WST Daily: Lowry & Toews speak to the media, Winnipeg Jets prospects travel to Montreal

WST Daily: Lowry & Toews speak to the media, Winnipeg Jets prospects travel to Montreal

This is Winnipeg Sports Talk Daily with Andrew Hustler Patterson and Michael Reis. Hey, what’s up gang? Welcome to another edition of Winnipeg Sports Talk Daily. Andrew Patterson, Michael Reis with you. Connor Rabjack will be jumping on with a bit of a pre-season practice report, if you will. Uh, but we’ve got some Jet stuff to talk about today. We will hear from the captain, Adam Lowry, in just a few minutes and the first media availability of Jonathan Taves as a Winnipeg Jet after, of course, outside of course his introductory press conference. Lots of action down at the Hockey Forall Center right now as training camp is just a week away. And we’ll hear from both the captain of the Jets and the longtime captain of the Chicago Blackhawks and one of the newest members of the club, the returning hometown hero, Jonathan Taves. Um Ken Weebs down there. Weieber will join us a little later on. We’ll get his perspective after we hear from both Adam Lowry and Jonathan Taves. Brandon Ruiki is going to also jump on the program and then a little later on we’ll get into some football big Thursday nighter tonight between the Packers and the Commanders at Lambeau Field. Lee Hacksaw Hamilton will be traveling tomorrow. So the Friday NFL notebook is now going to be a Thursday NFL notebook and our pal Pat Gregoire from Kbet is going to pop by. and we’re going to cook up something for this Thursday night or tonight. And of course, get ready for tomorrow, Friday morning. Don’t forget everybody, all NFL season long live at 10:00 a.m. on Winnipeg Sports Talk, our WST winners, NFL pick show where we’ll go through all the games, our favorite plays against the spread, our favorite props, put together a couple fun parlays. It should be fun. So, uh, we got a very packed show today, so we will get right into it. Going to have Connor jump on in about five minutes. to uh fill us in on the scene out at uh at the Iceplex today or the Hockey Forall Center I should say. Uh but just before we do that, do want to thank the sponsors that make the show happen each and every day and remind you all that it is so great to be working with our friends at the HSC Millionaire Lottery this year. Of course, the HSC Foundation does so much for Manitoba. And uh in addition to making somebody a millionaire, uh HSC millionaire.com is where we’re going to find that. We’ll give you more details of some of the amazing prizes a little later on. Uh of course, Cool Bet Canada, Princess Auto, uh Roly’s Transfer, St. Mattel Dental Center, Canadian Club, Manitoba Battery, F App Apparel, Akens Lake Wilderness Lodge, our friends at Royal Sports, Boston Pizza, Little Brown Jug, A Cine Boya Downs, Breezy Bend. We will get to a why not question of the day for not autocorp Waverly and McGillry. And uh looking forward to fan feedback from all of you after we hear from the captain and Jonathan Taves and we’ll do that for fansfirst.ca. Let’s get Michael Remis in here. Remo, what’s going on? Bombers heading out to Hamilton today for a big game tomorrow night. Um we got clarity yesterday on a number of things with the roster including Zack Calleros officially out for tomorrow’s game. Chris Streller will start but um couple changes including Deario Houston getting uh getting a bit of a run with the Bombers finally getting in after uh being sitting around waiting to get a chance. Yeah, I guess the Bombers, you know, Trey Val did the experiment where he was playing corner and returning kicks, had a, you know, big pass interference penalty. You know, Deir Houston, he’s been working out time to put him in. And what bigger test than Kenny Lawler going up against and you know, Hamilton’s passing game has been so good this year. If it’s Lawler, Tim White’s had big games. Keandre Smith has had uh big games. So nice to see Deary Houston get in and curious what he’s going to be able to do. But to credit the Bombers defense, it’s been pretty good holding Trevor Harris who had been awesome all year. So uh I’m curious, you know, curious how it’s going to look. And the Bombers defense, they’ve been improving. And it wasn’t the defense uh that sunk them in the last two games, has I think turnovers been a huge info, huge issue, and they’re going to need Chris Treler to protect the ball and not have any costly turnovers. Yeah. No doubt about that. So, I mean, again, we’ll be all over this. And tomorrow on the program, we’ll have Hammer te this one up um with Winnipeg and Hamilton going at it 6:00 p.m. start tomorrow night in the Hammer for the Bombers and the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Now, we are going to talk a lot of puck over the first hour of the program because of course we did have Jonathan Taves and Adam Lowry meet the media and we’ve got some Lowry clips coming up. Um, but Remo, you know, while you kind of monitor what’s going on with the YouTube stream, why don’t we bring Connor in and uh get some live reaction to um live reaction to the uh what we heard from uh the captain of the Jets and of course Jonathan Taves. I will say this, I think this pre-season availability for both individuals would have to be right up there with the most anticipated preseason media scrums we’ve had in a long time. I mean, obviously when Jonathan Taves came in um and was introduced in the summer, that was as big a deal as we’ve had in the off season. I mean, certainly when it comes to free agents, I mean, it is the signing of the 2.0 era. Uh, and we’ve been paying attention to Jonathan Taves being on the ice, but, you know, want to see how he’s feeling and, uh, you know, how things have been going as he looks to restart his career. Adam Lowry, uh, a little different in that, you know, he has been a mainstay of this club and the heart and soul of this team. Um, and of course had hip surgery shortly after the playoffs. So, you know, originally there were thoughts that this could, you know, last well into the season, his rehab. Um, but it is certainly, um, nice to see Lowry out on and, you know, from what I’m seeing, and we’ll hear from this in in a few minutes, we’ll get from Connor. um he’s looking at returning maybe sooner than some of the worst fears were and obviously continues to uh continues to grind away and will be I think he referred to it as solitary confinement for the next while um with the rest of his teammates. But uh Ree, if you can, let’s bring Connor in here and uh get a quick check in before we uh dive into a little bit of Lowry audio and we will have Jonathan Taves as well coming up before we speak with Ken. Um, fresh off a trip down the street to the Hockey for All Center, Connor Rabchack joins us now on the program. Connor, what’s going on? How was the uh what was the scene like? Probably seemed a little more like the regular season than a week out of training camp today at Hockey Forall Center. And I have to keep reminding myself that it’s not training camp, Hus, because it has a training camp feel to it. We are a week away. It’s Thursday, September 18th is the first on ice session at training camp for the Winnipeg Jets. going to have off ice fitness testing on the Wednesday. There will be media all through next week. But like you said, we heard from Adam Lowry today for the first time since his hip surgery. We heard from Jonathan Taves today for the first time since his inductory press conference. There’s a lot of media, a lot of fans at Hockey Forall Center. Definitely has a training camp feel to it, even though we’re a week away. Yeah, no doubt. Now listen, I mean, our focus is really going to be on Lowry and Taves, but uh I I know the prospects were uh, you know, have been hard at work these last few days getting ready to uh go wheels up to Montreal for games over the next couple days for this new tournament that the team’s participating in. Normally was in Pentictton before, now going out east of Montreal. Know Braden Joerger spoke yesterday. There’s a lot of intrigue about a number of these young players that are set to officially make their move from juniors to the pros. Yeah, for sure. and a lot of those players are on that team. We also heard from Mark Morrison who’s going to be the head coach of that team as they head out to Montreal. Hus, get this, the Saturday night game against the Montreal Canadians prospect team at the Bell Center is sold out. So Braden Joerger and Mark Morrison were kind of like um wideeyed about the opportunity ahead of them and and all of these players that are turning pro this year, they’re going to get that atmosphere. They’re going to get that pro feeling for a game in early September that it’s just really at a prospect showdown. So we heard from Braden Joerger. He’s got a great attitude heading into camp. Uh when asked about, you know, his goals and his expectations heading into training camp, first thing he said, I want to make the NHL. I know that the the Jets are a really good team and and the odds are kind of stacked against him to earn a spot right out of camp. But he’s going in with the mindset he wants to earn an NHL job, and that’s the mindset you want your young players to have. So, I’m super excited to watch all these guys at the Prospect Showdown in Montreal in front of a soldout crowd at the Bell Center. That’s a great environment for them to be put in in a relatively low stakes game. Um, just a random one-off tournament, but a lot of players turning pro. Their first pro game in a way is going to be in front of 20,000 crazy fans at Listen, there’s no venue in the National Hockey League like the Bell Center. Um, and even though this isn’t even an NHL exhibition game, I think the excitement that Habs fans have for their team as they look to build off what they were able to accomplish last year. Uh, and they’re a very smart, educated fan base. they’ll know some of these players and I mean listen for uh the Jaggers and the Barlos and whatnot. It’ll uh it’ll feel like a big league game and a great opportunity for them to get going uh and hopefully put their best foot forward when they’re going up competing for jobs next week here at the Hockey Forall Center. Um just before we get to Adam Lowry, I do want to plug um some new content that now that we’ve got you on board full-time that will be coming out. I mean, we will, and this is I mean, maybe we’re getting ahead of it a little bit because this is not technically a practice report, but we will have additional game day content in short form. Uh, reels on Instagram, X, Tik Tok, Facebook. Um, and uh, I imagine a little bit later on we’ll have a bit of an update in kind of the first one from today’s activities because it sort of did feel like regular season business as usual with um, some important guys to talk about and everybody on the ice for the most part. Yes, I’m super excited to have those WST practice reports really daily from the rank whether it’s the Hockey Forall Center or the Canada Life Center. There was news today, so I’m going to report on it. And uh Adam Lowry speaking to the media said he’s targeting a late October, early November return to the lineup said he’s he’s super happy, feels great, happy with how the surgery went, all of those things, but he doesn’t want to get ahead of himself and come out in training camp in a full contact uniform and then suffer a setback. So, he’s taking things very slow with his rehab. And then Jonathan Taves spoke about a number of things including, you know, being on a new team for the first time in his career, being with a new group for the first time in his career because he alluded to the fact that when he was in Chicago, it was the same guys. It was Patrick Kane, Brent Sebrook, Duncan Keith, all that same core every single year. He knew what he was getting into every single camp. Where this year, he doesn’t really know any of his teammates. So, it’s a whole new challenge for Jonathan Taves, who’s knocking the rust off, getting back into game shape. Adam Lowry some news on his injury as well and his recovery. So, I’m gonna have you covered uh WST practice report basically daily uh throughout the regular season and I’m fired up to do that. Great stuff, pal. uh thanks for jumping on and uh being down there today. And uh in just a minute we’re going to get to Adam Lowry and then I think we’ll probably just run the full Jonathan Taves availability because I think Jet fans are going to want to hear everything that uh the uh Hawks legend has to say about uh restarting his career with the Winnipeg Jets. Just before we get to Adam Lowry, um we are so excited to uh be teaming up with the Health Sciences Center Foundation for the 2025 HSC Millionaire Lottery. The All Canadian Hospital Lottery is back and you can help save lives at Manitoba’s Hospital, the Health Sciences Center, and become a millionaire. You can win the AllCan Canadian Dream, a luxury home in Manitoba or Oceanfront in BC. Or how does 1.25 25 million taxfree cash sound. 