The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - The Hockey Show: Sean McDonough and Adnan Virk

Episode Date: September 27, 2024

It's a packed Hockey Show today with two of the biggest names in NHL broadcasting joining the show. First it's Sean McDonough of ESPN, who was on the call as the Florida Panthers won their first Stanley Cup. He walks us through that call, some of his favorite calls of all time, and what he is looking forward to this season. Then, our good friend Adnan Virk, who will be a part of Amazon Prime's broadcast in Canada, joins the show to discuss Prime's new behind-the-scenes show "Faceoff", what to expect from Prime's NHL coverage, how he believes each division will shake out and which teams he sees facing off in the Stanley Cup Final. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Go, go, go, go, go, go, go. Hello, New Jersey, please strike responsibly. Hello, welcome to the hockey show. My name is Roy Bellamy. David Drukken, the hockey news is right there. We are joined by soon to be Hall of Famer, I'm sure. Yes, Sean McDonough, ESPN. And like he's doing college football right now, obviously. But obviously we known him for baseball and hockey, obviously, because last season you did the playoffs

and an interesting thing actually happened during the playoffs, you got sick. Like, as a play-by-play person, what happens then? Like, obviously- That can't be easy. That cannot be easy at all. No, the first thing that happens is you panic and then you think, why me? Right. I've waited my whole life to do the Stanley Cup final. But fortunately, it was the second one that we've had a chance to do in the third

playoffs, because, as you know, we alternate years with the final with our friends at Turner. But, you know, I said to a bunch of friends of mine in the business, you'd rather break your leg, right? At least you could still announce the game. When you have a upper respiratory infection, whatever it was I had going on that kept lingering and then actually came back, you can't announce the game. Or you can, but you certainly can't do it as well

as you would like and with the oomph that you would like. So it was frustrating and it was depressing but you know what you kind of power through it and then you know we did obviously have the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow with an epic Stanley Cup final as it turned out in a great game seven. So and when I think back on it I think how blessed I was and we all were to be a part of that rather than the unfortunate thing that I had to miss one game and probably should have missed another one in a different series. About that. So I remember it was, I think it was the Rangers series and then it was game one that

you called and then game two you weren't there. If I'm wrong, correct me, but I think that's how it went down. That series was so intense. You had three straight overtime games How hard was that? I mean, I know you just kind of talked about how It's obviously it must be excruciating because you want to be there. It's Madison Square Garden It's the fun I just remember thinking and I think Roy and I were talking about at the time just like the series is epic We've been waiting for it the whole playoff amazing goaltending the two best teams in the Eastern Conference. I Don't know. It's, just sitting there and watching that

must have been excruciating for you. Yeah, it was awful. It really was. It was depressing. I thought when I first got to New York, it was just allergies, because I get a lot of people seasonal allergies in the spring.

Right. But then I started, not only me gross, but I started coughing up stuff that was of odd color. Still common for New York City in that time of the year. I mean, have you seen the street? Yeah. So I thought, oh gosh, that isn't my typical allergy symptom that I get. So, you know, talked to my doctor in Boston, talked to doctors in New York, got on every allergy

and other medicine you can get to try to knock out whatever it was that was going on. And you know, it just didn't happen. So, you know, I was literally I called our bosses said, here's what I sound like, you know, fortunately, Bob was shoes and lives, you know, very close to MSG. But yeah, I was sitting in my hotel room watching the game thinking, you know, this really sucks. You know, and what I appreciated was our two guys who were always in the booth with us, who, you know, set up the booth and do the audio, Shep and Willie. I was really sad right before the game. And then they sent me a picture in the booth doing the little heart thing that people do. Like, you know, we still love you and we miss you and we wish you were here. So, you know, it makes you appreciate that you're, you're blessed to

work with nice people like that. But, uh, yeah, it was hard, but you know, I, what, and everything in my career, you know, and I talk a lot about this to colleagues in my who complain, yeah, I don't know why I'm doing this football game because I'm better than him or her and they're doing that game. And I always think, well, you can, you can obsess about the negative or you can be, feel fortunate and blessed that, okay, you know, you're in the 99th percentile still of sports play by play, but you're doing major events on ESPN. And there are literally thousands of play by play people around North America and everybody who would kill to do one event ever on ESPN regardless of what it is. So yeah it was lousy to miss that game and then to you know croak

my way through game three in Edmonton. But you know again I tend to I look at the big picture and feel you know I was very blessed to be able to do all those other games and particularly have the Stanley Cup final that we had. Well you sound better now so and good job by Bob. It took a while. It doesn't help you recover when you're sick when you have the travel that we had. I've said this many times I don't know how the players do it. The grind basically every other day it's a grind for me. I'm older than the players obviously but and I remember two years ago when the Rangers made their run and they were playing Tampa Bay you know

they beat the Penguins in that great first-round series in seven games they beat Carolina and then I was in the hotel in Tampa and the elevator door opens and two Rangers get on and they have bandages and you know ice packs and bruises and cuts and everything and And I remember thinking, you guys must be exhausted. You're about to play your 20th game in 40 days. So I don't think that the physical toll that it takes on these guys is really appreciated enough because it's grueling. Grueling is an exaggeration.

It's hard even when you're just a broadcaster. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Like it's not exactly easy being a broadcast app and a broadcaster. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Like it's not exactly easy being a broadcast having to travel either. And the life of a play-by-play guy must be exhausting as well. Like, I mean, looking over- Well, it was 14 hours.

