Atlantic Division Preview — Tampa Bay Lightning & Montreal Canadiens

Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. [Music] Hey everyone and welcome back to another Cats and Lats Rats live stream. I’m your host Kirby Lupal joined alongside my co-host Nick Lavine and Cody Stevens. I gota get it out guys. We haven’t been going here for the last couple days. But I want to say thank you to everyone for our Cheermaker episodes. Everyone that contributed to those episodes. Uh make sure to check them out on our channel here. But now guys, we’re going to get into the Atlantic Division preview show. We used to do these over on the Twitter X Spaces side. And a gentleman that’s joined us here tonight joined us over on the X Spaces side. Rod Peterson from the Cats and Bolts podcast. How’s it going, Rod? How’s your summer been? It’s going great, guys. Happy New Year to you all. Thanks for having me. That’s right. Happy new hockey season here ahead. We’re going to really like now, Rod, adjust our minds to like who’s on these teams now. who’s, you know, who what are the additions, what are the subtractions, where we place in these teams. You know, we’re going to get to that a little bit later, but Rod, as you cover the Florida Panthers, but we got you here today for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Um, just kind of give us a summary of last year. I know we talked to you last summer, uh, your expectations going into last year and then now where we’re at here going into the Tampa Bay Lightning. Well, um you may or may not remember I boldly predicted the Lightning to miss the playoffs last year and uh for a while it looked like they were going to and then around US Thanksgiving they really caught fire and Lightning media and fans were on my back for the rest of the year especially when they shot past the Panthers and claimed second place and had 100 point season 102 point season as a matter of fact. So they haven’t been out of the first round since they won the Stanley Cup. So there’s that. But I I think that they’re going to be they’re going to be good coming back. But they did not have a very active free agency nor summer. They traded away all their draft picks as you know their first round picks anyway. So it wasn’t a really exciting draft either. Um the earth shook last summer when they said goodbye to Steven Stamco and signed Jake Gensel. And Gensel had a tremendous season obviously and let’s let’s remind each other about Kachchuck’s hit on Gensel in the playoffs last year when he wasn’t looking, you know, I think he was shooting towards the empty net or whatever the hell it was. Um the rivalry between the Panthers and the Lightning. Kirby, you’ll you’ll appreciate this cuz you’ve been following the Panthers for so long. When these guys met in the playoffs four years ago, there was no animosity. Fans were like shaking hands in the stands. Good luck in the next round. You know, there was fights in the stands at Amaly Arena uh after game five and I saw it with my own eyes. So, these two fan bases don’t like each other and maybe they’ll meet in the playoffs again. I wouldn’t be surprised. Yeah, guys, it was just since, you know, coming into the league in ‘ 92 for the Lightning, 93 for the Panthers. I had to wait so long to see this rivalry kick off. And I’m still going to remember that first ever playoff game with Tampa and Florida at that was crazy. And that physicality of that game, guys, and the intensity, I’ll never forget it. Yeah, I mean, I was at that game. That was unbelievable until Braden Point broke our hearts with a minute to go. But, I mean, again, just over the last four years, kind of crazy to hear three years since they’ve won a round. Like, talk about Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, a lot of teams that haven’t won since uh got out of round. It’s kind of weird to put the Lightning into that category now. Uh, Nick, do you want to share the additions and subtractions there? As Rod was mentioning it there, we put this together for all of our preview show teams. I appreciate you doing this here, Nick. Um, of course, there is something to talk about with Rod here, guys. Cody, especially action, but as you can see here, thanks to our good buddy Nick, who surprisingly put this together, not really great with technology usually, but hey, love to see the skills improving. But the additions include uh their biggest reent this past year was Pontis Holberg uh formerly of the Toronto Maple Police of that third line that kind of really was just there for him. Kind of a more of a two-way guy. Just just something Tampa is looking for. I think he’s on a two-year deal if I’m not not mistaken. Wow. Nick Abrazi, which I believe is just a fourthline guy kind of depart. Have no idea who that is, but hey. have Rod tell us a little bit about maybe learn more. Jacob Peltier, formerly uh of the Philadelphia Flyers who had a really good a couple years a good a couple years ago with Calgary, but a real undersized guy and it’s going to be interesting how he works in this division, Cody. And then uh Sam O’Reilly, who is formerly of a first round pick of Edmonton, which they got him to trade for Isaac Howard, who which the reigning I believe he’s the reigning Hobie Baker winner, who refused to sign with Tampa and is now in Edmonton. He is one of the substractions along with uh their longtime 6D Nick Pervic Connor Sherry bottom sixer who I believe they bought out or his contract right now I don’t remember I want to say buyout but and then Luke Glenn Denning uh face off fourth line guy not really not really better not really worse for Tampa Bay. Yeah, I kind of had a hard time putting together this list because like you said Rob, there was little to nothing they did over the off season. I think they’re just kind of hoping one or two of these guys. I know there was a time had some potential in Toronto. There were fans that were bullish on him. Same with Pelchier. I mean that a former firstround pick I believe with Calgary. So I think they’re kind of hoping that the similar what we’ve seen with Zto in the past, these by low guys carving out a role for them. Um and in the years past, I think middle six scoring, bottom six in particular has been an issue for Tampa. I think they fill some of that here potentially and obviously take a look at the blue line of the subtractions over the years some guys getting uh older um you know it’s going to be interesting to see especially to Pervix that was a pretty important guy for them was running their power play for a good chunk of the year. Yeah, absolutely. And you know, it’s interesting. Um, we talked about this either last year’s preview or the year before about some of the guys, the um, depth guys uh, and Mikey’s name came up and I I I want you guys take on this. Remember the trade deadline deal this past year for the Lightning where they dealt is to Seattle and they got Yanni Gourd back and Oliver Borkstrand. And just in the preview that I was reading uh for the Lightning today, somebody said that was one of the worst trades in Tampa Bay history. And I’m like, I wouldn’t go that far, but it certainly didn’t have an impact for the Lightning in the playoffs at all. But it was just Yeah. Just You guys remember that move? Like that’s what’s fun about doing preview shows like this, just kind of remember what went down and how we got here, you know? Yeah. It’s just that deal when I saw it cuz they have a two first form. Yes. which like and they bring back Yanni Gord. So in my head I’m thinking, okay, they’re trying to bring somebody back that knows the system, maybe get a little bit more juice in there because he because they lost him in the expansion draft. Bork Strand is a pretty good player to me. He’s just about as average as like a middle six forward as you can get most likely. Like nothing really special, but they did lose him in the playoff series. He got hurt like a week before the series and was kind of done for the year after that. And it’s kind of funny cuz like once again I think their biggest issues D once again. Yeah, it’s I also think it was pretty interesting. You take a look at the moves they made. Worst trade is Tanner Jano, but those are moves that Julian Breeze makes one to two years prior to that and it works. You’ve seen it with Blake Coleman and Barklay Goodro. uh those moves just have not worked this time around and obviously talk about the salary cap and co how it lined up but I I feel like they’ve been chasing uh the bottom six depth obviously the loss of Ryan Mcdana initially now Mikuel Sergachev they’ve always been a guy or two behind and those failed trades they add up to a certain point other strand it it’s weird I always thought he a pretty good player. 25 goal scorer. I think you put him with talent. I think he could maybe on his best year get closer to 30. Yanni Gourd I I don’t think is worth a first round pick alone. You really think about it. Would you trade Yanni Gourd for a first round pick straight up? I wouldn’t. I I I mean I wouldn’t trade a first round pick for Yanni Gourd. So I I just look at it and it’s like and I don’t want to directly compare it. Panthers got Seth Jones and Brad Marshon for two first round picks. obviously Spencer Knight in addition to that, but I I don’t think the Yanni Gourd they’re expecting is the Yanni Gourd they’re going to get. I don’t think he’s anything more than a bottom six forward at this point in his career. And you know, it’s kind of hard to see anything, at least in my opinion, to this Lightning squad other than a good regular season team. They might be able to win around. They can go on a run, but some guys are going to have to turn back the clock a bit and really step it up from what they’ve done in years past in the playoffs. And I think Ro I think Rod they’re trying to get younger let’s say like up front at least. I don’t know exactly what they’re doing on the back end which you can kind of kind of educate us on and kind of know what they’re doing in net the running back Jojo with Vassie again but up front they’re trying to look for those young Geeky being one of them. Uh we’ve seen some of them in the playoffs there last year. So I don’t know if that’s what they’re trying to do with their cap situation and how they’re really I think going to be more of a topheavy lineup up front. Yeah. They’re trying to, from what I can see, rebuild on the fly. Does that make sense? Like they’re trying to They got their core guys. Like we’re not going to forget about Cooerov and Gensel and Hegel and Point. They’re as good as anybody, right? Yeah. And Anthony Celli. Yeah. It’s like the It’s And on the on the back end, he could he’s still got it. It’s kind of the mold of what the Panthers are doing. They got their core guys and then everybody around that is interchangeable. It’s just the Panthers have more core guys. Fair, but it’s just the Lightning don’t want to blow it up and and why would they? They had 102 points last year. So, you know, the last time Darren Dreger was on my show, it was I think at the trade deadline and he said Tampa Bay’s day is coming. You can’t keep blowing out these first round picks and have it not catch up to you at some point. Right. You say Kirby, they’re trying to get younger, but they’re not really bringing in any top end young guys. You know, I’m I’m interested to see what they do in training camp this year with Ethan Goce because he’s now played in three straight prospects tournaments for the Lightning, but has yet to play with the big club. That’s Denny Goce’s kid. And I think he was in Drummondville or Shakudami. I get the French teams mixed up from the queue. But there isn’t a real there’s not a Mackie Samoscavic coming for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Duke, he’s looked pretty good. I’ve noticed him in the rookie showcase, but he’s very undersized. And I and I feel Sam O’Reilly is just kind of he’s a center, more of a two-way type of guy. I’m interested to see what they see from He’s probably the next Yanni Gore to be honest with you. I That’s what I was about to say. I think Isaac Howard was a legit top six forward if he played up to his potential. Sam O’Reilly kind of seems like a second, third line, two-way forward and he’s a center. So, I don’t really see the vision there, you know. And I agree with you, Ron, like and what Darren Drager said, you can’t keep dishing out first round picks. And I know hindsight’s 2020, but how nice would it have been for one of those first round picks to be in on the JJ Purka sweep stakes in the offseason, right? I I mean, it’s stuff like that. Again, I understand they’re going for it at the deadline. There’s a lot of good young players in today’s NHL getting moved both on the back end and top six forwards. I think they could have been a little bit more patient with uh how they spent that that capital. We will get to the predictions later there in the chat where Rod thinks Tampa Bay will place. We’ll save that for later. But Rod, are you worried at all? you know, on a scale of one out of 10, you know, 10 being the most worrisome, how much can Tampa run, you know, Victor Hedmond into the ground, Andre Basilelesi, uh, it’s going to get you a certain place in the regular season, but if you look over the last three years, and you can look no further than Nikita Coutroof when it comes to this, maybe more to do with matchups, Rod, they haven’t played their best hockey in the playoffs yet. They were one of the best teams coming into the playoffs last year. What we see on our screen here, 47 48 wins in the regular season. a lot of those down the stretch. That’s why a lot of people were picking them to beat the Florida Panthers who were depleted. People thought limping in coming into the playoffs, but Paul Maurice knew what they wanted to do there. Are how worried are you with, you know, wearing these guys down the regular season and not playing their best hockey when they need to play? Um, I’m not concerned. I don’t think the Lightning are concerned. That’s what you do with your best players. I where the Lightning are headed is where Pittsburgh is, I think. you know, they run Malcolin and Crosby and Latang and Carlson into the ground and and now those guys don’t make the playoffs anymore, but that’s where Lightning are going. We haven’t talked yet here is John Cooper. They do have the best coach in the National Hockey League. And with all due respect to Paul Maurice, I still think John Cooper’s better. He’s going to coach Canada at the Olympics. He coached Canada at the Four Nations Faceoff. You run with your guys. And these guys have not let the Lightning down. I I can’t explain what’s happened the last two years in the playoffs. I’m not sure the Lightning could explain to you what happened in the playoffs. I don’t know, but I do expect they’ll be in the playoffs again with this bunch. They’ll play Vazzy until the wheels literally fall off. But and like the one thing with Cooper is this is the final year of his current deal going into this season. So, it’s something we’ll see here. But I I’d be surprised if they don’t resign him to to a co to a new contract. But the thing is with Tampa and this like I said this last year and even like the year before like last year mainly but I I don’t see the vision in Breeze what Breeze is trying to do because you say he’s trying to get younger Kirby. If he was trying to get younger, he would have kept MueL Sergev, that move still makes zero sense. But unlike with Rod where they’re trying to pivot on the fly, you know. Yeah. But you can’t move a guy like Sergeev. He’s basically a number one in this league. Yep. But that’s where they call in problems with the backhand. And Cody, you’ve talked about that for a year and a half, two years now, and it’s kind of played out in that in that role, right? I’m talking more up front. And Mcdana, I don’t know what they’re searching for. Mcdana has been great for him, do not get me wrong, but he’s 30, what, 35, 36? Hedman’s not too far off. I think he’s 35, 36 as