NHL Hockey on Rogers' Elliotte Friedman (3/10/26)

0:00Hey, it's Bob Stoffer. I just wanted to let you know that you can listen to Oilers Now ad-free on Amazon Music, included with Prime. Protein is now at Starbucks, and it's never tasted so good. You can add protein, cold foam to your favorite drink or try one of our new protein lattes or matcha. Try it today at Starbucks. My dad taught me a lot, including how easy it is to forget to cancel things, so I downloaded an experience. My BFF, big financial friend. Experience could help me cancel my unused subscriptions and lower my bills, saving me hundreds a year. Get started with the experience app today. Your big financial friends here to help you save smarter. Results will vary, not all bills are subscriptions eligible, savings not guaranteed, $631 a year, average savings with one-plus negotiations and one-plus cancellations paid membership with connected payment account required to experience.com for details. We will tell you that some gas and oilers now receive gift certificates to Japanese village. It's a true celebration for the census quality ingredients and unmatched grill set

1:02experience book your seat at JV Edmonton.ca. Bob Stoffer with you on Denver, in Denver, with the oilers. In every Tuesday on the show, we're pleased to have one of the most plugged in many of the business. There was like an unofficial scorecard of who was breaking what at the trade deadline in Elliott Freeman. He scored, of course, very high. He is brought to you by Abe's door service where services are especially visit Abe's door dots. How you doing, Elliott? Bob, you tell me. Oh, wow. What an interesting situation. It's funny. You and me have talked over the years about being radioed and having comments that maybe we met to be taken one way, taken another way. I've had my moments where I haven't had great clarity with maybe what I was trying to say. And then it ends up becoming sort of a life cycle on its own. And then you were on yesterday with your podcast and you made a comment and all of a sudden

2:03I, you go to Twitter and it's like all there was fighting with the oilers, players on the net, which definitely did not happen, but it's been an interesting, it does show you the passion. You do find out sometimes in these situations who your friends are and who they're not. But it's certainly been an interesting last 24 hours hasn't it been? Well, look, I mean, I think one of the things that I learned about this business and especially in the social media era is that you never know what is going to pick up steam. You never know what is going to viral. And like I've had some things where I've said and I felt like, all right, like this is going to be, I better be ready. This is going to be a hot thing. This is going to go a lot of different places and I better be prepared to talk about it and it doesn't go anywhere. And there's other situations where I'm like, ah, this is such a throwaway line. The one's going to care and all of a sudden it's a firestorm.

3:07And that's one of the things I just understand about the job we do, Bob, is that you never know what is going to catch fire. You never know what is going to be, get a reaction, see, it kind of have to be ready for everything. And, you know, the jari thing over the last couple of days, I honestly didn't think that much about it when I said it. I didn't know that I thought it would be that big a deal. You know, clearly, I was shocked last night when I got a text message from someone asking me if I'd said that jari got into like a fist fight with some of his others teammates. I was like, you got to be kidding me. Someone interpreted that, but like, you know, like I said, I think there was an exchange at practice and I don't necessarily think it's the biggest thing, but I, you know, I really, I mean, as someone who has like occasional battles with his co-workers, I don't think it's a huge deal, but I think it just shows it's been a challenge, you know, sometimes

4:12people show up on teams during the year and it's seamless. It seems like they've been there the whole time and other times guys show up on a team and it's harder. And I think in this case, it's been the latter. I think it's been a challenge for everybody to get used to everyone else. It doesn't mean anyone's a bad guy. It doesn't mean anyone's a bad person. It doesn't mean it's impossible to make it work. I just think it's been a bit of a challenge and they're working through it. Yeah, you know, it's interesting, Elliott, for a while, we had some people and maybe it was the vocal minority that, you know, the orders can't win with Stuart Skinner. And I think back to game seven against Florida and it's a one-bounds game. Yeah, but you lost, Stoffer. He didn't win. And I'm like, I've wondered what would have happened if Epitannia won that game, but how many different people would have changed the narrative? So I want to be careful of what I say here. I really like Stuart Skinner. I thought Stuart was a really good guy.

