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Episode 21: Hockey Turmoil, Greatness, and Succesions with guest Co Host Kyle Backiney
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This episode Landan "Lando" Semenok is in the host chair and he has his guest host Kyle Backiney beside him! They Talk everything from the Oilers drama, to the Leafs drama, to Vegas drama, plus they dive into the Western and Eastern Conference Finals of the NHL they dive into every series up coming and who they think will move on! plus they talk eagles hockey wrapping up, the Memorila Cup coming up, the PWHL expansion even more teams coming into the fold and a huge race in Montreal coming up! We forgot to mention about Buffalos amazing season but that will be for the next episode! The sports never stops even if topics are forgotten
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Transcript
Show Introduction
00:00:23
Leo Ernewein
ah Hello everyone. Welcome to the Leo and Lando show. every Everyone knows who I am, I think. This is Landon Lando Semenok.
00:00:34
Leo Ernewein
Anyways, once again, Leo is busy and it's not personal reasons. Well, I guess maybe it kind of is, but he's unfortunately working in Rogers,
00:00:45
Leo Ernewein
is very busy these days, so and it's understandable. So that's why you're hearing my voice first instead of his. But don't worry, I'm not soloed on this episode. I am so pleased to be joined by a guy who was on here once before, couple episodes ago. So Kyle Bacni has joined me again. So who Leo gave praises to him last time to be my co-host
Weather and Sports News
00:01:12
Leo Ernewein
again. So I want to welcome Kyle back. as a guest co-host on this episode 21 episode 21 which i cannot believe we're at 21 already welcome man thank you very much happy to be here things are going well yeah yeah it's uh i don't know if the snow's done yet but we'll see yeah i know that was it for those who don't know
00:01:35
Leo Ernewein
or not from our area, we had a little bit of snow over the Long Wing Kin. So it's kind of a typical mountain, May long weekend. Exactly. so So i is there any news that happened in the sports world, Kyle? Couldn't tell you.
00:01:50
Leo Ernewein
I know. it Yeah, I know. that And I'm being sarcastic, everybody, because there's always sporting news. Always. It doesn't matter. It's almost 24-7.
Edmonton Oilers Performance
00:02:00
Leo Ernewein
It always seems. so Where do we want to start today, Landon?
00:02:04
Leo Ernewein
Well, do we want to start with Edmonton? I don't really. Let's go. OK, let's do it. All right. So it's been a very interesting few weeks in Edmonton Oilers country. Just a few weeks ago, ah game six loss to the Anaheim Ducks, a press press conference by their two main players. You may know them as Connor McDavid and Leon Dreisaitl.
00:02:27
Leo Ernewein
A domino fell in Chris Novak, who was fired by the Oilers, and their new head coach search now has begun. Before we get into all of that, we'll back up because want to hear what Kyle thought before the firing of Chris Novak, what you thought, man, of the press conference of 97 McDavid and 29 Dreisaitl.
00:02:52
Leo Ernewein
dryile Well, they're at a really interesting point for their organization as to which direction they're going to truly go in. ah And generally, I think that there's a lot of weight behind how players feel, especially, you know, the two superstars and Leon Drysaddle and Connor McDavid particularly.
00:03:13
Leo Ernewein
But I think the piece that I really can answer your question best is by what has been said from their owner, Daryl Cates, when with him basically throwing a whole lot of gasoline on the fire. And he seemed to be the driving force behind a coaching change.
00:03:38
Leo Ernewein
Whether I agree with it or not, Manu signs the the check at the end of the day gets to make the call. And it seems that there is change coming, but I don't know if there's enough runway sitting there to be able to, with cap space, change this team enough that any coach is going to now get it exactly across the finish line.
00:04:00
Leo Ernewein
But back to back to the owner's comments, what's been conveyed through the media is that he wants someone, he wants coaching to be less friendly and a little bit more sharp and bitey. And that's why you see someone like Bruce Cassidy being the name that's bandied around for, for this search potentially interesting days there. And to all the Oilers fans,
00:04:29
Leo Ernewein
Just take a look down the road at Vancouver. If you want to see disorganization, I really hope that they can maybe avoid some of those pitfalls just by you know, a coach is not going to save them where the money not being spent on on um properly building out the defense and goaltending is really the core issue of the team as a whole.
Oilers' Roster and Trades
00:04:50
Leo Ernewein
But I don't think there's enough timeline or runway for to,
00:04:54
Leo Ernewein
in connor mcdavid's contract terms to to move that needle forward and and you know when they're just going to throw the whole kitchen sink at it i mean i guess it could work but i have really yet to see it truly pan out that way in any other team what do you think well my my what really bothered me and and what we'll get into, i guess I'll, I'll lead into another question because then I'll give you you my answer, give it my answer a little bit more because my answer is going to be kind of into this next question next to yours. But, you know, with, with Chris Knobloch being let go and, and what happened there was a leak from the organization saying that they were going to, um
00:05:45
Leo Ernewein
talked to Bruce Cassidy. So it made it sound like it, like they never had even let go of him. So exactly. So what was your reaction to that there, Kyle? And then i'll I'll say my thing after. I think that if there's truth to it, I think that it's poor form.
00:06:02
Leo Ernewein
And I think that it's really unfair. I mean, if you were to apply that to any other job, could you imagine yours or mine, our job, where they're out interviewing people before they've let us go, and publicly that knowledge is coming out. And and then for the team to backtrack and go, oh, no, we still don't have a coach. We haven't looked. We haven't.
00:06:26
Leo Ernewein
I think that there's
Management Leaks and Coaching Talks
00:06:27
Leo Ernewein
just too much smoke there for it. And it just... I think it just shows the urgency and the prudency that that the Oilers themselves are trying to to move and and thinking that untwisting themselves by twisting themselves will actually fix the problem. my All very true, man. My reaction when i when I first heard all this stuff with Chris Knobloch was the fact that
00:06:58
Leo Ernewein
there there was just no care on on a person's feelings about how how this how things transpired. Now, I don't know if they had an exit meeting between management and him, if this is the reason why that...
00:07:15
Leo Ernewein
But wouldn't have that, those exit meetings already been different or affirmative? You would have thought so. Because exit meetings, everything happened. And then the owner spoke.
00:07:26
Leo Ernewein
Yeah. It was all after the fact and all of that. And so I think that Knobloch might've been feeling that, that he was in a different situation prior to all of that. Yeah.
00:07:37
Leo Ernewein
Yeah. Like I, I, I just, it, it bothered, it it bothered me just because of just how, you know, it Just how they treated the guy and and and make make make him making him that he's he was ultimately the problem. he's not the He was not the the problem. now He only got them to the Stanley Cup Finals two years in a row.
00:08:00
Leo Ernewein
And almost to a third, his second term, but he got bounced out. but Yeah, like it's, I just, I did not like He's been there once and he's been coaching a team team for over 20 years. Exactly. So it's just like, it was just, I didn't like it. I didn't like that whole leaking thing. And I thought it thing, I thought lots of things could go south in a hurry. Mm-hmm.
00:08:24
Leo Ernewein
That this sort of thing made it way worse than that. And that's, that's the part that bothered me. They led really good coach go because of their incompetent because of management and competence. That's, that's the way I look at it. And he's the escape goat and I didn't like it, but, um,
00:08:43
Leo Ernewein
I guess that kind of leads me to the next question is I said, I didn't think Chris Naubach was a problem. Kyle was Chris Naubach a problem or was like I said, was he the scapegoat and ah to a coaching carousel that seems to be ah thing in Edmonton.
Oilers' Championship Window and McDavid's Future
00:09:00
Leo Ernewein
Show me a good coach and I'll show you a good goaltender. And that old saying kind of ties in where a coach is generally more judged based on how goaltending goes, which ultimately the general manager decides who they have as a goaltender.
00:09:17
Leo Ernewein
i I don't think that he is. And I think that's much like I would say with Jay Woodcroft too, that both of them, were were excuses for the indiscretions that were were laid bare with the team and I I think that coaching can get so far but what the makeup of the entire team itself is says more All of the Oilers fans that that I talk to on a regular basis were under no such guise that they were winning the cup this year.
