Episode Transcript
[00:00:09] Speaker A: All right, everybody, welcome back to the Good Old Hockey podcast. This is episode number 43. We are just about, well, a little under a month left until the NHL season is back.
Me and Galley are back after some time away this offseason, and we got some fun updates, especially in Galley's life. If you listen to last episode, you know what's going on. If you didn't, we'll give you the update there. But yeah, we've got some exciting stuff coming up. We're going to preview the Western Conference and make some predictions for who's going to be the winner of the conference.
But before we get into that galley, let me hear it. How's life going in Bloomington, Illinois?
[00:00:52] Speaker B: Dude, it's good. You know, just got out here about a week ago. I'm actually in my apartment right now, and I'm standing, I don't really have too much of a chair or anything and waiting for my girlfriend to get out here and bring some of the furniture and get furnished in here. But yeah, man, things are going good. Things are really, really ramping up to the season. Very, very fast paced one. But yeah, man, I mean, lots, lots of the work right now until the beginning of the season. I don't think I knew how much there was stuff to be done before the beginning of the season, especially the team starting out. And it's gonna be a lot of hard work leading up to October 19 as our first regular season game. But nice. Yeah, man, we're cruising along. We're getting stuff done, and I'm excited. It's gonna be a really good show, and I'm excited just to be a part of it. Part of it all. Yeah, I know. There's, it's kind of, it's crazy to start a brand new UCHl team and have a limited amount of the time to do so.
[00:01:56] Speaker A: So, yeah, no, that's fair. And also, like, I can't even imagine how much just goes on to that whole process, but I did see the uniforms are pretty sick for that team. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:02:09] Speaker B: So we just released our uniforms both the home and away, uh, last Thursday. And, yeah, we got red, red jerseys and white jerseys. We're actually going to switch off, uh, halfway through the season for which ones we're going to be wearing home in a way. So that's exciting. And then, um, yeah, man. I mean, there's so much stuff coming up. We do have a preseason game where, I mean, hockey's came to Bloomington, Illinois, before, so we're not the first team to be here, but, uh, you know, yeah, there's a pretty big contract that the team signed with the arena and, I mean, they're definitely going to be here for the long term, so I'm excited for it. It's a really cool opportunity and, you know, there's so many. There's so many people that are really putting their all into making sure this team gets off the ground and, yeah, it's. It's hard to even explain how much. I mean, I don't want to bore you, but there's so much to do before so many people to be higher.
Just in terms. I mean, we got our front office hammered out and most of our players signed. Yeah. Obviously training camp and being, like, affiliated with the Rangers, a lot of players are going to come down to us. So we don't know what that opening night roster looks like yet, but our office is basically all figured out and. But, I mean, there's so many game day positions that still need to be, you know, filled. So that's bulk of a lot of work I do up to the season, as well as graphic creation and all sorts of stuff. So, I mean, it's fun, it's high speed, but it's kind of like you don't have any dead time. You have to literally be doing stuff all day, and I've left none of time in one day to truly make it do everything.
Yeah, man. It's just you got to take each day at a time and take the wins from it, so. I don't know. Life is good, though. I miss Boise a lot, miss my girlfriend, missed miss you guys and all my friends.
I mean, Bloomington's maybe not the best compared to, I don't know, boys. You kind of take it as you leave. You realize how amazing that place is. But, yeah, I'll be visiting a lot and, you know, it's not too expensive of a flight from Chicago to there, which is actually only a two hour train ride from here, which is really awesome.
[00:04:27] Speaker A: So that's good. Yeah. Are you gonna go to. Because I know the winter classics in Chicago this year. Do you have any?
[00:04:34] Speaker B: Dude, I didn't even think of that. I mean, that would be lights out. I mean, I would absolutely love to. I'm sure tickets are decently expensive, but, like, dude, I would. I would love to do that. Especially. I feel like a winter classic at a baseball stadium. So much better than, like, a football stadium.
[00:04:48] Speaker A: Football. Yeah. Butter angles there out of baseball.
[00:04:53] Speaker B: Yeah, for sure. I feel like it's just. I feel like it's a smaller field, maybe not the outfield, but, like, at least where they're gonna put the ice, it's gonna be, like, closer to everything compared to a football stadium, at least.
[00:05:06] Speaker A: Yeah. I remember seeing, like, the winter classic in Seattle, how they had. I feel like it was a pretty decent setup, or, like, you could see from pretty much anywhere, which is important. I went to the one in San Jose at Levi's stadium where the Niners play for the Sharks one, and it was tough. Like, if you're down on the. If you're, like, for a football game, if you're close, like, you can't see anything that's going on in the ice. Like, you just see their top halves of their body going around. So, yeah, no, it should be cool out there, but, yeah, that's awesome.
[00:05:40] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, I mean, it's. It's a good time. There's. There's so much stuff. I'm busier than I think I've ever been in my life, so, yeah. Um, it's. It's fun, and it's really cool to be back in sports and just doing something that I love and I'm passionate about. It's awesome being around hockey is the best, dude.
[00:05:56] Speaker A: Yeah, no, totally. That's cool, dude. Um. Well, yeah, I think.
[00:06:00] Speaker B: Yeah. How's. How's things going in Boise, dude? How was doing? Good.
[00:06:05] Speaker A: Eugene was fun. I forgot about that. We. Last weekend, some of the boys went to Eugene to watch Boise state play Oregon. Fortunately, they did not get the dub, but it was a close game, and, honestly, a good resume item.
Eugene is an interesting place. Some of you guys that are listening live there apologize for what I'm about to say, but it's not the best.
I could never see myself living there. Getting out of the stadium was a pain in the ass, which makes sense. I mean, it fits a lot of people there, and I feel like we have it again, very luxurious in Boise, where, you know, our stadium is still pretty big. It fits, you know, 40,000 people in that stadium.
But once you get out outside of Boise State, like, once you get out of the arena, you can just walk because it's a big parking lot. Right. And Eugene, there's, like, all these trails you have to, like. It was just kind of a pain in the ass, but it was a good time. It was good to be with everyone, and we had a good time.
Wasn't super expensive, either. I mean, it's a college town, so we hit up a bunch of the bars there.
Surprisingly, a lot of Broncos Posey State Bronco fans were in the area, and they had a good time, so it was good game.
[00:07:21] Speaker B: I love the traveling.
[00:07:23] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. No, I. I had heard this is on twitter, so I don't know how true this is, but I've heard people saying that there was, like, a lot of more than normal for a team that far, like Oregon State. You're probably going to get a lot of away fans. But interesting, a team that's from Boise, Idaho. Like they said, there's a good amount of travelers. And I could see, like, specs of blue throughout the stadium. We were sitting in the Boise state section, but we could see specs of blue out in the. In the stadium, so it's cool to see. But other than that, though, I haven't really been doing much. We launched, I don't know if we've recorded since then, but we were launched our website, and we have merchandise, good old hockey podcast merchandise ourselves. So go check that out, everyone. What's in the description down below? Settledown store. Visit that. Go get a t shirt. Use the code. Go h P 15. You'll get 15% off your shirt.
We've got some sharks themed shirts and flames themed shirts for, you know, being galley. Or if you just want to play no good, a hockey podcast shirt, go there. But that's the plug there. Uh, for the website. And other than that, nothing really crazy. Um, but I will transition this to a little bit sadder of a topic, and that is Mister Johnny hockey. Um, obviously, the devastating news that, you know, I, first off, like, it was really shitty how it was all played out on Twitter and people were breaking news prematurely when, you know, I think they're just trying to get to the.
What's called. They're trying to get the news out first. But it's like, with stuff like this, I feel like the family deserves to know first. And if you're breaking this at 10:00 p.m. at night, our time, which is midnight over on the east coast, just all sort of messed up. But, you know, obviously, galley one of your favorite players, if not your favorite player, for the flames, and we're dedicating this episode to Johnny and Matthew Goudreau.
And. Yeah. Do you have any words for Johnny hockey?
