Emergency Trade Deadline Day And The NHL Draft

Summary

Empty Netters Podcast – "Emergency Trade Deadline Day And The NHL Draft"

Date: June 25, 2026
Host: Dan Powers, Dr. Watkins, Chris
Podcast: Almost Friday Media

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Episode Overview

This “emergency” episode dives into one of the most chaotic weeks of the hockey year—NHL Trade Deadline Day and the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft. The hosts (brothers and former players turned beer leaguers) break down major trades, RFA and offer sheet implications (with special focus on Connor Bedard), and the shifting landscape for several teams, especially the Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, and more. Layered with classic Empty Netters chemistry and unfiltered hockey humor, the discussion weaves expert-level analysis with absurd anecdotes.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Buffalo–Chicago Blockbuster & Connor Bedard Offer Sheet Deep Dive

• Bowen Byram Trade Discussion

  • Byram, a highly-touted left-shot defenseman, traded from Buffalo Sabres to Chicago Blackhawks for the 4th overall pick, Louis Crevier, and a second round pick.
  • Hosts debate trading a proven top-4 D for a draft pick:
    • "I've long said Bowen Byram has been moved too many times for how good he is." (Dan, 02:41)
    • Chicago "overpaid a little bit, but you got to make some shit happen" (Dan, 19:43)
  • Byram’s history: moved from Colorado to Buffalo due to cap/talent crunch; expected to extend in Chicago.

• Connor Bedard RFA Offer Sheet Masterclass

  • Deep-dive on RFA offer sheet process, compensation tiers, and why more GMs should weaponize them.
  • If Bedard received a max offer ($11.7M+ AAV), the compensation would be four 1st round picks.
  • Dr. Watkins: “I would give him 11.6 because A. I think he will be plenty worth that... and you put the screws on the Hawks as much as possible.” (08:53)
  • Breakdown of teams with enough cap space to submit an offer sheet (Anaheim, Boston, Detroit, LA, etc.), with hosts role-playing who “should send.”
  • Overall position: “There are [at least] 29 teams that should be sending this offer sheet right now.” (Dr. Watkins, 09:50)

• Bedard’s Next Contract:

  • General agreement Bedard will re-sign, likely long-term, with Chicago. But, “What if he pulls a ‘trade me’?” moment considered.
  • Chris jokes, “I know why he’s staying. Two words: Lou Malnati.” (Chicago deep dish pizza, 18:50)

2. Other Major Trades & Team Directions

• Jordan Kyrou to Washington Capitals

  • “On paper, the Caps won because… I still value [Kyrou] so high because of what he has done.” (Dr. Watkins, 20:57)
  • Blues seem eager to move on; hosts debate “addition by subtraction” dynamics when a talented player just doesn’t fit a team’s culture.

• Eklund to Ottawa (Sharks‘ Direction)

  • William Eklund traded to Ottawa Senators; Sens receive a young playmaker to reunite with Zetterlund.
  • Sharks' move signals intention to take Iverstenberg at 2nd overall: “I think it is a clear indicator they are taking Iverstenberg.” (Dan, 27:52)
  • Debate: should teams “draft for need” vs. “take the best player available”? Dr. Watkins argues, “Just get the dope guys. You’ll figure it out.” (28:31)
  • Both agree Ottawa has managed the fallout from losing Brady Tkachuk well.

• Devils Send Nemec to Calgary

  • Simone Nemec, once a prized Devils prospect, finally dealt for two future firsts and a second. Dan: “If the [NJ] Devils do not use both of those picks in moves to get better right now, you have failed this move." (32:27)
  • Urgency: With the Devils' young core, it’s win-now mode.

3. Trade Rumors and Big Names on the Move

• Alex Tuch done in Buffalo:
  “I've never seen a dude more gone in my life than Alex Tuch.” (Dr. Watkins, 33:54)
  Implication: Both sides are ready to move on, sign-and-trade possible.

• Sabres Regression?
  Despite their strong finish last season, with Tuch and Byram gone, “the Sabres are about to miss playoffs… Look at your roster. This is not a scary roster in any way.” (Dr. Watkins, 37:07)

• Morgan Rielly to Sharks?
  “Morgan Rielly has apparently sent in a list... but he’s out in Toronto, and what we’re hearing right now is the Sharks are happening.” (Dan, 38:25)

  • Exhaustive debate about Rielly’s power play value, declining offense, and need for the Sharks to add a “true” D-man who can lock things down.

• Zach Werenski on the block
  “If Zach weren’t moved this summer and it happens after the draft, I think that is a massive miss.” (Dan, 44:53)

  • Where should he land? Boston or Vegas are logical spots, but LA and Tampa are thrown in for the fun of it.

• Connor Hellebuyck rumors
  Florida, Vegas, and Carolina could be players:
  “If Carolina drops their nuts and also goes and gets Hellebuyck—I'd feel bad for Bussy, honestly, but it'd still be [cool].” (Dr. Watkins, 50:45)

4. NHL Draft: Preview and Predictions (60:00+)

• Draft likely to go “chalk”:

  • “If you’re 30 minutes late to the draft and missed the first five picks, don’t worry.” (Dr. Watkins, 61:30)
  • Hosts predict Gavin McKenna to the Leafs first overall, followed by Stenberg (Sharks), Malhotra (Canucks), Reed (Sabres), Carrolls (Rangers), Smith (Flames).
  • "Enjoy the draft picks being traded. That's where the fun is." (Dr. Watkins, 60:58)

• Skepticism about overhyping the 2026 class; real entertainment is in the pick trades.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On RFA offer sheets and the Bedard sweepstakes:
  “Everyone on earth should offer him $11.5 million.” (Dr. Watkins, 08:24)

• The Buffalo/Chicago trade, in a nutshell:
  “I'm getting a guaranteed Bowen Byram instead of a hope that it becomes Bowen Byram… win for the Hawks. But on the other hand… you need to be getting way more than Bowen Byram for the fourth overall pick.” (Dr. Watkins, 15:12)

• Why a big move (Werenski) after the draft is dumb:
  “Can we talk about that? Oh, dude, I'm flabbergasted… Do it now.” (Dr. Watkins, 42:24)

• Fireworks discourse:
  “You seen one firework, you’ve seen them all.” (Dan, 86:28)

• Classic EN banter:
  “You can't get food poisoning from eating butt. That's crack to table, dude. As healthy as it gets.” (Dan, 01:35)

• On washing machines as hampers:
  “There is water residue and moisture in your washing machine… so putting your clothes in there, you're inviting the increase of mold and like bad smells to your clothing.” (Dan, 63:41)

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Fun and Off-the-Rail Side Segments

• Laundry Mistakes 101 (63:33–66:58):
  A (seriously funny) tangent about using washing machines as hampers, overloading machines, dryer inefficiency, and the physics of hang-drying near the beach.

• Photo/Vid Blind Reaction Game (72:00–84:29):
  Hosts blind-react-share old personal photos and videos, revealing hilarious backstories from COVID times, weddings, and drunken misadventures—interlaced with chirping and self-deprecation.

• Fireworks Rant (84:35–88:41):
  Old-man energy about amateur fireworks; agreement that they’re overrated except on 4th of July, but fun nostalgia for New England-style 4th.

• World Cup Kit Blind Rankings (88:43–95:17):
  A classic “blind ranking” bit as the hosts judge the aesthetics of 2026 soccer World Cup jerseys—leading to unexpected admiration for Canada’s black (cocaine pond) away kit and disappointment in the USA’s “Where’s Waldo” stripes.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:28 — Buffalo–Chicago Byram trade breakdown
• 04:17 — Bedard’s RFA situation & full offer sheet explainer
• 10:14 — Who can/would send a Bedard offer sheet? Cap space rundown
• 20:40 — Jordan Kyrou to Capitals, trade reaction
• 27:01 — William Eklund to Ottawa, Sharks’ draft/roster strategy
• 31:58 — Devils–Flames Nemec trade & "use your picks now" debate
• 33:48 — Alex Tuch as top UFA, Buffalo's looming regression
• 38:05 — Morgan Rielly trade rumors (to San Jose)
• 42:12 — Werenski trade logic and fit for Boston/Vegas (and why it needs to happen now)
• 50:41 — Hellebuyck trade destinations (Vegas, Carolina)
• 55:03 — Mike Babcock hired by Edmonton: predictions, league's “old boys' club” rant
• 59:51 — Quick NHL Draft preview; “chalk” predictions
• 63:33 — Washing machine as hamper debate
• 72:00 — “What Was Happening Here?” — hosts react to each other’s wild photos
• 84:35 — Fireworks tangent (“seen one, seen them all”)
• 88:43 — Blind ranking: 2026 World Cup soccer kits

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Tone, Style & Chemistry

The hosts mix sharp hockey IQ and transaction analysis with irreverent, chaotic brotherly energy. Banter runs from crude (“That’s crack to table, dude”) to inside-joke-laden, and they’re quick to veer into lively sidebars, while always looping back to debate real roster construction dilemmas facing teams. They reference players and coaches on a first-name basis, mock “the league’s horniness,” and constantly chirp each other.

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For New Listeners: Takeaways

• If you want a no-B.S., insightful hockey pod with equal parts trade breakdowns and deranged “locker room” humor, this is your show.
• The NHL is in a transformative, hyper-active era—expect big trades before, during, and after the Draft.
• The offer sheet route is criminally underused, but this upcoming RFA class could change that.
• If you think NHL GMs play too safe: Listen and get schooled.
• Also, never use your washing machine as a hamper.

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[End of Summary]

Transcript

[Dan Powers]

Welcome to the Empty Netters podcast.

[Dr. Watkins]

Can you believe what this has become? There's a full 48 hours where I

[Chris]

felt like I was like literally Superman.

[Dan Powers]

Jumbo loves playing Fortnite, so he gets on the sticks. Did TR show you the saunacycle or was that all you did? No, I invented that.

[Dr. Watkins]

Almost a year now that I haven't taken a body check. That's kind of nice.

[Dan Powers]

So we are back. We are horned up and we are going deep.

[Chris]

Finished tonight with some chicken fingers and a few Guinnesses.

[Dan Powers]

Ran into you guys. And that's where this pod came to life. Ice is ready. And we're back. Back with another episode of the Empty Netters podcast, brought to you by BetMGM. I'm your host, Dan Powers. Dr. Watkins is rocking a sick ass denim tuxedo. That's right, Sticks. Feeling great, feeling groovy. And then over here, this idiot has food poisoning.

[Dr. Watkins]

CP as always. That's my food poisoning voice.

[Dan Powers]

Can we discuss the funny thing that happened in your food poisoning journey? The accusation. Oh. Cause I think it's pretty funny. You can say no.

[Dr. Watkins]

I think no.

[Dan Powers]

Okay.

[Dr. Watkins]

I'm just scared of what might happen. I get it, dude.

[Dan Powers]

I get it. That made me laugh real hard.

[Dr. Watkins]

I'll tell evidence.

[Dan Powers]

Because let me tell you what, dude, I can relate. I can relate when you're like, really?

[Chris]

Really?

[Dr. Watkins]

I actually was really happy that loop was like, oh, yeah. That happens to me all the time. Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Chris]

Did you get it from Eatin Butt?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Hell yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

Dude. Dude, Locke shoved his fucking ass crack into this microphone. That was yesterday. And now I'm talk into it.

[Chris]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. So I'm about to have food poisoning.

[Dan Powers]

You can't get food poisoning from eating butt. That's crack to table, dude. That's as healthy as it gets. Going right to the source. Listen, it's summertime and we've talked a lot about how we are so excited to just get a break from the sport that we love. And all we want to do is not talk about hockey in our Thursday episodes. We want to just talk about fun stuff. Maybe some World cup, maybe some goofy things. But the NHL is the horniest league in the world and it feels ridiculous for me to complain about that because this is everything I've ever asked for. All I've ever wanted was a horny league where teams realized that they should make moves before the draft when the draft picks are as valuable as anything.

[Dr. Watkins]

As valuable as what comes out of locks ass and is sitting on this microphone, this is a draft pick right here. Look at this. This come off.

[Chris]

Oh, is that a butt pube?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. This is what a first round draft pick is worth.

[Dan Powers]

So we have to just dive right in because there's just crazy shit going

[Chris]

on in the league.

[Dan Powers]

We had even more trades than what we talked about last episode. More moves and that's that. Starting off hot with the Buffalo Sabers.

[Dr. Watkins]

Dude, that's your boy right there.

[Dan Powers]

That's my boy. I've. I've long said Bowen Byram has been moved too many times for how good he is.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

But it's because he's just been in multiple situations where he is so good and there's a cap situation and a talent situation and he's like the odd man out. So he was in Colorado, won a cup, was the star of the parade.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Got dealt because Colorado needed to make moves. Needed to figure some stuff out. Didn't work for Colorado. Then he goes to Buffalo. And now Buffalo has a surplus of left shot studs horses on their team. And he, because of his contract, was the odd man out. But so why. Listen, don't even get me started, pal.

