Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 555: Featuring Tim Stutzle + Surprise Guest

Summary

Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 555 Summary: Featuring Tim Stutzle + Surprise Guest

Release Date: April 18, 2025

---

Introduction and Early Banter

The episode kicks off with Ryan Whitney and Paul Bissonnette welcoming listeners back amidst playful banter about Barstool Sports and a recurring joke about Shaving Sidney Crosby’s head. Mike Grinelli joins the conversation, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere. Early discussions center around Pink Whitney, a popular drink, with Ryan enthusiastically promoting its various sizes and flavors.

Notable Quote:

• Ryan Whitney [00:27]: "Summertime's coming. It's... The warmer the weather, the better the Pink Whitney."

Hair Dye Controversy

A humorous segment unfolds as Ryan Whitney addresses rumors about his hair dye, which have circulated online. The hosts rib each other about appearances, leading to a lighthearted defense from Ryan.

Notable Quote:

• Ryan Whitney [05:50]: "I don't know why it looks like balding. Yes. Acne at 42. Yes. Bake one huge left ear. Yes. Hair dye. No."

Playoff Previews and Team Discussions

The core of the episode delves into playoff analyses, focusing primarily on the Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, and their standout players.

• Montreal Canadiens: Ryan highlights Kaden Gooley’s stellar performance and Lane Hudson tying the record for most assists by a rookie defenseman with 60 assists. Paul praises Hudson's maturity and defensive prowess, predicting him as a future Calder Trophy winner.

  Notable Quote:

  • Paul Bissonnette [09:33]: "Every single play he makes is the correct play and he's not overdoing a lot of things, even though he does have, you know, stretches where he's toe dragging guys dancing around in the blue but he's not really trying to do too much too often."

• Columbus Blue Jackets: Discussions pivot to the team's impressive run despite injuries, with Mike Grinelli commending Cale Makar’s impact and Fantilli’s breakout season. The conversation also touches on team dynamics and potential award contenders like Kumar Provorov.

Notable Quote:

• Mike Grinelli [16:23]: "The last goalie to win it was Price. Price was a Price. Yeah. Price was."

Interactions with Surprise Guest: Hockey Illuminati

Midway through the episode, a surprise guest, Hockey Illuminati, joins the hosts, adding an unconventional perspective to the discussions. Together, they debate various playoff scenarios, including potential matchups like the Four Nations series and the Battle of Ontario between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Notable Quote:

• Hockey Illuminati [20:38]: "I'm pulsating passion right now. It's coming out of every single fiber in my body, Okay?"

Special Interview with Tim Stutzle

A significant portion of Episode 555 features an in-depth interview with Tim Stutzle, the leading scorer for the Ottawa Senators and a pivotal player heading into the playoffs. Tim shares insights about his journey from Germany to the NHL, the dynamics within the Senators' locker room, and his perspectives on the upcoming playoff series.

• Early Career: Tim discusses his early start in hockey, influenced by his father, and his decision to pursue hockey over soccer despite initial pressures.

  Notable Quote:

  • Tim Stutzle [71:14]: "My dad played hockey until he was like 18 and then he quit. And I started when I was like four and we would always go watch the... It was early on."

• Team Dynamics and Leadership: He highlights the positive changes under coach Travis Green, emphasizing a collective commitment to defense and winning over individual accolades.

  Notable Quote:

  • Tim Stutzle [68:09]: "When you're young, you're going to get your points, you want to get goals, and I think that's normal. Everybody still looks at that, but our main focus was winning games, and I think that really helped us a lot."

• Playoff Outlook: Tim expresses confidence in the Senators' depth and resilience, despite challenges like trading a close friend and teammate. He underscores the importance of team cohesion and defensive strategy as they enter the playoffs.

  Notable Quote:

  • Tim Stutzle [74:27]: "We don't really care who we're playing. I think we match up against any team pretty well."

Final Wrap-Up and Predictions

As the episode nears its conclusion, the hosts and guests engage in spirited debates about various playoff series, including predictions for matchups like the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild and the Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues. They discuss player performances, team strategies, and potential upsets, often interweaving humor and personal anecdotes.

Notable Quotes:

• Ryan Whitney [112:03]: "I bought a car back home."
• Mike Grinelli [117:35]: "Defense wins championships. And that's how they built this team from the back end out."

Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with a mix of promotional content and final thoughts, emphasizing the hosts' excitement for the playoffs and gratitude towards their listeners. They encourage fans to stay engaged and look forward to upcoming episodes for continued coverage and analysis.

---

Key Takeaways:

• Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets have standout players making significant impacts as they head into the playoffs.
• Ottawa Senators' Tim Stutzle provides valuable insights into team dynamics, leadership, and playoff preparedness.
• The hosts and guests engage in lively debates, offering varied perspectives on potential playoff outcomes.
• The episode blends expert analysis with humor and personal stories, making it engaging for both avid hockey fans and casual listeners.

Notable Quotes Summary:

1. Ryan Whitney [00:27]: "Summertime's coming..."
2. Ryan Whitney [05:50]: "I don't know why it looks like balding..."
3. Paul Bissonnette [09:33]: "Every single play he makes..."
4. Mike Grinelli [16:23]: "The last goalie to win it was Price..."
5. Hockey Illuminati [20:38]: "I'm pulsating passion..."
6. Tim Stutzle [71:14]: "My dad played hockey..."
7. Tim Stutzle [68:09]: "When you're young, you're going to get your points..."
8. Tim Stutzle [74:27]: "We don't really care who we're playing..."
9. Ryan Whitney [112:03]: "I bought a car back home."
10. Mike Grinelli [117:35]: "Defense wins championships..."

---

For more episodes, visit Barstool Sports - Spittin' Chiclets available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music for Prime Members.

Transcript

[Ryan Whitney]

Hey, Spit and Chiclets listeners. You can find every episode on Apple podcasts, Spotify or YouTube Prime. Members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.

[Paul Bissonette]

Me and Ryan have been officially welcomed to the jungle that is Barstool Sports.

[Ryan Whitney]

Our white whale, Sydney Crosby. Shave his head.

[Tim Stutzle]

Shave his head.

[Mike Grinelli]

Shave his head. Ryan Whitney. Paul Vincent. R.A. mike Grinelli.

[Ryan Whitney]

Spittin Chicklets. What is up, folks? Welcome to the second episode of the week. It's playoff time, baby. Episode 555, Chiclets, presented by Pink Whitney. Whether it's the big old bottle, the little shooters, the little nips, the Mickey biz. They call it the Mickey in Canada. We got all sizes. It's one flavor, but we got all sizes. It tastes phenomenal. And it's. Summertime's coming. It's. We're not there yet. We're in spring. But the warmer the weather, the better the Pink Whitney. And I'm telling you guys, if you haven't given a try yet, just go give it a shot. Mix in a water in between every drink, but go give it a shot. No pun intended. And Pink Whitney's the drink for you. And this is the podcast for you. And what is going on, guys? How you doing?

[Paul Bissonette]

After that read of the Pink Whitney, I mean, there's no better person do it.

[Mike Grinelli]

Well, he's not reading. That's at the top of the dome.

[Ryan Whitney]

Yeah, I'm going be rabbit. We could get into my dome.

[Mike Grinelli]

You got a lot going on with your dome.

[Ryan Whitney]

We got a hair dye controversy. But Biz, what's going on with you?

[Mike Grinelli]

I just had the final regular season broadcast for TNT. We handed out Mr. TNT award. Obviously, OV took it down. Seven goals on the TNT broadcast this year. A few of them at de Netters, but nonetheless, every time he was on the broadcast, he delivered. It was a great night. We all had our tuxedos on. I was getting chirped online. One guy, one Vegas Gold Knights fan, was saying, this is the only guy who makes a tux look bad on the planet. Says he should be parked in my car. So I brought him up on the broadcast and started chirping them.

[Ryan Whitney]

And then I saw you tell him, too. It's a rental.

[Mike Grinelli]

It's a rental. It's a rental. Straight. Yeah, that one. That one's going right back. I'm not paying for it. And of course, Hank looked unbelievable. Not a hair out of place.

[Ryan Whitney]

Yeah. And then he owns his for sure.

[Mike Grinelli]

I think he's got like, tuxedos.

[Paul Bissonette]

Yeah.

[Mike Grinelli]

Or. Or seven. But actually three now because he was Talking about it on the broadcast. He cleaned out his closet. 27 suits he took out of his closet to, like. I don't know if he's gonna donate them or. Or where. He's. Maybe he's got, like, a secondhand store that they would. I'm sure his used suits could go for like, 1500, two grand.

[Ryan Whitney]

His used undies could go for big Go.

[Mike Grinelli]

Oh, imagine the ladies lined up to buy his used undies.

[Ryan Whitney]

It'd be deranged.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah. Yeah. Speaking of jock sniffers. They'd be sniffing his crotches. But I might start. I might just, like, lose a little bit of weight and ask him to donate them to me.

[Ryan Whitney]

We're going. More health, buddy. I don't think you can get in better shape. I know. I'm pumping your tires. I don't love doing that, but.

[Mike Grinelli]

I know. But to fit in Hank's suits, I.

[Paul Bissonette]

Might just stop eating, too.

[Mike Grinelli]

I might just stop eating because my suits are so bad.

[Ryan Whitney]

And heck, probably those suits for free, too, you know, and they're probably all big money suits, but he's just. There's designers out there. Like, who's a famous designer? Give me a name. Giovanni Versace. Versace, probably like, hey, dude, I saw you in this, like, on the subway or in this commercial in Sweden. I was in Sweden doing a fashion show. Like, let me give you a suit. Actually. Let me give you 10.

[Mike Grinelli]

Remember Tiger? All the Swedish guys used to wear the Tiger suits. Yeah, that was the name of the company. Yeah.

[Ryan Whitney]

I just remember that guy.

[Paul Bissonette]

Tight around the ankles.

[Mike Grinelli]

Oh, so tight you couldn't even get circulation to your toes. That's how tight those pants were. Lowry Koski used to wear them. Sammy Lao used to wear them.

[Paul Bissonette]

Thank you.

[Mike Grinelli]

Who's. Actually, Sammy's been doing some Swedish media lately.

[Paul Bissonette]

He's great.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah, he's awesome.

[Paul Bissonette]

I think it was Finnish media, though. Yeah, it is.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah. Oh, finish, finish, finish. You're right. God damn it. I. That one up. Both of those guys are fins, but I think Tiger of Sweden. Those suits, the Finnish guys would wear them.

[Ryan Whitney]

That's what they does. Merles have one. No chance. Right, Merles?

[Paul Bissonette]

Muzzy Fords. He's got the used car salesman. Muzzy Ford.

[Mike Grinelli]

Speaking. We were talking about the dome piece on. On. On. Hank. What's this controversy? I was not online all day today, and apparently there's been, like, a bunch of viral moments going on. The fact that you've been dyeing your hair or something.

[Paul Bissonette]

Ok, first the spray tan, now this.

[Ryan Whitney]

The spray. I don't dye my Hair. Let me repeat this right now. I don't know why it looks like balding. Yes. Acne at 42. 42 years old. Yes. Bake one huge left ear. Yes. Hair dye. No. I repeat, I don't know why it looks like. Granelli asked me years ago, dude, it looks like you dye your hair. I said, no. I don't know what it is about the zoom. And today on the unnamed show, I saw some of the funniest memes putting me next to Creed from the office with jet black hair. There was another one with me next to Rudy Giuliani with the hair dye dripping down his forehead.

[Mike Grinelli]

Oh, no.

[Ryan Whitney]

So what happened? Portnoy's getting fat. Not just chubby, he's fat. Fat. And he's lashing out. And. And now he's just getting on top of these Internet personality people making fun of me. Very funny. I don't know. Can you guys tell in person that I don't dye my hair?

[Paul Bissonette]

But I. I will say forever. For as long as you know, you've been getting grays.

[Ryan Whitney]

Look at the gray.

[Paul Bissonette]

I know, but whenever you get a haircut, it looks like you dyed it. So did you get a haircut?

[Ryan Whitney]

I got a haircut yesterday. I got a haircut.

[Paul Bissonette]

Every time you get a haircut, it looks darker. I don't know why. Maybe it just like, shaves down the grays a little bit or whatever it is. But it always looks darker when you get a haircut.

[Ryan Whitney]

Okay, so. So now, and now it's like, you know, I. I think no matter what I say, I'm in one. Because people are going to say, you do it. You do it. You won't admit it, but I'm looking at the camera right now. I promise you, if I dyed my hair, I'd admit it. If I did it, I'd admit it. No hair dye, balding.

[Mike Grinelli]

Just swear on Squanto.

[Ryan Whitney]

I swear on Squanto. I don't like swearing on my kids.

[Tim Stutzle]

Right?

[Ryan Whitney]

Like, I don't. I don't find. I swear on anything. I swear.

[Mike Grinelli]

You're not lying. What's the big deal? Look, I don't know why it actually, when I do the TNT broadcast, sometimes I have people, like, message me on Twitter saying that you dye your hair. And, like, I've never dyed my hair in my entire life. So I just think it has a lot to do with maybe like, the lighting and whatever zoom you're on or. Or, you know, whatever, Whatever camera's hitting you a certain way. But I. I can for certain say when I see you in person. Your hair is horrible. There's no way you're dying your salad.

[Paul Bissonette]

It might look darker cuz your face is so white. That's so white that it's.

[Ryan Whitney]

That may be it. But it's like, like I said, I got a bunch of things that aren't. Aren't exactly pretty, but I don't. No. No hair dye. I repeat, no hair dye. Okay, so this is exactly what people probably wanted to hear leading into round one of the playoffs in our second playoff preview. But I had to get ahead of that. No hair dye, guys.

[Paul Bissonette]

We believe you.

[Ryan Whitney]

Thank you so much. So incredible night of hockey last night. The Montreal Canadiens got it done and it came down to the wire enough where I bet on the Canadiens last night. I was very confident. I also bet on them against Chicago and they're up three one. And I'm like, I don't know. Boom. Three two, Carolina. I'm like, this is not good now for my bet. I was very nervous because I'm like, they may lose this game. I had a money line, but they just needed a point. So I was like, can Carolina get two more goals and win this thing in regulation? I don't think so, but what a game by Kaden Gooley. They lost him for a little while with the cut he had. And getting him back, like, completely changes their defense. Young stud. And Lane Hudson, guys, he tied the record for the most assists in the history of the league by a rookie defenseman. He had 60 apples. Keith. My best season was 45, which maybe nothing to shrug at, and considering they were all second assists, it's not nearly, nearly as close to impressive as lane Hudson getting 60 as a rookie.

[Paul Bissonette]

Yeah, it goes. And I think, wait, you were one of the first guys to kind of tell me about him and must have been the be the BU days and stuff, but he. He just looks so. I've never seen a rookie defenseman and I'm very interested to see because usually the defensemen have the sophomore slumps, but I've never seen a young demon just look so comfortable. And not just offensively. Like he's a smaller guy, but he still looks comfortable. Defensively, he's in good position. I think he just trusts his skating so much that he just never feels like he could get beat or that he' of position, but. And the head, the head on his shoulders is insane. Just how he sees the game. Every single play he makes is the correct play and he's not overdoing a lot of things, even though he does have you know, stretches where he's toe, toe dragging guys dancing around in the blue but he's not really trying to do too much too often. It just comes naturally to him. So this guy is going to be a force to be reckoned with for the next 20 years. Hopefully.

