New York, We Have A Problem?

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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! What's up, boys? How's everybody doing this evening? What's up, Uncle Puckers? Doing well. It's getting real. It's getting late in the summer. Signed the kid up for middle school hockey. Nice! We're all getting closer.

[00:01:06] Nice. And I had my first, well, we had first preseason football action. Not that you guys care about that, but yes, this weekend there was actual football. Didn't mean anything, but it was real football. I was still trying to wrap my head around the kickoff rules. I don't know if I like it. It looks a little weird. I don't know what happened to them. They changed the kickoff rules. The NFL's whole thing was that they were saying that, oh, just real quick. Where are the Uncle Puckers, Chris, Dan, and Bobby?

[00:01:34] The NFL was saying that they had a lot of head injuries from the way that the kickoffs were and everything. So they changed the rules where now they did it like the XFL. Yeah, I think the XFL was the ones that actually started doing it this way. So every offense and defense lines up like wherever, around midfield. They have two guys back to receive and a kicker on this side. So before they would run, kick the ball, and then everybody would run at the return team.

[00:02:00] And you would just basically smash at 20 miles an hour. So now you can't move until the receiver touches the ball. So once the receiver touches the ball, then everybody goes. But there are some weird rules that if the ball falls before the 20 yard, like it's got to land. They have the landing zone, which is between the goal line and the 20. And so the ball has to land there.

[00:02:25] If the ball lands before the 20, then the play is dead and the receiving team gets it at the 40, I believe. If the ball goes into the end zone as a touchback, it starts at the 30. And if they kick it out of bounds, I think it's also on the 40. Don't hold me to that because that kind of shit, I'm not 100% sure of. This is why this rule is perfect for football. If ever there was a sport that needed a rule like this that you can't even tell what the hell they're talking about, it's football. Just add it to all your other rules.

[00:02:52] How often is a kicker going to fall out of that 20 yards? I saw it happen in a preseason game yesterday. The guy was short. I think that's kind of sad. You can't nail that zone. Well, I think that they try and get a little too cute. And they're like, oh, I'm just going to get it right at the 20. And they end up coming short. At least that's how. Or the guy just has a bad leg. I don't know. I mean, it's. I don't know if I like it yet. It's just weird looking watching it. And I'm not used to it yet. So I just maybe think I got to get used to it. And I also think that a lot.

[00:03:22] I think it'll become exciting because it's more of an actual football play. You know, now you have. You know, you can run it as an actual like running play. Sure. Good point. So I see it. I don't think anybody's showing anything during the preseason game. So I do think that if teams have schemes for it and plays for it, you'll see it a lot in the regular season. We're not going to see it in the preseason. This doesn't work. Here's my idea.

[00:03:46] We just have the kicker and two receivers and two other guys on defense. And that's it. And whatever fucking happens, happens. That would be fun. That would be kind of crazy. That would be fun. Because now you have your D. Now, because then you have to start thinking if you're a coach, right? Do I want my kicker to be like, do I want to try and get a linebacker and teach him how to kick? Because then I can have three big guys on defense back there.

[00:04:16] Right. So, yeah, I like it, Dan. No, it's just big. You've got to be – you're going to go against two really speedy receivers. I don't think we'd need a quarterback in your football, Dan. I think that they would just keep scoring. Well, this is just for the kicking place. Right. Then the other team gets the ball and you kick off to them. Right. It's just going to be perpetual scoring. Yeah. Might as well go for two. Let's try to win this thing. It's possible this on-the-fly conception by somebody who doesn't even watch football is flawed.

[00:04:46] I'm not going to watch it. It is definitely flawed, but it would be fun to watch. Yeah, for a minute. You know what was fun to watch? You know what was fun to watch? What's that? The Vikings' first-round quarterback, J.J. McCarthy. Watching him play yesterday. Yeah. Boy, fucking balled out. Nice. Boy, balled out. Looks like – I mean, I don't want to get ahead of myself, but it looks like maybe the Vikings finally have a guy who's going to start for them for the next 10 or 12 years is really all I'm hoping for. Franchise all over. Franchise, baby. Franchise, baby.

[00:05:16] He's probably not going to play much this year, but that's fine. I'm fine with my rookie sitting and learning. Did you say he was dynamite? Yeah, I would. I would say he was dynamite. You really set up that segue for like a perfect push into how fun it was to watch the 1995 Stanley Cup finals. But you went with your Vikings. I understand it. You're exciting. I really thought that's where he was going. Yeah, it sounded like the perfect – You know what else was fun to watch? More football. On our hockey podcast.

[00:05:43] I did watch game three of the 1995 finals, and we can jump into that. Take me back because I did not catch up with that game. You want to give us a synopsis or how's it going to go? Sure. This game, it's game three. We're back in New Jersey. Brendan Byrne Arena, June 22, 1995. Unfortunately, Gary Thorne and Bill Clement are still on the call. I adopted game one, and then these guys have done the last two. Those suck.

[00:06:12] This crowd was ridiculous. You got to remember, this is the first final game ever played in New Jersey. Devils have never been in the final before. They don't have home ice, so this is it, and this place was electric. Coming home up 2-0. Right, coming home up 2-0. The crowd is on fire. We want the cup chance started early. Right.

[00:06:38] So as the game started, now Keith Primo, who was injured in game one, is back in the lineup for Detroit. Tom Chorsky and Valerie Elbukin back in the lineup for the Devils. Brian Ralston, Jimmy Dowd, stop ghosting us, Jim, is out of the lineup for game three. Let's think about that for a second because when you just covered game two, those two were not in for game one. They came in for game two, had success.

[00:07:07] You could argue the game was won more easily than the first, just via the score. Right? 4-2 versus the 2-1 in some sense. I mean, Detroit played a better game. And now you're Jocelyn Mare and you say, that's okay. I'm just going to pull these two back out and put these two back in without missing a beat. Isn't that like the philosophy of that era, which is we have pieces and they are interchangeable. Yes.

[00:07:33] And we were talking about it, like Jocelyn Mare was so huge on the line of, whatchamacallit, matching lines. I mean, he was so big on that, but he got kind of away from it during this game. I think this game was a lot more like Dan was saying, like, we can play anybody against your guys. Yeah. And, you know, Fedorov, Stevens wasn't getting out there every time Sergei Fedorov was on the ice.

[00:08:00] It was, you know, for maybe half of his shifts. But it was a lot of just, I'm going to let my guys play. Well, it's smart. You know, he saw his team growing in confidence. Yeah. He saw guys stepping up. So he's like, all right, I'm going to let you guys, you know, go off assignment here and see what you can do. And, you know, first period was, I mean, heavy hitting, dude. These guys, both teams were hitting like freight trains. Right in, a minute in, Keith Primo and Claude Lemieux each get penalties.

[00:08:30] Two minutes for slashing and roughing, slashing on Primo. And Lemieux retaliates with the rough. Power play. Maybe, I think, two shots on that power play. Brodor made it a ridiculous save on Fatisov. And there were a few penalties in there. And then the line of Bobby Carpenter, he was centering Lemieux and Richie. They had switched that up a little bit. And Carpenter was centering that line.

[00:08:56] They, a whole first period, anytime they had the puck, they did not get out of the Detroit's offensive zone. They were just forechecking and pressing. And I was watching this game with my wife. And in the third period, we're watching it. And she goes, I cannot remember the last time that I've watched a devil team do what these guys are doing. She's like, they know where everybody is. They are just like clicking on every cylinder. And I was like, you're right.

[00:09:25] I'm like, you know, it's been a long time since we've seen like, yeah, the 2000. It's easy to forget, right? Because the teams of late we had, even when they have success, they're great to watch. But there was something special about, yeah. Like you said, every pass clicking, just moving like a well-oiled machine. I don't know that we've gotten there yet. Do you know who this team, watching this final again, who this team reminded me of,

[00:09:53] is this year's Florida Panthers team in a lot of the way that they played? I hear that. I mean, I kind of felt that way watching them that, you know, there was a lot that they were doing that reminded me of the old Devils. It's that extra structure, right? Like everything just seems so structured and pre-thought out as opposed to a little bit of freewheeling offense and, you know, kind of trying for the magic plays all the time. It's a different type of hockey. Yeah. They were just so good.

