← Spittin Chiclets
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- [00:00]
Biz Nunez
Hey Spit and Chicklets listeners.
- [00:02]
Frank the Tank Fleming
You can find every episode on Apple podcasts, Spotify or YouTube Prime.
- [00:06]
Craig Ludwig
Members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.
- [00:09]
Biz Nunez
When cool creamy ranch meets tangy bold Buffalo, the whole is greater than the sum of its sauce.
- [00:16]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Say howdy partner to new Buffalo Ranch sauce only at McDonald's for a limited.
- [00:23]
Merle
Time at participating McDonald's golf season is in full swing and getting out there to work on your game is bound to make any day even better. And if you're looking to improve your drive, Chevy Equinox EV is the smartest choice you can make. Bold athletic styling, a commanding presence, award winning tech and impressive range, all with an affordable msrp, Chevy Equinox EV will put a smile on your face no matter how your scorecard shakes out.
- [00:52]
Biz Nunez
Me and Ryan have been officially welcomed to the jungle that is Bastool Sports.
- [00:57]
Merle
I brought it toward the Coyotes and I asked them if it was okay if I joined the Spit Chickens podcast full time.
- [01:02]
Pasha
Time.
- [01:04]
Biz Nunez
Ryan Whitney's got a Pink Whitney out there now. The song man is a full time member. Marley just got an assist from Chris B. Whoa, we're buzzing right now. What is up folks? Welcome to episode 597 of the Spit and Chicklets podcast presented by Pink Whitney. We got Merles, he's in for Keith Yandel right now. We got Biz myself and we're talking Pink Whitney. We're talking hockey and we're talking Internet invitational and there was plenty of Pink Whitney floating around there. There's plenty of Pink Whitney all over the place right now because it's Sunday. We are recording on a Sunday because we'd be traveling to la. We're hopefully doing a sandbagger where there also be Pink Whitney and Birdie juice flowing per usual.
- [01:55]
Merle
So anyone. Also is a lot of Pink Whitney wit coming out in this week's sandbagger with the Boston Brewing Boys.
- [02:03]
Biz Nunez
Exactly. There is a lot. I've seen the clips, I've seen a little rundown of that. It got a little wild. It got a little wild watching it. Maybe I'm a little embarrassed, but Pink Whitney, it was there, it was representing and everyone had a blast drinking it. You know, you and Tooka were smart enough to stay away, but myself, Jans, Kreche and Krug, we indulged and anyone who indulges with Pink Whitney, it seems like they have a great time. The next day may be a little tough, but during it it's phenomenal. We've watched so many games and watched celebrated so many goals with a nice shot of Pink Whitney. So do it yourself or make yourself a nice mixie. Little soda water, little Pink Whitney, little ice. Anyone who ever has had some, thank you so much. And if you haven't tried it, go give it a shot. I actually was having lunch at Wallacen Golf Club, where we played the sandbagger that will be out. And an older woman came up to me. She said, it was a cold one yesterday. I didn't play golf. I was just sitting there watching the. It was Friday. I was watching the Penguins, Predators, two o', clock, puck drop. And she'd come in off the course. She said, this helped me get through today. And she had a nip, and she had a nip and she showed it and she said, we got more, but we drank a bunch of them out there. So shout out Pink Whitney and shout out anyone who's ever, ever indulged.
- [03:11]
Merle
And before we move on, though, going back to that bagger, it drops on Thursday at noon on the Spit and Chicklets YouTube channel, which is at 424,000 followers, all thanks to Game Notes and Merle, who invented YouTube.
- [03:27]
Whitney
Say, I think it was 300 before game notes started. And while we're talking Pink Whitney, I was. It is Sunday. People think, like, biz is like, it's a joke that he's trying to go up against the NFL, but he's got us recording going up against the NFL. It's just insane. But I'm over here at my brother's. I'm like, you know what? I'm going to have a Pink Whitney on air during the ad read.
- [03:47]
Merle
Roger Goodell can eat my hoop. I'm coming right after him.
- [03:50]
Biz Nunez
Okay, that's an interesting view right there for Roger.
- [03:54]
Merle
I'll put my Reebok earrings, or what do you call it? The. The Reebok earrings.
- [03:58]
Biz Nunez
Get the Reebok earrings going.
- [03:59]
Merle
I'll put him right on Goodell.
- [04:01]
Biz Nunez
But I think that would be Roger Goodell pounding you if you had your Reebok earrings out. But that's okay. That's okay. To each his own.
- [04:07]
Craig Ludwig
Yeah.
- [04:08]
Whitney
So trying to keep it slightly pg. But anyway, so I'm. My brother always got Pink Whitney. You know him, He's a chicken cup guy. He's always on the pig. And I'm rummaging around his house. I can't find any booze. I just figured it out. His kid's old enough now. Where you got to start hiding the booze from the kids, right? He's 14 years old. I can't believe it. And I'm like, that's what it is. You gotta hide the booze. It can't be down and out. So yeah, drink responsibly. Enjoy the pink Whitney. I'll be bringing a bucket to a birthday party soon as we're done here.
- [04:36]
Merle
I love that. And also once again, Wednesday. So we got a lot coming out this week going back to, well, even last week, the Gabric interview, that was all time, almost an hour and a half with him. And then we got Pean dropping on Wednesday and that's going to be on the Won's YouTube channel. So we're actually going to get him on next week to talk about the experience in the filming and then to talk about the first episode that it would have already dropped and then the next two that'll be coming out. So that'll be a three part series. And yeah, I'm, I'm pumped. And then also another bagger coming out probably in about three weeks with Paige Spanic and I guess that could lead us into to the Internet Invitational went. I'll throw it over to you.
- [05:17]
Biz Nunez
So for anyone who hasn't watched the finale of the Internet Invitational, you got to kind of fast forward here. There will be spoilers. We'll be talking about what happened. But Dave Portnoy for a long time had been saying that Luke Kwan and the Sleep in would not be the main storyline once this thing ended. And it was all based on the last match, the championship match. It was Francis Ellis, Brad Dahlke, the greatest YouTube golfer for sure. I think Colin Morale was on Foreplay and mentioned the greatest golfer that isn't a professional technically, even though he might still be, I don't know, in the world. And, and Beef and Beef tragically passed away, you know, right before this thing started airing. And they ended up in the championship match versus Frankie Borelli from Foreplay, Paige Sporanek and this guy Melosi, what's his first name? Biz. Do you know?
- [06:10]
Merle
I. I have no idea about YouTube Golf.
- [06:12]
Biz Nunez
Melosi. An insane match. It went down to the 18th hole where they were all tied where Frankie Borelli is teeing off against Brad Dahlke. Brad Dahlke was just steady hitting drives the entire week there. 335 yards dead down the guts of the fairway.
- [06:30]
Merle
I played with Brad Dalki, the first nine hole with Jon Gruden. That's why it turned into the the Biz John and Jon Gruden podcast. I just kept asking him all these questions and I'm sure the GoPros got all that. And I hope you people will be Able to see it. But I also got to watch the greatest golfer I've ever seen with my own eyes. Yes, it was. I, I want to say throughout the full nine holes, they might have taken the other guy's ball one time in a scramble. So that's how good this guy was. And he was just chucking darts, so I got to witness it firsthand. And then he just kept doing it nine after nine after nine. And ultimately was the captain of Francis and Beef's team. And before we go on to the chaos, the fact that Beef took the first shot of the Internet Invitational and then the last one, like, like poetic, symbolic, call it whatever you want, but if you don't believe in a higher power, then I think you're crazy with the way that that all went down.
- [07:26]
Biz Nunez
And something we couldn't mention because of the tournament not spoiling anything. But we had known prior that he had said to Bob does out there before the final, I think, or maybe the semifinal, what if you won? And describing this guy, all you got to do is show the clip of him saying, I'd give something to charity and I'd pay off my parents mortgage. It's like a heart of gold. So happy that he won. He was very emotional in the 18th green and it was just, it was a storybook ending. And he went out a winner and, and the fact that Big Cat and a bunch of other guys from barstool, they went and watched the finale with Beef's family, and I'm sure that meant a lot to them. And he said that they were just the nicest people in the world. Right. Exactly how you think they would be. At one point, I think Beef had swore and just immediately like apologized to his mom on the, on the video out on the course. So I mean, just, just like a tragic, a tragic story, but for the rest of their lives they'll be able to watch, you know, their son was a huge winner. $333,000, not including all the skin money that the team had pooled together. And just an incredible way for everyone to, you know, to see, to see Beef right, right after his passing as a, as a champion of the first ever. And I believe they're going to rename the tournament or the trophy, you know, the, the Beef Internet Invitational or the trophy, whatever his name will be on it, rightfully so. But the, the match was, was not without madness. And biz had biz. You, you had to take off right before. But Keith and I were still around. We were flying home with Dave. So everyone was There watching. I was excited to watch him. It was pretty much all square. And then we get to the 10th green and that's when all hell broke loose. Peter Finch, who is a great golfer himself, he had noticed that Paige had kind of pushed down some grass in front of the ball on the ninth hole that was in the weeds. Frankie Verelli had put Melosi into the weeds on the right side. And he was about, I don't know, 190 yards out, kind of in an enormous clump of grass. And there's a video of Paige kind of pressing down the, the grass in front of the ball. Now what hurt her was that on the first hole they had had like her team had about a two foot putt that Francis didn't give them. And once he didn't give it to him, she said, well, I could tell you've never played competitive golf before. And Brad Dahlke, who's played in, I think he said, five USMs, he's played in the Masters. He said, I've played in a lot of competitive golf and that was like a slider. I wouldn't have given that putt. So tensions were high off the, off the get go. And then it comes to where everyone is told that she was kind of pressing down some grass in front of the ball. She's told that they know. Frances brought up, we've been told that you did that. And she kind of says, I didn't know you couldn't do that. So after kind of saying you've never played competitive golf, people have said you should probably know you can't press down grass in front of your ball or behind your ball in competitive golf. They're playing for a million dollars. She started crying. Francis is, is kind of sitting there like, well, we're not going to do anything, but we wanted to let you know, probably smart by him with some gamemanship. And in the meantime, on the same hole, Bubby, who is a part of Good Good Golf. Now, if you don't watch YouTube Golf, these names probably mean nothing to you, but he's part of a brand. Good Good. This guy Melosi is also part of Good Good. Now I will say at the beginning of the tournament, I was told, I'm not going to say by who, but it was several people that this guy Melosi is loose with the rules. You can't trust him out there. And his own teammate, his own brand member of Good Good came up and said, I think he has his slope on, on the Rangefinder. Now for people who don't know rangefinders, they give you the distance. Now, if you're uphill, it'll tell you you're 127 yards to the hole. The second number with the slope will say 134 yards, which means it plays 7 yards uphill.
- [11:44]
Merle
I had. I had no idea what that button on the. On the rangefinder meant until this all went down.
- [11:49]
Craig Ludwig
Yes.
- [11:50]
Merle
So you're telling me if you. If you go at the flag, it will take into account the fact that you're 10ft, 12ft higher than the hole?
- [11:58]
Biz Nunez
Yes.
- [11:59]
Merle
And it will just give you the approach. Okay, so two numbers. And I thought Big Cat did a good job of describing it for, like, me, who, like, I could hit my eight iron, probably a difference of 25 yards every time I hit it, depending on how long my backswing is and. And. And the fact if I even make contact. But these guys who are playing all the time, who are so dialed in, that 5 to 7 yards makes a world of difference. Like, they'll hit it within the 10ft. Right. So that's why, I guess that Dave, at the start of the round, I don't know who brought it to his attention, but said were playing without slope correct, or was this a start of the tournament?
- [12:36]
Biz Nunez
Start of the tournament. He had said that.
- [12:37]
Merle
Okay.
- [12:38]
Biz Nunez
And that was the problem that made it quite evident that Melosi did have the slope on. Was that in the par three tournament, where there was four teams of three left and the top two teams were going to move on to the championship for the million? They were playing a course that was very uphill or downhill, and there's a clip of him saying, 137 yards while everyone else who was gunning it, it said 142. And there was a guy who said. I think it was Micah, said, do you have your slope on Melosi? And he's like, no, no. And he's like, well, we're all getting 142 and you're getting 1 37. Right. And I think Melosi probably wasn't even thinking and just said the slope number and then said, oh, no. I was standing a couple of yards up here, just kind of like, all right. But it wasn't a big deal yet until his teammate at. Good. Good brought it up on the 10th green.
- [13:30]
Merle
Now, in the final match in.
- [13:32]
Pasha
Yes.
- [13:33]
Merle
So the same hole. That same hole, the same hole.
- [13:35]
Biz Nunez
This all happened. Have you watched it yet?
- [13:37]
Merle
I did. I didn't. It was there so much going on. And. And then. And then also the people who weren't involved who were following around with carts. It was like the guy you mentioned with the European accent, the English guy.
- [13:49]
Biz Nunez
Peter.
- [13:49]
Merle
Peter Finch. Like, he was mentioning one thing, then you were running over to someone else, and then all of a sudden, like. Like Joey Cole Cuts was met. So it was just chaos. So it was hard to keep. You'd have to watch it two, three times to really get it. If you're a non golfer, what's up?
- [14:04]
Whitney
Wait, let me ask you. Like, why even make that a rule not to use the slope? Like, why. Why have to worry about that?
- [14:10]
Merle
Because there were so many non. Like, there was non good golfers and then also good golfers. So I think it was to try to bridge the gap. Correct.
- [14:18]
Biz Nunez
I think Dave did it. Just.
- [14:20]
Gully
Just chaos.
- [14:21]
Biz Nunez
Having. Having no clue. I don't even think. Well, he was told you're not allowed to use that. Like, you can use rangefinders in like, usam, and you can't even use them on the PGA Tour.
- [14:31]
Whitney
I say you should just got rid of them, period.
- [14:33]
Biz Nunez
But you can't use the slope in, like, legit tournaments when you can use a rangefinder. So Dave's like, okay, no, no, slow.
- [14:40]
Merle
So then you're telling me, in US AMs, when they're using the rangefinders, do they have ones that don't even have the slope on it?
- [14:48]
Biz Nunez
They do make those, but if you have one, it just has to be off.
- [14:51]
Frank the Tank Fleming
It's.
- [14:51]
Biz Nunez
It's like the honesty.
- [14:52]
Merle
So there's. I. It seems like, yeah, just. I agree with you, Merle. It makes things confusing because it seems like it's just a. A quick touch of the button.
- [15:01]
Biz Nunez
It is. It is. And probably what Melosi was doing, just flipping it on and off. Now people have come at me saying that I made an error or a misjudgment of going down because I heard this. So Paige is crying. It's madness. It's all tied on the 10th green, Joey Cold Cut comes down and says, dave, I think there's some news that would help you because Dave and I had a $10,000 bet. I was on the side of non Brad Dahlke. The dumbest bet of all time. I also gave Dave odds. He had Brad Dahlke. Like, that's how much of a joke I am. And he comes over and he's like, yeah, I think there'd be somebody on the other team that you bet against Dave, that you need to maybe check out for the range finder. I know Dave. I'm like, he could. He could give the win right now. To Dalky. I got to get down there and tell this guy, or at least ask him. And I went down. I said, frankie, is your rangefinder or your slope on? He said, no. What do you talk about? And Frankie was the most rattled human being I've ever seen. The entire match.
