Tommy Can You Hear Me?

[00:00:10] Hey everyone, Mr. Della here, Danny Dannick, a three-time Stanley Cook Champion of the Jersey Devils. And you're listening to the Uncle Puckers in Jersey Devils' podcast with Chris Dan Bobby and Tommy, The Uncle Puckers. Let's go Devils!

[00:01:15] Yeah, yeah. Yeah, back into your mind. It's always good to hear the lyrics. So how's everybody doing today? Oh, so, man. Not much. Yeah, we already Uncle Puckers. Bobby Tony and Chris tonight, then, is not feeling well.

[00:01:59] So there's meds or fucking them up a little bit. So I told him if you're up to it, hop on like now. So if he, you know, he might still hop in, there's still a chance. But I figured we can do Tuesday early,

[00:02:13] if everybody's cool with that, not wait Tony can get in with do it before the Panther game and then we can do double you know and everything else. But it's a maybe I'll Saturday after yesterday's earlier game isn't that next week?

[00:02:25] I guess I don't want to do it. Yeah, I think it's an afternoon game. I'm like this close to if it wasn't for this podcast, and I check it out. I'll be bleak-checking out. Yeah, last night was just another fucking book.

[00:02:39] So I'm baseball now. So you know what I'm talking about? You know, and the crazy thing is like they're still right there,

[00:02:46] but at the same time like yeah, it's not gonna happen. It's just not gonna happen. But you know, I love to hear what you guys think about the game last night.

[00:02:57] And then we'll talk about it. I got one major topic I do want to bring up tonight, but Bob, what'd you think of that game against the mighty ducks? Yeah, I don't know where to start. I think on the surface we blew their doors off shot wise.

[00:03:13] I don't think we played a terrible game short of breakdowns and we got out goalie again period. I think if you know, I do love dolls, but I think that if we had somebody in there that was a little more solid makes one or two saves early.

[00:03:28] I think not only do we flip that score, I think we probably control the game better, and it's just another day where that didn't happen. And another wasted opportunity where the teams around us lost and we didn't take advantage of it.

[00:03:41] And now tonight, the opposite is happening. All the teams, the scoreboards not going our way from the islanders on up like even teams that are behind us, but can easily catch us.

[00:03:52] The flyers came back again, they're winning again or at least were tied. I mean, it's just so many wasted opportunities.

[00:03:59] So the game itself, I would sleep like after the second period, of course, in the five to finish in the morning. So I got up woke up to all this news about Jack's shoot out.

[00:04:07] I'm like, well, what's going on? I turned on that. I was like, 0.2 seconds left and there's just a man who's just trying to carry too much.

[00:04:14] It was a gift. I mean, you don't, like I don't know what Vatrono was thinking, but you know, to do that and give them the opportunity to get a point out of it.

[00:04:25] And you know, who knows what happens over time. And at that point if Jack scores, you're just happy that he thought the point even if he or doesn't go your way in overtime.

[00:04:34] But like, you know, he looked, I don't know man. It was just like it wasn't he didn't look confident on that shoot out at all. He was really nervous circling around getting ready to go. He didn't have that Jack's wager and Jack's wager. Is it really?

[00:04:50] He was, now he goes by Jake Hager, but Jack's wager was a wrestler. That's sweet. Good name. It's just that, you know, that killer instinct that Jack looked that chip on his shoulder that I'm just going to destroy you just didn't seem to be there.

[00:05:04] And I'm not taking anything away from Jack. I know there are some people talking maybe a little shit about him. The guy at three points last night, he factored into three of the four goals. I mean, this is, this is not a bad performance.

[00:05:15] It's just shoot out just kind of suck. But it's just deflating as a team because now we're looking at it and go on another way to the opportunity and we just went through the remaining schedule, right?

[00:05:25] And then I even took it one further and I did the flyers part of that too. So the flyers did what they were supposed to do, which could have gone either way against capitals. You know what I mean? I picked them to lose against capitals and they did.

[00:05:36] And then we didn't do our part against like the third verse team in the league. So now even though I was optimistic on there and I still am, but like if you look at the layout, I did alone, right?

[00:05:47] To get to like that 92 threshold or whatever. Now that means that since we didn't get to win yesterday, we have to get it against the kings in the afternoon tomorrow.

[00:05:56] And then still do everything else I said, and that just what makes it so much harder. Instead of getting that win when you should. Then if you get the bonus win against the kings, now you're projecting above what I said, and not I'm just, you know, mathematical guessing. So right.

[00:06:11] But this is what you just, you're just expecting them to eventually do. But we've been saying all year logically this is what I thought they can do for the schedule and then you pump in three or so wins in a row.

[00:06:22] And you actually start to take the doors off that and you can actually do something with this, but they never get to that level. They never give us that two in a row or three in a row really.

[00:06:31] This team makes it to the playoffs. I will get the uncle pucker logo tattoo on my face and I'm not kidding. I will say that on this show if they make the playoffs, I will get it tattooed.

[00:06:41] Can you put it somewhere else? I don't want to look at it. I'm not worried about it because I'm not going to get that tattoo because they're not going to make it to the playoffs. But tone.

[00:06:53] Yeah, if you face tattooed, you got to drink some coffee or a certain wrap and mumble wrapping. This season's been like a what a Benny Hill episode, you know? You got like it's just been absolutely insane.

[00:07:04] And that penalty that Brennan Smith took on that tripping call, which wasn't a trippy. He fucking just slid into the dude because like this guy can barely skate. Like, you know, he's that was just him. It's not even like losing an edge. Like he just fell.

[00:07:21] You know, it was yeah, but yeah, Tony, right? It is like a little bit of the keystone tops out there sometimes, right? Yeah, you know, we always, it's funny. I think about when Bobby started out his, his spiel about the game last night.

[00:07:33] It made me think like we always start out with saying what the last couple seasons. I really love McKinsey, but I really love a cure, but I really love dogs,

[00:07:41] but it seems to be the same trend. Like we really want to love these guys, and it's not, you know, I know, I thought it was last night was not a game that he would like while those goals back I think.