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All right, let’s hear from Adam Lowry, the captain of the Winnipeg Jets, recovering from hip surgery. He met the media today down at the Hockey Forall Center and first things first, the captain was asked how he’s feeling today. Yeah, good. Uh, super happy with how it’s feeling where it’s at. Um, obviously a ways to go, but, you know, my job is to push myself every day, try and, you know, do the right things to make sure that, you know, when I get back, I’m I’m ready to go and, you know, feeling good. So, it’s just nice to be back on the ice. uh you know it feels like another milestone, another step closer to my return. Do you have a target return date or anything like that or Yeah, I think end of October, start of November, November 1st, something like that. Um, you know, with with these things, it’s, you know, it’s tough. I feel really good. I feel like maybe I could go sooner, but, you know, at the end of the day, it’s all about avoiding setbacks, making sure that, you know, when I do come back, you know, it’s for good. It’s not one of those things that, you know, you constantly have to manage. So, you know, making sure I’m strong, making sure I’m in good shape, but, you know, I I feel really good. I really happy with the outcome of the surgery, really happy with where the rehab’s been. So, you know, it’s nice to have a goal in mind, but that those those things can change. I think, you know, every day we’ll just see how my body responds to more loads, see how my body responds to, you know, different stressors and kind of gauge it and, you know, listen to the medical staff, listen to, you know, our strength coaches and take it from there. All right, so all systems go for Adam Lowry. Now, um, we haven’t really heard from Lowry on how this all came about. Here’s Lowry on what went into the decision to, uh, have the surgery right after the playoffs. Yeah. Um, you know, it’s it’s been a thing I’ve been managing for, you know, quite a while. And, you know, we’d get imaging done generally at the start of the year, end of the year, see where it was. And, you know, it just I stopped getting relief from certain injections. It, you know, it started becoming a chronic thing where, you know, it was starting to, you know, become painful just going downstairs. you know, I’d feel it watching TV and, you know, it was starting to, you know, kind of creep into my mind some days, you know, on the ice, whether it’s turning a certain way, whether it’s pushing off, you know, and then, you know, the joint started to, you know, kind of look a little worse, the the tears started to get a little bigger. So, um, you know, we got imaging and, you know, saw that there was some changes to it. And, you know, after consulting with Dr. Kelly in New York, we made the decision that, you know, I think timing wise, it made the most sense. It gave me the most opportunity to to recover and recover fully, but with missing the least amount of games. I think, you know, that that was my biggest concern was, you know, I was willing to continue managing it and play through it. But, you know, we were worried about you get into the end of October, November, and you know, all of a sudden you have to operate. And now, you know, instead of missing, you know, 10 to 15 games, you’re missing 60 to 70 and potentially the playoffs. And, you know, that was the thing that we were ultimately trying to avoid. Right. Now, speaking of the playoffs, pretty clear that Adam Lowry was dealing with quite a bit last season. Lowry was asked on just what was it like playing in the playoffs with what he was dealing with. Uh, you know what? I think it’s it’s the playoffs. You know, everyone’s willing to play through things. It’s, you know, you’re giving it your all. You’re trying to do your best to, you know, win the Stanley Cup. Uh, you know, everyone has bumps and bruises and things that cause him discomfort. Uh, you know, certainly two real heavy series. I I look at that series against St. Louis and, you know, it was a war. It was it was real heavy. It took a toll on a lot of guys and you know that’s one of those things where you know going into the summer coming into the start of the year that’s you know what we’ve got to be prepared for is you know it’s going to be a battle to get into the playoffs and you know once you’re there it ramps up to another level. There’s Adam Lowry on you know what he was dealing with through the playoffs and I I I agree with him. I mean that that sevename series against St. Louis was he described it as a war. I think he described it perfectly and and you know you wondered whoever was going to win that epic double overtime game seven what was going to be left in the next round and uh certainly it took its toll on a number of players and Adam Lowry was one of them he’s on the mend right now looking to get back now this is a surgery that um you know has been executed on a number of other NHLers Lowry was asked if he kind of talked to any other of his colleagues around the league who’ve had that procedure before. You know what? I I’ve talked to a couple guys that have done it and then you know, I’ve talked to trainers who’ve had their players uh you know, use Dr. Kelly and you know, it’s uh I was fortunate uh who I was rehabbing with in Calgary and uh just kind of managed a labor repair through Dr. Kelly. You know, I feel like I was familiar with, you know, what the process was going to look like, what the timelines look like. You know, whether if you rush it back, you know, you see kind of the impacts those have versus if you take your time, you know, it’s kind of managing the good days and the bad days and not getting too far ahead of yourself because you don’t want to take it and you know have a setback where you know this 5 to 6 month thing turns into 7 days. So, you know, I felt pretty comfortable with the information I had, you know, at seeing, you know, a lot of the guys that he’s operated on come back and have success and, you know, almost become better. They’re moving freer and stuff. Um, you know, it kind of gave me some optimism for my own recovery. All right, Adam Lowry, captain of the Winnipeg Jets. Now, probably the biggest challenge with him being on the ice is trying to get back to quickly. Um, Larry was asked about the need for patience during this extended rehab after surgery. I would say I have a lot of patience, but you know, when it comes to training, when it comes to, you know, my profession, my sport, that’s I think where I lack the patience. You know, I don’t want to push myself in the gym every day. I want to feel like, you know, I’m exerting myself to the max. I want to feel like I’m getting better. I want to feel like I’m getting something out of those sessions where, you know, the first 8 12 weeks were very tedious. You know, it was making sure that, you know, I was doing the physio exercises, was making sure I was doing the range of motion stuff. It was making sure I was staying on top of the recovery modalities and, you know, there was days where I wanted to add more tension, you want to add more weight. But, you know, those are things where, you know, you can’t waste time. You have to be patient. You have to learn to wait. And you know there’s times out on the ice now that you know I’ve started skating with JP that you know maybe I want to do some more you know kind of explosive movements I want to do some things and you know it’s all about kind of staying within the guidelines staying within you know the doctor’s orders our medical staff and you know ultimately they have you know it’s uh the job to make sure that you know I recover optimally but you know within the time frame too. So, you know, there’s some days where they’re going to, you know, kind of take the rains off and allow me to push and then there’s other days, you know, like today out on the ice where we kind of scale it back and, you know, it’s more of a active recovery day. That’s something I’ve had to get used to. All right. Well, certainly in good spirits and uh nose to the grindstone. Looking forward to getting back uh hopefully late October, early November for the captain of the Winnipeg Jets. Here’s one more from Adam Lowry. This isn’t related to his surgery or his rehab. Uh, it’s related to the guy that we’re going to hear in a moment. Jonathan Taves off seasonason signing for the Winnipeg Jets. Here’s what Larry had to say about having a guy in Jonathan Taves, three cup rings, uh, all the accolades around the squad heading into the season. Yeah, it’s it’s been great. uh you know, unfortunately I’ve kind of been in solitary confinement on the other side of the ice, so I haven’t had the opportunity to get to see him, you know, out out on the ice, but talking to him throughout the summer and then, you know, getting to meet him for the first time here in the gym and, you know, just getting to know him, it’s it’s been great. I he brings a wealth of knowledge. He’s got tremendous experience. There’s a reason why he’s as decorated as he is. and you know seeing how he prepares himself in the gym, seeing him how he interacts uh with the guys and you know he’s fit right in and I think you know there’s an excitement for him to get back in competing and you know it the buzz in the city is you know something we’ll certainly feed off. We’re really excited uh to you know have a player of his caliber and stature in our organization. All right. So, uh, smiles from the captain. Rehab going well. On track to hopefully come earlier than I think many of us thought. Now, you know, we we chopped up the best of Adam Lowry. Uh, but I know there is so much interest in Jonathan Taves joining the Winnipeg Jets. This is the first time he’s really spoken publicly since the introductory press conference earlier in the summer. So, instead of chopping it up, we’re going to give you everything Jonathan Taves had for the Assembled media today. This is uh Jonathan Taves from just the last hour or so out at the Hockey Forall Center. Um getting off the ice with the Jets as he prepares for training camp. Here’s Jonathan Taves. Yeah. Yeah. Um feels like we’ve been going for quite a while now. We got here last week and there’s only like four or five of us and then basically everyone started rolling in uh this week and can’t believe we’re still almost a week out from camp. So, um but it’s been a lot of fun. Uh slowly just kind of getting to know guys and you know that’s that’s something that’ll take a little while to just uh get settled and comfortable in the locker room. and um in a way you want to show your respect especially to the veteran guys in this room that uh that set the tone and the example for this team every day and then um you know as I’ve been saying I just want to slowly find my way and contribute where I can and uh find ways to earn that that respect and earn my stripes with this group too. So, um, but yeah, it’s it’s been a long time and in a way too, it feels like the last couple years have gone by in the blink of an eye and in some things that you just it’s almost like sometimes you don’t even remember, you know, what skate you put on first, but then once you get going, you don’t even think about it and everything is just muscle memory. Um, so it’s fun to just get back in that routine and get back into uh um into the structure of an NHL camp and NHL season. How you feeling physically so far? Uh, pretty good. Pretty good. I mean, again, uh it’s uh when you’re away from the game for that long, no matter what, it takes some time to get things up to speed. And um it’s been good to to just to be on the ice. you know, you do a lot of threeon-ree and small area stuff or you don’t have a lot of space and you know, those are the situations you kind of get a little bit uh hasty, a little bit excited and and and make a play that uh you wouldn’t have made if you were slowing things down and be a little bit more patient. But um that sort of thing I’ll start coming back and uh I’m sure my game will progress and improve throughout the entire season, too. Jonathan, you often hear like young players will maybe go to a coach say, “I want to play as many preseason games as possible, maybe even some veterans.” Do you have a number? There’s six this year. Is there a number that might work for you or is that something you’re just going to deal with as it comes? I mean, I won’t say a number. I’ll talk to Arie about that. But, um, probably the more the better at this point. I think we got, you know, quite a bit of rest or, you know, we got at least almost a full week uh between our last preseason game and and uh our first game of the season. So, yeah, I think I’ve done all the conditioning and and training and all the stuff you can do on and off the ice to to prepare. Um, so at this point it’s just about kind of getting the in the rhythm of a of a day where you you know you show up, you got morning skate and you go home and get prepared and and then you find ways to to get to bed and recover and do it again the next day and and so I think uh there’s that and there’s also just going