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A
Welcome to the Empty Netters podcast.
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Can you believe what this has become? There was a full 48 hours where
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I felt like I was like, literally Superman. Jumbo loves playing Fortnite. So does he. Gets on the sticks. Did TR show you the saunacycle or was that all you did?
B
No, I invented that. Almost a year now that I haven't taken a body check. That's kind of nice.
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So we are back. We are horned up and we are going deep. Finished tonight with some chicken fingers and a few Guinnesses.
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Ran into you guys.
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And that's where this pod came to life. Ice cream is ready, babes. And we are back with another episode of the Empty Netters podcast, brought to you by BetMGM. Folks, I used to pray for days like these. The trades are happening and Brady Tkachuk has been sent to the Florida Panthers. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. I would have liked to have said, hey, it's our first episode back from the Cup. All this crazy stuff is going on.
B
Oh, what a lot.
A
No, the cup is over. The parade happened. Carolina won. We're into the off season. We're talking World cup, we're talking Brady Chuck, we're talking Connor Hellebuck, we're talking Dylan Larkin, we're talking Auston Matthews, we're talking RFA offer sheets, we're talking random shit, golf shit, whatever we want. But we're here and we're horny. I got Dr. Watkins over here.
C
Hi.
A
Have you recovered from the cup trip?
C
Yeah, just about.
A
Yeah.
C
My sleep is still a little messed. Yeah, I'm sure it's way worse for you guys.
A
Dude, you know what's funny is I was. I've been fine. Like, I got home and I've been fine. And then yesterday is the first time, and, like, I didn't do anything this weekend. Yeah, but it was the first time I felt myself, like, getting, like, kind of sick. And I was like, I think I am now. Like, the adrenaline has worn off and the PTSD is setting in and your
C
body's being like, help me. Whatever you did, you were pretty good, though you didn't drink very much. Yeah. You waited. Me and Chris, we went.
A
Someone who wasn't very good over here. Cp as always. Was that a fake sick voice?
B
Yeah, but I thought I was sick yesterday, Actually, I thought I was sick Saturday, basically, dude, I. On Friday, we watched the World cup. Usa. Usa. Usa.
C
Yeah. What are they, two zero right now? Yeah.
B
The greatest team in the world.
C
Great.
B
It's incredible.
C
Good for them.
B
I watched the game at noon. And then just went off until 2:30 or something. Put in a 14 and a half hour shift and then got home and then had to watch two and a half hours of Love island before we recorded at nine. So I watched Love island from three to five. 45.
A
Why don't. Here's an idea, dude. Why don't you watch it every night?
B
I only missed Thursday cause I had really late hockey. I was gone all day. I forget where I was. I missed Thursday and then Friday we were. I was. I didn't got home at 2:30 in the morning. Like that's when I got back.
A
Okay.
B
So I just had the two hours. So then I watched till 5:45, set my alarm for two and a half hours, got up and then recorded with you guys. And that. That set me back.
C
That's crazy.
B
That set me back slightly.
A
Dude, you. You never have to do the things that you're doing.
B
I know.
A
Like that. You're such an idiot. None of the things that you did all week were things that you had to do or helped your life.
B
Well, I had a great time.
C
Yeah.
A
Just saying.
C
Partied hard.
B
Here's the thing. I had a great time.
A
Yeah.
B
So then I was like, oh no, I'm sick. And then today I actually took some zinc. And today I feel much better actually.
A
So.
C
Isn't that zinc? Make your fucking stomach turn though.
A
You better have.
B
Better eat.
C
It's the worst.
B
You better eat.
A
You stay away from me today.
B
Oh, I'm trying. I didn't want to come in.
A
If you get me sick, I'm going to fucking kill you. Yeah, yeah.
C
That's an overreaction.
A
No, dude, I've. I've spent years of my life with this petri dish piece of shit getting me sick. And it's just like. I'm like, dude, the only thing we have in this life is time and our health. And he ruins both for me.
C
He's your brother.
A
Yeah, I know.
C
I would say he's a net positive,
A
which makes it even worse. You should be looking out for me. I'm your little brother too.
B
It's got to be my slogan of net positive.
C
Mostly net positive.
B
A lot of bad shit happens to you, but I'm net positive.
A
Mostly. I'm mostly net positive.
B
That's so fucking funny.
A
We gotta just jump right into all of the stuff here. It's like. It's so funny. I get so excited for the summer episodes and a part of me is because I couldn't hate hockey more after the Stanley cup has won. And I know so many hockey. We start going off about the World cup and there are tons of hockey fans in our mentions who are like, so brutal going from the Stanley cup to this. Give me hockey back. And I'm like, you guys are junkies and I respect you.
B
I love you.
A
All I need, like, we had the World cup and the US Open this past weekend. Dude, I was a pig in shit. It was unbelievable. I just had my dual screen going on.
B
Yeah, it was awesome.
A
And it was just like, I was like, this is my fucking happy place. This is my Happy Gilmore happy place. And the NHL though, dude. Best league in the world.
B
Doesn't sleep.
A
Don't sleep. And here we are.
C
A ton happened.
B
So yell me. Yell at me the big news so
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we can talk about it. We've got Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers. Like I said at the top, I used to pray for days like these, man. I used to pray. And I can't begin to say how much we have to talk about on this topic. Dan, number one.
B
Can I say my first three points about this?
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Absolutely.
B
LOL.
C
Dude.
A
Is that 1, 2 and 3.
C
Okay. L1O2.
B
That has got to be the funniest fucking tweet I have ever seen in my entire life.
A
You know what's amazing? The Florida Panthers flip Mackie Samoskiewicz to the kraken for the 25th overall pick. Love Samo. He's a great player. That's a good pickup for that's.
B
He's a great player. They love him too.
A
But then your boy, old Danny Buckets tweets out. Got to imagine that the 9 and 25 are gonna be packaged together for something real juicy. And then what happened about 30 minutes later.
B
Yep.
A
9:25, 20:29 first and a 20:32 get sent to. I was on fire on the bird app yesterday.
B
Yeah.
A
Because I tweet that and someone replies and goes, 9, 25. And Anton Lundell to Ottawa for Brady Chuck, who says no. And I go, florida, Lundell is not moving. And then 9, 25 and those picks, 2029 first, 2032 get flipped to Ottawa for Brady Tkachuk. And someone tried to reply to that and went, and then what happened? And I went, where's Lundell? Still in Florida? Don't fucking question me, B. Tch. Shut your fucking whore mouth and sit back and watch the fucking pony show. Sit back and watch the pony show. Jeez, do not fucking doubt me.
B
Yep.
A
And wouldn't you know it, Brady Tkachuk is a Florida Panther. Anton Lundell ain't going fucking nowhere. The Tkachuk bros have been reunited in Fort Lauderdale. Lol.
B
I didn't even get to ask you this yet, and maybe I'm giving away industry secrets, but sometimes if we have a dude, we are not an insider account, nor do I intend to become an insider account. But every now and then we get scoops.
A
Yeah, I'll give you a scoop here and there, but at the end of the day, we hate journos. Twat journos. Journalists are cool. Yep. And I don't want to fucking. I don't want to be in that game.
B
And if we get a scoop and it's not 1000 billion percent confirmed, but it's 99% confirmed, we will use language like, this might be really interesting if blank happened. And that's us being like, I know this is about to happen, so strap in. Had you heard any. Did someone say anything to you and then you were using that language or were you? Cause that tweet read very much to me like someone has texted dad something and now he's saying this.
A
Absolutely not. It was amazing.
B
That is so sick.
A
But it was. I mean, I've been saying on Hockey Talk for. Yeah, first of all, let me backtrack. Absolutely not. There was a nice lucky moment.
B
Yeah.
A
But it was lucky in that I've been saying all fucking spring, the second Florida got that nine pick, I was like, that is obviously getting traded.
B
Oh, yeah.
A
And. And I said a number of times, like every. Every mock that I made up for like hella buck or anything else, I was like, it's going to be Samoskevich. It's going to be the nine. And at the end of the day, they traded Sam Eskiewicz 9 and 2029 first. Because Sammo went, the 25 came back. There you go. How's your mother? And it's a great fucking move. And God, I have so much to say about this. So try to keep me on the rails here.
B
Okay?
A
Number one, I wanna talk about the picks. Like someone. Some Florida fan replied and was like, God, it's like a hefty price for Brady. Blah, blah, blah. Dude, some account on Instagram I've been seeing, like when I pop into my reels, some account. I wish I had the name. And I'm gonna backtrack. Cause I wanna give a shout out. Cause it's been funny. Content has been posting daily, like every NHL teams. It's like the last 10 first round picks for the Edmonton Oilers. And then it'll be like a picture of Leon Draisaitl. And then it's like, it's like a split screen. It'll be the pick and say who it is and what year they're picked. And then the bottom is like an Internet meme video. So it's like LeBron coming out. It's like he's done miracles on me. Cause it's like that was a good pick. And then it's the one where that guy's like, I mean it's all right. Overrated as fuck in my opin. And I'm like, this is a funny video watching said video, dude. Even with first round picks in a 10 year sample at best, dude, NHL teams are hitting at like 35%. Yeah. So are like the empty netters mantra. Draft picks are fucking worthless, worthless trash.
B
Unless you have the 1, 2 or 3.
A
And even then they're worthless, dude. Like it's. You pray to God that a first round pick and when I say first round pick, I include picks one through five. You pray to God that that pick becomes a serviceable NHL player. So when you have the opportunity to trade said pick for a serviceable and a serviceable NHL player, especially when you were in a cup window, do it every time. Like I can't believe there are still fans out there who like when you trade a first round pick and you get fucking Brady Tkachuk, the fact that anyone is like damn. I'm like, what do you mean damn? You hope to God that pick becomes Brady.
B
And dude, if you. And the caveat I will say is if you are, I don't know, like the Blackhawks or honestly like the Sharks right now, I don't even know. But my point was going to be if you aren't probably going to win a cup in the next three years, then I can kind of go actually keep the high pick because your window's later anyway. You're wasting Brady Tkachuk right now. But if you are the fucking Panthers of all teams who have like the most front loaded stack dude the next five years that we could win five cup of window, I'm like, oh yeah, come on.
A
If you're the Panthers and you had the one, yeah, get Gavin McFerda and, and be like this, boom. You're in the lineup immediately. Like that probably works. Or even fucking Stenberg, like sure, maybe. But yeah, if it's like, if it's anything other than a 1, 2 and you have a lock like a bedard, a celebrity move that shit. And it's like the Sharks are a great example, dude, because yeah, you're right. That's why I said if you are in a cup window, like a win now, you got to trade the picks. The Sharks picked Macklin two years ago, and they have the two and they're already going, we should trade this. Like, that's why I'm saying, like, dude, you just need players. And like, teams who are rebuilding need picks. So it's like fucking always move them, dude. Always move them.
B
And here's a crazy take. I actually think it's better for the league. The entire. The point of a draft is for parody. For league parody. The bad teams get the high picks, the good teams get the bad picks. But I don't think it works quick enough because there's a lottery and you don't always get the one. And it's just the good teams are still good. I actually think for the health of the league, it is better for the bad teams to get their good pick and for the good teams to trade all their picks, their good picks to bad teams to get the last good players. So it's like, boom. Yeah, you're right. Now the Panthers are going to win the next three Cups, and I'm sorry, but then, oh, what do you know? The Senators have a ton of picks now, and congratulations, you will actually get good instead of sitting in purgatory like you have been now, now your time is coming. Like, it's. It helps the league rinse and repeat.