well. And he’s still a really good player in this league, but he’s not Headman, you know, four years ago in the middle of these cup runs. Like last year in the against the Panthers, he was blown by in this in that series. And that’s where you kind of miss having Sergeev having those minutes because it’s Male Sergev out there against you know maybe I don’t know they get the he probably get the Barkov matchup or whatever. Instead it’s like Headman getting kind of blown and it’s just I just never it doesn’t really never made sense to me. But going into this year their biggest X factor right now is probably Connor Geeki going into this year. Yeah I I we can get back to the forwards there. Can we go down to the defense just quickly here Nick and I want to talk with Rod. I’m a Pervix guy. I kind of like him when I’ve seen him play. You know, I don’t see him as much as you, Rod. Is this a bit of a, you know, an under the radar loss for Tampa Bay. Are they going to be able to fill that role in more? No, I don’t. I think that’s a huge loss for them. And and that’s what he signed a two-year deal with Nashville and he went for the money. He went for the money. You can’t blame him. But I’m looking at this blue line right now. Hedman, JJ Moser, Ryan Mcdana, Eric Cernac, Emil Lleberg, Darren Radish. It’s not the 85 Oilers, you know, I’ll tell you that. Like, it’s not it’s not blowing anybody’s socks off. Losing Pervix, I think, is really big for them. He was in the top pair, was he not? At times he was anyways. Yep. At times he was. They would switch it around. It’s like their deployment with D is kind of a bit confusing because at points in the postseason, if I remember correctly, Headmond wasn’t even on the first unit. It was Radish that was on the first unit. Like that one kind of puzzled me a bit, but like was like with matchup base with Cooper, you’re saying, Cody? Yeah. But the biggest their biggest problem child on this defense score is 78 right there. He like the Panthers like in the posting, I could just speak for this. They even they eat his lunch and like Radish is just he’s just he just has a bomb at this point and Radish to me is the 67 Cody and they’re bringing in that youngster from Winnipeg there but I don’t know who else is kind of in waiting Moer’s more of hope at this point that you’re hoping he reaches his potential and he was hurt a lot last year wasn’t he to start year yeah he had like a injury was out like I think six to eight weeks or something like that yeah he really found his game and Rod you can speak on this but Eric Chernack has trying to get back to where was 2, three years ago. Mhm. Um, yeah, he, you know, he plays a lot. The one thing that I have noticed with the Lightning here, you guys have mentioned Mcdana a couple times and he’s getting older, but he plays balls out. If you watch any of the Lightning games, he’s he’s got the minutes. He’s nasty. And with them bringing back Gourd, uh, it’s one thing that I kind of like and them I think it was eight guy eight or nine guys from the Stanley Cup teams are on this year’s Lightning team coming back. And I like that the fact that they’ve gone with the guys that they know instead of experimenting. But I’m with all of you. I don’t know what JBB is doing. It does not look to be a clear plan. But at the day of the trade deadline, do you remember his quote? Basically said, “Screw the picks. I want players.” Yeah. So they’re not building through the draft. Clearly, they don’t feel obviously they don’t feel the need. I mean, you’re they traded a whole like you said like the Lightning like a Lightning fan said that was the worst ever made. I guess they forgot about Tanner Jano because they traded the whole class for him. Yeah, he was he was great in Nashville though. Like I he just wasn’t the same guy when he got to Tampa and I don’t know why that is. I’m sure I I wonder about him and Boston anyway. Nick want Sorry to interrupt there. Nick, you wanted to go up to the forwards there. Yeah, just give me a minute. Computer’s guting out here a bit. But one of the things I can’t move it up, but anyway. Um, well, maybe I can. Here we go. All right. Um, one of the guys I really liked in the playoffs last year for them was Gage Conves. I think they had something there with that Nick Paul Gonzalez Connor Geeki line. I think that honestly is the best third line they’re going to have uh since they won the cup. And I think it could be kind of a return to, okay, now they’re more of a threeline team. You move B York Borkstrand up there maybe to a first or second line, put him with talented players. We know he can put the puck in the back of the net. And Nick, just jump in. That hurts you saying that about Nick Paul because you don’t like him. I hate Nick Paul. I cannot stand the guy, but he’s a good player. And you take a look. I I mean, honestly, the bottom six is improved, I think. I mean, Yanni Gourd, a good fourthline setter. I like Mitchell Chaffy Pontis Homeberg. You know, I I do think they solve some of that bottom six issues, but again, I I think the crux of the issue is the depth wasn’t the problem last year for the Lightning. They had one or two games where, you know, they were really good. I remember I think it was game four um or game three and four, it was Mitchell Chaffy, Luke Glenn Denning, uh Gage Kalves, Nick Paul. I mean, they were the ones providing the offense for the Lightning. The problem is their star players aren’t showing up. And the problem here with Julian Breez and I think is I think they need another high impact player. I don’t think they need complimentary players. They need Muel Ciriche. They need a JJ Purka. I think that would help. And part might have lost that with the Howard. You might have lost that with Isaac Howard. I think the problem is they haven’t I think you’re aggressive. Sure. But you could have gotten better players than Oliver, New York, Strand, and Yanni Gourd. I I mean, there were a lot of good players out there. I I just think I understand the move of being aggressive, shipping off the two first round picks. You need players, you need depth. Fine. I don’t understand the vision because you’ve tra you traded on the back end what you need. Now, I can think of a number of players that they should be in the market for right now that they’re not going to be able to because they don’t have first round picks. Rasimus Anderson out there, I I think he’d be a very good fit in Tampa and now there’s I mean, what are you going to move for him? You can’t move anything. So, I think they’re kind of at the point where they had their opportunity to kind of retool a bit. They didn’t um properly in my opinion and it’s gonna result in they’re a good team and they’ll go as far as their stars take them. Um and they’re lucky that some of their stars, Brandon Hegel, Braden Point, uh Jake Gensel, they’re not they haven’t even hit 30 yet, and I don’t think they’re really too close to it. So, they’ll be good. Um maybe they’ll be able to go on a run. They they got the if stars show up, they’ll go on a run. But um I think April is 30 by the way. Is he? Oh damn. I think he’s about to turn 31 actually. Oh damn. Okay. So then I take that back. Um they’ll take him they’ll go as far as their stars take them until like Rod said earlier the wheels literally fall off. I want I want to jump in there. Something that you said for Rod. Was was there guys Rod that you were looking at that this team could have added to? We can talk about a net because I’m I’m big on that. I’m like don’t run your your your star goalie your horse goalie into the ground. like you could have improved on Jojo. Why are they continually running back with him? But was there guys that you were looking at, Rod, that they could have added up front or on the back end, you know, behind uh Vassie that there was options there that you saw talking to Lightning fans and media and stuff like that? Um, no, they they they like Jojo and it’s been the last two, three years he’s won a battle every year in training camp to be number two. They’ve brought different guys in to challenge him. So, they’re happy with Jojo. I I really think Tampa Bay is happy with their roster coming back this season. Um what did I Does does 73 players in camp sound right? I think I Yeah, that sounds right. Their opening camp Thursday like every team across the NHL. Um you there’s guys they could have had Cam Atkinson still sitting out there as an unsigned free agent right now. Um he was so good, but does he have anything left? Well, probably not because Tampa has didn’t offer him a deal. So, I I I think they’re pretty satisfied. They’re happy with a team coming back with 102 points from last year. I Yeah. I mean, what do you you guys, you know, you say it would be nice to add one more top end player. Every team’s going to say that. Yeah. Right. Yeah. 100%. But there like the move like in Panthers terms, you’re looking like their next move’s got to be like for a Seth Jones type of guy. Yes. It’s got to be because I remember like at the back half of the Eer sweepstakes, Tampa tried to get in on it. If I remember correctly, someone reported they try to get in on it, but they couldn’t move the salary. And I feel Eers might be a better fit in Tampa than he is in Carolina, Cody. Especially when playoffs roll around. I think Tampa can insulate that a little bit. Yeah. But Tampa’s playoff hopes is just can 86 score again? He hasn’t scored in two playoff years and that’s concerning as hell. If only Panther fans have I think it I think it also is a testament I think it could be unfair to um um rank him and obviously you have to but I mean look who he’s playing right I mean we’re talking about Florida Panthers like I mean like they’re unbelievable they’re essentially what the Lightning have done right Toronto three years ago Nick and he didn’t show up really well there. Well, yeah, I know. And I again, going to a fourth straight cup final is very difficult. Yes, I’m going to say that for our Panther fans there. But, um, you know, there’s no shame in losing to the Florida Panthers, struggling, uh, against the Florida Panthers the way they play their defensive game. Um, yeah, I understand that. But Matthews found a way to score at least one. Paneran found a way to score at least one. Posick found a way to score at least one. Points found a way to score at least one. Points on the same line. Densel killed us. Found one last year, Nick. I know you talking about that. Cutra of like zero goals in 10 games. Like that’s needs to be better. No doubt about it. I I mean the Panthers are the best at this. Rod, I know you know this with your co- Serena. Like they are the best with the guys like Cush and McDavid. It’s like, okay, you’re looking to pass or you want to be a facilitator, then we’ll let you be that when you’re in the zone, but before you get in the zone, we’re going to swarm you and we’re going to be physical on you. And other teams can’t do that. like what the Panthers do. And I think that’s where Cuch has a problem, guys. When the playoffs roll around and it’s a matchup against Florida, Florida’s confident with it with that matchup. And my last thing with Tampa, and this may be kind of like a little bit of a hot take here because I don’t think like they like, you know, they lost Stammer and Gensel replaced the production. They don’t have the leader in that locker room much like Stammer was. Like I’m gonna be real because Headman and Point strike me as like kind of quiet more quiet guys in the room and Cro is not a damn leader. I mean you saw him last year when Cooper put him on the bench on the power play. He puts his gloves on the thing on the on the boards and he sits there with his arms crossed. Like Rod was big on that. Rod, you were big on that when you came on our podcast. Like you were questioning the leadership in the room and you guys I know on your podcast you value Stephen Stampos very high level certainly like it’s easy to tell, right? But uh what like what do you see with that like leadership moving forward? What has to change? Something something happened with Stamco there and I don’t know what it is because nobody in Tampa Bay will say and I’m not there. So let’s just say when time’s up time’s up, you know, and I was banging on JBB for letting him go and the way that he was treated because I hate that yet Stammer didn’t do anything in Nashville. I think we can all sit back and go maybe Breezeball was right in making that move. And Headedman is captain. I think you’re right. I think you’re right, Colobby. He is quiet, but I think he’s been a tremendous captain for them, too. So, I don’t think they regret any of those moves that they made. I really don’t. But it’s just funny. Do you guys remember I think it was game four, Kirby? I’m not sure if you got the broadcast that Kenny Albert was doing the playbyplay of, but Nate Schmidt scored twice in the first period. I think it was game four and he was like Nate Schmidt has more goals in this series than Sergey Cooh than Nikita Cooerov. That was two. Was it game two? Okay. He scored game back half of game one and then he scored the game winner of game two because that game was two nothing. Yeah. Whatever it was, I’m like, “Oh my god.” And he and he just bomb got another bomb and then Oh, cuz then Nate Schmidt was surprising us with that, too. So like he was and he’s gone. And now he’s gone. It’s amazing how fast these guys blew out of town after winning a Stanley Cup. They’re getting they’re taking big paychecks on the way out. Hey, they’re getting paychecks there. I mean, three by three and a half. I mean, that’s that’s a pretty good that’s pretty good payday. Well, Lombberg, Stanland, you know, Schmidt, all those guys, you know. Oh, yeah. Monour Panther. I put Montter at a higher level than those guys though, Rod. But like those guys all made their hey coming to Florida when no relatively unknowing and then they win one ring or two rings, you know, out the door. Yeah. Yeah, some people don’t think Eblad could have got like over 60 million on the open market. I’m like that would have been the lowest offer he got. He could have guaranteed. I knew Anaheim wanted him and offered him more than Florida ended up signing him for. Rod mentioned that that Yep. Everyone go check Rod’s tweet out there. I remember that that Rod put that out there. That mean that made sense because Eblad’s best hockey was when Q was his coach. So it that that is definitely that was definitely I thought it was either Anaheim or Detroit for Aklad. Yeah. For a little bit because Detroit with the family thing I he lived right I think he live he’s from Windsor I think it is Windsor Ontario and that’s near Detroit and then like the Q connection over there in Anaheim but but reach but going to the end here where guys where where are we putting this team Tampa? Yeah, because the Atlantic division is gonna be hard as hell to predict now. Always is. But I’ve got Florida one, Tampa 2, Toronto three, and a toss up between Ottawa, Montreal. I can’t decide. One of those two. They both made the playoffs last year. One via wild card. Um they’ll probably four be four or five, but I think Detroit, Boston, Buffalo miss. So you got Tampa third, Rod. He I’m not picking them again to miss the playoffs until they actually do. I’m not going I don’t need to to be mocked again by Lightning fans all year. That was a one of our hottest takes in the Cats and Rats community last year when you came on and said that. Me and Cody were like there was a world that it could happen. There’s a world this year and I was wrong. But but but but we we were wrong about Boston being first. Yeah, I picked them first Washington. I don’t care anyone show us content creators or media people who had Washington finishing first or maybe even in the playoffs. Cody did have them in a wild card. Yeah, I I Yeah, but no one in the world I don’t think there was a hockey creator like TSN Sports St. ESPN had Boston out of the playoffs going into last year. There was no way. I had him