You guys did it. You know, our trip, the first time we went, and we went back and forth basically four times from Fort Lauderdale to Edmonton, twice in each direction. And the first time after game two, when we went from Fort Lauderdale to Edmonton twice in each direction. And the first time after game two, when we went from Fort Lauderdale to Edmonton, it was 14 hours door to door from when I left the hotel. Yeah, you had that crazy rainstorm down here

that screwed everybody's travel plans up after game two. Yeah, that's right. We had the rainstorm, we had to stop in Kansas City to refuel. When we got to Edmonton, there was bad weather and rush hour. We had to stop in Kansas City to refuel. When we got to Edmonton, there was bad weather and rush hour, so no one cares. Again, if it took a thousand hours,

I was happy to have the opportunity to do the trip. We just complained to each other, nobody else cares. No, but I'm saying, over a career, over a long career such as Sean's, you're doing multiple sports sometimes at the same time, such as Kevin Harlan and Kenny Alwardward and you're going from place to place. That is, that sounds like a misery, especially if you're not chartering like teams are. Yeah.

Right. Well, it just goes back to what Sean said. And it's funny you mentioned it because one of the, Kevin Harlan's been a great friend of mine. We interned together at a place called Enterprise Radio in the summer of 1981 when I was at Syracuse and he was at the University of Kansas and we've been great pals ever since. So he was texting me a lot and I was calling and texting him when I was sick but what do you do when this happens to you because it happens to all of us eventually you know everybody has their home remedies and that sort of thing so

you know part of it is you know you need to take care of yourself right. I mean you can't be okay I know we're flying to Edmonton tomorrow it's gonna be a 14-hour day but let's stay out till two in the morning and go have a good time. You better go home and hydrate and go to bed and I'm certainly smart enough to do that. So that's I talked a lot to Kevin about you you know, how do you handle situations like this? And he offered some great advice. Yeah. Let's go back to the Stanley Cup final here.

And obviously, I was a, I mean, I could say it was a tremendous semigame series and us covering the Panthers, we happened to be fans as well. That was a hell of a series. Yeah, I mean, we didn't feel that way when they were new up three, nothing and then somehow there's a game seven. But yeah, once game seven happened, it was just a tremendous game.

Why don't you go over your feelings over the span of the entire final? Yeah, it was kind of probably what most people experienced. You know, you, we said at the beginning of this about the kind of wait your whole life to do the Stanley cup final. And, uh, you know, the first one we had a couple of ago the Colorado-Tampton baser is was fine I don't think it was memorable for people probably outside of those two cities when we look back historically but you know now we have this one and it's we're thinking oh gosh you know this is gonna be a sweep and then you

know as you guys know it, it turned and it turned dramatically to the point where when it got to the seventh game, you wondered, you know, how does Florida get this back? Right? This is has momentum gone completely against them have has Edmonton kind of figured out how to play against this smothering style. But you know, it's kind of like the way the whole thing went, you know, Right when you think you know where it's going, it turns and goes the other way. So I wasn't surprised that game seven went the way it did. I don't think just about any result would have surprised me.

But yeah, it was just an epic series. I said at the beginning of game seven, I thought it was really the finishing touch on the greatest season in the history in the NHL. And I'm not the world's foremost historian. I wasn't around in 1920 to call the games. But the, you know, it would be hard to beat everything that you had last year, you know, with the close races, the record attendance, the record ratings, you know, the compelling playoff series, the individual achievements, you know, the record attendance, the record ratings, the compelling playoff series,

the individual achievements of so many of the best players in the game. The game is better than it's ever been, just the pace of it, the athleticism of the players, the scoring. So I think it was the best season in the history of the NHL. Excuse me. And it had the perfect ending, the ending that it deserved. Kind of fitting, Roy, that the best season perhaps in NHL history ended with the Florida Panthers winning the Stanley Cup. Hey, listen, I'm just saying.

Just had to throw that in there. I'm just saying. Just had to throw that in there. When did you realize that this game was over? For me, it was the penalty kill when Kevin Sandlin's stick broke. It was basically five on three and a half at that point, and the Panthers somehow killed that off. and Sandlin stick broke. It was basically five on three and a half at that point and the Panthers somehow killed that off. For me it was when the puck was in the corner with three seconds to go. You know Edmonton had some chances as you guys know in the third period. You know I said it a couple times I think I said it with about a minute or so to go it looked like they were out of gas, right?

It's the seventh game, it's the grueling back and forth. And then, you know, McDavid and those guys played about half the third period, maybe a little more. I don't remember the exact number, but it was right around 10 minutes. So, you know, I just remember thinking, maybe with about a minute to go, I don't know if they have enough left in the tank

to get the tying goal. And then I just thought it was so fitting that the puck basically went in the corner and stayed there because that's where the Florida Panthers should have clinched the Stanley Cup up against the wall where they do so much of their great work. I have to be a fan for a second, Sean, as Roy mentioned, him and I are big fans of your work

and as broadcasters, as hockey guys. So just putting my fan hat fan for a second, Sean, as Roy mentioned, him and I are big fans of your work, and as broadcasters, as hockey guys, so just putting my fan hat on for a second, just over the course of your career, is there any biggest calls, memorable calls? It should be an easy one, right? Well. I mean, it's pretty, pretty easy. You never know, I gotta ask though,

when I say what's your favorite call, or the biggest call of your life, what pops up? Time's up, Joe! Um, yeah, although, you know what, there was a point where it'd be, that wasn't me. Oh, it wasn't? No, and it happens all the time.