[00:10:22] And then at 1030, right through halfway through the first period, Bruce Driver gets his first of the playoffs from Neil Broughton, John McClain. Driver drives it through everybody, I believe was the quote. Was that the – I didn't hear that call. Was that a call? That was a call. Oh, I don't remember that one. I've got the 95 VHS and I've listened to it. And I don't know if it was that goal or maybe another one he got, but that was definitely one of the calls. When you watch the VHS stuff and they play the games, do they – is it these guys on the call

[00:10:51] or is it Emmerich on all the games? Because he was our play-by-play guy. So I'm thinking like did they, you know, double him over? Oh, Emmerich didn't get the finals, did he? He had game one. Oh. But I'm saying since he was the Devils play-by-play guy normally, like a lot of times they'll have their – even though they didn't call him on the national game, they'll have them, you know, double over it and call the game and they release it like that with your own announcers. Did they do that or no?

[00:11:19] So it actually has been a very long time since I watched it. I do not 100% recall, but I do know listening to it that Doc is on it more. So I do think just like if you can go on and watch a highlight now, like I go to the Mets and sometimes I'll get the radio call. Sometimes you'll get like the TV call. I do recall him being on it quite a bit. So I think they just kind of do both. Okay. I just remember certain elements of it because I wore the shit out of it in the mid-'90s, re-watching that over and over again. This was a beautiful goal.

[00:11:47] Broughton came in on the right side, the right wing coming down. He brings the puck in. He kicked it up to like the middle of the circle to John McClain, who Bruce Driver was right around the center of the ice, right over the blue line. He kicked it to the left and Driver just took a wicked slap shot right past Mike Vernon. It was a beautiful setup play. Bang, bang. Driver scores, won nothing.

[00:12:12] And then things just got really, really bad for Detroit. It makes sense, right? Let's think about this moment for a second, right? Getting that first goal, coming back from Detroit, you're already up 2-0. Your first home game, that crowd's already nuts. You get the first goal, you know how good the Devils are when they score the first goal. And for our younger listeners, not like other teams today where they get the first goal and they win most of the games. The Devils won the game.

[00:12:41] They pretty much locked it down. You're right. Going into this game, Detroit's power play was kicking at, they were second in the playoffs at 25.6%. They were two for nine in the series and New Jersey's penalty kill was at 87.3%, fifth in the series, fifth in the playoffs up to that point. Nick Lindstrom, Paul Coffey were minus seven up to this point in this series. Wow. In the first two games, they were minus seven.

[00:13:10] Against a team that can't score. Against a team that can't score. So then, let's see here. A couple more penalties. The rest of the game was just constant whining about any defensive play, neutral zone trap, right? That's what you would hear on the broadcast. You know, and yet you watch this game and it wasn't boring. No. There was nothing boring about it. It was two really good teams playing really good hockey.

[00:13:38] And, you know, you just had a team that was a little bit more physical in New Jersey. I mean, and even the offense, like New Jersey was a better team offensively. They were clicking on all cylinders. They, you know, yeah, they played the trap, but a lot of times they just really didn't have to. They did this in this game, especially it was just possession. Especially after the first goal, you just saw the wind come out of the sails of Detroit. Like you said, Bob, that was it.

[00:14:07] They needed that first goal. Yeah. So now it's four on four. Point and Guerin. I'm sorry, LaPointe, not Pointe. LaPointe and Guerin both take on Sportsman Lake. So it's four on four. And at 1652, Claude Lemieux is 13th of the playoffs from Carpenter and Stevens. Now it's two nothing. Now that goal, Niedermeyer has the puck behind Brodeur. He gives it to Stevens just to the left of the net.

[00:14:36] So just still, you know, perpendicular to Marty Brodeur. Stevens kicks it up to Carpenter. And then Carpenter cross-eyes pass to Claude Lemieux, right side, top of the circle, where he made his consummate money. The entire playoffs, slap shot from the top of the circle, right past Vernon. It was the same goal he beat Hextall two or three times in the Eastern Conference Final for. And the same way he beat. Nobody can stop that shot on the right side in these playoffs from Claude Lemieux.

[00:15:05] And he just beat Vernon clean. It's two nothing. And really. Are we still in the first period of this? Or what period are we in? That just ended the first period. I was about 16 and a half. So now the first period is over. So there wasn't even like a dueling contest in the beginning, taking us a period or two at 0-0, adding to the tension. The Devils just kind of came out instantly. Yeah, come up two after the first. That's a very impressive outing. I didn't write it down.

[00:15:34] But if I remember correctly, it was something like 22, 23 shot attempts from Detroit and five shots on goal. So they were blocking everything. They had sticks in lanes. They were doing all the right stuff. Gotcha. So now we get into the second period. And it starts off, you know, pretty much, you know, just kind of bullshit play back and forth. Not much going on.

[00:16:02] Here's the Devils at this point now had won. This is now they're going. They've won four in a row and they have won their last seven games on the road. So now, you know, they're the announcers are saying Detroit takes one of these games. Well, you know, now you have to go back to Detroit where the Devils don't lose on the road. So they're basically already anointing the Devils the cup. And it's second period of game three.

[00:16:27] At 6.59, second period, Neil Broughton, fifth of the series from Scott Stevens and John McClain. He beat Vernon on the right side of the blue line, right inside the blue line. Another long shot. All three goals tonight were from distance so far against Vernon. So now it's 3-0 New Jersey. And the fans just get louder. And Detroit's play just keeps kind of dipping. And they're feeling it. You know, you're down 3-0.

[00:16:56] Like everybody says, you get a two goal. The Devils get a two goal lead on you. You're not coming back and beating them. Now they got a three goal lead on you. But wait, there's more. At 8.20 of the second, Bobby's man, Randy McKay. His eighth of the season from Holik and Bruce Driver. This was a really, really nice goal. If you guys go back and watch this.

[00:17:22] Bruce Driver gets the puck on like the left side of going into the zone right inside the blue line. And he throws it to the left circle where Holik is. And Vernon, there's a bit of a melee in front of Vernon. And Vernon comes kind of out to the side to take the shot away from Holik. And he just throws a beautiful pass into traffic right to Randy McKay, who's crossing the net front. And McKay has the open net. And he just throws it in.

[00:17:51] And now it's 4-0. Not bad for a fourth liner. Yeah, not bad for a fourth liner. And that was the end of the evening for Mr. Mike Vernon. Vernon out. Chris Osgood in. His head's about to explode. Right. Yeah. Exactly. But Chris Osgood played really well in this game. There were some stretches where the Devils were really laying some shots on him. And he was standing on his head. He was playing really, really good. And everybody knows what Osgood became. Yes.

[00:18:20] Obviously a very good goalie. Now Vernon didn't win a cup with Detroit, right? I know he won it in 89 with the Calgary Flames. Calgary. No, I think it was Osgood by the time. It was only Osgood, right? I don't know how much he played after this series. That's a good point. I think Osgood did become the starter, I think, the season after. So 97, 98 were Osgood. And then everything after that was Hatchick, right? Hatchick, yeah. So now it's 4-0.

[00:18:47] So everybody in the building knows that this game's over. This is just a party now. Now it's just a party. Exactly. Exactly. So, I mean, look, there's no more scoring in the second. A bunch of penalties. There's, you know, Fatisov, Fedorov, Coffey, Iserman, all these guys so far. A lot of frustration penalties. Yeah. Well, the third period really gets into a lot of crazy stuff.

[00:19:18] So it's 4-0, end of the second. We are on a penalty. We have a penalty. So Detroit starts the third. It was the second. It was a cross-check from Bobby Carpenter at 1947. So now they could carry over into the third. They're on the power play. And they can't get anything done. Detroit starts on the power play. They don't get it. Let's see. Where are we? There's a bunch of penalties here, right?

