Paul Bissonnette on Connor Bedard’s Improvement & Blackhawks Season Predictions

Paul Bissonnette on Connor Bedard’s Improvement & Blackhawks Season Predictions

All right, everybody. Today on the show, we are joined by uh co-orker and friend Bisnasty Paul Besonette. I love this guy. Great conversation about the Hawks. Just hockey in general, the state of uh the state of the NHL. Yeah, I was going to try to do like No one calls it the N, right? The National. Yeah, it’s not the National. It’s not like the O. Um, great conversation though. Love chopping it up with our guy Biz. He’s the best. Uh, before we get into it though, obviously got to talk about Miller Light. You got to talk about Miller Light. We love it. Ed, yesterday for day and day, guess where we put our Miller Lightite in the boil? No. No, actually we did put a little of the liquid part in the boil. I saw your picture and it was art. Okay. Just stacked pile of snow pile of snow. Beautiful. And I went and got them this morning and they were ice cold. Didn’t even get slushy overnight in that in that ice pile. Yeah. One of the only good things about this weather also like it’s gonna be 65 tomorrow, Saturday. So, uh, look out for that slop. have your Millers ready to go. Um, obviously you could pick it up uh pretty much anywhere that they sell beer, but uh Miller Lights, the official beer partner of our Chicago Bears. Go to Millerite.com/stretch to find delivery options near you. Or like I said, pick it up anywhere that they sell beer. It’s Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. Make sure you’re drinking your Miller Light. Lot going on this weekend. Got the game at Wrigley. Yeah, obviously uh we got the Bears game Sunday. They’re not home, but still uh home stand now for the Hawks. Exactly. Yep. There you go, too. Uh go drink your Miller and uh let’s get into the Biz interview. All right, everybody. Welcome to the stretch interview. Today, we are joined by Bar Stool uh personality, our friend Paul Bissell. What’s up, Biz? Hey, it’s been too long, boys. Thanks for for being patient and organizing this bad boy. I would imagine that Well, I have the lotion right next to me. I’d imagine we’re going to give Baddard and the Blackhawks the biggest double wristster we’ve ever seen on this pod, right? Is that what we’re doing here? No way. We’re going to be eating hoops. We’re not just doing that. You know, I love my leather cheerios. You know that, buddy. You [ __ ] know it, man. Um, what a start though for the for the Blackhawks, man. What a what a difference from this year to last year and the compete level. And I couldn’t be happier. I actually was I was the trainer I used when I was in Vancouver, this guy named Cumbi we go to at the yard athletics. Sure enough, he texted me like at the like I think it was like the end of last year being like, “Hey, like do you know Bard and would you like reach out like because I I he has like reached out about potentially training here?” Well, sure enough, he ended up linking up with him as one of his trainers and he was like, “Yeah, man. He was overtraining. We’ve been doing some new things. We’ve been doing a lot of this micro sprinting where, you know, some of these young kids, man, they they see all these other guys doing so many things. So next thing you know, he’s doing t 10 ice sessions. He’s doing weightlifting six days a week. He’s doing sprint work. So he was like gassed last year. He had no juice left in the tank. So the way that he ended up approaching this off season, the way he was training and and a lot more intelligently, it’s no surprise to me that he’s had the start that he’s had and and I and I couldn’t be happier for the guy cuz he put in the work. So is that the big secret that Biz fixed Connor Bernard? He hooked him up with his trainer. He talked about the pond hockey habits like Biz is responsible for turning his career around. No, no. I like the joke that I am and and like like even when we talk about on TNT I’m like oh yeah I was training with Bernard this summer like we weren’t in the same sessions or nothing but uh I did get a chance to see him and like see how he was working and talk to him a little bit and uh yeah it was you know sometimes the way to move forward is you got to take a step back and you know you can’t blame the kid for wanting it right. Yeah. But it was more than all. It was more than that though, Biz. Like it was more than just having the juice and not being energized. It was You didn’t like a lot of his habits, right? Yeah. That that’s where the body the pond hockey stuff came from. And so the the no the flybys, no stops and starts, the compete. Yeah. Think I think when you play junior hockey and you’re putting up 150 points a year and you’re scoring over 50 goals, like when you do that, it doesn’t matter because you know the next shift or that period you’re going to be able to go make up for it, score a goal where nobody really gives a [ __ ] if you swung away and didn’t support your Dman on the strong side. So, and once again, like that was the one broadcast I was watching and the games that I had watched, I think he was probably also just frustrated. you go from a level where you can go out there and dominate every shift to where all of a sudden you’re in the NHL where he’s having to go against the toughest line matchups cuz there’s really not many other guys on the team to take that focus away and he just can’t he can’t have at it like he used to. So the of course there’s going to be a level of frustration. It was just like