Empty Netters pod's Dan and Chris Powers talk playoff race, Maple Leafs’ outlook

Energy Line with Nate Thompson and guest co-host Nick Alberga open the show talking about the final few weeks of the regular season and why it’s so exciting. They get into the post trade deadline and how players on new teams acclimate with their new teammates, the best cities on the road to go out, the GM meetings and Ilya Kovalchuk announcing his retirement. Dan and Chris Powers from the Empty Netters podcast join Nate and Nick. They discuss the playoff race in both conferences, the outlook for the Maple Leafs, the Bruins trading Brad Marchand, the Panthers outlook now after the trade, the Calder Trophy favorite and whether Alexander Ovechkin will break the record this season in The Gr8 Chase. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Energy Line is a production of the NHL and iHeart podcasts.

Speaker 2 (00:17):
Welcome back to the Energy Line with Nate and JSB.

Speaker 3 (00:19):
You're listening to a production of the NHL and iHeart
podcast Filling in for Julie Stewart Binks, I'm Nick Alberga,
joined alongside former NHL or Nate Thompson.

Speaker 2 (00:27):
What's going on, buddy? How are we?

Speaker 4 (00:28):
Yeah? What's up? Man? I'm glad to have you here.
This is great.

Speaker 2 (00:32):
I won't lie Nate.

Speaker 3 (00:33):
I had a late night, dude, I was watching you
watch White Lotus.

Speaker 5 (00:36):
Oh yeah, I watched White Lotus last night too. Tell
me about it.

Speaker 2 (00:40):
The build up, man, and the ending.

Speaker 3 (00:42):
I'm like, I have to wait an entire week now
to watch the next episode.

Speaker 4 (00:45):
I had the same sentiment.

Speaker 5 (00:46):
I was like, Okay, I think every season they've done
with White Lotus, you're waiting for just something, You're waiting
for the chaos to hit. I had the same feeling
last night. I'm like, Okay, when is this going to
go bad?

Speaker 6 (00:57):
Is?

Speaker 4 (00:57):
When is it all going to blow up?

Speaker 5 (00:59):
And then of course they leave you on a cliffhanger again,
and yeah, we have to wait another week on four.

Speaker 3 (01:03):
Virtually, Yeah, this is not a spoiler, folks, but I
mean just so many moving parts and it's like one
of those who did it, and like, I still have
no clue who's going to fire the shot to just
unleash the chaos. You're you're so right, like with the
build up, this season has been so long, right.

Speaker 5 (01:17):
Yeah, yeah, no, it's I think so far. I think
the second season has been the best, but we'll see.
I mean, the third season's not done yet.

Speaker 2 (01:24):
So calling your shot, I love that. Nate. Great to
work with you today.

Speaker 3 (01:27):
Coming up in a few minutes as well, Dan and
Chris Powers from the Empty Netors' podcast. But it's such
an exciting time a year in the NHL, and you
could speak to this being a former player who's been
in the in the mix man, like the last month,
I I'm under the opinion, and maybe it's a lazy excuse.

Speaker 2 (01:42):
I do feel like.

Speaker 3 (01:43):
A bunch of teams in this league and players are
just bored right now getting ready for the playoffs. I
don't know if you agree with that. To look at Edmonton, Vegas,
Toronto specifically, I.

Speaker 4 (01:51):
Think you're right.

Speaker 5 (01:52):
And I was thinking about in my head the comparison
of playing for different teams, whether you know you're fighting
for a playoff spot or whether you're comfortable in a
playoff spot. And I know that at this time of year,
it's you know, I've been on both sides of it.
You know, I remember playing the Montreal we were fighting,
we were in a playoffs spot, battling for a playoffs spout,
like you said a month before, and.

Speaker 4 (02:10):
Every single game has meaning, every everything.

Speaker 5 (02:13):
And then you know, you on the other side, I
played in Anaheim and you know we're lock up first
in January, so it's you know, it's finding the ways
to obviously get yourself going. And then you know, this
is also part of the season where guys are banged up,
You're you're playing pretty much every other day in March.
But I do think this is the best time of
the year in the fact that you know, it's springtime

(02:33):
and things are starting to get warmer, the time change,
all those things, you know, right, it's staying lighter outside,
and now you get to play in the playoffs, which
is coming up. So I mean those teams like Vegas
and Toronto you talk about, I do think that they
will figure it out before the playoffs and they will
get it going.

Speaker 4 (02:50):
It's just a matter of time.

Speaker 3 (02:52):
I think there's a list of teams, and I think
you would tend to agree where it's like the regular
season's great, man, like have yourself with your Connor Hellibook,
maybe you're in the hard conversation. But Winnipeg, for example,
it's going to be awesome that they've had a great season.
But you get to the postseason, that's where the real
stuff begins for the likes of Vegas, Edmonton, Toronto, Tampa, Florida. Like,
there's just a bunch of teams where I feel like

(03:13):
it's an eighty two game exhibition series getting set for
Game one of the playoffs.

Speaker 4 (03:17):
Yeah it is.

Speaker 5 (03:18):
And you mentioned the Winnipeg Jets, And it's funny. I
think the two teams that have the most questions to
answer in the playoffs are our two Canadian teams and
the Winnipeg Jets in the Toronto Maple Leafs. And they're
both on different conferences, right, So I mean, I look
at the Winnipeg Jets.

Speaker 4 (03:32):
And they didn't do a whole lot for the trade deadline. Yeah,
they added some pieces here and there. They bring back Tanev.

Speaker 5 (03:39):
I just don't know if they're going to be enough
to get over Dallas and Colorado, who obviously added a ton.
I think Dallas and Colorado and those Western teams are
looking at the Winnipeg Jets and saying, you know, we're
not scared of you. I think that's a big part
of it, and I guess we'll see, right, we have
to see if Connor Hellibuck is going to carry his team, you.

Speaker 4 (04:01):
Know, like he usually does throughout the regular season.

Speaker 5 (04:03):
Is he going to carry his team in the playoffs
and be able to silence critics like us and everybody
else that this team can get over the.

Speaker 4 (04:11):
Hump and get to the Stanley Cup Final.

Speaker 3 (04:13):
It's fascinating to me because I think there's a bunch
of teams and you're so right that I think I've
done well at the trade deadline. But the race is
always on to get acclimated with your new team, and
you're not quite at Mike Sillinger level. But it did
some research. You were treated four times in your NHL career.
How long, generally speaking did it take to get sort
of used to your new surroundings. You know, Scott Lawden

(04:34):
comes to mind in the house account and the team
I cover in a daily basis the mayple leafs where
it takes some time to get used to a new place.

Speaker 4 (04:40):
Right, Oh, it definitely takes time.

Speaker 5 (04:42):
I think it can take anywhere from at least a
month to longer. You know, I think especially when you've
been with a team for most of your career, like
Scott Lawden for example, you know he's been with only
the Flyers and to go to a brand new team
and you know, everything is different, everything has changed, you know,
your routines, everything is different. So I think it does
take time, so people do have to be patient in

(05:02):
that aspect.

Speaker 4 (05:04):
It's also an adjustment too.

Speaker 5 (05:05):
You know, you're not just changing places and living situations.
You know you're changing possibly. You know, you're changing coaches,
you're changing linemates, you're changing a system. You know you
have to get acclimated to a system. And there's there's
all kinds of there's all kinds of variables that go
into it. But it's it is. It can take time
because I know from when I got trade to Philly,
we were in the midst of from Montreal to Philly,

(05:28):
the Flyers were in the midst of a I think
four or five game winning streak. Well, when I kept playing,
we ended up getting the nine games, and as a
player coming in as a fourth line center, for me,
it was just okay, just fit in with the group.
I don't want to ruin this winning streak, obviously, but
I want to make sure that I just play my game,
do the little things they brought me in to do,

(05:48):
and that's it.

Speaker 4 (05:49):
You know, you almost don't want to.

Speaker 5 (05:50):
Make too much noise, but you want to just blend
in and make sure that you're just contributing the right way.

Speaker 3 (05:55):
Is this a time of year where you're maybe taking
a peak more often at the post game festivities? If
you catch my drift where you're letting loose a bit
and you know it's locked down, like a week before
two weeks before playoffs, Like I just get the sense
talking to a couple of guys around the league, maybe
you go for that extra pop this time year.

Speaker 4 (06:11):
I think so.

Speaker 5 (06:11):
I think that was another thing too, is whenever I
was traded to a team, I made sure that I
immersed myself with the guys, tried to hang out, try.

