The Deadline is Coming

0:00America 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. Will 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 americancures.com. Pay for by pharma. 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. To their zone, we only got some going the other way. I thought in a second we were a lot better at that and it was a better period for us. That start to the third period our first three shifts for our veteran group to let that happen. You know, we talked about it. That was embarrassing. We gave up. We gave up breakway. We gave up three on two and then we gave up a two on one,

1:03which became the goal. We'll try for this show not to be embarrassing. Welcome to Jets at noon. I'm Ross Levittan in for Cam Poitris gym tote here as well after a four out of six point road trip for the Winnipeg Jets that ended with a two one overtime loss in San Jose yesterday. Jim kind of feels like four to six points is a flattering way to put it. We were a veteran group too. So no, don't hold us to a higher standard because you never know what we're going to get to Ross Levittan. Good to see you, my friend. Yeah, likewise. You back on Jets at noon. Yeah, you just, that's a coach that's had enough, right? Not saying he's quitting or that kind of enough, but he's seen this song and dance before and still can't believe that his veteran group is doing that. So I've said this already on the start when I joined, um, McLean and KK this today and kind of the yesterday too. I thought it was a pretty good hockey game. Like it was pretty entertaining to watch. There's lots of speed. San Jose is one of the fastest and and transitional teams in the league.

2:06I thought the Jets kind of held that a baffer as long as they could and everything, but then the mistakes, right? And so everybody's kind of talking about Scott O'Neil's comments from yesterday and I'm kind of, I'm not reading too much in between the lines of them, but I think he's had enough. He's like, how many more times do you think he can tell this group the same thing? Yeah, that's about defending and not turning the puck over and not giving up a breakaway down the middle. And I just, I think he's like, if that was his son, he'd be like, I'm going to have to ground you. You're going to have to go to your room and I don't know when you're coming out because you're just not listening. And look, both teams had their fair share. Chances, there's that sprawling right pad save on a breakaway that an adult which made after missing a poke check. They could easily win the game easily, but Connor Hellbuck was also outstanding, too. How did you view that game? Like I put out last night that, you know, after the result in the stats, I'm like, there's a pretty good hockey game. I don't think it was like Olympic level best on fast. No, no, but it was fast paced. It was physical. There was great

3:07goal-tending. I thought both goal-tenders stole the show. Yep. And then, you know, overall, it was kind of entertaining. I had a lot of pushback, but the pushback I got were from Jets fans who've had enough. Right. And it's hard to say. Exactly. And not only that, but when you had such a build up of frustration, a good game doesn't cut it. You need a result. Right. And that's what Kyle Conner said in the post game, right? He's like, you know, where you feel like we left some points out there. That's how I feel about this four points since out of a possible six in three straight games. You've got the way they blew it in the stream. You're giving away points because of the way you blow games. And, and that's just the truth. Any other team that's playing well or is in fighting it right now or all season, to be honest with you, you know, you got four, you came out of the Olympic break and you got points in three straight games. That's a win. But not with this team because you should have literally probably gotten six. Yeah, you should have. And that's the problem right now with this team, is that this is what you should have been and could have been. And you're just not. And

4:08your nine points out of a playoff spot. So at that point, it's almost like either get both points or get no points. And let's get this traffic as high as possible. And then didn't they start the coming out of the Olympic break nine points out of a playoff spot? Like they literally got four points in three games and they didn't move. Same spot. Yeah. Now you can look at it at the standpoint that there's an eight game home stand coming up now. Now there's some tough teens coming in. Tampa's one of them. We were just talking about how amazing the season they're having right now. And they're going to be ornery because they just had two of their worst efforts. And John Cooper ripped them in the media after the last game. But if you can somehow go seven and one, eight, no, dare I say, then you have a chance. Like that's how far fetched it is. Well, that's the thing that they can make up that ground. But honestly, you know, on the other comment that people are talking about is when can we, but the Winnipeg Free Press has Scott Arneal about the inefficiency and after regulation, either the shootout or over time. Oh, that broke my heart

