One Week Away

One Week Away

You’re watching Leaf’s Morning Tape with host Nick Alber and former NHL Jay Rose Hill. The show starts now. The excitement is building. We are now one week away from the season opener when the Toronto May police will host the Montreal Canadians. The Wednesday edition of Lease Morning Take presented by Bet 365, Nick Albera and Jay Rosville. You catch any of that HAB Senators preseason game? We got like 150 penalty minutes last night. Rosie, seriously, the Jackie brothers doing some damage out there. Some mutants. Like you think they fought each other for 15 years as brothers growing up? Like what’s the deal? I don’t know. I imagine there was a few wrestling matches during some minstick games back in the day, but uh that was feisty, man. I I I just caught the clips. I didn’t watch it live, but I kind of wish I did. Uh as if I’d ever be sitting down watching the Canadians play, but um True. It looked like one that was pretty exciting. That is one good thing about preseason, I guess you could say. Yeah. And uh there seems to be this perception on social media, and as you know, I have an upbringing in Montreal. I’m not a Habs fan that somehow the Jackeye brothers are going to bully the entire NHL, which I don’t buy. There’s no hitting. There’s no fighting anymore. But what’s what’s your take on all on all this that it’s the big bad Montreal Canadians, they have the Jackeye brothers and I I I still think it’s bizarre that especially Arbor who’s on the NHL team. He’s like the seventh defenseman. Florian’s trying to make the team. Like they’re just they’re caught up in trying to scrap people in preeason. But what’s your take on Montreal and their feistiness, Rosie? Well, I like feistiness. I like it when you have guys that can uh that can mix it up. Obviously, it’s a little bit difficult this day and age um to go be a bully and not parade to the penalty box. I think uh the league’s kind of set up that way to penalize that type of stuff more than it has been back in the day obviously, but um yeah, we’ll see. you know, you got to be a regular NHLer, obviously, and you got to be in the lineup and you got to make the team and all the rest of it. And they’re doing their best to show, hey, I can bring value to this to this organization and we won’t get pushed around. We won’t get bullied. I can protect our stars and all the rest of it. So, um, I guess it’ll be up to the Habs if they’re going to be on on the roster, these two guys. And and if they are, yeah, there there’d be that element of of intimidation there. And if anyone wants to scrap, two guys are more than willing. And that’s more than you can say for a lot of teams. So, um, not earthshattering anything. I don’t think they’re going to be the broad street bullies of of the East and start uh just walking into teams barns and just beating on them like it’s the 70s. But, uh, again, I never I never mind it when guys have a little bit of jam like those two guys do. I wish uh I don’t like to pet the Habs too much, but it is what it is. They play hard and you saw it last night. Maybe it shows my age, but I remember an era if you were in the league where an entire line was a bunch of Jay Rose Hills or Jack eyes, but uh pound-forpound, I’m I’m always curious to get your opinion because obviously you’re zoned in on conversations like this. Who is the toughest guy in the NHL right now? Because watching Arbor Jackie drag around Zack Mchuan last night. I’m like, this guy is so strong and he throws him so hard. I don’t know who’s up to the task. Yeah, that was one fun thing about seasons past where the buildup to to Jack and Revo or whatnot was always fun stuff, but uh that’ll be no longer with us. But um I don’t know who is man. I always never like that. Whoever there’s there’s probably six guys that that tough guys. Deloreier, Olivier, all those guys for sure. Um but on any night, one could get the best of the other one, but Jackie’s right up there, man. And they seem mean. They seem like they love to get in it. It’s not just something they feel like they have to do. Like they they seem to love it. So, and yeah, I didn’t even know about his brother to be honest with you. But Arbor’s right up there. No question. He’s a big boy. You saw it last night. Yeah, Florian’s a unicorn because he he plays forward and he can score goals. I think he had 24 tucks last year in the American Hockey League. And that’s a different dynamic when you’re actually good at hockey and now you’re playing and you’re scoring. Not to throw a shade at Arbor Jackie, but he didn’t even start the playoffs in the lineup and he’s like a 67 guy, but I understand why Montreal would like to have a guy like Arbor Jackie in the lineup, but looking forward to the season opener October 8th. I I don’t know who the Jey brothers Florian’s in the lineup, probably not, but Arbor, I don’t know who he’s going to go after on the Leafs. I don’t know. I don’t think Dakota Joshua is as much of a heavyweight as we think. Even it was interesting in that combo with Bruce Bjo last week. He’s like, you really can’t fight. Like I don’t even know who the resident tough guy is on the team anymore. Is it Max Doi? Is it Dakota Joshua? Who would you label it? Well, we’ll see. Joshua. Yeah, it’s funny. Gabby flat out said he’s not good at fighting at all, but he’s feisty and and likes to run around and bang, and when you do that, sometimes that’ll lead to some some extracurricular stuff, which apparently um is not his forte. Ah, honestly, yeah. I I I would prefer just having some team toughness like if everyone’s running around playing a heavy style and you know you don’t Jack is one of those guys you don’t have to scrap him if you don’t want to. If there’s no one in his league you could just let him run around and see if he’ll take penalties and everyone can slough him off and say no we’re not we’re not going down to your level at that way. I don’t love that. But um in this day and age, that seems to be uh a little better than probably, you know, coming up to a heavyweight and acting like you need to scrap those guys if you don’t have one. You don’t. But the team toughness mentality, yeah, is it do me? I mean, we’re talking about doi being on the first line playing with Matthews and N. So, should he be our our resident tough guy? No, I don’t think we’re going to have one. But I would just like a mentality of team toughness first. Everyone’s in on the scrums. Everyone’s there to help each other out. no guy gets left um you know in a scrum by themselves and just have that mentality of of all for one I think is a lot better than than anything else right now. Salvator Yanni writes in the toughest leaf might be Pazetta. I don’t know if he’s a Maple Leaf this time next week. I think he’s destined for the American Hockey League. Maybe it’s Matthew N. He of what one fight or two fights in the NHL but I agree. I subscribed to the whole team toughness conversation even watching some preseason on Monday. Your boy Bedsy got into the mix of a little skirmish. Connor Baddard out in Chicago was uh pissed off with I