- [16:03]
Merle
Just. He just wants to play golf, and he's got both of his teammates in a blender.
- [16:08]
Biz Nunez
Yes. And.
- [16:10]
Merle
And let's just go back to every that decision for the slope finder. Everything Dave does turns to gold.
- [16:17]
Whitney
It's unreal.
- [16:18]
Merle
Everything. The fact that he greenlit this whole thing, backed it up with money and shout out to foreplay and Bob does for putting this entire event together. And also all the people that had to edit all that footage.
- [16:32]
Biz Nunez
The editors. Amazing.
- [16:34]
Merle
The editors were incredible. And the amount of work that they had to put into. I would say this is going to go down as the greatest piece of YouTube golf ever created. The first one already has over 6 million views. Correct.
- [16:47]
Biz Nunez
I think they're all. Yeah, I said I saw something that said, there's more people that watched this than the Ryder Cup. I don't know if that's accurate. Way more entertaining. Upon millions of them. On. I mean, there's articles written after the last round and all these different golf publications. So I go down. Then I'm like, melosi, is your range fine? Is your slope on? He's like, nope. This guy's voice and this guy's vibe and everything about it completely changed. His slope was 1000% on. There's just no chance. And the. The biggest thing. I'll say, the one thing that I'm like, you know, he was guilty. The next hole, after all this goes on, he's getting ready to putt, and he backs off, and he's like, oh, my ball just moved. It was like, the most, like, makeup for, like. I don't know if you saw it b. Like, all of a sudden, like, okay, I'm following the rules a million percent because my ball just moved this and. And Francis and Dog here. Like, all right, just put it back. Now. Dave went up to Melosi and. And says, you gotta. You gotta shoot me straight here. And Melosi swore. I think he swore on God. I think he swore on God that his slope was not on. Um, but the entire thing was complete madness. And the right team won. After those two issues, it was like, you know, there's got to be some karma here that. That the team who has no allegations of cheating against them gets the W. Because God knows what would be going on if that team had won.
- [18:13]
Craig Ludwig
Right.
- [18:13]
Biz Nunez
Like, it would be. I don't know what the hell would be happening with the viewers and the comments. So the whole thing was crazy. But just Melosi after, like his voice was different after all of this. And, and he swears that it wasn't on, but his own teammate said it was on. It was just a disaster. Good. I think Dave at one point said, like, you guys are supposed to be good. Good. I don't think they necessarily appreciated that. They said he does not stand for us as he is still a part of that group. I have no idea. But the final round was. Must watch TV. Must watch YouTube, I should say, an incredible, incredible tournament. So congrats to Dalke and Crash. Congrats to Francis and, and Beef. Man, what a win for him.
- [18:53]
Merle
And also I don't think that originally that Francis was invited. Right. So that I, I think that Beef mentioned. Set a comment. Or maybe I'm mistaken, or maybe Beef wasn't originally because when they were like being emotional towards the end, one of them was a last minute addition. But I mean, Francis, like, I had no idea he was that good at golf until the Writer cup that we did with Barstool. And he, he dialed it in, man, for that, that final and really that whole, that whole experience. So what a team. And what a crazy ending.
- [19:25]
Biz Nunez
And the video was just crazy because there was drama, there was a lot of laughs. And then at the end, like the montage for Beef, there was. I think a lot of people had tears in their eyes watching the end of that.
- [19:37]
Merle
Yeah. And I think we'd be remiss if we didn't mention, like, Frankie played a hell of a tournament as well. And he's been a major part of foreplay, obviously. And I think he went from being what, like a 10, 15 handicap to on his good days, he's probably like a two or three.
- [19:52]
Biz Nunez
Yeah, he's very good.
- [19:54]
Merle
And then sometimes he has issues with his, his irons, the, the 60 degrees and the 56 degrees. I blade those things all the time. So I, I feel for him. But they would call him Butter Knife and I believe.
- [20:07]
Whitney
What's that even mean?
- [20:08]
Merle
Trevor. Is it? Trevor Immelman originally gave him the, the, the name.
- [20:13]
Biz Nunez
I, I think Frankie might have given himself the name. Trevor Immelman was talking about it once. Can we play the clip of the shot? Oh, this is just.
- [20:21]
Craig Ludwig
Yeah.
- [20:22]
Biz Nunez
Oh, this is what he sucks at too, right?
- [20:24]
Craig Ludwig
Yeah.
- [20:25]
Biz Nunez
Oh, boy. Big, big divot. Oh, Frankie, I should be over.
- [20:30]
Merle
I would have backed off right there.
- [20:32]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Thrive.
- [20:36]
Biz Nunez
Listen To Joey. Cold cuts.
- [20:37]
Merle
Oh, it's the best.
- [20:39]
Pasha
Sit.
- [20:40]
Biz Nunez
Oh, my God.
- [20:42]
Craig Ludwig
Sit.
- [20:42]
Biz Nunez
Oh, my God. I did the thing. I did the thing. What a line. I played it.
- [20:52]
Merle
No, I. I feel so bad for.
- [20:54]
Biz Nunez
No, listen, I. We had to get out of there right after. So I had gotten ahead and I driven. There was a hundred carts I had driven up, so my cart was first, so we could kind of. Me and Keith could bomb out and pack. So I'm watching as I'm walking down from, like, that bridge, and like, I'm watching, I know they got to get up and down and hope that the other team doesn't get up and down for birdie and maybe there's a playoff. And I saw that thing go 115 miles an hour. Across the green. I hear Joey Cole cuts yelling, sit.
- [21:22]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Sit.
- [21:22]
Biz Nunez
It's like, buddy, it's a. It's a bullet coming through like that. The only thing that would have made that thing sit is a brick wall. And. And I. And then I look and I see Dave in his pink jacket laying on the green. And I'm like, this is unbelievable. I felt sick for Frankie. I felt sick because he's dealing with two teammates that are just in the middle of the fire. And he's neck the most negative self talk from the first tee to the 18th hole. If you watch it, he's just like, I can't get over how I feel right now. I just felt sick for him.
- [21:53]
Merle
But, you know. You know, it was very poetic about it, though, too, is the fact that Paige gave him the stank guy and she. She put him in. I was. All of it was just fucking comedy, man. It was.
- [22:07]
Biz Nunez
It really was.
- [22:08]
Merle
It was on you. You could not have script.
- [22:11]
Biz Nunez
No.
- [22:11]
Merle
A better Internet Invitational from start to ending. So bravo. The kings of Internet golf. The Internet Invitational. Bob does foreplay, barstool sports, and everybody involved.
- [22:25]
Biz Nunez
And I really am a gullible motherfucker, I'll say that. Like, I went today before the 18th tee, I'm like, dude, just let him. Just let him play. He's like, I'm going to. And I was like, really? He's like, yeah, this one's just too legit. Like, he's just such a scumbag. And then Frankie Butter knives. Butter Knives. Barelli and Brad Masters Dulkey. And I'm just like, ends that way. Did I think he wouldn't say anything? And then it ends with a butter knife. So incredible tournament. Shout out the winners. Awesome.
- [22:53]
Merle
Grateful to have been a part of it.
- [22:55]
Biz Nunez
It was fun.
- [22:55]
Merle
I got to Meet the Duke and golf with him and Yan's and. And Josh Richards. So I. I had a fun first day. And then. And then, like Whit said, I was out of there. So onto hockey.
- [23:05]
Biz Nunez
Yeah. And. And biz with all the laughs and. And all the people who enjoyed watching that. There's some bad news in the NHL right now and it's the injury bug and injury over the past couple days. Kirby Dock and Montreal. Broken foot. Victor Arbertson. Lower body injury doesn't look great for the Bruins. McAvoy, we'll get into that one. Puck to the face. Horrible. Nick Foligno has a hand injury. He's out. Drew Doughty left the game last night. Lower body injury. Thomas Harley's week to week lower body injury. Thomas Shabbat. Upper body injury. He's out for Ottawa, who's playing pretty well. Shout out. The Senzu are treading water without the captain. Now they don't have Shabbat. But none bigger than the story in Chicago with the New Jersey Devils and their superstar Jack Hughes. This is just something. And why don't we bring Pasha on here? Because I read this Elliot Friedman blog and literally started shaking. I was like, there's no way. There's no way.
- [24:05]
Merle
And coming off of the invitational, chatter about, like, scripted. So they play. They play in Chicago. They get the big win, right?
- [24:14]
Biz Nunez
Overtime. W o T. Simone Nemec.
- [24:17]
Pasha
Hat trick.
- [24:18]
Merle
Hat trick. Right. So, okay. Yeah. Now things are rolling. What a great night. Oh, they have rookie party plan. They're going to go celebrate in style, build some team camaraderie. They already have a few injuries on the back end that they're dealing with.
- [24:30]
Pasha
A few.
- [24:31]
Merle
And three. Three major ones.
- [24:33]
Pasha
Dougie Hamilton, tire right side D. Okay.
- [24:36]
Merle
All right. Well, Pasha's already talking here. He's fired up. And then they go to a restaurant called Chicago Cut. They meet the biggest super fan at the restaurant because he just so happens to be there. And Frank the Tank, where also Chris Chelios was at that night as well. They get the picture with Frank. Jack Hughes wasn't there yet. And then the picture comes out of them having a Jersey. Chicago cut, 20, 25. They take the group shot and then this news hits the airwave. So obviously everybody's assuming that there's a bunch of booze involved and they got crazy. I guess that's not the case. But, Pasha, when this news came out and the whole story behind it, you must have been like, I'm living in a nightmare.
- [25:25]
Pasha
I know. I literally. I thought it was like a prank article. When I read it, I was. I was like, no, Elliot. I was like, elliot's trolling. Is it April 1st? I was like, there's no way. This is a real story. I was in shock. And I. I gotta say, off the hop is like just listening to you guys talk to Frank the Tank there. You said something that made me have a revelation. You did. The little Jesper Brat. And that made me realize, if you remember, two seasons ago, after the Devils made their little kind of beat the doll I gave you, the fucking Jesper Brat little doll. And since then, they have been completely decimated by injuries. Jesper Brat has not missed a single game since then. But the rest of the team, I don't know if it absorbed all the positive voodoo. Oh, he's got. Is it in the house?
- [26:14]
Biz Nunez
Imagine if he comes up and there's just needles everywhere and.
- [26:17]
Gully
Although.
- [26:17]
Biz Nunez
Yes, but Brad's been fine.
- [26:19]
Pasha
Yeah, well, that's the problem. I think it's absorbed all the positive. Like, it's protected him, but it's. It's exposed the rest of the team to this injury curse. So I don't know if we need to burn it or poke holes in it, whatever needs to happen. But I. I can't help but think that has to be correlated.
- [26:36]
Whitney
What about you on game notes last week saying you wanted some blood spilled to turn it around?
- [26:41]
Pasha
That was two. Two weeks ago.
- [26:43]
Whitney
Two weeks ago.
- [26:43]
Pasha
And then literally the next game, Dougie goes down, and then the fucking list keeps growing, so.
- [26:49]
Biz Nunez
And then we're watching this about this team. Pasha.
- [26:53]
Craig Ludwig
It's actually.
- [26:53]
Biz Nunez
No, you can't explain it because it's not like. Like Hamilton, you know, he's a big guy and like, Hughes has had injuries and he's.
- [27:00]
Pasha
He's.
- [27:00]
Biz Nunez
He's a little smaller, slightly. You know, he's got a different build. But it's crazy. It's every single year with the Devils.
- [27:08]
Pasha
It's freak injuries, and it's quite literally every game. Like Pesci. Clop. Brett Burns.
- [27:12]
Biz Nunez
Clapper.
- [27:12]
Pasha
The hand Breaks his hand. Even last night, I'm watching the game, and as Luke Hughes scores, it cuts to Brat. And he's down on the ice. I'm. I'm like, he's done. And Luke skates over and starts screaming, fuck me. Fuck me. So I'm like, oh, my God. Brat's done for the year. And then Dylan leaves the game. He's not on the bench. And I'm literally, like, pulling my hair out. Like, what the fuck is going on here? I've truly never seen Anything like it. Hopefully Biz can find this doll. He's rummaging around the garage right now because we need to burn it or poke holes in it or do something because that's fucked everything up. But I, I, I feel so bad for Jack. Like, this is such a freak injury. The poor guy cannot catch a break. He, he trained all summer to get back. He was dominating this year. I, I feel terrible for him. Thank God he's going to be back in time for the Olympics. That was my first thought because when this happened, I'm on fucking grok. Looking up, like, cut hand timelines. I'm seeing four months, five months, six months business saying he cut a tendon in his hand. It was never the same. He was out six months. So I'm like panicking. So when the two months news came out, it was almost like a bit of a relief, even though it's still a fucking debacle. But compared to what it could have been. But yeah, like I said, four of their nine top forwards are out. Their entire right side is out. But they're still winning. They're second in the NHL. I think Sheldon Keefe right now should be in the conversation for Jack Adams, the way he's got this team playing. Everyone is stepping up, they're greasing out wins, but none of the injuries have been as big as Jack's. Now, I, I do suspect some choppy waters for the next couple weeks here a couple months, just because you can't replace that guy as long as they stay afloat. But yeah, everyone's really stepped up.
- [28:45]
Biz Nunez
So I do wonder, or I want to say everything that's been reported is that they weren't acting like idiots or anything. It's, it sounds like it was a legitimate fluke thing. Like, not like, hey, immature around with something they shouldn't be. It was just like, who knows what happened.
- [29:05]
Pasha
Yeah, from what I've heard, it was like early in the night. Like it, like, ever. It was just super co. It was like legit. Just like a freak, Freak injury.
- [29:12]
Biz Nunez
No. So, yeah, I just, I see. What, what was, what was weird for.
- [29:17]
Pasha
Me is I hear noises coming with the dog.
- [29:20]
Biz Nunez
Yeah, he probably has a riot date over. He was just answering the door for her.
- [29:23]
Merle
Oh, no.
- [29:24]
Whitney
Oh, there it is.
- [29:28]
Pasha
Yes. If you stick, if you stick your hand in and squeeze, it'll say yes for about. On its own.
- [29:35]
Biz Nunez
He probably doesn't have his head. Yes. So, hey, he says you could press it in the middle and it'll say yes for Brad on its own.
- [29:42]
Pasha
Press Stick your hand in and squeeze the thing.
- [29:44]
Merle
Oh, I could squeeze it, buddy. It ain't working. Battery's dead.
- [29:47]
Biz Nunez
No, the whole team isn't working, but they are winning now. Pasha, I saw the. You know, everyone saw this. And then the Frank the Tank who we interviewed for about 10 minutes after this, like, him being there made it. I tweeted out, Jack Hughes out after cutting himself at a team dinner with Frank the Tank is the most outrageous hockey headline in the history of the game. And I was like, oh, he cut himself. Maybe some stitches. I didn't even shows how dumb I am. I didn't even think, like, months. I was just like, oh, you know what I mean?