[00:09:31] Speaker B: Yeah, man. Too many words. Honestly. I mean, he was one of the biggest reasons I really, really just fell in love with the Flames. I mean, I feel like when I first got into Poppy, I was a huge Penguins band. I mean, dude, I was a kindergarten first creator. And seeing croppy. Yeah, you know, that was. That was pretty incredible. I just gravitated towards that and they won the Stanley cup in 2009 and that was just really cool things. And then, you know, I'll read for a few tournaments, watch the slaves fell into the flakes too, you know, just going to their games and I. But I mean, it was kind of a dead area after Gimlo left, especially, I want to say in 2012 or 2013, that's the season he left. That walkout year, there wasn't really. There's kind of a big void for, I guess you could say a superstar.
Someone kind of carries ship and Monahan came in. He was a really big deal for a while. And then obviously Johnny Hockey and Kachuk. But I mean, Johnny Hockey especially.
I mean, what he did, first of all, I mean, probably one of the biggest steals ever in the NHL draft history. Him going in the fourth round and then becoming a hundred point player multiple times throughout his career, pretty incredible.
You know, I know he. I want to say he finished third in Venom BP voting a few seasons back. So for a fourth rounder to do that, especially someone that was always told his whole life he was too small, pretty incredible. He did a lot of really amazing stuff at Boston College and I remember just following him as a Flames fan. I mean, die hard flames and watching him at Boston College, dude, this guy could. If he could translate it to the NHL and this guy's going to be a superstar. Ends up doing it. His, his rookie year, I think he was also a finalist for the Calder Trophy, had a lights out rookie year, brought the Flames back to the playoffs, hit him and Monahan and Yuri Vogler, Giordano and I mean, that first season he was in Calgary, I think everyone, he became a fan saver to everyone. He really just took that city by storm and he was one of the biggest reasons. I really just followed the Flames so heavily. I mean, I definitely followed them before, but once he came on, I mean, we were winning. There's a reason to watch the games.
I mean, even the most boring games sometimes you would do some straight up magician stuff. So, I mean, I think that's, that's. He's. He's one of the most talented players when it comes to like, pure skill level. And his hands were amazing. He was such a good playmaker. He could score clutch bulls, he would. He was always scoring clutch bulls. But not only that, I mean, he was a kind of a smaller, goofy guy, you know, didn't, he wasn't like the most picturesque professional athlete and I know, you know, towards his end of his career in Calgary, he was, you know, looked up to as the best player on the team for sure. I mean, I think Kachuk still wasn't what he is now when he was at the Flames because, you know, there was, there was really good players such as, you know, Goodrell, Lyndall, yeah, Monahan that were kind of filling those gaps. And Kachuk kind of got overshadowed in a way. But I mean, Goodreau by, like, hands down was. I mean, what a player. What a player to watch. I mean, I witnessed some of, I witnessed the goal. Like one time they were playing the Penguins in the dome. It went into, it was actually a shootout win for the Flames, but I remember seeing this goal into the third period. He went coast to coast, dangled like two players, then wrapped it around on flip, and it was like, probably the sickest goal I've ever seen since. I've seen it on a lot of his high reel highlight reels and a lot. It's been servicing a lot recently, but it's pretty cool. I was parted to see that. And I also saw his first season, even his rookie year, he scored this one crazy goal, game three against the Anaheim Ducks. I saw it there and game time, goal went to overtimes. Flames won. So, I mean, he was. Johnny Hockey was so clutch. Um, yeah, I know players love playing with him.
You were the fun, un go lucky guy, and obviously it was heartbreaking when he left the Flames. And I know I was pretty upset about it, but, I mean, that's water on the bridge now. It's, it's. I think all flames kind of believe that. I think the flames should retire his number. I mean, you see how much the organization.
[00:14:01] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, the chills right now, but the show out that they had for him at that I memorial they had was insane. Yeah.
[00:14:10] Speaker B: But I think it also just speaks a lot about the hawking community.
[00:14:13] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:14:13] Speaker B: I mean, not saying other sports communities are as impactful or. But I mean, just the overwhelming amount of support from all the teams and I think that I wouldn't be surprised if there's at least a helmet sticker on, you know, every NHL team for this year, I think the flame, they're going to retire the number. I wouldn't be surprised if Columbus does it, too.
Boston College is probably going to retire his number. I mean, there's going to be a lot of stuff, but. Yeah, man, I mean, it's just, it's heartbreaking at all how it all went down and, I mean, both Matthew, Matthew, Pedro, too. I mean, I didn't even get him he. He played with the Flames organization for a little bit. It's kind of overshadowed by his brother, obviously.
[00:14:57] Speaker A: His brothers, Johnny hockey.
[00:14:59] Speaker B: Wicked good at hockey, but, yeah, I mean, both of them good hockey players, you know, great fathers, too. And it's. It's pretty heartbreaking. I mean, I'm still kind of in shell shock about it all. Yeah, I mean. Yeah, I mean, it's horrible, especially the way it went down and. Yeah, but, I mean, we lost them way too soon.
I don't know. It's. It's heartbreaking, honestly. I mean, it really is.
[00:15:26] Speaker A: It sucks so bad.
[00:15:28] Speaker B: You can say about it.
[00:15:29] Speaker A: Everything. Yeah, everything that happened with it, too. I mean, for those of you that don't know, like, the backstory of it is just heartbreaking with the guy who was drinking and driving. Like, it's just something that I feel like everyone has known for a very long time, that if you have too much to drink, don't drive. Get an Uber. It's worth the $20. However much you spend on an Uber, it's worth all the trouble versus, you know, what is happening and what has happened to not only this guy and what his life is fucked up, but think about all the other lives that he's affected, and, you know, it's just something that, you know, obviously people make mistakes and stuff happens in life, but there's some things you can never get back, so it really. Yeah, it's just heartbreaking. And, you know, I feel for anyone that was really close to him, you know, Kevin Hayes, I mean, that's one of his best friends, and Kevin Hayes lost his brother to an overdose. So I just, you know, it just that morning after I, like, went to bed and I was like, you know, I'm really hoping that this is just some stupid rumor that's floating around.
And then I woke up at, like, eight to my phone going off, and I was like, damn. Fucking happened to.
[00:16:42] Speaker B: I mean, it's crazy. I feel bad for his family, especially. I know his. Yeah, both, you know, both his parents, he and Jane Goodrow were really, really supportive of the kids. They would go flames games all the time. And I know Meredith, his wife, you know, I think they had a couple kids, and. Yeah, man, it's heartbreaking.
And I hope, obviously, they're able to carry on their legacy. I hope their kids fuel this energy. I hope we see it, you know, another little Goodreau skating around and angling like his father did. I mean, he's. He's going to have a lot of people on his side growing up and I just know he's going to play hockey for sure. Yeah, I know.
[00:17:22] Speaker A: Oh yeah.
[00:17:23] Speaker B: Looking over him and having and yeah man, I mean I'm sure Gujarat's having a good time up there with all the legends hockey, playing hockey up and up there and I mean, yeah, it's, it's heartbreaking though. I mean what an american hockey legend. I mean truly I think he is one of the best american hockey players even though, you know, he only played in the league for what I want to say.
[00:17:47] Speaker A: Yeah, his career got ten years. Realistically his career got cut short. I mean he's only 31 but I.
[00:17:52] Speaker B: Mean I think he's, he's one of the best players. I mean skill wise and I think he'd be up there, I'd say at least in the top ten in points for american players. I don't know what he's exactly right now. I'd say yeah, at least in the top 20.
But I mean, yeah, he's one of the best playmakers, one of the best danglers and just an all around great guy. Great, great, excellent guy. Great player.
Just that classic small hockey player. I feel like he kind of trailblazed that mentality for a lot of people. I mean, I know Marty St. Louis is one of them and you know, lots of, lots of smaller players before.
[00:18:30] Speaker A: St. Louis though played a lot different. Like Johnny Hockey just had the skill and the speed that. I mean, frankly, Connor bedard, you can make a case for Patrick Kane too. But even someone like Cole Caulfield changing his number this year to 13, which is awesome. Yeah, he used to wear 13 before because of Johnny. Like he looked up to Johnny hockey, Johnny Goodrow. And he is now wearing number 13. So I think that's awesome. But yeah, so this episode goes out to honestly, anyone in the Goodrell family if you want. It was friends, family, anyone. That's what this episode is about. But we're going to get into the Western Conference preview, turn away from the, you know, heartbreak. We're going to look at it with positive note that Johnny Hockey's looking down on this NHL season this year and is blessing us with a great year.
