I know that some in our audience know the finer points of hockey the Chris Johnson show You are your friends the biggest stories bringing you inside the game The Chris Justin show what is going on here's Chris with your host Julian Mackenzie part of the game Siege we didn't get to any ask CJ questions on Monday, so we are gonna get to them by the end of today's episode There's still some other news and notes. We do need to get to Trying to figure out what's the best place to start Vladimir Tara Senko signing in Detroit You're I still of Cofsky. We didn't even get to him earlier this week He signs an extension with the Montreal Canadiens Shane Pinto his stalemate with the Ottawa senators that comes to an end There's still some activity happening over the last few weeks not as that was the last few days I should say I'm already ready for vacation. You can tell not as fast and furious as the first day of free agency But still a lot to talk about Yeah, and there's been some trades, you know teams clearing up cap space The the Joseph brothers being reunited in st. Louis love it with matt you being traded from Ottawa and Pierre Olivier's brother signing as a free agent there. Yeah, well started slafkoski. I mean, I think it was an interesting You know contract and Montreal sign them to to me. It's looks like one of those tidy bits of business and You know, I think it it kind of illustrates What teams have to how they have to approach situations with players because he's one year out from where his contract with his entry-level deal Would have ended? He's only played give or take a hundred and twenty NHL games and You got to make a decision. Are we gonna let him play this third season? You know, he took a big step last year I thought For four months we all became a far more impactful player his numbers reflect that as usage reflects that and So you're making a bit of a bet here by signing them to a long-term deal. But for me, it's hard to argue with At least the thinking behind the bet, you know, they keep his his cap number a little bit under Nick Suzuki and Cole Cofield you know, the other two forwards they have signed long-term and You know now you've got nine years of your ice-lafkoski me You have locked him up through what will unquestly be his prime as an NHL player And if you're in the Canadians end of the rink, you're hoping that his prime far exceeds that cap hit You know that he's becomes a nine or ten or an eleven million dollar equivalent player over the course of this deal and of course what that will mean is You know in the middle of this deal if it's a hundred and ten million dollar cap I mean to be a nine million dollar player ten million dollar player and a hundred and ten million dollar cap is a little different than what we associate with it today So, yeah, I like the contract. I like where Montreal's trending You know, I think we're all waiting like what does Ottawa look like? What does Buffalo look like? How do you know we we kind of go back to these touch points? But you know you're waiting further to be a little bit of displacement in the Atlantic Division because the four teams at the top have kind of been there for an extended period of time here But you know, I like the bet on slafkoski and it is a bet because you're definitely overpaying him today Did he have a 50-point season last year or something like that? Yes, he did, but he's still so young and You know typically even he's a big man right like sometimes bigger players just take a little longer to kind of grow into their bodies and to understand what he can do on the ice and I mean this guy's got yogurt like qualities I'm not saying he's gonna have the kind of career yard mirror did But with the way he can use his body and when when the puck along the wall and obviously has a great shot So, you know, I I love the I love the thinking behind this one But it's sort of an intriguing decision by the Canadians at this point in his development. I feel like we've Discussed this particular tactic a bunch of times with the Canadians and I think the senators could be applied to this too The young talent you get when they show a glimpse of something if you're able to sign them long term You don't worry about your one or your two them not playing up to that contract It's the hope that in years four five three four five that money starts to look like a steal for the potential for them to reach And I think for a guy like your ice-lift cost key with what he showed in that last year and just the way that he Seems really confident in the market that he's in I can completely understand that that and now the Canadians Found a way to keep Suzuki coffee field and slift coffee with AAVs under 8 million for the foreseeable future I think that's really good business. I can't use absolutely and I got to say too that You know to me, it's a bit of a page out of the way We've seen the lightning build over the years if you think back they signed Anthony Serrelli Eric Churnac Mikhail Surgachev Like they signed all those guys when they were at the right age a year ahead of time and and look There's still risk in that right? I mean Slofkoski could Theoretically have a terrible year next season and then we're looking back and being like wow they paid on this and you know If they were doing that contract now like there's always the ability to second-guess it But I think more often than not you're wise to you know If you're comfortable that the player is going to be a sort of core type player for you like why wait why give that that player? You know not to make it about the Leafs But you know if you look at what happened in the third year of the Leafs players when they were in entry-level deals I'm thinking Marner and Matthews specifically like they took big jumps in their play in the third year and you know Martyr didn't sign till after his third season was completed Matthew signed midway through his third season and Definitely pushed you know the boundaries of what he could have signed for had he signed five or six months before that It would have been a different number on his second deal. I'm not trying to relitigate these contracts I'm only just you know pointing out that it there's there's you know It's generally I think wise to get ahead of it and that's why even you know the Leafs just signed Joseph wall to an extension one year out On July 1st another you know contracts. We didn't really touch on I like the bet there I understand I've seen a lot of people actually in the market here in Toronto criticizing it. What's he done? He's injury prone all this stuff But you know let's imagine a world where if Joseph wall goes out and plays 50 games next season and and kind of delivers on the promise you've already seen his career you're probably looking at a different number and On top of that and and this is the one thing you can't measure I think there's comfort for the player here like like Slafkowski to drop back to him You know I saw in his media conference with reporters He was saying like he just want he wanted to be settled in he wants to win He wants to know he's part of the team like like he doesn't have to worry about a contract like he's gonna be like married and You know he'll be able to grow a beard like mine by this point like like but next time he has to worry about a contract It's gonna be a long time in the future, right? He's still kind of a kid a very big kid at this point in time But he's gonna be he's gonna be a man the next time he has to worry about that I think that there's value in that though and that's the thing you can't measure You can't do the sliding doors and no but but I even think if you're Joseph wall shoes who yes He knows he's had those injuries. He knows he's yet to fully prove himself But he has the belief now from the organization. He's not playing for a contract next season He's just planning to be the best he can be to