[00:19:46] So, Albaline takes a high stick at 230. Konstantinov takes a high stick at 425. Draper takes a high stick at 517. Now it's a two-man advantage for about a little over a minute for Detroit. They actually had two two-man advantages in the third period. I'm sorry. We had two two-man advantages in the third period. We could not score.

[00:20:10] Then at 814, Bobby Holik, his fourth of the series from Garen and Richter, Riche. Riche did a really good job right outside in the neutral zone, just chipping the puck into Garen. And Holik was streaking on the left side by himself. And Garen got a puck across to a wide open Holik, who beat Chris Osgood. It's 5-0 New Jersey. And yeah, the place is just getting louder and louder.

[00:20:39] It was a really, really nice goal. It was a power play goal. Then Riche takes two minutes for hooking at 1228. We kill it off. At this point in this series, three games in, nine different scorers for New Jersey. Talk about a deep and complete team, right? Nine different scorers. Yeah. And then all hell broke loose.

[00:21:08] At 1537, Zelopukin gets four minutes for ruffling. Well, it was two minutes for ruffing twice. They gave him two separate two minutes. So he basically four minutes for ruffing. Tim Taylor, two minutes for ruffing. Sergey Breland, two minutes for high stick. LaPointe, two minutes for ruffing. Breland again, two minutes for ruffing. Cicerelli, two minutes for ruffing. Billy Guerin, two minutes for ruffing. And Billy Guerin, two minutes for boarding. And so it ended up after everything was said and done. He's trying to keep control of this game, you know?

[00:21:38] Yeah. So the Red Wings are getting chippy, so the Devils weren't backing down. And the Browns just flew off the table. Yeah. And so the whole melee happens and it all just clears out with a four-minute double minor for Detroit. So they have a four-minute power play. And they scored on it at 1827. I'm sorry, before the 1657. So it was about a minute after that. Sergey Fedorov gets his six of the playoffs. A power play goal from Fatisov and Doug Brown.

[00:22:06] He, Brodeur, Brodeur made a beautiful save and he thought he had the puck. There was a little bit of traffic in front of him and he thought he had the puck squeezed and it just squirted out to Fedorov rather. And he chipped it over his shoulder. It was really nothing Brodeur could do on that. Then a couple minutes later, 1827, Steve Iserman, he gets his fourth from Shepard and Lindstrom. Another power play goal.

[00:22:33] It was, again, Devils at that point, I don't think were really giving their full 100% of killing this thing with the four-goal lead and a minute and a half left in the game. Iserman was wide open, you know, left alone and just on the side of the net. And he just had a nice shot past Brodeur. Brodeur had to get from post to post and Iserman beat him. So it's 5-2 New Jersey. That's the game.

[00:22:55] 5-2 win, 3-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Finals with one game to go before New Jersey raises their first Stanley Cup. I'm sure there was a lot of talk about how that, those last two goals would really get Detroit going. And now at least, hey, they lost, but now they know they can score on this team and bullshit like that. They're really, believe it or not, maybe that was on the Detroit bench or maybe on the Detroit radio calls and stuff. So it's a game for the pre-show talk, maybe.

[00:23:25] It wasn't at the end of this game. Thorne and Clement were just going on about the Devils are a machine right now and they are rolling. And I don't know if anybody's going to beat them. And they kept going on about the kid in net and it's only his second year and how great is he doing? And, you know, they have a star in the making there. Well, they weren't wrong. Oh, no. And yeah. So, I mean, it was. But what a good game. What a fun game.

[00:23:52] What just good hockey, you know, just really good hockey. And like when my wife said that, I was like, man, we have to get there. This is where this team has to get. Yeah. And it's funny because as I think about back to these games, I, you know, I'm thinking about today's team. And, yes, there's so many differences. The game itself is different. This team has a different makeup. And I can almost imagine. I feel like we have those pieces to do that kind of work. Now, whether they get there or not, we'll see.

[00:24:21] But I feel like, you know what, man, I can almost imagine the guys we have now clicking like that and how unstoppable they would be with a good system, with a good execution. And then starting to build that, yeah, they're always there receiving the pass, making the pass. And, you know, just like an unstoppable force. In some ways it would be, you know, very akin to that team but different in its own way.

[00:24:48] I think different in the only way because I think this team has more personality on it. It has more stars on it, you know. Like, you know, at this point in 95, you know, Brodeur is only in his second year. Stevens is Stevens. Niedermeyer is still, you know, a rook. Like, these guys have only gotten better. Like, I see what you know. And then you see where we've gotten in 2000, 2003. This double team will be there. This double team is going to win Stanley Cups.

[00:25:16] And I know I sound very Pollyannish about them. And I just think that they're going to do amazing. But I was listening to Lockdown at NHL. So, they had the two guys that were hosting, I think, was the guy that hosts the Lockdown Penguins podcast. And I forget what the other Lockdown team was that he did. The other guy did. So, they did a really cool exercise. They did power rankings over the next five years.

[00:25:42] So, their whole thing was take, you know, prospects, salary caps, you know, and players. Who's locked up to their contracts. Right. And who in the next five years, over the next five years, will be, you know, the best team in the NHL. I mean, who's better situated than the Devils when you look out five years from now? Well, according to the two guys on Lockdown NHL, nobody. They both did separate rankings. And they both had Devils as number one.

[00:26:11] So, they didn't discuss this with each other beforehand. They were surprising each other on the air. Exactly. I mean, I get it. I get it. I really do. Because the Devils have built a real team. Now, they haven't performed yet. So, we got to see. But so many of the teams we have right now who are sitting at the top, they have some difficult changes. And I don't think a lot of NHL media has gotten with it yet. I've seen a lot of stuff, you know, where people don't realize how decimated Carolina's lineup is now.

[00:26:39] They're not Carolina anymore. Now, they could overperform their lineup. But that lineup has changed. That lineup is not as good as it was. So, you know, right now we're all in the on-paper stage. It only carries so much weight. But I don't see who on paper is better situated than the Devils. I mean, I've seen a lot of talk about a lot of things recently. And everybody, you know, always tends to live in the past at this stage in the summer. You know, we're looking at this past year.

[00:27:09] But they're not necessarily taking into account the changes that happen as soon as the off-season changes, you know, took place only a few weeks ago. And it's like, no, those are not the same teams anymore. You know, I'm so excited about what the Devils have done. And if I was many different teams' fans, I'd be kind of really nervous if I'm looking closely. You know, a lot of fans are going to be like, oh, our guys were good last year. They're going to be fine. You don't even know what happened.

[00:27:36] You know, let's see how that lineup looks in a couple weeks. And, you know, look at what happened to us last year. Like, we didn't expect the bad luck that we had. And we ended up, you know, missing the playoffs because of it. Absolutely. I'm hoping that doesn't strike twice. That's for sure. Well, you know, you sure as hell hope not. But I'm a little – if I was a Ranger fan right now, I'd be a little bit nervous.

[00:28:01] Because if I was a Ranger fan, I would be annoyed right now that they did not lock up Igor Shostakovich yet. That should have been the first thing that you did at the end of the season was make sure that he was locked up. So now you're going to have this. If you don't get it done the next two months, you're going into a season, 90% of the time, a deal is not going to get done during the season. Rangers don't like to deal with that bullshit. They want to just go out and play whatever sport they're playing.

[00:28:27] So if that holds true, if it's not done by the beginning of October, what happens at that point? You know, what happens if you're the Rangers and you're going – let's say that, you know, Igor Shostakovich has told you, I'll give you guys first refusal, but I want to test the market. First of all, you can't blame the guy if that's what he wants to do. He's earned that, right? If he wants to go see what he's worth on the open market, that's what free agency is for. He can go and do that.

[00:28:54] But if you're the Rangers and that comes up – and I don't think it will because I don't think Chris Drury is that fucking stupid to go into this season without paying the man. I just think you have to pay that man his money. So let's say he wants $12 million, $11.5 million. That's a huge number. Like I just don't know where – you know, what do you do at that point? I told you, they're screwed.