[Dr. Watkins]

But why was he.

[Dan Powers]

I think that was the wrong trade. But Buffalo feels great about the return. They trade him to the Chicago Blackhawks for the number four pick in the 2026 draft. This coming draft, they also get Louis Crevier and a second round pick. So pretty big deal. Jordan Greenway goes the other way as well. I wonder. So Chicago fans were tweaking, being like, yo, we gave a fourth for. For Byram. Is that way too rich? I think Byram's amazing, but that's rich, bro. But I think even as bad as Chicago is, Chicago, especially with Bedard, like, you gotta sign Connor Bedard, man.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

Like, let's. Let's look at the world here, brother. There are no guarantees in this life.

[Dr. Watkins]

In this life, dude.

[Dan Powers]

So Bedard is like, like he's an RFA man and I imagine he's going to sign, but what's he going to sign? Is he about to sign like a two year bridge? Is he about to sign a four year bridge? Is he about to sign a seven year deal and be like this? I'm in no matter what. Is he about to go like this? I'm not signing. Trade me.

[Dr. Watkins]

That would be gas, dude. But he's signing. He's going to sign a seven year deal. He's in no matter what. Here we go. All aboard the fucking Polar Express.

[Dan Powers]

Do you think there's any offer sheet that could be sent Connor Bedard's way. That a team wouldn't match?

[Dr. Watkins]

No. That Chicago would match? No, but he should. They should receive 31 offer sheets.

[Dan Powers]

Well, I disagree with that. I mean, let's just think about it rationally. Like if you are the Aves, if you're the Panthers, you're not offer sheeting Connor Bedard.

[Dr. Watkins]

Why? Because what happens if you. So if you offer sheet something, if you send someone a deal, I go, this is what I would pay him. And then the team goes, we do not match. Then there's a tier amount of picks you get. So it's like if it's over 10, 8, you get 4.

[Dan Powers]

The offer sheet is greater than or equal to 11.7 million a year. That equates to four first round picks. This is actually a great lesson for some listeners who don't know this. If the give me a bracket and by offer sheet. So when a player is an rfa, any team in the league can send an offer sheet to the team that owns that rfa. In this instance, the Chicago Blackhawks. So let's say I'm the Boston Bruins and I go, I'd like Connor Bedard. I send an offer sheet which is a contract offer to the Chicago Blackhawks and it will equal to a certain AAV number. The years don't matter. It's just is what it is. If that offer sheet is sent, the team that owns that player's rights, who is the RFA has the option to either match it or not. Now also the player has to sign the contract.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

So an offer, she can come in and the Chicago Blackhawks can go like this. No. And I believe the player can also go like this. No, I don't. I'm not signing that. So gone.

[Dr. Watkins]

I don't want to play that.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, but usually that doesn't happen. We saw the RFA offer sheet. Actually, you know what? Hold on, Evan.

[Chris]

It's typing sounds computer. I'm not cutting any of this. This is going to stay in. Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Okay. That can all stay in. They can refuse. Yeah. So in this instance, we're going to go through what your compensation is. So if a team goes like this, I am not matching. And that team that sent the offer sheet goes boom, we've signed this player. They have to pay compensation to the Blackhawks.

[Dr. Watkins]

And just to be clear, and you said this, but I want them to understand if the player goes, I'm in. I will. I would play there. And then this, this contract comes in the own. The team that owns that Player. The Hawks in this case now has to pay them that much. Like if they were like, we're going to get bedsy at nine.

[Dan Powers]

Oh yeah. And then if you want to match it, you literally have to match the exact offer.

[Dr. Watkins]

So if we go, we're going to get Bedsy at 9 and then the Bruins go 11, the Hawks go, fuck you, dude, because now we have to pay him 11 or he's a Bruin.

[Dan Powers]

So here's where I want. We start at the top. 11.7 greater than or equal to is four first round picks. The next one between 9.36 mil and 11.7 mil, which in my opinion is

[Dr. Watkins]

a great number, is what he will get.

[Dan Powers]

Two first round picks, one second round pick and one third round pick, which

[Dr. Watkins]

is essentially less than Brady Kachuck's.

[Dan Powers]

Dude, that is the easiest fucking I will pay that you have ever seen.

[Dr. Watkins]

So everyone on earth should offer him 11.5 million. So 11.6 million.

[Dan Powers]

While I don't think that 31 teams should, I do look at like a Boston Bruins, for example, who are desperate for a center. I would fucking send that offer sheet yesterday.

[Dr. Watkins]

It's insane.

[Dan Powers]

And listen, if they match it, they match it. But I would straight up go like this. We are offer sheeting Connor Bedard seven by fucking ten and a half.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

And that is two first round picks.

[Dr. Watkins]

Dude, I would give him 11.6 because A. I think he will be plenty worth that.7 by 11.6. That is easily going to pay for itself. And you put the screws on the Hawks as much as possible. Chris.

[Dan Powers]

The Boston Bruins, literally the only people they have to sign are, are you going to sign Victor Arvidson and Andrew Peak? Yep, that is it. And you have $11.5 million in cap space. The Boston Bruins have been desperate for a center. If you are the Boston Bruins, how do you not offer sheet Connor Bedard.

[Dr. Watkins]

Okay? And then here the reason, as we've

[Dan Powers]

seen, dude, everyone's fucking making like it's a new day. Oh yeah, it is a new day. And if you are the Boston Bruins, dude, miss me on the like, I obviously fucking love the players that they have and like, you know, like, I believe in Higgins and Dean Letourneau and all that, but like, dude, Connor Bernard's right there. Yeah, send that offer sheet and make Chicago match. And they will.

[Dr. Watkins]

That's what I'm saying.

[Dan Powers]

They will match it. But make them match it.

[Dr. Watkins]

And dude, here was my question. So. Yes, and not, not just the Bruins. I think there are fine, maybe not 31. But there are 29 teams that should be sending this offer sheet right now. And there are. There are 10 teams that should be sending one over 11.7 and, and really putting it on Colorado or on Chicago. There are. There are 10 teams that should go. Here's seven by 13. Suck me.

[Dan Powers]

Let's do it.

[Dr. Watkins]

Okay.

[Dan Powers]

Every team. So like Colorado literally can't. They don't even have the cap space.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, I guess Florida can't.

[Dan Powers]

Edmonton can't. Dallas probably can't.

[Dr. Watkins]

Hold on. Let's do it this way. Do you have a list of cap space?

[Dan Powers]

I'm looking at it, right? That's what I'm doing.

[Dr. Watkins]

So do. Give me. Just read me the teams that don't have the space. Even though you could create it. Read me the teams that don't have the space.

[Dan Powers]

Teams that don't have the space. And what's the number? We think 11. We'll call it 11. Okay. Teams that literally right now do not have the space. Colorado.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, just read them all.

[Dan Powers]

Okay. Colorado, Dallas. Edmonton. Florida. Minnesota. Montreal. Just barely. Montreal Islanders, Vegas. And that's it.

[Dr. Watkins]

Okay. Okay, so now read me the teams that have 11 mil.

[Dan Powers]

Anaheim ducks.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yes. Send.

[Dan Powers]

Boston Bruins.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Buffalo Sabres.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Carolina Hurricanes.

[Dr. Watkins]

Probably don't need it, but send.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Columbus Blue Jackets.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Calgary Flames.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Chicago Blackhawks. Obviously. Detroit red wings.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

100% send.

[Dr. Watkins]

You just lost Larkin.

[Dan Powers]

LA Kings.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Yup.

[Dr. Watkins]

God damn it, dude, Are you kidding me?

[Dan Powers]

Nashville Predators.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

New Jersey Devils.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

New York Rangers.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Ottawa Senators.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Philadelphia Flyers.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Pittsburgh Penguins.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Seattle Kraken.

[Dr. Watkins]

Sending.

[Dan Powers]

San Jose Sharks.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

St. Louis Blues.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Tampa Bay Lightning.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Toronto Maple Leafs.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Utah Mammoth.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Vancouver Canucks.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Washington Capitals.

[Dr. Watkins]

Send.

[Dan Powers]

Winnipeg Jets. Send.

[Dr. Watkins]

And I'm being dead serious.

[Dan Powers]

I am too.

[Dr. Watkins]

Be like this. I'll take Bedard for fucking two first round picks.

[Dan Powers]

I am too.

[Dr. Watkins]

And here.

[Dan Powers]

And I genuinely think the Boston Bruins, you would be. Look at me fools to not send that rfa.

[Dr. Watkins]

Do you think this is what I was. This is the only reason I brought this up in the first place. Sorry for the massive tangent. We were talking about Bowen. Byron. Uh, if the Panthers cleared cap space, for example, and went like this, we are sending Bedsy 7 by 13. And the Hawks go, fuck, I can't match that. And the Panthers go, great, you're on our team now. Is it. Is it just the next available first rounders? Because they would go, you don't have the next four. Or is that a loophole? Dude, you go like this. We don't have any. Fuck You. Yeah, you could take our best pick in the next four years, but you certainly can't have first rounders because we do not have them. I think that's. We gotta check the fine print in the RFA bylaws, dude, because I think if you maybe don't have any first round picks, you don't have to send them because they're gone. They don't exist.

[Dan Powers]

Dude, this is like. This is amazing how obvious this is. Yeah. You should just absolutely let it rip.

[Dr. Watkins]

I'm in. I'm in.

[Dan Powers]

What I was going to say is he is. I think he's going to resign. And as bad as they were, I'm glad that Chicago made this move because that fourth overall pick isn't playing for this Blackhawks team for at least three years. So when you are in a situation where your star, new supposed to be franchise player has played his three years of that rookie deal, and you guys are brutal. Still, he's had some injury trouble. You're in the, like, look at the Sharks, look at the Ducks. We're in the same situation. One of those teams already made the playoffs. One of them just missed the playoffs. And both of them are infinitely in better situations than you are. So it is time to make moves and get this team better. Make Bedard happy and make your fans happy and start making a push here. So I like the move.

[Dr. Watkins]

I think there's a ridiculous catch 22 in this move. What is the origin of catch 22, Evan?

[Chris]

Is it things? It's a book. Wasn't it a book?

[Dr. Watkins]

And in the book, it's a soldier is trying to get out of the military because he goes, I'm crazy.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

I'm like, I'm having crazy episodes. But they go, anyone's crazy?

[Dan Powers]

It's From Joseph Heller's 1961 satirical novel of the same name.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. So anyone who says you're crazy can't be crazy because only. Only crazy people don't think they're crazy.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. In the book, it describes a circular military rule regarding World War II pilots trying to get out of dangerous missions. You can be excused from flying if you are deemed insane. However, asking to be excused demonstrates a rational concern for your own safety, which proves you are actually sane. Therefore, it is impossible to even be grounded.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

Catch 22.

[Chris]

You gotta get your buddy to say, this motherfucker is crazy, and then you'll get out.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep. So this is a catch 22 for me because I believe that a fourth overall. Wasn't Byram a fourth overall special? If he Was.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, I think so.

[Dr. Watkins]

I believe that you pray a fourth overall becomes Boeing 2019 fourth overall. So in that regard, like we always say this, I'm like, Bowen, Byron is awesome, and fourth overalls are, you know, you hope they're good. And I think you're like, oh, I pray my fourth overall becomes Bowen Byram. And in that case, it's a great deal for the Hawks because they're going, I'm getting a guaranteed Bowen Byram instead of a hope that it becomes Bowen Byron.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

Win for the Hawks. But on the other hand, with the way picks are valued, stupidly, but the way picks are valued, you need to be getting way more than Bowen Byron for the fourth overall pick.

[Chris]

So saying, like, save that chip for maybe something else.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. So I'm like, that, that is what

[Dan Powers]

I listen, the, the, the Blackhawks are getting flamed for this by some people, and I do think the return was the issue is like, I think Bowen is asking for like ten and a half million. So it's like, in approximately one year, you are. Now, if you're, I mean, if you just traded a fourth overall pick for him, you, you are going like this. We're signing you right now.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, yeah.

[Dan Powers]

So I, I, I think it was rich. I do think that they needed to make a move, but I do, I do want to agree with some of the boo birds in that. I think you maybe could have used that bullet on something better.

[Dr. Watkins]

I'm.

[Dan Powers]

But you have to imagine right now that with this kid, you are, you must be discussing extension right now.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, I'm sure you have to.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

To trade a fourth overall for him.

[Dr. Watkins]

I'm kind of surprised. He, he didn't have any. No trades, did he, or no. Yeah. I'm just kind of surprised. Like, it's not up to him, obviously, but if I were him, I don't know. Chicago has a future, obviously, but I'm kind of bummed if I'm him where I'm like, we were on Buffalo, we were buzzing. It was fun.

[Dan Powers]

And I, I mean, no doubt, dude. Like, Chicago has a ton of work to do. I mean, they have fucking $30 million in cap space. But, like, you absolutely have to sign Bedard right now. But that, that's the crazy thing.