hard for me where like you know he was okay in the points department obviously I think he’s the youngest Blackhawks ever to reach 150 points even doing it faster than Patty Kane. Correct. Yeah, they’re there’s been graphics everywhere online where it’s like they have through the exact same amount of games at this point in their careers. They have the exact same amount of points. So, Bard has a like four more goals and Kane had a few more assists, but they’re they’re dialed like neck and neck for games played points. Yeah. And for me, I guess it was more about the like, okay, well, this guy could probably get you 40 and 40, but if he’s going to play like that, I don’t think it’s going to set a precedent through the lineup. Yeah. And also, if he does score 40 and get 40 assists, I feel like he’s going to be costing his team just as much, if not more, if maybe these are the habits that are that are are happening and that are instilled in his game that will because he’s the leader and he’s the best player. he’s getting away with it. Of course, everybody’s going to be else going to be able to get away with it and it’s going to creep in your game. So, you could see that he’s drastically not only approached the off season and and what he was going to provide physically, but also from a mental aspect of how he was going to approach his game coming in this year. Yeah, he’s an absolute prick out there. Like that was a prick. Yeah, like he’s not an easy guy to play against and I think in the past like he was. So you talk about all the good habits he doesn’t like there was a moment they were playing the wings I think it was last year and Kainer did a full swan dive on him and they called Bernard for the penalty and Kane was kind of skating right by him and Connor was complaining to the ref. It’s like why not get in Kanor’s face right there? And you see like this year he’s kind of like taking it to it doesn’t matter who it is. Pareo, it seems like he’s in a dust up like basically every game. Is that something that can just like click for guys? Cuz I was always under the impression where it’s like if you’re kind of like a prick at 14, you’re going to be a prick forever where it’s like if you’re a little bit on maybe this I hate to use the word soft, but if you’re just that’s not your personality, you don’t really get it. I feel like at 20 or 21. So, what do you think? I would say he’s I would say he’s like I would say he’s naturally fiery. Yeah. But like maybe it was just being directed in the wrong areas. Now listen, when Sid came in, same thing. You go from being a top tier junior player and Raooki scoring 150 200 points where I feel like he was a little bit lippy towards the refs. So I agree with you. It’s where where are you directing your focus and attention and the more you bicker at them, the more they’re going to hate on you and not give you benefit of the doubt. So, you’re not doing yourself any interest. But that to me, and even Mike Kelly, who’s an analytics guy and he keeps track of all this stuff. He he kind of backed what everybody else up was who was what everybody was seeing with the stick battles, won the the puck battles, won like using his body, getting in there, the Paro clip specifically. So, it’s visibly been different and it’s obviously trickled through the lineup and it doesn’t hurt that all these young guys who are young studs are a year older. He’s got Frankie Nazar playing at the level that he’s playing at. So, he’s got this other guy that’s his age who he can work off of where he’s also taken some of the focus away. And I think is it pronounced Naser or Nazar? I say Naser. Naser. Yeah. He he to me has a little bit of that more of that flare which I feel it is even bringing more out of it of Connor which I love it. I love that that edge they have. I love that slight bit of of confidence/cockiness not in a negative way and I think it’s just it’s it’s awesome to see. And Blash has done an incredible job with these guys and and really empowering them. Yeah. I got another Connor Bdard stat for you. It might hit home a little bit. He’s kind of figured it out at the faceoff dot the last few weeks too. So he’s up around 52% the last six games. I think it’s eight games. So you took him to school at the Winter Classic on faceoffs and now he’s he’s winning at a pretty good clip in the NHL. I would imagine that that losing a draw to me on the national stage would be pretty embarrassing. Now I did have a pretty good NHL record when I would hop in the faceoff circle. I believe the only one I ever lost was to Jeff Carter. I think I went three for four. Now, the stats that are out there might 75% best all time. 75% best all time. Yes, with four or more draws, I am the best all time. Uh, but yeah, I mean, he’s just getting stronger. You could tell he has his energy and it just goes back once again to his offseason approach and and uh I was I was laughing when my trainer, that Cumby guy, told me about these micro sprints. Yeah, what a what a name for that guy, too. Cumby. Yeah. How much [ __ ] do you give Cumby for being named Cumbi? Uh, I have never really thought about it surprisingly. I just called him Cumby and we it was just a business as usual. But, uh, so he would go to the track, they would walk over and he would do four sprints and he would get proper amount of recovery and that’s all he would do. And to me, that would be annoying because you want to feel like you’re getting more of a workout. You get sweating. But that’s the that was the key is staying patient, doing