Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 596: Featuring Marián Gáborík

Summary

Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 596: Featuring Marián Gáborík

Date: November 14, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette (“Biz”), Rear Admiral (RA), Mike Grinnell
Special Guest: Marián Gáborík (Retired NHL Star & 2014 Stanley Cup Champion)

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a classic blend of irreverent, insightful NHL talk, highlighted by an in-depth, wide-ranging conversation with Slovakian hockey legend Marián Gáborík. The Chiclets crew dives into the NHL’s week-to-week drama—maple leafs’ woes, surging Bruins, wild statistics, and trade rumors—before delving deep into Gáborík’s journey from Slovakian prodigy to NHL star, his battles with injury, infamous speed, stories from the 2014 Kings Cup run, and post-career life (including a wild foray into “Dancing with the Stars”). The episode closes with a reflective tribute to legendary sportswriter Larry Brooks and RA’s movie & betting picks.

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Main Themes

• Marián Gáborík’s career journey, highlights, and mentality
• Key current NHL storylines: team struggles, trades, goalie debate
• Locker room culture, leadership, and coaching influence
• Reflections on media, legacy, and player wellbeing
• Off-ice life, injuries, and new adventures

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NHL Roundup & Panel Banter

Teasing Big Interviews & Fan Pressure

[02:23]

• Biz hints at a potential Tom Brady Winter Classic interview, encouraging fan pressure.
  • “Maybe a little pressure from Chiclets fans.” (Biz, 02:31)

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Biz’s Head-Shaving Bet, Injury Talk & Maple Leafs’ Struggles

[03:09 – 06:52]

• Biz addresses criticism for not going “all the way” shaving his head after a lost bet.
• Maple Leafs’ spiral after trading away draft picks for little playoff ROI:
  • “Since Matthews has come to Toronto, they've traded 41 draft picks, including seven first-rounders for just a couple losses in the second round. Kind of crazy.” (Whitney, 05:55)

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Bruins’ Identity & Zadorov’s Physicality

[06:52 – 08:01]

• Bruins praised: Zadorov’s impact and team’s physical resurgence; 7-game win streak.
  • “He's playing like a man possessed... helping instill that big, bad Bruins team again. That's what their identity has always been.” (Biz, 07:32)

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Young Teams Rising: Anaheim vs Colorado & Standout Players

[08:01 – 11:37]

• Anaheim Ducks' growth despite a 1-4 loss to Colorado.
• Praise for Truba’s development and McKinnon’s dominance:
  • “McKinnon is just totally... he is the best player in the world right now. It's not even close.” (Whitney, 09:39)

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More Around The League: Kings, Sharks, Wild, Blackhawks

[12:08 – 15:57]

• LA Kings quietly roll; Sharks & Celebrini impress; Wild correct course post-players-only meeting.
• “Sharks are, I mean, at the beginning of the year we were like, what is going on?” (Whitney, 13:05)
• Blackhawks' United Center rekindles “dynasty” atmosphere.

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Surprising Power Play Stats & Trade Takes

[15:57 – 18:47]

• Hurricanes’ power play is among the league’s worst.
  • “There's zero chance you will do a thing come playoff time without a power play.” (Whitney, 16:21)

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Fights & Toughness: Young Players Stepping Up

[17:05 – 18:47]

• Stankhoven's first fight and the value of toughness and sacrifice in today’s league.
  • “That is so powerful within the room... shows like he's sick and tired of kind of maybe hearing some of those rumblings like what are you going to do for us here?” (Whitney, 18:25)

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Goalie & Team Canada Debate

[19:01 – 21:59]

• Logan Thompson making his case for Team Canada; Wedgwood praised as well.
  • “If [Logan Thompson] continues these numbers, he has to be on that team... he's the best Canadian goalie on the planet over the last 18 months.” (Biz, 19:29)

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Major Contract Signings & The Tkachuk Brothers’ Podcast

[22:06 – 28:53]

• Shane Pinto signs four-year extension with Ottawa.
• Tkachuk brothers launch “Wingman” podcast, ideas to change NHL’s point system.

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Team Trends: Ottawa’s Leadership & Nashville’s Downturn

[28:53 – 31:49]

• Pinto’s 4-year deal seen as “betting on himself.”
• Nashville Predators’ collapse and debate if to “sell the farm.”
  • “They're horrible. Sell the farm legit.” (Whitney, 29:29)

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Miscellaneous Notes:

• Rangers’ wild first periods, Devils’ Jack Hughes analytics, and shout-outs to under-covered teams like Vegas, Winnipeg, and Dallas [32:29 – 35:09]
• Defensive hat tricks in Devils history: Nemec joins the club [35:52 – 36:47]

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FEATURE INTERVIEW: Marián Gáborík

[45:46 – 129:45]

Theme: Journey from Trenčín, Slovakia to the NHL, highs/lows, locker-room stories, injuries, and life after hockey.

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Meeting Gretzky & Slovak Hockey Culture

[46:20 - 50:25]

• Gaborik recently spent time with Wayne Gretzky:
  • “He told me he almost remembers every game and every goal he scored... It’s unbelievable.” (Gaborik, 47:27)
• On Slovakia’s “confidence gap”:
  • “You guys have it in your DNA... Slovakian athletes... miss that extra juice of confidence.” (Gaborik, 49:10)

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Early Career, Resources, and Grit

[58:20 – 68:23]

• Grew up using hand-me-down gear, resourceful childhood:
  • “We didn’t skate up until the third grade... you just had skates on and gloves... inherited gear from sixth graders.” (Gaborik, 59:30)
• Early pro experience as a teen taught him resilience:
  • “Imagine a young guy taking a 35-year-old’s spot... I grew a thicker skin from those experiences.” (Gaborik, 66:48)

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Adjusting to the NHL & Playing for the Wild

[68:55 – 72:28]

• Expansion made rookie transition easier in Minnesota.
• Praise for coach Jacques Lemaire’s balance between demands and support:
  • “He sat me down...you cannot play like this...defensively do whatever you want, but...” (Gaborik, 69:26)

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The 2003 Wild Playoff Run

[80:21 – 85:20]

• Comebacks against Colorado and Vancouver.
  • “We’re down 3-1...Bruno was the guy in Game 7 who scored, who pretty much put Patrick Roy into the retirement home.” (Gaborik, 81:19)

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Injuries and Playing Too Fast

[88:24 – 90:56]

• Long battle with groin and hip injuries—a consequence of his blazing speed.
  • “My legs were money makers...maybe because of that I’ve had a lot of issues with my groins and hips.” (Gaborik, 55:43)
  • 14 surgeries total, including hips, hernia, and shoulders.

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Locker Room Leadership and Growth

[76:10 – 78:54]

• Critical advice from Andrew Brunette early in Minnesota:
  • “He pulled me in... told me like to come back down to earth... that stuck with me.” (Gaborik, 76:10)

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New York Rangers & Coaching Clashes

[96:38 – 103:56]

• Big Apple experience, Torts’ explosive leadership style.
  • “Sometimes it was heated... at the same time... you have to have a really thick skin to play for Torts.” (Gaborik, 99:00)
• Funny/hard moments with Slats (Glen Sather), blocking shots, and demanding video sessions.

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2014 Stanley Cup Run with LA Kings

[110:26 – 121:09]

• Overcoming injuries and near-retirement:
  • “I was like, I was done... talking to my wife that I’m done... 6 months later, I was holding the Stanley Cup.” (Gaborik, 110:27)
• Daryl Sutter’s unpredictable but effective coaching.
• Composure and belief in Kings’ locker room.
  • “There was no doubt that we can... there was nothing, nobody was down. Everybody was just like, you know, we can make this work.” (Gaborik, 111:21)
• Scoring huge playoff goals, vindication against the Rangers.

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Post-Career: Dancing with the Stars, Injuries & Legacy

[126:28 – 129:33]

• Participated with his wife in Slovakia’s “Dancing with the Stars,” which “was the nail in the coffin for my knee.”
• Needs knee replacement; reflects on playing 1000 NHL games.
  • “I don’t think I even realized what kind of career I had... sometimes I pinch myself.” (Gaborik, 123:58)
• On leadership and treating rookies:
  • “I never bullied anyone or... spoke down to anybody. I try to treat everybody the same way.” (Gaborik, 77:55)

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Notable Gáborík Quotes

On Meeting Gretzky:

• “He almost remembers every game and every goal he scored.” ([47:27])

On Slovak Hockey Confidence:

• “Slovakian athletes... miss that extra juice of confidence.” ([49:10])

On Playoff Comebacks:

• “Bruno... pretty much put Patrick Roy into retirement home.” ([81:19])

On Career Reflection:

• “I don’t think I even realized what kind of career I had... sometimes I pinch myself.” ([123:58])

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Remembering Larry Brooks & Media Reflections

[163:45 – 168:05]

• Tributes to Larry Brooks, Hall of Fame Rangers beat writer, who passed away at 75.
  • “He was a staple in that locker room and he'll be missed... I hope his family is doing as good as they can.” (Yandle, 167:46)
  • “He was a true journalist... leaves his mark on the hockey world.” (Biz, 164:33)

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RA’s World: Movies, Picks & What’s Grinding His Gears

[146:02 – End]

Movie Recommendations

• Sinners (4.5/5 warthogs): Vampire/gangster drama
• Superman Reboot (3.5/5): “Optimistic”
• Naked Gun Reboot: Praises Liam Neeson, Pam Anderson dynamic
• One Battle After Another (5/5): Leo DiCaprio, Sean Penn political chase movie
• Nonnas (Netflix, 4/5): Vince Vaughn, “heartfelt… Kleenex required”
• Classic: LA Confidential (1997, 5/5) – “Put your phone down, pay attention start to finish.”

Betting Picks

• Nashville over Pittsburgh in Sweden
• Tampa over Florida motivated by goaltending
• Anaheim over Minnesota, San Jose for value plays

Grinding Gears

• Digital movies: You don’t actually “own” them; they can disappear; pushes for buying physical media to avoid edits and censorship (e.g., Splash, French Connection).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Biz on player injuries:

• “If you see me shave my head down to this short and you say that I'm a fraud, you're a fucking clown.” (05:05)

On Gáborík’s 5-goal game:

• “You could have literally scored seven.” (Gáborík, 92:00)

Whitney on Pinto contract:

• “This is their time... if it doesn't work out... it's an identity crisis.” (28:53)

Gáborík on locker outsider status as a Slovak in NHL:

• “I was always young. I never was the older guy.” (77:55)

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Timeline of Key Segments

• 03:09 – 06:52: Maple Leafs’ meltdown & Biz’s head bet
• 08:01 – 11:37: Ducks-Avs game breakdown
• 22:06 – 28:53: Pinto extension & Tkachuk brother pod
• 45:46 – 129:45: Marián Gáborík feature interview
• 163:45 – 168:05: Tribute to Larry Brooks
• 146:02 – End: RA’s movie & betting picks

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Summary Takeaway

This episode is a must-listen (or must-read summary) for fans of NHL lore, leadership evolution, relentless drive, and the joy (and pain) of professional hockey. Gáborík’s forthright interview is a highlight, mixing humility, candor, and humor—from his “money-making legs” to dancing in feathers on TV. The episode is laced with classic Spittin’ Chiclets banter, sharp league analysis, poignant tributes, and cultural asides that only this crew can deliver.

Recommended Segments for Any Listener:

• Gáborík’s Minnesota childhood & pro debut: [58:20–68:23]
• LA Kings Cup journey & resilience: [110:26–121:09]
• Tribute to Larry Brooks: [163:45–168:05]
• RA’s World for movie fans: [146:02–end]

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For more, visit Barstool's Spittin' Chiclets.

Transcript

[A]

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[A]

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

[D]

I brought it towards the coyotes and I asked them if it was okay if I joined the Spit Chickens podcast full time.

[B]

Brian Whitney's got a pink Whitney out there now.

[D]

Sandbagger.

[C]

Get that on camera.

[B]

Pete Yandel the Song man case is a full time member. Marley just got an assist from Chris Meat.

[E]

Whoa, we're buzzing right now.

[B]

What is up folks? Welcome, ladies and gentlemen to episode 596 of the Spit and Chicklets podcast, presented by Discover. Sponsored by Discover, the official credit card of the NHL. No matter if your team wins or loses, Discover is there for you. With the Discover it card, you can earn cash back on every purchase. So the celebratory wings just got even better. Learn more discover.com Credit card cash back on team gear, Cash back on tickets, Cash back on fries, et cetera, et cetera. The Discover NHL Winter Classic is taking place on January 2nd in Miami, Florida. Tune into TNT and Biz. Get cash back on every purchase with the Discover it card. Learn [e-mail] credit card boys, can we te.

[D]

Actually, let's tease it and maybe he'll catch wind that we we we potentially might have an interview locked up at the Winter Classic with Tom Brady.

[B]

Oh man, I don't want to give that. It's going to be tough if we don't get it now, but maybe a little pressure from Chiclets fans.

[D]

That's what I'm trying to do right now.

[B]

Exactly. I hear you. I hear you. He's with Noble.

[D]

He's a big, noble guy. He's part owner of the company, if not majority owner of the company. And you know they're. They're an official shoe of the NHL now, right? They're their athletic gear. And I'm on board, too, so we got to do it. I mean, come on, Tommy, we need you to get the go. I mean, G would cream his pants if we got Tom Brady on the podcast live. Imagine seeing that guy in the flesh. That handsome bastard.

[B]

Imagine him shaking G's skinny hands if.

[E]

He says, I'll come on, but G can't be there. Do we still do it?

[B]

Oh, God, yeah. We'll see you, G. I love you. We'll see you next week for episode 6 32. Get a good outline going, buddy, and we'll tell you what Tom said. It was a blast talking to him. And. And I will say we. We don't have Tom Brady lined up. Let's hope. Let's cross our fingers. But we just finished an interview, about an hour and 20 minutes with Marion Gaboric. That was excellent. I hope all you guys enjoy this one. What a. What a great guy. What a career. He had some stories. I. I never heard some of these stories. And. And just an elite level skater so good at skating that he basically injured himself because he was too fast. That's kind of what it came down to, but I think everyone's going to really enjoy this. First thing we do have to get to is business. Spent the last two nights on TNT and oh, wow, you were being called out. Not as a fraud, but the statement was made that if you lost another busy bets, you were going to shave your head. Or it was Panarin that I think had you shave your head, but you kind of. You kind of half assed it. That's what the world was saying. That's what the Internet was saying. He. You haven't seen this biz. You're acting crazy. You haven't seen the comments. How you half asked it. He went to the woods. You didn't go to the wood. And then the leaves got taken to the woodshed.

[D]

I know, but I can't go to the wood because I have Shan Shane Batty, a Sharpay head. Oh, no.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[D]

I got a weird back to my head. If I go down to the wood, like. Yeah, areas in the. Like the crevices where I can't get to it, it looks even weirder.

[B]

No I don't know. That makes total sense.

[D]

Yeah. No, I mean, my brain's deflating so it doesn't fill up the whole, my whole skull.

[B]

I wondered, is that just born like that? How does that happen to people?

[D]

I just think that guys like Jeremy Oblonsky and John Morassi beat the, Beat my head in.

[B]

So I'm glad, I'm glad I brought this up. So anyone out there saying biz didn't go full into it, you could thank you for not thank you if.

[D]

Yeah, you're welcome. And like, if you see me shave my head down to this short and you say that I'm a fraud, you're a fucking clown. Like, this is like a, this is a number three. Now, mind you, I, I went in to get a haircut and it was the, My regular guy was not there and I said, ah, I'll just do that guy. And that didn't work out great to the point where I was like, ah, just shave it. So we were, we were connecting like offensive chemistry like the Rangers did at MSG for the first seven games of the season. But, you know, hey, at least we figured things out. Now I look like our Timmy Panarin. I am buzzing just like him. So I got, Listen, aside from my shitty head here, I got bigger fish to fry. My Toronto Maple Leafs look lost right now. Austin Matthews, week to week now with an injury. So I, I, I'm, I'm in a depressive state.

[B]

I saw an incredible. It was a tweet mentioning that since Matthews has come to Toronto, they've traded 41 draft picks, including seven first rounders for just a, a couple losses in the second round. Kind of crazy. And now people are discussing how much they need someone like Rasmus. Anderson Tan Ev is out. That guy completely changes the blue line. But overall, a very, very slow team. And, and I watched Boston beat him for the second game in a row. Five, three. That was Tuesday night. I, I didn't even. Matthews leaves the game with injury. Stolars also injured. I believe he'd been playing very poorly even leading up to it. It's a tough time and I'm not anyone to sit here and gloat like my team's on a winning streak. But we got lucky with an offsides in Philadelphia or else we weren't getting a point in that game. So it's not like I'm sitting here playing, laughing at you. But things aren't good in Toronto and, and it's going to get very, very ugly if they don't th. Fix Things would you say from the.

[D]

Media point of view, a couple people were. Well, first of all, Stolars is tired, Walt. They need the one, two punch back, right? They need to get that tandem buzzing again. Obviously depleted on the back end. They got a couple hld in the lineup right now. The Matthews hit. Some people were complaining about it. That was a nothing burger from Zadorov. Just playing physical. And some people, based on last year were like, oh, no, we're stuck with Adorov at the money that we're paying them for as long as we are. I would say the big one of the biggest complete 180s from a fan base in recent memory. He's playing like. He's playing like a man possessed. And he's helping instill that big, bad Bruins team again. That's what their identity has always been, a hard team to play against. And Wayne was actually talking about after watching game six when they played Vancouver in the finals years back where he's like, oh, no, Vancouver's in tough here. That team just beat the shit out of him. And they play as hard as a team that I've ever seen play. So credit to Zadorov and the rest of that group. Seven in a row for the Bruins.

[C]

Crazy good start.

[D]

I think they rattled off three in a row to start the year. Then they went on that losing skid and it seems like Marco Sturms really righted the ship. And they're responding well to what he's got going in the locker room and going back to the tnt, because that was game one. That was kind of the appetizer for the two big dogs in the West. Right. You had the Anaheim Ducks, who are. Are trying to get to achieve a level of what we've seen out of the Colorado Avalanche over the last four or five years and sustained dominance. Well, at least in the regular season, they did have their cup, But I thought that was a great measuring stick game. I know it ended 4:1, but I was very impressed with this young, young group in Anaheim and. And not only how fast they are, but how they can hang with them defensively. Like they weren't. They weren't giving up a ton. Like, that was just a good, fast, tight, checking game with a little bit of everything. So I don't know what you guys thought of it. Obviously, right now Colorado is in a league of their own. They're playing at a different level. But what did you make of that game? Seeing what Anaheim brought, I. I gotta.

[B]

Say, I can't believe how good Truba looks. I Looked it up. Okay. And I didn't. Shame on me for not really understanding like his offensive game. Oh yeah, he's got 11, he's got 11 points in 16 games this year. He had a 50 point season in Winnipeg. He has two years in the league with double digit goals. Him already having four this year makes me think he'll probably hit it again this year considering how Anaheim can skate and score with anyone. And I'm just like, wow. Cause he had that assist. I think he had an assist in that game. Right.

[D]

I thought it was a goal where he banked it off of the, the end wall.

[B]

Yeah. Carlson ended up banging. He came around the net and gave it to Carlson. He made it 1, 1. But that game was that game. It was funny because I was excited for that. And it was like McCarr to McKinnon to Leon in 20 seconds in. It's like, okay, welcome to the big leagues, boys. But then they answered pretty quick. Leo Carlson almost had a complete highlight. Real goal for his second goal night. It ended up being saved. But McKinnon is just totally busy. I think it was last episode, like he is the best player in the world right now. It's not even close. He has 12 points in his last three games. Makar is the best defenseman in the world. That's not even close. I know we could get into a scary moment in Vancouver where Quinn Hughes left the game. They lost again to Winnipeg Tuesday night. He had three assists though. So he came back. I think he's okay, but it doesn't look. And granted, Vancouver is not Colorado like The Quinn Hughes McCarr argument of last year. It's not even like the same planet right now. And part of that has to do with teammates and all that. But that game was basically like Colorado. They're unstoppable. Landiscog gets his first. Nachin's out there running around. It's just they are, they are the, the, the cream of the crop right now in the NHL.

