Western Split

They may not be playing their best hockey right now but the Leafs found a way to grind out a 2-2-0 four-game Western roadie. Join Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill as they recap the weekend split in Vancouver & Seattle, respectively. Additionally, they look ahead to Toronto’s final two games – a home & home with the red-hot Winnipeg Jets – before the All-Star break.

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La la la la la La [Applause] you’re watching Leaf’s morning take with host Nick alberger and former NHL J Rose Hill the show starts now that is right all accounted for and back on this Monday presented by batando it’s time for the Monday edition of leaf morning morning take we’re back from Jasper it’s Nick alberga and Jay Rosel

And luckily in one piece here Rosie how are you buddy yeah good weekend man Monday came quick but uh quick turnaround for you getting all the way back out east too I imagine you’re a little more tuckered out than some it was a long day of travel uh although I

Didn’t drive the four hours from Jasper to Edmonton um but still a very very long day of travel and buddy we got crippled over the weekend okay it was a great time we got to thank our friends over at bway Booster Juice to ISM Jasper just uh such a unique unique tournament

To play in it was a lot of fun and uh learned a lot about ourselves and our teammates over the weekend man a great group of people over there yeah it is that whole nation Network seems like everyone’s kind of cut from the same cloth and on the same page and you know

The amenities were fantastic scenery was Unreal got to play a little pond hockey it’s been a while so uh overall pretty successful weekend Leafs morning take DFO team you know our attitude was right we didn’t exactly bring home any trophies but it wasn’t about that this

Weekend was it no it wasn’t but I I will say we we got stronger as the tournament went on so the first game happened uh over on Friday night we played barn burner I I I’m just going to blame it on just what was going on it was dark the

Lighting wasn’t dark enough [ __ ] Ryan Piner was balls to the wall like I don’t know what the hell’s going on there that barnburner team was buzzing but then they sort of blew the joint Leafs like in their last game of the round robin we made strides that we got stronger and

Stronger I thought you and Sarah Vol really locked in later on in the tournament so I think we’re priming for something special albeit we’re like now we rather drink to wrap up the tournament yeah that last game that was uh kind of for nothing the hot tub was

Uh looking a little more appealing for everybody else pre uh Battle of Alberta but um overall solid solid weekend man it was fun to get together with everybody and uh promote the brand a little bit two glaring highlights the team schitz SL SL hot tub session after

The I guess third round robin game where we just got together and said that’s it that’s all we’re not getting back on the pond which was just a smart idea with that temperature was great and number two the video you’re going to see on your screen in your moments it took me a

While I was in the slump of all slumps this weekend but I finally scored a goal shout out to Adam Seaborn from the playmaker family uh just a great dish and look at the we’re just ex you’re pump for me too I love to see that man well you’re sneak bitting a little

Bit there berzi style for uh you know majority of the weekend and uh you know last game of the we figured it’d be our last game we needed to get you that rock and uh man you just slid that baby right in there just poetic poetic poetry in

Motion is what it I won’t lie man The Whispers got stronger and stronger over the weekend you know I have a pretty good sense of what’s going on YouTube a lot of people asking some questions about a potential Jay Rose will comeback and after watching you this weekend man

You’re still died in I talked about scoring one goal I think Rosie had 98% of our goals so you’re very Matthews likee this weekend very Matthews likee it’s very aggressive but uh yeah something about pond hockey I like you’re not uh just throw a little sauce around there find the soft spots love

The pond hockey Style watch out for the cracks try not to break your ankle try not to crack your elbows open or your head try not to lose a teeth or an eye no stitches were giv out though solid weekend all in all but uh I don’t think

There’s any comebacks uh in my future to be honest with you I’m that’s unfortunate unfortunate we had a couple close calls uh Rosie Rock some [ __ ] guy was it on Seattle you rock this guy and and we we had you miked up for that too yeah I don’t know some of those old

Guys out there like you can tell they’ve played this kind of thing before but they like to take it easy you know bump and keep your sticks down I kind of I think I bumped this guy could just feel him going down and you’re always worried

It’s a it’s a guy that’s getting up there in years and you fall and break his hit but he was just fine and no animosity out there no push and shoving it was nothing but uh sportsmanship and camaraderie is what the uh theme for the weekend was so you know no rough stuff

I’m glad I uh I got to keep my my hands in one piece and nobody was injured no one got their tempers flared it was a nice weekend man nice change of change of things on the ice for me a lot of fun and it was uh great for the team

Building so again many thanks to our friends over at betway Booster Juice and tourism Jasper just a tremendous tremendous time in the Rocky Mountains man that was my first time over there and it really had like that mystery Alaska type feel and and that’s what you’re brought up on and I think you

Understand too when they have these outdoor games and they ask the players just that it had that feel of like when you were a kid just playing out there and having fun playing hockey eh yeah I know you get in the middle of those Rocky Mountains and it’s too bad you

Couldn’t drive from Calgary because you’re about three hours in the middle of the Valley of the mountains just traversing them and riding up alongside of them and it’s it’s wild so uh nice place to be and yeah if you’re going to throw uh your skates on go for a pond

Hockey to have that scenery behind you and surrounding you is uh it’s honestly world class so thanks again to Jasper and Jasper Park Lodge for putting us up it was a first class weekend and a blast something everyone should go and try and check out in their lifetime sir Bob

Writes in what’s the combined waist size of that picture I would say about 3,000 I know I was look I thought I was looking a little heavy in that thing too maybe gotta get the squash boots out again and burn some Cals after that weekend no I think we’re buzzing man

It’s going to take me a while to work off the [ __ ] food and and most specifically the alcohol I I had a weekend we all had a weekend it was a lot of fun Daniel Wright said Nick and Rosie you both can’t be away at the same

