A breakdown of the win over Nashville and other news around the NHL
Chris (00:00)
What is up everybody? Welcome to the Uncle Pucker New Jersey Double Podcast. I'm Chris with Bob, Dan, playing the part of Tony is our friend Tim Wood. Hi guys, how's everybody doing?
Bobby (00:15)
Feeling good. He's got a better intro phrase than an intro. He still doesn't know what to say when we end this. There you go. It's all you.
Dan (00:15)
What's up man? What's up Tim? Welcome!
Tim Wood (00:16)
Hi.
Chris (00:19)
The outro is no good. No.
Tim Wood (00:20)
I'm sorry, maybe I'll just say bye. There you go, it's so simple.
Chris (00:23)
That could, you could just keep it simple. everybody all set for Thanksgiving or what? What's everybody doing?
Bobby (00:32)
Close enough.
Dan (00:33)
Yeah, yeah, definitely. We're staying home, having some in-laws over. Should be a good time. How about you?
Chris (00:37)
Nice. Going to my sister's and my mother-in-law is in from Florida so we have to, we never make more than one trip so we have to make a trip this year, go see her so that's about it.
Dan (00:53)
Wow. Okay. You gotta go have Thanksgiving dinner and then drive to Florida? Is that what you said? She's here. okay. That's not, well, that's not nearly as bad.
Chris (00:58)
No, she's here. So we have to drive to Howell here in Jersey. So I have to go to my my sister's who's in, you know, the next town over, which is five minutes from me and then drive about, I don't know, half hour, 40 minutes or so. So that's all right. What about you, Tim? Yeah.
Dan (01:09)
Right, right.
That's not bad. A lot of people have a lot longer drive.
Tim Wood (01:15)
It's not bad. I'm going on local like 15 minutes away just to a relative's house. Probably about 10, 15 people there, kind of a bit of a hodgepodge of group. I volunteered to cook because last year there the food was just fucking god awful. So you're to go to someone's house, fuck up their kitchen and then leave. It's the best. No, exactly. I literally probably have the best job and nobody will talk to me while I'm cooking because I'll just tell them to fuck off.
Chris (01:20)
Nice.
As long as you don't have to clean it. Yeah, fuck them.
Dan (01:34)
Nice.
Chris (01:41)
So you're very social butterfly on Thanksgiving, aren't you there Tim? Get out of my fucking kitchen!
Dan (01:42)
That's a good point.
Tim Wood (01:46)
I leave it all on the table for you guys.
Bobby (01:48)
more vocal on a podcast.
Chris (01:52)
and right get out of my fucking kitchen that's it god more than I can count so how about you be you're gonna be in Jersey huh
Dan (01:54)
Yeah, he's doing his best Chris impression while cooking. Yeah, get the fuck out of my kitchen. Exactly. How many people have you said that to over the years? Yeah.
Bobby (02:06)
I'll be in Jersey. I was just telling the guys though. We got it got a hockey game at like 630. So we're probably not gonna get in the car till 830 or so So 10 30 11 o'clock, I'll be arriving at my dad's No tomorrow night Thanksgiving Eve. Yeah, these of course, you know middle school hockey has got a schedule, know six There's some of the kids got even later games like eight o'clock But we'll be doing that and then we're getting to my dad's in the morning But we're gonna go up to freehold my cousin's house and then back down
Chris (02:14)
A hockey game on Thanksgiving at 6 30 in the morning? tomorrow night. Okay, okay. I got confused. Gotcha.
Okay, so we'll be right in the same neck of the woods. I'm going to Howell.
Bobby (02:34)
and then home before like lot of Yeah. Yeah, I'm going to freehold, but we'll be home. We'll be home Thursday night, so.
Dan (02:39)
Yeah, how real? Definitely. Remember when, you remember when Thanksgiving Eve was a big drinking night that was in those days? Yeah. It's crazy.
Chris (02:45)
I was just gonna say that to you. Yeah, yeah. If I wasn't working, I was really fucking hungover on Thanksgiving.
Tim Wood (02:53)
Mm-hmm.
Dan (02:54)
That's the best way to be on Thanksgiving, especially when you were younger and nobody expected shit from you. You just like go show up at your parents' house and like you're just half dead and you're just getting through it. It's fun.
Chris (03:00)
When I was in high school and up through probably my early 20s when I was working on a restaurant in the boardwalk, one of the busiest nights was, you know, Wednesday before Thanksgiving. So my family, yeah, my family would always go to Secaucus for Thanksgiving to my cousin's house up there. And I would get home at like four in the morning. So I would never go. And I love Thanksgiving because everyone would be gone, you know, still living at home and they'd all be gone for the whole day. I'd like
Bobby (03:16)
It's a big party night.
Dan (03:21)
Right.
Chris (03:29)
order food or go to Wawa or whatever and just watch football all day and lay on the couch. Yeah, I'm not a huge turkey person. I just got like a fucking roast beef sub and I'm happy. I get it once in a while. I like it. I like it. I got it the other night actually. And I never get it with the cranberry sauce on it I got it with the cranberry sauce. was, it was good. It was good with the cranberry sauce.
Dan (03:34)
Yeah. Spanking it all over the house. Absolutely.
Bobby (03:36)
turkey gobbler and you're good, right?
Not even the gobbler? In a bowl maybe? Yeah. Potatoes? Shit, that's good.
Tim Wood (03:44)
You
Bobby (03:52)
No. I don't know why that's an option. really?
Dan (03:53)
Alright, so here's the thing, I'm definitely a cranberry sauce snob. I've been spoiled, it's really my wife's doing. She makes real cranberry sauce and I know a lot of people prefer the canned, you know, comes out the shape of the can, cranberry sauce. They're like, no, that's the shit. I'm telling you it's not unless you really had bad homemade cranberry sauce. I don't know.
Chris (04:12)
Well, I've had very bad homemade cranberry sauce and I have had some outstanding homemade cranberry sauce. My mother-in-law had made, well, she used to make this amazing homemade cranberry sauce. So I don't know that'll be there on Thursday night, but if so, I will definitely partake.
Dan (04:30)
Dude, you're not going all the way to Howl and not getting some of that good shit from the past. Tell her you do that or you're not showing her up. That's what you do.
Chris (04:33)
Right, you wanna see your grandkids? Make that fucking cranberry sauce. That's what I'll say. That's it.
Dan (04:39)
Okay, unconditional love lady, come on.
Tim Wood (04:41)
Yeah. But do you not understand this relationship, how this works?
Chris (04:44)
She just went through what you went through, Dan. She just had a hip replaced.
Dan (04:49)
Yeah, I know, I feel like I'm in a category with a lot of old ladies. It's awesome. Everybody I talk to if this ever comes up, they're like, yeah, my mom had that. She's 80. Fuck me. I'm like, you know, I play a lot of hockey on this ship. Yeah, exactly.
Chris (04:50)
You are! At least one old lady I know!
Bobby (04:54)
You
You
Tim Wood (05:01)
Hahaha
Chris (05:03)
Yeah, how much talk is your mom play, huh? None.
Bobby (05:04)
Yeah.
Tim Wood (05:07)
was... Nico Dawes had the same surgery, Ever heard of Patty Kane? Fuck you.
Dan (05:12)
Yeah, exactly.
Chris (05:14)
man.
Dan (05:16)
But they don't get the whole total hip replacement. Those young guys who are getting the hip surgeries you read about, it's usually something that preserves the joint. They don't need as much. When you get to the age I did it, late 40s and a lot older, they're just hacking your shit apart. They're just fucking lopping it off. It's like an assembly line. You don't end up with the same functionality as Nico does. I'm not going to be like, I had my surgery, I'm ready to play.
Tim Wood (05:22)
Yeah.
Bobby (05:33)
You
Tim Wood (05:36)
It's a photo here.
That's yeah, when you get to our age, it's one of two things. It's either your doctor's like, you know what? It's just gonna be like that for the rest of your life, sorry. Or it's like, we're gonna replace the whole thing and it's not gonna be any better, but you're gonna set off alarm bells with TSA. So you got that going for the rest of your life.
Dan (05:50)
Yeah.
Bobby (05:54)
Yeah.
Dan (05:54)
Yeah, exactly.
Chris (05:56)
Wait.
Dan (05:59)
Yeah, when I was asking them about it and stuff, they're like, no, like, you know, it's really a matter of like what kind of mobility you want to have and stuff and restore. I've had some patients, they do this and they can play pickleball. Like, fuck you. Pickleball? Like, that's not what I'm after. And I seriously asked about hockey and specifically goaltending. And I'm like, goaltending, know, like this is, you know, explain. They're like, no, don't do that. That's you're going to pop that shit right out.
Chris (06:10)
Pickleball, look at you! Well, I mean...
Bobby (06:12)
Hahaha
It is a trend!
Chris (06:21)
And they were like, water aerobics, water aerobics is where your athleticism should end right there, you know?
Tim Wood (06:27)
No, no.
Dan (06:30)
Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I'll be able to walk into bingo with no pain whatsoever. It's gonna be great.
Tim Wood (06:30)
You
Bobby (06:31)
How's your bingo game?
Chris (06:35)
You
Tim Wood (06:36)
Just get that, just renew that Y membership card.
Dan (06:40)
Yeah, you know.
Bobby (06:41)
Hey, I go to the Y.
Tim Wood (06:43)
Why is the best man like running next to some old guy in jeans and like dockers and you're just like this is the best you're like I'm Exactly. I was in a very conservative Jewish neighborhood in New York and you know They would show up in full kind of garb and I'm like I'm absolutely destroying this woman on the treadmill right now this
Dan (06:48)
Yeah.
Bobby (06:49)
I actually lower the average age.
Dan (06:58)
Yes.
Chris (06:59)
Right? You think she can keep up with me with her fucking dress down to her toes?
Bobby (07:00)
Yeah, whatever makes sleep at night.
Dan (07:01)
Yeah, that's right.
Tim Wood (07:04)
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Dan (07:07)
Yeah, his skirt is really hindering her, but I'm still proud.
Chris (07:09)
Alright, so why don't we jump into a little bit of hockey boys? Man how fucking great was that game last night? There's not there hasn't been many games that I've been like I wish I was at that game I wish I was at last night's game dude. That was just a thorough ass beating from top to bottom I'd love to hear what you guys
Dan (07:18)
Hmm.
Yeah, definitely.
Chris (07:33)
felt about that game or at least you know what you think about this team as of right now in this point will go over a whole bunch of other ship but then did you get to watch the game.
Dan (07:43)
I got to watch all the highlights. We had an All-Star game of our own to go to for one of the kids, so that was cool. But yeah.
Chris (07:48)
which I heard that she's absolutely kicking ass.
Dan (07:54)
Well, she concluded her awesome high school field hockey career, so I was very happy for her. And she got to play in the All-Star game and had some amazing saves, which is a great way to go out for high school. So I hope she plays in college. I know her sister is, and that's fun.