[00:19:18] Speaker B: So yeah, we're going to do Johnny hockey. Breaks my heart. He was favorite player.
[00:19:25] Speaker A: So yeah, we're going to go through each team in the Western Conference and break down some notable additions and any losses if they had any. Some teams really didn't do jack shit for lack of better term this offseason.
But first we're going to go in alphabetical order if I did it right? I think I did, but Anaheim Ducks up first.
From what I found, they added defenseman Brian Dumlin and Robbie Fabry.
I mean, I mean, I think the Ducks also, you know, you could say these are the only two names, but they also got Cutter Goatee coming up this year, which I forgot to write down.
He wasn't an offseason signing, but, you know, he's coming in this year. And although based off those two names there, I'm not going to give them, like, a big, you know, they're going to be great this year, but they definitely have some potential to be a little bit better than last year. But I don't know. What do you think?
[00:20:24] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, the Ducks are kind of an interesting team, and I feel like there's a, there's, like, a lot of teams right now that have, like, good talent on paper and, like, maybe some players that have had, have shined really hard subseason. Like, I feel like Zegras is, like, a perfect example of that, who's kind of coming off of, off here.
But, I mean, even, even the top nine for, for Anaheim does look decent.
I feel like they, I don't think they're, like, completely out of the playoff picture. I feel like they're almost, like, in the same boat as, like, maybe like the Flames right now just because, I mean, their top nine's not bad. I mean, I think Leo Carlson, he had an injury last year. I think he's going to have a really good year this year. I mean, they still got Troy Terry. You have Cutter goatee. I think he's going to have a really good rookie year. They also have Mason McTavish, Seagrass Bank, Frank Vicero, Ryan Strohm. I think they lack pretty hard on the defensive side, and I think that's what's going to end up fighting them in the butt this year. But, like, I mean, for sure, I'd say their forward group is looking really good in depth. So if they can get some, you know, scoring there and then maybe some defense, I mean, at least from the goal pending either Gibson or Lucas Dostol, which dull stall is looking really good as well. I think they might have a shot for, like, a wild card spot. I don't think they're really a walk in the Pacific. Yeah, but regardless, like, I don't know, man. Like, I feel like I'm going to change their spot probably. I don't know, civics kind of hard for me, but, like, I'd say Anaheim finishes, like, 6th in the, in the Pacific, honestly.
[00:22:12] Speaker A: Okay. Do you think this team got better or worse than last year?
[00:22:16] Speaker B: I think they got better just with the Goatee signing. Yeah, I think that's a huge signing for them. Is definitely tough losing tri stale. Cause I think he's a really good defenseman also.
[00:22:28] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:22:29] Speaker B: NHL ready right now, which I think Goatee might not be as much. He might spend a year in the minors, but ultimately, like, I feel like go ta.
I don't know. I mean, that trades. Trades going to be analyzed in a few years and we'll see who wins it. But, yeah, I mean, I have Anaheim finishing six. Um, so I I think that they got better just with that goatee assigning. What do you think of that?
[00:22:56] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean, I think it's tough with any of these. I mean, I really think, like any of these rebuilding teams, it's hard to say that they got worse because all these players are developing.
So, yeah, I'm going to give them better, but I don't know how much better than they're like, I don't know how much better they're going to be, really. But next team is your favorite Calgary flames.
I have two names written down here as some notable, but if you can think of any off the dome, feel free to add to this list. But, yeah, Anthony Mantha and Dustin Wolf's going to be starting some more as well with that trade for Markstrom. Um, I mean, I think last year we kind of talked about this off camera, but I think the flames honestly do have a chance to maybe slip into that wild card spot. Yeah, I think some pieces need to fall together correctly and everything needs to go smoothly for that to happen, but it's definitely possibility.
Um, but were there any other names that I missed that Calgary has added? Yeah.
[00:24:02] Speaker B: And I feel like, uh, just with. Especially at the Western Conference, like, I feel like the Eastern Conference last year, the playoff push, there's like, I think six teams in contention for, like, that last wild card spot or something. Like at a very late point of the season. I'm going to.
[00:24:17] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:24:17] Speaker B: I feel like that's going to possibly happen in the Western Conference. I feel like a lot of these teams are. They're going to win enough to still be in contention, but not just completely tank.
Yeah, I know Manta was addition. I mean, I'd say. I mean, Kevin Ball was also addition in the Markstrom trade.
Yeah, they got a lot of draft picks. Jake Bean was another addition on the defensive side of things.
So I think those players, they're going to play a part in the d core. Um, I hope Kevin Ball turns into something because he's got a decent amount of potential. He's humongous. I want to see. He's like six foot four, six foot five. Um, but, you know, I think this is a very interesting spot for the Flames this year because, and then also, I mean, on defense, they have Bruce de Wich and also correct Etienne Warren. I think the Flames have.
It's a. It's kind of up in the air. I mean, I think if he has a really good camp, I wouldn't be surprised if he's on the opening night roster. Just kind of get that, like, glimpse of what he is like.
[00:25:23] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:25:24] Speaker B: Cause he's already done basically everything in this.
[00:25:27] Speaker A: Yeah, I think you start him.
[00:25:28] Speaker B: Yeah. And we'll see. I mean, I think that he could definitely crack the opening night roster, but they are kind of one of those teams, like, if they don't do well by the trade deadline, if they don't even have a chance, I think they're going to start trading backlin. I think they're going to trade Rasmus Anderson. I think they're going to start tearing a lot of pieces out. I wouldn't be surprised if they try to trade cadre at some point. But I mean, just on paper, I mean, let's hope Huberto has a bounce back here. That would be amazing if he.
[00:25:59] Speaker A: Yeah, I think he needs that.
[00:26:01] Speaker B: But I mean, just on paper, I mean, Huberto, backlin, Coleman, I mean, that's kind of a line. Connor Zeri also could have another really good year. He was quiet last year because of an injury. Igor Sharon Govich. I think he's going to have another great year.
Andre Kuzmenko. I think he's going to have a good year as well. Pause Basiliso there's a lot. I mean, they have a young core right now.
Like I said, they're kind of in a similar way as the dust.
Lots of young prospects.
But something that intrigues me the most is, like, their goalie situation. I hope Dustin Wolf can break into the NHL, and really, his strengths that he has at every single other level of hawk, that would be amazing. And I think I have pretty good confidence that he will. But, I mean, you also got, like Devin Cooley in there, who's a really good goalie as well, and also Dan. But I mean, and GM's even said that that is wide open for all, like, for goalies right now. That's completely wide open.
[00:27:02] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:27:02] Speaker B: For who's going to be the start of goalie. So it's going to be interesting to see what happens with the Flames this year. I have them just being loyal to them. I have them sneaking in at fourth in the Pacific and getting that last wild card spot. I think Calgary is going to be in that conversation, um, for that last wild card spot. I think we're going to be mediocre throughout the whole year and we're not really going to understand what this team is. But, hey, man, I mean, I, I got to be rooting for my team to make the playoffs. I think if we don't see the playoffs, though, then, like, tank for Gavin McKenna, please.
That's probably the first time you're going to hear this for the upcoming season.
Yeah, man. I mean, we'll see how the first, like, quarter of the season goes. I think if they are doing well, it might, it might start getting kind of ugly in Calgary. A lot of people get traded, but I don't know. I think they got better just over the off season, though, all just because.
[00:28:00] Speaker A: I just feel, honestly, I'd say they.
[00:28:02] Speaker B: Got worse on paper, but I think it's better from my perspective as a Flames fan because we do have.
[00:28:07] Speaker A: That's a good point.
[00:28:08] Speaker B: Spots on the roster open.
[00:28:10] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:28:10] Speaker B: These younger players that have been kind of sheltered by maybe some of these older players that just got traded.
[00:28:16] Speaker A: So, yeah, I'll ride you with that. I think that, like you said, I think on paper it doesn't look as good, but if you look at the overall outlook for the Flames and where they were last year versus now, I think they're in a much better spot.
So I think on paper worse, but overall, I think it's, it's a. They're in a good spot.
[00:28:38] Speaker B: Yeah. Where do you, um.