it repetitively, but not too much and not doing it every day. And it’s obvious with the proper rest and the strength training and whatever he did, he’s a faster player. He has that pop. He has a little bit of that separation speed. Now, if he can then gain another half a step, that’s where I feel along with all the other little details that he’s going to continue to prove, I think he has the opportunity to become generational. Yeah, I do. And nobody, any expert I talked to, guys who are Hall of Famers, they were worried about him coming into this year. Mhm. They didn’t know what Connor Baddard was going to be and he took that personally and he’s raised it up another. If he can go another notch on top of this, it’s like it’s everything you could have expected more. Yeah. And like the speed like everybody wants to talk about how you’re using it to drive by guys. I see it more when he’s just going after be a dog on loose pucks. Like he’s winning those races to get to the the spots on the boards to win those battles and then you know then they got then it’s on his stick and you’re [ __ ] So, it’s like his ability to retrieve pucks has been incredible, too. This whole thing, I’m starting to dream playoffs. Like, I can’t help it. You got Spencer Knight in net. They’re sitting third in the uh Central right now. Do you think that this is sustainable for this group? Like, the way they’re playing right now. Okay. So, there’s there’s something called the rookie wall. Yeah. And it’s has to do with the guys who are like, you know, like probably four years and under playing in the NHL where a lot of these guys, they come out of the gate, they’re flying around, zipping around, they were the best players in training camp and then after that they fall off a cliff. So usually that 20 to 25 game barometer after that you start noticing it. But I believe this is a team who should be no more than than 10 points out of a playoff spot if they are. That’s how good. So to me, it’s playing meaningful games down the stretch. If this young group can squeak into playoffs to get that experience this year would be way above what everybody’s, I think expectations were. Yeah, I think most people here were looking at Gavin McKenna and now it’s like the whole fan base has to completely shift our mind frame into being like, let’s have some big games in March for the first time in [ __ ] six years. I think you’re better off seeing the compete level that we’ve seen out of the Chicago Blackhawks for a full season than you are trying to take a stab at Gavin McKenna. Completely. I don’t know if Gary can work his magic for you guys again. Okay. You’re not the [ __ ] Edmonton Oilers. All right. You ain’t getting four first overall picks now. [ __ ] off. Would be nice. Would would be nice. Icon Pass. This isn’t just preeason. It’s go time. Get your Icon Pass now. It’s your playbook for a winter stacked with joy. With Icon Pass, you’re locking in access to 60 plus unique destinations worldwide. That’s more mountains, more powder days, more highlights, more joy. From opening snap to spring’s last lap, starting at $349 for an adult. This is by far the best pick you’ll make all year. And you can lock it in today for as low as $0 down and 0% APR with a payment plan. Terms do apply. So mark your calendars, rally the crew, and start plotting the peaks that will pack your season. The countdown to joy has begun. Buy your Icon pass today at iko pas.com. That’s iko iko npas.com. Your season of joy starts now. I just booked it. You booked it. Going to Utah for New Year’s. Let’s go. Do you uh can you tell us what slope you’re going to be? Does that make sense? Well, they have six different spots and they’re all right near downtown. So, I’m looking at Snowbird right now. Uh, but Alta, uh, Brighton, they have all these great spots right in Utah. So, I don’t know. With the Icon Pass, you can check them out. Check them all of them out. So, I might be doing that. Beautiful. Shout out to the Icon Pass. Chevy.com. They have everything you need to shop and buy smart at your local Chevy dealer. Great styles, the latest tech. You’ll look good and feel good about what you’re driving. Now is the time to get into the Chevy families of EV. They got the EN Equinox EV, they got the Blazer EV, and the Silverado EV. Take advantage of all incentives today. Don’t wait. Go to chevy drive chicago.com to find your local dealer and drive one today. Um, you driving up to Minnesota? To Minnesota? Yeah, for the Bears. Uh, for the Bears. I’m not making it, but uh, we took it. I’ve been just braving the streets of Chicago, clicking that thing in four-wheel drive, getting around safe because it’s been ice everywhere. Mhm. I mean, you’d be fine driving it up there. 