[Mike Grinelli]

Youngest team to make playoffs since the 8081 Oilers too. So very impressive they were able to do. Yeah, very 20, 25 and a half years old. So I don't know how many people had St. Louis winning the Jack Adams, but he definitely entered himself in the conversation in the back half of that season since the I, I believe it was since the trade deadline or Four nations, but I want to say trade deadline like I would say it was neck and neck, a three way race. Meov kind of dropped off. I would say for Philly, like maybe he had a good start but he dropped off. So it was a three headed race between Dustin Wolf Celebrini and Lane Hudson since the trade deadline. Lane Hudson was second in points, 16 only behind Macklin seller Brini who had 17. He led all rookies in ice time with 24 minutes of average ice time since the since the trade deadline. So down the stretch having to win all those fucking games, going against tough matchups, putting up all those points and putting 24 minutes of ice each night remarkable and also led the way with plus minus which some people say like ah, that's a misleading stat. Well when you're plus 13 and you're lugging that much ice and there's no escaping tough matchups just I, I think hands down he's the Calder winner and a huge reason as to why they made playoffs. You have to fucking tip your cap to Suzuki too. He's probably their mvp. He was a four nation snub I believe. Didn't even get a phone call when he didn't make the team. So I guess he took that personal. Cole Caufield who, who was fucking unbelievable. So just, just really nice to see this young team find a way to squeak in the playoffs. And I, I texted the group chat as well. Like Slavkoski, like just watching him go after loose pucks and battling man like this kid's starting to figure it out. And G sent the text as well. Like the comments that he made. Just being inspired by watching Brady Tachuk and how he was playing and using his size like it's clear that that message has, has been received and he's looked like even a better player since the Four nations as well. So not even necessarily saying points. I'M talking about the compete, right? That's like when you're. Especially come playoff time when you're going for those loose pucks along the wall. He's got that size to use and he's been using it more wisely as of late. So I, I still see Washington winning that series. But that Martin Bowman, he could maybe steal them a series. You never know. He's been excellent as well. So congrats to the Montreal Canadiens. Demidov maybe a little quieter in his second game.

[Ryan Whitney]

Still had a couple shifts that were incredible.

[Mike Grinelli]

Very. Just not, not like that first night. But, you know, there was no doubt there was going to be a little bit of a come. A little bit of a comedown given all the travel and chaos that he's been through the last week here. So Montreal is in, I think before we get to the other matchups and other storylines also with Robertson going down. Columbus Blue Jackets guys like just an incredible run, especially with all the injuries they dealt with along with the, the adversity of losing Johnny Goudreau in the off season. Like they lost Monahan for significant time as well as a bunch of other guys. I think Branson was out for, for quite some time as well. He was out for a bit Warrensky like, you know, and, and he had an incredible year, career year for him. If it wasn't for Cale Makar, he'd probably be winning his first Norris but kale makar scale McCarr. So a lot of positives to take off of this year for Columbus and Fantilli, another guy who had a big, big year. So. And I guess that he, his, his grandfather had passed away last week and then he traveled or was it a grandmother or grandfather that traveled back. Ended up potting his 30th goal. So just so many positives with.

[Ryan Whitney]

It's been amazing and I feel, I feel really bad for that team because it would have been an incredible storyline and like even tonight to not have that game matter. Right. It would have been really cool for them, win or lose, to have the last game of the year. We also got, I mean, what'd we get? We got three different playoff races went the final two in the west and the. And the final one in the east went down to pretty much game 82. So that's as much as you could really hope for, considering it looked a couple weeks ago like they were all going to be settled. Fantilli is a monster. I sent a text to the group chat. I think he's played roughly 25 to 30 less games than Bedard and has scored maybe two goals less in these two seasons. So Merls was the guy that was like, I take Fantilli over Bedard, and people were kind of laughing at him. But maybe, maybe that ends up turning into not as crazy of a take as. As he. As it once seemed. Also, Bedard came out and said he's very happy in Chicago. He's kind of sick and tired or I, I just made that up. But he's. He's like, enough of people saying, I'm not happy here. Even if I look upset or sad on the bench, I love being here. I want to be here. So I think that was very good news to all the Blackhawks fans.

[Mike Grinelli]

So he just put 90 million in his jeans by saying that he's going to get.

[Ryan Whitney]

He is going to get. And, and I'm. I'm wondering what Cole Lane Hudson is going to sign for because he. Because last year they burnt the first year. He is eligible to sign an extension this summer. You would think that Kent Hughes would be kind of all over that and Jeff Gordon, let's see what happens there. But the other player in Columbus said it's like, whoa, I think they got something cooking here. Is that Ken Johnson who kind of took off and you remember last year they sent it to the minors, like, everything I heard was just like, answered the bell. Like, wasn't mopey, went down, dominated down there, comes back, has a monster season. So there's some special things really going on there. I'm wondering if Provorov resigns, Right, because that's a guy that we heard might get dealt. I don't think he's resigned yet. I hope not. I sound like a complete idiot, but no one expected that out of Columbus. No one saw this coming. And what a story. And I think even though he's not in the playoffs, Evanson has to be up for coach of the year. Is that crazy because they didn't get in?

[Mike Grinelli]

I would probably say just the fact that Montreal got In, you got St.

[Ryan Whitney]

Louis, so you picked him or St. Louis.

[Mike Grinelli]

People. People said Arnel might not. Just given the fact that Hella Bucks put up the numbers that he's put up, like when you got a goal, I could have been coaching them. If you got a goalie like that, like, that's up the number. And, and, and just quickly on Hellbach, like, he might be the first American goalie ever to win league mvp. Like, he might win league, not win an mvp. You. Well, I think right now he's the the odds on favorite on DraftKings. Yeah, man. Buddy. He hit like a two.

[Paul Bissonette]

Who was the last goalie to win it?

[Mike Grinelli]

The last goalie to win it was.

[Paul Bissonette]

Was Price.

[Mike Grinelli]

Price was a Price. Yeah. Price was. Was the last guy. And I don't know, man. It would be wild, though. Like, he's pretty much locked up the Vesna. That'll be his third Vesna and potentially a heart trophy as well. So you're talking about a resume which would put you in the top, what, 20 goalies all time like this? Yeah, more with. With. With. With no playoff trophies. That's what's hard and would probably bring him down. But where were we at there right before that?

[Ryan Whitney]

He's not just the favorite for MVP. He's Grell saying he's minus minus 180.

[Mike Grinelli]

That's what I'm telling you. That's why I said it.

[Ryan Whitney]

I was amazed at. And. And you know what? Hand up. I apologize for my reaction.

[Mike Grinelli]

Thank you.

[Ryan Whitney]

I didn't.

[Paul Bissonette]

I didn't realize the dye got to your head.

[Ryan Whitney]

The hair dye snuck through to my brain. I don't. I don't. I. I mean, it kind of must have flipped in the last couple weeks, because before Leon was a big favorite, but I didn't realize that, dude, he was. What was it, one game away from tying the most wins in one season. 48 wins is the most ever had in one NHL season. I believe he finished with 47. So just think, like, a game goes different here or there, he could have broke that record, which I think maybe would definitely lock up the mvp. I love how I just said maybe. Definitely. It's two opposite words that I use. It's the hair dye.

[Paul Bissonette]

Columbus, I think. I think just for that organization, what they've done this year in the outside kind of looking in to what they are as a team, I think is so good for them. I think more guys are going to want to sign there. Seems like a great place to live and play. And, I mean, this year, obviously, with everything that happened, you know, what they gained from it, I think, you know, can really help out in the future. And they got a lot of good things going there and led by a lot of good people. But with Hellebuck, too, I was going to say, I just feel like people kind of forgot that maybe a goalie could be up for mvp because he hadn't really been talked about till, like, a few weeks ago. And then people. And now him being minus money, people are probably like, oh, yeah, why are we not talking about this dude who's almost breaking records, you know.

[Ryan Whitney]

Well, the discussion was a couple weeks back that they don't play every game. And it's kind of like, dude, if you're not in every single game, but then the games you're in, you're completely dominating the entire league. Going to get a third Vezna trophy. So it is a wild storyline. And, and that's why I kind of root for him. Because the heartbreaking loss in the, in the Four nations and last year against Colorado, like he came back this year answered every question. And then now the big question comes into the playoffs. So I think we're going to get into that series in a little bit.

[Mike Grinelli]

We are. And what's cool about it too is you got the Four nations goalie matchup. There's a lot of cool. Like you got the rotten revenge series. You got the Battle of Ontario, Battle of Florida. You actually got the Shen Brothers going at it too. In that series of Bennington and Hellebuck. They might quickly to. To Coach of the Year. Let's say for whatever reason, Arnel is not okay. He, he, he's not in the mix. You would have carberry, you'd have St. Louis. Would you put Cronin? Who. You're a fucking idiot. Who's your third fuck? I'm drawing a blank. Minnesota's head coach.

[Ryan Whitney]

Oh, John Hines. A sneaky like Montgomery wouldn't even be bad. He got gassed and he gets over to St. Louis. That's another one for the playoffs.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah, I, yeah, I feel like every year there's like six or seven guys who could win Coach of the Year. It's like the, the most like guys who don't get nominated get the biggest snubs as far as that award's concerned. But it's going to be interesting. Wit, before we, we get into everything else, there was another thing that happened based on a series that we broke down last week in the fact that LA and Edmonton played against each other. Edmonton obviously didn't have their full lineup and things got very aggressive over the course of the game. You saw Darnell Nurse cross checking guys in the head. I think it was Byfield down in the crease. And then after the game, Deno had some very interesting comments. Can we run those comments?

[Ryan Whitney]

I believe that was mid.

[Paul Bissonette]

I think it was during the game.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah, that was a mid game interview.

[Paul Bissonette]

Yeah.

[Ryan Whitney]

Perry's answer was after denoa's intermission interview.

[Mike Grinelli]

Oh my God. That's.

[Paul Bissonette]

I think it was after the first.

[Mike Grinelli]

That's like wwe right?

[Ryan Whitney]

Okay, let's run, let's run them back to back right here, quick.

[Mike Grinelli]

I know something happened in the first period, right, with Perry and the stick, but how did it get to the point where we are right now? What's going on out there?

[Tim Stutzle]

I think they just have their B.

[Mike Grinelli]

Squad and trying to hurt us.

[Tim Stutzle]

So that's pretty much their message tonight. That's, that's what I'm thinking.

[Mike Grinelli]

But yeah, at the intermission, said that.

[Hockey Illuminati]

You guys were playing a B squad.

[Mike Grinelli]

And trying to hurt them.

[Paul Bissonette]

Do you, I mean, what the, Sorry.

[Mike Grinelli]

My excuse, my language.

[Paul Bissonette]

What do you want us to do?

[Hockey Illuminati]

Did he not look at what's happened.

[Mike Grinelli]

Over the last couple weeks?

[Hockey Illuminati]

Like we, what do you want us to do?

[Paul Bissonette]

We're not there to hurt anybody.

[Hockey Illuminati]

I mean, but anyways, move on.

[Ryan Whitney]

Perry's response was hilarious because he was like so disgusted in himself that he like swore. He's like, that's it, it's over, this is over. But I love that he's like, what, what are we supposed to do? Yeah, it's our B team, everyone's injured. I believe he said, have you not seen what's going on here the past few weeks? We're dropping like flies in Edmonton.

[Mike Grinelli]

I think his point was, is the B squad was on a kamikaze mission to injure some guys. So do you think that there was a little extra added dirtiness trying to maybe take some of LA sales?

[Ryan Whitney]

Possibly. And if there was, I like it. I, I, I don't hate it. This is, this is prepare, I mean, Keith mentioned earlier this week that before they played Tampa his last year in Florida, I believe they played last game before the, the playoffs and it was a complete gong show. You know, you, it's like, hey, we're setting the tone here. This is not going to be just a, a skate and giggle. It's going to be we're going to make your life living hell and show you what you're in for. Because right now, yeah, we maybe do have a bunch of guys that aren't going to be in the lineup come game one. So we're going to rough you up, we're going to try to toughen you up and we're going to maybe go head hunting a little bit now. Nurse got suspended one game. I get that. It's actually like the most classic suspension of all time. It's like, sit out the last game, but you don't have to miss any playoff games.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah, don't do me favors, don't.

[Ryan Whitney]

So I, I thought, I thought it got A little dirty. But you know what Edmonton is, is sick attired of people trying to take advantage of them and their stars aren't in the game. So it's like let's go after some of their stars. That's how I look at it Biz.

[Mike Grinelli]

And I also think from a mental standpoint too now like LA is a little riled up which kind of plays into Edmonton's favor because if they start taking penalties, that's where Edmonton's just going to cook them. Like the, like the power play percentage in the last three rounds. They've played them in consecutive years. I think they're clicking at about 35% on the power play. The one year was like 51 years.

[Paul Bissonette]

They were 50.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah, 50. They put up a 50 banger on them. So don't exactly like that for LA from a psyche perspective going into that series. But right now, man, LA or Edmonton's biggest issue is going to be solving Darcy Kemper. That guy is buzzing.

[Ryan Whitney]

I, I think to the, the, the power plays being so different in terms of LA's not being great and Edmonton's being dominant. It'll be the whole series. But LA went to the other night they had this five forward power play unit. It was Kuzmenko, Fiala, Kempe, Kopitar and I'm drawing a blank on the other one. But they, they were kind of snapping so. So it's McSorley in front causing a ruckus by field. By field. So that Quentin by field's a problem. He's going to continue getting better and better. But yeah, I don't hate seeing some, some early hate begin before the series starts. The fourth year in a row. The fourth year in a row.

[Mike Grinelli]

You know who's wishing they would have sat out? Some guys is Dallas. The Dallas fucking Stars boys. I kind of hate, I kind of hate the cap situation towards the end of the year where you can't call guys up and you want. The league needs its best players playing in playoffs. And it goes back to last year. William Nylander game, what, 81 or 82 where he ends up getting injured and then he's not available the first three, four games for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now all of a sudden you got Jason Robertson who's been red hot since the Four nations break and he gets bumped into while they're down 4, 5, 1 against Nashville. Last game of the year. And he's probably going to end up missing game one at least. Like come on here, you can't be fucking losing guys in, in a In a nothing burger game. It's ridiculous.

[Paul Bissonette]

I think the rule was put in because they didn't want teams that are tanking to, you know, it's going to help the veteran players too, where they're not sitting guys out because that could screw you for a contract your next year. Say you're an older guy fighting for a contract. If they're just bringing up everyone from the minors to get a game or two, then it's kind of hurting the older guys in the league. So I think the rule was put in. So teams that are tanking aren't just, you know, playing these minor league guys and it's clear that they're trying to lose games and, you know, just putting in whoever has. Owns a pair of skates, you know.

[Mike Grinelli]

Well, for instance, like, because of their cap situation, I believe Toronto has to dress their full lineup in game 82, where it's like, come on here. What the are we doing? Like, God, like, if something happens to a Toronto me Maple Leaf player, I'm gonna lose my mind. If it h. I'm gonna lose my mind.

[Ryan Whitney]

The league.

[Mike Grinelli]

I'm gonna fucking storm the fucking. I'm gonna storm the league offices like the beaches at Normandy, for fuck's sakes. That's what's gonna happen, I'm telling you.

[Ryan Whitney]

Yeah, Robertson left that game in a knee brace. So if you're leaving in a knee brace, like, you think it's just one game you're missing, that's not good at all. He's been so good. And, man, the Dallas Stars, they got worked again by Nashville.

[Mike Grinelli]

Seven losses in a row. They've been outshot their last 13 games. So I just. It's a classic case, guys of. And you'll know it like when you, when you. When you lose a guy, like, he's skinnin. Oh, you could put a band aid on it for three, four games, you know, rolling guys and playing guys an extra two, three minutes to alleviate the stress. But after about four or five games, that's when you start really leaking oil. And ever since they've lost a man, they look all out of sorts. And I mentioned it last show. I think over the course of the last two, three playoffs, he's. He's averaged 27 minutes of ice time. You can't replace that. You can't fucking replace that. So let's hope nobody else ends up getting injured in the last couple games here, which we're recording this on a Thursday. The last slate of games are tonight, so I don't know which one of The Stars will be playing tonight, but let's just pray nobody else gets hurt.