first. So, yeah, because we thought, oh, they nearly won the division without like first line center for the whole time. And they kind of have and like they got Llin home. Let’s see if he can rebound. They’ll probably be first. And then when the wheels fell off, they fell the hell off with the and the tire came off and the rim was on the other side. Cody, do or Nick, what do you have for Tampa? Similar to Raw, different whoever wants to go next. Their ceiling to me there is like there is a world that they’re first, but they have to be like the highest scoring team in the league, which is very possible. Yeah, last year Cody just on the screen there at the bottom. We’ve been flashing those all episode here. 294 goals and look at what they 219 against. They did excellent job all year. I’m gonna go second like Rod. I’m gonna go actually I’m gonna go second. Second a littlehead of Rod because the Toronto thing. I’m not sure if they’re going to be that good in the regular season, especially to start. I wonder about like the Marner because when you lose Mner, the regular season’s going to hurt the most. So I wonder about that. And Tampa could score outscore anybody, right? The regular scene, you can get away with that. And especially when you have Andre Vasilleski between the pipes and it’s so hard for teams to adjust to power offense in game out in the regular season. I could definitely see him winning and I could definitely see him in a wild card spot. But you’re going to go with second. I’m going to go with second cuz like I’m thinking in my head like Vassie stays healthy because if Vassie gets hurt, they’re screwed. Uh Nick, are you with either one of them? I am not. So, there’s three ways this can go. Maybe four. Maybe four. They could probably fifth way we haven’t even thought about yet. Let’s just be real. They could tank out of the playoffs or just slightly fall out. They could finish first because Florida and Tampa struggle. I mean, Florida and Toronto struggle. Uh, but what I think’s going to happen is I think they’re going to finish second. Um, and the reason for that is mainly Toronto. And I I think it’s going to be a battle between Tampa and Florida for first in the division. Again, um, I think Toronto falls out there. I don’t think they get immediate help in the top six. They wait to the trade deadline. There’s a possibility you could see like Ottawa or Montreal fighting for that third spot. And heck, even in the top three for chunks of the year. remember a couple years ago Detroit was in the top three I think up until January of that year of that season and um Toronto and I think Florida Toronto or Tampa were in wildcard. Um Boston was also there too. Um but you I I think they finished second. Uh but it’s going to be interesting to see how Ottawa and Montreal uh fight for a top 30 spot because I do think that that this is their opportunity. Yeah, we’re gonna get to Montreal later. So, uh, Rod and Rod’s went third and Cody and Nick, you guys have second. Yes, go for kind of two years ago. I’m going to go wild card one and I think they are going to be floating around that territory all along. Going to see later with the team coming up. I’m pretty high on here. And I think that’s what kind of bumps them down there to that wild card one. I don’t think they’re in any danger of missing this year with the top end talent they have. Even if there’s one or two injuries or key injuries, I still think they’re good enough to be able to float there. Now, Vassie gets hurt. I think anything’s possible because any starting goalie around the NHL, but I’m going to go wild card one and I’m going to say, you know, little bit of a hot take, I guess, from everyone else. I really don’t think they’re a threat to win the division this year. So, I think they’re going to be around that wild card one spot. And again, this is a team, Rod, you know this, John Cooper, they’re fine with that. They don’t need home ice. They’ve been there before, done that. So, that plays into it a bit for me, too, Rod. Uh, absolutely. And to clarify, I got Florida one, Tampa 2. Okay. Leafs, Leafs three. Leafs three. So, um, these guys know that it standings don’t matter. It’s just getting in. And I would love to see a Florida Tampa playoff series again. Why not? And there’s a very good chance it’ll happen again. Hard to believe it didn’t happen for 30 years. And now it’s can happen for a fifth time. Well, I mean, Tampa was good for like at least spurts. We were just garbage all the time. Yeah. Just that’s just being honest here, man. Like like Tampa at least had sports like 04 they win the cup. They made like they made random like Eastern Conference finals one year. I think it was 2011. Goucher. Yeah, the 131. I still think my favorite clip is Philly taunting them by just standing there with the puck when they’re in the 131 or whatever. And then Yeah, we were just garbage for all the time. That makes it all the much better now. So, thank you gentlemen. Cody, Nick, Kirby, it’s been awesome. Guys, enjoy the rest of your show. Before you go, uh, what’s happening this year on the Cats and Bolts podcast? What do you got coming up? Uh, we’re firing up Wednesday, October the 1st. We go live 3:30 Eastern every Wednesday. And we’re going to do a lot more Tampa Bay coverage this year because there’s a lot of Bolts fans over there that don’t like the amount of Panthers we talk. So, we’re going to bring on a lot lot more of their alum, but of course the regular Panthers guys, too. And we’re going to have a lot of fun. Season three coming up October 1st. There you go. I like hearing that. Yeah. More Tampa Bay content over there because they’ve had like Jo, Cody, and you know, Chickin, a lot of lot of guests. Warl like we’ve had. So, it’ll be interesting to see who they grab on the Tampa Bay alumni side and in media. But, but appreciate it, Rod. Thank you. Appreciate it, guys. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Uh, boys, uh, it’s been, uh, as we, uh, wait our next guest. Uh, okay. I thought we were going to get to an ad break here. Yeah, I’m waiting on that. But, uh, before we continue any further, let’s hear a word from our sponsor, Caneswear. Panthers Fever is here. Are you geared up? Kane’sware in Davyy is the place for all your Florida Panthers needs. They have the latest gear for our favorite NHL team. Jerseys, polos, t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and more. Caneswear has you covered. Stop by their store in Davyy or at pantherswear.com. Again, that’s pantherswear w.com for all your Panthers gear. And a word from our other sponsor Jeremy Beck next on Treasure Coast. Hey Panther fans of South Fory real estate up. Check out Jeremy Beck on the next home treasure coast. It’s a boutique service with a personal touch. Jeremy put humans over houses working hard for you whether you’re buying or selling. Ready to move? Head up beck salesfla.com or call 772-475-5371 now. You’ll be glad you did. But boys, we got big jersey news in the Panther world. Uh, Mackie Seamuskevich is switching his number from 25 to the vaunted 11. Nick Nick informed me of that. Our very own Nick Lavine here. Oh, thank you. Very well. But before I comment on that, the NHL network posted something on Twitter. The Buffalo Sabres added a little bit of goalie depth, bringing in eight-year veteran Alexander Gorgv. They have a video and the question is, can the experienced goalie help get the Sabres back into the playoffs? I don’t know. You answer that, Nick. No, you’re out on him this year. Yeah. No, like here’s the thing. I liked him for fantasy because he gets a ton of wins with Colorado. I get that. I thought you liked them a little bit more than what you let on, but I get where you’re coming from with that. So, the guy got 35 wins, 3540 wins for me. It was a top five goalie. I’ll take that. That’s why you get those shitbags. Uh, Vegas guys, right? It’s like when you take Jared Goff in like round 12 already been dropped in leaks. That’s Cody’s guy. Let’s not get into football too too early here yet. But, uh, Cody, what did you want to say something on the Mackie front as we got? We’re on the basketball preview show in a couple weeks. More on the Dolphins football front if you want. We could talk about that for a little bit. Not much really to talk about really. I think Cody’s going to have a Mason Marchman um big game on Thursday. I’m probably going to put it up already. I’m not gonna lie. No, you don’t have to do it yet. Come on. I think I’m going to do it now and then just get like and then just take it down when the season’s over. Kirby, you might win that bet by week eight. Gonna clear a lot of bets. Hey, but you guys got lucky though. The Mackie front. Is there a history with him wearing that number? uh he wore it at Michigan. Uh it’s his sister’s number who uh was his big his biggest role bone that he said. So that was the big thing behind that number. So I guess if if there was anyone that had a Sam jersey, I’d be shocked if there was to be real. I mean you got probably got to got to get it switched out now. Yeah. I think there would have been some fans buying it. Like you see that when guys are coming into the league, they want to you they want to represent the young players come in the promising prospects. A lot of times with you guys like too, like you guys going to university, um people want to like relate to the person that’s around their age and all that type of stuff. Um I I didn’t buy into that as much. So I was like, you know, who do I like on this team and you know, who’s going to be a factor on this team moving forward. But the Mackie thing is very exciting because of how this lineup with the Panthers is going to look. I think in about a few weeks here, everyone, we’re going to do a Panthers preview show. We might uh invite Arondo by on the Lockdown Network or maybe David Dorc uh with the hockey news there. So, we’ll do like a a dedicated episode to the Panthers. It might be a podcast episode. Our next podcast episode, too, Nick, we’re going to be doing a giveaway that to low uh autographed JSA certified, of course. JSA certified. Yeah. Um, is there any question in the chat about Tampa? As we’re waiting for our next guest up there, we can start to move towards Montreal a little bit as well. Whatever you guys want to take. Jamie here saying, should Vasilleski get ro load management? Um, they have Jojo as their backup. So there is no load or there is no load management there. Uh I love Rod, but I didn’t agree with him on Jojo. And I know you guys would probably not agree. He didn’t say he liked them. He just said Tampa liked him. Yes. Okay. Okay. Tampa is but he said he didn’t mind them. I I I have problems with Jojo. I’m glad he’s not on my team no more. He wouldn’t stop a damn thing. You guys might laugh at me now or think this is a bad take. Even Panther fans. I don’t know. Probably not Panthers. He gave up 15 goals going into the year than Jojo. He gave up 15 goals in two games for the Florida Panther. 15 goals. This guy I know he’s been better in Tampa, but there’s just games where he just don’t have it or he don’t have it for a couple games and you can’t rely like if if Vassie goes down for two weeks, you’re going to tell me you’re relying on Jojo. Well, they did for a two month stretch and they were above 500. What if they’re at a wild card one spot and things aren’t going well and then Bassie goes down with an injury. Then you’re going to go to Jojo for two weeks and think you can maintain that wild card position. All the power to you if Tampa does. I’ll be here to say I was wrong, but I wouldn’t be confident. Look, I mean, but with I just wonder with uh Breeze. I with some GMs I can kind of see a vision. uh with him. I don’t know what the hell division is cuz you can’t go younger and then trade a really good young guy to bring back an old guy. And Sergachev is exactly what they need. I don’t know why they just didn’t try and attack the first round pick to like freaking like turn or something. I don’t know. I I don’t understand it. But um not not our problem. I don’t like the lightning. So good. I’m glad they got I got the I like am I too low on them? Am I too low on them or am I like you know I can see them dropping out of top three. I think it’s a possibility. Yeah. We get into them. I don’t think you’re too low on them. I just think you’re too eager to push teams out. I’ve never been eager to push D out. You are. You are this year. You’re fine. I’m going to be honest with you. But you Cody, because you don’t like their defense for the last few years because of the playoffs, you know. I think if Montreal I think if Montreal plays the way you expect. I mean, I think they can end up top three. Um, I’d like to see Toronto Montreal playoff series. Ladies and gentlemen, our second the second half of the backtoback is here from Haley representing the Montreal Canadians. We have Mr. Coach Frenchie. Mr. Frenchie, how are we doing today? Hey everybody. Thanks. Uh, appreciate a lot to invite me tonight, but um, great here. Just talking about Okay, that’s my, you know, that’s the best thing to do and I’m glad to be a part of the first time inside of that building. Coach, two two things, coach. Uh, I want Sorry to interrupt there, Cody. I want you to tell us a little bit about your South Florida coaching experience. And number two, I was on your live stream tonight before we went live here. You said to your community, guys, I’m coming prepared with notes. So, you got your notepad there. Hey, yes, I have my notepad because you guys asking me a lot of thing about hockey, Montro Canadian. So, I’m I have to be ready. You know, you guys, you know, hockey. So, I’m excited to talk about the Montro Canadian athletic division tonight. But, uh my uh my life, as you can see, I’m not a young like all of you. But, uh I’ve been in hockey for over 45 years. I’ve been coaching all the fun level from uh a at home hate all the way to the east coast hockey league video coach everything and then I’ve been with the Panthers FL Panthers for about six seven years inside of that organization on the youth program AAA program and all fun things the aliens and all this fun thing in the South Florida and I’ve been with with them yeah Pete Pete Warwell and Peter Warwell and Hinan and everybody body else a vacon and yeah was a great time to be in Florida. Now I’m not retired but I am in tail at this moment. So I moved a couple years ago three years ago I move in tail and I’m in the jungle in tail right now. Yeah, with the monkeys and the elephants and the giraffes when you come on the stream it’s yeah we have elephant monkey uh where it’s a little bit different what I was in and before I was in the Bangkok and Patea where it was all about the bar and other kind of animal but now I’m really the monkey animal now but as we move on to the Montreal Canadians here once again Nick has given uh show given us this uh little chat uh chart here with the notable additions and subtractions. The biggest addition I believe in the Atlantic division this past offseason, no adoption being acquired from Montreal in exchange for the I think it was what two first or is it one first? I I don’t even remember now. I think it was two coach. Yep. Forian of course they had a couple of players there. Noah Thompson was at the trade deadline at the trade at the NHL draft when they got the they trade the pick number 16 17 for it was funny because that night like the trade was happened before the NHL draft and they were put again the two Montra Canalian selection but it is what it is they get a right defenseman for Newanders I think this all they want to fill up uh before this upcoming season they pay the cost but that’s what you do when you rebuild a team you get accumulate asset And they have many first round pick, two of them, and they paid the price to get a solid 25 years old. He got a new contract, a new deal of 8 years at 925 or 50. And um this going to be a place for the MA game for the upcoming season. And then they trade for with the