Energy Line with Nate and JSBEmpty 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.
Energy Line is a production of the NHL and iHeart podcasts.
Welcome back to the Energy Line with Nate and JSB.
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.
What's going on, buddy? How are we?
Yeah? What's up? Man? I'm glad to have you here. This is great.
I won't lie Nate.
I had a late night, dude, I was watching you watch White Lotus.
Oh yeah, I watched White Lotus last night too. Tell me about it.
The build up, man, and the ending.
I'm like, I have to wait an entire week now to watch the next episode.
I had the same sentiment.
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?
Is?
When is it all going to blow up?
And then of course they leave you on a cliffhanger again, and yeah, we have to wait another week on four.
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.
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.
So calling your shot, I love that. Nate. Great to work with you today.
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.
I do feel like.
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.
Think you're right.
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.
Every single game has meaning, every everything.
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 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.
It's just a matter of time.
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 it's an eighty two game exhibition series getting set for Game one of the playoffs.
Yeah it is.
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.
And they didn't do a whole lot for the trade deadline. Yeah, they added some pieces here and there. They bring back Tanev.
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.
Know, like he usually does throughout the regular season.
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.
Hump and get to the Stanley Cup Final.
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 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.
Right, Oh, it definitely takes time.
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 that aspect.
It's also an adjustment too.
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, 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, and that's it.
You know, you almost don't want to.
Make too much noise, but you want to just blend in and make sure that you're just contributing the right way.
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.
I think so.
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.
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.
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.
And and I.
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.
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.
Yeah, Nashville is definitely up there.
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.
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?
Where would you want to go?
I mean there's always mixed answers because I think there's a lot of underrated spots.
Like a one place.
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.
We'll put it.
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 good city to have a good time in on the road.
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.
By hour, minute by minute?
And I wonder what the over unders on drinks on these GM meetings, Like what could they possibly be talking about, Nate, I mean.
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.
Maybe who knows.
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.
You know, I understand they want.
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, it's teams are more rewarded for their regular season, and that's how it should be.
Might come back to that.
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. 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.
Yeah. I mean, there's always gonna be haters no matter what.
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.
I really don't.
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 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.
That'll come out.
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.
You know, yeah, it's possible.
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.
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?
Like why is that there?
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 goalie in the league is now?
I can't. I mean who is it?
I mean Jordan Bennington maybe, But there's like three or four guys play the puck effectively.
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.
Anyways.
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.
Recent, right, I think stud unbelievable at playing the puck. But you're right.
I don't think there's anybody right now in the league that was good that is as good as Mike Smith.
There's a few guys that can play the puck. But yeah, you're right.
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 changes much if they do take away the trapezoid.
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?
There's not even really papers. I don't.
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.
What I mean?
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?
What are you going to do?
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.
No, because I always wondered.
I mean like, is there something do you get to watch or something from the PA or they're like, get your shit going.
Now because you're retired.
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. 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.
Yeah it is.
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 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 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 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 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 he get in? I don't know, Could he Yes, I just don't know.
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 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.
See you later.
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.
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.
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?
Right? Yeah.
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.
I played some games on the road there. I do remember playing in Atlanta. Yeah.
Very underrated is what I've been told from that front. But congratulations to Ilia Kolchuk and maybe he gets your flowers.
This week. We're going to find out later on here in the pod.
Right, we'll see, We'll see, okay.
Coming up on the other side, Dan and Chris Powers in the Empty Netars podcast Don't Go Anywhere.
Welcome back to Energy Line with Nate and GSB filling it for Julie Stewart Binks.
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.
What's going on? Boys?
How are you great to be here?
I mean seeing tom or right now on the other end of us is painful a little bit.
I'm used to him sitting right next to us.
But gonna listen, this is a special day, so we're just gonna celebrate the moment.
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.
I'll go like this and just rub your hand right here.
There we go.
What's up boys?
Not much, dude, We're buzzing here. Last month of the season. Hey, we're getting ready to rock.
Man, I've got that feel. I don't know about you guys.
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.
Absolutely.
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 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, 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.
Yeah, and we've said, Tom, are you said at sitting with us many times, Tyler Tafolio, good buddy comes on.
Many times.
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.
I cannot wait.
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.
Do you have any lurkers, Dan?
I mean I do, And what's frustrating is I feel like my lurkers are all teams that I want.
To go away there. There are so many.
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.
Go leave.
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.
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.
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.
Last two years.
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.
Ottawa is my one. They're gonna do it.
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 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.
See which three seed, however it shakes out.
I feel like there's a lot of three seeds that we could see in in in Conference finals, don't you think.
Yeah?
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 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 of that's been masked by the play of Zach Arrensky Right.
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.
You see the.
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 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, it's going.
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, 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.
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 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.
Austin Matthews scores.
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.
You know, And who's to blame here? Is it?
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.
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 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 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 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.
Amount of points, all three of those teams in the Atlantic.
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 when the going gets tough?
I don't know. I don't know, but that's been a big question mark for me.
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 Leafs are Can I.