[Ryan Whitney]

Last thing on Dallas. Very cool to see Tyler Sagan come back. He actually had an assistant played around 15 minutes, so that's one thing at least they can kind of be excited about. They get him back. He hadn't played since the calendar turned to 2025, so that's awesome news. But we're going to the rest of the previews now and we're going to start off in Keith's home state. And I cannot wait. I think my most, my most looking forward to first round matchup. The Battle of Florida. Tampa, Florida, straight up. We saw this madness a few years ago. They hate each other. They already had some big time issues the other night when they played, when Tampa put a beating on them. Keith, let's go to you. The final thing I'll, I'll leave you with is Paul Maurice said today everyone's good to go.

[Paul Bissonette]

So.

[Mike Grinelli]

Coming back, shocker, 49 million all of a sudden out of the press box, ready to go. You want to talk about tanking? How about the fucking cap circumcision?

[Paul Bissonette]

Well, you're lucky they didn't or they would have. They would have won the Atlantic.

[Mike Grinelli]

No, they wouldn't have.

[Ryan Whitney]

True. Pretty good statement by him.

[Mike Grinelli]

No, no, enough with that. But go on to your breakdown. How do you feel about this series, Keith? Where does your loyalty lie?

[Paul Bissonette]

I will say that when these team, they've met three times, right, the last three years, whatever it is, whoever wins this series is going to the Eastern Conference or going to the Stanley cup finals. So no matter what, one of these teams is going to the Stanley cup finals.

[Ryan Whitney]

And what about them beating each other up so bad though? That's business, dream scenario here.

[Paul Bissonette]

If this series is quick for one.

[Ryan Whitney]

Team, Biz is screwed. That's kind of how I look at it. He needs a seven game war.

[Paul Bissonette]

Yeah, he does. I think it's crucial for Tampa. Tampa's got to win these first two games because Ekblad's still out with his suspension. If Florida can somehow win a game, you know, I know you always got to steal one on the road, but to win a game without Ekblad and then have him come back, he's been off for 20 games. He's 100% healthy, ready to go, he's going to be fresher than anybody. So that'll be huge for them. But it's obviously a tough, tough matchup. You look at Tampa Bay, they got the Kucherobs. The point Jake Gensel 41 goals this year. Did anyone even mention his name? Like the guy they have the most. Yeah. What do they got? Six guys with 20 plus goals, which is insane. Headman with another 60 point. See, the guys, they just have monsters up and down the lineup. But when you're playing in the playoffs, busy, you need some rats in. The Florida Panthers have rats on their team. The rat squad, they bring in the biggest one of all maybe in the history of the league.

[Mike Grinelli]

Brad Marchand, Nose face killer.

[Paul Bissonette]

He's been getting his feet a little wet. Getting them a little, getting them a little taste of what it's like being a Florida Panther. And then guess what, your first, your first game in the playoffs with the Cats, guess who's back. Matthew Tkachuk, who might be taking over for you, Brad, as the biggest rat in the history of the game. But imagine them out there together. You got Couch Rob buzzing around, wanting to sauce these things around. Bomb hit. You got Braden Point flying up the wall. Boom.

[Ryan Whitney]

Elbow.

[Paul Bissonette]

Yeah. Soup Can Bennett came back last game, played his first game. In a little while he's gonna be rip roaring, ready to go. But at the end of the day, I think this series goes seven games. And you look at, you look at the Tampa bit. They got this, they're sexier team, right? Biz. You'd rather take them out on a date than, you know, they're at 10.

[Mike Grinelli]

The cats, they're like the tramp stamp tattoo. They're the ones.

[Ryan Whitney]

Yeah.

[Mike Grinelli]

That's all over your cock. Deep throat in you. Oh, yeah. No, no, no. I like that. Doing a, doing dp, anal, all of it. I love Florida, like in that regard. Sorry.

[Paul Bissonette]

Yeah.

[Ryan Whitney]

Love Lauderdale, I think.

[Mike Grinelli]

Dripping.

[Paul Bissonette]

Yup. This, this series is going to go to a game seven and not what Biz just said right there. You need the tramp stamps.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah.

[Paul Bissonette]

You need the cigarettes outside the bar. You need the guys getting dirty at the Elbow Room. And you want to look at the.

[Mike Grinelli]

Cats, you need your girl up on.

[Ryan Whitney]

The side of the car. You know the girls that drive with it. That's a unreal move.

[Mike Grinelli]

You need her with the load going. Sorry, sorry about that show.

[Paul Bissonette]

But yeah, I think Cats in seven, boys.

[Mike Grinelli]

I said, obviously Florida is going to win this series. A couple nights ago on tnt. But I'm torn. Like I'm fucking torn right now. This is going to be an all out war. We talked about the goaltending battle of Bennington and Hellebuck. How about the two Russians going at it? This is going to be fucked. I, I, I actually think this is going to be surprisingly a low scoring series. For that reason right there, Tampa re like reacquiring McDonough. Like I, I, I just feel like Tampa has not been given enough respect all season long. I view them as the Vegas Golden Knights of the east where they're just been flying under that radar. And as much as I've been sold on Florida, I think I'm gonna flip it. I think that the Tampa Bay Lightning are gonna win this series in seven games. There's been a lot of hype around the acquisitions and the fact that Florida's been resting all these guys. You got Kachuk coming back, you got that crazy line with him, Bennett the Menace and Brad Marshaw. I just am not going to buy into the gargling come hype of the Florida Panthers. And I'm going to direct my attention towards John Cooper and the Tampa Bay Lightning. I have flip flopped Tampa in seven fucking games. And the X factor, you know, I like to bring the X factor. Brandon Hagel, NHL Record, 35 goals scored this season, not one of them on the power play. Not one of them. He is a gamer, he's a tramp stamper and he's the guy you want in your foxhole. So this is going to be a lethal, lethal matchup. I want it going the distance. I want them beating the wheels off each other. I want it a cage match every single game. The humidity, just losing all that, all those electrolytes. I want them depleted by the end of this series so Toronto could have their way with them. But I flip flopped. I got Tampa and 7.

[Ryan Whitney]

This is the toughest series for me as well. I actually have decided that I'm going Tampa and it's solely based on Florida and the amount of hockey they've played. Now maybe these injuries to these key players actually helps them. And these guys got some rest while getting healthy. Now I should list out the players coming back into the lineup. It is out of control. Like Tkachuk, Barkov, Reinhardt, Lundell. They're all coming back in. And then after game two, Ekblad comes back in. So you're talking five legitimate key components to them winning the Stanley Cup. But I don't know, I biz this. What you said about Tampa is so true. Like nobody really talks about them. And I do agree it's similar to Vegas out west where everyone's talking the Central and Vegas is just like, all right, yeah, don't forget about us. No problems here. And Tampa Vasilevsky this year, like he's bad. Like 921save%. It's just been. It's been unbelievable. He probably is like enough of the Panthers. I had my run before, but I'm not done. We're going back on another one and I'm taking out Bobrovsky in the first round. I think it's going to be a war. G, can you look up if there's any update when Bjorkstrand's back? Because they traded for him and Gord, both guys who would be very valuable in the playoffs. Gord's playing on the first line. Bjorkstrand would be somebody. If he's out the entire series, that's going to be kind of difficult. Right. That's somebody who's been in the playoffs. Right. He's on Seattle when they knocked off Colorado. So I think it's going to be a war. But I'm going with Tampa and I also biz it's week to week. Granalli says that's not good biz. The haggle thing. I had no idea. Like, I knew he was having a monster year. He's got 90 points.

[Mike Grinelli]

Remarkable.

[Ryan Whitney]

Chicago traded him to Tampa, so what a battle it's going to be. And, and, and I. Yeah, I'm going with Tampa and 7 based solely on Florida being exhausted.

[Mike Grinelli]

Did you say Toronto trail them to Tampa or Chicago?

[Paul Bissonette]

Chicago. He said, oh, this could. You guys agree? This could be. This would be an unbelievable Stanley cup finals. I know obviously the east can't play the east, but if the last series of the season, we would all be very excited. The only thing that scares me for you guys, because you're both Tampa jocks. Ness because you guys like being closer to Daytona Beach. Basilevsky 63 games played this year. You think that's a little too many or you think he's.

[Mike Grinelli]

That's the same thing as Hella Buck. He wants to get in rhythm. It's the same reason Hellabach done well for Hellabuk. Yeah, he doesn't want a mvp.

[Ryan Whitney]

He, he. I think he bullies Coop. He's like, I'm playing. I'm playing. And Coop's like, okay. I mean, yeah. And look at what he's done this year. So I can't wait. Home ice could be enormous. Right. Goes to seven. That Tampa crowd's wild, but I cannot wait to see what goes down. And what would be your. I guess that's a stupid question. I was gonna say, like, who's most likely to be suspended in the series, but it would just immediately be Marshawn Bennett. Chuck so that's not really a fair question.

[Mike Grinelli]

Who's your guys X factor?

[Paul Bissonette]

My X factor is going to be Bob. They were two and two this season in. In their four game series. Two and two. That's why, I mean, we all got to go in seven. But I think Bob, the confidence that he has in himself right now, I think he's my X factor. And he pitches a shutout in game seven.

[Ryan Whitney]

Can I give an X factor for like either team no matter who I picked?

[Paul Bissonette]

Do whatever you want.

[Mike Grinelli]

Doesn't matter.

[Ryan Whitney]

I think Marshawn's the X factor. Like, if Marshawn plays like he has in so many playoffs for the Bruins and is like, you know, right around a point per game and doing the Florida rat stuff that he's done forever and like top of his game, Brad Marchon, it. It might be really hard for Tampa to get this win. So if Marshawn is like just out of control like we've seen him, that's going to be a really difficult matchup because you already have Kachuk and Barkov and Reinhardt and Lundell and Luster Rynen and all these players. I didn't even say Bennet. And then if you add Marshawn playing like he can, that's going to be. That's going to be an X factor type thing for me. Remember when G called Brazo the X factor for last year's Bruins Florida series?

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah.

[Paul Bissonette]

He also said. What? That that little guy was going to.

[Mike Grinelli]

Be Tyler Johnson, league mvp.

[Paul Bissonette]

Yeah.

[Ryan Whitney]

I ended his hockey career.

[Mike Grinelli]

He.

[Tim Stutzle]

He retired.

[Ryan Whitney]

He basically retired after that.

[Paul Bissonette]

Oh, no. And who was the other little guy the Bruins signed? The G wanted to, you know, be inducted in the hall of Fame.

[Ryan Whitney]

I don't remember.

[Mike Grinelli]

I mean, we've had our fair share of bad takes, boys, so.

[Ryan Whitney]

Yeah, I don't know if we want to start going.

[Mike Grinelli]

We don't need a bully G about it.

[Ryan Whitney]

I'll be crying by the end of the episode. And the fact that we just. I don't even know if one of us said Nikita Kucherov's name.

[Mike Grinelli]

I think that that's just obvious, man. He won the Art Ross.

[Ryan Whitney]

I understand that. But he doesn't get the respect he deserves. He does. I know.

[Paul Bissonette]

And he plays dirty in playoffs too, last year.

[Ryan Whitney]

Oh. Oh, he is something. Yeah, he's a. He's a sicko, too. Out on the ice, he'll spear you right in the eyeball. All right, well, that's the picks. That's the picks. And now the time everyone's been waiting the Selfie videos have began. Bissonette, our resident idiot, has already started. And he might be getting too, you know. Never get too high. Never get too low. This guy might blow his nut prior to game one, but it's the battle of Ontario. Ottawa's finally back in the playoffs. Brady Tkachuk, Drake, Bathurst. They're making their first appearance in the Stanley cup playoffs. And the Toronto Maple Leafs, who can never, ever, ever get over the hump, are sitting there waiting, busy. Don't just be a Leafs jock sniffer and give crazy, crazy takes. Give me some truth and honesty to what you think of this. Oh, yeah.

[Mike Grinelli]

You want truth and honesty? Who's got the better goalie in the series? Stolars. I don't give up.

[Ryan Whitney]

Whoa, whoa.

[Mike Grinelli]

You're out of your.

[Paul Bissonette]

I wouldn't stop there.

[Ryan Whitney]

Go.

[Mike Grinelli]

Watch out there. Go look at all Mark's playoff numbers and go look at Stolar's regular season numbers. All right?

[Ryan Whitney]

Oh, my God.

[Paul Bissonette]

He has Swayman sniffing behind his back.

[Ryan Whitney]

He was itching, too.

[Mike Grinelli]

Shut the fuck. This is the best back end the Toronto Maple Leafs might have had in their entire franchise history.

[Ryan Whitney]

So start with that. Not goaltending.

[Mike Grinelli]

They're big, they're fucking mean. And they're going to abuse everybody in that Ottawa lineup, including Brady Kachuk. You want to talk about offense? You want to talk about offense, buddy? That Core 4 is going to them up, buddy. This series is over in five games. And I don't even need to keep talking. You know why? Because I got a special present for all you motherfuckers, including Sen's army and Sens Nation. Bring them in, G. No.

[Paul Bissonette]

If this is Illuminati.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Start your engines, ladies and gentlemen. We got Stanley Cup Twitter in Toronto, boys and girls.

[Ryan Whitney]

Stanley Cup. That legit? Is that it? Is that the Cup?

[Mike Grinelli]

That's the real deal, buddy. They dropped it off for him.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Listen, I. I time traveled, okay? I time traveled from the future, Shanny. Let me take the cup for one day. And I said, what else would I rather do with it? Let's time travel back to a few days before the plab start just to show Chiclet Station. I know you. I know we got a lot of disbelievers out there, but it is the year. It is the year.

[Tim Stutzle]

I'm.

[Hockey Illuminati]

I'm pulsating passion right now. It's coming out of every single fiber in my body, Okay?

[Ryan Whitney]

I love it. I love it. Illuminati, what a nice surprise to see you. I believe Keith left. He's just disgusted with Zigga Manus. Illuminati back on the show. But what do you think about Biz explaining the series he starts off with? We have the better goaltending. I don't know if you're leaning.

[Mike Grinelli]

Is that fucking crazy? You got some numbers to back me up? Hockey Illuminati.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Yeah. So, I mean, are we. Are we going to ignore the fact that Anthony Stollers is eight and. Oh, and his last eight starts with three shutouts?

[Mike Grinelli]

Are we just.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Are we just. Are we going to ignore the fact that Anthony Stolers finished at the top of the league in safe percentage? By the way, Anthony Stolers also led the league in safe percentage last year. And what happened last year?

[Ryan Whitney]

He was the backup of a team that won the stand.

[Hockey Illuminati]

He did what he did when he did win a cup.

[Ryan Whitney]

Okay? There's one team that has their goalie. There's another team that has two goalies. Usually in the playoffs, you like the team that has one goalie, because Stolars has been phenomenal. But you understand, if after game one, Stolars lets in a softie and they somehow lose, the questions arise, and all.

[Mike Grinelli]

This is what they want to do. Hockey, Illuminati. They want to play mind games.

[Ryan Whitney]

What do we do? Wall stole ours. Neither's proven.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Ah, yeah, no, I get it. That's. We understand what we're doing here, okay? And if we had to go to Wonderwall, you know, thank God we got a great one B that is also a bit of a gamer, but Stoli is the guy. And I just want to let you guys know that I have a creme de La creme PS De resistance curse buster associated with Anthony Stollers.

[Paul Bissonette]

This.

[Hockey Illuminati]

This is the finest curse buster in all the land. In all the land. Okay, I don't know if you want this now or maybe, you know, right before I sign off, but you're about.

[Paul Bissonette]

To sign off, so now.

[Mike Grinelli]

No, no, no, no. Give it to the Martian.

[Ryan Whitney]

We should bring on the Sens Martian right now. That's what we. You let Biz bully you into only having Leaf's representation.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Yeah, and do you need an R? Your hoodie?

[Mike Grinelli]

I would love. I would love a bunch of biz.

[Hockey Illuminati]

I'm sending you one. I'm sending you one.

[Mike Grinelli]

I'm going to get that tattooed on my ass next week before. Before they really start doing damage cheeks.

[Ryan Whitney]

With that thing after this, maybe the second round, because I think they're going to win the first round. But go send me one.