5:14I know members of his family, okay, you know, we joked today with somebody. Because there was a guy get else to get myself played with him a car, okay, on our Southside athletic club team, Aislein coach by Stu McGregor. And I'm like, there's no ways to let him think it well. So a car we played with, I'm not sure his genetics would be good enough to spawn the greatest defenseman that we've got of the modern era, but I have joked her out, right? But, you know, it's just the point in this is, with Stuart, I really like Stuart a lot, but I met what I said on Friday in the segment I did with Ryan Rischock. I, you know, I trust certain goalie gurus out there. I tend to believe them that Tristan Jerry has a higher ceiling on the Stuart Skinner that he handles the puck better, that he's more athletic. Unfortunately, since his injury, we just haven't seen it. And he's got, and the orders are going to need this guy the rest of the way. And so you, you observe some things and, you know, lesson learned and it's a way, and

6:15you never know what's going to be said at certain times. And it's kind of flattering in one regard to have guys right off guests on the show, like it is flattering in one regard, but you always get a little bit concerned sometimes if people interpret things, maybe the way you didn't quite meet it, or maybe you didn't say it quite effectively enough, or you used the wrong term to describe what you were trying to communicate. So, well, I, I look at this way, Bob, like, like, if I'm going to say something on my podcast, I'm responsible for it. Right. That's the way I feel. And I know you talked about it a little bit on, on, I don't know, Thursday or Friday with Ryan. But, you know, I looked into it. I was told some things. I honestly didn't think it was that big a deal. I, I think that, I, I think that when I was talking about it on, on the pond, 30 thoughts podcast yesterday, my whole discussion about that was more or less about, I think the others are, I don't know if I would say they're a team in transition.

7:18I don't think that's right, but I think they are a team that is trying to change the way that they, you know, go about games, their bench pattern, their substitution pattern, like, whatever you want to charge it, their ice time management, whatever. And I think they are trying really hard to change it. And you know, it's one of the reasons they went out and they got dickens in, it's another reason they went out and they got murky. Like with Skinner earlier this year, like, I think even the people who really like Stuart Skinner, and there are a lot of people who really like him personally, they just felt it had run its course. Like it was time to try something out. And you know, time will tell how that goes with Jari, the books are not closed, it's not over. And the thing that I always look at is, like, I am an optimist by nature. Like I'm like, everybody else who's listening to this program, I've had good days, I've had bad days, I've been at the top of the mountain, I've been underneath the mountain buried

8:19in dirt. And we all have days where we're successful, and we all have days where we're unsuccessful. On the days where you're not successful, the questions you have to ask yourself is, what can you do to make it better? How can you go about your existence so that the same mistakes aren't repeated? And I think right now we have an other team that's trying to figure that out. Like, can they distribute minutes differently? Can players who are in sort of like the bottom six or bottom roles, can they take ownership of their ice time so that they give no block no choice but to play them more? Can they play in a way it allows them to demand ice time? And you know, for Jari, I think that they've been a little concerned with some of this practicing. So I think they're like, you know, can we work on this and get it better? Like, none of this stuff comes from a place of anger, jealousy, or put people down. It's simply about, hey, things aren't easy right now.

9:21How do we make them better? And I don't judge anyone else differently than I judge myself. And I would judge myself in the same way that I would talk about any athlete or player. This episode is brought to you by Athletic Brewing Company, no matter how you do game day. On the couch, in the crowd, or manning the snack table, Athletic Brewing fits right in. With a full lineup of non-alcoholic beer styles, you can enjoy bold flavors all game-long. No hangovers, no buzz, no subbing out for water in the second half. Stuck the fridge for tip-off with a variety of non-alcoholic craft styles available at your local grocery store or online at AthleticBrewing.com, near beer, fit for all times. This Friday, the time traveling comedy movie of the year arrives. Mike and Nick and Nick and Alice only on Hulu. The film stars Vince Vaughan, James Morrison, and Asa Gonzalez in a wild action comedy about one disastrous night that spirals out of control. And here's the twist. There are two Vince Vaughan's.

10:22Don't miss Mike and Nick and Nick and Alice, written and directed by Ben David Grubinsky. Streaming this Friday, only on Hulu, rated R. Well, I will tell you this, Elliot, as a guy who's hosted this show for 17 years, always lunch and then orders now, and who had an afternoon drive show for five and a half years before that on 1260. I have said a hell of a lot more stupider things than I said on Friday over the years. Like to me, it was kind of like same deal. But I probably should have specified it used a more descriptive term to kind of explain what I said. You know what Bob? You know what I also think? Like this thing last night is bothered me. I mean, I'm not going to lie. It bothers me. Like, I'm responsible for what I say. Okay. And if I get something wrong, there's nobody else who's responsible for it. Like I'm responsible for it. Like, you know, like, like, yeah, sure, I listen to a segment.