[00:07:50] It's just, Chris that is exited. You know, the season is, it just feels like, I'll be honest, like, you know, It's hard to even make predictions now on wins coming up here for these next couple weeks.

[00:08:02] I'm looking at the schedule, and it's like, you got the Panthers, you know, out. It's just, the levels are a mess this year. Look, I still love them, but it's been a rough one.

[00:08:11] I've said it before and I'll keep saying it, you know, this is insanity to expect that we are going to get a different result when nothing at all has changed all season long.

[00:08:24] Tom Fitzgerald popped his head out and said, yeah, I'm got a promotion. I'm now president of hockey operations. I got my extension and then nobody heard from him. This team is, you know, circling the drain and our general manager can't be found.

[00:08:38] I'm so out on Lindi rough. I get angry now when I see that fucking balloon behind the bench like do this is a mess. It's top to top to bottom and Tom Fitzgerald really, I mean, look, we've been watching sports following sports or whole lives, right?

[00:08:59] We're pretty good judges of, you know, characters whether they be coaching or players or management or whatever. I think Tom Fitzgerald fooled us all. I, like we were so praising this guy should be GM of the year last year, all the moves that he made, the signings,

[00:09:20] we all know what he did in the off season. Now it's great when everything comes easy for your team like it did last year and you have a record amount of points,

[00:09:29] and that's all well and good and anything that you did last year turned a gold right? I get it. Now this team, like I said, is circling the drain and this guy is nowhere to be found.

[00:09:42] And now reports are coming out like what's he calling Calgary, what his tail between his legs now saying, I know I said to retain the money, but you know we want Markstrom again and we won't ask it or retain.

[00:09:54] Like you're, you look like a freaking idiot. You can't make any deal. Maybe he doesn't believe this is a playoff team either, maybe he in a way.

[00:10:03] It's a matter though, you know full well that what you have is not a playoff team and if you don't do anything this year, you still have the same shit team out of the ice.

[00:10:13] I have no problem with it. He's on term. He'll be our goalie for the next two years. It's foolish to not do it. It's foolish to not do it. This team needs a goalie. He's a true number one and he'll be here for two plus years.

[00:10:29] There's no reason at all to not do it. And thank you. That's for too much I think there's a reason not to do it.

[00:10:35] We have to define what too much is and we won't know that until we actually know what the actual package is, but I know that again following hockey and sports for as long as we have.

[00:10:46] The way Markstrom's chirping last night about that he doesn't like the way all this is going down. That kind of bad taste. This is a swoop in situation right here. If it's jealous, we'll go there and say we want you to be our goalie.

[00:10:59] Take us to the Promised Land this year and the next two, like we do still want to trade for you and maybe we can't talk directly to him. But whatever, like make that be known through management, it should have happened yesterday.

[00:11:10] As soon as you saw that quote, like I said into you and I didn't see it as early as it came out.

[00:11:14] You know, I didn't catch up on it right away. But this has got the makings of it's time to do it right now. So I really was surprised that I didn't hear it happen today.

[00:11:24] And even if like you said like Tony, I know exactly what you're saying like you do give up holds and you know you you or you know some prospects whatever because holds is going to be in the package for for Markstrom this year.

[00:11:38] This year doesn't matter. This year is you know, a wasted season like you need to come in next year. Like we know what the deficiencies are right. We need size, we need grit and we need goal-tending.

[00:11:50] Like we get though and we need competent coaching that can implement a system that these guys I guess they're just confused by the system or whatever but like when a system seems so complex that none of your guys are ever in position.

[00:12:06] And last year, it was a completely different style of play. It was all pup possession. It was all speed. It was all transition and they're not doing that this year. And a lot of that yes I know people figured out the devils. They know how to play us.

[00:12:20] But like last night again, like they took the body. They got physical with us. Now yeah, Lizard stepped up to goodness. You know, wasn't much of a fight at least he did that though.

[00:12:30] Jack got rock and Jack's lucky that that was a hip check because if goodness went in with his shoulder, you know Jack might still be on the ice.

[00:12:40] You know there's so much that needs to get done with this team but first and foremost you need a true number one goal-tender. And you're in your mind not you Tony specifically, but anybody who says maybe Mark's isn't that elite of the top.

[00:12:55] He would solidify the position for the next two to three years while we really figured out and he's a damn good goalie while you're doing. I want to say he's not a lead. I'm definitely not saying that. I just.

[00:13:04] I'm afraid what they're going to what what teams are asking for these guys right now and I just feel like worse. Like we're not making a playoff. Like what what like if you're getting a guy like Jacob Markstrom or true number one goalie.

[00:13:21] Well that's great but what are you going to do? Who cares? I care. Like a person only for me. Nobody's going to give up everything.

[00:13:28] You know, you're talking about probably Alex Holtz, one of our goalies maybe does maybe vanishack maybe you know a prospect a grand clerk or somebody like that that can come in. Alex Holtz might even be in a line up when the derby comes.

[00:13:42] Yeah, so I don't even know what the hell we know the guys going to get in. They're saying maybe not every game but yeah. He better be in the barn. He better be in tomorrow. I mean, you know, absolutely he better be in.

[00:13:55] But like if that's that's not giving away everything that's get that's a fair deal getting is true number one goalie like so. But we don't want to do it like a burst if like a mercer went. Yeah, I don't want to do it because that is that.

[00:14:07] Like what is it that's not that would be that I've said right from the game from last year like I don't I like Holtz but I just don't I think Holtz she goes somewhere else for himself actually you know,

[00:14:16] You know, it's Holtz actually either you know, no matter what you know, but mercer I just feel like I hope that mercers had just the really down year in a lot of ways and you know,

[00:14:25] I'm figuring we can probably get this contract a little nicer now that he's not having the superstar season. Yeah, I like that so he's not a restricted at the creation this season right next season he is RFA this year. I thought it was next year.