Speaker 3 (06:17):
To yeah, hey boys, how about it. It's it's Saturday night.
Let's get after it. Yeah exactly, so let's do it Okay.

Speaker 5 (06:24):
Exactly exactly I mean, but that I mean, obviously I've
said it before. I think you you know, you build
the biggest bonds off the ice, away from the rink,
you know, I think, and that's how you get close
throughout the team throughout the season.

Speaker 4 (06:36):
And and I.

Speaker 5 (06:38):
Think for sure, I think this time of year is
you know, it's it's important. You know, you have to
be close to your teammates. You have to be able
to to know that you know that guy is going
to go to battle for you. You're going to be
in the trenches together, and and part of that is
hanging out and get to know each other and having
fun at the same time.

Speaker 3 (06:54):
So that does go a long way for a team.
Full disclosure. I'm headed to Nashville on Thursday. We're doing
a bit of a leash trip. They're they're on Broadway
on Saturday night. Favorite city to be on the road
for nothing screams camaraderie than Lower Broadway to me at least.

Speaker 4 (07:11):
Yeah, Nashville is definitely up there.

Speaker 5 (07:13):
But I mean I would have to say probably Montreal,
Probably Montreal or New York Maybe those are the two
that really just stick out just because of the feel
I mean playing. I'm obviously played in Montreal, but I
played there a lot too on the road, and I mean,
you know you're from Montreal, so it's a great place
to be.

Speaker 3 (07:32):
Yeah, Crescent was my heyday back Saint Laurent. I mean,
there's just so many different old ports a big place now,
but yeah, I always I always like to ask players
like full send, like if you had one place to
pick on a Saturday night after a game, where would
you be?

Speaker 2 (07:45):
Where would you want to go?

Speaker 3 (07:46):
I mean there's always mixed answers because I think there's
a lot of underrated spots.

Speaker 2 (07:50):
Like a one place.

Speaker 3 (07:52):
I went a lot in my broadcast career, men in
almost fifteen years now that I really loved was Columbus,
and people are like, really Columbus, there was a spot
specifically Bar twenty three. Dude, I was almost a point
paying rent at that place.

Speaker 2 (08:05):
We'll put it.

Speaker 5 (08:07):
Yeah, I mean I love that you mentioned Columbus because yeah,
I have had a go I have had a couple
of good nights there. Yeah, and you have Ohio State
close by too, remembers, so I mean, yeah, I remember
that's that's that's a good spot. And people don't realize too.
People people want to make fun of Winnipeg and their
weather and everything. But I've had some really good nights
and fun nights in Winnipeg too, So another sneaky, really

(08:29):
good city to have a good time in on the road.

Speaker 3 (08:31):
I was in for Lauderdale recently, and I thought about
Florida the last couple of days too, because the NHL
GM meetings, Dude, we need cameras, we need cameras on
these events. And I'm always wondering why I'm never sent
to these things, Like what do they do hour.

Speaker 2 (08:44):
By hour, minute by minute?

Speaker 3 (08:46):
And I wonder what the over unders on drinks on
these GM meetings, Like what could they possibly be talking about, Nate,
I mean.

Speaker 5 (08:55):
I hope they're talking about a lot. I mean I
would assume too, but probably some some tea times. I'm
sure there's there's a lot of tea times going on.
I'm sure that the meetings are probably made around tea times.

Speaker 4 (09:06):
Maybe who knows.

Speaker 5 (09:06):
I mean, it's but I think for me it's right now.
If I'm a GM and I'm going to change something,
I would like for them to change the playoff format
if they if they are talking about anything down there,
I would like for them to change that and get
it one I see, I wanted I want it back
to one verse eight.

Speaker 4 (09:25):
You know, I understand they want.

Speaker 5 (09:27):
To build these divisional rivals with you know, the two
Florida teams or you know, but I just think that, like,
for example, you're gonna have possibly a Dallas Colorado matchup
in the first round, and I don't think anyone wants
to see Dallas and Colorado gone after the first round.
I just think that if you have a one through
eight matchup back to how it used to be, you know,

(09:49):
it's teams are more rewarded for their regular season, and
that's how it should be.

Speaker 2 (09:55):
Might come back to that.

Speaker 3 (09:56):
And maybe it's because I was a Leaf fan growing up,
but you would constantly get these series where it's Carolina
against the Leafs of Carolina and they at the three
seed and they would have like sixty points and the
other teams that have ninety or one hundred points. I
just don't think there's a perfect science, and I just
think there's way more parody in this league where we're
even gonna see like playoff teams that are really really good.

(10:17):
So I think it's just the fact of a matter
of having thirty two teams and sixteen make the playoffs,
there's just gonna be really good teams that get eliminated.
But that seems to be the consensus, dude, is that
people don't like this format. But I can tell you
right now we go back to one versus eight, people
are gonna hate that shit too.

Speaker 4 (10:32):
Yeah. I mean, there's always gonna be haters no matter what.

Speaker 5 (10:34):
I think that everyone always has a they always have
something to say about it. But then again, I mean
I could go into the on ice part of it,
and I don't think that the GM should change anything.

Speaker 4 (10:45):
I really don't.

Speaker 5 (10:46):
I mean, my take on it is is that our
on ice product is pretty damn good right now. And
at the same time, like, do you want to change
certain things for you know, more offense, Like I don't know.
I mean, I think the offense has been going up
and we're getting offense, you know. I think our game
is in a good place right now. I guess I'm
a big of a traditionalist and I just think that

(11:06):
I don't think you can change the game too much.
It's just it's good right now. Leave it as is.
If anything, it's got to be some kind of playoff
format or something away away from the game. Maybe maybe
the lt I R stuff they you know, they talk about.
I'm sure they're gonna I'm sure.

Speaker 4 (11:21):
That'll come out.

Speaker 3 (11:22):
I see gamescog high stepping at practice, and I just
wonder game one against Dallas, if it's Dallas, if we
see the captain return for the Avalanche.

Speaker 4 (11:32):
You know, yeah, it's possible.

Speaker 5 (11:34):
I mean, you're you're, you're, you're seeing all these you know,
the Amazon show and all this stuff and a lot
of a lot of noise around him. And I do
hope that Gamelan of Scott comes back. I'm a huge
Gamelan of Scock fan, But yeah, that would be that
would be something else if he's back in the lineup
for the Coloravalance.

Speaker 3 (11:49):
There's there's a lot of teams, I mean, even Florida.
Some of the guys they can get back. But yeah,
that's a bigger issue. I think L T I are
in general. But the one thing I will say, rules wise,
I go to games quite frequently, what's the point of
the trapezoid?

Speaker 2 (12:03):
Like why is that there?

Speaker 3 (12:05):
It reminds me of a rule like it's just there
and we've sort of forgotten about it, and there's like
six goalies in the league who can effectively play the puck,
and when they can't, it just maybe they want the
chaos of the goalie having to stick handle around a
trapezoid like I think this rule was meant to break
up the likes of Marty Berdure and some of the
best goal you know, puck playing goalies in the league.
But can you tell me who the best puck playing

(12:26):
goalie in the league is now?

Speaker 2 (12:27):
I can't. I mean who is it?

Speaker 5 (12:30):
I mean Jordan Bennington maybe, But there's like three or
four guys play the puck effectively.

Speaker 3 (12:35):
I just don't see the point of that rule. And
they never enforce it either. If you notice, the puck
will be in there and the goalie will play it
and the ref looks the other way.

Speaker 2 (12:42):
Anyways.

Speaker 5 (12:43):
Yeah, you're right, I mean, there's you're right, there's no
I mean, the one guy that jumps out to me
is Mike Smith is the most.

Speaker 4 (12:49):
Recent, right, I think stud unbelievable at playing the puck.
But you're right.

Speaker 5 (12:52):
I don't think there's anybody right now in the league
that was good that is as good as Mike Smith.

Speaker 4 (12:58):
There's a few guys that can play the puck. But yeah,
you're right.

Speaker 5 (13:00):
I mean I think i'm a little I think I'm
a little indifferent for this one because for me, it
doesn't I don't know how much it's going to affect
either way. And you're right, I don't know if a
trapezoid has really really changes a whole lot of things
or not for these goalies. Then again, I'm not a goalie,
and i'd ever pretend to try to act like I
know what's going on back there. But yeah, I mean,
I think you're right. I think I don't think it

(13:22):
changes much if they do take away the trapezoid.

Speaker 3 (13:24):
They're a different breed. Dan and Chris Powers and the
Empty Netterors podcast is coming up. Lastly, I want to
just touch on somebody who retired last week. Did you
officially retire? By the way, did you sign the papers
to retire?