believe uh Bernard Docker on Detroit and and gave him a little mean mug. I like that. Oh, there you go. Yeah, it’ll be interesting to see him too after a couple years in the league. What is that guy going to be? Um but yeah, a little feistiness sounds good, too. It’s it’s getting to the point where we’re getting to playing for real here and it’s setting in and the guys competitive uh you know spirits are probably starting to get locked in here as there’s just a couple more to check off and then you’re going for real which obviously is an exciting time of year. It is. We’re almost there. Rosie T Rapes writes in Olivier is by far the toughest guy in the league. And then uh Salvatore Yanni again what about Tom Wilson? He can fight. He can score equally well. Yeah, he is like a hybrid type player and maybe pound for pound. Like I’d love to have that conversation, that debate one day. Poundfor-pound, who is the toughest guy in the NHL? Our super chat charity partner is Sick Kids. Want to make sure that your question or comment gets on the show. Hit us up with a super chat. Proceeds from our super chat will go to Sick Kids. Ranked the number one research intensive children’s hospital in Canada and third in the world. So, prior to coming on air today here at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time, Luke Hughes signs a uh what seven-year deal at 9 million rips per season. But the big convo I wanted to have on today’s show, Kel Capriovv. And I was uh genuinely interested to hear the commentary of the GM Bill Garin who’s been grinding away on this contract for like two months. And I don’t know if you caught the fbomb yesterday, uh some to the effect of he better like the money he got. And uh rightfully so. 17* 8 Rosie 136 million for Carell Capriovv. That’s nuts, man. That is such a big number from out of left field. I think people are starting to think that, you know, that’s two and a half million bucks more than he probably should have got. But I think that the players are happy, the agents are happy, the NHLPA is probably happy about it. I don’t know if it’s one of those contracts that’s going to raise all ships, you know, like I do like when you move the market with a contract like that or when players start to get paid and, you know, the teams realize there’s enough money here and the league’s making money, the teams are making money and that funnels down to the players. I I think that’s always great to see. I don’t know if that’s what this is for sure and you’re going to start seeing, you know, the average salary go up exponentially like like this guy’s has. I think they overpaid. I think they were painted into a corner and couldn’t justify losing him and he stuck his heels into the dirt and my god, I just don’t see how you win with that much money in one singular player. It hasn’t really been done. Um, I don’t think anyone’s won the cup that had a player making more than 10 million. Is that not the story? Which tells you that leaning that heavily on one guy is a lot, man. So, I don’t know. Good for him. good for the the league, I guess, in some ways. I’d rather have in the players pockets than the owners pockets. But I think that’s uh that’s a number that’s going to be hard to contend with. And I think a lot of GMs in their negotiations coming up are going to say that’s fine. That’s what Miss Minnesota decided to do. That doesn’t mean that’s what we’re going to do. And try to slough it off that way. And I’m sure some players and agents are going to have a different uh opinion on the matter. I’m not surprised. Uh, I thought Minnesota had to keep the player. And it was quite evident early on in the process, they would do everything possible to keep the player. When you’re offering 16 Schmill, then like, let’s go up another mill and give him 17 sheets a season. But for me, the bigger ripple effect, and maybe there’s no correlation at all what it means for Conor McDavid and his next contract, like you’re old school. Uh, there’s a pecking order. You’ve been in the PA. Can you justify a league where Conor McDavid, even if he signs an extension or goes elsewhere, the way we’ve been talking about ad nauseium here on on the podcast? Is there a world where you’re okay with Kel Capriov being the highest paid player in the NHL? Because that’s essentially what we’re getting at right now, or is the PA going to lean on McDavid and say you have to take something over 17? I I don’t see Connor getting pushed around by the NHL PA. I think he’s he’s bigger than that to be honest with you. Um, I I just think he’s the kind of guy that values winning more than anything. Like Crosby, he was not always the highest paid player in the league when he was probably the best player in the league. Um, so it doesn’t have to go that way. I think that, you know, some of these superstars, like they’ve got all the other trophies and what they need as a Stanley Cup and if they’re taking $18 million um in a salary cap era, that might be the difference between getting a well-rounded team and and not. So, again, I don’t know if that contract is going to raise all ships and now all of a sudden that’s the new benchmark and everyone needs to be there. Um I don’t think it’s going to happen that fast, but I don’t know what Connor’s going to do, man. I don’t know what he’s going to value. I don’t know how much of the cap he’s going to want to eat. I understand there’s going to be outside forces like you say with the NHLPA saying, “Hey, you can’t take a big old discount and and throw everything off with the rest of the league because it’s a trickle down effect.” But, um, he also wants to win. I don’t think he’s looking for max dollars out of here. But, yeah, of as usual, the Conor McDavid contract saga is getting more interesting. Yeah, I I think the big point you made there that is really really wellreceived on my part is is is Crosby. Like he always took 8.7 and he never really was the highest paid player in the league. And that that’s that’s valid because for a big chunk of his career, Cydney Crosby was perceived and was the best player on the planet, the best player in the NHL. So I think there’s no attachment. Um there’s been a lot of conversation the last couple days. Jack Eel, who’s a pending UFA July 1, is talking to Vegas about an extension, and maybe he’s like sort of the benchmark guy for other guys who sign contracts. Like, we’re even looking at Kyle Connor with the Winnipeg Jets. I don’t think there’s any direct correlation, should there be any direct correlation to Conor McDavid or Carell Capri off for that matter because a lot of it depends on urgency and how much a player means to a team. In Minnesota, they are Kel Capri off. Like you lose him, you might as well rebuild at this point. I know. And he just like they offered him 162. Hey, and he turns that down and more. Imagine declining that contract, man. Like I don’t even know if my body would able to like decline that. And I know it’s like different because he’s athlete. Ballsy. Like what if you leave the building and get hit by a bus? Like it would just be like, “Oh