← Spittin Chiclets
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- [00:00]
Keith
Hey, Spit and Chiclets listeners. You can find every episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Prime. Members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.
- [00:08]
Biz
What's up, guys? It's PFT here. Grit Week is here. We're back on the road and you already know that we're bringing Twisted Tea along for the ride as the official drink of Grit Week. The new Twisted Tea Summer party pack is 5% alcohol. It's realized tea, no carbonation. It's perfect for long days, longer nights, and whatever happens after practice interviews. Plus, you've got multiple flavors in the pack, including a hard lemonade that's made with real lemons. And the can turns blue when it's ice cold, so you can always tell when it's ready. Grit Week Twisted Tea Tea time. Let's ride. Twisted Tea Brewing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio.
- [00:42]
Ryan Whitney
Please drink responsibly. Stella Blue Coffee is more than just great coffee. It's coffee with a purpose. Introducing We Brew to Rescue.
- [00:51]
Biz
A nationwide campaign using proceeds from our
- [00:54]
Ryan Whitney
new Ready to Drink cans to help fund 1000 pet adoptions this year.
- [00:59]
Biz
Every can you crack open helps a real pet find a real home.
- [01:04]
Ryan Whitney
Simple as that.
- [01:05]
Biz
Made with 100% Colombian coffee, each 11 ounce can delivers smooth drinkable energy with a boost of protein.
- [01:12]
Ryan Whitney
Available in Espresso Cafe mocha and Espresso sweet cream. Built for mornings, long days and everything in between, Drink Cell Blue.
- [01:21]
Biz
Fuel your day and help save a pet's life.
- [01:24]
Ryan Whitney
You can follow our progress in real
- [01:26]
Biz
time throughout the campaign by watching the
- [01:29]
Ryan Whitney
adoption tracker on our site. Grab yours now@stellabluecoffee.com Amazon and select retailers nationwide.
- [01:39]
Keith
Me and Ryan have been officially welcomed to the jungle that is Barstool sports.
- [01:44]
Biz
I brought it towards the coyotes and I asked them if it was okay if I joined the Spit Chickens podcast full time.
- [01:51]
Ryan Whitney
Ryan Whitney's got a pink Whitney out there. The song man is a full time member. Marley just gotten assist from Chris B. Whoa.
- [02:05]
Merles
We're buzzing right now.
- [02:14]
Ryan Whitney
What is up everyone? Pinkies up. Episode 645, the Spit and Chicklets podcast halfway through the second round. What a weekend. It was a hockey. Pinkies up. They're everywhere. All over the map. Every sport. British Premier League pictures where a guy brought him from America and he's drinking them outside. Was it Fulham or one of those teams?
- [02:39]
Jackson Blake
What?
- [02:39]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah, it's crazy. It's everywhere. It's Pinky's up. It's Pink Whitney. It's going to be the summer of Pink Whitney. So shout out. Everyone go get a bottle of Pink Whitney. Pinky's up. Have a drink with us, boys. I, I, I'll tell you right now, man, we got a lot to talk about today and we're saving Carolina till later.
- [03:01]
Keith
Really.
- [03:01]
Ryan Whitney
We got a very special who's turning into a, possibly a superstar. Jackson Blake coming on. That's going to be great to chat with him. They just, they took the flyers and they just shoved them away. They just flicked them away like a booger. We'll talk about that later. They that, the fact that that series is done bizarre to me. Montreal, they look like a way better hockey club than the Buffalo Sabers. The Minnesota Wild Stay alive. And the Anaheim Ducks. Have some fight, some line. Quack, quack, quack, quack. That's three right there. So I don't know Biz, how was your weekend? We have another guy coming on who just unnecessary. Just buried, just buried you the middle of broadcast. TNT's in a great hockey game and he's bringing up your love life and your habits on dating apps. And it's just like I loved it, but I was shocked.
- [03:56]
Biz
I mean the Buffalo Sabers are trying to figure out the power play. Snapping it around out there and they're not even showing it. They're just showing Rob Gron Krauski being asked about your saber chug and then completely deflects. It's almost like you like paid.
- [04:10]
Ryan Whitney
I know. Flecked because I saw that coming. I go, Jack's gonna bring this up because he's a, you know, he's a beer chug guy. He's a big dumb football play beer chug guy. And I'm like, oh my God. He, he just kind of forgot about me. I got him saying the word high school girls too. I'm like, what is happening right now?
- [04:28]
Biz
I thought I was on the Epstein files for a second there.
- [04:31]
Merles
I'm like, hey, Chris Hansen's like, hey Biz, have a seat.
- [04:35]
Biz
It's like, where's Liam? It's Chris. Take, yeah, take a seat. It just, just crazy, crazy behavior. And like I didn't realize that Vrabel wasn't his teammate. So obviously I came out firing on social where I'm like, this guy played for the New England Patriots. I mean his 75 year old coach who should be in the hall of fame first ballots dating a 25 year old. We got Tom Brady hanging out with Alex Earl. We got, we're not even going to get into the Hernandez stuff. We got Grunk, who I'm Eskimo brothers with where we fucking Baby Joe. Like there's a laundry list of here. Even Variable. The Patriot way.
- [05:14]
Merles
Yeah, yeah.
- [05:15]
Biz
Old lady who's got a bun in the oven on a boat cruise, basically dating her for five years. It might even be Variable's kid here that we're talking about. And the one thing that you got a bone to pick about is me on a dating app matching with like a what, 36 or 38 year old girl from Buffalo just because I'm trying to get my Buffalo wing sucked when I'm in town. Who cares? Who gives a. What is going on here?
- [05:41]
Ryan Whitney
So hey, it just means you.
- [05:42]
Merles
You are the NHL.
- [05:44]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah, just bringing that up. I. I was hoping for a good rant that went above beyond expectations. We got Hernandez got brought up.
- [05:53]
Biz
Aaron Hernandez.
- [05:53]
Merles
Not even a lie back. Take that.
- [05:55]
Biz
So, I mean, I take it back, but I'm saying here is like if you're a former Patriot and you got the laundry list of stuff I just mentioned, a bone to pick with a. With a 41 year old man matching with a 36 or 38 year old girl from Buffalo on a dating app. I don't know. That's pretty low on the list if you ask me. I'm not married. I don't have a girlfriend. It ain't none of your business.
- [06:20]
Murray
Yeah, don't forget about the owner there. Biz too.
- [06:24]
Biz
Oh, oh, you mean Robert. Mr. Tug Off Craft. Yeah, like you think this is a
- [06:30]
Ryan Whitney
lot of football team. I knew Merles was gonna chime in there as the Bills dude. Go ahead, Bis.
- [06:37]
Biz
One of the things he was like, oh, you don't have any game. I don't have any game. You got a billionaire owner having to pay for tugs and I don't have game. Let's walk this one back, Gronk. And I'm just interested to hear what he has to say when we get him on here because I don't know, maybe he had a crush on this girl and it never worked out and like he's got like something going on with me personally, but like, sorry, buddy, I'm sorry I didn't sign your girlfriend's yearbook.
- [07:01]
Ryan Whitney
I. I respect. I respect him coming on. We'll chat with him in a little bit. Keith. How was the weekend, buddy? I. I got a kick out of you going to game two. Watch Party Sabers Canadiens with, I think it was 25 Die Hard Buffalo fans. And you had, I think forget hat, jersey, pants. You had Canadian socks on you. I think you were just straight red.
- [07:25]
Merles
Yeah. Showed up with some poutine, a couple Shan shows, did it All a couple Molson Canadians. Yeah, I was decked out full because it's. It is a little payback. We watched the super bowl together with those guys, and they wore Buffalo Bills gear, so it's just. It's. It's part of my game. Yeah, exactly. Like, at least I'm cheering for a team that's playing. But, yeah, all always fun to get under some Buffalonian skin. But. But like you. Like you said about them when you were up there with unbelievable people, they all took it in stride.
- [07:54]
Biz
You.
- [07:55]
Merles
They ate. They. They ate the loss with class, too. Just really good. People put on a nice spread for us. But another thing went to a nice Mother's Day brunch. Everyone doing Pinkies up in the pictures.
- [08:07]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah, it's everyone. And. And I gotta be honest, I don't know if they're gonna love this. When. When we found out that Pinkies up was gonna be it, I, I. It wasn't like, right away, I was like, oh, my God, yes. I was kind of like, I like it. But I'm not sure they knew. They knew exactly what they were doing. The team that decides on a way to market a drink because it's taken off. So back to Piggies up. I'm glad you brought that up, Murr.
- [08:33]
Biz
Do you think it started with our commercial, though? Do you think that's what really did it?
- [08:36]
Ryan Whitney
I think it was that old woman in the pink jacket that you probably have seen since as well, if I'm gonna be honest.
- [08:43]
Merles
He went to high school with a Gronk.
- [08:45]
Gronk
Bonnie.
- [08:47]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah,
- [08:50]
Biz
Bonnie Blue, too.
- [08:51]
Ryan Whitney
The last year, the Bonnie Blue St. That was another tough Chiclets moment. Mer, love that you're. Love that you're with us again. As a Sabres guy. I mean, I'm gonna start off. I got to be in Buffalo. I mentioned the fans. I mentioned the atmosphere. I also talked a lot about kind of loving this Montreal team. They're fun to watch play. Obviously, the crowd at the Bell center in the playoffs is something that. That is unlike anywhere else. Maybe, Maybe Edmonton. I got to throw that out. But Montreal's in a league of its own. I think we'll say Montreal's. They are overwhelming this team, Murph. They are bullying them. They're outscoring them 11 to three in the last two. It's the first time this playoffs. Mont's won two in a row. And if I'm a Sabres fan like you right now, I'm kind of panicked a little bit.
- [09:40]
Murray
Yeah, I'm definitely panicked in. In both games were Kind of the same to me. There's no desperation from Buffalo. They came out Friday night just like, like it was a normal game in February and that carried over till Sunday. You see them, you know, when coaches, they used to say, like, you're there, but you're not there.
- [10:00]
Ryan Whitney
Terry and said that a lot.
- [10:01]
Murray
That's kind of what happened. Like Darlene on a couple of them was in front of the net, but he's there, but he's not. Like aggressively pick up the guy, stick and move him out of there. Last night on the third goal, Tuck and Thompson are kind of back checking. They're kind of there, but if they went as hard as they're supposed to be going, as desperate as, as Montreal is playing, they would have been there and they would have prevented that goal. They finally showed some desperation in the, in the first half of the third period, but it was too late. I don't. I think that Bruins series was almost too easy for them compared to Montreal, where it was just a dog fight every minute against Tampa Bay. And that's been the difference for me so far.
- [10:40]
Biz
Yeah. Because in the, in the one against Boston, they could take periods off where it didn't end up biting them in the ass. So it's almost like they didn't learn that lesson. Few, like kind of glaring things like five on five, obviously it looks like the ice is tilted non stop face offs. I've never really noticed like face off dominance like this.
- [11:00]
Ryan Whitney
I always thought like, oh, whatever, you know, face offs matter. But this is becoming crazy.
- [11:05]
Biz
Yeah, like, you know, I think it's about between 60 and 65%. You start seeing like how important like the, the Deno AD was and getting him over from la, like little, little, little guy, like important pieces like that. But boys, like the, the sequence at the end of game two for me with Greenway and we're probably gonna beat a dead horse here, but I figured immediately about this. They were down in the game, right? So you think when you're down that bad late in the game, the game's over, you're a fourth liner. And I'm not trying to hammer away on Greenway here because I thought in game one he was one of the best players on the ice. He had the goal, he was making plays toe dragging in a neutral zone. He was physical.
- [11:49]
Merles
Oh, we gassed him up after game one.
- [11:51]
Biz
Yeah, yeah. So we, we gassed him up like you saw him at the press conference. He had the leg crossed over like you would have thought he was MJ the way. How Confident he was after that one. I'm like, oh, this guy might go on a tear here.
- [12:02]
Ryan Whitney
He threw the answer to Benson, though. And Benson's like, oh, but I'm not the throw. You don't throw stuff to me at press conferences.
- [12:08]
Biz
The confidence in that press conference, I would assume that Buffalo would have win that, won that series in five games. And then to just see, like you said, Murrow, the lack of fight and desperation in game two to where you think at the end of that game where now you have an opportunity as a fourth liner, where this Anderson's been running around, running his mouth, being a bully, essentially, then starts bullying you. It's not like an embarrassment of a tap of the shin pads and a shimmy shake. It's a punch to the back of the head, cross check, cross check. Like he was begging him to fight. And Greenway is just smiling and wanted nothing to do with it. And I'm thinking, okay, maybe he's thinking, this isn't the time, but if I'm him, I'm coming out in the first period in Montreal and I'm fucking setting the tone and I'm challenging him at the Bell center. Kind of like we saw with. With Hagel and Tachuk and nothing, nothing. I don't that if I'm a Buffalo Sabres fan who, after the whistle podcast sent out a tweet after the game, they basically said, I better find out that Stanley and Greenway's hands are broken after the series for the lack of, like, answering the bell, basically. And I'm not saying fighting's everything, but when you're getting called out like that in your own building and being, like, embarrassed, I don't know, boys, like, what do you say, Whit? What do you say, Yan's, especially for a fourth line role?
- [13:28]
Merles
Well, I think you're the guy who can speak to it the most. Like, you know, me and Whit weren't out there doing that. Merls, you know, was getting in the muck. But, like, you got to realize if you're a fourth liner, like, there were times during the season he was in and out of the lineup. Like, you gotta realize you had a really good game. Game one and whatever shit's not going your game, your way in game two, you might have to start some and get in the muck and get your team going that way, which will bleed into game three and game four and game five. So I. I think you can speak on it more than anyone, because that's what you did, right? You knew how to get energy for your team. You knew if. If you were in a position where you weren't playing well, you could go out and grab somebody and get momentum.
- [14:07]
Biz
But I think that it sets the precedent where it's almost like Buffalo, despite being a bigger team, they. They look a little bit intimidated. And that's why, to me, it's so important to have a guy up front like Anderson, who can not only play, but he'll handle business. But also Arbor Jack Guy is such a massive key as a six demon on a team where he's a heavyweight. He'll go anyone. And I don't think Buffalo really has anybody who can come near him. No.
- [14:35]
Ryan Whitney
And back to the instance with Greenway Game two. I. The tweet I said it was. It was similar to Marshawn to Sadine in the cup finals in 11, if you remember. Jab, jab, jab, jab. And Sadine. But it was a Hall of Famer Greenway, like you said, it's on the fourth line, you're getting drummed and he's laughing almost like, we're up 5:1, buddy. Like, take a hike. It's like, no, you're getting spanked at home to tie the series up. And there was just nothing there. I was like, wow. And granted, is this what. Is that why Vancouver lost that series? No, I'm not saying that. What I'm saying is you go into game three, there's no sort of physicality for Buffalo at the beginning now. They scored the first shift, so that was kind of Lindy Ruff had mentioned. I'd love to quiet them out early. It was 50 seconds in. Thompson scores after. And I think Tage Thompson is a straight up star. I love the guy. I love his game. He was his game, too. That was like a Whitney blooper.
- [15:35]
Biz
He was with Gronk in the box.
- [15:37]
Ryan Whitney
It was crazy. And. But so he scores, all right? And then it's just nothing, nothing the rest of the game. And I was like, wow. After that goal, like, they. At the end of the first, I was like, that was domination by the Canadiens. And I'll go to the end of the game because you brought up Jacky. And this is what Sabers fans are pretty pissed off about. Was it a sucker punch? I'm not really gonna say it was a sucker punch because Carrick's sitting there. He's not, like, punching him, but he's giving him, like, little kind of jabs and pushes to the face. It's like, you gotta know who you're dealing with here.
- [16:09]
Biz
Yeah.
- [16:09]
Ryan Whitney
But Jack Guy's just like, okay, bank and he buckles him.
- [16:14]
Biz
I'm not here to around, yeah, do
- [16:16]
Ryan Whitney
your little playoffs buddy. If I, if I was with Darian Hatcher in the playoffs and I started like pushing his shoulder and face like I'm gonna be ready for him to just drop me. And Jack Guy's like, okay. And that's not a suspension in my mind. I'll tell you what could be a suspension is Norris. What? And I don't think that's a suspension either. But what he did at least that was a little fight in that melee. I think it was with Bullduke when somebody else was tied up with Bullduke but the Canadians. Now Malenstein had a moment where I couldn't believe he didn't get kicked out of the game for that. There was no stopping, there was no turning and he just ran over Doge. I also want to get your opinion. I was kind of surprised and Montreal's lucky that a spotter didn't grab Dos because he just got completely rolled over buried. But he stayed in the game. Good for him. We'll get into his game. But yeah, the, the physicality factor. I didn't think coming in that Montreal would be able to completely bully them. Although we did mention that Jacky's got to be playing. I think he sat out game seven
- [17:15]
Biz
of the Tampa and Struble was playing and I just thought that like obviously Dobson is a game changer and a huge factor. Thought it was ballsy to put him in in a game seven. But you obviously understand why with his puck moving abilities, how much ice time and you got to get his feet wet at some point. Right? What better way to do it then? But I feel like especially in this series, inserting Jack Guy was a no brainer and it's paid dividends. And yeah, go you. You're going to touch on one thing, Yance.
- [17:43]
Merles
I was just going to say I think Buffalo's got to put shenanigans.
- [17:47]
Biz
I was just gonna. Yeah, yeah.
- [17:48]
Merles
That's a guy that knows like even if he's, if he's playing seven minutes, like if he's out there in that graveyard shift at the end of a game, he's grabbing somebody. He might take a suspension, he might take a fine, but he knows what it means to go into the next game with some fight and not showing that your team that you're quitting or not that they're quitting but like at the end of a game if shit's not going your way, you can't just take punches in the face. And he's gonna, I, I would, I would bet that he's going to be in next game.
- [18:14]
Murray
So Logan Stanley, he's 6, 7. He's not in there for his puck handling and his numbers at the blue line. You're in there to throw some bodies around and all those scrums. You're the biggest guy on the ice. Shed your mitts if you got it and just start tossing guys around
- [18:32]
Ryan Whitney
in that.
- [18:33]
Biz
Yeah.
- [18:33]
Merles
Over the ref. Yeah.
- [18:35]
Biz
So Murray, you seem to think that the game got a little bit out of hand with the calls on the Josh Doane trip. Was it on Lane Hudson or Caulfield?
- [18:45]
Murray
On Caulfield.
- [18:46]
Biz
On Caulfield. You were not happy about that one. Now I've noticed a few times early in games as playoffs where something's called and then maybe the refs are playing catch up a little bit throughout the rest of the game, like making sure they, they call it even, where it's like you're kind of getting in your own way now. Do you thought that that was kind of the start of a little bit of nonsense?
- [19:06]
Murray
Yeah, I just think all these playoffs there's been way too many penalties. That's how we grew up. That there wasn't power play. Especially now we're in the, we're into the middle of second round. I just thought it was weak. It's down in the offensive end. It's not a scoring chance. And you just knew that they were going to score on that type of goal. And of course it's Caulfield, so now he's hot. But I would like to see the refs put the whistles away both ways and at the same time. Yeah, I'm going a little crazy on Twitter because I'm, I'm a fan. I, I want to get one of those. What's, what do we have for Pasha? The, the deranged fan.
- [19:40]
Ryan Whitney
Delusional. Yeah.
- [19:41]
Merles
Yeah.
- [19:41]
Ryan Whitney
He's an idiot.
- [19:42]
Murray
The disclaimer. I'm trying to get a sabers disclaimer made. So, yeah, I'm a fan and I, I didn't like that penalty call. Of course they score on it and, and that was, it was pretty much lights out after that.
- [19:54]
Ryan Whitney
I, I, I want to show to one guy on Muncho there's a bunch we can talk about. But Alex Newhook, boys.
- [20:00]
Biz
Oh yeah.
- [20:01]
Ryan Whitney
Like he, he's the only guy in this series that's won a Stanley cup the year. Color him.
- [20:07]
Biz
And Byram.
- [20:08]
Ryan Whitney
I'm sorry. Byram on Montreal. I meant he. He played 12 of 20 games that year. But just being around. I had four assists. I looked in the 12 games he played, but he was around a championship team. He's got a Stanley cup ring. So I think some people are like, oh, what's he. What's he gonna do in Montreal? But all these moves Kent Hughes has made, they've worked out on new hooks. Goal that tied it up. One, one. His forecheck that started that thing off. I don't remember who the defense was. He ran him from the. From the face off thought, eliminated the man from the puck, and then he. It ends up back in front. He got a little lucky. I think it hit Timmons and went in like a little bit of an own goal. But this guy, I mean, how many goals does he have in the last. Does he have five goals already this year? And he's back to back two goal games.
