Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: What's going on, hockey fans? It's a good old hockey podcast. Your go to stop for all hockey news across the board. We got NHL, college hockey, international hockey, everything you can think of hockey. You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, x, TikTok. Listen to all of our podcasts on YouTube, Spotify and Apple podcasts at Settledown Media. So enjoy the episode.
[00:00:35] Speaker B: All right, welcome back, everybody. This is the good old Hockey podcast. This is episode number 27. We are so close to playoffs here. We're recording on a new day, coming out on a new day. We're doing two episodes a week for you guys. Now that it's playoff time, this episode will be focusing on, yeah, some of the closing stories within, you know, the season. We got some potential movement, you know, got some other drama stories. And then we'll also be doing an episode coming out Saturday right before the playoffs start. Just kind of give some insight into what we think for the playoffs coming up. But before we get into that, I'm going to shout out our going to be doing an NHL bracket challenge for the playoffs like we did for March Madness. But our giveaway is going to be pretty similar. Be giving away $100 to the NHL shop. Now the only thing you have to do to enter is enter the bracket. First thing, settle down bracket. All one word or not all one word. Those are all spaced. It will be in the description below, but settle down bracket. Join it there. Number two, you got to follow us on Instagram. Go to Hockey podcast Instagram. If you're watching this on YouTube and or Spotify, whatever, you got to go over there. If you're seeing this on Instagram, boom, you already got the first step. It's right there. Just click that button and then make your picks on Thursday. I want to say you have about a couple days to fill out your bracket. Friday and Saturday of this week and then boom, if you win, it'll get. They'll send you an email. You let us know and you can claim that $100 prize. The NHL shop. But I'm excited for it. The bracket challenge is always fun to do.
I've never really done it with a big group though. So we hope we can get a lot of you guys joining in to get that hundred dollars to the NHL shop. Yeah.
[00:02:29] Speaker A: Think about all the things you can do with a $100 for NHL shop. You can get a hat, sweatshirt and t shirt. I mean, you can maybe even get $100 knocked off your favorite players jerseys too.
[00:02:39] Speaker B: So.
[00:02:40] Speaker A: So a lot of, a lot of value there. And you know, there's a lot of Adidas jerseys still on the website, and those are going to be going too fast because they're switching to fanatics next.
[00:02:49] Speaker B: Year, so they are, sadly.
[00:02:51] Speaker A: Unfortunately.
[00:02:52] Speaker B: Yeah, unfortunately. But yeah. So go make sure you sign up for that. But with that being said, gallia, how was your weekend before we get into this hockey talk?
[00:03:01] Speaker A: Weekend was good.
Friday night. Laid low, didn't do too much. Um, just chilled with the girlfriend. And then, uh, Saturday, uh, went on a. Went on a nice little hike yesterday. Enjoyed the sun.
[00:03:15] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:03:15] Speaker A: Um, and then went out to downtown Meridian. Watched the fights too. Some really good fights. Um, I was bummed, uh, my girl zhang didn't win. Had a little bit of cheddar on her. Her winning, uh, within the rounds. Yeah, she did win, but she didn't. She. My bet didn't hit. She didn't win within the rounds, but those are some good fights. And just went out downtown Meridian feeling it a little bit today. Was in the. In the dirt today, but yeah, man. Excited for this next week. Got a Idaho horseman game tomorrow.
[00:03:47] Speaker B: Oh, yeah.
[00:03:49] Speaker A: You guys don't know what that is. Indoor football team.
[00:03:52] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:03:53] Speaker A: You guys should come by and see the gallagher out there. And there's some fun games. It's a very interesting sport, indoor football and basically a hockey. Hockey size rink. So it's a good time. But how was your weekend, man?
[00:04:07] Speaker B: It was good Friday. Pretty similar. Nothing super crazy. I think we went to, like, end zone for a friend's early birthday celebration. And then yesterday, had to do some work yesterday. Go into the office or the studio, I guess, and had to help these new clients get set up for the week just because they're gonna be using the space on the weekends. And we don't have to be there, though. So we just had to get them all set up. Yeah. But, um.
Yeah, then we went out Saturday and, man, yeah, I just. Sunday's just full recovery day. Watched it. I watched click the movie.
Great movie.
Good reminder to live your life. But it was, yeah, rough day. But we are here. We're ready to get into some NHL talk and quick.
[00:05:00] Speaker A: Is a good movie.
[00:05:01] Speaker B: Yeah, it's a great movie. Adam Sandler movie.
Yeah. But, yeah, we're excited for the playoffs. They're coming up. They're creeping up. I'm super excited.
So first day of the playoffs is Saturday. So that's when our next episode will come out.
But before we get into that and I'll play off talk, we've got some stuff to catch up on.
First one, we could have called it. I'm kind of excited. I do feel bad for a couple of our friends. Well, one of our friends, the only friend that I have that's a Coyotes fan, he was on the podcast couple weeks ago talking about the coyotes, and, you know, it's happening. They're moving to Salt Lake. Like, I don't think there's any moving around that, uh, they've been kind of hush hush about it, but it's been getting out, been leaking that. It's looking like it's coming true day by day. Um, yeah.