my god, this is risky.” Um I I don’t know. It’s again, I don’t think that this I don’t think all GMs are going to go, “Well, that’s the market. The market has spoken. That’s what everyone’s getting anymore. They’re going to fight against that heavily.” And I just wonder if that’s going to trickle into, you know, more holdouts and having having guys further apart with their teams and and having trouble getting contracts done. It’s different. Like the market in Winnipeg, how much are they willing to pay guys? Vegas, there’s no state tax there. So, that that’s different. So, the numbers are kind of all over the place. But, uh, without a doubt, that number blew my hair back. It reminded me of like A-Rod when he signed that. It’s probably way back in the day now. I don’t know if it was 20 years ago or what, but, uh, A-Rod signing with with Texas back in the day, and the number was just like, what? Like, it didn’t it didn’t make sense, but now you see that all the time. So, it’s good that it is heading in that direction and that it tells me hockeyy’s healthy and teams have money and I’d rather it go to the players and the product than in the owner’s pockets. But, uh, I don’t think it’s going to happen as fast as as some might think just because he just did that deal. I think that’s kind of the outlier. It’s nuts. Well, man, look at Juan Stoodto. Like, he he signed a ridiculous contract and last time I checked, the New York Mets are not on my TV. They’re not in the playoffs, right? So, how do you quantify the value of a player, but then I watched the LA Dodgers. Granted, they have 17 show Otanis, but he gets two bombs, a leadoff jack in, and the opening game uh of the wild card series against Cincinnati, and the Dodgers just just destroy the Cincinnati Reds. But again, it’s all subjective. It’s all arbitrary to the conversation, the value of a player to a team. But all I could think about it to tie into the Maple Leafs is what a steel Willie Nelander is at 11 and a half sheets for seven more seasons. And that’s been a theme in this market. We talked about Solars the last couple days. Like the contracts handed out aren’t crazy anymore. Like it’s so bizarre to react to contracts and be like, “Okay, that makes sense.” Cuz we spent 10 years being like, “What the [ __ ] are they doing?” Yeah. I mean, N’s contract, Tvaris’s contract, um the Stallar’s one. Now you look at Willie and Yeah. Everyone’s been saying, you know, lock these guys down before the cap goes up. And um I think every year that we go into some of these contracts, they’re going to look better and better. And that’s the whole point of of getting guys locked down when you can, especially when you know where the cap’s going. And ah I mean, Tree Living, man, he’s I don’t know what he does in negotiations, but he sure doesn’t seem to get strong armed, but there’s not like holdouts. It seems like uh I don’t know, people just want to be in Toronto now, and guys are excited about what’s going on. And I think they must feel something being close. As cliche as it is to quote John Tavvaris, they’re close. Um, and I feel like they all feel, you know, the desire to, you know, give something back to the team and to say, I’m I want to be here and I want to win here and they must feel something. It’s a good sign. But yeah, the Willie one’s going to look better and better every year as well if he keeps cranking the way he does. Eleven’s going to look like peanuts when wasn’t long ago 11 looked out of this out of the world. So again, good for the league to be going in the right direction. The passion quotes here in Toronto are getting me. They’re bringing tears to my eyes. guys who actually want to be Maple Leafs and take pride in being a Toronto Maple Leaf, even if they’re not from the area. I just love it. Anyways, uh Daily Face Off has your back with the brand new DFO fantasy draft kit. Your one-stop shop for everything you need to build the perfect fantasy hockey team. We’re talking player projections, updated line combinations, power play units, sleeper picks, bus warnings, and team previews. Head on over to dailyfaceoff.com/draft dashkit, and get your hands on the fantasy draft kit. I was in New York for 24 hours today. Fantasy draft for uh the NHL over on YouTube. You can check it out now. Johnny Laz of the Daily Faceoff family was involved as well. I got my hands on William Knander, dude. Pumped up. You know, I did a whole spiel on Willie. I think he gets to 50 goals this season. That is nice. That is nice. I hope so, man. Uh you know, timing is a lot of it with these players. Sometimes it’s it’s hard to have complete consistency all the time, but um if we can sync up some of these guys like you know N pops off, if Matthews has one of his hot seasons again, if Willy’s, you know, getting better and firing on on all cylinders, maybe there’s a chance you won’t miss Mitch’s points as much as we could and the other guys start to round out other aspects of of of the team. And you know that that’s obviously the hope and obviously we are biased no doubt but as you look at this season when we’re getting into puck drop a drop a week away here it’s uh you know you start to wonder if if something special could happen long road to go and there might be some growing pains but uh I think the team’s in a pretty healthy spot right now. Meanwhile, the daily Faceoff Survivor Pool is officially live. It’s a game of elimination strategy and a $2,500 grand prize for the last fans standing. Here’s how it works. You start with two lives. Each round, you pick one winner from the slate of NHL games. But here’s the twist. You can only use each team twice throughout the entire contest. The pool runs until there’s just one person left standing, and that’s the winner. Takes home 2500 bucks. Sign up now at dailyfaceoff.com or hit the link in the show bio. We got some housekeeping notes as well. We got Zack Phillips in the chat. I don’t think he’s joshing us. I think the Leafs Nation Afterdark, everybody needs a preseason. He’s going to have a TLN After Dark season, I guess, premiere coming up in the preseason here with Zack Phillips tomorrow night. So, looking forward to that. I love it. Even Zach, he’s doing a little uh exhibition exhibition season here. So, that’s good, man. It’s the one thing about the summertime, the after darks just don’t happen anymore. So, excited to get rolling with those postgame shows once again. And already I’ve spoken to Zach. He’s going to guest here on Leafs Money Take next Wednesday. Give his thoughts on the season and also tee up the season of TLN After Dark and a fantastic show here over at the Leafs Nation. Wanted to mention as well put it out on Twitter about uh 25 minutes or so ago. We talked about it throughout the off season. Some minor tweaks and changes here at the Leafs Nation. Carter Hutton got to first and foremost say thanks to Huts for two incredible years really helping evolve and grow and build this show as sort of my permanent co-host when when Rosie’s unable to do the show. So Huts is moving on to bigger and better things uh coast and