[Hockey Illuminati]

It'll. It'll put a smile on your face. Whit, I know. I know you want one too, buddy.

[Mike Grinelli]

I love the. I love the stat the other day of. Of clinching the Atlantic Division that there was a total of 67 shots on net to bring it back to the year that we last won the Stanley Cup. But give me that last little nugget you were talking about so we can start shutting these guys up.

[Hockey Illuminati]

The. The Stoler's nugget.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah.

[Hockey Illuminati]

All right. And by the way, all Mark's playoff stats, he's 3 and 9 with a 359 gold savage.

[Mike Grinelli]

I mean, I told you.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Listen, like, yes, he's a great goaltender. Former Vesna winner, okay? But let's not also pretend that. That this senator's team doesn't have some holes. A lot of guys with. With zero playoff experience. They are playoff virgins. And there is something to be worried about when it comes to playoff versions that are full of piss and vinegar and hungry to get in their first action. But how many times do you often see a team like Ottawa that has been out of the playoffs for years and years and years finally get in and really, you know, make a relevant difference? It doesn't happen all that often.

[Ryan Whitney]

No, it doesn't. I'll give you that one.

[Hockey Illuminati]

The piece de resistance, Anthony Stollers. I don't know if this is a curse buster or just an unbelievable omen from the hockey gods.

[Tim Stutzle]

Okay?

[Hockey Illuminati]

Either way, Sunday. The Leaf's first game is Sunday. Now, a lot of Leaf fans are upset about this because, you know, Easter Sunday. Oh, what the fuck? Why are they not playing on Saturday night? You know, a lot of Leaf nation.

[Paul Bissonette]

Everyone's last time they wanted Jesus was alive.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Well, this and. Okay, so. Right. So on Sunday, there are 2 billion Christians celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Okay, so that got me thinking, huh? Well, Jesus was a carpenter, right?

[Paul Bissonette]

Yeah.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Jesus was a carpenter. Anthony Stollers is Polish. Okay?

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Do you know what Stollers translates to in Polish?

[Mike Grinelli]

Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't what?

[Hockey Illuminati]

Stollers in Polish translates to carpenter in English.

[Ryan Whitney]

What the.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Okay, so you mean to tell me that on Easter Sunday, the day that Jesus rose, our starting goaltender, who also led the league in save percentage, his last name is Carpenter, and he will save our priests from salvation and resurrection in game one.

[Mike Grinelli]

In game one, it's kick it all off.

[Hockey Illuminati]

It's symbolic.

[Mike Grinelli]

It's symbolic. I agree. I agree.

[Ryan Whitney]

He might be a Carpenter in, like, two years, right? Who knows where his game goes after this playoff choke.

[Mike Grinelli]

That is incredible.

[Ryan Whitney]

Illuminati. Illuminati Illuminati. Give me some. Truthfully, because you Leafs fans with deranged and I love you guys, but give me, give me a real worry because to me, and I know I can't say that word correctly, there's a chance Ottawa can win this series.

[Hockey Illuminati]

There it is. Stoler's carpenter.

[Mike Grinelli]

It works. Definitely carpenter.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Right?

[Ryan Whitney]

So in my mind, playoff hockey. The rats. The rats we're talking about in Florida. Some of the Tampa rats. Brady Tkachuk, physical rat. Nick Cousins, Dylan Cousins.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Is Brady Tkachuk even healthy right now?

[Ryan Whitney]

Brady Tkachuk's coming back, so I mean, yeah, that's a good question. Yeah, well, he's playing game one.

[Paul Bissonette]

Playing hockey.

[Mike Grinelli]

Illuminati. Ignore these idiots. Can we please get some other omens, some other things that can get our Leafs juices flowing? Get my leaf's juices flowing again.

[Paul Bissonette]

Yeah.

[Mike Grinelli]

These haters.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Yes, I know. And that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to raise the collective awareness in Leaf Nation. Because belief is a powerful thing.

[Mike Grinelli]

It is, right?

[Hockey Illuminati]

The power of prayer and the power of belief is real. And that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to instill belief into the hearts of Leaf fans. Okay, so very interesting curse buster that got on my radar today. That I think is part of fulfilling the prophecy. Okay, so Auston Matthews, you know, as of recording this game or this podcast is Thursday. He's playing tonight against Detroit. Okay, that's game number 67 for Matthews.

[Mike Grinelli]

Oh, my God.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Okay, you guys are, well interesting.

[Tim Stutzle]

No, hold on.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Wait, don't, don't, don't shake your head. Okay, okay, okay, okay. And that got me thinking, huh? When was the last time the the Leafs Captain played exactly 67 games? Okay, now it wasn't 67, but it was 1964. George Armstrong played and they won the cup that year.

[Mike Grinelli]

There you go. There you go. I like.

[Hockey Illuminati]

You know what else happened in 1964, Busy Boy? The first female operated spacecraft. Okay, what happened the other day?

[Mike Grinelli]

No, that was fake.

[Ryan Whitney]

I heard they didn't even leave Earth.

[Hockey Illuminati]

It may have been. I agree with you. Illuminati conspiracy. You know what? It probably was, but the gals were wearing maple leaf blue.

[Ryan Whitney]

Go look at the photo.

[Hockey Illuminati]

And the last time there was an all female operated spacecraft into space, they'll even swung the cop.

[Mike Grinelli]

Oh my God, I love it.

[Ryan Whitney]

And I mean biz.

[Mike Grinelli]

How do we bring DM Perry in the mix?

[Ryan Whitney]

You were DMing with Bezos's wife too. So this is all coming Together.

[Mike Grinelli]

Oh, what do you. Hey, on a serious note though, what do you make? What do you make of the Core 4? I feel like this is the best they've looked. Marner. Hey. Marner hit 100 points for the first time. The spirit of Squanto is working. This is wit, wit. The spirit of Squanto. 100 point season for Marner. He's going to be a completely different player. Yan's. Get that fucking look off your face. Get that fucking look off your face.

[Ryan Whitney]

Matthews has been battling injuries all year, so if Illuminati is going to talk about Brady Tkachuk, like, who's to say Matthews still isn't a little dinged up?

[Hockey Illuminati]

Have you seen the way he's been playing lately? I don't. I don't think so. I think the Leafs are fairly healthy right now.

[Ryan Whitney]

Okay, what about McCabe and Oel?

[Mike Grinelli]

McCabe's gonna be ready to go. He'll be fine.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, okay.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Yeah, hard labor. Caber. He'll be fine. Okay. And Oliver Ekman, Larson, grand larceny. The boys will be ready to go. Okay, so they're fairly healthy. They're playing good right now. You know, this is on a serious note. You know, there's no more excuses for the core four. Okay, On a serious note here. This is it. There's no more fucking excuses.

[Ryan Whitney]

Every year, Keith. Every year.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Well, this is. They finally have the coach, they finally have the secondary scoring, they finally have the goaltending, they finally have back end and they have all the curse busters and all the good omens, right? So, you know, I do believe that this team is going to go as far as Anthony Stollers takes them. Ultimately, ultimately it will be on Stoli.

[Mike Grinelli]

Okay?

[Hockey Illuminati]

If we, if we got to put Walmart. I do trust him, you know, not as much as Stoli, but he can also get the job done. But, but I mean, the Leafs problem is, has been scoring in the playoffs the last couple years, right? So there's no more excuses. And there's a lot of question marks around this team right now. What's Mitchie going to do? What's it going to cost to keep, you know, JT around? It's like none of that even matters. We're going to see how badly these guys want to stay and there's no excuses for, for losing to Ottawa. Like, there's. We fully 100% expect them to win and, you know, then they're going to get one of the battered Florida teams, which is, which is great, you know, and then in the third Round. You're looking at both of you.

[Mike Grinelli]

Pressure is a blessing. And there's a lot of pressure on the Toronto Maple Leafs to win this series. And Chief is going to explain that to them. And they've been great down the stretch. One of the best teams down the stretch. They're going to get this done. They're going to get it done in five games. They're not going to waste any energy. And I understand that Ottawa has a good lineup, but as hockey Illuminati explained, they're virgins. They are straight up virgins. And the Leafs are going to take their V card and send them.

[Paul Bissonette]

So is Jesus.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Yeah, you know what? That's actually a good point, Jens. Yeah, well, we don't know.

[Mike Grinelli]

Guess what? The carpenter made a dildo. She. So she could jam her box. So let's fucking go.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Here.

[Paul Bissonette]

I got one for Illuminati.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah.

[Mike Grinelli]

Okay.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Do his view, buddy.

[Paul Bissonette]

If you. If you're any. You talk to any hockey player, hockey fan, what is the number one thing you do not do before the Stanley cup for before winning a Stanley Cup?

[Hockey Illuminati]

Talk.

[Paul Bissonette]

Yeah, right.

[Ryan Whitney]

What?

[Paul Bissonette]

No, no.

[Ryan Whitney]

Touch.

[Paul Bissonette]

No. No. Yep. How did that get into your living room? Illuminati.

[Hockey Illuminati]

I told you, I traveled from the future. I time traveled from the future.

[Paul Bissonette]

You putting your dirty mitts on that freaky.

[Mike Grinelli]

Then hold it above your head and kiss it.

[Hockey Illuminati]

No, no. See, now that.

[Ryan Whitney]

No, because it's. It's an AI. It's AI. Listen, he created it on the Internet.

[Paul Bissonette]

If you're a true fan, you wouldn't even have it in your house. If you haven't been alive for one of those things, you wouldn't even have it in your house.

[Hockey Illuminati]

I believe the rule is that you cannot lift it over your head. I have not lifted it over my head. Okay.

[Paul Bissonette]

You're not allowed to.

[Hockey Illuminati]

I've, you know, bathed it, fed it, serenaded it. You know, I've. I've. I've done some, you know, interesting things to it, but I have not lifted it over my head. So I have not broken any of the. Of the hockey culture rules.

[Paul Bissonette]

I don't believe touching it is the number one thing, you know.

[Hockey Illuminati]

You know, I took it to Harold Ballard's grave.

[Paul Bissonette]

Don't know.

[Mike Grinelli]

Aggressive.

[Ryan Whitney]

Yeah.

[Tim Stutzle]

No, I. I did. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Hockey Illuminati]

To break. To break the curse. Yeah.

[Mike Grinelli]

Illuminati. Let's let these guys talk on behalf of Ottawa and. And what they're going to sell to our fans about their belief in them upsetting the Toronto Maple leafs in the first round, floor goes to you. Mr. Whitney.

[Ryan Whitney]

Okay, my, my worry about Ottawa and I'm not worried about all Mark. Like forget the old playoff numbers. I, maybe that's me being ridiculous, but I'm not. I am worried a little bit about their defense, right? Like Sanderson is incredible, but overall Toronto has a bigger, tougher defense. Okay, I get that up front. Matthews is the best player in this series. Matthews and Nylander after, fuck, they got Marner too. But I'm talking Stutzel and Tkachuk together on one line with Giroud. Dylan Cousins has been great over there with Peron, who you want to talk about a guy who can really calm down the nerves of a bunch of kids who've never been in the Stanley cup playoffs. That's David Peron, Bathurst on that wing. Then you got this third line of the Pinto, Parlay, Amadio, Stanley cup champion, and Ridley Greg, who I do know has gotten under the skin of the Toronto Maple Leafs prior before with one of the greatest empty netter goals I've ever seen. Okay, so I think that up front, yes, you guys have more skill, but I think with Tkachuk and then psychopath Cousins on the fourth line and the cigarette machine Zetterland, I think overall Ottawa has a tougher forward group. And I think if they do come out and they run around and they steal game one or two, then we're looking at a possible long series. 100% Toronto is favored in this series. 100% they should win this series. But I do not think it's going to be as simple as you two dum dums think, because Illuminati, you just said they 100% will win. Like there's no doubt in your mind.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Should win. Should win. 100% should win.

[Ryan Whitney]

So there is five games. There is five games.

[Mike Grinelli]

All right.

[Ryan Whitney]

How many games Illuminati. Do you have them.

[Hockey Illuminati]

So you made some good points. Okay. I think Matty Nice can neutralize Tkachuk. Okay. I would argue that Tavares is maybe better than playing better than Kachuk right now and more effective than Stutzel. So maybe they have the top four players in this, in this series. I don't know. It's. It's an interesting argument. I'm. I'm going with bizarre with five surprise. Surprise Leafs in five. But I also look at this symbolically a little bit. So the Leafs have played the Sens four times in the playoffs, okay. In the early 2000s. And by the way, you know, the real Leaf fans remember that in the early 2000s, the senators. The Senators beat up The Leafs in the regular season.

[Ryan Whitney]

I know, I know. I don't, I don't really buy into that though.

[Hockey Illuminati]

But, but any of the regular season stuff. Oh, you know, they didn't beat them this year. This side. None of that matters because that was the case as well last year. But the early 2000s, the Leafs beat the Senators in seven. They beat them in six twice and they swept them once. So the only outcome they have not had is winning in five. So we're wrong with five for the. Okay, my final thing won't be easy.

[Ryan Whitney]

I have Toronto in six. My final thing though. If, if because I was told that Leafs fans were buying up tickets in Ottawa, then I've been DM by Ottawa fans. That that's not true. If it isn't true, the, the advantage in Ottawa home ice is way more than Toronto. You guys have both admitted that that crowd is not great. The Toronto crowd is quiet playing five.

[Mike Grinelli]

Home games in this season.

[Ryan Whitney]

So you think that is true that they're buying up all. You think it's going to be most.

[Mike Grinelli]

Leafs are going to be playing five home games in this series. You talked about that big, big aggressive front end. The forward group buddy. Toronto built their back end for this shit.

[Ryan Whitney]

I like their back end a lot.

[Mike Grinelli]

They, they're, they're big. They don't around. They'll fight if they have to. I'd be shocked if they even get to the blue paint one time I stole ours is going to see everything. The Ottawa's not even gonna get a sniff. It's over. I'm signed, sealed and delivering this series. It's over.

[Ryan Whitney]

Anything if somehow Otto pulls this off just to claim, just to clip that right there. I'll be watching that on Christmas morning as the kids are opening presents. This is my again to myself.

[Mike Grinelli]

Let's hear what dumb, dumb Keith has to say about this series.

[Paul Bissonette]

Keep calling me names.

[Mike Grinelli]

I just did. I know where you're going.

[Ryan Whitney]

This gets all aggressive in the playoffs. Dude.

[Paul Bissonette]

Last screaming at this is insane.

[Mike Grinelli]

Get brave.

[Paul Bissonette]

There's really nothing, nothing else that you guys haven't said. All great points. I, I, I love Ottawa in, you know, maybe the first 10 minutes of the game one. But at the end of the day, I think Toronto is going to make light work of this series. And that's why I'm saying stop fucking saying calling me names because I'm on your team right now.

[Mike Grinelli]

Okay, well, great.

[Paul Bissonette]

But it's also one of these things you two are going on like it's you, you're beating the you know 88 Edmonton Oilers like it's. You got the Ottawa Senators here. We got to pump it down, stay focused on what we need to do first round, winning in four, not getting too banged up up and then worrying about when the playoffs really start against the Florida team.

[Mike Grinelli]

I got Sen's podcast sending out pictures of the fucking Irish traveler saying that's who they're starting first.

[Ryan Whitney]

That was so funny though.

[Paul Bissonette]

That was so funny.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah, so I think you're about the antagonizers here. Sen's army came after me online and I'm just fucking, I'm rebuttaling here that even exists.

[Ryan Whitney]

There is a sense army, I think that overall sends fans like could easily claim that they're more loyal to their team than Leafs fans. Leafs fans turn on guys quicker. They're quiet in the arena now. Fair enough. The great fans can't afford the tickets where you need to be down low and, and loud. But my final thing on this series and I, I do not want anything at all injury wise to affect any guys. But Auston Matthews was in Germany getting stem cell shots this year. Like, like for you guys to both tell me you're not worried at all about his ingredient. He's been great lately, but like he's obviously been banged up. He's one of the best players in the world. You need him to stay healthy. Need him to stay healthy.

