Like, I would imagine that's part of the piece going forward.

Yeah.

I'm a bit stunned at this too, that it hasn't gone away from the trade deadline.

But I think the best way I can describe it to you is that this team wants to be active.

I think it's quite clear early on, whether it's the Joseph Woll-Simon Benoit deal To Philadelphia or more specifically picking up a 30-year-old Darren Raddysh for eight years from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

They're clearly in a window, and I think more and more we're starting to see the objective here is to give another goal, go, if you will, with two more years of Auston Matthews.

And so that's why I think they're, they're being aggressive in, in their pursuit.

But how important is this season for the Leafs to show that they were better than last year, to show strides of improvement so that they don't have to think about moving about Auston Matthews with a year left on his contract?

Yeah

...

in the middle six, if not the third line, the second line.

Even on the blue line, William Villeneuve couldn't really get a sniff, um, wi- with, with Craig Berube and, and, and Brad Treliving, but he got two more apples last night.

He seems to be one of those fringe guys, and you wonder, um, especially with a team who has, um, potential of making the playoffs and wants to make the playoffs again, like that seems to be the end game or the goal for this team, where that fit could be for a Villeneuve who very much still has to prove himself at the NHL level.

So I think at the very least they'll bring these guys into camp, but I think in, you know, respect to like a Beau Groulx who had a really strong finish to the year, the unfortunate aspect of that is it sort of happened with, uh, the old regime sort of in place, whether it was Treliving and more so Craig Berube.

So it's like almost like you have to prove yourself all over again, and the unfortunate nature of now playing 84 games in a more condensed training camp, like you don't have much time to, to show yourself off kind of thing.

[laughs]

You mentioned that you personally don't like catering to players, but how important is it organizationally that he has a strong relationship with Austin Matthews for at least the next two years?

Yeah, I think it's big.

I think ultimately it's going to come down to the players if they can execute on the ice again.

You know, I'm sort of in the middle when it comes to announcing a coach because, again, we've seen this song and dance for a decade in this market.

And I think there's got to be more roster turnover at the top if you catch my drift.

But I think the familiarity is important.

I think at the very least pertaining to the captain, Austin Matthews, is trying to get him back to that bona fide stud from a couple of years back.

as a leafhead?

[laughs]

Um, yeah, I, I...

We don't even know on Domi, too.

I, I think you're right.

Like, that's the only attachment is, is to Max Domi, and we'll see long term if Domi can even play a game for this Maple Leaf team next year.

Of course, we saw the story that came out and the, uh, the issues from the surgery he had.

But getting to your point about the trade, like, I think it's so easy to interpret a trade, uh, right off the bat and call a winner and a loser, but there's so many different examples along the way, like the Ryan O'Reilly trade with Buffalo and St. Louis.

Um, but just wondering, like, where you're at with that, 'cause I know, you know, obviously you're one of the passionate guys, uh, in Toronto.

What did you make of Easton Cowan in Game 3 here tonight? He looks

free and easy.

Taking nothing away from the exploration under Craig Berube, I think he was unable at times to be that skill guy that had made him such a perennial player.

in the CHL, in the Ontario Hockey League, of course, with the London Knights.

And I think the game is driving through him.

I think just watching Cowan more and more the way I have, and now it's been three or four games that I've been to the Marlies games.

He's just playing with a lot of confidence and busting out moves that you probably wouldn't see under Craig Berube.

How do you feel about the Maple Leafs, the organizational goaltending situation that they're in right now? Well, firstly, all I could think was is

the beginning of the series because I keep making fun of her that I was dead right because a lot of people like these games under and I I just I put out a devil's advocate case for these games to be high scoring and we have seen that now through two games but what have you made of these first two does that sustain itself when we come back here

I think personally speaking, when I bet on the cup final, specifically in series in general, you, you, you, you tour, you, you tend to go towards the under later on in the series.

And I think we will see that.

I will be honest.

Like I identify in the series.

I'm like the under makes a lot of sense.

You have two really good defensive teams and the way the goaltenders are playing.

