Matthew Knies + 2027 NHL Pressure Points w/ Justin Bourne

0:00Welcome to the JDBunk sub podcast. Not going to be very much blue jays today. This is all this talk of, hey, you got a win to get in. That was Max Scherzer's Credo from, I want to say a little over a week ago and you can't lose your way into the playoffs and that is becoming abundantly clear for the Toronto Blue Jays. It's now at the point where I'm not going to write them off. I'm not going to say it's over. Even though last night really did feel like it's over and that's part of a roller coaster ride when you're in a tight wild card race like this. To have the guardians walk it off, to have the blue jays get pumped and taking a peek

1:04at the standings with the amount of games you have to go, you're certainly no longer in control of your own destiny. This is now a situation where you need some help. And yeah, I can't say I feel great about it today. And if there's a lesson to be learned from what has transpired over the last two days, to me it is don't forget to live in the moment. Don't worry too much about what's going to happen tomorrow when you've got something important in front of you right now. Because to me, that's the way that I'm going to remember these two losses is that it was a bit of a domino effect. You tried to get cute with some arms. You tried to get away with Joe Man to play. It backfired. You ended up losing two straight games. And now you're in a situation where you can go, congratulations. You've got important bullpen arms rested or you just ended up using a couple of guys yesterday to just cobble your way through another bullpen game.

2:05And yes, injuries have been a problem for this team and this is not solely just because they made one decision. This is the byproduct of a team that dealt away a reliever at the deadline and has suffered a cataclysmic amount of pitching injuries. This is what happens. When Shane Bieber went down and when you savage went down, we went like, yeah, that might be it. And then they still for finding ways to win these games, it was just very, very unlikely this wasn't going to catch up with them at some point. So yeah, there are excuses, but I'm not sure how many people want to hear him today because that was a tough one. And now this Blue J's team that kind of had a moment where it really seemed as though there was team of destiny potential, turn around the season potential is suddenly on the outside looking in. And I'm not sure they're going to be able to get in the door. Anyways, today is hockey show. I'm going to talk to Justin Warren about NHL pressure points for 26, 27.

3:09And I also got a chance to speak to Matthew Nies yesterday morning. And so here's that interview now. I'm really excited to have back on the show, Maple Leafs forward Matthew Nies. Now also a member of the whole in one club. Congrats. I know it's all the talk with your teammates over the last couple of days, but I just saw a quote from Darren Raddler saying that he was surprised by the reaction, said the reaction to it from your friends was muted. Yeah, I mean, they put their hands up, but then I thought they were like messing with me the whole time. And then they were like, I was running up to it. And still they were like, yeah, it's in, it's in, it's in. And I was like, well, I thought they were screwing me because they weren't giving me any juice. And then as they ran up there, my whole group like didn't believe me almost. And then I pulled it out and they were like, they were, they were hyped up for me. But I think the other four of those I think might just be jealous. Yeah, it's good to say. Jealousies and ugly color men. It's not great. That is a tough look to be started, especially as you're doing team bonding activities.

4:13So, how has that element been going? Because again, you guys get out on the course, but I imagine, you know, you're trying to enjoy your summer or get away from it all. Now you're starting to see guys meet new guys. How has that process been for you so far? Yeah, it's been good. You know, all the new faces have been, you know, extremely nice, great guys, you know, vocal. And yeah, it's been good to have those guys. And yeah, just getting close with everyone. That golf event was perfect at Magna. And then, you know, we had a sponsorship around yesterday at Rattle Snake. So everything's been awesome, you know, getting to know all the guys and staff too. You know, we have a lot of new staff and management this year. So getting to know everyone has been great. And yeah, so we'll see what comes forth. You know, to Thursday, it starts the big stuff. And I think once you start battling against, against each other, that's really when you, you know, grow close. So that's good, man. And yeah, you said it was perfect. And yeah, for you specifically, like out of everybody so far, the whole one makes it

5:13a little bit right. A little bit closer from that. Yeah. That was all like, that's my word. It's like, you know, you know, the thing though is for all of those guys, the first story they have with their new team is Matthew and I's hitting a hole in one. Like it's a memorable answer to everybody. That's that's unchangeable. Is it a little overwhelming though? Like when you have so many new guys where it's like, you mentioned, it's a new staff. It's a, you know, new general manager, new front office, new teammates. Like, I don't know, you seem like a pretty amicable guy. But does it just feel like, oh man, there's a lot on me right now to try to get to know a little bit about a lot of new guys? Or do you just kind of like see how it goes throughout the season and not try to force it? Yeah, I mean, I think from the start of it, you know, everyone kind of feels like a new guy. You know, there's just, there's so many there that just feels like a fresh start to a new season and everyone feels like, you know, they're new. So I think it's good, but I think, yeah, I think with the progress of the season and, you know, honestly, how fast preseason will be, it'll be easy to gel with these guys.