- [30:18]
Whitney
I was like, oh, he's got maybe a couple games.
- [30:20]
Biz Nunez
And then Biz said, like, I feel so bad for this guy. Like, I. I heard it could be, like, way worse than what you think would. I was like, oh, fuck. What? Like. And then, boom, two months, gets surgery in New York. Thank God he's going to be okay, right? Because when it. If it was that serious, there's a chance it could have been way worse.
- [30:38]
Pasha
Well, I believe I read it was his right pinky finger, which I think, for a lefty, is probably the least important out of all ten fingers. Tell me if I'm wrong.
- [30:46]
Biz Nunez
I don't know. That's your top hand. I would think it'd be bottom.
- [30:48]
Whitney
Play with it off.
- [30:49]
Pasha
Okay.
- [30:50]
Whitney
Some people. Play with it off.
- [30:52]
Pasha
Yeah. I mean, listen, it's better than, like, a thumb or whatever. So, like.
- [30:55]
Biz Nunez
Yeah. Yes.
- [30:56]
Pasha
But yeah, still. Still at the bottom. We got to do something with that doll, because everything started when I gave you that.
- [31:03]
Merle
What should we do with it?
- [31:05]
Pasha
I don't know if we have to light fire or. Or stick a pin in it, or. We'll come up with something.
- [31:10]
Whitney
You want to have one player left.
- [31:12]
Pasha
True, but it's. I mean, yeah, it's crazy that he has not missed a single game since.
- [31:16]
Whitney
Then, but literally until you brought it up on this show.
- [31:19]
Pasha
Yeah.
- [31:19]
Merle
Oh, what should we do with the doll?
- [31:23]
Pasha
We'll come up with something.
- [31:24]
Whitney
We'll come up with a survey out there.
- [31:26]
Pasha
Maybe it just needs to. Where was it? Like, buried in the garage, maybe?
- [31:29]
Merle
You got to put it in a hockey bag, face down.
- [31:32]
Biz Nunez
That's why.
- [31:33]
Pasha
Put it on that shelf so it can absorb the light, absorb the negative energy. Do something.
- [31:38]
Biz Nunez
Maybe it's. Maybe it's technically our fault, because. I don't know. You guys know what? The teeny mates are very popular with kids. They're just, like, tiny, little, like, NHL players, and they're literally like this big. And. And Ryder got a pack and opened it up, and it was Jack using there. And that was the morning.
- [31:54]
Pasha
Oh, no.
- [31:54]
Biz Nunez
That was the morning that the news came out. So I'm not gonna lie, though.
- [31:58]
Pasha
I spent yesterday searching up shamans in the New York, New Jersey area, because I legit want to hire one to go there. And incense and a sage and whatever needs to be done. Even if it's a goat. What needs to be done? I looked up the top ones. I actually reached out to one lady who's, like, famous, like an astrologer or whatever lady. I texted her. No response. She probably thought I was making a mockery of her, asking her to go to a hockey rink and perform a ritual. But I think that's what needs to be done, because this is crazy, and I didn't even know about this under the stadium grave stuff. So you know what? But adversity. Adversity, if they can. If they can weather this storm, it makes them. Makes them stronger. Right?
- [32:36]
Biz Nunez
Well, on the bright side, we mentioned last week, I think army is like, basically become the man to get you out of a slump. On game notes, he's just been slump buster. He's been calling out guys, if you're.
- [32:48]
Whitney
In a slump and you need a.
- [32:51]
Merle
Bum, who you going to call slump busters?
- [32:57]
Biz Nunez
It was Kopitar first, right?
- [32:59]
Whitney
Well, no, first it was on a group text, and he's like, I want to do this thing tomorrow about guys getting out of the slump. And he named Stamkos and somebody and ERs, and don't they both score that night before we can even have the show? So then on the show, he was stuck doing Kopitar. So he does Kopa car and Landiscog. Boom boom.
- [33:19]
Merle
Landiscog's first regular season goal in, like, over three years.
- [33:23]
Whitney
And then army was at that game between the benches. He had players coming up to him saying, slump buster. The slump buster. Landiscog is like, you got to stay in town. You can't leave. So it's taken on its own life. And then so he found a new one. He went Luke Hughes, and it took him two games that he got the goal. It was crazy.
- [33:40]
Biz Nunez
Yeah.
- [33:40]
Merle
But it happened before the next podcast. That should be the rule. So before the next pod, how long he can keep this thing running.
- [33:48]
Whitney
But I'm thinking we got to start monetizing this thing.
- [33:50]
Gully
Biz.
- [33:51]
Whitney
I know you'd be down with that. Like, these guys can start paying army the teams. A team like the St. Louis Blues or your Toronto Maple Leafs. They can start paying for an ad on game notes and an army will, will make them as slump buster.
- [34:03]
Merle
I love that new presenting sponsor Slump Buster.
- [34:06]
Biz Nunez
Speaking of the Blues, buddy, they were up. They were up 31 and 53 to the Flyers and still lost. And then Vegas dummied them Saturday. They are horrific, horrific right now. But we did talk to Frank the tank for about 10 minutes. And for people who don't know, Frank the Tank, he came on the scene, he went crazy viral. Completely flipping out about New Jersey transit when I think he was at Penn Station. Portnoy hired him. That's what he does. And since then, I mean he's, we talk about he's lost over like £250, I think. And he's a Mets die hard, he's a Dolphins die hard, and he's a Devil's die hard. Now in fairness, he's the worst fan in the world. All he does is carve every single guy on the teams he roots for. I think Biz or Mer in this interview asked him about maybe changing his ways of being such a bad fan. But we wanted to get his thoughts on being at the center of this Jack Hughes cutting himself stories. Let's throw it over to him right now. We are now joined by a very, very special man. A Mets die hard, a Dolphins die hard, and a New Jersey Devils superfan to the core, Frank the Tank Fleming. What's going on, buddy? Happy 50th birthday the other day.
- [35:22]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Well, thanks. Was out in Chicago.
- [35:24]
Merle
Oh, we know, we know Frank.
- [35:27]
Frank the Tank Fleming
We'll get my birthday. And ran into Chris Chelios. You believe that? Chris Shellos was there.
- [35:32]
Biz Nunez
Nice. Well, Frank, listen, we saw the picture of you with the New Jersey Devils. They so happened to have rookie party. You were at the same restaurant. A lot of people thought it was dinner with you. And then the news comes out. Jack Hughes, two months, he cut himself on glass. Somehow people thought you were at the dinner. You just kind of ran into them. How did you find out? How disgusted were you? And how real is the Fleming curse?
- [36:00]
Merle
Yeah, there you go.
- [36:01]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Extremely real. I mean, I mean we had. Giuseppe Fleming actually owned a pizza place in Pompeii. Seamus Fleming owned a potato farm in Ireland. And then of course, way, way, way back, the Archimedes Fleming was the package receiver for Troy.
- [36:28]
Biz Nunez
That's a volcano eruption in Pompeii biz. That's a potato famine in Ireland. And there's Trojan horses.
- [36:35]
Whitney
The Trojans packed with the I don't.
- [36:37]
Merle
Understand one thing that just came out.
- [36:39]
Biz Nunez
Of his mouth because, yeah, you wouldn't get it. But the Fleming curse basically is real. That's what he's saying.
- [36:45]
Frank the Tank Fleming
The Devils are in first place. They're playing really well. But how much more can these injuries. I mean, every day it's somebody's going down.
- [36:52]
Merle
Did you just so happen at Chicago Cut and they were there or was there communication about meeting up and also when you met Chris Chelos, was he also at Chicago Cut?
- [37:02]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Yes, I've been trying to get a walk with Chris Chelli. I was starting to finalize that. Mikey actually know he's one of the owners of Chicago Cut.
- [37:09]
Whitney
That's the actual name of the place. I thought that was a fake jersey.
- [37:12]
Frank the Tank Fleming
I saw that is the name of the. The steakhouse. It's called Chicago Cut. This is started a riverwalk walk or the end of the River Walk, depending on your. Your. It's actually out. Nice outdoor deck dining and you're great. I had a great prime rib. Mikey actually took his wife there for her anniversary two days earlier. And they kind of said that the Devils are supposed to be coming. So they knew I was coming for my birthday. And so kind of things were setting the.
- [37:45]
Biz Nunez
The.
- [37:45]
Frank the Tank Fleming
The wheels were set in motion and the Devils just happened to be there. And Jack actually wasn't there when I was leaving. Yes, we were there a little earlier, a little before they were. And as we were leaving, we ran into Nico.
- [37:57]
Gully
He.
- [37:57]
Craig Ludwig
Sure.
- [37:58]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Cody Glass and a couple other players. And they invited us upstairs for that picture that you see. I tried to like apologize to someone image for all my past slander. I didn't know that this week he suddenly turned into Bobby Orr. I never saw that coming.
- [38:12]
Pasha
Yeah.
- [38:13]
Whitney
Frank, let me ask you. You know, we have our super fan here, Pasha. And last week on game notes, he said he was so sick of all the inj. He was willing to go down to New Jersey and actually like sacrifice a goat, get some blood on. On like the crease on the goal line. Are you giving him any of the blame? Not just the Fleming curse, maybe the Pasha curse.
- [38:32]
Merle
He also talked about a shaman and maybe doing something with inside candles.
- [38:36]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Josh Harris also owns the Washington Commanders, a team that's been ravaged by injuries this year. The Philadelphia 76ers who have Joel Embiid who once missed a month for a paper cut.
- [38:47]
Biz Nunez
Frank, I've read something that the Prudential center, whatever it's called. Prudential Arena.
- [38:53]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Yes.
- [38:54]
Biz Nunez
Apparently it's an old graveyard and there's some. Yeah, apparently where it was built.
- [39:01]
Frank the Tank Fleming
There's issues of Newark is right. There's like, like right down Stone's Throw away. It's, like, about a block or two away.
- [39:08]
Biz Nunez
When did you find out about the Jack Hughes injury?
- [39:11]
Frank the Tank Fleming
After I did a Frank walks with Matt Leiner.
- [39:15]
Biz Nunez
Oh, wow. And then you get on Twitter and boom, you see cut pinky. I believe you tweeted that he cut his pinky off. That's what, that's what you had originally heard.
- [39:24]
Frank the Tank Fleming
I mean, if he's missing eight weeks, I mean, I'm just visualizing what's going on there. I'm picturing waitresses coming in, like, singing Pink Pony Club and stuff like that happening. I don't know what the hell's going on. All you know, Mikey got me that frigging birthday card with chaperone on it, and bad things happen whenever chaperone put in my face something bad happens.
- [39:47]
Merle
Frank, were you, like, a little bit more positive during their Stanley cup runs? And obviously the team was good and. Yeah, but, like, do you think that maybe changing your approach to fandom when it comes to the New Jersey Devils and taking a positive approach could maybe switch up the line?
- [40:04]
Frank the Tank Fleming
I'm trying, but the injuries keep happening. I'm taking, I'm taking a first responder to every game. I'm taking firemen and police officers every game, and sometimes veterans, too, for my second ticket.
- [40:15]
Biz Nunez
Frank, what is your opinion on Luke Hughes? Incredibly talented, skates like the wind, defensively similar to Evan Bouchard in a way. Sometimes it's like, whoa, what is this guy doing? Are you a big fan of his or is he on your shit?
- [40:28]
Frank the Tank Fleming
He has potential. I'm hoping he develops into another player like Quinn. It seems like he's trying to be a little bit more defensive this year, but he's on his way. He's, he's, he's kind of on his way to a Rob Roy place with all the penalty minutes he's racking up so far.
- [40:43]
Biz Nunez
Yeah, they're compared a lot.
- [40:45]
Frank the Tank Fleming
I mean, I, I, I mean, he's been in a box. He's been in the box. Every time I look up, he's at least. What is he at, like, 20 penalty minutes already? 20 penalty. I mean, he, he's gonna get a hundred penalty minutes with this continues. Meanwhile, Jack, he's never in the penalty box.
- [41:03]
Whitney
Frank, I can't help but Notice the number 99 on your jersey there. I don't believe Gretzky ever played for the Devils. Can you tell me what's going on.
- [41:10]
Frank the Tank Fleming
There for my Twitter handle. Okay, we can't see that.
- [41:17]
Whitney
Oh, okay, Frank, to take 99. I mean, I don't know if that's good karma for the Devils. You put the great ones number on a team you never played for.
- [41:24]
Frank the Tank Fleming
I, I, I didn't think about that when I first thought about it, but I always wore 99nd tank 99 for my twitter handle. Because if you add up my birthday, it's 11 24. 111113 is 24, plus 75 is 99.
- [41:39]
Merle
It was your 50th birthday while you were in Chicago, and you got to go to the, the Hawks game with Stu Finer. How, like, how was your night?
- [41:46]
Frank the Tank Fleming
And that was great. I also took a, a fire department, a guy who works for Chicago Fire to the game too, as well as keeping that tradition going in Chicago. It was a great game. The only problem is I got a nice hat from New York Fireman that has FDNY Devils on it. And the hat was so nice, I couldn't throw it on the ice.
- [42:08]
Merle
Oh, wow. And I, I noticed Tommy the Hawk put like a Tommy the Hawk head on you. How did you feel? Were you pretty pissed about that or were you like, I'll play along with this.
- [42:18]
Craig Ludwig
I'll play along.
- [42:19]
Biz Nunez
And Frank, I want to show you out. You've documented your journey of weight loss. That's been amazing. The pictures side by side. How many pounds have you lost in the past? Whatever year or two it's been, and I believe it's a minimum of 10,000 steps a day you take.
- [42:36]
Frank the Tank Fleming
I'm, I'm, I'm averaging 20,000 lately.
- [42:39]
Biz Nunez
Wow. So your energy, your energy, your enthusiasm is all up. And what is the actual number?
- [42:45]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Well, at one time, I weighed 520 plus pounds.
- [42:48]
Biz Nunez
And what are you now?
- [42:49]
Frank the Tank Fleming
292?
- [42:50]
Whitney
That's crazy good. Yeah, I saw like, Jenks had a tweet. It said all your, your stats and stuff, you've, you've added 10 years at least on your life or something.
- [42:58]
Frank the Tank Fleming
11.11 over 11 A1C. Now my A1C is 5.4, which is actually normal.
- [43:06]
Merle
What, what does that mean, Frank?
- [43:07]
Frank the Tank Fleming
That means my blood sugar is normal, not diabetic.
- [43:11]
Merle
Okay, Okay. I didn't know.
- [43:12]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Not an advanced, not in advance. Not in an advanced stage of diabetes.
- [43:17]
Merle
I, I guess this will be my final one. How important? Like, Jenks has obviously been by your side for this entire journey. How important is it having a, a support system like him? And how, how much is he meant to you?
- [43:27]
Craig Ludwig
Very important.
- [43:27]
Frank the Tank Fleming
He does a lot of good job. He does A lot of good job booking walks and booking schedules and helping to sometimes calm me down being like a lion tamer, I guess.
- [43:38]
Biz Nunez
And, and my final question would be, what will the Mets record next year be?