How do you think things play out tomorrow?

the beginning of the series because I keep making fun of her that I was dead right because a lot of people like these games under and I I just I put out a devil's advocate case for these games to be high scoring and we have seen that now through two games but what have you made of these first two does that sustain itself when we come back here

I think personally speaking, when I bet on the cup final, specifically in series in general, you, you, you, you tour, you, you tend to go towards the under later on in the series.

And I think we will see that.

I will be honest.

Like I identify in the series.

I'm like the under makes a lot of sense.

You have two really good defensive teams and the way the goaltenders are playing.

How do you think things play out tomorrow?

Yeah

... who suddenly left Toronto and then boom, two Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

One more later on, clearly at the end of his career.

Um, but I, I, I think it's probably, to answer your, your, your question, probably somewhere in the middle.

Um, I think the support wasn't there the same in Toronto.

I thought they were a bit top-heavy, where you look at this Vegas roster, that's the one thing I'm blown away with, guys, is, is the depth.

I mean, the Nick Dowds of the world.

So how much does Gavin McKenna potentially change things in Toronto from where it was, like, a week or two before that lottery ball went their way?

Is there one that comes to mind?

I think the one that was closest was, like, Robbie Ftorek in the '90s with the New Jersey Devils, who got hired late in the season.

But yeah, it's...

I mean, the closest could be the St. Louis Blues a couple years ago, but that was, like, in January.

They were the worst team in the league, hired, uh, Craig Berube, and then all of a sudden went on this magical run and won the Stanley Cup.

You're, you're so right, man.

Like, this has been epic, um, you know, Vegas' rise to grace here.

Are we ready to write the obituary on the Canadiens, or would you look glass half full and say, "Hey, overtime loss in Game 2, overtime loss in Game 3, still a lot of fight left in that team," or are they just totally outmatched here?

Truly, how much of this is to blame on Craig? And then how much will this new coach actually help this organization? I know we're waiting for that first draft pick, what are they going to do with it? But how much of this failure is truly to blame on the coach?

I'm happy you brought this up because that's not being spoken about enough.

Um, you know, there was even some people on social media that went to the gr- the degree of starting a, a Berube out hashtag that I thought was ridiculous.

Like, have some respect for the man.

I think we're, we're losing eyes on the real issue here, and that is the players, again, going through another coach.

Like, at which point do you start moving players out? And I'm talking about star players and core players because they've been the result of coach after coach after coach coming in.

Like, who do you think is laughing today? Mike Babcock, um, you know, Sheldon Keefe in New Jersey, um, Kyle Dubas, Lou Lamoriello, like, everybody who's been all over this, uh, situation for the last decade or so because, uh, ultimately another coaching casualty 'cause you can't fire an entire team.

But what does this roster need more of? Is it speed? Is it help on the back end? What, in your eyes, is the priority to help this team getting going back in the right direction?

Do they do it again tonight?

So I, I think the big story with this game is Jared Bednar going to Mackenzie Blackwood, right? After everything you just mentioned the other night.

And full value to Minnesota.

I mean, they're a really good team.

It wasn't like Colorado was gonna sweep this series.

No chance in hell.

I, I think this series still has the potential of going at least six games, if not seven games.

I think that would be a mistake.

Yeah.

And so you wonder if he went out of his way to thank Neil Glasberg for leading to this decision, and he's saying, "Don't look here." Um, so I'm always careful of that.

He mentioned that Sundin and Chaika have known each other since 2012.

I'd love to see the text conversation of those two since, uh, the last 14 years and how close they truly are.

Um, but I, I think there's reason to be maybe confused, mystified, whatever word you wanna discuss because I think today was important for the unification, the clarity of the fan base, the belief of the fan base, and quite frankly, it's led to anything but.

So I think it's a tough way for John Chaika to start, which by the way, we haven't seen him on the, on the international, national stage for a long, long time.

And until they put together some sort of plan for how they're gonna operate, until they settle the Matthews question, I don't think this team is gonna have a direction anyway.

That, that's fair.

Yeah.

And so you wonder if he went out of his way to thank Neil Glasberg for leading to this decision, and he's saying, "Don't look here." Um, so I'm always careful of that.

