very strong. Sam O'Reilly and. Sam O'Reilly and Chick bully from the London Knights, they're still on the. As far as you can make the assumption that they're still on the market. So, you know somebody's going to land them. And if it's Kitchener, that's three huge competitors in the Western Conference that the Hounds are going to have to beat. And it's, it's been rough sailing these past couple weeks ever since they came back from the break. Right. Four straight that the Greyhounds dropped and you know, I don't think we can make the excuse that, you know, oh, they didn't have Chase Reed and Brady Martin. But the fact of the matter is if, if you can't win without two players, how are you going to win a championship? Right? So it's, this team's going to look a lot different come January 10th or January a lot different, but this team's going to look different January 10th and we'll see. Justin Kluchy is also confirmed to be returning, which is a very, very, very positive acquisition because like I said before, and like we've said, he's free, he's an overager. He's. He's gonna lead. He looked like he battled some health troubles there. So hopefully he's getting healthy and getting better and hopefully, you know, he has a strong second half of his season and his return to the Greyhounds. But I think forward wise, you know, the additions that they've brought in and forward, I really like this forward group. And if Carter George is the rumored acquisition from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, it's a good one, you know, like, it's a really, really good one. And it's a bonus if you don't have to give up Ryan Kaczynski or Noah Laos to get him too, because you get to keep both of your first rounders from last Year. We'll see where that goes. I don't know. Like I said, it's just speculation. It's from a pretty trusted source on Twitter, so you never know. But it's. [00:41:41] Speaker A: By the time this show's uploaded by Thursday, I would assume that we have. [00:41:45] Speaker C: An answer if the hounds want it. I don't think there's another team really in the market. I don't know if we talked about that last week, but every other contender seems to have their goalie. So realistically the greyhounds like have the lead on it. [00:42:00] Speaker A: I would assume the Fitzgerald seems to be the best fit for him. [00:42:05] Speaker C: We'll see. Like I said, I'm. I don't want to say I'm scared of these other teams, but I'm. I'm kind of looking at these moves like I'm scared of these other teams. Pounds gotta execute. The greyhounds have to go back to executing and they do play good defense with. That's that proves it, right? So they gotta go back to executing and just get back to their game. They, they were playing some really good hockey there before the break, so they had a really good streak going. Just get back to playing strong hockey. [00:42:32] Speaker A: So the big thing that I think when I look at the greyhounds is Brady Martin, right? Chase Reed, big Chase Reed guy, as you know. But this Justin Kluche come back. You watch this. That's the type of move, okay. That I talk about Jacob Pataglia being that big, big game kind of guy or that guy who can slither in there and just make. Not silently. He's a good hockey. He's a draft in the NHL for a reason. Pataglia. But, but the, the. That's the type of move that could have a similar impact to what I was referencing at that point. And the keyword being free after. You're going to be selling a lot to bring in Carter George. And like I said, the date of this recording is this, this transaction's not yet been confirmed via the. Any of the sources on media. It's just that it seems like it's happening. It's just a matter matter of finalizing. But when this is uploaded on by Thursday morning, we're gonna, we're probably gonna know for sure by then, most likely obviously and given anything now and then. So when you commented us about saying, oh, it did happen, just so you know, we didn't know it wasn't confirmed at 7 as a 7:52 January 6th. It was not yet confirmed. Okay. So I want everyone to know that if he does Come to the Hounds that just immediately, especially with the team that you brought up at the beginning that does not allow a lot of shots. A goalie that is putting up the numbers that Carter is this year as a goaltender and not having a lot of shots. Look, can tell you from a former player, I'm going to tell you just from coaching and just knowing that if you play good defense and you have a good goalie, that's a great recipe. That's a great recipe to have. Okay, now with Clue coming in and maybe there's still something else in the wings that there could be coming up. But Brady Martin, the health and there was a lot of scare about him if how long if it's going to be a long term injury, but it's been confirmed that it isn't long term, thankfully. Okay, that was a big breath of an exhale from Sue Greyhounds fans. So it's definitely going to be interesting coming down. But you said the key word is a lot of teams be afraid of when it comes to the west, but I think it makes for a very. I'm going to say the word. It's going to make a very sexy playoff for the Ontario Hockey League this year and I am all in. I'm all into it and very excited to be at the GFL cheering on the Hounds because it's going to be, it's going to be one hell of a playoff when, when it does happen. So Trudes, any final thoughts for updates, the OHL or Hounds, anything before we sign you off from from chuck a puck? [00:44:53] Speaker C: Well, I mean, yeah, a lot of teams are going to look different come Thursday. Thursday is the deadline. Thursday is the overager trade deadline and then Friday is the general trade deadline for all players. So you know you're going to see a lot of teams look different. Ottawa taking the top of the east there. Hey with their young team and they're bringing in an away there Nick Sema who has Memorial cup experience from the Saginaw spirit. They might be a little dangerous there out of the East. I know Barry made a move as well. Still not looking quite as strong as the west though. I think. Windsor, Flint, Kitchener, those are some prominent teams to watch down the stretch and hopefully our Sue Greyhounds here, they can, they can find their identity again and get going again, I think. Yeah, Brady Martin, that injury dodge was, was huge. I was kind of really sad. First with Canada losing and then second, Brady Martin gets hurt. It's like. And then he doesn't come back and then you're like oh, no. [00:45:53] Speaker A: Did he comes out in a slate? [00:45:55] Speaker C: Did he hurt all about this dumb tournament? And then it's like, thank goodness Kyle Raptors came on today with the or with the good news. [00:46:03] Speaker A: He hurried. He heard. [00:46:04] Speaker D: Oh, yeah. [00:46:09] Speaker C: So that's good. They looking to have Chase Reed back this week as well, which will be a huge boost to their blue line and let's hope. Yeah, let's get this team healthy and let's get them all together and let's get them some games together, see what they can do before March and before. Yeah, I'm. I'm ready. What does the office Michael Scott say? I'm ready to get hurt again. [00:46:29] Speaker A: I'm ready to get hurt again. Yes. Yes. Love that show. Heard again. If you're a Hounds fan, Leafs fan, no matter. Just it's in the house. [00:46:37] Speaker C: Maybe not a Jays fan anymore. We'll