Brian 'Biz' Ellis (2:02)

There's people with the nips behind us. When we had the TNT desk, they were fucking shooting them right before the game.

Ryan Whitney (2:08)

Let's go. Let's go. Didn't do the Vegas Golden Knights any good in that game, but we'll get into that and showed out Pink Whitney. And shout out all you fans of Pink Whitney all over the world and wherever you're drinking it, we appreciate it and get it. Get involved in the tailgates, get involved in the NHL action, get involved in baseball playoffs. You, you can drink Pink Whitney Anywhere, anytime, 21 years and older, of course, but shout out Pink Whitney. Shout out New Amsterdam. And boys, it's back. We chatted on Monday or Sunday, actually we chatted and God has the NHL delivered the first few nights I've had a blast watching. Quickly. Before we get into it, I do want to remind everyone that October is here. So it means it's officially breast cancer awareness month. We mentioned last episode, 100% of the net proceeds will go towards supporting 5 under 40. We got 47 brands. Hats, sweatshirts, T shirts. So let's buy some awesome merch and buy some ladies some wigs. Right, Keith?

Keith Yandle (3:06)

Yes, of course.

Bill Guerin (3:07)

Be amazing.

Keith Yandle (3:09)

I just had a question. The gall on this guy to wear a Mitch Marner jersey out of town. Boo.

Ryan Whitney (3:17)

It was my lead story. Forget McDavid signing. Forget everything. Like I'm watching this broadcast last night. Very funny. Content biz. Singing a song saying, you stole my guy, you ran the guy out of town.

Bill Guerin (3:30)

Dude, I made a mistake.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (3:33)

Oh, I made a mistake.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (3:36)

Oh.

Ryan Whitney (3:37)

So just last night, try at one time.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (3:40)

I can admit when I'm wrong. All right. And I made a mistake.

Ryan Whitney (3:46)

Ok. So one game in person, two beautiful assists and you realize even with your Leafs getting a big win, like. Oh, shit.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (3:55)

No. I realized after I said selkie my dick comment. I think I went a bit overboard when I said that.

Ryan Whitney (4:03)

That was a comment I was going to bring up. I. I didn't know if you remembered that.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (4:06)

Yeah, no, that was probably as bad as it got. And I was just angry in the moment and it spiraled and. And chased my guy out of town.

Bill Guerin (4:15)

You.

Keith Yandle (4:16)

You have to take a lot of responsibility for this.

Bill Guerin (4:19)

Tall, flat. I am.

Ryan Whitney (4:20)

Yeah. I am the number one voice in the game. Called this guy out for years.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (4:25)

Hey, listen, I'll spend the rest of my career apologizing to Mitch Marner. I can admit when I'm wrong. Baby, come back. I never meant to hurt you.

Ryan Whitney (4:40)

How. How was it being back on set? Dude, you're back.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (4:44)

It was great. It was great, man. It was good being back in the saddle. Two awesome games. I thought that Boston really brought it. You know, Swayman looked like the old Swayman posterno worth the price of admission. But I know there's like maybe rumblings if Boston the next couple years, maybe you could use him as trade bait to. To. To work towards the future. You're a full fledged moron if you get rid of that guy.

Keith Yandle (5:09)

They need a guy like you in Boston to boom out of town.

Bill Guerin (5:13)

Yeah.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (5:16)

I. First of all, I even said before free agency hit that I would. I was like, I would give him 13. I would offer him 13 and bring him back. I said that? Yeah, you did.

Keith Yandle (5:27)

You did.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (5:28)

Yep, I did. Even before. But at that point, I Think one.

Ryan Whitney (5:32)

Year deal though, right after you said fuck your couch.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (5:36)

Your couch. But then the. As far as the Golden Knights game in person against la, like, tons of swings, awesome offense with being provided, getting to see that Barbershev, Marner and Eichel line in person, I mean, that's going to be a deadly line the entire year. Well, for the next, like, at least, I think four Barbershev signed for, I think another four years. But I mean, I think anybody. I mean, Corky from Life Goes on could play with fucking Marner and fucking. I go and put up 40, like fuck, right?

Keith Yandle (6:06)

Oh, yeah.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (6:09)

I think at least 35.

Keith Yandle (6:11)

Yeah, at least by field look good.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (6:13)

Abez Byfield is like. He's going to take over the reins for Kolpatar up the middle of the ice. He is a fucking beast. And like I talked about on the broadcast, like, he, like, there's not many hockey players are that big. He's huge. Enormous. Right? So when he first got drafted, he's a little lankier. It's a. It's a coordination sport. Not to say he wasn't coordinated, but to get used to your frame and then put some muscle on and then get used to that. I mean, I really feel like, like. Like last night, he looks like he's starting his prime. Like, he. When he made that, he. When he picked off that play and ended up going in and scoring that goal, like he'd already been out there for a shift. And then once he picked off the play, he has that three, four strides where he just breaks away all of a sudden. Then boom. Silky to the backhand upstairs and an awesome celebration. So just an incredible game. But yeah, Byfield was definitely a standout. Obviously Kempe is going to be getting his number any day now. And imagine he signs in that $12 million range. And it was great talking to Kobe before the broadcast, man, it's sad. This is a guy who's, you know, been a very underrated player. Like, I still don't feel like he's truly gotten his, like, like his recognition, right?

Ryan Whitney (7:25)

Like he like, get, like get slapped.

Keith Yandle (7:27)

With the West Coast.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (7:28)

West coast, right? They don't. They don't get the proper recognition where if he was playing in Toronto or Montreal, they'd be jerking this guy off every day. So kind of like Barkov for a while there where he was flying under the radar. Not so much anymore, obviously, because the two Stanley Cups, three straight trips to the Finals. But yeah, it was great. Great to be back in the saddle and also get to see Hockey live. Like, I love, obviously watching on TV is, is fun and it's one thing, but you getting to see where the game's at and how fast it's being played. It was a fun time. Then, of course, it was fun doing that little bit for our boy Mitchie Marner. This summer. I was in the car and that song came on, and then I was like, mitchie, come back. And so I, I texted the guy who works at tnt. I'm like, I'm like, hey, could we like, do this? And then change the words to Mitchie Come Back? And then he reached out to the people who sing it and they're like, fuck, no, you ain't changing my lyrics. So we just stuck with the baby come back. So I thought it was a funny little bit. Like, I don't know, like, what'd you think?

Keith Yandle (8:27)

It's great.

Ryan Whitney (8:27)

I, I laughed, I laughed. I, I, I was fuming. It was like the meme of the guy smiling and the face behind he's. I was like this, as Keith said, like, this guy ran this dude out of town.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (8:38)

How are you saying that I ran him out of town?

Ryan Whitney (8:42)

Well, you just kind of, you admitted it.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (8:44)

No, you admitted it, but how are you saying it? You're saying like I was bashing them the entire time. I was. A lot.

Ryan Whitney (8:49)

No, I said you bashed him after every playoff loss, you'd bash him.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (8:52)

I, not every loss. Not every loss.

Ryan Whitney (8:56)

Game three, every year they got eliminated.

Keith Yandle (8:58)

Season, like when their season ended.

Ryan Whitney (9:00)

I think not every game, you know.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (9:02)

It'S, you know, so everybody tried to hop on the, when he was yelling at the bench. I never hopped on that after game seven when he was. Why are you, wait, when you, when you close your mouth and you, and you just nod like that, it, it means you're being condescending.

Ryan Whitney (9:17)

I never being condescending about the. I'm not being condescending. I'm just listening to you and I'm.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (9:22)

Saying, you fucking pot stir.

Ryan Whitney (9:25)

I don't ever remember you saying a word after he was yelling like, I didn't. Game seven. I do remember post playoff losses, series losses, season ending losses. I, we could get the clips of you, like really unloading on them the only time. And I'm pretty sure this show started with you kind of admitting it.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (9:46)

I admit I admitted to when the, the game, the game three was the worst one. When I said, selkie, my dick. Okay, it was after game three. It was after they were up three one. They just given up a goal. They sent them over the boards. And then he turned it over. One on four at the blue line. It went to the defensive zone. Then he ended up kind of cheating and floating to the bench. Even you are agreeing with me on that one.

Ryan Whitney (10:08)

I've actually agreed with you the entire time. I'm not a Leafs fan. And then getting. This all came back to when the song came on. You said, did you like it? I loved it, but I was meme guy with the angry face while smiling on the outside. But now you've come out and said, I messed up. We got. We got no beef here, biz.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (10:26)

All right.

Keith Yandle (10:27)

Did you pay for that jersey?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (10:29)

No. Gary Lawless and in the owner ownership group gave it to me. So thank you to Foley. Why the thumb? The thumb.

Keith Yandle (10:37)

I'd love to know how. Mitchell.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (10:39)

I stole it from the fucking. The merch shop. From Plutman at the rink.

Bill Guerin (10:44)

Right?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (10:45)

It's like, oh, yeah, hold my beer. Mark Sanchez. Oh, that one's that. That. This is getting crazier and crazier, by the way. We talked about that last part a little bit. Like, we. We still kind of didn't know what this actual story was. I think he's in one.

Keith Yandle (11:02)

Yeah.

Ryan Whitney (11:02)

Yeah. I think he's probably going to prison. Well deserved, too. The guy's 69 years old. Like Mark Sanchez, you just kind of threw away your entire life over a parking spot.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (11:13)

But I will say, don't do drugs. If. If I did cross the line, which maybe I did after the Game three.

Ryan Whitney (11:20)

Loss, I've done the same thing because I've crossed the line on this pod.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (11:23)

I have. I did. And I.

Bill Guerin (11:24)

And I did.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (11:25)

And I thought Mitch, since it's happened, has handled himself with so much class, just the way he did as a Toronto Maple Leaf, the way that he acted in the community. He came up to the desk, shook my hand. There was no animosity. An amazing kid, and I wish him nothing but the best in Vegas. I think that there is a possibility that they might host a Stanley cup or hoist. Excuse me, a Stanley cup before the Leafs do. I know I've been saying it's our year, but that team, if they add a defenseman and as good as Aiden Hill's been in the past, I think that if he can get back to those ways, the way that he played during that cup run, absolutely, they can get the job done. They have to address. Address the back end, but that forward group is deep. They got an incredible, well balanced lineup. They just got to fill in that petrol role and get Aiden Hill to back to where he was. And I think that they are coming out of the West. You are obviously bullish on your Oilers and we will get to you signing Jesus for that fucking charity. That was a, that was a charity move. That was Mother Teresa.

Keith Yandle (12:29)

Like, he gets to write it off as a charity.

Ryan Whitney (12:31)

Well, it's something for me where I get on this show and it's like, I've been every one of you and I'm talking the producers listening backstage right now, all of you idiots. He ain't resigning.

Bill Guerin (12:44)

There.

Ryan Whitney (12:45)

See you later, McDavid. He's gone.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (12:48)

I think if you go.

Ryan Whitney (12:49)

I think you said he was gone. You said he was going to be in.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (12:51)

I think if you actually go back, like when I was speaking seriously and not trying to troll you about him going to the Leafs, I'm pretty sure I said, I think he signs like a little extension and he says, you guys fucking figure this out in the short term and if you don't, bye, bye. I think those were literally my exact words.

Ryan Whitney (13:10)

Okay. So I just didn't know what was fake trolling and what was real.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (13:13)

I think that, yeah, I said he.

Ryan Whitney (13:16)

So you saying he was going to be in Toronto, you're telling me it was a complete joke?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (13:19)

I think that there's a possibility after this is all done, but I think that maybe having, I mean, what? Let's, let's get into it. He signs for 12.5. Like, that's, that's probably the biggest bargain in league history.

Ryan Whitney (13:33)

Sports.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (13:34)

Sports history. Okay. Yeah, I, I, I, I think this is so. It's like if this doesn't get figured out and you guys don't address goaltending and maybe bring in some other guys around me to alleviate a little bit of this pressure that I'm dealing with. Not only nonstop, I'm, I'm saying peace. And at that point, when he does, even if it's in two years and he doesn't finish that third year, because maybe after two years he's like, fuck this, man. I'm done. We're fucking flip flopping goalies four fucking times in the finals. No, I'm not putting up with this shit anymore. I need a fucking team around me. Other than maybe dry Seidel, he has a team biz.

Ryan Whitney (14:09)

They need a goalie. I'm with you. I'm with you.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (14:11)

I think at that point he feels then he can say bye bye and nobody can hold anything against him. Like him signing that deal was literally saying, I've done my time and, and nobody could hold this again. And Obviously there'll be a few idiot fans that probably would if he does end up leaving. But would you not agree that this is him just saying get this done in the next two years. If you can't, bye, bye.

Ryan Whitney (14:37)

It was the ultimate win win. Like just first off, talk about taking the deal. I saw that number come in.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (14:47)

I was shocked.

Ryan Whitney (14:47)

I was, I was speechless. I was like, all right, I, I, I was, I was hoping for, no, I was hoping for three year extension but figuring it would be two, possibly one, so he'd have two more years. Maybe now he's got three more years with this year and the next two. I was like, all right, 15. I saw 12 and a half. I couldn't speak. My kids, they riders asked me, Ty, you know why it was asked me, tie shoes. I was just like this hit my phone, dad, tie my shoes. 12 and a half, 12 and a half, 12 and A half. I said it over and over and I was with all the other Oilers fans sitting around shocked, staring at their computer screen or their phone. 12 and a 12 and a half to 12 and a half. That is the ultimate. And when you tell me guys don't want to play in Edmonton, take a fucking hike because Leon re signed there. Conor's giving it another go. Ekholm then signs a three year extension at four million bucks a year. He could have got more. Yes, he's a little bit older. He could have got more. Could have got more.

Keith Yandle (15:54)

For sure.

Ryan Whitney (15:55)

You have what Hyman is making, the fact your Leafs didn't want to have him and just the overall vibe of that team now going from. Hey man, I'm not going to lie. I was kind of panicked if this season started and he wasn't signed. And we talked to Billy G. A great about 50 minute interview that'll drop this episode. Yeah, yeah, he chirped me once too. Great, great guy.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (16:18)

He.

Ryan Whitney (16:19)

We talk about Caprisov and getting it done before the season started. And he kind of brought up like not. Did he say awkward or just like. I don't know. It was something where the vibe was off. If we went into the season without him, signed McDavid, it would have been even worse. And then the questions and then if you get off to a bad start with the Oilers, always do. And they somehow managed to lose on Wednesday night. I was like, this is not going to be good. And then that deal comes in and Walman's deal comes in and then the Ekholm signing and it's like, holy shit. Like this team, they're winning a Stanley Cup. They will win a Stanley Cup. And all you idiots, you two and army and Merles and Pasha, they, they're winning a Stanley cup this year or next year. I'm telling you right now, I think.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (17:07)

It'S going to be harder this year than it will be next year.

Ryan Whitney (17:10)

I, I Dude, this team is so good. Forget Wednesday night. Forget blowing a 3 nothing lead. Forget Darnell Nurse being up 3 nothing with 7 minutes to go in the second.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (17:20)

Don't run him out of town. Trying to learn from my mistakes.

Ryan Whitney (17:24)

Hey, learn from my mistakes. But, but I've been open and honest that a lot of times throughout the regular season last year, Darnell Darnell Nurse was playing exactly how they need him to play. And then there's times when he doesn't. Last night was an instance where it's just one play, it's three nothing. There's seven minutes left in the second period. You're trying to dangle a guy at the offensive boo on the pucks in the back.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (17:43)

Just brutal bounce. Don't say Norris my dick. Don't say that. That could do it.

Ryan Whitney (17:48)

So listen, after seeing like the just like talk about a 180 from a week ago. I mean, you guys are on my back. Everyone's saying he's gone. Oh, my God, the Oilers are screwed. Like now everyone's there, everyone's signed, and all it is about is getting a goalie. I'm not going to sit here at any point throughout this year and say that they can win with Stuart Skinner. I've done that. I've done that.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (18:12)

Skinner lost 15 pounds. They said I, I literally chopped his.

Ryan Whitney (18:16)

Don't really care. And I think, I think they could get to the Stanley cup final with him again. I don't think that you can win a Stanley cup with him as your.

Keith Yandle (18:24)

Goalie, but where are you going to get a goalie?

Bill Guerin (18:27)

I don't know.

Ryan Whitney (18:28)

We'll figure it out.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (18:29)

You don't, you don't. Oh, I got a guy oldie. Canadian oldie.

Ryan Whitney (18:36)

Thought you actually had a guy for a sec.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (18:38)

They need, they need some morale in that locker room, in that and I.

Keith Yandle (18:41)

Think at least an E Bug situation.

Ryan Whitney (18:43)

But I'm not going to let the goaltending situation, which in last night, it just the goal that he, the tying goal. I don't know what he was thinking.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (18:52)

You think if he tied his skates a little tighter that he would have closed the wickets in time?

Ryan Whitney (18:56)

That was your take last year, right?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (18:59)

Wasn't mine. It was pangers.

Ryan Whitney (19:01)

It was pangers.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (19:01)

It was well, he's the one who discovered it. I said, maybe if he tightens them a little tighter, it'll help.

Ryan Whitney (19:06)

Yeah, well, I'll tell you right now.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (19:08)

He'S got Ugg boots on team.

Ryan Whitney (19:09)

And I'm. And I'm also calling that this year, Connor McDavid will. Will break his highest point total of his career. I think it's 153. I think he's getting 160 this year. Last night, I believe he reached, like. And I. I'm not a huge fan of this speed burst stuff. All I'm hearing is Bedard speed burst is a mile an hour faster than ever. I don't really care. But McDavid, I think he hit like 24.8 miles per hour out there at one point, and it was like, the fastest he's ever gone. Not a big deal. Leon got his 400th goal. But the fact that he's signing that deal. Can you not. I mean, Sidney Crosby will always be mentioned as a guy who took less, and McDavid figures. All right, listen, I got plenty of money. I'm going to sign a deal for 150 million. At some point, I'm going to try to win here. And then if we don't win, there is not one person, as you said biz, that can say a word. And if you're an Oilers fan and somehow they don't get one and he leaves, you're an absolute clown if you ever say one bad word.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (20:07)

I think you're a. I think you're a clown. Even if after two years, because, like, I think it's pretty clear that if they don't get it done in the next two years, do you think he's going to end up playing out his last year? I think they would be pretty dumb if they didn't trade him, especially on that number deal that he's making where they're like, fuck, we haven't gotten it done in two years. Get a boatload for them in return that third year.

Ryan Whitney (20:30)

I don't.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (20:30)

That's kind of. I think that. That. That's how you have to look at.

Ryan Whitney (20:33)

It, because I'm looking at it opposite. Like, let's.

Keith Yandle (20:37)

We got.

Ryan Whitney (20:37)

We got to try. We got him for one more year. We got to try to get one.

Bill Guerin (20:41)

Yeah.

Keith Yandle (20:41)

If you're in the playoffs that third year you have, you can't trade him away.

Ryan Whitney (20:45)

No, no. You're going to. Like, we're riding it out with them, and this is it.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (20:49)

And.

Ryan Whitney (20:49)

And still no one could say a word about this. Guy.

Keith Yandle (20:52)

Yeah, I agree.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (20:53)

Okay.

Ryan Whitney (20:53)

And I also can't believe.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (20:55)

I mean, to be fair, though, like.

Keith Yandle (20:57)

But what you would get back would be crazy.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (20:59)

That's what you're right.

Ryan Whitney (21:00)

I don't know if it would be.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (21:02)

Boy, they've literally been through this. They won a cup after Gretzky left with mess. They have dry cyto for eight fucking years. Like, you have to. Like, you have to. You can't just look at this linear about. You have to look at that return if you're unable to do it in the next two years. And like, another thing too is he leaves that money on the table. Like, I don't. I don't really feel like Walman left money on the table. Like, I feel like that was a pretty decent tag for, like.