help his team win to be a part of the solution And I think there's there's huge value in that You know obviously sometimes a contract year can bring out the best in a player You know like having that carrot right in front of you knowing that you're gonna You know be judged and you're gonna have to you know The basically the numbers you put up in that season are gonna have a big impact on what the next deal looks like But you know I think sometimes being locked in a certain number gives a piece of mind and you know Allows you just to do your thing. So, you know, I don't see any attack vector for this left-cost deal Now I say that knowing full well, I didn't have to sign off on that It's not my career on the line and and that if in two seasons he's regressed and we're gonna be talking about what it What a disaster it was, but I just think that's of the likely outcomes. I think that's the least likely and and you know Montreal Next year, I still don't see it being the year for them to take a big step forward I agree, but by this time next summer I mean certainly they've got some contracts coming off the books and you would think that they're gonna be at a spot where They're probably a bigger player and free agency next summer And then really trying to gear up the year after that to you know Make a run for the playoffs as one of these teams whether it's Boston whether it's Toronto Tampa, Florida I don't know which one it's not a prediction But some of those teams are gonna be regressing slightly and I think there's gonna be an opportunity there for the Canadians Some notable players who could be off the books next season as ufa's Christian de Vorak you all are Mia Jake Evans Michael Pazetta is also a ufa David Savard is also a ufa There is a golden opportunity for them to clear more salary off the books and depending on who could be available in 2025 as a free agent It puts the Canadians in a very good spot to land a free agent if they so choose well and 2025 Could be a bit of a chaos here And I say this knowing full well that for the most part of the very best NHL potential for agents never hit free agency Certainly not in their primes, but I just wonder if some of the conditions that are at play right now Shift that for 2025 and you know just off the top of my head. You know you have Leon Dreycidal Mitch Marner Sydney Crosby Carter Verhagie right now. I mean you have a not to put him in the same But like there is a lot of really good players that aren't signed Yet for 2025 now they have 353 days or so to do so like there's a lot still to play out before we were saying with any certainty that those players hit free agency But you know it's definitely not impossible, you know when I when I look at drycidal situation like this is such a big contract for him I mean he's played seven years on his eight-year deal He had five 100 point seasons in his seven years that he's played on this current contract You know he's making just over eight million like he has delivered so much excess value on that deal You know it's in his mind as agents minds to That he's got to make that up on his next deal And so whether that ends up being an Edmonton or on the open market What mean remains to be seen but I would not surprise me at all if he's if he's going to the highest bidder next July 1st You know Mitch Marner seems inclined to play out this season You know certainly is agent Darren Ferris is like to do that with his clients He's you know Darren Ferris his agent has actually taken the reverse of what I'm saying from the team side of Slavkoski And he's always thought it's best to just play the full thing out because you're probably gonna have a better year You're probably gonna have a stronger case you're gonna have more leverage I mean there's no question if if Marner plays out this season whether it's in Toronto or somewhere else and has a hundred points Which is totally like in his wheelhouse. It's basically he's played at a hundred point place These last number of seasons and he's totally free to sign wherever he wants on July 1st I mean he's gonna have a huge amount of leverage as a player You know the Crosby dynamic. I mean we need a whole show to unpack that one I don't want to just I'm prepared to do that if we need to I don't want to just launch into that But I mean look what's happening in Pittsburgh like it. It just becomes increasingly difficult for me to see Other than loyalty and knowing like how important the city and the organization are to him. It's I mean It's hard to imagine that he's eager to resign there Like it it's probably should be a bigger storyline. I think it's because Sid who he is who he is. He's so loyal. He's not one to ever rock the boat But it's July 4th and he has been able to sign a contract since July 1st and he hasn't and there's like there's nothing brewing there like there's been some discussions but I don't get the sense the discussions have been all that productive to this point and I think it's almost like everyone's just assuming like there's no way he'd ever leave and that's why it probably hasn't made this sort of You know rumblings that it might but I'm telling you you got to watch that one Not because I I don't think he wants to leave like that's that's sort of an obvious statement I just wondered if they've done enough to make him want to stay like like the point is he's not looking for a reason to leave But I'm not sure they've given him a reason to stay either it's been a very underwhelming free agency and trade period I'd say for the penguins and you know I say that knowing full well like what could they do? Like there's you know, there wasn't necessarily a bunch of saviors out there for them I know they were one of the teams bidding on Tarasenko, you know that that would have helped I mean someone who can shoot the puck in the net, you know There's there's a reason why Detroit went and signed them. There's a reason why Florida just won a couple of them Like he's he's a useful player. He's not the game-breaker that he once was but you know He helps make your team better. I just I don't see how the penguins are gonna be any better next year I don't think you could ask for any more out of Crosby than what he gave you last season Like it's not it's not about sort of the guys you've had there being better I mean, maybe some better goaltending throughout the season things like that you could could hope for but I Don't know like I think Pittsburgh is could be the epicenter for some some really interesting things in the next year And so you're right this started off with a talk about Montreal and them having cap space and and the sort of Desire to pounce in 2025 in free agency. I think we could have I Think next year could be a chaos here It might start this summer like if if it becomes clear that that some of those players 100% aren't resigning You know, maybe we're talking about trades before the start of the next season But even if they go into the last years of their deals, we might have a really fascinating free agency next summer Sydney Crosby's boyhood team was the much shocking aliens just saying Or Colorado, I think was more likely it's just if I if I had a crystal ball I would probably project that Sydney Crosby would be just calling up Nathan McKinnon and being like Hey, you want to play at least a year or two together and you go from there? I can totally see Sydney Crosby in a Colorado avalanche uniform. I know my brain has Done a complete 180 from the last time we talked about this. We're just I do not see him leaving Pittsburgh I'm starting to get to the other side now. Yeah, you know, anyway It's here's the thing is it's like do you want us like this? He's got to probably look himself in the mirror this summer Obviously have chats with people close to them that matters But it's like do you want to play these last couple years where you're still at a high? We like