The Hockey Show: We Miss Puck

Summary

Episode Summary: "The Hockey Show: We Miss Puck"

Release Date: July 25, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Hosts: Roy Bellamy, David Dwork, Ethan, and Guest Adnan Virk
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami

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1. Recent NHL Offseason Developments

The episode kicks off with the hosts diving into recent happenings within the NHL offseason. Roy Bellamy introduces the main topics, including the recap of significant trades and the current state of various teams.

Notable Discussion:

• Nick Tarnaski Incident: Roy and David discuss a recent altercation on a golf course involving former NHL enforcer Nick Tarnaski.

  • David Dwork ([03:13]): “I had to put some thought into it.”
  • Roy Bellamy ([03:32]): “All jokes aside, guys, I'd like to...”

• Personal Anecdotes on Golfing: The hosts share personal stories about their golf experiences, highlighting frustrations and humorous moments.

  • Roy Bellamy ([03:50]): “36 is 18. Very much a Michael Jordan thing to do.”
  • Ethan ([04:07]): “I love golf and I love to play golf. I don't play enough golf.”

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2. "Happy Gilmore" Sequel Speculations

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the anticipated sequel to the classic movie "Happy Gilmore."

Key Points:

• Missing Characters: The absence of Chubbs Peterson due to Calwater's death is a major talking point.

  • Roy Bellamy ([06:26]): “There's one major character missing...”
  • David Dwork ([15:28]): “Matthew Tkachuk has made it look easy.”

• Casting and Cameos: The hosts speculate on potential cameos, including Bad Bunny and Travis Kelce, adding excitement yet expressing skepticism about the film's reception.

  • Ethan ([07:04]): “She's going to be terrible, but very fun because the cameos...”

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3. Top Five Fictional Coaches Perfect for Hockey

The hosts and guest Adnan Virk engage in a lively debate to compile a list of fictional coaches from various media who would excel in managing a hockey team.

Top Five Picks:

1. Ted Lasso (David Dwork)

   • David ([27:28]): “Gives off major Paul Maurice vibes. A lot of positive influence...”

2. Lou Brown (David Dwork)

   • Roy Bellamy ([29:34]): “Tell me that guy's not firing up the troops.”

3. Eric Taylor from "Friday Night Lights" (David Dwork)

   • David ([29:46]): “Just a motivational guy with his finger on the pulse...”

4. Norman Dale from "Hoosiers" (Adnan Virk)

   • Adnan ([29:58]): “He knows everything about everything...”

5. Jimmy Dugan from "A League of Their Own" (Adnan Virk)

   • Adnan ([30:28]): “He is going to make the difference between winning and losing...”

Additional Mentions:

• Mickey from "Rocky"
• Coach Carter
• Bud Kilmer from "Varsity Blues"
• Patches O'Houlihan from "Dodgeball"

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4. Adnan Virk’s New Book: "Cinephile Interviews, Essays and Tales from the Red Carpet"

Guest Adnan Virk promotes his newly released book, sharing insights and excerpts that delve into his passion for cinema.

Highlights:

• Excerpt on "Taxi Driver" ([37:24]): Adnan reads a passage praising the film's enduring impact and its exploration of loneliness.

  • Adnan Virk: “Taxi Driver is a definitive film about loneliness and urban alienation...”

• Discussion on Favorite Directors: Adnan shares his admiration for Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, emphasizing their influence on his work.

  • Adnan Virk: “I love Tarantino, but Scorsese is my favorite...”

• Book Promotion: The hosts encourage listeners to pre-order and engage with Adnan’s work.

  • Roy Bellamy ([44:45]): “Please, go out and pre-order that right now...”

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5. Major NHL News: Ineligibility of 2018 World Junior Team Members

A pivotal segment covers the recent court verdicts involving five members of Canada's 2018 World Junior Hockey Team, impacting their NHL careers.

Details:

• Court Verdict: All five players, including Carter Hart and Michael McLeod, were found not guilty of sexual assault but remain ineligible to play in the NHL.

  • Adnan Virk ([22:31]): “All five members of that team are ineligible to play in the National Hockey League.”

• NHL’s Response: The league is reviewing the judge’s findings but maintains the suspensions based on the allegations.

  • Ethan ([25:08]): “The NHL did release a statement...”

• Implications for Teams: Discussion on how teams might handle the ineligibility, with specific mentions of the Edmonton Oilers and their GM, Stan Bowman.

  • Roy Bellamy ([25:24]): “Stan Bowman is currently running the Edmonton Oilers...”

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6. NHL Season Predictions and Upcoming Highlights

In anticipation of the new season, the hosts share their predictions and analyze team performances.

Predictions:

• Stanley Cup Favorites: Roy champions the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights, while David expresses confidence in Matthew Tkachuk’s contributions.

  • Roy Bellamy ([41:52]): “I'm gonna go for Vegas then...”
  • Ethan ([42:32]): “The Florida Panthers are a +600 favorite according to DraftKings.”

• Team Analysis: Detailed discussion on team standings, player performances, and potential Stanley Cup contenders.

  • David Dwork ([43:19]): “Bud Kilmer is a no-nonsense coach...”

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7. Listener Engagement and Future Episodes

The episode concludes with promotion of Adnan Virk’s book and a brief overview of future topics, maintaining engagement with the audience.

Final Remarks:

• Book Signing Plans: The hosts express eagerness to host a book signing event for Adnan in Miami.

  • Roy Bellamy ([45:27]): “Get your Sharpie ready, because he's ready.”

• Next Episode Tease: A promise of continued hockey discussions with possible deep dives into player performances and team strategies.

  • Roy Bellamy ([46:05]): “We will see you next week.”

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• David Dwork ([03:19]): “Looks real bad. Played 36 holes of golf.”

• Roy Bellamy ([06:10]): “That's a major, major thing.”

• David Dwork ([15:28]): “Three straight Stanley Cup final appearances. Two straight Stanley Cups...”

• Adnan Virk ([37:24]): “Taxi Driver is a definitive film about loneliness and urban alienation.”

• Ethan ([42:32]): “The Florida Panthers are a +600 favorite according to DraftKings.”

---

Conclusion

"The Hockey Show: We Miss Puck" offers a comprehensive and entertaining exploration of current NHL events, intertwined with personal anecdotes, cinematic discussions, and insightful predictions. Hosted by Roy Bellamy, David Dwork, Ethan, and featuring Adnan Virk, the episode provides valuable perspectives for both avid hockey fans and casual listeners alike. The blend of sports analysis, movie enthusiasm, and engaging banter ensures a rich and enjoyable listening experience.

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For more insights and detailed discussions, tune into "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" on DraftKings Network or their YouTube channel.

Transcript

[Adnan Virk]

After zoomies at the dog park, it's time for drive up at Target. In goes a big bag of kibble and one squeaky chicken toy for the good boy. Drive up. That's ready when you are. Only in the Target app, just tap target. On WhatsApp, no one can see or hear your personal messages. Whether it's a voice call message or sending a password to WhatsApp, it's all just this. So whether you're sharing the streaming password in the family chat or trading those late night voice messages that could basically become a podcast, your personal messages stay between you, your friends and your family. No one else, not even us. WhatsApp message privately with everyone. Close your eyes. Exhale. Feel your body relax and let go of whatever you're carrying today. Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class. I got them delivered free from 1-800-contacts. Oh, my gosh, they're so fast. And breathe. Oh, sorry. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste. Visit 1-800-contacts.com today to save on your first order.

[David Dwork]

1-800-Contacts.