Ryan Whitney (21:30)

Unreal in the playoffs.

Bill Guerin (21:31)

He was awesome.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (21:32)

He was awesome.

Keith Yandle (21:33)

They have.

Ryan Whitney (21:33)

They have. But the thing is, Biz, like, I. They have plenty of dough. They're going to have over 20 million bucks next summer.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (21:40)

Yeah. And that's fair. And then between him, Darnell and. And. And Boosh, you got about what, $28 million.

Ryan Whitney (21:47)

I know, but at this point, like, I'm not worried about what's tied up when you have that much available. And also, I'm not going to let you do this right now.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (21:55)

I'm not.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (21:55)

I'm not.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (21:56)

I'm not.

Ryan Whitney (21:56)

I'm not going to let you. This discussion about the most amazing contract ever signed by an Edmonton Oiler is this is not going to turn into trading him at the deadline in two years. I'm not letting you do it this year. He's getting traded into McDavid's return.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (22:14)

This is what we. March of 2028, we talk about. That's what we do. We open it up just like we were in the. In the.

Ryan Whitney (22:20)

I know. This is a celebration. This is a celebration. And you've turned it into somewhat of like a. A mini funeral two and a half years from now. And I'm not going to allow it because it was. Can you at least give me as an Oilers guy and to all the Oilers fans out there, like, that was a special, special day to see that.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (22:38)

It was awesome, buddy. Okay, so I even. Okay, so this is even crazier. I'm kind of really off the rails this podc. I texted to the group chat. I said, if you could solidify me two gold medals the next two Olympics for Team Canada, I would. I would take that. And Connor bringing a cup back to Canada before guaranteeing a Leafs Stanley Cup. Now that. That's also Being very patriotic of me because I'm thinking about my country before my. My NHL club, which I think that a lot of people, especially from Canada and even Leafs fans, would understand that. But just based on the charity work that Mother Connor Teresa is doing for the city of Edmonton, I would just. I would love to see him hoist a Stanley Cup. Like him being so selfless in doing that for his squad, being the best player on the planet. He deserves a mug. And I know that's not how it works. It's not all deserved. You got to earn, but he fucking deserves a mug. So I can agree with you on that.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (23:39)

And I.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (23:40)

And I. And I pray. I pray I'm not like the most Christian guy, although I'm going to be. No jerking, no. A lot of reading, especially the Bible. A lot of. A lot of psalms. I will pray that Conor wins one, wins the big one.

Ryan Whitney (23:54)

Thank you. I do think that if you asked Maple Leaf fans if they could get two gold medals over the Leafs winning a Stanley Cup, I. I seriously think 0.1% would take the two gold medals over the Leafs.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (24:10)

I get that.

Ryan Whitney (24:10)

I think you're in the point one.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (24:12)

Series over a Stanley Cupboard from like. Like, I feel for this guy because literally his life, like, like if he retires without a Stanley cup, like, not.

Ryan Whitney (24:24)

Doing this, he won't.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (24:25)

He won't feel fulfilled. And I want him to feel fulfilled based on the. On what he's provided. Like not only the hockey world, but. But Edmonton Oiler fans, what he's done for their lives. Like a lot of people. Edmonton's a beautiful city. The people are incredible. But like their lives revolve around the hockey team. Like that's their life and they deserve to at least get one more in the near future.

Ryan Whitney (24:49)

Just one with him. They deserve one with him.

Bill Guerin (24:52)

They do deserve it.

Ryan Whitney (24:54)

And I got. Forget the blown lead, like the first period. I was like, holy shit. Usually they get pumped in the season opener. And I was like, this is the power play. Just the first power play they got. Tic tac toe Nuge looked incredible. Hyman's not even back yet. This Thomasek that has never wasn't drafted and I think is like 30 years old that played in Europe, looked great. He had the net front spot in the. In the power play. He gave a no look behind the back dish to leon for his 400th. That's a nice addition. Isaac Howard's flying around out there. It's a hell of a team. Goaltending.

Keith Yandle (25:32)

Yeah.

Ryan Whitney (25:33)

Question mark. Big time question mark. But Just seeing him resign and like just shutting all the haters up. And the fact is if they can't get it done with him, you go wherever you want, you sign your $22 million a year contract and every person in Edmonton should be saying thank you. Thank you so much. So he wasn't the only resigning now. I didn't ask Billy g. You see McDavid, that's a different story. But then you see Eichel. 13 and a half for eight years. It's got to be a little frustrating paying 17 to Capri off now. Every situation's different. Like Minnesota, he's homegrown. I'd rather overpay him than lose him. I get all that. But the Eichel numbers surprised me too. I thought that'd be 14 and a.

Keith Yandle (26:20)

Half.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (26:22)

To 15 and a half and he definitely left money on the table. Keep in mind though, I believe if he doesn't sign that, when he does that like currently, what is it like when does the eight years end at a.

Ryan Whitney (26:35)

After this? July next. Like July 1st, I believe when the new one starts.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (26:39)

Okay.

Ryan Whitney (26:40)

G, check that for us.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (26:41)

Okay. I thought it was even sooner that therefore maybe there was a little bit more, I don't want to say pressure.

Bill Guerin (26:46)

But a little bit more.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (26:48)

You know, you got, you got to get it done quicker because that extra year does matter. Right. Not to say that he wouldn't be making 13 and a half million by the time that year 8 comes up because he'd just be signing another new ticket which when the cap's at 150 million and he's still got juice left in the tank. But that's another team friendly one which Luongo had a tweet. He, he joked about the state tax again. The, the, the McDavid deal about that's an anomaly. Like we're not comparing that to anything as far as state tech. That's like literally him.

Ryan Whitney (27:21)

That's to win. That's literally to win and that's straigh.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (27:24)

Win Eichel, that one staying happy. I, I would say he definitely left probably, you know, 2 million on the table and cause anywhere else that's what, 15 million bucks based on what he's saving biz.

Ryan Whitney (27:37)

I think if Eichel went to free agency and shout out the death of free agency for superstars.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (27:43)

Done.

Ryan Whitney (27:43)

It's over.

Keith Yandle (27:43)

Yeah.

Ryan Whitney (27:44)

And we had, we had Connor, we had McDavid come up, we had Caprisov coming up, we had Eichel coming up and now right now it's Kempe. He'll be signed, I believe. And then you got Nexus, then you got Panarin. Who knows what happens with those guys. But free agency for superstars is dead, which kind of sucks a little bit for the summertime looking for some action. But if Eichel got to free agency, I mean, that's, I think of a team like the Rangers and we. And Tuesday night, they were, they were fucking horrible, brutal. Like, like the same exact team from last year on opening night in your building with zero juice new jerseys. And I think I kind of like the jerseys and I like the Bruins away jerseys. It look like the 80s, but I think the team, a team like the Rangers maybe was holding out hope for a couple of these guys like Eichel. The Rangers are giving him 16, 16 and a half. Right?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (28:38)

But you're also, you're also looking at a team who has done such an unreal job of surrounding them with everything that he needs to win more Stanley Cups. Like, when you're looking at that situation and where you're living in no state tax, you're saying, why would I, why would I move on from here? That would be the dumbest thing he ever did. They literally just brought in the, the best free agent, free agent that was available this past summer to play with him on his wings. Setting him up like Jack Eel's typically a playmaker while he's going to be scoring goals this year because he's got another one on his line now. I mean, both of, both of them are going to be setting each other up. They might, both of them might hit the 40 goal mark the way that they can pass the puck. So I, I was obviously shocked that he left. Probably, I would say like for signing with, with, with Vegas. Like I, I thought even in Vegas he could have got 15 and a half if he wanted to.

Ryan Whitney (29:27)

I think, I think he could have told Vegas kind of like, hey, this is what I want. Similar to how McDavid. It was funny, a number was never even mentioned. He called up Bo. They called up Bowman. Here it is. Who, who in the group chat said he like GM'd the GM? He was, I think Eichel was kind of similar. Like, hey, here, this is what I want. Could have been a little bit of a, of a discussion.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (29:50)

But you imagine Stan Bowman getting that call. Oh, and hearing, and hearing the number and he'd be like, he probably thought it was false.

Ryan Whitney (29:58)

I mean, I still haven't tied Wyatt's shoes.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (30:01)

He thought, he probably thought, he probably thought it was false calling him fucking around, Right?

Keith Yandle (30:07)

Imagine his first phone call to the assistant GM, like, hey dude, Connor just asked me for 12 and a half.

Ryan Whitney (30:14)

Yeah, they gotta like make sure they're like, connor, is this. This really you? Yeah. Call us back from a different number biz. You are no longer allowed an eight year deal on September 16th of 2026. So it'll be next year, all next summer as well. You'll be able to sign the eight years. Okay, good to know.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (30:31)

Good to know.

Ryan Whitney (30:32)

That's G in the chat.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (30:33)

I wish I would have known that before the broadcast last night.

Ryan Whitney (30:36)

G also says in the chat, Eichel, this is. I'm reading from Mike Grinnell, Echo. Grew up a die hard Pats fan watching Tom Brady take less every year so he could win. Agreed. I also think like, dude, I think after this deal he's going to have made $194 million. Like once again, what. What is the difference between 230 and 192 when you're talking millions of dollars? I know some people may say 38 million whit. I'm a math guy. I know. But I don't think your life changes very much. And I think that Vegas is a wagon of the team. And I believe both of them will eclipse their career high in points this year. In Marner and Eichel, Eichel's never had 100 points. I'm pretty sure last year was the highest, like 96. He was also top 5 in selkie voting. MVP voting. I hope I'm not making that up, but it's an incredible team and Eichel is a guy who. He started off with a goal and three assists. He looked on his shot on the goal. I think that's why people say shoot more. It was a rocket one time or shelf. So that'll be a lot of fun to watch those two guys play. And then the final. Big signing. Well, actually not the final because I forgot to mention. Middle of the Oilers game, Jack Roselovich signs in Edmonton.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (31:53)

Awesome.

Ryan Whitney (31:53)

One and a half. I thought it might be a little less. Like not a big deal, but the guy had 20 over 20 goals last year, right? Around 20 goals. I mean they have a deep forward unit. They have a lot of guys that are going to be competing for ice time. And that's what everyone wants. Even last episode, who told us that? Who was talking about the competition within? That's how you create winning. Every practice you're like, dude, I got to get in this lineup. I got to get in.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (32:18)

I think it was Eric Engels. Wasn't It.

Ryan Whitney (32:20)

It was Engels talking about the power play units for Montreal. So I like Rostovich. I think he could really fit in well there. I don't know what his role will be, but exciting. Then we go to Winnipeg and they resigned. Kyle Conner, a guy who I actually thought maybe would, Would. Would test free agency, but he obviously loves Winnipeg. He is a consistent 35, 40 goal scorer who just keeps getting better and better. Once Pasha brought up that they didn't play him in the finals of the Four nations, that made me a little angry and disgusted. I've been thinking about that ever since. I don't understand that.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (32:53)

You should ask Billy G about it.

Ryan Whitney (32:56)

He would. He would probably blame Sully.

Keith Yandle (32:58)

Yeah.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (32:59)

Pass the ball in the finger before the.

Keith Yandle (33:02)

I was making a charcuterie board.

Ryan Whitney (33:04)

US Team USA falling apart before Italy over Kyle Connor scratch. But what did you think? Like 12 million bucks, eight year deal. More than fair.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (33:15)

Oh yeah, I agree with you. It seems like the type of guy who loves flying under the radar and living in Winnipeg and, and yeah, and just, just a gamer. Like, I just love watching him play. He's so shifty, you know, not the biggest guy, but. But plays a. A big man's game. And, And I, I just, I love him. We. I mean, we had him on and he just seems like the most chill guy and yeah, I'm. I'm happy for him and I feel like that's a good number and that's kind of where I feel Kempe will end up at. I feel like Kempe's going to be a 12 million guy too. So.

Ryan Whitney (33:45)

And we said, we said maybe 10, like in the middle of last season.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (33:50)

I said he's getting at least I think 12. You guys laughed at me.

Ryan Whitney (33:53)

I know I did. I laughed at you. And then I saw him in the playoffs again. I'm like, all right, Biz, I'm with you. 10. And then these numbers keep going. So mind you, Conor's coming off a deal. I think it was a six year deal, maybe seven at 7.1 a year. Now he's got an eight year deer at 12, so he's over 150 million for his career.

Keith Yandle (34:12)

Like he's the richest guy in Winnipeg.

Ryan Whitney (34:14)

It's pretty wild. What this.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (34:16)

He might buy the Blue Bombers.

Keith Yandle (34:19)

It does amaze me. Like if you look at him, he's a small, skinny guy, but like you said, Biz, he plays a big man's game. Like he.

Ryan Whitney (34:26)

Isn't he pretty tall? I thought he was.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (34:28)

Like, he's pretty. He seems like he's dense, like, hard to knock off the puck. Strong on his edges.

Keith Yandle (34:33)

Really good on his.

Ryan Whitney (34:33)

It's kind of like McDavid. Like, they're. They're wiry.

Keith Yandle (34:36)

Just so good on their edges.

Ryan Whitney (34:38)

Yeah, the edge work. Six one, 183. Yeah. So, I mean, who knows how, you know, accurate. The weight stuff is online.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (34:45)

He's all 220.

Ryan Whitney (34:46)

When I played, I sniffed 220 till three years after time I was drinking IPAs. Why am I gaining weight? Somebody's like, every IPA is a Big Mac. Okay, so Kyle Conner, don't worry about him with the IPAs. But Winnipeg jets fans, we'll get into your team right now. Yeah, we'll get into the previews, boys. And we have Billy Garon going over Minnesota with us. We have your guys, boy Bob Heathos. He's going to join us for, I think, Utah, Chicago, St. Louis and maybe one other team. But we could start with Winnipeg and Nashville. But we were us three. We're going to do the big heavy hitters in this division, the Winnipeg jets. Every single year. I'm like, God is a good team. I don't consider them at all Stanley cup threats. I'm sticking by that. Again, I know Winnipeg fans don't love hearing that. And many times, many, many times I'm. I'm wrong on this show. So you could, you could actually maybe enjoy the fact that I think they can't win the Stanley cup, but I like the team. I think losing either is going to hurt a lot biz. But I'm. I'm most excited to see Jonathan Daves.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (35:51)

100%.

Ryan Whitney (35:52)

Yeah, that.

Bill Guerin (35:53)

That's.

Ryan Whitney (35:53)

That is a. Talk about a cool storyline. Forget just the hockey, what he's been through in life, and we've talked about it a lot, but he's back. He's back in his hometown. He's playing in front of an incredible crowd. Let's see what he has in the tank. I don't know what your. Your biz. Give me your, like, your number one thought when you think of the Winnipeg Jets.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (36:13)

I think we're going to see in the regular season. Exactly. We have the past few years. They're just going to dominate Hallow. Buck's gonna play like a Vesna goalie. Agreed with you on the Jonathan Daves thing. Like, that's my. That's the biggest thing I'm zoning in on. It sucked last year during playoffs to see Shifely go out for the few games where I felt like all of a sudden the Mestikov's put in a tough spot where he's got to play on the top line of center where I just feel like they're slotted perfectly excited to see Nyquist and what he can do there. And then Mike, I mean they just got that. I, I love that third line. I mean it always goes back to that third line. Right. Like I feel like they're, they're, they're top three lines are just fucking horses. They come at you, their power plays nasty. I feel like we always maybe question their depth on the back end a little bit and is there maybe like a deadline move that they could make? But I still view this as a top four team in the Western Conference and you know, devastating loss last year in game seven against. Oh no, they sorry. They advanced. They beat St. Louis. My apology. And then they got worked. Yeah, they got worked in the next one, but six.

Ryan Whitney (37:21)

It went to six against Dallas but.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (37:23)

I hear you didn't feel like it was close, but. Yeah, no, I just, I, I mean this is pretty much a carbon copy outside of a few guys of, of what we've seen in the past and no, they're going to do what Winnipeg does and they're going to dominate in the regular season. So yeah. Interested to see what, what the playoffs hold.

Keith Yandle (37:41)

Kind of the Leafs of the west in my opinion, like unreal during the regular season, then kind of fall off a cliff and in playoffs and. But what I'm looking forward to the most is Scheifele. Like did he got snubbed of the, I mean not snubbed. He didn't make the four nation team. He's going to come out absolutely humming trying to make that Olympic team. Like he's a guy that wants to be on that team. He's vocal about it, he loves it, loves his country. So I think for him he's going to come out absolutely hummingbird early in the season. Then like you guys said, it's all wait until playoffs. See, see what, see what the big boys can bring there. See if hella buck can shut down other teams because the, the west is, is a beast once playoff starts. But yeah, during regular season they're, they're obviously getting in. They're gonna, they're gonna be great all year. Tough building to play in. But can they do it in playoffs? Busy?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (38:34)

A couple, it looked like they had maybe a couple injuries coming. I don't know. Lowry's off the IR and then a guy that I would imagine is gonna. Cole Perfetti, another, another year of experience under his belt and A lot of expectations after they signed him to that deal last year. So they've done such a good job of filling in holes. I love that Velardi pickup, too. When they got him over from the Kings, that was an. An awesome move. So just a. A deep roster. And I love the way that they play. They just fucking wear you down. Great cycling team. And, yeah, I don't think many surprises from them.

Ryan Whitney (39:12)

No. I think Lowry being out to start the year, your captain, your leader. I think it was like offseason hip surgery. That'll be big when he gets back. I. I'd be shocked if they win the Central again, though. I don't know. I. I just look at it like, yeah, they got the best goalie in the world, at least in the regular season. But I. I look at Colorado and Dallas and I said it last year, though, I didn't. You know, so who knows? Maybe they repeat it again. And the thing about Taves is, not only am I excited to see him, and I think the entire hockey world's looking forward to seeing him play again, but it's not just like, hey, he's coming in playing fourth line like he has. He has to play really good too. He's very important to them. They lose Ehlers if he's center in the second line with Perfetti and then Nyquist. That's the line I'm looking at right now. Like, they gotta be good. Cause they can't just rely on Connor Scheifele and. And Velardi. So I think it's a great team. I think it's a playoff team. No doubt. I think we all agree on that. Winning the Central. I don't. I don't see that happening again.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (40:18)

I think the Central might be the deepest overall division, maybe even more so than the Atlantic. Like, I think head to head is like Utah is. They're coming up, man, they got a lot of weapons.

Ryan Whitney (40:30)

Like, what will Nashville do?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (40:32)

St. Louis is never an easy game because of how hard they play. I mean, we just talked to Billy G. Colorado, Dallas. Like, I think that overall, this is going to be the toughest division. I still see them as a top four team in the division, though. That's. And maybe even the West. I think that they finish fourth in the west would be my guess. Okay, so definitely have them as a playoff team.

Ryan Whitney (40:55)

Playoff team, no doubt. Yance.

Keith Yandle (40:58)

Yeah, I got him in for sure.

Ryan Whitney (41:00)

Okay. All right. Well, we're moving over to Colorado. They looked so good the other night. Like, that team, they're so fast. They're so skilled. McKinnon came out of the gates like. Like, I guess we're used to seeing him just a rocket. He's flying around. I also saw the clip where I think Crosby's interviewing him. And McDavid called himself Choppy. What the fuck were we if he was choppy? Imagine him describing like me and you, biz. At least Yance could fly. Like, if he looks at himself like Choppy. That's a really, really disgusting thought. Thinking of my own skating back in the day. But Elliot Friedman mentioned the next thing we're looking at here is the. Is Cale Makar's contract. That's an exciting storyline, like the amount of money he's going to get. I think Elliot wrote it might just be blank check style. Craig Leopold to Kirill Capri Soft. This team, I think is. Is Merle has him winning the Stanley Cup. They're in a top five favorites to win the Stanley Cup. For me, maybe some question marks, but with McKinnon and Makar even losing Ronton and having the heartbreak of. Of him beating you in Game 7, the third period of Game 7, having that happen, I think the drive on McKinnon to win more and they're going to, I think, win the division. That's my division winner pick. And I'd be shocked if the Oilers don't see him in the conference final.