- [20:53]
Merles
Yeah. Scored the game winner in. In game seven, too. Right? Like, that's why you bring over a guy that has Cup. You know, he's won a Stanley cup, he knows what it takes. And he's also a younger enough guy to teach the younger guys, like the Demidovs, the Caulfields, like, so he's probably hanging around with those guys. But he also has the experience. Experience of a guy that's been around for a long time.
- [21:13]
Biz
You see him read the lineup card? No.
- [21:16]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah.
- [21:16]
Biz
Oh, yeah. Tarps off. Like, you could tell he's feeling it right now.
- [21:21]
Ryan Whitney
And I think it starts with St. Louis, and I think it was before game. Was it Game two, where after. They were mentioning, like, the pregame speech he gave was incredible. They're talking about it, and then St. Louis asked, and he's like, it's not always about, like, firing them up, but I. I know this group. I think it's a coach's job to know the group and know when they need a little inspiration and know when they just need, like, go get him tonight, boys. And obviously, like, his career as a player, he's figured out where the team is at before games and his team in particular, because now, like, that. The vibe all around that team, and Dobish's interview after, where they're. They're calling him like a God in Montreal. He's like, I'm not a hero. I'm just a goofy goalie that tries to save the puck. Like, I kind of love his energy. He's been excellent the entire time. But Caufield was somebody who, as a group, in our chat were like, man, like, this game is so different in the playoffs. Early in that game, he had that chance down low and he got a good shot. It was a good save by Lyon. And he kind of just kept backing up. I think. Biz, you. You were talking about it instead of like, I, I feel like regular season, maybe he's stopping, he's getting to the crease for a rebound and it's like, oh, my God, he just can't score right now. But thank God for Lane Hudson because that pass he made. Now, Lane Hudson, would you guys agree, was far and away the best player.
- [22:42]
Biz
Yeah.
- [22:44]
Merles
Remarkable.
- [22:44]
Ryan Whitney
He has bet. So they've played 10 games. I. I want to say seven of them. He's been the best player on the ice.
- [22:50]
Biz
Yeah.
- [22:50]
Ryan Whitney
But that assist, like the vision he has, he doesn't even look and he finds Caulfield. And you can tell for Caulfield, it's like, that's probably the easiest goal he's ever scored, but thank God because it just takes so much weight off. Now, granted, that was a power play goal, but it's just like if he gets going now where Slavkovsky gets another one off, off of another Hudson shot that was perfectly placed. And yeah, that team, they just look confident, they look more physical. They look faster than Buffalo. And I didn't see it coming the way it's looked so far.
- [23:23]
Merles
Like pre series, they haven't lost back to back games since March 14th. March 15th. 15th. Which is, I mean, for playoff. Going into playoffs, that's a huge step. But what I liked about Caulfield is that first goal that Buffalo scored, he had a bad turnover.
- [23:38]
Biz
Yeah, Pizza.
- [23:39]
Merles
He tried to flip it out, but from then on, you saw him working a little bit harder away from the puck, getting in the grind. So I think something like that. He was probably like, oh, if we don't. If we lose this game, one nothing, I might get scratched. I haven't scored. So I think something kind of like switched in his brain. Then he started getting to the net. He started getting working started. Yeah, he was working hard. And he gets rewarded. Like when you work hard, you treat the game the way it's supposed to be treated. You get rewarded. And he got a huge goal, obviously by. With a great play by Hudson.
- [24:07]
Biz
Yeah, you can see his body language after the, the giveaway. He kind of. Yeah, that flipper play to get in the neutral zone and just didn't get off the stick. Well, going back to Hudson too, like on that, on that assist he made, I think it was Greenway who lost the Stick and he went down. Like in that situation you feel so vulnerable, especially going against out against a guy like Hudson. But I want to say it was about 45 seconds that they were set up nice. They were snapping around and Deodov got one on as the flanker on that right side. And you know when the guy sails one over the net at things normally getting out of the zone. Hudson read it and he sprinted right to the blue line and he kept that alive at the blue line. So all of a sudden those Demen and, and those penalty killers, like they can't get a few more fresh bodies. So they got them hemmed in and then 45aminute later as they keep snapping around, that's when the breakdown eventually happens with Greenway. So like even going to the effort on to keep that alive, like the little, the little plays that he's making to, to just fucking continue like, like you said Whit to be the best player on the ice for the Canadiens. And going back to you said there's a lot of tire pumps going around. Like we were talking about it in the the group text that bull Duke and, and what their depth guys have brought this playoffs between Kirby, Doc, Texier, Bullduke, like these guys are make, they're, they're contributing a goal basically every game. I still can't believe that St. Louis got rid of him. Like, I don't, I don't understand that move. I never will. And I guess it goes back to Kent Hughes and just how he's, he's kind of replenished this team with some things that they need and it's, it's, it's, it's fun to watch, man.
- [25:45]
Murray
What would you guys have done on that? Because I saw a lot of people saying Greenway should have ran to the bench and got.
- [25:50]
Ryan Whitney
Fans are furious.
- [25:51]
Merles
Both.
- [25:52]
Murray
But it's, it's the second period that's a long way to go. If it's your first or third period, you can go grab it because the bench is right there. The equipment guy's leaning over, but second period, he can't take off.
- [26:02]
Ryan Whitney
It's a 10 second five on three when you're not even like prepared for a five on three set wise. I, I, I agree with you on that.
- [26:09]
Biz
Go watch the Glenn Denning one in the Pittsburgh series with between Philly. He, the bench was literally right there. He ran and got it. Perfect timing. And next thing you know it was in the back of his net. There's no way you look like a go that long to get your Stick. And then they just do a tap in back door five on three. Like you're going to be front page of the Herald if that's going on.
- [26:32]
Ryan Whitney
I'd. I'd honestly rather like be dating a girl that Gronk went to high school in Buffalo with that's on Rya than Than have to deal with Lane Hudson with no stick. You could tell he was like, he's on rollerblades and all of a sudden it's back of the net. Also on Caulfield. Not only he had missed another complete tap in from Hudson before his goal. I think remember that play where it was. I don't know how he missed it. He just like redirected it wide and that's when I was like, oh my God. Like, is it. He's kind of in his own head now. But thank you. Thank you for Lane Hudson once again. I thought Demidov was dancing around. Army gave me a little. He's like, well look, he doesn't have a goal in the playoffs. But I was like, ah. At the beginning of that game, man, he was, he was dancing guys up because he competes. He is like, he's so skilled, but like he's not quitting on plays either. And I think he's way stronger than he looks too because he doesn't get bumped off the puck that easy.
- [27:23]
Biz
I think you're referring to the play he came inside the blue line on the bench side and he like eluded a few guys and then he went back door to somebody and basically freed him up for. For like a half breakaway. So hey, I know he might be a little snake bitten, but he was definitely noticeable in game three. And yeah, he always usually brings it. And he's good for the power play too, right? Like the plays, the plays don't die on his stick. The one thing, if we're talking dovish two boys, that post game was so freaking cool. There's a video. We can't play the video like the raw one. I think we might be able to play the one where somebody recorded the Jumbotron but them giving them the olay. Ole. Ole. Before he can even speak. Here it is right here. Are we able to have audio on it? Oh, here.
- [28:22]
Ryan Whitney
At one point they were like, no, no, no. At this point you can hear the crowd outside
- [28:32]
Biz
and this doesn't.
- [28:35]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah, you can, you can cut it. It doesn't do it justice.
- [28:37]
Biz
It doesn't do it justice how they. And he, you know, and then he came on. You mentioned the part of. About how like the Superstar and like a hero. And he's like, I just go home and, and eat food and watch Game of Thrones, like I'm, I'm just gonna go home and chill. I'm not no hero or nothing, but pretty cool. And that's the type of fandom you see in Montreal where the game's over and 10 minutes after the game, people aren't rushing to their cars. They want to appreciate their players that are come out and give them some love for the performance they had. So stick taps to do.
- [29:06]
Merles
I just want to go back to Hudson quick. And I know we talk about it all the time in the hockey iq, and if people don't understand that, like what means that play that Biz is talking about when he goes to the the shots coming from Demidov, he knows if that puck's gonna miss high and maybe Demidov's known for that. I'm gonna sprint to the blue line, know where it's going to be, get it. And also the mindset to know that a guy doesn't have his stick. I can get closer to him. Like if, if Greenway has his stick, he's not moving in as close to him as, as he did there, but he can get in good body position, make him make a move. He dives so he can just walk around them and then make an unbelievable pass back door. So the hockey IQ on him is insane to me how good it is.
- [29:50]
Ryan Whitney
Back to game two quickly. Mer, like I mentioned, Thompson, just, just an off night. And then after a reporter asked him like, are you battling something? And he's like, that's none of your business. Like, he was pretty. It looks like he is, though. I don't know. Some Sabers fans were kind of looking at when McAvoy, like, kind of. I don't know if it was a slew foot, but he got him in that elimination game. I think it was a game six. I don't know. Do you think? Yeah. Based on him and tuck on that one back check. And then if you even look at Kirby, Doc, Skull, I don't think it was Thompson, but nobody's coming back on that one either.
- [30:24]
Biz
Yeah, they stopped skating. I think they thought he had it. Yeah.
- [30:27]
Murray
And then the guys that did come back over skate it, they didn't stop in front, so. Kids at home always stop in front of the goal line on the backjack. I, I'm sure he's dealing with something who isn't dealing with something at this point, but, you know, like Biz, I, I, I don't dig into my Buffalo sources about injuries. I dig in for other stuff like power plays and goaltending. And I, I think the goaltending's got to change. I, I Lions made unreal saves, but the goals that go in, he's not even in the net half the time or they're squirting through. And they've done it all year. They've been bouncing back and forth goalies all year. This is the game. Put in, put in the fin next game, and for some reason, you do lose, boom, you come back with lion game five at home, the vibes guy at home, and a must win. But I, I just don't like his last two games. There's too many ones squirting in. And then he's like, he's like, he's on rollerblades. He's not even in the net. Where you look at Dovish, he's always in the net. Big long pads are on the ice, and that's just been a huge advantage for Montreal.
- [31:32]
Ryan Whitney
Everything low. It's like Dobush, the save on Byron where he stretches out. They just got to get it higher. I think he's got, like you just said, he's got the lower part of the net covered. I mean, Darlene's goal was just, it was a perfectly placed shot with a great screen that was actually sick. The behind Darlene view of that. But I, I don't know. Buffalo's got a lot of questions now, and they got to show up. I did, I did think upl maybe you thr home in, in that game.
- [31:59]
Biz
I would have done that. Get him used to the bell Center. Get him used to the visuals. What it's like with red jerseys in the crowd.
- [32:05]
Ryan Whitney
I think he's going back in.
- [32:08]
Biz
I thought that was a miss. Maybe they did it because the game was getting a little out of hand, where they didn't want him, like, you know, getting ran, you know, something like. Because, like, Dolby should already been ran. So maybe there was some retribution. Oh, we got our special guest here.
- [32:20]
Ryan Whitney
Okay, so before we get to our special guest, we got to talk quickly. DraftKings. Preakness Week is here. One of the biggest events of the year, the middle jewel of the triple crown. And when it comes to betting on the 151st Preakness Stakes, DraftKings is your home for horse racing. Suit up for Baltimore and bring the race day energy. Bold colors, standout hats and all. Because when those gates open, it's not just a rate race, it's the best sweat in sports. And it's not over till it's over. Picking your horse is half the fun. Name jockey, number, colors. Everyone's got a reason. All the odds, all the races and the best promos with the same DraftKings experience you know and love. Right now, DraftKings has brought back their King of the Track promotion. All DraftKings customers can opt in bet $5 or more on a horse to win the Preakness. If your pick crosses the finish line first, you'll win a share of 151,000prize pool who will reign supreme. Download the DK Horse Racing app and use code Chiclets. That's code Chiclets on DK Horse. Bet $5 or more on a horse to win the 151st Preakness Stakes for your shot at a piece of $151,000 only on DraftKings. The crown is yours.
- [33:26]
Murray
Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER 18 and over, 21 and over in certain states to open, own
- [33:30]
Ryan Whitney
or access an advanced deposit wagering account
- [33:33]
Murray
in resident of state where DK horse
- [33:34]
Keith
and DK racing is available.
- [33:36]
Murray
Eligibility restrictions apply.
- [33:37]
Biz
Void where prohibited.
- [33:38]
Ryan Whitney
First eligible bet only.
- [33:39]
Murray
Must win to share prize pool cash
- [33:41]
Biz
reward via click to claim that expires in 30 days. Limited time offer see terms@dkhorse.com bet offers
- [33:47]
Ryan Whitney
details or racing.draftkings.com and Noble this episode is brought to you by Noble the the Journey to Shoes Boys, I cannot. I can't take them off. It's Barstool's favorite footwear brand. It's a brand known for their best in class footwear and they're everywhere right now. Walking around city to city, at the airport, grabbing coffee. They've got so many great styles and colors with we looked at them the other day but we've been loving their daily runner the journey too. This is Noble's daily running shoe with an emphasis on comfort. So much comfort, support and dependability software. You want structured where you need take it outside biz. That's your shoe. You have it on right now, I'm sure.
- [34:25]
Biz
I just got about five new pairs sent to my house all the time. I might run a half marathon.
- [34:31]
Ryan Whitney
I'm wearing mine out.
- [34:32]
Biz
I might do it.
- [34:33]
Merles
Biz hands them out to Riot dates.
- [34:35]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah, that's true. From Buffalo.
- [34:37]
Biz
Yeah, Only the Buffalo ones.
- [34:39]
Ryan Whitney
Exclusive listeners nobles offered 35 off your first order go to nobleproject.com use code Chiclets 35 off. N O B U L-L-P-R-O-J-E-C-T.com use code Chiclets for 35 off. And now as he just walks away.
- [34:56]
Biz
Okay, he's getting real serious for this one.
- [35:01]
Murray
Before you guys bring him in, I can say goodbye to you guys. But I want to tell you something. I'll see you tonight at 8pm Spitting Chiclets. YouTube live stream. You know, you know, I'll be reading all the ads. The pink Whitney power play. The Reese's. Two minutes. So I will see you guys tonight. Eight o', clock, Colorado, Dallas.
- [35:21]
Ryan Whitney
Now we have Gronk, the man that just buried one of our co hosts on tnt. What's up, Gronk? Great.
- [35:30]
Biz
I've been, I've been better. Well, how about you guys?
- [35:34]
Rob Gronkowski
Hey, did that elbow drop from the top rope hurt? I was actually at WrestleMania two weeks ago, so I felt like, you know, I needed to be a cage match a little bit.
- [35:44]
Biz
I, I, I, I, I thought that maybe we'd be wrestling in the next one considering that cheap shot, low blow from the pop ropes. Although you'd, I, we'd have to make it a handicap match. Maybe me with and Yan's. Unless they don't want you guys.
- [35:57]
Merles
I don't want that smoke.
- [35:59]
Ryan Whitney
I love this, but I'm out.
- [36:00]
Biz
Cornelli looks like in a Speedo and knee pads, but what like what was that, buddy?
- [36:06]
Rob Gronkowski
All right, so, so here we go. I'll give you the breakdown. And no, I wasn't at a massage parlor for five days just laying there thinking of, hey, what chirp can I throw at Paul? But here we go. So we go to the game. I'm from Buffalo, my brother has all his kids there and everything. And I was like, yo, let's go to a Sabres game. We've always been Sabres fans. I mean, everyone probably says I'm not because I'm wearing my Bruins jersey and Lightning jersey in those two cities. Respectful respectively, because I'm friends with those players and coaches. But the Saber's been trash for 15 years. But really deep down, I've always been a Sabers fan because that's where we're from. And we played hockey growing up till ninth grade. So I was like, they made the playoffs, let's go to a game. So we get a suite at the game. I buy a suite at the game. I don't even get a free suite. Yeah, it was, it was, you know, some money, you know, they're charging up
- [36:53]
Biz
in Buffalo how much they charge for a suite there.
- [36:55]
Rob Gronkowski
It was $7,000.
- [36:56]
Ryan Whitney
That's it. I think that's pretty Short money for a suite in the second.
- [37:00]
Biz
That's a front wife for you.
- [37:01]
Rob Gronkowski
But it's Buffalo. It's Buffalo, the city of Buffalo. That's not. It's not a big money city. So we go. And then my brother, his wife's like, basically, brother, works for the Sabers and was like, hey, TNT wants to interview in between periods. So I'm sitting in the suite, I'm like, six beers deep, and I turn to my friend, and this is what I always do. I always turn to my friends because they're always watching sports non stop. They're always up to the, you know, par with the news. So I go, yo, I'm about to get interviewed. What should I say? Give me some good. Give me some good topics. He goes, my friend, who. Whose name is Mr. Buffalo Jr, he looks at me, he goes, yo, yo, Biz just matched with our friend. We'll call her Rhonda. Biz just matched with Rhonda on a dating app. I was like, dude. I was like, that ain't true. He's like, yeah. He's like, bring it up. Chirp at him. Tell him he's no game. And I was like. I was like, how sure are you? He's like, I'm 100% sure that he matched with Rhonda. And then he pulled up the text message with her, and Rhonda sent a message to Mr. Buffalo Junior. Yo, tell Rob to put a good word in for me, you know, to this.
- [38:10]
Ryan Whitney
Okay.
- [38:11]
Rob Gronkowski
So we wrote back. We got something up our sleeve now. And.
- [38:16]
Biz
And that's what you came up.
- [38:17]
Ryan Whitney
That was the tire on tnt.
- [38:21]
Biz
I think the worst part about it is you said matching with our high school friend, and, like, people just took high school away from that. So I got people in the back at TN2 Studios looking at me like, oh, like, oh, like, yeah, like that's a little bit young.
- [38:38]
Ryan Whitney
And I'm like, no, no, no, no.
- [38:39]
Biz
His high school friends, he's like 38 years old. So maybe the wording on it wasn't great, but I guess now that I hear the backstory, it makes a lot more sense.
- [38:49]
Merles
Hey, how's Rhonda?
- [38:50]
Rob Gronkowski
Yes. So Rhonda, it definitely wasn't Riot because she's more of a Tinder and Bumble chick.
- [38:55]
Biz
No, I'm not on those.
- [38:57]
Ryan Whitney
I'm not on those.
- [38:57]
Rob Gronkowski
Oh, you're not? What are you on? Raya?
- [38:59]
Biz
No, Grinder.
- [39:00]
Merles
Oh,
- [39:03]
Rob Gronkowski
she would be on Grinder.
- [39:04]
Ryan Whitney
It's Ronnie.
- [39:07]
Biz
No, it's Riot. And I'm interested when we. We'll have to get a text from you. The actual name, but I don't know. I kind of love girls from Buffalo. Yeah, that's like. And we might be going back for Chiclets cup for the ball hockey tournament. Maybe we could do like a. Like a wedding ceremony before puck drop. Yes, actually, that's what I need.
- [39:24]
Rob Gronkowski
That's another thing I wanted to talk about is the ball hockey thing that you guys are doing up in Buffalo. How can I be a part of that, man? And when is it?
- [39:32]
Biz
Yeah, I mean, whenever you want, as long as you don't throw me on the bus again.
- [39:38]
Rob Gronkowski
The only reason I threw you under the bus is because I knew you could handle it. And I love what you do.
- [39:43]
Biz
I love you.
- [39:44]
Rob Gronkowski
That's why, baby, you're the only one on that desk that I know that I could throw. I could say something like that too. And I knew you would appreciate it.
- [39:51]
Ryan Whitney
Well, Gronk, before you came on, I mentioned, like, I kind of skated free because when you showed up, I'm like, I'm gonna get crushed by this guy from my chug. So now I'll give you the chance. When you saw me with that sword, you must as a. As a beer chug Buffalo. And you must disgust it.
- [40:06]
Rob Gronkowski
I actually haven't seen your chug yet.
- [40:08]
Ryan Whitney
Oh, thank God. Okay, Yeah, I haven't seen it, but
- [40:11]
Rob Gronkowski
I've heard about it like 20 different times about Ryan. Whitney's chug was awful. Blah, blah. Everyone was talking about in the suite. Don't be like Whitney. And then it came along, and let me tell you, I'm the worst beer chugger out there, so I can't even throw any shots at you.
