The Kings Try To Save Their Season Before It’s Too Late w/ Mark Streit

Summary

Empty Netters Podcast: “The Kings Try To Save Their Season Before It's Too Late”

Hosted by Almost Friday Media

Date: March 3, 2026
Special Guest: Mark Streit

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Episode Overview

In this episode, the Empty Netters crew – brothers Dan and Chris Powers, along with regular contributors – take a deep dive into the turbulent state of the Los Angeles Kings as they scramble to rescue their season after a crucial (and late) coaching change. The conversation moves through in-depth NHL analysis, a colorful interview with Swiss hockey legend and watch entrepreneur Mark Streit, trade deadline speculation, and hilarious takes on ski adventures, French onion dip, and even Jim Carrey conspiracy theories.

True to Empty Netters’ reputation, the tone is energetic, honest, irreverent, and heavily laced with brotherly banter and locker room humor.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life Updates & Bro Banter

Timestamps: 00:00–05:10

• The episode kicks off with jokes about marriage proposals, ring tattoos, and male engagement gifts.
• Chris declares: “I might even get a tattoo of a wedding ring. Because I just don’t…I don’t like it on my finger.” [02:02]
• The crew call for giving men “engagement watches,” and push for more men to get flowers. “Give men flowers more.” – Dan [04:18]

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2. The State of the LA Kings: Coach Firing & Playoff Hope

Timestamps: 05:08–14:20

• Jim Hiller Fired: The Kings fired head coach Jim Hiller. DJ Smith takes over as interim, marking the second straight interim succession after Todd McLellan.
• Late-Season Timing: Both hosts are stunned by the timing. “I am utterly shocked that this happened in fucking March, dude.” – Dan [07:57]
• Is it too late? Despite fan frustration, they claim it isn’t too late: “If the Kings win two games in a row, they are tied for third in the Pacific.” – Dan [08:10]
• Critique of the Kings System: The hosts argue the Kings’ defensive, cautious system is wasting offensive talent. “Every single one of these dudes playing such a cautious, def(ensive) style…that is what needs to change. This team needs to score goals.” – Dan [11:10]
• New Coach Bump: If Kings get a “new coach bump,” they could salvage Kopitar’s (Kopi’s) possible final season.
• “’The Kings have been pumped in the first round for the last decade straight.’ So… do something different.” – Chris [12:38]
• “It’ll be a fucking tragedy if they miss the playoffs in Kopi’s last year.” – Chris [13:39]

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3. Youth Movement & Rookie Phenoms

Timestamps: 14:22–20:29

• Matthew Schaefer! The 18-year-old Islanders defenseman is smashing NHL rookie and defensemen records:
  • “The most by an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history…He became the youngest defenseman and sixth youngest skater in history to score 20 goals in a season.” – Chris [15:26]
  • Calls for Schaefer to get both Norris (best defenseman) and Calder (best rookie) votes.
• Beckett vs. Schaefer: The Ducks’ Beckett gets a lot of praise, but the hosts think Schaefer’s impact is unmatched unless Beckett overtakes him by a wide statistical margin.
• “He’s doing Bobby Orr shit. He’s doing Sidney Crosby shit. It’s a joke.” – Chris [19:03]
• Team Standings: Ducks just a point behind Vegas for 1st in the Pacific—surprising after a huge slump.

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4. Trade Deadline Mania & Bold Proposals

Timestamps: 22:39–36:43

• LTIR Rule Changes: Teams can’t stash players on LTIR (Long-Term Injured Reserve) for easy playoff re-entries this year.
• Wild Hot Take: Bobrovsky Trade:
  • “Florida Panthers should 100% trade Sergey Bobrovsky to a contender…then resign him this summer when he becomes a free agent.” – Dan [24:25]
  • “Go fucking trade him and get a ridiculous haul back.” – Dan [24:58]
• Stamkos Watch: Steven Stamkos says he won’t waive his no-trade clause; speculation about his love for Nashville and country music. “If you’re in playoffs… why would you wave? You’re in an awesome city, on a great team...” – Chris [28:19]
• Defenders on the Block: Rasmus Ristolainen, Dougie Hamilton, Justin Faulk, MacKenzie Weegar among names advised to move for playoff teams. “All those guys…should move.” – Dan [30:29]
• Rangers Fire Sale: Hosts suggest NY should move Trocheck and Zibanejad to re-stock around Shesterkin and youth.
• Auston Matthews Future: If Leafs miss playoffs, big shake-up could follow. “I am on 2028 Auston Matthews returns to the States watch here…” – Chris [35:33]

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5. Special Interview: Mark Streit – Swiss NHL Star & Watchmaker

Timestamps: 40:01–58:44

On His Unlikely NHL Journey

• Drafted at age 26, 262nd overall: “At 10 o’clock in the morning, the phone rang…a journalist said, ‘Congrats!’ and I was like…‘Congrats for what?’” – Mark Streit [43:53]
• Attributes his break to changing NHL rules favoring smaller, skilled defensemen
• Describes culture shock from the Swiss league to the NHL's pace, physicality, and pressure.

Unique NHL Perspective

• Played both defense and forward (sometimes switching after warm-ups with zero notice).
• “As a defenseman, you kind of see everything from behind—so as a forward I just parked in front of the net and hoped for tips.” – Streit [48:39]

First Swiss NHL Captain, Islander

• Love for Long Island community & team: “It was like a real family in a tough NHL business.” – Streit [54:32]
• Candid about the frustration of being a captain on a perennial rebuild: too loyal to ask for a trade, even as the team struggled.

Stanley Cup Run & Locker Room Humor

• Traded twice in one day at the 2017 deadline—Flyers to Lightning (for ten minutes) then to Penguins; joined a Cup run at age 39.
• Classic story: “I go out for my first practice [in Pittsburgh]—wipe out, wipe out, no steel in my skates…couldn’t get up. Guys are looking like, ‘What the heck did we just pick up?’” – Streit [65:10]
• “I think winning a Stanley Cup, it doesn’t matter which role you have—you’re part of it. Your name is on the Cup.” – Streit [69:18]

Representing Switzerland Internationally

• Four-time Olympian, nine points; two memorable upsets at Torino.
• “Milano is a great city and…to play four Olympics is tough to put into words.” – Streit [73:15]

Watchmaking & Life After Hockey

• Went from ambassador to co-founding Norqain, a high-end Swiss watch brand with NHL partnerships (including Sidney Crosby’s involvement).
• “If I made it into the NHL from Switzerland, we can do this. It’s just passion, commitment, and hard work.” – Streit [77:19]
• Hosts praise Norqain’s rapid ascent and team culture.

Old Boys Club Adventures

• Annual “Old Boys Club” trips with Zurich teammates; destinations drawn at random, sometimes culturally themed (e.g. Naples, Auschwitz), often including a team doctor: “Bringing a doctor on the group trip is so smart.” [88:33]
• Both hosts are inspired to start their own annual “Old Boys Club” trips after hearing this.

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6. Not-Ice: European Skiing Escapades

Timestamps: 94:24–108:46

• Dan and Chris describe their slightly disastrous, overambitious Italian Alps ski adventure post-Olympics: “I was just gassed and not talking…Some of the worst time I’ve ever had in my life.” – Dan [100:53]
• Lingering on epic ski-lodge parties, bizarre lift etiquette, and a near-fatal collision involving a child on the glacier.
• Hilarious anecdote: Dan, delirious with exhaustion on a flight, nearly walks into the cockpit after misinterpreting a flight attendant's instructions. [112:34]

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7. Pop Culture Conspiracies: Jim Carrey's Clone??

Timestamps: 113:50–121:00

• The trio riff on viral rumors Jim Carrey was replaced by a right-handed doppelganger at a French awards show.
• “They cloned him. Have you ever heard of this?” – Dan [116:17]
• Discussion unravels into theories about clones, alien admission by Obama (“Aliens are real!”), and the public’s short attention span for real conspiracies.
• “Let’s talk about Obama going, ‘Aliens are real!’ – that’s a fun topic!” – Dan [120:44]

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8. Beer League Hotline: The French Onion Dip Addict

Timestamps: 121:09–126:33

• A caller tells how their team’s best scorer is in crisis after being banned from French onion dip by his wife (after being caught passed out at 2am with a “tub” on his stomach).
• Consensus: "Yes, of course you keep him on the team...but just bring chips and dip to post-game; that’s where he gets his fix." – Dan [123:17]
• Chris: “This is the Beer League Hotline, not the Cholesterol Hotline.” [124:21]

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9. Closing: Olympic Team USA Player Blind Ranking

Timestamps: 126:40–130:50

• The hosts rank 2026 Olympic Team USA men’s players based on their performances:
  1. Auston Matthews – “Captain America…won a gold medal, our leader and a winner.” [130:42]
  2. Jack Hughes
  3. Brock Nelson
  4. Jake Guentzel
  5. Vincent Trocheck (praised as a Swiss Army knife role player)
• “There are no losers on this list—literally all gold medalists.” [129:34]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Every single one of these dudes playing such a cautious, defensive style…That is what needs to change. This team needs to score goals.” – Dan on the LA Kings [11:10]
• “I think this is a brilliant idea...trade Bobrovsky to a contender and then re-sign him.” – Dan [24:25]
• “The Kings have been pumped in the first round for the last decade straight. So… do something different.” – Chris [12:38]
• Mark Streit, on switching to forward: “I never played forward...I just went to the net, got pucks off my ass, off my hands.” [48:39]
• On retiring and still missing hockey: “That’s the toughest part when you retire…the travel, the guys, the locker room…the playoffs atmosphere and that rush.” – Mark Streit [71:44]
• On creating Norqain: “If I made it into the NHL from Switzerland, we can do this...It’s just passion, commitment, and hard work.” – Mark Streit [77:19]
• On the “Old Boys Club” tradition: “We draw numbers, one guy organizes the trip, nobody knows where we’re going…You bring your bag, go to the airport, and it’s a surprise.” – Mark Streit [88:46]

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Highlighted Timestamps

• [05:08] Kings fire Jim Hiller—system critique and playoff hope debate
• [14:22] Matthew Schaefer’s rookie records
• [24:25] Bobrovsky trade proposal (Panthers outsider-the-box move)
• [40:01] Mark Streit interview (begins)
• [65:10] Streit’s no-steels-in-skates “first day at Penguins practice” story
• [73:00] Olympic memories & beating Team Canada
• [77:19] Lessons from hockey applied to watchmaking business
• [88:46] Story of the "Old Boys Club" annual trips
• [94:24] Ski trip misadventures in the Dolomites
• [113:50] Jim Carrey “clone” conspiracy riff
• [121:09] French onion dip Beer League crisis

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Final Thoughts

This episode delivers the full Empty Netters experience: deep, often tongue-in-cheek NHL analysis, an inspiring and candid pro hockey interview, and bizarre, hilarious asides. The show ends promising a week of trade deadline coverage and Olympic hero interviews. If you missed this episode, you missed loud laughs, hot takes on the Kings and NHL trades, revelations on old boys trips, and what could be the best advice the pod’s ever given to a French onion dip addict.

Hosts’ sign-off:
“Skate hard.”

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Empty Netters podcast.

[B]

Can you believe what this has become? There was a full 48 hours where

[A]

I felt like I was like literally Superman. Jumbo loves playing Fortnite so he gets on the sticks. Did TR show you the sauna cycle or was that already. No, I invented that.

[C]

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

[A]

So we are back. We are horned up and we are going deep finished tonight with some chicken fingers and a few Guinnesses. Ran into you guys. And that's where this pod came to life. Ice is ready. And we are back with another episode of the Empty Netters podcast brought to you by BetMGM. I'm your host, Dan Powers. Over here on the sticks. His edits of our Italian food reviews could get us on the food channel.

[B]

Agree.

[D]

That was the goal.

[A]

Evan, how are we, baby?

[D]

We're doing fan flippantastic.

[A]

Come home. And then over here to my left, a guy I would normally make fun of, but not today because believe it or not, he's. He is getting married. Chris Powers.

[B]

J Bone. J Bone is getting married.

[A]

What an idiot.

[B]

You're not proposing, are you, dude? Oh, that would have been funnier gift. The over under of the Frank the Tank gifts I was sent yesterday really was very high.

[A]

That's pretty sweet.

[B]

Everybody.

[A]

Who, who. Who sent it first?

[B]

Good question. I gotta go through. Dude, I have. Not to fucking brag, but I have a lot of text. Unanswered text. I get to today.

[A]

I believe that I got a lot of. I posted. Sandra put up a lovely post and I. I shared the post and I got a lot of DMS of people mad at you for finding out through a social media post.

[B]

What am I supposed to do? Go texting everybody?

[A]

That's what I'm saying. I'm actually on your team.

[B]

What am I gonna. I gotta go text everyone.

[A]

You don't text anyone ever.

[B]

Ever. I don't text you anyway.

[D]

No.

[B]

Nope. Also, I had a thought that do guys, I don't like rings. Like the literal thing of them to the point that I was like, I might even get a tattoo of a wedding ring. Because I'm like, I just don't. I don't like it on my finger.

[A]

Careful with that.

[B]

They.

[A]

The. Apparently the ring tats fade pretty easily. Something about it being like on your hand.

[B]

We get a touch. Maybe it's with a celebratory touch up every.

[A]

Any of the tat people let us know. I think. I think hand tat. I don't know. Tons of people have hand tats.

[D]

I think it's because you're exposed to the sun a lot.

[A]

And also, you're probably, like, washing your hands a lot and doing stuff with your hands. That can't help, right? That doesn't.

[D]

Why do you not like rings?

[B]

I don't know. I find them uncomfortable.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

I just. I just find them uncomfortable.

[D]

Sure. You're afraid of getting your finger ripped off. Like, these guys that work at. Like.

[B]

That sounds cool.

[D]

Yeah. It doesn't happen.

[B]

I was like, I certainly don't want a ring ever. But I was like, oh, man, I wish guys got something in this moment in your life. Like, the girl has a ring on now and she's showing all her friends and stuff. And why don't I get a sick watch? How come they're not like, boom?

[D]

My wife gave me a sick watch. But that was a wedding day gift, though. But that's tradition. I think they do get you some kind of gift.

[B]

I want an engagement watch. I wanna be like, boom. And then it should be a thing, though. Every guy at a bar, I want it to be a girl. A bunch of girls out at the bar and they see you out there and they're like, oh, my God, he's so hot. And then they look down and they go, fuck. Watch.

[A]

He's got. He's got an engagement cock ring.

[B]

Yeah. Or the reverse, you know? Oh, my. Like, looking at the ball.

[A]

No ring. When I propose to Alice, I. I get a ring as well. It's like a Swedish thing. Like, throughout our engagement, I will also be wearing.

[B]

See, that's. That's what I'm. That's what I'm screaming. I don't want. You don't want.

[A]

Yeah, I wanted something, maybe. What if you. Did you put the ring on your necklace? That'd be cool.

[D]

Oh, like Frodo.

[A]

Be like Frodo.

[B]

Sorry.

[A]

Then all of a sudden. Then all of a sudden, it starts sucking his life force out. He looks like an absolute gremlin. And people are like, man, I don't think Chris is that happy about getting married.

[B]

But we're like, well, it's actually on the wedding date. No, that's the thing. You take the ring off and then

[A]

all of a sudden you're like, oh,

[B]

God, it's the best day of my life.

[A]

You look so much younger again. Yeah, there you go.

[B]

I like that a lot. I like that a lot.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I think that's a good idea. We need a ring on this necklace. I mean, listen, It's.

[C]

It's.

[A]

I say a lot men need. I get flowers every single week. Every Monday, I go to the grocery store and I buy flowers and I put them in my apartment.

[D]

No shit.

[A]

I do.

[D]

Wow.

[A]

I think they smell nice. I think they look nice. And I'm heavy on. Give men flowers more. Yeah, flowers are lovely. There is nothing. I mean, there is something feminine about flowers, but there's nothing exclusive about flowers being a female thing.

[D]

Totally.

[A]

We can have them, too. They're great. So let's also. Let's get you an engagement jewelry.

[B]

A ring for my necklace.

[A]

You could do a ring. You're a big bracelet guy. I love a bracelet. What if you did an engagement bracelet?

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And it just said it's a nice silver bracelet and it says, engage, Back off.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. That's what I want.

[A]

That's what I want.

[B]

All right, I'm in.

[A]

There we go.

[B]

Engagement bracelet. Done.