[D]

So there was two, two things I wanted to talk about from that game. Did you guys see the high stick from Nature on Korn that Quinville was losing it on? I, I, I don't think Nate just has a mean bone in his body. And that was clearly a follow through. Quinville kind of made it seem like he like stabbed him in the eye after the follow through. What did you guys make? I respect the out of Cube just because he's trying to stick up for his guy. Obviously he was hoping for the five minute major so they would have a chance to maybe tie that game up. But he's probably just defending his guy in, in Colorn who's, who's been an incredible veteran for that lineup and helping advance a lot of these guys, you know, from, from being young bucks in the league. I mean, Yan's, you played for him like he, what did you make of it?

[E]

Yeah, that's how he is. Like he's going to go to a bat for his guys all the time. You know, at least in that, in that situation too. It's not like after the game where you have time to see the, the replay and then you can look at it like in the heat of the game, you're going to get full raw dog Q and he's going to have your back. And that's why he's a player's coach. And you can tell that and you can just tell by the way that they're playing for him right now. But I, yeah, I, I don't think it was as bad as he thought it was.

[B]

Yeah, the. Another thing I, I took away LA seems to be quietly like figuring figuring things out. I didn't know they dusted Montreal. They're not, they've. They've won the last nine games against the Canadians. So some teams, you just have your number against them. So they went into Montreal and kind of cleaned them up pretty easily. Celebrini was insane again against the Wild Tuesday night. He had there. I don't know if you saw Will Smith's goal biz. They won an ot. Celebrini had a sick pass to Colin Graph. He buries it. The first goal of the game for San Jose. Will Smith's celebrity comes in. He kicks it wide. He ends up getting it back to Foley. Finds him with the six seam pass. He goes through the crease to Smith. I was like, whoa, that was like off the rush. It was excellent celebrating. It's two apples. Smith scores again. They kind of keep humming along. Dude, the Sharks are, they are. I mean at the beginning of the year we were like, what is going on? He's going to give up a child. And David was.

[E]

No more kids.

[B]

Yeah, he gave all his kids away and he's winning. So, you know, if you're an NHL coach, you'll take it. That's how competitive this league is. But I was like looking at the numbers, reading about the Wild now. The Wild have figured things out a little bit. They're four one and one in their lacks their last six because Zuke's back. Zook's back which has made a huge difference. But how about Tuesday night Capri Sov's line in that game against San Jose out chanced 17 to 3 at 5 on 5. So I know that there's some people saying they need a little bit more from Caprioff. He has I think 22 points in 18 games. So it's not like this guy isn't producing. But when you're getting dominated at 5 on 5 like that, that is kind of surprising. But I guess there was a players only meeting. Meeting for the Wild. Spurgeon called it. They have. They have figured things out a little bit. It's just this league is so competitive right now. There's in the Eastern Conference I think the entire. Is it the entire league or the Eastern Conference. There's five teams under 500. So every single night, even the Sharks Chicago looks completely different. And shout out again to to Jeff Blas for coming on. The Blackhawks fan love that. He's very animated and and biz that game the Devils kind of dominated them. But still the Hawks didn't go away. The atmosphere in there looked like it was back in 2010.

[D]

That was the like when they scored that power play goal five on three. That looked like the old United center when they won like their three cup dynasty. So it's great to see man when the United United center is bumping like that. I think that Frank the Tank was in attendance with. With Stu Finer and his wife and there was. They. They were with one other guy. And then the mascot. Is it Tony the Hawk. Is it Or Tommy the Hawk. Tommy the Hawk.

[C]

Yeah, Tommy.

[D]

Tommy the Hawk masks to put on Frank. Because I. I want to say it was Frank's. Is Frank 50? He might have just turned 50 and that was his birthday gift from Stu. So happy birthday. If it is Frank's. Frank's birthday. But what were we talk.

[B]

Happy birthday Frank the Tank biz.

[C]

How about.

[E]

How about Whit getting some under the hood stats there. You're changing a little. Witty.

[B]

You're changing under the. He's talking about my. My. My 17 to 3 out scoring chances. I read that in an article. I think it was Russo in the Athletic. The guys dialed in with the Wild. I believe it. The article was by him. Let me see here. Right here. Just talking about Joe Smith. It was Joe Smith. What we've learned is they've pulled out of a season opening skid. Just kind of checking up on the Wild. I really like wild fans. I think it's a very wild fans and Blue Jacket fans, I. I have a lot of respect for, and I believe they came into the league the same year. Maybe G looked that up right around the same time.

[E]

But, yeah, I think you're right.

[B]

Another thing that shocked me in reading up of Tuesday night's games is Washington. They went into Carolina. They whooped up on them, right? Carolina biz. Right now their power play is clicking at 12%. They're 31st out of 32. And I like, there's zero chance you will do a thing come playoff time without a power play.

[D]

You know who helped their power play?

[C]

Who?

[D]

You got Marty Naches.

[B]

Yeah, you're right. Actually, you bring that up because I also saw a tweet that. Keith, I'll go to you on this. I. I think, you know the meme of the guy with all the swords pointed at him, and it's like, give me a take. That would get this type of reaction. The tweet was that Carolina is better off with Stankhoven, Colorado's better off with Naches, and Dallas is better off with Ronton. And so basically, like, the trade, everybody worked out with all of them.

[D]

That's fair.

[B]

Kind of an everybody winner.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

Stankhoven doesn't have the name power, I don't think yet, but I think he's earning it.

[D]

Hey, how about that? How about him stepping up the other.

[B]

Night, Ferrity Farah V. And it was his first ever fight in anything he said, buddy.

[D]

He looked like a nail gun hopping in for. He hopped in for.

[E]

Who was the guy behind the net that didn't do anything originally?

[B]

Yeah, Walker, I.

[D]

It might. I don't know. I don't know. But he. He hopped in for his teammate. So when I saw that, then. Then all of a sudden that. That sword take is. Is very fair.

[B]

And he gave it.

[D]

I take my nature's comment.

[B]

He gave it, like, the hair back with the blood dripping down.

[D]

Oh, yeah, no, switched it up. That's why he did it.

[B]

That's a perfect. If you're into that type of stuff. Very, very. And. And like he said after. I really actually enjoyed it. I'm like, I don't know. That's a statement where all of a sudden, you know, you got Olivier, like, hey, I heard you like fighting. You want to go and shout out Trent Frederick. Trent Frederick took a lot of heat. And we talked about it with staff on Monday about, you know, he hasn't been necessarily doing much since he. Since he became a member of the Oilers. Dude, he fought that maniac Olivier, and he took A beat down. But that is so powerful within the room. Like every guy on that team knows you got no business fighting him. His eyes all swollen up. But I think that that shows a lot. I think it shows like he's sick and tired of kind of maybe hearing some of those rumblings like what are you going to do for us here? You know, he's. Stoff mentioned he's got 17, 18 goal seasons but he, he showed up. And that Olivier is Nails biz. Is it Olivier or Delorier if they're going toe to toe to toe in your mind right now? Like they're both pretty much the same, right?

[D]

Yeah, pretty much the same. Both. Both mutants. I think that DeLorean's got better dance. Saw that at, in South Florida at what's the bar called again?

[C]

Elbow Room.

[D]

But I would definitely say that from a well rounded player standpoint, Olivier probably holds that title. You know, contributes a little bit more as far as gameplay. One other thing from that Carolina Washington game, another unreal performance by Logan Thompson and the conversation. I feel like this should be more of a conversation than Bedard or Celebrini being on Team Canada. Logan Thompson, if con. If he continues these numbers, he has to be on that team. If he's not on that team, there needs to be some form of fucking investigation done because he is being fucked royally because he's the best Canadian goalie on the planet over the last 18 months. Not taking away anything from Bennington. It's hard to judge a guy when he's playing on a team that's had a very tough start. We know what Bennington can do when the chips are on the table. He's got a Stanley cup, dominated that final game at, at the four nations. But right now Logan Thompson is a top three goalie for Team Canada. Am I crazy or am I.

[B]

No doubt. No. But I do think no matter what Binnington start in the first game of the Olympics, like you, you, you kind of go, you go with what you know. Like as you said, the bigger the game, the better he plays. He would have to be like he's on the team no matter what. He would have to really be struggling to not get that opener in Italy come February. But after that game, who knows?

[E]

Remember they did it with Marty Brodor and then Luongo ended up coming in cause Marty wasn't playing as good. I could see it the same exact way. I think I, I think Canada has like some type of loyalty with that. And you know, at the end of the day, he did win them that four nations tournament last year and he, he was the best player for the team. But yeah, I agree with you too, Biz. He, Logan Thompson should 1 million percent be on that team.

[D]

And another one that when I was talking about that Colorado and Anaheim game, the other name I was going to bring up was Wedgwood because we had him on post game. Unbelievable breakdown of, of what he's seeing. I don't know if you guys caught that clip, but he should be an analys. He finished. He said he's coming from my job. You could take it. He's a Canadian guy and his numbers this year are, are incredible. He's played what was it, 14 games so far this year because Blackwood's been banged up a little bit. He's got a 2.26 goals against average with a 913 save percentage with 10 wins.

[B]

So leads the league and wins.

[D]

He leads league and wins. He's obviously one of those guys that's on the outside looking in. But if this continues, man, this guy's been a journeyman. He's played for five different teams. I was in Arizona announcing when he was there. Beloved, great backup, supportive teammate and I don't know man, this is, he's. He's got the pedigree. He's 6 2, doesn't look like he's that big and he can move a great skater, great edge work and I don't know man. What do you, what do you guys think?

[E]

I think if you want to be on team Canada, you just come on TNT and do an interview with Biz and you're, you're going to get his vote.

[B]

That in the hall of Fame. That in the hall of Fame. And I do love as an American and listen, you guys are the favorites, no doubt in my mind you're the favorites. But the amount of like goaltending options you have without having like a corner helle book, that that makes me happy. That makes me happy. And listen, it didn't do us any good in the warm up tournament last February. Four nations. But I just like that you're throwing out names left and right and shout out showed out Scott Wedgwood who signed a one year extension, 2.5 million with Colorado. Good for him. And another, another big contract signing Shane Pinto. The Pinto parlay four year extension with the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa's in the news everywhere. Right, Because Brady and Matthew Tkachuk started a podcast Wingman. Correct boys?

[E]

Yes, sir.

[B]

If, if those two guys with their personalities and if they go into that and they're really slinging it. Like I saw the, the first episode clip I saw, they were just. Which is so true. They're mentioning like they have to go to 3, 2, 1 point system in the NHL. I think it was Matthew saying if he could change one thing, it would three for a regulation win, two for an overtime win, one for the overtime shootout loss. I love that. I think it separates a lot. But if they end up like really being in there, being authentic, that's going to be muscles and awesome.

[D]

Oh, it's going to be a monster. It's going to be a monster. And did you not say that the league currently like 28% of games are heading to overtime? Was that, that's something you said it was something.

[B]

I don't know if it was 22% or 28% but that was as of last week. Yeah, like the odds of going into ot. And I do think like even, even Tuesday night Edmonton Philly or was that Wednesday night? That was Wednesday. Yeah. I was wearing. So Philly, Philly, like they score the. What would be the game winning goal? Connecting with a beautiful tip. Tip. It was offside. Luckily the Oilers got real lucky.

[D]

Drag a leg, bud.

[B]

I know. And what's funny is Ross did a great job of dragging the leg when he buries his second straight overtime winner.

[A]

So.

[B]

But when Philly, Philly won the face off, there's 25 seconds or 30 seconds went back on the clock. Once the goal got taken back. They just played catch, you know, D to D in the neutral zone. And it's one of those things like a lot of teams, like let's just get a point. And, and when you're playing another conference too, it's, it's, it's kind of even more evident. Like I don't care what happens with the extra point for these guys, but let's just make sure we get a point. I think that happens a lot more, more often than we think. Like, you know, you got five minutes left in the third, guys. Let's get the point right. And I don't, I don't love that as a viewer. Now, overtime can be very entertaining, but if it's 3, 2, 1, like Matthew Kachuk's talking about, I'd be all in for that. All in for that. And then you see the truly great teams that are winning in regulation more often. But back to, back to Pinto. I love this deal. I mean, I think that this guy, like after we had him on, I became a huge fan. His personality, you know, he gives you those. He Gives you those courtesy laughs. Any friend of yours is a real true foxhole type buddy if he's giving you courtesy laughs. People that you're hanging out with, it's really hard to get a laugh from them. They could be uncomfortable. They could be uncomfortable. You know what I'm saying, Keith? Just give me a laugh. I don't care if it was the worst joke of all time. If you give me a little bit of a laugh, I'll pump your tires on Chiclets till the end of existence. Right?

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

100. The only thing I was shocked about, because I know it. I've heard that he wants to be a lifer in Ottawa. He. He bleeds. Bleeds black and red, I hear. Maybe a little gold too, but kind of shocked that it was only four years. You know, for a guy that wants to be there and you know, a guy that's came up through their system, like you think there was any conversations.

[C]

With that busy 100%.

[D]

I think that they wouldn't buck up though. I think we all heard 8 times 8 was the offer and that's as high as they were willing to go on the AV&A. To me, if I'm a fan though, especially if you could end up locking him in longer after this four years is up to. To know that you have the confidence to say no, I'll sign a shorter term deal. Get 7 5. Knowing that you're going to outperform it and get a bigger tag. That. That is the confidence.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

You don't want the guy being like, yeah, get me the long term. And you know, I'm not as confident and I'll just take that money that I'm being offered. So hey, four years, seven five. Great number. And by then, like, I think you're gonna know where this team's headed. Like, is Brady Tkachuk still in the picture?

[B]

Right.

[D]

Is he still there? And have you. Have they taken that next step which we saw last year and they've righted the ship this year so far. They had a really rough start. Weren't getting the saves that they needed.

[A]

So.

[B]

Horrible goaltending before.

[D]

Horrible. Yeah, it was. It was. It was. It was hurting them so. Very happy for the Pinto parlay. And yeah, that's. That's pretty much all I got on that.

[B]

They were up two nothing Tuesday night against Dallas. Robertson tied it up with like 12 minutes to go in the third. And then Rupe Hints got the winner. It was. It was a. It was. It was a dominant performance by Ronton and who just when that guy's on, I mean, it's, it's crazy. But you're right, Otto. At the beginning, I think their goaltending was the worst in the league. They've kind of figured that out. And, and when you don't have Brady in the lineup, like you're kind of grinding every night and even, even enough like getting ready for games. Right. And like Biz, your favorite line, which I love, dragging him into the fight, like if I think of one player in the league that drags his team into the fight, it's Brady.

[E]

Yeah.

[B]

So without him, that's a lot, that's a lot to take on. Right. And I think that having Pinto locked up, it takes, it takes like a storyline away and Keith saying he wants to be there. Great, great player. Now it is kind of crazy. Like looking here last year at 37 points and 70 games, 21 goals. This year he's 17 games, 14 points. Great start. But the most points he's ever had is 37 and he's signing 7.7.5. So it's a hell of a time to be an NHL player.

[E]

I, I bet, I bet a lot of it. And with Brady being out, like, I guarantee you they've seen in that locker room him step up as a leader, he's probably getting more vocal. Cause you know, when your captain's there and Brady leads by example and with his voice, I would imagine that I, I, I guarantee you that Pinto has stepped up and been that leader. And they're like, hey, this is a guy we need around long term and good for. Yeah, like you said too Biz. Like, good for him, you know, betting on himself with a four year deal, he'll be what, 29 when that's up. So you know, you sign a four year deal and then he signs a, you know, eight year, $20 million deal a year.

[D]

Yeah, that's probably where it's going to be at. Love the classic bet on yourself line from. Yeah, it's just slides it. Right.

[B]

It's a great line. I mean, and Chuck and Bathurson, they're up after the 27, 28 season. Cousins, Pinto up after 29, 30 and Stutzel up 20, 30, 20, 31 year. So this is their, this is their time the next few years here. Like, let's see. Because if it doesn't work out and Brady's gone, it will be like if McDavid takes off. Right. Like they're completely in one identity crisis. Identity crisis. That's a great line, Biz. I like that. Good job. Good job, Nashville. They're horrible. They're horrible.

[E]

Sell the farm legit.

[B]

Like a very, very bad team. I think that is there a chance that somehow Marcia Show, Stamp coast and Soros are not on the team at the end of the year? Maybe like I, I, you, you, you think you try to do that. I don't know. Like how much money can they eat? Like, who's gonna, who's gonna trade what for those players? But I feel bad for Stammer and Marshall. Like their, their numbers aren't there. The team is losing. It's just, it's, it's, it's gotten ugly quick. Gotten very, very ugly in Nashville biz.

[D]

Yeah. I feel like, especially with where, like how, how much optimism was in the.

[B]

Air when last year we were division winners preseason.

[D]

Yeah, I was so pumped for them. And also like with both guys probably have feeling like they got snubbed from their organizations and hey, let's go meet up with Ryan O'Reilly, bunch of Wiley veterans and let's go, you know, create our own thing in Nashville. And yeah, it is not worked out. I'm not, I'm not pointing the blame at any of those guys. Although fucking Ryan O'Reilly with one of the more critical interviews of himself I've seen from a National Leaguer. And I'd expect nothing less from a guy of his status.

[B]

He took it back. He kind of said he regretted it.

[D]

Said he sounded like a baby, but classic unreal leader. Try to shoulder the blame and, and take a little bit of the, the heat off the other guys and, and that just speaks to the type of guy he is. But I, I would hope for those guys sake and the organization, strip it to the ground, strip it up. Keep the young prospects that you do have. I think that, you know, TR would probably like a few redos and, and you know, he was an extremely successful coach. Probably a, a Hall of Fame coach. I mean, helped lead OVI to his first Stanley cup with the Washington Capitals. But as you find taking on a new role, it can be difficult sometimes. Right. A lot of new things to learn and you know, he, he hasn't exactly had his best stuff. So interested to see if he gets to keep the reins moving forward and then, you know, what happens with, with coaching there. If, if maybe they think that that's part of the issue. I don't know. I don't know where this organization is headed and what changes they are going to make, but something needs to change because it's a bit of a dumpster Fire, at least to start this year.

[E]

They're lucky they're in a low market, you know, because if they were in Ottawa, Toronto, it would be a shit show. But I think, yeah, I agree with you. They got to strip it to the ground. If I'm marches though, I say, can you guys do anything possible to trade me to Colorado? And if I'm stamcoast, can you do anything possible to trade me to Florida to maybe get your revenge back the teams that let you go and also.

[D]

Going back to trots fourth all time in wins in NHL history. So I would say that that's. He's punched his ticket to the hall of Fame. So I think that when you're a Hall of Fame coach, you'll probably get a little bit more leash and leeway as a general manager to figure things out and write the ship.

[B]

So before we throw it over to Gabric, if the Rangers score two goals, they win. There was seven goals scored in the first period Wednesday night.

[D]

That was a dumpster fire of a first.

[B]

That was crazy. Crazy. And, and I mean, maybe the Rangers are starting to figure things out. They got 13 trolls last two games, right? And yeah, dude, tro check, Mario. One of the goals he got was that Vasilevsky who just completely fell.

[D]

The thing is, he forgot to take his skate guards off.

[B]

Damn it.

[D]

Yeah, I mean, we've all been there before.

[B]

I forgot at Riders team had a tournament up in, in Waterville, New Hampshire this past weekend. And one of the games, I'm walking around as like the Zamboni's kind of coming off. The door hasn't shut yet. And the kid on the other team, this team from Maine, this kid came flying, flying to the door, stepped on the ice. He had his skate guards on. This kid went flying, just sliding across the ice. So they figure that out and then the ref comes over and says, you guys are on the power play. The team came out too early. We had not shut the door yet to the Zamboni entrance. I said, no, no, no, no, no. Guys like, no, no, no. He said, nope, they're on. They're in the penalty box. So the kid, he came out early with the skate guards on went flying across the ice and caused the team to get a penalty. Tough break for a seven year old right there. So Vasilevsky's got to be better than that. We don't want to see any more of that out of him. But seven goals in first period, if you had the over, that is the greatest thing of all time. Being just Elio would have. Elio would have left the game. That's what he does when he takes the over and it goes over, he leaves. Doesn't matter if it's three. Three going ot. See you later. I won my bet.