11:25I heard what you said, but I'm not running to air based on anything that you said or lion said. I'm like, make it notes, because I often listen to your show online, some of the segments. Like, what am I missing out there? Like, whether it's an oiler's related gas or something else. Like, you listen to things. You take notes. You're like, oh, that's interesting. I'm going to follow it up. Like, you know, like, that's what I did. I followed it up. And I'm responsible for my own words. And, you know, like, if I say, like, if I say they got into it a bit practice, which I went back and I listened, that's what I said. Like, to me, that's a verbal thing. It's like me and you getting into it when we're arguing on the phone. And so if you think it's different than that, or you have, it makes you, or, you know, you say, oh, what does get into it mean? Then you check it. And it's, it's that simple. Like, like, I'm responsible for what I say. And if I leave it, like, I don't think you're responsible for anything I said on my podcast at all. I listen to your segment. I said, okay, let me ask around.

12:32And, but it also shows you, Bob, as we talked about at the beginning, that, you know, you always have to be careful with what you say, because you never know what's going to go viral. Yeah. And yesterday is when viral. And if there's any consequences to that, I'll deal with them. But, you know, I meant it from a way of, I think the others are trying to make everything better. I feel like every fan who's watching the others right now, this new show, is probably saying the same thing. Like, we need other players to make life easier on Leon on car. And, you know, I'll tell you this about Noblock, too, what I would really say is, I would bet Noblock also wants a situation where he doesn't have to call 97 and 29 every other shit. And I think that, I mean, it's like the chicken in the egg. Some players will say, hey, we don't get the opportunities. But I would also, if I was a player, I would be like, I like, when I got hired for Hockeyday in Canada, they said to me like 20 years ago, they said to me, like, what happens if

13:34you only get on like for 30 seconds at night? And I'd say I wouldn't like it. But I would also say, did I have anything or did I do anything that you guys were honestly wrong to keep me off the air? That's always the way I've looked at it. Like, whenever I do show, I've got to give the reason to put the camera on me, right? Right. And I know there's a lot of people out there, like, don't put the camera on it. It's pretty funny. More said that about me to do. But like, the thing is, Bob, like, I also think that the players who are sort of like, and I like to, I don't like to insult anybody like if you, I don't care if you're the 14th player on an NHL, four other NHL team, you're a hell of a player. But if you're like the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th player, you have to do stuff out there that makes like, makes them want to play. You have to, you have to force your coach to say, I, sorry, I can't keep that guy off the ice.

14:35And I'll say this, like out of the Olympics, seeing Frederick score a couple of times, like, I hope this is a really good omen for you. Yeah. Couple quick, you know, hitters here, just we'll have the Jari conversation. The reality is in the Western conference, at some time in the playoffs, if you're going to go in and, and an extended run, you're probably going to need both cold tenders. And the, the situation for, you know, Ingram's getting a second consecutive start tonight. He's given the oil. There's 10 good starts and 16 starts. That's a 62% quality start percentage. That's a really good number. Okay. But in the West, you have to have two goalies. And we've seen it because I think the best goalie on the planet is Connor Hellerbuck. And in years that he's had 60 plus starts, he's fatigued in the playoffs. And that's because I think they need to start, who's ever there as the other goalie and want to pick more during the regular season. And I don't mean to disrespect Kevin Sheveldale. If I get it, that goalie so good, you want him to start games are important. But I just think it's a bite. It's just a byproduct of playing in the Western conference. So the, the reality for Jari is the orders are going to need him. He would be the first guy to say he's

15:38got to stop more pox. And they're going to need him to stop more pox to have any kind of success caring forward. He is a part of the solution. It's going to be very important. Yeah. And the other thing I'll say is it's always interesting to me like, and maybe because I'm an amateur and I got to watch the greatest, you know, we saw Wayne in Vegas as an example and hung out with him for a while and shot something for a panel and all that. You guys had him on years at the Olympics. And I got to watch the greatest team that you're almost electrifying, exciting team five cups in seven years. But I want to see Calgary Vancouver and Toronto all be successful. I'm like, I'm stunned how it went for Toronto this year. I really am. I didn't think it would go that way. I thought tree added some size that could be beneficial when the playoffs came for the Maple Leafs. I feel bad for Brad and Toronto. I look at Calgary this year. That's I'm going to tell you right now. Their numbers don't tell a whole story. That is a more competitive team than maybe they're standing in the plate. They're placing the standing, you know, is that an in Vancouver? It's almost, it's almost crazy to think of where we