A
Yes.
B
So everybody be happy.
A
Completely agree. All right, my next topic is the. Well, actually, let's just talk about the Panthers for a second.
B
Yep.
A
Dude, I obviously. I fucking love this, dude.
B
I texted Nate and Dr. Watkins and you that I go, I saw the tweet. Yeah.
A
Well, Evan, do you remember what Chris said?
C
I can pull it up, but I don't remember.
A
Pull it up because, like, I want you to say it because it is. It was so funny. And also, I believe you, dude.
B
I was being dead serious. And consider. Consider my sports allegiances.
A
Yeah. Like, let us be clear. Chris is not a Florida Panthers fan. Chris is not a. I mean, you are a Kachuk family fan, but, like, you're not a. You're not a member of the family.
B
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
C
So our friend, our buddy Nate says, holy shit, could Chuck times two. Dan says, insane. Chris goes, this is the best day of my life. A man who's recently engaged.
A
Recently engaged. Dude, this is the best day of your life.
C
It's the best day of your life.
A
And here's the thing. I believe you and I get why you're saying it, dude, because it's like this. When I at the top, when I said I used to pray for days like this. It's all happening.
B
It's all happening. Literally.
A
And honestly, I take full credit like we have just been for years now on the Empty Netters program, talking about players power and being like, dude, this is your one career. It's your one life. You have only a few things you can control. Start fucking playing where you want to play.
C
Go play with your brother.
A
Go play with your brother, dude. And we asked for drama and now all we are getting is drama.
B
Correct.
A
It's unbelievable. We've got teams imploding, being like the biggest embarrassments in the NHL. We've got fucking reunions going on. It's unbelievable. And dude, the idea of getting a full season of Brady Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Matthew Tkachuk line is absolutely hysterical.
B
Okay, Dan. And I also want to say this. So yes, dude, what if I am so pumped that the Panthers did this, I'm so pumped that it happened. More teams need to do this. This is very in line with the Vegas mantra, right? Where it's like, go get your guy, dude. We've been talking about for the last two. Two months, we've been talking about Vegas. Like that I was dying, dude. And this. Well, whatever. I'll bring it to in the live. One of our boys, Sam, who's a Panthers guy who we've met on the road many times, we actually met him in Tampa, I believe, like, that was maybe the first time we met him in Per. No, we must have met him in Lottie before that. But anyway, he was in. And this was. This was slightly out of pocket, Sam, if you're listening. But he was in the live chat of the Cane's cup pod and just being like, enjoy your fucking holdover cup before the boogeyman comes back to get you. And all the Canes fans in the chat were like, get the fuck out of here, dude. We were just trying to have fun. You guys miss playoffs. And I was like, sam, let them have their moment. Yeah, but my point is the mantra all year has been just wait. The Panthers lost Barkov for the season. Just wait. They're coming for you. And the Canes fans. And I only bring them up because they won. Plenty of other fans have been like, shut the fuck up, Florida. It's not that easy. You're not just going to come and be the blah, blah, blah. And now I'm like, oh, dude, they have just ripped your throats out. Like the Panthers going, oh, Everyone is back. We are healthy again. And also we have Brady Tkachuk. I cannot believe the reprieve the east got this year with Florida taking the year off. Truly, people forgot. They wanted to run their mouths and make fun of Florida. They truly forgot what was coming, even if they didn't get Brady.
A
And now they have Brady.
C
Remember, we thought they were maybe going to get rid of Bobrovsky.
A
Dude, this is.
B
This is a.
A
Well, they. They currently don't have him. Yep, he's a. He's a ufa.
C
Right. But. But weren't. What? Weren't they gonna trade? Weren't we thinking, like, we were gonna trade?
A
Yes, yes.
B
Sorry, sorry.
C
We were thinking they were gonna trade him, but, like, so they get, what, one more year with him, right? At least.
A
Well, we'll say they might sign, but, like, Bob. We'll get into that.
C
Okay.
A
Yeah, Bob, is. Is going to be the next. Or is going to be a discussion.
C
The next puzzle piece of.
B
Okay.
A
Chris. The.
B
Have you felt the team going into ac. It's not even done yet. A million things could happen. Larkin, Matthew. We'll get into that.
A
Oh, my gosh.
B
But have you felt a team has been this heavy of a preseason favorite in a long time? No, I agree. I'm, like, right now, I'm like, I
A
mean, dude, we went into next. We went into last season. And I was like, matthew is hurt. I'm pretty sure either, like, Ekbladder Jones was hurt. And I was like, they're still gonna go to the Cup. Then Sasha got hurt, and I was like, oh, yeah, you guys are probably dead. Like, remember we. In our preseason. I was like, I will never say that they're dead, but they might be dead now. They're all rested. Barkov comes back and immediately wins a world championship off the torn Asia. And I'm like, jesus Christ, dude. And now they've gotten Brady. So the. There's one big thing that I want to say. They go and get Brady. God, again, I have so much. I'm trying to figure out the order of what I want to say.
C
I know. So excited.
A
Literally, I'm so excited. I'm way too horny right now. All right, let me first say this. I absolutely love this move. I think it is a great trade. I don't think they overpaid.
B
No, no.
A
This trade is perfect. I would have gotten Hellebuck. Now, who knows if that.
B
Instead.
A
Yes.
B
Yeah. Yeah. Yep.
A
Who knows if that was on the table? Because, frankly, if I look at this team. Let's look at the team's makeup right now. Currently you don't have a goalie.
B
Yeah. Correct.
A
So this team right now with Brady on it or this team with Connor Hellebuck in net, I think that team is better. If you told me we have the Florida Panthers as currently constructed, minus Brady plus Connor Hellebuck in net, I would actually be expecting to see every member of the Panthers teams laughing like the joker.
B
Yeah.
A
Being like this, do you think any of you can beat us now?
B
Yeah.
A
That makes me think Zito knows something about Bob or Zito has a plan maybe for a Binnington. There's been a lot of like as we tweeted the information about this, so many drunk with power Panthers fans were like, and now we get Helly. And like, I love that mentality. But literally you, you have nothing to trade. I. I'm pretty sure Florida doesn't have a first round pick until 2030.
B
And I. Dude. And it's amazing.
A
So yes, agree. And that's what you got to do. But I don't think you can now do another trade for a Conor Helbuk who has I believe two years left on his term. Yeah, like you're just.
B
Unless you pay with a massive player on.
A
Yes.
B
Yeah.
A
And I don't think that Winnipeg is in the market for that. Like Winnipeg, like they lost Ehlers. Ehlers goes and wins a cup. You now have Scheifele who has two years left. Hellebuk who has two years left. Like, and it's two and it's. Yeah. Remember Scheifele and Hellebuck signed the exact same deal.
B
Signed like such fat tick. I thought that was like yesterday, dude.
A
It felt like it, right? But I'm pretty sure they both have two years left. Correct me if I'm wrong on that, but I'm pretty sure. And I just think you are like you're asking for draft capital back if you're the Jets. If you're losing Hellebuck, I don't think you're being like, what? All right, how do we compete now? I think it's like, no, no, this is like, this is restart territory. So I would have gone for the goalie if I were Florida. Now either way. Oh wait, no, that's so wrong. Hellebuck is signed until fucking 2031.
B
Yeah, they have a lot. They've got.
A
I have no fucking idea what the hell I was talking about.
B
Yeah.
A
Cause they did just sign that seven year deal. Okay. So definitely with Hellbach.
B
Like you are.
A
You're going to need a lot because
B
that's a That's the best goal in the league with term.
A
And if you're moving your goalie, you are restarting. Like, I don't think that you're going. We can still complete.
B
It would be fucked.
A
Yes. So. So they would definitely be restarting. Okay with that. I believe Zito, who has always been one step ahead of everybody, remember after they won the cup, and it was like, Bennett, Ekblad and Marshy, there's no way they can bring all of them back. They brought all of them back. And, like, Elliot, Dragger, like, all the big dogs were like, yeah, there's. They're gonna get two out of three. And then, boom, they got three out of three. That was a moment where Zita was like, none of you fuckers know what I'm doing. So right now we're seeing, like, Elliot and other people.
B
Fuck you. You think you can't do what I do, Dude. Fuck.
A
Dude. Say my movies are just about farts. It's. It's about family. Suck me, dude. Zito is out here being like, none of you know what I'm up to. And I believe either Bob is going to come to his senses and go, I mean, dude, Bob's out here asking for a 6x6. And I'm like, do you know how old you are, brother?
B
Like, I think, dude, Marty made the best joke in our text thread. We were like, bob, Bob has no. You go, Bob has no idea how old he is. Like, it's insane. And then Barney was like, or his Russian passport has been fake this whole time, and he's actually like, 31.
A
Yeah.
B
And I'm like, oh, no.
A
And I, I said, the other is 30. Yeah, dude, you're fucked. And I said the other. I was like, actually, I think he's 50.
B
Yeah.
A
Like, so I, I, I don't, I don't see a team. Like, if you're going to get Bob, you're in compete now. Truly, the only team that I can see, other than Florida, where Bob would be a fit, honest to God, is Vegas.
B
Yeah.
A
Right now.
B
Or Edmonton.
A
There's.
B
If I know he's not going there. I'm just saying that would be a team where he'd be like, if you
A
think Sergey Bobrovsky, after living in Florida and winning two Cups for the last however many years he's been there. Five years, is going to go.
B
Yeah.
A
Send me to Edmonton with Babcock. I would be utterly perplexed.
C
Get your phone ready.
B
Yeah, yeah.
A
Let's see.
C
Let's see your phone.
A
I would be very perplexed by that. But I believe that Zito is either like, I'm gonna get him back, he's gonna come to his senses. I'm gonna give him like a three by five or something like that, or maybe like a Bennington. But there must be a plan for a goalie is all I'm saying. There simply must be. Why?
B
And I don't want to get into anyone's personal business, but I was just trying to look up Bob's career earnings. I got to believe, dude. Estimated career earnings. What do you think it is for Bob?
A
Bob has probably made close to 8590 mil. And. Yeah, 8590 sheets in his career.
B
113 sheets. If.
A
Why do you need a six by six, dude?
B
And again, I won't get anybody bid. But I'm like, why doesn't Bob. Because if I was ito, I would go, hey dude, you. I guess you don't make promises. Because if his play deteriorates, because he could be 50. But I go, dude, just keep signing. I'm going to just keep giving you a one year ticket until you want to retire or you sink. Basically, yeah. And you don't have to sweat, don't have to play like it's a contract year. Like I'm just going to be like, hey dude, here you go. Or dude, I made this joke too.
A
Like to me, two by five. Give him a $10 million deal. Here's 10 million more. But I would win one more.
B
But I'd be like, here's a seven by 1.3. So here's $10 million. And then just retire eventually. But I'm only getting hit with the 1.3 the rest of the way.
A
And that's. I love that.
B
I'm like, here's a 7 by 1.3. Shut the fuck up. Here's $10 million. And he goes, done. And I go, just retire whenever you feel like it during the next seven years. I literally cannot comprehend why both parties aren't doing that.