[00:14:40] So I found it's a show. If you have a child I may be just pay him that qualifying offer right now and make him earn what he's going to get on his contract next season.

[00:14:50] You know, I keep him in the system I give him one more year to turn it around to get paid and let's see what he can do.

[00:14:56] Because that's how this year should have went on and you know, I'm not going to shit on Dawson Mercer for having a down year. Oh fuck, I love that's a down year so you know what I mean I look I liked Dawson Mercer but at the same time.

[00:15:09] If you gave him away for like I said a guy like Mark Strummer whatever I think I'd be a little annoyed by it but once Mark Strum comes in and I don't know if he's going to be a little annoyed by it.

[00:15:22] But I've also been preaching this the entire year. There's almost too much there's like we don't even know where Mercer is supposed to be playing what his role is.

[00:15:33] Remember when I said I envision this he was the number three center down the line because so much strength and line has been used to enter all of it all this year maybe a gamer too right?

[00:15:42] So like where is he even truly fit into this we're not going to keep everybody do they want to sign to fully if they do. And so he's going to be permanently blocked anyway.

[00:15:51] So and I'm a big as Holtz fan on this podcast I would love to see Holtz get an absolute legitimate shot.

[00:15:57] Top two lines for a long period of time but how is he going to do that even if he keep Mercer 2 are you really going to play holtz over Mercer in general. Now probably not not at this level of his development at some point.

[00:16:11] Yeah and I think Holtz would be an excellent you know addition to to most teams that could use things are really looking at to fully I've heard a king's have a lot of interest in to fully.

[00:16:22] That's going to be interesting we could we could seeably buy and sell at the same time we could trade to fully get we need from him because we have two people that can slide up his butt.

[00:16:34] And then we can also trade Holtz and depth and anybody else to get the other things that we need we can do both.

[00:16:42] I mean you know here's the thing though now like you like we have 22 games like like that's it guys is 60 games in there are 22 left you legitimately probably have to win 15 games to make it to the playoffs and that's where I am right now like you have to they can probably afford to lose seven games the rest of the day.

[00:17:01] In regulation.

[00:17:05] You know they could lose for this week you know what I mean like the teams that we have coming up like like I know the McDermott coming in like you're not going to like at least he's a physical presence and you know he's going to drop the gloves first chance to get but like we still need like you're not going anywhere without the goal tending and I believe with with Lindy Ruffin you know I know that with all the problems this is going to be a good.

[00:17:30] All the problems this year firing the head coach isn't really the smartest move I would have fired him back in December I would have gotten rid of them.

[00:17:37] The guy clearly seems incapable of putting together lines you know getting this team to play with any kind of urgency like you do have to look at.

[00:17:49] The coach when your team comes out and performs the way it has all season long you have to look at the coach fair or not fair there are the ones that are in charge and there are the ones that are going to get all the praise when things go good.

[00:18:03] But they're going to get all the blame when things go bad and Lindy Ruff right now no chances he the coach of this team next year go get a guy like Craig Barobi get Jacob Marks from this year I don't give it shit about you know the playoff's this year at least we have our number one.

[00:18:18] Go out and free agency get tougher you know get some great on this team and you know maybe. You know we don't need all these small forwards that fly all over the place and you know don't that's not playoff winning hockey.

[00:18:32] How this team's built right now against every other team that I watched that is in the playoffs we get smoke any one of them we get smoke we cannot hang with anybody.

[00:18:42] But with the way we're built right now and that's where I come into the top it's Gerald and you know dude he's got to do something. So can you tell me can you hear us let's go here everybody heard that.

[00:19:07] Yeah, you know like we said before even if it's even if none of this was his fault right which obviously is not the case better coaches have.

[00:19:18] Better coaches have been fired because we cannot fire a whole team you just sometimes you just need to say this isn't working. Shoulda worked isn't working sorry. We got to do something else anything it's ass and I not to try anything at this point.

[00:19:36] And now you got nothing to lose you're playing with house money you can go ahead and make the trades and try to get lucky or just build a foundation back for what's going to happen next year.

[00:19:44] And that's really what it comes down to right like what's the mindset of this team what's the mindset of management you know it's like I feel like.

[00:19:51] Every time like we beat the sharks and everybody was acting like we want to fucking championship like dude we just beat the sharks and all the reporters out there like.

[00:20:02] Look like you guys were playing was so having so much fun out there like is that going to carry over to the next game and and then they go out there against the ducks and they get smoke like let's just.

[00:20:13] Yeah, what's the what's the the Tom Fitzgerald is looking at this team after the shot game and he's saying okay. Let's see how they do against an a high in an LA before I go and move make some moves or do whatever now you're in this position.

[00:20:26] Look I don't think they're going to win tomorrow. Do Tony do you think they're going to beat the king's tomorrow? No, I do not know Bobby do you know they're going to be the king's again so like.

[00:20:38] I still do the marks from move because of the term but I don't know how much more you really do. Because I just I cannot see them getting into the playoffs. I just find it this well then to play doubles advocate right then other people would say just.

[00:20:53] Then forget about marks from for this year and just do it with summer would maybe it's even cheaper to go.

[00:20:58] You know you can think like that but you also know that at the summer time you're going to have other teams that are going to be falling Calgary and say you know because look.

[00:21:08] If Caroline doesn't do anything further goal-tending right they get into the playoffs let's say they lose in the second round to the Rangers or you know because they're goal-tending with subpar.

[00:21:19] Well now come July there in the market for a goal-tender. Let's go the same thing with you know Colorado right maybe Gorgia isn't really playing that great in the playoffs this year and they get bounced and now you're going to have other teams like right now it does seem like it's the doubles and marks that right now they're they're dating, you know and they're thinking about hooking up but they're not really sure I think Tom Fitzgerald needs to drop a roofy in that drink.

[00:21:48] And hook up predictions.