Chris (08:03)
That's awesome. That's awesome. You guys definitely left your mark on the high school lacrosse, mean, field hockey in this town because between your two girls, I mean, they're probably what? Two of the best goalies that have come through here, right? I mean...
Tim Wood (08:06)
Very cool.
Dan (08:18)
Yeah?
They really were and they both made the All-Star teams and this and that and they did really well. They had fun though, they were very cool. I loved it because when they first started I helped them a lot, having a goaltending background. By the time they were sophomores they both like, fuck off dad, you don't know what you're talking about, this is field hockey. I kind of backed off and just watched them play and I was just thankful to watch every moment of it, was great.
Chris (08:27)
That's awesome.
Bobby (08:30)
Very cool.
Chris (08:37)
Right.
That's awesome.
Tim Wood (08:45)
Yeah, see what you do is you take this blocker and you just hit the girl in the face. You're like, what?
Chris (08:45)
This is mush-er.
Dan (08:48)
I can't tell you. So many times I was telling them about like there's no way I would put up with that girl sticking her ass, but here's what you do. And they look at me like I'm insane. Like that. This is field hockey. We're not assholes like you guys.
Bobby (08:49)
You
Tim Wood (08:56)
Hahaha!
You're just showing him like Ron Hexdahl clips like this is what you do next time. Yeah, man.
Bobby (09:01)
Yes.
Chris (09:02)
Right, exactly. Or Timo Meyer clips from last night. Jesus.
Dan (09:04)
Exactly. Yeah, but...
Bobby (09:08)
Oof,
Dan (09:09)
They had their moments. I was proud of them. They didn't take any shit. They were pretty good. And it's a fun sport, man. I wish we played that as guys. I know in a lot of world they play field hockey and I think I would have loved it. It's weird in a lot of ways. That's thing, right? You always ever see it in the skirt. But if you ever watched like the male Olympic field hockey, it's pretty fucking bad ass. It really is, you know? But it just doesn't fly here.
Chris (09:19)
You would look so cute in that skirt too.
I've never seen it.
Tim Wood (09:30)
Yeah, we used to do that every year in high school, the varsity hockey team would play the varsity field hockey team at field hockey and we just kicked the shit out of them. It was hilarious.
Chris (09:40)
You had a men's field hockey team in high school? versus girls. Okay, okay, okay. I got you. Did you play on ice or field? Okay, against them.
Dan (09:41)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I could see that.
Tim Wood (09:44)
No, no, no, no, the girls, the girls versus the field hockey team. Yeah. So, but we're, know, no, we play, play, no, we hit, we played field hockey against them, but, but you know, we're, not allowed to use the other side of the stick. So we're always getting penalties, think that is bullshit.
Dan (09:45)
ice hockey team.
But they were on the ice and that's not fair. They're slipping all over the place.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's the thing. would change so many rules of field hockey. First of all, what's with those fucking sticks? Plus, if you're tall, like there's a max height on that stick that anybody over, I would say like five, seven is kind of fucked. You're playing over like a hunchback. It's ridiculous. Yeah, it's crazy. Not only that, there's no such thing as a left-handed field hockey stick. By, you know, the regulation, they can't have, there's no left-handed sticks. So a left-handed player has to learn to play right-handed and fuck you if you can't.
Bobby (10:13)
Hmm. That doesn't seem fair.
Chris (10:13)
Right.
Dan (10:29)
You know, like that's just, that's just wacky. They hated left handed people, that's for sure.
Tim Wood (10:30)
Yeah.
Bobby (10:31)
The dickheads have made up this game.
Chris (10:34)
That's a-
Bobby (10:35)
Apparently.
Tim Wood (10:35)
Yeah, I was a lefty hockey player and I remember being really annoyed about it. I was like, where are the lefty sticks? And like, what do mean? I was like, where are the lefty sticks? I don't understand. It's very...
Chris (10:42)
That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
Bobby (10:46)
Especially since there's more lefties than righties in hockey as we discussed, right Chris?
Dan (10:46)
Yeah, it is.
Chris (10:48)
Yeah, there are.
Dan (10:50)
You could change this game. I would change it in like maybe five or six key areas and it'd be fucking fun. It really would. I mean, I guess I played the way it is, but yes. Play with both sides of the stick. Yeah. Change that ball to like a disc that's like three by one. Yeah.
Chris (10:54)
Who would you like longer sticks on ice skates? You know, you want to make it in ice hockey is what you want to do. Right, change it into a flat. Maybe maybe something that like, I don't know, resembles that a little bit. Who's that sign? Who's that sign by anybody? Can anybody say who's that sign by? I know you can't say it, Randy Velichuk. Yeah, yeah.
Tim Wood (10:56)
Some of the things that...
Bobby (11:02)
Yeah
Tim Wood (11:02)
Make it like a
Dan (11:12)
Yeah, exactly. Looks like a tuna can. Nobody could tell that resolution sucks.
Bobby (11:13)
The XHL. I can't see who it's signed by. You're fuzzy. I'm going say Brodor. I was way off. Right.
Tim Wood (11:15)
Hahaha!
Yeah, that looks like it.
Dan (11:23)
Randy Vellis? that's cool.
Tim Wood (11:25)
That's like number 70 on the list of guesses I would have had.
Dan (11:27)
We would have never got around to
Chris (11:27)
He was running a clinic at the ice palace and my nephew played goalie and we were up there and met him and Bobby and car, what the hell was his name? Bruce driver was there too, but he didn't sign my buck. Randy Belichick did. So, Timmy, what'd you think of the game last night?
Dan (11:40)
yeah.
Tim Wood (11:46)
What the fun thing game?
Dan (12:01)
Right, right.
Chris (12:04)
little bit.
Tim Wood (12:12)
They just looked like slow and old and they just could not keep up with us. Kind of felt bad for Saros, man. He was just hanging in there with us. you know, after the, you we were just all over them. We were just so much better of a team. And it showed, you know, nothing. They had nothing. I we beat them, you know, physically, offensively with chances. Just we were clear. You know, we're breaking out of the zone just so easily. It was almost too easy. You know, we just controlled the game. It was a lot of fun to watch.
Dan (12:20)
Yeah, I do like him.
Chris (12:25)
They had no answers last night. Nashville had nothing.
Were you guys a little surprised that the Hughes line was a little quiet? I thought that this would be a game they might be able to take over. And we haven't really seen that where, you know, the Heesher line and the Hughes line together are putting up a lot of offense. So I was a little bit like, hmm, I wonder, I mean, maybe I'm guessing Nashville probably their game plan was don't let Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt beat us. I mean, and they, you know, probably they did a good job with that, but that's okay. We have Nico Heesher.
Dan (12:59)
It is weird, yeah.
Chris (13:09)
We don't need Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt every night. So, my God, dude.
Bobby (13:12)
Yeah, cap attack, right?
Tim Wood (13:15)
Yeah, it's Christy Flander asked brunette before the game. She's like, you know, what, what are you worried about with Jack Hughes? He said everything. So he, he was, you know, he was flying around, you know, he had, you know, puck on a string there for, for a few moments and still pretty prominent in the power play. Just, you know, I actually have my fantasy hockey team and his stat line was all zeros. It was pretty wild.
Chris (13:20)
Right, right, what's their, you know...
yeah.
It's great to have it not need them every night, you know to have those that deep depths, you know, Bobby. What about you?
Bobby (13:38)
He got it, got it.
Tim Wood (13:41)
Yeah.
Bobby (13:46)
I mean, absolutely loved everything about this game. I can't really add much that hasn't already been said, but it's just one of those games for the minute you turn it on, you're just into it and you felt it and they took over the game. I mean, I think it was like 15 minutes in the first period, Tim, you had texted something like we're showing that we're in a higher class than Nashville. And my first thought was, no, at this point we're showing that we're a higher class than most. That's really where this team has become. You look at some of the teams that they beat recently. We talked a lot about, you know, beating the defending champs two in a row, which is great.
Chris (14:13)
Which we actually, think we, real quick, I think we broke Florida. I think we broke them. Because after those two games, they have not been right. So we completely broke the champs. But, ahead.
Bobby (14:14)
but we've exercised some demons.
Yeah?
Dan (14:22)
Yeah, haven't been.
Bobby (14:25)
Yep. That's good. Yeah. I just saying, like we exercise some demons. mean, the Capitals or the Hurricanes, we beat them 42, the Capitals give us fits, we beat them. Nashville, yeah, on paper, we thought we should have beat this team, but it's hard not to look back at the, history that was, 0-8 against them at home or some shit, and they just play us hard. We beat them again last night. Chris, you and I were going back and forth today a little bit about the Blues. I said we're going to beat them too. Fuck the trap game. Fuck the team that plays us hard.
Chris (14:41)
Mm-hmm.
Bobby (14:53)
These things don't matter to this team anymore. They're sticking up for each other all throughout the ice. They're a completely different team and I still don't think they're fully rolling yet. So it's just nothing but exciting.
Chris (15:01)
I with that. I totally agree with that. And I realized that I hate the St. Louis Blues. I really hope that we just kick the living shit out of them tomorrow night. And the whole Jim Montgomery there pisses me off too. I talked a little bit about it on the video I put out today. It's so annoying that the guy gets fired on Monday or Tuesday. He's hired on another team on Sunday.
And these guys like St. Louis now this is their third coach in a year, right? They had Barube and then Bannister. And, you know, I kind of feel bad for Bannister, you know, I mean, it's not like the team was, I don't know if the team, it was underperforming. didn't think they were going to be a good team to begin with. So, I mean, I guess, okay, bring Jim, Jim Montgomery. But I think Jim Montgomery is overrated. I really do. I mean, he was gifted this awesome Boston team and he has this.
Dan (15:34)
Right.
Tim Wood (15:34)
Yeah.
Chris (15:56)
ridiculous year two years ago and then they lose in the first round of the playoffs they you know can't do shit last year in the playoffs and then it just completely fell off the rails so fuck him
Bobby (16:07)
then you look at it too and they just went ahead and just five year deal. Here you go. Like we already know, we already know you're so good. You can work this team. We're going to give you five years, not an interim basis, not a year or two. Like what were they afraid of that they couldn't just give them the year or even two years just to give them a little buffer. That's kind of stupid in my opinion to go five years. You don't know how he's going to work with this team versus Boston. Just like you said, what's the inheriting compared to Boston? Yeah.
Chris (16:09)
Yeah!
Tim Wood (16:11)
Yeah.
Chris (16:27)
Owners don't care, they just fire them. Right?
Dan (16:30)
Five years is a long term for any coach, any coach.
Bobby (16:33)
Exactly. You're just going to wind up firing him and paying him until he gets hired by another team. And it's the coaching carousel we talk about all the time, right?
Tim Wood (16:33)
Damn.
The that's and the cut that's it's gotten so bad recently, you know, I think Cooper's the only guy who's got any sort of length of tenure under his belt these days, you
Chris (16:46)
think I saw that like Marty St. Louis is the fifth longest coach, maybe even more than that. Maybe he's in like the top three. Yeah, you know, and he, I think Sheldon Kip is like 18th. I'm not even like, it's crazy. Like the amount of turnover that these coaches have and it doesn't matter. Once you're in, you're in, you know, it's like somebody dies and then a new guy can come into the league.