sun with blue. They trade Logan Mayu uh 31st world pick on Mark Bjavine by the way. And to the side with Bill for the 21 years old Zachary Bzuk. Bzuk has scored 19 goal last season. Seven of them on the power play. We know he is a really good on the one-timer on the quick release shot. U is a guy that players Montreal looking for. We know can use require two kind of bracket ages for his rebuilding team. Uh the 18 years old. Coach I think Bull Duke you can use him in the bumper too which is going to be big. I definitely he’s going to be a really good bumper. That’s why he make all this g this goal with the sun blues. Have a great end of the season. I think under Jim Montgomery he figure out what he need to do to stay in the NHL and we see he’s going to carry on this with the MA Canadian. I think he’s going to start on the third line if we want to make some lines. But uh it’s a national great for the MA and only 21 years old. That’s a big fact right there. And I think that’s going to helping the montian for the upcoming season. Two great addition plus of course deav uh they don’t have last season only seven game but I think the is going to bring an additional more power uh offensive side of the game for the Montreal Cody and Nick. I was by uh coach’s show last week if you guys didn’t catch that in our community and some of the fans are like Kirby does demov give you any Pavle Bur vibes and say we’ll see we’ll see but you’re already seeing some of the highlight re I’ll say this on the overall additions and subtractions rarely do you see um losing guys like Heinaman you know Primo Mayu like good players right and yet you’re still not sacrificing youth and I and I think that’s very impressive. Zack Buluke, I think that was a excellent move. They have a vast array of defenseman, young defenseman back there. Um that I don’t think they really needed. Uh Mayu was picked in the I think 30th overall a couple years back. Good player, but I think Zack Wuk gives them what they really need. I I was watching the first round against the Winnipeg Jets and I noticed him every time he was out on the ice. I think he brings a little bit of bite and obviously in an Atlantic division playing the Florida Panthers, Montreal 4-0 against them last year. I do think he brings a little bit of that intensity, that bite that you need, especially in the playoffs. Um I think um I give Montreal credit. They didn’t let Washington push them around too much uh last year, but I do think they needed a bit more of that. I think Bulldog um can really help with that. I think he could help us top six, Nick, or the or the I think it’s a very underrated pickup. I really like Bulld. Um I almost thought it was Sam Buluke. He’s on the Islanders, but I I think um he was I was like, I didn’t know Sam Book. I’m a big Zack B. Who’s Sam? But I I think again Noah Dobson, Zach Zachary Buluk, who the hell is Delgazo? That’s a joke we have. Um, I I think this team, and again, we’ll talk about it a little bit later, but they’re primed to take a jump. I mean, I really like Samuel Montbo. I made a prediction that he should be the team Canada starter. I think uh one of the more underrated goalies in the league. One of the areas of concern, obviously, there’s been a lot of talk about potentially maybe Mason McTavish. I know earlier in the summer, Nazam Codri was an option there. Obviously, second line center needs to be addressed. And then penalty kill. I mean, losing veteran guys like D’vorak, Yol or Mia, I obviously um it could hurt, but I think it gives an opportunity for guys like Josh Anderson, Brandon Gallagher, um Zack Suzuki to play that penalty Nick Suzuki to take on a larger role. I I think again it’s a very good team. Uh they’re going to need to add, but they have the resources to add, but I really like what they’re doing. Um, I think it’s been done right and it’s good to see them finally splurge a little bit here in the offseason getting Noah Doson. I think it was really rewarding. Coach, do you think they’re going to put him with Ken Ghoulie? Because I know Stru’s also got some top four looks there last year. Is it going to be Mike Mat in the top four? How are they going to arrange that? And we’ll go to the lineup after Nick. Go ahead, coach. But I I think what you just said, you nailed you nailed it very well about a mro Canadian. I think Juveno and so we have to add Sami Blair on your list. He’s not there right now. Uh I know he did not play in the NHL last year but he played with Abasford was maybe the best player in the American Hockey League during the Calder Cup last year that will help him maybe to become the the role of Michael Ba. You talk about the departure they lost. Look, they’re going to miss maybe for me more David Sabah to anybody else. Uh we all excited about David Devak for the last 35 game he played with a m but what he was for the first three years with a m Canadian honestly was not very good. So I think at the end of the day um I think a mont Canadian are have the the tools or the player to pick it up where they have some old. It’s not perfect. It’s not great yet they are not where they they want to be. is still missing for them. Maybe a second center uh for the upcoming season. We’ll see what Kobe Dak is going to be a recovery for his injury at the right defenseman side with Dobson and of course Kerry will be good. I don’t think David Rebecca what we saw during the weekend is ready but the they have open spot but they are not open spot. It’s funny you said that because the 12 I think Joano and Sammy Blair is going to get there on the on the cliff on the pipeline. I don’t know if Oliver Kenan can make it. That’s the only one uh for what we saw during the weekend, but you never know. But at least the top six is look better like he was before and a guy like Bodzuk Nick can pick it up to get on the second on the second line. And you never know Alex Hook. So something happened. They are more debt like they ever they never have. This is the best lineup in the last four years and they run they run the the semi cup and again the temple be like send that this is the best lineup Martin has he has some option power play uh the PK will be a little bit more difficult because the departure of Arma de Warak Sabah three great player was on the power play on the PK with Jake Evans but that said I think Montro Canadian have a better roster to uh perform in the upcoming season and we’re going to see what they look like. But as a Montro fan like I am, but many for others, I think this is going to be very exciting for the Montro Canadian for the upcoming season. Yeah. Um Cody, you can jump in here, but I like if I’m, you know, I’ve always been a critic of Montreal, coach. This is the highest I’ve ever been on Montreal. But if you look at this screen right now, 40 wins last year, Cody, if you’re a Havs fan, you have to be elated and excited. like you’re looking at the prospects moving forward like what Nick you mentioned they didn’t give away their future and they’re adding core element pieces to it Cody I mean 100% I mean the future is bright in Montreal but the but like I said but with this roster right here is and this like and I’m the probably opposite about the other three yeah we can pull up the roster here in a bit uh I really feel like they’re going to learn like the lesson that Ottawa kind of learned two years ago go. I I don’t like the fact they kind of just got rid of every two-way guy they had because like I know Suzuki is probably he could be a selky finalist one year, even win it one year, but it’s just the other guys like Heinman was was big on the fourth line of defensive roles. D’vorak was a really good defensive center for him. I think uh Arma damn good penalty killer for him, especially at the blue line. It’s just for me and and once again like Montibbo had a great year. Can he replicate that now? Because now that year he had it has to be the standard for Montreal going forward if they want to continue to go up and up and up, coach. Oh, yeah. Go ahead, Cody. It’s just for me it’s just the loss of the two-way guys and you’re going to need probably more step up from like Cfield and uh uh Slavasi on the defensive side of the puck here a bit. Coach Cody is very uh worried on on the Monttobo side and the PK side. How can you alleviate those worries or concerns from or are you going to tell Cody, hey, that’s going to be concerns this year going into the season? Yeah, first of all, Kobe, uh you you bring a lot of great things right there because you talk about one area of the game where it’s very important to uh to perform. Uh but I think one area where Matan need to become better and I think you nailed it the the the 200 feet game right the five on five mat is low and in each shot they have to increasing that number. Uh can Pat when he score 15 goal like he did and power play last season? I don’t know. But talking about Montembule guys 626 62 start last year. This is a guy there’s been like 38 40 41 the last three year prior that he played his best hockey. The good news every year is getting better and better and better. That said on the PK if you look about the edge NHL stat his high danger save is above an NHL average goalies is problem is a long shot the the long range and the middle range is lower say percente is drop this is two area you need to improve so on the PK you have the slap shot on the quarterback or you have the rebound in front of him where is pretty good if you can improve those two area. I think that will help the the people that will help the Montreal Canadian but Montre at three position they have to be careful for me it’s Nicki if they lose him this is over summer Montbo if they lose him they’ll be harder and then their defensive core like a guy like Kaden Kohley they lose him the def they don’t have another like Kaden Kohley players that said because he play a solid game like you just mentioned could be where Mral lose a lot of great 200 feet players like Deborah Rak and Armya and Sabah Koh is a prototype of defenseman can play physical can pick up the guy in front of net but Muel are not have those kind of defenseman order him. Yeah, Jakai was trouble and they are the third pairing. Their skilled talents not like Madison Arson and and Dobson are yes K is not bad but K is only 51 as a real team behind that. So yes there are some concern there but I think Montreal are under good shape right now to repeat to go to playoffs. One of my questions was and obviously just an open question um that they have the opportunity to add. I I think one of the things I didn’t put him on here Carrie Price unloading that contract is big because you’re able to now acrew cap space. I think they have around 4.6 million now which is pretty substantial amount of money for a playoff team going into a year. I think we talked about it. Their assets aren’t depleted. they have opportunities and we usually see this early on in the year. Um teams moving veteran players. Last year was a guy like Oliamada. Um year before Kirby, we saw plenty of deals happen early on. I believe Nikita Zadorov was the move Calary moving him to Vancouver. So I think that’s one of the things I think they’re going to have to look at is this whole idea of like, you know, they’re shopping for players, they’re shopping for a second line center. I don’t think you just wait to the trade deadline. Uh I I think you you continue to explore that route, that route and wait and not wait. I think if you need to make a move in the first month because you could definitely see like if Kirby Doc’s not playing up to what you need him to or there’s a health problem there, I think the health problem is the big one. I I think there shouldn’t be any hesitation. I think Montreal, if you want my honest opinion, should not hesitate to make a move early on in the year because they have the room, they have the assets, and I think it would be beneficial for a young club to have somebody come in a little bit earlier and get acclimated with the team as opposed to 20 25 games before the playoffs down the stretch because you never know how the season’s going to go to that point. [Music] Yeah, it’s that’s like the biggest single Montreal is like he got the momentum from last year was huge. I mean, let’s real that wild card race last year was woof. I mean, no one wanted to make the playoffs out of those teams left. I mean, Montreal was a kind of struggle down the stretch with the pressure of the playoffs looming. Columbus was in that that whole argument. The Islanders that you counted out, Cody, and then they came back to life and then they I mean, yeah, because Montreal Columbus, let them come back in. I was listening to one of our spaces classic episodes and you were like, “The Islanders are done.” I’m like, “Cody, nope. They’re back in it. They’re they’re in the wild card.” And you’re like, “What? They’re in the wild card spot.” I’m like, “Yep.” So, we take a look at the Montreal lineup here. Uh, Slowski, Suzuki, Cfield, I want to jump in. I want to jump in. I want to jump in. The best line in hockey for 2530 games at the end of last year. That’s Kirby W. Well, not even a W, just a proclamation that it was made. Then we have Kirby Doc. That’s still an up in the air question mark. Ivan Demidov, and Zack Buluk. Third line, Alex New Hook, Patrick Lion, and Oliver Kaepern. Then on the fourth line, Jake Evans, Josh Anderson, Brendan Gallagher. I think they’re going to need to rely on that line a little bit, especially early on. Um, and I want coach to jump in in a minute here, Nick. That’s wrong. And as coach said earlier, remember there they brought in Sammy Blade that could probably take in for that spot with Oliver Kappen and Zat and Bull can come up or down. Yeah, coach jump in. Y my point first of all I want to thanks all the people following me here. I have a couple of people in my podcast early. They are here in the chat. So I just want to uh uh tell that thanks everybody to be a part of the show like TripleW and 26 and then Pete Martin. But I think this it’s yes daily face up does all the kind of the lineup combo right now. But I think you’re going to see lining on the second line at the beginning of season. I think we go that way but are going to drop on that line. Um and then you’re going to see that line the four line you can see can become the third line for the Montreal can end their debt is left and right uh companies on that list that’s pretty good too and um I think Montreal is going to add to answer to your question Nick about when Montro going to move you’re going to see guys and yeah you’re going to realize this at the first six week of the season that bring us maybe at the Thanksgiving the Thanksgiving give us an idea who’s going to make the play we’re not going to have good play uh good not going to make the playoff or a very bad season uh for the rest of the season for the Sun team. The Kevin McKenna race are going to change the couple of team players that open up maybe the market at the Thanksgiving. you’re going to see a little bit more trade between friend team uh to push the team to go to playoff or the other team to go down to get possible to get Kevin McKenna because this is the next look like the Conor McDavid and also take a note the 2026 top five it’s same and maybe better or the same level like the one with that Will Smith, Adam Fentelli, Leo Carson and Conor Ball. So there’s going to be like you said Nick the first six week we’re going to see more trade we never see before it was a very quiet August and Mat maybe I think they wait for the right opportunity I think they wait to get that players like remember about Kadri Mcken and and Crosby and everything I think they looking for a specific players a young age fit on the bracket some size and of course uh a player they going to add a long term not at the I’ll be shocked they go on the transition Nick uh player like a one year or twoear deal to go there I don’t see Montreal act that way I’ll be shocked but you know I’m not an expert to to have the right the