00:09:53
Leo Ernewein
And they all felt that the team roster construction, which again is at the general manager level, was more of of where this needs to be put bare as a blame than than than coaching directly. I mean, I can't point to, like, sure, you could say they were rolling lines in the playoffs. Most teams do. And and I think that it's just more more of an excuse for it. So, no, I generally don't think that he is a problem. But teams will make changes like this. And, I know i mean, you know when you go with guys under contract, it's under the cap.
00:10:30
Leo Ernewein
What's the easy decision to make? Go to coaching because it doesn't fall within that. Correct. Yeah. Yeah. No, it's and that's very true. So, um With all that all being said, is the Edmonton Oilers' window of winning, potentially winning the Stanley Cup, closed?
00:10:48
Leo Ernewein
I don't know if I could put a door on something. I thought for years that Boston's would have been closed by now. And it still lingers and moves. And and and these things move and in a way that that I don't think you can just say, it's 100% closed.
00:11:07
Leo Ernewein
I think that if this organization does not put a restructuring effort into its goaltending as well as as its defense and possibly need to make big changes,
Past Player Trades and Impact
00:11:20
Leo Ernewein
I mean, look at the Leafs.
00:11:21
Leo Ernewein
They moved a couple players here and there around the outside periphery but never really did anything with their core four. And in hindsight, you look back and go, maybe that's where changes should have been made and respectively to the Oilers.
00:11:34
Leo Ernewein
They're kind of looking in a similar vein to me that if they don't decide to make a big enough change, again, it's going to impact that bottom line of what the finances are so they can actually put money towards goaltending effectively.
00:11:48
Leo Ernewein
until they actually do that, which again, it's easier to say than actually do. So I, I think unfortunately so a bit of time is going to run out towards the contract that Connor McDavid currently has. And I think that that's the worried deadline.
00:12:01
Leo Ernewein
Yeah. I, like I, I personally think that if they don't do, they've got a humongous summer ahead of them. One of the biggest summers, I think in, in oil history, as far as I, I think that they've,
00:12:17
Leo Ernewein
If they don't reconstruct this roster, this will be the beginning of the end of McDavid and the run for the Edmonton Oilers next year. Unless things change over the summer and they continue this path of having a brutal start like they've had the last few years. But every year they have a brutal start. I know, but what I'm saying is basically I think if they have a better start and things are in a little bit better place,
00:12:46
Leo Ernewein
then I think McDavid's staying. But if it's go if they have another brutal start again, i would not be surprised to see McDavid's name being being tossed around in next year's trade deadline. So my my thing is, ladies and gentlemen, and Kyle, i think I think the window is starting to close for the Oilers. Unless I'm willing to be proven wrong, but I think their window is closed. So i personally, that's just my thing. So um my next question for you college and this is gonna be a long question because i want to give some background to this um i mentioned in the in past episodes the amount of players that were on their roster uh on their roster in the past when they've gone for their standard cup run
00:13:34
Leo Ernewein
on Chris Holloway and bro Berg got traded to St Louis, who are now both in cornerstones and sign long term deals with the St Louis blues. Chris Alvarez, Because of CAP issues and that goes along with cane going to Vancouver was basically traded for nothing. Chris Alvarez, Cody CC signed with San Jose. They traded Fogle LA for Arvidsson, who after traded to Boston in the offseason for Trent, or no, actually, sorry, it was traded for over the, was it offseason or during the season? It doesn't matter. They got Trent Frederick, and who signed a long-term contract the long-term contract with Edmonton, which was and an absolute head scratcher for the amount of money they're paying him. But anyways, they got him. The Cloud is in Buffalo, which did help them on their a little bit of their run that they had this year um in the playoffs. Connor Brown signed with New Jersey and Brad Kulak, who scored the series clincher goal for the Colorado Avalanche to beat Minnesota in five games.
00:14:43
Leo Ernewein
Plus they traded Stuart Skinner away for backup Tristan Drury. call him backup because that's what he was. My point is my point to this question is,
00:14:54
Leo Ernewein
With so much loss, will they ever get players to help Conor McDavid? Again, like I answered before, I think that it's quite a challenge. And I guess the question that kind of needs to be asked at this point is, is it is mortgaging a single season coming up enough to keep someone like Conor McDavid?
00:15:20
Leo Ernewein
Or is the conversation now going, what could we potentially get for him? Because I think in in one way that if he's out the door, and again, I'm not suggesting he is directly. However, there's a reality to that. He should signed he didn't sign a long-term contract. He signed a two-year extension as prove-it contract.
00:15:44
Leo Ernewein
And I don't think that they are closer. i think they're slipping away more. So how do you change over everything with all the current, everything you just laid out to do that? And I don't see how they would, but what would teams give up to maybe make the Oilers whole?
00:16:01
Leo Ernewein
That would be potentially a conversation to look at as well through this. And I wouldn't be surprised if it eventually comes up. um And I'm not standing here gleefully going, yes, let's trade them, let's have chaos, because this is monumental if it would, but there comes a time when it that will be a reality, and are we going to put our head in the sand until that exact moment? And I think the Oilers' best opportunity to give themselves all of that would be at least exploring that opportunity for that with with Connor McDavid. And, and truly, if you if the team is,
Should the Oilers Trade McDavid?
00:16:42
Leo Ernewein
is past its prime of its window, as you feel it is, then that would be the the logical conversation to at least be moving this forward, because you've locked Leon dry saddle up for so many years, where we're Connors, not so much.
00:16:57
Leo Ernewein
And yeah, that would be a big bandaid to pull off, but you know what? There might be a brighter future without him because he hasn't won a cup and even having him on the team as their captain. And um that's not a point to knock at him, but how many kicks are you going to try if it's also not working?
00:17:21
Leo Ernewein
And if you've got the biggest kick, pay reward potentially to be able to move an organization greatly. And you may be able to offload someone like a nurse contract that can really help shape between those two things where you could lock up or open up a quarter of the cap for what the team has spent. That's impressive. So no, I actually don't think the team is going to be able to, because I have yet to see a team do an instant retool flip over and in one off season. Cause who are they going to get?
00:17:55
Leo Ernewein
I mean, if Andrew Kane's available. Which they just traded him away, right? So, yeah. My my my take, if if if Edmonton's ever going to do anything, and i they got to get rid of, i guess not get rid of, but they got to figure out what they're going to do with Darnell Neres, because for the amount of money they're paying him for being the way he is, he's not worth the money they're paying him anymore.
00:18:21
Leo Ernewein
You know, you look back at what Ken Holland did for signing him. And they thought they thought he's the up next up-and-coming best defenseman. I get it. I mean, you I get it. The salary cap was always going to go up. Exactly, yeah. And so i get why they signed him because he was next. but there wasn't At that time, there wasn't a plethora of of defensemen. So they they got what they got with him. But I want to ask one more question before we – because this isn't in our lineup. But i i want just this just popped in my head.
00:18:53
Leo Ernewein
On the spot. On the spot. So there is so many, I don't know, Kyle, if you saw this on, on, online, but there's so many people were so upset with the NHL voters, not adding um Evan Bouchard to the, I think it's the heart, the heart trophy. is Is that the one with the best defenseman?
00:19:18
Leo Ernewein
No, the trophy? The Norris. The Norris, thank you. The heart the heart to some is something. Yeah, I get those two mixed up. so Sorry, the Norris. So they got so upset. The Oilers fans got so upset that he never got nominated. What's your reaction to that?
00:19:35
Leo Ernewein
I think that that's just a total sports fan take, and that's very fine to have. i I think it's hard when, if you only watch the Oilers, I could see how you might make the case for that.
00:19:49
Leo Ernewein
Until you see someone like Cale McCarr and how he is and truly he is. He is the the the the litmus test of judging all defensemen currently in the NHL, in my opinion, for how well he plays and how dominant he is.