Keith Yandle (42:27)

How good did nature's look?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (42:28)

First game he looked, he was fucking flying out there.

Keith Yandle (42:32)

And this is the last year his deal, right?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (42:35)

Oh, yeah. He's going to. I would say that with the way the cap's going, he might even surpass that. Run a number. Now you. Some people may argue, like, who would you want, you know, as. As Kadri tweeted out, you never get rid of the dogs. Who would you trust in a playoff environment more? But I think with how young he is and just like where the game's going with the speed, he is an absolute dynamo. And he's only going to get better and more comfortable in that setting. Last year, obviously a lot of movement for him, and yet he still settled in nice there. But I think he's going to easily come in at that 12 number. And he's kind of got them for the. He's kind of got him by the balls. Can't make an aggressive move like that. All of a sudden you don't end up signing natures, right? So he's got a little bit of the control in that. In that stance. Nelson, I mean, you know, I. I always look back to them getting Rid of Kadri, especially with what he would be making now for salary. And last year I think he was over 30 goals and them probably regretting not signing him when it was time. But you know, Nelson's a gamer. He came over last year at the deadline. I think with being settled in for, for, you know, one year, he'll be, he'll be a little bit better and more productive. And now he gets to play with the fucking big Russian machine. And Landiscog has got his game legs underneath them. So they got two.

Bill Guerin (43:56)

Two.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (43:56)

Really the top six is fucking unbelievable. One guy that looked pretty impressive on the fourth line was that Gavin Brinley kid.

Keith Yandle (44:04)

Brinley, yeah.

Ryan Whitney (44:05)

So yeah, he played at Michigan and I'm Keith. Chris Bork told me that was like his favorite player his draft year. I believe he was like a very high second round pick to Columbus and they moved on from him. Could make him, could make a big impact. And, and with his, that kid's speed, like that's the kind of the perfect roster for him to be on biz.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (44:25)

Yeah, I, yeah, I, they're just like, that's probably the number one thing that stands out is just how fast they are. And then like Ross Colton who dealt with injuries last year, he fucking flies. Another guy everybody forgets about in that, that deal with Carolina is Jack Drury, where, you know, he's a little bit older, more experienced. I love him. The Victor Olafson experience, I guess necessarily didn't work out in Vegas. Trying to get him back with Jack Eichel and maybe develop that chemistry back that they had in Buffalo, but, you know, hopefully he can contribute there. But I think that this roster and the fact that they, they did kind of the overhaul that they needed to do last year and that these guys are settled in, I think that these guys are poised to probably win the Western Conference. Like, I wouldn't be shocked if they finished first. I think that they're, they're. I view them a little bit deeper than Edmonton maybe, maybe not so much as, as Vegas up front, but like their back end better. And I feel like that their goaltending is a little bit more stable right now. So Colorado is my team in the west. And also I don't want to say hot seat because he's such an amazing guy and amazing coach, but I think that with the fact that I, you know, I don't think that they've been to the Western Conference finals since they hoisted that cup and with that type of lineup comes pressure and I think that management should Take a little bit of responsibility for that as maybe as well as coaching. So we'll see if. If they don't get off to a hot start, would that be the type of team that would be desperate to. To go get a guy like deboer quick, right? Like the Boar. Deborah is an anomaly right now. Like he's sitting there and you gotta imagine a team is waiting to pull the trigger to get him. Because there's a few teams looking to hoist the Stanley cup that they think that they have rosters at least looking to make that next step. Like I look at New Jersey like if they don't get off to a hot start, could. Could he end up back there? Like, I think that my hot take is I don't think there's a chicken dick's chance that Pete DeBoer is not a coach behind an NHL bench by the time December 1st rolls around. Like there's no fucking way.

Keith Yandle (46:30)

December 1st. Yeah, agreed.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (46:32)

That's.

Ryan Whitney (46:32)

So with this league, with how it happens now for coaches, I completely agree.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (46:37)

And, and I think that Colorado is going to get off to that hot start. I think that if they don't have any type of playoff success or at least get to the Western Conference finals, could Bednar's job be on the line? I don't know. I love the guy and I think that he would get picked up in two fucking seconds. But when you have dogs like that in your lineup and you're not at least getting to the Western Conference finals like they can't fucking. These guys have their salaries locked up. They ain't fucking trading McKinnon in the car. They ain't no right. Am I crazy for saying this?

Bill Guerin (47:09)

No.

Keith Yandle (47:09)

I never even thought of it that way. But he. I mean it makes a little bit of sense just because I know how much all the guys love him there. Right. It seems in anyways and never thought of it that way. But yeah, I guess that does add a little bit more pressure to that group because a of bunch what he has. Right. But it'd be interesting to see December 1st, man. So are you rooting for them to not start good.

Ryan Whitney (47:30)

You want.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (47:31)

No, I want Ben. I want them. I would love to see Nate win another one.

Ryan Whitney (47:34)

Yeah. It is nuts though, Biz. They, they, they won it. Then they lost to Seattle in the first round. Then the year year after that they lost in the second round. And then last year they lost in the first round. So yeah, you're looking at McCarr and McKinnon dominating all of those years and You've won one playoff series. It is kind of crazy to think about that. It's. It is a group with a lot of pressure on them.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (47:57)

The one, the one pickup that I absolutely love is Brent Burns and the fact that he's even still playing. I believe this year he's going to hit over the 1500 game mark.

Keith Yandle (48:09)

And he doesn't miss games either. I think he played.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (48:12)

He's a horse and he could still play 20 minutes a night. So any type of maybe holes they had in their lineup on the back end last year. I really like that top six or that the top four. Excuse me. I love Sam Gerard. I think he's a water bug out there. Good puck moving, defenseman. Now he's got a guy like Brent Burns to compliment them. Another thing too, I love from Burns, like maybe he's not hitting the net all the time, but he's getting his shots through. Like he's not getting them blocked. And they're going back the other way. So even if they're fucking hitting the backboards, who gives a fuck? You're keeping it alive and at least you're giving your forwards a chance to fight another day. So I really like that move that they got him in the off season and you know, he had, he had a good run in Carolina, but just insane the fact that this guy is still playing hockey.

Keith Yandle (48:59)

Yeah, the Manson hit. That's what I was just going to say. Like he's a guy that. I mean, you look at their D, they're big, they got big guys and then, you know, a little. Couple little water bugs and they are going to be scary to play against. Like, Brent Burns is a mean bastard on the ice. Joss Manson is a mean bastard on the ice. Like once playoff starts, those guys, that's when they come to life too, right? So they're going to be a fun team to watch. I hope the best for them. I think. I think they're going to win the Central. I think they got a real shot at winning the cup as well. Maybe one or two moves away, maybe a bottom six. I know biz, you love getting those bottom six guys in at the deadline to help you win.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (49:36)

I just like saying bottom six.

Keith Yandle (49:38)

Yeah, same.

Ryan Whitney (49:39)

I think a lot of pressures on Blackwood and I think he's also a guy that could be in the mix for one of those three goaltending spots with team Canada.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (49:47)

I don't know.

Ryan Whitney (49:48)

Business are Canadian. Maybe he could tell me to kick rocks on that one. But Blackwood matter.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (49:54)

Yeah, they could put anybody in there. They could have a fucking shooter tutor in there.

Ryan Whitney (49:58)

Well, we'll move on to Dallas, in which there's an incredible American goalie there. That is Jake Ottinger. The Dallas Stars guys, like, I look at them, incredible team, so fun to watch play. I also think, like, the way Edmonton has just kind of taken care of business from them the last two years, they don't scare me a ton. This is Oiler's voice, Oiler's brain talking. Dallas does not scare me. They don't. I'm sorry, but they're right. They're going to be right there the entire season. Let's see what kind of step Wyatt Johnston makes, right? Can he. Can he. Can he pot 40 this year, right? It sucks not having your captain, Jamie Ben in the lineup to start the season, but you got Heskin in back. He had to battle those injuries last year. You know what happened with him and him being out. Such a killer. But it's a deep team, a deep roster with one of the top goalies in the league. Is it Glenn Gulletson? That's his name, correct? New coach. New coach in there, new voice. It's kind of the same old thing, though, with Dallas. Like, I just know they're going to be really good all year. They're going to be in the playoffs and then, like, can they. Can they beat Edmonton? Can they. Can they be Colorado again? Like, it's. It's a tough division, but there's not much to say because I think everyone knows come the end of the regular season, you're going to be saying, Dallas Stars, yeah, they could win the Stanley Cup. It's hard when you're talking about a team like that.

Keith Yandle (51:21)

Bizarre.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (51:23)

I kind of agree with you where I'm less bullish on them than I have been in years past. Yeah, I just. I think they're a little bit weak on the left side and just. I. Yeah, I don't know what's going to happen. There was rumors that they were going to maybe move off Jason Robertson for a while now. Although when they do get cold offensively come playoff time, he seems to be the only guy that's scoring goals for them. So it's kind of. I know it's a little contradictory. So when you're saying they need clutchness, he's the one coming through and no one else really is, you know, I think there's also a lot of question marks as you get deeper into playoffs with some of the guys that they have on their roster and whether they can get it done. And I think that, like you said, having Jamie Ben not in the lineup due to that collapsed lung, like, he's kind of their fearless leader and kind of calms things down in the locker room, you know, when they maybe need a guy to go grab a guy and fucking, you know, play aggressive and, you know, when they need a big play or something to be said in the locker room, like, he's not going to be around. But that'll definitely be a bolster to the lineup as the season progresses. I think that they have some young guys now that, that have to really. I mean, Wyatt Johnson's done a lot in his first, you know, three, four years or whatever it's been, right? So I don't think we're questioning that. I think that playoff time last year, he did struggle a little bit more so than in years past. What's going to happen with Maverick Bork, right, is, you know, he's a, he's a guy we've been talking about for a few years is, you know, he's going to be part of this core group. So I, yeah, I 100% think this is a playoff team. I don't think anybody's questioning that. I just think you probably, if you, if you're not a Dallas Stars fan and you're not a complete jock sniffer of this team, you're, you're, you're saying we're not as big of a threat now as I believe we've been in the past. You know, after losing Tanev, Marchmont, Marchman. I don't understand that one. And him going to Seattle, but obviously having a clear cap space. Like, to me, moving off of Robertson and keeping a guy like Marchmont and then having a little bit more cap space to work with would have been the play. But, you know, he's. Yeah, I think, I think that Robertson's a restricted free agent at the end of the year or.

Ryan Whitney (53:31)

And so is Harley.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (53:32)

I think Harley signed a big ticket.

Ryan Whitney (53:36)

Oh, he did. I'm sorry.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (53:37)

Yeah. Harley signed his. His big deal. Unless.

Keith Yandle (53:39)

Do you think their window. You think their windows closed?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (53:42)

He has.

Bill Guerin (53:43)

They.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (53:43)

They haven't paid Harley, I guess, is what G's saying. I thought I saw that he signed the summer, but no.

Ryan Whitney (53:48)

Yeah, he's making 4 million, dude.

Bill Guerin (53:50)

Wow.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (53:51)

So that's probably why they're gonna have to. Not they're gonna have to part ways with Robertson is because they need money in order to pay Harley. Harley's gonna be with, with a guy like Luke Hughes making $9 million. What the. Do you pay Harley.

Ryan Whitney (54:05)

Yeah.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (54:06)

Ten and a half. Brushard just got that.

Ryan Whitney (54:09)

Yeah.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (54:09)

I mean, but then they're probably saying, you can't make more than Hannah.

Ryan Whitney (54:13)

Yeah.

Keith Yandle (54:13)

So biz, you think their windows closed in Dallas or you think they're a piece away or.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (54:18)

No, I think that, like, could they end up winning a Stanley Cup?

Bill Guerin (54:21)

Sure.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (54:21)

They have the pieces. They have, they have a number one D, they have a number one center. You know, they, they, they, they. You know, they have Ratnan. I think it would take a big move. And then Maverick Bork, Wyatt Johnson taking the next step and just everything really, really coming together. I think that a deal at the deadline will have to be done. But we say that, but they don't have any cap space. So what, what can be done? What big alterations can be made. So I just don't view them as big of a threat. And I think that Vegas looks stronger than. I think the Colorado looks stronger. I would say that I probably, even with a healthy lineup, have a little bit more trust in Winnipeg than I have in them. So I see them as, as probably like a six seed, a third seed in the Central this year, if not a wild card.

Keith Yandle (55:14)

I'm, I'm interested in. To see Rantman, right, Because he was in Colorado. He wasn't the number one guy you had. You have McKinnon, you have Makar, like, he's obviously a kid key piece to that team. But for him, he's the guy there now, right? He's got to lead them, he's got to get them into the playoffs, got to get them to win rounds. So I'm interested to see if he can make that step. Obviously we know he has the ability to do it, but if he can do that, put the team on his back and be like, all right, I'm the number one guy here. I'm the superstar here. Let me handle this. Like, then they're, they're going to be obviously a lot better off, but it will be interesting to see if he can, if he has that in him to take that step.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (55:49)

I don't think what's Ottinger deserved really any criticism for the way that last year played out. I think we were all shocked at the Deborah comments. Do you guys view there as being a little bit more added pressure on Ottinger moving forward here, especially come playoff time now that they've parted ways with, in my opinion, probably one of the best coaches, probably a top, probably a top five coach over the last decade in the NHL with, hey, maybe, maybe he hasn't hoisted Lord Stanley. But the amount of trips to the finals, the amount of success he's had with every team that he's gone to and how he's been able to turn it around. Like San Jose, he went to the finals with New Jersey, Vegas, like fucking what he did with, with Dallas, like Everywhere that Pete DeBoer has gone, he's had success and been a pretty calm demeanored coach until I guess, a certain point. So they got the new guy at the helm. I don't view his, I don't view them as big of a threat without Pete DeBoer as I do with him behind the bench.

Ryan Whitney (56:57)

And it should be mentioned too, like they're lucky. And great work by Jim Neal. Heskinen makes 8, 4. So like you have an enormous bargain with one of the top defensemen in the league and Harley's probably going to be making more than him. Like they can't. I know you could sit there and say, like, you can't make more than, than Heskin and. But he's like, sorry, look, look at, yeah, look at these guys around the league. Like you got a great bargain with him and it might not happen with Harley. So with that, I think it's time to talk about the Minnesota Wild with one of our favorite GMs in the league. An all time legend, Billy Garon joined us just before we started recording. We chatted about his summer, we chatted about the squad, chat about the Olympics a little bit. So perfect time to throw it over, right? And his new hobby. Very interesting.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (57:46)

And I want to keep, I want to, I want to keep everybody in mind here that like there was something going on between the three Americans against the one Canadian here. I don't know if this was pre planned in a text thread, but clearly they're feeling a little threatened going into an Olympic year. I really, really like where we're at as far as Team Canada right now, the way that this interview went. Just, just keep that in mind before you.

Ryan Whitney (58:07)

With that, let's throw it over to.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (58:09)

Billy G. Off to Billy G.

Ryan Whitney (58:12)

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Ryan Whitney (60:38)

Welcome now to a very special guest, a great friend of the show, an all time guy, GM of the Minnesota Wild, Bill Garrett, Billy G. What's going on?

Bill Guerin (60:47)

Not too much, fellas, not too much. Just. Just getting ready for tonight's season opener in in St. Louis.

Ryan Whitney (60:55)

It's gotta be nice. I guess we're gonna get to Caprisoft right away that you're starting. You're in Clayton right now telling us Getting ready and he signed. It would have been it. It had to have been a little stressful if this thing began without him locked up, right?

Bill Guerin (61:08)

Yeah, it just, I think it would have just been uncomfortable for everybody. I mean you could kind of, you could kind of feel it anyways in camp before it actually got done and you know, everybody, look, it was big stuff. It was big news. Everybody wanted to know what was going on, if it was going to happen, if it wasn't. And that's just kind of like a, you know, it's nobody's fault. It's just like a little cloud hanging over everything. So in so many ways it's good that, that it's done and behind us.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (61:39)

I was going to start with just asking how you're doing, buddy, how your, how your summer was. Let's ease into this thing. I mean we were talking before you hopped on about the time journalist.

Bill Guerin (61:48)

You know what Wits just turned into this media monster.

Ryan Whitney (61:52)

Hey Billy, wait till you see next I'm going to be, I'm going to be grilling politicians too.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (61:56)

Is.

Bill Guerin (61:57)

You're always just, you always just talking from the heart. You know, you're always just thinking about other people.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (62:02)

We were talking about the time you had us over and you like grilled us up stakes and everything. R.A. was building Star Wars Legos in your office with a Chewbacca mask on.

Bill Guerin (62:13)

Yeah, I don't think Ra could have put two Legos together that night.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (62:18)

Oh, we were all crippled. We were, we were all, we were.

Bill Guerin (62:21)

All having a good time. It was. That was a good night. That was a good night. We'll have to do it again.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (62:26)

What, like, what do you do in order to de stress in the summer? Like where do you go? Do you like hit up like a, like a cottage? Like what's, what's your main spot that you go to?

Bill Guerin (62:35)

Yeah, my wife's from South Jersey and we've, we have a place at the Jersey shore. Ocean City, New Jersey. We're like 10 miles south of Atlantic City and we did a couple two week stints out there back and forth a little bit. Our kids use it quite a bit. It's. It's awesome. We've been going there. Well, I've been going there for just over 30 years when, you know, when I met my wife. So it's, that's kind of our place. Yeah, in the summertime we go back and forth because Minnesota is great to be in in the summer too. I mean I, I used to think the guys from Minnesota were insane that, you know, they would talk about these lakes and this and that, and all because I didn't get it. I. I mean, I grew up going to Cape Cod, and then, you know, when I met my wife, we started going to the shore, and then I move out there, and it's. It's an unbelievable way of life in the summertime. Like, it's like the boat boating and just jumping into fresh water was the weirdest thing in the world for me. I never really did it growing up. It was always saltwater, but it's awesome and, you know, like, Lake Minnetonka is crazy. I mean, they're massive too. So we. We love it there in the summertime. So going back and forth is, you know, we get the best of both worlds, really.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (63:51)

Whitney Yan's is Cape Cod kind of like the white trash Nantucket. Oh, okay.

Ryan Whitney (63:57)

There's probably some areas.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (63:59)

Billy made more money than all of.

Keith Yandle (64:00)

Us, so I don't think he'd be going anywhere. White trash.

Bill Guerin (64:03)

It's not true.

Ryan Whitney (64:04)

I think there's some areas that we could say that, but. No, there's some areas. No.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (64:08)

Okay. Every. Every.

Bill Guerin (64:10)

Every area has a place.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (64:12)

Okay. Right. I was just trying to get those Two going.

Ryan Whitney (64:15)

Billy's 10 miles from Atlantic City. Should see Atlantic City. He. That's what he does to Destress. He goes to casino at ac.

Bill Guerin (64:22)

Yeah, Atlantic City's not in great shape, but we go, oh, Atlantic City's got it like, some unbelievable restaurants. Like, you'd be shocked. It's just got to watch your back.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (64:33)

You Carl be up on blocks now, I would imagine while you were in either, you know, New Jersey on the shore or. Or back in Minnesota. Is this. Is. Is this when you started fielding calls with Capri Sov's agent now? Is Caprisov's agent Russian?

Bill Guerin (64:49)

No, no.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (64:50)

Okay. North American guy.