[A]

Got a big episode coming for you. We've got hot ice. NHL stuff's back. We got a lot of things to talk about. We have the trade deadline on Friday. We've got Mark Strite on the podcast. Stanley cup champion, Swiss legend, and now watchmaker, watchmaking legend. Unbelievable.

[B]

Kind of Olympic legend, too.

[A]

Yeah, absolutely. So, I mean, he's genuinely a Swiss legend.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's fantastic. Can't wait for you to hear that. We're going to get into some fun. Not ice stuff. Beerleak hotlines. Let's get it cracking in hot ice. Jim Hiller's been fired.

[B]

Go Kings, go. The. This is one.

[A]

Is that a good PR move? Whenever there's like a terrible announcement, you just throw in your team's tagline, try to distract it. Jim Hiller fired. Go Kings.

[B]

Go, Kings, go.

[A]

And everyone's like, oh, yeah, all right. Yeah. D.J. smith taken over as the interim head coach. This is now the back to back Kings coach firings where the interim takes over. We'll see if that works or if this should have been a situation where maybe we had Pete DeBoer waiting in the wings. I don't know. I don't know if we'll have enough time.

[B]

So this is why this is interesting to me, because we. I think there's been. We've. We had an enlightening conversation that I can't reveal the sources, but we had an enlightening conversation about how over reactionary sports teams can be.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Sports franchises can be with, oh, we didn't win the cup this year. Let's fire the coach. And it's like, is he a Good coach. Because if he is, just keep him. Like, they don't need to be firing people left and right just because of an immediate coin flip. So I'm now framing my brain around stuff like that, where I go maybe keep guys. But also we've seen way, way earlier firings that I actually was like, that was kind of crazy. And then it completely turned a season around. Read the Edmonton Oilers two years ago or whatever to the point that the timing of this firing is what I find weird. It's not. And we never want anyone to lose our jobs on the show. We never say that I didn't want Jimmy Hiller to be fired, but if we're firing him, I cannot believe we took this long to fire him.

[A]

I agree we are a positivity and goofy and silly boy podcast, but I will be slightly spicy here and say I think that this had to happen.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Never want someone to lose their job, but I think that this had to happen. I think with everything going on with the Kings, with it being copies last year, how much talent is on their team that's not performing as they should. I'm kind of like, we need a new system in here. Could not agree with you more that I, I, I am utterly shocked that this happened in fucking March, dude.

[B]

I got when I got the alert, I was like, this is a mistake.

[A]

I was in the building the practice facility in I think it was November or December. And it was after a stretch where I was like, he will surely be fired.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, they lose this game. I can't remember the last time that a team was talking about firing their coach for such a long time and then did it. I mean, it's shocking that it happened this late, but at the I know a lot of Kings fans are going too little too late. I don't think that that's true. I think we were I was looking at the standings today and excuse me, The Oilers are third in the Pacific with 66 points and the Kings have two games in hand on them. So if the Kings win two games in a row, they are tied with for third in the Pacific. Like, it's, it is definitely not too little too late.

[D]

Don't you think it would have made more sense to fire him before the Olympic break then you have two, three weeks to get the coaching staff to date. I mean, why. Why do it at the that's what

[B]

I' I cannot fathom this decision, the timing of the decision, the decision I support.

[A]

But I'm like, you also had like you had that week where guys were on the ice practicing. The last week of the Olympics, guys were back practicing and you could have had a new coach there to do that, but instead you come back and lose an absolute shit stomp or shitstorm performance against Vegas. And then you get pistol whipped by Edmonton like it was too bad.

[B]

Is that. What are those? Yeah. So they lose to Vegas at home

[A]

in like such a bad game, pistol

[B]

whip by Edmonton, beat Calgary and they go, you're fired.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I go, what, dude?

[A]

I mean it's classic. It was the same thing with Jim Montgomery in Boston. It was like they, they lost a couple games, then won a good one. It's like the decisions made before the Calgary game.

[B]

Yeah, right.

[A]

But yeah, I mean, had to happen. I. Again, I understand It's. It's almost even harder probably to hire a new coach this late in the game.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

It's like that's, that's probably why I think it's so crazy that you waited this long because now you're in March and you're asking a guy like Pete DeBoer like, Yo, do you want to be the coach of the Kings now? And he's like, it's March. What are you talking about? I just planned a grease trip. Like, what are you nuts? So it's like I feel like all. Any eligible coach is probably like they, they were almost like, I know this is so late in the game. I'm going to wait till the end of the season or something, but I'll

[B]

have plenty more options.

[A]

Yeah, I, I think the, the biggest thing for the Kings here that I make this crazy to me is you. We obviously see Todd McClellan doing well now, but the, I think the issue with the Kings is the system. I think it's way too defensive of a system. I think it's way too neutral and cautious of a system. When you have guys. We've talked about this with the Kings and I know we have injuries, but I'm going to include the injured players. When you pre Paneran trade have guys like Kevin Fiala, like Anjakopitar, like Adrian Kempe, like Trevor Moore, Andre Kuzmenko, Quinton Byfield, Alex Lefarier, you've got guys on defense like Drew Doughty and Brandt Clark who can all contribute offensively very, very well. Trevor Moore is like a 30 goal scorer.

[B]

Did it.

[A]

And you've just got every single one of these dudes playing Fogle too. Fog daddy as well. You've got every one of these dudes playing such a cautious def style of like Neutral zone trap hockey. That is what needs to change. Because this team needs to score goals. We've talked about it. Their defense is pretty good this year. They don't give up a lot of goals. Kemper's great. They need to score. So you hire the coach and then go, the associate coach is now the head coach. And I'm always like, how much is possibly going to change? This is a guy who is in this coaching department.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Is he going to go? I've actually hated every single thing that was going on. I'm going to flip this shit on its head.

[B]

He could, he could, he could be like, I've been sitting here. I've been sitting here screaming, pulling my

[A]

hair, chomping at the bit.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Waiting for. I'm. I. I'm like a. I'm a horny caged dog. Let me out. Let me start humping. Maybe. That'd be great. Yeah. But I just don't know if that's gonna happen.

[B]

I just think too that it's the, the Devils. The Devils of the early 2000s were playing that trap shit, you know, and different league then, obviously, but they were winning. You know what I mean? And I know it's hard. It's hard to win a cup, but it's like, it's one. I'm sure Patrick Eliash could have scored way more goals if he was in a system. But it's a matter because they were winning Cups.

[A]

Yes. And also a different league. Like, it was a different game.

[B]

But this Kings team has been pumped in the first round for the last decade straight. So I'm like, you're not winning. Do something different.

[A]

Do me a favor and say that again for the people who are listening in their car and not totally paying attention. Say that playoff stat.

[B]

The Kings have been pumped in the first round for the last decade straight. So.

[A]

The Los Angeles Stallless Kings are such a successful franchise and I think are often brought up in conversations about some of the most well run organizations in the NHL. They have not advanced past the first round since 2014 when they won the Stanley Cup. People forget that.

[B]

Zoinks.

[A]

Like, hey, Scoob, it's been 12 years.

[D]

Can you say that again for the kids in the back who are like, love scoop.

[A]

Say that again for the kids sitting in the back of that car that weren't paying attention.

[B]

Dude, isn't it funny when we see young kids in the public and they're like, dude, it's.

[A]

I. I actually think it's the least funny thing in the world?

[B]

Their dad Their dad's like, oh my. My boy's a huge fan. Can you get a pick? And I'm like, he's eight, sir, and this is an inappropriate show.

[A]

You should probably not be listening to me. He goes like this. I'm. I love Beerlee Cotline.

[B]

Oh my God. No. So, yeah, I'm hopeful that the Kings get a new Coach Bump and make the playoffs because we love a new Coach Bump. It'll be a fucking tragedy if they miss the playoff playoffs in Kopi's last year. That would be a nightmare.

[A]

Agree.

[B]

Do you think there's a chance that Kopi un.

[A]

Retire.

[B]

Retires?

[A]

Honestly, absolutely not.

[B]

But I think there's a chance. I don't think it's likely. I'm just saying it's a chance.

[A]

So we're. We're going to get back into the Kings in a little bit as we talk about trade deadline so we can move on. But it is just so crazy how Holland makes that swing for Panarin and then Fiala breaks his leg in a million places and is done for the year. And now Kuzmenko also had a meniscus surgery and I'm like, oh, so again, we'll get into it, but like they have to make a pretty significant trade again.

[B]

Yeah. So I have thoughts. Okay. We'll get there. We'll get there.

[A]

Speaking of offense that is needed.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You don't need any on the island because Matthew Schaefer, who is only 15 years old.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Has scored 20 goals in his first season as a defenseman.

[B]

He doesn't even have his driver's license.

[A]

He doesn't even.

[D]

You don't need one in New York.

[A]

Yeah. He can't be on the island.

[B]

On the island though. Yeah.

[A]

I think. I think the island's even more crazy. The island has no laws at all. Yeah.

[B]

They. You need your boating license. That's it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's all you got over there?

[A]

Dude, Schaefer can't even go see an R rated movie.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And he's got 20 goals.

[B]

Listen to these rips here. Shaved 20 goals this season. The most by an 18 year old defenseman in NHL history. Come on. He had two against the Habs and then two. So he scored two against the Habs to break Phil Housley's NHL record for 18 year old defenseman. And then he scored another two against the Panthers on Sunday which became the first time a defenseman be the first Rookie to reach 20 goals in a season. The first time a defenseman became the first rookie which Is insane. He also tied Housley's record for the most multigol games by a teenage defenseman in a season in NHL history. They each have four. He could break that. He became the youngest defenseman and sixth youngest skater in history to score 20 goals in a season.

[A]

Insane.

[B]

And his two goals against the Canadians on Thursday came 55 seconds apart making him the first 18 year old defenseman in history to score twice in under one minute. The last 18 year old player to accomplish that feat was Happy Gilmore. Was Sidney Crosby. Two goals in 44 seconds on December 23rd. Gailson in five.

[C]

Good.

[B]

He's doing Crosby shit. He really. From the blue line he.

[A]

He might score fucking 30 goals. We were. We were stroking ourselves off to Kale scoring 30 goals last year and shave. Daddy is 18. He might do it. Booch tweeted something today I think this morning and he was like my Norris vote. Like he has to be a Norris voting, let alone Calder. Yep, he has to be in Norris voting. It's crazy.

[B]

I think that's correct.

[A]

This kid is. He is as game changing as we've seen in a lot. I mean, I don't want to say a long time because I believe Macklin last. There are some people who are being like Macklin's jump didn't really start until this year. You're dumb if you think that. Macklin, yes. Like they, they didn't make the playoffs. But for a team that finished last place again.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Everything changed last year in San Jose. People were legitimately like I am not going to games.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Die hard Sharks fans were like I'm not going to games. We're so bad. Macklin and Will showed up and everything changed about the vibes of that team. And if you don't think that that also leaked into tons of people being like, I would go there. Like Tyler Tifoli comes to that team because he is like they drafted Macklin. Like that is a big deal. So that is a. I mean Matt Macklin's in that conversation. But it. This is comparable to Sid and Ovi, Sid and Novi showing up in Pitt and Washington and being like this and everything is now different.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

The Islanders are their fucking party, dude.

[B]

Oh my God.

[A]

That place is a party. We are partying on the island.

[B]

It's a great place to party.

[A]

I had some other stats for you here. Matthew Schaefer for defensive ranks in the league.

[B]

In the league.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Not rookies. Defensive ranks in the league. Puck possession per game. 16 minutes or excuse me, in the season 161 minutes, 31 seconds. 3rd in the NHL zone exits 431 second in the NHL zone entries 223 second in the NHL open ice dekes 140 third in the NHL goals 20. Tied for second in the NHL for all defensemen in the league.

[B]

Outrageous. Dude.

[A]

It brings us into. I wanted to bring up Beckett, your boy, because this came up on Hockey Talk yesterday. Someone was like, is Beckett the leader for Calder? He is leading rookies in points with 49. I think Shafe's three behind him or five behind him. Maybe Shaef has like 44, 47 or something like that.

[B]

But

[A]

the answer is no. He is absolutely my number two. Yeah. Schaefer's 44. I think credit to Demidov. Demidov's great, but I always get a little bit uppity about. He played a little bit last year. So that's always going to factor in my personal voting.

[B]

I see. Yep.

[A]

Beckett's been unbelievable. I mean, I'm talking. You want to get fired up about Leo Carlson, as you should get equally fired up about Beckett. I mean, like, Beckett and Leo.

[B]

What a pick. Oh, my God, dude. After that. Are you fucking kidding me?

[A]

Pvb. Like that is such a brass balls pick.

[B]

Insane, dude.

[A]

Crazy. So I find it. I find it my duty to bring up Beckett and give him a tap on the head for how good he is. But I all that to say. I just still think it's. I don't know how you can pick anyone but Schaefer.

[B]

I think that's. I don't think I know that's correct. Because of what Schaefer. Everything we just read like the stats are insane. He's doing Bobby Orr.

[D]

Shit.

[B]

He's doing Sidney Crosby. Shit. It's a joke. And the Islanders are firmly in the playoffs right now.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

The Ducks, after their huge dip, are one point back from Vegas right now with a game in hand for first in the Pacific.

[D]

Yep.

[B]

I think if the Ducks and where they spent most of the week.

[A]

Can we just hold on. How fucking awesome is that?

[B]

It's amazing, dude. Quack, quack, quack.

[A]

Can we talk about that for a second?

[D]

It's your show. Go for it.

[A]

The Anaheim Ducks are one point back with a game in hand from first

[B]

in the Pacific with the Mitch Marner, Jack Eichel Vegas gold knights with 60 games. Yep.

[A]

And they were missing Leo for so long.

[B]

I think if they finish first, it also helps Beckett's case.

[A]

People forget that we saved their season.

[B]

Correct. Yeah. Take flight, baby. If they finish first, it Helps Beckett's case. But I think Beckett would need to make a. Right now he has a five point lead over Schaefer. I think it would need to significantly. He would have to get double digits. Oh, yeah. I was gonna say like 15 points more. If he does that, then I go as good as Schaefer's been. Beckett on the first place ducks with 75 points on the year. If he gets, you know, if he goes crazy, I'll be like, okay, you're in the conversation and what fucking kills me, dude. And this always happens. We should get Dr. Locks in here. This always fucking happens. I went to the Ducks. We went to the Ducks home opener and I went like this. Damn, Beckett is so good. Nasty.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So I went on betmgm.com and he was 16 to 1 to win Rookie of the year because he was so low behind Ryan Lunner, behind everybody. And I was like, this. Beckett is going to win rookie of the year. I am placing $100 bet on this. I'm going to win $1,600 because I know ball. And now he is going to lose to Schaefer, but he's going to finish second. And, like, I feel as though it was the right bet. Like, I did everything right, and I'm now going to get nothing.

[A]

You lose a day, you're going to get Schaefed.

[B]

Yeah, I'm going to get shafed. And it fucking enrages me because now I'm like, damn you, Schaefer. Instead I should just be like, I love you.

[A]

And you're reveling in how amazing it is.

[B]

It's like, God damn it.

[A]

I. At the begin, Chris and I put a. We put a bet on Dorothy of on Vegas to win the Rocket because he was just scoring. It will. You're like three hackers. And I felt so good about it. And Scorofiev's like, not even in top 10 now, bro.

[B]

He. He might never score a Fiev again.

[A]

What do you mean? He just scored the other night.

[B]

No, he never scores. He never scored again. He'll never score score.

[A]

Fiev is 21st in the league with 28 goals.

[B]

Puke.

[A]

What a bad bet by a puke. People want to know if we take accountability. Beckett, that was a terrible bet, and I'm sorry if anyone falls back.

[B]

An incredible bet. He could do it. He could still do it.

[A]

Incredible bet. Speaking of betting. Come on, let's take a quick ad break. Talk about BetMG.

[B]

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[A]

We're back and we're talking trade deadline. We're gonna talk about this all week.

[B]

Is it Friday? Yeah, it's on Friday.

[A]

Trade deadline is Friday. So we're obviously we're gonna get all into it in the Thursday episode as well. Hopefully some more stuff will be going down. We're hearing some rumblings already. There were some quick hitters that I wanted to discuss. We gotta always remember that ltir is different this year.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

So there's a lot of teams like Dallas, for example. Tyler Sagan has been shut down for the year. But that. Like that ltir. Well, that's different. He's. He's not coming back.

[B]

Well, I was gonna say you can use it.