I mean I know a big carrot for Crosby is that he's gonna get to now play best on best again It's gonna get to play with the younger generation the McDavid's the the mariners the the Brayden points I mean these these like this is that that'll be cool for him whether it's at the four nations or the 2026 Olympics like that's all locked in but Do you want to be kind of toiling and media awkwardly? Do you want your season to end on April 10th? You know, you know, the answer is no, but like that. I just don't see the path back to the playoffs Quickly for the penguins or certainly okay, you might make the playoffs like Washington made the playoffs this year And they were swept in four games like I don't see the path back to really contending We should actually talk with the capitals. Honestly, I think they've had they've had the opposite off season like if I'm Weirdly if I'm Crosby I'm looking at what the capitals are doing and being like, okay Why are we not operating in this manner because to me they are unquestionably better on paper July 4th Then they were on June 4th like like they they have made some really interesting bets Their GM Brian McClellan is calling them bets like I actually love I don't you saw his press comments, but he like he gave a pretty good press conference this week and said like look We're trying to make the best team. We can well of Etchkin still here We we are making bets like he acknowledges that peer loop Du Bois that trade is a bet but like I don't think it's a crazy bet at where Du Bois in his career and You know, they're making deals for Jacob Chickering, you know, they signed Matt Roy to a pretty big ticket item and free agency They get bread and Du Haim like I I just think that they They have a better NHL team and they didn't really sacrifice Too much like they're not trading away a ton of draft picks in these deals like that They're making sort of player for player trades because it was Darcy Kemper that was traded for Du Bois It's Nick Jensen going out the door in the deal that gets some chicken from Ottawa like I I love the way For a team trying to not fall to the bottom of the league and just extend its window as best it can I love the way the capitals have kind of approached the offseason You know, if you're Crosby and you're they're looking down the barrel of a third straight year that the playoffs You know, this is his last season on his deal his current deal You know, does he resign a two or three year deal? Do you want four or five six years of the playoffs like it? It's tough and and look at sometimes players are the last ones to see it because they believe so much in their own abilities They believe in their teammates. They believe in the program, but I mean I just I think the Penguins are headed into their their hibernation period I think they're headed to their rebuild and I Don't know how this shakes out. None of this is meant to suggest he's gone or anything like that It's just I'm looking at the landscape and I'm looking at the fact he hasn't signed his new deal The other thing too. He's played. I'll say this He played what yeah, I think he had a five-year contract at a Ventry level at an eight point seven million dollar cap It then he did a 12 year deal. That's the one that's ending at an eight point seven million dollar cap It I'm willing to bet his next contract is for more than that on an average annual value I'm willing to bet he's not signing for eight point seven million to write out the career nor should he look at his results But that's the other part of this. He's gonna be Like he's played he's definitely been paid for 17 years under his value I agree which benefited Pittsburgh which benefited him because he wanted to play for championships He had a chance to be in four Stanley Cup finals. He won three of them But I I don't I don't see a discount on the next deal nor should he like I don't think any I would never sit here and argue any player should sign for less than their value Because I just think the career windows are so short But that's the other dynamic here. I bet he's I bet he's getting paid properly And the last thing on this because you mentioned Colorado and we're just we're down the rabbit hole. I love this I love this. This is amazing go off But and look the avalanche have a really murky cat picture because there's just a lot of question marks But you know they have Gabriel Landescog who they're hoping will play next season But no one and I mean no one because of the nature of the the procedure he had Knows what will be like he might play one game and he just can't do it. I hope for Gabe's sake I mean he hasn't played in the league for two years I hope he's able to come back and play but he's a big question mark that there's a chance Unfortunately his career who knows and then you have Valerie Nachushkin who's in stage three of the NHL HOPA player assistance program He can't play before November under the terms of that arrangement the the the avalanche are telling teams right now We're not trading him during this window like they're they're gonna they're hoping to help rehabilitate the player and the person but Who knows like he's another question mark for the avalanche and another sort of bigger contract And so there's a world where come next summer One or both of those players are not in the avalanches future like they will have more clarity by this time next year on those players And if that's the case they're gonna have a big hole or holes to fill in their lineup So things could be aligning as much as you're trying to draw the the Montreal thing Things could align that that makes Colorado even more even more than you know good team great city Great opportunity to chase a cup for Crosby. They might also need someone like that and so you know There's a reason to keep watching these next 12 months keep watching keep listening Because I I could just see you can see How things could shape up where we have a you know, we have some pretty major faces major personalities major star players Changing teams like in multiple versions of that it could be like a series of earthquakes and tremors in these next 12 months I I think a lot of our listeners will appreciate the warning here for 2025 And now my brain before you know what i'll stop my brain from letting it get too far I wonder how much you've thought about the summer of 2026, but that could be a whole episode in itself I have not I don't even know what you're nodding at. I mean obviously Conor McDavid Is a ufa that summer, but I I don't know. I honestly haven't oh, I'm not not to get anything I'm not not to get anything in particular. No, I didn't know if there's like four other amazing players that have contracts expiring them I because I don't I don't have um I even looked that far ahead. It's funny. I saw today steven ellis the daily face off put out is like Projected 2026 draft rankings and i'm like I saw that I'm like bless you man But I cannot believe you're able to look that far ahead because we're so much in the here and now in this business This episode is brought to you by our good friends at nfl sunday ticket on youtube tv I'm sure by now you've all gotten back into your sunday routines, but they could be even better With nfl sunday ticket and youtube tv you get the most live nfl games all in one place every game every sunday And you can even watch up to four different games at once With multi-view one of my favorite inventions of this decade. It's exactly what you need to catch all the action make your sundays more magical and also youtube tv is great. I got it this year. It's awesome Sign up now at youtube.com/bs device and content restrictions apply local national games on youtube tv And if i'll send a ticket for out of market games excludes digital only games This episode of the chris johnston shows brought to you by shady rays Get ready for the season ahead with quality