Hour 2: The 3-Day Household Name (feat. Sid Seixeiro)

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Hour 2: The 3-Day Household Name (feat. Sid Seixeiro)

February 24, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and the crew broadcast from the Elser Hotel in Miami and are joined by Canadian broadcaster Sid Seixeiro. The central theme is friendly hockey rivalry between the U.S. and Canada, with a focus on the U.S. Men's Hockey Team's recent gold medal win and the cultural, emotional, and media contrasts in hockey fandom across the two nations. There’s a sharp blend of sports debate, playful jabs, and conversations about national identity, media markets, and what it means to be “household names” in the world of North American hockey.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The US Gold Medal Celebration and Canadian Envy

• Miami Celebrates U.S. Hockey Gold:
  • The crew shares stories about Miami’s relatively modest but enthusiastic gold medal festivities at “11” nightclub. Sid playfully mocks South Florida’s small but boisterous hockey following.
    • “Congratulations. You filled a nightclub in Miami. Good job, guys.” — Sid Seixeiro [01:25]
  • Sid’s recurring theme: the pain for passionate Canadian fans as they watch Miami’s casual, almost indifferent reaction to what Canadians consider a life-defining sports moment.
    • “This is…like if Latvia beat you guys in Olympic basketball. Honestly, what headspace would you be at?” — Sid Seixeiro [02:28]

2. Who’s To Blame? The Crosby Conjecture

• Sidney Crosby's Absence:
  • Sid asserts Crosby’s absence cost Canada the gold, amplifying the emotional difference in American (carefree) and Canadian (anguished) perspectives.
    • “Who wouldn’t have panicked? Who would have been steady? …Sidney Crosby. And he wasn’t out there. He is the conscience. He is better than any American player to ever live.” — Sid Seixeiro [05:00]
  • Mike Ryan and Dan riff on the “Crosby was their 5th best player” take, with Sid incredulous at the nonchalance.

3. Connor McDavid: Greatness or Overrated?

• Greg Cody Tries to Rebrand McDavid:
  • Greg Cody, embracing his French-Canadian roots (“It’s Cote!”), presses the idea that McDavid is “McOverrated” for not winning enough at the biggest stages.
    • “Are you finally coming to grips with the idea that Connor McDavid is McOverrated?” — Greg Cody [06:37]
  • Sid fires back, listing McDavid’s titles, stats, and citing Edmonton’s struggles as evidence of a nuanced, not overrated, career.
    • “He’s 29. He’s better than any American player to ever live.” — Sid Seixeiro [07:51]

4. The Debate: Cup or Country?

• Stanley Cup vs. Gold Medal:
  • Amin asks Sid if Canadians prefer a club Stanley Cup win or an Olympic gold medal. Sid’s verdict is emphatic: fans would trade nearly anything for a Cup in their city.
    • “They will sell unborn children to get a Cup in their market.” — Sid Seixeiro [22:10]
  • Discussion of regional divides in Canada—the Leafs fanbase as both nauseating and beloved—raises questions about whether a Cup for one city unites the country as much as a gold medal does.

5. Canadian Hockey Insecurity

• Canadian Sports Angst:
  • Sid details the pain of Canadian teams failing to win the Cup since 1993, blaming difficult media markets and taxes for player retention issues.
    • “There's a thing with certain elite level hockey players in this country. I think it’s…they can’t take the heat in the media market and they want a nice, comfortable media market…” — Sid Seixeiro [19:01]
  • TV ratings and media narratives in Canada evidence intense, nationwide engagement—contrasting sharply with Miami's casual attitude.

6. Analogies and Sports Radio Chaos

• Cross-Sport Metaphors:
  • Mike Ryan’s analogy of McDavid as a “slalom skier” and Crosby as a “NASCAR driver” draws both laughs and confusion, highlighting the challenge of comparing stars across eras and styles [20:03].
  • “How’re you gonna make a hockey analogy and reference two more obscure sports?” — Dan Le Batard [31:03]

7. Lightning Round and Sid’s Quiz

• The back half morphs into the “You Know About That?” lightning round with Amin answering rapid-fire sports queries (NBA, hockey, Miami vibes, etc.), keeping the playful, quick-hit energy up.
• Sid zings the crew with a final trivia question about the Panthers’ wild card situation—proving their local hockey expertise is, shall we say, limited.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’m glad I’m talking to all eight hockey fans in South Florida.” — Sid Seixeiro [01:25]
• “It is ripping our guts out of our chests and laying them bare on the table.” — Sid Seixeiro, describing the Canadian reaction [02:23]
• “If Crosby’s not hurt, you guys are done.” — Sid Seixeiro [03:56]
• “You move on and talk about the kid from Kansas who hates basketball, doesn’t want to play. I know how you guys operate…we need psychiatric help.” — Sid Seixeiro [02:56]
• “He is the conscience. He is the calming influence. He is better than any American player to ever live.” — Sid Seixeiro on Crosby [05:00]
• “Frauds! USA Hockey are frauds for that performance. And you know exactly what I mean.” — Sid Seixeiro [08:18]
• “If there's a choice on the table…they will sell unborn children to get a Cup in their market.” — Sid Seixeiro [22:10]
• “Would you rather your team win another Premier League title or watch England win a World Cup for the first time in your lifetime?” — Sid Seixeiro, comparing soccer culture [23:55]
• “Remind them it’s pronounced Cote.” — Dan Le Batard, ribbing Greg Cody [25:35]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:29]–[01:58]: Miami’s celebration of the gold medal and Canadian incredulity.
• [02:22]–[07:47]: The pain of Canadian hockey fans, Crosby’s absence, and McDavid’s legacy.
• [08:44]–[10:27]: U.S. game strategy, Canadian media reaction, who deserved to win.
• [16:48]–[26:15]: National hockey identities, Canada’s Cup drought, media market divides.
• [21:58]–[25:31]: Cup vs. gold medal debate, regional vs. national pride.
• [31:31]–[38:57]: “You Know About That?” segment, NBA and media sidebars.
• [27:11]–[28:00]: Sid tests Miami’s hockey knowledge on Panthers’ playoff chances.
• [40:47]–[41:41]: Loyalty: club team vs. country, and confessions about rooting interests.

