TSN & Got Yer Back Podcast's Ryan Rishaug (3/6/26)

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. 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. 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 AmericaCures.com. Pay for by Farma. Five 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. Celsius, live, fit, go. Grab a cold, refreshing Celsius at your local retailer,

1:00or locate now at Celsius.com. Stop for with you. This is our number two avoiders now. Third hour that we've been on today. Today, and I will tell you that spotlight conversation for this hour is going to occur with Ryan Rashog. It's coming up momentarily. And the Oilers Now Spotlight Conversation is brought to you by Cowan Graphics, and for over 80 years to bring your brand life proudly Canadian. Visit Cowan.ca. Of course, you can text us on the Ashley Fine Floor's text line. Tell me what you think of the Oilers Body of Work for the Week. Text me 780-451-8800. Get the new floors you always wanted. Ashley Fine Floor is 143rd Street, 111th Avenue. Open Monday to Saturday. We also want to mention why we have the opportunity. The Guests and Oilers now receive certificates to Japanese Village. It's a true celebration for the Census Quality Ingredients Unmatched Grill Site. Experience. Don on the staff. You can book your seat, J.V. Edmonton.ca. We go off to the River Creek Resort Casino Hotline 780-451-8800.

2:04River Creek excitement. Bed on it. Open 24 at 7365. Ryan Rashog's appearances are brought to you every Friday by Gamedate Men's Health West Edmonton. Get back to feeling like yourself. Call 780-844-48 to book your free. Test, testosterone, test. All right. We bring a board. Ryan. Rashog. Hello, Ryan. How are you doing? Oh, it's been an interesting day, Bobby. It was an early, early start. And not a whole lot of stake. There was a little bit of sizzle. No stake through the day. So it ended up being sluggish on the oiler front. But trade deadlines always fun, buddy. All right. Did you look at the trade deadline week? And the three acquisitions that were brought in. Conor Murphy, on defense. Jason Dickinson, third line center. Colton Doc, fourth line wing. The oilers give up a second. A conditional number one. It's a number one, but with some conditions to it. And they divest themselves of Andrew Magiapani.

3:05How would you assess the combination of the two trades? So I just want to be clear here. I'm going to comment on their body of work this week. On the understanding that the conversation will then extend to the body of work for the season. Because it's two different answers. So I'll talk about this week specifically. But then we need to talk about the big picture, too. Can we agree on that? Go for it. For us here. I want to interrupt you. Go for it. No, no, I don't want to do it soliloquy here. I want to get into this with you. I think they had a really good week. I think there wasn't a ton of cap space. I thought they showed some real cap savvy clearing up the room that they did with their maneuvering. Players up and down from the minors and with the on marks situation. I thought that was excellent. They clear up some space. So they didn't have a lot of space that very clear needs to shore up the team defensively. And they bring in a couple of players that will definitely move the dial on that front. And then they bring in another player that might be a usable depth forward.

4:07They could add to their to their banging and crashing, which you know never offends me. Right. And so, look, they have used another addition today along the lines of, you know, what they would. AJ Greer looked great as an alert tomorrow for sure he would, but they weren't able to do it. I think we saw that with a lot of teams. So I would say Bob, for the space they had the needs they had. What was ailing this team? They have found what appeared to be some solutions and would have a very legitimate chance to be some solutions. So for this week, I would say, you know, it's it's tidy sort of B B plus work. I would say from Bowman and the staff this week. Okay. Now for the year. Well, I like to get today on sports center like when a defenseman coughs up a puck in his own end. And then makes a fantastic play to break up the scoring chance. You know, you still made a great play to break up the scoring chance. But you're the only cough to puck up in the first place. And I think we need to be pretty clear. I'd about why the orders were in the situation they were in.

