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00:00:01
Chabbyhorse
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After a long hiatus, we are so back. We recap the big stories from the offseason (spoiler: there weren't many), explain a popular offseason meme, offer our extremely delayed reaction to the Charge losing many players to expansion, and predict the upcoming Sens season.
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Transcript
Introduction and Personal Notes
00:00:05
Speaker
i mean I ran Michigan. don't even know what he's thinking. He's just a complete bird head. Brady Kachunk. Thomas is my best friend. I got a lot of good looking dudes on my team.
00:00:16
Speaker
You just got new. just had him. Just had him.
Podcast Introduction and Hiatus Explanation
00:00:23
Speaker
Hi everyone and welcome to episode Jean-Gabriel Pejot of Elite Suns Brain. As always, I'm Biara and I am joined here by, i guess I should say the artist formerly known as At Erickson's Burner. I don't know if you're even still known as that.
00:00:39
Speaker
How's it going? i'm okay, how are you? i'm good. We are... ok we may have accidentally taken a long hiatus. In defense, there wasn't much to talk about, I feel like.
00:00:56
Speaker
And look, the thing is, if you have like a sports podcast during the offseason, you can either like really try to come up with content the way we did last year,
00:01:07
Speaker
Which, like, I'm sure people enjoyed that. Or you can just say, there's nothing to discuss. let's Let's reconvene when there are things to discuss. And that's what we did. So apologies to the people that we left wanting content.
00:01:23
Speaker
Yeah, but like also if you think about it, like all the like auto senators and everything like they go on vacation. so like, why should we be you know what I mean? Like, why are we doing the work if they're not even doing the work?
00:01:38
Speaker
Yeah, exactly.
Sports and Movies Discussions
00:01:40
Speaker
yeah, so yeah we we've been touching grass. How has touching grass been for you? It's been good. trying to remember. I feel like this was a very hot summer.
00:01:51
Speaker
no content, so I just go to like talking about the weather. it was okay, but I feel like, don't know, it's hard to touch grass at points. What was your experience like?
00:02:03
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. Mine was pretty good. You know, pretty chill. Didn't do much. I know I wouldn't have anything I wouldn't have had anything to talk about. Right. Went to a few concerts, saw a few movies. Nice.
00:02:15
Speaker
ah My new roommate has a cat. So I've acquired a cat. You might hear her in the background. We'll see. She has very strong opinions about me closing my bedroom door. So if she wakes up and she notices that it's closed, we might get a surprise guest.
00:02:32
Speaker
Oh my gosh, this is awesome. um Wow, well that's good. What movies did you see? i saw, well, the big one is I saw Superman. Did you see it?
00:02:43
Speaker
saw Superman as well. What did we see? It was good. Yeah, I liked it. It's nice how, spoilers for Superman, it's nice how the message was kindness. I was like, I feel like that hasn't been a message in a mainstream movie in long time. It was so needed And it was just such a good movie. I saw it twice and both times I left the theater being like, oh no, I fear that I'm becoming so obsessed. Like I can just feel the obsession like taking over my brain. Like I need to read comics. I need to read fan fiction. and I need to like consume all content about this movie. It's so good. Yeah.
00:03:19
Speaker
That's so awesome. Yeah, I feel like I left being very much like, girl who is going to be okay. so like, that was nice thing. Yeah, that too. I saw the new Jurassic Park too That was fun.
00:03:31
Speaker
ah Less like, it didn't take over my brain to the same extent. More like, that was cool. Moving on. nice I did not even know there was a new Jurassic Park out.
00:03:42
Speaker
It's all right. I've never seen any Jurassic Park, so like... The first one's good. You should see it. I saw it on like a big anniversary in theaters a while ago, and it was in three d and it was terrifying.
00:03:55
Speaker
I had never seen it before because my mom thought it was too scary, and I didn't realize that I had never seen the movie before until I like saw it in theaters, and I was like, whoa. Yeah. Yeah.
00:04:07
Speaker
I feel like I only know like a select few clips. I feel like there's like famous like clips, but like, yeah, well, it's one of those movies that you just, you have to see it Yeah. Okay. On adding to the watch list.
00:04:20
Speaker
So yeah, that was our summer. was clearly an awesome summer. like yeah, but like, why would we have recorded a podcast? Like, this is what you would have heard if we had turned on the microphones to record a podcast. Yeah.
00:04:34
Speaker
Yeah, like, now you just get to hear about like the highlights because otherwise you would have had to hear about like what we were like living through the whole time. So it's like, it's possible that there weren't yet highlights. Yeah, and like maybe we would have been able to come up with good bits, but now we can save our bits for the season, you know?
00:04:52
Speaker
Exactly. Yeah, so I went and checked where we left off because I was trying to remember what was the last thing we talked about.
NHL Expansion and Player Performance
00:04:58
Speaker
And I actually vividly remember, if we want to pick up where we we left off, that um we recorded a podcast where i was losing my mind, worried that Ronja Slavelainen would be taken in the expansion draft.
00:05:10
Speaker
And then before the podcast even went up, the Charge announced that they were protecting her. So I was like, oh, this is already out of date. So just just want to say, like, thank you, Ottawa Charge. Yay!
00:05:23
Speaker
That's the only good thing I can say about the Charge offseason. Yeah. Yeah, it was it was a trying offseason. i needed we really needed that break.
00:05:35
Speaker
Yeah, we really did. i Now, that's the thing also, the good thing about taking a break. Like, now, it's like, again, it's it's all going to be okay.
00:05:45
Speaker
We have some distance. Even with the Sens, it's like, i saw some people already tuning into the Prospects games and stuff. And I'm like, you know, once we get toward the end of the preseason, I'm like, hungry for Sens games.
00:06:01
Speaker
But I'm still at the point right now where I'm like, not yet, guys. Like, just just just leave it. just Just give it a minute. It's too soon. i don't need to be tuning into these prospect games. I'm sorry. yeah exactly. I saw, or like someone sent it to me, I think. I've like been offline. But someone sent me the thing of like, was the Sen's Twitter account itself tweeting like, Yakumchuk scores. And I was like, what?
00:06:25
Speaker
Like, I forgot that the prospect game was the thing. So I was like... did I miss that? Like, how did he do that? And then I was like, oh, that makes a lot more sense. But there was like a split second where I was like, what is happening? Like, how did he do that? That's crazy.
00:06:38
Speaker
if you are dedicated enough to be tuning into the prospect game, like all power to you. That's really awesome. I'm just, I'm not there yet. It's ramping up for me. You need kind of a slow build, right? Yeah. Yeah.
00:06:51
Speaker
Yeah, I'm going to the home opener. Very exciting. Thank you, Frank Senators, for scheduling the home opener on Thanksgiving. That's pretty fun. I haven't been to a home opener since 2013, actually. So it should be fine fun. Hopefully no one stalks you now that you've said that.
00:07:09
Speaker
i know. going that's where my mind goes immediately be careful where it's also it's also where my mind goes but I feel like you know it's a big enough arena there are enough people there that's true I I think I'm hoping people will not be on the lookout for me Well, great yeah, I think it'll be fine. i think it'll be a good time.
00:07:34
Speaker
um i saw ah some stuff about, don't know, like, I guess people, like, Sen's influencers got invited to like, look at new food and stuff that's there. Yeah, so awkward. I wasn't invited this year. and don't know why.
00:07:47
Speaker
Another Silver 7 writer was invited, so it was probably just that. Share the world. I wouldn't have been able to go anyways, so like it's fine. Maybe I should just say I was invited and couldn't go. i went last year and it was very fun and I am very happy for all the people who got to go this year.
00:08:03
Speaker
It seems cool. We got insight into the promotions and stuff. Seems fine We will touch on a key one later. Yeah. pretty Pretty exciting thing.
00:08:15
Speaker
Another game that I'll have to attend, apparently. so yeah, I was going to say that... I'm i'm sorry they didn't invite you. But I was going to say that based on what I've seen, the food...
00:08:27
Speaker
looks really but I'm like where do you get that food feel like you have to go somewhere special to get like the yeah I think they're like specific restaurants and stuff okay they're like promoting yeah makes sense but anyway if anyone wants to go there and it seems that the food looks really good I like how I'm like reporting secondhand on like other people went and like reported it on the food and I'm like guys did you see the food looks good and it's like yeah you all saw that it's all somewhere else I'm impressed that you even like saw stuff that was on twitter I've like, I have people like sending me stuff, which is very kind because they're like, oh, did you do this? And I'm like, huh, okay.
00:09:02
Speaker
I'm, but like, as we will probably learn throughout this episode, I've been very not looking at stuff. So you will have to explain to me some, is there some stuff in the episode notes that I clearly did not write where it's like, i was like, hmm, some of the stuff I was like, oh, I knew this. Some of the stuff I looked a little more into it.
00:09:20
Speaker
One key thing, I was like, I will not be looking into this because I want it to be explained to me live. Perfect. I'll bet some people on Twitter well can already guess what this is about.
00:09:30
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah, I mean, good for you for being offline. It was, at times in the summer, for reasons that we will not go into, it was a very, very difficult time to be on hockey Twitter and hockey Blue Sky. Yeah.
00:09:44
Speaker
Anyways, um ah do we want to like go into sorry we're rusty right now do we want to go into... go into how the charge are completely screwed like if we pick up where we left off?
00:09:57
Speaker
Because I feel like this a thing that like we didn't get a chance to discuss on the podcast. We were just discussing... like the expansion rules and who the charge are going to protect. And now it's like, I've had some distance, but I still can't believe how screwed the charge are. Like, guys, they're going to be so bad. Yeah.
00:10:15
Speaker
Yeah. I still believe, but I'm like, oh, it'll be a rough go of things. Like, so they, so first of all, yeah, they lost Ashton Bell, Annetta Tarilova, and then I forget who else, but it was bad. Oh, and obviously like Mashmire as well.
00:10:30
Speaker
It was just... I mean, like, they're fine in net because they have Gwyneth Phillips, so it's whatever. Their forwards, like, weren't that good last year, but, like, mostly untouched.
00:10:41
Speaker
But, like, oh my god. Oh yeah, they lost Sir Dachne as well. But, like like, the defense? It's Savalainen against the world. Like, just in that luck, we still have her, but she's the oldest player in the whole league.
00:10:54
Speaker
Like, what the hell? Even Zoe Boyd didn't sign, which I was so shocked by. Like, I thought she was going to be a charge for life. Yeah. I was like, that was a shock to me.
00:11:06
Speaker
why exactly I Like, I just like the vibes of her. there was like, no way she ever leaves. who Yeah. It's just... And also, it's like, it just makes you think. to Like, why are players always leaving Ottawa? What's going on Yeah, it was like ah like a bit concerning.