Bill Guerin (64:52)

He's American, Yeah.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (64:53)

So originally, you guys sent over the. The 16 million, and that got shut down. Like, from a GM standpoint. Are you like.

Bill Guerin (65:01)

Nah, not quite like that.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (65:04)

No.

Bill Guerin (65:05)

You know what? You can't. You can't get angry. You can't get frustrated. I mean, obviously, you do get a little. I. I think more frustrated than anything, trying to. Just trying to figure it out. You know, if. If you're. If you're angry and pissed off, you don't make good decisions. So you always have to kind of take a step back. It's tough. You get. You have to try to put yourself in. In his shoes, you know, And I think the important thing, too, is to. To have conversations with the Players, you know, you don't. I don't negotiate with the players, but I need to have conversations with them to find out. To find out where they're coming from. You know, Kirill was. Kirill's a great guy. He's a great. He's a. He's a great person. Good to talk to. And, you know, he just said, like, hey, look, this is a big decision for me, regardless of the money. This is the rest of my career, pretty much. And, you know, when he said that, it kind of. It kind of gave me a little like. Like peace or comfort because I'm like, you know what? Good for him. He should be thinking long and hard about this because, yeah, it is pretty much the rest of his career, and he's going to be tied to us, and he's got to. He has to make sure that this is the place he wants to be. And I would. I don't know, I probably would have just signed whatever. But it's good that guys think like that now and, like, they take the time and they think about their life and their. Their. You know, where they want to position themselves. So it took a little longer than I think everybody would have liked, but in the end, he made the decision to stay in Minnesota, and that's big. Like, he could have. He could have gone to free agency. He could have asked for a trade. He could have done all those things, but he decided to stay in Minnesota because he loves it and he believes.

Keith Yandle (67:00)

In what we're doing now. Was it. Did it make your job easier or tougher when the owner basically came out and said, here's a blank check, Kirill, do what you want with it.

Bill Guerin (67:09)

The one thing is. Is, like. Is that you can't deny Craig Leopold's passion and his desire to. To win. And you know what? He. He. He gets in front of the camera every. Every. You know, a couple times every year, and he.

Ryan Whitney (67:26)

The.

Bill Guerin (67:26)

The beauty of him is that he just speaks from the heart. And, you know, what? Did it. Did it make it easier or difficult? I'd say neither. Like, it's just. Those are his comments. Those are the way he feels. He owns the team. He can say whatever he wants. And. You know what I mean? If you really think he's sitting there with, like, a blank checkbook just ready.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (67:47)

To write a check, you're out of your mind.

Keith Yandle (67:49)

I thought it was one of those big.

Bill Guerin (67:50)

Yeah, it was a big one. Yeah. And Happy Gilmore, like, you give him a big check, you know. You know, Craig's. Craig's a Passionate guy. He's a, he's a passionate owner that will, that wants to win. And he realized the, the importance of having Kirill on the team.

Ryan Whitney (68:07)

The great part for you is, like, I look at all the contracts, everyone's pretty much locked in now. Like, there has to be a relief for you. It's like, all right, let's go here. Let's get everything going. But to have all these guys, all your core there and locked in, it must make your job a little easier because then it's like, all right, little additions. What can we do here? I'm not panicked about any enormous signing we got to do, I guess, till booyem comes up. But even then, you have all your favor. You got boldy, so that's got to be nice.

Bill Guerin (68:37)

Yeah, that, that's the thing, is that I think we're positioned pretty, pretty good, you know, now we've got Krill, basically for the next nine years, you know, at Baldies for the next five or six, Erickson, Ek, the next four or five. You know, Spurge has got a couple left. Middleton's got four, Brodyn's got, I think three favors, got eight.

Ryan Whitney (69:02)

And Gustafson we didn't even bring up yet.

Bill Guerin (69:04)

And Gus, Gus just signed in a five year extension, so we got him for six, you know, Wall said for the next two at a good number. So I, I, I don't know. I think our, you know, Rossi for three, you know, and then we've got a bunch of young kids coming up that, that are, you know, still in their entry level deal. So, you know, I like where we're at right now. We have flexibility in the cap and, you know, we'll be able to kind of be in the game now without the, the empty cap hits that we've been dealing with for four years. So I'm excited about our future.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (69:39)

We were joking around about how, how camp kind of drags out a little bit sometimes as players and then now even as a, as a gm. But obviously you get the opportunity to watch some of these guys you're hoping take the next step. Like, who are you the most excited about to see go this season? Where you think that they have a lot more to give based on maybe what you've seen in the past and just like, maybe the way that they handled their summer and where they're going to probably exceed people's expectations this season.

Bill Guerin (70:05)

Are you talking about you like, younger guys or just anybody?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (70:07)

Yeah, like, I feel like Rossi's a guy whose names came up quite a bit. Where you could see every year over year, like, you know, he's always had that speed and that low center of gravity and agility. Like, is he a guy that you're expecting to have an even bigger breakout year? So maybe more so from those young guys. Like, I thought that Bouilliam did a pretty solid job coming in last year, but, you know, maybe, like, you know, it's a little overwhelming. You're coming in around playoff time and everybody's at the top of their game, and you're coming from college. So is he a guy where you're like, oh, after getting one camp under his belt, you feel like he might be the next Brock Faber?

Bill Guerin (70:40)

Jesus, I forgot what the question was. He just went on and on and on.

Ryan Whitney (70:46)

I go direct and he's beating around.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (70:48)

No, I'm asking you who you're most.

Bill Guerin (70:50)

Excited about as far as you do that whole thing again.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (70:54)

What do you got, add?

Bill Guerin (70:56)

Yeah.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (70:57)

You want to take an Adderall? We can restart this thing.

Bill Guerin (70:59)

You just gave add Are you excited.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (71:03)

About any of your goddamn young players?

Bill Guerin (71:06)

Billy, are you excited?

Keith Yandle (71:07)

That question's over.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (71:10)

Oh, shit.

Bill Guerin (71:12)

Oh, my God.

Ryan Whitney (71:13)

Biz, I'll tell you what.

Bill Guerin (71:15)

You know. You know what? Yes, I'm excited for a guy like Marco Rossi, he's got a three, three year Runway now, to like, to like, really kind of take his game to the next level. You know what? He's getting a great opportunity now. He's. He's going to be playing with Capriz off and boldy. That's a pretty good. That's a pretty good spot.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (71:35)

Winning the lottery.

Bill Guerin (71:36)

You know what? I'm excited to see, you know, our young guys. We've got five young guys right now. We've got, Boom, you're a check, you're off. Ogren and Walstead, you know what? And actually six, we've got Hunter Haight as well. Who's on call, who's going to kick the door in, who's going to make an impact? Like, we need these guys to, like, you know what? If you want an opportunity, here it is. You're in, like, kick the fucking door in and show us that you're here and that you're serious and you can help us win. Don't. Don't just dip your toe in the water. Jump right in and be. Try to be an impact player. And you know what? The other. The other guy. You know what? Ryan Hartman for me. Ryan played his best hockey for us last year in the playoffs. That's the best I had seen him play. I mean, he had everything. He was. He was disciplined, he was composed. He. He made the right decisions with the puck. He was. He was just so good all around. And, and you know, he's been challenged. You know, can he do that again? That, that's, that's what we expect of Ryan right now. So I'm anxious to see how, how he gets off to, you know, the start of the season.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (72:47)

Well, a couple things. What a question by me. And secondly, what a fucking answer. I mean, that's a.

Keith Yandle (72:53)

Can you please clip that G. The answer was shorter.

Bill Guerin (72:55)

The honestly, the fact that I could pick out what the actual question was was so I would say incredible by me.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (73:02)

Good retaining pretty impressive.

Bill Guerin (73:04)

And what a good question.

Ryan Whitney (73:05)

You came on last year just about this time. You're a guy for the season previews and you talked about boldy and he had more points in his career than the previous year. He's gone up every single year now. I kind of want to know. You mentioned Jure check and you traded a lot for him. Sixth overall pick. Now you got Faber Bouilliam, him young, three young D in the lineup. Like what, what do you see as his, as his ceiling. Like a player that maybe you played against, that you kind of see how he plays.

Bill Guerin (73:33)

Oh man, that's a, that's a really good.

Ryan Whitney (73:36)

That's hard hitting wit.

Bill Guerin (73:37)

That's a really good question. And you didn't.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (73:40)

Americans stick together, eh?

Ryan Whitney (73:41)

All right.

Bill Guerin (73:43)

To get it out.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (73:44)

Yeah. Well, I'm trying to, trying to help you out.

Bill Guerin (73:47)

Thanks Biz. You know what, Dave, David, you know what? Honestly, I think, you know, with his. He's just got so much raw ability right now. I think he hasn't even scratched the surface of what he could be. But his offensive instincts and his puck moving ability and like they're, they're really, they're really high end. What we're trying to get work with him right now in his using that talent, using that raw ability within the confines of the team structure. You know what I'm saying? Like, be where you have to be. Put the puck where everybody, you know, when everybody's going to their places, that's where we have to put the puck. It's not just going back for a puck and figuring it out as you're on your way back there with, with, with pressure on you from guys4checking. We have a system. Play the system and use your skill inside the system. I think that's is. That's the biggest thing right now that, that, that he, he's got to work on or the coaches have to work on with him. But as for raw ability, I mean, the, the, this, the ceiling for him is, is really high.

Keith Yandle (75:05)

It looks like he's playing with Boghossian. I know as a young guy, like, I played with Derek Morris, just like an older guy who helped me out so much on the ice. In the way your D are stacked up, it looks like you have an offensive guy, defensive guy. Is that something you have conversations with the coaches to kind of help them out with that, or they just do that?

Bill Guerin (75:21)

They just do that. But I think it's more of, you know, older guy with a younger guy. You know, you can, like Jared Spurgeon, so smart. He's such a good defenseman. He just, he cleans up a lot out there, like, quietly. He can really play with anybody. So I think, and he's a calming influence. So I think in having Bouilliam with him is, is a good thing. I think Bogo right now, even though he's playing on the left, will be a good influence on, on David and just kind of talking him through it and. Yeah, I think that's more of it. But I, I, I mean, I do like the one defensive one offensive. Yeah. Which one were you? I forget.

Keith Yandle (76:03)

I was, I was a little bit of the offense.

Bill Guerin (76:05)

Yeah. Yeah, okay.

Keith Yandle (76:07)

But, but you said it, like, just talking through the game, like, talking on the ice. I felt my last few years in the league, it, it kind of got a little less and less, just guys talking you through the game. But, like, Bogosians, like that. He can do it.

Bill Guerin (76:19)

Yeah, I, you know what? That's an unbelievable point, because I don't know how guys play the game without talking.

Keith Yandle (76:26)

I couldn't.

Ryan Whitney (76:26)

You need to hear stuff from your teammate and they don't.

Bill Guerin (76:30)

Like, you know, if, you know, being a winger, if the puck was coming around the wall and I was near the benches, you could hear guys just so screaming or like if somebody's come, you know, cutting across the middle or whatever and just yelling for the puck or, or just heads up, heads up or whatever. You could hear everybody. And like, now I, I, I think the guys don't, I don't know why they don't talk as much, but I don't feel like they do. And, yeah, I don't, I don't get it. Because the game's faster than ever, right? I honestly don't know. I mean, that's why I didn't wear a mouthpiece, because I couldn't talk.

Keith Yandle (77:06)

Like, I, I just, Even the refs and linesman used to talk as like a ton, helping you out, and now the young guys don't even say anything. It's something that's got to be. But you got, you have the older guys that'll help guys out, like Middleton, Bosan. Those guys will help them.

Bill Guerin (77:18)

Yeah, they'll help them out. And I think it's more just a generational thing, but I, I don't, I don't understand it. Yeah, and the rest the refs are unreal. Like, you know, back then it was, you know, and this is something we talk about a lot. We all had relationships with the referees, you know, you know, with Kerry Frazier and Billy McCreary and Dan Mayor Welly, all these guys and the linesman, you know, Mike Civic and Kevin Collins. These guys would, you know, they, they would, they would save your life. So you had to, you had to have a great relationship. But they would talk to you during the game and it was. Yeah, we had, we had. I mean, yeah, it was like a social hour out there.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (77:57)

Funny, you said, remember donor? Donor. Before the game, you'd always go to our trainer and he'd get every referee's first and last name. That way when he went up to them before the face off and said hello and used them, you know, called them by the first name, all of a sudden they're like, oh, okay, this guy remembers me, you know, maybe get a few extra calls because of it. And it just shows that kind of, that mutual respect, like you were just listing them all off. I bet you 95% of players don't know any of the refs names now.

Bill Guerin (78:21)

Yeah, I would agree with that. And I think it's a, I think it's a big mistake on the, on the, on the player's part if they don't. Because you know what? Those guys deserve respect too. They're out there. I mean, they're, they're, they're putting their, their life on the line out there, for God's sakes. I mean, the game is fast. They're. They're in it too. They're part of the league. They're part. And if you don't know their name, if you don't show them the respect and, but you know, it goes both ways too. That was a great thing about our generation, you know, you know, with the, the, the. As to the relationship with the, with the officials out there. Paul Divorce was one of the best. He was, he was unbelievable. If guys were, if guys were yapping at each other and he knew they weren't really fighters or whatever. He'd tell the linesman to back up. He was back up, back up, let him fight. And then both guys are like, what?

Ryan Whitney (79:14)

I don't want to. I want. No, no, no.

Bill Guerin (79:16)

He's like, yeah, I knew he wouldn't fight, but he was the best. Like, it was, it was classic.

Keith Yandle (79:21)

He starts fighting him.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (79:22)

Yeah.

Ryan Whitney (79:23)

I'm like, no, no, hold on.

Bill Guerin (79:24)

Wait.

Ryan Whitney (79:25)

Where are you going?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (79:26)

Donor was a pretty fiery guy. There was a few times you get in fuck you matches with him where, like, you don't.

Bill Guerin (79:31)

Yeah. Not say he would not frig you.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (79:34)

But he would end up obviously going to apologize and, like, calming down after. Was there any time you ever get. Got into it with an official to the point where you maybe had to go over to the referee's room and bring over a six back and be, sorry about that? I was a little fired up.

Bill Guerin (79:48)

Me. Yeah, yeah, all the time. All the time. I got more tense when I was, especially when I was young, you know, like, Andy Van Helmont, he'd be like, who the hell is this kid? Give him 10, go sit down for 10 minutes. Like. But then, like, yeah, I would, I would always apologize or say, hey, look, I, I, I. My emotions got the best of me. Whatever. And the, the good thing is, though, like, they would give it right back to you, right. And then they would kind of put you in your place or just kind of like, stand their ground. And then you, you would have this mutual kind of, hey, sorry, sorry. Yeah, let's, let's just move on with it. But, yeah, oh, yeah, I got my fair share of misconducts and, you know, slaps on the wrist, but, you know, they'd always. You know what I like, too, is they'd always kind of give you, like.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (80:42)

A little bit of a warning.

Bill Guerin (80:44)

Like, I remember one time we were playing in the playoffs against Anaheim. I was coming off, like, a thigh injury. I couldn't really skate. Like, I was just kind of hobbling around out there. So I was, I was trying to get guys. So I was slashing guys, like, because they were going to get around me. So I'd like two hand them, like, kind of in the arms or the, you know, the legs or whatever. And Billy McCrary skates over the bench. He's like, karen, if you don't stop swinging that goddamn stick like a samurai sword, you're going to be sitting in the box all night. I'm like, all right, sorry.

Ryan Whitney (81:19)

And then I walked the next three shifts. But, yeah, but he, but he, he.

Bill Guerin (81:24)

Gave me the warning and and, and that was it. And that a lot of that stuff happened back then. It's much different, but, you know, it was real. I mean, I like to feel like I had a good relationship with those guys.

Ryan Whitney (81:39)

I think the, the best defenseman in the league that nobody talks about. Brodine and I know he had to have off season shoulder surgery. How's it. I don't think he's playing tonight, but is he, is he on track in the next week or so to come back in the lineup? Because that guy skates like the wind. You can't beat him one on one. One of the few guys I've seen McDavid have, like, kind of a step on and all of a sudden you're like, whoa, whoa. How do, how did he just stay with him? So what's his health look like for you guys right now?

Bill Guerin (82:07)

Yeah, he's, he, he's ahead of schedule. We'll see exactly when he's playing soon. If he had more of an upside, more of an offensive side to his game, he would be a Norris candidate every year.

Ryan Whitney (82:20)

Yeah, he good.

Bill Guerin (82:22)

He is, he defends. I mean, you take the, you know, all the, the best guys we talk about every year, you know, Headman McCarr, you know, Dowdy over the years and guys like that. He defends as well or better than those guys. He does not have the offensive side to his game that they do. But as for defensive defenseman, he is, he is top five in the league for sure.

Keith Yandle (82:51)

Him and forsling for me, like the 1A, 1B, like just shut down. Guys that, they're awesome to watch.

Bill Guerin (82:57)

Yeah, they're like when you watch him in practice and you see, like, you see his feet, you see him crossing over and it's just like, it's just so natural, you know, and just. Yeah, he's, he's, he's a special player.

Ryan Whitney (83:10)

Of the 41 road games. And maybe this year is different with the Olympics and how you're going to prepare for that, but on a normal year, 41 road games. How many are you at as the GM?

Bill Guerin (83:20)

I'd probably be at 80%. 75. Yeah, 80%. I try to make as many as I can. There's always things that come up. You know, there's like GM meetings or board of governors meetings or, you know, honestly, sometimes I'll just, I'll just not go just because I might need a break from the team and the coaches and they, they might need a break from me, you know, And I think it's healthy. Like if you, if you watch your team too much without taking a break. You either, you either love them too much or you hate them too much. And I think you just gotta, you gotta do other things too. You gotta, I mean, for me personally, you have to go out and watch other teams or just sit at home one night and watch them on tv.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (84:14)

It's like being married. You gotta get on the road just a little bit.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (84:17)

Right.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (84:17)

You gotta get away from home.

Bill Guerin (84:18)

Exactly. My wife's, my wife's thrilled that the season started. She's thrilled.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (84:24)

Yeah, she's, I think we were talking to, it was, it was a gym nil and he mentioned how involved he is in the process and how much he's talking to the head coach throughout the season. Like when you're there and you're at the games, like are you going down to the coach's room after every game and kind of dissecting the performance or like, like what's your process with Hines?

Bill Guerin (84:45)

You know what I, I, I do go down. There was a time, there was a time with Dean that I wouldn't go down probably good half a season. I'd go down, get in my car and drive home. That was just working better for us. With Heinze, I go down, you know, and him and I worked for a long time together in, in Wilkes and we just kind of figured this, this out. But like for me to go down and say this wasn't good, that was good. It doesn't help. It's, there's, they're in, they're in the, they're in the foxhole with the guys. They're coaching a game, they're emotional, they need time to decompress. I go in, I just try to keep my mouth shut. If Heinz, he needs to vent, you know, I listen. If they want feedback, the, I'll give it. But I, I try to say as little as possible and then give them time to like watch the video, really assess the game. We could talk about it in the morning. I'm not always that level headed there. You know, I do have my moments.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (85:54)

Was that what resulted into the like half a season of not going down to Dean's office?

Bill Guerin (86:00)

Yes. It's, it doesn't, we, we don't, it doesn't do anything, we're not going to figure anything out. The coaches are emotional. Look at, they, they're, they're coaching the game. So they're, they're doing line matchups, they're doing, you know, throwing PK guys out there, PP guys out there figuring out six on fives or whatever, they're actually, like, coaching the game. And I'm a hundred feet up watching it as a scout.

Ryan Whitney (86:31)

And it's so easy from up there. It's crazy.