Speaker 4 (13:35):
There's not even really papers. I don't.

Speaker 5 (13:37):
Yeah, I just think once you kind of like say it,
you know, social media and everyone out there just like, oh,
he announced his retirement, you know.

Speaker 4 (13:43):
What I mean?

Speaker 5 (13:43):
Like, like, for example, I did it on Empty Netters
by accident. Really, I mean when I was on there,
I was on their podcast and they asked me, hey,
what are your plans?

Speaker 4 (13:54):
What are you going to do?

Speaker 5 (13:55):
And I said, well, I'm not planning anymore, I guess.
And they're like, so you're retiring. I'm like, yeah, I
guess I am. And that was it and that's how
it was announced. So sorry to get into the long
winded story, but yeah, I mean, yeah.

Speaker 2 (14:08):
No, because I always wondered.

Speaker 3 (14:09):
I mean like, is there something do you get to
watch or something from the PA or they're like, get
your shit going.

Speaker 2 (14:14):
Now because you're retired.

Speaker 3 (14:15):
But Iliat Covialchuk officially retires, and I'll be honest, it
led me down a rabbit hole back to the seventeen
year deal that he was offered and the NHL shot
it down one hundred and two mil. And then signs
a fifteen year deal. But like, what a career for
Iliat Covialchuk where if you recall three years into that contract,
he's like, fuck this, I'm going back to the KHL.

(14:37):
I was just doing some research. I think he still
would have two years left on that deal. The fifteen
year deal going into like the twenty seven season. Man,
it's insane to me.

Speaker 4 (14:45):
Yeah it is.

Speaker 5 (14:46):
And luckily, you know, I got to play with with Kobe,
I got to play with him in LA and Montreal,
and yeah, I got and I got to see how
good he is and how good he was then still
and he The thing about Ili Covid Chuck if people
don't realize is, you know, playing playing against him was
one thing because he was so big, Like people don't

(15:06):
realize how big Ilia Kolbochuk was like just a big,
big man, like he from like the waist down. He
was like, holy shit, this guy is massive, you know,
and the way he could skate and stick call and
shoot the puck, you know, all those things. But he
also had like an edge to his game, like if
he got pissed off, like he would run through you.
You know, he would fight guys. But the thing that

(15:27):
really jumped out to me when I played with Kobe
was his work ethic off the ice, Like this guy
in the gym was kind of an animal, Like he
was working out every single day, you know, doing riding
the bike forever, I mean whatever it was doing extra
on the ice, like he was the ultimate pro and
a really really good teammate at that too. Like I
love playing with he was a funny guy. You know

(15:50):
when he when he came to Montreal after I played
them and in La we we had already been there
or sorry, I had already been in Montreal for a bit.
And he, you know, joins our team and the first
thing he says to me, he's like Tom her, we're
going to dinner tonight. Every get everyone together, We're going
to dinner. He takes the whole team out to dinner
his first night in Montreal. You know, stuff like that
where you know, people don't really talk about that behind

(16:11):
the scenes, but Elia Kovichuk was a great teammate, great guy,
and you know, you talk about his long contract, and
I think if he doesn't leave and go to Russia,
I think he's probably a surefire Hall of Famer. I
don't know for sure if he is now will will

(16:31):
he get in? I don't know, Could he Yes, I
just don't know.

Speaker 3 (16:35):
Yeah, I echo those sentiments. I tend to agree on
that front. Eight hundred and seventy six points in nine
hundred and twenty six games. Pretty crazy to suggest it's
been over sixteen hundred days since we've seen Ilia Kovichuk
an NHL game. His last game August twentieth, twenty twenty
and no law has made at Brandon sad throwing away
what was a ten to fifteen million bucks, But Coolchuk

(16:58):
walked away from twelve years in seventy seven million. Like
I would even take like five hundred k, dude, and
I'd be imagine seventy seven sheets.

Speaker 2 (17:06):
See you later.

Speaker 5 (17:07):
Yeah, No, I can't. I can't imagine. I really can't.
But you know, I guess you know, Kobe's fine, He's
doing okay. I'd hope, you know, he he.

Speaker 4 (17:17):
Did well in his career and he wanted to go
back home. You have to respect that. Yeah, and then
he ended up coming back again.

Speaker 5 (17:23):
But I do think though, if he stays in the
NHL that whole time and doesn't leave, he's probably I
think he's I mean, don't you agree, he's probably a
Hall of Famer for sure?

Speaker 4 (17:33):
Right? Yeah.

Speaker 3 (17:34):
I think anybody who played for the Atlanta Thrashers should
should go into the Hall of Fame. And Anthony Stewart
my boy, by the way, Yes.

Speaker 4 (17:42):
I played some games on the road there. I do
remember playing in Atlanta. Yeah.

Speaker 3 (17:46):
Very underrated is what I've been told from that front.
But congratulations to Ilia Kolchuk and maybe he gets your flowers.

Speaker 2 (17:52):
This week. We're going to find out later on here
in the pod.

Speaker 4 (17:54):
Right, we'll see, We'll see, okay.

Speaker 3 (17:56):
Coming up on the other side, Dan and Chris Powers
in the Empty Netars podcast Don't Go Anywhere.

Speaker 2 (18:07):
Welcome back to Energy Line with Nate and GSB filling
it for Julie Stewart Binks.

Speaker 3 (18:11):
I'm Nick Alberta, joined alongside Nate Thompson Double Trouble on
today's podcast as you bring in the brothers Power Plural.
Dan and Chris Powers from Empty Netors to the podcast.

Speaker 2 (18:22):
What's going on? Boys?

Speaker 7 (18:23):
How are you great to be here?

Speaker 8 (18:25):
I mean seeing tom or right now on the other
end of us is painful a little bit.

Speaker 7 (18:30):
I'm used to him sitting right next to us.

Speaker 8 (18:32):
But gonna listen, this is a special day, so we're
just gonna celebrate the moment.

Speaker 6 (18:36):
You're gonna put my arm out like this the whole
time and just pretend he's right here, and I'll go
like this.

Speaker 4 (18:40):
I'll go like this and just rub your hand right here.

Speaker 7 (18:43):
There we go.

Speaker 4 (18:44):
What's up boys?

Speaker 8 (18:46):
Not much, dude, We're buzzing here. Last month of the season. Hey,
we're getting ready to rock.

Speaker 2 (18:50):
Man, I've got that feel. I don't know about you guys.

Speaker 3 (18:53):
And there's a lot of moving parts obviously, and I
want to get to Alex Ovechkin coming up, but just
that feel of playoff hockey, and you know, wherever you
guys are, we got that feel here in Toronto. The
weather's starting to turn a bit. It's still light out
at six o'clock, which you love to see, but you
guys have that feel like we're just around the corner
here in Oh.

Speaker 7 (19:12):
Absolutely.

Speaker 8 (19:12):
I mean, I think what's awesome, dude, is we said
right after four Nations I think our first talking point
after four Nations was how electric this wildcard race was
going to be. And we get tons of stuff wrong
and the fact that we were all right about that
one tom Or you were right with us of being
like this is going to come down to the wire
and it is. So it feels like we get an

(19:34):
extra month of playoffs right now, because especially in the East,
if you're looking at it, I feel like every single
game is a playoff game. I mean, this weekend, if
you look at all of our hockey buddies, JD, tom
Or you and me, CP, Johnny Laz who's a clown,
everyone every day was going unbelievable slate of hockey tonight,

(19:55):
so many implications, and it was just like, we all
need to stop saying this because it's just every night
that's happening because everyone needs to win in the East.

Speaker 6 (20:02):
Yeah, and we've said, Tom, are you said at sitting
with us many times, Tyler Tafolio, good buddy comes on.

Speaker 7 (20:06):
Many times.

Speaker 6 (20:06):
We ask the boys, it's a long season, right, how
do you stay revved up the whole time? And it's
there's peaks and valleys, but it's right after that trade
deadline when it's it's go time and we've seen it
happen this month and it's just going to continue all
the way into playoffs and then all the way through.

Speaker 7 (20:20):
I cannot wait.

Speaker 5 (20:22):
Well, let's let's get into this deep playoffs and talking
about the runs and the teams that are fighting for
playoff spots. Let's talk about it's the Rangers, it's the Senators,
it's the Blues in the West. Let's let's talk about
it and give me your guys' input, what you guys
think is going to happen.

Speaker 7 (20:38):
Do you have any lurkers, Dan?

Speaker 8 (20:41):
I mean I do, And what's frustrating is I feel
like my lurkers are all teams that I want.

Speaker 7 (20:46):
To go away there. There are so many.