[Roy Bellamy]

Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the hockey show with Ethan in the shipping container. That's David Dwork, and my name is Roy Bellamy. Rosie is on assignment, and that assignment has nothing to do with our show. So.

[David Dwork]

Birthday?

[Roy Bellamy]

I don't know.

[David Dwork]

I heard it was her birthday this weekend.

[Roy Bellamy]

Somebody should have told me.

[Ethan]

Yeah, if it is, Rose didn't tell us, which is the most shocking thing ever that Rose would not share. Hey, it's my birthday coming up.

[Roy Bellamy]

Because knowing Rose, you didn't tell us.

[Ethan]

She would want us to be like, my birthday is this weekend. You better tell me. Happy birthday.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, that's.

[Ethan]

Is it actually Rose's birthday this week?

[David Dwork]

I don't know. She's not here and she's already derailed the show.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. All right, so on the show today, if you are watching on DraftKings Network, you can find us on YouTube, the Leviton Friends YouTube page, the playlist tab, and you can find our folder on today's show is. Apparently, he's written a book. We're going to talk to him about it and we're going to talk to him about the NHL offseason. There's a lot of. A lot of news that has happened over the past couple of days that we will get to with him and a top five. We do have a top five. He should be very happy about this top five. And it should come right off dome, like as soon as you say it, just like, boom.

[David Dwork]

I had to put some thought into it.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. So a couple of weeks ago, if you remember, there was a. A run in on a golf course. Some random dude had got into it with a man on a golf course. I guess he was drunk and whatever. That dude did not happen to know that the guy that he ended up getting into fist cuffs with was former NHL enforcer nasty Nick Tarnaski. And that guy paid very much, dearly. After getting into a tussle with him, he ended up in a lick. Since then, he has issued an apology and it sounded like this. That's me, guys. The guy that got dropped like a.

[David Dwork]

Bucket of balls in a pond. Now my finest moment.

[Unnamed Speaker]

I know.

[Ethan]

Looks real bad. Played 36 holes of golf.

[David Dwork]

We drank way too much, and my mouth ran faster in my brain.

[Roy Bellamy]

All jokes aside, guys, I'd like to.

[David Dwork]

Apologize to all the folks on the course, anyone caught up in it, and anyone who had to deal with me that day. I lost my cool, and I've learned from it. Just one of those days where you should have kept the card on the path, you know? You know, stay hydrated, keep your stick on the ice. Maybe stick to 18. Oh, my God.

[Roy Bellamy]

36 is 18. Very much a Michael Jordan thing to do. Except Michael Jordan is not getting that wasted.

[David Dwork]

I. I know. I feel like when I get to like, 12 or 13, I'm already thinking about, man, we done yet?

[Ethan]

I love golf and I love to play golf. I don't play enough golf. I can't imagine playing 36 holes of golf in a day.

[David Dwork]

I did that as, like a teenager. But, like, no, like, that's what I'm saying. Like, I love playing golf, but, like, by the time I'm like, I. I get around the turn, I'm getting towards like, 13, 14. I'm like, man, I'm tired. It's hot. I'm. You know, if I'm not tipsy, I'm. I'm something. And I'm just like, I'm ready to get lunch.

[Roy Bellamy]

I'm waiting for the food.

[David Dwork]

Yeah, no, that's what I'm saying. We need to get to the picnic table with the double, double Tito or double vodka? Double vodka, Red Bull or soda?

[Roy Bellamy]

That's your drink of choice.

[Ethan]

Roy, let me ask you something. Is there any. You mentioned being in fisticuffs with a hockey player, but not just a hockey player, an enforcer.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah.

[Ethan]

Is there any person or group of people that you Would rather be in fisticuffs with less than a hockey enforcer.

[Roy Bellamy]

Probably actual like a boxer.

[David Dwork]

Yeah. I was gonna say like an MMA.

[Roy Bellamy]

Fighters entourage, especially a mixed martial artist because they don't just use their hands. Was that your fleeing and I got kicked. Well, you said all of a sudden.

[Ethan]

You see a spinning heel coming flying at your face.

[Roy Bellamy]

No, no, I definitely do not want to do that. That just seems like a. Just like be cool, man. Like what are we doing?

[David Dwork]

We are just golf.

[Roy Bellamy]

It's just golf. What are we doing here?

[David Dwork]

Usually get more mad at myself than anybody else on the golf course.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. Auto shanks, all the hooks, all the slices. Yeah. I'm already angry.

[David Dwork]

Frustrating.

[Roy Bellamy]

And with all the drinks, I'm still not going to get into a fight. You know, I'll defend myself, but you know, the one time not the aggressor.

[David Dwork]

It's appropriate to like kind of suddenly go charging at someone is if somebody hits into you from behind. Like if I'm about to take a shot, there's no four ball lands around me. Even if there is a four. Like if it's. Unless it's coming from another fairway, then like I feel you, buddy. That's me. Like, you know.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah.

[David Dwork]

Ron fairway. My bad. But if it's just somebody in the same hole, like no, that's. You're dropping the golf. Golf club.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. You're waiting on the green. You're not even going to finish your putt.

[David Dwork]

Oh no. Somebody's getting in their cart and charging at the other one. Like that's. You know.

[Ethan]

Compare your golf game to hockey players.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Man.

[Roy Bellamy]

I would say Happy Gilmore before he actually got on the. On the golf.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Of course.

[Roy Bellamy]

That's good.

[Ethan]

Are you guys excited for Happy Gilmore too? You're gonna be watching it.

[Roy Bellamy]

I'll take it.

[David Dwork]

I'm excited, but I'm also scared because I don't want it to be bad because the first one is like, you know, the first. It's Happy Gilmore. It's one of the best funny movies of our childhood. Or you know, some of our childhood.

[Roy Bellamy]

Here's the situation here. We are missing one major character with Chubbs Peterson with the. The death of Calwater. That's a. That's a major, major thing. They would definitely going to write him in.

[David Dwork]

Somehow they got to honor him in some way.

[Roy Bellamy]

There's going to be a nice little dedication dedicated to Call Waters. Probably placard at the end.

[David Dwork]

Maybe like they. They've like named Happy's golf course. If he's on golf course yeah, like the Chubbs. No, the Chubby Chubbs.

[Roy Bellamy]

Peterson Memorial.

[Ethan]

Slipped my mind. I have a feeling it's going to be terrible, but very fun because the cameos, like Bad Bunny is just catty. Travis Kelce's in the movie. Like it's just going to be cameos galore.

[David Dwork]

Would have been hard to mess it up, right?

[Ethan]

Yeah, yeah. Like it. Just make it as ridiculous as possible. I'll be watching you more too. How many years later? 30 years later.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, yeah, just about was 97.

[Ethan]

I don't know when it came out.

[David Dwork]

It came out 97.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. But like it's just about 30.

[David Dwork]

We're recording this. It's 11:15. So in about 12 hours I will be properly legally medicated. 96. So I was 13. The Panthers were in the Stanley Cup Final and Happy Gilmore was taking over the.

[Roy Bellamy]

The.

[David Dwork]

Dan's very open.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah.

[David Dwork]

That's the funniest part of that movie. When he knocks on the balcony of the house.

[Roy Bellamy]

So long as Rob Snyder is not in that movie.

[David Dwork]

No, he is. He plays the same character too.

[Roy Bellamy]

Oh, God damn it.

[David Dwork]

I saw like. Like a couple months ago, there was like people were filming on the street and they showed him. I don't know what the context is, but he was like running from a large crowd as that character. You know, the.

