Chicago Blackhawks Star Connor Bedard Is Playing OUT OF HIS MIND

Chicago Blackhawks Star Connor Bedard Is Playing OUT OF HIS MIND

Welcome to the Empty Netters podcast. Can you believe what this has become? There’s a full 48 hours where I felt like I was like literally Superman. Jumbo loves playing Fortnite. So, he gets on the stick. Did TR show you the Sona cycle or was that? No, I invented that. Almost a year now that I haven’t taken a body check. That’s kind of nice. Finished tonight with some chicken fingers and a few Guinnesses. Ran into you guys. Uh, that’s where this pod came to life. Ice is ready and we are back with another episode of the Empty Neters podcast brought to you by Bet MGM which is now live in Missouri. Huge, huge win. I am your host Dan Powers. Over here on the sticks, we have the Irish wonder, Shawn Buffini, who we now just decided we might call Feny because Buffman, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I feel like Shawn Buff Daddy Combmes would be a great nickname if not for the things going on in the world right now. But either way, he’s on the sticks. And to my left, my co-host, the only man who has ever bought the Israeli sea salt scrub from a random kiosk in the mall because he is too afraid to say no to people, Chris Powers. As always, that did happen. It did. And it’s all it’s one of the Dead Sea. It’s one of the great examples of those people who just will like any anytime there’s a person on the street anywhere who’s just like, “Excuse me, can I have a minute of your time?” Chris goes, “Yeah, in fact, you can have 20.” And I’m always like, “What the hell is wrong with you?” Uh, I was with, uh, where the hell were we? Oh, um, Alice and I went to the Kings game this past weekend and, uh, got caught with one of the greatest moves ever. You walked in, there was like someone standing there with the stand. They’re trying to sell this or that. And this, we walked in the doors, we ran, barely got in the concourse, and this dude came running up to us and was in our face immediately. He’s like, “Hey guys, sorry. We’re doing a thing here at the game today where we absolutely have to get two of the best looking people we’ve ever seen to sign up for this thing and it just caught me off guard so much and I was like that was a good that was a good move. It worked for a second. I I was like, “Oh, what’s up?” And then I was like, “Wait, [ __ ] you. You almost had me.” Yeah, you would have been dead. Oh my god, dude. I’d be I’d be buried under crypto right now. I’d be working for them. We’ve got a lot of hot ice, a lot of stuff to get into in this episode. We’re not wasting any time. And there is one thing that is at the top of everyone’s mind right now. If you go on hockey Twitter, it is the only thing being talked about after a performance last night. Conor Baddard, the chosen one, has arrived. Yeah, I think a lot of people, especially Hawks fans who never quit on him, never gave up on him, would have already said he had already arrived. But I think the last two games of Connor Baddard have just been so unbelievably impressive that now it’s like okay and I am starting to think CP that we can’t ignore the team Canada stuff any I mean we are at a point where this kid and Mlin we’ll talk about Mlin in the segment too they are just you know we’re approaching 30 games into the season and they are second and third in the NHL. fell in points. And I’m like, uh, yikes, dude. This is not this isn’t like a, oh, he’s doing well on a bad team. It’s like, no, no, no. He is dragging this team into flirting with a playoff spot all season long now. And my god, the stuff he was doing last night. The go-ahead goal to make it 3-2. Eventually got tied up and they lost in a shootout. But that go ahead goal was so disgusting. Then he comes out in the shootout and pulls a pure Datsukian move. Yep. Beats Carter Hart. And I don’t know if you noticed this, he skates down the Vegas bench and a few of the Vegas players went, “That was sick.” And Bedar just goes, “Thanks.” Like it was such a nasty move. God, that is that players on the Knights could not help but be like, “That was [ __ ] gross.” But this kid, he’s it’s looking like World Junior’s Conor Bard. He is he is flying around doing whatever he wants. the goal to go up 32 cuz I feel as though a lot has been made about his shot and his release and sometimes you even see one in practice where like the tweets are like and I’m like and we’ve talked [ __ ] about not the shot we’ve talked [ __ ] about the reaction about being like people relax he’s an NHL star he’s shooting the puck and he has a great shot uh but there was all this talk about like well dude no never seen a shot like this never seen a release like this put it that way and that for the people watching at home that goal is what everyone was talking about and is talking about the way that he can push it out to get separation from the D, then pull it back in to change the angle and just as you’re thinking if you’re the goalie or the defenseman about getting your stick in the lane about, oh, the angle’s over here now. It is literally not only already gone, but already rip but also already ripping the back of the net. That I was like, “Oh, Jesus Christ.” It was scary. Scared the [ __ ] out of me. It scared the [ __ ] out of Yeah. Scared the [ __ ] out of me. That was your reaction was just perfect when that goal I was watching that game and he’s coming down, he gets the puck and he’s ripping down the ice and I see it’s Shay Theodore and I’m like, “Oh, this is a fun one-on-one match up.” Two two of the best in the games. And what’s funny is he kind of puts Shay on skates, but not really. Shay keeps him in front of him and kind of keeps up with his speed and just pushes pushes him wide, but Connor gets just enough room and that shot came off and I was like, “Oh my god, if I felt like walking Phoenix in signs when the alien steps into the frame.” Yeah. Yeah. I was like And the way that hit the net and came out, it was a beautiful noise. Like it kind of rang bar a little bit, but it was like this teeny There was there was a this size hole for that to go in and it went into it. It sniped it. And the way it just bounced out, it’s like it hit such a tiny area of that top corner that the puck just came out immediately. That was putrid. Like those are the moments where I go, well, we remember we said before I was like, is he ever going to hit that goalcoring threshold? Those are the moments where I’m like, oh no, he he he could be a 50 goal guy because he needs no space, dude. He needs nothing. Nothing. He needs the puck for one. He needs the puck for 02 milliseconds, dude. And he’s just he’s a perfect hockey player right now. Like we always talk about 17 goals, 21 assists, 38 points. Plus 10. Oh, dude. Plus 10, Connor. And I just can’t I can’t get over it. I can’t get over how these two kids and we’re going to talk about Mlin, 20 years old and 19 years old. They started out hot. They’ve continued to be hot. And not only are they continuing to be hot, they’re getting more comfortable. You’re seeing them try new things, maybe things that they were doing in college and junior. And they’re doing it with confidence. And it’s [ __ ] sexy, man. It is horny hockey. I love horny hockey. We haven’t really gotten horny yet this year. But the these two will chub you right up. They’ll they chub you right up. Children that chub you right up. Yeah. It’s unbelievable. They’re legal. They’re legal. Legal. And that’s Yeah, that’s important. That’s important. Who are you kicking off Team Canada because you’re right, it’s getting to the point where I’m like, uh oh. Yeah. And here’s here’s the big question with Connor Baddard and Mlin Celibbrini and it is they are both centers. Mhm. And the the problem with team Canada is that three of the best players on planet Earth are also centers in Sydney Crosby, Conor McDavid, and Nathan McKinnon. Yep. I struggle to say either Connor or Mlin should play fourth line center. I do think this tournament is not an all-star game. Yeah, I think we saw how physical Four Nations was. Don’t bring up the fighting. Olympic hockey is still physical and you are still going to need someone who’s going to be able to go up against guys like the Kachchuck brothers and JT Miller and Charlie Makavoy like tough customers. And there’s a part of me that’s like I think maybe you do want that grinder line. You do want a Sam Bennett, a Tom Wilson, a Seth Jarvis who are going to be more of those gritty guys who can also still score and show a lot of talent. But now I’m like I don’t know, man. I’m watching them go up against teams top defensive pairings, teams top bruising lines, and I’m like, why not put these [ __ ] kids on a fourth line? And what if they’re What if Okay. Yep. What if you go fourth line? Cuz this isn’t these aren’t the only two new new members of Team Canada that you might want to throw on in the mix there. What if you just punch back meet physical presence with pure electricity? Yeah. on the fourth line and you go one of Connor or Mlin on the wing and you go fourth line Bard Celibbrini and Wyatt Johnston dude what if what if what if just think about that remember I I used to always think that the the yeah you were you’ve always been like a just go young goal I have always said this where it’s like the coming out of the 90s and [ __ ] it was such a clutch and grab and dump and chase cycle the puck league Yeah that I was like why So fourth lines were always that guy. Yeah. And I was like, “Your fourth line should be [ __ ] absolute water bugs. Like I don’t need to put the fourth line out to to hit somebody. I need I need them to like steal a goal here and there and cause chaos.” And I think Sean Thornton was on that line too, but the year the bees won the cup when it was like Danny Pa and I was like him should be on the fourth line being like I was a top five pick and I’m I didn’t quite pan out. So now I do this. Yeah. And that would be cool. I legitimately think I I had strongly said that neither of them would make Team Canada because it was just they’re going to be in a million Olympics. There are guys you gota you you owe uh spots to which I know some people disagree with, but I just think sometimes you’re like this is his last Olympics and I’m giving it to him. Yeah. Uh so I was I was passionately against them making it. I’m now I now think there’s a 50% chance that both of them make it. And I will say, no offense to BSI, Mack plays a more complete game. And I think if only one makes it, I think it would be Mack. I agree. I do think Mlin is is ahead of him, but it’s a razor thin margin. And I am now officially on I’m over 50% for both of them. And it’s a tough thing. Who do you bump off? It’s it’s it’s really brutal that there are this many good Canadians. I mean, there are Canadian players who are so good and having such good seasons that aren’t even sniffing this roster. I know and that is crazy. But I I I just don’t know how we are going to approach by by the time these do you know what date the rosters have to be 31st I think. So if by the end of this month we’ll be what? Close to Yeah, the 31st. We’ll be close to 35 games into the season. 