Time again the show was way too PG lol love to tell those guys we’re unique what can we say and we appreciate all the love here on YouTube at the Lea Nation 401 where you could subscribe lease morning take wherever you get your podcast we’ll pop right up there leave

Us a review and let’s keep this thing going brought to you by door Dash it’s time for the appetizer for a limited time our listers can get 25% off up to $10 in value and zero delivery fees on your first order of $15 or more when you

Download the door Dash app and enter code Nation 25 that’s code Nation 25 25% off your first order with door Dash don’t forget uppercase for that offer valid in Canada subject change terms apply and the roller coaster continued Rosie they found a way to lose uh against the Vancouver Canucks on

Saturday a wild game and then they return serve excuse me I can’t even get it out on Sunday against the Seattle Krakens so all in all a two2 and 04 game Road Trip here yeah I don’t know if I was on air or not I said uh I think it might have

Been after the Edmonton game I said they’re going to go two and two on this road trip and uh you know highs and lows goods and bads uh kind of more of the same to be honest with you um you know would be more disastrous if they didn’t

Pull that off last night against uh Seattle um that was uh that was pretty close to a 60-minute performance last last night they started off you know they get the lead the chances were crazy they kept the puck you know out of their zone out of their net samsonov looked

Fantastic for the the chances that the Kraken did get and yeah I was a little bit more impressed with their defensive play um offensively with all the chances you had I mean it was a little scary it’s like for all the accolades that this team gets for their offensive

Prowess and whatnot it’s it’s odd they just do they ever get a three-goal lead do they ever blow a team out it it doesn’t seem like they do and when things are going well um you know in their leading games you know against the Seattle Kraken that they should be

Outmatched I mean they’re still just hanging on and every shot could be that tying shot to send him in overtime which they do not Faire very well in so you know a bit of a nailbiter but at the end of the day you know they did close it

Out they got the two points they got it in regulation a big step forward for samsonov I think is the big story uh Nick Robertson in there he he’s pumping out some goals again and I think he’s earning his more of a fulltime position

In the lineup a lot of people are uh are calling for Keefe to stop yanking him in and out and I think he earned his spot last night with a convincing goal and in the game winner starting to get the feels I guess for ilas Samson off a bit

Is that what’s going on he makes 16 saves it’s backtack uh solid efforts we’ll call them since coming back from his uh his sabatical where he just needed a bit of a reset but again to your point um I thought he made some big time saves in that Seattle game and this

Is the most Pleasant news you can get for this Maple Leafs team the last cwell is the emergence again of Ilia samsonov this is great news isn’t it yeah it’s back toback big performances and to be honest I mean the entire you could say October November and a good part of

December there he just didn’t have a good performance I mean he could not find his game he was lost and when you know they put him on waivers put him down to the miners uh he didn’t really play down there but it was a mental

Reset it was a mental I think you know after the struggles that he had had and the work they had done I think they realized like this isn’t a physical problem this isn’t something you can you know just go out there with the goenda and and work on some angles and some

Pushes and work on some positioning stuff this is upstairs type of thing this is mental and I don’t think there’s um a position in hockey that’s more mental than the goal tender I don’t think it’s even close and he needed to go and and change his mindset get

Himself in a different head space and it looks like he did that because he looks very solid he’s not sliding around anymore he’s he’s not scrambling he’s not he doesn’t look defeated he looks in position and you know for the for the small amount of chances that they did

Have the Kraken last night there were some big ones some big back doors and and he didn’t just put himself in position he made some heroic acrobatic saves more than one of them and I don’t think the numbers tell the story it was the eye test for me that that told me

That Samy could be back on track here and you know he’s just got to continue to you know build on that mindset gain confidence and keep playing that way and you know times’s ticking here Joseph wall is going to make his return and you know Martin Jones has been playing solid

Too so you know for all the all the talk that you know they need a goal tender and whatnot I much more focused on defense I think they’re yeah the lack of play seems to be on the back end man Morgan Riley like uh TJ Brody specifically do not exactly look solid

Um I’m happy with McCabe right now and and benois but that team needs some Shoring up at the back end and that’s would be my number one concern if I had anything to do with yeah you’re right this is not all about the gold touring but again the most

Positive news you can grab from that weekend is another solid star for ilas samsonov and I agree with sort of your breakdown that he wasn’t swimming around it’s such a volatile position like to me it makes no sense and this is coming from somebody with no background goal

Tending wise how you you can’t stop a beach ball for like you know 20 appearances and all of a sudden you get a bit of a a reset and you’re back in the mix and actually an NHL goenda I don’t really care how it happen

Happens I I just want to see it from samsonov and it’s sort of fascinating in this market a couple good starts all of a sudden you know it seems to be going back the other way where a week ago we were talking about Martin Jones playing

In a playoff game and it’s now like well what if what if what if with with Ilia Samson on right yeah time time’s gonna tell right we he can’t predict the future you don’t know who’s going to step up you don’t know where things are

Going to land you try to make your I don’t know people get kind of horned up on oh I called that two months ago and it’s like it’s like well that’s great you’re throwing up [ __ ] at the wall something’s going to stick nobody knows what’s going to happen the next handful

Of months here and no one knows what’s going to happen at the deadline but at the end of the day there is options we are not as lean as could be we’re not desperate at the goal tending position there is hope there is promise there’s there’s light there um I still have a

Lot of eggs in my Joseph wall basket uh everything that we’ve heard about this guy I know it’s a small sample size but what he’s shown us at the NHL level has been fantastic um the way he speaks carries himself conducts himself the way he appears to think seems to be a very

High caliber and you know you talk to people that know him coming up that know him intimately and very well and have worked with him and know him personally and they have very high things to say about him High Praise for sure so those things those intangibles that you don’t