DFO live with Tyler Remchuk. So we’re happy to bring in uh Dave Pinñota of the fourth period doing more with Daily Face Off the Nation Network as well moving forward. And he’s going to fill in when you can’t do the show sparingly, you know, time and time and uh looking forward to having Dave. I mean, he covers the Maple Leafs on a daily basis. He’s at the games, drops a lot of news. So uh happy to have Pota on the team here. Yeah, for sure. Uh he was our guest last week. It was good to have him. He’s definitely in the know and it’s fun to uh to get his perspective on things, especially when there’s breaking news and we need a little more info than what’s readily available. He’s our guy, so that’s uh that’s good news. And yeah, a little bit of a tidbit for the rest of the season here, which I think we’re excited for. So pumped. And Zach, by the way, confirming, yes, TLN After Dark, the preseason edition coming up tomorrow. I I hope Rhymer starts and I hope Zach’s just losing his [ __ ] That that’s a big Everybody’s asking me about James Rhyr, man. like it’s it’s a PTO. We talked about this the other day, but like everybody just seems to reach out and be like, “Why why is Rhyr here?” I’m like, “Why not?” Is that just uh just dependent on the timeline of Joseph Wool? Basically, like just covering the bases in case it’s a little bit longer and maybe they don’t like Does that tell you that they don’t maybe think Hilde is ready to carry that load? Does that not just scream that or is it just like hey this doesn’t hurt anything and while we make our mind up you know or do you think Rhyr is going to get signed? I honestly I don’t know how to I don’t know my reaction or like my analysis on that but to me like if I’m just thinking off the top of my head maybe they they wonder if Hildabbe is just the backup because they don’t have many backtobacks. I haven’t looked at the schedule. I think the first one comes like a week a week and a half into the season. Maybe they feel to get the the most value out of Dennis Hill to be he has to play games and will he at the NHL level. Maybe they don’t feel comfortable alternating and going with a tandem as opposed to like a Wool and Stolars tandem. And maybe that’s the way you get Hill to be time is by having a Rhymer as a backup um to an Anthony Stolars. Yeah, I guess we’ll see. I mean, I’m sure he’s wanting to be to be the backup and to play in the games and and then you wonder how much more they’re going to load up Stolley if if Wool isn’t back in time. Um, you know, what’s what’s the most they’re willing to play him, do you think? Like like you say, there’s not a lot of backups you could justify playing him all the time. women, you know, then you get into overwork and injury-prone and, you know, coming out of the gates with that big of a workload when your body’s not really used to it coming off the summer, that could also be a little bit um detrimental to Stole’s health. It’s interesting. I don’t know what they’re going to do. I know they don’t have to do anything just yet, but at that season opener, you got to have a decision made on on James Rymer. And it it’ll be telling about what they think about Hildy in my mind if uh depending on what they do with Rimes here. And the great thing is is you can never have enough depth in between the pipes like we laughed about. I think they’ve had 23 different goalies since Rhymer was a Maple Leaf nine years ago. And the other thing to bring up is they finally have cap space. It gives them the ability to add depth to begin with. If they want to give Rhymer a contract, they give him a contract. I think people are getting too um you know locked into it. They they’ve got the cast space. They can certainly structure a deal where Rhymer’s there in the interimm. Let’s say Wool comes back, he’s good to go. Uh, Kumbaya, see you later, James Rhyr. I I think people are putting too much into the fact that, oh, if they sign Rhymer, he’s going to be on the books and he’s going to be around. Like, I I I think there’s a way to make all parties happy. And to my understanding, they did they just brought Rhymer in and said, “Hey, go do your thing and we’ll go from there.” Like, there was no expectation on either front. So, and if Wool comes back, did do they put Rhymer on the Marlies? Like, they’re trying to develop two goalenders down there. He would just be gone. Yeah, I think that would just be it. That’s why they probably haven’t signed him yet. Like it’s just a short-term thing right now and maybe they reassess in the next couple days. They got to see what he looks like too, right? I don’t think he was skating. I don’t know who he wasn’t skating with any team here. He didn’t have a PTO anywhere. No, not it didn’t look like he was. So, it’ll be interesting. Um I don’t know. You just throw him on Robod Island after that if Wool comes back. This whole Wolf thing is I I get that it’s a sensitive topic and a family and a private issue, but like what the hell, man? like how how long is this guy going to be gone? We’ve they’ve kept it so tight lipped that there’s not a leak anywhere from anyone about what’s going on or what we can or what we can expect from this uh this Wy issue and I hope everything’s all right with his family and all the rest of it and he takes care of it properly. But it just makes you wonder like what could be going on to miss weeks and weeks and weeks if that ends up being the fact. Hopefully we get some news that he’s just right back in time. Uh, but it’s it doesn’t really look that way, does it? No, it doesn’t. Um, everything you you hear and and talk to people, it doesn’t sound like he’s returning anytime soon. And obviously, that’s why they made the decision to begin with to bring in James Rhymer on the PTO and sort of go from there, a day-by-day basis. So, we’ll monitor that over the next seven days leading up to the season opener against the Montreal Canadians on October 8th at the Leafs Nation 401 on YouTube. Hit that like button, hit that subscribe button. Leafs won’t take wherever you find your podcast. Make sure to leave us a fivestar review and don’t forget to visit the leafsnstation.com. This show is brought to you by Simply Spiked and I’ll tell you right now, last weekend was tremendous. The Blue Jays clinched the AL East division title. Had a couple of Simplys with the fan man having a great time. Three delicious flavors. You got the OG classic. That is the spike lemonade. Uh the spiked peach, always a go-to as well. A sweet and juicy sip. And the um spiked limeade, the newest flavor in the line of perfectly sweet and tart. They’re all amazing. I’m looking forward to this coming weekend. The Jays start their series either against Boston or New York coming up on Saturday. And rest assured, I will be having some Simply Spiked. Yeah, for some fall ball. Uh last night we went out on the Red Deer River in a in a boat and saw that dead dead calm. It was perfectly um you know, the leaves are changing. It’s just a perfect fall night. And we were yanking these big pike out of the river. It was unbelievable. with my kids