see. [00:46:41] Speaker A: And I'm gonna talk about that more momentarily. I'm gonna dive into the Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette stuff. A little bit on the side, a little bit of baseball news and Blue Jays and before Justin Heiko comes on. And while I wait for him to come on. So Trude's my friend, I'll let you go a little extra time on Chuckle Puck today. Well deserved. I've cut you off with short times the last couple episodes, so I think we made it up here. We made it up here. A lot going on this episode, obviously, with the Olympic rosters being announced, NHL being noisy with a lot of things going on. Obviously the World Junior Tournament fresh out that being done, the OHL trade deadline being this Friday and basically feels like a trade deadline week. NFL playoffs get underway. There's that going on. The MLB offseason has been nothing but exciting because there's been more signings, it feels like each week than there has been the last couple years. Okay. And it's just been a lot of stuff that we're going to touch on. So hopefully for these last 53 minutes, viewers and listeners, you've been loving it because there's still a bit more coming to your way. All right, so Trude's my friend. Thank you for taking the time. And we'll be back together next week, my friend. [00:47:42] Speaker C: Man, sounds good. See you then. [00:47:43] Speaker A: See you then. And thank you again to Jordan Trudeau. Thank you again to Brandon McCarthy. We've talked top shelf and Chuck a Puck. And like I said, the beginning, the 10th anniversary of the Game Sports Podcast, previously the Game Sports show and January 5th of 2026 being our 10th birthday with the Game Sports podcast. So another round of applause with that. Like I said at the beginning, I will make sure I remind you again at the end. And the Game Sports Podcast on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, wherever you find us, it's at the Game Sports podcast. Now I am awaiting Justin Heik to come on and we're going to be getting into in the Pocket. And yeah, you're right, I'm not wearing my Steelers sweater like I normally do when it comes to in the pocket when it comes to playoff time. But the reason being is because the last 10 years when I wore Steeler merchandise they haven't really done well in the playoffs. I'm trying to change the fortunes as a Steeler fan because the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to need it in this playoff it seems like. But we'll get to that one just in joins As I promised, I'm going to be getting into some discussion about the Toronto Blue Jays and the mlb and I honestly love this offseason with the mlb. I I have been a big fan of this offseason and no it's not because of what the Toronto Blue Jays have done. It's not, it's not what the Yankees haven't done. It's not any particular to say certain moves. It's the amount of moves that what I'm seeing and as we're recording here between January 6th and the upload being between the 7th and 8th, we upload on Thursday morning. So January 8th will be the upload. There is a lot of rumors in the MLB still swirling with the off season. The Cubs looking for pitching. Okay. And someone close to baseball did tell me that there might be a trade that the Cubs are doing for the pitching market because they feel like they can't dive into free agency. So so I don't know if that's going to be something that happens by the time this show is uploaded. When it comes to the the Dodgers, you never know when they're going to do something. At the time of this recording, Breckman still not signed. Boba Shed is still not signed or re signed whatever way you want to look at it. Kyle Tucker still hasn't signed and as I sit here, if you listened about 10 minutes ago or even a bit more than that, sorry if I'm incorrect on that, but the Blue Jays are favorites to sign Kyle Tucker and I'm still trying to refresh my feed over here to see if that is going to update by the end of the show. But it seems that the talks with Kyle Tucker are intensifying absolutely for the Toronto Blue Jays. And when it comes in on Boba Shet, there's been rumors about him resigning in Toronto. There's been the Yankees have thrown their name in the Chicago Cubs. Speaking of the Cubs have thrown their name in there and it's going to be very interesting. But before I get to the overall Blue Jays and MLB reaction, I do have something that I wanted to break as I've just got notification on my phone that popped up my computer. It seems that it'll be announced tomorrow, but that Carter George for sure is going to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. That is 100% happening. Just pending a call and some finalization will be all draft picks going over to Owen Sound. So I would, I would expect an announcement tomorrow on that. It seems like that is going to be the plan and I'm sure that Jerry Lynska with the Sioux Saint McGrayhounds will be sending an email to yours truly and to the media here in Sault Ste. Marie to clarify that deal. If not tonight, tomorrow. So by January 7th, I'm sure Carter George will be a Sioux Greyhound. So that is very exciting. Now I want to get into, I want to get into the, the point with the MLB as I was talking about because we've already spent a lot of time talking about hockey. So, so the Cubs, as I mentioned, looking at pitching okay, looking at adding pitching okay. But the Toronto Blue Jays is where I want to get this about Kyle Tucker and Boba Shet. As I sit here, Kyle Tucker is still not signed anywhere and I keep refreshing the page. That's what I've talked about a few moments ago when we had Brennan and, and Jordan here. The contract for Kyle Tucker is going to be north of $30 million. The Toronto Blue Jays have Anthony Santander who had an atrocious first year in Toronto and just injury riddled and just not himself. Switch hitter, a guy who hit 40 plus plus Homer's last couple years. Someone who should have been hitting that ball out of the Rogers center. And you have Jose Barrios, two guys that have big cap hits. But the Toronto Blue Jays have Chris Bassett off the books who was $21 million and I'm, I would still hope that Chris Bassett as a Blue Jays fan comes back and I would love to see him in the bullpen. I think this is somebody who could be a closer. I know people may think that's nuts to say, but you know what I think? A setup man or a closer, Bassett showing that he can be effective in that Bullpen. Same with Max Scherzer. Imagine a Scherzer to this bullpen. I don't know who would come out because there's so much talent, but there's an opportunity to bring both these guys back. But I mentioned Satander and Jose Barrios because I really think the Toronto Blue Jays should be looking to try to trade Anthony Santander to anybody who will take on that contract. And there are teams that would certainly welcome potentially somebody that they can almost get for next to nothing to be a switch hitter, to be a dh, play left field. Maybe like the Pittsburgh Pirates, you know, they have, you know, some, they got like o', Neill, Cruz, they got some individuals on that team that they're really trying to change. But maybe Santander would fit well in Pittsburgh. Maybe there's another team out there like the Colorado Rockies that would be interested in bringing in Satander. Somebody has to dh. I would really like to see the Blue Jays move Santander, but I don't want them to see the movement