Always know about when a guy comes into the league you dig a little deeper and learn a little bit about something and there’s people that have been saying this guy’s a legit presence for a long time and like we said he steps into the NHL and you know steps during the

Playoffs last year for the map Leafs no small task and he performed he was on his game so you know get this injury behind him and I think our goal tending prospects are going to start to look up a lot more than they were say you know a

Month ago and uh again it’s just the defense that scares me the team defense and and the positional defense is is where I think this team needs to really take a step forward if they want to have any type of effect on the playoffs yeah that’s probably an understatement um I

Had an Infamous tweet over on Saturday mind you I was severely gooned up but I said need a [ __ ] save um I think the clock has struck midnight on Martin Jones like I again I I think he’s been a great story I know you’re probably

Higher on this guy I know a lot of people are in the chat are higher on this guy than I am but like the game against Vancouver where you outshoot them 4621 and granted the Canucks are buzzing this year they scored some pretty goals the PK for the lease has

Been a joke in the month of January but sometimes you just need a save and unfortunately this team just can’t get a save when they need one and I think that continued over the weekend for Martin Jones has your stance changed at all uh is it just a couple tough games for

Martin Jones um what’s your feel on that yeah I mean I think they were relying on him too heavily I think if he was not playing you know anything up to say like solid I think they would have had even worse kids you knows through the holidays early on in

The new year I think it could have been a real big disaster so I think you lose sight of that right away and um you know were those his best games no was he the reason they lost no could a a timely save here and there at important part

Parts in the game you know be Difference Maker yes they always can be for every single team but uh you know they’re ham and egging it pretty good they’re ying and yanging and here comes Joseph wo sorry Here Comes Elia samsonov looking uh pretty sharp in his kind of return to

To action here that’s all you could have asked for and once gets that it’s almost like the cats off your bag the pressure kind of alleviates and now you can just like have that be your Baseline and be like okay now I’m back to feeling normal

Confident I’m gonna go work my bag off still you know do my daily things with uh you know the extra stuff on the ice and and wait for his time to be in the crease whether they’re going to run with him or not this week I think that’ll be

Very interesting um I would think that they would and it seems like you know they’re they’re happy to have him back and he’s found something and and if he can build on that it’s only going to get better so you know unless he takes a big

Step back I I think that you know the light has started to shine on elas Samson of and we can start to you know expect him to be more like he was last year taking the fatigue angle with uh Martin Jones I don’t mind that he has

Played a lot of hockey the last little while but again I think he’s resorting back to Career Norms which is fine he’s provided adequate goal tending let’s not lose sight of the fact that he’s probably saved this Maple Leaf season too but uh I’m right there with you by

The way I know we’re going to get into the Winn Jets this week because again the Leafs have two games on their slate a home and home here with Winnipeg and I think that makes the most sense you put him you put Sammy back in there on Wednesday right at home against

Winnipeg yeah I sure think so um you know he hasn’t had a lot of reps he’s not tired um he just came off a great performance they’ve got the win I don’t see a single reason on the planet not to go straight back to him it’s going to be

A big test it’s going to be at home I mean the Winnipeg Jets have really you know tooken that big step this year especially lately and and Rose to the top of the standings they’re a well-rounded team they spread out their talent very well you look at

Their you know their cap hits and it’s it’s wild man I mean we’re the polar opposite of that and sometimes to our detriment obviously but we’ve got these you know 12 13 million players multiple multiple guys that are just top of the league as far as uh paychecks are going

And then you look at them and I I don’t know seven or something seven million is their highest they got it spread out very well and obviously they found the uh the chemistry with that because they’re clicking they’re rattling off winds they seem to be a well-rounded

Team it’s going to be a big test for the Maple Leafs um they they’re goingon to have to you know really look and analyze and understand what they’ve done in the past you know since the new year what works what doesn’t what are we doing

When we win games what are we doing when we play embarrassing hockey they gota they gotta verbalize that understand it see it on video and it’s hard on video actually it’s more of a a a feeling a a mentality and an attitude in the room going into the game like this is where

We shine this is where we struggle and you know when you get those leads for example you have to alter your game to protect them you can’t just keep playing this Loop and shoot Run and Gun hockey when your defense is as weak as it is it’s just it’s just unacceptable it’s

Mind-numbing to think that they wouldn’t protect their D when they have a lead and they continue to play risky hockey it blows up in their face so often and all I can say is that I Hope they’ve learned from that and you know a big performance at home against the you know

The red hot Winnipeg Jets getting a w there would would be a little bit of a statement saying we’re learning here we’re growing yeah I think they watered the Flames a bit with that win against Seattle but I’m not losing sight of just the the the key polarizing issue here

Defensively I’m still not sold on Keef I think it’s time for a change I think we’ve just seen too many big time things that are are total notifiers that yeah you need a change I mean Patrick Wall gets tired over the weekend Lane Lambert fired by the New York Islanders but even

Like the Saturday game like what the [ __ ] was that you’re hacking in in Canada you’re playing one of the best teams in the league let’s Spot Vancouver a three nothing lead after after one at the first intermission it’s like I see [ __ ] like that and I think the writing’s

On the wall I know I’ve been reading the chat during the start of the show a lot of people feel that way so one Victory is good and they needed that diely in terms of the standings but I still have the same feel about this team Rosie I

Won’t lie yeah it’s you know in my mind I just have learned that you can’t get too high you can’t get too low it’s easy to get low and negative when they’re they’re playing that that painful hockey that’s just lost that just doesn’t even doesn’t even look like it’s a middle of

The- pack NHL caliber team again my my big mind blow right now is that their bad is so goddamn bad and then they’re good is just so electric that it’s wild to see the same group of guys be able to play that big big of a disparity in in