[Dr. Watkins]

Bedard's about to be on Boston, and now Byron's here by him his fucking self.

[Dan Powers]

What, what I do love about the, the Hawks is that Spencer Knight is awesome.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Like, that was such a great get by them, and they have him locked up until 2029. So, like, you're. You're arguably 1A or 1B, most important position is filled with. And that's great. And I love Frankie Nazar. They've got some great players, but, like, I know everyone's so excited about Frondell. I really love Frondell. I think that was a great pick. But they. Even Bedard. I don't think Bedard has taken the jump yet because of injury that everyone expected.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, this year was great. This year was. This year was the first time I was like, bang, there he is. There you are, Peter.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, I mean, like he had 30 talks and 75 points. That's amazing. That or I mean, I'm not gonna say that's amazing.

[Dr. Watkins]

Me neither.

[Dan Powers]

Because, like, look at how far ahead of. Of him Macklin is.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, Yeah. I mean, that's tough.

[Dan Powers]

Like leaps and bounds ahead of him.

[Dr. Watkins]

69, 75 and 69 though.

[Dan Powers]

No, it's. It's fantastic. He's over point per game. Like, he's a. He's a very. I mean, he is. I don't want to say everything that people expected of him, but he is. I think he's on the way there, but

[Chris]

I know why he's staying. Two words. Lou Malnati.

[Dr. Watkins]

The Chicago Beef.

[Chris]

Chicago deep dish.

[Dr. Watkins]

The deep dish and the beef.

[Chris]

Stick around for the food.

[Dr. Watkins]

What about the deep dish, dude? What about the beef?

[Chris]

I mean, it's a great city.

[Dr. Watkins]

Chicago beef is pretty good, dude.

[Dan Powers]

It's a great city. It's a storied franchise. It's one of if not the best jerseys in the league. I think it's. Listen, I think Frendell had nine points in 12 games in. In his like, hey, enter the as 19 year old. Like, he is awesome. So you talk about Nazar, you talk about him, you talk about Lev Shinov. Like, now you've got Byram and I think Byram is awesome. I think Vlasic is sick. There is. There are reasons to go. We're obviously staying here and making it work.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

But I do think it is time to start making it work.

[Chris]

They're in win soon mode.

[Dan Powers]

It was, it was an aggressive mood. Aggressive mood. It was an aggressive move, but one that you had to make. I think you overpaid a little bit, but you got to make some shit happen.

[Dr. Watkins]

I agree.

[Dan Powers]

The question is, should you have like, if like a Zach Orensky is potentially on the move here, like, do you not go for that? Like, do you not say, hey, here's the fourth overall pick, here's a first round pick next year and and more. And give me Zach Warrenski.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yes, Dan, you do.

[Dan Powers]

So like, that's where I'm like, Chicago, I think you got. I think you blew your load here.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. Now you've got a bit of a mess on your hands.

[Chris]

Grab the Kleenex.

[Dan Powers]

This was supposed to be a dry run.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, dude.

[Dan Powers]

And I think you blew your load just a little bit. A little bit. But I like Byron. Now let's talk about Jordan Cairo.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

Jordan Cairo traded to the Washington capitals by the St. Louis Blues. Blues get back Connor McMichael, prospect Milton Gastron and a first round pick, number 16 this draft. Who won this trade?

[Dr. Watkins]

I think that. I'm going to say that on. On paper, in my opinion, the Caps won because I like McMichael actually a lot. And I thought he was, he's been, he's been very solid. Was it two years ago that he was great?

[Dan Powers]

McMichael had 46 points in 78 games this year. Last year he had 57 and 82 with 26 tons.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, like, I think last year I was like, yo, so. But I still think he's a very good player. The 16 means less than nothing to me. And Kyru, I think in my mind I still value so high because of what he has done. But dude, this is such a. That when there's smoke, there's fire thing to me with that kid. And I don't know him at all. I do not know him personally and I actually don't even know that many dudes that know him. Usually we're kind of a couple degrees away from a guy. I don't really have any connection to Jordan Cairo, but obviously we know Monty and the Kyro thing has just been a problem the whole time. I don't know why. I have no idea. With the first hints of like they might trade Cairo two years ago or whatever that was, we were like, what? He was coming off like 40 goals or something and I was like, what are you talking about? But it's just been an issue the whole time. Sometimes it's addition by subtraction. Again, I'm not making any commentary on the person or the locker room situation or the player. I do not know. I'm just saying it felt like the Blues had to get him off the team. He is now off the team. They got a guy back that I like who has some potential.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, he was an All Star in 20, 22, 21, 22. He had 75 points in 74 games, then 73, in 79, then 67 and 82 then 70 in 82 and now 46 in 72. The team struggled big time this year, so that kind of makes sense. But he went 27 goals, 37 goals, 31 goals, 36 goals, 18 goals. You'd like to think he's a 30 goal scorer.

[Dr. Watkins]

He better be.

[Dan Powers]

You got, I think the pay they, I think Washington paid so much because of how much term he has. He has five years left on a pretty reasonable deal and if he gets

[Dr. Watkins]

back to 80 points, 30 something goals, then, then they, then they're thrilled.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. The question is, does he get up to 80 like is, is, does he now play on this team and you're an 80 point guy.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

He's going to be playing with Strom, I would imagine. Yeah. It's the, the, the, the caps for me with that move are a little bit like what you're, you're, you're taking on so many question marks. Like pl. We love pl. But let's call it what it is. He's a question mark.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

And I think in that first year he was fantastic. I think last year he was less than what they wanted him.

[Dr. Watkins]

He was hurt the whole time.

[Chris]

Right?

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, sure. It was a combination of both. And now Kyro is like a guy who, for the last three years this team that drafted him has been like, we want this guy gone.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

So you have to be like, oh, why?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

So it's just a lot of question marks. A lot of question marks.

[Dr. Watkins]

Dude, isn't that funny with the world? Like you. I was looking at homes. I was looking at real estate, Los Angeles real estate the other day. And it's like, you find a cool house on Zillow and it's like days on Zillow, 266 price drop 300k, you know, and I'm like, yeah, you're like, who was murdered in here?

[Chris]

Termites, baby.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, truly. And that is what happens with these players where they're like, the Blues have been trying to trade Kyru for three years. And I'm like, this, what's going on?

[Chris]

What do they know?

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, it's always just a, like, what, what, what, what's happening?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

What's happening here? So I listen, it's a good move. I think we, we have sources saying that the Caps are making more moves.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. Something big. Something big's coming.

[Dan Powers]

So you think the Caps are going to make a big move and also we assume that OV is going to resign.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

So keep eyes.

[Dr. Watkins]

And by the way, that we're saying this on Wednesday, you're probably listening. You're listening on Thursday morning. But yeah, I think something's coming.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, by the time you're listening to

[Dr. Watkins]

this, I imagine something's coming today in Washington.

[Chris]

Quick, hold coffee cups up to your mouth and we can just dub over something later. Yeah, just. There you go. Mm. Yep.

[Dr. Watkins]

Dan, react, react big. Why we're gonna dub later. I'll say my prediction is. My prediction for the. My prediction for the big Washington capital's move today is

[Dan Powers]

perfect.

[Chris]

Okay, great.

[Dr. Watkins]

And now we got it.

[Chris]

Yeah, perfect.

[Dr. Watkins]

Now we got it. Dude, that's incredible.

[Chris]

That's editing.

[Dan Powers]

God, there's so much going on. Should we take an ad break?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, why not?

[Dan Powers]

Let's take an ad break.

[Dr. Watkins]

Why not? It's World cup time. Happens every four years, everybody. So get on board. And what makes watching the World cup games even more exciting is getting rewarded every single time the US Scores. And good news. The US Is the best team in the world and they score all the time. And it's pretty awesome. We're about to rinse Turkey. Who do we got tomorrow? Turkey. We're going to rinse Turkey tomorrow. Today. If you're listening to this. So right now you can get in on the BetMGM goal rush. Here's how it works. All you have to do is place a pre match bet of $5 or more on any match where the US is playing. So tonight, tonight they've got a game. And for every goal Team USA scores, you'll win a share of half a million dollars in bonus bets.

[Dan Powers]

1.

[Dr. Watkins]

Are you kidding me? Every goal means more chances to win. And after the match the bonus bets are split among all eligible winners. And if you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, what are you waiting for? Use that code netters. That's N E T T E R S. And you will get a fifteen hundred dollar new player offer on your first wager. You're chasing USA goals. Come on. That's awesome. BetMGM. Make it legendary now.

[Dan Powers]

Sharks. Sharks made a move. William Eklund traded to the Senators. Reunites with his best bun, Fabian Zetterland.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, love that. Love.

[Dan Powers]

Best buds getting back together. Sens also receive Casper Haltunen and the rights to forward prospect Brandon Svoboda. I think, sorry if I mispronounced that. That's for the number nine pick which was acquired in the Brady Chuck train. The haul for Ottawa from that deal looks fantastic in my opinion.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yes, actually, I agree.

[Dan Powers]

I think Ecky is an unbelievable player. I'm honestly to be like I was actually pretty shocked that the Sharks moved him.

[Dr. Watkins]

Me too.

[Dan Powers]

But I think it is a clear indicator that they are taking Iverstenberg.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, okay. Because we had said earlier that the two and nine.

[Dan Powers]

I mean, listen, I said package two, nine and A and go get Zach Orinsky right now.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

But I just. I don't know, man. Like, I don't think you can move Eki and now pass on. I think they're. I think the world we're looking at is that people are looking at Stenberg and being like, this guy's the fucking real deal.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. I guess that is the question. I'm. I remain really high on Misa, though.

[Dan Powers]

I know you do. And I think a lot of people. There are a lot of people who are saying that Misa would be a lock number one this year.

[Dr. Watkins]

I agree. So I'm like, what do you need? And I am never a guy who's like, we shouldn't. We don't take the best guy because we. We have team needs. I'm like, wrong if you. Like, If. I don't even give a shit if they keep both these picks, keep Misa and take Stenberg. I'm like, good, now you have a fucking billion dope dudes. You'll figure it out. That's the job for later. Just get the dope guys. So I'm so fine with that. But if you're like, oh, man, we lost Eklund. We need Stenberg. We can't package those guys because now we need another impact forward. I'm like, you have Misa, who is everything you would ever want from this draft. So you're completely fine on that front. And yes, I would. I would happily trade 2 and 9 for. If you could get. If you could pry off a Warrensky type guy, then I'm like, dude, see ya.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

And I'm so fine with that. If you can't, then, yes, take Stenberg and be happy.

[Dan Powers]

It is insane how young this team is.

[Dr. Watkins]

It's unbelievable.

[Dan Powers]

Like, if you look at their top six and, like, let's say they take Stenberg.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, you.

[Dan Powers]

You've got Toph in the mix as always. But, like, it's like Macklin, Will Smith, Colin Graff, Michael Misa, Igor Chernishov, and then Iverstenberg. If you add Stenberg and you bump Misa out to the thing, and it's like, you have a top six, who's the oldest player is, like, 21 years old.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

22 years old. It's insane.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. Graph, dude. And, like, graph's good, dude.

[Dan Powers]

I Love graph.

[Dr. Watkins]

Me too. I loved him in college so much. Misa's 18, bro. Mis is so good.

[Dan Powers]

Yes, dude. Misa's a child, but Eglin had a great year, dude. 53 points, 78 games. That's a good pickup for Ottawa. And again, like you're reuniting him with Zetzel and that's all, dude. People think that might mean. It's always great. Like you're just making your players happier right away. For me, I'm like, Ottawa, listen, sucks that Brady wanted out for you. You have done well.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Got a great haul for him. And now you immediately add a good player back in the mix in Eklund.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

And you still have tons of draft picks, a lot of cap space. So like Ottawa is like licking their wounds pretty well, I think, which is awesome. And Sharks now remain and add to, if you will, a very interesting. What are we doing to get better here? Because what's interesting is we kept talking about maybe you trade that two and. And pieces for a big player. What they might have just done is gone. Well, no, we're using the two and now we're going to trade the nine and players for a big.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Because the ninth overall pick is still a great fucking.

[Dr. Watkins]

Totally, dude.

[Dan Powers]

So there you go. I do think you wonder. No, nevermind. That's good. I'm excited for the Sharks. Excited to see what they do. Got another big draft haul. Simone Nemec's finally traded. Finally did trade it to the Calgary Flames. Devils also sent Maxime Cyplicoff and they get a conditional first round picks in the 2027 and the 2028 draft. Second round pick in the 2026 draft, this draft and defenseman prospect H.N. morin. And both picks are top 10 protected. Listen, I think Nemec is awesome. I don't think he's panned out in Jersey for whatever reason. I. In my opinion, he like. I think his value was higher at the deadline.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, you got two. That's a good haul.

[Dan Powers]

Conditional first round picks. And that's great.