of Jose Barrios. But that has been a big rumor for the Blue Jays to move Brios because of money. And that's if they want to sign both Boba Shet and Kyle Tyler Tucker. And I do think it's realistic that the Jays can sign both Tucker and Bichette. But it's just if the price tag is going to be right. And it's interesting to see what happens with Kyle Tucker as we sit here, if anything changed on the show or tomorrow. But nonetheless as we do sit here, Bo Bichette is still unsigned as well. And with the Toronto Blue Jays not having him signed yet, I think I'm going to take the opposite route to it. And that route to it is that the longer it's being waited that he's signing that at the end of the day the likelihood he is signing in Toronto. That's the way that I look at it. Okay, but other teams checking in and the more we wait, that means some more teams are going to get a little bit more desperate to spend some money. Just like how we see the Blue Jays are intensifying the Tucker pursuit. They're looking at probably offering a little bit more money and probably a little bit more term. So that's going to be very interesting as this offseason continues. But I got to give a 10 out of 10 to this offseason for the MLB, not like I mentioned, not just because of the Blue Jays, what they've done, not because of what the Yankees haven't done and what the Dodgers, all that this, this has been a very, very entertaining off season and teams that have really swung and missed in this offseason, they still got to count the Mets on that. I I still feel that Cody Bellinger is staying in New York, but he's going to the Mets. Imagine the Yankees miss out on bringing in somebody resigning Bellinger or doing anything that would be I'm sorry Yankees fans. I would love it as a Blue Jay fan and a baseball fan but overall this MLB season when I wanted to touch on before we officially because Hike is now ready to start talking to wrap up the baseball point. Breckman was one thing I want to mention. He's got to stay in Boston. That's where I think with with the Blue Jays obviously bringing Okamoto and having that infield coverage who could play also left field first base. He's mostly a third baseman and first baseman. Look the the Blue Jays aren't that adding. Apparently you got teams that are going for all in you've had the White Sox make a very good splash with more more Kami going there, big power hitter that's absolutely massive. It's good to see the White Sox get that talent and it's good to see the Blue Jays sign someone out of Japan as well. And it's not somebody named the LA Dodgers but I mentioned Breckman because that's a third baseman that that the Boston Red Sox can't afford to lose but that the Chicago Cubs would love to have. So Boston Chicago, someone who's outstanding. Alex Breckman either Boston or Chicago if I got to choose he is going to be staying in Boston. Cody Bellinger, New York Mets telling you right now New York Mets. Kyle Tucker, you know where he is going. I've been talking about it on this show. There's been rumors Blue Jays is where I'm standing. Number four Bo Bill Bichette will resign in Toronto so you will have both because of what I've talked about. Movement, opportunity. As much as I don't want to see Brios go as a fan, maybe the option of Santander Rogers media is spending that money because the goal is they want to bring multiple World Series to Toronto if I'm a free agent, not because I'm a Toronto fan again, I'll say to see this young team that has this term and guys are going to be together for more than three years. There could be a lot of hardware coming north of the border for baseball for years to come. If you want to sign here. And as I mentioned earlier the Cubs are going to be active in pitching. But nonetheless, the three big names are four big names. The Breckman, Bellinger, Bichette and of course Kyle Tucker being the four names still on the board. The way this offseason's going, I think they're going to go quick and the news is going to keep on being rapid fired. Like I said, it's been the best off season that I can remember with the mlb. It's. It's so entertaining to watch and wait and to finally see some nice things come north of the border. It's. It's nice to see now if it can happen to another team that we cheer for that hike and I both do with the team in the background and the hat that he is wearing. But let's bring in the individual that's been waiting, the OG himself. This has just been brief baseball chat with me and as I've broken the Carter George news to earlier and a little bit of baseball fun filler chat per se as we waited for Justin to talk in the pocket. Comment below what you think is going to happen the rest of the MLB off season? Where are these players going to be going? Where's Kyle? Where's Cody? Where's bo? Where's Alex Breckman going? Is there any other moves that are going to be happening? You let me know what you think. Now without further ado, in the pocket partnered with SportsCenter Bar and Grills for St. Marie, Ontario's best sports bar over five years in a row. Best wings as well. The one, the only, ladies and gentlemen, the legend, the man that will answer any question on live radio, even if it's about the the Cleveland Cavaliers GM in 2017 on live radio. A little bit of a nod for Everybody on our 10th birthday hike. This is the 10th and officially January 5th was the 10th birthday. 10th anniversary officially has came for the Game Sports podcast formerly show and I brought that up just for a little memory. It's too bad that EJ isn't on the other line because I would have talked about the story about how he made it on the show for the umpteenth time. But just like your cavalier story, I had to make sure I said it again because it's so hilarious. [00:58:41] Speaker D: Yeah, it's, you know, good. It's kind of crazy actually. You say 10 years. That's 10 years is a little nuts. Like I said, it's pretty well. Pretty well old enough to drink in the West End. That's a little Sue St. Marie humor for you there. If you get it. You get it. If you don't. Yeah. Interesting. Interesting. Last week of the season. Last week. That's kind of cool. Crazy first week of 2026. I definitely did a botch job on my picks and didn't hit save on my phone. So congrats. A little. Little news breaker there. Congrats to Dave. I went over whatever last week. So here we are. Unless he completely shits the bed in the playoffs, I think he has won the pick him this year back to back. [00:59:24] Speaker A: No big deal. No big deal. EJ is EJ. I can't. We can't never talk about the EJ story. That is the thing. The guy had had an O for a week and he kept in the hunt. [00:59:37] Speaker D: Yeah, he had an O. He had an O for a week and he was like one. One point behind us. We were talking tough though. If you listen back, we were very confident, very confident with our standings and we may have led you guys astray on. On that. But honestly, all in good fun. [00:59:52] Speaker A: I think it was one of even our. I think usually the top person's above 78 when they're right. And I don't know what the number is right now, but I don't think. I think we're barely hitting 70% accuracy this year. [01:00:06] Speaker D: Yeah, it's not. It's not great. [01:00:08] Speaker A: Yeah, that's. And that is not a usual number for us. We're averaging like I remember the last couple years we had three people out of the four who are always in the 70%. So