Like how, how did you like trans, like what was your transition like into going into this from playing competitively and juniors in college?

Yeah, I actually also, I really did want to shout out.

I'm just thinking about it now.

I wanted to shout out the people at daily face off specifically.

Um, Amal J Tyler, Jeff Merrick, another one like these people, Frank Cerebelli is another one too.

Like they kind of took a chance on me.

I presented them the idea of that morning show and, without really establishing myself in the space yet.

But I think it's going to be more common and popular for players that are maybe mid-tier level as well.

Um, but what do you think of it? 'Cause how are they gonna keep Cutter? 'Cause there's some rumors that he might be out.

Yeah, I, I agree.

Um, I do think they had no choice.

Pat Verbeek like had to match the offer sheet that Philadelphia offered Leo Carlsson.

To me, like Leo is one of the best young players in the game.

I think everyone would agree with that.

Um, also the momentum that Anaheim built this year after years and years of missing the playoffs and going through a rebuild and trying to find young talent like Leo Carlsson, like Cutter Gauthier, like, you know, Jackson MacCombe on the back end.

So what do you think about the team going into next season, and how do you think they're gonna do? Do you think they, you know, what do you think they need to do differently this season to make it a little bit more of a push?

But if you, if a team I like does something that does, that requires anger, you should be allowed to feel anger.

I couldn't agree more, and I think a big part of it is that there were a lot of feelings of hope and like getting to the pinnacle over the past few years.

And then you take what you kind of fell in love with, right? I feel like people fell in love with this team again, you know, from 2021-22 up until 2023-24, right? Like there was a very strong attachment and a strong belief that going into any season the Rangers could potentially do it.

And they were even picked as favorites going into some of those seasons.

2022-23, I think they were picked as a favorite after the run they had in 2022.

2024, they were picked again.

2025 even, I think, you know, they were a team that could have won the Metro and made a run in the playoffs.

Like does he, does him being here like influence you at all towards like they're gonna be a better team if he can get this all together? Or is it just like he got his gold medal, he's happy?

Like, give me a break.

Yeah, I just, again, like, I think everyone's so...

They're clamoring on to this, like, it was a bottom team.

It was one of the worst teams in the league.

But I don't think that's who they were.

You know, like, fully healthy, and again, injuries play a factor, and you see teams, you know, still do well.

Like, Tampa Bay did fine, even though they had so many injuries.

But, you know, this blue line definitely has me more confident than what it was a few days ago.

What do you think about that?

Um, [sighs] hard to disagree.

I feel like they had so many chances last night and couldn't bury.

Um, third period they were dynamite.

That goal that Owen Power scored, I mean, the, [laughs] looked like they were on a power play with that puck movement.

McTavish down low to Gauthier.

Uh, what a sick pass Carter made.

Yes

I don't think you could ask for more the way games two and three went.

I mean, listen, this is just, this is what I've been kind of preaching why [laughs] I find Sabres fans annoying.

Like, you don't win the Cup after one win, and you don't, your season's not over after a loss, you know? But that's just like, that's how it feels in the playoffs, right? Every play, every period, every game is so heavy.

And I guess just because, like, you guys haven't been through a playoff run in so many years, you're kind of like t- re-experiencing everything for the first time, right? Like, you guys were all probably like children the last time they were in the playoffs.

Right.

Like, just that factor.

Uh, and I think, like, from looking at stats, the road teams since 2024 are seven and six in game fives when the series is tied at two.

So it's, like, literally a 50/50.

Um, Johnny, appreciate you giving us seven and a half minutes.

I'll give you 15.

I'll give you 15.

We have Tri-State at 2:30, so I'll give you, I'll give you as much as I possibly can.

Liam, happy birthday.

What'd you say?

Yeah.

I said quietest 40-goal guy in the league.