- [43:42]
Frank the Tank Fleming
3 and132.
- [43:44]
Merle
30.
- [43:45]
Frank the Tank Fleming
132, I should say 31. 32 by the way.
- [43:49]
Pasha
Nice.
- [43:50]
Frank the Tank Fleming
I just found out and I didn't even notice. There was a game this morning in Sweden.
- [43:53]
Merle
Yes, Pittsburgh is playing the. The Nashville Predators. They do that?
- [43:58]
Craig Ludwig
Yep.
- [43:58]
Whitney
They won four nothing.
- [43:59]
Frank the Tank Fleming
First. How do you play a European game at the same time the NFL is playing a European game?
- [44:07]
Merle
We're going head to head. No, we're not even like hype it.
- [44:11]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Up or like promote it.
- [44:12]
Merle
We don't need to.
- [44:13]
Whitney
The bigger mistake they made, Frank, was that last weekend all the European hockey teams were off. They were all on break. There was no games at all in Europe and they didn't play this. This weekend. This Sunday all the leagues were back in action. So yeah, the NHL, great idea. They just need to do it a week again sooner.
- [44:30]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Doesn't understand the gift of promotion. He might have other aspects down. He just doesn't understand how to promote. He does not understand.
- [44:39]
Merle
Give us a few examples of, of what he think he needs to do better. Aside from the one you just mentioned.
- [44:44]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Starting the NHL season the same date the MLB postseason starts off. Not a good idea. I like the idea that, that I've heard that they're going to do in a couple years is actually start the season in September.
- [44:57]
Biz Nunez
That would be ideal.
- [44:58]
Frank the Tank Fleming
So have like the first couple of weeks be like, I know they have the NHL, the MLB pennant race, but you know what? The pen race is a lot better than a playoff game. The only people watch the pen race is only fans of the teams are independent race. If your team's out of it like the Met, the Mets are going to be long dead by the time the NHL season begins in September. Then they can start transitioning to hockey. You, you give you sport a little momentum, a little boost to start the season. Kind of. The NBA is making a mistake too, but that's separate now. I, it's just, it's just things like that. They don't promote themselves as well. They don't showcase themselves as well. They don't. It's. It's like, it's like they want to be the third and fourth banana, but they don't. They should really like push themselves out there more. And that's what I'm basically saying is you did the Four nations last year. That can help get Some momentum. They were going to do an All Star game this year, but the Olympics got in the way. The four nations should become something that is like regular.
- [45:55]
Merle
I think it's going to. Between the World cup of Hockey and in the Olympics, they're going to be like every two years. So they're, they, they're starting to. Finally. We're getting the real best on best with the Olympics. So you talked about that momentum they've created. I think they're heading in the right direction, but, you know, don't, don't disagree with the fact they should start in September. I feel like when you're playing hockey in, in June, it's a joke. Nobody really gives a fuck. Like, it just drags on. Yeah, I feel like, I feel like.
- [46:26]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Instead of being like the running side by side with the NBA in the, in the postseason, I think it'd be ideal if the NHL postseason began like right at the start of April and it was over at the latest.
- [46:42]
Merle
June 3rd, I would say. Yeah. And end of May, but also in the same breath. I don't feel threatened by NBA playoffs. I think. Come on, it's a joke. The first round's a joke.
- [46:54]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Blow it out. Blow out every night.
- [46:56]
Biz Nunez
My final question. What did you say to Simone Nemec? Because you, You've really gone at him hard.
- [47:03]
Frank the Tank Fleming
I, I try to reply. Try to say. Well, yeah, you shut me up. I tried to say, but I. But he wasn't there. I don't. I said the wrong person.
- [47:12]
Merle
Did you think it was him?
- [47:14]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Yes. Someone brought him over and I don't, I don't. I don't bring him over because it was some own image. I don't. I, I don't know everyone by face. I, I have facial blindness. I can't. I don't know people's faces that well.
- [47:26]
Biz Nunez
That's okay. That's okay, Frank. We appreciate you coming on. And maybe, maybe the Devils will turn it around with injuries, you know, and get some luck on their side health.
- [47:37]
Frank the Tank Fleming
You know, this thing could be really.
- [47:40]
Merle
Good if Pasha organized something out front of the arena to like, try to change the vibes up a little bit.
- [47:47]
Frank the Tank Fleming
By the way.
- [47:47]
Biz Nunez
Yeah.
- [47:48]
Frank the Tank Fleming
You talked about Pasha story. You know, you didn't know the half of it. Nobody actually knew about the cemetery. The cemetery was abandoned, like over a hundred years ago, and there was parking lots. They were going to build a mall in Newark in the 1980s called the Renaissance Mall that basically never opened. Like, the people ran out of money trying to build this mall, and that's what they built the Prudential center over. So when they tear down the potential center, they're excavating land. He found some of those coffins. He actually found a coffins that were like put in this metal coffins. And these are the. These are like the founders of Newark.
- [48:26]
Craig Ludwig
They're buried there.
- [48:28]
Frank the Tank Fleming
The original settlers of Newark, they found a couple of mummies.
- [48:31]
Merle
So what's your solution?
- [48:32]
Frank the Tank Fleming
I don't know. Exorcism, seance? I mean, when your team names devil, you already got kind of like according with things like black magic air and.
- [48:44]
Merle
And to go back. They haven't won a Stanley cup at Prudential Center. Correct? That was. That's.
- [48:50]
Frank the Tank Fleming
No, they made that run in 2012, but that's about it.
- [48:52]
Merle
Okay, so it has to do with the arena and, and the coffins and the mummies.
- [48:56]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Then again, the Dolphins were buried. Built their stadium on it in the Native American burial ground too. So it. And they haven't exactly had good luck either. Maybe there is something to it.
- [49:07]
Merle
Well, maybe we can get a two for one.
- [49:09]
Biz Nunez
Yeah. Well, we're sorry your teams are struggling, Frank. It seems to be the case. But the Devils are in a great spot still. So let's see if they can get some guys back, get these guys back.
- [49:20]
Frank the Tank Fleming
And just hope they don't have another one and could withstand us. And I think a big key is this. I. I just think that maybe he's just not well known or underappreciated. I don't think there is a more underrated player in the NHL that people talk less about that is really good than Jesper Brock. Jesper Bratt is just so good and you don't really ever hear people talk about him.
- [49:47]
Merle
Well, there you have it. I'll talk more about him. Jesper Brat. That's how I. That's how I call him. Frank, congrats on all the weight loss, brother, and. And shout out to you for doing that first responders thing. When did that start?
- [50:00]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Like recently this year. We put out the notice we're gonna do this and we filled up like within hours and people just jumping at the chance and it's. I think it's been really good. I think it's been extremely well and it's worked out well and this. These guys have been great and I'm glad I'm doing it now, writes Frank.
- [50:20]
Biz Nunez
Awesome, Frank. Have a great rest of the day, buddy.
- [50:23]
Frank the Tank Fleming
And hopefully I'll. Hopefully it'll be able to enjoy a long playoff run.
- [50:27]
Biz Nunez
Yep, we're rooting for you.
- [50:28]
Frank the Tank Fleming
All right, thanks.
- [50:29]
Biz Nunez
Thank you very much. Frank Fleming. The Fleming curse is real. And the Mets will go. I think he said 30 and 132. That's a tough year for the Mets. Alonzo, he might sign with the Red Sox. I hear that would be pretty sick. Guys, we got to shout out Brad Marchand again. This guy, he got his thousandth point. He scored again Saturday night. He's got 12 goals tied for third or fourth in the league in goals. All the injuries Florida's dealt with and he is lighting it up. The 36th player in the history of the league to have a thousand games played, a thousand points and a thousand penalty minutes. So talk about a well rounded career of scoring and being a rat, being a winner. Two time Stanley cup champion. I was shocked though in the first game of Tampa and Florida since the madness of the preseason where I think we saw Sabran get called up for Tampa. They called up a bunch of different guys. Not one fight. In the game biz, don't you always feel like when it's discussed prior to.
- [51:28]
Merle
A game, yeah, it was overhyped going in. And also I feel like it, it doesn't have that same heavyweight matchup coming in just based on how depleted Tampa is. Like Tampa's got some major injuries right now. I believe Headman's out, Sorelli's out and I believe McDonough is out. And then there might be like two other significant names out of their roster, like mid tier guys, but they're tough sledding and yeah, it didn't really live up to the hype. But Tampa gets that much needed win after getting slaughtered at home against the New York Rangers. So Vasilevsky looked great. But yeah, sometimes when you go in and you think it's just going to be this huge gong show. Cause that's what the last game was. I also think the, the amount of time until they played each other allowed things to cool off a little bit. There was too much of a gap till the first game in regular season and. And given everything else, Tampa was probably just trying to keep their head and also win a fucking game.
- [52:26]
Whitney
Sometimes in those situations too, the league gets involved. You know, you never know if Paros, he's like in attendance. They say that sometimes to you I've been in those games. If it's in junior or pro, they say, hey, we know what's going on and we're going to be in attendance to make sure there's no, no, no silliness as you look the referee from Slap Shot.
- [52:44]
Merle
I don't want no funny business.
- [52:46]
Biz Nunez
Trying to listen to the answer. Yeah, exactly. Listen to the song no biz. And you just brought up Junior Mari. I just remembered that two hand Marty McSorley slash in the Ohl is one of the most ridiculous. I saw tweets like, this is a 10 game suspension. It's like, buddy, that guy might, he might get a life ban from that league. I don't think we could play it. I don't think we have the rights to play it. But for anyone who didn't see it, the kid gets hit. What are the two teams, G? Look it up quick. He. He just straight up baseball bats, swings him in the temple. Like horrific, horrific play. Very scary. I mean, you can't be doing that. You can't be swinging your stick at people's head.
- [53:24]
Merle
Biz, that's full wires crossed. Like, I'm, I'm taking this guy's head off. I'm hitting his fucking head to the top row of this building. And that's straight up. That one had more. McSorley's was kind of more of like from like a, like a half.
- [53:41]
Whitney
Like, let's, let's go here. Like.
- [53:43]
Biz Nunez
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That was a swing.
- [53:46]
Merle
That was a full on baseball swing. Here comes the putter toss. So, yeah, I don't think that kid's probably going to be playing hockey the rest of the year.
- [53:55]
Biz Nunez
And Brampton, it was the two teams.
- [53:58]
Merle
Yeah, they might have to. Might have to go to like some anger management course or something.
- [54:02]
Whitney
He might end up on an NCAA team. Now that you can transfer, watch out.
- [54:07]
Biz Nunez
Who knows a play that'll make even more kids from the. Oh, go play college hockey. Like, I'm not going to deal with a madman like this in college. The guy like that couldn't get into college if he's swinging his stick at people's temples. So just craziness, craziness right there. You don't want to see that in our game. No, no. In our great game biz. One more question of Florida, Tampa. Sabrin asked Greer to fight couple different times. Now Greer is. He's not like a top two line player and he's tough. Do you ever remember a time in your career as an enforcer where you were kind of inclined to ask a guy that was maybe out of your weight class like to go for something he did?
- [54:45]
Merle
Well, I don't think that. I think that Sabrin would hold his own against Greer.
- [54:49]
Biz Nunez
No, I'm saying Greer would have a tough time holding his home against him. Heavyweight that Greer is Right.
- [54:58]
Merle
I think that Greer might have him on size. Pull up their size, but, like, it's pretty even. I just think Sabrina's tricky because he's probably been doing it more in the minors. He's also a lefty. And yeah, like, I will, I, I, I'll say this. I haven't played with many guys that, especially in the American League. I think when Sabran was coming up, not many guys were aware. And he also looked skinnier than he actually is as far as his weight. And then kind of, kind of like, remember Guillaume Lefebvre yesterday?
- [55:31]
Biz Nunez
Lefty.
- [55:32]
Merle
Another lefty.
- [55:33]
Biz Nunez
Hey, how you doing, buddy? I'm gonna go play the guitar with me.
- [55:37]
Merle
I'm gonna play the guitar and sing.
- [55:39]
Biz Nunez
You some nice songs. Killing people dinner.
- [55:43]
Merle
And another one. Another one. What the is that? Who is this guy? So that's kind of like who Sabrina is. But, yeah, I mean, I felt like I was fighting guys tougher than me my whole fucking career.
- [55:55]
Biz Nunez
I'm wondering if Maurice maybe said, listen, don't even, yeah, don't even deal with it.
- [56:02]
Merle
Sabran did have a goal against the Rangers. So sometimes, yeah, the coach is like, hey, don't bother with that. Let him sleep. That's what Dan Bilesman used to tell me when Morasty was chasing me around the ice. I said, oh, yeah, he ain't chasing you around in the whole building laughing at you. In Syracuse, you, you, you go out there for a few shifts and get laughed at.
- [56:21]
Biz Nunez
Called a pussy in that game. Guy I had never heard of. Jack Finley scored his first NHL goal as a game winner, and he said, I was on a breakaway. He made a nice move, beat Bobrovsky. He had had a breakaway earlier in the game, and he said, like, oh, he came out so far, if I somehow get another one, I'm going to make a move. And he did. Scored the game winner, first goal. Congratulations.
- [56:41]
Pasha
Six. Six.
- [56:42]
Biz Nunez
Second round pick in 2020. He said, I've never in my life had two breakaways in a game. It's like the seventh NHL game he gets two. That's how crazy this game is. So Shout out showed up. I mean, the, the Lightning getting a big win there.
- [56:57]
Merle
And going back to that. Sabrina and Greer G just put it up. They're both listed as 6, 3, and then one's 205, 209. So that's pretty much identical.
- [57:05]
Biz Nunez
Yeah.
- [57:05]
Merle
And I guess it's, it's, it's, it's hard. It's hard being in the situation where even if your coach tells you where you have to turn one down because you just. It's. It's. Is the word emasculating? Yeah, it just feels like you. Yeah, it feels like you got neutered and you feel like a loser. And then sometimes even the other bench will get on you like, oh, yeah. Pick your spots and. Yeah, so it's. It's a shitty feeling to be put in, but sometimes you gotta. The coach's orders, baby.
- [57:34]
Whitney
Tampa's hot. Tampa's won 8 out of 10 games, so.
- [57:36]
Biz Nunez
I know.
- [57:37]
Whitney
Keep an eye on them.
- [57:37]
Biz Nunez
This league, everyone who was struggling has kind of figured it out for the most part. And then a bunch of teams who were buzzing have. There's so much parody, it's crazy. It's really like Colorado and Dallas. We'll get into Dallas in a minute here. That and, And, And Jersey, in fairness, like, they're kind of like heads and shoulders above everyone else. But I watched some of Anaheim, Minnesota, Minnesota 1. That Jesper Wallstadt, second straight shutout. He had 28 saves, I think the game before against Calgary, had 36 saves. Murr, he's. I know he's Swedish. He apparently like the, The. The resume coming up and like, what he could be is. Is very legit. You've seen it a little bit here and there. But apparently they got like, what could be a very special goalie on their hands there.
- [58:23]
Whitney
Yeah, he would Knowing about him for a while. He was up in Lulio. You remember where that is?