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Flow & Tone

The conversation is fast-paced, playful, and peppered with classic “Le Batard Show” irreverence. Sid Seixeiro is a passionate, self-aware guest—delivering honest Canadian anguish with enough humor and theatricality to keep the tone lively and never too serious. The hosts reciprocate with sarcasm, self-deprecation (“We don’t care that much and it’s funnier that way”) and lots of mock bravado.

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Summary for New Listeners

If you didn't catch the episode, you missed an epic cross-border hockey rant from Sid Seixeiro, who both lampoons and sincerely laments Canadian heartbreak over U.S. gold. The show explores deeper questions: What matters more—a Cup for your city or a gold medal for your country? Why do U.S. fans shrug off what Canadians desperately covet? Is Connor McDavid a legend or a letdown, and will the Stanley Cup ever go north again? Between the actual sports debate, sharp comedic timing, and playful chemistry, this episode’s a perfect snapshot of “The Dan Le Batard Show” at its best.

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Transcript

[Dan LeBatard]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats podcast.

[Stugats]

So I continue to see all kinds of videos coming from 11 last night with. Obviously, the US men's team is excited and they are celebrating the gold medal and we have locals down here that are all posting videos and having a great time. Mike Ryan, what time did you get home last night? From 11.

[Dan LeBatard]

I was in bed at 1am because as you know, this is a hockey capital of the world and we've had so many celebrations at 11 all these championships. The novelty has worn off just a little bit.

[Sid Sashiro]

Yeah.

[Stugats]

Let's. Let's bring aboard Sid Sashero, host of the Sid Sashiro show, powered by Sick Media. You can watch the show live Monday through Friday at noon, live on YouTube, listen to show wherever you get your podcasts. Sid, who. Who do you think right now is the face of insufferable US Hockey fandom?

[Sid Sashiro]

Well, right now, you. And right now this show, because you're the one in front of me. Good to see everyone. You guys are the ones. Mike, were you seriously there last night? You were there? Yes, I was.

[Amin]

I was there too.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes.

[Sid Sashiro]

You're. Oh, I mean, everyone. Everyone else was there. No. Anyone? Any other invites get thrown out?

[Stugats]

Greg didn't make it.

[Greg Cody]

They don't let all make it. No, no.

[Sid Sashiro]

I'm glad I'm talking to all eight hockey fans in South Florida. I really appreciate the opportunity. I really appreciate the opportunity. No. And by the way, congratulations. You filled a nightclub in Miami. Good job, guys. Good for you. Good for you. Hockey's alive and well. Did you go to the Elbow Room where five people didn't notice gold medals walk in last night? Did that happen in Miami, too? Did that take place? No. It's great. I love where hockey lives. Where hockey lives in. In. In Miami and in the Miami area.

[Dan LeBatard]

God bless all of you, Miami Dade.

[Sid Sashiro]

Really appreciate it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, a pill.

[Sid Sashiro]

Miami Dade county of hockey fandom.

[Dan LeBatard]

Like, so I'm familiar with your work here, and I find it even more funny because it's actually true. We don't care that much. And it must kill you that we don't care that much. I actually think it's way funnier this way.

[Sid Sashiro]

It is for you. You guys should be laughing constantly at this.

[Stugats]

We are.

[Sid Sashiro]

It is ripping our guts out of our chests and laying them bare on the table.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. Loving it.

[Sid Sashiro]

This is the worst thing ever. This is like if. This is if. Like, if Latvia beat you guys in Olympic basketball, honestly, what headspace would you be at? And it's not just this it's the Panthers thing. I'm here in the Toronto area. It's all the things I heard. Aaron Ekblad on a radio show here. I'm not making this up. It was during the summer, he was golfing and he told the guys in the interview they do. They took the cup into the elbow room and no one noticed it was there. No one. And we are dying up here watching by the tens of millions trying to get this gold medal, trying to beat the Panthers once and you guys got your feet up just enjoying this for like 8 seconds. You move on. And talk about the kid from Kansas who hates basketball, doesn't want to play. I know how you guys operate. That's exactly what's going to happen on this show. And we're dying. We need psychiatric help. And you guys like good party at the club last night.

[Stugats]

But don't you feel good for Auston Matthews? He's fine. He's a winner now, Sid. He's a winner.

[Sid Sashiro]

Good for you. Good for you, Sid. He was carried by three guys. Connor, Hallebuck. If you didn't change everyone's diaper in that gold medal game, you would have lost.

[Mike Ryan]

All right.

[Sid Sashiro]

And then patted everyone on the way out. The Quinn, the Hughes brothers. Great games. That was a shot total, two to one in our favor. If Crosby's not hurt, you guys are done.

