Welcome back to the hockey booth.

This week in the NHL, it's really been a story of well, chaos and extremes.

We're going to try and cut through some of that noise for you.

Absolutely, we've seen some just incredible peaks of performance, these huge statement wins, especially out East.

But then you contrast that with teams in the West just hitting rock bottom.

And we've got some incredible and honestly gruesome detail on the real cost of playing this game.

A star defenseman's recovery that is just wow.

Yeah, it's a tough read.

And of course we're tracking the trade rumor mill, which is just a few gms or let's say, starting to panic, especially when it comes to goalies.

I think if you had to define this moment in the league, the word would be polarization.

There's this enormous chasm.

Opening up, not just in the standings, you mean, no, not at all.

It's in capability.

On one end, you've got this incredible lift from depth players like we're seeing in Boston with Alex Steves, who are just thriving under pressure.

And on the other end, you have the uh, the rapid decay of struggling teams.

The devils the track and the Blues.

They look totally incapable of handling even one major injury or one bad breakdown.

And it all connects, doesn't it.

The injuries, the lopsided scores, It all feeds into what the gms are thinking right now.

For sure.

It's all feeding into deadline decisions.

And what I find maybe even more fascinating, how Team usays management is trying to piece together its roster for the twenty twenty six Olympics.

Okay, let's jump right into that, and let's start with that resilient story.

In Boston, the Bruins, they managed a pretty gritty five to two win over a Saint Louis Blues team that is just struggling.

Well, they're in a tailspin.

Yeah, Saint Louis has dropped eight of their last eleven games.

They look completely lost.

But like you said, this win wasn't really about the Bruins just dominating.

It was more about them surviving this, this major injury crisis through sheer will.

It was a performance that was I mean, it was defined by their depth.

You look at that five to two final, you might think, oh, business as usual for Boston doing this without David Pasternak.

Yeah, and their defense is banged up.

So the key takeaway here really is the emergence of Alex.

Steves one hundred percent.

Steves steps into that top line role and he has been absolutely explosive.

He's playing alongside world class players and looking like he belongs there.

What are the numbers on him right now?

It feels like he's scoring every night.

He's got five goals in his last five games.

It's just it's an incredible run.

And it's the perfect hockey story, isn't it.

The guy who gets sent down told he isn't good enough, but he goes down, he works, and he comes back.

Yeah, and coach Strom didn't pull any punches when he sent him down to the AHL.

But Steve's he made a promise to come back and earn a spot.

I remember reading that Scum said he actually believed Steve's when he said he'd fight his way back.

He noted that, you know, most guys say that, but they never really follow through.

But Steve's did.

He's delivered and you can just feel the desperation in his words and it's translating directly onto the ice.

What was that quote he had he talked about how guys who get called up are fighting tooth and nail, and that he's been fighting tooth and nail for four years to be here.

He gets that this is his window.

And he's seizing it.

I mean, playing with an elite two way center like Elias Lindholm, you have.

To exactly and he's doing what every coach loves, showing incredible versatility.

Sturm said.

Steve's can play any line, he can play any side.

He might not be a center, but his ability to fill any hole makes him almost impossible to scratch.

Now, even when Passernak gets back, you have to think he's earned a permanent spot somewhere in that lineup.

You'd think.

So, he's making it very, very difficult for the coaching staff.

I think the one play that really summed up his whole approach was his assist on that Morgan geeky goal.

It wasn't pretty, no, it wasn't.

Some elegance setup.

It was just pure physical conviction.

He lays a hit on del Bojevorski.

And then immediately a double hit on the Blues top two defenceman Philip Roberg and Colton Periko to force.

A turnover that leads to directly to a goal.

That's a top line finish that was created entirely by bottom six grit.

That's why he's so effective right now, isn't it.

He's got the mindset of a fourth line grinder, but the vision to actually execute in the top six for sure.

Meanwhile, the Blues just couldn't match that effort level, which is why they're spiraling.

Their coach, Jim Montgomery.

He blamed the loss on poor reloads poor gaps.

Okay, let's unpack that a little for the listener.

When a coach uses terms like poor reloads and poor gaps, what does that really tell you about the team's state of mind?

It tells you everything.

It's about a lack of structure and frankly, a lack of effort.

A poor reload means when you turn the puck over, your guys aren't hustling back into defensive position.

They're caught flat footed.

Exactly, They're straggling, and that leads to odd man rushes against.