right things but uh I think overall Montreal on the right on the right track that’s the only thing I can tell you right now Nick I just want to jump in there if I could just say one thing yeah just quick Nick for me the two things I want to say about Montreal. I think that favors them with this Olympic on the horizon is guys like the Nick Suzukis, the Cawfields, uh the Patrick Lion, even though he probably does have spot on team Finland already. That’s just a motivating factor for a lot of these guys. The Lane Hudson thing that has played out in the headlines up here north of the border all summer with his dad and everything like that. I think that’s a positive, Nick, going forward. And in the division they know they’re in, they’re know they have to get off to a great start. Yeah, that’s one of the things they have to get off to a good start. And I think you’re going to see a lot of trades like you said, coach. I mean, you see have a lot of teams. One of the most interesting things about this off season is unlike this past cap era that we just came out of, you had a lot of teams right up into the cap. Like you could not do anything. Now you have a number of good playoff teams with good cap space and they’re not handing out bad or silly contracts. They’re not just spending money. They’re they’re sitting on that and they’re going to wait for the right move and I think Montreal has been smart with that. I I think a lot of times you see desperate moves particularly at this part of the off season um for teams that want to you know shoot for the playoffs. Montreal obviously made the playoffs last year but they’re still right there. Um, a lot of desperate moves have been made in the past, uh, you know, in August and, you know, through throughout the summer to try to kind of, uh, boost your team. I think they’ve been really smart and patient. I think the last two, three years for any team that wants to rebuild that, they need to look at this model because they have been very good at how they’ve approached it, how they’ve drafted, how they’ve developed. And then I think this Dobson move and I’m not the like hu the Dobson fit was questionable for me obviously with Lane Hudson. Why would you really need that? But it’s again very patient seems to be very precise. They’re doing an unbelievable job there. And I’m very interested to see honestly one of the things I’m actually most interested in talking about now is the blue line. There’s been a lot of talk about Mike Mat potentially being a trade chip. I want to ask coach about that. Whether they extend them, they trade them, whatever, you know. Nick, yeah, I What do you think, coach? Well, me as a motor game, I look at all the view like, all right, Flair Pento is the top best team in NHL and then you have the temple. I think they did it. I’m a little bit um but I have a faith for them. I think you nailed it. M go in the right direction. I think we have to get I think we have to give credit for Ken Hughes and Jeff Gordon since we’ve been there. uh they put a team on the track, they build a culture. Marti is get better as a hockey as a head coach in in Montre with an NHL and I think overall this is a team like you you see Otawa, Detroit, Buffalo where they are eight, nine, 10 years and rebuilding maybe Buffalo at 15 but my point behind that mad are a little bit more faster to get a little bit quicker better where they at. And I think I’m a little bit more realistic me I know all the Monto Canian fans like some are with me are looking more like oh they going to make the playoff they’re going to be this this de everything but I think for me it’s not only to make the playoff I think it’s about development and to consider to like you said Jeff Golden Monday is to keep moving forward and to improve the team to get closer like your team every year your team and now are going to be in the playoff. It’s how they going to look like and the and the and the playoff run whe they going to consider a good year or a bad year. M are not there yet. But if they can go to the playoff this season after that I think Montra is going to be one of the top 15 team automatically in the playoff opinion. No doubt in my mind, but the hav the excitement are really the first time I I never see that for all the Minian fans right now. By the way, guys, Toronto Blue Jay 6 Tampa Bay race four at the beginning, coach, our moderator, Ryan, big Toronto Blue Jays fan, so he’ll he’ll like he’ll like that update there. Nick, Cody, what do you guys have to say about the defense there? And I think coach I’ I’ve heard coach all summer, guys. I think he’s very measured and very conservative with the Montreal Canadians prospects of this season ahead even. I think I’d be pretty high on it. And and Nick, I I think there’s a lot here on the blue line. I know it’s young, Cody. I know it’s young, but you add Dobson and you you put Mat in a spot now, Nick, where he should be properly slotted. Not playing 1D like he was two years ago. I don’t think you need it up, Nick. We’re good there. But uh Yeah. No, I’m just trying to take it down and glitch in. With the blue line, I you know, it’s funny. It’s like now they have a Dobson. I got to use like another team’s example for this. Ghoulie is a good defenseman, but the health concerns have kind of like weighed him down like the last couple years. I I think he’s one of the best defensive defenseman’s coming up. Cody, everyone talks about Gustaf Forsley and Jacob Slavven. I think he’s in that class that’s coming. Not yet. Not yet. He’s in that class. He’s coming. And if you stay healthy to be in that class. But if he’s healthy, I’m saying if he’s healthy, you’re going to see it. Okay. But but calm time out. Calm down, buddy. But that works, Cody, with Dobson and with You’re worried about this Dobson and Hudson. Don’t worry about that. If Ghoulie’s healthy in there, that supplements all. That’s a big if, right? You need one defensive defenseman in the NHL. Really? You need one guys? Yeah, you do. Yeah, you do. We don’t need to have one guy in Gustaf Forsling. We don’t have a lot of three kind of Nico Michel right there. Cool’s defensive. Nico Michel said one guy up top, one guy lower down. Ghoulie’s there that controls everything. You got Rybacker coming. What the coach says maybe not this year, next year. Another guy. But here’s the thing with Ghoulie. 44 games 22 23 goes up to 70 GL uh 23 24 and then back down to 55. Like you got like he’s got to you got to find a way to stay on the ice here. And that’s the only thing. And then you’re going to see. Yeah. Well, that’s a pretty big thing. It is. And with uh they just need like another defensive defenseman to me. Just like one more because if Kerry goes down, you’re kind of you’re kind of a little bit screwed there. Well, coach mentioned with Davis Savard retiring that hurts. But then you have that option again. I think you have the option of Lion and Mat. If you move one of those two out, coach, I’m a big proponent of that. But you can add two, three pieces. If you move Line out, you have two, three pieces. But here’s the thing. decide to move on from Mat, you have room to add. People aren’t exactly lining up for Patrick Lion here because if they were, I think he would have been moved already because they could have done a lot with that 8.7, especially this off seasonason because I just personally think like Demod is going to be a player and I know Vince is with us in our community, coach, but like you might not need line A with Demod. you you you kind of move line A out and then you add the pieces around the rest of the team which they’re doing with the Bull Dukes coach and and you’re you’re adding that big minute muncher and eater and no Doson. No Dobson is a game changer. Don’t be mistaken. I know probably your fans coach think that of Lane, but that’s what Dobson is. He can win you two to one hockey games with two plays that he can make. I think I think guys L struggles a little bit more with that especially with the division that he’s in. But you had Dobson back there and again Ghoulie I I like this blue line Rybacher they moved a guy out Nick you know Mayu out to get Bull Duke you know to really Yeah I mean they have the array of defenseman there I mean they don’t um you know and I don’t know Jaden Stro’s going to be in top four. I don’t think that’s right. Uh I don’t know but I got one question for coach because this is concerning the D. I’m reading the comments here. What are your thoughts on Arbor Jack coming into this year? Because I’m seeing right here, Strub’s the seventh, Jack Eyee is the sixth, and I know Jack eyes kind of struggled staying in the lineup quite a bit because of like, you know, I think he like his he kind of plays erratic. I’m not going to lie. Little bit of a wild card up here. I mean, who was was it him that was fighting Josh Anderson in the damn bench in like game three? It was or Yeah. First of all, um, first of all, it’s fun to hear people are not big fans of the MRO Canadian from the outside. This is really interesting to hear you how you see the MR Canadians. It’s great to to be here uh because how you see your perception is different for the Mian. If you follow like me to follow you Panthers, I maybe see things like you don’t see because you really and to the Panthers. Same thing with the tempor that said uh to answer your question guys for Kaden Kouli take a note about him. This is like I said tripler par sus Montbo Kohi now Kohi have to be on the on the healthy side he have to play 65 games 75 game per year that would be helping him out one player we said will be missing on that top four is one David Rebecca is going to be ready I don’t say he would be ready at the beginning he’s going to be maybe take one more year maybe that would that would keep the top four players defenseman and that would be make the team on 12 better. About Jakai, Jakai played 70 game last season. He have like any rookies or any prospect they up and down everything. He got bench or people said that but he’s an unicorn. Maybe he is a guy can play only 12, 13, 14 minutes, 15 minutes. He has to improve three area of his game. is decision making. Talking about cap control, is battle in the corner. It’s not to use your 64 235 pounds. Is how you can use your stick and how you angle with your skate face to face to get a better to improve. And then of course is a first pass. Um I I know it’s not a big deal but if you hit tape to tape constantly at 80% of your pass that and move the play go forward that’s you need to improve. Oh it’s huge. They are not better straa if they are only two different players and mroian without rebacher they missing a right defenseman who’s going to be the best defenseman to play on the right side to pick up that spot and to use strai that would be a miscal chair between jai and strable for upcoming season but no doubt you need a guy like Jai and your team uh constantly because the guy is unicorn. It’s not about only fighting now because the fight in NHL is not there but a presence of the guy like the the size of him help the Mont Canadian. He just need to improve more the his quality of the play with more consistency. We said to you sometime you watch him said wow 6 17 18 minute it’s have a great game tonight but then he disappear for two game he play again 10 minute 12 minute it’s take the right pen at the right time make a right move don’t switch the momentum one last year one time he fight with Ryan raves was not the right time that’s why was late two zero turn the momentum the game but this is a mistake by prospect you need to learn be ready for that one and you know col you know with with Atman and and so McDonald it take time so ne it take how long do you come who he is right now it take a couple of years I know say jakai is like so ne but you take we have to be a little bit more patient for the defenseman and that’s the reason I believe jakai could be a really good third pairing like look shine mold or um kudas everything like that he can jump in on the second pairing sometime but again like anybody else it’s not a project finished yet. We have to wait how he’s going to be ready for the upcoming season. But Mrick and I think guys pay enough. The defense is better. How he’s going to be better, we don’t know yet. But they are not again finished. They’re missing a couple of piece of the puzzle like they’re missing a puzzle on the I said to you a bit more uh power forward or more and intensity on the bottom six and then on the second center. That’s where the big old is right now for the Montreal. Yeah. Uh, Nick, something that coach mentioned there and I totally agree with him. You talk about all the time with the Panthers and we’re like, you know, the class of the league minute aotment with your defense and I think Montreal’s coming around to that with the jack eye playing 12 15 minutes. I think if you want my honest opinion, I think Montreal can have a very similar setup to uh Florida. We don’t have a clear-cut number one in terms of minute. We have a number of guys that can play. Uh, I’d like to say we have three top pair guys instead of a number one. I think maybe more than us with Hudson. I think potentially more than us. Gustaf Forsling, Marin Bled, and Seth Jones can all play 24th, 25 minutes, you’re maybe not going to get 28, 29, 30 minutes. Although they can if they need to, but it’s better that way. I think today’s NHL if you have three guys at 23 24 25 as opposed to one guy at 28 the next guy at 22 23 and then you have a guy at 17 doesn’t work as well. I I think you run out of gas that way. So I think for the top three guys that’s what they’re going to do for minute a lotment. One of the things that I think it’s going to be situational with Jackie talked about the penalty kill a little bit earlier. I think uh he needs to carve out a role there. I I think if he’s going to stay in the lineup consistently, that’s where I think he’ll be at his best. Uh, you know, you you don’t need to move well. You just need to be big on the on a penalty kill, right? I meant penalty kill. I think I said power play earlier. Um, yeah, like coach was saying, stick in the lane. That’s the thing. Stick in the lane. And, you know, I really like the comparison of Luke Shem. So, I I think that could definitely be u a goal for him. Obviously, it’s going to take a long time, especially for young physical defenseman who aren’t uh they don’t have as much prestige. They don’t they weren’t drafted high. They don’t they’re not coming up as a puck moving twop prospect type of guy. This guy who’s had to work his ass off to get where he’s at. He’s a physical guy. He’s a big guy. Um he’s a young defenseman. I mean, the only thing more apparent than a young defenseman making a mistake is a young offensive tackle. Like, it’s the same exact thing. So, it’s baked in. You’re going to make he’s going to make mistakes, but I do think there is a role for him to carve out. And I think it’s good to have that competition for right now uh there with guys like Shug and they’re going to be experimenting. I mean, there are guys they I think they have their lineup set for the most part, but they’re going to be guys there, you know, like on the penalty killer on second unit power play. Uh that maybe they don’t know what that looks like yet. And I think early in the season, you’re going to see number of guys just rotate in and out. You know, does Brendan Gallagher get back on the penalty kill? When he was in his day, I believe he was penalty killing him uh for some of the for some of the penalty kills there. Jake Evans obviously probably the only main stay there but Nick Suzuki as well but I think on the back end we talked about David Sevard Arborjaki I think with along with Kaden Gully that’s the most obvious option so we’ll see the competitions for playing time there but uh it’s really all going to depend on a numerous things obviously other teams in the division where we see them ending up I think it’s you know it could again go multiple different ways but um you We’ll get