Touch them all, Joe, was Tom Cheek, who was the radio broadcaster for the Toronto Blue Jays. I was doing that game, I like my call of it. The you know and I would you know I was I'm satisfied with it but yeah to have the chance to do that you know 1993 to do the World Series for CBS when it ended it was only the second time in the history of the World Series it ever ended on a home run. The other one was Bill Maserowski. The year before, Sid Bream, they're the Pirates. That's one of the greatest baseball games of all time. The Joe Carter thing was epic and historic, but it was game six, right? Even if Toronto didn't win that game,

there was still going to be a game seven. So if that had been a game seven, I think it would be in a different place historically. But the Sid Bream game, the Pirates the Pirates are down 2-0, ahead 2-0 going to the bottom of the ninth in Atlanta. Atlanta's a big favorite. You know it's the last hurrah for this Pittsburgh group with Jim Leland and Bonds and all these guys and you know, they blew a 2-0 lead and Atlanta scores three runs in the bottom of the ninth and Sid Breen is safe by that much. And it was probably the first of my infamous voice cracks,

which one of those was the Michigan, Michigan State football game where the mission, all Michigan had to do is get the pun off on the last play of the game. And they botched the snap and the ball goes in the air and Jaylen watched Jackson ran it in. You know, at the beginning I was kind of embarrassed, oh my voice cracked, but you know,

I think the call of the moments should Reflect the moment right and that was the most shocking ending. I still I think I've ever seen so, you know I I hope that my call of it and the voice crack just kind of reflected what everybody else was thinking if they watch that like That's the most unbelievable ending I've ever seen in my life Yeah, I was proud of the end of. That's what I love, is those human moments. I was proud of the end of the game seven. You know, it was funny, I'm on a group text chat. We Syracuse play-by-play people, there's too many of us and people in the business roll

their eyes like, oh God, you're another Syracuse broadcaster. You a Northwestern. I'm on a, yeah, I'm on a text chain with maybe 20, Mike Tirico, Dave Pash, Ian Eagle, a lot of great broadcasters around the country. And the morning of game seven, I asked them, if you were in my situation, would you like, not want to say script what you want to say, but you know, kind of have it in your head what you want to say, or would you just go with the moment? And the consensus was go with the moment. And I really didn't have any prepared to say but

I just said the Florida Panthers have won the Stanley Cup. Hopefully I had enough voice then to give it a little punch and you know as I watch it back I just think that you know it built up to the finish and it was simple but I said it and got out of the way. And, you know, I was pleased with the way that went and very proud of our crew, you know, all the compelling shots after that of, you know, Paul Maurice hugging his coaches and Keith Kachuk coming down and hugging Matthew and with tears in his eyes. And, you know, the best thing you can do in those big situations is once you, you know, you put the punctuation on it, stop talking and get out of the way.

Yeah. That shot of Paul Marie's lifting a cup with his eyes closed is like finally on his face almost like that is everlasting of a shot from any sport for me. So yes, that is great. It was right. And he was going to mean to me, that's part of what made game seven so awesome, right? We told his story a lot during the year, you know, coaching lifer among the most wins of all time, the most losses of all time, thought he was done coaching,

came back, became this kind of beloved figure, not just for his coaching, but for the way he interacts with us and interacts with the public. And then he's gonna win the cup it's the greatest story ever and now he might be the coach of the biggest collapse ever right so for him that game seven you know was such a legacy changing thing and we're not supposed to care who wins and I really don't at least the vast majority of the time but I was happy for

him you know and I would have been happy for Coach Knobloch and Edmonton too, we have friends on both sides, but you had to feel really happy for Paul. And I was really happy for him. Yeah, you gotta be happy for the good guys. He's a really good guy. He's a really good guy. And his son's a good broadcaster.

I've been interacting with Jake a little bit. He reached out to me on a text through our mutual friend, Tripp Tracy, with the Carolina Hurricanes and asked me to watch some of his tapes and give him a little feedback. And he's really good. I know what it's like to be the son of somebody and people think, oh, you're kind of getting these opportunities because of your dad. Jake's get a really good opportunity and it's not gonna be because of his dad It's gonna be because he's really good. No Jake does it all on his own, man It's pretty cool what he's done there out in Estero I was just talking to him the other day at Panthers camp actually said he's a good kid and

Jake really is a good kid, but I'm beating you in our fantasy football league. I'm sorry I love you buddy, but you're going down. He didn't mention that when we chatted about too long. He's 0-3, so I don't blame him. And Paul's saying that his son, Jake, won the championship, I was to say, because the Everblades won before him winning the Stanley Cup. That actually made me laugh. That was pretty funny. Yeah. Well, what I liked about that whole story, when he talked about, when Paul talked about how he's become,

you know, this gentler, kinder, funnier guy with the media because his son is now in the media and he wouldn't want somebody treating his son like crap. So I wish all coaches felt that way. You know, pretend you have a son who's a broadcaster. Would you say that to him or a daughter? Would you say that to her? a daughter would you say that? Yeah, it's all about

It's a great part of the story, you know at the Paul the whole Maurice family thing was really cool, but I'm happy for Paul and I think you know, it'll be as we know it's hard to repeat but You know, they've done a nice job keeping most of that team together And yeah, I think they're gonna be among the favorites to go do it again. Well, Sean, very happy to see you healthy. And this season is about to start soon. So we're looking forward to seeing you in the booth. Sean McDonagh is joining us on the hockey show. Thank you for joining us, Sean. Yep.