Poor gaps refers to the space between your defenceman and the puck carrier.

If that gap is too wide, the attacker has all the time in the world to make a play.

So these are fundamental, effort based things.

They're basics, which is why Montgomery is so frustrated.

It points directly to a team that's just they're suffering from a crisis of confidence.

And it all lands on the goalie, right, Jordan Bennington is caught in the middle of it.

Seven goals against in his last two starts.

Ugly, He's saying, he's trying to stay with it, but you need defensive support, especially against a relentless team like Boston, even an injured Boston.

And that support just is not there right now for Saint Louis.

No, it's not and you can see that pressure translating into mental fatigue for Bennington.

All right, shifting gears, Let's talk about a really massive statement win the New York Islanders upsetting the Colorado Avalanche six'.

Three this is.

Huge they handed The, avs who were nineteen two and six coming in just their second regulation loss in fourteen.

Games that's the kind of result that can really change the trajectory of a season for a team like The.

Islanders it was a game where The islanders they just played big and they got those high end performances when they absolutely needed.

Them.

Ilias sorocan was described as.

Terrific he made thirty five saves and.

Coach troy he pointed to one specific, moment didn't He he.

Did sorocan's clutch save on An Arturia laconan two on one.

Chance that was the inflection.

Point roy, said it built essentral confidence for the whole.

Team right after, That barsol extends the lead to five to two on the power play game.

Changer and speaking Of, barzil his brilliance was on full.

Display he had a goal of The year candidate that just showed off all that offensive.

Flair but WHAT i found most interesting was what Cooch roy said after he observed That barzil's recent commitment to defensive play is actually the engine that's fueling his.

Offense that's a fascinating insight into the modern.

Game can you expand on.

That, Well barzal isn't just floating around defensively.

Anymore he's actively.

Engaging so by committing on the defensive side of the, plack he's able to start his transition up the ice while the other team is still trying to make a play in his.

Zone so he's already at top speed when he hits the neutral zone.

Exactly he's not getting a pass standing, still he's lying and that makes his rush game exponentially more.

Dangerous As roy put, it you don't beat the best team in THE nhl if everyone's not.

Playing and on.

Top of this big, win it was a really emotional night, too the return of their former Star Brock, nelson now at The.

Avalanche, yeah and he got a deserved standing ovation from the crowd At Ubs.

Arena that moment felt poignant Because nelson really represented the identity of that franchise for a.

Decade he absolutely.

Did he's fifth in franchise history and games played with nine oh, one and he holds the record for most goals At Ubs arena with sixty.

Five his trade really signaled the definitive end of that mid twenty.

Tens era for, them the, grinding, defensive always Underrated islanders, identity.

RIGHT i love the detail that one of the younger, players, MacLean se That nelson represented what An islander, is just understated and always.

Reliable it was closing a.

Chapter it's nice to see some of those relationships transcend the business side of.

It though he met up with former Teammates Josh bailey And Cal clutterbuck than it.

Before, yeah At Clutterbucks.

House it shows that some of those bonds are.

Real but moving, on let's talk about The New York.

Rangers they got their fifth win in six games of four to two victory against The, senators.

And they're doing this despite the massive loss of their number one, Defenseman Adam.

Fox and here's where it gets really.

Interesting it seems like losing a star Like fox has actually galvanized the rest of the.

Decor the numbers are pretty, staggering right they.

Are Before fox got, hurt The rangers defenseman had only nine goals combined in twenty seven.

Games, okay.

Wow in the last two games without, him four of the team's seven goals have come from the blue.

Line so, wait that's almost half their offense suddenly coming from their, defenseman.

Over forty four.

Percent it's a huge.

Shift, yeah the d men are stepping up to fill that offensive.

Void Vladislav gavikov is on an absolute.

Tear second goal in as many games for him and.

His third in four.

Contests he's tied his career high of six goals and he's only played twenty nine.

Games Mika zibanejad was praising his decision, making saying the puck seems to find.

Him he's playing with huge.

Confidence Carson selsey And Will borgan also got in on the action with goals in that.

Win it really highlights how important it is in the modern game to get your defenseman involved offensively for.

Sure and That surgeon scoring from the blue.

Line it shows a kind of depth that every coach dreams, of which brings us neatly To TEAM usa Coach Mike, sullivan.

Who is in the building not just coaching The, rangers but you, know wearing his other hat actively scouting talent for the twenty twenty Six olympic, team.

