How do you see the Hellebuyck situation?

Yeah, I mean, uh, I can't speak on his behalf and, and, but one thing I will, I will say is that I, I do think de- whatever side of it you, you wanna be on, I do think the responses in some of the Canadian markets to the players, American players coming back to their respective clubs was definitely noted, I think, by guys.

Whether you think it's right, whether it's, it's wrong, whether whatever it is, um, I think that plays into a lot of these things and a lot of these decisions.

So, um, you know, I think that if, if you're gonna have no...

Connor Hellebuyck, to open this kind of Pen- Pandora's box to come out publicly and say that, I, I, like, you can't report.

Again, I don't think you can report to camp.

Yep.

Those, those other deals are based off of each other being there as well.

There's not, like, some, some major acquisitions, but some impactful players certainly that they did add, especially up front.

Yeah, so I, I think that this is a team that just they need to score more goals.

But you don't wanna do that at the cost of playing good team defense.

And, and this team over the years, that's, that's been their MO, is they're, they're pretty structured in what they do, but you gotta find some more goals in that lineup.

And there's been injuries with this team.

We know that.

Um, but you also need to try to find a way to unlock some players, and I think that's where the Artemi Panarin comes into last year.

Uh, how do you kinda see the Pacific division shaping up? And you know Edmonton, uh, they, they, they expect to be a lot better this year as well.

Do you think he put the foundation in to have all these players that Chris Drury brought in fit into the style that Mike Sullivan wants this team to play going forward? Last year was such a mess, it's hard to really assess, but do you see the Mike Sullivan coaching DNA in this team, and can they take that forward to have success?

I mean, I don't see it yet because it was such a weird season last year.

To your point, I mean, starting off and everybody probably remembers, I mean, they...

They defended really well with their underlying numbers to start the season.

They were one of the top-end teams.

They just couldn't score.

And how long can you keep preaching, stay the course, stay the course, when you're not scoring goals, you're not winning games? Home ice is – I don't know if I've ever seen anything like that before.

I

Like, do you see them capable of taking a next step in that division with Colorado and Minnesota or Dallas? Or is there something you feel they still lack?

Yeah, I know.

That, that whole situation, yeah, I, I think that I kind of went both ways on it, if they were gonna match it or not.

But, uh, the way that this works, I mean, Barrett Hayton's obviously pretty fired up 'cause he had a substantial raise.

He was able to get this contract done for, for the year but, you know, he was k- I kind of, uh, was, jumped into it and did a little research where I'm like, "Well, what stops them from just, 'All right, you got a one-year deal now,'" 'cause that's what the offer sheet was, "and can't you just then in turn sign an extension?" He obviously can do that, I think, January 1st.

So who knows if at that time, when he's eligible for an extension, makes this even longer.

Um, but yeah, yeah, I, I think that they're a team now that has took a, taken a big step.

Okay.

What was your biggest takeaway this week in free agency?

agency?Biggest takeaway.

Um, I think the biggest takeaway is that, uh, the, the, the biggest team that made the biggest splash is, is probably the Washington Capitals.

Uh, you, you put a, a tweet out of how big their, their group is, their forward group in particular, and, uh, that was, that was e- enormous.

And then we see after things kinda settle down, Ovi sign that deal.

So I, I, I think that this is a team now that's all of a sudden should be right in the mix there, at least in the Metro division.

I, I can't imagine them not finishing in the top three in that division, and quite frankly, they should probably finish two, maybe push one a- as far as Carolina goes.

What about Hellebuych and Winnipeg? What do you think goes on there?

What'd you make of the Nemec to Calgary trade?

Um, you know, Simone Nemec is, uh, i- it was, uh, it was...

I, I don't wanna just say it was good on both sides, uh, because I, I think it's TBD.

Uh, we're not gonna know.

I, I don't think Sonny Mehta and the New Jersey Devils are planning on using these picks as picks.

It's currency for them.

I think they're gonna turn around and do something bigger, so we can't really judge what this trade means.

What, what's your thoughts? What'd you take away from his press conference?

What is Simon or Simon Nemec at this point versus what the ceiling might be?

Yeah, so bear with me a second because I, the first thing I'm gonna say, it, it's gonna probably not paint it out to be that great for Calgary.

Um, a- I, I wanna pump the brakes on that though a second.

Just speaking freely, uh, there has been, uh, some chatter, uh, amongst, uh, New Jersey and New Jersey fans that, "Hey, how come Simon Nemec would be out of the lineup for stretches?" And the things that maybe they saw Luke Hughes getting away with, um, just always back out there.

Uh, a- and they said, "Well, wh- why, why is Simon Nemec been treated differently?" I, some of that is, is true.

I, I think there was a longer wick with Luke Hughes.

I think the franchise decided that this is a cornerstone for us, and I think that was the right decision.