Speaker 8 (20:48):
There are teams in the East and let's just let's
be upfront about it. A couple of teams in New York,
Rangers and the Islanders, get away from me.

Speaker 7 (20:57):
Go leave.

Speaker 8 (20:59):
No one wants you in playoffs. It's like your your
time is up. There are some of these young, up
and coming teams in the East. Columbus, Ottawa, even Montreal
and Detroit are all teams that I feel like we
would love to as just general objective hockey fans, I
would love to see those teams get in the playoffs.

Speaker 7 (21:17):
And credit to them. The Rangers and the Islanders just
keep knocking. They just keep winning these important games to
keep them in the race. And I will say I
love them for making it interesting, because they are making
it interesting. But I love what Ottawa's doing. I declared
last week.

Speaker 8 (21:32):
I think that they are going to just stick with
it and they are going to make the playoffs because
they do feel like they have hit that extra gear
that they've lacked the.

Speaker 7 (21:39):
Last two years.

Speaker 8 (21:40):
We said if they didn't make playoffs this year, it
was a big deal. It was going to be a
big indictment. Against them, against their project, and it feels
like they have enough players and especially with the addition
of Olmark, that it's put up or shut up time
you got to get in. And I think we have
seen the next level of jealous Brady and they are
getting into the playoffs.

Speaker 7 (22:01):
Ottawa is my one. They're gonna do it.

Speaker 6 (22:04):
Yeah, I love it and I don't. I normally I
love I'm the King of picking some wild card sleeper
to go on Cinderella run. I don't know if it's
the march madness in the air or something, but I'm
usually heavy on that bandwagon for me. This year, it's
less of the wildcard teams in both conferences, and it's
a more that two three matchup in a lot of
the divisions. I'm really excited about whatever shakes out in

(22:26):
the Atlantic, right it could be it could be Florida, Tampa, Tampa, Toronto, whatever.
With so many options that King's oilers. In the Pacific, obviously,
the Central is gonna be chaos no matter what happens,
so I'm really interested to.

Speaker 7 (22:37):
See which three seed, however it shakes out.

Speaker 6 (22:41):
I feel like there's a lot of three seeds that
we could see in in in Conference finals, don't you think.

Speaker 4 (22:45):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (22:46):
And you know what's gonna annoy me too, is like
in a month's time when the playoffs start, we're gonna
get to day one of the playoffs and automatically people
are gonna start bitching about playoff seeding in Dallas or
Colorado are going home, or Tampa or Toronto are going home.
And that's just the nature I think of the business
that we live in. But you're so right, sort of
on the on the Eastern Conference side, I think it's
so wide open. I know the Capitals are having an

(23:08):
insanely good season, but I think there's still a lot
of question marks with that team Carolina and that crease,
everything transponding, you know, obviously around Miko Ranton and the deadline.
For me, the team like going into the year, guys,
was the Columbus Blue Jackets, but they're starting to fade
a bit, and I do think the injuries are catching
up to them, and also the goaltending, like they've had
pedestrian goaltending throughout this season. But I think a lot

(23:30):
of that's been masked by the play of Zach Arrensky Right.

Speaker 8 (23:33):
On, dude, I actually said during the trade deadline. We
were talking about teams. We do this every year. There's
there's a few goalies that we bring up. Giver as
one that always comes up, especially the last two years,
and a sleeper pick for me was Columbus because I
was like, if you're Gibson, you've got at least I
think four or five good years left in you.

Speaker 7 (23:53):
You see the.

Speaker 8 (23:54):
Situation righting on the wall. Maybe they've got two number ones.
He could find a new team. What a fun team
Columbus would be to go to right now, And that
is the hole. I think their big hole is goaltending.
No disrespect to the guys in net there, but it's
remarkable how often they've been in the playoff picture with
like you said, the pedestrian goaltending numbers they've been getting

(24:15):
this season, and it's devastating to think that it it
finally they could just kind of run out of gas
and yeah, this last week has just been a tough
record for them, and I'm it's gonna be devastating. If
all season we've got this remarkable story on the back
of everything that that team has been through this season,
if it just, you know, they just run out of steam,

(24:35):
it's going.

Speaker 6 (24:36):
To be so sad. I'm like, I don't want it.
I can't even think about it. Honestly, agree. We had
them in the preseason. I thought the tragedy that that
franchise went through was going to be too much to
overcome to even think about this year, you know, I
thought it was gonna affect them in a negative light.
And the way they actually had it affect them in
such a positive way and be one of the biggest
shocks this season, even more than the Caps, you know,

(24:58):
having the season they're having, just Columbus being steady in
a playoff spot was amazing to see. So I have
become such a massive Jackets fan here down the stretch.

Speaker 5 (25:11):
Yeah, it's it's it's going to be very interesting to
see what happens down the stretch, especially for me in
like the last five games of all these teams and
and where they're going to match up and the team.
Another team I want to talk about with you guys,
and somebody that Nick covers quite a bit is the
Toronto Maple Leafs, and I know we've talked about them

(25:31):
for We've talked about at the beginning of this season.
We've had a bunch of hot takes about them, and
you know they have a big win last night.

Speaker 4 (25:39):
Austin Matthews scores.

Speaker 5 (25:40):
Two goals and you know it was a good bounce
back game for what's been going on about Austome Matthew
Asthms scoring goals as of late.

Speaker 4 (25:47):
You know, And who's to blame here? Is it?

Speaker 5 (25:50):
Is it? Is it the players? Is it Craig Berubi?
You know, what do you guys think? Because I have
my take, but I want to hear what you guys think.
Is the enigma of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Speaker 6 (26:03):
Man, I have to eat crow a little bit on
the Leafs this year because coming in and I like Keith.
I think he's a good coach and I'm excited for
what's going to happen in Jersey with him. But the
narrative that was out there a bit when Bruby got
signed and got hired in Toronto was this is what
they needed, that it's been inmates running the asylum there

(26:24):
and they just need a tougher coach to crack down
on these superstars and then they'll deliver. And in my head,
I felt like that what is too is a simplification
of what's happening It's not like, oh, someone just needs
to come and yell at Austin Matthews and then he'll
just play better. That was the only issue, not that
he's been ever playing bab you know what I'm saying.
And I was worried that the as the league does

(26:48):
kind of if you agree tom or transition to like
this player coach model that I was like, Ah, going
away from this doesn't feel like the innovative move for
a team that's got a I don't know if you
want to call it closing window, but big conversations coming
up with some contracts and some big So I felt
like this was a pivot in the wrong direction, and
I was afraid you were going to see a drop
from them. And what I'm eating crow on is I

(27:10):
thought they have had a great regular season. They're right
in the mix with I think it's if you do
the games in hand, they all have the same.

Speaker 7 (27:15):
Amount of points, all three of those teams in the Atlantic.

Speaker 6 (27:17):
So an initial tip of my cap to the Leafs
for just the regular season they had and putting it together.
What I'm wondering now as we kind of hit this
stretch of the season is how that messaging is coming
across when it starts to really really really matter because
these are the big games, these are the playoff games.
And do the superstars in Toronto want that tough coaching

(27:41):
when the going gets tough?

Speaker 7 (27:42):
I don't know. I don't know, but that's been a
big question mark for me.

Speaker 8 (27:47):
Yeah, Nick, I'm curious what you have to say about it,
because you know, I felt the same way that CP
did in that I didn't think Berube was this, you know,
fix all type coach situation. And then they've been good
this year, but they haven't blown me away. And any
point have I felt like I've gone, holy shit, the

(28:07):
Leafs are Can I.

Speaker 7 (28:08):
Swear on this?

Speaker 8 (28:09):
Sorry, I don't know if I'm allowed to do Okay,
I don't know if there was any point this season
where I was like the Leafs are an absolute wagon.
They've been good, they've been good, but I feel like
they've been good the last three four years exactly like this.

Speaker 7 (28:23):
And I don't know.

Speaker 8 (28:26):
I think we talked about there are those stories again this, Nick,
is what I was curious what you think we've heard
the stories about Ryan O'Reilly, his experience there. There were
talks this year that maybe they were looking at him
to bring him back, and we heard that he was
uninterested in that.

Speaker 7 (28:41):
You know, that's all hearsay.

Speaker 8 (28:43):
But at the same time, I do think the captain
switch was so bizarre.

Speaker 7 (28:49):
I didn't like that at all.

Speaker 8 (28:51):
I don't think it's that big of a deal, but
I just think the way it happened was so bizarre.

Speaker 7 (28:55):
And then I love Austin. I think he's an unbelievable player.