- [58:27]
Biz Nunez
The Northern team? Yeah, they were black and black and yellow.
- [58:31]
Whitney
Yep. And yeah, he had sick numbers. He's there 1.85, stuff like that. I didn't look it up now I just remember him. He was always there, solid. And then I think people were surprised when they drafted him because they, they. They already had Gustafson, but they knew he, He. He's a stud. And they let him. I think they let him cook one or two years in the. In the ahl, which is obviously pretty smart.
- [58:51]
Biz Nunez
Yeah. And the Ducks, who had won seven in a row, they've now lost three in a row. In that game against Minnesota, they had seven penalties. So in Quenville, after, he's like, yeah, we had 14 minutes of penalties. They were all dumb, very dumb penalties. So not even one of them was okay in the coach's eyes. Just dumb penalties.
- [59:10]
Merle
Love the brutal honesty.
- [59:11]
Biz Nunez
Yeah.
- [59:12]
Merle
Well, since we were talking about Sweden, what a kind gesture from our boy Sid. And I don't know if you guys caught that video online, video evidence that I was Sidney Crosby's linemate 17 years ago. In Stockholm, Sweden. My first NHL game at the Globe arena, which. Where they're playing at right now, or just finished the game. Excuse me. Against Nashville. And Sid is an ambassador with Norquin. Have you heard about these watches?
- [59:40]
Craig Ludwig
No.
- [59:40]
Pasha
No.
- [59:41]
Biz Nunez
Did he send you one?
- [59:42]
Merle
Sidney Crosby sent me a watch to commemorate our shift together, where we had a plus six. Corsi and I just want to show it to you guys.
- [59:52]
Biz Nunez
Wow, dude, I might. He might have sent me one. I missed a ups. No, I missed two UPS packages. Did you have to sign. Did you have to sign for that?
- [60:03]
Merle
No. It was brought to me by his assistant, and he left a note, and it said, biz, to the greatest linemate I ever had. I'll never forget that shift we had in Stockholm.
- [60:16]
Biz Nunez
Turn the note to the camera, Biz.
- [60:18]
Merle
What could have been right here. He fucking signed it.
- [60:21]
Biz Nunez
Oh. Oh, yeah.
- [60:22]
Pasha
There it is.
- [60:23]
Merle
Sidney Crosby's autograph.
- [60:24]
Biz Nunez
Just bring it down a little bit. Let me bring it down a little bit.
- [60:27]
Craig Ludwig
No.
- [60:27]
Biz Nunez
Okay, okay. Apparently, G saying, I got one, too. That was the ups.
- [60:32]
Merle
It's a personal fucking note. I'm not just gonna show the one. I just read it to you.
- [60:36]
Biz Nunez
I got one, too.
- [60:37]
Gully
Geez.
- [60:37]
Whitney
I guess I didn't get my mailbox up in time in my new house. Sid, thanks a lot.
- [60:41]
Biz Nunez
First roommate, too. What a guy.
- [60:45]
Merle
To send me a watch to commemorate our time together. Like, it just speaks to the volume of class he has in him.
- [60:52]
Biz Nunez
And it just sucks knowing that you're gonna. You're gonna sell it, too. And it's just like, what I saw.
- [60:57]
Whitney
From the picture was more of, like, a grocery stick, like, Sid sliding down. And you were kind of.
- [61:02]
Biz Nunez
Yeah. Like, hey, biz, move down.
- [61:04]
Whitney
I don't know if that's really. It wasn't an I didn't see an on ice picture.
- [61:07]
Merle
Can we show at least a couple pictures of the shift? I'm sure we can't show the clip, but, I mean, did you guys see the chance I had?
- [61:18]
Biz Nunez
I did.
- [61:18]
Merle
On the bench.
- [61:18]
Whitney
I didn't see any video. I didn't see any video. I only saw the picture from the bench.
- [61:22]
Merle
It was basically like a Crosby backhand.
- [61:24]
Biz Nunez
It was in warm ups.
- [61:24]
Craig Ludwig
Murr.
- [61:25]
Merle
It was not. It was me, Eric. Guys on the ice, Sidney Crosby. And if you look at our stats and our Cory together, what could have been. And that's what he mentions in this. In this note to me, that they. They basically stripped that from us. He could. He could have already passed Gretzky if we would have stayed together.
- [61:44]
Biz Nunez
Yeah, I'll say.
- [61:46]
Gully
I'LL say I watched the shift. It was an incredible shift, which Biz almost scored on the shift. And I can't help but think if you did score on that shift, you think your career goes a little bit different.
- [61:58]
Whitney
Me too.
- [61:59]
Biz Nunez
I mean, army banged home like a point per game with him since rookie year for 40 games and still got shipped off the next season. So trust me, I have, I have.
- [62:08]
Whitney
That picture right there. That's on the ice against an opposing goaltender.
- [62:12]
Merle
I know. But AI that. I don't even know if that's real. Like there's video evidence of me on the ice with them and getting a scoring chance. And it's. I get to show that to my kids when I eventually untie my foreskin and have some. But I mean, just a beautiful watch, as you guys can see. Shout out to no quaint.
- [62:31]
Biz Nunez
It looks awesome.
- [62:32]
Merle
No, no, no.
- [62:34]
Biz Nunez
And also Biz on ups, it said on the third delivery that we weren't there to sign. Says it's, it's, it's getting returned to sender, so I don't think I'll ever get that watch. That sucks. That sucks. But just answer the doorbell one time. Another great game. Saturday night Bruins. Mahreal. How about this? Posternach 11 game point streak against the Canadiens. He's got 21 points, two awesome assists. First he fed that news. Netzerov. I don't know. G, hop in here for a second. Then he fed, Then he fed Arvidson with another awesome one. They're up three one, Montreal makes it three two. Bruins hold on. The Bruins penalty kill. They killed a 2 minute 5 on 3. They barely gave up any chances. Then they get. Lindholm gets another penalty after they kill that one off. Seven for seven on the PK and Hampus. Lindholm is nasty right now. I guess they're 102 with him. I think like 1 in 6. 1 and 5 without him. He's been phenomenal. But the story was that McAvoy injury, dude, that was a scary one. And this the slow motion camera on McAvoy. Dude, you literally just see teeth flying out. I'm guessing a, a broken jaw. Now he flew back with the team. That's very good news. I think if it's that bad of a broken jaw, based on the pressure when you're flying, he would have had to stay overnight. Nothing's been released yet. But gee, that had to scare the shit out of you.
- [64:00]
Gully
Absolutely scares the shit out of me, like completely. And you just, you feel for the guy, especially after what happened Last year. I'm sure he doesn't trust the Montreal medical staff too much after they had that. That incident with his shoulder last year.
- [64:13]
Biz Nunez
That wasn't the Canadians medical staff. Then.
- [64:15]
Whitney
It was.
- [64:15]
Gully
It was the Canadians medical staff that.
- [64:17]
Biz Nunez
I thought it was. I thought it was the Wilds or something.
- [64:20]
Gully
No, it was the Montreal Canadiens covering Team usa. Yeah. Cause it was in Montreal.
- [64:26]
Biz Nunez
Wow.
- [64:27]
Whitney
Yeah.
- [64:28]
Biz Nunez
So.
- [64:28]
Gully
But I think that the story of this team right now is the coaching staff. I don't think a lot of people are talking about the coaching staff right now. Marco Sturm. And shout the fuck out to our guy, Ra. He has Marco Sturm be at the beginning of the season as his Jack Adams pick. I mean, I. I don't know how you can't have Marco Sturm as the leader of the pack for the Jack Adams right now. Like, this was a team people were calling an AHL team before you.
- [64:52]
Biz Nunez
Us people.
- [64:54]
Merle
That's my biggest thing. I think that you owe an apology to. To Sweeney, Cam Neely and everybody that you were on. I thought they were going to be the ship.
- [65:04]
Gully
Go back a little bit, though, because what did I say?
- [65:07]
Biz Nunez
I said, you hope they trade everyone at the deadline.
- [65:09]
Gully
I said, they're gonna play competitive hockey through the trade deadline. Once they get to the trade deadline, full tank. So if we get to the trade deadline and they. And they don't go full tank, you guys can rip on me. But as of now, I'm not too wrong. But where I was wrong was Cam Neely. I owe Cam Neely an apology because after his press conference, I dug into him where he talked about how, you know, they needed offense this season, this off season, but then they went out and just became a tougher team to play against. And everyone was ripping on him this offseason for the third and fourth line guys that they acquired. Well, holy Tanner Jeanneau, this guy looks amazing. And. And I know Yan's. Before this season, I was like, oh, we're gonna. Hopefully he starts fighting. And. And Yan's made a joke about how he hasn't fought in years. Well, this guy's fighting. This guy's back and brawling. Four minutes into the game in Montreal, Zadorov drops. Tanner Jeanneau drops. And just like Cam Neely said, they're bringing Boston Bruins hockey back, which is so encouraging.
- [66:08]
Merle
I knocked the Jeanneau deal a little bit. I still think it's a lot of money for, like, basically, like, what he's done in the last few years, but, I mean, right now he's. He's on, like, a 40 point pace. The goals aren't where they used to be. Like he scored 24 his first year, he's got two right now. But I would say if he gets you 10 goals and in 20 assists and he's fighting every five, six games and he's a solid, you know, up and down winger, I think I'm okay paying him what you guys are paying him. And it goes back to the team's identity and why I think they're having success. They're hard to play against. They're being pieces of shit out there and that's kind of what they have to do in this period of time. And of course Pasta's doing what Pasta's doing.
- [66:50]
Gully
Like, that's incredible.
- [66:51]
Merle
He's the catalyst offensively, he's a one man band. Fuck. He could play with me as his fucking line mates and still end up with 80, 90 points for fuck's sakes. He's a one man show.
- [67:01]
Biz Nunez
Make him captain.
- [67:02]
Gully
Yeah, tomorrow.
- [67:03]
Biz Nunez
I think that it's. And I don't know if maybe it's like, you know, he's, he's like what's like laid back a little bit and maybe that was like more his personality. They weren't sure. Dude, this guy plays with fire. He is an animal. He's so good, so gifted. Make him the captain. Do it.
- [67:21]
Gully
And the way Marco Sturm talks about this guy is like the whole vibe and, and it's not to rip on the previous regime at all, but it's a different vibe in the room now when David Poshnock is the captain, when it's not that old 2011 crew of Stanley cup winners. The team goes as David Posternak goes as Marco Sturm has said.
- [67:39]
Merle
I wouldn't, I wouldn't do it now.
- [67:41]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Because they're going to do it now.
- [67:43]
Gully
That's a good point. If you do it.
- [67:44]
Merle
I would wait till the off season. Let him, let him do his thing. I think that you, Pasta knows too. He doesn't need to have that C on his jersey to know that he's the guy when he walks in the room and, and let him, let him be as late a little bit more of his laid back self for the rest of the year and then have a conversation in the off season about it. I don't always think that your best player needs to be the captain either.
- [68:05]
Biz Nunez
No, neither do I. And you see Lowry and Winnipeg, I.
- [68:09]
Merle
Look back at like, I think that John, it would make more sense if JT was still the captain in Toronto. I get why they did it, agreed he didn't have a contract for this year. So I, but I also think they could have just waited one more year to see what happened to then to then do it and then if he ended up moving on and not taking the hometown discount, then give it to Austin. I feel like they kind of put it, put unneeded pressure and also it's Joe, JT is always the guy talking to the media, right. And like allow him to be the serious one and carry that. And I don't know. I, I'm not to try to transfer it over to the lease, but maybe. Do you think that McAvoy would, would, would be a better, a better captain choice and then just let pasta be pasta?
- [68:52]
Gully
No, I think, I think you got. I think if you hear the way the guys talk about pause and this isn't a knock on McAvoy at all. It's more of just like putting David Poshnock on a pedestal. The way the guys talk about him, the way the coaching staff talks about him. I think he is your next captain. But there is one point. One guy I want to point out and Whit mentioned him at the beginning of the Bruins talk was Marat Kuznetinov and he's a, he's a guy and I was watching the game with a few buddies last night and they're like who the is this guy? Where. Where did he come from? 20, 20 second round pick acquired him from Minnesota in X factor trade for Jeremy Brazo. This guy is the perfect center right now to play with David Poshnock. Obviously you know you'd like a, a top six perfect elite. I know I, I came out of my mouth.
- [69:39]
Merle
I'm like fox, that's gonna small sample size.
- [69:41]
Gully
Yeah, but he looks great. He's a two way center, can provide offense, can provide defense and he's perfectly complimentary for David Poshnach and Morgan Geeky.
- [69:51]
Merle
I like the move when they sat Lowry and they did it for like a decent amount of time because it's a guy that you can do it with and you can set the precedent of, of like no one's essentially safe. I don't care if you're low ride, low ride. How did I pronounce you?
- [70:06]
Biz Nunez
Lowry, I think.
- [70:07]
Merle
Oh, Lowry, sorry, Lowry.
- [70:11]
Gully
I'd like to see him get some power play time though now with Charlie McAvoy out. Like I think this kid is unbelievable on the power play moving skills. If not him, Hampus Lynn home. Like you got to see what they can do on the power Play.
- [70:23]
Biz Nunez
I want to shout out that Jaden Struble on Montreal, though. He fought the door. All that showed some big balls on that kid.
- [70:30]
Merle
Six foot compared to six. Seven.
- [70:32]
Biz Nunez
Yeah, that's like. So that was pretty impressive. And then Jano, he took care of Jack guy there. That was like. That was kind of surprising.
- [70:42]
Merle
Yeah. Yeah. Jano's a nail gun.
- [70:44]
Biz Nunez
And Montreal, they. Five straight games without a power play goal.
- [70:49]
Craig Ludwig
Oh.
- [70:49]
Biz Nunez
For their last 18. And interestingly enough, they have five wins in regulation. The only teams with less is four with Philly and Buffalo. So kind of a stat that you're like, all right, now they're winning games.
- [71:03]
Whitney
Under the hood guy.
- [71:04]
Biz Nunez
Now Pasha switched me. But yeah, I mean, Cole Caulfield in overtime's a legend. But. But, you know, five regulation wins through whatever, 18, 19 games. That's not great.
- [71:14]
Merle
So what you're saying is St. Louis is on the hot seat and we'll save that topic for next week for sure. For sure. If things don't change. What else do we have to talk about?
- [71:24]
Biz Nunez
Can I. Can I mention Pasha's down. I never seen him look so sad. And part of it has to do with the Rangers guys. They are looking pretty nasty lately.
- [71:35]
Merle
Yeah, they are.
- [71:36]
Biz Nunez
They are. And credit to Mike Sullivan who was saying throughout that disastrous start at home, like, we're playing really well. And I think all the under the hood numbers what were saying they were playing well and we just have to stick to it. It'll.
- [71:48]
Frank the Tank Fleming
The.