[Mike Grinelli]

He was getting peptides shoved up his hoop. He'll be buzzing out there. Yeah, it's like basically like getting full blown testosterone in you.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Whatever Dr. Van Nostrand did to him in Germany, it worked. You know, like, and, and we have, we have three other guys, you know, Neil Under Marner and Tavares that are playing at the top of their game right now. You know, you got Maddie nies finished with 29 goals. Hopefully it's 30 tonight. Bobby McBong hits. Bobby McMahon is a, is a beautiful secondary piece. Like there's other guys that can pick up Matthews and everyone's. You guys know this. You all played like you guys are going to get hurt right away in the first round. So even if Matthews is coming in at like 90%, okay, big deal. Because after the first round there's going to be a lot of other guys that aren't playing at 100, right.

[Ryan Whitney]

So I like that point. I like that point.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Right.

[Mike Grinelli]

Hockey Illuminati, we thank you so much for joining us. Thank you for traveling back from the future. Congratulations on the Stanley cup victory and we'll also see you after the first round victory against Ottawa, we'll call you back on every series and it's going to be a hell of a run. Tell everyone in Toronto I love them and give them my best. It's our year. It is our fucking year.

[Hockey Illuminati]

We need you here in Toronto, buddy. The Leaf Nation needs your presence. That's what I will say. I will send everyone an hour. Your hoodie, okay? And yes, even you, Wit. Wit, I want to see you wearing one now. Come on now.

[Paul Bissonette]

Wato needs one.

[Ryan Whitney]

Hey, if you guys get. If you guys get by the Florida team in the second round, I'll wear that thing all Eastern Conference finals.

[Mike Grinelli]

And as a consolation prize to Sen's army, we did talk to Jimmy Stew and we were very cordial. We didn't bring up any about the fact that we're gonna wax him in the first round. We just asked him about his playing career. So without further ado, Whit, should we send it over to Jimmy Stutzel?

[Ryan Whitney]

Yes, Right now, Tim Stutzel. Thanks, fellas. Enjoy. Bye, Illuminati.

[Hockey Illuminati]

Thanks, fellas. Love you guys. Go Leafs, go.

[Mike Grinelli]

Our year. Let's go, baby.

[Ryan Whitney]

What is up, folks? This is Wit and I need to talk to you about Sport Clips. Sport Clips isn't just where you get your hair cut. It's your playbook for looking fresh. Walk in, catch the game, and sit back while the pros in men's hair handle the rest. And when you're done, walk out feeling like you're ready to take on anything. You see this fresh cut I got? Yes, it may be balding a little bit, but Sport Clips hooked it up. No hassle, no surprises, just a solid cut every time. It's simple, it's easy, and it's made for guys who want to feel like they've got the home field advantage. And if you want to track your real time wait times, download the app and check in online. Sport Clips the haircut experience dialed in for. Guys, it's a game changer. Guys, it's Whit and I need to talk to you about body Armor Sports Drink. This episode is brought to you by Body Armor Sports Drink. Body armor is real hydration with electrolytes, coconut water, and no artificial dyes, flavors or sweeteners. None of that crap. It's electrolytes, coconut water, and none of the junk with your favorite flavors like strawberry, banana and orange, mango, but in a brand new look that you're gonna love. G. Look at that new bottle. Look at that. How nice is that? Wait, it's incredible. They also got the QR code on the side so you can look up all the info. Incredible stuff. And look at the sleek design here. That's my go to strawberry Banana, too. Oh, it's so good. It's so. I do like the orange mango in the morning, but Strawberry Banana, right with dinner, it doesn't get any better. And. And none of the. The flavors are sweeteners. The trash, the stuff that isn't good for you. There's zero of that. Antioxidant, vitamins A, C and E to it. Can you get any better than that? No, you can't. Because body armor sports drink is the best. It's time to rewrite your routine and get rid of your sports drink your grandparents drank. Get your body armor today at Walmart or local grocery store near you. Body armor choose better. We are now pleased to be joined by a very, very special guest. The leading scorer of the Ottawa Senators, the third overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, and a man who is now going to the playoffs. Otto is in and a main reason it is Tim Stutzel. Thank you so much for joining the show.

[Tim Stutzle]

What's up, guys? Thanks for having me.

[Ryan Whitney]

Oh, buddy, it's a. It's an honor for us. We love it. I think we've talked to every one of your teammates over the years and just asked questions about you. Now we get to meet you yourself. I. I think I'll start it off with your fourth season. How exciting is it to be in, like, you know, I'm playing playoff hockey now. We're all going to get a chance at the big dance. So what's the vibe around the locker room right now?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, it's. It's been awesome. It's definitely the most fun I had. Like, you guys know, I think winning. There's nothing better than winning. And yeah, we've. We're fortunate enough to win a little bit more than the years before. And yeah, we're really excited to be in the playoffs and obviously can't wait.

[Ryan Whitney]

And I messed up is. It's his fifth year. I apologize.

[Mike Grinelli]

Fourth full season. Right. I believe your first season was the. Was it the COVID year?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah. Wow.

[Mike Grinelli]

So you. You had to hop into the fire? No. No fans in the building. That must have been weird for your first year. No.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, we couldn't. I was living with Brady and Josh and we couldn't leave the house. Like, all we did was just like, chill at the house. We couldn't see any people. It was just basically us three the whole time. And we were watching poker the whole day, playing video Games. So it was a good time, but we. We couldn't do anything. So those came back.

[Mike Grinelli]

So you have to defend yourself here because we caught word that you're one of the messiest people on Earth. And maybe it was just the COVID and the fact that everybody was locked in their houses, but what do you have to say for yourself and the fact that you're the messiest hockey player on the planet?

[Tim Stutzle]

I don't know about messius. I think I'm. I can be pretty messy. Yeah. But those two other guys were much better than me, so. No, I mean, I. I think I got better. I was pretty young coming in, so I. I think I got way better.

[Mike Grinelli]

Now, what do we call you? Because it seem one of those guys that has, like six or seven nicknames in the locker room. So what did it start as? I. I believe Jimmy Stew was one of the first ones. And what does it progress to now? Like, what do the guys call you in the room?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, they just kind of choose and pick. It's Timmy, Stewie, Jews, whatever. Whatever they want to call me, I guess. Claudia Rue calls me Juice. So he's the oldest guy, so he probably. Yeah, probably sticks out for him.

[Ryan Whitney]

That's awesome. It seems like a great locker room. And I know it was really hard when. When the trade went down.

[Paul Bissonette]

Right.

[Ryan Whitney]

Like, Josh and you guys, you're very close. Brady talked about it. It's kind of probably maybe one of your first examples of like, a really close friend being traded. I don't know if I'm wrong on that, but take us through how it felt. And then now you got Dylan Cousins there who's looked great. So it's just part of the business, I. I would say, you know.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah. Yeah. Obviously it was tough, like, right from. Like right after it happened. Was tough. I drove him to the airport too, so it was pretty hard. We packed all this with a bunch of the guys came over and. But obviously, like, we realized it's part of the business and obviously still in contact and wish him all the best. And it's obviously great having Kazi and Gilbert, and they're two great guys, so they're awesome playing cards together on the plane as well with Kazi and. And he's a great guy, adapted really quick to the group, and we were really fortunate to have him. He's a great player. Yeah. But in the end, it obviously sucked to, yeah. See teammate go on the close friend. But that's a team decision. We can't really do anything about it. So we're really happy to have cousin jobs.

[Mike Grinelli]

Jimmy Stu, is this the first season where you feel like you're. You kind of like get the league and your consistencies there, where you finally feel maybe like a veteran, obviously leading the team and scoring, but this has been a massive team season for your whole team, and I feel like everybody's kind of finally taken that next step. Right. It's been all these years of, oh, yeah, this is going to be the year, this is going to be the year. But it finally feels like your game is reached where it needs to be, along with everybody else.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, I think we really committed to playing way better defensively. Nobody really cares who gets a point, who doesn't. All we care is about winning. And I think that was the biggest step for our group. When you're young, you're going to get your points, you want to get goals, and I think that's normal. Everybody still looks at that, but our main focus was winning games, and I think it really helped us a lot. Everybody is committing to playing defense. Everybody's coming back hard, and I think that's a big part.

[Ryan Whitney]

Was that Travis Green's main message when he came in and camp? Like, we have so much firepower in here. I'm not worried about the goals. It's just keeping it out of our net.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, I think he's really good at given guys confidence, too, not just offensively, but also defensively. I think he's really good at that, knowing what to do in the D zone. He's really structured, and I think that helped us a lot. And yeah, he doesn't want to take away a whole lot of offense. Just managing the game. I think that's the biggest part. When you're up a goal, maybe don't try to go to three guys and try and get another one.

[Ryan Whitney]

Jimmy Stu. Jimmy Stu, are you listening?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, try and get another one. So I think that's the. That's the biggest part, and I think we've really bought into that.

[Mike Grinelli]

How does that happen? Like. Like in training camp, as soon as he gets there, is he showing you guys video and examples of maybe in the past where you guys, like, like, you know, have taken those risks offensively, when you do have the lead or maybe when you're in poor position, like, what was. What was it mainly that, like, the way that DJ Smith maybe wasn't able to get through to the group, like, and it's no knock on him, like, it's just like, what, like what tone was set in training camp in order to get that Established throughout the lineup.

[Tim Stutzle]

No, I think it was mostly on us, like on the guys in the room. We were sick of losing and we just wanted to know what it took to win. And I felt like if the whole team bought in, then we have a chance to win every night. And I think that was just mainly the group. Obviously. DJ was a great coach. I think think Greener is a great coach as well. But I think it really clicked for us as a group that we're sick of losing and we kind of knew what we had to do before. It's just we never really did it for some reason and not everybody bought in. Some days it wasn't me, some days it was me, some days was other guys. So we needed everybody to buy in and I think that's, that's what we have this year. And Greener met with a bunch of the guys in the summer just about expectations and stuff and I think that was good for the whole group as well, what to expect and, and yeah, we had a pretty hard training camp, so we're prepared for that.

[Ryan Whitney]

I, I want to go back to, to you growing up and you getting in the game, being from Germany and there was always German players in the NHL, but now with yourself and Leon and, and Cider, like there's some true like high level elite talent coming from Germany. What was it like for you? Like were you idolizing and dreaming of playing in the NHL? Did you have guys in the Del that you kind of idolized? Like, like take us through how you got into the game and your beginning and come up.

[Paul Bissonette]

Yeah.

[Tim Stutzle]

So my, my dad played hockey until he was like 18 and then he quit. And I started when I was like four and we would always go watch the. It was early on was the under 19 in my hometown. We would go watch every weekend when there was no games for me and watch every week and I wanted to play there so bad. Like that was like.

[Ryan Whitney]

That was your dream?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, I want to play there so bad. And my, one of my best friends growing up, his dad played in the DL and so we are always hanging out together. We're on one team. And then I got to watch like more DL games because of him. We were always there together and that kind of became my dream. But the first dream was just playing under 19 for my hometown team. And yeah, me and my dad went to every single game we could. And, and yeah, I just from that on I love hockey so much. So then I went, when I went to Mannheim, I, I kind of saw a chance that I can make it to the end show.

[Mike Grinelli]

I saw that G mentioned it before you hopped on that you went to Manheim, but there was actually conversations of you going, playing NCAA where you had committed to New Hampshire.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Ryan Whitney]

How the hell is that gonna work?

[Mike Grinelli]

I mean, you're still confused by the by the decision games.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, I think it was. It was more my parents who wanted me to do school. I think that was the biggest part because they're always saying you never know what's going to happen with injuries and stuff and. Yeah. But I kind of believed in myself that I can play a pro in Germany. Wanted to make some money too, and yeah, it was. It was great. It was the right decision. And I think I learned a lot from the guys there I play with.

[Mike Grinelli]

Going back to your childhood, my understanding is you, you started on the skates at three years old. Is that true?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, like three and a half, four. Yeah.

[Mike Grinelli]

That's wild. And I think that for most people who watch you play would say you're one of the best skaters in the league. Like the way that you're able to move out there. Were you like going into specific, like power skating lessons? Like, what was it about your training that was that you were able to become such a great skater?

[Tim Stutzle]

I think, yeah, I. To be honest, like, I didn't like in the summer. Like, I never had like a personal coach or anything. I. I just did a lot of other sp play, lots of soccer. And I remember my first coach, he was really, really good about skating. Like, we would skate a lot, like not a lot of pucks. And yeah, he was really good about that. But I. I never had like a power skating coach or anything. I think it's more just loving the game too, and just doing other sports as well. I think it's really important. And that was for me, I think I'm pretty athletic. So that helped my skating, I think a lot.

[Mike Grinelli]

And wait, I was just gonna quickly ask. It says you're from. Is it Virson? Is that how you pronounce it?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Mike Grinelli]

What was your town like where you grew up? Like, was it a big population? Like, was it more of like a smaller community?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, really small town. Like really, really small town in Germany. Maybe like 10,000 people. So, yeah, so really small and. But that, like, that's where I grew up, but in fears. And that's where I got born in the hospital. But where I grew up is like a really small town. And there was one soccer field. They actually built a brand new there too. So it was awesome. When I was playing there and the rink where I played in was like, in a bigger city. It was like 20 minutes away.

[Mike Grinelli]

And. And wait, I just got one more.

[Ryan Whitney]

No, no, go ahead.

[Mike Grinelli]

Given your athleticism. I know, yeah. I'm just hogging it over here trying to fan. Given the fact that you're so big and athletic, was there pressure for you to maybe go the soccer route? Given it's. It's probably a. I mean, it seems like soccer is the national sport there and that's what. What everyone wants to play. Right. Was there pressure dragging you over to that or were you laser focused on hockey when. When the season started?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, and I, I was so confused, like, what to do because I was actually better in soccer than I was at hockey. So I was really confused. Like, I. I didn't really know what to do, but I. I decided to go on the hockey way because most of my best friend was playing hockey too. So. Yeah, that, that's probably the biggest reason why I went playing hockey.

[Mike Grinelli]

You could be the first. Bo Jackson from like the hockey world, they went like, imagine he was playing soccer and in the NHL.

[Ryan Whitney]

Well, with the, with the way some people have claimed that Jimmy Stew dives, he would fit in on both. How about that? Jimmy?

[Mike Grinelli]

We.

[Ryan Whitney]

We had. You had some guys. Brendan Galler came out and. I mean, were teammates giving you a hard time? What did you think about the. The diving accusations?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, I. I don't really care. I was always. I was always a guy who move my feet pretty quick, and I think that's the biggest part. I'm not trying to dive or do anything or get a penalty for something. I'm just trying to play my game and my game is trying to be good on my edges and play fast and Yeah, I think it's most. Mostly fans who. Yeah. Don't like seeing us win. And mostly. Mostly fans from other teams.

[Mike Grinelli]

I'll say though, they got. He's got Sen's army behind him. So anybody saying it is probably going to get death threats. Like, they might even show up. How hardcore a Sen's Army. I got people like DMing me on Twitter death threats because I've been coming at the Sen saying that the Leafs are going to beat them in five or six.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, they're awesome. They're awesome. I think especially this year. Yeah, the support has been unreal and we just wanted to give them something back. But also the years before that when we were terrible, they still supported us. We were going for walks. They still said we're playing great and. And yeah, but the support is awesome and I think it helps us a lot as a group as well. And when the rink is packed, you guys know how far up you get for that.