5:12here in the Connor Halibukse allowed the most three on three goals this year. And Scott Arneal said personnel has a lot to do with it. So I immediately like I saw it blow up on social media last night. I revisited again this morning. And I'm trying to think, well, there's no need or need a rider. There's no Josh Moore. So Josh Moore, C three on three would help you immensely. Of course. But I'm like, I don't think that's what he's talking about. And so then like I've been getting all this week since the Olympic break. Why the, some people just why the F is Nyquist out on three on three. And I'm like, why do you think there's a GM who's trying to move? Yeah. There's a GM who would love to see somebody go, I'll give you a fifth round pick for Gus Nyquist because he just got two goals in the last three games. What a mistake, though. How do you think that goes over with Scott Arneal? And how do you think it goes over, let's say Morgan Barron who had a fantastic game? Why is he not getting that? Morgan Barron isn't getting moved and Northern, do they want to? So he's not. And what if I were warning good play? I'm not saying I know that's what's going on. No, but there is an undertone leading up to a deadline that you want to

6:16kind of showcase your guys to an extent. Nyquist gets one or two or he gets a goal in a system of all three games. You might be able to sell him. He's got zero. Zero. We're time on two goals and five games. Zero. But you know what I mean? If you're trying to sell depth by Friday. Yeah. And you're looking for a six round pick. Zero. Then you might get, you know, he's got a goal in an assist. He's coming around zero. There might be a jammer goes, I'm never going to play this guy unless it's six deep in injuries, but I'll grab him for a fifth rounder. My, my initial thing and I look, I get Josh Morris. He's out, but it speaks to a lack of depth on the blue line that Hayden Flurries out there in three on three. Like this guy's a healthy scratch at times this year. This guy's out there in three on three. And he can't defend an 18 year old rookie coming down one on three. Come on. I just, I, so I don't like, I know we're going to hear a lot of Scott or Niels lost the room and those comments are direct shot at shovel day off. I just, I don't think there's shot at shovel day off. I just think he's like, look at our person

7:17out. And where we're at? Like, yeah, well, I think that it might not be a shot, but it should be. Yeah. Valarity, prophetic and over time. I guess over night. If you go back to last trade deadline, when the jets were 100% buyers, all the roster moves since then have made the team worse. Every single one, Luke Shen, Brandon Tanev, and he leaves right away did absolutely nothing in his time here. Second Stint. And then I don't, Luke Shen played in the playoffs. Yeah, did he play well? Is he worth a second and a fourth round pick? It was physical again, St. Louis. So nobody else was. That's cute. But do you give a second round pick for that? No. For depth. Yeah. Well, let's find out what he's going to get this year. Yeah, let's see if they can get a second back for. I don't think they're going to get a second form, but I bet you they can get a third or a fourth. I bet you they can get a third for Luke Shen. Okay. Yeah. I mean, that is a commodity. I was mentioning my jets report earlier today. The commodity of a big right shot defenseman that has a Stanley Cup in his back pocket. Now I would say, hey,

8:18how do you get a Stanley Cup? I'll play in 10 minutes a night on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Yeah. But I get it. Stop. This people said that about Zach Bogosian when he went to Tampa Bay 2 and played 10 minutes a night and help him win a Stanley Cup. Yeah. Because as injuries piled up, he played 15 minutes. Yeah. But help is like getting an A on the group project, right? Where you just signed your name on it. You said I was complaining about getting them. No, no, but he certainly wasn't in the top 15. Yeah. I'm not sitting here trying to tell you that or tell anybody that Gus Nyquistis or Luke Shen that. But people go, why are they still in the lineup? Well, why do you think they're still in the lineup this week? Yeah. No, no. For sure. That's not the problem for me is the pros scouting inefficiency to say Gus Nyquist can plug in in a top six role to replace Nikolai ealers. No, but Jonathan Taves come again and we could start him. He's our answer at second line center or maybe Larry moves up and he's talking jets. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. I just mean the jets and how they've constructed this roster from last trade deadline to