[Dr. Watkins]

But, but, but they're. But they're protected and presumably the Devils. So hold on. The Flames.

[Dan Powers]

Well, you know, you know what my thing. And listen, this is what teams are doing. You now have two first round picks added to your arsenal. The Devils. If you fucking do not trade those right now. Yeah, I'm talking before the. I know both of them aren't. The first rounders are not this draft. But either way, if you do not make a trade in the next 30 days, you have Failed this move.

[Dr. Watkins]

That's a good take.

[Dan Powers]

It's not a take.

[Dr. Watkins]

Being protected is so ass. Because I'm like, so suck now, dude. Like, the blame so bad.

[Dan Powers]

So, so, so ass, you know? But, dude, I am telling you, the Devil, if you do not use both of those picks in moves to get better right now, you have failed. Because this Devil's team, dude, is not like, I don't care how young Jack Hughes is, you need to be trying to be good right now.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

And if they're like, oh, we're going to use those picks, I'm like, are you fucking crazy, dude? You are crazy. You got to make. You got to make plays like the Devils in this move. I. I was talking to Pasha yesterday, and he was like, we're 100% moving those. And I was like, you better, like. Because there is no. Like, there is no build for the future here with the Devils. Absolutely not. You need to be in playoffs next, no questions asked.

[Dr. Watkins]

I know, dude. Or there's going to be a mutiny on your hands.

[Chris]

Or.

[Dr. Watkins]

Or you trade Jack to Minnesota and get more picks back and then start building around Luke Hughes, who is the only Hughes you will ever possess.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. 100%. So they've got to make moves. Let's talk quickly on some of the names that are floating around right now. First, first up, Alex Duck. Yep. We were just talking about. We're seeing quotes from Yarmo that he's like, we're gonna miss him around here, but we'll be fine.

[Dr. Watkins]

I've never seen a dude more gone in my life than Alex Tuck.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

And it's crazy because there was all that talk about during playoffs. He doesn't have a fucking point in that series. And it was like, what? What do they do? He just lost himself a bunch of money. I was. I was thinking at the time, probably not because he was gonna take a hometowner at Buffalo anyway. Yeah, incorrect. Not only does it sound like he doesn't want to take a hometowner at Buffalo, but also, they don't want him. Yeah. Which is. I was so sure both sides were a yes. And then it was going to be sad if one side was a yes and one side was a no. Turns out they're both a no. Good riddance. Good day. Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

It's like he's gone. I think a sign and trade is still possible. I think the Caps are heavy on Tuck, but I do wonder the number. Like, it's. It's. You know, I. I really love the player. You always gotta. As we always say, I want, I want these guys to get as much fucking money as possible. But I don't think that he is over ten and a half. I, you know, I don't. I'm not even sure if he's 10.

[Dr. Watkins]

Right.

[Dan Powers]

And yeah, it's, it's like, it felt like things were so great in Buffalo, but now it's. He's. There's. He's not playing for the Sabres next year.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. Oh, it's over.

[Dan Powers]

So that's kind of interesting. Where he ends up will be even more interesting is a sign and trade. Something that's going to happen. I never really understand those, to be perfectly honest, but it's, it's with Buffalo, I'm now like, you just made playoffs in the most electric year of all time, and now you've lost Bowen Byram for a great return, and now you're about to lose Alex Tuck, who was one of your better players all season long. What do you do now? Because you can't regress if you're Buffalo. So this is another situation where it's like, okay, Tuck is gone. Whether you, if there are fans who are like, yeah, I didn't want to pay him, I'm happy about that. Okay, but you got to replace him. So what are you going to replace him with? Because when we, as we always talk about, I'm loving all these trades. If you just look at straight up UFAs, he was one of the top UFAs. So, like, if you lose him, what is the trade you're making now?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep. And, dude, I hope I'm wrong about this. What I'm about to say, I hope I'm wrong, but I have receipts that I don't want out there. But I have sent texts to people that were like, the Sabres are not good. Even during this heater that they were on, I was like, this team is not good. Their coach is not doing anything to make this happen. This isn't a coaching wizardry. That's happening here. And what a story. It was awesome. Yeah. Happy for Lindy. I'm happy with people. But I was like, nothing's happening from the coach. You are. You do not have cup caliber goalies and your team is playing super well and they deserve all the credit in the world because it was way more than a flash in the pan. You don't get to say the Sabres were a flash in the pan when they were the damn near best team in the league from December, whatever the fuck, ninth through the end of the year with the Avalanche in the league. Right so you did all that, but this Sabres team overperformed. They are not that good, in my opinion. I was expecting a regression anyway.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

And then there goes Byram, here goes Tuck. And I'm like, you guys aren't competitive, like, legitimately. And again, I hope I'm wrong, but I'm like, the Buffalo Sabres are about to miss playoffs and go, God damn it. And I'm going to go, what do you expect? Look at your roster. This is not. This is not a scary roster in any way, shape or form, especially with these dismissals.

[Dan Powers]

Listen, I don't like the way you're talking about the Sabres.

[Dr. Watkins]

I'm just trying to be real, dude.

[Dan Powers]

But, yeah, I can't sit here and puff up my chest and be confident in saying that you are wrong, because I. I hope I am.

[Dr. Watkins]

I hope the team is greater than the sum of their parts.

[Dan Powers]

I do agree that if they lose Byram and Tuck and do nothing, I'm

[Dr. Watkins]

a little bit like, what is this?

[Dan Powers]

That was not it.

[Dr. Watkins]

So.

[Dan Powers]

And, yeah, I do think it's a little weird how definitively Tuck is like, I am not coming back here. And, I mean, you're like, we're talking live here on a Wednesday morning. Yarmo is literally on the radio, and he was like, he's not coming back.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Like, that's that. They might trade his rights. They might do a sign and trade, but either way, Tuck is gone. Yep. So we'll see what happens with that. We're going to bump one up here. Morgan Riley. Morgan Riley has apparently sent in a list of several. I think, like, four or five teams that he's willing to be traded to, but he's out in Toronto, and what we're hearing right now is the Sharks are happening. Yep.

[Dr. Watkins]

So then. Then there goes the Rensky tirade, you would assume. What do I think about that? I wish The Sharks. Morgan Riley is a good talent and Will. Will have a field day on that power play.

[Dan Powers]

I disagree completely.

[Dr. Watkins]

You think? I think he's. Or what?

[Dan Powers]

Do you disagree, dude, what are you talking about? We. We've literally. All we have heard. All we have heard over the last five days from Toronto fans is how they have not had a good defenseman on the power play since 2017. Morgan Riley has been on the team that whole time.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. Okay. I was just thinking.

[Dan Powers]

Do not. Do not you dare try to say that this is an amazing power play pickup by the. By the Sharks.

[Dr. Watkins]

No, no, I didn't mean that. I'm saying. I was thinking it was a Bouchard situation where you now get the benefit of being on that power play. He gets the field day. Not the Sharks are getting a bonus. He is getting a bonus. Wow. I just. I' just added so many power points to my stats.

[Dan Powers]

I mean he was been. He has been on the power play with Austin Matthews and Willie Nylander and Mitch Marner. Are you telling me that you think Will Macklin, Celebrini and Will Smith are so much better than that?

[Dr. Watkins]

Nope. But I think Macklin, that's just what I think. I think he's going to have an incredible power play stat. Okay. This year.

[Chris]

Sure.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, if he goes to the Sharks.

[Dan Powers]

I mean, listen, I like Macklin more than any of those players. I do. But I don't think that this is like. Listen, any defensive ad for the Sharks is a. Is a massive win. I am not. Put it this way. Morgan Riley is very far removed from his 65 point season in my opinion. Morgan Riley had 65 points and 10 goals in 21:22 where he was, I believe or I actually don't even think he was an all star. But he. That is his second best of his career. He had 72 points in 2019 with 20 tucks. But since that 20 goal season he had 4 goals, 8 goals, 10 goals, 4 goals, 7 goals, 7 goals, 11 goals. Like Morgan Riley's going to get you 10 goals.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, I'm going to need more than that. I don't.

[Dan Powers]

You're not going to get it.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

He's 31 years old.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

And that's not that old. And I think Morgan Riley will be great. I think Morgan Riley is a great player. But Morgan Riley, I think realistically on this Sharks team you are hoping that he gets you 45 points.

[Dr. Watkins]

And where I was headed anyway was I would much prefer the Sharks to get someone who is playing D. Like I wish they would get a. Think of a good example because Slavin's too good. But I wish they would get a guy like what Morgan. The Morgan Riley percentage disparity between what he gives you on offense and defense. I wish they did the exact opposite.

[Dan Powers]

I think Kesselring is going. What I believe Kesselring can be is that guy.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, that's.

[Dan Powers]

Kesseling is going to be like I keep saying your four or five guy and I think he needs to be your penalty. Your PK1 eating fucking pucks type of guy. But either way, when you get a one like this is no, no disrespect meant but like if you are the Montreal Canadiens Lane Hudson is your one. He is not a great defensive player. He's getting better and better, and that's why he's awesome. But you are not going. He's also our penalty killer. Charlie McAvoy is that guy.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Zach Wenski is that guy. Cale McCarr is that guy. I don't think. Yeah, I don't think Riley is going. I think Riley's way better at defense than people give him credit for, but, yeah, he's not a slaven, so.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep. Yeah. No, I mean, like you said, any. Any Big D guy is good. But I would love. I would love a fucking lockdown, dude, on that Sharks team, because that's been a problem.

[Dan Powers]

Okay, next name. We've been skirting around it. Let's just quickly discuss Zacharysky.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

The news came out that we haven't talked about yet on the pod is that they. A statement was released that the Jacks are going to discuss his future after the draft, which I think is absolutely moronic. Can we talk about that?

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, dude, I'm flabbergasted.

[Dan Powers]

Like, what are you doing?

[Dr. Watkins]

Do it now.

[Dan Powers]

Absolutely.

[Dr. Watkins]

And also, what do you think if

[Dan Powers]

there's a conversation about his future that obviously I would assume means that he's maybe like, I would like out of here. So you have to have that conversation right now, dude.

[Dr. Watkins]

Not only because you could trade that pick, but also because if the. If who you take is. Is Zach Rowensky is hanging in the balance of who you take, then I would want his opinion immediately. I would go, zach, tell me. Tell me who you want me to fuck, and I will fuck them, dude. And then that's it. Then you can stay without question, Chris,

[Dan Powers]

like, truly point at something, something, and I will. I will fellate it. Yeah, but these are those weird situations where, like, I don't even know what these conversations are.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

It's like. It's like, I always talk about this with relationships when people are like this.

[Dr. Watkins]

Like, we're.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, we're. We're having, like, a really serious conversation. We're going to couples theory, couples therapy. We're doing this, we're doing that. And I'm like, just break up, dude. Yeah, now that's a. That's a pessimistic take. And I'm being. I'm. I'm joking around, but you know what I mean?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

For. For Warrensky, it's like, if you are sit with. What does he have two years left on his deal at 9.5. Something. If you're Warrensky and you want this conversation, to me, I just don't know. I don't know what Columbus could possibly say that makes me totally change my tune. Yeah. 9.58. Two more years. And it sucks because I think that they're good. I think they've got a solid little squad. But you just look at the competition in the. In the east even, and it's like, fuck me.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Like, I don't know, like, what are they. What's going to happen that's going to get them up over the edge?

[Dr. Watkins]

I know, dude.

[Dan Powers]

They've got to re. They've got to give Fance his RFA deal. They've got Boone Jenner, who's a ufa, sounds like he's on the move. Mason Marshman is ufa. Cole Cylinder is an rfa. They've got just like. And I. I'm pretty sure Marchenko is RFA next year. And people are already talking about, like, do they move him too?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

So now I'm like, are you guys in full blow up rebuild mode? So to me, the. If put it this way, if Zach weren't moved this summer and it happens after the draft, I think that is a massive miss me too. So it's like, how do you not fucking talk right now?

[Dr. Watkins]

Get on the phone.

[Dan Powers]

How do you not get that figured out right now? Let's bump that conversation up. Let's have that future talk.

[Dr. Watkins]

Maybe on Friday, maybe you could change his calendar. Like, you know, you trick him, you change his phone settings, make him think it's.

[Chris]

Yeah. You hack him. Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

And I go, dude, it's July 10th. Let's chat. And he goes, Amazing.

[Chris]

I slept for three weeks.

[Dr. Watkins]

He goes, what did I do for the 4th? And I go. And we have edited photos. Nate makes a bunch of photos of Varinsky partying on the floor. And we go, dude, you ripped it up.

[Dan Powers]

You have absolutely got to have that conversation.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Right fucking now. Where do you like for him?

[Dr. Watkins]

The Sharks.

[Dan Powers]

Really? Like, I know the Sharks make sense, but where do you like for him?

[Dr. Watkins]

Like, if I'm him, where am I? Happy.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Or like, as a fan of Zachary, where are you happy? Because I have one that no one's talking.