[Ryan Whitney]

Oh, that rink is something else. I'll get into that in a minute. But I kind of wanted to go back to growing up in Germany. I'm guessing, as Biz mentioned, you know, most kids that are athletes, they grow up, they dream of playing in like the Bundesliga or whatever. But do you think it's starting to switch a little bit? Like, have you seen hockey growing based on you and Leon and Cider and a lot more kids maybe now dreaming of the NHL as opposed to pro soccer?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, I mean, soccer is probably always going to be the number one sport there because it's just so big over there and everybody who grows up watches soccer and it's like their number one sport. But I think mostly kids are realizing that it's also great playing hockey and it's also playing hockey in Germany. They have a great league there and great fans. Yeah, great fans. It's awesome to play in front of the fans there and. And yeah, I think the rings are packed all the time as well. And where I live in the summer, it's like a hockey town. And they're unreal, like youth program. And so, yeah, hopefully it's kind of changing a little bit, but I think soccer is still forever. We're going to be number one.

[Ryan Whitney]

So when, when, you know, most call, most Americans are playing junior and Canadians. Their draft year, you were able to play in the DL for Manheim, which is a pretty storied franchise over there. I feel like Swedish kids could play in the shl if they're high level players, they're draftier. Did you think that you'd maybe be going back after the draft? Like, did you imagine you'd be going right to the NHL? Like, did you even think during that season, wow, I'm playing well enough. I think I could make the step up to the National Hockey League next year.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, I think, yeah, it was pretty funny. I mean, pretty funny now. But I was, I went. I was heard right before the World Juniors and kind of rushed to get back to play World Juniors because I wanted to play it so bad. And then I was always, like in contact with Ottawa, but then we got whacked 172 by Canada. Oh, I remember that game.

[Ryan Whitney]

Oh, God, yeah.

[Tim Stutzle]

And then I. I signed my deal like the next day. So, yeah, it was kind of weird. Like we just got absolutely slapped. And then I signed my deal the Next day. So, yeah, it was. It was kind of weird, but that was kind of. When they told me, you're coming over right after road juniors and you're gonna get some games and, and yeah, just see where it goes.

[Ryan Whitney]

Nice. Yeah, that's pretty cool.

[Mike Grinelli]

And then Alex Trebek call you because it was like a remote draft at the time.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, he didn't call me, but he did, like, the. The kind of trivia thing where he picked me. He was the guy who made the pick.

[Ryan Whitney]

Did you know who that was?

[Tim Stutzle]

No, I'm on.

[Paul Bissonette]

I'm.

[Tim Stutzle]

No, I didn't, but my teammates knew. Like, all my teammates are there a bunch of Canadian guys too, so they knew.

[Mike Grinelli]

That's awesome. Didn't Demidov get called by Celine Dion? That's badass too. I think that that was one of the ones that was. I believe it was at the. With the sphere. Yeah, but I was gonna go back to Germany where, like, who were the guys that you were playing with or that were around? Or maybe it was Leon Draisaitl, given the fact he's a few years older that you were like, looking up to and, and. And trying to emulate your game after. Like, were there any guys that like, like, really, like, took you under their wing to help you and, and advance your skills and. And your. Your career?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, I think every. Everywhere I played, I always play with, like, older guys. So everywhere I played, there were always a bunch of guys who kind of took me under their wing and tried to help me out. I mean, I was 14, like, practicing with like, 20 year olds, so I was like, it was pretty, like, it was pretty crazy age difference. And then when I went to man, I met like, Marcel. God, he played Ben Smith, Tommy Huttel. There were a bunch of guys. Plachta, he still plays in Mannheim. Yeah. Who took care of me playing there. And it was awesome.

[Ryan Whitney]

How did that season go? Did. Were you guys able to make a little run in the playoffs or was it. Was it a quick exit?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, we finished. Finished the season second, the regular season, and then playoffs got canceled because of COVID so.

[Ryan Whitney]

Oh, fuck. That was that year.

[Tim Stutzle]

It was. Yeah.

[Ryan Whitney]

So now is. Is the del. For people who don't know, it's. I. I would say it's a little more closer to North America style because you're allowed so many imports. Like, was fighting allowed in the del or was it still a game misconduct? Like, what do you remember about your. Your one season over there?

[Mike Grinelli]

I heard the referees were in that league. I'm serious. I'm not even fucking around either.

[Tim Stutzle]

No. I mean, yeah, it's. It's the. The refing is definitely a little different than over here. A little softer maybe, I would say. But I think the league is really good. I think it's a really good league. There's a bunch of players who played high, played NHL, got drafted high in the NHL, so a lot of talented players. And yeah, I think it's a pretty good league and I think it's just getting better too. There's a bunch of younger German guys coming up who are awesome, so it's gonna be great.

[Ryan Whitney]

So as we watch the four nations, right, we talked about, you know, all the countries that didn't get to participate that would be in the Olympics, Germany being one of them. Like, do you guys have to do any, like, pre tournament things? Like, sometimes they have, like, the qualifiers to the main Olympics for the national teams, like, or are you guys already set and ready for next year in Italy?

[Tim Stutzle]

No, we are already in.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah.

[Tim Stutzle]

Nice guardian. So.

[Ryan Whitney]

Yeah, that's got to be exciting.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah. Sanreal. The. The. The coaches and the other coach and the manager just came and saw me and Mo play to Ottawa, so we went for dinner. So it's awesome.

[Mike Grinelli]

Who would be considered the Wayne Gretzky of. Of German hockey? Like, who's the. The top dog?

[Tim Stutzle]

Probably. Yeah, probably Dry's idol, really?

[Mike Grinelli]

He's got. He's gotten there that quick, Gabe. I mean, what a legend.

[Tim Stutzle]

He scores 50 every. Every year.

[Mike Grinelli]

So I guess that'll do it, eh? I know you're young, but have you, like, what are the biggest cultural differences between Germany and Canada? Like, are Germans, like, very intense and stiff or are they, like, silly and do they joke around a lot? Like, like, what do you. What did you find the biggest difference between Canadians and Germans?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, I think Canadians are way nicer.

[Ryan Whitney]

Germans get that scowl on their face sometimes.

[Mike Grinelli]

Dry cytle every shift. I'd be like, I'd be scared of the guy.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, they can be, like, pretty. Pretty hard. So, yeah, they're pretty straightforward with what they say. They always say it, how they think. And I think Canadian a little bit. Bit. A little bit nicer and. Yeah, just try to make you more comfortable, you know?

[Mike Grinelli]

Did you find that, like. Like Canadians were almost with you because they were so nice? Like, almost like they were like. Like they were. Some people think when I'm being nice to them, especially in the States, they're like, are you with me? And I'm like, no, no, no. I'm. I'm being dead serious. So did you get that at first where you, like, weren't sure what their. Their angle was, or were you just aware that they were that nice off the hop?

[Tim Stutzle]

No, I think when you think, like, they're, like, overly nice with a bunch of people in the U.S. like, when you walk in a store, for example, and they say, like, oh, you look so good, like, you think, what's going on? You don't have to say that.

[Mike Grinelli]

I don't think many people are saying that to us. You're just a stallion.

[Tim Stutzle]

No, but you know what I mean. You know what I mean. So, no, I think in Canada, the people are just super nice. And, yeah, they just treat everybody with respect, so. So it's pretty awesome.

[Mike Grinelli]

So because you're German, does that mean you can gas beers? Can you just. Can you throw them back?

[Tim Stutzle]

I mean, I. I like beers. Yeah. I would say my. My dad can probably throw him back more than me. Yeah.

[Ryan Whitney]

Do your parents come over and visit a lot? Like, are they able to come to a bunch of games?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, my dad is here right now, so we had, like, a dad's trip, so he's here right now. And yeah, my mom maybe wants to come over pretty soon too, but, yeah, it's. It's good to have him here right now. He loves watching hockey as well, so he enjoys the games.

[Mike Grinelli]

Is that your house right there where you're at? You're in your office. Holy Jimmy Stu. Jesus. You look like you're a Bond villain in that mansion. Those are some high. How tall are those ceilings?

[Tim Stutzle]

I don't even know.

[Mike Grinelli]

That's got to be about 18.

[Ryan Whitney]

Did you build it? Did you build the house or was it already built?

[Tim Stutzle]

No, it said it's Chicken's house.

[Ryan Whitney]

Oh, no, no light bulbs.

[Mike Grinelli]

Bands make them dance.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, it's Chicky's house.

[Mike Grinelli]

Does that just play on the loudspeaker every morning? Bands. Make them dance. Bands. How. How cool has it been seeing that guy do what he's done this year? I mean, you got to play with him last year. Unfortunate it didn't work out, but. Holy shit, dude. Not only 20 rips, but that big ticket. Eight times nine.

[Tim Stutzle]

Oh, yeah, he's. He's awesome. He's just. He's a great guy, obviously a great player. And, yeah, we got along really well, so I'm really happy for him. And yeah, he's. He's different with a bunch of. But he's great. Like, he. His dedication to being prepared, it's really impressive. He kind of does whatever it takes, so it's pretty awesome. Deserves.

[Mike Grinelli]

Does he have like a meat locker there? Like a slaughterhouse where he like he gets his own raw beef? No, there's no slaughterhouse.

[Ryan Whitney]

No, there's just four gyms in the house. It's like, dude, I think you only needed one chicky.

[Tim Stutzle]

Oh, there's actually no gym. He didn't put a gym in, but he had like a treatment room there.

[Ryan Whitney]

So we, we interviewed Dylan Strom last week. We were talking about the OV goal chase and, and I mentioned how he's one of the best contracts in the league and you signed your ticket 8.3 times 8 years and now it's like, oh my God. With the cap going up, Ottawa, Ottawa got a nice deal for you. Like when you were signing that, were you thinking about a five year deal? Was the whole time you're you and your agent wanted a long term, eight year. How did the contract negotiation go?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, it was actually really easy. All I wanted was 8 times 8. That's what I wanted. And my agent said, no, you're not signing that. And then he kind of called me after like 10 days. He's like, that's where we're at. I, I told him, yeah, that's what I want to sign. Like that's all I want. And yeah, he, he kind of pushed it up a little higher. And yeah, so it was really easy. It took like 12 days maybe and I was on the golf course. He called me and he said all done. So. So yeah, it was really easy.

[Ryan Whitney]

That's good. And were you going on 8 times 8 based on like seeing some, what other guys had signed for and seeing your numbers, you're like, I think that's what I'm worth and that's what I want. Like based on some other guys, some calls.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah. And I, I signed to you early too. So yeah, I kind of saw myself being better next year. And yeah, I'll sell out some other guys signed for. So yeah, that was, that was my number and I wanted to get it done as soon as possible. So yeah, it was great.

[Ryan Whitney]

Now do you think like you got three straight years with over 50 assists? You know, one of those years you had 39 goals. Like, would you consider yourself more of a playmaker? Obviously you could score too. But is playmaking more your game? You think?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, I don't know if I, if I can still score. I haven't scored in a while.

[Ryan Whitney]

But hey, you're saving them for playoffs, bud.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah, but no, he's not. No, he's not.

[Ryan Whitney]

No playing The Leafs biz will be rooting for you.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, I, I, I always was more, more of a playmaker, I'd say, but I kind of the last games, I think I gotta pick and choose a little bit better when to shoot and when to pass. And, yeah, I'm trying to figure it out right now.

[Ryan Whitney]

So. Going back to the Sens, take us inside the room a little bit for any Sens army fans listening, like, like, who's the biggest clown in the room? Is it Brady? Is it, like, is it? Who's the guy that's really keeping the team loose? Or is there more than one guy like that?

[Tim Stutzle]

I think we have a bunch of guys who are clowns.

[Ryan Whitney]

I love that.

[Tim Stutzle]

But the biggest one, which you never can take serious, is probably Thomas Shabbat.

[Paul Bissonette]

Really?

[Ryan Whitney]

Really?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, yeah. You can never take him serious. You don't know what mood you're getting. So, no, he's, he's a great guy. Always gets a lot from the boys. And, yeah, he's pretty funny. So what do you mean?

[Mike Grinelli]

Like, some days he might show up a little bit cranky and, like. But he's wearing his heart on his sleeve. So, like, everybody's like, oh, leave him alone. He's cranky today.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, no, that's G. That's G. Oh.

[Ryan Whitney]

The old grumpy guy.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Mike Grinelli]

Well, he's gotten two fucking cars stolen. I'd be pissed off all year, too.

[Tim Stutzle]

No, it's G. When it comes to the Rinkies, you can tell he didn't get enough sleep or he's just a little grumpy. Something didn't go well at home, and so we just let him hear about it, too. We let him know about it right away. And then he always says every morning he's the happiest guy in here. But I don't know. I don't know if that's always true. But, yeah, he's probably the guy who gets chirped the most for being a Hall of Famer. It's probably, like, insane. And he always said, God, yeah, he says it's because he can take it.

[Mike Grinelli]

But, yeah, I can't wait till the end of the year where, where Brady and the boys let him know they took his cars and they got both of them just in the park exit meetings. And then there's both of his whips that got stolen. They were just with me all the time.

[Ryan Whitney]

It's Jimmy car.

[Tim Stutzle]

It's his dad's car.

[Ryan Whitney]

Hey, so we interviewed cars.

[Mike Grinelli]

Was he driving, like, what was he driving that?

[Tim Stutzle]

He got jacked he was driving like Range Rovers. That second car wasn't even his. I don't think it was like a loner.

[Ryan Whitney]

This guy we interviewed, Shane Pinto, and nobody loves laughing at their more jokes than Pinto. Oh, he just, he's. He tells a joke and he's dying. He'll also laugh at your jokes, which makes you feel good. But. But he seems like a blast to be around in the room with.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, he's awesome. He gets tripped a lot too, but yeah, he's awesome. He's a great guy. He's. I think he's going to get so much better still as well. And really he's already a great player. I think he's got a lot of talent still in him and works really hard, so I think he's just going to get better too.

[Mike Grinelli]

What's it been like seeing the evolution of Brady and his leadership? I believe you mentioned you said you lived with him in the first year. Like, like, obviously I feel like it's like internal the way that he was raised through Walt and, and being around Matthew. But like, what's it been like over the last four years to see like from a leadership standpoint where he was and where he is today? Everything you saw at Four nations and just the, the man that he's become.

[Tim Stutzle]

It'S made a huge difference. I think the first year coming in, he was always really like you said, he. He has everything inside of him and he always has a lot of emotions coming out of him. And sometimes during games when we get down or something, he would show his emotions, he would fight too much because we want him on the ice. And I think he's really improved. Like, he's been a great captain and just the way he handles himself right now with like, he stays calm at all moments. Doesn't matter if we're down, if we're up. And I think that's just of him maturing as well and which helps our team a lot is that, that he's so even keel, that we are all even keel and we believe we can come back at all, at all times. And also in the room. I think he will improve when to say things, what to say. He's been really, really good and the, the guys obviously respect him a lot.

[Mike Grinelli]

Fuck with. I hate hearing all this stuff, man.

[Ryan Whitney]

I think they're gonna wax you. They're gonna wax you.

[Mike Grinelli]

You.

[Ryan Whitney]

They're gonna wax you guys.

[Mike Grinelli]

I think it might, might go to six games now. I think I, I said five yesterday. I think it's gonna go to six.

[Ryan Whitney]

Now, now it's got to be. And this isn't a knock on anyone, but the feeling you have with, with all Mark and net must be just so amazing. Like, if we have a breakdown, we trust this guy and how good he's been. Does that change like the mindset for the team a little bit?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, I think obviously he's been awesome and I think Forzi has been great as well. He's been a really good goalie and both of them playing great for us. And. And also when Levy was there, the younger guy, he was great for us as well. So I think all the goals you had in this year were awesome for us. And I think the biggest key for goalies being consistent. But that also helps when your team in front of you is consistent and plays the same way 95% of the time. And I think that helped the goalies too. But obviously Ole is a great goalie and. And yeah, you're really confident in him when you have him back there. If you maybe turn one over, he's saving you.

[Ryan Whitney]

Yeah.

[Mike Grinelli]

Saving your baby.

[Ryan Whitney]

And then have you guys been told anything on the inside about a possible new arena and you hear news of going downtown? Like you. Are you guys like involved in that at all? Do you hear any news?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, I. I mean, I think we're getting new arena. I think that's the plan. I think that was the plan when. When they sold the team. I think that that's what. What it was or when we bought. When they bought the team. But yeah, I think it's going to take a little bit. I don't know what the city it's. I heard it's always been hard here building a new ring. So I know if it's going to take four or five or six years, but I think there's for sure going to be a new ring.