00:20:07
Leo Ernewein
I don't see the same profile with with Evan Bouchard. and And you know what? but people can People can have that feeling. And hey, i that's not the craziest one out there. You still don't think the Avs are going to win the cup this year. That's how true. Actually, I do pick them. So that's a dig, ladies and gentlemen. That's just two good friends knowing each other so long. So one of the things that I, i when i when I heard that,
00:20:38
Leo Ernewein
people People say, well, you look how many points he's got. Yeah, well, they got them all on the he gets them all on the power play. What does he do for the team that that um constitute him to being nominated for a Norris Trophy?
00:20:53
Leo Ernewein
Right now he doesn't do anything compared to what Wierenski does, what um even Hedman, even though he didn't get nominated, Kale McCarr, Quinn Hughes. not only He's not even in close to the same caliber as... Not yet anyways. Not yet anyways. I mean, he could...
00:21:15
Leo Ernewein
but based on the play that i've seen in the last few years he's not even close to those guys so it's like so why are you you're doing this based on the amount of points he gets these guys that got nominated are best overall defensemen they they carry their teams on their backs i don't think evan bouchard has ever carried this team on the ah on his back yet and and mainly because it's obviously conor mcdavid and dry settle but if you want to be ah If you want to be nominated as ah as a Norris Trophy, you better prove to everybody around the league that you can be as close to McCarr, Quinn Hughes, or Zach Rowenski, that type of caliber. So that's that's my take on Evan Bouchard. It drives me absolutely nuts when I hear fans who have really don't have any... that they're They don't think outside their own little bubble. They just see... their own little world and, and they don't see what's going on outside the league other than, other than them. They could also feel that, that he does warrant it. And i would say to Oilers fans for that, you can take that up with the professional hockey writers association. You've got some locals like Mark Spector and Edmonton. exactly yeah That's a prime person to take that to Jean Principe.
00:22:34
Leo Ernewein
Yeah. Um, you Yeah, so anyways, we'll, yeah, we'll roll on because we've got, we've got lots to talk about in it and and we're in a little bit of time crunch.
Toronto Maple Leafs Coaching Changes
00:22:43
Leo Ernewein
So we're going to move off from el the Alberta Northern team and we're going to move to and and another team that seems to be having trouble, but this time it's in Ontario.
00:22:53
Leo Ernewein
the Could you be more specific? I'll try to. you guys may know them. It's the center of the universe, or so they think it is, ah or the center of Canada or the center of hockey world, depending on how you want to go with it. But the Toronto Maple Leafs also let go their head coach, but it wasn't as brutal.
00:23:15
Leo Ernewein
They actually, I think they actually had, they actually thought about this through a little bit more. But, yeah, Craig Berube got let go by the Toronto Maple Leafs from their new general manager, John Chayka, which we'll talk a little bit about him with you there, Kyle, in a second. But your reaction to Craig Berube getting let go?
00:23:37
Leo Ernewein
I think the simplest way to look at it is, yes, he was very successful in turning around that 2019 Blues team to win the Cup. But if you take a look at his coaching style with Austin Matthews over the last couple of years – Austin Matthews has taken one heck of a decline in his offensive scoring and prowess.
00:24:00
Leo Ernewein
That to me becomes the unreconcilable piece with with him. And I just got a feeling that if they're going try to salvage something with Austin Matthews this year, potentially, you're going to have to um make a coaching change.
00:24:19
Leo Ernewein
But, You know, is this the opposite of where Edmonton sits, where Edmonton ownership would like a little more of a, you know, a meaner or, you know, less less kind coach?
00:24:32
Leo Ernewein
Well, when you look at Berube, who definitely fits that profile, which, by the way, he might go to Edmonton. Good. yeah he He's on that list, allegedly. But you you then go, oh, well, has it run its course? and And you see the different styles of coaching that just flip back and forth like a metronome.
00:24:50
Leo Ernewein
and And is this just a cycle? is this I think this is just Chica wanting... to have all say and not have someone push back in who's, who is in control and who's the boss. And yeah, it's interesting times in Leafland. Yeah. Well, you know, and and I don't blame John Jake and Matt Sundin for doing what they did. And we'll talk a a little, I'll ask your opinion about them in a second, like I said, but I, i think, I think if they want to try to redo things and, and move forward out as the bosses, I'm,
00:25:27
Leo Ernewein
I just i don't think their past season with the the amount of turmoil that happened with Toronto this year and you know, the bad battering that they did in the media between coach and players and players didn't really seem to listen to them and very very much at times, or they weren't afraid of them and things like that, that I just, I don't, I could as much of a good coach as Craig Berube is, I just don't think that with the season that they just had that he could stick around anymore. If you want to change the culture of the team of of a team and an organization,
00:26:03
Leo Ernewein
if If there's some bad blood and and all that, or at least it seemed that way, you need to let the person go. And and I think it sounded like this was mutual. um There's no bigger team to be able to absorb that type of of you know financial loss where it doesn't really affect much and they can do it. So that's why the Leafs can continue to operate that way.
00:26:27
Leo Ernewein
and and And, you know, the biggest downfall that I think what happened with Craig Berube this year is his how he used that roster in certain situations. like he Morgan Rielly's decline as a defenseman um over the years was so evident. He would, there was talk that he needed to be better. You need to do this. You need to do that. And so he, he came in there. So he had a good off season apparently. And then he comes back and he's just, he just nose dived again.
00:26:58
Leo Ernewein
So, but yeah, he was one of the players that seemed to have the most ice time out of any other defenseman. Now, maybe that wasn't because that's big because they didn't have anything else. I don't know, but it was, was,
00:27:10
Leo Ernewein
That sort of stuff that happened, I think, was Craig Brubay's downfall is how he mismanaged his roster. He did the same thing with Jake McCabe. McCabe was kind of like, I call him kind of like the Evan Bouchard. He's all over the place. He's just...
00:27:26
Leo Ernewein
running around like a chicken with his head cut off, but yet he was another one who had a whole bunch of minutes. um William Nylander, he would show up one game, he wouldn't on a couple, and yet he still got a ton of ice time. And so I just think what one of the base downfalls, as like I just mentioned a couple of examples, that I think just his, like I said, his his roster management of this team was just poorly, poorly done. And I think that was one of his base downfalls. So The only thing we won't know is was Brad True Living as the general manager at that time asking Grube to deploy players in a specific way. That's very true. And people just, you know, just pulling back curtain a little bit. When you watch the games and you see, you know, Riley out there playing all those minutes and, you know, look he's playing with. Is part of that deployment also to build up other players around?
00:28:22
Leo Ernewein
to be tradable. There's always things that are happening that are being asked that on the surface isn't leading to the ultimate goal to begin with, but it's an equally important endeavor. And, and I just wanted to bring that up. No, that's good. I'm glad you did because, That's very true. There's lots of reasons why you maybe have done it, but just when you look at it as a fan outside, just like, e right. That's always the easiest thing to change is the coach, and the coach. So um real quick, Kyle,
00:28:53
Leo Ernewein
Your reaction to, we talked about John Chayka and Matt Sadeen. What was your reaction when you saw that they were picked? as I think it's interesting. I think Chayka was given a you know, he he had he he comes with a a previous background. His time in Arizona was not anything but tumultuous, but he was never allowed to spend to the cap.
00:29:14
Leo Ernewein
And for someone who's painted as ah a forward thinker in the game, I'm interested to see what he's capable of doing, being able to have an unlimited amount of resources,
00:29:26
Leo Ernewein
and and also hindsight in what he needed to be better at as a leader and a manager. And I think he answered those questions that way. I think that the jury's still out, but I am interested and Toronto seems to be happy with what they're getting out of him metrics-wise. So I think going forward with how big of an organization they are, that you're going to see coaches or sorry, general managers be less of meat and potatoes yeah people and more very heavy analytical and can very much speak up to the the corporate shareholders and that will probably be a feature Leaf fans yeah why i mean ever I already said my Leo and I already talked about this so I'm not going to say my opinion on it because you want to listen to my opinion listen to the previous episode so um in in your opinion Kyle
00:30:23
Leo Ernewein
Toronto somehow, someway got the number one pick. And there's a little background story that will be really, really quick here. So Kyle texted me when I was a golfing in a Soyuz.