[00:06:01] Speaker A: Yeah. Dude, I can't believe it's, it's finally happening. Like, this has been in talks for three, four years, I'd probably say, in the making. And Bettman's been really behind, you know, just keeping the team in Arizona at all costs, even if they have to play in a college arena. And I think it was just getting to a point where I think the ownership was running out of options for arena, which is tough. I mean, I feel like this is somewhat of a similar situation with the A's. It's kind of interesting, this all, both the A's and, you know, the coyotes, these all kind of happened within the past few weeks.
But I just think it's, it's poor ownership. I mean, I can't believe that they were, you know, skimming hotel payments all season. And not only that, I mean, just, just everything with the arena from like relations with mayors and city councilmen and all sorts of stuff within the Phoenix area. I mean, it's a huge metro. I feel like they are totally, like, able to hold a NHL franchise. They're able to NFL franchise, MLB too. So, yeah, I mean, I just think hockey kind of didn't catch as much traction as people thought there. But I also think there's a big, big blame on the ownership and also, you know, general managers for putting not as good of a product as they could get there. Out there.
[00:07:25] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, it's tough because I think it's hard for the coyotes. They never won. They didn't really ever play in Phoenix, at least that I can remember. They played in Glendale and then Tempe and I don't know, I just, you know, they never really had an option to play in Phoenix. And I know their last proposal with an arena was to be in Phoenix, North Phoenix.
And it seems like the mayor wants nothing to do with them.
I don't know. I couldn't tell you why. I mean, hockey is definitely growing in Arizona. I think it is a hockey sport.
[00:08:01] Speaker A: Or hockey state, they produce a lot of players, too.
[00:08:05] Speaker B: They do.
[00:08:06] Speaker A: Crazy.
[00:08:06] Speaker B: Austin Matthews, like, you know, and I know the 14 UAAA junior Coyotes just won natties, the nationals for triple A 14. You. That is huge. Like.
[00:08:21] Speaker A: You know, to have a state like Arizona.
[00:08:23] Speaker B: Yeah, exactly. Like, we're not used to that. And I don't know, I do feel bad for all the fans that has to go through that, losing your team. I couldn't imagine, you know, if that happened to the Sharks or you at the flames. Like, I know that would destroy me. It would. Yeah. I definitely feel for all the fans there and, you know, as much as we like to give them shit, they do have some good fans, good fan base around them.
You know, they just were never. They were never, I feel like, in a good spot. Glendale sucked.
Just sucked.
[00:08:54] Speaker A: I mean, same with their college.
[00:08:56] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah.
[00:08:57] Speaker A: I mean, their team never really caught traction. I know they had that 120, twelve, uh, cup run and I know they had some success at the beginning. Um, but it's crazy how many players, you know, have came out of Arizona, um, just from the. That small span of time. It just shows, you know, what an NHL franchise can. How it can impact a city that's not traditionally a hockey market. I mean, shits in the desert, but, yeah, I just think it's. It's kind of a crazy situation. It's unfortunate for the fans that are in Arizona, but, man, I don't know if it's between the ownership and Phoenix isn't a, you know, Phoenix area isn't a hockey city. But I do know, to answer your question, I do know the Scottsdale mayor was the one that was really upset about that new arena that they were potentially going to build, which is outrageous that they posted that on social media a couple weeks ago, and then two weeks later they're relocating. Like, that's such a crazy turn of events. Like, I. I mean, both you and I were like, they're staying. When that came out, I think everyone was kind of like, wow, I guess coyotes are going to stay in Arizona, then two weeks later pull the plug. The owners, I mean, I think it's kind of a cash grab from the owners, profited at hundreds of millions of dollars on selling the team. Um, and something that was losing the money, to be fair. So, I mean, to be fair, from the, from the owner's perspective, probably time to sell it. It's unfortunate wasn't another Arizona buyer. But I hope down the road if Arizona does get an expansion team, it is not the same owners because that ownership group is doing a pretty shitty job when it comes to building a state of art NHL franchise.
[00:10:39] Speaker B: Yeah, no, I agree.
I think ultimately, and we'll move on to just Salt Lake in general. We'll kind of break it up into twos talking coyotes, Phoenix, and then we'll talk about Salt Lake. Um, but, you know, I think, yeah, them posting that was wild.
[00:10:56] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:10:57] Speaker B: Like, it's also like, I don't know. I don't know everything, the whole story, so I don't know. But, like, why didn't they just try to join in with the Suns arena? Or like, they're proposed, like, a new arena is expensive to build, to do that and to propose that when what they proposed was not anything light, it wasn't just a little, like, that was a big, big thing that they're proposing. And I don't know, it's just like, you know, maybe they would have had some more success going with the suns or.
[00:11:32] Speaker A: Dude, I feel like, I feel like with the suns, like they're just, they're different organization, different fan base, different ownership. I just feel like it's just like.
[00:11:43] Speaker B: It'S almost the arena.
[00:11:44] Speaker A: Yeah, it's like a burden for, for them to take on the coyotes because the coyotes had troubles paying their, their rent at their previous arena. That's why they had to move to mullet arena. They've, yeah, I mean, they're always kind of a dumpster fire in the NHL. So it's like, why do, from their arena perspective, why would they want to take on that team? I mean, I think that's why the suns didn't take them on. I feel like that's kind of people. I feel like that's a question I've always had. Like, why haven't the Suns just, they just play in the Suns arena?