Yeah

What'd you make of the Nemec to Calgary trade?

Um, you know, Simone Nemec is, uh, it, it was a, it was...

I, I don't wanna just say it was good on both sides, uh, because I, I think it's TBD.

Uh, we're not gonna know.

I, I don't think Sonny Mehta and the New Jersey Devils are planning on using these picks as picks.

Uh, it's currency for them.

I think they're gonna turn around and do something bigger so we can't really judge what this trade means.

What, what's your thoughts? What'd you take away from his press conference?

What is Simon or Simone Nemec at this point versus what the ceiling might be?

Yeah, so bear with me a second because I, the first thing I'm gonna say, it, it's gonna probably not paint it out to be that great for Calgary.

Um, a- I, I wanna pump the brakes on that though a second.

Just speaking freely, uh, there has been, uh, some chatter amongst, uh, New Jersey and New Jersey fans that, "Hey, how come Simone Nemec would be out of the lineup for stretches?" And the things that maybe they saw Luke Hughes getting away with, um, just always back out there.

Uh, a- and they said, "Well, wh- why, why is Simone Nemec been treated differently?" I, some of that is, is true.

I, I think there was a longer wick with Luke Hughes.

I think the franchise decided that this is a cornerstone for us, and I think that was the right decision.

Yeah

[clicks tongue] Well, let's, we'll get to what the Devils are up to next in a moment, but, but what is Simon or Simone Nemec at this point versus what the ceiling might be?

Yeah, so bear with me a second because I, the first thing I'm gonna say, it, it's gonna probably not paint it out to be that great for Calgary.

Um, a- a- I wanna pump the brakes on that though a second.

Just speaking freely, I, there has been, uh, some chatter a- amongst, uh, New Jersey and New Jersey fans that, hey, how come Simone Nemec would be out of the lineup for stretches? And the things that maybe they saw Luke Hughes getting away with, um, just always back out there.

Uh, a- and they said, "Well, why, why is, why is Simone Nemec been treated differently?" I, some of that is, is true.

I, I think there was a longer wick with Luke Hughes.

I think the franchise decided that this is a cornerstone for us, and I think that was the right decision.

Yeah

Well, let's, we'll get to what the Devils are up to next in a moment, but, but what is Simon or Simone Nemec at this point versus what the ceiling might be?

Yeah, so bear with me a second because I w- the first thing I'm gonna say, it, it's gonna probably not paint it out to be that great for Calgary.

Um, a- a- I wanna pump the brakes on that though a second.

Just speaking freely, a, there has been, uh, some chatter, uh, amongst, uh, New Jersey and New Jersey fans that, hey, how come Simone Nemec would be out of the lineup for stretches? And the things that maybe they saw Luke Hughes getting away with, um, just always back out there.

Uh, a- and they said, "Well, wh- why, why has Simone Nemec been treated differently?" I, some of that is, is true.

I, I think there was a longer wick with Luke Hughes.

I think the franchise decided that this is a cornerstone for us, and I think that was the right decision.

Yeah

... you know, big money.

I, I think there's gonna be some because of those, what you're insinuating there.

Like y- y- this money's gotta be spent.

So yeah, you're gonna get, you're gonna get some, uh, some deals like that.

I m- I, I think the big thing that we're gonna see is because of the way things have played out over the last year with guys coming off the market, with guys re-signing with their respective clubs, there's always buzz around the draft.

And I think a lot of times we focus, that we focus about and with the draft is the time for, for moves to be made, maybe big moves.

Now I, I anticipate that to happen too, but I wonder if there's gonna be some i- in the ch- in the UFA season as well 'cause that's generally not a time you see too much player movement that way, right? Like, it's, it's signings.

Uh, what do you make of that situation for him?

So is it really just come down to, you know, who gets a big save? Or do you think that as we get later in the series that we might see a little bit more awareness defensively?

Yeah, I don't, I don't know.

I don't, I don't think I see that.

I [chuckles] know this has been a very unpredictable series is-- which also makes it great 'cause I think we don't know what to expect.

I, I would say game four was more of one of the more uneventful games, if you will, uh, compared to the, the three prior, and there's still eight goals scored.

So I mean, that's, uh, uh, quite a bit obviously.

So, um, we're gonna see goals, I think just 'cause these two teams, they mirror each other in a lot of ways as far as how much they pressure, how difficult they make things on, on each other, and they just-- they're really good, both teams at grabbing a hold, a hold of momentum.

What'd you make of Joe Sakic today saying, you know, Cale Makar is gonna end his career, uh, with the Colorado Avalanche? Like, like, I love the saying, but dude, like, that's a, that's a pretty bold statement to make, 'cause there's no guarantee in sports.

Yeah

... like must-watch television.

Um, but you know, it's, it's a, it's a fair thing to say.