00:11:24
Speaker
Like, i was like, oh, is everything okay? Do we know? Yeah. And, like, look, I don't want to jump to conclusions. um Because some people are like, oh, my Kirshville just sucks at being a GM. And it's like...
00:11:36
Speaker
it Probably, yeah. But also, it kind of sounds like he is making decent moves, but players just want to leave. And I know that was like Melnick's excuse. It's not the best excuse. You've got create environment where players want to stay. But yeah, that's the thing. You've got to think, why players not stay in Ottawa? Yeah.
00:11:56
Speaker
don't want to stay in ottawa like A lot of them seem to like the city, they seem to like the fans. It's not like the NHL where, you know, Ottawa is this like super niche small market.
00:12:07
Speaker
You know, it's kind of on par with a lot of the other teams. And also players aren't making, are making so little money that like the difference in the cost of living is actually like fairly significant compared to like Toronto or New York, right?
00:12:22
Speaker
So you would think that like there would be a trade-off and Ottawa would be a somewhat desirable market. maybe like Obviously not as sought after as like the bigger you know it's like Toronto and Montreal, but still, you you would think that players were not like rushing to leave Ottawa the way that they are.
00:12:41
Speaker
And it just makes me think, like loy is Carla McLeod not as good a coach as we think? like Do people not like her as much as we think? Yeah. I don't, it's like, i guess it's like, that's the thing. It's just like, because there's no like real reason to point to it's just like, well, it's got to be like either coaching or something else. or You know what i mean? Where it's like, i don't know.
00:13:03
Speaker
Unless like someone just like does a tell all. We'll never or like, honestly, probably unless like random things just get like reported. Yeah. Yeah. Like, I have no reason to believe that Carla McLeod is the problem. Everybody always talks about what a great coach she is. But it's also like oftentimes with good coaches, they end up being kind of polarizing where a lot of players don't like them.
00:13:24
Speaker
So like, that kind of makes sense to me, especially because so many Czech players left. Like, why aren't why aren't we keeping the Czech players? Yeah.
00:13:35
Speaker
Like, yeah, I forgot Venetiava left. That was a big thing. So no, our forwards are not like intact. I was so sure that Venetiava was going to stay. Yeah, it's like, it was very much like, I'm like, who's on the team? Like, I know who's on the team, but you know what mean? It's like everyone left.
00:13:53
Speaker
So um it's like kind of concerning. So yeah. And I'm like, I don't know. i i As far as I understand, there's no like reports coming out about like why exactly. I guess it's like not technically like it's obviously concerning for like fans and stuff. But it's like technically like I guess it's like no time to panic yet. I guess if it happens like another offseason, it's like, okay, time to figure out what's going on But again, like we don't really want it to get to there. Yeah.
00:14:20
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah, it's very depressing to be going, like, we don't know when the season will start exactly, but to be looking ahead to a new season and being like, man, this team is going to be real bad.
00:14:32
Speaker
Especially, yeah, because, like, obviously, like, we're so close to, like, winning the whole thing. so it's like, I don't know, I feel like most of the time when things like that happen, there's a feeling of, like, everyone just wants to run it back.
00:14:45
Speaker
And it's like, lot of people apparently did not want to run it back. You know what I mean? And even then, it's like last year, i was kind of skeptical about their chances. And i mean, look it was a little fluky that run. Like, I'm sorry, they barely squeaked into the playoffs. Like they had a hot goalie in both senses of the word.
00:15:06
Speaker
And like, that was it. You know, it's like, I don't know if they were necessarily like the second best team in the PWHL last year, objectively on paper.
00:15:18
Speaker
i think they just kind of got lucky at the right time, which is great. You know, I'm happy. It would have been great if they'd been able to win the Walter Cup. But, you know, when I'm looking ahead to this season, a part of me is like, well, I thought they'd be bad last year and then they weren't. And I'm like, I don't know. They were not that good last year. And then they got like significantly worse.
00:15:36
Speaker
So hard to be optimistic. Yeah, it does have like a lot of like, I don't know, just like if if anything does happen, it's just going to be like, in spite of like, basically the team, you know, and not to say like, you know what I mean? It's just kind of like, if anything does happen, it's just going to be so fluky. It's like already, like you said, last season was quite fluky.
00:15:58
Speaker
So it's like, I don't know if like lightning is going to strike twice type thing. Like, I think it's more likely that basically they'll just be bad. We can believe. Also, like, did we even try to trade for Jamie Bourbonnet? Did we try to bring Anna Shelbin to Ottawa? Like, don't you want to make your players happy?
00:16:15
Speaker
Bring their partners to the team. I think that's the key. That's like, I think it's been like, we've talked about this before. i think that that's like what needs to eventually happen.
00:16:26
Speaker
Because like, other teams are already doing it. Vancouver's doing it. i know. like I don't understand why we didn't... ah Yeah. Why didn't we try it? and makes no sense.
00:16:37
Speaker
It's so stupid. Maybe next season. And, like, maybe, like, this is just the off-season where it's, like, everything had to go wrong. And then when, like, everyone sees how truly stupid we are next off-season, we try it Like, we try something.
00:16:53
Speaker
Yeah. Who knows? I mean... The contracts are so short in this league. Like, there's probably going to be another expansion pretty soon. Like, I don't know. Everything's changing quickly. Like, Matt, who knows? Who knows? Maybe the charge will be good in a few years.
00:17:08
Speaker
Yeah, that's the thing. It's, like, all, like... It's, like, such a fluid situation where it's, like, you honestly, like, from, like, a year from now, you don't even know, like, how many teams are going to be there type thing. You know what i mean? So, it's, like... Yeah, like you said, like, expansion's going to come probably more, you know? So, it's, like... I think it's nice...
00:17:25
Speaker
To just basically be like, you know that thing of like, you can do anything for three seconds or whatever. You can do anything. You can watch any level of hockey for a year. like and it's like, that's what's good about like this league just getting started out.
00:17:37
Speaker
Where it's like, things can change so quickly. doesn't have to be like, oh my god, they're gonna suck for years. Just this one year, probably, won't be fun to watch. But then, we'll look back on it and be like,
00:17:51
Speaker
That was the adversity you or whatever. Who knows? So, yeah, sucks to, like, not be and super excited going into the new season, but maybe that'll change when the season actually starts. You know, games are still fun to attend. Like... Yeah. I don't know. I don't know. That's the thing. Also, I feel like Ottawa hockey fans in general, like, especially charge fans, like, have found just, like, fun things to do Just, like, fun aspects. Like...
00:18:17
Speaker
Kazoos last year, all the stuff where it's like, we'll find something to just like get excited about, even if it's not technically Winning. Yeah, exactly. I'm sure I'll find new favorite players as I have every year. Yeah.
00:18:31
Speaker
Samalainen is still there. I'll watch a watch just for her. Gwyneth Phillips, we can do anything with her in that. So it's fine. Yeah, I still believe. So yeah, that was our depressing charge offseason recap.
00:18:46
Speaker
I just, I'm so mad
Offseason Reflections and Trades
00:18:48
Speaker
about it. I'm glad that we have long offseason so I can just like ah Forget about all the bad things that have happened over the offseason for the charge.
00:18:57
Speaker
um Okay, we want to talk a little bit about, like, the offseason around the NHL. Not necessarily the Sens. We'll get to the, like, two things that the Sens did over the offseason later.
00:19:09
Speaker
But first of all, as certified Leafs haters, we need to talk about something. Where were you when you found out about Mitch Marner?
00:19:22
Speaker
leave Okay, I'm gonna for the record, I don't think I ever said it on this podcast. I was telling people in my real life in freaking January. I was like, Marner's going to Vegas. I can guarantee it Because if Vegas wants him, which they do, they will make it happen.
00:19:37
Speaker
So where was I? i was like, i was telling it. I was preaching this for for months. I wish I had said it on this podcast so that we had proof. But I swear to God. probably did. I don't know. Maybe I Go back and listen, guys.
00:19:50
Speaker
Or don't. I don't know. I probably said it. But, like, so I was not shocked because I was like, that's 100% going to happen. But it was still awesome to see the meltdowns of, like, how did you guys, i like like, everyone knew it was going to happen. I guess, like, a lot of people took issue with, like, the way that it happened. Which, like, I took no issue with any of it.
00:20:11
Speaker
No, it was great. And i should say, since fans at the CTC broke the trade first, we Marner's leaving. Yeah. Before this podcast, I was like going through my tweets to see like what happened over the offseason.
00:20:26
Speaker
And i remember I did quote tweet, like, why aren't we getting credit for breaking the trade first? And a bunch of Leafs fans like genuinely replied to me being like, um you didn't say where he was going. And also everybody knew. Yeah.
00:20:37
Speaker
Trying to explain it to me at the time, I was like, oh, you guys are not in a good place right now. Yeah. It's interesting to see the, like, because it's basically, like, we, the the reaction was basically, like, he sucks, we hate him, how dare he leave? How dare he not they like us anymore? And it's like, well, like...
00:20:57
Speaker
I will say, Marner, feel like, had the roughest go of things. People, like, and it was, like, honestly, like, sad to, like, hear, like, reasons why he was leaving of, like, he felt, like, actually threatened. And it's, like, that's never good. That should never happen, obviously.
00:21:14
Speaker
So it's, like, it's just, like, very, like, oh my gosh. I hope that, like, he is, as a person, doing well and stuff. But it's also, like, I don't understand why Leafs fans were kind of just, like, we want him gone.
00:21:26
Speaker
i can't believe he left. It's, like, what? I know. And I guess what they wanted him to do was wave his no trade clause right before his wife gave birth.
00:21:37
Speaker
but Yeah! Also, didn't his no trade clause kick in like last offseason? yeah You could have just traded him before it kicked in What are you doing? Literally wasn't thing like okay I think I've seen this this is like not been reported actually by like anyone who like has inside knowledge or whatever but isn't the thing basically that like I've seen reports are like basically Kyle Dubas wanted to trade Marner and then they fired him so that he couldn't was its I don't know if that's like real or not but it's like you had all that time to be able because it's also not like it was like basically like if Marner had an amazing
00:22:16
Speaker
ah and like an amazing postseason I think that would have fixed things but the is that if you look at the numbers Marner was kind of having amazing postseason yeah like a lot of points it's like I think that the issue is that like sometimes he wouldn't score goal that like they all needed and it's like well a lot of people weren't scoring the goal they all needed but I guess to be to the credit of Leafs fans they do say like trade them all I don't want to see any of them on my team anymore which like Fair enough, you put your money where your mouth is.