[Dr. Watkins]

Talking about. Who?

[Dan Powers]

Boston.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, yeah. It's always Boston for you.

[Dan Powers]

What have I ever said Boston? Other than the Connor Bedard situation, when that was a situation.

[Dr. Watkins]

2 today.

[Dan Powers]

Also talked about 25 other teams.

[Dr. Watkins]

2 today, Dan. 2 today.

[Dan Powers]

That was an example.

[Chris]

Might as well be a Dunkin Donuts.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. Jesus Christ. What's in that? What's in that?

[Dan Powers]

Never It's.

[Dr. Watkins]

It's Dunkin Donuts. Yeah. Boston would be good.

[Dan Powers]

I think you put him and Charlie McAvoy together, how special would that look?

[Dr. Watkins]

Little USA vibes. We need more USA vibes.

[Dan Powers]

And as we keep talking about Boston, for the first time in a long time has they have prospects and they have picks.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

And you look at what Brady Tkachuk got, if you go, you know, one of. One of their great prospects, maybe you go Mason Lori, you go two first round picks, maybe a Zaka, you know, maybe a middle stat. I don't know. Yeah. But the money works.

[Dr. Watkins]

And

[Dan Powers]

there's a lot of talk about not bringing back Andrew Peak because you want to improve the defense. There you go. There's your left shot guy. You. You allow Hampus to be the second line guy. You allow, like, Lori's not. If he's included in the deal.

[Dr. Watkins]

Whatever.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, I think it's a. I think it's something that Sweeney should absolutely be considering.

[Dr. Watkins]

Ye.

[Dan Powers]

We've given him so much credit over this last year of the re tool and how fast it's gone. But as I. As we keep saying, like, going into that playoff series, I was like, they're not winning this series.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

And as. As fun as this season was for Boston getting into the playoffs and as. As even keeled as they were all season, they are not. They are not competing for a cup right now with the current roster. And if you are a Boston fan and if you are the Boston brass and you hear David Posternak being like, I'm 30, dude.

[Dr. Watkins]

What's going on?

[Dan Powers]

Like, let's go. Charlie McAvoy's getting older. Sway is playing phenomenally. Capitalize on that. Make a trade. Like, you're looking at all these teams doing it. Sweeney, you can't have been gotten back into the good graces here and then sit back. Like, I think Boston needs to make a big trade, too, and I think that's one I would look at.

[Dr. Watkins]

I love that.

[Dan Powers]

You got anyone? You're just gonna sit there?

[Dr. Watkins]

I don't have anyone.

[Dan Powers]

Okay. You like the Sharks?

[Dr. Watkins]

I like the Sharks, but the problem is I was just thinking of teams that I want to get D, but then, like, they stink. So then I don't want him to go there. Like, everyone that comes behind, I'm like, oh, that wouldn't be fun for him. Vegas. Vegas would be cool.

[Dan Powers]

Vegas would be cool. Because, like, here's the thing. Like, Rensky's 28. I know he's like, this. His next deal is his last deal. And I imagine if he gets moved, he's like, I want to move to the team that I retire with.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. He goes to Vegas.

[Dan Powers]

He has a great life.

[Dr. Watkins]

Plays with Jack. Team usa plays with Hanifin. Team usa. Petrangelo's not coming back.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

Probably wins a cup in Vegas.

[Dan Powers]

Vegas is a very good one. I like that. Yeah, I love that. I love la. I love Tampa.

[Dr. Watkins]

Ooh, LA would be fun.

[Chris]

I love Lamp.

[Dr. Watkins]

I love Lamp.

[Dan Powers]

There's so many moves that LA needs to make, and I genuinely. I just don't know what they have to.

[Dr. Watkins]

I know. That's the problem.

[Dan Powers]

It's brutal. Okay, last one. Two seconds. Hella buck. If we do think that that move is happening, do you think Florida's out?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

Because I. They've already. Their. Their cap makes no sense.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, I don't. I don't think I agree with that.

[Dr. Watkins]

The amount of players that they have under the cap is. The cap was built to make sure the Florida Panthers, as currently constructed, couldn't possibly exist. That is the entire reason for the NHL salary cap. And then they have done it anyway. And then if they also get Hella Buck, then this is. They should get rid of the cap and make it European.

[Dan Powers]

They'll have to trade a player, but they've got seven mil. They do have some guys to sign, though. Yeah. I don't think. I don't think the Panthers can do it. Do you think Vegas can do it?

[Dr. Watkins]

How much space do they have?

[Dan Powers]

Like, you trade Aiden Hill. Dude, this is the other thing I think people forget. Hellebuck is on 7.5. I think that's insane. 8.5, but, like, that's not that much.

[Dr. Watkins]

It's great. It's great.

[Dan Powers]

Hellbuuck is on 8.5 for several more years and Vegas currently only has 4.6. But we talked about. They're probably going to bury stone. How much is he getting really hurt? But aiden Hill's on 6.2. Like, you can trade Aiden Hill and

[Dr. Watkins]

now you have enough for Hellbug.

[Dan Powers]

Like maybe Dorothiev, right?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. Great. Because you gotta get him. Yeah, you gotta pay to get him. Oh, that's tricky, though, because then you go like, hellebuck, Vegas wins the cup this year if they have Hella Buck. But then you go, we now lose stone. We don't have stone next year. Theoretically. And you've lost Dorothy. And I'm like, jesus Christ. Yeah, so, yeah, that one's tricky.

[Dan Powers]

I think they're in the running, though.

[Dr. Watkins]

They are. They are.

[Dan Powers]

For sure. They are. I also think Carolina is.

[Dr. Watkins]

Me too.

[Dan Powers]

I love that would be. If Carolina drops their nuts and also goes and gets hella box.

[Dr. Watkins]

I'd feel bad for Bussy, honestly, but it'd still be.

[Dan Powers]

I know, me too.

[Dr. Watkins]

Be like, oh, dude.

[Dan Powers]

But I think Carolina is definitely in the running for that, which would be very exciting.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, that would be nasty.

[Dan Powers]

Hey, dude, the wa. It's. As we said, something's about to happen with Washington capital.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yes.

[Dan Powers]

Percolating.

[Dr. Watkins]

I know.

[Dan Powers]

Percolating. Okay, let's talk about Babcock and then get to an ad break.

[Dr. Watkins]

Officially hired.

[Dan Powers]

Officially hired. Do you have anything more to say other than what we've already said?

[Dr. Watkins]

No, I just wanted a prediction from you guys. My prediction is this. The Oilers this year come out like, you know, the last few years they've been so bad to start. The Oilers are going to start this season 14 and two and be on a record breaking pace. Absolutely on fire. That will cool off a little bit. But they will go wire to wire and win the Pacific. And then. And it will be. It will be no, literally zero speed bumps with Babcock. There'll be no like, oh, he did this thing and it was bad. The team will go, he's perfect. He's everything we asked for. We're being held accountable. McDavid will still have all the points as will. It's not like they're going to start sacrificing points to play more D. Everything's going to be completely fine. Wire to wire, Pacific win. I think they're going to go super deep in the playoffs. Either make the cup or the Western Conference finals at minimum. And I think they're going to lose in. And I hope for their sake it's Western Conference finals because another cup loss would be such a dagger. They're going to lose in the Western Conference finals and then Connor is going to go. I'm definitely staying because this guy has been awesome and now we're really improving him right there. And then in year two, a nuclear bomb goes off and like, they stink. They hate him. He's fired mid season and now Conor is sitting in January in a wild card spot in Edmonton knowing he's a UFA at the end of this year. And he's like, oh shit. Because now I have fucked myself where I told Edmonton I would never fuck them over. But now I need to either be dealt at the deadline for less than I would have gotten two summers ago or walk for free or sign here and ruin the rest of my life and career.

[Chris]

Wow. You did A two season, two season prediction on Babcock.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. I think in your scenario you're insane if they make the cup and lose. If you don't think Connor immediately signs a seven year deal, you're out of your mind.

[Dr. Watkins]

Signs extension then.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, like I don't even think that's debatable. So them being good this year and falling short is the worst thing that could ever happen to Connor McDavid because it will make him go like this. We did it. We solved it. And he signs and then they are dead and he dies with them.

[Chris]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

I don't know, dude. I don't know. I don't have much to say about this that we already didn't say. I can't not. I cannot believe when we talk about like the old boys club in the coaching staff of the NHL, how it keeps happening.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

We got to get Mike Commodore on the show to talk about Babcock and how outspoken he is. Babcock getting another shot in this league and somehow being the guy that certain members of the Oilers think is the. The key is the answer is surprising to me. But then again, I don't personally know Mike Babcock. All I know is what I hear and the overwhelming response from everyone that we have spoken to in the hockey world, players, coaches, GMs, media is bad. How is that a good thing? When has that ever worked? When is the last time a coach or someone was hired where 99% of what you hear is, this is insane? That's a bad move.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

So that's what just confuses me. And I think that that's what makes this league so goddamn fun and so entertaining. Maybe they know something we don't. But it is so deliciously insane that this is what's happening. So I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy it. I don't see this going well, but I don't see it.

[Dr. Watkins]

I think it's going to.

[Dan Powers]

I think Babcock is. He's Mike Babcock, you know, like he. As a fan of the Detroit Red Wings, when I was younger, he got me a Stanley Cup. And that's a ridiculous thing to say. I'm not like a die hard, but I loved that team and I got to watch them win a Stanley Cup. And thank you, Mike Babcock. But I think when he went to Toronto, everyone thought what you are saying right now and it didn't work at all. Yeah. And then he went to Columbus and it was hilarious. Disaster. So I just don't know why people think that. Regardless of having Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. He is just like this brilliant mind that's going to change everything. So I just, I assume that they will have a very similar year to this year.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, I'm, that's. I, I think I. That the reason I think not is because everyone thinks that, like, every single person is like, this will end badly and this is not going to go out. I'm like, this is going to go so well.

[Chris]

I think. I think it has to go well. I just feel like by some sheer force of will.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. He's a changed man, dude. He's learned. He's been humbled. Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Now he knows.

[Chris]

Yeah. I wouldn't bring my phone to the

[Dan Powers]

rink if I was in the office.

[Dr. Watkins]

No. God knows that locker room is bugged or my wallet. That locker room is bugged. I promise you that.

[Chris]

He's like, I don't need your phones anymore.

[Dr. Watkins]

Got you.

[Chris]

He's got AI technology.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, I did that. He's like, I'm back.

[Chris]

He's got some scanner situation.

[Dr. Watkins]

That is awesome.

[Dan Powers]

All right, let's take an ad break and jump back into some fun stuff. Lucy is the official partner of Empty netters and almost Friday media, Giving you premium, 100% tobacco free nicotine pouches that are the best pouches in the game. And it's not even close there. For the true pouch connoisseurs, when it comes to flavors, nothing is better than Lucy. It's not even close. The mint and wintergreen are unreal. They absolutely slap. They got that mango fruit flavor. The breakers have all different kinds of bursting flavors. It's unreal. They even got that espresso, which is such a nice little coffee kick. It's fantastic. Milligrams go from 4, 8, and 12. Whatever your fixed needs are, they've got you covered. And I love Lucy because it takes care of your every need. If you need a little pick me up during the day, you want to bust through some work, you want to stay focused and dialed in, boom, they got you. You want to get really laser focused. Maybe something on the golf course like I always talk about. A Lucy pouch is always going to take care of you. And then even when you're winding down at the end of the day, maybe watching a movie, you've just finished dinner, you're just kicking back. Lucy can bring you down in the most perfect way you have ever felt. It's great for relaxing as well. Lucy, like I said, is that true pouch connoisseur feeling giving you long lasting Flavor. It's absolutely unbeliev. And if you want to get Lucy, you can figure out where they are in stores. You can find a store near you. Go on to luci co. That's co stores. Or save some money. 20% off your first order by going to Luci Co Netters and you're going to use that code. N E T T E R S. Luci products are only for adults of legal age and every customer is age verified. This product contains nicotine, and nicotine is an addictive chemical. You all know by now that I am a stylish boy. I love upping my fashion game the way I look. And everyone needs nice accessories. So that's why I want to talk to you about gld. They are bringing you some of the coolest, best jewelry and accessories in the game. They got necklaces, they got rings, they've got bracelets. Look at this unbelievable gold bracelet I'm holding right now that I just scooped. It's unbelievable. GLD is taking you to the next level, guys. All right, here's the thing. It's easy to just throw on jeans and a T shirt and walk out of the house and be like, oh, yeah, I did the bare minimum. Step it up. If you look good, you feel good, you feel good, you play good. That is the rule of life. And I'm telling you, adding some accessories and having a nice key piece, that's your go to vibe. That adds that little extra oomph and elevates your game. That is what we want. And GLD is taking care of that. They've got so many different options, so many different styles, and the quality is out of control. This thing's unreal. It's a perfect weight. It's got a great design. It's sweatproof, waterproof, super durable. They're gonna last and they're going to look fantastic. Do not just do the bare minimum. It's time to step it up and really elevate and enhance your look. And GLD is a great way to do that. So we're gonna check out gld.com and you are going to get 40% off with the code netters. N E T T e r s. 40% off is absurd. Come on, give me a break. Step up your chain game, your bracelets, your rings, all of these amazing, amazing things. GLD.com 40% off with code netters. It's time to look as good as you feel. I want to see it. Check it out right now. Use that code and step up your game.