He mentioned that Sundin and Chaika have known each other since 2012.

I'd love to see the text conversation of those two since, uh, the last 14 years and how close they truly are.

Um, but I, I think there's reason to be maybe confused, mystified, whatever word you wanna discuss, because I think today was important for the unification, the clarity of the fan base, the belief of the fan base, and quite frankly, it's led to anything but.

So I think it's a tough way for John Chaika to start, which by the way, we haven't seen him on the, on the international, national stage for a long, long time.

And until they put together some sort of plan for how they're gonna operate, until they settle the Matthews question, I don't think this team is gonna have a direction anyway.

That, that's fair, and I, I think just to add on that, like I, I just think this whole thing is so intriguing, where the analytics community is up in arms over this decision, and this is an analytically b- based guy in, in, in John Chayka.

Good point.

But, um, yeah, they're a tire fire right now, America.

I mean, there's no sugarcoating this.

Uh, it's disastrous.

Uh, it reminds me of like the latter days of Sheldon Keefe as the head coach of this Maple Leafs team, and we saw it so many times in that era, in the Babcock era.

Like, this is 17 different coaches now, and it's the same core year after year after year, and they just have these lifeless efforts where you're like, "Is there anything cooking in there?" Like, how are these guys paid this much money and that's what they contribute? I- I thought they were flat.

Um, we were looking for a response after the two games on home ice, one of which included Hall of Famer after Hall of Famer in the building, and they didn't show up, which is kinda scary.

(laughs)

Good point.

Um, yeah, they're a tire fire right now, America.

I mean, there's no sugarcoating this.

Uh, it's disastrous.

Uh, it reminds me of, like, the latter days of Sheldon Keefe as the head coach of this Maple Leafs team.

And we saw it so many times in that era, in the Babcock era, like this is 17 different coaches now and it's the same core year after year after year.

And they just have these lifeless efforts where you're like, is there anything cooking in there? Like, how are these guys paid this much money and that's what they contribute? I, I thought they were flat.

(laughs)

Yeah.

I love this team, okay? I- I think there's a lot more depth.

I think it's unfortunate Scottie Laughton's banged up to start this year.

I just like the fact of having that fourth line with the potential of Lorentz, Laughton, and, and Easton Cowan on it.

Um, I think it's gonna be a work in progress.

Anytime you bring in that many new pieces and you take out one big monster piece who's now in Vegas, it's gonna take some time to mesh.

Like, that's a, a big question for me heading into the opener.

Doesn't, doesn't care.

Me too.

Um, I think he can play that Max Pacioretty role this season.

Um, nobody's really talking about him.

He could be a physible, physical guy.

He could drop the gloves now and again.

Um, I think he can score.

He's obviously gonna start in the third line here in that type of look.

Doesn't, doesn't care.

But initial thoughts on this chapter of the Mitch Marner story.

Look, I hate to be insensitive, but he's being a whiny bitch.

And this has been the case for 10 years now.

Um, I will say, like from my understanding, a lot...

Like, I, I get it.

I understand why this is coming out.

Um, I think family is a big part of this.

When did you ask for a trade?"

(laughs)

Uh, you heard the comments.

You've seen the interview with, uh, with Mark Masters, um, citing security, uh, as an issue, um, citing personal and family safety, uh, as an i- a, a, as an issue.

Listen, this story is nowhere close to being done.

I don't think that Marner's camp even thinks that this thing is, is done, you know.

Uh, not everyone in hockey media is back from their own vacations yet, and we haven't seen him on the skates in, uh, with the Vegas Golden Knights yet.

So, this story is, is far from over, but initial thoughts on this chapter of the Mitch Marner story.

Hm.

Fair.

But, um, no, I, I think there's a general calmness to the fan base.

I know you're playing the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The Panthers were dialed in for the most part in game three.

But I think for the Maple Leafs perspective, uh, the process is what's really impressed me and the preparation, even starting that game the way they did going up two-nothing, three-one.

So I, I, I look for the Leafs to just continue to play their game.

I, I think they're onto something here with the Florida Panthers.

Really haven't.

Yeah.