6:17You know, I think once you start getting going and traveling with the team and spending more time and, you know, hopefully after a little bit of preseason, we take a trip and take two days where we're just kind of doing team bonding. I think that's kind of where everyone starts to get really close and get to know each other really well. So, yeah, I think preseason will be, will be, you know, the start to it, but I think just these past few weeks before it, I've been great to get to know everyone and learn about them. And, yeah, so it's, it'll be fast, but I think it'll, you know, in the next few days, you know, I think everyone's going to get really close and, you know, start to feel that team camaraderie. That's good, man. So I wasn't even going to ask you about this, but you mentioned it like preseason's going to be short. You'll only play in a couple of games. There's new rules now for vets where I think they're only allowed to play in two of the games. It's going to be like really short. I'm, I'm curious, you know, if that's something that you're really looking forward to because, you know, as somebody who watches the games, people get excited and they're like, Oh, leaves

7:18games are on. And then you watch, you know, preseason hockey for a period and you're like, all right, start, start to season. Is it kind of similar as a player? Do you think you're going to miss those reps? I think so. I think that's kind of why they shortened it really as guys were just kind of, you know, it's going to play the real thing. It just felt long and, you know, six games. That's, that's a long two weeks, you know, for, for everyone. So, yeah, it might be a little quick, but I think that's good for everyone to kind of, you know, kind of get it over with and, and right into the real stuff. And, yeah, so I'm excited for it. I'm, I'm excited that it's, you know, a little bit shorter and we, you know, gets a play for something that means a little bit more. So how are you feeling physically? 100%. Yeah, I feel good. Body feels great. And, yeah, so it shouldn't be an issue this year, hopefully that, you know, I can stay healthy and, and make sure to play on all the games this year. And, yeah, so that's what I'm looking forward to doing. Yeah, like, I'm sure it's good as a player. It's frustrating as a media member that you guys are basically the CIA when it comes to injuries.

8:18Like, it's the hardest thing to find out on planet Earth. I don't know a single person that knew what was up for you or for you. And I'm not going to ask, but I'll say this, it seemed at times like you were really pushing through something. Like, you know, that there were games where people were kind of speculating, man, is he going to take some time off? And there was the one stint where you did, but that you kind of, it felt like you battled through large portions of last season. And I'm curious, you know, what the, the tug and the pull was for somebody like you, who's trying to be there for his teammates, try to be on the ice versus trying to look at it through a rest standpoint. And yeah, how that felt in that season. Yeah, it was difficult. You know, I think it was, you know, a good portion of the season that just didn't feel 100 percent, didn't feel like I could give everything I had. And it's hard, you know, I think it was kind of one of those injuries where, you know, the more time off the better and you just don't get that within the sport. So that's why the summer was so, so important for me is just to kind of, you know, do some rehab and get it back to 100 percent, you know, with how long it was season.

9:20And it was, it just kind of kept, you know, nagging me and getting worse. And so, you know, it was good that it was good that, you know, we had a good portion of the summer where I can, you know, rest, but then still get some time to train and stay strong and stay healthy. So, yeah, it was brutal. It was annoying, but, you know, that comes with the territory of playing a sport like this, you know, that's, that's bound to happen. So, you know, that's, again, that's kind of why I played through it. I feel like everyone's kind of playing through, you know, a little bit of something. So, try not to show it as best as I could, but yeah, sometimes it was, you know, you know, too much for me to kind of handle and keep playing. So, there's a little spurs right at TIGER S, but yeah, it shouldn't be an issue this year. I got it all fixed and, yeah, so I'm just kind of looking forward to being 100 percent for a full season. So it was a tough year, like, you know, you're, you've been, unfortunately, used to a couple playoff hard eggs, but your time with the maplies you haven't seen a regular season, quite like that one. And I don't know, this isn't universal for all people, but I do find, at least personally,

10:22and with some people I've known, that adversity teaches them something about themselves, that maybe not in the moment, like in the moment it probably sucked. You're not healthy. The team is struggling. There's a bunch of different conversations about the team, but now that you've had some time to reflect and you're kind of sitting through the summer, I'm curious if there's anything you think you learned through the adversity of last season that you've reflected on. Yeah, that's a good question. I mean, I think there's a good portion, you know, like, I guess, don't take a good team for granted. I feel like we had a really good team last year and I feel like we just kind of, you know, felt it was going to happen that we're going to make the playoffs. And, you know, I think I kind of took my health for granted a little bit, you know, I just, a little bit where, you know, you just kind of feel complacent about, you know, I'm healthy, I'm strong and whatever. And I feel like there's always more you can do to kind of keep yourself even more healthy, more strong. And again, I focus a lot on my longevity this summer and just kind of keep myself healthy for a very long season, 84 games.

11:22And, you know, we're bound to make the playoffs this year with, you know, the team we have. So yeah, just don't take every season for granted. We had such a good team last year on paper and same within, you know, there's good sports there where we were, you know, we were, you know, in a good spot in the Atlantic and, you know, we kind of just took the season for granted and let it, you know, kind of, you know, just kind of blow away and, you know, that's, that's the kind of thing, you know, I think I took away most is just don't take, you know, the team you have for granted because, you know, each team might be the best team you ever played on. So just, just kind of look at it that way and, you know, hopefully that it'll work out for us to see with how strong the team we have. Well, that kind of makes sense to those, especially since, you know, it's weird to think of you this way, but it's like, yeah, you're coming to that. Like, you're, you've got seasons under your belt now. And when you're that young and not to say by any stretch of the imagination you're old, like, dude, when you're me, you will not take your help for granted. Like, you're going to wake up some days and be like, oh, I think it's over. I think I'm just done. I don't think I'm ever going to move the same way again.