[Roy Bellamy]

What.

[David Dwork]

What does he say about grandma?

[Roy Bellamy]

I don't. I don't remember. Oh, you know what? Ben Stiller. I wonder, is he in it?

[David Dwork]

Yeah. Wait, who are we just talking about?

[Roy Bellamy]

Oh, Rob Snyder.

[David Dwork]

Oh, no, my bad. I was talking about Ben Stiller. Wow. I just totally.

[Ethan]

That's a terrible. Yeah, that's a really bad.

[Roy Bellamy]

That's not good. That's really bad.

[Ethan]

That's a really bad.

[David Dwork]

I'm gonna find myself. That's really bad.

[Ethan]

That's like a $20 fine.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, that's not Venmo to me.

[David Dwork]

I mean, like, we're all little Jewish looking guys, so, like. I get it.

[Roy Bellamy]

What? What?

[David Dwork]

No, no. Me and Ethan and Ben Stiller and Rob Schneider.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, yeah. Don't.

[David Dwork]

Yeah.

[Roy Bellamy]

Try not to associate Barack Snyder with your religion.

[David Dwork]

He looks like.

[Ethan]

Did you see.

[David Dwork]

He's a little off the. Off the right side.

[Roy Bellamy]

He's off the reservations. Out of the tribe.

[Ethan]

Speaking of Jews and Adam Sandler movies, did you see. You are so not invited by Bat Mitzvah.

[David Dwork]

No, I did.

[Ethan]

Very fun.

[Roy Bellamy]

Oh, yeah.

[David Dwork]

Is this family?

[Ethan]

It's his family. His daughter's b. Yeah.

[David Dwork]

That's the kind of thing that I would.

[Ethan]

The two daughters, his wife.

[David Dwork]

Date night with my wife.

[Ethan]

Yeah, you should run that. Yeah, that's fine with your kids too.

[Roy Bellamy]

Before. Before we run out of time. David, you had, you had some thoughts about the complaints about the state taxes. Oh, yeah, income taxes. And what you thought about. You got a new take? What, you changed your mind?

[David Dwork]

No, it's the hockey show. But this is about hockey. This is the.

[Ethan]

I know, I'm saying to the show.

[David Dwork]

No, no, it's. My take is still the same. I'm just, I'm expanding on it. My new take or my new thought? Blame the owners.

[Roy Bellamy]

Oh, it's the owner's fault. Okay.

[David Dwork]

Blame the people who decided to found their teams in these high tax places.

[Roy Bellamy]

Or taking over the teams case of Vinnie. Yeah, yeah, Vinnie Biola.

[David Dwork]

They're putting their fans in such an uncomfortable, unreasonable situation that they have to root for a team that's lesser than because they can't afford to bring in the same players that the Florida's and the Dallas is in, the Nashville's and the Vegas is that they can bring in. Blame the politicians in the area for not changing the laws to lower the taxes to make it more conducive to the hockey team.

[Ethan]

Or just be better. Just sign better players. Yeah, like Bill Zito does it really well.

[Roy Bellamy]

You got to overpay these players just based off the tax.

[Ethan]

Just pay the.

[David Dwork]

Just.

[Ethan]

Just do a better job. Win more games. Win the stand. If the Panthers. It's not that hard. Just win the Stanley Cup.

[Roy Bellamy]

Oh, it's not that hard.

[Ethan]

They're doing it every year now all of a sudden.

[Roy Bellamy]

It's not that hard. Just win the Stanley cup wins.

[Ethan]

And the Panthers have made it look easy.

[Roy Bellamy]

Wins and fails in a. Yes, yes, they have wins. The Fellows of the week presented by Jagermeister. Serve it code or don't serve it at all. Jagermeister. Damn, that is cold. For more visit jaegermeister.com Drink responsibly. David.

[David Dwork]

I.

[Roy Bellamy]

Please, I want you to drink responsibly.

[David Dwork]

I. I will. Thank you. I appreciate you looking out for me.

[Roy Bellamy]

Be safe.

[David Dwork]

Yes, go ahead. Would you like me to start with my win or my fail?

[Roy Bellamy]

Wins. Okay, try to go in order here chronologically according to my sheet.

[David Dwork]

My win of the week goes to Matthew Tkachuk. This week has belonged to Matthew Tkachuk. In the span of 48 hours, the guy got hitched to his longtime love and then he had his day with the Stanley cup in his hometown of St. Louis, where he brought it to the children's hospital again. He brought it to visit the police officers and the Firefighters, he had it in a jail cell. It was just another great day days for Matthew Tkachuk in his hometown. This is his week, this is his world and we're all living in it. So props to you, Matty.

[Roy Bellamy]

He's got a decision to make, either surgery or rehab. And the Panthers have a decision to make about long term injured reserve placing him on that list and a potential trade that they're going to have to do just to be cap compliant once he comes back in.

[David Dwork]

This can't be like the NBA where you can just pay a luxury tax and deal with it.

[Roy Bellamy]

No, unlike it's like dollar for dollar on those contracts. When you make deals too in the NBA.

[Ethan]

It is going to be really interesting to see because all of a sudden all the rumors were, hey, Evan Rodriguez is going to get traded. And now it's like, don't be so sure that Evan Rodriguez is going to get traded and he's not here. But then if they put Chucky on ltir at some point they're going to have to get under the cap.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah.

[Ethan]

So what are they going to do with Evan Rodriguez at that point?

[David Dwork]

Ethan, this is another great time and a great opportunity for us to see the man that is Bill Zito flex his GM muscles. Honestly, I'm looking forward to it. It's like watching the strongest man competition.

[Ethan]

No, I am too. I found it very interesting to see what the Panthers are going. Whether it's going to be this off season or come this regular season. I'm sure they're waiting for the doctor's opinions.

[David Dwork]

Whatever it is, figure it out.

[Roy Bellamy]

But by Olympics time.

[David Dwork]

Yeah. Hey, I have faith. Man like Bill Zito is now kind of almost supplanted Pat Riley in the in blank we trust. In my mind, South Florida sports realm like Bill Zito, like he's. He's playing with house money. He's got carte blanche.

[Roy Bellamy]

My winner of the week is Bobrovsky. Now you might be thinking Bobrovsky. Well, Sergey Bobrovsky has won the Stanley cup already. He's lifted it over his head a month ago, you know. But I'm not talking about the man. In fact, I'm not talking about a man. I'm talking about the thoroughbred that ran in the third race at Saratoga on yesterday. Go ahead and play that clip. Quarter of a mile to go, Bobrovsky still with that big lead, chased on the inside by imagine John, who's starting to make some headway outside of him waiting on a sunny day.

[Unnamed Speaker]

But it's all Bobrovsky.

[Roy Bellamy]

Nothing's getting by him.

[David Dwork]

Oh my God.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Once again, why is it Bobrovsky, far.

[Roy Bellamy]

Too strong, kept to his task. Another for a rat Ortiz Jr. Bobrovsky wins by eight widening lengths.

[David Dwork]

Come on.

[Roy Bellamy]

Wait.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Imagine John and Mr. J.

[Ethan]

Imagine John. Laziest name ever.

[Roy Bellamy]

It's just they took just like Mr.

[Ethan]

J's favorite song, Jay's favorite song. Waiting on a Sunny Day is a. An elite horse name though. That's a great name for a horse.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, well, it seems like he's going to keep on waiting. Ethan, what you want? All right.