[Mike Grinelli]

What's it been like with new ownership? Like, I've talked to a few. Oh, who are you saying hello to? There, there. Who's. Is that your old man?

[Tim Stutzle]

No, Drake Bathurst.

[Mike Grinelli]

Oh, is he living with you? Get him over here.

[Tim Stutzle]

He's just coming over for a haircut.

[Ryan Whitney]

There he is. What? What do you mean? You guys got a barber that comes to your house?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah.

[Mike Grinelli]

Holy.

[Ryan Whitney]

They're gonna wax you guys. This team's gonna wax.

[Mike Grinelli]

Shut the up with. You'll tell me you're telling me Max Domi doesn't have his own barber coming to the ring?

[Ryan Whitney]

Come on, Drake. He's telling us that G gets chirped more than anyone in the locker room. That's unbelievable.

[Tim Stutzle]

It's crazy. Yeah, boys are, Boys are all over him.

[Ryan Whitney]

Poor veteran biz guy can't get any long.

[Mike Grinelli]

Who picks on him the most?

[Tim Stutzle]

Oh, Tibby's up there. Shabby. I never seen a guy with over 1100 points get served somewhere.

[Ryan Whitney]

No, that's what I'm saying. He's like, what am I doing? What I do wrong? Young.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah, These young guys are taking over.

[Tim Stutzle]

He's awesome. He, he just, I think he loves it, too. You guys know, G. Like, I think he loves it, you know, like, it fires him up.

[Ryan Whitney]

He took Biz on a date to the NHL awards one time.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah, he brought me to the NHL awards. I, I, I had two rooms the whole weekend. I never even checked into the one he got me. That was like, boys. Yeah, we went off the rails completely. I, I, I didn't even know Lundqvist. He won the Vesna. We were, like, partying at the club with him after he won. It was a, it was like a make a wish foundation for biz. Fourth line, peasant.

[Hockey Illuminati]

All right, boys.

[Tim Stutzle]

I can't believe this guy's got his leaf stuff on. I know. It's crazy.

[Ryan Whitney]

He's a joke, Drake. I'm telling you, he's a joke.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yo. I didn't even really want to interview Stuart, so. Because I don't like tummy sticks before you meet in the playoffs, but I guess we had to. Yeah. Eat ice cream with the enemy. Coach. What else was I going to ask you? Oh, I was asking you about ownership, but, like, how, how much different has it been since, Is it, is it how you say his last name? An.

[Ryan Whitney]

An.

[Mike Grinelli]

An. Since he took over, I never really.

[Tim Stutzle]

Got to have a chance to meet the previous owner, Eugene, because he was not in great condition, I think. So that was pretty unfortunate. But, yeah, Micah has been awesome. He's been really awesome. He puts a lot of effort in the team. I think he's almost at every game, so he just loves watching hockey as well. And what he said is that he wants to do everything for this team, and I think that's, that's really impressive. And I think he loves this team as well, the same as we do. And I think that's, that's a pretty special feeling. And he's always got our back, so it's awesome.

[Ryan Whitney]

Another guy, I just. We could kind of finish off with this, but it's a young, exciting team, and I don't think a ton of people knew about Jake Sanderson prior to the Four Nations. And now you hear the, the, the Other NHL superstars from Team USA talking like, holy, basically about this guy. He's also signed eight times. Eight. I mean, I know you got a little bit more. You got bragging rights on him, but have you just seen the development just like go so uphill? And. And it's. He's not even close to the ceiling yet, right?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, he. He's elite. Yeah. I. I don't know. He. I don't even know how to describe him. His skating is just unbelievable. And his dedication to hockey is insane too. Like, he loves it. He does everything. Goes to bed at like 9pm oh.

[Ryan Whitney]

He'S one of those robots.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, he's. He's like, no, he's a. Not a robot. He's kind of like chicky though. Like, he likes to like some fancy stuff too. And he believes in that fancy stuff. But like he's. He's just unbelievable. Like, he's so good. Like we knew that right when he came in from college that how good he's going to be. And yeah, we have all the confidence in him that he's going to be a top three demon in the league.

[Mike Grinelli]

Are his ears that big in person? I'm serious.

[Paul Bissonette]

He.

[Ryan Whitney]

He looks like my twin.

[Tim Stutzle]

Who told you that?

[Ryan Whitney]

Well, we saw his draft picture and they.

[Mike Grinelli]

What do you mean? Who told us? He's got satellite dishes on the side of his head. Come on here. You don't think the le. You don't think the Leaf players will be mentioning that on the ice? Round one.

[Ryan Whitney]

Yeah. Sanderson's ears and Matthew's forehead. It's even. It evens itself out. Biz.

[Mike Grinelli]

Hey, you piped down over there now, Stu. Who would you want to play first round?

[Ryan Whitney]

Oh, God.

[Tim Stutzle]

You wanna. You wanna hear my honest opinion?

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, we. We don't really care. We're just happy we're in and we. We want to play the best we can play and. Yeah, we don't care who we're playing. I think we match up against any team pretty well.

[Ryan Whitney]

Senators PR guy is so happy because he just heard him say, want to hear my honest opinion? And thought we may just get.

[Mike Grinelli]

I think their heart dropped when they hear this. Their hearts are dropped.

[Tim Stutzle]

I just tried to get this going.

[Ryan Whitney]

My heart dropped.

[Mike Grinelli]

I'm not fucking scared. Serve me. Ottawa sends nation on a platter. Oh my God. I cannot wait to be chirping.

[Ryan Whitney]

I'm buying a Sense jersey. I'm buying a Stutzel Sens jersey now. This guy. Hey, any big purchases after you signed your ticket?

[Tim Stutzle]

It. Yeah. I bought a car back home.

[Ryan Whitney]

So will you spend every summer back in Germany? You're going back? Oh, nice, nice.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ryan Whitney]

Sick.

[Mike Grinelli]

And where, though do you go back to that small town? Are you in one of the big cities?

[Tim Stutzle]

No, I live in Mannheim where I played my last three years. My trainers there. So, yeah, I live there.

[Ryan Whitney]

We got one last question, and that's presented by Roback. Use code chiclets on roback.com for generous 20 off your first purchase through the end of the week. That's C-I C L-E-T S on R-O-B-A-K dot com. 20 off hoodies, joggers, and more with code Chiclets. What's a good last question?

[Mike Grinelli]

I got one. Can we do a Jimmy Stew dating show presented by Barstool and Chiclets and Robek? We'll even go back to Germany. Are the, are the German women very intense and, and, and like, calm demeanor? Like, the men, like, like very stoic?

[Tim Stutzle]

I think the best thing is 90 of them don't even know hockey. So I think that's.

[Ryan Whitney]

Yes, yes.

[Tim Stutzle]

I think that's pretty good.

[Ryan Whitney]

Is everyone, is it like Sweden where you all can speak English at a young age over there?

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, mostly, I think everybody, everybody kind of speaks English there, really.

[Ryan Whitney]

Okay. And I guess another last question for, for Americans and even Canadians listening. If you got to recommend one city, if you're going over to Germany, you get three nights. Where are you sending me?

[Tim Stutzle]

I think Munich.

[Ryan Whitney]

So I, I, I, I've always heard Munich too. And I would think Berlin, but people say Munich is, is so fun.

[Tim Stutzle]

Yeah, Munich is. You gotta go in October. Octoberfest.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah, that's where your gas and beers.

[Ryan Whitney]

I'll hang with your dad. Me and your dad will get buckled.

[Mike Grinelli]

Hey, isn't, isn't Berlin a little bit more gothic and dark? I've heard of these, like, underground clubs.

[Tim Stutzle]

Have you?

[Mike Grinelli]

Do you know that crazy bouncer, the one who's got tattoos all over him at the, at the Berlin club, where, like, it opens up at like 1:00 in the morning and they just go all night? Have you ever heard of this?

[Tim Stutzle]

No, I, I heard about a bunch of this, yeah, but I've, I never went.

[Ryan Whitney]

So that's what he did with his contract. He invested in that club. He's a part owner. Biz Jimmy, Unreal time. Chat with your buddy. You're very, very fun player to watch. And My first ever NHL playoff game was in Ottawa. We were outshot 20 to nothing in the first period. And I'll never forget the crowd, so you're gonna get to experience that. I'm happy for you and good luck.

[Tim Stutzle]

Thanks, guys. Thanks for having me.

[Mike Grinelli]

This is the guy. This is the guy.

[Ryan Whitney]

Oh, yeah, you showed me that guy.

[Mike Grinelli]

Sven. Sven Marcourt here.

[Ryan Whitney]

I'm gonna pause.

[Mike Grinelli]

You've never seen this guy, Jimmy Stoop.

[Ryan Whitney]

What the.

[Mike Grinelli]

He's the bouncer. He ain't letting you in there.

[Tim Stutzle]

No, Chad.

[Mike Grinelli]

No way. You guys are. You guys are. Hey, buddy, good luck in playoffs if you play my Leafs. Don't do anything stupid.

[Ryan Whitney]

See you later, guys. Before we continue, we need to talk about game Time. The NHL playoffs are finally here and the only place to buy hard to get playoff tickets is Game Time, the official ticketing partner of Barstool Sports Killer. Last minute deals, all in prices, views from your seat and their lowest price guarantee. Game Time takes the guesswork out of buying NHL playoff tickets. Prices on the app actually go down the closer it gets to puck drop. You could save up to 60% when buying last minute tickets. Plus on April 22 for Earth Day, when you select and purchase a super deal, Game Time will plant a tree with the proceeds. I was looking at tickets for that first game in la, Edmonton, la. I'm just curious, should I fly out there with my wife like that? 112 bucks. It's an amazing deal for great seats. 112 bucks on game time for LA Edmonton game one. What are you waiting for? I'm going to buy those Edmonton Oiler LA tickets tickets right now and then maybe get in trouble because I'm flying out to LA for game one. Or I'm going to try to take the guesswork out of buying NHL playoff tickets with Game time. Download the GameTime app, create an account and use code Chiclets for $20 off. Your first purchase terms apply. Again, create an account and redeem code Chiclets for $20 off. Download the Gametime app today. What time is it? Game Time. Thank you so much to Tim Stutzel. What a guy, what a player. And my final message to Sen's army is I learned the hard way last year calling out the Vancouver Canucks fans and kind of getting a little like battle going before the series business. Calling you out. Sen's Army. Just torture this guy. I forget sending tweets of the Irish travelers. Send the Irish travelers back over to him. Like really make this thing physical because this guy will wither just as the Leafs have have the past 52 or whatever years it's been. So thank you so much to Hockey Illuminati as well. We are on to the two Western Conference series that we haven't talked about yet. And the first one is the Vegas Golden Knights, the Silent Assassins versus the Minnesota Wild, who clinched at home Wednesday, Tuesday night was it, and they're coming in healthy. So my initial thoughts are I think Vegas is going to run right over these guys. I think Vegas is so good and they're the favorites in the West. But Minnesota now getting Caprice off and Eric Senec back is enormous biz. I'm going to throw it to you. First, can I fill you in on a little news that broke today in which Ziv Bouilliam signed leaving Denver and then shockingly wasn't in the lineup for the must win game they had against the Anaheim Ducks. But, but the tune changed today at practice where Zev Bouilliam was running the Minnesota Wilds first power play. Play.

[Paul Bissonette]

What?

[Ryan Whitney]

Yes. Holy.

[Mike Grinelli]

Talk about throwing into the fire. Hey. And as, as many struggles as they had in the back half due to injuries and, and, and losing games, that, that Flower thing was pretty cool. I know they, they end up going to overtime, they throw Flower in net, he stands on his head, goes vintage Flower. They sealed a deal against Anaheim where they had to score in the last minute to tie that thing up to even get their, their playoff positioning locked in. So that morale and that building was unbelievable and it was crazy to see. But I agree with you Wit, like Vegas to me is a favorite in the West. Just given their path right now, I think it's a great matchup for them and I think that they're going to beat them in six games. I don't mind Minnesota. I think Capri Soft and Ericsson Ek is going to make the world of difference. I'm shocked to hear that Bouilliam is, is running their power play. You would and maybe envision them kind of handing it over to the guys who have got them in that position. But hey man, when you got young studs available and they believe in them this much, you might as well throw them in the mix and get him that playoff experience as soon as he's available. So I just like really don't have much either than the fact that like Vegas will make work of these guys and it's just a really, really tough draw for Minnesota.

[Ryan Whitney]

Keith, I, I'll, I'll say this, that it's all about depth, right? Like you look at Vegas and like they just keep coming at you. And I look at Minnesota and that top line phenomenal Eric Sinek between Boldy and Caprisov, they can play with any line in the league. It's after that that is the issue. And Vegas, you look at like, all right, you got Eichel, you got Stone, you got the. These game breakers. This Dora Fev this year. Dora. Holy, what a player. Actually, Liam Blutman at barstool, who's just a. He's a knower of all sports. He's like, I've been talking about this guy for years. I was waiting for him to pop off. He knows Russian somehow. He's a sickle biz. You know who Blutman is? The redheaded guy. Really high. He's classic.

[Paul Bissonette]

He might be my favorite guy at the company.

[Ryan Whitney]

He's awesome.

[Paul Bissonette]

He knows he looks amazing.

[Mike Grinelli]

Got itchy ass all the time.

[Ryan Whitney]

I. I just, I think that like, all right, you got Jack Eichel, who the season he's had, the amount of points he put up his game defensively with Dora Fev and Brett Howden on one line. Then William Carlson with Riley Smith and Olafson. Right? And that's not even including Stone, because this lineup I'm looking at, he didn't even play. So I think that back end wise too. Like, I love Spurgeon, I love Faber. I think. I think Z Bouilliam could be great. You saw Makar hop into the playoffs years ago. I'm not saying he's Kale Makar, but I think this kid will be ready to go. But Vegas D is probably the best in the league, right? I mean, you're able to come at people nonstop. McNabb's a hammer. He's laying the hammer constantly. He's physical in front, and he dishes it over to Shay Theodore. That guy can move the puck. He got some rest by getting injured at Four Nations. Then you got Hague and Petro. You got Hannifin, possibly with Petro instead. Head. Then Hag drops down. I just think Vegas is so dialed in. Aiden Hill's got his contract extension. It's a team that is going to be so difficult to knock out of the playoffs. Minnesota's had a phenomenal year. I mean, they missed Capri soft for half the season. Eric Sinek for such a long time. So many injuries, they still somehow got in, but they don't have the depth yet to compete with the big dogs.

[Paul Bissonette]

Yeah, couldn't agree more in the Hartman suspension too. That's, you know, hurt your team. I. I think the fact that they've made Minnesota made the playoffs with as many injuries as they did, you got to tip Your cap to Billy G. And the belief that that team has in each other. Obviously, the Flower story's been great. I'd give them the net. I'd give him the net first game, be like, you know, it's against your old team.

[Ryan Whitney]

Gustafson's been so good. I was thinking that too, but like, wild fans are like, no, no Gustafson. And then you always have the ability to throw in flower if Gustafson struggles. He had a huge bounce back year. He remember he was pretty bad last year. He was pretty awesome. This season for the Wild, there's one thing that's really pissing fans off that want to see some good hockey, and that's game two Biz. Eleven eastern start. Come on.

[Mike Grinelli]

School. Game, school. You talking about SpongeBob? Oh, you're talking about 11:00 at night. Holy fuck, I didn't see that. Maybe they have like a concert beforehand or something like that. That. That's nuts. That's way too late. Everybody's gonna be in bed.

[Ryan Whitney]

What if, though, guys? What if Biz? What if Caprisov, who was like the favorite for MVP before his injury, what if he just takes over this series and he does what we've seen McDavid and Kucherov and these superstars can and do, and he takes over and wins this series?