A
Yeah, I mean, I agree. And like if I'm. Yeah, like if Bob. Dude, straight up, I know you can't do this, but like Bob being like, I want a six by six. Like, I want like, I want that 36.
B
Here's a 36 year deal. Yeah, but Dan, I want 1 million a year. But give him a seven by like be like, here's seven years, you know, by three. And I'm like, okay, less dude, like
A
truly, like give him, give him like a seven by fucking two.
B
Yeah.
A
And just be like this.
B
I'll retire after two years.
A
I'm giving you $2 million a year.
B
And what you really this is like this was the Stamcos argument. What they really should do is be like Bob, I will make you a goalie consultant for $30 million after that brother.
A
That is what I like. When I become an owner of a team I'm going to be given this fucking easiest deals. I'm going to have a 50 person coaching staff. Dude, it's unbelievable.
B
Okay, okay, what else you got? Cuz I have, I have a bunch
A
of things again I've got a lot.
B
Yep.
A
My next point is I, I posted, I tweeted out let me find was right after this news and it was, it was like meant to be a light hearted and it was, it was a light hearted but I said thank God Carolina won this year and I was surprised because dude, we are honorary Canes. Yep, we're honorary Cane's members after the amazing experience we had with all those folks in Raleigh.
C
That's right. We don't have Lorde tattooed on our ass but we're pretty close.
B
We're pretty close. We're close. We're close.
C
We were the proximity wise I was
A
surprised by the amount of replies from Keynes fans who are too drunk with power.
B
This is what I was saying.
A
Like this one person goes not scared whatsoever. And I was like interesting. And I was like love that. And like you know like that that person was like that's why we resigned Nick DeLaure. And I'm like well and like someone replied to that and was like you will be. And then someone's like lmao. Lmao, you're stupid. Ignorance is bliss somewhat or I'm going to save that one reply. Someone goes not like Brady was an issue this year we're going back to back. Stay positive. I like to stay positive too. But there was a lot of Keynes fans who were like, like this person goes who's a net for Florida Valid.
B
Yeah, yeah.
A
And then this person replied with a screenshot of Brady statline against the Canes in the second or third or wait no sorry, first round, first round. And I have two things to say about that. Number one, like I love the chirp. Like Brady did Jack chat in round one. I love the chirp but to everyone in the world implying that Brady Chuck is not a good player is just either you're trolling and if you're trolling, good for you.
B
Yeah, yeah.
A
But if you're, if you think that that's a serious argument,
B
have a conversation. Yeah.
A
Will not have a conversation. Carolina Hurricanes fans, you are not allowed to talk shit to Florida Panthers fans.
B
Yeah, I agree, because you listen, You. You are the.
A
You are the current Stanley cup champions, and you. You can talk about that all day long, all year. But when a Florida Panthers discussion comes up, I do not believe you are allowed to be like this. Unfazed, unbothered. Fuck you. Suck me.
B
Blah, blah, blah.
A
Dude, you did not play them, and until you do, there is not a look. You are allowed to go like this. We won the cup, bitch. You're allowed to do that, but you are not allowed to be like this. I am unbothered by your team because you did not play them. Yep. So just be a little careful, because,
B
in fact, the Florida Panthers are unbothered by you. To be very clear, they are like, oh, I would love to play them.
A
They routinely sweep you.
B
So just.
C
Is that Mad Men mean where it's John Draper saying, I don't even think about you?
B
Yes, dude. They go, oh, my God, Why do you hate the Canes? Won the cop. And they go, they did. That's amazing. I was unaware.
A
So it's like, cane's fans, I absolutely love you, but just be careful with the way that you talk about them. Do you want to go back and forth here? Do you want me to keep going?
B
I think we have a lot of the same ones, so. So just keep going.
A
All right, my next one is Shout Out Grinnell. Grinnell called this shit years ago. And the way he has been routinely going to war against Ottawa fans online. Publicly.
B
Yeah.
A
Like, in the mentions in the replies, people were like, you're a fucking bitch loser looking for clickbait. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And not only was Grinnell like, brady is getting traded, he was like, he's going to Florida.
B
Yeah.
A
And he posted some of the receipts. Like, he literally made a bet with this guy. And this guy was like, make a bet. And Grinnell was like, $100 right now that by 2027, Brady will be wearing a different jersey. And the guy was like, this. You said it'd be Florida. And Grinnell was like, this 100 bucks, it's a different jersey. And the guy goes, fine, but if I lose, I pay you in Canadian. Grinnell goes, fine, I don't give a fuck.
B
Yeah.
A
And I'm like, that fucking guy better
B
have Venmoed him, and he better Venmo him 100American, because it was Florida.
A
Like, and it works. It better be tax free, bitch. But it's like, these are the times Where I'm like, dude, we are in the rumor mill business. But also, shit isn't just said to say shit sometimes. And that leads me into my large comment here. You never like to see a fan base down. So I am not happy that Ottawa fans are down.
B
Same.
A
But, dude, I go back, a lot of people are right now trying to do the. They did it with Larkin too. There's that clip when, like Larkin signed and he was. Or it wasn't even when he signed, it was a few months ago. He was like, dude, I extended here because I believe in this team. And people are trying to like repost that being like, not a man of his word. And I'm. We always say, like, dude, you don't know what changed someone or a bunch of fans. Ottawa fans are posting a graphic of like, when Brady signed, he was like, dude, my mission in life is to bring a cup to Ottawa. Yeah. And they're like, liar.
B
Yeah.
A
And whatever. Yep. What I love is the clips that are resurfacing of post Olympics, all of these fucking journos being like, are you committed to Ottawa? And Brady like shaking his head being like, dude, I've answered this question a million fucking times and I'm getting fucking sick of it. And the replies to that of like, Canada fans, citizens, Ottawa fans, being like, he's like, he's not committed, he's this, he's that, he's.
B
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
A
Dude, that vibe, it feels like a jealous girlfriend, boyfriend being like, do you like me? Are you in this with me? Like, are you committed? What are you doing? Dude, that. It's the same shit with sports, man. Like, you cannot expect a player to have to answer those types of questions routinely and not go, you know what? I'm the fuck out of here. So I don't blame him at all. And like, the people who are like, dude, you gotta be able to handle media, you gotta be able to handle fans, dude. Sure you do. Until you don't want to anymore. And then if your vibe as a city and as a fan base is, oh, yeah, like, we are insufferable. We're gonna be all over. You gotta handle that. No, you do not, dude. And if a player goes, I don't wanna handle that. You can't be mad at them. And it's like someone with the. With the Larkin shit. We posted a clip and a fan replied and was like, dude, I love you guys, but you're so pro player, it's almost insufferable. I love this. Yeah. And I was Like, I respect that comment because I am so pro player and I will never change. But here's the thing, dude. I'm a fan too. Yeah. Like, one of the greatest pieces of advice we got, we've ever gotten from Laz was as far as you go in this job and in this career, never forget that you're a fan. And I never do. And I always bring up Chelsea. Like, Chelsea is my number one team. That is the team I am the biggest fan of. I have just. We have just gone through a brutal season with Chelsea. And out of nowhere, Mark Cucarea transferred to Real Madrid. Devastating. But it became clear that Mark Cucurea wanted out. It seems clear right now that Enzo Fernandez wants out. You know what I don't do when I hear that piss and moan and go, you signed an eight year deal. You're a fraud. I go, dude, if you want out, leave. And that's not a. And don't let the door hit you on the way out. It's a. I understand. Because I don't want a player who is unhappy with my team. I want you to go be happy somewhere. And also, like, you're not going to be good for my team if you're unhappy. And my biggest thing is, I think it is a two way fucking street, dude. When you are a GM and you're an owner and you give an eight year deal, seven year deal, whatever your deal, to a player, you go, I'm giving you this deal because I think you are a piece that can help me win a Stanley Cup. You need to do your job, but so do I. I need to build a team that can win a Stanley Cup. If I'm an owner, I need to build a franchise that makes you players happy and comfortable and empowered to win a Stanley Cup. And if you're not fucking doing that, then the player reserves their right to go. You didn't hold up your end of the bargain, dude. I'm fucking gone. So that's why I'm like, I never have a problem with this shit, dude. Ever.
B
Dude, listen, Tom Brady played for the Bucks. Bob Yorr played for the Blackhawks. Like, people leave and you got to accept that. I've always been a Wayno left, Wayneau left. I've always been a. If that guy brought you joy, then root for that guy to have success in his life. You can be frustrated and you can root for your hometown team to beat his new team, that's fine. But just, you know, they're people, dude. They're literally people playing a game and they're doing what's right for them. They don't hate you. The person. They don't hate you, Jerry, on your couch. You know, they legitimately tried to win a cup for Ottawa. Now he's gonna fucking win 10 for Florida. Suck me, elbow room, dude. I'm gonna be there every fucking day. Hey, dude. Okay, Dan, I have this for you, actually. I think this maybe is the next thing you were going to say, so actually, let's save that one. I'm going to jump ahead for you a little bit. What does this say to you about. Because part of the reason I was like, this makes me so happy is those two brothers playing together. Incredible. Both from a hockey standpoint and from a life standpoint. Just cool. So cool. Keith. What a. What a day.
A
I will say this made me feel a little bit more like maybe, maybe the Hughes brothers will.
B
Okay, so fine, we'll go there right now because this was my largest point. The people in the Hughes brothers aren't going to unite camp are dead where they stand. Dead where they stand. I'm dead serious, dude, if you fucking think this is already clearly happening. Like, there's all this talk about time out. No, dude, the USA boys, this has all been happening right where it's like all the USA boys are, A, getting out of Canada and B, playing together. All the rumors, hell, you might be. They're not rumors anymore. Gone. Dude. Dylan Larkin is like, trade me to a team with my USA teammates on it. All the fucking. I said to you in. Whenever the fuck I missed him right after the Olympics, I go, you know what? All the Hughes brothers aren't gonna get together. Chat really got hit by this Olympic experience. And you were like, oh, good point. Cause they probably were like this, man, that was the most fun I've ever had. I roomed with you in Milan and we won an Olympic gold medal together. And we scored the two biggest goals in the tournament. I love you. I love this. And then, then, and then Minnesota goes on a fun run. Yeah, blah, blah, blah. And I'm not saying it's Jersey. I'm just saying now, okay, now that they're going to watch a year where the Tkachuk brothers play together, do a fucking pod mid season together, and then lift a cup and Matthew gets to hand it to Brady. And then Quinn and Jack are gonna go, are you fucking kidding me, dude? Like, obviously, like, dude, there is no universe left in the fucking multiverse, but where Quinn and Jack don't play together.
A
First of all, everything you just said is Correct. My only rebuttal is Jersey has fucked up, because Jersey, what was that three years ago now when they beat New York in the first round? Was on a perfect trajectory. Now they have missed playoffs two years in a row, and they don't look to me like a, oh, we're a franchise on the up that's got it figured out. Whereas Minnesota does. So the one hit for me is, obviously Jersey has the upper hand in that. They're like, we've got two of the three, dude. Like, this is where Quinn should get traded. But the one thing I do think these guys, these competitors, care more about than their brother reunion is winning.
B
Agree.
A
I. I genuinely don't believe these guys would all go, I want to reunite in a place that is a bottom feeder more than I want to fucking fight for a cup. So that is the one hiccup with the Hughes brothers reunion for me.
B
Luke might be left for dead.