shades built to last Our friends at shady rays have you covered with premium polarized shades that won't break the bank Shady rays is a independent sunglasses company offering a world-class product rated five stars by over 300 000 people Their shades have durable frames and crystal clear optics making them the perfect choice for all outdoor adventures And they have hundreds of styles to choose from so you're bound to find the perfect pair to match your style I got a pair. I know adam while it's got a pair. Steve dangles got himself a pair Look sunglasses cj he's gonna make an appearance at some point and you'll see him rocking his pair of shady rays Plus if your shades have forgo missing or take an unexpected hit don't sweat it They have the most insane protection in all of eyewear Every pair is backed by lost or broken replacements if you don't love your shades exchange them for a new pair return worry free within 30 days It's really great. There's no risk when you shop their team always has your back with personal and fast support Shady rays dot com go to that website right now You can use the code johnston to get 50 off two or more pairs of polarized sunglasses Shady rays dot com use the code johnston for 50 off two or more pairs of polarized sunglasses Uh shane pinto signing a new car check with the auto s senators with an a av of 3.75 mill Uh that'll keep them Until 2026 these in rfa after that and he thoughts on that deal Well, it didn't come easily right. I mean there was discussions about an offer sheet for shane pinto Piero brun my our colleague at the athletic my colleague as well tsn put out Something on july 1st about the possibility of a trade Request going in or not that it had gone in but that it might come Um, this has not been an easy negotiation You know the senators did make the the matthew joseph deal essentially for future considerations pure cap dump um To to st. lewis In order to free up the kind of room to sign pinto but you know, I think it's good for shane And for the team they got it done sooner rather than later because those are if that was already the talk at the start of july Had he not had a contract by the end of july it would have been getting worse and worse Um, you know, I think this is a huge Season for the senators and i'm not talking about with their fans Or You know the getting the media to believe like I think they have to take a step forward They have to get the players on their team to believe A little bit because that it just feels like there's a lot of You know, this is only two-year deal for pinto so obviously it's they're still like he gets a nice raise on it um On where he's been at but he's got to prove something like It's a bit of a prove it deal both ways like he's getting closer to ufa I know brady could chuck sign but there's all these sort of thoughts like how long this he gonna be You know, it's as nice as it is for him to go celebrate with his brother matthew And we know that family is very close Uh winning a championship like how long is he gonna want to be part of a team that just isn't making the playoffs It isn't even in the running for those types of things You know, it just it feels like a year in autowa where They have to take a step for their own self-belief more than Anything external and obviously all the external stuff flows out of that and would be positive Um, but I think sort of short-term. It's great. Did they get to deal down with pinto? I think you know give him a full year. Obviously difficult season form last year where he had a contract Situation hangover's head all summer and any he gets suspended for 41 games Uh for some illegal betting activity that that he had participated in obviously that's his own His own error that he has to wear but you know when you're not making your season debut until late january It's tough to to have The kind of season you want at the like, you know, he's at an age where you expect them to be you becoming more of an impactful players So I think to have this settled now gives him his best chance at success and that's a team You know, I think we'll be talking a lot about next year julian because I don't I don't know that they've That they have enough internally. I mean they make the big deal for lienus hallmark They brought in jensen on their blue line, you know that the other side of the chikron deal Which I think makes sense in that jensen signed for a couple years. He's a right shot Gives them better balance. You know, we've we've talked about how you know with them already having shibot and sanderson locked in long term On the left side chikron didn't he's a bit he had a great year last year, but it's like it didn't Maybe too much of a good thing in one position. So I like the idea the thinking behind that trade, but you know the senators It just feels like there's there's This solves like one bit of business for a day, but it doesn't get past the fact that there's They've really got to find a way to take a step forward this season Also new head coach travis green to yes travis green is a lot to prove as well Which team do we talk about more next season these senators or the buffalo sabers who are pretty much in the exact same boat They're in the same spot like kevin adam's is definitely feeling the heat The saber's gm. I've you know seen a lot more pointed questions thrown at him when he's meeting the media there and and this idea. I mean Who are we talking about more probably the senators? um But it's it's a dead heat like those are it's two organizations in the same place. We're like What is the so five years ago? They were lost at sea Give or take in these last two years. They've like locked up players the contracts that makes sense Right like on both sides. We've liked the deals. They've made Seems like they're making good bets. It seems like they're building in the right direction and yet we haven't seen We haven't seen them Take the kind of steps on the ice. I mean the saber's two years ago to be fair almost made the playoffs like they They had a really nice second half and and played meaningful games in the last week of the regular season, but You know, they both churn through coaches um They're both looking for answers and so I don't know which one we talk about more. I'm going to say the senators because they're based in canada, but but the truth is The same things go the other way because I would say in buffalo like okay if this isn't working next season Maybe you're trading one or more of those players that we like their deals. We like the players, but just the mix isn't right or you know I don't know what you do the the larger lesson to me is the full rebuild is still a massive risk even when you get players in the draft that you like it's it just remember how long it took edminton and really Until they get mc david there it didn't change, but they had all those first overall picks and It just takes forever if you go to the bottom. That's that's also why I kind of like what washington's doing like Um, I think you've got to stay competitive as long as you can, you know, eventually you probably run out of time But you know washington. I I think they're going to be a better team next year than Then a lot of teams in these I've seen some aggression these like look at carolina has not been Some of that I get it just that you weren't resigning shay at that number Peshi, you know really since last summer has had a foot out the door, you know table terra vine and moves on um but I you know I haven't like I haven't liked what they've done since like I think that they They're they're kind of they're signing players in for agency But I just don't know if they've they've replaced them. They certainly have an upgrade at their team And then they also have the martin hs deal sort of mess There so I like I can see some regression so I guess maybe if you're one of these other teams there's opportunity