[00:28:40] Speaker A: Uh, I think I had them at five in the Pacific. I don't think they cracked that, that wild card spot. Like I said, everything needs to fall in place. So I'm not trying to be an ass, but that's just what I think.
[00:28:57] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:28:57] Speaker A: But for the next things, a lot.
[00:28:59] Speaker B: Of things have to go right for the Flames to do good this year.
[00:29:02] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah.
For the next team is another c team, Chicago Blackhawks, obviously at the draft, they got the second spot, pass stop on Ivan Demidov, which I honestly think is a big mistake for them. But I understand they need a defenseman. They went with RDM Levshnov and got him, which, you know, I think that's a good addition for them to get. You know, they obviously, they have their cornerstone in Connor Bedard but the scary thing for me, for them is that he was like the start of their rebuild, whereas some of these rebuilding teams are like currently rebuilding and waiting for that final piece.
So we'll see how it leads out for them. But they did add a some good. I think a good addition is Tyler Brutusi for them. Um, he's kind of been shown that he's this 2nd, 3rd line center winger floating around the league and helping teams out when they can. I think he's a good addition for this Blackhawks team. He's got, he's a great guy with grit and can stick up for Conor Berdard like no one was able to last year for him. Um, also Tivo Terravinen and Alec Martinez as well, which are, I don't think, amazing additions to this team. So I don't know. But before I give my better worse, what do you think about these additions?
[00:30:25] Speaker B: I think it made the Hawks a lot better.
I don't know if they're necessarily a playoff team yet. I don't think they're even close to contender, but I do think that they really sucked on defense last year. So those additions, especially like Martinez and TJ Brody, is another addition they had. Those are going to add some veteran presence to their decor, at least help brasic, which I'm not the most confident on, Razzik being good for the Hawks either. But I mean, that Bertuzzi, Bedard, terravine in line, I feel like that might be their first line and that's going to be. I think that's going to be a good line. I think they're going to score a lot. I mean, even slotted Taylor hall as well. True.
You know, he could definitely do some work because he was out with an injury like all last year, but I think that they got better, but I still don't see them. I just feel like their defense is just still not there. Until Lev should, like, really get steps into, you know, playing NHL speed. I think they're just still going to struggle on that defense and especially that goal tending, especially in a division like the central. Like, I think that they're going to be finishing bottom two of their division. I'm going to put them above last place because I think they just got a little bit better this year. And who knows, maybe we see opening night roster. I'm not totally sure. Have you, have you heard if he's going back to college?
[00:31:49] Speaker A: I I haven't heard anything about, um, where he's going to be at come October 10, but it's really tough to say. Um, I honestly couldn't tell you whether or not also if he's going to make an impact directly to that team. I do think, though, that they did get better.
You know, obviously as a team that finished bottom two, there's not much room to go then up when you're at the bottom. So I think overall they definitely got better. But like you said, they're not going to be a playoff contending team for next.
Honestly, four years maybe. I mean, it really depends on the outlook of everything can change because I thought the Sharks were a long way out from playoffs and now my opinions changed, but yeah, so I think the Hawks are better and I have them finishing in the central still at the 8th, though. I don't think they're going to move up that much. I think they're still bottom of the central.
What about you?
[00:32:59] Speaker B: Like I said, I have them just one spot, so I have them seven, one spot above last. I feel like they're, they're going to be just a little bit better than a team that recently relocated.
[00:33:12] Speaker A: Okay, got it. All right, next team is Colorado Hinton. Colorado Avalanche. They looking at their transactions over the offseason, did not really add a whole lot. But it's tough to say. I mean, they're a good team. I think they not got unlucky, but they just weren't ready for the playoffs last year. They just. I honestly don't know what was going on in that room. I mean, they have a star studded roster. Um, I guess. Who is it that's been out for injury? Landiscog.
[00:33:43] Speaker B: Landiscog. Yeah.
[00:33:44] Speaker A: Yeah. So he's been out for a while. I don't know if he's a planning on returning this year, but, um, they did re sign Jonathan Juan.
So again, I don't know that I can really give this team a better or worse. We can kind of go quick through this team because I don't feel like there's a whole lot to talk about. Um, yeah, they have all the pieces. They just need to figure it out.
[00:34:06] Speaker B: I think resigning Drew in is a big resigning, and I also just think it's, I mean, I, I've heard reports that he is going to be coming back, Laniscog, and we'll see what type of player he is when he comes back. But I think just he comes back, he's going to be making that team that much better.
You know, I think the Avs have a very, very solid team. I mean, they have the rating MVP and then Cale Makar who is a Norris finalist.
Correct. Who won the Norris again, Wemmer blinking on that already.
[00:34:43] Speaker A: Quinn. Quinn Hughes did.
[00:34:44] Speaker B: Quinn. Yes. Duh. Over there. But I do think, yeah, I do think, you know, Colorado is going to be really good.
You know, per usual, I do see them, you know, Gorgia, I think he's going to take a little bit more of a step this year. I think he was shaky at points, but it was his first year in Colorado last year, so I think he's a little bit more subtle than.
But yeah, I'd say they're just better as long as they can get Laniscog. But honestly, I see the abs having a really good year, especially once they get Lanniscog back.
And I could see them honestly taking the central. They were that close to taking the central last year. I want to say one point off from taking the central. I think they finished second, but I do think this year they actually succeed. And they, they, they actually were the, the central. So that's my prediction. I don't know. What do you think?
[00:35:40] Speaker A: I have the same thing. I think that they're going to win the central this year. Um, I mean, it was a close race between Dallas and them last year anyways. And like you said, I mean, they're a great team. They've got Kayl Makar, they've got, like I said, they've got all the pieces. I think Georgiev is a little bit of a question mark, but he's still good enough that he's, he won them a Stanley cup, so it's not like he's bad.
Yeah.
So I think it's just a matter of figuring it out and do the stars align for them. And that leads us into our next team, the Dallas Stars. Look at that. Perfect Dallas Stars. Their additions this last. Well, first off, they, they lost Joe Pavelski, retired favorite player right there. Um, lost him and Ryan Souter. I mean, I think Pavelski was definitely a big presence in that locker room for that team. Obviously, being an assistant captain, um, wasn't like putting up. I mean, okay, let me rephrase that. He's putting up amazing stats for a 39 year old in the NHL last year. Yeah, but it's not like it's a, you know, they're not replacing an 80 to 100 point player.
Um, but nonetheless, still a big loss. But they did get Matt Dumbo and Ilya Labushkin, but I don't know.
I don't know. What do you think about this team? You think they've gotten better or worse?
[00:37:05] Speaker B: I think they just got worse because they lost Pavelski and Cyr. I think that's a huge part of their locker room. Cause outside of Ben and Sagan, they're pretty young. Yeah. Especially at like, you know, Jason Robertson, Mason Marshman, Roubaix, Wyatt Johnson.
I do think they just got a little less good, but I don't. I just. Just a little bit. I don't think it's like a drastic change. I think Lubushkin and Dumba are going to be actually pretty good ads and add that veteran presence to their team that meant they might have lost.
I.
Yeah, I just kind of think they're, they maybe take a little bit step back, but I do still see them getting a division spot. I have them finishing at number three in the Central. I think it's going to be a very competitive year, though, in the central. Um, but I also. I. I do think that they'll make the playoffs and I think that there will be a competitive team in the playoffs. Um, I mean, they still had one of the best goalies in the league.
Jason Robertson. Still going to be going crazy. I think Wyatt Johnson is going to have a really, really good year. You got Sagan and Ben and he skinny is also another beast who I think he's going to have a really good year. I feel like haste might even be a sleeper for like, the worst trophy, but yeah, man, I think. I think the stars are still going to be good, but they did just lose a little bit from their playoff run from this past season. Where do you have them?
[00:38:36] Speaker A: I agree.
I have them finishing second in the Central.
Let me double check that.
Yes, I have them finishing second in the central. I think they're still a good team and maybe they lost a little bit of, you know, presence in the locker room, but it's still a great team and they still have a lot of, frankly, really good young pieces, which is surprising because I feel like the stars have been good for the last ten years. It seems like they've never really fallen out, but they've just drafted really well.