A
Not dude.
B
And that's. That is okay. But Luke. Luke might be the sacrificial lamb brother
C
that there's always one Jack would.
A
And it's been. It's been him before, dude.
B
Yeah.
A
And like, I. It's. We talked about all the time during the Olympics. And I know that this is just. Were misquoting. So, like, I don't mean to be. To participate in the misquoting here, but like, when Jack and Quinn were talking about each other and they're being like, that's my best friend. We always made the jokes of like, Luke is at home just with a single tear dropping down. But, like, they then won gold and they're like, this is the best experience of my life. Luke didn't do that with them. Like, Luke is definitely like, God fucking damn it, dude. But there is like, if I'm Bill, I am being like, get me Jack and not Luke.
B
Yep.
A
Cause it's like, you know, sorry. It is what it is.
B
So.
A
Yeah, that is possible.
B
You accidentally took a $20 million contract, dude.
A
So we joke all the time. The fact that Luke makes more than Quinn. Like, if Luke isn't getting his licks in every chance he get about being like this, hey, little bro. I got you. Let me pay for dinner.
B
Yeah.
A
Like, you make the least amount of money of all of us, but 100%, man, like, that reunion is wanted. But I do not think that if Jersey's in a bad spot still, I don't think Quinn is going to be like 100% send me that. I think they want to win too. So that is my big thing.
B
But before the I don't know. How many more years does Jack have left? Because I want to make a fair bet.
A
Let me look right now. I got it.
B
You talk about your bet, basically, unless. Because this is a stupid bet if Jack has fucking six years left. But my point is going to be before both of their contracts are settled, their current deals are up.
A
Jack is up in 20, 30.
B
Okay, so that's too far. So I won't even say four seasons, but, like, in the next, you know, three years, the Jack and Quinn Hughes will be on the same team. And if. Even if they think right now, I'm still not sure by the end of this year, watching Brady and Matthew and talk, because, dude, they talk all the time. These guys are best friends. Matthew and Brady are going to literally be texting Quinn and Jack all season, going, you guys are wasting time. You will have no idea how fun this is. You will never get this chance again for the rest of your life. They're going to get that text every week. They are going to be on the same team in short order.
A
So. Yeah. Well, here's my other thing, dude, I believe again, going through. Yeah. All right, I'm gonna jump to the USA talking point. The amount of tweets that are like, leak the Team USA group chat. Yeah, A funny. B. If you actually have a problem with this, I do not understand you at all.
B
I feel the same way. This was like, this is the NBA narrative, too. I was like, I keep hearing the
A
word collusion in this topic. And I'm like, what is. How is there collusion in recruiting? If you're a player recruiting another player,
B
like, dude, we should play together.
A
That's not collusion.
C
There's no league rule against that. Correct.
A
Collusion implies something illegal is going on. Dude, if I'm a player and I see someone, like, if I play an international tournament with someone and I go like this, hey, by the way, dude, Florida is pretty sick.
B
That was really fun playing on Florida. You should.
A
You should. You should come here. Like, if you. If you ever want to trade in your career, put Florida on your list. That is not collusion.
B
Dude, that was such a fucking sick comment by Ike's the other day. Did you see that? When everybody was like, thoughts on everybody hating Vegas? And Ike's goes, yeah, I don't see Vegas on a lot of players. No trade list, though.
A
Yeah. And I love the salty, bitter haters who are like, dude, it's not about the city. It's about the fact that you guys cheat and blah. And I'm like, we're still doing the cheating thing. Like, how pathetic are you guys? Like, give me a break. But yeah, in the USA group chat thing again, hilarious. Cause, like, they are all leaving. But it's the people who are implying, like, first of all, there are so many people who are like, I mean, yeah, like, wanting to see the USA group chat implies that these guys know how to read. I'm like, sick. Chirp, dude.
B
Boom.
C
Boom.
B
Roasted.
A
How does that gold medal taste up your ass, you fucking loser? And it's like, I'm loving every bit of this. It's exactly what they should do. And everyone who's bitter about it, you're bitter because you lost and you're bitter because these guys don't want to go to your favorite team. And that's my thing is I'm like, do something about it, dude. And you know the other thing everyone complains about? Florida, Tampa, Vegas, all these things, dude. Minnesota is on these teams lists. Minnesota is one of the coldest fucking cities in the NHL and it's the way they're building their team. It's what Garon is doing. This is what I'm saying. The no state tax is not the only fucking advantage. We did hockey talk yesterday and someone was like, should every team that's not in a no state tax just fold? And I go, who just won the cup, dude? Their estate tax in North Carolina. Tulski and Rod did a great job building a team in a small market city where there was a huge narrative. People don't want to play here. Look at all these guys signing. Look at Nick Ehlers signing a long term deal there. Boom. Winning a cup. Look at Jarvey staying there. Ajo staying there. Slavin. Like that shit is. It's not true. It's all about how you build your team. Every city, every team has their own advantages. Play to your advantages or create advantages. So the whole bitching about the USA group chat and right now there's a narrative online of are Canadian teams going to be hesitant about drafting U.S. players? Maybe. And the people are going certainly making them captains. And I'm like, sure, maybe. But if you want to be a bitch about it and you want to be like this, we can't draft you, dude. Change your fucking system.
B
Like,
A
do a better job, Canadian markets of protecting your players from the media. And like, I could get clipped for this being like, that's such a pussy attitude. And I'm like, no, it's not. Yeah, like, do you want your players to be happy on your team and in Your city. You should. That's how you're going to win a fucking Stanley Cup. Like, look at what Jack just said. They just lost the Stanley Cup. And he drops that quote. He's like, yeah, dude, Vegas ain't on players no trade list. Because he's like, we all love it here. Yeah, that should be the goal for ownership. You should be like, yeah, dude, I want to sell tickets. I want to sell. But the way you sell tickets is by making players thrilled to be there. Because then you will win. You'll get more players. They'll be happy. So I'm like, yeah, dude, figure out a way to make yourself a desirable market. Like, maybe stop bitching about how these players can't handle it here or the US Players don't want to be here. Find a way to make them want to be there. Got news for you, dude. USA just won a gold medal. USA players are pretty fucking good.
B
Yep, dude. So on that topic, bro, the. I mean. And if Matthews moves, too, like, it'll be so crazy because I actually think there's, like, a legitimate chance, even a heavier chance now, because I think McDavid there's less likely this summer because of something else we'll talk about later. But Matthews, I think there's a legitimate chance. And if all these captains are moving and out of Canadian markets, I. One thing I find fascinating, and this is a me opinion, so I'm not saying this is everyone's opinion, but I have always loved a USA Canada hockey game in anything at Four Nations, Olympics friendly, I don't give a fuck. It's so fun. But I have also. I love the Canadian team. This is even before I did this job because I just rooted for so many guys in that team. I love the Canadian team. I love Canada, the country. So it was amazing.
A
Canada fucking rocks.
B
It was an awesome rivalry game, and I want to fucking beat them so bad. But it's also like, canada rocks. I don't care. And I felt that. I feel that way now. I feel that way still. But it is becoming. And that is even through the height of the. I guess this was four nations. Was it four nations when it was like, the 51st state? Was that.
A
Yes. Yeah.
B
Even during that, when the anthems were getting booed and shit, I still was kind of like, well, we love each other. Who cares? We are friendly countries. It's just a great hockey rivalry. It is now I kind of feel it morphing into something more intense because American players are like, I'm not playing there. You know, it's actually becoming a thing where we're like, I don't like it there. And I'm like, oh, man, this rivalry's heating up, dude, in a way I was not expecting at all.
A
I mean, like, it's. It's an interesting thing, dude. Like, you. We have the dude. Also, the fact that, like, sorry, I just on Twitter just popped up, like, wingman just. It's like, we can't wait. And I'm like, that is hilarious. That's why I said yesterday. I was like, this has just been coming. But it's an interesting thing, dude. Of like, it is such an honor to be drafted into the NHL and to get to play in the NHL. And there are great Canadian teams in the NHL, and if you are a member of that team, it's like, there is a part of me that is like, you should be so grateful. Like, it's like, what an amazing experience to be like, dude, I'm so lucky to be in this league, and a Canadian team drafted me. I'm thrilled to be here. But this discussion is, when you get so good that you have no move clauses that you can decide where you play, I don't blame guys for picking places that they want to be. And here's the thing, dude, I have said many times, I think Montreal is arguably the best city in North America. I love Montreal. I love Toronto. I love Vancouver. Like, there are so many amazing Canadian cities, many of them that have NHL teams. But I just. This narrative of, like, getting mad at players for wanting to live somewhere versus another is. It's crazy to me.
B
Insane.
A
Like, I'm like, what? How are we getting mad about this? And respectfully, it's the same thing with European football. When a player leaves Chelsea because they're like, dude, I want to live in Spain. I don't get mad because I'm like, yeah, dude, Spain has pretty sick weather. England does not.
B
Yeah.
A
And it's like, yeah, dude, I listen. Canada. Canada. Canada is a northern country now. Don't get me wrong, dude. Summer in Vancouver in B.C. and summer in Montreal, Toronto, pretty beautiful rocks. But at the same time, like, summer in all of these places in the US rocks too. And then in many of them, in the winter, it's also sick. So I do not blame anyone from the US Being like this. I would. If I have a choice, I'd like to live in the US that'd be kind of sick. I would probably do the same thing.
B
Yeah, why not, dude?
A
So I'm like, yeah, dude, I'm not going to get Mad at it.
B
Unbelievable.
A
Yeah, unbelievable. All right, we gotta take an ad break and then we'll jump into the rest of all this craziness.
B
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A
Lot of other shit happened last year. A lot of little trades, little signings. We're kind of going to fire through these. Spend more time on some of the bigger ones. First one, one that we love. Shout out J.D.
B
yes. Dude, this is great.
A
Jason DeMura is all over this one. The San Jose Sharks grab Michael Kesselring and a first round pick in the 2026 draft, number 27 from the Buffalo Sabres for a first round pick in 2026. Number 20. So Kesselring to the Sharks and a little pick swap.
B
Yep.
A
Love this move. I think Kesselring is an amazing player. When he moved from Utah to Buffalo, I was like, wow, great move. But then didn't really play. And I was, I didn't love that move by Lindy. I was kind of like, yo, what are we doing here? He's a right shot D man. Which as we know, are worth their fucking weight in gold. But I think Kess is a great four or five. Like he's a fourth, fifth defenseman. And if he leans into eating pucks, killing penalties, just being a dog out there, that is a amazing pickup for this Sharks team. Like, you've got a good spot and a good role to fill. So like I love the move by the Sharks. It's a little again, it's like a nothing. You move back a little bit.
B
Yeah.
A
And you get castle ring.
B
You want to talk worthless picks 20 to 27 don't mean dick. And Dan, I don't want to overreact to this because he's not Quinn Hughes.
A
Yeah.
B
But I think this is a fucking monster move. Like legitimately, I think this is so good they're going to do something with that pick. Defensively, they're either going to select a defenseman who will be great. Number two, you mean? Yes. Or they're going to trade the pick to acquire a defenseman. But as much as you need top end talent on the blue line, which you do, we were just. Brooks like did his whole roster breakdown with us and it was like, you need that, that number one D guy, so 100%. But you so vitally need these middle guys who are eating pucks, killing penalties and just being reliable, being invisible, frankly, going, I didn't even know he was out there because he does his fucking job, dude. This, the Sharks D core can use some, some help. And, and he had a very good season. Two years, not very good. But 29 points, seven goals, 22 assists, 29 points a plus, four in those minutes. I'm like, that is. That is legitimately cup contender stuff when, when you have that.