Speaker 8 (28:59):
Couldn't be happier that he's an American player representing Team USA.

Speaker 7 (29:03):
But I think that there is an element.

Speaker 8 (29:05):
Of a lack of a big brother on that team
with playoff experience that's gonna whip everyone into shape. And
I'm not saying that all those guys need that. I
think that narrative is a little tired, but they do.
They do strike me as a team that just doesn't
have this extra oomph to get through brutal, hard nosed

(29:28):
playoff games.

Speaker 7 (29:29):
What do you that's my fear. What do you guys
think about this too?

Speaker 6 (29:31):
Because when the rant and stuff was going down, and
we kind of argued that they could have afford Colorado,
especially with the cap going up, Colorado could have afforded him.
And I made a comment that said, the Leafs paid
four guys over ten mil when nobody was teams were
barely paying two guys over ten mil.

Speaker 7 (29:44):
I think Marnin's nine to six. But you know what
I'm saying.

Speaker 6 (29:46):
And so many of the comments were like, oh, and
the Leafs have had a ton of playoff success.

Speaker 7 (29:51):
That what a model that is.

Speaker 6 (29:53):
But for me, the Leaf's lack of playoff success wasn't
a lack of depth because they're spending too much up top.
It was a lack of production from the big group.
Like I think, if you just got more from those
guys in playoffs.

Speaker 7 (30:05):
You might have been fined. What do you guys think
about that?

Speaker 3 (30:07):
Yeah, I mean there's so many moving parts of this conversation.
The first thing I'll say, it's difficult to play in
this market. I mean, you guys know it, Nate, You've
lived it, you know, playing games in Toronto.

Speaker 2 (30:17):
It's just a different feel.

Speaker 3 (30:18):
Everybody seems to every team as a player that's from
nearby who comes back and buys tickets for their family
and scores goals and just rips them up. Like even
Scott Latten, for example, a guy you played with, Nate
and Philadelphia. I mean he's already getting grief. The guys
played like four games as a maple Leaf with let
him chill, let him get acclimated to the new surroundings.
But it just tells you this market how difficult it is.

(30:42):
I mean, on the Matthews front, I think you make
a great point because I mean, there's this misconception out
there in the Stanley Cup playoffs and you guys know
what being bees guys, it's you know, goaltending is so
pivotal and and people blame the goaltending, Whereas I think
the big story every year for this Maple Leafs team
everything you just mentioned.

Speaker 2 (30:59):
They have four guys.

Speaker 3 (31:00):
Yeah, they're paying them all the money, and they're paying
them for a reason. And the regular season numbers are great,
but then they get to the playoffs and they can't
figure out how to score five on five. The power
plays dog shit, Like I was reminded on the Amazon
broadcast last night they were one for twenty one in
that series against the Bruins last spring. Like, you score
a couple more goals, you're probably walking away. You're moving

(31:20):
on a round too. So the margin fair is so
razor thin, Nate, And that's where I think you have
to lock in the big four, have to be the
big four. I would even say the Big three, but
the irony two that John Tavares has had a great
bounce back season, no longer wearing the seas. So like
that in lies the story for me, Nate, where it's like,
if those guys play the way they can, the Leafs
will be okay in the playoffs.

Speaker 4 (31:41):
Do you agree? Yeah?

Speaker 5 (31:42):
I mean I wrote this down and I thought about
it a lot, and I think it's on the players,
Like it's not Craig Burubi at this point, it shouldn't
be any on any coach at this point. These guys
have been here, they've gone through this for this long
and the Toronto Late, the Toronto Maple Leafs are only
as good as their top guys. Like those guys are
going to take them as far as they want to go.

Speaker 4 (32:06):
And I don't really.

Speaker 5 (32:07):
Know if there's any other answer except these guys have
to step up at the right time. And we I know,
we say it every year and that's you know, that's
our reaction, but that's what we get from what happens
with them. You know, I mean you you you talk
about you know, they're one for twenty one on the
power play, they can't score five on five. I mean,
these are things that if you want to be the

(32:28):
best team and you want to be some of those
top players in the league, these are the things you
have to.

Speaker 2 (32:31):
Do, definitely.

Speaker 3 (32:33):
And I think perception boys is big too, like I
don't think there's a team And I think it was
Patrick Moon earlier on this year somebody like that saying
that they've never been scared of the Leafs. Like the
whole Jake the Brusk thing came out too, where it's like,
the Leafs don't scare me, and I don't think. I
think if you're a team in the Eastern Conference right now,
you're more than happy, more than willing to play the
Toronto Maple Leafs.

Speaker 2 (32:53):
They have so much to prove.

Speaker 3 (32:55):
And as mentioned the Boston Bruins, like you never know
if they can sneak into the conversation. But how many
times have you guys seen the Leafs in the playoffs
and you play them and you're like, ah, we'll find
a way to get the job done here, right.

Speaker 6 (33:06):
I felt that way last year people once the Bees
went up three to one, then it became this like, oh,
you don't want to lose this series this way. But
before that season started, a lot we have a lot
of friends back in the Boston area obviously giving us
a hard time because on the pod, I'm saying this
Lease team is better than this Boston team the least
should I'm if I was being completely objective, I'm taking
Toronto in six and then the series shook out the

(33:27):
way it did and then you felt like you really
needed to close it. But yeah, that that was a
if I'm a Toronto guy, that last year is an
extremely frustrating one for me.

Speaker 4 (33:35):
Yeah.

Speaker 8 (33:35):
I mean we said it last week on the podcast.
We were going down we were talking about the wild
card race and then we're just talking about how all
the divisions are shaken out, and I said, without a doubt,
it is so important to Toronto to get first in
the Atlantic and avoid that first round matchup of either
Florida or Tampa. Like, if you were Tampa and Florida,
are you gonna tell me that those teams are afraid

(33:56):
of the Toronto Maple leafs, No.

Speaker 6 (33:57):
Chance, boys, does Don't you think it sucks more if
you are Florida and Tampa and you meet in the
first round whoever loses, it sucks losing in the first round,
but whoever loses goes well, it's a blood bath of
a series.

Speaker 7 (34:09):
Whatever. But if you're.

Speaker 6 (34:10):
Toronto and you lose in the first round to one
of those two teams, you don't really get that excuse
because everyone goes, here we go again. You don't get
to say, well, Florida is nasty. They go, I don't
care you lost in the first round again.

Speaker 3 (34:20):
It's it's funny because on Leaf's Morning Take, we talk
about this daily, who do we want to see the
may Ple Lice play? And me and my co host
Jay Roso, who played for the Leafs, disagree where I'm like,
I do not care who they play because who is
the biggest enemy come the Stanley Cup playoffs. So the
Toronto Maple Leafs not the opponent. It's the Toronto Maple Leafs.
And guys, I've lived through an era and I was

(34:42):
the Leaf's radio host that season. They lost to the
Montreal Canadians, They've lost to Columbus, They've lost to Boston.
I mean, the list goes on and on where it's like,
I can't get in this game, guys, about picking your
opponent and I don't care if it's Florida. I don't
care if it's Tampa. I don't care if it's Ottawa Montreal.
I truly believe in And this is me not with
with Leaf's colored glasses. I think this team is good

(35:05):
enough in terms of star power. I think they fortified
their crease, their back ends better. I love the Carlo pickup.
It's inside that room. Can these guys pick up and
put their big boy pants on? And can they produce
when it matters most? It's plain and simple to me, man.

Speaker 5 (35:19):
Yeah, without being critical, I would say that the Leafs
have exactly what it takes to win a Stanley Cup.
And I do think if there is a year that
they can get over the hump, this is it. I mean,
I do think that some of these, some of these
situations you go through make you battle tested, right, and
let's see if this team can bounce back and find

(35:40):
a way to win in the playoffs and maybe maybe
make everyone Leafs believers.

Speaker 2 (35:46):
Dude, boy hem, Yeah, you're right.

Speaker 3 (35:48):
And when I saw you guys are coming on today,
I was so pumped to ask you. And I'm sure
you've seen the clip from Deadline Day. I don't know
who said it in that Bruins war room, the oh
shit when they're like, yeah, we've traded Marshaw onto the
Florida Panthers. What was the reaction to that video?

Speaker 8 (36:03):
Boy dude, we oh my god. So we were buzzing
all around that week. We were in Minnesota doing some
stuff for the state Attorney with Osh, and then we
were skiing that weekend and you know, we're getting our
phones are blown up, like we're getting our little insider tips.