[Mike Ryan]

That's definitely right. I have to interrupt you about Crosby conjecture. No, I Disagree Absolutely. If 87 is out there, they, they, they win the gold medal. I don't know if you're making yourself feel better. I like Sidney Crosby, as a matter of fact. Do you. Do you think that the pushback I've gotten on, if Sidney Crosby had played, Mike Ryan has said, oh, who cares, he's their fifth best player. If Cooper had a choice of who he had out on the ice, I think it goes Kale McCarr one, Sidney Crosby two. And he goes from there. How say you?

[Sid Sashiro]

Their fifth best.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah.

[Sid Sashiro]

Player.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. Sid.

[Sid Sashiro]

Are you kidding me?

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm. I'm a hockey expert.

[Sid Sashiro]

It's our foundation.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm a hockey expert and I have my finger all over the pulse of this league. I just started paying attention to hockey eight years ago. I'm from a swamp. But Celebrini, McDavid, McKinnon, McCarr actively right now.

[Stugats]

He'd want.

[Dan LeBatard]

He's a fifth best player.

[Sid Sashiro]

He. If you want to look at age, if you want to make this about ageism, if you want to look at the young bucks coming up, maybe you're right. But here's what Crosby would have done, which would have sunk your whole operation in that moment where panic started to set in and Connor Halibuk makes the save of his life on taves. People started to panic. Wearing red. I've rarely seen it. They started to panic. You saw it in the overtime. Who wouldn't have panicked? Who would have been steady? Who would have been our concrete foundation as we tried to build yet another hockey conquest? Would have been 87. And he wasn't out there. He studies the ship. He's the vet. He is the conscience. He is the calming influence. He is better than any American player to ever live. And he wasn't out there. And if he was out there, we would have won. I hate excuses, but I'll make it in this case.

[Mike Ryan]

And he's better than the best player.

[Sid Sashiro]

I mean, let's not get crazy. McGees is pretty good. But I believe who's the winner, though?

[Mike Ryan]

I think we park our cars in the same garage here. Said, who's the winner? We're not talking about who's got more skill. Ultimately, it's who you want in big spots. And it's Sidney CROSBY, not Connor McDavid.

[Sid Sashiro]

Clearly, right now, I don't like this McDavid discourse because the kid's a hell of a player.

[Dan LeBatard]

Have you met Greg Cody? Have you met Greg?

[Stugats]

Say hello to Greg. Say hello to Greg.

[Sid Sashiro]

There's only few things Canadians hate more than Greg Cody. Few things after that McDavid incident and McDavid at 29, two strike cup finals into a gold medal game. I'm. I'm. I'm very uncomfortable ripping this kid. I'm very. Greg's cool with it. I'm very uncomfortable.

[Dan LeBatard]

Okay?

[Sid Sashiro]

Very uncomfortable.

[Greg Cody]

Sid, let me mention first of all, my last name is pronounced Cote because I'm French Canadian. Do you agree? And you can speak for all of Canada on this. You can speak for all of Canada. Are you finally coming to grips with the idea that Connor McDavid is McOver rated? And I shouldn't even need to explain it, but whenever he's on the biggest fuming right now, whenever he's on the biggest stages, his excellence is not enough. He's just not been able to lift his country to where it needs to be. Great career, great stats, overrated.

[Sid Sashiro]

Two things, Greg. Don't touch the goatee. It looks fantastic.

[Greg Cody]

Second, disarming me.

[Sid Sashiro]

Second.

[Stugats]

That's a job.

[Sid Sashiro]

You look 18 years younger. You look fantastic.

[Greg Cody]

Thank you.

[Sid Sashiro]

Second. McDavid. Five scoring titles for McDavid. He's 29 stats, five scoring titles. Three. They're the best. Especially when they agree with me. Three MVPs. Okay, two straight. Stanley, he won. Do you know how hard it is to win a Con Smythe Award when your team loses that Cup Final? It has rarely happened in my lifetime. Like J.S. shiger and McDavid. That's about it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Two Titans of the game, we can all agree.

[Sid Sashiro]

Two titans.

[Mike Ryan]

And Ronnie Hextall of 87.

[Dan LeBatard]

Anytime you can be great.

[Sid Sashiro]

One of the greats. Ron Hextall. One of the best finals ever played. Philly in Edmonton. Yeah, but listen, he's 29. He's better than any American player to ever live. To ever live. And I am not going to sit here and say he's a choke job artist because he happened to be a part of another losing team. Canada outran the States out of the rink on Sunday. You know it. Halibuk stood on his head. But Matthew Tkachuk out there, Brady Tkachuk out there, even Auston Matthews pulled up on a shot front of the neck because he was scared. He was jumping at his own shadow. You got your gold medal. Congratulation. Congratulations. Plural. Frauds. USA Hockey are frauds for that performance. And you know exactly what I mean. Yes, Mike Ryan, I said it. Frauds. All of them.

[Dan LeBatard]

This great hockey nation with illustrious history, you dare sideswipe us. We are the gold medal winner. Just because you got more shots and one of those shots didn't actually hit the frame. Thank you very much, Nathan McKinnon. Just because the U.S. executed you played right into their game plan. Absorb the pressure, be efficient with your chances.

[Stugats]

That was the game plan.

[Sid Sashiro]

That's what it was. It was rope. A dope.

[Dan LeBatard]

And Muhammad Ali is considered the greatest.

[Sid Sashiro]

Ali. Yes, yes. Ali. Of course, of course. Vincent Trojeks. Now Muhammad Ali because of the rope. A dope. Amazing. Yes, amazing. By the way, what a great hockey nation. All of one camera there to meet the gold medalist at the Miami airport yesterday. What a media frenzy that was. Why do you need multiple cameras?

[Stugats]

Levine cover.