- [40:24]
Ryan Whitney
Want to bet?
- [40:24]
Rob Gronkowski
You know, we'll go one on one
- [40:26]
Ryan Whitney
at the Chiclets cup, buddy. You'll look like fucking Ronnie Deutsch from Barstool after. But what did you think of the game in the atmosphere? I mean. Kind of sucks. They didn't get a win for you there, but it's been a long time. Was. Was the crowd what you thought it would be?
- [40:40]
Rob Gronkowski
Yeah, the crowd was exactly how I thought it was going to be. And it was rough. Just, you know, how the Canadians came out and scored the first two goals of the game, so it kind of just zapped us in our energy. But I kind of got the feel when we scored that one goal, I think we made it three to one, and it felt like the momentum was going to shift there in the building. Let me tell you, I never felt that type of electricity in. In the Sabres. What is a key bank arena now? Used to be HSBC when I was growing up. It's a key bank arena now. I never felt that type of energy and dopamine just going through the building like I did in just that goal. So I thought right there on the spot, we're gonna, you know, turn it around and get the momentum shift. And we had a lot of chances. We just couldn't put it away in game two versus Canadiens. And I ended up not seeing the game last night, but I heard there was the same thing in the third period there. We had plenty of chances, but we just couldn't score. And the Canadiens ended up running away with the game as well.
- [41:34]
Biz
Well, one, if I'm Lindy Ruff, I probably call you up to throw you in the lineup because there's been a little bit of a lack of toug for the Buffalo Sabers right now. Like, they look a little bit soft and they've been challenged and there's not much of a pushback. But you said you didn't see the beer chug. Are you privy to the. The Blade Gang and what they've brought, energy wise, to the Buffalo Sabers?
- [41:54]
Rob Gronkowski
Yes. I. I wouldn't expect anything else from Buffalo fans. They're kind of taking Bill's mafia and they're kind of turning it into the Blade Gang now. And I like the Blade Gang more. It's more active out there on the street, and it would be pretty cool. That would be something that would be fun to be a part of because we roller skated and played blade hockey our whole entire life growing up as kids. But I see what they're doing, and I don't expect anything else from Buffalo.
- [42:18]
Biz
Are you going to be in Buffalo when game five is going down?
- [42:21]
Rob Gronkowski
No, I won't be.
- [42:23]
Biz
If they advance somehow. Would you, at one point put the rollerblades on and join the Blade?
- [42:28]
Rob Gronkowski
I was thinking about it already. My brother and I, we were, you know, shooting a little promo at our store before the game, actually, you know, with. With a workout we were doing at my dad's store. And we were talking about, like, hey, if they win this game, how can we kind of incorporate doing something with the Blade Gang? How can we get out there? So it might be a possibility if. If they make it.
- [42:49]
Biz
Rock grog, tackling the. The dummy on the street. The UFC dummy.
- [42:53]
Rob Gronkowski
No, no. Here's the thing, though. I. I don't really got that much love in Buffalo. I really don't. I saw some of the comments on, you know, instagram under my interview and everything that I did. And a lot of Buffalonians, you know, hate on me, which is fine, which is understandable. I still, I'm basically. I just went to the. I just got inducted into the Patriots hall of Fame first ballot. And it's probably because I played the Buffalo Bills 10 times in my career, just let alone my stats versus the Buffalo Bill. So I understand why they don't like me. So if anything, if I do join the Blade Gang, I can be that dummy. And everyone just tries to come up to me and try to deck me, and I just lay everyone out and give them the wood.
- [43:32]
Merles
Was saying, like, even after he got his for doing the beer truck, that the people were unbelievable to him. So you don't get the same respect there because they're so mad you tortured them.
- [43:43]
Ryan Whitney
I'm not threatening, though. He beat him up for 15 years.
- [43:46]
Rob Gronkowski
Yes, you did. I would say about 75 of Buffalo fans I'm. I'm cool with, you know, definitely. And there's just a couple towns that, you know, just come after me. It all depends who I. Who I'm walking by. And I just gotta keep my head on a swivel because if 75% of the fans love you and then 25 are coming at you and they do throw some comments at me all the time, which is understandable. I mean, I'm. I'm down for, you know, I like action, so. And I love chirps. Obviously, as you can tell, I was chirping you. It's just. It's just. It is what it is. I was on the Patriots for so long and. And face the Bills for so long.
- [44:22]
Ryan Whitney
Well, I'm sure it didn't help that you showed up and they got worked for the series to get tied, but congrats on that. Patriot hall of Fame.
- [44:29]
Biz
But it's awesome.
- [44:30]
Ryan Whitney
Unreal. I mean, that was only a matter of time, but that. That's still going to be pretty sick. Is that they do that in the summer, right?
- [44:36]
Rob Gronkowski
Yeah, they do it on a Saturday before game. So it's kind of like fall. It's. Yeah. So it's a Saturday, the induction, and then you go to the game on a Sunday. So there's no plan date or anything yet because.
- [44:48]
Biz
Edel. Was Edelman inducted last year?
- [44:50]
Rob Gronkowski
Yes. Edelman was the first Battle hall of Famer last year, and now I just felt like I had a copy of him this year.
- [44:57]
Gronk
Edelman, Gron, Sandbagger. Maybe soon, guys, with David.
- [45:00]
Biz
Yeah.
- [45:00]
Ryan Whitney
You want to. You want to play some Golf against us.
- [45:02]
Biz
Oh, I'm down.
- [45:04]
Rob Gronkowski
Hey, watch out, because Jules is a pretty good golfer.
- [45:08]
Ryan Whitney
You need another guy, too. We got three on three, and it's a scramble, right? Everyone hits the same shot.
- [45:13]
Rob Gronkowski
All right, I'm all in for scrambles. And let me tell you, Jules can drive the ball about 330 yards. When he gets a good piece cap
- [45:21]
Biz
on that,
- [45:24]
Rob Gronkowski
he can do. He can do 300 to 330, you know, depending on how well he hits it, you know, per drive. But if he gets a good piece of it, man, I've seen it before. It's ridiculous. It takes off like a rocket. It's pretty cool.
- [45:36]
Biz
All right, well, what is the person. Who Is it the officiant who, who does the wedding at the front? Like, who does the. Is it the, like an emcee? No, like, when they're marrying two people.
- [45:48]
Merles
Oh, yeah, yeah,
- [45:51]
Biz
yeah. If I end up marrying a girl from Buffalo, would you be the officiant at the wedding, Rob?
- [45:57]
Rob Gronkowski
Yes, I will be. There is no doubt about that. Hopeful. To Rhonda. That would be great.
- [46:04]
Biz
I gotta, I gotta find out who Rhonda is.
- [46:06]
Ryan Whitney
I just love that B was like,
- [46:08]
Rob Gronkowski
that's the mystery in this. You gotta find out who it is, Biz. You gotta find out.
- [46:12]
Biz
Okay.
- [46:12]
Ryan Whitney
This was so bummed out. He's like, he buried me on national tv. But then you came on and said that she mentioned, put in a good word for me. And now look at him. He's glowing with his NHL hat.
- [46:21]
Biz
I was just googling engagement rings. Who's your, who's your current favorite saber? Do you like that Benson kid? That little rat running around?
- [46:32]
Rob Gronkowski
Yeah, Benson's legit. I mean, I'm, I, I, I'm very impressed with T. Thompson because he's 6. 6 and he's playing center. Like, that's incredible. I was, I'm six six. Like, I'm, I would never be a center. You know, I understand the skill set of hockey as well, so it's just incredible to have that skill set, you know, at that size and to be able to do what he does. But he hasn't been playing well lately. He just needs, he needs to pick it up along with rest of the team, though. And I feel like it together, they're just going through a rough patch right now.
- [47:01]
Biz
I think the last one I have for you is, is now you're on the media side of things. Are you love, Are you loving doing all the football? Like, every, every. It's once a week too, which is awesome. So it's not too much on your schedule?
- [47:12]
Rob Gronkowski
Yeah, it's great. And that's why I love it. It is once a week and you're part of the game still. I don't have to take those hits and I'm still getting a paycheck. That's what's great about it. And also I got legends around me, dude. I got Michael Strand, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Kurt Manifee around me. I mean, these guys are, are, are top of the top. They're cream of the crop, man. And, and they're so good at what they do. And Strahan's not just great at football. He's just great at like just being an anchor at, you know, anything in the world. Obviously. That's why he's, he's basically the number one host on Good Morning America. So just learning from those guys and being around them and showing up once a week and just talking ball. You can't ask for a better job.
- [47:49]
Biz
Straight hands a machine, man.
- [47:51]
Merles
Oh my God.
- [47:52]
Ryan Whitney
How did he even get into like, like that part of it where it's not even sports now? Good Morning America.
- [47:57]
Rob Gronkowski
I mean, this guy can interview anyone at any given time. If it's the president, if it's the leader of Iran, if it's the Rabel. If it's Rabel. Yeah, if it's Rabel. If it's the, the game. The guy who scores a game winning goal for Team USA on the Olympics, it doesn't matter. He can interview anyone at any time, you know, with no given time for preparation either. He's just got such a talent and it's a blessing, man. And it's an honor to sit next swim. It's wild how good he is.
- [48:27]
Merles
Ron, would you ever want. I know a lot of hockey guys will stay in media just to stay involved in the game. Then, you know, hopefully maybe get into management or something like that. I don't know if the NFL guys do that at all. Would you ever be interested in being in the front office of a team?
- [48:41]
Rob Gronkowski
Nah, not really, man. There's not enough freedom. I, I like my freedom. I like being on my own schedule and being part of an organization, you know, front office or, you know, just even being a coach. I mean, that's, that's about 10, 12 hours a day. I like just doing what I do. I like, you know, working three, four, five hours a day and then being able to do what, whatever else I want to do.
- [49:03]
Biz
You do. I've been you. I think we talked about it last time, or maybe I saw it Online, you. You make sure you do sprints every day.
- [49:10]
Rob Gronkowski
Not every, not every day, but majority of the days, about three, four times a week. You know, it makes you feel jacked. Like when you're done, it releases human growth hormone. After you, you run about six, you know, 30 yard sprints, full speed, and that's all you need, about three minutes in between. It just loosens up the body and, you know, you feel good after you feel jacked. I only did a walk this morning with my dog. That's why I actually was running backwards right before I came on the show, because he was. He was knocking at the door, he was scratching at the door. But I love sprinting. It just makes the body feel. Diesel.
- [49:44]
Merles
Bronk. I saw a video of the kid K from Barstool squatting you on a stage in Vegas. Could you believe he was able to squat? It looked like he squatted you 10 times.
- [49:54]
Rob Gronkowski
Yeah, I mean, Cadex of prior offensive lineman for the Indiana Hoosers and he's a young buck still. He's 24, 25 years old. So I would have been disappointed if he couldn't do it at that age. You know, he still got that juice. But what was funny is we're kind of going at it like. Like I was offensive lineman, he was defensive lineman. We're going at it. The number the night before in a restaurant and I wasn't feeling that good. Like I, like nothing was activated that night and he was kind of pushing me backwards and we got done. He goes, that. That's the best blocker like in the NFL at the tight end position. He goes, not impressed and walked away. It was the fun. It was the funniest I've. I've heard him say that throughout the time I've known him. So kick. Watch your back now, buddy. Watch your.
- [50:40]
Ryan Whitney
You talk.
- [50:40]
Rob Gronkowski
You. You had your nuts night. You don't talk on just one night. If you can do it consistently, you can talk. But he was talking on the first night. Well, he better watch. Watch his back.
- [50:49]
Biz
What's MJ say? He's like, oh, yeah, you're real big if you talk when you're ahead. How about doing it when you're behind? That's exactly.
- [50:56]
Rob Gronkowski
There we go.
- [50:58]
Biz
The. You mentioned Indiana because Katic went there. That. That kid who got drafted first overall, Mendoza.
- [51:05]
Ryan Whitney
What a.
- [51:05]
Biz
What a special guy. Hey, like, what do you think of him just kind of coming in and it seems like he's going to dominate from the start.
- [51:12]
Rob Gronkowski
You know what, what I really love about him, I don't Know him at all. I never met him before, but what I really love about him is that he's a football player. It's like he. Like these, there's these quarterbacks. You got quarterbacks, they just drop back and they just throw the ball, read. Read the defense and put the place the ball where it needs to go, which. That's the quarterback position. But this guy plays the quarterback position as a football player. And that's why so many people I love and I and are intrigued watching him play the game. And that's why everyone's intrigued with how he's going to do in the NFL as well. Will that translate to the NFL? I'm hoping it does because I love watching him play and the way that he plays his game, you know, at Indiana, I'm hoping he has success, you know, in Vegas. And Vegas needs to start popping. I mean, they, they've had, I don't know, four down years since being in Las Vegas. It needs to get going. It would be great for the NFL. It will be great for Las Vegas. Vegas as well.
- [52:04]
Biz
They need Gruden back is what they need.
- [52:08]
Rob Gronkowski
Gruden.
- [52:09]
Biz
John Gruden.
- [52:10]
Rob Gronkowski
Yeah, I know.
- [52:11]
Merles
I mean, that was like 2002.
- [52:14]
Biz
No, I know. I'm saying they need him back.
- [52:16]
Rob Gronkowski
Seven years ago.
- [52:18]
Biz
Yeah, he got thrown on the bus kind of, right?
- [52:20]
Merles
Yeah, he kind of. I mean, the Mendoza obviously don't know the man, but he, he seems a little bit nerdy. And for me, like, outside looking in, it's like, how is this guy gonna, you know, appease to the masses of an NFL locker room with all these different, you know, where guys come from? Is that a thing where a quarterback, like, has to have everybody's respect or it's like if he's just out there doing his job, it doesn't matter if he's a little nerdy.
- [52:43]
Rob Gronkowski
Oh, he can be as nerdy as can be, dog. He can be the biggest nerd. He can be on Jeopardy and get every answer right. But if you get the job done, that's all it matters. In the NFL, it doesn't matter what your personality is if you're an. I mean, depending on to what extent of an. But if you're an. If you're nerdy, if you're just a smart kid, no matter what it is, you're gonna get the respect from your teammates. If you show up and ball out every single day. And I feel like that's the type of player he is. Yes, he looks a little nerdy, but he, he, he's A tough sob, it seems like. And he's going to gain his respect, you know, through.
- [53:19]
Biz
Through.
- [53:19]
Rob Gronkowski
You know, through. Through being on the field with his team.
- [53:22]
Biz
Oh, yeah.
- [53:22]
Merles
He said. He said he wasn't gonna go to the. He said he wasn't gonna go to the White House because they have, like, OTAs.
- [53:28]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah. He's like, I'm not miss.
- [53:30]
Merles
They haven't proven anything. So that. A lot of respect for him.
- [53:32]
Rob Gronkowski
And also, that was kind of like a. Like a shady question a little bit, because that's throwing your first pick overall, you know, kind of under the bus, because how are you. That's not kind of a wit. That's a lose, lose situation, kind of answering that question, you know, But I gotta.
- [53:48]
Biz
I know.
- [53:48]
Rob Gronkowski
I know the answer that question to the T. You couldn't have had a better answer there. I. I don't know who's coaching him, you know, with the PR over there, but he's doing well, that's for sure.
- [53:58]
Ryan Whitney
Bronk, this has been awesome. We're gonna see you either at Chiclet's cup in Buffalo or at Biz's wedding to ron.
- [54:05]
Biz
No, at WrestleMania next year.
- [54:07]
Keith
Yeah.
- [54:09]
Rob Gronkowski
Yo, you were going bonkers, dude.
- [54:11]
Merles
We.
- [54:12]
Rob Gronkowski
My brother and I, we looked at each other because the game's on in the suite on the tv, but you can't hear anything. And then they showed my interview. Then they went right to you after they showed, like, us in the ring, like, as cartoon characters. That. That was so funny. And then it came to you, and you were just pointing to the screen, yelling at me, and I was like, oh, did we actually piss him off?
- [54:31]
Murray
I was like.
- [54:32]
Rob Gronkowski
I was kind of worried for a second.
- [54:34]
Biz
No.
- [54:35]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah.
- [54:35]
Biz
I mean, maybe a little bit, because, like, my co workers think I'm on the Epstein list now, but. Yeah, whatever. What are you gonna do, right?
- [54:42]
Merles
Listen to the first 10 minutes of this. Of this episode. You'll know how mad he was. Until you came on.
- [54:48]
Biz
No, mission accomplished.
- [54:50]
Rob Gronkowski
Yeah.
- [54:50]
Biz
We were online. Were we
- [54:54]
Rob Gronkowski
like, yo, he already wants to fight you. Rough and rowdy, one on one. I was like, oh, dang. I got under his skin that bad?
- [55:01]
Biz
No, we're good, buddy. We're good. I appreciate. Tell Rhonda I love her.
- [55:05]
Rob Gronkowski
I will. Showman's listening right now.
- [55:08]
Merles
Yeah.
- [55:09]
Ryan Whitney
See you, buddy.
- [55:09]
Rob Gronkowski
Hey, thank you, guys.
- [55:11]
Ryan Whitney
Thanks.
- [55:13]
Biz
Love you, buddy.
- [55:14]
Rob Gronkowski
Love you guys. Take care.
- [55:15]
Biz
What a guy.
- [55:16]
Merles
What a legend.
- [55:19]
Ryan Whitney
I. I will say, once he said that the girls, like, put in a good word for me, I was like, oh, Biz is gonna love that. All prior being Upset. It's just immediately done that. Now he knows he's in. He's in once again with another woman from Buffalo. So congrats, Biz.
- [55:34]
Biz
And I'm gonna have her, like, if we get together, I'm legally gonna have her change her name to Rhonda.
- [55:39]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah.
- [55:39]
Biz
Yes.
- [55:41]
Ryan Whitney
I feel like Gronk would be the guy. Like, let's call her Rhonda. But it was actually her name.
- [55:45]
Merles
Yeah.
- [55:47]
Ryan Whitney
You know, and, like, above, that's a Buffalo woman's name. Rhonda from Buffalo. How you doing, Sports Radio?
- [55:53]
Merles
Just one name. Not even a last name either.
- [55:55]
Ryan Whitney
She's just pick in the third quarter, and she's on Sports Radio from Buffalo calling again.
- [56:01]
Biz
Yeah, you. You look at her Instagram. She's got the ketchup and mustard all over her face in one picture. You know, she's the one doing all the food prep for the. For the tailgate, too.
- [56:11]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah. It's not even gonna get eaten. It's just getting smushed all over everyone's face. It's like, I'm still gonna prep.
- [56:16]
Biz
Yeah. She probably took down half the O
- [56:18]
Merles
line, you know, hey, this is your future wife, Biz.
- [56:22]
Biz
Yeah, I know, but, I mean, she's human.
- [56:27]
Ryan Whitney
Well, another guy that. That through game three, at least, we got two games to talk about. Anaheim, Vegas. But through game three, I wasn't sure if Mitch Marner was human. And even in Game 4, they lose, but he still had three assists. This biz, I. I can't help but think of you and. And although you're not a Leafs guy anymore, but all of Toronto, what this guy is doing. Oh, I believe he might have a Mitch Marner shirt on underneath this. Or he's putting one on.
- [56:54]
Merles
He's still got the leaf thing behind he said he was getting rid of.
- [56:57]
Ryan Whitney
That's one that's not going away. I believe it's the Wendell Clark aspect of it.
- [57:01]
Merles
Oh, you're right.
- [57:01]
Ryan Whitney
But that should have to leave. Just because it's a jersey. It's. It's kind of hard because we got to talk about both games, but. But after last night, in my head, it's like, wow, Anaheim, boys. Anaheim ties this thing up. They look amazing. But we do have to go back to game three. The first game in Anaheim of the series and a shit kicking from Vegas. And at this point, I was kind of like, I texted the group last night after Montreal, Buffalo, I'm like, the second round's been a little bit of a. Of a dud. Like, there weren't many Great Games Game 3 included in terms of entertainment, it wasn't great. Unless you're a Golden Knights fan, in which Mitch, you're loving life, you're like, holy. Mitch Marner is dominating. He's leading the playoffs and scoring. We got Tortorella out there saying like any narrative about him is a bunch of getting to coach this guy's a pleasure. So Biz, I don't know, did you guys cover that game or no?