[Ethan]

My win of the week goes to this beer league somewhere in Canada. Not exactly sure. This goalie stopped Connor McDavid on three one on one opportunities. McDavid and Draisaitl went and played in a beer league together. They're wearing their Oilers practice uniforms. They got shut out, did not score, lost the game. Those guys in that beer league have to feel incredible about themselves after that.

[David Dwork]

Respect to beer leagues.

[Ethan]

Respect to beerleaguers also. Rose has a win of the week, guys. Her win of the week from the great beyond, wherever she may be is for Inter Miami. Great for signing Rodrigo DePaul, former Athletico Madrid and current Argentinian national team midfielder.

[David Dwork]

It's a big signing.

[Ethan]

This is Rose's win of the week because she's attracted to hot.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yep. All right, Dave. Fail.

[David Dwork]

Yeah, that was a fail. Oh wait, my fail of the week.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, your fail of the week.

[David Dwork]

Earlier this week, keeping with my theme of Matthew Tkachuk, earlier this week we celebrated the three year anniversary of the trade that brought Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jonathan Hubert, Mackenzie Weger, Kai Schwindt and a conditional first round pick. The reaction on social media following the trade was less than ideal. Obviously those takes have aged like warm milk in the sun, but I just wanted to kind of flash through them. So what the BLEEP are you going to do? You're never going to win a cup with Matthew Tkachuk. What the bleep checks calendar. This isn't April 1st. Bill Zito quickly turning into imposter. Yeah, right. What the hell is wrong with you guys? This is so bad. Who was drunk and accepted this? I hate everything. Is there some Gretzky like prospect available next year when this team is tanking for him? Yeah, it's like guys, three straight for.

[Ethan]

Matthew Tkachuk who thought they were tanking.

[David Dwork]

Three straight Stanley cup final appearances. Two straight Stanley Cups and what is Tkachuk had more points per game than anybody on the team in that spin.

[Roy Bellamy]

We can finally close the book on that trade because the Flames finally got their first round pick.

[Ethan]

The Panthers won two Stanley Cups before the Flames even ever made the pick that was in that trade. That's pretty incredible.

[David Dwork]

It's nice though that like Huberto and Weider are both playing well now in Calgary and like everybody can kind of be a little bit happy with that trade.

[Ethan]

I have a secret. I bought a Hoover Doe jersey like a month before the trade went down and I had to get rid of it. It was really bad.

[David Dwork]

How'd you get rid of it?

[Roy Bellamy]

You got rid of it like Kevin Spacey's hoodie.

[Ethan]

I don't know where it is.

[Roy Bellamy]

My fail of the week is from Matthew Mitchkoff. As you remember, he was a Philadelphia Flyer at the same time that John Torello was the head coach and they were like oil and water. Specifically Miskov style of play and Torella's philosophy. Now Miskov talked in a video while he was on the ice about his style of play, which is definitely not dump and chase is the complete opposite of dump and chase. He was explaining that the, the four checking style of dumping and chasing and trying to win puck battles is too exhausting. Too exhausting. He's more of a, you know, carry it into the zone and find the right pass type of guy and setting up forecheck that way. Now I want to remind everybody that for the past three seasons, the Eastern Conference championship and you know, the team that won back to back Stanley cup finals, you know, kind of won in the style of play that Miskov does not like.

[David Dwork]

Yeah. And it's not that the Panthers only dump and chase the puck, but they are more than happy to play this incredibly hard, tiring, trolling style of hockey that Mitchkoff seems to not really want to get his hands dirty with. Yeah, fine.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. And not to mention that Mischoff had a hand in Tortorella getting fired in Philadelphia. Now Todorello's more to fault on that one. But Mischoff did not help. So yeah, Matt B. Mishkov, definitely my fail of the week. Oh, and the New York Islanders still lose this as well. Ethan, my fail of the week goes.

[Ethan]

To the National Hockey League for this scheduling mishap. This scheduling disaster I would say that they have brought upon the Florida Panthers. Now don't get me wrong, I'm going to be there. I will be in the building no matter what to watch the second banner go to the rafters. But the fact that it's going to happen around 4:30pm on a Tuesday in October is absolutely asinine. The Florida Panthers home opener is going to take place on October 7th at 5pm You've got the reigning two time defending champions playing against one of the up and coming stars in the league in Connor Bedard. And the game's going to be taking place at 5pm you know what's in the prime time slot?

[Roy Bellamy]

The Penguins and the Rangers.

[Ethan]

The two teams that didn't make the playoffs. One team that's tanking and one team that was extremely disappointing last year. A disaster. And just backwards from the NHL there.

[Roy Bellamy]

The new author of Cinephile is coming up. That is AD Nan Verk. He is coming up next on the Hockey show, so stay tuned. We're going to talk about the NHL all season and plug his new book.

[David Dwork]

What does Zyn give you?

[Unnamed Speaker]

Not just smoke free nicotine satisfaction, but real freedom. Freedom to do what you love and choose your rewards. With Zinn Rewards, you can redeem points for premium tech, outdoor gear and gift cards to your favorite retailers.

[David Dwork]

Find your Zinn and keep finding finding.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Rewards that fit your [e-mail] rewards warning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[Adnan Virk]

This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Knowing you could be saving money for the things you really want, like that dream house or ride, is a great feeling. That's why the State Farm Personal price plan can help you save when you choose to bundle home in auto bundling. Just another way to save with a personal price plan. Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state. Coverage options are selected by the customer. Availability, amount of discounts and savings and eligibility vary by state.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. Now I was looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited premium wireless for $15 a month is back. So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills, but it turns out that's very illegal. So there goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Adnan Virk]

Of $45 for a three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required. New customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes of networks busy taxes and fees extra. See mintmobile.com.

[Roy Bellamy]

Joining us now is Ad Nanbrook. He's an author. You're in a book, the new book Cinephile Interviews, Essays and Tales from the Red Carpet. But his hockey job, which he's currently not doing because he's busy doing baseball. He's a host. He's the studio host for Prime Monday Night Hockey which returns on Canadian Thanksgiving. October 13th. October 13th with the Red Wings and the Maple Leafs and the Blues and the Canucks. Now at that I see no Panthers games on this schedule. I don't understand what's going on here. That is defend the two time, two time reigning defending Stanley cup champions and you guys aren't even showing them all on your platform. It doesn't make any sense to me. But you got Penguins twice in the season.

[Unnamed Speaker]

I think the thought is this, Roy. We need to find a way that Sunrise can still be the capital of the hockey world so we will alienate and annoy Panthers fandom so that therefore this will motivate them just to stick it up our. You know what to win another Stanley Cup. Let's do it just to prove those guys wrong. From Amazon Prime. How dare we not be able to hockey. Quite honestly, I thought we're going to get a trip to South Florida. I couldn't wait. I was hoping January, February, bring down some trunks, go to Fort Lauderdale, make a week of it. Would have been amazing. But no, it's not going to happen. And even worse news, I've got more trips to Winnipeg than I do to Montreal. Montreal, one of the cities in all of hockey. All of North America. Two trips to Montreal, three to the Peg, two to Deadmonton, zero to Cal.

[David Dwork]

Brutal.

[Unnamed Speaker]

The only good news, six to Toronto, of course hometown. And I get to Philadelphia, get to see my Flyers and go see Gritty in March which will be nice. But no Panthers, no Vegas. Little disappointing.

[Roy Bellamy]

Well, the funny thing is that Panthers fans can't even see these games because it's Canada only.