[Sid Sashiro]

Was there a boom mic and one camera? Look out, guys. Matthew, some guy is with his luggage out of customs. He has five gold medals behind him. He doesn't care. None of them cared. Well, congratulations.

[Greg Cody]

Thank you.

[Sid Sashiro]

Hell of a moment for you, Sid.

[Stugats]

Sid. Can. Can Nathan McKinnon be the one to say. To puff his chest out and say that the better team did not win?

[Sid Sashiro]

He can. I don't. I don't. Is that his exact quote? I didn't hear that exact.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, yeah, it was basically everyone. Everyone knows what was out there on the ice. Everyone knows who the better team was.

[Greg Cody]

Except the final score.

[Sid Sashiro]

Listen, final score is the final score. I just hope in this country we kind of look at the team selection differently, because what's happening up here is, what are you going to do? Hella buck. That bothers me. That bothers me. Drew Doughty should have been on this team. Some guy showed up injured. To hell with country they wanted to play. That hurt the team. Some guys close to you. Actually, it was obvious. So, like, I hope we have that discussion, but I don't.

[Mike Ryan]

I don't.

[Sid Sashiro]

I still would rather have the gold medal and get outplayed than what happened Sunday. Man, that bothers me.

[Mike Ryan]

Let's go back to Connor McJesus and the guy who's been heralded for at least a half a decade as the guy who's going to, by the time he retires, at worst be the one. A greatest player in the history of people. I say he's tracking towards and getting real close to being the one. I mean, versus the other three major sports in North America. There is not an obvious answer to the best player to never win a Stanley Cup. Dan Marino is sort of the guy in the NFL. Connor McJesus is going to go down as the biggest loser in NHL history. And by the way, it's especially crazy in Edmonton that Dry Seidel is one of the top five players in the league as well. Two of the top five players and they've never won a cup together is wild stuff.

[Sid Sashiro]

How say you call him the biggest loser is quite a statement.

[Mike Ryan]

You. You get what I'm going for, man.

[Sid Sashiro]

I do. But I do believe we need to pull back. Like, I think what Josh Allen and the Bills didn't do this season is probably a greater travesty for that fan base than. Than whatever just happened in Milano Cortina on Sunday. Like, I think there are a lot of examples, like the Chiefs were neutered this season. Neutered. Like, how do you not win this year? How do you not at least get to a Super Bowl? Like, stuff like that would bother me more. Connor McDavid took a pay cut to stay in Edmonton for another two years. A pay cut. That guy's will to win cannot be ignored and can't and cannot be disrespected. I'm sorry. Now, if he goes another six, seven years, he's 29. If he goes another six, seven years, and I don't think he'll stay in Edmonton for the duration and still no cup. Oh yes. Six, seven. Yes. I saw the six, seven, yes. Then maybe we have a discussion that he is the greatest guy to never win a cup outside of Marcel Dion in the National Hockey League. Yes, I think we'll get there. We're not there yet.

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[Stugats]

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[Dan LeBatard]

It is time to talk to you kind folks about one of our best partners, one of our longest tenured partners, Miller Light. You know, we've been with Miller Lite for about half of their illustrious existence and I couldn't be more grateful.

[Sid Sashiro]

We often ask you to support those who support us.

[Dan LeBatard]

So the other day I was fully in stay at home mode, had the left turns on relaxing on the couch, long day, sweatpants remote in hand, already planning which sporting event I was gonna flip to next. Then a friend texted me. Nothing big. Hey, why don't we just have a small hang? And I said, come on over, pal. I got the Miller Lights on deck. I put out a bucket filled with ice cold, beautiful white cans of Miller Lite and we had ourselves a sundae. Next thing you know, the race is tight. Everybody's yelling at the tv. We're toasting our beers and we look at each other. We take a sip and we know that we made the right call. Cheers to legendary moments with Miller Lite. Great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories, 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[Stugats]

Don LeBatard.

[Greg Cody]

This guy comes in as the next Wayne Gretzky. His nicknames include the chosen1 and McJesus. Okay, he's a great player. He scores a lot of goals. He scores a ton of assists. But it hasn't translated to making Edmonton a powerhouse in the league.

[Sid Sashiro]

They're in the final stugats.

[Mike Ryan]

What's your nickname for him?

[Greg Cody]

Look overrated.

[Stugats]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats.

[Dan LeBatard]

Sid, what are your thoughts in general of the United States as a hockey nation?

[Sid Sashiro]

Well, I think the enrollment numbers say a lot. Like it's basically on par now with us or close. And it's been happening for 20 years. And people in Canada have been fairly dismissive of it. And it's been to our detriment. Prices for hockey and youth level up here are pretty damn expensive. And I'm assuming, considering it's still kind of starting out in the States, it isn't at that level. You may get there one day. But I think at the world Junior level, World Junior Hockey championship level, it's a big deal up here in Canada around the holidays. I know NHL Network does a pretty good job with it. Like it's now become a fair fight basically every year. Like we used to own that thing. Own it. That's not happening anymore. So I do give a lot of credit at, at, at, at youth levels under 18, under 19s, considering what they're doing. Listen, Auston Matthews plays in the city I'm in here in Toronto, Arizona, kid. In what time in my youth did I anticipate someone from Arizona being a number one overall pick in the National Hockey League and winning an Olympic gold, being captaining the US To a gold medal? It just, it never entered your thought process?

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, the reason why I asked.

[Sid Sashiro]

I respect what they're doing is what I'm trying to.

[Dan LeBatard]

Because, you know, when you're coping. I saw your socials. You were quick to point out that the United States men's hockey team hadn't won a gold medal.