9:21now. There's I've lived here for five years, Jim. And they've needed a second line center since I moved here. Like and they always go get one. They go get peer looked to boi. Yeah, they go get Sean. For sure. So it's not like they don't going to get them. Are they fit? They don't stay and they don't fit. They don't stay. Sean Monahan wasn't a fit to improve the power play and want a ton of face off. So those were the two biggest things they needed out of their second line. For sure. Yeah. And they chose not to stay. Yeah. Yeah. That's really about peer looked to boi wasn't a fit. No, I didn't think so. I thought it was a face 60 points both seasons. Yeah. They don't need 60 points out of a second line. I love the trade. I love the trade that they got rid of them for he wouldn't stay either. Well, so there's there's the issue. So what you got to only trade for guys that have a lot of term left. Is that the answer? I don't I don't mind in in this market trading for guys that you get one or two years out of them. Okay. So you just kind of have to have a road. I don't I don't think but I'll tell you this. We've talked about this before. Robert Thomas and I was in cadre. All these guys have full no moves. Do you think any of them? No, no chance. But Sean Monahan came maybe the block came. Those are what the jets are facing when they grab them. And both those guys did their job

10:24when they were here. They just didn't stay. Yeah. So so you're okay with just having kind of the rotation every. I'm not okay with it. No, I think they need to go solidify their second line center spot. I think that's why they went and got, you know, bring Jagger and I think that's why they're holding on a Kobe Barlow. But that's years away. Yeah. So maybe is it then a development thing? Because I'm looking at the stats for the Manitoba moves this year. Chibberkov scores just third goal the season yesterday. I just don't think they're drafting his high end players as they've, you know, immediately the draft. I'm like, yeah, everybody's talking to picks. Everybody's talking about Billy Hainela. Yeah. He was a first rounder. No one's talking about the second round of lies. Solomon, who looks like a style. Yeah, he looks good. So that's a good pick right there. And over time that because people like to make fun of the picks, they've been making. Yeah. Nobody's talking about the ones that are working. But are they working? He's got 1.16 games. He's off empty defense 16 games. He's a rookie on a terrible team. I think from what I see from his play, it looks very promising. Yeah. No, I'm a fan of Salomon,

11:26other than the Jets not making the playoffs and and the moose making the playoffs. I think he's played his last game for the moose. Yeah. I would agree with that. So, but this is interesting. This is why I'm happy you're here because Cam and I kick this round all the time and people who are listening to our thoughts. What is your thoughts on the Jets and where they're at and what they should do this week? Yeah, it's really interesting. Well, the big question's obviously Logan Stanley. And I am a proponent that you cannot go past the deadline with him unsigned and untreated. You have to and if I'm in charge, I'm trading him because for me, his values never going to be higher. I 100% agree with you that they have to do one or the other. If you have him as a $5 million player, which is the number that I've heard thrown out there for him. And I know the caps going up. They're still sticker shock of guys getting paid more. Sam Milinsky just signed for almost $5 million season. I'd argue that a lot of hockey fans don't even know who Sam Milinsky is with the Colorado avalanche playing a depth role. But that's the cost of doing business. I get it. But man, this seems like the perfect time to capitalize on a guy who