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They're annoying. What an old reference. This is the Don LeBattard show with the Stugats. We're gonna win. They're annoying. What an old reference. This is the Don Lebatard Show with the Stugats. All right. We are joined by Adnan Virk now and he has a brand new gig on Amazon Prime. This is in Canada only folks, Canada only. So you're going to miss out on this in America. But for now, hopefully.

For now, hopefully. hopefully they expand that out this is Monday night hockey he is the studio chair and It I think it's gonna be pretty good. They got a nice little lineup even Mark Messier is on this on this broadcast So yeah, it's looking it's gonna look good They also have Amazon Prime coast to coast which is kind of like Red Zone and kind of like MLB Network's big inning. We talked about that before the interview started and I think this is going to be a good look. Why don't you describe what's going on right now at Amazon Prime up in Canada right now,

Edman? Well, first off, Roy David, a pleasure to be on the show. You know, I'm big fan. Let's go back to your best hockey movies list in the summer. Uh-oh. Listen, Slapshot was number one for Roy, no question, but I love the fact he gave some love to Goon. Yes.

Goon is a fantastic movie. I mean, for those who haven't seen it, Jay Berrishaw is so funny, and he is a die-hard Montreal Canadiens fan. Like, you guys know what a huge hockey guy he is. I saw Seth Rogen at the Critics' Choice Awards earlier this year, and of course, like all Canadians, the way I got his attention was by saying I was Canadian,

and I said, oh great, and I said, can I get a picture? He goes, sure. And I said, he goes, where are you from? I said, I know you're from Vancouver. I'm from Kingston to you guys. It's a small town in Ontario. It's VR. Some Toronto. I know what Kingston is. It's Jamaica. As a kid, you're from Jamaica. Damn right, man. No. Kingston halfway between Toronto, Montreal, birthplace of Don Sherry, Kirk Mull, Doug Gilmore, to give you a few. But anyways, so Rogan goes, yeah, that's great. And I go, hey man, This Is the End is one of the all-time great movies.

And I said, I love you and Jay Barrichell together. And he goes, he laughs and he goes, he was actually staying at my house this week and I'm still friends with him, which is a reference to the fact him and James Franco are no longer friends, which is in the movie, This Is the End. Anyways, Barrichell insisted on wearing a Habs hat

the entire movie. And Rogan at the time was like dude No one's interested. Can you just wear like a Yankee set something a little more is it gonna? I'm repping the Montreal Canadians the entire time so I mean He picked them up on a flight from Canada of course. He's gonna wear a Canadian's cap I mean yeah, correct that is how the movie starts and of course we have Schreiber's great in it the one hockey movie that I would throw out through you guys did not mention the rocket which is a fantastic movie fantastic movie. I mean, it's about Maurice Rocket Richard and it's a great, great film. I mean, it's, again, being Canadian, I'm sure did not get much of a US distribution deal

embarrassed to you guys. I remember when it came out, it was awesome. And it's particularly beloved, obviously in French Canada because of Rocket Richard, but that's a great hockey movie, The Rocket, if you haven't seen it. A few people did mention on social media after we came out with that episode about The Rocket and I had, I wasn't familiar with it at all. So I think that's gonna be a homework assignment that we need to watch that. Yeah, yeah, we gotta check that one out. Back to Amazon Prime.

Sure. But Canada. Back to work. Canadian only folks. Why don't you describe what's going on? Because they got some good stuff happening there, including, well, naturally, this one's gonna be in America as well.

That's based off inside the Angel. Yes. They got a nice little docu-series. That's what I'm excited for. Yes. Why don't you describe what's going on right now with Amazon Prime and the Angel? Oh, you got it, Roy. Listen, I'm so fired up, man.

It's great. When they reached out to me, Amina Hussein, who's an old friend from ESPN, and she said to me, she goes, I don't know anything about hockey, but I know you're Canadian, and I know you know hockey. I said, all right, because I know you're a good host, because we work together at ESPN. So Amina's a sister from the Bay Area.

She told me, she goes, I know Tame Sal good host because we work together at ESPN. So I meet a sister from the Bay Area. She told me she goes, I don't take me so long. That's about it. But she introduced to the Amazon bosses. And I said, listen, I normally have that Canadian humility. But I got to be honest with you, I'm the perfect guy for the job. I said, I'm Canadian. I know these teams. I know the terrain.

But I've lived in America for 14 years. I understand U.S. sports television, the way you guys want to do things. I watched Chris Thompson on Thursday nights. I know the way Amazon does football. So let's do things. I watched Carissa Thompson on Thursday nights. I know the way Amazon does football, so let's do this. So I'm thrilled to have the gig, man. I'm gonna be the studio host.

And originally I thought this will be great. I get to have Sunday dinners with my parents in Toronto. I'll be in some studio. I'll fly home Tuesday back to off season baseball and a gel network in the off season. We're good to go. But they said, no, we're going site to site just like Amazon football.