[Stugats]

Dave, you know about that coping.

[Dan LeBatard]

Hadn't won a gold medal since 1980. And you were. You were having a go at them for that. And then I realized the US Canadian men went 50 years without a gold. Went from 1952 to 2002 without a gold. So I'm guessing, does history only start when Canada was allowed to have NHL players in the, in the Olympics?

[Sid Sashiro]

Yes.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes.

[Sid Sashiro]

1,000%. Yes. And I am proud of that. Selfish take. Yes. Good math. I got better math. Yes, Math. That's when it starts. That's when it starts, Sid.

[Greg Cody]

Speaking of math, the fact it's been more than 30 years since a Canadian team has won the Stanley cup, how does that rank on the angst level among Canadian fans? Is it frustrating at all? Or you all rationalize it by saying Canadian players, American players are all mixed now. It doesn't really matter or doesn't matter.

[Sid Sashiro]

I didn't completely realize I would speak on all negative Canadian stories during the segment, but I do welcome the opportunity.

[Greg Cody]

Thank you.

[Sid Sashiro]

We do think about that a lot. To answer your question, yes, Mr. Cody, we think about that all the time because we believe Montreal Canadiens in 93 was way long ago and Patrick Wash should have been taken over once some other netminer in this country to win. Now, the other reason for that, I believe, is the media markets are a little tough up here and I like it that way. There's obviously a tax situation. But listen, there have been a lot of players within the last four years that have been in the Canadian market, like a Matthew Tkachuk who ran away very quickly. And I don't know if Brady Tkachuk's going to stay in not a while. And I don't know what's going to happen. Quinn Hughes can get out of Vancouver fast enough for some reason. There's a thing with certain elite level hockey players in this country. I think it's. They can't take the heat in the media market and they want a nice, comfortable media market where there's one camera at the morning skate every day. That's my own personal belief, but it is something we think about a lot. We don't like it. It's not good for us.

[Mike Ryan]

No, think about this. This is a cross sports metaphor or analogy or I'm not sure what Connor McDavid is akin to a slalom skier who flies so fast down the hill he goes around the gates, barely even touching them. That works well in the regular season, not in big time. Tighter, tighter knit hockey games. Sidney Crosby is a NASCAR driver or maybe the car himself. Banging into his foes all the way through, bringing on the contact and surviving it. That's a better brand of hockey to play.

[Amin]

This is an analysis.

[Mike Ryan]

That's why McJesus has not won so far. How say you?

[Sid Sashiro]

Well, I'll say this in terms of like I think it was. It was evident in the overtime on Sunday. Conor had one speed, which is, I'm going. I'm going at Hallibuck. I don't care how many bodies are in front of me here, wearing USA jerseys, I want to try and score this goal. So you did like it makes sense. The analogy makes sense with McDavid a little bit for sure. Crosby, though. What American hockey fans don't understand about Crosby is he is like the greatest Swiss army knife we've ever had. Because Pete Crosby could dance through anyone. Crosby a little older, he's still getting his points. Need something in front of the net. You need to win something in the corner. What do you need?

[Mike Ryan]

Greatest mucker of all. Greatest mucker of all time. He's never in his career, I think. Well, actually, to be accurate, twice in his career he's gone into the corner to retrieve a puck and not come out with it. He Is the greatest, as you say, Swiss army knife hockey player.

[Dan LeBatard]

We're talking about second place for. What do you mean? What is this?

[Sid Sashiro]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Oh.

[Mike Ryan]

We didn't even get to Lemieux over Gretzky yet.

[Dan LeBatard]

Stop doing sports radio.

[Amin]

I got a question for Sid. Sid, we had a very heated debate over here because some people. I'm not going to name names, but some people say they value a Stanley cup for their local team that they root for over a gold medal for their nation.

[Stugats]

You've been mentioning me. I'm proud of it.

[Amin]

Sid, what is your stance on that?

[Sid Sashiro]

I think if you asked most Canadians privately, they would take a Cup any day of the week.

[Mike Ryan]

Sure.

[Stugats]

What?

[Dan LeBatard]

Sure.

[Sid Sashiro]

If you don't think a Toronto. The Toronto Maple Leafs are a joke and have been a joke since 1967, generally, aside from like maybe three seasons. I'm going to tell you something right now. If there's a choice on the table, do you know there before, like, the city of Toronto was shut down four days, multiple days, if a Cup arrived in this market. Same with Vancouver, same with Edmonton, same in Montreal. Like that. To me, I don't think that's a discussion. This is a big time moment, especially with all the geopolitical stuff. We all get it. But Stanley Cups in Canadian markets don't mess with that thought because they will take that. They will sell unborn children to get a Cup in their market.

[Amin]

But isn't that also a function of the lack of cup success recently? Over the last few decades versus you guys have won gold medals here. Like Zazzle is a Panthers fan. They've won two cups in a row. USA has won two gold medals ever. Put in front of. Put in front of me.

[Stugats]

Gold medal on Sunday or a third Stanley Cup? It's not even a decision. I say third Stanley cup so fast, Sid.

[Amin]

Isn't that so ridiculous? Like you've never. First of all, you've never seen one in your lifetime. A gold medal until Sunday. Second of all, it's only happened twice ever in the history.

[Mike Ryan]

I mean, it's a party looking for a reason to throw the party. The gold medal, the idea. It's the same thing as 1980. America celebrated the result, or what they hoped would be the result against the Soviets. And then the party ensued. Same goes with this. The Stanley cup is the goal every year as you enter the year. A gold medal is. It's not a contrivance to celebrate. Obviously, we knew the Olympics were coming, but it's very different than rooting for your favorite hockey team annually.