who have all of a sudden been obsessed with fishing, but uh had some simplies in the cooler there and shared them with the buddies that brought me along and uh they were ranting and raving about them too and they didn’t really realize um that they existed. So, I was spreading the word as we do on this show as well, getting that simply into people’s hands. I love it. Uh this uh these juicy beverages are 5% alcohol contain real fruit juice and are the perfect refreshing drink and uh perfect for um fall as you mentioned. Simply Spiked has been bringing the juiciness since launching in Canada in 2023. Must be legal drinking age. Please celebrate responsibly. Pick up Simply Spiked at your local liquor store for your next hangout. I don’t know if you got your eyes on the wire. The Savior has arrived in Edmonton. Connor Ingram has been traded from Utah to the Edmonton Oilers for future considerations. Ingram is being sent to AHL Bakersfield. Uh Utah’s retaining 800k of the 1.95 million that Ingram is owed this season and that’s why they probably didn’t claim him on waiverss the other day. But uh you know all the conversation I hear about Pickard being a fan favorite in that room that’s going to ruffle some feathers I would think. Breaking news. Hey King McDavid’s like, “Oh, we got Connor Ingram. I’m staying. Let’s sign an eight-year deal.” Rosie, sign me up. I don’t know the It’s kind of been quiet here recently. I wonder if it’s going to eb and flow all season or what, but uh you got to think that if Connor doesn’t have any interest in ressigning and has decided that he’s not going to resign, like what a long year, hey, like what a long process. He’s probably just like wishing that the rules were different that you couldn’t resign in the last year of your contract so he didn’t have to deal with it. But yeah, what a position for a guy to be put in. and uh I think us as much as uh anyone else is going to be watching very closely to see what that guy does in Edmonton. Yeah, he’s going to start in the AHL. Hasn’t been a really consistent guy. Hasn’t been around quite frankly the last couple years. And I do recall going into last year I was high on Ingram. I actually drafted him in fantasy hockey and just had a terrible season. The position’s so volatile, man. It’s nuts. Like a guy will have an incredible year. The next year he’ll [ __ ] his pants and just be god awful. So I don’t know what to expect from Ingram in Edmonton. And is he going to be the savior? I don’t know. I don’t know what this means for team chemistry, especially if Ingram is ready to go at some point in time. Pickard’s going to be gone. It’s not going to be Skinner. I’ve been watching some preseason hockey. Man, I really want to get behind this Skinner story. Uh he’s lost some weight, but some of the goals have just been egregious. Uh and I know it’s the preseason, but it’s reminiscent of what we’ve seen in important times for the Edmonton Oilers, but uh we’ll be monitoring that team, rest assured, considering who their captain is. But, uh, Rosie, the Leafs in Mscoa, believe they’re practicing right now to a full, uh, soldout crowd. And we get closer and closer to the, uh, season opener next Wednesday. Two more games home to Detroit tomorrow night, then at Detroit on Saturday to finish off the six game regular or the preseason slate, excuse me. Yeah, that’s good. Uh, I remember doing that. We didn’t we went all over the place. Uh, I think we did it in Lake Placid, New York. Um that sounds like a Berky thing if I’ve ever heard one. Yeah, I know. Seriously. Right. But um and then we went out to Trenton, Ontario as well. Um different spots, but yeah, we stay in some lodges and whatnot. I remember doing that’s where I met Shanner. We were rooming together and we were just pillow talking in the dark. Became friends on that trip. But uh remember playing poker with the boys, too. And um I I ended up heads up with Kessle, who’s like he’s like I don’t damn near a pro poker player, right? and I got smashed heads up. I tend to always do that. Get get through a little tournament with buddies and get to heads up and then just get mashed heads up. But um yeah, funny memories of those things. There’s a reason you do it. Get the guys together. You can stay up late and have some beers and have a BS. And it’s just a good way of uh of getting that camaraderie going when you haven’t really had a chance to throughout the hectic uh you know, training camp schedule and whatnot. and just a way to get see if you can find some chemistry with some buddies and and create that camaraderie that I think every team needs if you want to go on a deep playoff run and do something special. Forgot to tell you I ran into Berki at the preseason game the other day. He said it was at the Calgary Stampede this summer for like 10 days. I’m like you link up with Rosie. He’s like no but I need to. So uh Berky says hi. And uh I saw a clip the other day too of uh Jonathan Taves I guess in his first preseason game and uh Shenner was behind him and he walked right by the Winnipeg Jets room. I think that happens more frequently than people understand especially a guy like Jonathan Taves. All he knew was Chicago for x amount of years and now to go to Winnipeg. Uh stuff like that’s going to happen I think. Yeah, he’s kind of funny guy to watch uh to see what he’s going to do. I think he tweaked something uh last night. So I don’t know the body. Hey, it’s funny, man. When you go when you take time off and you get a couple years older, all of a sudden, I wonder what his body’s doing. He’s probably got some left in the tank. Uber talented, obviously, but um it’ll be interesting to watch him. I was wondering where he was going to land. He ends up in his hometown team of uh Winnipeg Jets. So, we’ll we’ll watch uh we’ll watch Taves as he tries to make this comeback. It’ll be interesting. No doubt about it. Something to uh something to to worry about in in Winnipeg there. Tell you what, we’re due for a check-in with uh with Luke Shen. It just the last couple years have been very very hazy for the guy. Like last we spoke, I think he was going to Nashville and now he’s in Winter Peg. I just would love an update on how uh how Shenner’s doing on the Peg these days. I actually just caught up with him. Yeah, he’s he said it’s a great organization. It’s actually all things are really good, but um yeah, I think he was planning on retiring in Nashville and maybe even living thereafter. and that just the way that team underachieved it did not happen. But he’s a wy old veteran that’s pro sports for him. He will figure it out. He will and we’ll see what the Winnipeg Jets do this season, especially the backbone of that organization, the best goalender on the planet. But back to the Maple Leafs season opener October 8th terms of a roster. Um they have a tendency most teams of playing their their top guys like at home. And having said that, how do you feel about dressing the entire roster for like one exhibition game? Like I I don’t know if they’ll do that. Um Matthews has anticipated he’s going to play just two