So the good news, fellas, we do get five Sunday dinners in Toronto with mom and dad we get 5 trips to Montreal which is my favorite cities, but here's the big news one trip to deadminton in mid December, which I've never been to and 4 trips to win a big manitoba including one in February Royce, you know, I live in Newark like I live in New Jersey, the Newark airport. I don't know how you get to win a big I got to go Newark to

Minnesota Minnesota to win a peg manitoba in February. I don't even know how you get to Winnipeg. I'm gonna have to go Newark to Minnesota, Minnesota to Winnipeg. Manitoba in February, I will have stories and adventures for you guys. But listen, it's a great crew. John Forthlin, as you guys know, is a terrific play-by-play guy. He's been calling hockey. I believe this is gonna be his 40th year, which is crazy.

Johnny's awesome. And then the other dudes I know, I mean, Jody, Shelley, and Thomas Hickey, I've worked with the NHL Network. Shelley's done stuff with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Hickey works with the Islanders. Blake Bolden does a great job. She's done some of the ESPN. And you mentioned Moose Roy. I'm like, I'm gonna be with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Hickey works with the Islanders, Blake Bolden does a great job, she's done stuff with the ESPN,

and you mentioned Moose Roy, I'm like, I'm gonna be with Messi the first two weeks, which are gonna be in Montreal and Toronto, he's gonna be doing other stuff for Amazon as well, so it's gonna be sick, dude, I can't wait. Yeah, Blake Bolden has had a career, like, it's blossoming right now, it's like, almost like Sarah Nurse,

like, if she wasn't playing, she would probably be more the Blake Bold't playing, she would probably be more the Blake Bowden role. She would probably be on media right now just doing stuff. But I like the character. For those who don't know, Blake played hockey in the women's hockey league and then became the first ever black women's scout for the LA Kings.

And now as an analyst, it's fantastic. So you're right, Roy. Not only is she a trailblazer, but she's doing great work. I can't wait to work with her. So this face-off series, Adnan, I gotta talk a little bit more about it. I was lucky enough to see the first episode and just the way that the production value,

the way that they tell stories, the way that they kind of weave in and out of the storylines. Like we can't give away too much, but really, really cool stuff. I'm excited to see what they do with, they got two episodes dedicated to the Stanley Cup final, not just one. Yeah. Which is going to be sick because we're talking about how crazy of a series it was but we

saw a clip of what happened during the final and I think we have that to play in the back boys. We had a clip of what Conor McDavid did and it's gone viral at this point because he's flipping out. Roy and I think it's from after game two. Yeah it was after game two. We're pretty sure it was after game two, but can we play that boys? It was just, it got me so pumped up for this series. That's not good enough.

We're finals. It is right now! That's not very McDavid-like. No, no. But that's what's so awesome about this is that's what we're gonna see. We're gonna get to see these guys in the unguarded moments that we don't usually get to see them. That's what makes it so cool. That's what made the first episode so cool.

Can we say what it focused on if I don't give anything away? Yeah, I think that's fine. It focused on- They're losing game too. Well, no, no, no. The first episode is all about Willie Nylander and David Pasternak and their friendship and that Leafs Bruin series in the first round. And it was really awesome, the stories that they told.

But that's kind of the unique thing about it, Adnan. And I don't know how much you've seen. I don't know if you've seen more than I have. I would assume maybe you have, but is it as awesome as I'm kind of excitedly anticipating? 100%, David. When we had the Amazon meetings, they showed us some stuff behind the scenes,

and I was able to see some of the episodes. They sent us a link for it. Dude, it's awesome. Like, I remember, Roy knows I'm a Flyers fan, which always surprises people because, you know, being Canadian, like I understand you become a Flyers fan. Real quick, my brother was a front runner cheer for the Oilers, Oilers 85, 87, played Philly in the finals.

As of course, you know, I love Ron Hextall and Rick talking and all the rest of it. The point is I have a video cassette from years ago, it's called Blood, Sweat and Cheers. And it's about the 1987 Philadelphia Flyers. And it's like, you know, stories of Peter Zezel and Dave Poole and all the rest of it. And I'm like, I wore out that tape.

And you guys know, as you're hockey fans, it's not just about watching the games, it's all those behind the scenes stories. It's those slow motion shots and the sounds of the ice and the way the guys are talking smack in the locker room. Like it's the bet. It's catnip for people like us who really love the sport. And I think it's funny, even casual fans will say,

oh, I love the winter class, or I like the HBO 24 seven. This is like the HBO 24 seven on steroids, because to your point, it's not just well shot and cool cinematography and just showing your team, it's stuff you normally don't see. And that's the thing I don't wanna give away,

but as you guys said, you don't really see McDavid like that. There's at least three or four of the things while watching. I was like, wow, like I'm surprised we're allowed to see this because this is now shaping different perceptions of certain players. So it's awesome. You guys are going to love it.

Quick trivia question for Roy. What former Panthers great was on that 1987 Flyers team? It's got Melody. Boom. Oh, yeah. Boom. I mean, who you think you're talking to here? My man.

I mean, he's talking to Melody. It's like the guys on the bus, the documentary about the Orwells. When I saw that on NHL Network, I was like, wow, they actually let the cameras in. And they didn't necessarily want the cameras in for that Colin McDavid moment because they pushed them back and dropped that curtain. No, well, you want to protect your asset. He's maybe one of the biggest asset in the NHL.

But I think that kind of thing is what endears the fans more to these guys, is you get to see them as people. They put their pants on just like we do. They're not the superstar millionaires that you'll. No, but that's what I think is so awesome about it. That's what gets me pumped. That's what gets my blood flowing, is like, I wanna see these guys like we are.