Bill Guerin (86:33)

It's so easy. It's really. For me, as a gm, I always say it's. It's a very unfair assessment of, Of a. Of a player of the play because you're. You're so far up there. It's so slow from up there. You can't see how really how hard a guy's working or like, it just. It just doesn't paint the truest picture.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (86:56)

You know, as stressful as the job is, like, what. What do you do to decompress? Like, do you go home and have a drink? Like, maybe if you take. Have you taken up yoga? Like, do you do anything outside? Maybe the norm in order to calm down? When you're fired up, you have a stress ball, you know?

Bill Guerin (87:13)

I've taken up woodworking.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (87:14)

Oh, carpentry.

Bill Guerin (87:16)

Yeah. So you can't. I can't play golf in the wintertime, so I needed something else to do. So like a year ago, I got into it and just started trying to figure stuff out. And I bought everything, like table saws, miter saws, circular saw, like, every. Like, everything. I just started making stuff, like watching YouTube videos and.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (87:37)

New Yankee workshop. I used to watch the New Yankee.

Bill Guerin (87:43)

Workshop a year ago.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (87:45)

I didn't know what a router was.

Bill Guerin (87:46)

Now I've three of them.

Ryan Whitney (87:48)

What have you made? What's up?

Keith Yandle (87:50)

Besides that sign for wit, what else have you made?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (87:53)

Yeah.

Bill Guerin (87:55)

That'S it. Just that I've. I've made like, a bunch of, like, cutting boards and you know, where you glue them together and you gotta, like.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (88:02)

Cutting board.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (88:03)

Yeah, yeah.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (88:05)

You have to make a cutting board.

Bill Guerin (88:08)

What?

Keith Yandle (88:09)

No, like.

Ryan Whitney (88:11)

They'Re not born.

Bill Guerin (88:12)

Not just a flat piece of wood.

Keith Yandle (88:14)

It's not a board.

Bill Guerin (88:15)

Like a butcher block cutting board with.

Ryan Whitney (88:17)

With the nice little part around the side that the juice will fall into. You can't. Yeah. Juice groove.

Keith Yandle (88:24)

They're not just born.

Bill Guerin (88:25)

Yeah.

Ryan Whitney (88:26)

Biz thought that the big pieces of wood just birthed another cutting board.

Bill Guerin (88:31)

Biz thinks there's. There's butcher block trees out there and you just cut them.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (88:35)

I just realized.

Ryan Whitney (88:36)

I just found out that the moon, redwoods.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (88:39)

I just. I've been learning about astrology and stuff and the solar system. Them.

Bill Guerin (88:43)

I'm gonna build myself a bat now. Just.

Ryan Whitney (88:45)

Yeah.

Bill Guerin (88:46)

Mash your microphone.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (88:47)

What would you like to build? What's your. Your ultimate goal for the season? Like, maybe like A. A chair. A stress chair. A recliner, like, army stress chair.

Bill Guerin (88:57)

I could break it over your back.

Ryan Whitney (89:01)

Gonna make an old Sherwood that he used.

Bill Guerin (89:03)

Yeah.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (89:04)

BC if the team's playing, like sticks for the boys. Bunch of wood, twigs. Yeah. Yes. We fucking spent all our money on you, Capritsov. Use these fucking things.

Bill Guerin (89:13)

I'm gonna start my own stick company. Biz. You're my first customer. What. What hand were you.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (89:20)

Trying to figure that out? Still trying to.

Ryan Whitney (89:23)

Oh, I've made, like.

Bill Guerin (89:24)

I've made, like, some tables and stuff like that, and. Yeah, it's.

Keith Yandle (89:28)

It's amazing.

Bill Guerin (89:29)

I'm trying to figure out making new.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (89:31)

New.

Bill Guerin (89:31)

A new dog bowl stand for. For my dog. It's tough.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (89:36)

I've.

Bill Guerin (89:37)

I've screwed more stuff up that. But I have, like, this whole corner of my garage that's, like, all scrap wood.

Keith Yandle (89:42)

Still got all ten fingers.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (89:44)

Yeah.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (89:44)

You're gonna shake. I was gonna say, you're gonna shake his hand next time you see him, and he's gonna be like, lyle Odaline, Chubbs Peterson.

Bill Guerin (89:53)

I want to be like Chubbs.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (89:54)

You were in Pittsburgh at the same time as him, weren't you? Or maybe you.

Bill Guerin (89:57)

No, we were in Jersey together. Or Jersey.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (89:59)

Oh, he was a good time, eh?

Bill Guerin (90:01)

Oh, my God, he was nuts. He was awesome.

Ryan Whitney (90:03)

Hey, Whit, Want to come to lunch? Yeah, sure. Next thing you know, it's 9. 45 in the same restaurant.

Bill Guerin (90:09)

Haven't eaten.

Ryan Whitney (90:09)

Haven't eaten a meal.

Bill Guerin (90:10)

Odie was like, hey, Tuesday, let's go to lunch. And you. You leave. You leave. It's Friday morning.

Ryan Whitney (90:18)

Oh, shit. We missed a game.

Bill Guerin (90:20)

He was a great teammate.

Ryan Whitney (90:21)

The best.

Bill Guerin (90:22)

My favorite Lyle Odaline story. Like, on the ice, like, him. Like, he's a great guy. And I was going through a rough time. Like, I had a holdout that year. Just came back. I was struggling. Couldn't. I mean, I couldn't freaking tie my shoes. And. And. And he knew it. And he.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (90:42)

He.

Bill Guerin (90:42)

I had, like, zero confidence. And we were playing in Florida one night, and. And he comes up to me, like, I. I don't. I don't know what the score was, whatever, but we had a face off at center ice, and. And he comes up before the face off. He taps me, and he's like, go. He goes, hey, you got to get back on the horse. I'm like, what are you talking about? He goes, go after Jovanowski. He goes, I'm coming in. I'll come in and take care of Laos if he gets involved. And I'm like, really? He Goes, yeah, you need to get back on the horse. So I'm like, all right, whatever. And we, we didn't, we didn't end up fighting. Like, I, I, I went over and there was a big, there was a scrum and stuff like that. We didn't end up fighting. But it just meant so much to me that Odie came over and thought of me at that time and said, hey, this is what you need. And I never forgot that. I never forgot that. He was good teammate.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (91:40)

That's awesome.

Ryan Whitney (91:41)

Do you like or dislike pre game skates because they're kind of going away a little bit part in your career. That was a big part of the.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (91:49)

Game that was sweating it out.

Ryan Whitney (91:51)

Would you rather have your team skate or not skate?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (91:54)

That might have been a worse question than mine back at the start of the interview.

Bill Guerin (91:57)

No, it wasn't, it was a better question than yours.

Ryan Whitney (92:00)

I'd still be talking if it was his.

Bill Guerin (92:02)

You know what, I'll tell you what. I'm here, I'm here right now talking to you guys rather than being at the morning skate.

Ryan Whitney (92:09)

There we go.

Bill Guerin (92:10)

So for me now as a gm, I went like my first year and I was watching guys and you know, I forget that, you know, it's in order for the guys to get ready for the game so they have to.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (92:21)

Do whatever they want.

Bill Guerin (92:22)

And like, I'm seeing guys missing passes and they're half sleeping and they're going through the motions and I'm like, well, no wonder I'm going to be pissed at them after the game if they don't play well. They weren't ready for the morning skate. And then I was like, all right, how, how was I in the morning skates? I probably wasn't like, you know, snapping it around all the time. So like, I can't let, I don't go and watch it because I don't want that to affect my opinion on how they play. All that matters is that you're ready at game time. Do whatever you have to do to be ready at game time. Is that go on the ice great. Is it?

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (93:01)

Stay off the ice great.

Bill Guerin (93:02)

I don't care. Do what you have to do to be ready to perform your best. At seven o' clock or quarter to nine whenever we start now, I was.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (93:10)

Going to hop in Yans and ask about the Olympics. I mean, you guys try to build a roster in order to bully Canada and that didn't work. Obviously. Canada took it home.

Ryan Whitney (93:18)

You see, we're trying to get a.

Keith Yandle (93:19)

Tan while doing this.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (93:22)

Do you Want the sunglasses.

Ryan Whitney (93:27)

Lights off at one point.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (93:28)

You have to sponsor. It's an electronic blind, so I can't just put it halfway to get some light in here. So it's either fully open. I'm going to fully close it now.

Keith Yandle (93:37)

Have the girl you had over last night hold up a sheet.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (93:43)

No, I'm celibate. I'm 48 hours, Billy. No jerking. No. Just straight winning, baby, for the Leafs. That's my. That's my dedication to the Leafs. I bleed blue now. And going back to my question, you guys try to.

Bill Guerin (93:57)

You bleed blue now? We couldn't tell. Yeah, just now.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (94:01)

But going back to my question, you guys try to bully Team Canada at the Four Nations. What's your plan of attack for the Olympic roster, and how are you going to plan on. On. On beating Canada?

Bill Guerin (94:13)

We don't even know if we're playing Canada.

Ryan Whitney (94:15)

Oh, no, we worry about ourselves, Biz.

Bill Guerin (94:17)

I'm not worried about anybody else but our team. We've got a. We've got to build the best team we can. It's. It's all about building a team. It's not just about throwing, you know, who's playing well or this or that. We are building a team, and that's really it. Like, you know, that Four nations was so awesome, like, in so many different ways. It was so great. Yeah, it's. But, you know, hey, look, there's different rules. There's half NHL refs, half European refs. They call the game differently. They. All these things we have to take into account and. But we do have to build the best team that we possibly can. And that means, like, guys buying into roles, you know, accepting, you know, every guy in that team's the first power play guy or first PK guy. If you're, you know, if you're not on the PP or you're, you know, maybe you're on the pk if you're not on either, what are you going to do? You got to play a role and accept it and embrace it and just know that that's the best thing for the team.

Keith Yandle (95:23)

Are you a part of the 96 World Cup? Which for my generation was like, I remember watching that where I was. It made me fall in love with the game, like, even more. And then with the Four nations last year in the Olympics, this year, like, it seems like that's going to be this next. Generations of kids falling in love with the game, thinking they can make it. Like, being a part of both of those for you. Must be amazing to think about that. You're still doing it.

Bill Guerin (95:48)

Yeah, it was, it's been awesome. It really has been. And it was like, you know, especially because, you know, the Chucks were in it and like it was like a flashback almost. It was crazy. Like the, the rivalry just keeps growing and growing and growing and, and yeah, it was, it's pretty cool to be part of both. You know, the one thing is, is that we, we need to win. You know, it's been, it's been a while. We need a win and you know, we've done it. You know what, we got one this year at the World Championships. You know, we've had them at the world juniors, but we need one, we need one best on best and we, we're going to have an opportunity in February and, and we'll see what we can do. You got any wit?

Ryan Whitney (96:33)

No, I, that just like f. I got the chills right now. Biz we get. We got to win one.

Keith Yandle (96:37)

Just going back to what you said about talking to the guys, accepting roles. Like, are you having the conversations with the guys? Like, hey, if you do make the team, you might be a fourth line guy. You might be. I mean, obviously every guy would do anything to be on the team, but can you tell if someone is truly like acceptance of that? Like the, you telling them something like that?

Bill Guerin (96:55)

Yeah, I don't really talk to him like that. That's more of like Sully's, that's his, that's his area. But the guys do know, you know, through, through, like the orientations and things like that. Guys know what we're looking for. You know, you take J.T. miller, you know, 100 point guy, first power play, first everything. I don't even remember if he was on our second power play for the four nations, but he was our first pk. Him and Troach were our first pk. Pair face offs, all that stuff. And you know, to, to a man, they all, they all just said, I don't care, I don't care. Put me anywhere, I'll do anything. They, they want to win. And that's, that's, that's the attitude that, that we're looking for.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (97:46)

Who was your roommate at the World cup of Hockey?

Bill Guerin (97:48)

Big wall.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (97:49)

Big Walt. Oh my God.

Keith Yandle (97:51)

Bad time to be a beer in that city.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (97:54)

Yan said he was pretty competitive in everything he did, Walt.

Bill Guerin (97:58)

Yeah, everything. Everything. He's just, he's a beauty.

Ryan Whitney (98:04)

Did you watch the Amazon Face off the new season yet?

Bill Guerin (98:07)

No.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (98:08)

Oh my.

Ryan Whitney (98:08)

They show him in the crowd during that game, the one in Montreal, and then Matthew goes with Pagel. And then like his wife's like, oh. And he's like, just wait. Saying over yet.

Bill Guerin (98:23)

Is. You know, his boys are, his boys are just amazing guys. Like, they really are. They're, you know, it's all, it's all about, it's all about the winning for them. It's all about the team. You know what they look, they produce, they, they, they make big money. They're, they're, you know, captain and assistant captain. But it's for those guys, it's all about the team. They knew, they knew exactly what they needed to do and what we needed. And you know, I know Keith and Chantel are, are. Well, Chantel raised two great kids.

Keith Yandle (98:56)

Exactly.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (98:58)

We're previewing the central, like, who are the teams that scare you the most? Like who.

Ryan Whitney (99:02)

Colorado's pretty good.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (99:04)

Yeah, they're pretty decent.

Bill Guerin (99:05)

Another brilliant question.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (99:06)

Oh, I try to get what we're doing, the central breakdown. You got to help us out here.

Ryan Whitney (99:10)

Winnipeg's got a good goalie.

Bill Guerin (99:12)

They're all good. Like, everybody's good. You know what the, the thing about the league now is? They're like, even the, you know, the so called weaker teams or teams that are rebuilding or the teams that are young, you better, you, you better be on your game. You, you have to be on your game every single night because anybody can beat anybody. So to be quite honest with you, Biz, like every, I don't want to say every team, nobody scares me, but like, I just, I know that we can beat any team in the league and any team in the league can beat us on any given night. That's just the way it is. So we roll into Colorado. Yeah, I know we can win, but I know if we're not on our best, they can win too, and vice versa. It just go like it's every night. It like game one for us tonight. Like we, we made the playoffs last year on game 82 with like 20.

Ryan Whitney (100:11)

Seconds to go, wasn't it?

Bill Guerin (100:13)

Yeah. Yeah. So tonight is a big, they're all big games. It's, it's insane, but it's what makes the league great.

Ryan Whitney (100:23)

Billy G, thank you so much. Thank you very much. You get a pregame nap in, right? You'll shutsy before the game tonight.

Bill Guerin (100:30)

Oh, hell yeah. I haven't given that up.

Ryan Whitney (100:32)

Never ever.

Bill Guerin (100:35)

Never. I will never give that up.

Ryan Whitney (100:37)

Oh, thank you very much and good luck this year.

Bill Guerin (100:39)

Thanks, fellas. Thanks for having me on again. Good to catch up.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (100:42)

Oh, thanks for coming on, brother.

Ryan Whitney (100:48)

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Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (103:33)

Hey, Biz with hands here. Tell you what, Biz would have got to where he's at right now even without me, I'll tell you that.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (103:40)

That's bullshit.

Ryan Whitney (103:42)

Not canceled.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (103:44)

Just there to support Biz and point him in the right direction. But he had a great future right from the start. But anyway, boys, I've been involved in hockey for a long time, but I feel like now, today, I've reached the pinnacle of my career. I'm on Spitting Chiclets.

Ryan Whitney (104:01)

Don't say that.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (104:02)

Does it get any better than this?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (104:04)

I would say this is the low point in coming on Spitting Chicklets. So the complete opposite of what you think. But Peter, I owe you so much, man. I, I, I would not be where I'm at right now if it wasn't for you. When I retired, I, I had the pleasure of getting to do radio with you. And I know that you'd nurtured so many guys before me. You know, Louis DeBrusk was with you, Tyson Nash, of course. And obviously those guys have gone on to do what they did. And you, you took us, you took us under your wing, buddy. And it was so such a pleasure to work with you. You brought so much great energy and preparation to, to what you did. And, and I'll never forget those days in the booth with you in, in Arizona. And man, did we have fun. We were singing in the Post games. I was saying shit on the broadcast where you'd look at me like, what the. And, and though even when I got to play there Heater, when I would come off the ice from getting bag skated from an hour because I knew I wasn't playing and maybe I was in a little bit of a grumpy mood. You'd always be there to cheer me up and, you know, ask me questions so I would feel important, like I was a part of it. So I'm so happy to have you not only on today's show, but I think that you got the raw end of the deal on when the team ended up going from Arizona to Utah, where I felt like you should have continue to do radio or even some form of media for them. So we're going to bring you on board and you're going to be around with us the Whole throughout the whole year and moving forward until somebody finally in the hockey world wakes up and rehires you to do what you do best. And that's play by play. Because from a traditional standpoint, listening to you on a broadcast, Buddy, it's.

Keith Yandle (105:40)

It's incredible.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (105:41)

You sing on there, buddy. You're. I would. I remember saying when you get off to those hot starts and they, oh, heaters singing tonight, maybe now I can.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (105:48)

Leave because I don't know how to follow that up with that great introduction there, but.

Ryan Whitney (105:52)

Well, you have some takes that you could shit on them for Heaters know that's going to happen.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (105:56)

The pleasure was all mine working with you and everybody else. I will say one thing though. You know, I appreciate your sentiments about me going on to Utah. That would have been great. But I certainly have no animosity toward the Utah people or, you know, Mike Folta, who was hired as their radio broadcaster. You know, Utah didn't owe me anything. They didn't know me from anyone and they hired a really good young guy. And Mike Fult is outstanding. So, you know, I really enjoyed the opportunity that I had had doing play by play in the NHL. Had so many great experiences, met so many wonderful people, including guys like you, Biz and Yan's and Wit. I never had really a chance to meet you, but I, I certainly appreciated watching you as a, as an opposing broadcaster and during your outstanding career. But you know, it was just a situation where it didn't work out for me. But I'm so happy that you guys have kind of throwing me a lifeline here and, and great to see you.

Ryan Whitney (106:56)

Oh, of course.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (106:57)

Well, two things can be true, right? Like Utah's done an incredible job, Peter, but I still believe that you have a voice in the hockey world and, and hey, and we're going to see that today because I talked about your over preparation and you've completely broken down the central. We probably should have had you on for the whole show because you probably know way more than what we know.

Ryan Whitney (107:16)

Well, let's ask him. Biz. Quicker. Let's ask him. Because the one thing I'm interested in is we were saying that maybe a little. I said Dallas. We all said Dallas is a very good team, but kind of maybe not as good as last year type thing. That's what we were, we were suggesting as a possibility.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (107:33)

That remains to be seen. I think. You know, they still have so much talent and you add Miko Ranson for a full season. We all saw what he did in the playoffs or Just dominant. And you know, when you have a guy like Matt Duchene who last year played a lot of third line center, get 82 points. That's a pretty deep top three lines. Now Duchenne will be without, you know, some of his, his line mates from last year, Mikhail Granlund, who's gone and it'll be a different situation for him. But you look at the top tier of forwards on that Dallas team and they're really good. And on defense, I mean, you guys talked about it. You know, you have Miro Haskin and Thomas Harley who's quickly evolving into the best defenseman in the league. And also you have Esselman, Dill, there's three guys right there that could play on top pair for pretty much any team. And you know, Jason Robertson, you go go on and on. But the one thing about Dallas is they have in a lot of people's opinion, the second best goaltender in the Central Division and that's Jay Cottinger. And it'll be interesting to see how Dallas does. You know, I kind of look at the Central and you can break it down into kind of three tiers. You know, you have the big three, Winnipeg, Dallas, Colorado, they're all fighting to get that top spot so they don't have to play each other in the first round. And then you have Minnesota, St. Louis, now Utah in the mix and the next three and they're trying to, to get into the top three or at least make the wild card. And then you have Nashville, who really underachieved last year. Who knows what they might do this year. They're kind of a wild card. And then Chicago is in rebuilding. But in answer to your question, Whit, I think Dallas is going to be right there. The only thing that might derail them is I think that they have could be as many as nine players going to the Olympics for the different countries. So if they suffer some, some injuries, it's going to be tough. But we'll see. It's going to be in my opinion, you know, Dallas, Colorado, Winnipeg again are going to be slugging it out all year. And Biz, you talked about Jamie Ben as well being out. That's a key heart and soul piece of that team that is out for several weeks with surgery after having a collapsed lung. So we'll see the, the effect in leadership and how they are different maybe on the ice without Jamie Ben Biz.