(36:24):
We're hearing this and that, and you know, without revealing much,
we were tipped off that that was going on before
it happened. And listen, we all do this for a living.
You have to talk about every scenario the idea of
trading Marshan had had come up. You know when I
when I do those Hockey Talk Sundays on our Instagram,

(36:45):
people ask all the time should the Bruins trade Marshan?
And every single time I said it, The only thing
that should matter if you're in the Bruins front office
is what Marshi wants. If he wants to stay, you
don't trade him. If he wants to shot at a
cup with someone, you figure out what you can do
and then to see it shake out the way it did,
and to hear how it went down, Marshy not wanting it,

(37:08):
the players not having a clue about it. It's just
all of the negative, you know, conversations around the Bruins
front office the past few years.

Speaker 7 (37:20):
It just felt like the cherry on.

Speaker 8 (37:22):
Top of just like, yeah, you know what we'll do
is we'll spit in Marshan's face and we'll just trade
him against his will. Sure, it's to it the team
he picked, but it's like, well he didn't want it. Yeah, sure,
you're giving him the choice of something he didn't want.
Let's not pat someone on the back for that. So,
I mean, I wasn't shocked that it happened. I was

(37:43):
shocked how it went down.

Speaker 7 (37:45):
And it's just.

Speaker 8 (37:48):
The story of Don Sweeney and the Bruins just keeps
getting crazier.

Speaker 7 (37:52):
Boys.

Speaker 6 (37:53):
Let's just say that if they released the texts I
sent to Dan after that happened, I would be in prison.

Speaker 7 (37:58):
So we'll keep those under wraps.

Speaker 6 (38:00):
But I will say it wasn't I took it harder
Nikki after when he was given those interviews. It wasn't
even the day the day it happened. There was that
big shock, and I was like, okay, well, you know
we had heard and I wasn't even mad. It was
Florida good. I hope he wins a cup, you know whatever.
It was just when he was given those interviews in
the Florida gear, tearing up, saying how grateful he was

(38:21):
and how proud he was to have worn a letter
for the Boston Bruins, That's when I it was. I
was not in a good mental state that day. I'll
say that, dude.

Speaker 8 (38:30):
But to your point, Nick, that video is so embarrassing,
Like I can't the way like you can even see
it in Sweeney, he like looks defeated and he's like, yeah,
so we traded Marsh and just that's the way you
deliver it to your room. It's I feel like we're
taking crazy pills here watching how that went down.

Speaker 5 (38:49):
Yeah, And the pause in the room after he says it,
and everyone is so quiet, and everyone just you could
hear a pin drop and you can see everyone being like,
what did you just say?

Speaker 4 (38:58):
Yeah?

Speaker 5 (38:59):
You know, and I know I I mean, I'm originally
drafted by the Bruins, you know, played in the organization,
played mostly in Providence. I you know, Don Sweeney was
the director of player development when I played there, and
I dealt.

Speaker 4 (39:12):
A lot with with Don, and this one's tough.

Speaker 5 (39:16):
This one's tough for me even you know, starting starting
with them because Marshi was coming up when I was
in the organization and to see the Bruin he became.
I mean, he is obviously a pillar for Boston Bruins
or player. You know, he's one of the one of
the greats, right And I agree, I had the same

(39:36):
the same feeling too, because you know, I think of
Brad Marshawan, I think of him as a Bruin and
I think the Bruins should have done everything in their
power to make sure to to keep him no matter what.
So but at the same time, I mean, the Florida Panthers, Wow,
I would just say, wow. You know, you have Brad
Marshawan now on that team, and the dynamic not only

(40:00):
on the ice, I think, but off the ice for
that team is going to be a huge impact for
the Florida Panthers. To have a guy like Brad Marshawn
in that room. I mean when he just shows up
to like you guys said to this media, Dan and
he already says how's my tan? Or so he says
something about his tan. You know you're like, oh, yeah,
this guy, this guy's the best. So it's it's it's

(40:21):
gonna be fun to watch.

Speaker 4 (40:22):
That's for sure.

Speaker 7 (40:23):
Yeah, it's a great fit.

Speaker 8 (40:24):
I mean, you know, Bennett said, he gets added to
the group chat and immediately starts chirping there's no other
way you can walk in that door. And you know
that everyone on that Panthers team is like, oh, hell yeah,
we got a good one. So I love the fit.

Speaker 4 (40:36):
Is it?

Speaker 2 (40:37):
Is it an automatic fit?

Speaker 4 (40:38):
Though?

Speaker 3 (40:38):
Like that That's what I wonder about because obviously he's
been through a lot the last year. The injuries have
have piled up. I thought he was great for Canada
in the Four Nations. But for me, like it's so
sort of quantify what I expect from the Florida Panthers
here because on paper, I love what they've done, love
the Jones pick up. Obviously, Ekblad's gonna come back three
games into the Stanley Cup playoffs. They got crazy depth.

(40:59):
But do you guys think at some point in time
we say this with every juggernt will they well they
hit that wall in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and I
won't lie when I get set to make some bets
that's going to be lingering. A lot of it's gonna
deal with who they're playing in the first round too,
I'll be honest.

Speaker 7 (41:14):
Oh, no doubt.

Speaker 8 (41:15):
I mean, as far as Marshi, I think. I think
Marshan has showed over his entire career that he's one
of the more adaptable players in the NHL. I've hated
the narrative from so many people of oh, yeah, you know,
he plays the way he plays because of Bergeron.

Speaker 7 (41:32):
He does this because of that. Let's not forget.

Speaker 8 (41:34):
This is a guy who it was the third round pick,
became a one hundred points scorer against all odds. He's
also showed that he can perform without Bergeron. He plays
so well with so many different people. We just saw
that at four Nations at his age. And then also,
don't forget, if you want to make the Bergeron comp
look at two of the centers on his team. You
got Sasha Barkov and then Baby Barkov and Lindell, two

(41:56):
players who played just like Bergeron. So not a big
deal there. I think he's a great fit. I do
think Nick. A big thing that makes me wonder about
this Panthers team is how tired they are. The two
years in a row now going to the Stanley Cup final,
that's no joke.

Speaker 7 (42:14):
We've seen it. You see it with Tampa. They win
to in two in.

Speaker 8 (42:16):
A row, and then they go up against Colorado and
it feels like it's just too much. So I want
to pick them as my favorite in the East because
of how how good they're how much experience they have.
They have so much Cup experience, But it is so
hard to go to the Stanley Cup three years in
a row.

Speaker 7 (42:33):
It's borderline impossible.

Speaker 8 (42:34):
So that definitely worries me, especially when you've got what
looks like this unexpectedly revamped, hungry Tampa team that is frightening.
And then let's not even talk about Washington Carolina. Like
Jesus Christ, it's going to be a bloodbat.

Speaker 6 (42:48):
My fear and this could change one game into the playoffs,
But my fear on the on the tired legs is
in the crease. I love Bob. I think he's been amazing.
I think he he beat the Bruins, you know, like
in the in the record breaking season. He gets the
switch and then they go on that run. Incredible last
year all the way this year the numbers have been
much worse. Right, Like, he's still a great, great goalie,

(43:09):
but like looking at the past year's Bob to compared
to this year, Bob, I'm seeing. Oh man, we've played
pretty deep into the summer two years in a row.
Now is he going? Dude, I'm just chilling till playoffs,
wait till I walk in maybe, and I'm willing to
I'm willing to see. But that's what I got my
eye on in that first round matchup.

Speaker 5 (43:28):
Let's shift uh, let's shift to you just talked about
the Capitals and the Canes. Let's you know the car
You know, Carolina is rolling right now. Capital's slowed down
maybe a little bit.

Speaker 4 (43:39):
But they're still elite. Who who are you guys picking
Capitals are Canes?

Speaker 8 (43:47):
I think the I get it. But the doubt from everyone,
all of us in the media, all the fans on
the Capitals, I is so weird to me. They have
been wire to wire good and their their depth is amazing.
I think Carbs is you know, we were talking about
Columbus earlier. Carbs is Jack Adams for me, Locke, no

(44:09):
doubt this season unless Columbus makes the playoffs, and then
I think it's a question because of what Everson has
done to get that team in. But I mean, dude,
I love the way Carbs coaches. I love the way
he has every single player on that team cooking. I
think LT is buzzing and is so good in that,
and that I think is the big difference between those
two teams we're talking about, Washington and Carolina. Yeah, Caroline

(44:32):
has been great. I think since the deadline they've been great.
But I kind of look at it as almost like
a new coach bump vibe, like what happened with Ranton,
and I think was really a tough look for that
team and kind of embarrassing. And I think that the
players have rallied around it, being like it's okay, we
don't need him, let's let's keep buzzing.