100% be fine driving anywhere. Maybe I’ll drive to Utah. Maybe you should. Yeah. Take the Blazer to Utah, Dave. I think he could get up the Rocky Mountains and down to the other side. Easy. No problem. Dave could ride shotgun. Just don’t take this. Is not a Dave trip. No, that’s that’s too long of a trip for me and in a car together. Oh, I don’t agree with that. I thought for other reasons it’s not a No. Yeah. I mean Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Uh head to chevy drive.com to find your local dealer today. The other big comment now is people always ask about a dard for team Canada. You’re a Canadian guy. I think it was just hype last year when he was talked about briefly for four nations. If you’re second in the league in scoring, how do you leave that guy off the team? Well, because he plays center. Yeah. And that if you look at the depth of Canadian centerman, I mean, he ain’t better than McDavid. No, he ain’t better than McKinnon. No, he ain’t better than Crosby. I would not say he’s better than even Nick Suzuki. Yeah, there’s probably seven guys at center ice that I would have higher on the depth chart for team Canada. And I’m not talking about I don’t give a [ __ ] about points. I care about I care about I know he’s not playing first two line center because I just mentioned two guys. When is Connor ever played against elite center around the world in like a checking role, a more responsible? I’m not saying he can’t do it. I also had another delusion. the Blackhawks fans, like they’ve been they still come at me about the pawn hockey stuff and they tag me and it’s like you should be sucking the dick off my torso for for telling you that he has to play a different way in order for your team to have success cuz now he’s doing it you are. Um I had one guy saying, “Oh, he’s leading the league in points. Like you you say he if he did make the team, he’d start at a healthy scratch. Oh, what about playing on one of these guys right wings?” And I’m like, uh, I don’t know if the Olympics best on best is the first time to experiment Connor Bard on the wing. Like, come on here. Like, use your [ __ ] brain. Now, I still think that from an overall centerman perspective, I think Celabbrini is more complete. I would trust him more in a third, maybe not a fourth line role cuz it’s hard when you’re getting like 10 minutes a game, 12 minutes a game. So you don’t know how to trust Celini in a bottom six center more than I would trust Conor Bard if he continues at this pace to have him there as a as an extra or a scratch to start I think would be valuable for team Canada moving forward. I do. But you might want to bring a guy who’s more of a Swiss Army knife, who can kill penalties at that level, who can um he’s elite on faceoffs. Uh used to playing a checking role even throughout the regular season, has done so on deep runs for the Stanley Cup. So, you’re talking about the [ __ ] Olympics here, boys. This is like these when you talk about team Canada, these guys are so [ __ ] deep. like he he would like, you know, maybe make the B team, you know. Damn, that was my next question. And that that is kind of a bummer to hear because I was going to say if you were running team Canada and the last player was Celabbrini or Bard, who would you go with? You just answered it. But but it’s no disrespect to Connor, but it’s more of like like Celabbrini was more complete last year. You sold your position well for it and it’s just it’s the foundation of of his roots and how he grew up playing. That would be like uh and I will say this, I I think Celabbrini is a more complete player than what Sydney Crosby was when he first came in that and that’s no disrespect to Crosby because Crosby, but Crosby was also a 100 point guy. Yeah. Right. So Crosby was more of like a Stevie Eerman where it’s like, okay, Stevie, you can score 70 goals every year, but if you don’t make these minor adjustments to your game, Detroit’s never going to win a Stanley Cup. So you almost got to you got to pick and choose your spots. Celabbrini I feel just does that naturally because he when he grew up or whoever he grew up idolizing and the and the way that he wants to play is just more of he loves the compete. He loves being in the muck where now you’re starting to see that from Bard where I don’t know if what Bard reads or what he hears. He might hear the more complete player from Celibbrini comment and say, “I’m going to [ __ ] come in this year and I’m going to beat that.” Yeah. And I’m sure he did. And I’m sure that’s a conversation he had with Blast. So listen, these are good problems for Team Canada to have, but I would love to see him be in a in a in a healthy scratch to start role, but if he doesn’t make the team, you guys can’t and Blackhawks fans can’t be up in arms. No, you can’t. I it’s one of those things where it’s like he said he had a quote where he was like I would give anything to be on that team and then he is backing it up with all the little things that he had to do to change his game. So it’s like almost like you want it for him. I don’t I’m American. I don’t care if he’s on that team or not. So it but it’s almost better to have the couple weeks break. I don’t give a [ __ ] But if he want if it means so much to him, you almost want like your guy to get it for that reason. Another Olympic kind of bubble guy that’s on the Blackhawks right now, Spencer Knight. I feel like he’s kind of in that like good position to maybe be the third goalie on that team behind Hellabuk and Auter. Do you think he’s got a shot at it? Yeah, I don’t know what USA’s loyalty is to their guys. Like, you know, Swayman’s obviously a big name. Auterabuk um is uh Demco is American too, right? Yeah. Health is an issue with him. So, I don’t know, man. like I I think he’s an elite goalender and I’m really happy that he was able to figure out his stuff and then get this opportunity in Chicago coming up with this young group because he’s a little bit older than him and he has that experience but still young in amongst of goalie terms cuz you know it takes him a little bit longer to develop. So, I’d love to see that for him. But going back to last year, the first couple games that he had and specifically one he won at the United Center. I feel like the fans really provided him that love in his postgame interview. I believe