Keith Yandle (109:59)

Seems to think that Dallas is a little less scary with, with gullets in behind the bench and I tend to agree with him. On that take. And do you think, you know, having a coach like, you know, Glenn, as opposed to what the back there, like, do you think that that kind of makes them a little less fearful?

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (110:18)

Could be. But I mean, Pete DeBoer, as you guys mentioned, is one of the really successful coaches the last several years and I mean, he led the Stars to the Western Conference finals each of the three years that he was there, unfortunately losing all three times, once to Vegas and the last two years to Edmonton. So I'm not sure what went on there and why he was out. Glenn Gulletson is a guy that's maybe a little under the radar, but keep in mind he's been the assistant with Edmonton for the last seven years. So I guess they're thinking, you know, if we can't beat Edmonton, let's bring in somebody from Edmonton to try to beat him.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (110:55)

Oh yeah.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (110:56)

It's his second tour of duty as the head coach in, in Dallas back in 2011 through 13. He was their coach, wasn't as successful. He's had a lot of experience since then, so we'll have to see. But there's no question Pete DeBoer is one of the top coaches in the league.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (111:13)

I was just going to go right to Utah because obviously you saw a lot of these guys play in Phoenix. You know, what are your thoughts on them? I think a lot of expectations for them to finally get into playoffs after such a long period of not. They have probably, probably some of the best young talent in the league. So what's your opinion on where they're headed this year and how they're going to build towards making playoffs?

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (111:37)

Well, I think, you know, they've kind of been in a rebuild for a while, going back to the Arizona days, and they've been steadily getting more prospects that have entered the NHL surrounded by the veteran corps that they've had. And this could be the year for them to make the playoffs. You know, they're kind of the sexy pick in the west to make the playoffs as a wild card team. And I saw one publication that even had them breaking the top three in the Central. They certainly went out and got a lot of pieces this off season. Bill Armstrong, their general manager, filled some holes, namely offensively. They needed to get more goals. So they got J.J. peterka, I should say from Buffalo, 27 goal scorer a year ago, 28 the year before that, and as a pretty young guy, still someone who can really grow into a top goal scorer in the league. Then they got the veterans Chris Tanev or Brandon Tanv. I'm sorry. And Nate Schmidt. Schmidt, of course, coming off the Stanley cup win in Florida, kind of resurrected his career. Tanev can play, you know, third line, fourth line, good penalty killer, good defensive forward, gives them some grit and glue. And then maybe the biggest behind Paterka acquisition they made was in goal with Vitek Vanichek, a veteran goalie, once was a 33 game winner in New Jersey. And he's going to back up Karel Vaymelka, who had a tremendous season last year. But the question is, can he sustain that and can he be the, the, the top tier goaltender that, that Utah hopes and thinks that he is? If he falters a bit, you've got a guy like Vanek there, who had a tremendous preseason by the way, with, with the Mammoth to help out in that regard. But you know, when you look at Utah, certainly it starts with, with Clayton Keller and what an outstanding young man and also the way that he's been able to increase his productivity year after year after year. Biz, you and I were in Arizona together when Clayton was just a young guy and there were some doubts about him after he had a really strong rookie season. He didn't have as much success in years two and three. And there are a lot of talk about maybe moving him. What's wrong with Clayton Keller? But the, the Coyotes general manager at the time, John Chaika, made a bold move and signed kells to an eight year deal at 7.1 AAV and that's a bargain now. I mean, he's a 90 point producer, perennial 30 goal scorer, he's their captain. So I think Kells is really done well for himself and I think he can even get even better. He's been a longtime linemate with Nick Schmaltz, who is going to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. He's got certainly a lot of motivation. You know, he's had 20 goals and 50 points steadily over the last few years. So those are the two veteran guys up front, but everyone's talking about the youngsters, Dylan Gunther, Logan Cooley. I mean, you look at those guys and I wouldn't say that Gunther's shot is, is, is Ovechkin esque, but it's, it's getting close. You ever watch that kid shoot from the, the dot in the left circle? Always don't have a chance when he gets a clean shot off. It's so quick, so accurate, so explosive. You know, he, he scored last season 27 goals, I believe, and a lot of people Project him to get to, to 40 or maybe even 50 eventually. And he's just coming into his own. Also, Logan Cooley probably will end up as the best player in that 2023 draft when all said and done. And he's coming off a tremendous season, I should say maybe the 22 draft. I think he was drafted in 22, third overall. But you know, he was outstanding last year in his second full NHL campaign, he had 65 points over 20 goals. And then he went and played for Team USA in the World Championships and had 12 points in that tournament. He was teammates with Keller on that team. And I think that Logan Cooley is going to become one of the elite centers in the NHL. Those two guys are going to get better and better. Cooley, in fact, you know, is going to be a restricted free agent after this season. And I know that the Coyotes obviously reached out to him. Coyotes. Listen to me.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (116:22)

That's okay, buddy.

Ryan Whitney (116:23)

Nostalgia biz loves that Heater.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (116:25)

Oh yeah, I got hurt.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (116:27)

I told myself I was not going to do that today. But there we go. The old roots resurfaced. But the Mammoth, I'm sure reached out to him and we're trying to get him resigned. There's rumors that he turned down an eight year deal this summer to kind of bet on himself. So that'll be an intriguing thing to watch this year, you know, will the Coyote or the Mammoth and Cooley get a big contract extension done by the end of this season?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (116:54)

I think, I think that'll happen soon. I think it's notorious where Armstrong, the initial offer, it's not accepted. I think it even happened with a few other guys where they end up getting. I think he should be in the 10 and a half range for what people think his projections are. They need to lock him up to an eight year deal because like I agree with you, Heater, I think he's going to be one of the best centers in the league come a few years from now. He's a fucking horse out there and he's already showing signs of it. So what an incredible breakdown. Now I got to ask you about their, their quickly.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (117:25)

He.

Ryan Whitney (117:26)

He turned down apparently 8 times 9.6. So yeah, just to have that out there. Kind of crazy.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (117:33)

That's a lot of dough.

Ryan Whitney (117:35)

I know, I know.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (117:36)

You mentioned bringing in Schmidt experience. Win the Stanley Cup. They also have Sergachev on the back end. Stanley Cup. How do you feel about their defense? Like in offense, they got a lot of young guns mixed in with the chemistry of schmaltz and Keller, J.J. paterka, now there. How do you feel about their defense?

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (117:54)

I think it's getting stronger, you know, and last year, Sergachev really had a tremendous season and became the leader on D and played in all situations. And he's definitely their number one defenseman. They have Sean Dersey and John Marino, who both started last season injured, and so they didn't come back until I think it was maybe in November. And so with those guys healthy and ready to go to start this year, along with Olimara, who they picked up from Detroit last year, and he played really well for the rest of the season with Utah and certainly Schmidt. And then there's a young guy that a lot of people are not really familiar with, but he was their first round draft pick in 20, 23, 6 overall. Dmitry Simishev.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (118:45)

The Rushki. Yes, that was an off the board pick. Everybody was like, who's that?

Ryan Whitney (118:50)

Yeah. And heater. It was in, it was at the sphere, I believe that was the draft in Vegas we were at. And I'd been told like, this kid is one of the best skating defensemen in the whole draft, and he's six. Six. Then I went and looked at a bunch of highlights that this guy had sent me where he's, he was crushing people as well in the khl. So, like, there's talk that you could have a true number one in a few years on your hand. So I, I was glad you brought him up.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (119:15)

Yes, he, he made the team. He had an outstanding training camp, was maybe their best defenseman in a lot of the preseason games. At age 20, he's already played five pro seasons in Russia with Yaroslavl, and he's ready to play. At least they can, they can look at him for, for at least a time to start the season and see how that goes when the regular season starts. But he was very good in the preseason, as you said, Whit. He can really skate. He's very physical, defends well and has a big shot. And, you know, it's an interesting story about that draft. Russia, of course, had, you know, invaded Ukraine at that point. So a lot of the scouts did not go to Russia to, to see players live. But it turned out that Simyshev and his locomotive teammate, Daniil Boot, were playing in a tournament outside of Russia. I don't remember what country it was, but Bill Armstrong and his scouts went over there and they're able to see those two players live. And they ended up drafting semishev at number six in that draft. And then at number 12 boot who's a really big power forward type with speed. He had a decent training camp as well as both of them. Came over from Russia this year, first year in North America and he was sent to Tucson. But it's only a matter of time I think before he comes up as well. So they, they kind of got those two Russians under the radar and we'll see where it goes. But certainly Simischev is predicted to be a really, really good defenseman.

Ryan Whitney (120:55)

You mentioned Sean Dersey and, and Gamer. I remember last year like he, he went out with the shoulder, he came back and it's really hard to just hop back in mid season coming off surgery, the pace of the game and maybe wasn't himself. If he can get back to that level that he, that he, that you've seen from him. And there were times in like it was la, you're like this guy's incredible and if he has a huge year and then Shimashev's playing well, you know Sergachev, you know what you're getting from him. I, I actually have them in, I have them getting in this year. I, I, I'm picking St. Louis to miss. That's kind of my flip flop in the Central and in the Western Conference. But I like this team a lot and what's most exciting for me with this team is they're fun to watch play. It's not like a team where you're kind of like, like I said, Dallas is fun to watch and, and I, I almost misspoke a little bit because they at times could kind of clog it up and be a little boring. Utah with Cooley and Keller and now Paterka. I think it's a team that like every time you're tuning in, they may give up a lot of goals, but they're going to score a lot as well. So I don't know Biz, do you have a man or are you still kind of. Not yet.

Bill Guerin (122:05)

Holy.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (122:05)

F to the double wrist or that heater. Just gave my own. It'd be hard not to. Holy. You got my mind in a pretzel right now, Bob.

Keith Yandle (122:14)

They're winning the cup.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (122:15)

I'm gonna have them in. I'm gonna have them in because I said that I don't think Dallas was going to be in the top three in the Central. So I'm gonna. You said that some people might even have them in that top three and then making a move. So Peter, I'm gonna say that they make playoffs. You got me into it.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (122:29)

I'm with you, Peter.

Keith Yandle (122:30)

Do you think that, do you think that the pressure in Utah right now is playoffs or bust? Like I know year or two there. Ryan Smith obviously has put a ton of money into the team and wants the best for them. But like, do you think that this is a season where they need to get in or there's going to be changes or it's one of those things where they, they still need a few more years of Runway.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (122:51)

I think that they still have a couple more years of, of Runway, at least one more. I mean, I think they're expected to, you know, really improve a bit this year and, and be a strong contender to either get in or get to the cusp. They had a 12 point improvement last season from their final year in Arizona. So the improvement was there. And with the additions made in the off season and certainly with the core that they have, there are expectations for them to get to the playoffs. I don't think that at this point it's a time where, you know, it's playoff or bust, but it's a situation where definitely the pressure is starting to get on them because they're, I think they're ready after a long rebuild and you know, getting back to Simishev. One thing Andre Turney, the head coach likes to do is play 7D and 11 forwards the worst. That's the way they're going to start the season. I think they'll play that way when they open the season against the Aves and it's twofold. Number one, you know, he gets an opportunity to play that extra D and in this case get the youngster Semichev involved with the veteran D that are out there. And also it allows, you know, his top forwards to get extra shifts to play. You know, if you have only 11 forwards, obviously you guys know then who's ever going hot, whether it's Keller or Cooley or Gunther or Schmaltz at that time, then they get extra shifts and so it's a, it's, you know, something employed by several coaches over the years. But Andre Turney likes to do that a lot and I think you'll see that. To start the season, seven defensemen and 11 forwards for the Mammoth. I love that, Keith.

Ryan Whitney (124:39)

You got him in or out?

Keith Yandle (124:40)

I got him in just because Heaters got him in.

Bill Guerin (124:42)

Wow.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (124:43)

This should get you on the payroll. Jesus Christ. Ryan Smith better send you the fucking jet. What he should be doing. Holy.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (124:50)

I'm going to say that they're in. If Karel Van Elka can, can play anywhere near like he did last year, you know, and, and in Arizona he was, he was very kind of inconsistent. Last year was his best year. Earned himself a new five year deal and we'll see. I think that when he's on, he can be among the best goalies certainly in the, in the division, in the conference. But that's why Vanichek I think will be very important if, if there's a little bit of a stumble there. Veg didn't have a great preseason numbers wise. Obviously you can't, you know, really put much on on the preseason and there are different players in there, so a lot of different scoring chances and whatnot. But interesting to see how things will go for him when the regular season starts. But yes, I'm going to say that they're going to get in. I don't know who they're going to replace. I mean, you look at all these teams. Minnesota I think is going to be better because of Caprizov coming back and Erickson ek, I mean they can only get more offense with those guys healthy. And you know, St. Louis, you know, they made it last year with that great run down the stretch. So. I don't know. I mean.

Ryan Whitney (126:09)

Well, I think it's clear that I think it's very similar to where all of us have five in the Atlantic getting in and three from the metro and I think it'll be five from the Central and three from the Pacific. So yeah, I kind of have St. Louis out, Utah coming in, but we can shoot over to another city right now. And I guess the exact opposite of where Utah is at is where Nashville's at in my mind. You know, Utah has so many young guys that are on the cusp of like reaching their prime and, and the future is so bright and you get to Nashville and all of us are sitting here last year talking about Stamp coast coming over and talking about Marshall show and they could win the division and it was an absolute disaster. And now it's kind of like going into this season, like, I don't, I don't see a ton of change. I love Philippe Forsberg. I love Roman Yossi. UC Sorrows can be great at times, but I think we're looking at the beginning of a, of a rebuild in Nashville. And again, I can't even say it's the beginning because it kind of all started last year, I guess excitement wise for young players. This kid, Brady Martin, he's going to start the year with the team. He was drafted this summer. Heater, you want to kind of give your thoughts on Nashville. And if you maybe disagree with my thought that they're, they're kind of on the way down, it seems.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (127:27)

Well, certainly if you go by last year, they, they are. And all of those players that you talked about, you know, have had great careers. You know, you can add Brady Shea in there. He was a free agent signee last, last summer. So everyone was picking Nashville to, to really elevate and become a strong contender in the division and maybe even in the Western Conference. But, you know, unfortunately, they just crashed and burned. I mean, Stamcos, March all had, you know, down seasons as far as the great Steed in stamcoast goes. Got 53 points last year and it dropped from 81 in his final year in Tampa. And it was the lowest healthy point total that he had had since he was a Rookie back in 809. Even Philip Forsberg, you know, who's just an elite forward, he saw an 18 point drop in his production last year, March or so as well. He was down from 81 points or 69 points rather to 56. And everybody across the board had had tough years. Maybe the biggest thing that hurt them was without Roman Yossi. You know, Roman Yossi was injured, not really injured, but he was ill for the second half of the season and didn't play after February 25th with a condition called Potts disease. You guys know what that is? No, no, It's a, a disease where when you go from laying down to standing up, all of a sudden your heart rate kind of excels and you get dizzy and really have the feeling of. Of falling down and you kind of got hit into the boards, I think against Florida. And I'm not sure it was either Bennett maybe.

Ryan Whitney (129:21)

Oh, shocker.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (129:22)

And after that he developed this POTS disease and it really wiped him out for the rest of the year. And obviously without their captain and their great offensive defenseman and point man on the power play and you can go on and on, that was another dagger. Now, they were already out of it by that time, but still, you know, without Yossi, it was a big, a big hole in the, in the national lineup. I'm told that he's feeling better back to almost 100% and he's going to start the year.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (129:54)

That's terrible. I usually get that heater, but it's from ripping the bong. That's fucking Sam the Bennett menace.

Bill Guerin (130:02)

Jesus.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (130:05)

Anyway, but you know, you talked about some of the younger guys coming in. They're their D, you know, on the other side of Yossi and Shay. Besides Those guys, they've got some different defensemen in there, guys that you really wouldn't know as household names.

Ryan Whitney (130:23)

There's some names here nobody knows.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (130:26)

And you know what's amazing is Nashville fans are going to love this because you're doing such a nice job of basically telling them their team being nice and they ain't going to make playoffs and they're going to be probably drafting.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (130:37)

Gavin McKenna, guys like Nick Blankenberg, Spencer Stasney, Adam Willsby, you know, they're, they're to be on defense to start the season. They traded for Nick Hague in the off season from Vegas and they'd be. Yeah, Yoshi's partner, but he's out. He's going to be out for a couple of weeks, I think. And you talked about the rookie Brady Martin Witt. He was picked fifth overall in the draft and he's going to start the year. You'll get that nine game trial as, as an 18 year old. And I saw the other day on online where he was right now centering their top line. Yeah, that we'll have to see about him. But there's another rookie forward that was lighting it up in the preseason before he got hurt. His name was Matthew Wood and he was their first round pick, 15th overall in 2023. Big guy 64202 and he's out of the University of Minnesota. He had goal and four assists in two games in the preseason and he got injured and I'm sure when he comes back, he'll fit into that lineup as well. So those two young forwards are going to be infused in and certainly will be a big part of Nashville's future. But you know, as far as the Preds go, also another guy who had a bad season last year, at least not up to his par, was UC Sorrow, sir goaltender. So I mean it's kind of a mixed bag and they're kind of a wild card because you know, they could move into that rebuilding phase or if all those vets rebound. Yeah, maybe they can push themselves up a little higher. I'm not sure.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (132:21)

But that's a proud group, man. You got Ryan O'Reilly got a, he's got a Con Smythe. You got Stam coast. You got Marcho. Yeah, you got some Stanley cup champions who are, who are very proud people. So maybe that with kind of like the Motley Crew, they, they figure things out under, under the, the new regime there.

Keith Yandle (132:41)

I, I heard that they changed their D zone coverage so Soros can see more pucks. Obviously being a smaller guy, I Think last year there was too many guys in front of the net where he couldn't see. So be interested to see what they do to kind of whether they're boxing out earlier, trying to get guys in the corner, but they needed to make changes. When you have a smaller goalie like that, too, you can't have guys in front of the net, like making screens, two, three guys, where he's not seeing over too many guys. So it will be interesting to see how that works out for them. I don't have them in.

Ryan Whitney (133:11)

Do you guys?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (133:12)

No, I do not have them in. I am curious to know, though, what are those birds behind the. Or above the bed there? Are those, like, seagulls? Are those.

Keith Yandle (133:21)

No, no, no. Let them guess. Let them guess. Turtle dogs.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (133:24)

Seagulls. I'm still at. I'm still at our summer place in Michigan, and this is our. Our guest room. And we've got nice little wooden seagulls on the wall because we're right on the coast.

Ryan Whitney (133:38)

And did Billy Garon make those for you?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (133:41)

Are they made of wood?

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (133:42)

Yes, they are.

Keith Yandle (133:43)

No, they're real life. They're stuffed.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (133:45)

Did Billy Guerin make them?

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (133:48)

I don't know. I don't think so, but he might.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (133:50)

Well, he's a big. He's a big woodworker now. He's making cutting.

Keith Yandle (133:54)

Geppetto Garon.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (133:56)

Yeah. I didn't even know that was a thing.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (133:58)

I don't know that wooden seagulls are in his repertoire of wooden.

Ryan Whitney (134:04)

Peter, what part of Michigan are you in?

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (134:07)

I'm actually a little town called Grand Haven on the west side. It's right by Muskegon.