00:22:49
Speaker
I don't know, it's just like, the writing was on the wall for a long time, so there was definitely the opportunity to just trade him, so I don't understand why everyone's bad at him.
00:23:00
Speaker
It's so funny, i also love the like the reactions of the other side of Leafs fans, who like got mad at Steve Dangle for making a, what, 20 minute long video talking about how the Mitch Marner era was wasted. Like, that's his job.
00:23:16
Speaker
Also, he was criticizing the Leafs for wasting Mitch Marner's time in Toronto. And so many Leafs fans were like, acting like he was the problem. And this is why Marner left. And how could you say this about my baby girl?
00:23:31
Speaker
It is just like, guys, log off. Yeah, like, that's the thing of like, there is a fight to be fought there. Like, there are people who obviously, like, were not nice to Mitch Marner. And, like, that's bad. And many times it went too far. And that's terrible.
00:23:48
Speaker
I do not think Steve Dangle is your enemy, though. No. I think Steve Dangle is... He's fine. Yeah. No one needs to get mad at Like, it's funny to be like, oh, like hockey dude bros. It's like Steve Dangle maybe the opposite of like, i feel like he's like, even though technically he is like, it's the stereotype or whatever. Like, I don't think he is actually like, I think you're fine, guys.
00:24:12
Speaker
He's not your enemy. He's your ally. Yeah. Also, it's just so funny how many, going back to Leafs fans, who are just mad at Marner, aren't those the same people that relentlessly make fun of Islanders fans for getting mad about John Tavares leaving pretty much the same way? Like, what?
00:24:30
Speaker
Yeah, I truly don't understand it. It's fascinating to witness. It's also, like, I've seen, like, people be like, oh, he's lying about how he was feeling. And it's like,
00:24:44
Speaker
Probably he's not. Like, why would... I don't know. i feel like it makes sense to feel, like, scared a little bit if people are literally doxing you. Like, hot take. You know what i mean? It's like, I don't... I think that, like, you can be upset with, like, the way that everything went down without being like, and also he's lying. It's like, no, I don't think that's true.
00:25:07
Speaker
um but yeah, all this to say... I totally knew it. I totally called it. And Vegas, I still don't like Vegas, but at least they're in a different conference. so Yeah, and this is kind of perfect for Leafs haters because the Leafs had to endure all of Mitch Marner's contract against their cap hit. You know, they got nothing back for him.
00:25:33
Speaker
It's perfect. I mean, they got the cap space back. but they haven't really done much with it. I don't know. I don't pay that close attention to the Leafs. So I'm going to believe they didn't. I think they got, didn't they get a player back?
00:25:44
Speaker
Didn't they technically? And then people were like, I'm Googling it. ah Sign and trade. Who did you get back for it? They got someone. You can cut all the stuff. ah god Yeah. Okay, so maybe it would have been slightly better if he left in free agency. Oh, yeah.
00:25:59
Speaker
They got Nick Law. Well, I don't know who that guy is, so I'm assuming he's bad. i only remember this because I remember seeing people being like, oh, ah an act a player who actually shows up in exchange for the partner. I'm happy with that. he's like, okay.
00:26:18
Speaker
Whatever you come from. Like, People were legitimately like, he is a more valuable player in the playoffs than Mitch Marner is. It's like, probably he's excellent.
00:26:29
Speaker
like ever Did you bookmark all those tweets? No, I don't know. man. i I'm gonna go search the name. yeah yeah I'm gonna go find those tweets just in case, you know?
00:26:41
Speaker
Yeah, please do. Yeah, I distinctly remember a couple of them before I deactivated my Twitter. So, all this to say, mean, I guess, hope It works out for you.
00:26:53
Speaker
Well, no, I don't. Like, that's the thing. I don't want the Leafs to be happy. I hope that, like, everything works out for Mitch Marner and his life. And, like, I hope everyone is just chill. but I hope the Leafs win.
00:27:06
Speaker
Yeah. So, this is great. Like, the Leafs, you know, might have... It's weird because, like, yes, the Leafs beat us in the playoffs, but it still doesn't really feel like they won. It's like, we still got to watch them completely lose their minds.
00:27:22
Speaker
both in the first round and in the second round after they lost. We watched them get worse over the offseason. It's been kind of a nice time to be a Leafs hater if you just put aside that small thing that like they did beat us in the playoffs. But we'll beat them next time. It's fine.
00:27:37
Speaker
Yeah, exactly. thing is, also, I, like, people forget that there was genuine fear of a reverse sweep. And, like, there's people are trying to retcon history, I presume, and be like, that we never actually thought that.
00:27:52
Speaker
And it's like, no, you did. no they were, like, certain that it was gonna happen. They were, like, if, they were literally saying, like, if the Leafs lose game six, then game seven is a formality, you know? Yeah.
00:28:05
Speaker
And the Leafs almost lost game six. I know. so it's like, okay, like, honestly, we came close. People, again, try to retcon it. People will be like, you're lame for even talking about this.
00:28:17
Speaker
But you know what? Whatever. And also game one doesn't count because the Suns were scared because they were playing the playoffs for the first time and they needed a trial run. So like, yeah, next year it'll be fine because they won't have to have game one, you know, like they won't play like that in game one. So it's it's fine.
00:28:35
Speaker
No, exactly. Like, they needed to, like, get the, like, jitters out and stuff. um So we'll show them. We will. In other news of, like, teams that we dislike, um I did text you in all caps at one point during the offseason about some very, very important news.
00:28:55
Speaker
Yeah, so I got an amazing text on August 15th, all caps, as you said, The Red Wings signed Hamlet. What beautiful news.
00:29:07
Speaker
And I replied, ah lol the Yeiser Sham. so What more can we say? it so wonderful that the Red Wings remain committed to being bad Honestly, am so happy.
Team Critiques and Fan Reactions
00:29:23
Speaker
Honestly, okay, because this is the thing. on Like, for Travis Hamannick, I'm like, I think he seems like a really nice person, you know? I'm like, I'm glad that he gets to like, play another season in the NHL, like, make a lot of money. Like, that's so awesome.
00:29:36
Speaker
And I'm also glad that he's not good at playing, so he's on a team that I hate. Like, it works out so perfectly. Because, like, that's the thing. I always felt bad about being, like, Travis Hamannick is the worst player on the Sens and all that.
00:29:47
Speaker
Because, like, he genuinely seems like a really nice person. so it's, like, it's great that now he can just go do that somewhere else. I know. And people last year were legitimately saying that he was probably done in the NHL.
00:30:00
Speaker
Like, do you remember during the playoffs and tons of people were like, one of the big factors here in this series is that Travis Hamanick is so bad. And it was like, it's so embarrassing that we have a player who was that bad that it's like he will single handedly like make a difference in a negative way.
00:30:18
Speaker
yeah And so many people were like, maybe he'll find a contract on some rebuilding team or something to provide veteran leadership. But like, most likely he's done. He was in his like, end of season press conference. He definitely sounded like he thought he was done in the NHL.
00:30:34
Speaker
And it's just like, why would Steve Iserman do this? I don't understand how his mind works, but I love like what it produces. I'm so happy.
00:30:47
Speaker
i know. And more and more people these days are saying that the Red Wings are bad. i don't know if you're noticing this. I personally am not, but like I'm telling it to myself, so there you go. No.
00:30:58
Speaker
i a while ago, ah few days ago, i YouTube recommended me a clip from the Steve Dangle podcast where they were making fun of the Red Wings. And I was like, well, I have to watch this. And they were just like, Steve Eizerman is a terrible GM and the Red Wings are bad. And I was like, so true.
00:31:14
Speaker
Like every time general NHL media... says things that I agree with, I'm like, so validated. Like, sometimes they say stupid things. Whenever they talk about the Sens being bad, I'm like, well, you don't know anything.
00:31:26
Speaker
um And I like it when they're wrong. But anytime they say something that I agree with, I'm like, actually, this is like the objective truth. Yeah, it's so true. And it's great to hear that like the mainstream media is finally catching up.
00:31:41
Speaker
We've been saying it so Give us credit, please. Yeah, please do. We have been saying it. But this is very awesome. Because you know what? The thing that I've noticed just now, Leafs get worse because Marner leaves.
00:31:56
Speaker
Red Wings get worse because Hamnick joins. The Sens are in the same freaking division as both those guys. So like we're reaping the benefits. It's so amazing. Also, both Florida teams are getting older. The Panthers have to slow down at some point.
00:32:10
Speaker
but Like famous last words. Like they win again. But like, okay, but seriously, three times in a row they made the finals. Like at some point. but Something's got to give. Just like the sheer fact that like they're playing more games than everyone else has got to catch up to them. Right? Like I feel like that's like a talking point that a lot of people...
00:32:28
Speaker
Had, to be fair, last season. And then it didn't really work out. But, like, eventually. yeah I think eventually it will happen. And then, like, also, like, the Bruins. They were bad last year. Non-factor. They're so bad. Again, famous miss last words. But I think they're going to be bad. And and that just leaves Montreal, who's bad. And probably another team that I'm forgetting.
00:32:52
Speaker
The Sabres. Yeah, again. What?
00:32:56
Speaker
It's so funny. Like, oh my god, tangent. I was writing the top 25 under 25 piece for Dylan Cousins this year. And obviously for research, I was like, okay, what have, what were Sabres fans saying about him before the train? You know, because I wanted me to see like, how was his season overall? Like what to say? what How did Sabres fans like envision the future? And it was truly so sad reading the stuff where they were like, no, no, no, guys, if we just stay the course, like eventually we'll turn things around.
00:33:26
Speaker
oh I feel like I wish that the Sabres were good. i like, like obviously not better than the Sens, but I'm just like, i I just feel bad for the fans.
00:33:37
Speaker
I know, i know. so long. and but it's also like, I need the Sens to be better than them because it's like, it's always good to just have that team that you can look to and be like, okay, we're not them. but also, yeah, reading some of those posts, I was like, this sounds too familiar. Like, this is what Sens fans say all the time.
00:33:54
Speaker
No, that's the thing. But that's the thing is that like the Sens are legit good. so it's like the Sabres can be bumped up to mediocre. Like I'd be okay with that. Like they were just like fine, I'd be like good for them.
00:34:05
Speaker
and like there's so many other teams that I dislike so much more where I'm like, you guys just be bad. yeah, yeah exactly. Sabres, it's more just like I would be really annoyed if they overtook the Sens. Yeah. And it's starting to look like maybe that's not the case.