[A]

So he.

[B]

You just can't. You just can't then go to playoffs

[A]

and be like, bring guys back. Yeah.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

So there are some big names that could be dealt. And I want to talk about a bunch, but I want to talk about. I don't know when this first came up with us. And tell him, check me if I'm self boosting us.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I think this was an original idea.

[B]

Doubt it.

[A]

Might not. I'm not saying me, I'm saying us.

[B]

Yep. Still doubt it.

[A]

Yeah, you're probably right. I first. I'm going to get us off the jump here.

[C]

The

[A]

Florida Panthers are in a tough spot.

[B]

Yes, they are.

[A]

They're in seventh in the Eastern Conference wild card. Ranking seventh in wild card. I think they might be dead.

[B]

I think they are dead.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

That's insane.

[A]

I. If I learned anything last year, it's to never doubt them.

[B]

So I would want to be dead if I were them, though.

[A]

So that's kind of where I'm at. I'm almost like, I Think it might behoove you guys to shut her down, get healthy and get Barkov back, and then come in next year and win a cup. And here's my hot take. You ready, Ev?

[D]

I'm ready.

[A]

I legitim. I think that this is a brilliant idea. If I were the Florida Panthers and it feels like we're. We're toast here. I think this is insane, dude. I think that the Florida Panthers should 100% trade Sergey Bobrovsky to a contender, let him go chase a cup with a team, and then resign him this summer when he becomes a free agent. I don't think there's any world where Bobrovsky plays in the NHL after this year for anyone other than the Panthers.

[B]

I agree with that.

[A]

And if you're going to miss playoffs and you know this dude is resigning, go fucking trade him and get a ridiculous haulback. You can get a first round pick for him easily.

[B]

I think you could. And that they probably do they have picks coming up.

[A]

No.

[B]

Dissed. A lot of picks. No, they've been dishing picks.

[A]

They were. They. They've been dishing picks.

[B]

Yep. So they would like that if you could get first round for Bob back, let him go play, try to win another cup and then, and then you know he's coming back because you do.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

That make. That's good business.

[A]

Yeah, but Bob's got creaky knees, bro.

[B]

And I think, I think you go. I don't know.

[A]

You're telling me you, you think that Bob can't go on a cup run this year?

[B]

No, he can. But wouldn't. If you're the Panthers for your cup run next year, wouldn't you rather he had the summer off?

[D]

Yeah, that'd be four years.

[A]

I get what you're saying.

[B]

I'm like, bob, go. In fact, I wouldn't trade Bob. I'd fucking cut Bob. I go, you're fired, dude. And then I'll just re sign him at the end of the summer. Like, stop, literally stop playing hockey. Go away.

[D]

The fans heads will explode.

[A]

Yeah, I think they would.

[D]

Any of that happen.

[A]

I think they would love it. I think the fans who don't see that they're eliminated would get mad.

[D]

Of course.

[A]

But like you're telling me it's good business.

[B]

It's that business.

[A]

Yeah, but that creaky knees, that is fair. Like, I actually get that take. But like, I look at Carolina who has 8.8 mil in cap space and I am a bussy believer.

[B]

Yes, me too.

[A]

And Carolina also is carrying three goalies I think, at the moment. So it would have to require some. A bit of movement, but with how open the east is, if you're telling me that there wasn't an opportunity for Carolina to be like, yeah, well, I mean, I'd take Bob, like, what about

[B]

Pitt, dude, Go to Pitt. Well, there.

[A]

Are they going to make the playoffs? Pit.

[B]

Pitt is chilling, dude.

[A]

And like, what about. They don't really have the cap space, but, like, what about Montreal? Does Montreal believe in Fowler? Do they believe in Dobes? Like, what are we doing?

[B]

What if the Oilers got him?

[A]

What if they beat it? What if.

[D]

Yeah, that. Honestly, after he's.

[B]

He's ripped their soul out two years in a row and he goes to be put into it, he goes, yo, I'll just win you a cup.

[A]

What if. What about that?

[B]

And then they just go right back to Florida, and then Florida beats the Oilers next year in the Cup.

[A]

What about that?

[B]

Like, okay, all good.

[A]

What about Utah?

[B]

Yeah. I mean, I don't know.

[A]

I think it is. I think it would be the sickest move of all time.

[B]

It would be insane. I would fucking love it.

[A]

I mean, again, I'm a bussy believer.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

But if you're telling me if all of a sudden the Carolina Hurricanes added Sergey Bobrovsky in their net for this cup run, that people wouldn't be like, holy shit, they are the.

[B]

You're going to win now.

[A]

They are the number one contender.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I don't know. Would be pretty cool.

[B]

That would be extremely cool.

[A]

Okay, some people I want to talk about Rasmus wrist the line.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

First of all, actually, I jumped ahead. Sorry. Stamkos said that there is, quote, zero chance he's waving his claws.

[B]

Yeah. What do you think about that?

[A]

I'm surprised.

[B]

And didn't he just recently say, no, I probably won't, but I would go to these three.

[A]

No. Someone made. I don't think there was any Stamkos, like, quote, but someone was like, if he were to move, it would only be for so and so, so and so and so.

[B]

They are not. And I'm. I feel so validated on this one. They are firmly not dead. Correct. Like, they are.

[D]

They.

[B]

I was this year. I was like, they're going to be back. They'll make playoffs. And I felt like an idiot fool for 30 games where I was like, oh, my God, they're terrible.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But they are firmly not dead. So if, like, if the Nashville Experience experiment had gone better from the start for him, I was in full support of that move. I never Wanted him to leave Tampa, but if they were going to be dicks, then I was like, I love Steven Samko. Go to Nashville, which is a place I love. That's a great team. You will win a cup there. It's just gone so badly. So if you could almost just in a vacuum go, you're in playoffs. I go, yeah, why would you wave? You're in a fucking awesome city, you're on a great deal, a place that loves you, and you're going to try to win a cup. It's just. It's hard to erase the last year and a half.

[D]

What if Stamkos just doesn't like country music?

[B]

Yeah. And he's like, well, I think, I think it feels.

[A]

It sounds like he loves it. Maybe, maybe that's the fact that he's being like this. There's zero chance I'm waving. He goes, I'm like, I think he actually starts. He's loving it, so he wants to

[B]

see, yeah, we'll send you to the, to the afs. You can win a cup. And he goes, no country music there, dude.

[A]

So I'm out.

[B]

I will not leave.

[A]

Hard pass. Hard pass.

[B]

I will not leave.

[A]

Speaking of Colorado, I just quickly have to say the Denver Airport is like the worst place I've ever been in my entire life.

[B]

It's crazy.

[D]

It has a bunch of.

[A]

It's too big.

[D]

Well, you know, this is like a conspiracy theory. There's all that stuff in there.

[B]

Yeah. There's like a demon horse and like

[A]

we're talking about conspiracy theories later on the pod.

[D]

Okay.

[A]

This is exciting. This is a really exciting pot. A lot of stuff. There's been a lot of foreshadowing in today's pod. Yes. Okay, so Stamko's out. Rasmus versus Linen. He has come up like every single year. Just had a great Olympics. He was what, you think? So? Okay, so he's a plus nine with Finland. He's on year four of a five year contract making 5.1 million years, 31 years old. I think he's got like six or seven points, but that's not the guy. He is. He is like a. I'm a good defenseman. There's a lot of defensemen that are coming up for me. I'm going to add to the wrist. Align and watch. This is DP's big board.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. Okay.

[A]

I'm adding Justin Falk. I'm adding Mackenzie Weger, friend of the program. I'm adding Tyler Myers.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And I'm adding Dougie Hamilton. All names on DP's big board, as

[B]

in guys who could go.

[A]

Guys who could go. And how about this? Should go.

[B]

Should go. Got it.

[A]

All those guys I'm looking at, teams like Detroit could use some defense. There's so many teams that I'm looking at. Teams like San Jose, God could use some defense. Seattle, Kraken could use some defense. Even the Duckies. You could add a. You could add a body. I love the Duckies decor, but, like, you can maybe add like a defenseman.

[B]

Yeah, sure.

[A]

You know, sure, sure. But I. I think literally every one of those guys should move.

[B]

I think you get.

[A]

I think we get Tyler Myers, Justin Falk, and Resta Line. And I could see Weeks being the man and being like, no, I'm sticking it out here. But I'm like, weeks and Dougie, I need you in the playoffs.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Dougie is just such a. It's tough that he's been injured, but the Devils are.

[B]

Are eliminated.

[A]

I mean, I said. I said this summer, Dougie should be traded. I've been saying Doug Hamilton should be traded. Remember, Dougie Hamilton was supposed to be a Shark. He said, no.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I'm like, whoops, Whoops.

[B]

I mean, they're not that good still, but, yeah, that wasn't a career ender.

[A]

Adding to the Blues, who are dead, by the way.

[B]

What blues are dead?

[A]

Blues eliminated Robert Thomas and Jordan Cairo. Did you hear the talk of Robert Thomas to Toronto and what the ask would be?

[B]

No.

[A]

Matthew Nyes, Easton Cowan. And a first round pick for Rob Thomas.

[B]

For Robert Thomas. And I love Rob Thomas, and I will not have Rob Thomas slander on this show.

[A]

There will be zero Robert Thomas slander.

[B]

I think he's underrate.

[A]

Robert Thomas is a phenomenal center.

[B]

Yep. But that is an inappropriate return.

[A]

You know who I could see Robert Thomas going to?

[B]

Matchbox 20.

[D]

I was gonna say.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Is that the Santana song, too?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

He could be going to an alt rock band.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And making great music.

[D]

Him and Stamkos can join a. Oh,

[B]

my God, dude, get him.

[D]

He loves country.

[A]

Get him to Nashville.

[B]

Get him to Nashville.

[A]

He'll make Steve start having more fun. I could see Robert Thomas being a LA King. Straight target. Yep. That is amazing. That is a massive center. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Massively helpful.

[B]

Interesting, interesting, interesting, interesting. Then Cadre moves.

[A]

I don't know. Cadre's in the same camp as Dougie Hamilton. For me. Yeah, it's just like a name that comes up all the time, and I'm like, but you should probably move.

[B]

You should move.

[A]

He's like, no, I'm good. And I'm like, okay. I think the Rangers are not done blowing it up.

[D]

They're fire sale.

[A]

Oh, 100%. And it is. I think it is your fiduciary responsibility to fucking trade Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zabanajad. And if you don't, you have failed Chris Drury.

[B]

Yeah. Because you want to just go. We're building around chesty and laugh.

[A]

Not laugh and I. Laugh is a part of that team. But I don't think that you're building around laugh. I think you're building around chesty Adam Fox and Gabe Perot.

[B]

Yep. Okay. And Will Cooley and J.T. miller.

[A]

Nope. You want him gone? Nope. I just don't think you're building around.

[B]

He's your captain.

[A]

A guy in his 30s.

[B]

He's your captain.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

I have a message for Trocheck.

[A]

Go.

[D]

Come home.

[B]

Come home to Pitt. Yeah, that'd be really nice.

[D]

Ian's need to come back home.

[A]

That'd be fries, dude. I really actually like that it's not going to happen, but I don't. Yeah, I don't. You know who I really do like, though, is Minnesota.

[D]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

I think Trocheck just, like.

[B]

That'd be really good.

[A]

Yeah. Trocheck joining that Minnesota team is.

[B]

Imagine if Minnesota goes on a fucking cup run.

[C]

I. I can't.

[A]

I can't think. I can think a few things that would be more fun. We can go there in June, break your laptop, go there in June, be on the lake, snap your laptop and.

[B]

God, that'd be so sick. If Minnesota. If Minnesota wins the Cup, I'll smash

[A]

my laptop on the pod. Okay. And then my last thing on trade deadline again. We're gonna get horny for the trade deadline over the course of this week, but my last thing is Auston Matthews.

[B]

You are such an asshole. You're a fucking pig.

[A]

I didn't say anything. I just brought him up.

[B]

Here's the thing, dude. He is a fucking champion. He's an Olympic champion.

[A]

I know.

[B]

Gold medalist. I know. And Toronto can get fucked.

[A]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. We're not lumping everyone in Toronto media and Toronto fans into certain people.

[B]

Did you see that headline?

[A]

Yeah. It was absolutely ridiculous.

[D]

I know. What is it?

[B]

It was a headline that said in the Toronto Star or whatever. It was like, auston Matthews values the president and something.

[A]

Overplayed and something.

[B]

And like a parade. Yeah, yeah. And I was like, dude, first of all, you guys blow. Second of all, shut the fuck up. He just Won the Olympic felt.

[A]

Felt like a crazy team.

[D]

They're going to get.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Outrageous.

[C]

He.

[A]

I am though.

[B]

You said this. I am on. What is it, 2028. Yeah, I am on 2028. Auston Matthews returns to the States. Watch here because it just feels like this isn't going well and sometimes it does take a year.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Like the Marner thing is such a shake up.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

Like, oh, this will be easy. And it just wasn't that easy. It can take a year. You know, you can retool in the off season but like I think they were going, we'll be fine. And you stink and you're about to miss playoffs.

[A]

So you're David. I know, listen, I didn't say anything. I just brought him up. Who knows?

[D]

But they're not going to actually move him this year, right?

[B]

No.

[A]

There is, in my opinion there is absolutely zero chance that he is dealt this year. But I think it is, it is worth discussing that next year.

[B]

He goes, I'm not resigning. Then you go, yeah.

[A]

And it's also just worth discussing a. Can you benefit each other? Maybe, you know, and I don't know, Austin Matthews, maybe he's thrilled in there and he's like, no, we're going to fucking figure this out. I bet he is. But maybe there's a world where

[C]

tree

[A]

living sits down with him and is like, dude, like maybe we need to shake things up here. And he's like, I'm open to it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And maybe you make a huge trade with Utah or something and you get, you know, multiple first round picks and prospect and a great player back or something. I don't know. I don't know.

[B]

Just saying they move back to Arizona and then everyone's happy.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

Play for the Coyote. Wait, Coyotes aren't there anymore. Oh, no.

[B]

Oh, shit.

[D]

What?

[A]

Well, like we said, we're gonna stay horny on the trade deadline all week.

[B]

Predictions for the next step.

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

to kick it to our good friend Mark Strite. Absolute legend. Cannot wait for you to hear from him. Take it away.

[B]

We are joined today. Okay, so Mark, do you say an Englishburg Switzerland native or a Bern Byrne? Okay. We are joined today by a bern native. The 262nd overall pick of the 2004 draft by the Montreal Canadiens who played for the Habs, the Islanders, the Flyers and the Penguins. One of the few swing men in NHL history. Legendary title into the IIHF hall of fame in 2020. This is my favorite stat. Cover of the Swiss version of the NHL game in 28,008 and 2011. Absolutely amazing. An NHL Allstar in 2009. A Stanley cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017. A four time Olympian in 02, 06, 2010 and 2014 serving as the Swiss captain for three three of those trips. And co founder of NorCain, the sickest Swiss watch brand in the game. Mark Strike. Welcome to the Engineers podcast.

[C]

Good morning and thanks for the flowers.

[A]

Yeah, pretty good hit list right there. Yeah, not bad. Chris did want to know one thing. It's probably the most important thing of all the accolades you have. Are you friendly with Roger Federer?

[C]

I met him a few times.

[B]

There you go.

[A]

There you go buddy.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

So you are now one step closer. Yeah, tiny, tiny one.

[C]

No, I. I had the opportunity to meet him in New York and see him play in New York and then I went to Wimbledon one year actually with. With Nino and Roman.

[A]

Oh wow, what a trip.

[C]

Another Swiss body that plays in the Swiss League. So we were in Wimbledon, we met him, we met him after the game and yeah, it was amazing. Very impressive guy and yeah, such a humble person. Like it's incredible.

[B]

Yeah, I remember when he was starting

[A]

out, he feels like a perfect human.

[B]

It's unbelievable. When he was starting out there, I swear to God this is true. I'll have someone factor this because Chadski knows but when he was starting out there was on his website there was an address, not his parents house but there was some address that his parents had access to that was like if you Mail something here, I'll sign it and mail it back. And I was like, what?

[A]

It's just his mom and dad's house.

[B]

Like, this is insane.

[A]

That eventually got real dangerous.

[B]

But, but Mark, when I was, you know, we were looking up, doing research and everything and it, I think it was when you signed the Islanders deal, it was like you were the second highest paid Swiss athlete in the world behind Roger. And I was like, oh, does he know Roger? I gotta ask, I gotta ask.