- [71:49]
Biz Nunez
The dam will break. And it has. They've seven and three in their last 10. They're looking good. They won. I think J.T. miller scored the shootout winner in Columbus. So the Rangers have turned things around. They have done it. And. And I think Trocha coming back was a big part of that. But shout out the Rangers. Shout out them getting things going. And for me, seeing Zach Hyman in an Oilers uniform again. Oh, my God, Biz. The guy's been out since the Western Conference final. The team has not looked good. He comes back, plays 23 minutes, has an assist and had 11 hits. 11. They won an overtime. Leon with the snipe. He had gone on a goal and two assists. McDavid had two goals and an assist. McDavid after said, they pay us to be the difference makers. That's what we're paid to do. Tonight we did it. Huge win in Carolina.
- [72:39]
Merle
What a quote.
- [72:40]
Biz Nunez
Now they. They were dominated for most of that game. Dominated. So not exactly like beautiful hockey to watch considering Carolina had the puck most of the game. Hey, but you Get a win, you get a win. So that was very nice to see.
- [72:53]
Merle
Yeah, just like the. The pregame interview as he skated up to Gene Principe. Like, just the. Like, just the. The vibe and energy he brings. It's so positive. And. And. And that worker be mental to what a way to reestablish your presence by coming to the lineup and saying, I know we need. We were missing a little bit of jam. And that. That worker be mentality. And he throws up 11 hits. Not timid at all coming back in the lineup. So good for him. They're probably going to go back to being a wagon after everybody hitting the fire alarms for the first 20 games, and myself included. But that was fun. It was fun to stir it up a little bit.
- [73:31]
Whitney
Happy to jump off the bandwagon again this time, Whit.
- [73:34]
Merle
Yeah, good for you, Whit. Staying strong. I'm really putting on your team.
- [73:40]
Craig Ludwig
Growth.
- [73:42]
Biz Nunez
Dallas guys, they keep chugging along. Jason Robertson gets the hat trick Saturday night. Rontinen is a machine. Heskinen's playing the best hockey of his life. And there was a reason that we had Craig Ludwig on the show today. We hadn't given Dallas enough love. All of us, maybe not Mer, but me and you, Biz, we question going into the year, the Dallas Stars, it was an odd off season. It was a weird end to the season last year with the pulling of Ottinger in game six of the Western Conference final. But they have not slowed down Wyatt Johnson, who's had. This is his fourth year. He's gone up in points every single year. He's over a point per game they got Robertson. Over a point per game they got Ronton. And over a point per game, they got. Heskin's right. At a point per game, Duchenne's injured, Ben's injured. So let's right now go to Craig Ludwig, where we talk about the stars for 15, 20 minutes and give them the love that they deserve. Guys, quickly, we got to talk about Noble. This episode is brought to you by Noble. Noble is a footwear brand for training and for daily life, built to support you in your pursuit of physical, mental, and emotional strength. What a tagline that is right there. No bull celebrates a no bullshit approach to wellness. They've got options across lifestyles and training, and they're the best shoe for anyone who wants to be a better version of themselves. Plus, Noble is now the official training shoe of the NHL. First time I got to wear Noble was at the barstool Ryder cup because they make some golf Shoes that were incredible, unreal, comfortable, light, awesome shoe. And then they sent us over some lifestyle shoes that are great. Gave my dad a pair. He loves them, wears them all the time. I love them. They're awesome, they're comfortable and you can train in them as well. So it's great. Great shoe. Noble is where it's at and exclusively for Spit and Chicklets listeners. Right now Noble is offering 30 off your order. Visit www.nobleproject.com Chiclets for 30 off your entire order. What a deal that is. That's www.n o b u l l p r o J-E-C-T.com backslash Chiclets for 30 off of the official training shoe of the NHL. No bull, no bullshit approach to wellness. Guys, let's take a quick break here and talk about game time. Going to a game, nothing beats it. And there is nothing like seeing a hockey game live. This sport was made to be seen in live in person. The speed, the skill, the tenacity. It's incredible. You go into the rink, you get that first blast of cold air, the roar of the crowd, a big hit or a breakaway goal. It's electric. But getting there can be a pain in the butt. Queues, price jumps, getting logged out mid click. All you want to do is be there. Be your in hand yelling with the crowd cheering on your favorite team. And game time makes it easy. It gives the advantage back to the fans. It's the hack for unlocking amazing tickets and experiences in a few taps. 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. I was looking at tickets for BU against Northeastern Saturday. 30 bucks right now on game time. It's a great deal. And game time is so easy to use. Take the guesswork out of buying NHL or college hockey tickets with GameTime. Download the GameTime app, create an account and use code Chicklets for 20. $20 off your first purchase terms apply again. Create an account and redeem code C H I C L E t s for $20 off. Swipe, tap, ticket. Go download the Gametime app today. Welcome now to a friend of the shows. A guy who's been on before who blocked a shot like no other with the biggest shin pads of all time. Craig Ludwig. What's going on, buddy? How is Dallas right now and how have you been?
- [77:34]
Craig Ludwig
Well, thanks for having me on guys. Dallas is great. It's going to be about 80 degrees again. They call that ball here. I guess otherwise everything's good here and especially in stars land, you know, they got a. There seem to be putting things together. And I'm sure you guys are going to bring up a number 96. But I, I don't even know what to say anymore about the dude. He's. He's pretty good.
- [77:57]
Merle
You love him, eh?
- [77:58]
Biz Nunez
We got to talk about him. And last night it was the Jason Robertson. So who's been incredible hat trick last night. The team I think second best, maybe third best record in the league. Us idiots or me and biz. We kind of thought it might be a tougher regular season for them. I don't know. We didn't love the DeBoer firing, but they have looked phenomenal. Wyatt Johnson's been great. But what have you seen from Jason Robertson in. In a year which he's brought up all the time in trade rumors? Maybe it's changed now in, in Big.
- [78:26]
Craig Ludwig
D. Well, I, I would be included in one of those idiots guys because I, when we started the, the preseason, everything, you know, there was a hole there on the left side in the top six. And so, you know, and I brought up the gully in the summer. I was talking to him in July, I think it was when right after he got hired. And I said man, I, you know, I don't know what you're going to do over there. And any chance. What about Sam Steele? And all of a sudden, Sam Steele all of a sudden goes from a third, fourth line guy to a top left winger. But as far as Robo goes, you know, I, I think that the, the Olympic thing for a lot of guys, the contract for him, I don't think he really wants to go anywhere else. I mean again, just look around this team. But I'll tell you what he did versus last year and I, I know that he had a bit of an injury to get started. I didn't see in all honesty last year I didn't see the compete. I didn't see the second and third efforts from him and goals weren't going and it was kind of like. And it's not bad to say this, I can go hang with these guys this afternoon. We got this country thing going on for Ralph Strands and Joe New and back are going to the Stars hall of Fame this afternoon. But anyway, I kind of felt bad even saying that because I know, you know, he's such a good player, obviously goal scorer, things like that. So fast forward to this year. Totally Different. I mean, the guy comes out, you know, he got a goal or two early, but then it kind of went into that. I think it's eight or nine game grow. He never stopped shooting. He's leaving every game with seven, eight, nine shots. And, and you guys know. Well, biz, you don't. But for goal scorers, you know, it's just they, they have to have that, they have to feel that. And, and what I give credit for the Robo is he just kept shooting from everywhere. We've seen guys that go into droughts and they, for some reason they want to get further and further away from the. The high danger area, so to speak. And they, you know, they, they get themselves on the perimeter and it ain't going in from there. So once Robo's probably that typical forward that once he gets going now he starts to feel good. And then last night, every. I mean, right now everything he's doing is going into the net. And, and again, when you've got those other guys that are going the hard that I don't think it's hard, but wouldn't you love to be Glenn Dson where like, okay, who do I put with Rantin and who do I put with Wyatt? And now Robo's going. You know, it's a good. It's a good problem to have for him. But I think right now when you can get Jason Robertson going, especially mentally, I mean, for the whole Olympic thing coming up, his whole contract and, and hopefully they both get put behind and he's on that team and, and they get some kind of deal done. Because, you know, when you look at Wyatt and I'll just skip the white, look at the deal and look at what that contract's going to look like in five or six years or three years or whatever it is. Yeah.
- [81:12]
Whitney
Craig Merle's here, sitting in for Yan's. I think you called him that. What you call the head coach Gulson.
- [81:18]
Craig Ludwig
Oh, Gully.
- [81:19]
Whitney
Gully.
- [81:19]
Merle
Call him Gully.
- [81:20]
Whitney
Okay, Call him Gully. I, I was just wondering because we all know how good of coach Pete DeBoer was. What's the biggest difference you've seen in the two so far this season?
- [81:27]
Craig Ludwig
You know, I think, I think Gully is. And this is no slight on. On Pete. He's a great coach and everything. And, and you know what? I never thought. And you know, we've been through the exit. Zoo. Exit thing process, right? I mean, in our careers we. We've done that. And man, when I was joining, it was like, yeah, okay, See, I'm, I'm out of town sa afternoon. You have this big sit down. So I don't know if that had something to do with that whole thing. I, I do think there was something leading up to it. I, I think for, for Pete he probably wants a bit of a do over but when, when you go to Gully, he seems more relatable to these guys. He seems more like that this generation's kind of coach and we, we know today you have to be more, you know, visual and you have to communicate with them. And I think that's what Glenn does the best in. You know, what we understood, we heard it a couple days ago is when things, and things haven't. The good news for these guys, they haven't really been going that great. It's not, I mean they're not like clicking on all cylinders. And so, you know, he's squeezing what he can get out of quiet and renting and you know, hints and guys like that. Meryl Haskin has been unbelievable. But what apparently he did is he has a couple one on one meetings. And so it wasn't a team thing. It wasn't a calling a group out and just basically it's. I'm assuming it was something like hey, what's going on? You know, what do we got to do get you going? Whoever it was, I don't, we don't know who they were. I can probably say it's not just the fourth line guys, you know, it's guys that you lean on all the time. So he just seems that guy that is very easy to talk to from a player coach kind of thing. And I haven't seen him even as this season started and there's a new system going on in the D zone.
- [83:05]
Biz Nunez
I'm.
- [83:05]
Craig Ludwig
Thank God. I hated man on man. I can't stand it. I've been pretty clear about that. But there's that adjustment period where they were kind of standing around where we used to get to chase one guy around the rink. Now we actually can read and things like that. So I think they were stuck in that for a little bit. It's starting to come together. So I, I think that. But he goes in and he says to guys, you know, what do we, what do we need to do? What do we need to fix this? What do we need to help you? You and, and I like that when you're going to pull guys in individually because we know it's really easy to go into a meeting with a coach and when you come out of that meeting Everybody knows you're in the meeting. You come out and you can pretty much tell them what you want to tell, you know. But when you get called out in the locker room, we all know what's going on. We all. L. You blew this and you blew that. So I think it was a little personal kind of thing and I think guys probably respect that. And since we heard about that, you know, now Robo's going and everything else seems to be coming together for him.
- [84:01]
Merle
Lud, did you see that piece that ESPN released, Emily Kaplan, when they interviewed Ottinger about the situation? I think Mason Marchman smoke or spoke. Excuse me, one of the defensemen. So you kind of mentioned the man on man stuff and you mentioned how easy Gully is to approach. Did you find maybe that wasn't the case with the Boar? I guess I. I always assumed he was a player coach, well liked. And it felt like after that came out, it almost felt a little bit personal, kind of. Did you guys. I mean, did you find that wit in a little bit?
- [84:35]
Biz Nunez
Yeah. We talked about at the time, Luddy.
- [84:37]
Frank the Tank Fleming
It was.
- [84:37]
Biz Nunez
It was awkward. It was. Now it was all guys not there anymore. Besides Ottinger. It was hella Buck, who's never been there.
- [84:43]
Craig Ludwig
It was.
- [84:44]
Biz Nunez
It was dumba. It was Jason Marchman and then Ottinger. And it was just kind of weird. Now the whole situation was weird. The press conference after game six, the firing of Deborah was surprising. Three straight trips to the Western Conference final. But I agree with Biz that it was almost like, oh, man, I think he was maybe a little tougher to play for than the outside. Maybe.
- [85:06]
Craig Ludwig
Thought I would say that over the. The. What did he go to three or four. The conference finals and didn't get past it, whatever that was, I'm guessing. And they had a great team, right? And they had good teams here. And I thought last year seemed. Again, I said that in the beginning, I thought we were missing a couple pieces here, but. But I think there was some frustration that was being built up over that. And as far as. And again, I've talked to Pete once, maybe twice, and. And he just seems like a great guy, very soft spoken, genuine. Doesn't go into players and talk about anything that, you know, you can respect the guy like that, I think he will. What I understand is he set in his ways and if there was anything that. That I noticed and I've heard some things coming in over the years that again, we know regular season, regular season, but when you get to playoff hockey, you have to be able to make adjustments. I mean you have to be able to see how Edmonton's defensemen are playing against you coming across the ice in the neutral zone after two times they do it. You have to make an adjustment there. And I think that was part of the reason. Jim Neal is not a guy that enjoys doing these kind of things about letting coaches go. Just I know he's not that kind of guy, doesn't have that kind of personality. So for Jim to pull that trigger on there, there were some people that probably had some important things to say that. And you go, well, these are my guys. These are the guys that lead this team to where we want to go. And unfortunately, you know, we all know coaches are the ones that, that ultimately pay the price whether it's deserved or not. So I think that that gym probably talked to players. You're under the personalities and maybe they needed some kind of a change, a change in personality that not just the change in voice. The other thing is that, you know, in Gully when he was here the first time, it wasn't fair. I mean the, the team was, you know, in, you know, buy out and all this other kind of stuff that was going around him. And same thing for Joe when he would noondike. So I think what the big, the big thing for me is Gully had an opportunity to coach two of the best players on the planet. How much did he learn from those two guys? And then you look, look in Dallas and you see, you know, like I said, the Wyatt's and all these guys that they have there. I, I just think that he's able to come to those guys and I think as a player also, you know that he coached those guys and he understands that he related to them and how they played and how hard they play and so. Well, if it's good enough for Conor and Leon, maybe we should listen to this guy too. So I think there's a lot of that. I think that all combined and even you just listen to his pressers. I mean it's like sitting at the bar room. I mean it's. And these are his pressure. You're not going to get thrown under the bus. Yeah, he's going to give you a little, yeah, we need to be a little bit more of this and. But it's, it's a little bit of a process. You know one thing that he wanted to do this summer, he said he wanted 1% of more physicality out of a player. And like he said it out of the team. And I said to him, I Said, oh, well, that's, you know, that's 1%. I mean, we're the, this, this team for the last two or three years was a team that hit the least. And I mean, from game to game and season to season, now they're right up at the top. And so what he meant by that is if I get 1% out of each player, I get a total of 20% out of. And that's what they're getting, you know, and so. And it's not that hard, biz, you know, that it's not that hard for us to bump into one guy and we'll mark it down, hit.
- [88:26]
Merle
That's why I was surprised they got rid of Marchman. Like, obviously that was probably for cap reasons, but, yeah, I really felt with the success he had with Segin and, and Duchenne. Yeah, I mean, going back to last year, you guys had two first lines. And that's, that's part of the reason why coming in, I thought there would be a little bit of regression. I thought that he was that Sam Paper they needed. But you mentioned Sam Steele and, and also the group elevating their physicality. Like, what, what has he provided in that top six role? Mainly that first line that you like the most.