preseason games, which leads me to believe that tomorrow is going to be his last game. He’ll have six days off prior to the opener, but would you go with a full lineup just to see how it looks, or you don’t care? Ah, I like again if Matthews isn’t wanting to be in the last one or whatever, you kind of let a guy like that do what he wants to do, especially when he’s trying to maintain his health at 100% which has been hard for him. Um, so it’s not that important to me. But other things like um your bottom six, you know, I would think you would want to be kind of in stone and play them the last couple of games and and get a good look at that and see if you can get some chemistry going early with them when you have the chance to in in preeason. Um other than that, h again, the goalender situation’s a little thrown off. The D seem pretty set with the exception of Ben W being dinged up right now. What’s the timeline on that by the way? Has anyone said I think I was reading prior to the show he’s in a a jersey like a normal jersey again. So maybe he’s a guy who’s like screw that preseason. I don’t need it and I’ll be back, you know. Yeah. I wish I had that luxury. Um no, it’ll be good. I I don’t care what they do. They’re going to do what’s best for them, right? And opening night is kind of what my eyes are are pasted on. And um it’s does it seem like Cowboy made the team or what do you what are you thinking there? I guess there’s still two preseason games left and maybe there mine’s not 100% made up, but I’m leaning towards East Cowan being on this opening night roster. Aren’t you? Yeah. I like judging by the lines again here at practice in Mskcoa. Cowan’s on that fourth line with Lton and Lorent. I just don’t know ultimately what’s going to change in two preeason games regardless of what Robertson does or Yarncroak does or can’t think’s done. Um, Pazetta, like I I think at this point you’re you’re deep enough into the preseason where Cowan’s going to get a look the first couple games and then you reassess like you don’t have to make a proclamation. He’s here for the year, but give him a chance to start at least and see if this is real. Yeah, that’s exactly right. With those entry- level contracts, you can you can move him up and down. You don’t have to make a big decision uh right off the bat, but it seems like he’s played his way onto the opening night roster if you ask me. I know Bruce Brewro didn’t uh doesn’t agree with that and he’s kind of old school thinking time in the American League no matter what and I would be shocked if he didn’t spend any time in the American League this year. Um it’s a long season. There’s a lot of es and flows and ups and downs and it probably would benefit him to get some reps there. But again, unless he just takes the reigns and runs with it and decides that I am going to continue getting better while in the NHL and I’m going to help my team be better by being in the lineup, then that’s just going to force their hand. It’s not very many guys that can do that. You usually need some seasoning in the American Hockey League, but who knows? Maybe maybe East isn’t, but I think he’s going to get the opportunity to try to prove that. In support of Sick Kids Leaf Hype, thank you so much for the super chat. will probably finish with less points, he says, but set up to be a much better playoff team. And McDavid is obviously coming home and everyone needs to get real and stop lying to themselves. 2027 Cup champs. Now that’s a super chat. I’m willing to get behind Rosie. Oh man, I don’t know. I I just don’t know. At the beginning when I started talking about it, you laughed me out of the building. And now you’ve you’ve come around a bit. Okay. I have come around a bit. I think that it is possible. Um, percentage-wise, I don’t know. I do think that just based on what I heard, the percentages of him leaving are greater than him staying. I do think that, but then coming to Toronto, I don’t even want to put the cart before the horse. Can you imagine? Like, can you imagine the stir that that would create both positively and negatively? And for Leafs fans and Leafs haters out there, which there are a lot of, it would be absolutely insane. But uh I I I try to pump the brakes when I get thinking about it because a lot’s got to go right first. Fair enough. Uh in support of sick kids, we got a couple other super chats to get to. Michael writes in, “Thank you so much, guys. From 1 to 10, what is the chance the Leafs will be a wild card team? If you’re a GM, will you have three players total 6 million in the press box? Thanks. Appreciate that, Michael. I don’t anticipate that. Um, I think between now and maybe next Wednesday when the season starts, one of Yarn Croak, Robertson, and Cam will be gone off the roster traded. And that’s perfect to bring up, too. Like Cam Robertson’s promoting work with uh elite prospects, suggesting multiple Western Conference teams have shown interest in acquiring Nick Robertson, including San Jose. I think Robertson’s dealt in the next week, but I think they’re going to find a way to clear some bodies at the very least. Yeah, very likely. I don’t I don’t know. Is it Is it draft picks or a prospect or something? What are you getting back for? I was going to ask you like what do you want back? I’m like future considerations, just take him. Get like I just I just want to move on from the story. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. The thing is like get into injury trouble. He’s he’s nice to have if you get into injury trouble, right? Like you’d and you you also don’t want to hold the player back either. Like the Maple Leafs are really classy about that. like saying if you’re not in our plans, we’re not going to, you know, hold you back and be detrimental to your career. So, I hopefully he finds somewhere and and they do make a deal. And I hope it’s for a pick that ends up being something promising, you know, which I think our cupboards are pretty bare in that department. So, uh it’d be nice to get something for him, that’s for sure. Spike 11 writes in fourth round pick. I’m telling you right now, and maybe I’m wrong, I’m always wrong, but if it was a fourth round pick, the Leafs would would have done it already. I just don’t know. and everybody knows the situation. I don’t know if anybody’s offering anything of substance. I don’t know if it’s to the degree of a future consideration, but if you’re getting a fourth, you just take it and and move on. And maybe the Leafs think higher than we think of a Nick Robertson. Like I think he’s a good player, but he just doesn’t fit. Like if he goes to San Jose and plays in the middle six or Chicago, I think Chicago is the ideal fit personally. Who would you rather have as the 13th forward? Yarn Croak, obviously, I guess, is what you’re saying. Yarn Croak. I don’t know. I I’ve been probably a bigger backer than most people in Yarn Croak. Having said that, I really can’t defend the playoffs last year and the playoffs before that. Uh granted, I think we don’t know a lot that happens behind the scenes. I don’t think