[D]

So we did. We did glance over New Jersey and there's some. There's a few fan bases that start barking where we don't cover the teams that have had success to start the year. Jack. Jack Hughes on Wednesday night against the Blackhawks. You talked about the chances for. Chances against analytics stuff. I. I think he like set an NHL record. I think they had 17 chances for and one against when he was on the ice with his line. So he was just. It was a master class for. For Jack Hughes as he continues to push for that Olympic squad. I pretty pretty much say he's a lock for that team. Did have his struggles at the Four Nations. I think we could all admit he didn't look as dominant when it was best on best. But I'd like to talk a little bit next part of the pod after next week. At least Winnipeg hasn't gotten enough love as they continue their regular season dominance. Dallas, who we thought maybe was going to regress a little bit. They continue to push and be a top team the league. And then the other one, Vegas, we haven't really talked about much recently.

[B]

They're quietly just like.

[D]

It'd be nice to get doing their thumb on the podcast. Yeah, he was dodging us a little bit there for a week, I think.

[B]

Well, what do you mean? We.

[D]

He.

[B]

He talked all that smack and then we dusted him up in the playoffs and it's in Vegas and I think he was hurt. He was hurt.

[D]

All right. Well, I think he's over it now and we're gonna have to get him on. So don't. Don't think for those other teams who are feeling neglected, we'll make sure to get on some representation some guys to interview and give you guys the double wrister that you deserve. Another team that keeps quiet Seattle in that dickhead buoy. But. But I think only the thumb, Gary.

[B]

The one you have to bring up Nemec for Jersey at least because it was last night.

[D]

We do in the interview as well with Gabby.

[B]

Yeah, we do. We talk about Gabby.

[E]

But water.

[B]

I mean hat trick. He had also tied up the game I believe was it Monday night late, late against the Islanders. They ended up losing, but he tied it up. So second overall pick Pasha had a lot of questions about this guy and he had his back for A long time. But you're starting to see some. Some nice offense from. From this kid who. I made three goals, including the game winner and OT in a game that Jersey did dominate Chicago. Good for him. That's. That's pretty cool accomplishment. Only the third hat trick by a defenseman in Devil's history. Biz, you told us that. I didn't not know that, but I think it's time.

[D]

Who have the other two? I mean, I don't even know the answer.

[B]

I would guess Scott Needham.

[D]

I was my one guy.

[B]

Probably guess. No, if it's three players, Danicle Rafalski, maybe Danico.

[E]

Oh, Rafalski, maybe.

[B]

Rafalski, maybe. Hat trick's ridiculous though. Hey, what's it I'd want in college? Not a big deal, Pasha.

[D]

That's pretty sick.

[B]

Hey, two defendersmen on BU who interviewed.

[E]

You after the game?

[B]

Jack Hughes's mom, myself, and Kevin Schaefer.

[D]

The same game.

[B]

Had a hat trick in the same game against Yale. That's gotta be crazy. No, we won that one. He was like 7:2. Big win for BU right before Thanksgiving. Yeah, and. And. And the Hughes brothers. Mom was doing some like interview type stuff. I don't think it was Nessen. I remember, but yeah, it was crazy. I found that out later. It was her.

[D]

We do. We do. We mentioned Spencer Knight as well. As a guy who's potentially maybe making his way onto the U.S. olympic team. He's had an incredible start to the year and 24 years old, finally coming into his own. And I didn't realize like how. How many, like he played world juniors. Three. Three times, right?

[E]

Was it three?

[D]

I think.

[B]

Holy, that's crazy.

[D]

Crazy.

[E]

I mean, he was a phenom though.

[D]

Yeah, he's a 13th overall pick. Oh, here you go. Look at. Wait, you look older there than you do now.

[B]

Fox.

[E]

That was for Fox Wit. Is that what that says on her mic?

[B]

Fox New New England, maybe. Yeah, everyone says that. That I looked so old when I was so young and. And I mean, God, I don't look great now. I'm not gonna lie. The hair was kind of nice there though. I don't know what is my hairline that diagonal though. But yeah, look at Walter Brown Arena. For anyone beautiful to experience a big game at Walter Brown Arena. Biz, that ceiling was so low. This place was a madhouse. So loud. Now that game, the students might have been on break during. It was right around Thanksgiving, I believe. Not many people there, but Walter Brown arena, where I think Northeastern will be playing games as they Build a new arena on campus. I'm going to the last game ever at Matthews Arena. December 13, Northeastern playing BU, the oldest arena in the United States. Incredible spot. This is very interested.

[C]

Pretty amazing.

[B]

Pretty amazing.

[E]

Kevin Schaefer got a hat trick because I'm pretty sure lynch, he peed his bed the night before that game.

[B]

It falls.

[C]

Toothbrush.

[B]

So very dirty stuff. Come on, folks. Have a touch of class. Monday night we got the Montreal Canadiens visiting the Columbus Blue Jackets. One of the craziest atmospheres in the league. You got to catch a game in Columbus. You ever get the chance. Montreal's had a hell of a start. Columbus looking for some more consistency. I think Van Till he started scoring a little bit more. So that should be a great game. It is streaming on Prime Video in Canada. Puck drops at 7:30 Eastern. Prime Monday night hockey is available free to prime members in Canada. Start your free [e-mail] video.com and for the full Prime Monday Night hockey schedule, visit www.prime video.com SALP NHL Montreal visiting Columbus. Check that out.

[A]

Wait, I. I did a video with two fellow Boston Terriers, Cole Iserman and Cole Hudson. And in that video, Cole's Coffee reviews. You're actually nominated next. You got to check it out. But in that video, they asked for.

[B]

A hot take for the season and.

[A]

I said my hot take was I think the Montreal Canadiens could make the Stanley cup final. Do you think that is an outrageous hot take or do you think that's a fair hot take?

[B]

The east is so wide open, I don't see it yet. I think they can win around, maybe get to conference final. I don't know about their goaltending.

[D]

But.

[B]

I'm not going to hate on your take that much. I like Montreal. I'm into watching this team play now in Columbus with the cannon going off. I don't know what we're going to get. But not there yet. But not far off, if that makes any sense.

[A]

Makes a ton of sense.

[B]

Shout out Prime. Shout out NHL on Prime. Can't wait to see it with that. Let's go to a guy who has class and was an incredible player and could skate like the goddamn wind.

[D]

Do you mind if I mentioned one quick last thing before we send it off?

[B]

Please do.

[D]

We were able to get an amazing veteran on the show on TNT the other night, Craig Fitzpatrick. And I don't know if you. Oh, he's blind. Right, the blind hockey player. And he just came out with a book and we're going to get him on the podcast to tell his story. He actually never started playing hockey until he was blind.

[C]

Wow.

[D]

Which is absolutely remarkable. And he ended up going over. I think he was in Colorado at the time, and the quietest place on campus was actually the hockey rink. So he went there to study for an exam. And that's how he initially got connected and fell in love with the game of hockey. So he just released a book. It's called Finding the Puck Leadership Lessons from My Journey Through Blind Hockey. And once again, it's Craig Fitzpatrick and forwarded by NHL senior executive vice president Kim Davis and. And also Scotty Bowman's got a core at the top. It's. He goes a wonderful story. They say hockey is for everyone, and Craig has proved that. So this is the COVID of the book. I'm going to send you the link and hopefully that you can. You can send it out. And just an amazing, amazing man. And I look forward to sharing his story with you guys on the pod. And he's a big listener. He love, he loves listening and he, he's thanked us. I say, hey, listen, I'm like, buddy, you can't.

[A]

You're.

[D]

You're a veteran. Like, I, I thank you for your service. I'm not taking thanks from you on. On a veterans appreciation night, but he was very complimentary and, and helping him, mentioning how listening to the podcast helps take his mind off stuff and, and helped him through a lot of dark times and, and mentioned how happy he was to see RA back because he, he personally had dealt with some struggles as well throughout his life and, and found RA's apart and recovery extremely inspirational as well. So, Craig, you're the man. We appreciate you and looking forward to getting you on. So with that said, Marion Gabbrick man, Slovakian hockey legend, over a thousand NHL games, Stanley cup champion, and without further ado.

[B]

Gabby. All right, boys, the wait is over. Hey, dude. And the NHL just dropped and these things are filthy. We're talking your favorite teams. Embroidered logos right on the tongue, full fur lining inside. It's like a pre game nap for your feet. Solid wool and mesh upper, flex and fold tech. These things are game day. Ready? Slip on, slip off. No laces to deal with when you're stumbling home from the bar after a big win. Toe dragon to comfort boys. Whether you're at the rink tailgating or blasting some music in the parking lot. Hey, dude. In the NHL has you covered. It's the perfect combo of hockey grit and ice chill. Shop the new NHL collection [e-mail] that's hey dude.com not all teams available in all styles, but Matt Murley got hey dudes at the four nations last year and hasn't stopped talking about them and hasn't stopped wearing them since. So shop the new NHL collection right [e-mail] that's heydude.com Guys, let's take a moment here and talk about game time. The start of the NHL hockey season is here. We're in full swing. We got the blast of cold air as you walk into the arena, the roar of the crowd after a big hit, goal or fight. It's all electric. But getting there is another story. That's where game time can help out. There's queues, there's price jumps. There's getting logged out mid click. Not with game time. All you want to be is be there. Beer in hand, losing your voice with the entire crowd. And the game time app gives the advantage back to the fans. It's the hack for unlocking amazing tickets and experiences in a few tops. It's incredibly easy to use and the game time guarantee means you can trust. You get 100% authentic tickets on time and at the best price. Plus fees are always included. So what you see is what you pay this weekend. Greensboro Gargoyles hockey who are they playing? G the Tahoe. Tahoe Night Monsters. Yeah, the Tahoe Night Monsters. They're going to have a nightmare trying to play the Gargoyles in Greensboro. $30 right now with game time. Easy way to get in. Use game time. 30 bucks to get in. See the Gargoyles play some hockey in North Carolina. Take the guesswork out of buying NHL tickets, East coast hockey league tickets, concerts. Doesn't matter with game time. Download the game time app, create an account and use code chicklets for 20 off your first purchase terms. Apply again, create an account and redeem code C H I C L E T S. That's Chiclets for $20 off swipe tap ticket. Go download the Gametime app right now. Welcome now to a very special guest shout out biz. Getting this guy on the pod. Stanley cup champion. Played in two different Olympics, scored five goals in an NHL game and the highest draft pick ever for the Minnesota Wild Marine. Gabby. What's going on, buddy? How you doing?

[C]

Hey guys. Hey guys. Glad to see you guys. I mean you guys are on fire. I see you all the time. You guys popping up from everywhere. So glad that you guys doing okay and and happy that you're having me on.

[D]

Well, my apologies for my face popping up on your Feed. Maybe not so much these guys, but. But me. But the reason I reached out to you is I saw recently that Wayne traveled over there and then you guys did some. I don't know what exactly what you guys did together, you could probably better explain it. So obviously, it's an honor to get you on. It's. It's about time. But what were you guys doing in. In Slovakia?

[C]

Well, there was this one bank was celebrating 200 years, and they. They invited him and another. Another, I think, former prime minister of Finland. So he had a. Like a speech and. And we had dinner together with a bunch of people, and then we got talking and he said, hey, let's. Let's have a. Let's have a drink at the bar we share. We stayed at the same hotel, and then he asked me to go for breakfast with him and we just got to hang out for. For a couple days. So it was. It was awesome. And, you know, I. And you guys are on TNT together, so watch your panel and you guys just kick in some ass. So, yeah, it was great. A couple days with him and. What a guy. I mean, he can just ask him a question. He just gets going and telling all the stories, so it was awesome.

[E]

Isn't it insane how he can just remember everything? He remembers people's names, like when he's telling a story. It makes me feel like such an idiot when I'm telling a story because I don't remember half the details. And he remembers goals, assists, and the guy had 9 million points. It's. It's incredible. His memory.

[C]

Yeah, he was. He told me he almost remembers every game and every goal he scored and. And yeah, it's unbelievable. So, you know, he. You guys keep him young and. And he loves it. He was praising you guys and he just enjoy. Enjoys to be around young people and just talk about hockey and stories and everything. So he just loved it.

[D]

Is. Was that your first time being able to spend, like, quality time with him and really getting to hang out and. And was he someone that you looked up to and idolized growing up when you were playing?

[C]

I think I met him once in New York, but when I was playing there, but he just came around, you know, shook hands, but that was pretty much it. And then now we get to hang out and. And yeah, I mean, you know, like, he was a legend. He was everybody's idol. And I missed him by. By one year, which is. It would be cool to play against him, but I missed him.

[A]

He.

[C]

He finished 99. I started in 2000, so. Too bad, but glad that I met him. I met him and it was kind of cool. He texted me the other day how the trip went. I went to Minnesota and he asked me and then it was cool to hear from him. So it's cool that we can keep in touch and hopefully see him around again.

[B]

I'm glad we got you on right now because I think it was just yesterday Slovakia dropped their Olympic uniforms. Those are unreal. And I was wondering, are you going to have. Will you be at the Olympic Games? I know you do a podcast or media over there. Do you have anything to do with the team, maybe? It seems like a guy like you, I'd want to bring in at least part of the staff, but I didn't know your plans for. For Italy.

[C]

I'm going to. I might tell you guys if we do this podcast maybe a couple of weeks from now, I might tell you more. But now. But maybe we can cut this or whatever.

[D]

No, leave. Leave the mystery up to everybody. You could just drop a little teaser.

[C]

I just, you know, I, I'm in touch with those guys. Mirror Shattan is. We had him on a few times on podcasts. I see him around, he's ahead of Slovakian hockey, but I'm not really involved. Maybe eventually. I'm not really into coaching or managing. Maybe I would down the road, maybe if the kids grow up, maybe work with the guys on some sort of a mental level in terms of confidence, how confidence is very important for players. And it seems that historically Slovakia seem to struggle with confidence in all the sports. Pretty much hockey especially, you guys kind of have it in your DNA, whether it's American or Canadian guys. You know, you go play against teams like that and you just kind of, you know, intimidated by the leaf on their jersey or USA logo. So you guys have it in your DNA. And I think, you know, Slovakian athletes and especially hockey players, I think miss that extra juice of confidence and, and maybe down road work. Work on that with the guys.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, I, I think it's. It's pretty cool. I feel like at least in, in recent world juniors, it's getting better and better. And I know you're one of the, I mean, are you the highest drafted Slovakian player ever? I would, I would think, no, no.

[C]

Slavkowski and Nemes beat me by one year, number one and number two, they were in, I think 2,000, I don't know, a couple years ago or three years ago. So, yeah, those guys went, went high and good for them. I mean, it was you know, I was number three. It's been a while. And, and they, yeah, they. They got up to one and two.

[D]

Good, good time. And two Nemes just had his first career Hatcher. Pretty crazy. I didn't real for the Devil's history for it to only be the third hat trick by a defenseman in the history of the organization. I was shocked to see that. But good for him. And, and, and who would you. Would it be Chara be considered maybe the greatest, like the goat of Slovakian hockey? Is that a fair assessment? Like, who would you put up there as far as the top dog?

[C]

Well, I mean, you have, you know, Peter Cessna, obviously a long time ago, but Stan Mikita was Slovakia and to then I think immigrated. But. But you know, in new era, I think, you know, for sure, Marion Hosa and you know, it was just introducing hockey hall of Fame and you know, you have guys like Ziggy Palfi and people don't talk about it much, but I never seen bigger talent in my life, you know, in terms of scale and in terms of just put on skates and, and, you know, do what he did best. I mean, he could just score from anywhere and, and the vision he had, it was unbelievable.

[B]

I played with Ziggy when, When he stopped playing, it was. He was so silky. You're right. His vision was unbelievable. He'd find guys anywhere he wasn't looking. He'd find you. And then Hortichuk ran him over in Nashville. He's like, I'm good. I'm all set with playing in this league. I'm done playing. And his attitude was hilarious too. Like he cared, but the attitude was like, I really don't care.

[C]

Off a little bit.

[B]

Yes, yes.

[D]

But you guys joke back home about.

[C]

How he just was like, ah, fuck it.

[D]

I shut it down.

[C]

He had so many stories that he's a legend in terms of just all the stories he's had. And, and he could just pick up brand new skates or brand new hockey. He would just cut it, you know, we didn't have to put a tape on it and just go out and be unbelievable. And at the end of the game, he would just have like this little spot of sweat, you know, just, just, you know, if you see him, you wouldn't give him a five bucks, you know what I mean? Like, if you see him in the alley or something, like, you know, he's, you know, like this, you know, never, you know, didn't even. I don't think he even came too close to weight room and then he was just pure talent and what an unbelievable guy too. So you know, I, I see him here and there and, and he still runs. You know, he's still, he's in good shape and, and he still go on the ice and, and plays beer league. So he, he just enjoys hockey and he was such a great talent. I, I was fortunate to play with him in, in Vancouver in Olympics, him and Joseph Stumppole. So yeah, it was, it was, it was a, it was a treat.

[B]

So I remember for you personally like first time I ever played against you is my rookie year in Minnesota. And your speed was, was your ultimate weapon. I mean it's all anyone talked about. And I gotta know as a young kid, like was it always there? Were you playing a lot of soccer? Because people still talk about your speed. It's honestly like Pavel Bure was like just. It was insane. And I didn't know what kind of created that for you as a young kid or a teenager.

[C]

I was always faster kids and we had a great coach here. I think everybody went through him in terms of skating and everything and he really gave us basics. Obviously not like now that there are skill coaches, you do some sort of edge work. Like I wouldn't be able to do anything like these guys do these days. But yeah, you know, I was always a good skater. But then when I was 16, 17, I started putting, putting a little weight on, did some exercises in the gym and did a lot of biometrics and worked on my skating as I knew that, that coming to NHL it's all about speed. Not much, not much time out there. So I really tried to work on that and, and worked in my favor obviously maybe because of that I've had a lot of issue with my groins and, and hips and stuff. Maybe that was some sort of a, you know, I had to pay for that with, with, with the speed I had. But you know it really, it was. My legs were money makers. Let's, let's put. And yeah, it was great to you know now these days like I wasn't shifty like you have McDavid or McKinney now. I was just straight up get the puck to me. And when somebody was chasing me on breakaway, that was my best chance to score. I couldn't put shit in the net on the shootout when the shootout started because you start thinking, you know, start thinking what am I going to do? You have something in your head and then come coming between circles. I totally changed my mind and then it up.

[B]

So it was another all time Marion Gabric story. I don't know if you remember when on the Oilers. Had to be like, 2012. Ish. You dusted us. You're on the Rangers. You guys crushed us. You had a couple goals, and Jason Strudwick was chasing you on a breakaway. He's like, I could have chased him to China. I wouldn't have caught him. You just. You buried it. The sound went up.

[E]

It just.

[B]

I'll never forget him talking. He's like the one guy. Look up. It's Gabric.

[D]

Oh, no. Yeah. Don't let him get behind you.

[C]

I. I just thought of it. I. Looking at Yang. I remember. Do you remember?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You remember?

[E]

I sent it to them this morning.

[B]

Can we throw it in there? I don't think we can. Keith, describe the play.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

So I had heard great things about Gabby. He was an unbelievable guy, and he hadn't scored in a few games, so I just wanted to give him one. And, no, I was standing behind the net and I must not have saw you. And I tried to pass it out the right side and flipped off the tip of my stick, went right to Gabby, who probably had 40 goals at that point, and just tucks it in on Smitty. And Smitty just looks back at me like, are you serious? It couldn't have been more embarrassing. Biz. I.

[D]

Wait, so. So you.

[B]

The worst giveaway I've ever seen Biz.

[D]

You sunked yourself.

[E]

Must have thought I was on his team.

[C]

From behind here, the puck behind the line and, like, looks up. Obviously, you know, a great puck mover and everything. Had everything planned out. But then he hit the. The tip of the, Like, a blade and straight to me. I was. I was shocked. I was like, what am I gonna do? I. I was so surprised. So I got a shot off. I didn't score on the first one, but the rebound I got, and I think it was my. Might have been my, like, 300th goal or something. I remember we had a party. We had a party afterwards in, I think, Scottsdale somewhere. Had team dinner. I brought. Took the guys out, and I think it was one of the goals that really counted, I guess.