00:34:20
Speaker
Like, I don't know. I think they have good defense, but not a lot of good like all around players. And also, I'm pretty sure Dylan Cousins was their first line setter and he's our second line setter. So like, I don't know. tells you something.
00:34:32
Speaker
Although Josh Norris, I did see got his number back. baby Maybe that's a factor for you. Yeah, they announced it. The Sabres announced it because two players were changing their numbers and they were like, haha, six and nine.
00:34:46
Speaker
Nice number changes. and I was like, what are you saying about Josh Nomura's here? Like, why is it always him at the scene of the crime? Jesus. ah But yeah, so like, I bet like getting his nine back will like change something I believe maybe but see again it's like I see so many Sabres fans being like Josh Norris like once he's back to full health like he's a really good player like you know the few times he's been he was good and it's like okay I don't think you guys understand how big of a maybe the health stuff is here it's sad because it's also like probably that's a direct quote from myself from like two years ago
00:35:27
Speaker
it's like Not even two years, one year ago. yeah yeah, exactly. So it's it's like, oh man like, I'm sorry that you guys are living. But to be fair, like, I don't know, maybe maybe this time he will be okay. Like, I really, like, that's the thing.
00:35:41
Speaker
I really hope that he is Like, I just, like, I still like him as a player and stuff. It's so sad to think of, like, the Sens finally making the playoffs that he wasn't there. know! he's back on a team that's never going to make the playoffs ever. i know, it's so sad.
00:35:58
Speaker
Josh, I'm sorry. um my god. I remember also seeing a comment on Die by the Blade that was like, it was specifically about the trade and it was like, Josh Norris seems like a higher IQ player. And I was like, oh I mean, hockey player on ice stuff. I just, I wouldn't usually associate the phrase high IQ with Josh Norris.
00:36:21
Speaker
Aw, you're right. But you know, part of his charm. obviously. um think his brain cells are only reserved for hockey. you know It's like he steps on the ice and suddenly he's a genius and then he leaves the ice and it's like head empty. you know Exactly. Although remember...
00:36:45
Speaker
This is from like the depths of my memory. A few brain cells reserved for like apparently being an amazing cook. Do you remember this? And like Tim Stutzel was like, he makes amazing asparagus. And it's like, he definitely just like cooks asparagus in olive oil and salt and pepper, which like, to be fair, that is amazing asparagus.
00:37:01
Speaker
But like, I just think that these people have never eaten asparagus before. Yeah, wasn't there? There was like an NHL video that came out right after the trade where some players were like, which teammate are you calling up to like help you move or to cook a meal? And everybody was like Josh Norris. And it was like, no, no, the team is falling apart.
00:37:21
Speaker
Who are they going to call to help them move and cook them meals? I know. oh my god. There's also a part of me where it's like, is its is it because he was like always injured so he had like nothing else going on?
00:37:35
Speaker
He just had to become a good cook. Oh her god. But like how do you cook when your shoulder is so injured that I'm not going to say. that You know the thing that Colin White said that he couldn't do? That's pretty serious injury. if you can't do that, and yet you can still cook. like yeah I don't know.
00:37:54
Speaker
Maybe he learned to do everything one-handed. I believe that about him. I believe that he's so resourceful. High IQ. That's the safest. Exactly. I'm telling you, when he's off ice and injured, his on ice IQ just gets transferred to all his cooking stuff.
00:38:09
Speaker
This is how I figure it out. Yeah. Yeah. Shout out Josh Norris. Best of luck in Buffalo. It's still so sad That was such a tangent also. We started talking about Hammonick.
00:38:22
Speaker
Yeah. all right no drs Everybody remember Travis Hemenick is a Red Wing. The Red Wings are bad. Like the Steve Dangle podcast was pulling up the Red Wings roster and it was rough.
00:38:34
Speaker
Like man, those people talk so much shit. Their fans talk so much shit about the Sens and about the Red Wings being so much better. And it's like, again, it's like we were there a year ago and it's just so nice to not be there anymore. Yeah. Especially because there was that one brief point where like we thought remember when like the Red Wings almost made the playoffs and then didn't and everyone was like panicked and like now it's all fine that's who cares about that anymore yeah I remember even like after the regular season ended and the Red Wings got eliminated i saw so many Red Wings fans being like it's okay I still believe in the direction of this team like they're gonna get better next year and I was just like almost tearing up going oh my god I'm so glad that's not me anymore
00:39:19
Speaker
Yeah. and Over the offseason, there were a bunch of things where they were like, i can't even remember what the logic was. They were trying to explain how the Red Wings are better than the Sens, and it was like, man...
00:39:29
Speaker
Yeah, because I know but like i used to be that delusional about other teams. I'm like, it's so nice to see other people being delusional right now.
00:39:40
Speaker
And it's nice that like our delusions were proven. Yeah, like, you know, when Red Wings fans are like, um, actually Raymond is better than Stutzla. We're like, objectively, no, like, sorry.
00:39:52
Speaker
Or like, oh, Cider is so much better than Sanderson. And it's like, actually, every model says that Sanderson is better. So like, I don't know, maybe he'll turn into a better player. But like, you're banking on that. I don't know. Yeah.
00:40:06
Speaker
Or they're just like, oh, yeah, we're gonna be good because we have all these good players. And it's like, that's actually not enough good players. They're not good enough to make up for like the shit surrounding them. exactly like that's the thing is also like ah i feel like a beautiful and fans know how to counter every argument because we have made really single all one of those um but exactly like yeah saw some of the dunks i saw sense fans making against red wings fans it wasn't even dunks it was just like oh this is so sad you guys like you like
00:40:37
Speaker
You can't talk shit about the Sens and then like say the exact same things that we say about the Red Wings when like you have even less ground to stand on. It's just like, I don't know. I think the Red Wings and Habs are in a similar category of like fans who just expect the team to be good, you know, and feel almost entitled to a cup-winning team. like Even more of a tangent, but like truly, I obviously spend a lot of time around Habs fans, and like a while ago I was at like...
00:41:02
Speaker
Sort of a... It was a retreat for, like, a training for a volunteer thing that I do. And I was with a bunch of people from, like, all over Quebec. And we kept talking about hockey, obviously. And they kept just going, like, oh, yeah, you know, the Sens are doing pretty well. But, like, you know, the Habs are definitely going to be better long term.
00:41:19
Speaker
And I was, like... okay, but, like, objectively? i Like, ah what what evidence do you have for that? And they're like, oh we have all these good players, like, so obviously, you know, we're probably gonna win the cup in a few years. And it's like, guys, like, oh my god, why do you just, like, expect that if your team is slightly good, they're just gonna win the cup?
00:41:36
Speaker
Like, guys, your team is not that good It's the f freaking, like, It's the storied past, like, Dynasty Original Six, like, thing where it's like they can't break from it. And it's like just because, like, freaking, like, Maurice Richard was excellent doesn't mean that, like, you're going to win a cup now. Like, it doesn't make any sense.
00:41:58
Speaker
But that's what they think. Yeah. At least that's my thing. And like nothing short of winning the cup is success at all. Red Wings fans are like, well, we have Raymond and Snyder, so like you know we'll win the cup in a few years. right And Hobbs fans are even more delusional, where they're just like, yeah, we've got Caulfield and Suzuki and like Hudson or whatever.
00:42:18
Speaker
um So like yeah, you know we expect a cup in like three four years. And it's just like, guys, you're in for a rude awakening.
Olympic Team Snubs and Recognition
00:42:25
Speaker
Yeah. That's the thing. when you When you're a fan of a team that's had too much success, it like it clouds your vision.
00:42:33
Speaker
And that's why like you have to be a fan of a team who never won a cup because it like lets you see things clearly. It like opens your third eye. Yeah.
00:42:45
Speaker
It makes you realize how hard it is to win the cup. Yeah. Because you're like, the team could be really good and still not win. And like that's just how it works. Yeah, it teaches you like real world like how the real world works. Yeah, and it just it makes it extra sweet when you're when you are a hater of one of those entitled Original Six teams.
00:43:04
Speaker
like At least Leafs fans have been humbled so much that like they don't just expect to win the cup. They're always like, yeah, the team is good, but like there is some ancient curse on the team, so like they're not going to win. you know like At least...
00:43:17
Speaker
Some of them seem to be a little bit more realistic. They're like, the team is objectively good, but like the forces... ah so some Some forces we don't understand are going to like intervene to keep them from winning.
00:43:28
Speaker
Whereas Habs fans are just like, yeah. Red Wings fans, less recently, but over the last few years. like Both fan bases have been just like, yeah, we're going to win the Cup in a few years. And like that's just...
00:43:40
Speaker
That's just how the NHL works. Yeah. It's just nice to be a hater because you're like, no, you're actually no better than the Ottawa Senators.
00:43:51
Speaker
Yeah. You know one thing that was a little bit humbling for Sens fans in some ways was um the Olympic team rosters. Did you pay much attention to this? I saw one thing and then promptly stopped caring because Shabbat was not there.
00:44:08
Speaker
ah what the hell? It's so stupid. It makes me think, like, are these GMs just checking Twitter and seeing what stupid people are saying about Thomas Chabot? Because, like, low-key, he's become so underrated. i know, it's actually nuts. And the thing is, is that if they're checking Twitter, they should check, like...
00:44:27
Speaker
good Twitter accounts who tell the truth. Not, like, libelous ones who are like, oh, Shabbat is not that good. Makes no sense. It's like, I just feel like some players, they just get a reputation early on in their careers.
00:44:42
Speaker
And then it's like when they don't, ah when their play style changes or something, people don't adjust. Like, the thing is, Thomas Shabbat early on in his career had a reputation, which was deserved, of, like, offensive defensemen who couldn't play defense.
00:44:56
Speaker
And it's like, okay, he was that early on. And like, you know, after a while, like, yes, he was playing so many minutes that he was overworked. He was making mistakes, all of that. But like, Last season, and even it's been kind of trending that way for the last few years, like he's actually been really good defensively.
00:45:14
Speaker
And like, you know, his offensive output hasn't been spectacular, but it's been like pretty good. But because people have this idea of like, he's all offense, no defense. They're just like, oh, he's not producing like he used to. Therefore, he's useless because like he's bad defensively and not good enough offensively. and it's like, but he's not bad defensively anymore.
00:45:33
Speaker
But people just like will not accept it. Yeah, I think it is, like you say, like, just people don't adjust when they, like, learn more about the player, which is so stupid because it's, like, famously, like, these guys start when they're, like, really young. Like, um obviously, they're going to evolve and change as they, like, you know what I mean? But, yeah, it's just, like, it's, I think it is just, like, textbook is the example of, like, a reputation following you. And it's, like, he didn't even deserve a bad reputation.