to the predictions just yet because I want to see if coach has any notes left. But go ahead, Nick. No, that’s all I have. Cody, any other nuggets, coach, that we’re missing that we have not mentioned yet? Yeah, I know that these guys, they don’t like talking about the goalies like I do. I’m I’m, you know, leader of the goalie union, coach, and I do believe in what you have between pipes, but anything you have, coach, that we kind of missed on. No, I just wanted to mention for Nick, he’s right about that like he said, and I don’t want to be sure everybody, I don’t say he’s going to be like Luke Shine. He’s just like a similar like Luch was a first world. He was a first round one pick. So it’s not like kind of what his role carved out into any I see guy more Zidorov type because of the personality about him. Coach Yeah, because he wants like Shen is definitely like a good type of defense to strive to be. You know, Shen was a pretty good top air pair defense for in Toronto when he was there for that deadline run, but with Jack’s personality and that kind of fire that he plays with, I don’t like taming that out of out of a player, I just like I seem way more like Nikita Zadorov in him like where he’s just more of like he’s on and when he’s on the team there’s going to be very like you’re not going to mess with Montreal if he’s on the ice. Well, when did Zorf play his best, Cody? In Calgary with Eric Good Branson on the bottom pairing. Uh, according to you, it was Vancouver. So, well, he was that bottom pairing for Calgary was really good that year. That’s why the playoffs, I want to say, or right around there. Yeah, there was a lot of uh hesitancy there with Gardono leaving. They really stepped it up. But anything else, Miss Anything else, coach? Coach, before we do get to our predictions? Yeah. Any other points? Any other note? I just want to mention one thing here before that like we never talk about Adam Xstrom his player was the defenseman we uh really for me I follow him for the last three years uh this is going to be better Jen Swabble right away like the next two three month he’s going to be in front of Jayen Swabble as a players have an asset for Men to be maybe on the on the deal for someone but Adam is someone a problem he’s another lab defenseman but I At the end of the day, Adam show a lot of consistency last year was maybe the best defenseman with the Laval Rocket and I think it’s another player we have to consider the Tiko for the Mian and the next two three years are going to be solid with the Mat question is we’re going to see if they keep Mike Madison or not for the upcoming after his final year contract for the MRA. Uh that’s one we have to follow up for sure. But Adam Xram pay uh maybe because you guys you’re not you know deep with the mat pay attention his name because this is a really good left defenseman and I I know u you’re going to say come on coach but I I want to be sure you understand my point of view Angstrom he’s really good he remind me a lot Brett Kak for the Emmontoners like that type of player right so just So then Nick, I know you’re going to Ching. I know said that way, but he had a potential and he could be another for sling in NHL. That said, he’s not there yet. But when you know when talk about a prospect, you have the floor and you have the ceiling. And I don’t we don’t you don’t I don’t know the ceiling of him, but the way he play if you can’t Yeah. First thing guys, if you watch him today, I see him with the Chicago, I see him with the American, I see him, that guy, he figure out something like he find a magic pill and then he become a really good defenseman. If an magic pill was Paul Maurice, you know, he’s a he’s 6’2 Angstrom, a good skater, a good transition. He can he’s very smart, a very good hakiaku. He need to improve his physicality. But first thing is not the biggest physical defenseman but he’s very smart. He know to deal. He know to go on the one versus one. He know to defend. Jacov slabing is another one. And I said he’s going to be like seven. But if for if Ang can find those tools on his toolbox you guys you’re going to remember Adam and that would move the Montre Canadian of course on the decor. that we’re looking for. I know that direction because people talk in the chat. So, we’re looking for a coach W there, guys. And we’ll pay attention to the chat there. Cody, do we want to prediction? Hey, listen. We love to hear about these pro because for years as Panther fans, that’s all we cared about. And coach, I can tell you, but Montreal is winning 40 games. At least their prospects hit, too. They can have their cake. You could do it one of two ways. You could do it in Montreal or you could just trade for anybody you want. Hey, listen. They’re like they had three, four prospects hit for them in two to three years. We had three or four prospects hit for us in what? 15 15 to 20. I told you guys when we first started our community coach, we do our We traded one of them three years ago. I said, “Guys, I’m listening to TSM listening to stuff. You guys might not want to care about this, but you’re going to care in three years.” The Montreal Canadians, especially their D prospect pool, is a plus plus. And we’re starting to see it now. And you never named that coach. But continuing here, let’s start with Kirby, Nick, coach, and then I’ll go last year. Okay. You want me predictions? You want me to go first? Okay. Coach is gonna like this. This is the highest I’ve ever been on the Montreal Canadians, maybe in my life. It might it might be the thing that uh makes the downturn go like that. Don’t blame me. Might be the reason. So, if anything goes wrong this year, you know who to blame. Don’t blame me. So, I just We just had on Rod Peterson here, coach, and I predicted I was lower than everyone else. Tampa Bay Lightning as the first wild card. Well, my third place team in the Atlantic division is going to be the Montreal Canadians. I believe what they’re doing in net. I think what you said earlier, Nick, and Samuel Montbol doesn’t need to play 60 this year. Give Dobbos another extra five to eight games. Think they’ll be just fine. They got a goalie in the waiting and Fowler maybe later this season, probably likely next season with Rhybacker coming in. So, you have those two guys to look forward to. the defense of the Montreal Canadians. Like Cody said, yes, Kaden Gulie needs to stay healthy, but I am the biggest Noah adoption fan. I wanted him in Florida. He’s going to win you games on nights when your team is sleepy and he’s going to pot two goals for you or a goal and assist and win the game for you in overtime. Great threeon-ree player and he’s out of the island. He is going to go to Montreal where they’re going to let him play his game. Fans aren’t going to get on him. Montreal fans love his style of playing game. Cody, yes. Yes. Add some things defensively. I’m not worried about that. We can talk about the Hudson uh sophomore slump, but I think he’ll be just fine this year. I think other guys will struggle a little bit more than him. He’s still going to be a big dynamic player on the power play. Coach, I think the problem with Montreal will be on the special teams on the PK. But if they’re running a top five, top eight power play, you don’t need a top 10 penalty kill, especially in the regular season. You can be somewhere in the middle, maybe even towards 18th or 20th, but you got to figure it out as the season goes along. and Cody, good points on they got to be heavier, team five on five and got to be able to find those type of players, but this is a team in Montreal, coach. I know you have the numbers. Uh, their top six scored more than the Panthers top six last year. I know the Panthers top six had injuries and different things like that, but if this team can kind of uh kind of cap out at where they were last year and maybe even have a little extra push there with a guy like uh Zachary Buluke coming in, he’s going to score big time goals in that bumper position. He’ll be like more of a poor man Sam Reinhardt for us with a little bit of extra jam. And I’m big on Suzuki. Give him individual awards this year. He’s going to be up for the Selki and he’s looking to uh entrench himself in team Canada for the Olympics. So, he’s going to come out and he could be one of the best players uh in the first 20 30 games of the season. That’s going to add a big jolt to the Canadians. I think early it’s going to be key for them, but I think this is a team that could be anywhere from first to third early on in the season. And I think they’re going to fall somewhere in that third position. And if I’m a Montreal fan, I’m I’m very confident with that. So, Montreal third in the Atlantic. Next up, Nick. Well, the season starts tomorrow. That’s how long that took. No, I’m joking. Um, I think they’re going to be wild card one. Uh, mainly because, you know, I just think the top three teams are set. Now, again, I wouldn’t be surprised that they finished top three. I mentioned Tampa was going to finish two. I I wouldn’t be surprised if Tampa drops out. I think that’s a like that’s a possibility. For right now, I think they’re wild card one. I do think they’re going to be um you know, quite good. They might struggle a little bit out of the gate, but again, I think you know, nobody out of the metro is making it. Nobody other than I think Ottawa and um what’s it called? Um Montreal in the Atlantic are going to be a threat at all. I mean, Detroit’s a joke. Won’t even go that route tonight. But I I think Montreal is going to be the number one wild card team. Could very well finish in the top three. Um, and yeah, I I just think, you know, what they did last year was very impressive. I think Sam say Montimbo 62 starts in today’s NHL. I don’t think people realize how impressive that is. And he’s always been good. I mean, they have not helped him. They have not always helped him out with the team they put in front of him. Um, and I’ve always been impressed with him. I liked him in Florida when they claimed him off waiverss. He’s had some really nice uh seasons for them there despite being put in a tough situation. And I think uh him in Yakob Dobash, uh that’s another guy behind him. But, you know, um I think the combination of a weaker Atlantic division up top, uh they’re uh primed for a a wild card spot at worst in my opinion, but we’ll see what happens. Coach Cody, where do you put Montreal? Uh I’ll just say this. I’m definitely I’m the lowest on them. I have them fifth in the Atlantic. And it’s mainly because I’m I don’t like they kind of got rid of every like two-way forward they kind of had and I think they’re going to struggle a bit forward-wise five on five defensively. And I think that’s something that’s going to be really big for him. And once again, like with and with Hudson going into his second year, I’m a believer in the sophomore slump. That’s just how it is with me. Like you saw it with Baddard last year and with Hudson it’s just I wonder with the the Dobson fit like I think Linen should still get his PP1 reps. I’d be surprised if he didn’t and then Dobson on power play too. And then it’s just the middle two forwards. I’m not really that Kirby Doc is a very big question mark especially with the health concerns. I’m not very high on Alex New Hook. I like Jake Evans as your 4C. That’s a damn good 4C. It’s just I think Ottawa’s built better down the middle to me, especially with the Dylan Cousins edition and with like Shane Pinto and and guys like that. And what the heck? You’re giving Shane Pinto credit here. Okay. I mean, yeah, as a two as a two-way forward, not like an Olympic team guy for the USA like you were putting him up to be. But and the thing is with the playoffs every year, there are always two teams that make it the year before that miss the the next year. There’s always two. Last year, Boston was out, Rangers were out. In the West, Vancouver was out, Nashville was out, and two teams came in for them. And to me, it’s a it’s a tough like it’s between Montreal, Ottawa, Washington, and like New Jersey a bit because I do think the Rangers are back in this year with the addition like of Mike Sullivan as the head coach. It’s just so tough because like with these rebuilds, it’s like like Montreal’s just gone like solely like this like the last like couple years and usually with a rebuild like that, there’s a speed bump somewhere along the way. And I think this year is it for Montreal a bit. It’s just uh So fifth in the division, where do you have them? Playoffs or not? First one’s out. So ninth. Ninth and ninth. Look, one of for for these predictions this year, it’s got it’s gonna be fun to track. This team is going to be fun to track with our postgame show because you we’re all over the map on this one. It’s just there’s got to there’s a there’s going to be a speed bump somewhere. I just don’t know where. I I don’t like Nick said, a lock. I see a world that you’re 15 20% right. I don’t see it a lock that they’re in. But I I it has to be Hudson. I don’t think they’re a lock by any stretch that they It has to be Hudson regressing. It has to be what you say about the 200 foot game. It has to be with the penalty kill, the goalending, which you’re not buying, which I don’t agree with. I get what you’re saying with Kirby Dock, but they’re going to make adjustments on one or two spots on the roster. They will. Yeah, they will. But is it going to be is it or are they going to make it quick enough? That’s the question. They’ve got the cap and different things. Yeah. And you got to have progression from the younger guys. So, out of the playoffs, Cody Ninth. Yeah. I It’s really tough because I could definitely see him in I could see him third, honestly. I could see it. The projection just keeps going up. It’s just the two team thing is someone’s going to make it and someone’s got to be off the Rangers to be in. It could be the Devils for all I know. But Cody had Washington last year, the Rangers this year, coach. But uh anything else, Cody? uh a lot a great uh lot a great point you bring on the table and I’m going to give you some uh information a little bit different for what you said and then I can maybe make a judgment about what I see in MA can first of all man the the gold friendship was negative it’s rare a team make the playoff last year mal and the Minnesota did it and when I look about the eastern conference it’s rare you have five team one division and only three total decision usually it’s four and four that’s the factor about that then a Montreal Canadian a five on five they was not very good they have to improve that department of the category to get better to make the playoff return playoff and be honest with you guys at the end of the day mine make 91 point usually take 93 it plays to make the playoff and the western conference it was 96 m would not be in the playoff so it’s not to looking about the playoff or they make it did not make it last year is my biggest concern with are you looking for? So I want to go on the gold friend shot and I look about the gold four. It take at least 250 goal to make the playoff. If you score 250 goal on the Eastern Conference, your 90% chance to make the playoff. Montreal scored 245. They have only one team lower at them is the Minnesota Wild on the Western Conference at 230 something or I think 222 by the way it was 228. I apologize. Then atawaska score at 243 I believe the other two team make the playoff under 250. On the flip side on the goal against the number magic is 233. If you if you give more goal at 233 the chance to make the play a little bit less. If you leave you score less you gave less of 233 the chance to make the play is 90% too. Uh that’s m gave last year 265. That’s approximately uh almost 30 30 gold different show the M have to drop to return to the playoff. That said, they are on the same boat like Detroit. They are the same boat like the the Columbus Blue Jacket and the New York Rangers. They are the three team on the same boat. What about Buffalo, the