[00:29:24] Yeah, if he doesn't – look, Igor Sterkin is going to make a choice between picking the team he wants to be on and getting all the money. Because like the team that takes him for all the money and can't build the rest of the team is not giving him that winning team. That could be the Rangers, you know? Like I think he's kind of like – it's a really – you're going to see a lot about his character and how much he wants to win a cup.

[00:29:54] Because there's no way if you're Igor Sterkin that you can honestly think you're going to get market value and not cripple a team. It's going to cripple a team because you're that good. You're a $12 million goalie. What does the – what could that team offer you? But, you know, hopping to – the only way that those two things coincide is finding a team. I don't know who it is. Maybe it's Colorado. Maybe it's another team that has a lot of big stars. Everybody's – it's a one-year team.

[00:30:25] Everybody's going to be out of there after next year. And they can make magic happen in 2024, 2025. And that's it. And he's going to hop around and try to win some cups that way. Maybe he can't. That's the only way he gets both the money and a team that is – but a dynasty team? I don't think you can get market value for Sterkin and creative dynasty around him. I don't think he can be done today with the cap. I mean, I completely understand and I agree with what you're saying.

[00:30:54] There are some other factors, of course. The salary cap is going to go up. And it is going to go up in the next few years. So is his $12 million now going to be more like a $10 million contract or a $9 million contract in two or three years? How much up are you talking about? Because I don't really know. Well, they're saying in the next three years it could be like around $100 million. So – So it's going to go up – What's it like at $82, $85 now? What is – Yeah. Well, that could pay for a couple players' massive contracts.

[00:31:24] Let's see. We're projected cap hit of $83 million and we have nearly $5 million in space, like $88 million. So it's $88. So they're saying like three years maybe it's going to go up $12 million or so. So, you know, but that's three years from now. But it also – but you're right. But here's another dilemma now. Let's say that you're the Rangers. You're in a – let's say you're fighting for a wild card spot. Okay? Okay.

[00:31:53] You've had some injuries. Whatever, right? Shisterkin's played very well for you. But, you know, you ran into some bad luck like New Jersey did. And now we roll into March and you're fluctuating in and out of that first or second wild card spot every other week. And, you know, not really able to string together a good stretch to really solidify yourself in that spot. And you don't have Igor Shisterkin locked up after this year.

[00:32:18] And if he decides to walk in, you know, June or July rather, he's gone. Do you move the guy? You know, do you at that point say we can have a legit chance to try and make the playoffs, but we need some help. We need – and nobody's going to give us a return like Igor Shisterkin. So, do you do something like that? I'm just playing devil's advocate and talking shit here.

[00:32:43] But, you know, if the deal's not done – like if you're first place in the Metro, you're looking like you're going to win the President's Trophy. You're having a season like you had last year. You're not moving the guy. It doesn't matter. Even if you say, okay, he might walk, but this year we have a legit chance to win the Stanley Cup. Yeah, they're going to run out the rest of the way. Yeah. But, like, I mean, the only way I see that happening, what you're proposing, is if the team's faltering. He'd also have to be having a bad year.

[00:33:10] Because if he's having a great year statistically as, you know, say percentage looks really good. And, yeah, the team's just not doing it. And it's, you know, pretty obvious it's not him, it's the team. That's, like, insane to get rid of potentially, arguably, and I think, in my opinion, the best goaltender in the league. Because you want to get a little bit more return for your rebuild next year. I mean, at that point, like, you better be selling the whole team off.

[00:33:37] I mean, and even then, I think that's just not the way I think New York would ever do it. But they've always, like, kept that goaltender the longest, you know, to the point where it's killed their careers, their potential. You know, look at Lundquist. He never won anything. That's why I think that they're going to sign him. And it's going to be for a ridiculous amount of money. Crazy money.

[00:34:02] It's going to be the contract that everybody says, I get that he's a great goalie, but no goaltender should make that kind of money. I don't think that cap, you know, increase is going to cover what it's going to take to keep him and build a great team around him. Yeah, you're probably right. If you're a Ranger fan going, like, I love Igor, but this is going to, I looked at this and I don't see how, you know, how can we be the only team, when teams are paying $5 million and getting goaltenders that beat us in the playoffs,

[00:34:31] how can we justify spending two and a half times that? Because that's what it's going to take to keep him. A Ranger, best case scenario for a Ranger fan, for the Ranger organization in general, is for Igor Shostakovich to say, I want to stay in New York. I want to win a cup in New York, pay me $9 million and build a team around me. And I'll sign for eight years for $9 million. And that makes me one of the highest paid guys. Give me what Conor Hollabuck gets. What's that? 8.8, 8.7, whatever. Yep. That's what I mean.

[00:35:01] It's going to reveal his character. Because that, I think, is one of the most likely things. I don't know anything about Jesterkin, but that would be the smartest move for him. Because, you know what? He's going to make up all the other money. I don't know if he's going to be as much in the extra advertisement dollars as Lundqvist was. You know, Lundqvist had more of a media presence. He should take some English classes and get out there. Because New York is a money-making place, man. Look at Lundqvist.

[00:35:28] I mean, like you said, Lundqvist has never left the city. You know, he's... He never wanted to. But he's also... He's also a much better-looking GQ model than Igor Shesterkin is. So, I mean, he has that going for him, too. Yeah. And Rick Lundqvist looked like... Who's the fucking goalie that is always on NHL tonight? He's... Oh, I can't remember his name. Dubniks? Yes. Oh, okay.

[00:35:55] He's got his giant fat head and his tiny little mouth and these tiny little eyes. He looks like a fucking cartoon character. Like, if he looked like that, like, Lundqvist isn't making the bank in New York. That he's making now. Yeah. He's not getting those Rolex ads that Lundqvist always got. Yeah. We'll see. I mean, Lundqvist is a young kid. I mean, Shesterkin's a young kid. And like I said, I would get him an English teacher right away. So you don't capitalize on that market. Nine. But I mean, I know that you said that you think he's the best goalie in the league.

[00:36:25] And I think that's... I mean, it's arguable, but I think it's fair. I think it's fair too. Yes. You can argue a few other guys, but... Yeah. I mean, the head-to-head series, I'm still taking Vasilevskiy today. Yeah. I would too. If you have a playoff series, I'm still taking Vasilevskiy until he proves otherwise. Vasilevskiy's not going anywhere. Like, if he stays healthy... I don't know. I think it might be Shesterkin, but who knows? But even, like, what do we say? That goalies don't hit their prime until their early 30s, right? Right. Yeah.

[00:36:53] I mean, when we looked this up earlier, I was actually like, wow, I thought Vasilevskiy was older than that. He just turned 30. Yeah. He just turned 30, like, two days ago, three days ago. So, like, this dude is just going into his prime and he's already won and done everything you can want to do in your professional hockey life. Yep. So, you know, there could be even more for Vasilevskiy. But what I was like, is he better than Conor Holuboff? Does he deserve $3 million more than Conor Holuboff? Three and a half million dollars more?

[00:37:23] No, for me, that's the benchmark that if you're one of those guys who just wants to be the highest paid, that's the benchmark, but then keep it reasonable. Like you said, maybe in the nines or something like that. But if he wants to be the mega contract guy, then, like you said, a lot about his character because you need some of that money for the team. I mean, Holuboff and Shesterkin have something in common, which is they haven't won anything. Right. And if I'm a general manager... Well, Holuboff, he's got the Vesna, though. Yeah. He won the Vesna this year. Did Shesterkin? Did he get one? No, I get it.

[00:37:53] He won it two years ago. He did. Shesterkin. Yeah. Yeah. Shesterkin won it. Holuboff's won too. Yeah, Holuboff's won too. But I'm talking about, like, you know, the Cups. And that is worth so much to have a cup-winning goaltender. But let me ask you a question. If you're a general manager of a team and you have an option, you need a goalie, and I can have Connor Holuboff for his 8.8 that he gets now or Igor Shesterkin for 12, who are you taking? Holuboff. Every day of the week?