[A]

Another good title? Yeah, it's amazing. Well, I mean, as Chris listed at the top, incredible NHL career, but super unorthodox beginning for you. You were drafted in the ninth round, which isn't even possible now. And I think a ton of people don't know who are familiar with you. You were like 26 years old when you got drafted. And I think in your day, the sort of small mobile defenseman wasn't as popular as it is now. Do you feel like when you look back on your career, do you regret not trying to get into the NHL faster or earlier in your career, or do you think it actually ultimately really helped your career?

[C]

Well, I think there were different reasons. First of all, as you mentioned it, you know, like when I was 18, 19, I played the world juniors twice. Switzerland.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Pretty good tournaments. And every year, every summer, I was really excited for the draft. I mean, I was following the draft every year and really disappointed that I didn't make it. But you know, back then when you weren't six or six foot one, you had no chance. And I think with the changing of the rules, you know, the teams looked at, at smaller scale defensemen. And at the time you had Sidlicky Rafalski and those were European players that went to the NHL when they were 25, 26. So later on, so I fell into that category. And I think the year I got drafted, I didn't even check out the

[A]

draft at one time. Yeah, yeah, you've ruled it out. You're like, you know what? Fuck this, I'm not even going to watch. And then bang.

[C]

It's actually a pretty funny story. It was Sunday morning, the draft was on Saturday and I was in Zurich and I had a good night with my buddies. So at 10 o' clock in the morning, the phone rang and I woke up, you know, a little bit.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And. And then there was this journalist, Swiss journalist, say, hey, congrats. And I'm like, congrats.

[A]

Did I see you last night?

[C]

I must have missed something last night. No, and then he's well he got drafted. I'm like, oh, wow, really? That's amazing by you. And then, you know, he said, montreal Canadiens. And I was, I mean, the happiest person in the world and so excited. It took a little bit longer, but it was just, you know, the NHL changed the rules. It was like more of a skill game. Less bigger guys and more skilled and had the ability to skate. That was one of my fortress. So it took a little bit longer, but once I made it, I mean, it meant so much to me. Like, it was incredible, of course.

[A]

And it's also. It's amazing. I was. You had an amazing World Championships tournament that was like. That was the year before. That definitely put you on more people's maps. And it's. It's awesome how those tournaments can ultimately really lead to people getting drafted and getting their shot in the NHL.

[C]

Absolutely. And, you know, there's the lockout year, too.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Had a lot of NHL players in Switzerland, in the Swiss League, and then the World Championships in Austria had a good tournament. And I think it was Gauthier. Yeah, I think he was the assistant gm. He was high on me, and he was the reason I got drafted by Montreal. So I met him at camp after. In the fall, and I talked to him, and, yeah, I mean, it was a huge adjustment. I mean, when I came over and I, you know, I saw the practices, I skated with the team, and it was just. The adjustment was humongous from the Swiss League. Just the speed, the intensity, and the physicality.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Even with the shift in smaller defensive, you know, you're still like, oh, wow, this is a step up.

[C]

Well, you know, I felt like I'm staying at the German Autobahn, watching the practice and being on the ice. And then back then, you still had the bigger guys. You still had the fighting in camp, and there's always some fights. So it was a huge adjustment. But you know what credit to the Canadians, they gave me the time to adapt, and that's what I needed. It took a little while to get used to the speed of the game, the physicality, the travel, and to feel comfortable and have the confidence you actually play your game.

[A]

Was that weird for you? You know, because you were kind of a veteran already, you know, like, you're in your mid-20s, and was there a part of you when you got there that was like, oh, shit, maybe I shouldn't have come here. This is insane? Or were you like, nope, I finally made it. I'm going to make it work? Yeah, no, I.

[C]

You know, I that was always my dream. Yeah. And I. That's the thing I wanted in my life, in my career, and. But you're right, you know, I was a Swiss captain. I played a few world championships, few Olympics, international career. And you felt pretty good about yourself because, you know, you're confident, you're a good player, but you play in Switzerland, the Swiss league, kind of in a bubble.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And then you go to the big world and the big guys, and it was just a huge. For me, adapting to the game and to everything. I mean, you play in The Bell Center, 21,000 people, the media, the TV, everything. The pressure in the city to. It was, I think, back then in Montreal, it was one of the most difficult markets to establish yourself in the league.

[B]

Wow. Great call. I believe that.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Did. Did. Did you and the boys run it back Sunday to celebrate the draw? You're coming off a big night, but I just feel like you must have done something.

[C]

Yeah, no, we didn't go back to back.

[A]

I got drafted.

[C]

Let's go again.

[B]

They're like, we didn't. Dude, I'm dying. Yeah.

[A]

That's awesome. Oh, that's amazing.

[B]

Okay, so in your career, you. I think mostly with Montreal, but You played roughly 60 games as a forward, obviously, majority of defensemen. And when I'm reading about that, I'm like, yeah, I do that in beer league. Depending on who shows up, I can go up, go back. But the NHL at the Bell center, that's a different story. So first, I just want to know what even went into the preparation for something like that when they were like, hey, you're going to play up tonight.

[C]

Well, the good thing is I didn't have a whole lot of time. It was basically after warm ups, that guy Carbono came to me, said, hey, can you play up front? I'm like, for sure, yeah. So I never played forward, you know, before. And I just realized, you know, obviously as a player, you need to find a role on the team.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And I realized, you know, if you want to play in the NHL, that's what you got to do. And I played as a winger, but also three games as a center.

[B]

No way. Yeah.

[C]

And so one of my first face offs was against Mike Fisher.

[A]

Oh, God.

[C]

And I never. I never had a face off before. So I was.06.

[B]

My first.

[A]

Checking the game notes after that one, they were like, maybe not center.

[D]

Okay.

[C]

So, yeah, it was, you know, a thought process, but I think as a defenseman, you kind of realize a little bit thing everything from behind, what you need to do as a forward. And you know, honestly, I just. As a forward, I just, you know, I park myself in front of the net. Yeah. I don't know how many goals I scored. Just getting pucks off my ass, off my hands. Yeah, I just went to the net. I mean, obviously it's. It. You have to pay the price, but that's where you score the goals. That's why today I can understand when forward snoke don't go to the net because it, it. Those are easy free goals. Yeah, yeah. And everybody's some playing out here on the outside.

[A]

It's so much on the perimeter now. Right. It's like sometimes we watch power plays and no one's in net and I'm like. And the power play struggling and I'm

[C]

like, drive me nuts.

[A]

Someone in front. It's crazy. That is funny. Whenever I, Because I was a defenseman as well, and whenever in the cycle of play I got caught, you know, in a rush and I was in front, it's exactly what I was just. I'd be like, I'm going to get in front, maybe get a tip on the puck here. Like it's. It works. It's great.

[B]

Yeah, they, you want bread, go to the bakery. You want goals, go to the net. It makes perfect sense. You obviously preferred being a defenseman, but were there any parts of forward that you were like. Like that's kind of fun.

[C]

I mean, for my, my skill level, skating and everything, it was, it was a blessing. And obviously mentally was tough because some games I played on the back end, I played up front, I killed as a forward, the PP on the point. So mentally, you know, you have to get into it. But I took it as a challenge and it just gave me. It gave me a possibility to establish myself in the NHL. But at heart, yeah, I was always a defenseman. That's why when I had the opportunity, you know, to go into free agency or stay with the Canadians, for me, one of the main goals was to sign as a defenseman.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, interesting.

[C]

That was so.

[B]

And that was talked about. You would say that to teams like,

[C]

hey, I'm playing D now, 100%. You know, obviously, you know, when I started in Montreal, I wanted to stay there, but with the salary cap and circumstances, it just didn't work out. But I knew that the Islanders, you know, they gave an opportunity to play as a full time defenseman, take a lot of responsibility, play a lot of minutes. So that's why, why I chose to go to the island and for me, I mean, it was great. I played a lot of minutes. After two or three years, I was the captain, I was able to go to the All Star game and I mean it was great. But you know, as a team, we weren't really successful. That was kind of the downside. We were rebuilding many young guys, great players, but you could just feel that it's going to be really tough to make the playoffs. And as a player, you know, when you're in your prime, that's frustrating, you know.

[A]

Well, so on that journey, it's a perfect transition. This guy could, he's do our job, he's a pro. You get to the Islanders and that's a really unbelievable, productive stretch for you. In those four years with the Islanders, from 2011 to 2013, you're named the captain of that team, which is amazing, first Swiss captain in the NHL of all time. And, and you're also just a very beloved Islanders players to those fans, which is to, to have that, you know, honor and that presence in the, the hearts of those fans. In like you said, a lot of rebuilding years where you're not really competing, a lot of things have to go right and a lot of things have to kind of feel good for the fan base for that to be the case. And you had a young John Tavares on that team, a young Kylo Posto on that team. How cool was it, you know, and, and as a player who wants to compete and wants to try to win Stanley Cups when you're not really in the playoffs, what were the things that, that made that such a good time for you? Being on that team, being with those young players and with that fan base.

[D]

Base.

[C]

I mean, the team was fun. Yeah, the guys were great, the organization was great and the fans, you know, a lot of die hard fans on the island.

[A]

Oh yeah.

[C]

I mean the, the times were tough. You know, we were a losing team. Like sometimes in around January, you basically knew you're not going to go go into the playoffs, but fans still showed up and it was kind of bittersweet. Sure, at one time, at one point I was happy with my role and it was great to work with the young players. On the other hand, you're in your prime and you want to go for a cup. And yes, the year sometimes were long, a little bit frustrating because you just, you know, you want to, you want to go to the playoffs with the

[B]

later start too in your career. I was just kind of processing that where you're like, I don't have this huge Runway like, oh, we'll get one. Yeah, that's interesting.

[C]

And you're not, you know, if you're a captain of a team, you know, you're like, you don't want to ask for a trade, you know.

[B]

Right.

[C]

It's kind of one of those loyal things that they gave you an opportunity, they gave you a nice contract, the responsibility to evolve as a player, as a person, and you don't want to be the guy that kind of leaves the ship. So I think the last year was kind of a great story. We made the playoffs. I mean, the Coliseum was just almost exploding against Pittsburgh. We had a great series. We lost sport, too. But this, to have it at the end of my Islanders time was, Was. Yeah, it was a gift. It was a great experience and a happy ending to a great time in York after all.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, that, that was a. I was curious how long did it take for that, the island and like that area to feel like home for you? Because, like, coming from Switzerland, being in Montreal, like, you're going around a lot of different places in the league, but every time we've heard you speak about the island and that you, like, there's a lot of love that you have for that area. How long did that take?

[C]

Easy, I think, you know, for me, I think the process is good. Going to Montreal, very European city, you know, like, easy, easy to adapt, lifestyle wise. And then New York is, you know, the big city. But, you know, on the island, I lived in Garden City, a nice little town, beautiful. And as I mentioned, there were so many great team guys on the team, like Trent Hunter, John Sim, Brandon Witt, Billy Chi, Dougie Wade Sillinger, all the young kids. Nino came along.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So the team spirit was always unbelievable. It's just, you know, we, we, we just didn't have enough depth to go into the playoffs. That was the only downside. But living wise. And, and the team, the team was great. I mean, the great. The guys were unbelievable. So it was always fun to go to the rink.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Even we had a hard time. So that's why the, I felt comfortable right away. And the organization, the people working, you know, the office, team manager, media guys, coaches, like, like Snowy, Carrie Guider, like, everybody were just so happy. And the alumni too.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

The guys from the Great Point, the one four in a row, I mean, the guys, you know, they came to the game, they were, they were so great with the guys. Even the times were tough, but it was just, it was like a real family in a tough NHL business. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

And that's.

[B]

That alumni network's been good still for you too, you know. You know, those captains trips and everything. And just coming back like that's. That's pretty awesome.

[C]

Yeah, I think they do a hell of a job inviting the guys, you know, almost every year. You know, I can't go every year with three kids at home and the busy schedule I have. But I love going back and seeing all the guys. I mean, they do a fantastic job. Like a weekend you get to see the guys, you go to a game and that's incredible. So it's a lot of. They honor the, you know, the players from the past and. Which is great.

[A]

Yeah, no doubt, no doubt.

[B]

It's insane. And then obviously watching a. We were talking two days ago, whatever. But watching, you know, a young Matthew Schaefer go over to that organization, possibly a future captain of that team, maybe someday. How nuts has it been watching the transformation of that franchise over the last few months? Just having him be an 18 year old phenom. Yeah.

[C]

Incredible. I mean there's so much fun to watch. And you know, I had the opportunity to meet the owners a few years ago. John Ledecky and what's the other guy's name? We'll come back. The two main owners basically. And they were, you know, they're actually, when they started, they, I, I met other fam. They talked about hockey and wanted to get a feel because they weren't from hockey, you know. So they, they approached me and had a nice, actually dinner with them in London with Ralph Kruger together. So he had great talk and it was amazing. So I always, I, I kept a tight connection with the others, you know, throughout even when I retired. I love going back. So it's a, it's a great organization. And seeing them now with the new building, UBS arena, which is an amazing arena, having a great team that can compete. I'm really happy for the fans because the fans are unbelievable. They're so dedicated to the, to the team and so supportive even during the rough times.

[B]

Yeah. And it's cool. Cheese was Thomas. That area, right. That they're building.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

It's like everything that they're doing, it's like I feel like the Islanders are kind of rebuilding back up right now around Schaer with so many new people in the organization and you know, like they just released a new cool hype video. It's like you can feel the Islanders vibes are getting way, way up there, which is exciting for sure. And it sounds like, I mean it's like, everyone who played for the Islanders is, like, with clutter. It's like, it's, you know, with. With Martin, too. It's. Everyone loves staying in the Islanders family. That's so telling. When guys want to stay around the area and keep doing stuff with. With the team, it's. The Islanders are back. Yeah. It's crazy.

[C]

I think it's always a great sign if, you know, guys that played their love going bad or even love going back or. Or live there afterwards. I mean, the area, the lifestyle and everything is. Is fantastic. You know, you have New York City, but you have Long Island. You have the Hamptons. It's great schools, great for kids to grow up. So, yeah, it's. It's an amazing place.

[A]

Yeah, for sure.

[B]

Okay. I want to flash Forward to March. March 1, 2017. You wake up in your bed, you're a Philadelphia Flyer.

[A]

You hung over in Zurich.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You get a phone call, you've been traded to Tampa Bay, and then bang, you know, two hours later, you're traded to Pittsburgh. What did you know ahead of when you got the Tampa call? Were they like, and you're going to move again? Or do you think, I'm going to Tampa for real? Or talk me just through the whiplash of the. That day and if you even knew you were going to move for sure before the deadline, all that stuff.

[C]

Well, it started in the morning. You know, I. I knew it's March 1st, trading deadline just around the corner, and, you know, I actually. I thought maybe I might stay. Oh, okay. But. But then once I got to drink, you know, I got the call from Hexi.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

He's like, you know, come up. I'm like, ooh, ooh, this is not good.

[A]

It.

[C]

So I think there was another team that was interested on the West Coast.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

But it wasn't on my list.

[A]

Nice. All right.

[C]

So I was like. And it wasn't Not. It was not a team that's probably going, you know, far in the playoffs or even into the playoffs. So I'm like, you know, I'm. I don't want to go there.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

If I want to. If I want to get trade, I want to go to a team that, you know, is in the mixer. Can compete on the list. Yeah. Can compete. So.

[A]

Good question. Is that an awesome feeling when there's, like, a team that wants to trade for you but is on your no trade list, and you get to be like, yeah, I don't want to go there. Sorry.

[C]

And it was a team that would trade and sign yeah. So.

[B]

Oh, interesting.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Can you say who it was or.

[C]

No, no, no.

[B]

They were just bad that year. It was not their fault.

[C]

Still, still, we don't need to west coast team. And then I. I said no, because the other reason was we just had a daughter, three months old, you know, across the country.

[A]

That's hard. That's hard. That's hard.

[C]

Something.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Maybe you say, okay, I don't want to go there. So anyway, he said, okay, go skate. And then I keep you posted. So I went for skating and we had a short skate, half an hour. But it's just the feeling. It's so. It's so hot.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

You're out there, you're looking if. If the trainer is coming to the. Coming to wave you over and. But it didn't happen. And then after practicing, went back to Hexi and he said, you know, right now there's. There's nothing going on. Just go home. And then I actually had my parents in town and a couple friends of mine, so we were having lunch at the time.