Quality of hockey and there’s just no good teams that that do damage that win Stanley Cups that have that um on their resume it just it just doesn’t work you have to close that Gap you know everyone’s gonna have stretches of hockey where they don’t have their best

Stuff but you have to be able to control it you have to be able to address it you have to be able to you know Rectify it and they’ve really struggled with that um this year and you could say you could say you know when they when they go down

Three nothing they’re able to come back and yeah that’s a positive thing but then you got to look at well if you’re capable of that on that night what was going on to put yourself in that big of a hole were you not ready when the puck

Was dropped I mean that’s just the biggest killer for a team is to go through your whole day of preparation you know who you’re playing you’ve done your homework you’ve done everything on your game day routine watched the video done this and that you’re you know who you’re playing puck drops and you’re

Just la dah just get smoked three cob and then go holy smokes so there’s a game tonight oh let’s turn it on oh there oh good we tied it up let’s go again oh no we Lo it’s just like dude you have to be more professional as a as

A as a team as a group you have to have a a stronger mindset and to me it’s it’s the mental preparation thing with this team that I just don’t think is there and I’ve said it before I think that comes from coaching and from leadership

And you know if this thing continues to struggle and they continually take a step forward and two steps back then I mean I’m not totally opposed to a coaching change it’s not like Kei has got these guys just at the precipice of their ability you know firing on all

Cylinders getting the most out of the group it’s actually far from that and um I you look around the league like you said with these new coaches that do come in it’s not like oh we’re a brand new team now because we got a good coach but

A lot of times you look at the Edmonton Oilers you know you make that change and it’s just a change in mindset and like I said I think that is their problem their mindset going into games and I’m I’m not guaranteeing that a coaching change would be the answer to all the problems

But if they continue to struggle that’s certainly the most obvious and glaring change that could be made man imagine like Patrick W in Toronto like I know you could say that with a lot of different fits but like I can tell you they’re excited about the prospects of

Having Patty W with the New York Islanders and and and I think truly that’s the type of Coach this Leaf’s team needed and needs I think ultimately people are going to be like well had that type of guy in Mike Babcock but I I I think you have to flip back the other

Way and maybe Keith is too player friendly and maybe that’s the way you have to be in 2024 but you wonder if the leaf sort of missed out on a really really strong candidate for this team in Patty W ah maybe it’s hard to say I think

There’s I think there’s a few good coaches out there that could certainly uh um do the trick and you know it is easy to say well the reason they went to Keefe is because it didn’t work out with but I think Babcock’s a bit of an

Anomaly I mean the guy’s just such an [ __ ] I just don’t think anyone is is going to want to play for him so I I still have I’m the of the school that this team needs a little bit more accountability and they need a guy that

Has won before knows how to win knows what it looks like and knows what it feels like so you know a guy like that I personally I got my eyes on Joel quinnville um I know that I don’t think he’s been completely cleared by the NHL

To play but I mean that guy was running a modern day Dynasty in Chicago through the 2010 era there and he knows what it takes to win I think that he’s a guy that demands you know accountability that understands what it takes to win but at the same

Time he’s he’s cut from the cloth where guys want to play for him guys respect him guys want to be coached by him so he’s kind of got the whole gamut covered there and and he’s kind of my number one on on the the possibilities out there if

They did make a coaching change I just I’ve always had my eye on him and going God he’d be a great guy to play for you know he’s he’s he’s kind of got it all and he’s not too far this way with a players coach where the GU just don’t

Respect he has no control over them he’s not too far this way with the Babcock stuff where the guys just can’t stand him and and want to trade and don’t even want to be in the organization while he’s at the helm so you know if there

Was a trade to be made it’s somebody like that knows how to win gains the respect of the players demands you know accountability and and playing the right way but guys also want to play for him and and you know are are enjoying themselves and are part of the process

While he’s at the helm producer Vic makes a good point in our show chat uh that they were children when Babcock was there and a little older now and I get that and I think it’s pretty simple you bring in somebody uh you know cut from

That cloth if you will the way you set it and you say if you know this is the guy if it doesn’t work for you then we’ll make alternate Arrangements I just I’m with you I just think they need a you know somebody a bit tougher in there

Where it’s like not you got everything you want um and I I think it’s become chis still clear we’ll see how things play out over the next couple weeks couple months for this team but I think there’s no question at the very least Sheldon Keef is under the microscope

With this team if they don’t produce results a they got to get to the playoffs I mean if they miss the playoffs he’s done but if they get to the playoffs and they don’t produce results I I do think he’s in trouble and I even went on on Twitter over the

Weekend to back the guy like I think Sheldon Keefe is a really good coach I just think sometimes it’s time for a change I think the folks in Edmonton can tell you that like Woodcraft did a great job Rosie I think it’s a prime example he had one of the best uh win

Percentages in regular season history they made the coaching change now they can’t [ __ ] lose a game you played the game you played in the league sometimes you make a change it just boosts the team sometimes yeah and and that’s the that’s the the tough part about being a

Coach I mean you will be the scapegoat you will be the guy to fall on the sword whether it’s your fault or not team wise um it’s there’s just there’s no magic formula you can’t write it down on paper what it’s like to have a team that is

Just on the same page that is it’s just it works right it’s chemistry it’s it’s not tennis it’s not an individual thing you can have I mean you look at pre-s salary cap era when when teams would just buy teams right they didn’t just win the Stanley Cup it didn’t work that

Way you can’t just put the quote unquote best players on the on the roster and and they just flourish on the ice it’s it’s more of a team thing it’s more of a flow it’s more of a flow State it’s it’s chemistry and you can’t really just buy that and a

