And So It Begins

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[00:00:36] Hey everyone, Mr. Devil here, Kenny Danico, three-time Stanley Cup champion of the New Jersey Devils. You're listening to the Uncle Puckers New Jersey Devils Podcast with Chris, Dan, Bobby, and Tony, the Uncle Puckers. Let's go Devils!

[00:00:54] What's up there, fellow Puckers, Bob and Dan? How you guys doing tonight?

[00:00:58] Good. What's going on, guys?

[00:01:00] Mixed. Mixed emotions today.

[00:01:02] Yeah, I know. I get it. It's not an entirely great day.

[00:01:05] Well, no, it's not. We had some news. I guess we should start the show off with that. So brace yourself. This is triggering. The injury bug has come to New Jersey a little too soon.

[00:01:24] Definitely too soon.

[00:01:26] Bob, you want to tell the audience exactly what I'm talking about?

[00:01:30] Apparently, Luke Hughes was trying to buff up for year two. Did something wrong with his shoulder? I don't know what, but he's out six to eight weeks with a shoulder injury that does not require surgery.

[00:01:43] So since he's a devil, let's assume that's eight weeks. And that's roughly 15 to 17 games. So again, since it's the devil, let's assume that's 17 games, which is pretty much exactly 20% of the season. We're talking first or second week of November, possibly earlier if things go well.

[00:02:03] This is an off-season training thing. We haven't even met yet in Newark and we're going to be without Luke Hughes for basically a quarter of the season.

[00:02:12] So they're not telling us how it happened. That's right.

[00:02:14] Just off-season training. I mean, it's a Hughes. It doesn't matter, right? Their shoulders are apparently made out of glass and this is what fucking happens.

[00:02:22] Who's that guy in Captain America movies like with the metal arms?

[00:02:27] Winter Soldier.

[00:02:27] Winter Soldier.

[00:02:28] Yeah, we need some Winter Soldier arms for both the Hughes boys.

[00:02:31] They have shoulder problems.

[00:02:34] This is ridiculous.

[00:02:35] I know.

[00:02:36] I mean, this is seriously ridiculous. Like the same thing we said last year, right? The only thing that can really upend this season is injuries.

[00:02:44] And it was the one thing that completely upended the season.

[00:02:47] You don't think Jack will get like sympathy pains for his little brother, do you?

[00:02:50] Probably.

[00:02:51] I mean, this dude played all 82 games last year.

[00:02:54] He was a really solid freshman in this system.

[00:03:00] And I was really looking forward to him getting back.

[00:03:02] And let's just hope it's more towards the four weeks and not the eight weeks.

[00:03:07] But like at least there is silver lining, right?

[00:03:12] You know, we try and find a little bit of silver lining in any bad thing.

[00:03:15] We are much deeper on the blue line than we were last year.

[00:03:18] Right.

[00:03:19] So who steps in?

[00:03:21] Is it Hataka?

[00:03:23] Is it – what's his name?

[00:03:26] Kordosovic?

[00:03:27] Kordosovic, yeah.

[00:03:28] Kordosovic, whatever.

[00:03:30] Probably him, right?

[00:03:32] He seems likely.

[00:03:34] I mean, either way, maybe it's by committee.

[00:03:36] You know, we got a few guys that can step in.

[00:03:38] I'd just be interested to see how the pairings really work because whatever it's going to be is going to be temporary.

[00:03:43] And we all kind of agreed on the basic format of, you know, those three defensive pairings.

[00:03:49] So this is definitely going to throw a wrinkle into it.

[00:03:52] Oh, big time.

[00:03:53] I mean, you're talking about an entire training camp of Pesci and Luke Hughes, you know, mending together, melding together, playing well together, learning each other's tendencies and stuff.

[00:04:02] That's gone now.

[00:04:05] And it sucks.

[00:04:07] It just sucks.

[00:04:09] Yeah.

[00:04:10] I think we should be able to overcome it.

[00:04:11] I mean, thank God, you know, we got Dougie back.

[00:04:13] So we got that presence is still going to be there.

[00:04:17] Dougie, arguably a better presence for the power play, you know, than Luke was, at least for now, you can say.

[00:04:22] But the threat of having them both was just so awesome.

[00:04:25] So we'll just have to deal.

[00:04:27] Yeah.

[00:04:27] Keep your head above water for the first 12 games or so.

[00:04:31] And then I would say preseason, we're going to see, you know, a lot of looks at who might pair with Hamilton.

[00:04:37] And, you know, my gut, I would, I don't know, I like Hitaka's play a lot.

[00:04:41] You know, I got to think about who's what side.

[00:04:43] I'm trying to remember.

[00:04:44] But, yeah.

[00:04:46] I mean, yeah, I like Hitaka too.

[00:04:48] And I don't know much about the kid that we got from Montreal.

[00:04:53] Right.

[00:04:53] So I'd be interested to see him.

[00:04:55] Yeah.

[00:04:55] But, yeah, this is, it's too early for this shit.

[00:04:58] Like you said, they haven't even put skates on yet.

[00:05:02] We have gotten to the point now that they're just getting injured, you know, doing their daily chores.

[00:05:08] Right?

[00:05:08] Yeah.

[00:05:09] Our pets' heads are falling off.

[00:05:10] Like, it's a little bit like that.

[00:05:12] Right?

[00:05:12] Yep.

[00:05:13] Pretty much.

[00:05:14] I'm so disappointed in this.

[00:05:17] Yeah, it's a tough one.

[00:05:19] Oh, boy.

[00:05:20] But what about the new chick?

[00:05:22] Let's talk about her.

[00:05:24] Let's.

[00:05:24] Yeah.

[00:05:24] So we got our new booth girl, right?

[00:05:26] We got, her name is Rachel Herzog.

[00:05:28] What was wrong with Erica?

[00:05:30] Why is she better than Erica, Bob?

[00:05:31] Oh, I don't know that she's better than Erica.

[00:05:33] This person is younger.

[00:05:34] She's a sports anchor and reporter from Fargo, North Dakota.

[00:05:39] You know where Erica was from?

[00:05:41] New Jersey.

[00:05:42] Yeah.

[00:05:43] Yeah.

[00:05:43] Just saying.

[00:05:44] I hear you.

[00:05:45] Perfect fit.

[00:05:46] Listen, she's got a mass communication degree from St. Cloud State University, Minnesota,

[00:05:52] where she also played four years.

[00:05:53] St. Cloud State's the fucking Ocean County College of Minnesota.

[00:05:56] So I don't want to hear that bullshit.

[00:05:59] Talking St. Cloud State.

[00:06:01] Listen, if it makes you feel any better, she has four years of Vision One hockey under her

[00:06:06] belt.

[00:06:06] She enjoys surfing, backgammon, and men who aren't afraid to cry.

[00:06:09] Along once on the beach.

[00:06:11] And she's a goddamn smoke show.

[00:06:12] So at least we got that going for us.

[00:06:15] She's still super hot.

[00:06:16] You know, I still feel like it's a consolation prize, but I'm willing to give it a chance.

[00:06:20] I'm willing to watch her.

[00:06:22] She's got to prove it.

[00:06:24] We talked about Mercer's prove it contract.

[00:06:26] This is her prove it deal.

[00:06:27] Indeed.

[00:06:28] Because I miss Erica.

[00:06:30] Now, Dan, you still having some trouble here?

[00:06:33] You are.

[00:06:35] Last about one second.

[00:06:37] Yeah, you want to get a shot?

[00:06:37] Yeah, you want to bounce off and come right back?

[00:06:40] Yeah.

[00:06:40] And hopefully we'll be okay.

[00:06:42] I don't know why he's lagging like that.

[00:06:44] I'm a restart machine, so it might be a minute.

[00:06:46] All right.

[00:06:47] Well, we're not going anywhere.

[00:06:48] We'll be right here when you get back.

[00:06:50] So, yeah, I just, you know, I'm only busting balls.

[00:06:55] Of course.

[00:06:55] I mean, I hope she does well.

[00:06:56] I hope she's good.

[00:06:58] But I just, I don't understand.

[00:06:59] Like, was Erica just asking for like some, like, Igor Shostakovich type money?

[00:07:04] Like, I just, I don't, I don't understand it.

[00:07:08] I mean, it couldn't have been so astronomical that she wasn't worth it because all the viewers,

[00:07:15] you know, enjoyed what she did.

[00:07:16] She was great at what she did.

[00:07:17] So, it doesn't really make any sense.

[00:07:19] This is definitely, you know what this screams to me?

[00:07:20] It almost screams like corporate America where it's like, well, okay, you know, you were making

[00:07:23] X.

[00:07:24] We can get a younger person in to make Y and shave a couple dollars.

[00:07:27] That's what it really feels like.

[00:07:28] Not that this person is completely qualified.

[00:07:29] And again, you know, smoke show.

[00:07:30] So, we got that going for us.

[00:07:31] What you're trying to say is a DUI hire, Bob?

[00:07:33] Is this what you're trying to deal with here?

[00:07:35] Oh, no.

[00:07:35] No, I'm not going that far.

[00:07:36] You know, this is-

[00:07:37] Say more of a CFO hire.

[00:07:39] This is twice that you referred to this young woman as a smoke show.

[00:07:43] Yeah, she's very attractive.

[00:07:44] Right.

[00:07:45] Yes, she's attractive.

[00:07:47] Erica was attractive too.

[00:07:48] Extremely.

[00:07:49] A little bit demeaning to be calling them a smoke show.

[00:07:51] Is it?

[00:07:52] A little bit.

[00:07:52] I feel like it's a compliment.

[00:07:54] Very attractive.

[00:07:55] You know.

[00:07:58] So, no.

[00:07:59] I didn't say smoke and mirrors.

[00:08:00] Or is it smoke shows?

[00:08:02] You know, I hope she does good.

[00:08:05] She's got some hockey background, right?

[00:08:08] Yes.

[00:08:08] So, you know, that should be good.

[00:08:09] So, we wish her well.

[00:08:11] And we are seriously-

[00:08:12] I mean, training camp starts in what?

[00:08:15] Next week?

[00:08:16] Yeah.

[00:08:16] Yeah.

[00:08:17] So, I mean, this is-

[00:08:19] Rookies are there.

[00:08:19] Ice is down.

[00:08:21] I haven't seen the ice.

[00:08:23] Yeah.

[00:08:24] How's it look?

[00:08:25] Do we-

[00:08:25] It looks great.

[00:08:26] Anything different?

[00:08:26] No.

[00:08:27] No.

[00:08:27] Not that I can do.

[00:08:28] You know, I didn't study it.

[00:08:29] But just a little hype video they put out, which was really great.

[00:08:32] But, you know, it does make you wonder, though, and we've talked about it pretty much every

[00:08:36] show, why we're not dealing with a Mercer contract yet.

[00:08:42] Do you have reasons to believe why we're not?

[00:08:45] No.

[00:08:45] Well, and that's exactly why I wanted to bring it up again, because we went into it at length

[00:08:50] a few times during the show and earlier shows.

[00:08:54] And I think it was sometime maybe last week or the week before.

[00:08:56] I was at the gym.

[00:08:57] I saw a little article pop up.

[00:08:59] I sent it to you.