out there and playing in the game and playing at this speed um and at this level again. So just as I mentioned before just just trying to settle in and not overthink things and and start to feel the game again. Can you describe how your legs are? Looks like you’re moving pretty well. Yeah, I I feel great. I’m I’m Yeah, I’m really happy. I think uh you know throughout the summer there’s going to be those days where you’re training pretty hard off the ice and you go out there and nothing’s working and you’re just kind of slugging away and then and then um you got to kind of just let those days go and and remind yourself that it’s not going to be perfect every day. You’re not going to feel 100%. Um, but at this point now it’s like all the off ice stuff kind of uh boils down and and you’re on the ice much more and you’re just fine-tuning your game. So, um, feel like I got much more speed, much more energy on the ice, too. And I know that’s only going to improve, too. I don’t know if this is silly to ask given you’re one of the most decorated players in AL history, but it’s been a while since you’ve been new to a group, so would you allow yourself any first day of school nerves or like I hope they like me? For sure. For sure. uh you want to you want to belong. Um you want to be part of the team and uh like I said it is a new experience for sure. Um especially after being away from hockey as long as I have been to kind of uh integrate so to speak into a new locker room. Um so yeah, Monday when the whole team was here is meeting a lot of new people, not just the players but the staff as well. And um you know that’s that’s part of the fun. It’s already, you know, easy to pick up on why this team has a lot of chemistry in the locker room and on the ice and uh a lot of a lot of guys with a lot of talent, but also a ton of character in this room, too. So, you can feel that already. And um you know, it’s it’s fun to to be a part of something like that. John, what does it mean to have a lot of guys like cheering you on? Like I saw Patrick Kane was interviewed, Patrick Sharp, those guys, former teammates in Chicago. What is what has their support meant to you? Means a lot. I mean, uh, we we went through quite a quite a lot together and, uh, had some great memories, uh, in the city of Chicago with guys like Sharpie and Kainer and, um, you know, it’s it’s nice to see that, uh, we, you know, we still have that bond, not only because we won championships, but because of everything we went through together. And, uh, we all wish each other well no matter what happens. And um you know there’s a time there where every year it was the same group, the same faces and we knew we were going to have a chance to win and go deep in the season and uh it’s almost like you you get to a point where you think things are never going to change and then now it’s life is completely different for for everybody. So um you know it’s interesting to see how things change and um but yeah I appreciate kind of the kind of words from those guys. Obviously, a lot of focus on things like conditioning um as you come back skating, but what about the hands? And you know, you’re one of the best faceoff guys in the league. Is that going to be muscle memory? You can just pick that right up or it’s such a timing thing, right? Does that take some work to get back to? I hope so. Uh I think so. Um you know, not everything’s going to be perfect off the start. Um there’s going to be days where there’s little hitches, there’s some rust you got to shake off. And um just trying to remind myself again not to overthink it, not to get too frustrated that uh you got to keep working on your game. That’s the the the great thing about hockey is there. There’s just so many skills you got to work on. There’s so many different aspects of the game and you’re constantly trying to, you know, keep it all together and and get better in all all those areas. So, um, you know, I’m a player that I’ve always prided myself on playing a complete game, playing two ends of the rink. And, um, you’re going to make mistakes. It’s not the end of the world. You know, I’ll be out there with some really good players that, uh, are helping make make me look better and, uh, you know, just go out there and have fun and keep working. What’s it like to hear guys like Brad Jagger, who we talked to yesterday, say, you know, when he was a young kid coming coming up that his coaches and parents always said like, “Watch Sydney Crosby, watch Jonathan T. Those are the two players he was told to always keep an eye on for the 200 foot game.” Is it flattering? Does it make you feel a little older when you got players now on your team here in the system that looked up to you like that? Yeah, definitely both. Um, yeah, it’s definitely flattering to be mentioned in a sentence like that. And I think uh you know I’ve gotten pretty used to every young kid growing up wanting to be like Patrick Kane. So so I get a little tired of hearing that once in a while but uh but yeah that feels good to hear too. What about you since you’re just kind of getting back into a routine now. What did you miss about the game that maybe you didn’t realize now that you’re kind of getting into it again? Um well you know I’ve been talking a lot about just being around this this group and I think that’s that’s the number one thing. um you know being away from hockey and you talk to some of the some of my former teammates in Chicago that are retired now and I think that’s the one thing they always mention too that they miss being around the guys and I think that’s the one thing that they’re super excited for me to have a chance to play again because uh I get to be back in that locker room. So aside from that I love playing the game. I love uh improving getting getting better and um just feeling good too. I think uh that’s the one thing that um you think you’re working hard and you look over there’s always someone uh doing something doing something you know working harder find ways to get better that you can always learn from. So you’re constantly kind of exposing your own weaknesses and and making yourself uncomfortable in that sense and I think uh it’s fun to push yourself in that way too. When the NHL skit came out, I think it was late July this year. I imagine one of the first things you did is look to see when the first visit to Chicago was. I don’t think it’s till like mid January. Is that a good thing? Would you almost want that earlier or does it really matter? No, it doesn’t matter. I think uh either way, I’m sure I’ll be pretty nervous. There’ll be a lot of excitement. Um uh a lot of great memories just to be there with the fans and the in the city of Chicago. And um you know, I always found it strange. I had teammates. I went to play for other teams and they’re coming into the training room to say hi to the the training staff cuz all those guys are they’re all still there. Um you know, it was a real family for a long time. And so it’ll be strange, but it’ll be a lot of fun. And uh you know, I saw Kener went back and had a a big night, scored the overtime winner, so that was just amazing to see. and and uh you know, so there’ll be a few few bucks on the board for the boys to try and get the win, but we’ll see how it goes. It’ll be fun either way. What’s it been like around the city since you’ve been back in town? Like just either friends you’ve seen or people coming up to you? Yeah, it’s it’s been great. I mean, um I haven’t really lived here much, you know, since I left home when I was a young kid. and coming back for the summers and stuff, but you’re not around long enough to really like sink your roots back back into the ground and and uh get to know people around town. So, it’s kind of been nice just finding my my way around uh my neighborhood and um having some buddies come over and just seeing old faces, too. So, I’m sure there’ll be much more of that, too. All right, so there’s Jonathan Taves. Really impressive. And I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. I mean, this is a guy that spent his fair time uh during his career in front of a microphone, but such a unique situation for him. I thought it was some great insight to uh you know, what he’s been going through, how he’s been ramping up his training. Um the fact that he wants to get out and playing a bunch of preseason games and then get ready to get after it with the Winnipeg Jets. Ken Weeb was down there. You heard Kenny with that last question. He’s going to join us in just a moment. Um, while we wait for Ken to jump in, let me thank our friends at Princess Auto for their support at WST and of course the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Princess Auto Stadium sold out every game this season and it will be again for the Bombers next game. Um, but Princess Auto while supporting the Bombers and Winnipeg Sports Talk does so much in our Winnipeg and Manitoba community. They’re of course founded in Winnipeg, headquartered right here in Winnipeg and now coast to coast, but with three locations to serve you in the province. Panet Road, Portage Avenue West, and of course out in Brandon. And you will find the best deals on the most unique assortment of tools and equipment around. Everything you need to complete those projects on your list or start something new is waiting for you at Princessa Auto. So see them in store today or shop online 24/7 365 over at princessauto.com. Folks, everybody needs batteries. 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They’ll be more than happy to give you those great deals and not have you even leave the house. Order online at manitobabatter.com or give them a call and they’ll deliver those batteries to you for free anywhere inside the perimeter of Winnipeg. It is just that easy. So for all your battery needs, get the best deals in town and shop local. Manitoba Battery two locations and online at manitoba battery.com. And hey, not particularly nice outside right now. We may have some thunderstorms later. It is going to be summery for the next week or so, but fall is just around the corner, gang. And guys, if you’re looking into your closet and realize you need to up your men’s wear game, get on down to F App Apparel at 190 Smith Street downtown for the best in custom men’s clothing, including custom suits starting at 400 bucks. chinos, golf pants, custom shirts, both tucked and untucked styles, and the best selection of men’s wear accessories in town. If you are getting married or in a wedding party, make sure to talk to the fellas at F about a special discount for the boys when you get your suits for the big day at F App Apparel. Again, F’s at 190 Smith Street, right just a snapshot away from the arena downtown. Find out more or book in for a fitting online at f that’s ephapparel.com. All right, fresh back from the hockey forall center on as we talked about with Connor Rabchack earlier a day that probably looked a little more like the regular season as opposed to a week out of training camp. Ken Weaver of the Winnipeg Free Press joins us now. Weaver, great to have you back on the program. What’s going on? Good afternoon, Andrew. Great to be with you. Uh beautiful day in the neighborhood. Uh not not great golf weather for some, but uh busy day down at the rink. So felt felt a lot less guilty being indoors uh today than yesterday with the uh with the beautiful activities outdoors. Yesterday was absolutely glorious. That is for sure. Um uh I mean you’ve done a lot of these. What was that what was that scene like down out uh the west side of the city today? Um little different than the normal captain skate, I’d say. Yeah, I think that’s fair, Hus. Uh I mean honestly I mean we’ve talked about it so much over the course of the last few months but uh I think you just understand the magnitude of what’s happening with Jonathan Taves here a little bit more the more NHLers that you speak to. Right. So today Adam Lowry uh is speaking about his own recovery and you know he’s talking about being in solitary confinement as all the other players are getting to know and skate with Jonathan. And I mean honestly this is one of the biggest stories in the National Hockey League this year. for us. And I know we’ve said it a lot, Jonathan just wants to kind of blend in and be part of the process and the scenery here, but when you’re one of the most decorated players kind of in NHL history and you’re you’re coming back after two years, I mean, there’s there’s a lot of people interested in how it’s going to look. Uh, I mean, we saw Patrick Kane weighing in this week and in speaking with Greg Washinsky, our pal down at in Vegas at the media tour. And, uh, there’s a lot of people wanting to see Jonathan Tav succeed. And I mean, Jonathan is, you know, he’s fired up and ready to roll, but he also understands that, you know, training camp is still a week away. And, uh, he wants to do this over the course of seven or eight or nine months here. So, uh, the the concept of time is is super interesting for for him right now, too, because I mean, as he’s pointing