this has been more of an off year for us. But I think that explains just hike. How the season has been in the National Football League. It's been an unpredictable year. I think that is the best way to put this season is unpredictable. I still think last year was more exciting. I will say that I think last year was more story, more of that thrill. But you know what? This season had a lot of stories. A lot of unexpected teams come and rise above it all. The Broncos, the Patriots, to name a couple. Philip Rivers came back, right? [01:00:47] Speaker D: Yeah, it was. It was a crazy couple weeks. Well, you know, December. December was a little nuts for everybody. Yeah. Was it the. The birthday weekend there? That was a little crazy. Daniel Jones lower body just lieutenant danning itself and then the Colts deciding to. Yeah, you know what? Philip Rivers is gonna come back. What do you mean? I just turned 40 and I'm younger than him. Him. What do you mean he's coming back? We may have kind of still sorta if you weren't paying attention to how the team was playing. We're in a playoff hunt at that point. And that pretty well put the nails right in the coffin. And I switched back to this hat. Here we are. [01:01:28] Speaker A: It matches your outfit today. You look great today. [01:01:31] Speaker D: Yeah, I find the hat. It's a little tall. It's a little tall. [01:01:34] Speaker A: You know what, it looks crisp though. [01:01:36] Speaker D: It is. It's brand spanking new Christmas gift. [01:01:39] Speaker A: That's a great gift. That's a great. Was that from, was that from the little one and the wife or is that from the fam. [01:01:44] Speaker D: My old man, actually. [01:01:46] Speaker A: Smart, smart man. Smart man. That's great to see. I love that. I, you know, might have been maybe to your, I don't know. I've said it on this show. I, I'm a swifty and not because of Travis. Okay. I, I know football people. Why are you saying that? I, I, it's, I've enjoyed Taylor Swift before this Travis Taylor entertainment, whatever you want to call it. Or, or just publicity. And it might have been Travis Kelce's last game. It almost seems like given the charitable work, the podcast stuff, I almost feel like he is done. But am I, am I incorrect? Is Travis Kelsey got more in the tank one more year or do you think he's done? Because I think he is. [01:02:27] Speaker D: Here's, here's my thought on this. He doesn't want to go out like that. Last game, if you watch, it was. [01:02:34] Speaker A: The, the third and fourth I watched. [01:02:36] Speaker D: It was not spectacular. That's not how he wants to be remembered. And I feel like for Patrick Mahomes to have a comeback story, he needs his guy. So they're going to, I think the Chiefs are going to try to run it back next year with what they got, maybe a couple improvements and, and see what they can do. Because honestly, this year was kind of a fluke year for Kansas City, I think. Think. I mean, I've been a, I've been a pretty negative reviewer of Travis Kelce over the last couple years. I've thought he was kind of overrated the last little bit. Just because Patrick Mahomes doesn't have anyone else. That's who he's got and they're winning, so that's who he's going to go to. And we could peel back layers here and everyone could on me, by all means. I'm just not a big Travis Kelce fan or a Patrick Mahomes fan. But I think for the Mahomes comeback story to work, he needs Travis Kelce and for Travis Kelce to be back another year. Mahomes has really got to talk him into it, but I also think he doesn't want to go out like that. And we all know that he's got better in him than the way this season went. [01:03:37] Speaker A: And he was still their lead in reception. [01:03:39] Speaker D: Yeah, 100. He didn't. He didn't really have statistically a bad year. It just. It wasn't. You lose your quarterback, man, that's gonna come off. [01:03:48] Speaker A: And it actually brought a lot of disinterest in the Christmas games, too, because there's a lot of quarterbacks that were out when the Christmas games that were on Netflix and. [01:03:55] Speaker D: Yeah, but that game was close for a while, though. [01:03:57] Speaker B: Yeah. [01:03:57] Speaker D: That. The Chiefs game, the Cowboys game was a disaster. It's the best game. Like, I hate the Cowboys. Like, they get a game on Christmas Day. They're the most dog team. I mean, I just, again, don't. [01:04:09] Speaker A: What makes you hate the Cowboys? The Jones? Or is it the Cowboys? [01:04:11] Speaker D: It's the. It's the similarities to another team that I love. And I don't like seeing other fan bases go through incompetency, but that it seems to run deep in certain franchises and such as the Cowboys, like, season after season. But they just. They come out, they blow the doors off some team on Christmas Day. They get the fan base all fired up. Everybody's all out. Oh, you're not even in the playoffs. What the. Come on. Why is everybody excited? [01:04:39] Speaker A: I don't think. [01:04:40] Speaker D: Why don't you win two weeks ago? [01:04:42] Speaker A: Dak is not the guy, man. I'm. I'm sorry, but simply put, Dak is guy. [01:04:47] Speaker D: Here. Here's this. Who's the leading passer in the NFL this year? [01:04:51] Speaker A: Isn't it Dak? [01:04:52] Speaker D: It's Dakota. Check. So how can you say he's not the guy when you have the leading passer on your team? I get. I understand where you're coming from, but the argument. [01:05:00] Speaker A: Such a point. Yeah. [01:05:01] Speaker D: You got to think about this as you're making a decision as a manager, trying to discourage someone from changing your decision. But I got the passing leader. What could be better? You could take the box. Could be anything in that box. Could even be the passing leader. [01:05:17] Speaker A: Do you think? What does he need? He has a link. He has a receiver. He has. He's got a weapon. He doesn't. The run game. [01:05:24] Speaker D: Their defense sucked ass until probably mid October. And then the defensive line got it going. I mean, obviously, your linebackers are going to see a bit of a hit on productivity when you lose Mike Parsons. That's it. Is what it is. That's. But guys will step up and they got a haul of draft picks. So I think with proper management, totally countering what I just previously said, you could draft and replace Micah Parsons and more with those picks that you got and see where it goes. I mean, the Cowboys, I don't see why they wouldn't maybe change their defensive coordinator, but I wouldn't. I don't see why they wouldn't run it back next year with what they got. I mean, CD is great. George Pickens was solid. Javante turned out to be a pretty good running back. They got the best kicker in the league, passing leader, offensive line. [01:06:13] Speaker B: Yeah. [01:06:13] Speaker D: Like, they're not. They're not in a bad spot like that division pretty well was the Cowboys to win this year. I mean, yeah, the Eagles are a juggernaut, but I think honestly the Cowboys have more firepower. Like eventually we were going to see wear and tear on the Eagles from this super bowl run after super bowl run after deep playoff run. Like your team. You just can't keep playing six more games a year than everyone else and come back healthy after a while. You just need a break. Like we saw it with the Chiefs this year. Mahomes body just said, see ya. I. I gotta. We gotta fix this and