Lot of that is the environment that they’re in the way things are being presented to them um how each individual player is being managed and understood in order to get the most out of them according to the team system that you’re putting forward and right now the Leafs

IA they just don’t have that if they did they would have so much more consistency but if you want to change that and get more out of the group in that sense then a coaching change is absolutely a way that you can do that it’s not fool safe

It’s not foolproof um or fail safe it doesn’t always work but when you look at you know the Edmonton Oilers a fantastic example as you said they were they were egregiously bad to start the year like laughing stock of the league those Oilers fans were like on sooi watch for

Half of the half of the time there and and it was not Jay Wood’s fault necessarily like you say the numbers are good the guys liked playing for him and a very good coach but in that situation with that locker room you make a change and bring something else to light and

All of a sudden oh there’s the puzzle piece and Things fall into play and these guys all of a sudden find it it happens all the time and that is why coaches just get canned and it’s not necessarily fair but that’s part of hockey and and if this group needs that

I think we’re gonna find out in I would say the next the next four weeks yeah tw Twitter is a tire fire as we all know but like that seems to be the push back when I’ve put out a couple times over the last week that it’s long overdue for

A coaching change and I think it’s important to come back with Sheldon Keef’s a good coach but I think this team just needs a jolt they need a boost and I think to your point um you know sometimes that gets the KE the team going and cooking in the right direction

Because a lot of people will spin back and say well they don’t have the player Personnel they’re going to try to blame tree living or blame dubis there’s a lot of people who love Sheldon Keefe but I think the Oilers again are a perfect example of a team that nothing’s really

Changed on that roster they just have figured it out and I think the Leafs are still trying to figure that out as we approach the 50 game Mark of this season how much did your heart SN when I sent you that text on Sunday morning that Corey Perry’s going to Edmonton

Man it was disappointing it really was I I don’t uh I mean I know they’re on a heater right now but it seemed like that’s it like what about like I thought there’d be a little bit more chatter with uh you know developments about him talking and you know they’re they’re

Going back and forth but there’s some other teams in the mix and and feeling like we were a potential candidate to get him I think that we would want him I think the Leafs would you know benefit from having him especially in the playoffs um and then all of a sudden

Poof he’s gone he’s in Edmonton and you know I think he would want to play with Conor McDavid Leon dry Sidle I think he wants to be a part of this run that they’re on right here um why he wouldn’t give the Leafs a little bit more of a look I don’t know

It’s up to that that that’s up for him to know and I certainly don’t know but uh you know maybe he didn’t believe in the Leafs maybe he doesn’t think it’s got the group maybe he needs a a guaranteed Resurgence in uh in his career this year and he thought Edmonton

Was the best place for that obviously but yeah kind of disappointing because that would have been some exciting stuff to get him on the roster and and see if he can maybe be one of those pieces to kind of Jar something loose and get that

Team going on the on the right page I love how you just talked yourself through that I mean it’s it’s pretty clear why he chose the Edmonton Oilers they’ve won 13 games in a row they just don’t lose under Chris noblock they’ve got McDavid they’ve got dry cadle all of

A sudden steuart Skinner is like a Bonafide Contender for the vzon trophy like there’s a billion reasons but I I think you’re right like it’s unfortunate this sort of decision went down now because Leafs aren’t playing great and there’s no doubt this guy’s been watching games I mean what do you think

He’s been doing for the last month and a half and he looks at those two situations specifically and it’s like I understand why he he chose Edmonton but I’m with you like it it stinks I think he would have been a really really good fit for the Leafs but I think the

Positive note for me to grab from Perry going to Edmonton he’s in the [ __ ] Western Conference you don’t got to deal with him in the playoffs the Leafs have dealt with him on Tampa the Montreal Canadians I think there was a chance the Florida Panthers were in the

Conversation other teams at least might potentially play in the first round if they get there and and so that’s the positive I would grab from a disappointing spin for sure yeah that’s uh that’s true I me I mean to to see him go there it’s disappointing but it’s not infuriating

Because you’re not really going to be playing against him you’re not going to have to face him a thing and he let not he’s not you know he’s not the end all Beall of uh of players obviously he’s in the Twilight of his career he’s kind of slowing down but you know consistently

Over the past what five six years he is like a Mainstay in these wars of playoff series is that he’s on the winning side of and he’s often a huge part of them he’s is often a factor whether he’s scoring the big goals drawing the penalties dragging his team into the

Fight gaining momentum frustrating the other team uh he does it all he he’s a a very seasoned veteran who is built for the playoffs who understands as much as anyone that I could think of right now off the top of my head what a playoff performance needs to look like and I

Think that his attitude and the Leafs locker room could rub off on a lot of guys who just have not freaking learned that in the past well ever on this roster so um it’s disappointing but like you say the fact that he’s in the west

And and not going to be uh you know causing us headaches in the Eastern uh Eastern Conference throughout the playoffs if we do get into it and uh and face a team with him on it it’s not the ideal situation so at least it’s not that situation but yeah disappointing

For sure I was I was looking for him probably more than most and really wanted to see him on there because of those reasons I mentioned where he knows how to play playoff hockey and this team has proven over and over again they do not certainly drags you to the fight um I

Think even looking back at that game on Sunday Brandon tanov was in a mood I would say too Conor Timmons like if you want to stay in the lineup maybe don’t take stupid penalties in your first shift of the hockey game I just haven’t been impressed with uh Tim and his game

And it’s it’s far removed from that combo we’ll say in training camp where it’s like holy [ __ ] this guy might be a legitimate player for this team he’s such an outcast on that back end beno’s pass him I think even jordano could be past the guy and Jordano’s really really

Struggling I don’t know if Timmons is going to be there long term like post trade deadline would I be shocked if Timmons is still on this team um I’m not sure I I just haven’t seen the consistency but I was just getting to the point that I think the maple leaf