00:46:02
Speaker
So, like, what the hell? Yeah. um But yeah, I think it's very stupid and annoying, and it makes no sense. And, like, I didn't necessarily expect him to make the Olympic team, you know? Because Canada that has a lot of amazing defensemen, and I can see how, like, they wouldn't want him. But, like, not even the, like, long list?
00:46:22
Speaker
<unk>m Like, oh my god, fucking Drew Doughty will not leave the Ottawa Senators alone! Why is he there? It makes, me mad actually because it makes no sense it's just stupid it's like it's I don't know it's like everything feel like it's like said so much that you kind of like just are like oh yeah obviously and like you forget it but it's like hockey men like hockey like they don't know what they're doing like they just like basically rely on like word of mouth and like oh is this do I like think he's a hard worker or whatever
00:46:56
Speaker
And then, like, that's it. youd say Do they watch the games? No. I know. Yeah. So, sucks for a Team Canada. Like, I don't know, maybe they just had an idea of, like, what the roster was going to look like, and they were, like, the type of player.
00:47:10
Speaker
I mean, maybe I can kind of see them saying, like, Chabot wouldn't make a good third-pairing defenseman, so they... Because he plays so many minutes that, like, he wouldn't be as effective in fewer minutes. But, like, I don't know. I feel like that's not completely decided. Like,
00:47:24
Speaker
you can invite him to camp to see if he would be a good fit for the role that you've yeah decided he might be in. I don't know. Just annoying. Just as for Thomas Chabot.
00:47:36
Speaker
Yeah. Because that's the thing. is it like Like you say, like even if he didn't make the final team, I'd be like, okay, whatever. like Fair enough. like Obviously, it's like hockey in Canada. like There's a lot of talent.
00:47:47
Speaker
It's fine. But to not even give him a look? It's like, what the hell? Why? You lose nothing by doing that. i just don't get it. Yeah, frustrating. But at least Team USA respects the Ottawa Senators because we even got Shane Pinto at USA camp, which was unexpected. i Yeah, someone told me about that because and because I like didn't see it myself. And I was like, that's like a weird lie. And it makes no sense.
00:48:14
Speaker
But it's true. and i I love it, but I don't understand it really. And some people in response were like, oh, I don't want more Sens players going to the Olympics because they'll get injured. And like, yes, objectively, that is a perfectly reasonable thing to say. However, i just need people to recognize the Ottawa Senators. Like, I see this and I'm like, oh my god, people know that the Sens are good. yeah This is so cool. I need and need the Sens to be at the Olympics so everyone can see how good they are. No, exactly. It's basically just like Sens showcase.
00:48:49
Speaker
It's like how I view the Olympics. And like, it would be really embarrassing if Shabbat went to the Olympics. It wasn't good. There is kind of that fear.
00:49:00
Speaker
Yeah. But I believe in him. I know he would be good. It's just people wouldn't recognize him for being good. You know? Yeah. People would be like, like if Canada won they'd be like, oh, it's because Connor McDavid or whatever. Like they wouldn't acknowledge that it would have been because Thomas Shabbat was on the team.
00:49:15
Speaker
and now Canada loses. They're going to be like, oh, so and so didn't show up. It's like, no. Shabbat wasn't invited and that's why he lost. You know who really didn't show up? Because he wasn't allowed.
00:49:27
Speaker
tried his hardest to show up. They banned him.
00:49:32
Speaker
At least we have our narrative set. Like, guys, get ready. Draft your tweets. Like, this is the narrative we're going to be running with. Any game, like, like if Team Canada loses a single game, this is the narrative that we need to be pushing.
00:49:46
Speaker
Exactly. Literally just that one tweet that's like, I'm just, like, at my house now thinking, like, there should have been something I had to do, like, just that for Thomas Shabbat. Oh yeah, I gotta to start photoshopping that to be a Thomas Shabbat tweet. um And also, for the next for the upcoming season, every time Shabbat makes a good move, clip it, put it on Twitter, tag Team Canada, be like, why don't you want this guy on your team? No, literally. It like makes no sense.
00:50:15
Speaker
It's like, look at a JFresh player card for once in your life and like learn something. but Look at a Louis Boulin player He's been doing great work on his analytic site.
00:50:28
Speaker
Yeah, out. He knows what's up. Exactly. Why do people ignore? like I don't understand. It's no sense. Man, people should listen to this podcast more. Yeah.
00:50:40
Speaker
For the truth about Thomas Chabot. Yeah, it's what the, like, they don't want you to know that Thomas Chabot is actually good. And I don't know why they're keeping this information from you.
00:50:51
Speaker
But it's just to keep you in the dark. Maybe that's a good segue into the thing that you wanted me to explain. So over the summer, ah bunch of fans...
00:51:02
Speaker
just started losing their minds or something. I don't know. Look, there was a meme that took off on Twitter and I don't know if anyone else, if everybody listening to this is also on this side of Sen's Twitter, but it brings me so much joy. Basically, people have just been posting pictures of horses and saying, this is Thomas Shabbat to me.
00:51:22
Speaker
And just like, that's the whole joke. It's just Thomas Shabbat is a horse and that's the joke. If there's more to the joke, let me know. but I'm pretty sure that's it Wait, wait. it's crazy that you didn't start this, but why is that like, oh, you? Like, I feel like if I would have heard about like, it just okay, to be fair, basically, what's written here is shabby horse.
00:51:43
Speaker
And based on that, I was like, that's something you started. And it's crazy that you didn't. I know. I'm kind of shocked by this, too. I'm like, how are there other people who started it? The person who started it is ah Claire. I'm forgetting the exact username ah who started this like i think last season and i started seeing all the like horse posts about shabbat i think this person was just posting like shabbat is like a beautiful stallion to me like this is this is what who shabbat is to me and i was like this is great and i kept saying you know i support this hashtag course girls for thomas shabbat
00:52:25
Speaker
And it's just like, I don't know, a few other users took up this meme and it's just like taken over Sen's Twitter where now everyone is like Thomas Chabot is a horse. I love that.
00:52:37
Speaker
um my gosh. Everyone go back and listen to um Elite Dressage Marine. I think that's what we told called that episode. Right. Because it's more relevant than ever somehow.
00:52:49
Speaker
Right. Yeah. Wow. Well, that's awesome. I'm going to look this up. i'm Well, okay. I guess the question is like, what ah horse is Thomas Shabbat to you? Because you know the most about horses of anyone I know.
00:53:02
Speaker
i don't know. I feel like Shabbat, I don't know about a list like a specific breed, but to me, he is one of those like endurance racers.
00:53:13
Speaker
You know? like There are some people who don't like do any fancy competitions with their horses. Well, there are some competitions where it's like you just run long distance. you know to me, he is a horse that just like is out on the trails, just like running at a good pace for a long time. you know That's who Thomas Chabot is. he just He just works hard.
00:53:36
Speaker
He's a steady, reliable horse. He really is. Wow, that's a beautiful meme. Sometimes I feel like memes, even if they're funny, are not also beautiful.
00:53:46
Speaker
But I feel like this is both. Yeah. And shout out to Twitter user at Horse Image, who has been clearly just bombarded with Thomas Shabbat posts all summer because this person, this account just posts pictures of horses. I love this account.
00:54:04
Speaker
I follow plenty of accounts like this, where it's just like they post funny pictures of horses and I love it. Or just random pictures of horses. And recently, well, over all off seasons,
00:54:15
Speaker
I'm pretty sure like every single post that this account has posted there have been there's been at least like one quote tweet that's like Thomas Shabbat in this scenario. This is awesome.
00:54:26
Speaker
Wait, I feel like that's an amazing crossover and i hope that he sees this. We're going to talk about that later, I guess, but I hope he does see this.
00:54:37
Speaker
Yeah, well, it's funny because this has truly just taken over during the offseason. like Anytime people post about Thomas Shabbat, everyone is like, he's a horse. like These are the only posts.
00:54:50
Speaker
And I'm like, is Thomas Shabbat lurking? Yeah. on here like does he see this because also every time Sens posts about Thomas Chabot I'm pretty sure all the comments are like pictures of horses this is awesome wait that's so awesome I feel like this is like an amazing off-season meet Yeah, and it's like, I don't even fully understand the meme. I'm not sure anyone doing it fully understands it. like If there's more to this that I'm missing, like please let me know.
00:55:22
Speaker
i just think it's just like he has the vibes of a beautiful horse. like I feel like that, to me at least, that's all I have to know. like There might be more to it, which if there is, please tell us. like If you're listening to this, please let us know.
00:55:34
Speaker
But like honestly, if there's nothing more to it, I'm like, there. It's beautiful and perfect and simple. like He is just a beautiful horse. The other thing that's nice is I feel like um in other years where maybe the Sens were worse, this might be like something that happens in like December of like we where we check out of the season and we're like, okay, Thomas Chabot is a beautiful horse.
00:55:54
Speaker
But it's nice that it's happening like in the off season. yeah Just like the Sens haven't given us anything to talk about. So we're just like Thomas Shabbat is a horse. You know what? It's better Shabbat is a horse than can't believe we gave so-and-so like 8x8. Like, what are you doing?
00:56:10
Speaker
Whatever. You know what mean? Like, it's it's nice. Like, this is a nice offseason, I feel like. I'm sorry. I just searched Shabbat Horse on Twitter. And I'm seeing, I think the, maybe the original was from December 2024 from at Claire r and eight k I don't know exactly how to pronounce that, but it's just Thomas Shabbat is like an elegant horse.
00:56:32
Speaker
And then later she posts, all this time I've been calling Shabbat my elegant, thoroughbred, magnificent Mustang mare, brain rot, Kentucky Derby dressage champion horse. Meanwhile, Pinto horses were right there.
00:56:44
Speaker
Oh my god. so so yeah, he okay, I guess he is also, can also see Shabbat as like an elegant, ah you know, racehorse. You know, just one of those horses where it's like, so they're super expensive, have the best like bloodlines, perfect confirmation where you're just like, this is this is a wonderful horse, you know? Yeah, I think that makes sense.
00:57:06
Speaker
Also, like, I feel like maybe in different scenarios, he embodies the like spirit and energy of different horses. Yeah, at different times. And I think that's why people are posting so many different horse pictures yeah and of associating it with Shabbat. Because it's like he has so many different horses at different time yeah like he's multifaceted and that's so beautiful.
00:57:27
Speaker
Yeah. I keep thinking I need to do more Shabbat horse posting. But like there are so many people doing it so well that it's like somehow I can't even do this any better than these people.