12:24But just the natural progression of having something like that where you're like, okay, you know, my focus is going to be a little different. My appreciation for things is going to be a little different. You're going to learn things as it goes along just like kind of you wouldn't any career. So for this season, you know, you mentioned maybe having that little added attention to the detail of, hey, you know what, we might be good on paper, but we're going to have to make sure that we put in all the little details to make sure that we maximize what we have on paper. But for you personally, like, are you a guy that comes into the season with particular goals? Like whether it's something that you worked on in the off season that you want to see translate more to your game or like, I don't know, a win total, a point total. Like what do you kind of focus on as you're coming into camp? Yeah, I mean, I wanted to be, you know, a quicker and faster skater and I wanted to be able to play, you know, in all situations, you know, I want to be truly reliable personally. And, you know, I think that kind of leads into just helping the team win. You know, that's what I want to see. I want to see us, you know, fight to be in a good position, you know, early in the season,

13:28fight to make a playoff spot, fight to, you know, push to win the Stanley Cup. You know, that's, that's, you know, I think with all, if you don't kind of focus on your personal success and you do well, I think that kind of just really helps the team. So I try not to focus on, you know, all the statistics and trying to focus on the team. And I think that kind of helps me as well as the team. So, yeah, I think we have a good group. You know, I think there's a lot of unsolvable guys in our group, you know, a lot of players that, you know, are going to fill roles this year. So I think that's an exciting part of it is just how much, how many different type of players we have. And that's going to make us a really great team. Yeah, again, there's really a lot of excitement for the team. This is sort of the cycle of, you know, Maple Leafs fandom, Maple Leafs coverage, Maple Leafs playing is just that the new season brings new optimism. But again, you mentioned that there's so many new bodies that it's hard not to fixate on those things. But yeah, the number one point of attention was the number one overall pick. I'm curious if you watched the draft lottery or that's something where you just get a text message

14:32and you find out from a teammate that the Leafs won the lottery. Yeah, I mean, you're probably not surprised, but you probably seen it that mean, Willie, we're at the Marley's game. And we weren't watching it, but we were just, we were watching the game and then, you know, we got tapped on the shoulder and said we won the pick and we're almost, you know, called both. We were like, this is a lie. This isn't real. And, um, but yeah, we were pretty fortunate. That's really lucky of us and lucky that we have such an amazing player in Gavin and, you know, watching him recently, he's going to be, you know, a heck of a talent and, and we're really lucky to have him. So it's, it's, uh, yeah, it was definitely a happy, happy day for, for everyone in Toronto. Well, and like, I think about you specifically with him because you played U.S. College hockey. So did he. You came in and you were a high pedigree player for the Toronto Maple Leafs who quickly got attention as, hey, this guy is going to be someone who helps contribute for this team right away. Like you, you know what it's like to make that jump. Have it be very quick, but also get the attention that comes with this market.

15:35So, you know, and you're close to it, right? Like this didn't happen 15 years ago, right? Where when you get advice and there's a huge generational gap, it, it does hit a little bit different because you're like, eh, well, it's a little bit different for me than it was for you versus your experiences kind of closely tied to his, in joining this team. And so, yeah, do you feel like there isn't added kind of wisdom or connection that you can share with this kid, given that your experiences are going to end up being fairly similar? Yeah, I think so, you know, I think it's, it's a, it's a big market to step into and, um, you know, might be a little bit, you know, big at times where a little bit overwhelming, but, you know, I think he's handled everything really materially and, he's very well spoken, um, you know, very personable guy. I think guys, guys are really close with him already. And, um, but yeah, I mean, even sharing the experience that, you know, he lived at Johnny's and, and, or sorry, I live at Johnny's and that he's living there this year.

16:36Like little things like that, I think, um, yeah, I can try and help him as much as possible. But, um, you know, I think, I think he's going to, he's going to be able to do a lot of it on his own with how, how skilled and, and how, um, maturias as a person. I don't think that there's going to be a need to help him as much. Um, but yeah, if there ever comes a time, you know, I, I hope that, you know, he speaks up and, and asks questions, but really there's, there's a lot of guys in the room that he can learn from and, and, and follow. So I think living with Johnny's is a, um, really smart decision by him and, and, uh, so yeah, I think there's going to be a lot of guys that, that can help him out. And again, he joins a group where there's a lot of veteran players and, um, you know, some young guys like Cowan that he can learn from as well. So there's, there's, uh, you know, there's no limit on, on guys that he can, you know, kind of talk to or learn from. Yeah. Uh, and you guys also both come from completely non-traditional hockey markets. Uh, his, his a little bit more isolated than yours, but, technically, you know, the Yukon is semi-air climate.