12:27shooting an unsustainable percentage as nine goals is never going to be as high in my opinion as he is right now. And if a team gives you a first round pick, I don't care if that picks 30 second overall. I still think that the value of that pick to move in a trade to acquire a top six center. If that's what you can do this summer, has more value than holding on to him being a top four solution because then he's a let's say unique player. Let's put it that way. That's my polite way of saying it. But there's some there's some flaws in his game. He's on the highlight reel quite often on the wrong side of things. I just do not see a world where he can be a top four defenseman on a competitive team. So let me ask you this. We've discussed Shen and Stanley. Yeah. Why do teams want them? I think that I like Steve Iseman going to talk to about Logan Stanley. For me, Steve Iseman has assembled one of the worst decoys in the National Hockey League outside of the top pair. Really? Is bottom four for me? I'm not a Ben Shirok guy. I'll do respect. I thought that contract was wild. Then you've got Axel Sanding pellet goes like dash 20 on the season. He's like a

13:30zirx and kid. Who's that? No, Evan said their top pair is awesome. Their top pair is awesome. And they they spent two top six picks to get them both cider and Edvinson top six picks. I'm talking about the depth he's brought in around it. They just gave hammock contract this season. Jacob and our dockers on the back end there. I'm not a fan of Albert Johansson. So for me, I get it and teams do want that. Let's look at Tampa. Eric Ternack is a very successful story of that kind of defenseman who helped them. He's physical. But what he can do is move the puck a lot better than these other guys in my opinion. You're right that every team wants those guys, but you can't have just that type of player on the back end or else you'll go in a world where Hayden Florey's out there in three on three over time. I think you need a nice balance of guys with I mean, movers and guys who can be we always hear a good friend of ours by a mertmathal. You play for the sense that you want trees on the back end, not shrubs. And I can appreciate that sentiment. But I think the perfect ying yang of one guy whose physical mean big can clear the front of the net and one guy who is your designated puck mover. That's why I loved like Neil

14:34Pionk, another player offensive defense and like him. I thought he played his best hockey when Brendan Dillon was with. But here's the thing. People are going, why is this guy at why is Hayden Florey out there yesterday? He can skate, right? Sure. Who else is there? Neil Pionk is out. Josh Morris is out. Colin Miller is out. All those guys would be out on three on three. Yeah. So you don't have day. You don't have enough depth. You got to roll Florey out there, right? I mean, if you're the coach, you do, but I would have put salamons in it because like how realistic is playoffs right now? Does that one point matter more than putting your young player in a situation saying he can't handle that to management. I might not, but to the room. It does. But do you think the top players on the Jets are like, hell, yeah, Hayden Florey's out there and over time? We got this. Yes. No, because he's a puck. He can skate. Would you rather have Luke Shennel? Yeah, go. Not your other option. He had a great pivot there watching Misa go right by him and score. Do you want Luke Shennel there instead? No. Well, then what's your options? My options would have been to go back in time and look at the shed. That is depth Hayden Florey.

15:37Is it? Yes. Is it in 32 team NHL league for the 25th place? Well, you tell me when Luke Shennel gets dealt. Yeah. Then we'll see. Then there's that's your depth. That's what teams are looking at right now. Yeah. And then that that'll bottom out the Jets even more. Is that what you're going to do? I just if they're fully healthy, I can understand the Hayden Florey beat not being out there. Yeah. And if they're fully healthy, they're not missing going more. See Pioch more. See, you're not worried about a third guy. You're throwing in another guy. Are you? If it goes to five minutes, you are, I mean, there was a minute 40 and over time they score the goal. Right. But that's what you got to do. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's a it's a situation right now. The Jets are fine in themselves in where I just don't think they have the personnel right now. Like they they have a great. They don't know. They've got a top nucleus of a lot of talent. Hellbuck signed for five more years. You got a number of other guys signed there in terms of your your shifly Connor Valardi. Like you can build around this, but you have to be smart. Well, yeah. You have to be smart. But but you also are behind the eight