I'm pissed off after I give up five goals in a men's league game. Why can't I see Stewart Stinner or Sergey Bobrovsky in the same situation like, you know, we're all human We all give up goals, right? It's your guys point like you might forget for a second just how compelling that cup final was the fact that Florida went up 3-0 the Edmonton came roaring back I need to be get a game 7 and you've got McDavid the biggest player on the planet and Greg Cody's reputation the line

I mean, I I still can't Thank God for the Florida Panthers and you guys oh my god okay and then let's uh we got to send him a Mick overrated shirt yes yes we do yeah we got a discount so I got my oh yeah I love it all right let's go the vision by the vision here for a preview of the 2024 25 season let's start with the Atlantic Division obviously the Stanley Cup champions. Are in that with the Florida Panthers, but I mean, Boston's still there.

Tampa without Steven Stamkos is still there. And obviously we got Toronto, and it's looking like Toronto versus Florida are that division, right, Aidan? Yeah, it's interesting. You know, I want a quick thought on Tampa because I feel like people think they're gonna take a step back.

And I'm like, listen, whenever you still have Victor Hedman and you got Vasilevsky and you've got that star power involved there, to me, I'm like, I'm not taking it. And the fact that Jake Gensel, like you lose stamp goes fine. He signs for four years, 32 million. You give that exact contract to Edman, but then you're signing in Gensel's UFA. I'm not taking Tampa lightly, although I know they're up and down last year. Listen, Toronto's interesting.

You're bringing Craig Borubi now now as the coach who knows what he's gonna bring but it's still the exact same team and it's so funny fellas like every year I'm like okay something's gonna change in Toronto. I'm like nope, still Brendan Shanahan, still all the major players. Everyone's like no at some point they're gonna have to trade Tavares or Mitch Marder's got Mcduff, still the same old thing. So they have to hope that injury prone Joseph Bull and Anthony Stilorz can get it done because that again is the question when it comes to Their goaltending and the fact that those star players just aren't able to elevate come postseason time

It's great to be able to see what Nylander and Matthews and Marner are able to do but come play after they haven't been there So I will be a little skeptical on Toronto trying to overcome, you know decades of not being able to win since 67 But Ruby's a good coach. So we'll go there. As far as your Florida Panthers are concerned, listen, I think it's been an amazing story because you go from president's trophy winner to underdog to Stanley Cup champion, and naturally you're gonna lose a little bit, but again, you're still returning your core,

you're still returning your key players. Your top eight scorers are still the Florida Panthers. To me, that depth there is unquestioned, and a big part of why they'll be successful, and of course, Bobrovsky, there's no reason he shouldn't bounce back as well. Bruins are fascinating because Olmert gone, Swamen hasn't signed like a little bit of like what's happening with Boston Bruins.

I think they should be in the mix but I'm like you went from having two goalies like oh they're both studs who cares 1A 1B to now one guy gone and one guy discontent so I'm really fascinated as what's going to happen in Boston. Hey Dark Horse is coming out of the division, Buffalo, Ottawa, Montreal, Detroit. You know Detroit's one that's interesting Roy. They haven't made the playoffs in five years now. They've got closer last season. Maybe Stevie Y can pull a trigger this year, make a couple moves. At least they've signed their younger players in their core. Ottawa I still think is a year away. Buffalo, I mean it's been 13 year drought which is terrible. That's the longest in sports, but not along with the New York Jets.

But in Lindy, roughly trust. I can't, I don't think Buffalo is gonna make a push yet next season at least. So moving on to the Metro division. I'm big on the Rangers this year. It's kind of hard not to be. Best goalie in the league in my opinion. A very top heavy roster, but they've got some depth.

But that division, it's always a little murky. I know Roy does only talking about the Penguins, but they're all hanging around. But that division, it's always a little murky. I know Roy does only talk about the Penguins, but they're always hanging around. Rob Brinsomore's got a great squad in Carolina. The Caps made some moves this off season too. So you never know, and the Devils. We gotta talk about, we won't do it right now, and we'll do it another time.

We gotta talk about Jacob Marstrom's mask, because that thing is bleepin' scary with the blood stains on it. But overall, the Metro ad, and that's's where you live in your backyard. Who do you like? I think it's the Rangers as well. David, like you said, they're just so talented. And to me, I was surprised by some of their supplementary players like Alexey left for an year score 28 goals last year. I think that was very under the radar. How well you played him too.

It finally is the only one playing expectations. Exactly. Those number one draft. He was actually really good. You know, you still got Panarin at 120 points. Trochik's coming off a career, 77 points. Those guys are able to step up. You know, the fact that Panarin scored 49 goals. I mean, maybe they dip a little bit, but they've got talent. Of course, with Shostorkin, you can't count them out. I'm glad you mentioned Washington, David, because it's fascinating to me. I was looking at their numbers and stuff. Now, first of all, Veska needs 42 goals to pass Gretatzky, of course, the most goals in hockey history. But it appeared like he wasn't gonna do it last year.

Eight goals in the first 43 games, 23 in his final 36. That's a 52 goal pace over a full season. So maybe he gets it done. He's got two years left on his contract. Maybe he does it this year. How about the fact they deal Darcy Kemper for Pierre-Luc Dubois? I was like, that is fascinating to me.