17:38Like got the world's smallest desert there. So you've got a little bit of a kinship with that as well. So, you know, though you mentioned that it's, it can be a tough market to jump into just because there is so much detention. But yeah, I think that something that he could absolutely learn from you is, you know, you're a guy who has kind of been himself since he's been a maple leaf. And it doesn't feel like there's really a big veneer and you play hard. And ultimately I do feel like someone who has paid attention to this market since I was a little kid. That's the foundation of what people really care about here. And so while, yeah, it's going to be intimidating at times and I'm sure that it is and like, there's a lot of noise. Ultimately, it's like, you got those foundational principles. It's a market that ultimately just really wants to love its team and, and follow its partners. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think he's going to do a good job of that. Yeah, just be yourself and, um, yeah, play hard, play for, you know, play for Toronto, play for the blue and white. And, um, yeah, I think it all kind of solves itself really. It's, it's, uh, you know, there is a lot of noise, but I guess if you just, you know,

18:42play hard and, and, uh, you know, speak the truth and stuff like that, I think you're, you're going to be just fine. And so. Well, with the noise, you got lumped in with a lot of trade rumors last year, especially around the deadline. Probably a difficult time for just about everybody on the team because you're wondering who's going, you're wondering what's real. You're trying to communicate with a staff that wasn't sure about their own job security. But yeah, from your standpoint, I'm curious how you felt about it and how you feel now just in terms of your security with the team. And like, yeah, if, if like, that's all over and done with from your standpoint. Yeah. Um, yeah, it's a little different. Obviously, we, you know, the, there was needed, um, to make some moves. Um, and yeah, with no security for, for the off season, it's, you know, you feel like it could be yourself. And, uh, you know, I try to just focus on, you know, getting healthy and, and having a good summer training. And, you know, when a lot of this stuff came out, I was, I was telling, you know, guys, I was in Europe. So I didn't really get to see a lot of it or hear a lot of it. But yeah, I guess it's, um,

19:48you know, it's pretty cliched for me to say, but it's, it's, it's really out of my control. You know, I can't, I can't control any of that. So I'm pretty fortunate to just, just, just be a main belief for, for now and, and try and prove myself that, you know, I'm a valuable piece here. And that, you know, I should stay and, um, so yeah, that's, that's really how I want to see it. It's just, you know, I got to earn my, earn my time here. Where's you going, Europe? Went to Italy and I went to Greece. Okay. Yeah. That's, that's a good time. Yeah. Yeah. That's, uh, those are some pretty good destinations for you to be able to spend your summertime. So like, you're getting those text messages from people being like, hey, man, what's going on with this? And you're just like, dude, not now. I'm guessing you didn't spend too much time sitting there scrolling on your phone when you were looking out at a beautiful beach and digging your toes into the sand, having a cocktail. Exactly. Hey, man, well, it was really great to catch up with you. I very much appreciate the time. Have a great camp, have a great season. And thanks again for doing this, dude. Yeah. Thank you so much. Thanks again, Matthew. Nice. Good of them to take that

20:50time. And I thought me pretty transparent. Uh, you can subscribe to this podcast. Really helps the show. Reach out anytime on Twitter and Instagram at JDBuncus. Quick break, 26, 27 NHL pressure points with Justin Bore next. All right, day before NHL training camps open up media today. So it's time for the return of Justin Bore to this program. What's up brother? How are we? Hello, good. How are you? I'm well. Uh, I, I know your itching for the NHL season and to get back on shows when I reach out to you. And I'm like, Hey, do you want to do a show? And you're like absolutely, let's pick a date. Let's do this thing. Like you're, you're prime now. Hey, like you, you've had enough vacation. I honestly have. Like I'm just like dying to get back to the routine. I feel like a complete useless lob and I need a purpose. It does reach a point, right? With vacations where you're off for a certain amount of time. And then it's like even though you have a job,

21:51even though you have a career, even though it's a successful career, you, you start to feel like a bum. Like you genuinely start to feel like you're not a contributor to the, to the family at all, to the people around you whatsoever. No, it's, it's at that time. And honestly, I'm glad this season starting early this year. 84 games. Let's go. Yeah, 84. Okay. So I want to start with this because last week we were texting, I think I sent you, I can't even remember what contract it was at this point because there have been so many of these where basically the last few, yeah, Ozyv Boim. So it's basically been two or three weeks of I send you a contract over social media. And we both have the same reaction where we go, well, this is kind of outrageous. And it was you, Boim, because you tweeted about it. I think a day later. And one of the things that you tweeted about is was I think the most interesting piece of this. And it was kind of buried because it was your second tweet. And that was about, hey, these contracts are great for the players.

22:53It's awesome to see these guys get paid. There's no question about it. But essentially, do you think it's saps something from the product when guys with just very limited showings and professional sports are getting lifetime deals at real money? Like if you just look at the last 48 hours, we got Ryan Leonard at $10.5 million for eight seasons. He has 46 career points. Sort of has 36 career points and also just secured an eight year deal. Before we get into pressure points, just what is your thought on yes, this taking away some of the, I would say interest or joy of watching a players climb? Yeah, it's interesting. It kind of reminds me of what venture capitalists do. You just like get in on the ground floor or something and you hope a couple of them take off and they're not all good. It's a spec. It's a spec. Yeah, it's like a few of these may not work, but if the one does and I get massive savings on one of these guys, it's probably worth it.