[00:21:53] Sure love it there were a couple right ones so we do predictions every week for the upcoming week last week we did Tampa Bay San Jose and a high now this is our prediction sand stand because he got the surgery but he did say that doubles will have a shutout which we know they didn't so he's wrong.

[00:22:10] I got with me I got the rerun I got within an ass hair one but I got cute so I said that the starting goal lead for the doubles will be pulled against the lightning that was not the case.

[00:22:21] I said that the doubles will lose another top six forward to injury and be out multiple games two or more games I thought was that elbow that brat took I was going to win that one I'm like alright cool I'll get that point maybe he'll be out for the next two games.

[00:22:35] And then I said that Adam and Riequel score a short and it goal against injury and yeah that's been going to go.

[00:22:43] So Bobby you said that Nemic will have a power play point against Tampa Bay that is not you didn't get that you said that team will score in San Jose he did right he's for no we didn't score. Oh that's correct.

[00:22:57] Yeah that's right so you don't get it and then you said that Marks room will be traded this week to the doubles and you were on Tony you're the only one I got a point you said that they'll beat the sharks that was real.

[00:23:14] I'm going to go now.

[00:23:16] Remember I said I would go for the you said that they'll beat Tampa Bay for the three and you said that the doubles will allow one or less goals in at least one of these games and that didn't happen so Tony got one point everyone else got none.

[00:23:30] Now that's two weeks in a row only one point was given out out of a minimum of 12 possible. Yeah I haven't gotten it on about eight weeks so I don't have this schedule in front of me real quick so Bobby what do we got we got the kings.

[00:23:42] We got Florida. Yep. What else? I'm open it. The Rangers in there. Other like the we have the Panthers we got. There we go. So yeah so we got King Sunday you've got Panthers on Tuesday the St. Louis blues on Thursday.

[00:24:03] That's home right yes and Carolina on Saturday at home. Yes. All right. All right. So we will start with you Bobby what is your first prediction of this. Got nowhere to go with this but there's only one week left anyway so who cares let's keep it going.

[00:24:23] The trade will still happen the march on trade will still happen I'll go with two weeks in a row. Marks true to the devils new jersey plus or minus other players but at least marks. Tony we got for me buddy.

[00:24:36] Devils will lose two players in the next what we're going for games here three games. Four we do it four in the next four games those two players to injury or injury or what is our injury. Two players to injury you just like.

[00:24:50] It's going to be a bit. He's going to get a fight break. It's going to be a. All right. King's Panthers blues hurricanes. Yep devils are going to go on for. Holy shit Chris is been. Bobby what he got second prediction.

[00:25:09] Second prediction is they're going to go at least two and two. Okay. This is just completely out of the picture because I obviously do and I guess you won't in three at best but I'm hoping for two and two. I don't see a win there maybe.

[00:25:25] Yeah I know you know maybe they can hang with Carolina if they really get up for that game but St. Louis owns us right they've always beat us. Florida's just probably the best team in the NHL right now and the kings are a very good

[00:25:38] defensive team so I think we're fucked. I think we're fucked. What do you got, Tony? Let me go. Devils will beat the blues actually on Thursday on Thursday. All right my second prediction is that devils will give up the first goal in all four of these games.

[00:25:57] Ooh all four. Why not? Well you have a really good, you got at least a 75% chance that you're right I think. Yeah. And Bobby or third and final prediction. Only guy I truly trust right now the captain will get one of the game winning.

[00:26:19] A game winning goal at least. Okay. All right, Tony. Gonna try to spark something I'm going to say that you use will get Jack will get Hill Square the most points in the next four games of any double. What you should that should be on the reg.

[00:26:39] You should be able to pencil that in. Yeah but it's not. I know like that. Um. All right. Let me see. Uh I will say that Sam Rinehart will score two goals against us on Tuesday night. Two or more.

[00:27:02] Two or more from a specific player against us so. Yeah. It's hat trick worthy. Right. That's a pretty bold prediction. Yeah. I mean your game winning goal. I think you could get that game. That would be a hat trick but yeah. I can't take that.

[00:27:18] I only picked two wins for the weeks. I can't get the game. And in the cap of myself further. And no and Dan will give a shout out to. Um for his first prediction and I'll have him text me his other two tomorrow.

[00:27:29] I didn't want to bother him last week because he was in the surgery and share. So all right. So that's where we are right now for our predictions as you can see. I am about as pessimistic as it comes. Uh my faith in this team is just gone.

[00:27:43] And the crazy thing is like. I do feel like if the right changes were made, you know maybe it's a little bit too late right now. But I'll even say two weeks ago.

[00:27:57] If you would have like I really will make an indictment on Tom Fitzgerald that you let Jacob Marks from Leave New Jersey. That never should have happened. He should have never got on that plane back to Calgary or whatever fuck they were growing. He should have stayed here.

[00:28:13] You didn't let that happen. But like if two weeks ago he would have maybe fired Lindi rough and got Jacob Marks from in here. Maybe did whatever else. I honestly think this could be a completely different team right now.

[00:28:24] But you can't keep running out the exact same person now and expect a different result. It's just not going to happen. So it's the same trickle down the line theory that, you know, everybody knows.

[00:28:36] So when when Jack was hurt or Nico was hurt or anybody was hurt, you know. Everybody moves up a spot. So when they get healthy, everybody kind of comes back down to their spots. So when you're talking about treats, it's kind of the same thing.

[00:28:47] It's almost like you had a better goalie that was out that you're going to put in. Everybody else kind of goes down a spot and now your goalie is that much better. And then suppose maybe we get, you know, some kind of defenseman in there too.

[00:28:57] That's again just a tick above one of those six were used in now. So that guy now slides out and or you never have to use them on emergency basis like a Smith on defense.

[00:29:07] You know what I mean? And all those little things, each little thing kind of culminates into a slightly better thing. And then maybe you win one or two of these ones that we're losing.