[David Dwork]

Well, I think I figured it out, Adnan. I don't think they're going to let you go to a tropical climate location until you stop calling them trunks. Shorts.

[Unnamed Speaker]

I got a pack.

[David Dwork]

Swimming, swimsuit, bathing suit. I don't know who says trunks?

[Roy Bellamy]

Any bathing suit.

[Unnamed Speaker]

If a man just swimming suit, that's pretty bad. Like David might be right, trunks might be outdated. But swimming suit is awful. If a man.

[David Dwork]

What do we call it then? Just a bathing suit.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yeah.

[Roy Bellamy]

What you like 85 years old?

[David Dwork]

What do you call it?

[Unnamed Speaker]

Come on, I'm going to take my kid. You guys have my bathing suit?

[Ethan]

Yeah, that's what I say. I. I' went to the mall yesterday and I got three bathing suits. Like that's.

[David Dwork]

Yeah.

[Roy Bellamy]

Jesus.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Pair of shorts, swim shorts.

[Roy Bellamy]

Three America situation. I guess one Canada, two Americas and one Canada, Right.

[Unnamed Speaker]

What would you say? I said, well, you want to go swimming. What would you say? I have to go get my shorts. Exactly. Just shorts.

[Roy Bellamy]

Just shorts.

[David Dwork]

I think I would say swimsuit. I gotta get my swimsuit.

[Ethan]

We are in the weeds, boys. We miss hockey hunts.

[Roy Bellamy]

We were just talking about hockey. Well, okay. Now I gotta put my serious face on. Excuse me.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Fair enough. I'll give it a sec.

[Roy Bellamy]

Some major news came out yesterday. Before we get into your book and some of the NHL offseason. Five members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team, Michael McLeod, Carter Hart was a Flyer. Goaltender Alex Formenton, Dana Dube and Carl Foote were all found not guilty for sexual assault yesterday. Apparently, the judge did not find the evidence credible and eventually was ruled not guilty. Now, the NHL said that they are going to review the judge's findings, but for right now, all five members of that team are ineligible to play in the National Hockey League. Now, this league has known for, you know, terrible decisions. And a lot of the people who run these teams have made some terrible decisions. For instance, the New York Islanders, like Tony d' Angelo is back in this league. What we're doing. But Adnan, if these players were eligible, if any of these players become eligible, what team would be stupid enough to actually sign them to play in a National Hockey League?

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yeah, it's amazing, right? Because when this story came out and it's like one of those innocent till proven guilty, I'm like, yeah, but even if they're not going to be proven guilty in a court of law, it just sounds bad. Like you again, if the judge says he didn't take advantage of the woman, it was not sexual assault, okay? But at the very least, it appears to be some sordid behavior. And it's been obviously headlines and your career has been put on pause for years now because of what allegedly took place. At the very least, it was poor decision making. And obviously, if it had been worse, it would have been a criminal activity. So to your point, A, just because they're not feeling guilty in a court of law doesn't mean that Gary Batman Cane of force, some sort of punisher, right? We've seen that for the NFL. Hey, this guy didn't get proven guilty, but we feel like he engaged in behavior of ill repute. Therefore, this suspension is waning. But specifically to these guys, the one that's the most tantalizing, I suppose Roy, would be Carter Hart, because at one point he was a good goalie for the Flyers. And by the way, trying to explain to my son, he's like, what happened to Carter Hart. He's just away, Buddy. What do you mean? Why is he coming back now? He's a restricted free agent. They're not going to resell him. I thought he was pretty good. Well, they're just not going to take him. Buddy. It's okay. Eventually you do get a scarlet letter on you. But I will say this, Roy. Goaltending. There's a real paucity of goaltending. We all saw what happened this offseason and how few goalies were available. Flyer something Dan Vladar to try to push Sam Harrison. The Oilers still have not upgraded in net. Carter Hart is what, an Edmonton guy? So I hear you that you go, I'm surprised this one takes a shot. I think teams would be leery, skittish, etc. But if I were to see these guys never play another game in the NHL, I wouldn't bet against that.

[Roy Bellamy]

Well, you got to keep in mind that Stan Bowman is currently running the Edmonton Oilers and he doesn't exactly have a very good past when it comes to decision making. You know, what happened with the Chicago Blackhawks and everything. So I wouldn't surprise me if Edmonton made that move.

[Ethan]

Now, the NHL did release a statement yesterday in regards to the verdict. They said the allegations made in this case, even if not determined to have been criminal, were very disturbing and the behavior at issue was unacceptable. We will be reviewing and considering the judge's findings while we conduct that analysis and determine next steps. The players charged in this case are ineligible to play in the league. If you want more information on the trial and what happened, I highly recommend reading and going to the Athletic and reading this article from Dan Robson and Katie Strang about the trial, about what happened. The details are harrowing. Some of the testimony is very concerning and I would recommend going there if you want more information about that statement.

[Roy Bellamy]

Is grade A 100% reeking of lawyer. That is definitely lawyer speak on that one.

[David Dwork]

You know that they were going to be asked about this as soon as the. As soon as the judge made her rule and you know the NHL was going to start getting those questions, so they had that ready to go. I'll be surprised that to Adnan's point, if these guys aren't back in the NHL and I think it's going to be sooner rather than later, I think. I think by this season, if they're not in the NHL, they'll be working their way up, maybe going to the AHL or something. Anybody who's at that level that they could go back and play in the NHL, particularly Carter Hart, somebody who'll be high demand as a goaltender. Considering the market, I think it'll be sooner rather than later.

[Roy Bellamy]

Well, right now I'm just like, the expectation has to be them playing overseas. They're going to end up going to Europe, maybe Russia.

[David Dwork]

But no, I think for a guy like Carter Hart.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Carter Hart's playing in the NHL?

[David Dwork]

Yeah, he'll be in the ahl, probably to knock the rust off and all that stuff. But no, he'll be an NHL goaltender. I would be by this time, like, by this time next year, he'll probably have stats under his belt. Under his belt.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. So that's the situation right now. That was the big news that happened this week. So we are going to transition very, very, very badly to some fun stuff. We have a top five here.

[Unnamed Speaker]

And Dave, awkward but necessary segue from Roy Bellamy.

[David Dwork]

I love it.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yes. Dave, you got a topic here for Adnan, for our top five. I have the fanfare ready for you. Go ahead, Dave.

[David Dwork]

Well, Adnan, being a guy who's got some familiarity with movies and fictional work, I thought we could compile a list of the top five fictional coaches that would make the best hockey coaches. Now, obviously, fictional hockey coaches like Gordon Bombay not eligible for this list. Yeah, but anybody else is. And I figured that gave. Adnan, we gave, what, four days or so, five days to put this together. You had plenty of time, right, Adnan? 100.

[Unnamed Speaker]

You give me a heads up right away. I've got a good little list. I came with your guys list as well.

[David Dwork]

All right.

[Roy Bellamy]

Oh, I didn't do one, actually, because. No, you know why? Because it's most likely going to be the same as your guys. So I didn't, I didn't do one.

[David Dwork]

All right.

[Roy Bellamy]

I'm on the trigger with the fanfare, though. I'll be, I'll be doing that.

[David Dwork]

Well, then you host it. You tell us when to go.

[Roy Bellamy]

All right. You guys have any outside looking in entries?

[David Dwork]

I, I did, but I, I, instead of calling them Olis, I called them my AHL coaching stuff.

[Ethan]

That's good stuff. Proper.