So it's hard to say with a lot of these teams to say. I know there's some teams on here that I'm going to say are flat out worse, but like you said, it's a little drastic of a bump. It's nothing super crazy. There's still a good team and again, those players are developing, so it's not like they're getting horrible.
Where do you have them finishing?
[00:39:28] Speaker B: So I have them finishing third in the central.
I don't think they're going to be. I think that they're going to go on some really good runs this year. I think they might hover on that third and then wild card spot and then, like, towards the end of the season, I can just see them really locking that, that third or second spot, and I feel like they might swap back and forth for that second and third spot. I don't really see them going back to back winning the division, though. I just feel like that, yeah, they had a really, really good year last year and, um, just a little bit unrealistic so that, to go back to back. But, uh, yeah, I mean, that's where I got them. You have Matt second, you said yes.
Nice.
[00:40:12] Speaker A: Yep. I got them second. Um, and. Yep. All right, up next, we've got the Edmonton Oilers galley. Our favorite team loves us on instagram.
They did get Jeff Skinner and Victor Arvidson this offseason.
Some of the most notable names that they added also signing recently, Leon drys. Idle again or resigning him.
[00:40:35] Speaker B: Yeah, that's huge.
[00:40:37] Speaker A: I think it's huge. And I think that means that Connor McDavid is going to stay in Edmonton.
And both of those, Skinner and Arvinson, they both signed for 7 million. Between the both of them, obviously Jeff Skinner had like an $8 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres.
Contract was pretty tough for them. They let him go, but the Edmonton owners snagged him up and honestly, he's going to have a Zach hyman year. I'm listing it right now. Jeff Skinner is going to have 50 goals, and only because he's playing on a line with Conor McDavid. There's no other reason. And, you know, no, no offense to Jeff Skinner here. It's just that when you play with Connor McDavid, you're going to be a 50 goal scorer just like we've seen.
[00:41:20] Speaker B: I mean, you were drystell if he played with Drystel.
[00:41:23] Speaker A: Yeah, that too.
[00:41:24] Speaker B: I think that Drysdale and McDavid are going to be separated at least off of the power play. Yeah, but, you know, playing with Drystetl or McDavid, I think either one of those players are going to be the best team on any team. They're two of some of the two of the best players in the whole world right now. Probably top five, you could argue, but yeah, I mean, I mean, Jeff Skinner is going to be lights out. I think Arvidson is a very low key signing. I mean, I can't believe that they, I mean, I want to say Jeff Skinner was like, what a three or $4 million deal, I want to say.
[00:41:57] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah.
[00:41:58] Speaker B: Like, that's ridiculous. They got him at that, that, you know, that rate especially. I mean, he's a 30 goal scorer many times in his career, and, um. Yeah, it's gonna be interesting. I feel like he's gonna. He. He might be like the Zach Hynen of this year.
[00:42:15] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:42:15] Speaker B: He might be the one to be going crazy and scored 50 goals.
[00:42:19] Speaker A: Will he, though? He has this curse on him that the team, whatever team he joins just does not make the play. He's never played a playoff game in his 31, 31 year old life. Never played a playoff game. And if the Edmonton Oilers don't make the playoffs this year, get rid of Jeff Skinner immediately. Cause he's a curse. Immediately. Um, so we'll see. But do you think this team got better or worse?
[00:42:42] Speaker B: I think this team definitely got better. I mean, coming off of a sailor cup final run, adding Arvidson and Jeff Skinner, like you said, for a whopping $7 million dollars total. That's insane. Um, they definitely boosted their forward depths, especially after losing Broberg and Holloway, which Broberg is on defense, but that was definitely kind of a tough blow, and the fact that they were kind of. They were able to pick those pieces back up. I think it'll be good. I think just the one thing that's still question mark for me is just their golden. I feel like I had that question mark last year. I feel like people did, even during the playoffs, and I'll get me wrong. Stuart Skinner definitely stepped up at times, but, I mean, is Stuart Skinner going to be able to make a run like that in the playoffs again? I I doubt it. And, like, is he that viable of an option for that and moving forward? I don't really know, but that might be something the Oilers have to invest in in the future. Um, but, yeah, I think they still got better, though. I think Jeff Skinner is such a good ad. I love that. Add to them, even though.
[00:43:45] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:43:45] Speaker B: Like, dislike the Oilers. Um, but, yeah, I think they got better, and I honestly, having them finish, you know, I'd say either first or second in the Pacific, but I haven't finished in second just because of Blades fan. Yeah. And, you know, I I could see them possibly not getting past the second round, but we will see. It could be McDavid's year. He might be alpha for a Stanley cup.
[00:44:13] Speaker A: Yeah. I mean, all it takes is one year. Like they always say, you gotta lose big to win big. Obviously, the Panthers lost big and won big, so maybe throw some money on the Oilers. I'm not going to because I don't trust them, but, I mean, I definitely think this team got better, and I think they're actually going to win the Pacific division this year, and that's because I'm a Sharks fan and I can't pick who your number one is.
You guys could probably get the hint there. They rhyme with Shmegus. So, yeah, I have them finishing first.
The Pacific again is not.
It's just not the strongest division right now. I think it will be in a couple years, but I onto the next another Pacific division team, the Los Angeles Kings. We can keep this pretty quick. I don't know that there's really much to talk about this team, other than they added Darcy Kemper got rid of Pierre Luc Dubois, which I think was very necessary for them.
I think Darcy Kemper is a good addition for them. I think goalie was always something that's kind of not plagued them since they got rid of quick, but they just haven't been able to really figure it out.
I just don't know if he's the answer, and I feel like this team is just fighting to stay alive in the playoffs, and you, sometimes you just got to drop the wheels on the, on the wagon and rebuild, but they're not doing that yet.
[00:45:33] Speaker B: I so agree. And, you know, just seeing this team on paper, it's surprising that they made the playoffs.
[00:45:40] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:45:41] Speaker B: I feel like Kopatar, there's got to be a time he starts aging. I mean, he's, I want to say 37. I mean, is he.
Yeah, I think he's 37. He's close to his forties. He's getting old, which is crazy. Kobatar, I mean, he was freaking. He's been played my whole life, if you like.
[00:45:59] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:46:00] Speaker B: Um, but, I mean, you got fiala, and by field, they're still pretty young. I think, honestly, by field will probably take a pretty big step. He could possibly take a step into kind of their number one center right now. I'd say he's like, you know, their second center. I feel like they're lacking on the defense side of things after, you know, Kopatar or not. Kobatar, Drew Doughty. I do think that they have Brant Clark, which he had a really good year in the age last year, so he could really break out.
But besides that, I mean, besides by Field and Clark and, I mean, you could even throw Kaliev in there. There's not too much to get excited for. I mean, he not. You could maybe throw him in there as excited, but I just don't think they have the strongest d core. I don't think they have the most fire, like, powerful offense at all.
I mean, I feel like they kind of remind me of the team. Like the flames right now. They're very mediocre, just not very good. But I have them having a really bad season just because they can't figure out their goaltender trouble. And I actually have them finishing last in the Pacific. So I think they got worse just because they did this year.
[00:47:11] Speaker A: So, yeah, that's fair, I think. I think so, too.
Just it's hard for me to find good things to say about the Kings. But Brent Clark, I think, is going to be a good addition for them depending on how many games he plays this year.
But overall, I mean, I think getting rid of Pierre Luc Dubois was a necessary move there. So I'll give them props on that. But other than that, there's just nothing really to super be excited for as a Kings fan. Um, granted, I am biased. I'll admit that I'll wear that, but I just don't see it to be super exciting. Um, I have them finishing at.
Where'd I have them? I had them finishing at four, actually, to slip in that wild card. I just don't see. You know, maybe I'll promote Calgary a little bit. I think they could possibly get that wild card spot, but la, I don't know, it's just, it's really tough to, to say all. I'm going to switch my statement. I'm going to switch my mind. Put flames at four and kings of five.
[00:48:14] Speaker B: Let's go.
[00:48:17] Speaker A: But next, Minnesota wild again, nothing too crazy from them. They did re sign Brock Faber, which is an absolute must need for them. Eight by eight. I want to say eight years, eight mil.
Great player there.