00:30:36
Leo Ernewein
And my phone blipped off like crazy. and that And one of them was Kyle. And then a number of them were. a couple other people and then notifications on my phone. So I pick up my phone.
00:30:46
Leo Ernewein
And I can't remember the exact text, but I'll paraphrase is like, you won't believe who got the number one pick landed. And I'm like, Let me guess, Toronto, right? And i already knew because I looked on my phone and I think you said something along the lines, Kyle, it was what a disgrace or something something like that. i cant I can't remember the exact words, but you were you were you are not happy about this either. Also, you were also pretty proud of yourself too because you you knew this was coming. So my my question to you is your reaction to the first when Toronto got their first round draft pick?
Leafs' Draft Pick and Its Impact
00:31:20
Leo Ernewein
Honestly, not surprising. i've been ah I've been a fan of Vancouver for too long to be surprised by by snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. But I was, I had believed, actually I believed the last time I was on the show, I had mentioned that it was most likely going to be Toronto or the Rangers that would probably wind up with it because luck is involved. I i don't believe it's rigged.
00:31:43
Leo Ernewein
I don't. um Go ahead, disagree with me on that. But I think luck has a lot more to play in it. And luck is not only the teams moving up. You talk about the Islanders moving up and, and getting themselves Schaefer and how amazing he is. But that also means the teams have to fall. And since,
00:32:05
Leo Ernewein
the beginning or since the, the Oilers rule came in, uh, where they changed, you know, what you can get and first round and and how it's weighted. Um, only two teams have continuously fallen the most amount each time there's been a draft and that has been Detroit and that has been Vancouver. So that also means that they have to fall or so teams have to fall for others to come up.
00:32:26
Leo Ernewein
And you know what? I think Toronto needs to sell a good story and here it is. You know, I, I know I said my take on it. I, I don't think it's right either, but you know it makes it really, when you see something like this, it makes you really question, is it actually, and and I don't blame people for saying that because there there's, it just, it it looks very suspicious. But do we also, do we rile ourselves up that someone's going to get the first overall pick before the lottery balls have even moved? Yeah, that's true. So have we kind of set ourselves up for failure in that way a little bit? And yeah I think they're going to keep the pick because I think the market ability're gonna ask you that is is so high that especially if there's the Matthew stay doesn't stay that they can sell concretely. They have future. They have the number one. And I think from a marketing juggernaut, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, that would be the the number one thing that you could garner and you have control.
00:33:26
Leo Ernewein
We'll see who they pick, but i genuinely think they are going to hold onto that because it's certain unlike other players that they currently have on the roster. I think they're going to keep it too. I really do. So, but stay tuned. Like I said, last episode with Leo, stay tuned, everybody. That's all I got to say with Toronto. So, um, Vancouver had some news, lots of news, actually the last week.
Canucks' New Management
00:33:53
Leo Ernewein
Um, so they got a new direction and some massive hope coming out of the West coast in Vancouver.
00:34:00
Leo Ernewein
Um, everybody will probably remember the Sedin twins, Daniel and Hendrick Sedin. Ooh. Yeah, i know who is right. Exactly. um They are the new presidents of the Vancouver Canucks and Ryan Johnson, who was assistant GM of the organization and was appointed to run the aro Abbotsford Canucks, which are American Hockey League or AHL.
00:34:27
Leo Ernewein
i He yeah. So now he's been appointed as GM as for the Vancouver Canucks. So, Kyle, you told me off mic that you're very, very excited about these hires.
00:34:40
Leo Ernewein
um Tell the listeners why that is. I think it's the first time in 10 years that I have actually felt that there's some hope and a direction with the franchise. Yeah.
00:34:53
Leo Ernewein
Over the last decade, the team has become very cold, corporate, and unrelenting in tearing itself down in its public image.
00:35:04
Leo Ernewein
The last regime very much focused on chaos and using the media for chaos, sewering beloved players like Brock Besser and in his character, which i I have big issues with. when he's going in for a negotiation or trade and they sewer that intentionally, there's a way you conduct yourself and, and there's a way you shouldn't. And that's the big piece that I feel about them. They're no BS either. Um, they care and they're there because they care and not just like, you know, some sort of corporate we care truly. They care about the organization and they understand the market, uh,
00:35:48
Leo Ernewein
I really think that they are they're making sound decisions already. I think we'll get into that here yeah in a minute about direction they've already chosen. But genuinely, I think they picked people who understand how to communicate, but they're also not going to use the media to communicate. They're going to just go about their business and they're not going to create chaos. And that's something that I appreciate. That was something that I did not like about Patrick Alvin was just his arrogancy. More Jim Rutherford, honestly. And Jim Rutherford, too. Yeah. um I didn't like their approach.
00:36:28
Leo Ernewein
and And I agree with you. It was an absolute circus. Like, it was, I've never seen a team other than Edmonton and Toronto that we just talked about. That we just talked about have more of a circus than them. And there will be another circus we're going to talk about. But it was just, it was mind boggling what they were doing. They, they, they made some poor decisions in their tenure of getting rid of players, being sold on players, um, undervaluing players, overvaluing players. Like it was just, it was, i just, I said this off camera to you lots of times, Kyle, I said, no, this team isn't bad. you know, they'll, they'll turn it around. But when you really, when I really look back,
00:37:15
Leo Ernewein
There was no turning around. I appreciate your optimism. I was right there telling it was not going to happen. I And that's when you look back at what happened. It's just like, my goodness. And there was a humongous culture issue on this team. And culture in an organization or a company or whatever you want to call it, you have to create culture of of people that are willing to do the job the right way. And where does it start?
00:37:47
Leo Ernewein
It starts at the top and it goes filters down. And when the top doesn't do it, it filters down and it's poison everywhere. And that's what happened with Vancouver. And it it showed on the ice. It showed it. It showed in the media. You could see it within management that it was just...
00:38:04
Leo Ernewein
people were just all over the place. So I, when I saw that these two, three people are going to be taking the reins, I, I almost, I actually, no, I actually stood up and I actually applauded those, these guys for the organization for doing this because they've got three remarkable people and they're going to turn this, the they're going really going to turn the ship around.
00:38:28
Leo Ernewein
and What I was going to say was an example of of ah of a hockey team who has good culture. Calgary Flames. Calgary Flames was one.
00:38:39
Leo Ernewein
And another one that I was going to use was a junior hockey team. Actually, two junior hockey teams. The Medicine Hat Tigers. and the Brooks Bandits. And why do they, and why I say those two teams look at their records that they've had.
00:38:52
Leo Ernewein
Brooks has had notorious for bringing in great people into their organization and great hockey players that go, that go on to being great men. And they've created that culture. Same with Willie Desjardins and with the Madison Tigers. He does the exact same thing. He turns, he turns, uh, uh,
00:39:12
Leo Ernewein
ah teenagers into men and they become better people into their world. That's how you create a culture. And that's where Vancouver is missing. Now, these guys are grown men, but when you send these guys away from the Canucks, you want them to um go to other players and say, you you know what, i things didn't quite work out in Vancouver, but you know what, if you want to go to an organization as a free agent, I would say Vancouver because you know what, they treated me well there. It just, my time was up.
00:39:45
Leo Ernewein
and And that's where I'm going to say about Quinn Hughes, when he left, he had not one good thing to say about Vancouver. I'm going to say a lot of people have not good things to say about him either. I just think that it just it's unfortunate where it went, but it also I'm happy that it happened. When I saw that press conference back to to the co-Pohos and the co-president of hockey operations in daniel henneredine and Henrik-Sedine and general manager Ryan Johnson,
00:40:15
Leo Ernewein
I felt seen. I felt relieved. And they weren't just telling me what I wanted to hear. Well, I guess in a way it was, but it was building an actual future and a vision for that future. And it didn't have a timeline. It wasn't, oh, we're going turn around in two, three years like Jim Benning did and and Jim Rutherford as well. And it never works out. So I am cautiously optimistic with it.