there to jump up but um Man, it's it the longer these teams at the bottom of the east don't make that jump the more pressure gets applied It's like exponentially more each season By the way Since you keep mentioning the washington capitals According to cap friendly which still works as of this recording for the public anyway, it goes out tomorrow july 5th tomorrow the caps Third over 13 million over the caps Limit as of right now according to cap friendly Something's gonna have to change there But look that's a team that's not afraid to change No, absolutely not like they've made a lot of trades in the last couple years. I And cap friendly is now going internal there so Cap friendly can help Address the issues that cap friendly itself is highlighting Like that like that big red number that says minus 13 million Anyway, and I don't know. Do they have long-term injured players? I haven't looked closely at the exact details. Um, I think they have players who Well, I mean Nicholas Backshroom is still Was a backshroom. Yeah, I mean he's not playing no Um, but yeah, there's there's there's something they could there's stuff they could do to bring that number down Uh, but I would imagine some other movement would still have to happen on their roster for them to be cap compliant for next season Right Well, I mean there is some question too about TJ. Oh, she status health-wise So that right there could explain it if you if you have back sturmenoshi, but Yeah, look it. There's there's definitely going to be some changes Absolutely. Look at that blue line. They've got eight players signed Yeah, like it's john karlson matt roy, which is I forgot matt roy just joined the uh, the washing cap It'll shake him chicken seven year deal man. Yeah, that's a big deal for him Uh, he had a lot of interest. I mean the Leafs were there um But yeah, I think fair to assume Got got outbid that they weren't probably going seven years on them at that that number or they just couldn't something that didn't necessarily want to Um I love it though. I think it's I think it's great to see a team Putting the chips in I get it. It's just like I don't know like I I totally see that side of thinking not to make this another discussion about rebuilds But I also think of a team like the what i'm covering now that has all that cap space and flexibility I don't know it kind of would rather be in that spot Where yeah, I have a lot of room to do things that I know you're not going to be competitive As opposed to the capitals where you're making some bets a lot of them could like not pan out and I mean, I don't have all the contracts in front of me But I feel like they're pretty smart bets like the only The only one I could truly like if peer luke du bois just can't play hockey anymore Yeah, that's that you're stuck with that contract But like the odds of him look at it was a down season The odds of him being just flat out awful. I just think are low. I mean that Like they have to look at they have to unlock something there. He's got a Maybe approaches off season differently. Like I'm not saying hey, it'll just take care of itself But he's still young enough that it's not an insane bet You know They're not splashing around draft picks. They're not signing. They're not you know, like chicken is one You're left on his deal. You're right I don't know. I feel like much upon he also has one you're left on his deal as well So this is pretty smart to make them better in the short term and they didn't give up a whole lot to do it You know the this flip side with Calgary and they're just getting into theirs But it's like I don't know when they're going to be good Like I I think you're going to need like you need a telescope to figure out when they're going to be good again Like this like it could be five years. It could be seven years like You know, you can never tell I agree with that thinking too You have no idea how long a rebuild will take it could be three years Which sometimes we've seen with different teams where if you try to retool quickly on the fly It might not work. It could be five years. It could be seven years. I have no idea. Who knows Yeah, and look Maybe they'll start making moves like the capitals moves that i'm talking about and using some of that space and All the pick capital and everything and start actually adding NHL players back, but like they they've just subtracted so many effective players And and really not added very many in their place and so You know, you just like the math does itself on that one. I I think it's going to be a long rebuild in Calgary I hope not for your case for for the fans case. I know it's a great fan base, but like Yeah, I just look at I look at the series of moves and it It feels it feels like far off It definitely does feel far off, but I it just in seeing what the fan base is like I think there there's a faction of them that are patient and are willing to let this play out because they've Seen the other way where they've tried to Push for a playoff spot and ultimately fail or tried to make some kind of run of it and it failed Whereas now they have the cap space. They note well on paper. Anyway, this team does not look like they're going to be fat good Depending on what other assets they could have leading into next year It could lead to more opportunities for them to accumulate more assets like it's going to take time But if it picks like the pics you're making today aren't going to be good for five years usually Yeah, but like that's if you hit Right, but I don't know if the flames right now are in a position where I mean obviously they would love to have players who Would be good right now to help make this faster, but They also need quality in their prospect pool a guy like zane parek who might not be good for another few years They needed a player like him anyway because he has game breaking potential like sometimes you just have to wait I guess it's just they're in a position where they can afford to wait. I think I guess I just think back two years and they were the runner up in the trade for jack eichol and Yeah like the alternate timeline is a trade for eichol and maybe they resign some of the players that they just traded away and You know, I get it. I like I definitely sense that there's been this like push like we want to see the young guys in Calgary, but I guarantee you'll get tired of it at some point. I mean as well on as buffalo Oh, yeah, they've seen lots of young guys and they've seen lots of losing seasons I'm with you there. I I'm with you there. I think I think what the flames are there. There are lots of nail yack-a-pop jerseys at Edmonton and Even Taylor hall who I don't think the Oilers should have traded away I think that was definitely one of the big mistakes they made in that era, but like there's so many Jordan Everly like like just players that aren't around by the time the team's good again It like it takes five years and then it takes another five years and by then you've like really challenge your fan base Absolutely. You need a generational player. You need really good players to help this along The flames need to put themselves to the position to get those players though Unless someone is willing to hey, we're the ones gonna give them cable car straight up off a trade Unless it becomes a free agent decides to come back to Alberta. We'll see Anyway, anyway, um anything else we need to mention before we get to questions No, that ended up being 30 minutes of like stream of consciousness That was actually, I mean, I loved it. I thought it was really cool Um, let's get to these questions for us cj Uh, thank you to everyone who sent in questions and sorry that we had to move it from monday to thursday Monday was just well, tuesday. Sorry was a crazy day Let's get to this first one from k town two two seven two Cj thoughts on the Leafs getting former pizza pizza employee