[Dr. Watkins]

Welcome back. Everybody. And the NHL draft is tomorrow. It is this Friday in Buffalo and people are buzzing. I actually didn't think about this because this was actually. I don't know if I've said this to you yet. I shouldn't tell a story on the pod, but I didn't.

[Dan Powers]

Sick, Chris. Thanks.

[Dr. Watkins]

I maybe could, but I was just like, I don't know. But the. I didn't realize that the. It's so close to Toronto. Buffalo is. And the Leafs have the first pick. That's why it's become such a ticket ordeal. Like, normally I'm like, who goes to that? But now it's like, oh, all the Leafs fans are pouring into Buffalo to watch them pick first.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

Which is. That is actually cool because I don't really see the huge poll to go to a draft with your boys, but if you had the first pick, I guess that would be pretty fun. Here are our thoughts on the draft. It's happening. And Gavin McKenna is going first. Stenberg is going second. Malhotra is going third. Reed is going fourth. Carroll's is probably going fifth.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

And we got to be in Albert Smith. He's probably going six or seven or right in there. He's up there and it's going to go dead chalk. Enjoy the draft picks being traded. That's where the fun is. There's no fun to be had on Friday unless you are a fan of this player or the team and you're psyched to see your team take this guy. But I'll just news flash. If you're late to the draft, remember that Run P movie app that was like. There was this app, Evan, called Run P. Oh, yeah.

[Chris]

I know what Run P is.

[Dr. Watkins]

Gas.

[Chris]

I don't need it, though.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, because you have a fucking camel bladder.

[Chris]

No, because I know the exact moment when there's a scene that I'm like, I don't need to.

[Dr. Watkins]

Okay. You're a pro. Yeah. So Run P. If you were five minutes late, you would go, here's the first five minutes. If you're five minutes late to the draft, if you're 20, dude, it's probably going to be 30 minutes. If you're 30 minutes late to the draft and missed the first five picks, don't worry. It was Gavin McKenna to the Leafs. Gavin McKenna to the Leafs. Ivers Denbark to the Sharks. Caleb Malhotra to the Canucks. Chase Reed to the Sabers. There's your D van for Byram. And Carson Carroll's to the Rangers. Congratulations. See you. See you next Tuesday. We'll talk about.

[Chris]

See you next Tuesday.

[Dan Powers]

Listen, I'm just like, we'll on Tuesday about the results of the draft, but I just, you know, we're not a prospect show. I, I, I if you are, the Leaf Sharks, Canuck, Sabers, Rangers and Flames be excited. This is an exciting.

[Chris]

I, my prospect is wondering how the Maple Leafs are going to ruin this.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Chris]

You know, I hope they don't, but

[Dan Powers]

I'm excited to see the draft. I and, and I'm excited to talk about it on Tuesday. That's, that's basically how I.

[Dr. Watkins]

Great.

[Chris]

Okay.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, that's great.

[Dr. Watkins]

Okay. Well, an interesting debate came up in the annex, in the sports annex yesterday Loop said Evan. He goes, I was carrying my dirty clothes into my hamper in my bedroom and on the way there I had to walk by my washing machine and it occurred to me, why don't I just use my empty washing machine as my hamper? The hamper is literally just a middleman and I should just start filling every time I have dirty clothes. Just put it in the washing machine and then once it's full, put detergent in it and run it. And his roommate, his former roommate, he now lives with his wife. His former roommate, Right, he's married, yeah. Used to do such a thing. He was like, that's what my guy did. That was his hamper. And everyone said it might be the best idea they've ever heard. But then Dan was like, you guys are all fucking peasant idiots.

[Dan Powers]

I just like, it makes me so sad that you guys are the age that you are and you still think the way that you think.

[Dr. Watkins]

It's a time saving maneuver.

[Dan Powers]

Listen, I get it, but. And there are situations where some people live in a really small apartment. Like, I think that this is the case in New York City a lot. It was the case in Alice's London apartment where you have one of those dual machines where it's like, it's a washing machine and a dryer. You don't have that much room in your bedroom for a hamper. And like, you know, it is what it is. There is water residue and moisture in your washing machine. It is also a dark, dank environment. So putting your clothes in there, you're inviting the increase of mold and like bad smells to your clothing. It is bad for your clothing to do that. So that is why I think it is insane. Also invest in a nice hamper. Like I have a lidded hamper and I also have a dual sided hamper where I put all of my workout clothes in one side and all of my regular clothes in the other. So my regular clothes aren't sitting in sweat with my other workout clothes. And it costs maybe $5 more.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

So I do not agree with this idea. I understand the efficiency take that you're doing. But I'm like, you're wrong.

[Dr. Watkins]

The dual side is great because I was going to. I was right about to say I. Half of my clothes are soaked in sweat and I throw them in the hamper. So all the clothes in my hamper are sitting in a moisture rich environment.

[Chris]

It's a very good point.

[Dr. Watkins]

And when Luke said this or Dan brought up the water in the washing machine, which I actually think is right even though my clothes are also soaked anyway. But I do think that's right. I was like, put them. Okay. Use the dryer as your hamper, which is very dry. And then when that's full, you just take it out. Boom. Drop it in the washing machine. Boom. Wash and then back to the dryer.

[Chris]

And then Loop was like, wouldn't that leave some smells?

[Dr. Watkins]

Then Loop was like, the dryer would smell bad. But I was like, I don't know that the dryer would smell bad.

[Chris]

How often are you washing your clothes? That's the question. Cause like I think if you leave it in for like a day or two, it's probably okay.

[Dan Powers]

I do a full, full load of laundry once a week.

[Dr. Watkins]

I'm one, I'm kinda two weeks. Maybe one and a half weeks. Here's the thing though.

[Dan Powers]

I am. I've got something to say to you. Cause I lived with you for a long time and you do something that I think is a big mistake, which is what you overload.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh no, I don't.

[Dan Powers]

Yes, you do, dude. You absolutely. This is what this. Let me fucking educate you again on your peasant behavior. Number one, you definitely know this.

[Dr. Watkins]

Ev.

[Dan Powers]

But a lot of the guys in there did not know this.

[Chris]

Right.

[Dan Powers]

You also have to clean your washing machine.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

There is a self clean feature where you put in a different type of cleaning material that cleans the washing machine to make sure it gets out mold and bad smell and all that. And I don't think a lot of you guys knew that. So that's something that people should know.

[Chris]

Well, these are things that people need to learn that they don't learn. Like, you know, it's like replace the air filter on your fucking car. Replace. Flush out your hot water heater.

[Dan Powers]

Yes.

[Chris]

Like this is stuff that they don't teach you.

[Dan Powers]

This is also a thing that you have to do with your dishwasher, folks, you have to self clean your dishwasher.

[Chris]

Yeah, it's a bummer.

[Dan Powers]

And then here's another one. When your dishwasher and your washing machine says, don't overload, it's not a challenge. They're not like, people see that and they go like this, try me, dude, watch me stuff clothes in here. They're not saying that like an elevator where it's like, this is not going to work if you put too much in it. They're saying, because it won't clean your clothes if you have too many clothes in there and you try to wash it, all clothes get stuck in the middle and they're not getting properly washed. And that's why you then pull your clothes out of the dryer and it still smells like shit.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, yeah. I am well aware. There was a time in my life where I didn't know that and I would overload. And then I remember pulling clothes out and being like, oh, this reeks. And then now, okay, so you have learned, oh my God, dude, this was in college. And I went like this. Why is this happening? And somebody was like, cause you have stuffed that to the brim. And then the second I get a washing machine, where a second I move to a new house and I get the washing machine, I fill it up to what I think is the line. And if ever anything comes up that I'm like, oh, that kind of smells still, I now lower the line permanently. Moving forward. Yeah, I have major issues that I think washing machine, a non overload washing machine. Like, I put clothes in. This is a completely acceptable amount of clothes to be in this washing machine. And then I move that exact amount of clothes and put it in the dryer and it won't dry in the normal dry cycle because they're like, oh, there's too many clothes in here.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

I'm like, you two need to get on the same page because this is a completely appropriate amount of clothes to be in this washing machine. Why aren't you dry?

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, that does. I don't know what it is because that happens to you more than anyone.

[Dr. Watkins]

Our Francis dryer, remember? It would just like, you'd look, It'd be like two minutes and it'd be like 15 minutes.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

And I'm like, how are you, why are you adding time? How have you not dried the clothes that fit in the washing machine? I know, but that's.

[Chris]

Some dryers lose their, their, they lose their heat energy, right?

[Dr. Watkins]

Like they get like, maybe that's weaker over time because it was crazy. Because I'm like, there's not even a lot of clothes in here. These clothes fit in the washings. The washing machine is the limiting factor.

[Chris]

I've gotten to a point now where I wash my clothes longer on lower heat because I don't want my clothes to get baked.

[Dan Powers]

Yes.

[Chris]

Shrinks them and it makes them all fucked up.

[Dan Powers]

You lose their color, you lose their softness.

[Chris]

Ruins everything.

[Dan Powers]

I hang dry most stuff.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. That actually is what sucks, is that nothing can be dried. In fact, that's what I've learned.

[Dan Powers]

It does ruin clothing.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. So now I'm like, okay, I can't dry anything. So basically what happens to me is I do the wash, but it's like I wait too long. So now I have enough dirty clothes in the hamper that it doesn't fit because I would be overloading the washing machine. So I can only put half my hamper in the machine. Then that washes. I take that out. I have to hang dry 90% of it, which takes five days. Then I'm like, well, I'll get around to folding that at some point. So then five more days go by. And then I put the other half of my hamper in. Then those hang dry, but I have nowhere to hang dry those. So then I start hanging them on shit outside.

[Chris]

Yeah, but that's what. Yeah, yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

So then they dry quicker. But now there's, like, tree debris on them.

[Dan Powers]

And like, the sun. Nothing will suck color out of something like the sun.

[Dr. Watkins]

Right. So then they get. They're getting ruined anyway. And then I come back inside and nothing is folded or put away. And then I can't get dressed for work because I have no clothes because they're all in some mildewy form hanging somewhere.

[Chris]

One of those drying racks, I have one.

[Dr. Watkins]

They don't do anything. Like four or more.

[Chris]

Yeah, yeah.

[Dan Powers]

I mean, they don't do. Do anything.

[Dr. Watkins]

I'm like, dry the clothes. You're a drying rack.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. And they do.

[Dr. Watkins]

No, they just sit there and let the air dry them. Well, that dries.

[Chris]

That's what it is.

[Dr. Watkins]

Dry the clothes. You're dry. Here you go. Drying rack.

[Chris]

I think it's an air issue.

[Dr. Watkins]

Make them dry.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, they. They air dry. It's an air drying rack.

[Dr. Watkins]

And that's what it should be called.

[Dan Powers]

It is called that also.

[Dr. Watkins]

I live too close to the beach, so everything is soaked in my house.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, you are. You are in a very, like, moldy millimeter.

[Dr. Watkins]

It's insane. Like, literally, I hang it up and it's more wet than when I took it out of the washer.

[Dan Powers]

Do you guys have a dehumidifier?

[Dr. Watkins]

We have 12. There's one. I'm not kidding. There's one in every room. And Dan, they stop working on purpose when the tray fills with water. You know, it's like. It's like whirring to work. And then it goes. The light starts flashing and it goes, you need to empty the water tray. I have to empty the water tray every day, Every several hours. It's just sucking all the moisture out of the air, filling up immediately, and then nothing works. Everything is still soaked in my house. And the dehumidifiers don't work. And I think I need to get an industrial grade dehumidifier that they sell to homes after you've had water damage and your basement is under 4ft of water. I'm gonna call all dry.

[Chris]

Well, now we know why your hair's so good. Yeah. Because you've got all that humidity.

[Dr. Watkins]

It's incredible. No dry hair ever, dude. It's insane. You think I shower before work? Dude, you just wake up. Yeah, yeah. Walk through the house like this.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, Jesus.

[Dr. Watkins]

So anyway, I will be using my washing machine as a hamper. That's what I've learned. Because all that matters to me in this life is saving time.

[Dan Powers]

I absolutely hate that move by you.

[Chris]

You want to do pictures?

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. So we had. We had some people asking us to. Or. You know what was happening was I ran out of storage on my phone.

[Dr. Watkins]

Phone. Yes. This is sad. I hate when this happens.