This seems tough. I mean, they didn't make the playoffs this last year.
I don't think they have all the pieces, but I mean, what else are they really missing?
[00:48:44] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, I think that it's going to really depend on their first line. I think Mark Marco Rossi takes a big step this year and I think he really solid, solidifies himself as that number one center. I mean, Eric Sanak has solidified himself definitely as a, you know, top six player for them. I think Matt boldly as well, so I don't think they have too much more to prove. I think Matt boldly could have a very good year, but, yeah, I think Marco Rossi, that's going to be a big year for him. I think Brock Baber is also going to just continue his, his success out there. They're, besides Brock faber, though, they're, they're kind of slim on d. I mean, they got spurgeon and, but they still got the go back there. I mean, they got, you know, Mark Audrey flurry back there, which is wild that he's still playing, but yeah, I mean, I think that they're the wild. Like, it's hard to say if they got better or worse. I'm just going to say worse because I feel like they could have maybe made a bigger slash at free agency or could have made some trades that kind of tool their team because it's not like last year was like the most successful year for them.
But I do think they're going to bounce back this year. I think Caprisov is going to have a really, really good year. Not like he didn't last year, but I see that the, you know, Minnesota makes the playoffs in the wild card spot, either that first or second wild card spot.
I'd probably say first, I think they have a strong, they're going to have some strong runs that's going to put them in a playoff position and they're going to be able to actually make the playoffs this year. Cause they kind of just, they barely missed the playoffs this year. If I. Yeah, but I don't know. What do you think? You think they got better or worse?
[00:50:26] Speaker A: I think that they got worse in the sense, I mean, it's really tough. Like, I do think that they, they do have most of their pieces.
It's just a matter of they can't figure it the hell out. I don't know why. I don't know what is missing for them, but I think overall, I think their team got a tad bit worse. It's really hard to say, though, like that they got worse. I can confidently say the Kings got worse. I cannot confidently say that Minnesota Wild got worse.
But did you give your where they're at in the standings?
[00:50:59] Speaker B: Yeah, I said they were going to be finished fourth in the central and then they'll make it in with a wild card spot.
[00:51:06] Speaker A: I am going to have them at the five spot. I think they're going to miss the playoffs again until they shake some things up. You know, maybe if there's a deadline that could, you know, a deadline move that can shift this, this lineup, but I don't think that, you know, I think, like you said, I think Caprisov needs to have a big year in order for them to move up at all for me. But it's also, for me, it's not that Minnesota, I think, is going to finish fifth. It's the teams that I have above that I think are just going to do better than them. Um, so moving on. And this is one of those teams, the Nashville Predators, they arguably not arguably, obviously had the biggest splash in free agency, signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marcheseau, and also Brady, how do you say his last name?
[00:51:52] Speaker B: Skagee ski J ski J. Brady ski jay.
[00:51:57] Speaker A: Stephen Stamkos and Jonathan Marsha. So huge additions for this Nashville team, a team last year that made the playoffs. I didn't think they were going to. And, you know, they've got, they've got every piece in the world that they need at this point. They've got Roman Yossi, got Philip Forsberg. They now have Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marshaso.
They have UC Soros in net and they have a pretty solid defensive core, I would say.
So I, off the bat, I think this is a pretty easy say here. This team got better.
They did lose Askarov in that trade to the Sharks, which I'm excited for, but they did lose Askarov, but at the same time, you got UC Soros. So it's kind of a no brainer there that, you know, take, take Uc Soros. He's. He's there for you and it's the team. Like you need him and you kind of have to lose Askarov in that position. But it is what it is. It's hockey. But what do you think?
[00:53:01] Speaker B: Yeah, I think the Preds really took a step forward this, this offseason. I mean, Askarov, that's tough. They lost that yellow prospect and whatnot. I mean, I think he's NHL ready. I think he's going to be a big addition to the Sharks. But they still got SARS back there, which is he's an incredible goalie.
I mean, not even talking about their forwards yet, but I mean, the fact they got Roman Yossi and CJ and then, I mean, those are, that's gonna be such a good top line. I think their defense is a little bit shaky, which is kind of concerned. I mean, they got Alex carrier R Kerria and I mean, that's about it. Jeremy was on, if you even would say he's that good. So that's kind of a worry for me. But their forwards are, I mean, their top nine looks really, really good.
I think Evangelista is going to have a really good year. He had a good year last year. I think he's even going to take step forward this year. Might even slot in with like Marsha. So here and there from that second line. But I mean, the fact that they got Stamkos in Marshy so on that, you know, top six, at least a top nine, that's going to really make them. I think that's going to put them over the hump and I think they're going to have an outstanding year.
I actually have them finishing first in the central, which going to be. It's going to be a bold take of me to say this, but our part of me not 1st, 2nd. Wow. I just jumped the gun on saying that. But yeah, I think they finished second, which is a big improvement as their wild card spot last year.
I think they could kind of go back and forth with Colorado, who's going to be first. But I do see Nashville having a really strong year. I think they're going to be kind of the talk of the town at the beginning of the that the season. Just saying, you know, damn, look at how good these moves were in the offseason. Yeah, I think Stamkoz is going to really benefit from a change of scenery, too. I don't think he was like declining a lot in Tampa, but I just feel like he was kind of starting to get outshined by Kucharov and Braided point.
[00:55:01] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:55:02] Speaker B: Those two players especially, which sometimes you take players away from better players. I mean, Matt Kachuk is a great example and they really just step it up. I mean, they show their true value. So I think that's going to be sort of this situation in Nashville. But where do you have them and Annette?
[00:55:20] Speaker A: I have the national predators at four slipping in again.
You know, I do have a lot of hope for this team and I think they're going to do well. They definitely got better on paper.
But I, part of me thinks this might be a little Pittsburgh penguin situation all over again, where it could be, you know, they get Eric CArlSon and it's just this, you know, and we got to say this. This is an aging team.
Stephen Stamko is 33, I think 31, one of the two.
[00:55:52] Speaker B: That is true.
[00:55:54] Speaker A: So, you know, that might be a little bit of a bolder take by me to say that, that they're going to turn into the next penguins how they were last year. But I just don't, I don't know. I need to. I need to watch them play to really be confident in them. You make a good point, though, saying that stamkos, you know, like Braden point and Kucharov kind of take away from Stamkos greatness.
But again, I need to see it. Prove me wrong, Steven Stamkos. Prove me that I'm a dip shit. Please do, because I'll give you all the flowers in the world. But I think fourth, um, and you could maybe put them in at three, two. But my number three team is going to be kind of crazy, so. But moving on to the San Jose Sharks, I think that anyone with two eyes, two ears, and nose and a brain could say that this team got better after last year.
[00:56:45] Speaker B: And what.
[00:56:45] Speaker A: What happened? Um, like I said, there's not much room when you're at the bottom. The only way is up, and that's where the Sharks are going. Adding Tyler to Foley, Jake Wallman on defense. Ask Rob, and not to mention Macklin, Celebrinia, and Will Smith now joining the roster.
And honestly, more rookies, I think, are going to make the move up. I think Quentin musty is another name that people should get familiarized with. I think he.
He's shown really well. I've been watching the rookie camp for the Sharks a lot, and he's been doing some really good things. He's a huge guy. I think. I think he's gonna be playing with Will Smith on that second line come the regular season if he makes that roster. And I think the both of them together just looked, they had, like, such good chemistry together, and this was the case even last training camp, I want to say.
So we'll see. I mean, like I said, I think this team is better on paper, but ultimately, at the end of the day, this is not a playoff team. Um, you know, crazy things have happened. I think I'm excited for Askarov to play, but I just don't. I think there's still some time needed. I don't think our defensive core is where we want to be at all yet. Um, adding Sam Dickinson in the draft, which I don't know if he's going to be playing come opening night, um, you know, Mario Ferraro is a solid defenseman we've got, but Jake Wallman's a good addition. But outside of that, it's nothing super crazy. But like I said, it's going to be a fun team for me, at least, to watch.
And I'm excited to watch Sharks hockey again, which I haven't said in probably four years, so. But what do you think about everything that that's. That's been going on this offseason with the Sharks?