christana Wait a minute You didn't know about this is that a fact? Um, I was I was googling this yesterday and apparently he was a pizza pizza employee once upon a time Wow, this is incredible I mean, I like the look at the contract is long and risky but I like this was exactly the type of player the Leafs needed and it was the one that was available um You know, I think I think Assuming health which it's you know, you can't always assume half of the 34 year old who's had a series of injuries I like a short term for the Leafs for sure and and um, the fact that he also worked the pizza pizza like this is This is a mind-blowing revelation that I was not aware of I knew he had And a a difficult or challenging or unorthodox path to the NHL christana, but now i've got to The first time I get a chance to chat with him when he gets the Toronto is I've got I've got a good opener for for questions What do you look at that two chris's working at pizza pizza? It's a really good. Uh, I love that I never worked at pizza pizza. Oh, no, sorry. Sorry. You love pizza. You worked at Wendy's Wendy's I don't know why I trip that up. I ate why I trip that up I don't think they would have hired me at at the cobra pizza pizza because they'd be like This dude will be eating all the stock like this dude. He's gonna be eating the product Oh god, sorry. He's gonna be too distracted. He's just gonna want to eat all that yummy yummy pizza Sorry, I got tripped up with your love for pizza pizza For whatever reason my brain just thought oh, yeah, right like did he work there? No, he didn't he was Wendy's sorry And I'll tell you since I worked at Wendy's Which was like 20 years ago I've probably eaten there less than five times since Like I'm not I have nothing against it. I didn't see anything that like made me not want to go back But like I almost had enough I like I don't need to go back. I had it was great question great memories Love the job like I literally talked fondly by that time in my life, but I I've only ever gone to Wendy's when there's like no other choice or something Um, it's not bad. It's not bad fast food place. I like the burgers there. They're not yeah as I say I'm not slandering it. I've just got tired of it. I guess from being a kid but Pizza pizza. I will I will always go to pizza pizza. I have a pizza pizza stand Uh, hit up Adam wild pizza pizza. You know the number. We're just sitting right here. Send us some things. Ah, let's go I'm telling you man. Open sponsorship opportunity. Next one from uh The Leafs have pizza pizza on the helmet. I wonder if that's gonna like yes I wonder if cristana of it's gonna be like a full circle moment for him when he pulls up Everyone talks about pulling on this legendary jersey Like when he puts on the pizza pizza helmet, maybe it's gonna like unlock something I dare you to ask him when you get a chance to be like, how does it feel to wear pizza pizza on your helmet knowing you work there? It's funny. I've been playing the league so long. I don't know him at all So I I could have to gauge what kind of personality is before I broach that topic, but he could be a little dry Um, but uh, he's he's a really smart He's a smart individual and sometimes like some of his responses might be a little short It might take you a little off guard, but he doesn't waste words I I'd like dealing with him the last two seasons. He was in Calgary. He was a really good guy to deal with Well, that's good, but I'm not gonna come in there the first day actually and be like, hey Does this pizza pizza helmet make you feel? Just give you superpowers Do you still eat at pizza pizza cristana? I'm not gonna ask him that either. That's a loaded Deloted question because he's gonna be like what's he's trying to say? I'm out of shape or something like yeah, duh You know what that? But oh my god, okay no more no more uh, cristana pizza pizza fanfic from us here at the cj show Uh from fur to ducks next question ducks fan here any word on what pat for beak is up to? I didn't expect any huge free agent signings But surely verbiq needs to do something to try to improve the team targeting any of the young players that didn't receive a qo Any trade rumblings a whisper about an offer sheet. I'll take anything Well, he just traded for robbie fabrics contract this this question was before the robbie fabric contract So I think that's a window into what verbiq's trying to do. I mean a player that you know He's trying to match up players with the younger players in his organization. He didn't you know, he's Obviously they signed out it's cologne last year. They took a stab at steven stamcose this year like there's certain veterans I think they would look to bring in because they believe they would be culture shifters in addition to helping on the ice But beyond that you're looking for mid-range players that can Hopefully become part of the fabric and grow up with the team And so I think you can see more of those type of deals using the cap space I mean they add an extra pick in the deal for to take fabrics deal um You know, I think that that's the sort of What you should expect out of her beak. So obviously they weren't major players in free agency But I don't think they should be I mean most of the free agents are in their 30s And and most of them are getting significant contracts and you know, it's it's still a bit of a steady build up In Anaheim. I'll be curious to see I know it's the trade rumor that never reaches a conclusion But if we see john gibson moved at some point Um, you know, I still think they'd move traverse egress to in the right trade So I think that the the order of the day in an Anaheim is patience Um, I don't I don't see them doing anything crazy But but certainly looking to add more guys in the 25 26 range Uh to improve the team and and create The most favorable conditions for the the young group of players that they drafted in the last few years that are that are joining the lineup Okay Kongo red describe your ideal summer cottage. What would it have around it and what amenities would it have? No cell phone service At all at all Oh, I feel like you kind of need it, you know, just in case something happens. No You don't need it. What do you mean? I'll tell you that the LeBron compound up North at Ronald does not have very good cell phone service Like you literally have to walk to the end of piers driveway to take a call and it's a long driveway Like it's one of those cottage dryways that winds through the trees and and you couldn't find unless you knew where it was Like you literally piers cottage does not show up on gps. Like you have to know where you're going, which is awesome It's like a secret bunker Yeah, and it's more just like to me the ideal cottage is on a lake Very remote. It's not like it's not like I know parts of mr Goher so beautiful up north at Ronald But a lot of them are just like mega home mega home mega home mega home on the lake like That's not for me. I like something a little bit more remote You know a good screen didn't porch. I'd say is a nice a nice at like amenity to have with like a tv where you know in the summer I could watch like the british open or whatever or I mean i'm not watching the the baseball team that shall not be named on this podcast these days A lot of breath at point I've not watched the game since may like not even a minute. Wow geez I'm not coming back till they make changes um But you know, like that's the kind of summer activity I want to have but honestly, I don't need a whole lot I don't I don't need a mic mansion on a lake. I just want Nice setting, but I don't I don't have a cottage. I'm not in the market for cottage It's not really I like going to traveling in this thing We only get this like kind of slice of the year to do things that aren't work um Full credit to those who love to spend eight weeks in a row at a cottage I I like I like to have a