come back. [01:06:50] Speaker A: Yeah, like, we gotta take a little bit longer of an off season. You're right. [01:06:53] Speaker D: I mean, even if you look at the playoff bracket, like what we're going into this weekend, there's a lot of weird teams and like stuff that if you would have told us 17, 18 weeks ago, this is what we're working with. [01:07:03] Speaker A: Oh, such a crazy. [01:07:04] Speaker D: Yeah, like there's certain ones. There's certain ones that are in there. It's like, that makes sense. But there's other ones where it's Bills. [01:07:10] Speaker A: Eagles and you can't say no that you didn't think you'd see the Steelers there. They did some moves as they were built to try to make the playoffs this year. That was the run I truly thought. [01:07:20] Speaker D: That the Ravens were gonna like. They. They had times where they were an absolute juggernaut and they just couldn't keep it consistent. And I think that defense finally showed its age. [01:07:29] Speaker A: The biggest down, the biggest disappointment this, this year, it's not even the Chiefs, it's the Lions. That is the biggest disappointment for me is the Detroit Lions. Given what that team should have did last year and coming back with basically the right core to do it again and the right pieces, and they didn't even get it done. [01:07:47] Speaker D: I think The Bears being as good as the Bears were this year would gotten Dan Campbell's head a little bit. I'm open to being wrong, but that's just what I like. His decision making just wasn't the Dan Campbell decision making that we were used to. [01:08:01] Speaker A: No. No. [01:08:01] Speaker D: Some. [01:08:02] Speaker A: Yeah, he wasn't. You know what? It wasn't that. It was that enthusia, that confidence that he has, that swagger, that wager wasn't there. [01:08:10] Speaker D: And I don't like. I don't mean this in an offensive way at all. It's not what I'm like. Dan Campbell doesn't. He doesn't out coach other coaches. He's just got the biggest balls in the room. Like, that's. And some people just. He's got to be a great poker player, an absolute awesome poker player because he could call anyone's bluff when he's feeling it. Like in just this year. I don't. He was not. The offense wasn't clicking and he just. [01:08:36] Speaker A: The confidence went gonzo and like his job is safe percent. [01:08:42] Speaker D: The city loves him. [01:08:43] Speaker A: Yeah. And you know, I wonder if they're gonna still believe in golf. I don't think I'd give up in golf by any means. You have. You have term there. You. You can't. I think you need to try to improve the defensive side and try to have a team that's ready to be fully durable in the full season and not have any injuries hurt them throughout the season, which was a little bit of a plague to them. But I still think they could have been a team. But that division was challenging to battle back from once you get behind it. [01:09:09] Speaker D: I mean, it was. Yeah, it was. The whole NFC north was a wagon. I mean, even the Vikings before Carson Wentz got hurt were looking like they could do something. What a weird statement that was. But. [01:09:22] Speaker A: But even the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Burrow just seems to cannot stay healthy. You got Jackson, the Ravens. What the heck was that? And speaking of the Ravens to break the news, you know, breaking it in real time with today. What today. John Harbaugh gets. Gets. [01:09:39] Speaker D: That's. [01:09:40] Speaker A: And surprising. Just kind of breaking fired after 18 seasons with the Ravens. I'm gonna tell you something. If that was the Steelers that lost, we'd be seeing Mike Tomlin's name right now. They would have been the other way around. I'm telling you right now. So Steelers winning is the thing for that program because Tomlins shouldn't go anywhere because he's made for Pittsburgh. But I was very surprised the Ravens fired Harbaugh man, very. I know it wasn't the year they expected and there's been some upset, you know, but this has been a team that's been very good and Harbaugh is still a top tier coach in the NFL for me. And if, if we're going to talk about the Raiders in a second because it seems like Tom Brady and the Raiders have a relationship, but if I'm the Raiders, I might be. I might be like a little bit hard to look, not look the other way at Harbaugh. Right. But, but I don't mean to. I don't want to get into predictions or anything like that, but Harbaugh getting fired was surprising to me. [01:10:32] Speaker B: Hike. [01:10:32] Speaker A: I didn't think they would do that. [01:10:33] Speaker D: I still think Tomlin's probably getting gassed regardless unless they win the Super Bowl. Honestly, I don't you think it has. [01:10:41] Speaker A: To be super bowl for him not to get fired? Really? [01:10:43] Speaker D: I, I don't think Aaron Rodgers is coming back next year. I don't. The quarterback market isn't. There's nothing out there and I don't really see Mike Tomlin as the guy to develop up a quarterback. He hasn't. I mean Bill Cower, you know, was the guy who kind of got Ben started. Tomlin came in a little bit after. [01:11:03] Speaker A: Yeah, that's true. [01:11:04] Speaker D: I mean the Steelers majority of their success was coward to Tomlin transition period. [01:11:10] Speaker C: Yep. [01:11:11] Speaker A: Yep. And then they had. [01:11:13] Speaker D: I mean Mike Tomlin's been cruising for a little while here on just making the playoffs and after a while just making the playoffs, especially in a city like Pittsburgh isn't really going to. Going to cut it. You need a little bit more excitement. I mean the last time, I think the last time you guys were in like the second round of the playoff, you were still playing at Hines Field. I don't even know where the hell you play now. [01:11:33] Speaker A: 2018. Yeah. Yeah. Shire. Yeah. No, it doesn't, doesn't matter. The high. [01:11:38] Speaker C: That's. [01:11:38] Speaker A: That's the key stat I was going to bring up. His success in the playoffs has not been the same and you can count winning two Super Bowls and losing one to the Green, to Green Bay. But the past is the past. When you're a passionate football nation like Pittsburgh, having the team that they have and this is a team that was built defensively to be successful. Ramsey in there, you have Watts. You had the players that you brought in very successful, just like the Ravens, Henry Jackson. A lot of people thought this was a Super bowl favorite this year. They're not even in the playoffs. I picked the Lions to win. They're not even in the playoffs either. That's why this year has been unpredictable, predictable. But Harbaugh. Hike. I don't think it's going to be that scenario where he takes a year off. This guy's getting scooped. This guy's getting scooped up. Yeah. 150% and very quickly. I don't know if it's going to be the Raiders. I don't know if there's going to be a team that fires. [01:12:29] Speaker D: Like teams will fire their coach to, to have him. And if you're. Look at some of these teams that get knocked out this weekend. [01:12:37] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:12:38] Speaker D: You know, you're a team that consistently is. Is getting into the first round of the playoffs. Can't really get past. [01:12:44] Speaker A: Does Cleveland knock on his door. Divisional rival. Like it's. [01:12:47] Speaker D: I was, I was more so