It's another edition of Overrated/Underrated as Dan and Sat debate whether Tanner Pearson's time as a Canuck, everything going right in a season, and more is overrated or underrated.
This podcast was produced by Josh Elliott-Wolfe.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
Dan and Sat react to the comments from Canucks President Jim Rutherford today ahead of training camp. Also, hear from Kevin Woodley of InGoal Magazine on the Casey DeSmith addition and more.
This podcast was produced by Josh Elliott-Wolfe.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
Matt and Blake talk about the Pearson-DeSmith trade and everything it entails for the salary cap, backup goaltender, and young wingers Vasily Podkolzin and Nils Högalnder. We also hear from the Canucks' braintrust on the season ahead, what it will take to make the playoffs, whether Elias Pettersson can be re-signed in-season, status of a new practice facility and training camp in Victoria. Plus a Welcome Matt on Ray Ferraro joining the Canucks broadcast team. Frank Corrado joins to tell us about a Tocchet training camp from his experience in Pittsburgh, and about his ex-teammate Casey DeSmith. Frank evaluates the Pearson trade, gives his thoughts on Mike Babcock's resignation, and discusses what that means for other coaches who are waiting to get back to the NHL, like ex-Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.
Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner doesn't believe his team has been left fractured in the wake of the turbulent Mike Babcock saga.
"I think the past week has really probably brought us together closer," he said, according to NHL.com's Jeff Svoboda."I am proud of the group for that, to be honest. It's a different situation. No one has ever been in this spot."
The Blue Jackets found themselves under the NHLPA's microscope in September after podcast host Paul Bissonnette said a player told him newly minted head coach Babcock had asked the team for their phones, scrolled through their camera rolls, and projected the images onto a larger screen.
Jenner and Babcock both suggested that the situation was blown out of proportion, with the veteran center saying at the time that it was "a great first meeting" and "good way for (them) to start to build a relationship."
The NHLPA and the league were initially satisfied with Jenner's account but reportedly had a change of heart when several of Columbus' younger players said they weren't comfortable with what unfolded, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
The Blue Jackets players had a discussion about the dramatic state of affairs late last week, and defenseman Zach Werenski said he and his teammates left the meeting "united" and "on the same page."
Babcock resigned Sunday, saying it'd be "too much of a distraction" for the team if he stayed on as head coach.
Earlier in the offseason, Werenski said the Blue Jackets were unfazed by Babcock's controversial reputation, believing that it was all behind him.
Pascal Vincent will take over the reins in Columbus. It's his first gig as an NHL head coach.
"We're going to move on," Vincent said. "I know our players have been working extremely hard this summer. I know what we did as coaches, and our focus right now is we are looking ahead. What can we do today to get ready for tomorrow?"
The Blue Jackets' 2023-24 season begins Oct. 12 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Marchand succeeds future Hall of Famer and longtime teammate Patrice Bergeron, who retired in July.
"It was surreal. Almost felt weird to see the jersey. ... The guys you see wearing the 'C' are the best to ever play the game," Marchand said, according to Boston.com's Conor Ryan. "And to look down at it and for it to be mine and to put it on - it was a different feeling."
He added: "It means more to me than I think anyone will ever know."
The 35-year-old has spent his entire 14-year NHL career in Beantown and has already cemented his place in the franchise's all-time record books, ranking sixth in goals (372), seventh in points (862), and eighth in games played (947). Marchand also sits fourth in game-winning goals (71) and is the organization's leader in overtime tallies (17).
Marchand won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011. His 128 points in 146 playoff games are the sixth-most among all active players.
"I am extremely proud of Brad and the hockey player he has become," Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs said in a statement. "Brad has been a Bruin for over 15 years and had the opportunity to learn from great leaders in Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron.
"He is ready for this opportunity and our whole team will learn from his competitive nature and tenacity. I am confident he will represent our organization with heart and grit."
Marchand has built up a reputation as a pest and agitator who doesn't shy away from on-ice shenanigans.
However, former Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said in August that Marchand would be his pick to take over the captaincy in Boston after watching him mature and evolve over the years.
"Brad will be a great leader in terms of leading by example, will to win, been there done it," he said.
The Bruins selected Marchand in the third round of the 2006 NHL Draft.
Bruins president Cam Neely said stud defenseman Charlie McAvoy and star sniper David Pastrnak will serve as alternate captains in 2023-24.
No one is more aware of how poorly Jack Campbell's first season with the Edmonton Oilers went than Jack Campbell himself - but the goaltender is eager to turn the tables in 2023-24.