[00:09:00] Yeah.

[00:09:00] And whoever they were, I don't remember, but they were hockey analysts.

[00:09:04] They were smart people.

[00:09:05] And they went on to say what is likely the type of contract that he would need.

[00:09:12] And it was somewhere in the neighborhood of the two years at 3-7 each, and then maybe a

[00:09:16] third year, sprinkle up a little top to like $4 million to make it look good before he

[00:09:21] comes out of that and is ready for his next big contract.

[00:09:23] Very similar to the contracts that we've spoke of many times before that.

[00:09:29] Why I sent it to you was because of how similar it was that we talked about.

[00:09:35] Right.

[00:09:35] And it wasn't because I'm suggesting, hey, we thought of this first.

[00:09:39] Quite the contrary.

[00:09:40] Also, it wasn't because it's like, oh, we're geniuses.

[00:09:43] Look at this.

[00:09:43] Yeah, we said it too.

[00:09:45] No.

[00:09:45] The reason I sent it to you is because it's like, you know it.

[00:09:49] I know it.

[00:09:50] Those analysts know it.

[00:09:51] All the fans know it.

[00:09:52] This is the type of contract that makes sense and needs to get done.

[00:09:55] So now I'm really starting to get worried why it's not simply done.

[00:09:58] Give or take a few hundred thousand each way.

[00:10:00] Everybody knows this is where it needs to be, including his agent and him.

[00:10:04] So I'm getting more nervous as I think about it.

[00:10:08] Well, you got it.

[00:10:09] I don't necessarily agree with about 99% of what you just said.

[00:10:13] And this is what I don't agree with.

[00:10:15] You said it's a contract that we all know is fair and is probably the best deal.

[00:10:23] And Tom Fitzgerald and everybody there.

[00:10:25] But apparently Dawson Mercer doesn't.

[00:10:28] So apparently, because I would think that if Dawson Mercer came up to Tom Fitzgerald's office today and said,

[00:10:34] you want to give me two years at 3.7, I'll sign on the dotted line right now.

[00:10:38] The deal would be done because I think that Fitzgerald would jump at that.

[00:10:41] It's a fair deal.

[00:10:42] So why is it not getting done?

[00:10:44] Because Dawson Mercer is looking for either more money or more term.

[00:10:47] And I would probably guess that term is the issue.

[00:10:54] Maybe he wants four.

[00:10:56] But this deal seems like a deal if that's the reported deal, right?

[00:11:00] Two years, 3.7 and a little bit more on a third year at around four.

[00:11:05] That's what's projected.

[00:11:07] Yeah, the analyst assumptive deal.

[00:11:08] Right.

[00:11:09] So this is a projected deal.

[00:11:10] It's a fair deal.

[00:11:12] I mean, I don't understand why.

[00:11:13] If I was Mercer, I would jump at that because it's giving me two to three years before I can go and actually get a big payday if I prove it.

[00:11:22] So I don't know.

[00:11:23] And if I said one of the last shows, I don't feel like Mercer is the type of guy that would hold out.

[00:11:29] I feel like push comes to shove.

[00:11:31] Last minute, he's going to say, I want to get in this.

[00:11:32] Let's make it happen.

[00:11:33] So again, I'm wondering, is this an agent thing playing that whole hold off a little bit longer?

[00:11:39] We're going to make it work.

[00:11:40] And at what point do they make it work?

[00:11:42] Like, it's just getting scary.

[00:11:45] I think you worry if training camp opens, even if it's just fitness, you know, physicals and whatever opens and he's not there, then start to get worried.

[00:11:57] Okay.

[00:11:57] We have what's today's date?

[00:11:59] The 12th.

[00:12:00] So actually we have like what?

[00:12:01] Three days until they report.

[00:12:04] Yeah.

[00:12:05] Maybe Sunday or Monday that they report for physicals.

[00:12:08] So if the deal is not done by over the weekend, I think it's time to worry.

[00:12:12] Yeah.

[00:12:13] How do we seem to you now, Dan?

[00:12:15] Better.

[00:12:16] Let's go with that.

[00:12:16] Okay.

[00:12:17] Better is good.

[00:12:18] Yeah.

[00:12:19] You have any thoughts on the Mercer deal?

[00:12:21] Yeah, I know.

[00:12:22] I largely agree with what you're saying there.

[00:12:24] I mean, the excuse.

[00:12:27] I'm hearing you, but you're not hearing me, huh?

[00:12:30] No good.

[00:12:31] Now we are.

[00:12:32] Okay.

[00:12:33] Yeah.

[00:12:33] Yeah.

[00:12:33] I mean, at least you guys aren't freezing up on me, but I don't know how clear I'm coming over.

[00:12:37] But, you know, I'll keep going until you tell me it's not working out.

[00:12:40] I would tell you that like the agent excuse only goes so far.

[00:12:44] You know, in the end, the agent's got to make the deal if he wants to.

[00:12:48] So we'll see.

[00:12:49] I mean.

[00:12:49] And the agent works for Mercer, right?

[00:12:51] So, I mean, in the end, it's Mercer that makes the fucking decision.

[00:12:55] Ultimately, it's up to him.

[00:12:55] Now, we don't really know the terms that, you know, for real what's going on.

[00:12:59] You just get these reports.

[00:13:01] But, you know, if he wants longer term, I mean, he could get it.

[00:13:07] I think Mercer will give it, but probably not at the value he wants.

[00:13:10] You know, you can't give him that kind of value on the back end when you don't know what's there.

[00:13:15] So, I mean, definitely it's a bridge deal situation.

[00:13:18] He wants an extra long bridge.

[00:13:21] Fine.

[00:13:21] But, you know, I don't think it would serve him either.

[00:13:24] You know, so I do feel like in the end, it's about lump sum money even more than term.

[00:13:30] But, you know, we're just speculating as we do.

[00:13:33] Now we lost him.

[00:13:35] Damn it.

[00:13:37] And you guys look good to me.

[00:13:38] I don't know.

[00:13:38] Yeah, you're gone.

[00:13:39] In and out.

[00:13:40] All right.

[00:13:41] I might.

[00:13:41] Oh, okay.

[00:13:42] Now he's back.

[00:13:44] What's different this time is you guys never go out on them.

[00:13:47] But I guess I'm going out on you.

[00:13:50] I think we're okay.

[00:13:50] We're going to.

[00:13:51] We're going to.

[00:13:51] We'll be okay.

[00:13:52] I think we can make it through this.

[00:13:53] I have a quick question before we get into tonight's stuff.

[00:13:57] Is there a devil player on this roster right now?

[00:14:01] Like, who do you think has an opportunity to really step up this year as kind of that unsung hero role?

[00:14:14] Like, you know, is there anybody on this roster that you think?

[00:14:18] And then also comparatively, is there anybody on this roster that you maybe think is playing for something?

[00:14:25] Like they're playing to stay here, playing to keep their job, playing to stay in the NHL.

[00:14:29] Is there any one of those players?

[00:14:30] I'm just curious.

[00:14:33] So, Dan, you could start.

[00:14:35] I would think, you know what?

[00:14:36] We might see that from some of the new acquisitions.

[00:14:39] You know, I'm thinking Cotter might turn out to be a guy like that because he seems like that's his role.

[00:14:44] I got Cotter out of that.

[00:14:45] Yeah, Cotter.

[00:14:46] What is going on with this connection?

[00:14:48] Everything sounds fine.

[00:14:49] You know what?

[00:14:49] I might just, you know, I don't know what else to do.

[00:14:53] I've done pulled all the tricks out.

[00:14:54] Repeat what you were saying.

[00:14:55] Cotter.

[00:14:56] Just repeat what you were saying about Cotter.

[00:14:58] Yeah, I just think that he has that potential personality.

[00:15:02] And his spot is definitely not solidified.

[00:15:04] So I'm looking at something like that, you know.

[00:15:07] You know, our top two lines, I think that, yeah, they can have big years.

[00:15:10] But I don't think they're, like, fighting to keep their jobs.

[00:15:14] You know, you might see some people who are fan favorites, like Lazar, come at much harder.

[00:15:19] Because he's actually got more competition.

[00:15:21] He's one of the few guys that was bringing grit.

[00:15:24] And now that we've had some more guys who do that, so he might have a banner year.

[00:15:29] You know, I could see that.

[00:15:31] Those are the top two that pop in my mind.

[00:15:33] Fair enough.

[00:15:34] There could be others, yeah.

[00:15:35] Bobby, how about you?

[00:15:37] It's funny because we just talked about the contract situation.

[00:15:39] But I still consider Mercer, you know, on this roster.

[00:15:43] And I think he's one of them.

[00:15:44] I think that we're still hearing on all the talk shows,

[00:15:48] is, oh, the Devils look great.

[00:15:50] So excited to see them.

[00:15:51] The one thing they still didn't do was go out and get that last scoring winger.

[00:15:55] And I feel like that makes it something for Mercer to prove.

[00:15:58] Because, again, two years ago we got 27 goals.

[00:16:00] I've been on record saying, I believe this guy's a 30-goal scorer right now.

[00:16:04] So we don't need to get somebody else.

[00:16:05] So there's him.

[00:16:06] And, again, my heart of hearts, he's going to be on the team.

[00:16:08] He'll be on the opening day roster.

[00:16:10] And the other one's no one foot.

[00:16:12] I think he's got a push to make the team.

[00:16:15] And I think it's pretty important for him to show that he can stay with this team

[00:16:20] to avoid maybe a transaction.

[00:16:23] Like it's either at some point we're so full,

[00:16:26] if you're not kind of in the big picture, then you become an asset to move.

[00:16:30] And I think this is a guy we need to keep.

[00:16:32] Excellent.

[00:16:33] I agree.

[00:16:33] He's definitely going to have a very important training camp as far as his career goes

[00:16:39] and the trajectory of that career.

[00:16:40] His training camp does mean a lot to him.

[00:16:42] I'm with Dan on the players that could end up surprising you with Curtis Lazar.

[00:16:47] And we all know what Curtis Lazar brings.

[00:16:49] But now with the team depth and how it's laid out,

[00:16:51] he might be a guy that pops up 20 goals.

[00:16:54] You know, he could be that guy that just, you know,

[00:16:58] you go back and look at certain players like, you know,

[00:17:03] John Madden kind of type.

[00:17:04] I mean, he fits a lot of that role, a lot of, you know, intangibles.

[00:17:10] But the guy that's to me playing for his job to stay here is Nate Bastion.

[00:17:15] Oh, good call.

[00:17:16] Yeah.

[00:17:16] Good call.

[00:17:16] Yeah.

[00:17:17] I think that Nate Bastion has a lot to prove,

[00:17:20] especially talking about that fourth line where we have five or six guys

[00:17:24] that can come in and play down there just as well as Nate.

[00:17:28] Nate, I think he's the guy injury last year.

[00:17:31] We didn't show a whole lot.

[00:17:33] Like this is a big year for Bastion if he's going to be part of this.

[00:17:36] How are you going to separate yourself from the pack?

[00:17:38] What's going to make your game that much more valuable than any of the other

[00:17:41] four guys who are waiting to take your spot?

[00:17:42] That's a great call.

[00:17:43] Last person from the BMW line.