00:40:39
Leo Ernewein
Did you feel calmness when you saw that? I did. Unbelievable calmness. And, you know, call me the delusional Canucks fan and I will take it. But I have not had a ah cheering interest in the team for quite some time. And now I am. And and I feel that this team can move forward. um One of the things that they did now is they let go Adam Foot today. They let him go today. Your reaction to that?
00:41:05
Leo Ernewein
I think it had to happen. i I have been perplexed by his coaching style for this past year. Fine as an assistant coach. He's an excellent defenseman. I also think he got, you know, given a really tall task that changed. At the beginning of the season last year, it was for making the playoffs to you know, weeks later being like, well, maybe that was a little too ambitious and we're going to change course.
00:41:33
Leo Ernewein
There was a, you know, Patrick Alvin was let go as the general manager specifically because he soured that relationship between the coach and the team.
00:41:44
Leo Ernewein
i I just think that Adam Fooker given a really tall order, but I also think that He is not going to be able to coach this team where it needs to be. And I think it was the easiest layup and decision that they could make as soon as becoming in power is allowing him to move on and the team can move on from him as well.
00:42:07
Leo Ernewein
So right now, checkmark, checkmark, checkmark. Lots of hard work has to happen and no one's saying that. They seem ready for it, and I'm glad that that was a decision that they made because it showed the seriousness of moving on.
00:42:22
Leo Ernewein
Yeah, you know, and and one of one of one of the things that i I felt bad for Adam was that he he was given, like you said, an impossible task and and with an impossible roster. He was an excellent tank commander, and he got them to the last place so that they could draft third overall. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. And and and i I think he's a great hockey mind. I think he he could be potentially a head coach someday, but it just was not now. And and they put a lot of – they put the spotlight on him which on out of foot, for which i don't think he was quite ready for. And because there was just so much –
00:43:04
Leo Ernewein
animosity from last year last season because of jt miller and the elias patterson thing that they were hoping that okay with a new bench boss with rick talk it out uh adam foot in that okay maybe it's just the wording was different but i it didn't change anything it was just it it actually got worse and so apparently they were they brought in um foot intentionally because they were trying to woo Quinn Hughes and stay. And that could be, and that's where was going to go. Yeah. You know, if that doesn't really solve the thing, then.
00:43:39
Leo Ernewein
And that, and that's a really stupid thing to do to try to sink or swim with somebody and it's sewered them. And it really, it really sewered them bad. And look what happened to them this year, which, but you know what, that's what happens when you make a bad roster decisions over the years. Right.
Vegas Golden Knights Media Issues
00:43:55
Leo Ernewein
Right. So, Anyways, I wish Adam Foote all the best because this won't be the last time we'll see him behind the bench. think he may pick up. As a head coach? I think he might be assistant coach somewhere.
00:44:09
Leo Ernewein
Hey, he might even be behind the bench in Colorado again. I think he might go to Philly. I'm hoping. Or he could go to Philadelphia. We'll see what happens. We're going to go to...
00:44:23
Leo Ernewein
Vegas, John Tortorella. ah na but you should Yeah, Kyle and I are both smirking at each other right now as we're recording this. So John Tortorella, after their win against the Anaheim Ducks,
00:44:41
Leo Ernewein
Why is it? Anaheim must seem to be just doing lots of turmoil to people because this is it ah happened that this happened again. So John Tororalla got into some trouble with the Golden Knights, with the NHL being part of the Golden Knights.
00:44:58
Leo Ernewein
After their win against Anaheim, nobody was allowed in the dressing room. So I'm talking about reporters the press The press conferences were short for the players at the podium.
00:45:09
Leo Ernewein
John Tortorella decided not to be on the podium for a media press conference. Vegas apparently has been warned about this in the past, that they've been doing this and been dodging media availability. And and because of that,
00:45:27
Leo Ernewein
John Torrella or Torts was fined $1,000. Wasn't it $100,000? Or $100,000, sorry. Yeah, $100,000, sorry. And Vegas had to forfeit their second round draft pick of this year, 2026.
00:45:42
Leo Ernewein
Kyle, what I call bizarre, I call it a circus. And they aren't even in the in their home hotel of the circus circus. So your reaction to all this?
00:45:55
Leo Ernewein
I'm just here so I won't get fined. Is that why? I'm just here, so I won't get fun. That was the Marshawn Lynch. Oh, yes. About a decade ago. That was when Seattle won their first Super Bowl. Yes. Because he would come up and heat that was his whole media availability thing. And I think there's a skirting of a line that that he did there that Vegas didn't hear.
00:46:20
Leo Ernewein
ah I'm going to go far so far as to say that I think that the shenanigans that Las Vegas is doing goes against the spirit of of the CBA. I think that it goes against the spirit of of of connecting people to information. And I think it is being done in a way for the sake of doing it, less any very specific reason. Same with them, apparently.
00:46:47
Leo Ernewein
not breaking news, but apparently Vegas also withholding Bruce Cassidy's availability to be able to interview with other teams because they just happen to be divisional teams in Los Angeles and potentially Edmonton.
00:46:59
Leo Ernewein
But they fired him, but he's under contract, but they're not going to let him talk. And this comes down to all these things. Vegas has been warned and they appealed and it still comes back that you're losing that pick.
00:47:13
Leo Ernewein
I think there's a point being made here that dodging those things because people, not only do we get the connection with with media availabilities to hear what with it, with players and coaches have to say, I know sometimes you don't really get a ton, maybe torch you will a little bit because sometimes he can go a little hot under the collar. But when, when you have media companies who pay a ton of money to broadcast and to put their people in front to ask questions, to get stories, to have all that come through. And then it's just, it's not happening.
00:47:50
Leo Ernewein
It's not coming through. It's not going to happen. I think that that's why there's consequences behind this more than just they've been warned. But it's, it just the, you know, when you hire John Tortorella, you should expect, and I think they seem okay with, with these types of things.
00:48:12
Leo Ernewein
Well, you know, and that, that goes back to Kelly McCrimmon, because and for those who don't know, Kelly McCrimmon ran the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL for a long time. And it got to the point where the same things that he's helping do in Vegas, the owner of the brand and Wheat Kings had, had enough of him because the fans weren't showing up.
00:48:37
Leo Ernewein
Well, fans, not just the fans weren't showing up that these young men who are, who are young teenagers who are playing on the brand and Wheat Kings were also getting mixed messages. We're also getting shipped around and turned around. and yeah And I think that,
00:48:53
Leo Ernewein
it's one thing to have that conversation about millionaires and multimillionaires as grown adults versus position of power with youth. Yeah. And, and I think that it's unfortunate that method of operating has been rewarded. Yeah. And, and, and,
00:49:12
Leo Ernewein
and That's what I mean. So now Kelly McCrimmon is being part of this in Vegas, you know, and so it's just exactly, you're being rewarded for stupidity. I i call it stupidity because that's what it that's what it is. It's just not, not affection you're hoping you're hoping you're never going to get caught. And then when you do, you start being a baby about it. so and so And then with John Tortorella, like, what are you doing? Like, you should you should know that...
00:49:39
Leo Ernewein
that you should know you should know that you should be part being part of your availability be part of the availability like he he just never learned he never learns he he's got this swag about himself that he just oh i can i'm john torrella i'm an american i can do whatever i want isn't it funny that he he does this to the media but then when he's not coaching he's in the media i know and that's that's the hilarious thing like it's So you think he would learn from his antics that he did in Tampa.
00:50:11
Leo Ernewein
He did the exact same stuff in New York. He did the exact same crap in Vancouver and he did the exact same crap in Philadelphia. And what happened? He got canned because the organization had, ah had enough of the fines. They had enough of his antics and they, and they had enough of his arrogancy and now he's back and he's in vegas and he's doing the exact same stuff and it's just it's mind-boggling that you would think that took him what eight games ten games to get to that i know and and everybody i remember everybody was kind of talking like i just remember looking online it's like john tortorales seems to be behaving these days well no not anymore you that's
00:50:51
Leo Ernewein
that That ship has sailed now. So just bizarre, absolutely bizarre what i what I saw out of that organization. I'm still a fan of them. I still will, but I'm i'm not really happy with the this. i'm i'm I'm too big for my bridges type of thing in the NHL.