Boston and and then the the Flowers at Pittsburgh? They all over 280 gold against that would be hard for them to drop 50 gold to have a better chance. So they are out of them. Florida, Panthers, Toronto and Temper are all above the number I just mentioned to you. Three team right there in the Atlantic division. Atawa it’s for me on the on the paper a little bit better for MA Canadian. So I I give them that spot over Montreal right now. On the flip side, Carina the number is great. The Washington the number is great and then the devils is supposed to be good. So you have a fight right now with one spot in my opinion is going to be between Columbus Rangers Montreal and Detroit. That’s my prediction for upcoming. I still believe Montreal could surprise and make the playoff like and Nick Nick make them I think wild card spot number one. I just give them a wild card spot for the MA game for upcoming season. But the number I gave to you guys check about this at the end of the year and we look about the season 24 25 that give you exactly what I’m talking about and the number I’m talking is what the the reason the the team make the NHL playoff. Uh but that’s what my prediction for the motor make the playoff but you have to improve your goals four you cannot make the playoff I guarantee you to make the playoff and if you finish with a gold finial and the miners they have to be have an average at least plus 18 to 25 to be sure they have the playoff but they have the offense this year they have buzz they have dev and they have under the one thing I’m going to say to you guys I didn’t mention early the transition of the game of the Multra Canadian from the defenseman right now they are the top five you have Madison Lson Noah Thompson can carry on the puck right away there like you don’t it’s rare you have three players on each and with the same team can move the puck like they are the Montro Canadian on that that will m the system together to use that game that system for the MRA transition from the rush play that will help in a m canian so good where the MA going to score 270 gold and maybe plus next season but I put them at the playoff that’s maybe a long answer for your for your question hey no that they by coach there that’s pretty good like maybe wild card too coach you’re leaning because Nick a little bit more confident with that prediction but Cody what you’re saying in their deficiencies and what you say in their game what coach said with them transitioning the puck that can mass ask some of the Yeah. And I’ll say this, I think New Jersey falls out. Um, you know, I I’ll say that or Washington. I think I think New Jersey and Washington are more volatile than Montreal. But that’s I I agree with that. Uh, coach, I think Detroit is not even They’re not even in the rearview mirror. They’re freaking on We’re on I75. They’re on I4. It’s not even the same freaking highway. All right. It Detroit’s Mick wants Eerman out. Eerman out. Um, you know, it’s not even close. Uh, you know, I think Ottawa Ottawa is hard to Okay, I I just want to jump in, Nick. I think Ottawa has a better chance to win the division as a sleeper team than Montreal does. Let’s be straight. Yes. But I think Montreal can still finish ahead of Ottawa in the Yeah, I I think so. And I I think it’s going to be interesting to see. Mark, I don’t completely. Yeah, I I regular season. They do. When you take a look at once the once the playoffs turn. Want to talk about games with Gou. I think wild card one is would be my prediction because I think the Rangers jump back up into You’re with into the top three. Yeah. I I think the Rangers Sullivan is the biggest like addition. I I think Eigor bounces back a bit. Not that he was terrible last year. Blue line. That blue line, you know. I think a new year was needed a new voice in the locker room. Again, in three years they’re going to need another new voice in the locker room. That’s just the way things are. Oh, if they had someone like Abberov. Hey, they Hey, they have a new captain now. JT Miller. I guess they’re allergic to making their tenur players captain trash is someone else’s treasure. But hey, but we’ll see what happens. It’s going to be interesting to see. Um, and on Columbus, I’m not as bullish on them. I I think uh you know, you’re you might see some regression there uh especially um if they can’t get that goal. I know Jack Greavves was really good down the stretch for them. Can he continue that? If he can’t, I don’t trust Elvis Mer’s Lincoln to Coach talked about the goal differential, Nick, with Montreal. That could be a problem with Columbus. Yeah. And it, you know, I I think I I don’t even know who Columbus added over the offseason. Did they add anybody? I know they were on Noah. Miles Wood. Okay. Yeah. I mean, I I mean, look, they were in on Noah Adoptson. They just struck out on him. Um, and I I just don’t think that Columbus, but Montreal is winning on the free agent market. They’re winning on the trade market. Like, they’re winning, you know, not on the free agent market. Let’s calm it down here. They wanted the trademark, not free agents. Yeah. I again, I think No, there’s guys that want to play there. I think one of the X factors from Montreal, and you’re going to see it down the stretch is the puck moving from the defense. You have three really good puck movers. I mean, that’s you’re going to need that. And uh I think they have opportunity, they have room, they have uh capability to make a move. I think that’s coach said, masking their deficiencies versus what Cody’s worried about. That’s what’s going to be the determining factor. Yeah, but I think their deficiencies are can be rectified through additions. Like I I don’t think I’d rather have their giving Florida the flowers, giving Tampa the flowers. Like I’m kind of like, let’s slow down. I think I’d rather have their to slow down the general public that’s just like, “Oh, Florida and Tampa. Last year, Florida was going to lose in the first round of the playoffs from the pundit.” Now, they don’t know what they’re talking about. We’re not going to be because people live in the freaking moment when it comes to season in this. I’d rather have Montreal’s deficiencies than let’s say deficiencies of like, you know, a little bit more high-end talent, puck moving ability. I I think some of those the penalty killing can be addressed uh through personnel change and I think you’re you can get a penalty killer at the deadline. You could get pick up a physical defenseman at the deadline. How about how about Nick? How about staying disciplined and don’t take penalties and then you don’t have to worry about it, right? Yeah. I I think the talent that they have, it doesn’t compare to like like Detroit and you know Columbus right now and you know and you know New Jersey fine. Uh, but even Washington, like Washington, I like their blue line, but it it just seems like last year everything went right. I I don’t know if that’s going to continue. And I get what Cody saying with the lack of 200 foot players, but put Suzuki against New Jersey, I’ll take that. Yeah, but the thing is with Montreal is just I feel like you got like they have a ton of talent, but they have a lot of but a lot of that talent is not developed talent. Like they’re extremely young. Slowsky developed on the on the scene last year and people were like and what they bring up a good point here about the points for the defenseman. Most of the time when you take a look top five, top 10 point getters by a blue line for a team, majority of those teams are in the playoffs. One of the reasons we were so successful in the playoffs. Oh, we lost Nick. We lost Nick. Just just eject Nick out there. I’ll just leave it at he’s out. Coach Cody on the chat. Like it’s just with uh it’s just like like I said I think like Montreal is going to be a damn good team in like two to three years. It’s just there’s going to be a hiccup somewhere and I’m predicting it to be this year. And it’s not really a bad thing because guess what? They made the playoffs the year before. they’re way ahead of schedule and that’s the best thing if they let’s say they have like show out the gate or whatever they are not they don’t have to panic or anything to kind of like go make a move because Buffalo’s panicking like hell right now because yes they’re trying not to rebuild now Detroit is like Eisman could lose his job this year if this year doesn’t go right for coach with Nick you’re you’re a little higher on Detroit Detroit is so bad come on they’re so bad. It’s a joke. But the thing is with Dobson is going into this year and I know he’s going to a better more offensive system, but he went 49 points, 70 points, 39. So you got So we have yet to kind of see who Noah Dobson really is. He was in jail on the island. In jail? Apparently not. He had 79 points on the damn team. Montreal. The Islander fans would argue, Cody, this guy is too offensive. This guy isn’t defensive. They didn’t like him and they would argue. Montreal fans will be like, “Coach, you can jump in on this. Just be yourself.” That’s empowering. We saw that with Brandon Mter. That’s empowering. Be yourself out there. Buffalo didn’t let players be themselves. Coach, I think Dobson will be told by St. Louis coaching staff, be yourself. Another great point here. I think uh I I I think Kudy what you mentioned is not wrong. I just said I think you just see Montreal 3 years from today. But I would just give you one advice. See them two three years ago the next three years like they are today because they are really closer what you see them you project them in three years they are a little bit more closer today they were at three years from today. And the reason I’m telling you that is because I think uh they get missing only couple of piece of the puzzle. When you have a a good not a great a good goalender the core of the D is good and you have a lot of good top six and Montro Canadian they have a really one of the top eight at least bottom six in NHL. That’s something we don’t give enough credit for the MRO Canadian. That said, Gudy is Mroy Canadian, they don’t have a lot of old second center and maybe one defenseman at all some point. But if you look about Columbus, the goalendering is a really questionable there. Oh yeah. You go, you go team by team, you’re going to find a very big Washington, you’re going to regress. The key for Washington is to go from 111 I believe if they can say 99 they make the playoff. I see that team can regress but I don’t see Washington last 20 point to be out of the playoff. I don’t see that a lot. New Jersey for me is the really the one you have to be careful it’s a New Jersey but still they missing a couple of piece of the puzzle to make the not make the playoff but they go deep in the playoff. The can is going to get there. uh the Toronto without manner whatever happening there they going to make the playoff the Panthers without catch up for a couple of month they’re going to make up for me the tempo be lightning is my number one team in the division at cleansing division to win the division why if you look about how they finish at the traded line they add gourds and they add a box strand I could be wrong but that’s what I can remember the most they finished number four and the first and season with most point from January 1st to the end of April. If they can get that kind of cons what they build, I think that’s temporary lightning are going to repeat and to finish in front of of the Toronto and the Florida they don’t care. They can finish third, fourth, fifth, it’s snow day. They make the play. That’s their season start at the playoff. It’s another team. So I don’t really care. Detroit is the defenseman. Buffalo the defenseman. two core they have to be careful about them the Columbus the goender the Rangers can Mike Sulliv Sullivan transform that locker room I still don’t understand the trait of uh not the trade of yeah the trade of mailor is good but I don’t I think Miller was is better I think panarin had to come back finally contract zena was so bad last year that team was go nowhere how they going to bounce back whatsoever the key is the goalending. So at the end of the day I still believe Montreal is going to get there. They’re going to make the playoff because they are other question mark for other team in the division of the Eastern Conference to make the playoff. Islanders great but not good enough to make the playoff because not good enough is not good enough. Yeah. So that’s is my prediction for my for the season. We’ve been going for almost two hours here. Like, but for me, like for me going into the going into the Eastern Conference, there are four locks in the Eastern Conference to me. Tampa, Florida, Toronto, Carolina. After that, I have no locks. Okay, that’s fair cuz Carolina Metro’s too easy for Carolina, especially with the Eers edition. That’s going to help in the regular season with more points. Yeah, they’re finishing somewhere in the top three. They’re they’re first. I don’t see a world. I cannot wait for them to get overrated to no end on throughout the season. Like I cannot wait. I I would love I would love to see Hey coach, I’d love to see a Carolina versus Montreal first round. Go at him. I love that. Yeah, because here’s thing we hate Carolina. Played really well against Florida last year, Cody. And we play this similar. They was even close as a joke in the Eastern Conference final appearance. No, but we can’t I like here. Carolina’s my most hated team by far. I hate them. Wouldn’t you love to see a Montreal versus Carolina? You could see an upset there. I would love to see any playoff series to be honest with you that isn’t lock Carolina, you know? Why not? Like I wouldn’t mind seeing Montreal Toronto. I wouldn’t mind seeing that. Yeah. I I’m going to get into Toronto next week, but me having Montreal third, it’s a distinct possibility, coach. Toronto Montreal matchup right here. If I’m tearing the teams like right now, it’s the locks. Florida, Tampa to Florida, Tampa, Toronto, Carolina. the locks in between that I have should make it which is probably uh I think Washington should make it like they’re going to fall off and get a lot smaller. You’re you’re you’ve only talked if they make it it’s because the metro is so weak or the again teams like I think they’re better than Ottawa. I think they’re better you know obviously I’m just going to jump in. I think and you guys know I call New Jersey the frauds of the NHL. I think they should be in the should make it category. They’re in it. They’re in it for me because of Mark Strum and Sheldon Keith. Everyone craps on Sheldon Keith, but he is a really solid. The final point uh for me, um I very well Ottawa could drop out and not because Ottawa is a bad team, but just because you know Washington I I don’t know about time. Yeah, I can. Yeah. Yeah. So I mean Carolina did very well for them. Anton Forsber went to LA. We’ll see what happens. Yeah, Tonyy’s not gonna like my predictions because I’m not having really teams drop out here. Yeah, I I got like here’s the thing. I’m going based off what I’ve seen. It’s two teams always out that make it the year before. Yeah, but always show me always. Always like All right. You want You want me to go keep going back? Yeah. I want you to before we go. Boston Rangers for the East. Vancouver Nashville. I heard for the West. Yes. This was last year. Okay. 2324. I had to think because here’s the thing. I had to go east. Oh, you say you said Florida, Tampa, Toronto, Boston, Carolina Islanders. That’s one team that was out and then the hell did the Rangers play? The Rangers play the Capitals. I I’m going to have one, Nick, coach. I might have one out of the East that was and then one in. I have to figure out Jersey was out. Who did Carolina play? I’d have to figure out the I actually might not. So yeah, it was just one because the Islanders are the only team that Wait, was it? Yeah, the Islanders are the only team that made it that year. And then the West, I know the Wild