00:57:41
Speaker
Well, shout out everyone. That's amazing. I'm happy that this exists. Also, like I low-key started this. Someone pointed this out to me a while ago where, do you remember an episode of this podcast even before Elite Dressage Brain where I made an analogy to riding and I was like, you know how sometimes when you like ride a really difficult horse, you pick up bad habits and then it like takes a while and I made that analogy to Shabbat um and how he just needs a good partner and it'll take him a while to adjust.
00:58:14
Speaker
like It was a riding analogy, I wasn't calling him a horse, I was calling him the rider in that situation, but still. The seeds were always there. Yeah, like there is shabby horse everywhere with those for those with the eyes to see.
00:58:30
Speaker
yeah and like it's great, we'll just ah be able to keep making these horse jokes all season hopefully yeah hopefully they carry through perfect it's like in recaps i'm gonna be able to make horse jokes all the time yeah on this podcast just a great addition to sen's lore that is completely incomprehensible because also did you see is kind of it's shabbat related did you see the um the breakaway video where they visited shabbat's hometown no oh my gosh i have to watch it
00:59:01
Speaker
It was so cute. I really enjoyed it. I mean, they were in Quebec City for a bit, and then they went to Bosse. Aw, okay, that's nice. I will definitely watch it. i feel like it's so nice whenever, like, it's, like, stuff like that. Like, i love...
00:59:15
Speaker
Like when players give like the friggin like lore of their hometowns and stuff. Like that's how we get such famous things as like, um well technically it's just Ottawa, but it is like Clujuru's hometown. and So like that's how we get things like like um Canadian Tire parking lot poutine.
00:59:35
Speaker
Like that's where these things come from. And like low-key that is the best Putin in Ottawa. i but I still haven't had it, but I believe. I've heard it from multiple people that that's like the best Putin. So, Kloichin, who knows what's Oh my gosh.
00:59:47
Speaker
i but Like, I always believed in him. Yeah. Shabbat, I don't remember if there were any like especially memorable parts of that video. I was just like... so charmed watching the whole thing it's like oh my god that's my guy it was so bilingual too but also sometimes i was like why is he speaking english to like the sens team like just do the whole thing in french like he's speaking french with the other people around him just guys we're a bilingual team we really are i hope he has a good season me too i think he will though like i just i believe in him so much
01:00:22
Speaker
He's my special horse that I want to to succeed. Exactly. you know what, though? Like, okay, I feel like it's already a thing, kind of, where when a player is very unique and stuff, like, hockey announcers will be like, he's a unicorn.
01:00:40
Speaker
So this is just kind of an offshoot, I feel like. yeah exactly there you go he's just an absolute horse i mean they've called him a work yeah for sure workhorse from white horse also he is not but you know we've got a lot of horses on this yeah we've got a pito horse the workhorse from white horse yeah that's crazy there's got to be more well yeah we are the horse girl team oh my god we are many people are saying it Oh my gosh.
01:01:09
Speaker
This is awesome. I feel like that's just perfect. Because there hasn't really been a horse girl team before that I know of. No. And I'm really excited for all the people like you who were like offline during the offseason are going to come back, watch Sen's games, and be like, why the fuck is everybody calling Shibata a horse? Well, now I know. And now I know that if anyone is confused, like we direct them to this episode. Yeah.
01:01:34
Speaker
I don't know if this is a great explanation. Because yeah just like I don't know if there is an explanation beyond just like, he's a horse. I feel like that's all you really have to know. as someone who just learned about this meme five minutes ago, I feel like this is all you have to know about it.
01:01:49
Speaker
I really just can't wait to see where it goes in the future. feel like it's got legs. like I feel like this could be huge. yeah It's also like, i feel like most SENS Twitter memes, the SENS pick up on it really quickly.
01:02:03
Speaker
So like it's interesting that the SENS haven't done that yet, but I think it's just because it's an off-season meme. Like, you know, the Sickos thing. like The SENS ran with that really quickly, right? yeah And this this feels like a thing that like the SENS are going to pick up, as long as Shabbat doesn't find it too weird. Yeah, I don't think he would. like I just feel like it's like nice.
01:02:23
Speaker
Obviously, I don't know him. I'm being parasocial. But like I feel like he'd like it. Yeah, hopefully. um umm trying to do a segue. Speaking of Senn's Twitter memes, kind of, that the Senn's are running with, we alluded to this earlier, but oh boy, am I excited for the next bobblehead night.
Humorous Trends and Team Identity
01:02:45
Speaker
Yeah, what? Where it's going to be the Ridley Gregg empty net slap shot as a bobblehead. which That's crazy. Amazing. Oh my gosh. I was trying to think like which players would they do bobbleheads for. like They've kind of gone through a lot of the stars already. And I was like, they haven't done Claude Giroux yet, I don't think. So like maybe that's the last one left.
01:03:08
Speaker
um you know There are a few like kind of... and not the biggest stars on the team, but other players. I did not expect Ridley-Gregg, and I think it's so iconic that they specifically were like, we're going to commemorate like the slap shot.
01:03:23
Speaker
Yeah, I have seen some stuff about this. First of all, amazing. Couldn't have chosen a better Bobblehead Knight if I tried. That's excellent. Second of all, um i know that there's probably an argument of like, that's cringe, because whatever. You know what I mean?
01:03:41
Speaker
Like, probably, like, loose hands think it's cringe. Because it's like, oh, you're, like... Oh, they do. Yeah, okay. This is the thing. It goes all the way around cringe to being, like, more funny.
01:03:53
Speaker
Like, it's so funny. Because it's, like... i don't know. It's just perfect. I love it. Yeah, and it's, like, it's kind of a similar thing to the Alfie Stick Toss, where... The thing is...
01:04:09
Speaker
The Slapshot itself was funny. you know That happened and I was like, haha, that's great. If that had been it, if there hadn't been a reaction to it, it would have been like, oh, this is funny and I would have laughed about it until the next day and then forgotten about it.
01:04:25
Speaker
The thing that made this so iconic was the Leafs and their fans' reaction. like Morgan Reilly tried to commit murder on the ice. Like, the Leafs releasing statements, basically, asking for, like, supplemental... Did they ask for supplemental discipline on Greg or something? Like, basically just trying to talk about how embarrassing and, like, yeah you know, unsportsmanlike that was. Just having an absolute meltdown over the stupidest fucking thing. It was a... It was a slap shot. Like, who cares?
01:04:55
Speaker
Leafs fans losing their minds over this. And it's like, okay, now it's hilarious. Like, how did he... How did he send you into a meltdown ah with stupid empty net slap shot? That's the thing. And then even now, it's like the more people care who aren't Sens fans, the more they care about the fact that the Sens are commemorating it with a bobblehead, the funnier it is. Because it's like, why do you care? This has nothing to do with you. And they're like, oh my god, the Sens are such losers. Like...
01:05:25
Speaker
ah yeah, for trying to commemorate. it It's like, no, it's funny because you find it so offensive. ask like If you were to ask me, what bobblehead nights did the Toronto Maple Leafs have in the past however many years?
01:05:39
Speaker
I have no idea because why would I know or care? But why do you know Sen's bobblehead night? Like, that's on you. Why did you look at me? And they're always like...
01:05:50
Speaker
Oh, it's so embarrassing that they care that the Sens care so much. And it's like, it's embarrassing that you care. Like, that's why it's funny that it was such a stupid thing that like is so meaningless.
01:06:03
Speaker
The funny part is that the Leafs and their fans like lost their minds over this. Yeah, it reminds me kind of of, I can't remember who What was the number that got retired where people were like, that's cringe or whatever?
01:06:17
Speaker
chris Yeah, yeah. Remember when Chris Neal's number got retired? And then fan bases all over were like, that's stupid and cringe. And it's like, why do you care? has nothing to do with you. That's really what it reminds me of. It's just like, it's funny that you care, and my opinion.
01:06:34
Speaker
I mean, in fairness, I do think it was kind of stupid. But that's the thing. makes sense that you think it's stupid and cringe. I respect and believe it. But like, why does a random Leafs fan have to be like, that's stupid and cringe?
01:06:46
Speaker
That's why it became like, what are you talking about? yeah So I can't wait. I hope I can make it to that game. And if not, I will be sending people to collect a bobblehead for me. I need it Just what a genius marketing idea, man Amazing. Now I'm excited for the season.
01:07:05
Speaker
Do we think, okay, so we're going to wrap this up with like predictions.
Season Predictions and Team Potential
01:07:10
Speaker
Do we think it's going to be a good season? think Yes. I think it's like, I think all the things that I told myself after they lost in the playoffs, I'm just going to choose to still believe them. It's like, they now kind of like, they got there.
01:07:25
Speaker
Now they kind of know what it's like to be there. So I feel like, and also i feel like the division got worse. Fingers crossed. Like, I'm optimistic. Yeah, it's like, it's so hard to tell because even last year, like, they almost tanked their season in November again. and then, like, it was only because the rest of the division wasn't that good.
01:07:47
Speaker
And because they went on a big winning streak later that they, like, got themselves back into the playoff conversation. So ah part of me is like, and what if we're just back to what happened before? But no, I feel like the team got like slightly better. Not a lot better, but marginally better.
01:08:05
Speaker
And yeah, the rest of the division for the most part got worse. And also just mentally, like, I don't know, sometimes you can just tell they start losing games early in the season and you're like, oh, they've mentally checked out. Like, the despair has set in. And now it's like, they know they can do it.
01:08:22
Speaker
So maybe, maybe I'm just, like, talking myself into it But, like, hopefully they do slightly better. We also didn't talk about, like, the two moves the Sens made over the offseason because they're just not that interesting. But they brought in Jordan Spence and Laura Zeller, which is like, okay, that'll make the team slightly better. Yeah.
01:08:40
Speaker
So... I like Jordan Spence. I feel like and remember when that happened, a lot of people were like, that's like actually a really good move. Cause like it was like, he didn't get as many minutes in a lead.
01:08:53
Speaker
Right. Yeah. And then, so now it's like, it's a good move. I'm like, okay, nice. I believe you. I believe it's good move. I'm excited for that. um But yeah, I think like, that's the thing. I think it'll just be a matter of like taking a step forward and like not like,
01:09:09
Speaker
like, losing a few games and, like, getting friggin, like, stressed about it. You know what i mean? Like, i think hopefully now they're, like, you know the thing is, like, act like you've been here before. Now they've technically been there before. So hopefully they can act like it.
01:09:25
Speaker
Mm-hmm. Yeah. Like, I'm nervous because what if everything goes wrong? But also, I don't know, they've just had so many years of bad luck where it's, like, I feel like they could have lucked their way into a playoff spawn and they didn't.