Bobby (16:54)
That's crazy. I feel like he just got the job.
Tim Wood (16:55)
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah.
Tug arms? Yeah.
Chris (17:10)
It really is like the same 32 guys constantly regurgitated and spit out to a new team.
Bobby (17:18)
And make no mistake, I think it's totally different with the Sheldon Keefe situation in us. think this is a much more valid move. I know the term wasn't five. I don't remember what it was. But just a much more logical thing to do than just go ahead and say, you're dumped. Great. Here you go. Come on in five years, sight unseen.
Chris (17:32)
A-O-A- No, go ahead.
Tim Wood (17:34)
Yeah, and Doug Armstrong, sorry to interrupt, but Doug Armstrong at GM has shown to be like, he's just fucking ruthless, man. The two offer sheets that he did this summer, and then just, it just doesn't sit right to me what he did to Bannister. He was like, you know what, sorry, get the fuck out. Shit's packed, remember were talking about Tatar? It's like they changed the locks on him.
Chris (17:41)
Yeah, the offer sheets to Edmonton, yep.
Yeah, it was like, know, you're happy with your girlfriend, everything's going good, but this, you know, this cute chick just walked in and she's side-eyeing you and you just kind of blew your chick off and walked out with the other girl. You know, it's like basically what they did, like just because Montgomery was available and they just shit all over Bannister, I kind of feel bad for them.
Bobby (18:16)
It sucks that I've been sitting on the reel we made with Tatar when we were busting his balls. It was like the day before he started really playing well and I keep wanting to throw that reel out because it's pretty funny. I'm like, shit, he scored a goal. Now I got to wait. I got to wait for him to go in like a slump and we can use a reel from like three weeks ago just to put it out there.
Chris (18:33)
Wait until maybe Monday when he's a healthy scratch because McDermott's got to be in the lineup against the Rangers.
Bobby (18:41)
There you go.
Tim Wood (18:41)
god. Rempeh got sent back down.
Dan (18:43)
Yeah, you think you put him in in the first game? Is that what your call is? Yeah, I heard about that.
Chris (18:45)
Yeah, I think you absolutely if Rempey is in in line up now you said he got sent down
Tim Wood (18:52)
He got sent back down because of that stupid shit he did last night.
Chris (18:53)
I don't know what the obsession is that New York fans, I mean maybe just Ranger fans are dumb as fuck, but like this obsession with Matt Rempey, like I, I get it, like it's more like a freak show kind of thing, like it's like a little bit of a train wreck and you can kind of get behind the guy because he's so big and, that's a good point. That's a good, it's the same exact thing. You're a hundred percent right. Right, except Sean Avery actually.
Dan (19:11)
This is a team that loves Sean Avery, you know, it's the same kind of thing. It's actually a less skilled Avery.
Bobby (19:14)
See ya.
Chris (19:18)
brought something to your team, didn't actively hurt it every single time he was on the ice, which I feel like Rempy does. I hope he's in the fucking lineup on Monday. I hope they bring him back up for the game against the Devils because I want to see McDermott or Dylan just knock his ass out.
Dan (19:33)
Certain teams would definitely love that kind of character. It is a throwback character. I mean, think about Renpy if he was a flyer. Those people would go fucking nuts. They'd up a statue next to Rocky. You know, they would love a guy like that. You know that.
Chris (19:43)
You're right. Well, the Ranger bands are the same way.
Tim Wood (19:43)
Okay.
Bobby (19:44)
You
Tim Wood (19:49)
Yeah, it's just this... It's a casual fan bloodlust, you know? It's like the guy that's like, I got the corporate seats, you know, to go sit in the lower bowl at MSG and no rampy's gonna be there. Hopefully he'll fight someone, because that's all I understand about hockey. You it's the big tall guy fighting, even though he fucking sucks at hockey.
Dan (19:49)
Yeah, they're just a lower,
Mm-hmm.
Chris (20:01)
Right. Now, since we're on the Rangers, let's dive a little bit into what's going on with them right now. Because, I don't know, there's a piece of me that feels like, because I think it's bullshit the jury threw out there that they're looking to maybe shop with Kreider and Truba. You're not moving those dudes. I don't give a shit, you're not moving them. I don't know, first of all, who would take them. They have like 15 team no trade clauses, I think, both of them.
Dan (20:01)
Exactly.
Chris (20:30)
So that now you have half of the league that they would probably say they would say okay to going to most of those teams are contending teams. Most of contending teams don't want those contracts or those guys like Chris Crider I think can help a lot of I think he's injured right now. I mean, I think so. I think he is.
Bobby (20:45)
Isn't he having a good year like statistically seven decent year right is he.
Tim Wood (20:49)
He's got like a Sai Yong stat line. I he's got like eight goals and no assists.
Chris (20:53)
Okay, so but but you're not moving them. you know this Like the stan fischler hate on egor sesterken as much as I absolutely love it It doesn't make sense to me like egor sesterken is your best player and they would they would be In the bottom of the metro if they didn't have them Is this just the rangers like everyone's saying no It's jury's way of just kind of getting his team fired up and telling them that they're on notice or whatever like you have to make that public
Bobby (20:55)
okay.
Chris (21:23)
To me it's, we're not in first place right now and nobody's talking about us and we have to have people talking about us. We're the Rangers. So we throw that shit out there. Like I don't know what it is but.
Dan (21:34)
It's getting ahead of the media, you know, remember he's got a lot more media questions even though the New York media is like one of the least informed hockey medias out there They still ask about the team all the time and you know, they're gonna like give him some amount of shit So, you know, this is just shit to throw back at them. Like here's what I'm doing, you know, he's not really doing anything
Chris (21:50)
But what's the problem? It's not like you're sitting outside a playoff spot. You're in the playoffs. You're only like four points out of the top three in the Metro. To me, this is not a panic time unless you're seeing things.
Dan (22:05)
No, it's not. It's just, you know them, they always want something new and shiny. They didn't have a huge off season and you know, they want to know what's coming around the pike. What's the big name we expect to trade deadline because you know, it's really more about that than even the standings. you're right, they're not that, they're not buried at all. They're in a good spot. But New York media is kind of like that. They want something new, they want something shiny and this is what always forces them to make some of those.
Chris (22:07)
Yeah.
Dan (22:33)
kind of ill-conceived trades, whether it's just picking up some aging name who may or may not do anything for them like Kane and Gretzky and everybody else.
Chris (22:37)
Right?
Yeah
Tim Wood (22:45)
Yeah, it's funny because it's coming from both sides. know, like to Dan's point, it's coming from like the relatively uninformed media members. You know, the guy that writes like one column a week for like, you know, the post. It's like, the Rangers are in first place, but why is everybody mad at them? And then it's actually coming from the people that are watching the games and are pretty well informed. They're like, we see a lot of cracks and a lot of problems with this team. It's just Sterken is bailing them out. It's Lingren and Truba are fucking awful defensemen. they're
Dan (23:08)
Yeah, yeah, that's a good point.
Tim Wood (23:14)
awful and they're playing lazy and slow, Zabanićad is a mess, know, Kreider, you know, has no assists on the season, which is hard to do. They just see the cracks in the game. Like this is not a sustainable model. They're literally being bailed out by Igor Shosturkin, which then you add on the third layer of Stan Fischler's absolute generational hater run against Shosturkin. So you have those three kind of layers of the media all coming after the Rangers expecting it. Meanwhile, they're in third place in the division or fourth place in the division.
It's like, what are you guys so mad about? You have the same record like as as Florida.
Chris (23:47)
And the problems I believe are a lot of it is coaching. and it's also goes back to the look when you're a guy like Peter Lobby left, right? Who has been coaching in this league for 25, 30 years. He has been a head coach in this league. So if you're going through, you know,
With your system and how you play, it's only a matter of time until teams are like, yeah, it's lobby led system. We know how to beat that. It's Lindy rough system. We know how to beat that to an extent. I mean, they have to have players. Right. And last year they played completely out of their heads. Their power play was phenomenal. They had amazing goaltending from both dudes. and it covered a lot of their mistakes and they, doubt that, you know, playoff time.
Dan (24:19)
That's true. There is a novelty factor, you're right.
Bobby (24:21)
Right. Yep.
Tim Wood (24:22)
Yeah, yeah.
Chris (24:35)
If Panarin and Zabaniad and those guys showed up against the Panthers, they had a good shot. But you know, this year it's again, a year older that H-Cliff comes up quick. They're not a young team. They, you know, finally seem to have a bottom six that knows what they're doing, but now they're top six for God how to play. So I just, I love watching it. I hope to God they do not make the playoffs. I would love to see this just be a complete crash and burn job.
I would love it.
Bobby (25:06)
That's It's the best part about this implosion right is that it's just fun to watch now because like you like you all mentioned They're 12 and 7 there. They're in a playoff spot. They're they're falling apart for no reason Yeah You could see cracks in their game when you really want to analyze it and all that and you can also say well They're still 12 and 7 despite not playing well, right? So it's just funny to watch because it's kind of like last year
They had this mistake that wasn't going to change. They were going to keep playing the way they were going to play. were racking up the points. Everything was coming up roses. And now this year, it's like the exact opposite is happening. I feel like the narrative is just being written for them. And like, if they don't pull themselves out of this thinking, like, this is the route they're going to go. And then they are going to be a shitty team.
Chris (25:44)
Well, you're 100 % right, because I think we saw that with the Rangers the last couple of years, that when things are going good and, you know, everything's working, the guys are all buying in, and they're gonna do, you know, as long as the trajectory is upward, we're gonna be alright. But once things start to get a little cracks in the armor, you know, just a few little, they don't, they're fucking lazy, and I feel like they don't have that work ethic.
Tim Wood (25:47)
Yeah.
Chris (26:12)
to just say, these are the things that we're doing wrong. Let's fix it. Let's stick to our game plan. Let's do it. They don't have it. It's like, I don't understand that team. don't know if it's, we thought it was bad coaching with Gerard Galant, but it looks like it's happening all over again. You know, the second year with Peter Lavillette. So I don't know.
Tim Wood (26:32)
I could have also been Dolan just tuning into his first game was Edmonton game. And he was like, and they got the shit kicked out of him six to two. And he's like, that's it. Fire everybody. Now I'm going to go back on stage with my band.
Chris (26:35)
Right.
Yeah.
Bobby (26:43)
Yeah.
Dan (26:43)
Yep. That's it. Absolutely. It's always been those snap decisions from the top that made this team that, my opinion, kind of a joke. They know that we're serious. We'll buy everything back, especially with the older pre-salary cap days. But they always did it poorly. They got really kind of shit results for it. But that's the media market. That's the ownership. Yeah, that's a good point. That's the way it's run there.
and it's a team that has like all and more of the business pressure of any Canadian team, including Toronto, but none of the actual hockey acumen, you know? Like I know there's, they have some real fans and people that task organization like Tim said, who do know hockey and see what's going on, but they're not the ones that are really listened to. And that's the problem with that whole organization always has been.