out, a lot of the things feel like, you know, there was just yesterday, but a lot and you’re leaning on muscle memory, but the two years he said himself went by in a blink of an eye in some ways, but you’re also trying to get back into the the the usual routine of the National Hockey League. And, um, said this before, too. I mean, something that can kind of become a bit monotonous for an NHL player when they they’ve been around the NHL for almost two decades, but he’s actually feeling joy just being around other people, right? Yes, he skated with a few NHLers in the past in the recovery, but there’s a lot of alone days in the NHL hust when you’re kind of come trying to come back from what he’s coming back from. And uh I think being around other teammates and you know kind of getting to know guys and you know giving high fives here and there and finding out where Gabe Valardi likes his saucer passes. I think that’s something that as someone who’s a student of the game he’s just sort of soaking every uh little bit of this up like a sponge in some ways. Yeah. I mean, it’s kind of funny because Ken, I think most of the players will be trying to soak up everything from Jonathan Taves like a sponge as we get into it. But, you know, you really did get that reaction from him that, you know, he’s here. It’s a very different scenario than he’s been in before. And you know, he’s trying to get to know the guys, become part of the team, and just ease into the group with a lot of respect for the veteran players that did what this team did last year, winning the president’s trophy. Yeah, H. It’s just not often that a guy who has been in the league that long is having to integrate. Every Yes, every year things are different. We understand that there’s turnover in in professional sports, in hockey, but when it comes to joining a new organization after you’ve been in one for as long as Jonathan Taves has, I mean, that process is, you know, it’s a real thing. It’s not just something that you say for it to sound good. I mean, he literally is getting to know people. Yes, he’s played against some of these guys, sure. But, you know, you’re also getting to know the Braden Jaggers and guys that have been looking up to you since they started playing hockey, you know. So, um, again, he made a joke about it too, saying, yes, in some ways, yes, it makes you feel old, but you’re also appreciative to be in those kind of conversations with Sydney Crosby and and him. Uh, you know, that as Braden referenced yesterday in speaking with us, Hus. So, um, yeah, it’s it’s an interesting process for him for sure, but, uh, it’s not going to take long for him to, you know, ingratiate himself with this group. Uh, it’s clear that they respect what he has done to this point and they see the work that he put in to get here and they know what he can bring to a winning formula. And, and Adam Lowry referenced it again. I mean, he said flat out, I mean, the fact that Jonathan consider, you know, they know that Jonathan is not coming back to do anything but try to get his name engraved on the Stanley Cup a fourth time and the fact that he sees the Jets as a legitimate contender and and an option for him to be on that cup one more time uh is something that is uh you know that’s a real thing and those guys appreciate the fact that he has considered them and that he signed here and that he wants to help them take the next step and uh this just in Hus uh when you’ve been to the top of that mountain three times in the NHL and uh you know countless times as an international player. Uh you have a pretty good idea what a winning team is supposed to look like and you know you can help that team kind of maybe help push them over the top. It would be uh it would be an incredible feat for someone who has accomplished so much in his career to this point. Hey, let me ask you this. Um, you know, based on what we heard from Adam Lowry, you know, he might miss a month the regular season, but he’s going to be out for a significant number of games to to begin the season. Adam Lowry is the captain. Mark Schiffley and Josh Morrisy have the A’s. When he is out and the coaching staff is slapping another A on another player, do you think it’s Jonathan Taves or is that almost not necessary? And do you think it’s more likely that they’d give it to like a Kyle Connor, one of the other veteran players that have been around a little bit longer? Yeah, H. I mean, honestly, it’s a great question and I have no idea to be honest. I don’t know how Scott Neil only Scott Neil is the only person who maybe knows how he feels about this. I think he’d probably take the temperature of that leadership group before making that kind of a decision. I think it would be a natural selection. Um, but at the same time, we’ve we’ve seen over the years, whether it’s Kyle Connor, Neil Pianc, uh, you know, Dylan Dlo, uh, there’s a bunch of guys who have worn that, you know, the third A previously depending on guys who were out. So, um, again, I’m with you. It’s not something that would be necessary, but I mean, it would make sense in a lot of regards, but I think also too, um, I mean, Jonathan’s not banging on the door saying, “Hey, throw a letter on my jersey here.” Uh, either, right? So, I think you can make the argument on either side. I I don’t I don’t have a gut feeling on which direction they’re leaning. Um because too, I mean, so do you go into rotation after the season? You know, after Lowry’s back, then how do you decide who’s like, if you’re putting it on Taves, it’s only a part-time thing. I mean, I just think C, I think you said it best. I mean, this is like a Brendan Dylan situation. He’s a leader in that group without needing a letter to say he is a leader on that group, right? I mean, we know there have been a lot of guys in in the program before. And I think too that the fact that I would say I’m leaning towards not needing a letter for Jonathan would just be the fact that he flat out said today, I’m trying to earn the respect of those players who have been here for a long time. And um this just in also husb you know he doesn’t necessarily need one. I I think that was another sort of reiteration that, you know, he’s just here to to be part of the group. Um, you know, he’s going to speak up when he feels it’s necessary. Uh, I mean, this is a guy who’s a natural-b born leader. So, I think the timing of this maybe I plays into it as well. Like that as we talk this out and think about it. Like if this if Adam Lowry all of a sudden was injured in February and you know, you’re going into March and Taves is you know had a good season and he’s established and is you know maybe they go that route but keep in mind this is going to be for the first game of the season, right? And I almost think Tabes would probably prefer it is somewhere else, someone else, and he can go in and be himself, continue to work through um because honestly, I mean, not that it’s a big deal to be perfectly honest. I mean, this is not going to change the outcome of games or anything like that, but that dynamic within the team, um, you know, I I think if I’m Scott Neil, if I had to bet today, I bet it goes to, you know, whether it is a Pianc, a Connor, DeLo, and one of those players that have been a little bit while, and just let Jonathan focus on Yeah. playing hockey, getting back to uh, you know, the best version of Jonathan Taves. And uh I don’t think they have to worry about the leadership qualities of whether having an A will make a difference on uh the number 19 jersey because I’m pretty sure that that will not be an issue. Yeah, no doubt. Hust. Yeah, I mean it’s something that’s interesting to talk about just because of the kind of person that he is. And I mean I referenced this last week where like in a in a simple threeon-ree game where you know so much has changed in a week even though nothing has changed outside of it just being another step in the process. But like you could tell last week when there were only four NHLers on the ice that like Jonathan was showing all kinds of leadership qualities already and now when almost all of the group is in town, you know, outside of a handful of guys, you sort of still see that. But I think you see him just try to sort of fit in. But there’s going to be people approaching him that you know they also we understand these guys have played with superstar players before. I mean, this is a guy that people are a lot of these young guys were watching him in the 2010 and 2014 Olympics and, you know, some of the other guys who’ve been around longer, you know, remember the three shoot or the shootout goals in Vancouver, right? I mean, this is a guy who’s got his, you know, we know the resume, we know the how decorated he is. Uh, but, you know, he is just going, you know, what come October 9th, they just want him to be part of the group. He’s going to be an important part of the group, I think. Uh, but I think it’s it’s just a matter of getting the getting to know you phase and um I just think that it’s something that it’s going to be sort of accelerated once things get going here. And u yeah, I mean I this is a natural-born leader. He doesn’t need a letter on his on his jersey for me. Uh if they wanted to give him one down the road or you know, we’ve talked about this before. I think it’s pretty clear that I don’t know that this is just a one and done for Jonathan. I don’t think this is a you know, I worked my ass off to get back to show that I can be an NHL player. Um, I think this is a guy who feels he has, you know, quite a bit left in the tank and, you know, provided things go well and he’s healthy, I could see him being in Winnipeg for a number of years. I don’t know if that’s two or three or whatever the Number ends up being, but I mean, this is a guy who absolutely oozes joy for hockey and passion. So, uh, you know, much like we’ve been talking about Sydney Crosby sort of beating father time. I think Jonathan be a guy who’d like to play for a few more years. And if that’s the case, then it would be easier to to slap a letter on him at some point in the next couple years. But, uh, I would just say I don’t think it’s a necessity. But again, if they if they felt differently and if they feel that that’s the way they want to go, I mean, you can understand why and you can, you know, obviously get behind that kind of idea. But I just think that given the circumstances that he just wants to blend in and do his thing and he’ll lead by example regardless. Hey, um, you know, you mentioned Crosby and Jonathan Taves. Did you talk to Braden Joerger this week? I did. Yeah. Yesterday. And it was funny. I He was recounting that story. He said his dad, you know, when he was a young player, always pointing out Sydney Crosby and Jonathan Taves. And who does he get his first taste of the NHL with? Sid and now becoming a pro with Jonathan Taves. Um it it makes a lot of sense that those were guys that he looked up to with that 200t game. But uh just a quick thought on Joerger and the rest of the young players that are heading out to Montreal for the weekend. And uh I’m really interested to see Kieran Walton. I was talking about that with Morat yesterday just after his blowup season yesterday. But uh I would imagine that Joerger in particular will have a great opportunity and apparently they’re going to be playing in front of 20K Saturday night at the Bell Center. What a way for these young players to get a little taste of the show. There’s a lot of enthusiasm there, Hust. Hey, as somebody who had attended the Young Stars Classic in Pentictton several times covering the event in the earlier years, I mean, it’s a fun venue, but like we’re not talking about 20,000 in an NHL barn here, Hus. With all due respect to Pentictton, which has now graduated to the Western Hockey League here and starting their first season next week here, but um yeah, I mean, players are, you know, I’m pretty sure he said it two or three times. Jagger referenced the soldout crowd several times and uh it’s going to be pretty easy to get up for a game like this. Um even if you’re Braden Jagger and you’ve played in, you know, this sort of event two or three two times previously, once in Pittsburgh, now once in in Winnipeg last year in in BC. But uh yeah, there’s genuine enthusiasm. I think that there is a select group of that, you know, th those players, hus that that recognize, you know, there’s only a very small group that is really in the mix for an NHL job. And again, those jobs are very scarce and there may not be any of them, but uh maybe there’s one forward job up front, right? Other than that, there’s not really a whole lot of players that are, you know, some nothing that happens in the next two days on the weekend, us Saturday and Sunday will impact someone’s ability to make an NHL roster. But as we saw last year with Kevin Heath, us his ability to get a head start at the rookie at the Young Stars Classic really allowed him to come into main camp with just an incredible amount of momentum and in that enthusiasm I referenced earlier, like you noticed