referring to the Steelers, but. [01:12:50] Speaker A: Oh, you're looking at Pittsburgh. [01:12:52] Speaker B: Yeah. Okay. [01:12:53] Speaker A: That's interesting. That would be interesting too, that I wouldn't say no as a Steeler fan. [01:12:58] Speaker D: Well, he's. He's used to. The Pittsburgh Steelers organization is willing to give their coach a lot of. Right. You want time, you got to figure it out. We're willing to. He's coming from an organization where he was there for 18 years. The Ravens have only ever had three coaches in their history. [01:13:14] Speaker A: That's wild. [01:13:15] Speaker D: That's the longest tenured one. Like, that's bonkers. Absolutely bonkers. Like he was getting ready. He could start collecting a pension from there soon. That's how long he was there. [01:13:24] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:13:24] Speaker D: And I, I will honestly, like, I would. I would be more surprised if he left the AFC North, I think. [01:13:31] Speaker A: Here's this quote of the day. Your point was good, but this is a quote of the day that I just saw. Obviously he was fired. It was fired. A quote that I saw just on an outlet. It's that this. For him to not have a job is. Is ludicrous. And Harbaugh, this individual believes that John Harbaugh is the best coach in the NFL. On this. On this. I don't. I don't know if I want to go. [01:13:53] Speaker D: Is this the Tony Dungy one? [01:13:55] Speaker A: No, no. It's. It's. It's an online platform from a random. I'm just from the. The break in there. [01:14:00] Speaker D: Yeah. Tony Duny had a. [01:14:03] Speaker A: And this was a 4 minute. This is just 4 minutes ago this was posted. It already has 38 likes on this platform that I like. So this person's getting a lot of likes. So it seems like there's a lot of people that agree with this comment saying he's the best coach in the NFL. Top five. Yes. I'm hesitating on three. I don't know why I'm hesitating on three. I, I definitely a top coach in the NFL. It's hard to argue that he's the best. [01:14:27] Speaker D: You know what I think like currently, I mean Belichick's not in the NFL. Pete Carroll just got fired. [01:14:32] Speaker A: Andy Reid better maybe not now after this year. Right. [01:14:35] Speaker D: Look at. I bet you what I'd like to see their win loss record side by side. We'll do that next week. We'll come back with that information. [01:14:44] Speaker A: Yeah, I like that. We'll do a little one. Yeah, I like that. That's, that's a good comment. And I called it quote of the day best because I knew it would create a little bit of conversation for us because. And I don't think Tomlin's the best coach. Do I think Tom was top five? Heck yeah. [01:14:59] Speaker D: I think. [01:15:01] Speaker A: I think the top three. [01:15:03] Speaker D: Confidently like Dan Campbell. He's a very good leader of men. Do I think he's a, do I think he should have any business play calling? Not really. [01:15:14] Speaker A: Honestly, if I had to really pick three top three right now, I gotta go Andy Reid, Tomlin, John Harboth. Those are my three week that and I'm sorry if that doesn't give a little bit of love to, you know about Nick Sirianni. I know there's people say, what about Nick? Still young, still got some stuff to prove. Belichick. Bill Belichick's retired. Okay. So I, if Bill was still coaching, he'd be in the top three for me too. And who I would take out, it'd be John out of those other three. So like there's, there's a lot of stuff that we get into and I like your point hike about touching on some win losses and that and maybe by next week Harbaugh might actually be coaching a different team. So it'll be interesting to see what that is and who that team is. All right, so I want to get into the playoffs and we got a little bit of a slight preview. You know, I know we're kind of short on time, but we can, we. [01:16:04] Speaker D: Could segue it with the pick them at the same time here because. [01:16:06] Speaker A: Yeah, I like it. Then we can. What we'll do is we'll do a light preview and then to conclude the show, I'm going to do a little reaction about the ncaa. The Fiesta and P. Peach Bowl. We didn't get a chance to talk about the NCAA too much, but we're in the final four remaining for college football, so I'll do a little bit of love on that before we wrap up, but. Hike. I'll give the floor to you about what's the first round of the playoffs and sorry, let me give you the best, the right term, the NFL wild card. [01:16:34] Speaker D: So Saturday at 4:30 we got Rams and Panthers. Didn't think I'd be saying the Panthers were in the playoffs. Honestly didn't. Didn't think I'd say that, but here we are. Part of me thinks that the Panthers could maybe, you know, there's a chance if they get up two scores, there's a chance that the Panthers could maybe do this. The other part of me says that the Rams are just gonna stop and I think it's the latter that wins. I got the Rams in this one. You know, I think like 90 confident. The Rams take it. But you know, a little bit tells me Carolina. Bryce Young's look pretty good. He's just little. You just can't see. And Saturday night game, we got Chicago, Green Bay. Green Bay has not looked great since Michael Parsons got hurt. You know, that's nothing to take away from the offense. Offenses look pretty good. Josh Jacobs having an okay year. Jordan Love going to be coming back from injury to start this game. But I don't. Green Bay's defense just isn't going to hold up. I think Chicago is going to blow the doors off of them and you know, cruise through this game. Game. Here's my Sunday one o'. Clock. I think Buffalo got hoe as being a one o' clock game. By the way, could have put them Saturday at 4:30 at least like 1 o'. Clock. That's a. Put a snooze game on for that. That's the playoff. Shouldn't be a snooze, but you know what I mean. I'm taking Jacksonville in this one. I think Buffalo is gonna. They haven't done a lot to amaze me this year. Josh Allen and James Cook can only take you so far. Jacksonville's defense is pretty good. Their wide receivers are all firing right now. Running game looks pretty good. Jacksonville looks a little more hungry. Buffalo I think is going to struggle with this one. I'm taking Jacksonville, San Fran, Philly. I am taking the 49ers over the Eagles. I think the Eagles, much like the. The Chiefs, they've just. You've had too many deep playoff runs. I Mean, Saquon hasn't looked like himself this year. A little bit of dysfunction in the locker room. If they're talking about your team on first take five days a week, being the first team, you know, the first block of the show, there's some drama going on. Like, it's like the Vanderpump Eagles going on here this season. So I'm taking San Fran in this one. Whatever quarterback they start, you know, Brock Purdy, Mac Jones, whoever they want to throw in there, they're gonna do it. Patriots over the Chargers. Chargers just haven't had an offensive line this year. I think it's going to be competitive to a point, but I think the Patriots blow the doors off of them. There's just too much hype around that team. [01:19:06] Speaker A: Drake maim. [01:19:07] Speaker D: Yeah. And then Houston, Pittsburgh. I think you know how I'm picking this one. I hate that I've picked two AFC south teams to move on, but here we are. I'm taking Houston over the Steelers and we will see free agent Mike Tomlin sometime next