[E]

Yeah. You should have invited me for that dinner.

[C]

Sorry about that.

[B]

Yan said that if it happened nowadays, he'd be getting investigated by the, like, the FBI first for shaping points.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

It was so bad.

[D]

You should have.

[C]

You should have taken a thought like Biddington, just for obi, you know?

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

I thought I was gonna get invited to your dinner.

[D]

Extra bucks. That is so good. I usually when we would get guys of your status on, we kind of start from the beginning. We talked about how you learn how to skate and that was one of your, your best attributes. But what attracted you to hockey and at what age did you put on the blades? Like did your, did your father play? Like what, what got you hooked on hockey?

[C]

My, My brother used to play. He's nine years older. He played league here for home team Dukla Trenchen. And I just followed him and he was kind of my first idol. And then I remember going to the games and you know, wooden sticks and everything. And I remember when somebody broke a stick during the game in not on a blade but in the shaft. I remember running down to the penalty box because the referee is always put a broken stick on the penalty box. And my dad used to glue it for me and then I played outside and, and even on the edge of those sticks. So, so I remember those days and, and yeah, he was kind of my first title and, and you know, kind of took off from there. So you know, had a great support from him down the road. My parents and, and it was. Those are good times.

[D]

Remember we were talking to Achara boys and he used to talk about how he would have the pouch in, in his pants and he would ha. He would bring his own puck because resources were, were really at a minimum back then. And I'm sure you felt the same effect. You just said you, your father used to get the old broken sticks and tape them together. So it seemed like it was like almost hard to come by resources in order to keep accelerating the game over there.

[C]

Yeah, we, you know, to get a gear and everything. We didn't skate up until I think the third grade, which was what, you were nine years old or something. You, you just had skates on and gloves. And then after that we kind of inherited the gear from, you know, sixth graders to fifth graders and go and so on so on from junior to, to younger team. And same with sticks. Like the, the sticks were kind of circulating and, and if, if a guy kind of put his on a professional team, he put a skate away, he put the stick away and it was not in great shape. Then they moved it down to, to lower categories and that's how we got, that's how we got, you know, the gear and stuff. And I remember might have been, I don't know, knife grade or something like that. My dad Bough Spares case. It was a Bauer 4000, as you guys probably remember, with black blades. And I got, he got me size. I Think I don't think now I would have played in that size. It was so big and I used to crush like the newspaper, you know, and, and, and some sort of a foam or something. I stuck it in the toe and so they would fit. They were huge in this case. But last it three, four years or something like that. So that's how we went about the business then.

[B]

Any parent out there biz that's out there like getting their kids like $1200, it's just crazy to think that it doesn't really matter. It's like if you're good enough, you're gonna fucking make it work. And that, that's incredible because you were probably like, all right, these will fit me when I'm 15 or 7:17.

[C]

My first, my first gamination. I could have probably wore them.

[A]

Oh my.

[D]

Hey, do you feel like in some cases guys have said they used to use those big skates growing where more blade on the ice, maybe help them develop their stride. Did you find that that was kind of like almost like speed skating essentially?

[C]

I don't know. I mean that for sure wasn't the reason I got them. I just got them for like to, to last longer. But it might have been, but it was kind of subconsciously. It wasn't like meant to, you know, for my parents to do that or. But you know, the, you know, the, the stuff was expensive and, and we really, we were grateful even for that stuff. I mean, Z Chara can tell you about all his stories about the gear that wouldn't fit him. I mean he was, you know, 20ft tall and everything. So it was really, really hard for, for him to get the gear inherited from his predecessors because there was nobody like him. Right. So, so. But you know, nowadays the kids have it, have it all. Like they. Sometimes I feel that they don't appreciate it. The. You know, when I have a hockey school and I always tell the kids use the sticks only with the pug. Never. I don't want to see anybody banging the stick against the glass against the board or you get frustrated against the ice because that costs 300 or whatever dollars, you know. And then, and then it's just, it just, you know, I just try to tell them to really appreciate and be grateful because we didn't have those, we didn't have that when we were growing up.

[E]

Is it more so like the federation is paying for the stuff for the K kids nowadays or it's just families have more money and you know, can spend the money on the hockey equipment?

[C]

Well, Hockey is expensive sport, obviously. I mean, there is some support. I don't know to what extent, but it's, it's mostly, mostly on, on the parents. You know, like, you know, the kids grow fast and, and you know, you have to buy them skates every year pretty much or whatever. And it is expensive sport. And they are, I'm trying to support some kids too, and then they are, you know, even. I don't know to what extent federation helps but you know, it expense. It's expensive sport. And you know, if you want to have individual skill practices with coaches, it's, it's not cheap and you guys know that for sure.

[D]

I was just gonna ask, what was your childhood like? I mean, you would play hockey in the winters. Was it something that you became addicted to where you were still able to get on the ice in the summertime? Did you gravitate towards other sports? And like, just like, you know, you mentioned you had an older brother. Like, what were you doing in your, your adolescent years for, for fun, hobbies and all that type of stuff?

[C]

Well, I mean, you came from school, you, you threw the, through the backpack in a car and went outside, whatever. You, you played, you played, you know, soccer or, or you went out to, to play street hockey. We always did that like every day pretty much. And, and we just spent, you know, the whole day outside if, if we could. So, you know, nowadays, like, it's not the same, but you know, we were, we, we were playing, we had a team because I went to school from the fifth grade on with my teammates, so it was like a hockey. We went to the same school to the same class and we played. They were my teammates as well. And we were playing handball. I don't know, you guys, you guys don't have it there, but it's, it's pretty big in Europe. We played in handball and, and I was goalie and that was, that was a hard sport. But like, you know, we, we play all kinds of different sports, so that was important. And the, we couldn't, you know, we were happy that we could go in the ice at six in the morning, you know, couple, two, three times a week. And the ice time wasn't much, so we just tried to take the better best of it. And you know, winter, you know, on the parking lot, parents came out and sprayed water, you know, on the street. We were playing hockey on the street pretty much with the skates. So yeah, it was. The ice time was hard to come by those days.

[B]

I mean, you started playing in the professional league In Slovakia when you, when you were 16 and right before that, like was there any thought of you going over to play major junior? I know some guys were doing that then. It wasn't as common as it is now, but over. You kind of like looking forward to and dreaming of playing in the Slovakian league at a young age and willing to play there until you could get to the NHL.

[C]

Yeah, I was actually, I was drafted by Bake Como Ledracar. Yeah. So I, I probably still have the jersey somewhere with the big pirate ship or whatever was it and, but I had a chance to play pro and you know we're talking about that if I, if I play, if I play an ice fight, it would be better for me to get used to men's hockey, you know, on the ice and also off the ice, which was very important to get used to. Kind of like to, to you know, grow up quicker or, or mature quicker. And that was the case. And you know, we, we had a, we had a good team. It wasn't always easy to play with men and, and especially those times, you know, like imagine a young guy taking 35 year old spot. You can imagine how, how it got sometimes in the locker rooms. But, but you know, it, it kind of, I grew a thicker skin from, from those experiences and, and helped me a big time coming to play in NHL.

[D]

I'll go back just to that. Like you're saying like you took an older guy's spot. Were the other guys in the locker room also resentful or was it just mainly that that guy spot that you took and is that what made it such a difficult transition?

[C]

Well, not just that guy, but there were, there were a few guys that you know, made it really difficult for a young guy. You know, some certain things that would not fly one bit in these days, in this day, like initiation type stuff. Not just that but, but overall like you know, you go on a practice and you just, you get crash tagged like, like from behind and, and into the boards and you know, just you know, going two hander around your ankles and stuff like that. That, and it wasn't easy. But then eventually when, when they, they found that, that I became good, I, I, I was helping the team to score. So I created some sort of respect by playing and by kind of not I stood up sometimes for myself. So they were like okay, maybe we should kind of, you know, took it down a notch and, and a lot of times coaches look the other way because that's what it was seeing older guys kind of, they held they were with them in terms of their. Not like supporting what they're doing, but they just looked away a lot of times and it was a good, great teaching lesson down the road, but it wouldn't fly today, I can tell you that much.

[B]

Did you know that that first year you would make the Minnesota Wild? And I'd love to hear. I mean that's, that's kind of a. You experienced this something so new, right? Like hockey's back in Minneapolis. It's an incredible market. Like they, they deserve to have a little bit more success than they've had. But when you went into that camp, was it. Were you kind of told, hey, listen, you're on the team or we're not sure yet. And I didn't know how you approached that first camp because it's just, even then it was way more uncommon than it is now for, for an 18 year old to play his, his rookie season right after being drafted.

[C]

It was, I was fortunate that it was expansion team. So, you know, you had five, six guys that were, that made the team 100% and then the other guys were fighting on it. So nobody, we didn't have any superstars. We didn't have any, any guys that were like, okay, they had it made. So it was pretty much like everybody starting from scratch and that was, that was advantage. I don't know how it would work if I would become, if I would come to, let's say, team, like, I don't know, LA or Detroit, like we couldn't even, you know, talk about. But it was, I really, really. The guys kind of were good to me and they helped me around and they helped me out. And then I was fortunate also. I had like, we had like maybe seven or eight Czechoslovakians, guys from Czech and Slovakia. So that helped nutrition my transition. It was better, but I was confident that I could make the team. And obviously Jacques Lenur sat me down and you know, I wasn't always trying to hang around our blue line. I was, you know, trying to score goals and everything. But he sat me down. He said, gab, you cannot play like this. You know, so with, with this project and, and I had to take care of defensive stuff and then offensively do whatever you want. But like, and that helped me out a lot. And, and I, you know, Jacques, to this day I say he was the best coach we, I've ever had. And, and you know, he was. And he kind of knew too if, if I made a mistake or something, I didn't, wasn't responsible in some situations. You Know there's a power play and you're sitting on a bench and that was kind of a punish punishment that, that he, he knew how to throw it out there for the guys.

[B]

Their first year, the leading scorer had 39 points. He had 30. Imagine an NHL leading score of a team 39.

[D]

I know scoring was down back then.

[C]

But my God, yeah, it was.

[D]

Yeah, that must have been a long year.

[E]

Like when you came over here, were you worried? All because I don't think people realize how big of a difference. You've played on big ice your whole career coming up to here, and then you skating is your best asset. Like, were you worried that it might not translate to the NHL game?

[C]

I don't know. I think, I think the smaller, smaller surface was, was better for me in terms of, you know, you get, you get. If you make, if you, if you beat somebody one on one, you, you, there you go, you, you can have a chance right away, whether it's from the boards, you know, you know, it's shorter distance from the boards to the goal and, and I think it creates. If you can, can make, can be the guy one on one, you have a chance pretty much a lot of times. And, and I really worked on my shot in terms of, of Joe Sack. He was kind of, I was looking up to him in terms of his, his quick reshot because I knew that coming here, you don't have time for slap shot. You don't have time to get ready for a shot. You always, that's what I try to work on my wrist shot and, and always almost try to shoot when it surprises me, you know what I mean? And then if sort of I get, I get surprised by a shot, everybody else will. And, and it was, I think, you know, working on my shot was the best thing I could ever done because, you know, you don't have time to get ready for anything pretty much. Right.

[D]

I was just going to go back it up a little bit. I would assume that the, the biggest moment of your playing career was probably getting to represent your country at the world juniors in two years. Where were your world juniors? And, and like what was that experience like, getting to represent your country at such a high level at that age that you were at?

[C]

Yeah, I remember I was 16 and it was in Winnipeg and, and Brandon in 98, 99.

[D]

I remember 16.

[C]

And I think we played, we played Canada our first game. We, we beat check three one and as a 16 year old I happened to score two goals. So I was like, wow. And I remember Jim McKenzie. Jim, his name is, right?

[E]

Yep.

[C]

Yeah. So he was, he was interviewing me after the game. That was the first time I met him. A little short guy. And. And he was interviewing me.

[D]

I was Bob McKenna MacKenzie. I thought you meant Jim McKenzie, the one that's got the huge hammer. He played for the Winnipeg Jets. Because you said Winnipeg, so that's why.

[C]

No, no, no. Bob McKenzie. So he's probably got a big rope through, though, so. And then we played, we played Canada and I remember we tied him 00 long going that. You had Simon G. You had Robin R. You had a. Daniel Kachak was unbelievable then. I remember. And also you had a.

[B]

Brandon Reed. Remember that little guy? Brandon Reed, I think was on that team.

[C]

But there was one guy, Rico F. He could fly.

[A]

He.

[C]

He was unbelievable. He was like. He was fly and it was crazy. And Russians, they have afino G. They have. He was, I think, MVP of that tournament. But we end up, we end up beating Sweden in bronze medal game. We get bronze medal. So that was, it was huge in Slovakia. Yeah, for Slovakia. It was, I think, first ever medal for the country in, in hockey. So. Yeah, that was, that was unbelievable.

[D]

That was your. At that point, probably the, the greatest achievement of your career, right?

[C]

Yeah, for sure.

[D]

That's unreal. And then were you, were you expected to go as high as you were? Like, did you attend the draft?

[C]

Yeah, I was at the draft. And you know, I, I had a. I knew New York Islanders were speaking number one, and they had me, they flew me over to look at facility, you know, like all the medical and everything. So I thought, I'm gonna go up there. But then you get into the draft and you hear rumors they made that big trade. So obviously they went, they went to pick Rig DiPietro and then hitter. Hitter. Then Hitley went second. He went to Atlanta and I went third to Minnesota and he was in Calgary. And I remember after going to Cowboys, but Obviously I was 18, I, you know, I didn't drink. And I remember Heater was just partying, everybody all over him on the dance floor. So he was a.

[D]

That's when bottle service was invented at that draft.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

When Heater went into Cowboys.

[B]

Most points from that draft. You have the most points from that draft.

[C]

Really?

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Wow, that's cool.

[E]

That's unreal.

[B]

It is pretty sick.

[C]

That was pretty, pretty good drafts, I think you have.

[B]

Yeah.

[E]

William Rafa Torres.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Scotty Hartnell.

[C]

Scotty Hartnell. And number six. Yeah, yeah.

[D]

There was somebody mid draft who was. Oh, Brooks Orpek couple Stanley Cups, he was a mid round pick. So after that first year in Minnesota, it seems like that second year is where you really hit your stride. I think you ended up putting up back to back 30 goal seasons year two and three. So like, like did you just feel like a different guy coming in your second year? You felt like a vet that and things were just clicking a lot easier.

[C]

Yeah, I mean, yeah. And I think, I remember, I think that second or third year, Andrew Burnett, I love the guy. Like we still keep in touch. He's unbelievable. He pulled me, pulled me in. I think we had a New Year's Eve party and he pulled me in and he kind of told me like to kind of come back down to the earth pretty much to kind of like, like, you know, you're good, you're gonna be good, but just I think you, you kind of flying up high, you know, too high in terms of, you know, maybe little cockiness or ego or something like that. And I remember that to this day that he sat me down and talked to me, you know, not giving me or anything, but just really, you know, talk to me as, as, as a friend, as somebody that really wanted me to do good. And, and so that stuck with me and I just kind of came down, you know, fall down on, on, on, on the earth. And, and just from then I, I think it helped me to really be grateful and, and just try to play as better, stack in and try to be the best teammates that I can. So I remember to this day it was, you know, I'm thankful for that, for him.

[E]

What a difference. Like you said, the guys, the way that the guys treated you when you were 16 years old. And then, you know, Andrew Brunette, who, I had him in Florida too, just a great leader. And having a guy like that say that to you and everyone I've asked that I've talked to, asking about you, to saying that we were going to have you on, all they said was he was the best teammate, told you how it was, you know, just like a guy that was there for you. So it's cool to see that you brought it to the way that Bruno did and just, you know, trying to help people out, right, because at the end of the day you just want to help people out and help them get better.

[C]

No, for sure. I mean, you know, like, like I didn't want the guys that, you know, to go through what I went through in, in some of the situation. And then I just always treat young guys, you know, I never bullied anyone or Never, you know, be, you know, speaking down to anybody. I try to treat everybody the same way. And, and, you know, because I have experienced when I was younger that, that I was always young. I never, I was never older guy. You know what I mean? So. So when I was an older guy, I just try to treat everybody the same way.

[D]

You said it was in January, in your second year, where he pulled you aside when he said something to you originally. Were you like. Like, were you kind of unaware of it? Were you. Were you pushing back at the start and then he kind of made you, like, snap out of it, or were you kind of like, yeah, you're right. Like, were you. And also, were you cruising around like a fancy car, like, like what. What type of things were you doing? That was maybe a little bit too cocky?

[C]

It was obviously, you know, caught me by surprise that, that I was like, shocked because, you know, you don't look in a mirror and then see what, what you really do. You know, other people see it and, and yeah, I was shocked. But then I didn't really say anything back to him or, or, no, you're wrong or anything. I kind of took it to the heart and, and yeah, it was kind of. It was maybe I was doing. I didn't even realize it. It was just maybe. I don't know, I was just not do it. Did whatever I wanted in terms of, I don't know, you know, maybe in practices, I didn't practice hard enough or.

[E]

I don't know.

[C]

I can't tell you really those things. But I kind of. I kind of took it to the heart and just try, try to, try to, you know, be grateful and go about my business.

[B]

So that third year in Minnesota, though, it was pretty, Pretty crazy run. Like, you guys went to the conference finals and I. It was Colorado right in the first round that you guys beat, beaten game seven and took. Took down Vancouver. And I can't imagine that city then, like, they've been looking for, for a trip to the conference finals since, and it must have been electric and, and going into the playoffs, like, you guys had big dreams, but I, I'm guessing going against Colorado, it was like the expectations maybe weren't as high as you guys had imagined they'd be, right?

[C]

Yeah, it was unbelievable. We're down 31 against Colorado and I remember we had practice in Colorado before Game 5, and we were shit. You could see that the guys were just like, already gave up. And then I remember, I think Reiser, like, rise, bro, came down and said something, but it Was again like Andrew Burnett kind of, you know, say, hey guys, like, you gotta wake the up. Who knows where you're gonna play against these type of players against this type of situation. Like, you know, like, you gotta, you gotta get up and. And just enjoy it and. But like put really working and not give up like that. And that was a turning point and. And we end up up, you know, beating in seven games. And Bruno was the guy in game seven who scored, who pretty much put Patrick Roa into retirement home. Into retirement, bad home.

[D]

But he's gonna love hearing that.

[B]

Yeah, that was his last game.

[C]

He's gonna love hearing his last game. And I remember that. But yeah, nobody expected. I mean, you. You play against Sakic, Forsberg, you know, Rablic, you know, Adam Foot, you know, hey, Duke. And everybody. So that was. Everybody was shocked, you know, and, and patio riding that and then, you know, seven games. And it was unbelievable that coming back from the series to mini. The fans were greeting us at the airport and I remember on the driveway the kids from the neighborhood were. Were, you know, riding stuff on the, on the driveway with the chalks and everything. It was, it was unbelievable. And then Vancouver, that was. That was crazy too. Like Bertuzzi in Aslan. And then same scenario, three one, we're down. And then came back game seven two. And I think it was. I think last this game seven was like we beat them by three or four goals. But. But you know, you had your guys like Matt Cook, that was the biggest asshole in the eyes, as you guys probably know. But it was, it was, it was fun. It was fun. And Vancouver always treats you very nicely, as you know.

[D]

Oh yes. Oh, yes. That's why I lived there in the summer. Now that year was Liquid Dwayno Roll, senior goalie.

[C]

Oh yeah.

[D]

Were they doing the. Were they throwing the back of. Oh, yeah.

[C]

Liquid Dwayne.

[D]

I hosted them. The Tampa Bay Lightning. I think he was playing for Tampa Bay. Maybe it was the Islanders at the time time, but, you know, he was an older guy and they had a rookie party and I'm like, who is this guy? He had a NBA draft suit on. He was swimming in it. And he might have been the drunkest.

[C]

Guy on the planet, like the Como or two, whatever. Like, it was. It was unbelievable. And yeah, they were rotating. Jack was rotating Manny Fernandez and, and him.

[B]

And every game, no matter what, they would go back and forth.