couple cottage weekends. I'm lucky to have some friends and family that give me the little taste of it and I'd but I don't have to go ahead first into Actually doing that full time myself. Yeah cottage shally weekends are the best Love them. I think I got two or three this summer Take some photos Um You need a barbecue at this cottage. You absolutely need a barbecue. Yeah, so I thought that went without saying Yeah, like no one no one wants to be at a cottage and like cooking only in the kitchen like some of it's got to be outdoor cooking and honestly, I I like protein. So Mm-hmm. Wait grill or barbecue pit Grill, I don't know what a barbecue pit is or I don't know Uh like I think we're talking the same thing though like just like a barbecue I guess it is more or less the same thing. It doesn't are you thinking like it like something with with like actually open flames Yeah, something like that. I've never cooked on that, but I I'm not against it I just I'm more like just a propane barbecue essentially That's okay, but I'm not snobby about it. Like I would I'm open to other forms of cooking That's just all I've ever been exposed to Are you good with like do you have like like a rib recipe or like you like cook steaks and stuff like would you have like a good like grill Go to for yourself. I'm pretty simple. This isn't gonna shock you, but I I like I don't I don't do I eat ribs, but I've never actually prepared ribs myself Um, but I you know steak for sure burgers I can I can I can I can man the grill in a simple way and and not screw it up And I like it because I can counterbalance like the flipper with a beer You know what I mean? Like I'm perfectly weighted It feels like a very very dad vibes when I'm at the grill Last thing and then I'll get to the next question But like I've tried preparing ribs before and like I've had a bit of help from like my mom with that Yeah, if you get yourself a smoker with that Oh, yeah, oh, it's it's beautiful. I like everything smoked Like I like the taste of smoked like I even like like smoky if you get a good smoky mixed drink or high ball like like Any anything smoked? I'm in so You and I you and I are in agreement on that Absolutely a rare food take that we're on the same board, you know, same page with I love it We're allowed to agree on takes also smoked drinks, uh, if you're ever in Calgary at the same time on there I'll I'll I'll take you out a couple places where we can get that. All right Uh, paul zang Is trading cali and croc? Plus for a center something the leaves are considering I think they would look at moving camp for yarn croak or timothy loagrin and the right deal like I should be very clear that's not to say that they're like trying to get rid of them at all costs But I think that because of you know the leaves salary cap You know that they're pretty tight up against it and really at this point of the off season They've not made any changes to their forward group like that the blue line looks different Obviously made the moves in net But you know, I think they're gonna have to get creative perhaps to address Any changes they want to make it forward. So I I do think that those types of players Could be had but that being said, I I don't have any reason to believe anything's closer that it's going to happen But you know, I think certainly entering this off season. They were open-minded about that Um, but those the reason those players have the contracts they do is that they are they do provide a function It's just if they could get an upgrade what they felt was an upgrade by moving those players out to create the cap room needed I think they do so Okay from eric f any news on mark grdano haven't seen anything new team resigning anything I don't know anything myself. I saw someone put out prior to july first that he wanted to still play Um, but I I don't yeah, I don't have any of my own reporting to contribute there But I I did see a report he wanted to still play. You know, he was the oldest skater last year in nhl at age 40 Uh, I wish him the best but I don't I don't get the sense is coming in toronto if that's That's what's going to happen. But it doesn't didn't sound like based on the last report I read that that geo was ready to hang them up So that's all I got. Okay, uh from uh, this is the real name. I'm using here stinkface mik poop lightning What does cj think about bucket hats? I like them on other people and don't know that it's my style Um, but look at offer sun protection Apparently some degree of style. I'm not gonna sit here and hate on a bucket hat It was an episode you wore a bucket hat I think it might have been a joke though. I don't even know. Oh, yeah for sure. It wasn't like a serious thing I don't I honestly don't own one myself like wherever I had that one. I wore it was like a prop at some point, but um But I'm not again. I'm not down on them. I just don't know that it's it's my style I feel like I don't know why but I feel like it was that summer when like johnny goudreau was Was leaving I feel like it was then you you wore that hat and sunglasses It could be and now that i'm thinking of it. Look if I was at like lebron's cottage On the dock a bucket hat might be appropriate, but I don't own one You won't see me wearing one in downtown toronto. I know that much but But that being said i've seen some people pull it off and i'm like Respect just yeah Bucket hats are cool. I I like that we agree on bucket hats. They're there. We're at the same level with that We don't actually disagree on a lot of stuff to be quite honest. No, I know it's just a few things We've disagreed on like forcefully Like we've both been like not willing to give an inch on like a chocolate bar take or whatever would yeah I'm not giving it it with poutine take or whatever poutine hot dog take or I have a chocolate question for you. How do you feel about snickers bars? I'm a fan I like them. They're they're growing on me. Yeah, they're growing on me. I haven't had one for a while like I try not to I try to avoid that but like I definitely would eat a snickers bar I sometimes have one before ball hockey games. Like that's like a thing I do Is that we're blaming your suspension on like you were a little too A little too sugared up there got You weren't thinking clearly It's supposed to be the opposite actually You're you're supposed to have a stickers to help you think clearly. Okay, it's supposed to be the opposite as the video shows I still get people who hit me up about that all the time. By the way. Oh, yeah people people still like They did like that video was hilarious. I did uh, we had uh when I did radio a couple months ago We had a guest on who who made reference to that video and the suspension like that's gonna follow me for a while And i'm not upset about that I saw Jared peros a couple times in the press box during the cup final and I wanted to ask him if he saw it But it always it always seemed like it was the standard cup final right like he's got to be on like it's not He's not there to goof around but maybe if I see him in a lighter moment All inquired to see if the department of player safety took note of our work Please let me know about that because if they if they have a take on this then that is going to live forever Of next one from uh ugly Thor for patricades contract. How does the signing bonus work? Uh safe things go way south and detroit or sellers with a playoff t bequired and k need to pay that signing bonus Any bonus earned well, he's a member of the red wings would stay with them So there's I don't have the exact breakdown in front of me But I know we had a big one for 10 games Presumably he's gonna play 10 games in detroit before anything like a trade might happen And so the the red wings would be stuck with that um But yeah, I mean look they're they're basically on the hook for the contract the the beauty of having some of the money