[00:58:32] Speaker B: Yeah, I think the Sharks took a big step this offseason. Obviously you get in the first overall pick, but Will Smith is going to be NHL ready and I think adding to Foley that's going to be a veteran presence and a goal scoring presence, which I think they're going to really benefit off of that. And that's. I think that's just going to grow those younger players and that young core that much more. Yeah, I think their defense is still lacking a lot, which that's like. I think that's the next thing on the Sharks agenda to like really hammer in on that rebuild, which is going to be interesting how they do that.
But I think Askarov is a big humongous add to that and I think that's going to be their goalie for the next future. Maybe he's another Nabokov for them, but I think the, the Sharks really took a step forward. I don't think they're going to finish last. I'm optimistic about that. Um, but yeah, they got better. I still have them finishing at the 7th spot in the Pacific, um, just above LA.
[00:59:32] Speaker A: So yeah, as do I. I have them at seven.
[00:59:36] Speaker B: They could. They could maybe sneak into that six spot where Anaheim is, too. But yeah, I think they're going to take a step forward. It's going to be better hockey in San Jose and hopefully more people come to the games and whatnot.
[00:59:48] Speaker A: I think it'll be a better brand of hockey to watch. They may lose by a lot or not by a lot, but they may.
They may lose like seven to five, but at least they scored five. No. So can't be too upset and I'm excited. But next team, which we can kind of. We're already at the hour marks, we're going to kind of blow through some of these teams. Metal Kraken adding Brad Braden, Brandon. God, Brandon Montour and Chandler Stevenson. Brandon Montour is a great ad. I loved him on Florida, watching him play for Florida.
I think he's a great defenseman, but the Seattle Kraken are just in this weird little state. I think that. I just don't know how to fix them.
I think Brandon Montour is a good addition to that team.
I don't know if I want to give them a better team, though, than last year. I mean, they really weren't great last year, but what do you think?
[01:00:40] Speaker B: Yeah, I think definitely a better team just because Brandon Montour, I feel like he's stepped into his prime right now and I think Stevenson is going to work in really well. Just like their build up, their roster.
He's a little bit more of a defensive forward. I think Seattle is going to be one of the lowest scored on teams this year. Um, just because, I mean, they have a really solid, um, just defensive style team all around, but also, I mean, rowers a good goalie as well. Enjoy.
That's a pretty good goalie tandem, I'd say. But I mean, even their, their defense, I mean, Adam Larson, Brandon Monteur, jamie ales, Giac, Vince Dunn, I mean, those are, their top four is solidified. I mean, that's, that's a really dangerous top four, I would say necessarily offensively, but defensively, I mean, that's going to be hard to score on those guys. I do think Shane, right, takes a pretty big step forward and total in those are two young players in their organization that really do something this year, even Ty Cartier. So I think this year is going to be interesting for the Kraken. They could also barely sneak in, but I think that they got better on the offseason just with those two additions. Very smart additions and that's pretty sweet. They got mud tour especially.
[01:01:56] Speaker A: Yeah, no, I agree. I think I'll give them slightly better than last year, but yeah. Where do you have them finishing?
[01:02:02] Speaker B: I have them finishing at the five spots, so just barely missing the playoffs. They could maybe, I hate to say maybe be interchangeable with Calibri for that four spot.
[01:02:13] Speaker A: Yeah, that's fair. I think Seattle is going to finish.
This is tough, but I think we're going to finish last in the Pacific. Interesting, though, they do have an, you know, solid defensive core. I just don't think that they're going to figure it out this year and what they're doing. I could be very wrong on that. I'm not, you know, holding that like I believe this is true.
I just don't see anything special out of that team necessarily. I mean, I kind of forgot about Shane Wright coming up. We'll see. And I think, honestly, Matty Boniers is going to get out. He had a bit of a sophomore slump, I think last year, following up the great rookie year that he had, it's always tough to do. So I think he'll bounce back this year and I think he'll do well.
But I could see them. I'll give them seven and maybe sharks being eight, I could even give them six swapping with Anaheim, but I think Seattle eight. I just don't think they're going to figure it out this year. Next team St. Louis Blues. I'm going to be really quick about this one. I think that they got worse. The Blues are, again, just in this situation where I don't really know what they're doing. They're just like hanging on to trying to be competitive.
You know, they didn't make the playoffs last year. They did add Holloway, were offered an offer sheet for two years.
They also got Ryan Souter, but I don't really see that as being a huge ad for them.
I just don't know what the Blues did this offseason. You know, they're just this middle of the pack team that just needs to be better. But I don't know. What do you think?
[01:04:04] Speaker B: Yeah, I I agree with you. I mean, the blues, I don't see anything special coming from them. I don't see them be the worst in the central.
But, you know, I do think Broberg, that's a big ad. I'd say they just got slightly worse just because I think teams in their division got better. Yeah.
So that's the only reason why I'd say they're worse. I do think Broberg and Holloway are good odds. Holloway is all right, but Broberg, I think is going to really shine and given a chance now, he was kind of down the road, down the depth chart in Edmonton, and now he's got more of like a top four role. It's looking like, you know, who knows if he'll crack that top four. But Broberg could be something really special and be a humongous steel for the Blues if that ends up working out. So I don't see a lot going on there. I think that they're going to be very mediocre. I haven't finishing in 6th division, though, just St. Louis.
[01:05:04] Speaker A: I have them above Chicago, but at seven because I have Chicago at eight for me. So I think they're going to be starting that rebuild here soon. Next team, brand new team without a team name, the Utah hockey club.
I think you and I are going to differ here and I'm excited to talk about it. Mikhail Sergeyev, John Marino and Ian Cole are their additions this offseason as well as TJ again, which I don't think he is going to be playing coming opening roster. I don't. I don't know any pick outside of like four even. I mean, really just the first overall pick is the only player that's like usually solidified this make opening night roster.
But Utah hockey club, I think overall, I mean, I think this team got better in the sense that they have a lot of young pieces that are developing.
Clayton Keller, obviously their front man, Logan Cooley who I think is going to have an awesome year this year.
Who else am I thinking of? You. One other person.
But what do, what do you think of this team?
[01:06:15] Speaker B: Yeah, I think that the, I think they got better with Surgachev, especially Surgichev. I feel like they're lacking on the defensive side of things. They also got Balamaki bass back there, John Marino, Ian Cole. So I think their defense has really stepped up. I don't think it's going to really do too much. I think they're, they're goalie. Tandem is really bad. I don't think Connor Ingram's anything special. And I just hate to see, I mean, besides Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley, there's not a lot to get too excited for on this forward group. I mean, I've seen a lot of people saying Barrett Hayden's going to really break out, Michele might break out, Josh Dillon might break out. But I mean, they're kind of in a weird situation, almost like Anaheim in a way. Like they have a lot of good, promising young prospects. But I just, I really think that they're, on paper, they're just, they're worse than Chicago. I think. I think Chicago has a little bit stronger roster also. They had bedard, but I see, you know, them kind of bouncing back and forth with Chicago. I actually have them finishing last in the Central. I do think they got better, but I, I don't really. I think there's other teams in the central that got better or just have more solid NHL experience. I think it's going to take a couple more years for the Utah Yetis, whatever the hell they're going to be, to be a better team. I think once again, the breaks out, that's going to be when maybe the start of that. Who knows? That might be this season, maybe it's next. But whenever that happens, I think they're going to be something special. So, yeah, got them finishing last. Where do you have them at?
[01:07:56] Speaker A: I have them finishing third in the Central. They're making the playoffs. Retail hockey club, it's a new team. It's a new area. It's, they got fans now. You know, they have the support of a whole city instead of like a college campus that likes them.
No, no. Hate to you, Arizona fans, and feel bad for you that you lost your team, but I think this Utah team, like I said, I think this is me gambling in the sense that I'm calling them to finish third in the central.
Um, I think everything is going to go right for them and it needs to just, like I said with the flames, I just think that this team is going to click this year. They've, you know, they've been on some weird runs where they'll do really well in the regular season and they'll suck really bad. So I think if they can put some, some strings together of doing really well, um, maybe some good home stands where, you know, they've got a full packed house rooting for them, they'll be looking forward to. So, I don't know. I mean, I think overall, this team definitely did get better. I think Surgichev is a big need on their defensive side.