it was with Panganger. Y and and you could just tell he he he needed that and he and he felt the love from Chicago. So, you guys got your guy in net and uh I wouldn’t be shocked if he was ended up as a third string uh for the for the Olympic team. So, and and that’s kind of why I’m feeling so good is like we got our guy a net. Connor looks like he is like that 1C of like a team that can legitimately contend. If you were to pick between like Montreal, San Jose, Chicago, and Anaheim for the next five years, who you buy in stock of those four? Well, Anaheim’s there, right? Like they’re showing early on that they are there. And they also have a very good and not to take it away from um Chicago because I like some of their veterans too like Terra Vinan he’s back there right back there last year as well. Uh I feel like Bertusi looks like he’s reincarnated from his best years when he was playing in Detroit. So you got I just really Yeah, I really like the mix. And you could also argue that Anaheim’s younger top end talent, they’re at almost at a surplus of it, right? They got that Zelwigger kid on the back end. They got Lome on the back end. They have that uh I don’t know how to say the Russian kid, defenseman’s last name, like Meech Nikov or whatever. [ __ ] there’s a million of them, right? Um and they all sound the same. Uh you got Gochce. You have um Leo uh Leo Carlson who’s incredible. I’m forgetting one other McTavish. So that there’s six I just named and I believe there’s one more that are on the come up where you’re like seven guys they hit on as far as these young [ __ ] studs and then mix in Troy Terry who’s been there. Uh Crider who’s a bonafide 30 goal year every guy uh goal scorer every year. Um Gudas Troubis playing his best hockey. So Anaheim’s there. Uh, Montreal, I would put them also a little bit ahead of them, right? And and they’ve had some young guys that have popped. Demod, you could argue, is is like just as good as as Badard as far as the offensive production. So, and then who was the other team you mentioned? San Jose. I would put them ahead of San Jose right now. Okay. Cuz that they just Yeah, San Jose is on a bit of an island with with Will Smith. They got a few guys with Celibbrini, but nowhere near the the the the amount that Chicago, Montreal, and Anaheim have. Yeah, I guess I’m I guess I’m hoping that Chicago is where an next year. Chicago is where Anaheim is now because they got Fondell coming. They got the leading score in the KHL is Kid Canerov. Like they have like the bulk of all these picks they’ve had still haven’t made the NHL yet. So it’s like over the next 5 years and they’re all producing at their various levels like at an insane clip. So it’s like man if like four more of these guys are ready to go and the Hawks suddenly look pretty [ __ ] good. Correct. If you took the Chicago Blackhawks and you ranked their far like their their prospects, I believe they would be considered top three if not top five as far as guys coming up. Not quite there. there is sometimes an overinflation and oh our guy our prospects our prospects where they’re dominating at the lower levels where it’s a new beast coming up. So until that’s proven um I I feel like you guys are also in in kind of that Detroit Detroit has a lot of young guys that their people are very high on. So there’s another team that I feel like you guys guys are neck andneck with. They have more of the the rounded out vets the that are that are you know for sure hits. They got um Raymond. They got uh um I mean Mo who Mo Cider Mo Cider who I feel like can reach another level and another gear hopefully. I mean Larkin’s Larkin. He’s kind of been around doing it for a while. So uh they they got and I’m forgetting one other elite forward they have uh their second line center uh Casper. Yeah, he’s a gamer. I like him a lot. So, listen, you you Hawks people are you’re in good shape. You have a lot to be hopeful for. Yeah. And then I guess we’ll kind of wrap up, you know, looking in the in the past here because it was Duncan Keith’s uh went in the hall of fame last night. Do you have any like thoughts of what it was playing against him? Uh because you obviously played him in the playoffs kind of and then uh but like he to me was like the defenseman of your era. So like what do you have any like memories of playing against him or interactions with him? Yeah, I I actually played against him in the AHL when I was in Wilks and he was obviously very noticeable when he was I think he was with Norfolk Admirals at the time and uh actually Bufflin was on that team, James Wasnki was on that team. They were we would have battles with the Norfolk Admirals and you could just tell he was a very unique skater too. He had this jump about him. Um and I don’t know if you guys knew this too, he would use a new pair of skates every five games. Yeah, he was going through 20 pairs of of I believe he was using Bowers at the time, those Bower 5000s and he would getting punched out on the road and um and just his motor was like any other and it just kept getting better and better and better and then obviously when he got up called up to the Hawks he he reached a gear where I was not sharing the ice with him because he would be on against the elite players. But actually there was some times I would be out there against him because how could you not? He was playing half the game. He was playing 28 minutes at the highest level in in some of the in one of the hardest eras to try to win a Stanley Cup. Like they were having those battles with LA when LA was was cup contenders every year and and the West was as deep as they were. I know I don’t I’m not sure if they met Anaheim during their Yeah. So he and and he was a little bit undized, man, but but so [ __ ] tough. Yeah. you know, he would take a puck in the face, wouldn’t miss a shift, you know, just an absolute western league gamer. And uh yeah, I’m so happy for the guy. And you we interviewed him when we were in Chicago when it was early days, chicklets, and when he walked in the room, he just had this very calming aura about him. And uh three Stanley Cups, how many Norris did he get? He got two Norris and then he got a K smite in 15. And a K smite, buddy. That’s he played 31 minutes a game in that playoff run in 50. That was his average. That was his average. 