- [88:57]
Craig Ludwig
Well, here's what I think we talked about this last time. What I, I've always liked to do, and I do with our U18 kids when we go around with these guys, is that I like to put the lines together in pairs. And you know, when I. I don't know what your thought is in that. You know, you get the two guys that have the chemistry and then find somebody that can complement them. And I think that's kind of why I even mentioned that together in the first place, because Sam Steele, you know, he's playing in that third hole, but he's got a motor on, right, and he digs in. No, he's not a pure goal scorer. I don't know what his best year is. Maybe 10, 12 goals. I don't know. And then you're playing up there with $30 million on your right side. But, but what he does is he brings that etch. You know, he gets in and he forechecks and he doesn't. He's like a dog on a bone. He doesn't quit. And now last night there was another one where Miko set him up right in a slot again for a great chance. And, you know, he drove to goaltender right in the past. And I'm just wondering, okay, Miko's probably going okay, we need to find somebody else besides Wyatt Wobble that I could get to puck to on my left side here. And I know B. I know Ratnon's like, like that at all, so. But, but again, that, that's what I think Sam Steele brings to this, to this team in general, into whatever line it is, because we know. And I'm, I'm sitting here this morning before we got to go to this thing, and I'm looking at Jamie. Ben's probably going to be back relatively soon. We don't know about, you know, where Matt's at. Duchene. And again, we know with head injuries, you never really know what that all is. But I think when you bring Jamie back now, you got a couple guys there on the wall and we'll see how Jamie is when he comes back. But I think you're what he. What. And the other thing that Gully does, man, he. You can. And I, I go in here and everybody's like, oh, Wyatt's going to go down to the, down to the number three center. When Duchenne comes back, I'm like, well, maybe. But the thing is, is Wyatt's the guy that plays the most minutes on this team. Night after night. You can put. Why anywhere you could put. Let Wyatt start in that third hole. Two shifts later, you can put them up the left side if you want to put them up there with hints and Retina or Robo and, you know, whatever you want to do. So that's been, there's been a lot of that. And that's the other thing I'm just curious about forwards. Do they get to the point sometimes where, man, we're doing a lot of jumping around here or not this. With this guy and maybe they enjoy it. I don't know if you, you know, again, I don't know if you like playing with different guys all the time. And maybe that's what keeps you fresh and keeps you more into the game than. There's that same old line thing. But, but Gully has done a ton of that about moving guys around during the course of the game.
- [91:14]
Biz Nunez
That's happened in Edmonton too. I, from when I played, I remember forwards hating it. They just kind of wanted to grow and, and, and, and build together as a line. But I also understand coaches. They're looking to find something that's really.
- [91:27]
Merle
Clicking, but I didn't really have a choice.
- [91:29]
Biz Nunez
Yeah, it's just fourth line, left wing.
- [91:31]
Frank the Tank Fleming
Standard.
- [91:32]
Craig Ludwig
Standard.
- [91:32]
Biz Nunez
But the goaltending there, I mean, Otten is a great goalie, but it's been to Smith, the six games he's played, his numbers aren't great.
- [91:40]
Gully
Incredible.
- [91:41]
Biz Nunez
And it's something where, like when you have that second goalie, that, that one B, it makes such a difference. Like, I see that team and Ottinger's, he's been good. I don't think it's been incredible hockey for him. But for the entire team to know when De Smith's in, that he's playing, you know, just as well, if not better in his games, that creates the, the ability for them to keep winning. With Duchenne out, with Ben out now, with Harley out, like, I'm, I'm sure you probably see that watching all these games.
- [92:08]
Craig Ludwig
I would say he's the unsung hero up to this point in the year. I mean, you know, the first game he had, his first game of the season, again, he didn't play for a couple weeks. Coming off the preseason, Jake played a couple. And then you throw him in and that wasn't good for him. But I mean, after that he's been lights out. And I, I, I enjoy it because, I mean, the guys were talking the other, the other night about two, three games going there. Well, okay, so Cyrus play every other game. So Jake will probably play the first two and then Casey will do that. And I'm like, like, I wouldn't do that. Well, what do you mean you got to play? I said, no, you're not. You don't got to play. Jake. I mean, just go back and forth because don't tell me that doesn't push your number one guy.
- [92:44]
Biz Nunez
Say, listen, oh, I agree.
- [92:45]
Craig Ludwig
Can you imagine the guy in Winnipeg having that happen to him? Like, wait, this is wrong. You know, I'm that guy. Now. Jake Ottinger is probably one of the nicest guy in that locker room.
- [92:55]
Biz Nunez
He does.
- [92:55]
Craig Ludwig
He's not that guy that's going to call guys out. He's not going to be the, the Ed Belfor had that privilege. The path. Pat, Pat, you know, Patrick Walk have that privilege. But, you know, those guys would come in beginning of the year and say, okay, I'm playing these 72 games right here, and then whoever you have can play the rest of them. Well, Ottinger's not like that. And we all know that Jake is the guy that's going to lead this to where they want to go. But I do think that there is something to having that I got to play good because this other guy's pushing me. And I think Jake Ottinger respects that. And so maybe that Elevates his game also.
- [93:28]
Merle
I also though don't mind my goalie having that attitude, dude, where that's my net. So that's where I guess I'd push back a little bit. You mentioned rotten and you said you don't really need to talk about him because everybody knows he's a superstar. But what would what was some parts of his game that you were unaware that were that good before he moved over to you guys? Because now you're watching him so much. Like what impresses you the most?
- [93:51]
Craig Ludwig
Probably two things. The first thing you see the thing is when you're watching them play In Colorado, there's McCarraners, McKinnon, there's other guys. He doesn't pop to me, he didn't pop like that.
- [94:02]
Biz Nunez
No, I agree with that because you're.
- [94:03]
Craig Ludwig
Always watching them other two guys. Well now when you see this guy every other night and what he does, how he leads number one, I would say business. The physicality. I didn't realize he was as physical. His he is. It's not like he goes jamie Ben on you or you know, one of those guys that takes a run across the ring. He's a house like and he expects. He knows where the hits are coming from. He had a reversal slight little.
- [94:30]
Merle
Oh yeah, against Wash, wasn't it?
- [94:32]
Biz Nunez
We talked about that.
- [94:34]
Craig Ludwig
I saw that. I mean and it really didn't look like he did anything. He was basically protecting himself. But he's strong around the front of the net. He's more physical than you would think. And to get the puck away from him is almost impossible at times. And if you do, he's pissed off and he lets you know next time. I don't know if I want to take that puck away from him. The other thing is he can send rockets across the ice on his backhand. On the tape it seems like every single time it's just I couldn't make that six foot pass to Zubi like that on my forehand. He does scene with guys draked all over him and what he's able to do again, when I say that he can carry, literally, he can have guys breaked on him. Whether he wants to continue to go north with it, draw a penalty and get a scoring chance or just draw somebody else open. Because I think now guys have learned to play with them. Like this cat's gonna find a way to give me the pot. I just gotta find the hole, just find that space. And that's why Robo's good with them, why it's good with Them, you know, and again, so I don't have enough adjectives to be honest with you to, to see what he does every single night. And the most thing, the biggest thing with a couple things, it's consistent. It's every single night you haven't seen him go, ah, he's looking tired, you know, because early on in the season, the first seven, eight games, I'm like, this dude's out there every single second shift. I mean, he's gonna wear them out, but he doesn't, he keeps on going. And then there was one shot that we had about a week ago or so and Dallas had a five on three. And you know, and again, you know, the guys that are on the team and the camera went to him and they panned to him and he was on the bench and he was holding court. Nobody else was cocking, ranting, was telling them what's going to happen on this? And, and they were all like 6 year old kids staring at, did they score? He just, he just commands that when he came in again, I'm, I'm blown away by how good he is. I mean, I got, listen, I got a sure shirt made that says moose mode on it, for God's sakes, that I wear.
- [96:33]
Merle
Okay.
- [96:33]
Craig Ludwig
And I have antlers that I wear on certain nights. So I, you know, I wouldn't do that for anybody. But. But again, he's, he is as advertised. And when you look at the whole cluster that happened at that whole thing, I think everybody kind of got, everybody's fine right now. The Carolina's fine and you know, nation's fitting in well over there. So maybe it was good for everyone.
- [96:55]
Merle
Yeah. Whit mentioned a controversial, a controversial take that would get everybody with the swords out at you. And he mentioned that one that everybody ended up happy about all those trades. Oh, what was the other one I was gonna say? Oh, did they score on the five on three?
- [97:10]
Craig Ludwig
No, no, they didn't.
- [97:12]
Merle
Okay.
- [97:13]
Biz Nunez
They were listening.
- [97:14]
Craig Ludwig
They, they score. They, they, they literally score a power play goal a night or you know, something odd times quite two of them. But the thing again, if you're an opponent, you don't think that's coming into play when you're playing these guys, you're like, listen, yeah, we want to be hard on them, but don't be too hard on them because we can't put them on the power club.
- [97:31]
Merle
Do you feel like we talk about Tom Wilson being a unicorn? There's just not many guys like him around power forward position. Who were the guys in your Era that were like the Rottens. And, and do you find that there were just more of them?
- [97:45]
Craig Ludwig
Well, that's a great question. I, I don't. I honestly, I can't compare him to anybody I played with or. I mean, you know, the guy, to me, I, I don't think he got enough credit was Mario. Like, like, I, I've said this before, I even said it to Grets when he was in college. You know, I know Gretz is the greatest guy to ever play this game, but for me, Mariel is that guy because. And there, you know that statue that's outside of Pittsburgh there, right, with him on it. You know who's draked on him? Sean Chambers. Right. Well, I was part of that. So. And there was, There was a, There was a play that Bundy and I were out there together and Mary Bundy was kind of wide. Marion went up the middle of the ice, Bunny was on the right, but he played his offside because naturally I couldn't. So he and Mario got up the middle of the ice. I turned to catch Mario, I grabbed him because I wanted to take a penalty. I don't. I said, I'm not going to get out here and be scored again. I grabbed him. He didn't budge. I got. He got my feet off the ground. He went in and still deked our goal. I think it was a Darcy Walker, and he still deked a goaltender. And so for me, his size and, you know, vision, his hands, everything that he did now with, with Gretz, you know, was different because it's more Gretz. What he did is he just kept. Guys kept coming to help you. I'm like, no, don't help me. I can keep him over here. Just, just. It's the other guys that we got to worry about. So, so. But, but you know what? I don't know what even a Tom Wilson guy, right. I. But, but like, when it goes to Rantman, the things that he does, and he's going to put up another 100 plus points around here or more with, with this group that he has if they all stay healthy. I don't know a guy that can, that I, in this era, of my era, our era, I don't remember a guy that could do the same things that he can. Because again, the reason I think I say that, that because I'm sitting here going, he is the best plague. I personally had to sit and have the privilege to watch every single night. And I just, just, man, just stay healthy. And, and because again, he's not a Guy that gets hit, he, he delivers more hits than, than he gets hit. Maybe because he sees everything. So I don't know. All them mooses has sets of eyes in the back of their heads, but this guy seems like he does.
- [99:48]
Whitney
What he reminds me of is like Yager, where he has this huge ass. He's got the long reach and just the puck is like nobody else. That's, that's the kind of player I see him as well.
- [99:59]
Craig Ludwig
Apparently you had the privilege to see gigs naked. Cause I don't know what, how big ass is on, on, on random.
- [100:06]
Whitney
I had no chance of getting it from. But why I have you, I have the mic here. I wanted to ask you if somebody's listening to this for the last 20 minutes. They think Dallas Stars, they're rushing over to the sports book to take him for the Stanley cup. But it's obviously always not that nice and clean. What's one thing that they're missing that maybe we'll look for at the deadline?
- [100:22]
Craig Ludwig
Yeah, I, I think they're gonna look for a top six guys guy. I, I, I really do. I, you know, again. But, but we, we're still missing a couple guys, right? If Jamie comes back and fits in that hole and, and then you've got Duchene comes in there and he becomes healthy again. Like, like biz. You said it earlier, that was their best line last year. It was, it was. Are they missing a Marchman type? Listen, Marchman's on it. This is the end of his deal, isn't it, this year? I don't think he's got a contract yet for next year.
- [100:45]
Biz Nunez
No, I think he signed.
- [100:47]
Craig Ludwig
I don't know if that's how, I don't know if that. They're entertaining that. And do you be able to bring him in at, in what, December, January or February, whatever it is. And what's he gonna have? Maybe a million left?
- [100:59]
Merle
I don't know if you're allowed to because it's le, it's been less than a year.
- [101:06]
Craig Ludwig
Oh, there has, there's a time period on that.
- [101:08]
Merle
But he could sign as a free agent. Okay. Breaking.
- [101:11]
Craig Ludwig
Yeah, but that, but the thing is though, you're, we're talking playoff time, right? So I, I do think, think, you know, again, I know Nils is coming back. Nils Lundquist, who had a good start to the season and back end. Are they going to look to upgrade back there? I think the Bishop Petro pair has been good ever. You can't say anything bad about any of these guys. I can't really even go in there. Adam Ernie's been good. When he got in the lineup for crying out loud. Everybody on this team has done their job. Whatever role it is. Bastion. Bastion's got a couple goals I think it is, you know and he came in here thinking he was going to play one every four or five games and he played like the first six, seven games in a row. Gotten a couple fights, knows what his role is which is why he brought here. So you know what they're going to be up against the Cap. We know that. Right. But I never count out, you know the three time award winning Jim Nil and so but. But then again why would you want to do business with Dallas? You know, when you think about it.
- [102:08]
Merle
Hang up, don't even answer, don't even answer the phone. He's probably got something on you with private investigator. Ah I just. Because you were a defenseman and I feel like we have to talk about the two guys on the back end. He's. And then now Harley's out. I think a lot of people didn't really want to see Harley make more than he's Too bad. So sad the Cap's going where it is but probably you assume extremely well deserved in everything that he's done since he's. He's gotten a full time role there.
- [102:35]
Craig Ludwig
Yeah. And now he's week to week. Apparently he missed last night's game.
- [102:39]
Frank the Tank Fleming
He did.
- [102:40]
Craig Ludwig
He hardly had have Thomas hasn't had a great start for the year. You know and again it maybe a little bit was getting the deal done and the deal but he's not the same guy he was last year and maybe because of now we find out before the game last night he's going to miss that game. He was actually TBD for the the previous game too. Went in, played the game but he hasn't looked the same. So I think and which to me I'm happy in a way that he's got an injury because if it wasn't an injury and you sign a contract and you're not playing well then that's a different kind of thing to worry about. So my guess is whatever he's got now. Now apparently you know about the whole DiGiorno thing, right? You guys got the whole pizza.
- [103:21]
Merle
Yeah, he's pretty low maintenance. He better not be eating too much digiorno though.
- [103:25]
Craig Ludwig
Yeah. I'm wondering if that was all premeditated.
- [103:28]
Merle
You know what I mean?