01:09:39
Speaker
But I'm like just like, maybe it's time to turn things around. Yeah. it Maybe, be like, you know, I think they were good enough to sneak into the playoffs for several years before they finally did make the playoffs.
01:09:50
Speaker
So, like, they deserve to be there, you know? Like, also, it's like, obviously, this isn't actually how it works. But I'm like, since I had such bad luck for so long, the luck is bound to turn around, which like is a fallacy. But what?
01:10:02
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. And also, it's not like they snuck into the playoffs of the last yeah last year. like They very much deserve to be there. They almost got a divisional spot. They were really close to Florida in the standings. you know so Exactly. That's why I feel like a nice step to take this season. i don't know if it's going to happen, but it's like it'd be nice to not...
01:10:22
Speaker
Like, because I feel like they were firmly like for a lot of season it was like they're going to be like a wildcard team. But like they kind of at the end, like you say, like almost push for like, like a division bot. So I feel like that'd be like a nice goal of like, just try to like be like that, like little much better, you know?
01:10:39
Speaker
Yeah, or even like to get a playoff spot early on and hold on to it. I think the Sens got into the playoffs around the end of December last year, but then they did, i think, lose the playoff spot around the time of Four Nations and then got it back again.
01:10:56
Speaker
And it was like, I just, I don't want to be in that bubble area. Like, it makes for fun games, but, like, I think a good team, like, by November, December, a playoff spot, and then they just kind of hold on to it. Yeah, exactly.
01:11:10
Speaker
I would like to see them do that, because they haven't done that for a very, very long time. Well, the last time they did was 2017, and then before that, I don't even know, like, 2008. Mm-hmm. probably now Don't quote me on that, they definitely i did it before, but like yeah.
01:11:23
Speaker
You know, they were just, they were bubble teams so long even before this era of the Sens. Yeah. I don't want that. Yeah, exactly. That's the thing, because it's like, it is interesting and stuff. like when the Like when the games, like every game it's like, oh my god, we're fighting for our lives.
01:11:37
Speaker
Like, well, this makes for very interesting hockey. But sometimes you want it to be a little more boring. Yeah, I had plenty of excitement in the playoffs, you know? Yeah, exactly.
01:11:49
Speaker
Honestly, for me, the goal this season is to like be bored a little bit. Yeah, and in past years, we have been bored in the sense where it's like, well, they've tanked their season again. yeah yeah like want it to be like, oh, okay, so they're going to make the playoffs. I want to i want to be watching like the second half of the season being like, none of this matters until we get to the playoffs. like Just hurry up, get to April. i want them to like prove I want them to prove me wrong by winning in the playoffs. you know Yeah, exactly.
01:12:20
Speaker
I feel like is a fair ask. Yeah. Yeah, it feels like maybe a little optimistic compared to what the experts have been saying about automobics. A lot of people seem to think they're a bubble team, but I don't know.
01:12:34
Speaker
I'm optimistic. Do we actually want to skip like, this is the last kind of prediction thing I wanted to talk about, but we touched on it before. do we want to talk about like which Atlantic division teams we think are going to be like better, worse, you know?
01:12:45
Speaker
I think we did talk about almost all of them. Yeah, so I would say, well, if we go through the Atlantic Division, why don't we and say better or worse? Because I feel like most them are going to be worse. Yeah, like maybe that's just like my bias or whatever. And like worse is kind of relative because a lot of these teams have been like very good for a very long time. So even if they get worse, it doesn't mean that I think they're going to miss the playoffs. It's just like, you know.
01:13:13
Speaker
makes it a bit easier for us, yeah right? yeah because I would say... so okay. If we go, like, top of the division, it was the Leafs last year, right? We think they're going to get slightly worse. Like, they're still going to be in a divisional spot.
01:13:25
Speaker
Yeah, but, like, I i don't know Like, the fact... Like, losing Marner, i think... is obviously huge impact. So it's like, I i think like, they're still gonna be good, but it's like, there's no like, they didn't get better. Like, there's nothing about them that got better. Like, they definitely got worse.
01:13:41
Speaker
Like, there's no way to like, be like, oh, but like, no, like, they they got worse. So. And, like, low-key, they've been trending downward for a bit. Like, last year's team was worse than the team the year before. Yeah.
01:13:52
Speaker
that's Like, they'll make the playoffs. Yeah. Because, like, even, night like, like, obviously losing Marner is huge. But even, like, if you kind of put that aside a bit, it's, like, there's things where, like, John Tavares is, like, getting kind of older. You know what it may what I mean? It's, like, they have to, like, play different roles now where it's, like, I don't think...
01:14:10
Speaker
But there's, like, they're not, like, oh, my gosh, like, lights out like they were, I feel like, a couple years ago. that's my pick. Yeah. And then, like, as we said with Tampa Bay, ah we didn't talk that much about Tampa Bay, but it's, like, they've also been trending downward for a few years. We're, like, yeah, they were such a dynasty. They could still get back to that. Like, they're still an excellent team, but they're just getting slightly worse every year. They look slightly more washed in the playoffs every year.
01:14:37
Speaker
And it's, like, I feel like... It's just going to keep getting worse, hopefully. Yeah, hope so. Because it's like, also, there was like, weird periods, I feel like, where people like, especially after they like, won their cups, where people are like, oh, like, they'll be bad now.
01:14:55
Speaker
like and it's like, no, never count them out. But then last year, it was like, no, do count them out because Florida is so much better. So I don't know. It's kind of like, if they kind like go up and down. Like, obviously, marginally, they're always in the playoffs. But it's like, it is kind of hard to like,
01:15:11
Speaker
like see Because I'm also doing so much of this vibe space because I don't know what anyone's offseason really looked like. feel like they'll probably get slightly, don't know, worse?
01:15:22
Speaker
But like they were also like they might just get slightly better. But I think they're probably going to stay around the level that they are. like I don't think it'll be any huge better or worse. Yeah, I definitely agree with that.
01:15:34
Speaker
Panthers, as we said, it's like they're going to be really good. Like they could win the president's trophy. knows? um But like, I don't know. It's more in the playoffs that I'm like, maybe that's where the exhaustion would catch up. But oftentimes it is actually in the regular season where they're like not that good in the regular season. And then they finally like, you know, wake up in the playoffs. So could go either way.
01:15:56
Speaker
i feel like maybe slightly worse, but like not significantly. So yeah, ah yeah I yeah, agree. Or, like, not worse, just more tired. Yeah.
01:16:06
Speaker
Which also, like, makes sense, obviously. Like, they've played too much hockey the past few years. Yeah. Like, at some point, you know. and then, i don't remember. oh Well, obviously, the next one on the division was the Habs. And this one's interesting. Because, as I said, tons of Habs fans are like, oh yeah they're going to get better every year. Like, they're they're on the way up.
01:16:25
Speaker
But, like... I don't know. feel like people are overestimating them just because last them being in the playoffs was such a fluke. And it wasn't like they deserve to be there. Like, oh, the rebuild is ahead of schedule. It was like, no, they got lucky. They won so many one goal games. They like randomly pulled off last minute comebacks in overtime. Like,
01:16:47
Speaker
They just seem like a fraudulent team to them. And am really manifesting that despite the rest of the division getting worse, that the Habs also take a step back. I think that really funny. I think what's going to happen is that they're going to get better relative to how they actually were, but standings-wise, they're going to get worse.
01:17:06
Speaker
So they're going to become less fraudulent, but they're going to still have fewer points, is my take. Yeah, that makes sense. Like, maybe they'll sneak into the wildcard spot again, but, like, i I think it'd be really funny if they just missed the playoffs. Yeah. Because I don't think, like, we talked about this last year where, like, it was really frustrating that the year that the Sens were, like, actually good, like, actually genuinely deserved to be in the playoffs, you know, that was the first year that they made the playoffs because they weren't able to make it as a fake good team any of those previous years.
01:17:39
Speaker
And it's just frustrating that, like, that was the same year that the Habs kind of, like, snuck their way into the playoffs as a fake good team. yeah And now it's and people talk about those teams like they're on the same level when it's like, no, one of them deserve to be here and one of them is fraudulent. No, exactly. So...
01:17:57
Speaker
manifesting that the Habs get worse. It would be really funny. Especially since, again, so many Habs fans, they'll just be like, like, I don't know, we were explaining the Sens and Habs to, like, people who didn't watch a lot of hockey and Habs fans were just like, yeah, they're around, like, the same place in their rebuild and stuff. They're kind of around the same level right now, but, like, the Habs are going to be slightly better in the long run.
01:18:18
Speaker
was like... Why do you just say that as if it's an objective truth? Like, no, it's not. yeah Like, I say this as a hater, but also genuinely, like, I pay a lot of attention to this team and their roster does not look better than the Sens on paper.
01:18:36
Speaker
Yeah. So don't know. Hopefully they don't freaking overperform again because that was so annoying. I know. I really hope they get worse. And I hope it sends their fans into a tailspin too.
01:18:51
Speaker
Because their fans are like certain that like they're going to make the playoffs every year now. and that's what makes it more fun when the Habs lose. Yeah. So, manifesting.
01:19:02
Speaker
Anyways, moving on. The Red Wings, as we said, they're not going to be good. think they're going to be worse. Everyone in the division is going to be worse except for the Saints. I know. like, what are the odds that everyone got worse?
01:19:13
Speaker
Apparently 100%.
01:19:16
Speaker
but yeah But, like, the whole division last year was kind of, like, kind of mid. Like, everyone was close in the standings, you know? Yeah. There wasn't a huge divide. Yeah.
01:19:27
Speaker
Although, i can't remember. Like, I feel like the Panthers, were they mid? No, wait, oh, wait, weren't they kind of, like, in third or whatever? like, yeah weird because they were, like, kind of tired and then they just, like, locked in.
01:19:40
Speaker
I think that's what happened. Yeah. but you're Yeah, it's true. Everyone was pretty mid. So, yeah, Red Wings. Okay, I could see the Red Wings, like, they've been a bubble team for so long, so I could see them taking, like, a step forward and sneaking into the playoffs. Like, maybe maybe they're battling it out for the halves. I can see those two teams being around the same, you know? Mm-hmm.
01:20:04
Speaker
Yeah, I think I agree. Because I feel like that's kind of like, I think it makes sense. Like, assuming that the Sens, as they are, are amazing. It's like, I think that those two teams make sense for like, if you're going to get another wildcard spot.
01:20:17
Speaker
Yeah, so I could see one of those teams. But like, I don't think the Red Wings are going to get substantially better. Yeah. You know, they'll just like, finally, finally, they'll make the playoffs after so many years of like, barely missing it. you know But it would be so funny if they didn't. No, right?