16:39were two years ago down the mountains to two to the connox to see what's happened now. But in a perfect world, the three best teams in the Pacific Division for me are Edmonton Calgary and Van Coover because I think it means the most for those markets. I agree with that. I always say, Bob, but before a sports net fires me, which, you know, never know what back to be, I hope I get to see a Canadian team win the standing cup. I don't care which one it is. I just want to see one. You know, I'll say this to Bob. I bet you there's some bunch of teams in the Western Conference. Well, probably one. And that's wild card two. Aren't thrilled to see Winnipeg so close in the rearview mirror. Yeah, they're starting to gain some steam. They're five points out. And Halibut might play every game the rest of the season. But he had the break during the year of the injury. That's the one thing that might help. Let's do some quick hitters. I did talk to Nazim Calgary today. And by the way, unsolicited in the conversation,

17:42he reinforced his appreciation for how classy the flames organization was through the whole process with his time in Calgary. I thought that was a nice touch. But just a thought on that coming together, seemingly late, or did it come together, seemingly later? Is it always there as an opportunity for Colorado to capitalize? Well, I think they've been talking for a little bit of time, Bob. But I think everybody kind of thought it was over when Nick Wawgot treated it from Toronto. And like on the on the Thursday, I heard it was close. And when the Nick Waw deal happened, I heard there was some hard feelings now that it didn't get done. Now a couple of people pushed back on that a bit. But there was some frustration. And then they reconvened after I think it was Friday morning, I think. And in the initial deal, Calgary was retaining 15%. They had to move

18:49it to 20. And the package got rejigged slightly in Calgary's favor for that. But I think there were people who did think it was over after they got lost. And then they were able to find another way to get it done. Like Calgary was interested in him for a long time or Colorado was interested in the reunion for a long time. They just think how retention would work. But they got it done on the Friday afternoon. And I know Calgary was obviously ecstatic. And I think that the Avalanche players too, like the playing story, I heard that McKinnon heard the rumors and asked the Avalanche to get it done. And I asked if that was true when I was told it wasn't true if that's a real shame because it wasn't a good story. Awesome stuff. Very quickly, in a minute or less, I heard some rumbles out of Montreal that there was a bigger play. And man, they got a lot of assets there. They're well positioned. What did you hear there? Well, I heard the nice rumors that have been all over the place. And I called on Saturday. And I was told that wasn't true.

19:56We'll see how that one turns out. Like I did hear the nice rumors. But I also heard the McKinnon had some other things going. Like they made it, they might have had more than one thing going. But I heard the same rumors that have been reported. They were denied to me. We'll see. Great stuff. Love having you on the show. Thank you for your time. Appreciate the clarity to help us out. And your integrity is now as always. So thank you very much. Hey Bob, anytime. Good luck tonight. Enjoy the game. All right. We'll take a time out. We have a doozy of a Oilers now, Game Day trivia for ProM Sports when we return. It's 454 Royal Country. Spring starts at the Home Depot. And we are bringing the heat to your backyard this season. Fire up the flavor with our wide variety of grills for under $300. Like the next grill for burner gas grill that's perfect for hosting your spring cookout. Then set the scene and turn your outdoor space into the go-to spot the patio sets for every budget. Bring it this season with grills that deliver flavor and patios that set the vibe from the Home Depot.

20:57Start your spring with low prices guaranteed at the Home Depot. Exclusive supplies at home Depot.com slash price match for details. All of the ingredients and unmatched grill side experience. Book your seat at JV Edmonton dot C.A. Let's go to Oilers Game Day trivia. All correct answers. You have to text us on the Ashley five floors text line. All correct answers. Enter to win a $50 gift card from ProM Sports where fans are family. They've just received some new Conor McDavid sign memorability. Be sure to check out ProM Sports dot C for details on their upcoming private signing with Ryan Newton Hopkins. Here's the question. There have been three players all time to have played with Sydney Crosby Conor McDavid and Nathan McKinnon. Three players all time have played with all three players with with McDavid Crosby and McKinnon. Two of the players because they're way too hard for you to get. Two of the players are Derek Prasard and Caleb Jones.

22:01Which current avalanche player who's played for all three this season is the third player. Texas at 780 451 8800. If you're ready for your next adventure, trust new S travel. Alberta's family owned and operated travel experts since 1979. Last year we did a trip to Denver here at the start of the year. The Oilers won those November 30th of 4-1 victory over the Alps. From European river cruises and all inclusive occasions to corporate incentive groups and luxury escapes, we have done 40 Oilers now road trips with new S travel over the last 15 seasons. There are travel experts take care of every detail making every trip stress-free and personalizevisitnewstravel.com, your local travel experts for every journey. Thomas Dias has an 880 news weather traffic update, former NHL GM and the man that started Octagon's player agency and friend of the show, Brian Lawton, up next.

23:21That is a 90s turn on global stream on stack TV.