Ryan Whitney (134:13)

Okay.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (134:14)

That's where Heater got his start, right? The Muskegon Lumberjacks.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (134:18)

I'm from Muskegon. It's on the west side of Michigan. You know, I'll do what every Michigan person does. Detroit's over here. We're over here on this side.

Ryan Whitney (134:27)

Okay.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (134:28)

This is a place where my wife and I grew up, and we love to come here and see family and have great weather in the summer. And then, you know, we go back to AZ usually for the hockey season, but last year and this year, it'll be kind of beat as snowbirds. Anyway, it's a good spot. And, you know, the Muskegon team had a. Had a pro hockey club for years and years and years. And now, of course, they're in the ushl, and they won the championship last year. So Muskegon Lumberjacks. And they had several guys drafted over the course of the last Few years, and they become a real powerhouse in the ushl. But anyway, getting back to Nashville.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (135:07)

Well, no, no, I want. Going back to Muskegon. I want you to tell everybody, Heater. How hardcore you were. Heater's a foxhole guy. Tell him everything that you had to do when you started out in your. In your broadcasting career, when you were working with the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (135:20)

Well, and, you know, this isn't just, you know, different for me. I mean, this is really what a lot of young guys had to do, especially back in the 1980s. Now they're now even my elite teams have bigger offices and bigger budgets and whatever. It's more specialized. But back in the mid-80s, when I broke in, you know, I was the broadcaster, the PR director, did community relations, made up the program, made up the media guy, drove the bus, even some sales, until they found out I wasn't good at that, so I didn't have to do that one. But it was great. It's a great learning ground. However, you know, and, you know, you guys have played in the minors, and, you know, how you kind of become a family, you know, as a minor league team galvanizes together. The NHL is wonderful, but, you know, it's more of a business. There's no question about that. Back then, I was the same age as the players, so I had a lot of great relationships with them and did a lot of things socially with them. But it was a situation where, you know, we would go on the bus. It was all a bus travel until Salt Lake City came into the league, and then some of the other western towns, and then we would fly. But otherwise, it was a Midwest bus league. And so we would get home at maybe 1, 2 in the morning and have a home game the next night. So then I'd not go home, but stay in there and do the game notes and then go home, catch a few hours of sleep, and then come back. And a lot of times also, as you guys know, in the minors, you play three games, and in three days.

Keith Yandle (136:57)

Oh, yeah. And you're not making a ton of money.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (136:59)

No, no, that was. It was more of an experience. In fact, I'll tell you, my first year, 1984, coming out of Michigan State University, I made $9,600 plus. Plus commissions on sales. And I told you I was a very good salesman.

Keith Yandle (137:18)

You owed money.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (137:19)

You're not pushing.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (137:20)

I had to live at home that year because I wouldn't have made it otherwise. And we got the meal money back then was $5 if you, if you left after 12 noon or something, or if you left before noon, you got seven. And so it was stopping at McDonald's and those places. So there. Things have changed a lot since then and. And the ihl, you know, soon soon became the. The. The top farm system or top farm teams, I should say, along with the AHL for many NHL clubs. And the Lumberjacks were fortunate to get involved with the Pittsburgh Penguins before their first back to back championships. And so we had so many great players come through there. You know, hall of Famer Mark Reccky, Kevin Stevens, Jimmy Pack, Frank Pietrangelo, their goaltender behind Tom Barrasso, who had a lot of playoff success in those cup years, and several other guys that cut their teeth in Muskegon. And then we had some of the best minor pro free agents in really IHL history. Guys like Dave Michael Scott Gruel and Jock Callender. And together that team was able to go to the finals six times in the eight years that I was there. Wow. Won two Turner Cups. And the owner, Larry Gordon, had a deal where if the team just made the finals every year, didn't have to win the cup, just made the finals, then he would take everybody on a trip and went on a few cruises, went to Hawaii, Jamaica, so much of Mexico.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (139:04)

You told me a funny story about it. Was it the Christmas party or something? Or.

Keith Yandle (139:09)

Or they're like, peter, you can come, but you got to clean all the rooms when the guys are exactly. Drive the ship more jobs than Mr. Clean.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (139:20)

Captain Heater.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (139:23)

I don't know how we got on this track here, because we were talking about.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (139:25)

Because I want people to know a bit of your history, Heater, and how like, you know, nothing was given to you. You earned everything you got. And like, you started out like you were basically the guy starting out scrubbing toilets to get where you are and you're so knowledgeable and you have an incredible story. And I remember just, you know, talking to you on the plane and hearing about how you, you came up and you, you. I remember you telling me the story. The owner was. He loved the team, right. He was very committed and he's so passionate. Where did, didn't he cancel the Christmas party one year because you guys lost three games in a row or something.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (139:58)

It was a little bit different than that. Oh, and Larry Gordon was a really good hockey man. In fact, you know, he was a GM in the early days of the Edmonton Oilers. In fact, I think he signed Gretz's first contract or he signed Gretz to his first Contract in Edmonton. You can check with that on that bis when you see him again.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (140:20)

We don't do much fact checking around here.

Keith Yandle (140:22)

Let it fly.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (140:24)

And I think. I think I asked Wade about that one time when he was with the Coyotes, and he said that was true. But anyway, so Larry Gordon had a long history in hockey. Wha. You know, the NHL, Oilers, and then he got into owning minor pro teams. And he was a real shrewd businessman, you could say. Other guys would say that maybe he was kind of cheap, but he could.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (140:51)

Squeeze a nickel so tight, the Beaveril shit he was.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (140:55)

He could. And I always got along with Larry. You know, he was good to me, and he, you know, helped me to get into pro hockey. After I came out of college, he gave me a job, a hometown guy. I think he thought that I was going to be able to help Fales. But again, that didn't work out. But anyway, one year at the Christmas party. Every year we'd have this Christmas party. And, you know, he would invite all the players and the staff and their significant others and all the office officials, and he would give everybody a gift. You know, sometimes it was lumberjack sweaters, sometimes it was gift certificates to other places.

Ryan Whitney (141:33)

A mop.

Keith Yandle (141:34)

Yeah, for me, they made Heater be Santa.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (141:37)

But anyway, so this one. And then every year he'd always announce that, okay, if you guys make the finals this year, we're going on a cruise, or this year we're going to Mazatlan, or something like that. So then it's time this one year for the players to give him his gift. Right? And they gave him a gift certificate from somewhere back in the mid-80s. You know, gift certificates were really not in vogue. He kind of wanted a regular gift, and you could kind of see on his face that he wasn't real pleased with that. But the party went on and, you know, so I left and went home. And obviously many more people stayed. And I think a lot of drinking was done and a lot of fun has been had. And so all of a sudden I'm home and I'm in bed. And this was before, you know, this was before caller ID, even answering machines. It's like 2 in the morning, and all of a sudden the phone rings next to my bed. And, you know, there was no answering machine. So if I didn't get it, it would just ring and ring and ring and ring. So I pick it up and it's my boss, the owner, Larry. And I go, hello? And he says, they called me Hockey Bob back then. He says, Hockey Bob. It's Larry. I say, yeah, Larry, what's going on? It's the middle of the night. He goes, I want you to do something for me. You go in first thing in the morning, and I want you to put all of our ungrateful Blankety Banks players on waivers. Seriously?

Ryan Whitney (143:13)

The whole team?

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (143:14)

Yes. And I go, seriously? And he goes, yes. He goes. And I said, you know, even. Even Boris and Jock, meaning, you know, Dave Michaelic and Jock Calendar, the two great players, kind of the staple of the franchise. He goes, everybody, he says, they're ungrateful. And he goes. And I'll tell you one other thing. What's that, Larry? If you don't do it, you're fired. So needless to say, even though I knew that he was smashed at the time, still there was that threat there that if I didn't do this, I was going to lose my job. And my job was everything to me. I was a young guy in my 20s. I had to have that job. So I didn't sleep the rest of the night. I get up, go in early in the morning. Luckily, our coach, Ricky Lee was there, and I said, ricky, I said, you know, Larry called me in the middle of the night after the Christmas party, and he was really, really upset, and he told me I had to come in today and put everyone on waivers. He says, what?

Keith Yandle (144:17)

Me too.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (144:19)

He said, did you do that? And I go, no, no, I didn't do it. I wanted to certainly talk with you first. And he goes, please. He says, get away from. Back then, it was a fax machine. Get away from that fax machine. I'll handle this. And, you know, he must have handled it with Larry. And I never heard anything more about it. Like, nothing was ever said to me about doing that. And obviously it was. It was an act. After many drinks were had and, you know, Mr. Gordon was not thinking straight at that point, but he was upset.

Keith Yandle (144:52)

And I think he's. I think he's right. If you get.

Ryan Whitney (144:54)

If I get a gift card, you're.

Keith Yandle (144:55)

A piece of trash.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (144:57)

That's how we pay ants.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (144:59)

I don't.

Ryan Whitney (145:01)

In cruise gift cards.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (145:04)

That's how you pay Yance.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (145:05)

I get them. I get them gift cards to the spit and Chiclets merch shop.

Keith Yandle (145:09)

Yeah, I got this.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (145:10)

Yeah, I'm still waiting for some spitting Chiclets swag.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (145:13)

You're gonna get more than that, buddy. You might be a full time. You're gonna be making shirts. Yeah, yeah. You're actually. Actually, Yan's. You're fired. We're hiring Heater instead.

Keith Yandle (145:23)

Yeah. Oh, here's your gift card.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (145:25)

But.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (145:25)

But anyway, you know, I don't want to disparage Larry Gordon again. I'll always be grateful for him giving me my first opportunity in pro hockey, and he really knew how to build a successful minor pro team, and, you know, just a good. A good person to me. But, you know, when he. He was upset that night, and he made a request that I had never, ever heard in my life to put the whole team on waivers. But thankfully, a cooler heads prevailed, and that never happened.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (145:56)

Well, Heater, you know, we bought an ECHL team, so I hope you players heard that we're part of the ownership group. If I get a gift card for Christmas. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Keith Yandle (146:06)

Get the fact you're sleeping at the.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (146:08)

Cockroach in the rest of the. You're eating soggy subs. You'll be at the Olive Garden pregame with your breadsticks.

Ryan Whitney (146:14)

Big Olive Garden's good, though.

Keith Yandle (146:16)

Oh, yeah.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (146:16)

But I think, you know, in retrospect, certainly the. The gift card was not. Was the thing that started it, but I think as the night went on after I had left, I think maybe there were some other things that were said or done that upset him as well. But the gift card started it off, that's for sure.

Bill Guerin (146:35)

Oh, my God.

Ryan Whitney (146:36)

That's fun.

Keith Yandle (146:37)

Incredible story.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (146:37)

We gotta obviously get back to breaking down the Central. Do you want to go to the shitbag Blackhawks?

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (146:45)

I'm on the show for the first time. I'm already producing and interrupting you guys and.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (146:50)

No, that's good.

Ryan Whitney (146:51)

No, you're not.

Keith Yandle (146:52)

Do it all.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (146:52)

Gonna regret having me on?

Ryan Whitney (146:54)

No, but we got. We gotta get to Chicago.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (146:56)

Well, he wants one more thing on Nashville. What'd you want to say?

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (146:59)

Just saying that, you know, all those veteran guys that had tough years last year, people say, well, let's move on and do a total rebuild. But you look at, you know, Stamkos is 35. He'll be 36 in February, and he's got an 8 million AAV for the next three more seasons. March or so has a 5.5AAV for the next four seasons. And, you know, Shay has a 7.0 AAV for the next four seasons. So, I mean, they're kind of locked in with those players. And, you know, maybe if Nashville has another bad year and toward the trade deadline, teams that feel that those outstanding players can put them over the top, you know, might go for. For more term, but it's not like they're impending free agents. You Know what I'm saying?

Ryan Whitney (147:54)

Yeah. And I think that what'll hurt Nashville if they ever do want to deal those guys is, is the changes to the rules of the salary, eating right where you can't. You can't just take half off and that, that's going to change the ability to move bigger contracts. But going to Chicago, I not. Not much expectations. I think that that's. That's kind of obvious, but I think I was excited to watch them the other night versus Florida and I. The. The biggest takeaway was Frank Nazar and a lot of people talked about the deal he got. Then you heard Ed's Obiz. You. I don't know if you heard him during the broadcast of Vegas LA saying, like, he was the best player on the ice all night. He looked great. I thought Bedard looked really good, Looked a little quicker. A lot of people were talking about his speed burst. Now, one guy I do love that we got to see at the end of last year after his season in Minnesota is this D man, Sam Renzel. And Biz, I just had a little thing to mention to you. Little fun fact about Sam renzel played over 25 minutes. I saw this tweet in the first game of the year. He was drafted 25th overall in 2022. The pick that he was taken with Biz, it actually belonged to the Toronto Maple Leafs. They moved it to get rid of the Morazic contract.

Bill Guerin (149:17)

Oh, that.

Ryan Whitney (149:18)

That's gotta hurt.

Bill Guerin (149:19)

Just.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (149:19)

Oh, I appreciate you doing that research. Look at you. Who you think you are, Bob Heathos? No, I just.

Ryan Whitney (149:28)

Like, oh, Renzel could be on Toronto in some different universe.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (149:31)

But did you know that he did a chicklet you with. With Granelli and Fishy as well?

Ryan Whitney (149:37)

I did. I forgot that.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (149:39)

You're right.

Bill Guerin (149:39)

Oh, yeah.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (149:40)

Show some respect to your producer. How about that?

Ryan Whitney (149:42)

Okay, Fair enough. Fair enough. He skates like the wind now. I think he looks better than Lashunov, maybe a little bit older. They need both of those guys to have big years to see, like, all right, we got. We got a one two here. In the future, they need Bedard to take another step. They need Naz, Frank Nazar to do what he kind of did throughout the season in Game 1, what he did in Game 1 after that, it's rebuild city. This is going to continue. I think they're going to finish last in the division again. I'd love to know what chief at Barstool, the resident Blackhawks fan of Barstool, thinks, but heater Yance Biz, whoever wants to Take it. What are your thoughts on this team?

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (150:20)

I'm basically the same wit. I mean, they're definitely in the middle of a rebuild. Their expectations this year are to, you know, try to improve, you know, just try to improve in terms of, you know, some wins, some points and most importantly, you know, get their, their young guys, the core young guys, to, to improve as well on the ice and, and have them move along in their progression to be elite players. You mentioned Renzel. I was going to talk about him. You know, he's a tremendous player coming out of the University of Minnesota. Some people even think that he can maybe even contend for the colder this year. And six, four, you know, 195 and a guy as you said, played a whole lot of minutes the other night in South Florida and didn't look out of place. Levshunov also is a guy that they hope can really blossom in his second season in the pro ranks. First full season in the NHL. You know, he was second overall pick in 2024. Other guy they like on defense is Alex Vlasic. And he didn't play the other night because he started the season with a bit of an injury. But I think it's day to day. It's not going to be too serious. But he's a fellow BU guy, Whit, and he's a good player. And certainly Frank Nazer, I mean he, he was, was outstanding in that first game. He had a goal and an assist. Right now they're, they're splitting up. Bedard and Nayser Nays are playing the second line center. And he really, you know, broke in last year in 53 games. He had 26 points. And then much like Logan Cooley, he had a tremendous World Championship tournament. 6 goals, 12 points in 10 games. He signed that 7 year contract extension at 6.6. Then in the preseason, you know, he led Chicago with four goals and five points. And he's just a player that right now is really hot and someone that I think is really going to break out for them and many have. Connor. Bernard, your thoughts about, about Connor? I mean, a lot of people feel that, that maybe he's underachieved in his first two years. Although, you know, his numbers have been pretty good. He won the Calder two seasons ago. But you know, obviously they expect more from him. They traded for, for Andre Burakovsky, you know, the veteran to, to play on, on his line. I think Ryan Donato, who had 31 goals last year, might be the, the other winger with him. So it's a situation where they Want Bedard to elevate his game and the other young guys kind of grow with him. And another player you guys probably have heard of is Colton Doc, six four, right around £200. Yeah.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (153:11)

Kirby's brother, right?

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (153:12)

Yeah. Very, very physical player. In fact, for a while they were playing him with Bedard and Burakovsky to maybe give them some room the other night. So it'll be a situation where, you know, the Hawks are definitely in rebuild. You're just trying to get these young guys to move along. They've, they've kind of circulated some, some veteran players around them to help them out. And also in goal, I think they, they have a more a stable goaltender situation with Spencer Knight, you know, the former Florida first rounder that didn't pan out there, but they acquired him late last season and he's maybe going to keep them in some more games. But it'll be another long year in Chicago. Everyone thinks. But the Hawks from internally just hope that they can continue their forward progression quickly.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (154:05)

Just like, I mean, what do you think about Bedard?

Ryan Whitney (154:07)

I think that this year is, is, is enormous. That's kind of a quite obvious statement. I love the player. Right. I, I as of right now, two years in, I think the McDavid, you know, comparisons that you kind of heard which based on his numbers in juniors, I get it like, but as of right now, like that's not even like close in my mind. And I, I think being that undersized, like you have to be so quick and it does seem like he's gotten faster. Saw Kevin Weeks mentioning that like that that's enormous. If that kid has gained a little, a little bit more of a step, that's only going to help him. His shot is world class. But in terms of like a first line center, in terms of creating and I don't know now maybe that's unfair because he, he doesn't have a ton to play with. Right. He doesn't have another stud with him. That is why I think Chicago fans watching Demidov and it's only going to get worse. Like you could have had him, especially if Lashunov is taking longer, defense would take longer. But I think Connor Bedard can be an absolute star in this league. But this year, like if it's similar to the, to last season where there's just times maybe the body language isn't great. There's just some things there that I think are kind of question marks and his skill isn't a question mark. His shot and his goal scoring ability isn't a question mark. It's more like a true number one center defensively winning face offs. Yeah. Like all the little things where as, as a, as an undersized guy, it's only going to get a, you know, more difficult for him. Love the player generational talent. True number one center on a Stanley cup winning team. I got questions there.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (155:56)

That's fair. Heater. I kind of, I kind of look at it like when you're talking about Kels, you know, he had the, a great rookie year. I think that like you know, expectations coming he went to Calder. I mean I think he lived up to the expectation of being a first overall pick. I think obviously regression in your in the second year based on what the expectations were. But ultimately like, like you know, maybe Kel's. He was kind of missing that, that pop. Right. He didn't have that, that, that like quick speed burst. But ultimately he put in the work and he was dedicated to his craft. Not only mentally, physically, like his diet and I just feel like Bedard's that same way where not all these kids are going to be like the Austin Matthews and physically gifted like the, the Connor McDavid's where I feel like it's just going to take a little bit more time and it's hard when you, when you get those comparisons where I feel with the work that he is putting in away from the rink that eventually he will catch up to the speed and will maybe have that little bit of separation because as an undersized guy, if you don't have that separation speed, especially like as a centerman, you're probably eventually going to have to move to the wing. Yes, like that, that and I don't know how stubborn he or the organization, whoever is being about that, but I also view it, I'm okay with it, especially with where the organization, the team is at. Give them three, four years at that position to learn and go through those, those, those growing pains where at a certain point if he isn't accelerating at the pace which he should be, maybe then try him on the wing for, for a 20, 30 game segment to see how it pans out. Because I think when he gets in the offensive zone he has that creativity, he has the vision, he's unbelievable offensively. I just think like, like you guys mentioned a lot of those intangibles and those details to his game are lacking like they would for any kid who's in even his third year.

Keith Yandle (157:59)

But yeah, he's 20 years old.