Chris (27:20)
Right.
If they don't make, yeah, he is. If they don't make the playoffs, Shisurkin's gone. He's walking. I do not see him resigning with this team if they don't make the playoffs. And right now there is a team sitting out West that I think would give anything to get Igor Shisurkin. And if he wants $13 million, I think the fucking avalanche would pay him. Because if you look at that team and especially what happened to them last night losing what, to two against the Lightning, they don't have goaltender.
Tim Wood (27:33)
Yeah, Dolan's a huge, he's a basketball guy.
Yeah, I don't know, that's him.
Chris (28:02)
I mean, they're they are last year's devils. But they're probably a more talented team than we were last year. They just cannot get the saves. I mean, when you see Gorgiev lose his shit like he did, I love watching goalies lose their shit, but he lost his shit last night. And then did you see Miles Wood when they were walking off the bench in the locker room? He breaks his stick and the button flies up and hits the head coach bednar in the fucking head.
Tim Wood (28:21)
Sorry Dan.
Dan (28:24)
No.
Tim Wood (28:28)
He was walking down the tunnel and like the overpass, he slammed his stick on it and it shattered and just drilled Ben-Ar. That's gonna cost him a couple of NFTs.
Dan (28:30)
that's great.
Bobby (28:31)
my god.
Chris (28:32)
Like my god, you babies.
Dan (28:39)
Yeah.
Bobby (28:39)
Maybe he just realized he shouldn't have signed for like 20 years at 2 million a year. Maybe he should have done something a little more terrible or a little more pay.
Tim Wood (28:42)
I'm
Chris (28:44)
man, I'm kinda glad he's gone.
Tim Wood (28:45)
I That reminds me, I have a Miles Wood military appreciation jersey that's signed by him that I need to unload. I need to unload it on an unsuspecting Avalanche fan.
Chris (28:51)
Nice!
You know, but I think the abs would, I think the abs are secretly side eyeing what's going on up in New York and thinking, all right, just keep spiraling down, circling the drains. Cause we're going to come in and scoop up this guy and we're going to go win some Stanley Cups with them. And man, can you imagine that team with Igor Svastokin and Nate McKinnon, Kyle McCarr, Miko Ratanin and everybody else they fucking have on that team? Man.
Dan (28:57)
Yeah
Yeah.
Bobby (29:16)
Yeah.
Tim Wood (29:19)
Yep. Yeah. You know, they were, they were, you know, had a shitload of injuries and they, they, have some cat problems, but, they had a ton of injuries. but you know, those guys are starting to come back and they've been largely carried by McCarr and McKinnon like McKinnon, like, my God, this guy's a fucking horse. He's so good. He's so good at hockey and so fun to watch. Like when he skates, it skates, like he skates, like he's mad at the ice. Like it's just his, his edge work and just the way he drives in the ice is if I saw him coming, I'd be like, Nope. Like I'm.
Chris (29:34)
He is.
Yeah, he does.
I'll tell you how impressive was that first goal from Heesher last night just that that quick wrist shot that he didn't give it like it there was no He didn't even pause for a second. Like he just hammered that thing. He was pissed He was pissed at the fucking non call on him by the guy that what's his name? The second goal. You're right. The first goal was to break away. Yeah, you're right. You're right the five hole one that he so yeah, that was a great goal Yes, he was pissed. Yep
Tim Wood (29:49)
I'm just gonna get the fuck out of the way.
Dan (29:51)
Yeah, yeah, it's beast.
Bobby (30:08)
That was the second goal, power play goal you're talking about. Yeah. Yeah. I loved how animated he was with that. You could tell he was angry and he put it behind that shot and he carried that team. It beautiful thing. What a moment for him at the end too, man. I know people are talking about it, but his like, when he's talking with Rachel, he's just so genuine. You know what I mean? Like he really is.
Chris (30:20)
It really was.
Tim Wood (30:24)
That's it.
Bobby (30:32)
like the heart of this team right now. like, if you ask me again, who do you think, you know, next contract, like who's staying forever and who might go between him and Jack? Like, I Heesher's a forever guy. just, I'm not saying Jack will leave. I'm just saying if I had to bank money on which one I think would stay, it feels like Heesher to me. You know, he feels like he's taken on the identity of this team, just being a devil and being one with the fans. you know, Jack, we talk about his...
Chris (30:44)
I agree.
Bobby (30:56)
You know, when he does the microphone stuff, it's fine. It's Jack. what he does. But Nico, he did the right thing as a captain and he's really humbled by it. It's just awesome to see.
Chris (31:03)
And you know, Dan, you and I, we were probably the two biggest on this show at least that just wanted to see more from him as far as being the captain, you know?
Dan (31:15)
Yeah, had my doubts about his captaincy. I'm not going to lie. Definitely. No, I think this is such a important year and we were talking about this a little bit last show that was on with the guys. Last season we did say Nico was the biggest bright spot in a dismal season. you know, so I'm not saying, just came on out of nowhere. Last year he worked his damnedest and showed a lot of great leadership. I thought he was, you know,
Chris (31:17)
You can't have them now. Not after this season so far.
Dan (31:42)
a lot less likely to be victimized, even though we were not as physical of a team as we are this year. He was, you know, showing that maturity and standing up for himself and then leading by example. Like we had so many guys in and out of the lineup, but when he was there, you know, he was going to give 100%. And you couldn't say that about everybody. This year, now it's all paying off. Everything's paying off. And he's showing that much more maturity to lead leading the team in a way that like everything I complained about last couple of years about
Chris (31:58)
You're right.
Dan (32:12)
Boy, is this our captain? Is this really the right guy? I don't know. He's just showing you that, no, I am. It took a few years to mature into that, but I'm doing a great job as captain. can't ask for anything more from him. He's doing a wonderful job being a good leader for these guys and not to mention the awesome production.
Tim Wood (32:32)
I think something really clicked with him at some point and to be honest, I think it was the stadium series game. Something just kind of from that point, and I don't know if it was like just the off-ice stuff where he got like, you know, the sopranos outfits for everybody or what it was or like the goals he scored there and, you know, him saying, that was fucking amazing. Just whatever it was from kind of that point on, something kind of clicked with him leadership wise. And I think
Dan (32:47)
Right, right.
That's right.
Tim Wood (33:00)
That really is kind of manifesting itself this year. Just everything has sort of fallen into place. It helps that the team's doing really well. Seems to a great relationship with Keith and the way that Keith just gases him up all the time too is pretty cool to hear. I have nothing but good things to say about Nico this year. It's unbelievable.
Dan (33:12)
Yeah, definitely.
Chris (33:15)
You know that you're right about the stadium series because it showed it was kind of the first and this might sound a little cheesy, but to me going back and watching that game, it was the first time it was like he was a Jersey boy, not just the captain, but he was accepted as he's a Jersey guy. Now they were chanting his name. He was all about it and he loved being in Jersey, playing that game in that stadium. And he embraced it. think more than anybody else on that team.
And I think you're right. think that was like the biggest moment that was like, yeah, this is his team. He's this is his state. This is, you know, this is Nico. It's not. Yeah, we have great players, but you're right, Bobby. Nico's the guy that'll be here. He's the guy that I feel like he's going to be a Ken Danico type of guy. He will be here forever and he'll win some cups and he'll have his Jersey retired in the rafters where, you know, Jack will probably have his retired at the MSG at some point in his career.
Dan (34:06)
to be.
mean, he's looking more and more even like a Patrick Elyhash, so, you know, like that kind of guy. Really, I mean, he was definitely true to the end and stayed with the team and amazing skills, you know, somewhat underappreciated. We'll see.
Chris (34:17)
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, he was fantastic last night.
Tim Wood (34:30)
Yeah, and all three of his goals, know, kind of three sort of different parts of his skill sets are like super elite. You know, that first goal just he is really underrated kind of power and speed. And he just blew by that defenseman like left it like like that was a power power forward move. The second goal just showed off that elite pocket traction when he spun off in the corner and then his shot like that was he was pissed like he was fucking pissed. And then the third goal
Chris (34:42)
That was a power forward move right there.
snipe.
Yeah he was.
He flubbed it!
Tim Wood (34:59)
just like his, but it was his IQ just to kind of get into that little space and also, you know, to talk about Nathan again, you know, this guy, like, like what a pickup he's been like, it's just.
Dan (35:05)
Mm-hmm.
Chris (35:06)
Yeah.
Dan (35:08)
yeah.
Chris (35:10)
I mean, there really, there's nobody that has come to this team that's new that has been disappointing.
Dan (35:12)
Definitely.
Yeah, like if you had to rate all of his Fitzgerald's picks to date, this is a tough fucking game to play because I mean, what part would you say, you know, this one didn't really pan out. I mean, that's tough to say. And which one is the most valuable? Holy shit. You know, that's that's really tough. Yeah.
Chris (35:21)
Yeah it is.
Bobby (35:32)
That's harder to say. mean, we can say statistically at least that the TARS may be having the least desirable year, but he still adds a great element to the team.
Chris (35:39)
I don't even put him in that category. I didn't put him in that category only because he was here already, so okay. Alright, alright, I can go with that.
Dan (35:41)
That's true, I guess so.
Bobby (35:47)
Yeah, but he did come back. I mean, he missed a year, but you know, but you know, I still, you know, he's still a great player to have. think we're going to see a lot more from him to go. But yeah, think it's harder to pick who's the best of the acquisitions because for me, between like, Conard, by the way, the Conard, do you see his silky hands at the end of that game? Like it didn't pan out, but my God, like he's got myths that nobody knows about. But I mean, for me, it's, it's gotta be Mason. Like he's just not only is having a career year, but he's, he's exactly what we always needed on this team.
Dan (35:49)
Yeah, that's true. It was a move. Yeah.
Chris (36:02)
Yes.
Bobby (36:17)
He looks like he's always been a devil.
Dan (36:17)
And look what Markstrom has given us. How could you compare that to what Markstrom? So like, you know, there's so many moves that were done that have been huge for this team. Look at the defensive moves. Look at Pesci. I mean, that's just an incredible asset for this team.
Chris (36:17)
None of this works without Markstrom. Yeah.
Bobby (36:21)
That's a great point too.
Chris (36:27)
Yeah.
And I love Pesci, I said it to you guys. in my head, Brett Pesci and Luke Hughes are best friends. They go for ice cream together. They're constantly, they're finishing each other's sentences. in my head, they are forever BFFs and I love it because I feel like it's like that big brother, little brother thing. And even though Luke has not done much offensively, I don't give a shit, his defensive play has been stellar this year. my God.
Tim Wood (36:41)
Ha
Dan (36:58)
especially the last 10 games especially, really looking better and better.
Chris (36:59)
When the offense starts going, Kael McCarr needs to watch out because you might have the best offensive defenseman in the league.
Tim Wood (36:59)
Yeah. Like he had it. Yeah.
