Sportsnet Writer Jason Bukula (3/17/26)

0:00Hey, it's Bob Stoffer. I just wanted to let you know that you can listen to Oilers Now, Add Free, on Amazon Music, included with Prime. Baseball is back, and the first pitch is on Netflix. The New York Yankees, led by seven-time all-star Aaron Judge, head to the San Francisco Bay to take on Raphael Devar's San Francisco Giants. This season kicks off with one exclusive opening night game. Watch MLB, opening night, the New York Yankees versus the San Francisco Giants, live on Netflix, Wednesday, March 25th at 8 p.m. Eastern, 5 p.m. Pacific. 5 a.m. I'm up with a crisp, Celsius energy drink, running 12 miles today. Grab a green juice, quick change, and head to work, meetings, workshops. One more Celsius, no slowing down, working late, but obviously still meeting the girls for a little dancing. Live, fit, go. Grab a cold, refreshing Celsius at your local retailer or locate now at Celsius.com.

1:22That is the Skibaha with Maggie Coulter, and I know you're going to have a great time. This is Kabaah with Maggie Colter, and I actually stole a CD from a guy who son went seventh overall in 2002, NHL draft. And I got that from him back and I'm thinking it would have been 1994-95 and it's still sitting at the stopper household right now. That of course would be Craig Lupone, a son with John Fee, Lupo. Welcome back everybody, Bob Stoffer with you, and you're less than two ointers now. Final half hour segment on a day in which we find out Emmett will not have the number three overall picked from the 2014 draft

2:23and a generational player and his own right Leon Rice, so for the remainder of the regular season. Royal pizza pizza past and so much more. If you don't like me blame Royal Pizza, they've been an advertiser mine for 28 years dating back to my old Burdock Golden Bears games in the 1998 University Cup. They've been with us ever since. Royal pizza pick up their new spicy vegetarian pizza only for a limited time for a menu and a list of their locations visit Royal Pizza.ca. All right, a little bit of a departure here. Yes, we got the sharks in town, but we do have the NHL draft and we got a couple of Western Canadian kids that are going to be in the mix, certainly in the top three or four. And we welcome back a draft new rule, though he wouldn't call himself that from the pro hockey group in sports and Jason Bucola. Jason, it's Bob Stoffer. How you doing? Hey, Stoff, thanks for having me on. Good to be with you. By the way, now we're you scouting for an NHL team in the Bomyster loopled draft year? I was not. That was just before my entrance into the league. I just missed that, I just missed

3:27that class. I started just early after there. Okay, because I went to that draft that year in Toronto. The late Ken Dryden did about an 18-minute-long speech before the camp. I'm sitting there like, okay, Ken, like you are Ken Dryden, you're a man of, you know, a man's graphitas, but let's get on with you. And the owners, go ahead, you're going to say that drives the, I guess I drive Gary battening absolutely crazy. We would get, I'm sure you're aware of this because you've been doing this forever, but we get this before we go to the draft, we get this from the league. Who are the eight guys going to be that you bring up to the podium? And please do not announce the draft party back at your your home city and all this stuff. And guess what all the teams do bring more than eight, more than eight people. And it's just a little piece of some of them. So yeah, higher. I wanted the guys from Arizona, the one year, and I'll dress in the same suit. It's a suit. It is later. Just set the records straight,

4:29educate our listeners. What was the one or two NHL teams that you worked in the amateur scouting side with? Yeah, I started in Nashville. I was there for five solid years, and then I moved over to the Florida Panthers in 2010. And I was there until 2020. So we were, we were fortunate to come through some really good draft classes there. So I talked to Gagandowski from Penn State, who's a mild center, as you know, they have, they have done everything to reinforce their support. And they have not held back it. You know, they've basically put Gagand McKenna almost ahead of their program. Like, you know, there are certain programs in the NCAA where nobody's bigger than the program. And guys embraced Gagand McKenna. And I guess my opening question to you, when you're evaluating, because you put a new list out today, how challenging is it to equate the Swedish hockey league versus the NCAA versus major junior? Because we are seeing a significant uptick and scoring in major junior across across the

5:32three leagues this the last couple of years. Yeah. Oh, it's not easy. I will say that, especially if you look at my top five, you're pointing out the Iver Stenberg, who's playing in the SHL, the top pro league in Sweden. And then, of course, McKenna, what he's done at Penn State, then we get into Chase Read and Bear Hop and Maholtrus. So we have a mix of all three is what you're you're talking about here. It's not easy. So the one thing I will say about Stenberg. And that's where I was splitting hairs. I was really truly splitting hairs for the first time in a long time, because McKenna's game from call it November, when you and you got you and I have talked even off record, like just you know, talking about hockey. And my concern was that his off puck play and his willingness to do the other things when he's not scoring. It just wasn't good enough. Now, that's to approve exponentially. I'd say at least 35% from where it was, but it's still not quite at Stenberg's level. And, but the offense is so dynamic that I was very, very close at this time to putting McKenna back at one with the Stenberg win though with the SHL.