Speaker 7 (44:48):
That's great.

Speaker 8 (44:49):
But what has been the achilles heel of the Carolina
Hurricanes the last forty years in the playoffs and it's
goalie and I don't think they've done anything to change that,
and I just foresee those problems coming up. I would
hitch my wagon to the Apps, for sure, But again,
I don't know if either team has quite enough, but
everything we hear about that Caps locker room, I think

(45:11):
we're all fools to doubt them.

Speaker 6 (45:12):
It's it's fair take from Dan too, because I've been
a doubter for sure, because it just it felt like
the jump from the Caps last year to this year
has been awesome right now. But can that translate into
the playoffs? I don't know. But how funny is it
to me to think about the Canes. I've said to
about the Canes that I won't believe they will win
a Stanley Cup till they literally lift it in the air,
and then I'll go, Okay, good job, I'm my bad.
But last year you watched the Canes he run into,

(45:34):
in my opinion, a team they could have and should
have got passed in this only round in the Rangers,
and it's like in the second round they meet the
President's Trophy team who has a good goalie, and congratulations,
this year you get in the second round, you get
the President's Trophy team who has a good goalie. So
I just I don't know that they can get but
that might be a problem.

Speaker 7 (45:51):
I think they got worse. I agree with Dan.

Speaker 6 (45:52):
I think they got worse this year in a win
now right now, I think they got worse this year,
so that might be an issue.

Speaker 7 (45:57):
Yeah.

Speaker 4 (45:58):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (45:58):
The Caps I think are playing with house money because
nobody expect them to be there, the riding the momentum
of Alex So the Canes intrigued me because they're always
that team on the periphery. My two big questions can
you get a save and can you.

Speaker 2 (46:10):
Score power play goal?

Speaker 3 (46:11):
Like most teams in this league at the most important times,
they just they can't find the offense that they're looking for.
And granted Ranton and was that guy they moved on
from him?

Speaker 4 (46:20):
Guys?

Speaker 3 (46:20):
Last question for me, I've been mulling this for like
the last week and a lot of people have been
texting me about it. The Calder Trophy. Who is number
one in that race right now? Because I'm sitting there
and I know he got lit up and I know
he got pulled against the Lease, but it would be
hard for me and I don't have a vote, but
Dustin Wolf and just the importance of goaltending in this league,

(46:41):
Who would you guys vote for right now when it
comes to the Calder?

Speaker 7 (46:45):
Dude? I love that? Yeah, me too.

Speaker 8 (46:47):
That Wolf mention is so great. Listen, I've been back
in my child all season long in Macklin.

Speaker 7 (46:57):
I think Macklin.

Speaker 8 (46:58):
You look at the games he's missed and the production
he has, and again, I always do this, Tom or
you know, I always do this things like the Norris
Trophy to college show. I hate how everyone's just such
a points yah. You know, rat rat points rat. Everyone
just wants whoever is the most points, and Macklin has

(47:19):
a lot of those points. But Macklin's two hundred foot
game has been shockingly impressive in his first year in
the NHL. I think the way he gets in the
dirty areas, he puts his body on the line every
single game. Those get so many points for me. Lane
Hudson just keeps being so good.

Speaker 7 (47:40):
Yea.

Speaker 8 (47:41):
I mean, you look at the points for defenseman in
the league, let alone rookies, and he is right up there.
You look at power play points, he is in the
entire national he is right up there. He is one
of the best power play qbs in the NHL right now,
in his.

Speaker 7 (47:56):
First league or in his first year in the league,
and that's stunning.

Speaker 8 (48:00):
I still like Macklin for all of the reasons, but Wolf,
especially if they get in the playoffs like they lost
Marks from and everyone was like, oh yep, rebuilt for Calgary.

Speaker 7 (48:11):
Maybe not. Wolf is just amazing.

Speaker 8 (48:13):
So I think it's awesome that we have this great
race between three players, and you know, I want to
pick Mac, but for me, Lane just keeps doing stuff
that I cannot ignore. So those two probably have the
edge for me.

Speaker 7 (48:29):
I love it.

Speaker 6 (48:29):
I want to say I'm very aligned with Dan because
I believe Mac. If you ask me future bet you
know who's the best player of this group when it's
all said and done, I'm Mac And I don't even hesitate.
I'm like Mac contilbrien. I think it's gonna be an
all time but they're all gonna be great. But I
really think Max's that special. But it's hard to see
a Sharks team who we all picked.

Speaker 7 (48:48):
To be tom Er. We did our previews.

Speaker 6 (48:50):
You know, we had the Sharks I think eighth, and
they are, but like they haven't even sniffed better than that.

Speaker 7 (48:56):
You know, they've just been the bottom, whereas we I
had Calgary.

Speaker 6 (49:00):
Like last I was like, this is a nightmare, and
they are in a playoff spot or nearly a play spot,
Montreal on nearly a playoff spot. So I'm kind of
with you, and for me, the Calgary is the bigger surprise.
Montreal I thought was going to be like they're not
that great, but they're on the way Calgary. I was like,
this is a nightmare this team, and Dustin Wolfe was like, psych,
we're actually nasty. So I love the pic nic. Who

(49:22):
do you like, tomar?

Speaker 5 (49:23):
Yeah, I mean I love the fact that you mentioned
Dustin wolf because so my last year I played obviously
in Ontario in the American League, and I remember going
down there and we're playing against Calgary and I remember
this this little goalies in net and he's saving everything
and I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, who the hell
is this kid? And I remember them being like, yeah,
this is Dustin wolf I think he had the MVP

(49:44):
of you know, down the America League.

Speaker 4 (49:45):
The year before, and I'm like, holy shit, this kid
is good, you know, and.

Speaker 5 (49:49):
Then you wonder like, okay with the size, and I mean,
this kid is he literally is carrying the Calgary Flames.
But I think for me, you know what Lane Hudson
is doing as a rookie and as a defenseman on
on a team Montreal.

Speaker 4 (50:03):
Can in a market like that.

Speaker 5 (50:05):
I mean, I know how good Maclin Celebriny is and
I'm a huge fan of him, but I think Lane
Hudson just how he's doing it, and I know what it's.

Speaker 4 (50:12):
Like to play in Montreal.

Speaker 5 (50:14):
I think it's got to be him because if he
just just how he's handling himself, I mean he's doing
to me, he's he's a very to me. I compare
in Mcquinnhughes a little bit. He has that same kind
of vibe and the way he plays like the sky's
the limit for him. So for me, it's it's Lane Hudson.

Speaker 8 (50:31):
I think talk about not being afraid of the moment. Yeah,
you know, with the Montreal element, especially if he was
doing this and they were they were last in the Atlantic,
you'd kind of be like whatever. But given the fact
that that fan base is sniffing a playoff spot and
he's still just stepping up the plate every time, that
that's an added.

Speaker 6 (50:49):
I don't have over sixty probably as a rookie, rookie
defenseman over sixty.

Speaker 4 (50:53):
Come on, it's elite. It's elite.

Speaker 5 (50:56):
Speaking of elite, my last question to you guys is
Alexandro Vtchkin eight.

Speaker 4 (51:02):
Goals to go.

Speaker 5 (51:03):
Here's your pick, right now, fellas, right now, each one
of you, will Alexandrovechkin break the goal scoring record?

Speaker 7 (51:13):
Yes, no doubt. Yeah, I think it's no doubt.

Speaker 6 (51:17):
Yes, And it's going to be in the last game
of the season against the Penguins on the power play.
And let's just say, I'm financially invested in that little
brain wave there as well. But no, I really think
he I think he'll do it because he's a machine.
He's an absolute machine and he's stepped up at every
level and I know he's I know how much it

(51:40):
would mean to him for this season, and it's not
a guarantee. Nikki, how confident were you Austin was getting
seventy last year? You know, like he shot a thousand
times that game.

Speaker 7 (51:48):
Like it's not the.

Speaker 2 (51:49):
Perfect number though, boys, I'll just say that perfect number.

Speaker 7 (51:53):
Great, Great, he did that on purpose? Yeah, that stash
of course he did, Dude.

Speaker 8 (51:57):
Something I want to add too. I mean, we've we've
had I think he's gonna do it. I think to
you know, in Pittsburgh, I love that one hundred percent.
I want to point out this guy is potentially about
to break Gretzky's goalscoring record. He's also three hundred hits
away for most hits in NHL history.

Speaker 4 (52:17):
I love that you mentioned that.

Speaker 7 (52:18):
Can you imagine?