40 games into the season by the end of this month. if they’re just on this torid pace still and second and third in the NHL behind mutant McKinnon, how feels pretty crazy. And we we we’ve talked about so many times like stats don’t determine these teams. But when these two are dominating the NHL the way they are at their age, I’m like what are we doing here? Like probably out if they’re in is Sam Bennett. Slow slower start. That’s our guy. But Brad Marshian. No, absolutely not. Brad Marshian will be on this team no matter what. He is leading the Panthers in points and he is a he is a massive massive leader in that group and I do not think there’s any world where Sydney Crosby and Nathan McKinnon allow that to happen. Good point on those two. They might have some say in that. Um Tom Wilson, Seth Jarvis, Mark Shiffley. No, not Shiffley. What? These guys could be out if those two I I don’t think Shley could be out. I I I I I stand by Jary, too. I mean, but but they’re in the conversation. Yeah, cuz then who there’s no one else that can come out. Those are Celli is in the same on the same bubble for sure. It’s crazy. Yeah. Yeah. It’ll be nuts. And if and I also will say if they both make it or if either of them make it, uh neither will play center. They will play wings and that’s completely fine. But neither of them. I think so, too. But I mean, god damn the the that [ __ ] nippity dood past Shay Theodore and the way that he’s just he has ditched the little boy pants and he has put on big boy pants they fit just fine. They fit great. Yeah, they fit great. It shapes his ass fantastically, which is why everyone’s so horny. I know. That’s what’s happening. People are all horned up. He’s always doing squats draft day, dude. People forget that. I was there. I was in the gym with him doing [ __ ] Bulgarian split squats draft day and that that anyone doubted him. People were saying he might be a bust, he might be too small, he might be this and that and it’s just I mean we’re seeing prime Patty Kane stuff from him right now. Truly, we are. It’s incredible. That shootout move was disgusting. And I It was the shootout move for me. The the the goal was incredible, but the shootout move was manvibing. It was And we love when people manibe and he is manibing. It also felt like um some dudes and there’s nothing wrong with this. In fact, Osh uh was famous for this where he’s like I kind of come in I have this I come in the same way. I’ve got a couple moves I’m going to I think most guys are like that. That BSY shootout goal literally looked like someone so in control that he was like I don’t even know what I’m about to do. I’m just going to like keep fake shoting and stick handling till you do something weird. And then he was like I’m about to shoot. And then Carter Hart had it and he was like, “Actually, I’m going to pull it back this way.” And then he was like, “I’ll have it if you pull it all the way across.” And he was like, “Oh, but you stood up for one second and then just slid it through the five hole.” And I was like, “Jesus Christ, dude.” It was so quick. That’s what I mean. It was the It was the Datsuk like pull back on the backhand, but not all not all the way around him. Like Datuk’s like, it was just a little shift that made Carter Hart open the legs just a little bit. And it I mean, [ __ ] a. Holy hell. It was crazy. talking about another youngster who is out of control. The Great Wall of St. Paul has done it again. Another shut out last night, bringing Yesper Walstead to four. Four shutouts on the year. He’s 80 and2 with a [ __ ] 1.7 goals against and a 944 save percentage. This is bonkers. And you know what I love about Walstead? It’s it feels almost like because you know Gus signs his new deal and everyone’s Gus was the big addition to to Minnesota. This is a first round pick for Minnesota. I think I don’t think people remember that. People are kind of like who is this guy? He was I I believe 20th overall in 2021. Yeah. And like that’s a high pick for a goalie. And he got some time last year was, you know, whatever, whatever. But this guy, I think he has like 10 career games in the NHL. Can you look that up? And he has five shutouts. No, he’s sorry. 10 career wins. 15 career games. 10 wins and five shutouts. This dude doesn’t give up goals, bro. That is That is a [ __ ] banana land stat. Yeah. 15 games. That’s [ __ ] crazy. So, I’ve got a couple of things for you. Couple of way too horn. This is going to be a horny episode, folks. So, get if you need a towel, get it now cuz we’re going to be horned up. Couple of way too horny thoughts here. Is this dude already stealing the Calder from Schaefer? Yes. I don’t know. I don’t know how. And listen, is there any way he can keep up this pace? I don’t think so. Well, not the shut out. If he does, he will win MVP, which he which he will deserve, unlike Conor Hellbuck. Correct. And if he wins, if he keeps Yeah, correct. But if they uh stay as hot as they are, which is like I think they’re third still cuz those other two, I mean, God, imagine if they catch Dallas or or Colorado. But if they stay a comfortable third and he plays and he leads the league in these categories, Yeah. then he will be rookie of the year and deserve it because you are a rookie goalender. People talk a lot about how goalie especially is one where you really got to start getting used to the the feel of the league and everything. It takes a while for some goalies to develop. A goalie coming in and leading the league and everything is lunacy. Absolute lunacy. So yes, he would steal it. He isn’t if Well, we’re actually get into this later, so I won’t spoil it, but he is on pace to steal it from Schaefer. Okay, agree. Now, let’s get into another horny topic. Do you consider trading Gustoson? So, and and and let’s let’s everyone calm down. No. No. You just horned them up. You just [ __ ] fluffed them up. You can’t [ __ ] You can’t throw ice water on them. They just got fluffed. Let’s stay horny. I think you should consider trading him. And I’ll tell you why. You got him on uh Gustiffson. You got him on a I thought a a good contract. He’s I think it’s 6.8 million uh starting next year. Remember he’s got to resign him right now. They only have this much space. And they did 6.8 million starting next year. You’ve got Walstead at 2.2 this year and next year. And you just signed Krill to $50 million a year. Minnesota could try to save money anywhere they can and you’re gonna This is a first round pick who’s playing like this. You’re going to pay him, right? Oh, yeah. Yeah. So, it’s like I don’t know. Do you do you think about dealing Gus right now and this would be a cool situation where you go goalie for goalie because you go we’re not trading Gus and then and then what you bring up an AHL guy to back up Walstead. No, no, no. You need a tandem. But I wonder, are there teams that could use a goalie? Because Gus is a good goalie. Yeah. But you’ve got this first round pick who, you know, Gus kind of surprised you in Minnesota and you’re like, “Oh, yeah, great. We’re going to reward him.” But now Walstead is the number one guy on this team right now. He’s your first round pick from just four years ago. He’s playing he’s the best goalie in the league right now. I think you consider this move. You consider this move. If you look at teams, there are team I mean Carolina came up for me immediately. I believe and I’m I’m hearing little birdies telling me that Frederick Anderson is retiring after this year. I believe that. And I believe that too. And Busy, your guy, the the boy has been fantastic in net. Yep. But I don’t know that they’re ready to be like Busy is our guy for the future. Is that a move? Do you go Do you ride with Freddy and go let him retire here? It’s not like you drafted Freddy. Is that a move where you go Carolina, here’s Gustiffson, give us Freddy to tandem and back up Walstead and have a retirement tour here in Minnesota. It’s Scandinavian as hell there. Yeah, Anderson would love that. He would love that. He would love it, dude. Here’s my issue. And I love where you’re headed. I love where you’re headed. My issue is this. How cuz Busy is like 27. Gus is also 27. Yep. So, I think if I’m Carolina and I’m high on Busussy, I admit, but I if I’m if I’m Carolina, I’m like, “No, like Busy’s Freddy’s going to retire. Busy’s my guy. I don’t need another 27year-old dude being like, I’m splitting time with you for a great deal, but kind of a lot if that’s all I want.” You’re prepared to call Busy the guy. Oh, yeah. And again, I know I’m drunk on him, but I’m ready to call him the guy. We’re horny. Say horny. If the Wild like dude Gus has played 17 has started 17 games this year for the Wild Great Wall 10. Yeah. And I think we I I was trying to remember who we brought Oh, I think it was Pittsburgh. You were like, “Do you trade Jarry?” And I was like, “You do, but not midseason.” And that’s kind of how I feel about this Wild team. You have your shiny your bright shining boy right now who’s incredible and he’s got five [ __ ] four shutouts in 10 games. Yeah. But if you right now, like let’s say Carolina calls right now and goes, “Yo, Busy is not the guy. We can see it in practice. We need Gus. He’s on a great deal and he will thrive for us.” Yeah. Give it to us. We’ll trade you Freddy back, I guess. Then they, the Wild would be going, “We are now making the Great Wall prominent. You are you are you’re playing every game. Freddy’s gonna fill in here and there, but you are playing every game.” and he certainly is dominating right now, but my fear is you you force him into too much action unnecessarily this year. Yeah. If if Gus gets hurt, then you force him into action and it wasn’t our fault. Okay. But if you do this to him and you force him into too much action, I worry that you overwork him. He’s played five games in his life before this season and we’re like 60 starts go and playoffs. So this season, the way they’ve turned their their whole year around over the last month, I go keep Gus, ride this tandem out, make legitimate waves. The Great Wall hopefully is your playoff starter. And then this summer, 1,000%. And Dan, I’m not exaggerating. 1,000% you have to trade, Gus. No question. You go like this, dude. I’m sorry. I did not want it to go this way. This was not our plan. I when you signed that when I signed you that extension, I genuinely believed in you and I genuinely meant it and I wanted you to be here. Unfortunately, things have changed. The paradigm has shifted. You are dead. And then you go be free. Be free. Be free. And you can get some good return there cuz he’s on a great deal. I’ve got a couple other teams for you that I’m going to throw at you. And one of one I’m really jazzed about. Are you ready? Mhm. trade Gus right now to the Detroit Red Wings for John Gibson. The Let me tell you some things. John Gibson’s cap hit is exactly the same. 6.4. Yeah. So, starting next year, you go, it’s everything we planned for. Yep. John Gibson 32. I think things haven’t started great in Detroit. Maybe you go just pop over to Minnesota. I think he doesn’t like the cold. He’s in Michigan right now and playing horribly. Oh, I get what you’re saying. [ __ ] I think he’s I think he’s a warm weather cat. I think he’s a warm weather goalie. It’s possible. I didn’t know that about him. Maybe he didn’t know about himself. Maybe you shock the system though and go even colder. You go colder. Yeah. Now you’re numb. You can’t feel anything. And you’re playing great. Yep. How about that? Okay. I’m intrigued again. That’s interesting. I think Detroit is interesting. What do you think about Utah? Utah starting out so hot. They’re kind of slipping out of a playoff spot. All of a sudden, you could get guest bus in net. What do you think about Swede in Mormontown? Can’t drink. You can’t drink on Sunday. Vamela’s been good. And they just signed for a long time. Vamela 29 though. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. 29. 4.7 mil. 882. 