But again, it's. We're going to really have to see how these players break out. I think Dylan Gunther is a player to look out for. If he does, I don't know if he's going to be playing too much this year, but if he does, I think he's a name to look out for.
And like you said, josh Doan, too. I think he's going to be, you know, maybe fighting for his dad and the restitution of the Arizona Coyotes, but that is what I think. Three more teams left. We'll kind of try our best to keep it up. Vancouver Canucks adding Jake Dubrusk, but they did lose Elias Linholm.
[01:09:45] Speaker B: That's tough.
[01:09:46] Speaker A: I think this team, it's hard to say if they got better or worse here because they do, man. What do you think?
[01:09:55] Speaker B: I think they got worse just because they gave up so much for Lindholm. They gave up true. One of their best defensive prospects, which I love, Hunter Bruce, which is with the Flames now. I just don't know if Dabrusk and Daniel Sprung are going to be able to slot in what Elias Lindholm was. Yeah, that's a, that's a pretty big ass right off the bat from those two younger players.
So I think they got worse. Do I think it's going to really affect them too much? I think that they, they still, you know, have a really good decor. They got a great goalie. I mean, I still see them finishing within a division spot. So I put them at three in the Pacific. Um, but, yeah, I think they just got a little bit worse because, I mean, shit, last year they won the Pacific, I'm going to say.
[01:10:48] Speaker A: So, yeah, yeah, they, um, I think they got a little worse, but like you said, I think they're still going to finish in a good spot. I have them finishing third in the Pacific as well, so I think they're.
It's hard to say they got worse, but like you said, they did give up a lot for Lindholm and I think, honestly, that was just a push for the Stanley Cup. I think they're trying to make their case after the season they had not this last year, but year before that. They really needed it and they have Quinn Hughes. So it's really hard to say this team's going to be any worse than they were last year. So I think third in the Pacific is a decent spot for them.
Up next, the Vegas Golden Knights.
Golden Knights lost a good amount, gained a little bit. Victor Olufsen, Erika Schmidt and Alexander Holtz with their additions, which I really like. Alexander Holtz for them.
He's a good young player, which seems like this Vegas team is missing. They just have a bunch of people past their primes.
Also, getting rid of Logan Thompson in the middle of the draft when we were there as he's signing autographs, and that was crazy. And then Jonathan Marshasau as well. Losing him, I think, is maybe not on paper the biggest thing. And I get hockey's a business. These teams are business. Their mission is to win a Stanley cup, but to lose it in the fashion, the fashion that they did with Marshall. So he wanted to stay and they just didn't even offer him anything. It's just like really.
It's really kind of sad, honestly, like, just to see for Marshall.
Yeah. Classic Vegas move for Marshall. So, like, someone who just really did not have an amazing career up until he joined the Golden Knights and then won the con Smythe for them and you just throw them out on the street and, you know, Nashville took him in with open arms and I think he's going to do great for them, but I think this team, and it's going to continue to happen. I think this team got worse. Um, I think that, you know, they won their Stanley cup, but what's really going to be a, to show if they're truly a good team or not is if they can keep this up. And they've constantly traded away these younger, younger picks for, you know, these draft picks for players past their prime and trying to milk out as much as they can out of them. And who knows?
They still have the ltIr. They can play this year. Who knows the deadline, they could pull out some crazy little stint and their team is all of a sudden back again.
So we'll see. I don't, I don't. It's hard to say that the nights are going to be bad because, like I said, that trade deadline could change everything. But what do you think?
[01:13:44] Speaker B: You know, I think they got worse. A little bit worse. This, I don't know, it's kind of hurt. It's hard to say. They got worse this offseason. Right now, I think for the future they got a lot better. The fact that they were able to swing Alexander Holtz, I mean, blows my mind. I mean, he's a really, really promising young prospect. I don't know why the NHL let the Vegas Golden Knights get outs holds. I think he's going to have a really big breakout year with them. He could be at least in the top nine, possibly top six, which he was kind of struggling to get that ice time in New Jersey. I think Victor Olufsen is also going to have a really strong year. Their defense is crazy. I mean, the fact that they have Hannah thin Petri Angelo and Shade Theodore is like. That's kind of nuts. I mean, as long as they can keep it up with Aiden Hill, this, this team's going to be back. I think Vegas kind of had that off year last year. I honestly have seen them having a really strong this year. A strong year this year. Winning a lot in the regular season. And I think they're going to have a pretty deep run in the playoffs as well. Classic Vegas. But I think they bounce back really hard. I think those, those additions, especially Alex holtz, are going to be huge for them.
I actually have them finishing first in the Pacific, so.
[01:15:03] Speaker A: Okay. Yeah, I have them finishing second. So I think they're still going to have a good year. Um, and yeah, Alexander holtz, I agree with great, great addition.
We'll see if they trade him away, though. I'm curious. I'm curious if Alexander Holt stays with the knights. Um, they have this thing where they'll get these young prospects and then tool.
[01:15:23] Speaker B: Yeah. So I feel like.
[01:15:25] Speaker A: Yeah, I think so too.
Last team on here, the Winnipeg jets. Um, gonna be quick about this one. They got worse. I really do. I mean, last year was just kind of crazy to me how everything went down. I mean, they had a really good regular season and then they lose in the first round to the.
[01:15:47] Speaker B: Yeah, they lost in the first round. I mean, they had that Vesna winner and hellbuck went silent in the playoffs. Yeah.
Gonna be interesting to see how the jets play this year. I don't think they're gonna be as good as last year. I have them missing the playoffs just barely. They still have a decent team. I think their defense is lacking extremely. I mean, their best players, I'd say Josh Morrissey or Piancon defense, which is nothing too crazy. They still got shy. They still got Al Connor Ehlers, which either wants out.
Besides that, I mean, they this year could be really, really tough. I know Hellebuch is going to continue playing really good for them back there. So I think he's what keeps him afloat and maybe kind of in that contention for a playoff spot. But I am guessing, you know, they just barely missed the playoffs just because.
Yeah, I just. I feel like they didn't do enough. They lost probably their most promising prospect, rucker McGrody for Brandon Yeager, which he is good. But I think to Foley and Monahan losing those players, those were just like really good blue guys and they're, their bottom, bottom six are really gonna suffer now because I mean, outside of Adam Lowry and Nita rider, it's. It's pretty slim down there. So yeah, I have them finishing at the five spot. Where do you have them?
[01:17:13] Speaker A: I have them at the 6th spot. So much further down a little bit. I just don't think they make the playoffs this year. So we'll see. Again, this is our predictions at the beginning of the year for the west coast.
So it's really, you know, tough to call anything at this point. This is just from what we see floating around and what, you know, we think is going to happen.
But I think it'll be an interesting season this year, especially with, you know, at least for our teams getting a little bit better, at least some hope to watch. I know for the Sharks, like there's at least some reason to watch them and be excited about it other than like wanting them to tank.
I think Utah hockey Club is going to be fun to watch and follow. I think there's going to be a whole lot of crazy news stuff again this season like there was last season.
And we're going to bring it to you guys this coming season. So if you're new, subscribe to us like the video, you can listen to us on Spotify or Apple podcasts. Look up Goodall Hockey podcast. You'll find us there.
And yeah, be sure to keep everything, you know. We're going to keep you guys in the loop this season.
We'll be back here pretty soon to weekly. If it's not next week, then it will be the weeks after that.
And NHL hockey is almost back. We've got, I think, what, 22 days, 20 days left till, I mean, I want to say preseason starts within the next couple weeks, next couple of days mostly so. But yeah. Anything else before we get out of here?
[01:18:51] Speaker B: No, man. Go Bison. It's a, we're going to have a, you know, good season, and I'm excited for moving forward.
[01:18:59] Speaker A: Yeah. I'm excited to hear any, you know, just crazy stuff that goes on these next couple, definitely this next season. So. All right, guys. Well, if you haven't already, be sure to go check out our website, settled down store. Be sure to subscribe. Follow us on instagram at Goodall Hockey podcast. We are at, I think, 570 followers. Let's try to get to, we'll try to set a goal by, like, all star break or even, like, winter classic or something so we can try to get you guys to follow us there. But with that being said, we will see you guys next time. And peace out of.