[David Dwork]

So the guy, the, the guys who I would have as my AHL coaching staff are Hayden Fox from the TV show Coach. He'd be good with the little guys. Lou Brown from Major League Paul Blue Brown.

[Unnamed Speaker]

He's on my list.

[David Dwork]

I think he'd be really good with the younger guys. And then also as a scout, Irving Blitzer from Cool Runnings.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Irving Blitz is a great one.

[David Dwork]

He's going to find the talent.

[Unnamed Speaker]

In honor of the fact Ethan Is watching Rocky. I put Mickey in there as a trainer, so good. Mickey's going to get fired up. Coach Carter's in there as well. Movie called Win Win, which I love. I've also got Denzel with another fight. It's my ol od.

[David Dwork]

Not bad.

[Roy Bellamy]

All right, fellas, let's. Unless. Ethan, you having a. You have a list.

[Ethan]

Who was I just. Oh, there was a name. Oh, coach from Cheers.

[David Dwork]

Oh, yeah, that's a good one.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, yeah, that's a good one.

[Unnamed Speaker]

All right, Paul Santo. He's great. Yeah.

[Roy Bellamy]

All right, number five. We'll start with you, Dave.

[David Dwork]

Number five is Ted Lasso. Gives off major Paul Maurice vibes. Got a lot of positive influence, but can still get a little edgy. So I think Ted Lasso would be.

[Roy Bellamy]

A good hockey coach and that's really good.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Number five is Lou Brown. The aforementioned David gave him some love. Listen, laid back, laconic, good temperament with Cleveland, great mustache. Tell me that guy's not firing up the troops.

[Roy Bellamy]

Game 87, Ethan, I don't have a list. Oh, you just had one guy.

[Ethan]

I just. No, you just threw it to me.

[Roy Bellamy]

I'm sorry. I apologize. Number four, Dave.

[David Dwork]

Number four on my last is Eric Taylor, the coach from Friday Night Lights. Oh, yeah, just a motivational guy.

[Roy Bellamy]

He.

[David Dwork]

He has his finger on the pulse of the team from top to bottom. So, yeah, I like Coach Taylor.

[Roy Bellamy]

All right, Adnan, number four.

[Unnamed Speaker]

I'm gonna go number four, Norman Dale out of Hoosiers. That's right, the late, great Gene Hackman. Great book basement teacher, cares about his guys. Can't do better than Hackman. Yeah.

[Roy Bellamy]

All right, number three, David.

[David Dwork]

Number three is Bud Kilmer, the coach from Varsity Blues. This is a no nonsense coach. Yes. Jon Voight. Jesus does whatever it takes to win countless championships. Maybe got a little questionable late in his career, but I still see a lot of success with Bud Kilmer.

[Roy Bellamy]

All right, and then number four, number three, Brother three.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Number three. I like being in the list, but number three, I'll give it to Jimmy Dugan. Tom Hanks. A link of the room, a good one. That's a slight drinking problem, but emotional and gets after it.

[Roy Bellamy]

I love thick Hanks, David. Number two.

[David Dwork]

Number two on my list is Joe Riggins, the coach from Bull Durham. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball, you know, it's very similar. Yeah, so it seems like just a good coach, good guy, been around forever.

[Roy Bellamy]

And at number two, sometimes you gotta.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Zig when others are zagging. I'm going Karate Kid. Mr. Miyagi Ah, get him in the locker room.

[Ethan]

Pretty good one.

[Roy Bellamy]

That is a good one. All right, number one, fellas. Dave.

[David Dwork]

Number one on my list was, I think number four on Adnan's. I got Norman Dale from Hoosiers as number one. I just think this is bad. He knows everything about everything when it comes to the. He's not afraid to go against the norm. He's not afraid to fight against the. The townspeople or whatever for what's best for the players of the team. I think this is a great coach all around.

[Roy Bellamy]

And at number one, number one, it's.

[Unnamed Speaker]

The one that David and Roy gave to me inch by inch. Yeah, it's going to make the difference between winning and losing, between living and dying. The six inches in front of your face, Coach. Any given Sunday.

[Roy Bellamy]

And then me and David have had this joke for a little bit. It's Al Pacin, know as any coach at this point. Actually no, it would just be him as a hockey coach. Just screaming out random. She's got a great ass. No, just screaming out hockey names. For instance, jj, Daniel. No, it be Z and that sort of thing. I had my coffee with Z an hour ago. Half an hour ago.

[Ethan]

I also watched Heat for the first time a few weeks ago.

[David Dwork]

That's a good one.

[Unnamed Speaker]

So Ethan, what do we got?

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, okay. Yeah. Alright, so before, before we get to your list. That's the first thing we're gonna do after. I had to plug the book because. Because Adnan is a new author. His book is Cinephile Interviews essays entails from the red carpet. There is a quote from a guy that we all know around here that I have to read here and it's Adnan Burke is ill, sick, troubled, diagnosed with acute Scorsese. His addiction to film is neither healthy nor sane. He really thinks the world needs more of his thoughts on movies. I hate that he's right. That quote is from Daniel Tomas Levittard, incredible, incredibly successful podcast podcast host. That is one of the acknowledgments from the book Cinephile. Ethan, you have a movie list and I heard that you gave like five or six five star reviews. Yeah, these movies.

[Ethan]

So I'm on a heater to end all heaters right now from watching movies, guys. So last weekend I was staying at my brother's house so just kind of nothing to do. So I decided to watch movies. So I went on the first night I did a Toy story double feature. 1 and 2. Had hadn't seen him since I was a baby. Didn't barely remember Them.

[Roy Bellamy]

So good.

[Ethan]

Watch the first Tron to get ready for the new Tron movie that's coming out. I watched both Rockies this weekend. I watched both Dunes this weekend. But then I watched the Bird Cage and this was a great recommendation from some friends at work. An amazing movie. And Adnan, before I get to a hot take that I have about a movie that you love, which the boys are going to make me throw out here, I want to ask you a question. How did Nathan Lane not win an Oscar for his performance in the Birdcage?

[Unnamed Speaker]

He's hysterical. You know, the Oscars, historically, Ethan, are very tough on comedies. It's very, very difficult get nominated for even a comedic role, much less to win one. You know, rare exceptions, Kevin Klein won a best supporting Actor Oscar for A Fish Call Wanda. But for a lead actor, it's very tough unless you're in a Woody Allen movie. You know, Richard Dreyfus, Goodbye Girl away from the 70s. So it's really tough to do. Secondly, the movie came out in March, so Bird Cage wasn't really positioned as like Oscar bait. That was just obviously more September to December. But it's hysterical in the movie. I couldn't agree with you more. I read a great book about Robin Williams, a biopic by Dave Itzcoff, New York Times writer. He wrote it in 2018. I just read it a couple of months ago, but it was excellent. When they mentioned the Birdcage, what's fascinating about is Mike Nicholas is the director, legendary director, of course, won the Oscar for the Graduate. They were going to have Robin play that role because of course, it's the flamboyant gay role, loud, energetic, exuberant. And they kind of said, let's twist it on its ear a little bit. Let's have Robin play the straight role, so to speak. He's got the mustache, he one who looks like he's more straight. And who should we get to be a flamboyant gay guy? Let's go. Nathan Lane. So interesting the way the casting worked out. Lane was a bit of a wild card. Ends up stealing the movie. But I do think, speaking of the late great Gene Hackman, who David had his number one is Norman Dale, fictional coaches. He's hysterical playing the very uptight, conservative movies.

[David Dwork]

Really? Really.

[Ethan]

I thought they should have done it.