4.7 mil until 2030 as your backup tandem with Walstead. That could be pretty great. And all of a sudden you get Gustoson in Utah and you’re like he’s 27. He signed 6.8. That’s your guy forever. I like that one more. Interesting. I like that one a lot more. Very interesting. And his 4.7 right now because I think Gus is making like four something right now. Is that not right? Um let’s find that. Wild, where are you? Wild right now Gustoson’s contract this season is 3.7. That’s a $1 million difference. Easy trade. One for one. Philip Gustoson for Vamela. I do like I do like your goalie one for one. Like we’re gonna just find we got to find another goalie and we’re like don’t ruffle the feathers. Just be like this. Walstead. It’s your net. We’re going to get you a nice solid back. I’m kind of wondering though, Gus, I think has value. Like I don’t want to get a a leaky backup. But those guys I just said aren’t leaky. Gibson is great. He has started slower than we want. But Gibson is great. And I think if you also go Gibson, here you are. You’re in a T. Like you’re we don’t we don’t have to lean on you this hard. Yep. But you’re right, he does have value cuz I’m like, dude, that’s pretty good number. That’s pretty good number for a good goalie. You know, throwing a pick. I was trying to throw a pick in there. He’s done. I mean, dude, as a 24 year old, I guess only I guess that’s the question with Gus. No, last year 58 games, 914256. That’s That’s very That’s very solid. Sixth in Vzna voting last year. Who was that? Gus. Yeah. I mean, Gus was fantastic last year. Just saying. It’s something to think about. We’re in a horny season. It’s holidays. People are feeling warm and cozy. Trade him. Look at Shawn. Sean’s horny as hell. Yeah, he is. That’s when I got here this morning. I was like, I could tell the second I walked in, you could smell it. His pherommones are out of control. Yeah. Moving to another goalie, but this one maybe not so happy, not so bright and shiny. Jordan Bennington in St. Louis on Monday. We had a little dust up on the Blues bench. Things not going great for the Blues so far this season. And we saw a verbal exchange with Jordan Bennington and Monty after Binner got yanked in the first period. He gave up two goals on five shots. Got ripped from the game. Ber this season is 65 and five with a 3.11 goals against and a82 save percentage. Now the Blues are straight up cheeks. Yeah. So, this isn’t totally on bin, but but remember that stat that was like goals against expected. Very bad. And he was he was last in the league. Kind of like it’s a bit on you. Yeah. So, we’re, you know, we’re through several games here for Binner. Lot of games for the Blues. Things aren’t really turning around now. We see him fighting with the coach. And to be clear, Binner made statements. He was like, “We’re fine. It was whatever.” I was pissed in the moment. Monty was like, “I love Jordan Bennington.” Everyone knows that there’s no issue here. We got to talk about Binner, the Blues, and Team Canada. By all accounts, Jordan Bennington is a lock, as people are saying, a lock to be on that Team Canada roster. And I am here to officially say, are we sure? Uh you made an incredible point the other day which was if he is on the team and not the starter. Yep. What is he and I I’m trying to I mean I don’t mean this in a mean way, but what is his value? Because I think the entire aura of Jordan Bennington is yeah, he actually is inconsistent. and hasn’t been that like look at his career numbers and yeah season by season but in big moments 2019 cup four nations he really he has he has that dog in him you know he he’s gut fight and he’s the guy you want between the pipes back there team Canada didn’t even [ __ ] question it he outdooled those are the moments that you that you take Jordan Bennington so I’m not saying this but if you were saying Jordan Bennington is my starting goalie for Canada because it’s a big moment and that’s when he shines. Okay. Yeah, fine. Fine. But if you’re going, I want Jordan Bington to sit. I’m like, why? Because now he’s just like, and every everyone’s competitive. I want him to be competitive, but now he’s just a guy who believes he should be in there being like, this is [ __ ] [ __ ] I’m like, bro, go away. You have a [ __ ] 850 percentage. Jordan Bennington has this notoriously spicy attitude and a spicy where he is, and that’s great. Yep. But you do ask yourself the question, especially as a as a goalie, do you want the spicy boy on the bench sitting there being like, I should be in. And I’m not he’s not that type of teammate. I’m not saying every time the starting goalie lets in a a goal, he’s sitting there being like, [ __ ] [ __ ] you would have saved that Johnny Menzel style. I’d have had him. He’s not doing that. No. But I am saying it is interesting to go okay we’ve got a bunch of goal and in the past even last year it felt like at the beginning of the season does Canada have a lot of great options and they didn’t really oh my god it was crazy but then LT emerged and was like I’m literally 220 and2 I should win the Vzna should someone put me in the [ __ ] net please and there was [ __ ] [ __ ] [ __ ] that is insane dude it’s the most [ __ ] pathetic thing in the world and listen they won for nation. So, good for you. But at the same time, him not being on that roster last year was banana land, banana sandwich. So, now again, here we are, LT top of the league. He is on this team and frankly, he’s the starter or you’re smoking ass grass and I don’t even know what’s going on, but you’ve also got Wedgewood playing great. And it’s like there’s going to be three goalies. So, yep, Benner’s in there, I suppose. But not riding the hot hand is so crazy. Cuz if you go like this, dude, Benner’s just up for these moments and you go, “Okay.” And then you guys play game one in the Olympics and Benners just does what he’s doing right now. Then you’re like, “Oh, oh shit.” And now you’re benching Jordan Bington, which maybe isn’t the best thing. And then it’s just like you’re also, if you start him, you’ve got guys like LT being like, “What the [ __ ] is going like obviously LT’s the best and he would be like, I’m whatever. I’m thrilled to be here, but I just think it’s crazy. I think it’s a crazy thing to do. Two questions for you. One, the Blues weren’t very good last year and obviously they they got Monty, but then Binner went to Four Nations and and like unblocked one good Jordan Bennington and then was great the rest of the way and then they make playoffs and then they should have beat the Jets. The Blues need him to make the team so so bad. Like literally starts. Yeah. The Blues season is literally over unless Jordan Bennington makes the Olympic roster and starts. Correct. Number point number two, we are talking about what would happen to Jordan Bennington and his nearest and dearest if he is makes the team and sits. Are you scared at all? What would happen to Jordan Bennington if he is cut after being the starter at Foreign Nations a a merely a year ago? And who makes that phone call? who goes, “Hey, Jordan, you’re not on the team after you’ve been told you were a lock for a year.” And then and then and then what happens to the Blues? And then what happens to Mont? Damn, that is butt cheeks. Does he kill someone like Yeah, that’s butt cheeks. Uh they might have to start him. They might have to start him and get silver or not even. They might have to start him in not metal just for out of safety. I don’t know what you do. That that would that would probably lead to an uncomfortable situation. Hey, who makes that call? You know, we promised you make that call. Promised you make that call. Cassidy. Oh, I’ll let Butch do it. He goes like this. Butch is emotionless. He goes like this. You have been terminated. What is the scene I’m thinking of? If you had someone else do it, it would be like Greg in succession telling everyone that they’ve been laid off. It would be a disaster. Yeah. But you could also have it be Kendall when he go if it’s Cassidy Benner will spit in Cassid’s face and he’ll go like this. Is that all? Is that it? Yeah, that that’s what will happen. Cassid’s the perfect man for that job. Dude, what what does he say? What is that [ __ ] prick uh Valter dude say to him? He goes because your dad told you to. But then he says something. He’s like, “Clean out your chicken coop. Fuck.” Yeah. Gas, dude. Oh, man. Absolutely. You [ __ ] want to do that someday. That is so good. Incredible. Uh, let’s keep it up with the goalie talk. Talking about team Canada, talking about the goalies in contention here. Scott Wedgwood is one of them. However, last night, uhoh, the ABS continued their win streak, making it to 17 games in a row. I believe, but it came at a cost. Wedgewood left the game in the second period with an apparent upper body injury. Blackwood came in, slammed the door. They’re all good. They get the win, but we’ll see what happens here. Is this an absolute nightmare for Colorado? Well, I think no. And everyone I know everyone’s saying yes because they’ve been so hot and he’s been incredible. So, everyone’s on the ABS [ __ ] train and aren’t we all and we’re grateful for the abs, but this isn’t to me for a lot of reasons. One, they are this good anyway. His goalie play was contributing, but like completely agree are [ __ ] fine. And you your your projected starter is going in who was [ __ ] awesome for you last year. Like when you got him, he was sick. It’s not like a Gibson thing, not to drag him again, but we were like, we brought in this guy to start and he’s been bad and then thank god we have blank and filled in. You brought in Mackenzie Blackwood. He was incredible. Well, maybe that’s that’s aggressive, but he was very, very good. He was very good. Then he was projected starter, gets hurt, and you’re like, [ __ ] dude. The talk preseason was [ __ ] Mackenzie Blackwood’s hurt. This sucks. And then Wedgewood was like, I’m actually so gross. Who cares? So now you’re just getting the other guy who’s very good to come do the job that he was brought in here for. I think there’s a chance they don’t miss a [ __ ] beat and it gives Wedgwood some time. Like I hope he’s not hurt badly. Yes. But it’s like, “Okay, dude. Just you guys should be resting. You should This should be the [ __ ] Swayman gear.” I think it’s uh Tom Brady, Drew Bledo situation. Yeah, dude. I think it’s like uh great comp. I think Wedgie gets hurt, takes a break, Blackwood goes, “Whoops, I got you.” Wedgie gets gets his mind right, gets his body right, and then he’s back in. I think it’s important that the ABS and their fans don’t get rattled by this. Now, we’ll see. I’m not, you know, I’ve been scouring the internet. I’m not seeing any new news on on Wedgewood yet, but hopefully it’s just like a two to three weeks. Yeah. Strained his elbow. What happens in an upper body injury for a goalie? Dude, I shoulder stuff. I love when someone gets conked, clearly conked and they go upper body. Upper body. Like, well, I guess so. Yeah. Uh, I would say shoulder stuff, maybe pec. I could see like a pec situation. I Wow. [ __ ] Yeah. Reach for that one. Did you see what happened? I’m gonna look at it right now. Scott Wedgewood injury cuz like you’re that you make a good point like did he get conckied and and now I’m sitting here being like what happened to his shoulder? And there’s a chance that he’s just got his brain rattling around in his skull. Well, whatever it is, we hope it’s not serious. And yeah, I think that this is a um You’re right. Back back tightness. Nothing serious as of now, according to Bedar. Little pulled back, dude. He was hitting too many golf balls the night before. He was in the sim. He was in the sim. He was in the sim. He was working on his drive. Yep. He had a stiff upper back and then he made one save and he tweaked it and he was like, “Oh, oh, oh, took a seat. Fine. He’ll be back in a couple weeks. The ABS are going to be fine.” but sooner. Dude, this is a non-issue. This is a complete non-issue and uh I hope I hope that’s the case because he deserves a shout at Olympic. He deserves a a strong consideration at Absolutely. Let’s take a quick ad break and then come back with some silly season talk. Hockey is all the way back and that means that the hat-tick jackpot is back with Bet MGM. And that is my favorite promotion, my favorite thing to play. It is so incredibly awesome. What I want you to do is take advantage of this by downloading the Bet MGM app and use promo code nets. That’s NE TT RS when you sign up. And if you do that, if your first bet loses, you can get up to 1,500 in bonus bets back, which is amazing. Or you can just bet on an anytime goal score and hopefully you win that bet because they score and then you get some money. But if that person scores a hattie or more, then you are entered into the hat-tick jackpot, which means you split your share of 10 G’s in bonus bets, which is absolutely amazing because then you can use that for all these more anytime goal scorers and anything else you want to get in on. All you have to do is get that app, use that promo code nets, and have a blast. We’ve been talking a lot about Olympics. We’ve got an update, an update from the Olympics. A lot of people have been talking about, you know, we’re talking about Mack, talking about Bedard, people saying, “Oh, we need some of these young guys. The ice, the ice is so big fight with speed, the fastest players we can think.” Well, here’s the thing, folks. No, it’s not big Olympic ice anymore. In fact, it’s even smaller ice. So, according to Pete Dbor, they got the they’ve got the rink going on in Milan and it’s smaller. It’s going to be smaller by about four feet. And Pete Dbor in his quote said, quote, I don’t know how that happened. He also said, quote, there is no plan B as far as rinks go in Milan. So, here we go. We have this rink and it is, I believe, like 196.8 or something