[A]

Did you tell them all? Were you like, okay? Yeah.

[C]

And then it was like 2:45. And then I saw Hacksel and I'm like, okay, yeah, I'm done. So I pick up, up the phone. He's like, hey, thanks a lot for your services, and I wish you all the best. You're going to Tampa. So I'm like, tampa, a great organization, great team, but weren't in the playoff mix.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Like, this is going to be a tough one. You know, obviously, you know, we go there for a few months.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Or a month. And then the season is over. Yeah. You're basically probably going to be retiring. And then shortly after I got the call from Hexi, Pat calls me. He says, hey, hang on. We might get you to, you know, to Pittsburgh.

[B]

Oh, wow.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

So I'm lost. So I was for, I don't know, 10 minutes.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

A lightning.

[A]

You were lightning.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Remember the Jam Bay lighting just before the deadline. Few minutes before I got traded to Pittsburgh. And obviously that was a blessing, you know, to keep, you know, to be on a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup.

[A]

Also kind of an easy move.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, with the. With the young daughter, your wife must have been like, oh, let's go. Yeah. So easy.

[C]

No, that was for me. It was just.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I was really happy and I mean, nervous, excited, because it's a rivalry and I had the Pittsburgh. I didn't have them on the list, so I had to add them on the List.

[B]

Oh, wow.

[C]

Okay. Because out of respect as a flyer, I didn't put Pittsburgh on because.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Massive. Massive.

[C]

You don't want to. You know, you don't want to do that. But then when you get trade, you get trade. You're like, okay, I want to take every opportunity you can get. So I added them to the mix, to the list of teams that I could get traded to, and, yeah, it worked out great.

[A]

Yeah, sure did.

[B]

Didn't you. Didn't you play Tampa first game, like, when you got to.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

They did something.

[A]

They did. They did a tribute video.

[B]

They did something on the board. They were like, thanks, thanks.

[A]

One of. One of the great Tampa Bay Lightning.

[B]

Welcome home. It's so funny.

[C]

Like a cheap booth video.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's so good.

[B]

Okay, so you go through the world.

[C]

Dinner.

[B]

All right. This is all happening and whatever.

[A]

And.

[B]

And now, you know, because that was. They'd already won, right? They're going. They're the defending champs. Crosby's here, Malkin's here, Latang's here. Were you. You mentioned nerves a little bit, but what was that like? Because they are. This is everything you want. This is a defending champ team. In the mixer. Here you go. They need D help. Let's go. Were you like, all right?

[C]

I mean, it was overwhelming, you know, the organization. I knew Sydney a little bit from Pat, but the guys, like Flower Tanger, all the guys cast, like, they were all super nice. Yeah, it's a great organization. So professional. The practice facility just to set up. You just could tell this, you know, it starts to sit, and then it just. Just tingles down the organization. Yeah, it was. It was. For me, it was really impressive and awesome, and I can maybe tell you it's probably one of. It's my best story in hockey.

[A]

This is why we do it.

[C]

So this was the first practice with the team.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

So, you know, you have all, you know, in every locker room. We have, like, the nice carpets.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

So I'm getting dressed, and I have two pairs of skates.

[B]

Skates.

[C]

And I used to change the steals, and the trainer usually did it for me.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So you'll probably see what's coming. Yep. So first skate, I, you know, I dress up. It's me and Phil Kessel, last two guys.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Phil goes on the ice. I go. Right after I hit the ice, I just wipe out.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

First day. Yeah, first day. Yes.

[A]

Sid and Gino are looking over. They're like, who's this guy?

[C]

I literally. I slid in the middle of the ice.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I couldn't get up.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

I had no steel.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

No steel. So I was on my old fours.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Trying to get back to the bench. Guys are looking at each other like, what the hell?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What is that?

[C]

Pick up here. So that was the most embarrassing feeling ever.

[A]

Like, straight up. Just no steel in your tukes at all.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Unbelievable.

[C]

No steel.

[A]

You didn't notice it when you were walking out.

[C]

You know, first practice, you're nervous.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

True, True skates on. Usually the trainer. He didn't know in, In. In Pittsburgh. Yeah. That he changing steels. So I just. Carpets. You don't feel it. You don't hear it. So you don't hear it. I wanted to skate, just hitting it right. And then it was just. That's how it started.

[A]

That remarkable.

[B]

It finished incredibly. You go to the playoffs. And I did want to ask. Because that Ottawa series was wild and I. And you got three. You had three games in that series. Yeah. What was it like going through an insane playoff run like that, not playing as much as you obviously wanted, but also being a part of this epic journey. Kind of, you know, talk me through the emotions of that.

[A]

Also joining a team that's like, kind of in this Dyn Dynastic run. You know, it's like they're Crosby's, like, building a. A catalog of cups here. And like, now you're a part of that.

[C]

I mean, incredible experience. And you just, you could tell why. Why they're so successful.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

It started with Sid, his leadership, professionalism, what he does every day, you know, from the morning before practice, during practice, after practice. It's just incredible how he works professionals. And it just, it tracks everybody. It's contagious.

[B]

Contagious.

[A]

Sure.

[C]

And it was not for me, not a surprise that those guys were unbelievable. And I think for me, it was a great experience, but also a tough experience because I got there. There are a lot of injuries. I played for 20 games, and then all of a sudden the playoff starts and I was a scratch.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And to be honest, you know, I, I, it was kind of tough because the coach, he didn't talk to me for seven weeks.

[B]

Damn. Yeah.

[C]

And, you know, I'm 39 years old. If he pulls me over, says, hey, Mark, you're not going. This, this is the reason. It's one thing, but not saying a word.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

I thought I was, like, classless. Yeah. You don't especially. Yeah. You, you know, it's, It's a tough job as a coach.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

But have the, the courage to tell

[A]

the guys, have the conversation.

[C]

And I, I, I just, I went to the ring. I had to make a decision. You. I didn't know. You want to play, you want to be part of.

[A]

Of course.

[C]

But then at one point she said, you know, I, I work as hard as possible. I'm professionalism at the rink. I support the guys. I'm in a good mood, good spirits, because if you go to the rink and you're miserable, you're just not helping anybody. So I, I just try to stay mentally in it because I, you know, maybe I'm gonna get a shot. I'm gonna be playing. You never know. You have to be ready. And if you're just sour and bitter, you're not going to be able to step on the ice and perform. So I, I made the decision. You know, you're positive, you work hard. You do. To support the guys and be part of it. Yep. And then obviously not playing for seven weeks, and then all of a sudden you play the Senators, who are like a fast, like, even a pretty physical team. So the first games, like, it was. It was tough. Yeah, because you don't practice right. You know, you just play.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And then you get thrown into that. And that's why I was really happy that I stayed focused. I was, you know, I pro about it and ready to. If I got my chance, I got it. I played three games, and obviously not playing in the final again was, you know, it's, It's. Because it's hard.

[B]

Brutal.

[C]

It's just hard. But it was. I had a part of it, a small part, a difficult part mentally. But I think I did everything possible to support the team, the organization and the guys. And, you know, the end of the day, I had the experience, and I think winning a Stanley cup, it doesn't matter which role you have, you're part of it.

[B]

It.

[C]

Your name is on the cup. And I'm very thankful to the organization and, you know, Pittsburgh Penguins, like, it's just rudder fart was an unbelievable guy. Unbelievable gm, A gentleman, a class act, and a very smart gm. Yeah. And obviously, seeing Mario Lemieux at the, at the cup party and seeing him rocking around, it's just. It's you're, it's you. You think you're dreaming. Yeah, it's just. It's also real.

[B]

What was that, that. What was that night like? And what was your day they like with the Cup? What'd you get up to?

[C]

Well, we had. When we wanted, we had a few parties. Obviously, one Was at Sid's home.

[A]

That was probably not bad. Yeah, probably not bad.

[C]

And I have. I have a nice. I have a nice picture with me and obviously with all the guys and. And sit. But I have one with Mario.

[B]

Oh, no way. Yeah. That's awesome.

[C]

Having. Having the car in the pool, so.

[A]

Before it sank to the bottom of the bowl.

[C]

So.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And then when I had the opportunity, I think it was 2nd of August, I had it in Bern.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, I had a whole day. I took it to the government, took it to the mayor, prime minister, and we had, like a reception. We had like, some juniors coming, like, you know, like, seeing the cup and getting autographs. And then from the afternoon on, we. We just took over a restaurant right at the river in. Bernie and I invited like a hundred guests. And.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I mean, that day is just. It's so cool for you, for the family, for the friends. And obviously, the great thing is now with Norcaine and our partnership with the NHL, I get to see the couple.

[A]

Yeah, it's pretty cool.

[C]

It's a privilege.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

I mean, every time when you see the cup, you're like, man, this is. It's just the best trophy in the world.

[A]

You did say that in Tampa. You were like, it never gets old seeing this thing. It's amazing.

[C]

It's just an amazing feeling that every time you see it and you see the teams, the names, and you just feel the history.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

And just the blood and sweat and tears.

[B]

So true.

[C]

That's behind it. That's why, you know, I think hockey is the best sport in the world. NHL is the best league in the world. The guys are amazing. The product is great. The league, the players association. I mean, it's just. I'm really happy to be kind of back into it because. Because once you leave the NHL, you miss it.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

I mean, that's one of the toughest part when you retire. The travel, the guys, the locker room.

[A]

Everyone says that it's the buildings.

[C]

I can imagine the playoffs, like, being in that atmosphere and having that kick, you know, that. That rush. When you play those games, even now, the Olympics, it's just. That's the moment you're like, ah, damn. I still love to play.

[B]

Yeah, I can go. I lace them up right now.

[A]

Well, you mentioned Norqain, and I want to get into Norqain. And the fact that we're here at Virga 1947, which is the exclusive watch shore that has the Adventure Chrono NHL limited edition Norqain watch. We're Going to get all into that and also thank you for letting us be. It's unbelievable. But you know, we're here in Milan, like you mentioned, for the Olympics and just quickly, so many unbelievable Olympic memories for you. You went to four, which is a Swiss hockey record. Unbelievable. Nine points in your time. You were in Salt Lake City, Vancouver, Sochi, Torino. I mean all of these unbelievable memories and now we're here at the Olympics. Does it bring back all those crazy memories? And can you even put into words how cool it is to be able to represent your country on that biggest stage? Because you know, you had two unbelievable quarter final appearances in your time. Like such great runs, beating Canada, two nothing.

[B]

Come on.

[C]

I mean a lot of great memories and I'm really excited. I'm really happy the NHL is back. The guys, I'm really happy for the players because you know, those memories, Olympic Games, it's, I mean World Championship is great too, but you're in a hockey bubble.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And the Olympics, it's just, you know, all the sports going on, different athletes, the Olympic Village opening ceremonies, there's just so many things to enjoy and after you take with you in your career or after your career and for the families and friends to be part of it, I mean it's, it, it's awesome. Milano is a great city and you know, for me playing for, looking back, I just, it's tough to put into words because when you play you. Yeah, it's, it's. Everything is so fast. You know, you play, the season is long, it's hard. Then you go to the Olympics, you play quick and it's just, I mean especially Torino, which we had like the 20 years anniversary of beating Canada. And then Czech, Czech Republic.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Where I, I got to score the game, win. Top shelf on Voku.

[B]

How are you?

[C]

I still watch it sometimes.

[A]

Suck it, Voku.

[C]

And yeah, great memories. And then, then especially Torino, you know, we lost against the Swedes. Six two, tough game. They won gold. They had a hell of a team. Great, great experience. And then obviously Vancouver, playing Canada, losing in, in shootout.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Sid scoring against Hiller. That's a moment I'll never forget. Of course in Vancouver, like the people like all hockey and the Olympic Village downtown. I mean those games for me were just, it was incredible.

[A]

Incredible. Everyone talks about the Vancouver Olympics as being one of the most electric atmospheres ever. Especially with the hockey games too. Like that makes sense.

[C]

It's, it's just, you know, even. And the great thing was as an athlete or hockey player, Olympic Village, you Took the train or, you know, into downtown.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And if Canada played, it was like the streets were empty. Every bar, every restaurant was, like, packed.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And it's just, you know, the love for hockey that, you know, they have in. In Canada. And it's just a passion.

[A]

It's remarkable.

[C]

And everybody so nice. And when you were, you know, wearing your gear, the Swiss, you're like, everybody is like, hey, how you doing? Enjoy. Good luck. And it was just that those two weeks were just magical. Absolutely magic. Yeah.

[A]

I love it. God, I love it.

[B]

That is amazing.

[A]

All right, let's get into Norcaine.

[B]

Okay. So like you said, when you finally retire, you got to figure out some other way to spend your time. And actually, pun intended, because you. You decided to get into the watch game. So talks to us just a bit, little bit about the origin of you and Ben trying to take on this challenge, which was no easy task, to launch a new watch brand in a really competitive market. So how'd that get started?

[C]

I mean, I was. I met Ben at another watch brand, which was a. Was an ambassador. I don't want to name the brand, but I met him, you know, I think it was maybe in 2011, 12 or even before that. And I was, you know, he was in charge of the Myself, you know, at events, and I got to know him, and then, you know, the company got sold, and he was looking for a new adventure, new challenge. So he quit the brand. He left, and I retired at the same time. So he basically came up to me and said, hey, you know, I like to, you know, found a new watch brand. And I was always passionate about watches. I loved it. Swiss, you know, the history.

[A]

Yeah, of course, part of the.

[C]

Our DNA. And, you know, so I said, yeah, I mean, let's do it. Roman was part of it too. You know, we decided that in the summertime at the barbecue, having, you know, creating a new watch brand. So I said, yeah, perfect timing. You know, I'm retiring. You're looking for a new challenge. Let's go. And, you know, one of the first experience in this. In this industry was that the Basel watch world.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

So we went together with Ben. We didn't have any product, but we have designs. So we talked to different retailers and, you know, like, about our ideas and creating a new brand, and everybody is like, good luck. So on the way back, Ben is, like, a little bit quiet and not discouraged, but, like, he's like, we didn't get a lot of. Whole lot of love.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And, you know, I kind of Said, you know, know Ben, like, if I made it into the NHL from Switzerland, like, we can, we can do this, we can do this. It's just, you know, the passion, the commitment, the hard work, the dedication, all those values. Yeah, you just bring them along. And I wouldn't have done it if I wouldn't have been convinced in Ben. Ben is an unbelievable guy. He's. He's very passionate and he just has. This is the thing that he pulls everybody with him.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Like, he's just a leader and always in a great mood, hard working and had a clear vision what he wants to do. And seeing him, you know, the last few years, how he grew as a, as a CEO, as a. An owner, a founder, it's incredible. And I think this, the story is remarkable because the industry, it's tough, it's challenging. And the world we're living in, the market.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

The wars, Covid in inflation, the currency, like we hit so many challenges on the way. It's like in a sports career.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Injuries, loss, defeat, you get traded. Like, it's just like this. It's a roller coaster. But, yeah, you know, he kept his calm. He's a really smart guy and he always, he had that, you know, he brings everybody along, he pulls everybody with. And he's demanding, too. Yeah, you know, he's demanding. He could be a good coach.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Because he's very empathic and you know, he. A lot of passion, but at the same time, when it's time to have a good talk, he, you know, he speaks the right words and the hard words sometimes. And he makes decisions sometimes that are hard. But he has a big heart. Yeah, a huge heart. And if you work hard, you're passionate about the product, if you're an arcaner, you know, you have all his love. And that's why for me, it's been an exciting project to learn, you know, after hockey, to dive into a new business, new industry. And obviously now partnering up with Jenna Chal. For me, it's like I'm back in the show. Yeah.

[A]

Getting to see the cup, but it's like that passion you talk about, you can see it in the execution. And you know, we've been so lucky to be able to work with you guys and see the way everything's rolled out. And it's been this run and becoming an official partner and now being at an establishment like this Ferga 1947 in Milan with this unbelievable setup with that exclusive NHL watch that you've made, seeing it all unfold has been remarkable. And it's. It's clearly. It's so well executed. There's so much thought and care and passion behind it. And that must feel incredible, this new thing that you've poured yourself into. To see it unfolding like this and be received so well must be such a fulfilling feeling.