- [57:51]
Biz
Yeah, we had that game. Hat trick. I think it was what, a four or five point game for him. But Buddy, like, he's been unbelievable. Like, I full, full glaze coming here. Like you go back to the Utah series. I felt after the first few games I didn't notice them as much, but I believe it was game three was when he made a couple big plays along the wall, broke, broke passes up, ended up setting teammates up. And since then, like every game you're looking like when there's a play that comes to his stick or needs to be made or, or it's him disrupting something, he's just gotten it done. Whether it's on the penalty kill, which their penalty kill was. I believe after that game three, it was running at like over 96%. They finally gave up a penalty kill goal last game in Game 4 to Anaheim. But I mean, he touches so many areas of the game and I mean points wise and execution wise and leading that team right now, like he deserves a full tire pump and has really shut up any narrative about him not being able to produce or come through in the clutch come playoff time. Some, some haters still want to say like, oh yeah, look at the competition compared to what he to play in the east and you know, going up against Florida, blah, blah, blah. But Buddy, give the kid his flowers. He's gone there. He's found happiness. He's not dealing with media. And listen, I was guilty of it too. Like, I was ripping on him, mind you, I. I don't know what the exact numbers are. Was it like 21 or maybe 18 games five through seven with the, with the Toronto Maple Leafs in like clutch, closeout game type situations. He had no goals in six assists. I think that as from a fan standpoint, boys, like, I mean, that's the same thing as maybe like Oilers fans ripping on Darnell. Like when you, when you command, you know, $11 million and you're the one saying, I want to be paid like a superstar. And in those type of situations, you're maybe not showing up on the score sheet. But the thing is with Marner is. It's not just about that. Like he kills penalties, he plays power play, he, he gets tough five on five matchups. So from an overall perspective and playing 20min game, he's a valuable player. And I'll eat my words here, he's playing to a 12 million dollar player right now. He is a 12 million dollar player where maybe after I was bitter about his performances and clutch situations with the Leafs, I didn't see that and I was okay parting ways with him. He's obviously found grass that is greener on the other side.
- [60:23]
Merles
And he makes other players. He makes other players better too. Right?
- [60:27]
Biz
100%. He's a full package. He's a full package. Now do you wait like is it in the end, is it fair to say though when you command the money and you don't come through in those situations like there is somewhat of a point for a fan base to be upset at the fact that like, well, you commanded all this money and, and that was what we got in games five through seven in, in big situations for, for not just a few years here we're talking about like five, six years in a row.
- [60:56]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah. And I think that there was more that went to it. I think being from Toronto is part of it.
- [61:00]
Biz
And then he took the brunt of it.
- [61:02]
Ryan Whitney
He took. That was. That was the main part of it. And when you say it was you. It wasn't just. It was kind of everyone, it was the entire hockey media world. If you want to say, I'll take.
- [61:11]
Biz
I'll take accountability.
- [61:13]
Ryan Whitney
He was the, he was the guy that, that took most of it. And I think there were fans and I'm sure there was like family members of his. Like why. And I believe that was also known. His dad was almost partly like why is it all him.
- [61:24]
Merles
Him.
- [61:25]
Ryan Whitney
But when you're the local kid and you sat out, you requ. You know, you. Now he ended up, he ended up just being the guy that was like he was the scapegoat. And, and when you bring up Darnell, it's like I, I just think the difference in that is that Marner is so good that yes, while he didn't perform up to what people expected in his pay in the playoffs, it was still. It's a little different than Darnell.
- [61:49]
Biz
No, I'm just saying as far as like, like he seems, seems to be the scapegoat because he makes a lot of money and maybe. Okay, maybe, maybe bad example too then.
- [61:59]
Ryan Whitney
I, I just, I just think that now that. And I think at the beginning of the year in Vegas. I believe that Sports center, somebody did a story on him when Toronto was going out there. And just mentioning, like, it's still. It's a big adjustment, right? Like, you're just. You're in such a different part of the world, you're in a different conference, you get all these new teammates. I've been in one place for so long, long, that I get. It takes a little while. And then now you see the team really start rolling at the end of round one. And then they get into this round, and it's like, obviously, Tortorella loves him, based on his quotes. How could you not? The way he's playing. And then Carlson comes back, so he's able to go back to wing. And even in. Even in game four, we'll get into that one. Like, that line is that line of how Carlson that. I mean, that's. It's just, I. I mean, I'm happy for the guy. And as a guy who's, like, ripped on him, it's like, you still want to see somebody, like, love what they do. And. And his skill is just so good. Even last night, like, he makes plays where the puck was going out of the offensive zone. So he's facing his goalie in the offensive zone. He gets this close to the.
- [63:03]
Jackson Blake
The.
- [63:03]
Ryan Whitney
The. The puck leaving the offensive zone. He just throws a backhand sauce. I forget, to the defenseman, it was flying down. Who got a chance. It's just there's so much creativity there, there. And now to be out of the bubble. Like, I guarantee this kid has never had more fun playing hockey, because look at the. The difference in what he's feeling and how he looks being in Vegas, he
- [63:22]
Biz
looks way less tight. He looks like he's enjoying himself. He's got that same creativity come playoff time that he did in the regular season with. With the Leafs. And you mentioned him playing center. Like, his teammates love him. Like, anywhere you go, you talk to his teammates, they absolutely love the guy. And for him to, like, like, sacrifice, you know, part of the season, if not like, majority of the season, having to fill in that role at center that maybe he's not comfortable with and, like, not bitch and moan and just do it for the betterment of the team, like, that speaks to everything that. That. That he is to his teammates and his squad. And, you know, Torts backed him up and rightfully so. So I'll take the l on this one, boys. You know, I was part of. The. Part of the people barking and he's shoving it right up my hoop. No spit, no lube, sandpaper finish. Yeah.
- [64:08]
Merles
And I. I just think the biggest thing, and you guys mentioned it, it's. He's having fun. You. They showed him in warm ups before last game. He's doing the spin of Ram as he's doing, but, like, he just has a smile on his face. He looks like he's going out there. And it's game 30 of the regular season. So that. That's the biggest thing for me, is when a guy gets away from a situation where things didn't end well, like, he's having fun and he's playing well, he's doing what he loves the most, and that's playing hockey. And. And like you said, like, his teammates are reaping the benefits. Howden's got how many goals now, like, these guys? Like, any guy on that team would be like, oh, my God, please put me with him. Please put me with him. He set up. Was it McNabb on the peak shorthanded goal the other night? Like, little things like that where superstars, not a lot of superstars in the league, kill penalties like that make other players better. They kind of do it themselves. He gets everybody involved. He gets guys in his team having fun. You can even see him on the bench. Like, he's hyping guys up. So he.
- [65:04]
Ryan Whitney
He's.
- [65:04]
Merles
He's one of those guys. I've always loved his game, loved what he brings to the game. And, you know, he easy guy to root for, for sure.
- [65:11]
Ryan Whitney
I. I did get a kick out of that. The Leafs have drafted two players with playoff hat tricks. Nazan Kadri and Mitch Marner. Neither one of them were on the Leafs when they did it. That cracked me up. But that leads us into game four.
- [65:24]
Biz
And could I he his hat trick? Second natural hat trick in playoffs by a Golden Knight. Do you know who the other one was?
- [65:35]
Ryan Whitney
Marsha.
- [65:36]
Biz
So, yeah, Archer. So who ended up winning the con? Smite.
- [65:39]
Keith
Oh.
- [65:40]
Biz
Where would you put Marner as far as Con Smythe rating in the west right now? Probably number one.
- [65:49]
Ryan Whitney
McKinnon is. Is probably number one. I mean, after the first round, Lacombe's name was already engraved in it.
- [65:59]
Biz
Yeah.
- [66:00]
Ryan Whitney
But, yeah, Marner's right up there. I think Eichel looked excellent as well. Yeah, there's a bunch of different options. You start. I. I don't really start talking Con Smythe legitimately until, like, we get to the end of the third round and we start.
- [66:13]
Merles
Oh, not. Not when it's two two. Not when it's two. Two in the second round.
- [66:18]
Ryan Whitney
Okay, well let's see if is coming at me.
- [66:22]
Biz
You don't like that I brought the conversation up.
- [66:24]
Ryan Whitney
Oh, I like that.
- [66:25]
Merles
I like that he's in the mix for it. But like you're acting like they've already got power cost Anaheim.
- [66:29]
Ryan Whitney
Okay. So that, that is what leads me into game four now.
- [66:33]
Merles
And I just got off the phone with Blutman before this and there was zero panic in his voice too. I'm like, what's going on in Vegas? Everyone's drinking the Wallace Kool Aid.
- [66:41]
Ryan Whitney
Well, I wanted to go to biz a little bit and, and the biggest
- [66:44]
Biz
story for they're gonna win this series in six games.
- [66:47]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah, that's what it seems like every Vegas fan going into this series and even now is like Anaheim. We're just way better than Anaheim now.
- [66:55]
Biz
Now not way better. They just, they'll. They're. They're gonna figure it out. I just, I think that they have.
- [67:00]
Merles
What if Stone's out?
- [67:01]
Ryan Whitney
Exact. They don't have Stone. I don't think. Well, who knows? He could be back but with all the injuries he's dealt with and this was another one of the injuries where I don't think anyone was around him. Right. One of the non contact ones. So say it's a muscle.
- [67:16]
Biz
I.
- [67:16]
Ryan Whitney
They're. I would be willing to say they're in trouble if Stone's not playing. Maybe not this round. But you. You're telling me that if Stone was out they, they would be able to win the Stanley Cup.
- [67:26]
Biz
Cup. That would be more difficult. I just have this feeling that they're just going to keep figuring things out. Like they have their special teams that's buttoned up and five on five. They're good. I think that I, I think that like they, they. Kar hasn't been as effective as he was when they made their run and won the Stanley cup last time. So the one slight issue I have like they, they. When they won their cup the last time they looked like more like Carolina in a sense of the way they distributed their ice. That, that to me is. Is what the one glaring thing and the only thing I have going against Vegas. But another thing I have worries about for Anaheim is how much they're playing Truba. And Lacombe. And Lacombe. As much as we were double wristing him, he. There's been more like brain farts and in this series and there is like glaring mistakes and listen when you're playing.
- [68:23]
Merles
We.
- [68:23]
Biz
We've talked about it all season with Bacardi Bouche. When you're playing 25, 30 minutes, you're being put in every situation. Top power play, top dk. Like, these types of things are going to happen. But the thing is, against Edmonton, he was flawless. Everything he was, everything he did turned to gold. Even when he slid the one time and swung his stick around, he's breaking up two on ones. He looked like the. He looked like. He looked like Bobby or in his goddamn prime, just doing everything out there. But the fact that they're overloading him with ice and the competition is getting better per round, that, to me, is a concern for Anaheim moving forward. But I do like the lineup changes they made. To me, like, McTavish is such a wild card, because sometimes I'm like, oh, man, that was an unbelievable shift. Like, that's the McTavish we need. And then the next one, you're like, holy, that's something that I would have done out there. There, you know? So if they could get consistency from more of their younger guys and their guys up front, that's the only chance that they have. Alleviating pressure from a back end that I think is being like. Like, drastically like the. The. The.
- [69:27]
Merles
They need Gudus back. They need Gudus.
- [69:29]
Biz
Is he hurt?
- [69:31]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah, yeah, it's. Oh.
- [69:33]
Biz
I thought he was more like. He was just like, they.
- [69:35]
Ryan Whitney
I was wondering the same thing, too. Like, it's weird, but you talked about Vegas as pk, which it was. It was incredible, right? But Anaheim, finally, game two. Game two, they get two power play goals, and part of having a great PK is you can be that much more aggressive, that much more of a prick, because you're like, we're going to kill this off. Like, you saw McNabb. He could have had three penalties, one shift. Finally he got one at the end with the cross check into Gothier's back. But if. If Anaheim, which I believe they switched around their power play groups a little bit. Bit. Senica got the first one, Calorn got the next one. I think that made it. Did that make it 3, 2. The Calorn goal. But if you can get your power play going, then if I'm. I'm one of these Vegas fans like Blutman and Biz, I'm not sitting here like, oh, yeah, we're. Don't worry. We're fine. We got these guys in six. Also, considering the first goal by heart, I thought that was weak. It was on the ice, right? Five hole, maybe a little bit of screen from up top. Top. And then what was the other goal? Granlund's goal which I want to give V. I want to give VL credit. The puck who some Hannifin rimmed it around and Rasmus Anderson missed it and it went to VL on the wall. He made an. I'm sure Grandin was yelling for it. Awesome little backhand dish to the middle. But I think it was deflected or it hit off the ice like I, I thought that one should have been saved. So if those time.
- [70:57]
Biz
Every time he's had a rough outing though hard he answers back back. He's done a good job of coming coming back and Dostal, he's been hot, cold, hot, cold. So I mentioned like game 3 like is congrats to Marner on the hat trick. A few of those on my A. Buddy, where the you going here? I know you got the nice suits coming in like you look like Henrik Lundquist, but maybe stop one once in a while. Get the beach balls out there. But would you agree on the ice time discrepancy on the back end? That's one glaring thing that I'm worried about. Vote.
- [71:28]
Merles
Yeah, because you saw it at the end like Lacombe had that bad turnover to Dorofia that they almost scored to tie it up with like two minutes left. Like maybe it is one of those things where it's like okay, if he's at 24 minutes it's way better than 27 minutes. So yeah, that's why I think having good is back would. It just drops guys down a couple minutes. You don't have to play them because that, that, that six pair in the five six pairing is like, you know, they're kind of being sheltered a little bit where, where you know him and Trubra going almost every other shift. So I think if, if Gudas can come in and can kind of solidify another pairing, it just takes away a couple minutes from the comb and he can. He can get back to where he was against Edmonton.
- [72:07]
Biz
And watching that clip Yance you just sent to the group chat of Stone like non contact injuries skating back.
- [72:14]
Merles
Yeah.
- [72:14]
Biz
And he just. That that looked exactly like the video when I was back checking in the AHL well and my L5s one went out like where you're just. You're really back and then. And then boom. You feel this pinch and it seizes up and all the muscles around it are trying to protect it and it just. It's the worst pain. I was, I was sleeping on my back in pain for. For like a week.
- [72:37]
Ryan Whitney
He's the one guy that you can say like, looked like me like in a skating video.
- [72:41]
Biz
That's how I skated. There's. He skate like he doesn't bend much much. So it. It becomes very bearing on your like hips and back. And that's just. That's the mechanics. I'm actually shocked and surprised that he can get away and get around the ice and, and, and do the things that he does with the way that he moves. Like he's an anomaly. Like he doesn't make sense.
- [73:04]
Merles
He's crazy.
- [73:05]
Biz
He's an all star and skates like Paul Bisson at straight up the chopstick dance out there.
- [73:14]
Ryan Whitney
Hey, Wild Bill Carlson, man, that guy like that play he made is so unreal. Okay, so you talk about lacombe first. I. I texted the group that it was like his controller kind of was unplugged on that goal. He's just like stops coming back and it ends up going in front. But Carlson knew that Truba was coming and Truba of course laid him out. But he took that hit and made that beautiful pass and Howden scores there I was like, Carlson's such a gamer. And like just having him back, that's the one thing that like, if he wasn't back and Stone's out, they could be dead. But just six months out not playing and he come. He has not looked like he's been missing any time or any games. Like, I think it's so crazy when you miss that long and you come back and I don't know how long he's been skating and what level he's been skating at. But that guy is so good. He's just such a smart player.
- [74:05]
Biz
Some guys just have it right.
- [74:07]
Merles
Wait, that, that situation when the 2D are coming down.
- [74:10]
Biz
You know how.
- [74:11]
Merles
How like you usually hand off to your D partner if the puck's going behind the net? It looked like they were just like a little hesitant on. All right, who's this gonna be?
- [74:18]
Ryan Whitney
No, I think Truba knew it was almost like lacombe didn't go hard back to the front.
- [74:24]
Merles
Okay. Oh, okay.
- [74:26]
Ryan Whitney
You have him. You're taking him around. He's gonna run him over. And then Lacombe was just kind of
- [74:30]
Biz
chilling and you didn't have his like, at least just have your stick there, right? Just in case the past does come out. I'm not trying to like. Like you think that that marner should give me credit for his success though, considering I was helped run him out of town. Like, I don't know if he gets to his situation.
- [74:46]
Ryan Whitney
You don't know if he. Yeah, you don't even know if he leaves the question.
- [74:50]
Merles
So he. You. You put your hand up for some accountability and then five minutes later bring it back.
- [74:55]
Biz
I'm just asking.
- [74:56]
Merles
You want a pat on the back?
- [74:58]
Biz
I'm asking.
- [75:01]
Ryan Whitney
I do think you deserve it. So we'll just cut this part.
- [75:04]
Merles
I do think you deserve some guys.
- [75:07]
Ryan Whitney
Jack Eichel. All right, he became the third us born skater. Okay. So he's got the third most points through 50 playoff games for u. S. Players. He's got 55 points in 50 games. Can you guys name the other two, the two men with more points through 50 playoff games from the United States?
- [75:27]
Merles
Brian Leach.
- [75:28]
Ryan Whitney
Yes.
- [75:30]
Merles
And is it Kane?
- [75:32]
Ryan Whitney
Nope.
- [75:33]
Biz
Mike Madonna?
- [75:35]
Ryan Whitney
Nope.
- [75:38]
Merles
Oh, hold on.
- [75:39]
Biz
Is he current?
- [75:41]
Ryan Whitney
No. Kevin Stevens.
- [75:43]
Rob Gronkowski
Oh, Kevin.
- [75:45]
Merles
That's right.
- [75:45]
Ryan Whitney
So Leech had 65 points through his first 50 playoff games and Kevin Stevens had 62, 27 goals. So, yeah, I can't wait to game five in this series because going back to Vegas, Very interested to hear about Stone. Because biz, I would actually think it's like if it. If it's L5S1, it's kind of almost maybe good news, right? Like, because that could be something where it's two, three days, ton of treatment.
- [76:11]
Merles
Yeah. Work on it every day, all day.
- [76:14]
Biz
So it's not like ripping your groin off your bone. His might be like a different vertebrae. And keep in mind, like, people. Some people hate when you speculate about injuries. Like, I don't give a suck my horn. Like, it could be any of those vertebrae in there. That's what it. It like looks like to me. Because, like, when you're. It just. It's the amount of pain he is in so quickly and how he's keeled over and then he goes to the bench. Like it was the same way that happened. I believe it was against Pittsburgh the last time he got injured in March where he missed time. Same thing. He like barely got touched and then boom. So let's hope he's all right. Senica. Pretty impressed with what he's been doing, especially in games where he's getting limited ice. Still finding a way to contribute offensively. So, yeah, they. Anything else we need to cover from Anaheim? Oh, the one I wanted to tire pump their fans in game three. They got smoked and there was five minutes left in the game and they were getting chances and obviously still. Still making a push, not quitting. And there was still plenty of people in the building and they were cheering on their rushes and they brought energy all the way to the end. So to the Anaheim Ducks fans who showed up to the pond run and, and brought the energy all night despite your team getting worked. Bravo, man. That is an awesome, awesome fan base. And you could see that they're just grateful for that, that the team is back to their winning ways and, and, and, and, and, and bringing the energy and they're reciprocating it. So it's awesome to see. So bravo to the fans.
- [77:44]
Ryan Whitney
And the last one would be the. Because we mentioned McTavish coming back in the lineup. Love Zellweger back on the lineup. Kid flies. Kind of forgot how fast he was his first shift. He took off. I was like, oh, whoa, I forgot about him. He hasn't played all playoff. And Ian Moore, man, like, he plays in the first. He plays in the first round as one of the most dominant fourth lines I've ever seen. Against Edmonton as a forward, obviously. Then he misses game, comes back in as a defenseman and scores his first ever playoff goal. So kind of pretty cool and, and valuable for, for young people to see like. Like there's not a lot of guys who's gonna be able to play forward in D in the NHL. But to be that versatile, it's pretty impressive.
- [78:25]
Merles
I wonder if it's Harvard. I wonder if it's a Q thing, because remember Mark Pic? He played forward with us and he was a D man, but he used to play forward. He got a hattick one game, like playing for Q. So maybe it's one of his things where if he can just have a D that, you know, anyone can play forward.
- [78:42]
Ryan Whitney
Did Buff play forward and defer in Chicago or was Buffalo? Was Buff only a forward in Chicago?
- [78:50]
Merles
No, no, no. He did both.