[00:38:22] I think so. Yeah. Every day of the week. So, I mean, how much better is Shesterkin then? That's my point. I get your point. You don't have, you know, Jim Carrey three years after his Vezna or Dominic Hasek for that money. You know, you're going to take Hasek no matter what the cost is. But this is apples to apples. I'm going to take Holuboff. If you talk to championship teams, and we always talk mostly about the Devils because we know

[00:38:49] a lot of the sacrifices that some of the players made to stay Devils to win all those championships, but beyond the Devils, if you look at some of these teams with consistent success, and if you have the opportunity to hear some, you know, their, you know, interviews and such, like teams like Boston, teams like Tampa, a lot of them will mention in some way that, you know, you got to kind of give a little back to the team. If you truly successfully want to win, and maybe not just win once, because these guys want to perpetually win.

[00:39:18] You know, let's face it, they're athletes. If you get a taste of the cup, I'm sure you want it just as bad the next year. You know what I mean? But you want to be a consistent contender. You do have to have players that sacrifice a little, not saying go below your net worth. You're worth getting paid. You should get paid. Plus with, you know, collective bargaining agreement and players association, you can't underpay a guy like Shesterkin, but you also don't have to go blowing it out of the water.

[00:39:45] You have, you make a really good comparable in Hellebuck. There's your benchmark. You can argue he deserves a little bit more. Fine. But 3 million more? No. And that's where you start to degrade the team. You know what you said, you know, Sam Reinhardt scored 56 goals or something like that last year, right? He's UFA, wins a Stanley Cup. The guy can probably go to 90, 90% of the rest of the NHL and get $10 million a year. And, and you'd say that he's worth it. He scored 56 and he's coming off a cup winning.

[00:40:13] You know, he's a perpetual 30, 40 goal scorer. All right. Yeah. I can see this guy making nine and a half, 10 million. It took eight and a half to stay in Florida. Same thing you just said. Why? Because you're going to win more because it's not just about the money. It's about winning. And, you know, look, nobody gets into a hall of fame because they made the most money, you know, not to go back to football, but nobody's going to remember Kirk Cousins career because he's never going to win a Superbowl. But yeah, he made more money than anybody else because he's a master negotiator, but that doesn't make you shit.

[00:40:43] Nobody's going to remember that. And it's not just his 1.5 million that gets fed back into the team. It's his 1.5 million. It's player X is 500,000 less that he took and player Y is 300,000 less. Bad job. And all of a sudden you've got, you know, a deep bottom six or whatever your team in particular needs. It really is just the way it has to go. It's extra challenging with this because it's, I'm not going to say overvalued, but it's so focused on because it's so important.

[00:41:09] But I think that leads to something that is almost like counterintuitive, which is if you look at the teams that have been very successful over the last 20 years, how many of them have had a, you know, goaltender in the same spot with most or all of those cups and outside of like Tampa. I mean, there's been a lot of changes in the goaltending that, you know, Chicago's had Boston's had. And, you know, when you think about it, they've kind of rotated them out and it's kind of

[00:41:37] speaks to the way that goaltenders have become a little bit more interchangeable. I think it's also because, like you said, you get to that pinnacle, that top, you have a bad choice to make as a GM. Like, do I go with this, you know, top of the league goalie or, you know, pay him all that money and cripple my team, you know? And that's, I think, something that has, you know, maybe it's kind of always been there, but we were just talking about, you know, 95 era devils and we're so used to Marty staying with the team forever.

[00:42:08] That was kind of an anomaly then and, you know, definitely an anomaly now. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, so Bobrovsky wins the cup this year. What's Bobrovsky play for? Three different teams before he went to Florida, right? Philly, Columbus. He might've had another team in there that I don't know about. And then Florida. So it's not like he was a homegrown guy that came up with them. You know, Darcy Kemper, same thing in Colorado. Who won the cup before? Oh, Vasilevsky here. Right.

[00:42:37] He's the only one that's been, you know, that'll probably... Kemper's been pretty consistently, you know, married to Vasilevsky. Vasilevsky. Yep. And, you know, so yeah, I'm with you, man. It's a slippery slope when you're starting to pay certain guy, one guy on your team, that kind of money. And like you said, is he proven? Of course he's proven. He has proven that he is legitimately one of the top three to four best goalies on this planet. Yep.

[00:43:06] But it's about winning cups. So, you know, look, if he, if the Rangers won the cup this year, I'll even say if the Rangers won the Eastern Conference this year, I think this deal would have been done. But you have to really look at your whole team and look at it down the road and say, okay, I have this guy that's coming up that's going to have to get paid. Certain forwards could be kind of untouchable, though, like Ovechkin and Crosby. Sure. They've been married to those teams during all that time and until recently some of the Chicago players, too.

[00:43:35] But I think it's a little easier to justify that than the goaltender situation. Oh, yeah. Because it's a couple more million on top to be the top guy. Yeah. I mean, you'll pay Nate McKinnon before you're going to pay your goalie. You know what I mean? It's just that simple. Well, you took Nate McKinnon and Kyle McCarr and that team. They're like, you know, Patrick Mahomes as far as they don't need the goalie. They don't need the supporting cast. They won a cup with Darcy Kemper. And, you know, then I'm sorry. I don't think Kemper is a very good goalie.

[00:44:04] You know, it's just how good that team was at that time. But you have to have to make that run. You do have to have a top flight goalie. Like I never saw the Devils winning a cup with Van Der Schaaf. Like to me, it was just he was never going to be that guy that was just going to get so hot at certain points in the playoffs that, you know, steal you a game or three or series, whatever. He never said. But with Mark, you know, I've never seen Markstrom play in the Devils uniform, but I can see him doing this.

[00:44:33] Yeah, I feel like he's in that top third. Let's say that any team that have to have the right other chemistry can win with 30 percent of the league's goaltenders. Yeah, I think they can do it. And I put Markstrom in that category and we were kind of all hoping Van Dijk could pop his head in there. But, you know, it's proven not to be the case that he's in the lower two thirds of NHL goalies or maybe perhaps lower than that as things go on. We'll see. But, you know, I wish him the best. But, you know, yeah, you're right.

[00:45:01] Markstrom, I mean, who's going to argue he's not in the top third? He's not in the top 10, 12 goaltenders in the league. I mean, I think he's going to be on most people's list there and he's got a chance at, you know, raising through that list. I love the NHL recently put out two lists, you know, their top lists of goaltenders before the playoffs and then going into this year. And, you know, it's amazing. It's such a joke.

[00:45:31] They dethroned Vasilevsky from one, put him down at three, you know. Yeah. I get it. They didn't even put Bob up in the top four or top three. He was a number four, I think. That's ridiculous. Yeah. So, you know, they're a little crazy, but it is. It does go to show you, though, that that top 10, 12 goaltenders in the league. I think if you have the right chemistry, any team can win with them. You know, it doesn't matter which one of them you pick. It's what I'm trying to say. I think there's a lot of truth there.

[00:46:00] We're going to do a little exercise before we wrap it up. We're going to stick with the goaltenders. But before we do that, we're going to give a little shout out to our sponsor here. So our presenting sponsor here at the Uncle Puckers is DraftKings Sportsbook. And now if you download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use code THPN, new customers can get $150 instantly in bonus bets for betting just $5 on hockey. That's code THPN. Only on DraftKings Sportsbook and official sports betting partner of the NHL. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance.

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[00:48:49] Do we know who all the goalies are for the Eastern Conference right now? I mean, I think so. Isn't everybody pretty much locked in? I mean, I don't know. I got to look at it. All right. So, well, let's start with- I don't even know. That's Merzlikens. Merzlikens, yeah. So, we know that Florida has Bobrovsky. Yes. So, Bobrovsky or Markstrom? Yep. Who would you take?

[00:49:21] Well, Bob's coming off a great year. Yeah. Great year. He won a cup. I mean, you probably have to give the nod to Bob. I mean, the question is on what team, this and that. Right. But I think Markstrom can be very successful with our team. I kind of do see both of them in that top, you know, third that I was talking about that, like, doesn't matter.