And you can see it coming, like he, you know, his first maybe four five games he was playing real kind of steady defense first defense only. And I almost feel like one of the coaches is like, Hey man, remember like you're really good at like that stuff too. Go like you can do that. And then Luke like activated in the offensive zone once it's like, yeah, I'm fucking good at this shit. Also I'm bigger, I'm bigger than everybody. Like he has like a width about him, not to sound weird, like that, that is just.
Chris (37:19)
You
Dan (37:21)
You
Bobby (37:22)
Right.
Chris (37:26)
That's right.
His girth? You talking about his girth,
Tim Wood (37:36)
Yeah, he's very, he's really girthy and veiny and it's just, but my, my favorite new guy, my favorite new guy, just an absolute fucking fleece job that fits it is Kova Savic. Like this, this guy, like came out of nowhere and for a fourth round bet.
Bobby (37:36)
Yeah, he meant Gert.
Dan (37:37)
It's a girthy one.
Yeah, that's what you like. Who doesn't love it?
Yeah, seriously.
Chris (37:54)
Well, Fitz wasn't even on, like, he wasn't on Fitzgerald's radar. Montreal called them and said, are you interested in a right-shotted defenseman? Because we, you know, right-handed defensemen. Well, yeah, sure. Yeah. And that's what we get. And now Montreal, what's the one thing they need more than anything? Right-handed defensemen. But yeah, you're right about that. I forgot about him too. There's so many dudes, right? Like, Kovacewicz did any of us in the summer when he got signed think, well,
Dan (38:02)
I heard nothing about it,
Tim Wood (38:03)
Yeah.
Dan (38:09)
He's like, who? Okay.
Bobby (38:15)
Right hand defenseman.
Dan (38:16)
Yeah
Tim Wood (38:20)
Yeah, just...
Chris (38:23)
You with him now, Nason, I mean, Nemich will be down in the AHL. No, like you took a guy that started a lot of games, you know, since he was called up last year, I he played like 60, 70 games or something, or close to it, 60 something games last year. Can't get on the fucking ice. Like that's depth, man. That's, this team is going to be so dangerous.
Bobby (38:46)
What was that a piece you shared right with Seigenthaler and him ranked number two in defensive pairing with Pesci and Luke were down 12th which they're obviously going to climb up that chart. That's looking real good for you know playoff potential there.
Tim Wood (38:53)
Yeah, there's
Yeah, I think it was, I think it was expected goals against first by first per 60 minutes. So basically how many kind of goal, it's basically how good they are defensively every, every, for every 60 minutes. They were number two, Pesci Luke were 12th. I don't know what that is now that was a couple of games ago, but it probably hasn't changed all that much. But yeah, like this pairing, you know, like what Kova Sevich has brought out and Seigenthaler with his re-emergence, like, like he's just an absolute stud too. Like no, neither did I.
Bobby (39:16)
Wealth. Yeah.
Dan (39:26)
Yeah, I did not see that coming. I know that wasn't a move off season, but I kind of had written off Seigenthaler. I was hoping they would move him, hoping they would move him. And this is like not the guy. He's not only not the guy from last year, he's better than the guy from two years ago. He's looking better and steadier. I know he's playing with a better team, but wow, if he keeps this level of play up, boy, was I wrong about him last year.
Chris (39:40)
I agree.
I'm with you, because I felt the same way.
Tim Wood (39:49)
Yeah, was the same way. Same way. I thought, you know, they're going to have to get rid of Marino or Seganthalor and I was like, I kind of would rather keep Marino. Like I think Marino has better bounce back potential, but he's been...
Dan (39:59)
Yeah, 100%.
Bobby (40:02)
Even this year when like Casey was up, we just had a conversation on here. We're like, well, I mean, if somebody has to go, it just felt like Seigenthaler, right? We're like, isn't it just kind of feels like Seigenthaler? We knew what he did two years ago, but it just felt like the one to go. And obviously that would have been a huge mistake. Basically the people on this team are exactly who we need. don't, I don't even know. Like if we were fast forward to right before the playoffs, like what kind of tweak move they would do. I really don't know at this point.
Chris (40:09)
Yeah.
Dan (40:30)
Does he like fucking with the wrong thing? I don't know. guess, you know, it really depends. If you had some really good experience name, that's not going to cost you too much that you think would fit really well with the rest of this team. Maybe you pull the trigger. Far too early for those speculations, but.
Bobby (40:32)
Right.
Tim Wood (40:46)
Yeah, yeah.
Bobby (40:46)
Yes, I mean two thirds of our fourth line isn't even playing right now. So we need more of a season to assess what we really need, you know, but I mean, when you got guys like Connor that, you know, he can play on your fourth line or your third line or right now they got to move up in Timo's spot basically, you know, and you're probably not going to miss a beat with the way he's going to play that that role.
Chris (41:00)
So, yeah.
Dan (41:03)
Yeah.
But he's playing better now, like if you had a better option for Pilat, maybe you'd take that choice. Yeah, I mean, I hate to do it. We'll see, because I do like the way he's fitting in with his team. And I know that he probably does add more intangibles than people realize. So yeah, I don't know how you fuck with this team. It's tough.
Chris (41:11)
That's the name we always go back to, right?
That was-
Tim Wood (41:26)
Yeah, that's the thing. It's like, you know, there's always that speculation about Brady Kachak, right? And it's just like, but like you bring him in, who gets shipped out, how does it affect the room? He is a captain in Ottawa, you know, where is he going to find it kind of slot into like the sort of leadership equilibrium? You know, he, he's, he probably needs a, he is a big personality. He probably needs a therapist right now because he's losing his goddamn mind in Ottawa. you know, how
Dan (41:36)
Yeah.
Big personality.
Yeah.
Tim Wood (41:52)
how does that all kind of work and how does that affect the dynamics of the room? You know, know like Jack's buddies with him, you know, they're at his wedding and stuff like that. So.
Chris (41:57)
I'd be willing to take that risk though, Tim. For Brady Kachuck, I'd be willing to take that risk.
Bobby (42:00)
Yeah, I'm taking that risk myself.
Tim Wood (42:05)
think the one guy that's gonna be available at the deadline is Frank Petrano, who is a good, solid top six winger, good scorer, good shot. I think he'll be available. He's not a huge guy, but he's definitely a bit of a grinder. He would be the guy that I kind of have my eye on, and then the fourth line center, so we've already.
Chris (42:07)
I like Frankfort, Toronto.
I've got a question for you guys, I'm gonna throw it at you right after we do our commercials here. sorry guys, this has to be done. The 24-25 NHL season still has that new car smell. And the action is heating up at DraftKings Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NHL. And if you're new to DraftKings, listen up. New customers can bet five bucks and get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins.
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Bobby (43:53)
think I shall. You know, the experience of a live hockey game, really can't be matched. mean, how many of us wish we were there feeling all that energy when they were killing off that five-minute power play last night? I do wish I was there. Can't be duplicated. So if you're looking for tickets to the game or any concert or show for that matter, check out the Game Time app. Game Time has a new feature called Game Time Picks that makes getting tickets to see your favorite teams and artists easier than ever.
Chris (44:02)
I do.
Dan (44:06)
Me too.
Bobby (44:22)
Game Time Picks filters out the fluff to show you only incredible deals on great seats, so you don't have to waste time searching through thousands of tickets. They have this super deal that is very easily highlighted on the site. I went on it today and I got to tell you again, this platform is really good to use. It's extremely friendly on the eyes and the super deal that popped up today, I shit you not, it was lower bowl, $62 for the St. Louis game.
was about four rows from the top of the lower bowl, but still lower bowl. This is a single sold seat. You don't have to sit on anybody's lap. That's what they told me. I mean, it's a super good deal. could see all the other seats around them that are varying prices. And then there was even for like 78, you could be in lower bowl, like five rows from the glass. So they really do have some really great super deals. So Devils fans, if you're looking for tickets to the game, this is the app that you want to use. Check out some of these other features.
Dan (44:51)
Now whose lap do you have to sit in to get those seats?
okay. Alright, that sounds like good deal then.
Bobby (45:16)
They have an all-in pricing, so you simply toggle this feature on, you'll see the complete cost upfront, so there'll be no surprises. The seat view lets you enjoy a panoramic view of your seat before you purchase. They have the lowest price guarantee or they'll credit you up to 110 % of the difference. And the game time ticket coverage, this purchase is covered by the most flexible customer service policy in industry, including event cancellation protection, 24-hour return guarantee, and job loss assurance.
Dan (45:47)
So if I lose my job, they're gonna take care of me. If I go to this game, I get fucking fired. They're gonna take care of me. I love it. Okay?
Bobby (45:47)
Take the-
Chris (45:50)
It's like Affleck.
Bobby (45:52)
I think it's if you buy the tickets and then you lose your job, they have a refund policy for that. That's what it sounds like, job loss assurity. No, no, they're going to allow you to return the ticket. It is very nice. Yeah, you're not going to get that from most places. So take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Game Time Picks. Download the Game Time app, create an account, and use code THPN for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply, like the job assurance one. I'm sure there's some terms that apply to that.
Dan (45:57)
Yeah? They're gonna pay me my salary?
Tim Wood (46:01)
Hahaha
Dan (46:04)
That's still very nice.
Tim Wood (46:06)
This is very nice.
Bobby (46:21)
Again, create an account and redeem code THPN for $20 off. Download Game Time today. What time is it? Game Time.
Dan (46:21)
Hmm.
All right, Bobby, I read the fine print. The job they're talking about is a blowjob.
Chris (46:31)
Well, that's where the fluff piece comes in, right? Didn't they say something about fluffing you? Yeah. Exactly. Hey, you know what the best part is about Thanksgiving is just getting set for Black Friday with all the best deals because you just, you you want a new TV, you want a new computer, you just can't get good deals outside of Black Friday.
Dan (46:37)
Mm-hmm. This is why you gotta read the fine print.
Bobby (46:37)
I see it all ties together.
Tim Wood (46:39)
That's in the disclaimer.
Dan (46:43)
Mm-hmm.
Bobby (46:43)
Yeah.
Chris (47:00)
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Bobby (48:29)
Pink.
Two.
Chris (48:56)
Yeah.
Bobby (48:56)
Definitely a theme.
Dan (48:56)
Now I got a technical question. You said you could listen to two inputs at once. These are earbuds, right?
So what do you have, like one in one ear and one in the other? You listen to like the hockey game and music.
Chris (49:06)
Why you would need to be connected to two devices at the same time? I don't necessarily know. let you... Yeah, so why would you want to be connected to two devices at once?
Bobby (49:19)
Maybe you got a work phone and you listen to your iPod and you're at the gym and someone calls your work phone. I don't know. Pick that shit up.
Dan (49:20)
I know.
Chris (49:22)
Okay, okay, I can see that working.
Dan (49:25)
Yeah, but then you don't want to listen to the music at the same time you're taking it. Like my headphones already do that. The call comes through and I can accept it. Right. So I'm not like, what? I can't hear you because there's music in my other ear. It says something about a blow job, I think.
Bobby (49:30)
Maybe you do.