he was healthy all of last year, but I like the idea of having a veteran contract here, the incentives there. He shoots right, takes face off sometimes. Like he checks more boxes for me. He’s not really a physical guy. I like physical guys as you all know, but Yarn Croak, I would keep Yarn Croak over Robertson. I know it’s a maybe a crazy take for some of you, but I feel confident in it. Yeah, I hear you. I think it’s a good problem to have and time’s going to tell. We’re running out of time here, so these guys are going to know sooner than later. It’s exactly it. Uh, we got one more super chat from John Gallagher. Thank you so much, John, for this super chat and support is Sick Kids. Rosie, who did the best Kessle impression? Can you do one? And did the boys like JVR or Versig ever do it in front of Phil the thrill? Oh, I think so. Yeah, you wouldn’t have to because he’s talking so much and it’s funny and you’re just listening to him whine and complain like he’s a guy that drags his feet and just has on old sweatpants and socks and sandals and what the [ __ ] are we doing tonight? I’m not doing that. I’m not do I’m not working out before practice. I’m not doing it. and he just is like always always against the grain and but he does it in a way where he he gets away with it and you don’t hate him, man. It’s just it’s just Phil being Phil. Yeah, it’s unfortunate he won’t do media. We’ve tried countless times to get Phil Kessle on the pad pod. He’s just not going to do it. He’s he’s I think too busy playing poker. But, uh I did talk to JVR last night. We’re going to try to get him on over the next week. They have uh two games coming up with Detroit early on in the season. I think it’s like the the Saturday and the Monday, something like that. So, we’re gonna try to get JVR on the pod now with the Red Wings. Time flies, man. We’re talking about the Rhyr. Like, I wanted to get JVR on just to get his reaction to Rhyr Mack with the Leafs. You know, I know it is, but a blast from the past for some people. Weird mixed emotions. Either like totally thrown off by it. People are like, “This is ridiculous.” Or totally happy to see Ramy back in in the uniform. So, that’s kind of the weirdest thing. a very leafy thing that has come out of camp to me is just this just this wool family issue that seems to seems like it’s going to take a long time. It just uh again I don’t want to pry but or speculate but it’s just [ __ ] leafy man. Yeah. I I feel like every every preeason at least the ones I’ve been doing with you there’s always a conversation about the goalending. How great would it be if like we just simulated and it’s like, okay, we know who’s starting, but it’s just never that case. If you recall a year ago at this time, we’re like, man, so horny for the season opener. They got two goalies and then Joseph Wall’s nowhere to be found for the season opener at Stolars who starts and Hill to be game two. Remember that crazy second game? Hill to be wins, but he let like a billion goals in that game. Yeah, Leafy starts, man. I don’t know. I I I’m wishing for a healthy season this year where Matthews there’s no issues around. So far it seems like we’re fairly healthy, but again the wool thing of course if you’re not healthy then you got a family emergency that you got to leave for weeks at a time. It’s just a head shaker. But hey, a little bit of adversity doesn’t kill anybody and maybe some opportunity for someone else like a Hilde or a James Rhymer at the Leafs Nation 401. Hit that like button, hit that subscribe button. So, as first reported by uh I guess me, Max Patcheri retiring after 17 seasons. We saw the official release yesterday from the University of Michigan, which I intimated a couple days ago. Uh he’s a special assistant to the head coach there in Michigan, 36 years of age. I was really hoping there’d be an opportunity, but as we discussed throughout the off season, I believe Toronto and Detroit among others, uh, made a call at the very least, but it sounds like Patre made his decision rather quickly. And I knew something was up when this guy was just at the brick tournament in August instead of skating and getting ready for another season. Uh, it’s unfortunate because I thought he brought a lot to the table last season with the Maple Leafs, but he’s done. Yeah, I thought he had some left in the tank. Um, you know, looking back at when we brought him in on a PTO and he scores in his first game and and you know, contributed pretty much throughout. And the thing that stands out to me last year is when he was just trucking guys like he realized there was a need for some physicality in the bottom six and um wasn’t really known for that throughout his career. But again, one of the guys from that era um a veteran guy who understands the value in that and is more willing to do that than some of the younger upand cominging players who have never played really that physical. God, did he catch some guys like I I’d venture to say, you know, three of the biggest hits of the year were from Max Peretti last year and um I’m probably gonna miss that a little bit. So, good luck to him and and everything he does and uh yeah, I think he’s able to say he ended it on his terms, which is more than a lot of guys can say, and I think he probably values that. Full disclosure, he was one of my favorite players growing up. Uh even when he was the captain of the Montreal Canadians, I I just love the class and the way he presents himself. Uh, I really really respect how he evolved his game and changed his game later on in his career. Like early on in his career, he was known as a sniper, one of the best top snipers in the league and really changed into like this physical specimen and presence like like he he it’s amazing you sort of forget, but he gets his his back I believe tweaked up prior to coming back from the four nations that he didn’t play for the last three months of the year. By the way, they had no cap space to get this guy off IR. and then in the playoffs doesn’t even start and then he becomes like a regular, you know, occurrence in in the lineup in the playoffs and just trucking guys left and right. Like I I just respect where he brought his game where he was never really known as that type of guy. Much similar, we have that conversation about Oliver Ecman Larson. I think sometimes the transition is difficult and you have to really look at yourself in the mirror and be like, what can I do to stay in this league and be a difference maker? And Pat Ready did it. side. Yeah, I think that’s what veteran players do. That’s why they become veterans. They’re able to adapt and and maybe change their game as as they get older and they’re mature enough and experienced and wise enough to look around and say, “What do these guys need and can I fill that role?” And, you know, he’s of the generation that is played in tougher hockey games and environments and in leagues and in eras that has that physicality. So, it’s nice that those guys are stepping up and it’s kind of weird that you got to be the older one to start playing physical. I