00:51:09
Leo Ernewein
You know, and I get it because they've they've won a lot the last little bit. I get it that they want that stature. But right now they're pissing off the NHL. And the way they're running things, they're making their own they're making their fans in the city look bad too. They're making me agree with Gary Bettman. I know. That's bad, isn't it? Me too. I'm saying that thinking the exact same thing. That is bad.
00:51:31
Leo Ernewein
So, anyways, speaking of the Vegas Golden Knights, again, we're going to turn the ship around a little bit into a more positive direction.
Western Conference Final Preview
00:51:40
Leo Ernewein
They're in the Western Conference Final with the Colorado Avalanche.
00:51:44
Leo Ernewein
We have some former Calgary Flames going at it here in this series. um Nazem Qadri is going to be playing against Rasmus Anderson and Noah Hennepin. And Nick Waugh is going to be playing against his former team where he won the Stanley Cup with with Vegas.
00:51:59
Leo Ernewein
So we have the 2023 Vegas Golden Knights champs going against the 2022 Cup champs in the Colorado Avalanche. Um, Colorado won the season series to one, um, last time these two teams played each other, Vegas beat Colorado in six games. And I don't know if everybody remembers, uh, Nathan McKinnon said it in his post press conference that I am so sick and tired of losing. I'm paraphrasing, but that's what he, that's what he said, or along the lines he said. So, yeah,
00:52:32
Leo Ernewein
I don't know if anybody remembers that. And now we have the Montreal Canadiens who won last night. um tuesday well what there was a Tuesday, May 18th. They won in seven games over the Buffalo Sabres. We're go to talk a little bit about Buffalo real quick too.
00:52:48
Leo Ernewein
um But they are now taking on Carolina. Kyle, your reaction to these matchups? And before you do, I'm go to throw another stat. Montreal and Carolina haven't played each other since in the playoffs since 2002.
00:53:01
Leo Ernewein
When Carolina beat them. so And for that series, too much red. with Yeah, no worms. That's the one thing. I find it interesting when you look at Carolina where they they breezed through the first two rounds and they've only they played eight games.
00:53:18
Leo Ernewein
compared to Montreal that's played 14 games. And you could say more tired team.
Eastern Conference Final Context
00:53:25
Leo Ernewein
don't know. Maybe they're just in the right prime where Carolina sat with the second longest time off between playoff series. in nhl history they missed out i think it was like 1919 there was can't remember what teams were playing then but they they missed out on tying that by one single day and you know we will see how that pans out for carolina in all that time off you could argue it's good but might not be uh real quick want interrupt and then you continue I wasn't around for 1919 or whatever that was. Oh, yeah. Okay. So I just want to – you know, I wasn't around either, so don't feel bad. No, I don't. But it's just the time off, it's really interesting. Yeah.
00:54:14
Leo Ernewein
I came on this show before the playoffs started, and what team was I telling you was the team to watch? Montreal. The Montreal Canadiens. And I still feel that way. They are the youngest team in the playoffs, the youngest team in the NHL. And here's an interesting stat. I don't know if you know this one, but The last time that the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup was 1993, and the roster that they had was the youngest NHL team. That is very true. That year as well. yeah So is there shades of it? Potentially. i know they don't have Patrick Waugh, but they they do have Martin St. Louis, and I think that he is an incredible motivator, and he understands how his team works. And
00:55:02
Leo Ernewein
there They're living it. and And that's something that instead of being so calculated, they're just living hockey games and playing the game and not giving up until the game is over. And they're able to find a way Carolina's a juggernaut and they very much are are set right there to be the the the team. I mean, if you look at, ah you know, I keep hearing about the odds being, you know, very much a David versus Goliath type setup there, but I, I, I doesn't mean that that ah David doesn't get the chance here and Goliath is going to win. yeah,
00:55:40
Leo Ernewein
And I mean, what things have been more true for so long about Carolina getting to the Eastern Conference final and not being able to get over to the next next level to be able to get to the final? And that has been something that they haven't been able to get around a ton here in in the last really 20 years. 20 years, yeah. So, i mean, 2006 was... The last time they won, yeah. it Was 20 years ago this summer. Yeah. ah So for that, am...
00:56:08
Leo Ernewein
i am on the western side a lot more firmer and believing that uh that colorado is going to be able to get through vegas and uh i i think that we're gonna see colorado advance and we might have the the wall off as i'm calling it between the colorado avalanche and uh montreal canadians um over Patrick Waugh. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Those are my i thoughts. Oh, good. you won And then those are awesome thoughts. um my my take My take was Montreal, I thought, was very lucky to win that game. Of course. Oh, goodness. But what is a part of this whole game? Yeah, they got they got really totally outplayed. But you know what? Dovish...
00:56:51
Leo Ernewein
was the difference maker in that game. And he had to be. And he, you know, he, he reminds me so much of Kerry Price, like it just his stature, maybe not so much. He's a little bit more outgoing than Kerry because Kerry carries a lot more quieter and more reserved. But the the style of goaltenders between the two of them, very much similar. So I'm so happy to see Montreal advance. I think sports, that's probably just out as static that they're, that a Canadian team has moved on for ratings wise.
00:57:22
Leo Ernewein
And so that, you know, Canada of can continue get behind them. I know I have, I've, I've gone behind Montreal since, since, you know, since they started the playoffs that I, and some of that is because I got a little bet with a friend of mine that I told her, I said,
00:57:38
Leo Ernewein
And if Colorado and Montreal end up playing each other in the Stanley Cup final, I am going to go over the over to Ontario and we're going watch Stanley Cup game and we're going to go golfing. So I told her, said, hold on to that. So i said I said, hold on to that. Montreal and Colorado are going to play each other. so You've heard it here first, Len. going to go play golf in Ontario and he's using it as an exclusive. She knows who she is. So she knows who she is because she listens to me. That's awesome. yes So anyway, so, but, um, as far as Carolina goes real quick, I don't think Carolina has played a team like Montreal yet. And they've been very lucky because nothing, not that I'm taking anything away from, uh, Philadelphia or, uh, or, uh, Ottawa, but they were banged up. They just snuck in and they were just, they didn't give Carolina. I i mean, Carolina played well. I don't get me wrong with what they've, uh,
00:58:33
Leo Ernewein
what they've accomplished, but Philadelphia, they, Philadelphia and Ottawa just didn't give them a fighting chance just because of, you know, they were pretty banged up trying to get in. So, and so I, I think Carolina is to have a lot of trouble with Montreal. So a lot of trouble with Montreal and, and being with off 11 days, that's really, really going to hurt. So as far as Colorado and Vegas, I think this one's going to quick series for Colorado too.
00:58:59
Leo Ernewein
Um, mainly because just the way Vegas has played the last two series that they've had a lot of trouble with Utah. They've had a lot of trouble with Anaheim. I just don't think, I don't think um Vegas has enough goal scoring to keep compete with Colorado. And and i Carter Hart has been very inconsistent. Now, I'm not saying that Wedgwood and Blackwood haven't been either, but they've been been very, very, they've been little bit inconsistent, but Carter Hart has been very wishy-washy. And he's going to be getting shelled by the avalanche with shots, because Colorado likes to shoot the puck from the defense, and they have not played a team yet like Colorado, where Colorado shoots the puck from everywhere. We'll find out tomorrow night. We'll find out tomorrow night. What night are we? Tuesday, Wednesday night. Tomorrow night. So,
00:59:52
Leo Ernewein
um So we're going move on to some local sports real quick. um The Canmore Eagles, as we all know, won the AGHL
Canmore Eagles' Successful Season
01:00:01
Leo Ernewein
championship. They headed off to Summerside.