A
And you know what I love about this too is like you've got Orlov for one more year and Orlov's going to be who Orlov is. I think Dick Sam Dickinson is a great player. You have two more years on his rookie year, but you've got like. I think Mario Ferraro is going to be re signed back. Kess is an rfa and I believe they. Because I think Greer is crushing it. I believe they're going to give him like a Bridge. He's 26 years old.
C
Yeah.
A
I think they're going to give him like a four year deal at such a reasonable number. And here in San Jose, Cass is going to be become himself.
B
Yep.
A
And they're going to be like this remarkable deal because like I think he'll become way more expensive than what they get him for. So. I absolutely love this movie.
B
This was a sneaky for nothing, Dan. For literally nothing. They essentially just went like this, hey, can I have him? And the. And the Sabres went, sure, yeah. And I'm like, oh, whoa.
A
Another movie. Like our boy friend of the program, Ross Colton, gets sent to the Predators little deal. Isaac Posh, goaltender goes over there as well for Magnus KRONA and a third round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. And a third round pick in the 2027 draft, Ross Colton. We don't need to talk about how valuable of a player he is. What an unbelievable run of teams that he has played for in his NHL.
B
I was just about to say that, dude, he has lived in the three. Three of the dopest places you could
A
possibly plays in Tampa with Cooch. Then he goes to Colorado to play with fucking Nate and Kale in Denver. And now he's going to fucking Smashville. And he gets to reunite with Stammer.
B
Dude, he's with Stammer. He's with Flip Marcia. So I'm like, what a squat. Like, he just pops over and I'm like, wow, that is awesome.
A
Unbelievable. So fired up for him.
B
I am fired up for him too, because Nash and I am. I know I am the biggest Nashville defender and I'm. I've been eating crow the last two years, but they made a good day. A little fight. Little fight. This year they have work to do for sure. I'm not saying they're a cup contender, but I am saying this is a good move towards continuing that progression because I still think this is a solid team and what a city. And I'm excited for him because they're going to be right in the mixer.
A
Agree. Now we got a couple of Toronto moves. So Toronto flips Joe Wool and defenseman Simon Simone. Benoit to Philly for Sam Harrison and Emil Andre and a third round pick. I don't get this move. This is a. To me, we always call this a nothing burger.
B
Yep.
A
The Erison Wall swap is. I was kind of like, okay, what? I'm like, who? If you're. You're Chica.
B
Yep.
A
Who is your starting goalie in Toronto?
B
Dude, it was Joe Wall, no questions asked. That's me. I am actually flabbergasted by this trade, Dan. That's why I included it. I was gonna not even include it. Cause it is a nothing burger to most people. But I was like, Joe Wall stole. Ours was so fun in Florida when I was like, oh my God, dude.
A
And then for like that.
B
And then that first year in Toronto, I was like, wow. But under. At no point was I like, Anthony Solaris is now all of a sudden a 1. A goalie in the NHL. Of course he is not. And I wish him nothing but success and he is a NHL player. But I'm like, what are you talking about? Joe Wall flashed moments of like, this is a guy.
A
Yeah.
B
This is how. And how old is Joe Wall?
A
Let me check. But because, like, Stoli is 32.
B
Yeah.
A
And Erison is 26. I believe Joe is, like, also 27. 27.
B
So I'm like, Joe Wall certainly has a better chance to all of a sudden be. Not all of a sudden, because he's had good years. Like that year, him and Stoli, they might have won the Jennings. I can't even remember. But they were, like, right there with outrageous. Joe Wall feels like a guy. And it's now. I like Darth Vladar a lot.
A
Well, I think personally, I am of the opinion that Philly is going. Vladar is our starting goal.
B
Me too.
A
Like, this is a backup.
B
And now you get to go Joe. Now I add Joe Wall, who, in a tandem role had one of the best goals against in the league. And it's becoming a tandem league. This is like. And I forgive apologies to Sam Arison. I don't know what his stats were, if he was a very competent tandem backup, too, at the same age as Joe, but I'm going to. I'm guessing, since I'm unfamiliar with Sam, I'm guessing that Joe Wall has touched the sun much more than Sam Arison ever has. So to me, I'm like, what a fucking move. That was tremendous. Joe Wall could. Could steal the job. I think they believe it's lidar and I would go ladar to start the year. But there's a chance that Joe Wall goes, dude, I'm actually very good.
A
Yeah.
B
Especially when I get out of Toronto, which is what's happened to fucking everybody.
A
Look at Freddie.
B
So I'm like, what are you doing, dude? So that trade, to me was, like, batshit insane.
A
Yeah. Like, it felt more like a nothing burger to me, where I'm just like. I don't really get the move.
B
Who was. Who's the least goalie?
A
Yeah. And, like, is Emil Andre gonna like, what is Emil? I mean, it's solely, like, they're going stole.
B
I'm just like, yikes, dude.
A
And like, Emil is. I. I think Emil is a good little player. He's. I think he was taken 54th overall, but he's, like, small. He's like five, nine. He's like a little puck mover. So I don't know Interesting move. The big one though fucking Chaika keeps or the Leafs keep giving us news.
B
Yes sir.
A
And now Chaika comes out and makes a move here, trades a fifth round pick to Tampa to get the rights negotiation rights to Darren Radish, who we called one of probably the top two right shot UFA defensemen on the market along with John Carlson and they give him an eight year deal by 8.5 million a year. This led to a massive discussion online with Leafs fans and people. Number one, someone asked this on Hockey Talk, so I'm going to just address it. Someone was like, why would Tampa let this happen? And this is like a newer fan I imagine they were like, why would we just let give him up for nothing? If anyone is unclear the difference between UFA and rfa, especially with a trade is if you ever trade a Ufa, it is exactly like this where you basically before July 1st trade their negotiation rights to a team so they can get in and make an offer before every other team. It is only done when you are the team who has that UFA player and you know for a fact, fact you are not resigning this player. So you go, might as well get something.
B
Yep.
A
So it's a great move by Tampa. What that tells you, and this is an indisputable fact, is that Tampa had no plans to resign Darren Radish or they had initial conversations and they were like, we are not resigning.
B
Yeah, like the number was, maybe the
A
number was too high and they knew that they couldn't make match it. But in my opinion, Tampa is an aggressive team who thinks that they can still win right now if you're giving up on this so quickly. To me it says that they're like we're, we're, we're going to move on here. Which is something to consider.
B
Very Belichickian.
A
Yeah, very Belichickian. Now was this a need for the Toronto Maple Leafs?
B
Absolutely. Yes.
A
They needed a right shot defenseman who is a quote unquote power play quarterback with a good shot. I think someone said the last time a Toronto defenseman had like there was some crazy stat of like x amount of 5v5 goals from a right shot. Demon was like fucking Dion phaneuf in like 2017.
B
Yeah, yeah.
A
So I'm like, yeah, dude, you need, you do need a guy like this. Darren Radish just had the best year of his career by fucking country mile. Darren Radish is awesome. He had a phenomenal season. He's got a great shot. He's a great dude with an awesome attitude. He's a Toronto boy. It's a homecoming. That's awesome.
B
So pumped for him.
A
We said all year cannot wait for the bag he's about to get. And this surprised me. I did not think it was going to be with Toronto. The end of the day is you have just given an eight year deal to a 30 year old defenseman who just had the best year of his life.
B
Yep.
A
Now that does not mean that he is not going to play just as well. He absolutely could and that's fucking awesome. If he does, if he has 70 points again, that will be a fucking miracle. Or no, excuse me, not a miracle. That will be a fucking dream for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
B
We.
A
I do not know that that's going to happen. The stat that we pulled that I think is very relevant is 54 of Darren Radish's 70 points this season had goal contributions from Nikita Kucherov. That is 77%. We're going to round that up to 80.
B
Yeah.
A
So 80.
B
Make it 90.
A
80% of Darren Radish's 70 points last season involved Nikita Kucherov. Nikita Kucherov is arguably the best playmaker in the NHL. Are there great players on Toronto? Yes. To act like Willie Nylander, Auston Matthews or Matty Nies or Nikita Kucherov is ignorant. Now that said, there are a bunch of great players. Radish is immediately going to be on PP1 with those guys. Maybe all of them or a collection of them. Darren Radish is going to get his cookies for sure. My big question for you is because I have two answers to this.
B
Yep.
A
Is signing giving an 8 year by 8.5 deal to a 30 year old. The move for this the Toronto Maple Leafs, where they currently are.
B
So we had talked about this when it happened and I had some pushback. So I was excited to kind of debate this with you, but it's the way you just asked me is tricky because maybe not I was looking up their cap space, maybe not. Maybe it's an overpay, but I was my initial reaction to this when everyone tweaked was Radish is a position of value in this league. Right shot D that we all felt like was the best available right shot D and we all started listing teams like the Ducks and the Sharks that we would love Radish and if he had signed with those teams and I understand it's different situations and circumstances, but if he had signed with those teams, I'm not saying everyone would have gone fucking Cup. Send the cup to Honda Center. But I am saying people would have gone, great fucking signing. Great signing by the Ducks. Huge step forward. And then he signs in Toronto and everybody goes, oh, ew. Puh ba ba. Do you think people did that?
A
And I'm like, I don't think people did that.
B
People got so mad, they're like, oh, my God.
A
I think people were like, this is. And here's the thing. I posted, I went to our Twitter and I posted not. I was like, not sure this is what they needed. And so many Toronto fans read that the wrong way and hand up. That's maybe on me for the way I phrased it, but it's also on them for thinking it means only one thing.
B
Yep.
A
Because the response was they don't need a right shot. D, man, who's good on the power play. And to that I was like, absolutely.
B
They are, dude.
A
Yeah. What I meant is I look at that. Yeah, they. They have about 18.7 million capsules and that feels like a ton. But they have. It's all depth, dude. Like they have Nick Robertson, they have Yarn Crock, who I don't know if they're going to bring back. Michelle Quillen has to come back. Stature Emil Andre, who they just picked up. Sam Erison, who they just picked up.
B
Yep.
A
And several of those guys are not going to be signing minimum deals, like if. If not all of them. Yep. So like that 18 is going to disappear pretty quick.
B
Yeah. But they're in pretty good shape.
A
They're in okay shape. But in my opinion of that 18, you can maybe only sign one difference maker player.
B
Sure, sure.
A
Because you need to use the rest on all the depth. So I'm like, this was kind of your move, dude.
B
I agree. The Leafs going, that's a good move.
A
It is a good. Yeah. But my point, dude, is I think, and this is just my opinion, I think and let's be clear, dude, you and I are old as shit.
B
Yeah. Oh, yeah.
A
30 years old is not old in the NHL in my opinion.
B
But I agree.
A
But giving an eight year deal to a 30 year old by three, four years, you are like, we're now on the back half of that deal. Most often every now and then you get a fucking fine wine. Like a Patrice Bergeron, like a. Obviously like a Sidney Crosby, but like a guy who was like, oh no, dude, I am. I take care of my body, I have longevity. I'm going to be very good. Still at like 36 is Darren Radish that we will see the fear twofold is it took him till age 30 to have a breakout season in the NHL. That could be situational. It could be maybe he just found his game. But you do wonder, was this a flash in the pan because of who you were playing with? I'm not saying I feel that way. I believe in Darren Radish.