6:35As we as everybody knows, your listeners can can certainly appreciate this pro hockey, pro hockey and any league gets very, very hard after Christmas. When you're tracking towards playoff position or in Europe, like relegation to the outspan skin, for example, like those games are really, really hard. And, uh, Stenberg, when he hasn't been scoring Bob, he's still a plus player. He does all the other things very, very well. And that gives me reassurance that the B game will translate to the NHL when he's not scoring. Is it possible that Stenberg is a more complete player right now than either McKenna and as an example of Aeroff? And part of it just might be age because I think Aeroff's younger than all three of those are the young. There are the, yeah. There are the youngest of all three. As a matter of fact, you're out there off the youngest of all four on, on my top four. They're off the most raw talent out of that group. And that's where it's going to get difficult down the stretch here for some of the NHL clubs to really put this in the order that they're most comfortable with. And why?

7:38Like, Aeroff's going to have a chance to go to the U 18 world here and play in a high-level situation for Team Canada in Europe next month. I think McKenna and Stenberg might end up at the world championships. We'll see like with the big men's teams for both Canada and Sweden. But like, they're off as you know, this kid, I think he's a complete player. Like, I really do. I think personally that he's better than Aeroff and X-Blad was at the same time that we drafted X-Blad back in the day. So all four of the guys in my list, the top four, even the whole try and five. I think these are real staples for NHL franchise is going forward. But to your point, Aeroff, fitness is off the charts, maturity off the charts. He can play in all situations. He was number one on my list for a good portion of the season. I'm not saying you might not end up there again at the end of the year. That's how close it is for me. Yeah, it's interesting. So do you know off the top here, head with the average age of a freshman going on the NCAA is this year? Oh, it's got to be closer to 20 than it is 17.

8:38It's going to be in that way. It's 20 years and 200 days. There you go. Yeah, it's almost 21 really, right? Right. Amen. Like it's men at that point. And so we're talking about a 17 year old offendsman and in an 18 year old forward mechanic specifically, like I haven't seen enough of Stenberg other than the world juniors to really judge. And, you know, I do talk to Kelly Larson from the orders, you know, development side and he's certainly pumped in there. We got a guy told me Simon Lainen who, you know, there's theater or neederbock as an example might be a European that might have some, you know, a former Crite pick that's played in Sweden that might might be of some interest. But just, just, I haven't seen enough to talk about Iver that much. But I, you know, it's interesting what's happened this year with McKenna. Tossed out of the game with the abuse of officials of the world juniors came back, got actually liked the response on the ice on Kayn Lindstrom when he wiped out one of the Penn State's forwards.

9:39He went right back out. I'm interacting with the stick and got tossed out of the game. I don't got a problem with that. Like that's the stick's equalizer. It's a former teammate. It's a huge guy. They let him play the next day in the outdoor game. I was a little surprised at that. I thought he'd get suspended for one. Then he had the off ice incident and that's where I'm going to go. We're not there. We don't know. I judge guys by what I see and practice and what I see on the ice. But tell me, do you think that might factor for some team sort of, he's had an emotional year both on the ice, certainly with December in January. Yeah, I think an argument could be made that he's been mature on a lot of levels and immature on others. And isn't that part of being an 18 year old? Like think back to when you and I were 18 years old and I'm not, I'm not sitting here saying that breaking a guy's jaw and the bar is the right call. Don't get me wrong. Like, I don't want people to think, well, you know, you're misjudging this. His, his, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He just bled out what and he will never in my estimation make that same mistake.