16:39ball here. You are. Like Eeler's leaves that take around a Brock Besser. Everybody's talking as if they wanted Gus Nyquist here. Oh, when did they sign Gus Nyquist? 48 hours after Eeler said no. Yeah, it was very 24. So did they did they wait too long? Should they, I think you know, you can't wait long enough with Eeler's if you want to keep them, but the minute he says no, you got to move on. You know, it's fascinating. Gus Nyquist was written down going in the offseason going, we got to get this guy. Something fascinating. You mentioned Brock Besser. His names come up in trade rumors. Did he just sign a seven year extension? I got some insight on that too. Oh, let's discuss that next. And that's what we'll do. This is fantastic. Is now at the bottom of the hour. We'll go where does this team go this week? Lots of reaction coming in. People are fired up as the Winnipeg Jets are about to come home for an eight game homestand that begins tomorrow. This hour of Jets at noon is brought to you by Boston pizza. Come in for lunch every weekday to Boston pizza. Get a delicious main side and an

17:43ice cold drink for only 15 bucks only at BP. I'm Ross Levittan alongside Jim Toath. Your reaction can continue in at C.J. O.B. You can also find us on social media at Ross Levittan at Jim Toath Sports. You want to get the trade deadline or? Yeah, I mean, we covered the weekend, right? They come home. They started an eight gamer. As you said, I think Chicago's interesting on Tuesday. Yeah, but I think the dynamicness of Tampa Bay is how many cars do you think are coming in from a giant of of Conor Baudard's super fans from his time in the WHL? Maybe two, maybe two. They don't like that he's not in the playoffs or want to see him or I gotta tell you, I was fortunate enough to I took my oldest to the first time Baudard played here. And that was when the Jets won three one, but he made that play in the ozone where he sort of passed. Yeah. And then he went to the net and then he came back around as he came back around the puck came loose and he just like

18:43jumped on it and such a player. Yeah, it was just a phenomenal play. Like it was I think a lot of veterans wouldn't have the the foresight to see that play go that way. And so it was, but that's about all he did that game. But he's yeah, Chicago is interesting. I mean, so the Jets trade deadline. I'm interested in what you think we're they're going to do because we're going to kick this around Cam and I for the rest of the week. But I I don't know like there's the Tyler Bertuzzi's the so you mentioned Brock Besser, right? Yeah. So when they went to Vancouver last week, I was fortunate enough to be asked to go on sports net 650 with Helford and Brough. Jason Helford or second best interview of the week after the Frank's Air Valley one. I don't know if you heard that we caught Jason joining us the next day right after the ceremony one. And he was exhausted. That was great radio. That was great radio. But like so I mentioned that I said, I don't know like if there's I kind of said, I think Vancouver and the Jets are trying looking at the same type of players like the Bertuzzi's or what have you to sort of even though the Vancouver Canucks, I think are full on rebuild and the

19:47Jets are going to retool two different things. But but I said, I don't know about Brock Besser on Vancouver radio said I and I say that because he didn't sign up for this. No, and the Jets were in on him. And and after him, I think they offered him eight million. And you know, he settled for seven seven five to stay in Vancouver, but they told me I don't I don't think he just got engaged for Vancouver girl. I don't think he's going to sit down and go, I got you a wedding gift. It's a house in Winnipeg. Hey, close to home though. He's a Minnesota boy. Yeah. Minnesota boy went to UND, right? Isn't like half the team Minnesota boys sign them up. But so that has gone to the wayside, right? Like and so I don't know if him getting engaged to a local girl and and and maybe want to say in Vancouver, but he for sure did not sign an extension for this. No, Quinn Hughes gone. Well, you could say the same boat like half the guys on that team because if you look at it for a team that's trying to do a fire sale, getting rid of guys like Connor Garland's another name that's out there. He's his extension hasn't even kicked in yet. It's till 2032. He signed Jake