[Mike Grinelli]

I just think it goes back to the fact that they got six redwoods back there who are long, they're big, they protect the middle of the eye. Like, that's the one thing about this. Who controls the middle of the ice better than Vegas right now with that lineup? Like, you're talking about Jack Eel, Tomas Hurdle, and Will W. Wild Bill in the middle of the ice. And then you're talking about those six long bodies. I like, do they have a defenseman under 61? Like, do like. I think Shay Theodore might be their smallest defenseman. And because they can box out so easily, like, what's Aiden Hill not seeing, right? So they're just. They. And. And then they have the complimentary cheap pieces on the wing. So I just looked at. Like you said, I look at Vegas way too deep. Minnesota's only prayer is the fact that Caprisof is sh. Shooting Roman candles out of his ass and goes all. All world on them. And I just don't see that happening. They've. They. Hey, listen, they've played in the Western Conference against the toughest teams all year. They haven't had an issue all season. I don't see it being an issue now, especially when it's Go time. So I got Vegas. And, and listen, I'm saying six games. I think that's being nice enough to Minnesota. The fact that they can pull off two. Do you guys even have it going that long?

[Ryan Whitney]

I have Vegas in five. Minnesota. It's been, it'll be, I think, 10 years. They get out of the first round kind of crazy. They just can't get over the hump. But maybe with all the cap room coming, there's just brighter futures ahead, you know, Boo. Yeah. Next year. But it's not, it's not their time yet. Vegas in five.

[Paul Bissonette]

No.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah. What do you got?

[Paul Bissonette]

Either Vegas in five or four. I think it's going to be light work from the good. And what's the famous saying, defense wins championships. And that's how they built this team from the back end out. And I think this series is going to just, you know, be exhibition for, for Vegas. I'm going to go for Vegas and four.

[Ryan Whitney]

Okay. Going for a sweep there. I think that's our first predicted sweep, I think. But that brings us to the final series. And Buddy, I, I feel really bad because last episode, while previewing the four series that we decided to do first, we didn't mention congratulations to the Winnipeg jets and their fan base for a President's trophy and one of the most incredible seasons that I didn't see coming. I doubted you again. Army was on your train last year and the regular season was phenomenal and the first round was a disaster, but you did it again. Get the best goalie in the world and you won a President's trophy. Now, some people say that's a curse. Some people say that's a curse. But one thing that would, I think, piss off Canada is if the Winnipeg jets were the team that brought the cup back home. I don't know why. I just feel like Leafs fans and Habs fans and Oilers fans, like, what the fuck? The jets did it. They were in Atlanta. But the Winnipeg jets got a tough bounce here, boys. And that is facing the red hot St. Louis Blues. They had a little bit of a skid and it looked like it was locked in, but they ended up figuring it out, getting in and they have. Did you know this? Robert Thomas leading the league in scoring since the Four Nations. Is that true, Biz? Is that true?

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah, he's up there. He's up there. He's had a. He's had a heck of a run. And. And the one thing about them is they got a lot of young legs in that lineup. And when we were talking about them throughout that 12 game win streak, or maybe it was 13. Is, they're guys between the ages of 23 and 26. Now Holloway is, is, is not going to be back correct socks. That is such a significant loss because he was just a, you know, he was a, he was an energy bug out there and just provided tons for that lineup. But the reason why I, I don't like St. Louis as much is because I just think they're too thin on the back end and it's too, they, you know, they, they've lost a few guys due to injury and you know, you, you, you got all that energy kind of throughout that 12, 13 game winning streak that you'd given up to get there. I just don't know if they have the depth in order to get it done. Now. Bennington could stand in his head like he did at the Four Nations. I think that mentally he has the edge going into this series on Hellebok. But if they can get the confidence rolling early Winnipeg, I could see them running away with this as far as their forward lines, man. Fucking well oiled machine. They just come at you in waves. They're heavy, they're skilled, they could put the puck in the back of the net. I mean the list goes on with guys. Maybe the one concern is second line center position, but it's not like, it's not like the center position for the St. Louis. That's my guy in the message. But it's not like St. Louis center ice is going to light you on fire compared to what Winnipeg has. So I, I, I think I have this also going to six games. I think it'll be very competitive. St. Louis has the experience of having gone on long runs, so, so I just think that Winnipeg is going to get over that mental edge. It's not like we're, we saw last year. They don't have a tough draw like Colorado or Vegas. This is going to be the year where Winnipeg goes on a run. Boys, they could fucking, they, they can get it done as long as they stay healthy. Ehlers, a guy who's up for contract, has a lot to prove in order to get his payday in free agency. He's been apparently behind the scenes very vocal about he wants to be paid like a first line winger. Well, here's your opportunity to fucking light it up and get that payday. I'm looking at him to have a big first round as well as a playoff run, but too many weapons, too deep. Winnipeg's gonna roll over St. Louis and.

[Paul Bissonette]

Six oh you might have flipped me a little bit. I was leaning towards St. Louis. St. St. Louis a little bit. Just. Yeah, just because of the whole Bennington four nations. I just feel like once Binnington gets his mind games in somebody else's soul, like he's already won it. But what I've loved about St. Louis since Montgomery came over is the young guys buying in defensively. You see Kyru Thomas, those guys aren't cheating to go on the offense. They're not cheating to get points. They're playing the right way and they're still getting their points. So they've earned what they've got. You know, get a tough, tough draw with Winnipeg. But if Winnipeg doesn't win this series biz, they're the Leafs of the west. So they need to win this series as bad as the Leafs need to win every series this year. So I'm, I'm going with Winnipeg as well. I think they're too deep, they're too big. Tough, tough building to playing, especially in playoff time. It's. I don't think it's going to be as easy as. I mean you said six games, so I'm not too easy. But I think it's going to be a really tough series and I also think six, six games. But I think some hell is going to be, you know, put on Winnipeg too because St. Louis is going to play hard as shit because you know, they're fought, they've been fighting for their lives since Montgomery came over. And I think they're willing to do it for another seven games.

[Ryan Whitney]

They won. St. Louis has won 13 of their last 16 games. So you're coming in with this vibe. Nobody believed in you in January. You end up getting in. I think it's gonna go seven, but I got Winnipeg, I got that home ice. The white out there is incredible. They packed that little street outside the arena. Looks like complete madness. Biz often talks about Winnipeg. Very underrated for the good looking women. So that's something you know, is popping into business head as he picks the Jets. As much as it sucks that that Holloway's out like snuggle roots come in and look good. He scored his first goal the other night. That was a nice goal in front of the net. One of those dirty ones. But yeah, I just think Winnipeg, like dude, Kyle Conner, 90 points this season. The guy's phenomenal. You got Shifely. Yeah. Nemestikov, that's a question. But Perfetti's really good. That third line biz, I think you've called it the best third line in the NHL in Winnipeg where they're constantly in your face. And Lowry's an amazing captain. He's got tan F who they brought over at the deadline with Appleton on the other side of him them. So I think that it's more about Winnipeg being just waiting and waiting for the playoffs again after last year. Like to discuss the feeling that they had and then the regular season that they put through and had to then be able to finally be here now I think it's going to be too much and the only way it could happen, which is why I think it's going to go seven is Bennington could go complete sicko mode. You know how psychotic he is, is. And just shut the door on Winnipeg. That could be the absolute worst case scenario for jets and the fan base there. But I think you get it done and I think you get it done in seven.

[Paul Bissonette]

So seven factors X factor you got.

[Mike Grinelli]

For your X factor, I got Ehlers. He's got a. He's. If he wants his payday, he's got a play like he wants that payday and he can buzz up and down the playing and, and, and he, and he hasn't been good in play in prior playoffs. Do they have him on the IR as we speak?

[Ryan Whitney]

Him and Velardi are both out right now and I don't know. G. Quick, maybe he is week to week with a foot injury. Espn really?

[Mike Grinelli]

He's not even gonna be playing.

[Ryan Whitney]

And what about Velardi? Gabe Velardi is day to day, so it's, it's more likely we'll see him. Okay. Okay. I think this is going to be a war though. Like I think they're going to be killing each other and I love watching games in Winnipeg for the playoffs stuff. Final thing on Winnipeg, should have said this earlier. Congratulations to Neil Peonk. He signed, I believe, seven year $42 million extension. G. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you guys remember, he was traded over. That's a six year contract with a seven mil aav. Okay, so I had the numbers backwards but dude, dude, he was traded over for Troopa. And people kind of like, oh, Neil Peonk, you know, he had a good start with the Rangers. Well, Troop was no longer with the Rangers and this guy's signing a 42 million dollar deal. So Morrissey is their horse. So good both ends of the ice. But Piank's been incredible since he got there. And to see a guy sign for that much though. 42 million bucks. Congrats Neil Peonk. And congrats again to jets fans. President's trophy. Can you break the curse? Can you bring the cup back to Canada? It remains to be seen. So the playoffs. I mean, what a regular season we had. Holy shit, Biz. What a regular season we had. We actually have another signing biz, and this is maybe a little bit of a Chiclets bump, but your boy, the one on one interview. Great interview by you, by the way.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah. Nikki Dowd. Two times, three. Good for him.

[Ryan Whitney]

I was a little confused. I don't know if you saw the locker room announcement. Spitting chicklet on social media. Yeah.

[Mike Grinelli]

Did he chug a beer?

[Ryan Whitney]

I think he chugged a beer, which.

[Paul Bissonette]

Was amazing for morning skate.

[Ryan Whitney]

I was like, skate. But if people didn't see it.

[Mike Grinelli]

So it maybe was a Diet Coke because. Because OVI drinks Diet Coke. Maybe that was like a homage to OVI in that situation. It kind of looked like a Coors Light, but it looked. It looked like that anyway. But well deserved, man. He's. He's worked very hard to. To perfect his craft, and he's a great bottom six forward. Wins a ton of face offs. He plays hard. And I was fortunate enough to win a Calder cup with him. I don't know if you guys knew that. I want to call their cup 10 years ago. Yeah. Manchester Monarchs.

[Paul Bissonette]

That's sick team.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah. LA's farm team.

[Ryan Whitney]

I saw Jeff Marek tweet out or said on his show, best 4th line center in the league. He called Nick Dowd one of them. That's an. That's an amazing compliment. And. But for anyone who didn't see the clip, they were going over some video and Spencer Carberry at the end said, all right, I got a. Got a little announcement. I want to talk about this guy. He's done so much for the organization, blah, blah, blah. And. And he's now going to be able to retire a Washington capital. I was like, I mean, you imagine doubts, like, wait a minute, that's. That's it at the end?

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah.

[Ryan Whitney]

Two years, I'm done.

[Mike Grinelli]

I did hear him say that. I'll buy. Oh, fuck. How old's doubter? Yeah, I think you'd be 37 by 28. Yeah. Oh, fuck.

[Ryan Whitney]

Yeah.

[Paul Bissonette]

He did say. He did say it.

[Mike Grinelli]

That's so.

[Ryan Whitney]

And, oh, I think OVI spoke up. Like, talking about maybe this young man and ovi's like, me, no, I'm just gonna chug a beer in your face. I'm nicked out. So, Biz, I. I kind of want to ask you let me list off a bunch of things and Keith, I want your opinion as well. Favorite moment of the year. You know like basically going over this regular season like like we had the four nations. We had OVI breaking the goal record. We had the Utah Hockey Club's first inaugural season. Sam Rosen's retirement tour for the Rangers. Mo Rontin and traded twice. Sidney Crosby breaks the record for most years 20 in a row over a point per game. We had the quickest three goal comeback in league history when the Canucks played Dallas and came back the quickest OT goal in league history when Brandon Montour scored board in Seattle. Mark Edward Vlasic set the all time record for block shots. Keefer Sherwood set the single season record for hits elect. This is my favorite one that Grinnelli threw in here. Alexi protests at the Bella Russian single season points record. That's a classic one that I guess rivals ovi's goal record. Breaking an NHL all time Wayne Gretzky record. Nikolai either sets the Danish points record. Sergey Bobrovsky becomes the fastest goalie to hit 400 wins. Rod Brindemore becomes the fastest coach to 300 wins. And we had the most total goalie goals in a single season with Nadelkovic, Sorokin and Gustafson getting one cool favorite moment of the season listing off. I think it's the Bella Russian points record.

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah, I would say that list you just mentioned probably me saying that Ehlers is going to be the first round X factor and he's week to week.

[Ryan Whitney]

I thought your X factors will he be in the lineup up?

[Mike Grinelli]

Yeah, his X ray factor moment that happened, I think it was last night. They did their fan appreciation and the woman who tweeted out to Brandon Gallagher that he she had purchased the hockey fights cancer jersey, she was brought on the ice and presented it to Brandon Gallagher. I think most of you know that his mother passed away due to cancer and when that happened and she found out she sent the tweet out and you know luckily the the organization was able to get in touch with her and they brought her down and it was a pretty emotional moment on the ice for Brandon Gallagher and I'm sure the rest of his family and and that woman who has been was able to give him that jersey. So I thought that was a really cool moment. But like you listed off there's been so many cool things and amazing things that happened throughout the course of this year and last year I said it was the greatest regular season in NHL history. Like this might have have this Might have topped it or at least it's. It rivals it. So the league's thriving. It's been a great 24 months and. And now we get to follow it up with an unreal slate of playoff series. And, and, and I can't wait for puck drop on Saturday on tnt.

[Paul Bissonette]

When I think of just greatness and longevity and what they've done for our game, you know, you think Sidney Crosby and, you know, being a point per game guy for 20 years, even, you know, when he came in the league, you know, point per game was crazy. It's, you know, there wasn't a ton of guys doing it. There was, you know, he's just changed the game on and off the ice. What he's, you know, done for the league just to been a pure class, model citizen for the game that we all love and know. And yeah, I would give it to him. OVI was one of those things. He kind of knew in the last year or two that it was going to happen at some point. That's obviously insane to score that many goals, but I got to give it to Sid.

[Ryan Whitney]

Yeah, I think mine is just four nations, like not knowing what to expect and then having that be what we got to watch was just something I'll never forget. I mean, it was crazy enough where we've seen like guys out injured since then. Multiple guys, and overall like that just for the middle of the year when it's usually the All Star Game. To have that in Montreal and Boston. I'll never forget. I'll never forget that Saturday night in Montreal, the opening puck drop. Unfortunately, I will also Never forget Connor McDavid, David breaking Rider's heart sitting right next to me with the OT winner. But an incredible awesome thing that the NHL put together. So it's just been great and Biz said it best. We're on to the best time of year, spring and the playoffs. I guess one thing I did forget to mention that was a positive for this year that maybe wasn't the case last year, is Biz. You didn't get any coaches fired, so that's a win. Good job. Good job there. Great work. And we got to remind everyone, playoff schedule. We have Chiclets on Monday. Probably. We're hoping for around 11:30 noon Eastern. We're going to be recording early in the morning and then Fishy's going to do his thing, edit that thing up and get it out to you as quick as possible. We got game notes live on Wednesday. Gee, I believe that's 12 Eastern every Wednesday. Correct. Okay, awesome. And then Friday, we're back to you again, right. Right around, hopefully, 11:30 noon. We appreciate your support. We hope we can bring you guys everything that happens this playoff season with candor and humor. I don't even know if candor's a word. I might have just made that up.

[Mike Grinelli]

Me neither.

[Ryan Whitney]

But it's the.

[Paul Bissonette]

Sounds great.

[Ryan Whitney]

Playoffs.

[Mike Grinelli]

I think you were thinking of Carpenter.

[Ryan Whitney]

The hair dyes. Getting to me. Thank you to Tim Stutzel, thank you to Hockey Illuminati. And thank you to all you guys. You're the best. Let's go. Stanley Cup. Cup playoffs. Here we go.

[Mike Grinelli]

Let's go, Leafs.

[Ryan Whitney]

So.

[Tim Stutzle]

Even if I.

[Ryan Whitney]

Don'T know the.

[Tim Stutzle]

Other way, I'll get you someday.