[C]

I. I can't remember if it was every game, but might have been series to series, but, you know, he was rotating and, and that, that too, it wasn't common back then. Like, you know, you're your number one guy and that was it. But I think if, if he, you know that that was also our goal to our success to, to for Jacques having having do that and also rotating captaincy. Like who, who has done that? Like every month we had a different captain. I think think.

[D]

I think instead of playing juice boy, they'd play captain boy shootout and a practice who gets to wear the city for the month.

[C]

So it was, it was kind of cool to you know when, when they were giving out the captaincy after each month. And then, and then you see the guys that, that for example, Brad Brown, like defenseman, you know, couldn't really skate. You know, hard working guy, really put his heart and soul on the ice. And you know my number five, number 60 Passman, sometimes he was out of the lineup but, but you could see on his face when he got that C that, that he was the happiest guy in the world. And, and, and really guys admired that to, to, to see that, that he's made progress, he was working hard and, and it was kind of a reward for, for the job, you know, you could have done for the team. And I think think for Jacques it was good way in order to not have somebody stable as a captain to, to talk into his business, you know what I mean? So he spurted out. So he was always the boss, you know what I mean?

[B]

Yeah, exactly. Where it's like, it's like nobody's safe because yeah, there's a different captain all the time. But I'm wondering the next year, which was the, the final year the NHL had before the season was canceled the following year and the game changed forever, you, you played games in the Slovakian league. Was that like a contract holdout and you were playing over there?

[C]

It was a holdout. It was a holdout.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

After my.

[B]

Wow, it's kind of ballsy you were playing in that holdout, right?

[C]

Yeah, because you can, you can play nine games and then if I were play 10 games or something, then I wouldn't be able to sign or something like that. There was some sort of a rule so I could play nine games and, and then I was just holding out and, and yeah, I mean, you know those, those things, you know, like you no try to hold out, try to get a better deal, but at the end of the day like didn't do much, you know what I mean?

[B]

So not only that, but how long when you ended up signing, how long term was the Deal. How many years?

[C]

Three. Three year. Three years.

[B]

So at least it wasn't a real long one because then that deal got bumped. 24 rollback after the. After the.

[C]

So yeah, but then like I remember when I signed, I came back and you could see that. That Jacques really, really punished me for that. I remember first practice bag. Oh, I got bagged like no tomorrow.

[D]

Oh my God.

[C]

It was. Oh, oh my God. Like it was. And you could see them, him and Mallory Tromboy talking to each other guys young, you know, like. Yeah, so. But you know, it was. It was a good lesson and obviously if I could take you back, maybe I wouldn't hold out. But it was a good lesson and, and back day. Back then you really had to work and prove that you're worth of the money. Like seemed like nowadays they just giving the money got to the guys that haven't really proved that they, you know, they. I don't know. It's differently. Different. Different time and. And obviously the market is different. So it is what it is.

[B]

But yeah, I mean, God, it's crazy to think too. Like if you look at. I'm trying to look at this team right here. When you played the lockout year, you had you, Hosa and Pavel Demetra playing like that and you had 50, 53 points in 29 games. Like it had to be pretty fun. You know, obviously everyone wants to be in the NHL. We got three superstars playing for your hometown team and. And you guys just lit it up.

[C]

Yeah, there was. That was a lot of fun, like playing in front of, you know, from a home, home crowd and, and we really had a blast. And we. There was a window of one month and me and Hosa went to Sweden for a month. Month and then we came back for playoffs and we ended up losing in semifinal to Slow and Bratislava where I was playing and Shaitan. And it was a bummer we lost. But yeah, it was a fun year. I mean obviously you would want to play in NHL, but that was a treat to come back and play for hometown.

[B]

When did you first deal with a groin injury? When did it kind of start for you? You. Because it was like playing against you, you know, if you were out of the lineup occasionally, it was like, thank God as a defenseman. But I know it ended up, you know, it was something that you battled your entire career. Like did that start in Minnesota? Was it later? And. And what was like the first kind of thing that happened? I guess.

[C]

Yeah, it was in Minnesota. I can't remember what. Which year Was it? But yeah, just a little growing pole and then, then you know, try to treat it, whatever. Thinking back, got re. Injured and it was just like, you know, it was just like snowball effect. And then, and then it was really mentally tough to kind of to, to be confident because I was scared to put on that next extra gear. You know what I mean? That I'm gonna, I'm gonna pull something again. And then, you know, I had surgeries and then, and then kind of when I left, Mini was in and I wanted to stay in Mini, but. But then, you know, they, they went different route. And then I signed in New York and then after surgery, a couple hip surgery got it got better and then I kind of got that the extra gear back and, and, but it wasn't, wasn't pleasant times to be out of lineup and, and with a groin injury, you know what I mean? So it wasn't, it wasn't easy. But I guess that was the, that was the thing with me having the stride I had and, and that was some sort of a. You had, I had to pay some sort of a, pay for it in terms of.

[B]

Yeah, your stride was so long. That was the thing. Like that's where the speed came from. But I, I, I, and then I'm guessing that that led to the hip stuff. It all goes back to probably the groin. But how many surgeries did you end up having overall?

[C]

Like 14, I think. Overall what. But then hips and like a sports hernia. Two each in terms of like the, the skating stuff. Shoulders and stuff too. But then like the, yeah, the hips in the veil. Both of them. And then hernia. So yeah, it was, it was, was. It wasn't. Wasn't easy. But you know, when I got back, I always enjoyed playing and, and when I got really healthy, you know, that you could, that I could turn that extra gear. That was the best thing.

[D]

Last thing I was going to talk about from Minnesota days. I had seven goals in my NHL career. You had five in one game. Now that's probably a very short list of guys who played in the NHL who had five.

[E]

How many, how many guys would you think I looked it up in one game?

[B]

I was just going to look it up.

[D]

I was going to say 10, 12.

[C]

Massive. More than that. Less than 27.

[A]

More.

[E]

More.

[B]

More than 20.

[C]

Yep.

[D]

Holy.

[B]

There's more than 20 guys with five goals in a game.

[D]

I mean, 48. 48.

[E]

Joe Malone is the leader with five.

[C]

Sweet Joe Malone goal games.

[E]

He had five. Yeah, five. Five goal games. What year is that Joe Malone played 1917-1924.

[D]

Okay, fair enough.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

He's got 13 records, though.

[D]

Did you do anything different that game? Did you feel different going in, like, no.

[E]

Empty netters, too, in that game.

[B]

I'm going to that YouTube right now. I got to rewatch these.

[E]

The one that he scored, batted out of the air was sick.

[C]

Yeah, it was. I don't know. It was. I. I. When I. Somebody asked me this question, I think I. I was some. In some sort of a zone or the stars are aligned certain way, and. And. And I could have literally scored seven. Like, I had so many chances. And then on five and three afterwards, the guys were setting me up and open net. Steve Alekid was in it after hang got pulled and I broke my stick on empty netter. Just stuff like that. Like. And it was just amazing night that everybody. Everything worked in my favor. And then great setup from the guys, obviously. Paolo Demetra assisted, I think, on three of them, you know, and, yeah, Chris Drury assisted on the fifth one. Fifth one when he cast it up on their blue line. But then even I found on that last shot against hang, and I tried to go blocker. Ended up being going five hole. I totally fell on a shot, and it went in. So I guess, like I said, I was in some sort of a zone or Stars were aligned. Yeah, it was crazy easy.

[D]

No wonder they traded for you.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

So you're gonna say yes?

[E]

That's what I was gonna say. That had to have been the reason why, because I know how Dolan is, too, and it's like, you see that, you're like, okay, I need that guy. If he's.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Who's that shiny toy?

[B]

Yeah, exactly.

[C]

Well, about Nolan, I remember they. They signed me as a free agent for, I think it was five years, 42 or 43 million, something like that. And we had, like, they have this casino night, and I don't know, it was maybe in December or. I don't know. So I got in. And then. And then, you know, Dolan attacked Dolan. Glanco was there, and we shook hands with Dolan, and. And he said, yeah, so are you on a power play? And, like, you just. You just signed me for five years, 42 million, and you're asking me if I'm on a power play? Like, so how is when you know you're rich? So that was hilarious. I was talking to. I. I came to slots. I was like, hey, slots. Has this guy. Like, he has no idea who. Who I am or something. He just you know, so he'll start laughing. Oh, he knows. He knows with this. You know, he has his cigar. He knows. So it was hilarious.

[B]

But hey, I'm watching these highlights. I kind of forgot about Pierre. Mark Bouchard was pretty sick. That guy was silky with the puck. He was nice. I just. Just remember some of these players in the wild. I kind of forgot about being at home too. This, this game.

[C]

Yeah. And Burns. Me too. Burns. We played, just played 1500 game. And I don't know if you guys know, but he was. He was drafted as a forward, first rounder, and Jacques turned him into defenseman. And 1500 games later, future hall of Famer probably. You know, the guy is a beast. So he is a fun guy too. So, yeah, we had a. We had a good group.

[B]

Yeah. Was he a beast then?

[D]

Was he. Was he a pet detective back then? Was he buying all the snakes already?

[C]

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. We had a. We had a. One time, we had like a Super bowl party at his house and he had all the sn. So we came down to his terrarium, whatever. So we're watching. And wives were there too. And I got down on, kind of on my knees and I grabbed a couple wives by their ankles. You know, they're like almost losing it. So, yeah, he put on a show. Put like a little rat there and then python just kind of. No, I hate snakes. But he loved it.

[D]

I'm a snake. I'm a snake. You remember that video?

[C]

Literally little snake back.

[B]

One of these comments. Almost 10 years later, I'll still never forget this night. I was sitting 10 rows up on his breakaway for the fifth goal. The video doesn't do it justice. The place was so loud. That is un. And it was right before Christmas too. You know those games, guys, the Christmas crowds, like, it's. That's, That's a great memory.

[D]

That's the type of game where you're like, if I don't show up, the next three, nobody's gonna say to me.

[C]

And I remember next day, next game we played against Jersey or something. I think we lost. And I had like one assist and obviously I. I got in shit after, you know, I scored five goals. And you got to keep it up, you know what I mean? So can't please him, eh?

[D]

Can't please him.

[B]

What?

[D]

What? I mean, Yan's, you got to play in New York. Like, it must have been a world when you go from Minnesota, and probably a great place to be introduced to the NHL where you're, you're. You're kind of out of the chaos you get to experience on the road trips, but it's a very, you know, it's a very chill, chill place. But then you get to the Big Apple. Like, was it everything as expected? You had a huge first year there. So like, how much did you enjoy? Yeah, that's. Especially after getting that big ticket.

[C]

It was fun. I mean, like I say, like, whoever. Everybody should play in New York to get experience of playing in a Big Apple and live there, there. And, and it was a, it was amazing. You know, the medicine school garden and, and the organization, top notch. You had, you had everything. You come, you know, you have your own plane, you have whatever you wanted, lobsters on a plane, whatever, you know, so it was like, I was like, holy shit. Like unbelievable. And you know, we had a great team and a great bunch of guys and the travel was unbelievable. Like you were, you were at home pretty much, you know, in your own bed every night, night. And yeah, it was fun, you know, and, and MSG when you win and you hear that Sweet Caroline song, that's nothing better than that.

[E]

You'd figure playing in New York you'd have somebody who would like help you out, but I remember you carrying your Christmas tree down the street on the show. Yeah, on the show I'm like this.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

I'm like, no one can just grab it for him.

[C]

Yeah, it was. Yeah, they were following us for the winter class against Philly, but it was like the HBO to me was the first time they did it and it was around the corner. I just came there and then put it on my shoulder and went to my apartment. So it was cool. And then the city also, like tours didn't really have us practice morning skates. You really didn't like morning skates. So you kind of had to be careful because that city can suck you in. You don't have a next morning practice. You show up at. At Madison Square in Darling at 4 o'. Clock. So the guy sometimes, you know, went out a bit, a little too long, you know, a little bit longer like they should. But. But you know, you have to really be careful in that city because as you know, yeah, it can suck you in. Like, no tomorrow.

[B]

All of your seasons in New York, you had torts and, And I imagine there was nights and I believe there. There's old videos of him. Like he wanted you blocking shots. He wanted everyone blocking shots. It's like you're like, I'm getting 40, come on. But what was your relationship like with him? I'm sure it was kind of up and down based on you being a skill guy. It seems like all the skill guys, it's. It's a great. It's great one day and it's. It's a disaster the next.

[C]

Yeah, it was up and down. But, you know, he. He played. He played the top guys a lot. Like, you know, he just tried to squeeze, you know, the best out of you that he could. And. And we had some situations where. I guess a lot of guys probably had some situations where, you know, it was almost. I remember we almost got into a fight in. We played. We played a Jersey playoffs. And I remember you talked about blocking shot, right? So I think we're. I don't know, we're down or up to one or something. And after. Sick, you know, know, before. Before second three was over, I. I went to block a shot, and I was in a shooting lane, and the shot was going wide, and somebody tipped it like five, six feet, you know, it was going wide and somebody tipped it in. And I remember after. During the intermission, I. I went to see Rammer, you know, he stretched me out, whatever, and Tor storms in and he. He's just saying, like, you know, you gotta block the shot. I was like. I was in a shooting lane, like, and we're just like this close. And I remember, like, if rapper Mike Grab wasn't in the training room, I think we. We would have been like, you know, like, I don't know what would happen. So he kind of like, oh, guys, okay. Oh, he's stepping between us and then kind of got us away. And then I remember walking in the room, and then the room is maybe, I don't know, 100ft from the main locker room, the training room and stuff. So I remember, and guys are like, at me, like, because they could hear every single word. We're like, yelling at each other. But, yeah, it was. Sometimes it was. It was heated. But at the same time, I understand you have to. You have to have a really. Have a really thick skin to play for tours, because sometimes, you know, he just tried to push the guy for, like, to the limits, where he just tried to, you know, take, you know, maximum that you can bring from you. So. So that was. That was it.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

Yeah. I would imagine you guys had some choice words and some battles. Some unfortunate news, Marion, this morning, Larry Brooks passed away at 75 years old. Hall of Fame writer. Did you remember any encounters with him in your time with him in New York? Because, you know, he's. He's a He's a giant in, in the hockey world and it's very unfortunate that he passed at such a young age.

[C]

Yeah, I saw it. I saw it. Yeah, it's. You know, Larry was, he was cool guy. I liked him. Obviously he was, he was a nice guy, but then he wasn't really nice guy. Sometimes when he just ask you different type of questions. I mean he was a journalist, he was doing his job. But, but at the end of the day I always got along good with him and, and when I was in New York or even when I was playing four other team come to New York, he came down. We, you know, we talked off the record, just how are things going? And, and yeah, the hockey world will miss him for sure.

[B]

Yeah. Yance was saying earlier, he's like, I really got along with him. I never read his stuff. I might have been pissed off if I had read it. But I respected him. We had him on last year biz, remember. Yeah, I respected that. He would, he, he'd show up, he was in the room, right. He would be writing things about guys. But he had no problem then facing the guys. And I think that's probably a little more difficult than it sounds sounds because guys get pissed off if they read it. And he, he had balls in terms of like stepping to guys that he was calling out in the New York Post. So yeah, what, what a giant.

[C]

And he could get towards going that for sure.

[D]

Were you there when that happened?

[C]

Oh yeah, yeah, it was. Oh man, it was like. And you know, it was hilarious. We're like laughing with the guys after but, but you know, like also about torts. I remember we're practicing 30 towns, so we're like 45 minutes from the, from the city, right? And you know, 90 of the guys were living in the city and remember we're carpooling and I was going in with Steven a lot of times and, and Mike Richards, I mean Brad Richards. And after shitty game, you know, coming down to the rink next day, you know that you're gonna get a hour of video, video. And we're like, oh, you know, like, we're like holy. It's gonna be, you know, it's gonna be a show. And he used to have, when he was doing his video clips, he used to have like a subtitles on the bottom before the clip started. So it was something like this like number 10 where the you think you're going like me, you know, all some other guys like you could just see before the clip started and the subtitle was there to remind him what's gonna happen then. And then he just ripped you apart. But, but at the end of the day, you laugh about it. Pleasant back then, you know, like, that is unreal.

[D]

Actually, we were talking to Wayne last night that the best thing about working with him is when you're watching the game behind the scenes, he's just telling you all these old stories. And he said that Glenn Sather would do the same thing, but they had a chair and they'd make you put a, like a, a clown, like a clown wig on and the clown nose, and everybody would have to sit in the chair at some point and they would just get ripped. And I'm like, did he give it to you? He's like, oh, yeah, yeah. One of the most of anyone, right? You got to keep your, your leaders accountable and the best players. And then it, it trickled out from there. So when I heard that they had a specific chair and you had to sit it on the throne to get ripped. Every game or every, every practice with the video, I was dying.

[B]

Actually, Gabby, you'll love this. Last night because you probably didn't see it. They. They were talking about like testing or whatever. And, and Wayne goes, the year I had 92 goals, I did seven sit ups in camp. And then the year I had seven goals, I did 125 sit ups, so what does it matter?

[C]

So yeah, yeah, you don't score from the gym.

[D]

No, no, you don't.

[E]

Gabby, were you ever a part of any of Slats? Like he'd come in once a year. And I remember when I first got there, like we lost like two games or whatever. And someone was like, oh, yeah, just wait, Slats will come in, then we'll go like a 10 game heater. And he comes in, fedora cigar, and you're like, oh. And he just starts ripping, really ripping. He actually did it to us. We went to go see the, the premiere of the Entourage movie. We were in the movie theater. It was just us and some of the guys from the Entourage movie sitting in there in la. And he went around the movie theater and just lit us up. Yeah.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[E]

And then we went on like a 10 game heater.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, he was. Yeah, he's done that sometimes. And he just sat there and a guy is just, what the. Go get drunk or something. I don't give a. Just start playing, you know. And yeah, his cigar, he had these little scissors that he always cut a little bit of cigar. He never, I never seen him smoke it. Lit the Cigar, like he just sucked, sucked on it and these little like scissors that he always like cut it away. And then he just. Unbelievable.

[D]

Do you remember what he said to you specifically, Yance?

[E]

I honestly, I think I had just gotten there, so it wasn't like too bad. He probably didn't even know who I was, thank God. But. But yeah, some, some guys got it and it was like, oh man, who.

[D]

Got it the worst?

[E]

I think it was the same thing. It was like the big dogs. I think it was like Ryan McDonough who was like the captain. I think he went and like he challenged the big guys. He wasn't a guy like picking on, you know, fourth line guys or six D, man. I think he was attacking the big boys like Wayne said.

[C]

Yeah, I remember he was saying like Torres was saying, gave me like, I, I think I got a hatch against Islanders. And then next day we played somebody and after for spirit, he just fucking started ripping guys. His said, this guy scoring against Bantam teams, you know, going against Bantam team.

[E]

That'S probably the game I gave.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, that's the word.

[D]

Like, yeah.

[C]

And then you, you can't, you're never tired. It's all in your head. You can never be tired. It's all in your head. After 15 lappers, three times 15 lappers in testing, six times three laps, three mile run. Yeah, it's only in your head.

[D]

Just in your head.

[E]

That's why everyone in New York has to get hip surgery because of that, because of that drill that he used to.

[C]

Oh, shit.

[D]

Were you traded to Columbus or was that a signing? Like, were you shocked for Brassard?

[C]

Right? I was traded, actually. I remember I had like 10, 10 teams, no trade and obviously not obviously, but Columbus was one of those teams that I had to kind of sign a waiver to be traded there. But I remember it was before the game against Pittsburgh and my in laws then it was my girlfriend's parents now in laws, but they were leaving to go back home. So usually I take naps from, I don't know, 12:30 or whatever after lunch. I shut it down for two hours and then I stayed up a little longer and I had no idea, you know, traded line, whatever. I was like, there's no way I'm gonna get traded. And all of a sudden I get a phone call. If my in laws wouldn't be there, I would have been sleeping. But then, so I got a phone call from Slaz and he told me that, you know, there was, you know, they want to trade me to, To The Columbus and you know, give me five minutes whatever to think about it because I had to sign the thing and they already have had the guy downstairs with the papers. And I was like, okay. You know, so I talked to Vinnie Prospo, he was, he was in Columbus. Talked to him quick and well, the team and stuff. And then, you know, I, I just, I just couldn't. Couldn't come into room for that Pittsburgh game that. To the room where you're not wanted, you know, So I signed it. I. I went to Columbus and. And yeah, that was it. But if my, if it wasn't. If it weren't for my in laws, who knows what would have happened down the road?