23:55So you're right that maybe from a contract observer perspective, it's not as cool. I do think too that the NHL is a copycat league, right? And so, everyone's looking around and be like, oh, this is the thing we're doing right now. The new CBA is going to kick in. And I'm not so sure that now is the time that it makes sense to chase like hyper value contracts. That made sense the past five, six, seven years, while we were in that flat cap era. Now I think it's worse to lock up a spot with a guy that you don't really need or don't really want or you're not sure how he's going to turn out. You know, I'm working on an article about this, but I think that the era where teams did bridge deals and it was like, oh, this is going to cost us more on the next deal. And that was such a bad thing. I think they got a backwards like do a bridge deal. Make sure you've got a player before you give Coivan and an eight year deal. And you're like, oh, now this guy, if it's not really working in a couple of years, I know that you can buy him out, but it's still just like, I don't know, man, these guys are chasing efficiency and the time when efficiency is over. You need good players now. Make sure you know.

24:59I think that's a really great point is when you're starting to do the copycat thing. And it feels like, you know, we're going to look back on this as the summer of Leo Carlson, right? Because if there isn't that offer sheet, then I don't believe that these contracts go bananas the way that they do. In fact, I think Carlson might even have a quote or I got tricked by AI or just a fake tweet where he mentioned players thanking him. But I was like, yeah, well, this is an agent stream, right? This has been the conversation around contracts with young players forever and ever, which is the agent and the other players around the league want you to maximize your value because it does have a trickle down effect to everybody else. And that being said, it's like once that deal got done and this was an off season where there was so much money being splashed around on these young players. You're right. I just don't know if you're getting a bargain deal on 36 points of sort of. I'm not sure you're getting a bargain deal on Zee Boyam. If it turns out that he's just like a solid mid pairing defenseman. I don't think that all of these deals are like, oh, you know what?

26:03Three years from now, we're going to be looking back on this and saying they were unbelievably sharp. But you know what's so stupid about it too is like they're overpaying so much today. Yeah. And they're like, oh, but looking where the cap's going eventually, we're going to get this huge value. You're overpaying by so much that if they don't surpass the deal by a great distance and get the value back on the other side, it doesn't even average back to average. Like the, the William deal is like, what's he worth on a one year contract today for next year? A few million dollars. I don't know. The overpay is so heavy early to me that yes, listen, I did do, I want to be clear. I understand how this logic's out. If he becomes a good player, I understand that's not a huge mess if he doesn't. I just don't think they needed to do it. And I think they're all doing it because they're all looking around and it's a copycat league. And it's like, oh, I want to look smart too. You know, look at what Tulski did with Jackson Blake. You know, we better get these guys, you know, Boo Yum or Leonard or whoever to these long term deals. So there's a bunch of guys kind

27:05of grass we get straws. And I'm not sure that they're really getting the value they think they are. Yeah, I got to say though too. That's also a really good point not to just keep doing agree talk. But yeah, what is the overpay that you're giving the guys on the front end of the deal? Right. And so if you're the Vancouver connox, you're saying like, well, we don't really care about that because how else are we going to use the money? Look at the position that we're in today. Sure, sure, sure, sure. But you're telling me that the amount that you're overpaying for the next like season two seasons, potentially three seasons is going to be outweighed by whatever potential savings that you could make on the back end with the risk assessment. I'm just not buying that. And so bunk like, let's say that they do a bridge deal and he gets a cheap deal for the next couple of years. So people go, well, then you're going to have to pay him 15. Yeah. Okay, well, then let's like take those same eight years where you're averaging the salary has been paid. If you get him for two or three cheap upfront right now and you pay him 15 later, now the average is not terrible, but you've also guaranteed that you've got a $15 million dollar

28:07defenseman and you get to give him a long term contract then early on. Yeah. You know, like right now you give him the eight and you know, it's he's 28, 29. If he's a fantastic star in the league at that point, you know, it's it's going to be big too. So I don't know, I don't think it hurts them. I don't think it's this is some crisis that like, oh, they're not going to be able to sign xyz. The connox, you got to spend money on someone. I just, I'm not sure that everyone thinks they're, yeah, everyone thinks their geniuses this morning. It's okay. I don't think everybody's as smart as they think they are giving out these deals, but secondarily to the point of like it's sapping some of the joy. I think there is a reality to that. And I was thinking about this recently because I find myself conflicted with college sports were athletes getting taken advantage of? Yes, absolutely. We clearly needed a new system in place, right? Like you couldn't have these basically multi billion dollar entity in the NCAA reaping all the profit and paying the head coaches millions and millions of dollars. And then the kids would go to a party and they had to pay for a hot dog. Like, yeah, it was, it was, you get concussions. Yes, exactly. Like you get

29:12the wear and tear of being a college athlete and nothing on the back end of this. That being said, you know, I watch these documentaries at times about old teams and the way that the bonding was. And I think that like, man, you live this. You were a collegiate athlete. Like there's something to being a broke college student that makes you who you are. It makes you have to go for those next runs. It shows like ambition is supposed to pay off. And I'm seeing this like with youth sports. I'm seeing this now with college athletics. I'm seeing this now with professional sports, which I get a professional, but it's like everything feels like it needs to be immediate now. So it's like, hey, your kids going to play rep. They're seven years old and they're going to have a wardrobe full of club outfits. Okay. They're in college sports. Okay. They're a millionaire now or they're making hundreds of thousands of dollars when, yeah, they shouldn't be financially responsible. Okay, you get in the NHL. Hey, I've played 46 games. Cool. Here's a 10 year contract. Like, I don't know if it's going to develop the same entertaining product in the long run. I think that something is going to be lost in doing all of this. And this is just a smaller piece of that puzzle,