- [78:52]
Ryan Whitney
Okay, so Quenville might see guys when he gets places. And like, I can kind of see this guy doing both. It's obviously never going to be a top level D or a top level Ford, although Buff was both. But. But I mean, like, he probably sees guys like fringe guys. Like, all right, I could see this guy in fourth line wing, or we could put him bottom pair D. So, so very. At least we got. We got a tight series there. We got a guy coming on now that just has not been in a tight series yet. But before we get to him, we got to talk body armor. This episode is brought to you by Body Armor Flash iv. The playoffs are here. They're buzzing. There's no better rapid rehydration than body armor Flash IV. An official partner of the NHL, Flash IVs packed with electrolytes delivering faster, longer lasting hydration without any artificial dyes, flavors or sweeteners. None of them the. None of the crap. You don't need that stuff when you're rehydrating. Whether you're training, traveling or just feeling the heat. Work hard and hydrate hard with body armor. Grab it today at a 711 and athletic brewing. Okay, boys. Athletic brewing company crafts great tasting a new sponsor. We've I think third or fourth episode. Biz is all about the na. The non alcoholic beer. There's no compromises on flavor, no consequences later for that night or in the morning. You get to enjoy the night.
- [80:06]
Biz
I'm gonna get.
- [80:07]
Ryan Whitney
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- [80:30]
Biz
More.
- [80:31]
Ryan Whitney
Many of which are only available online and for a limited time. You could find Athletic Brewing's best selling lineup at a grocery or liquor store near you or go to athleticbrewing.com chiclets to find a store near you. Get brew shipped right to you. Use code chicklets. Get 15 off your first online order near beer. Terms and conditions and certain limitations apply. Athletic Brewing company fit for all times. This guy coming on now. Boy, boys,
- [80:59]
Biz
I don't think I've had so many people ever DM me or message me about a recommendation for these non Elks.
- [81:05]
Ryan Whitney
Is that the Hazy IPA?
- [81:07]
Biz
This is the Hazy IPA. 70 calories. Unbelievable. So shout out to them for the sponsorship and I'm gonna dummy one right now. Let's bring in this legend though. Jackson. Blake Jackson. Jason Jackson.
- [81:20]
Ryan Whitney
Nope. I played with Jason. I played with your dad. Jackson. Congrats, buddy. 8. No crazy. What a run you're on right now. I think tied for sixth in playoff scoring. How's it feel to have. I mean, what could be 12 days off, I think before the next round?
- [81:33]
Jackson Blake
Yeah.
- [81:34]
Biz
No.
- [81:34]
Jackson Blake
Thanks boys for having me. No, I know it's. It's been surreal. Honestly. No one would ever thought we would have started a. No, I know. You know, it's pretty special though to. To get these rest. Get this, you know, these days off. I know Some people have been asking us whether it's, you know, rust or rest or whatever they've been saying, but my opinion, I think it's idiots. Yeah. No, that's good though. No, it's good to. I think it's good to get the rest. I mean, playoffs. I mean, even when you play only four games in a series, it's still, it's still tough on your body and stuff like that. So, you know, if we get the rest and the other teams are, you know, getting a little more banged up, I think that's advantage for us.
- [82:14]
Biz
And I think if there's one coach that would make sure that you guys don't too complacent. You guys are probably still getting your workouts in practice is probably still very high pace. You guys are probably a well oiled machine and know exactly what's at stake. So you're not going to let this slip out of your fingers.
- [82:31]
Jackson Blake
No, I know you're right there. Roddy, he. But he played so, you know, he knows exactly what we need. I think that's one of the best parts about having a coach who played is he's been through it, he's done it all and you know, he knows, he knows what we're going through for sure. So.
- [82:45]
Biz
So.
- [82:46]
Jackson Blake
But no, actually he gave us two days off right now too.
- [82:49]
Rob Gronkowski
Wow.
- [82:50]
Jackson Blake
Pretty special boys.
- [82:51]
Biz
He's in Cabo, fired up.
- [82:53]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, right.
- [82:55]
Ryan Whitney
He's in the weight. He's probably at the gym right now.
- [82:57]
Rob Gronkowski
No, no.
- [82:58]
Merles
Jackson's in Cobble.
- [82:59]
Gronk
No.
- [82:59]
Biz
Yeah, yeah.
- [83:00]
Jackson Blake
No, Roddy's probably in the, in the room, the weight room. Like Whit said,
- [83:05]
Merles
it feels like every playoffs there's one line that like everyone's talking about how good that they're going, the chemistry. And right now it's you, Halsey and, and Stankhoven. It's. It's a special line to watch. I think. You guys got 30 points. You yourself have four goals, seven assists. Like how fun is it just to go to the rink every day? You know, the. It just seems like you guys have been playing together for 10 years and it's just a truly a blessing to watch you guys for sure.
- [83:34]
Jackson Blake
I mean, Halsey obviously been around a little longer than me and Stanks. But no, I mean it's been so much fun. Like you said. Said it's always good when you can go to the rink and you know, want to be there and want to play. And that's how I felt pretty much the whole year this year and especially in the playoffs now. But no, those Guys have been outstanding. Stanks, he's just been a junkyard dog out there. I mean he's only whatever five. Might say five, nine on there. I don't know, maybe five, seven, five, eight.
- [84:03]
Biz
Yeah. With three pairs of thick socks and some stilettos.
- [84:08]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, right. No, but he, he's unbelievable. Like especially him making the transition to center, like especially doing in the national. That's not an easy thing to do at that height too. And his face offs have been off the charts for, for us. And Halsey too. Just junkyard dog too. You know, I, I love the way that both those guys play and they make it a lot easier on me to play out there. And it's been a lot of fun.
- [84:33]
Biz
Well, I just think the speed that all you guys have. And you said the junkyard dog. You guys all play the same way. Aggressive in your face. And I was just gonna ask you, you said like Stanky making the switch to center, man, that's like so hard to do at the National Hockey League level and he's an undersized guy. Were you maybe worried going to the deadline that possibly that that would maybe change your guys lineup or change something up at the factory that he wasn't proven. It wasn't like his like offensive numbers were really like jumping out over the course of the season. Whit did mention he, he talked to his father over Olympic break and kind of something clicked. But were you kind of shocked at the fact that they even like gave him the opportunity and, and stuck with it going into playoffs?
- [85:20]
Jackson Blake
No, I wasn't shocked really at all. I mean, I've been playing with Stanky the whole year except for maybe a couple games in there, but you know, you never know what's going to happen. Happened at the deadline though. We didn't know what we were going to do and obviously didn't do a lot. But I think everyone was totally fine with that just because we knew our group was. Was something special. But no, I mean, Stanks has. He's been playing really good all year, I think. You know, just getting a little unlucky. The pucks weren't really going in, you know, for, for us as a line, I would say. But you know, for him too, he was getting a little unlucky. We were getting so many good chances. But you know, now it feels like you just can't miss. Right. Like the end of the season, I think he scored like 11 goals and I don't even know what it was. It was something crazy. But yeah, I mean, I, I didn't know what they're going to do, but I'm super pumped that they didn't do anything because having a lot of fun right now.
- [86:16]
Ryan Whitney
So I got to play with Halsey's rookie year. We lived together, such a good guy. And then a few years ago when he's in Chicago, we all sat down with him and it was, you could tell even talking to him, it was just exhausting. He's losing and now to see him, like, I'm so happy for him because you can tell how much fun he's having. He did an interview after talking about you and Stank and it's weird to me to picture him as now. I think he's 34 as a veteran. Probably a guy you look up to a lot because it was so different as the young hotshot coming in. Like what does he help you with your game? And, and how, how enjoyable is it to get to spend time with him? Because he's just a solid person, man.
- [86:51]
Jackson Blake
Oh, I mean, yeah, he's, he's the best. You'd have no idea how old he is though, or anything. I, I feel like that around the whole group though. You know, we, we have a great culture in there and it's a lot of fun. But no Halsey, I mean, he's been unbelievable. Like the fact that we got to pick him up at the deadline last year and I mean to do what he's doing, it's super special. And for me and Stanks being younger guys, guys to play like a guy, play with a guy like him. You know, he's always talking, he has advice for us and like you said, he's definitely a guy I grew up watching and now to play with him, it's, you know, it's pretty surreal and it's awesome.
- [87:32]
Merles
And Halsey was one of those guys too. Like you talk about guys progressions in their careers. Like he was beating guys one on one, he was taking the puck and now he's, he's getting you guys involved, he's making plays. He's really good defensively. Like, is that something that when you come to Carolina it's. You're checking your ego at the door, you're playing the right way. Rod's got everyone bought in to do everything the same and you guys are just a well oiled machine with that.
- [87:57]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, I mean, I just, I think it's the buy in with everyone,
- [88:02]
Biz
you
- [88:02]
Jackson Blake
know, everyone's just bought into to what Rod wants us to do out there and I mean it works. So we all know that. And we're going to do it, you know, because we know it works. But, but no, I, I agree with that though. Halsey is definitely one of the more skilled guys in the league, in my opinion, and even stanks too. But we know that if we go, you know, forecheck, whatever, 10, 10 pucks as hard as we can, we're probably going to get a couple of those back and then we'll use our skill and use what we know we can do with the puck. But it's just the buy in. I mean, Halsey's bought in and so has everyone else. So it's been a lot of fun.
- [88:36]
Biz
Fun. I never really got a chance to see you play like, at North Dakota, and like, I did. Okay, so this is your, this was your second full year in the NHL. I guess I didn't realize like, how much like rat's not the word. But you, you play with a certain intensity. You ain't backing down. Like, you could be a big disturber. Did you always play like that or is that just kind of something you slowly progressed and added to your bag because, you know, you kind of have to play with that edge, especially if you want to be successful come tough times like playoffs.
- [89:08]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, I mean, I, I don't know if it was always as intense as it is now playing in the NHL, but, you know, I always tried to get under guy skin. Not really with chirping, but just kind of like with, I don't know, for checking or anything like that. Just the little things that can piss guys off a little bit. But no, I think in, in training camp last year, obviously I was a fourth round pick, so I wasn't, you know, supposed to really make the team my first year after signing. So I just, you know, made a decision to. I'm just going to play as hard as I can and that's kind of where I got that from. Honestly. In college I did it a little bit, but not as much as I do it now.
- [89:52]
Biz
Is that a conversation maybe you had with, with your dad going in, like, do you lean on him for a lot of that advice? And I'm sure he was huge in, in your development as a player, just being able to bounce back and forth off of, off a guy who played in the NHL for as long as
- [90:05]
Ryan Whitney
he did and he played that way. I played with your dad. He was, he was a pain in the ass to play against, like, similar to, to the way you go about things, I think.
- [90:14]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, for sure. I mean, he's been a, you know, a big Help. Obviously he's taught me pretty much everything I know in the game, but yeah, I mean, I remember having a conversation with him during camp last year and he just said, said give them a reason not to. To send you down or whatever like that. And I, I just stuck with it. And I think to me that just meant just go work as hard as you can every day, whether it's a practice or whether it's a game, anything, any little thing, just do it at your best. And I just, I still think of that and I try to do it now, even though it's my second year and I'm a little more comfortable. But, you know, just do do that. And you know, he's been a, he's been a huge help though, like you guys said. He's. He's done a lot, a lot of stuff for me, for sure.
- [90:56]
Merles
Were you one of those kids? And we, you know, me and Biz played with Shane Doane and Josh would be in the locker room all the time, just even little things, watching guys tape their sticks, just being a sponge in the locker room and you see it with the Kachuk boys and you know, even a guy like Tage Tom, like, who were around hockey rinks growing up, were you one of those kids just taking everything in, just being in there and loving it?
- [91:17]
Jackson Blake
Oh, for sure. I mean, I remember in Anaheim, I love Bobby Ryan. Bobby Ryan was my guy. I mean, I was, I was really young, but, you know, he was the guy taking time to hang out with me and do little things with me. I remember, I think my dad hosted a team party or something and he came upstairs and played like NHL with me. Like just little things like that that I remember. But. And then also I never wanted to go watch the games though. I always wanted to play knee hockey with the other kids. So my mom thought I was kind of a pain in the ass there a little bit. But no, I, I also have another story too. I remember the boys lost. I don't know who they were playing. And I went in the room, I wasn't even thinking. And then Bruce Brudio was just lighting them up. So F bomb after F bomb and I was like a 7 year old. I'm like, geez, this is kind of scary. But no, I was, I was always around it. I loved going to the rink, you know, at that age. I didn't know. Know that not everyone's dad played in the NHL. So I didn't really realize until a little later, but super special. And I think it's a Big reason why I am where I am today.
- [92:20]
Ryan Whitney
So when your dad retired, you guys moved to it. Was it Minnesota?
- [92:23]
Jackson Blake
Yeah.
- [92:24]
Ryan Whitney
That's where I see all you. So were you kind of like always pretty good? Like, I know you're modest guy, but was it always pretty easy to you? And I mean, there had to be a time, you know, you're undersized now, I'd say a little bit, you don't play that way. But, like, what was it like for you?
- [92:38]
Merles
I.
- [92:38]
Ryan Whitney
At 12, 13, 14, were you always one of the top players and were your goals of reaching the NHL in your mind, like, always right there?
- [92:48]
Jackson Blake
I wouldn't say I was always a top player, honestly. You know, I was always one of the better players on my team, I would say for the most part. But no, I mean, at that age you just expect you're going to play in the NHL, right? You don't, you don't know any different. You just think, yeah, I'm going to play in the NHL, that's what I'm going to do. And then you grow up a little bit. And like you said, I was, I was a late bloomer. Like, I was always the smallest guy on my team. And honestly, I think that's a, that's a huge help to be a small guy growing up because you learn how to play at that, at that size and everyone else, when they're in puberty, you know, that's how they're going to be probably the rest of their career. So, no, I was, you know, I was always one of the better guys. I wouldn't say I was always the best guy on my team, but I just think, you know, the work ethic and things like that, I knew I had it. And then as I grew up and realized that not everyone plays in the NHL, I just, you know, tried to work as hard as I could. And I know it's modest and it's simple, but that's the truth. Yeah.
- [93:46]
Ryan Whitney
Why was that? Go ahead.
- [93:48]
Biz
Sorry, I was just gonna say I was looking because Yan's brought up development and Josh Doane, he played with the Chicago Steel. And Fantilli, Adam Fantilli was on that team. Matt Coronado, Josh Doane was on that team. Ian Moore, like, talk about an unreal place to go in the USHL to develop and like, get everything going. 1.
- [94:09]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, I mean, we've. That was a special group. They did a unbelievable job with drafting guys there and stuff like that. I was a junior in high school that year, so I played before my high school season. With those guys and then finished and I mean, we had an unbelievable group. Like my roommate, I lived at the same build house as Matt Coronado. I was always hanging out with like, Sean Farrell too. He was. I think he had 100 some points that year.
- [94:34]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah, this roster's fucking crazy.
- [94:36]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, our team was in. We had a special group that was for sure.
- [94:40]
Ryan Whitney
Sean. Yeah. Matt Coronado. Josh. Josh Stone. Ryan ufco. I think he's Nashville now. Fantilli. Sam Eskevich in Florida. Ian Moore, yourself. That's. That's crazy, man. For the USHL to produce that. And is Quinn Finley. Is that the kid that was. Oh, no, I was thinking about Finley on the blue. Sorry.
- [94:58]
Gronk
You mentioned that Finley's on Whisco. He was that kid lighting it up for whiskey.
- [95:01]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah.
- [95:03]
Biz
Were you, like you mentioned the high school element. Were you able to go back and play in that high school tournament in Minnesota as well?
- [95:10]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, yeah, I played in that. So my sophomore year, we. We lost in the championship. And then my junior year when I went back, it was Covid, but we ended up winning, actually. So that's a special thing. I know many guys understand it, but maybe outside of many, you don't understand as well. That's like the coolest thing ever is to win that tournament and do it with your buddies. But yeah, that's. That's probably the most fun hockey I've ever played. Just because you get to live at home and hang out with your buddies all day. And we didn't have to go to school because it was Covid my junior year. So we're at the rink just hanging out after for like three or four hours. I think the JV practice, because they'd always practice after us. We would be. We would leave after them. Like we were sitting in the locker room all day. It was super special to, you know, win, but to experience high school hockey, that's awesome.
- [95:58]
Merles
It's unbelievable. They haven't lost a game in the playoffs this year. And this high school hockey was the most fun. I love it.
- [96:05]
Ryan Whitney
Minnesota high school hockey, I love it.
- [96:08]
Merles
But even just going to you back to your team right now, Freddie Anderson, like, the way he's playing, you guys haven't given up more than two goals. Like, it's like going and just knowing he's back there. And I know everyone knows about. He's had his struggles. He's gotten hurt in playoffs and stuff like that. And. And just to see him and the work that he puts in and he's. I don't know if people Know him that well. He's one of the best guys in the world. Like, such a cool dude, nice guy, but like the easy guy to root for as well.
- [96:36]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, I mean, he's been unbelievable. He's our brick wall back there. And like you said, just such a nice guy. Like, oh, my gosh, he's unbelievable. One of the nicest guys I've ever met, for sure. And to see what he's doing right now in the playoffs, it's, you know, it gives us so much confidence and him and, and in our group that we know we have him back there and, you know, some of the saves he's made too. I don't even know how he, how he does it. Honestly, it's. It's really impressive. But yeah, can't give him enough credit. He's been unbelievable for us. One of the biggest reasons where we are why we're in O. So, yeah, big, big credit to Freddy.
- [97:14]
Biz
I was gonna go to, to Jordan Stahl. What a leader. Wit actually played with him when he first got to the league as well in Pittsburgh.
- [97:23]
Ryan Whitney
Moose.
- [97:24]
Biz
He's a Moose. What, were you aware of that, like, that that fight was going to go down? Or was that like impromptu? And, and what was the reaction maybe between periods after he led you guys to start things off in these playoffs with fighting Brady Tkachuk?
- [97:38]
Jackson Blake
Yeah. No, I had zero clue that was going to happen. I don't know if anyone did. I'm pretty sure he just said Brady just asked him to, to go right away. I think he knew he was going to maybe do it at some point in the series, but I don't think anyone knew. So there's going to be a couple seconds in, but I mean, you know, that's just the guy he is. Honestly, he's probably our team MVP. I mean, maybe not probably. He is our team MVP. Like, he's. Power play, penalty kill. Playing 15 some minutes every single night, shutting down their top line. Like, he's unbelievable. And to do it at his age, like, you'd have no idea. He's been, you know, rock solid for us. But no, I didn't, I didn't expect that. But that definitely got. Got the boys going and to do it at home, too. The crowd was. The crowd was going nuts. The bench was shaking. It was really special. But, you know, you expect nothing less from him just because that's the guy he is and that's the leader he is.
- [98:29]
Biz
I, I would have put Trip Tracy as number one for mvp and then maybe stallsy at second or Maybe his dog. Frank. Frankie stalls the third.
- [98:37]
Ryan Whitney
Frankie. Frankie. Yeah. He's getting the trophy. Yeah, I just want to get. Get it. Get this out of the way now. Rollback. Last question. Use code chiclets on roback.com for sure. Generous 20 off through the end of this week. C-I C L-E-ON R H O-B-A-K.com 20 off. Polos, hoodies, joggers, and more. So you mentioned you were a fourth rounder. Another fourth rounder on your team, Jacob Slavin. Kind of crazy that they had. They have both you guys in the fourth round. Shout out the.
- [99:03]
Biz
The.
- [99:03]
Ryan Whitney
The staff there.
- [99:05]
Biz
Shut up. Tulski Salad.
- [99:06]
Ryan Whitney
The. The Kachuk Brothers podcast. They were talking about him the other day, and Brady was saying he's got, like, the best stick in the league. And I know he missed a lot of this season for you guys, like, take us through, like, practicing against him. And I know his skating is what everyone notices, but I. I guess I have no clue how he went in the fourth round. But playing against him and with him and what's that like?
- [99:28]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, I mean, I don't love practicing against him. I mean, he's way too good. Like, it's not even like he's. His stick is up here and then the next. I mean, it's. It's unbelievable what he does. Even, like when on the pk, when they try to rim it, like, he'll just like, bat it down and knock it down the ice, and that's just normal to him. Like, no one else can do that in the league, I don't think. But yeah, I mean, he's. He's been unbelievable for us. I know he's been one of the top defensemen in the league for a long time now and definitely sucked not having him at the start of the year and. But, you know, he's at 100% now and you can tell. And I even think he's not talked about enough still. Like, just the things he do, he does out there. He might not score a ton of goals or do, but he does all the little things. And, you know, our PK was unbelievable. And he's, you know, one of the biggest pkers in the whole league, so he's been great, great mentor for me too. Love having him. He played in Chicago, too. Another guy, college guy too. So, you know, he's been awesome. Love him.