01:00:04
Leo Ernewein
PEI. PEI, I said that right, right? knew it was PEI. I want to make sure I said that. Summerside. Okay, good. want to make sure I said the city right door. People might be like, you screwed that one up, Landon. So anyways, um, so they went to Summerside PI for, to the Centennial cup and they actually started off well, they started off three and one in round Robin. And i think there was a little bit of hope, a little bit of not love hope and some excitement in the bow Valley for the Eagles. And, uh, So they went into the playoffs and the wheel fell off. They lost 7-3 to a Toronto team. I can't remember their names, but it was a junior A team in Toronto.
01:00:45
Leo Ernewein
And they lost seven three and that ended their season in the playoffs. A remarkable season. Nighthawks. That's who it was. i Yes. Toronto Nighthawks. um So unfortunately, their season came to an end in the playoffs in that tournament.
01:01:03
Leo Ernewein
And they were sent home, sent back to the Bovalley empty handed, unfortunately, but I think their experience there says itself or how they played there. Um, Kyle, your reaction to the camera Eagles season as a whole, all positive. Oh, for sure. Exceptionally positive. Uh, we have sat through some, uh, non-inspiring years of, of Eagles hockey. And I would say that that would be one that would, that that would be on it.
01:01:31
Leo Ernewein
Um, I spent a few years up in Fort McMurray and I used to go to the Oil Barons games very regularly. and And I became a fan of them while I was up there and they were winning championships and they had a good culture. And, you know, coming back to Canmore, I felt that that was something that they could definitely improve on. And I really feel like they had. And and I look at the people who have...
01:01:56
Leo Ernewein
cheered this organization on for decades, good friends of both of ours and and and people that traveled while this team won the AJHL championship and going up to White Court to watch them do that.
01:02:11
Leo Ernewein
I am so proud of them that everything that came and went into the Centennial Cup was, ah was to me, was just house money, was was above anything. And I don't think that there's a failure of them not winning the national championship out of it. I'm very proud of the Camdenmore Eagles. And you can definitely feel that in our community. and And that's something... that is going to inspire more generations. I mean, they we're talking about a team that has had a hard time getting billets because of how expensive it is living in the Bow Valley and compared to other places.
01:02:48
Leo Ernewein
I think that that helps change the viewpoint of of people seeing the reason why and why this is important. We're now seeing contracts for these players and some of them are now signing WHL contracts and moving up and on and showing... their growth and everything that they could do coming out of junior hockey they're getting picked up by colleges too right exactly yeah and i think that that the success from all of this outweighs anything that could be minutely pointed as negative go eagles absolutely amazing run and yeah very very proud of them yeah you know mean i'm the same way i'm quite proud of them too um
01:03:28
Leo Ernewein
i know a lot of people I know a lot of people who know me have a a little bit know me about you know our family's history with eagles. you know That's water on the bridge as far as I'm concerned.
01:03:39
Leo Ernewein
um i don't I don't begrudge anybody anybody or that organization. That happened 15 years ago. It waters under the bridge. but For people who don't know that, Landon had had a little altercation with the mascot. Yeah, i did.
01:03:55
Leo Ernewein
Yeah, he slapped me upside the head. so No, but and anyways, I just, I just, I felt very proud of for for them as an organization. I was happy to for Andrew Millen. Yes. um You know, because i there was lots of heat on him by the local media that they should let him go. And, you know, and rightly so. I think there's a lot of people in the Bow Valley were thinking the same thing that, you know,
01:04:20
Leo Ernewein
He just could never get out of the first or second rounds. You know, he just, he could never get a ah winning culture and now they're champions. Right. And so, so, and, and, you know, he did, Andrew did what a lot of coaches before him, like Bob Miller, who couldn't get over the hump and he got, it if Andrew Miller got over the hump. Now, real quick.
01:04:40
Leo Ernewein
Now, I don't want to put salt into you know the glory of what happened with the Eagles because the but the bow valley the Bow Valley, especially Cam, really got behind this team. I mean, the attendance, they sold out every game, including the regular season.
01:04:55
Leo Ernewein
That barn was full, apparently, this year. i remember it was full last year. Same thing. Good atmosphere. You know, the Bow Valley is really getting behind this team. Apparently, the um They're even having a waiting list for sponsorships. And they've never had that problem and in the history of since while Kyle, you and I were in grade five, grade six, where they had that, or even earlier, even when they became a team. So now they're having Gertner. Yeah. they No. Yeah. No, Bomber's back. Mike Bomber's back. Yeah. And Dan Blackburn back in the day. So um they haven't, they now have, they're having waiting lists for sponsorships because everybody wants to be a sponsor, which is great. That's awesome. I mean, the community is getting, but one of the things that I think people got to realize too, and I'm looking at this too, is that I'm happy for Camo. are They won.
01:05:53
Leo Ernewein
But would they be in this position if it wasn't for those five teams that dropped dropped out of the HHL and moved to the BCHL? That's a question that I want everybody to think about, including you, Kyle.
01:06:06
Leo Ernewein
Let's say if Cam Moore had moved to the BCHL and then won BCHL, what would you say at that point? I would have said, you know what? Good for them, right? Yeah. I still think you have to with it because yeah I don't think it diminishes the the championship. but No, it doesn't. it And I'm not diminishing it. I'm just saying that... You're saying the only way you can win is if it's against the Brooks Bandits? Yeah, agree. Well, but you know what? brooks Brooks beat them lots in the playoffs, and that's one of the reasons why, right? so and And Brooks went on to winning a couple of A.J. Child Championships or came close. so
01:06:39
Leo Ernewein
But I'm just saying that you I don't think – I don't think Canmore or even Calgary, the Canucks, who won it last year, would and even Whitecore, who's gone to the finals in A.J. twice in a row too, or three times, I think, three or two or three,
01:06:56
Leo Ernewein
I don't think they'd be in this position if it wasn't because of Spruce Grove or not being in the north either. So I'm just saying that it's great for these organizations, but do you think they would be in this position?
01:07:09
Leo Ernewein
right now, if that those teams weren't in it I'm going to say no, because based on, based on their records, even in the BCHL. So, but anyways, Canmore, congratulations guys. Really, really, I'm really happy for them. So, um, I can't wait to see their, their banner get raised in the Canmore rink. Cause, uh, me too. That, that, that's going to pretty cool moment to see, uh, an AJHL championship banner on in the Canmore rink. And they won in their white,
01:07:37
Leo Ernewein
uniforms which I think is the better looking their way that that made me happy was an aesthetics person for yeah for hockey uniforms for sure and you you came in today wearing the Camaro Eagles hat again because I'm still wearing it my house so yeah Shifting gears, the Memorial Cup real quick is going to be in Kelowna, BC this year. So the Rockets will be hosting. They've been off for four weeks. So you think 11 days for the Carolina Hurricanes was bad? Can you imagine being off for a month? So that tournament starts this weekend in Kelowna, BC.
01:08:11
Leo Ernewein
um So the Kelowna Rockets, like I said, are going hosting the Everett Silverchips. who are WHL champions. And if you don't know wherever it is, it's just north of Seattle, Washington. So, um, the Kitchener Rangers are the OHL championship champions and the Quebec and Maritimes junior hockey league champions, the Chikudomi Saganese, which play in Saganay Quebec. I hope I said that right.
01:08:44
Leo Ernewein
Um, Kyle, are you going watch this tournament? I know. I think I'm, I'm going to I love the Memorial. I do too. Yeah, I really do. And I think similar to we saw with watching games for the Centennial Cup, it's just pure hockey. And, uh, I don't like perfection. I think that there's something beautiful, fantastic. And to throw teams that kind of never play against each other. Exactly. That's the piece that I like. And, uh,
01:09:16
Leo Ernewein
Yeah, im I am interested. My rooting interest is with the Rockets. so yeah Yeah, I'm rooting for the Rockets too. yeah Do I think they're going to win this thing? I don't think so. Just because they had trouble with it. though they got boun they got They got bounced out by Everett. Let me tell you. I'll say that to you guys. or No, yeah, they did get bounced out by Everett.
01:09:38
Leo Ernewein
But um so there there might be some anger in that, but I don't think Kelowna has a chance either. But that's why you play the tournament. So I'm going to throw a little thing out there for everybody who doesn't know.