Chris (49:30)
It stops the music. Yeah. And then...
Bobby (49:35)
Well... Well damn, what's it say in the fine print?
Tim Wood (49:41)
Did I honestly
Bobby (49:44)
Are we having a smooth sack December? Dan or just...
Dan (49:46)
Yeah, exactly. No, I'm still pissed about this fucking Raycon ad because they made me read about fucking water filters and all kinds of crazy shit. Chris has a normal fucking ad to read. What is this shit? What? Like they were making all kinds of crazy shit. I guess they're now doing what they do best. exactly. I think you wrote that ad, Chris. made me look like a fool.
Bobby (49:52)
Can openers.
Chris (50:00)
Raycon's new personal spaceship! You just get 30 % off!
Bobby (50:01)
I think they were just messing with you.
Hahaha!
Tim Wood (50:10)
Dan you're you're fucking manscaped as this summer. We're just like the big comedy man I would be losing my shit just like in and in public I Feel like it's a summertime thing cuz you got to keep it trim during the summer, but you won't need that warmth during the winter
Chris (50:11)
Nobody.
Dan (50:17)
I don't even remember them.
Chris (50:18)
You
Bobby (50:21)
Smooth, sass summer.
Dan (50:22)
Apparently they didn't like them. They have not come back. Yeah, they have not come back.
Chris (50:24)
SMOO-
RECKIT!
Dan (50:29)
Yeah, I hope they come back. I feel like a decision has been made that my reads are really not what the companies want, but you know, I do enjoy how professional they sound to them.
Tim Wood (50:35)
they, they were all over like every hockey podcast, basically every hockey podcast. listened to this summer told me I needed, needed to shave my balls and needed to shave my balls and I needed therapy.
Dan (50:42)
Yeah, they do.
Bobby (50:43)
Yeah, they're all the same.
Chris (50:45)
Yeah, therapy, shave your balls, and if you want to lose money on betting, we got tons of sites for that. Yeah.
Dan (50:48)
Yeah, exactly.
Bobby (50:48)
I I don't-
Tim Wood (50:49)
Yeah, yeah, I looked up boot hill casino by the way, it looks like a mafia front Am I am I allowed to say that am I gonna get killed now?
Dan (50:53)
That's right.
Chris (50:56)
I, that's the other thing like about the, like why is, no, no, no, because like.
Dan (50:58)
It's maybe, Sure. But I see somebody coming through your window right now in the background.
Chris (51:05)
Why is it on behalf of Boothill Casino and Resort in Kansas? Like, why is that on here? What does Boothill Casino have to do with anything with DraftKings? It's voided on date. They're like, fuck that. I don't understand that either. We want answers. They want us to continue reading these. We want some answers.
Tim Wood (51:05)
Yeah
Dan (51:14)
I don't know. You know who knows about this Ontario Ontario knows don't fuck with these guys because it's for it We don't get involved. We're Ontario
Bobby (51:18)
Yes, they do.
Tim Wood (51:18)
Void in Ontario.
Dan (51:26)
I don't know.
Yeah, that's right.
Bobby (51:29)
I don't know if we keep referencing that all the ads actually just want to blow job, they might not want us to read any of them.
Chris (51:33)
Nobody knows what we read and what we don't read. When, yes.
Dan (51:35)
I mean... hey!
Tim Wood (51:36)
Wait, wait, DraftKings is giving out free blowjobs? When you sign up?
Dan (51:39)
It sounds like it. It does sound like it.
Bobby (51:39)
Actually, some of the companies have AI to listen to our transcripts to see if you're hitting the taglines. We do hit the taglines. We just throw in a couple of extras. Hey there, Danny.
Chris (51:42)
Well, we do. We hit him. Yep.
Dan (51:45)
You know what, AI this. That's right.
Tim Wood (51:47)
Yeah.
Chris (51:48)
And look, if we weren't a part of the glorious hockey podcast network, maybe we'd not talk about blowjobs during our ads.
Tim Wood (51:59)
Yeah, just water filters.
Dan (51:59)
Maybe. That's right. We're part of THPN, the PIN, and then we are, we have that kind of installation.
Bobby (51:59)
face.
Tim Wood (52:04)
Yeah
Chris (52:05)
I have a question for you guys. I'm going to give you guys four former New Jersey Devil players. And I want you guys to tell me, out of those four, which one would you like to see back on this team? Okay? The first one, playing on this team as is, yes, currently constructed. Which one of these guys makes our roster better? And I'm not talking about taking guys off or whatever, just which one of these guys?
Tim Wood (52:09)
Yeah.
Dan (52:24)
Like today, playing on this team today.
Tim Wood (52:25)
But yeah, the current version of the soup. All right.
Bobby (52:26)
with this team.
Dan (52:37)
Glenn Chico Resch.
Bobby (52:37)
So this isn't to replace maybe our fourth liners that are hurt. Just consider them on the team.
Chris (52:39)
No, because out of these four guys, I think you have probably two that are top six and you have two that are probably bottom six. all right, so the first one is Igor Sharyngovitch. The second one is Fabian Zetterlin. The third one is Blake Coleman. And number four is Jimmy Veazey.
You can only take one and where would you... I guess whoever you take, can say, yes, I'll take this person and I would put them there, but the way this team's constructed, which guy helps this team the most? Bobby, you can start.
Dan (53:05)
boy. boy.
Bobby (53:05)
Well.
Dan (53:18)
That's a tough question.
Bobby (53:20)
That's tough. There's some good names here. I think that I'm pretty happy with the offensive ability of our offensive, offensive guys, if you know what that means. I've always loved, yeah, I've always loved Coleman. And I think you can't have enough of those types of guys on a team, whether he's bottom six or mid six. He's got champion caliber heart. And I would take him back on this team any day. I don't know exactly where I'd put him right now. I think it's easy because we're kind of
Chris (53:29)
think you've said offense a lot.
Dan (53:33)
Top two.
Bobby (53:50)
pre-building like a fourth line here, right? But if everybody were healthy, it'd be a little bit of a change, but yeah, I would definitely take home.
Chris (53:54)
Alright, Blake Coleman for Bob. What about you, Dan?
Dan (54:00)
Colman's a name that definitely jumped out to me first. I I had to find his memories of him as a devil, think, of all of them. It is hard to discount Beze. I mean, he's such a spark plug hard worker. Boy, I have a really tough call with this. Who are the other two you mentioned? I'm drawing a blank all of a sudden. wow, yeah. And Sederlund, right? So, I mean, they're all quality guys. They're all quality guys. I don't want to fucking agree with Bobby, so I guess I'll go with Beze.
Chris (54:14)
Sharon Govich and Fabian Zetterlund.
Okay, all right. Well, know, know, VZ for I mean, can you imagine Lazar playing with VZ? I mean, that fourth line would be
Bobby (54:29)
I don't want agree with me either. I'm a dick.
Dan (54:31)
Hahaha
Yeah, I could see some of that chemistry happening, definitely.
Chris (54:39)
That would be a lot of fun. Mr. Wood.
Tim Wood (54:43)
John Madden.
Chris (54:43)
John Madden. The hockey player or the football coach? Obviously.
Dan (54:45)
Alright, I like it. He wins the game. The coach, obviously.
Bobby (54:46)
No
Tim Wood (54:46)
sorry.
He's dead. No, I'd go with Zetterland. He's good kind of two way, built like a tank. He's a right shot, which I like, and I think we need more right shots. I hate to be kind of a stickler for that. You put him up and down the lineup, second line, third line, fourth line, wherever you need him. I think he'd probably be in that middle six, swap him and pull out, put him on Jack's wing.
Jack always does pretty well with a right-handed sniper. has his whole career. You know, he had Cole Caulfield, you know, at the development program. He had Tafoli, played really well with. I feel like the current version of Zetterlund, like when he played against us, man, he's just a beast. So he's also handsome and has a very nice body.
Chris (55:33)
Well yeah.
Dan (55:35)
that's the key there, yeah.
Chris (55:36)
So I can make cases for all these guys. Igor Sherengovic has become one of the best snipers in the league. mean, he's fantastic. And I don't know if he would have continued to do that in Jersey, but just being the man now in Calgary, because he basically is, I'm so happy to see him doing so good over there. don't, for the same reasons that you said, about offense, I don't.
Tim Wood (55:36)
Yeah.
Chris (56:04)
Know what else he brings besides that so I don't say no I say no to him blake colman. I absolutely love How much does he have left in the tank right now? I don't know so mine were between zetterlin and vz And I went with I would go with zetterlin. i'm with tim on that I just I love this kid I was bummed when we traded him, but I was super happy because we got timo myer out of it, but
Dan (56:16)
Good point.
Chris (56:29)
I mean, I don't want to sit here and shit on any kind of trades, but I just don't know if we are getting so much more from Timo Meyer that we would have gotten from Fabian Zetterlin. I don't, I just saying, I think Zetterlin is that good. And I think Zetterlin on this team would be fantastic.
Dan (56:53)
Are you saying you want to trade Meyer back for Sederling right now?
Chris (56:54)
I don't even think San Jose would do that now. But yeah, I I love Timo. I'm happy with him, but I also really like Zetterlund. yeah, I just... Yeah. I mean, they looked awesome last night. I watch a lot of Shark Games. love, I think Celebrini is the real deal. This dude is gonna be, I'm sorry, he's gonna leave Connor Bedard in the fucking dust.
Dan (57:06)
Yeah, that's really worked out for them, definitely.
Tim Wood (57:11)
Yeah, they're a frisky team.
Chris (57:23)
when it's all said and done. I really believe that.
Tim Wood (57:29)
Yeah, we talked about Celebrated before, know, he's kind of somewhere in between Crosby and Jack Hughes, you know, he's got a, you know, he's got that very good lower center of gravity where the puck kind of always sort of follows him around like Crosby and he's got the hands and kind of puck on a string that Jack has. It's just, he's so good.
Dan (57:30)
We'll see. I don't know. He's talented.
Chris (57:34)
Yeah?
Now, do you guys think that if things continue this way, right? Devils and their first, second in the Metro right up through the holidays into the winter time, trade deadline rolls around. Do you think Fitzgerald would pull the trigger on some kind of big deal? do you think that this kind of maybe tinkering around the edges, but that's about it? Like, what do you guys think? Because I think there's going to be some big names available at this trade deadline.
Dan (57:52)
Yeah, sick.
Chris (58:18)
The way this season is going for a lot of teams, I think there's going to be some big names. I mean, like Sidney Crosby big names on the trade deadline. Dan, that's a nice pussy.
Dan (58:30)
Well, we've talked about him. That's tough. Thanks. Appreciate it. It's hairy, but I love it. yeah, so, you know, I think that's right. I think that, you know, big names are, most of them are not going to fit well with this team. would be, you know, probably a bad idea. But there are some that are like, you got to think about it. And Crosby is one of them, definitely. But,
Chris (58:34)
You got a smooth sack summer that bitch.
Tim Wood (58:37)
I got some catscapes.