[00:12:10] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:12:11] Speaker A: And I mean, there's a good arenas in that area that are NHL capacity size, but yeah, the fact that they had to play in the mullet arena this past couple seasons, that shows a lot. That just shows that, like, I don't think really any of the arenas cities really want them there when it comes down to it. And not even considering the fans, not considering the players. I think the players also got hurt by this too. I mean, just uprooted.
You're gonna have to sell your house, everything and move to Soakville. It's, yeah, it's. Sorry. Salt Lake City.
[00:12:46] Speaker B: Sorry.
[00:12:47] Speaker A: But so, yeah, yeah, but yeah, it's, it's such a. I just think this is crazy. I mean, in my lifetime, I feel like the Thrashers relocation. I don't really remember it. Social media wasn't as prevalent. I mean, to be fair, I was, like, twelve years old, but, like, I just feel like there wasn't. It wasn't this quick with.
[00:13:09] Speaker B: No, no, it was not. Yeah, no, they knew it was like a wrap up season. Like, I mean, by the time this comes out, I want to say the game's already been played, but they have their one last game playing in Arizona coming up. I want to say it's like, Monday or Tuesday, but it's like. I don't know. I feel bad. The tickets also are going, like, over $1,000 a ticket because it's so last minute. Like, at least you give the team a whole series season to be like, yeah, this is our farewell season. Last season. Come out, support us.
But now it's just a, you know, Tyler, for example, he went to a game couple, like a month ago. He had no idea. That was the last time he's ever going to watch the Arizona Coyotes play. He had no idea.
[00:13:53] Speaker A: That's.
[00:13:53] Speaker B: So maybe he had a feeling, but it wasn't for sure. And he was. He was like, well, maybe I could catch another game next season.
[00:14:01] Speaker A: Yeah.
I can't believe, like, I can't leave. It went down in this fashion and then one, like, I mean, like you were saying before, like, if this happened to, like, one of our teams, like, the flames or the Sharks, it would be heartbreaking. And, dude, the flames had a scare a couple years ago. They were having troubles with the. With the city to, like, finalize that arena deal. Thank God it happened last year, and they're gonna for sure come complete it, which, yeah, that's amazing. But, I mean, it's crazy to think what the atmosphere would be like in an actual hockey city. Not saying, like, arizona doesn't have fans, but it's not a hockey city. Like, as much as the NHL wants to say that, or their fans, like, it's not, like, bottom line, it's not a hockey city. It's. It's tough that it didn't get to catch on like that, but, like, say, if this were to happen in Calgary or, I mean, shit, even Quebec City, I mean, people are. It's a way bigger deal.
[00:14:50] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:14:50] Speaker A: You know, I mean, it's. It's weird to say, but, like, at least Arizona still has, like, Arizona State. At least they still got the diamondbacks. You know, they got all these other teams sports to follow, and maybe some fans will stick with Salt Lake City, that new franchise. But, yeah, regardless, though, it's it sucks for the fans. It sucks for the players.
[00:15:09] Speaker B: Yeah, no, I agree with that. I mean, heart goes out to all the fans out there and the players too. I mean, it sucks to, you know, you got to uproot your life. It's different. You know, a trade is one thing, but the entire team to move like that.
But, you know, I think in my mind, Salt Lake is a good choice out of, you know, the other ones that were mentioned like Atlanta, Quebec City, Houston.
You know, I don't. I just don't think Houston would have been good. I don't think Atlanta, you know, third time could have been a charm. But I just don't. I don't know. Quebec City is tough. I mean, I know that they have a good fan base for it, but I know Gary Bettman doesn't want any more canadian teams.
[00:15:50] Speaker A: Like, dude, I wish, obviously in my.
[00:15:53] Speaker B: Yeah, cool.
[00:15:55] Speaker A: Beck City.
[00:15:55] Speaker B: Yeah, cool.
[00:15:56] Speaker A: I don't think it's really adding any NHL fans, but just to have them back would be. Would be pretty sick because the jets got their franchise back and we sweet of Quebec city. And quebec city could totally host an NHL team. Fans would go to it, but yeah. Is it really making the NHL progress anymore? Probably not as much as Salt lake is, you know, or. I mean, I think Houston probably could have too, but housing could.
[00:16:20] Speaker B: No, yeah, that's the big thing. I don't think that they're ready. And I think Salt lake is a good choice, though. One little selfish. I like it because it's only 4 hours or five hour drive for us. So bet your ass we're going to go to that opening game, film some content there, and if anyone's watching, wants to, you know, a little sponsor us, anyone in the salt lake area, whatever, we'll go out there. But, um. Yeah, that's just like a little personal thing for us out here in Boise. It's, you know, a little close. Closer to have some NHL hockey. I mean, the closest one we have is Calgary or Seattle.