5:09Why did they not have a lot of cap space? Why was there a need to shore up the blue line? Why did a first round pick end up having to go out the door in order to bring in, you know, a third blind center? This was about spackling over previous mistakes doing the best they could to move past those mistakes. But you can't deny those mistakes existed, Bob. That trade scanner for Jari or Kool-Ak goes with them. Kool-Ak you can play either side. Kool-Ak who fills in for echo when he's hurt. Kool-Ak who turns into a second pairing defenseman in the playoffs when you need him most got shocked into a deal. Then they had to spend resources and assets because they were thin on the back end because they overestimated what staff need was going to be. So now you're bringing Connor Murphy. Okay, you're fixing it. That's good. Right? Then the third line center. The first round pick has to go Bob because you're strapping it to the back of a $3.6 million player for this year next year.

6:12That costs you an important asset to undo that mistake. But the mistake was made. You move past it. You bring in a usable player that helps. They did what they could, but those mistakes were self-inflicted. And what else did you, Bob? You can disagree with me. If you and I were sitting on my back deck last summer with our feet off having a cool one looking at the team just before training camp is about to start and saying, what do you think their main trade deadline acquisition will be this year? What do you think it will look like this year? I bet anything Bob, both you and I would have said this might be the year where they can make a significant add up front. They might actually be able to not have to worry about the blue line. And you were loud as anybody about the quality of this blue line. Maybe they can actually go get a winger for dry saddle. Maybe they can get a high end third line center with some offensive pedigree. That was supposed to be what pushed this organization forward. Help them take a step. And instead, Bob, they've had to make deals here just to just to try and tread water.

7:14They're not better than they were. And that is my issue with the big picture here. Spring is here, and there's a whole new way to chie at Starbucks that's made perfect for you. Choose your sweetness, dial it up, or keep things light. Add a touch of pistachio, a hint of strawberry, or vanilla, or make it a spring classic with lavender. Because this season, there's endless ways to chie at Starbucks. Right now, get up to 20% off select online storage solutions. Put heavy-duty HDX to good use, protecting what's important to you. The solid impact-resistant design prevents cracking. And the clear base and sides make items easy to find, even when the totes are stacked. Find select online shelving and tote storage up to 20% off at the home depot. To organize every room in your home, from your garage to your attic. Visit Home Depot.com. How doers get more done. Alright, so let's start with the defense.

8:14It was the athletic with a heavy analytics driven base that suggested Edmonton had the number one defense in the NHL heading into the year. Okay. I said the orders had a top 60 defense. Jake Walman got hurt relatively early in training camp. He basically hasn't been right all year. He suffered a concussion, and then he suffered a groin injury. I mean, he got sat the other night. Jake Walman has not come close to playing at the level that he did last year. Agreed. Okay. Darnell Nurse. Darnell Nurse has been unable over the last two or three years to carry a paring at a requisite price point where you should be able to carry a paring. Okay, agreed. Okay. Keep going. I'm waiting for you to bring a full circle on Kulak in that trade here, Bob. I'm giving you some leeway here. I'm waiting for it. Just hold on. Accom and Boo Shard. Tough first month.

9:14Accom got healthier coming off. A brutal groin injury where literally was ripped right off the bone. And took some time to get going this year. Boo Shard as well. Took some time to get going. Boo Shard basically since December the first has been as good as any defenseman in the NHL. If you look at the numbers, then we get to Kulak. Kulak through about the first 25-30 games. He scored like six or seven goals last year. He had two assists in 31 games. The entire defense of core. There was also a bet made on regula over Troy Stetcher, which doesn't appear to have worked out either based on how well Stetcher played in Toronto for large structures of his tenure there. So that defense that was supposed to be a strength never ultimately came to fruition as is. That is, it cannot be right collectively. Cannot be denied. In terms of Skinner.

10:15I don't know how many times I received. And maybe it was the vocal minority. But there was a loud percentage of the fan base. Can't win with this guy. I went to the final twice with this guy. Sometimes you have to look at how good the other team is to, and that your team lost in seven and six. Like if you get swept and forced rate, and your guys sitting there at an 840, both yours. Yeah, you can't win with them. So all I can't tell if you're agreeing with me or disagreeing with me. What I'm saying is the deepest. You know what I'm saying about that trade? What do you have to say about the decision they made? This point. The move Kulak is part of that deal and water down their blue line, which they then had to fit. What I would say is it was my belief that Jerry has a higher ceiling than Stu Skinner. And he has that look. And then we're done that. And there's some extraneous things that have me quite concerned with Tristan. Okay. I could read between the lines of what was going on in the ice yesterday at practice. And there seemed to be some solvals flying.