10:40Again, he just won't his mom. Well, you know what happened. I got no problem with what happened where I come from. He shouldn't have been the only guy punch the guy. Exactly. I mean, it would have, yeah, it was very listed. I've come from Northern Ontario. We were from the same type of hill. That's how we're treated up there as well. Yeah, something bad is going to happen. You just don't do those things, right? Right. Right. It just so happened that it's Gavin McKenna and listen, I'm not even going to go there. I do think that I've worked with some, I know a lot of the guys, the decision makers in any shop like this is a situation that goes up the food chain. So it goes from like when I was working on a deal, founder Florida, he's going to have to take that situation to our owner, Vinny Biola and say, listen, we're comfortable with this. This is what really happened blah, blah, blah, blah. And you know, this is the reason why. In a weird kind of way. And maybe I'm going to get on my high horse a little bit in a weird kind of way. I, I hold them in high regard for standing up for a situation that was up toward. Like I hold them to, you know, to that it's not a great look.

11:41I get that, but the doofus on the other side deserve what was coming to them too. And some people might not like to hear that, but that's, that's the reality of it. Beyond that, let's not forget this on the hockey side. Every building the Gavin McKenna went into after that happened, including Michigan on the road, shortened there after. He was absolutely abused by the student body on the other side because the buildings are full, Bob, when he goes on the road, right? And he's getting it from all angles. And all he did was perform to the best of his ability. And to me, he deserves credit for that. Yeah. Well, they haven't had healthy centers all year at Penn State. He is a winger. That's an is it. You have Stenberg as a winger? All right. Stenberg's going to have to play the wing as well. Okay. Yeah. And there's part of your discussion. Now, he mentioned Chase Reed. Has he played in the last two months? Chase Reed? Yeah. Chase Reed has been, yes, yeah, absolutely has. And his last 10 game segment, he was, he was unbelievable for the sugary homes. He was the average between 26 and 33 minutes. And that's a lot of 10 game segments.

12:41So he was on the world, he was on the world junior team as well, right? Yes, yeah, he was on team USA. So when, sorry, yes, when, when, when, when, when, when Hudson went down with that shot, if you recall, in the world juniors, Hudson, the defense from the power play quarterback for team USA, who just signed with the Washington Capitol. He took a shot in the back of the net on a power play in for a primary defending and defending in his zone. And then Reed had to step in to be the power play quarterback. That American team, they weren't connected. They didn't have a good tournament as a host, but Chase Reed was very good there. The thing about him is that he's been an underdog bob from the word goal two years ago. This kid couldn't play in the water. Lew in the USA child for some reason. He goes to the North American league, fights his way through that, ends up in Susanne Marie. And he just goes off and he just keeps getting better and better every week. It's really close. It's, it's really close between these guys. He's an outstanding skater. I mean outstanding, a transition, but any what he's, what he's really introduced to this game. Is that pushed back physically? He's mean now.

13:41Like he's gapping up and killing plays before they get inside his own blue line. And I appreciate that as a step forward in his game. Why? And I do think it's, it's, it's got to be hard. I mean, Verhoff was the first defense minister scored 20 goals as a 16 of the dub last year. I've watched the WHO a lot this year at the games that have been in here, scoring up. There's no question. And now I'm going to ask you about two guys of the WHO that are scoring a ton. I love Bryce Pickford in last year's draft, Stan Bowman and myself. I, I, we talked about, you know, I brought him up in Blair St. Martin, Hunter St. Burns dad, Tipped me off former captain of the Alberta Golden Bears and this guy is way better than everybody thinks and he's, I don't know if people know this, but he went into what we can't hide in WHO goals with 44 and he's, he's built like a brick, you know, one house like he would do fine in Northern Ontario. But they got two brothers, the rock brothers that are having an amazing offensive campaign in Minnesota and medicine at plays a free flow game on a Willie Day, Jordan, where do you have the two rocks?

14:45Are we talking to late first round picks or because they're two of the top four scoring players in the dub? Are we talking about a couple guys that have shot up here and are in the middle of the first round? I think Liam has a chance to be drafted. He could be a lottery pick like I can see between 14 and 16. I haven't, I have Liam at 19 on my list. So the difference between these two guys between Liam and Marcus part of me, let's go. Liam's more, he's got more burst to his game between the blue lines on zone exit, deep at the zone exits. He's got more push through the neutral zone, which creates more space for him to do what he really likes to do, which reps pot. He likes to rip pots. He's more of a goals for than his brother Marcus. Now Marcus who plays center has Liam plays the wing. Marcus is not as good a skater as his brother, but he's got phenomenal vision and great putt touch. Now, what are they both having common where lentless compete? As you know, stuff like if you don't, if you don't have relentless compete,