Showed a bit of push back in that game against Seattle where you know even a guy like Beno by the game I just love this guy even more I know you’re a big fan of his too sticks up for Timmons we see mccab scrap after L gr got into with

Tanv like tanv you could tell and I’m sure you’ve had those games in your career Rosie where you’re buzzing you’re looking for something I mean let’s not lose sight of the fact that Chris tanv is linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs the TANF families are close by like if

There’s one team you’re going to show up for it’s going to be against the Leafs and tanv was in a move a mood to get after it he was pissed off about the hit and I thought it was a pretty good response by the maple leafes all and all

Yeah I was gonna say he was he had to be in his Bonnet there kind of thing but the response from the maple Lees was not to be used as a doormat for some guy who’s uh you know got uh you know an itch to go out there and and rough

Things up a little a little bit macabe stepping in there doing the right things too I like Beno finishing all kinds of hits like multiple hits in a row like when you’re when you’re especially this day and age with this clientele that’s in the NHL I think it’s as important as

Ever just to just to crush those guys up against the glass every time it’s hard to do because you come to a stop and then you need to get your feet going from a stop to to get back into the play it’s easier to swoop and just Glide by

The guy but when you’re making those plays man and you know a 100 pound body is is hammering himself against you all night long you start to you know it starts to affect you it starts to hurt you you start to kind of H roll your

Eyes going [ __ ] when is this night gonna be over that takes you out of the game a little bit um you know it makes you panic with the puck a little bit you can you know that causes turnovers a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs they capitalize on turnovers right they

They’re licking their lips they’re looking for that all the time a guy like William neander is just looking for it almost to the point where you know he’s blowing the Zone sometimes and stuff that’s kind of a knock on him but you’re banging bodes like that like you got 10

Guys on a roster who are finishing every goddamn check every single shift that team is going to start to get tired of it they’re going to start to panic with the puck you’re going to take away time and space they’re not going to have the ability to make those those proper plays

And you’re going to benefit off the turnovers and and wearing those guys down and it’s just difficult to play against a team like that and the Tonto maps are not known to be a difficult team to play against and you know if uh

If a lot of guys can take a page out of beno’s book and at Le bang and crash a little bit more I would like that but like you said Jake mccab I’ve been impressed with he you know he just seems to kind of have that you know that Dad

Role that leader role and I think that he could really ride with that in the playoffs he blocks shots he hits he can you know sick up for teammates like that and uh it’s what we need on the back end my biggest concern lately is just kind

Of that lack of urgency in front of the crease like especially with like Morgan Riley it’s always like like when there’s a loose Puck and some chances and activity around and in front of your goalie as a Dem man you are head on a swivel you are stick swinging and you

Are down you are taking away Lanes you are pushing bodies you are searching for that puck sometimes you just kind of sits to stand there and just watches It Go in his net and you know Brody as well they can’t even find the puck and it doesn’t look like they’re desperate to

Find it they’re just kind of looking around and some of the most high you know most desperate places around your net where you should be 100% like on alert desperate they seem to be very nonchalant and relaxed and ends up in the back of their net a lot that’s

Something that needs to absolutely change I don’t know what that’s all about but again the killes heel of this team does seem to be their defensive uh play in the regular season when they don’t have it so it needs to change and you know positives and negatives I know

We we pick them apart a little bit but I just know that that type of play isn’t good enough and and they need to make changes yeah in general I think you talk about Brody I just just think he’s been very disappointing um you know from when

Day one when he signs coming over from Calgary where I think he had a couple really strong seasons and for some reason just hasn’t been the same player and defensively speaking he has been a guy that you can count on in his career where it’s like you don’t really notice

Him you don’t talk about him does his job but uh the the issues defensively have been spiraling out of control for like a year and a half with TJ Brody and and that’s why I’m curious that maybe if you find uh you know one guy or even

Maybe in a perfect world two guys a slot ahead of a guy like Brody which is very very unlikely how he would figure in you know slotting down the lineup I think all of a sudden he becomes an asset and not so much a detriment which has been

The BigTime story for me defensively when it comes to TJ Brody It’s just sometimes you watch him out there it’s like is this guy you know is his head even in the game at times well I think he’s going through some personal things as well and you know he’s mentioned

Before when talking about that kind of stuff that you know hockey isn’t necessarily the most important thing in the world and it’s not when you’re talking about you know illnesses and family issues and things like that it it is certainly not but you know as a professional you need to be able to

Compartmentalize those things easier said than done no question about it but you know there is a factor of you know what’s going on his personal life is that affecting his play because he does look like his head’s not in he does look like his mind is elsewhere and uh you

Know I think our biggest problem on the back end is we ask too much out of players that aren’t capable of giving you that capable of playing that role but like you said if you get the guys in in front of them couple guys to slot

Into those big minutes that can eat that stuff up and take that responsibility and handle it well on their shoulders all of a sudden the guys were talking about slot into a role and a responsibility that they’re much better suited for and and I do think that you

Know if you get those pieces in place it could just happen just like that all of a sudden oh everyone’s where they need to be right now because now it seems like you know sometimes their hair is on fire out there and they just cannot handle it and it’s a detriment to the

Team and they lose games because of it they get down in games because of it they don’t start properly because of it they can’t win in overtime because of it and you know you Shore that up I think it could solve a lot of problems but for

The time being you just hope TJ Brody whether it is some personal things or not you can get them squared away and compartmentalize them and and start to to focus on hockey with a little bit more confidence this segment is brought to you by Charm Diamond centers get

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Up this week Rosie again very quiet schedule as we get set for uh the allstar week and the bye week here for the Maple Leafs just two games remaining before the All-Star break uh and it’s a home and home year with the Winnipeg Jets we talked about it earlier on I