[00:49:46] I mean, if your team's clicking and they're doing everything right, it shouldn't matter whether you got Bob or Markstrom. But you got to pick one. I'm going to give the nod to Bob. He's coming off a great year. He possibly might be, you know, up to building a real goalie dynasty for himself. I don't want to take anything away from him. To be honest, I'm very excited to see Markstrom play. I want to see how he plays with our team. That's such an unknown factor.

[00:50:15] Once I see Markstrom play, I might totally change my mind. Like, consider and take it Bob. Bobrovsky, over him, look how well he plays with his team. You know, I could see that happening. But right now, I mean, I'm going to give the king his due. He won the cup and I'm going to take Bob. Bob? Bob? Bob? Bob. I'm going to take our Bob and the other Bob. The Russian Bob. I agree with you guys. I would take Bobrovsky and only because of what I've seen him do the last two playoffs.

[00:50:45] So, you know, in two years, Markstrom wins a cup with the Devils. Yeah, it's going to be Markstrom. All right. So, Boston. Jeremy Swayman or Jacob Markstrom? No, you love Swayman. I do love Swayman. You've been a Swayman fan since day one. I love Jeremy Swayman. You know, Swayman's got a lot of upside. He's younger, right? I mean, on that factor, Swayman looking really good.

[00:51:12] Young factor, I think he kind of fits really close to that top. You know, third goaltenders. It's my little, you know, like we got to be there. And he's got a longer upside. So, like if I have a chance to lock him up long term, maybe I would take Swayman over Markstrom. I think he was ahead in our goalie sweepstakes leading up to the Markstrom deal. To be honest. That's what I really want. At least, yeah. But Bob?

[00:51:41] Well, admittedly, I've learned a lot more about Markstrom's inner game since we were speculating on all the different goalies. I don't know it as much for Swayman, but I do know that he was the guy I originally did want. And I don't think I can just fall back off that now. So, that and his age and everything else Dan mentioned, I guess I'd give the nod for him. Swayman. Jeremy Swayman played great in these playoffs and really looked like a number one goalie.

[00:52:09] We still have not seen Jeremy Swayman as a number one goalie. He doesn't have Linus Omar with him this year. I don't think that that's going to make a big deal because I think with the way Boston plays and how defensively sound they are, that I even think that Mikko Kiprasov will play very well as Swayman's backup there this year. I would probably say if I, you know, this is a wash for me. I don't, I would, I seriously would be absolutely happy.

[00:52:40] But because I have yet to see Markstrom, you know, in the devil's uniform, I'm going to take Swayman. But to me, it's seriously just a wash. But I'll take Swayman. Understood. Toronto. It looks like Joseph Walls, they're going to be their goalie, right? Who's their backup, Bob? Do you know? No. I'm not going to look this up. I don't know. Let me check here. I got to. Just to answer your question, I'm taking Markstrom. Yeah, I would too. Yeah.

[00:53:10] All right. So, we'll take Markstrom. I would take Markstrom. So, I think it is Wall. All right. This gets a little more difficult. Vasileski. Now, we're talking long-term again? Or are we just talking like, you can, forget about terms, just you can only have one or the other. Like, what are we really thinking? There's no term. Just one or the other. For this year, I guess, you know. That's funny this year. I mean, I'll trade Markstrom's two years for one year. Vasileski. Sorry. Dude's just money. Maybe number two in the league. Maybe three.

[00:53:40] I think he might be number one. Yeah. I'm not even sure. I mean, just Sirkin Hellebuck and him. You're in the top 10% of goaltenders in the league. Proven winner. Two cups. Almost a third. Solid as they come. You'd have to take him. You'd have to roll with him. Yeah. I think you gotta go with Vassie. He's amazing. But, you know, Markstrom, not to take anything away from him, but it's Vasileski, dude. You gotta... And as we're picking people over Markstrom with this, I will tell you this.

[00:54:10] I'll go back to what I said earlier. He might click so well with this team that once we've seen him play even a quarter of the season, that these opinions are rightfully reassessed. He might raise a lot of eyebrows. I mean, he's moving to a different conference. I feel like it's a fresh start for him. He's got all the tools. He can be great. And it's a matter of, like, is his coaching? Is his defense going to click with him? Is he going to do it? It's all right there.

[00:54:37] So, I mean, I do think that these opinions are hot takes at best. Sure. The Detroit Red Wings. Now they have Cam Talbot, and they have Alex Lyon, and they have Villejuso. Keep him. I'll take Markstrom here. Yep. Yeah, I'm going Markstrom too. The Buffalo Sabres. Sabres. The Buffalo Sabres have, I believe it's Devin Levi.

[00:55:07] And who's the other kid they just signed? Peko Lukonen or something. Who the heck is their other goalie? Yeah, Uko Peko Lukonen. So, it's Uko Peko Lukonen, who last year, I don't know what his numbers were last year. But him and Devin Levi. Who do you take? Markstrom or Uko Peko Lukonen? That's fun to say. It is. That's a fun name. Uko Peko Lukonen. I say that five times back.

[00:55:37] So, now we're going to go to Ottawa and Linus Olmark. Linus Olmark or, you know, the Vezina Trophy winner two years ago. Is it Linus or is it a... Here's another name from the, you know, Devil's Goalie Sweepstakes. Yeah. We were talking about Olmark and Markstrom and, you know, a couple others. And, you know, there's a good argument to be made for Olmark. He had a lot of success. He has the cup. And that's important.

[00:56:03] And, you know, on that, I'm going to give it a hair towards Olmark. I'm going to be fair. But that said, I think that even though that is like the statistically fair choice to make here, my gut still tells me Markstrom is going to be better for our team than Olmark would. So, you know, it remains to be seen or not seen, imagined.

[00:56:26] But, like, I'm going to be happy saying, like, yes, I understand logically Olmark might have a couple more marks to place above our guy. But I think Markstrom's a better fit. Okay. It's a tough one, too. Because, yeah, back when we were talking about the goalie sweepstakes and Olmark's name came up, that's where I said I prefer Swayman over Olmark. That being said, I know what Olmark has done.

[00:56:53] I just feel like this is the one time I'm more comfortable flipping because, again, I've learned so much about Markstrom's inner game. And I think he's just the right fit for the devil. So I'm going to take Markstrom on this one. It's Markstrom, guys. It's absolutely right. Dan, he got the answer. When you said – I didn't know there were definitive answers. That's the right answer. Linus Olmark was meh when he played in Buffalo. Linus Olmark played amazing when he played with Jeremy Swayman and for that Boston, you know, defense and the way that that team plays. Where I just said that, you know –

[00:57:23] And he fumbled really hard two years ago. Yeah. Yeah, in the playoffs, big time. You know, and I just said Korpisal is going to have a really good year backing him up. And that's a lot of it has to do with the system. Linus Olmark will struggle. He'll make Ottawa better. But he will have some really, really bad nights there. So I'm going to go with Jacob Markstrom. And a lot of it does have to do with the team. But I'm still going to take Markstrom. I want to, like, go back to something Bob said. Like, you keep saying, like, about Markstrom's inner system. So tell me about this. What did you read?

[00:57:53] It's nothing earth-shattering. What I'm really talking about is kind of his ability for these high-danger saves is really just kind of key. We already know, like, his straight stat line. He's going to stop average and above of what you're supposed to. See it, stop it kind of thing. Gotcha. He's got this inside game that is unquestionably better than most of the goalies, which that alone puts him in that top third that you've been talking about. The inside game. You're talking about up close. You have no business making the save kind of save. Pretty much.