30:17but I do think it is a piece of it. So I 100% agree. And as you're talking, like, I guess the overarching thought is like, I guess we're just old. Yeah. Well, that's definitely a big part of this. I don't see that changing in any way. Like this is kind of going to be the new normal. I think the complaint from a lot of coaches has been entitlement. Yeah. And players not wanting to, you know, put their nose to the grindstone and work. And they just kind of wanted handed to them. But I think that's like the league now. And I think we're going to see more players, NHL asked for trades and try to be, you know, on teams of their brothers or friends or whatever, because they just kind of wanted all handed to them. And, you know, you'd like to see the guys who just grid it out and maybe don't get paid till they earn it. You'd like to see them succeed. But I guess we'll just choose to root for those guys and not root for all the guys who are asking for trades, even though they're in very comfortable situations. Listen, we are definitely old. And so there's definitely going to be pushback from the youths on this take. But I don't apologize for

31:22this whatsoever. I had to watch dishes at boss pizza. You should. Yeah. I know that the weird thing is though is I actually do want better for the people that come behind me. Like I think that's kind of a piece of it. I just, that's actually what I care about. This isn't just like me being jealous or me being like, oh, back in my day, I think that we are losing something as a sports culture with the way that things are going right now. This like it reminds me of parks and wreck. The brother and the sister money, please. That's us. That's what we've become as sports people. Okay. So NHL pressure points 26 27. Basically just the premise of this is players, GMs, coaches, league, whatever you want it to be. Points of discussion that you think will have a level of pressure to them in the upcoming season. Do you want to go first or do you want me to? Why don't you leave? Okay. I'll take the easiest one off the board and that is it's the Toronto A police. I tried to isolate this down to one player like originally I thought, hey, Austin Matthews because we saw him yesterday speaking Orion Leslie about, hey, I'm healthy again

32:26and I'm feeling like myself and this team has some renewed optimism around themselves. But none of it works without Austin Matthews. He's the only guy seemingly on T. M. USA in a traditional hockey market that doesn't want out of said traditional hockey market to go to Florida. And yet he is the straw that stirs the drink here. Gavin McKenna is exciting. William Neelander is now suddenly on a brilliant contract yet again. They've got a lot of new players. They've got a new coach. They've got a new front office without Matthews. All of it kind of falls apart. That being said, I think the pressure is going to extend to everyone this year. Like John Chaka was a heavily scrutinized general manager. If these signings, if some of these moves don't look like they're working out, I think the seed of doubt is going to be planted fairly early. Hiller was a kind of out of the blue head coach. If it's not working out for him out of the gate, I don't think he's going to be given a long runway benefit of the doubt. Sergey Buprovsky is what 37 years old. If he doesn't look like himself, I think he's going to get the headbell for treatment when at bell for first game to Toronto, which was skeptical fans in the seats.

33:27The rookie, the first overall pick, he'll probably get a longer runway than anybody here. But yeah, if it looks underwhelming for the first three months of the season, it's going to be a lot of talking heads about what's going on and what his role should be. And if this was too much too early, I think that for a team that kind of decided that they weren't going to go through a rebuild and rather decided to do a reset, the consequences of that are you are under actually a tremendous amount of pressure, even though things feel very, very refreshed after what was pretty assimilating off season. Yeah, it's weird, right? Because it does feel like a fresh start, which shouldn't theory kind of take some of the pressure off them to find themselves a little bit. But because they didn't hire a traditional hockeyman when they went out and got Chica, I think that does change the perceptions. They did something vaguely different in the NHL. That'll step up the pressure. Yeah, there's always that here in this market. I would say it's probably the usual amount. It doesn't feel like it's an extraordinary amount, but I'll definitely sell it. It's less than years prior. And all I'm making the case for is it still exists in good quantity.

34:33All right, you want to go? Well, you know, it's your Matthew stuff. If it's not going great by Christmas, is he a leaf in March? Those are decisions where they're going to have to make. Yeah, mine would be also in Canada, March, I'll Canadians, Eastern Conference. They went to that series. They represented the Atlantic. They got Hudson and Demadov and these guys on deals that months later looked like just embarrassing for having signed them. It's like, what are you doing? You might have left $50 million on the table. But anyway, if you're a Canadian's fan, the doors wide open, everyone's a Windows open, guys are in cheap deals. You can add. It's time now. It's no longer just making it, making the playoffs is good enough. So suddenly, it's like things have changed for them. And I'm curious to see how St. Louis and the rest of the good time boys handle that. I love this pick. I had this pick and I have it very high. And yesterday, I was actually