11:17I didn't like the Jerry when the others lost seven, three to Minnesota. Talked about how the team is playing defensively in front of them. I'm from the Sergei Babrovsky school. Sergei Babrovsky went from Columbus to Philadelphia to Columbus and said to his teammates, I don't care how the puck gets to the net. My job is to stop the puck. Okay. That's what he said. I don't care how it gets here. I got to stop the puck. That's my job. And I, when I, when Jerry made that comment against Minnesota, I'm like, and then other things, you know, not, not initially. Well, wait a second. Pittsburgh, we didn't talk on game days. You're not in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh can't even sell out their building right now. I got one of the better teams in Eastern Conference. So the trade for Jerry to this point has not worked out to this point. He has a chance to do something about it. I like him in McLean and believe he has a higher ceiling than Stuart Skinner. We simply have not seen it.

12:17And that is good. Yeah. And now as a result, I don't want to screw around in the off season. You saw my tweet. I want the ointers to go out. And I'm not talking getting an ethane all day or getting a con or hunger. I'm talking about giving up a couple of assets and getting the next one instead of the once was in gold. Right. Okay. But Bobby. But Mr. Tingle, if the ointers don't make that trade or if they don't throw pull back in to make the money work. Right. If they maintain Brett Toulac, yes, he had a tough start. The whole flipping defense to your point had a tough start. Nobody looked good. Everybody looked like they needed to get fired into the sun. Right. That's the way everybody started. You can't suddenly discount what that player was capable of when it mattered the absolute most in the playoffs. You can't pick and choose which players you're going to give credit to for being able to do that. Right. Booshard is phenomenal in the playoffs.

13:17We keep that in mind with him. Brett Toulac had a hard start. I believe Brett Toulac is going to be good for the Colorado level and in the playoffs this year. I know Brett wants, you know, I mean, you know, he was willing to sign here or not doesn't matter. You're in a Stanley Cup window. He's shown he can do it. He can play either side. Let him be your own rental. Not everything has to be about two and three year deals down the road. You can use him as your own rental then. Right. Right. That is an entirely fair comment. What I would say. Right. And so the one after the clock to the Skinner versus the Skinner versus Jari matchup. Okay. Okay. And they're like guys that played the position generally said generally said the owners are getting the superior athlete and goal. He handles the puck way better. That's not forget. He hasn't really been the same since he got hurt in Boston. I don't know. Like I watched him yesterday at practice. And he was he was have he was getting beaten pox in practice.

14:18And finally one of the leaders is like you can see him. You know, like you got to push it more. Like you can see him can be and it's both guys. And that's concerning. You know, like Ingrams, he's overcome a lot. Right. But the second goal against it they score in the power play Ottawa. The guy's on the on his to his right on the flank. And he beats him across his body. They'll glove side. I'm like that can't go in. Sorry. Well, I feel like you're agreeing with me here for Bob in this little tender tree that they made. Right. We're not sure they got the better police. Yeah. Maybe they did. Maybe they did. But what you're telling me is they got a guy who might take the wrong thing in a post game scrum. And who might have some work in his game and who clearly had some injury issues. So you're kind of reaffirming the point that we can talk about whether Jari slightly better than Skinner or whether there's a higher ceiling. We can talk about see that when you add in. I know, but when you add in a second round pick and you add in Brett Gulak and

15:20you add in no salary retention. Now you're getting in the way of other stuff that you're trying to do. And so what I would ask you, Bob, if the orders did not need to go spend those resources and that money on Connor Murphy. What caliber a third line center forward? Do you think they potentially could have been in the market? Well, the funny thing is they didn't like the guy I liked and Colorado did. So I know. What's the thing? Like it's I'm arguing with you so I'm getting animated. They didn't have a bad week and they've added good players and they are better. But I'm talking big picture here. You and I sit on the dead last summer. What could this ad have looked like? Yeah, it's it's interesting to me. I mean, I liked Nikola law. They were never given up a number one for Nikola, especially since at the end of the day, Colorado did not end up getting the least to retain on them for another year. I don't. I don't. Well, I mean, even that with, you know, 1.4 million for Murray Edwards to do that.