[00:16:58] Speaker A: Yeah, Seattle's only like 7 hours, so it's like a three hour difference. I mean, four or 5 hours to, to. So, like, I'm so stoked, though. I'm definitely going to go to some flames versus. Yeah, whatever their name is, if it's the coyotes. But, uh, I'm stoked, dude. It's. It's sweet that NHL's hockey's that close. I'm actually curious what they're going to do with their ECHL franchise because right now they have the Utah Grizzlies there? Like, yeah, I'm guessing they're going to keep them. Yeah, that's kind of. I mean. I mean, I guess they're going to keep them, but there's not going to be too many fans going to those grizzly.
[00:17:28] Speaker B: Yeah. My question is, who's going to be their AHL affiliate? I've heard that the Tucson Roadrunners could continue at least next season, but, I mean, at least there, then you can keep some Arizona hockey. But I feel like they're going to move them a little bit closer afterwards. Um, maybe Boise. I don't know. He's saying it would be. I know the arena's not up to par. It's close. Yeah. You don't want to have two teams in, you know, Salt Lake City, but I don't know if we're going to be the ones. I mean, but my thing is, like, who, where else would you put it? Like, in this. In this area of the Rockies, where else would you put an AHL team besides Salt Lake? Like, you can't. You could do a, you know, close by.
[00:18:14] Speaker A: I mean, are you saying besides Boise or besides Salt Lake?
[00:18:17] Speaker B: Yeah, besides Boise and salt lake. Like, where else would you put one? You're not going to put one in Wyoming? You're not going to put one in Montana? I don't think. No, it'd be kind of cool to put one in Montana, but I don't think they'd put in there.
[00:18:27] Speaker A: But no, no, it's not going to happen. Dude, that would be so sweet. Boise.
It's going to have to come down to a new arena. Yeah, I don't think the AHL is going to go with the IO central arena, which sucks. Wish I wish it did.
But, hey, maybe. Maybe, like, micron and simblad or some people money out of new. Yeah, maybe they could throw some money at a new arena.
[00:18:48] Speaker B: Alison's arena team.
[00:18:50] Speaker A: That'd be awesome.
[00:18:51] Speaker B: Yeah, that would be cool. Or they play at extra mile. Boise.
[00:18:54] Speaker A: That would be so crazy.
[00:18:57] Speaker B: Yeah, no, that would. But there's no way Boise state would allow that. But, yeah, I mean, I think, honestly, Salt Lake is a good it market to do this at because, I mean, yeah, they have the jazz, um, they have university of Utah for their football team that they're going to root for.
But outside of that, like, salt Lake doesn't really have a whole lot of sports. And yes, it's very outdoorsy and, you know, people like to go skiing or whatever, but I do think that this, this move to Salt Lake is going to be good for the NHL, I feel like it could grow. Hockey in Utah.
It is a little bit more.
It's not like a rich state, but hockey obviously costs a lot of money. And if people are skiing out there, skiing is expensive as well. So I put two and two together and could say that, you know, youth hockey there could grow, create more fans. It's their team as well. You know, the Utah Jazz came from New Orleans, so if they rebrand the team, then we'll see. But I don't know. Do you have any last thoughts about Salt Lake and just, I mean, we also talk. I hope Arizona does bring back an NHL franchise, but. Yeah. Is there any last remarks?
[00:20:18] Speaker A: Yeah, and I mean, I feel like we've been talking about this a lot this season. We kind of, kind of led up to, holy shit, fireworks at the end. They actually are moving, which is, which is insane. So I'm glad we didn't just put all this talk to nothing.
It's actually becoming happening. So, I mean, I think Salt Lake City is going to work out well. I think there's some. Some passionate people, passionate fans and for sporting events and. Yeah, like you said, I mean, it's such a winter sports city. The Olympics have been hosted there. They're trying to do it in the future too. Um, Salt Lake's also getting a new arena. I don't know if you've heard about that. The Jazz and the new NHL team will be having a new arena. So that they hit the nail on that perfectly. I just want to. I mean, props to their owner. I mean, this is crazy. Their owner was able to swoop in and literally buy an NHL franchise that's kind of in despair and do this within a season. Like, holy crap.
But not only that, I think. I think it was lower. I mean, I think it's around the same price as like the Knights and the Kraken paid for their franchise, but.
[00:21:23] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:21:24] Speaker A: Yeah, man. Holy. Holy crap.
[00:21:26] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah, no, I. I'm looking forward to it. You will see us at that home opener. I'm assuming it'll happen in October when they move there, but we shall see. And we'll keep reporting on it when, especially in the off season. I know. You know, we'll find out some more details here soon. I have heard that maybe. What is it? April 18? They're going to announce something, like officially, publicly. Yeah. So we'll see what happens.
[00:21:52] Speaker A: But hopefully they come out with a name too.
[00:21:54] Speaker B: Yeah, I hope so. Too soon because I'd like to get some hats or something, you know, and maybe if you win the bracket challenge, you can buy, you know, a salt lake hat or whatever with NHL shop if it's out.
But we will move on from. From this. Talk about it for a while. Crazy ending though. I would say from the whole season. I feel like we've been talking about this. So crazy ending. But we just had also yesterday, Saturday as of when we're recording, the frozen four wrapped up this weekend.