01:09:49
Leo Ernewein
The Memorial Cup can either have three or four teams. Now, why why I say three or four is that if the host city who hosts the tournament, if they beat everybody in their league, it becomes a three-team tournament. If they don't,
01:10:05
Leo Ernewein
and the host team gets bounced out in earlier rounds, then it becomes a four-team tournament. So, yeah, so really cool about the Memorial Cup. I'm excited for calling it a host because I think they're going be a good host because they've hosted many major events in the past, and they're going to host a couple major events after the Memorial Cup. So um the PWHL, some big news out of there. So it happened recently, too. It was announced that San Jose,
01:10:35
Leo Ernewein
Detroit, Las Vegas, and Hamilton here in Canada will be getting franchises to make this now officially a 12-team league. yeah um Kyle, what do you what do you think of these additions? And do you think this league is going too fast do you think the league is going too fast with the expansion is what I'm trying to say?
01:10:56
Leo Ernewein
I had i initially, but I think you kind of need to get to a healthy number to be able to build on it. six, eight, and now 12 teams, uh, respectively for the years that, that they've been a league and what they're planning on doing.
01:11:13
Leo Ernewein
I think 12 teams puts them at a really good spot to be, have growth competitiveness. And, and I hope that they can build out a a system that can allow girls to be able to find their way to teams like farm systems or, and having that. And I'm not, and I'm not trying to suggest that there needs to be the world's biggest infrastructure piece go into all of this, but you know what? It's going to take some time. And I think they're planning until 2031 to keep it at 12 teams.
01:11:46
Leo Ernewein
At least that's what some initial reporting has has come out on it when as I've been watching the playoffs. and And I really like that because this is going to give a really great opportunity to showcase in some big cities, some big markets, They aren't playing in small barns. They're playing in NHL-sized barns. Absolutely, and they should be. They play an excellent game, and it's fun to watch. And and and I've really enjoyed watching, especially the playoffs this year with the PWHL and this finals. It's pretty good hockey, isn't it? It's great.
01:12:23
Leo Ernewein
i've I've never been – and this isn't for me being – you know you know, like sexist or anything like that. But I just, I've never really gotten into girls or women's hockey. And it's not just because I'm being a guy or anything. it's just, it's just never appealed to me. But I've watched this PWHL a little bit over the last two, so two or three seasons.
01:12:46
Leo Ernewein
It is good hockey. These women play hard. They play fast. um It's physical and they care. And they they want, not only do they want this as a job, but they want to grow the games for future generations. It's great hockey, guys. If you ever watch it, it is phenomenal. And there's some pretty big name stars playing in this. city I mean, we saw it in the Olympic tournament. the A lot of the best on best was from, basically from this league, playing in this tournament. And it's only going to get better and better. So I'm i'm so excited for this organization,
01:13:20
Leo Ernewein
for the PWHO to have four more teams in this. and And it gives girls and women another chance to be part of something and strive for something. So more than that, I also think that this is an opportunity for a male dominated sport and a male dominated perspective on sports.
01:13:41
Leo Ernewein
to now see women take the mantle and and show that the product is is fantastic. It's worth watching. And and I'm I'm a fan. I've been a fan since day one. And and I enjoy watching it. And I hope that other men will give the opportunity to actually watch because Yeah, they're carrying their heart, and that's my PSA pitch in this today. Yeah, I've given it a chance, and I like it. Now, is it the first thing I watch? No. And that's just because there's... That's the difference between you Yeah, exactly. That's the difference between you and I. Is that the first thing I watch? No. But if I get a chance to watch it, and there's some teams or some players that I want to watch, I'll watch it. And I have this a little bit this year,
01:14:34
Leo Ernewein
um so yeah i'm excited for this or i'm excited for this league so um real quick auto charge taking on the montreal victor um the victor or victor sorry i apologize i i like victory but it's victor um that they're up 2-1 in the series. Ottawa won last night. um First time that this Walter c Cup is going to be awarded other than to a Canadian team other than Minnesota. So your reaction to these two teams real quick. off I think it's fantastic. if For those who haven't watched, when the Ottawa Senators were playing in the playoffs, as soon as they got eliminated, the Ottawa Charge were able to move
01:15:22
Leo Ernewein
their games to take over the Canadian tire center. And I think that that platform allowed really for them to, to surge and and get to where they were. and And the team absolutely started rolling basically from that point on. Um,
01:15:38
Leo Ernewein
Montreal has been in the driver's seat of pretty much every one of their series and playing. And they they're still in the driver's seat for this. Game game four is tomorrow. Potentially the side. This is a best of of five series. And yeah, so if Montreal wins tomorrow, then...
01:16:01
Leo Ernewein
then then they win the walter cup uh either way i think that this is fantastic for growing the game in in canada uh the the last two years the and well for the first two seasons um the minnesota frost have been the dominant team yeah but expansion yeah expansion took a little bit out of them yeah in in transferring yeah players especially out west towards vancouver and seattle yeah ah And, but it has been awesome. And if you get the chance, watch tomorrow night's game. um
01:16:35
Leo Ernewein
It is going to be worth watching and exciting to see. If we talk about what, if sports matter in this country, then this is something that we should at least make sure that that we put on for viewing for ourselves to see its accessibility is there. It's not hard to watch, to get to watch. And I hope that you do turn it on and watch because I will be watching that myself. Yeah, no, absolutely. And Real quick, what I wanted to say, I forgot to say this. It's been so neat to see wherever game that's been played, it doesn't matter if it's been in their lone rink or they've gone to other cities, they've sold out. Yeah.
01:17:12
Leo Ernewein
and And they're selling out for this finals too, which is awesome. yeah Yeah. People want to watch it. Yeah. And that's the thing. And once you start watching it, you get hooked. Yeah. So... um Yeah, so tomorrow night tomorrow night, you said Wednesday night is the next game four, I think it is, right? It is. In Ottawa. In Ottawa. All right, man. To end this show off, um our last topic, you would like to talk about F1 there, man. It's in Montreal this weekend. It is. Yes. It'll be on TSN.
01:17:44
Leo Ernewein
I do suggest watching. There's a lot going on in Montreal right now. Oh, there it is. We talk about with sports, right? So the Habs are now in the Eastern Conference final. The Victoire are and the finals or yeah are in the finals and and and looking good. And then now they're also hosting one of the greatest races on the circuit.
01:18:03
Leo Ernewein
through the year is is the montreal race it there's a good chance of rain, which will make it exciting. And they have a sprint race happening that weekend as well, which is half the distance the day before. So there's a lot more racing than just um the one Sunday race, which would be the Sunday local time, mountain time is 2 p.m. that the main race is on. And then they also have the Academy racing happening this weekend, which is the women's series. And that's also, I really enjoy watching that as well. so do watch that a lot of fun it's one of the best races the whole year in f1 is is the circuit digital in montreal so do watch it this weekend we might see some groundhogs poking up and hanging around and making it interesting along with some rain and uh i know you're coming over to watch i'm going to certainly try yeah yeah yeah
01:19:01
Leo Ernewein
um i'm certainly gonna try i am uh got scheduled to work that day but i'm gonna see if i can try i i know v and i'm gonna see if i can try to get it off because this is something that you and i want to want to watch so i'm gonna do my best to see if i can try to get there so um so anyways yeah so have fun if you're a racing fan great um it that's uh that's great that uh you wanted to talk about that. So, um, I don't have, I don't really have much of a, um, a shout out today other than I just want to shout out to my grandma. Cause this is when she unfortunately left our, our nice world here. So she passed away five years ago. So I want to dedicate this show to her, but, uh, that's our show, everyone.
01:19:51
Leo Ernewein
Um, I want to thank you again, Kyle, for coming on and filling in for Leo again. And, uh, And I appreciate, I really appreciate that being the backup and coming off the bench. So I really appreciate that, man. Thanks for coming on. Thanks very much for having me as always. And I'm glad we got to do this. Yeah. And everybody, real quick, make sure you rate our show because we need, the more ratings, the more people comment, the more our show becomes popular.
01:20:16
Leo Ernewein
Thanks for listening, everybody. And take care.