like that. 4 feet shorter than an NHL rink and.3 feet wider. What happened, dude? Was there to to back up Pete Dbor? What was there? How did this happen? The Milan surely has hockey and and basketball and like there’s there’s arenas, right? Like as as a city that’s going to be part of an Olympic hosting. I understand. I’m dreading already. Yeah. The things that are going to go into that production. So, of course, a lot’s happening, but surely there was infrastructure in place already. Yeah. And was whatever I mean like is there a pro hockey team in Milan, Italy? Yes, there are professional ice hockey teams in Milan. Hockey club Milano Bears. Oo, cool. etc., etc. The Milano Vipers. Cool. Are they playing on Is this where they play? Yeah. What happened? Or like did this get built for the Olympics and they accidentally made it too short? I don’t know, but I I have an idea. Okay, so you take whatever percentage smaller the rink is. Okay, and then we use that to scale and we make everything else smaller as well. Okay, so let’s say quick math here that rink the 4T is what.5% smaller. Well, I mean like Yeah. Okay, whatever. Let’s call it 1% smaller. Y for the purpose of this conversation, we now make the puck 1% smaller. Okay, we make the nets 1% smaller. And we make the sticks and the pads 1% smaller. Pads, yes, sticks. No, cuz the humans didn’t shrink. The humans are the same. The humans are the same. The the players are the same. The players are the same. The players are the same on the small sticks day. Why not sticks it be 1%? Could we shrink the people? Nah, that’s We don’t have the technology for that. We got to call um what’s his name? He’s dope, dude. Rick Morannis. Rick Morannis. Honey, I shrunk the kids. Call Rick Morannis 1%. I think it’s two, right? Well, I guess that’s just length, but yeah, 2% and then we go No, but you’re you know what? You’re right. Because then nothing changes. Then it’s just the same game. Well, that’s the I guess that’s the point that I’m saying. Yeah, that is your argument. But I think I think humans stay. I think we don’t shrink the people. I think we don’t shrink the sticks. Shrink the puck, shrink the net, pads and the goalie pads. Goalie pads just a little bit because you can’t shrink the net and not shrink the pad. Then there will be no difference. Then there’s no asterisk needed. But right now, whoever wins gold, this is [ __ ] Unless it’s us. Who are a couple of your picks for players who are going to be the first people to say that they can tell a difference? Sid. Yeah. [ __ ] off. Yeah, Sid is going to Dude, Sid is going to make one pass off the boards and it’s not going to land directly on someone’s tape. Yeah. And then he’s going to he’s going to like just stare. I can’t believe I even asked a construction like I don’t know who did this, but he will like stare daggers at some construction guy who’s like backing away into his box, you know, cuz they usually get the box. They’re like, “Oh, big thank you to so and so construction who built the ring.” If there is anyone who would notice this, it is Sydney Crosby. It’s actually, dude, this actually might throw his whole game off. We could win gold. He’ll adjust. We could win gold because he’s like, he’s playing, you know, he’s always going where the puck is supposed to go. It’s going to throw off his whole rook. So, he’s like, oh, here I go. I’m like, he sees a puck and he’s like jumps right here cuz he knows it’s going right here, but it actually goes right here. And then he’s like, what? Everything’s off by a few. Why did the puck go there? And then this could be the best thing that ever happened to the US. That’s what I’m saying. I think actually I think actually US are favorites now because of the mutants on Canada who know rink dimension with their eyes closed. We our boys just play. You think Jack Eel gives a [ __ ] that the rink is four feet short. You think the Kachchuck brothers know how to do math? Do you think the Kachchuck brothers absolutely not will go when I’m running Drew Dowy through the end boards? Do you think they’ll notice it was 4t closer? It’s a that’s dangerous. Like there that calculation’s way off, dude. They’re going to [ __ ] put someone through the glass. This is terrible. We’re gonna have [ __ ] mayhem out there, dude. This is The US are the favorites now. Uh yeah, this is big. And we Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Is this an inside job? Last time I checked. That’s what I was right about to say. Last time I checked, Brady and Matthew have been on the IR. Brady came back for his first game last night. Who Who signed Where do you think Brady and Matthew were the last couple weeks? Who signed the concess to the construction crew that built this ring? Because if it says big walt, I have I have some questions. No, I have zero questions. I go I go like this. W Everything looks great. Everything’s fine. No problems here. Good job. No problems here. The only problems I see are with some no fun business. Oh, okay. Yeah. Yeah. You’ve heard of no funny business. How about no fun business? We’re talking about no bucket warm-ups. Taking the helmets off at warm-ups. So, the sends were on a bit of a skid, Chris. Yeah, they they Yep, that’s right. And then last Wednesday, they decided to go full no Bucky warm-up and have a little bit of fun and they pulled off a win. Would you look at that? It worked. How about that? They just said, “You know what? Let’s have some fun.” Then shortly after that, the Devils celebrating Dylan’s 10,000th game. They I think they put on hats. Yeah. No Bucky warm-up. Had some hats on, which by the way, we’ll talk about that. Love that movie. Yep. Then after that, the Sharkies, they saw fun being had in the league and they went, “What? We’re we are fun, dude. We’ve invented fun. We are fun.” Yep. And their Twitter even said, “No bucket zone.” They went, “No bucky warm-up.” And then the NHL went like this. Hold. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Enough. They cracked down. They said they want players to follow the rules. and they’ve stated that it is mandatory for any player who entered the league in the 201920 season or later has to wear buckets and warm-ups. Now, we love the league. We love Gary. So, I’m not going to sit here and say, “What are you doing?” Because in Gary, I trust. Yep. However, this is a plea to Gary and the league and player safety. You cannot do this. There is nothing cooler than no bucket warm-up. I think no bucket warm-up is the coolest thing in hockey. I think they should wear cages. I can’t believe you. I thought so passionately that you would be on my side in this topic and you bring back the cages discussion. Marshy’s gonna kill you. I do think this it looks cool as [ __ ] It’s fun as [ __ ] doing it. like whenever you’re out on a pond or or uh wherever when you can do that. Um I worry that it is slightly dangerous, but but it’s not slightly. It’s only because there’s so many [ __ ] pucks. Let me ask you a question. Including beer league, how many hockey games have you played in your life? I’ve played my 10,000th game. you thousands of games even with your bucket on. Have you ever been hit with a puck in warm-ups? No. No. Actually, yes. One time. [ __ ] off. Remember Tim Buran took a slap shot. Why would I? I Actually, I don’t think you’re on the team yet. H No, I think you were. Tim Beran took a slapshot and uh actually I guess this was practice. Yeah. And it was Eric Murdo and he broke your cage. Yeah. Yeah, it was Murdo. And I can’t believe I remembered this. Yeah, you said you. How would I remember this? And then you remembered it better than I did. But I only remember it cuz you had that [ __ ] whack ass half bubble. Dude, there’s bubbles. The fact that bubbles are cool again makes me so happy because bubbles are cool, but you had that [ __ ] lame half one. It was like a halfy with the cage on the bottom. Everybody has that. That’s what a bubble is. No, dude. It’s a full bubble and like the breathability part is still plastic. You had a metal cage bottle. Okay. It was exactly that model, just the Oakley version instead of itch. And that was cool at the time. I don’t think so. It was gas. I looked like [ __ ] uh Maverick. Like, you know, that was It’s like It did have a Maverick vibe. I’ll give you that. It was [ __ ] gas. Yeah, but it broke. You shattered. That was crazy. But that was practice. It wasn’t warm-ups. Um, this is my point is like no one no one gets hit in warm-ups. Yeah. And especially at the NHL level. guys are so good. I think it was Sarah said and it was funny and he was correct. He was like if you were like whistling pucks feet over the net and wide of the net hitting your teammates, we got a bigger problem, dude. No, it’s more bar to me. So many guys hit the bar. Yeah, but on purpose. If you hit the bar and then the puck like flutters and hits your head, it’s not going to hurt that bad. That’s a fair point, actually. But it would just suck if you like if someone got donged in warm-ups and then had to like miss the game or something. You’d be like, “Was that worth?” But it’s just like in warm there’s there’s such a clear adjust. You adjust. Yeah. There’s a And you already do. There’s a no-fly zone. Yeah. When we go to to Jackson Veil, I go no Bucky cuz I’m like, what in why in the world would we not go no Bucky? It’s the best. It’s the best. So, I think this is our plea to Gary. Don’t do this. Don’t do this. We need it. And in fact, I think what we need is we need people to continue. I like how they let them break the rule. They’re just like, “We’re just going to find you.” But it’d be cool if they’re like, “We’re going to find you. Lucille Bluth. We’re not going to find you. Do whatever you want.” And it And if we start cracking down, I want people to go Dean Portman. Start going no jersey warm-up. Yeah. With pads, though. Yeah. Like not no top. Like not in your war road. I want you to come out literally war elbow pads, shoulder pads. Just no jersey. Yeah. No. And bucket to not get fined. Yes. No jersey. No jersey butt bucket. Yeah. Yeah, that’s interesting. It’ll make a statement. [ __ ] Yeah, it’ll make a statement. What What do you have to say now, dude? Maybe no glove warmer. People come out playing pond hockey. Oh, that’s fun. That’d be kind of interesting. You got to this earlier. Not that this adds much protection at all, but but h hat hats should be allowed. Yeah, there’s no protection. I I thank you for struggling back on that cuz I did want to talk about it. You know what it reminded me of? It reminded me of Ken Griffy Jr. wearing the backwards hat during the home run derby. It’s the sickest thing it’s ever guys coming out in their team hats backwards during warm-ups. That should be a thing. And I I’m We can get that in a couple guys years ears who would probably do it. I think that is that could be really fun. Get him one of these. Pop on a net hat. Get him a net’s hat. No fines for that. Maybe that is We’ll pay the fine. Hold on, guys. You wear a net hat, we pay the fine. I got it. I got it. I love it when we get here. NFL the my cleat my cause hats in warm-ups can be the boys way to show their flare. Yep. Throw on your favorite hat. That’s a bucket. Throw on your netters hat. Yep. Throw on your What are people wearing these days? Well, are you talking causes? Are you talking Well, it’s just show your personality. Okay. So, no. It’d be cool. It’d be cool. So, I don’t care about causes. Yeah. No, no, no. I care about guys interest, but it’d be cool like Dewey goes out in a uh uh u blue Jays hat. Yep. Chelsea, I malfunctioned there for a second. That was tough. Yep. But like during during the World Series. Yeah. Bang. That’s I know that’s a tough one because it was against LA and Dwey plays in LA, but he’s a Blue Jays fan. That would be really cool. Something to think about. I love this quarter of the season. You wanted to do some quarter season awards. Just rapid fire. We’re going to do probably a be bigger breakdown mid-season, but quarter season awards. We’re going to go Hart, MVP, Norris, defenseman, Vzna, best goalie, Calder rookie of the year, Selki, best defensive board, and the Jack Adams. Let’s start with Hart. Hart, I think this one’s tricky because it is Nate. Like if it if the season ended today, they would give it to Nate. He deserves it. He leads the league in everything. They’re the