[D]

Well, you lasted longer than Jeff Carter.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, I was. It was a unfortunate kind of time in Columbus. I mean, great group of. But now injuries again and yeah, it didn't work out very good.

[B]

But that year. So you were traded that year and then the next season was an Olympic year and you had played in 06 in Italy and 10 in Vancouver. So the Olympics in Russia, you were injured for that one.

[C]

Yeah, it was. Yeah, I got sandwiched between. First I had my knee. I was out with MCL for eight weeks or whatever was it. And then I come back, first case game, fourth shift. It was actually on the goal that I set somebody up. And then fourth shift of the game and then I got sandwiched by Ronaldo and somebody else and broke my clavicle. And yeah, that I, I missed. I missed Olympics. And I remember talking to them, my girlfriend, my wife, now that I was gonna hang it up. Like, I was like, you know, I've had enough of this, this injuries, you know, surgeries and all this stu. To honestly hang it up and, And. But she was there. I know. She. She told me, just, you know, try. You love the game, just try it and stuff. And, and she was the biggest supporter. And. And you know, six months later, I was holding the Stanley Cup.

[D]

You were gonna hang him up.

[C]

Oh, I was like, I was done. Like, it was like. I remember John Davidson came down. He was GM or president then president. And he came down. I was in the room after that. I broke my clavicle and I was like. I remember in training, I was like, ball. And I was like, I'm like, I was so frustrated and sad and I was crying. I remember. And then. And. And then talking to my wife that, I'm done, I'm gonna. I was gonna hang it up and then. And then stayed with it and, and yeah, things, Things turned around and what's.

[B]

Crazy is that maybe missing time that year, once the playoffs began, when you got to LA, 14 goals in that race run four more goals than anyone else in the Kings. You win the cup, it's like, I wonder if that, like not playing the whole season almost helped you, even though it's injuries and rehab, which is a grind, like you had to feel the best of your career throughout that playoff run.

[C]

Yeah, I felt good. I don't know. I never thought about it that way. But yeah, coming, like, coming there, it was amazing. Like, I could feel that when I got there right away, it was a winning team. Like, you know, you had guys that have won before and the attitude and. And everything, it was just unbelievable. Like, it was just wow. You know, I played, you know, got to play with Robin Regier, which he was the. My. He was the probably hardest defenseman I've ever played with, you know, playing eight times back then when I was in mini played against Calgary eight times. And he was. He was just pain in the ass, always on the eyes. He was hard, hard guy to play against and stole. He was there who I kind of knew from. From playing against him for a long time. Even like in junior times, he was after the same year. And yeah, all these guys and copy and Brownie and. And it was amazing then. And the guys walked on me with the open arms and they were treating me unbelievable. And yeah, you know, fast forward, you know, first round down three nothing against San Jose. And I remember national team coach from Slovakia was calling me. I was. I was sitting on a beach with Marcel osa. He was visiting me and we're down three nothing. It was left to practice. And he called me like, so, you know, you're gonna. Hopefully you're gonna come for world championship. I was like, it's not over. Like, And. And the whole rocker room room, the feeling, the vibe I got, I never felt before that there was no doubt that we can, like, there was nothing that nobody was down. Everybody was just like, you know, we can. We can make this work. And then, you know, Jeff Carr was there, Mike Richards, who has. Who have done it before in Philly. And, you know, it was unbelievable. And the next thing you know, like, you know, we. We were winning game seven in Sano Jose.

[B]

Yeah. What changed like that? I mean, we. I witnessed it in Boston once I was done playing right with. I think I might have still playing with Philadelphia and the Bruins that year, and they were even down three nothing in game seven. But I didn't know if anything if there Was a speech or anything, I guess you're saying the entire team was just like, this thing is not done yet. That's all you guys needed to have is. Is the belief.

[C]

Yeah, the belief. And then, you know, know, even like practicing and everything was just like, this is not done. You know, you could just feel that, you know, it's about the next game. It's about the next game. Gotta get ready and, and, you know, just try to frustrate their big guys and, and, you know, we, we. We've done it. So. Yeah. Unbelievable.

[D]

Did torts almost prepare you for Daryl Sutter?

[C]

You know what? Daryl was great. Like you. The thing is, I love Daryl, but you couldn't see what kind of Daryl you get every day. You know what I mean? Like, if it's grumpy Daryl or happy Daryl, you know, it's always, it's always like he try. He tries to keep you walking on the X show, you know, never, never try to get too comfortable. Like, we won the game and next. Next day we would come in and. And he would be grumpy face and, and he would start shooting pucks again against, you know, at us, you know, in practice, you know, like, you know, when you got on the ice, you circle around, he was, was just shoot pucks at us, you know what I mean? And just here we go, you know, but like, and then we lose or something. Then he comes happy. So you can never read him what kind of Daryl you're gonna get or, or what's behind it. If it's, if it's psychologically he's just try to get it, you know, somehow into your head or whatever, or seem like he always tries to, you know, so you're ready. Like walking on eggshells. Never get too comfortable. Comfortable and, you know, worked well. I like Daryl, obviously, you know, when I wasn't playing good or something, he. He. He let me, Let me have it. But that's, that's the way it is.

[B]

What I'm looking at the, the playoff bracket from, from that cup team. So you, in all four games, you dusted the Sharks like it was 4:1 in this, in the game six, five, 1:1. And then you won in seven against Anaheim, and then you were up 3:1 against Chicago and they forced game seven. So that entire run through the west was a gauntlet.

[C]

Yeah, like I remember, I remember. I think it was, we're playing at home, we're up 3:2 or something like that, and we could have closed that, win the fourth game. But at the end of the game, it was like seven minutes or, I don't know, five minutes left. And it was, I think tie game. And Patrick Kane had a puck and I was just kind of following. Following him around in. In our. In our zone. And. And I remember he was my guy and he scored a goal. And I remember after that, it was. It was. It was three, three. Series of three, three. And I remember going. Going home.

[E]

And I was.

[C]

I was like, fuck me. Like, I fucked it up. I was really down on myself. I was like, you know, and then we're flying to. We're flying to Chicago and. And night before, we had dinner and Daryl came to me. He goes, just. Just go out play. And he could see that I was kind of down. And he said, like, just go and play. You know, you're gonna be good. Like, don't worry about it. Like, you know, we gonna win. You know, just really calmed me down and. And it was amazing that that kind of. I. I really. Because I took it. I took it too hard. I was like, I'm gon guys and everything. That, like, worked out great. And then game seven, you know, we. We came and won. Won that series in seven again.

[D]

So what was your score of that game seven. And did you have any.

[C]

Yeah, I tied it, I think. I think 11 minutes to go.

[B]

Five, four and OT biz.

[C]

Wow.

[E]

That was Justin Williams scoring OT.

[C]

No, it was Martinez. Yeah, Martinez.

[E]

Right.

[D]

And then he got the OT winner in the cup final.

[C]

Yes.

[E]

How was that? That must have been so nice for you, like, beating the Rangers, the team that essentially said they didn't want you anymore and, you know, trade you to Columbus, like, how fulfilling was that?

[D]

Geez, you ruined Hank's career. That you scored the five. Four of the five goals, I believe, on them, and then you end up beating them in the finals.

[C]

You know what? Like, there was a topic like journalists were asking me, you know, about the same thing, like playing New York and stuff and playing them right now in the final. But you know what? Coming to that series, I had no fucking doubt that. That we're gonna win. Like, it was amazing feeling that I had with myself and the team that there's no chance that we're gonna fucking fuck this up. And then, then the first game we're playing, playing at home, after 15 minutes, we could have been down three, nothing. They had like two breakaways. Crider flying fully off. Flying like they were like flying and quickly stood on his head. Obviously they had a couple posts as well, but, like, we got kind of lucky. We won that game and then got up on, you know, three, nothing. Going to New York, we lost there, but then coming back home. And I remember, remember I took a. Took naps before every game. But then the game, the game five before game five at home. We were staying in a hotel before games, and I couldn't sleep for, like, I was nervous. I was. I don't know. Usually I take three shits before the game. Maybe I took 10 and I was like, so nervous. But then. Then when Marty scored at game winner, like it was second overtime, everybody was tired. But I jumped from that bench like I was like 25 again. You know what I mean? Like, it was amazing. It was. It was just unbelievable feeling. And then I think when you win, when you're 32, I was. Or something that, that you. And then I thought that I'm never going to win the Cup. When you were at that age and with everything was going on, you know, you really take it, you really appreciate it that you win later in your career than if you win, win your first or second year, because then you probably think it's easy and maybe you don't appreciate it as much. But then, like, I was. I was like, it was the best feeling ever in sports.

[B]

I mean, like, you tied up Game 2 late in the third, too. And when you guys won in double overtime, that's pretty sick. You just scored big goals. Gabby, did you.

[D]

Did you guys play. Did they play Anaheim in the second round?

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

Yes.

[D]

And then you tied one up in game one of that series, too.

[C]

Yeah, I remember, like, it was like five seconds left, and then I scored in overtime, too. So, yeah, the things were just going my way and then playing, you know, with Kopi and Brownie and those guys, Cards, you know, Doughty, best defenseman. Like, he was quick. He st his head was. It was unbelievable. It was like. Yeah, like. Like kind of you were going to retire or something. What's that?

[B]

Yeah, you were going to retire.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

And Kopi announced it's going to be his last year.

[E]

Year.

[D]

And before I get the Kopi, though, like, that. I don't know what they gave up to get you, but that might go down as one of the best trade deadline acquisitions of all time. Scoring 14 goals. And then just the goals you scored, like, how many tying goals, winning goals. But Kopi announced it's going to be his last year. I would imagine one of the best players you got to play with. Incredible leader, so humble and incredible human being. Like, what was your experience with him?

[C]

Yeah, he was unbelievable. Like, he Was kind of like quiet leader, you know, led by example and, and what a horse. Like, I mean it's crazy. He could, he, he could eat up so many minutes and, and just, just the horse. I would describe him and you know, you could, you, you think he seems like he's a good skater too, you know what I mean? When he gets going, he's really good skater. Like he, and he's so strong. Takes guys on his body back. I never realized how good and fast skater when he get, when he gets going, he really is. And the vision, you know, always defensively, I mean the shot, everything, just the whole package and, and what a career he's had. You know, he could have played another. I don't know how many years he's one of. He's built that he could last. You know what I mean? So good. Good for him.

[B]

Biz Matt Franklin Patton, who ended up playing four games for Columbus. A second round pick and a third round pick. Whoa, that's master class in, in la. And I think that's a really cool story folks. I think it's a cool story that you're saying, you know, what's the coach's name? I'm drawing a blank. Sutter. He could be, he could be a motherfucker. But like you needed to hear that before Game 7 against Chicago. Like that shows that, you know, at times you got to realize what a guy needs. Sometimes they need a kick in the ass and you needed just a little hey dude, it's all right. Go play. That's pretty cool.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah, it was, I mean he, he was, he was great, he was great with us. Just even now like when we, we had like 10, 10 year couple years ago after the 14, we had a, we had a 10 year cup reunion in, in LA and we, we went out to Ojai for two, three days. It was unbelievable. Like what a setup. And I think Stoly and Greener set it up and great, great job by you know like the, the heads in LA that let it happen. But you know we talked about it and, and we, we were laughing with the guys that we could never see what kind of Daryl you're gonna get the next day. It was amazing. Like, and then, you know, and then Chris, Chris Satter his some. You know he always comes to locker when he was around and you know you could be down, you could be like not have. Not be in the mood. But he always comes in and lifts everybody up. It was amazing to see the dance cam.

[D]

They used to put him on the Jumbotron during games and he would get, get the crowd going and I mean it was probably nice for you. I know your last year you ended up getting traded to Ottawa, but getting to play a thousand games, like going from, from potentially retiring at way too young, winning a Stanley cup and then getting the silver stick and getting that achievement, that must have been a nice way to just cap off your career.

[C]

Yeah, for sure. Great achievement. You know, to, to play that many games. I don't know if, if, if it even hit like the, I don't think I, I, I even kind of realized what, what kind of career I had. You know what I mean? I don't know if it's still going to come or, but like still kind of like sometimes I pinch myself if, if it, if it's real that, that I get to lift the cup and I get to play with that many unbelievable players, you know, playing, playing unbelievable cities and, and in front of great fans, you know, and, and play thousand games. So it's surreal.

[B]

You were just electric to watch. I just gotta bring up, this is the rollback. Last question. Use code chicklets on roback.com for 20 off all your first purchase through the end of the week. C-H-I C L-E-T S on R H O-B-A-K.com hoodies, polos, swim trunks and more with code Chiclets. You mentioned all the surgeries. I kind of asked. Guys have been through that much with their body. How's your body now? Because like I know I have some, I have some issues that'll never go away. I wouldn't trade a thing. But with all your hip and knee stuff, are you good now? Are you able to be active whether you know, tennis or whatever you do for fun?

[C]

Yeah, I mean like I have to get a knee replacement. My knee is like bone to bone, no cartilage, no meniscus. So I was supposed to get it done last March, but then I kind of pushed it away and, but I need to get it done like only sport I can do. It's pretty much like skiing, you know, because it's like the sliding move. Like when Hosa had his goodbye game here in Slovakia. I just tried to get on the ice. I went on for 20 seconds just to try it out and I couldn't and I just had to get out. I couldn't do anything. So I was bummed out about that. But yeah, I need to pretty much get it done. Like my, my kid, I have three and five year olds, girls and when I. When I try to. When they try to learn how to bicycle, I have to put a rollerblades on in order to. I couldn't run for. You know, so put a rollerblades on and just hold them that way. But, yeah, that's pretty much. That's pretty much the thing that I have to get it done and. And otherwise I'm okay. My back and everything. But. But those surgeries put a kind of toll on your body, but I wouldn't. Wouldn't change it for anything.

[B]

I'm happy you got a cup. Dude, that's awesome.

[C]

Yeah, me too, man.

[E]

When did you do the Dancing with the Stars, though, if your body is that.

[C]

That. I think it was a nail in the coffin for my knee. That was.

[D]

You did Dancing with the Stars?

[E]

His wife's a dancer. Dancing with the Stars.

[D]

The one in Slovakia or the one in North America?

[C]

No, it's Slovakia. Makia. Yeah. And. Yeah, my. My wife, she's a. Like, she was a professional dancer, and then. So we were. We were on as a couple.

[E]

Not the kind you like, biz.

[C]

Okay.

[D]

Okay.

[C]

Yeah, so we were on as a couple, and it was unbelievable. I loved it. Like, it was. It was. It was. It was great. Like, obviously, my wife wouldn't let me dance with anybody else, which I don't blame her. But, yeah, it was. It was great experience. And that was kind of nail in the coffin for my knee. I remember last round, I was dancing. I was. I had a cortisone shot. I had, like, kinesio tape on my knees, so. But it was. It was fun.

[D]

So Torts prepared you for Sutter, and Sutter prepared you for your wife as a coach in the dancing department. Yeah, that's kind of how it went. Right? Good to know. Good to know.

[B]

This is amazing. I got it on YouTube. It's like, how good is it on a plane? He's got the yellow shirt, the black socks.

[E]

Wait till you see the one with them in bed.

[C]

Oh, yeah. Oh, he's got.

[B]

Oh, you got the feathers on. You look like Big Bird.

[D]

Send me these videos right now, just.

[E]

YouTube on the dark.

[D]

Your buddy. Your buddies must have been just chewing you up.

[C]

Oh, yeah. And then you. Who. You know, who else was there? Like, Boris Valabik. We have a podcast together, and he was on a. On a show. We're. We're on the show together. So it was a basketball guy. Oh, NHL guy. Boris Valabik. You know, he. He played in Atlanta for 80 games. Defenseman.

[D]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

First round under big guy.

[D]

I think he was drafted maybe my year, actually.

[C]

Yeah, he's 86.

[D]

Okay. Yeah. I think he might have won a. A Calder cup with the Chicago Wolves.

[C]

Yes, yes. Yes, he did. Yeah. And so he was on a show. We have a podcast together, and he was on a show. Same. Same. Same year, so it was hilarious. We were just giving to each other. It was. It was fun.

[E]

What place did you come in?

[B]

It's Big Bird.

[C]

I came actually fourth, so we ended up semifinal.

[B]

Yeah, you can't walk anymore, but you got fourth place.

[E]

His wife's like, you're going to take this cortisone and you're going to dance your ass off. Right?

[C]

It was unbelievable. Like, we. We haven't fought once, you know, like. And. And, you know, she's living my life pretty much for. I don't know, We've been together since 2011, pretty much, and. And she was living my, like, hockey life. And then I try to look into her life for three, four months, and it's unbelievable. The dances. What kind of. It's a hard. It's a hard fucking sport, I can tell you that much.

[D]

You really got into it.

[B]

You're very like, oh, yeah, he's good.

[C]

Fuck.

[E]

What, do you want him to not be into it?

[D]

No, I mean, but just like, he's got the buttons down on his shirt. You could see the. You could basically see that. His nipple. I mean, this is why.

[C]

No, not. They put you in his weird. They put you in some weird stuff. So. But you gotta know, this has been.

[B]

This has been awesome, man. I can't thank you enough. Yeah, we really appreciate this. Just a legend of the game, man. It was. It was a disaster playing against you, but a lot of fun to watch you play. So congrats on everything, and we appreciate you coming on.

[C]

Yeah. Thank you guys very much for having me. And good luck. You guys do an awesome job with whatever you guys doing. Some.

[B]

Thank you. And we'll keep an eye out for maybe a month or two.

[C]

Some.

[B]

Some. Some. Maybe something with the Olympics and Marion Gabric in Italy, so. Good luck, man. Keep crushing.

[D]

We should do a chicklets. Dancing with the Stars, Boys.

[C]

No, thanks.

[D]

No? What do you mean? You don't think I'll judge? I don't think Bri would want to get in the mix with you.

[B]

See, not with me. She might be. Want to dance with somebody else?

[E]

She seemed like, hey, can I dance with Marion?

[A]

Oh, no.

[D]

This was incredible. Thank you so much for your time, brother.

[C]

Thank you, guys. Appreciate it.

[B]

Guys, we got to Take one moment here and talk about DraftKings. Hockey's here, it's back. It's better than ever. And this season, the DraftKings sportsbook has you covered. An official sports betting partner of the NHL brings you all the speed, skill and non stop action that you learn.

[C]

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[B]

Thank you very much to Marion Gabric. What a story. From retirement to lifting the cup on the beach. I saw a picture of him just crushing champagne on the beach with the cup sitting right there. So what a guy. What a player. We want to thank him so much. And now it's time for you know what, boys. Ra's wild, wacky and he's muted.

[C]

No race.

[D]

Got his bike muted. Oh, no. Maybe it's just not working.

[B]

Oh, shit.

[E]

Hello.

[D]

That's okay.

[A]

All right.

[C]

Everybody.

[B]

Hello, everybody. I want to give up my top for he's right now his top five albums by the Rolling Stones. Oh, he's gone. He's gone.

[E]

He gone.

[B]

He's gone. We needed one of those entrances from ra.

[D]

Oh, that.

[B]

You know what I mean? That's just classic. That's just classic R.A. right there. Probably. He was probably talking about what he wants to talk about to himself. Muted it so we didn't hear him and maybe forgot to unmute it. You know, that can happen to anyone, biz.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

Yep.

[D]

And when he hops back on, though, we're gonna have to do a little breathing to calm him back down. We don't want him being all scrambly. He doesn't have to feel bad about muting his mic. I also want to hear about his experience with. With the wrestling. He went and saw John Cena's last performance in Boston, so here he is. Ra's back. What's up, brother?

[A]

What's going on, boys? Yeah, little mic issue. It's probably inevitable. A little rusty, but. Yeah. I had a wild week, man. I usually do nothing. I stay home, watch games go down the club, watch timeout.

[D]

We can't give us a hello without the hello, everyone.

[A]

Okay. No, that's why I thought we're gonna. I know if we were.

[B]

Come on.

[A]

Go.

[D]

Made it.