fell out. Or did they? I don’t even remember. Cody’s got to check. Yeah, we’re we’re not we’re not doing this. Listen, we got Take it away. Says says the two guys with the 15minute monologues of just Nick saying, “Take a look every every other take a look. Take a look.” Yeah. You know, you didn’t have the stuff. Apologies, coach. Coach, thank you for being on here with us today. Uh we want we would love to have you back during the season. Um where can everyone follow you? I recommend everyone go over to your YouTube channel. You’re live almost every night of the week, coach, even during the off season. Uh first of all, thanks for invite me. Secondly, uh Hockey Nation Live show is this my channel since 2020. We’re getting close to 10K. It take a long time but at the end of the day I think it’s not about it’s difficult to stay alive and the wall of the YouTube channel but I think for us is about the community we build with a lot of great people look look at tonight we have about seven eight 10 people join me follow me here tonight that’s who they are they are great people and they model about what we build here at the hockey nation but uh definitely I would love to come back and have a great conversation and this is all about it’s debate hate with the respect and that’s an opinion that’s make a better uh show and that’s the reason I think it’s you have a space you have a room for everyone it’s just to build your own place and to be who you want to be don’t ch to be try don’t try to be anybody else just be who you are if you want to be successful on your YouTube channel and that’s only thing I think that’s a reason I believe that’s my channel is good because we have a lot of great people and I’m the driver but without those passenger it would not be impossible. So I just want to thanks of them. I’m very gratefully thankful of them and then for all of you guys tonight it was pleasure to meet all of you for the first time. Hopefully it’s not going to be the last time. I can’t wait to come back and talking about the hockey. It’s not matter you’re a Pen fan or or Canada fans or Washington fans or Temper fans. It’s all about we love one thing all income. We love the game and we have a passion about the game. That’s the best thing to do. And uh I can’t wait to come back here talking about hockey. And guys, I appreciate coach all the time. Very good motivational uh speaker. You can see you as coach background. And he always kind of encourages that community and builds it like what we’ve done here, guys. Yeah. I can’t can’t imagine those uh those locker room speeches after like a bad period. You’re welcome to join me anytime. By the way, Cody or Nick or Kirby, you’re welcome. We open the door. It’s just like we have a it’s fun talking about our kids or and for me tonight my learning lesson was going to be um to hear from people don’t follow too much m for the for the eyes for outside the mian fans that’s good to hear that and it’s fun you pay attention for the m can I think the ma like Chicago son say hahim are going to be a thing to look for the next three four years with all the prospect pipeline they Great and they all going to be fun to watch and hopefully Panther Temp going to consist put a money on Temple this year. So Temper have to respond with my athletic division. Kie, you have to be sure you play step up this year because I really believe on Temp. Hey, listen. I could see him winning the division. But once they once we see them in the playoffs, that’s when And special shout out to uh all the the people that came over from Coach’s channel, Pete Martin, Triple W, uh Nas. Nas. Yeah. Um and many others. I I throughout the course of the show, we thank you not only for coming in, but for commenting. We really enjoyed it. Yeah. If our community grows like that, what coach has been doing, hey, we’re we’re we’re ahead of the game. So, appreciate them being by. They got to be by uh Saturday nights this year. Uh Cats and Rats after dark. We go around the NHL. It’s not Panthers, all NHL stuff. So um join us. And one more thing, we are live every night, 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. We work seven days per week. The channel is on. So you’re welcome to come back every time. I want to thanks all the people in the chat, new people I never heard of before and uh for you, for your channel and my people. So glad to see all of you. Thanks everybody to invite me. and anything I can help, please don’t hesitate to uh reach me at any time. It was great to meet you, Nick and Ky. And then Kobe was great to work again with you. Kobe was amazing last week of Hockey Nation. Appreciate it, coach. Hey, coach. Good night. Yes, sir. Appreciate it, coach. All right, gentlemen. Our first one ever on YouTube here. Who we have on the docket next week? It’s Toronto and Boston. Toronto and Boston. Maddie from the Bruins Bender and then our boy Zach Phillips from Leaks Nation is the scheduled guest. Boy. Oh man. Uh I got a big guest on Ottawa. Cody had worked with TSN for a long time too. So listen because that’s like because Ottawa because we have what after that we have Buffalo and then Detroit’s in there and then we might have Ottawa as a stand. We have that in one episode. Well, we might have to have Ottawa on their own I was thinking. Yeah. So but we have Detroit and Buffalo in the same episode. Don’t be so hard Cody on them. tonight costume, but I’m just going to just going to have this ready. Cody, do you want them to walk off the set? Can I walk off the set right now? Cody, you are harsh. You are har like the Montreal stuff tonight. Let’s be easy on Buffalo and Detroit guy. Nick, I’m telling you, you don’t get to build shitty hockey teams and get away with it. No, Lou is going to handle it. The Buffalo person. I think I have someone scheduled. I don’t know the Buffalo person. So Cody, don’t run the Buffalo. I’m just going to say this person. You better warn that Detroit, whoever we get for Detroit, you better warn. Lou, he’s a good guy. Oh, okay. Well, we had him last year. Calm down with Lou, buddy. As long as he’s Lou, not Eiserman, man. But Cody, easy on Buffalo cuz I don’t know who’s coming on for Buffalo. I’m not Vince though. If Vince would be on Buffalo, I just feel bad for him. I think you were hard. I think you were hard on Montreal tonight to be honest. How was that? Well, because everyone up is like think it’s like sunshine and rainbows and stuff like that. I I think their fan base is very measured right now, which is surprising. You know what happens? They think they have a shot at the playoffs. I don’t think anything phases them anymore. It’s kind of like their fan base measure, but I remember what they were saying about uh Patretti and Suban all them years ago. I remember those. Oh, you’re going back then. I remember what they said about Conor Bard a few years ago with us giving them to them. But you like No, it didn’t work out that way, did it? I’m talking about when they were good. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Cody’s going back. This is the highest I’ve ever been on Montreal and maybe the lowest I’ve been on Tampa, but like Ron Peterson mentioned, he had them out of the playoffs last year. I don’t have them out. I have five teams going in Atlantic. And you’ll see as we go along with these previews. I may have four. Like I don’t know. Like I have a hard time finding three in the metro. I’m having a hard time, gentlemen. Can there just be two? Going back to and like on my point earlier, going back to 2022, in each conference, there have been at less at least been one team that made it the year before that missed the year in like in the East, but there was been two in the West every year. So, there’s been one in the East, so I can go with one then like because there’s Well, it was only one year because the president trophy year for the Pan the President’s Trophy year for the Panthers. The next year, the two teams that fell out were Washington and Pittsburgh. And in the West going in from 22 to 23, the two teams that fell out of them was Calgary uh and Minnesota. No, Minnesota made in 23. It was St. Louis. Calgary and St. Louis that fell out. And Calgary was a division winner. So Ottawa might fall out. I could definitely see that. I think Ottawa does fall out. You can stick with two, Cody, but I And then we’ll see. Then the year after it was uh the Islanders that fell out and then New Jersey fell out and then you’re giving me a lot of teams from the Mets. And then it was Seattle that fell out and then it was Minnesota that fell out. Yeah, Minnesota the one you always b Minnesota they’re in one year out one year in one year out one year. Well, they made the two years in a row and then last year we all know Boston was out. Rangers were out and then Boston no one saw that one. Nashville was out and then Vancouver was out. No one saw Nashville either. Everyone had some people had Nashville’s locks. So, yes, that’s true. But you’re saying sometimes in the East there’s one team that misses. Okay. At least there’s one one year that was and it was like the Islander Islanders. There’s got to be two. There’s got to be two. For me, there’s going to be two. You’re all about twos. The sophomore slump, the twos that miss. Hey, sophomore real. You’re not believing in some backup goalies, maybe even starters. But, you know, like I’m just being honest. Yeah, I know. I know. Like I could be 100% wrong and I’ll own it. But the thing is this is going to be fun to watch because all four of us have a different take on one. This is my gut. Like I gotta go with my gut. Yeah. Yeah. I think we were more lock in step with Tampa. No one really had anything extreme there. No one had Tampa winning the division, right? So no, I could definitely see them winning. Picking it. No, I have them second. I think track these. We got to track if if health permits you guys all was you, Rod, and Nick all went second. Yeah. And I think I have Florida first going into the year. I’m still debating. Well, I mean, we got to bake in what the Barkov five game. I’m starting to feel a Montreal Florida matchup already in the first round, gentlemen. And we’re running through them or they’re stopping us in our three Pete. I’m I’m just feeling it. I’m really feeling it. So, but yeah, guys. Anything else on the way out? We’re going to do a contest on the next podcast episode here when we do have it. Uh, yeah. I mean, hockey training camp starts up Thursday, I’m pretty sure, for most teams. I’m not sure about the Panthers. I have no idea what these dates are. I got to get my bearings back on hockey now. Uh, do you It’s really It’s really easy to find these bearing as of right now. I was told I was too hard on the Dolphins in the summer, Nick. Yeah. Well, I was told we were a 10- win football team. I don’t know where we’re seeing that. But well, Ryan said that. I never said 10 wins. No, I’m not saying you guys. I’m talking about Russell Wilson look like he’s in Seattle. You were more at nine. Russell Wilson looking like he’s on Seattle again. Give me a break. Anyway, Malik Neighbors. I mean, you know, he’s going deep and he still gets behind you. I I don’t get whatever. Now, we got we got to give a shout out to our boy Caesar. He was live today. Uh make sure to drop Caesar a follow. I’ll put that at the bottom here. And uh we got a lot of film to go over with Caesar and Ardell. So we’ll be hitting the film room. I don’t want to watch that again. But good night. You have to, Nick. You gotta call someone else. So we play. I’m not gonna lie. They all suck. I think I’m done with film for the Dolphins. Uh what? Because it’s pretty freaking depressing already. Uh the Patriots already know what I’m going to see every time. Like, oh, we’re going to send everyone back or blitz all of them. That’s our guy Drake May right there, Kirby. Drake May. Drake May. I got I got a I got a community bet that he’s top 17 or better quarterback. looking pretty pretty good. Pretty good. That’s such a low bar. Under 17. 17 would sound a lot better. I think would sound pretty good to a Dolphins fan right now. But anyway, but our cats and rats fantasy football league is going very well. Shout out to our sponsors Kanewear. Shout out to our very own Nick Lavine at the top of the league right now in football. Everybody talked my team. I’m still going to You’re two and0. It’s too early to say anything. Keep the receipts. Keep the receipt. I mean, even this Kirby, the worst fantasy. I’m like Ken Holland. You look at it. It’s a little weird, but it works. So, you know what? It works. Works. Well, it is so far. Shout out to Canes at the top. Maybe Chairman Beck Beck sells FLA can be at the top of a If I’m not last, it’s a dub. If I’m not last, it’s a W. You guys had me worst. Well, Ryan had you worst. You’re just the Minnesota Knicks over here. Okay. Helps me win. We just need Nick to lock in all year on the fantasy football and fantasy hockey side. Fantasy hockey is a little more difficult, but I will try my best. They’ll end up coming for you this week. Show up. I think I got what? Big C’s this week. Yes, Cody. I think that’s the matchup of the week. You guys are a rival. You and Caesar, you guys are a rival. How are we rivals? Yeah, you guys are rival. Get you guys. We lose to the Bears. What? If we lose it to bear, I’m so done. Anyway, have a good night everybody. USF though. Shout out USF. The first FSU trash can of the year goes to the UFC Bulls. That team used everything. It had to be Florida. It was fun while it lasted. It was fun while it lasted. They should still be ranked if you ask me. There you go. But the the FSU trash can of It’s all right. Miami will fall off at one point. Oh yes, they always do. Go NOS. I’m not saying that anyone all the you supporters out there. There you go. It’s Ohio State again. And if you disagree, you don’t know. Ball. I’m a company man. Well, we got to bring this back. I’m bringing it back every week. I’m It’s going to be It’s just going to be football for right now. Hockey not sorted yet. But anyway, but again, this like this video if you watch all the way through. Subscribe. Make sure to follow Big C’s. He’s trying to get to uh what’s he trying to get to, guys? 1K subscribers. So, it’s close. But anyway, anyways, ladies and gentlemen, shout out to our sponsors, Kanesworth. Uh, once again, they have the uh the signings with Sergey Babroski, Matthew Kachchuck, and Sam Bennett coming up soon. Go get your tickets now. They’re on sale at kaneswear.com. Please, once again, go check them out. And once again, our other sponsor, Jeremy Beckham with Next Home Treasure Coast. Hey, if you’re looking to move to South Florida or even sell, I think I think that’s a pretty good guy to go to. I think so, boys. Right. Yeah. But uh cuz Nick’s about to lose his mind right here cuz he has class in about nine hours. We sign off here. Uh thank you for joining us and always and as always, let’s go Cats. What’s up cats and rats fans? If you enjoyed that video, be sure to hit the like and subscribe button before you head out. If you’re listening to us on Apple and Spotify, make sure you leave us a fivestar review. And just like always, let’s go Cats. [Music]

A staple yearly show from Twitter X Spaces… Cats ‘N’ Rats Hosts bring to our YouTube Channel for the first time NHL Atlantic Division Preview Show!

Firstly, starting with Tampa Bay Lightning (Rod Pedersen), then Montreal Canadiens (Coach Frenchy) #NHL #Preview #TampaBayLightning #MontrealCanadiens #hockey #atlanticdivison

Time Stamps:

1:00 – Intro Rod Pedersen Cats ‘N’ Bolts Podcast

4:00 – Tampa Bay Lightning Additions & Subtractions

12:00 – Are TB Lightning running star players into ground?

16:00 – TB Projected Lineup

26:18 – TB Season Predictions

37:53 – Mackie Samoskevich Jersey Change

40:00 – TB Wrap Up

43:35 – Intro Coach Frenchy Hockey Nation Live

45:55 – Montreal Canadiens Additions & Subtractions

1:01:05 – MTL Projected Lineup

1:26:28 – MTL Season Predictions

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