Think you and I both agreed that elas samsonov should start on Wednesday I think you’re at at a point where your goalies like win and you’re in um you know despite you know backto backs happening win and you keep playing like I think that’s the easy sort of formula

No yeah I mean it’s hard to argue with some coaches literally have that some coaches will never change their lineup after a win and it’s just like their philosophy if we win like that we’re not changing a goddamn thing and and it makes sense and I think it works with

Goenda when there’s no Rhyme or Reason to go against it right like why would you like we said we’ve we’ve been working Martin Jones hard especially on that road trip um refusing to go to anybody else and you know he’s starting to crack a little bit so give Sammy his

Touches he’s been out of the lineup for a long time he hasn’t played a ton of hockey he just won the game he looks absolutely solid there’s it’s it’s an absolute no-brainer to me um you know when people say oh you pick everyone apart and you can’t uh you know no one

Can get away with anything in this locker room you know who’s flown under the radar right now to me that could uh you know be a storyline this week is is John Tavaris man I mean he’s been off the score sheet for like eight games I

Think it’s his biggest uh slide of his career and he is he’s been non-existent to me I mean when guys when guys are like that of that Cali I thought he was good against Seattle I’m not saying he’s bad I just do not notice him out there

He’s not a factor he is not an 11 million doll Factor on the ice and I don’t think he has been since Christmas um not saying he’s playing terrible or he’s a liability or anything like that but at 11 your captain being on a career slide like this he’s kind of gone under

The radar for it and that’s a good thing I mean one of the biggest problems with this Market is you can’t even you know hiccup without having people attack you for it and jump down your throat and point it out so I’m not I’m not uh I’m

Not piling on the guy I’m just saying he’s not been what he needs to be he’s FL flown under the radar for it and this week’s a big week for him to pull out of that before the allstar game yeah JT to me is the least of this team’s con

Concerns and issues like you talk about don’t get too high don’t get too low like this guy has been Mr Point per game since entering the league pretty much and we talked about this two weeks ago he’s going through his January Swoon I thought he was excellent against Seattle

Like he’s the type of guy he’s knocking on the door like I I’d probably put good money on him scoring a goal in one of the next two games at least like I think he’s he’s showing signs of breakout I think they mention it in the broadcast

How they’re sort of phasing back the minutes a bit I think he looked a bit tired it happens every year with this guy just just look back and I’m not as concerned as some people are with John tarz I just think he’s a guy this type

Of stuff doesn’t phase him and let’s not forget the fact that he’s been under the microscope in this market in this country since like 14 right and he’s weathered the storm every time I believe in John tarz I know some people start to wonder about father time but he goes

Through ups and downs every season and I think he’s primed to break out here in the next little while I thought he was pretty good like you could tell they’re feeding him a bit more on Sunday but he but he looked a bit more refreshed I think that was my takeaway like post

Christmas break Rosie in like January 1st onward he looked tired and sluggish and I know uh we’ve talked about it a lot in this podcast where it’s not so much about you know the foot game and the Speed game but like it’s IQ how

Quick he is with that I I I just think he looked a bit fatigued but I do think he’s snapping out of it having said that I understand what you’re saying he does make a lot of money yeah and I mean I like the positivity I hope you’re right it’s just

The longer this goes on the more it will become a story and when guys get uh you know into a little bit of a rut every it happens to everybody it’s not the end of the world and it is that January kind of uh Dog Days of of the season right now

Where it’s probably the best time to go through something like that and in the most obvious time where you could understand why it happens but uh the longer it does go the more of a big deal it’ll become and but I do agree with you he’s of the caliber where he could snap

Out of it any game in and just become a thing of the past nonissue I hope that’s right but uh at $1 million eating that cap you you can’t be going through that for too long and you need to you need to help out because a guy like him you know

Just being on his game that extra bit can be the difference over a 60-minute hockey game on on whether you get that win or not whether you don’t go into overtime and you win in regulation those types of things so um looking forward to his performance here this week by the

Way the bruzi or excuse me the Perry News Now official in Edmonton one year 775k plus performance and bonuses he won’t wear Ryan Smith’s number 94 of course and he’ll wear number 90 so Cory Perry officially official a member of the Edmonton oers and again as I

Mentioned earlier on thank God I do not want to see that guy in the playoffs if we do it would be in the Stanley Cup final which is great to see speaking of great to see man Allstar Weekend uh looking forward to that you’re coming down we’re going to do some shows some

Live shows and more news on that coming up over the next little while as we get set for Allstar Weekend but over the weekend it was confirmed everything we knew but Austin Matthews and Justin Bieber will co- Captain a team Morgan Riley’s going to be an assistant and I’m

Not sure specifically how the draft will work but I think it would be hilarious if if Matthews didn’t take Mitch Marner man imagine they let Marner roll and it’s like oh [ __ ] he’s not gonna be on this team together Pen’s got the first overall

It’ll be it’s fun to watch that man I I enjoy it I like it I like how they got you know their captains with the celebs and then they got you know their it’s either their teammate or their brother type of thing or their their kick basically as their assistant so so it’ll

Be fun you know they’ll probably be miked up sitting there with the Celeb and chatting about who to take and there might be some some back and forth like who knows how much you know all these guys know about all the allstars and whether they’re they’re picking with

Their heart or their head it’s gonna make it fun right and at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter but it’s nice to have these uh these little levels of of of entertainment you know that that isn’t outrageous and that isn’t like an eye rolling thing you know you got legit

Hockey fan people in there that are legit celebrities and you’re going about it a fun way and to me the uh the skills competition is is the biggest uh the biggest example of that where they’re doing it real this isn’t a dick around and come out with you know goofy [ __ ]