[Sid Sashiro]

But best on best. Sorry, guys. The difference there is best on best in hockey is still relatively new. Like we're talking 26 years, right? If you were to ask an English soccer fan, like a Chelsea supporter or Man City supporter or not Arsenal, because they don't win anything but like one of the other teams, would you rather see your team win another Premier League title or watch England win a World cup for the first time in your lifetime? Because that best on best means different. That best on best is a completely different thing under the FIFA umbrella and it's well over 100 years and it is just different. I think the Stanley cup argument Zas is making is completely rational in reference to how long hockey best on best has been around and how inconsistent it still has been. So I do, I'm still leaning cup. And I can guarantee you every Canadian market would say the same thing. Guaranteed.

[Greg Cody]

Okay, but. But Sid, let's say Montreal wins the Stanley cup next year. Am I wrong to think that part of one province is going to be thrilled, apoplectic with joy, and the rest of Canada is going, why not us? Do you think the whole country is going to be ecstatic because one Canadian team won a Stanley cup versus Canada winning the gold medal the other day, which unites the whole country? How can you even compare the two?

[Sid Sashiro]

Well, I can tell you just from the experience up here watching Edmonton the last two finals against the team you're familiar with and watching one Greg Cody anger the country in a way I've rarely seen in my life.

[Stugats]

Is he a household name, Sid?

[Sid Sashiro]

Greg Cody? Yeah, for that three days he was. Yes.

[Dan LeBatard]

Remind them it's pronounced Cote.

[Stugats]

I'll take it.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, it's Cote.

[Sid Sashiro]

Sorry, yes, from the Chicoutimie area of Quebec. Cote. Just from my own experience, the Oilers were that close. I was on team oil. Now I think there's half the country, like the other 20 million who don't care about anything but their market. And that's fine. But I think a bigger portion of the country, Greg, than you think would galvanize here. And the TV ratings are proof of that.

[Mike Ryan]

Except for the Leafs, though, right? As I understand it, I've only recently come to understand the fact that most Canadians hate the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[Sid Sashiro]

Well, outside of the other part, it's true. But the Leafs do have the biggest fan base in the country, so they immediately split the country up. And I'll tell you this, when the Leafs travel out to like Edmonton and Calgary and Vancouver once a year, it's 80, 20 in the crowd wow. Like the le. The Leaf fan base in Canada to some is completely nauseating and to others is the greatest thing they've ever seen. It is the biggest one, no question about it. So there would be. There would be a section. Greg, I know it's a weird argument to make, but I've kind of felt it. People would galvanize around one Canadian team. Not everybody, but a large section of the population would, I think.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, I'm sure you're filled with jealousy as this hockey team has totally unified a divided country so that everybody can rally around and not at all politicize. I hope you're happy sitting in second place. And one last thing. Just because we stole your sport doesn't mean you get to take the selling of unborn children.

[Stugats]

That's ours.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's ours.

[Amin]

That's us.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's America's jacked.

[Greg Cody]

All right.

[Dan LeBatard]

Just like hockey.

[Sid Sashiro]

And I. Can I ask you one last question on the way out and Roy's not in today, which is good because I know he'd know the answer to this. But I want to ask you guys this, this hotbed of hockey knowledge that I am speaking to here. Can I ask one question, Mike, on the way up? Just one?

[Dan LeBatard]

Sure. You can ask it of Tony. He's a hockey expert. Talk to me, Sid.

[Sid Sashiro]

In this, in this moment of love for the sport in Miami Dade, how many points out of a wild card spot are the Florida Panthers entering the resumption of NHL play tomorrow? Why? You gotta ring a good interview? They're always, they're always about three or

[Mike Ryan]

four, five, six, seven, eight.

[Dan LeBatard]

You know, they have a game, they have a game in hand, they need

[Amin]

to go 90 points. You know about that.

[Mike Ryan]

Game in hand.

[Greg Cody]

We don't deal with the negative around here.

[Amin]

Gotta go 19.

[Sid Sashiro]

No idea. Thanks for that. Appreciate it, Sid.

[Stugats]

Sushero. Monday through Friday, live at noon, YouTube and wherever you get your podcast. Thank you, Sid.

[Dan LeBatard]

Silver says bride.

[Sid Sashiro]

See you, boys.

[Stugats]

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[Sid Sashiro]

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[Stugats]

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[Sid Sashiro]

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[Sid Sashiro]

You saw the game winning play once, but have to replay it three times on the way back to the hotel.

[Stugats]

Because some moments don't end at the buzzer. Life's a trip.

[Sid Sashiro]

Make the most of it at Best Western, book direct and [e-mail]

[Stugats]

Dan LeBatard.

[Amin]

There is no question, Dan LeBatard, show included, anybody else, that this. This guy is the best player on the planet. Whether he wins the Stanley cup or the cod smite this year, there is no question about it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Stugats.

[Amin]

What's going on? Altered World. Oh, my goodness.

[Stugats]

So this is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats.

[Mike Ryan]

Why is it. Why is it me doing sports radio? Mike Ryan, for me to ask, man,

[Dan LeBatard]

you've been holding on to that thing.

[Amin]

All right?

[Mike Ryan]

Like I said, I would have been more than happy to move over to Lemieux. Better than Gretzky.

[Dan LeBatard]

I. I appreciate the NASCAR analogy because I wouldn't have understand a word you were saying otherwise.

[Amin]

I didn't understand a word he was saying.