[C]

Yes, it's unbelievable. It's been a great journey. And I think the beauty about is. It's like. It's a team effort.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I think the culture we have in norcain, it's just remarkable. There's a lot of young people, very innovative, very creative, and always, as soon as we accomplish something, we want to go to the next level. And it's like playing hockey, you know, and that's the difference between the great players and maybe the average players. At one. At one point, guys get comfortable. You know, they're like, okay, you know, you're right. You know, I'm assigned a nice team meal. It can happen. It doesn't happen a lot, but it's nature of human being, you know, like. And I think the comfort zone, getting out of the comfort zone is. Is a big theme in hockey, but also in business, you always, you know, and that's the thing, you know, when you had a good year at. In January, the clocks are at zero. Yeah. For everybody, it's just. It's like having a hell of a season or winning the cup and then. Then, you know, go through the summer, and then as soon as you, you know, go to camp, it's just. You have to. You have to do it again, again and again and again. And it's hard work, a lot of dedication. And I think that. That there's a lot of similarities between, you know, pro hockey or. Or sports and the business side of it, which is really. It's cool for me. And that's where I can, you know, I can chip in as well.

[A]

Definitely.

[B]

Did you. Did you lay the groundwork to get Sid involved in the pool party?

[C]

I mean, we always kept in touch. I mean, he's just a fantastic person, and he has the thing for Switzerland. You know, he likes to come to Switzerland to travel, so met him a few times there. We, you know, we kept in touch also through Pat, and we kind of approach him with the brand, and I think for him, too, he likes the story behind it.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, he's invested. He's an ambassador. He's a testimonial. But for me, it's just an incredible athlete.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

You know, it's just that the way he carries himself, I mean, the Story, like, the success he's had, all the trophies, the Stanley Cups, the hard drop, like, it's just incredible. But he, you know, he's. He's a. He's a very humble guy. Great family, great parents, and it's just amazing for us to having him on board. And, you know, right. Right now you can see, like, how focused he still is. Oh, yeah. About his career, about being successful, about winning a fourth possible cup.

[A]

I know, it's crazy. All right, well, we got to open the shop up here soon, but should we close Mark out with a few?

[B]

Yeah, I'll play.

[A]

Quick pass shoot scores. All right, so every guest we have, we do a game called Pass shoot score where we give you a few things that we know you're passionate about, and you've got to rank them. Pass, shoot, score. Pass is going to be your least favorite of the three. Shoot is a little bit better, obviously. And then scoring is the ultimate goal. So it's basically. Yeah. Basically just a ranking system. So your first one. I know you're a big golfer. Your first one's going to be golf courses. Okay, so it's pass shoot score. I'm going to do my best to pronounce some of these. St. Andrews. That was an easy one. Cran Sur Sierra and the Grand Resort Badregas.

[C]

Well, St. Andrews is your number one.

[A]

That's. That's going to be score. Yeah. Okay.

[C]

So I had the opportunity to play St. Andrews last summer.

[D]

Unbelievable.

[C]

Well, it's just. I don't know. It's just you're at T1 there and you look around and you just go like.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Don't slice this, please.

[C]

It's just if you're. If you love golf, if you're passionate about. I think it's bucket list for sure.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

Like, it's just the history and the feeling. It's magical. It's like the Stanley Cup.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[C]

But you can have a good time.

[A]

St. Andrew's officially the Stanley cup of golf courses. All right, so what's your shoot and what's your pass of the other two?

[C]

What. What was the other.

[A]

The other two were. Oh, God, I'm. I'm messing this up. The. It was the Omega European Masters at the Cran Sir Sierra.

[C]

Oh, they.

[A]

This might actually. Now there's a wrinkle all of a sudden.

[C]

I mean, I had the opportunity to play there at the Pro Am.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

The last few years. And I mean, the course, I mean, it looked insane. You know, like talking about history and the golf. Sport is San Andrews. But talking about most beautiful golf course with the. The views, the scenery.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

It might have been that one grand sisier, like, for sure.

[A]

Damn.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

It's. It's. It's just we got a tight race here. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

All right.

[A]

I like it.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I like it.

[B]

All right, here's your next category.

[D]

Category.

[B]

I'm calling this. I was going to call this category hobbies, but I'm now going to call it just like a Perfect sunny day. Okay. Perfect weather. Perfect sunny day. Pass. Shoot. Score. What you'd rather be doing? Perfect bluebird day on the Alps, Skiing. Perfect bluebird day out on the golf course, golfing, or Perfect bluebird day crystal clear out on the lake? Fish.

[C]

I used to fish a lot.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Back in the day. I don't have time anymore, but I still love it. So I will go. Golf. Ski and fish.

[B]

Golf one.

[A]

Golf is one.

[B]

Yeah. I like it. I like. I thought ski was gonna sneak up there.

[A]

I know. It's. It's. But as much as I love skiing, I feel like the perfect day on the golf course is so hard to be beat.

[C]

It's.

[A]

It's so hard to beat. Yeah.

[C]

And this is a little bit because my wife probably is going to hate me for it, but you know, golf, I'm. Usually. You can't do it. Well, not yet. We will do it in the future with the family. The kids are too young, so right now, golf is usually with.

[A]

With the boys.

[C]

With the boys. You know, mostly with the boys. But my wife started, too, which is great. Yeah. And then skiing, we do it as family, so it's kind of.

[D]

Of.

[C]

It's tough to.

[A]

It's like your different worlds. This is nice.

[C]

Different worlds. There's maybe tough to say a one, a two, and a three, but skiing with the kids, if it's a blue day, I mean.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I mean, and the kids, they ski. They know how to do it. Like, it's. I mean, it's. It's incredible. And it's summer, winter, you know, it doesn't kind of get into each other, so it's. That's a tough one.

[B]

We got to get the golf hooks in them early. Then it's a family day. Golfing, too. Yeah.

[C]

They're in it. They're in it.

[A]

Okay, your last one, and then we'll wrap you up. This one might be tough. This is going to be. The category is the old boys Club trips. So the three trips you got are Budapest, Naples, and Ticino.

[C]

I would say Naples, Budapest, and De Chi. Wow. Because Naples I went there as a kid with my family. I have a lot of memories. And you know, my. My parents both passed away in 2019. So going back to Naples is kind of emotionally like, definitely there's an investment. It's just, it's. It's. They don't say it belongs to Italy, especially the people in the north. But Naples with, you know, the soccer team, Maradona. Oh, yeah. This. The Spanish quarter.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

The. The f. The Pompei. The history. I mean, I. I was amazed.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. It's just. Yeah, that's. That's Naples, Budapest and Dino. But the good thing is always the same boys.

[B]

I was going to say tell people

[A]

about the old voice that go, who's the squad?

[C]

So it's actually, it's all guys from my time in Zurich.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

And you know, like from a team perspective, the team. The five years in Zurich were unbelievable. We were a great age. We used to go, you know, back in the day, there's no cell phones or nothing. So we had a pretty good time. So once I left and guys were about to retire, we decided, okay, we have to find a way seeing each other. Because if you don't plan anything, it's impossible.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So we decided to swap. It's a few guys that played on the team, a few friends that were close to us. Yeah. And then it's good. We have the team doctor of Zurich. So it's important to have a doctor and he's safe. So bringing a doctor on the group

[B]

trip is so smart.

[A]

It's incredible. Yeah.

[C]

He comes along and. And so we're. We have this club, everybody organized. We. We pull.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Out of the hat like numbers. And then one guy gets to organize the trip. Nobody knows where we're going.

[D]

Going.

[C]

You just go to the airport. You bring your bag and then it's so awesome.

[B]

Does he give you a climate at least? Is he like pack warm, pack cold?

[C]

It's just about the temperature.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Shoes maybe. Yeah.

[A]

Nice clothes if you need them.

[B]

That is so awesome.

[A]

Was Istanbul. Yeah. Bring a lot of that. Was Istanbul an old boys club trip too?

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Nice. Okay.

[C]

Istanbul was like the trips like we did so far world. But Istanbul, Budapest, like Dublin went to Manchester

[A]

game.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So.

[C]

And Naples. And this year, I don't know, some guy is planning it. So we have no clue where we go. Always the. The third or fourth weekend in. In June.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

So. And split. We did one time too.

[B]

Nice.

[A]

I think we all need an old boys club.

[C]

You should.

[A]

This is a genius.

[B]

Who's planning it this year.

[C]

It's Edgar Solis. He used to be a defenseman in Zurich.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Big stay home defenseman. Physical and great guy at. Really good at the ball.

[A]

What was the last one you planned?

[C]

I did Manchester.

[B]

Do you have any guesses for Edgar?

[C]

I have no clue.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And you know what the good thing is? Like, we obviously do fun cities, but, but Edgar, the last time he organized it, we went to. Which is tough. We went to Croco. To Auschwitz.

[A]

Sure.

[C]

And as a kind of a cultural. And that was a tough one. Yeah, I mean it's, it's, it's great to, you know, it's emotion, learn about the history. But when you walk in there through the gates and you realize what people are capable of doing. The guys were just, just done for two hours.

[A]

I believe you walk out there, it's emotionally taxing.

[C]

You know, there's obviously it's a fun trip and we go for dinners and drinks and stuff, the whole nine yards. But we also, you know, we do like some cultural stuff. Yeah. You know, it's, it's. I think it's, it's great and it keeps us really close together with such a tight group.

[A]

Definitely.

[C]

No, this is, I can recommend it to. Yeah. To everybody to have like I have my, this club, but then I have a few other clubs.

[B]

The picking the name, the numbers is incredible. I feel like Edgar's going to swing the other way now. This, this year is Vegas or something. He's like, I got, he's going to

[A]

be like this surprise. We're going to Milan and you're going to be like, I got to level

[C]

up and Europe is great since like,

[A]

you know, it's the best. I think it is my flight, three

[C]

hour flight, train ride with also. So no, this, this club means a lot to me and it started in hockey. Just a great group of guys, friends and because the, the Swifting too used to be we. After every season we used to do a team trip.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So for a week we went to Mallorca, Spain or Gran Canaria, Mykonos. So it came out of that.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And that's like, if you go to any guys, I mean this is, it's incredible.

[A]

Yeah, it's incredible.

[C]

So much fun.

[A]

All right, well, this has been incredible. Mark, thank you so much for coming on. I want to give another huge shout out to Verga 1947. If you're in Milan, come stop by this unbelievable establishment. It is the only place you can get the NHL limited edition Norcaine watch. Before we let you go, is there anything else you want to plug or shout out or give a call out to?

[C]

No. Thanks for having me. It was a lot of fun. I really appreciate it. We can do that more often. I think there's more topics we can touch on.

[A]

Oh, I, I certainly.

[C]

I. I mean, it's great. It's great experience in Milan. I think I'm just happy hockey is here. It's back with the NHL guys. And I mean, the core finals. Yeah, it's just like for hockey, I mean, fights, it's tough for the losing teams. Like, the Swiss team definitely played a really good game, but came up short in ot. But definitely great for all the sports. And it says how awesome the athletes, the players are and the fans.

[A]

It's amazing. All right, well, let's jump back into it.

[B]

Let's go.

[C]

Here we go.

[A]

Huge thank you to Mark Stright. Nothing ever in any interview we've ever had had has affected me more or impacted me more than the old boys club.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

I have. I have been spending the last two weeks since that interview thinking about an. I've been putting together an email and I'm thinking about who needs to be on it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And send it to. And go, hey, you are my old boys club. We should plan a trip every year

[B]

and it would be cool. So friends of mine, if you don't get an email soon, you're not my friend.

[A]

I feel really legitimately. I feel really dumb that I just said this on the pod because, like, there are gonna be.

[D]

You want me to cut that out?

[A]

There are gonna be people. No, we gotta keep it in. I gotta keep it honest. But there are gonna be people who are like, well, I didn't get that email.

[D]

That's okay.

[B]

Yeah, that's okay.

[A]

And that's okay. We're friends. You're just not one of my old boys.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And.

[B]

Yeah. What a dude. Also impeccably dressed. Always.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Every time I see Mark, I'm like,

[A]

I don't know that Mark wears T shirts. Yeah, he's always looking so good.

[D]

Fuck me.

[A]

And I do feel as though the majority of the time we see him, we're at events to get. But then again, not really. We went to an NHL game and he still looked like a million bucks Amazon.

[D]

He's your new James Bond.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, dude, Mark's.

[A]

Mark's hot too. He's a fucking hot dude.

[B]

Hot dude.

[A]

Fuck. Well, hope you enjoyed that. He's the best. All right, let's. Let's get into some nut Ice. Yeah.

[B]

Because you promised this last.

[A]

I promised this.

[D]

Yep.

[A]

We got to talk skiing.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

So CP and I are big skiers. We go skiing every year to various different places. And for the first time we got the experience to ski the Italian Alps. Yep. We took a couple of days off after the gold medal game. As you know, went skiing and I had such a unique experience and it was not at all the experience I thought it was.

[B]

Would be.

[A]

So why let's. Yeah, I'd love to tell you why.

[D]

Please.

[A]

I have been skiing in Europe before and I. I found it lovely.

[B]

Where'd you go?

[A]

I went to. I went skiing in Ora. In Sweden.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

It was great. I had not yet skied the Alps. So here we go. It's lovely. We have been told and had seen skiing in Europe is more about. About groomers and, you know, skiing down the awesome trails rather than.

[D]

Can you explain that to somebody who doesn't know skiing and thinks that what you just said was about. Yeah.

[A]

The other kind of groomer. Yeah. No, groomers are when you just take like the main trail and you're just cruising down.

[D]

Got it.

[B]

And I think it's called piste there.

[A]

Piste. And yeah. And we're big. Ski the trees guys in the States in like the Rockies and stuff like that. In the Sierra Nevada, US So this. I was excited to just be ripping ears. We get to this place in the Dolomites and it's like what the. One of the biggest resorts in the world. The biggest. Think it might be the biggest. And our friend had told us to. Or told Chris. Credit to you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Chris did a lot of planning for this. Now we knew this was going to be at the end of the Olympic run of being on the road for like three weeks. And I, I was big on being like, should we do this? Because it wasn't easy to get there from Milan. We had to take multiple trains. And then the trip back. Our trip back was a 5:30am 40 minute Uber to a train station where we then took two trains and three planes to get home. It was a 28 hour travel day. Gas fucking.

[D]

Which one of you. Steve Martin? Which one's John Candy? That's what I want.

[B]

I'm John Candy.

[A]

Yes, I can see it.

[B]

Yep. And dude, it was incredible because I kept. Dude, I kept literally going. I'd just be on something, plane or train or Uber and I would just fall asleep and then I'd kind of wake up and then there'd be a flight attendant like, do you want some food? And I'd be like, yeah. And then I would eat it.

[A]

And then I have to tell.

[B]

And then I'd, like, fall back asleep. And then she'd be like, you want some food?

[A]

I have to tell the story of the Denver flight. I totally forgot about what I did on the Denver flight.

[B]

When we.

[A]

I'll get. I'll. I'll get to it. But. So Chris does all the planning for this, which I commend him for. But we get there and, like, even when we. We logged off social media, we just were like, all right, let's enjoy it. I was so tired, and I was like, I can't believe we're going skiing. Like, this is such a bad thing. It's exhausting. But we get there and we get to this hotel. Everyone's amazing at the hotel. We get to get to the mountain. Our buddy told Chris that we need to do this run. It's called, like the Caana Run. And it is basically, there's signs everywhere. You get on any lift, any gondola, when you get off, it's like salana this way. And it's basically a massive loop that if you do the full thing, it will bring you right back to where you started. And it touches every mountain and every village on the resort, but it takes the entire resort. It takes like four and a half hours. So it was like, if you want to see the whole thing, do the Cell Toronto run.

[B]

And to not sewer. Our boy, he is. He wasn't like, you have to do this. But he is part of this huge ski club. He's a huge skier. And they had done this trip two years ago. And the. The guy, the local there was like, I. I live here, I know everything. And. And he sent me like a 30 page doc that was like, here's the things that people think are cool, the tourists think are cool. That's terrible. Skip that. Skip this. Like, you know, it was a. The most detailed package you could ever get of how to ski the Dolomites. Correct?

[A]

Correct. So we get there and we get on. We rent skis because we didn't want to fly with our skis. We rent our skis, we get on the mountain, and we start going. Let me be clear. This place fucking rocks. It's just so. It's such an amazing. We're in Italy, but it's so close to Austria and Switzerland. There's. There's Swiss and Austrian people everywhere. There's Russian people there, Italian people, there's there. And I have never in my life seen as many High quality. And I don't mean Michelin I, but I just mean high quality bars and restaurants all over the mountain. I'm talking whatever lift you take. There's a bar restaurant with a different name and a different vibe. Unbelievable music. We. We stopped at one place. I forget the name of it, but we got off one lift and there was this outdoor opera bar. And they. There was like three strippers dancing on the bar in like fur coats and bump into music. And all these people, like married couples, like, dancing on the tables. And I was like, this is unbelievable.