B
Yep.
A
The other side of that is why did Tampa let him go? Victor Headman is old and injured. Ryan McDonough is old and injured. Darren Radish was just your best defenseman. Why did you let him go so easily? What does Tampa know that Toronto doesn't or think they know that would scare me if I'm Toronto. And my opinion finally going to land this plane is I think giving long term deals like that with a decent amount of AAV to a older player is good in two scenarios. One, you are an absolute cup contender and you are going to win or fight for a cup within the next two years, preferably in this immediate year. I do not think Toronto is that. Two, you have a, you are a young team that is up and coming and very exciting and you have a ton of cap space to give to have veteran play with some young players like an Anaheim, like a San Jose, like that's why I liked Anaheim or San Jose for Radish. I don't think Toronto is either of those teams. That's why I said I'm not sure this is the move for them. They do need this type of player. Did they need to give 8 by 8.5 to a 30 year old? That was my only question.
B
Right, right. And you know, it's, it's kind of the market.
A
It's kind like 8.5. I'm like, dude, agree. But again, this is the thing. If I'm Tampa, I go, dude, what a fucking year he just had with them. Tampa has 13 mil in cap space right now. 13 million. And they have a lot of depth to resign. A lot of depth. But as far as key big time players, I would say their most important player who is. I mean they've got pairs who we'll see Bjorkstrand and Chaffee on the offensive side. That's it. Chris.
B
Yeah. You're saying, why didn't they just bring him back?
A
You have 13 mil in cap space and Radish just signed in Toronto.
B
Yeah.
A
8 by 8.5. Dude, let's talk about it. If you're Tampa, you go like this. Hey dude, here's 8 by 5.5. You're taking home more money.
B
Yep. What?
A
What are we.
B
Yeah. Why, why, why did you not? It's an. That is the biggest elephant in the room of this whole thing.
A
Like, you. You. You just said, like, it's kind of the market. Sure.
B
He could have got more. Probably 6.5 would have done it. Or you could have made the argument very strongly at 6.5.
A
Again, if you go like this, here's 8 point, 7.5. Dude, that's more money than Toronto.
B
Yes. Yes.
A
6.5 is more money than Toronto.
C
Yeah.
A
So I'm like, what are we doing here? Like, why did you not bring this guy back? And who knows? Maybe he was like, I don't want to fucking go here.
B
Yeah, maybe Tampa's dead.
A
Maybe. Yeah, maybe he's like, I don't believe in you. Who knows? That would be surprising to you, Having a career year to the Leafs. Having a career year playing with Cooch, getting to live in fucking Tampa Bay.
B
Yep.
A
Playing with Hagel, playing with Point. It would be shocking to me if Radish was like, I do not want to stay here because you have the cap space to keep him. That. That is my big thing. And I'm like, that feels weird to me. Yep.
B
So agree.
A
Interesting. Now, that said, Leafs, good job, like that, it's a good swing. That's a good player to add that, that fills a need for sure. Let's see what happens and where Auston Matthews gets traded. All right, let's take a breath, another ad break, and then we'll get back into the last news roundup. This episode of the Empty Neighbors podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Folks, it is summer, my favorite season. For me, summer means hitting the beach, going to the pool, going to the lake, hanging out, having a blast. But for others, sometimes summer is absolute craziness. The kids come home from school, you've got weddings, so much travel, so many things to juggle, and it can feel like it is too much. So the best way to handle that is by talking to someone, talking to a professional, getting out all of your stress, all the things that are weighing you down, and just having a great conversation to handle your mental health. And BetterHelp is the best way to do that. With over 30,000 licensed therapists and an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 star reviews. With over 1.7 million reviews, BetterHelp is an unbelievable trusted platform and tool for you to make sure you are taking care of yourself. Talking out your issues, talking out your stresses, your worries, whatever it may be with these amazing therapists. The matching system that BetterHelp has is fantastic. You fill out a survey, fill out your forms and find the best therapist and best professional for you that is going to help you get what you need from this platform. Here's the thing, folks. They have served over 6 million people, myself included. Therapy is absolutely fantastic. It is a great way for you to talk to a third party who is not biased that can help you out with what's going on in your life. It is so important to take care of your mental health, to take care of yourself and put yourself first in this area because that's what we need. And like I said, summer is crazy, man. Summer can be so stressful. There can be so much going on. This is a great way to make sure you're checking in with yourself and taking care of what is going on so you don't have to say yes to everything. This summer you're gonna find support in therapy. You can sign up and get 10% off@betterhelp.com netters that's betterhelp.com netters and take care of yourself with BetterHelp.
B
Listen, I've been trying to get more protein lately. I've been trying to build a proper diet. And when I'm thinking about hitting those nutrition goals, it's not. I just don't have time. I don't have time for the, for the planning, for the grocery runs or the cooking, frankly. And that's where factor comes in in the biggest way. They have meals built around my goals. Whatever your goal is, it can be weight loss, just better nutrition, more protein. Like I was saying, GLP1 support. They have it all and it's all in there. They have every possible choice on earth and they have these functional ingredients. Lean proteins, colorful veggies, whole foods run the gamut. Everything okay. And there's no refined seed oils, just no nutrient dense food, which is so key when I'm trying to build this thing. It's never frozen, always fresh. Over 100 rotating meals weekly. Globally inspired flavors. I love the Mediterranean and Asian stuff. So there's always something new to look forward to. You don't get bored, which is usually the case with things like this. And they have a newly launched ready to eat salad with vibrant ingredients. They got corn, they got miso edamame, which I'm loving. 70/add ons to round it out. So it's ready in two minutes. The factor shops, it preps, it cooks and it delivers straight to your door. So there's no more. Oh, I don't have time. It's no longer a willpower. Thing. They're fixing the setup for you so you are good to go. And I'm telling you one sample of this and you are going to go. Actually my life is different now. All those things I wanted to do nutrition wise I can now do and it is bang that easy. So please head to FactorMeals.com netters 50 off and use that code netters 50 off to get 50% off, half off and free daily greens per box with new subscription only while supplies Last only until 9-27-2026. See the website for more details.
A
Going to give literally immediate quick hitters on a couple things. Patrice Bergeron number retirement. So sick. Overdue. Hell yeah. Love Burgi. Can't wait for that night. I want to go home for it.
B
Oh that's a great idea. That'd be really fun. Did you in the video? Everyone should go watch the video on Bruins Twitter. But at the beginning of the video Chara is introing it and it was so funny because he's whispering inexplicably. He's like hi, hey Berg, we're gonna surprise. And I was like is he in the other room? Dude, why are you whispering? Dude, what the fuck is that?
C
Big guy's gotta whisper.
B
Yeah.
A
Troy Terry gonna miss the first month of the season having hip surgery. Absolutely hate that.
B
And what happens if he hits someone next year? He fell apart without being touched.
A
Oh, I think it's because he did throw a hit.
B
You're right, he threw the one also.
C
That's why he wasn't doing it.
A
He made a glass. I will say to fans, I actually love when teams do this. Remember it was the. I think it might have been like the record breaking year but McAvoy missed the beginning of the Bruin season. Dude, it's just so good to get it done.
B
Get it done.
A
So Ducks fans don't worry. That's huge. We talked about this before it broke during the middle of the Stanley Cup. The league has said yes to Mike Babcock. So I believe any moment now Babcock is going to be announced as the Edmonton Oilers head coach. And we have not been bashful about saying I think that is absolutely insane. Not great. Yep, another coaching hire. Jim Hiller to the Leafs. As we keep saying, the Leafs are the gift that keeps on giving up news this summer. It is going to be very, very, very, very interesting when Jim Hiller, a notoriously defensive minded player who does not like letting players off the leash, offensively tries to coach William Nylander.
B
That was my only thought where I was like man, Matthews, who actually plays an incredible 200 foot game, but Matthews, big 70 goal guy and especially Willie. I'll be interested to see how those boys react to this.
A
Yep. Other coaching hire. Absolutely love this. Ryan Craig hired in Vegas.
B
Dude, I love this too. We won't get into it too much, but it was interesting. The only quote I flagged because he was the assistant, he's been there the whole time time since Vegas started assistant and then coach of the Silver Knights. Vegas has only hired decorated coaches before this. And Kelly McCrimmon made a comment, he said, we've always hired the best coach available and that's what we just did. Incredible compliment. The only quote that I thought was crazy was it said, Craig is a 44 year old who has never been an NHL coach before. But the Golden Knights believe the young rookie can continue their winning culture. That's why they decided to hire Craig. Even though Tortura Barella wanted to return after replacing Cassidy. And I was like, interesting, like what's interesting there? Didn't he say I'm good?
A
Oh, I mean I think he probably is like, I'd love to stay. And I bet the Knights were like, we don't want you.
B
Yeah, interesting because I thought he was like, no, I'm, I'm good. Like I, I, yeah.
A
Again, I think Torch said that because he was probably like, there's one place I would stay and continue coaching. And they were like no. And they said no. So he's like, I'm done. Yeah, cool to me, dude, I love this. For Ryan, this feels like such inside baseball moves where they went like they just said he's a 44 year old who's never been head coach. That is because he was. Let's do the quick math here. What, 36, 35 when he was first with the program or. Yeah, since the very beginning. Like that's young for a head coach. So he's just been grooming him. Groomed and coached up inside. Like who knows this franchise better than him as far as a coach? No one. I love the move. It's a young coach getting his first shot. And then Johnny Tapes retiring.
B
Yep. Captain Sirius hangs him up. God, he kind of made me sad because he wrote, I'm not going to lie. You visualize the dream of coming home, meaning going back to Winnipeg and winning a playoff series and going on a run and winning a Stanley cup and playing the hero and all those things. And when things go sideways a little bit, it was heartbreaking. It's just kind of intuitive. Feel that it's the right time. And like I said, I'm happy I gave it another shot regardless of how things went. And it is sad to me that I'm, I'm like, God, I almost wish he retired a Blackhawk now that I've seen it.
C
But.
B
But it's probably cool for him that he was like. I felt like my career got cut short unfairly. And fuck you, I got out there one more time. So I'm happy for him for that.
A
True. All right, another quick ad break, then we'll round things up with some world cup talk, maybe a beer league. Holland.
C
Oh.
A
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B
We are back and this summer, we got a bunch of stuff lined up. This summer.
A
Summer's my favorite. Dude, we're doing so much stuff. We're watching World cup, we're golfing. It's incredible.
B
And, dude, one thing that I am most fired up about on our calendar is coming this mid July because we got a little bachelor World Cup.
A
What is it?
B
Because we got a bachelor party we head to east for, and then we're popping up. We're popping up to the. What's New York State slogan?
A
Oh, yeah, dude, I don't know.
C
Get out of my face.
B
We're going up to the Big Apple State. What is New York State slogan? How do I not know that? We're heading to Excelsior. No, that's it.
A
The official state motto of New York is Excelsior.
B
Dude, the Excelsior State.
A
Remember? That's that scene in Silver Linings Playbook
C
where they say that the slogan of
A
New York is Excelsior's motto is Excelsior.
C
Okay?