"I just learned so much last year, my standard for myself is so much higher than that," he said Wednesday, per TSN. "Not to dwell on it, but so much good came from having such a tough year as far as my growth this summer. My focus is getting back to where I know I can be at and even elevating that from what I've done in the past.
"(I'm) just really excited for the opportunity to write a new script this year."
Fresh off of signing a five-year, $25-million deal with the Oilers that painted him as their starter, Campbell fell flat in 2022-23. He owned a respectable 21-9-4 record, but Edmonton has a penchant for outscoring its problems and his individual numbers were less than inspiring.
Campbell posted an .888 save percentage and 3.41 goals against average while his minus-18.87 goals saved above expected at all strengths trailed just Kaapo Kahkonen, Spencer Martin, and Elvis Merzlikins for the worst mark in the league, according to Evolving-Hockey.
The Oilers leaned on rookie Stuart Skinner as a result of Campbell's struggles and the 2023 Calder Trophy finalist started every playoff game for Edmonton. Campbell performed admirably in four postseason relief appearances, though, registering a .961 save percentage and 1.01 goals against average in just under 120 minutes of action.
"That's just kinda what I expect to do - forget about the numbers, but how I played," Campbell said of his springtime resurgence. "Just going out and having some fun, doing what I can do. It was nice to get a taste of it, but (it's a) pretty small sample. I'm ready to turn it into something bigger this year."
The 31-year-old admitted he has a habit of judging his performance "pretty heavily," which is why he focused on improving his mindset throughout the summer.
"I still have that standard of wanting to save every shot, but not necessarily losing a week's worth of sleep over it," he said with a laugh.
Campbell is set to compete with Skinner for more playing time in 2023-24. The Oilers open the season on Oct. 11 against the Vancouver Canucks.
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos is frustrated that he still doesn't have a contract extension as training camp nears.
Stamkos, who's entering the last season of an eight-year contract with an $8.5-million cap hit, said that the lack of communication from the front office is upsetting.
"To be honest, I've been disappointed in the lack of talk in that regard," Stamkos told reporters, per ABC's Kyle Burger. "It was something that I expressed at the end of last year that I wanted get something done before training camp started. There haven't been any conversations."
Stamkos added that he's surprised the team hasn't shared the same eagerness to work out a new deal.
"I'm ready whenever," he said. "That was something I didn't see coming, but it is what it is."
Captain Steven Stamkos said that he's "been disappointed" that the team didn't discuss with him a contract extension over the summer. #GoBoltspic.twitter.com/3UqU14MrKQ
The Lightning have not been shy about handing out extensions this offseason. They signed forward Brandon Hagel to an eight-year, $52-million extension in August. What's more, the team projects to have over $12 million in cap space for next season with no key pending free agents outside of Stamkos.
Stamkos, 33, is still a highly productive player: He tallied 34 goals and 50 assists in 81 games last season.
The Markham, Ontario, native has spent his entire 15-year career with the Lightning after the club selected him first overall in 2008. He was named the team's captain in 2014 and helped lead the franchise to three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances from 2020-22, winning in 2020 and 2021.
Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson spoke glowingly of Connor Bedard following the phenom's impressive showing at the club's rookie tournament over the weekend.
"The amount of attention, expectations, not just now but in the past, has been something that is rarely seen," Davidson told NHL.com's Tracey Myers. "I can't speak more highly of how he's handled it, how he's not let it impact his focus and what he thinks is important and the work he needs to put in, both on and off the ice, to perform at the level he expects of himself."
He added, "Incredibly mature and impressive for an 18-year-old coming into a very unique situation."
Bedard dazzled in his unofficial Blackhawks debut, notching a hat trick against the St. Louis Blues with the lethal wrist shot that helped make him the most hyped prospect since Connor McDavid was drafted first overall in 2015.
🎩🎩🎩 BEDARD HAT TRICK 🎩🎩🎩
Connor Bedard put on a show at the prospect showcase in Saint Paul! 😤
"It's an elite shot. He loves to use it," Davidson said. "I don't think we learned or confirmed anything there that wasn't fairly well documented."
Chicago drafted Bedard with the top pick after he put up a whopping 71 goals and 143 points in 57 games for the WHL's Regina Pats last season. He also recorded 23 points in seven contests at the world juniors en route to a gold medal for Canada as well as tournament MVP.
Expectations are sky-high for the British Columbia native as he approaches his rookie season, but Davidson is confident Bedard can embrace whatever is thrown his way.
"We'll let him and his play do the talking," he said. "I'm sure the expectations he's been followed with for a long time. I'm sure he'll handle it just fine."
The Blackhawks open training camp this week then kick off their regular season Oct. 10 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.