Which added a layer of complexity to that game because Potential olympic Candidate Shane pinto went down with a lower body injury in the first period for The.

Senators just an incredibly tough break for a guy Like pinto who's trying to solidify his spot.

On that roster it, is and For sullivan it just underscores how difficult his job is trying to put together the best possible national team while also running AN nhl team day to.

Day, okay, finally in The, east let's touch on The toronto.

Beliefs they finish a long six game road trip on a high, note crushing The hurricanes five to.

One, yeah they finished that trip four to one and Oh bobby McMahon scored.

Twice they're finding ways to, win which is what.

Matters but the underlying numbers are a bit, concerning aren't.

They it seems like they're lying pretty heavily on finishing.

Luck they.

Are they're scoring on something like twenty two percent of their recent five on five, shots even though a team Like carolina was heavily outshooting.

Them that's not.

Sustainable and the big, concern the story that never seems to go away In toronto is the.

Crease it's a mystery and a, nightmare as it's being.

Called gold Hitter Joseph wool left that game after forty minutes with an undisclosed.

Injury, now the hope is that they were just being, cautious right they were up for to, one and he does have an injury.

History he left between, periods not.

Midplay that's the.

Hope an abundance of.

Caution but given the history of leaves, goaltending you can understand why the fan base feels a sense of impending doom every time a goalie leaves the.

Net it's just it's a constant source of, anxiety.

And it compounds the situation because right across the, Ice caroline is dealing with her own goalie.

Questions Frederick anderson is really.

Struggling what are his numbers?

Lately they're not.

Good he's zero four and two in his last six, starts with a brutal point eight seven eight save.

Percentage, yeah he tried to stay, positive saying he's had worse stretches where things have looked.

Better but the bottom line is he's not giving him the saves they need right, now and.

That puts pressure on the, coach doesn't.

It there's speculation now That Brandon boosey might get a real shot at the starting role for.

Sure boosey played back to back last.

Weekend With carolina facing three games in four, days the pressure is mounting On Rod brendamore to find some stability in, net especially when his top lines aren't scoring.

Consistently we mentioned, injuries and, wow we really need to spend some time on the physical reality of this.

Game the details coming out About Charlie macovoy's recovery are just they're.

Gruesome it's a really sobering look at the true cost of playing in THE.

Nhl it's incredibly difficult to, hear but it really highlights the commitment these athletes.

Make macavoy he took That Noah dobson slapshot to the face back On november, fifteenth.

And he's just now revealing the full extent of the.

Damage, yeah he disclosed this week that the impact caused a linear fracture to the left side of his, jaw severe, displacement and the loss of a lot of bottom.

Teeth just the force required to do that is.

Chilling but What i've found most shocking was the struggle with the recovery.

Itself he said he lost close to twenty pounds because.

He was forced onto a mandatory liquid diet for.

Weeks and it's not just you, know drinking broth and calling it a, Day, Right.

He's an elite.

Athlete he needs, calories.

Protein he's been forced to rely on high calorie nutrient dense things like, soups, milkshakes and, yeah ice cream just to try and maintain some.

Strength and he tried blending solid, foods didn't HE i read he tried to blend chicken and.

Vegetables he, did he called it a non starter and.

Terrible blended chicken and.

Vegetables that might be the single most unappetizing mental Image i've had all.

Week the mental toll of that alone has to be.

Brutal it really speaks to how difficult this specific injury.

Is the physical recovery isn't just about the bone.

Healing it's about regaining all that strength and energy you lose from not being able to eat.

Properly he's skating now in a non contact, jersey but he admitted he still feels weak and lacks energy because of all that weight, loss.

And thankfully Coach sterm is being.

Patient macavoy won't even be clear to eat solid food for about three more.

Weeks sterm was clear they won't rush.

Him he needs to be one hundred percent mentally physically and have his weight at the right.

Spot macavoy even said that when he, practices he can feel the, damage that the impact and the repair causes everything to vibrate a lot when he's taking.

Shots that's a huge mental hurdle to get.

Over it really is a testament to what they.

Endure In Better news For, boston, Though David pasternak is now skating with his skills, coach which is a positive.

Step still not ex back for the weekend, games but it's progress.

Now over In, washington they're dealing with their own injury ripple.

Effects Defenseman John carlson is day to day with an upper body.

Injury, yeah miss his second straight game and.

Four Just In saratif's going to miss a little bit of time with a lower body.