15:46when you end up at the pro level, it doesn't matter how skilled you are, you're not going to get it done. Like you have to be a relentless competitor, the national hockey league, when games get hard, or it's just not going to translate. So they're both not big, okay? One of the markets is smaller than Liam right now. But let's just say that they end up at a buck 80, five 11, six foot, a buck 80, a buck 85 plenty enough weight. And they've got the makeup, they're relentless and they have skill. I've got Marcus at 24, I've got Liam at 19. All right. If people want to follow you, Jason, how do, how do they follow your work on that? I guess on the X that probably be the easiest way. And then obviously, yeah, my team on the X, it's a pro hockey group. And then obviously it's more set thoughts, yeah. And there's going to be lots more of this to follow here in the coming weeks. I'm heading over to Europe shortly from the U 18s, but obviously fall in all the playoffs in the NCAA right to the end here. So I appreciate you having me on my friend and let's do this again. Yeah, let's hope the oil can get through this injury bug here with the right signal. Yeah, that's a big one. Hey, thanks for your time, Jason.

16:48Hey, soft to care. You bet for any child scout heads up the pro hockey group. Jason Buckela, it is 521 in oil country. And we'll tell you a modern measure to find fit and to find style to find you. Right in the heart of Ice District in Edmonton, modern measure, MD RN measure. They can make me look good. Imagine what they can do for you. Normally, I have Elliott Friedman on the show. He's traveling his appearances are brought to all seas along by AIMS door service where services are especially visiting AIMS door.ca back with this day in order. History to close today's show USA knows dynamic duos can save the day like superheroes and side chicks or auto and home insurance with USA. You can bundle your auto and home and save up to 10% tap the banner to learn more and get a quote at usa.com slash bundle restrictions apply. 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.

17:50Then 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 radios that set the vibe from the Home Depot. Start your spring with low prices guaranteed at the Home Depot. Exclusions applies to home Depot.com slash price match for details. They say you should learn something new every day. Like how you should only drink Yeager Meister at zero degrees Fahrenheit. Ice cold like those frozen cavemen they find which makes you wonder what would a caveman think of Yeager Meister? Well, if you served it more, I mean probably throw it in your face, say Ungabunga and storm off and nobody wants that. So drink it cold or not at all? Yeager Meister. Damn, that's cold. Drink responsibly Yeager Meister. LeCure 35% alcohol by volume imported by Master Yeager Meister. US White Plains, New York. America leads the world in medicine development. It matters. We get new medicines first nearly three years faster. Five million Americans go to work because we make medicines here at home and not relying on other countries keeps us safe. But China is racing to overtake us.

18:51Will we let them or will we choose to stay ahead? When America leads, America cures. Let's tell Washington to keep us in the lead. Learn how at americacures.com, paid for by pharma. This is Ty Emerson from your Edmonton Oilers and your listening to oilers now with Bob Stoffer on 888. Again, Ty Emerson skated today in the optional. I tomorrow is a CBA mandated off day. I expect Emerson at practice on Thursday. The orders will before that's the morning skate on Thursday. I can see him practicing Friday and potentially back in the lineup by Saturday. Oilers in Florida, Thursday, Oilers in Tampa Bay, Saturday. Huge one tonight against San Jose. Let's go to this day in Oilers history for new S-Travel, your local travel experts. We alluded this to this a little bit earlier on. Here's the young gun, Aiden Gannum. On this day in 1993, the Oilers trade, asset teacon into the New York Rangers in exchange for dog weight. Weight tallied eight points and 13 games the rest of the way and ultimately spent

19:54nine years in Edmonton serving as captain scoring 577 points in 588 games. Let's face it for the back half of the 1990s. Doug Wait was the best player in the amateur oilers. There is no debate about it and he was the first class guy to deal with as well. If you may, and I was even less significant than I am now. So, and he traded everybody like gold. Even sort of guys sort of breaking into it a bit. If you missed any of today's show, make sure to download, subscribe to the Oilers now podcast available on Apple Podcasts. Spotify anywhere you can get your streaming audio. Tomorrow, our regular rotation on Wednesday features Pierre LeBron, Rob Brown, and John Shannon. We'll also have a review of tonight's game. Brennan Escott has the city forward face-off show beginning at 535. Thank you today to Derek Scott and Kellyn Kennedy and Aiden Gannum. Off to an 880 News Weather Traffic Update with Thomas Dias. Two teams, one cup. The prime time stage is set for the TGL presented by SoFi Finals,

20:56Los Angeles Golf Club versus Tiger's Jupiter Links. Keep up, it's playoffs. Tune in Monday, March 23rd, 9pm Eastern on ESPN2, and Tuesday, March 24th, 7pm Eastern on ESPN, and on the ESPN app.