[B]

It was a Tuesday. It's two. They do it Tuesdays and Thursdays at that place. And it was, it was very special. It was very special to witness.

[A]

It was fantastic.

[D]

Freezing.

[A]

Yeah, well, funny you say that. The conditions were not great. Oh, we're going up lifts and you can see grass and dirt and mud on many of them. So the condition's not great.

[D]

Great for stripping, not good.

[A]

Great for stripping, not great for skiing. Also, it became clear after about an hour into said celerono run that if you do this and this place, you got to be operating like this. I would recommend if you go to the Dolomites, you go with a group of five or more. Like, this was clearly, if you want to have your best life skiing here. Here it's meant to like, do a couple runs and then stop at the next bar, have, have an aperol spritz, have a. Some wiener schnitzel and enjoy yourself. We were just gassed and not talking because we had just been together for three weeks doing this Olympic shit. We're also getting on these gondolas and everyone's like, everyone speaks 50 different languages, so no one's speaking. Dude. It was some of the worst time I've ever had in my life. Like, it was we, first of all doing this full run. You spend 60 to 70% of the time on lifts and gondolas. And then the skiing was subpar because of the conditions. And there were just like man made moguls everywhere. Because everyone's chilling. No one's like ripping on this mountain. They're operating.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So you've got all these families with kids and every section of the mountain, you get to where there's like a good little, little steep drop, you would get to the edge and there's 100 people as slowly as humanly possible navigating the man made moguls to get through these patches. So, like, we couldn't even really ski that hard. And I was just like, every time we Would ski, have to stop, have to navigate these people. You then get on another lift that's fucking 15 minutes and you get to the top of that gondola ride and you ski 20 seconds to the next lift to go up another lift. And I was just like, wait, what are we doing? It was insane.

[B]

He's 100% right about the opera being. And dude, the document was like, plan on a nine hour day, like take a three hour lunch, like, do it highly recommended, stopping 50 times. It wasn't like, put your head down and practice.

[A]

It was like it was highlighting all these. It was like, if you don't stop at this restaurant, you're an idiot. And we were just like, we gotta just get through the day and ski because we had to come back and we had like travel stuff.

[D]

Day before was this right before you were coming back.

[A]

So we did two days and the second day we did that cellar on a run the first day.

[D]

Okay. And like, at least you had the next day to chill. Well, okay, maybe not.

[A]

We go out the second day and I was like, what are we doing today? And Chris was like, I want to see this glacier. There's a glacier.

[B]

It's like World War I, massive war fought here. Austrian troops dug into the trenches. It's like one of the coolest, most famous apparent.

[A]

Apparently every year, as more of the glacier melts in the summer, new bodies from World war surface and stuff like that.

[B]

I'm like, dude, we have to do this. Like, I'm not flying, I'm not training all the way up here and then not getting to see that.

[A]

So I go, great. Where is this great glacier? And at this place there's. There's one Celena run that is labeled with orange signs and there's one seller on a run labeled with green signs. And Chris goes, it's on the green Celerana run. And I go, it's on both because they the same thing, they intersect. But he was like, we got to follow the green celerona. And I was like, like, how long? And he was like, I don't think that long. Day two, we do the full green celeron run. It was another five and a half hours straight day. And all I said was, can we please at like one stop somewhere and have a beer and have food? And we did not do that, sir. And in fact, we got stuck in one tram ride that was like an hour and 45 minutes line. And I was like, I felt like a child. At the end of the day, we were like skiing. We would get to a lift and I'd be like, if this isn't the last lift, I'm gonna lose my mind. And we would get off it and then look for the screen seller on sign. And it was like, get immediately on this lift. And I kept looking at him and I was like, I'm gonna kill you. I'm gonna.

[D]

I actually give me one of those dead World War ones.

[A]

I'm going to stuff you into the glacier. And you will be fined. Found decades later with Austrian troops.

[D]

Dude, when you're. When you're traveling overseas and you miss your shot for food, it's devastating. You don't know when it's going to happen again.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Yeah, it was. It was just. It was such an awesome mountain. And everyone there was incredible. Every restaurant bar was incredible by the looks of them. We just didn't. It was a perfect storm of being so tired after the Olympics. Only being two of us and not in the mood to operate and rip it. So it was just a nightmare.

[B]

I thought the. I had way more fun than he did. To be very clear. I thought the first day was great.

[A]

It was.

[B]

It was a good day. Was a bag. Cause like the glacier took so long and what. Wasn't that cool?

[D]

Did you see any World War I?

[B]

No.

[A]

And I don't even know. I was looking though.

[B]

Yeah. I don't even know. We went the wrong place. I just thought it was going to be more like a glacier. The hut where they fought. And here's a literal glacier. It was just kind of like a. A run. And I was like, oh, is this it? And they were like, yes, but you are really high up. The views amazing. The views everywhere were amazing.

[A]

We were so high up. I was actually for the first time in my life on the tram. I was not loving the heights. I was like, holy.

[B]

We were up way up Windy dude. I was like, yo. Um, but I. My experience because I wish we. I'm glad we did it. I wish we had stopped to booze more. So the.

[A]

The problem I'd like to echo that. Could not agree more.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I'm so glad we did it. Would high recommend would go back as crazy as that sounds.

[D]

Maybe not after two weeks. Of course.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Because I think we were so. My boy who did this was with these people who knew their and how to get around. Because there was a few moments where we're like, are we going the right way? Because dude, if you don't finish the loop you. You now the lift shut off and you are.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

On the wrong Side of the biggest mountain range in the world. So you're like, my 30 minute drive back to my hotel is now four hour drive because I. I'm on the wrong side.

[D]

The only way out is through.

[B]

So we were freaking about making sure we finished. And I think if I had done this before, I would have known. We're good. We have plenty of time.

[D]

Well, yeah. You know when you're like, go on a hike and, like, going the one way, you're always like. And it feels so long because you

[A]

don't know what it is exactly.

[D]

And then when you come back, you're like, oh, this is 20 minutes.

[A]

It's not that bad.

[D]

But in your head it feels like it's forever.

[B]

Yes. So I was tweaking that, which. Which hurt our chances of stopping. So we were just in the unknown. We were lost. Yeah, but my takeaway, dude, was that. And we ski a fair amount, but in the States, dude, or in North America, I guess people. People are rarely on runs that they shouldn't be on. You know, there's very rarely. Are there people on blues or blacks that are very new to skiing because they're like, I'm not going over there. I can read the signs in Europe. Or I'm in my one experience in Europe. It's like, I think they think the signs are just for show. The colors are for. They're like, oh, did you see people

[D]

eating shit the whole time?

[B]

Everywhere we went, I'm on these like, insane black runs. And people are like, no, it's crazy. I'm like, why are you on this trail?

[A]

There were people who were just more or less sliding on their butt down the entire run. And I was like, why are you here?

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

And. And they were there. They were trying to go to the strip club.

[B]

I also think there's no fast as possible. There's no etiquette. Dude, the European skiers are terrorists trying to get on the lifts, get on the gondolas. They're just like, cut. Everyone's cutting everybody. No one care. And I'm like, is there a line?

[A]

It was kind of lawless. I agree with that, dude.

[B]

I was like, what is happening? That blew my mind. And, dude, we had these. You've seen them, these really official Team USA backpacks that they gave us, which was awesome. But, dude, I don't know if it was that or what, but we. It's like we had the fucking plague. Everyone's pounding into gondolas. And then finally a gondola would get to first line and Dan and I would get in it and everyone would just stand there and let it go with just us in it. And I was like, do you. I was like, what the. It was very, very weird.

[A]

I was like, oh fuck.

[B]

It was insane, dude. I was like, do you. Are you intimidated? But you hate the us Possible. Are you intimidated because you see our. And you're like oh.

[D]

I think they're like, were you guys taller than most?

[A]

Most.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

It was so funny.

[B]

We get on like six person chairlifts alone just to do.

[A]

I do think that there was an element of like. Given that we had the same backpack on it. It almost. You know how sometimes you're on a mountain and it looks like two lifties are doing something and you're like, I don't know if they're working. I kind of want to let them. Them do their thing. There was a world where people were like, are they training or like are they.

[B]

No one would touch us with a 10 foot pole.

[D]

I mean it's kind of nice.

[B]

Yeah. I was like, okay, sounds good.

[D]

You guys smelled bad.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Racing so hard.

[B]

Very possible. Like I've seen these guys.

[A]

So true.

[B]

Finish three hours but insane.

[A]

I. Yeah. I mean listen, I just think. I think opera is the move in Europe, especially in the Alps. And it was a. I thought orange

[B]

was way better than green. Green too.

[A]

Completely agree.

[B]

Because you can go either way. You know that tram was one of

[A]

the worst experiences of my entire life. Yeah.

[B]

That we didn't need. That was a side quest.

[A]

That sucks.

[B]

The line was just super crowded on a Wednesday.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I thought I was going.

[D]

It had to have been a bunch of post Olympics.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Too.

[A]

It was crazy.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Could have been there.

[B]

Could have been. I almost nuked like 8 year old girl.

[A]

Okay. Before we, before we get into.

[B]

Yeah. Oh, that was.

[A]

Oh my God.

[D]

Got somebody, bro.

[B]

Evan.

[A]

It was.

[B]

Was that on the glacier?

[A]

I'm having a stroke. It was on the glacier run and it was kind of the first time where we had a lot of space to really go. Talking about no etiquette. This woman and her daughter I assume were going down and they were just cutting all the way across the trail. Like truly fine left to right. But Chris is just bald. Bombing, bombing. And this girl and this woman are just coming and like she stopped for a second and Chris was like, okay, I have a lane. So he just kind of tucked and went. And then she was like, no, I'll keep going. And it was truly like a dude.

[B]

I saw it.

[A]

Oh my God.

[B]

Because I was. I was Scanning because I was skiing fast, but I saw it happening and I was like, okay. Like Dan said. I was like, we're good. Cause they'd been over here once you committed.

[A]

And she then kept going. I was like, there's no way to stop it.

[B]

So I was like, oh, that's what happened. She kept going. And I, I was still pretty high up, but I was just going so fast and I was like, I don't, I can't stop until. So I just like dug in so hard and I was like, like I'm bouncing, dude. She, at any moment she turned back, it would have been completely fine. But she just kept coming and I was like, oh my God.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then it was like I, you're,

[A]

I think your skis clipped. It was so close. I, I, I was behind him and when it happened, I audibly went, oh. I was like that, that was almost, we almost added a body to the glacier. It was so scary.

[B]

I also kept going so far and fast cuz I wanted to be just a, get away. I don't want anyone to be like,

[A]

you get away, get away from the.

[B]

Go Dan, go, go. You know they're like when you cut

[D]

somebody off in traffic, like I just got to go as fast as possible

[A]

now so they don't catch up to me.

[B]

So.

[A]

Okay, so I, the, the, my last thing before we get into a fun little top topic. I mentioned the flight from Denver. So we flew from Venice to Munich, Munich to Denver, Denver to la. The Munich to Denver flight. I, I only slept for an hour and a half at the end of that ten and a half hour flight because it was like our normal day. Fuck you. As far as you're remembering what happened as far as Italy time, time, it was like, it was a, I think when I fell asleep it was like 11pm so like, you know, I didn't like take any sleeping pills or anything. I was just awake on that flight. And then I slept for like an hour and a half to end it. We then get in Denver, we like sit in the lounge for a second and then we go get on our flight. Dude, that is like a two hour flight. Denver to LA. Maybe a little bit more.

[C]

3.

[A]

I fucking passed out on that flight harder than I have maybe in my entire life.

[B]

Entire life.

[A]

I had my eye mask on, I had like my hat pulled down and I got upgraded to first class on this flight. And it's like not that big of a plane, but I'm in like the second row.

[B]

But also importantly, he got upgraded post having Sat down. So already on this flight, someone has approached him and been like, hey, you can come up.

[D]

Nice here.

[B]

So Dan's like, oh, okay. And then, like, gets his shit and moves.

[A]

So I fall asleep on this planet, and I don't even, like, realize. I mean, obviously I put my eye mask on, but I was like, I don't know if I'll fall asleep. And the next thing you know, I was in a coma. I wake up to a flight attendant ferociously hitting my shoulder. Like, she's hitting me because I'm clearly so asleep. And I finally come to, and I

[B]

take my hat up, and I lift

[A]

my eyelash cup, and she's going like this at me. She's, like, beckoning me.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

And I. I'm like, what the fuck is going on? And I'm so out of it. I'm looking at her just waving at me that I fucking unbuckle my seat belt, and I get. And I legitimately was like, she's bringing

[B]

me up to the cockpit.

[A]

I was like, is she bringing me to the cockpit? Like, is this like. They're like, hey, sir, like, you've been

[B]

upgraded to first class.

[A]

We want to give you.

[D]

Now you can fly the flight.

[A]

We want to give you the full flight experience. So I was just so out of it that I, like, stood up and I walked. I walked. Walked up to, like, where the cockpit is, and she was like, sir, sit down. We're landing. And I was just like, oh. She was literally going, bring your seat up. And I was like, oh, all right. Sorry, dude. I turned around and sat down, and the guy who was sitting next to me was looking at me like, are we about to hijack the.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Dude, what the are you doing?

[D]

Pocket for box cutter.

[A]

I. I have. I can't remember. Remember the last time I was that delirious from being tired, and I was like, what is happening?

[D]

You had to have been so deep into that sleep. Like, you're, what, two, three hours in?

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

And I. Dude, I was ready to, like, make a speech to the plane. I was. I have no idea what this woman wants, but I'm ready to go. Whatever you need, babe. Here we go. Oh, it was hilarious. I. I was laughing the whole time we were landing. It's awful and moral. Okay, before we get into a beer league hotline and a blind ranking to close out this episode needed, especially with you, Ev, we've got to talk about the appearance from supposedly Jim Carrey this weekend.

[B]

So have you seen any of this?

[D]

Yeah, I've seen the Rumors going around.

[B]

So all I saw, because I'm usually not tuned into this shit, but all I saw was that they were like, oh, man, Jim Carrey got so much Botox. They replaced Jim Carrey. And this happens, dude. It's Hollywood, right? Like, the Ryan Gosling showed up for the fucking fall guy thing and had a bunch of fillers in and you're like, God damn it, dude. Like you. And it goes away or whatever. But I was just like. So I heard Jim Carrey does the. And I'm like, whatever. I didn't even look. I just heard the rumors. Then I started to see a bunch of on my feeds of someone being like, jim Carrey is left handed. And then if you watch this event from this weekend, was. Was it SAG Awards? Is that where he was?

[A]

No, he was at some award show in France.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[D]

That's why he was speaking French, famously, I'm assuming because he's Canadian. He knows at least.

[B]

So he's in Paris, walking out, signing a ton of autographs right handed, and they're like, this isn't him.

[A]

I didn't catch that, dude.

[B]

And I'm like, what the fuck? And then. And again, this is all the things I've seen. Yeah. And then they start doing the like, yeah, dude. Literally, like, the government has replaced him for speaking out against, you know, the

[A]

Epstein and Illuminati and Pedos and all that shit today, which. Another reason why he's the fucking best.

[B]

Yeah. And then today, this makeup guy. Have you seen this?

[A]

No.

[B]

This makeup artist today has come forward being like, yes, it was me. Like, I. I went, he does this. He's done this many times. He does incredible prosthetics and impersonates real people. And he's like, yeah, it was me. Like, it's on his Instagram page now. He's like, look, it's like, you know when he.

[D]

Man on the moon and he would

[A]

go out as the Andy Kaufman thing.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[D]

He would go as Andy Kaufman's alter ego.

[B]

Right.

[D]

So maybe he's doing that in real life now.

[B]

So he showed a picture of the mask he made. He's like, I. It was me. But now people are going, the government did replace Jim Carrey, but we now all caught them. So then they paid this guy to go, yes, I was impersonating him. When actually Jim Carrey is dead and has been.

[A]

Don't say that.

[B]

So now people are going, oh, my God, it was him. But then all the comments on that one are going, until the real Jim Carrey shows proof of life. I don't believe it makes sense.