Injury the timing On saradiff's injury is just, Brutal it's.

Terrible he just stepped into a huge role playing second line center With protest And, wilson and that line was absolutely.

Clicking they were generating fantastic.

Metrics what were their?

Numbers they had outscored opponents eight to two and were doubling up on high danger, chances all while playing against top.

Opposition Tom wilson was just praising him for taking advantage of the.

Opportunity now that chemistry has gone.

And washington's depth is so thin right, now especially in met that they had to sign a thirty five year old local, Guy Parker milner to A.

Pto, yeah FORMER echl goalie of The year just to have a body to fill out the roster for Their friday.

Game when you're signing FORMER ecchl goalies to professional tryouts just to dress a full, lineup that tells you everything you need to know about where your depth is.

At, okay let's jump across the country now and start our second game, recap beginning with a team that has completely lost its, way The New Jersey.

Devils they are in a serious downward.

Spiral lost their fourth straight game and they've been shut out in their last, two most recently a three to zero loss to The Golden.

Knights it's a devastating, spiral and what we're hearing confirms what fans have.

Feared the team is only as good As Jack hughes.

Is without, him they just can't seem to find any, offense or structure or.

Confidence it really confirms the critical weakness of that, organization their inability to sustain any success when one of their key stars is on the.

Sideline BUT i have to, ask they still Have Niko, Shier Jasper, Bratt Timo.

Meyer why is the absence of just one, player even a star Like, hughes so completely debilitating for?

Them it's a combination of, things but really starts with.

Structure hughes drive so much of their transition and pace through the neutral zone that the entire system just stagnates without.

Him so his share In bratt can't pick up that.

Slack, well they're elite, players but they thrive more as secondary, threats you, know they benefit from the chaos That hughes.

Creates when he's, out His share is forced to be the primary, driver and that's not always his strongest.

Suit so the lack of forward depth just gets exposed.

Completely once that top line is, neutralized the bottom nine just can't generate any sustained offense at salt to the.

Wound the goalie who shut them out was their former, Prospect Akira, schmid.

In his FIRST nhl game back after a stint in THE, ahl made twenty four.

Saves that had to be an embarrassing night for The double's front, office oh for.

Sure so what's the.

Solution, well the internal analysis in The devils now is that fixing that forward depth is trade priority number, one whether that's top six help or just more reliable bottom six guys to stop the bleeding when a star goes.

Down all, right let's shift years radically from a team that can't score to one that just won't st The Edmonton.

Oilers they had an offensive, explosion destroying The Seattle crack in nine to.

Four, yeah And connor McDavid bagged a hat trick on seven, shots tying him With Mark messier on The oilers all time.

List this was a fascinating, night mostly because of the backstory involving the.

Media, right it was.

Great Coach Chris knoblauch didn't miss a.

Beat he jokingly suggested that all the media criticism over McDavid passing too much is what prompted the.

Breakout what did he?

Say he, said McDavid was disappointed with your guys's coverage of his offensive ability or not shooting the.

Puck maybe that stirred it.

UP i love that level of, engagement and McDavid himself basically confirmed.

It he.

Did he admitted he'd been passing a couple away in previous games and specifically mentioned it cost the team a one zero.

Loss so he clearly made a conscious decision to be more of a.

Shooter and when McDavid decides to, shoot it just changes.

Everything it makes him impossible to.

Defend Evan bouchard pointed, out if you play him, tight he'll pass.

It if you lay off to take away the, pass he'll shoot.

It one of his.

Goals, again the kracken the Goalie Joey decord just caught standing still expecting a pass that never.

Came so if McDavid keeps this shooter's, mindset The oilers offense becomes lethal.

Again it.

Does, meanwhile for The, kraken the collapse just.

Continues there's zero three in one in their last, four shut out twice in that.

Stretch they're outside the playoff.

Bubble and that game Against edmonton just exposed their biggest defensive, flaw didn't it the penalty.

Kill it was a disastrous.

Display on The oiler's first power play, goal it took them seven seconds seven from the face off win To Leandrey sale putting it in the.

Net, yeah The kraken's defensive, structure which was supposed to be their, strength has completely.

Evaporated they just look spent and.

Listless, okay speaking of struggling, teams let's look at The Utah mammoth and The Vancouver.

Canucks The mammoth beat THE nhl Worst canucks for one and that.

Was fueled by another strong effort From Carol, vishmelka who made thirty one.