The, the one thing that I think Werenski does really, really well than some of those other guys, and maybe, uh, Ev- it doesn't lend Evan Bouchard, like I, I know the one big stat that came out was the turnover rate.

And his numbers, um, Bouchard, was pretty much very equivalent to Cale Makar, Zach Werenski, Quinn Hughes, all these guys.

And I, I think when you start digging a little bit deeper, the game that those g- other guys play lend them to more risk, more turnovers happening because they advance the puck with their, with their s- with their feet.

They're, they're making plays coming out of D zone coverage through the neutral zone.

Like, is that because Vegas is so talented, or is that just because Carolina didn't play their game? Like, I, I, I know it's probably a combination of the two, but I think it's a fair, it's a fair question to ask.

That, that's why there's so much more pressure suddenly on them.

Yeah, I mean, there's, there's a ton of pressure, obviously.

You don't, uh, [chuckles] you can't go down 0-2, or you don't feel very good about that, especially on home ice.

Um, but, you know, Rod Brind'Amour kinda tou- touched on it last night.

Tonight I, I, I like to listen to him speak 'cause he, he doesn't pull any punches.

Like, he just states it.

He kind of, uh, not overly, wasn't, wasn't too abrasive with it, but he basically said he's, needs more from that top line.

Yeah.

Uh, the Habs, I, I think it's safe to say they gotta, they gotta find a way to get, to get some goals early and, and just generate a few more shots and, and some more point shots for sure, but just a little bit more offensive zone time that leads to a few more scoring chances.

Yeah, and I think a lot of that's stemming from n- unable to...

You know, they can end up in their own zone.

They're, they're not really exiting their zone cleanly.

I mean, their success rate of exiting their, their zone is not terrible, but a lotta times that's just using the glass, getting the puck literally outside the blue line, but not really having a successful play following that.

So, um, it just ends up being in a neutra- neutral zone right back into Carolina's hands, and then they go back to work.

So, um, I, I think Carolina's done a really good job of getting better as this series has gone along as far as limiting rush opportunities, speed through the neutral zone for Montreal.

What's the cheapest play that you've seen personally in a game that you recall?

Um, do you think the fatigue will be that much of a factor, or is Carolina just too good regardless of rest?

Um, I mean, the fatigue, the fatigue, I, I think will be a factor later on in the series.

Um, I, I think it's kinda the same thing that we just talked about e- as far as Vegas and, and Colorado.

Like, uh, I think Montreal needs to strike early in the series, um, and try to take advantage of any kind of hesitation or, or just, uh, you know, a lack of game speed a- and, and game influence that they've had in the last, like, [laughs] two weeks, 'cause they haven't played.

So, uh, but it just f- it, it feels like it's a lot.

Like, they, you need ...

I mean, man, I, I'm not trying to take anything away, away from what Montreal has done, but, I mean, you've had two game sevens that they've kind of, you know, have gotten the bounces or, or kind of got a little lucky, I think, in those game sevens.

How long do you think Elias Pettersson stays in Vancouver?

What do you think have been the biggest reasons behind the postseason surge from Joel Quenneville's squad as they look to take out a higher seed once again?

Yeah, you know what's been really impressive is that, uh, they were not impressive down the stretch going into the playoffs.

And I, I feel like it's very difficult, especially for a team...

They have individuals on that team that have had a lot of success and have had long playoff runs, but overall, the meat of that team, the, the youth movement, they, they, they're pretty green to the situation.

So, you know, I, I thought that the way that things were going, I didn't think they were going to be able to flip a switch, and, and they kind of did.

I mean, I thought they were really impressive in round one.

Their power play was fantastic.

As somebody whose name is on the cup, how would you describe how different it is in the postseason than even the regular season, which is nasty enough?

What do you think have been the biggest reasons behind the postseason surge from Joel Quenneville's squad as they look to take out a higher seed once again?

Yeah, you know what's been really impressive is that, uh, they were not impressive down the stretch going into the playoffs, and I, I feel like it's very difficult, especially for a team.

They have individuals on that team that have had a lot of success and have had long playoff runs, but overall, the meat of that team, the, the youth movement, th- they're pretty green to the situation.

So, you know, I, I thought that the way that things were going, I didn't think they were gonna be able to flip a switch, and, and they kind of did.

I mean, I thought they were really impressive in round one.

Their power play was fantastic.

And I think the biggest thing for me, Jim, is, like, the, the punch-back ability, and I think that's what we're seeing in this round, and I think that's what we're gonna continue to see against Vegas, where you have a game where maybe they, they look fantastic.

As somebody whose name is on the cup, how would you describe how different it is in the postseason than even the regular season, which is nasty enough?

I th- I think owner's gonna do a, a top to bottom search of his organization.

Yeah, I mean, it's ... [sighs] You have to.

I mean, th- this next year, to state the obvious, is [laughs] it's paramount for this organization.