- [100:31]
Merles
Another.
- [100:32]
Biz
I asked him about, like, how he became so good defensively and always we talk about how he leads with his stuff stick and he Said his sister, from playing, obviously, women's hockey, no contact. You always had to have your stick in the right place and in the lanes. And he said his sister was the one who taught him all that.
- [100:47]
Merles
Wow.
- [100:47]
Biz
So that was. Yeah, pretty. Pretty remarkable. Yeah, that's what he said on tnt. When I asked him, he said that was the first thing she taught me. Make sure it's always stick on pox thick in the lanes. I mean, you can't be running out and trying to murder guys every time, right?
- [101:01]
Jackson Blake
No, I know. Yeah. No, he's unbelievable with that.
- [101:03]
Biz
It.
- [101:04]
Merles
Another guy who he looks like slaving out there sometimes is Keandre Miller, and he's came over to you guys. Like, he is fit in perfectly. It just looks like he was born to be a Carolina hurricane.
- [101:15]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah. Like Halsey. They're both, like, perfect for your system. I feel like.
- [101:19]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, no key. Oh, my God. I don't. He's unbelievable. Like, it looks like he has a little, like, wand in his hand, but the stick's like seven feet long. Like, it looks like you can just, like, whip it around all the time. Like, he's another guy I don't love practicing against because his stick is 20ft long. But, no, he's been unbelievable. Perfect fit for us. Like, you know, that's another guy who. I don't know how he does it with his stick, but it's just unbelievable. And, I mean, I don't know how Tulsi got him, but, you know, props. Great job, Tulski.
- [101:52]
Biz
Master class, baby. Just ask the KACS online.
- [101:56]
Ryan Whitney
Smart guy. How would you describe what makes playing there so hard? Merles are. Our guy on the show, has said it's a little bit of a smaller building, so it kind of adds to how loud it is. Like, would you say that's part of it? Because we went to a regular season game there against Edmonton Biz. I think you were at North Dakota still. And even then, you're like, jesus Christ. The playoffs, it's just a different animal down there.
- [102:19]
Jackson Blake
I know. I don't know what it is, but it gets. It's like. It's louder than any building I've ever, ever been in. I don't know. The fans are. They're always rowdy. You know, they're tailgating that they take. They tailgate before I even get to the rink for a game day. Like, they're always out there. They're ready to go. But I don't know why it's so hard to play there. I think just because maybe it's a little bit of the way we play and then we're playing at home too. But no, I. I mean, I love
- [102:49]
Biz
playing stuff the away team in a fucking shoebox.
- [102:51]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, that's how you got to do it. I feel like.
- [102:54]
Ryan Whitney
Right.
- [102:55]
Biz
They crank the heat up in there. You got the little massage table in that shitty ass training room. It's got to be the worst away room in the, in the, in the league, right, boys?
- [103:04]
Merles
Oh, yeah, I think because Boston did theirs over. The Boston's used to be horrible too, but yeah, even the skate across, like you don't come out on the bench. The skate across, everything about it. I hate, I hate playing in that rink.
- [103:16]
Jackson Blake
Well, there you go. You guys know it. Probably better. Yeah.
- [103:19]
Rob Gronkowski
Yeah.
- [103:20]
Jackson Blake
100%.
- [103:21]
Ryan Whitney
What do you think you'll do with your couple days off here? Just kind of chill a little bit of the guys getting together at all.
- [103:28]
Jackson Blake
We golfed yesterday, but other than that, I don't know. We have today off. Probably just low key. Yeah. Hit the sticks a little bit. I don't know. That's. That's probably all I. All I will do. It's pretty nice here though. So get outside a little bit, but other than that, I don't know.
- [103:43]
Merles
Hit the sticks means playing video games.
- [103:45]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [103:46]
Merles
It's the funniest thing I thought.
- [103:50]
Biz
Golf for sure.
- [103:50]
Merles
It's the funniest thing.
- [103:52]
Ryan Whitney
What do you think that might get me playing video games again?
- [103:56]
Jackson Blake
I guess it could be golf too. Sticks. But no, I. Yeah, Rainbow Six Siege. That's my game right now.
- [104:01]
Merles
What is that like a war game?
- [104:03]
Jackson Blake
Like a 5v5? Like kind of similar to COD, but it's good, it's fun.
- [104:09]
Ryan Whitney
So you got your squad, like you're playing with like buddies at home or whatever.
- [104:12]
Jackson Blake
I got my boys at home.
- [104:13]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah.
- [104:13]
Jackson Blake
We're nice. Well, we'll play an unnormal amount for sure.
- [104:17]
Biz
So the text goes out, we hitting the sticks, and the boys hop on.
- [104:20]
Jackson Blake
And I was on a course and I. I just sent question marks. Question marks. Like, we're going, let's go.
- [104:27]
Merles
What's the name of the group chat for the sticks boys?
- [104:30]
Biz
Just Sticks Master class.
- [104:34]
Jackson Blake
Yeah.
- [104:35]
Ryan Whitney
Well, buddy, you've been. You've been beyond impressive so far. Through two rounds. Not one loss for you guys. You're lighting it up. We appreciate you coming on and continued success, man. Good luck in the next round.
- [104:46]
Jackson Blake
Yeah, thanks, guys.
- [104:47]
Ryan Whitney
Anytime, anytime.
- [104:50]
Biz
Go Canes, baby.
- [104:52]
Gronk
Guys, a little breaking news happened during that. That interview there from the Toronto Maple Leafs too. The Toronto Maple Leafs have Officially parted ways with Shane D. It's over.
- [105:05]
Biz
He's gone.
- [105:07]
Ryan Whitney
Shocking news there. Wow.
- [105:11]
Biz
I'll say. I'm a little bit.
- [105:12]
Ryan Whitney
I heard he wanted to biz is like, oh, oh, oh, oh.
- [105:16]
Biz
Hey. Whoa. Okay. Jeff o'. Neal. Colin.
- [105:19]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah. Put it on until you live the tape. Are you willing to chat? He might be off the record right now.
- [105:24]
Biz
Jeff, we're. We're recording the podcast we're on live right now, so don't say anything too stupid. What's up is you have to tell me something. Okay.
- [105:34]
Ryan Whitney
But we're live.
- [105:35]
Biz
We're live to tape right now.
- [105:36]
Ryan Whitney
We're on. You're on the show. Tell them.
- [105:38]
Biz
I don't care. Okay. Why does First Frank Fleming hate the Mets so much? That's why I called you today, because
- [105:48]
Ryan Whitney
they've never given him one thing to root for. He.
- [105:54]
Biz
I think he likes being miserable with his sports teams and if you watch him with the. The new. Yeah, he's got to relax, like just let the season play out. He goes crazy. I'm worried about that guy. He goes nuts every day.
- [106:07]
Merles
Me, coming from a Toronto fan, I
- [106:09]
Biz
mean, they are dog. But man, I, I think that hearing this and this coming out will help him. I think he needs to hear it from somebody of your stature. I don't think I would be able to get through to him, but I, I really appreciate your concern for him and we're going to definitely pass this message along.
- [106:26]
Ryan Whitney
I mean, tell the O dog, though. They're the, I think, second highest payroll.
- [106:30]
Biz
I love the mulch. And say hi to the boys for me.
- [106:33]
Ryan Whitney
I will.
- [106:34]
Biz
You're the best.
- [106:35]
Gronk
Stenberg. McKenna or Stenberg.
- [106:37]
Biz
McKenna or Stenberg? You know what is. I think after what they've been through the last 10 years with high end skill, Stenberg's a more well rounded player. Why not sniff around and think about something different?
- [106:56]
Ryan Whitney
Wow. Hey. Okay.
- [107:00]
Biz
Wow.
- [107:00]
Merles
Print the shirts.
- [107:02]
Biz
The. The boys. The boys. Love your response. Oda, can we get you on in the next couple weeks? I gotta talk to my personal assistant to see if I have any free time. Okay.
- [107:14]
Merles
That's a no.
- [107:16]
Biz
The boys are loving that. I know you're busy, buddy, but we'll pass the information on to Stu and then. And, and also Frank Fleming. We'll tell him the comment down on. All right, brother. See you this summer for a sandbagger. Love you. All right.
- [107:32]
Merles
Wow.
- [107:33]
Biz
Okay, so a little bit to. To. To digest here. Do you want to start with the. The McKenna Stenberg comment?
- [107:40]
Ryan Whitney
The McKenna Stenberg comment is, I believe, Merls was the one to say that Bedard was the super flashy and he's going to be 100 point player. Right. But Carlson was maybe the more well rounded one. He went second. Now if you could do it over, would Chicago ever switch? I'm just throwing that question out there. I don't know.
- [107:59]
Biz
I think you would be crazy if you didn't. Okay, nothing against Bedard and what his potential will be but like I, I think that, like I think 75, I think I was asking Anson Carter, I said what, what percentage of GMs you think if they had a redo and they had the first and second pick that you year, what percentage of them would have picked Leo Carlson knowing what they know now compared to Bedard and I think he said between 75 and 80%.
- [108:26]
Merles
What do you think Bedard's numbers would be on that Anaheim team?
- [108:29]
Ryan Whitney
Exactly. Another point. Here's the other part of it.
- [108:33]
Biz
I don't know what wins Stanley Cups, like what type of players I know,
- [108:38]
Ryan Whitney
but Stenberg, if Stenberg's a center then I think this is a big time discussion. But he's a winger too, right? Now granted Carlson and Bedard both centers, so. But if Stenberg was a center and I'm the Leafs, I'd be like, oh like to get that number one center in there, like that's one thing. But then you're also talking about another winger. Do you know what I'm saying? Like in terms of like I agree,
- [109:00]
Biz
I agree with you now I, I. Would it be fair to say the comparison would be would you want marner or rotten and is that kind of what we're looking at here?
- [109:09]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah. Besides Stenberg's numbers, he's not that big, is he?
- [109:12]
Gronk
Him, Stutle. That's, that's kind of him.
- [109:14]
Biz
He, stu's more of a comparison.
- [109:16]
Gronk
Yeah, he's six foot. He's a skilled winger. He's very, he's a, he's good on both sides of the puck though I'd say a little bit better than, than Stutzel is. But I think what I said last spot, I think it remains true and I got so much from Leafs fans for this. But it's the safer pick. Like it's 1A, 1 and 1A and 1 is so much safer than the other other. Like we talked about, how is he
- [109:37]
Ryan Whitney
safer because he's been playing against men
- [109:39]
Gronk
or because, because one, he's been playing against men and two, Gavin McKenna, he, he struggled the first half of the year and then there's the argument he was second in the NCAA in points per game. You take away that eight point game where they won 11 to 1 against Ohio State, he's not in the top five anymore. So it's like I don't know. I, like at the end of the day I've seen McKenna play a lot of I, he, he doesn't stand out every single shift. We went to the regional cerebral Max Plant was by far a better player than Gavin McKenna was. I know it's the college game versus the NHL game. McKenna is a year younger. McKenna can be this absolute goal scoring stud. But the safer pick is Ivar Stenberg.
- [110:23]
Biz
Yeah, no, I, I, I, I'm kind of, I'm almost hoping that they don't won't because then he would be going to San Jose more than likely and that's easy decision for me on who I'm hopping on as far as the wagon.
- [110:37]
Gronk
I don't think he would biz. I think if he, I think he's fallen to Vancouver at that point. I just don't, I think they're going to take a defenseman or they're going to trade that pick. They don't need a Gavin McKenna. They, they, they have their Will Smith
- [110:47]
Ryan Whitney
and Michael know something here that we don't know, boys. Sounds like G might have done some digging. Something biz does not do.
- [110:55]
Biz
You doing some digging G?
- [110:56]
Gronk
I'm doing a little digging. I'm doing a little. I also, I, I also texted Judd the other day this long response about why Connor McDavid should go to the Boston Bruins. Probably shouldn't have done that. So I'm, I'm digging but I'm digging a little too much right now.
- [111:11]
Biz
Okay. Ah you get no, you can never dig too much.
- [111:14]
Jackson Blake
True.
- [111:15]
Biz
Never dig too much.
- [111:16]
Ryan Whitney
Interesting.
- [111:18]
Biz
The other thing was donor.
- [111:19]
Ryan Whitney
Oh yeah.
- [111:20]
Gronk
Yeah.
- [111:20]
Ryan Whitney
Donor.
- [111:21]
Merles
Oh yeah.
- [111:22]
Biz
I would say that that was kind of inevitable but I was also getting concerned of how, how stupid I would have looked if like they patched things up and he stuck around and then I went through all that and I got my foot in my mouth.
- [111:33]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah, I was praying for that to happen.
- [111:34]
Merles
I think. Donor. Such a donor
- [111:39]
Ryan Whitney
just to see you have to go back. It would have just been amazing content. I'm rooting for content. We know that. I mean we, we are looking to bury each other on this show. That's what it's turned into when someone up it's not like it's okay but it's six on one chicklets chat just killing each other. So it would have been very funny had Donor and chica come out to a press conference hand in hand and just seeing you in your cave smoking a joint, being like, oh no.
- [112:06]
Biz
I think. I think Marner put me in a blender and making me look like a.
- [112:09]
Ryan Whitney
It's enough.
- [112:10]
Biz
And getting added to the Epstein files was enough for one pod. I think that we can stop there. I think I've taken my. My licks.
- [112:17]
Merles
Our.
- [112:18]
Biz
Our whole podcast has been getting abused these playoffs. Like, I think that somebody just made a video of you with the Canes about how you were dealt in them and they, you know, they, they kind
- [112:29]
Ryan Whitney
of fans want him dead for saying, I don't want him in the finals.
- [112:33]
Merles
I don't. I don't even want him in the Eastern Conference.
- [112:36]
Ryan Whitney
So we could talk about the series. Now I am turning the page into like the Canes electric now.
- [112:43]
Biz
I think I read the. I read the funniest tweet in the history of spit chickles the other day. It's. It was, it was underneath the Carolina Hurricanes. And one Canes fan wrote Keith Yandel would root for the Taliban rather than rooting for the car Hurricanes.
- [113:01]
Merles
That's not true.
- [113:03]
Biz
In tears.
- [113:04]
Ryan Whitney
He is putting it out there. That's not legit. That is people Jordan St.
- [113:11]
Biz
Going at it with Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden's offspring center ice.
- [113:17]
Jackson Blake
Holy.
- [113:19]
Biz
What is going on with the NHL? Man, this nh NHL is full, full fledged drama.
- [113:26]
Ryan Whitney
You know, it was a bunch of was somebody videoing talk out for a drink after swept, buddy.
- [113:33]
Biz
That's that Jay Moroney guy. He's one of those Flyers fans that's a lunatic, lunatic Flyers nation. There's like five or six accounts that have serious like. Like they need to probably like put them in prison.
- [113:47]
Ryan Whitney
Oh, like they're looking to just bury people, buddy.
- [113:50]
Biz
They're, they're, they're all over the Flyers for every single decision they make. They want. Like it's crazy. It's crazy. I've never really seen it with a fan base be this moronic at the fact that you were supposed to be Probably a top 5 to 10 worst team in the league and you went to the second round and the culture has been reset. You have all these young players coming in who were able to dip their toe and know what it's going to be. It was so good for all these young guys to get mixed into the playoff. They. Listen, they weren't going to beat Carolina. They weren't. There was no way they were beating Carolina. For all those young players to be able to be inserted to go against Carolina to see what you have to do in order to take the next step to become even remotely relevant. And we're talking about a team here that's been bounced in the last two conference finals with Sweet Apes, that's, we're talking about getting to that level and then there's another level. So the Flyers organization and the steps they took in order to like re, recreate and, and get back to that, the winning ways and reset the culture. I mean, bravo. Like, we can write their obituary right now, but that was a major, major plus seeing that Porter Martone, Porter Martone. We talked about it. If Michigan State goes to the Final Four and they ended up winning it, maybe that never even happened. So, so there was a lot.
- [115:06]
Merles
They don't make playoffs.
- [115:07]
Biz
Maybe, maybe they don't make playoffs. There were a lot of blessings that the Philadelphia Flyers were able to, to, to, to have this year and for them to continue to try to hammer on the organization and decisions that they're making. It's absolutely, it's jokes, but biz.
- [115:22]
Merles
They gave them, they gave them their flowers during like the handshake line. They were cheering for them. So it might not be the masses. I think people realized that they, they got further than everyone expected. And you know, I think that people realize this is the start of their reb. I, I don't know if it's everyone.
- [115:39]
Biz
No, 100%. And I, I'm glad that you said that. I, I, I, My point was, is like the, the, the negativity online for how positive it was from a small minority is insane. But I, I'm glad you brought that up because Rod Brindmore, when they were shaking hands with talk, you could tell he pointed up and I guess he told him, he goes, what you guys have done here this year in a short period of time, like the go Flyers back. Yeah, it's kind of like I mentioned with Anaheim, like, they're still there. They didn't go get their car started up and get the out of there and get home on time. They want to make sure that they showed the love for, for reestablishing the culture and bringing back Flyers hockey. So shout out to everything that they've done. Jonesy Brier talk and, and of course the players.
- [116:23]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah, a good run Meo scratch. That's kind of a storyline for the summer. They have to sign Zris, they have to sign Drysdale. But like you said, Biz, like above and beyond all expectations. If you're a Flyers fan and you're not a fan of talking after this you could say Chiclets. Oh, they're just blowing talk like, I don't know. We got you to the second round. You beat your in state rival when you weren't even supposed to get in the playoffs. I'm looking at it as a successful season. So we. We saved Minnesota and staying alive against Colorado for RA and ra's working world. The final thing I wanted to mention before we got to him. So the Hurricanes are the fifth team ever to start the playoffs. 8:0.
- [117:07]
Merles
All right.
- [117:07]
Ryan Whitney
The 52 Red Wings did it. They won the Cup. The 60 Canadians did it. They won the cup. The 85 Oilers did. They won the cup. The 69 Blues did. They didn't win the cup. But that was back in the day when the East Division, I don't know exactly what they call it. The east was the original 6 6. The west were the Blues, the Oakland Seals, the Flyers, the Minnesota North Stars, the LA Kings and the Penguins. And that was back when whoever won that would get completely trounced by the winner of the original six. So it doesn't really count. Still a great run for the Blues that year. But the Hurricanes did it and let's see what happens. Let's see if they can become the fourth team to start 80 and win it. Before we talk Minnesota and Dallas, we got to bring in our guy though. Ra See how his weekend was and talk about the Wild.
- [118:06]
Biz
Hello,
- [118:08]
Keith
everybody. Welcome to Ari's world here in these spitting chicklets podcast boys. That Montreal atmosphere. I got the hat on right here. Absolutely nothing like it. Goosebumps.
- [118:17]
Merles
Montreal's done now.
- [118:19]
Ryan Whitney
Dude, that's sacrilegious. All right. That's pretty crazy to see you in a Canadiens league.
- [118:24]
Merles
Yeah, we need you to take that off.
- [118:26]
Ryan Whitney
That is like, Jesus. That's like there's gonna be some Bruins fans not happy with you. See, Patrick, look at the flow in the back.
- [118:34]
Merles
Holy salad bar in the back.
- [118:36]
Keith
Patrick. Wild name name on the back. They used to make these hats. I. I scoffed us.
- [118:40]
Merles
I.
- [118:40]
Keith
It was either MSG or the Forum where I boosted it out a little back in the day when I was left.
- [118:45]
Biz
I was like, give me the tulski
- [118:48]
Keith
little kleptomaniac days back in the day. But no, man, I. I don't care who you roof or who you hate, but there's nothing like watching, watching that demo on TV like you get goosebumps. I. It seems like 98 of the. The crowd has a. A red like Canadian jersey on. It's unbelievable. And know what's great to see is Madame Bellavo Jean Bellavo's widow. She's 94 years old, still going out to the game. She looks absolutely terrific. She's just like, you know, exudes sort of like class and elegance. It's always great when they show her good stuff. Alex Newhook, you mentioned him a few minutes ago. I actually went to his Stanley cup party when I was out in the Rock visiting Terry Ryan a few years ago.
- [119:24]
Biz
No.