- [103:28]
Craig Ludwig
Like oh, you think he wanted the brand deal. He's working on that deal right now. Good for him. But no, when Thomas is. When he's healthy, when you talk about him and Miro, I've never seen Miro play this good. Okay. And I think right now is the best I've seen him. And I think the big difference in Miro, like, all for the last year or half, we've been kind of calling for Harley to be the guy on the power play because Thomas shoots the pocket. Great shot, good vision. They're two different guys.
- [103:55]
Gully
They're.
- [103:56]
Craig Ludwig
They're not the top defenders in the league. Miro defends with the puck. He gets the puck, and he skates it, and he breaks down coverage by using his lights. Thomas is a guy that can make that first pass. He mass, you know, and he's generally really good at making that first pack. But where it's changed with Mural and our. My biggest bitch all the time about Miro, which you shouldn't have any complaints about him, is on the power play. He wants to distribute all the time, and if you're a penalty killer and you see that enough, you start taking certain people away because, you know he wants to make that pass. So that's why I'm like, man, they just got to get Harley out there. Harley would get out there. He gets 40 seconds, he gets a shot up, either scores or they get a rebound. They score. I'm like, that's what I'm talking about. So now I think Haskin in early in the season, shot the puck, shot the puck, got a couple goals. Now, all of a sudden, last night, he gets out on the first power play, gets a puck from I'd ran in. I think he gets it back. They go back and forth. He gets it. He sees a lane doing that, shoots the puck. Nothing happened. Then he gets the next one. He shoots it again. Then the third one, he passes it. But you watch the coverage on the PK now, all of a sudden, they start to squeeze the middle of the ice, and then these guys open up. So now it's like, pick your poison. You Robo ran and open, you know, wide open. And Miro's got an unbelievable shot. So Miro right now, though, he. He's doing that all the time. Like, now he's a little bit more assertive about getting pucks up to the net and shooting the puck is. And. And to me, when you got a defenseman that is more of a passer, you. When you get into the offensive zone, you're looking for the pass, right? You're trying to find an opening instead of getting to the front of the Nap. Like, let's go to the nap now, guys. You can see they're starting to go to the nap because, well, Miro's going to shoot this spot. Now they're finding weight, get rebounds, which adds another problem for, for defensemen especially.
- [105:39]
Biz Nunez
We got the rollback. Last question. Right now you use code chicklets@roback.com for 20% off your first purchase through the end of the week. That's C H I C L E T S on R, H O b a c k.com hoodies, joggers, polos, swim trunks at all code chiclets@roback.com such a football city, right? The Dallas Cowboys not having a great year. Do you notice the fan base changes a little bit once football ends? Maybe this year it's different because the Cowboys aren't great. Like I said, like, once football's over, is it, is it a different atmosphere in the arena? Is there way more focus paid to the team from the fan base? Or is it pretty consistent with the, with the Dallas Stars fans? No matter what's going on with football.
- [106:21]
Craig Ludwig
I'll say this, with the Dallas Cowboys, regardless if they go oh and 16 or 16 zero, that building's going to be full. Their fans are their fans and they will, they will bitch like we all would, but they're loyal as can be. High school football here is huge, too, and it's a reason you don't see a ton of games going on on Friday nights because of high school football. They try to stay away from it. They try to avoid those until after the, you know, after football's over with. So it's, it's a, the. But the Dallas fans, I mean, there's still Dallas fans here that I play that are still season ticket holders like they are. That building is full every single night. It's crazy downtown. So I think it's just as good a fan base as whatever you want to say the best one is in the NHL. There's no difference because these, these people and winning matters. You know, and again, if this team was a.500 team and, and it started back a few years ago and then it continues on like that. I don't, I don't know if they would be. The Die Hards would be there. Actually, we have Die Hards on our show. But. But the Die Hard would be there. But this is, these are tickets that are hard to come by on a Tuesday night. So their fans are their fans. And again, a ton of credit to, you know, the ownership number one. But again, Jim Neal understands that part of this business is entertainment, and so he's trying to find those players can help you win. But are the rant men types and the Wyatt kind of types that are. That have. That.
- [107:49]
Merle
That's why Glass banger hasn't been expelled.
- [107:52]
Whitney
Yeah.
- [107:52]
Craig Ludwig
Is he out yet, or what happened?
- [107:55]
Merle
You tell me.
- [107:57]
Craig Ludwig
No, I figured you may have something to do with it.
- [107:59]
Biz Nunez
He could be back in, though, for all we know.
- [108:01]
Merle
I want that. In solitary confinement?
- [108:05]
Craig Ludwig
Yeah, I. I don't know. I haven't seen him around, so. You know, his dad was one of the big dogs. Wise had them same seats. That reunion with McDonald's, I believe it was. So that's kind of how he got into that spot.
- [108:17]
Merle
Do you ever see that girl behind the bench with the huge bombs?
- [108:20]
Craig Ludwig
Yeah. Well, what do you. You think of Stevie Wonder?
- [108:23]
Merle
What do you mean?
- [108:24]
Pasha
Have I seen.
- [108:24]
Merle
I'm asking. I'm asking.
- [108:26]
Craig Ludwig
Our camera guys go to her, like, every. I don't know, every fourth break.
- [108:30]
Merle
Yeah, seriously, what do you guys say? What do you guys say about that? Like, you guys got, like, a group text where it's like, hey, the knockers are here. We got the.
- [108:38]
Craig Ludwig
We got the.
- [108:38]
Merle
Big Luke's in tonight.
- [108:39]
Craig Ludwig
You're gonna have to go to those guys to ask those questions. I've learned my lesson a long time ago. I stay away from the tech messaging stuff.
- [108:46]
Merle
This was awesome, dude. Thanks for the breakdown.
- [108:49]
Biz Nunez
Yeah, thank you so much.
- [108:51]
Craig Ludwig
Listen, we're going to Gillings tonight. Joe Newendyke, Ralphie Strand is going into the hall of Fame. That's right.
- [108:58]
Biz Nunez
I love it. Craig, you're the best. We appreciate it. And the stars are a wagon, no doubt. We all underestimate them, so have a great Sunday.
- [109:05]
Craig Ludwig
Thanks for having me. Guys.
- [109:11]
Biz Nunez
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- [110:02]
Whitney
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Craig Ludwig
Responsibly on behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Kansas.
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Merle
Pass through of per wager.
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Whitney
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Craig Ludwig
Jurisdiction void In Ontario, restrictions apply.
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Whitney
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Craig Ludwig
Minimum odds required.
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Whitney
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- [110:36]
Merle
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- [111:51]
Biz Nunez
Thank you very much to Clay from Sons of Anarchy. That'd be Clay Ludwig with the Harley Davidson shirt on.
- [111:59]
Merle
And the.
- [112:00]
Biz Nunez
Just a great look for him. Awesome guy. We appreciate it, Dallas. And from a great team to just a horseshit team. And a horseshit organization. That's in Toronto. They traded away their first round pick last year. It is top five protected right now. They, based on the odds in the NHL would have the sixth overall pick. That'll be the Bruins pick. Biz, this team is slow and stinks. Now they're battling injuries, but are you still chill biz?
- [112:29]
Merle
I'm not. I'm not talking about the Leafs. This pod.
- [112:31]
Biz Nunez
Oh, okay.
- [112:32]
Merle
Wow.
- [112:34]
Biz Nunez
Okay. Murray, you got anything?
- [112:36]
Whitney
Yeah, they stink. They stink. Five in a row. They've lost and they need some D and I think they should probably start looking in the KHL for some defensemen.
- [112:45]
Biz Nunez
Oh, okay. I like that. I like that.
- [112:48]
Merle
What do you mean specifically by that?
- [112:50]
Whitney
There's a lot of good players over there and they, they could use six new defensemen at this point.
- [112:55]
Merle
Are you talking about Eminem?
- [112:57]
Whitney
He's. He's ripping up the league. He is.
- [112:59]
Biz Nunez
Oh, that Mitchell Miller. Yeah, he was.
- [113:03]
Pasha
Went.
- [113:03]
Biz Nunez
Went end to end again, I think today or yesterday. I wonder if he'll ever get a chance in the NHL.
- [113:08]
Merle
I was going to ask you guys that. You think, you think that at a certain point, like, they get everybody back in a room who was affected by this and they kind of say, hey, at what point does a, does a, a kid keep having to pay for, for what he did at his, in his adolescent years? Like, where, where do you, where do you guys lie on that?
- [113:30]
Whitney
Yeah. I don't know the whole story. Yeah, you definitely have to. To do some more digging in. And I don't know if anybody's willing to do all that digging in, put all that money into the, the law making and do all that for him. Probably not.
- [113:42]
Biz Nunez
Yeah.
- [113:42]
Frank the Tank Fleming
I don't know.
- [113:43]
Merle
I mean, I'm sure that, I mean that obviously would be insane headlines and probably something that the Leafs don't want, but they did get Troy Stetcher, who, I mean, you're familiar with this game. Plays his dick off. I think he's a great 5, 6 defenseman when playing his best. Right. A good physical guy. Maybe help kill penalties, block shots. He'll play as physical as he can do. I mean, he.
- [114:10]
Whitney
No, yeah, plays hard.
- [114:13]
Biz Nunez
He plays hard. He's got balls. Undersized D, man, that's made it to the NHL. If you're thinking that Troy Statcher is going to turn things around, we can just continue to not talk about the Leafs. That's kind of why.
- [114:26]
Merle
Maybe he's the fucking X factor.
- [114:28]
Biz Nunez
Yeah, well, the X factor for G is an X factor on another team. That would be Brazo for Boston. He's now very good for Pittsburgh. So. Yeah, I don't know. I watched the Leafs play. I watched some of that Chicago game Saturday night. It is so boring. They're coming. They're turning into like boring slow hockey team and it's crazy to see. I know Matthews is out right now, but Jesus Christ, there's got to be panic. I know maybe you're not discussing them, but Leafs fans have to be fuming right now. That's all I'm going to say. That's all I'm going to say, well, I'll leave it at that. I'll leave it at that. And I guess staying with the Leafs, I don't get this. Gave David camp story biz. I don't know why he. I know they have a lot of bodies there. The ta. The contract was terminated. He gave up like a lot of money on the deal. I don't think he has to return the signing bonus money. But he. Then he's done there. And he signed with Vancouver. Did you like him? Were you a guy that didn't like him in the lineup? Like, why is he not on the team anymore?
- [115:25]
Merle
I thought he was solid. Like. Like, okay, you know, solid bottom six. Like, sometimes you'd notice them, sometimes you wouldn't. I don't think it's like a, you know, I don't think it's a needle mover. I don't know what happened. Like, I don't. I don't dig into those types of stories. Like, is there any. Any rumor mill coming out? Like, have you heard anything?
- [115:44]
Biz Nunez
I don't know anything. I don't know anything. No, it's just that he was in the ahl, played four games and then the contract ended and I think you're placed on waivers. Nobody grabbed him. And he signs with Vancouver.
- [115:56]
Whitney
Remember, like last year, Assad did that. Cause he's like, I'm not going to play in Springfield. Just terminate my contract. And I think he knew already on.
- [116:03]
Merle
The table to play back in the NHL.
- [116:05]
Craig Ludwig
Yeah.
- [116:05]
Merle
He's also made enough.
- [116:07]
Whitney
Yeah.
- [116:08]
Merle
I don't think camps maybe made that much dough. But. But if. If you have the opportunity where you could sign with an NHL team wants you in their lineup, I could see why certain guys would say no. Terminated. Get me the fuck out of here. I just want to go play in the NHL and I don't want to ride the bus and eat soggy sub, so. Makes a lot of sense. Especially even if you're leaving a little bit on the table. And I get it. Not the National League.
- [116:31]
Biz Nunez
I hear you. I hear you. That kind of wraps. That wraps it up. We'll be flying out to LA tomorrow or. Or, you know, today, as you're listening, Monday, we're all traveling and. And I think this is an exciting week for us because Thursday, it's an awesome sandbagger at Wallston Golf Club against Kreche Krug and Tuka Rask Biz. Wednesday you mentioned peak and will be coming out once you left.
- [116:54]
Merle
Sir.
- [116:55]
Biz Nunez
You left Friday's show. We watched the trailer. How did you get that bird to come on your head. That sounded.
- [117:00]
Merle
Fucking bird whisperer, bitch.
- [117:02]
Biz Nunez
Okay, yeah, fair enough. You are. You're a bird watcher. I know that. That. So peaking Wednesday at what time? Noon?
- [117:09]
Merle
No, that's the sandbagger on Thursday at noon. That's coming out on the Spit & Chiclets YouTube channel. Game notes is on there as well, folks.
- [117:18]
Whitney
You can Wednesday watch them Wednesdays.
- [117:21]
Merle
Every Wednesday.
- [117:24]
Whitney
You can even watch them after. You don't have to be there live to be in our chat.
- [117:27]
Craig Ludwig
You can.
- [117:27]
Merle
I know, but it's fun being in the chat. But how many followers?
- [117:30]
Biz Nunez
Guess I think you said already.
- [117:33]
Merle
Well, guess it.
- [117:34]
Pasha
4.
- [117:35]
Biz Nunez
24, 24,000.
- [117:36]
Merle
You nailed it wit. Great job.
- [117:38]
Biz Nunez
I was listening to you, Merles. Game notes wise, Michigan State is like way better than everyone, huh?
- [117:45]
Whitney
College hockey is a shit show.
- [117:47]
Craig Ludwig
It's it.
- [117:48]
Whitney
Besides them, they all win one, lose one, win one, lose one. There's upsets every weekend. All these teams are all brand new guys. It's. It's a wild season. It's been fun. I cannot wait for the tournament. Tournament. We got one regional here in Albany and then the Frozen Fours in Vegas, baby.
- [118:03]
Pasha
Vegas.
- [118:04]
Craig Ludwig
So.
- [118:04]
Biz Nunez
Oh God.
- [118:05]
Whitney
What. What a season we got coming up.
- [118:07]
Biz Nunez
Oh my God.
- [118:07]
Merle
Oh, we got main Chicklets. You coming next week too? So we're coming out with.
- [118:13]
Craig Ludwig
That's a good one.
- [118:14]
Merle
Premiere season one. Then the following day we got the sandbagger with the Boston Bruins. I mean G had a cratey jersey behind him. That's how big of a bag liquor he is. Krei Krug and Tuka Rask 2.0 in the sandbagger. And then next week Chiclets you so subscribe to the Spitting Chicklets YouTube channel. Let's get those followers up. And thank you for hanging out with a.
- [118:36]
Biz Nunez
For another podcast and final week to buy the. The breast cancer merchandise that we've been selling for a little while while here. So go to the barstool sports store to pick that up. Support a great cause. Can buy some wigs for some women that are going through a tough time. So thank you everyone. Yance will be back with us. We'll be all together recording in LA for. For Friday's show. I can't wait to get out there. Hopefully the weather's all right. Gonna get some awesome interviews. Very excited for some big time interviews out there and have a great week everyone. It won't happen again. A bad habit worth breaking, but it's taking time. I don't know. It don't matter. It's gonna happen. It's gonna happen again. Wanna come again?