best team. He’s the best player on the best team. He has the most everything. So, whatever. But I I wish I have a rebuttal. Well, me, too. But I wish the But you just you you blew it. You wasted it. Okay, that’s my pick. That’s your pick. Time’s up. I That was a good [ __ ] buzzer. I’ve been actually working on that. It was perfectly short. Yep. Like that was a good quick buzzer. Okay, I I believe it is Mlin Celbrini. I honest to God would give Min Celibbrini right now, quarter of the way through the MVP of the league. He is only six points behind Nathan McKinnon. The San Jose Sharks are in a playoff spot. A playoff spot. And my favorite part about Mac is he has 14 goals and 26 assists. He’s making everyone else better. Oh my god, he’s a plus six on this team. Their defense maybe isn’t the best as it’s been, blah blah blah or or you know as other teams rather, but he’s got 26 assists. Will Smith is buzzing with him and he’s wearing the A. He’s 19 years old. Jason Tatum’s only 18. This guy’s 19. I would honest to God give Mlin Celbrini the heart trophy at the quarter point. The I believe it’s the NBA, but even they don’t do this, but I believe it’s the NBA that says the definition of their MVP is most valuable to your team to your team. I think Oh, everyone says that and it’s [ __ ] Well, so that’s where I was headed before I got buzzed off stage. It’s Mac and Bard actually because agreed what they’re doing. and Frank or I was going to say and Leo too, but the Ducks roster is just better. And if either Sharks or Blackhawks and end up making playoffs, yeah, I think it should be Mack or Baddard that wins it. Unfortunately, the award, not unfortunately, but in reality, the award goes to who the writers and everybody thinks is the best player in the league. and Nathan McKinnon it him you know you can always have the McDavid and Nate and and Cooch even arguments but like Nate is in the conversation of best player alive currently and is having the best season you know he’s going to he’s going to have [ __ ] 40 points and the ABS are going to have a near record-breaking season and they’re going to go Nathan McKinnon is the MVP totally but I wish they would go these two kids have done something that is insane Norris Trophy can I just really quickly say and it’s great that we’re getting into Norris for this point and I I can’t believe I’m going to say this because I feel like someone’s going to stab me for it. I think it is going to be funny when we look back on history and say that Lane Hudson was given the calder over back celebr that that is funny. Uh I’m going to go first for Norris because I have the same argument and then I’ll buzz myself. The answer is Kale because he is going to finish with 112 points and and he’s going to score 30 goals again and I’m going to be like this. Okay, this is stupid. If he scores 30 goals again. Yeah. God, the buzzer is so good. Um I He was robbed last year. No, he wasn’t. Uh Zach Ransky. Zach Ransky is my pick. Um he is playing at a point per game season clip uh again. And I just think similar. The ABS are so good, dude. Like I wonder what Zach Worinsky would be doing on the ABS playing with Nate and Nas and Landy and all these guys. And I just think the way Warenski does everything and so does Kale. [ __ ] it’s so brutal. But the way Warensky does everything for this goddamn Blue Jackets team, he is just so [ __ ] good. And I also That is my aunt. Zach Winsky is my pick. But did you see the clip of him against the New Jersey Devils the other day? Oh, bro. Connor Brown was losing his mind and he was like going at Warensky and Warensky was truly like he looked at the ref clubs. He was like, “What’s happening?” Like he was like cross-checking and slashing winsky and Winsky was just like blocking it. He was being like, “Did you steal?” It felt like the 50 cent meme where he’s like, “What the fuck?” He said, “Fuck me for like he was kind of looking around being like, “What are you doing, dude? What’s happening?” And then he went after fans and Minsky was like, “Dude, relax. Relax, dude.” So funny. Uh, could [ __ ] around and get in the conversation. 10 goals. He could score 30 goals. Definitely. That’s another guy, Team Canada. By the way, if not on Team Canada, I’m like, “Yo, what are we doing?” What are you doing? Uh, Vzna. Uh, my Vzna pick is going to be I think we have the same one here. It’s LT. Like it should have been like it could have been LT last year, but Hela Buck did deserve the Vzna, but um it’s it’s LT. Walstead is unbelievable, but LT is just like we have two, you know, wireto-wire seasons here going for the guy. He’s he’s unbelievable. Absolutely correct. Uh, and I’ll bring up that stat again for for people that forgot the saves against expected. LT leads the league and it like he is doing things that even beyond and they’re better now. I think they are in third. Where are the Caps now? Oh, they’re in second right now. Uh, but they even when they were out of playoffs, LT’s numbers were still moronic. That’s how good he’s been playing. Even in the face of not great hockey in front of him to start the season, they have figured it out. They look great on a heater right now. Totally. He is. He if the season ends right now, he’s vezn. I don’t actually think it’s that close. Totally. Coulder. Do you want me to go? Yep. Walston. Oo. I like I said, we’re quarter of of the way through, right? Yep. And I know maybe he’s played a little bit less games than a lot of these other starters, but I mean, the guy is [ __ ] ridiculous. He is absolutely ridiculous. He’s absolutely ridiculous. And and I I said it earlier, if this pace were to continue, he’d be the MVP of the league. So I’m like, he is Yeah. Like he least 174 is so dumb. Like LT second 202, but the argument for or I’ll let you give yours. Uh well, I’m this is a little [ __ ] rage, baby. But cuz it’s Schaefer or Walstead really? And Schaefer has 19 points, which is [ __ ] insane. But I’ve been singing this since the season started. Beckett Senica leading rookies with 20 points. And Demid off is also awesome and just as good as everyone said he was going to be. But Beckett, dude, I phenomenal. He’s the only one of the three I’ve been able to see live. Yeah. And he is phenomenal. He’s so poised. He literally looks like a [ __ ] seasoned vet. Yeah. And and the way Quenville talks about him where he just he’s always had the offensive ability, but now he doesn’t turn the pucks over in places you don’t want to turn the puck over at. He is dialed, dude. And if he if the Ducks stay as good as they are and he wins the point race, I think he will be it’ll be in the conversation if if finishes obviously. But you you got to you got to remember Matthew Schaefer is a defense. Exactly. It’s the lane celebrized the Islanders. I do want to just give quick stick taps to Ardum Lechinov. Oh, been great. Loved that pick by Chicago and he’s been really really good this year. very very psyched for and um good surge by Leno too. Yeah, he’s God that kid is a brick [ __ ] house. We saw him the other day and [ __ ] my god. He is like it’s just he’s going to bully people in his stash going. He does have a stash going. You got to cut that though. Um okay, Selki, I I don’t even think this one’s close. Yeah, you had a really good one here. Yeah, I I’ll go first cuz I also I’ll treat mine as an honorable mention. Yeah. Okay. Um, I just did want to say Celli was a finalist last year and I think he’s been great. He is so valuable, dude. He is he when he made Fourign Nations, I was kind of like really and I was unfamiliar with how impactful he is to a hockey game on that side of it, too. So, with the resurgence of Tampa, I think Cerel will be in the conversation. And then, um, Leo Carlson, who is is been groomed into being a Selki finalist, literally on Jakopitar. Yeah. For the rest of his life. He also has been incredible. So, both those guys I think are worthy picks, but I really like your pick. I’m going Nico Heir. I think he’s always in the convo. Should always be in the convo. He’s top five in forwards in block shots, top 50 in the NHL in takeaways, over 50% at the dot. Also doing it on the offensive side. Like this is a guy who is and especially the Devils still getting wins here with Jack out again. Like this is just what Nico does. He keeps the train moving. Absolutely. And then Jack Adams, coach of the year. I’ll go first, too, cuz I love your pick and I think your pick would probably win. Yeah. Right now, let me see. Are they still in first? Yeah. Um, but I wanted to go Dan Muse because the Penguins I love the call being the coach people kind of gave it [ __ ] too. Oh my god. A great pick. And they are they if they were cuz they were like second for a while. This was if we had did this two weeks ago, I would have pushed back on your pick harder. Yeah. But they’re right now they’re number one wild card, but there’s a lot of chaos happening and and they’ve been fading, so we’ll see. But I thought this team was going to be horrible and it was going to get Sydney Crosby traded. Yeah. And if he brings this team into playoffs after a great coach was there and couldn’t do it, I will be shocked and he deserves some [ __ ] credit. Yeah. All the flowers. I’m going Joel Quenville. Yep. Came back into the league after a big hiatus. Deserved hiatus. Needed to take a pew whack and take some time off. comes back and the Sharks are first in the Pacific or Sharks, the Ducks are first in the Pacific. All the young boys are buzzing. The vibes are so high. It is a massive step up. Yep. And I’m like, dude, you’ve got the Edmonton Oilers, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the LA Kings in this division, and you guys are first. Like, that’s [ __ ] some serious coaching [ __ ] going on. Excuse me. And then you’ve also got guys like Jacob Trouba and Chris Krider who have come in and have done nothing but sing the praises of this organization of the coaching staff. It’s like everything is on the up up. So he gets a huge bit of credit. Outrageous to so sick. Okay, quick ad break and then we’ll come back. Folks, it is the holiday season and I want to talk to you about the best gift that you could possibly get anyone in your life right now and that is Aura Frame. 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Class is in session. We are back for Professor’s Puck Line giving you your best picks of the week. You are joined by our two professors today. Last week, Professor Feny, this is where this is where Professor Feny comes into play. Yes, Sean Befini. Professor Feny joins us as well. We’ve got the whole of the UK here. This is brilliant. Did you just say Ireland was in the UK? Yeah, that because we believe you still own it. Fair enough. So, you’re right. You’re right. Hey, we are that that was the point of the statement. We are terrible Englishmen. Yes, I believe that Ireland still is under our regime. They they are. Yeah. As far as I’m concerned. Mega parlay recap. Not our best. Not our best. As we say, we could always do worse. We could always do worse. Wings, no. Bruins, no. ABS, no. Sabers, no. Panthers, no. Horrendous. People were all over our our buttockes for the first four games. Five games not going our way. So I got texts from I got texts from Professor Feny. I got texts from absolute uh colleagues and and friends galore. Absolutely horrendous. Flyers, yes. Sens, no. Knights, no. Ducks, yes. Sharks, yes. Caps, yes. Canes, yes. Pens, yes. Hawks, no. Stars, yes. Seven and eight. It is our first below 500 performance. You hate Yes. Yes, it is. Yes. But we could do worse. Disastrous. We could do worse. As we’ve said, we could always do worse. I will not apologize for the mega parlay losses. The point is to live on a beach and you take your best swing. I will, however, apologize for the second straight life on the line. Life on the line. I do not use that term lightly. Life on the line. Two and two. Spunk. No bolts. Yes. Kings. Yes. Pens. No. We must be better there. We must must improve. And we shall. We shall improve this week. But where we did do well. We’ll enter an area where we did quite well. The Friday fade hits yet again. The Flames beating the Florida Panthers. Erasing a two. Unbelievable. 