him every time. And then when he got into his preseason game, I think it was in Edmonton, like you noticed him on the ice and he didn’t look out of place. He’s out there because of his skating ability and because he’s able to close on hits and finish his checks on the forch check. You noticed him all the time. So even though he was sent back to junior, which was always going to be the case, his ability to, you know, get his feet wet in that game situation against prospects allowed him to feel comfortable once it came down to game time against, you know, some of the more seasoned professionals. And then it allowed him to just kind of shoot out of a cannon when he went back to Niagara, right? I mean that that was the kind of year that he had. So in this case, Hus, it’s it’s important for Nikita Chibberov. We’ve talked so much about all the development time that he missed in four months of development time. Says a lot that he has to go. Absolutely 100% right. So we we talked about his maturity last week, Husk. So I think that’s just a great example. And you know, Mark Morrison referencing like if you’re a Chibrioff, you don’t want your first hit of the pre or exhibition season to be coming against, let’s say, you know, Darnell Nurse, right? You don’t want someone who’s an established NHLer that’s, you know, 6’4, 220 kind of laying into you. You’d like it to be against a prospect sort of uh not of a lower caliber, but you know what I mean? Like you want to be able to get your skating legs underneath you. You don’t want to have to wait another week. you’d like to get in there, get some, especially the way that Chibberov plays us with that tenacity, with that physical nature. He wants to mix it up. So, you know, let’s be honest, it’s easier to mix it up in a prospect game than it is in an NHL game. And that’s not to say he’s going to be scared to do it in an NHL game because he’s not. But to do it once or twice before being put in an NHL environment, I think is important for him. And you know, as I told you last week, the more I watched him this week, you know, two or three more times, Chibberov is getting around the ice very well for someone who had uh a knee injury that he dealt with. I mean, he talked to my colleague Mike McIntyre about working his way back from it. You know, there were some lonely times, but worked his behind off and now he’s kind of ready to sort of put his pole in the ground, if you will, in terms of saying, “Hey, I’m here, too. We know that the Jets have added a bunch of depth for the American Hockey League, but you know, I’m here to compete for a job and again, you want players to feel that way and obviously they do. And how those how many of those jobs are available will depend on a bunch of variety of issues, whether it’s injury or or performance related or whatever because let’s face it, this is a pretty darn good roster and there aren’t a lot of holes in it. And it’s not easy for someone like Nikita Chibberov, even though he’s got this, you know, great composure as a young player and he’s in his small sample size has been a very productive NHLer um in those four or five games, whatever it is. I don’t I don’t have it quite off the top of my head, but you know, when you’re going up against guys like Tanner Pearson who’ve been in the league for a long time, I mean, that’s it’s tough to usurp those guys on the depth chart, but that’s that’s why they get out there that there’s, you know, nothing predetermined. most of the spots are taken. Yes. But, uh, if you come in and give them no choice but to consider you, that that’s a testament to those young players in the organization. And us, we said it before, uh, and Mark Morrison talked about it openly. I mean, hey, these are guys that are not just here for American Hockey League duty. They want to be in the NHL, too. So, um, you know, if you’re a first year pro like Kobby Barlo or or Braden Jagger, you know, you’re competing with a Chimber and a Lambert and also guys like Sam Fagamo who are coming over and, you know, trying to make their own mark uh in the organization both, you know, and Parker Ford, hey, the fact Parker Ford is rocking 25 as a jersey number, hey, he is wants to be in the mix here, too, after scoring in his first NHL game. So, I think that element of competition will be interesting. And I’m also very curious to see too, Hus, like these guys are growing up together and you touched on Kieran Walton. I mean, if you’re Kieran Walton, I mean, you you know that there’s guys in the organization that are ahead of you on the depth chart and for him it’s junior or or bust, right? So, um he also wants to have a great year and he’d like to get himself into consideration for World Junior camps and all these other things, but uh and for Walton, it’s just a cool thing like his twin brother playing on the back end here in a couple of the games. I think that’s got to be great for, you know, two guys that grew up and and have pushed each other and all those things. I mean, it’s going to be a fun storyline to kind of watch, even though we know that the brother is not a member of the organization. He’s just here as a PTO try out guy, but uh that’ll be cool for them. Uh, you know, Danny Schulen is a guy who had a bunch of injury issues last year, but uh, you know, chance for him to kind of get his feet back under him and and it’s a really big year in terms of his development also here, Hus. So, and again, Elias Solomon, we know what kind of year he had. Yes, he had the injuries, but I mean, Mark Morrison spoke so glowingly about his performance and development last year that again, he’s one of the few guys that will be competing for a job, even though there may not be an open job available to him, he wants to force his way into maybe stealing a job. So, uh, because we know, you know, he did a great job as the number one guy on the moose as as a, you know, first year North American pro. So, uh, those will be all things that we want to watch. And, uh, you know, I’m sure that Connor mentioned it, but, uh, I mean, Domentus is rocking some pretty sweet pads. Hus, I think a lot of people will be, uh, liking the look of them if they happen to tune in on jets.com, uh, this week coming up here. Yeah, the games will be available on the Winnipeg Jet website. So, uh, for all of you that want to check out the, uh, young players that’ll be battling for spots within the organization, uh, it’ll be available at the Jets website this weekend. Ken, just stepping away a bit from the Jets. Sure. What, uh, what did you make of the report yesterday that Caprosoft turned down 16 million a year on an 8-year term from the Minnesota Wild? Yeah, that’s uh that’s a lot of sheets to be turning down. Hus, the most ever in NHL history is what I thought of that. Uh you know, our pal Jesse Pierce uh from from uh from the Twin Cities in NHL.com. The phone was blowing up. Poor Jess yesterday. Yeah, she she weighed in with her thoughts and uh you know, it’s a reasonable argument. Uh if you’re cur Capri off us, uh I don’t think that you’re you know, I I don’t think you’re necessarily asking for 16.25. 25. I think maybe uh maybe the term is what you might be interested in, right? Especially with the way the uh the cap is going up. Um you know, if you’re cur, you know, situation previously created under under the Zach Perez Ryan Sudter era kind of handicapped um the organization from competing. So, I mean, I don’t know. Do do you do you think that maybe uh you know may maybe if he wants to if st if if the Stanley Cup is what is most important to him may maybe 16 mil is too much. Uh I don’t know. Anyways I think it’s more about the term for Capri off right now. And yes we’ve said this for sure. Almost every single player would want to take the term and the money the the the the big layout but if you’re him you know you’re getting paid anyways. So maybe you just want a 5-year term or I mean I mean honestly the other part of that equation has to be you got to wonder if he wants to be part of that organization for the long term. I mean there there’s no other way to interpret that us. Uh that’s not to say he wants out but it certainly seems like he’s interested and intrigued by maybe some other possibilities. Otherwise you’re signing the deal, right? I mean that that that’s this is pretty much I know it’s never as simple as a plus b equals c uh but I mean we anyone who’s followed Capri off’s history you know there’s been plenty of reporting that suggests that uh you know he’s interested in the city of Chicago and that’s not to say that he wants to play with Bedard or anything else but u there’s been an element of intrigue for him and I mean when you become one of the superstars of the game and you’re that close to unrestricted free agency guess But a lot of those guys want to pick where they want to go. So again, there there’s a long way before July 1st. We’ve talked about this with Kyle Connor a ton, Hus. And we don’t have any updates on that. That’s where I want to go. Well, I mean, I’m just going to put it this way, Hus. I mean, I know you asked me last week and we’ve talked about, you know, oh, do you have to consider trading him? Like, I’ll just put it this way. Are the are the Vegas Golden Knights, should they consider trading Jack Eel right now trying to win the Stanley Cup? Totally different. How is it different? He’s in the last year of his deal. The Vegas Golden Knights and the Winnipeg Jets are in two completely different neighborhoods in the landscape of the NHL in my opinion. I I agree with that. But I mean that you’re asking if you should trade one of the best players in the league and I just don’t I don’t see that as being Vegas can get just say Jack Aika left as a free agent. They would have zero problem filling that spot with another top level player with a huge bag of cash. The Jets don’t have that opportunity or or well it’s highly unlikely that they would. I I I guess that’s totally fair. I mean, no, it’s it’s true, but I mean Minnesota, you could say the same about them. I mean, they’re not I don’t even view them as a real Stanley Cup contender. So, like, are they going to trade Capri off? And what what are they getting for him? Well, I read today that they asked for his trade list. So, now I I don’t know who was reporting that, so just take that for for what it’s worth. But absolutely if the Minnesota Wild think Capri off is gone at the end of the year, I think Bill Garren has absolutely no other choice but to to see what his value is and try and max it out for sure. But again, like I said, I think that the Jets are much more of a contender than the Minnesota Wild. So anyways, I I still don’t think that it’s going to be uh a scenario where this drags out until March 1st or second hus. But uh okay, here’s Cam Robinson. Shout out to Reis for being on top of it. according to his sources, reports that the Wild have approached Kappersoft camp for trade list appears to be premature. So, speculation on that. Um I I would imagine that will happen at some point if they’re not getting a deal done. But I guess the reason why I bring up Kyle Connor, Ken and I have been wondering and I’ve sort of been speculating that it might be there might be pressure I think on a lot of these agents to sort of hold out and I don’t know whether these agents like of the Connor Caprosoft Eel McDavid’s in another category but if those guys I’m not sure anyone really wants to be first because you know it’s just like like the NFL. I mean, a quarterback signs and he’s the highest paid player and then two days later the next quarterback signed and then they get to that point. And I do wonder about the PA uh and the agents and if that is going to make it more difficult for the Winnipeg Jets to get their Kyle Connor deal done in the timing that works for the organization to not have it hanging around the team like a black cloud all year. Yeah. And I I totally understand that that part of the equation and the argument, but I mean I would just turn it back. You just mentioned McDavid. If you’re Stan Bowman, are you trading Conor McDavid if he doesn’t sign an extension this year? If you’re trying to win the cup after being there two years in a row, I mean, their situation to Conor McDavid. I’m not saying the player, but you said the the the organization like Vegas and Winnipeg, not the same. But Edmonton and Winnipeg, they’re not that dissimilar in terms of market and and attracting. I guess I would say this, if if they thought that McDavid was gone at the end of the year and they weren’t going to be able to resign him, then I would say yes. like taking one more run at the cup after being there twice in the last year, two years. Um I mean, listen, they didn’t win it with him, but they got really close. And I I think you have to look at what I mean, listen, it’s opportunity cost, right? You got if if you think that he’s gone at the end of the year, you could either go it out, give it another crack, and then lose him for nothing and be a like a team that is significantly significantly worse. Or you could acknowledge the fact