[D]

And we considered that he's simply wearing the master mask.

[A]

God, can you imagine? Okay, so here's what I'm. Here's. I, I, I am. I have not been privy to this dude. But I started seeing in the comments, people were going, they got him. Yeah. And I was like, oh, they're saying that he's, like, been killed and this is an impersonator. But then I started seeing all this clone shit.

[B]

Yeah, they cloned him.

[A]

And is.

[B]

Have, have you ever heard of this?

[D]

The, the concept of cloning?

[A]

Well, apparently, it's like a big Hollywood

[D]

conspiracy that people are being cloned.

[A]

And so I googled it, and I was like, hollywood cloning people, question mark. And apparently, people think this happened to Selena.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

They. I, I think remember Soulja Boy. I thought there, there are a bunch of people who think that Soulja Boy has been cloned. Kanye has been said to have possibly been cloned.

[D]

Oh, he got cloned and it made him nuts.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Well, it's like, I didn't get the brain right. The, the conspiracy is that some of these people start speaking out against stuff, and then they come and take you and they clone you.

[C]

You.

[A]

So no one knows any different. And then all of a sudden, you stop speaking out about stuff. But I've seen a bunch of clone stuff. Like, his eyes look different.

[D]

I just think it's plastic surgery. Come on.

[A]

I think. But as a guy.

[B]

I saw someone say this as a guy who's made his entire living off of his facial expression.

[D]

Rubber face.

[B]

Yeah, right. Like, he's so good at that. And then also spoken out so much against being superficial.

[A]

But I always. I always hate that take. Cause I'm like, we don't fucking know Jim Carrey. Like, everyone's like this. Jim wouldn't do that. And I'm like, you don't know Jim.

[B]

He might.

[A]

He might.

[D]

I think people, there's just. The sad truth is there's just so much pressure to appear to be young. You're gonna get that.

[A]

You wake up one day and you got a turkey neck, and you're like,

[D]

if I had the money, I would do it.

[A]

Maybe I'll change my tune on plastic surgery. That's what happens.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

But I, I think that this whole thing has been so interesting, and if we got clones walking around, that would be crazy. I mean, and I always. I'm always so curious on these conspiracy theories, because let's. Let's be real. I feel like we've seen some conspiracy theories over the last 15 years. Feel like they're very real.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Today. And that sucks. Yeah. So it would suck to find out that this is real.

[D]

Well, to me. But. But to me that the part of this conspiracy theory that I think does make it a little hard to swallow is sort of the, the science fiction aspect of it.

[A]

Yes. But you know, who knows?

[D]

Who does know?

[A]

All I know is I miss Jim and I love Jim. I think Jim's the greatest comedian of our time and it would suck if he got snatched.

[B]

That's what I'm saying, dude. Like, that would suck and I need to.

[A]

But sometimes he does those interviews, like that Kimmel interview he did or episode he did and then he had another one at some award show where when he was like, this is the most meaningless thing. I think I asked myself, what is the most meaningless thing I could come to? And it's this. Wow. But it's all about like, he's like, Hollywood is terrible. And he spoke out on like vaccines and stuff and the medical industry. Like, the guy's. He's a fucking. He's got morals. They might have snatched him for it, dude.

[B]

I'm telling you. So this guy, this is the dude who does like, this is the guy.

[A]

But he, he's actively saying that that was him.

[B]

He does these masks and. Yeah. And he goes like this, the masks we wear. He goes, here, here's me as Jim. And he's like, here's the mask I made.

[A]

Oh, my God, I'm. Oh. He's like, he's genuinely actually like, it was me.

[B]

Yeah. And he's like, I. It was me. I was there. And then people are like, unless Jim Carrey himself says something, I don't believe this.

[D]

But how would you even know to believe that? Also with AI and like, why would

[B]

he have a Jim Carrey mask and wig that he's wearing in parents?

[A]

The right handed, left handed thing is actually the craziest thing so far that I've heard.

[D]

Could that just be though, somebody flipping their image?

[B]

Good point.

[D]

Horizontally flipped.

[A]

Good point. Could have just been a video flip.

[B]

Yes.

[D]

I don't know. Also, maybe he does. But maybe the plastic surgery affected his. The nerves in his hand and he had to use his other hand.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

Be that colognes, people. I have. I have identical twins.

[D]

Do you think clones. Do you think clones are real?

[A]

I think they cloned a sheep in

[D]

like the late 90s.

[B]

Yeah. What are we talking about? We can clone.

[A]

The Scottish people have been really quiet about that. Yeah, I feel like they were on it for a while and then all of a sudden they stopped talking about. And that's usually a sign of like, did you figure it out?

[B]

You're not telling us?

[D]

Yeah, somebody took the tech and now they're using it in a government conspiracy.

[A]

I fear every day, Ev, that so much of that technology and aliens and cloning and we're just way more advanced than the general public.

[D]

Oh, aliens are real. They had that interview with Obama and he's like, aliens are real.

[A]

Oh, yeah. And he was like, didn't he say? He was like, they're not near Area 51.

[D]

No, they're not.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

That's so awesome.

[A]

Why don't we talk about all the shit that we get obsessed with online and start talking about how is President Obama going? Going, Aliens are real, by the way. Why didn't we get fucking. Why aren't we all talking about that? That's awesome.

[B]

Talking about Jim Crow.

[A]

We gotta start talking about fun shit more. That's a fun topic. Hey, Instagram and TikTok algos. Let's talk about Obama going. Aliens are real. That's a fun topic. Pick Jesus.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

Dude, I need that release.

[B]

Everything.

[A]

All right, Ev, let's wrap this episode up, get us into a beer league hotline.

[D]

We have a teammate with a French onion dip obsession.

[A]

Okay, hold on.

[D]

You want me to repeat that?

[A]

Nope. I just want to say I'm about. This is about as in as I can get this early in a beer like, hotline. Like, I, I, I don't. I'm not even sure if anything can get me off of this guy's side. Keep going.

[D]

He hid his obsession from his wife

[A]

still on his team.

[D]

The other night, he fell asleep at 2am with a tub of French onion dip resting on his stomach. His wife caught him and now he's no longer allowed to eat chips and dip, which has really hurt his morale. But he was our leading scorer before his life blew up. Okay, do we keep him on the team despite this problem? And if so, so how did we help him get through this?

[A]

Oh, wow, dude.

[B]

His life has blown up too.

[A]

His life has to be very clear to be clear.

[B]

He is. Dude, he's out now. You'll never get to eat that again.

[A]

His wife will never get to eat that again. This is one that I'm like, this cannot be real. But I need to believe that it is.

[D]

Let's assume they're all real.

[A]

How?

[C]

How?

[A]

Falling asleep with. I also love the use of tub because I want to know how big that tub of French onion dip is. Like, do they sell tubs of like, did you go to Costco and get like a family style one and that's what you're eating?

[D]

Depends on how big the guy is.

[A]

Yeah. Is this dude not fat shaming here, but is this dude huge? Like, is that why it's a problem? Or is this. I mean, this guy's playing beer league. Like, he's active leading scorer. He's active. He's the leading scorer. Is it just to the point where his wife is like, dude, you. You eat so much French onion dip, it's a problem.

[B]

Yeah, well, I think she's just finding out how much of a problem it is. She didn't even know. And she goes, oh, honey, do you fall asleep with the tub? And he goes. But then I think it was like everywhere, you know,

[A]

he was our leading.

[B]

He's like winning the Winnie the Pooing.

[A]

Winnie the Pooing? Yeah. He's just spooning it with his hand. That's a problem. He was our leading scorer before his life blew up. Do we keep him on the team despite this problem? Yes, of course you keep him on the team.

[B]

We need to support our friends.

[A]

But, guys, I think this is the most cut and dry, easy answer beer league hotline of all time.

[C]

You.

[A]

You just bring chips and French onion dip to the game. So when you have post locker room beers, he also gets. That is where he enjoys his French onion dip.

[B]

But don't you think that if he goes home breath reeking like a French onion and his wife goes, have you been eating dip? And he has to. Now. Now you're making him a liar again and you blow up his marriage.

[D]

You.

[B]

She's been banned from the beginning.

[D]

You gotta give him some mouthwash afterwards.

[B]

Yeah, okay. Yeah.

[A]

There are ways to combat the breath. And also what say in the room, stay in the room. We don't need to call him a liar for enjoying some post game French onion dip. And also, it's like having post game beers. You just burned a lot of calories playing the game. You deserve a treat.

[B]

Yeah. Okay.

[D]

Is. Does he have high cholesterol? Why is she so upset? Well, if he's obsessed, I mean, I.

[B]

Obsession.

[A]

I. I think that this might go. This might be a bigger issue than we could ever possibly.

[B]

This goes deeper.

[A]

I think that this. I. I think that this. This woman is not a tyrant. I think she sees a legitimate issue, and we are now enabling this issue. But we got to get the stats back up, brother.

[B]

We do. This is the beer league hotline. This isn't the fucking cholesterol hotline.

[A]

It's true.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

But the thing is, if. If you. If you. If you make a rule where it's like, okay, no French onion dip unless you're at beer league, then I think that's a nice compromise.

[B]

That's.

[D]

Compromise solves her. Her issue and. And the team's issue.

[A]

Yeah. Likely it's once a week. That's.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, that's cutting back.

[B]

That's marriage.

[A]

Can't go cold turkey. You know, we gotta go cold French onion dip. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Once a week in the locker room with the fellas.

[B]

Okay. Keep him on the team. Encourage him to get a compromise with the missus about, I will only eat French onion dip at beer league.

[A]

Yeah. And you can even start it out with and only if we win.

[B]

Oh, Jesus.

[A]

Because that is gonna incentivize him to score more.

[B]

Yeah. Okay.

[D]

The one alarming thing here is no one has mentioned chips at all. Is he just eating it with his.

[B]

That's what I was saying. I think he's Winnie the Pooh ing it.

[A]

Yeah. If this is. You know, there are those people who love ranch so much that they're just borderline drinking it.

[D]

Psychos.

[A]

I. I worry that this guy might be that style. Like, he might be eating this with a spoon.

[B]

Our buddy. Our buddy Shane calls pizza a ranch shovel.

[A]

Oh, God. Disgusting.

[D]

I have. I have a friend like that too, and I love him, but every time he puts ranch on stuff, I'm like, this is not meant to have ranch.

[B]

I'm so sorry, man.

[A]

I. I got into that rhythm in college. I would. I would put. You would get pizza and be like. And ranch, obviously. And then I got out of college, and I was like, why in the world was I ever doing that? And I would go as far as to say, and I'm not ranch shaming. We don't Shame. On this podcast. I don't know that there's anything that I love ranch on anymore.

[D]

You grew out of it.

[A]

If I'm getting tenders, I'd rather honey mustard. I'd rather barbecue.

[B]

Barbecue, baby.

[A]

People who dip their fries in ranch. I'm like, what are we doing? Doing? I don't think I like ranch on anything.

[D]

What's the garlic mayo?

[A]

Oh, aioli.

[D]

Yes, Garlic aioli. Come on. That.

[A]

That beats ranch every time, of course. But I am a purist. We're getting off topic here. I am a purist when it comes to fries. I know a lot of These bougie restaurants in la, they like to give you some sort of a garlic aioli or chipotle. I'm like, just give me kinds. Ketchup with my fries.

[D]

I'm a psycho. I can eat fries with nothing if

[A]

it's the right fry. I'm with you.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, I like it.

[D]

All right, we're digressing.

[A]

Let's close out this app with a nice blind ranking.

[D]

Okay.

[A]

What do we got?

[D]

We are doing Team USA players.

[C]

Okay.

[D]

Team USA hockey players at the Olympics this year.

[B]

And I think it's their Olympic performance, like, how you felt about them at the Olympics.

[A]

Okay. Team USA men's Olympic performance, blind ranking.

[D]

And I'm not adjusting anything about this.

[A]

You add set.

[D]

Yes. Okay. Ready?

[A]

Yes.

[D]

Jack Hughes.

[B]

Dude, hard not to go one because of the.

[A]

Jack would even.

[B]

Was the best in the group stages. Like, in the group stage. I was like, he's incredible. He's having an incredible tournament. And then a little quiet maybe in. In the.

[D]

Or.

[B]

No, he had two sick goals in that Slovakia game, right?

[A]

Yeah, he had the sick b. Like, bank off the back of the goalie.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

So I'm like.

[B]

And then the golden goal. Obviously there's someone who had a better performance in one game. Obviously not saying names yet, but overall

[A]

tournament, I think it's crazy for you to limit that to one game.

[B]

He was just especially incredible in that one game.

[A]

I could go as low as three here.

[B]

What?

[D]

Whoa.

[B]

I could.

[A]

I think Jack would agree, too.

[B]

No, he wouldn't.

[A]

I think he would. I'm happy to go 2.

[B]

I will not go 3.

[A]

Okay, 2.

[B]

He got his fucking teeth smashed out. He sure did the golden goal.

[A]

He sure did. Two, two.

[D]

Jake Gensel.

[A]

I could go five.

[B]

It's not higher than 4. It's not higher than 4. So I'm with you because it could have been better. But he was. He had a few good moments. He also. It's an incredible place got murdered. Interference. Late hit. Which is insane. That's one of my funniest memories of the hotel tournament was Jake Edel just getting blindsided without the pock for 10 seconds. I was like, jesus, dude.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I don't want to go five.

[A]

So good at. At the sport.

[B]

How about a four? How about a four there?

[A]

Yeah, I can be happy with four.

[B]

Let's go four.

[A]

Okay, four.

[D]

Vincent Trocheck.

[B]

I think I have to go five now.

[A]

And I think that you.

[B]

We need to save.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But I'm not sure that tro ch was necessarily much better than Genel. I I think Vinnie. I think Vinnie was a Swiss army. And I've did everything they asked and we got a ton of ice time.

[A]

Yeah, I. I want to. I want to ride for Vinnie Trocheck hard because he was such a role player and played his role perfectly. I think he should be very proud of himself.

[B]

He should be. He is.

[A]

But I'm fine to go five here because you have put us in a bad spot.

[B]

But you're not that mad. If Gensel was five and Vinnie was four, you wouldn't like. Whatever. We're splitting hairs.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah, we're splitting hairs. So five. Yeah, I feel bad about that, but I want to put them all 1.

[D]

There are no losers on this list.

[B]

Yes, that's correct.

[A]

Because they won literally all gold medalists.

[D]

Okay, Brock Nelson.

[B]

Okay, Daddy.

[A]

Brock. Three.

[B]

I think we have to go three just out of fear. But I want to give so many flowers to Brock. I thought he was fucking money.

[A]

He is literally the. He is. He has a heritage of goals.

[B]

It's incredible, dude. And he. After four nations and this tournament, I just cannot say enough nice things about Brock.

[A]

If he better be on the team in four years and then he better get going on kids and nephews and nieces because we need. We need Brock Nelson's lineage in the men and women's team for the rest of time.

[B]

Three.

[A]

Who's our one?

[B]

Oh, so we only have one left. Okay. Yeah. Who's one?

[D]

Same Auston Matthews

[B]

and Dude, actually, Austin

[A]

had a way better. Austin was fantastic.

[B]

Like everybody.

[A]

Austin. Austin was fantastic.

[B]

I remember when we did this blind ranking after four nations with Oshi and he put Austin pretty low. We all did. Because we were like. He just, you know, he didn't have the best tournament. He's still great. He didn't have the, the best tournament. Austin Matthews had a great tournament. And do I think he should be ahead of Jack Hughes? No.

[A]

No. But he was fantastic. I don't. I don't feel bad about this at all. Don't feel bad about that.

[D]

Captain.

[B]

Captain America won a gold medal, dude.

[A]

And you asked, asked the boys. They say he's our leader and he's a winner.

[B]

That's my one. Any day.

[A]

Boom.

[B]

Fine with that.

[D]

There you go.

[A]

Good stuff.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

All right, that wraps it up for this episode. Hope you enjoyed. Mark straight. Unbelievable guy. We're going to be dial into all of the trade deadline stuff coming up this week. We've got some great, great interviews coming up with some of our Olympic medalists. Going to be amazing, guys. Do us a favor. Go toss some five star reviews on Spotify and Apple. Subscribe do all the things we love you. Can't wait to see you for the rest of the week. It's going to be some fun, fun stuff until we see you next episode CP Tell Them what to do. Skate hard. Two Good and Co Coffee Creamers are made with farm fresh cream, real milk

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