[Dan Powers]

I ran out of storage on my phone and I hate fucking when that happens. God damn you, Apple. It's such bullshit. And I was going through photos and videos and deleting some and it just got me looking at old photos of all of us. But a bunch that came up of you that just absolutely fucking cracked me up. And I was like, God, people would love to know these stories. So I wanted to. And I'm going to let you do the same. But I wanted Chris and I sent photos to Dr. Watkins that he's going to pull up on a screen that we're going to also show you on the screen here. And we have not seen these. And basically it's a. What was going on here. Yep. And it's. We're going to give each other the opportunity to explain to the people and to Evan what was going on in these photos.

[Dr. Watkins]

I love it.

[Chris]

So we're starting with yours.

[Dr. Watkins]

It's a photo of Dan or it's a photo Dan submitted.

[Chris]

Hold on. Dan submitted. Okay, ready?

[Dan Powers]

Okay, don't look. Let's start with me submitted photos.

[Chris]

All right, here we go. We're gonna start with your first submitted photo here.

[Dr. Watkins]

Okay.

[Dan Powers]

This is what was going on here.

[Dr. Watkins]

This is during COVID Dan and our roommate Marty and myself were making videos. Evan. We would recreate scenes from movies we really liked and filmed them in the backyard. And it was really fun. And we were doing Grease. I always got the girl. I always had to play the girl. Cause all the women in movies back then had blonde hair. I mean, kind of still, but it was like the girl was always a blonde hair girl. And so I was playing. I think that's me as Sandy from Greece. And even funnier fact about this picture. This picture is we continued up until Thanksgiving 2020, I believe. Or no. Is that the one we stopped at? Or did we stop at Thanksgiving? Yeah, must have been Thanksgiving 2020.

[Dan Powers]

Did we even go that far?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, because it was like we were leaving for Thanksgiving. That was the last one we did.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, yeah. Wait, wait. Yeah. Yes.

[Dr. Watkins]

Sorry. So we only shot like three after Halloween. Halloween hits. Then we shot three more and then we were done forever. And this was one of the post Halloween ones. And that Halloween 2020 is when I met my now fiance. And this picture is one of the first pictures I ever texted her. Cause she was like, what are you up to? After I'd met her, and I was like, I'm dressed as Sandy from Greece. And she tells the story being like, why? What the fuck? Who is this person?

[Dan Powers]

So do you have makeup on in this photo?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Chris]

And I also think from what I'm looking at here, it's. I think you're in your underwear.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. Under Armour.

[Chris]

I see your Under Armour label.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, yeah. Because, dude, she was in spandex. She's in like tight, tight spandex in that scene. We were always going to try and get the costumes as best we could from whatever we had around the house.

[Chris]

Where. Where can we find these videos?

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, dude, I'll show you.

[Chris]

They live online.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

[Chris]

We gotta make a link to this.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, it's amazing. So that picture, Dan, has even more meaning to me.

[Dan Powers]

There you go.

[Dr. Watkins]

Very good.

[Chris]

All right, what's next? Next?

[Dan Powers]

You tell me. Whatever one Chris submitted.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, Chris, you do whatever you want.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, we'll start here.

[Chris]

What's going on in that one?

[Dan Powers]

I have literally no idea. I believe that's in Tahoe. Is that in Tahoe?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yes.

[Dan Powers]

Great memory yeah, that's in Tahoe. Year after Covid, we're at this, like, tiny bar in. In. In Tahoe. And is that the bar where everyone has to do a shot when you walk in?

[Dr. Watkins]

And. And where it's also mere. Mere hours before we all got.

[Chris]

Y' all got Covid.

[Dan Powers]

Am I hammered in this photo? Am I just posing like an idiot?

[Dr. Watkins]

I think both.

[Chris]

I thought this was Halloween and you were going as, like, a gang member or something.

[Dan Powers]

No, dude, I got my ski boots over the shoulder.

[Chris]

It's the.

[Dan Powers]

This is peak ski dance. Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

I've got the flannel on. I've got a fucking toque on with the hair pulled back.

[Chris]

Yeah, the hair pulled back is what made me think you were a gangster.

[Dan Powers]

And, yeah, this bar dude was like. You walked in this bar, and I'm pretty sure, like, the bar tax was taking a shot.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

And, yeah, it was pretty. Everything went downhill from there, quite literally. We all then got Covid.

[Chris]

Do you remember the name of the bar?

[Dr. Watkins]

No. We can get it.

[Dan Powers]

I feel like I should remember it, though, because it was such a big deal. This bar was such a big deal.

[Chris]

Drank it out of your memory.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, correct. He was. Him and Brett were spitting alcohol back into each other.

[Chris]

This looks like a whiskey face to me.

[Dan Powers]

No, never. Never with me. Tequila for sure.

[Chris]

All right.

[Dan Powers]

Okay, now, Chris's or mine? Next one.

[Dr. Watkins]

Ready?

[Chris]

That's. This is.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, dude. Okay. This is awesome. This was at. I got. I lost my tux this night. This was at our buddy Kevin Brooks wedding, and we were in. Dan and I was in Dallas. Austin. Austin. We're in our hotel room in Austin, and the. The reception was right downstairs. So we had gone upstairs to change out of our. Our tuxedo, and I was, like, trying to spear Dan off the side of the bed.

[Dan Powers]

You had lost your. Your jack.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, because I was for your tux. Yeah. And party was like.

[Dan Powers]

You were like, where is it? And party was like, I have it. And, like, no one had it. And. But, dude, you were. You were polluted.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, correct.

[Dan Powers]

It was unbelievable.

[Dr. Watkins]

So I'm like, dad, get rid of that jack. And not like I'm fighting Dan. I'm. I'm, like, laughing, trying to spear him on hit to his bed. We have a double queen bed situation. And I go to tackle Dan, and he goes like this, boom, spit, swim, move. And I go. I, like, miss him, slip off his bed, land on my butt on the ground. But then, you know, your, like, head swings back, and I. My head and the back of My head drills my queen bed. And I was like, fuck. And Dan's like, you okay? And I'm like, yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Cause I'm just like, no, dude, you hit the. The bedside table in between.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, the table. Okay.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. Cause you hit it so hard and I. I started dying laughing like it was so loud. And you were just so drunk and limp.

[Dr. Watkins]

Like you hit it and you were like, ah. And dude, you know when you. You just like. You know when a bang. And you just. You kind of like rub it, cuz

[Dan Powers]

you're like a little numb.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, dude. So I was just going like this cuz I was like, that hurts so bad. And he's like, you're right. And I was like, yeah, whatever. And then I just go like this. And my hand is bloody. And I was like. And it honestly was like a nothing cut, but it just looked so funny.

[Chris]

That's pretty bad in the picture.

[Dr. Watkins]

Well, cuz I rubbed it, you know, it's like I was like rubbing the blood in because I was trying to rub the numb off my head.

[Chris]

Yeah, you look like. You look like Terry.

[Dr. Watkins]

And then I went back down. I think I popped a hat on. Popped a hat on, went back down, had a great after party.

[Chris]

You gotta be careful. This is how Bob Saget died.

[Dr. Watkins]

Fuck. Really?

[Dan Powers]

What?

[Chris]

Yeah, I remember he bumped his head in a hotel room and then he like just was like, I'm going to bed. And then he died.

[Dan Powers]

Well, he was probably on a lot of shit and bleeding out.

[Chris]

Bob Saget.

[Dr. Watkins]

No, never his dad, Never.

[Chris]

I'm just saying. But it's a good thing you were with each other because if you had like gone to sleep.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, oh, yeah. I didn't go to sleep for like three more hours. Kept potty.

[Chris]

There you go. You're good. All right.

[Dan Powers]

Crazy.

[Chris]

Here we go. Next one is.

[Dan Powers]

Next one for me.

[Chris]

Oh, the next one. No. Well, it should be. Let's just do this one. Yeah. Oh, yeah. There you go. Look how long your hair is.

[Dan Powers]

Look at how great my hair is. This was a Disneyland day. Yes. Dan, another one. Shout out. Marty again.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

Our boy Marty worked for a Disney show, so he had great Disneyland passes.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

And we went to Disney and it was one of these times. It was like so hot.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

And we were like, let's go to Disney and let's drink everywhere we possibly can. And it was like a Rusty Willie

[Chris]

D. Yeah, I was gonna say you guys didn't bother.

[Dan Powers]

I think there was like some like two for one deal at this like frozen margarita stand. And let me Tell you what, dude. Drinking at Disney is not fun because everything is so sugary and it's so hot there.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

So by, like, 2:00pm I was the drunkest I've ever been. And also just, like, sweaty and sticky. And you're going on 3D Star wars rides, and you're in the absolute vortex, and it's just insane.

[Chris]

Did you do the Star Wars Cantina? The. The bar there?

[Dan Powers]

Oh, yeah, I think we did.

[Dr. Watkins]

Sure.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, sure did.

[Chris]

Blue milk, whatever it is.

[Dr. Watkins]

God. Star Wars. Star Wars World is.

[Dan Powers]

I had my Paddington tee on there too.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, there was actually another. Or maybe it's in this. So I'll save it.

[Chris]

Okay.

[Dr. Watkins]

Okay. Okay.

[Chris]

What's the next? All right, we'll go. We'll go.

[Dan Powers]

I expected you to go a little harder on these pictures.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Now I just like. Nice memories.

[Chris]

We'll do this one too.

[Dr. Watkins]

Okay.

[Dan Powers]

I'm also wearing the Paddington.

[Dr. Watkins]

That's what it was. I was like. There was so many pictures that I found that where they were also in that shirt. And I was like, this is hilarious.

[Chris]

This guy loves Paddington.

[Dan Powers]

I have no. I, I. The picture's not super bowl big enough for me to see what's happening here.

[Chris]

Here, let me. You're making food. There's wings involved.

[Dan Powers]

I have no idea.

[Chris]

So Chris has.

[Dan Powers]

There's a bunch of paper plates and beers.

[Chris]

No, it's. That's hot sauce. Oh, I see Wally in there somewhere.

[Dan Powers]

No, this was awesome. This was for my birthday. Chris knows that I am a massive fan of Hot Ones, and Chris got me the Hot Ones kit and then put me through the Hot Ones experience.

[Chris]

Oh, nice.

[Dr. Watkins]

I asked if people came over.

[Dan Powers]

I asked him my dream of being a guest on Hot Ones.

[Chris]

You will, Sean.

[Dan Powers]

I'm waiting, brother.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

And it was awesome. I crushed it.

[Chris]

Yeah, you did.

[Dan Powers]

I really crushed it. It was.

[Chris]

So this was before or after?

[Dan Powers]

This was pre.

[Chris]

Yeah. Because it looks like you're doing, like.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. A guy to put gloves on to get the wings all sauced up.

[Dan Powers]

That was great.

[Chris]

What is it? No admittance, except on party business.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

Bilbo Baggins house.

[Chris]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

[Dan Powers]

Fucking. What a time.

[Dr. Watkins]

What a time to be alive.

[Chris]

I think that's it. But we have one video.

[Dan Powers]

I have one video for you, Chris.

[Dr. Watkins]

Okay.

[Chris]

All right, I'm gonna load it up here.

[Dan Powers]

Don't look. Look away.

[Chris]

You ready?

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. Is the volume on?

[Chris]

Yeah. Ready here. Okay. Ready.

[Dr. Watkins]

That is our Culver City house launch again.

[Chris]

Jackass five.

[Dr. Watkins]

That is Pierre.

[Chris]

Shout out.

[Dan Powers]

Pierce, What's Happening there.

[Dr. Watkins]

Dude, we got home from a night out. Pierce and Dre and Dan were attacking me. But Dan is filming in this instance. And that is Pierce. What is that?

[Dan Powers]

It's a shoe.

[Dr. Watkins]

Pierce takes his shoe.

[Dan Powers]

I think it's your shoe because your shoes are off.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. Pierce takes his shoe and whips me. Whips me as hard as he possibly can in the butt. And that's what it feels like. See, people think that's all fun and games. That's what it feels like. Just so you know, if you ever have been spanked by a shoe after a night out while you're lying on the ground, that's when.

[Dan Powers]

That is like 12 years ago. The noise.

[Dr. Watkins]

Piers can swing it too.

[Dan Powers]

The noise of the shoe hitting you. And then your scream is so good.

[Dr. Watkins]

Pierce laughing. Pierce laughing is so funny.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, my God.

[Dr. Watkins]

Pierce laughing is so funny. That is. You just like.

[Dan Powers]

You get so crippled.

[Dr. Watkins]

It's unbelievable. That is very normal. Drunk. That is Pierce that would react. Exactly.

[Dan Powers]

But why are you on the ground shoeless?

[Dr. Watkins]

Cause they've already been whipping me. I'd been whipped several times that night. I was in a. I was in. I was a beaten down man.

[Dan Powers]

Drey and Pierce, dude, getting you back.

[Dr. Watkins]

God. Dude, that was good.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, my God.

[Chris]

You want to do blind rankings?