31.7 seconds. So that’s that’s Chris Pronger level. Yeah, that is that I mean that might be the highest average to ever win a Stanley Cup and and a basically a point per game in that run. So he was an absolute freak and I think you saw like they vertig posted on Instagram Buffalo was there. Haven’t really heard him doing anything for a while. Sharpie, Cabbrook, obviously. Like basically anyone who wasn’t still in the NHL that played with Keith all came out to support him. That tells you how good of a guy and and an amazing person. And it goes back to when we interviewed him, man. We were so grateful for his time and he was so chill and made you feel like you’d already been buddies for for a while. And uh as far as Buff’s concerned, I think Buff is is uh is playing Super Dad and living in Minnesota somewhere. Yeah, he loves his ice fishing and fishing and we’re doing everything we can and we would even travel to him to go uh to go interview him. But he’s, you know, I I really respect a guy who, you know, he just walked away. I think most people who are listening to this are well aware. He showed up to to training camp with the Winnipeg Jets and I he he made a joke to a few of the guys like, “I’m done. This is it. I’m done. I’m shutting her down.” And obviously the haha, you know, see you at see at camp or when you heal up from whatever ankle or foot injury you’re dealing with and then poof famoose. And to to to be playing at that level to be able to just walk away and be at peace with it and not want any of the limelight or anything and just go away. I I respect his privacy and respect everything he did in the game. And he was such a a unique character and figure that I think a lot a lot a lot of people miss him. Yeah. Oh yeah. I mean, he was in terms of entertainment value, he was like near the top. Like he cuz he had the big shot. He never didn’t fight that much, but when he did, he would just like manhandle people. He had two guys the one game. Everybody was dragging them on the ice and 260 270 lbs. When they drafted him, he was over 300. I feel terrible for his skate rivets and his his tux on his skates, but um a living legend and uh it sucks we didn’t get more of his his uh career peak years, but like I said, all the respect to him in the world and I can’t wait to eventually sit down with him. Yeah, I think he walked away from like 7.5 million or something if I recall. Oh, I think he had a few years left on that deal. Maybe more than that. I think he might be a better guest for Peakin. just go up somewhere in northern Minnesota, wherever he’s living up near Duth, walk around talking about Yeah. No, we we got that show coming out. I got to hang around with the Wanton Don and uh what a what a character and Corey as well. Corey and Tyler who did an incredible job with a few other guys editing. So, that’s actually coming out a three episode series uh November 19th, November 24th or 5th, and then I believe December 5th. So, I appreciate the plug on that. and he would be an unreal ice fishing guest on that. Body Armor. This episode is brought to you by Body Armor Flash IV. Flash IV delivers faster, longerlasting hydration with over 2,000 milligs of electrolytes and no artificial dyes, flavors, or sweeteners like those other drinks. So whether you’re training, traveling, or just feeling the heat, work hard. You got the uh you got the you got the yellow one over there. I like that. That’s tropical punch. I believe it is tropical punch. Good eyeball, Ed. Good one. I have the ready to drink one right here. The flash IV strawberry kiwi Dave. Yep. That’s my go-to right there. Rapid rehydration. Only 80 calories in that, Ed. All the electrolytes you need. Tastes great. Tastes great. Yeah. And uh you can pick it up. You could hydrate hard with Body Armor Flash IV. And grab yours today at your local 7-Eleven convenience store. It’s clutch that they have these at 7-Eleven now. Just stop by. It’s like, “Oh, what do I want to drink?” It’s like, “Duh, Flash IV. Flash IV. Flash IV all day.” They’ve been great on those after dark streams, too. They’ve been very key on after dark streams. Watch. Um, all right. Body Armor, go get yours. 