16:21Like that's a trade you'd never do with them. And to even if the orders of the council that you'll never get. You know that. And I know that. I'm having trouble getting you to comment on that greater point, which is. Had they not done what they did with two lack and had to spend resources on the blue line? What kind of an impact could they have made up front? That's my whole point. Yeah. And I and I put it this way. I see your point. What I would say is when the trade occurred, there were lots of people who thought Edmonton got the better goalie so they and that has not to come to fruition. We've learned. Like I can tell you, even recently, Jerry's accepted greater responsibility. But he had the one misstep against Minnesota. And that was, you know, that was to me a bit of a bogey and he's got to be better in that regard. He's. But I did say at the time, I said at the time, like, Jerry might be the better goalie, but they just traded breath to lack. And if that means they can't get there forward at the deadline.

17:21Because they got to shore up the blue line, then they have not taken the steps and they need to get. I will say this. They kind of are so you set on the deck, right? So we're sitting on the deck in an audience. Mm-hmm. Did add a forward before that. They did add a forward before the monjupani. No, no. They added a forward before they made the trade for for for for Jerry. In between the time that they. Yes. Yes. So they add a million and a half bucks. So they found which this general manager was able to execute in spite. And so you said if we're sitting on the deck. In August and we know monjupani's up like I had a guy to Washington and a guy to Calgary who's not a fan of the orders. And he said, stop. Monjupani is not the player you saw four years ago. Bad pick up. He's not going to be able to play for your big boys and the guy from Washington said the same thing. But what it what ended up happening is the order has got a bit of a do over right away.

18:25When they got Russell Vick basically for free at a million and a half. And I might have served you since you said if we're sitting on the deck in August. I did not expect them to get Jack Russell Vick two games in a regular season of play game number three. That's fair. It's been a great pick up. And he's a million. We're sitting here talking about getting a top six guy. We're sitting there talking about again. They did get a top. He is a second line right wing or third line right shot center. And now because you got us. So when we're sitting there looking at it. Okay. Now the only thing I'll say is their team was a little small. I felt their team was a little small. Okay. That has changed this week. Six foot four right shot D that plays a hard game. Six foot two centerman. That's a that's a pain to play against that thrives in the competition against other team stop centers. Which will ease the workload on David and drive cycle. Six foot four total wild card as a four flying with Doc. Yeah. And he's not a fighter.

19:25But he'll count. He'll stand up for his teammates. He's not Nicholas Nicholas to worry. So just circling back. Ryan did a good work. And they did good work this week. I'm not going to argue about that. I wonder in the back of the mind of the general manager was sitting there thinking. I got Russell. I've added to my forward group. I can do this deal. What do you think? And it looks like Savoy is turning into a player here late in the season. Maybe not. It might actually maybe you're starting to come around a little. Well, that's what this is for Bob. I didn't jump on the phone only to convince you you're wrong. I'm listening to you. I'm awesome. You make a really fair point. You make a great point about Russell. He has been found money for them. And he's been excellent at a good dollar figure. And you got Savoy on the other side. He's all around game. Has been there most of the year. Now the offense is starting to come. So if you squint you can kind of see it coming together. But here's the problem. They're in a window with me. David and dry side. All right. It's not an infinite window. It's a window. And the powerhouses out there. Like to call around the avalanche.

20:25The way they play the game and the way they're constructed. And they just got way, way better. And so now you're in a position where if you're the oil, there's your light. Can they get back to being as good defensively as they were before? And they're going to be lucky if they hold ground. If they don't lose ground. And the avalanche are better. And other teams are better. Ryan, I'm going to give you one stat that says it all in terms of where these two teams are at. Okay. Colorado was looking for gold tending two years ago. They flipped out their entire gold tending tandem. And if I read you the number right now, just overall all situations. Guess which team in the NHL is best safe, senator Lee. All around 910. The owner of 20 bomb. The orders are 29th. And in 5 on 5 save. Okay, I'll go to the advanced metrics on this. But 5 on 5 save percentage. The avalancheer.