[00:29:17] No, Bobby, you brought up a point and you've made this point a couple of shows in a row. And I kind of want to dive into this like do you think that there are just too many.

[00:29:30] Guys on this team that have the same roles like do you feel like we do need that whole addition by subtraction kind of thing. I do and I don't know which particular player that means because they each have a skill set that you want.

[00:29:46] Like we covered a team of a mile for example, because of this ability to be a top six forward and a power forward at that. So that element alone should theoretically keep him safe right?

[00:29:57] And you're not you know jack used and he goes really is three guys right it's all to mercer and to fully like those are the three guys.

[00:30:04] The three names right that you would even consider or that we even hear possibly on a trade block am I right about that like it's those three guys so like if you have to get rid of two who do you get rid of.

[00:30:20] Because I would keep mercer and get rid of to fully and holds even though I really like Tyler to fully on this team and I really wish that there was a way that we can keep them but you just looking at this team.

[00:30:31] I think you're right like there's just too many dudes that are have the same job. Yeah and the ones that aren't in the role that they are more accustomed to don't seem to be able to take on their newer or lesser role.

[00:30:48] You know I've mentioned before like what a third line is to me and how that third line is supposed to play.

[00:30:54] You give up a little bit of the third line and you know you still do want to attack right and you want to be a force and energy line and you want to chip in some goals.

[00:31:02] But you're not necessarily the line dependent on to get all the goals now I heard clip from plot today for example talking about his play.

[00:31:10] And he said there's so many little things that we need to fix I'm trying to focus more on the defensive side so we could do this and that.

[00:31:17] So yeah I'd like to score more but really kind of concentrating on that right now and that's great that's what makes plot so great to understand hey I got to do something to help this team win. He shouldn't be doing that as a second line left wing.

[00:31:29] Great should be doing it on the third line. So that's what I'm saying there's just anybody can play fantasy and put up their lines and have fun with it.

[00:31:38] But the reality is you can tell after several months that this blend isn't working and I don't know particularly why but it's like too many cooks in the kitchen like nobody knows what exactly to do and you just need.

[00:31:55] I don't know if something's got to change the fourth line isn't near anything like the identity we had before they're practically invisible. So we don't have that that elevates all the lines above it. And I'm just just feeling like there's a superstar transaction that has to happen.

[00:32:13] I know that you feel that way and I can totally see that because I agree with you if you really want to change the makeup of this team you're going to have to do something like that. And with a big name going the other way.

[00:32:25] But another thing that I will put towards an indictment to Tom Fitzgerald is you fucking knew or at least you knew that something was coming down with Michael McLeod. And we still signed them for a friggin year guy was leading the league and face off.

[00:32:42] You know being that energy guy being what we needed and now he's gone. I don't want him but I'm saying maybe we could have replaced him before the season started with somebody that can maybe do his job a little bit.

[00:32:54] But then the other thing is you went out and got cow foot knowing for a well that he was also involved in this and we signed him.

[00:33:00] So there's just like a lot of things with the whole the way this season has played out that I'm completely losing my confidence and confidence in Charles has gone well in all these 200% down to about 25.

[00:33:11] Well, Lizard is another guy that fits exactly what I'm talking about. So he's not a replacement from a cloud at center in the fact that he can be that kind of face off man.

[00:33:20] But energy guy you know guy who you know pushes the other team back just Lizard's type of guy you want on your team anywhere. Lizard is overplayed right now on our team. He's on the second line.

[00:33:35] He doesn't he should not be there. Those are should be centering our fourth line. No sick tyranny I haven't seen enough for any one of those for me to say they're indispensable.

[00:33:44] We can lose all them and find somebody this summer that we can plug in as far as I'm concerned maybe I'm wrong I'm not watching them enough but I'm just not seeing anything in particular. I know no sick is a really good player.

[00:33:56] I'm just not seeing what he's given to the devils this year. This is going to make me feel like we couldn't simply fill that void.

[00:34:02] So again, Lizard I felt like you brought him in here. We even speculated that way earlier than we should. Hey, is that why he's even here? Yeah, but that's where he fits occasionally hurt and you throw out a love the guy.

[00:34:14] I put him on a third line once a while. It's fine too. But he belongs on the fourth line drive in the energy bus. I mean, I think that all of a hall of piloto's our line can be very good.

[00:34:24] There could be an excellent line you know and I'd like to see that but what Tony what about you? Do you feel like there just might be too many guys in this team that have like the same role and that we don't have well defined roles for a lot of these dudes.

[00:34:38] And then maybe you can be right to somebody's guys. I mean we talk about that with like I think the last episode we mentioned Boston how that kind of problem last year going on and you know you don't know.

[00:34:47] I mean, I think one thing we haven't had this year besides I mean he's here has been you know I gave him a total pass.

[00:34:53] I watched like Washington and play this year. I think he's been a big asset to this team and definitely deserves a capital like I've said the last couple episodes.

[00:35:00] But I think we've had nobody that's taken the team and run with it. Like we haven't had that got we have such inconsistency this year. We haven't had anybody who just we haven't even had a guy who lights up for like four or five weeks.

[00:35:11] We got guys who start playing better than they fade away again just a lot of just it seems like a lot of our last year where a lot of our guys were having some somewhat career you know.

[00:35:21] And since it seems like this year we have the total opposite on every on every end. There are some guys on this team that I genuinely do not like their play there are a couple of guys that I'm sorry. I am not a Jesper Bradfan.

[00:35:35] I don't like his play. I don't like him on this team and I feel like he needs to be a Brady could shock. In other words, if we can you could somehow make that move. I know it's you know completely where so many different hats.

[00:35:52] I mean I think with Jesper we were lying too much. If he just could it you know if we just kind of you think we rely on him too much. I think we have to. I mean because we don't have you know you.

[00:36:02] I think our favorite that is definitely how it's designed for sure.

[00:36:05] I mean I think this is you know I'm not saying that he's we shouldn't expect more. I'm just saying it seems like the way the team has run this year and the way that like I know Jack's been hurt. What does he have?