I mean, they, they have to ...

I, I don't know if every move needs to ma- be made this summer, but si- significant change has to happen as far as what the on-ice product is next season, so maybe that is in the summertime here.

I don't, I don't know how else you, you kind of get some change.

This is a team that, I mean, Connor kinda said that post-game and they've been an average team all year with, with higher expectations.

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They're sort of the next group, right? Does Fitzy sort of become now the front-runner for that job? That's where I feel like the timing of this sort of works out, I guess, for Fitzy.

Yeah, and I think the timing of that, too, in Fitzy's standpoint, you mentioned that first captain in franchise history there in Nashville.

I'm pretty sure just from talking over the years, like he's he was the first player development role or title.

and uh that was down there in nashville as well so you've got those ties those relationships obviously with barry trotz um yeah i don't know i i have not heard uh that that happened that way or or not i haven't heard anything on that in that regard just as far as um the timing of it i i look at it more from the timing from the devil standpoint and maybe it did happen both ways maybe that's why it was It was genuinely mutual, just needing a new change and a fresh start for both.

Because the Devils are in a situation here where There's going to be in the coming days, unfortunately, we always see it as just the nature of the business.

You're going to probably see some more coaching vacancies or at least another one.

You're going to probably see the potential of another GM switch.

They have.

They're sort of the next group, right? Does Fitzy sort of become now the front-runner for that job? That's where I feel like the timing of this sort of works out, I guess, for Fitzy.

Yeah, and I think the timing of that, too, in Fitzy's standpoint, you mentioned that first captain in franchise history there in Nashville.

I'm pretty sure just from talking over the years, like he's he was the first player development role or title.

and uh that was down there in nashville as well so you've got those ties those relationships obviously with barry trotz um yeah i don't know i i have not heard uh that that happened that way or or not i haven't heard anything on that in that regard just as far as um the the timing of it i i look at it more from the timing from the devil standpoint and maybe it did happen both ways maybe that's why it was It was genuinely mutual, just needing a new change and a fresh start for both.

Because the Devils are in a situation here where There's going to be in the coming days, unfortunately, we always see it as just the nature of the business.

You're going to probably see some more coaching vacancies or at least another one.

You're going to probably see the potential of another GM switch.

They have.

You know, it's one thing to ask, "Are they better than they were last year?" Paul Maurice would say, "This is the best team he's ever coached, period." So when you hear that, do you think there's a little gamesmanship on his part? Or is he just shooting us all straight?

straight?Um, no, I think he's shooting a straighter than I think he usually does.

I mean, this is a, uh, this is a team...

I mean, we're talking to the Florida Panthers.

They are a throwback team.

They're a team that, uh, they play the...

they play the game differently from everybody else in the league, and it serves them well.

So, how likely is it that, in a game or games in this series, that they might be decided by guys who are not on the covers of video games?

Jeez.

They got... You know, this is a team that could win the President's Trophy. They could win the Stanley Cup. And- and here's my other fire about it too. I know that we're gonna- we're gonna focus on what he's going at right now, and that's Wayne Gretzky's record. I- I think this guy, if he wants to, I think this guy can get 1,000 goals. And- and if you look at it, it's- it's only, like, three more years of playing the game. But I- I guess, to the point, the Washington Capitals... Like, this is a good squad. They got young guys on their team. They've got this Connor McMichael, Dylan Strome's still age-appropriate. They've got Alexi Protas, um. Th- They're loaded. Like, they're not going any, uh, away anytime soon. So, I guess the big thing is this. It's not like the team relies on Ovi. He doesn't carry that on his shoulders from a night-to-night basis. He just goes there, have fun, go to his little office, back scratcher, bang, pound some pucks in. Next thing you know, like, they're winning hockey games regardless of Ovi scoring or not. I think that just adds to it. So, I mean, if this guy wants it, man, I think 1,000's, uh, definitely doable for him.

We like 70.

I think they're gonna... Yeah, I think, I think they're gonna, they're, they're gonna do everything and, and they do the impossible, like the things that people don't think is possible. And those things... Eh, I wanted to touch on that, Ty, because you bring up a good point. Everybody was having a conniption when this was going on with Stoner, right? And he was out and until the playoffs started. It's happening all over the league right now and no one's saying boo about it. So this is the new way of doing it, kind of. If, if... Listen, these, they... We're not making up these injuries. Some of these injuries that happened, like, hey, just keep them out. We want a fresh body come playoff time, and it's opened up quite a bit of salary cap space where somebody seems to make those big moves. Now, uh, is it gonna be Erik Karlsson? Which would be crazy, 'cause I'm here with Pittsburgh. Like we said, that game tomorrow night is after the deadline. If that's a trade that they make, Karlsson could just walk from one side of the arena to the other and play for the Golden Knights tomorrow.