[00:17:46] You know, now it's time to turn the page and show value elsewhere.

[00:17:49] That's right.

[00:17:50] That was, who was the other guy?

[00:17:52] Bastion Wood and who am I missing?

[00:17:55] Some face-off guy.

[00:17:55] Oh, I forgot.

[00:17:57] You don't think about him anymore.

[00:17:58] I completely seriously forgot that he was fucking.

[00:18:01] I thought you were joking.

[00:18:01] Yeah.

[00:18:02] No, I wasn't.

[00:18:04] Blacked it out.

[00:18:05] I did.

[00:18:05] I did.

[00:18:06] It was effective for a while.

[00:18:09] Yeah.

[00:18:10] I mean, look, I'm going to be honest.

[00:18:12] When it comes to Michael McCloud, this team is perfect for him.

[00:18:17] I mean, if none of this shit went down,

[00:18:19] he makes us a lot stronger this year having him.

[00:18:22] He was a heck of a player.

[00:18:23] A horrible fucking human being if all this shit is true.

[00:18:27] But he was a heck of a player.

[00:18:28] Yep.

[00:18:29] And we could separate the two.

[00:18:32] You know, I mean, there's, he's the only one.

[00:18:35] They were talking about this actually on NHL radio like a week or so ago.

[00:18:38] He's like been steadfast with his denial of this.

[00:18:45] He is claiming innocent.

[00:18:47] And he says, you know, when we go to court, you will see I did nothing wrong.

[00:18:51] And he is steadfast in that.

[00:18:54] So I would like nothing better than for him not to be involved with this.

[00:18:57] You know, we hear reports through media.

[00:19:00] We are not in the court and the court case doesn't happen.

[00:19:03] So you can pull for that.

[00:19:04] I also think I don't blame the devils for, you know, saying you're not playing under these circumstances.

[00:19:11] So, you know, were he to be vindicated and somehow become part of this team, I would love it.

[00:19:15] Yeah.

[00:19:15] Like you said, I love a player.

[00:19:17] Nobody better on face-offs could totally use him.

[00:19:21] But yeah.

[00:19:21] And that's huge.

[00:19:22] That was even a huge issue for the devils in 2003.

[00:19:28] And so how about we dive into a couple of the games from 2003 and then we will have a couple of articles.

[00:19:36] I'm curious.

[00:19:37] I want to get you guys.

[00:19:42] I forgot what I was saying.

[00:19:43] A couple of years ago.

[00:19:45] Amazing, right?

[00:19:46] Isn't that incredible?

[00:19:48] 21 years ago.

[00:19:48] We go back to the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

[00:19:53] May 31st, 2003, 8 p.m.

[00:19:59] Attendance, 17,174.

[00:20:02] The referees were Bill McCreary and Dan Morelli.

[00:20:05] Linesman Brad Lazarowich and Mark Wheeler.

[00:20:09] Nobody cares about them then.

[00:20:10] Nobody cares about them now.

[00:20:13] Bobby, this is all you, brother.

[00:20:16] Yeah.

[00:20:16] So we're going to go through three games today.

[00:20:18] So we're going to do it a little more rapidly than we normally do because there's a couple losses in here.

[00:20:22] We want to end with a win.

[00:20:24] So coming into this game three in California, remember Brodeur hadn't let up a goal yet.

[00:20:29] And he also didn't let up a goal all the way through the first period.

[00:20:32] It wasn't until 339 of the second period where Mark Chouinard, if I'm saying that right, he ended the streak.

[00:20:39] He was a fourth line guy, of course, that did it right.

[00:20:42] So, you know, you go at seven periods of hockey and it's a fourth line guy that does it, which is typical of the playoffs.

[00:20:47] Kind of a broken play, just a kind of a routine save from Marty.

[00:20:50] He played it out.

[00:20:51] Somebody kept it in at the point, threw it back to the net, you know, bang, bang, and it's in.

[00:20:56] Nothing anybody did particularly wrong.

[00:20:58] You know, this team was eventually going to score on you anyway.

[00:21:02] It didn't last too long.

[00:21:04] 14-02 of the second period.

[00:21:06] David Elias got one from Langenbrunner and Pandolfo.

[00:21:10] Really?

[00:21:11] I got Rafalski on this.

[00:21:12] Do you?

[00:21:13] Yeah.

[00:21:14] This is disputed.

[00:21:16] You saw the goal, so I didn't see it.

[00:21:17] Yeah.

[00:21:18] Yeah, 14-02.

[00:21:19] Patrick Elias is fourth of the playoffs from Jamie Langenbrunner and Brian Rafalski I have.

[00:21:23] But that's fine.

[00:21:25] Yeah, so this was just a lot of devil's pressure.

[00:21:28] Corner to corner, they were dealing with the puck.

[00:21:31] Basically, it came out.

[00:21:32] Langenbrunner made a nice overpass to Elias.

[00:21:35] He just kind of banked it off.

[00:21:38] He had to go down in one leg.

[00:21:39] It was a pretty play.

[00:21:40] It was right in the slot to score that.

[00:21:42] So that tied the game there.

[00:21:43] Did he roof it?

[00:21:45] No, I think it was on the ice.

[00:21:47] I think it was like five hole.

[00:21:49] This, unfortunately, I couldn't find clips per game.

[00:21:52] I can only find kind of condensed games.

[00:21:55] They weren't even doing like the replay where you can actually dissect it.

[00:21:59] Every play, I literally had like the three seconds it took.

[00:22:02] So some of this, I might have missed some of the detail.

[00:22:05] But let's see.

[00:22:06] That tie, though, didn't last long, did it?

[00:22:09] No, that tie didn't last long.

[00:22:10] So Ozone's at 1447, right, from Jaeger.

[00:22:15] Now, this is the flub of the playoffs.

[00:22:18] So we're talking about Martin Brodeur, probably the greatest goaltender to ever play.

[00:22:22] At least in our minds, he definitely is.

[00:22:24] This was simply a soft dump from the blue line.

[00:22:26] It wasn't even on the net.

[00:22:28] Brodeur came out of the crease.

[00:22:30] Oddly tried to put his stick down to kind of angle it.

[00:22:33] And he literally just dropped his stick so freakishly.

[00:22:36] And the way that he dropped his stick, it was angled in the ice so that that puck literally

[00:22:40] banked off it and just trickled right in to the goal.

[00:22:44] The strangest goal I've ever seen by the best goaltender I've ever seen.

[00:22:47] Not only the best goaltender, best stick handler, puck handler, goaltender that ever played the game.

[00:22:52] It wasn't even like he was going to stick.

[00:22:54] I don't know what he was doing.

[00:22:55] He crossed himself up laying his stick down as opposed to kind of playing it with a blade

[00:22:59] like he normally would.

[00:23:00] Did he ever talk about that goal?

[00:23:02] You guys know?

[00:23:02] Is there ever any explanation?

[00:23:04] I don't remember that ever coming up.

[00:23:07] Yeah, I'm sure.

[00:23:08] You know, if this went the other way, that would have haunted him forever.

[00:23:12] Right.

[00:23:12] Now, thank God this guy recovers quickly.

[00:23:14] But this one bugged him.

[00:23:16] You could see it in his face.

[00:23:17] And I think you could tell at this time that this was not our game because that was just so freakishly bad.

[00:23:24] Let me throw a completely reckless, speculatory question your way.

[00:23:28] Do it.

[00:23:28] He had money on it.

[00:23:29] No.

[00:23:29] If Marty Brodeur doesn't flub that puck and have that awful goal, does he win the Conn Smythe?

[00:23:40] Like, was that a bridge too far?

[00:23:42] Was that the thing that said, I have these guys neck and neck through the entire series up to this game seven?

[00:23:49] These guys have been battling one guy one night.

[00:23:52] But what did Jaguar not do?

[00:23:54] He didn't flub the big fucking play and cause a goal.

[00:23:57] Also got an assist on the play.

[00:23:59] Yeah.

[00:23:59] That should have been an own goal.

[00:24:00] And remember, we talked about when they do this.

[00:24:03] You said it was after game six, or at least once there was a Stanley Cup clinching scenario, right?

[00:24:07] Right.

[00:24:08] So that would be game six.

[00:24:09] So prelude to the next game where Jaguar finally gets a shutout.

[00:24:15] We'll get to that.

[00:24:15] So you got the flub by Brodeur, which arguably is maybe the reason they lost this game.

[00:24:20] And then the next game they get shut out by Jiggy.

[00:24:23] So that's fresh in your mind.

[00:24:24] I don't know.

[00:24:24] Maybe.

[00:24:25] I hate to think that because we still all agree that it couldn't have helped.

[00:24:28] It was bullshit.

[00:24:28] Right.

[00:24:29] It couldn't have helped.

[00:24:29] And this is the goal that the momentum firmly started switching to Anaheim.

[00:24:34] Well, let's also be realistic.

[00:24:36] Every single person that would watch that would know this is an absolute fluke, non-Broaddoor-like situation.

[00:24:43] It doesn't describe who he is as a goaltender.

[00:24:46] So it probably shouldn't have helped.

[00:24:47] But, you know, it's in the back of their heads.

[00:24:49] Just throwing it out there.

[00:24:50] Just throwing it out there.

[00:24:52] Yeah.

[00:24:52] Who knows?

[00:24:52] I mean, honestly, it could have been a sweep series.

[00:24:55] You know?

[00:24:55] Yeah.

[00:24:56] You guys are going up 3-0.

[00:24:58] Agreed.

[00:24:58] Totally different series.

[00:25:00] So we move on.

[00:25:01] And Gomez gets on the board at 9-11 from Eliash and Marshall.

[00:25:06] That tied it at two.

[00:25:08] Let's see.

[00:25:09] This was just another one of these tons of devil's pressure.

[00:25:12] There was a couple of rebounds.

[00:25:13] And it wound up being a great tip by Gomez.

[00:25:16] Very close.

[00:25:17] Like, very uptight.

[00:25:17] So it wasn't just kind of your normal wide-open net.

[00:25:20] It was quite skilled.

[00:25:21] That got us 2-2.

[00:25:23] And things are looking pretty good.

[00:25:24] But it goes into overtime.

[00:25:26] And in overtime, it's...

[00:25:28] Is it Roussan Saleh?

[00:25:30] Yeah, that's it.

[00:25:31] How do you say it?

[00:25:31] Right?

[00:25:32] From Oates.

[00:25:33] And this is really interesting.

[00:25:34] This is how hockey works, right?

[00:25:36] So the Devils just had a glorious chance just before.

[00:25:39] It was kind of a partial two-on-one that didn't really connect.

[00:25:43] Because basically, I think it was Marshall or somebody.

[00:25:45] It was just in way too deep to corral the puck.

[00:25:48] So he couldn't get a clean shot off.

[00:25:50] After that, you know, Brodeur winds up just stopping a routine puck, saving it, stops the play.

[00:25:56] So there's a face-off in the zone.

[00:25:57] And this was just a perfectly clean face-off win, zone play, shoot score.

[00:26:02] And there you go.

[00:26:03] Like, overtime, we're done.

[00:26:05] So at this point, it's two games to one.

[00:26:08] And you can't help but say, maybe if this gap doesn't happen, who knows?