Dan (58:57)
In general, I don't think that in the end Fitzgerald's gonna have to do too much other than, like you said, tinker around the edges.
Bobby (59:04)
So Dan, real quick, the show that Chris missed when he nearly died, we had brought up the Crosby situation. We had brought up the Crosby situation and you seemed really reluctant at the time because we've been talking about a lot on a couple shows you weren't on. So your gut is like you wouldn't want them even if we can get them for.
Chris (59:09)
had a little bit of the flu, but okay.
Dan (59:14)
I heard it was a hangnail.
Yeah
No, mean, you got to look and see you're right. What, even if we can get them for what, right? So what I don't want to do is like, yeah, exactly. What I don't want to do is like upset the chemistry of a good team that has incredible potential by giving away some of the hardworking, underappreciated pieces for a bigger name. Like for instance, we were just talking about the Meyers-Ederlin trade and you saw how that worked out and Chris made a good point. Like, it's not that Meyers bad, but you know,
Bobby (59:28)
I don't know, lot of retained salary, all that stuff,
Dan (59:52)
when you look all in all, well, this could be far worse, you know, and that often is with a big name towards end of his career. Every piece is that, you know, not only in the future, but now hurt your team, you know, and that's the only danger because Sydney Crosby is one of the best players to ever, you know, be in our generation top what five? I don't even know, but like he's, he's incredible. And yeah, he's, he's an all-timer, all-time great.
Chris (1:00:11)
I, yeah.
Tim Wood (1:00:14)
All time.
Dan (1:00:20)
and even catching him on Twilight's career is probably super valuable, but you gotta make sure it makes sense for this team. So it depends what you're up with. And I get a little hesitant to start like doing it. And then at some point, I also look and go, you just had the best fucking off season you could ever ask for. And I know building's never over, but like just this ride this team for the most part and tinker around the edges a little bit more, know? But Crosby specifically, I mean, this is tempting as it gets, you know?
Chris (1:00:48)
What do you think, Tim?
Dan (1:00:50)
to go against those ideas.
Tim Wood (1:00:51)
Yeah, I mean, I agree with Dan. You know, it's kind of the same conversation we just had about Brady Kachuk. Love to have him on the team, but there's so much that kind of goes into that, you know, salary, obviously. You know, what are we giving up for him? How does he kind of fit in the room, particularly if we're going to bring him in mid season, you know, deadline. There's really not a lot of time from deadline to playoffs and into the playoffs to kind of gel, you know, like the Timo trade was great, but,
what Fitz tends to do is not bring in kind of like a higher gun. He wants a long-term piece and if he's gonna bring in a long-term piece at that kind of level, that sort of salary, that kind of sacrifices some things that maybe are in his kind of long-term plans. Like Luke's gonna need an extension next year. Do we keep Kovacevich now because he's a free agent next year? I think we do, but that kind of puts...
Chris (1:01:22)
Mm-hmm.
Tim Wood (1:01:41)
Does that put Nemec or Casey on the trade block a little bit more because we're now we're kind of loaded on that on that right side and then those are two really good trade pieces and what does that get us in return? I think those bigger pieces that would probably be more of an offseason type of move and I think you just kind of tinker around the edges look at you know kind of fill in a little bit of depth. Maybe Frank Vetrano would be like the one guy if he becomes available would be he's not necessarily a filling around the edges type of guy like he would be a top six sniper that we bring in.
But that would be kind of, think, the biggest move. I think they would probably.
Chris (1:02:14)
I agree with you. unless there's some type of catastrophic injury to this team, I don't think that Fitz is going to do a whole lot. I really don't. And like you said, like a guy like Petrano, again, I love him. think he, and he's the type of dude I think would fit in with this team. Sidney Crosby, I think playing with Jack and Bratt would be amazing and I would absolutely love it. Brady Kachuk as high as I was, and I was one of the
The highest when it came last year, like you have to do whatever the fuck you have to do and get this guy out of Ottawa and bring him here. Well now with this team, I don't know how much we need Brady Kachuk. Like we don't need his toughness anymore. We don't need his goal scoring. Like what do you need from him? I don't like Crosby brings a lot more because Crosby brings that, leadership that, you know, just that skill in the center position, that we don't have, and he's a different class. So.
I don't know, like a guy like, I mean, like you're talking about like maybe Kova Sevich, like now I'm kind of thinking like, do you then maybe this off season or this trade deadline, do you dump some of these younger guys that are in AHL with high upside for maybe a number one goalie prospect or somebody like that that you might not be on the, you might not bring in now to play, but you know, we're going to lock this position up because Markstrom is going to leave in two years or, you know,
He's not, he's 36, so doesn't go 34. He's not going to play much longer. So do you maybe do something like that? Like that's, think a little bit more interesting than do you go out and grab the big shiny new name and put them in this lineup? Because I just think when you watch this team and it was evident last night, just how tight they are. Like they, they love playing with each other. Like I would be very nervous just fucking with that.
Tim Wood (1:04:05)
Yeah.
Chris (1:04:08)
You know that the chemistry in this locker room I think is like I've this is right now 20 some games in. One of my favorite devil teams that we have iced ever.
Dan (1:04:24)
Definitely. you ever think like we got to see a little bit more adversity to know how this team as much as I agree with you a hundred percent. love this team. I love its chemistry. I love its composition. And of course everybody's gonna love how well they're playing. And I feel like the sky's the limit, but like, do you feel like they're having been tested in those super pressure situations as this group yet? And we're going to know more when that happens, you know, whether it's a game with the Rangers or
a game maybe against Toronto or somebody else where things are, know, that's a test that they haven't met yet. I mean, I love the testing they did against the Panthers was amazing. It was incredible. Carolina, yeah.
Chris (1:05:03)
And I mean, I think that for a good chunk of this team, yeah, and I think for a good chunk, it's Carolina game I was gonna bring up, like for a good chunk of this team, I think last year was that whole kind of going through it, that was the adversity. And you kind of see him now coming out of it like, okay, we're kind of, we're reloaded and we're not gonna let that happen again. And I think that's in the back of their head. And I think that's part of the reason why they really, and Nico says it all the time, which I think is fucking brilliant.
Dan (1:05:13)
Right, right.
Chris (1:05:32)
And he says, like, we go into every game with a plan. We have a plan every game. And if we stick to our plan, we're going to win the game. But you brought up the Carolina game. Like that might be, I mean, there was some adversity, but I don't think like that third period, 18 seconds in, they tie it up and this team didn't waiver. This team just said, all right, well, I guess we're not going to hold the lead. We got to go get it again. And they did. So, I don't know. I really don't have an answer. Like I don't.
Dan (1:05:53)
Right.
Chris (1:06:01)
I don't know if that would matter a whole lot. think this team is just, like you said, of just ready to go. And I think that last year is in the back of their head. I think that might be it. What do you guys think?
Dan (1:06:09)
Yeah, ready to roll.
Tim Wood (1:06:14)
Yeah, I think last year was the adversity and now, know, so far they, every major test that they've had, they've met and exceeded that test. know, Florida, they up their, they up their game for that. Even going back to the Vancouver game, when they just absolutely kicked the shit out of Vancouver. You know, they've had a couple of setbacks against, against, you know, some, some shittier teams and you know, I think we kind of noticed that they were still growing, but I think this team has really hit its stride, you know, beating Florida twice. I think they really looked in the mirror and were like,
Chris (1:06:22)
Yeah.
Tim Wood (1:06:43)
Like, shit, we're like a really good team. Then they're beating their boogie men's now. They're boogie men's, boogie men, boogie men's, boogie people. I don't know, whoever the person was that was just screaming in the background, whoever that person was. Boogie men's, boogie men's. God damn it. I just lost my total turn of thought. But was a of my turn of thought. So, no, beat it.
Chris (1:06:47)
you men.
Dan (1:06:50)
Yeah, boogie men's is I think it is.
Bobby (1:06:50)
MENZERS
Chris (1:06:51)
Boogie people.
Dan (1:07:00)
Yeah, the boogie men's is.
Chris (1:07:05)
Lost your train of thought there?
Bobby (1:07:07)
happens.
Dan (1:07:09)
They're beating their boogeymen. That's right.
Tim Wood (1:07:10)
They're beating their boogie men. They took down Florida. They took down Carolina, this Nashville thing where we hadn't beaten them in a decade. They beat them. St. Louis always gives us a tough game. Jack got hurt against them right against them, knock on wood. Beating these types of teams continue to kind of elevate the process and elevate their game and kind of come into the realization that, hey, we're a really good team here. We're a team to be reckoned with. And I think the league's on notice right now. I've seen them top five, top three in a lot of different kind of power rankings over the past couple days.
Chris (1:07:38)
Do feel they're not getting the respect they deserve right now? Because I kind of feel like that.
Dan (1:07:41)
Yeah.
Tim Wood (1:07:44)
There's an interesting article that that Nichols put out. Sorry, sorry to interrupt Bobby. I know I'm taking up a lot of air time, but that that I'm just going to go sit in the corner now.
Chris (1:07:49)
We'll just edit you out. That's true. That requires work. Now go ahead, Tim.
Dan (1:07:53)
Yeah, don't worry.
Bobby (1:07:55)
No we weren't, we don't edit.
Dan (1:07:58)
lot of editing hours in this show.
Tim Wood (1:07:59)
Without me this podcast can be five minutes Yeah James Nichols wrote an article about how Keith mentioned like not sure Florida totally respected us as much as we respected them and you kind of saw that in the beginning of the period the Devils were pretty deferential to Florida at the beginning till they started winning and they're like And then they just beat the shit out of them the second game. They're like, yeah We're better than this team like we can we can beat them. So I think once they get over that
Chris (1:08:03)
James Nichols you're talking about.
Yeah they were.
Dan (1:08:27)
Yeah.
Tim Wood (1:08:28)
that hump of we are a good team and we are the better team. Let's just win this game. I think that's, we're seeing that happen in real time.
Dan (1:08:37)
What I like about this version of this team too is like they did surprise the league a lot two years ago, but when you looked at what they were like, it was like a formula that you knew was going to get figured out a little bit. So it's a super fast team, smaller size, and they'll hurt you if you are not on them 100%. And so last year you saw a team say, okay, we're going to throw the body and hit them. That plan is no longer like going to help you.
This team has many more weapons now than it did two years ago. It's not just a speedster team that can score. Some of these guys will hurt you in the back and that when you give them any kind of room. That was what this team was. Now they have, they're finding like all different kinds of ways to win. They're way more physical. I think like when you're trying to out coach this team now, you got a real problem. Like they are not a one dimensional team at all.
Chris (1:09:30)
What do you think, B?