That frozen for that final game was so good I thought, honestly, I thought BC was going to kind of light them up. But Denver played defensively. Amazing. Their goaltender was unbelievable. Lights out. Especially in that last ten minutes of the third. Um, yeah, I mean, geez. Um. Let's see. So, yeah, Denver's 10th NCAA tournament title, which is huge. Um. So they're now leading d one schools for national championships, I think also at nine.
[00:23:04] Speaker A: Yeah, I think they surpassed BC and Michigan, which is crazy.
[00:23:08] Speaker B: Yep.
Fifth title in 21st century, which is also impressive as hell.
And they're tied for BC with most in the 21st. But I mean, aside from that, do you have any thoughts on that game? Just, you know, the goalie Matt Davis.
[00:23:25] Speaker A: Dude, they just played lights out. Like, I think it's crazy. I wonder if Matt Davis is going to. I think he's. No NHL team has his rights, so I mean, I wonder if he's going to get an NHL contract. He should because he only let three goals in the whole tournament with playing against teams with a plethora of NHL draft picks. So I think he should get a shot and then shall be. It would be a pretty cool story. But I mean, it's crazy. He won the MVP, first goalie since 2015 to do that.
But yeah, I mean, I think it was kind of an upset. I think it's crazy. I mean, going into the game, I totally thought Boston College was. Was going to run all over them. Yeah, but they played defensively. Lights out. I mean, didn't really give Boston College a chance and no, having a really good goalie back there is. It's pretty incredible. I mean, just seeing Cutter Goatee's interview before the game too, was interesting to see him eat his words, saying that they were going to be crying after the game and.
[00:24:23] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah.
[00:24:25] Speaker A: End up getting shut out. So.
[00:24:27] Speaker B: Yeah, that's.
[00:24:28] Speaker A: That's pretty crazy. But, um. Yeah, I mean, congrats to du. I'm bummed we, uh, we didn't get the prediction right, though. I think we said he was going to win.
[00:24:36] Speaker B: We did. BC versus bu though, so it already kind of crumbled. But yeah, I mean, that, that game. Oh, that was a great game, especially last ten minutes.
I mean, I hope Matt Davis does get a contract. I think he deserves it. After that, at least get a shot to be playing. Um, and, like, I mean, it just, it shows, like, with hockey, a lot of times for a championship run, whether it's Stanley cup or anything, you have to have a hot goaltender, and Denver had that. And it's not to say that BC's goalie was bad at all. Like, I mean, some of those goals Denver scored, too were insane. Like, they were not, you know, a dirty rebound goal or anything. Like, they had a couple good shots that, you know, squeak, pass. So just one of those things. It's how hockey goes.
But, yeah, I think Denver, I mean, obviously, I think Colorado is a hockey state in and of itself. With avalanche, you know, they've had some success. Denver also being Denver, you being this lights out for the last 24 years.
[00:25:41] Speaker A: Yeah. Colorado college, Air Force Academy are there. So, I mean, there's, there's some. There's three d one programs.
I mean, the Avs are playing lights out. They've had Stanley cups to their name. So, yeah, I mean, Colorado is. I mean, for West coast, like, do you think it's the biggest hockey state?
Like, I probably say, like West Coast. I mean, obviously discluding British Columbia.
[00:26:09] Speaker B: Yeah, like, in America.
[00:26:11] Speaker A: Yeah, but, yeah, like West coast. Like, I would probably say the Colorado is, yeah, the biggest hockey state. I mean, you could have an argument with California because there's three NHL games there.
[00:26:21] Speaker B: You can just so big. Like, there's been a lot of people come out of California. Not a lot, but, I mean, Austin Matthews was born in San Ramon, California, so there's been a couple. But I wouldn't classify California as a hockey state, though. It's just because it's so big and there's so many people there. It's like, yeah, you're gonna get people that come out of there, like myself, that played hockey, but it's not like I wouldn't consider California a hockey sport. I would give it to Colorado before.
[00:26:49] Speaker A: Yeah, I'd probably say Colorado probably is the biggest hockey state for the west coast. If you classify Colorado as the west coast. I know some people classify it as the Midwest, but I'd probably say it's.
[00:27:01] Speaker B: I give it West coast. It's on mountain time. Midwest, you got to be in central time. I feel like if you're in mountain time, you're West coast, you know, obviously not on the coast, but they are definitely west side, if anything.
But yeah.
Next, though, we also had the Hobie Baker winner announced before that game. But Macklin Celebrini, he did it.
I think we could have. If I did put my money on it, I would have said Cutter Gautier or Macklin Salabrini kind of talks about Jackson Blake just being there. Um, I mean, it's tough. This could be kind of a debate. I don't know what you think, but for Cutter Gautier, kind of getting, I wouldn't say got snubbed, though. It's tough because it's like, you know, he's a finalist. Yeah, he had 38 goals, but BC also had, I want to say, seven NHL draft picks on their team, which is really high.
[00:27:58] Speaker A: And, yeah, 100%.
[00:28:00] Speaker B: I want to say any team, a team with over five NHL draft picks has never won the national title in college hockey.
[00:28:09] Speaker A: That's crazy.