A
And then when J. Law is fucking serving De Niro about, like, all of his dumb superstitions and he's like, you brought a fucking guy to an Eagles, Giants game or jets game maybe? And his motto is Excelsior, which is the state motto of New York, you idiot.
C
Oh, wow. All right, Good point.
B
Incredible. We're headed to the Excelsior State because we are hitting the Fanatics Festival this summer. I am so fired up about. Dude, it is. Dude, it is the number one sports fan festival in the world, so congratulations. Unbelievable.
A
Dude, we're going to be get there. There's going to be tons of athletes there. Patty Kane's going to be there. Hank's going to be there. I think Flower is going to be there, Jack. And top.
B
And top. And dude, maybe I'll collude with Jack. Maybe I'll say, hey, Jack, figure out where we're going to play with Quinn next year.
A
Dude, you stop it. No collusion. No collusion. That's just a conversation.
B
But, dude, it is. It takes place July 16th, the 19th. It's going to be unreal. We are going to. You can you get to listen to. There's a ton of live podcast tapings, including ours. Yeah, yeah. We are taping July 18, so come check that out if you want to see a live Netter show, which is going to be unbelievable. I am so fired up about it. And then also, there's a unique code for all of our followers that can listen if you want to shop fanatic stuff right now, because they have Insane. They have insane exclusive merch available at the fest. But if you want to go check out and get the promo code, it's just netters 10 n e t t e r s 10. So now you can get dialed. Because we are going to be dialed. Fanatics fest this summer. NYC, baby. July 16th and 19th. But we're there. The 18th last year.
A
Dude. It's going to be a blast. I can't fucking wait. It's going to be so fun.
B
Yeah. Highlight of our summer, dude, I'm fired up.
A
The other super fun stuff this summer we've been talking. It's all over the page. We're getting into World cup stuff.
B
Yep.
A
And listen, there's so much news breaking. So this episode's getting. So we're not going to talk too much about it, but the World cup has absolutely been unbelievable. So many great games, so many results. The only headline here, before we get into a fun conversation for me is the USA is unbelievable.
B
We're the best team in the country. In the world. I keep saying that. We're the best team in the country.
C
Best team in the country.
B
We're the best team in the world.
A
2 0.
B
Yep.
A
Had a clean sheet. First clean sheet since September.
B
We got it. We won. We beat Australia. 2 Nothing without the best player in the world.
A
Correct.
B
On playing.
A
Pulisic is the best player in the world. SAT people do know that. Dude, do you believe in Potchball?
B
Yes.
A
Polygon Potch.
C
Yeah.
A
It's unbelievable.
B
I've never. I didn't realize all those years fighting the Polygon Polygon team on Super Smash Brothers. I didn't realize was training me to be a USA soccer fan, but it was.
A
It was. Yeah, it's. It's. It's like so fun to see and listen. It's going to be tougher as we go here, but I'm loving everything I'm seeing and hearing. Fucking Zlatan, literally. Rebecca Lowe, my queen.
B
Yeah.
A
Her and Kate Scott, dude. Two greatest women in all of sports media. When she goes, can the US win the World Cup? And he just goes, yes. Hearing Zlatan say that. Unbelievable. Also, do you like how Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are literally bullying Alexi Lawless out of his profession?
C
Yeah.
A
Yeah. It's unbelievable.
B
They keep going like this. They having conversations and they look over and they go, what are you doing here? And I'm like, oh, no.
A
I've never seen there the whole time. It's like the meanest behavior I've ever like. They are genuinely bullying this Dude.
B
Oh, my God, dude, it's so good.
A
Truly unbelievable. My favorite thing about the World cup, guys, has been. I cannot get over how amazing it is seeing international people go, oh, wait a minute. Everything that twit like Instagram and TikTok and bullshit media tells us about the US is nonsense.
B
Yep.
A
And it's just awesome here. And like, people who actually go outside and interact with other human beings and go to games are super nice and fun and this is an amazing experience.
B
How.
A
How lovely is that? It's genuinely. World is healing shit.
B
So good.
A
It's amazing. And on top of that is all of these experiences. The. There's that. We're like the 50th podcast to talk about it. But like that unbelievable tweet, which is maybe real or maybe fake, of the Japanese guy who went to a Mexican restaurant and was like, no, dude, like, there's no such thing as free. You have to earn things. That is the funniest shit I've ever read in my life. Seeing these Japanese fans eating Texas barbecue for the first time. Unbelievable. The tartan army in Boston, playing bagpipes, walking up and down the streets. Now we got the three Lion England fans there. They've got chance being like, Scots, you're out. We're here now, dude. It's just fucking so amazing. And I've loved every second of it. I had a very funny. Like, the videos of people trying ranch for the first time, going to Walmart
B
for the first time, dude, I haven't seen. I've heard about the Walmart videos. I haven't seen. They're very fun, dude. People are buying ranch, like, filling suitcases with ranch.
A
I heard that there's this one, I think she was a British woman. She was just like, what is ranch, dude? But to be fair, Ev. If I. If I had tried ranch for the first time in my life in my 30s, I would probably come myself to that.
B
Yeah. Yeah.
A
I'd be like, this has just been out here forever.
C
Like, come too. So that's convenient.
A
It's a perfect combo. Yeah. I saw one video. It was like a stitched video. This, I believe a British guy, I think, think. But he's videoing himself selfie video, and there's a sunset in the background. And he was like, holy, dude. Are all like. Are all us sunsets like this? And then it cuts to a guy and he goes, do you guys have anything?
C
Yeah, you don't even have sunsets.
A
He literally goes, you don't have sunsets. And like, that was a funny thing. But it got me thinking of. I am now obsessed with introducing international people to. In the US that we just don't even think about is unique. And I wrote down a few.
C
Okay.
A
And do you guys want me to just give.
B
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
C
All right.
A
My number one is a. And this is a simple one. US pizza party.
C
Like for like, for kids?
B
No, you mean like a Diddy? That's what those are called. Just to be clear, they were having. That's what those were called.
A
Dude, they said stop it.
B
They kept going. Pizza party. Yeah. Hey, I want to go. Hey, everyone. International, come on down.
C
They're not, they're not ready for the amount of KY jelly.
A
We almost, almost got murdered when we were doing diddy talk. Don't bring it up again.
C
So you mean like just a bunch of people hanging out eating pizza.
A
So I mean, again, so much of it is like portion size. Dude, when you go to Europe, like, I feel like most pizza is Neapolitan pizza.
C
Yeah.
A
Like, even when you go to like places, like when you go to a nice restaurant, it's always Neapolitan. There's like pizzerias around. Sure. But dude, the pizza in the US is so big. Like we're talking like 24 inch pies. And, and I just laugh. Like when we're here at the office and we're watching a game, we're like this order a bunch of pizzas and there's fucking 20 massive pies of like all the toppings you've ever seen. I feel like if we invited a couple of Europeans to like a US pizza party where there's literally 20 pies with fucking sausage, pepperoni, hamburger, buffalo chicken. Like, I don't believe a lot of international people have had buffalo chicken covered in ranch.
B
Yeah.
A
Drizzled with.
C
Oh, that's true. Yeah, we're. We're dipping our pizza and ranch. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
A
Like, I think they would be. Be like this. Jesus Christ.
C
Well, I mean, just the idea of going to like a Costco and like, like, oh yeah, I want like 800 pounds of whatever. Cheez its or whatever.
B
Yes.
C
How are you going to. They would never have the space to store that.
A
In most years you can't bring it home. Dude. They don't have an F150 to put all their. Come to my next one. F150s.
C
Yeah.
A
But like, I just think a. An office, like adult. Well, we're just ordering a ton of pizzas.
C
They'd be like, good God, look at you sick freaks.
A
Okay, my next one Also food based and very relevant for us. And I'm curious if it's happening a tailgate.
B
Oh, dude. They basically said no tailgating, which is fucking insane.
A
So like.
B
But if they saw a proper tailgate,
A
if they saw like this is relevant. Like we were saying, because being in Carolina, being in Raleigh, the way they tailgate in Raleigh showing. Because I have, I have gone to a number of European football matches and it's all about the pub crawl. Yeah. Like when there's a 3pm game in London, going to Stamford Bridge, it's all about hitting the pubs along the way and you're walking everywhere. That is so fun. And I think every American should experience that as well. But a proper college football, NFL football tailgate is something I am desperate to see. Europeans and South Americans, Asians, everyone to see like, I think they would be
B
like, that is great.
A
Watching people drive their trucks to a sporting event and pull out grills and TVs and inflatable pools and go.
C
We're.
A
We're here four and a half hours early to cook food and drink. Before we go into the.
B
There was, there was a pool in that pickup truck at the Lenny.
A
I think they would lose their mind, dude.
B
Especially because I always say this ev. One of my favorite funny tweets I'd seen of a bunch about something like this was what would be the most shocking thing to Europeans and they were like that the biggest European soccer stadium, like that they revere, like cathedrals would be like the 12th biggest college football stadium. We watch 18 year old kids play football in stadiums bigger than your cheers. Yeah, they're gigantic cathedrals of professional like oh my God, Real Madrid. And I'm like, I watch Michigan football.
C
You can fit six of those in stock.
B
What? Jesus Christ. So yes, like, can you imagine them being at a place like the big house at a tailgate being like, what the fuck this is about? This is like amateur sports. And I'm like, oh yeah, insane.
A
Insane. And then my last one is. And I'm curious about this one. So I want our international fans to message us about this. I was thinking, do they know about lake days? Because there's obviously unbelievable lakes all over
B
the world, but do they know about a sandbar?
A
Like Lake Como is so beautiful. But when I think of like a Lake Como, I think more classy. I think about aperol spritzes with like a lovely linen shirt.
C
George Clooney on a George Clooney.
A
I'm not sure they know about like drunk tubing and water skiing. Yeah, like pulling up to Maynards and.
B
And like Jed broke his collarbone. Yeah. Sandboxing the boats. You could walk across the lake, across the bow boats because we're all anchored right next to each other.
A
So I. I am very curious.
B
That's like a tail. That's basically a water tale. It's a water tale.
C
Yeah.
A
That is so like, are lake days a thing?
B
That's a great question, dude. I actually don't think they are. That's an incredible question.
A
And I think that they would love to see it.
C
I've got, I've got one for you.
B
Yeah, go.
C
I would take them to the Breezewood exit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and say, this is the most beautiful thing that America has provided. This is like, wow.
A
Because I don't know if it's a Breezewood, Pennsylvania.
C
This is the exit on the turnpike that you use. I've driven this a lot. But when you go through it, you're like every single type of fast food and gas station crammed in like a two block radius.
B
That is so awesome, dude.
C
That's what I would show them and say, this is.
B
You're welcome, dude. Well, I wrote food just in general. Cause we saw the barbecue, but I just think there's so. And this was probably true for us going to Europe too, where I'm like, wow, incredible. But it's just like the size of the food and the variety of the food is just fascinating. And I think it might be cool for your. For foreigners to see what we think, what we are calling their version of food.
C
Right? Yeah. Like take them to Olive Garden and be like, here's Italian food.
B
Every country, please come here and try.
A
Yeah. They'll be like, what the fuck this country?
B
Because I'd like to be like, what is this?
C
Australians go to Outback Steakhouse.
B
Yeah. Like, there you go.