that this is happening, get ahead of it, get an ridiculous return that would hopefully set you up to while you’ve got Dryidle under contract, be a consistent Stanley Cup contender and be a better team overall. I mean, are you getting a ridiculous return if he’s not signing with you and if if he’s set on getting to July 1st? most of these teams. Well, I mean, I think that’s obviously part of the conversations as to where he would like to go, what would those teams, and we’ve seen it happen before. Calgary did it with Matthew Kachchuck. I mean, there is an element of trading players to where much like Dubois, you’re trading it to him to a team that he will sign an extension with and uh you know, you get a lot a lot bigger return for it. Um, again, I I don’t really want to get down the road of having to do something like that. And I’m sure the Wild aren’t there. My point is that I think that like this news with Kapasov got my hair standing up. Not because I have any um empathy for the Minnesota Wild or one of the Jets biggest rivals, but when I heard that and that number that was said no to, it made me reconsider what I think is realistic for the Jets to get done with Kyle Connor, unless he just really is committed here and wants to be here and everything else is noise and that would be great, but I’m not sure that that’s the case. Yeah. And I mean, this is the thing, Hus. I mean the with the we know the the shroud of secrecy both from you know Kyle’s one of the most you know not not an overshare let’s just say he’s the opposite of an oversharer hus he’s not tweeting out everything that’s happening with uh with his agent so and and he’s also staying calm and rational about everything. So, but we also know that yes, I mean I understand the you know the everything that fans would be feeling after what happened with Eers and everything else, but I mean there are also plenty of examples of players who have signed during the season leading into their unrestricted free agency years. So, um, and only Kyle knows for sure what is important to him in his next deal and if he wants that to be in Winnipeg or if he wants to play at home or if he wants to play with someone else on some other team, whether he played with them before or has gotten to know them at summer skates. Like, um, that part of the thing we’re not going to know until probably after the deal is signed. I mean, that that’s just the reality of it. And like I said, you said it yourself, us everything else is kind of just noise to be honest. So, uh, Kyle has given no indication that he is unhappy here. He’s often said how much he’s enjoyed it. It’s the only place he’s played. He’s raising a young family. U stabil he like much like the other guys who’ve chosen stability here, he seems like a natural fit to be the next guy to choose stability in a place where he is a homegrown talent. But, uh, again, ultimately until he does that, I mean, there’s always the possibility that something else happens. But uh I don’t see that as a you know a high likelihood of happening until there are other you know breadcrumbs left or signals that are given from the batcave that that that’s the direction this is going. So um anyways it’s it’s part of our job is to speculate and make the best you know best prognosis as we can. So, guess we’ll find out a little bit more when I mean, well, we probably won’t find out a lot more on Monday when Connor starts uh to talk, but it’ll be interesting to see what he has to say about it. I guarantee he will get asked about it. And uh Winnipeg Jet fans will be on pins and needles seeing how that goes. And uh then hopefully he’ll go out and have a great round and a nice day at St. Chucks. Um Kenny, thanks so much for doing this. Appreciate it as always. and uh we’ll look forward to uh checking out what happens with the young players out in Montreal and catch up next week as camp gets going on Thursday. Yes, sir. Great to be with you and looking forward to Hacksaw’s uh prognosis of uh JJ McCarthy in the second half rally that was impressive to witness on Monday. Yes, indeed. Thank god that happened for Viking fans on Monday because I don’t think they were ready for that kick in the nuts from Capri’s agent yesterday. So, at least they can just focus on the Vikings for a little bit and not worry about their superstar potentially leaving at the end of the year. Have a good one, Weber. Thanks for doing this. Yeah, take care, my friend. Cheers. All right, there’s Ken. You can check out all of his Jets coverage in the pages of the Winnipeg Free Press. Well, training camp gets going next week for the Winnipeg Jets. Hockey is already underway. We’ve got triyouts going on right now. Teams being made. Hey, if you’re getting ready for the upcoming season, you only need to go to one spot to get locked and loaded to drop the puck. And that, of course, is Royal Sports, the hockey supertore in Winnipeg for over 50 years with the biggest selection in town of sticks, skates, equipment, goalending equipment, custom custom uh projects done. You name it, they have it for you. If you have a hockey player in the family or a new player starting out, one trip to Royal Sports and you will be ready to drop the puck on the season as they’ve been the hockey leader in town for over 50 years. While you’re there, check out all the new NFL merchandise and get ready for Jet season with your Taves or your Valardi jerseys which are flying off the shelves. Royal Sports 750 Pame Highway. Give them a follow on Instagram as well at Royal Sports Winnipeg for the latest merch drops and of course tent sale and sale information. Um, coming up, uh, we got a great Thursday nighter tonight, Packers and Commanders. We’ll talk about that with Hacksaw in just a second. If you’re looking for a great spot to watch that game, obviously the choice is easy. Your local Boston Pizza Lounge. They’ll have the game on the big screen, ice cold schooners, world famous BP Wings, gourmet pizzas, NFL prizes, and more. Every prime time game, Boston Pizza, make it your spot for your gang. And hey, if you can’t make it out tonight, taking care of the kids, get the great taste of BP by ordering online at boston pizza.com. All right, we’re bringing in Hacksaw one day early. First things first, though, let’s give a big cheers to our friends over at Little Brown Jug. You train day in and day out, learning new techniques, approaching new concepts, and living out the thrill of achieving your goals. Building craft beer is no different. While you spend your hours on the ice, we spend ours here, brewing our trademark beer. Again, again, and again, here’s to pushing the status quo and challenging ourselves to build something memorable. 1919 by Little Brown Jug. All right, let’s welcome in Hacksaw. You know the site, leehacksawamilton.com. Make sure to give him a sub on YouTube as well. Saw, great to talk to you. And uh man, what a week in the National Football League. I mean, just before we get to week two and what to look ahead to. Um there was a lot to dive into, but for my money, those two prime time games, Sunday and Monday, very different games, but two incredibly interesting ones. A choke job by the Ravens, huge comeback by the Bills, and then one of the most intriguing quarterbacks matchups we’ve had in recent NFL history that went all JJ McCarthy just in time for the Minnesota Vikings to pull one out of the fire. How’d you enjoy week one, Hustler? Great weekend, but why would you intentionally avoid talking about the changing of the guard in the AFC West with the Chargers me over Kansas City? We’ll we’ll just I’ll run through all of them for you, but we’ll discuss that in a moment. But I did want to lead with the Bills and the I mean that game was absolutely nuts. We talked all week that it could be the game of the year and the bar has been set pretty high and then wow, Monday night the comeback by the Vikings and JJ in his first start after a nightmare start to his career early in the game. Yeah, let’s just talk for a second about Buffalo Baltimore. Never in my wildest dreams that I think I’d see a fourth quarter collapse by a John Harbaugh team. That defense just could not get off the field. Lamar Jackson and the offense never got the football really in the fourth quarter. And and here’s Buffalo just pouring it on. 16 points in in the final what 12 minutes of the game. Absolutely stunning. Uh you talk about a phenomenal punch in the gut when you consider what Lamar and Derk Henry did the entire first half going up and down the field etc. Baltimore’s I’m not going to say they have flaws, but man, they got sucker punched in this one and they just could not get their secondary nor their pass rush to link up. They couldn’t cover and they couldn’t really get to Josh Allen. So, that was a stunner. Last I checked though, Hustler, it only counts as one victory and these dudes are going to see themselves again before the end of the season. Uh, in in terms of Minnesota, that was a rugged three quarters. It was really not an artistically good football game, but JJ McCarthy found himself in that fourth quarter. I mean, he had three scoring drives. That was pretty impressive. And he started throwing laser shot passes, completed, busted a big run, showed great courage in the pocket, etc. I was really impressed with with how well he played considering all the adversity he had. I think at one point in the third quarter, Hustler, he had 68 yards on offense. Think about that. So, I mean, Kevin Oonnell is a guru and steady as she goes and he just takes it series by series and he’ll work on certain things and put his quarterbacks in the right position to to get the job done. So, I mean, just phenomenal games and then obviously what what what Green Bay did in their victory was unbelievably impressive with that quarterback and and obviously Micah Parson’s running all over the place, knocking quarterbacks down, knocking passes down. Green Bay’s a force to be reckoned with. So, yeah, there’s some teams in the NFC that because, oh boy, did that happen to us? Yeah, it happened to us and obviously it happened to Baltimore, too. So, just an electric first weekend and the TV ratings are through the roof. I mean, we had one game that had a 24 million viewership. Another game had 23.8 million. Just absolutely staggering. But again, that’s the league. The league wants to hit the floor running and they give us the marquee matchups. So, we don’t have as many sexy matchups here in the in the second weekend. Now, the Chargers Chiefs game on Friday night was something. Um, listen, the Chargers raise the banner, week one champions of the AFC West. Um, very weird game. I mean, Russy Rice already out and then Xavier Worthy gets taken out by Kelsey on the first play of the game. And it was just seeming like we were back to where we were last year and the year before where Mahomes didn’t have any receivers. Listen, I will say this. I thought Mahomes was absolutely brilliant in that game. He put the team on his back. I mean, it was it was something to see. But on the other side, and you tell me, you watch this team, that to me looked like the best game that Justin Herbert’s ever played. And he’s some big games when he’s and but unfortunately, he’s had to do a lot of it himself. Uh but they they played really well offensively. I I guess what stunned me more than anything, Kansas City does not have a lot of help for Patrick Mahomes. No, I I thought the left tackle Josh Simmons played pretty well and held up there against blitz packages. I don’t understand why Jawan Taylor is still the starting right tackle in Kansas City. What do you have four penalties and it kept getting beat? Kansas City couldn’t run the bleep on football at all. That’s an issue. I want to know why they hardly targeted Kelsey at all in the first half. Hey, I I see the Chargers. I cover the Chargers. They have tight ends that can’t cover linebackers who can’t cover tight ends. Why the hell are you not targeting Gray and Kelsey in that first half? And Mahomes, what he did was spectacularly individual, but he had no help whatsoever. And the other thing that stunned me, I mean, that was a Charger offensive front that was really in disarray because of injuries and and sickness, etc. Where was Spagnolo’s blitz package? That was the only way he was going to slow Justin Herbert down. And they didn’t do it in the second half. they actually kind of got away from the pressure midway through the first half. So I I think the Chargers were a complete team and I think the reality is Kansas City now is not what Kansas City has been and they have had such a tremendous run. So I mean you can dislike me but I think the changing of the guard in the AFC West is has now officially begun. You are on the list my friend. the uh every year people make ridiculous week one assumptions and takes and uh and you just did that my friend again raise the banner week one champions of the AFC West the Chargers we’ll see what happens that being said the Chiefs had their hands full this week they’ve got the Eagles what did you make of the