2-0. As we say, two-nil deficit. Brilliant for the Flames. Every Nobody believes the fade. Yet it works every week. Every week. And this week we’ve got a very complicated fade. Yes, indeed. We have a few games. Knights at Devils, Sharks at Stars, Mammoth at Canucks, Caps at Ducks. But our Friday fade will be the Buffalo Sabers at the Winnipeg J. Because when you look when you look at Mammoth Conucks, that could be a fade. You look at Mammoth Conucks, the state of the Canucks could be a fade. However, Sabre’s Jets stares you in the face. However, the Jets lost Are we Are we repeating history? Because I believe they just played the Jets lost to the Sabres on Monday on the road and now they have the Sabres at home on Friday. And you might say, you might say, if this team just beat the Jets, how is it possibly a fate? and professor. And of course, there’s always a split when two teams play this uh this uh quickly in in succession. There is always a split, which should make this ineligible for the fade. But actually, it makes it even more of a fade because never could the Jets lose twice. Never could the Sabres. Never could they not split. Never could the Buffalo Sabres continue have a winning streak. But unless unless it’s on Friday, Sabres. Unless the professors have isolated it as the Friday fade save his money line Saturday Daniel Carril Capri off had scored six times in six career games. Seven career games. Seven career games. Don’t do it. Don’t do it. Christopher, don’t do it. Make that seven and eight. Don’t do it. Oh, you [ __ ] Don’t do it. Don’t do it. You absolute [ __ ] Don’t do it. Remove that baloo from your lexicon, sir. Make that seven in eight. Saturday strikes again. Absolutely incredible. I would like to say quite quickly, we win bets. We’re winning these bets every week. It’s unbelievable. Everybody thinks this is a big joke. Everyone thinks, “Oh, it’s a bit. They’re doing accents. They’re claiming Ireland back into the UK under the king’s monarchy. The Friday fade is and yet we’re making money. The Friday Fate is five of seven and the Saturday Sy is three three of seven or four of seven. Do you understand the odds of anytime goal scores? Like what are we talking about here? We’re giving you picks for the taking this week. Daniel, ever since Connor Hill went down on November 15th, the Jets are two and five. They’ve lost five of their last six. They were destroyed by the Sabers as we as we mentioned Sunday. They travel to Rogers unable to stop Box. Dear Lord, they sound that sounds like a situation ripe for a Saturday. It absolutely does. And there is a very consistent and prolific goal scorer on the Oilers of Edmonton. Leon the German, the German lion. He has 24 goals in 34 career games against the Jets. And that was usually up against a brick wall in net against him. And now he faces a block of Swiss cheese. No offense. No, Leon Dryidle. No offense intended. Leon Dryidle Saturday. Absolute lock. Put the key in. Twist it. Leon Dryidle shall score. Now to our Sunday hat-trick parlay. What do you like? Well, we we tickled it again. We tickled it again. We had Kane’s money line under. It was so sharp. The Canes won one nothing in overtime. There were no goals. It’s it’s it’s quite literally almost impossible to be more of an under. Imagine being that on the under. One- nothing in overtime, which surely meant an a whole point in threeon three. How could he not have a point? He did not have one. Mary Poppins again taking our medicine again this week. What do What do you think? This week we see ourselves going to the nation’s capital. The traitorous nation. The traitorous nation. Not our nation. Treacherous. Professor’s nation. Mutineers. Treason. I say treason. But we will go to the capital. Washington DC. The Caps return home from their west coast trip to take on the lowscoring Blue Jackets. The best goalie in the league meet a low-scoring team. There is obviously one answer. offense. They have been tired from a roach. Tired and we are going to take our hammers and we are going to smash and slam the under as hard as we possibly can. We will also ride that hype goalie and take a caps money line and a man who has emerged as not just a physical brute on the ice but also a points machine. Point per game machine. Tom Wilson points to finish out the parlay. Caps money line under 6 and a half. Tone Wilson boy. Three legs hat trick. See you on the other side. The Saturday live on a beach mega parlay. We must improve. Gentlemen, professors, are you ready? Yes. Daniel, we start with you. Aves at rags. It seems absolutely ridiculous to not just say what everyone thinks is going to happen here, and it is the Colorado Avalanche. Christopher jackets at Panthers. We’re going Panthers. Professor Feny, Devils at Bruins. Uh, well, Devils burned you. Devils burned you last night. Bruins burned me, too. Burned you. Yes. Yes. Yeah. Uh, my instincts are telling me to go Bruins again, so I’m going to go Devils instead because Well, well thought. Fade. The fade courses through. Yes, the fade courses through him. Uh, Daniel Habs at Leafs. Ah, the Leafs have been quite nice recently. I do believe the Habs find themselves with their backs up against the wall needing to start winning again. I will take Montreal. Uh Christopher Blues at Sens return of Brady. I will go Sense. Professor Venie Isles at Bolts. I’m going to go Bolts on this one. Little payback because it’s split because normally split split. We need the split unless it’s a fade and then you you fade the split but sometimes you get the split and it’s a complicated. It’s complicated thing. Daniel Pres at Kades. Kates Christopher Mammoth at Flames. I’ll take the Mammoth. Puffini Hawks at Kings. Uh going to go Kings. Well done. Kings at home. Daniel Jets at Oil. I will take Edmonton here. Yes, sir. Christopher Wild at Kucks. Wild hot. I’ll stay hot on the wild. And Professor Vini wings at Spunk. Uh again, I’ve just been burned. Burned. Burned. Burned. I’ll go. Welcome to the mega parallel sir. Yes sir. I’ll go spunk. So we have a panthers devils leafs sends bolts canes mammoth kings oil wild spunk. Mega parlay. Live on a beach is your live on a beach. Mega parlay. Now we will go to the life on the line. Four games to for winnings for glory for money. Yes Christopher. I’m taking two games. My two Aves over who is it? Rags. Yes. Yes. ABS over rags. Snow in New York. I think Christmas. I think tree at Rockefeller Center. I think Kale Macau dancing across the blue line like it’s the nutcracker ballet. Aves. Also, I have been burned and burned and burned by the blues to the point that I have the blues. They cannot win unless I bet them to lose. It’s the beginning of my jingle. Well, Binner has boiled over and Brady has returned. That concoction equals Senators success. ABS and Senators first two legs. Absolutely brilliant. Gentlemen, I have done something special for you here with the uh Life on the Line parlay that I will continue as a professor and during the Christmas season as well. My first game is going to be PRs at Canes. And I shall say this, smoked meats and southern draw, both cities have them all. Wow. But only one can come out with a win. Nashville has a great suite, but they failed to succeed. So, I’ll take the team with a hot fin. Whether Freddy or Busy, I won’t be fussy. Carolina will come out on top. Time’s up for the PRS. This project is dead as the roster is simply a flop. Kane’s money line. Next, we have the Wild at the Canucks. Things started out slow in the Minnesota snow, but in place the pieces have started to fall. In net, there’s a surprise. A star is starting to rise. Now the Wild have their own great wall. The Canucks are a mess even after signing Brockb. And the fans are starting to shout, “A win I can’t see for the team in BC when it’s clear their captain wants out.” Wild money line. ABS, Canes, Sens, and Wild. Life on the line. Life on the line. Parlay. There are your picks from the professors. It is brilliant to have Professor Feny enjoying his time in the limelight of literature and academia. We will take an ad break as you log those pics and we will be back. If you have a hockey lover in your life, and that includes yourself, and it also includes me, by the way. I’ll post the address if you want to send me some stuff. I’ll take some miles. I’ll take some gifts. But if you have a hockey lover in your life, Bowerer made hockey shopping stupid easy. Because if you go to bower.com, they have everything. Because nothing hits harder than a hockey gift. When I picture a Christmas tree, literally when I picture a Christmas tree at my family’s house growing up, you’d come down, all the presents would be under the tree, and there’d be a stick up leaning against the door, a glass door out into the deck, and I would be like, “We did it. I got a new twig. I got a new Bower Twig, and everything is right in the world.” If you have someone that’s tough to shop to, shop tough to shop for, you go to bower.com and they have everything you would ever need there. Okay, the perfect gifts. There’s custom stuff. They have uh the new pulse stick is the greatest stick on earth because I’m obsessed with it and it’s completely transformed my game. You have can’t miss savings, right? There’s there’s accessories, prolevel equipment, but they’ve got incredible deals going right now. There’s free shipping on over $99 orders, extended returns, digital gift cards, okay? So, you can make it super worry-free where you just go, “Here’s a Bower gift card. Enjoy.” They have uh buy stick and skate buying guides. So, if you’re like, I’m not really sure what my son or boyfriend or whoever wants, you can go uh confidently choose the right thing with all their all their help. And listen, the gear from top to bottom makes us fly on the ice. Everything I’ve got, helmet, skates, gloves, pants, twig, even the training gear, it’s so phenomenal. They have transformed everything for me. They will do it for you. So head to bower.com/holiday to shop the perfect holiday gifts for all the hockey lovers and you can give the gift of hockey this year. So go and get the holiday gift guide too. So go check it out. Your holiday will be stress free. Curated gifts, savings, custom gear. Bower.com. We are back. We are so back and so is everybody’s favorite book. Hey, it’s a horny episode so you’re not going to hear me complain. It was a horny episode. I complain sometimes with puns. But let me tell you what, we’re all horned up because of the young kids buzzing around. We might as well get into some smut. And there’s horny hockey on TV, Dan. There is horny hockey on TV. A lot of people have been asking us to talk about that. I think we maybe we will. We We’ve We’ve kind of modernized hockey smut into the hockey podcasting world. There’s a lot of If there are any experts in the hockey world on hockey smut, it is us. I actually have an incredible idea, by the way, that I need to tell you both off camera. Don’t for don’t let me forget. Oh, wow. And that can stay in the episode. I just I want the listeners to know that now you have a great idea that that now they are like [ __ ] I want to hear that idea I could hear that and maybe we’ll start a Patreon where you can pay a subscription to hear my genius ideas off camera. Uh, where we left off, gentlemen, is um I think she had like banged Alex in the locker room and then they got snuck out and then they were kind of dating and then um oh we got oh we got an Alex chapter and like they’re they’re pretty happy. Okay, they’re pretty happy. Um her Violet’s friend Charlene is now banging the other guy on the Hawks cuz she came to that party and met him. So like now she’s banging a hawk. Violet’s banging a hawk and Buck Violet’s stepbrother was out with um Alex’s sister. Remember she went they went to her family and she was like, “Wait, what is my stepbrother doing here?” And he was with his sister. So that’s kind of like where we’re at. And then you get a you get an early chapter with Violet where she’s talking to Buck like, “Hey, don’t you be banging Alex’s sister just to get back at Alex for banging me.” And Buck is like, “I would I’m not doing that. I like her.” And she’s like, “You don’t [ __ ] like her. You’re a You’re a man [ __ ] Rocky douchebag. All you do is [ __ ] girls.” And he was like, “No, dude. I do. I don’t do that anymore. I like I think her name’s Sunny or something.” He’s like, “I like Sunny.” And she’s like, “Yeah, I bet you tell her that. I bet you tell her you that while you’re banging her from behind.” And he’s