[A]

Hello, everybody, and welcome to the fourth edition of ra's World here, the Spitting Chicklets podcast Biz. We got lots to talk about. I had a very busy weekend. I don't usually do. I'm old, I'm washed. But I went to an AHL game, I went to wrestling, and I went to comics. Come home with a God. Lots going on this weekend. Good stuff.

[D]

Barney, that was awesome to see. I saw that you. You had a picture with Luch. Did you ride the Zamboni at that game?

[A]

Actually, they had a little truck. Me and my buddy Mark Lewis. He's kind of a Massachusetts Instagram legend. They had us on the back of the truck, truck, just chucking. Chucking T shirts out to the crowd. They had the shooter, but they didn't use it for whatever reason. I was just like, whatever you do, bro, just make sure you clear the glass. Don't throw your arm out. But the thing was, I go in at a good clip, man. I had to, like, hold on for covering, but it was fun. I'll tell you. That's a great little bond out in Springfield. I'd never been there before. Holds about 7,000. Not a bad seat in the place. Definitely the warmest drink I've ever been in my life. I had a hoodie and, you know, my life preserver vest, and I had to take both off. I was sweating me arse off out there. But a great take. And, yeah, it was great to catch up with Lucha. I hadn't seen him in a bit, obviously, you know, he. He had his. His going. His difficulties he went through. And, you know him, he's made a lot of change in his life in St. Louis. That's why they brought him in. I think they did the similar thing with Montgomery a while back. A second chance situation. And, hey, I'm all about second chances, as we all know. So he was out there. I mean, Lucha's never been the fleetest of foot, but, you know, he kept the pace. I talked to Map. He said his wind is fine. And I get the sense he's just going to do probably another game or so, and then St. Louis will probably bring him up and maybe give that locker room a kick in the ass, because it sure seems like they could use one.

[D]

Yeah, I would imagine that there's probably a big bubble around him on the ice where. No, none of those AHL guys come near him. Imagine playing in the ahl, it's your first year pro, and you see Milan Lucc on the ice.

[B]

Yeah, but if it's some kid that's looking to make a name, there's. There's definitely somebody out there that'd be willing to be like, if I do something to Luch and he's willing to go, me, me, like I'm gonna get recognized some way.

[D]

Yeah, for the 99.9 percentile that aren't lunatics, that probably won't want to go near him. But, yeah, good for him. And. And like you said, RA. Second chances. It seems like him and his wife are thriving and. And couldn't be happier for the guy to get back to the game he loved. So what. What else? Did you talk about anything else after the game with him?

[A]

Yeah, well, just basically, you know, how you been? You know, you know, happy for you that, you know, you're doing well and, you know, just had a little bit of a chat, but. But what? Definitely not the AHL 20 years ago. Nobody went near him. Nobody even sniffed them. Like, I mean, it's just not the same era. Like, I know, like, say, guys, maybe you want to make a name, but who the hell wants to fight him? He might be 37, but he's still going to pump, pulverize whoever he fights. And I told him after, I said, you know, Luch, 18 years ago, I saw you debut with the Bruins back, you know, when you never played a minor league game before. And then his first minor league game, I. I went to both them, so it was pretty cool. A little bit of a full circle moment. And his wife, Britt, she's. She's a hot ticket, man. She's. She's definitely charismatic.

[B]

She's.

[A]

She's electric, too. So I had a great time sitting there. She bought us T shirts and those crazy chains and hats. So I had a great old time in Springfield. A lot of fun.

[C]

That's awesome.

[D]

Definitely a good home barn. One of those barns where you travel to as an away guy and you're like, get me the out of here. Yeah, dump the glass. The glass and boards don't move. It's like they're made out of cement. In ra, Vetrano famously has a. A tattoo of the skyline. Does he not have Springfield Mass.

[C]

Y.

[A]

Hilarious.

[D]

Beautiful, beautif. Beautiful place.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

There. There's a famous strip club where all the guys used to go there all the time and I guess they would have a buffet and it was just one of those places that the AHL guys would hang out at. Have you ever been to that strip club and I believe it's called Marty GR or something.

[A]

I have not. I think I've been to Springfield maybe five times in my life. The Basketball hall of Fame, maybe taking a bus back to college for a pit stop, but haven't spent a lot of time out there. But it was great. A lot of the 401 free is a big Chiclets fan. So I took a lot of pitch pitches, a lot of hellos, a lot of well wishes. So it was nice. It was nice to get out and see the HL game, go to that part of the state and you know, feel. Feel the love from all the chicks.

[B]

Go to the casino after.

[A]

No, no, we. We went to the family room after that, you know, to say what's up to Lucha and then headed back to. Back east to Boston. So great time, great take. And then I was like date week. And when me and my buddy Mark, he had previously asked to go to this, you know, comics Come Home. I know Keith and Witt are familiar with it.

[B]

I went last year. It was great.

[A]

It was unbelievable. It's. It's the 29th resident biz. It's called Comics Come Home. It's for the Camille Foundation. Cancer. By the way, it's 29 years he's done this show. If I don't even know what the tickets were. But Dennis Larry, Lenny Clark, Conan o', Brien, Sebastian Maniscalco, Burn the place down. Sarah Silverman, Robert Kelly and Michelle Bouto I'd never heard of. She was great. But this, this gal, Aaron Maguire from Arlington had. Wasn't familiar with her. Absolutely friggin hysterical. She started the show off, but for almost three hours, man. I don't even know what, like I said with the ticket was, but the, the com. Comedic value you get from going This. I mean, Maniscalco alone, he gets probably a buck fifty a ticket. He was awesome. Colonel Brian was awesome. I was trying out the fangirl at the Red Cop and I should have just went up and shook Con o' Brien's hand, but I kind of chickened out. But it was.

[D]

They all end up getting up and doing like a 15 minute routine.

[A]

Oh yeah. Oh yeah.

[C]

They.

[A]

Everyone I just named did up and did a set. I mean, eight different people went up and did and did.

[C]

Amazing.

[B]

The guy. The guy. Robert Kelly or Bobby Kelly, I think he was introduced as was. Hilarious. Hilarious. I think he was the last guy to go last year and I. He was. Oh my God, he was hilarious.

[D]

Tickets to that already, did you.

[B]

He snuck.

[A]

Yeah. Not. Not this one. The dude I just mentioned, Mark Lewis. I. I don't probably. You guys probably follow him on Instagram. He's a big.

[E]

Followed him.

[D]

When I saw you. You tagged him.

[A]

Yeah, we. We kind of. We buddied up a couple years ago. He's a character.

[D]

Like, great.

[B]

Look at that jacket already.

[C]

Holy.

[D]

You're walking in like caught up. A dude odd to the game.

[A]

Yeah. What's his. What's his name? Schmal. Yeah, he said he liked my drip. So when I hear that, I know that means. Means good. Yeah, that's actually LA Fire Jack on my boy. My boys. The Mullen twin sent it to me a while back. So. Yeah, just a great night. A lot of laugh. Saw from laughing the next day. Great cause too. And yeah, I actually met Bobby Kelly after my buddy Mark. He's. He's pals with him, so it was nice to say hi. I hang out with him afterwards. And then. This is hilarious. I had that doctor's appointment Monday. Nothing serious, just.

[B]

We were trying to call you in, dude. We were trying to get you to talk. Bees.

[D]

What, you got to hang now?

[A]

No, I do. No, it's weird. I get these like, bumps on the sole of my feet and they're just. Dude, it's just getting old, man. All this, like my arthritis in my hip. I got these bumps in my. My feet. I thought they were going to have to cut them out, but I'm going to get an ultrasound. They're just. Just age, man. You just get things that you don't expect. Yeah, I know.

[D]

I got a few bumps around my head. Did you see my head?

[E]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

My mother was wondering.

[D]

She texted me five different vaginas in the back there.

[A]

She's like, what's up with business here? Was like, I don't know, it's. It's freaking busy. I think he's trying to change.

[D]

As in, why did I shave it?

[A]

Yeah. Because she was watching the bees on TNT and she's. First thing she does is text me about business. Freaking hair.

[C]

All right.

[B]

Is that an old fish tank you're drinking out of?

[A]

No, this is a. It's a baseball. It's when I was at Wrigley for when I went to Oasis. I got a. I was, look, a margarita. Came this little goldfish in there.

[B]

I'd be like, yeah, boom. That's a Cubs goldfish swallow like margaritas.

[A]

More than rear Wolf of Wall street style. So I was walking home from the hospital, just taking my time. I was, you know, making little goofy videos and stuff. And I'm walking toward the guy. I was going to get some ramen at that place in front of the garden, and there's like all kinds of people. I'm like, what's going on tonight? Salts on here, bees on here. And then was like, oh, it's. Is it John Cedars last night? Everyone's like, yeah, we're going in. So sitting there, eat my ramen. I look up, I get a ticket. I was like, I'm next door. I've been arrested in 40 something than he is. And I. I got the ticket kind of late, and I get in. I was like, when Cena go, like, dude, it already happened. I was like, what? I'm like, I just assumed it was going to be later in the pod, but it was the first match. I mean, I was already late when I got the ticket, so I would have missed that anyways. But I stuck around. I was down like the third row. It's so different, like from when I used to win. Yeah. Here's a little clip right here. That's how close I was right there.

[B]

So. But. But when Cena was. People must have just cleared out, right?

[A]

They said he. I know everyone stayed after. You couldn't hear a thing my buddy said. He goes, it was. It was definite. Like when he came out when he won the match, I. When they hit the Continental and I was kind of bummed I missed it, but I, you know, I just want to kind of take in the atmosphere. And it's so different, obviously, when I went, because it's a live TV show, so, you know, they'll play like CM Punk song and he'll come out, but there's a delay. So then he's just out there on the ring, like, kind of like the song I'll play Again, was kind of weird. There's lasers going all. All over the place and it's just totally different. But I'll tell you, the lady wrestlers, they're the best. Unbelievable, the athleticism like that. What's her name? Rhea Ripley, I think. I think she's Australian.

[C]

She's.

[D]

She's married though. That one's married, man.

[A]

We can take care of that. And then the. The. The Kabuki warriors and then the. The other girl. I forget her name. Lady. They were just the. The best athletes in the business, man. What they do is stunner. So it was fun. It was something different. I mean, I'm not going to make it a habit again for like 40 years.

[D]

The bodybuilder girls get you going a little bit.

[A]

I'm not crazy about like totally Jack girls, but I am th Ripley. I'm a fan of her as I saw her do interviews, like s. Makeup like, you know, she. Because they're like her makeup off of the show. She's. She's. She's definitely very attractive. And something about that Australian accent. Good night, Mike. Gets me going.

[D]

Love me a six pack on a woman.

[A]

Ah, yeah, whatever. I mean I've. I don't think I. I have to borrow it from her because I ain't got nothing like in a large clip soon. So. Yeah, just a. Kind of a fun weekend. A little wild weekend out of the blue. I do want to mention I. You probably already mentioned earlier the show pasta, 400 goals. Awesome stuff. I mean we actually didn't mention on that.

[D]

Oh, go rear. That's why you're playing cleanup.

[B]

The bench cleared. Now that was a topic of discussion. Ari. I. I don't ever remember the bench clearing for 400 goals, do you guys?

[A]

I don't. And I noted it in the blog I wrote. I. You know, people chatting online. Of course everybody has an opinion nowadays. But I honestly w. I thought it was just indicative of how much that team loves and respects pasta that they did it. You know what I mean? Right. 400. I'd never seen it. Obviously Tavares get his 500th, but it was of a bunch blowout. I didn't think, you know, at least weren't going to come off the bench when they losing 61 or 6 2, whatever. But I think it was just how much they love that guy. And Sturm talked about it after the game and it was just a. Indicative of the love respect they have for him and whatever it's.

[B]

You know, I believe you have to ask the league. I think you have to ask the league if you're going to do that.

[D]

Oh, really?

[A]

I'll.

[D]

This is my hot take. If you score 400 with the same organization, I think that it's fair game. Like, how many.

[E]

If you scored one goal, everyone should come on the ice.

[B]

First goal. It should be allowed, too. Yeah.

[E]

Every goal you score, everyone should come on so hard to.

[B]

They used to do that.

[E]

I know.

[D]

That's another thought. I think the hairy knuckle line is kind of a happy medium.

[B]

I thought people said that it was just because it was against the Maple Leafs. They did it.

[C]

Which if.

[D]

Well, I. I said on the broadcast, I got ptsd. The way he scored it, it felt like that. OT winner, game seven. After Monty called out Pasta, you knew it was going to come back to bite us. Um, how many players have scored 400 goals for one organization? I bet you the list is less than. I bet you the list is less than 30 guys.

[C]

Not. I know.

[B]

I'm looking.

[E]

I'd take the under with you, biz.

[D]

Because that, to me is why I'm okay with, like, people like you said, people like, oh, that's like hot take. Or.

[C]

Or.

[D]

Or not to be a buzz kill, but that's ridiculous for 400 gold goals. Like, first of all, how many guys have scored 400 goals and how many guys have done it for one organization? And as you touched on Ra, like Pasta now, like, after the. The quote, unquote, glory years, because he was there for the. The Patrice, the Marshaw, the Chara. Now that that's gone, he's still fucking keeping them relevant. So. And.

[A]

And I'm booty, you know, Butcher Garage. He's like the goal savant. He. He called Friggin, you know, Ovechkin breaking Gretzky's record back. I like the Mesolithic era or whatever. So he says Pasta, if he. He. He should easily get 500. If he stays a Brewer for life, he'll beat Buick's record, team record 545 goals. So, you know, I love him. I hope he doesn't go anywhere. And to the Leafs, this is courtesy my buddy Mike Sullivan on Twitter. Including playoffs, 55 games played, Pasta versus Toronto, 37 goals, 34 assists. He's got 71 points in 55 total games versus the Leafs. 1.29 points per game. Sorry, Biz. I love you, buddy, but I. I had to check that one.

[B]

He says pasta's gonna get 600.

[D]

That's fair.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, how old is still young?

[A]

What's he, 28? 29, I think he is around there, but is he.

[B]

He's not.

[A]

Is he 20?

[D]

He started young man.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I'm terrible.

[A]

He's 29. 29.

[C]

Okay.

[D]

All right.

[A]

Was close. Yeah.

[E]

So 500.

[A]

It's been a few episodes. I haven't talked about all the movies I went to see this year. I know movies are my big thing. I. I still love going to the theater. I have no problem going by myself. I don't know why people think it's weird. Weird you're going to sit there and not talk. Anyway, so I want to talk about a few things I saw this year that I really, like, really stood out. First off, Sinners. I don't know if any of you guys watched that yet. Ryan Coogler, he directed the two Black Panthers and the first Creed made the studios a billion dollars. So they let him kind of do this pet project. And it's a wild, wild movie. It starts off two, like, black gangsters. They used to work for Al Capone. They go back to, like, 1930s Mississippi. And Michael B. Jordan plays them both. Both our characters, they're 12, twins, and they want to start like a juke joint, you know, to drink a gambler and carouse late night. And then all of a sudden, it just go to a regular movie. Then it's not a spoiler. It's the vampire aspect shows up. It's not.

[B]

I'm not seeing it. It's just that to me, the vampires.

[D]

Don'T get me going.

[B]

But it just stayed the way it sounded. It sounds great to me. You bring in the vampire style, I'm just. I'm out.

[D]

But I've. I heard incredible reviews ra about the movie.

[A]

Yeah, I. I wouldn't blind. And it's like me and my mother, like, we have been the movies in forever. Like, I was. Want to go see this one? I don't really know much about it. Heard vampire, she wouldn't want to see it. And she really enjoyed it. Even a couple days later, she's like, wow, that movie kind of got in my head because, you know, brings up, you know, the. There's a big blues music aspect to it. There's like even some, like, an Irish culture aspect to it. And yeah, if you're not a vampire person per se, you might not like it, but if you put it on and start watching, you might get sucked in. And it was pretty. No pun intended, but you might enjoy it. Anyways. I gave sinners a 4.5 warthogs. That's my. My scale B. Is, yeah, we want a 1 to 5 warthog scale. So. Yeah, I thought it was really good. It's probably gonna get, definitely gonna get a best pitcher nomination. You know, screenplay. I assume Michael B. Jordan's gonna slam bunk for best actor because he played two different roles. But yeah, great movie.

[D]

You think he's gonna win it?

[A]

I don't think, I don't, no.

[D]

I don't think he's gonna win a nomination.

[A]

I think he's definitely gonna get a nomination. So. Another movie I was really looking forward to. Like I saw the original Superman, the movie 1978. I was six years old and it was a. Awesome. I mean it was a little kid. It was really the first superhero movie that ever really came out and sort of started the craze. So I was, you know, I'm still a Superman guy. I didn't like the last few that the, the Zack Snyder ones, I thought they were kind of dark and dreary and James Gun directed this one. They're kicking off the whole new DCU universe. So there's, I thought it was a little overstuffed because you know, biz, they want to create these worlds so they want to make more movies. So you know what Marvel did for, for 20 years, so it was a little overstuffed, maybe too many characters. But I did enjoy the hell, the hell out of it. The guy who played Superman, David Coren Sweat. Never heard of him. And they did a good job. That's a smart move to bring in sort of an unknown actor to play him because then you don't have like, oh, you're not looking at him. Oh, that's Leo or that's Deadzella, whoever. You know, he was excellent in it. What's his name who played Lex Luther? Nicholas. Nicholas Holt. But I think I'm in love with Lois Lando. Rachel Brosnahan, she plays that Mrs. Maisel. Do you ever see that show Wit on Showtime? Yeah, it's like a 50s Jewish housewife. She becomes like a stand up comedian back in, back in the day. But yeah, the new lowest Lane was, was dynamite. But it was definitely very much a comic book movie. If you're not into, you know, that kind of goofy comic book stuff might not be your favorite, but either way, Superman, I give it three and a half Warthogs. I enjoyed it. It's, you know, it's optimistic. It, you know, Superman, there's an element to him that is, I guess, a little corny and you know, sweet. But I thought they, they nailed the tone and Looking forward to the next one. This one, the Naked Gun. Read reboot. All right. I'm leery of reboots. Redos. Liam Neeson, unbelievable. I thought he carried the tradition on doing the deadpan. He plays Frank Drebin Jr. You know, the first one, Keith, with Leslie Nelson. I mean, legit. The Naked Gun is one of the top 10 funniest movies of all time. This was hilarious, dude. Like, Liam Neeson. Unbelievably deadpan. Pam Anderson was great. She was sort of like the love interest in it. Paul Walter Hauser, the big dude. He was in Blackbird. He's. He's awesome and everything. A lot of fun, a lot of laughs. I actually got the dvd.

[D]

I can see Liam Neeson being unreal with the deadpan. And it's probably awesome to see him out of his normal character. Right. I feel like he kind of got pigeonholed in the same type of guy for a lot of those awesome movies when he went, and I will find you and I will kill you. But yeah, that would. That would be. And didn't he end up, like, aren't him and Pamela, like, together now because of the movie?

[A]

There was some scuttlebutt about that. I don't know if it was PR purposes. I don't know if it was a real thing. I didn't. I'm compelled. With his kid. I didn't ask about it. I want to be nosy, but. But I did send him a picture, one of my headlines. I was like, way to go, dad. You know what I mean? Because there was some talk about it. But he said, why don't you become.

[B]

Friends with Liam Neeson's son?

[D]

His kid's a good guy. Text me once in a while, too. He's a good.

[A]

Yeah. Through DM Instagram. I've hung out with him down New York a bunch of times.

[E]

That your dad's banging some check.

[D]

There is a rumor that Liam Neeson has the big in Hollywood.

[A]

Yeah. Another thing, I did not confirm confirmed.

[D]

With him either, but let's get his kid on.

[A]

But bring him in. Let's get the old man up. But he.

[D]

Surprise guest.

[A]

He said that Pam is absolute sweetheart. She's like a doll of a person. Absolutely great lady. Anyways, I got. It's one of those, like, movies. You miss the jokes and also the jokes, like, very not politically incorrect. Basically, like, jokes.

[C]

You.