[00:58:21] I was wondering if you were talking about his better help kind of, like, you know, mindset. I didn't know what you meant by inside game. No. Very. Okay. No, I totally agree with that. That is something that really – It's just you focus mostly on save percentage, wins, goals against. And for me, again, I've just looked at the way he plays. If he maintains that rate of saves on things that you shouldn't save, the defense he's got in front of him, it's just looking like –

[00:58:47] I don't forget that you brought that stat up, which I was not aware of before you did. And that's why I said, like, I feel like he's a great fit with this team. Yeah. We still are going to have some growing pains and young defense to work through. It's my justification. And he might be, like, you know, right there, the guy for that job. It's my justification why people look at Markstrom and not lump him in to maybe top 10 in the league on the surface. But then if you look at what he was able to do on a bad team. Yes. That's what makes me excited. Very good.

[00:59:17] I gave a hot take while you were gone, Dan. My hot take was that the Utah Hockey Club is going to make the playoffs this year. I really think that that team is going to make the playoffs. I have not seen their roster. So I'm glad to hear about this. Go look at their roster. Their defense is going to be really fucking good. That's awesome. I like that team. But that was my hot take. Here's one of my hot takes. Here's my second hot take.

[00:59:47] Jacob Markstrom is winning the Vezina this year. That would be so fucking sweet. I think he's in the conversation. But you're going winning? That's ballsy. I'm Pollyanna Chris until they make me not fake. You know what, man? I mean, we were just talking about how he makes those saves he shouldn't have to make. And he hasn't been on a good team, which has hurt his goals against. But, like, he's had a very good save percentage. So it's not crazy to think that if this team clicks the way it's supposed to,

[01:00:14] he's going to get a chance to show off all those crazy skills because we know the defense is still going to let some through. And he's going to be on a winning team. He's going to have a great save percentage as well as goals against. I could see that is very, very possible. It's not such a crazy hot take. I think it's going to happen. All right. The Montreal Canadiens. Montreal's got Sam Montembeau. And they have Caden Primo. Both guys I like. I have to say. They're young.

[01:00:43] I like Sam Montembeau. I thought he played really good last year. I think they locked him up, like, early last year. Like, you know, so they trusted this guy as the future. I don't care. I'm going with Jacob Markstrom over those guys. Yeah. I got to give the edge to Markstrom on that one. Absolutely. They don't factor in the top third and the goaltenders. Nobody. Right. No, they don't. All right. So that's one for Markstrom. The Columbus Blue Jackets.

[01:01:11] The Columbus Blue Jackets have Elvis Merzlikens. Who are you taking? Jacob Markstrom or Elvis Merlickens? Merzlikens my ball. Merzlikens my ball. I think this one's easy for me, quite frankly. I think it's Markstrom all the way. I don't even have to look at it any deeper than that. I like Merzlikens, but he's, you know, it's not the same goaltender. That's a class. It's, it's, uh, it's Markstrom. I don't think I marked him down. Did I? Yeah, I did. All right.

[01:01:39] Our next team is the Philadelphia Flyers. And I actually have to look up who their goalies are. Yeah. Right. Cause they lost one. Ivan Fedotov and Sam Erson. So Sam Erson played last year for most of the year. Is this even worth discussing? It's, it's Markstrom, right? No, no. Yeah. No. All right. Pittsburgh Penguins. Tristan Jari. We've got no specific choices. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Tristan Jari or Jacob Markstrom. I like Jari too.

[01:02:09] I like Jari. I think he's got, you know, a lot of good experience with that team, but I'm giving it to Markstrom for sure. I do like Jari as well. But I think that just on the surface alone, I think his numbers are below a Markstrom average year. So yeah, I would go Markstrom. Yeah. I'm going to go with Markstrom too. I like Christian Jari and I think Christian Jari is going to, you know, help Pittsburgh. I think, I think this is our last hurrah.

[01:02:37] I do think that Pittsburgh is going to make a run at the playoffs. It's Tristan. Is it Tristan? Do I have a name on him? Tristan Jari? Tristan. Yeah. Tristan. All right. The Washington Capitals. The Washington Capitals have Charlie Lindgren who played really, really good last year. And they have Logan Thompson who they took from Vancouver. So Charlie Lindgren, Logan Thompson, Jacob Markstrom. Markstrom.

[01:03:05] Can't think of any reason not to pick Markstrom over those two as well. I mean. Yeah. I'd take Markstrom. Just a kid from Islanders. I can't remember his fucking name. Help me out, guys. Sorokin. Sorokin. Thank you. All right. Sorokin or Markstrom? This is a good one. I think here in the Metro, I think conventional wisdom, if you polled all Metro fans, it's going to be Sorokin.

[01:03:30] But I think that Markstrom is not only a better fit for the Devils, I think because of the waxing and waning of the Devils and Islanders, Markstrom's going to have a better year. So I'm going to take Markstrom. Now, look, the theory like, oh, if we got Sorokin tomorrow, would he have a bad time with the Devils? No, I think he's a great goaltender. And I totally understand why somebody would say, if you have a shot at Sorokin, you would take him over Markstrom. So in that sense, fair.

[01:03:57] So, but very much like, you know, an earlier goaltender we were talking about, I'm going to go with Markstrom here in terms of both predicting a better year as, you know, I think at the end of the year, I can look at you and tell you, see, Markstrom had a better year and not having to answer, well, what if Sorokin was with us? You know what I mean? Yeah. Because, yeah, if we had to pick today for even money, you know, it's really hard not to pick Sorokin. It's not hard for me.

[01:04:27] I would pick Sorokin. I just think he's better raw talent wise, I guess. I would gamble on him, so to speak. I think at this point last year, if you told me I can have one of the two, honestly, I would come up and say, give me Sorokin. So I don't see why I would change that now. I can think of maybe a couple reasons why you might want to change that.

[01:04:50] Um, you know, Sorokin played really mediocre the whole season. Didn't even get the starts in the playoffs in the first round. They had, uh, the other guy in whatever the hell his name is. I can't think right now. Um, but Sorokin struggled this year. Sorokin got paid a huge ass contract and then he went on to have a mass season. Is there a world where Jacob Markstrom doesn't start for the Calgary Flames in the playoffs

[01:05:19] or for New Jersey? You know, no, I just, but for what we've seen with Sorokin, he's when he's on, he's ridiculous and he can do Igor. He can do Shosturkin type things. So again, that Sorokin like Swayman to me is a wash. I really, I just say, give me whoever the fuck you want. I don't care. I'll take either one. That's fair. That's fine. But we're not doing that here. So gun to my head. I think I would take Sorokin.

[01:05:49] I just, for, I just, I like his upside and I think he's going to be okay. So I, I'll take Sorokin. Freddie Anderson, Carolina Hurricanes. Mr. Anderson. Mr. Anderson. I take Markstrom, dude. Anderson has, has been the weak point on the Hurricanes and maybe not next year because they've got multiple weak points now. So we'll see. Yeah. Um, I, I can't see, I would, I don't see a world where I would ever take Freddie Anderson over Jacob Markstrom. No.

[01:06:18] I don't know if I would have took him over Vanacek. I mean, I don't see the, the, the, they're very similar. Right. Yeah. Yeah. I'm with you. I mean, you know, I, I think they're kind of interchangeable middle, maybe more like bottom third of goaltenders. I think you're right about that. That's exactly what I was going to say. I don't even think he's middle third. I think he's bottom third. So it's just not the same conversation. Igor Shosturkin. Oh, Markstrom all the way. That guy's a douche. He smokes. All right. So we're all going to say Shosturkin, right?

[01:06:48] Because we've always sang his praises. Any team save maybe Tampa is going to say Shosturkin. Yeah. So now how many of these do you say Vanacek for or Schmid for? None. None. Maybe, maybe two years ago. Maybe Anderson. Maybe the Freddie Anderson one. Yeah. Maybe two years ago. The Philadelphia goalies. The flyer goalies. The flyer goalies. Maybe the flyer goalies. Maybe Merzlikens. Nah. I still take most Lickens. I would take Merzlikens. Yeah. My balls.

[01:07:18] I would definitely take him. I would, I would take, I'd take Sam Montalbo over him. Yeah. Better outside. Multiple balls. Multiple balls. So out of the entire Eastern Conference, other than Sergei Bobrovsky, Bobrovsky, Andre Vasilevsky, Jeremy Swayman, Sorokin only two to one here. Yeah. It's not unanimous. No, it's not unanimous.