like, “I I haven’t banged her.” And she’s like, “What? What?” And he’s like, “I haven’t banged her.” And she’s like, “All you do is bang. You bang before introducing yourself.” And he goes, “Not Sunny. She’s different. I actually just like her and I haven’t banged but I’ve told everyone or everyone thinks I’m banging because it’s me because I’m Buck that I’m Buck. I’m Buck and I like to [ __ ] Yeah. And I So I haven’t They’re all saying Buck’s been [ __ ] and I haven’t been saying no. Buck [ __ ] Everyone says like that’s a lie then you’ve been lying and he’s like no I’m not lying. I’m just letting it I’m letting it happen. Yeah. Like I’m letting people think that cuz I want to seem cool but I actually love her. And she’s like oh my god wow that’s that’s incredible. Bucks turning a corner. Then uh Alex and Violet are vibing. Everything’s good. But he keeps having these annoying phone calls with his agent and she’s like, “What’s wrong?” And he’s like, “Well, I’m up for this really big endorsement that I want to get.” And he my agent thinks that I have a better chance of getting the endorsement if I keep our relationship quiet. Quiet. So So I seem available. I’m obviously not and I’m in love with you, but like if I seem What is this endorsement? What end? Hold on, Sean. Let’s Let’s guess. I liked what you said. atrocious condoms. What What endorsement would you need to be single for? Yep. Uh like like Only Fans. You’re endorsing Yeah, that’s a good one. That is a good one. You’re endorsing Only Fans or porn. So, um do they say what it is? Oh, yeah. So, are we going to get to it? Yeah. So, then he she’s like, “Okay.” She seems okay with that. Then he goes and they hadn’t lb bombed yet. I I I put those words in his mouth and I shouldn’t have done that. I’m in love with you. Then he goes, “Wait, we talking Alex or Buck here?” Alex. Alex. Okay. He goes, “Uh, you should wants cuz she’s living in the guest the pool house at her mom’s.” He’s like, “You should uh” It’s this hard to hook up in there cuz their mom just like comes in. He’s like, “You need your own place.” And he’s like, “You should move in with me.” And she’s like, “Oh my god.” He says, he suggests to move in before saying love. And yeah, they’ve only known each other four months and there’s no elbombs. And which she brings up, but she’s like, “I would love to live with Alex. That would be amazing. His apartment is gas and this would be great.” But it’s a big step. And then as she’s considering, he does an interview and where she’s there. Oh, and it’s also like playoffs. We kind of zoomed through the season like we’re about to be in playoffs. So he’s like, “I got to keep this quiet.” Whatever. Then they he does an interview where she’s present. I think it was at a game, maybe even a playoff game, but maybe right before playoffs. And the reporter goes, “So you’re up for this big endorsement. We’ve all heard about it.” And he’s like, “Yes, I am. I’m very excited.” And then she goes, “Well, the press has seen has pictures of you with a girl.” Girl, we’ve all seen these pictures. And he goes, “Uh, oh, oh, yeah. Um, we’re just friends.” And Violet, dude, Violet does not take it well, boys. And I’m kind of like, not to be not to be a misogynistic dude, but I’m like, he which, by the way, which by the way, you are. You are an absolute You’re a prick misogynist. Everyone knows that. Yeah. All the comments are always talking about crazy. Every I mean they see right there. You’re a piece of [ __ ] He told her like it doesn’t seem that weird to me to go, “Hey babe, I’m if I get this, I get it.” Sounds like you said that they had a conversation and I’m I’m getting money for us, babe. Like, oh, who gives a [ __ ] what I say? I feel like for this drama to work, that has to happen before the conversation. So, she loses her [ __ ] and he on camera. Oh, no. She just like storms out and is like miserable. Then on camera, Buck comes running up and breaks Alex’s nose for saying that about his sister. Stepsister. Yeah, step sister who he once dated. Wait, Buck and and this chick, what’s her name? Violet. Violet dated. Dude, Max found this. You know how Max is reading this, too? Yeah. He sent me a picture. I said this is going to turn into step porn eventually, but it was And you’re telling me in the beginning it says they dated and you missed it? I think they weren’t stepped yet, though. I think I think he banged her. I think he banned her. I got to find I got to go back and find it. So anyway, Buck’s [ __ ] fuming mad and then Alex is like, “You [ __ ] my sister, so [ __ ] you anyway.” And then he’s like, “I did it, [ __ ] her. I love her.” In front of the whole team and they’re like, “Wait, Alex says that. Buck says that.” Buck says he loves Sunny. Like, but Alex goes, “You you why’d you break my nose?” And he goes, “You can’t talk to my sister like that.” And he’s like, “I’m not taking [ __ ] from you. You’re [ __ ] my sister.” Sunny is Alex’s sister. I missed that. We need We need a graph. We need like a Why is this so familial? This is [ __ ] perverted. And then Buck admits to not doing it. And then Alex is like, “Wow, I’m a [ __ ] scumbag. This is a nightmare.” And then Violet like will never speak to Alex again. And Alex is doing everything. He’s calling and he’s like, “I [ __ ] up so badly.” And it calls her mom and everyone’s like, “She won’t talk to you.” calls her friend like he’s going to her work. Everyone won’t let him see her. Then he fires his agent cuz he’s like, “You’re a [ __ ] loser. I can’t believe I listened to you.” Gets a new PR girl and she makes him give a an all exclusive interview where he’s like, “Um, I know it’s playoffs, but I let an endorsement get in the way of someone I love with all my heart matters me.” And that’s that’s where we are. Can I just I really quick want to point out usually in this segment Chris is crying, laughing with how absurd this is. the intensity. I’m fully invested. Yeah, you’re in it now, dude. Dude, if you told me I wasn’t allowed to finish this book, I would be I would be very mad at you and I would finish and I just wouldn’t talk about it on the pod. But like I got to know. Yeah, I got to you were in it, dude. Like you were you were a puck [ __ ] You were in it. Oh yeah, dude. So here we go. My first highlight was just the title of this chapter. Chapter 22. Son of a beaver [ __ ] puck. I was like, that is I because I hadn’t read it in a while, you know? So, I cracked it open to see where I’d left off and just see son of a beaver [ __ ] puck. And I was like, I’m in it. I’m like it’s like I never knew you took a break and was like this just in case you forgot what this was like. It’s like I never left, dude. And I got to say, too, I was telling we get to hear what the endorsement is. Yeah. I was telling Parker about this in the car. I know he’s listening to the segment. He loves this segment. that I was like, I’m so numb to Puck now that sometimes I think I miss highlights for you guys that would have been good, but I’m just like I’m used to that. No, they’re walk in the park, dude. Walk in the park. Um, okay. So, this one is uh they’re playing uh I think they’re playing chess, dude. Oh, no. They’re playing Scrabble. They’re playing Scrabble. And uh I wonder how many times [ __ ] was Well, dude, she wants to go uh Wait, Scra. That’s the right game, right? Yeah, Scrabble. You make words. Yeah, you make words in Scrabble. So listen to this, dude. Alex sets it up and he says, “Let’s talk about the rules.” She says, “They’re right here.” And holds up the brule booklet. Oh, Violet. Alex says, “I have new ones. I’d like to up the stakes a little bit.” Trip scrabble, dude. All words All words need to be a minimum of four letters with no less than 10 points, and they need to be dirty. It’s really limiting the game. This is the Scrabble has to be the least erotic game ever made. So trying to turn this into like a second. Which game gets you which game gets you less horny? Scrabble or bananagrams? Definitely Scrabble. Even the look of Scrabble is too rigid. Yeah. Like it’s those pieces are sharp. They’re really bland color. Yeah. So he goes uh it’s strip scrabble obviously. Of course. Uh her first word is [ __ ] which is great. How many points is that? A lot dude. A lot. And uh so then they they um there’s bee gonad bee. We’re doing shorthands. Vag, but he loses because a vag is only three letters. Um and then so then it says uh sorry we just skipped over gonads. Yeah, goad. Goads. That was This is what happens when you read puck. These things become normalized. So it says uh he goes she loses one. He goes lose the bra. He gestures to my chest. I don’t follow Alex’s instructions. Instead, I drop my pants and toss them to the floor. Alex looks unimpressed. I’m wearing frilly underwear, so he shouldn’t be too upset. He stands up totally hard and knocks over the board with his dick. Our carefully crafted sweaty words. All honestly, that’s great. That’s a good scene. That’s a good scene. Is rock hard [ __ ] just knocks the board off. Letters go everywhere. Oh, [ __ ] me. That’s good. That is so good. Okay, so the next is the pro the endorsement. The Alex is up for the sexiest Bachelor award. And I was like, the dude, in what universe is there an NHL player who’s been like nominated for sexiest Bachelor and his agent is like, we need this one. Dump your girlfriend. And also also also does Helena Hunting know what an endorsement is? Like does she know what a brand deal is? That’s not a brand deal. How are they selling that? Like I don’t think you’re getting paid for being named GQ’s sexiest man of the year. She’s like there’s $10 million on the line. Time magazine man of the year, dude. I was like, what the [ __ ] Um, okay. This one, Dan. This is when uh Buck punches Alex. He’s pissed and everyone’s so pissed. Everyone’s fighting. And this I actually thought was this is some of Helena’s most accurate work. Okay. I would say normally she’s like her quotes and metaphors are insane. This is Buck. He’s [ __ ] pissed. It says Buck storms into the locker room. This is must be an Alex chapter because it’s from Yeah. from his POV. Buck storms into the locker room flanked by our teammates. Quote, “I’m going to rip your head off and [ __ ] down your throat.” And I was like, “Actually, dude, that’s kind of dude’s like [ __ ] pissed off.” So that really good work there. really good work. Um, okay. Oh god, this is amazing. So, Alex can’t get a hold of her. He’s so pissed at himself. He’s devastated. Uh, he he showers, he leaves the he leaves the game or whatever. It says, “I change back to my street clothes, get a cab to my place, and get in my car.” And I was already kind of like, “You cab to the rink, but you have a car?” Like, I would think you’d drive. Anyway, cab to the rink, get in my car. I need to get my nose checked. That’ll have to wait until later. I drive to Violet’s and park in front of her house. Her SUV isn’t there, so I call her. Unsurprisingly, I get her voicemail. My head drops as I hear her new recorded message. Oh my god. This is her voicemail of her phone that everyone has. And And this is what, one hour after less than 1 hour. And she’s changed her voicemail. Oh god. Petty. Hi. You’ve reached Violet the dumbass puck bunny. I’m too pissed off and humiliated to answer my phone, but you can leave a message. Unless you’re Alex [ __ ] Waters. In that case, you can [ __ ] the hell off. Imagine you have like an argument with somebody and your first thought is, “Well, I better change my change my voicemail.” Dude, it is. Not only is it just the most unrealistic move of all time, Helena’s use of swearing is the most fascinating thing in the world to me. Cuz Alex [ __ ] waters, let’s just stop right there, right? Alex [ __ ] waters. That sounds like a child. It does. It feels like someone who’s like swearing for the first time to try to impress their their friends. Yes. And then she goes, “Fuck the hell off. What is the hell adding, dude?” I don’t know. I’m telling you, Helena Hunting grew up in a house that did not allow swearing, and this book is an outlet for her, and I’m proud of her for that. of happy. There’s three things not allowed. Swearing, sex, and hockey. Hockey and hockey. Boom. Here it is, dude. Oh my god. Uh here. Now, here she falls off a little bit with her logic. Um Alex again, beyond that, practices are rough. Coach is right. If