[00:26:13] Maybe it doesn't go to overtime.

[00:26:15] And there's solace in saying, we beat them twice handily.

[00:26:18] And now we only lost in overtime.

[00:26:21] But it does go the other way.

[00:26:22] You have a 3-0 series lead.

[00:26:25] Right.

[00:26:25] You know, you know you're winning.

[00:26:27] And this game was, New Jersey had 31 shots on Jaguar.

[00:26:32] Anaheim had 33 on Brodeur.

[00:26:35] Face-offs, the New Jersey Devils were 37% even.

[00:26:39] And the Ducks were 63%, which we discussed.

[00:26:43] Adam Oates just, I mean, on that goal.

[00:26:45] He was, at that time, like, unbeatable in face-offs.

[00:26:50] Yeah.

[00:26:50] Just the best in the world.

[00:26:52] So, yeah.

[00:26:53] So, anything else for Game 3, bud?

[00:26:55] That's it.

[00:26:56] All right.

[00:26:57] Let's do Game 4.

[00:26:59] Game 4.

[00:27:00] Do-do-do-do-do-do.

[00:27:03] Is June 2nd, 2003.

[00:27:06] Back at the Honda Center.

[00:27:07] Same attendance.

[00:27:08] 17,174.

[00:27:10] Different referees and different linesmen.

[00:27:12] But we're not going to talk about it.

[00:27:13] I'm sorry.

[00:27:13] Nope, the linesmen are the same.

[00:27:15] The referees are different.

[00:27:16] All right, Pee.

[00:27:17] Go for it.

[00:27:18] All right.

[00:27:19] So, listen.

[00:27:19] There's actually not too much to talk about in this game.

[00:27:22] For five periods.

[00:27:23] This was a defensive game.

[00:27:24] This was shots were even 26-26.

[00:27:27] Oh, wait.

[00:27:28] Hang on.

[00:27:28] Can I interrupt real quick?

[00:27:29] Sure.

[00:27:30] On Game 3, just the three stars of the game were Paulson, center for Anaheim.

[00:27:39] No goals, no assists.

[00:27:40] Must have had a good game, though.

[00:27:41] He was the third assist.

[00:27:42] Second assist is Marty Brodeur, who had 30 saves with a 9-0-9 save percentage.

[00:27:47] And Roussan Saleh, of course, get the game-winner goal from Anaheim.

[00:27:50] He was the first star.

[00:27:52] That's funny.

[00:27:52] Is that somebody being cute?

[00:27:53] Because he kind of had an own goal, so they gave him an assist, a star, rather?

[00:27:59] I mean...

[00:27:59] Yeah, I'm wondering.

[00:28:00] Can you be like a second and a third star?

[00:28:02] You'd be like, second star for Anaheim and a third star for the Devils?

[00:28:05] Right?

[00:28:05] I don't know.

[00:28:05] It's kind of odd that he was a star.

[00:28:07] He had more shots, more saves, so I'm not surprised.

[00:28:10] All in all, he had a good performance.

[00:28:12] And maybe just, I don't know, Patrick Elias, right?

[00:28:15] He had two points that night.

[00:28:17] Maybe the third star could have gone to him, or somebody on the Ducks usually always goes

[00:28:20] to, A, the winning team.

[00:28:22] You know, he always usually gets it.

[00:28:24] But Brodeur got in the three stars as a loser, I think, a lot.

[00:28:29] That's an interesting stat.

[00:28:31] It is.

[00:28:31] It is interesting.

[00:28:32] Who has the most stars in a losing effort in games?

[00:28:36] I'm going to look that up in a minute.

[00:28:37] All right, buddy.

[00:28:39] Goalies are frequently, you know, looked at when, at the losing team, because usually they're

[00:28:43] being outshot, and, you know, they'll get a little attention for that.

[00:28:47] But who has the most?

[00:28:48] That's what I want to know.

[00:28:49] Good question.

[00:28:49] Yeah, that's an interesting stat.

[00:28:52] But, so, you know, game four, again, we've seen kind of two fairly dominant games by the

[00:28:58] Devils.

[00:28:59] The overtime loss that just happened, momentum coming back on the Ducks side, but it was

[00:29:04] a long defensive battle.

[00:29:05] Two teams playing a similar style.

[00:29:06] Again, shots were 26 each, and there was no goals through regulation.

[00:29:11] So at this point, you're looking at Brodeur's got three, six, nine periods of no goals,

[00:29:16] at least, a 10, because the first period of the last game, so 10 periods of no goals

[00:29:20] going into game four.

[00:29:24] However, it only took the first overtime for Steve Thomas to get a goal.

[00:29:30] I don't recall it exactly.

[00:29:31] I think it was from the point.

[00:29:33] Maybe it was clear.

[00:29:34] Steve Thomas, it was only his third, and he was actually, you know, brought there, you

[00:29:38] know, for a reason to help win, but it broke through.

[00:29:41] So at this point, there's not much more to go over in this game, but think about this,

[00:29:46] right?

[00:29:46] Like Dan, you kind of alluded to.

[00:29:47] Now, we won the first two.

[00:29:49] We lost the second two in overtime, especially a one, like a one-nothing game.

[00:29:53] This could have gone either way.

[00:29:54] We very easily could have swept this series.

[00:29:57] No doubt.

[00:29:57] Yes.

[00:29:58] Absolutely.

[00:29:59] And it brings us to the fun of game five.

[00:30:03] Well, let's clean up game four first.

[00:30:05] Shots on goal.

[00:30:06] New Jersey had 26.

[00:30:08] The Ducks had 26.

[00:30:09] Even across the board, face-offs again, the Ducks dominated at 62.5%.

[00:30:13] The Devils, 37.5%.

[00:30:15] The three stars of that game were number third star, Marty Brodeur, 25 saves and a 962 save

[00:30:23] percentage.

[00:30:24] Jean-Sebastien Jiguer, the second star with 26 saves and a perfect save percentage.

[00:30:29] And Steve Thomas gets the game winner.

[00:30:32] Those are your three stars of the game.

[00:30:34] And actually, I did lie.

[00:30:36] I did make detail of this goal because it was a pretty play by Thomas.

[00:30:40] Thomas was coming down the right wing boards fairly fast.

[00:30:44] He crosses over the blue line and did a real nice stop and start.

[00:30:47] Just kind of threw the play off balance.

[00:30:49] And then there wind up being like two passes.

[00:30:52] There was a pass through the slot.

[00:30:53] There was a shot saved by Brodeur.

[00:30:55] It was a decent save, but the rebound was just a little bit too long.

[00:30:59] And that just gave Thomas enough time to come back right back to the middle of the slot

[00:31:02] and kind of buried over Brodeur's right glove.

[00:31:05] So it was a very pretty play by a skilled guy.

[00:31:09] So it wasn't just, you know, a cheap old overtime goal.

[00:31:12] Very nice.

[00:31:13] Now, we just came off of, you know, a 1-0 shutout overtime win, right?

[00:31:22] Defensive goaltender effort.

[00:31:23] Same in game three, right?

[00:31:25] It's a 3-2 low scoring overtime win.

[00:31:27] So you're expecting this throughout the playoffs, right?

[00:31:30] You're expecting this throughout the series.

[00:31:31] These goalies are just too good.

[00:31:33] And then game five happens.

[00:31:35] And this game was awesome.

[00:31:37] This is June 5, 2003 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

[00:31:44] Attendance is 19,040.

[00:31:47] Bobby, what do you got for game five?

[00:31:49] So it's first period.

[00:31:51] You're the Devils.

[00:31:51] You definitely want to come out strong.

[00:31:53] You were up two.

[00:31:54] Now you're even.

[00:31:55] You probably want to score the first goal.

[00:31:58] Well, Peter Sikora had other ideas.

[00:31:59] Our old friend Peter Sikora is coming in here trying to put all the doubt in our heads.

[00:32:03] He scores first from Oates.

[00:32:05] 42 seconds in.

[00:32:06] 42 seconds in.

[00:32:08] That's a little bit of a shocker.

[00:32:10] You got to admit, I would love to pick the Devils brains on this one.

[00:32:13] Like, what are you thinking at that very moment?

[00:32:14] Don't give me the macho bullshit.

[00:32:16] Like, what are you literally thinking?

[00:32:18] But they didn't have to wait too long because at 335, Pascal Riome, his first of the playoffs.

[00:32:25] And this guy was a pretty interesting part of the team that year.

[00:32:29] Kind of that role player guy.

[00:32:31] You weren't expecting a ton of goals, but he did other things for you.

[00:32:34] But you also weren't expecting no goals.

[00:32:36] Right?

[00:32:36] So, for him to get on the board, this is extremely timely.

[00:32:40] It was from Stevenson and Breeland.

[00:32:42] So, that ties up the game.

[00:32:44] IZOD Center is going nuts.

[00:32:46] And you notice, real quick, like, Anaheim had done a really good job after the first two games with shutting Friesen down.

[00:32:51] Yes.

[00:32:52] He has been extremely quiet in these last couple of games.

[00:32:55] So, let's see where he ends up.

[00:32:57] So, we wind up on the power play.

[00:33:00] And at 745, we're still in the first period.

[00:33:03] Ilyas gets his fifth from Rafalski and Gomez.

[00:33:08] This was a clean break out of the zone.

[00:33:11] Marshall was having a great battle behind the net.

[00:33:14] He sets up Rafalski at the right point, who makes a great pass to number 27.

[00:33:19] Oh, this is the one where it was actually the one-kneed play.

[00:33:21] Rafalski's all the way in the top right blue line and sends it through.

[00:33:25] And Ilyas was cutting across the ice, kind of right into the funnel.

[00:33:28] And he had to get down on a knee and deflect it.

[00:33:30] So, that's the beauty one that made it 2-1.

[00:33:33] And things were looking good at that point.

[00:33:35] At this point, I remember this particular goal thinking, we're back.

[00:33:38] Momentum's on our side.

[00:33:39] We're the Devils.

[00:33:40] It's 2-1.

[00:33:41] What could possibly change?

[00:33:43] Well, a lot can change in this particular game because it was very weird.

[00:33:47] Because Ruchin from Anaheim makes it 2-2.

[00:33:49] Not too long later, I don't have the time of that goal if you do, Christy.

[00:33:53] 12-50.

[00:33:53] So, okay.

[00:33:54] It was a decent amount of time later.

[00:33:56] You know, five, six minutes later.

[00:34:00] We head into the second period.

[00:34:03] And Gionta gets on the board at 3-12 from Pandolfo and Niedermeyer to make it 3-2.

[00:34:09] This was a really cool play.

[00:34:12] This is a Martin Brodeur special.

[00:34:14] That was his first goal of the season, of the playoffs, too.

[00:34:17] Oh, I don't have that down.

[00:34:18] Was it his, too?

[00:34:19] Yeah.

[00:34:20] Yeah.

[00:34:21] Brodeur made a blocker.

[00:34:23] It was a save pass.

[00:34:25] It was a simultaneous bump it with the blocker straight out to Niedermeyer.

[00:34:32] He drops it over the blue line to Gionta from the center.

[00:34:37] And Madden was pinching up.

[00:34:39] And it looked like it was going to be Madden's goal.