[Dan LeBatard]

It actually made it way more confusing.

[Amin]

It was like a D dog.

[Mike Ryan]

That's my way.

[Dan LeBatard]

How are you gonna make a hockey analogy and reference two more obscure sports to make your point?

[Amin]

It's like a bia. I dated a biathlete coming down and

[Dan LeBatard]

partnering with slalom and a NASCAR driver.

[Amin]

It's a G dog on a fly tip.

[Mike Ryan]

All right, listen, I'm doing the high arithmetic here. I'm sorry you guys couldn't keep up.

[Stugats]

Guys, we are at the point of the show today where we do a little something called you know about that,

[Amin]

I'm ready,

[Stugats]

and of course you know about that. We look right at our boy Amin. I got a bunch of questions for you here, Amin. And in case folks out there don't understand how this goes, I'm talking to you, Greg. Amin is going to tell us if he knows about that. Are you ready?

[Amin]

I'm ready.

[Stugats]

I mean, last night, big NBA showdown took place between the Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs. The spurs came away victorious. Cade Cunningham, who's an MVP candidate, he went 5 for 26. Big struggle. You know about that struggle from Cade last night?

[Amin]

I know all about that struggle from Kate. And it is why on this program yesterday, when you were out sick with your boo boo like a sniffly nose, had you in bed, couldn't make it to a big show after a gold medal win. We talked about this. How I have questions about the Detroit Pistons. Last night was a microcosm because you have a, a very Heliosy centric offense, guys. That means when you have a star and that star's got to do everything, that's Cade Cunningham. And if he doesn't have a good game or if he's neutralized, guess what? There's nobody else who could step up. That's what happened. Number two, a bad three point shooting team by volume, by efficiency last night, seven of 36, 20% from three, awful shooting, but also 36, three attempts. That's really low, guys. You got to get some volume out there, even if you don't have the efficiency. And then number three, this part didn't really kick in. Bad free throw shooting last night. They shot well from the free throw line. They didn't get there enough. Only 19 trips to the free throw line last night was a game a microcosm of what I fear about the Detroit Pistons moving forward. But I support my boy Tony in saying that's good money.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's good money on Cade. But also if he doesn't go 7

[Sid Sashiro]

for 26, they're in that game and they win that game.

[Amin]

Yes.

[Sid Sashiro]

Right. Like if he goes 11 for 26,

[Dan LeBatard]

like there's a chance that they win that game.

[Amin]

Yes. And if Connor McDavid plays, apparently Canada wins. Cindy Crosby or Sidney Crosby. Yeah.

[Stugats]

All right, let's keep the answers a little bit tighter. Sounds like Amin knows about that. Amin, you're telling us that the Kevin Durant burner situation, that there's no real hard evidence, but we do have hard evidence that Kevin Durant and his team at his, his company boardroom they did fire his, edit his entire editorial department. You know about that?

[Amin]

I know all about that. Actually, someone who used to work at Boardroom confirmed that this was something that had nothing to do with Burner Gate. No, this is something completely different. It's called, hey, running a media company in this economy is really hard. And Boardroom, for all of the great content it puts out, imagine doing it during a pandemic.

[Sid Sashiro]

Building an airplane in the sky

[Dan LeBatard]

infrastructure.

[Stugats]

Hollywood went on strike.

[Amin]

Thank you, Dan. The Boardroom content that is most popular is typically aggregation. It's not original content. They do make original content, and it is typically good. But the stuff that does the best for them is the stuff that requires the least editorial oversight.

[Stugats]

In case anyone didn't hear me, let's tighten up the answers. All right. It sounds like Amin knows about half

[Amin]

the answer was him talking.

[Stugats]

None of us, Greg, I mean, Luka Doncic. It seems like we're at the point in the season where when the Lakers losing games, he's all about that non stop complaining. You know about that non stop complaining?

[Amin]

Yes.

[Stugats]

Okay, you can expand a little bit. I'll allow it.

[Dan LeBatard]

You walked into that one there.

[Amin]

This is who he is. I feel like this is just people discovering who he is, because Laker fans, they claim to be huge NBA fans, but a lot of them are just Laker fans, meaning if it's not happening to their team, they don't see it. And so this is the LUCA that we've known since he came in the league. I've told stories about watching him say things to his own coach, Rick Carlisle, that I'd never seen any player, let alone a rookie, say in game. Right. So this is just part of the

[Stugats]

LUCA I would like to hear an example of. Can you give an example?

[Amin]

Absolutely. I. His rookie year, I watched him play against Oklahoma City. I had really great seats, shout out to Dallas pr. So I was basically one of those courtside media seats. And Luka does some kind of little trick thing and he turns it over. Thunder, push it back, throw it up ahead to Paul. George goes up, windmill dunk. And Luka's jogging back. And Rick Carlisle yells to Luka, luka, Luka, you gotta get back there. And Luka just looks at him and goes. He just points like, what am I supposed to do with that? The guy, windmill dunk. What am I gonna do? I wait through 80 and I'm six' six or whatever. Then he comes back and Ricard calls the play. And Luka looks at him and says, shut up. Literally says, Shut up and waves his hand dismissively and runs it. Calls his own play.

[Stugats]

The Greg Cody backhanded wave.

[Amin]

Not backhanded. It was like it was a forehand. Forehand.

[Sid Sashiro]

It was like, not as disrespectful as

[Stugats]

the backhand, but close. All right, sounds like you know about that Luca non stop complaining. I mean, Anthony Edwards over All Star weekend. He specifically asked Norm Powell how he enjoys Miami. The vibes be looking nice. You know about them Miami vibes.