[00:36:17] The 18 goals this year in 20 goals maybe is a 20 now 20. We were talking last year. Hey is it going to go over 100? Is that going to be 105? He was out for a quite interesting. Yeah he's still maybe hurt.

[00:36:31] Yeah I mean and he's he's trying everything he can and you know like I said on the you know Another show like Jack needs to grow up a little bit and he needs to understand that he doesn't have to do it all

[00:36:44] And you just kind of let the game come to him because he's so good. You know like last night he drove the play and the last two games drove the play every time he was on the ice he was you know great absolutely great

[00:36:56] But he does put way too much on himself it's a team. I think he you know feels like the the devils they're going to go as far as he goes and I don't necessarily know. If that's true.

[00:37:15] I think that they are a very good team or can be a very good team without Jack having to do 100% of it but you need everybody else to chip in. Dawson Mercer have an terrible year just for Brad just disappears.

[00:37:28] Team Omyr extremely inconsistent Andre Palat come extremely inconsistent. He's got a lot different the two. Yeah. I know it's totally different. Our college completely you know invisible a lot of the times like this is not a team built for a long playoff run and I look at like

[00:37:47] Arakala like maybe we need a bigger guy for our third line center you know somebody would a little bit more muscle that can play with Palat and maybe a lissar And we can have a little bit of a tougher line out there.

[00:37:58] You know the fourth line is to fourth line. I haven't seen like you haven't seen enough at Thomas Noesick he was injured for what 25 20 or something like 30 games or something crazy right.

[00:38:08] So I think he's only played like less than 20 games for the devil so I don't really have a clue I like Christiani. I like his responsible play you don't get mistakes when tyrannies on the ice.

[00:38:20] I mean he gets a breakaway opportunity last night and he can't capitalize on it, but he's not here for his goal scoring. He's just probably one of our more responsible followers though he's not going to make a big mistake.

[00:38:31] But again I like the guy like that or dime is a dozen in this league you can find them everywhere. I think we know too much in the frustration level with Jack Chris and I think wouldn't it be nice to see him use that as a weapon.

[00:38:42] You know you used to watch guys like a vascular in these guys they would get pissed off. That's where the immacurity comes in. You know him you see the frustration actually you just see the like that you know you just it's like a different thing takes over him.

[00:38:53] You know who great to see him turn out into like a make the other team pay which he has it last year there was a couple times you know I mean where he did what I mean this year just seems.

[00:39:01] Last night I've this year class night it was it was just playing out perfectly right 50 something shots on goal.

[00:39:09] Making his goal is look green here you're down a goal you get that late period the late third period goal point your goal tender on a six on was it six on five right.

[00:39:20] What we on a power play on that time I'm not sure but it doesn't matter we get the goal were down by one and then two seconds left you get a fucking penalty shot like it was just playing out perfect.

[00:39:32] And yeah I think it was a bit too much I even thought that when it was out I was like I don't know if I would have put jack out there like I just think there's a lot going on with him and he's trying everything he can maybe you kind of a brat out there actually you know I was thinking that I was thinking maybe you put Brad out there but then it brought doesn't score everyone is turning around saying why I'm not going to.

[00:39:55] Yeah you're right but I think Brad is very good on the breakaways as well so I don't have I wouldn't have a problem with either one of them taking it but because of that I thought it last night watching it like this guy like he's really wearing everything on his sleeve and maybe the extra pressure right now isn't.

[00:40:15] And you imagine. You're on a team and you know for what it's worth it.

[00:40:21] You're the best offensive player on the team you know as as you go to the team because you you know that but you still keep it within yourself your professional and you try to play your game and then your team is so far under expectations and you're like I have to do it.

[00:40:38] It's me I done it before I could do it again. That's got to be tough to do to hold on to game after game and then when you don't have success.

[00:40:47] Despite maybe your own individual efforts and you feel like what else do I have to do I got to score four night. I mean and there's what happened.

[00:40:55] What happens to that player after that goes on for a couple of seasons anybody want to jump in and tell me what happens at that point. They want to go out. Yeah, they want to get out and you know this. Have seen guys do it.

[00:41:10] Yeah, I mean this has been a huge status back this year and like we said like if Fitzgerald had just come out and said a double fans this is the plan right we can't make the trade for marks from they want to much.

[00:41:26] I don't want to trade Dawson Mercer. I don't want to whatever we're going to stand pat right now with the team that we have and we're going to do our best to make the playoffs but next year we're going to revamp this thing or whatever he has to say like he's just been you know am I

[00:41:43] sure why ticket prices are going up next year. Right exactly.

[00:41:47] You know the other major problem we've talked about all year is that in the absence of star player X or Y or Z nobody else was ever stepping up nobody literally filled not you could feel jacks roll while he was gone for 12 days but somebody who goes on a little bit of a heater themselves scoring kind of you know semi regularly just trying to carry the team a little bit didn't happen now

[00:42:12] I want to take you back to a penguins team that had cross be in malkin every single time cross be was at a lineup

[00:42:21] malkin was the best player in the NHL and they were like why can't this guy do it when cross be seen line up to any still is magnificent like they still like to two of them together fantastic but he literally took over

[00:42:33] cross be whenever cross he was down and it was always talked about like what this guy can do when he's not in the shadow of cross be and leading the team

[00:42:41] and tell me Bob when you first saw cross be hated on right at first I mean of course and you can't really like it back to hell air of course

[00:42:50] I never liked them but I always said if I took him on my team I'd love it of course and I think you drew a little bit now I mean he did for all he's an ambassador for the game

[00:43:01] he's a great one that the difference you know that that's a penguin team that went on the win three cups over a period of years

[00:43:08] because they had players like that that would know when exactly to stand up and they have a lot more going on for them to don't get me wrong you know like

[00:43:16] they had their constant latin and we have only had a good Hamilton year right you've been hurt all year we had him partially other year so like we don't know where it's all going to fall for us too but that's all I want and I'm not saying