[00:34:41] Like, it kind of just was shot to the crease.

[00:34:43] And it just kind of bounced in.

[00:34:45] And originally, it was credited to Madden.

[00:34:46] But no, it goes in from Gionta from like an off-angle shot from the corner.

[00:34:51] But the whole play was started by Brodeur.

[00:34:53] And you could see him tracking this puck.

[00:34:56] He saw the shot coming in.

[00:34:57] He knew if I blockered this just to the angle to Niedermeyer.

[00:35:00] Niedermeyer was going 200 foot.

[00:35:02] And that's exactly what happened.

[00:35:04] So now, would you consider this a bad goal by Jaguar?

[00:35:08] I don't think it was a bad goal.

[00:35:10] Because from what I could see in the limited replay I had,

[00:35:12] it was just sloppy bang.

[00:35:14] Like, there was a lot of bodies up there.

[00:35:16] It looked like, like I said, it looked like a tip to Madden.

[00:35:18] It looked like a pass to Madden.

[00:35:19] And it actually went off an Anaheim defender.

[00:35:21] So had it got to Madden, it would have gone.

[00:35:23] I don't know.

[00:35:24] I think it probably went off a skate or something.

[00:35:26] I don't know that it was something that Jaguar could have stopped.

[00:35:28] Gotcha.

[00:35:30] At about three minutes later, Sam Polson of Anaheim ties it up for the Ducks.

[00:35:35] And we've got a crazy game.

[00:35:37] But that's about it for the Ducks on this particular day.

[00:35:41] That was his first goal in the playoffs, too.

[00:35:43] Look at that.

[00:35:44] A lot of firsts.

[00:35:45] Jay Pandolfo, his fifth.

[00:35:48] So this Jay Pandolfo, we've talked about in this show.

[00:35:51] Some of the things he's done.

[00:35:52] I know, Chris, you alluded to this series.

[00:35:54] And he was one of the leaders in points, right?

[00:35:56] Or maybe he was the last series.

[00:35:58] No, it was the last series.

[00:35:58] Last series.

[00:35:59] Yeah.

[00:35:59] He's got five goals.

[00:36:00] The same as Patrick Ilias.

[00:36:01] Just let that sink in for a second.

[00:36:02] Yeah.

[00:36:03] It's pretty impressive stuff.

[00:36:04] So Pandolfo at 9-0-2 to make it 4-3.

[00:36:09] This was actually a reviewed goal.

[00:36:11] And I believe it was the second goal reviewed of that game.

[00:36:15] Judging by the score, I do not believe the first one went our way.

[00:36:18] But this one did.

[00:36:19] He was trying to stop heading into the crease.

[00:36:22] Buck bounced off escape.

[00:36:23] But it was 100% not a kicking motion.

[00:36:25] This is not one of those goals where you can look back and say maybe, maybe.

[00:36:28] It was absolutely just a hockey play.

[00:36:31] Gotcha.

[00:36:31] So now the Devils are up 4-3.

[00:36:33] That's at the end of the second.

[00:36:34] And we're going into the third.

[00:36:36] Normally, you'd feel pretty comfortable about this.

[00:36:38] But at this point, you know, this is a wild game.

[00:36:41] Yeah.

[00:36:41] Now you think it happened.

[00:36:42] You know, that feeling.

[00:36:43] Until 5-39 of the third period where Langenbrunner gets his 10th of the playoffs from Rupp and Niedermeyer.

[00:36:52] Now, Scott Niedermeyer, no surprise here.

[00:36:55] This is another 200-foot play.

[00:36:58] Basically up the entire ice.

[00:37:00] Shoots over a nice pass to Rupp.

[00:37:02] It was a point-to-point shot.

[00:37:04] He was deflected by the Ducks.

[00:37:05] Bounced back behind the net.

[00:37:07] And then literally just comes right back out to Langenbrunner, who was crossing the slot at the perfect time.

[00:37:12] And he buries it.

[00:37:14] We're starting again to bedlam here.

[00:37:15] And he wasn't done.

[00:37:17] He wasn't done.

[00:37:18] At 12-52, he makes it 6-3, his 11th from Deonta.

[00:37:23] In this particular play, John Madden, he kept the puck in the zone twice.

[00:37:31] Langenbrunner was off the left boards, jumped to the middle.

[00:37:33] He passed up to Madden to the middle.

[00:37:35] This was a great play because Madden was kind of fighting in front of the crease.

[00:37:38] And it was kind of a light pass to Madden deeper into the slot.

[00:37:42] All Madden can do was kind of lunge at it and dive.

[00:37:45] And basically stop the puck from going to the other wall.

[00:37:49] He just barely tipped up like a cue shot.

[00:37:51] And it reset right in the funnel.

[00:37:53] And that gave Langenbrunner enough time to come back through directly behind the defender.

[00:37:57] And again, just clear it straight up through Jaguar.

[00:38:00] Bad game for Jaguar at this point, for sure.

[00:38:04] Great game for the Devils.

[00:38:06] Huge win, 6-3.

[00:38:07] And they were considerably better in metrics as well.

[00:38:10] Like Anaheim only had 23 shots on goal.

[00:38:13] New Jersey had 37.

[00:38:15] So they got the shots.

[00:38:16] They actually won face-offs.

[00:38:17] This is a first-time all series.

[00:38:19] Oh, wow.

[00:38:19] Yeah.

[00:38:19] 50.8%.

[00:38:20] The Ducks were 49.2.

[00:38:24] And, oh, don't tell me you don't have my three stars of the game.

[00:38:27] Hang on.

[00:38:29] Oh, they don't have the three stars for this one.

[00:38:31] Who would you give it to?

[00:38:32] We'll definitely give it to Jamie Langenbrunner.

[00:38:34] We get the first star.

[00:38:35] He had the game winner and one for extra.

[00:38:39] Let me see.

[00:38:42] Last game and both goaltenders were stars.

[00:38:45] That's not going to be my picks here.

[00:38:47] Brian Gianta had a three-point night.

[00:38:50] That's good.

[00:38:51] Yeah, I would give him the second star.

[00:38:54] And the third star I would give to Elias.

[00:39:02] That's what I would have done.

[00:39:03] So, yeah.

[00:39:04] And that just – now we got the series again by the balls.

[00:39:08] All we got to do is win on the road up in Anaheim, game six,

[00:39:12] and the cup is ours.

[00:39:14] We don't want to come home again, what we do, but with the Stanley Cup.

[00:39:18] Not to play the Ducks.

[00:39:19] And we will get to game six, which all the shit I just said doesn't fucking happen.

[00:39:26] And we will do that at some other time.

[00:39:28] I mean, listen.

[00:39:29] It was very recent history for the Devils where they could have closed out a series in six

[00:39:34] and didn't.

[00:39:36] 2001, right?

[00:39:36] They lost the Stanley Cup, and that's a tough one to get over.

[00:39:39] So, they definitely don't want to do that again.

[00:39:41] Every person at the time would tell you that.

[00:39:43] Dan will be on there saying we're taking nothing for granted.

[00:39:46] We're going to do it.

[00:39:47] Put it all on the table.

[00:39:48] Well, it doesn't always mean you're going to win.

[00:39:50] I think we were all filling the Colorado series.

[00:39:53] Yeah.

[00:39:53] That was definitely – but this game was so big.

[00:39:56] I mean, it's 2-2.

[00:39:57] You're going back home.

[00:39:58] You either have control of the series or you're facing elimination.

[00:40:01] They played the best game.

[00:40:03] I mean, the first two games, yeah, the shutouts were fantastic.

[00:40:07] They played great deep.

[00:40:08] But this was their best, like, overall game.

[00:40:11] You know, they beat them in face-offs.

[00:40:12] They outscored.

[00:40:13] They got scored six on Jaguer.

[00:40:15] None of these were empty netters.

[00:40:19] This was a great game.

[00:40:20] Big win.

[00:40:21] You know what, too?

[00:40:22] Like, I mean, we've given them some credit, but probably not enough for what Langenbrunner did in this series.

[00:40:28] It felt like every single time we actually needed a goal or a win, it was Langenbrunner.

[00:40:32] And no disrespect to Friesen, who got the game winner in Game 7 in Ottawa, game winner in Game 7 of this.

[00:40:38] Friesen shined in the Eastern Conference Finals.

[00:40:40] Specifically, yes.

[00:40:41] True, yeah.

[00:40:42] I'm sorry.

[00:40:43] Rupp got the game winner in Game 7 of this.

[00:40:45] Friesen got two to back them up.

[00:40:46] But Langenbrunner, I don't know that I've seen – and no offense, Claude Lemieux, right?

[00:40:50] I don't know that I've seen a devil actually carry us more through the run.

[00:40:54] Because 2,000, that's the whole A-line.

[00:40:57] You know, I can't pick them apart who I would say did better.

[00:41:00] They just had mass points.

[00:41:02] It was Langenbrunner.

[00:41:04] So when we talk about Brodeur getting burned, you know, for the Conn Smythe, I mean, Langenbrunner might have been number two.

[00:41:10] Good point.

[00:41:11] Yeah.

[00:41:11] That is a good point.

[00:41:12] Hey, everybody.

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[00:41:57] Hey, Rosino.

[00:41:58] Hey, he lives next to Jofano.

[00:42:01] I've seen Branzino, too.

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[00:42:07] Void in New Hampshire, Oregon, and Ontario.

[00:42:09] Why are Oregon and New Hampshire being like this now?

[00:42:12] Those bastards.

[00:42:13] What's up with this shit?

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[00:42:38] The crown is yours.

[00:42:39] You know, Oregon, you do have mushrooms, so maybe they don't care.

[00:42:42] Well, yeah, nobody cares enough.

[00:42:45] So why bother, right?

[00:42:46] Yeah.

[00:42:46] They're all just tripping balls and microdosing themselves to happiness.

[00:42:51] But what was the other one?

[00:42:52] Rhode Island?

[00:42:52] No.

[00:42:53] Oregon.

[00:42:54] Oregon and New Hampshire.

[00:42:55] New Hampshire.

[00:42:55] I don't know what their problem is.

[00:42:57] The granite state.

[00:42:58] No fun state.

[00:43:00] That's what I call it.

[00:43:01] That's it.

[00:43:02] Bet free or die.

[00:43:03] Speaking of happiness.

[00:43:04] Bet free or die.

[00:43:07] Final day.

[00:43:09] This show is sponsored by BetterHelp.

[00:43:11] BetterHelp.

[00:43:12] And BetterHelp wants us to start thinking about all the things that maybe we want to do.

[00:43:16] I got to learn.

[00:43:18] But we didn't.

[00:43:18] You do.

[00:43:19] I thought about this.

[00:43:19] Yes.

[00:43:20] I want to learn how to fold a fitted sheet.

[00:43:23] Oh.

[00:43:24] I don't know that there's actually a class for that.

[00:43:26] I don't know that anybody can truly teach that.

[00:43:27] Actually, Erica, she's really good at it.

[00:43:30] There's no way.

[00:43:31] Just roll it up.

[00:43:32] It's impossible.

[00:43:33] It cannot be done.

[00:43:34] You'll never guess who she learned it from.

[00:43:37] Her mother-in-law.