20:48DeBrosca signed till 2031. You mentioned Bessar 2032. Elias Pederson who has a full no move clause. Same as Brock Bessar. Same as Jake DeBrosca like Connor Garland's no move kicks in next year. You've got that your Demko with an extension that hasn't kicked in yet. Like they locked up everybody and then traded their best player. Yeah. Outrageous. So half the text line right now is going they agree with Ross and and it's about time somebody calls out the Jets on this. It's not to me about calling out the Jets. It's about looking at what you see and telling what I what I think that's I think and I've been taking heat for it all year. I don't think this team is terrible. I think they have a great core and they're playing terribly with the lack of depth into what you said everybody they brought on board has been has not worked out. Then you add in the awful seasons from the veterans like need or need a rider Vlad domestic off all of that. But you were lucky to get the seasons you did out of Vlad domestic off. He had been a fourth line guy

21:49in the league for 10 years and then all of a sudden he was propped up as a decent top six option to have him as a hinging player on your team should not be the deal. So this is what I want. So I kind of call him. This is what I want to do with you about this. Who else is the bad cop? Okay. No, no, you represent half of Jets nation. I believe it right now. Half the text want the Jets called out for their BS moves. You have the best goal in the league and your nine points out of a playoff spot is pretty unacceptable. I sit here and go. You asked, um, Nick Eilers to stay. Yeah. He didn't. You went after Brock Besser offered him eight. He took seven point seven five. Who's next? That's coming to Winnipeg. Yeah. It's a great question. Make a list. I'll give you all a week. I'm not sitting here when Tanner Pearson, Gus Nyquist and Cole Kepke were signed going that was at the top of the list for the Jets. I don't think they're at the top of the list for a lot of the teams, but I think they're players that are willing to come to Winnipeg. And for everybody who is happy you're calling out the Jets, I would like to know who you want them to go get.

22:54I think Robert Thomas would be fantastic here. I think Nazim Kodry would be fantastic here. None of those guys are coming because they have full no moves. Brock Besser, to your point, let's get into that has apparently willing to move, but he's not coming to Winnipeg. Right. So then who's left out there? So I think here's Tyler Bertuzzi would he come here? Would Jake DeBroskin van Kuver agree to come here and at least get out of van Kuver's rebuild for the next four to five years and play with a core that if you're a part of that secondary core, you could play make the playoffs. Yeah. Or are there teams out there? Like Andrew Monson Parry and Edmonton has a full no move. And he's got to move on to waivers. Yeah, he's on waivers now, but a month ago, Anaheim was interested in Winnipeg. Who do you think he's choosing? Yeah. So then this is my point. Everybody wants the Jets called out called out called out for what? Well, here's how I'll sell it. Gus Nyquist was not at the top of the list that go thank God we

23:56got him. He was signed within two days of healers leaving, hoping sounds like a panic that for one year until the prospects are ready that he could put up 10 goals. And he has it. No one's arguing it's a disaster. I'm at the forefront for that. It's been a disaster. Mike Coho's cam a month before I would say that, you know, maybe you can figure it out after 25 games. So this is a disaster. But who else is coming? Yeah, it's trade deadline week. For sure. Look at the list of 50. Yeah. Then let's look at their contracts and go. I'm coming to Winnipeg. All right. We'll do that after let you know this episode's brought to you by wash method car wash 690 St. Anne's Road and at wash method dot com. Here's the way you sell players on Winnipeg. It's the same way that the Edmonton Oilers have sold players. You have a star and you'd be ignorant to think that every player in the National Hockey League didn't watch the Olympics and didn't see what Connor hella buck can do. This guy's been a league MVP. It's a two time Vesna trophy winner. You tell players

25:00that want to come or are on the trade market. You convince them to come here because you have the best goalie in the entire world. The most important position in the game. You have the best guy and he's locked up for five years. So if someone comes here on a three year contract, worst case, you play well. You'll be able to pump some of those numbers that even the archaic ones like plus minus because you have the best goalie in the world. Okay. So why haven't they come then? He's got a hard trophy in three Vesna's. Seth Jones said he wanted out of Chicago. Yeah. He said Dallas or Florida and I did a whole show saying I get that but you don't even consider Winnipeg. You don't consider for the last two years of your contract to play in front of the best goalie in the world and to be paired with Josh Morrissey. You don't even consider it. You don't even make it part of the three for a conversation. Yep. Well, I think for him, it's a bit different because he played his entire career in the States. He's from the States. He's played a lot on a hockey and low tax back in the market one quarter of the league and not to mention.