7-Eleven. Biz. Who Who else is in that pantheon? Like, who you guys have had so many big guests. Like, who’s like, who are you really dying to have on Chicklets? Brett Hall would be fun. I don’t know. He started a new pod actually with Kelly Chase. Uh, Mario Lemieux would be awesome. Is he still playing? No. played until 60 years old. He played until he was I wouldn’t be surprised. You’re thinking of Jo. Yeah, you’re thinking I was thinking of Jo who is still playing. He He’s still going and we actually did get the chance to have him on. So that was fun. Um but um can’t argue with either of those two legends. Yeah. You know who would be unreal is um Gordy How’s son Mark How. Yeah. Unfortunately, obviously Gord’s passed and he uh he’s on the Mount Rushmore of hockey. Uh played forever, tough as nails. Gretzky’s favorite player and his idol growing up. So to get Mark on to talk about stories of Gordy and also Mark How was an incredible player. I want to say Mark How was so he played in the IHL when things got broken up and or WHA I believe. Okay. One of the two. Yeah. Cuz wasn’t he playing with Gordy with the Whalers at one point? Yes. And he switched from forward to defense and then still led the league or if not his team in scoring. So just a a multi-positional talented hockey player who lives in the shadow of what his father accomplished, but he is is was an incredible player in his own right. So he would be a great guest to sit down with. And uh I mean outside of that, I mean the list goes on, man. And I hope we get to sit down with all these absolute legends. Yeah. Yeah. Well, for sure. And I I I This is more Blackhawk. I don’t Do you got to run? Sorry. Am I holding you up? I uh I saw you guys had blast a lot this week, right? A couple days ago. Anything you took from that interview that that impressed you? Anything that you’re like looking forward to here or that we should look forward to? Um like I I just like you could just sense that he’s ready and he’s the right guy for the job. Mhm. Um he had his time in Detroit where they were going through a rebuild and he he talked about how, you know, when you get fired, obviously your your competitive nature, you just want to hop right in, right? You want to get another job and distract you from the fact that you, you know, maybe didn’t have success at your last one. But he went to Tampa Bay and got to work with under John Cooper, who was very close with his friends and uh and he said it was the best thing for him. He got to take a step back. um you know, you’re not all of a sudden you’re not in the limelight of being the coach and having to answer all these questions. You got to learn under um you know, one of the greatest coaches living today. Kind of like a I guess I could compare Coupe to almost like a Phil Jackson. Yeah. Right. Very savvy. Uh not a not a big yeller or screamer, but he has his intense moments. And then this opportunity came up where he gets to kind of come up with Baddard Naser and and all these unbelievable prospects where I feel like he’s ready and he learned from his first time around and and learn from the mistakes and that’s what he communicated to us and it was just uh really nice hearing his reflection on the last, you know, six years and how they’ve gone and how he’s had to kind of reinvent himself a little bit in the head coaching position and uh and improve from the mistakes he’s made. So, I’m I’m very excited. He was such a nice guy. I’ve heard he’s extremely well-liked and I think he’s gonna have a lot of success with Chicago. So, that’s kind of Yeah, I think that’s that that’s what I took away. I think there’s something to be said for being that coach with Detroit. They had the one year at the end of Datu and Zederberg his first year they made the playoffs. Then he was there for seven more years and didn’t win [ __ ] So to to know like the team is bad and the coach doesn’t get fired after seven years, I think that kind of speaks to like how well-liked he was and respected in Detroit even though there were no results to to show for it. Yeah. And we didn’t get too much into maybe what those mistakes were in Detroit and also they were they were horrible. Eisermanerman took over, right? And people people get a little horny and they’re like, “Oh, it’s been five years. Why are we not in playoffs?” Well, when he takes over, there’s a lot of of his positions that he has to address, like who he’s hiring as his scouts, who’s he’s hiring as his player development, who he’s putting as his American League coach. And I’m not saying he changed absolutely everything, but you have to assemble another team before you can now construct your team and have to go through, you know, multiple drafts in order to hit on some guys, develop them. Um, and that all just takes time. And here we are, I believe, in year like what is it, eight, nine of of of Stevie Wise tenure. So, like you said, it goes back to the fact that he lasted as long as he did does speak volumes and the fact that he’s wellliked and he was helping mature those guys, but do do those unsuccessful years have anything to do with him? Probably not really because it does come down to personnel like they didn’t even really have a goalie, you know, they’ve had they had some, but they goalending was an issue. They Marit Cider as a rookie was probably your best defenseman on the team and you know the list goes on. So I’m really excited to see what he can do with these Blackhawks and it seems like these guys are are are hitting their stride. Just as like a casual hockey fan to both of you guys like is it kind of like a gold rush now or like a big change of the guard cuz just seeing obviously one two Bard and uh Leo and then obviously Celabbrini the next year it just seems like a rush of like crazy good talent. Kid Schaefer and the Islanders too is a great point that with with uh Kane and Taves kind of in the in the twilights of their careers that Chicago, you’re going to see all the Chicago talent that was born because of those guys reaching the NHL in the next handful of years cuz that was almost 20 years ago now, you know. Yeah. Yeah. It