NFL rewriting the rules and saying well even though he was in the game he missed the whole game pretty much so we’re not going to suspend him we’re going to treat week one as a suspension and Jaylen Carter can go. I will say this, if that happened to Chris Jones, there would be protests around 31 other NFL cities. Well, at the end of the day, I thought that the the league was pretty tough on him. I mean, they ejected him before he took a snap. That’s a pretty big penalty. Then they he lost a game check and then he got then on top of that, he got hit with a $57,000 fine. That’s significant. Here’s the issue though, and nobody’s mentioned this except dummy in San Diego. They have now established a baseline for the next guy that does anything of this nature. This is going to happen. And they also forwarded the information. If there you are a repeat offender, it will be a double package of sanctions against you. So Jaylen Carter was stupid for what he did. I don’t know whether Dak Prescuit egged him on intentionally, but at the end of the day, why would you do that? you know, the bigger penalty would have been had they lost that game. But I I think the league, they handled it with harsh terms and but now they’ve set a standard that all this other junk is going to stop in the league. If there’s personal fouls, if there’s ejections, you’re going to get the same thing that Jaylen Carter just got. Um, Hacksaw, is there any doubt that Mike McDaniel’s going to be the first coach this year to get a pink slip? I haven’t looked at what the odds are, but I would imagine there’s a minus sign before it. And uh I mean, they could not have looked more miserable. In fact, I’ve got a countdown right now as to how many days until Tyreek Hill becomes a Kansas City Chief again. Um what a mess in Miami. Well, it really is. That’s an organizational failure. I I don’t know whether the ratio is more on Mike McDaniel’s leadership on game day and preparation or whether it’s on Chris Greer, the general manager, but the roster is in tatters. And now you got Tyreek Hill with this issue with the National Football League with with the lawsuits by his ex-wife. And he’s got such a history of off the- field problems that seem to be growing, growing, growing, and he’s hurt. He’s not the same player anymore. And their roster is in disarray. I I think it’s a miserable season coming. And I think I talked about this with you a couple weeks ago. I thought that this was where the first implosion was going to occur. There are some other trouble spots around the league, but I don’t know McDaniels survives the middle of the season. You know, they were they got to halftime. They had 43 yards in offense at halftime with Tua, Tyreek Jaylen, Wadd, and now they got a fractured roster. So, yeah, they got big trouble there in Miami. Um Saul, what do you make of uh tonight’s game? Uh the upstart commanders going into Lambo taking on the Packers coming off that incredibly impressive performance in week one. Just stuffing the Lions in a locker. Yeah, I mean they gave Detroit a dose of their own medicine. And you know Detroit has had a great couple years run with Dan Campbell, but the last two years they’ve had a lot of injuries and they don’t look like the same team now in the offensive front nor in the defensive front. And there’s just no doubt that Green Bay just jumped them. Uh this is going to be hard for Washington. They got an added problem. Jaden Daniels has got a wrist injury. They haven’t talked very much about it. I don’t know if he’s going to be 100%. But going up there now with Parsons there and that pass rush there and Jordan Love and a whole myriad of young wide receivers and two deep at running back, Lambo feels a really tough ass place to play going forward for the rest of the season. So I I I could see Washington get whacked in this one and I I just hope Daniels is not badly hurt with this wrist issue. Um saw before we go what uh what are you looking forward to on the weekend? Uh not quite the incredible five-star slate we had in week one. Well, we got the Chargers Raiders on Monday Night Football and there’s going to be some repaid debt there because Justin Herbert owes the Raiders one. That’s going to be a great matchup. That’s Pete Carol’s attitude versus all things Jim Harbaugh. So, I think that Monday Night Football game is going to be great. Uh Chiefs, Eagles, you know, th this is a rugged start. Nobody’s talking about the fact Kansas City Chargers, Kansas City Eagles still to come. Kansas City Detroit, Kansas City Baltimore. I mean, that’s a brutal start for the season. Intrigued to see Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield against Houston’s Will Anderson and that fierce, violent Houston Texans defense. Kid quarterbacks, you mentioned JJ McCarthy, JJ McCarthy against Atlanta’s young quarterback, Michael Penn. That’s going to be kind of novel to see what Sunday is is going to be like. Chicago Detroit, you know, if if if that quarterback Caleb Williams, I thought he really struggled last week running for his life all the time. He’s facing a Detroit team has got to be so pissed off. It’s unbelievable. I don’t think I’d want to play the Lions this week. Hustler, I think. Tough spot. Yeah, that that also tough. Another story line, Dallas plays the Giants. Not that it’s going to be competitive. It might be the last game that Russell Wilson starts. There is enormous pressure on Brian Dable. You got to play Jackson Dart, the late number one draft pick. And Seattle, who is the real Sam Darnold, cuz he had a horrible game for the Seahawks in their home field lost to the Niners. Now Seattle gets on a plan. They go play Pittsburgh. And you think the fans with Iron City beer in their hand are going to be amped. Aaron Rogers debut in Pittsburgh. That’s going to be a tough assignment. Suddenly Seattle with Sam Donald could be 0 and2. He cannot afford emotionally to have more bad games there. Yeah. And of course the uh the ners look like they’re going to be without KD and Brock Pury. Luckily they’re playing the Saints. They probably will be able to still get it done. But uh I don’t think M. Jones is going to be taking them to the promised land. They want to get Py back as soon as possible. Hacksaw have uh some safe travels. Thanks for jumping on on Thursday. Um but of course people are going to wake up tomorrow and still get the best and the latest coming out of the NFL Thursday nighter at lehacksawahamilton.com. Yeah, it’s on the website and the podcast that we did a day early because of travel issues. That’s up there, too. Hustler, have yourself a great sports weekend. We’ll talk to you next week. I’m going to send you I’ll send you a message from Arrowhead after Mahomes wins as an underdog at home for only the second time ever. Looking forward to it and we’ll talk to you next week. I’ll buy you a 1919 or you will buy me a 1919 when it works out the way I projected. Good to talk to you. Thanks. Thanks, Saw. All right, there’s Lee Axaw Hamilton. uh fun NFL conversation tomorrow 10:00 a.m. live on YouTube presuming YouTube actually works. Um we will be cranking out our best bets against the spread. Our favorite player props with Jake Bowlan Moss and Pat Gregoire and Pete Greggy’s going to jump on right away. I got to get his take and read on this Thursday nighter tonight. Um, do want to remind you that a Cineaboya Downs is rolling right into October and next week, three days of live racing, including the final Monday slate of the year. So, if you’ve been Looks like it’s going to be gorgeous weather next week. Great time to get out to the track. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next week, 7:30 post time. a Cine Boys, free parking, free admission, and uh still time to make a call and get yourself a reservation in the clubhouse dining room for that unbelievable prime rib buffet. More information on everything going on out at the track at asdowns.com and uh we’ll of course we got couple weeks before the RDER Cup. Actually, I’m gonna see what Patty’s feeling about the RDER Cup right away. We’ll be all over it. maybe the highlight of the entire golfing calendar. It’s going to be Beth Paige Black. We can’t wait for it. But in the meantime, get out, get a couple rounds in while we’ve got some nice weather here in September. And if you’re thinking about a great private course for you and your family, consider Breezy Ben. Give our pal Cory Johnson a call at the clubhouse or check out online at breezyben.ca CA on membership at one of Winnipeg’s top private courses and the home of the 2025 Manitoba Open, Breezy Ben Country Club. All right, let’s bring him in before the big show tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. WST winners with our picks against the spread. Pat Gregoire of Cool Bet joins us. And Patty, I know we’re going to be getting into tonight’s game in a minute, but uh where is your head at right now on the RDER Cup? I’ll be honest, man. My head’s nowhere near where it needs to be for the RDER Cup. Although, I just saw that when you look at that leaderboard right now, Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Gayberg uh over at the BMW PGA Championship, I think they’re like 12 under or something crazy like that. to be me totally honest, man. I like I think this I I I know we we always see the home team kind of thrive here, but looking at the odds, like I would not be surprised if uh you know, come come tea off here. I’m betting on team Europe to win this thing. Yeah, I’m just pulling it up right now. There’s a ton of I mean you can already start betting Ryder Cup if you want and it’s probably a good time to get in on it and jump on numbers that you like cuz obviously these things can change. I mean uh top wild card now that we’ve got the teams done uh you got top US top Euro point score top debutant uh all of that. But as far as the win the event, USA minus 139, uh, a tie is 12 to1 and Europe is plus 145. I will say this, I think they are. And and there’s probably a reason for this. I mean, the built-in advantages for the home team have USA. I kind of think there’s value though on Europe at plus 145 right now. This to me feels like Europe should probably maybe be plus 120, plus 125 or so. And you think about everything that went into putting the US team together. I have no doubt that Keegan Bradley is going to do everything he can as the captain to win this Rder Cup. But um I wouldn’t be surprised if he be actually missed as a player for the event. I I really do. And when you look at the captain’s picks for team Europe this year as well, pretty impressive. You know, you got Shane Lowry, John Rom, Sept Straka, Victor Havland, Matt Fitzpatrick. I I somehow think that Aberg might have even been Ober might have been even a captain’s pick, which I, you know, was kind of surprising here, but um you know, when I just look at this roster, you’re right, this should be closer to even money. like if they’re playing at this at a let’s call it a uh um a neutral um facility, a neutral golf course, I think it’d be closer probably to even money. Uh but you always got to give the home team an advantage, especially a rowdy New Jersey crowd, which we’re definitely going to be seeing at Beth Page. All right. Now, we’ll save all of our takes and our picks and our winners for tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. here on the YouTube channel. Uh but let’s get into tonight’s game. And you know, I’ve been looking at this game all week long and it is was interesting. You know, it was three and a half originally for the Packers. Um it’s now basically three. Um the 3 and a half for the Commanders is now minus 130. Packers plus 110. We’ve seen some movement towards Washington as the road dog here. Um, I’m a little surprised considering just how incredible the Packers looked in week one. And listen, Washington was good. They were great last year, but they went up against a Giants team that had absolutely nothing going offensively. Meanwhile, Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers looked like they were ready for prime time. Uh, what’s your read on this one? Oh, when you you look at where the money is leaning right now, uh Jake Bull and Moss just put up the the update on where the money’s leaning right now. 57% of the spread bets at minus3 um are on the Packers, but this is wild to me. 89% of the money is on Green Bay. So, the sharp money is going on the Packers at that minus3 line. When you look at the total, 44% of of the bets are on the over. Um, but 85% of the money is on the over. So, the sharper money is on the over. And then when you look at the money line, um, you know, 81% of the bets and 72% of the money is on the Packers. So it looks like sharp money, square money, anything you slice it here, everyone seems to be on the Packers, which maybe me leads me to believe as you and I tend to to like to do is go against the public and go against the trends and maybe this is a commander opportunity here. But with that being said, Hos, I don’t know about you, I’m probably staying away from from either