26:03He's got some flaws in his game too. I know he played better in Florida but he wasn't a guy that everyone in Chicago loves. He was a guy and let's have certain games and let's look at their contract. So let's see who they could go trade for this. I don't have a name for you right off the bat but I'm thinking if you are that hell bent that nobody wants to play in Winnipeg, then you have to narrow your focus to either guys who are born and raised on the prairies, born and raised in Minnesota or at least geographically similar situations to Winnipeg. You have to be able to sell them on that and if not, that's that's like a whole part of the spiel is if you're in the front office, you need to have the right talking points and the right cell to get people to want to play here. And that's the job. Like feeling sorry for ourselves because we live here is the place. Well, this has been ridiculous now, Ross. I'll do respect. Nobody's feeling sorry for him. I'm the one who point this out all the time and then I always end the conversation with, but that's the job. But it doesn't mean it's easy to close the door and pick up the phone and convince somebody to come, but you're saying nobody will play here. So you blame in the GM. So if there's a new, if there's a new GM here next year, all of a sudden the floodgates

27:07of free agents come. If you do it the right way, I'd imagine that you could convince the people to come here. Why wouldn't you? You're the best goal in the world. You have a team that won the present trophy last week. No move clauses to come and they don't stay. He convinced Paul Stasney to wave a no move to come play for him. And it went really well. It went so well that after he left, he came back again. So is the answer to then just be okay with getting the bottom of the barrel? It's just you're behind the eight ball. So you have to you have to find the guys and take chances on them like the shane rights, the Marco Rossis of the world. And you have to overpay for them, I think, and you have to get him here and hope for the best. That's what I think your options are. So what was the sell to Gabe Vallardi then a guy who played in California as a California girl. How did you get him to convince that seven years was a good place? You got him here and you put him on the top line with dynamic players. Okay. Well, you can't do that with the next winger. No, but you can do that with the next defenseman. You just mentioned there's a spot next to Josh Morrissey that doesn't seem like it's a long term going to be Dylan Demell. And what did the last guy who has had an option? Did he even consider Winnipeg forget about the last guy? It's the next guy.

28:09How are you going to sell the next guy? Yeah. And they did it. They did it with Luke Chen. Big right? Didn't Luke Chen have a no trade? Yeah. And he went to Pittsburgh and then they flipped him over here because they went and got him. So it seems like a guy who everybody's bad at Luke Chen. I'm just saying you're talking as if there's a top pairing guy who's like all you have to do is talk nice to me. No, but you have to have a pitch. They do. You don't think they don't have a pitch. I was back here in day one when Zach Parise told him don't even bother pitching. Minnesota guy, right? Yeah. Don't even bother coming to Toronto. Do not get on a plane. I'm hosting all the teams that I wanted to talk to and you're not one of them. Okay. So I guess we're just going to feel sorry for ourselves. Dylan Cousins, I think, would have been a great grab. Yeah. It's good play. Dylan Cousins come here. Yeah. What was his situation when he went to Ottawa? He was just out of favor. He didn't have a no move. Didn't have anything. So those are the things I those are the things I think you have to do. You have to sort of overpay for that stuff and you got to get him to come here. But the list is not long. And for every every Tanner Pearson and Gus Nyquist, I don't know of the