[00:43:29] he sure or Brad has to become malchem if cross if he was his out for two weeks because that's a lot to ask but just somebody that you really feel like is just lifting us and carrying us outside of what he's

[00:43:43] got to do it again as we've all said this year as a leader as a captain he's proven us that he is in fact a good guy to have an air and he's just all balls out right now

[00:43:52] and what you think we're missing a little fire though on that team like you mentioned his guys you know we I don't feel like we have anybody on our

[00:43:58] other player who's really fired up all the time you know we are still a play Coleman member of the guy we are so physically and mentally soft as a team that it's actually embarrassing like how we just get pushed around

[00:44:14] and like you said like where's the fire where's this going out there and like where's our guy that just goes out there and takes over games like you know Jack is

[00:44:23] you know trying to do it but he's playing with Curtis Lazzar and you know other you know whoever he's playing with that's not you know and I just I just feel like it's all it's all a mess right now and I just don't know how to help

[00:44:37] you get out of it it really feels like it needs to be that dramatic reset like some are a little bit of retooling probably coach probably a player to the core

[00:44:48] honestly is still there I still love they're looking at you ever you think your core is your core might be five my core might be six whatever but it's it's it's there and it's ready to pop which just as

[00:45:00] currently constituted it's just not working right now no let's do a little housekeeping here housekeeping housekeeping mommy for a pillow we know how to get moved fast we would draft King sports book and official sports spending partner the NHL you can score faster than anything

[00:45:22] happening on the ice in this week new customers can bet five bucks and get 200 instantly in bonus bets and if you want to get the devil's action they are a

[00:45:31] goal and a half underdog against the kings tomorrow so if you think that maybe the only loose by one goal you can go ahead and put a little action on the

[00:45:40] doubles but I'm not supposed to give any betting advice but stay away from bet and on the doubles but download the draft King sports book out now and use code THPN new customers bet five bucks on the NHL and get 200 instantly in bonus bets

[00:45:56] only on draft King sports book with code THPN the crown is yours gambling problem call 1 in a way and get a new one in the game or visit WWW dot 1 800 gambler dot net in New York call 8 7 7 8 open liar text open why in Connecticut

[00:46:11] help is available for problem gambling call 8 8 8 7 8 9 7 7 7 7 7 or visit CCPG dot org please play responsibly on behalf of boot heel casino the And it's just so I was so like I kept looking online all day yesterday and today

[00:46:53] Like seeing if there was especially yesterday like is there a move that's gonna be made is Mark's from coming here Because it was you know, I felt the same way you did like he's going on saying that

[00:47:03] He doesn't like the way that Calvary handled it and then Calvary tells him he's not being traded But you know, I think he had like basically planned on coming here from what it sounds like like the one thing that they did say is that he did say

[00:47:15] I will wave my name right. I know trade to go to Jersey and how stupid the confidence general look right You wanted Calvary to retain money They wouldn't you killed the deal and you end up covering 25% of Chris Taniv's

[00:47:31] Contract to get him to go to Dallas and you're sitting here holding the money Why did you just not agree to take all the marks from his well? It's probably a three-year-old versus a one-year-old

[00:47:42] I mean there's certainly all sorts of conversations that go on, but it either way It doesn't have the money like if you don't use it you lose it so you have the money What are you doing nickel and diamond this fucking guy?

[00:47:53] We don't have a goalie like what are you doing? I think Tony and we've said it before too, but Tony said tonight I mean the reason the urgency is not theirs maybe because in town Fitzgerald's mind he's like yes

[00:48:05] If we can make it happen fine, but we're not really going for this year I'm talking about when they played three weeks ago here. Oh, I know

[00:48:12] I remember that's when you showed me that deal and you held it up in a game after a game that marks from outplayed Vannechek I think it was Vannechek in there when the hell's he coming back?

[00:48:25] You know, I never thought I'd say that but like our goal-tending got worse because this guy's not here Like you had the opportunity and your nickel and diamond

[00:48:35] We have nine million dollars that goes away if you don't use it and that's part of another reason why I feel like you have to do something Like you can't let that LTI our money just go to waste You never might never get that again Oh

[00:48:50] Listen, it's gonna be It's gonna be a grind it. It doesn't look good There's not much we can say that would make us think they're gonna get the amount of wins They're gonna get yet When we look at what we did the other day

[00:49:06] Mathematically there is a few ways that this can still happen so we just get an hand or gone though We picked up another one against the night fires, but again of course they won but you know

[00:49:16] But you try it lost but I'm just saying it you and Dan have the devils making the playoffs What the schedules that we did you guys have a make in the playoffs sure? I didn't but it's interesting because You know Tony

[00:49:31] Wasn't here so I think before we wrap it up we got to just get Tony's prediction here What he thinks is gonna happen with the rest of this season all right you ready tone?

[00:49:43] Sure the ducks we're gonna give him the L so I'm gonna give that one to you All right at Los Angeles we went in to lose him when Panthers Los Blues When because I said they're gonna win it. I was wondering if you remember that Cains Los

[00:50:05] At the Rangers Oh, yeah, he's great I'm so happy I'm gonna home right this one or win We all actually took I think we all can that yeah, okay, I can't get them at Dallas Los Arizona

[00:50:22] When I hope yeah, no, right? It's not saying it feels so good about that at Vegas You know what I'm gonna When This is how it works usually you beat the team you shouldn't beat when you're going to know where all this year Pittsburgh at home

[00:50:40] I think go I'm gonna go win and then we're gonna be saying on the show. Why can't we be playing like this fucking? Well, you have three in the row right now then we got the jet at home

[00:50:53] We had trouble with the jets yeah, I'll get three in the row at home And now Ottawa I'm gonna say I'm gonna say win We're gonna start winning once we're eliminated at New York Islanders Gonna say loss actually at Buffalo. Let me sorry at Toronto