35:35texting with a good friend of mine who's a Montreal Canadians fan. And he's very excited about the season as most Canadians fans should be, right? Like, if you were going to draft a Canadian team, like if we did a picks of who you'd want to be for the next four years, I think it's nuts that you wouldn't choose the Canadians first, even with the Edmonton Oilers and Conor McDavid on the board. Totally. That said, the thing that stuck out to me in the text was he said, we have now at least a four to eight year window. And I went, I don't think that you can ever count an eight year window. I don't think you can count even a four year window. That's really hard to do in professional sports. They are done, in my opinion, the innocent climb of, oh my God, can you believe all this young talent we have? Do they have other prospects in the cupboards? Is there a lot of moves that they can make? Absolutely. But now there is a pressure to win. This is no longer a you get to be happy to be here. Hey, this is a surprising upstart team. Now of a sudden, the Montreal Canadians are immediately under the gun to win a Stanley Cup. If they don't win at this year, no one's going to

36:39be like, this is a calamity. This is a disaster because of those contracts. But they are now entering a different phase of what I believe to be their franchise, their organizations expectation. And it's going to start to trickle to the fans. Yeah. And we started, we went through that with the Leafs as it turned the corner to, hey, they got all this young talent. And when it doesn't happen early, you go, okay, they get another crack at it next year. And you start to see these guys when they come up against real teams, how do they look? How does it change from the regular season? You know, and I think it hurts Montreal that when they came up against Carolina, they got absolutely filled in. Yep. You know, that plants a little seeded out and it's go, okay, what's different this year? Is it just learning and experience and whatever, how long do you get to go with that? So yeah, that's that's, that's how I'm my list for sure. Next one for me, Gary Bedman. Oh, really? Yeah. So you have now got the state tax issue that will not go away with fans.

37:41And that is being amplified by no movement clauses where players are trying to get their, their, their abilities down to state tax or free markets. So all of a sudden it's like Dylan Larkin puts out his list and guess who's on it? The Florida Panthers. Like, oh, shocker. You've got a team that just added Brady Kachak and is going to have a podcast basically running throughout the entirety of the season where if these guys are an absolute juggernaut, they're going to be rubbing it in everyone's faces. You have Connor Hellerbuck wanting out of Winnipeg. So you've now have a real depth of star talent in the NHL wanting out of a lot of the markets that have helped build this leak. So what is going to happen with it? Are we just going to treat this as, okay, it's business is usual. There's not going to be any amendments to these kinds of contracts. We're going to continue to ignore the advantages that some of these markets end up having. You now are going to 84 games.

38:42And so I think that if there is kind of a oversaturation of the product, I know it's only two more games, but regular seasons already feel longer in modern day professional sports. It's harder to keep an attention span over that period of time. I'm curious how fans are going to be able, we're going to react to that. You've got accessibility issues. And this has been a leak that has been kind of stubborn to make changes and sort of defiant in the face of fan criticism. And I think in the wake of all of these storylines, especially when the frustration, a lot of it is coming from the markets that make this leak run that the commissioner is going to start to take a little bit more heat, even though that's something that he's very, very accustomed to. Yeah, I even think like as guys move on and there's like concussion issues and stuff and you go like you not only did you not do XYZ, you added games to the schedule like that does look hard. The one thing I do think that could happen though, I think we're moving away from having to know so much about contracts. It's been brutal, dude. Like you've had to be a business fan of the past X years.

39:45And I'm hoping that the salary cap goes to a level where we don't have to grind. Like if a guy wants to get paid an extra five million because of the taxes in Canada, you just pay him the five million. You know, we're a ways from the cap getting that high, but hopefully it's we know less about it. But if we don't, if it remains whatever, because the GM's spend like drunk on sailors, then yeah, I could see I could see Gary catch a little heat there. I think that that's a fair point. And it's something that I've talked about fairly recently, which is the Toronto Maple Leaf should be getting back to a place where they can exercise more financial might than other organizations as the cap continues to rise and not everyone is paying up to it. But I still think that there is a level of dissatisfaction from Canadian fans, specifically who feel a little bit overlooked in terms of some of the way that the league operates. I didn't even mention expansion, which I don't think that there's a large appetite for other hockey fans right now saying we want more teams. We need more teams. We want more players. Right. And so it feels like a bit of a cash grab for the league. And

40:50is it going to dilute the product in the long term? I think that the vision for where this sport is going is in this guy's hands. And there needs to be a little bit of a satisfactory answer for the people who care about it. And the places that really do, I would say harbor the spirit of the game. Anyways, he just wants to leave in all the biggest markets, you know, like he wants to leave and say, we're in Neophenix, Atlanta, Houston, all those markets. Well, I want more. The moral status of Conor McDavid and the Edentine Oilers is going to be called into question if they don't win because they now have Stan Bowman, Mike Babcock. They brought in Alex Formington. They brought an Evander Cain, Corey Perry. They're like, we don't care what you've done. We'll do anything to win. You know, we've got a clip on our show Brad Mason. I fight my mom to win a Stanley Cup. These guys are like, we will associate with whomever if it'll help us win. And that's cool.