Speaker 8 (52:19):
And you know, I feel like I have to eat
crow here a little bit because I feel like the
NHL Mount Rushmore has come up a lot this season,
and then it goes into you know, who's top five,
who's top ten? And I have I have been very
vocal about being like, I don't necessarily have ov in
my top ten just yet, and blah blah blah, blah blah.
And now all of a sudden, there's a chance that
this guy becomes the all time leading goalscorer and all

(52:42):
time leading hits player in the NHL. That is ridiculous,
absolutely preposterous.

Speaker 7 (52:49):
Psychopath. It's like he's an actual psychopath.

Speaker 8 (52:51):
So it makes you be like, oh, wait, no, he
is maybe the most dynamic and unique player that we've
ever seen, So.

Speaker 7 (52:59):
He's gonna do it.

Speaker 8 (53:00):
I just think he's too he's he's he's too large
than life to not do it this season, like we
all know him doing it this season after he broke
his leg to come back and do it is just
such a story. And if he comes into next season
and does it in like game two or three, that
would just be such a letdown.

Speaker 7 (53:18):
And he knows that.

Speaker 8 (53:19):
And like Odo Caps by the way, and like OS
told us, dude, whatever oh wants to do. Whatever he
sets his mind too, he seems to do it, and
I think he wants it. And you know what I'm
I'm frothing at them out for I want him to
get a hattie in one of the next few games,
because then it's like really on and we're all just
gonna holy shit. And then every Caps game for the
rest of the season is must watch television if you're

(53:40):
a hockey fan.

Speaker 3 (53:42):
Yeah, And I think the unique aspect of this the
Capitals are a really good team. And imagine a storyline
Rovechkin breaks the record, wins the Stanley Cup and he
see you later. I'm going back to run Like I
think that'd be so cool, because that's the next sidebar
stories like what the hell happens to his career now
he passes the record, He's got one year left in
his contract. Do we see like a final Swan song

(54:02):
where we're giving gifts to the sky? Ory we just
see he goes full Alex Molgilney here. That's my question. So, boys,
excellent stuff today. What's happening on the next pod? When's
it dropping?

Speaker 8 (54:12):
Next pod will be on Thursday every episode or every week.
We got episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tyler Foley's gonna be
joining us again, and we're just gonna be keep chopping
it up here, dude. I, like I said, I think
we're just in this phase now of every game, every day,
every week feels like the.

Speaker 6 (54:30):
Implication, watching the standings after every night, watching the standard.

Speaker 7 (54:33):
Yeah, we're just we're on playoff watch here.

Speaker 4 (54:36):
Dan.

Speaker 3 (54:36):
I was gonna from the R day and we had
media members like checking the like the the box scores.
I'm like, what are we doing here? We're a month away? Boys,
excellent job. Thank you so much for your time today.
You brought the energy.

Speaker 4 (54:46):
I love that.

Speaker 7 (54:47):
Thanks anytime.

Speaker 3 (54:48):
Boys, all right, welcome back to Energy Line. I hope
you enjoyed that interview here with Naton JSB filling in
for jsp It is Nick Alberga just putting a bowl
on today's podcast. In this week's podcast, you got to
get some flowers away. Who are you thinking here?

Speaker 5 (55:07):
Well, I'm gonna go to Montreal and I'm gonna give
it to Michael Pizzetta and Arbor Jack Guy. These two,
as if anyone's been following, had got into a little
scuffle in practice, and you could tell. I mean, these
are two tough guys. They almost squared off, they almost
went at it, but you know, they interview Arbor Jackuye
about it and he says, you know, it's it's part
of it. We were fine and maybe we'll even go

(55:28):
to dinner who knows after And if you look at
the social media, there's a post I think it was
from Pozzetta taking a picture of arbora Jack guy at
dinner and the and they literally went to dinner after.
So for fans that don't know, you know, guys are
just like brothers.

Speaker 4 (55:44):
It's like a family, right. You're sometimes you're gonna get
pissed off at your brother or you're your family member.

Speaker 5 (55:48):
You're gonna probably want to fight them and then after
usually just shake it off and you're good. And that's
what happened here. These guys are on a heater in Montreal.
These teams, this team is trying to make the playoffs
and they're taking the practice so seriously that they're get
into it. So watch off the Monchal Canadians and my
flowers go to Michael was at an arbor jack guy
for being able to bury the hatchet after a tough practice.

Speaker 3 (56:10):
I've got no issue with competitiveness and practice. Did it
bring back memories of any practices for you and your
career where you sort of went at it a bit
with people?

Speaker 4 (56:20):
Oh? Yeah, absolutely, there was a few times.

Speaker 5 (56:22):
I know, I think I got into it with with
Ryan Kessler.

Speaker 4 (56:25):
I think in Ana Shine Out Shaker, right.

Speaker 5 (56:29):
We were both intense guys and great teammates, good friends.
Still talk to him to this day, and I think
we yeah, we got in a little bit of a
cross check slashing match, you know, during during practice, you know,
things get heated and sometimes you know, you you, you know,
you get into it. That's just part of it. But
I think it's healthy. I think it's it's it's something

(56:49):
that that's all.

Speaker 4 (56:51):
That's all part of.

Speaker 3 (56:52):
The game certainly, And speaking of part of the game,
deadline season. For anybody who knows me knows I love trades,
dating back obviously to my time. Of course, make sure
to check out the NHL Fantasy on Ice Podcast with
me jcr on Peachensen and Company. But a deal that
nobody's going to talk about. But when I think about
the twenty twenty five NHL trade deadline, you got to
think about Cody Glass.

Speaker 2 (57:13):
He's been on fire.

Speaker 3 (57:14):
But Mark Jankowski with the Carolina Hurricanes is ripping things up.
And that is so Rod brindamore to infiltrate a player
of that nature, put him on your fourth line. And
Rod the Bod must love this guy right now, Nate.

Speaker 5 (57:27):
Oh yeah, I mean, as a fellow fourth line guy,
to see a guy like Mark Shakowski come in for
Carolina and do what he's doing. I mean, you know,
Rod the Bod knows the importance of fourth lines and
guys that can bring energy and do all those things.
And I'm sure when Mark showed up, he was like, hey, listen,
this is how I want.

Speaker 4 (57:45):
You to play.

Speaker 5 (57:46):
Go have fun, be you, and probably you know, Mark
Janikowski's like, all right, well, I just got to go
play my game. Rod the Bod loves loves playing four lines,
loves the fourth line, and here we go. Now now
he's reaping the benefits right now, Nate.

Speaker 3 (57:59):
Before I say goodbye, I call this the Nate Thompson
revenge game. Montreal all hosting the Autawa Senators Tuesday night.

Speaker 2 (58:05):
Who do you have?

Speaker 3 (58:06):
Do you just want to see this game going to
ot and continue to shootout or what?

Speaker 4 (58:10):
Yeah? I mean, I would love to. I would love
to see some OT. Obviously.

Speaker 5 (58:15):
I think Auto was gonna get in the playoffs no
matter what. But I gotta see some OT and I
gotta say Montreal, I was there a little bit longer,
and that's that's what I want to and I would
like to see Montreal get into playoffs as well.

Speaker 3 (58:28):
For me, if I was a player, I'd always default
Tonight life Montreal in Ottawa. I think you're going to
tone this year. You're probably one of those guys are
stepping foot in gat know if you know what I'm saying,
Haul and Gatto.

Speaker 5 (58:38):
I never stepped footing Gap and I actually never stepped
foot really no, I never.

Speaker 3 (58:42):
Never made go to that area. Bud got across the
river there.

Speaker 4 (58:45):
I never did. I have to do it now to
do it.

Speaker 3 (58:47):
Now sounds good, Nate, excellent job today. Julie's gonna be
back in the mixed next week. But this has been
a lot of fun.

Speaker 4 (58:54):
Dude, yeah, man, thanks for coming on. This is a blast.

Speaker 2 (58:56):
Hey, my pleasure like it. Subscribe.

Speaker 3 (58:58):
Many thanks to Dan and Chris Powers and the Empty
Netors podcast. Make sure to go check out their latest
pod coming up on Thursday, I Guess a bit of
self promotion Least Mony take at the Least Nation four
to one, where you could subscribe on YouTube. Also NHL
Fantasy on Ice, part of the NHL's platform of podcasts.
Many thanks to producer Jake brown Forde Thompson. I'm Nick Alberga.
You've been listening to a production of the NHL and

(59:19):
iHeart podcasts.

Speaker 1 (59:25):
Energy Line is the production of the NHL and iHeart podcasts.
For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,
or wherever you get your podcasts.