21:25The avalancheer's second at 931. Only Seattle's out of them. And the orders are second last at 898. So you know the funny thing is downbowman. Let's say there's a universe where he's sitting or listening to this. I can imagine he's sitting there like going. Hey guys, can we maybe play the games like. Can you maybe let us know? Can you maybe let the games get played in the playoffs and see how Tristan Jari looks before you club me upside the head with what. You know, like look, he rolled the dice. But I think Stan would probably say, yeah, they're still bouncing around on the table. The dice have not settled yet. Let's see. Let's see what Jari's capable of. He flipped out both his gold tenders too. He's got two new goalies just like Colorado did. When it matters, let's see what they do. And if they play well. And if we're not talking about bull tending being an issue. And all of this bulgeyating I'm doing is kind of for nothing. Let's see. That was a fun conversation, Ryan.

22:25I love it. Thank you for joining us. A lot of people always check out. We've got time coming up on got your back podcast. Yeah, I love a post game podcast tonight. And an event some content today on TSN dot me as well. Well, but I don't want to just imagine conversations with you on the deck. You're coming over this summer and we're going to have this conversation. So that next year we can actually say, do you remember when you were on my deck? And this is what we said, it's going to be real for now. Ryan, I'm going to throw this out there right now. If that happens, my hope here is the orders at a golden or the future in the off season. How's that? Okay. So I don't trade a good defense. But it has to go get another one of those instead. All right, awesome stuff. Right. For 54 in oil country will take a three minute time out your listening orders now. Close your eyes. Exhale. Feel your body relax. Let go of whatever you're carrying today. Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class. I got them delivered free from 1800 contacts.

23:25Oh, my gosh, they're so fast. And breathe. Oh, sorry. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste. Namaste. Visit 1-800-contacts.com today to save on your first order. 1-800-contacts. Your little one grew three inches overnight. Adorable. Also expensive. Sell their pint-sized pieces on D-Pop and list them in minutes with no selling fees. Because somewhere, a dad refuses to pay full price for the clothes his kid will outgrow tomorrow. And he's ready to buy your son's entire wardrobe right now. Consider your future growthspurt budget secured. Start selling on D-Pop. Where taste recognizes taste. Payment processing fees and boosting fees still apply. See website for details. Well, he didn't say if we were sitting in a deck in August. At that time, it didn't have rostle. Like, who isn't everybody's cup of tea, but has been a fairly effective middle six forward. Ryan Rishak, love having Ryan on the show. Don't mind the criticism. Comes with the territory.

24:25And again, I don't want to screw around on the offices and find a way to get a really good... You're going to have Jerry on a contract. We'll see on Ingram how he plays. Go get yourself the golden or the future. That might be the next step here. Alright, let's do this. The boys at Brendridge have had a great start to the year. And it's spring-selling season. It's coming. They need quality-used vehicles. If you have a vehicle, it's still under factory warranty. And you want to sell it, talk to Johnny and Mark. And they'll make sure you get looked after. Of course, it can help you if you want to replace it as well. Brentridge Ford, your Ford Truck Authority. And not a mile with Taskwin. And 15-time Ford President's Award winner for customer satisfactions. And we'll tell you, the Guest and Oilers and Overseas Guest Certificates to Roost Chris Steakhouse. The 500-degree Sizzle Prime Cuts and Service at Stuns. Make your next date night or celebration unforgettable at Edmonton's Best Steakhouse. 99-90 Jaspere Avenue. It's Roost Chris. Thomas Tias, 880 News Weather Traffic Update. The former captain of the Edmonton Oilers that had coached the Edmonton Oil Kings Jason Smith. And we'll hear from Chris Knoblock as well as sit down 101 Conversation.

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