41:52If you win, if you have both lower lower your moral standards and don't have success, it's going to reflect poorly on the on the era. I just think that there's no team that has more pressure than the Edmonton Oilers. Yeah. Period. And to be honest, I don't even think that there's a close second given all of the parameters around this team. Conor McDavid has turned in 30 years old. And I did this with Jackie Bradman, but you hit those milestones and it's impossible not to think about your mortality. And if you're a professional athlete, you're doing that more so. And if you look at the history of the game with the greatest players, they stack cups in their 20s. Morning. And Alex O'Vetskin was 32 years old when he won his cup. He was not 36 kind of like the way that our minds eye picture that. Stamcoast one when he was 30. There is not a long list of superstar players, first overall picks that one cups who got their first one when they were 30 years old. And this guy does not want to be Ray Bork. He wants to be Conor McDavid. So this two

42:55year contract, the personality mix that they now have in the room, the attention that they are going to get because of that if things fail. The head coach that they have, the the star player, the age of these guys, all of it is this incredibly interesting, but pressure packs do. Nobody comes close. They are number one with a bullet, especially when you consider that this is Canada, and that's the only game in town. Sorry to be out. And like, Conor Lee on themselves are the most intense competitive people in the league along with Nathan McKinnon to a scary degree. And it's just like it's a powder keg and they could and should be good. If they're not ill, it's going to be fiery and fun to watch. Okay, I've got a few more. I'm going to wrap it fire through them since you said that one was your last one of the major interest. Okay. Conor Bredard. Good one. It feels weird. It feels weird to say this about a guy who I believe is now 21. Yes. He's 21 years old and it's going to be his fourth year in the NHL. So yeah, yeah, yeah,

43:58yeah, yeah, like I get it. He's got a long runway in his career. But Maclin, Celebrini has taken the world by storm and he is absolutely the guy of the future now. He tore it up for team Canada. Conor Bredard wasn't even on the team. Bredard has kind of shirked some goings to team Canada events. It has felt a little strained at times between him and the organization. And this is supposed to be one of the guys that was the faces the league. He's also in a super, super visible market and they have been kind of disappointing. But most of the narrative around this has been around his health and secondarily around the talent that he plays with. That being said, this is a league where the young stars are more visible than ever and more accountable than ever. He's now on a big money contract. He's entering year four. I think that this is going to have to be a more complete season and it's no longer a hey, Conor Bredard had 75 points, but it was an X amount of games and we're feeling good about that. This is a big season for him. Totally, totally. Yeah, it's time to put up a,

45:0090 plus 100 points, season 40 goals. If you want to live up to the hype and maybe he won't, not everyone does, but it would reflect poorly for sure that some of the stuff not going to T-Certain Team Canada events and just not seeming like he wants to be as involved and out there as maybe celebrating or some of the other guys. So yeah, I think that's a great choice. I still think it stinks that I'm looking at their page and they're like, yeah, we got all these these guys. It's largest in cancer of and it's like, all right, can we get him a guy like a guy now? Patrick Kane's old. Yeah, I don't know, but here's the thing though, the shark's thing amplified this because Celebrini is also not playing with, you know, the 2002 Tampa Bay Lightning here. Like this is this is very much a, like they took a step back from a roster standpoint this offseason at the draft. They decided to trade talent away to acquire more picks from the auto senators because they're like, yeah, yeah, we're not really there, but you're also afforded more

46:02of that luxury when your superstar player is looking the way that he is and elevating everybody else around him and also healthy. And the Dard I think has to start doing that where we're having what I call the crossbe conversation, which is all these guys are having career years because they get to play with Conor Bdard. Not oh, well, you can't blame Conor Bdard because he's not playing with anybody. It's got to start to show itself or it's going to become a bigger conversation. Brity Kachak. Yeah. Hey, buddy, you, you made a, made the move. We were very open and public and you asked for this. You better be good. Like, you, and it's interesting because he's on such a good team and he's insulated with so much talent that it's very difficult for me to see this team being awful again. Like I just, I don't see it. Yeah, no chance. But what if he looks like the fifth or sixth most important guy on the team? Yeah. What if he just kind of looks average? What if he struggles to kind of fit in? What if it feels like he's not really playing like

47:03himself or, you know, Brady in the past, I think has had a bit of a problem with like losing his cool and trying a little too hard to be this like enforcer type when he also has a ton of skill. What if he's eggs too much in that direction where he's trying to be part of the rat pack down in Florida and loses part of his game and this team takes a step back and we're looking at him and I think it's going to be pretty public and going, you know, it's grass isn't always greener, buddy. He is trending to be the player I've been most wrong about in their career. I loved Brady Kitchok, like loved love as a player. I love the his ability to get to that blue paint as interesting staying there. You know, I big guy, some skill like I kind of thought he'd be a perennial 40 goal 80 points punch in the face, you know, just like a top 10 value forward in the league sort of guy and he just hasn't done it yet. No, I'm wondering if he doesn't think it in a way that allows him to utilize all the tools he has because we're kind of at the point in the

48:06career where you think you'd see it by now. Correct. I did my, you know, sports net, some of us did the top 50. You did the top 50 players for sports net. Yep. Yeah, and I don't think I had Brady in the top 50. I think I had him just outside and Matthew inside. So, you know, to me, that's not where I thought he would be at this point of his career. I think it's a great point. Again, that podcast is going to hit a little bit different if he ends up being a 55 point player. That's all I have to say. Justin Bourne, thanks as always for making time brother. We'll talk to you again soon. All right. Thanks, Punt. See you, pal. Subscribe to this podcast and we will see you tomorrow with James Myrtle.