week. [01:19:22] Speaker A: Come on. [01:19:23] Speaker D: Yeah. Tiebreaker. Houston 24, Steelers 21. So it's close. Respectable. There's a little bit, you know. And then New England 28, Chargers 18. Most points this week, Jacksonville. Fewest points this week, Carolina. [01:19:36] Speaker A: So I love that you gave the the preview for that. There's one thing that I missed to talk about. I can hear people probably wondering the Ray, when the Ravens missed that field goal, did I think the Ravens were going to win that game? You damn right. I didn't think they were missing that back kick for the life. That depends. I had it in my mind saying, oh, imagine if they missed. I said that to my wife and it happened. I remember Canada, Team Canada losing to Czechia, which another freaking embarrassment doesn't. I'm sorry we've talked about on the show already. I won't go there. I have to see the Steelers at least win. Was a little bit of a win for me and that only to maybe survive one more week. But it was still. It was still a. A very entertaining. I can't believe that he missed it and I sure that he's not sleeping well that I, I, that was wild. So I want to make sure I mentioned that. But talking about the playoffs because. Because we don't have time to dive back into the news side of things. Thanks for doing the more of the preview. Hike. I'll keep mine more simple. The Rams over the Panthers. Good for the Panthers. Getting there. But the Rams are just too. Just a better football team. I got the. I got the Bears as well over the packers in a very close game though I don't think it's going to be a blow off the Doors. I think it's to going going to be a. I don't know if you consider blow off the doors 10 point differential but I would say that this is going to be a touchdown a field goal advantage by the Bears and the defense of the packers aren't just going to be able to with to to hold the Bears offense. So I'm going to say that the Bears are going to walk away with that one and move on. I'm going to pick the Bills over Jacksonville. I got a. For a couple years I've thought about the Bills being favorites. I've thought about the the Lions this year maybe being it. There has to be a time that Josh Allen you know even though he's tried he's had a lot of effort games not to go to none. There has to be a game where he does it and gets them over the top and they ride some momentum. There has to be a time that that happens and I think this might be it. I think this this will be this is a gut feeling pick. I do think Jacksonville's it you know the better shown to be the better team this year as from a consistent factor. But I'm picking the Bills just from in full gut. I'm going to give you the lamest media pick. I am going with gut on this one and that my gut's going towards the Bills. I got the Eagles over the Niners. I just think success is just gonna. Niners have had success too don't get me wrong but just about where the Eagles are and able to to I think get through get through that playing in the playoffs being a. I think this was a team that underachieved this year a little bit and I think against playoff it's a different season. I think the Eagles are going to be making some noise Patriots over the Chargers may oh my good. Like I don't. I don't. I'm not a fan of the Patriots in my least favorite football team because of Tom Brady but it's because Tom Brady was so good and I got respect for Tom Brady. Okay. It's respect. It's like the Detroit Red Wings in the thousands and it's like the Yankees in the thousands. These teams that were just always one when I was a kid that I didn't like that is the reason I feel for the Patriots. But this is a new era and this this is a pretty exciting team to watch are those Patriots but hot take this is the only game they win this playoffs just saying the Steelers will beat the Texans but that'll be the only win for the for the Texans of maybe that jinx it the only win for the Steelers this playoffs. Okay and it will save Tomlin's job that but the same time I had a good quote from from someone mentioned who was on the show Dane he mentioned that there's no way that you're going to get more than 10 points on that Texas Texans defense and that is such a good take it is so true seeing Houston's defense best defense. [01:23:10] Speaker D: In the NFL I believe. [01:23:12] Speaker A: Yeah yeah so that's too challenging but I wonder if there's got to be a kink in armor and is that kink in the armor going to be in the first playoff game especially on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers against a experienced quarterback Metcalf is back who's going to be playing with a little bit of I would say a little bit of an anger maybe he can keep his hands near his body would be most advised and maybe near the football as much as possible to catch it so I'm going to pick the Steelers for this one to long the playoff run but it's not I'm going to tell everyone that it's not going to be longer than one than two games for the Steelers. I'll be straight I got 20 to 17 Steelers over the Texans winning by a field goal winning the game by a field goal even say that Chris Boswell missing one for for the first time in like four years last he's going to make up for something big and that's going to be it. They get there by missing a field goal from the Ravens they're going to get to the next round by winning by field goal by the one of the heartbeats of that team 21 Patriots over the Chargers. I think that game's going to be good. I think it's sneak sneaky good but those Patriots that is looking good Rams will have the most points this week Carolina the least. Sorry I think the percentages speak in that I was really debating that the Chargers might get less over the Patriots but I don't know. I think I think that might be my favorite game of the week. I don't know my eyes are really pointing towards that Sunday night football game. It just seems like it's going to be one heck of a football game so that is the pick em and as Hike said I'm Barring a miracle, seems like I'm going to win this year and barring people forgetting their, you know, me forgetting picks and that happening, not registering or hitting save. I made sure I hit save. That would be the pick them for this week. So. Hike. That's. That's great stuff. Any final thoughts the NFL before I kind of wrap us up with nc? [01:24:58] Speaker D: No, I'm you know, looking forward to the weekend and kind of let's see what happens here. I mean I'm excited. There's some. We got some new teams in there. We'll see how shake too. [01:25:08] Speaker A: I love it. It's new. New, new blood in there. New blood. Carolina, best of luck. But the NCAA Fiesta bowl and the Peach bowl. We got the Fiesta bowl which is on January 8th at 7:30 and we got the Peach bowl as well which is on the 9th, 9th which is Friday at 7:30. I'm going to tell you two things. Miami and Ole Miss, good football teams, okay? Whoever wins that gets a little bit of bragging rights for the Fiesta bowl because the winner of the Peach bowl is the one who is winning the college football championship. I'm telling you right now, Indiana is looks disgusting. And I'm telling you that as an Oregon fan, I am an Oregon Ducks fan. Justin can tell you that and admit that and he can also tell you why I'm that I think. But, but been watching Oregon for getting really into college football since we started doing the show even before. And