[00:51:20] Gonna say loss again at Buffalo When Pittsburgh again in Pittsburgh yeah, no home. I'm gonna say when At the Rangers I'm just gonna can't do it. I was ain't when when now that's two three as two three in a row I'm not a good idea

[00:51:44] You might get for in a row here at Ottawa You know what I am gonna go with a win there. All right at home against the preds loss of it is all right we close up for in a row now we have four games left

[00:51:59] Can they go another four in a row we got Toronto again loss At Toronto Oh, I Toronto's the first one or so at the rock and then it's a home at home

[00:52:10] So I'm gonna say we're gonna win it and I should almost switch around to say we're gonna win in Jersey No, we're in Toronto. We went in home. We lose in Toronto now. Then we go to Philly

[00:52:21] Say loss actually and then we finish off the season at home against the Isles And win because we got to end over there. Okay, so how many points do we have right now? We have one second here 64 points

[00:52:35] You have 13 wins is 26 points how many points do you say we got 64 64 You got to get a hundred points. You tell me he's got it's getting a hundred points on the net No, no wait. No, I used to have any I would get a number of points 34 points

[00:52:51] 64 plus 20 Oh, no, he's not he's at nine 88 Not math special series am I right about that 64 and 20 90 is at 90 yeah 90 points See that 90 I just can't you know I'll be like that. That's not making the playoffs that's not making the playoffs

[00:53:11] And I had the laugh when he was doing it because Even though it turned out that it winds up being 90 points and not making the playoffs anyway It seemed so optimistic it reminded me of this show we just said the other day

[00:53:21] Oh, we can win it we can win and then they fucking lose the ad on Like We're actually kind of close so I have unfinished in the season at 88 points So I just had an extra lost and tone Tony's got at 90 Bobby's got him at 92

[00:53:39] Squeaking in but they only wait at that works is one of his elves has got to become a dub because we already lost on against the duts So me and Bobby both took them losing to the kings but they can pull out a win tomorrow

[00:53:52] That would you know keep them on pace for 92 and getting in dance got 97 But now let's go a lot of leeway there for losses with the fact that

[00:54:03] Dan was high as a kite really doing this, so yeah brand new hip at all dance got at one point here 1 2 3 4 5 1 in a row he's got us being all shutouts all fucking shutouts He's got us beating auto with the islanders the maple leaves the

[00:54:23] Sabers and the penguins and the rangers all in that big you know one two three four five whatever it was Yeah, I better be post marks from head of the trade

[00:54:33] How do if it's going to tab? I think I don't think so and I'll tell you why I don't know I don't think I think they want them and I think he wants to go but I don't think they have the capital to get them

[00:54:45] Just looking at what they want to type of I don't know if they can actually pull it off but You know Whatever Bobby had a great you know you Bobby was I loved his idea we were recklessly speculating and he knows how about

[00:55:00] Put the trade together and it was a sign-in trade so hand-off in signs of Calgary and comes to us with term along with Markstrom And you know we get that Slytophane I put Mercer in the deal long-lark holds and Casey In Vanachec Come back also

[00:55:19] I'll play him over just about anybody in this lineup right now It's bad and look at tomorrow it very well could be you know Go from bad doors

[00:55:30] Because we're in this by over as a season has been we are so down on the ducks. They don't want to kick in kings ass Well, they're all going to be like yay come to his day

[00:55:38] It's up for Chris he's done check that. Yeah, I'm done make a plan for springtime my days of going yay They're going to get there and you know just stay well. I think they're Like if they win

[00:55:50] Three this week if you turn around like what would it take to get you back? They got to sweep this week sweep this week. Yes for me For me to be on They gotta be they gotta beat the kings they gotta beat the blues

[00:56:04] Hurricanes and they gotta beat the panzers Those are three playoff teams one that's on the bubble in the blues You go and win that

[00:56:14] They're not going to but if they were to win those four games in a row finally put together a four game winning streak and be three top-notch teams I will start to come around a little bit that maybe they can make the playoffs

[00:56:31] But I've ultimately into the playoff picture and next thing we know Chris has an uncle-pucker face that too Listen, I will go and get it right on my fucking bald head. I don't care Talk to your wife about this playoff just make the playoffs

[00:56:46] Yeah, the divorce might be in the work somehow Anything else you guys want to touch on before we wrap it up for the evening Think that was depressing enough Well What do you guys think? Legitimately quick Prediction tomorrow. What do you think will happen in LA?

[00:57:06] Tony you go first and be realistic I'm a picking kind of high, you know the scores have been like what the last couple we have to say five fours You know for I know faith in the defense really so I'm gonna say it's gonna be

[00:57:20] Five three doubles. I'm gonna go with oh, you don't want further win All right, I think I Three we just did so I gotta stick with it there now Bob So logically I think that they should lose this game

[00:57:35] But I don't play the game that way. I play with my heart and They do see surprise me all the time when they're not supposed to win so I'm gonna give them a win Four two so we can all feel good again come Tuesday

[00:57:48] All right, all right, so you guys got kings I got three nothing LA That's where I'm at I don't even not only do I think that they score the first goal I don't think we get one and their goal 10 thing is pretty bad so it give you

[00:58:03] If you load up on shots on Talbed or whoever else is Coppola, whoever else is playing for LA right now I mean if you can get 40 shots on goal you're gonna score a lot of goals You know again sees guys but

[00:58:18] Just I don't know I have no faith. I have no faith. So all right we're gonna wrap this thing up Wherever you're listening to us we really appreciate drop us a line at Uncle Puckers at gmail.com

[00:58:31] Or you can find us on Xat Uncle Puckers and let us know How frustrated double fans are With this season and is it even worth doing anything? Love to hear from you guys

[00:58:43] Wherever you're listening to us alike if I start review a positive comment a download a subscription goes a long way Help us promote this little podcast of ours for Bobby and Tony. I am Chris. We are the Uncle Puckers

[00:58:54] Emotions and we'll see you on we see you. Bye bye.