[David Dwork]

The Flockheart was really good in that. It's just a great cast.

[Roy Bellamy]

By the way, there was one really good. There was one Oscar nomination that was best art direction on set decoration. And that was a loss, but that.

[David Dwork]

Was a tough Year. Because that was like, I'm looking at Fargo. Jerry Maguire.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yeah, 96.

[David Dwork]

Yeah.

[Roy Bellamy]

That was the Academy Awards.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Shine is a great mov.

[Roy Bellamy]

The 1997 Academy Awards for the movies of 1996.

[Unnamed Speaker]

96 was the year. Year. The indies. There's some great movies, especially Fargo. Like one of my all time favorites. But I'm glad you saw it, Ethan.

[Ethan]

My only critique of the movie is that the end moved a little fast. They should have done a little more with Gene Hackman dressing up in the drag at the end. That was so hysterical. All right, here's my hot take. So you know how in Family Guy, there's that scene where Peter. They're all about to drown and he says, I did not care for the Godfather. I did not care for Taxi Driver.

[Roy Bellamy]

Oh, wow.

[Unnamed Speaker]

You wait until 20 minutes in this hit to offend.

[Ethan]

I know. We've had so much fun.

[Unnamed Speaker]

I'm looking at my movie poster of Taxi Driver. There Will Be Blood. Taxi Driver. Good fellas. Serpico. I'm like. I'm literally looking at, like, right over your shoulder. Exactly. I got Bob. Can you believe this? Pots. Go ahead. Give me your. Give me your horrible.

[Ethan]

I just. It just.

[David Dwork]

It was.

[Ethan]

I don't know, it was interesting.

[Unnamed Speaker]

It's a defining film about loneliness and urban alienation.

[Ethan]

What undeniable that the. The themes of. Of loneliness were there. It was just. It was boring. I don't know. I didn't like it that much. I was. It was another thing. It was during COVID I was on a roll. And I mean, poignant during COVID for me especially, like, I was, you know, dealing with some loneliness at that time. But my God, like, I just. I. I really wanted to like it. A friend recommended it and we had similar movies. I thought I would like it.

[David Dwork]

Dude, you're watching like, Tiger King and then you put on.

[Ethan]

No, I didn't watch Tiger.

[David Dwork]

And like, my.

[Ethan]

My Covid feelings. My Covid binge was. I watched all the Marvel Covid.

[David Dwork]

Okay.

[Ethan]

That was. That was my coveted thing. And then I watched, you know, a bunch of other ones. Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a. Is a Covid movie for me and one of my favorites. Love that movie. But yeah, Taxi Driver. Not for me, really.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Any Marvel movie had a Taxi Driver. That is. That is.

[Ethan]

Oh, no. I mean, I wouldn't say, like, they're in different categories, obviously, but.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Thank God, though, Roy, we have the book Cinephile because there's express pages written about Taxi Driver. I'm gonna.

[Ethan]

I will gladly read them. Adnan. Like, I will gladly read your book and read what you have to say about Taxi Driver and I'll even reevaluate and watch it again if you know.

[Roy Bellamy]

Actually, my next question. My next question was about to be about Martin Scorsese. If you had any stories about Scorsese and might as well talk about taxi drivers. So why don't you give us that story, Aunt Nan?

[Unnamed Speaker]

Just going to start reading my taxi drive. It's from page 178 to 181. Three pages dedicated now to Ethan. The poster. The poster is one of. Think how arrogant that is. Let me read from my book here, guys. One of my all time favorites. A downcast Robert De Niro wearing his military jacket and jeans. And behind him is a New York City street scene. The tagline says it all. On every street in every city in this country, there's a nobody who dreams of being a somebody. Taxi Driver is a definitive film about loneliness and urban alienation. The movie was born from the fevered imagination of depressed screenwriter Paul Schrader, who wrote the entire script in 10 days. It sprung out of him like an animal unleashed. And the script immediately connected with De Niro coming off an Oscar win for Best Supporting Actor for The Godfather Part II. Brian DePaulfen was offered the film by Schrader, but recommended his good friend Marty, who also felt a kinship with the script. And the result still has lasting power today. Quentin Tarantino said in his insightful book Cinema Speculation that Taxi Driver is a top three movie for him and it's inspired countless others.

[Ethan]

Is that Tarantino book good? I've been thinking about getting it. Did you read it?

[Unnamed Speaker]

Excellent. Yeah, yeah, it's great because it's literally about the movies again. Movies are always personal to all of us and it depends on the era with which we grew up in. So for Tarantino, he loves these late 60s, early 70s movies, and it's really excellent seeing how those movies had an impact upon his life, upon his career. It's really good. You'll enjoy it.

[David Dwork]

Yeah, Adnan, I guess two part question, because I was gonna ask you something. You just made me think of something else. So real quick, who's your favorite director? Mine is Tarantino.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yeah, I love Tarantino, but Scorsese is my favorite. But Quentin's gotta be the top five.

[Roy Bellamy]

Dave.

[Unnamed Speaker]

He's awesome. What I love about Quentin is that like, if you like you and me, if we made a hockey movie, it's like, like all the hockey we've ever seen is now gonna get splattered into this movie, like Tarantino takes all the images from his own life and his own favorite movies, splatters them on the screen. It's amazing.

[David Dwork]

It's cool. So reading your book, which. Thank you for sending me an advanced copy because I drove.

[Ethan]

Oh, where's mine?

[David Dwork]

I drove the family to and from Orlando last weekend and I had the wife driving just so I could get some reading done. So that was the best.

[Unnamed Speaker]

That's kind of you.

[David Dwork]

But when I was reading the chapter when you met Robert De Niro for the first time. Time. Yeah. I'm think like the whole time I'm just thinking to myself, we can act like this. Like, we're allowed to act like fans. We're allowed to act like. Like this is the coolest thing ever. Because I've been. I've been in hockey locker rooms for a little while now, and I grew up a hockey fan. Like, it's the coolest thing. It still is. Like, Roy and I were on the ice with the Stanley cup the last few years. It is like I feel most like a kid at Christmas morning any other time. So reading your book, I'm just thinking, man, this is so cool. We could do this. We can actually write like fans. And it's like I was consuming it. Like, I don't read ever. And I was reading your book, like, I was just loving it. It made me feel like a fan, like a kid, and I love that. So I guess, I don't know if I have a question. I guess it's just like, can we do this? Like, can we, can we write like a hockey book someday where we just like, tell all our favorite hockey stories? That. Because it's just. It's fun. Like, I really enjoyed it.

[Unnamed Speaker]

To your point, David, somebody said to me, like, oh, what an arduous process. I'm like, are you joking? I'm like, I can talk, right? To write a movie book is probably the easiest thing I've done in a long time. Pimping it out like a two bit whore, That's a different matter.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, yeah.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Actually writing a book, I'm like, I had a blast, dude. I'll write a second book right now. We'll do a sequel. Like, if the book sells, I'm in.

[Ethan]

All right. This is the hockey show. Our Adnan. So I'm gonna finish with a hockey question. Why is the NHL off season so boring? Why are GM such chicken shits? Why won't they do anything? Make a trade, make an, you know, send in an offer sheet. Like, I was promised a very Exciting off season and so far I got the panthers signing all three guys. Noah Dobson and J.J. paterka.

[David Dwork]

Nikolai.

[Unnamed Speaker]

I was about to say Nikolai Ehlers. At least he made.

[Ethan]

Yeah, okay.