01:20:34
Speaker
Yeah. Like, it was already so funny that they didn't make it last year. i want to go another year, but we'll see. Because I don't think the Red Wings, long term, are going to be better than the Sens. I don't think they're even going to be, like, a real competitor long term. I just... ah Yeah, I think they're just mid enough that, like, with the Atlantic Division where it is right now, they could potentially make it. Yeah.
01:20:58
Speaker
And kind of the same with the Sabres, low-key. Yeah, honestly, I feel like the Sabres... can i Where did they even finish last year is the thing. It's just like in my head they're always like last. I like they're going to take a step up.
01:21:12
Speaker
I feel like they're going to... ah But like, the Sabres is like, you can't even predict anything with them because it's just like, every year we say, surely one day they have to like get better and then they just don't, right?
01:21:26
Speaker
um But obviously I was reading a lot about the Sabres this past week and i don't know, guys, doesn't look good. Like, Josh Norris is their first line center, I think. Oh, I love that they did that though.
01:21:40
Speaker
Like, I'm happy that they believe. i think that they're going get slightly better because that's my prediction every year. and even though it never comes true, I'm just going to predict it again.
01:21:52
Speaker
and They're going to, once again, ah get just close enough to the playoffs that people are like, oh, maybe? is this the year? And then and it's not going to be the year. Yeah.
01:22:03
Speaker
But also, wouldn't it be funny if they made it before the Red Wings? Like, I was cursing. I didn't want the Sabres... to overtake the Sens. I was, like, manifesting bad vibes for them. But now the Sens have made it. I'm like, maybe maybe the Sabres could. Like, maybe it'd be funny if they made it before the Red Wings. I feel like i would send some Red Wings fans spiraling. Oh, that would be amazing. Because it's, like, obviously that was, like, Sens fans' biggest fear. So it'd be funny if that happened with the Red Wings.
01:22:31
Speaker
That's why knew. again, like when we're at the same place, when we can, you know, we've been saying the same things about our team, we know what will hurt them. No, exactly. oh my gosh. i I predict that. I predict that Sabres make it, Red Wings don't. Just because that's what I want to happen so bad that I think I can manifest it into happening.
01:22:54
Speaker
Yeah, and it's like, i I don't wish any ill will on Sabres fans. Like, you know, i don't wish any ill on Sabres fans. I think they seem like nice people.
01:23:06
Speaker
They have certainly suffered a lot. The only reason that I really did not want the Sabres to be good was because I didn't want the Sabres to be better than the Sens or to make the playoffs before the Sens did.
01:23:19
Speaker
so you know It's like the thing where I'm like, once the Sens win the cup, like I will let go of all my old grudges. i will become a different person. I just like i need the Sens to win before all these other teams. It's similar with making the playoffs. It's like, now that the Sens have made the playoffs, like I'm open to other teams also making it, because I can always say like the Sens made it first. you know Yeah, exactly.
01:23:43
Speaker
So look at me, I'm already a changed person. And then, yeah, the Bruins, man, they were bad last year. Yeah. Feels like it's trending downward.
01:23:53
Speaker
feel like maybe they just stay the same. Like, I don't know if they get much worse because they were like last in the division, right? i know. That's crazy. That's nuts.
01:24:04
Speaker
So I just am hoping that they stay there like a little bit longer because I feel like the thing with the Bruins is that they always find a way to like be good. And it's so annoying.
01:24:15
Speaker
i know So I'm just manifesting that they stay bad for like a couple more seasons maybe. then I'd be really happy. So yeah, Sens are gonna have a good season.
01:24:28
Speaker
They're gonna make the playoffs. They're gonna win the cup. You heard it here first. Yeah, well, you know what? We said i the CTC that Marner's leaving.
01:24:40
Speaker
We also said and Matthews is balding. Both things that happened. You know what else we're always saying? Sens are winning the cup. Yeah, exactly. Like, that's the thing. So, like maybe maybe people need to listen to Sens fans more. saying.
01:24:55
Speaker
I believe. It's food for thought. Yeah. So yeah, we have like a handful of other predictions. Not many. um How many games? have We did this last year. How many games do we think the Sens are going to win in the month of November? I'm going to say all of them. Because I'm going to do it confident.
01:25:13
Speaker
And I don't want to say an exact number because I don't know how many games they play in November. But it's going to be all of them. I and I'm going to go It's going to be half of them. It's going to be like stressful. They're going to go on a losing streak at one point. And we're going to be like ah You have to be kidding me But they're going to save it you know? And then they'll end November like fighting for a wildcard spot, and then they'll be good for the rest of the year, so it'll be fine. I'm done predicting that they break the pattern, because I predicted it like a million times in a row, and like they never it never happens. So I'm just trying to set my expectations low for specifically the month of November. That makes sense.
01:25:52
Speaker
But I will be predicting it a million and one times. So... I respect that for you. Also, so new guy Jordan Spence, who do we think is going to be his best friend in Ottawa? That's a good question. Maybe was like lacking a best friend right now.
01:26:10
Speaker
Maybe like. Well, I feel like it needs to be Thomas Shabbat. Yeah. Oh, my God. Yeah, of course. Okay. Yeah, it'll be. Shabbat is everyone's friend. like But that's the thing. And also like. Is he going to be the dad again? or because how old is Jordan Spence?
01:26:23
Speaker
Oh yeah. We need to check the age gap but like a riy like like before it was all like very much like rookies coming in and but was their dad so so people's dads like that's their best friend you know i mean I think yeah yeah I would say okay he's he's 24 think he's around like Sanderson's age he's a year older than Sanderson okay so like maybe he'll be best friends with Sanderson yeah oh that'd be nice Sanderson no wait I was gonna be like Sanderson needs a friend but no Sanderson has Pinto yeah maybe he'll be best friends with Timmy yeah
01:27:01
Speaker
I like Timmy is just always best friends with people. So I feel like that fits. And he'll have a beautiful father-son relationship with Thomas Shabbat. Yeah. I'm like, Shabbat's going to be so lonely because like Josh is gone Chikrin obviously was his friend. It's like, who's going to be Shabbat's best friend? But also in a way, Shabbat is like everybody's best friend. Yeah, exactly.
01:27:24
Speaker
my God. And even you forgot that Colin White long ago left with the OG best friend. They keep trading away his best friends. It's really sad But he has acquired a new son. so Yeah.
01:27:37
Speaker
It's nice. Yeah. And I think Jordan Spence is going to be really good. I'm really excited. People keep saying he's like super underrated and everything. So it's nice because at our right side is like, okay, well, Jensen's injured, but, you know, it's like Zub.
01:27:51
Speaker
Spence, Jensen whenever he comes back. And then I forget who else. Some guy from Belleville, you know, fill in that third spot when Jensen's injured. And then the left side, Sanderson, Chabot, and Cleven. Guys, we're winning the cup. i mean I'm saying. I agree.
01:28:10
Speaker
Like even, did you see Travis Yost did like tier rankings of all the teams in certain areas? So he was like tier rankings for defense and Sens were in the very top tier, like some of the best defense overall the league. Goaltending, he was like a little less optimistic.
01:28:28
Speaker
And then he was like, I think each position for forward and I don't remember, or I think it was like centers and wingers. And I think the Sens were also like really good for centers and like kind of mid for wingers. And I was reading this like,
01:28:39
Speaker
all the ones where he said the sons were really good i was like this is he's so true this is so true he's correct like i trust him he is actually the best like analysis analyst in the nhl like travis yost is always right about everything famously and then every time he was like oh the sons are kind of mad i was like no he's wrong so anyways people are saying that the sons have the best defense in the league Wow. And like, doesn't isn't the thing like defense wins championships or whatever? Isn't that like a famous thing people say? So there you go.
01:29:12
Speaker
i can't believe that that Tyler Clevin is good now. Like, I did not expect this, but Tyler Cleven, as the playoffs proved, really good. So, joll that down, everybody.
01:29:23
Speaker
Damn, we're so good. And then also the final prediction that we wanted to discuss is how long will it take the Shabby Horse memes to reach Thomas Schvott?
01:29:35
Speaker
I'm going to say it'll happen in... in Okay, here's the thing. I don't know if it'll be a thing where like the Sens will wait until it's like a little bit like people aren't doing it as much and then they tell it to them.
01:29:50
Speaker
But like I feel like they've got their finger on the pulse. So I'm gonna say like November. Maybe if they do go on like a bit of a losing streak in November, it'll be introduced as like a way to like brighten up like everything.
01:30:05
Speaker
I'm going to say even earlier, actually. I'm going to say preseason. Oh, really? Because I think it's like, yeah, the Sens will be posting all this content and then a bunch of people are going to be like replying with the horse pictures to every to all the Shabbat content. yeah And like before the season starts, when they're doing all the like preseason promotional stuff, at some point someone's going to be like,
01:30:26
Speaker
Thomas Shabbat, did you see this? Yeah, honestly, that's better one. Or they're going make a joke. like There's going to be some kind of video with Ascends where there's like a joke about Shabbat being a horse. like I feel like Shabbat doesn't know about it yet. I think he will know about it by preseason. Yeah, they start neighing in the locker room or whatever.
01:30:45
Speaker
Oh, yeah It's like, oh, my God. Do you think the players are going to catch on to it? I believe. just like, I feel like it all comes down to do they think it's funny or weird, you know, or both. It could be both. But it's like, i hope they find it funny, you know, if they find it like kind of weird and uncomfortable, then that'll be awkward. But I can't see why they would.
01:31:07
Speaker
I don't think they will. No, it's just like, this guy, he's a horse. Yeah. I feel like that's the thing. Like like you were saying, like the workhorse thing is already a thing that people say, so I feel like it's just one step up, and like it's fine.
01:31:20
Speaker
Yeah. like I mean, they probably won't understand it, but like who among us does completely understand the joke? So it's fine. So yeah, that was our first episode back.
Podcast Return Announcement and Social Media
01:31:33
Speaker
Hope everybody also had an enjoyable off-season of Touching Grass. And we will be back for a new episode before too long. Like, the hiatus is over.
01:31:44
Speaker
We will talk about the Sens. Yeah, the Sens are winning the cup. You heard it here first. So everyone, make sure to follow us. Well, follow me on Twitter and Blue Sky at cviatae and also follow at EliteSensBrain.
01:31:59
Speaker
Subscribe to Silver 7. We actually just brought on some new writers. We've got some fun content planned. Give us money if you have any money to spare, please, to Silver 7. I mean, um keep us alive.
01:32:11
Speaker
And yeah, go Suns go. Suns go. Bye.