[A]

We used to hear movies 25 years ago, and I hope this sort of starts a trend where, hey, if people are pissed off, it, man, let's make the joke and see what happens happen. So moving along, one battle after another. This is the best movie I saw this year. Movie. The Paul Thomas Anderson, you know, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood Biz. We know you like that one. I thought it was excellent. I know people sort of assigned their maybe beliefs to the plot, whatever. Basically, Leo DiCaprio, he's a revolutionary. You know, they start off early. You know, early in his like revolutionary days. He goes on the run and he has a daughter. And it flashes forward like 60 years years later. And Sean Penn is this batshit crazy army guy who's obsessed with. With catching him and. Or his daughter. And it becomes. It's essentially like a chase movie. I know there's. He was. He was written and directed a year and a half ago before the last election. So it wasn't based on current events. Although when you watch it, it may feel like he wrote the movie a couple months ago. But the scenes at the end, when. With the, with the big chase scene, it's legit. One of the best like scenes I've seen in the theatery and years. Definitely going to get tons of nominations. Leo's going to get one. Sean Penn's a slam dunk for best supporting actor. So one battle, another. I give it five Warthogs, man. I saw it twice, two or three times at the theater. And again, I. I know some people like, you know, I'm able to separate the real world from, from odd. It's like, hey, man, he doesn't make anybody look good in one side. He wasn't taking sides. It was not a polemic. He wasn't like anything preachy. It was just like, hey, here's a movie. These people did these things. These people did these things and they chased each other.

[B]

Is it, is it. Is it like fiction? Like a different.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, it's a fictional movie.

[B]

No, no, I know it's. I know this didn't happen, but is it like the world we're living in now or is it like something else happened? And it's.

[D]

He, I believe RA he started writing it a while ago and then just kind of like. I don't know if because of the political times, it just made sense, sense to finish it more recently. Like, not to say he like rushed to finish it, but I think he's been going. He was going at it for a while. While. And just the fact that like today's political climate just matched his idea from when he started it, whatever it was 15, 20 years ago and started writing it, it just so happened it all came together and obviously like he's a big enough name and a big enough G. Where they funded that type of movie where it's very hard to get the types of returns on those types of movies now. Right. You have to. Not many, not many guy. Not many directors are getting the trust and the funds from. From these, these.

[B]

You're saying there's, there's groups of people that just won't see it out of what it's about.

[D]

It's not like it's not a, it's not a Marvel movie where so many people are going to go see it, where you're, you're automatically going to see the profits. Like they, like they had to grind and promote to probably break even. And maybe they're in the. And, and what do you have to promise Leo and these types of actors in order to even do it? Like they're probably getting a slice or percentage of what the taken in, but maybe also not because Leo and those types of actors appreciate the art where maybe they're probably willing to leave a little bit of money on the table and the fact that they can even like be. Be involved in a piece of art that's. That's directed by.

[B]

Streaming at ra.

[A]

Not yet. It's not streaming yet. In. In biz. His movies, yeah, they typically don't make a lot of money, but I, I think Warner Brothers. Warner Brothers was the studio and this is a case of hey, what we make, what we make. If we break even, who can he has. Because it's an Oscar movie. It's like this movie's going to win. Be nominated and would definitely win Oscars. And that, that's more cachet, I think than, you know, breaking even or making a few bucks. And as far as the screenplay, it was very loosely based on Thomas Pinchon novel. I think that's how you say his name. His. His books a little way over my head. So he had been working on it. On it for a while. It was a very loose adaptation of a book. But yeah, when you watch it, you don't think he. He wrote the script a month ago, even though he filmed it, you know, like a year and a half ago.

[D]

And what was the other thing? Oh, going back to Paul Thomas Anderson, I believe when he was filming there. Will. Did he also do no country for Old Men?

[A]

Well, he directed them not simultaneously, but yeah, he.

[D]

No, but I think that they had to redo something.

[A]

I'm sorry, the Cohen. Sorry, the Cohen's directed no country for Old Men. No, they Would know what, you're right. They were no country for Old Men. They were filming like next to There Will Be Blood and there was like smoke from one of the scenes that the other cameras were catching. Some crazy good. Great. That's a great poll biz.

[B]

That's a great biz. Knows There Will Be Blood. Everything about it.

[D]

Oh, yeah, yeah. I think it was the scene where the, the, the, the oil rig kind of explodes, right?

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

And so there was smoke in the sky and then they had to like stall. Ruin the country for old men for a while. What's that? What's that?

[E]

Ruin the movie? I haven't seen it.

[D]

Oh, that's not the significant. It's a slow burn. No pun intended.

[A]

Yeah, there will be but 2 hour and 45 minute movie and honestly it feels like an hour and 45 minute movie. It just like, like flies along. And it's funny too. It's funny as hell. Leo, Leo's absolutely hilarious in it. He's like this deadbeat stoner. Wicked funny in the movie too. So I give, like I said, five warthogs and one more. This one was actually not in a theater. It was only available on Netflix. It was called Nana's known as an Italian grandma, in case you're not aware of that. And Vince Vaughn made it. I don't think he directed or he was involved with the producer. I know. And I threw it on for shits and giggles. You know, Vince Vaughn, he's kind of, you know, you know what you're going to get with Vince Vaughn by the end of it, man. I was like, oh, where's the Kleenex? I may have a tissue drop down my. It's about. It's based on a true story of a guy who starts a restaurant and he has all these Italian grandmothers cook. A lot of them are widowed or that, you know, they. They're kind of lonely or whatever. So he had all these Italian grandmothers come in the restaurant and they were the cooks for the restaurant and then they made the movie about it. It's on Netflix. I enjoyed the hell out of it. It's definitely a feel good movie. If you're Italian, you'll absolutely love it. But nonest gets four water hogs from your boy Ra and so you can watch it on Netflix. So good stuff there. Classic recommendation. This week we're going to go back to 1997 movie. What a couple of Oscars. LA Confidential streaming in the usual spot. You could probably rent it for a couple bucks. Absolutely terrific movie. Again, one of those movies. Put your phone down, pay attention. Because the plot starts from the beginning and it doesn't stop the whole way. Russell Crowe, Guy Pierce, they were virtually unknown when the movie movie come out. Kim Basinger won Best Supporting Actress. When was it? Nominated for like nine or ten different awards. Best Picture. At last, the Titanic. Understandably. But it's just a great 1950 set about, you know, dirty cops, corruption, all this stuff going on. Danny DeVito's in it, so many stars in it. Huge recommendation. Anybody has seen it? LA Confidential?

[B]

No.

[A]

Or am I gonna go all for three?

[C]

No, no, I know that I haven't seen it.

[E]

I gotta. Kim Basinger looks incredible in this.

[A]

Oh yeah, she. She is. That's what she got. Like I said, Best Supporting Actress. She went for that. Oh, and went for screenplay as well. But fantastic movie again. You can find it. Usual spots, rented, buy it, whatever. LA Confidential, top notch film. Definitely in another year probably would have won best picture, but for Titanic. Titanic, I say Titanic.

[E]

99 on rotten tomatoes. That's pretty good.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, fantastic.

[B]

How many warthogs?

[A]

Yeah, I get five. La, definitely. But you can't be like this, watching it because like I said, you'll miss one little plot point. Just constantly moving plot wise. Awesome movie, awesome story. And what's granted my gears, we're going to keep with this movie stuff. What's buying digital movies, right? Caveat emptor. That's Latin for buyer beware. You're not actually buying anything, you know. I know some people buy them for the kids, whatever. Nobody reads the fine print on these things. I certainly don't. But you really don't own shit. Like, you know, you buy it, it's there most of the time. But if the contract with that studio or whatever runs out and that movie's not there anymore, you don't have access to it anymore. Really? Yeah, because you, you don't own it. You're essentially leasing it through the streaming company. A lot of people don't know this. It doesn't happen a lot, but it can. Like your movie's gone. Like. Well, I bought it. Well, you really didn't.

[E]

What if you download it?

[A]

Well, if you download it, then you. Well, what, like on your computer mean?

[E]

I don't know how that.

[A]

Yeah, I, I mean, I'm talking like streaming. I, I mean, mean if you download it on the side. Piracy. Well, whatever. I guess you'd have it. I'm just talking if you buy it on TV someday it might be gone. Like, like again, if there, there's a.

[B]

Did this happen to you recently?

[A]

No, it. No, it hasn't. But I, you know, I'll. If it's five bucks, I'll buy something.

[D]

No, I get what you're saying. All right, if you paid 17.99 to buy the movie and the next thing you know, it's not there, what should happen is, is they should refund you. The difference that it would have costed just to rent it.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, but fine print, that's what, that's what. They back it up because they're not going to give you anything back. It's just another reason too. Like people laugh. Me, I still buy Blu Rays. Kido's Way.

[D]

Great.

[A]

Like, by the way, five war dogs. Another reason to buy, you know, CDs and DV DVDs and stuff is like what these companies do, man, they change movies. They'll like edit the movies. So like, here's an example. There's a, a classic from the 70s, Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, the French Connection. Great movie. Based on a true story. One of the all time. Great contrast chases, almost cut. People killed.

[D]

I thought that was the line for the Canadians.

[A]

If you, if you bought. Yeah, the sabers. Actually our savers say you bought the French. You know, your boom. And dad watches it and loves the movie. Well, what happened was because of the PC that goes on, they edited some lines out. They took lines of Gene Hackman's policeman out. He plays a dirty clop who's, you know, racist and misogynistic and all that stuff that 70s clips were. They took out some of the words he said. You know, it's the N word. But they take it out of the movie. So say you, you. You watch it one time. Well, they re. They redid it. They reloaded it with like, without certain language. So then next time you go to watch it, you know, not that you're sitting there waiting to hear those words, but it takes away the, like, what the character is. It's telling you this guy's a racist when he uses those words. So it's kind of taken like the, the honest intention away from the movie. And it happened too in Splash. I'm probably gonna sound like a dirty old man in here, but I was watching Splash and when she gets out of the water, you know, statue of Libby island there, all of a sudden it cuts to a different scene. Now the, the scene is, you know, if you saw a splash, there's Daryl Hand, she's the mermaid.

[E]

But she like this.

[A]

Yeah. And she's walking and you see her bare ass with. With the hair. And then when I was watching, I was like, yeah. I mean, I'm not gonna lie. I wouldn't mind seeing dow hair.

[B]

It's on.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Well, that.

[D]

So what's crying your gears is you can't see bare ass.

[A]

And.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

Censoring and bombs. Okay, that's. I mean, that's strong.

[A]

They screw the movie colors, but no, again, same thing. It takes the honest intention away because when you see a grown woman get out of the water, we're asking that shows are like her night. And I always butcher how naive she is. And she's unaware that you're not supposed to be walking around naked. So I agree. Like that. It's like, oh, I. I thought she. I thought she might have been a little more hip to that. So basically, if you want to watch the movie, you fell in love with the way you want to watch it like most people. I mean, this is. This is not going to stop going way, man.

[D]

I don't know.

[A]

I don't agree with it. It's some weird form of corporate.

[E]

How many people listening you think have a DVD player?

[B]

Oh, I don't.

[E]

Of course you don't.

[A]

50% maybe.

[D]

Not a chance.

[E]

No way.

[A]

Really.

[D]

Not a chance.

[B]

Unless.

[C]

Unless.

[E]

Unless actually on video games now, I don't even think you put it in anymore.

[D]

I bet you more people have a record player than DVD player.

[A]

I. I went to Newberry Comics the other day. The one of F. Hall's Diamond. I bought. I bought like five CDs the other day. I still figured my CDs. I listen to them.

[D]

Do you have a record player already? Do.

[A]

I do not. I. I didn't jump on the vinyl craze even though I do got Saturday Night Fever soundtrack right behind me on vinyl.

[D]

You. You're. Oh, you do yet?

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

I love.

[D]

Who's the one you just lifted up? It's a. It's a black girl, right. She's very talented.

[E]

Sza. She's got a. She's got a St. Louis Blues jersey on.

[D]

That's right.

[C]

Wow.

[D]

She's got the Colton Parenko.

[E]

But. But if you listen to her boarding. If you listen to her tape, you won't see this.

[B]

You don't get. You don't get the.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You don't get the album cover, you're saying.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

How. How often do you listen to albums, Keith? Like, daily, weekly, Randomly?

[E]

Like, say, when I'm out here, I'd say, yeah, a couple times a week.

[A]

Huh.

[E]

What I like about them Ra is like, even like old CDs that I. That I bought and listened to. Like, you used to get your favorite songs and just skip, skip to it. But with the record player, you got.

[A]

To listen to them all.

[E]

So you find songs that you didn't love back in the day, and I love them now, so that's what I like about it.

[D]

Boys, I. I have to catch a flight and. And we kind of went a little bit long. You guys could continue. Ari, I don't know if you had anything written up about Larry Brooks, and I was just going to ask you if. Did you have something?

[A]

I. I did, yes. I had it toward the end. We can obviously do it right now. Yeah. Larry Brooks, the great New York Post hunter, hockey writer, true character of the game, passed away. It was announced this morning on the New York Post. And, you know, on behalf of all of us, we extend our deepest condolences to Larry's family, his friends, his New York Post peers, and everybody in hockey media who knew him. It's just a true, true legend of the game, a character, a one of one. So I get condolences. And in the same vein, to my niece, Kayla, Rob, Sherry, Kim, Jerry, uh, the rest of the Coco family, I said you.

[E]

You.

[A]

My deepest sympathies on the loss of Papa Joey. This is my niece's other grandfather, who just passed away and just kind of got the news today. It was. It was suddenly.

[C]

So.

[A]

I love you guys. I'll see you soon. So sorry. Loss, Love, Papa Joey. I'll see you guys soon. So, Biz, if you got to get down, I just got a couple more picks.

[D]

Yeah, and I just like, you know, condolences to the Brooks family as well. Like, we got a. Me and G. Got a text from his son Jordan today and just. He just mentioned how. How much of a good time he had coming on the planet Pod. And I was just thankful at the fact that the chance that we got a chance to interview him, you know, legendary hockey writer, you know, didn't have a problem like, you know, going after the establishment and really didn't care. Man. He was a true journalist and just a real legend of the game of hockey and. And other sports and other things as well. But I. I really think he left his mark on the hockey world. And it. It's unfortunate that I believe it was cancer and it took a turn for the worst. And. And he. He was taken. Taken too. Too soon at the age of 75. And actually, even like Wayne was, he. He shot a. A text of the group text today or the tnt. And he reached out four days ago to Larry saying hey Larry, I, I heard maybe things aren't going so good. I just wanted to let you know we're thinking of you. And sure enough so you know he, he's a legend and, and, and you know a lot of people loved him.

[B]

So once again so dialed into the Rangers what was going on in the league. And yeah, he was a titan of.

[D]

Like hockey writing and you can see it goes back to like how, how much beef. We talked about beef recently and how much he was loved and you guys are going to see the result of the Internet Invitational but just the response online to, to Larry Brooks's passing. Like you could see how big of a giant he was and how well respected that he was not only, only from, from all his colleagues but also the players. Man, like that. Like go read what Henrik Lundquist had to say about him. He played you know, 15 years for, for the Rangers. So yeah, I'm going to take off here but a tough way to end the pod. And, and thanks for writing that up, RA.

[A]

Of course. Absolutely.

[B]

When you leave we'll, we'll, we'll make sure we play the, the peak and trailer.

[D]

Yeah that's coming out the 19th so we'll have another show before then and we'll talk a little bit more about it. But we're in the final stages of editing and it's going to be an incredible, incredible three, three episode series. So love you boys. Great pod and hopefully everybody enjoyed.

[B]

Safe travels buddy.

[A]

Take care. Busy.

[D]

I gave this podcast five Hogs.

[A]

There we go.

[E]

Ra. I forget who mentioned it last week or maybe it was a couple weeks ago. It's like getting these guys in the hall of Fame before they pass away. Like I'm so happy that he got into that. Larry got into the hall of Fame before he passed away. He was able to enjoy that with his family because it's, it's well deserved and haven't played in New York and you know you have your run ins with him daily. He's there every day and I don't know if you heard whit earlier but I, I, I really enjoyed Larry. I know guys that I played with had some dust ups with him or whatever but he, he loved that. It was like he was there to grow the game. He was there to, you know, tell the truths about the game, stuff like that. But I, I think I liked him mostly because I never read any articles while I was playing and it was just kind of like I didn't you know, I didn't want to hate a guy for calling it how it was on the ice. You know, like you're not going to be good every night. You're going to get on in the media. But he, he, he definitely was a staple in that locker room and he'll be missed and I hope his family is, is, is doing as good as they can.

[A]

Well said, brother. Well said. Yeah, he old school and a lot of, a lot of balls, man. He really bought more people like that media.

[E]

No doubt he'd still write stuff down even later on. Like I remember him writing it down. And you try to look at what he was writing. You could not understand it.

[A]

You couldn't chicken scratch.

[E]

It was just like one or two words like for every sentence. It was, it was pretty, pretty cool to see.

[A]

Yeah, well said.

[C]

But.

[A]

So we'll finish up a couple picks here. Last week. Good, good week in the, in the pucks. I gave out over six Bruins Toronto. It was a 5, 3 Bruins win. I said if Tampa starts Vassi versus the Caps. He did. They won that shit the bed in the NFL though. I don't know what I was thinking. I took the Cardinals. They got smoked from the jump and the Niners made it interesting. Boom, they lost. So last week it was pretty much a wash. But this weekend I like a few things this weekend. Today Nashville is playing at 2:00'. Clock. They're over in Sweden versus the Pens. We got to take the Predators here. I think Penguins have been struggling a little bit. I think so should probably get the start. He has been playing great there. We're going to jump on Nashville to pick him and as always put half your play on on the puck line which probably be about 2, 220. Let's see Saturday, Tampa and Florida. First game of the year between these two hated rivals. Again Avassi starts for Tampa. Jump on Tampa. He had a shitty start last game and number one goalies typically respond with a good effort. So we're going to take Tampa. Don't have a line yet per usual. Take the money line and then half of your moneyline bet. Put on the puck line. Saturday night two other teams. I'm riding these two teams probably to pay my frigging rent for the next year. Anaheim over Minnesota. They're in Minnesota again. No line Lions yet. They lost a tough one. I did Colorado last night and then San Jose over Seattle. They're in Seattle again but the money line and then half of your bet put on the puck line. San Jose. They're A money maker. They're only two points out of a playoff spot right now, so let's see. Hopefully we keep it rolling, boys, so. Oh, I did. We're up a few bucks on the air, but hopefully a few. We were tailing.

[E]

Can you bet the amount of penalties in the Cause I think that Florida.

[B]

Tampa game I saw Tampa called some guys up too.

[E]

Well, yeah, that Sabrin's playing. Who's the. He's the one who hit E behind the net, started all the shit. So it's going to be a. A shit show, I think.

[A]

Yeah, that's a good call. Like total penalty minutes this time. Yeah, I'll poke around.

[E]

I'm not sure.

[A]

Fricking bet on everything else nowadays, so probably that too. So. All right, boys, any other final notes.

[B]

Before we just gotta let everyone know that Monday's show, it will not be live. It'll drop at 6am Monday. We're gonna record Sunday evening. I think Keith has some stuff going on with the lacrosse tournament. Merles might hop on, but we have. We have a trip to la. We're doing some sandbaggers. We're doing a bunch of pretty big interviews views. So we're going to be flying all day Monday. We won't be able to do it live. So 6am Drop. Then Thursday, which would be the 20th will be Sandbagger. There's a sandbagger dropping. I. I got a. I got a view of that.

[C]

It's.

[B]

It's excellent. A lot of fun. And Wednesday, the day before that, the 19th will be business first episode of peaking. So I think we play that trailer now and then everyone know that Monday won't be live. It'll be lied live, wherever you get it. At 6am so you want to play the trilogy. Boom. There you go. 19th, 25th, December 3rd. Three episodes. Can't wait to check that out. Good work by Biz. Good work by Donnie. Does RA shout out ra's World and all the warthogs you gave out for the movies? I'll have to check out LA Confidential.

[A]

Definitely.

[B]

Thank you to everyone. Have a great weekend and we'll see you Monday, 6am this time. Peace.

[A]

I'll be with that.

[C]

Bad habit worth breaking but it's taking time I don't know. It don't matter it's gone. Going to happen. It's going to happen again. Wanna come? Wanna.