[00:28:09] Speaker B: So going into it, I was like, well, I think BC can do it. Obviously they didn't, but, yeah, I think for Macklin's case, I do agree. You know, he's 17 years old, he's a young kid, and he's still putting up points like he was. Yeah. Versus players like Will Smith and Cutter Gautier, where, you know, no knock to them at all, but, you know, they've got a little bit more experience playing higher level hockey.
And for Macklin to be, you know, undrafted freshman, doing what he did with Bu, which, not that Bu was bad at all, but it wasn't a team like BC where Cutter Gautier had kind of the benefit of a great team around him.
So I think Macklin fairly won that. Um, but you could also go the other way, and I wouldn't be upset either if Cutter Gotier got it.
[00:29:00] Speaker A: Yeah, I just think. I mean, just cut or go ta. Yeah, he is a sophomore, technically, second year.
[00:29:05] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:29:05] Speaker A: And then NCAA, he's probably gonna be in the NHL next year. But, yeah, I think that was probably the deciding factor. Now I think about it. I mean, I was like, that is pretty impressive. I think he scored the most goals since, like, 2005. I want to say I saw some graphic about that, some stat line.
So that's very impressive feat and potentially one of the best. Yeah, it's a toss up, but I think they just went with the younger player, less experience. For him to do that and make an impact on a team with not as much caliber as BC, I think that's probably why they gave it to him. So I'd say that's a fair win, too.
I thought it was a little bit of a snub for Cutter at first, but the more I thought about it I'm like, yeah, Macklin Salvini deserves that for sure.
[00:29:51] Speaker B: No, 100%.
Yeah, I think it's overall I think it was a good, I mean, good season for NCAA hockey. I thought it was really entertaining. Great ending as well, you know. And I do think Macklin definitely deserved that. So. But sliding back into the NHL, Sidney Crosby just hit his 1000th assistant this last, last week or so. He now is in top ten all time points passing. Phil Esposio. He's a 14th player to hit 1000 assists, which I think is huge. I don't know, I'm trying to think of any other player I can think of recently that has hit 1000 assists. Maybe Joe Thornton. I don't know though that he hit it. Do you know anyone else like who's the most recent player?
[00:30:43] Speaker A: I think it was either.
I think it was Joe Thornton. I don't know if it was Pavelski. No, Pavelski holds the, the games correct.
[00:30:52] Speaker B: Marlowe has the games or Marlowe.
[00:30:54] Speaker A: That's who it is. Shit. One of those old three trio.
[00:30:59] Speaker B: The old three of the sharks.
[00:31:00] Speaker A: Sharks.
[00:31:02] Speaker B: The good old days.
[00:31:03] Speaker A: Shit man. I don't, I don't, I don't really know. Off the top of that, I want to say it was Joe Thornton though.
[00:31:08] Speaker B: Yeah. As of recent, yes. He had 1109 assists for his career. So um, I have a feeling Joe Thornton was the last person to hit that thousand. You guys can correct me if I'm wrong, but regardless, um, you know, Cindy Crosby hitting a thousand assist is impressive for him.
Even just with the career. He had to being hurt for a while. He, you know, kind of got with the lockout early in his career too. And then now that I don't know. But was he around for the lockout? I forget.
[00:31:47] Speaker A: For Crosby?
[00:31:48] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:31:49] Speaker A: Was he right before, right after Crosby got drafted 2005. So right after the lockout that, that draft?
[00:31:56] Speaker B: That's right.
[00:31:56] Speaker A: Yeah. He, he, I mean he, but he did suffer a lot of concussion issues.
[00:32:00] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:32:00] Speaker A: Did soft suffer that 2020, that 2012 2013 lockout as well?
[00:32:06] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:32:07] Speaker A: So yeah, it's pretty impressive that he is able to hit a thousand points or a thousand assists. And I think that, you know, we're going to see him continuing his dominance of the league for instill next couple, couple years at least. So it's going to be interesting to see how far he gets up that points list and then you know, maybe there's an argument more for top three of all time.
[00:32:30] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, we'll see. I mean, you could put any of those. And we posted a clip on it, too, and I saw some comments, and there were some people were saying, lemieux over Gretzky.
You're smoking crack if you think that. But, yeah, I think any. Anyone. I mean, I feel like you kind of have to put Sid at least top five all time, just with who he is and the player he is. But, um, we'll move on from that. We'll get into some playoff talk to wrap up the episode.
So with it finally wrapping up, we've got. I mean, honestly, the hunt for that wild card spot is still alive and well. I don't think any team has really fallen off since we last talked. Um, all these teams still hunting. Yeah. And they're all within, like, a point of each other.
[00:33:19] Speaker A: Yeah. Um, I will say the only change, big time, was, like, the islanders pretty much solidified their playoff spot.
[00:33:28] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:33:28] Speaker A: I think that they haven't clinched it, but I think in the next day, they should clinch. Yeah. But, yeah. That still leaves caps, wings, flyers pens fighting for a spot. Pens are kind of falling behind. I know they lost to Detroit yesterday, which was a huge game.
[00:33:45] Speaker B: They lost to Boston.
Detroit won an overtime.
[00:33:49] Speaker A: Part of me.