[00:43:38] Martha Stewart.

[00:43:40] You know, her dad's chick.

[00:43:43] Who's, you know, useless in every other way.

[00:43:45] She's got this magic way that she taught.

[00:43:48] And now, when I watch it, it's like, how did that happen?

[00:43:51] And the fitted sheet comes out.

[00:43:53] And you would think it's like a top sheet.

[00:43:54] The way how flat it is.

[00:43:56] It's incredible.

[00:43:57] Everybody has their gift.

[00:43:59] Everybody has something to give the world.

[00:44:01] This is the beautiful thing.

[00:44:02] Let me ask you, Chris.

[00:44:04] Well, I need to know.

[00:44:05] So, I need to either, you know, I need to talk to somebody here that knows how to do this.

[00:44:10] I'll put you in touch with someone.

[00:44:11] Thank you.

[00:44:11] That's what I'm trying to say.

[00:44:12] Did this curiosity start as a child and something you haven't gotten to or does this just manifest lately?

[00:44:17] It's something I've tried, of course, many times to no avail.

[00:44:20] And I just end up rolling it basically into a fucking ball until I get home from the laundromat or get it upstairs.

[00:44:25] You know, when I was living by myself, I could never freaking do it.

[00:44:28] Yep.

[00:44:30] I try.

[00:44:31] Now, I just kind of give up trying to fold it.

[00:44:34] So, but the other day I was doing laundry and I was trying to fold it again and I couldn't do it.

[00:44:39] And I just came to the conclusion that it's not, it can't be done.

[00:44:42] Yeah.

[00:44:42] It needs machines and a protractor.

[00:44:45] It looks like fresh size origami.

[00:44:46] It's amazing the way.

[00:44:47] I can't really describe it.

[00:44:49] I'm going to have to have someone teach you.

[00:44:50] Very interesting.

[00:44:51] I need to know.

[00:44:51] I'm not entirely sure that this is the type of help BetterHelp was talking about.

[00:44:54] Okay.

[00:44:55] But you do tend to lose your curiosity to learn new things as you get older.

[00:44:59] Some people just reside to rolling up the fitted sheet and not folding it at all.

[00:45:04] And that's wrong.

[00:45:05] You know, maybe you just need to speak to somebody.

[00:45:07] I want to be the best version of myself.

[00:45:09] And that version includes somebody who knows how to fold a fitted sheet.

[00:45:13] Sometimes therapy can help.

[00:45:14] You know, it's not just for the traumatic events in your life, Chris.

[00:45:18] Maybe it gets you over the hump because you can learn how to fold this fitted sheet.

[00:45:21] Yeah.

[00:45:21] If you're ever thinking about therapy.

[00:45:23] I didn't think it was mental, but it should be.

[00:45:25] You never know.

[00:45:26] There could be some kind of luck.

[00:45:27] You might find out that you were almost killed by a fitted sheet once you sit down and do this therapy.

[00:45:30] That horrible dryer incident in 79.

[00:45:32] That's why you're so upset.

[00:45:34] The cool thing about BetterHelp is that it's so convenient while you're so busy trying to figure out this fitted sheet.

[00:45:41] You can just simply go online, fill out a quick form, get matched with a licensed therapist, and that can help you get on your way to a better you.

[00:45:49] So rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp.

[00:45:52] Well, I learned how to fold a fitted sheet, Doc.

[00:45:57] Visit BetterHelp.com slash THPN today to get 10% off your first month.

[00:46:02] That's BetterHelp, H-E-L-P dot com slash THPN.

[00:46:07] And they promise not to roll their eyes when you tell them this is the kind of BetterHelp you want.

[00:46:12] That's right.

[00:46:13] All things are on the table.

[00:46:15] I got something.

[00:46:16] If no one else does, I can bring it to class.

[00:46:20] Yes.

[00:46:22] I actually have two.

[00:46:23] Tell me which one you guys want to do.

[00:46:25] There are two articles I found that were interesting, but you guys know I don't read these in advance.

[00:46:29] So five New Jersey Devils storylines to watch heading into training camp or five young NHL players who need a trade immediately.

[00:46:38] So one is just specifically on the Devils and the other ones the league.

[00:46:42] Which one do you want to do?

[00:46:43] What do you say, Bob?

[00:46:44] I'm picking the first one first.

[00:46:46] I need some more upbeat stuff.

[00:46:48] My mind is now thinking about how terrible it is to fold a fitted sheet.

[00:46:51] So I need something happy.

[00:46:52] Yeah.

[00:46:53] You know who could not fold a fitted sheet at all for at least four to eight weeks?

[00:47:00] That's how he did it.

[00:47:01] That's how he hurt himself.

[00:47:03] Oh, my God.

[00:47:03] Those shoulders.

[00:47:06] That's impossible.

[00:47:06] They really are made of glass, aren't they?

[00:47:09] Oh, boy.

[00:47:10] They did it arm wrestling, the two Qs brothers.

[00:47:13] That probably is, right?

[00:47:15] Yeah.

[00:47:16] It's only a matter of time until Quinn gets it, right?

[00:47:20] I know, right?

[00:47:21] It's just he's the only one that manages to stay healthy.

[00:47:23] I want the biggest, safest shoulder pads on these fuckers that the NHL will allow.

[00:47:27] I'm out looking like a 1978 linebacker, right?

[00:47:32] It's a way too big pad.

[00:47:33] Or something like Love and Rockets wore with big spikes on them.

[00:47:39] It looks like Rudy.

[00:47:41] Remember Lucas?

[00:47:43] Remember that movie?

[00:47:44] Oh, yes.

[00:47:45] With the big football pads on?

[00:47:47] We got to do something to protect these Hughes boys.

[00:47:50] I'm telling you, man.

[00:47:51] This is getting terrible.

[00:47:53] Five New Jersey Devils storylines to watch heading into training camp from Neil Villapiano.

[00:47:57] No.

[00:48:00] Let's see.

[00:48:01] Isn't it Nick?

[00:48:01] What?

[00:48:02] Isn't it Nick Villapiano?

[00:48:04] No, it's Neil.

[00:48:05] Oh, wow.

[00:48:06] I've been calling him by the wrong name.

[00:48:07] No wonder he doesn't call me back.

[00:48:08] Yeah.

[00:48:08] This is our boy.

[00:48:10] Devil State.

[00:48:10] The New Jersey Devils coming into this season with major aspirations.

[00:48:14] Training camp is the time to get ready for the long year ahead.

[00:48:17] Here are five storylines to keep an eye on as we welcome Devils hockey back into our lives.

[00:48:22] That's the first one.

[00:48:24] How does Keefe's system mesh with the team?

[00:48:27] Yes.

[00:48:28] Interesting.

[00:48:29] That's a good point.

[00:48:29] General Manager Tom Fitzgerald got the offseason off and running by hiring Sheldon Keefe to

[00:48:34] replace now Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff.

[00:48:36] The former Maple Leaf bench boss comes to New Jersey with a chip on his shoulder.

[00:48:40] He has plenty of regular season success with top guys putting up gaudy numbers.

[00:48:44] However, he failed at delivering a Stanley Cup to Toronto and made it out of the first

[00:48:48] round of the playoffs once.

[00:48:50] There are certainly questions whether or not Keefe has learned from his mistakes and will

[00:48:53] correct them with the Devils.

[00:48:55] The biggest thing I'm looking at with Keefe is how his system and coaching philosophy do

[00:48:59] with his new team.

[00:49:00] From a forward perspective, I'm fairly confident that Keefe will continue his success with the

[00:49:04] top guys here as he did with Austin Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Travaris.

[00:49:08] The bigger question will be with defense and goaltending.

[00:49:11] With regards to the back end, this will no doubt be the most talented defensive core Keefe has

[00:49:15] ever had at his disposal.

[00:49:17] The same can be said for goaltending as well, given the new acquisition of Markstrom.

[00:49:21] Can Keefe devise a system that will allow the Devils defensemen to be more responsible

[00:49:25] on their own end?

[00:49:26] Will he use Markstrom a lot or go more of a balanced tandem with Jake Allen?

[00:49:30] These are two big questions I have for the Devils headman.

[00:49:33] So I was actually thinking the same exact thing recently.

[00:49:37] Like this is not what's Keefe going to do with him, but this is the best defensive core

[00:49:41] that this guy's seen and definitely the best goaltender he's had.

[00:49:44] I mean, I see what Neil is writing here.

[00:49:47] I think, you know, he tried and do what he did in Toronto.

[00:49:51] Just now he has better players that can do it better.

[00:49:54] Yeah.

[00:49:55] Yeah.

[00:49:55] And special teams too, you know, like we'll see how that shakes out.

[00:49:59] But I have really high related.

[00:50:01] I think he definitely will want to activate our defensemen a lot more.

[00:50:04] I think, you know, he especially knowing that he has Markstrom back there.

[00:50:08] But I mean, I expect this team to be very responsible defensively.

[00:50:13] And the thing is, yeah, he's had a lot of high talent skill in Toronto.

[00:50:18] But if you go back to that Boston series this round, right, they were getting lit up early

[00:50:23] on in that series.

[00:50:24] And Keefe had them switch to playing a more defensive style.

[00:50:28] In those last couple of games, Toronto didn't give Boston shit.

[00:50:31] So Keefe knows what he's doing defensively.

[00:50:34] So I think that it'll be a nice mix.

[00:50:37] Yeah.

[00:50:37] And like we've talked about before, not only has he never had a defense like this, he's

[00:50:41] never had a defense capable of this either.

[00:50:44] I mean, if he wants to activate the D, there's literally a top activating defenseman on each

[00:50:50] pairing.

[00:50:51] So the other person can very easily take their stay at home role.

[00:50:54] It's not like we're going to be asking a defensive player to, you know, join the rush

[00:51:01] when that's not his game.

[00:51:03] We literally have that if it, if that's how they decide to pair them, of course, which

[00:51:07] they should on each defensive pairing.

[00:51:10] So the balance will be there in that regard.

[00:51:12] I think he absolutely knows what to do with a forward group, especially a forward group

[00:51:15] this talented.

[00:51:15] And like you said, he's got a better goaltending unit.

[00:51:17] So I think he'll be fine.

[00:51:19] What about the goaltending?

[00:51:20] Do you think he's going to try to have a, we got two 1As?

[00:51:24] I don't think it's even close.

[00:51:25] He's going to give Markstrom the vast majority, right?

[00:51:28] I mean, I mean, that's majority of these days.

[00:51:32] Yeah, that's a good point.

[00:51:33] But I mean, he's not going to put up Marty numbers for games played, but nobody does.

[00:51:38] But you know, like, I don't see like a one every three game appearance for Alan.

[00:51:44] Do you think it could be that kind of?

[00:51:45] I want to see Markstrom play 60 games this year.

[00:51:48] 60 was the number I was just going to say.

[00:51:50] That sounds about right.

[00:51:51] So to Dan's point, that's more like one in every four.

[00:51:54] Yeah.

[00:51:54] And that sounds about right in today's game, you know?

[00:51:58] Unless he shows you that he shouldn't be doing that.

[00:52:02] I mean, that's why he's here.

[00:52:04] Right.