tied up in those bonuses for 35 and over player Is that detroit can push the those bonuses over to the next season if need be Uh, no team wants to do that. You want to have them accounted for this year But it does it does provide A little bit of flexibility should uh steve iserman and the front office need it Okay, uh one more question for you from sky to cj have any sort of clarity on this jacob troop a situation have thinks got an ugly in new york I don't know if they're ugly They're they're probably not pretty But you know, look the the situation Is pretty straightforward and that the team is looking to trade him He negotiated and has trade protection in his contract That allowed for him to have a full no movement clause right through till july first Monday of this week Now he's since admitted his list of teams that he can't be traded to and I think You know without I don't know the exact list, but I I think it's fair to say that He's used that list in a manner that will make it more difficult to trade him IE teams that Are known to be interested in jacob troopa are listed on his no trade and that's where it's at. I mean he doesn't want to be traded Uh the team is looking for some flexibility. It's kind of like the auto situation. They have Uh, you know braid and shnider adam fox ahead of him on on They're you know on their depth chart. So he's a third pairing defensement right now Taking up eight million dollars of cap space happens to where the captain see there Like I don't know that it's ugly. It's just kind of the business is is the best way to put it like I I think it's maybe a little uncomfortable and not Everybody wants the same outcomes right now Um, but i'm that being said i'm not sure they're going to be able to trade him and it's it's a big contract to move I think this time next year The probably more willingness from jacob troopa's camp assuming he's not moved in the meantime To work with the rangers on a trade, but right now he wants to be where he is and uh We'll see if the team can find something that makes sense because they do still get half the league With which uh, they they can make a deal without him consenting to it. So um A little bit, I guess a little awkward or a little uncomfortable, but I don't I don't think it's like outright vicious. It's just You know, not not in every circumstance is to do a do a team or front offices wants a line with what a player's wants And that's that's really how I see the true of a situation All right, that's going to do it for questions. Uh, how about stick taps before we wrap up Do you have a stick tap for this week? Sure. I'll give my stick tap to jessica campbell hired wednesday As an assistant coach with the seattle crack and the first time ever This is history my friend. We've had a full-time assistant coach, uh, who's a woman in the nhl I should point out the nhl is the last of the four major professional sports leagues in north america That have had a woman become a full-time member of the coaching staff. So this is Obviously, he's been sometime coming and I think you know What's interesting to me more than just you know the the headline of that the fact that that jessica cambells is a bit of a trailblazer and obviously giving hope to a lot of Other other women that are hoping to phone her footsteps. She's only 32 years old She just celebrated a 32nd birthday and and you know, it would be an accomplishment For anyone to to get an assistant coaching job, and I think her story really is Tremendous Example of what you can do taking advantage of opportunity. She she was a high-level national team player Uh in the canadian program Um, you know played in the and the now defunct cwhl for a little bit, but she became basically a power skating instructor In klona and you know, she this is going back five six years You know came to work with a lot of players that are current nhlers. I know luke chen for example Who said kind of a career renaissance, you know was among those who who worked with jessica back in the day Um, you know, it kind of brings a skills development aspect of things. She ended up coaching a little bit in germany Uh first on a skill zen with with nernberg But then became an assistant coach that led her to a spot on the At the men's world hockey championship in 2022 with the german team first woman ever on the bench at that tournament leads to an opening with the kocella valle firebirds And in her two seasons working on her dam biles when they're not only did she help a number of their young players tycarcia notably shane right Uh riker evans uh that team went to the final and back-to-back years and and lo and behold The door opens dam biles when it becomes a head coach in seattle. He's worked with her for two years Seen what she can do and so, you know, really a cool story whether it was a man or a woman Uh, and it just so happens. She's also, you know breaking barriers with that So, you know, I think that's obviously worthy of a stick tap and and it's a pretty You know, it's certainly a well-earned opportunity and and The game's changing man. I mean we've got more women in front offices even since this podcast started There's a number of women that are assistant general managers now around the league And I think we'll see more and the coaching ranks too coming behind jessica Oh, yes, I love that stick tap for jessica. Congratulations to her Uh mine will be a little bit more fun. Well jessica story is amazing. This is gonna be a little bit more silly Uh the schedule releases that were coming out this week from some of the different nhl teams I really enjoyed some of the videos. I think the calgary flames had a really good one The minnesota wild had a really good one. I love the new jersey devils one with ducky hamilton and kurs lazar Announcing which seems they be playing throughout the season and ducky hamilton is this geography teacher I love the fact that uh, you know, we're in a world now. We're more and more personalities encourage for is starting to become more encouraged from these teams And for the devils to step up and do a really cool video that a lot of people enjoyed on social media I thought that was awesome. The pittsburgh penguins also had a really fun one too with friend of the show jeff carter where uh, they actually didn't reveal a schedule that just said say bold schedule But that was just a really fun one as well But uh shout out to all the different social media teams, uh who helped put together Uh, some really great schedule release videos throughout this past week including the new jersey devils So I think had the best of all of them. Yeah, duggies like arizona oops utah. I don't know anything about utah It was good. I really I really liked that too. It was good Awesome, uh, does this mean we only have one more episode before we go on summer break small hiatus? Yeah, we'll be back in august Oh, yeah, summer break still. Yeah, it's it's a summer break. So one more show early next week and then I'm gonna do some traveling. I'm not sure what your plans are but we'll uh We'll reconvene at at a point when the weather's still nice. We're not leaving you too long Friends of the show hundred percenters. We're we're not totally peaceing out Uh stampede is on. I'm gonna do some traveling too Oh, yeah, I'll uh, I'll get my my summer downtime in for sure. I'm also dropping in on the stp on monday Ooh That's studio. That's a must watch episode in studio So I'm not sure if I'm allowed to release that but it's my life. It's my commitment and this is my show That's why you should listen to the chris johnston show everybody we back on monday Uh with our final episode before before we go on hiatus. We'll figure out what we'll talk about in that episode These guys The chris johnston show inside the game twice a week follow chris on twitter at reporter chris And follow julian mckenzie at jk mckenzie the chris johnston show