don’t think they envision that, but the way the league’s going and the way the younger play players are coming up and feels like they’re just interested in playing no hit. Um, there’s room for guys like Patches to step in and and fill a void and give give the brass what they’re looking for. Um, and it, you know, continues on their career and makes them more money and keeps them in the league, which uh most players at that age are certainly interested in. Always great seeing a number 67 as well with the Maple Leafs. And if you recall, like he scored the first goal of last season and people are like, “Oh, this is the year. They’re they’re winning it all.” Patcheri like everything’s aligning and then it just didn’t happen, unfortunately. Remember all that Illuminati stuff? There was a lot of things pointing towards some kind of magical season. Too bad. Maybe this one. Yeah, maybe this is our year. We love that slogan here in this market. And stemming from the Perretti conversation started to wonder like who could be this year’s version of Ma Max Peretti. And ultimately it led me to one guy and one guy only. Number 81. Ironically enough, we just talked about Phil Kessle. I think Dakota Joshua can play the Patrietti role. I I wouldn’t go as far as to say he has as good of a finishing ability, but he’s got the frame, he’s got the size, uh he’s got the ability to lay guys out, and he could score some goals. I know he’s going to start the year on the third line, but Dakota Joshua would probably be my candidate to fill that type of role cuz I it’s something they need. I’ll say that like and we’ve talked about it a lot. It’s about a team mindset and you want ideally everybody to be physical, but I think Joshua can play that type of role. Would you agree? Yeah, I think so. I’m looking forward to him playing. I’m looking forward to the identity of of that third line. Like you think that’s going to be him, Wah, and McMahon or what do you where do you have them slotted that third line? Um I I yeah no I I think what’s likely to happen again there’s still two preseason games to go but it it just these strike me like the lines. It looks like it’s going to be Joshua Wah and Machelli on the third line to start. I know it’s weird how Machelli is either first line or third line. I maybe that’ll be good. I I in my mind I just have this uh Dakota Joshua Wah and and Bobby McMahon playing together and just having this well-rounded line with some snarl and some speed and some finishing ability like yikes. I I I think that could be a um a potent line. And again, I I’m kind of high on Michelli giving him a shot with Matthews. Just I just envision him being healthy and just shooting everything and just needs someone to get him the pill. Um, and I’m I’m kind of fingers crossed that Machelli can be that guy. I know he loves dishing and he’s got a a pretty good uh hockey sense and vision out there. I thought I I thought they would try them out, but um I’m sure these lines are not going to be written in stone and we’re going to go through lots of ups and downs. So, I’m excited to see just everyone in general in a Leafs uniform and see how things are clicking, but kind of excited to to watch the bottom six maybe do some damage this year and be more potent and just be stronger and more solid for the rest of the team, you know? Yeah, you just don’t want that significant drop off the way we’ve seen in the last oh 10 years between the first two lines and line three and four and you want the coach to believe in those guys. So, we’ll see. That’s going to be a big story to monitor as the season gets underway in a week from now. It’s time now for the last call brought to you by bet 365. Whatever your bet is, it’s never ordinary at Bet365. Download the app and get in on the game. Use code nation. That’s nation nat. Must be 19 or older. Ontario only. Please play responsibly. If you’re someone you know has a gambling problem, visit conx ontario.ca. And uh I probably will lean on some Major League Baseball in the postseason this afternoon. Um I like that the money line maybe for Cleveland. It’s a 1:00 start here Eastern time against the Tigers in game two after Tariq Scubel just destroyed destroyed the Indians with 14ks or the Guardian they’re called now the Guardians with 14ks uh yesterday. But any plays that you’re looking at? Yeah, just looking at the run line for the Dodgers. Still minus 128, but uh they’re minus 1.5 there. Maybe lean on them. I think Otani is just I think that team’s just gross. So uh I think they’ll pick up where they left off in that bit of a dubbing from game one. I I like the Dodgers are my pick to win the World Series, by the way. I call them the LA sandbaggers. I thought they just sandbagged the entire season. All of a sudden, the staff, the rotation’s back, everybody’s healthy. Yamamoto’s going today. So, I like that look. And maybe you you put together a little parlay, go with the Dodgers. Um I, you know, I think even a team like San Diego bounces back today, Cleveland. So, definitely a couple of different looks. The Blue Jays starting on Saturday. Looking forward to that. One more show before the season premiere airs on uh Monday, Rosie, October 6. We got a Friday edition coming your way. And uh the great Jackie Redmond, I have talked to her. She’s coming on for a season preview and can’t wait uh to see what she has to say about her Maple Leafs. Oh, good. Haven’t had her in a while. Always passionate about these pesky Maple Leafs. So, yeah, we’ll pick her brain, go over the the lineups and the roster decisions and just see if she’s got uh she’s done some venting on this show to be honest about the Toronto Maple Leafs. You know, she’s got the passion. So, we’ll see if we can extract any of that out of her on Friday. Sounds good. Once again, the Leafs Nation Afterdark exhibition edition coming up with Zack tomorrow night, I believe around 9:45 Eastern time. Can’t wait to see Zack lose his mind on a preseason hockey game. I’m tuning in just for that. So, that’s coming up. Again, Philv’s going to guest in the show next Wednesday, tee up the season. We are almost there. I I’m so spent. I am so done with the preseason. Um, and looking forward to the McDavid tracker that’s coming very, very soon here at Leafs Morning Take. Uh, thank you to everybody in the chat at the Leafsnation 401. Hit that like button, hit that subscribe button. Thank you to producer Vic for Jay Rosel. I’m Nick Albera. We’ll talk on Friday. Take care everybody. Make sure to check out more of our content right here on the Leafs Nation YouTube page. We got long form interviews, we got clips, you got epic rants by Jay Roso. We simply have it all. And don’t forget, you can find out much more at the leafnation.com. Thanks so much.

Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill break down Kirill Kaprizov’s record-setting extension with the Minnesota Wild, the Maple Leafs’ annual team-building getaway in Muskoka, Toronto’s projected opening night lineup, & Max Pacioretty calling it a career.

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