[00:52:04] Well, number two, how will Jacob Markstrom look in the preseason?

[00:52:09] Speaking of Markstrom, let's talk about the new main guys between the pipes.

[00:52:13] Fitzgerald proclaimed that he would go big game hunting this offseason and got his game when he acquired the 34-year-old from the Calgary Flames for Kevin Ball and a 25 first-round pick.

[00:52:21] Markstrom, along with Alan, give the Devils a tandem that, if all goes well, could be a major catalyst towards a Stanley Cup championship run.

[00:52:27] There's no question that Markstrom will be the number one guy in the net for the Devils when the season gets going.

[00:52:32] What I'm curious about is to see what he looks like in the preseason.

[00:52:35] Granted, he won't play in every game, but he is certainly expected to get some minutes, two to three of the seven games that the Devils will play before the October 4th opener.

[00:52:43] I want to see what the netminder looks like in his playing time and how he adapts to the team in front of him.

[00:52:48] It won't tell you much, but it should give everyone a little bit of an idea of how Markstrom plays and how he can affect the outcome of a game.

[00:52:55] Dan, you want to jump on that one?

[00:52:56] Yeah, I mean, that's all very good questions.

[00:53:00] I think the whole team, all the fans are eager to see how he fits in.

[00:53:05] And then that I think this is by far the biggest name since Marty.

[00:53:10] There's no really anybody close.

[00:53:13] You know, Schneider was going to be the guy, but aside from a year or two of some good play,

[00:53:18] I think you've got to say that Jake Markstrom is a much bigger name than we've had since all the way back then.

[00:53:25] So there's a lot of anticipation.

[00:53:27] I guess some degree of pressure.

[00:53:29] So, I mean, it's just wait for that to happen.

[00:53:32] And on a less serious note, I'm really curious what his mask is going to look like.

[00:53:36] Yeah, so am I.

[00:53:39] So normally, and Neil kind of led with that, the goalie doesn't tend to start right away, not the first couple games,

[00:53:47] and then they play a period or two.

[00:53:48] Do you think that he will want to do more than that kind of usual?

[00:53:53] Because, you know, there's only, what, six or seven preseason games, and it's a new system,

[00:53:57] a completely new team, a new conference, that he'll want a little bit more than normal?

[00:54:02] Or do you think that's just the workload that goalies need?

[00:54:05] I mean, personally, I would think it depends a lot, too, on how much practice they're getting in in between games.

[00:54:10] You know, how comfortable is he feeling?

[00:54:11] You know, I mean, you don't want to put him out there if he's, you know, doesn't need to be out there.

[00:54:17] You know, you don't want, God forbid, the guy to get hurt in a preseason game.

[00:54:20] You know, I don't see him playing, you know, four out of five games or, you know, even three out of four in preseason.

[00:54:26] There's no reason for it.

[00:54:27] And that goes back to, like, seven preseason games, guys.

[00:54:31] Like, what are we doing?

[00:54:32] What are we doing with preseason?

[00:54:34] Like, four is plenty of preseason games.

[00:54:36] Yeah.

[00:54:37] Let's get to it.

[00:54:38] I mean, if you want to run some kind of friggin' camp to, you know, get guys, you know, more time, maybe, you know,

[00:54:44] like a rookie camp or, you know, guys that are trying to make the team, I don't know.

[00:54:47] You could do something.

[00:54:48] But the main game should not be more than four.

[00:54:51] Our stars should not be out there for you.

[00:54:53] Some hobbyists.

[00:54:54] Yeah.

[00:54:55] You're talking an 82-game schedule ahead of them.

[00:54:57] Well, we do know that our stars won't be, right?

[00:55:00] Because didn't we say that there's preseason games when our guys are heading overseas?

[00:55:04] So.

[00:55:04] Yeah.

[00:55:05] Right.

[00:55:05] They're already going to get two less.

[00:55:07] That's true.

[00:55:09] Number three, he has where will Brett Pesci and Brendan Dillon fit in on the D pairings?

[00:55:13] Devils ended up signing these two guys in the defense.

[00:55:17] Dillon and Pesci bring playoff experience, physicality, and a defensive-minded approach.

[00:55:21] Each of them fit in well with guys like Hamilton, Siegenthaler, Hughes, and Nemich.

[00:55:26] I mentioned before, Keefe will have a lot of talent on the back end, which leads to the question of where we see both these guys.

[00:55:32] One of them, Pesci, is a right-handed defenseman.

[00:55:34] The other's left.

[00:55:35] The top pairing will most likely be Hamilton, who's returning from his injury.

[00:55:40] Pesci and Siegenthaler.

[00:55:41] Pesci projects to be paired with Hughes to have a more offensive-defensive balance.

[00:55:46] As for Dillon, I expect them to be with Nemich to make the defense-heavy pairing.

[00:55:49] It'll be fun to see how they mesh with the young guys and how it all comes together.

[00:55:54] I'm super excited to see these two dudes on this team.

[00:55:59] This is a defense that's going to look totally different.

[00:56:03] I can't wait to see them just hitting dudes and just making this defense finally tough.

[00:56:11] That's what I want to have.

[00:56:12] Yeah, clearing people out in front of the net.

[00:56:13] We have not had a lot of that.

[00:56:15] We have not had a strong presence in our defensive end and clearing creases, areas, stuff like that.

[00:56:19] I expect a lot of that.

[00:56:21] It's arguably the most exciting part about the season.

[00:56:24] I wrote my own piece about all the lines.

[00:56:25] We went over the defensive lines too and how exciting they are.

[00:56:29] If you told me from the end of last year that all we did was a defensive side, I'd be marginally happy.

[00:56:35] Not as happy as we are now because I know what else we have.

[00:56:38] But if we hadn't had that, I wouldn't be totally uncomfortable.

[00:56:42] Yeah, it goes to show just how an amazing offseason the Devils had.

[00:56:47] Exactly.

[00:56:47] If they can just start a fucking game with everybody healthy, it'd be better.

[00:56:51] Yes.

[00:56:52] Number four, who earns that 7th D spot?

[00:56:57] Continuing with defense, another storyline is who ends up earning the 7th spot on defense.

[00:57:01] There are two guys, in my opinion, that look to vie for that role.

[00:57:04] Sentiri Hitaka.

[00:57:05] Hitaka was part of the big package that highlighted the Timo Meier deal.

[00:57:09] The young defenseman has had some experience playing in the NHL from the previous year,

[00:57:12] looked very comfortable in his time here.

[00:57:14] He's caught the eyes of the Devil's Brass and certainly will be given a good shot to make the team out of camp.

[00:57:19] The next guy is newly acquired Jonathan Kovacevic, who comes with a big frame, 6'5", 223 pounds, and is not afraid to rough it up.

[00:57:28] He just, like Hitaka, is more of a defensive-minded player who's very responsible on his end.

[00:57:32] He also is still young at 27 years old, so he still has time to grow.

[00:57:37] Blocking shots will be something big that Kovacevic needs to provide.

[00:57:43] That is a good question.

[00:57:44] You know, we were just talking about it earlier.

[00:57:47] You know, who's going to be the guy that's going to come in and take that spot that Luke's missing?

[00:57:50] And we named these two dudes.

[00:57:53] Yeah.

[00:57:54] You know, it's going to be...

[00:57:55] That 7th spot is now...

[00:57:57] One of them is not taken care of for a while.

[00:57:59] Right.

[00:58:00] Now both of these dudes are probably making the team, you know, at least for the first 20 games or so.

[00:58:05] Yeah.

[00:58:06] I mean, now thinking about it a little more considering the player that's out, I would probably say it's not Kovacevic that would get it, and it would be either Hitaka or Di Simone.

[00:58:15] If you want to keep kind of that similar style of play, because you're going to have Pesci, maybe.

[00:58:20] If everything else stayed the same, and you're replacing who plays with Pesci, then maybe you want like a Di Simone or a Hitaka so you can get into how Pesci is going to continue to play for the team.

[00:58:31] You don't need that other big bruising defenseman, but this might shake up everything from top to bottom.

[00:58:36] So we don't...

[00:58:37] You know, interesting.

[00:58:38] You know, I was going to be very curious if, you know, we kind of thought that those pairings were pretty solid.

[00:58:44] Can it mess up not just, you know, Hughes' partner, but everybody?

[00:58:49] You know, I don't know.

[00:58:51] That's true, too.

[00:58:52] You know, yeah, it's going to be interesting.

[00:58:55] Number five, who fits in the top six wing spot?

[00:58:59] Well, hopefully it's Mercer.

[00:59:00] The top six is mostly set up, but there's still at least one spot that isn't guaranteed and one of the winger positions.

[00:59:06] The Devils acquired Tyro Toffoli a year ago, and he was dealt... was as advertised.

[00:59:10] However, he was dealt to the deadline.

[00:59:13] They replaced him with Thomas Tatar in a one-year deal.

[00:59:15] However, Tatar will have some competition with Andre Pallot for his winger spot.

[00:59:20] For Tatar, in 2022-23, he, alongside Nico Heischer and Dawson Mercer, was one of the most impressive lines in all of hockey.

[00:59:27] He has a trio finish with a 64.5% expected goals for a percentage at 5-on-5, which was second best in the league that year.

[00:59:35] Tatar can provide scoring while also being somewhat responsible in the defensive zone.

[00:59:39] Having him under contract for that low of a deal could be a major steal for the team.

[00:59:42] As for Pallot, he comes into his third season with question marks.

[00:59:46] The game may have been slowly passing him by, as he has struggled to stay healthy at times, as well as not producing on the level that has been expected of him since he arrived.

[00:59:54] Blah, blah, blah.

[00:59:55] Not to mention, the contract itself, three years left at $6 million, has not looked good at all while he does have the game-winning goal in Game 7 of the first-round series versus the Rangers.

[01:00:03] That was two years ago, and the only big thing Pallot has done so far in New Jersey.

[01:00:08] This is the big year for number 18, and he, like so many of the other guys on the team, has a lot to prove.

[01:00:13] This is just the beginning of what very well could be a very exciting year for this Devils team.

[01:00:18] Training camp is a week away, and it won't be long before we see the boys from Red and Black back again on the ice.

[01:00:22] Good job, Neil.

[01:00:23] That's a nice article.

[01:00:24] It is a good article.

[01:00:25] If you think about Pallot, and of all the Devils that you think, okay, we might have seen a kind of bust, and who's most likely to fade in usefulness, you know, sadly before the deal is even close to ending, I guess I'd give it to him.

[01:00:44] Yeah.

[01:00:44] We talked about guys who need to have a big year.

[01:00:46] None of us said Pallot.

[01:00:47] No.

[01:00:47] And, you know, I feel like on some level, a lot of Devils fans are not expecting it.

[01:00:52] Let's hope he surprises us.

[01:00:52] Well, no, in my defense, I didn't say his name because I completely forgot he was on the team for a little while.

[01:00:57] That's what I'm talking about.

[01:00:58] Yeah.

[01:00:59] And that's the problem.

[01:01:00] You know, Neil's right to point that out.

[01:01:03] And, you know, maybe he surprises everybody.

[01:01:06] We did discuss back in August that this might be the perfect time for Pallot to just be identified as that third line guy.