Saves that came just two nights after he shut Out anaheim seven to.

Zero utah is a confident team right.

Now they're sitting in a wild card spot and they're doing a great job of suppressing.

Shots And vancouver's the.

Opposite they've lost four, straight they can't.

Score, yeah it's just the perfect scenario For utah's structured transition game to.

Thrive Arsteep bains did manage to Spoil vishmelka's shutout bid with his first goal this.

Season he, did but even the, Captain Quinn hughes is in his longest point drought of the, season three straight games without a, point and when your leader and offensive driver goes, cold the whole team feels.

It he's had a quote after the loss that really summed up the team's, frustration didn't.

It he.

Did he said something, like wins are the most important.

Thing but if you, lose but you lose three to one and not five to, one you're still.

Losing it tells you they're looking for silver linings in lost margins instead of focusing on how to actually.

Win they just rely so heavily on Their, stars and when those guys go, cold the whole thing breaks down.

Exactly and, finally a quick look The San Jose, sharks who got a tough reality check In, dallas a four to one loss to The.

Stars, yeah and that game really highlighted this significant talent disparity between the two.

Teams when an elite team Like dallas decides to turn up the, pace The sharks just can't keep.

Up you saw it in those one on one.

Battles Sam steele Beat Timothy, Lilgegrin Miko rantan just Smoked Tidal landria, Right and.

Even though The sharks had a Maclin sellabrini goal called back for off, sides those moments show you That San jose still lacks the high end skill to compete with the league's best on a nightly.

Basis and they're getting some tough love internally about.

That after a brutal seven to one loss of The capitals earlier in the, week they held an unscheduled.

Practice because Forward tyler To foley flat out said they didn't deserve the day.

Off that is the definition of veteran leadership and accountability right.

There it's necessary an unscheduled practice is never, popular but when you get embarrassed seven to, one the message has to be.

Sent the effort was.

Unacceptable all, Right let's pivot now to the rumor mill management decisions trade, talk starting with the blue.

Line With Adam fox out long term for The, rangers they are actively looking for a rental defenceman to quarterback their.

Power play and this is where management has to be really smart and.

Targeted insiders Like Elliott friedman have linked them To Eric.

Gustafson which makes a ton of.

Sense right familiarity, Availability it makes enormous.

Sense gustafson is currently in THE ahl with The Red wings.

Affiliate he's a two million DOLLAR ufa at the end of the.

Year detroit clearly sees him as.

Expendable but he is a PROVEN nhl powerplay quarterback.

And it's a.

Reunion he already filled in For fox in this exact situation back In november twenty twenty, three and he was.

Great he had eleven, points a goal and ten assists in just ten.

Games The rangers went seven to two to one in that.

Stretch he can run that man advantage for a team that desperately needs that.

Production While fox.

Is, Out so they're prioritizing that specific skill set over, say pure defensive.

Reliability it's a calculated, risk but, Yes friedman was clear that nothing is, imminent but they are definitely looking around for an experienced rental to fill that specific.

Role, now let's move to the goaltending, rumors because The Edmonton oilers are desperate and their search is becoming this active.

Drama it is their scouts were at That Bruins blues, game which immediately fueled speculation that they're looking At Jeremy swayman to upgrade Over skinner And.

Pickart swaymen would be a massive, upgrade but the cost would be.

A king's, ransom and the consensus among trusted insiders is that The oilers will stand pat unless they find a guaranteed upgrade at a price they can.

Stomach but the fan base pressure is just immense.

And it's driving some bizarre rumors like one About Tristan darry being traded to The oilers With pittsburgh retaining fifty.

Percent a completely unverified, rumor and the source of it was purely.

Emotional it came from a very long lingering hug Between skinner And pickard after a recent.

Game so fans online saw that and immediately thought it was a farewell hug For, piccard and that.

Sparked The jarr.

Rumor, yeah it just highlights the level of desperation in that.

Market they're interpreting every single interaction as a sign of an impending, trade.

Because the reality Is skinner And pickar just haven't provided the consistency you need to be a Real cup contender.

Exactly and, meanwhile over In, detroit The Red wings are facing their own goaltending.

Dilemma their veteran tandem Of John gibson And Cam talbot is really.

Struggling the numbers are.

Painful gibson has a three point sixty two goals against average and a point eight to sixty eight save percentage.

Brutal and While talbot has nine of the team's fourteen, wins his overall save percentage is an inadequate point eighty eighty.