Costumes on like I I’ve been vocal about just hating that stuff I don’t even understand why the kids would like that stuff but now you got like a legit here’s a million bucks who’s the best overall skilled player in this league and holy smokes there’s something to

Watch if you ask me there’s no doubt in my mind we’re going to come out of All-Star Weekend you’re going to [ __ ] on Allstar Weekend mark my words so let’s not try to play that game yeah not after Florida not after let’s let’s shoot pucks onto a green on a golf course

They’re bopping and flopping and rolling all over the place like who [ __ ] thinks of that man it’s it’s not good I love golf I love hockey and I that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen so I think they’re going to clean it up with the circus Sideshow stuff right now and I

Think I’m going to be uh I think I’m going to be impressed with it to be honest with you but uh time will tell the proof will be in the pudding for sure and I can tell you there’s going to be some gimmick [ __ ] like I you would

Have to think the CN tower is going to be involved there’s going to be something but you mentioned the celebrities so will Arnette lease fan Michael bble in the mix Tate McCrae is going to be a captain so is Justin Bieber by the way I am working on one of

Those four potentially coming on Lee morning take so we’ll see if that comes to fruition I won’t mention who it is but we’re working on things here behind the scenes maybe this week to come and talk about selecting the selecting process like I I would love one of those

People to be a [ __ ] troll and be like hey Mitch Marner you’re on my team I think it’ be so cool to see Marner against like Matthews out there like I think that’s and that’s the thing with these like fantasy drafts like you see

It in the NBA it heats up in a big way um I wonder if it heats up in terms of the fantasy draft like I would be that type of Captain that would want to troll people so hopefully one of these fun we see Austin Matthews play with Marner

Every single night I want to see them play against each other I want to see um Austin matthews’s skill with someone he would you would never even picture him being with that’s what’s fun about it and uh I hope what you’re alluding to is getting Tate McCrae on the show she’s

A good Calgary girl hey maybe maybe that could be an angle we work There I don’t know if that’s likely we’ll try we’ll try our best I’m trying something there but uh producer Vic even writes in uh who do they take first is it Willie or Mitch like if they don’t take Mitch yeah does he does he get pissed off about not going first you

Know there there’s a lot of Optics behind the scenes man you can ruin a room well that could be the that could be the kicker on why they don’t they’re like I can’t pick between my line my teammates I’d rather play against those guys and and have some fun with it so

We’re going with so and so and I could see that happening because who do you take Willie or Mitch Willie you kidding me obviously but I don’t think scary stuff I don’t know that’s why that stuff’s fun right like real stuff not not forcing it down your

Throat not not sesow circus crap that no one asked for and you’re just jamming it down your throat real real things that are that are fun to watch and not forced so I’m I’m thinking this is going to be one of the best allar games in in years

And I hope I wow this guy’s so horned up for Allstar Weekend I nothing’s going to compete with Florida last year I really don’t care about the product on the ice I’m a bit different so why because you get to go sit in the Sun and have a

Mojito or something I don’t care that was like that was embarrassing shooting at like being on the beach you weren even there it was awesome sfir from a beach that can’t be how many people do you think are at the allstar game compared to people watching at home

That’s the most important thing is What It’s Like on for the program not whether you’re running in the sand or not man not many people are actually at the thing yeah I was in my speedo on the beach talking about hockey there’s just I don’t know it depends on what you like

Nonetheless we’re looking forward Allstar Weekend Rosie and I are getting together he’s flying out there we got some big things popping by the way some Elite guests could be stopping by was which is obviously part for the course for this podcast but looking forward that and looking forward to the batana

Wrap-up presented by Bano doca the game starts now 19 plus please play responsibly busy slate again this week 51 games in total just two for the maple but on this Monday Boston and Winnipeg I’ll be watching closely I wouldn’t be shocked if the under hit that story with

Winnipeg’s tremendous what is it like 33 straight games they haven’t allowed more than three goals like it’s it’s insane I think it’s going to be a very tight checking hockey game yeah hella bucks just uh I think in my mind he’s he’s the best golender in the league yeah and uh

Yeah two powerhouses going against each other man it’s it’s going to be interesting to see I really feel like Boston has just flown under the radar this year man like people haven’t been talking about them a whole lot um they’re not doing flashy wild things that’s all over the headlines but

They’re just having another season where they’re right at the top of the absolute league and they’re gonna be you know I think you’d assume they’re GNA have learned their lesson from last year in the playoffs and be coming out hard and strong and you know again they’re in our

Division and a tough opponent to to go up and and play against but I think they’re they’re a bit of a wagon and people almost forget about that because of what happened last year in the playoffs but uh that’ll be a good game two big boy teams like you say it’s one

To watch and and see where everyone stands looking forward to it there’s no doubt about that and looking forward to the next Maple Leafs game coming up on Wednesday at home against the Winnipeg Jets again just two more games and uh before the All-Star break SL by week so

Some much seated RNR coming for Nick Elber and Jay Roso great job today buddy thanks it’s good to get back in the saddle we got a long week here and uh big game on Wednesday I’m licking my chops for that one I’m also kind of nervous about it fair enough Edward Lee

Wrs said Nick and as Speedo there goes my lunch I appreciate that I’m a very hairy Italian boy I I’ll be honest here okay and that’s the last thing Jay rosevill will say the last noise he makes on this show at the leaf Nation 401 on YouTube uh Search Le want to take

Wherever you find your podcast as well many thanks to producer Vic that’s Jay Rosel I’m Nick alberga we’ll talk on tuesday take care make sure to check out more of our content right here on the Leafs Nation YouTube page we got long form interviews

We got Clips we got epic rants by J Roso we simply have it all and don’t forget you can find out much more at the leaf Nation