Swear on this?
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.
And I don't know.
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.
You know, that's all hearsay.
But at the same time, I do think the captain switch was so bizarre.
I didn't like that at all.
I don't think it's that big of a deal, but I just think the way it happened was so bizarre.
And then I love Austin. I think he's an unbelievable player.
Couldn't be happier that he's an American player representing Team USA.
But I think that there is an element.
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 playoff games.
What do you that's my fear. What do you guys think about this too?
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.
I think Marnin's nine to six. But you know what I'm saying.
And so many of the comments were like, oh, and the Leafs have had a ton of playoff success.
That what a model that is.
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.
You might have been fined. What do you guys think about that?
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.
It's just a different feel.
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. 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.
They have four guys.
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 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.
Do you agree? Yeah?
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.
And I don't really.
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 best team and you want to be some of those top players in the league, these are the things you have to.
Do, definitely.
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.
They have so much to prove.
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.
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 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.
Yeah.
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 of the Toronto Maple leafs, No.
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.
Whatever. But if you're.
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.
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 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 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.
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 a way to win in the playoffs and maybe maybe make everyone Leafs believers.
Dude, boy hem, Yeah, you're right.
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?
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. 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, 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, 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.
It just felt like the cherry on.
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 shocked how it went down.
And it's just.
The story of Don Sweeney and the Bruins just keeps getting crazier.
Boys.
Let's just say that if they released the texts I sent to Dan after that happened, I would be in prison.
So we'll keep those under wraps.
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 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.
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.
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?
Yeah?
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.
A lot with with Don, and this one's tough.
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 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 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 gonna be fun to watch.
That's for sure.
Yeah, it's a great fit.
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.
Is it?
Is it an automatic fit?
Though?
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. 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.
Oh, no doubt.
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.
He does this because of that. Let's not forget.
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 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.
We've seen it. You see it with Tampa. They win to in two in.
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.
It's borderline impossible.
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.
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, 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.
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.
But they're still elite. Who who are you guys picking Capitals are Canes?
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 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 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.
That's great.
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 we're all fools to doubt them.
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, 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.
I think they got worse. I agree with Dan.
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.
Yeah.
Yeah.
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.
Score power play goal?
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?
Guys?
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, Who would you guys vote for right now when it comes to the Calder?
Dude? I love that? Yeah, me too.
That Wolf mention is so great. Listen, I've been back in my child all season long in Macklin.
I think Macklin.
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 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.
Yea.
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.
First league or in his first year in the league, and that's stunning.
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.
Maybe not. Wolf is just amazing.
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.
I love it.
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.
To be tom Er. We did our previews.
You know, we had the Sharks I think eighth, and they are, but like they haven't even sniffed better than that.
You know, they've just been the bottom, whereas we I had Calgary.
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 do you like, tomar?
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 of you know, down the America League.
The year before, and I'm like, holy shit, this kid is good, you know, and.
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.
Can in a market like that.
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.
Like to play in Montreal.
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.
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.
I don't have over sixty probably as a rookie, rookie defenseman over sixty.
Come on, it's elite. It's elite.
Speaking of elite, my last question to you guys is Alexandro Vtchkin eight.
Goals to go.
Here's your pick, right now, fellas, right now, each one of you, will Alexandrovechkin break the goal scoring record?
Yes, no doubt. Yeah, I think it's no doubt.
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 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.
Like it's not the.
Perfect number though, boys, I'll just say that perfect number.
Great, Great, he did that on purpose? Yeah, that stash of course he did, Dude.
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.
I love that you mentioned that.
Can you imagine?
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 time leading hits player in the NHL. That is ridiculous, absolutely preposterous.
Psychopath. It's like he's an actual psychopath.
So it makes you be like, oh, wait, no, he is maybe the most dynamic and unique player that we've ever seen, So.
He's gonna do it.
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.
And he knows that.
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 a hockey fan.
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 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?
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.
Implication, watching the standings after every night, watching the standard.
Yeah, we're just we're on playoff watch here.
Dan.
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.
I love that.
Thanks anytime.
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?
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 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.
It's like a family, right. You're sometimes you're gonna get pissed off at your brother or you're your family member.
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.
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?
Oh? Yeah, absolutely, there was a few times.
I know, I think I got into it with with Ryan Kessler.
I think in Ana Shine Out Shaker, right.
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 that that's all.
That's all part of.
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.
He's been on fire.
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.
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.
You to play.
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.
Before I say goodbye, I call this the Nate Thompson revenge game. Montreal all hosting the Autawa Senators Tuesday night.
Who do you have?
Do you just want to see this game going to ot and continue to shootout or what?
Yeah? I mean, I would love to. I would love to see some OT. Obviously.
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.
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.
I never stepped footing Gap and I actually never stepped foot really no, I never.
Never made go to that area. Bud got across the river there.
I never did. I have to do it now to do it.
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.
Dude, yeah, man, thanks for coming on. This is a blast.
Hey, my pleasure like it. Subscribe.
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 iHeart podcasts.
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