29:15next one that's going to go, yeah, I'll take that. So then I would turn my attention to the drafting and more importantly, the development of their prospects. This is a team that their average age is always high feels like these young players have a real tough time getting the lineup. And after every draft and I really focus on the draft and every time I leave, I say they did really well with the positions that they were picking, they got good players. So why when they turn in to Manitoba Moose, if you look down the Moose stats this year, they're not playing well. Is that a coaching thing in the age? Oh, you have to figure it out because if you're a draft and develop team, I can understand that. I'm from Ottawa. It's the same thing there as it is in Winnipeg. You have to draft and develop your players. And I understand they haven't had a lottery pick as high as a top five picks since Patrick Lina. Like I get that they've been too good of a team to draft these players that are more likely to become superstars. But how are you going to make a guy that maybe is a middle six potential to become a top six potential or a guy who you might take a chance on in the middle rounds? Like how many guys on this team have been drafted and

30:17developed in the last five to seven years? Well, again, what's the last five to seven years been like and where they drafting from? But you could go and have a lot of success stories. I have all the time in the world for Brad Lambert to develop for Kobe Barlow to develop for Braden Yeager to develop for Danny Gilkin to develop, which he has. But are they just developed just by playing or do they need better coaching? Because I have to scroll down Brad Lambert has 13 points in 34 games in the American hockey league. Like this is a 2022 draft pick. Like how long are we waiting for this? We know the circumstances he was drafted in, right? So do you want to go with Nikita Chibberkov? Yes. Let's go in 34 of great games. What are we doing here? Have you seen him play? He looked really good last year. So exactly. Yes. Who's the one who's teaching him how to play? So there's no room for him right now. Why not? There's no room for him. Because we need to have a walk or doer come up and play a game with all the respect. So your last year winning the president's trophy and rolling out Nikita Chibberkov and Danny Gilkin on this lineup. I'm going to be better. Kobe Barlow, eight points, three goals, 42 games. I'm sorry, buddy.

31:22These are first round picks that are playing like, like, undrafted free agents. Why? Is it over for them last night? Look in the sky checked. It's Kobe Barlow's first year of pro hockey. You don't have time for any goals. It's three goals. What's, why is he not playing better? What's the biggest step? Is it NHL or is it from junior to pro? I don't know, man. Because every coach I've talked to over the past 30 years have told me it's junior to pro. There's a defenseman who's 20 years old. So you want him Chuck? Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Go ahead. Just keep asking more questions. You want Kobe Barlow to have 40 points in his first year of pro hockey by now? I think it's fair to assume in 42 games that could have at least 10. I do not. I do not. You think three goals is a reasonable expectation for a guy who scored 40 in the Ontario hockey. Three. I don't three goals. So it's, what are you talking like it's over for all these guys? I'm not, but I'm saying it's not looking to play. It's not. Yeah, I have. And it's over. No, it's not over. But when

32:23you focus on the development, how much patience do you want for? It's first year of pro. Maybe three years. Sure. Barlow I can accept that for who like, Jillkin doesn't look ready next year. Nikita Cheapercoff doesn't look ready next year. How long were they in the minors for? The moose are a mess. Answer that. What's that? Answer that? Who? Jillkin, Cheapercoff, they don't look ready next year. I thought I thought Cheapercoff was ready last year. Okay. And they didn't blame. So they're going to play him next year. I would presume, right? If he doesn't go back to Russia, if why do you want to stay out of all these scenarios? Are those guys not developed? And how long were they with the moose? I don't think they've done very well. You said you said you thought he was ready this year. So they can't sign free agents. Wait a minute. They stopped asking questions and answer some. What do you got? Jillkin, not ready? Or is it ready? Doesn't look ready. Where do you develop? You know, it doesn't look like you just said he what did Jill? No, I didn't. Nikita Cheapercoff. That's who I said. I thought was ready. Okay. So where did he develop? And for how long? How many years?

33:24So the rising not up. He could be up this year, but he wasn't up because he wasn't ready this year because they won the president's trophy. They signed some veterans. And they signed those veterans to one year deals. Why do you think they signed one to one year deals? They're not. We got some guys coming in a year or two. Seems like it. Or do you think Nyquist wouldn't sign a three-year deal? More on the other side. The person wouldn't sign one. 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.