Yes, they lost. Yeah, they lost to. Sorry, Detroit won against Toronto, but that Pittsburgh Detroit game was really big. That was, I think, the night before. Yeah. Or Thursday night, but Pittsburgh came out on top on that, but they're still a point behind. So, yeah, it's still. Only the biggest thing, too, is the Flyers have one game left, so they're kind of. They kind of need a bunch of people to lose. Rest of the teams have two games left. So I think it's kind of between the caps, wings, and pen still, pens could barely squeak in, but it's still looking a little. Little hard. So then it just leaves the Caps and Wings down to it. So those are the two really fighting for it.
[00:34:34] Speaker B: Yeah. I watched that Toronto and Red Wings game, and I don't know, I thought the Red Wings looked on fire. I mean, they let in four goals, too, but it's against the Maple Leafs. Austin Matthews hit 69 goals, too, which we didn't talk about, but, yeah, I mean, I think, honestly, for the person, the team I think that I would like to see slotted into that wild card spot is the Detroit Red Wings. I think, you know, as much as I'd like to see the Penguins and Sidney Crosby in the playoffs, I think it'd be fun, but I don't know, man. I think the Red Wings are going to they're going to be fighting, and I think they're going to make a decent run. I don't think they're going to be first round exit penguins. It's a different story for me. I feel like they could, and it all depends on who they play. Like, it's so hard right now because we don't know who they're going to play exactly yet.
There could be some movement. So we will see. But, I mean, yeah. Who would you want in that wildcard spot? I know we talked.
[00:35:42] Speaker A: I mean, I'm pulling for the Penguins still, but I think that it would be cool. I don't know. I mean, caps and red Wings. I would like to see the Red Wings make it. I just feel like that's. That would be kind of a cool story for the Wings to make it, and I guess it's going to kind of come down to who's going to put up a better fight against the Rangers.
Rangers versus wings or Rangers versus cops.
[00:36:05] Speaker B: I or penguins.
[00:36:07] Speaker A: I'm not totally sure. I feel like the Wings might get steamrolled by them, but I actually think the cops could have a chance just because they have some playoff experience, specifically, I think, against the Rangers. So that's kind of a mini, mini rivalry, I feel like. Yeah, but I don't know. I mean, I'd like to see either of these teams, but it's going to come down to one of them. Hopefully the Wings make it, though. I kind of like. I'd like to see.
[00:36:30] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, I do, too. I want to see Kainer come back. Um, but, uh, aside from the east conference, west conference, pretty much locked in for the most part. Uh, the stars could also still, there's a chance they could win the president's trophy if the Rangers lose their next two games. And they win their next two games. Um, so, you know, I feel like it's still possible there is a little bit of a shake up. The Kings could be overtaken by the knights, um, for those positions, and I feel like for the knights in their situation, playing the Oilers first versus playing the Canucks or the stars, that one would be. I don't know. I feel like they would probably do better playing the Oilers.
Yeah.
And then, of course, I called this. Yeah, I think everyone could have seen this coming. Mark Stone comes off of ltir to be, you know, I don't know if he's. He's not off LTI are yet, but he is practicing, and he's cleared.
[00:37:32] Speaker A: Oh, he's gonna be ready for first round.
[00:37:34] Speaker B: He's ready game one. And I fucking said it. And I was like, this should raise some eyebrows, so raise those fucking eyebrows. Because, like, why?
It's just, I don't know. I truly, you know, if he had missed it and actually been hurt, I would have been like, whatever. But I don't know. To me, it's getting suspicious that he's act. If he's actually hurt in February 3.
[00:37:57] Speaker A: Years in a row, it's crazy, dude, playoff Mark Stone. Who would have ever thought? He's like, he's pulling this. I mean, I don't know. It's. It's tough to say. Maybe, I guess coincidentally, you know, his injury timing is just spot on. Yeah, but, yeah, man, I just think it is. It's definitely crazy. And I do feel like Vegas is a contender just on paper. But it's going to be interesting to see how they play actually in the playoffs if they, if they, like, play really good round one and, like, beat the first, you know, first seed or second seed in the, in the Western Conference, I think everyone's going to be like, oh, shit. Like, yeah, what's going on here?
[00:38:38] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:38:39] Speaker A: So that could definitely be a potentially crazy story. I mean, on top of a crazy year of stories.
[00:38:47] Speaker B: So, yeah, see, I think with Mark Stone, there's a quote I'm thinking of right now.
Once was an accident, twice as a coincidence and three times as a pattern. It's happened three years in a row. And I'm sorry, I don't think it's a coincidence anymore. Like that quote says, once, it's just an accident, it's an injury. Twice, oh, it's a coincidence. Three times. This is a pattern. This is a pattern. He gets hurt in February, gets LTI ARD, and then comes back game one. Bullshit. I'm calling it right now. Like, I don't think that he's been hurt at all.
[00:39:24] Speaker A: Yeah, it's gonna take a couple years until the NHL changes their CBA, but until then, they're gonna be able to abuse this. I mean.