- [119:25]
Keith
Yeah, yeah. It happened to be the same time. Yeah, I actually did have an invite for that one. I don't believe you boys mentioned it, but we got to get a shout out to Mike Matheson for being a. A good NHLPA guy and protecting Zach Benson and. And that. That mad scrum. And he kind of like, you know, like just basically kind of took him in and covered him up because there were all kinds of skate blades kind of in the area, man. It was just, you know, you don't see that too, too often. I'm sure it happens, you know, frequently. Well, maybe not frequently, but here and there. But, you know, like, you basically like looking out for a guy. I mean, he probably punched him in the face two minutes ago because he's a little rat. But that was a little cool, cool gesture for, you know, a guy who, you know, you guys are all brothers at the end of the day, even if you try kill each other. So I want to give him a shout out there. Paging Dr. Subin. Paging Dr. Subin.
- [120:12]
Ryan Whitney
Hey, good for him though, man. He finished off that 10 million dollar donation, I think.
- [120:16]
Merles
Amazing.
- [120:17]
Ryan Whitney
That is. That is unreal. I mean, that PK made a lot of money, but $10 million? How much you made, man? That's incredible. Couple clicks for him on that one.
- [120:28]
Biz
And the fact that like he, he made that commitment and then like the next season, he ends up getting dealt out of that there. So he goes to Nashville and then New Jersey, but then yet continued his promise and pretty remarkable. And it was cool on Mother's Day that they get the broadcast and then his mother delivers, delivers him that message and says, hey, you've been such a great example and so good for the game. So stick taps and clicks for PK Suban. Great representation of our game.
- [120:53]
Gronk
Yeah, guys, I actually, I don't know if you guys saw. Matthew Schaefer just started a. I believe it's a foundation mission to help sick kids with cancer in on Long Island. He teamed up with Northwell Health and. And the Islanders. So we just launched this whole initiative on Mother's Day yesterday in honor of his mother. So shout out to Schaefer as well for doing that because it's a pretty cool initiative.
- [121:14]
Merles
Unreal.
- [121:15]
Keith
Yeah, it was the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation. But I, I like last night in the broadcast, I was waiting for him to like, go up to mess. Like turn on the left and cough. Like that's like the doctors even do that anymore. Like they used to grab you by the. By the coin. The coin press and tell you to cough.
- [121:29]
Biz
I don't know if they mine does
- [121:33]
Jackson Blake
it.
- [121:33]
Merles
Hi masseuse.
- [121:35]
Keith
But yeah, I know what you just said. We're going to talk about the Minnesota series. So glad they won. You know, hate to see a team go down three nights. We like to see a lot of games out. Unbelievable performance. Capri off the other night. Goal, two assists. Just dominated over 23 minutes. And huge bounce back for Walstead too. We played a awesome game.
- [121:52]
Jackson Blake
So.
- [121:52]
Keith
Yeah, it's nice. I like love to see him tie. Tied up, go six games or. What'd you take on it with?
- [121:56]
Ryan Whitney
I thought that the big dogs just showed up and it was a game that like, they had to take over. They needed Hughes, they needed Faber and, And Baldy. I think he grabbed the empty netter, but, you know, I would say he's been their best player, him and Quinn Hughes. But it was Caprisoft like just grabbing that game. That goal was beautiful. I thought Faber was incredible. I mean, I actually showed Ryder a clip of Faber. Snapped it up or it got passed up to the winger and him just getting on his horse and he ends up getting that goal. I think it deflected off of his pants and went in and it just shows that how active he can be. It's not just Hughes jumping up into the play, it's him as well. And then the Quinn Hughes goal. Like the way he's pushing off the left foot with his hips open in the glide. Like he's gaining so much speed with that 10 and 2 look. And then that shot was a complete, complete rocket. And yeah, Minnesota, they just came ready to play. I think Foligno had nine hits in that game.
- [122:51]
Biz
Oh, he was at the kill people after the McKinnon thing the game before.
- [122:55]
Ryan Whitney
Yes.
- [122:56]
Biz
Like people like obviously a couple Minnesota homers. They were up 3 nothing mini. And you see the shift where. Where Felino ends up cross checking. Malinsky got away with it and then ran down and then hit. I. I thought they got him for a boarding. It was interference. Do you think he deserved a penalty on that shift?
- [123:15]
Ryan Whitney
Yes.
- [123:16]
Biz
Yeah. To me it's it's more about the moment you got the game in hand.
- [123:20]
Ryan Whitney
3.
- [123:20]
Biz
Nothing like you don't want to give them that power play right before the end of the second period. But aside from that, they were. Yeah, it was. The big dogs came to play and there was no holding them back. I think it was 20, 29 and a half minutes for Brock Faber and then 28 and a half for Quinn Hughes. And between the both of them, five points, goal and two assists for Faber, I believe. And then one and two for. For Quinn Hughes. But you said it, man. Like, he knew. He knew that Wedgwood had lost his stick and just does that backpedal and hold it, hold it. Snipe. Just an unreal performance from all their big boys.
- [123:57]
Ryan Whitney
And there was no holding to Open up the 10 and 2 and open up the hips and glide. He's pushing off the left foot while he's doing it. And like, I never seen somebody do that and gain that much speed, like going lateral and then picks the corner. But I'd say the worry is for Colorado. You remember when McKinnon came on here and we asked him about the swimming and he didn't want to talk about it? That was something that was private to him. And some Minnesota lunatic fan might have rented a room in that hotel just to get a camera on the pool. And we saw. We saw the magic in person of the no arms flipper kick, getting the heart rate up without any impact. He's got the goggles on. On. And all of a sudden, the series flips now.
- [124:42]
Jackson Blake
Oh, come on.
- [124:42]
Ryan Whitney
What do you mean? That's what the Wild fans are telling me on Twitter biz.
- [124:46]
Biz
Oh, okay. So they think that it was finally seen.
- [124:49]
Ryan Whitney
Nobody's ever seen it. You've just heard about the swimming routine,
- [124:53]
Biz
but you gotta think he's at a public pool and like he. Like, people are looking.
- [124:59]
Ryan Whitney
I don't know. I'm just saying what the Wild fans are saying, that the series might. Yeah, but they also got video of swimming.
- [125:05]
Biz
They thought it was a delay, a game. Flipping over to the glass outside the offense's own blue line.
- [125:10]
Keith
Yeah. Give a brother some privacy.
- [125:13]
Biz
Yeah. Oh, I agree with you. All right, buddy. Same thing with the talk picture video.
- [125:18]
Keith
Yeah, I was. Yeah, I was gonna bring it up either, but.
- [125:20]
Biz
Yeah, there's no more privacy anymore.
- [125:22]
Keith
Exactly. And. Yeah, and three of the top six playoff scorers are Minnesota Wild, too. Bonus leading right now, but Kirill second with 14 points. Nine games. Games. Quinn Hughes 13. Nine and Boldy 11 points in nine games. So good Stuff there. Carolina, man. I know Wit just mentioned the first team to start 8. No since the 85 Oilers. But I think the only thing hotter than Carolina right now is Carolina's Twitter. Dude. They were su. Flying the flyers, man. Like they've been on a heater all playoffs. I don't know who's running games.
- [125:51]
Merles
They always do, right? Aren't they known for having a good. Yeah, they got good admin like chirping teams.
- [125:56]
Keith
The best was when they used the always sunny font and it was like the gang goes to Cancun after they beat Philly. Like that was. That was brilliant stuff, man. They've been absolutely on fire.
- [126:05]
Biz
I like this one. This is from Stormy, their mascot. Gritty after my cousins. Yeah, exactly. Gritty after beating the Pens versus Gritty after being swept.
- [126:17]
Keith
Oh yeah, that crazy muppet. I forget his name though. They're right. That was good stuff too. But dude, shout out. Freddie Anderson, man, 36 years old, 8. No. A 1.1. Two goals against, 950 say percentage, two shutouts playing out of his mind. Awesome to see at this stage of the game. He got his 54th win the other night, the third most in the NHL since he entered the league in 1314. Only Vassie and Bob have more. And how about Hot Rod Brindmore? He's either played or coached in 94 out of 96 Kane's playoff games. That's. That's one of the most bananas that stats I think we've seen all play. Keith, I want to ask you, are there any potential drawbacks with like this layoff they're going to have obviously is going to be like a significant amount of time. Is there any potential drawback for a team being out, you know, out of commit, not out of commission play for that long?
- [127:09]
Merles
I don't think so. With that group. Like the way that they play, the way that they. I would assume the way that they practice, the way that Rod's got them all bought in, I. I can't imagine that it'll affect them too much. I just think that they're such a well balanced team and what they do, they know what they're doing every single game. They're built off of speed. So I think they'll have obviously some tough practices getting ready and those are going to suck. But it, it, it. I don't think it'll affect their play at all. Unfortunately.
- [127:38]
Ryan Whitney
There is no better feeling in the world than practices while even being hard while you're waiting for the next series in the playoffs. Like the Year in Pittsburgh, when we had a run through the east, we did have days off, and it's like, you're going to the rink, then you're watching the games. The weather's nice. It's. It's so awesome. So, yeah, it's a long time. They'd probably. They'd probably choose for. For Montreal now that they're up to one, to end that quicker. Right? Because no matter what, they're going to have, I think, a week, maybe it would be just under maybe eight days. So, like, I would think that if you already guaranteed yourself six, seven days off, you're like, all right, let's get going after that, as opposed to it going seven and them having 13 days off or whatever.
- [128:22]
Merles
But then when you see them going seven and they're beating each other up, then you're like, oh, this is beautiful.
- [128:27]
Jackson Blake
So it's.
- [128:27]
Merles
You get the.
- [128:28]
Ryan Whitney
They. They. So it's. So if Buffalo wins game four, go seven. If Montreal wins game four, end it next game type thing.
- [128:36]
Biz
Yeah, I'm. I'm fired up. Like, I. I kind of like, I'm okay with Canadiens winning now because I think then that means we get the Eastern Series because it'll be Carolina and a Canadian team. Like, if Buffalo gets it, I think ESPN is going to take the conference finals.
- [128:52]
Ryan Whitney
We got to go up to Montreal then.
- [128:53]
Biz
Oh, buddy.
- [128:54]
Ryan Whitney
See you.
- [128:55]
Biz
The. The craziest part about this is, obviously, Kaniacs are nuts. Bell center will be nuts. But it just so happens it. It's going to be during F1 in Montreal. Like, the F1.
- [129:06]
Ryan Whitney
I'm not gonna have anywhere to stay then.
- [129:08]
Biz
I don't even know if. I don't even know if TNT can get hotel rooms right now. Yeah, it's going to be pandemonium in that city dealing with F1. Yeah.
- [129:20]
Rob Gronkowski
And.
- [129:20]
Biz
And also the conference finals going on. So that would be a pretty special thing. I just want to be inside that building covering. Imagine. Imagine getting, what, three playoff games there. If it ends up going the distance, or at least a game six. That would be so electric. Was awesome. That would be. That would be at the top of my bucket list for sure.
- [129:39]
Ryan Whitney
Another note, quickly. Sorry. I already go back to the mini Dallas thing is. So the Felinos, they also started. They raised over 200 grand to fund a new breast cancer research grant off the Masonic Massenic Cancer center in Minnesota. So pretty cool that they did that. And then in that note is they're trying to become the second brothers to win the cup together. You guys know the first
- [130:05]
Keith
The Rashads.
- [130:07]
Ryan Whitney
No, no Sutters. No, don't.
- [130:09]
Biz
Don't tell us. Don't tell us. Can we get a clue?
- [130:12]
Ryan Whitney
I thought.
- [130:13]
Merles
Oh was it the stalls stalls in Carolina?
- [130:15]
Biz
No need a Myers Nedermeers.
- [130:17]
Ryan Whitney
What was crazy if you remember Scott Nedermeyer beat Rob in the finals with Devil's Anaheim when Jaguer won the cons fight. And then they. Scott went to Anaheim and they beat Ottawa together. So that's pretty cool. So I just wanted to mention that.
- [130:31]
Biz
What do I win?
- [130:31]
Ryan Whitney
Those are great people, man.
- [130:33]
Biz
Wow.
- [130:34]
Keith
I. I thought I was in shots. You went.
- [130:39]
Biz
You win a lot prize or anything
- [130:41]
Merles
Wit or just you get r. Yeah,
- [130:44]
Ryan Whitney
you get Ronda nudes.
- [130:48]
Keith
Hey. Hey. Hats off to the Flyers. I mean you know I know they got swept by great season for them. No one thought they were going to do much this year so to win a series and you know they. I mean they were too competitive but you know they got some work to do. But you know, shout out to Jonesy what what he's been doing there. Appreciate year. But as far as Philly, it was the first city in the big four sports history in the US to be swept in the playoffs in two sports on back to back nights. That's. That never happened before. So a little ignominious nothing.
- [131:14]
Biz
Well, at least it wasn't 75 Kane's fans in the building when it happened.
- [131:20]
Keith
A little bit of a surprise. Macklin Celebrini, not a hot trophy finalist. The finalists come out I think yesterday. The Nate dog, McDavid and Kucherov. But oh yeah. Biz, what's up man? How'd you get that? I've been wanting one of those.
- [131:33]
Biz
I was popping his tire saying MVP and then their admin like DM'd me or something. And then, and then I was like, hey, do you mind if I get a celebrity jersey and can he sign it And I have a signed celebrity jersey, bro.
- [131:45]
Keith
They got to restrain it out of on me the way I've been pumping styles all season. Bet the hell out of him. But that. That's a sweet jersey. But yeah, I was a little surprised he. He wasn't a finalist there but he was named captain of Team Canada at the world champion ship. Tavares and O'Reilly will be the assistant.
- [132:01]
Ryan Whitney
So picture with Tavares and O'Reilly next to him. You know, like unreal players captains and leaders throughout their career. And then it's him in the middle, 20 years old. It's like here we go boys. This is. That's the Sign right there. Like passing at the guard a little bit within Canada. I mean, obviously McDavid and Sid aren't there, but that, that's a, that's a hell of an arm. That's something where when you're up for the Ted Lindsay, see the disappointment of not being up for the heart and then getting named captain of Team Canada. He's, he's doing fine.
- [132:31]
Merles
See, I, I think he's gonna win the Ted Lindsay because guys realize, and you see it in that photo, guys realize what he did on that team. And to be that young and doing what he's doing, I think he's going to get the votes of the players.
- [132:44]
Biz
Interesting. Okay.
- [132:45]
Ryan Whitney
I don't even know if we ever mentioned that the last night we did the Amazon show is when he broke the record of, of points for one season for the Sharks. What do you have four points that night to do it?
- [132:56]
Merles
Yeah, yeah, four points.
- [132:59]
Biz
I think once.
- [132:59]
Merles
117. Yeah, it was 115 or.
- [133:04]
Keith
Yeah.
- [133:05]
Biz
Joe gave him some love and yeah.
- [133:07]
Merles
It made him an omelette member.
- [133:09]
Biz
Oh yeah.
- [133:10]
Keith
Absolute, absolute treat to watch. He has a 19 year old, but I'm not sure if you saw the Gymno press conference. He said that team should be rewarded more for, for winning the President's Trophy. Pointed out how hard the regular season is. But Biz, what do you. What would be a good reward? Like, what's like something you would. How would you reward a President's Trophy to win it, like quickly.
- [133:27]
Ryan Whitney
Did you hear what he mentioned? And then he's like, I don't know. It's. It's obviously you gotta think like he
- [133:31]
Biz
was rattled by the 2, 3 matchup is what he was right.
- [133:34]
Ryan Whitney
But he also said like to win the President's Trophy, I think he, he muttered like, yeah, maybe you choose who you play.
- [133:40]
Merles
I've always said that.
- [133:41]
Ryan Whitney
Which would be the most electric thing of all.
- [133:44]
Biz
That's the way the PWHL does it already.
- [133:46]
Keith
Yeah.
- [133:46]
Merles
Really?
- [133:48]
Ryan Whitney
You can't find that on ESPN.com though.
- [133:50]
Biz
It's tough. I don't think there's enough advantage to a team. I don't think Colorado gets enough advantage for winning the Presence Trophy. If you win the present trophy or win your division, what it is, I don't know what it is. Is it your opportunity to start where you want to start against a team? I don't know what, what it is. But there's not enough emphasis on how hard the regular season is. It is hard. It's the parity in the league now. The travel within the league, every night is a battle. You guys are around the game all the time. It's a battle every night. If you're not, if you're not playing well and your goal 10 is not good, you're not winning that night. And it's just appetite around the league
- [134:28]
Rob Gronkowski
to make it a push for a change.
- [134:31]
Biz
We talked about it. I just don't know what it is. You know, we always have internal discussions. What is it? I don't know what it is. But there's you know, doing the President trophy, that's it's hard to do. So I think like one, they did get an advantage for winning the President's trophy. They got to play LA in the first round and they swept them. I think that his comments seem like they're more frustration about his situation. But he didn't want to come off as a homer to talk about the 2, 3 matchup. But he has every right to be upset about because as I've said a million times on here year, I get why Gary does what he does. And the first round of playoffs is entertaining. It does. Sometimes there is a drop off in the conference finals and as we're seeing maybe even sometimes in the second round as a result of it. But why the are you playing 84 games to finish second overall to then play third overall? It doesn't make any sense to me. Why are the play like then, then if I'm them, why wouldn't you just rest your players the whole second half of the season and even if you fall into the like the, the, the fourth spot like all of a sudden the players are going to stop maybe giving more of a in regular season like they should do more of the N NA NBA mantra where they're just resting guys more.
- [135:45]
Ryan Whitney
Take it back, take it back.
- [135:46]
Merles
Right?
- [135:46]
Keith
Yeah.
- [135:47]
Biz
But what I'm saying is like what the are we doing here? Why are we playing 84 games?
- [135:52]
Merles
I, I, you couldn't be more dead on. I think that's 100%. But what, what, what can they do? Like what are you, if you do win the President's trophy, are you going to pick a team that you're not going to play like the bulletin board material like the fire you're going to light under that other team's ass? I mean I know it's, you're going to set yourself up to have a better chance to win but like I'm just trying to think of like what,
- [136:14]
Keith
like the things you could do. Right? Yeah.
- [136:17]
Biz
Back to back years in the pwhl the Team that picked the team, they lost that team.
- [136:23]
Ryan Whitney
Wow. Yeah.
- [136:24]
Keith
Get what we wish for, right?
- [136:26]
Biz
All right, you should.
- [136:27]
Ryan Whitney
All right, you know what? They probably would have chosen la, and then you might have. Your. Your pick of LA might have come true.
- [136:34]
Keith
They would have let that fire into their ass like he just mentioned. Hey, hey.
- [136:38]
Biz
Do you guys agree on the fact that, like, Jim Neil, it seems like he's the reason. The other part of the reason why I say that is he's fine. His job ain't going nowhere. But if it's. If it's a guy who has had a little bit of playoff struggle over like three years from running into that, a similar sit situation in division, he could be losing his job along with a head coach because you can't get over that first round hump. There's such a stigma to like, oh, we haven't gotten out of the first round in three years with this guy. Like, get rid of him. It's. Jobs are being lost because of it. Just because you want to try to make it more entertaining in the first round. I don't know, that would like, you. You take that series and it's probably more entertaining than what every series in the second round so far,
- [137:24]
Ryan Whitney
I think.
- [137:25]
Keith
I mean, Montreal, Buffalo's been.
- [137:28]
Ryan Whitney
Well, the games aren't super. It's electric atmospheres.
- [137:33]
Keith
Yeah. I thought the last game was unbelievable, man. Up, up and down, incredible action. But, well, it's.
- [137:38]
Biz
It's fine. But it ain't. It ain't Dallas and Minnesota going to overtime or double overtime because the hockey so good. Because both teams are a wagon. That's kind of the discrepancy I'm talking about. But okay, we can get a move away.
- [137:49]
Keith
Away from actually biz. Look. Look at this. Bad, bad boy.
- [137:52]
Biz
Oh, old school.
- [137:53]
Keith
This. This is legit. Older than Granelli.
- [137:55]
Biz
This is.
- [137:55]
Keith
This had come out before they even had the. The official logo. Like, they, they didn't have anything designed. They just knew it was teal.
- [138:02]
Ryan Whitney
Did you steal that one from.