[01:07:48] I was halfway there. And Igor Shosturkin, they're the only goalies that we would maybe take over Jacob Armstrong. Like, I think that's fair. I think that's very fair. And I think if you go league wide, it's not many more. It's pretty fair. And I also, that doesn't even get into what I think Markstrom can do in a series against any one of those other guys. That's a whole other topic. You know, just, you know, there were going into that Ranger series two years ago.

[01:08:15] I honestly was just like, Igor Shosturkin can steal this thing. And I do not believe that we have a goalie that can do that. I don't feel that way anymore. I don't care who's on the other side. Jacob Markstrom can steal you a series. And that's the other thing, too. Like, as much as we launch Shosturkin on this show, we do. And I think it's mostly justified. Remember that this guy has not been able to get them over the hump. That's true.

[01:08:41] And once against their greatest rival in the playoffs, which was crushing for their franchise. And then, you know, in this latest bout, I don't really blame the Rangers for getting, you know, run over the way they did. But where was he? You know, I mean, he had his chance to shine. He never looked bad. I'm not going to knock him horribly. But he did not, you know, he's not Jesus. Okay. He's not going to rescue your franchise like a miracle.

[01:09:10] So, like, that's what I'm trying to say with this top third goaltenders. It almost doesn't matter. The chemistry of the team and the goaltender matter way more than the individual one-three-one of the goaltender. Do you hear what Shosturkin said? He was asked recently, I guess, for the top three best scorers. Like, who are the three guys you don't want to face? Right. And he said Sidney Crosby, Jack Hughes, and what the fuck? The guy from Colorado.

[01:09:38] I can't remember anything right now. Yeah, thank you. Nate McKinnon. Those were the top three. So, yeah. The respect is there for Hughes, no doubt. Yeah, definitely. Now, Hughes has, you know, owned him for pretty much his whole career. So, that's got, you know. It's fun to watch. But, yeah. I mean, there's just so many reasons to be so excited for this year. Absolutely. And I cannot wait. Is there anything else you guys want to add on before we wrap it up? Just like we ended last show, I want to roll back to another little something from 1995. Nice.

[01:10:09] Specific to what Chris did with Game 3. I believe if I'm scoring that correct, the game-winning goal belongs to a one Neil Broughton. That was the first goal. Sorry, the third goal. Third goal. And I found something very interesting from that particular year. It's going to take about two minutes. So, from checker to scorer, it's called. He came into the National Hockey League as a scoring threat. But after a while, Neil Broughton found himself playing on checking lines.

[01:10:32] His coaches loved putting him out there against other teams' top lines, using him the way future Devils coaches would use Bobby Holik and John Madden. On February 27, 1995, New Jersey General Manager Lou Lamarillo sent Corey Millen to Dallas, bringing Neil to New Jersey. Neil's brother Aaron played 581 games in New Jersey, but it was Neil who would later score some of the biggest goals in team history.

[01:11:03] Jacques Lemaire, the coach of the 95 Devils team, decided against using Neil as a checker. Jacques recognized I had some ability to play, Broughton said. I played with John McClain and Claude Lemieux. We produced. It was fun to be an offensive player again. For years, Neil was lining up against guys like Detroit Red Wings forward Steve Iserman and some of the NHL's other top forwards. You're not thinking offensively, Broughton said. So your production goes down.

[01:11:30] But the Devils team already had Bobby Holik, Mike Peluso, and Randy McKay playing together. Jacques saw no need to shackle the offensive talent he recognized in Broughton. Neil was terrific down the stretch run for the 95 team, scoring eight goals and adding 20 assists over the team's final 30 contests. He averaged almost a point a game during his first season in a Devils sweater. We played just really good hockey, Broughton said. Our defense held.

[01:11:57] The gap between our forwards and defense was nice and tight. And Jacques was just a really intelligent coach. I love the way he coached, the way he approached hockey, and the way he treated his players. Thank you, Neil Broughton. It's beautiful. Yeah, it really did. He was amazing. We talked a lot about Neil Broughton on this team. And I don't think a lot of people would think of his name as one of the key contributors to 95.

[01:12:26] And he was, in fact, probably top three. Well, offensively, top three. You know, with Lemieux, Richet, and Broughton. And then you get into the Stephens and Brodeur and Niedermeyer type of conversations. And I think, if I'm correct, only the second person ever to have an Olympic gold medal. If you remember, he was on that 1980 Olympic team. The Miracle on Ice team. And his name on the Stanley Cup. That's right.

[01:12:55] So he's one of maybe, what, two Americans we had on that team? When you think about it? From the Miracle on Ice? 95 Devils? Well, Garen. Oh, Garen, yeah. Jimmy Dowd, Garen. And then Neil Broughton. And that might be it. Brian Ralston? Ralston. Yeah. Right? You were saying American players on the team? Yeah, we had four. Brian Ralston. Wasn't Bobby Carpenter? Isn't he from Minnesota? Oh, is he? I didn't know that.

[01:13:25] Let me check that. I think there were quite a few. You know, there were quite a few Americans, especially from back then. I did love that story that Jimmy Dowd told us about Herb Brooks. I know. And that must have been amazing. Bobby Carpenter's from Massachusetts. Wow, yeah. So he was American. Yeah, there were quite a bit. Bruce Driver. Bruce Driver, American. It's always great when you have somebody from the state of the team, like Jimmy Dowd. That was amazing. Maybe when he comes on, we'll...

[01:13:55] Jimmy Dowd's not Canadian. No, no, no. Bruce Driver is. My bad. Yeah, I know. I got you. I'm just saying, that was really special, too. When you think back to 95, that story of Jim Dowd as a devil was amazing. The first New Jersey player ever drafted in the NHL, or was he the second? But I think it was definitely the first or the second. And then the first New Jersey player to win a Stanley Cup for his home team. Like, it was... And to score the game-winning goal in game two. Right. It's funny because we just missed it, right?

[01:14:24] Because, like, we were watching our varsity hockey guys play. We were only a few years removed from maybe seeing our school playing brick and seeing Jim Dowd. We were just that much younger than them. Just a few years, you know? Yeah. So we didn't really get to see him. But it would have been awesome if we did, right? Imagine those stories. Yeah. In some states, it's not that crazy of a story, you know? If you're from, I don't know, Minnesota or, you know... You know, there's a lot of states where it's not so unusual. Brick, New Jersey. New Jersey's pretty unusual. Yeah.

[01:14:52] I'm not saying it's unusual to play for your home team, but to win the Cup with the team. That's right. Yeah. That's the kicker. But, like, from a state, too, that has not put too many NHLers up. Right. Right. So... You might be in the first New Jersey-born player ever from that state in that league. Right. That's just awesome. I think Dallas with a Texas-born player. Right. Like, who am I thinking of? Former Devil. Blake Coleman. Blake Coleman. Yeah. I mean, that's about as crazy as that.

[01:15:21] Mike Rupp winning the Cup for the Columbus Blue Jackets, right? Yeah. Yeah. This didn't happen. No. No. It didn't happen. Well... So, I guess, wrap this thing up. I like those things, Bobby. You got to keep them coming. Yeah. That's great. You got them for 2000, 2003? I haven't gotten that far yet, but I'm sure I should be able to dig up one more for after we finish... Nice. That'll wrap up in 95. And hopefully, Jimmy Dowd will not ghost us again. Jim, if you're listening, you have my phone number. Let's go. Let's get this thing set up.

[01:15:51] Let's do it. Let's do it. Hopefully, game four. We'll definitely do game four. Hopefully, we will have the aforementioned Jimmy Dowd on with us so we can actually dive into what it was like to be on the ice for that game. Must have been just unreal. Unreal. But hopefully, we can talk to him and learn about that. So, wherever you're listening to us, like a five-star review. Sorry about that. All the other stuff to help the little podcast that could. We are the Alka Puckers, and we'll see you when we see you. Bobby's out. Later.

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