Bobby (1:09:34)
Yeah, as far as the diversity, do agree that that was primarily last year with a little bit of the beginning schedule that we talked about. Chris, you nailed it, right? You said, you know, out of the gate, this is a wacky schedule, a lot of travel, weird days. And it did kind of bite us a little bit during that four game losing streak. But I think for the core of this team, that was taken care of last year. And this is where they're starting to accelerate. And for the new guys on the team, I don't think it really matters because the type of guys they brought in wouldn't be fazed by that kind of shit anyway. That's why you have Nasons.
and Dillons and stuff like that and Cotter like they don't care about that kind of diversity happening. They're just going to they're just going to be bulldogs anyway, like the whole time. So that's why they fit in so nicely. Now, the rest of the team has last year in their rear view mirror. I think they're just getting better. And I think when you look at they showed a clip last night on the game, this is as of last night's game. So it's not included what they did in their last 12. And they're and they said it's a very sustainable model. And it is because they were nine and three.
Their goals for was 3.4 their goals against was 1.9. That's very sustainable the way they play. Now their power play 34.4 % and their penalty kill 87.1. I mean sustainable they might come down a little bit right but their top five in both of those categories and currently their save percentage in those 12 games, you 9.34. That's likely to come down just based on the NHL average. But if that comes down to NHL average anyway, it's just that it's average. So you still have that as kind of a weapon.
Chris (1:10:33)
Yeah.
Tim Wood (1:10:34)
Unbelievable.
Chris (1:10:38)
Jesus.
Bobby (1:10:58)
where you can still make these spectacular saves when you have to. So when I look at the last 12 and the fact that I do think they're getting better and learning how to play together better, I think it is very sustainable and they're going to do even better. And for those reasons, going back to your original point, fringe at best, I would think for the playoffs. We need to see the next 40 to really know. But normally in this situation with this type of team, this is where I'd be like, okay, this is where we're going to need that veteran D guy to come in.
Pop them into third pairing slow easier to kind of fit them in there i wouldn't want to break up any of these d pairings. all and i wouldn't wanna you know i just only so much you can mess with the chemistry on the forward line so i think we pretty much stay put and i think that you know from here on out were first place caliber team and they do believe themselves.
Chris (1:11:32)
No.
Tim Wood (1:11:35)
No.
Chris (1:11:46)
Yeah, there's definitely... No, I was just gonna say, like, another thing he sure says a lot is that, you know, keeps on kind of saying it in interviews, like, this is what good teams do. Like, he's constantly throwing that out, like, hey, we are, like, telling the... and letting the guys know. Like, the guys, are good. Like, look what we're doing. Follow us. And, you know, he's just turning into a great leader. But what were you saying, Tim? I'm sorry.
Tim Wood (1:11:48)
I thought about... Sorry, go ahead.
Yeah, it's a couple things. And you look at the guys that we brought in, they all come from like very high-end winning environments. know, Cotter, or sorry, Cotter from Vegas, Nason and Pesci from Carolina, Dylan from Winnipeg. They're all like very well run, well structured, good programs. You know, kind of filling in around those edges of this core. Two years ago, we played a really high flying transition heavy game. You know, we surprised the shit out of people. Last year we tried to play the same game.
Chris (1:12:18)
Mm-hmm.
Tim Wood (1:12:39)
But our horses weren't there. They're all hurt or kind of some various, you know, we're all wearing hospital bracelets in some way, or form. We're still trying to play the same game when we had, we're running out Dowling and Lazarus are one, two centers and you just couldn't do that. and I think that was kind of part of, part of the adversity. You bring in some of these winners, you fill in all around the pieces that the fits identified. I'm actually wearing my no dickheads t-shirt right now. So like, you you look at it, just, sure about that.
Chris (1:12:52)
Right?
Nice.
Bobby (1:13:05)
appropriate for the podcast.
Tim Wood (1:13:10)
Again, it just goes back to the way, the way fits. know I'm a dickhead. you, The way Fitz put this team together and it's wild kind of the juxtaposition between him and Lou Lamarrillo. Fitz literally went out and said, these are all the people I'm going after. I mean, here's my list. It's public. And he went and he did it. And he literally got all those pieces and they've all worked. It's pretty remarkable that they've all worked. So yeah.
Dan (1:13:12)
Took that personally.
Chris (1:13:15)
You
Bobby (1:13:16)
You
Chris (1:13:30)
Yeah.
So far so good. Tim, said you had some goalie question you wanted to throw over at Dan before we wrap this thing up?
Tim Wood (1:13:40)
I want ask Dan. so the first goal that so Markstrom gives up his MO is he kind of gives up a bit of a softy and early on, you know, and that was, you know, I'd say that this bit, you know, I'd rather have a guy give up a softy in the first then, then, you know, nothing in the third, you know, yeah. So that shot from Forsberg, right? Like, Markstrom's already down in, the, basically the reverse VH, which is this new kind of trend with
Dan (1:13:51)
Been the theme, yeah.
Chris (1:13:55)
Five softies in the first.
He knows what it is. Okay.
Tim Wood (1:14:09)
with goalies. Yeah, I know he does. We talked about it. We talked about it before. Yes. Yeah. So, so I just asked you like, what's your kind of opinion on the reverse VH and sort of, you know, the trend of goaltending being these kind of, you know, Autobots that that just, you know, work on positioning and just stand in front of
Dan (1:14:11)
Telling the audience.
Yeah.
and Decepticons. They're both. But I totally understand what you're saying. And it's actually become a real thing over the years that people are starting to really question the overuse of the RVH. to explain it, the RVH is when the goalie has the post, they got to cover the post, and they're putting their pad that is closest to the post flat against the ice. They're skate up against the ice.
Tim Wood (1:14:27)
Decepticons. Yes.
Dan (1:14:56)
against the post or just against maybe hooked in front of it and they lean over and got most of their body like hip included up against that post and You know, that's your RVH your shut you've in your whole body there now, it's great for the lower side they do a good job of using that butterfly and the RVH to Cover that whole lower corner and that's what it's designed to do. But it you know, even with six
five and plus goaltenders out there, it leaves that upper corner open and it leaves the goalie down for any kind of high shot. When that goes in, they always look stupid. It just does look bad. Now, a lot of the different goalie shit that I read and stuff says that when you run the percentages on it, it's still a very effective thing and it is still super popular and it's there. And maybe it's just one of those biases. When you see the goal that goes high and you think back to
how goalies to hold the post. And that goal wouldn't have gone in. It would have hit the guy in the shoulder because he was standing up or, you not like, you know, in that RVH position. I sometimes wonder how much of a fashion it is because goaltenders move so much better in the butterfly than they used to. Their post to post work edges while in the butterfly. That work is incredible. It's changed the game so much for goaltenders, but I do feel.
I got to agree with the old timers here with this, the RVH is overused. It's overused. And it's not just, I'm not picking on Markstrom. It's like everybody does it. Everybody, there's no such thing as a hybrid goaltender anymore. And we were talking a little earlier, there's, know, and I've said this before, the innovation and goaltending like on a one person basis is basically over, right? We've got to that a tata tom stage where this is how you play and this is how we do it.
Chris (1:16:45)
Mm-hmm.
Dan (1:16:49)
it starts at a younger player selections, guys who don't play that certain style are not going to get a chance to play any kind of competitive hockey, even at young age. And, it's just where we're at in this sport. Then it's, know, it's kind of sad. makes me think of like movies, how, you know, the same movie gets made over and over again, cause it made money, you know? So where's the innovation and it's the same kind of thing with goaltending. I do wonder, and we were mentioning this earlier, like maybe at some point somebody.
is got the, I don't want to say balls, but the position to try something new that starts working and they get success with it. But think about it, we have not had too many innovations in goaltending styles since, the last 15 years. It's just been increasingly more more RVH. Everything is basically the same kind of blocking style. We don't have as many reaction goalies as we do blocking style goalies. And yes, this is the it is.
Chris (1:17:39)
Do think that it would change if, well, I mean, I guess a smaller goalie would have to kind of become some type of hybrid if they were good enough to even make it, you know, anywhere near the NHL. Right. Right. Like you have to be a phenom if you're a six foot.
Dan (1:17:54)
Well, that's the big if, right? So they're not even getting looked at. And that's the problem. Again, it starts at a young age.
but you won't even get a chance to because like the phenoms at the super low levels are never seen. Okay, you have to be playing at a super high level at high school age, you know, before, know, juniors and like those guys, like, you know, do you see a kid who doesn't have a chance to be, you know, six, I know, I say six two plus, they are not gonna waste their time developing and.
Chris (1:18:11)
Right.
It's crazy.
Dan (1:18:28)
is crazy and I'm hoping there's some exceptions and that people are blowing this and that it's that's not really the way it is because you know, I hate to see it turn into I don't know how to say it, but like a genetic freak show like you know, like basketball. Let's say you know, you're nice under six foot basketball players such a rarity is never going to happen under six five foot basketball players not going to happen and it seems like that's the way a goaltending is going. So you know.
Tim Wood (1:18:39)
Yes.
Yeah, it's interesting. Thank you. Yeah, I was curious what you thought about it. You look at Saros, he's the last of a breed. He's 5'11". And Dustin, well, Dustin Wolf in Calgary, he's six feet. So he's kind of the last guy coming along. But yeah, he's good. He's good. So...
Dan (1:18:56)
That's it. Yeah.
Chris (1:19:00)
Dude, he's good. He's good.
Bobby (1:19:03)
He looked good, yeah.
Dan (1:19:05)
Maybe there'll be others, maybe. Maybe this is just a little bit of a fashion. What do you think? Man. Yeah.
Chris (1:19:08)
I don't think it's a fashion. I think this is what it is. I think this is what it is, and I think this is how it's gonna stay.
Tim Wood (1:19:08)
There is another.
Yeah, it's what drove me nuts about Akira Schmidt. He was 6'5", technically perfect. His positioning was perfect, but you get him where he needs to react and he's a statue. His glove hand was so goddamn slow. He kind of got a little lucky in that Rangers series where they're shooting the puck at him for the most part. Anyway, yeah, it's a conversation. It's sort of the pendulum swing of...
you know the shooters and the goalies reacting to the shooters and then now we'll probably see the shooters or the goalies then reacting back to the shooters to try and cut off some of these things.
Chris (1:19:48)
Yeah.
Dan (1:19:50)
Yeah, and like you said earlier, the shooters pick their corners so much more easily between equipment and just the overall skill they developed. mean, today's shooters on a whole as far as like cross NHL, they're so
Chris (1:20:03)
God, On the next show, I want to dive in with you, a little bit about the lowering of how low the save percentage is league-wide around the NHL right now, why it's so low, and kind of dive into that a little bit. I have some questions for you. But do you guys have anything else you want to add before we wrap this thing up tonight? No?
Bobby (1:20:29)
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
Tim Wood (1:20:29)
Happy Thanksgiving, guys.
Chris (1:20:29)
Happy Thanksgiving everybody! what'd say Dan? I think it's Christmas. Tiny Tim? Yeah, you can use it. Doesn't matter. But anyway guys, thank you so much for checking us out and a like, a five star review, a positive comment, a download, subscription helps a little podcast that could for Tim, Dan, and Bobby. I'm Chris. We are the Uncle Puckers and we'll see you when we see you.
Tim Wood (1:20:38)
That would be Christmas.
Bobby (1:20:38)
Sure, you can use it.
Bye-bye.
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