Ryan Whitney (158:01)

Okay, well that's, that's what I was going to bring up is that right now, through 70 games for this guy and 150ish games for Bedard, like, I look at Macklin Celebrini as a better overall hockey player. That is no like, knock on Bedard really. But. But I'm. You're talking about like, the details and the defensive and like the battle. I see Celebrini as someone like, all right, that's a guy I could more picture playing playoff hockey, like leading a team at both ends. So I've actually thought before, like, oh, God, Bedard as a winger with a. With a really good centerman. Then I'm like, okay, now you're like cooking with gas. I guess you brought up. And I didn't even mention, like, I don't. I just don't know about him being a center. And maybe I'm crazy, but I just look at like the goal scoring ability and in the offensive zone being like, this is unbelievable watching this kid. But on the other side of it, you need to be a number one center and play defense and win face offs, as Keith said. So. And he could do it. Maybe this year it's completely different story. And I, I wouldn't be surprised.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (159:06)

He definitely looks faster.

Keith Yandle (159:07)

Wouldn't you want to be a winger?

Ryan Whitney (159:09)

I think, I think business makes a good point that you're like your whole life, you grow up playing center, you're proud and you want to have the puck more and you want to have more speed coming through the neutral zone. But yeah, like, in terms of you.

Keith Yandle (159:21)

Want to take off against Sid and Barkov, like, fuck that.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (159:24)

And it's also another thing too, is like you're. As a centerman, when you're playing, you're. You're keeping momentum a decent amount of time, right? It's all about timing. And then. And all of a sudden you, you know, low and slow, and then, boom, you hit your pocket with that. With that momentum. As a winger, if he doesn't have those two, three quick strides off the hop and have that pop, it can get a little hard, man. Like, you get jammed up on the wall, all of a sudden the demon's breathing, breathing down your neck. And like now you're really not getting your touches. You're just getting it on the half wall and you're having to chip it out and you're not playing with the puck. So I would be reluctant, reluctant to throw them on anytime soon. But by year four or five, if we're kind of seeing the same results as we're seeing now, that's when you probably have to be like, hey, man. But also putting them with a good centerman and biz.

Ryan Whitney (160:19)

Like Crosby came in and, and you know, his sophomore season, like Malkin and Stahl came and, and you know, Leon's there with Conor. Like, it's not fair to say all this because he doesn't have this like running mate yet. Like, it's just, even when Stamp coast came in, it's like St. Louis and LA Cavier. Like, he doesn't have anything else now.

Keith Yandle (160:40)

But, but neither does Celebrini. I mean, he's got Smith but, but.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (160:45)

That'S why he's getting tired, pumped that, that he is him.

Ryan Whitney (160:48)

Yeah. And, and a lot of this is, is. And it's been brought up by different people. And Heater, you could go into this, the expectations that he had on him.

Bill Guerin (160:56)

That'S not his fault.

Ryan Whitney (160:58)

That's, that's like this, this world Junior and, and WHL dominance and then the media running wild, including us. So it's like, fuck. Like this. He's sitting there like, I've just been playing my same game this entire time. Like you guys have put on all these names, associated.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (161:14)

Well, I think it's a number. The numbers jump out. And that's what's hard sometimes too is when you play a certain way and you play junior hockey, it's the same thing that Gavin McKenna was doing. Now it's nice that we get to see Gavin McKenna play against more men, to see, okay, let's see how it transfers over there. But we all know he's going to go first overall. It's like, how does that game that he plays transfer over to NHL hockey? And even that's yet to be determined. So the same pressure that Conor has on him, the same as Gavin McKenna is going to have, and when you're putting up 160 points or whatever you are in junior, it's just, it's just it, there's, it's hard to correlate to what you're going to do at the National Hockey League level.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (161:58)

Yeah, I think when you have the term generational talent tagged on you at what, 15, 16 years old.

Ryan Whitney (162:06)

I know you have to, you have.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (162:08)

To live with that. And there's so much pressure that goes with that. Some guys can handle it. Obviously, you know, Connor McDavid is one and other players like that. But, you know, maybe Bernard, like Biz said, is just a little slower developing in all phases of his game and maybe even off the ice. I mean, he's 20 years old. Now going into his third year and maybe there'll be more maturity, you know, off the ice and on the ice. I really like that example biz that you said about Clayton Keller. You know, and Kel's just worked so hard to become a good all around player and to make his game to where it is now. And you know, he didn't have a lot of weapons around him as well when he broke in. And you know, he eventually moved to the wing. You know, he was a smaller size center playing for the US National Development Team and I think even at bu, but moved to the wing in the NHL and maybe Bedard does that. You see him playing with Nazer at all in the future.

Keith Yandle (163:16)

Well, I don't want Chicago fans. I think we're shitting on it. Like, the guy's unbelievable. He's an amazing player. He's going to be incredible. Like, he's got 83 assists in two years. Only three Blackhawks have ever hit 100 assists before their 21st birthday. Bob, you want to guess who the three are?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (163:34)

Jeremy Roenick.

Keith Yandle (163:35)

Nope.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (163:36)

Oh, no. I guess he came.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (163:38)

Denny Savard.

Bill Guerin (163:39)

Yep.

Ryan Whitney (163:40)

Stan Makita.

Keith Yandle (163:42)

Nope.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (163:43)

Brandon Bowlig.

Ryan Whitney (163:44)

Kane. Kane.

Keith Yandle (163:46)

Brandon Bowling. Yeah.

Ryan Whitney (163:47)

Kane and Taves.

Keith Yandle (163:49)

Eddie Ochuk.

Ryan Whitney (163:51)

Wow.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (163:51)

Yeah, I just.

Ryan Whitney (163:59)

You bring up a good point that like, that's the. When you say Blackhawks fans, like, we're not on him at all. I think part of the problem is Blackhawk fans hearing this and then Biz saying, Clayton Keller. They're like, what the. Like they're probably thinking like, Clayton, what are you talking about?

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (164:15)

What point player, 90 point player?

Ryan Whitney (164:19)

Dude, I, I'm agreeing with, you know what expectations have been set where people hear Clayton Cowell. What are you talking about? You know what I mean?

Keith Yandle (164:28)

They want to hear Matthews, McDavid, McKinnon. They don't want to hear.

Ryan Whitney (164:32)

Yeah, exactly.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (164:33)

That's a good point.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (164:34)

We mentioned Clayton Teller, we mentioned Macklin Celebrini. They don't have to play in Chicago. The, one of the biggest, probably the, you know, at the second or I guess third largest American market. And I would say you're, you're way more under the radar in Chicago than you would be in la. So New York's the only other American market where you're probably more under the radar than the Chicago Blackhawks.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (164:58)

So, you know, most Hawks fans still have in their minds those three Stanley cup championships within a six year period. So, you know, they think they understand they're in a rebuild, but they want to get back to the glory years and they see Connor Bedard as, as the leader.

Ryan Whitney (165:14)

And my last thing, I'm very excited to see Spencer Knight because that, that piece in this rebuild could be the most important thing you got. And if that guy keeps going and all of a sudden at the end of this year, if he has a big year, it's like, holy shit, this team isn't in the playoffs. But like we have a goalie and that, that would be exciting. So I think with that we go to the last team we gotta, we gotta cover here and that is the St. Louis Blues. I already have them out. I've, I've, I've said that because, because Heater bullied me into having Utah on this thing. But Monty getting the full season there, them getting in last year was incredible. I don't know, I don't know what to think. Like, I love Robert Thomas. What an unbelievable player. You hear rumors about Kyru possibly being shopped around in the summer. I love that kid's game. I think he's a, he's a 40 goal guy, skates like the win. That's a nice player. You, you lose Bullduke, but you bring in Logan Mayu, right? A young defenseman who can move, who's big. So kind of a good trade off there. We mentioned that last show. What do you think, Heater? I, I don't know what to think about this team. Kind of a wild card. As you mentioned, some of these other teams in the division are like for.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (166:30)

Sure and I think that if they play up to their capabilities, you know, they're definitely in. But I think a lot hinges on Jordan Bennington and which Jordan Bennington is going to be there for the entire season. You know, he has a tendency to be very streaky and wasn't the greatest in the first half of the year along with his team. But then after winning the Four nations with Team Canada, you know, he, it was lights out. I mean he went 15, 3 and 2 in his final 20 decisions. And you know, he's a guy that's motivated coming into the year because he wants to be the Canadian Olympic goalie. And so if they ride him, they have a pretty good D. You know, he could be someone that really elevates them maybe into that playoff position again. But in how, how I'm trying to think of the word, you know, how likely I guess is, is it they're going to have that same success for a full season under Tim Montgomery? I mean he came in and they, I'm quickly one 12 straight games franchise record and they got hot Much like what they did during their Stanley cup winning season in 2019 and was able to to get them into the playoffs. I think big thing this, this year in St. Louis is they're looking to see what rookie Jimmy Snugaroot can do as well coming out of the University of Minnesota. A guy that's much heralded and can really fit in on the right side. I think maybe on their first line or second at the most.

Keith Yandle (168:05)

He looked good in playoffs with Thomas.

Ryan Whitney (168:08)

And Thomas and Buch Nevicz. Right now I'm seeing that's a. And I'll tell you, looking at this roster like now I'm like oh fuck. I don't know about Utah like they, it is a lot about Bennington, but I think Broberg is probably going to take another step. Holloway, God knows how good he's going to be after the season he had. Snugarud's a different element that was only there after the Minnesota season ended. Jake Neighbors on their third line like that. Pew Suter comes in. So yeah, a true wild card team. Like I, if they get in, I won't be surprised. And if they missed, I won't be surprised.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (168:43)

That's right. And you know Colton Pareco had his best season last year and also Cam Fowler came over from Anaheim, really contributed for St. Louis and just, just got a new three year deal. So he's, he's a guy that can really, you know, be there for them. They're going to miss Tory Krug who's had to pretty much retire because of.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (169:06)

That ankle injury and a swollen liver as well. We did a sandbagger with him and.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (169:12)

Justin Polk is out to start the season, but he'll be back. So they have that veteran core on D and they, they added to their center depth too. Signing Pew Souter, 25 goal scorer last year and also Nick Buxtat, the guy who Bunchy played last year with with Utah and missed the first part of the season with a back injury. But the final season in Arizona he had 22 goals and played his, his best hockey. Someone that can win face offs and play well defensively. So you know, down the middle, you know you're, you're looking at some pretty good players for the St. Louis Blues and a lot of depth. And you mentioned Holloway and Broberg and their GM Doug Armstrong went out on a limb and bucked the system so to speak and sign those two guys.

Keith Yandle (170:01)

As our sensitive subject for Wet Bob.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (170:05)

And look at the years that they both had, especially Holloway and you know he was A first round pick really didn't do much in Edmonton, but, you know, maybe, you know, he's now been after this. The surface has been scratched a little bit and the package has been opened. Maybe he's going to be the type of player that the Oilers had hoped for him to be, but I don't know. St. Louis is a good team and they have the opportunity to. To. To do what they did last year or maybe even better, Utah, St. Louis, maybe even Minnesota. You know, to those three teams trying to get into the big three or at least make the playoffs as a wild card, I truly believe that both wild cards will come out of the Central again like last year. And it. It's hard to say that St. Louis won't be there.

Ryan Whitney (170:51)

Well, Peter, it's been a pleasure having you.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (170:55)

This is awesome.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (170:56)

Heater, you're amazing.

Ryan Whitney (170:57)

We talked about you for so long and, and it's great to chat with you on here. I hope you had a great summer. I know you're kind of continuing a little bit right now, but thank you so much for joining us. It's. It's been a blast.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (171:09)

Oh, my pleasure, guys. Like I said, this is a real highlight for me to be on with you guys. You know how much I love Biz, and Yams was always one of my favorite players. And Whit, I love what you do on the podcast, and so it's really an honor to be involved today. I really appreciate it. Had a lot of fun. Thank you very much.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (171:26)

Oh, Heater, we're going to be. We're going to be getting you on a bunch throughout the course of the season, so can't wait to chat with you more. I love the lumberjack stories. Make sure you bring more of those next time you come on, because that's what the fans really love and we love you and looking forward to having a great year with you.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (171:44)

All right, One other thing, Biz. I'm just wondering why the Golden Knights jersey, have you traded that in or created the Maple Leaf jersey in for that?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (171:52)

No, this is my apology.

Keith Yandle (171:54)

It's his apology to Marner for booing him out of town.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (171:57)

I never booed him out of town, Heater. I, I was, I was a little skeptical about maybe paying him the money that we were thinking about paying him.

Ryan Whitney (172:06)

But now he wants. Give him. Giving him more.

Keith Yandle (172:10)

Yeah. Now he's going to ask for an autograph and then sell it.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (172:12)

I would have given him a little bit more after watching his performance with Jack Eichel last night. So he's an incredible Kid, I maybe got a little ahead of my skis there and too passionate about my Toronto Maple Leafs, but either way, he's an amazing guy. And this is my apology. Let's go, 93.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (172:28)

There you go. Sounds good. All right. Thank you, guys. I appreciate it.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (172:32)

Love you.

Keith Yandle (172:32)

See you, Heater.

Ryan Whitney (172:35)

Everyone knows the NFL's back in full swing. We got the NHL, but we also got the NFL. And we got game time that can help you with anything you want in terms of getting to these games. The NFL has tailgating. They got packed stands, they got the buzz before kickoff. But getting in can be a nightmare for people. Everyone knows it. The queues, the price jumps, getting logged out mid click, it's a disaster. All you want is to be there, beer in hand, losing your voice with the entire crowd rooting on your favorite team. But the Game Time app gives the advantage back to the fans. It's the hack for unlocking amazing tickets and experiences in just a few taps. It's incredibly easy to use, and the Game time guarantee means you can Trust you'll get 100% authentic tickets on time and at the best price. Plus, fees are always included. So what you see is what you pay. Right now, you can go on game time for October 26th. Couple weeks from now, Drake May is a stud. The New England Patriots look good. And you can get in for under $200 against the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium on game time. An amazing deal right now on game time. Under 200 bucks for the New England Patriots versus the Cleveland Browns on October 26th. Take the guesswork out of buying NFL tickets with GameTime. 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 C H I C L E T S for $20 off swipe, tap Ticket. Go download the GameTime app today. Thank you so much to Bill Guerin. Bob Heathouse. What a guy. God, picturing that Christmas party cracks me up. Just a bunch of guys crippled who hate their owner. Giving them a gift card to the gas station only to get put on waivers by the. By the radio announcer in the middle of the night. I brought you on a cruise and you repay me with a gift card?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (174:31)

Is what we're gonna call Heater from Hockey Bob.

Ryan Whitney (174:33)

Hockey Bob. Great nickname. Keith. I know this will be out tomorrow on Friday, but tonight you're it. You're at Amazon and I. I guess it's a. It's a good time for us to kind of announce that we're going to be partnering up with Amazon a bit this year.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (174:49)

Yes, sir.

Ryan Whitney (174:50)

I think you and I, I think all of us are going to do. This is for the Canadian listeners and viewers only, but we're going to do I think three together. What is the word for our Thursday night show?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (175:00)

Amazon coast to Coast. And we did one last year where we're gonna get the whole whack pack in studio with Andy Petrillo and it's a blast. It's kind of hockey's version of Red Zone where we're hopping around from game to game. Most cases there's about like 10 to to 12 games going on. They get the eastern ones and then the west coast games and, and we have fun and just banter, shoot the shit about everything that's going around the league. After some of the games we get to interview players. So we love doing that. We're going to get to do it three times this year. We did it once all together last year. And then I'm going to be doing Monday night hockey for Amazon as well. And I believe that it's going to be mostly leaf games. Right now there's a plan for me to do three of them. I'll be kicking it off this Monday with Chris Pronger and Adnan and. And we're going to have a blast, man. It's going to be, it's going to be fun. They're going to be playing the Detroit Red Wings so make sure to tune in.

Ryan Whitney (175:55)

Are you, will you be in the arena?

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (175:56)

We'll be in the arena and we're going to be. Yeah, I'm going to be at the desk. Yeah, the yacht club. We're going to get that thing rocking.

Keith Yandle (176:03)

You should wear that jersey.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (176:05)

Maybe I will. Just maybe I will. And I'm going to get firsthand look at the Detroit Red Wings, man. Were there fans sensitive online at what we said about their team? Holy shit. People are snapping at me. But going back to Amazon, they're doing a great thing in hockey. Obviously we mentioned it's only for the Canadian listeners and most people who have Amazon prime don't even realize that they have free access to watch either Amazon coast to coast or Amazon Prime Mondays where we, where we have the broadcast. So I'm looking forward to it. As I mentioned, the first one's going to be October 13th, which is actually Canadian Thanksgiving. So the game is going to be a little bit earlier than, than normal. I think we're going to be kicking things off at around 4:30 on the broadcast and I will be with Chris Pronger and then Adnan as well. So it's going to be a blast, man. And I hope everybody tunes in and we're going to be talking about those Amazon Monday games throughout every show that we got coming up this season. So shout out to Amazon for for partnering with us and it's going to be a blast.

Keith Yandle (177:07)

Good luck with your celibacy in Toronto on an early Monday game.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (177:11)

Hey, I've been. I've. Fuck, what am I at like 30 something hours right now? No jerking, no fucking. Just reading, baby.

Ryan Whitney (177:19)

Just reading that. Reading and winning one and oh, Cam at Cam Atkinson is going to sign a one day contract to retire as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He ended up getting 213 goals and 402 points in 627 games as a member of Columbus, second in franchise history in goals and points behind Rick Nash. So that's cool for him. I like that. I think of Cam act to think of the days and just flying around. Little water bug in Columbus. So good for him. Great guy. Keith, I know you played with him in Philadelphia as well, so that'll be pretty cool. And Merles and Gee, they're heading up to Orono today or no Maine to check out a little Chiclets you action for the University of Maine and Benny Barr murals, his longtime buddy. And he's done a hell of a job getting Maine back into a national powerhouse where they were for so long under Sean Walsh and even after that Tim Whitehead was the coach for a long time. So they've done it. A big I guess like revamp of of Alphonsarina in Orno biz. Pretty sick place to play, dude.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (178:23)

Like oh, the building, the character is incredible. It looks awesome. It honestly looks like it looks like Noah's Ark.

Ryan Whitney (178:31)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I could see that.

Keith Yandle (178:34)

Just minus the animals.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (178:35)

Yeah, yeah. Minus the giraffes and elephants.

Ryan Whitney (178:40)

So that'll be out soon. And last thing like I mentioned at the beginning, Breast cancer awareness month. Right. So 100% of the net proceeds will go towards supporting 540 and we have 47 brand hats, sweatshirts, T shirts. Let's help some women buy some wigs. Long episode but we got these season previews. Take a little while. Thank you so much to Billy G. Sorry biz, kind of three on one. You there. Don't get horny here in the three on one thing. And thanks to Heater. What a guy.

Bill Guerin (179:09)

Walky Bob, Hockey Bob and he bullied.

Ryan Whitney (179:12)

Me into Utah in the playoffs. Now I kind of want St. Louis? I don't know, but I. But I picked Utah. St. Louis is out in Minnesota.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (179:18)

Well, I guess also to clarify, I got no St. Louis, I got no Nashville, and I got no Chicago on playoffs.

Keith Yandle (179:25)

Yeah. Yeah.

Ryan Whitney (179:26)

You got Mini in Utah getting the wild card spots.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (179:29)

Oh, yeah.

Bill Guerin (179:30)

All right.

Ryan Whitney (179:31)

Well, one of those teams is screwed. Everyone have a great week.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (179:36)

Won't happen, Won't happen, Won't happen again? Won't happen, Won't happen, Won't happen again? A bad habit worth breaking?

Ryan Whitney (179:52)

But it's taking time.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (179:55)

I don't know.

Ryan Whitney (179:56)

It don't matter.

Peter 'Heater' Hutchinson (179:57)

It's going to happen.

Ryan Whitney (179:59)

It's going to happen again.

Brian 'Biz' Ellis (180:02)

Sam.