[Dr. Watkins]

Do you want to do fireworks?

[Chris]

Sure. This is just a discussion. Really?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Chris]

I have a thought. Because we're getting up on fourth of July. I think you shouldn't be lighting off fireworks unless it's the fourth of July.

[Dan Powers]

You are talking to the right guy.

[Chris]

I know it's old man yell at clouds, but it's just.

[Dan Powers]

I think fireworks are fucking stupid. I don't think they're cool at all. And when they go off on 4th of July. Okay, cool. But whenever people do fireworks at like a concert or at a baseball game, I'm always like, why do people like fireworks so much? I don't get them.

[Chris]

Really.

[Dan Powers]

Not a big fireworks fan.

[Chris]

I don't.

[Dr. Watkins]

I do agree with the people. I don't love the people that are like taking pictures of fireworks.

[Dan Powers]

I do.

[Chris]

That's so pointless.

[Dan Powers]

Never understand people who film fireworks because I'm like sit there and fucking watch them, dude.

[Dr. Watkins]

I actually. This is.

[Chris]

What if they never see them again?

[Dr. Watkins]

Well, this is like pre iPhone. I don't even know what. Maybe it was like a. Some phone that had a screen of some kind. Maybe a razor or something. I used to take pictures of fire. I would sit at fireworks and try to take the pictures until I just. Until I got a sick One. And then I would make it my wallpaper. So, like, I was doing it because I was like, I just want a cool firework shot wallpaper from the 4th or whatever. So I was like, everyone would cheer me, but I'd be like, I'm doing it for one thing. And then I stop, you know? But the people that film the whole thing or take pictures, I'm like, you will never use this again.

[Chris]

Yeah, what's the point?

[Dr. Watkins]

Crazy. I disagree with Dan. I think they are cool. And I kind of. I think they're overused. That's why I. That part I agree with you. The part I disagree with you is I have enjoyed times where I'm at a sick concert or something, like at Coachella, and like, zed ends and like a fireworks explode is like the last thing goes off and I go like this. That was sick. I'm not like, wow, what a waste of. Now that you're saying that. But I'm never like.

[Dan Powers]

I'm not saying that either.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

I just don't. I don't find them that amazing. On the 4th of July, there's like, cool nostalgia feelings. I feel like being back in Maine and sandlot and New England, and I'm like, yeah. I'm like, this is cool.

[Chris]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Any other times I'm not like, boo, fuck this. But I am not like, oh, my God. I just like. To me, I'm like, you seen one firework, you've seen them all.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Yeah. My. My personal. And this is just because in my neighborhood, it'll be like a full month before 4th of July and fuckers are lighting out fire.

[Dan Powers]

I went to Chris's house for dinner on Sunday, and it was fucking 10pm and motherfuckers were just blasting fire.

[Chris]

Yeah. And like, I like fireworks if they're administered by a professional. At, like, for example, we're going to go see Jurassic park on the 4th of July.

[Dr. Watkins]

Sick.

[Chris]

And afterwards, they're going to do fireworks, which my wife said she did this years ago, and they all went off at once.

[Dan Powers]

That's so fun.

[Chris]

But, like, I don't mind people doing an amateur deal. It's just like, just do it on the day. Yeah, just do it on the day. That's fine. But like, random fucking Tuesday night.

[Dr. Watkins]

Come on, dude. And I actually. I actually kind of don't like the amateur deals where I'm like, bro. Or a production is fine. I don't like if you're going to the movie and they're doing it, but I kind of don't like Even on the fourth, when people are just letting them rip, and I'm like, dude, no, no.

[Chris]

Right? But to me, it's like, that's fine if it's on the 4th. It really doesn't. I mean, I don't care. I don't want to see it, really. But it also. My dog hates it.

[Dr. Watkins]

Just goes so badly so often, too. I'm like, get sparkler. Sign your name in the sky and shut the up.

[Chris]

Oh, dude. Especially in this state. I mean, wildfire problem. Are you kidding?

[Dr. Watkins]

Like, yeah. Jesus Christ, dude.

[Chris]

Anyway, that's old, man. Yell at cloud.

[Dr. Watkins]

No, I like it. I will say this. One year I flew back to LA because we would usually go home for the 4th when we were younger, when we lived here, because it was such a rip. And one year, the way it broke, you know, let's say the fourth was like a Tuesday. So most offices were like, you have Monday off, Tuesday off, but you're in office Wednesday. So it was like we had the whole weekend. Then I had to fly Tuesday. So I stayed as late as possible on the east coast. And my flight back was late. And the fireworks in LA were going off as I was landing. And it was kind of sick because it was literally like, I knew it wasn't this close, but it felt like they were exploding, like, right outside the plane window. Yeah. I was like, yo, Similar.

[Chris]

Similar experience to, like, we left a party on 4th of July before the fireworks went off. We were on the 101.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Chris]

Or, you know, you're on any freeware, really. You can just start seeing them going everywhere.

[Dr. Watkins]

So sick.

[Chris]

It's kind of fun.

[Dan Powers]

Let's close things out with a blind ranking.

[Chris]

Blind ranking? The World cup kits from various countries.

[Dr. Watkins]

Whoa.

[Dan Powers]

This year?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep. This year, specifically.

[Chris]

Yeah. This is all pulled from a. An article 2026 uniform jersey. Kids. Here we go. Ready?

[Dr. Watkins]

Yep.

[Chris]

Japan.

[Dr. Watkins]

Dan. See, this is tough because I don't know what Dr. Watkins gonna do to us, because Japan. I could go fucking last. But I could also go. If he. If he mixes in. There's a lot of bad ones, is what I'm trying to say.

[Chris]

There's a ton. There's so many. Hard to get down to five.

[Dr. Watkins]

I want to go.

[Chris]

I believe it's on the screen, too. You're seeing.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Dan Powers]

We're doing the. We're doing the Japan whites because every team has two kits, right? I. I do not love these. I love the old Adidas logo. I just don't. I think Japan's flag is so sick. So Fucking sick y. And I'm just looking at the colors of the rainbow here, and I don't really get it.

[Dr. Watkins]

Me neither. So I would go five, but I. I'll save that basement and go four. Yeah, I'll go four. Four.

[Chris]

All right. France, which I. I'm assuming is the home kit, but I'm not one.

[Dan Powers]

Their whites are so bad.

[Dr. Watkins]

The whites are awful.

[Dan Powers]

It's like they're the. I. I love the rooster so much in the France.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

You're always going to get extra points when you got a World cup star on there and they got a couple. When it comes to soccer kits, I am. I'm a purist, and I love a caller.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, okay.

[Dan Powers]

Especially in international play, I love how France goes heavy on the blue. And that said, the. The design, the, like, the zigzag design on this one, I don't think there's enough red in this kit. And I just. It feels like they're doing too much.

[Dr. Watkins]

Agree. And I'm not a color guy, so I don't like this one at all. I can't quite go worse than Japan.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

I think this is the three. So I will go three.

[Dan Powers]

This is a three. But I love that rooster.

[Chris]

Canada Away.

[Dan Powers]

I like this. Believe it or not. God, there are so many sick jerseys. And these just. These ones are just not that, dude.

[Dr. Watkins]

Okay, well, I. Actually, here's why I. With this, the. You got to have fun with the away, right?

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

Especially if you don't have. Sometimes we talk about this also.

[Dan Powers]

You go black with away. I'm always loving it.

[Dr. Watkins]

Me too. And this is. I highly doubt this is real. I think this is a Chris creation. But when a pond is perfectly frozen, it's, like, black, and then you skate on it and it looks just like this. I swear to God. Canada. This is a literal frozen pond skated on jersey, and it's Canada, and it's like.

[Dan Powers]

It's the maple leaf, so.

[Chris]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

So I'm like. I actually love this one.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Dr. Watkins]

But I'm. I'm in a tough spot because I cannot go one because of no maker.

[Dan Powers]

Their home kit is so sick.

[Dr. Watkins]

But I'm a. I'm a thrilled two here. Like, I love this jersey, and I'm so happy at two.

[Dan Powers]

All these kits, like, they. They Sometimes they do too much with, like, an artistic expression, and this is bordering on that, but it does have a pond vibe. And I love the Maple Leafs in

[Dr. Watkins]

there, and I don't think they were going for it. It could also be a blow on a Mirror, I'm okay with too. But.

[Chris]

Yeah. Yeah, I was. You know, to be perfectly honest, it

[Dan Powers]

looks like blow on a mirror. Yeah. Like a true. Like, if you squint, it looks like. Like a black marble countertop with a ton of cocaine.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, that one. That one right in the middle has a pretty straight credit carded line up there. Yeah.

[Chris]

I. I gotta tell you, because I didn't. When I first looked at it, I didn't realize that there was, like an outline of a maple leaf on there.

[Dr. Watkins]

Anyway. Yeah.

[Chris]

So to me, it just looked like somebody's cum rag.

[Dan Powers]

Jesus Christ. You're not wrong.

[Chris]

Not to disrespect Candace, but now I'm looking at it closer. It's. It's better. So that's good. Okay. Democratic REPUBLIC of Congo.

[Dan Powers]

It's gonna be hard not to be one for me.

[Dr. Watkins]

Dude, what sucks is that is a. That is a good jersey. That is a really good jersey. And it's feels cool. It looks cool. It's a fucking Umbro, which is insanely sick.

[Dan Powers]

I mean, that is an unbelievable kit.

[Dr. Watkins]

There's just stuff that if it comes, I'll be fucking devastated.

[Dan Powers]

I know, but, dude, first of all, Umbro,

[Dr. Watkins]

because it would be mean to put this at 5.

[Dan Powers]

That is an awesome kit.

[Dr. Watkins]

Fuck. Okay.

[Dan Powers]

Either going to sacrifice Dr. Congo.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah. Or.

[Dan Powers]

And hope something cool is coming or you're going to go. That is the coolest kit of all the.

[Dr. Watkins]

And maybe something bad's coming. You know what? Bird in hand. One.

[Dan Powers]

One.

[Chris]

All right, we're going. One.

[Dan Powers]

You pitch.

[Chris]

Usa.

[Dan Powers]

Why would you do this? I almost said, just please don't do the USA, dude.

[Dr. Watkins]

USA 5. Where does this rank on your USA kits, though?

[Dan Powers]

It's not my favorite USA kit of all time, but I absolutely love this kit. And actually, my friend. My Aussie friend was talking shit when we were playing the other day and she was like, this looks like some Where's Waldo bullshit. And listen, that's a good choice.

[Dr. Watkins]

That's a good chance.

[Dan Powers]

But at the end of the day, the Stars and stripes are. Is Where's Waldo? Red and white stripes and the fact that they went the waving flag, I just think so fucking cool. I love this kit. This would have been way higher, but honestly, I think the Dr. Conga one is really sick.

[Dr. Watkins]

Me too.

[Dan Powers]

Probably over this.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, yeah, me too.

[Dan Powers]

This is definitely not five.

[Dr. Watkins]

Oh, no. But it's a very unworthy five.

[Dan Powers]

Like Evan, why would you. You're American too. Why would you set us up for fail?

[Dr. Watkins]

He thought we were going to save

[Chris]

one I thought, I thought honestly you were going to put that Canada one one way lower.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Chris]

But the only thing that bugs me about this is the waving. Kind of makes it look like whoever's wearing it has like a weird bulge in their like.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah.

[Chris]

So.

[Dr. Watkins]

Yeah, you know what I mean?

[Chris]

Like it's just a little oblong.

[Dr. Watkins]

That's funny.

[Chris]

That is a strange gut.

[Dr. Watkins]

Not great on camera. I love our away kits too, by the way.

[Chris]

Yeah, I also, what I also also just for fun was like, what's going on with Paraguay? This is like Ms. Paint, remember?

[Dr. Watkins]

So funny, dude. Literally, Ms. Paint.

[Chris]

Yeah, that's Ms. Pa. That's like they did the USA kit but with Ms.

[Dr. Watkins]

Paint. That is so good.

[Chris]

Spray paint.

[Dan Powers]

All right, great blind ranking. Great episode. Long episode. A lot of stuff going on, folks. Like we said, the draft is this Friday. Also, we've got some amazing new merch we're going to be posted about. Make sure you snag some of these awesome hoodies. Put a lot of time and effort into them. Can't wait to launch them for you. Subscribe. Subscribe. Subscribe to the YouTube. Follow us on everything. We love you guys. Have an amazing, fun, safe weekend. Enjoy the NHL draft and we will see you next episode. And until then, skate hard. This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome, that's new.

[Dr. Watkins]

It can help you with practically anything on the web.

[Dan Powers]

Like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50 page restoration block. Or finally break down that long article

[Dr. Watkins]

you've had open for weeks.

[Dan Powers]

Gemini in Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense.

[Dr. Watkins]

There's no place like Chrome. Check responses.

[Dan Powers]

Setup required.

[Dr. Watkins]

Compatibility and availability various 18.