side, especially at that number three number. If you’re looking at three and a half, I think I’d consider the commanders, but the prime number of three, I don’t know if I like it. If you wanted the if you wanted the commanders at three and a half, I think you you needed to get out. I mean, atus 130 compared to the minus 109 I think that it came out at. Pretty significant move. But there’s a couple other areas. Now, listen. I uh I I’m going to get into a couple props I like, and I’ve actually put together an exclusive in the uh um under WST in the uh Cool Bet exclusives. Um I think the Commanders are going to run the hell out of the football tonight. Yep. And listen, they the Packers really did surprise me at how well they did in shutting down Gibbs and Montgomery, but they also got a lead and really sort of forced them into a passing game where the run game wasn’t as much an option in the uh in the second half. Um I think the Commanders are going to give it to Eckler. They’re going to give it to Crosky Merritt. They may give it to Debo Samuel and they’ll certainly be their fair share of Jaden Daniels and Daniels. And I even think back to games like they had against the Eagles last year, arguably the best defense in the league. Daniels still ran for 80 yards, they had some very, very long drives. So, while I als I like what Washington I think they’ll try to do everything they can to consistently get in second or third and shorts with the run game knowing that Daniels with his legs can move the chains. I think this could be a game where we see long drives and I am sort of leaning to the under on this one. Now, it’s gone from 49 to 48 and a half over the course of the last hour or so. I put it in on this combo and this exclusive at 49 a2 and we know how good these oddsmakers are. That made me feel great when I saw that it’s 48 and a half and we have an extra point. But there’s a couple of of uh of rushing props that I’m going to put in on this one. And uh number one is Jordan Love. Jordan Love rushing yards over five and a half. Now, last week against Detroit, he had four rushing yards on three carries. Um, I think, you know, if he rushes the ball three times, I think it’s safe to say that he’ll likely average more than one and a third yard per carry. Um, he’s a very I mean, he is a mobile player. Now, he’ll go back and he’ll try and throw the football first, but I do think Washington has the the the defensive line to make him move around a little bit. And I really feel good about that over five and a half. And the other guy that I’m going to take is Austin Eckler. Now, the number is not big. I think it’s 21 yards. Krosky Merritt was the fantasy darling and had the great he had the touchdown. He had the one big run. He had 10 yards and 82 carries. But it is not like we’re going to all of a sudden see in week two that he is going to be a bellcow running back. Eckler does a lot in the receiving game. But I think because of that they might actually try and catch them off guard with some runs up the middle. Take an advantage of the loss of Kenny Clark that we didn’t see last week. I’m going to take the over. This is this is the exclusive right here. I’ll just tell you exactly the numbers. Eckler 21 or more rushing yards. love six or more rushing yards and the under 7 or under 49 1/2 right now it’s at 48 1/2 so under 49 1/2 we’ve got it up to plus 725 thank you to uh Evdog and the boys for getting us a nice little boost I’m uh I’m excited about this one tonight I really am too I think uh this is you know this could be one of the better Thursday nighters that we we see all season long I think these are two teams that a lot of people were very high on um and for good reason. I’m I’m in the same space as you on a couple of those there. Um with Jordan Love, you’re right, he is a way better of a runner than he gets. He’s just such a good pocket passer and a guy that likes to stay in the pocket. Um so he doesn’t really get the credit. He doesn’t have the big numbers, but it’s five and a half us like he can run the ball once, move the chains. Um and we’ve cashed this in literally just one run. I know a lot of people get scared when when a quarterback goes up against a good defensive line. And for non-mobile quarterbacks, that could be scary. But I think this is an opportunity with some alternate odds, alternate lines with both these guys. I think you could if you want to get a little spicy and take both the quarterbacks to maybe get more than what their actual odd is set up at because I think I think we’re going to see Love take off a little early because he knows the pressure is going to come and I think Daniel’s going to do the exact same thing. So, I like both quarterbacks at the over. I really like Love at over uh five and a half rushing yards. You like Eckler on the ground? So do I. I also like him through the air. And uh there’s another one that kind of leads into your your reasoning. Short plays, long drives. Well, they say the extension of the run game are screens, little dump passes, checkdowns. And I think Daniels is going to be doing a lot of that with Austin Eckler. 23 and a half reception yards. Uh he hit this number last week. Three targets, three catches, 30 yards. Uh the Packers also gave up 14 catches to running backs last week against the the Lions. So um although they didn’t get an abundance of yards, I think that Eckler is going to be heavily involved in this game, whether it’s on the ground or through the air. The other guy who we haven’t mentioned yet, but Zack Z, three and a half receptions, Green Bay, they keep everything in front of them again going into this game plan that I think actually might work. Um they do not give up those big chunk plays. They didn’t give up a single play to the Lions, the the the chunk, the splash play team of the last couple of years. Not a single play over 20 plus yards. They’re okay with allowing little stuff in front in the middle of the field. So, I think that’s going to be a lot of options for Zack Z, who had the second highest u target share last week anyways. So, I like Z over three and a half reception. I like those other two props uh that you mentioned as well. And then of course over three and a half field goals. We’re tied. We’re two and two right now for prime time games. Robbed on Sunday. Absolutely criminal. We didn’t get that. We Yeah, we got robbed for a couple. So we’re uh we’re due we’re due for an over three and a half field into the under as well. It really does. It really does. I think I think both these teams are going to be taking points early and often. Um, quick update for you. Jay’s up four nothing. That is nice. I’m on the run line on that one. And Kevin Gosman’s uh dealing playing uh playing quite well. Um Patty, this is going to be fun. Folks, if you haven’t already, um go to the exclusive, check out the WST one if you want to ride with me. They’ve got nine different NFL daily exclusives with a nice little boost, including this is a beauty, the Thursday Night Football Super Boost. Jocks Jacobs to score a touchdown. boosted to even money. Um there’s uh you know Jordan Love prop 225 plus in the air, two passing TDs and the Packers to win plus 325. We got the Barn Burner each team to score 25 or more. That would be the over. I don’t like that one, but if you do, it’s plus 350. Um and a few other ones. The latter of the day is Debo Samuel rushing yards 20 or more plus 375, 30 or more plus 850 and 16 to1 to rush for 40 or more. And Debo could do that much like we said Jordan Love. That could potentially happen in one play. Um, there’s some great stuff in the combo cards as well, but if you think there’s a lot of stuff in the combo cards today, just wait till we get going tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. here on Winnipeg Sports Talk with our best bets, our favorite player props, and so much more. 10 a.m. live on WST tomorrow. Um, and make sure to search WST winners and subscribe to the pod as well if you want to just uh kick that. And by the way, I guess we’re getting this tomorrow, but you’ve got a big college football date on Saturday. You going to the&m Notre Dame game? I am. Yes. Uh it’s uh it’s the Notre Dame home opener and it is a must-win for the Irish. Um couple of my buddies and I big Notre Dame fans. So, we’re heading down to Southbend. We’re leaving tomorrow afternoon. Uh night game in Notre Dame. I’ve been to Southbend actually. I think this is going to be my my eighth time, maybe even ninth. I got to go back and look. Um, never seen a night game though. Um, it was uh, you know, so since co um, you know, they they they have a lot more prime time games. They got the light show. Um, but it’s always been afternoon games for me, the 3:30 kick or I guess it would be two 2:30 kick local time. Um, so I’m excited to get down there. Uh, get back to Southbend first time since co. Um, and it’s a massive game against uh&m. Yeah, I believe both teams ranked. I think uh Notre Dame’s what eighth&m’s like 16th or something like that. Notre Dame 6 and a half point favorites. Uh well, listen, I will I will say Hus normally, you know, when you go to a game, you take the over, you cheer for points. Those two teams with the defense, with the run game, I don’t know if I can in my heart of hearts do it and take the under. But if if I was going to give out a bet for that game, I’d be I’d be given the under and I’d be given the over on on love props because the loss to Miami in week one and the arguably the best player, not just the best running back in the nation. We didn’t even realize he was playing until the second half. That coaching staff does not make the same mistake and not give that guy the ball uh you know 20 to 30 times uh in that game. They’re not going to make that mistake again. If you want the Golden Domer, 6 and a half is the number. And uh again, that is a 6:30 start Winnipeg time Saturday night. I’ll watch that one from KC as I get ready for the big Sunday nighter. We’ll talk about so much more. Absolutely. Um tomorrow, join us at 10:00 a.m. live on YouTube. Set a reminder, turn your notifications on. You know how that works. Patty, great stuff, pal. I look forward to uh grinding it out tonight after the Thursday nighter and finishing up the official picks and making them tomorrow with you and Jake on WST Winners. Enjoy the game tonight. We’ll talk to you tomorrow morning. Go field goals go. Yes. Right on. There’s Pat Gregoire. Looking forward to uh firing it up again with he and Jake tomorrow on WST Winners live at 10 a.m. before our regular episode of WST coming up at 1. And again, if you haven’t already played a cool bet, use that promo code WST for a 100% bonus up to 200 bucks on your first deposit. And uh make note that um two weeks yesterday, so that is the 24th will be our Wednesday night poker series with Winnipeg Sports Talk getting going again. So if you like online poker, you can play at cool bed as well and you can join us for some special tournies within the community. Um all right. Well, it’s been uh it’s been a weird show today. Appreciate everyone that jumped in and that joined us live on X as we had these YouTube issues. Uh I can assure you we’ll have this all figured out for tomorrow morning for 10:00 a.m. WST winners. And then of course at 100 p.m. for the regular edition of Winnipeg Sports Talk. Lots on the Bomber game tomorrow. We’ll have Marshall Ferguson. We’ll have Jeff Hamilton. We’ll also talk some NFL from tonight and get ready for the weekend. And of course with the Winnipeg Jets and the Young Stars heading out to Montreal to uh play in front of those big Bell Center crowds. Um thanks again to all of our sponsors uh that make the show happen each and every day. Uh appreciate everybody’s patience with the YouTube stream earlier. Figure that out for tomorrow. Fun just doing it on X today. And of course for all you podcast listeners as well. Thanks for being with us. That is going to do it for us. Busy day tomorrow on Winnipeg Sports Talk. See you at 10 for the NFL show. 1:00 here for Winnipeg Sports Talk Daily. Have a great one. Thanks to all of our guests and you for being with us today. Oh my god. Shut it down. Let’s go. Thanks for tuning in to Winnipeg Sports Talk Daily. Make sure to subscribe on YouTube and your favorite podcast feed at winnipegportsalk.com.

Andrew “Hustler” Paterson hosts Winnipeg Sports Talk Daily with Michael Remis. They discuss Adam Lowry and Jonathan Toews’ comments to the media, the upcoming prospects tournament in Montreal and the Blue Bombers preparations for Friday’s game in Hamilton. Guests: Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press, Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton and Pat Gregoire of Coolbet.

Topics:
Countdown (0:00)
Intro, Jets on the ice, Bombers to Hamilton (0:40)
Adam Lowry speaks to the media (12:40)
Jonathan Toews speaks to the media (26:01)
Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press (36:59)
Lee Hacksaw Hamilton on the NFL (1:11:11)
Pat Gregoire of Coolbet (1:26:24)

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