kind of like you and obviously the Hawks comparison is there, but also throughout the course of the league. Where was it 21 years ago? Obie and Sid broke in 20 21 years ago. And you know that that was the golden era all of a sudden and and you’re starting to see that. You see how they compare Bard against Celabbrini and they’re constantly doing that. It’s what they did with with Ovie and Sid for all those years, right? They who’s got more cups, who’s got more scoring title, who’s scoring this points and blah blah blah blah blah. So you’re seeing this influx of high high-end talent come to the league and they’re going to carry the torch cuz how many more years has Patty Kane got left? I’m hearing rumblings it might be O’s last year. uh you know I I I think still Sid the way he’s playing could still play for another three years after this like he’s kind of back too uh I believe it’s been verbalized that it is Malcolin’s last year also so he’s leaving everything on the on the on the table right so there might be in the next three four years you’re going to have 10 bonafide Hall of Famers retire there’s only a few guys left from my 03 draft if actually there might not be anyone that we might have just Corey Perry I believe is the only guy left from the 03 draft. Okay. Like he to me Cory Perry is a Hall of Famer. Yeah. He’s going to be retiring in the I mean you think he’s retiring in the next couple years. I don’t know how the [ __ ] he’s still doing it is 06 but Yeah. Yeah. He’s gone Hall of Famer gone soon. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it’s it’s crazy to see all these guys like now they’re in the Hall of Fame, you know, like it’s like an it’s like, man, I guess I’m getting old, too. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Well, Biz, I think that was Boys, that was a great chat, man. Appreciate you guys having You guys ripped it up. Uh, I had one hockey question for you. Have you beat up any Irish guys lately? No. No. No guys. No. No. I’m gotten my kicked head recently at the CVS across the street from Houston’s or in the same uh what do you call it strip mall? Are you like a do you still go to Houston as much? I do. Maybe not as much. I try to cook more at home, but I I still pop by and yeah, I love it. It’s a Unreal restaurant and uh I like to fly when I go back to Scottsdale, boys. I don’t do [ __ ] all. I don’t drink anymore. I don’t go out to bars. I go hike. I go see my dog. I you know and and you know go to restaurant from time to time. So I kind of like to fly under the radar. Unfortunately that was a spot where I would go to and I would get left alone. I would sit at the bar. You know I knew the bartenders and the managers. I’d say hello. But now obviously you go in there and like people it’s just like ah for [ __ ] sakes can I just enjoy my goddamn salad and steak for [ __ ] sakes. But you know I like to Yeah. I I like to chill. You just pop it in before you go hike Camelback. Yeah. No, I don’t see I don’t hike Camelback. Why not? It’s tourist [ __ ] Yeah. Okay. You think it’s easy or hard? It’s Camelback. Yeah. I would say Camelback is like if you need a good hour, hour 15 workout, you kind of just give her. I got a better one in town that’s actually right in the nucleus of all of it. I’m not going to say the name of it, but I go there on Saturdays. I might see 15 people and I go up and down in about an hour and 10 minutes. And it’s it’s a great great workout. So, well well, will you text that to us cuz we go out for spring training every year. So, we’d like Dave and I do camel back. I would Yeah, I would love to see you boys. I’ll introduce you to my new spot and and you guys tell me what you think and uh we’ll go together. We’ll do we should do a little video. We’ll keep it location undercover, but we’ll do a little we’ll do our own little peeking. Biz private mountain. Yeah. Yeah. Boys, I appreciate you guys and congrats on all your success. And I mean, it feels like the Bears are a little bit better this year, aren’t they? Yeah, they are. A little bit better. How are the Bulls? Bulls are a little bit better. A little bit better. Yeah, the ship coming on up. Yeah, ship’s turning. Yeah. Yeah. Well, next time next time you’re in town for a Hawks, you got to you got to come by. I think that we should go to a Hawks game. And I asked Blash if he would let RA shoot from center ice again. Funny to see you guys, RA and Hey, me and R sunk it. Yeah, I know. I remember we were in the We were in the box watch. Got to wear the jacket though. That jacket. Still have that jacket. I will bring it. Okay. All right. I will bring the jacket. I love that jacket. Yeah, I’ll I’ll bring it. I’ll let RA wear it cuz he’s the king of the [ __ ] holes now. Yeah, it’s great to have him back in the mix, too. He’s buzzing. Yeah, he’s a man. It’s great. It is. Thanks, bro. We really appreciate you. Oh, I love you boys. Yeah, we’ll do it again soon when you guys are making the playoffs. Can’t wait. I need playoff hockey back so bad. Kind of a dad. Yeah, there you go. Love you, boys. Thanks, See you soon, B. All right, that’s it everyone. Thanks for listening. Thanks for watching. We’ll see you guys next time.

On today’s interview episode of The Stretch we are joined by NHL broadcaster and Barstool personality Paul Bissonnette. We get into how Biz’s criticisms of Connor Bedard may have potentially lead to his dramatic improvement. We then get into his overall view of the 25-26 Blackhawks and more.

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