[Amin]

I know all about those Miami vibes. Those Miami vibes were alive and well last night at 11 where we witnessed the gold medal winning Team USA come in there. Champagne bottles taller than Ethan and cigar smoke and flags and women sliding down poles with the flag wrapped around them. Nice old glory Miami vibes. There are no vibes in this nation that are quite as strong as Miami's vibes. Unfortunately, there's a thing called the collective bargaining agreement.

[Sid Sashiro]

Oh, come on.

[Dan LeBatard]

What are you doing there, Rule Schmollz.

[Amin]

I just don't see it happening. But could he be curious maybe?

[Stugats]

All right, sounds like you know about that Miami vibes. I mean, finally, one more for you ass here. The Knicks are at the Cavs tonight. Big time Eastern Conference matchup. You know about that big time Eastern Conference matchup.

[Amin]

I know all about that big time Eastern Conference matchup. A lot of people poo pooing the Cavs. A lot of people say, oh, so you got another guy who chokes in the playoffs. Big deal. But guess what? Cleveland is a team that started the year really rough. Injuries, losing. People said what happened to that 60 plus win team from last year, but they've been slowly getting their act together. And the addition of James Harden is an addition because the guy he replaced was hurt and not playing. And so for whatever you say about James Harden in the playoffs, he is a very real factor in the regular season as a guy who plays games and plays heavy minutes. And this is exactly what Donovan Mitchell needed. The Knicks must win this game. This is a must win game for the Knicks.

[Sid Sashiro]

A must win game in February.

[Amin]

Yes.

[Stugats]

All right. I mean, I got to tell you, sounds like you know about that.

[Mike Ryan]

Doesn't know about what must win game means because whether they win or lose, they are going to be required by the league and the network partners to show up for their next game.

[Amin]

So that doesn't mean they must say

[Sid Sashiro]

win or go home. He didn't say that must.

[Dan LeBatard]

He said must win.

[Mike Ryan]

Well, must win indicates that, that the thing's going to come apart if they, if they don't win. Right.

[Sid Sashiro]

Exactly right.

[Amin]

Must win means yes. The season becomes in jeopardy if they don't win this game.

[Mike Ryan]

I think I know about must win games more than you do, Amin. Thank you.

[Stugats]

I don't think you.

[Amin]

The last time you asked someone about a must win game, you fraud. You're sitting over there talking about if 87 was out there. What do you know about must win games? A must win game happened on Sunday. And you guys are saying, oh, Mike

[Mike Ryan]

Raymond didn't know what a must win game meant. He said it was then he didn't win.

[Dan LeBatard]

Were you rooting for Canada?

[Sid Sashiro]

Yeah, he was.

[Dan LeBatard]

It seems like you were.

[Mike Ryan]

How many times do I have to make clear to anybody he was.

[Sid Sashiro]

I once.

[Mike Ryan]

I once consult. By the way, I should. I should mention for. For no reason other than I'm vain. I once was in a bar in Pittsburgh and the color analyst for the Pittsburgh right after talking about were you rooting for Canada? I'm telling you why I care about black and gold one time. Care about black and gold. He asked about Canada.

[Dan LeBatard]

I care about the stars and strike spell.

[Mike Ryan]

They're related. They're related. We had three Panthers on that team. I. I have. I have had beer. Not just any beer, Iron City beer from the Stanley cup after I had hoisted it over my head with my pals. Of course I care about black and gold. Of course. That's what matters to me. Ergo, I was rooting for number 87 to score the big goal. I was not rooting for Canada.

[Dan LeBatard]

You were rooting for Canada and not the Stars and Bars. Not at all.

[Amin]

Not in overtime.

[Mike Ryan]

Certainly not in the gold medal game. I wasn't because 87 didn't even dress for it. So I was rooting for USA 100%.

[Amin]

So let me ask you a question, Dave. If in overtime, right, third period ends, it's a tie, we're going overtime. Sudden death, three on three. All right, Canada, who you got out there? We got Connor McDavid. We got some other Canadian guy that I can't name. And then what's that brini coming out of? Is that Sid? Sid's got his kid on his sweater on.

[Mike Ryan]

I don't need your hypothetical because in 2010, when Sidney Crosby scored the gold goal. Sidney Crosby scored.

[Sid Sashiro]

That's what you're asking about Sunday?

[Dan LeBatard]

All right.

[Mike Ryan]

Yes, I would still want Sidney Crosby to win.

[Sid Sashiro]

Score the game winning goal.

[Mike Ryan]

Yes, I would rather Sidney Crosby. And in fact, I cheered it. And then I took my concerns because the man in the mirror did have some. I took them to Sidney Crosby and said, is it okay that I cheered for you when you scored the golden goal? And he said, yes, I'll allow it. If 87 was cool with it, that I am, too.

[Amin]

You probably would root for Aaron Burr, wouldn't you, sir?

[Mike Ryan]

Shame the devil. Listen, I'm not here to explain myself to you.

[Dan LeBatard]

You're quite literally here to explain yourself.

[Greg Cody]

Aaron Burr. Faggin.

[Mike Ryan]

And I just did. I just did black and gold over even red, white, and blue for this game.

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, there are three Panthers on Canada, one of them being my absolute favorite player in the world, Brad Marchand. And I was so thrilled to watch the U.S. win.

[Mike Ryan]

We ain't built the same guys.

[Amin]

I don't use this word lightly, but I think in this case it's appropriate. Judge Zaslow, I accuse him of sedition of the highest.