A
Well, did you see that one person went to like Longhorn Steakhouse and they're like, this is the best steak I've
B
ever had in my life.
A
Yeah. And I was like, that is unbelievable.
B
So that is awesome. And then this one I just loved now that I. Because I have not traveled a lot, but now I've traveled a little bit.
C
The.
B
I love the idea of foreign people seeing, or I presume, their interpretation of how calmly we drive. Like every other city I've been. If they're in New York City in a cab, dude, when I'm in New York City in a cab in the back, I'm literally like this.
C
Oh yeah.
B
Like, oh my God, this is clearly crazy.
C
Yeah, yeah.
B
Every other city I've been in. In another country. That is. They drive. That's. That's borderline calm to how they drive. Like in Milan, he's like swerving into the on train track back this way in Colombia. And like, people are driving, like, cars are like, bump. It's like bumper cars in a arcade, right? And everyone's like, doesn't care.
A
They're like, lane's mean nothing. Dude. Dude, I'll tell you, the experience in England when you're on the other side of the road too, is like, oh,
C
it fucks you up.
A
Like, you're. You're not paying attention. You're on your phone and like, you look up and it's always with like a merge. Yeah. Because you're like, whoa, dude, what? And they're like, wait, wait. Okay, sorry, we're on the other side. But it's like, it fucking. It fucks with you big time.
B
There must be. And obviously, if you were in if. So people that come to la, they have two experiences. One is they are just in a parking lot on the 405 and they're like, wow, this traffic is insane. Because we're literally not in town moving. Like, they have bad traffic, but it's moving. So they must be like, holy shit, no one's moving.
A
Yeah.
C
And it's eight fucking lanes of no moving.
B
Or they're driving in la, like, on busy roads and everyone just is going like this.
A
Staying in my lane. Yeah.
B
Turning. When the light turns, obeying traffic laws, they must be like, what are you guys doing? Why don't you just smash into other cars and cut people off? I cannot believe how properly we drive in this country compared to everywhere else I've ever been. So true. Mind blowing to me.
A
Oh, God, it's amazing. But the World cup continues to be the greatest tournament in the entire world.
B
I'm so.
A
Again, if you're not tuned in, like, make sure you're following us everywhere for all the World Cup. And check out hold the phone too, because we're posting all those pics every day. Let's round things out with a beer league hotline and get the heck out of here.
C
Yep, we have a seasoned vet on our C league team. He's pushing 60 years old. The rest of us are in our 30s and 40s. He plays D and to be fair, he still holds his own. Good for plenty of apples a year. Grabs a goal every now and then. Doesn't turn the puck over more than anyone else. Almost never misses a game. The problem is he sits out the entire Second period. Because he, and I quote, doesn't do the long change anymore. It can be really tough when we already have a short bench. Do we put our foot down or have 40 plus years of beer league earned him that break?
B
What
A
I don't get doesn't do the long change.
B
The second period.
A
I'm an idiot.
B
You have to dog all the way back to the bench.
C
It's the bench. Yeah.
B
Like, he's on D and he's like, I am not busting my ass to the bench.
A
Wow, that is. Yeah, sorry, I was slow on that one. I hope that's just a line by him. And if it's just a line, that's a really funny line. If that is legitimately why he doesn't. I'm like, the second period, I'm like, hang him up, dude.
C
Is that, what is that like 20ft different, dude.
A
And like in beer league too, it's like, bro, this is not an issue.
B
But maybe, maybe he's like, man, I hang every time I try to change. I get that. You get? Yes. He's like, dude, I'm better.
C
Yeah, he's a liability. Yeah.
B
He's like, dude, I'm hanging us out to dry.
C
Yeah.
B
And I'm producing when I play. And we play 1 3.
C
I think it's just an excuse.
A
The C league again. I think it's just a line. And I'm like, that's sitting out the entire second period is cr. Do you just sit there? Yeah, he sits like, is he like cracking a beer at least?
B
I'm sure, dude.
A
Or is he genuinely just sitting and watching? That's craziness.
B
He probably works the door.
A
My.
C
Yeah, that's nice.
A
The C league of this helps.
B
Helps because I'm like, who cares?
A
So I am aist in beer league.
B
Yeah, you are.
A
If you are in a top league and you are over 40.
B
Yeah.
A
And you're becoming a liability, you have to join a, you have to join a seniors league or you have to drop leagues. Like, I, I, I'm sorry. It's like if you're kind of a liability, but you're in your 20s, 30s, and you're with the boys. I have way more, way more patience for it. Now, don't get me wrong, I love an old timer in the locker room. They've got some of the greatest stories in the world. But if you are a liab on a top league and you're like hurting your team and you're also 50.
B
Yeah.
A
I'm like, dude, just go die. Like, just go like, wow, Just go.
B
That's what old people do.
A
You're old, dude.
B
Just. You're dead.
C
Just go.
A
Die. Like, you're. You're hurting the team.
B
Yep.
A
But if it's a C league, I'm kind of like, no, this is where you belong. And like, they said, they're like, dude, he's good. Like, he contributes whatever. He holds his own. I don't think you can sit out an entire period.
B
I think what I would ask of him, and this is kind of a catch 22, actually.
A
You know what? I have zero problem with this.
B
Wow, he's back.
C
What?
A
An' cause I just thought about it, and he was like, the guy said, like, it hurts us when we have a short bench. Well, at least he's there. Yeah. At least he's there for the first and third. Now, if this submission had said he's taking people's spots.
B
Yeah, right.
A
Like, we like to only play with 13.
B
Yeah.
A
And if he replies, first he's in, but then all of a sudden, he's not playing in the second period and he took someone's. If that's the case, then I think it's hurting you. But, dude, at least he's there.
B
Yeah. Like, never misses a game.
A
If you had a short bench. It sounds like you have a short bench. And thank God he's there for the first and third.
B
Yeah.
A
It just.
C
Pretend you're the Canadiens and you always have a shitty second period. Yeah.
A
Yeah, exactly. So it's like, to me, I'm like, fucking thank God for this guy. At least he's showing up.
B
Availability. Availability. He's always there, dude. I think there's a chance I would ask of him to revise his policy on. On the nights we only have nine, including him. On those nights, I might be like, dude, I don't care if you come. I just need you to.
A
Or give me. Give me two shifts.
B
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, dude, every pop in here and there.
C
Play the power play.
B
I would ask him to revise his policy, but that is pretty much my only note, because the last line of this, I couldn't agree more with. I don't know when he truly started beer league, but 40. If he was in his 20s, 40 years of beer league, and you're contributing. Yes. Unbelievable. You do whatever the fuck you want.
C
I have a crazy one. Why don't we politely ask the other team if he can sit on their bench for the second period?
B
Just like, incredible take.
A
Or make one of their guys sit for the second period.
C
Yeah.
B
And I have this actually spun me into a crazy thought. I'm gonna get fucking sewered for this. I think. But I'm actually just realizing now how right I am in beer league. Maybe if you want to fight me about like no gold league. A league, keep it anything not gold or a league. Beer league shouldn't switch sense. Like, who fucking cares?
C
Oh, you mean like they're getting a little too official?
B
Like, oh my God, I thank God we switched sides for the second period in my fucking beer league game. Just fucking play. Just play, dude. Like, it's not like there's an advantage to sides. It's just more convenient. Who fucking cares?
A
I think I
B
agree. I like, I'm like, oh wow, we got him on the long change in the second period of my C league game on Thursday. Like, who? It's like, yeah, just fucking play, dude. Like on pond hockey, we're not like, switch sides. It's like, fucking play.
A
I think my take is, dude, if you can't handle the fucking long change, you're a agree.
B
But it's just, who gives a.
A
Like, just play because it's hockey. Like, I don't need to change the rules of hockey for a difference of 20ft.
B
Okay, I hear that too.
A
So, like that if it were inconvenient, 20ft means he can't play this guy Time. This guy is very unique. Okay, let's not act like this is normal.
C
He's almost 60.
A
I'm, I, I am not with that. Cuz I'm like, who cares, dude? And like it's hockey. Like, I'm like, it's, it's what we know and it's cool. Oh, the one I do always agree with you on and like, I think the NHL does it. Switching in overtime is the dumbest thing I've ever seen in my. Dude, it's, it's actually, it's actually insane. That is so. I have no problem with this guy. I think this guy could give a little bit more. And I, my, my, my message is if you are going to set out the second period, you've got to be bringing it somehow. Like you got to be chirping. Actually, I don't even like chirping. In year league you've got to be like the beer guy on the bench. Like, you've got to be like gassing up the boys, maybe snapping some beers around. It's Sea League, you know, you should be drinking while you're playing in Sea League. But this is a wild move.
B
He probably has some extra juice in the third too, to get the third. You know, everyone else is a little tired.
A
I think he's got.
B
I think he's got two periods a night in him.
A
That's the only juice he has.
C
He needed that nap in the second period to just get this.
B
I love this guy. I love this guy.
A
This guy's crazy.
C
Love it.
A
That's going to do it for this episode of the Empty Netters podcast, guys, please like and subscribe. Subscribe, subscribe, subscribe. Send us out to all of your friends, anyone who's rocking the World Cup. Make sure they know about us because we're talking World cup all summer. We've got our unbelievable Love island recaps coming out every Sunday. Make sure you tune into those and watch Love Island. It's so, so fun. We've also got our amazing new cooking show with some of the craziest pregame meals around the NHL 5pm Special that's dropping on Fridays. Go check out the latest one with Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and Tyler Toffoli making appearances. Those sons of bitches got us. It's great stuff. We love you guys. We got some great new merch dropping soon. All the fun stuff. Have an amazing, amazing, amazing Tuesday and we'll see you next episode.
B
Skate hard.
Date: June 23, 2026
Hosts: Almost Friday Media (A, B, C = rotating hosts)
This episode is a fast-paced, banter-heavy breakdown of one of the wildest points in the NHL offseason: Brady Tkachuk’s blockbuster trade to the Florida Panthers, joining his brother Matthew. The hosts dive deep into the implications for both teams, the ripple effect across the league, player empowerment and the Americanization of the NHL, a flurry of other trades/signings, plus a hilarious international listener section and beer league advice.
Theme: Chaos & culture shift in the NHL—player-driven moves, playoff afterglow, the US World Cup run, and what it means to be a modern hockey fan.
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Key News:
Breakdown:
Notable Quote:
“Shut your fucking whore mouth and sit back and watch the fucking pony show.” (A, 07:00) — re: Twitter haters doubting his trade predictions.
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Big Picture: This move makes the Panthers the league's preseason juggernaut.
Uncertainty at goalie: Sergei Bobrovsky (UFA), Helly rumors, discussion of contract priorities ("Bob’s out here asking for a 6x6. Do you know how old you are, brother?").
Credit to GM Bill Zito for roster wizardry: “None of you fuckers know what I’m doing.” (A, 22:38)
If Florida sorts out their goalie, they could be unstoppable.
Fun segment:
Side discussion: The hosts push the "More brothers together!" agenda, openly hoping for a future Hughes brothers reunion.
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Irreverent, fast-talking, sharp and hockey-obsessed, this episode skewers Twitter trolls, celebrates NHL chaos, and hypes both the summer of American sports and the slow-motion transformation of NHL team-building.
If you love hot takes, league gossip, frat-energy sibling feuds, and beer league wisdom—this is your episode.