... with Berube when they wondered about the fit for Max Pacioretty.

But I think that's the aspect I've been blown away by is, like, he's their heaviest player up front in terms of physicality, and I think will bring a different sort of factor to this series that we really haven't seen.

I, I think Otto has been right on par, I think, with the Leafs physical-wise, and I think he's a different type of player than a Nick Robertson.

But I think to your point, it- it's, it's never too bad to have that, that sort of box checked, but also the fact that he's a veteran, he's been there before-

Like how do you beat the Maple Leafs?

You, you make them get uncomfortable but like they...

I think Ottawa's giving them too much time and space.

Send- sending back home. So, yeah. Kinda busy. And they're not done, because they have $4.1 million left in the cap to make a move. What do you think is gonna happen?

Yeah, that's exactly it. I- I- I think Florida still has one more move up their sleeves. I don't know who it's gonna be. Um, I- I think they were in on Mikko Rantanen. We'll see how that situation plays out. I could see a Rickard Rakell. Um, I think somebody who makes money, and, uh, I think it- it works out perfectly not to stress, I mean. But the injury to Matthew Tkachuk is a polarizing one. It's a big one. It's- it's- it's important. Like, if Matthew Tkachuk can't play in the playoffs, the Panthers, I think, are in big-time trouble. But I like what they've done. I mean, I think they've been missing a guy since Brandon Montour left for Seattle. Like, they just haven't been able to replace Montour at all. And you bring in a guy, a motivated, a hungry guy like Seth Jones, I think he's gonna be a perfect fit on that team. Um, let's not forget Ekblad and Sam Bennett are free agents following this season, so there could be a bit of roster turnover. But they fortified the crease a bit. We all know it's Bobrovsky's crease, but you're gonna need some guys to play some games down the stretch to keep him fresh. That's why they brought in Vanecek. You add some depth in- in Kähkönen behind him. And Nico Sturm's a guy who's not really talked about a lot, but he's, like, a depth guy, who I think you could rely on a bit down the stretch, and maybe into the Stanley Cup playoffs. You can never have a dep- enough depth across your roster, and that's become crystal clear in how Bill Zeto and company feel about this Florida Panthers team. But I think without question, they put themselves in a position to potentially repeat this season, not to mention who they have to go through, as you guys talked about, in the Atlantic division, whether it's a Tampa, whether it's, uh, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Uh, I think they're in a really good position, and I'm still looking for that next move for the Panthers here.

Uh, finally, the New York Rangers have scratched and clawed their way back to a playoff spot. They are tied with the Ottawa Senators. Currently, Ottawa has a game at hand. That's why they- they own the wild card spot. What are they gonna do during the straight deadline? Because they've already put Chris Kreider on IR.

Yeah, the Rangers, like, are fascinating to me 'cause we have this conversation every day. I'm sure you guys do, covering the Panthers, who's the first round opponent going to be? And the Rangers, I think, are in the periphery of a wildcard position. Maybe they move up- move up now with New Jersey losing Jack Hughes for the season. Dougie Hamilton's out long term. But they would scare me. Um, I- I wish I had a crystal ball and answer for you, because Chris Drury, I have no clue what he's doing. It's- it's been a tumultuous season. Having said that, JT Miller's been an awesome acquisition. I mean, as expected, he leaves Vancouver, he's turned back into the elite JT Miller, which is good news. But there's just so many guys up and down that roster who haven't played up to their potential. Among them is the goaltender. As you guys can allude to, you get solid goaltending, you can go very, very far in the playoffs, and I think when you look at the Rangers, you look at Igor Shesterkin, you look at Adam Fox, you look at Panarin, Zibanejad, there's so many star-studded players on that roster, you almost feel inclined to go for it. But it's been weird the last couple of days where they've moved some bodies in and out, and they've been linked to some other names. So, I think they're- they're- they're trying to turn over their roster on the fly while recouping some picks with some guys they don't see there long term. So, I know they've been linked to JJ Peterka, among others, with Buffalo. We'll see what the- the Rangers do. But you would have to think the mandate from the owner there is like, "Let's win. Let's win every year," and I don't think that's changed at all this year.