[David Dwork]

Carolina is the Panthers little brother, you know.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yeah. It's interesting. There's two thoughts on Ethan. The one school of thought is hey, the hockey season is long. You're going from September until end of June. So it's nice to have a two month reset where we can all see our families. Like David said, get a little family time in, hit the beach, do some reading, whatever. And July 1st is awesome as we know Canada Day, the unrestricted free agency. But I hear you. This gets to be around the time like, like I think a month off is good. If you told me July, nothing's happening right. But August will kick it up a little bit. I hear you but listen, there'll be action of plenty once things get going and Mitch martyrs in Vegas. Don't worry, it's going to be fun.

[Roy Bellamy]

And finally our way way entirely too early predictions from you Antnan. Who's going to win both conferences and who's going to win the Stanley Cup.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Oh wow. Let's go, let's go Vegas then. Because I feel like I want to go to Vegas. I want you guys to go to Vegas as well.

[David Dwork]

Again rematch season. Yeah, yeah.

[Unnamed Speaker]

How in the world could I ever root against the Panthers Panthers again in the Eastern Conference. I swear I'm not even pandering you guys who right now if you told me draftkings or whatever like who is the second best team right now? Like I don't think you can argument the Leafs take a step back without Marner. Yeah, you know the Rangers are better. They don't even playoff team necessarily. Montreal again was a bubble team. Washington had a great season. Tough to back that again when you win a President's trophy. Ovechkin one more year probably could be his final season. Like to me there's no real clear cut. He's like maybe the Lightning. But again the Panthers are better than the Lightning. So I'm gonna go for as of.

[Ethan]

Now the Florida's are the Floridas. The Florida Panthers are a plus 600 favorite according to DraftKings. The Vegas Golden Knights are plus 850, the Avalanche are plus 900 and the Lightning are plus 13.

[Roy Bellamy]

So Carolina is nowhere near that top.

[David Dwork]

That's surprising.

[Ethan]

Oh, sorry, I was looking in the wrong order. Carolina's plus 800. Vegas is plus 8.

[Roy Bellamy]

Jesus Christ.

[Ethan]

Edmonton is plus 900.

[David Dwork]

Nice.

[Roy Bellamy]

Unbelievable.

[David Dwork]

Before we let Adnan go I just. I'm reading like the list of. I. So I compiled like a list of as many fictional coaches as I could come up with before I manage it. Yes. Before I narrowed them down. But there's a few on here that I feel like we have to at least mention. Like, for example, Red Bull. You from the water Boy. He's a great coach. He won a lot of games and I think he'd be great on the ice. Phil Brickma from Rookie of the Year.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yes. Brickmont Son's watching me right now. Great.

[David Dwork]

Patches o' Houlihan from Dodgeball. Motivational as anybody.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Torn.

[David Dwork]

Awesome. Morris Buttermaker.

[Roy Bellamy]

Ah, Buttermaker. Yes.

[David Dwork]

A leader of young men if I've ever seen one. And maybe of a lesser Chester Lee from. From Ladybugs.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Yeah.

[David Dwork]

Rodney Dangerous movie that'll never, ever, ever get made again.

[Roy Bellamy]

Absolutely not.

[David Dwork]

And then finally another Gene Hackman. Amazing coach Adnan, the replacement. Jimmy McGinty. Jimmy McGinty sitting right in boat.

[Unnamed Speaker]

I'm just glad we got Ladybugs in the conversation. Like if, like just.

[David Dwork]

I loved that when I was a kid. Dude, that was a great movie when I was growing.

[Unnamed Speaker]

I agree. 92. Like that's in our wheelhouse. Just like Dave said, he doesn't read. If someone reads enough. I'm so touched. If someone, after hearing this conversation, goes out and streams or watches Ladybugs, it's.

[David Dwork]

A great, great movie. If you just kind of forget that it's 2025.

[Roy Bellamy]

He is the author of Cinephile Interviews, Essays and Tales from the Red Carpet. Brand new book by him. He's the host of Prime Monday Night Hockey up in Canada. That man is at nanvirk antn. Thank you for joining us.

[Unnamed Speaker]

You guys are the best. Roy, David, thank you so much for reading it. Ethan. If you want a PDF, I'll send you a copy.

[Ethan]

Yeah, send me. Send it my way. I would love to read it. And next time you're in town, I'll get your signature on it.

[Unnamed Speaker]

We gotta get a book signing at some point. He's absolutely right about that. So sadly, like Roy mentioned, there's no Florida visits. You know what? Winter meetings in Orlando this year. Orlando, Miami, what?

[David Dwork]

Three and a half hours? It's very doable.

[Roy Bellamy]

It's a classic.

[David Dwork]

I've got this mental image of Adnan just sitting in an empty. In a room with just an armchair and a table, maybe a fire. Just me background, clutching a book, reading my switch.

[Roy Bellamy]

Books and books. Just a book like this.

[Ethan]

Like Adnan Ferk is ready to sign my book.

[Roy Bellamy]

Get your Sharpie ready, because he's ready. He's ready for that signature December 10th.

[Unnamed Speaker]

That book signing is happening, Ethan. We'll do it. Miami.

[David Dwork]

Nice.

[Roy Bellamy]

Thanks again to Cinephile Interviews, essays and Tales from the Red Carpet will be released August 26th. So go out and pre order that right now, please. That would. That would definitely help our boy. So that'd be great.

[David Dwork]

It's a good book.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, it's a good book.

[David Dwork]

I don't like to read and I did like to read that. So for what it's worth, like, if you like movies, which most of us did.

[Ethan]

Read the car.

[David Dwork]

I wasn't driving. My wife was driving.

[Ethan]

No, but you were in the passenger seat.

[David Dwork]

Yes.

[Ethan]

I can't do that. Get nauseous.

[Roy Bellamy]

Too bumpy.

[Ethan]

Yeah, I get.

[David Dwork]

Oh, no. Usually I'm like. Right. I'm typing when I'm driving.

[Ethan]

Impress.

[David Dwork]

This time I wanted to know what.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah. Just for gold. He did not work so he can read that book.

[David Dwork]

Couldn't put my phone down.

[Roy Bellamy]

It's really interesting for everybody in the back because I don't know who's in the back currently. I think it's Geno. Maybe Danny.

[David Dwork]

I think Danny's back there.

[Roy Bellamy]

Danny's back there working on another show.

[David Dwork]

Gino is definitely.

[Roy Bellamy]

But Gino is definitely back there. So Danny and Gino, thank you for doing the things that you did today.

[David Dwork]

Maybe Lewis. I saw Lewis earlier.

[Roy Bellamy]

I don't think Lewis is back there.

[David Dwork]

I forgot Lewis, then.

[Roy Bellamy]

Rosie, we miss you. Ethan, thank you very much.

[Ethan]

When are we back, Roy?

[David Dwork]

Next week?

[Roy Bellamy]

Week? We're back next week.

[Ethan]

Maybe we'll actually talk hockey next week.

[Roy Bellamy]

We talked hockey today. What are you doing?

[Ethan]

I like that. We didn't talk hockey. It's the off season. What are we going to talk about? Noah Dobson? We already talked about it.

[Roy Bellamy]

Yeah, we did talk. We mentioned Noah Dobson, I think, and Nikolai Ehlers.

[David Dwork]

We actually covered a lot of hockey. Ethan's just never satisfied.

[Roy Bellamy]

And as usual, I bashed the New York Islanders for signing Tony d' Angelo for David Dwark of the Hockey News. My name is Roy Bellamy. We will see you next week.

[Ethan]

Bye.