Four that kind of mediocrity in net is what's holding them back from gaining ground in.

The playoff, race and this situation just strengthens the case for promoting their ahl Star Sebastian.

Cosa we'll get into his numbers in a, bit but The veterans are clearly not getting it.

Done, finally we have to touch on the trade noise around The flyers And, canucks because this has complexities beyond just the.

Players, Right flyers management is actively trying to calm the noise around Winger Owen.

Tippett the constant trade, rumors including The canucks asking about, him have reportedly started to bother the.

Player friedman confirmed The flyers Like tippet's contract and they believe he has another level he can get, to so they're trying to shut down the buzz and commit to his.

Development but that outside interest leads to a really fascinating problem tampering.

Concerns it does because there's a natural connection between The flyers Coach Rick, tatchett who used to coach The, canucks and all Of vancouver's expiring, UFAs and that.

Link is causing concern about violating the NHL's rules on tampering and creating an unfair business.

Practice, right the rules prevent gms or coaches from talking to a player who's under contract with another team about future.

Deals so because of Touch it's recent history with those, players The flyers might actually need to get the NHL's official blessing before they can even make a deal With, vancouver just to.

Prove they haven't been engaging in illicit communication or leveraging touch its past.

Relationships it's a layer of regulatory red tape that most trades just don't have to deal.

With all, right let's move into the prospect, pool where we're seeing some fascinating development.

Stories let's start With Matt Vay, mitchkoff The flyer's twenty year old.

Sophomore he had a slow start to the, season but recently took accountability for.

It he.

Did he said he can do much better and that he needs to score.

More that's the first.

Step but what's really interesting is how The flyer's coaching, staff led By Rick, takschit has adjusted their approach to help.

Him they're using a less is more strategy right exactly.

To avoid overwhelming him with information.

Overload when a young, player especially when coming from a different pro, environment gets bombarded with new, systems new, concepts they can become paralyzed by.

Thought so they're simplifying.

Things they've dialed it.

In they're focusing his instruction through one primary coach for the, day and sometimes he just, Decided, hey let's give him a break.

Today let's not talk.

Systems it's about building his confidence and letting his skill take, over and his.

Recent productivity suggests it's.

Working totchit stressed That mitchkoff shouldn't worry about.

Points the goals and assists will come by doing the right.

Things it's classic process over.

Outcome, now let's talk about those elite goaltending prospects making noise in THE, ahl starting With Sebastian, casa The Red wings first round pick from twenty twenty.

One he is absolutely.

Dominating his numbers are just.

Phenomenal he's leading the ENTIRE ahl with a nine to one to zero record and astonishing one point five to one goals against average and a stellar point nine four to five save.

Percentage he just Won goalie.

Of The month and he seems to have a really professional mindset about it.

Too he.

Does he said he needs to dominate THE ahl to earn HIS nhl, shot regardless of what's happening with the struggling goalies In.

Detroit with the.

Way he's playing And detroit's current, woes he's making an undeniable case for a permanent role sooner rather than.

Later no.

Question and another standout Is canadian's Prospect Jacob.

Valor he got some enormous praise from former executive peer McGuire recently.

He compared him To Martin.

Berduer he.

Did McGuire, Said fowler is as good a Prospect i've seen Since Marty, berduer noting their similar composure and puck handling.

Ability that is some incredibly high, praise And fowler's numbers in THE ahl are backing it.

Up a two point one five goals against, average a point nine two zero safe.

Percentage it's raising the possibility he might get AN nhl look sooner than his projected twenty twenty six twenty seven, arrival especially with the instability In montreal's.

Net we also have an important injury update On shark's Prospect Casper.

Mesa, yeah he recently disclosed he suffered an ankle injury back On november fifth during a morning, skate just a weird play along the.

Boards so he's.

Been out for nearly a.

Month he's backskating now and he's taking AN hl conditioning loan to get his pace.

Back but the anecdote that really stuck out to me was the incredible mentorship he received during his time In San.

Jose misa lived with veteran Tyler Ta foley and his Wife.

Kat he said they took me in as their own little.

Child And Jeff skinner mentoring him.

Too, Right, Yeah.

Skinner would pick him up for the, rank drive him to game sharing.

Insights that level of veteran mentorship for a young player dealing with their first pro injury is just.

Invaluable.

OKAY a quick look at The blackhawk's prospect, pipeline which is producing some interesting.

Contrasts third Rounder John mustard is excelling At.