watching Oregon last week was great, great football. But watching Indiana just absolutely dominate Alabama and seeing that offense, I just don't know if that team can be stopped. They're number one ranked for a reason in college football. And as much as I would love to see a national championship to Oregon, I think last year there was the year that they should have done it. I don't think Indiana loses that football game. Justin. I look at Indiana, you know when you see a team and you're like yeah, that's a good team. That's Indiana. That's. That's Indiana. And I do think that Ole Miss beats Miami and the Fiesta bowl in a very good. That might be the best as much as Oregon. [01:26:40] Speaker D: I think that's going to be the game. [01:26:42] Speaker A: Oh that. Yeah. Despite that, I think Oregon, Indiana is going to be a tight game. Just excitement, higher scoring will be the Ole Miss Miami game. But I'll take Ole Miss in that. So you're gonna have an Ole Miss in Indiana. Indiana finals. And by the time we do another episode there will be the college football Championship. So we won't predict the winner. But my prediction was of course Oregon win it this year. I want to give my team a little bit of love, so I'll say that. But we won't predict the finals winner until we know who they are next week. But I think as you can pick up when I'm putting down the team that I think should be the heavy favorites, Indiana. Looking real. Real. I'll use the word again for the second time this episode in total real sexy. [01:27:24] Speaker C: Okay. [01:27:24] Speaker A: That's how Indiana's looking on that football field. They look like, I don't want to say they look like Ohio State last year because Ohio went in there as a fifth seed. It just, just woke up in the playoffs. They just woke up. But seeing a number one seed, seeing this, I almost want to say Michigan like you just when you see a team that was going to go through a Michigan one, he just knew Michigan was going to win that year. It was just that feeling. That's what I see with, with Indiana, but very excited for some football this weekend with college football, with this, with, with the, the playoffs. It's great. It's, it's, it's great stuff and it's great that they're all different times that you can enjoy it. I know that's on purpose of course, but it's great that we get to enjoy football from Thursday all the way to Sunday from college football and the NFL. So comment you below based on who you think is going to win the wild card round games for the NFL and who you think is going to win the Fiesta bowl and the Peach bowl for NCAA to lead into your finals. And if you want to, if you're feeling even extra bold, dict your finals winners for NCAA college football for the championship which takes place Monday at 7:30, January 19th. Hike. My friend. The last thing that I'll mention people wanted so I'll wrap up in the pocket there but someone asked are you going to talk about on your upcoming episode, which is this one, the rumors about Anthony Davis going to the Raptors. I thought of two things. I said should I do that with hike number two. We're not going to talk about it this week because it's just rumors. I when things really pick up like this Kyle Tucker stuff for example with the Jays is real hot. Hot stuff. Like there's Miles Straw putting on his Instagram. There's, there's official baseball network people talking about how much the Jays are in this is that that's hot hot. Now that that's Hot. Okay, this rumor stuff here, I'll start a rumor right now for you. The Leafs are going to trade for Sydney Crosby. Okay. All right. There's a rumor for you. Want to talk about a rumor? That's what's going to happen. So no, I'm not talking about Anthony Davis going to the Raptors, but I will say one thing. The Raptors being successful, starting to win basketball games again is great. And if the Blue Jays are doing what they're doing, if the Raptors can make some noise, if it's Giannis, if the Leafs can get back on track, you know, maybe there can be some. If you're in the world of Toronto, take a deep breath and exhale. Okay? All right. So Justin, I want to say thank you my friend for taking a little bit of extra time today. The hour and 15 total was definitely not met. We were over that. But that's fine. We have fun doing that. I think we're over just over an. [01:29:42] Speaker B: Hour and a half. [01:29:42] Speaker A: Jerry, you have some editing to do in the background so that'll be great for you to do. But nonetheless, hike. My friend, I want to thank you for taking the time to to join and chat football. This deserved a little extra love is our first one since the holidays. [01:29:54] Speaker D: So yeah, know good to be back and look forward to next week. Let's see how it shakes out this weekend. [01:29:59] Speaker A: Yeah, 100% it will. And we're going to be talking about NCAA again next week. I know we had on fire last year. We had a little bit of mix up this year and we time and everything. Well, it's good, it's good stuff and we'll be definitely enjoying a lot of football this week and you know there's a lot of sports to love and news to keep an eye out on io4 so we will definitely do that and you can keep it unlocked on all of our social media channels. Channels that's at the Game Sports podcast, Tick Tock, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, YouTube on 91 then that's where we're powered by 91 network spaces through Sudan Village Media. Look, you just got to search us and you're there. Look, you can even look at chat GPT. You can search the Game Sports podcast. Guess what? It comes up. So we're there. So you can, you can't see, you can't find us. If you want to find us, you will find us. But make sure you interact with us and especially with all the recent clips that we have. We do appreciate the new follows and interactions here on the game. It definitely makes us enjoy our work even more. So definitely keep it locked here on the Game Sports podcast in our 10th season of existence. 10th birthday, this week just passed for the game. Happy birthday to the Game Sports podcast. Previously show and every time I say that, Justin, and when I think about, you know, WWF when it had the hair and when it announced WWE and then it cut off the F at the barber to make it look like a wwe, that's almost what I feel like. Once it's a game sports show, now it's podcast. This looks cleaner to say. That's kind of where my mind keeps going. If you know that reference, you know that reference. So until next week, we will have an episode next week that'll be on January 15th. Will be that one will be uploaded, but I will announce to people we are planning to have our episodes uploaded on Wednesdays now. So we do record these Tuesday nights, but we will be uploading our shows Wednesday. So either next week or the week following, we will begin our new posting days on Wednesday. So make sure you have that locked in your calendars. Thank you to Brandon McCarthy. Thank you to Jordan Trudeau. Thank you again to Justin Heiko, all of our people that are partnering with in this show, as well as the three students in the background, Taryn, Danica, Jerry, in particular, Jerry with these edits. Have fun with tonight, my friend. And we will be back next week. And until next week, I want to remind you, keep your stick on the ice, swing your bats, catch touchdowns, drain your threes and shoot your shots. Booyah.