Buck and I can’t deal with our [ __ ] we’re going to destroy our chances of making it to the finals. They’re like in the in the playoffs already. Yeah, we’re going to destroy our chances of make it to the finals. I don’t want to be the reason for that. He pulls Buck and me aside and tells us we’re going to keep our personal issues off the ice or he’ll make the general manager trade both of us. And I’m like in the playoffs. Classic classic playoff trade. Classic playoff trade. Your opponent. Yeah. So that I was like ah well okay. Uh all right. And now he’s here. Uh he’s pissed at Buck or No, who’s he talking to here? He’s Oh, he’s talking to um uh Violet’s mom. Yeah. And she goes, she goes, “Alex, you screwed up big time. I heigh.” I really did. Violet doesn’t want to talk to you. Quote, “I know. Bucks made it pretty clear, and so has Violet.” End quote. I kick at the leg of my bed. I kick at the leg of my bed, noticing something red peeking out from the bottom. Picking it up, I find a pair of Violet’s panties, the red ones with my name on the ass. I sit down on the edge of the mattress and resist the urge to sniff them. He’s on the phone with her mom. I’m afraid I can’t help you out on this one. You are literally crying. A tear just dropped from your eye on [ __ ] desk. He’s talking to her mom. He’s talking to her mom. He’s like, tell her tell her I called. Have her call me back if she can. Dude, he’s on the phone with her mom. That is so [ __ ] funny. That is so [ __ ] funny. Okay. Oh, yeah. This is amazing. So, this is in the interview. He’s doing this exclusive interview. I’m [ __ ] sweating. He goes He goes, “I love I love her.” Or, “No, this is with the PR person.” And she goes, “Make sure make sure she knows that by the time you finish the interview and there’ll be a print version coming out, so you know, do a good job. We avoid the reporters lining the street outside the studio. Never in my life has the media paid so much attention to me as they have in the weeks since messing up with Violet. No one cares about playoffs or how close we are to the Stanley Cup. All the media wants to hear about is why I broke Violet’s heart on national television to the Western. Dude, those ded those dedicated Blackhawks fans, all they want is to hear why he broke Violet’s heart. Dude, who Violet is doesn’t matter, dude. And then how about this, boys? This is actually [ __ ] incredible. This is in the interview with the girl. And she goes, uh, and he’s being like, I’m not a ladies man. Like, I was always I let that lie go. And the woman, so the woman goes, uh, he goes, I think people wanted people see what they want to see. Like, I I I like Violet. And she goes, “So you’re saying your reputation,” and he says, “Is based on conjecture. I won’t say I’m not at fault for perpetrating perpetating it, but it’s not an accurate reputation of who I am, and it’s not how I want to be seen. Not when it jeopardizes my relationships.” And she says, “You’re referring to Violet specifically.” And he says, “I miss her. She’s my Q on a triple word score.” Oh, can you imagine that Scrabble call back? He [ __ ] the board over, dude. And then he hits the [ __ ] reporter with a Q. She’s my Q on a triple word score. And I love how Helena writes that and she’s like, that is a [ __ ] hay maker. Hay maker of coffee break after that one. Yeah. Yeah, for sure, dude. And then this one, I’ll end with this one, which is actually nice Helena work here. Yeah. Just a great term. And maybe this was already a term, but I wasn’t familiar, but this is good. He has the playoff beard going obviously. Yeah. So, he’s trying to apologize and she’s like, “Fuck, it’s hard to resist because he’s so hot.” And it says, “He looks exhausted but gorgeous as usual, even with the full beard he’s currently rocking, especially with that damn beard. He’s all rustic and lumber sexual.” That’s good. That’s good, dude. Lumber sexual is good. It’s good, dude. That’s really good. That was That was really nice. Well, one session away, boys. Yeah, we’ve got one more pucked until we’re on to pucked two. But holy [ __ ] is I We’re in We’re in Depuck. Invested. It’s the greatest book I’ve ever read. Invested. It’s the greatest book I’ve ever read. Oh god. Okay, let’s try to turn down the horniness a little bit. Let’s wrap up this episode. Usually we give an ad break, but we have no time. So, no time. Let’s wrap up this episode with a game and try to cool off a little bit. This game is our favorite game. It’s called What’s the Connection? 10 trivia questions I give Dan. Nine of them have unique answers, but the 10th question is, “What is the connection from the nine previous answers?” Um, one time we did uh all the answers were the names of famous TV and movie dogs. One time you did all the Marvel characters. Yes. Um, that’s how this game is played. Dan, are you ready? I am ready. Question number one. For good luck, the Florida Panthers needed Roberto Luwongo to interact with one of these during their regular pregame crowd pumpup for Stanley Cup home games. I think it’s a drum, but I’m not sure. Okay, question number two. I can’t tell Dan the answers yet. Everybody, you playing along at home. Hopefully, you get these and then you could try to beat him to the connection. Question number two. I already I already know the connection. But is it I’m not going to tell you, but I No, I’m going to write I’m gonna I’m gonna text it to Sean. All right, I’m going to watch it. I already know the connection. I’m actually being so mad cuz I There’s no way you do it, but I actually thought How can How can you know when when we’ve only done one? It’s impossible cuz I know his brain. You actually might not. Go. Oh, okay. This is I think this is more about you knowing each other. Yes. Yeah. I actually if you do which is possible. I can’t believe cuz I’ve picked what order to give them you know and I could have made it so much harder. We’ll see. [ __ ] You made a crucial error. You dumb [ __ ] I might have to change the order right now. No. Why? I still have to get the questions cuz there’s still some hard ones. But I’ve already made my bed. You know, but now you’re going to know. I made the second one too easy. That’s why I’m like, I got to change the answer. Okay, whatever. [ __ ] it. The people at home don’t know. [ __ ] it. Question number two. One of the most popular veterans in NHL history who played well into his 40s is now working with his former team in retirement. His friends call him by his nickname to this day. The teenager living with him is the current star and future captain of that team. His friends don’t use his first name either. They simply call him his full first name either. They simply call him blank Mac. Question number three. Many people say to play winning hockey, you can’t turn the puck over at this line. Blue line. Question number four. Oh, blue. A famous but forged photograph of Tyler Sean pictures a fan holding one of these up to the glass reminding him of a sexual conquest sign. In the Fed, the team from Athens, Georgia is known as the Athens Rock Blank, named in honor of the band the B-52s, who are also from Athens and have their famous song Rock Blank. something a couple main boys can appreciate. I don’t think Wait. Yeah. Okay, that’s going to be Lobster. One, two, three. Question number six. Rizzo gets all the press for the game-winning goal in the Miracle on Ice, but it was Mark Johnson who scored twice, tying it at two and at three. He also scored the game-winning goal against Finland to clinch gold, which I actually forgot about and is sick for his sick. He played college hockey at the University of Blank, the state in which he was also born, Wisconsin. Question number seven, Evan Rodriguez, friend of the show. Hey, Rod. Has this heritage from his dad’s side who lived there before immigrating to Canada? It’s no wonder he loved soccer because he got to watch one of the best players of all time wear his birth country’s jersey. It the answer is the country is he has this heritage but yeah sure okay I think it’s Portuguese. Question number eight. In the inaugural season of the PWHL, this woman on the Toronto Scepters led the league in goals and points. She has two Olympic gold medals for Canada and was the IIHF 2024 player of the year. But no, she is not Ryan Spooner’s sister. Give me this one more time. In the inaugural season of the PWHL, this woman on the Toronto Scepters led the league in goals and points. She has two Olympic gold medals for Canada and was the IIHF 2024 player of the year. But no, she is not Ryan Spooner’s sister. Is it her first name? Her first name. Okay, Natalie. Question number nine. As an NHL player, living close to your home rank would really decrease how much time you have to spend in the car because you’re going there the most. Living close to these would also help decrease your time in the car because half your games are road games. One more time. As an NHL player, living close to your home rink would really decrease how much time you have to spend in the car because you’re going there the most. Yes. Living close to these would also help decrease your time in the car because half your games are road games. An airport. Question number 10. What is the connection? Okay. I didn’t get it. Oh, really? But I was close to getting it. Okay. I know what it is now. It is phenomenal. So read your answers. The answers are drum, Mac, blue, sign, lobster, Wisconsin, Portuguese, Natalie, airport, and love actually. Yes, Dan. The connection is love actually. Just what was the guess? The guess was Christmas songs. Oh, I thought it was a little drummer. I We’re in Christmas season and I was like, “Oh, that’s going to be drummer.” You were extremely close. I was ready. But it was Christmy. Yep. But I went with your favorite Christmas movie of all time. Love Action. My second favorite Christmas. Yeah. Now, I thought you were going to get it right away cuz I knew this was your favorite Christmas movie and I was actually talking about Love Action before you got If I got it off of drum would be insane. But I was just thinking like maybe you were thinking Christmas movie and you were like he knows I love love love actually. And obviously the drums is such a huge part. Billy Mack. Do you know Blue? Yeah. It’s the It’s the band that he They’ve all got little pricks. There were two lobsters at the birth of Jesus. There were multiple lobsters at the at the birth of Jesus. That’s Wisconsin. Colin Colin Fri goes to Wisconsin. There’s Wisconsin babes. Yep. Wisconsin babes. Portuguese. Here comes the Colin and he’s got a big knob. Uh, Portuguese, one of everyone’s favorite scenes, I would say. Song, one of the greatest pieces of film score of all time. Natalie, of course. Would we call her chubby? That’s how we go. And then airports, how rich Curtis got the idea. He saw people reuniting at airport. Incredible. Chris, [ __ ] phenomenal job. Well, folks, we gave you a lot of hot ice. We gave you a lot of hot literature and then we gave you a hot movie to watch. There’s some hot sex in that film. It’s really fantastic. Incredible episode. CP is rocking one of our newest hats. It’s the Christmas season. I know that you all need gifts. Give your loved ones the gift of Empty Netters apparel. We’ve got amazing stuff. Go to the store. Subscribe to the YouTube. Please, please, please give us five star reviews. Follow us on everything. We love you so much. Also, for this holiday season, share the Empty Neters podcast with a friend of yours who loves hockey or who loves podcasts or both or horny books or horny books. Unbelievable. That’s it for us this week at the Neters Podcast. We love you guys so much. We will see you next week. And while you are enjoying your weekend, look at Chris’s hat and do one thing. Skate hard.

Connor Bedard is so hot right now Mugatu is going to be after him soon. Wedgewood is hurt and it could ruin the team Canada dream. And Jordan Binnington is having such a hard time he could lose his Olympic spot too. The Great Wall of St Paul is trying to show everyone he’s the best goalie in the league. The ice in Milan is too small. We need more no bucket warmies. The professors are back and literally cannot stop giving winners. And Pucked has returned and is raunchier than ever. Don’t miss a game of What’s The Connection!

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