Providence he is twelve points in fifteen.

Games he's actually ahead of the ducks twenty twenty five first round pick on the scoring.

Leaderboard he's being praised for his speed and.

Competitiveness on the.

Flip, side their eighteenth overall pick from twenty twenty, Four Sacha boaver is.

Struggling he.

Is he reaggravated a nagging shoulder injury a couple of times by trying to come back too.

Soon for a young power forward like, him that's.

Devastating it hampers his ability to finish checks and shoot with.

Power it's a significant developmental setback that just needs proper.

Rest we have to address the major controversy brewing over the twenty twenty Six Winter olympics In Malon.

Courtina THE nhl players are, back which is, great but there's this massive persistent issue with the ice.

Mentions, yeah the core issue is.

Structural the arena is still under construction and it's reportedly more than three feet shorter than THE nhl.

Standard it's one hundred and ninety six point eight five feet instead of two.

Hundred which is a clear violation of the agreement signed between THE, nhl THE nhlpa and THE.

Iihf it Is Team canada assistant Coach peter De borr was the first to publicly raise the, issue basically asking how something so basic could have been.

Missed so THE nhl is viewing this as not ideal but not a safety, concern which is.

Good but, tactically how to shrinking the rink by three feet actually impact the game.

WELL a shorter rink means a shorter neutral zone that significantly reduces the time players have to make clean zone.

Entries you'll see coaches resort to a lot more.

Dump and, chase so it favors physicality and for checking over skillful breakout passes exactly creates.

Congestion it could potentially reduce that high, flying open ice game that everyone wants to see at The.

Olympics so it subtly shifts the kind of player you might want on your roster grinders over pure finesse.

Guys it's a major consideration For Mike sullivan for.

Sure THE nhl says they can adjust the lines like they did for The Global series.

Games the test events are now pushed back To, january so hopefully they figure it.

Out and speaking Of Mike, sullivan The rangers coach And TEAM usa bench, boss he gave a great breakdown of his philosophy for building That olympic roster he.

Did he emphasized that the goal is to build a functional, team not just an all star.

Team he's not just going to pick the top twenty scorers in the.

League he needs players who bring specific elements for specific, situations and.

He used these fantastic detailed.

Examples he needs to know who's going over the boards to defend a three to two lead with ninety seconds.

Left who are your elite defensive zone face off specialists who is going to shut Down connor McDavid Or nathan.

McKinnon it's a.

Much more strategic process than just aggregating.

Talent, absolutely And sullivan also weighed in on the rink size.

Controversy he said he hopes he gets resolved because he thinks THE nhl rank is already too small as it.

Is that's a fascinating.

Point why does he think.

That he argues that modern players are so much, bigger, stronger and faster than they were in the nineteen, Fifties yet they're playing on the exact same two hundred by eighty five foot.

Dimensions so the evolution of the athlete has effectively shrunk the playing surface every single.

Year the players take up more, space they close gabs.

Faster the speed of today's game demands more, space so cutting three feet off the length is a huge step in the wrong direction.

Strategically it's a really compelling.

Point the talent evaluation has to be dual.

Layered who's great and who's great under these conditions of extreme compression and?

Speed what a week of.

EXTREMES i think if there's one overarching lesson from all of, this it's just how fine the line is between success and crisis in TODAY'S.

Nhl for, sure you see The devil's collapse because they're too reliant on one.

Star you see The bruins survive because a depth player Like Alex steves just puts the team on his back through sheer.

Will and you see The, oilers their generational talent only shoots when he's criticized by the media for passing too.

Much the mental side of this game is defining everything right.

Now it's that sheer focus desperation that's driving at.

All, yeah and that brings us to the final, thought the value of commitment in this high stakes.

Environment Remember San jose's Tie, tolandria who is facing the end of his career and openly admitted he realizes his career is on the.

Line he literally, Said i'm still working for a job every single night.

Exactly and you contrast that survival mentality With Alex, steves who told his coach he would be back and then he kept his.

Word that level of focused desperation and effort showing up every single night is the difference between surviving in THE ahl and thriving on AN nhl top.

Line so the players who are going to define the rest of the season will be the ones playing with that kind of.

Focus, absolutely the goalies who stabilize the, crease the defenseman who filled the.

Void so the question for, you the listeners you watch your favorite team is who else is playing like their careers on the line right, now because those are the players who will unexpectedly carry their team to the.

Playoffs