It makes sense because Charlie Lindgren had a breakout season, but I'm curious what that means to the Capitals. They snuck in the playoffs last year. I'm not sure what that means moving forward. The Devils, I still like their young talent. I mean, I still think they're kind of in the mix. To me, the Metro is a very competitive division,

but I feel like it's Rangers. And after that, people fall in line. And the Penguins, Malkin's tailed off, but Crosby hasn't. I mean, it's amazing. He's still a point of game lot of a lot of a lot of and possibly the Wildcars. But how's that division looking? Well, I want to start with the Blackhawks first, because I'm looking at Connor Bedard, and I'm like, what's going to happen here as far as the sophomore slump is concerned?

They had 52 points last year. And I look again with my baseball hat on, I said, OK, the Royals lost 106 games last year. And this year, they're going to win 82 games at least and probably make the playoffs. So what would it take for the Blackhawks to turn things around? It seems like it's way too insane for it to happen now,

especially when you got Peter Muraszek and Arvid Soderblom in net, but I'm curious to see what they can do as far as going a little bit forward, coming off two of the worst seasons in franchise history, with Kyle Davidson there and obviously running things. As far as Colorado's concerned, I'm not as bullish on Georgiev as others might be.

I think he's a bit of a roller coaster goalie, and I'm not really sure if he's the number one guy. As a group, they gave up over three goals a game last year, which in today's NHL is a little bit tricky. But I do love Landis Gogh. It looks like he's going to be coming back to NHL after two seasons away. Who knows what he can provide?

Naciuskin is going through the whole NHL Player Assistance Program. Who knows what he can bring you? But Georgiev, final year of his contract, and obviously McKinnon-Rantz. Those guys should be great. So I think you're right way It feels like Colorado and Dallas for me and by the Dallas stars

I remember a couple years ago talking with Brian Lawton to the HL Network guys Like what a disappointment Jamie Bennett Tyler Sagan was it's kind of amazing to me because it felt like it was just like a sunk Cost fallacy these guys are not gonna be worth the return and credit to them I know Jason Robertson drives the bus but Valsky is fantastic, but Haston is a great defenseman, but like Dallas has gotten more than I thought from those guys who for a while were very overpaid. And we can't forget about the Jets either. They obviously had the best winning goaltender in kind of Hellebuck and they might actually,

I mean they won the division. Bones did a good job up there last year. Yeah. So I mean they got them in third places, possibly third place as well, depending on what Dallas and Colorado does. Dave, let's move on to the next division. I was just gonna say quickly, because as David mentioned, bonus now walks out the door remarkable career. I remember Rick bonus, 92 93 senators like Alexander Dague, and he still

has an age like like bonus looks unbelievable. Yeah, 70s. So we'll see what Scott or Neil can do. So in the Pacific, maybe the most fun division, I think, to follow last year, at least for me, just because Vancouver kind of came out of nowhere a little bit to take that division. Edmonton on fire the second half of the season. I don't know what to think about the LA Kings as it feels like they're always in the mix,

but then sometimes they're not. They got Darcy Kemper. Is that going to help them get out of the first round? I don't know. Vegas is always in the mid Calgary It's Calgary a playoff team this year Maybe maybe not you never know what the flames and then you got Seattle who is a playoff team two years ago You got the Sharks who are gonna have maybe two of the most exciting young players in the lead this year

And the Western Conference champions. Yeah, oh and Utah the newest In the central Utah's in that central. Utah's in the central. Oh, that's right, Utah's in the central division. That's, thank you, Podowski. Um. It's getting called out. Well, did you say something in my ear in the moment? I'm just gonna go with it, like, you know.

Just trying to help. Yeah, fair enough. Thanks, Ethan. Yeah, he just shot David the Bird, by the way, on his sarcastic response. Yeah, but central division, Ethan. So fair enough. So back to the interview, by the way, on his sarcastic response. Yeah, but central division, Ethan. So fair enough. So back to the interview, Adnan.

What are your thoughts on the awesome Pacific division? By the way, I was hoping for some of the other nicknames in the Utah Hockey Club. First of all, I was hoping for the Yeti. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's got to be the Yeti, right? It's got to be the Yeti. Who doesn't love the Yeti?

That's a perfect name. And better than Stanley Cups, yeah. Yeah, I don't like this Utah Hockey Club English influence. Let's talk Oilers first because you say third straight year they lost the eventual Stanley Cup champions. Stan Bowman's now in there for Kenny Hollins. See what he can do. They lock up. Amazing day has a job by the way. Amazing. Yeah. After all the stuff that's gone through Joel

Quindle not back in the league. Stan Bowman is. I'm like, okay, this is how we're doing things. Alright. 8 years, 112 million dollar extension that's massive. The guy that I keep, the two guys you're looking at, Zach Hyman, 54 goals, and Evan Bouchard had 114 points, including the playoffs. That's insane to me. We focused so much, rightfully so, on McDavid and Dreisel, but that supporting cast can help out there,

and Stuart Skinner looks reasonably good, but I think the Oilers are in there. Kings, I know Doughty got hurt the other day in the preseason game. Hopefully that's not serious. I think they're a team on the cusp. You mentioned the Sharks. David Macklin celebrating, I think it's not serious. I think their team on the cusp. You mentioned the Sharks, David Macklin celebrating.

I think it's a stunt. Go ahead, Roy. That downy injury, that seems like almost egg blast. It looked bad. It looked bad. Hopefully it looked a lot worse than it was. Yeah. So that concerns me immediately.