- [138:03]
Keith
No, I actually paid. I. I paid for this one, believe it or not, over the assembly square mall. Yeah. Basically before they even had their logo. Like, I gotta. I gotta do my patented hat washer method. It's obvious a little dirty. But hey, I want to say, uh, congratulations to, uh, uh, Layla Anderson and the. The blue super fans graduating high school this year, going off to college in the fall. So, you know, obviously one of the most inspirational stories the hockey world's had in the last decade or so. So congrats to Layla and good luck. In college. A little classic recommendation. Haven't had one of these for a bit because we've been wrapped up in the playoffs, but things are thinning out. I'm going to go with the Royal Tenenbaums. Wes Anderson's probably his best movie. Got Gene Hackman, Angelica Houston, the Wilson Brothers, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Bill Murray, Danny Glover. Have you any of you guys seen. Seen it? The one? No, dude. It's hilarious movie. Yeah. Gene Hackman, basically it's just about this like crazy, dysfunctional family. And yeah, they're all like each other. Lying to each other. Probably. Like I said, Wes Anderson, I think it's probably his best movie. He also did Rushmore, fantastic Mr. Fox, phenomenal director. Also two see season two of Running Point of any Netflix with Kate Hudson. It's a fictional series my kids watch. Really? Oh, yeah. It's a. It's about. It's like loosely. Not even. No, it's not really based on the Lakers. It's, it's. You can tell it's been inspired by the Lakers. Like Kate Hudson owns a basketball team and all. Like our brothers have hands in it too. But it's a comedy. It's good, man. It's. Like I said, season two hit Netflix. You can, you can breeze through it. It's a breezy comedy, but it's funny. It's pretty good stuff. Also, that Kevin Hot roast, I don't know if you guys watched that yet.
- [139:36]
Merles
I want to watch that today.
- [139:37]
Biz
I saw clips from it. It seemed like there was some, some good moments, a little tension where Chelsea Handler was kind of going at some of the like, Radcliffe guy. Like, it seemed like those were personal shots. Did you feel that way?
- [139:51]
Merles
Hinchcliffe.
- [139:52]
Keith
Yeah, Hinchcliffe.
- [139:52]
Biz
Hinchcliff.
- [139:53]
Keith
I, I didn't see the whole thing. I, I put the, maybe the first 45 minutes on last night. But yeah, there's, you know, those people. I'm sure there's like a lot of like behind the scenes beefs and ego that we don't even know about. But some of the. They say, man, it's like, I mean, it is a roast. But I mean, Brady come out. He did like, I mean like probably like a solid five minutes. I mean, obviously, probably people writing his jokes for him. But. Yeah, I'm gonna finish the rest of that.
- [140:15]
Biz
Williams coming out was. Was shocking because he. His. Because of his prior hate for, for who's the Kevin hat?
- [140:22]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah.
- [140:23]
Keith
Oh, yeah. Oh, he gets his digs in on him too about being at Diddy Patties And. And I mentioned this show a bunch before, but the season finale was the other night on hbo. That show Rooster with Steve Carella Fire. You're looking for a show to watch.
- [140:35]
Merles
Great.
- [140:35]
Ryan Whitney
I like it. All right, Rooster. Yeah, I'm three episodes in.
- [140:39]
Keith
Oh, nice wet. I'd love to hear it. Yeah, it gets better each episode. It's, I think the best new comedy on like, you know, basically on streaming or TV right now. So give that a whirl and let's see. I'll do a couple. All right, Hamilton's. Before we wrap up here, I got a few questions here. This is one this dude asked me. Craig o' Malley at Craigo Mel. This guy, he's been a long time fall. Do you still have the shirt you made? The. Remember I made the. All right. Hamilton. Shs. He has ago importantly was like, I. I ain't selling them. You could. You could try to sell them if you want. Yeah, I think I sold about three of them. I took a bath on that. But I actually do have them in storage somewhere. I probably got like a couple hundred of them. I might have to donate them to charity or something. So that was kind of fun.
- [141:16]
Ryan Whitney
I don't even know if they take them.
- [141:18]
Keith
I would.
- [141:19]
Biz
I think I. I think we should do a content video. Going through your storage unit is what we should do.
- [141:25]
Merles
Oh, my God. Yes.
- [141:26]
Keith
You'll be like my in law's basement.
- [141:27]
Ryan Whitney
You mean that would be.
- [141:30]
Keith
Oh, that's it. That. That is my stories I still have over there. So another question. This is from Brad Perry. The first Stanley cup final you remember watching Keith, do you remember the first Stanley cup final you watched? O Pretty interesting question.
- [141:45]
Merles
I think the one that I remember Most is the 93 Montreal one. Yeah, that might be the first one that I kind of remember. Yeah, that they played la, right. I think that that would probably be the one that would be the first that came to mind for me. Yeah, they like checked this. The guy's stick, the curve.
- [142:04]
Keith
Yeah, because it was Geek Cabinet like they knew on the bench. And they and Geek Cabinet told Jacques DeMille they waited till the third period to get that foul play.
- [142:12]
Ryan Whitney
They were gonna go down two zero, I think if they lost that game.
- [142:15]
Keith
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.
- [142:17]
Merles
Huge.
- [142:17]
Keith
God.
- [142:17]
Ryan Whitney
You remember who scored the game winner Keith in ot?
- [142:22]
Biz
Defenseman.
- [142:23]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah.
- [142:23]
Merles
Was it match night better?
- [142:24]
Ryan Whitney
No,
- [142:27]
Biz
he had two that night.
- [142:28]
Merles
Didn't he remember?
- [142:28]
Ryan Whitney
He came down like the right. Like from the right point and ripped one. Went nuts.
- [142:33]
Jackson Blake
Yeah.
- [142:34]
Biz
The reason I remember that is because obviously the. The high stick Gretzky on Gilmore, that one went to seven. Bob McKenzie to piano on the back line stuff. And the fact that if it, if Toronto would have beat them, it would have been an all Canadian final. And I don't remember remember like when's the last time there was an all Canadian final in the NHL? Probably when it was like original six.
- [142:58]
Jackson Blake
Yeah.
- [143:00]
Merles
Wait, Toronto's in the West?
- [143:02]
Ryan Whitney
No, because Calgary at the time. Calgary, Montreal.
- [143:06]
Keith
Yeah. In 89. Yeah.
- [143:08]
Biz
In 89 was the last one.
- [143:10]
Keith
Yeah. 89. Calgary beat Montreal. Yeah.
- [143:13]
Biz
When do you think. When do you think we'll ever see that again in all Canadian Fine final.
- [143:17]
Ryan Whitney
Never.
- [143:18]
Merles
Never ever.
- [143:19]
Jackson Blake
No.
- [143:20]
Keith
And who knows? But I, I think the first one, I, I mean probably, I guess the 77 Stanley Cup Final. I was like probably five when the Bruins, Canadians back in the day, they lost them. 77, 78 and then 79 was in the semi. So. Yeah, that's probably the first.
- [143:34]
Ryan Whitney
I remember 90 because it was Bruins Oilers and I just remember my dad flipping out. I don't remember what game. I don't remember what Oilers goal it was or what miss the Bruins had. He was losing in it. And I, I remember that pretty, pretty clearly. But then, yeah, Montreal, LA is one that like I really, really can remember.
- [143:53]
Merles
Was that the lights out one when the lights.
- [143:55]
Ryan Whitney
I don't remember the. I don't remember the Penguins Cups in 91, 92. I don't remember watching it.
- [144:01]
Biz
Me neither.
- [144:02]
Ryan Whitney
Anything.
- [144:02]
Biz
Me neither.
- [144:04]
Keith
Gee. Gee, what, what about you? What's. Do you remember the first cup you watched as a young tyke?
- [144:09]
Gronk
June 9, 2001, after 22 years, Raymond Bork. I was, I, I was like, I had like a problem as a kid. I, I wouldn't take any unless I was in a Ray Bork jersey. I was the biggest Ray Bork fan in the world. All my Christmas cards were me in a Ray Bork jersey. So when he won that one, it was. My dad had this shirt mission 16W would wear for every game. It was, it was really cool.
- [144:33]
Ryan Whitney
So my algorithm had just popped up the goal sack explored in game seven. Seven came off the right like fake the slap shot, but then kept his stick close to the puck and just snapped it over border. I think it made it three. Nothing that just popped up the other day. Yeah, because it wasn't even that close of a game. I don't think game seven.
- [144:51]
Keith
Yeah, I was at, I was actually at a wedding down the cape, like, you know, I mean, half the freaking wedding was watching.
- [144:56]
Ryan Whitney
Well, the Devils were up 3, 2 at home in Game 6 in that series.
- [145:00]
Keith
Yeah.
- [145:01]
Ryan Whitney
And boy I remember Bork scored in Game 6.
- [145:03]
Keith
Yep.
- [145:04]
Ryan Whitney
Walk the line and then they got it done. Yeah, that's a good one. I was getting loaded in Dorchester with Keith's brother. I remember remember whose house just 30
- [145:12]
Biz
packs crushing beers Devils could have closed it out in six at home.
- [145:17]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah.
- [145:17]
Biz
And they were up in the game.
- [145:19]
Ryan Whitney
I don't know if they were up in the game. I just know they were going home game six. And and that was the year that I think Bork and the Avalanche they had the mission 16W as the slogan. But then it turned out that the arena for the Devils was off exit 16W. So everyone's like oh and then Pasha blew it.
- [145:39]
Keith
I actually went to it was either game. I think it was game three. The the one Colorado lost. Walk him out to play the pucket he it up and Jersey ended up winning the game. I yeah I drove down got tickets with a buddy that was the second Stanley Cup I ever went to. So yeah shout out to to the Stanley cup. One last one. I get this guy asked me all the time boxes or briefs? I don't know. I'm just going to like satisfy him. So it's not bad asking. I I don't know any dudes who who like like tighty whities. Anyway. I've been boxes for a while maybe if you got like the. The tight ones but I think he
- [146:11]
Merles
brief like are tidy white. What everybody. No, no, no, no, no. Tighter fitted boxers.
- [146:20]
Ryan Whitney
I thought boxers is what you wear ra which is like the loose cloth one. Yeah right. That are like filthy.
- [146:26]
Keith
Yeah yeah. But like no briefs have always I thought they was tidy weddings but they're out of the box. I think there's boxer briefs like that. I don't even mean like they're almost like spandex kind of like. Yeah, they're boxes.
- [146:37]
Ryan Whitney
You think there's people that are still wearing tidy whities.
- [146:41]
Keith
I don't know. I haven't seen it.
- [146:42]
Ryan Whitney
That are under the age of 65.
- [146:44]
Merles
I think the same amount of people that are wearing tighty whities they're the same amount of people that are wearing boxers. Remember the wedgies you would get wearing
- [146:52]
Ryan Whitney
boxers like the ones that already running up. Oh my God. It looked like rather wear RA has the flannel cloth boxers.
- [147:01]
Keith
Don't make me stand up and show you
- [147:04]
Merles
so blousy.
- [147:05]
Biz
I'd rather wear this than boxers.
- [147:07]
Merles
Yes.
- [147:09]
Keith
Well this is I guess a little bit of a grime ideas one thing that's you know it's coming up the 250th anniversary of the United States of America this summer, and especially in Boston. Like, wait, I. I can't believe the lack of. Of like signage or.
- [147:24]
Merles
Or just patriotism.
- [147:26]
Keith
Yeah. Yeah, just things like, you know, I. I mean, I was only four during the bicentennial, but like, I. I still remember you couldn't like go two feet without seeing, you know, something about the bicentennial. Everything was going on and like, I don't know. I mean, it's. It's only like a couple months away. July 4th, that I. I just hit. There's been like, nothing. I'm just.
- [147:43]
Biz
The mayor's gonna put a tax on you guys in order to pay for all.
- [147:48]
Jackson Blake
All the.
- [147:48]
Biz
Pay for all the. Whatever you need for your patriotism.
- [147:51]
Merles
Yeah, I bet. I bet it'll pick up once. Like the weather is. I bet in like the good point
- [147:56]
Ryan Whitney
though, because 250 years. July 4th, all. The only thing I've heard about is the UFC fight on the front yard of the White House. That's. That's for the 250th anniversary, right?
- [148:07]
Keith
Yeah, it's. Yeah. I'm just surprised. Especially here, you know, here in Boston. I mean, last you know, this. This place will be a zoo, I'm sure in a couple months. But. Yeah, I just, just. It just seems pretty muted compared to like, you know, 50 years ago, so. All right, boys.
- [148:21]
Biz
Maroo ain't getting it done.
- [148:23]
Keith
Yeah.
- [148:23]
Merles
No, she hates the US More than she hates Boston.
- [148:26]
Ryan Whitney
She hates Boston.
- [148:29]
Keith
Yeah. Not a fan. To. Contrary to popular belief, I. I did not pull the leva far, so. All right, boys. Well, another. Another fun week. Another great week of playoffs and hopefully you have all have a great weekend
- [148:40]
Merles
live stream tonight night.
- [148:41]
Ryan Whitney
Yes. Live stream game four. We will be on YouTube at 8 o' clock for wild vers Colorado. Can't wait for that. Should be a good one. What else? Any other sports stuff?
- [148:52]
Merles
I got one question. Why is Biz have the. The raw blow NFL? Just because he's.
- [148:57]
Ryan Whitney
He doesn't have a team right now.
- [148:59]
Biz
I'm a free agent, buddy.
- [149:00]
Merles
Okay.
- [149:00]
Biz
I can go anyway.
- [149:01]
Merles
You had two different jerseys on, but you're restricted, so.
- [149:04]
Biz
So I'll bring it up now because you asked. Asked. I was gonna think of a proposition for the Ottawa Senators and their fans. Yes.
- [149:15]
Merles
What about joining that kid's band and move into Wuhan?
- [149:20]
Biz
Oh, buddy, it's all. It's all fair game.
- [149:23]
Ryan Whitney
But I don't even know if they take you after the. The crown and Just.
- [149:27]
Biz
Oh, they would.
- [149:28]
Merles
They would take.
- [149:28]
Biz
They'd be sacking a heartbeat. They just want anybody on their wagon. But.
- [149:34]
Ryan Whitney
But that's one where, like, you. You know, you hop on and Brady's gone the next day, like, buddy.
- [149:38]
Biz
But that's. That's. That's the thing. I would have to have Brady sign off on it, and we're gonna have to think of a punishment, in a sense of if I end up hopping on the wagon, the next thing you know, he's gone. I should have the right to then hop off with no repercussions because that's the whole reason that I'm hitching my wagon to them.
- [149:58]
Jackson Blake
Yeah.
- [149:59]
Biz
So we'll think of a. We'll think of a set of rules and how long he has to stay till the end of his contract, at least with Ottawa. And then if he ends up walking after that, that's fine. But then I can walk. But if.
- [150:12]
Ryan Whitney
Maybe, maybe, maybe you're, like a college player now. It's just UFA every year.
- [150:16]
Biz
Transfer portal, baby. So. So all you Ottawa fans seem to think, oh, stop the rumors. He ain't going anywhere. He told us in the press. Okay, okay, well, then I'm on board, baby. Oh, I'll help you guys become the Kings of Ontario, and I'll help stab Toronto in the back the same way they stabbed Dor. Huh?
- [150:37]
Keith
You should be the WWF biz.
- [150:40]
Biz
Me and Drunk are fighting in Wrestlemania.
- [150:42]
Keith
You cut a mean promo.
- [150:44]
Biz
Me and Gronk are fighting WrestleMania next year. Me. Me. Rhonda versus Gronk. Hey, what do you got?
- [150:51]
Keith
Hey, is. You think Mincy's trying to, like, get. Get on a check. Let's slow. He's. He's been tweeting. It's all about hockey. And, like, I love how he always. He'll put a tweet, then he'll like. Instead of including, like, the. The Twitter handle, he always puts it, like, in the next tweet after a couple of. He's like, he's tagged us in a couple.
- [151:06]
Biz
It's like, oh, slob and hockey's knob right now.
- [151:09]
Ryan Whitney
Any. Anyone who has not been a hockey fan that is all of a sudden getting into it, you're welcome. You're.
- [151:17]
Merles
Yeah, absolutely.
- [151:18]
Ryan Whitney
In a part of this world old. I'm telling you, Minty, doesn't matter who you are. If you weren't a hockey fan and something's happening in your life where you're being dragged in and you're watching, you're like, this is an incredible sport, an incredible product. What A thing they got going on in the National Hockey League. Come on down. We will take anyone and everyone. That is what we're all about.
- [151:39]
Biz
Mincy does Montreal
- [151:43]
Ryan Whitney
now.
- [151:43]
Merles
Let's send him to Carolina.
- [151:44]
Biz
You room with him, I'll room with Mincy. If. If we'll bring him one game in Montreal.
- [151:51]
Ryan Whitney
Can you imagine how much poutine would be all over his face? There'd be gravy in his hair, cheese in his mouth, cheese in his nose. Be electric.
- [152:01]
Biz
I think it would be a good opportunity for Chiclets to extend the olive branch to Mincy, to bury the hatchet on all the other. I think it would be a good. Bring everybody together. And what better country to do it in than Canada? Canada.
- [152:15]
Keith
It's actually interesting. One, one. All right, Hamilton. I didn't use. So what's the worst part about new NHL fans that have started watching the game? And I'm like, you know what? Not exactly. I. I was like, that's why I didn't use it. I'm like, no, nothing. I mean, just the ones who yell, shoot.
- [152:29]
Ryan Whitney
Yeah, that's all right. I would say. I would say maybe not a. Like a bad part, but when they. They're like, oh, that's a suspension. You know, like, oh, like, yeah, it's kind of like maybe you're not really understanding yet like that. This is like a very violent game. A lot of intimidation goes into the playoffs.
- [152:49]
Merles
But watch a Colby Armstrong hit.
- [152:51]
Biz
You know what my biggest gripe is? Is it has. I don't think it has anything to do with the new ones. The whole like. Like when that, for instance, that clip came out of a Red Deer rebel scout who's 85, and it's like people were mad about. And it's like, what's going on there?
- [153:06]
Keith
Sweet.
- [153:07]
Biz
This, this is hockey culture. It's like, oh, there's no other horny 85 year olds in the world that look up like, you know what I'm saying?
- [153:15]
Ryan Whitney
It was the age where I'm pretty sure, like, that's like, oh, that. That's Uncle Randy. Like, there he goes.
- [153:21]
Biz
The horny old grandpa.
- [153:22]
Keith
Yeah.
- [153:22]
Ryan Whitney
What did you say? You're beautiful.
- [153:25]
Biz
Not the time or place. I think we can all agree on that. And I feel bad for the girl if she feels uncomfortable, but yeah, it's a horny old grandpa.
- [153:32]
Keith
Grandpa. She handled it well. And I think Megan chase for that.
- [153:37]
Ryan Whitney
Or was that a fake tweet?
- [153:38]
Biz
No, I think they got 5,000 bucks.
- [153:44]
Keith
They find them. They find them two wooden nickels. Like, I had to go to the club trying to get them.
- [153:49]
Ryan Whitney
The funny thing is that every single person watching it is like, oh, wow, that girl's really pretty. Now, you don't say it. I understand she's doing a great job. But it's just like, he was a hunter hundred. And he's like, yeah. Scouting the WHL since Link Gates was running around there. And all of a sudden, he's getting his team. Fine. $5,000.
- [154:08]
Merles
This guy's got 50 million miles on his car just from going to scout these games.
- [154:13]
Murray
Yeah.
- [154:14]
Merles
Alberta to Quebec. And, like, give him a break.
- [154:17]
Biz
Yeah. His teeth were wooden and every shade of yellow.
- [154:21]
Keith
Just like you go, oh, you're pretty big.
- [154:24]
Merles
Careful act was Abe Lincoln's brother.
- [154:27]
Biz
He's like, how's your tape to tape passes.
- [154:30]
Ryan Whitney
I remember the 100th anniversary of the United States of America. All right, guys. We will be back.
- [154:40]
Biz
I used to take the train to scout.
- [154:44]
Ryan Whitney
I built the.
- [154:45]
Biz
I built the train tracks. I met. I met Mr. Plainview. And there will be blood. I used to dig the holes with them. Oh.
- [155:00]
Ryan Whitney
6 hours and 28 minutes.
- [155:06]
Keith
Need a machete to get through those bushes.
- [155:12]
Ryan Whitney
Thank you to everyone for tuning in. Thank you to Gronk. Thank you to Jackson Blake. Kids buzzing. And all you people watching live and listening later on. Thank you. And we'll be back to you. You Thursday. Game notes Wednesday. Right? Game notes Wednesday at noon. U.S. thursday, 11am but more importantly, us tonight. Game four wild app. See if they can tie it up.
- [155:32]
Merles
Peace.
- [155:48]
Ryan Whitney
A bad habit worth breaking, but it's taking time.
- [155:54]
Jackson Blake
I don't know.
- [155:55]
Ryan Whitney
It don't matter. It's gonna happen. It's gonna happen again.
- [156:12]
Biz
Won't sa.