[01:01:15] Take a little bit more of the pressure off him for any other parts of his game where the expectations are.

[01:01:20] And just play the type of game that he plays.

[01:01:22] And if he does that, this third line could be incredible and it could be a big part of our success.

[01:01:28] But he does still have to score.

[01:01:30] Yeah.

[01:01:30] Neil was talking about him in context of the top two lines.

[01:01:33] I do not believe he goes there.

[01:01:34] We're going to see him there.

[01:01:34] Yeah, I agree.

[01:01:35] No, I assume that that's Tatar's spot.

[01:01:38] Yeah.

[01:01:39] My assumption on this whole thing with the top six is Mercer will be signed.

[01:01:43] It'll be done over the weekend, between now and over the weekend.

[01:01:46] And Thomas Tatar is going to be playing with Nico Heischer.

[01:01:50] That's what I assume is going to happen.

[01:01:52] I assume Pallot on the third line.

[01:01:53] And listen, if this top six plays as well as we all think they're going to play,

[01:01:59] that's going to open so much more for Pallot to do exactly what Bobby just said.

[01:02:03] Just get comfortable in that role.

[01:02:06] Produce.

[01:02:07] You know, you're going to be asked to do a lot in that role and him and Holla and whoever else is on that line with them.

[01:02:13] Try to play north.

[01:02:14] Play hard.

[01:02:15] Yeah.

[01:02:16] Like they can have a lot of success.

[01:02:18] Like that's his role now.

[01:02:19] Is the contract bad?

[01:02:21] Yeah, it's a little bad.

[01:02:22] All right.

[01:02:22] We get it.

[01:02:23] But he came here with expectations.

[01:02:25] This team didn't.

[01:02:26] Luckily, didn't rest all our laurels on Andre Pallot.

[01:02:29] Andre Pallot was bait to get other guys interested in looking over at New Jersey.

[01:02:33] And he had to make a big move.

[01:02:36] Cedar's team was getting better.

[01:02:36] But we don't need Pallot to be what Pallot was in Tampa Bay anymore.

[01:02:40] We need Pallot to be something different.

[01:02:42] And that's a third liner that contributes and has, you know, moderate success in the offensive production.

[01:02:48] But it contributes everywhere else.

[01:02:50] And as a team leader, that's what we need him for.

[01:02:52] Team leader.

[01:02:53] And he's a pretty hard nose.

[01:02:54] So he seems like the kind of guy that will accept and even excel in that reduced importance role.

[01:03:00] So I hope that's the case.

[01:03:01] Well, that's exactly the point.

[01:03:03] And then beyond that, I still would not be surprised.

[01:03:07] Like if you asked me, could Pallot be an unsung hero of a playoff run?

[01:03:10] I'd say yes.

[01:03:11] Absolutely can.

[01:03:12] Especially now.

[01:03:13] Like we said, third and fourth lines win your championships.

[01:03:16] He's a perfect guy to have on a line that could just everybody else is keen on the first two lines.

[01:03:20] And then he does what he does, which is, you know, start scoring in the playoffs.

[01:03:24] Like I said.

[01:03:25] Less checking forwards to play against.

[01:03:27] Yeah.

[01:03:27] Playing on that third line.

[01:03:28] And no one's talking about his contract if he does exactly that this year.

[01:03:33] And, you know, hopefully he'll be able to.

[01:03:34] But yeah, nobody's going to talk about his contract.

[01:03:36] The contract's a little bit high.

[01:03:37] But we have some of the best contracts in the league.

[01:03:40] Like that's fine.

[01:03:41] You know?

[01:03:42] Pallot was an awesome player.

[01:03:44] And if he wins a cup here and, you know, he's the only dude with a – I mean, well, we do have other cup winners.

[01:03:49] But do we?

[01:03:50] Who has won a cup with this team other than Pallot?

[01:03:56] Paula.

[01:03:57] No?

[01:03:58] He lost.

[01:03:59] Yeah.

[01:04:01] Is he seriously the only person on this team?

[01:04:03] We have to be forgetting somebody.

[01:04:04] Don't have a lot of cup winners.

[01:04:06] No.

[01:04:06] I know – well, McDermott.

[01:04:09] Oh, yeah.

[01:04:10] He was a caller.

[01:04:11] Okay.

[01:04:11] Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[01:04:12] You're right.

[01:04:12] I knew there had to be more.

[01:04:13] But he's definitely the biggest name one.

[01:04:15] You know, he's a guy that can really show this team –

[01:04:18] He was the biggest contributor in the playoffs.

[01:04:19] Lead this team down a deep playoff run.

[01:04:21] He's been there before.

[01:04:22] And all right.

[01:04:24] Anything else you guys want to do tonight?

[01:04:26] So we've seen it a couple times.

[01:04:28] I really wouldn't mind running quickly through this list of top 20 centers.

[01:04:32] Oh, okay.

[01:04:32] We do not need to dissect it.

[01:04:34] I just want to read it off and get a few points because it's getting old.

[01:04:38] So rounding off – this is from the NHL.

[01:04:40] Rounding off at number 20 is our boy Nico Heischer.

[01:04:43] Okay.

[01:04:44] Okay.

[01:04:45] He's number 19 is Zibanejad.

[01:04:47] Number 18 is Robert Thomas from St. Louis Blues.

[01:04:51] Tim Stutzel from Ottawa at 17.

[01:04:54] Nick Suzuki from the Canadians at 16.

[01:04:57] Dylan Larkin from the Red Wings at 15.

[01:05:01] Rupinz from Dallas at 14.

[01:05:04] Connor Bedard gets 13th in the NHL in year two.

[01:05:10] Sebastian Ajo, 12th for the Carolina Hurricanes.

[01:05:14] JT Miller, Vancouver Canucks, 11.

[01:05:17] Elias Peterson, number 10 from Vancouver.

[01:05:20] Our boy Jack Hughes, number 9 from the Devils.

[01:05:25] Okay.

[01:05:25] Breaks the top 10.

[01:05:27] Breaks the top 10.

[01:05:28] And here's where it gets fun.

[01:05:30] Jack Eichel, number 8, Vegas Golden Knights.

[01:05:35] Braden Point, Tampa Bay, 7th.

[01:05:38] Okay.

[01:05:39] Sidney Crosby at 6th.

[01:05:42] Alexander Barkoff at 5th from Panthers.

[01:05:45] Okay.

[01:05:46] Leon Dreisaitl, 4th.

[01:05:47] Oilers, of course.

[01:05:49] Austin Matthews, 3.

[01:05:51] Mm-hmm.

[01:05:51] Nathan McKinnon, 2.

[01:05:53] Mm-hmm.

[01:05:53] And of course, Conor Redard, 1.

[01:05:56] No.

[01:05:56] Conor McDavid.

[01:05:57] My reaction to this.

[01:05:58] Iconor.

[01:05:58] Yeah, sorry.

[01:05:59] Conor McDavid.

[01:06:00] Conor Redard was 13.

[01:06:01] My reaction to this initially was, I feel like Jack should be higher.

[01:06:06] And then I looked at the people in front of him.

[01:06:09] I'm like, where exactly would I put him?

[01:06:12] I can maybe argue, honestly.

[01:06:13] I can argue going over Eichel.

[01:06:16] He did really blossom last year.

[01:06:18] I get it.

[01:06:18] That's the best argument you got, but I don't even know if we win that argument.

[01:06:21] I know.

[01:06:21] And I'm saying, is it right?

[01:06:23] No, it's not.

[01:06:25] You disagree.

[01:06:25] I think they nailed it.

[01:06:27] No, I seriously think they're right.

[01:06:27] Especially considering last year's play and how much he was out.

[01:06:30] That's what hurt him.

[01:06:31] If he had the opportunity to play to his full potential last year, I think he is higher.

[01:06:35] I think he is more skilled than Eichel, but he hasn't proven it and he hasn't shown

[01:06:39] it on the score sheet.

[01:06:41] But he's a couple of years away, but those lists will be Drysaddle, Hughes, Matthews,

[01:06:47] McDavid.

[01:06:47] That's how good he is.

[01:06:49] He'll be there.

[01:06:50] Absolutely.

[01:06:50] But right now, I think they got it right.

[01:06:52] I mean, Eichel's got a cup.

[01:06:53] I mean...

[01:06:53] That's exactly...

[01:06:55] I'm fighting to move him and I'm like, I just don't know that anything's wrong with

[01:06:59] this list.

[01:07:00] No, I think the list is damn good.

[01:07:03] Yeah.

[01:07:03] Yeah.

[01:07:04] I mean, maybe you can argue that he sure could maybe bump one or two guys.

[01:07:09] I can't remember everybody throughout there.

[01:07:09] Another victim of a bad year and an injured year.

[01:07:12] He missed a lot of time too.

[01:07:13] Exactly.

[01:07:14] But he was supposed to be defensive forward, be up for the award.

[01:07:17] And you know, his plus minus was drastically different than the year before because the

[01:07:20] team was so shitty.

[01:07:21] You know they're not going to favor defensive play.

[01:07:23] Right.

[01:07:24] But he's even being recognized.

[01:07:25] Him in the top 20, that's impressive.

[01:07:28] Honestly, I would not have been surprised if the NHL does not put him in the top 20.

[01:07:34] You know they favor more offensive play.

[01:07:36] And he's got that, but he's also got a really great two-way game.

[01:07:40] A lot of those guys they mentioned are not two-way players.

[01:07:42] You know, they're focusing on their offensive.

[01:07:46] If I had to go on record, I would say if we do this at this time next year, that Nico

[01:07:52] Heischer would move up like three spots and Jack would move up two, maybe three spots himself.

[01:07:59] All right.

[01:07:59] That's important.

[01:08:00] I'm going on record looking at next year.

[01:08:01] All right.

[01:08:01] Yeah.

[01:08:02] All right.

[01:08:02] We'll see where we're at.

[01:08:03] And we're going to wrap it up.

[01:08:05] Getting a little late.

[01:08:07] All right.

[01:08:07] Thanks for checking us out and giving us a listen.

[01:08:12] Hockey finally cannot wait.

[01:08:15] And we can stop reminiscing on the past.

[01:08:18] Look to the future.

[01:08:19] She'll be a cup winning season without Luke Hughes, apparently.

[01:08:23] Whoever you're listening to us, like a five-star review, a positive comment down in the description.

[01:08:28] We're on the puckers.

[01:08:29] See you when we see you.

[01:08:30] Puck is out.

[01:08:31] Bye-bye.

[01:08:37] It's over, Johnny.

[01:08:39] It's over.

[01:08:42] This is a mini meditation guided by Bombas.

[01:08:46] Repeat after me.

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[01:08:53] And that's because I wear Bombas.

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[01:09:13] Hey, everybody.

[01:09:14] I'm Trevor Sick.

[01:09:15] I'm a host of the PFF NFL show here to tell you what you can find on all of our shows throughout the week.

[01:09:20] On Mondays, we have the grade release show where myself and Dolph Wasserman break down every single game that you just saw in the NFL.

[01:09:26] On Tuesdays, we have the quarterback breakdown with Seth Galina.

[01:09:29] On Wednesdays, we've got the rookie review with John Ledyard and the preview for the upcoming week in the NFL.

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