You know, Canucks obviously Rick Toketz, he was able to get more, although Pederson being banged up, I think certainly hurt them. The fact they went down to Archer's, Sealob's and were still able to win games, their number three goalie was interesting. So hopefully Pederson can bounce back. Quinn Hughes was great.

76 points, 78 games last year. And as far as the Golden Knights are concerned, it's interesting, the fact that Marches, it was not resigned, cashed in with Nashville. I know it's only one guy, but Mark Stone's a question mark with some of his injuries as well. So I'm curious, Aiden Hill, Logan Thompson,

good goaltending, but Vegas, bit of a changing in the guard there for a team that we're used to having a lot of success. If everybody in the 32 team league right now, who do you see as someone who is a sleeper? You know, it's interesting. I would say, you know, it's funny, right? The Jets won the division, but I feel like they're still a sleeper because nobody talks about them. So I think the Jets are like in a weird way, kind of a sleeper because they're not a team that gets mentioned.

For me, when people mention the Western Conference, it's always going to be Colorado, Dallas, and Vegas, and Edmonton, and Vancouver. But I'm like, I think the Winnipeg Jets are right there with everybody else. And who do you think will end up being in the final? Oh, man, Stanley Cup predictions here. Always dangerous.

I will go with, how about the Vancouver Canucks? It's been so long, so the Canucks finally break through. That feels like a bold, anyway, it feels like a too bold a pick. And I'll go Florida, man. If Cal Phil stays healthy. Yeah. All right, I'll go.

Who are they? Vancouver, Florida. I think you just said Florida. And my brain immediately went, okay, so there's direct flights. Perfect. No, this is gonna be easier, though. Perfect.

This is gonna be easy. You're absolutely right. Thank God. So I really want to think of what's a way that could could imperil the hockey media the most. How far can I get? All right. Vancouver, Florida. But you're right. Direct flights. So honestly, like that that's a huge difference, Major, as we all learned last June. Oh, my God. The stories that I heard from NHL Network people was insane. I'm like, well, how hard can it be? Like, how hard can it be how hard can it be? How many flights do you think are going to Edmonton? Like, how many people do you think on an average week are going to Edmonton? From Florida!

I'm like, alright, fair point. I gotcha. Our friend Jordan McPherson, who writes for the Miami Herald, had the toughest of all. Yeah, he... Oh God. Yeah, his flight got canceled from... He was supposed to fly from Montreal to Edmonton right and his flight got canceled and then he had to uber to he landed somewhere he wasn't supposed to land he ubered an hour away to Hamilton I believe and then had to take a flight to Calgary and then uber to Edmonton and get there like literally walking in the door during warm-ups of game six only for Florida to lose five

to one and we got to fly back home the next day for game seven yeah it was a disaster for him and everybody else but they won game 7 and and here we go happily ever after I remember as it was unfolding. I was like man. Nobody is happier for Roy Bellamy than me I'm like I was like what Roy has suffered through like this does not make sense The effort this dude is making to go to Edmonton like they gotta win this thing you and Billy Lindsay the happiest people What would have been the most memorable moment in NHL Network? He got choked up when they made the cup final. I was on the stand with him and I go Billy,

what are they just like, you know, all we've been through is like, oh my God, it was awesome. Like I was like, I love people that passion about the team. Great, great moment. Love Billy. It felt like Jeremy Roenick when the Blackhawks won in 2010. And he got choked up. I'm like, you haven't played for the Blackhawks since what, 19, since 2000?

Since he went to the Flyers, right? Yeah, since he went to the Flyers. Yeah, or the Sharks. Was it the Sharks or the Flyers at that time? I remember when he opened with the Flyers in like, oh, two or oh, three or something. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it was Flyers. As far as it was a great show, oh, four, they beat the Leafs.

Game six, they showed the game winner, and I was so pumped up. But you're right. I went, like, Rodin did have a great run with the Blackhawks, but you're right Roy, what's not the first team you think of when you think of Rodinck? Yeah, at least at that point. I mean, the Blackhawks are the first team when I think of Rodinck, but yeah, I mean he's gone through team after team after team. Well, it's like with Jagger, the first team you think of is probably the Penguins, but he's played for, you know, 50 teams since then.

I'm glad you mentioned that Dave, the fact that Pignoto was talking last week with you guys, the last episode about Yager, 56 years old still playing hockey. This guy clearly hates his family. Does not want to go home. Does not want to see his wife and kids. That was the joke. I worked with Holland Chalios, World Cup of Hockey, and I was like, Chalie, how could you keep playing until 46?

And without missing a beat, Breck Hall goes, have you seen his family? He can't wait to get away from them. Yes. Yes. I don't believe them. It's a hard life man. Love my job. Hey man, Burke, congratulations on your new gig. We are very happy for you and obviously we're going to get you on the show sometime within the next maybe three weeks or something like that because you are going to return on the show. We appreciate you coming on today. No, Roy, dude, thank you so much, fellas. Like I said, I'm loving the podcast, what you guys are

doing as far as bringing hockey to the masses. And let's get on the rocket. We'll do a rocket watch party together. We'll do a review here on the hockey show. Absolutely. Dude. Yes. That's going to be the next appearance. We are going to do the rocket. Thanks, Ant-Man. Appreciate it, boss. Thanks, man. Appreciate it, boys. Howdy, folks. It's Mike Ryan. I want to talk to you about the great taste of Miller Lite. Gonna cut right to it today

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