[00:39:31] Speaker B: Well, no, no, no. If you're lying about injuries, that's one thing. If you actually have injuries and you're playing it around, you know, I know some other teams have done this, but, you know, if you're like, well, this guy's out and he might be back for playoffs, like round two or something. We'll put him on LTIR, create a better team around him. But coming back for game one, lying about an injury, if it is lying, I'm not. You know, we don't know that it is but I'm calling it. I'm calling it out. I don't think that is true. I don't think he's been hurt. This is three times now, and he's coming back for game one. So I think it's b's. And I think there's a totally different side of it where it's like, you know, this is allowed. Cause he's hurt and blah, blah, blah, versus, like, you know, milking an injury like that. I think it's b's.
[00:40:18] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, no, I think it's b's too, but I don't think it's necessarily outside the rules and the. Cause, I don't think there's anywhere that it says. I mean, I know it's not. You can't fake an injury. I know it's frowned upon, but, I mean, yeah, I don't know that you can.
[00:40:41] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:40:41] Speaker A: Like, I don't know if you can't do that.
[00:40:43] Speaker B: Yeah, you know, no, it's true.
[00:40:45] Speaker A: That's. That's the only thing. Like, I feel like it's not right ethically at all, but a lot of things in the world aren't right.
[00:40:52] Speaker B: But people still.
[00:40:53] Speaker A: And I feel like this is. This is kind of an example of that. So I think it's definitely going to be addressed the next CBA. But, yeah, it's crazy that Vegas is doing that. And if Vegas makes another deep run, I think a lot of people are going to be pissed off. I think Vegas is, like, enemy number.
[00:41:06] Speaker B: One in the hockey world now, 100%. Especially after this year. Like, last year, it was like, well, whatever. Like, they won the cup, you know, besides all that stuff. But this year, if it happens again, I mean, they go back to back. I'm not giving them their flowers. I don't give a fuck. Like, they're not, you know, I don't. I don't put a clause. Yeah, I'll put a star next to them, just like LeBron with his 2020 championship or the Dodgers with their COVID championship. It's an asterisk to me. But yeah, enough about that before I shoot myself in the foot and people come at me.
But, yeah, Nashville, another wild card team that I think is, they've made a sneaky little run this season.
You know, they got hot at the right moment, and I hope they do make a good run of the playoffs. You know, like we said last episode, smashville is a great playoff atmosphere. I'd love to see it on tv. So could be cool.
[00:42:06] Speaker A: But, yeah, kind of out of nowhere. I feel like beginning of the season, no one really thought the Predators were going to do much. So it's cool that they were able to do something and it's gonna be interesting to see how far they go. It looks like they're probably gonna play Vancouver first round and Canucks versus Predators. I mean, that's. It's gonna be a good matchup. I think the Canucks are probably gonna take that. But yeah, we'll get into all of these playoff matchups next.
[00:42:31] Speaker B: We will get it up. We should next episode.
[00:42:33] Speaker A: Too much? Yeah, we don't potentials because there's a lot of, lot of teams that are solidified right now that are gonna be playing each other. I know. Like the jets and Avs are another one that's already solidified. So yeah, it's going to be interesting to see how the end of the season still fizzles out because with two to three games for all these teams left, there's still a lot of movement that can happen.
[00:42:55] Speaker B: There is.
[00:42:55] Speaker A: And those four matchups, playoff seeding and then besides the east coast, three, four teams in that race. So.
[00:43:03] Speaker B: No, totally. Yeah. But um. Yeah, I say wrap it up here. Uh, next episode we'll be doing kind of a little thing where we'll be talking most improved player who we think since it's not an award that the NHL gives out, but we'll give out our pick for most improved player.
And yeah, we'll get into the, you know, breakdown of some of the playoff matchups. That episode will come out Saturday and yeah, we're gonna move into two episodes a week, especially for the first couple rounds. We'll see how much coverage we could do once the third and fourth round comes, comes around. But for these next two weeks or so, we'll be pumping out some episodes and some content. So make sure you're following us on everything. Subscribe on here, listen on Spotify whatever you're doing.
And yeah, we're gonna get this word out and we'll have some fun. We will announce something soon once we can solidify it. But we are still trying to make it to the NHL draft in Vegas. It's very doable for us here in Boise. So you know, it'll be a good time.
[00:44:04] Speaker A: So join that rocket challenge. Yes, do it. You know right now that a $100. Yeah, so much with that. So you can buy your, your mom a nice Mother's Day gift or your dad a nice Father's day gift. Or maybe you could even buy something for yourself. So yeah, do all sorts of stuff.
[00:44:26] Speaker B: Without a $100 yeah, anything you want. But with that being said, everyone, thank you for listening. We're gonna get, you know, it's getting. It's time. It's playoff playoffs. Playoff time. Bittersweet moment also means it's coming to an end. But I hope this year ends with fireworks just like the whole year has been.
And, yeah, keep an eye out for the next episode we'll be doing. Our release schedules will be Tuesday and Saturdays moving forward, so keep an eye out. Get us on, you know, wherever you listen to your podcast at, follow us on instagram, go there. But with that being said, go watch some hockey these next couple days and come back with us on Saturday.
Do you have anything else, Kelly?
[00:45:07] Speaker A: No. Thank you for everyone listening. Love you guys.
[00:45:10] Speaker B: See you guys.
